Free [Last Of The Jedi] - 07 by Secret Weapon (Jude Watson) Page B

to do some investigating first.”
    “They’d have to keep some sort of files at the factory itself. At the beginning of an operation, things can be messy — systems aren’t in place, the chain of command isn’t quite set. We’d have to get in, probably at night, and snoop around.”
    Ferus nodded. “If we find out what it is, I’m ready to quit. I’m done.”
    “Tired of Vader’s company already?”
    He grimaced. “If we can expose what they’re doing here, suspicion will fall on me. They won’t trust me with anything after that. And if I can walk away and go underground here in Bellassa …”
    “It will embarrass them.” Roan nodded. “I think you’ve put in enough time.”
    “It’s just that… Twilight. Whatever that is. I need to find out.”
    “There are other ways. You don’t have to be in Vader’s pocket. They might never give you the clearance to find anything significant anyway.”
    “That’s what I thought. But… if I stop working for the Empire, I can’t stay on Bellassa. I’ll need to go back to the base for a time. Then head out and look for more Jedi.”
    “I know,” Roan said. “I’m glad you brought that up. I’ve finally seen your secret base, and can I tell you this? You need help.”
    Ferus let the implications sink in. He knew what it meant. Roan was offering to come with him.
    “You always said your job was here, on Bellassa.”
    “My job is to help you,” Roan said. “If that means helping with your crackpot plan to find the Jedi, I’ll do it. We’re part of the same struggle now. I’m replaceable here on Bellassa. There are those who can take my place. You need help there. I agree with this Flame person when it comes to one thing: We have to look at galactic resistance. It’s the only way. We can’t do it only on one planet. Sooner or later, what you’re doing will link up with what’s being done elsewhere.”
    “I hope so,” Ferus said. “I’m just glad you’re coming.”
    “I’m coming. But first let’s do what we can here. Contact me when you come up with a way to get in. I’ll assemble a team.”
    They stood. They couldn’t risk staying any longer. Ferus again felt the loneliness wrap around his heart. There were so many things he wanted to talk to Roan about, and couldn’t. Not just about logistics, but feelings. One thing about war — there was never enough time.
    A quick grasp of each other’s upper arms in their old greeting, a look into each other’s eyes, and Ferus turned on his heel and was gone.

Chapter Fourteen
    Keets collapsed on a bench, breathing hard. “I didn’t… sign on … to the resistance … to be”—He leaned his head back and let out an explosive puff of air — “a nanny!”
    “He’s a handful,” Curran said, with a fond look at Lune.
    They sat in a small park on the uppermost level of Coruscant, near the Senate District. Lune had begged to be allowed to play, and the Orange District was hardly suitable. Astri had given reluctant permission. She’d wanted Lune to get some sun, despite her worries. He’d been on an asteroid for weeks without light.
    Keets and Curran had decided on a neighborhood popular with families so they could lose themselves in the crowds. “Can’t we get a droid for this job?” Keets wondered. “Some Class Three Nanny with a nice disposition?”
    “Dex asked us to do it,” Curran said. “Besides, a droid won’t keep an eye out for stormtroopers.”
    “That kid could probably program it, too,” Keets said. “That kid could probably do anything he set his mind to.”
    They watched as Lune joined in a game some boys and girls had improvised on one of the playground installations, a large plastoid power slide that sent off puffs of air to speed descent. The group had lined up on the various chutes and were racing to see who could get down fastest. The laughter traveled over to Keets and Curran.
    “C’mon,” Curran said. “This has got to make even you smile.”
    “I don’t go