Nine years, four months, and seventeen days after the Battle of Yavin...
Or the forty-fourth year, four months, and seventeen days after the Great Resynchronization.
"All that's left is to serve," Talon Karrde thought, watching the wine slosh in the glasses.
The smuggler Talon Karrde.
Not the most exquisite conditions for a meeting with a young and beautiful woman in her own way, however, the conditions of work and life did not allow everything to be organized at the proper level.
However, Talon believed that the invited lady would not turn up her nose at the situation. He had been watching her for quite some time, drawing conclusions to better understand her. Not that he was particularly trying for Mara - he had already realized that the girl was smart, quick-witted, resourceful, and did not react to primitive flirting.
And therefore, he enjoyed just watching her. Practically a sport.
There was a soft but willful knock on the door. Glancing at the chronometer, Talon smirked. The girl is punctual, as always.
— Come in, — he said.
— Just like that? — Jade asked, opening the door. Karrde involuntarily admired this statuesque woman, full of feminine beauty and grace, dressed in a simple but fitted jumpsuit. — Don't you even ask who came to see you?
Former The Emperor's Hand – Mara Jade.
— At this time, only you can disturb my privacy, — the man smiled, rising to meet her.
Mara glared at him, having previously assessed the table setting with far from ordinary delicacies.
— I didn't think everything was ready, — her gaze could freeze Tatooine, and Talon involuntarily felt that he was getting cold.
— Just a business lunch, — he said, smiling disarmingly. — And nothing more.
Mara was about to answer, but she was interrupted in the most unceremonious way: under the table, one of Talon's two pet vornskrs growled.
— Hey, get out of there, Drang! — Karrde ordered. — Your lunch is in the kitchen. And if you don't hurry, Sturm will eat everything himself.
The four-legged predator, wagging its docked tail, crawled out from under the table, stretched, slowly, bowing its head and growling something to itself under its nose, and trudged towards the exit.
— I apologize for the interrupted conversation, — he looked at Mara, who had settled in the chair opposite. — I think I wanted to say...
He did not finish speaking, being unceremoniously interrupted by a beep from his comlink. The man looked at the device with a hint of suspicion.
— It looks like even the universe is against you continuing your thought, — Mara smiled, putting some stewed meat on her plate.
— I'm listening, — Talon answered the call.
— Boss, — a familiar voice was heard. — This is Aves, — one of the assistants' voice sounded strained. — I hope you haven't started having lunch.
— Your hopes were not justified, — Karrde said calmly. — I'm sure you're not bothering me over trifles.
— Of course, — one of his closest aides assured him. — You should know - we are not alone. There is an Imperial Star Destroyer in orbit.
Karrde did not fail to notice that Mara began to chew a little slower, turning into an ear.
— Whose is it? — he specified, looking with regret at the cooling meat, but overcame the temptation and headed to the desk, where he found one of the datapad.
— Do you think its commander is so mired in the good old days that he kindly keeps his transponder on? — Aves's voice sounded cheerful. — It's in a high orbit. It is difficult to read the name on the hull, but it is assumed that this vessel is called the Chimaera.
Karrde stood, leaning his back against the edge of the desk, continuing to watch Jade. She began demonstratively to put snacks on her plate.
This woman has many secrets. But among them, uncontrolled reactions to everything related to the Galactic Empire and the only Jedi in the galaxy stood out. Like now.
Although no. He had never before seen the girl in such an agitated state that she would start confusing the order of the dishes. Not her style at all.
— Interesting company, — Karrde entered the name of the ship into the datapad in order to find information about the required ship. — What are they doing? Are there any transmissions?
— If they contacted someone on the surface, it was certainly not us... Wait a minute... — there was anxiety in Aves's voice. — Boss, they are launching Lambdas.
— How many? — Karrde tensed. The Lambda-class T-4a shuttle is the main small transport vehicle of the Empire. Five crew members, twenty passengers, decent protection and weapons, one of the best hyperdrives in the galaxy. Such a ship can both strike an assault and land a couple of squads of stormtroopers, who will cause trouble on the surface.
Lambda-class T-4a shuttle
— Two, — there was no confidence in Aves's voice. — Claw... The situation is getting worse. The ships are flying towards us.
— You wanted to say - they will land near our base? — Karrde asked with emphasis.
— No, Boss, these ships are flying directly to us, — Aves said confidently this time. — And the two Sentinels - yes, they are flying to the forest.
Sentinel-class landing craft
— In one place? — Jade clarified.
— On two sides of the base, — Aves said. — And the Lambdas - from the other two sides.
— This is not good, Claw, — Mara said, her face showing barely noticeable traces of tension. — One Sentinel can transport fifty-four stormtroopers...
— Yes, Mara, I know, — Karrde smiled. — Half a company of stormtroopers is flying to visit us on the Lambdas. And another company on the Sentinels is cutting us off from the forest. Curious...
— But how do they know that our base is here?
