Catalyst

by James Luceno

  “Took them to see what you had done, you mean.” Tarkin grinned. “How self-cleansing that must have been for you!”

  “Their reactions forced me to take a hard look at myself.”

  Tarkin gazed at him. “I honestly don’t know whether to laugh or shed a tear. Here I’ve been thinking of you as a talented smuggler and able mercenary, and now I learn that you’re more a sentimental chaperone.”

  Has tried to prop himself higher on the cot. “The chaperoning was Commander Krennic’s idea.”

  Tarkin’s brows quirked in renewed interest. “Whatever for?”

  Has gave up on struggling against the cuffs. “The idea was to make sure they didn’t get into any trouble. One of them is the wife of an important scientist, and I had history with the family.”

  “What scientist?” Tarkin said, hardening his gaze.

  “His name is Galen Erso.”

  Tarkin’s eyes widened in genuine revelation, and he brought his fingers to his chin. “The energy specialist.”

  Has didn’t answer immediately. Had he lucked onto finding common ground with the moff? “You know him?” he asked finally.

  “What history do you have with the Ersos?”

  “I assisted in rescuing them from Vallt during the war. That’s when I first met Commander Krennic. I didn’t know that Erso was still involved with Krennic, because it seemed to me at the time that Erso wanted no part of anything military.”

  Tarkin didn’t bother to mask his surprise. “Galen Erso is working with Commander Krennic?”

  “Lyra—his wife—said so.”

  Tarkin blinked. “So it’s Erso who’s responsible for that new set of rank squares on his tunic,” he said, mostly to himself.

  Has instantly regretted his disclosures. Had he put Lyra and Jyn in danger by shooting off his mouth? Whatever the source of the obvious rivalry between the two Imperials, Galen Erso seemed to be a part of it.

  Tarkin was grinning at him.

  “You and I have both been played by a rather brilliant strategist. Commander Krennic reconnected you with Lyra Erso to spur your treachery at Salient, and your treachery here has drawn me into Krennic’s duplicity.”

  Has’s thoughts raced. Was there some way to warn Lyra? Tarkin was regarding him once more, clearly in the midst of doing some strategizing of his own.

  “You’ve caused me a good deal of trouble, Captain,” the moff said at long last, “but I’m going to give you a chance to redeem yourself.”

  —

  In Jyn’s room, which Galen had swept for listening devices, he sat in concentrated silence at the compact computers and holoprojectors he had relocated from elsewhere in the facility.

  Lyra paced nervously behind, waiting for him to deliver a verdict. A standard week had passed since their hushed conversation on the footpaths, and Nari’s holodata reports regarding Malpaz and Hypori had arrived only standard hours earlier. In Lyra’s brief conversation with her friend, Nari had said that Hypori was as far a jump as she had ever taken, and not a world she was eager to revisit, using the words vile and corrupt to describe what she had seen. But Nari hadn’t speculated on any of the images or readings recorded by the survey ship’s sensors, and Lyra hadn’t asked. Nari was already too deeply involved in what might be construed as a conspiracy or espionage, and Lyra didn’t want to provide her and Galen’s unseen watchers with more ammunition than they already had.

  “Hypori wasn’t phased out,” Galen said finally. “It was destroyed.”

  “Anarchists,” Lyra started to say when he cut her off.

  “Not by anarchists or Separatist holdouts, but by Imperial Star Destroyer–grade turbolasers.” Galen turned away from the humming, chirping devices to look at her. “It’s more accurate to say that the installation was scoured.”

  Lyra had come to a standstill and was regarding him in astonishment. “But we know it was a Celestial Power facility.”

  Galen’s nod confirmed it. “There’s no doubt about that.”

  “Then why would the Empire destroy one of its own installations? Was there some sort of contaminant leak?”

  Galen motioned to the bank of instruments. “There’s no evidence of that.”

  “Maybe to keep the place from falling into the hands of insurgents.”

