Star Wars_ X-Wing 03_ The Krytos Trap - Michael A. Stackpole [37]
Loor smiled within the dark sanctum of his hood. The New Republic government had put into place programs that were designed to be fair to the victims of the Krytos virus. The scarcity of bacta meant virtually all of the public supply went to individuals who were infected, with the goal being to save their lives. By curing them, public health officials could limit the spread of the disease. Others, mostly those from uninfected populations, argued that a prophylactic use of bacta to prevent the spread to new populations would be best. Public health officials argued that there was no proof pre-exposure bacta therapy could prevent someone from becoming infected with the virus, but that did nothing to stem the desire to get bacta and use it as preventative medicine.
Nartlo swiped at spittle flecking the corners of his mouth. “Seems there’s going to be enough now so the provos think they won’t need their own supply.”
Loor frowned. “Impossible. It would take a decade of bacta cartel production to satisfy the demand here.”
“Could be, sir, could be, but right now the word is out that the New Republic’s government has things under control.”
“It’s a lie, of course, but a good one.” Loor slowly sank down onto his haunches, letting his cloak pool around him. “You believe this bacta supply exists?”
“I think some does, sir, yes, sir.”
“You will learn about it. All about it.”
Nartlo’s eyes grew large again. “I don’t know as I can, sir. Security is tight.”
“You owe me, little man.” Loor’s growl cowed Nartlo. “You will go to your contacts and this time offer to buy cure at a good price.”
“What if they don’t want to sell?”
“Tell them that they will find exposure of their previous black market bacta dealings rather painful and embarrassing. If that is insufficient, perhaps making an example of one or more of them would be persuasive. I can and will do that.” Loor nodded toward the operative to his right. “Blasters have more than just a stun setting on them, you know.”
Nartlo licked at dry lips with a dry tongue. “Yes, sir, I know.”
“Good. I want to know how much they have, how long they think their supply will last. I need to estimate when the price will climb again.”
“I can understand that, sir.”
And with that information I can begin to project how large a facility they would need to store it and how best to destroy it. Loor began to smile. I could even just spread the rumor that they have more than enough bacta to cure everyone, then reveal the true amount they have in their stores. The gap between what is hoped for and what is real should create a lot of unrest. That is a suitable fall-back plan, and one which I can pursue while seeking out and destroying the containment facility.
“And, Nartlo, you will try to find out whatever you can about their storage, transport, and distribution network. If I do go buying more bacta as a hedge against shortage, I would prefer to go directly to the source. I would like to cut out the middlemen, no offense intended.”
“No, sir, none taken.”
“Good, good. I’m glad we understand each other.” Loor straightened up again. “I will be interested in hearing what you can find out.”
Nartlo nodded enthusiastically. “You can count on me.”
“I am counting on you. See to it that you do not fail me.”
“Yes, sir.” The small man shivered. “But, sir, I was wondering …”
“Yes?”
“How do I …”
Loor laughed in as sinister a manner as he could manage. “We will find you. Have something for me in two days.”
“But that’s not enough time.”
“But it is all the time you have, Nartlo.” Loor turned and swept from the room. The operatives crowded behind him and the two at the door preceded him to his grav-car. Loor climbed into the back, one of them got behind the controis, and the other three disappeared into the night. “Drive.”
Inertial forces pushed Loor back into the car’s plush upholstery. He began composing the report he would send