Both revolutionaries and counter-revolutionaries are growing rapidly, although the costs and outcomes of this growth are not necessarily what they desire.
The Empire's View of Ghorman
The Empire's pressure on Ghorman is proceeding in an orderly manner. To stimulate the locals as much as possible, they chose to build a new armory in Pamu, and this building also overshadows Pamu's memorial square. It's really like dancing on a minefield.
Everyone guessed that the Empire was building an armory, but the Empire just wouldn't admit it. This method takes both progress and degree into account, and the effect is remarkable.
On the other hand, the Empire's propaganda machine is also in full swing. Although Ghorman has suffered a lot of injustice and oppression this year, apparently not many people sympathize with or support these "rich and arrogant little bosses".
The monitored call between Syril and his mother revealed a lot of information. In addition to the above point, it also included that Syril was willing to be demoted and sent to Ghorman to carry out the "bait" mission of the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB).
At this time, Partagaz was losing his temper over the inefficiency of the ISB's work. Lonni put forward a suggestion in public under pressure: expanding the ISB's reception process, which was appreciated by Partagaz, who was just about to do so.
Lonni's move can be said to kill three birds with one stone. First, it helped promote the expansion and empowerment of the ISB. Second, it helped his colleagues get out of trouble and won wide favor. Third, it also implemented Luthen's principle of "making the Empire more and more arbitrary".
At present, Ghorman is the focus of the Imperial Parliament, but it's a pity that the parliamentarians are all tight-lipped about it, including the parliamentarian from Ghorman himself... Because since the Aldhani heist, the Empire has used PORD to run amok, and no one wants to get into trouble.
Mothma is probably the most uncomfortable parliamentarian. She still hasn't given up the hope of achieving reform through peaceful means and upper-level channels, but things go against her wishes. The reality is moving in the direction Luthen envisioned: the cycle of "Imperial oppression, intensified contradictions, worsening environment, repeated resistance, and Imperial oppression" is getting smoother and smoother.
Syril, who made contributions on Ghorman, returned home complacent, but unfortunately, Dedra didn't have much time for them. The love between children and girls had to be put aside, and more energy should be devoted to the endless counter-revolutionary cause.
Now I like this pair of Imperial dog and woman CP more and more. One is willing to fight and the other is willing to suffer. One is ascetic and the other is dull and coquettish. They are really a perfect match.
By the way, what can you do by turning off the lights for an hour?... Oh, right, it must be reciting the ISB safety regulations.
It's probably Dedra's idea to recommend Syril to go to Ghorman as bait. Thanks to his excellent performance (after all, Syril is deceptive enough as long as he keeps his nature), he also got the opportunity to report directly to Partagaz.
Now the Ghorman front has taken the bait. As long as they follow the plan, they can complete the Imperial cause - Syril is so satisfied and intoxicated, which is even happier than reciting the ISB safety regulations with Dedra. Even if he knows he is being used, he probably won't complain.
This section ends with a dispute: at the banquet, Mothma and Krennic met, and the two who disliked each other had a war of words over the policy actions reflected behind the cultural relics.
However, a firm Imperialist like Krennic will not be shaken by the other party's "womanly kindness". The Empire's hegemony will last forever, and those who seek their own death are not worth mentioning. It's Mothma, in the face of the pale reality of constant disappointment, I'm afraid her Taoist heart is about to break.
And the next cultural relic that can bring stories may come from Ghorman.
The Rebels' View of Ghorman
Through various unskilled monitoring, tracking and investigation, the Ghorman front confirmed that Syril is an Imperial official who can be won over, so they invited him to participate in the rally to listen to the voice of the Ghorman people.
A trading planet relying on a single high-value-added commodity can't last long once it's blocked. Even without the armory incident, Ghorman, whose economic source is drying up, will not be far from rebellion.
At this rally, Syril met Carlo Rehloz, the Speaker of Ghorman and also the leader of the Ghorman front. Carlo hoped that he could convey the voice of Ghorman to the Imperial high level.
When he learned that Syril had a bad record, Carlo became bolder and further began to win over Syril. He wanted him to contribute, whether it was filing a formal report or stealing intelligence illegally.
Interestingly, Carlo never had the idea of "overthrowing the Empire" from beginning to end. He just wanted to tell the Emperor that "there are bad people in the Empire" by proving that small groups such as ISB/army are doing things against the rules, so as to realize a moderate revolution... These traditional and wealthy handicraftsmen are really idealistic.
At the same time, Luthen also learned that there was a big secret on Ghorman through Lonni, so he sent Cassian to investigate.
It has to be said that Cassian is really suitable for being a spy. As soon as he checked into the hotel, he found out part of the real public opinion of Ghorman from the waiter in a few words. To do this, he must have enough patience and awareness to pay attention to every small person, as well as gradual affinity, empathy and rhetoric.
That night, young Rehloz came to contact Cassian, but the first thing Cassian saw was only the impatience and recklessness of the Ghorman front.
Despite the lesson, Cassian still learned about Ghorman's predicament through Carlo, and patiently listened to and evaluated the other party's robbery plan.
The conclusion is "no". Cassian was not willing to get involved in this mess, and he didn't want the Ghorman front to do this. The local people like Carlo would not escape after stealing things, and they also planned to announce it to the world, tell the facts, reason, and clear the emperor's side. Isn't this asking for death?
To be fair, there is no absolute right or wrong between Cassian and Carlo: Cassian's principles are cautious, stable and safe, but he is more from the safety of front-line soldiers, making it only like being a thief rather than a revolution; Carlo raised the flag to show his identity and position, which is essential for the legitimacy of the revolutionary cause, but he is really too naive and reckless.
