[Episode V - NR][O12 - Gyndine - NR3F] Café Contact

Except from "Black Starbirds: Memoirs of a Fleet Intelligence Officer", published 44 ABY

The Gyndine Crisis came hot on the heels of the fiasco at Triple Zero. We - the Republic, that is - couldn't afford to allow Governor Essada to get away with openly flouting the Concordance, not with the Rim wavering. I picked up a fresh ident from the sector safehouse and took passage on a bulk freighter. Within the week I had made planetfall. One of my first contacts was the owner of a small shipping firm...

"There are certain interests willing to intervene here, Hervé. But those interests need to know exactly what the situation is on the ground. You understand? Selling wares in the wrong market is worse than not selling at all."

The agent sipped at his caf. Shifting nervously, the merchant glanced at the Imperial officer seated just meters away.

"Never mind her, Hervé. We're just businessmen, discussing business. You indicated you had a special shipment?"

Hervé steeled himself.

"Coaxium." It rushed out in a hiss. "Being moved through the docks. I don't know where it goes. We transfer it to bulk freighters. Jump coordinates are provided by a sealed astromech."

He took a long drag on his deathstick. The next spilled out in a jumble.

"I was able to find out the storage bay. Red Five. The next pickup is in three days. Security forces, no stormtroopers. Not a lot."

The merchant's jaw slammed shut like a springtrap as the stamp of boots on cobblestones heralded the approach of stormtroopers.

Even the serving droid paused. Essada had only turned them lose on the population weeks before, but the terror of the Empire had returned in full force. The stormtroopers would cut a being down for the slightest insult - or simply to watch them die. Some whispered they were just thugs dressed up in plastoid, without the discipline of the Imperial legions. Others caustically remarked that thugs was all they'd ever been.

As the patrol passed, the agent casually indicated the flower on their table.

"This is a Reythan wheat-poppy. Legend has it they grow best where blood is spilt. Here. If you wish to help prevent Gyndine from being a poppyfield."

He pushed a small commlink to the merchant.

"I'll be in touch."