Posted by Civilian Karina Enger (Director of Education) in Settling In or Setting Up? (Open)

Posted by Civilian Lucas Elliot Holloway (Business Owner) in Settling In or Setting Up? (Open)

(snip)

There was a soft, laughing squeak from Alex… who opened her month to speak only to be cut off by Lucas. “Don’t even think about it Dominique!” Lucas turned and smiled at Karina. Gabbing a thumb in Alex’s direction, the CEO smirked. “That smartass would tell you I’m the latter. I like to think of myself as more… benevolent than…” Lucas was interrupted by Alex nearly falling off her chair laughing and Lucas just shook his head, chuckling. “… You see what I have to put up with?”

Karina watched the by play with hidden interest. ‘Dominique?’ Her real name, a reference to something she missed, or something else? She’d look it up later. The woman’s amusement was catching, and she grinned. “I do see. You poor man, she seems a handful.” She leaned over toward Alex, she liked her and her attitude reminded her slightly of her and Jodar, thought not as…blunt. “We really have to get together later.”

Lucas made a two hand scale-like gesture. “I’ll put it this way…” He raised his right hand slightly. “… Holloway Heavy has many divisions. We build and operate the largest Cruise-liner firm in the Federation… we lead research & development in various medical fields… and present the Holloway Prize for Excellence in Literature named for my late sister-in-law Mary Holloway.” He then raised his left hand. “At the same time, we are /the/ leading defense contractor for the UFP and Starfleet… the only civilians allowed to build Starfleet ships of the line and we have our hands heavily in weapons Development.” He shrugged. “So I guess it’s all in how you look at it.”

Lucas & Alex

Having worked, well what she worked for so many years, Karina didn’t balk at the weapons and defensive developments. Peace was nice, but it came with a heavy price and a delicate balance. Something that Lucas Holloway was in the mists of at the head of his company. Karina nodded, “I am reminded of something I read once, ‘They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. This is not the case because there is no hell waiting for anyone after this life. But the road to suffering, just like the road to well being, is indeed paved with intentions. The road to well being is paved with questioned intentions. And the road to suffering is paved with unquestioned intentions.’ (credit to Teal Swan) So which are you then Mr. Holloway? Do you question what, how, and why you do things, or are you simply certain in your own infallibility? The answer decides if you are the protagonist or the evil CEO. Only you get to decide your role in the story.”
Enger, ED

Lucas thought for a few moments, smiling slightly as he first looked to Alex then back at Karina. “Ya know…” Holloway shook his head, blowing a huff through his nose. “… I’m nearly 50 years old, run one of the most powerful corporations in human history, and I’m one of the wealthiest men alive… and never once… has anyone ever asked me a question like that.” Leaning back on the lounge chair, Lucas ran a hand through his hair and after pursing his lips in a thoughtful gesture, Lucas looked to Karina. “I believe in another old adage… ‘With great power comes great responsibility’… I was born into privilege Karina, like my brother and nieces. Everything that I have and do… is because he squandered his chance, lost his kids…” The magnate closed his eyes for just a moment… a pained expression crossing his face before he once again looked back at the Education Director. “… he eventually took his own life. For over 25 years… I have been the unintended caretaker of my nieces’ birthright. I’ve always tried to do the right thing. If you want my honest answer… I like to think of myself as the protagonist. It is my hope that when my time is done in the storyline of the universe, that my last thought is I’m leaving the universe better than I found it… better for my Gracie & Erin.”

Holloway, HHI

No one had ever asked him something like that? Maybe he should evaluate the motivations of those around him, then. Karina nodded, “Have you ever read great literature? Fiction or non-fiction? No protagonist always gets it right, they struggle, they fail, they muck it all up and nearly loose everything they worked for. Then a moment of clarity comes, they are able to see what needs to be done and they do it, no matter how hard it is. Protagonists mess up Mr. Holloway, but what sets them apart, is the ability to admit their mistakes and learn from it. If you’ve done that, you’re moving in the right direction.” Karina turned back to Alex with a grin, “So tell me more about our shared neighbors. I got the impression from the Governor I will have absolutely no chance for a social life for the next 10 years at least. So I need to know what I am missing out on.”
Enger, ED

OOC: I will be posting on here tomorrow. Work and advanced planning swamped me! So very sorry

Jerome