Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                               NOVO NETWORKS, INC.
                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                 PURSUANT TO THE
                NOVO NETWORKS, INC. 1999 OMNIBUS SECURITIES PLAN

         THIS NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made and
entered into by and between NOVO NETWORKS, INC., formerly eVentures Group, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and RUSSELL W. BEIERSDORF (the
"OPTIONEE"), effective February 27, 2004 (the "DATE OF GRANT").

         1. GRANT OF OPTION. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee and the
Optionee hereby accepts, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, a
Nonqualified Stock Option (the "OPTION") to purchase up to 25,000 shares of
Company's common stock, par value $0.00002 per share (the "COMMON STOCK"), at
the Exercise Price per share set forth in Section 4 hereof.

         2. GOVERNING PLAN. This Option is granted pursuant to the Company's
1999 Omnibus Securities Plan (the "PLAN"), a copy of which is attached hereto.
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings as set
forth in the Plan. The Optionee agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions
of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference and which control in
case of any conflict with this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically
provided for in the Plan.

         3. EXPIRATION AND TERMINATION OF THE OPTION. The Option (to the extent
not earlier exercised or terminated in accordance with the Plan or this
Agreement) will expire at the end of business February 27, 2014, ten (10) years
from the Date of Grant of the Option (the "EXPIRATION DATE"). In the event the
Optionee ceases to serve as a member of the Company's board of directors, the
unexercised portion of the Option will terminate on the earlier of the date that
is (a) five (5) years after the date the Optionee ceased being a director or (b)
the Expiration Date. The Option may not be exercised after its expiration or
termination.

         4. EXERCISE PRICE. The "EXERCISE PRICE" of the Option is two and seven
tenths cents ($0.027) per share of Common Stock. The Exercise Price is subject
to adjustment or amendment as set forth in the Plan, including, without
limitation, Section 3.4, Section 4.5(b) or Section 6.2 of the Plan.

         5. VESTING. The Option shall vest as of the Date of Grant and be
immediately exercisable for the total number of shares of Common Stock set forth
in Section 1 hereof.

         6. EXERCISE OF THE OPTION. The Option may be exercised, to the extent
not previously exercised, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time
prior to the expiration or termination of the Option, except that no Option
shall be exercisable except in respect to whole shares, and not less than one
hundred (100) shares may be purchased at one time unless the number purchased is
the total number at the time available for purchase under the terms of the
Option. Exercise shall be accomplished by providing the Company with written
notice in the

NOVO NETWORKS, INC. NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT - PAGE 1

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form of Exhibit "A" attached hereto, which notice shall be irrevocable when
delivered and effective upon payment in full of the Option Price in accordance
with Section 5.4 of the Plan and Section 7 hereof and any amounts required in
accordance with Section 5.11 of the Plan for withholding taxes, and the
satisfaction of all other conditions to exercise imposed under the Plan.

         7. PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE. Upon any exercise of the Option, the
total Exercise Price for the number of shares for which the Option is then being
exercised and the amount of any federal, state and local withholding taxes
imposed thereon shall be paid in full to the Company in cash or with shares of
Common Stock that have been owned for at least six months by the Optionee (or by
the Optionee and his or her spouse jointly), or a combination thereof, or in
such other form permitted by applicable law and the Plan as the Administering
Body deems acceptable at the time of exercise, all in accordance with the
applicable provisions of Section 5.4 and Section 5.11 of the Plan.

         8. ACKNOWLEDGMENT REGARDING OPTIONS. Optionee hereby represents,
acknowledges, agrees and understands that Optionee has no other options with
respect to shares of stock or equity in the Company and/or any Affiliated Entity
(including any subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company, such as Paciugo
Management, LLC, a Texas limited liability company ("PACIUGO"), Ad Astra
Holdings, LP, a Texas limited partnership ("AD ASTRA"), Axistel Communications,
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("AXISTEL"), and/or e.Volve Technology Group, Inc.,
f/k/a Orix Global Communications, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("E.VOLVE")),
validly granted, verbally promised or otherwise, prior to the effective date of
this Agreement, except as otherwise described on Exhibit "B" to this Agreement.
Optionee further acknowledges, agrees and understands that the Company is
relying on the statements contained herein with respect to the granting of
options as provided herein.

