Hard Merchandise

17

"This is very serious," said the Rebel Alliance attache. "We're indeed grateful that you brought it to our atten-tion."

"Sometimes," replied Kodir of Kuhlvult, "one has to do what's right. No matter what the cost might be to oneself."

The three figures—Kodir, the attache Wonn Uzalg, and Commander Rozhdenst—sat circling an improvised conference table aboard the Scavenger Squadron's mo-bile base unit. The table was little more than a durasteel access panel that had been taken off its hinges and laid flat across a pair of plastoid shipping crates that had once held foam-wrapped weaponry fuses. In the center of the bare metal sat a glossy black, rectangular object; its contents had been extracted as well, and run through the portable data scanners that Uzalg had brought with him from Alliance headquarters. A hard-copy printout on several sheets of flimsiplast detailed the atmospheric sampling and olfactory bio-analysis that had been bro-ken out of the spy device that had originally contained the evidence.

"Of course, it's obviously fabricated." Uzalg's hairless skull was reflected in the black container's sheen.

"There's no question about that."

"What the attache is saying"—Commander Rozh-denst made a dismissive gesture at the items on the con-ference table—"is that there's no way anybody in the Rebel Alliance is going to believe that the late Prince Xi-zor had anything to do with this Imperial stormtrooper raid that this thing caught." One corner of his mouth curled downward as he shook his head. "The responsi-bility for that particular raid has been established be-yond a shadow of a doubt. It all came direct from Darth Vader's personal command. Our own information sources, both within the Empire and the Black Sun, have con-firmed that. Xizor had nothing to do with it."

"That does seem to be the case." Uzalg spoke much more calmly and soothingly than the Scavenger Squadron commander; Kodir could understand how he had risen to a high diplomatic position inside the Alliance. "Never-theless, this evidence—no matter how fraudulent it is in essence—still has some significance for us."

"I don't see why we're even bothering with it." Rozh-denst's sneer grew even more pronounced. "We've got other, more important business to take care of—like keeping an eye on what's going on down in the KDY construction docks. This stuff is old news; Xizor's been dead for a long enough time now. There isn't going to be any trouble coming from that direction. Let's concen-trate on our living enemies, all right?"

"You're missing the whole point," snapped Kodir. Her gaze tightened into slits as she regarded the commander. She hadn't come all this way, back here to a point just above Kuat Drive Yards itself, to wind up deal-ing with some one-track military mind. "It doesn't mat-ter whether Prince Xizor is alive or dead. All that's important is knowing who had an interest in creating this phony evidence against him, and why they did it."

Uzalg reached out and touched the commander's sleeve. "She's got an excellent point," Uzalg said softly. "After all, that's why I came here. On an emergency ba-sis, as well—given what's shaping up out near Endor, there's a great many other things I could be taking care of right now."

"You and me both, and everybody else in my squad-ron." The commander's temper flared even higher.

"Look, the Alliance wants to put us out where there's nothing happening, that's the high command's decision, and there's nothing I can do about it. But you can bet that my men and I would sell our own viscera on the black market if there was a way of buying into that battle at Endor. We'd rather die in the action than fall asleep baby-sitting some fancy dry-dock facility like this."

"Rest assured, Commander, that the value of your service here will become apparent before too long." Uzalg took his hand from the commander's sleeve and tapped with a forefinger on the spread-out data before them. "You are a creature of action—your calling de-mands that of you—but it makes you understandably impatient with the slow sifting of the past's remnants, the gleaning of the small grains of truth. As our friend Kodir here has spoken, it is not the surface appearance of this fabricated evidence that matters. It is what lies underneath."

"All right," grumbled Rozhdenst. "So what is it?"

Kodir watched as the attache leaned closer to the other man. "Someone," said Uzalg darkly, "wanted the Rebel Alliance to believe that Prince Xizor and the Black Sun organization were involved in some way with a raid by Imperial stormtroopers on a moisture farm on the planet Tatooine. It's logical to assume that the target of that disinformation would have been the Rebel Alliance, and more specifically Luke Skywalker himself. As heinous as that stormtrooper raid was, its significance is pri-marily for us. Skywalker has become both an inspiration and a charismatic leader for our forces; at this point, it might very well be said that his joining the Rebels was a crucial turning point for the Alliance, at one of our dark est hours. As Skywalker has shown us, one brave indi-vidual can turn the course of battle. And bravery can be contagious: right now, there are many ready to fight at Endor whose hearts have been strengthened by Sky-walker's example. As you've said, Commander, you would give a great deal to be with them. But the moral strength that has flowed into the Alliance was largely shaped by a purity of vision as well; Skywalker knew that the raid in which his family died was the work of the Empire. He's known since then exactly what he's had to fight against. What would the consequences have been, both for Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance, if that vision had been confused and muddied by evidence showing that Prince Xizor and Black Sun had somehow been in-volved in that stormtrooper raid? Skywalker's attention might well have been diverted at some crucial point while he tried to unravel this mystery, the clues of which were all lies to begin with. He very likely would have found that out, and seen through the lies, but at a price of critically lost time—and the Alliance would have paid that price with him."

