Author Topic: An Announcement! (Read 2267 times)

UnStellar · « **on:** October 02, 2012, 02:22:37 PM »

Zelini practiced his smile in the mirror. Media appearances for him were uncommon, and he wanted to leave a good impression. Every important news outlet from across the universe would be here. A lot of money was riding on this announcement. Breathing deeply, he shrugged the shoulders on his nice pinstriped suit and heard a knock on the door.
"We're ready sir, shall we send in the makeup lady?" A voice called.
"Hell no. No makeup for me." Zelini responded adamantly.
"Okay sir. Come on out." The voice conceded. Zelini opened the door and strode out with great confidence. He'd kept his cool in court cases bigger than this. A simple announcement was no big deal...

Or so he tried to tell himself. He stepped on to the stage, thousands of reporters instantly snapping shots. He swallowed hard, and felt his knees tremble. But no one could see it. All they saw was cold determination as he strode to the podium. He flashed his smile, which looked a little forced.
"Hello." He started abruptly, clearing his throat.
"I am Angelino Zelini. Founder of Pleasure Planet and owner of Club Starlight." He started. As his speech went on, his voice warmed up. He was sincerely excited.
"Since it's creation, Pleasure Planet has become an intergalactic hub of luxury travel. We wish to thank everyone for their immense support, this project was a bigger success then we ever anticipated." He paused for a second.
"We hope for many more to visit our fair planet, and this announcement will hopefully make that happen. I'm about to announce an immense event that will serve as a great sign of our gratitude to both our faithful customers," He paused once more. The room seemed to stand still.
"And to all the victims of the Plex disaster that occurred almost 8 years ago." The media almost started asking questions, but held back. The announcement wasn't over yet.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Pleasure Planet is hosting it's first premiere event since our opening. We are sponsoring a celebration of the victory over Plex, and a memorial for those we lost." The media exploded, but Zelini waved them down.
"We cannot announce full details of the event, but VIP invitations have been sent out to key players in the Plex disaster and their families. Jay Strider, the warrior of light, and his comrade K2323 have been invited, along with a slew of others. The festivities will officially take place over the course of one day, the 8th anniversary date of our victory. Tickets will be available at several retailers which will be announced shortly." Zelini waved down the slew of questions once more.
"We live in a troubled time with many rumors of war. Everyone here at Pleasure Planet, my company sponsoring the event, Veritas & Zelini, and Club Starlight, hope this event can serve to bring peace to the many troubled empires. At the least, we hope for it to be a break of light in these dark times, if only for one day. Almost every major empire on the Plane has been invited with one notable exception." Zelini swallowed and emphasized the next words very carefully.
"Due to their dangerous nature, and the many hostilities against them at this time, the Anrufe have not been invited to participate in this event in any way. In fact, I am officially barring known affiliates of the Anrufe from entering Pleasure Planet at this time." The media went crazy, but Zelini remained stoic.
"Until such a time as they can harmonize peacefully with the people of this Plane." He practically yelled over the hubbub.
"Thank you, good night, and we will see you soon for the 1st Victory over Plex celebration on Pleasure Planet, sponsored by Veritas & Zelini industries."

He then quickly left the stage.

K2 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2012, 01:20:52 PM »

Among the crowd was Leon Vasuta of Galactic Times. Over the last few months, Galactic, Inc. had been strangely silent, with many of its offices -- including the large media giant Galactic Times Space Station -- seemingly vanishing from thin air, with no explanation whatsoever from any of the employees or executives. Then, that was nothing to be surprised about. Nobody had ever seen the president of Galactic, Inc. and he was rumored to not even exist.

Leon, all the same, was still receiving orders, and Galactic, Inc. was still out there, if only quieter lately. Its newspapers still went out every day to various planets -- though from where, only the employees knew, seeing as the station was gone -- and it still was operating outposts on many planets, including Pleasure Planet, where Leon had been assigned to following the station vanishing. So, naturally, he was on scene ready to report the events of the day, along with reporters from several other media outlets.

