“But Father, why didn’t you come??!” cried the small girl, tears streaming down her face.
The rather tall, immaculately dressed man barely heard the wimperings of his child as his eyes furiously scanned the happenings in the Financial District.
“Kassquien will have a tough time of it without politic support.” He muttered, musing at the injustice of common workers needing to gang up to shape corporate policy. Then he registered the child’s complaint and sighed in irritation.
“Jenice, I don’t have the time for this. You will either realize that my time is money and the more money I make, the better your life will be or you won’t. If you don’t, you will always feel as bad as you do now.”
He paused a tenth of a second to give his child eye contact, something the executive consultants had encouraged employers whenever they wanted their point to stick.
Unfortunately, the effect was lost on the little girl. Overpaid incompetents!
She began to cry.
A communications chime was heard that thankfully drew the man's attention away from the current trying situation. Coming to the terminal, he activated it and a small, skinny man appeared with rather antiquated eye apparatus.
“Mr. Conrad. How is the front?”
“A veritable mess, Seamus. The lack of regulation is irritating..- .. in fact that noise is irritating.” the small man on the screen frowned as he heard a little girl’s wail in the background. “What the bloody devil is that? Are you torturing… “ the man in the glasses narrowed his eyes. “..bringing your work home with you?”
“Nevermind the noise.” Snapped Seamus. “What are the unions doing?”
“Trying to grab Kassquien’s money! He’s dodged them in the section courts but the unions do hold certain power over the planetary legislation. The decision might be overruled if the unions wish to spend the money.”
“Do you think they will?” Seamus asked, curiosity taking him as Mr. Conrad forwarded the latest developments.
“Given ..incentives.. they might.” Mr. Conrad’s eyes glistened.
“If we push the union to take down Kassquien…”
“We could buy his assets for a fraction of the costs." Then Mr. Conrad started to the speculation ball rolling, "The union will push for expensive compensation for his employees.”
“Link that with employee satisfaction expenses such as extreme Safety Retooling..” Seamus continued.
“..and he’ll go under leaving the banks holding the bag.”
“Enter Arliss Industries.” Seamus finished and chuckled. “That old dog Kassquien really did it to himself this time. He can’t afford to change out living workers with droids anymore either.”
“He should have done his homework the keffet! What executive with any brains hires ‘equal opportunity’?!” Conrad asked incredulously. “That’s legal jargon posing as justification for the hiring of stupid, untrained, handicapped-so-serving-no-useful-purpose idiots from the garbage pool!”
Seamus laughed. “Your concern for the ‘unfortunates’ is touching.” He commented dryly.
“Unfortunates, my arse. They are already drawing compensation from legislature by kissing up to the Medical District. Now they want compensation for work? Dammit, if they want to be treated like equals where talent means nothing, have them become a grunt in the planetary army! Just stay the hell out of my office!”
Mr. Conrad seemed to get rather indignant with anyone and everyone that even threatened to cost him a credit.
“Give the unions their incentive then, Mr. Conrad. Just keep their claws out of Arliss.”
“Indeed.” And Mr. Conrad’s face disappeared.
Seamus turned to see that the crying had stopped.
For good behavior, give praise. It’s costs nothing and yet the receiver is encouraged to continue in said behavior.
“Jenice! You stopped being a nuisance.. Good girl!” said Seamus, his sarcasm lost on the child.
The girl smiled.
Just what am I going to do with you… the Corporate Executive thought.
Jenice awoke, the sweat from her body suddenly cooling from the low temperatures she kept her residence at.
Another dream.., she thought groggily as her mind struggled for coherent thought.
Her rather opulent bedroom consisted of many rare items from wood furniture of a race already extinct to black-market pieces of art she had stolen from her father’s residence when he was banished from Muunilist by a certain Colonel Kaine in the early days of imperial expansion.
