Uninvited Guest (IV)

The main hall of the domed structure bore clear signs that this base was a permanent location. Yes, you could bring and take away cargo here, but such a structure—with a huge tree inside the building—could not be assembled and transported to a new place.

Consequently, it will take considerable time for Karrde to evacuate this base. And I'm almost sure that he will certainly curtail his activities on Myrkr.

Here, in his lair, he considered himself safe. A little-known planet, flora that interferes with communication systems... An ideal place to hole up in case of any problems. "My home is my castle."

But today, with not the most ingenious trick, I proved to him that even here he cannot feel safe. This means he will move somewhere to a reserve base.

And this is good. Let's see how well this guy can hide.

A small camp table stood almost in the center of the room, enticing with the smell of delicious dishes. But I didn't come here to fill my stomach.

"Please, Grand Admiral," Karrde pointed to one of three elegant high-backed chairs arranged around the table. "Let me demonstrate all the cordiality of a hospitable host."

"I don't see any problem with this," without taking advantage of the invitation to sit at the table, I stood behind the chair on which Mara Jade intended to sit. "However, even a hospitable owner and employer must remember the rules of etiquette in relation to a lady."

The red-haired woman again tried to scorch me with her emerald eyes, but was met with the complete indifference demonstrated by me. She looked away, sitting down on a chair. Moving it towards the table, I noticed that Karrde was watching everything with great interest. Well, so be it. The more doubts in his head, the better.

Settling down at the table, I didn't even think about moving closer to him. Karrde, taking the hint that no meal was expected, looked at me curiously. Mara, on the other hand, decided to calm her nerves with a glass of red wine.

"Won't your servant join us?" Karrde asked curiously.

"No," I said, without going into detail about the status, personality, and tasks assigned to Rukh on this journey. Karrde will not be saved even by the fact that the Noghri is the only one at their base. The task assigned to the bodyguard will be completed. While I'm playing for time for him, I'm also undermining the authority of the smuggler himself in the eyes of Mara Jade.

It was only for her sake that I decided to arrive on Myrkr in accordance with the schedule, knowing that Karrde's fighters were on the planet. It will be a pity if the bet doesn't work out, but war is such a thing—sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

"Not a bad place," I said, looking appraisingly at the interior of the room. Work area, small arsenal, and containers. Among the unnecessary items is a chair with its back turned... on the seat of which are pieces of armrests stacked. I wonder who tried so hard. "And yet, it seems to me that a reasonable person of your level could find a more decent place to communicate with clients."

"You are right here," Karrde smiled. "My organization uses more decent worlds for meetings with clients. This base... is something like a personal refuge."

"Well," I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms over my chest. "If I knew the location of this base, I would fly there."

"It's quite difficult to find," Karrde smiled.

"But it's easy to find your people," I noted. "Rumors claim that you are a person who never hides anything from his people..."

The statement is like an accusation thrown in the face of the Claw. In the presence of Mara, he cannot say the opposite—this would create distrust in him. But he is in no hurry to confirm my words, realizing that this was said for a reason.

However, I will be satisfied with his silence.

"I'm sure that's true," I continue, looking at the ceiling. "So it wouldn't be difficult for me to find your main base."

"And is this for him?" Karrde asked.

"Of course, for the sake of mutually beneficial cooperation," I assured him. "As a particularly valuable and generous client, of course."

"I don't remember your name on the list of clients of our organization," Mara said, staring at the table. The tone seemed calm, but the slight trembling of the wine in the glass indicated her impatience.

"Well," I said, ignoring Karrde's attempt to speak. "This list should be updated with my name. 'Thrawn.' Easy to write, easy to remember."

"I'm afraid my organization is unable to satisfy your requests," Karrde said quickly.

"Are you sure about this?" I looked at him. "You don't even know them."

"The whole galaxy knows them," Jade said. "You need ships. The bigger, the better..."

"And here comes the crux of the situation," Karrde picked up. "My people are smugglers. We don't hijack starships, especially combat ones."