With the massive burst of crowd excitement after Zelini walked off the stage, Leon did not bother joining the other reporters in parading the janitorial crews cleaning up the stage with questions. There was no point in partaking in the circus. How did these people expect to get any more answers when Zelini had left? It happened every time. He knew they'd still be asking questions for half an hour, and by that time, security would likely escort the media away.

Leon, though, he had a different idea of getting answers. Finding his way to a service door that led behind stage, he approached the security guard who manned it, flashing his credential badge.

"Leon Vasuta. Galactic News. You let me in and there's a hundred credits in it for you. We'll keep this hushed up, don't worry about it."

UnStellar · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2012, 03:03:34 AM »

The security man looked anxiously at the credits. "Two hundred to make it worth the risk. Zelini diesn't like to be disturbed." the man stared quite seriously at him.

"A bit sentimental don't you think?" Zelini's adviser asked.
"Press loves sentimentality." He replied.
"So the motives are purely financial?" The man asked with a mischievous grin.
"No. I think the Plane needs this now. And those Anrufe punks... They're just bullies. I'm not one of those soft bellied sods, but I don't believe in warmongering. Plus it brings us a lot of publicity. It's a win win."

K2 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2012, 03:39:30 PM »

"Deal," he replied, rolling his eyes as he pulled out a slip of paper from his wallet. He pulled out a pen as well and wrote down the number of credits to be transferred and from what account, handing it to the guard. "Two hundred and fifty credits. Buy yourself something pretty."

UnStellar · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2012, 12:14:03 PM »

The scurity man took it with a nod of appreciation and let him through, making sure nobody saw him in the process.

"When shall I announce the bands, sir?" Zelini's advisor asked.
"Tomorrow. We'll let the press sit and spin for a bit, and it gives us time to find the Magnificent Mages." Zelini replied.

K2 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2012, 03:51:37 PM »

Making his way towards Zelini's dressing room first, Leon Vasuta did his best to blend in, shuffling through whatever crew members he saw, many of which were no doubt busy moving things off stage. Arriving at the dressing room, he silently knocked, hoping he was at the right place.

UnStellar · « **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2012, 02:20:32 PM »

"Who's that?" Zelini asked.
"I'll go check." The advisor opened the door a crack.
"Yes?"

K2 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2012, 06:37:38 PM »

"I'd like to ask Mr. Zelini a few questions, if that's okay," Leon replied, placing his foot into the crack on the doorway.

UnStellar · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2012, 02:13:28 PM »

The man looked at him very puzzled.
"When did you get clearance? You're not on-" Zelini chuckled and interrupted him.
"He didn't Fal. He broke in. Damn impressive." Zelini himself approached the door.
"Come in boy. You've got a brass pair on you."

K2 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 19, 2012, 04:26:01 PM »

"Much obliged, sir," Leon replied, joining the two inside. Pulling out his small, clear recording orb, he watched as a green mist started to swirl around it, a signal that it was recording everything that happened in the room. Leon began.

"Just a few questions. First of all, there is a lot of concern about the security of the event you are planning. As you know, Galactic, Inc. was holding the Festival of Waves when the Battle of Westhot began, and a lot of people still have bad memories. What inspires you to hold a similar festival on the anniversary of Plex?"

UnStellar · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2012, 06:32:49 PM »

"Fal, can the sphere." Fal forcefully grabbed it from his hand and shut it off.
"Now now. You managed to bribe or sneak through my staff. You ought to know better than to record me. You know how this works, we talk under the table about real questions. Without any real proof, if you're wrong, I have deniability and if you're right we can act like we meant it all along. I'll answer some questions for you if you do me a favor. I need you to spread the word about an attraction appearing at this event. And I need you to do it early because I don't know if it will work out, but I need to start building press asap. That way, if it does work out, you'll be rewarded as a top investigative journalist. If it doesn't, I don't look like a fool. Deal?" Zelini concluded, looking at him earnestly.

K2 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 26, 2012, 12:10:19 PM »

"What kind of attraction?" Leon asked, skeptically.

UnStellar · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2012, 12:35:11 PM »

Zelini turned and sat down in the chair by his mirror.
"You're a little young... But do you remember the Magnificent Mages?" He asked with a smile.

K2 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2012, 11:46:53 AM »

"Of course," Leon chuckled. "I had every one of their holoalbums. Why?"

