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D20 Conference

Page history last edited by tonyp 14 years, 7 months ago

d20 Star*Drive

 

The Grid is abuzz today as The Archangel Trading Group has agreed to a public meeting with the press. We now go Live with the press conference already in progress....

 

The scene opens with a camera view of the ship docks; the badly damaged Archangel can be seen as the backdrop.  Several dozen news crews can be seen facing a make-shift podium set up in front of the ship. Gabriel is dressed in “formal” captain's attire is standing just behind the podium, talking with his crew.  The rest of the crew is there but standing off to the side, most of them seem very uncomfortable in the spotlight, with the exception of Vince and Miseqe.  Gabriel steps up to the microphones and addresses the crowd:

The Archangel Trading Consortium

Press Conference Prepared Statement (Transcript)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming out today. For those that do not know who I am, my name is Gabriel Stone and I am the Captain of the Archangel and the founder and current President of the Archangel Trading Consortium. Given some of the recent events and rampant rumors surrounding our apparent deaths and/or illicit activities I felt it prudent to set the record straight, before things get more out of hand. I have prepared a statement which I would like to read and then I will open it up for questions.

First off, as you can plainly see, I am not dead and do not plan to be so anytime soon.

 

Now that we have that cleared up, let’s move on to some more important items.

 

First, I understand that there was some confusion and apparent nervousness after the Archangel had left for her latest trip, especially after it, somehow, was made known that we had cashed out the majority of our liquid assets prior to departure. For that confusion, I apologize. In way of explanation we had determined that there was a very lucrative business opportunity in the Hawthorn system. However, in order to capitalize on that we had to be cash rich, which necessitated the move to liquidate many of our assets. It was never our intention to skip out on Hammer’s Star. As many of you know, sometimes in business you need to take a risk, which we did, and it paid off rather well – the panic back home aside. Again, for that I apologize.

I would ask, however, that the next time something like this happens to please think logically about it. The ATC is a private business, not a communal non-profit. If a business opportunity presents itself and we feel it appropriate, we will take it. As a business we are now more than a single ship. If one of our vessels, be it the Archangel or another, goes on an extended trip but the rest of our ships are still in the system, making runs and carrying on business as usual then you can be assured that we are coming back. We have no intention; let me repeat … no intention, of changing our base of operations from Hammer’s Star.

 

Second, there have been some rumors circulating that we are running “secret” missions for the government, or that the government and the taxpayers are paying for all of our repairs and expenses. That is completely untrue; all of our secret missions are ours alone and, as my tax returns can attest, I am paying my fair share back to the government. To be completely clear, the ATC is a self-sufficient organization that has paid 100% of its own bills, including the repair and all associated costs of re-manning the space dock in order to repair the battle cruiser we recently acquired. Yes, we have been discussing an arrangement with the government where it can utilize the cruiser for system defense, but only after it is fully operational.

As for us running secret missions, that also is untrue. All of the required flight plans are filed with the appropriate parties prior to our departure. What happens to them after we leave is out of our control. I do not understand why, if we leave on a business trip without telling everyone about it, that it becomes a major scandal. I am sure that VoidCorp or Wal-Mart skirt across the systems doing business without so much as a raised eyebrow or a press release.

 

I appreciate that people feel a sense of pride in the ATC such that they want to know what we are doing. However, this is a free system; people are free to come and go as they please. The ATC is no different. If we want to head off to Hawthorn or back to Meriden on a moment’s notice, we can, and will. If people feel that we have been secretive about our destinations then that is their problem. Sometimes, in business, you have to play things close to the vest from time to time in order to take advantage of a potential business opportunity, as was the case in our latest trip. We are not being “evasive”, as I think someone coined it, merely being prudent in our business dealings. We owe that to ourselves and to our customers. In fact, now that there is some competition in the trading business here in Hammer’s Star the likelihood that we will do more of these “secret” missions will probably increase.

However, as a gesture of “good faith” to the people, we will make information about our recent trips available to the public through the office of Sonia Kurkevich at the Silver Bell Star Docks. Please keep in mind that some of the information is not public and the records will be redacted in order to maintain the confidentiality of our clients. I am sure you can understand and appreciate that necessity.

 

Third, I would like to speak more specifically about the way the ATC has been portrayed in the press. As stated earlier, I appreciate that people feel a sense of pride or ownership in the company. It is natural, I would assume. The ATC is a home-grown entity that has started to do very well for itself and, in turn, for the system. Yet we seem to be the target of some very disturbing and interesting rumors. Things like this would normally not bother me, as I am too old to get disturbed by gossip. Yet, the nature of some of the reports has started to call in to question the integrity and character of the ATC and, by extension, myself. This I cannot accept, as all of those who know me know that when I give my word, I keep it. That I deal straight and fairly with everyone. That integrity and character are essential elements in the way I do business and the way I am. I can only hope that it is natural for the “shiny new toy” in the neighborhood to warrant such attention, both good and bad. I also wish our newly arrived friends the best of luck and that they hopefully will get the attention now and let me get back to conducting business.