The sneer had vanished from Rozhdenst's face. "I see your point."

"It's exactly why I wanted the Alliance to have this in-formation," said Kodir. "As security head for Kuat Drive Yards, I've discovered some things I'd rather not have found. My sympathies are with the Rebel Alliance, gentlemen—but apparently my feelings are not shared by everyone here. Most importantly, they're not shared by Kuat of Kuat, the leader of Kuat Drive Yards. He's made it plain to me that he fears and distrusts the Al-liance. Of course, it's bad enough that he has not sup-ported you in your struggle against the Empire—but it turns out that he's been actively seeking your defeat." She paused a moment, gauging the two men's reactions to her words. "For it was Kuat of Kuat who created this false evidence, and who sought to have it planted where Luke Skywalker would have eventually learned of it, and been deceived by it."

"I'm not completely sure of your interpretation of Kuat's actions." Uzalg frowned and stroked his chin with his fingertips. "I've dealt with Kuat of Kuat in the past, before you became head of security for Kuat Drive Yards. At that time, I implored him to throw the re-sources of his corporation behind the Alliance, and he refused—but I was convinced that he bore the Alliance no ill will, but was simply concerned with the corpora-tion's fate, should Emperor Palpatine defeat and destroy us. Such a decision on his part was prudent, but regret-table. Of course, he may have deceived me on that point; Kuat of Kuat is an undeniably clever individual whose wits have been sharpened by dealing on a constant basis with Palpatine and his admirals. Or Kuat may have changed his position regarding the Rebel Alliance; we can expect that Palpatine has brought great pressure on him. Or ..." The Alliance attache nodded thoughtfully.

"The scheme in which this fabricated evidence was to have played a part might not have been directed against the Rebels at all. It might have been considerably more devious than that; the target might have been Prince Xi-zor himself, while he was still alive. Rumors had circu-lated for some time concerning Xizor and Black Sun's own designs on Kuat Drive Yards; greed and ambition are qualities hardly limited to Emperor Palpatine. By en-tangling Xizor with Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Al-liance, Kuat might very well have been getting one enemy off his hands, leaving all of his attention intact in order to fight off Emperor Palpatine."

Sitting across from the attache, Kodir said nothing, but tried to conceal her own reaction to Uzalg's words. He's even smarter than I expected, thought Kodir. Maybe too smart...

"We don't have time to sort out all the possibilities." Commander Rozhdenst laid a hand down flat on the im-provised conference table. "The question is, what're we going to do about it?"

"True," said Uzalg. "Whether Kuat of Kuat was con spiring against the Alliance directly, or whether he was attempting to use the Alliance against another enemy such as Prince Xizor, is immaterial at this point. The bat-tle between the Alliance and the Empire, which we've been anticipating for so long, might already have begun; communications from that sector have been effectively silenced. We have no way of foreseeing what the out-come of the events out near Endor will be—the Alliance has a prime strategic opportunity in front of it, a chance to destroy the Imperial Navy's new Death Star while it is still under construction, with its weapons systems not yet activated. Our analysis is that the Death Star is relatively unprotected, with most of the Imperial forces scattered about the galaxy attempting to engage with Rebel ships wherever possible. But there's still no way of accurately predicting just what kind of losses our forces will indeed suffer in their attack upon the Death Star, or what the Empire's response will be to such an action. In the after-math, the relative balance of forces between the Alliance and the Empire may be absolutely critical—that's where Kuat Drive Yards comes in." The Alliance attache's words had become more clipped and efficient. "If the Imperial Navy can take possession of the fleet replacements sitting here in the KDY construction docks, they might still be able to administer a killing blow to the Rebels."

"Or the other way around." Rozhdenst's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "If we could get our guys into those ships . . . it'd take more than my Scavenger Squadron, but still ..." He drew his breath in through clenched teeth. "We'd be in line to finish off the Imperial Navy!"

"That would depend on a great many things." Uzalg's response was spoken in quieter tones. "But the fact re-mains that the ships here at Kuat Drive Yards would be valuable to both the Empire and the Alliance—perhaps decisively so. We need to make sure that they don't fall into the hands of the Imperial Navy. And"—he glanced over at Kodir—"we also need to make sure that Kuat Drive Yards is on our side, not just now but in the future.