— Probably, they have eyes, — Talon said slowly. — From orbit, it's hard not to notice a modular base that we didn't have time to disguise. We need to contact them.
— Why? — Mara seemed to have petrified. Every sapient in Karrde's organization disliked the Imperials, but Jade... Something completely strange was happening to her. As soon as she hears something about the Imperial Remnant, about their actions, intentions - she expresses wariness and undisguised hostility. Whereas about the period of the Empire before the Battle of Endor, she spoke with distinctive warmth.
— Let's show our hospitality, — Karrde muttered. — I know only a few reasons why the Empire might show up on Myrkr.
— Vornskrs and ysalamiri, — Jade narrowed her emerald eyes. — Isn't that too much honor for one Jedi in the entire galaxy?
— Maybe Luke Skywalker is not the only one? — Karrde looked at the girl with curiosity.
The reaction was worth it.
Luke Skywalker is another trigger for her negative emotions. The pupils dilate, breathing becomes more vigorous... In such moments, she herself looks like a vornskr.
But she said nothing.
— Aves, I need their frequency, — Karrde said. — And earlier than the ships land...
— No need, Boss, — surprise appeared in the assistant's voice. — They are calling us.
Talon looked at Mara. The girl looked even more tense than before.
— Imperial Destroyer Chimaera, speaking Talon Karrde, — the Claw began to speak. — Glad to welcome you on the planet. Can I be of any use?
An indefinite crackle of interference was heard from the comlink, after which a built-in voice projector was activated. A middle-aged man with a short, regulation haircut was looking at Talon. The captain's insignia indicated that the commander of the Imperial Star Destroyer himself had deigned to speak with the smuggler.
— Captain Pellaeon from the Chimaera, — a clear, formal tone, not conducive to friendly conversations. — Talon Karrde, I understand?
— That's right, — the Claw continued to radiate friendliness. — Your ships are flying towards our temporary camp, so I would like to know how I can help the glorious warriors of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Mara literally turned white, pressing into the chair and tightly grabbing the armrests. Interesting reaction...
— You are well informed, — the commander of the destroyer noted in a tone that gave off a cold air. Funny, but sometimes such intonations slipped in Jade's voice. Especially when she demanded obedience, being in a knowingly dominant position in relation to the rank and file members of Karrde's organization.
It was her ability to manage people in the organization, as well as her effectiveness in carrying out orders, that made the latter intend to make her his first assistant, despite the short period of work for the "Claw". Actually, this business meeting was organized for this reason: a conversation about Jade's promotion. However, there are suspicions that the agenda will have to be postponed until more favorable conditions.
— The galaxy is big, — Karrde smiled restrainedly. It's not worth clowning around with someone who can unleash the fire of hundreds of turbolasers on your base, not to mention the actions of TIE fighters. — Rumors about the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn are circulating here and there...
— And you just have your ears wide open? — Pellaeon snorted.
— Exactly, — the Claw did not react to the impudence. — But, I'm a hospitable person and always happy to help my neighbors. You just need to say how I and my people can be useful...
— Don't worry, Karrde, — the commander of the Imperial Star Destroyer advised him. — You will soon find out everything firsthand.
Talon felt that he was getting hot.
— Your words mean that...
— The Grand Admiral is landing on the surface, — the Imperial officer's smile resembled a grin. — I advise you to prepare the devices for dinner for him as well.
"I'd also like to know how you know about this specifically," Karrde thought.
— Yes, and one more thing, — Pellaeon stated. — The Grand Admiral asked that your first assistant be present when you meet with him.
— Unfortunately, this position is vacant, — Talon said in an even tone, realizing that the Imperials knew something from somewhere that they should not have known.
— Really? Strange, — Pellaeon raised an eyebrow. — After all, according to our information, you should have a lovely young woman with red hair and strikingly beautiful green eyes for this job...
The last words of the Imperial captain coincided with the sound of Mara's breaking the armrests of the old chair.
Karrde, smiling tensely, nodded to the Imperial, after which the image of that disappeared.
It seems that the red-haired beauty has a fan she fears. Until now, Karrde believed that his organization was of little interest to the Empire or the New Republic. But, since they found out the presence of at least one specific person in his organization, and such an outstanding one as Mara Jade... It means that things are really bad.
He miscalculated somewhere.
— Aves, — he contacted his trusted assistant. — Hide everything that the Imperials shouldn't see. Immediately after they leave us - pack the base. It's time to get out of here.
***
Myrkr, in fact, is a unique planet.
And it's not so much that the local flora is distinguished by its ability to suppress any communication due to the peculiarities of the microelements circulating through the trunks of trees. Anyone who was close enough to the edge of the forest was left without the ability to contact their comrades at great distances. For example, being on the surface, there is no point in dreaming of establishing communication with a ship in orbit. Even one as perfect as an Imperial Star Destroyer. Actually, for this reason, Karrde cut down a significant part of the forest, placing his base there - in order to be able to use communication means. In his business, it's simply impossible to do without it.