         9. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION. The Option shall not be transferable
or assignable by the Optionee, other than in accordance with Section 5.9 of the
Plan or by will or the laws of descent and distribution (or as otherwise
permitted by the Administering Body in its sole discretion), and shall be
exercisable during the Optionee's lifetime only by him or her or by his or her
legal representative(s) or guardian(s) or any permitted transferee.

         10. ADMINISTRATION. The Plan and this Agreement shall be administered
and may be definitively interpreted by the Administering Body, and the Optionee
agrees that the decisions of such Administering Body concerning administration
and interpretation of the Plan and this Agreement shall be final, binding and
conclusive on all persons.

         11. SEVERABILITY. If any of the provisions of this Agreement should be
deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and
effect.

         12. MODIFICATION. This Agreement may not be modified or amended, nor
may any provision hereof be waived, in any way except in writing signed by the
parties hereto.

         13. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement has been executed in two counterparts
each of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed on behalf of the
Company by its duly authorized officer, and by the Optionee in acceptance of the
above-

NOVO NETWORKS, INC. NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT - PAGE 2

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mentioned Option, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and of this
Agreement, all as of the day and year first above written.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

NOVO NETWORKS, INC. NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT - PAGE 3

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                     SIGNATURE PAGE FOR NOVO NETWORKS, INC.
                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

         Signature page for Novo Networks, Inc. Nonqualified Stock Option
Agreement, dated February 27, 2004.

                                                COMPANY:

                                                NOVO NETWORKS, INC.

                                                By:
                                                       ------------------------
                                                Name:    Steven W. Caple
                                                       ------------------------
                                                Title:   President
                                                       ------------------------

                                                OPTIONEE:

                                                -------------------------------
                                                Russell W. Beiersdorf

NOVO NETWORKS, INC. NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT - PAGE 4

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                                   EXHIBIT "A"

                               NOTICE OF EXERCISE
                                      UNDER
                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                 PURSUANT TO THE
                NOVO NETWORKS, INC. 1999 OMNIBUS SECURITIES PLAN

         To:      Novo Networks, Inc. (the "COMPANY")

         From:    Russell W. Beiersdorf (the "OPTIONEE")

         Date:
                  -----------------------------------

         Pursuant to the Novo Networks, Inc. 1999 Omnibus Securities Plan (the
"PLAN") and the Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (the "AGREEMENT")
(capitalized terms used without definition herein have the meanings given such
terms in the Agreement or the Plan) between the Company and myself, effective
February 27, 2004, I hereby exercise my Option as follows:

<Table>

<S>                                                                                       <C>
       Number of shares of Common Stock I wish to purchase under the Option
       Exercise Price per share                                                           $
       Total Exercise Price                                                               $
       "Vested Portion" of Option (see definition in Section 5 of the Agreement)
       Number of shares I have previously purchased by exercising the Option
       Expiration Date of the Option
</Table>

         I hereby represent, warrant, and covenant to the Company that:

         a. I am acquiring the Common Stock for my own account, for investment,
and not for distribution or resale, and I will make no transfer of such Common
Stock except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and
in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

         b. I can bear the economic risk of the investment in the Common Stock
resulting from this exercise of the Option, including a total loss of my
investment.

         c. I am experienced in business and financial matters and am capable of
(i) evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Common Stock; (ii)
making an informed investment decision regarding exercise of the Option; and
(iii) protecting my interests in connection therewith.

         d. Any subsequent offer for sale or distribution of any of the shares
of Common Stock shall be made only pursuant to (i) a registration statement on
an appropriate form under the Securities Act, which registration statement has
become effective and is current with regard to the shares being offered or sold,
or (ii) a specific exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act, it being understood that to the extent any such exemption is
claimed, I shall, prior to any offer for sale or sale of such shares, obtain a
prior favorable written opinion, in form

EXHIBIT "A" - PAGE 1
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and substance satisfactory to the Administering Body, from counsel for or
approved by the Administering Body, as to the applicability of such exemption
thereto.

         I acknowledge that I must pay the total Exercise Price in full and make
appropriate arrangements for the payment of all federal, state and local tax
withholdings due with respect to the Option exercised herein, before the stock
certificate evidencing the shares of Common Stock resulting from this exercise
of the Option will be issued to me.

