Trever ran in. "We've got trouble. Stormtroopers entering the building and more spider droids. That didn't take long."

"We've got to get to the landing platform. We can't take the turbolift," Ferus said. "We'll take the stairs."

"There are no stairs," Robbyn Sark said.

"We'll have to chance the turbolift, then. Or . . ." Ferus strode to the windows. "We could launch a liquid cable, but we'll be spotted. They can pick us off if they have the range. And they do."

"There might be another way," Robbyn Sark said. "The utility lift. It's used for linens and room-service trays. It won't fit all of us at once, but it will hold a few of us at a time."

"Good idea." Ferus turned to Trever. "Set off some smoke grenades in all the turbolift banks. Fast."

"I'm on it." Trever took off.

Robbyn Sark led them to the utility turbolift. It was a small, squat lift where droids bundled laundry and delivered room-service trays. There was enough room for three at a time, if they crouched and squeezed.

"I'll go down with the first load," Ferus said. "Just in case there's trouble. Can you stay here and help the rest of the Roshans?" he asked Flame.

"I won't leave them," she promised.

Robbyn Sark and another delegation member entered, bending over and fitting their bodies into the s.p.a.ce. Ferus followed, squeezing in next to them. He hit the sensor for the two-hundredth floor. As they descended, the first fire alarms began to ring. "Don't worry, it's just the smoke grenades," he told them. "They'll have to evacuate the building - or at least part of it. We can use that as cover for our escape."

"We'll have to get to our ship," Robbyn Sark said. "No doubt it will be heavily guarded."

"I've already found you a ride," Ferus said. "And I've seen her flying skills. She'll get you back to Rosha."

"Why are you doing this?" Robbyn Sark asked.

"I've got a long answer to that question," Ferus said.

The sound of explosives suddenly came to their ears. "I'll take the short version," Robbyn Sark said.

They reached the two-hundredth floor. Ferus emerged first, listening carefully. He sent the utility turbolift back up. There was the muted sound of activity, doors opening and closing, footsteps. The evacuation had begun. Smoke was out in the hallway, but they covered their faces with their hoods and moved quickly.

He led the Roshans to the landing platform. As soon as they were outside, they took gulps of air. He quickly led them to the speeder and then realized his mistake - it was too small. Fortunately, larger transport was parked nearby, a luxury model with plenty of seating.

While they waited for the others, Ferus quickly told Robbyn Sark of what he and the resistance had come up with. Sark listened, his antennae waving softly.

"I don't know if it's possible," he said. "But if it is . ."

The others came bursting through the doors. They quickly climbed into the luxury airspeeder. Having already overridden the security code, Ferus pushed the engines as the first stormtroopers burst out to guard the platform. A burst of blasterfire chased them into a s.p.a.ce lane.

Quickly Ferus dipped down into a lower s.p.a.ce lane and dived into an express tunnel. "I'm taking you to the Crystal Forest," he said.

As he flew, Ferus accessed the comm unit to contact d.i.n.ko and the others. d.i.n.ko's harried voice came through the c.o.c.kpit speaker.

"It's over," he said. Even through the crackling transmission, Ferus picked up the defeat in his voice. "After the no-confidence vote, Bog was elected -"

"What about his personal droid?" Ferus asked. "The bribery evidence -"

"Vader shut down the HoloNet," d.i.n.ko said. "Didn't you know? And we've gotten word the comm system might go down. And the ministers . . . we tried . . . Bog claimed evidence was planted during the ten minutes his droid was missing during the a.s.sa.s.sination attempt -"

"That's ridiculous. It was in sight the whole time. I can testify to that -"

"It doesn't matter. Bog's first ruling was to outlaw all personal droids, and he gave his own up as a gesture of solidarity with the law. They are blaming the Roshans, saying that they can infiltrate our systems through our PDs -"

The comm system began to crackle. "Get them out," d.i.n.ko said.

"What about Larker?" Ferus asked, but the comm went silent.

"It's eerie," Flame said. "Look below."

Below, the people of Sath were lining up to turn in their personal droids. Collection sites had been set up quickly, operated by Imperial stormtroopers and officers.

"This is only the first step, I'm sure. They're giving up their freedom for nothing," Robbyn Sark said. "We can't hurt them."

Sadness filled the craft as they flew through Sath.

Ferus flew past the outskirts and hugged the ground, flying low and hoping to avoid detection. The Crystal Forest rose ahead of them. In the setting sun, it flashed bloodred. Flame keyed in the coordinates to her ship.

Ferus flew through the crystal canyons, squeezing through narrow openings and speeding past incredible formations. Soon he landed next to Flame's sleek red ship.

"I'm counting on you," Ferus told her.

"I'll deliver them safely," Flame said. "And then I'm sure we'll meet again. There's lots of work to do."

The group quickly climbed out of the speeder.

"Thank you," Robbyn Sark told Ferus.

"You have the information," Ferus said. "Use it if you can. When you get back to Rosha, I'll get you in touch with the resistance here. There's someone named Firefolk who can work with you."