However, this planet interests me for completely different reasons.
Ysalamiri live here — creatures that look like lizards, which can literally grow into trees with their claws, and are generally extremely lazy creatures. However, they have an excellent feature that helps them survive in a world where ferocious hunters — vornskrs — use the Force to track game.
Ysalamiri form a bubble of space around them in which the Force "does not work". For ordinary sapient beings, such an effect is not dangerous, and for Jedi or Sith, it does not allow them to directly influence an object near which the ysalamiri is located.
And the more of these lizards there are, the larger the "bubble" of space free from the Force.
Why would a Grand Admiral, who is not sensitive to the Force, need such a zoo, if as many as several spacious ships are needed to capture these animals? The answer lies on the planet Wayland.
But more on that later. Now the priority is a conversation with Talon Karrde.
The Imperial Intelligence knows woefully little about him.
A man, a male, a smuggler, an information broker. Where and how he does his business is not clear. How many sapient beings are in his organization is also unknown.
The Imperials are confident that the "Claw" in the conflict between the Empire and the New Republic occupies a neutral position, preferring not to interfere in what is happening and not to choose sides.
And at the same time, this is not entirely true.
About a year and a half or two years ago, when Rogue Squadron defeated the director of Imperial Intelligence, Isard, in the Bacta War, and the New Republic gained control of the planet Thyferra, capturing several Imperial starships, including an Executor-class Super Star Destroyer called the Lusankya, Karrde, albeit not without his own benefit, contributed to the resolution of a small crisis between the New Republic and the smugglers who captured a fully serviceable Star Destroyer.
But only those who were present at the deal know about this - republican officers and the smugglers themselves.
A little history.
Ysanne Isard is a calculating, cunning, cruel woman, loyal to the ideals of the Empire. After Palpatine's death five and a half years ago, she held Coruscant under her power with a small fleet. After the rebels captured the planet, she fled to Thyferra on the Lusankya and took several Star Destroyers with her.
Why Thyferra? Why did she like this planet?
It's simple. This world produces bacta - a substance that can heal any physical wounds. Whoever controls the production of bacta, in fact, controls the market for medicines. Ysanne could have succeeded, but history decided otherwise.
She lost everything - the planet, the ships, and even her life. The Republicans are confident of her death. Unfortunately for them, this is not the case.
After Thrawn's death in the events known to me, Ysanne will try to pull off another long game to capture the Lusankya and present the ship to the Resurrected Emperor Palpatine, but will fail. The ship will remain at the disposal of the New Republic until the But for this, it is necessary that Thrawn's campaign fail, and the Grand Admiral himself dies.
Thrawn's death will allow Booster Terrik to emerge from the shadows - a smuggler who, at the moment, owns a whole Star Destroyer with the permission of the New Republic. And this guy has settled in so deeply, fearing that Thrawn is hunting for his ship, that he will not even appear in inhabited systems until the Chiss' death.
And again, at the moment, this is just reference information.
Talon Karrde as a person and the leader of a gang of smugglers is interesting to me in a completely different way.
This man knows many secrets, but he is not willing to sell all of them.
And the most necessary secret for me - for sure.
The "Claw" is dangerous also because he has significant influence in the environment of smugglers. And therefore, if he is properly pressed, he can create a very serious organization from the traditionally independent outcasts of society. Even if it has only armed freighters, but in any case - this is a fleet. Armed freighters helped the Republicans capture the Lusankya in a relatively combat-ready condition.
The criminal world should not be written off - they have significant resources and can tip the balance in one direction or another. And if I do not want an alliance of smugglers and the New Republic, I need to direct events in a different direction.
For example, generate doubts and distrust in Karrde's organization. Preferably - to destroy it completely.
The murder or capture of Karrde will not be beneficial - as soon as this happens, smugglers throughout the galaxy will want to drink Imperial blood properly. And it is quite possible that this will lead, as in the events known to me, to the destruction of the Imperial Star Destroyer being completed at the shipyards of the planet Bilbringi. Which I can get at my disposal. And in modern realities, when there is a war of all against all, an extra ship will never hurt.
With these thoughts, I headed to the surface of Myrkr. If everything went as I had planned, then Pellaeon had already hinted to Karrde about Mara Jade. And this will make the "Claw" nervous. Information he does not possess interests him. Until it hurts the organization.
And the best way to deal with Karrde is to make him stop believing Mara Jade.
The Hand of the Emperor, left without means of livelihood after the death of her master, has been roaming the galaxy for five years. She intersected with Isard and many other Imperial figures and became disillusioned with the Empire without Palpatine. And therefore, she is now in Karrde's organization. She needs money, she needs a place to sit out. Such is her nature. The nature of a personal agent of once the most influential person in the galaxy.
There is no point in recruiting Mara Jade now, today.