         Attached in full payment of the total Exercise Price for the Option
exercised herein is ( ) a check made payable to the Company in the amount of
$___________________ and/or ( ) a stock certificate for _______ shares of Common
Stock that have been owned by me or by me and my spouse jointly for at least six
months, with a duly completed stock power attached with a total Fair Market
Value on the date hereof equal to the total Exercise Price.

         Also attached in full payment of all withholding tax obligations
arising from exercise of the Option is (___) a check made payable to the Company
in the amount of such required withholding and/or (____) a stock certificate for
____ shares of Common Stock that have been owned by me or by me and my spouse
jointly for at least six months, with a duly completed stock power attached,
with a total Fair Market Value on the date hereof equal to the amount of such
required withholding.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

EXHIBIT "A" - PAGE 2

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            SIGNATURE PAGE FOR EXHIBIT "A", NOTICE OF EXERCISE UNDER
           NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, PURSUANT TO THE NOVO
                  NETWORKS, INC. 1999 OMNIBUS SECURITIES PLAN

         Signature page for Exhibit "A", Notice of Exercise under Nonqualified
Stock Option Agreement, dated February 27, 2004, pursuant to the Novo Networks,
Inc. 1999 Omnibus Securities Plan.

                                       OPTIONEE:

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Russell W. Beiersdorf

                                       RECEIVED BY THE COMPANY:

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                       Date:
                                            ------------------------------------

EXHIBIT "A" - PAGE 3
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                                   EXHIBIT "B"

                         DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING OPTIONS
                               GRANTED TO OPTIONEE

         1. An option to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
was granted to the Optionee under the Company's Plan with all 25,000 shares
vesting on February 21, 2003.

EXHIBIT "B"exv10w54

 

Exhibit 10.54

MODIFICATION, EXTENSION AND RENEWAL OF PROMISSORY NOTE

	 	 	 
	$1,000,000.00

	 	As of April 16, 2004

     For value received, the undersigned (the “Makers,” whether one or more),
promise to pay to the order of JOHN C. WOOLEY AND JEFFREY J. WOOLEY (the
“Payee”), at 203 Colorado, Austin, Travis County, Texas 78701, or such other
location as the Payee designates to the Makers in writing, the principal sum of
ONE MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00), or the outstanding principal
amount advanced hereunder, whichever is less, in legal and lawful money of the
United States of America, with interest thereon from the date hereof through
the maturity date of this Note (whether by acceleration or otherwise) (the
“Maturity Date”) at the rate of six percent (6.0%) per annum (calculated on the
basis of the actual number of days elapsed but computed as if each year
consisted of 360 days), the interest being payable as hereinafter specified.
After the Maturity Date until paid, unpaid principal and accrued unpaid
interest shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (i)
eighteen percent (18%), or (ii) the Maximum Lawful Rate. As used herein, the
term “Maximum Lawful Rate” shall mean the greater of (i) the highest
non-usurious rate of interest permitted by applicable United States law, or
(ii) a rate per annum equal to the applicable weekly ceiling described in
Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code, as amended, as such indicated rate
ceiling is in effect from time to time, but in no event greater than
twenty-four (24.0%) per annum. Unless precluded by law, changes in the Maximum
Lawful Rate created by statute or governmental action during the term of this
Note shall be immediately applicable to this Note on the effective date of such
changes. If the applicable law ceases to provide for a Maximum Lawful Rate,
the Maximum Lawful Rate shall be equal to eighteen percent (18%) per annum,
unless the loan evidenced by this Note is subject to Regulation Z of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 C. F. R. §226 and is secured by
a dwelling, in which case the Maximum Lawful Rate shall be equal to twenty-four
percent (24.0%) per annum.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, at any time, the rate of interest
applicable to this Note (but for the limitation thereof to the Maximum Lawful
Rate) exceeds the Maximum Lawful Rate, the rate of interest to accrue on this
Note shall be limited to the Maximum Lawful Rate, but any subsequent reductions
in such rate of interest applicable to this Note (but for the limitation
thereof to the Maximum Lawful Rate) shall not reduce the rate of interest to
accrue on this Note below the Maximum Lawful Rate until the total amount of
interest which would have accrued if a varying rate per annum equal to the rate
of interest applicable to this Note (but for the limitation thereof to the
Maximum Lawful Rate) had at all times been in effect.