"Sometimes it's not even necessary to steal them," I noted philosophically. "Sometimes they float into the hands themselves." Karrde's pupils dilated, his hands tensed. But he quickly composed himself, probably convinced that I couldn't know what only he knew. "You just need to make a choice—whose side are you on, 'Claw.' Mine or someone else's."

"Neither I nor my organization choose sides," he said. "This is an unwritten rule."

"Of course," I said, noting the subtle smile on Jade's lips. She believes her boss's words. Well, let's see how severe her shock will be. "I heard about your principles of non-interference. In our difficult circumstances, when the war between the Empire and the New Republic has been going on for many years now," the red-haired woman threw me a look, "not choosing sides is the simplest and most profitable thing. I'm sure your business thrives on working both sides."

"We have some credit cards," the smuggler said vaguely. "We trade rare goods, now with one side, now with the other..."

"It's profitable to build such a business," I confirmed. "By any chance, do you have capture systems, ion cannons, turbolasers, and TIE fighters lying around anywhere?"

Mara glanced quickly at Karrde, who was suspiciously quiet. And the smuggler himself diligently pretended that he did not understand what he was being told.

"I see that you are confused," shaking my head, I looked at Jade. This performance is working on all possible fronts. For Karrde—to feel his vulnerability and take a closer look at Jade, starting to be interested in her past. For Mara, this is a reason to doubt the noble frankness of the "Claw" with its people.

The girl became attached to this team, which picked her up on the sidelines of life during the saddest period of her life. But she did not forget her old habits. She is fiercely loyal to those who are frank with her. Otherwise, the stereotypes in her head will collapse. And then she is vulnerable to third-party offers.

The redhead remained silent, preferring to take a sip.

"Well, I'm a little disappointed," I looked at Karrde again. "Until now, I was sure that the New Republic was never able to buy back from you all the military equipment that you received from Booster Terrik as soon as he took possession of the Imperial-class Star Destroyer of the second model. What was its name, Karrde, do you remember?"

"No," he said a little faster than he should have. A dangerous light flashed in his emerald eyes.

"Malice," I said. "The Star Destroyer that Booster Terrik captured in the Yag'Dhul system a couple of years ago. Brand new, not even damaged in battle. Unlike the similar Star Destroyer Liberty, Captain Yonki. The latter suffered extremely badly in the battle for Thyferra. So much so that there was even a proposal that Terrik, who did not want to give up the Star Destroyer he had personally captured, would take the battered Malice. It's strange that you don't remember this, Karrde, because it was you who came up with the scheme by which Terrik was left with a partially disarmed, but fully combat-ready Star Destroyer. My memory rarely fails me, but it seems that you got a huge amount of military goods from the disarmed Malice. And they intended to sell them to the New Republic... for thirty-five million. On credit, given the sad economic situation of the new owners of Coruscant. Correct me if I'm wrong somewhere."

"You are surprisingly precise in your words, Grand Admiral," instead of a face, Karrde had only a mask of complete emotional renunciation. I wish I could be precise—I spent several hours racking my brains over what events you were involved in before. Unfortunately for you, the X-Wing series of books was one of my favorites. As well as the work of writer Timothy Zahn, who gave readers such a genius as Thrawn. "Which is strange, considering that you returned to the explored part of the galaxy a little less than a year ago."

"You're pretty knowledgeable too, Talon," I nodded, watching Jade refill her glass. "I wouldn't be surprised if you know for sure where I was and what I was doing."

"Any information costs money, Grand Admiral," Karrde relaxed a little.

"That's why I'm ready to pay you for the remnants of the property that remained after the disarmament of Malice," the smuggler quickly exchanged glances with his first assistant. "I'm sure the New Republic didn't buy everything from you. I would find such products very useful."

"I'm sorry, but I have to disappoint you," said Karrde. "Over the years, the New Republic has managed to find the necessary funds. Everything was sold to them."

"Sorry to hear that," I sighed. "There was hope that somewhere there was something lying around in your, without a doubt, endless warehouses."

