Star Wars_ The Dark Lord Trilogy - James Luceno [315]
Then, two and a half years into the war, Shryne lost a second learner at the Battle of Manari.
It was noted in the records that Shryne’s fellow Jedi began to see a change in him after Manari, not only with regard to the war, but also with regard to the role the Jedi had been constrained to play—manipulated to play, Vader now understood—and many Jedi had expected him to leave the order, as several other Jedi Knights had done, either finding their way to the Separatist side or simply vanishing from sight.
Continuing to study the ghostly image of Shryne, Vader activated the cabin comm.
“What have you learned?” he asked.
“Still no sign of either Jedi, Lord Vader,” Appo said. “But the Twi’lek crime boss has been located.”
“Good work, Commander. He will prove to be all the lead we need.”
Cash Garrulan was trying to figure out how he could unload eight hundred pairs of knockoff Neuro-Saav electrobinoculars in a hurry when Jally burst into his office to draw his attention to the security monitors.
In mounting annoyance, Garrulan watched twenty clone troopers climb from a wheeled transport and take up positions around the aged, sprawling structure that was his headquarters.
“Stormtroopers, no less,” Garrulan said. “Probably sent by the regional governor to grab whatever they can before we depart.” Pushing himself upright, he swept a stack of data cards from his desk into an open attaché case. “Give the troopers our munitions overstock. Don’t make a stand, whatever you do. If things get rough, offer them more—the electrobinoculars, for instance.” He grabbed his cloak and threw it over his shoulders. “I, however, am not about to suffer the indignity of an arrest. I’ll take the back stairs and meet you at the docking bay.”
“Good choice. We’ll handle the clones.”
Hurrying out of his office and through the stockroom, he pressed the release for the back door, only to find a towering figure filling the entryway. Dressed in black from outsize helmet to knee-high boots, the masked figure had his gloved fists planted on his hips in a way that spread his cloak wide.
“Going somewhere, Vigo?”
The slightly bass voice was enhanced by a vocoder of some sort and underscored by deep, rhythmical breathing, obviously regulated by the control box strapped to the figure’s broad and armored chest.
Vader, Garrulan told himself. The Grievous-like monstrosity Shryne said had been “added to the mix.”
“May I inquire who wishes to know?”
“You’re free to ask,” Vader said, but left it at that.
Garrulan tried to compose his thoughts. Vader and his stormtroopers hadn’t come for handouts. They were hot on Shryne’s trail. Still, he thought there might be a way to win Vader over.
“I’m not and never have been a Separatist. I just happen to be living on a Sep world.”
“Your former allegiances don’t concern me,” Vader said.
Stretching out his right hand, Vader yanked Garrulan off his feet and carried him through the foyer and into the office, where he deposited him in a castered chair, which rolled backward and struck the wall.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Vader said.
Garrulan rubbed the back of his head. “It’s going to be like that, is it?”
“Yes. Like that.”
Garrulan forced a breath. “Well, I’d offer you a chair, as well, but I don’t think I have another one large enough.”
The commander of Vader’s troopers entered from the front room while Vader was taking in the office’s lavish appointments.
“You’ve done well for yourself, Vigo.”
“I get by,” Garrulan said.
Vader stood over him. “I’m searching for two Jedi who escaped a transport that was to have delivered them to Agon Nine.”
“Enchanting spot. But what makes you think—”
“Before you say another word,” Vader cut him off, “be advised that I know that you and one of the Jedi go back a long way.”
Garrulan immediately revised his plans. “You’re talking about Roan Shryne and the girl.”
“Then