Sark nodded. He turned and helped his fellow delegates board Flame's ship. She ran lightly up the ramp.

Trever turned to him. "Aren't you coming'?"

"No."

"But there's nothing left for you to do here."

"I have to get Firefolk in touch with the Roshans when things settle down. And I can't just disappear. Vader will be expecting my report."

"But he told you to bring him the thief. He's looking for me. If you don't bring me to him -"

"He's bluffing. He can't hurt me. Not yet. The Emperor still wants me around. Trever, you have to go."

"Why are you staying?" Trever looked at him angrily. "I don't get it. This could be your only chance to leave, and you're staying!"

"Trever!" Flame called. "We've got to go now!"

"Go," Ferus said. "Promise me you'll get back to the base."

Trever held his gaze. He said nothing.

Trever turned his back and started up the ramp.

"No matter what, I'll find you!" Ferus called.

Trever didn't turn.

Ferus felt a wrenching in his heart, a feeling he was making a terrible mistake. He stood, watching the ship take off.

May the Force be with him.

Chapter Eighteen.

Ferus sensed the change in activity as he entered Imperial headquarters. Officers rushed by. Service droids were loaded onto gravsleds. Bog Divinian had been legally elected, and now the Imperials could truly take charge.

"Ferus!"

Aaren Larker appeared, coming out of a narrow side corridor. He beckoned to Ferus, who followed him into a small meeting room.

"I was hoping I would find you."

"I'm sorry about the vote."

"I should have seen it coming," Larker said bitterly. "I counted on the loyalty of those who once were my friends. And now my Roshan friend will die for my blindness."

"Robbyn Sark is safe, I hope," Ferns reported. "By now he should be off-planet and on his way to Rosha."

"Thank the stars," Larker said. "Now, I have a proposition for you. I heard that you've been ordered to find the thief of Bog's droid. No doubt Vader wants you to produce anyone with ties to Rosha."

"I can produce no one," Ferus said.

"Yes, you can," Larker said. "Me."

"You didn't steal Bog's droid," Ferus said.

"So you do know who stole it." Larker smiled. "Nonetheless, I will take the credit for it."

"I don't understand."

"Vader is going to turn this city upside down just to prove a point. I can't let that happen. I can give this to my city, at least."

"I won't let you do it," Ferus said. "You'll be arrested."

"They won't arrest me," Larker argued. "I may not be the prime minister any longer, but I still have enough of a following on Samaria for them to be cautious. I can claim that I was trying to find evidence of Bog's bribes. The accusation is out there, thanks to the resistance. There will be some who'll believe me. It's worth a shot if I'm to keep my base of support."

Larker put his hand on Ferus's arm. "I'm the only one Vader will believe. And if he has an excuse to go raiding the city, you and I know he'll use it as an excuse to locate any resistance members."

"Vader hardly needs an excuse."

"Sath doesn't need any more unrest. I promise you, as long as I agree to publicly support Bog's story, he'll let me go. They've gotten exactly what they wanted."

"I can't let you do this," Ferus said.

"It's done," Larker said, and walked out the door.

Two days later, Ferus sat in the BRT computer room, his head in his hands. He had just heard the news.

Aaren Larker had been arrested and charged with theft and conspiracy. He was taken to a Samarian prison. On his first day there, he was killed by a guard. Official reason: He was trying to escape.

Ferus had no doubt that Darth Vader had given the order to have him killed. Larker had underestimated Vader's cruelty. Vader didn't care about how it would look. All he wanted was control. Now he had it.

d.i.n.ko had been arrested. Ferus had been unable to contact Nek or Firefolk.

He'd heard no news from Rosha. With the HoloNet down, there was no way to hear anything except through official Imperial reports, which he could not trust.

He still didn't know if the Roshan delegation had made it out of Samarian airs.p.a.ce, but he a.s.sumed Flame had been successful or he would have heard.

He felt a surge of sickness wash over him, and he raised his head just in time to see Darth Vader at his door. Loathing and rage surged through him.

Murderer, he thought.

"The inauguration is starting soon."

Ferus stood.

"The HoloNet is back up again," Vader said. "Perhaps you will be interested in its first broadcast."

Vader waved his gloved hand over the sensor, and the screen blazed to life.

At first, Ferus couldn't make sense of what he was seeing. Explosions. Stormtroopers rushing through an official building. But it wasn't Sath he was looking at.

The Samarian announcer spoke in triumphant tones. "The invasion of Rosha has begun. Their constant refusals to allow Samarian access to their technologies has resulted in a blow for liberty."

Smoke and fire. Devastation and destruction.

And there, a landing platform with a sleek red ship now a smoking ruin. Blown apart.

"The members of the Roshan delegation that fled Samarian jurisdiction were among the first casualties. Bog Divinian's attempted a.s.sa.s.sination has been avenged. . . ."

The words faded against the roaring in Ferus's ears. Robbyn Sark's body, crumpled on the platform. Other bodies. Twisted metal. An outflung hand.