I'm Not A Marionette!

Posted on Fri Dec 4th, 2020 @ 11:07pm by MegaCorp Owner Ashlyn of Koryndell
Edited on on Sat Dec 5th, 2020 @ 4:36am

Mission: New Starts
Location: Ashlyn's Office, Tassryth Station
Timeline: 247912.27 13:00

Ashlyn could not say that she was entirely happy about the next meeting. It wasn't the fault of the person she would be meeting, and so she was giving herself a few minutes to reassert her calm. No, he was the reason for the meeting as well as the one being hired, but he was not the reason for her mood. That could be laid solidly at the feet of the man's parents who apparently thought that she was some form of marionette to have her strings pulled. Normally, she chose her people based on factors important to her and her company, but this time, she had been... coaxed into hiring.

As she looked over his dossier, she noted that he was qualified for the position, and that pleased her. She might have hired him anyway. She considered that for a moment then smiled. Yes, that was it. Let them think that they had called the shots, but Ashlyn decided what was best for her company, and she would definitely have hired this one even if his parents hadn't been pushing everyone and anyone who had influence to get him here. Oh, yes, in the end, this was Ashlyn's choice.

She looked at her desk chronometer, noting the time. 1255. She sat back and reviewed his resume once more while she waited for him to arrive, this meeting having been scheduled some days ago.

Alex arrived exactly at the scheduled time, he was nothing if not prompt. Though joining a generational ship had not been his plan he was determined to ensure his family's honor and position in the world. He knocked on the door and reflected on what had brought him here, his betrothal, his betrothed falling off the radar, his parents investigators finding her and tracking her here. That was not to mention his life prior to this. So now he waited.

Knocking? That was very... old-school, Ashlyn thought to herself with a smirk. No one knocked anymore. Interesting. Perhaps this young man would be worth watching after all. "Enter." she called and watched the door curiously. How someone entered her office told her things about them that they rarely even realized they were sharing with her.

Alex entered the office slowly taking in all around him as he did so stopping just before the chairs and desk before him. "Ms. Ashlyn, it is a pleasure." He said politely as he smiled at her.

Ashlyn studied the man before her for a moment before standing and offering a hand. "Welcome, Mr. De Wynter." she said politely. For now, this was the best she could do under the circumstances. "Please have a seat. Can I offer you anything before we begin?"

Alex sat slowly. "No Ms. Ashlyn, and thank you. Shall we get down to brass tacks?" he asked before he steepled his fingers in his lap.

His response might have been considered rude by some, but not Ashlyn. She smiled very slightly and retook her seat. "As you wish." Leaning back in her chair, she studied the young man for a moment before speaking. "You are aware of how you became assigned to my FarVoyager Project, I assume?" she asked. A very slight hint of her own annoyance crept into the undertone of her voice, but she let it be for the moment. See what he did with it.

Alex nodded. "Yes ma'am I know of the pressure which has been applied. I also know of your protests and suspect that even if the pressure had worked you would not accept me if my credentials were not up to scratch. So where does that leave us at an impasse, or can we find a way past?"

Ashlyn studied him for several long moments before saying anything. Finally, she smiled slightly. "My issue is not with you or your credentials, Mr. De Wynter. My issue was with the method of gaining you passage on my Project... and with those who had employed said method. As far as I am concerned, you and I are starting fresh. So... have you read the information on the project?"

Alex nodded. "I have read enough to know this is a generational ship so more than likely we weren't be coming back. Was there anything else that is truly pertinent?"

Ashlyn raised an eyebrow. "There may be plenty of pertinent information, depending upon how high up the command chain you wish to be. As you said, it is a generational ship, which means that it is massive. It is also state of the art, some of it beyond even ShadowDragon's technological level." She hated admitting that, but it was fact; and Ashlyn had never avoided unpleasant facts. "But as you wish. Do you have any questions for me?"

Alex smiled. "True, but I leave my position in the command structure to you. Interesting ma'am that is news. At this time I have no questions. I looked forward to working with you."

Ashlyn wasn't really sure how to take this one. He seemed perfectly accepting of whatever she did or said and asked few questions. She was not accustomed to that response, so it took her a moment to formulate her own response. "You will need to sign the standard contractor's contract. Is that a problem? And do you need time to allow someone to review it before signing?" she asked as she retrieved a sheaf of papers from her desk and prepared to hand them to him.

Alex leaned forward. " Fair enough, I will get them looked over, but I am sure they are straight forward."

Ashlyn handed the sheaf of papers across the desk to him. "Always. I prefer it that way. No room for confusion later." she stated. "How long do you need to get them looked at?"

"Shouldn't take too long, my best guess is a day maybe two." Alex replied taking the proffered papers.

Ashlyn nodded. "That's fine. I can set up a follow-up appointment for two days from now if you'd like. We can sign then unless you have points you wish to negotiate at that time."

Alex nodded. " Sounds good to me ma'am."

Ashlyn nodded. "Excellent." she opened the calendar app on her terminal and placed Mr. De Wynter on her schedule for the same time slot in two days' time. Her eyes then came back to him. "If between now and then you feel the need to alter the time, please feel free to call and do so. Is there anything else I can answer for you before we adjourn?"

Alex nodded. "No ma'am, I think we are all set if you do?"

"Very well then. I shall see you in two days." She stood and offered one last handshake before allowing him to exit her office.

Tag if you want to do an exit

TIME: 247912.29, 1255 Hours
LOCATION: Ashlyn's Office

Ashlyn had finished the latest in a long list of paperwork that needed her personal attention. She did not start the next one even though there were still five minutes before the appointment with Mr. De Wynter. He had been early last time, and there was no reason to think that he would not be this time as well. So instead, she gathered one of the wrapped pens from her drawer, set it on the desk and awaited her soon-to-be newest contractor.

Alex knocked on the door two minutes before the meeting paperwork in hand.

"Enter." Ashlyn called, pleased to see that, while he was not five minutes early as he had been two days prior, he was still early. It spoke well of him. "Welcome back. I take it you found the contracts in order? Did you have any points you wanted to negotiate?"

Alex handed over the paperwork. "No ma'am everything seems to be in order."

Ashlyn shook her head. "Hold onto them for a moment." She reached into her desk drawer and withdrew a pen wrapped in its original packaging. "These and all documents for ShadowDragon must be signed with these pens." she informed, handing him the wrapped pen. "When you unwrap it and hold it, it will take a tiny sample of your DNA and apply that to the ink. This limits the possibility of forgeries." She removed hers from her pocket for him to see. "And as you can see, I am not above my own law. I always sign with this." she informed with a smile.

Alex nodded. "Alright, that seems reasonable." He responded taking the proffered pen, and unwrapping it, and gripping it appropriately. "Ok so what is next?"

Ashlyn shrugged. "You should have felt a tiny prick. That was just the pen doing its job. Now, you just sign your name" She opened the contracts and showed him each place to sign "in these places. Then I sign mine below it."

Alex signed confidently where it had been indicated that he should. "Alright."

Ashlyn took the contracts and signed where she needed to. She then separated the copies, handing his across to him with a smile. "That's it. Welcome to ShadowDragon Enterprises." She was pleased to be getting so many good people lately. And even though she would have preferred it if she had gotten this one under different circumstances, she was glad to have gotten him.

Alex nodded and stood, extending his hand as he did so. "Thank you, ma'am."

Ashlyn took the offered hand and gave it a firm shake. "Of course. Boarding will be tomorrow, the 30th, so unless you have any questions or need anything further from me, I will let you go and prepare."

End