Her mind briefly flickered back to her first meeting of the young Colonel. His expressionless eyes and quiet manner making him seem older than he really was. He and Admiral Daemon Hyfe had been sent to Muunilist to bring it under the heel of Regent Exceron in those days. The Colonel had not only liberated her from her father but had maneuvered events in such a way as to wrestle The Towers from her father’s grasp though leaving him and his own cadre of executives to pick the galaxy apart ahead of the Empire.
The fact that Simon Kaine had triumphed over her father where other wealthy executives and politicians hadn’t created a sort of affection for the man that she felt for no one else.
What would have happened if my father would have staved off the Imperials?
Her mind stopped thinking about that and went back to the blackmarket works of art. One piece of art boasted that it would change colors with a person’s mood as they entered the room through a series of chemical reactions. Ironically, it always remained black in her father’s office, which was a source of humor for him.
Now, as her eyes glanced across it, it had changed to a deep blue.
Whatever that means..
The imported and polished stone floor of her residence (as always) shocked her when she first stepped down. With nothing to contain the low temperature, the surface of the floor was chilly indeed.
She walked over an grabbed a robe to cover her sheer garment. Upon coming to power within The Towers, she dispensed with her father’s multitudes of retainers.
She remained fiercely independent in actions she could accomplish by herself and, she thought, getting dressed fell into that category.
"Tell me again what is happening to our 'going concern'?" Seamus asked curiously of his Public Affairs Officer, taking a sip from his rather strong drink.
The rather well muscled black man reached over into his satchel he had placed nearby and, upon taking out a data disk, inserted it into Mr. Arliss' computer terminal.
The picture that came up was rather grainy.
"We intercepted certain news transmissions that highlight not only the growing confusion that is circulating the public media but also the quality of resistance, if any, we come across." the Public Relations man continues.
He was right. The screen was rather grainy.
The newscaster was someone possessing a talent that Seamus hadn't seen since he was five. The effect disconcerted him slightly but soon, his features narrowed to catch a small piece of the bad copy of the transmission:
"How .. utterly... pathetic." Seamus muttered.
The newscaster, in an effort to explain what was going on expounded on the foundations of the problem:
"I am beside myself with anticipation.." Mr. Arliss commented dryly.
"Cut through the BS and what do you see?" the ever sharp Mr. Conrad interrupted, who, up until this moment, had been doing a very good job of pretending to sleep.
"Water is important to both peoples."
"As perhaps water-based technologies? Perhaps water based biological developments?" Mr. Conrad furthered when Seamus had answered him.
"You aren't suggesting what I think you are suggesting?" the Public Affairs Officer asked with concern.
"Not at the moment.." Mr. Arliss answered before Mr. Conrad could speak.
"What else is there?"
There were clips of the Mon Calamari Ambassador railing against the delegations:
Mr. Conrad laughed. "You are kidding me. He didn't actually say that to them did he?"
"Evidently." Mr. Arliss commented nonchalantly. Another clip showed the conluding talks of peace. "Somehow they got it work, though I'll be damned to the Debtor's Prison if I know how."
"Even fools get lucky."
The account of the peace process took a different turn in the News Article.
"That's the first smart thing that's been said so far!"
"Shock Troopers?" Mr. Conrad spoke quietly his eye narrowing. The implications were staggering. Seamus looked at his Public Relations Officer and saw that the implications were not lost on him either.
"You think?" Mr. Conrad snorted derisively at the News Anchor.
The commentary went further into the conflicts that sprang up throughout this little water planet until the insurrectionists were forced to retreat further.
"Sounds like a page from Palpatine's book." Seamus quipped softly. "Very interesting no?"
"Not really." Mr. Conrad said, losing interest in the news piece.
Soon the commentary turned to reconstruction:
"Melding of the two cultures?" Yes the implications were there.
"Hello.. now we have somthing interesting." Mr. Conrad suddenly became alert when monetary issues came to the fore. "Cheap labor using locals. It slashes the cost of having MonCal companies importing their own specialized workers and equipment. You force the subjugated planet to foot the reponsibility."
He smiled for the first time. "I like the Fishhead's style!"