 

Lastly, as it seems to be the fashionable thing to do, I would like to announce that the Archangel Trading Consortium is officially endorsing Governor Proctor’s bid for re-election. I know Governor Proctor on both a professional and personal level and find him to share many of the same qualities I just recently listed. I feel that his leadership has been beneficial to the system and that the growth we have seen recently will continue.

 

I thank you for your time and will now open it up for a few questions...

 

Hands go up as flash-bulbs go off. The press had been silent as he spoke, but it is obvious they all have questions to ask. Gabriel manages not to sigh and collapse but instead maintains his formal stance as he points to the members of the press core:

 

Kostas Nyberg, Silver City Gazette. Does this mean that ATC will be continuing all in system runs as well as setting up the run to Meriden? The ATC will go where the business opportunities are.  Our intent is that there will always be a ship available for in system runs as well as intersystem runs.  I cannot speak to anything regarding Meriden due to confidentiality and, as made in the statement, we don’t want to tip all of our business leads.

 

Sussanne Arndt, Corinth Star. Are there any chances of getting more in system, and on planet, shuttles runs from ATC? At this time we are concentrating on larger scale shipping/transport operations.

 

Mark Goodrich, Miner's Union Rep. Would a ship be available for evacuation? We have had some close calls and dedicated fast ships, instead of shuttles, would really help. In the event of an emergency the ATC will make all ships that can be made available for evacuation available.

 

KN: Do you welcome the Sun Never Sets Trading Consortium? Are you ready for some competition?  We do.  There is enough business here for everyone at the moment.

 

Willy Frisby, Silver City Beacon. There are rumors that you or your group was involved in a drug related shooting on the outside of town. What is your response to this?  [chuckle] Again with the rumors.

 

Tegen Trust, Times. Do you allow aliens to work for you? Is it equal pay?  Yes we do and pay is equal regardless of race, gender or species.

 

MG: Would you allow any of your workers to join or form a union?  Yes.

 

SA: Is it true you are looking at backing some public transport systems or buying them and privatizing them?  That is news to me, although not a bad idea.

 

WF: What about the rumors that you have hired mercs and are starting your own private army?  [chuckle]  As with any rising star, we have the need for extra security to protect our assets.  We have hired several security forces to keep an eye on our holdings while we are away, nothing more.

 

KN: How soon before ATC starts making regular runs to other systems? Is there any talk about a regular run to Aegis?  Again, I cannot discuss potential business plans that we might have.

TT: What are the official plans for the starship docked in orbit?  I do not know.

 

SA: Are there talks about getting the space station program up and running again?  I have not heard of any.

 

Catherine Reid, tri vid news on 86: Would you or Vince be available for a more in depth one on one interview for our viewers?  Possibly.  You will need to contact the office.

 

Genevieve Burr, tri vid news on 133: Can we do a documentary about the ATC, their ships and crew?  [chuckle]  Boy, would that make for some boring viewing.  Are you sure you would want to chase away viewers?

 

SA: *Do* you have any government contracts? Are you currently hiring for any positions?  Again, I cannot discuss potential business plans that we might have.  As for hiring, we are always open to add qualified people to the payroll, if the work load will sustain it.

 

CR: What is Vince's relationship with Molly Jansen? I hear rumors he is seeing Sonia Kurkevich as well? Is there any truth to this?  I cannot, nor will not, speak about the personal relationships my crew may have.  As long as it does not start to affect their work, it is their business, not mine.

 

And now, if you will all excuse me, my ship and my crew needs my attention. Thank you and have a good day.

 

Gabriel takes a couple of steps back and turns to walk over to his crew. He stops only for a moment to wait as he can see that Vince is chatting to a few of the reporters, probably clarifying his position on the last question. He says a few items to the crew and points to the ship, as they quickly turns around and head inside. The reporters, still calling out questions, are forgotten, their hands waving in the air demanding attention they do not receive as Gabriel escorts his crew back inside the Archangel and shuts the door silencing the noise outside..

 

Gabriel enters the Archangel and goes down to the common area, and opens up a bottle of Jack and takes a swig.  Setting the glass down, he gets up and changes into his regular attire and gets back to work on making sure the Archangel is fully repaired.

 

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