Star Wars_ Death Star - Michael Reaves [126]
“Not particularly.”
“Well, there you are, then.”
The other drinks arrived, and the tender had poured one for herself.
Uli held up his glass. “To the end of the war,” he said.
The others raised their glasses and echoed his words.
59
COMMAND CENTER, OVERBRIDGE, DEATH STAR
Tarkin looked at Vader, the unspoken question in his eyes. General Tagge stood there as well, still recovering, no doubt, from Tarkin’s earlier revelations.
Vader said, “Her resistance to the mind-probe is considerable. It will be some time before we can extract any information from her.”
Tarkin shook his head. Why was it always the small details that seemed to trip up the largest projects?
One of his staff officers arrived. Tarkin regarded him.
The man said, “The final checkout is completed. All systems are operational. What course shall we take?”
Excellent! If the superlaser was now fully functional, they could go anywhere. But they needed the location of that base, and—ah, wait. Tarkin rubbed at his chin. “Perhaps she would respond to an alternative form of persuasion.”
“What do you mean?” Vader said.
“I think it’s time we demonstrated the full power of this station.” He looked back at his officer. “Set your course for Alderaan.”
The man mumbled something and left, but Tarkin was already thinking ahead. If Princess Leia Organa was a thorn in the Empire’s side, then Alderaan was a forest of thorns.
Well, it was time to purge that forest. With fire.
Tagge started to say something but apparently thought better of it. Tarkin smiled almost benignly and said, “I understand your concerns, General. Rest assured I’ve spoken with Emperor Palpatine recently about demonstrating his battle station’s range and strength. He has assured me that I have full rein to do so.” He looked at Vader. “You disapprove, Lord Vader?”
“Not at all, Governor.”
CELL 2187, DETENTION LEVEL, DEATH STAR
Uli looked at the reads on his sensors. Princess Organa was doing as well as could be expected, given her unpleasant experience. If you didn’t know what she had undergone, it would be hard to tell by looking at her.
They were alone in the room—he had made the tech wait outside.
“Thank you, Doctor …? Sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
“Divini. Kornell Divini. My friends call me Uli.”
“I appreciate your medical help, Dr. Divini, but I don’t think we’re going to be friends. I don’t expect I’ll be around much longer, and you are an Imperial officer, after all.”
He shrugged. “Not by choice. I was drafted. And they aren’t letting doctors muster out, as I am sure you’re aware.”
“You could have deserted.”
He laughed. “Really? When? I haven’t been anywhere I could have walked away from without being shot by both sides for my trouble. Besides, I’m not sure working for the Rebels would be any better.”
She raised herself by one elbow off the examining couch. It took effort, he noted, but she did it, the better to look him in the eye. “You support the Emperor’s agenda?”
“I have no clue what his agenda might be. And like I said, I’m not sure that the Alliance would be any better. Yes, they talk a good show, but so did Palpatine before he declared himself Emperor.”
“The Senate will continue to oppose him,” she said.
“You haven’t heard? The Emperor has dissolved the Senate. You are out of a job, Princess.”
She paled, and one of the sensors pinged quietly, registering the momentary orthostasis. Uli put a hand on her shoulder and tried to push her gently back down, but she brushed his hand away. “When did this happen?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I had a patient who works for someone who was in a high-level meeting. It was announced right after Vader arrived on the station with you.”
She shook her head. “This is terrible news.”
“All the news is terrible,” Uli said. “It has been since this war began.”
She looked up at him. “If there’s ever going to be good news for any of us again, Uli, it has to start with us. We have