  Galen nodded again. “It’s a pleasant fantasy.” He gestured to a holo running above one of the holoprojectors. “Hypori hosts a former Baktoid Armor droid factory that might date to ten or maybe as many as thirty standard years before the war. That facility is still more or less intact, possibly even operational, but everything around it—including a couple of newer, retrofitted structures—was laid to waste.”

  “Can you tell when it happened?”

  “Recently—so recently the area is still hot. I’d guess within a couple of standard weeks. Not more than a month.” Galen fell briefly silent.

  Lyra recalled the Star Destroyer she had observed at Samovar, bringing its turbolasers to bear on vast areas of pristine forest. “Malpaz also?” she asked hesitantly.

  Galen’s expression went from disconsolate to angry. “Malpaz’s destruction is owed at least in part to kyber crystal diffraction.”

  She gaped at him. “But you told me—”

  “I know what I told you. The same thing that Orson told me: that anarchists were responsible. But it was all a lie.” He gritted his teeth. “They’ve been attempting to weaponize my research.”

  “Galen,” she said, as if all the air had gone out of her.

  He swung back to the screens and holoprojectors. “Neither Malpaz nor Hypori was an energy facility. They were weapons research sites. The comps have been able to recognize what were once the collimator shafts of immense lasers, focusing coils, and energy inducers.” He shook his head back and forth. “But it’s all beginning to make sense now. The vanishing shipments of dolovite and doonium, Orson’s delay in furnishing me with data on the energy experiments—the test-fires, for all I know—perhaps even his mention during the war of the unique military installation he was working on.” He shut his eyes and blew out his breath. “I’ve been a fool, Lyra.”

  Equally distraught, she rested her hand on his shoulder. “You couldn’t have known. We couldn’t have known.”

  He shot her a look. “No? If I hadn’t been so blind…”

  “Is it possible that even Orson isn’t aware of some of this? Or is that wishing for too much?”

  Galen stood and strode away from the devices. “He’s coming here,” he said with sudden force, pivoting to face her. “He made it sound like just another social call, but I think he wants to check on us. If you’re right about surveillance, then he knows that both of us have been trying to get to the truth.”

  She took her lower lip between her teeth. “What can we do?”

  He thought about it, then said: “We can allay his suspicions.”

  “How?”

  “I think we can safely admit to having some concerns, but we don’t theorize about disappearances. We underplay everything.” Galen narrowed his eyes at her. “Can you do that?”

  Lyra firmed her lips. The destruction visited on Malpaz and Hypori didn’t explain the disappearances of Dagio and Reeva. Was that Galen’s ultimate fate? Was it theirs?

  “I’ll certainly try,” she told him.

  KRENNIC ARRIVED LATE AND WITHOUT any bottles of vintage wine, but in the company of two stormtroopers who remained at the facility landing zone with the airspeeder. On seeing him, Jyn refused to leave her room, so Lyra left her in the care of Mac-Vee. She might not have been able to articulate her reasons for disliking Krennic, but her wariness was plain as day.

  “All-Species Week has made the traffic even worse than normal,” he said by way of explanation and apology once the three of them were seated in the residence’s upper-story sitting room, Coruscant’s cityscape sparkling outside the tall windows. “I only hope I haven’t ruined the evening entirely.”

  “No problem, Orson,” Galen said. “We appreci
ate your visiting.”

  Krennic lifted an eyebrow and dumped the friendly tone. “Do you? As busy as both of you have been?”

  Galen forced a smile. “The research and Jyn keep us on our feet.”

  “Yes, how is the child?” Krennic asked, all but sneering. “Into everything, I’ll bet.”

  Lyra spoke to it. “She’s very inquisitive.”

  Krennic smiled without showing his teeth. “So like her parents.”

  “I’m thinking about taking her to visit my mother on Aria Prime,” Lyra went on.

  Krennic looked at her. “Indeed. Well, be sure to let me know if you require any assistance in arranging travel. Even though the space lanes are essentially safe, one should take care where one ventures.”

  The subtext wasn’t lost on her. “With anarchists and all,” she said. “I tried to convince Galen to come along, but he won’t leave his work.”

  Krennic nodded gravely in Galen’s direction. “The Empire values dedication. Especially when it’s unswerving.” His gaze returned to Lyra. “Still, it’s important to make time for family and friends.”

