[Bounty Hunter Wars] - 01(49)

“You overvalue these scum-“



“I think not.” The Emperor interrupted Vader. “Prince Xizor speaks truly when he says that the forces under my command cannot do that which the bounty hunters are capable of. Or that they would be capable of, if the Guild were eliminated. Greed is valuable to me only if it is

combined with a capacity for violence-and that capacity is exactly what would be unleashed when the Bounty Hunters Guild is no more. The survivors, whichever ones are left after Boba Fett’s presence has shattered the organization, will be forced to adapt to a harsher, less protected existence, one in which they can survive only by placing their boot soles on the throats of those who had been their brothers only a short time before.” The Emperor’s cruel smile widened. “We will have, our choice of them-each savage and driven by their unchecked appetites. The prince is right; these tools will be sharp and murderous, indeed.”



“My lord flatters me.” Xizor spread his hands, palms outward. “It is only the wisdom I have received from you that has guided both my thoughts and deeds.”



“You are the flatterer, Xizor; in that, you do not deceive me. But your value to me has been enhanced by what you have done in this regard.” The Emperor’s smile faded, replaced by a hard gaze. “You have taken a considerable gamble in proceeding with your little scheme before consulting with me; if you had not been successful in convincing me of its worth, the consequences to you would have been severe.



“I know that, my lord. But time and events press upon us; the Rebellion’s forces are not waiting for us to put our affairs in order.”



Lord Vader’s image shook its head, the points of light from the stars glistening on the black surface of his helmet. “Better that our trust should be put in the Force. Its power is greater than anything that can be derived from all these petty manipulations. The Death Star, Prince Xizor’s unleashed bounty hunters-all these distract us from the Empire’s real strength.” Vader raised a black fist, as though crushing a rebellious world inside it. “Do not let yourself be swayed by the vain schemes of those who have no conception of the power inside you-“



“Advise me not, Lord Vader.” The Emperor’s anger flared, like fire suddenly revealed beneath gray ashes. “You have some training in the Force’s ways; you have even exceeded the training given to you by your vanished Jedi Masters. But do not presume to consider yourself my equal.”



Xizor kept his silence, watching the confrontation between Palpatine and the black-garbed figure standing before him. Let him suffer the Emperor’s wrath, thought Xizor with a measure of satisfaction. The Emperor’s seductive powers had created Vader, the call of the Force’s dark side turning him into what he now was. The Emperor could destroy Vader as well; Xizor was sure of it. And if that happened-Then my most powerful enemy would be gone. And worlds would open before him. The rays of the Black Sun would reach even farther across the galaxy. Perhaps … even as far as the shadows of the Emperor’s hand. :



There would be another reward as well, if Vader’s destruction came about. An even more satisfying one, the reward of vengeance accomplished. That would be my reward, brooded Xizor, not that of the Black Sun. Vader had no idea-yet-of the hatred that was directed toward whatever was left of his heart. The Imperial records had been wiped clean-Xizor’s credits and power had seen to that-of any trace of the deaths of his family on the planet Falleen, deaths brought about by Vader’s own experiments

in developing new forms of

biological weaponry for the Empire. Xizor’s parents, his brother and sisters, along with a quarter million other innocent Falleens, had been reduced to ashes by the sterilization lasers Vader’s orders had turned upon the bacterial outbreak-but those ashes were still hot in Xizor’s own heart.



With his face a mask, except for his narrowed gaze, he watched his enemy.



“I mean no presumption, my lord.” Darth Vader bowed his head in submission.



“Yet it irks you if I show favor to another of my servants.” The Emperor smiled and nodded slowly. “Perhaps that is an indication of the depth of your loyalty to me.” His withered hand pointed to Vader and Xizor in turn. “Your animosity toward each other serves

my purposes well. There is never a moment when you are not at each other’s throats, seeking what advantage you can in your struggle to please me. So be it; it keeps your teeth sharp. That is why I think Prince Xizor’s scheme has a chance, however slight, of succeeding. The bounty hunters will be to each other what the two of you are: hungry and ruthless. The struggle will end someday, with one of you destroying the other. I’m not sure which one of you will be the victor. And I do not greatly care, either.” The Emperor appeared to savor the possibilities. “In the meantime the Empire enjoys the benefits of your little war.”