Star Wars_ I, Jedi - Michael A. Stackpole [197]
“Indeed, it would.”
She moved closer and rested her chin on my knee, smiling slyly. “In fact, the news about the Sun Crusher’s destruction is pure disinformation. No one who had a weapon that was indestructible and capable of annihilating whole star systems would destroy it. No, they’re waiting until they discover where I keep the Invidious, then they will obliterate it.”
I pulled back, smacking my head on the headboard. “Ouch. Are you sure the New Republic would do that? They don’t seem to have the guts to do such a thing.”
“Carida is gone, isn’t it?” She patted me on the other knee. “They blame its destruction on a rogue, a child, yet you notice he is lauded as a Jedi now. Since when are promotions given to people who fail to carry out orders?”
I shivered. “I’d never have thought of that.”
Tavira placed hands on either side of my hips and kissed me gently on the nose. “Oh, you would have, my dear.”
“Thank you.”
Then she slapped me. Hard. Snapped my head around to the right and by the time I’d recovered, she stood again beside my bed and glared down at me. I pressed my left hand to my cheek. “What did I do?”
“It’s not what you did, it’s what you’ve failed to do!” She turned away from me, but fury poured off her. “You should have dealt with this Jedi situation.”
“What? Me? How?” I sat forward. “I had no way to reach you.”
“Immaterial. All I’ve heard since I’ve been here is that you’ve not drawn a sober breath since the Jedi arrived. The night Shala died, you were so drunk you destroyed a speeder bike and didn’t even know it.” She gestured vaguely toward the street in front of the hotel. “I’ve brought you another one, by the way. Don’t destroy this one.”
“I’m sorry.”
She spun back, with her hand raised to slap me again, but she hesitated. “You are sorry, and I expect a change. Your behavior must improve. You must lead by example. You must show them not to fear the Jedi.”
“Emperor’s black bones, he melted Shala’s headquarters. Two nights ago it was still warm.”
She lowered her hand. “You cannot let your fear show. These Jedi, they are like animals. They can smell fear. It’s so thick here, I can smell it, and I hate it.”
“Fighting the Jedi is not easy.”
“I don’t want you to fight it, I want you to lead the others in opposition to it. You do that, and I will take care of the Jedi.” Her fists returned to her hips. “As much as I would like to join you there for a proper reunion, I have preparations to make. I’ll be back within the week. I expect to see you sharp and in control.”
She started to walk out of the room, then paused and turned back. “Oh, kill Jacob Nive and take command. The man’s spirit is broken. If he can’t be fixed, he’s useless.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Do that, darling.” She gave me a wink. “It’s an object lesson you would do best never to forget.”
I did exactly what Leonia Tavira wanted. I cleaned myself up and started making the rounds of the remaining groups on Courkrus. I visited them all in their strongholds, snapping orders, inventing security procedures, threatening, bribing, hinting darkly that any group that didn’t get tough would be melded in with other groups, losing their autonomy. And of those groups that ran, well, I simply asked if anyone truly believed the galaxy was big enough to let them hide from Leonia Tavira.
The Survivors took heart immediately, and even Jacob Nive seemed to recover some of his nerve. The Blackstar Pirates remained sullen but determined to stick things out. The Red Nova crew rallied and even started talking with the LazerLords about a merger that would keep the two of their groups functioning well. Riistar’s Raiders,