  She kept her response neutral. “Where would any of us be without friendship.”

  “Speaking of which,” Krennic said, “were you ever successful in contacting Reeva Demesne? I recall your asking after her, Galen, and I haven’t been able to track her down.”

  “It’s the strangest thing,” Lyra answered for him, “but she’s nowhere to be found.”

  Krennic appeared to ponder it. “I wonder if she left or was dismissed from the program.”

  “Dagio Belcoze, then Reeva,” Galen interjected. “I guess research isn’t for everyone.”

  “Certainly not for the faint of heart or the unfaithful,” Krennic told him. “If memory serves, Reeva was on Hypori last.”

  “That’s where she was when she commed us,” Lyra said, unable to stop herself. “What sort of facility does Celestial Power have there?”

  Krennic glowered at her. “At the moment, none. An industrial accident required that it be shut down.”

  Lyra feigned surprise. “That’s terrible.”

  “Quite,” Krennic said. “The Empire had a lot invested in the place.”

  Lyra locked eyes with him. “Any luck in identifying the ones responsible for destroying Malpaz?”

  “Not yet. Why do you ask?”

  “Curiosity.”

  “Hardly an appropriate justification for discussing matters of Imperial security.”

  “I know what I risk by asking,” Lyra said before Galen could cut her off.

  Sudden color mottled Krennic’s face. “I’m finding that harder and harder to believe.”

  “I’m just wondering if we’re in any danger,” Lyra said.

  “You personally?”

  “As employees of Celestial Power, I mean.”

  Krennic put his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. “Are you actually frightened, Lyra, or is this another ploy to undermine the work Galen is doing?”

  “She’s not trying to undermine anything, Orson,” Galen said. “She’s simply concerned.”

  Krennic kept his eyes on Lyra. “As what—a mother, a wife, or a troublemaker?”

  “Orson—” Galen started to say.

  “I’m sorry, but we’re not playing some parlor game tonight. I arranged for the expedition to Alpinn because I wanted Lyra to feel included in the program. But instead of confining herself to the assignment, what do she and her friend do but jump around the Western Reaches visiting worlds the Empire is mining for resources critical to Celestial Power. And now she’s worried about anarchists.” He riveted his eyes on her. “Lyra Erso, galactic detective. You should know better.” He glanced at Galen. “Both of you should know better.”

  “Just assure us that Dagio and Reeva are safe,” Galen said.

  Krennic touched his chest. “Are you implying that I had some hand in removing them from the program?”

  “Of course not,” Lyra said, “but Reeva wouldn’t simply leave without telling us.”

  Krennic firmed his lips. “I honestly can’t say where she is.”

  “Can’t say or don’t know?” Lyra pressed.

  “Enough of this,” Galen said in a rush. “Lyra, Orson isn’t obliged to breach his security oath just because we have questions.” He looked at Krennic. “Still, you can’t blame us for having concerns.”

  “Perhaps if I was convinced it was mere concern,” Krennic said.

  Galen shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

  “Don’t you see what Lyra’s really trying to do? She’s using these alleged concerns to persuade you to abandon your research. Her goal is to keep you to herself—to stand in the way of your legacy.”

  “Legacy?” Lyra repeated in genuine bafflement.

  “Orson, please,” Galen said, completely unnerved. “We only want to be reassured that we’re not being lied to and that we’re not in any danger.”

  Instead of responding to Galen, Krennic addressed Lyra. “You have no idea what you’re fooling with. This is much bigger than me. This is much bigger than all three of us. I warned you not to go down this path.”

  “Then I guess another warning is in order, Orson,” Galen said.

  Krennic was taken off his guard, but not for long. “So you confided in him that we had a chat.”

  Lyra shrugged. “I told you that we don’t keep things from each other.”

  Back on track, Krennic nodded. “Precisely the reason I approached you.” His gaze shifted to Galen. “I knew that Lyra had reservations about your research with kybers, and I was worried that her concerns might prompt you to compromise your security oath as a means of justifying your work. I couldn’t abide the thought of you ending up in prison—again—so I cautioned her that prying could lead to questions regarding her loyalty. But I did so only for her own sake.”

