Star Wars_ X-Wing 06_ Iron Fist - Aaron Allston [103]
“I must be sure of your ruthlessness,” Zsinj said. “I know you are capable of killing in fair combat, but I want men—oh, yes, and women—who can kill under less adverse circumstances. So, if you’d please shoot this man for me?”
The stormtroopers dumped their human cargo by the foot of the table.
The man they had carried was Castin Donn. His eyes were closed. There was a blaster burn mark on his right leg. His chest rose and fell in regular rhythm.
Face swallowed the bile that tried to crawl up his throat and hoped that he had not gone as pale as he felt. Castin, you idiot. You’ve killed us all.
Kell glanced down at Castin and then at Face, admirably keeping his features emotionless. His look was a question—Jump Zsinj now? Or wait? Dia kept her gaze on Castin’s face, her own expression oddly enrapt.
“Not much of a target,” Face said, stalling. There had to be something he could do without revealing their hand, some way to preserve all their lives without managing to jettison their entire mission.
Nothing came to mind.
“True,” Zsinj said. “Would you shoot him, please?”
“Oh, I should imagine,” Face said, but did not move. “It seems rather a costly test for you, though—having us shoot one of your own stormtroopers.”
“Not one of mine,” said Zsinj. “An intruder.”
“You’re not going to question him?”
Zsinj shook his head. “I’m not interested in what he has to say. Would you shoot him, please?”
Face clamped down on the panic rising within him. The ship’s officers at the table were watching him with increasing interest. And no plan was coming to mind. “Of course,” Face said. “How much?”
Zsinj looked surprised. “What?”
“How much to shoot him? How much are you paying?”
“General Kargin, you surprise me. You’re already here, and the cost of a single pistol blast is negligible—especially as we are providing the blaster.” He nodded toward one of the officers, who produced a blaster pistol. “You can’t do this as a demonstration of goodwill?”
“Intelligent life is the most precious commodity in the galaxy,” Face said, making his voice pompous. “Consequently, I never take it without adequate financial reward.”
Dia stood, her sudden motion startling everyone at the table. She smiled at the warlord, a heart-melting expression, and said in her husky Seku voice, “The general is just looking out for the well-being of his officers and troops, Warlord. He can’t abandon his policies; they’re written up in the Articles of the Hawk-bats. But I can do this for you as a private commission. The blaster, please?” She held out her hand.
Face felt a sudden surge of elation. She had a plan. He saw Kell bring his legs up under him. The big man would probably go after Zsinj. That left General Melvar for Face, with Dia to hold the others at bay with the blaster. Assuming they gave her a functional one.
Melvar nodded; his officer handed Dia the blaster pistol. She checked the charge, moved over beside Castin—
And shot him in the throat.
A chatty junior officer, apparently cheered by the murder of the intruder, led the Hawk-bats back to their shuttle.
Once the security foyer doors closed behind them, Zsinj rose. He clapped his hands, and all the talk in the room ceased. “You’ve done very well,” the warlord said. “Thank you for a fine performance.”
The men saluted and began filing out of the ersatz crew pit. Zsinj sat. “How is—what’s his name? Yorlin?”
Melvar’s features relaxed and became bland and non-threatening once more. “That man Dissek hit him hard enough to give him a concussion and damage some teeth.”
“Well, he’s to be commended for following orders even at the cost of considerable pain. Give him a commendation, and when he gets out of the medical ward, give him a three-day leave.” He nodded at the body of the intruder; smoke still rose from what was left of its neck. “Hand that over to our technicians. I want to know who he was, where he came from, where he’s been living, and how he got aboard Iron Fist—since he appears not to have been one of the Hawk-bats after all.”
“Done. What did the intruder cost us?”
“Initial