Star Wars_ X-Wing 06_ Iron Fist - Aaron Allston [20]
“Examine the resources of unaligned governors, find out which one it would best serve Zsinj to court, and cause that governor problems only Zsinj can solve … luring him to that system and confronting him directly.”
“You’re very erudite in this mind, Runt.”
Runt’s body language changed back to normal; he once again seemed lanky, overtall, a little awkward. “But it makes our ego puff up like a gas giant.” He sat.
“Piggy?”
The Gamorrean stood. He cleared his throat. Once upon a time, that would have blasted the Wraiths with a burst of static, but his throat translator had since been reprogrammed to squelch a wider variety of irrelevant sounds. “In the last few weeks, as we were nibbling at the edges of Zsinj’s organization, we found three anomalies. One was the network of manufacturing corporations owned within unaligned and even Alliance-controlled space by Zsinj under false identities. One was his attempt to hire a pirate nest made up of outlaws somewhat under his usual standards. And the third was the presence, at one of his companies, of prison-cell components identical to the cell where I was raised after Imperial scientists altered my biochemistry.” The scientists’ alterations were what gave Piggy his unusually temperate personality—for a Gamorrean—and his inhuman mathematical acumen, both traits that allowed him to become a proficient New Republic pilot.
Piggy waved, his gesture taking in Myn Donos, the 3PO unit Squeaky, and Castin Donn. “My group feels that the industrial connection is something better suited for New Republic Intelligence to pursue, so we eliminated it from our recommendations. Of the two that remain, the site where I was scientifically modified and reared is of great interest to me personally, but we all feel that we would have a greater chance of discovering Zsinj by disguising ourselves as a pirate band and trying to impress Zsinj enough for him to employ us. This would keep us in close association with starfighters and play to the strengths that I think we demonstrated in the pursuit of Admiral Trigit and the Implacable.”
“Well put, Piggy. Face?”
The onetime actor stood. “Well, first I have to admit to a certain dissension in my own group. Lieutenant Janson and Ton Phanan here think that Runt’s idea is best. Dia Passik and I both favor Piggy’s pirate scheme. But since I was obliged to come up with a tactic, I have.
“Intensive analysis of Zsinj’s history suggests that he draws much of his inspiration from the performances of small theatrical companies. I suggest that we pose as a traveling troupe of players performing the sorts of works he seems to have the most affection for.”
Confused, Wedge scanned his records of the proposals the group leaders had generated. Face’s was on top, but its contents did not match what he was saying.
“I’ve discovered that Kell has a pleasant tenor singing voice, and Runt is actually an accomplished mime, a skill that few know is widespread on his homeworld of Thakwaa. By integrating modern holographic technology with traditional song-and-dance routines, we could capture the warlord’s attention—”
By now the other Wraiths were snickering. Wedge caught Face’s eye and glowered. “Perhaps you could give us the set of conclusions you turned in to me, Loran?”
Face had the gall to look surprised. “Oh, those. Sorry.” He sobered. “I think the Iron Fist is of tremendous importance to Warlord Zsinj, not just as a powerful weapons platform but also as a symbol, both of his career and his power. If Warlord Zsinj were more like us than he were like himself, I think he’d launch an expedition deep into the territory governed by Ysanne Isard’s successors, make a strike on the Kuat Drive Yards building facilities, and steal the next Super Star Destroyer in production.”
Wedge gave him a look of amusement. “That presupposes that Kuat is working on another Super Star Destroyer. They’re horribly expensive. And even though they can do an incredible amount of damage, they can be destroyed by a much less expensive enemy force … though usually