Star Wars_ X-Wing 02_ Wedge's Gamble - Michael A. Stackpole [98]
Winter’s eyes glittered coldly. “The Alliance’s goal is to see the death of the evil that destroyed our world. Alderaan cannot be replaced and certainly not with this transparisteel and duracrete mausoleum for an Empire.”
Wedge folded his arms. “Your point, Vorru?”
“My point, Commander, is that the Alliance is not likely to be any more favorable to Black Sun than the Empire was. Less, in fact, I suspect. I want to know what is in this plan to reward me and my people for their cooperation.”
Corran snarled. “Why don’t you start with your liberation from Kessel?”
Vorru smiled delicately. “You would gladly see me back there, would you not, Lieutenant? If your plan succeeds you might find yourself appointed Minister of Security. If the cursing about you and your family done by Thyne here is any measure of Horn efficacy, I think I prefer having Ysanne Isard opposing me. What I would like, Commander Antilles, is some guarantee of clemency for those of my people who work to help you overthrow Isard.”
“And if that is not possible?”
“Relocation to a world of my choosing, a world that will be made part of your Alliance with me at its head.”
“A world you will turn into a haven for crime?” Iella looked disgusted.
Corran shook his head. “He’s smarter than that. He’ll solicit bribes from worlds so he doesn’t end up there. He’ll be rich enough to buy a star system or two.”
Vorru opened his hands. “I seek a world where I can live out my days in peace and you think poorly of me. I find it hard to believe you hold the rehabilitative qualities of Kessel in such contempt.”
“Enough.” Wedge held a hand out to forestall Corran’s reply to Vorru’s unctuous comment. “I’ll give you my personal guarantee you and your people will not be held responsible for crimes committed while you are acting in concert with us. That doesn’t mean a sociopath like Thyne here is free to slaughter innocents. We’re only going to hit legitimate military targets. The streets start running with blood and I’ll burn your people down myself. I think this is the best offer you’re going to get.”
“It’s acceptable. For now.” Vorru nodded. “And, no, our slicers have not been able to get into the main computer.”
Thyne shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “We should just blow it up. Everything will stop and the shields will come down.”
“No they won’t.” Winter frowned. “Damage to the main computer system will transfer control to satellite facilities. While they are not as well guarded as the main facility, they will not be easy to take over. There is also a possibility that crucial systems, such as shield control, could get shunted to another satellite center if there is trouble with one. In other words, to get the shields down that way we’d have to guarantee a strike at all of the satellites as well as the main center, and we don’t know for certain where all of those subsidiary centers are.”
Vorru smiled. “I can furnish you with those locations, but your reservations about so explosive a plan are justified. It strikes me that something more subtle would be preferential.”
Asyr laid a hand gently over one of Vorru’s. “I don’t understand why it is so difficult to slice code into the main computer. There are billions of transactions and messages that go through the system on an hourly basis. Something ought to be able to get through, shouldn’t it?”
Wedge shrugged. “Seems like it, but I guess not. Winter?”
She tucked a strand of white hair back behind her ear. “The Imperial computers operate through a very restrictive language that has a hierarchical command and access structure. Programs that go in to be effective across the system have to be authorized at the highest security levels.