• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

Salm’s face hardened. “This is an Imperial base, not some bandit’s hideout.”

Page shook his head. “Begging your pardon, sir, but the droid found a lot of parallels to smugglers’ bases, and that gives us some new options. Whistler also pinpointed Blackmoon from a star chart and is pulling up more data than we were given in our briefings. It can fall.”

Wedge shook his head. “Good work, gentlemen, but there’s an Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II we have to figure into the scenario. That changes everything.”

Salm held a hand up. “Perhaps not, Commander.”

“No?”

“Not entirely.” Salm folded his arms. “Who knows about this information you have?”

Horn thought for a second, then answered, “As nearly as I know, just Page, my R2, the unit’s 3PO, and me.”

“I want you to confirm that. You two are hereby sworn to secrecy. If any word about this gets out I’ll have you flying solo missions against Ssi-ruuk strongholds, got it?”

“Yes, sir.”

Wedge smiled. “Being a bit lenient there, aren’t you, sir?”

“Perhaps I am, but I think they know I’m serious.” Salm smiled confidently. “Now let’s see what you have, gentlemen. Blackmoon was picked as our best, closest step to Coruscant yet. No reason we should abandon our quest if we don’t have to.”

28

Kirtan Loor raised a hand to ward off the dust storm raised by the shuttle’s landing jets. The Sipharium settled down easily, its landing lights strobing brightly in the Borleiasian evening. The hum of the engines filled the air, drowning out the sound of the gangway being lowered from the belly of the ship.

The Intelligence agent smiled at General Derricote as the base’s commander crested the stairs to the landing platform. “Come to see me off? I’m honored.”

Derricote returned the smile. “Your visit was not as onerous as you might imagine, Agent Loor.” The older man held a bottle out to him. “A memento of your visit.”

Kirtan took it. “Corellian whiskey, Whyren’s Reserve, no less.” He looked closely at the cap and the holographic tax seal. “It looks genuine. Is it, or have you prepared this so I can poison myself and eliminate a problem for you?”

Derricote opened his hands. “If you want to open it and lumguzzle, I’ll join you. It is genuine, and quite costly, but I have connections that make it possible for me to obtain it. It’s not poisoned because it is given by way of thanking you. Had you not come here the Rebels might have taken me by surprise. I think the result would have been much the same as it actually turned out to be, but one can never know. Your use of influence to transfer a squadron of TIE starfighters from the Eviscerator until my fighters can be replaced was also appreciated.”

The General’s openness surprised Kirtan. “You do not feel my being ordered back to Imperial Center is a threat to your operation here?”

Derricote shrugged. “I am too much a realist to imagine I could keep this operation secret forever. I trust you will use your knowledge of it to your own gain, which means I will not be sacrificed casually. This operation, of course, has uses. I would think that Ysanne Isard would find it more valuable than any object lesson she could provide others by destroying it and me.”

The man’s eyes hardened. “Besides, if I saw you as a threat, you would have died during the Rebel attack.”

Truly spoken. Kirtan nodded slowly. “I accept your gift in the spirit in which it is given.” But I will have it tested before I drink.

“I hope, also, you will view this invitation in the spirit in which it is given.” Derricote spread his arms wide to encompass the planet. “The Empire is dead. What will rise to replace it, I don’t know, but the Core will be heating up and Imperial Center is going to be roasted alive. Rebels, warlords, either could do the job. Old Borleias here, it’s been through its time of fire. I’ll be here when Imperial Center isn’t. If you need a haven when things break apart, remember that I’m here.”

Kirtan brought his head up. “Thank you, General. I shall remember you. I hope I won’t have to avail myself of your invitation, but if I do, I know where to find