Having landed on a slightly unofficial spaceport, Gram and Matt where met by Mugwort.

'You have the correct supplies?' asked he.

'Yes. Many supplies of foodstuffs. We've been carrying a container larger than the rest of our ship. Plus this is really only the first test run. If this route works out, more should be forthcoming.'

'Excellent. Plus it's a pleasure to see you again Gram! This will come in useful for many of the workers. But the Imperials are sniffing around at the moment; they appear to be nervous I'd wait till tomorrow for your next run.'

'Fine Mugwort. Perhaps I'll take a trip to the bar. Is Dave about? He seems to be heavily involved in this strike,' asked Gram.

'He's not here at the moment, he's busy at the moment if you're referring to Mr Dave Barrowclough of the Union. '

'Oh, well shame about that Muggers. We get on well. We used to make a reasonable team at cards you know! Something to do with different styles. I was always the emotional one and he always relied on cool logic. But maybe I'll have a chance to play some cards.'

This was treated to a laugh by Matt. Gram's performance at the noble galactic game of Sabacc and all its varieties was definitely a little hit and miss. It was a good thing Gram wasn't a professional gambler, or he would have starved. 'Just try to keep count of logic and to win more than you loose.' He hissed to his partner.

But later on that evening the two where in the works cantina. Matt gave a little nod to Mr.N. 'Things are getting a little hot, politically, it seems,' he said sympathetically.

'Tell me about it. Tense and dangerous as well.'

'Well, what's new? In fact some of this political stuff been talked around the bar is beginning to get on my nerves. I don't do politics you know!'

Matt laughed at this. Gram was always saying that he didn't have an interest in politics. Yet he was an outlaw on the run from the Imperial authorities. And the Imperials where pretty political people. One couldn't really get much more political than that. Yet Gram always insisted on bringing up his, 'I don't do politics,' line, living in denial. Mind, the way that most of the galactic politicians behaved, corrupt, self-serving, cowardly with no sense of inspiration and little original thought, this was very understandable.

'Hey, look that's Sarah! How's my favorite Barmaid?' called Matt over to a red-haired women a little younger than he who was pouring drinks.

'That's assistant Bar manageress to you! Plus executive director as I like to think of. And what are you boys having?' Sarah was quite an attractive woman. Well actually she wasn't really that especially good-looking but she did have the odd knack of making the best out of what she had. For reasons which will become clear.

In fact she did a nice little trick. As Matt said, 'I think that's 3 glasses of Corvellian ale, sorry for the rush,'

Sarah managed to pour one glass in one hand. No surprise. One glass in another hand. Again, no surprise. But to be able to pour 3 glasses at once, especially as she hadn't touched, physically the 3rd glass was quite a neat trick. 'Thank you Matt, and I reckon that's one for me, then?'

'Oh, go on then. But just make it one cheap shot, please, I'm not so sure how our credit line is looking right now. Gram is playing cards for money!'

'Well, good luck and I'll just have a fruit juice, then, Oh, watch out, everyone, stormtroopers'

Which was true. For some reason a patrol of stormtroopers, white-armored and very dangerous had entered the bar. Whatever the purpose was, and it was quite certain that it wasn't for a beer; they had a little look around. Now as it happened Matt and Gram where known in one of their different identities for the Imperials who where searching for them, but it was still unnerving to have the Stormtroopers around. But they where clearly in for another purpose and so left.

'Wonder what evil purpose they are up to?' said Matt as he watched them depart.

'Trying to provoke us, I wouldn't be surprised. They'd just love for us to create some serious violence as an excuse to execute all of us. And that might well happen. You might not be political, Gram, but personally I loathe this Empire and all it's done to the Galaxy.'

She had good reason too. For the last ten years and before in another way, the Galaxy had groaned under Imperial tyranny. It was set up by Palpatine, after years of civil war in the Galaxy, under the excuse that the Galaxy needed strong Government. But the regime had little popular support. It was hard to officially tell, there weren't many people about to take opinion samples, but it would be surprising if it had more than 15 support among the citizens of the galaxy.

