Systems of Trade (FT, JSA)

[The Webway Combine]

From the outside, Sol Station didn't seem like much amidst the overstimulating bustle of Sol System commerce. Given that baseline, however, it was still an impressive facility. It followed a traditional donut design indicating that it was a station that used its rotation to provide artificial gravity, but the interior of the ring came to an edge that would occasionally spark with energy. These sparks heralded one of two occurances: A docking vessel was entering the Webway with an automated docking guide to enter the station's hangar, or such a vessel was leaving by the same manner. Being nearly two hundred meters wide, fifty meters tall before the sharpening, and a little over five hundred in radius, it didn't take much effort to conclude that the hangars were in the three equidistant spikes along the interior of the ring.

On the station, a nobleman examined the hustle of activity beneath him from one of the corporate ceiling suites. He stroked his platinum blonde goatee in thought, considering the implications of recent events. The Owen family had depended rather heavily on the exclusivity of Sol Station to maintain their presence on the Board of Directors. Between the JSA and Grittonia... Stephen didn't need long to reach the conclusion that the Owen family would need to expand with the rest of the Combine. At the sound of a light buzz, he pressed a button on his earpiece communicator. "Stephen Owen speaking."

"Sir, this is Sol Observation." The voice sounded like a female recording, but Stephen knew better. The Webway Combine always employed well-trained representatives to oversee communications as a precaution against someone trying to exploit the limitations of artificial intelligence. "The representatives of the Joint Systems Alliance are to be arriving shortly. As per your request, I am confirming that you are prepared to receive the delegation."

As the woman spoke, Stephen examined himself in the mirror. The teal and white uniform of Webway Combine staff would ideally convey a sense of unity, while the gray longcoat and noblemans' staff would signify his office within the Combine. Giving the pointed C at the head of the staff a critical glance, he nods. "I just need to gate into position. Inform me when they arrive, and I'll be en route to the appropriate reception area."

"Understood, sir. Have a nice day!"

[Magna Omega]

The Cornelius class trabsport vessel Kyir arrived in the Sol system an hours ahead of schedual. It came in about 500,000 kilometers from Sol station. It carried the four JSA representatives to take a tour of the station and arrange a trade agreement with the Combine. The representatives were Omegan Minister of Foriegn Affairs Gaius Cadius, Omegan Minister of Commerce Allen Gyles, Exomax Industries representative Maria Yantius, and Chairman Gremond Corius of the New Omega Board of Commerce.

Gaius Cadius stood against the wall peering out the window at the station before them as they approached.

"Bigger than I had expected." he said quietly. "I can't wait to see it inside."

Suddenly the Captain's voice came online over the shipwide coms.

"This is Captain Brumentius. All JSA reps please report to the starboard airlock on deck 4. We'll be docking soon."

As the representatives formed up by the airlock the Kyir's com officer Nacy Danus hailed Sol station.

"This is the IFMO transport Kyir. We have the fours JSA representatives aboard and are requesting a landing vector."

[The Webway Combine]

The voice responding to the hail was a smooth and feminine, her tone being of one who was very used to doing the task but by no means tired of it. "Greetings Kyir, this is Sol Observation representing the Webway Combine. Please direct your vessel to the interior of the ring and allow a ferry drone to make hull contact to guide your vessel through the webway to your designated dock. Due to the nature of your visit, all docking fees have been waived and we have reserved two docking slots for your vessel, as per neccesity. Is your vessel capable of a touchdown landing, or will it require suspended docking?"

[Magna Omega]

"This is primaryily a diplomatic and civilian transport vessel. I'm sorry but touchdown procedures are only conducted in emergency situations. We'd require suspended dock please. Our vessel is ready when you are."

[The Webway Combine]

"Understood. The appropriate docking drone will make hull contact with your vessel upon your entering the Webway Perimeter. Station Head Stephen Owen will meet you at the docking ramp to welcome you aboard personally." The transmission would then end, effectively prompting the ship to move into position, where a circular drone with three equidistant magnetic clamp arms would approach.

((OOC: Permission to godmod your ship into dock to speed things up.))

[Magna Omega]

OOC: Go ahead. Sorry for not responding. I had a lot of JSA stuff to update me being the regional leader and all. I'll just make my ship dock right then and there. You make the welcoming party.

IC:

The Kyir jolted slightly as it docked perfectly. The Captain was impressed that they managed to dock such a large transport with such brevity and precision.

As the airlocks finally whooshed open the four JSA representatives strode out to meet the station head.