  “You should have come to me,” Galen said, sounding more dejected than angry.

  “You have my deepest apologies,” Krennic said in a calmer voice. “I sensed that you were nearing a breakthrough, and I was merely trying to keep you from being distracted.” He paused for a long moment, then added: “I was wrong to interfere. And had I known you were setting a trap for me, I certainly would have postponed this visit.”

  Galen rose to prevent Krennic from standing. “This wasn’t meant to be a trap, and I understand why you took the actions you did. We needed to have this talk to clear the air.” He turned to Lyra. “Can we be done with this now? I’m sure that Orson was only doing what he felt was right.”

  Krennic relaxed somewhat. “Thank you for your trust, Galen. I give you my word that I’ll put all your concerns to rest.”

  Lyra allowed a nod. “I feel so much better,” she said straight-faced.

  —

  Traffic was crawling, almost at a standstill, even in the sky lanes reserved for authorized vehicles. Fireworks displays erupted overhead and lasers crisscrossed on the sides of buildings. Blaring, grating sounds issued from vehicle horns and wind instruments, and songs in two dozen tongues competed with one another. Glittering metallic confetti rained down from rooftops and balconies, and beings danced with abandon wherever they could find space.

  Krennic brooded in the backseat of the open military speeder, his two stormtroopers up front, while from all sides came celebratory hoots and hollers from Twi’leks, Gran, Rodians, Ishi Tib, even some humans. The cacophony of nighttime Coruscant at the climax of All-Species Week mirrored his internal chaos: angry one moment, betrayed the next, concerned, cornered, vindictive.

  The evening hadn’t gone as planned.

  Galen had diffused the situation before it had turned too ugly or explosive, but the damage had been done, and Krennic could only hope that it wasn’t irreparable. Lyra had truly outdone herself, gone from being merely annoying to potentially dangerous in one fell swoop. Despite that, she could be handled. Her suspicions would never see the light of day, and if Krennic had his way neither would she. Her a
llegations could be turned against her, and COMPNOR would take care of the rest. But what of Galen? Even if he could find it in himself not to hold Krennic accountable, would he be willing to continue his work? Would he be capable of finishing what he had started, and one day be brought into the battle station project?

  Galen’s departure from the project would be on his watch. COMPNOR’s intelligence chiefs would say that he should have been keeping closer tabs on Galen and Lyra. He would be reprimanded for having sent Lyra to Alpinn; for not having reported on her activities at Samovar and Wadi Raffa; for failing to have restricted her access to the Celestial Power database. Even in the face of support from Vizier Amedda and other powerful Imperial players, he might be stripped of his rank and ostracized.

  He closed his eyes and refused to consider the implications.

  There had to be a way forward. He wondered how far he was willing to go to resolve matters. Could Lyra and Jyn be quietly removed? Could Galen be relocated? What if an accident of some sort occurred? What if—

  He shook his head as if to clear such thoughts from his mind. As he did, the stormtrooper in the front passenger seat turned to him.

  “Commander, incoming from Governor Tarkin.”

  Krennic hid his consternation. Of all the times for Tarkin to contact him; Tarkin, who would be the first to gloat if Krennic went down.

  “Governor Tarkin,” he said toward the backseat microphone, forcing himself to sound relaxed, even cheery. “What a surprise to hear from you. I only just learned of your victory at Salient.”

  “Hard fought but accomplished, Commander. You’re on Coruscant, I see.”

  “And mired in traffic. The culmination of All-Species Week.”

  “Unfortunate. But I’m glad to find you there, as something of interest has come to our attention.”

  Krennic adjusted his posture in the pleated bench seat. “Something I can help with?”

  “We hope so. It concerns your Dressellian operative, Has Obitt.”

  Krennic uttered a short laugh. “Hardly an operative, Governor. More a dummy. And a traitor, I understand. I would be relieved to learn that he and his fellow smugglers have been eliminated or placed in custody.”