Starbound: A Space Odyssey

Around the round table there was 12 people on their seats.

Apart from Nicole, UEG's president, and Jason, BSS's boss, the other 10 were also extremely important, influential and rich people of Beta Sector.

Most of them were related to business, but there was a single characteristic that was common between all of them, they were all loyal to their race, Human.

That was the reason Nicole chose to contact them even though there was other options with as much, or even more, power than the ones present in the room.

These people came were in all kinds of business, but mostly in mining operations, weapon manufacturing, and spaceship construction.

Since she decided to sever ties with Letheia Corporation, she needed to use the local companies and corporation that had the best of humanity in their hearts.

Nicole was also planning an embargo in most of Letheia's business in Beta Sector, as well as increase the tariffs in the most essential resources UEG still somewhat needed.

It was complicated and it would have greatly cripple the UEG's economy and livehood of the people since Letheia had an almost monopoly from entertainment to basics needs such as water and food.

Simply shameful that a government have allowed a private company to acquire almost a monopoly in such basics and essential needs.

Even before entering the office, Nicole had already started making preparations to rebuild the UEG without any influence from Letheia and Miniknog. These people in front of her were just the beginning, after the first batch, she knew that more businessman would be more than willing to follow the rest.

Nicole looked at the eyes of some of the individuals in the room before saying, "As previously decided, all the rights to explore resources in human colonies will be given to your companies since you helped me get elected. The UEG will now invest and protect Human business, and not foreigners anymore. As I have stated in my speech when I took office, humanity will be free from the influence of foreign actors. No more unfair competition and no more Letheia's monopoly."

"Also," She continued, "You don't need to worry too much about security. The army and the Intergalactic Police has made an alliance and will work together to bring peace to the now chaotic Beta Sector, Isn't that right, Chief Hazel?"

"Yes..." A middle-aged man with a stoic face and cold eyes spoke when his name was called.

Hazel was one of the 5 Commissioners of the Intergalactic Police. These 5 basically control the organization and are the leaders.

When the Terrene Protectorate was still around, they were relatively small and more often then not were almost going out of business.

But as more Protectors left the Terrene Protectorate, the Police started to grow as they absorbed those who left the corrupted Protectorate.

The Police never worked with profit in their minds and were just working to save as much people as they could in the Frontier, since the Protectorate couldn't bring peace to that place, the Intergalactic Police made their HQ in such lawless place and tried to bring peace.

But as soon as the Terrene Protectorate fell, some of the Commissioners started to get greedy and eyed the power vacc.u.m in the universe.

They wanted to replace Terrene Protectorate, and as such, they needed resources and money.

As Humans that daily fought in battlefields, they saw the true lights of Letheia Corporation and Miniknog.

They hate and despise those two, and as the surviving Protectors joined the police, the aversion toward Letheia and Miniknog only grew.

Now, they can fill the vacc.u.m left by the Protectorate in Beta Sector, but they needed resources, and was in such timing that Nicole appeared in offered a deal with them.

If she won the presidency, she would invest money and personnel in the Intergalactic Police and make them grow and become the security force of Beta Sector, and maybe grow towards the other Sectors.

They helped her win, and now Nicole was going to start completing her part of the deal.

The Intergalactic Police needed to attract more investment, private investment. There was a limit in which Nicole was willing to give the Police and they knew it. That's why she called Hazel to create connections with these companies and corporations present in the room.

"That's great!" A businesswoman joyfully said as someone was willing to take the expensive and dangerous task of guarding their operations and business.

Nicole scanned the room and saw that the other 9 people were all nodding, satisfied with Nicole's arrangements.

"I'm more than aware that most of you have your own private army and security, but I'm also aware of the costs of training and their equipments." Nicole said with a faint smile on her face, "You should not worry, the UEG's army and the Intergalactic Police is more than enough to ensure the protection of your business operations in the Beta Sectors."

Nicole rested in her chair and looked at the sparkling eyes of those people, "I have kept all my promises on our deal before the election. Now, I must formally ask to all of you something."

Their faces turned serious as they heard Nicole speaking, but when they heard what she spoke next they were surprised.

"We are the future of humanity, we must give our all to rebuild the UEG." Nicole stood up and honestly looked at the eyes all shoe present. She bowed towards them and said, "I ask that you all work for the betterment of mankind and let us unite to rebuild our great society. We shall be free from foreigner intervention. We'll decide our own future."

In the face of the humble Nicole, these shrewd business people were loss at words. They were used to the cold, stoic and ruthless Nicole, seeing her like this made them unable to answer for a short period.

They looked at each other before standing up and giving a salute towards Nicole, "For humanity we will give our all. Worry not, Nicole, we'll bring humanity back to its feet."

Only 11 of the people present were standing. Opposite to Nicole, Jason remained on his seat while casually leaning to the side and glancing at the people with an unknown light gleaming on his eyes.

"What about you, Jason?" Nicole lifted her eyes and calmly looked at Jason.

He smiled and said, "I don't give a single f.u.c.k about the future of humanity, I only care if it's going to be entertain myself or not." Jason stood up and deeply stared at Nicole's calm eyes, "I'll think about it, Nicole. Probably by tomorrow you'll have your answer." With those words his figure disappeared from the room.

The 9 people and Hazel stared at where Jason was with a frown in their faces.

They could see the detachment that Jason have with his race. And as far as they know, Jason was extremely dangerous and shouldn't have been invited to this reunion.

Hazel looked at Nicole and asked since Jason have already left, "Why did you invite him?"

"It was needed." Nicole calmly said as she wasn't worried about whatever or not Jason was going to help them or not, "After the Protectorate's fall, the Black Star Syndicate didn't spare a single chance to grow their influence in the Beta Sector. They grew way too much, and if I try to find head to head with the underworld now, I'll surely lose a large amount of money and soldiers. It's better to make a deal with them and reach some kind of agreement."

Hazel nodded as he understood. As a Commissioner that spent more than enough time in the Frontier, he knew the strength of the Syndicate.

Although the Intergalactic Police and Black Star Syndicate didn't declare war at each other and try to avoid each other, it was inevitable that some skirmishes would happen.

As such, he knew that Nicole made a wise choice in trying to reach an agreement, as both parties would surely lose too much and regret if they directly fought each other.