Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 13_ Trouble on Cloud City - Kevin J. Anderson [18]
Czethros sighed. It was merely a temporary setback in the overall picture. He was certain Black Sun operatives would be able to start wars and revolutions on several other planets. It usually wasn't hard.
Scapegoats could be found everywhere-an unattributed comment here, an anonymous bomb planted there-and before long, two uneasy factions would be at each other's throats (or whatever other breathing mechanisms their species used). His stockpile of weapons would soon be back in demand.
He fine-tuned his plans for digging Black Sun's claws into the gambling and entertainment activities on various planets such as Bespin and Borgo Prime. Everything was proceeding quite satisfactorily. Now that he had gotten rid of the main opposition on Cloud City, Czethros knew the way was clear for him. Black Sun operatives would soon be raking in profits from all those establishments, as well as infiltrating the floating gambling casinos and resorts on the oceans of Mon Calamari.
On the spectrum-shifted screen a star map displayed bright points that represented Black Sun strongholds; the galaxy looked very bright indeed.
After such a long buildup, his operatives were in place preparing for the great revolt. It would not be long before Czethros could give the signal.
But first he had to cement the rest of his plans.
The illicit spice-running market continued to grow. His pirates and smugglers hijacked shipments of glitterstim, andris, and ryll spice, selling the contraband substances at greatly inflated prices to waiting customers. Shortly before the brief battle and its utterly assured victory, Czethros would place himself in control of the famed spice mines of Kessel.
From that point on-within days, if everything worked out rightthe rest of the galaxy would be in his hands. His financial and political power would be firmly established. The banner of Black Sun would fly proudly beside the flag of the New Republic.
Czethros switched off the spectrum-shifted terminal, hid it beneath the normal innocuous screen again, and stood. Taking two quick strides toward the wide window, he gazed across the equatorial band of metropolis that girdled Ord Mantell. So much out there, so many possibilities.
But he dared not let his involvement be exposed yet. The timing was too delicate. If the wrong people learned that Black Sun activities were being controlled in part by the respected businessman Czethros, he might lose everything. His laser eye flashed from right to left in his visor, burning red.
Within weeks, though, when he sent his signal, and the battle cry went out to all their infiltrators, the grand coup would establish Black Sun's power in countless places at once. The victory would be so sudden, simultaneous, and far-reaching that the New Republic could never extricate the criminal organization, short of declaring outright war on its own worlds.
Unfortunately, the news Anja had just sent him from Cloud City meant that the young Jedi Knights would not rest until they had meddled in all of his affairs. He knew he'd have to take care of the situation quickly and cleanly. His choice was clear, and his conscience-if he still possessed one-would not trouble him. Besides, Czethros already had plenty of blood on his hands. A little more would make no difference.
Without a second thought, he dispatched orders that would neatly dispose of Han Solo's twins and their companions. He had scores of operatives already in place on Bespin who would be eager for the extra assignment, the overtime pay.
Rubbing his hands together, Czethros moved on to the next challenge.
He fixed a smile on his face and signaled his receptionist droids that it was safe to begin admitting regular visitors. Czethros and his shipping company were now open for business.
He had a skill for presenting a polite and friendly facade to prospective customers, but it remained quite an ordeal for him. He hated to smile.
Soon, Czethros hoped he would