Log:How to build a better mousetrap

How to build a better Mousetrap

OOC Date: 4/4/2016
Location: Moe's Ship Repairs
Participants: Moergog, Qadira Suuryet, Raim Shah, Cruces, Creation Consortium

Moe's shop was currently 'closed', not something he did often, but as it was the largest of the shops in the gearhead district amongst members of the Consortium, it served as a de facto meeting area for the group until they got something else constructed. "Thanks for coming," the Verpine says as others arrive. "I do hope that we aren't going to be extremely picky of who we do business with here on Nar Shaddaa. I've recently been approached by the leader of the Black Sun syndicate. Before we get into any details about the meeting, if anyone here has a problem doing work for them, speak now."

Kadi +2 makes her way in, stopping to look at the ships, but not until she is inside. "Hey, Moe!" she calls out sunnily. And then she listens, tilting her head a bit. "Well - Black Sun? Really? How interesting that they're the first ones to see if we want work." She frowns briefly, thoughtfully. "I - guess it depends on what the work is. I'm not big on actually hurting anyone, but if we're upgrading a ship or something, that should be okay."

Raim had arrived a short while ago, his Yacht once more wedged into Moe's shop. He sits on one of the folding chairs, the exact one he had sat on the last meeting in fact, and he listens to Moe's words with interest. At the mention of the Black Sun, Raim's dark eyebrows lift and he offers a smile, "Don't tell me you have been talking with "Prince" Xizor too?" The Chiss laughs and then shakes his head and holds his hands up, "Not to say I am not interested. It is just a funny turn of events. I met the man, or his hologram, myself around a month ago."

Cruces has been sitting on a chair in the corner for the past few minutes. Taking a short, measured pull from his flask as moe speaks, he leans forward slightly and replies. "Got no problem taking their money so long as they don't decide it's cheaper to have us killed after."

Moe gives a polite nod to Kadi, "Glad you could make it, Ms. Suuryet." He then looks to Raim, giving the man a nod. "He contacted me via holocomms as well. A very secure setup that I was impressed with." Then, to Cruces, "That is a concern, but I don't think it's a big one. Prince Xizor has asked us to design and build a facility for him in the Corellian Sector. Something with state-of-the-art security, accommodations for a hangar, basically the works. But it needs to blend in with the surroundings and not stand out too much, meaning we're likely going to need to look into building downward, not up."

"A building?" Kadi blinks, looks around at the group, and then back to Moe. "That sort of seems a bit outside our strengths, doesn't it?" She chews on her lip as she considers what she knows, and the classes she took back at university. "I mean - well. That certainly ought to challenge us to learn new things."

Scratching his chin, Cruces gives a wry smile as he leans back in his seat once more. "So...he wants us to design the building, the security, and everything. At which point we will be the only people in existence that know the layout of his security in it's entirety." Taking another pul from the flask, the old man grins. "I'm interested, but can we set the deadline until after i've perfected my Blasterproof suit?"

Raim smirks at Cruces' comment and can only offer up a light chuckle. "I don't know Moe. I like the idea of having the Black Sun in our pocket... but then again, I like the idea of keeping my head on my shoulders." The Chiss considers for a moment and then lifts one blue finger. "Might I suggest one thing. We design his building, sure. We outfit it how he wants, armed to the teeth, security that can't be broken. /But/.. We keep one fatal flaw for ourselves. Call it an insurance policy."

"I believe that between the bulk of us, we can factor in a good bit of what we lack individually. Though, it does mean we need to find a good architect and contractor," Moe says, looking to Kadi. He then looks to Cruces, giving the man a nod. "It also means we're going to be the only people who can alter it or fix it for him," Moe says. "And, it could mean work with other Black Sun facilities not just on Nar Shaddaa." Then, Moe is looking to Raim, and shakes his head. "I will not incorporate any fatal flaw knowlingly. It does not mean that I will not leave a security key for us in case we need to do repairs or something similar. But, I will not put in a flaw that someone other than us can potentially exploit and making us seem as a failure."

Grinning at Raim's statement, Cruces winks before speaking once more. "Can that Fatal flaw or security key be a little remote with a big red button that sets off the explosives throughout the compound? It would be pretty fatal, and i would damn sure feel a lot more secure. How much is he offering anyways?"

Kadi frowns as the conversation goes round. She pauses as both Raim and Cruces seem worried about their own survival at the end of it all, processing that information and coming to no good conclusions. "It would seem to make sense to have a way to do repairs, upgrades or other modifications. Uhm, this is not going to stop us from being able to work for their competitors, is it?"

Raim considers Moergog for a moment before he shrugs his shoulders. "It is just a means of protecting our own asses. But if you would rather leave us out to the wolves, then I suppose you are the captain here." His tone isn't angry or defensive, more likely it is just an attempt for the man to see reason with the benefit of having their own personal escape route should things go south.