UnStellar · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2012, 04:21:33 PM »

Zelini raised his eyebrows and nodded his head.
"That's rare, they've fallen out of vogue lately. Well, we at Pleasure Planet are attempting to book them for a reunion show for the event. Brio Subito is already on board, he's trying to find the rest of the group. Hopefully they will be united by the time the event launches, we are very excited about this."

K2 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 13, 2012, 12:34:22 PM »

"Right," Leon replied, nodding, "I think we can come to a fairly beneficial agreement. But you didn't answer my question, sir. How tight's your security going to be? Because if your security's what you've got out there," he said, motioning towards the door, "I fear for everyone's life. If a reporter like me can get through your security, what would you do if, say, the Anrufe were to attempt to crash things?"

UnStellar · « **Reply #16 on:** November 16, 2012, 07:06:43 PM »

Zelini smiled at the reporter, as if he were a child who just didn't understand.
"This was just a press conference. The event will have diplomats from around the universe. They are all allowed to bring their own security, but should the worse happen, most of them can handle themselves. The event is at my personal business, Club Starlight. I know the ins and outs of that building like the back of my hand. Rest assured our security will be the best it possibly can. My assistant Veritas is taking care of that. I assume you know what that means." He said, with a suggestive raising of his eyebrows.

K2 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 19, 2012, 01:44:47 PM »

"Sure," he replied, "Now, I have to ask. According to Galactic Standard Time, the anniversary of the Plexan disaster isn't for another seven months. When you imply that the event is on the eighth -- it was eighth, right? -- anniversary of Plex, by what standard of time do you refer to? The time as measured by this planet? Or perhaps in the years relative to the planet Shore?"

UnStellar · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2012, 10:15:47 PM »

Zelini nodded. "Yes, I knew this question would come up. It is quite confusing. According to my advisors, the exact measure of time on Shore is unknown since it was destroyed in the disaster. This is our closest guess, it may not be precisely correct."

K2 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 08, 2012, 10:25:10 PM »

"Yes," Leon replied, "Tragic, wasn't it? Some say it's still out there, that it just moved -- that it's a vacation home, a little private get away, for members of the royal family of the K Empire. I think that's a load of shit, though, if you do ask me... Moving on! Final question, sir. Why now? Why this? Do you honestly think the people of this universe can move past the last eight years of bloody conflict and war? Do you really think there's hope, sir?"

UnStellar · « **Reply #20 on:** December 17, 2012, 08:10:47 PM »

Zelini sighed, looking the reporter in the eye.
"I'm an old man. I've seen a lot, and been through a lot. I used to think I knew, but I don't. Peace is a lofty goal, always at the end of the rainbow. All I know is the Anrufe refuse to even try for peace. And for that they cannot be forgiven. Maybe a time will come when we can-" He stopped short, realizing what he was about to say. He chuckled nervously. He had to remember this man was a reporter. He could use anything he said against him. The pen, as they say, is mightier than the sword. He cleared his throat, correcting himself.
"Maybe a time will come when they make efforts for peace. For now, I offer one night of hope and peace. Maybe the many noble people will walk away with the pleasant taste in their mouth, and maybe it will help them strive closer to lasting peace." He nodded again, seeming to convince himself.
"Maybe." he muttered silently.
"But for now," he said suddenly, as he rose out of his chair,
"It is time to beat our plows back to swords. There is only once peace, the peace of superior firepower. And that's all we got right now. I think it's time you got going, boy." He concluded, turning to his back to the man. His assistant, Fal, placed a hand on the reporters shoulder.
"Time for you to go." He said, politely yet firmly.

(OOC: Always a pleasure to RP directly with you, my friend. PM me if you ever want to get some characters together.)

K2 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 19, 2012, 10:40:00 AM »

And so, off Leon went. He had everything he needed now to write a great story. He was moved by Zelini's words, and he knew that he had to write about what he'd heard. It was Leon's aspiration to someday make it big. He wanted to be the editor and chief of Galactic Times. Until such a time came, however, he would keep writing. Keep writing the news stories he wanted to write -- the stories the people needed to hear. This was his passion, and he wasn't going to give up.