     If the Maximum Lawful Rate is increased by statute or other governmental
action subsequent to the date hereof, then the Makers agree that the new
Maximum Lawful Rate will be applicable hereto from the effective date of the
new Maximum Lawful Rate, unless such application is precluded by statute or
governmental action or by the general law of the jurisdiction governing the
transaction evidenced hereby.

 

 

     This Note is in renewal, extension, rearrangement and modification, but
not extinguishment, of that one certain Modification, Extension and Renewal of
Promissory Note (“Third Renewed Note”) between Maker and Payee dated effective
January 16, 2004, and one certain Modification, Extension and Renewal of
Promissory Note (“Second Renewed Note”) between Maker and Payee dated effective
October 31, 2003, and one certain Modification, Extension and Renewal of
Promissory Note (“First Renewed Note”) between Maker and Payee dated effective
August 8, 2003, which renewed and extended the term of (but did not extinguish)
that certain Promissory Note (the “Original Note”) in the original principal
amount of $1,000,000.00 between Maker and Payee dated effective April 8, 2003.
The only change the parties wish to make to the Third Renewed Note is to extend
the maturity date from April 16, 2004, to July 16, 2004. The parties intend
all other terms and the security for this indebtedness to remain the same. The
Original Note, First Renewed Note, Second Renewed Note and Third Renewed Note
are referred to herein collectively as the “Renewed Notes”.

TERMS OF PAYMENT

     The accrued interest on this Note shall be due and payable in monthly
installments, commencing on May 8, 2004, and continuing regularly thereafter on
the same day of each calendar month until July 16, 2004, when the entire amount
of this Note, principal and accrued interest then remaining unpaid, shall be
due and payable. Interest shall be calculated on the unpaid principal to the
date each installment is paid and each such payment shall be credited to the
discharge of the interest accrued, the reduction of principal, and other
authorized charges, if any, in such manner and order as the Payee shall
determine in its sole discretion.

PAYMENT ON NON-BUSINESS DAYS:

     If any payment hereunder falls due on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday
on which commercial banks in Austin, Texas are permitted or required by law to
be closed, the time for such payment shall be extended to the next day on which
the Payee is open for business, and such extension of time shall be included in
the calculation of interest accruing and payable hereunder.

PREPAYMENT:

     The Makers reserve the right to prepay this Note in any amount at any time
prior to maturity without penalty. Interest shall be calculated on the unpaid
principal to the date of any prepayment and any such prepayment shall be
applied first toward the payment of accrued interest and next to the principal
installments of this Note in the inverse order of maturity.

SECURITY FOR PAYMENT:

     Payment of this Note is secured by, and this Note is entitled to the
benefits of, all security agreements, assignments, deeds of trust, mortgages
and lien instruments executed by the Makers (or any of them), or other similar
instruments, guaranties, endorsements or other agreements, executed by any
other person or entity (the “Collateral

2

 

Agreements,” whether one or more) to secure, guarantee or otherwise
provide for the payment hereof, in favor of or for the benefit of the Payee,
including any previously executed and any now or hereafter executed. Without
limiting the foregoing, the Makers ratify and confirm that the Collateral
Agreements include, and this Note is entitled to the benefits of “Indebtedness”
under, that certain Security Agreement dated as of April 8, 2003, executed by
the Makers and Payee covering certain of the Makers’ personal property.

USE OF PROCEEDS:

     The Original Note, as modified by the Renewed Notes, represents funds
advanced to the Makers at the Makers’ special instance and request and used to
provide working capital for the Makers.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES:

     The Makers expressly represent and warrant to the Payee that it is a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas;
that it possesses full power and authority to own its property and to conduct
its business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted; that
the execution and delivery of this Note will not contravene any provisions of
its articles incorporation, bylaws or any other agreement relating to its form
of entity; that the officer executing this Note is the legally qualified and
acting officer of said corporation and is expressly authorized to execute this
Note by appropriate resolution of the Boarof Directors of said corporation.