It is enough to generate doubts in her head, to make her believe that the Empire, as a single state, fair in deed, and not demonstratively, can exist. Jade knows Thrawn and his capabilities very well. She fears that his actions will destroy her small, cozy world. Rightly so.
The Empire does not throw its personnel around. At least that part of it that I lead.
Therefore, we should at least try to recruit Mara Jade. If it works out - great. She will become a valuable acquisition. If it doesn't work out - it's not scary.
In this galaxy, there are still many undiscovered stars of the future New Jedi Order. It's just that they will have to be properly worked on in ideological terms.
***
The shuttle landed on the edge of a clearing cleared of trees. Like a guest who politely knocked on the door.
As soon as the ramp dropped, Imperial stormtroopers clad in snow-white armor ran down it, forming a protective perimeter around the ship. The soldiers absolutely did not care that Karrde's fighters were looking at them disapprovingly, carefully hiding their weapons under their clothes.
The second squad - all nine elite soldiers of the Empire - organized a small formation so that whoever went down to the ground after them passed through two neat ranks of soldiers.
— A show-off, — Mara muttered quietly, standing to the right of Karrde.
— Yes, — he agreed. — They are clearly telling us that the Empire is still strong and powerful, since it can use stormtroopers for such cheap tricks.
— I doubt that everything is conceived only to throw dust in our eyes, — Mara said. — Thrawn is not one of those who acts effectively at the expense of efficiency.
— You speak as if you know him well, — Karrde said innocently. Mara did not honor him with an answer. But the increased breathing, when a sapient appeared on the ramp, spoke for itself.
However, the situation quickly became clear.
— You are not Grand Admiral Thrawn, — Talon stated, addressing the young naval lieutenant. So young that his face still showed traces reminiscent of a turbulent hormonal explosion of the transition period.
— That's right, — the "officer" smiled, demonstrating a complete lack of the vaunted imperial restraint. — Lieutenant Tschel. I have been instructed to collect ysalamiri lizards in the local forests. The Grand Admiral said that you can allocate people who will show us how to do it so that the lizards do not suffer.
— I would like to know where the Grand Admiral got this information, — Karrde muttered, nodding to a couple of his henchmen. They are well informed on this issue, and they will be able to talk to the young officer as easily as taking candy from a child.
— Ask him yourself, — Lieutenant Tschel suggested, looking at his chronometer. — Probably, he's now... Ba! There he is!
The Imperial pointed a finger behind the smuggler's back. Karrde turned his head in the indicated direction and mentally cursed.
Next to the central building, located a couple of dozen meters behind them, the "cocoons" had already settled - imperial stormtroopers. And against their background stood a sapient being dressed in a snow-white tunic. His blue skin and black hair gave him away as a representative of a non-human race.
And he was curiously examining the ships of Karrde's organization standing nearby. And next to him was a stocky gray-skinned representative of an unknown race with bulging eyes and a protruding jaw. Muscular, moving like an experienced dancer. A blaster and several knives hung on his belt. This type of sapient was unfamiliar to Talon.
— Thrawn, — Mara hissed through her teeth, watching the Imperials who had arrived on the first Lambda leave for the forest, escorted by Karrde's people.
— He looks like him, — the Claw said vaguely. Rumors had reached him that the last Grand Admiral of the Empire
— I'm surprised that they didn't show up inside, putting their polished boots on your desk, — Jade said with displeasure.
— Don't worry, I will survive even such an outcome of events, — Karrde smiled. The beauty did not answer, staring at the Imperial officer with such attentiveness as if trying to remember every wrinkle on his face.
When they got closer, the "Claw" was the first to greet the high-ranking officer of the Imperial Remnant.
— Glad to welcome you to our backwoods, Grand Admiral Thrawn, — he nodded slightly, so that his actions would not be considered either an attempt to fawn, or they would not think that he was showing disrespect to the guest. — I am Talon Karrde.
— I am glad to meet such a legendary sapient, — the blue-skinned humanoid replied in a calm tone. His blazing crimson eyes were like burning magma. And when they look at you, as if you are an insignificant, but temporarily useful microbe, even the "Claw" becomes uncomfortable.
— I apologize for the delay in greeting you, — Karrde continued to establish contacts. — The confusion with the shuttles occurred due to the fact that we are not so often visited by such high guests.
— And in such numbers, — Mara said unexpectedly, staring intently at Thrawn. He turned his head towards her, as if only now noticing that an attractive girl was standing next to the smuggler.
— So, Mr. Karrde, I understand, — Thrawn said slowly, turning his gaze back to the leader of the organization, — this is Mara Jade, your right hand?
— Yes, — the "Claw" answered briefly. — She became it ten minutes ago. When your ships were descending.
— How drastically your fate changes, Mara Jade, when the Empire intervenes in it, — Thrawn said meaningfully, looking at the girl. She answered him with the same attentive and fearless look. For a few seconds they fought with their eyes, after which Jade looked away. A sly smile appeared on Thrawn's lips. Not for long.
