Star Wars_ X-Wing 07_ Solo Command - Aaron Allston [63]
“Just as Tal’dira did,” Wedge said.
“Huh? Corran Horn killed Tal’dira.”
Wedge shook his head. “I saw this when I correlated all the sensory data from Tal’dira’s attack. In the instant before Corran Horn fired, Tal’dira shifted all his shield power to rear shields. His bow was unprotected. In a sense, he committed suicide.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. I can see a fanatical assassin killing himself after his objective is achieved—but not before.”
“I don’t understand it either. Do you have anything on the cafeteria worker, Galey?”
Solo grimaced. “No known motivation … which means probably money. No sign of contact with insurgents or enemies. He’s spent a lot of time since we left Coruscant on shuttle simulators. He might have been able to fly one of our Lambda-class shuttles out of here after he finished his job.”
“But he’s the key. The fact that he was sent to kill Gast means that he was working for Zsinj. The fact that he was seen speaking to both Tal’dira and Nuro Tualin means that he was involved with them, and therefore with the whole supposed Twi’lek conspiracy, which makes it a certainty that Zsinj is behind that.”
Solo took a deep breath. “Unfortunately, our knowing that doesn’t mean that everybody understands it. I have one more piece of news. Very, very unfortunate news.”
He told Wedge.
It was a few hours later, a few minutes after most of the pilots and civilian crewmen began their day shifts. In his own office, Wedge looked at the three good people he’d assembled and prepared to give them what might have been the grossest insult he could offer.
Nawara Ven gave him a close, evaluative look. It was obvious to Wedge that he knew something bad was up. It was harder for him to read Dia Passik’s face. His chief mechanic, Koyi Komad, looked unsure.
“I have orders from the Provisional Council,” Wedge said. “The effect on our immediate group is that I’m obliged to take you three temporarily off active duty.”
Koyi registered shock. Dia’s eyes narrowed. Nawara Ven nodded, as though this were what he expected. “It’s because we’re Twi’leks,” he said.
“I’m afraid so.”
Koyi’s voice climbed a register in indignation. “I don’t believe this.”
“Believe it,” Dia said. “It’s fleetwide, isn’t it, Commander?” Wedge nodded.
“So much for the human promises of equality among the species,” Koyi said. Her voice was bitter. “I don’t have to stand by and be treated this way. You know how many jobs, civilian jobs for a lot of money, I’ve turned down? But no, I transferred back to the Rogues. I stayed with you after Zsinj blew down Noquivzor Base on top of us and killed almost everyone I worked with. I did this because the Rogues were the spearhead of this cause I wanted to support. A galaxy where species didn’t matter. Now that’s gone.”
“It’s not gone,” Wedge said. “It’s taken a body blow, but it’s not dead.”
Koyi gave him a smile, but there was neither amusement nor friendliness in it. “So I’m off duty. I have some reading to do. May I be excused, sir?”
Wedge nodded. “For what it’s worth, Koyi, I’m sorry.”
“I’m sure it’s worth something, sir.” On her way out, she said, “Ask me in a year and maybe I’ll know what.”
“I think I should go too, sir.” Dia rose.
“How are you doing, Passik?”
“The Provisional Council has just announced to all the New Republic that I’m not worthy.” Her red eyes flashed for a moment. Then she managed a smile. It wasn’t, like Koyi’s, a bitter smile. Wedge recognized it as mockery. “Fortunately, their opinion is worth nothing next to my squadmates’. I think I’ll go keep company with them. I’d do that any day rather than slum with the Provisional Council.” She saluted and left.
Nawara Ven