Fan Ke rubbed his temples. He took an exquisite metal box from a drawer, removed a tiny wood chip no bigger than a fingernail, placed it in his mouth, closed his eyes, and chewed.
His breathing grew heavy, and his heartbeat began to quicken. About half a minute later, he opened his eyes and said, "My apologies, Master Sass-Tiin. These days, just hearing the word Geth gives me a headache..."
"Refined Thyssel tree bark..." Sass-Tiin naturally recognized it. "Forgive my bluntness, Governor, but no matter how much they claim this stuff has no side effects, once someone becomes dependent on it, nothing can be said for certain. After all, it is still a spice."
"I would rather not behave like this in front of a Jedi Knight, but the pressure I've been under lately is simply too great. Over the past three months, we've lost seven planets. Preliminary estimates put the death toll at over a hundred million. Oh, right—this Thyssel tree bark was refined a second time using Pist grass juice, reducing its effects by more than half. It's just right for an old man like me." Fan Ke said.
"That is precisely why I did not exercise my duties as a Jedi Knight." Sass-Tiin smiled. He was not some rigid old fool, and he understood just how much pressure Governor Fan Ke was under in the current situation.
Of course, refining Thyssel tree bark and then refining it again, as Fan Ke did, was an expense few besides nobles like him could afford.
"Ah, then I must thank you. Hehehe..." Fan Ke laughed as well.
It had to be said that a common enemy was the best catalyst for friendship. The Geth's rampage had given this Jedi Knight and this nobleman plenty of common ground.
"What is the