"Lessen in naivete no?"
Mr. Conrad did some on-the-spot calculations. "Even with bonus' they save quite a bit of money."
Mr. Conrad sputtered at first and then had a coughing fit. Seamus threw his head back and laughed.
"Who say's propaganda is not alive and well?" the Public Relations Officer said, waving his hand at the transmission that went dark.
Rejoicing at a job well done or rejoicing that they were no longer indentured to slave breaking work?
"Which brings us to our current situation."
The voice of the captain of the starliner echoed throughout, "Two hours till Muunilist."
Seamus eyes flickerd to an enclosed glass cylinder of liquid. In that liquid floated a dead squid.
"Opportunity knocks.." he murmured.
"I just hope that @#%$ of a daughter of yours sees it too.." Mr. Conrad complained irritably.
Seamus shrugged.
"Seamus, you should have slit that whore's throat when you had a chance." Mr. Conrad spoke rather unabashed.
"She might still have her uses." Seamus said philosophically.
"Seamus, Sir. Children are not CD's. They are not retirement pensions. They do not grow more valuable the older they get. They become more of a liability."
"How would a man who has no children know how much a person can get out of a child?" Mr. Arliss shot back.
Mr. Conrad only grunted and Seamus Arliss had the satisfaction of having the last word, a rarity sometimes where his Chief Financial Officer was concerned.
The large black conference table held the members of the Board of Directors of Arliss Industries. To say that this group represented the leadership of Arliss Industries would be a stretch of the truth for in fact the leadership was present. It was, however, more solidified than the mere legal corporate showing.
Seamus Arliss was the grand architect of the corporation, though by Imperial Edict (by Simon Kaine) control of the Muunilist Enterprise went to his elevated daughter, Jenice when he was banished from Muunilist.
He controlled all outside corporate interests.
With Endgame taking Jenice off-world to the Vinda Corporation, a way was open for Seamus to find out what the Towers had been doing.
With the attack directly upon the Towers from a Republican branch, his hand in matters concerning the Towers increased until .. this day.
When he came home.
Still, it was strange for him being in the Towers after some years of having his daughter running the show here.
But all that was in the back of his mind for what his focus was directed too was a tall, thin and gangly alien before him whose song-like voice grated at his temples.
Still his focus was on the meeting at hand.
The alien, standing before the table, was speaking.
“Then they gave us trinkets from something called a general store. It was for the benefit of the Fishheads. They were homesick and so hand to remind themselves of what their home was like as they invaded mine.”
“These items included?” prompted an officer from Jenice’s directorial board.
“trinkets.” The alien said again, “Post cards, candies, periodicals, food, clothes.. and,” if the aliens’ tongue could curl in disgust, it did an amazing job, “pets.”
“Pets?” Jenice’s eyebrows rose. Her face turned to the dead squid sloshing about in the container her father had brought.
“Guess what else the fishheads brought?” Mr. Conrad began as he looked over the next fiscal quarter’s numbers before him.
He looked up at Ms. Arliss, “Ship-builders.”
“Space building is an expensive undertaking..” Jenice began when Mr. Conrad waved her to silence.
“No..no.. not space. Ship building. Water vessels. Boats.”
“Boats?”
“What the hell does a water species need with boats?” someone else asked.
“Well, while the natives of Kamino have their own methods of water travel, a boat would seem to be impractical given the violent environment above the water’s surface. Typically they would build down. Not up.”
“The fishheads are trying to act like surface dwellers and are doing a piss-poor job of it.”
“They should be doing what they do best. Serving their children as condiments in a seafood restaurant.” Mr. Conrad snapped. “They are ignoring a totally viable and abundant source of planetary income right there.” He pulled out his calculator. “Do you know how many eggs a female fishhead can lay?”
“I’ve never counted them, no.” Seamus chuckled, signaling for refreshments for their “guest”. Something that would suit the alien tongue.
An employee acted promptly.
“That’s a lot of dip, Mr. Conrad.” Jenice said, raising her eyebrows further up.
