Star Wars_ X-Wing 05_ Wraith Squadron - Aaron Allston [74]
Face contrived, with posture and the set of his mouth, to look bored. “Go on.”
“I’m calling about the agreement. I’m ready for Viamarr to become a signatory. A proud signatory.”
Face glanced at Jesmin. Her fingers flew over her communications console. Then she began a wild pantomime that said clearly to Face that there was nothing about this in the ship’s records.
“It has been a while,” Face said smoothly. “What makes you think that the original offer is still available?”
The question caught Governor Watesk off guard. The man had to take a couple of gulping breaths before he answered. Before he could reply, the wall panels behind him vibrated and Face could clearly hear the sound of a TIE fighter screaming by near the governor’s position. The governor tracked the TIE fighter’s movement with his eyes, then returned his attention to Face. “Sir, the warlord said I’d have until your next visit to decide.”
Face gave him a cold smile. “And what did the warlord say after the last time he talked to you?”
The governor looked stricken. “I don’t know, sir. I couldn’t possibly know.”
“Correct. Well, you tell me what you think the warlord offered and I’ll tell you what part of it is still on the table.”
Janson smiled broadly and gave Face a thumbs-up of approval.
“Uh, yes.” The governor glanced down, apparently looking at a datapad or documents the screen didn’t show. “We are to provide his army with supplies equivalent to one-tenth our exports.”
“And?”
“And you are to … and you would give us a location where we could transmit requests for aid in case of attack or invasion. You’d protect us.”
“And?”
“And we would of course provide you with information about any dealings with the New Republic, the Empire, other warlords.”
“Of course. And?”
The governor’s lip trembled. “That was all.”
Face looked steadily at him. There was something in the governor’s manner, something that said obsequiousness was his nature but that he was actually simulating it now. That suggested he was holding something back.
Face turned to the side. “Ensign Ack—” He coughed. “Ackran, inform Gray Flight that they should blow a few things up before returning to us. We’ll be jumping out of system as soon as they return.”
“No, wait!” The shrill desperation in the governor’s voice seemed real. “Sir, you have to realize, the warlord told me not to talk about the last part with anyone but him.”
“Well, after you’ve convinced me, I will support your claim to the warlord that you told me nothing. Now, go ahead.”
“The land is ready.”
“Ah, good.” Face waited.
The governor looked more confused. “That was all.”
“No. Does the land conform to the warlord’s specifications? Location, size, documentation?”
“Of course it does!”
Face slammed his arm down on the armrest. “Of course it doesn’t! It doesn’t until I know it does! I don’t see the file appearing on my datapad, Governor. Where are those specifications?”
“But—”
“But nothing. Unless you transmit me that information, I have no way of knowing whether you’ve given him exactly the location he wanted. And you’ve probably sliced back the dimensions of the property to save yourself a few credits—”
“No, sir!” The governor’s voice was at full bellow, the yell of a new soldier inductee just learning to fear the noncommissioned officers. “I’m transmitting that information now, sir!”
Face glanced over at Jesmin, waited until she nodded to indicate that she’d received the file. “Lieutenant, does this data match what we’re supposed to be getting?”
She shrugged, at a loss for how to answer. Out of the corner of his eye, Face saw Janson nodding. Jesmin said, “It does, sir.”
“Good.” Face turned back to the governor. He made his voice pleasant, soothing. “Watesk, I commend you. You are unusually cooperative and forthcoming for a planetary governor.”
“I am?” The man sagged in relief and used his sleeve to blot at the perspiration sheening his forehead.
“You