[Bounty Hunter Wars] - 03(95)

The men and women assembled in the meeting shed-there were probably close to a hundred of them, representing all of the

corporation’s divisions-looked back at him with complete understanding in their collective gaze. They were as aware as he was of all the enemies arrayed against Kuat Drive Yards, the greedy and ambitious who desired to consume the corporation whole, bring it entirely under their power, make it a mere part of that greater entity known as … the Empire. Palpatine and the underlings that he had come to dominate with his insatiable will, from Lord Vader down through the ranks of admirals in the Imperial Navy-none of them could abide the thought of any entity, from the last solitary Rebel to one of the most powerful corporations in the galaxy, remaining independent. The faithful KDY employees standing before Kuat knew that their only options were to resist the Empire’s encroachment with all their possible strength and will-or see themselves crushed inside Palpatine’s fist, as he had crushed worlds with wealth greater than any possessed by the planet Kuat.

One of the eldest B-supervisors stepped forward. Kuat recognized the man as the leader of the shipbuilding team that laid down the enormous central frames of the ships that took form in the KDY construction docks. The B-supervisor had been a lead operator, back in the days of Kuat’s father, of one of the massive cranes spanning the docks, each nearly as long-and powerful-as an Imperial battle destroyer. Through the meeting shed’s overhead skylights, the outline of one of them could be seen, blotting out an entire swath of stars.

“You’ve led this corporation well, Kuat.” Though white-haired, the B-supervisor was still a figure of imposing musculature, with a razor-sharp gaze in his age-seamed face. “And through times perhaps more difficult than any faced by your predecessors; you’ve proven yourself to be the true heir of the Kuat Drive Yards’ helm.”

A murmuring chorus of agreement sounded behind the man.

“Is it your intent, then, to be the final leader that this corporation will ever see?” The B-supervisor peered closely at Kuat. “Perhaps you seek to ensure that Kuat Drive Yards will never have a leader greater than yourself.”

“That’s not my intent,” said Kuat of Kuat. The ranks assembled in the meeting shed fell absolutely silent to hear his softly spoken words. “But if it turns out to be my duty, then I will accept it.”

The grizzled figure standing before him slowly nodded. “A fine answer, Kuat. And a worthy decision. I’ve heard that there are many, on the planet of Kuat that we orbit-” As with most of the KDY workforce, the old man had spent his entire life in the construction docks and the attached dormitory complex. “-and on worlds far from here, who believe that from our work, our lives among the ships we build, we wind up with hearts as cold and precise as machines. So be it; perhaps those other creatures speak truly. But if such is the case, then you should feel certain of the judgment of the living machines you see before you.” The B-supervisor turned and gestured with an outflung arm toward the other KDY workers. “And that judgment is-as you accept your duty, however painful, so do we accept ours.”

The voices behind the man were louder this time, but just as united in their assent.

Kuat looked away from his followers for a moment, toward the bank of transparisteel panes along the side of the meeting shed. From here he had a closer view than from his personal quarters, high above the construction docks, of the corporation’s work. As far as his eye could see, and against a glittering backdrop of stars, the massive shapes of a completed battle fleet were arrayed one after another. The cranes and other heavy equipment that the shipbuilders used in their intricate craft arched over the ships, as though to protect them from hands that would defile their beauty and power. Kuat’s heart, however hard and machinelike it may have become, swelled in his chest. No matter what happened, however dark the fate closing upon Kuat Drive Yards, its accomplishments would remain. We built these, thought Kuat as he gazed at the ships. They were ours before they became anyone else’s. He nodded slowly to himself. What became of them now was a matter for him to decide.

The B-supervisor had stepped back into the ranks of the others filling the shed. At the front of them was the a-foreman of the Kuat Drive Yards’ construction docks, as before. “Are there further instructions,” said the a-foreman, “that you wished to give us?”

“No …” Kuat of Kuat brought himself back from his deep musing. “Proceed with the plans as I’ve outlined them. Let me know when we’ve reached operational stage, and then await word from my offices before going any further.”