— I understand, your people are already instructing my subordinates on the safe extraction of ysalamiri? — he specified.
— That's right, — Karrde agreed.
— In that case, we should go inside, — the Grand Admiral nodded towards the main building. — And talk business.
"It feels like he's the one in charge here," Karrde thought.
— Of course, — the smuggler said with a smile, glancing at Mara Jade.
The red-haired beauty, looking at the back of the Imperial officer, looked like a beast cornered. One careless movement - and she will rush into attack.
— Keep yourself in control, — he whispered. — I don't know what he did to you, but...
— Everything is fine, — Jade said through her teeth, unequivocally confirming the opposite.
***
The main hall of this domed building bore clear signs that this base was a place of permanent deployment. Yes, some cargo can be brought here and taken away, but such a structure - with a huge tree inside the building - cannot be assembled and moved to a new location.
Therefore, it will take a significant amount of time for Karrde to evacuate this base. And I am almost sure that he will certainly curtail his activities on Myrkr.
Here, in his lair, he considered himself safe. A little-known planet, flora that interferes with communication systems... An ideal place to sit out in case of any problems. "My home is my fortress".
But today, by a not-so-ingenious trick, I proved to him that even here he cannot feel safe. And therefore, he will move to some spare base.
And this is good. Let's see how well this guy can hide.
A small camping table stood almost in the center of the room, beckoning with the aroma of exquisite dishes. But I did not fly here to fill my stomach.
— Please, Grand Admiral, — Karrde pointed to one of the three exquisite high-backed chairs placed around the table. — Allow me to demonstrate all the hospitality of a welcoming host.
— I see no problem with that, — not taking advantage of the invitation to sit down at the table, I stood behind the chair on which Mara Jane intended to sit. — However, even a welcoming host and employer should remember the rules of etiquette towards a lady.
The red-haired woman again tried to burn me with a look from her emerald eyes, but came up against the complete indifference that I demonstrated. The girl looked away, settling on the chair. Moving it to the table, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Karrde was watching everything with great interest. Well, so be it. The more doubts in his head, the better.
Having settled at the table, I did not even think to move towards it. Karrde, understanding the hint that no meal was expected, looked at me with curiosity. Mara, on the contrary, decided to calm her nerves with a glass of red wine.
— Is your servant not going to join us? — the "Claw" inquired.
— No, — I said, without going into details about the status, identity, and tasks set for Rukh on this trip. Karrde will not be saved even by the fact that the Noghri is the only one on their base. The task set before the bodyguard will be fulfilled. While I am stalling for time for him, at the same time undermining the authority of the smuggler himself in Mara Jade's eyes.
Only for her sake did I decide to arrive at Myrkr according to the schedule, knowing that Karrde's fighters were on the planet. It will be a pity, of course, if the bet does not play out, but war is such a thing - you win somewhere, you lose somewhere.
— Not a bad place, — I said, looking around the interior of the room assessingly. Working area, a small arsenal, and containers. From the extra pieces of interior - a chair turned back... on the seat of which the wreckage of the armrests is folded. I wonder who tried so hard. — And yet, it seems to me that a sapient being of your level could find a more decent place to communicate with clients.
— You are right here, — Karrde smiled. — For meetings with clients, my organization uses more decent worlds. This base... is something like a personal refuge.
— Well, — I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms over my chest. — If I knew the location of this base, I would have flown there.
— It is quite difficult to find, — Karrde smiled.
— But it's easy to find your people, — I noted. — Rumors claim that you are a person who never hides anything from his people...
A statement, like an accusation, thrown in the "Claw's" face. In Mara's presence, he cannot say otherwise - this will generate distrust in him. But he is in no hurry to confirm my words, realizing that it was said for a reason.
However, I will be satisfied with his silence as well.
— I'm sure that's the case, — I continue, looking at the ceiling of the room. — So, it would not be difficult for me to find your main base.
— And why do you need it? — Karrde inquired.
— Of course, for the sake of mutually beneficial cooperation, — I assured him. — As an especially valuable and generous client, of course.
— I don't remember your name on the list of clients of our organization, — Mara said, staring at the table. The tone seems to be calm, but the slight trembling of the wine in the glass indicates her impatience.
— Well, — I said, ignoring Karrde's attempt to say something. — It is necessary to update this list, adding my name. "Thrawn." Simple to write, easy to remember.
— I am afraid that my organization is not able to satisfy your requests, — Karrde said quickly.
— Are you sure about that? — I looked at him. — After all, you don't even know them.
— The entire galaxy knows them, — Jade threw. — You need ships. The more, the better...
— And here arises the casus of the situation, — Karrde picked up. — My people are smugglers. We don't hijack starships - especially warships.
— Sometimes, they don't even have to be stolen, — I noted philosophically. — Sometimes they themselves float into our hands, — Karrde's pupils dilated, his hands tensed. But he immediately pulled himself together, probably convincing himself with the thought that I could not know what only he knows. — You just need to make a choice - which side are you on, "Claw". On my side or someone else's.
