章節 47: From each according to his ability... (VII)
"You know what, Grand Admiral," Yazuo Vane could barely contain his anger as he glared at the impassive hologram of the Imperial commander. "Your games are absolutely absurd!" We had an agreement—a dozen ships in exchange for my crew. I delivered the ships as promised. But no one mentioned dragging me to a Ubiqtorate base! Damn it, my well-being is still of value to me!
The Grand Admiral listened to the outburst with calm indifference, then casually inspected his gloves.
"Mr. Vane," he said in a composed tone, "I understand your concerns regarding my orders. I'm even willing to see things from your perspective. After all, you'll be risking your prized assets by setting foot in an Imperial facility that has spent five and a half years hunting down those involved in the theft of twenty Tartan-class patrol cruisers and seven Carrack-class cruisers." The half-breed pirate felt a cold shiver down his spine. How could they possibly know? Since when did the Imperials get so adept at connecting the dots? "I suggest we stop wasting my time and drop the innocent act. I'm not interested in your past, nor do I intend to prosecute you for stealing Imperial property. That is, of course, if you return it voluntarily as a gesture of goodwill and respect for the Empire. It wouldn't be hard to concoct a believable cover story to clear your name. So, let's test your honesty. How many Tartans do you have left?"
"Three," Yazuo lied, growing increasingly uneasy with this Imperial.
"I'm disappointed in your lack of sincerity, Mister Vane," the Grand Admiral responded with a trace of disapproval. "But considering that you generously handed over a dozen Tartans without charge..."
Damn him... Yazuo squirmed in his captain's chair, casting a nervous glance at the Strike-class medium cruiser hovering nearby.
"...I'll overlook this minor deceit," the blue-skinned officer continued. How did someone like him become an Imperial officer, given their notorious disdain for non-humans? "Furthermore, as a token of appreciation for your cooperation, I will fulfill my end of the deal—and return all your crew members who experienced Imperial hospitality. They'll soon be at the Imperial base on Tangren." Yazuo clenched his teeth. Crafty, isn't he? Either fly to the Ubiqtorate base or forget about your subordinates. If he refused to retrieve the prisoners, the rest of the crew would think Vane had lost his nerve and abandoned their comrades. His reputation would take a hit, possibly leading to a mutiny. "Well, since we have no further reason to work together, you're free to leave..."
"With pleasure," Vane retorted. "I'll just fire up the engines. And the farther I get, the better. The Hutt can keep the other ships—someone will find a use for the remaining six in the Pentastar Alignment, for instance. Not this scheming, red-eyed devil. But first, I need to figure out how to rescue my crew..."
"However, I have a more substantial offer for you. And this time, it's a paying job."
Yeah, we've seen how your 'payments' work. You give them everything, and not only do they swipe fourteen starships from under your nose, but they also take your crew hostage and drag you to places you'd never visit in your right mind. All so Imperial Intelligence can nail you for a theft from nearly six years ago.
"After everything that's happened, I'm not exactly eager to work with the Empire," Yazuo Vane said, his voice tinged with bitterness.
"No one is asking you to work for the Empire," the Grand Admiral clarified. "You'd be working for me personally."
What? How is that any different? Aren't the Grand Admiral and the Empire one and the same?
"I'm completely lost here," Yazuo admitted, wincing. "What's the difference?"
"You don't need to know," Thrawn replied. "The important thing is, you will be paid for your services, with some attractive bonuses on top."
"Sounds intriguing," Yazuo scratched his ear thoughtfully. "And what's the job?"
"First, deliver the six remaining Tartans to the Pakuuni system," the Grand Admiral instructed. "You will be paid in full for them. Considering that you wouldn't get even half their value anywhere else, this should cover most of your losses. After that, head to the Tangren system—I will be waiting. If you agree to work for me, you'll have no trouble with the Empire. If you don't... well, let's just say, I don't make offers that can be refused."
It's clear what's happening here. Say "no" now, and that Strike-class cruiser will open fire, leaving nothing but debris. Say "yes" and then back out later, and you'll face even bigger problems. Besides, the New Republic almost caught him when he tried to sell a single Tartan four years ago...
On the other hand... six Tartans at full price amounts to just over twenty-five million. That's a fortune that could be put to good use. Plus, the crew wouldn't have to grumble about scraping by with petty raids when they're sitting on a gold mine. And there's the promise of more work from the Imperials...
"Can you at least give me a hint about the nature of this job," Yazuo suggested. "I'll think about how best to prepare while I'm en route to Tangren."
"The details will be discussed in person, Mr. Vane," the Grand Admiral replied. "But to keep you entertained during your journey, I suggest reading an article on the HoloNet called 'Privateering.'"
As the hologram faded, a predatory grin spread across the half-breed's face. Glancing at his crew, who were watching him expectantly, the pirate's smile grew even more menacing.
"Well, it looks like we've hit the jackpot, boys," he declared. "Contact the base—let's bring those Imperial ships over here."
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