“Nothing aristocracy on two-thirds of the galaxy could pay top dollar for too. The Jutraalian Court for instance could be lined up…”
“Arliss does not deal in perishables as a general rule, Mr. Conrad.” Seamus interrupted, as he noted their alien guest was finishing his refreshment.
“Arliss deals with people who’s political stance is directly opposite of the Empire. If they aren’t going to perish soon enough, I don’t know what perishable is..”
“Point.” Seamus said dryly. “Now, back to the point at hand.”
Turning to the alien, “I believe you were telling us of New Reef Town?”
“They then deemed us worthy of having at least a quarter of the city.”
“A quarter? Wasn’t the damn city built with local construction crews?” Jenice interrupted.
“Who else resided there?”
“Mostly allies of the fishheads. Someone called Azguardians… some others.” The Kamino alien outlined they city and showed where the districts were.
“Did the Calamari encourage local settlers?”
“No. The Kamino Rebels were still a threat. They sent adverstisements to their own planets and encouraged immigration to Kamino.”
“What was the local’s reward for their work?”
The Kamino’s large eyes stared at Mr. Arliss for a minute. Irony laced his tone, “besides the bonus pay, besides the pet squid you mean?”
At Mr. Arliss’ nod the Kamino answered, “why happiness of course.”
The irony in his voice grew.
“Happiness.”
“Ah… Intangible rewards.”
“The people, called Constructionists then, tried to form their own political party to swing more concessions for our people. I mean, we were the ones who built it and yet we could only live in a quarter of the city that they designated to us.”
“What happened to the party?”
“Propaganda on the Kamino Rebellion caused the non-Kamino inhabitants..”
“Roughly the other 75% population of your city.” Mr. Conrad interrupted.
“..caused them to vote in favor of some other party called The Peace Core.”
“Yes, I can see why it would be your fault for fighting foreign invaders.” Mr. Arliss stated dryly. “Most foolish of you. Most foolish indeed.”
“It was now: The “Glorious City of Peace and Harmony. A call went out to almost every race in these fishheads sphere of influence to emigrate there. A call went everywhere but to locals.”
“How did you feel about that?”
“We were.. .bedazzled.” the Kamino said again, wrly. “So we struck.”
“So, it all boils..” (Arliss raised his eyes at the term used), “down to this little feller here.” A man who worked for his daughter stated.
“Correct.” The Kamino alien agreed. He had just given the group a fair amount of information on their failed sedition against the Mon Calamarian occupation.
Seamus stared at the floating squid in the seemingly harmless liquid. “The Mon Calamarians are fools.” He said with relish, as his eyes began to light up.
Ideas were flowing at the possibilities.
The one good thing.. .
No! The one good commodity ..
..that Kamino boasted of was their cloning facilities. No other group of people could make the creation of clones an art out of the science the way Kamino’s inhabitants did.
“To get control over that technology would generate so many avenues of revenue.” Mr. Conrad said, looking over the figures.
“What remains to be seen, though,” Jenice’s voice carried over the group, “is whether Arliss Industries has the resources necessary to venture into this opportunity?”
“That is the question..” Seamus agreed. “Mr. Conrad?”
“It depends on what type of venture we are talking about.” The rather thin Financial Officer of Arliss Industries stated, pushing his wirey, antiquated eye-piece higher up the bridge of his nose. “Are we talking, a hostile takeover? If so, we would need monies to funnel into an existing political party..assuming we don’t have to form one out of the blue, and then doctor the elections ..again assuming the Kamino government is a democratic one.”
“Given the Mon Calamarian preference for things Republican in nature, it would be safe to assume that a democratic system would be ‘pushed’ upon the people.”
“Point taken,” Mr. Conrad conceded, “But what I was attempting to suggest, is that too much money goes into too many (ultimately irrelevent) areas… areas that will not contribute to the direct assumption of control of Kamino.”
“So we cannot do it?” Jenice asked.
