Hero of Cartao Part 9

"You think I want Spaarti destroyed?" Roshton asked, his voice icy calm."Those new cloning tanks we were building could conceivably turn the wararound in a matter of months, and this is the only place we can fine-tune theproduction quickly enough to get the most efficient design possible. But atthe same time, we can't let this new D-90 a.s.sault droid line get started,either. I'm sorry, but we're running low on options."

"Just a moment," Doriana said, straightening up and pulling a holoprojector from a belt pouch. "We may have news."

He flicked it on, and an image of an Iktotchi head appeared over theprojection platform, its distinctively shaped horns curving down toward itsshoulders. The words were too faint for Tories to hear, but suddenly Dorianasmiled. "Thank you, General," he said, standing up and walking over toRoshton. "Commander, General FyefeeTiis of the Republic Light Cruiser Whipsawwould like a word with you."

He took the chair beside Roshton, holding up the holoprojector so thatboth of them could see and hear. Without waiting for an invitation, Toriesmoved over to the seat on Roshton's other side. Doriana flashed him a look,but said nothing.

"...with ten fully loaded LAAT/i guns.h.i.+ps at your disposal," General Tiis was saying as Tories sat down.

"That's only four hundred troops," Roshton pointed out doubtfully. "Not

going to do much good against three C-9979s' worth of droids and AATs unless you can knock out their control s.h.i.+p."

"Thank you for the suggestion," Tiis said dryly. "We had in mind to do

just that. The guns.h.i.+ps will be dropped in five minutes; ETA your position inthirty. We'll commence our own attack on the control s.h.i.+p in fifteen." Theimage vanished. "How's that going to work with the Cranscoc timing?" Dorianaasked.

Binalie shrugged as he consulted his chrono. "Sunset's in about ten minutes. By the time the guns.h.i.+ps arrive, it'll be nearly full dark."

"So we have a chance of getting the Separatists out before they canretool," Doriana concluded. "Excellent. What's the plan from this end,Commander?"

"Basically, to engage the enemy," Roshton said, pulling out his comlink.

"Between the incoming guns.h.i.+ps and my own clone troopers, we should beable to cause a fair amount of chaos out there. With luck, that may distractthe Neimoidians long enough for us to get in through the tunnel and retake theplant."

"You can't do that," Binalie objected.

"We'll be as careful as we can," Roshton said.

"That's not what I meant," Binalie said. "That Neimoidian commander- Ashel-said they'd sealed their end of the tunnel."

"Sealed it so well that a Jedi with a lightsaber can't get in?" Roshton shook his head. "I doubt that very much."

"You'll still be risking damage to Spaarti," Doriana pointed out. "Whynot wait until the control s.h.i.+p has been destroyed? The Neimoidians certainlywon't put up a fight once their army's out of commission."

"Two reasons," Roshton said. "One, because I wouldn't put it pastSeparatists to start wrecking things as soon as they know they've lost. Andtwo-" he grimaced. "I should be out there with my men, not skulking arounddown here. The sooner I can get into action, the better."

"That's a pretty poor basis for tactical decisions," Doriana warned. "And Lord Binalie is right: we don't want any fighting inside the plant."

"Tell that to the Neimoidians," Roshton said shortly. "As of nineteen minutes from now, that'll be their decision, not mine."

"Just a minute," Tories said slowly as Roshton lifted his comlink, bitsand pieces of an idea starting to swirl around in his mind. A strange, dangerous idea, but one that might work for all that. "What if we could get all thedroids to come outside to fight?" "And how do you persuade them to do that?"Binalie growled. "Neimoidians are cowards-they wouldn't just send their guardsmarching away. Especially not with a possible tunnel attack to guard against."

"Unless they thought the tunnel was secure," Tories pointed out. "And thought the factory perimeter wasn't." Binalie blinked. "You've lost me."

"Of course," Roshton said, sitting up straighter. "Like I said, they know

a Jedi can probably break through the tunnel. They also know, from bitter experience, what it's like to face one in battle."

"So what are you suggesting?" Doriana asked, frowning. "That we put Master Tories outside with your clone troopers?"

"Exactly," Roshton said. "Leading a charge against, say, the plant's east door. They'd have no choice but to throw everything they have at us." Doriana snorted gently. "Sounds suicidal."

"Not for a Jedi," Binalie said, his voice and sense suddenly tense withcautious hope as he saw a chance of getting his factory back intact. "Youcould do it, Master Tories. I know you could."

"Please?" Corf added, gazing pleadingly at Tories. "Just a moment,"Doriana put in. "I'm not at all sure I can authorize an action like this. Anattack of any sort will put the plant at serious risk."

"It's that, or the plant stays in Separatist hands," Roshton pointed out.

"Who's side are you on here, anyway?"

"Don't be insulting," Doriana said coldly. "You want to keep the enemy

busy while the Whipsaw tries to take out the control s.h.i.+p, go right ahead. But keep away from Spaarti."

"Trust us, Master Doriana," Roshton said. "Or rather, trust in the Jedi."

Doriana grimaced. "Well, when you put it that way... all right." Roshton looked at Tories. "Master Tories?"

"Let's see first if I can get through the droids upstairs," Tories said, getting to his feet.