— Neither I nor my organization choose sides, — he said. — This is an unwritten rule.
— Of course, — I said, noting that a barely noticeable smile appeared on Jade's lips. Of course, she believes in her boss's words. Well, let's see how strong her shock will be. — I have heard about your principles of non-intervention. In our difficult circumstances, when the war between the Empire and the New Republic has been going on for years, — the red-haired woman threw a glance at me with suspicion. — So you, Mara Jade, believe that to choose no sides is the easiest and most profitable thing to do. I am sure that your business thrives on working for both sides.
— We have some credits, — the smuggler expressed vaguely. — We trade rare goods with one side or the other...
— It's profitable to build such a business, — I confirmed. — By any chance, do you not have capture installations, ion cannons, turbolasers, and TIE fighters lying around anywhere?
Mara glanced quickly at the suspiciously quiet Karrde. And the smuggler himself was diligently pretending that he did not understand what they were saying to him.
— I see that you are at a loss, — shaking my head, I look at Jade. This performance is a work on all possible fronts. For Karrde - to feel his vulnerability and take a closer look at Jade, starting to be interested in her past. For Mara - a reason to doubt the noble frankness of the "Claw" with his people.
The girl has become attached to this team, which picked her up on the side of life in the most sad period of her life. But she has not forgotten her old habits. She is devoted to the point of madness to those who are frank with her. Otherwise, her stereotypes collapse in her head. And then she is vulnerable to outside offers.
The red-haired woman was silent, preferring to take a sip.
— Well, I am a little disappointed, — I look at Karrde again. — Until now, I was sure that the New Republic had not been able to buy from you all the military equipment that you received from Booster Terrik as soon as he took possession of an Imperial-class Star Destroyer of the second model. What was its name, Karrde, do you not remember?
— No, — he said a little faster than he should have. A dangerous fire flashed in his emerald eyes.
— "Virulence", — I said. — A Star Destroyer that Booster Terrik captured in the Yag'Dhul system a couple of years ago. Brand new, not even damaged in battle. Unlike its similar Star Destroyer "Freedom" of Captain Yonka. The latter was hit extremely hard in the battle for Thyferra. So much so that it was even proposed that Terrik, who did not want to give up the Star Destroyer he had personally captured, take the battered "Virulence". It's strange that you don't remember this, Karrde, because it was you who came up with the scheme according to which Terrik kept the, albeit partially disarmed, but fully combat-ready Star Destroyer. My memory rarely fails me, but it seems like you got a huge amount of military goods from the disarmed "Virulence". And you intended to sell them to the New Republic... for about thirty-five million. On credit, given the sad economic situation of the new owners of Coruscant. Correct me if I'm wrong somewhere.
— You are surprisingly accurate in your words, Grand Admiral, — instead of a face, Karrde had only a mask of complete emotional detachment. I would not have been so accurate - I have been racking my brains for several hours over which events you "appeared" in before. Unfortunately for you, the X-wing series of books was one of my favorites. As well as the work of the writer Timothy Zahn, who gave readers such a genius as Thrawn. — Which is strange, considering that you returned to the explored part of the galaxy a little less than a year ago.
— You are also well informed, "Claw," — I nodded, watching Jade refill her glass again. — I would not be surprised if you knew for sure where I was and what I was doing.
— Any information costs money, Grand Admiral, — Karrde relaxed a little.
— That is why I am ready to pay you for the remnants of that property that remained after the disarmament of "Virulence", — the smuggler quickly exchanged glances with his first assistant. — I am sure that the New Republic did not buy everything from you. And such goods would be very useful to me.
— I regret that I have to disappoint you, — Karrde said. — Over the past years, the New Republic has managed to find the necessary funds. Everything has been sold to them.
— It's a pity to hear that, — I sighed. — There was hope that something was lying around in your, no doubt, vast warehouses.
— If I had known in advance that you would be interested in such goods, I would have kept them, — Karrde lied.
— Yes, it's a pity, — I confirmed. — After all, this deal could have confirmed your words about neutrality. We bought weapons from a third party, some sold to the Empire, some to the New Republic. Otherwise, it somehow turns out to be one-sided...
— Such goods have not been delayed lately, — Karrde continued to push his line.
— Maybe you have some similar? — I inquired. — The Empire has lost a lot since the death of Emperor Palpatine. I have no doubt that such a decent businessman as you are has exclusive offers for special clients.
— As I have already said, — Karrde said with emphasis. — I don't have any ships.
— It's curious that you mentioned ships specifically, — Mara Jade was literally devouring her boss with her gaze. And although she tried not to show her emotions, her eyes were more than eloquent. — I remembered that you don't have them from the first time. There is no need to repeat it - unless you want me to start doubting the veracity of your words. I'll repeat - I'm interested in absolutely any Imperial property. Even stormtrooper armor.
