Events like this are long and tedious, Galen decides. All the formality is irksome and tiring. This base holds an all rank cocktail party at least once every couple of months, partially as a means of relaxation and partially as a reminder of just who is in charge here. It is a chance for the higher ups to brag about all the Empire's recent accomplishments to all of their underlings. The ones who had done most of the hard work. Events like these do not always foster loyalty in the lowest of ranks. Yet, they seem to inspire those just a bit higher in the totem pole. So, overall, having these parties were in the Empire's favour despite the expense of them.

Currently, he is standing in a quiet corner by himself, sipping some sort of sweet mix of alcoholic drinks. He does not mind being alone for it is a brief respite from Krennic, who grows more and more suspicious of everyone each day. The other man suspects there is someone working against them, but has not been able to pinpoint whom just yet. His once friend still unnerves Galen, even after all of this time. He has such an iron willed determination to see this project through that he even goes against the Empire to gather all the resources necessary for it. He has been met with such success that the Empire has not punished him for it either. It is this determination that unnerves Galen rather than his past actions against his family. If anybody should discover his plans before he has completed them, it will be Krennic. No one else knows as much about the Deathstar as him and the engineers working on the project. No one inspects each and every detail with as much scrutiny either. However, lately, Galen has noticed the man only glossing over his own submissions. Perhaps, the man has grown to trust him once again. Maybe he believes they are once again close friends with all past actions being just that, in the past. The look of betrayal will be something that Galen will remember for all time. He looks forward to it.

Everything has gone well with project Stardust. He has just one snag left. How to let the Rebels know of the flaw? All communications from this base are tightly monitored. There would be no message passing through the standard methods. He needed something less obvious. Something unexpected.

He roves his eyes over the crowd, noticing an odd soldier here and there looking uncomfortable.

Perhaps an insider? Someone as enthralled with the Empire as he is? Was there such a person nearby? An idea he would have to ponder on later. Using someone here would take time. He would need to weed out who he could trust and who he could not. That would take time and he is not sure he has the time to do this anymore. The Deathstar is getting closer to completion with each and every day that passes. Yet, there are a few candidates that look like they have potential. He spots a low ranking storm trooper a little ways to his left, looking thoroughly fed up with everything. A littler farther into the room, there is an uncomfortable pilot talking animatedly with others. He does not appear to be agreeing with the others comments. Lastly, to his right is an engineer who he knows feels guilty about the whole affair with the Deathstar. Decisions, decisions. Is the engineer to obvious of a choice? The soldier only annoyed at his current situation? The pilot only debating a preference in one thing or another? Time will tell.

"Erso! There you are! I have been looking all over for you. There are some people I would like you to meet."

He smiles genially at Krennic, who has forced himself through the crowd to clasp his shoulder. He resists the instinct to pull away from the vile touch.

"Oh?"

Krennic looks pleased with himself as he animatedly starts informing him of his most loyal subordinates. The ones who had disobeyed orders for him. Pilots and labourers alike. Galen only listens with half an ear as he allows himself to be pulled through the crowd. He is not interested in loyal followers of the Empire. He wants disloyal ones.

Suddenly, he finds himself being presented to the pilot he had spotted earlier. Well, well, well… isn't this interesting, he thinks.

"This is one of the pilots I was mentioning to you. Erso meet Pilot Bodhi Rook. Rook meet Head Engineer Galen Erso. Over here, Galen, is another pilot of mine meet….."

Galen stopped listening, merely inclining his head to each new person introduced to him. He has a name now. A very good start indeed. Krennic had introduced them so he suspicion would absent should he choose to talk to the nervous looking man. Perhaps, he would test the waters with this man first.

With the introductions over with, the group started discussing the procurement of materials. How each mission had gone, whether they had run into any rebels, and how pleased they were to have helped further such a cause as the creation of the ultimate weapon. All of them, but the first pilot enthusiastically exclaimed their love of the Empire at this. Rook just looked uncomfortable as he echoed the others' words. Krennic seemed to overlook this behaviour, perchance mistaking it for not being a people person. For, indeed, he did not seem to be very extroverted. Or, maybe, he was looking the other way because the pilot had furthered his goal on several occasions. Either way, it did not really matter to Galen.

What matters is that he had found his first potential recruit. Testing his loyalties would be painstakingly slow for he could not risk the pilot reporting back to Krennic, but Galen suspected he would not need to find another subject.

Silently, he thanks Krennic for introducing the two of them. After all, this has the potential for being a very fruitful meeting indeed. For the rest of the night, he remains with Krennic's group, adding a line or two when questioned.

When the evening starts to draw to a close and people are toasting project Stardust, Galen does not think of the weapon, but instead of his little girl. He thinks of her as he makes a request of Krennic. He wants to talk to the pilots at another time because he is oh so interested in their exploits. He smiles as Krennic agrees and sets up another meeting without a second thought. Krennic always loves a chance to brag about himself and his subordinates.

This is what he has been waiting for. His way to pass on the message. In his mind's eye, he can see Jyn's approving smile.

Now, he just needs to work out the details of his scheme.