Project Boussh: Picking Up the Pieces
by Durandir

MENDELLIA: THE HIGH PALACE

"Excuse me, General Atner?"

The reigning Dictator of Mendellia looked up from his desk. At the
scowl on his face, the stormtrooper captain standing before him took a
half step back reflexively.

"You have something to report, soldier?"

"Ah, yes, sir."

"Well?"

"One of the prisoners has escaped, sir."

"One of the prisoners," Atner muttered under his breath. "Of course one
of the prisoners has escaped. Haven't I heard the alerts? The guard
droids found sleeping on duty? I wonder that they bother to bring me
such reports. Well, soldier, I may as well ask. Be specific. *What*
prisoner has escaped?"

"The prisoner Durandir, sir."

"The prisoner Durandir. And why is it that you bring me this report?
Where's Tede?"

The man in the white armor shifted uncomfortably under the General's
bright-eyed glare. "Sir, Tede seems to be missing."

"Missing."

"We can't find him anywhere."

"One of the prisoners, they tell me," Atner sighed. "You might as well
come out and say it: Two prisoners have escaped, sir. Your trusted Tede
was a traitor, General sir. You've been had: or Thrawn's been had,
which is worse, for he'll need someone to blame and you're in an
awfully good position for blaming, Dictator sir."

"Ah...sir?" The stormtrooper asked hesitantly, startled by the
General's sudden inability to make sense.

"Mark my words, soldier. Sometimes it's no comfort to be proved right."

"Yes, sir."

"You've no idea. Not a sympathetic bone in you under all that armor,"
Atner sneered. "Well, never mind. Tede is gone; you may forget him for
now, until such time as you find he has you under his guns. You,
soldier, stand next in line to make his reports. So report. Are the new
prisoners settled?"

"Yessir. And, ah, the shuttle pilot has been duly disciplined for
permitting the delays, as per your orders."

"Good. And the three *special* prisoners; they've been placed in
maximum security, I presume?"

"Uh, sir...what prisoners were those? I don't think I had a report..."

"What?" Atner cast a distracted glance at the man. "Oh, no matter.
Loran, Jade, and Quiara; you did get a roster, I hope?"

"Ah, here they are, sir. Yes, those three are in maximum security, as
ordered."

"That's better. Now, what of our other prospects? Any word yet on Egro
Firyni and the other Olympians we're tracking?"

"Two of the athletes have been caught since the last shipment came in;
three others are under surveillance. No sign of Firyni, however."

"Well, then, arrange holiday-passes for the teams that caught those
two; perhaps that'll motivate the others to increase their efforts.
Firyni would be a great prize."

"Yes, sir."

"That will be all, soldier."

The trooper turned to go, and Atner sank back into his
chair. "Sometimes," he repeated with a sigh, "it's just no comfort to
be proved right."