Posts: 8,811
Threads: 745
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
Bethlehem Station, Erie System
Doc was alone when he arrived at Bethlehem. It had been some time since he had been there but it was still the quiet place he remembered. A lot of memories came from the base, most of them pleasant. Right away, the bartender noticed him.
"Doc," he said with a voice of approval and a handshake, "long time, no see. I have some of that good Scotch you like."
"Why, good Sir, that sounds delicious," replied Doc.
The bartender went over with Doc and spoke as he poured.
"So what brings you out here?" he asked.
"Business," he answered. "I am meeting someone here from Bristol Construction and Manufacturing. A Daniel Lennox."
"Can't say as that I've heard of him," replied the bartender as he poured the Scotch. "What's it all about?"
Doc knew that bartenders talked to anyone with credits, even one that knew you well.
"Hm...I am not totally sure yet. I just know it is about medical stuff."
The bartender handed Doc his Scotch. He sniffed it and savored the smell before taking a sip.
"You were not wrong, my friend. Excellent stuff!" declared Doc. "If I get anything juicy from the meeting I might share it but for now, I would like to reserve my usual room. Until then, I will wait here for Mr. Lennox to arrive."
"Very well, Doc," replied the bartender as he put the bottle back under the bar, "your usual room it is." He then handed him a key card.
With that, he left Doc alone as he waited for his guest.
Posts: 894
Threads: 73
Joined: May 2020
Staff roles: Story Developer
Daniel J. Lennox entered the ship's bar accompanied by his two assistants and immediately gave the impression of a pure businessman at first glance - neatly shaved cheeks, short-cropped hair and a fitted blue and black suit. His two companions were dressed in simpler black and white suits and glanced briefly around the station bar and nodded to their boss that all was well.
Daniel J. Lennox also looked around briefly asking the nearest attendant where to find the man known as 'Doc Holiday'. When the attendant correctly directed him, he adjusted his suit and made his way to his possible business partner.
Immediately as he approached Doc Holiday, he smiled warmly at him in a gregarious manner and offered him a friendly hand in greeting, "Good day, Mr. Holiday, my name is Daniel J. Lennox and I am the Executive Manager of the Bristol Construction and Manufacturing Division, very pleased to meet you in person". His eyes caught sight of the access card Doc Holiday held in his hand and he nodded his head, "I see you have already booked the room for our meeting together, isn't that right?".
Posts: 8,811
Threads: 745
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
"I have indeed," replied Doc extending his own hand in greeting. They shook. Not a test of strength but a firm, professional shake. "John Holliday, founder of Med Force Enterprises."
After the hand shake, he motioned in the direction they would be heading.
As they walked, they carried on conversation. Nothing private for any prying ears in the public area but casual. Once at the room, they entered a spacious conference room with a window looking out at the nearby planet. A small, fully furnished bar was in the room as well.
"Had many a conference here," Doc stated. "It is actually a good place to have one, especially since our discussion will involve this system itself. I am curious though about Bristol Construction and Manufacturing as I have only heard the name but know little else."
He then paused. "Would you care for a drink, Mr. Lennox?"
Posts: 894
Threads: 73
Joined: May 2020
Staff roles: Story Developer
Daniel J. Lennox smiled slightly at the offer of a drink and nodded his head politely, "I'll have a glass of sake, thank you". With those words he unbuttoned his jacket and adjusted his suit before taking a seat at the conference table and placing both of his hands on the table top.
"I think I will be able to answer any questions you may have about my company.", Daniel added in a friendly tone as he continued the conversation, "As I communicated via NeuroNET when we arranged our business meeting - Bristol Constructions and Manufacturing is a small independent corporation operating primarily in the Independent Worlds, although we do have assets and liabilities in a system like Pennsylvania, which is officially controlled by Liberty. It is this independence which is a key part of our corporate culture and identity.".
Daniel J. Lennox then paused briefly before asking Doc Holiday the question, "Is there anything else you'd like to know about our company?".
Posts: 8,811
Threads: 745
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
Doc nodded at his Sake request and went over to pour it. As he started, he quickly looked over to him, "Independence. Interesting." He poured the Sake and handed it to Lennox. He then poured himself a Scotch over the rocks and took a seat across from Lennox.
"Planet Erie has a Zoner majority on it," Doc explained, "Independence is what a lot of them want but that is for another discussion. The fact that your company mostly works in the Independent Worlds but can have a presence here in Liberty space is a good omen."
He sipped his Scotch. "Good Scotch," he commented, "Bretonia is good for something after all but anyway, I am curious as to what draws you out here. Med Force Enterprises has a small but effective presence on Planet Erie to support that Zoner communities away from the capital city areas, you know, small clinics and such. I am under the impression you want to work with me to make something bigger. Now, while I have a good relationship with the Liberty government, how would they react to this?"