The Empire is still powerful; the struggle against it might continue for a lot longer. It would be best for both the Al-liance and Kuat Drive Yards if we were united in that struggle. But given the evidence we've seen ..." One hand gestured toward the items on the conference table. "Unfortunately, we can't depend upon Kuat of Kuat to see it that way."

"You're talking about eliminating him," said Rozh-denst .

"Or at least removing him from his position of con-trol over the corporation. In which case, Kuat Drive Yards will need someone else running it."

Both men looked over at Kodir of Kuhlvult.

"Is that what you're offering me?" She kept her face a carefully composed, expressionless mask, hiding the thrill of triumph she felt at the moment. At last, thought Kodir. Everything I wanted . . . everything for which I've been scheming and plotting for so long . . .

"Exactly," said Uzalg. "We've already been in com-munication with the heads of the ruling families down on the planet Kuat. Given the circumstances, a majority of them have agreed with what the Alliance has recom-mended concerning your taking over Kuat Drive Yards if something were to, shall we say, happen to Kuat of Kuat. They might be a little surprised about it coming around so soon—but that doesn't matter."

It was all hers now. Handed to her by the Rebel Alliance.

"It is a great responsibility," Kodir said quietly. "I'm not sure I'd be up to the task."

Uzalg studied her for a moment in silence. "You have no choice," he said finally. "Nor do we. You must do it."

"Very well." Kodir felt her hands squeezing into fists, as though they were already grasping the very circuits of unlimited power. "I accept the burden you have offered She couldn't stop a thin smile playing about her lips. "You are now looking at the new head of Kuat Drive Yards."

The a-foreman and B-supervisors made their report.

"All the systems you requested are in place," said the a-foreman. He stood with the others behind him, just in-side the high doors of Kuat of Kuat's private quarters. "Just say the word and we'll ..." The man hesitated a moment. "We'll put them into operation."

"That won't be necessary," replied Kuat. He had been gazing out at the construction docks as he listened to the men, with the felinx sidling around his ankles; now he turned and looked at the corporation's faithful employ-ees. "I thank you for the work you've done; I'm sure it's all at your usual high standard of accomplishment. But your job is over now. I'll take care of the rest."

"But ..." The a-foreman's brow furrowed, as though he doubted his own hearing. "We have served under your leadership in so many things. Do you not believe that we would wish to see this through as well?"

"I have no doubt of that. It's not even an issue. But most of you have families and loved ones; I have neither of those, except for Kuat Drive Yards itself. There are places for you to go to, when all of this is over—the de-mand for workmen with your skills will always be high, no matter who wins the distant battles in which the galaxy is embroiled. But there is no place else for me to go." Kuat looked at his own empty hands for a moment, then back up at the gathered men. "Therefore, the price to me of finishing this job is smaller than any that you could pay ... and what is bought by that price is great to me." Peace, thought Kuat. That's what it buys. Some-thing I've never known. "My own decisions, however well meant they were—and my own failures—have brought this day upon us. It's not only my desire to finish this job by myself. It's my duty."

"But it's our duty as well, Technician." One of the B-supervisors raised his voice. "The corporation belongs to us as much as it does to you."

Soon, Kuat mused, it will belong to no one.

"He speaks true," said the a-foreman, tilting his head toward the B-supervisor in the ranks behind him.

"We placed our faith in you, but we did so willingly. The re-sponsibility for your decisions is shared among us all."

"Ah." Kuat of Kuat slowly nodded. "But you see—I am still the head of Kuat Drive Yards. No matter what others outside this room might think, that is still the case. So the decisions are mine to make, and yours to obey. To do otherwise on your part would be the withdrawal of your faith in me. Do you wish to do that?"

The men remained silent. Kuat knew that he had caught them in the trap formed of his logic and their loy-alty. It was perhaps the last machine he would ever de-vise, but it had worked as well as any before it.

"As you wish, Technician." The a-foreman bowed his head in defeat. "And as you order. We leave you now, in all but spirit."

There was no further need to thank the men who had worked for him, and for Kuat Drive Yards. Kuat stood watching as they turned and slowly filed out through the high, arched doorway. As long as they were still employ-ees of the corporation—and in some ways, they would be even after Kuat Drive Yards had ceased to exist—they functioned as precisely and predictably as the tools upon which they had laid their hands.

When the footsteps of the men had faded down the corridor outside his quarters, Kuat of Kuat turned back to his lab bench. A simple audio recording device was plugged into the signal relay from the micro-probe spy device that listened to those other voices far above the construction docks. Those voices—Kodir's, and the Scavenger Squadron commander's, and that of the nego-tiating attache from the Rebel Alliance—had also talked of the fate of Kuat Drive Yards.