Moe just shakes his head. "If you are concerned so much, you two," Moe says to Cruces and Raim, "then you aren't required to be involved. I doubt there is any more risk working on this than there is with any other customer here on Nar Shaddaa. I will not condone layering the building with explosives or anything of the like. Such things would definitely put prices on our heads should they be discovered, and it is unprofessional. Prince Xizor should be considered a wealthy customer, but be treated as if he were any other wealthy customer with a desire for discretion. This could potentially open up a whole new market for us. While the Hutts can provide some black market goods, imagine what a syndicate as old and powerful as Black Sun, with its ties to the Core, could provide."

Holding his hands up in mock surrender, Cruces chuckles. "Unbunch the panties there Moe. I was making light of the situation. I told you I'm in. Though you still haven't mentioned how much the esteemed Wealthy client is offering. And No I wouldn't actually make a remote to trigger explosives. they have to be replaced periodically."

Kadi looks at Moe, and then over at the other two, quietly. At this point, she's not sure what to add, though she is still thinking about possibilities. "I will help as I can, and am certainly okay with creating a building. It may open markets, but will it also close some off? Or do you think we can swing enough neutrality to be able to do work for any and all clients, without getting any of them mad at us? Or does this mean we'll end up working only for Black Sun?"

Raim holds his hands up as well as he says, "If you mistake my desire for all of our safety as being an unwillingness to work for our benefactor, then I apologize. I simply am looking for our first job to not be our last. That is all."

"And, doing a good job that doesn't give reason to turn a potential customer into an enemy is a damned good start," Moe says. "Most of us do works for mercenaries, bounty hunters, and Hutts, all of which are probably more of a threat than the head of Black Sun. One doesn't run as long lived an organization by eliminating everyone who does work for them. Word would spread and people would quit doing work for them." He takes a deep breath. "Now, that we got that out of the way. I'm a starship engineer, not an architect or security expert, but there are few things as easily secured as a ship, so I'm not beyond making the interior quite similar, with full-scale compartmentalization, bulkheads, airlocks, the works." He then looks to Cruces. "Do you have any experience with making picket auto cannons? Between you and Mr. Shah, I believe that you could make an automated defense system that would be quite functional, though I'd recommend setting it up for stun damage." He looks to Kadi, "Ms. Suuryet, you and I will focus primarily on the structural aspect of things. Cruces and Raim will focus on the automation and defenses."

Kadi tilts her head, and she nods. "That makes sense - actually the compartmentalization and all should make it very much like a ship." There's definite interest there, easily visible. Probably a good thing she doesn't play poker much. "Did we get a timeline? I mean, is there a date by which the Prince wants his new hideout ready?"

nodding to Moe, Cruces raises an eyebrow. "Not to be materialistic or anything here Moe, but the money...How much? And yes i can handle the brawn if Raim is willing to do the brains."

Raim tilts his head in agreement and says, "I am familiar with computers, both programming and slicing. It should not be too hard to write an interface that will offer a targeting system, as well as the ability to stun or fire live rounds, should the need arise."

"When I asked about a budget," Moe says, "I was told whatever it takes. But, we have to come up with something to present before construction begins so we can know what it's going to cost and what we're going to charge for it. As for a timeline, there wasn't one presented yet, but I would assume that the sooner the better."

nodding quietly, Cruces settles back in his seat for a moment and seems to stare at nothing for the moment. Cybernetic hand making small movements, he mutters quietly to himself as he apparently goes about planning.

Qadira Suuryet stares for a moment. Wealthy client, right. "That sounds to me like we should get working on it. And see if there's an architect we can find who can at least do the shell of things? Anyone know anyone?" Kadi grins at Cruces, her gaze going to the movement of the cybernetic hand briefly. "Bulkheads and compartmentalization should be doable, based on the design for things, where the load bearing is." Kadi is on the same track as Cruces, apparently. Right into the thick of things.

Raim nods as well and presses himself to his feet. "I will go and look over my notes on programs I have been working on for in regard to advanced droid targeting and identification systems. That will surely come in handy in this undertaking."

Moe nods to Kadi. "I'll put word out that we're looking for an architect," he says. "That's the job, let's start working on some rough drafts and re-convene in a few days with some ideas. Maybe a few mockups that I can show Xizor in the next meeting."

Standing quietly, Cruces offers an off hand waveto the group as he makes his way towards the door. looking for all the world like he's trying to read and walk at the same time. "I'll send you a program that was buzzing around in my head too Raim. might be able to do some tweaking on it."

Kadi nods her head. "In that case, I should probably go read up on structural integrity and construction on things that aren't ships," she says. "So we can start off on the right track. Would it help at all to make a working model before hand?"

Raim nods his head to Cruces as he turns and heads for the door, "Alright. Send it on over and I will take a look at it. It could be something that would be useful." With that the Chiss presses his way through the door and back into the Gearhead District.

"I believe a working model would be ideal," Moe says to Kadi. He looks to the others. "Thanks for coming by. Let's see how we can do on this, see if this consortium has a future in real estate or if we should just focus on smaller things."