“Not alone. We are not Vinda Corporation who uses military conquest to achieve the necessary capital to finance the growing population of individuals under our sphere of influence. They HAVE to expand or they have nothing with which to bank their credit on.”
“Or their debts.”
“Vinda was shrewd to tackle entertainment as a means to offset the growing expenses of his company.”
“Be that as it may, we are off topic. If we cannot go in and push the Mon Calamari out, what can we do?”
Jenice’s eyes lit up briefly as she turned to her father. “Perhaps..”
“NO!” Seamus suddenly and firmly spoke, interrupting his daughter. “Muunilist has been free from the Empire for ..”
“The Empire still has many garrisons stationed, even if they are haphazardly maintained.” Someone mentioned.
“Being cut off from Imperial Center, those garrisons had to find local support.” Jenice smiled, “And we support them handsomely. So handsomely, in fact, that we hold a monopoly planetwide.” Her smile faded, “However, the Empire is not going to forget their soldiers are here. Sooner or later, they will return.”
“You mean your Imperial will return.” Mr. Conrad retorted. “Of course,” Mr. Conrad turned to Seamus, “If we can control your daughter, we might be able to control this Simon Kaine.”
“No.” Seamus said, after some thought, “their relationship (he said the word ironically) is not like that. He would be the kind of man that would cut his losses. A true soldier.”
“So, with a hostile takeover of Kamino out of the question, what is left?”
Seamus looked about options and sighed resigned, “The Empire.”
“Then with the specific course of action decided, we must figure out how to carry it out?”
‘That is why we have our little friend here.” The Kamino alien, ignored during the discussion now stood straighter as a finger was pointed to the squid.
“A bio-engineered solution.” The alien spoke, with obvious pride. “You see, all species native to a particular planet inherently share with their world of origin a common bond on the genetic level. It is one way scientists learn the where a certain species of animal or plant originates. On the atomic level, there are certain familiar characteristics so one would be able to discern, if the proper test was performed, that a Wookiee would not be a native of, say, Yavin IV.”
“What accounts for this familiarity?” Jenice asked.
“Well, on an evolutionary scale, different species revolve around the particular environment that their initial one-celled existence sprouted from. By way of a simplistic example, one species may have more carbon in their chemical makeup whereas another species may have more copper, iron or whatnot. Every planet is different and every planet has their own particular signature determined by natural system stellar activities to name but one.”
“So…” Seamus connected the dots, “you engineered a weapon designed to attack your oppressors based on their atomic makeup.”
“Correct,” The Kamino answered excitedly, “By giving us pet squids, they gave us the necessary supply of biomaterial. Enough to not only create but also to test.”
“And it only affects?”
“Mon Calamarians.”
“Aren’t there… Az… Azz..” Mr. Conrad looked through his papers, “What the frell are their names?”
“Azguardians.”
“Azguardians,” nodded Mr. Conrad, “who also live there?”
“They are a minority as are most other members of the Mon Calamari Coalition.”
“So, a strike eliminating the Mon Calamarians on your planet would punch a large enough hole to overcome their defenses.”
“Wait!” Jenice suddenly interrupted sharply. Looking intently on the alien she asked, “The Mon Calamari were building their “Reef’ Town… the foundation being underwater yes?”
“Correct.”
“Wouldn’t the coral used in the Reef’s formation also contain the same atomic structure the bioweapon is engineered to attack.”
“Of course. Once launched, there will be no halting the breakdown of the Reef.” The Kamino suddenly lost his amiability that seemed to identify the typical Kamino personalities. “The town will die.”
“Why come to us?” Jenice asked, which Seamus had to admire about his daughter. He already knew the answers but seeing her grasp details and implications seemed to reassure him that The Towers were under tight control.
“Because, while we had enough biomaterial to create the formula for the weapon, generate a lab sample and test it, all we have is what is in this container.”
The alien looked at them.
“We require you to make more.”
“What makes you think that the Empire will be ‘better’ than the Mon Calamari?”
