“And meanwhile, the Sathans just let it happen,” Dinko said darkly. “We’re going to let our enemy walk right in. We’ll even pull up a chair for him.”
“The population is afraid,” Firefolk said. “Afraid of losing what we have.”
“As long as someone promises they’ll keep their personal droids and their comfortable life, they’ll believe anything,” Nek added.
“I’m afraid Bog is winning this game,” Ferus said. “He’s mustered up the support to call for a vote of no-confidence for Larker.”
“He’s bribing the ministers,” Nek said.
“If you had proof of that, it could be helpful,” Ferus said. “The Emperor is still concerned with appearances. He might recall Bog back to Coruscant. But at the very least, it would expose what he’s doing and he’d lose support here.”
Nek, Firefolk, and Dinko exchanged glances.
“We could get the proof,” Dinko said. “If all goes well.”
“How?”
“Do you know that the ministers gave Bog a gift of a personal droid?”
“I was at the ceremony.”
“An operative working for us programmed Bog’s PD. He placed a chip in it that allows us to monitor his communications. We expect to have the proof, possibly within hours, maybe in a day … but we’re sure we’ll have it. That droid will record every communication, every transaction that Bog makes.”
“Good. Bog isn’t your only problem, but he’s the biggest one at the moment. It will take the Empire awhile to replace him. In the meantime, Larker can consolidate his power and you can recruit more members.”
“If we get rid of Bog, it will convince Sathans that we’re worth joining,” Dinko said.
“I’ll report back to the Emperor that you’re considering his offer,” Ferus said. “In the meantime, it would be helpful if I could bring him something that will convince him I’m on his side. Do you have a drop you don’t use anymore that I can tell him about?”
“How about the speeder place?” Nek suggested. “We’ve used it for a month now. It’s time to find a new place for a drop.”
“Good.” Ferus stood. “How can I contact you again?”
“Do you know the Twilight Fountain on Talo Square?”
Ferus nodded. He had committed most of Sath to memory by now.
“If you go there at midday, we’ll contact you. Otherwise in case of emergency we can use corn-links. We have to keep messages short in case the Empire is monitoring,” Dinko said.
“Good policy.” Ferus nodded a good-bye.
He walked out, feeling a strange reluctance to leave. It wasn’t only that this group reminded him of his time with the Eleven. It was a feeling that they were in danger, becoming involved in something so big that they couldn’t possibly win.
He’d heard the Emperor’s words. Palpatine spoke of letting the planet govern itself but if Bog failed to take over, would the Empire just call in troops for an invasion? He didn’t know.
He just hoped that whatever the Empire was planning, the resistance could survive it.
Chapter Eight
The situation on Samaria was not unmanageable, Darth Vader thought. It wasn’t even terribly difficult. Even that fool, Bog Divinian, was managing to manipulate popular opinion. Taking over the planet would be as easy as slicing through durasteel with a lightsaber.
So if things were under control, why was he still here? He had a galaxy to manage. Even while he’d been here, reports continued to flow in from other planets. There were plenty of matters he had to keep a hand in. Some could be handled easily with a threat or a directive. Others merited a personal visit. But his Master wanted him here, for now.
In just a few days, he’d brought the military chief in line. The battalion was secretly orbiting the Lemurtoo system, ready to be called in on a moment’s notice. The captain of the battalion had drawn up a plan to guard the spaceport and station troops around the city. He was agitating to move in. Vader had quickly vetoed that ridiculous plan. It was just an attempt from a lesser military mind to thrust himself into importance. He’d ordered the battalion to stay hidden until they were needed. If they had to stage a coup, they would, but it would be done quickly. Stationing troops without needing to was foolish. It just fanned the flames of resistance.
So what was bothering him? Vader turned to survey the government buildings that rose out of the petaled extensions of land that the Sathans had constructed in an aquamarine sea. He knew what was bothering him, he just didn’t want to name it.
Ferus Olin.