Cassian, who didn't stand under the dangerous wall, soon evacuated. He thought that the resistance cause of the Ghorman front started too late and acted too hastily, which was far from ready. Moreover, he also smelled the smell of a trap... But Luthen didn't think so.
Luthen only thought of the great influence of Ghorman raising the anti-imperial flag. Whether they are in the resistance camp for a long time or are destroyed by the Empire in an instant, they have their corresponding value.
As for the fate of the Ghormans, maybe Luthen really doesn't care.
The Various States of Revolutionaries
Vel Sartha was sent by Luthen to Saw Gerrera's secret base as a mechanical technician.
In hindsight, in this assignment, he was the one who knew the least. He thought he was just here to smuggle, but he didn't expect to stay and be an old master to teach.
Vel Sartha is the youngest among Cassian's fellow villagers. This not only refers to his age, but also his lack of mentality and maturity. In the face of Saw's guerrillas, all he can do is not to leak his secrets, and other aspects are completely seen through and controlled.
After his apprentice Pruti learning, Saw killed Pruti in a twinkling of an eye - it turned out that he was an Imperial spy. Saw waited until he passed the false information before taking action. The technician he really wanted was always Vel Sartha.
It is estimated that Vel Sartha is also one of the prices for Luthen's cooperation with Saw this time. Even finding the spy around Saw and formulating this plan are Luthen's ideas.
When stealing the thunderous elements, Saw delivered an impassioned speech to Vel Sartha: we should all be crazy revolutionaries, we won't live long, we are all dangerous things that will explode at any time, so take two puffs and become a really dangerous and free sharp knife.
To be honest, I feel a little sorry for Vel Sartha. He used to look like he was thinking about love, which was really inappropriate, but Saw's road doomed to destruction is not an absolute right path. It's right to have the courage to go crazy and learn to live with danger, but if there is too little hope for the future, it's more like a death warrior than a revolutionary.
Looking back at Ghorman, just because Cassian is unwilling to participate doesn't mean Luthen has no one to use. Old friends Vel and Cinta are online again, but both of them have some other thoughts.
Vel's concern for Cinta's personal relationship is no less than her enthusiasm for the revolution, so that she takes this as a condition for the mission; Cinta is a little unable to do the dirty work for too long. She wants to take a long vacation after finishing this job... The flag is flying.
After breaking through the restricted area, the two came to the time to carry out the plan. Anyway, this is a very simple theft task (the transport truck doesn't even have a guard), but an accident still happened. A self-righteous guy, in violation of Vel's order, brought a gun privately, and then accidentally killed Cinta in a stupid dispute.
This accident forced both Vel and the Ghorman front to grow rapidly: the former had to cut off her love with a painful experience, and the latter also woke up from the fantasy of "revolutionary game" and got the more precious first blood than killing the enemy.
Finally, Bix should be mentioned. She and Cassian were placed in Coruscant (under the light, it's dark). Her state has been worse this year. Dr. Gorst's nightmare lingers, and she always can't sleep at night, feeling a state of extreme nervousness.
Luthen and Cassian have worried about Bix a lot. For example, she went on a mission with Cassian, but going out for relaxation didn't have much effect. On the contrary, Bix would be hold the grudge because Cassian "killed innocent people for himself".
Taking advantage of Cassian's trip to Ghorman, Luthen "broke the ban" to see Bix alone, thinking of assigning her some tasks within her ability.
But I think that Luthen mainly came to evaluate Bix's situation in person to see if she has become so bad that she is a burden... Of course, out of emotion and reason, Luthen must want to help Bix. After all, even if it doesn't involve Cassian, Bix, who is familiar with mechanical equipment, is also a talent.
In fact, Luthen's state has been very bad this year. On the surface, he can't relax his skills as an antique dealer. Behind his back, he has more and more revolutionary undertakings to shoulder. Being persuaded by Kleya to monitor Skarpen is a microcosm of his physical and mental exhaustion: there are too many trivial secrets that they need to pay attention to and care about, and many of them are actually meaningless.
As for retrieving the bug from the Skarpen banquet without danger, that's another story.
When he learned that Luthen had met Bix privately, Cassian, who lost control of his emotions, rushed to ask for an explanation. Luthen was very disappointed with both of them: Bix still didn't get rid of her dependence on drugs and Cassian, and Cassian would lose his mind and act recklessly for Bix.
Everyone has more or less weaknesses. If not, they are saints, ruthless people or dead people. Now Cassian hasn't reached Luthen's level (and he doesn't want to): since I'm working for you, you should at least help me solve this problem.
Coincidentally, the opportunity came. Dr. Gorst, a master of mental torture, has received more attention. The Imperial military department doesn't want ISB to have a monopoly. Such a valuable talent should play a greater role, shouldn't he?
In the face of the great cause of counter-revolution, Partagaz had no choice but to let him go reluctantly and throw him to his subordinates to develop together with others... And Lonni is one of the persons in charge.
I believe that this decision to kill three birds with one stone was made by Luthen for Lonni: getting rid of Dr. Gorst can, first, cut off the Empire's really threatening claws, second, help Lonni reduce his work burden, and third, give Bix and Cassian a chance to get rid of their demons from the source.
That night, Bix finally got a good night's sleep, but it's a pity for the small cake that Dr. Gorst bought. It looks delicious...
In short, the revolutionary soldiers are ready to fight again.