542 Interference of Jewel Enterprise and Gem Inc (1/2)
Duorda added a question as well, ”And how did they fail you so quickly?”
Sighing, Daruun replied, ”For one critical reason… that neither they nor I saw coming… Jewel found a way to involve themselves.”
”Jewel?!” Duorda almost fell out of his seat.
”Yes, Jewel has managed to enter the district legally. However, their level of influence is still minor at best,” stated Daruun, looking to Jack. ”The Jewel Enterprise, more commonly known as Jewel throughout the void, is regarded as the most powerful enterprise throughout the void. It's hard to gauge their true strength, though, as they're notorious for keeping their true strength under wraps.
”Jewel is both feared and respected. It originates from the Core and spreads gradually but unstoppably. On the surface, they're an enterprise that offers protection and security for any and all who gather under their name. But they also take the time to silently fill all partnered governments with their own agents. Jewel doesn't take full control of district or government, at least it hasn't thus far, but Jewel will gain enough influence to typically swing all upcoming political decisions in their favor.”
Keeping up, Jack summed it up, ”So they don't directly control any districts or governments but they turn them into mouthpieces and use the already existing governments as coverups for their growing influence?”
”Correct, that's precisely what they specialize in. Of course, that's not what they tell the public,” agreed Daruun. ”This time, Jewel entered the Fate District in a roundabout way, mainly because I turn them down without ever agreeing to meet with them. And now, thanks to Silas, they don't throw their weight around quite as much. They chose a more silent approach.
”They created an incorporate within the Fate District, an organization that has influence throughout at least a dozen precincts or at most across an entire district. It's basically a self-contained enterprise on a much, much smaller scale. Only this time Jewel has again created an incorporate without publicly linking it to themselves as a parent organization,” stated Daruun. ”The founding of the Gem Incorporate began without my interference but they've been secretly receiving private funding that matching a small, upstart enterprise. But I allowed it to grow and can't directly squash it out without facing public repercussions.
”And you want me to deal with it?” asked Jack, blinking and wide-eyed.
Daruun nodded. ”I want both you and your father to handle them. They know too well how to manipulate the system and managed to gain a decent foothold within the district. Also, it was the Gem Incorporate that snuck contacts into Kartonia and reached out to both Halmut and Skaryn.”
”Hmmm… While you've been away, Jewel has grown steadily. On paper, Jewel is now officially partnered with six districts, including District 05 where it originates. According to Silas's numbers, Jewel is currently infiltrating three other districts, not including the Fate District due to their influence here not yet reaching the zone level and not bearing the 'Jewel' name,” answered Daruun.
”Does that mean this Gem Incorporate can get snuffed out without facing repercussions from Jewel?” asked Jack.