“I’m glad to see you’ve been listening, Commander. That’s the kind of observational skill I wouldn’t have expected from my previous investigations into your record.”
“Don’t crack wise with me.” Rozhdenst had regained a small measure of self-control. “It would’ve been better for you-and for Kuat Drive Yards-if we had been able to even pretend to be on a friendly basis. But no amount of hostility on your part-and no amount of affection for the Empire that pays you and your corporation such a handsome wage-is going to stop my squadron and me from doing what we were sent here to take care of.”
“Which is, exactly?” Kuat resumed his stroking of the felinx’s silken fur. “Neither the necessity for it, or the details, have been made clear to me.”
“Very well.” Rozhdenst gave a curt nod. “Mon Mothma and the rest of the Rebel Alliance high command recognize the long-term strategic importance of Kuat Drive Yards. Not just for what your corporation is capable of doing in the future, but for the armaments and ships that are in your construction docks at this moment. None of us in the Rebel Alliance have any doubts that you are fully willing to shift your allegiances to whichever force emerges victorious from the coming battle, and all the ones that shall follow. As you’ve indicated, you have Kuat Drive Yards’ best interests at the center of your thoughts. But if events go as I believe they will at Endor-and how I wish I could be there to see it!-then the Empire is going to need replacements for its operational fleets as soon as possible, and taking delivery of what you’ve built for them here will be the fastest way of accomplishing that. The Empire knows that, you know that-and we know it. Which is the whole reason we’re here. The Scavenger Squadron is going to be keeping an around-the-chronometer vigil on everything that happens here at Kuat Drive Yards; there’s not going to be much that we’re going to miss. And I promise you”-the commander’s jabbing finger stopped an inch short of Kuat’s chest-“when word comes from Endor about what’s happened out there, and the Imperial Navy tries to take possession of the completed ships in your docks-” Rozhdenst shook his head. “It’s not going to happen. The Rebel Alliance command may have decided that they’ve got enough forces available, out at Sullust, that they can spare my pilots for this detail and still be able to beat whatever Palpatine and his underlings can come up with. Fine; that’s a strategic decision and I’m satisfied to go along with it. But it also means that Mon Mothma is confident that my raggedy, patched-together outfit can take of business here.”
“Indeed.” Kuat raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’m sure you’ll make a valiant attempt at it.”
“Oh, we’ll do more than that. Since we’ll be missing the action out at Endor, my squadron will be ready to do some serious damage of their own, right here. If any Imperial forces show up and try to get hold of those ships, or if any of your KDY transport crews think they’ll be able to pilot them out to some rendezvous point and deliver them, there’ll be hell to pay. You can bank on that.”
“And what happens if the Rebel Alliance comes here and wants these ships? What gets paid out then?” The temper in the other man’s voice had disturbed the felinx in Kuat’s arms; he did his best to soothe it. “Am I to assume that Mon Mothma and the rest of the Alliance command will be prepared to negotiate a fair-and profitable-deal for them?”
“I’m not authorized,” said Rozhdenst, “to make those kinds
of arrangements.”
“What that translates to is that you don’t have the means. The credits. And neither does the Alliance. Otherwise, Mon Mothma would have made the offer already.”
A sneer twisted the corner of Rozhdenst’s mouth. “And would you have accepted it? Not as long as you’re so afraid of the reaction of your best customer, Emperor Palpatine.”
“The deals I make,” replied Kuat stiffly, “are for the best interests of my corporation.”
“And too bad for everybody else in the galaxy.” The sneer remained as Rozhdenst nodded. “They’re fighting for their freedom-and their lives-and all you’re concerned about is the amount of credits rolling into your coffers. Fine; arrange your ethics however you want to. You don’t want to throw in your lot with the Rebel Alliance, that’s up to you. But I think I’m clear in warning you what the Alliance’s ‘offer’ is likely to be for those ships in your construction docks.” Rozhdenst pointed to the view beyond the transparisteel panels. “If the Alliance decides that it needs the ships you’ve been building-and there’s a high possibility of that-I’m going to be happy to take delivery of them from you whether or not you’ve agreed to sell them to us instead of the Empire. And we’ll worry about making compensation to Kuat Drive Yards after the war is over.”