"Let's see if we can get through them," Roshton corrected, standing up to join him. "Like I said, I need to be with my men." "You're both insane,"

Doriana declared. "But if everyone else is going, I might as well, too."

Roshton shook his head. "Sorry. No offense, but I don't want any bureaucrats getting in the way."

"None taken," Doriana a.s.sured him. "But as the Supreme Chancellor'srepresentative here, I not only have the right to come with you, but I'm moreor less required to do so." Roshton grimaced. "Fine-have it your own way. Thenif we're ready...?" Corf took a breath - "No," Tories said firmly before theboy could speak. "You and your father are staying right here." "But-"

"Corf," Binalie said warningly.

The boy subsided. "Right," Roshton said, clicking on his comlink. "Let's get this off the launch pad."

Doriana never did learn how many droids the Neimoidians had left insidethe Binalie mansion. All he knew was that there were eight of them between thethree humans and the outside door. Tories dealt with all eight swiftly,efficiently, and amazingly quietly.

There were a few others on patrol outside, strutting around in the gathering dusk as if they owned the place. The Jedi dealt with those, too.

It was over five kilometers to the staging area Roshton and hislieutenant had settled on during their brief comlink communication.Fortunately, two of the clone troopers had managed to sneak a smalllandspeeder through the droid patrols and were waiting for them at the easternedge of the Binalie estate. A short ride, with frequent zigzags and occasionalpauses under cover, and they were there.

The clone trooper lieutenant was waiting when the landspeeder pulled up,standing quietly in the concealment of a group of trees perhaps a kilometerfrom the blank walls of the Spaarti plant. "Welcome, Commander," he greetedRoshton as the newcomers stepped up to him. "Glad you could make it."

"So am I," Roshton said. "Situation?"

"I've pulled together two hundred troops," the lieutenant said, gesturingaround him. Doriana looked around, but wherever the troops were hiding, theywere doing a good job of it. "The rest are still in the city, dodging thedroids' house-to-house search," the lieutenant continued. "At last report theguns.h.i.+ps were still approaching from the south; they should reach missilerange in approximately five minutes, and laser-cannon range two minutes afterthat. Their first salvo will be our troops' signal to attack."

"What about the control s.h.i.+p?" Roshton asked.

The lieutenant nodded his helmet slightly upwards. 'That attack seems to have already begun."

Doriana looked up. It was difficult to tell through the light cloudsdrifting across the sky, but he thought he could see faint flickers of laserfire. "Any idea how it's going?" he asked.

"General Tiis hasn't taken the time to keep us up to date," the lieutenant said, a bit dryly.

"That's all right," Roshton said. "If and when he destroys it, it should be easy to figure out. What's the local enemy status?"

"The Number Two C-9979 is approximately three kilometers to our south,"the lieutenant said. "Most of their troops have been deployed to the s.p.a.ceportand eastern Foulahn City, but there are at least three AATs and probably twohundred battle droids standing by on guard duty."

"Three kilometers," Doriana said, peering off that direction at the deceptively cheery city lights in the distance. "Isn't that a little close?"

"It's extremely close," Roshton agreed. "And deliberately so. If you'dever fought the Neimoidians before, you'd know they dearly love overwhelminG.o.dds. I'm betting that the chance to catch our group in a crossfire will betoo tempting for them to pa.s.s up."

He turned to Tories. "Any last thoughts or suggestions, Master Tories?"For a moment, Tories gazed out toward the wall of the plant, now little morethan a vague shape against the darkening sky. Doriana gazed in turn at theoutline of Tories' profile, watching the glint of his white hair in the dimlight, wondering what kind of thoughts were going through that Jedi-trainedmind.

How did Jedi think, he wondered suddenly. He knew something of how theyacted and reacted, and as the man who often delivered Palpatine's messages tothe Jedi Council, he had long since learned how to use their concerns andpriorities to persuade them to do what he wanted.

But how exactly did they think'! Was it basically the same as normalpeople? Or was there something about their training that left them more alienthan any of the species making up the Republic?

In the distance to the south came the faint sound of multiple explosions.As it was joined by the stutter of blaster fire, Tories seemed to straightenfully up. "Nothing comes to mind, Commander," he said, sliding hislightsaberfrom beneath his robes. "Let's do it."

He set off toward Spaarti Creations, walking with a swift, firm pace.Three steps into the trip, he ignited his lightsaber, the green blade blazingupward like a beacon as he strode off into the darkness. "Well, don't juststand there, Lieutenant," Roshton said.

"Yes, sir," the other said, sounding a bit startled by the Jedi's bold move. "All troops: advance."

Doriana felt his breath catch in his throat. Suddenly, the area aroundthem was swarming with clone troopers, emerging from shadows or piles ofleaves or from beneath camouflage ground covers. They set off behind Tories,forming into neat ranks as they went.

Roshton was saying something. "I'm sorry?" Doriana said, tearing his eyes away from the silent soldiers.

"I asked if the Supreme Chancellor's representative would care to join us," the commander repeated as he slipped on a clone trooper headset.

"Thank you, but I think I'll stay here," Doriana said, getting his mindback to business. "I've already seen your men in action, but I haven't had achance to observe General Tiis's troops."

He couldn't see Roshton's expression in the darkness, but there was no mistaking the cynical edge in his voice. "Of course," the commander said.