[Last Of The Jedi] - 05(23)

“There are reasons to keep him occupied,” Palpatine said.

“Sano Sauro.”

“That is one reason. Sauro is useful. He is trying hard to please me. He sent me a secret memo about the Academy.”

Vader waited. Sauro was not a problem, not yet. He knew well that Sauro would plot against him. Sauro was more annoying than threatening.

“He has an idea,” the Emperor said. “It’s about Force-sensitive children.”

Vader grew alert.

“We have eliminated the traitorous Jedi, but not the Force-sensitive. Sauro claims he is the only one in the galaxy who has the ability to discover a Force connection in children.” Palpatine gave a mocking smile. “Can you imagine the arrogance? He had a protégé, long ago — a fallen Jedi named Xanatos.”

“He was once the apprentice of Qui-Gon Jinn. He turned to the dark side.”

“I knew of him, but he was not my apprentice.

Sauro said that Xanatos told him many secrets of the Jedi. He knows about midi-chlorians.”

Vader was keeping his anger in check. “He inflates his importance.”

“No doubt. But he thinks this will please me. He doesn’t know that he is dealing with a Sith. It’s quite amusing to listen to him.”

“What does he want?”

“To bring Force-sensitive children to the Academy,” Palpatine responded. “He believes that the Force can be used to train pilots. Reflexes, instincts. He thinks in ten years we could develop an invincible fleet.”

“He doesn’t understand the Force,” Vader said. “You can’t train children to develop the Force as pilots.” He spit out the last word in disdain.

“This, from a former Podracer?”

Vader didn’t move. He knew his Master brought up his childhood from time to time to test him, to prod the place that was most painful.

“Of course you are right,” Palpatine said. “But I am going to let him have his little idea — for now.”

Vader knew better than to disagree with his Master, but he had to make his objection. This news troubled him. He did not want other Force-connected beings to be gathered together. Order 66 had eliminated the Jedi. He thought they were gone forever.

“It is a waste of time,” his electronically-enhanced voice said.

His Master turned to him then, and once again Vader saw the extent of his power. Palpatine knew him down to the bone.

“If it makes you uncomfortable, you can find your own way to stop it,” Palpatine said. “You and Sauro are headed for a showdown. It is up to you to choose when it will take place. I will not interfere.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I have just received word that the True Justice has been stolen. Sauro thinks I am unaware of this.”

“This is another example of his poor planning,” Vader said. “A ship can be more vulnerable than trying prisoners in a court.”

Palpatine waved a hand. “It was an interesting idea to try. But this is why I have called you here. Sauro is overextended. He has to find that ship and cover his tracks. He cannot afford to take care of Bog Divinian.”

Vader guessed what was coming. “So I must?” “You must control the situation. Samaria must be ours.”

“It will be done, Master.”

Vader turned and walked out, his cape sweeping behind him.

Palpatine heard the doors hiss shut.

He had worried his apprentice. Darth Vader did not want Sauro to gather any Force-sensitives. Especially children. It would serve as reminders of things he thought he needed to forget.

He didn’t need to forget them.

He needed to glory in what he had done. He needed to scorn what he had lost.

Sauro would not be successful in his quest. He was not as clever as he thought. Only a Sith or a Jedi could find a Force-sensitive. Perhaps Sauro could stumble across one or two and point to his success. It did not matter.

What mattered was Ferus Olin.

The Emperor laughed. All Masters tested their apprentices from time to time.

This would test Darth Vader most of all.





CHAPTER FIFTEEN


Quintus — or whoever was posing as the deceased Quintus — was behind the door. The question was how to get in.

“Why don’t we just knock?” Clive asked in a whisper.

“They’ll have an exit plan,” Ferus said, disagreeing. “Can’t you break in?”

“I’m insulted. I’m not a thief! Do you really think I can break a security door?”

“Just do it.”

“All right.” Clive reached into the pocket of his tunic. He withdrew a small fusioncutter, a coin, and a sharpened piece of plastoid. He bent over the security keypad with the items. Within seconds, the door clicked open.