[The Webway Combine]

Stephen Owen greets them with a deep bow and a warm smile, his bright blue eyes just off from the teal trim on the white staff uniform, which followed a notably Imperial design. "Welcome, welcome. I am Stephen Owen, Head of Sol Station. I hope none of you were disoriented by the translation through the Webway into the station, but we've found that such precautions when docking are useful in preventing thefts, accidental collisions, and bandits attacking docked customers. Gives us a chance to show off our namesake, as well, good advertising and all that."

"Ah, but where are my manners?" Stephen gestured with his staff toward a half-circle door, which lifted upward at the proximity of the status symbol's head. On the other side, one could see a lengthy mall that arched toward the ceiling, with myriad merchants and customers either from Sol or visiting making their way throughout. "I'm all ready to show off my station, and I haven't even asked your names."

[Magna Omega]

"Well Mister Owen it is a pleasure." said Gaius Cadius. "I can assure you that our tranport to the station was quite satasfactory. As for our introduction; I am Gaius Cadius, the IFMO Minister of Foriegn Affairs. Next to me is Miss Maria Yantius of Exomax Industries, our largest military trade firm. Then this is Minister of Commerce Allen Gyles. His presence here is pretty self explanitory. Finally we have Chairman Gremond Corius of the New Omega Board of Commerce." They all shook Mr. Owen's hand respectfully.

"Shall we begin the tour sir?" said Cadius after pleasantries were exchanghed.

[The Webway Combine]

Stephen nods along while shaking hands, then gives a final affirmative nod in response to the question. "Of course, of course. Right this way..."

Leading the tour group through the door, the Station Head will almost immediately turn to gesture toward the wall behind them, pointing with his staff to emphasis the location he speaks about. "The basic design is simple enough, with three hangar areas dividing the station into the Retail, Service, and Commission sectors. Since you used suspended docking, we're on the upper level of the Retail Sector. There are ramps at regular intervals connecting both the upper level and lower level to the middle level, which has small kiosks in the middle of the walkway as opposed to the wall shops of this and the lower level. Most of the hangar doors lead to ships, but that large double door there are part of the walkway that leads through to the Commission Sector, which will be the final part of our tour. Now, however..."

Stephen clicked a button on his staff, causing energy to arc along the interior of the pointed C at the head. "Requisition tour hovercraft."

"I imagine that it would be tedious to walk the entire ring." There was a sudden flash, and an open air hovercraft appeared in front of the group, the rectangular frame coming to a tip for the singular driver's seat, while the three sets of cushioned seating rowed behind it could fit up to three people apiece. Stephen walks up to the driver's seat, which causes the until then unnotable driver's door to slide open toward the nose, allowing him to step in and take the driver's seat before glancing at the tour group. "Any questions so far?"

[Magna Omega]

"No questions..." said Miss Yantius continuously starring all arround her. "Just a comment. I'm simply amazed sir." she looked at him once her attention was redirected. "This reminds me of Delta Capita in a way. Perhaps smaller but unique. I can tell that we'll enjoy our busines with you."

"Indeed." said Cadius. "An exraordinary station you have here Mister Owen." he turns to his entourage. "Are you ready?"

"I suppose. Let us continue." said Chairman Corius. They then piled into the hovercraft and got situated some still looking around in awe at the large station.

[The Webway Combine]

"Let's get going then." The hovercraft takes to the air with a quiet hum, and moves toward the center over the middle level, keeping high enough to avoid skimming the circular kiosks below. The pace is quicker than a foot traffic below, but still gives the tour group the chance to get a decent view of any given storefront. "The Retail Sector is devoted to the sale of goods. The kiosks tend to be the focus of convenience merchandise: Fast food, tourist novelties closer to the service district, and at regular intervals restrooms. Those are free, naturally. The upper levels have more everyday items: Groceries, furnishings, electronics, tools, you get the idea. The lower levels are a mix of sit-down restaurants, open eating areas, and as one gets closer to the Service Sector, the occasional pharmacy. There's a fair bit of redundancy, but half of our goods are imports from non-FTL planets."

Stephen turns on the autopilot with a quick verbal command before glancing over his shoulder at his passengers. "While we provide a wide variety of merchandise, there are three items that we don't deal in. Addictive substances beyond basic alcohol are out, and even that is heavily moderated. The sale of firearms would be a violation of our neutrality and, in the case of non-FTL worlds, disrupt the natural development of civiliations. Finally, we don't deal in slaves. It's impractical when compared to our robotics industry, nevermind the moral conflicts."

He turns his attention back to driving as the machine is returned to manual. "Questions?"

