<USS Avalon> Rule of Acquisition #21: Never Place Friendship Above Profit by Lt. Alder Shimbrodus

Rule of Acquisition #21: Never Place Friendship Above Profit

by Lieutenant First Class Alder Shimbrodus

"The company needs one of the Shimbrodus to run this organization." Mr. Capelan 
simply stated in front of everyone else in this board meeting. "We need to have 
one of them."

"There?s Alder Shimbrodus, he can simply fill in the spot."

Mr. Capelan looked at the other man, a Bajoran. "Oh, and so I?m suppose to pass 
on the company to a ?Fleeter and expect him to do right?" Shaking his head, 
"the other Shimbrodus family have turned down the offer of the companies, but 
in other thoughts, Mr. Alder Shimbrodus is our best bet. He was part of the 
family after all, it should be our best choice. And as a personal friend to 
David, I could do no less."

The room fell silent as an indirect challenge to Capelan?s decision hovered 
over them. But one rose up to his statement. "We take it from the family."

Capelan looked up to see a woman, Trill- middle age, hair tied back and looking 
very professional. Her eyes could see right past Capelan, as if he wasn?t even 
worth her time. "What did you say Ms. Torien?" 

"I said, we take it from him- from the deceased family."

"I will not have this company go under..."

"Save it, Capelan," Torien interrupted, "You are asking for the impossible. You 
are saying that just because you were once a close friend of David- like we all 
weren?t- that you would give up the company to a boy that serves Starfleet and 
presumably knows nothing about running this organization." Torien feel silent 
for a few moments as her quiet but strong counter raised the attention of 
everyone instead of seating like a fool as she had seen for the past few 
minutes.

"You want us to throw away our daily lives for one person. Need I remind you 
that if he brings down the company, we too are destitute? We are partners, all 
of us," Torien looked around at the other six people in the room, "The company 
cannot survive with our main supporter gone and replaced by someone with no 
experience. I propose that we take the company and run it between us- six ways."

"Oh, and I suppose you also have the decisions counted by a vote of the six 
instead of one."

Torien shook her head, "Im not dim, Capelan, I know we need a representative to 
make a decision for us- just like David did."

"And this ?boy? can."

Torien rose from her seat, "and what makes you so sure he can? Look at this, 
Capelan, we are six companies divided. Allowing a boy to stand for us is 
ludicrous. He will bring us down, and then what do you expect us to do?"

Capelan looked at her from across the room. She had a point, and he knew she 
was right. For a business man he knew better than to do the sentimental thing. 
And her cold practicality was being received warmly by everyone else- nodding 
their heads in approval or whispering to each other. She looked at him, those 
green eyes never wavering. But he shook his head, "what if you?re wrong? What 
if he can keep this company together."

Torien gave a bitter smirk, "you?re basing this on what? Loyalty? Wake up, 
Capelan. This is the 25th century. Again, you are asking us to risk this- all 
for one inexperienced young man. I suggest you reconsider."

Capelan sighed, "we?ll give him a few months. If things don?t turn out..."

"No, we don?t give a few months, we do this now." Torien stood up straight, 
looking at her PADD, she pushed it toward Capelan as the thin metal object slid 
across the table. "In there is a contract binding the once former Shimbrodus 
Company to the other six partners. According to our agreement the company will 
keep it?s name but it?s decisions, products, and services will be split between 
us. It?s profit will go to the group whole." Torien looked around, hoping that 
some of this people would come to their senses. She was new to this group, and 
didn?t know any of them, but as far as she also knew, some of them were also 
new. Rallying the new people would be her goal if she was to succeed.

Capelan clasped his hands together, but the Bajoran spoke up before Capelan 
could say anything, "Ms. Torien is right," he then looked at the Trill, "I 
assume this offer is in my office?"

Torien nodded, "it was sent just before I joined the meeting. Mr. Capelan is 
the last recipient. Frankly, Capelan, we need to do this. There is no other 
way."

"There is always a way. And under the will of Mr. Shimbrodus- the company does 
go to the remaining survivor. That of course would be Alder. He inherits this 
company."

Torien nodded, fully in agreement, but, "ah, yes of course, but Denevan Law has 
ways around that. Even you know this."

Capelan breathed in a little, and then commanded, "leave us. Now."

The other six partners looked perplexed at the statement. "Did you not hear me? 
I said leave us. I need to have a private talk with Ms. Torien." Within moments 
the others left.

Torien looked at him across the table, her arms folded, "well?"

"Why are you doing this, Arissa? Why are you going against me? You?ve always 
supported me."

Torien shook her head, "I have supported you. I?ve always supported you. But 
Capelan, sometimes you need to know what?s good for the company. For us. If you 
can?t, then I?ll go against you."

"You?ve made that evidently clear."

"Yes well, I assume this meeting is over."

"It is. I?ll think over what you have in mind."

Torien turned, heading towards the door; just before leaving, "You know Andrew, 
for a friend- you?re positively excellent," her eyes turned from her harsh cold 
attitude to anger, "for a businessman, you?re a sentimental fool." 


                
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