— Is the supply situation really that bad in the Remnant? — the Jedi looked at me. — Since you are ready to buy on the black market the once most affordable armor in the Empire. And even more so – in not the best condition.
— You see, Ms. Jade, — I looked into her eyes. — Before the Battle of Endor, the Empire possessed colossal resources. Many of them are truly unique. But, it so happened that the redistribution of power, which occurred in my absence, led to the fact that a significant part of the unique resource became unclaimed, falling into private hands. I intend to correct this and restore the former greatness of the Empire. Including with the help of recklessly wasted resources.
— And what are you going to do with those resources that don't want to return? — she cautiously asked. Karrde watched us with interest.
— I will be very disappointed, — some relief appeared on the girl's face. — And, first of all, in those who controlled these resources. After all, an army blaster can fall into the wrong hands not only in battle – but also due to an oversight of the one who held this blaster in his hands and chose targets.
I hope I didn't overdo it with hints about Palpatine, whom Jade personally served. It was he who chose her tasks. And only his favor provided her with everything necessary for a comfortable life without need.
— Perhaps you would be so kind as to tell me how you intend to dispose of the resources you want to return? — she asked.
— I'm afraid this information already goes beyond the credit of trust that I granted Mr. Karrde's organization today, — looking at "The Claw," I rejoiced, seeing his cautious and wary glances towards Jade. — But I dare to assure you that every returned resource will serve the cause of restoring peace and order in the galaxy.
— Even if the rulers of the Imperial Remnant are against it? — Karrde asked.
— The opinion of those who brought the Empire to the state it is in now interests me the least, — our gazes with Jade met. And now in her eyes there was a little less hatred and suspicion. But a drop of hope was still present. That's already good.
The Claw is smart and perceptive enough to draw conclusions from our conversation with Jade. At a minimum, the thought that Mara previously worked for the Empire. Pellaeon's words that we know her identity, conversations about the return of "resources" - Mara's particular interest in the consequences of the return - will help him draw the right conclusion.
Karrde adores his organization. And he must understand that Mara's loyalty to someone other than him puts his people at risk. Let's see what will win - his devotion to those who have served him for more than one year, or, in a certain sense, his interest in this girl.
— Well, — I said, getting up from the table. — It's a pity that we couldn't find common ground, Mr. Karrde. I hope that in the future we will have more than one good reason for a personal meeting.
— If I find anything that ever belonged to the Empire or falls under the criteria you stated, — Karrde followed me, — I will consider you my first client.
— Your efforts will be valued at the highest rate, — I assured him. — Do you mind if your first assistant keeps me company to the shuttle?
— Yes, of course, — Karrde couldn't believe his luck. — Yes, — he came to his senses. — Mara, please escort the Grand Admiral.
— Already leaving? — the red-haired beast asked curiously.
— Yes, — I assured her, looking into the eyes of Mara Jade approaching me. — Everything I wanted to do, I've already done.
And yet, I must state - Luke Skywalker was incredibly lucky with his choice of future wife. Or, more correctly, he will be lucky.
Or he won't be lucky.
***
— That was low of you, — Jade hissed, as soon as we were in the street. — So many years...
— You're welcome, — I said, noting that Rukh was crouching next to the commander of the stormtrooper detachment. Excellent.
The soldiers, surrounding me and my companion in two short columns, began to escort us to our shuttle.
— What? — the girl was at a loss. — What are you talking about?
— It seemed to me that your words expressed gratitude for the help in determining your loyalty, Hand of the Emperor, — I said. — Or has a full and carefree life among smugglers washed away from your head everything for which you served the Emperor?
— The Emperor is dead, — Jade said sadly. — And the Empire I served no longer exists. Only power-hungry politicians remain, who only dream of declaring themselves the next Emperor.
— I remember in the past you destroyed such undesirable elements, — I remarked. — Why did things stop after Endor?
— The Emperor gave the orders, — she stated in a peremptory tone. — No one but him has the right to do that. Even those in the highest Imperial command didn't know me by sight. No money, no means of subsistence. I had to survive as best I could. It's amazing that you didn't have any problems with my identification.
— Not only you have a good memory. You were present at the secret ceremony dedicated to my acquiring the rank of Grand Admiral, — I reminded her. — It's hard to forget.
Mara fell silent.
— The Emperor's death broke me, — she unexpectedly said.
— As regrettable as it is to admit, yes, — I agreed. — Therefore, it's only up to you to decide - return to the fold, or continue to pick up crumbs from Karrde, playing a game with him, the goal of which is to find out about your past. I'm sure he won't be happy with what he can get.
— Thanks to your hints, he won't have to rack his brains for long, — Jade stated. — You could have saved yourself time and just invited the "service" openly.
— And I did, — looking at Jade, I saw how she bit her lips. A sign of indecision. A struggle inside her. — Trust, which can be broken by a few vague hints, is worth nothing. Nothing holds you with these people.
