“There will be times when the struggle seems impossible. I know this already. Alone, unsure, dwarfed by the scale of the enemy. Remember this. Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction…”
“Random acts of insurrection are occurring constantly throughout the galaxy. There are whole armies, battalions that have no idea that they’ve already enlisted in the cause…”
“Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward…”
“And then remember this. The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that…”
“And know this, the day will come when all these skirmishes and battles, these moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the Empire’s authority and then there will be one too many. One single thing will break the siege. Remember this. Try.”
— Karis Nemik
• • •
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“Oh, the… The Restraints are nothing to be feared. It’s much safer for you to be tethered as we engage. There’s nothing intrinsically physical about this process, but we’ve had some early trials that were a bit chaotic…”
“There’s an Outer Rim moon called Dizon Fray. There was a sentient species there, quite unusual. Extremely hostile to the concept of an Imperial refueling center that was being planned…”
“I say ‘was’ because they created such a stir that the local commanders were granted permission to use any means necessary. And, um, well, what’s important for our purposes here today is that the massacre of the Dizonites was broadcast and recorded as proof of mission…”
“Aren’t you tired of playing behind the scenes, Luthen?”
“Aren’t you tired of fighting with people who agree with you?”
“You come all this way to scold me? Or did you bring me some toys?”
“Hmm. I did, but they’re not for free.”
“Nothing with you is free.”
“Not every operation is as flush as yours.”
“Tell me what you’ve got.”
“Well, how about a full set of Imperial drive adapters? I’ve also got three sealed Steergard targeting deflectors.”
“Hmm. You have this all here with you? At what cost?”
“Anto Kreegyr. I want you to meet him.”
“Anto Kreegyr?”
“He’s been probing the Imperial power station at Spellhaus. He’s found a weakness in the defenses. It may take some time to work up, but he’s got an angle.”
“I sense something eager in you this morning. Am I mistaken?”
“No, sir. And at risk of repetition, you are correct.”
“Good news, is it?”
“I’m afraid not. I wish to lodge a charge against a fellow supervisor.”
“Proceed.”
“I believe our Sector Protocols, as described in the ISB Code Of Conduct, are being violated by Supervisor Meero, and that this overreach, for which she was previously reprimanded, risks compromising Imperial safety to a degree that silence is no longer possible.”
“You think this forum appropriate?”
“I do.”
“It’s a serious charge.”
“I believe you’ll share my sense of urgency.”
“Supervisor Meero, do you mind having your integrity ventilated in public?”