Convergence/Chapter 16

16
             “Welcome to Adumar, Admiral,” Lord Tierno told Sakantos.

             Flanked by a small retinue of guards, the admiral was led down the ramp of a shuttle that was elegant, but lacked the ostentatiousness found in many galactic leaders’ personal vehicles. The Corellian looked around at his surroundings, grateful to be on land again after traveling in ships and being imprisoned for so long. Even his trip to Adumar had been conducted in isolation aboard Tierno’s ship.

 The planet was temperate enough and seemed peaceful, if a bit dreary. They were standing on a large landing pad amidst a city full of towering buildings. There was a light rain and the sky was clouded over with gray, adding to the gloomy impression. A double line of Grasp Falscion droids with ceremonial shoulder plating stood guard while several humans in the black-and-red garb of the Grasp approached Tierno’s group.

             “Welcome, Lord Tierno,” the oldest of them, an aged woman at least a decade older than Sakantos said, bowing slightly at the waist.

             “Administrator Greelynx, a pleasure as always,” Lord Tierno returned courteously. “This is my guest, Admiral Sakantos of the Five Worlds Defense Force.”

             “Welcome to you as well,” Greelynx told him.

             Further pleasantries were exchanged as Tierno and Greelynx ushered Sakantos to a large building shaped somewhat like a humanoid fist set on its side, jutting magnificently into the sky. Judging by the shape and the general motif, the admiral guessed this was clearly the headquarters for the Grasp presence on Adumar. While Lord Tierno might have his subtleties, it was clear they didn’t extend to the Grasp’s ubiquitous insertion of its motifs into art and architecture. Greelynx led him into an expansive operations center similar to that of Lord Tierno. That too wasn’t surprising.

             “This is planetary operations,” Greelynx announced. “From here, we monitor a variety of planetary factors and carry out the decrees of the Grasp. Our ability to maintain order has drastically increased since the Grasp took over.”

             “Seems to be an efficient arrangement,” Sakantos replied neutrally, not wanting to be openly rude, but refusing to compliment Grasp governance. “At least for the Grasp.”

             No matter how pleased Greelynx might be with this arrangement, he had every reason to be suspicious.

             “I actually doubt it’s efficient for the Grasp,” Greelynx returned, darting a look at Tierno. “They’ve invested considerable resources into Adumar and we are just now bringing our manufacturing plants up to their efficiency standards.”

             “You must forgive the admiral,” Tierno told her. “He knows little of Adumar, or its history.”

             “The Grasp saved our world,” she said firmly. “For the last three hundred years, Adumar has been little more than a pawn. Other nations sought our industrial prowess and exploited our tendencies towards war. Even Corellia once sought to embroil us in its wars and concerns.”

 “Adumari culture used to lionize its warriors,” Tierno added. “The internecine competition was bloody, ruthless, and ultimately self-defeating.”

 “We are—were a proud people,” Greelynx admitted. “And our entire world was geared for constant fighting and production of arms. Other nations coveted our allegiances. We’ve been traded between the Imperial Bastion and the Zabraki several times over the last fifty years, until we finally recognized that the Grasp was the only power that could break that cycle.”