— You're wrong, — Mara objected. — I am grateful to them for a lot.
— Any gratitude has its limits, — I stated. — Especially with those who hypocritically declare neutrality, but stubbornly work for those whom, in their opinion, the future belongs to. I suspect you weren't aware of the situation with the destroyer Virulence.
— You knew this for sure, — the woman stated. — Don't consider yourself smarter than the rest, Grand Admiral. The fact that the Emperor favored you doesn't mean that I wasn't taught to resist your genius.
— I'll keep that in mind, — we approached the lambda-class shuttle. At my command, the stormtroopers deftly returned to the ship. — You can make a choice here and now, Hand of the Emperor. Come with me, and together we will make the galaxy better and cleaner.
— Great offer, — Mara grimaced. — But I'm happy with what I have now. My obligations to the Empire are fulfilled. You are a man of honor, Grand Admiral. You will understand me.
— Disappointing, — I said, heading up the ramp. Stopping, I turned to her, remembering something from the plot of the trilogy. — You lied to me in something, Mara Jade. You still haven't fulfilled one order.
— Which one? — the redhead asked.
— The Emperor's last order, — I said calmly, watching the young girl's face turn pale. — Luke Skywalker is still alive.
***
The Millennium Falcon was taking off from the landing pad. The repulsorlifts roared like a flock of frightened banthas, and Han Solo once again promised himself that he would bring the ship into order. Someday.
Right now, the Falcon was flying properly and could carry out the missions assigned to it. The only question is whether the one who controlled the ship coped with them.
— Yes, I know, I know, — having heard the roar of the Wookiee sitting next to him, Han said. — The hydraulics are acting up again. We'll fix it when we get back to Coruscant.
Chewbacca again made a series of guttural sounds.
— No, this time for sure, — but Han understood that he was playing with words again. After all, how many times had he promised to fix the ship? A hundred times already. And that's only this month. — If there's time.
The Wookiee shook his head disapprovingly.
— The main thing now is to understand what is happening in general, — Solo said thoughtfully, practically automatically bringing the ship to the upper layers of the atmosphere.
Han Solo and Chewbacca
Even though he told his former smuggler friends that his general's epaulets had long been in the trash, it wasn't true. Not quite true.
Han could lie as much as he wanted, but the fact remains - he is carrying out a mission for the New Republic. He is looking for those who would agree to restart interstellar trade, which has significantly thinned out over the past five and a half years. And this is already practically a crisis for the new power that has settled on Coruscant. There will be no transportation – there will be no supplies, famine will begin, discontent...
Although he is more than confident that the New Republic government is most worried about the lack of taxes. The budget was torn like Palpatine in an attempt to destroy the Rebel Alliance. There isn't enough money. And yet it is necessary to establish life in the galaxy.
And repair ships that continue to fight with the remaining Imperials...
— You know, Chewie, — he said. — It seems to me that our old friend, whom we asked to convey the smugglers' proposal for legal trade, really believes that the Empire has another Grand Admiral somewhere.
Chewbacca expressed his opinion in a guttural voice.
— Yes, I know that we gave it to them pretty well, — Han shook his head. — Honestly, it turned out funny in Obroa-skai. A Star Destroyer running away from four frigates and a squadron of X-wings... Oh, if the Imperials knew that all the Nebulon-B frigates almost fell apart from the load on the engines, I bet they wouldn't have run...
The Wookiee whimpered softly.
— What kind of plan? — Solo brushed it off. — Who there is even capable of planning anything at all? They are sitting there in their sectors and making do with the scraps they got. Kuat is ours, almost all the Core Worlds and up to the Mid Rim - all the significant systems are under the control of the New Republic. The Imperials should sit there and not show up, and it would be better to think about peace, and not rattle weapons. Look, they wouldn't have taken their remaining territories, — Han laughed. But the grin disappeared from his face. Chewbacca looked at his friend, growling questioningly.
— Yes, Chewie, — Solo agreed. — It seems that I am calming myself down. You can talk as much as you like about the fact that we are stronger, our soldiers are better trained, and in general we destroyed almost all of their Grand Admirals, but the fact remains. Smugglers don't want to stick their noses into our sectors, preferring to work for the Remnant. Maybe meet with Talon Karrde and talk to him directly? It seems that he's in charge of everything now...
Chewbacca roared everything he thought about his friend's idea. And his opinion was by no means positive.
— What else to do, Chewie? — Han asked a rhetorical question. — Without freighters and transportation, the New Republic will not live for even a few years. If Ackbar and the Provisional Council don't come up with something soon, consider us dead. The Empire will take us warm. They won't even have to fight – they will use their auxiliary ships to supply the sectors with goods, and those will again change their preferences... Yes, friend, — he agreed with the words of his hairy companion. — The New Republic is in another crisis. If this house of cards is properly shaken, it will collapse. Let's hope that there are no longer those in the Empire who can pull this off.