The narcrusian drone sits down upon the levitating chair, it hums a quiet deep tone as it reclines slightly backward and adapts to the positioning of the drone, perhaps there was no reason for the chair to be magnetic in nature other than futile aesthetics.
The large stone doors close behind the Narcrusian in a loud noise, engulfing the room in darkness for a few seconds where all that is heard is the low hum of the chair and unknown machinery.
Then, two sets of lights flare up, composing two red circles that stop before the Narcrusian’s sitting place, which closes the circles. Within, many hundreds of small dark cubes with red engravings shine dimly in pulsating red patterns, they flutter upwards in the resounding of a magnetic attraction, levitating from the toroidal pit they rested upon and into small groups.
Hastly, they move together and form a congruous image in a loud metallic impact thud, manifesting 8 dark obelisks that complete the circle with the Narcrusian.
Each of the obelisks is numbered 1 to 8 and described as “SOUND ONLY” with the lit up pulsating engravings that the small cubes generated. Obelisk 1 flares up in thin red lighting as it emits a obviously modulated voice:
“You are now before the board of directors of Galactic Lihr and Mehrtz, a Musavian Interstellar Space Effort - Based Megacorporation, merger of Yutera Conglomerate. Present yourself Narcrus.”
“Greetings, directors.”, Narcrus began. “For those of you who don’t know, I am Narcrus, the parasite-based hivemind that owns and operates the United Narcrusian Federation of Trade. I have come before you today to propose the integration of the UNFT fleet into Galactic Lihr and Mehrtz.” At this, he paused to try and gauge any reactions he could from the Directors.
“Very well.”
Obelisk 1 flared again, continuing.
“That is an endeavor that is most advantageous to both parties. However, there are several questions to be answered before such an integration may occur.”
Obelisk 1 gives leeway for the others to speak. Firstly, Obelisk 2 lights up with their question.
“There is a pressing matter of security whenever any new contractuation occurs, this is no exception. How can we be assured that, if we are to disclose any sensitive information to you, that you will not breach non-disclosure agreements?
It is easy enough to keep track of the individual and gauge their loyalty, however, in the case of a being that operates so many instances of itself, we cannot be so sure of our insights.”
"I'd say being a hivemind makes me easier to trust, actually. I mean, you must have some kind of lie detector or equivalent system. I can just leave a host in that full-time, repeating "I have not breached my contract". Or failing that, I could just have a host constantly being interrogated on the actions of the hivemind as a whole, so you always know what's happening."
The Obelisk replies after a few seconds, acknowledgement, and then other shall speak.
"That is a question that was evaluated, though the board wasn't sure it'd be an option. Very well then, we shall acquire a unit and install some modifications on them. They shall be our eyes that peer into you, if you don't mind. Most of the information goes to waste, as they are uninteresting daily routines and the like."
After it finishes its closing statement, Obelisk 3 now sparks into life, and speaks in its modulated voice.
"The pressing matter now is that of your operational range. You will be officially tied to the Galactic Lihr and Mhertz Megacorporation, which means that your actions will carry repercussions not only for you and whoever you interact with, but also for the company and all our ties, and by extension the Musavian people.
What is the operational range that you desire? We shall go on from that point, and reach a compromise."
"Well, just as a base to negotiate from... How about this: I can do as I see fit, but you have the final say to tell me not to."
After a minute of pondering, the obelisk reponds.
"That'd be quite unwise. Surely you can see a situation where one misconception on your part or a misjudgement, wether ill-intended or not, can put the company in a bad light.
How about the following: You shall follow the standard procedure for most occasions, after all, your instances will count as employees of the company. However, it is up for your discretion to break the protocol in extraordinary circumstances, with liability for posterior judgement."
Narcrus considers this for half an instant
"Well, I'd need a copy of the standard procedures before setting anything in stone, but yeah, on paper that sounds fine. So, control, that's what you get from me. Let's move on to what I get from you. What of GL&M's resources will be available to the UNFT?"
"The standard procedures shall be provided."
Obelisk 3 silences itself.
After a few seconds of silence, Obelisk 1 replies, perhaps that obelisk is the leader of this meeting?
"The nature of the relations of the United Narcrusian Federation of Trade with the Galactic Lihr and Mhertz shall be one of future integration. You shall be formed momentarily into a subsidiary of GL&M.
You shall be given a cycle budget by the GL&M, access to a large majority of GL&M installations, such as but not limited to: shipyards, trading stations, refuelling stations, research facilities, databases, central processing plants, factories, etc. With the freedom to request access to any ammount of company assets.
That access shall be regulated by the Board of Management, which evaluates the yearly plan of operations of all GL&M divisions. Being a hivemind, you will singularly be present in all steps of the process, including the Board of Management.
After the alotted contractual time of one year has passed, following the evaluation of the process, revisions of the contract shall take place. Possible future integrations can happen depending on the outcome of the process."
Narcrus paused for a few seconds after Obelisk 1 stopped talking. This was mostly a courtesy, of course; they'd comprehended the terms of the agreement so quickly that to call it immediate would be a diservice. Finally, they spoke:
"I agree to your terms. So, where do I sign?"
Obelisk 1 replies, this time faster than beforehand.
"There is no need for a signature, such a process is simply tradition, and honorary of bygone cultures.
The contract is hereby sealed, with this meeting as proof. A copy is provided by you. Our database will be updated as to the effects of this event.
Ways of contact, clearance, and further information will be provided soon.
This is a powerful stride foward both to the Galactic Lihr and Mhertz Corporation and for the United Narcrusian Federation of Trade.
Until further adue, this board meeting has been dismissed. Welcome to the company, Narcrus."
The Obelisks all simultaneously glew a hatched red pattern, and with the loud noise of closing shutters of metal, or halogen lights turning on with their momentary arc of lightening, they broke apart in their composing small cubic pieces, back into the pits that they rose from.
The arm of the chair produced a small data storage device, it was a recording of the meeting. In a separate disk, still hot from the informational inscribing, was data about different stations, refuelling ports, and other important infrastructure details. Most importantly, there was an encrypted key wthin the device, it was a security clearance key, like a keycard.
The large noise of scraping stone filled the empty dark hallway he was in, slowly, a sliver of light passed through the gap between the monolithic pieces of dark, sparkly material, opening way into the antechamber he passed before he entered the room. He was free to go now.
Delnivmina wasn't there anymore, however, with his clearance, he could very well take a GL&M vessel back by himself. Despite the grandure of the events that just happened, the world around him seemed unchanged, at least, for now. Once again he walked down the large, useless hallway, this time only wandering how long it'd be until such hallways didn't exist anymore.