“Ms. Arliss. Our society has always been rather small and isolated. We wish to do that which we are good at. We wish for our art to come alive once more. We have had dealings with the architects of the Empire during the formation of the Grand Army of the Republic. Working with the Pre-Empire and subsequent contracts have proved most lucrative and beneficial for both sides. And while I harbor no illusions that our business relationship may differ should the Empire have a more direct hand in matters dealing with Kamino, we do feel that you would appreciate just how skillful we are.”
“What is in it for Arliss Industries?”
“Arliss Industries would serve as the liaison between Kamino and the Empire. I assure you, middleman fees would generate quite a healthy sum.”
The Board contemplated that and the meeting was adjourned.
*
The Towers – Residential Floor
“Did you obtain DNA samples of our resident Kamino?” Jenice asked as her father and Mr. Conrad entered the private office in her residence.
Seamus only smiled.
“Imagine that an entire species can be linked to one particular planet.” Jenice cocked her head to her father, “I wonder if anyone has found the planet where humans sprang from?”
“Ahh, the Origin Question.” Seamus murmured as he sat down on a couch and stretched out. “Scientists of the Old Republic were working on that very question when it fell. I don’t think anything ever came of their research.”
“Something for the Jedi?” His daughter asked, curious.
“I do not think so. The Jedi are always more concerned over their damned religious squabbles.”
“Well, one thing I know is that there are more humans per capita in this galaxy than any of other species. With the galactic market saturated,” Mr. Conrad grinned, “Life is cheap.”
“It is tough for the Slaver’s market out there. Perhaps they should diversify.”
When all three were comfortable, Seamus brought the conversation back to the topic at hand. “The way I see it, in order to liaison with the Empire, we would need to direct operations through the Towers lest other companies from Coruscant try to undercut us were we to go directly to Imperial Center.”
“For that to happen, the Empire would need to return to Muunilist.”
“What do you think about the bioweapon?”
“Given that it is only dangerous for one species, I don’t see what long term harm it could do. Still, I would prefer a more conventional approach.”
“And if the Empire fails?”
“We try unconventional means. Remember, just because the Empire will bring Muunilist back into the fold, do not think that I love the Empire. But for now, it’s the best we can do to further our goals.”
“Besides,” Mr. Conrad stated smiling, “When the Empire controlled Thyferra, Bespin and other former Cryonics holdings, we did stock quite a bit of material. That should endear us to the Empire before they have to deal with LFX.”
“LFX.. now there’s a company. With the speed with which they wanted to control former Imperial holdings one might think they had designs on Coruscant itself.”
Seamus smiled, “One might..” he commented.
“By the way, Ms. Arliss, did you hear that it is no longer styling itself LFX?” Mr. Conrad asked.
“No? What do they call themselves?”
“The Holy Desmo.. Desmo… well.. whatever.. Empire..” he stated.
“Holy?” Jenice said.
“Yes. Ironically, Seti Ashar has found God.”
“If God exists within the boundaries of the Empire, perhaps we should ask Seti for his address so we may bill Him rent.”
Seamus grinned at the CFO’s gumption.
“Ususally people turn to religion when they have committed s crime so heinous they can’t live with themselves.
Mr. Conrad grunted, “Whatever helps him sleep at night.”
Seamus merely gave an overexaggerated sigh. “Why.. why, why do companies turn a blind ear to the ONLY God in the galaxy that has ever aided them? And then only to pursue flights of fancy?”
“What God is that, Seamus?” Jenice asked.
“Why the Almighty Credit, child! The Almighty Credit! Tell me, what good is your religion if you ignore the credit and cannot buy bread?”
“Man cannot live on bread alone..” Jenice stated philosophically.
Seamus snorted derisively at that. “No, but without bread, you die. So what good is your intangible faith then?”
Mr. Conrad laughed at that which, to Jenice, seemed an odd occurance to behold.
“If man cannot live on faith without bread, and yet can live on bread without faith, tell me, which is the stronger?”