 “So instead of being an Imperial or Zabrak pawn, you decided that Grasp pawnship was preferable?” Sakantos asked dryly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “That’s such a. . . severe way of putting it,” Greelynx told him. “We’ve been able to free up funds from planetary defense as the Grasp handles all major concerns. Our remaining military is only what is needed to deter smugglers and maintain order. The Grasp have provided technology to help improve the efficiency of our factories, education for our people, and safety from other nations.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Let’s address the security problem first,” Sakantos said. “Even ignoring the dangers of disarming yourself and trusting the Grasp for security, there’s no way that the Grasp could realistically station a large enough fleet to protect every world from any possible threat, even for a world with as much industrial significance as Adumar. That theory has been tried and failed hundreds of times since time immemorial. Space is too large—hyperspace travel means that every possible world can’t be defended at once.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “There are five medium cruisers in orbit that are stationed here permanently as a deterrent,” Greelynx replied. “Plus planetary shields and defenses.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “A paltry force,” Sakantos replied. “Barely an obstacle to a dedicated attack. The shield might slow them down longer, but there are ways around such things.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “We’ve haven’t had to defend Adumar directly,” Tierno pointed out. “For one, sensor stations monitor the most likely hyperroutes. Secondly, our intelligence network is unparalleled—even the Bothans don’t have our depth. We would likely be alerted of any possible attack. Thirdly, Administrator Greelynx and the rest of her government aren’t fools. They understand well the impossibility of defending the vastness of space without infinite resources. They also understand the reputation of the Grasp.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Plunderers and raiders,” Admiral Sakantos countered. “Far from the defense force you’re pretending to be.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “The Grasp intentionally destabilizes weak structures in the galaxy,” Tierno replied coldly. “There is a difference. Second, look around you, Admiral. Do these people look plundered? Enslaved?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> The admiral took in the expansive cityscape, the well-dressed people who at least seemed well-fed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Oh, I’m sure they’re reasonably provided for,” he remarked. “Especially those who you plan on showing off. But they’re not free. They’re heavily monitored, regulated, and I’m sure there’s a hefty amount of indoctrination involved. This is a glorified prison world.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Adumar joined the Grasp freely,” Tierno reminded him. “They willingly embraced the oversight mechanisms the Grasp uses to secure stability. They willingly entrusted the Grasp with their security concerns. In return, their planet prospers. Their industry is harnessing our improvements to once again become a leader. Crime drops every year and education levels increase.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “The Grasp has been an overwhelmingly beneficial influence,” Greelynx told him. “Planetary polls confirm that.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Tell me,” Admiral Sakantos replied. “Is Adumar free to leave the Grasp?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Of course not,” Greelynx answered indignantly. “After all of their substantial investments in our world, it would be the height of injustice for us to even consider such a thing.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Like I said,” the admiral replied. “Not free. This might seem okay to you, Administrator, but my people value their freedom.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Freedom is an illusion,” Tierno replied. “And a treacherous one at best. Freedom is a myth perpetrated onto the weak by the strong who then use that same freedom to exploit them. The Grasp makes no claims at allowing free societies, Admiral. We provide ordered societies.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “I think I’ll stick with freedom,” the admiral said, knowing he was treading on dangerous grounds. “You’re wasting your time. The Five Worlds would never join the Grasp. You might conquer our planets through force of arms, but we’ll never surrender.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Did you know that very few planets have been forcibly conquered by the Grasp?” Tierno asked him. “Over ninety percent of our members joined us willingly.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Preposterous,” Sakantos snapped. “You can’t expect me to believe hundreds of worlds voluntarily gave up their rights just to be your vassal.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “It’s true,” Greelynx said. “We were tired of being used. Tired of being exploited. Joining the Grasp gave us a chance to be free from centuries of victimhood. Now, our former predators are prey for the Grasp, and we are the strong ones.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “And how do I know Adumar isn’t a marked exception befitting an important industrial world?” Sakantos asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Adumar’s value is well-known, but there are hundreds of other worlds with stories like it,” Tierno said. “Moreover, the Grasp only expects compliance and a certain percentage of Adumar’s industrial yields.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Our sons and daughters stay here,” Greelynx added. “No military service. No dying in expensive, bloody wars for causes we don’t believe in. We are kept safe.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> Sakantos was dumbfounded. Greelynx seemed to be fully invested in the Grasp and their brand of subjugation. Empires had often had collaborators running their vassal states, but his Corellian blood gave him a fierce, independent streak that didn’t take well to such ideas. He started to say something else, but an aide suddenly approached Tierno with a datapad, bowing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Forgive my interruption, my lord,” he announced. “There is a situation.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “I am aware already,” Tierno told him. “But do explain it to Administrator Greelynx and Admiral Sakantos.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “We have just received word that the planet Glee Anselm is under attack,” the aide reported. “It appears a Zabrak force is attempting to seize it.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Not entirely unexpected,” Tierno replied. “The Zabraki have long desired Glee Anselm, both for its strategic location along the Namadii Corridor and for its ample supply of water—a scarcity in their territory. Where is the closest Grasp task force?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> The aide hesitated for a moment before replying.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Here, my lord. Your fleet is the closest.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “I see,” Tierno said, then turned to Sakantos. “You claim that the Grasp is only pretending to be a defense force—that we have no concern for the worlds who have submitted themselves to us. I believe it is time to disprove that misconception once and for all.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> He turned back to the aide, his red eyes glittering.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Prepare all units for combat,” he said. “We leave immediately.”

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