“You are known smugglers with black-market connections. I need a way to divert the Emperor’s attention and maintain my own position here while I conduct a more thorough investigation. That could take time, and time is a luxury we do not have.” He leaned forward, his gaze boring into the smuggler leader. “I require a victory now, someone’s head to give Shaddam, even if it is only a diversion.” He drew a breath of the warm, painfully dry air. “Consider it, mmmm, another tax. One time only.”
The Imperium is just losing its orbit.