"If I had known in advance that you would be interested in such a product, I would have held it," Karrde lied.

"Yes, it's a pity," I confirmed. "After all, this deal could confirm your words about neutrality. We purchased weapons from a third party, sold some to the Empire, and some to the New Republic. And somehow it turns out one-sided..."

"Such goods have not been delayed lately," Karrde continued to press his line.

"Perhaps you have one of the same type?" I asked. "The Empire has lost a lot, starting with the death of Emperor Palpatine. I have no doubt that such a decent businessman as you are has exclusive offers for special clients."

"As I already said," Karrde said with emphasis. "I don't have ships."

"It's interesting that you mentioned ships specifically," Mara Jade was already literally devouring her boss with her gaze. And even though she tried not to show her emotions, her eyes were more than eloquent. "The fact that you don't have them, I remembered the first time. There is no need to repeat this unless you want me to begin to doubt the veracity of your words. I repeat—I am interested in absolutely any Imperial property. At least stormtrooper armor."

"Is it really that bad with supplies in Oskol?" Jade looked at me. "Since you are ready to buy what was once the most affordable armor in the Empire on the black market. And even more so—in not the best condition."

"You see, Mistress Jade," I looked into her eyes. "The Empire before the Battle of Endor possessed colossal resources. Many of them are truly unique. But it just so happened that the redistribution of power that took place in my absence led to the fact that a significant part of the unique resource was not in demand, falling into private hands. I intend to correct this and restore the Empire to its former glory. Including with the help of wasted resources."

"And what do you intend to do with those resources that do not want to return?" she asked cautiously. Karrde watched us with interest.

"I will be very disappointed," some relief appeared on the girl's face. "And first of all, to those who managed these resources. After all, an army blaster falling into the wrong hands is possible not only in battle but also due to the oversight of the one who held the blaster in his hands and selected the targets."

I hope I didn't overdo it with hints about Palpatine, whom Jade personally served. It was he who chose the lead for her. And only his mercy provided her with everything necessary for a comfortable life without need.

"Perhaps you will be so kind as to tell us how you intend to manage the resources that you want to return?" she asked.

"I'm afraid this information already goes beyond the credit of trust that I gave to Mr. Karrde's organization today," looking at the "Claw," I rejoiced when I saw his cautious and wary glances toward Jade. "But I dare to assure that every resource returned will serve the cause of restoring peace and order in the galaxy."

"Even if the rulers of the Imperial Remnant are against it?" asked Karrde.

"The opinion of those who led the Empire to the state in which it is now interests me the least," Jade and I met. And now there was a little less hatred and suspicion splashing in her eyes. But there was still a modicum of hope there. Already good.

Karrde is quite smart and perceptive not to draw conclusions from our conversation with Jade. At the very least, it's a crazy idea that Mara previously worked for the Empire. Pellaeon's words that we know her identity, talk about returning "resources"—especially Mara's interest in the consequences of returning—will help him draw the right conclusion.

Karrde loves his organization. And he must understand that Mara's loyalty to someone other than him puts his people at risk. Let's see what wins—his devotion to those who have served him for many years, or, in a certain sense, interest in this girl.

"Well," I said, getting up from the table. "It's a pity that you and I couldn't find common ground, Mr. Karrde. I hope that in the future we will have more than one good reason to meet in person."

"If I find anything that ever belonged to the Empire or falls within the criteria you communicated," Karrde followed me, "I will consider you my first client."

"Your work will be valued at the highest rate," I assured him. "Would you mind if your first mate would accompany me to the shuttle?"

"Yes, of course," Karrde couldn't believe his luck. "Yes," he realized. "Mara, please escort the Grand Admiral."

"Are you already leaving?" the red-haired beast was curious.

"Yes," I assured her, looking into the eyes of Mara Jade approaching me. "Everything I wanted to do, I have already done."

And yet, I must admit that Luke Skywalker was incredibly lucky with the choice of his future wife. Or, it would be more correct to say—lucky.

 Or not lucky.