Chapter 33 – Twist of Luck
The approach toward Byss was slow, because space around the Imperial throne world was fairly teeming with warships. So Hah Kima had made his threat come true, and was recalling the fleet. Mara's mouth twisted in distaste. Even though she had known that this would happen, as per the Seeker's calculations, such selfish deceit still repulsed her.
They had been ordered to land inside one of the Star Destroyer's hangars, leave their ship there and transfer via shuttle to the planet itself. A sound security measure that would trap them effectively. Of course, since they had official diplomatic status they had been promised that the ship would only be searched and then brought to Byss, but Mara would be damned if she gave her ship into the hands of some Imperial mechanic. She didn't want anyone to tamper with it. Still, if she did not want to risk being blown out of the sky she would have to comply.
At her side, seated in the co-pilot's chair, Jix was idly playing with his blaster and his blue eyes were gazing pensively at the world looming ahead of them. "I do not like this at all," he said quietly, and for once there was no trace of mirth or irony in his tone.
"Hah Kima won't harm us," she assured him. "He will be too busy showing us that he is doing everything he can to hold the Empire together."
"And he'll also keep a sharp eye on all our activities. We won't have any room to move. He cannot afford the New Republic getting a whiff of his betrayal."
"So we'll just have to pretend to be blind and deaf and dumb," Mara said with a smile.
"And we're good at that," he told her with a wide grin.
"Don't be too confident, smart-mouth," she teased him. "Of course, on the other hand we'll have someone to create a diversion for us." She had again been impressed by the old Sith's farsight, when he had sent Boba Fett to Byss, even before the bad news about Yana Dar's disappearance had hit home. But then, from what she had seen and read of the Seeker so far, she should not have been surprised. "There we are," Mara announced as she let the ship glide into the open hangar and settled it down on the gleaming deck. Jix was already unstrapping from his flight harness.
"Yup, there we are. And I still don't like it."
Together they made their way to the entry hatch and climbed down the ladder one after the other. Jix was the first to reach the hangar deck, and he immediately turned his back toward the ship in a guard position, with his right hand close to his blaster. Mara joined him swiftly and resumed the lead as a youngish lieutenant came toward them.
"Ambassadors Jixton and Jade?" he inquired impassively.
"Yes. Moff Hah Kima is expecting us," Mara returned politely.
"Please follow me. You transport stands ready."
The three of them boarded an Imperial-model shuttle and soon they were on their way to Byss. Nudging Mara's ribs, Jix leaned over to whisper in her ear: "They didn't even ask for the ship controls for the bogus search."
"They don't expect us to return," she replied quietly. "Damn!"
"Wanna take over the shuttle?" he asked lightly, eyes glancing pointedly at his blaster.
She shook her head. "No. We'd never get away. Let's see what Kima has planned for us."
"And rely on some dirty bounty-hunter to bail us out of trouble?" the Corellian hissed angrily.
Mara smiled at him thinly. "Don't be so damn stubborn. None of us is playing with open cards anyway."
"Well, I prefer the straight approach," he told her indignatly, then added: "Mostly."
But Mara did not feel like appreciating his sense of humor. She remembered all too well their last visit to the Imperial throne world, where they had been goaded straight into a trap set for them by Tious Markhan. Apparently Hah Kima was thinking along the same lines the late Grand Admiral had, but he was not nearly as smart as Markhan had been. Which again undermined the fact that Kima was a pawn, not the initiator of this coup. The Seeker had informed them that Hah Kima would follow the late Emperor's directive in collaborating with the Yuuzhan Vong, and that he would not make any independent decision, contrary to Franzis Sarreti, Mara thought.
The Empress' counselor had modified his master's plan to fit the current events, whereas Hah Kima was playing blindly into the hands of a very shrewd and ruthless alien race that only sought to use him. No one could be quite as stupid, not even an Imperial agent. If Hah Kima continued that way nothing would be left of the Emperor's legacy at all. Yet Mara supposed that the Yuuzhan Vong had promised him to leave the Empire alone once they had pushed their own scheme through. Padmé Naberrie had also suggested as much, just as the Seeker.
Perhaps playing that card would give them an edge over the moff. He would try to verify that information with his 'allies', who of course would deny any such thing. But it would plant seeds of doubt in Kima's mind, and ultimately every living being followed only one directive: survival. Very few were ready to die for their ideals, and Hah Kima had not struck her as one of that caliber. He seemed more of an opportunist, who thought himself very clever. Well, they would see which one of them would flinch first in the match ahead. Relaxing a fraction, Mara gave Jix a tight smile that he returned with a wink.
