Star Wars_ The Han Solo Trilogy 02_ The Hutt Gambit - A. C. Crispin [98]
Why does he always sound like he’s making a campaign speech? Bria wondered. Aloud she said, “Desilijic? Why not Besadii, too?”
“In a private communiqué, the Emperor made it clear that Besadii is to remain unmolested,” Shild said. “They’re useful to him, providing the Empire with trained slaves. Besadii must continue to prosper.”
Bria filed this information away as something to relay to Rion as soon as she could. Palpatine even has his fingers in Hutt internal politics? Is there anything the Emperor doesn’t try to turn to his personal advantage?
Aloud she said, “Oh, well, that makes sense.”
“Yes, the Emperor is a canny fellow,” Shild said, still speaking in that almost whisper. “But … perhaps … not canny enough.”
Bria was puzzled. “What do you mean, Sarn?”
He smiled, his “public” smile, but there was something in his eyes that made Bria uneasy. “I fear that between the growing rebellions on the innermost worlds and the internal political squabblings in the highest echelons, our beloved Emperor has overextended himself. He is losing his grip in the Outer Rim Territories. The Imperial forces are spread so thin in these sectors that a strong leader with a powerful military force to back him could simply … secede … from the Empire.”
Bria looked at him, her eyes wide with shock. He was talking sedition! Didn’t he realize that?
Shild mistook her look for amazed appreciation. He beamed at her. “Oh, don’t think I haven’t thought of it, my dear. There’s no reason that the Outer Rim Territories couldn’t become another Corporate Sector, with no ties or allegiance to the Empire. If I had sufficient military might, I could lead the Outer Rim to independence and prosperity—it would be glorious!”
Bria had to clench her teeth to keep her jaw from dropping. What in the name of Xendor’s Minions has gotten into him? I always knew Sarn was arrogant, but he sounds like a madman!
Was it possible that the Moff had fallen under some kind of … influence? Bria knew there were some telepathic species of aliens, but she’d never heard of any that could do anything like this. Maybe Shild had simply gone crazy. That was one possible explanation.
But the light in Shild’s dark eyes was not that of a madman, it was the light of a man with a mission.
“And after leading the Outer Rim Territories to glory, my dear”—he gave her another one-armed hug—“it’s possible that I should turn my concentration … well, shall we say, toward more populated areas of the galaxy. There are unhappy worlds, here in the Empire, worlds that are looking for new leadership. I could provide that leadership.”
I can’t believe I’m hearing this! He’s talking about challenging the Emperor!
Bria was terrified to even stand here and listen to Shild. Palpatine had ears everywhere. Surely the Emperor would discover Shild’s outrageous ambition, and eliminate him as casually as she might slap a stinging insect.
The Imperial fleet was moving magnificently past them now, passing in review. Shild dropped his arm from around Bria, stepped forward to stand on the very edge of the platform, looking slim and elegant in his Moff’s uniform. He saluted his troops as they glided past him.
Bria stood back, near the entrance, feeling that coldness, that near panic grow, until it was everything she could do not to leave, to just run away and abandon Shild to face the consequences of his own egotistical ambition.
I’ll find out just what he’s planning, if I can, she promised herself, and then I’ll go.
Bria stared at Shild, realizing she was now regarding him the same way she would a man who had contracted a terrible incurable disease. A walking dead man. She found she was actually sorry that Shild had contracted this “disease,” this craving for power. The