Vader turned away. As he did, he spoke to the captain in a low voice. “I want that officer off this ship when we reach Bellassa and assigned to the nearest penal colony. Emotion has no place on a starship bridge.”
Ferus continued to stare out into space. Had he known them, those two pilots, brave enough to risk attacking a ship belonging to the Empire? He might have. He’d known most of the members of the resistance. If he didn’t know them personally, he most likely knew their friends. Their wives or husbands. Their parents.
His helplessness made his hands shake. He swallowed against the sour taste in his mouth.
Bellassa grew in his vision, and he could make out the mountain range, the forests, and then the great city of Ussa rising from the surrounding plains.
By simply traveling with the Empire, was he harming his beloved homeworld? Where did his true duty lie?
Was he about to attempt to save his world, or would he betray it?
Chapter Five
Darth Vader returned to the conference room. His Master came through immediately. Palpatine didn’t even ask if the situation with the unidentified ships had been taken care of, or how. He just assumed that what needed to be done would be done. Vader appreciated that. For two beings who did not believe in trust, it was as close as they could come.
“Ferus Olin is the key to breaking the back of Bellassa,” his Master continued as though there had been no interruption. “That world has proven difficult to subdue. Other systems are beginning to take note of their successes.”
“The planet has become an inspiration for many resistance movements,” Vader agreed. “It must be crushed.”
“Your plan is a good one,” the Emperor said.
“We will destroy the resistance at the same time we move forward on the project. There is so much yet to be done. Years of planning. The new weapon will require more hardware, more ships, more weaponry. Governor Tarkin has coordinated the effort and will assist you.”
Vader nodded. “I have assembled a team of the best scientists from around the galaxy. Those who did not want to work with us have been persuaded.”
“Good. Now, let’s move on. Twilight?”
“Progress has been slow, but lately there has been movement. 1 have complete confidence in our operative. And our eventual victory.”
“Excellent.”
“We are approaching Bellassa now, my Master.”
“Ferus Olin … you must work with him. Keep him close, for just a little while longer. We can use him.”
“It is dangerous to keep him close. He’s not stupid. I caught him in my stateroom.”
“Did he find anything?”
“Of course not, Master.”
“Then why should we care? He will discover nothing of consequence.”
“But after Bellassa?” Vader ventured the question. How long would this maddening protection of Ferus last? He knew there was more behind the Emperor’s use of Ferus than there seemed to be”. Vader was ready to get rid of him for good. Ferus was an irritant.
“I shall revisit the situation,” the Emperor said.
A highly unsatisfactory answer. But Darth Vader did not question his Master.
It didn’t matter anyway. He promised himself that he would find a way to get rid of Ferus Olin on Bellassa.
That would be satisfactory.
Chapter Six
They had learned to choose busy space stations in tiny comers of the galaxy, where spaceliners and freighters docked. On the planet of Omman, the crush of vehicles and passengers meant that controls were difficult to maintain. The Empire had not yet completely perfected its checkin systems. Trever had no doubt that it would. Just not yet.
Their fake ID docs passed muster. They were checked through without a challenge and made their way to the smoky cantina.
Trever saw Flame sitting in a comer, her back to the wall, one foot up on a chair in front of her. He was startled by her appearance. He had left her on Rosha in stained coveralls, her dark hair filmed with dust and her skin reddened and windblown. Now she was dressed all in white, lounging elegantly at the table, her dark hair smooth and shining in a coil at the back of her head.
She was all business as she pushed a chair toward him with one booted foot. “Have a seat and introduce me to your friends.”
Trever noted that Clive’s gaze lingered on Flame for a long moment, puzzlement in his eyes. After Trever introduced Clive, Astri, Lune, and Roan and Dona, Clive turned to Flame.
“I think we’ve met before,” he said.
Flame gave him a cool look. “Is that your standard line?”
“I hope I’m not that uninspired.”
Solace snorted.
“I wouldn’t know,” Flame said. Her frosty tone told Clive that she wasn’t in the mood for banter.