After twenty minutes more they had finally reached Byss, and an 'honorary guard' was awaiting them in the main hangar of the port. It was not the main citadel, and a glance at the ruins of the fortress confirmed at least that there really had been a battle on Byss. Following the lieutenant wordlessly, the two of them kept a wary eye on everything, and Mara extended her senses outward to get a feel for the place. There was anxiety aplenty, fear, and residues of pain and suffering. She remembered her first visit to Byss, where she had had to go through the agony of experiencing Sarreti's breaking through the Force. Tious Markhan had had the agent tortured to learn the exact nature of his original assignment and plans. Not that the information he had gained then had managed to save him in the end. When the lieutenant led them toward the same meeting room where Tious Markhan had welcomed his captives, Mara almost smiled. So, it would seem as if the late Grand Admiral had had an admirer in Hah Kima. Who would have thought?
They entered together, and found Hah Kima with his back toward them, apparently lost in studying a star chart displayed on the center screen dominating the room's far wall. It depicted the Unknown Regions, a very specific sector. Mara squinted at the screen, but she had too little knowledge of the region to hazard an educated guess as to what was so special about this feature. Once the door had closed behind them Hah Kima turned toward them with a pleasant smile. Somehow, seeing him up close, with his blue eyes eerily calm, Mara had sudden doubts as to her calculation of the man's abilities and intellect. But maybe the moff was simply too arrogant to see his own failings?
"Welcome," he said faintly, then gestured toward the table. "Please, take a seat. The rest of the council will be with us shortly."
Mara took a chair slowly, and addressed Kima directly. "Forgive me, but I had expected to find them already here. Why the delay?"
"Very observant. Of course," he replied, the thin smile still in place. "I merely wished to give you a chance to grow accustomed to the setting. This is your first diplomatic mission, as I am given to understand."
"True. And, if I may, what is the meaning of this display?" she asked, not bothering to hide her contempt at his weak attempts of manipulation.
"Almashin, one of the Chiss' capital worlds," he said, suddenly thoughtful. "I have recalled the fleet from the Unknown Regions for now, but the Grand Admiral has set an ultimatum that I cannot ignore."
"An ultimatum?" This was new, and the Seeker hadn't mentioned it either. In fact, the Seeker had been very reluctant in predicting Thrawn's moves, she found only now. Was this bait for the enemy? Or was it for real?
"Yes. Apparently he will draw his forces together at Almashin. I do not know what he has planned from there on, though. The Grand Admiral demanded a clear answer to his request of continued assistance. If we choose to remain allied with him we are to send the fleet contingent back to join him at Almashin. A tricky choice, with the threat of renewed attacks on the Empire having reached us just today."
"New attacks?" Mara asked, very conscious of the fact that she was doing all the talking. "What confirmation did you gain?"
Hah Kima gave her a pained glance. "A message from home. Apparently enemy scoutships have been sighted close to Anobis."
"Oh." Sitting back, Mara pondered the implications. Either this personal twist was meant to appease her, or else Anobis truly was in danger, and they would experience a pleasant surprise in the meeting ahead. "So you will be sending part of your forces to your homeplanet?"
He sighed. "I am not certain what would be the wise choice, strategically, I mean. I am no warrior, I am an administrator."
"Then perhaps you should consult the Grand Admiral on your next move," she suggested earnestly.
He shook his head. "No. He made it quite clear that he does not wish any more transmission to occur between Byss and his fleet. Security reasons, I assume. Therefore I would value your input, yours and that of your navy command."
Ah. So that was the game. He wanted to know how the New Republic would respond, whether they would send reinforcements to Almashin or not. She gave him a bright little smile :"We will, of course, do everything we can to help you."
Jix was content to sort of lean back and let Mara do the talking. She was usually better at it anyway. But when the rest of the council Hah Kima had been going on about trundled into the conference room he was hard-pressed to keep calm. Each one of them regarded the New Republic ambassadors with such undisguised malice and contempt that the Corellian was very tempted to wipe that expression permanently from their faces. With a blaster, preferably. Yet Mara kept admiringly cool.
"Now that we are all present," Hah Kima said cheerfully, "we should begin right away. As I have already informed you, ladies and gentlemen, the Grand Admiral is gathering his troops at Almashin. Now we have to decide how to respond. Ambassadors Jixton and Jade are here to give us some input, should the need arise. Please, your suggestions."
"I am all for keeping our fleet where it is now," one of the assembled councilors stated harshly. "We have to see to our own interests first. These aliens have already caught us by surprise, and I do not want to have that repeated."
"I second Moff Mutha's opinion," another said gravely. "And I am not too worried about the Grand Admiral's chances of success. He is, after all, a Grand Admiral, and acclaimed the best of all."
"Exactly! The Chiss do not need our assistance. I say we do not move even one supply ship to Almashin!"
The conversation ran along those lines for a couple of minutes more, before Mara rose from her seat and Jix followed suite. At the questioning glances directed at them the former Emperor's Hand explained: "Since you have already made up your mind I do not see any real need for staying any longer. Coming here was obviously a waste of time."
"Yeah," Jix muttered. "If they're so independent, why don't we just leave them to those damn Yuuzhan Vong." Aloud he said: "I suppose the Empire has no use of the New Republic's assistance either, be it military or intelligence."
