Star Wars - Bottleneck by John Jackson Miller

Author:John Jackson Miller
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“You could buy one of my holos. It would save time.”

“I have seen them,” Tarkin said. He lifted a datapad. “I have also seen here a response from one of your other underlings. He suggests my curiosity is justified.”

Vidian paused. “Baron Danthe?”

“The same.”

The cyborg laughed. “Baron Danthe is a lying, disloyal hypocrite—and jealous of my position. In the business community, and now the Empire.”

“A wonder you allow him to work for you.”

“As you well know, we are not always given the choice of whom we work with.”

“Just so.” Tarkin smirked. He, too, thought Danthe was a lying, disloyal hypocrite, an opinion formed after their sole holographic encounter that afternoon.

“I have no time for political games,” Vidian said, artificial voice booming. “This is about finding the most efficient path to what the Emperor wants. Indeed, what he demands.” He stuck a metallic finger in Tarkin’s direction. “You’ve been interfering with my directives all week. You’re outside your department—and beyond your competence. Now step away.”

Tarkin simply stared at the cyborg. “Do those tactics work on the laborers?” he drily asked. “Because I assure you, they have no effect on me.”

“Step away, Grand Moff. I will fix this planet, myself!” Vidian spun on his heel and departed.

Tarkin clasped his hands and thought as Vidian’s clanking footfalls receded. The Grand Moff knew what his bailiwick was, but he had often found that others did not. Both the aristocracy and the industrialists retained some power within their spheres, and that muddled things. Vidian belonged to both classes and had a mandate from the Emperor.

Tarkin had no doubt whose side Palpatine would take in any conflict. Perhaps Vidian thought the same. If the count wanted to test their assumptions, so be it.

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