[Magna Omega]

Gaius Cadius shifts in his seat to face Owen.

"Well luckily our trade restrictions are on the same level. We do not deal in illigal addictive sudstances and our military storefront, Exomx, is limited."

Exomax representative Yantius then spoke.

"Yes the government allows us to sell military grade weapons, armor, and even certain vessels but what we sell and to whom is strictly limited. The government has good reason of course. Even with our vast capitalist democracy we have to have some limit to sales. The government always makes sure that what we sell doesn't outclass MOSDC equipment. Otherwise the IFMO and the JSA's trading policies are quite free...oh and of course no one in the JSA deals in slaves. That's unheard of to us."

OOC: Check our storefronts in my sig for an idea of Magna Omega's general company policies and products.

[The Webway Combine]

Owen smiles and nods, turning his attention back to driving. "Alright then... I supposed there's not much else to say, then, at least regarding the Retail Sector. A lot of the different restaurants are themed after the customary foods of various non-FTL cultures, which tend to be more popular in a hub system like Sol... Ah, here comes the hangar access to the Service Sector."

Ahead of the hovercraft, the larger half-circle doors remained open for the near-constant foot traffic between the Retail and Service Sectors. The pathway itself was an open walkway under a framed glass arch, with benches at regular intervals to either rest from walking or, in most cases, marvel at the view of the various ships docked in the hangar. Owen turns the autopilot back on, turning to face the tour group. "Since it's the most controversial service, I'm going to let you all know ahead of time that we do sell sexual services, but it's heavily regulated: Health tests, proper IDs on customers, and only in systems where the hosting government allows it. The Sol factions we rent our space from allow it, but I'd like to take the opportunity to clarify what the JSA's position would be in regard to our facilities in their system and or systems."

[Magna Omega]

"Well the 'Fidelis Maximus Act' of 1909 (Omegan Calander) prohibits the act of infidelity among married couples. You see in the IFMO we see such acts as a breach of government contract as leagal merriage is and it's punishable by harsh fines or even prison sentances. Such facilities such as gentlemens clubs are not illigal but their business has gone down since the act came about. The likeliness is that your...sevices, would get little business in the JSA as a whole. As for the rest of your services; we would be pleased to commence commerce with you."

[The Webway Combine]

"Well, we'll leave the light on for the bachelors. Storefront slots get cycled out if business is slow for a particular unit, so I'm sure it won't be any more present than popularity demands." With these words, the hovercraft comes into view of the doorway through to the Service Sector, which looks like a more decorated version of the Retail Sector. In the place of kiosks, however, are people performing various acts: acrobatic teams, musicians, and up ahead one can even see a humanoid alien doing performance art with telekinesis. "The lower levels are hotel suites of varying quality from economy singles to family-size luxury rooms. The kiosk slots on the middle levels are hotel clerk counters at the extreme ends of the Sector, but are mostly performance plazas, where amateur performers are allowed to rent a spot to perform, either getting pocket fracts as payment or the eye of a talent scout. On the upper levels are pretty much every service that can be provided without stepping on the toes of law enforcers or legal guardians, naturally sorted by local demand. Speaking of, might any of you care to guess what services would be popular in JSA territory?"

[Magna Omega]

"Well now we all know technology is popular." began Gaius Cadius. "Firstly computer's, upgrades, advancements in starship ingenuity, they all have had a significant increase in business as is shown by our larger corporations. Restaurants are also perfect to set up in JSA territory. I'd suggest that it be arranged with other firms so that they may grant you access to areas of sale. Diversity in the JSA is quite apparent...especially in terms of food. Then more technology production firms would buy and sell large quantities ranging from medical supplies, who's largest producer Meditech Applications, and upgrades to any electronic hardware. We also have armor modifications. They are kept under strict control but still legal. An example of such mod producers would be Kinatix Hardware, although they act on borderline legality. You could imagine that it's quite difficult to maintain law all across our territory especially in the fringe systems."

[The Webway Combine]

"I'll keep that in mind for the Retail and Comission Sectors, but the Service Sector is less about providing a product and more about providing a... Well, a service. Haircuts, tatoo artistry, massage therapy, fitness centers, live performances, that sort of thing." Up ahead, one can see the next set of double doors approaching. "Can you think of any examples along those lines? Or is that a bit too varied to get consistent data on?"

[Magna Omega]

"Quite frankly sir all of those share a relatively equal amount of business. I see no problem in such things being brought further to the JSA. These are normal recreational services and otherwise. They've always been used time and again. I'm sure any of those services that you've mentioned would receive great business."