The Emperor Palpatine was accountable to none save himself. Although if one is to be fair, he did have some support among the humans in the Galaxy, his support base, plus one or two favorite non-human species such as the Hutts. The Senate which used to run the Galaxy had been side-lined so much as to be laughable. And local or planetary decisions where taken up by Governors who where selected by Palpatine's supporters.

Palpatine had created quite a sizeable Imperial beaurocracy. One of his justifications for seizing power had been as well as creating 'strong,' government had been to cut down on the Republic red tape which was, to be fair, slightly complicated. But in reality he had done nothing of the sort. In fact, Imperial beaurocracy was almost double what it had been in the previous regime.

In terms of complexity Imperial beaurucracy was light-years from the old Republic one. Understanding it was an art form. Known only to a few. Indeed, if one could understand it, and if one was human and male, one could make quite a fortune from using the beast. Perfect for those that liked the Empire.

And all this was expensive. Including the big fleet which the Empire liked to build for himself. The Imperial fleet consisted of huge Star Destroyers, Space Stations, floating satellites. Some unkind people suggested this was because Palpatine had a very small gentilla! This was paid for by large increases in Taxation.

But particular types of taxation. The direct and probably the fairest form, Income Tax was generally reduced. This was because the Imperial support was from the rich and the rich paid proportionally less income tax. Plus it was easier to reduce Income Tax and making it seem like that taxation generally was going down. But nothing was further from the truth. Sales tax on goods, tax on fuel, tax on food, tax on property etc all should large increases. Many of these highly regressive hitting the poor hardest.

Space travel tax that was a good one! Anyone travelling in space had to pay for a yearly licence. Nice sounding. But this was one of the most regressive taxes imaginable. It just meant that your average space-goer just had to spend more of their income on tax, while the richer traveler was less badly hit. For anyone that is aware of it, it was basically a poll tax in space!

But hitting the poor hardest, more gradually after a period of time is in line with Palpatine's Sith philosophy. This basically took might is right and damn the weak to extremes! With a little access to frightening unnatural powers thrown in.

But all of this was known to Matt. To Gram as well, but he didn't like to admit it so much. Anyway, Gram had his own things to think about. 'Oh, look a little card school amongst the travelers seems to be taking place. Time to join in. Hey, isn't that, that Solo kid I see? He's a little naïve. Think I can take some credits from him.'

'That's Han Solo, isn't it?' asked Matt.

Mr.N nodded. 'Yes, he seems fairly new on the smuggler circuit. He's decent enough, if slightly surely. I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him. Doesn't do anything unless it's for money. Still, one can't really blame him for that. That's the sort of character that thrives in the Galaxy at the moment! Hope your Gram doesn't take him too lightly. He's a surprisingly good player.'

'And has cleared me out on more than one occasion,' Mr.N thought to himself.

Matt had similar concerns. At worse one could describe Gram as an erratic player. But the two of them where on a difficult and what could be dangerous mission. He really wanted his partner in the right frame of mind for it, not concentrating on winning credits. He mentioned to his Droid, 'I hope he remembers about odds. I sometimes wish you could advise him on statistical probability when he plays cards,' but unfortunately using Droids as an ally was considered the worst form of cheating in most card schools!

But today it seemed that Matt's worse fears where unfounded. Gram sat down with a grim face indicating the desire to join. As it happened they where playing round Sabacc which meant that each round was a separate game with it's own winning pot. Han gave a tight smile, 'You can only come if you have credits.'

'You'll find I have enough!' replied Gram in the same manner.

Well, it seemed Grams luck was in. He had a rudimentary understanding of how to win at the game and the odds fell for him. After a few rounds he had won a modest sum of credits. Although a few hours at his work would have given him more!