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systems and security fields on Kek’s home. Inside, IG-88 enhanced his optical sensors to pick up the dim light in the room.
    Bolton Kek was sound asleep, no doubt considering himself safe. He snored softly and snuggled up against another biological figure, a female. IG-88 ran a quick analysis and identified her as a green-skinned Twi’lek dancing girl with wormlike tails trailing from the back of her skull.
How these biologicals consort with each other
, IG-88 thought.
    The dancing girl would have been an easy victim, but she was not on his target list, and IG-88 did not waste energy. It was likely that Bolton Kek didn’t even know about the escaped assassin droids—but IG-88 could not risk leaving a single person alive with such knowledge.
    As the engineer snoozed, IG-88 powered up one laser cannon, aimed the bright red targeting cross, and squeezed off a precise burst directly through the unwrinkled forehead of Bolton Kek.
    IG-88 swiveled around and began to march out the door without stealth. The Twi’lek dancing girl awoke and shrieked obscenities at him in a language whose translation he did not hold in his databanks. IG-88 ignored her as he plodded without pause toward his ship.
    Both objectives had been secured.
    From Mechis III, IG-88 had downloaded a list of surviving scientists who knew dangerous details about theassassin droids, those engineers who had not remained at the Holowan Laboratories. With the file in his fore-brain, he knew exactly where to look for other bounty hunter assignments.
    The list would steadily grow shorter and shorter.
    He shouted. His face turned livid. The cavernous nostrils on his huge nose flared. When Imperial Supervisor Gurdun bellowed, spittle flew into the face of Minor Relsted.
    “Doesn’t anybody realize there’s still a ‘dismantle on sight’ order for IG-88? That law is backed up by the full weight of the Empire!”
    Gurdun sniffed and raged as he looked down at the reports of the bounty assignments IG-88 had been successfully completing. He seemed to be leading a crusade against humanity from planet to planet. Gurdun sat down heavily in his chair, which creaked uncomfortably. He sighed and shook his head. “Why do people keep hiring him? They’re risking the wrath of the Empire.”
    Minor Relsted blinked his eyes and stammered. “Sir, I believe it’s because IG-88 always gets the job done.”
    Gurdun roared at him. “Oh, get out of here!”
    Startled, Minor Relsted plopped an armful of files down on Gurdun’s desk. “Excuse me, sir, but before you go home tonight, you must read and sign these.” Then he scuttled in terror out of the dungeon-like office.
VI
    At first it awed Imperial Supervisor Gurdun to ride in the shuttle next to Darth Vader, the Emperor’s brutal right-hand man. But as their craft descended through the gray cloudbanks shrouding the industrial centers ofMechis III, Gurdun found himself flinching at every hissing breath, nervously flicking sidelong glances toward the fearsome black helmet and the monstrous dark form. Gurdun had tried to make small talk several times, but Vader was not a very good conversationalist.
    The pilot of Vader’s private shuttle expertly guided them over the warehouses and manufacturing centers, homing in on the tall administrative tower. Gurdun leaned over to peer through the window at the industrial landscape below and bumped his large nose against the window. He rubbed the nose painfully and scowled, then tried one more time with Darth Vader.
    “This is a very large and very unusual order, Lord Vader. I appreciate your coming along to insure it receives the proper attention. I’m convinced these individuals on Mechis III are more concerned with corporate profits than the glory of the Empire. I had a terrible time getting Administrator Hekis to speak directly with me on the comlink.”
    Vader’s breathing sounded like a hollow wind through a cave that trapped lost souls. “Don’t disappoint me, Supervisor