LIMITATION OF INTEREST:

     All agreements and transactions among the Makers and the Payee, whether
now existing or hereafter arising, whether contained herein or in any other
instrument, and whether written or oral, are hereby expressly limited so that
in no contingency or event whatsoever, whether by reason of acceleration of the
maturity hereof, late payment, prepayment, or otherwise, shall the amount of
interest contracted for, charged or received by the Payee from the Makers for
the use, forbearance, or detention of the principal indebtedness or interest
hereof, which remains unpaid from time to time, exceed the Maximum Lawful Rate,
it particularly being the intention of the parties hereto to conform strictly
to the applicable usury laws of the State of Texas (or applicable United States
law to the extent that it permits the Payee to contract for, charge or receive
a greater amount of interest than under Texas law). Any interest payable
hereunder or under any other instrument relating to the indebtedness evidenced
hereby that is in excess of the Maximum Lawful Rate, shall, in the event of
acceleration of maturity, late payment, prepayment, or otherwise, be applied to
a reduction of the unrepaid indebtedness hereunder and not to the payment of
interest, or if such excessive interest exceeds the unpaid balance of such
unrepaid indebtedness, such excess shall be refunded to the Makers. To the
extent not prohibited by applicable law, determination of the Maximum Lawful
Rate shall at all times be made by amortizing, prorating, allocating and
spreading in equal parts during the full term of this loan, all interest at any
time contracted for, charged or received from the Makers in connection with
this loan, so that the actual rate of interest on account of such indebtedness
is uniform throughout the term thereof.

3

 

SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS:

     As used herein, the term “Payee” shall include the successors and assigns
of the Payee and any subsequent owner and holder of this Note, and the term
“Makers” shall include co-makers, endorsers, guarantors, sureties and their
respective successors and assigns.

DEFAULT AND COLLECTION:

     Subject to the express notice and cure provisions contained in this Note,
it is expressly provided that, upon default in the punctual payment of this
Note, or any part hereof, principal or interest, as the same shall become due
and payable, or upon default in the performance of or compliance with any of
the terms of any of the Collateral Agreements, or if the Payee deems the Payee
insecure, either because the prospect of timely payment of this Note becomes
impaired, or because the prospect of timely performance of any of the
Collateral Agreements becomes impaired, at the option of the Payee, the entire
indebtedness evidenced hereby shall be matured, and in the event default is
made in the prompt payment of this Note when due or declared due, and the same
is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection, or suit is brought on the
same, or the same is collected through probate, bankruptcy or other judicial
proceedings, then the Makers jointly and severally agree and promise to pay all
reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs and collection costs incurred by the
Payee.

NOTICE AND CURE RIGHTS:

     In the event of any default under the Collateral Agreements or this Note,
the Makers and each Guarantors named below shall be entitled to receive written
notice of any such default and a period of fifteen (15) days after such notice
is sent by the Payee within which to cure such default prior to the Payee’s
being entitled to exercise any remedy which may arise due to the occurrence of
such default, other than the right to withhold making further advances of funds
during the period any such default remains uncured. However, nothing herein
shall obligate the Payee to give the Makers more than one (1) notice of default
during any ninety (90) day period. The provisions of this paragraph shall
control over any inconsistent provision in any of the Collateral Agreements;
and any right to accelerate the maturity of this Note contained in any of the
Collateral Agreements is subject to prior compliance with this paragraph.

WAIVERS AND CONSENTS:

     Subject to the express notice and cure provisions contained in this Note,
each of the Makers waives presentment for payment, notice of intent to
accelerate, notice of acceleration, protest and notice of protest, dishonor and
diligence in collecting and the bringing of suit against any other party, and
agrees to all renewals, extensions, partial payments, releases and
substitutions of security, in whole or in part, with or without notice, before
or after maturity. The Payee may remedy any default, without waiving the same,
or may waive any default without waiving any prior or subsequent default.

4

 

GOVERNING LAWS AND VENUE:

     This Note is governed by and is to be construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of Texas and of the United States. The Makers agree
and consent to the jurisdiction of the District Courts of Travis County, Texas,
and of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
(Austin Division) and acknowledge that such courts shall constitute proper and
convenient forums for the resolution of any actions among the Makers and the
Payee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and agree that such courts
shall be the exclusive forums for the resolution of any actions among the
Makers and the Payee with respect to the subject matter hereof.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Schlotzsky’s, Inc.,

a Texas corporation

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ JOYCE CATES
 	 
	 	 	Joyce Cates, 	 
	 	 	Senior VP – Franchise Operations 	 

5

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