Chapter 32: Developments

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32. Developments

Now that matters had reached this point, he had begun to worry that something might have happened to Kunto and the others.

“Qi Jian, did anyone else witness that battle?” Tang Xiao asked.

“Besides the two Jedi, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, there should have been one other witness. He was one of the three militants we captured on Dawnstar. His name is Kenneth. He studied on Corellia for several years and was probably the most educated of the three, so we have him teaching our people Galactic Standard. The classroom where he was teaching at the time should have had a clear view of that dogfight,” Qi Jian replied.

A cold smile touched the corners of Tang Xiao’s mouth. He leaned back, crossed one leg over the other, and said nothing.

“What is it? Are you still worried about Kunto?” Wunte asked. “If he isn’t a complete fool, then after meeting Higo he should have realized that we are all grasshoppers tied to the same rope.”

“I’m not worried about him. Even if he told Higo that we secretly rescued Semid, he should understand that he could never survive anyway. As they say, the more you know, the sooner you die. Heh heh heh…” Tang Xiao let out a cold laugh.

“Then you mean the others—someone like this Kenneth,” Wunte said.

“Keep an eye on them in secret and see whether they make any suspicious moves. If we intend to use them, we have to make certain they can truly be of use to us. If necessary…” Tang Xiao drew a finger across his throat.

“I suggest we take a longer view. We urgently need to establish good relations with the local powers of this universe. What we saw this time was only the tip of the iceberg, yet the power revealed by this universe is genuinely alarming. That makes Kunto—cowardly and weak, with years of experience running contraband and connections throughout every stratum of society—exactly the sort of person we need most. So instead of killing people at the slightest provocation, we should give them a chance. Let’s observe their conduct for a while,” Wunte said, shaking his head.

“All right. I’ll leave Kunto to you.” Tang Xiao accepted his suggestion, then continued, “For the time being, don’t travel too far. We have to prevent a repeat of what happened last time. I’ve already awakened an elite pilot named Judith. She’ll immediately begin training and familiarizing herself with the operation of that Oro-class freighter. For now, she’ll be responsible for the defense around the mothership. But you must remain on standby at all times.”

“Understood.” Wunte nodded.

“One more thing. Take all one hundred thousand credits, and then… go to Tatooine and see how best to spend the money. You know what I mean.”

“Leave it to me. By the way, Administrator, you really don’t need to worry about everything yourself. Otherwise, how are we supposed to collect our salaries?” Wunte gave Tang Xiao a thumbs-up and a broad, toothy grin, then waved and walked out of the command center.

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Tang Xiao rubbed his temples and gave a self-mocking smile.

Indeed. One should neither doubt those one employs nor employ those one doubts. In his current position, he ought to let his subordinates act without restraint. If he tried to manage research, personnel, combat, diplomacy, smuggling, and everything else himself, how could he possibly keep up?

Wasn’t this the most common mistake made by inexperienced managers? They always assumed that no one but themselves could do things properly.

In reality, there were countless people who could do a better job. The question was whether he was willing to give them the opportunity.

With that thought in mind, he opened the personnel roster again and switched to the list of legendary figures. His gaze fell upon one particular name, yet even after a long while, he still did not press the button.

He gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and murmured to himself, “Let’s wait a little longer.”

…

A Z-10 Explorer-class spacecraft entered the Galactic Republic’s capital world of Coruscant. After passing inspection by the defense fleet, it flew toward the Jedi Temple.

“What is it, Obi-Wan?” Qui-Gon Jinn asked, turning around to find his apprentice staring absently out the window.

“I… I was thinking about those people in the Endor system, Master. The ones who call themselves the Fourth Group Company.” Obi-Wan Kenobi nodded.

“Oh? What about them?”

“Although they claim to be a corporation, their conduct doesn’t match that claim,” Obi-Wan said. “Their starfighters are poor performers, but their pilots are clearly well trained. Think about it—even enormous corporations such as the Trade Federation and the InterGalactic Banking Clan do not systematically train their own pilots like that. Except…”

“A regular military force,” Qui-Gon finished for him. He nodded. “You observed them carefully, Obi-Wan. That is precisely what concerns me as well. Let us return and report our findings. More and more things are happening across the galaxy, and I have an uneasy feeling.”

The spacecraft docked at a landing platform within the Jedi Temple. Master and apprentice then went to one of the temple’s towers and reported their discoveries to the twelve-member High Council of the Jedi Order.

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“A regular interstellar colonization fleet, hmm.” Upon hearing Qui-Gon’s report, Master Yoda nodded. “Any other discoveries?”

“No. We did not find the source of the disturbance in the Force,” Qui-Gon Jinn replied.

“It is gradually fading, this feeling. Gradually maturing, this thing is.” Master Yoda turned to look at a tall, bald Black man. “What say you, Master Windu?”

Master Windu wore a grave expression that seemed to command awe without anger. He was one of the twelve members of the Jedi High Council and held a position second only to Master Yoda.

He nodded to Qui-Gon and continued questioning him in a deep, powerful voice. “Did you observe anything unusual about that colonization fleet?”

“They call themselves the Fourth Group Company. They possess an extremely large spacecraft. According to our radar readings, it stands more than 41,300 meters tall—larger than any spacecraft currently known to us. However, it is entirely civilian in design, with very limited weapons and equipment. The Fourth Group’s defensive forces are also extremely weak,” Qui-Gon answered.

“Without the ability to defend itself, yet colonizing the remote world of Endor. Hmm…” Master Yoda pondered for a moment, then shook his head without saying anything further.

“I fear we do not currently have the strength to continue committing resources to the distant, remote Endor system in the Outer Rim, Master Yoda,” Master Windu said. “The galaxy is hardly at peace. The flames of war have only just died down on Neel, while the dispute between Malastare and the Corporate Alliance grows increasingly fierce and may erupt into open conflict at any moment. Since this Fourth Group is carrying only civilian spacecraft and equipment, there is no need for us to devote excessive attention to them.”

He then looked toward Qui-Gon. “My recommendation is that the Republic’s Bureau of Commercial Administration investigate them—assuming they are indeed a properly registered corporation. You have done enough in this matter. Leave the rest to the Senate. Thank you for your efforts, Master Qui-Gon. May the Force be with you.”

“May the Force be with you.” Qui-Gon Jinn bowed, then withdrew from the chamber.

Bonus Chapter Illustration 1: Master Windu

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