[Bounty Hunter Wars] - 03(114)

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 communication 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 recommended 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 inside 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 employees. “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 demand 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. Something 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 responsibility 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 loyalty. It was perhaps the last machine he would ever devise, 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 employees 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.