“You talk like a Jedi Seminary teacher..” Jenice murmured, has her hand went to her forehead.
“Bah!” Mr Conrad blurted out, “The only thing ‘Holy’ means is that you can fleece your flock with the staple of divine approval." He mimed a religious leader, "‘God spoke to me and had me instruct you to give me your personal shuttle, your house, your wife and daughter so His will be done.’” He looked gravely at the father and daughter, “It’s official. This is a galaxy of fools.”
All three laughed at that.
When they had finished, Jenice seriously asked, “What is to be done when the Empire finishes the reserves?”
Seamus thought long and hard about that for a bit. “We do this..”
And the three talked on into the night.
*
Imperial Center
Jenice Arliss walked into the rather tall dome that house the Empire’s Military Command. Of course, while the come itself rose several stories upward, most of the Military Command was hidden under the planet’s superstructure of relentless urbanization.
“Can I help you, Ms.?”
“Arliss. Jenice Arliss. I am looking for Grand Marshall Kaine.”
“I am sorry, Ms. Arliss. The Grand Marshall is offworld at the moment.”
“Do you know when he will be returning?”
“I am sorry Ms. That information is classified.”
“I spoke with an under-officer and I was directed too..”
“I am sorry Ms. But the Grand Marshall is not here.”
“Very well.” Jenice relented. Most of the time she might have roughed the man over to get her way but this was the Imperial Military she was dealing with. It would not be unheard of for people who made nuisances of themselves to disappear.
As she walked away slowly, passing two Spartans, a voice rang out. “Jenice? Jenice Arliss?”
She turned sharply her eyes scanning the crowd for the origin of the voice. Upon seeing a uniform moving toward her she groped for the man’s name.
“Captain.. Chandler is it? Of the .. Victory?”
“Admiral, now.” Corrected the rather tall and thin man. He was older than the Grand Marshall, his hair having been sprinkled with gray for quite some time. “What brings you to Imperial Center?”
“Business.. and,” she hesitated, “..and I am looking for Simon.”
“The Grand Marshall is offworld.”
“Yes, so the aide informed me. I was hoping…” she then shrugged. “I am here to facilitate Muunilist’s return to the Empire on a more formal level.”
If Admiral Chandler showed any surprise, he kept it hidden. “I see.”
“I was sure… well, I was hoping that since the 256th once used Muunilist as it’s port..” she let the implications remain unspoken.
“Walk with me, Ms. Arliss.”
As the two found their way onto an elevator that descended, Chandler began to speak. “A voluntary admission by Muunilist will be looked on with favor from the governing Moffs.”
“Moffs? The Imperial Senate then is..”
“Dissolved.” Chandler answered confirming her suspicions. “The threat from politicians siding with that New Empire debacle signed the Senate’s death warrant in the eyes of the Regent.”
“Then, anything we can do to curry favor among those handling the administration of the Empire we shall do, of course.”
Chandler smiled, “Of course. But why now?”
“My father and I think we have something that just might prove interesting to Grand Marshall Kaine.”
“That would be?”
“Let’s just say that an assault on Kamino might prove… what? Why are you laughing?”
Chandler’s eyes danced with amusement. “An assault is currently underway as we speak?”
Jenice suddenly looked around and Admiral Chandler waved his hand as if to ward off any worries. “My lady, we are in one of the most secured facilities on the Empire. I assure you,” his grin stretched farther, “only Imperial Intelligence and Military Intelligence have recorded our words.”
As they entered the Admiral’s office, she noted a small model of an Imperial Star Destroyer. When they were both situated, the Admiral looked at her squarely and asked, “What sort of reception could the Empire realistically expect should a reclamation force be sent forth?”
And she told him.
And then she told him of their plans.
After she was finished, the Admiral scratched his chin. "Bold." was all he said at first.
Looking at her intently for a minute, his next words were chosen with some care.
"Kaine would have approved."
And Jenice sat a little higher in her seat causing the Admiral to smile inside.