Posts: 894
Threads: 73
Joined: May 2020
Staff roles: Story Developer
Daniel J. Lennox gave his companion a nod of thanks and took a small sip from his sake glass. He then placed the glass and drink on the tabletop in front of him and placed both hands on the table again. "My company, like any other corporation, is looking for business opportunities to further its growth. As for Pennsylvania specifically, we have our mining operations here - the Cleveland Space Station in orbit around the planet Hallam and the planet Hallam itself. Our plan on planet Erie is to spread awareness of our company among the Zoners there as a lot of our employees are from there. We've all heard various rumors about what's going on in Vespucci, so our two planned medical facilities will not only serve as hospitals and clinics, but also as underground community shelters. The first two centers will be paid for out of our own pocket and the other complexes will require significant participation from the local communities if there is interest. We are a relatively small company and our profits are limited compared to the corporations in Liberty or Kusari.", he finished his rather long monologue and took another sip of his sake..
Posts: 8,811
Threads: 745
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
Doc nodded as he listened. So far, it sounded good.
" I was not aware that you had a station in the system. That will explain your presence in the eyes of the Liberty government," Doc answered. "For us Zoners, it is a trying time so it pleases me to see you are providing them with employment. All I ask is that they are both treated and compensated well."
The part about Vespucci was a bit concerning considering the blockade and fighting going on there. "Vespucci would be a tough place to operate for anyone these days. Blockades and threats to anyone doing anything there have been long standing. As it is, I was able to evacuate some of them to local planet Erie Zoner communities where they have settled nicely."
He sipped his drink. "While those communities are actually doing well, they do not have a lot of funding for large projects. They would also want a strong hand in those projects but know that the Liberty government on Erie will have much to say on it which is my concern." He adjusted himself in his chair. "So far, Mr. Lennox, you have my interest. Please, do continue."
Posts: 894
Threads: 73
Joined: May 2020
Staff roles: Story Developer
Daniel J. Lennox smiled politely and gave a slight nod of his head, "Our corporation doesn't have the luxury of the almost unlimited labour available to large corporations. For that reason, our corporation must work constructively with independent communities to secure labour. To behave as recklessly as the larger corporations would make our business impossible".
"Liberty has no reason to hinder these construction projects in any way - we are not going to install heavy weaponry there, it will be a completely civilian building with civilian staff. But even if they do obstruct it, I'm sure it's quite possible to overwhelm their administration with unnecessary construction documents to their confusion.".
"In terms of cost, this project will be a big test for us. We have cost estimates available, but I expect the first clinic and community shelter to become disproportionately more expensive as we gain valuable experience. The second complex will be a confirmation that we are learning the right lessons and all subsequent projects should be cheaper to implement. Furthermore, these first two clinics and community shelters will also be used for our own business on the planet.", Daniel J. Lennox smiled amiably and sipped his sake again..
Posts: 8,811
Threads: 745
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
Doc listened carefully as Daniel explained. It sounded good in theory but he also knew how Zoner people often were. Corporations intimidated them. The bigger they were, the more intimidated they were. Still, Lennox sounded pretty sure of himself.
Then there was the problem of organization. Zoners were never known to be that. Sure, they worked together but they also valued their freedom and individualities.
"You know, this sounds good on paper," Doc replied. "I get the impression that Bristol Construction is relying on a Zoner workforce to complete the project while Bristol funds the project or at least, a lot of it. Mind you that a lot of the Zoners living on Erie in their communities are not wealthy but they are content. Each of those communities has well, a mayor I guess, as that one person everyone goes to but for the most part, they are not organized as a whole. Does that make sense?"
He paused before adding a final statement before taking a bite of a snack cracker. "The fact that you separate yourself from the Liberty Government is a huge plus. They all want Liberty off the Planet."
Posts: 894
Threads: 73
Joined: May 2020
Staff roles: Story Developer
Daniel smiled amiably, "We are aware of the decentralized nature of the communities living on Erie. Our first two clinics and community shelters will be built in the communities where we have the most employees.", and he paused briefly. He briefly curled his gaze to his joined hands on the table top before looking back up at John Holiday, "While this may seem like an investment within our company, our plan is that anyone will be able to use our medical facility and find shelter there in the event of a theoretical large scale disaster.".
"However, our company does not have any extensive medical facilities, so we are forced to seek cooperation with another party, such as your MFE. I'm sure a collaboration such as this would help alleviate the last vestiges of distrust of our company on planet Erie.", Daniel took a brief pause to sip from his sake, "Any administrative fees with these two projects will only be enough to pay for the maintenance of the buildings themselves and pay off any power to the local distributors. The buildings will be built at our own expenses and run with no profit margin for us.".
"Would the MFE be interested in our proposal?, he asked after he finished his long, somewhat repeating monologue.
![[Image: 7Md2x4D.png]](https://i.imgur.com/7Md2x4D.png)
