"The scheme in which this fabricated evidence was to have played a part might not have been directed against the Rebels at all. It might have been considerably more devious than that; the target might have been Prince Xi-zor himself, while he was still alive. Rumors had circu-lated for some time concerning Xizor and Black Sun's own designs on Kuat Drive Yards; greed and ambition are qualities hardly limited to Emperor Palpatine. By en-tangling Xizor with Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Al-liance, Kuat might very well have been getting one enemy off his hands, leaving all of his attention intact in order to fight off Emperor Palpatine."
Sitting across from the attache, Kodir said nothing, but tried to conceal her own reaction to Uzalg's words. He's even smarter than I expected, thought Kodir. Maybe too smart...
"We don't have time to sort out all the possibilities." Commander Rozhdenst laid a hand down flat on the im-provised conference table. "The question is, what're we going to do about it?"
"True," said Uzalg. "Whether Kuat of Kuat was con spiring against the Alliance directly, or whether he was attempting to use the Alliance against another enemy such as Prince Xizor, is immaterial at this point. The bat-tle between the Alliance and the Empire, which we've been anticipating for so long, might already have begun; communications from that sector have been effectively silenced. We have no way of foreseeing what the out-come of the events out near Endor will be—the Alliance has a prime strategic opportunity in front of it, a chance to destroy the Imperial Navy's new Death Star while it is still under construction, with its weapons systems not yet activated. Our analysis is that the Death Star is relatively unprotected, with most of the Imperial forces scattered about the galaxy attempting to engage with Rebel ships wherever possible. But there's still no way of accurately predicting just what kind of losses our forces will indeed suffer in their attack upon the Death Star, or what the Empire's response will be to such an action. In the after-math, the relative balance of forces between the Alliance and the Empire may be absolutely critical—that's where Kuat Drive Yards comes in." The Alliance attache's words had become more clipped and efficient. "If the Imperial Navy can take possession of the fleet replacements sitting here in the KDY construction docks, they might still be able to administer a killing blow to the Rebels."
"Or the other way around." Rozhdenst's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "If we could get our guys into those ships . . . it'd take more than my Scavenger Squadron, but still ..." He drew his breath in through clenched teeth. "We'd be in line to finish off the Imperial Navy!"
"That would depend on a great many things." Uzalg's response was spoken in quieter tones. "But the fact re-mains that the ships here at Kuat Drive Yards would be valuable to both the Empire and the Alliance—perhaps decisively so. We need to make sure that they don't fall into the hands of the Imperial Navy. And"—he glanced over at Kodir—"we also need to make sure that Kuat Drive Yards is on our side, not just now but in the future.
The Empire is still powerful; the struggle against it might continue for a lot longer. It would be best for both the Al-liance and Kuat Drive Yards if we were united in that struggle. But given the evidence we've seen ..." One hand gestured toward the items on the conference table. "Unfortunately, we can't depend upon Kuat of Kuat to see it that way."
"You're talking about eliminating him," said Rozh-denst .
"Or at least removing him from his position of con-trol over the corporation. In which case, Kuat Drive Yards will need someone else running it."
Both men looked over at Kodir of Kuhlvult.
"Is that what you're offering me?" She kept her face a carefully composed, expressionless mask, hiding the thrill of triumph she felt at the moment. At last, thought Kodir. Everything I wanted . . . everything for which I've been scheming and plotting for so long . . .
"Exactly," said Uzalg. "We've already been in com-munication with the heads of the ruling families down on the planet Kuat. Given the circumstances, a majority of them have agreed with what the Alliance has recom-mended concerning your taking over Kuat Drive Yards if something were to, shall we say, happen to Kuat of Kuat. They might be a little surprised about it coming around so soon—but that doesn't matter."
It was all hers now. Handed to her by the Rebel Alliance.
"It is a great responsibility," Kodir said quietly. "I'm not sure I'd be up to the task."
Uzalg studied her for a moment in silence. "You have no choice," he said finally. "Nor do we. You must do it."
"Very well." Kodir felt her hands squeezing into fists, as though they were already grasping the very circuits of unlimited power. "I accept the burden you have offered She couldn't stop a thin smile playing about her lips. "You are now looking at the new head of Kuat Drive Yards."
The a-foreman and B-supervisors made their report.
"All the systems you requested are in place," said the a-foreman. He stood with the others behind him, just in-side the high doors of Kuat of Kuat's private quarters. "Just say the word and we'll ..." The man hesitated a moment. "We'll put them into operation."
"That won't be necessary," replied Kuat. He had been gazing out at the construction docks as he listened to the men, with the felinx sidling around his ankles; now he turned and looked at the corporation's faithful employ-ees. "I thank you for the work you've done; I'm sure it's all at your usual high standard of accomplishment. But your job is over now. I'll take care of the rest."
"But ..." The a-foreman's brow furrowed, as though he doubted his own hearing. "We have served under your leadership in so many things. Do you not believe that we would wish to see this through as well?"
"I have no doubt of that. It's not even an issue. But most of you have families and loved ones; I have neither of those, except for Kuat Drive Yards itself. There are places for you to go to, when all of this is over—the de-mand for workmen with your skills will always be high, no matter who wins the distant battles in which the galaxy is embroiled. But there is no place else for me to go." Kuat looked at his own empty hands for a moment, then back up at the gathered men. "Therefore, the price to me of finishing this job is smaller than any that you could pay ... and what is bought by that price is great to me." Peace, thought Kuat. That's what it buys. Some-thing I've never known. "My own decisions, however well meant they were—and my own failures—have brought this day upon us. It's not only my desire to finish this job by myself. It's my duty."
"But it's our duty as well, Technician." One of the B-supervisors raised his voice. "The corporation belongs to us as much as it does to you."
Soon, Kuat mused, it will belong to no one.
"He speaks true," said the a-foreman, tilting his head toward the B-supervisor in the ranks behind him.
"We placed our faith in you, but we did so willingly. The re-sponsibility for your decisions is shared among us all."
"Ah." Kuat of Kuat slowly nodded. "But you see—I am still the head of Kuat Drive Yards. No matter what others outside this room might think, that is still the case. So the decisions are mine to make, and yours to obey. To do otherwise on your part would be the withdrawal of your faith in me. Do you wish to do that?"
The men remained silent. Kuat knew that he had caught them in the trap formed of his logic and their loy-alty. It was perhaps the last machine he would ever de-vise, but it had worked as well as any before it.
"As you wish, Technician." The a-foreman bowed his head in defeat. "And as you order. We leave you now, in all but spirit."