"This is Nel'ic Ardrana, Republic News, reporting from the office of current president and CEO of Corellian Transports and Exports, Mr..."
"Dromo. Ari Dromo, but please, call me Ari," the figure in the tailored black suit said while flashing a genuine smile.
"All right, Ari. Now, how long have you been in this position?"
Ari drummed his long, slender fingers together as he thought, "Oh...for about ten years now. It was quite the trial; working my way up. I've been with the company a long time. Started right out of Academy working in CTE's aquisitions department, and made a name for myself there. That was...nearly forty years ago, now. Seems like yesterday." Ari flashed a quick smile.
"Would you mind speaking about the history of the company? CTE's name is well known, and is one of the oldest privately held transporting companies in the known galaxy. A reputation like that doesn't just happen overnight."
"No, it doesn't, " Ari smiled as he spoke, "Corellian Transports and Exports as been serving the needs of the private citizen--and corporation--for nearly two hundred years now. We started small--just focusing on mining--by a handful of eager employees and the financial backing of a Mr. Zahl Qel'neric. Unfortunately, not much is known about Mr. Qel'neric, other than he was a kind man who took a very large risk on an idea that has now turned into a very successful organization."
"There's a rumor that Zahl Qel'neric may have been a Jedi at some point, or possibly even a Sith. Any comment on this?"
Ari laughed politely, yet boisterously, "I've heard this rumor as well, no doubt started by one of our jealous business rivals as a desperate ploy to somehow hurt our company's image. Let me lay it to rest here. We may not know much about Mr. Qel'neric, but he was no more a Jedi or Sith than I am a rancor!"
"Very interesting. So what types of products does CTE primarily focus on?"
"Antiquities and minerals, mainly. Though we have found that it does not often pay to be limited in the services we can offer. Our clients demand the utmost care of their goods, and due diligence to their safety."
"Safety? Interesting phrase...which leads me to my next question: for a trading company, you have a substantial police force which is well documented in the Republic archives. This seems a bit strange, given that many of your competitors do not have the manpower to devote to such things. Why the need? Are the Republic forces not adequate?"
Ari laughed distantly as he brought a finger to his lips, "We mean no disrespect to the Republic at all, and it is also well documented that we are staunch supporters of it. However, many of our clients wish for secrecy, and many of our jobs lie beyond the jurisdiction of the Republic."
"Secrecy? Aren't your records public?"
"They are, and we hide nothing from the Republic, mind you. But unless you would rather your parcels attract the attentions of the Hutts...let's just say that we find it's better to not give petty thieves and gangsters any reason to think our transports are easily taken."
"Speaking of such people, there are also rumors that CTE may be implicit in some...illegal activites." At this Ari folded his hands together and rested them on the table. "In fact, some rumors go so far as to suggest that this whole company is a front for some kind of...of...crime syndicate."
Ari quirked an eyebrow, but said nothing for a moment, "Let me assure you and your viewers that such accusations are baseless, and we shall confront them to the fullest extent the law allows. We are not criminals, and we do not break the laws of the Republic. And now, if you will excuse me, I am a very busy man, and must be off."
"Thank you for your time, Ari. This is Nel'ic Ardrana, signing off."