"Intelligence? You have some information we might not have?" Hah Kima asked, making a fair attempt at sounding surprised.
"Yeah," Jix grinned. "Tons of it."
"Is there anything of use to us?"
"Hardly. I mean, since you're all so eager to fight this war on your own..." The assembly gave him very cold stares. "And since you're so confident in the Grand Admiral's success you'll hardly worry about what he'll have to say to your sense of team-work."
"The Grand Admiral is a sensible man who understands our concerns," Hah Kima admonished him sternly. "He has told me so himself."
"Yet you also admitted that he has set an ultimatum," Mara reminded the moff. "One I would not take lightly."
Hah Kima stiffened. "I am well aware of that, but I will do anything in my power to ensure the Empire's continued existence."
"Do you now. Does that include collaborating with the enemy?" Jix winced at her dropping the bomb so abruptly. Everyone except the two of them froze.
"You dare come here and insult us!" one of the councilors exclaimed, his face red with outrage.
"As it is, we have been made aware of such activities on your part by a very reliable source," Mara continued, unpertubed, "Roj Kell."
"Impossible!" Hah Kima claimed.
Jix put a hand on the handle of his blaster with a wide grin. "Wanna elaborate on that?"
"What! Why should I owe you any explanation!"
"Right, we don't need one," Jix told the man sincerely.
But Hah Kima regained his composure quickly. Rising from his seat, he nodded at a guard stationed by the door. "You will soon learn that we are acting only with the consent of the highest authority. Our duty is to our people."
Jix frowned. "What exactly do you mean?"
"What he means, Mister Jixton, is that a change of allies is always favorable to certain extinction," a familiar voice intoned tiredly, and the Corellian turned his head sharply to glare at the newcomer, who was being helped into the conference room by two aides.
By the look of him, it was a wonder that they didn't need to use a stretcher to move him in. Franzis Sarreti's face was so pale that it had taken on an unhealthy complexion, and his gray eyes were without emotion. He walked like an old man, slowly, carefully, and Jix nearly jumped, when Mara dug her fingers into his arm, squeezing his flesh painfully. He could hear her moan under her breath, and felt a shiver run down his spine. He didn't need the Force to see that Sarreti was a broken man, that he was probably in so much pain that he didn't even care anymore. Dropping into one of the vacant seats, the former counselor exhaled slowly, and for a moment Jix thought he might forget to take another breath.
"And do you share that view," Jix asked hoarsely, feeling Mara tense at his side.
Franzis Sarreti managed a tiny smile. "Do I share it? My first duty is to the Empire. First and foremost. That is the truth of it."
"But you must know that the Yuuzhan Vong won't hold to their promises!" Mara blurted out suddenly.
The counselor's face grew slack. "You must understand," he whispered, "not every choice is an easy one. If you seek to survive another day you do not dare think further than tomorrow."
"You must be kidding!" Jix told the man, but Mara nudged him ever so slight.y
"We quite understand, Counselor," she explained. "Nevertheless, you will only postpone the inevitable for another day. Even if they manage to defeat Thrawn at Almashin, and I doubt that strongly, even if they manage to hold their own against the New Republic, do you believe they will truly spare you?"
"The Unknown Regions are vast," Sarreti answered, his lips twitching. "And Roj Kell is dead. Your information, Mister Jixton, is a ruse. Bait to trick us."
"What – Dead?" Jix found himself wondering aloud. How could Sarreti know?
"How do you want to know?" Mara asked, frowning.
"The Empress informed me," Sarreti sighed. "Apparently he died honorably, or so it is said, at the hands of Warmaster Marayl Carr."
"The Empress? Moff Kima claimed you and the Empress had gone missing, obviously a lie. Why should we believe anything you say? You have proven your true intentions just now, and although I do not expect that knowledge to be of much use to us now, I wonder why you did not simply blow our ship up and be done with it," Mara answered coldly. "So what is it you really want?"
"Just as Moff Kima suggested," the counselor replied, and Jix thought there was just a hint of something in his eyes. Hope? "You must work with us," he breathed at last.
And then Jix got it. Or at least he thought he did. What Sarreti was really trying to tell them was that he needed their help. In one swift move Jix had unholstered his blaster, and before the guard at the door could give alarm he was already dead. "Seal the door!" the Corellian ordered Mara briskly, as he pointed his weapon straight at Hah Kima. "No more chit-chatting," he growled.
"This conference room is under constant surveillance, Mister Jixton," Hah Kima informed him mildly. "You cannot possibly hope to get away with this."
Jix shrugged. "Sure I can. Got that door sealed?"
"Yes."
"Right. Then I would ask the gentlemen over there to move away from the screen. Mara, get rid of the cameras. All the cameras."
"You won't get away with this," Hah Kima hissed, now truly furious.
Jix ignored him and blasted the screen. The assembly scattered as one, seeking cover from the shrapnel flying around. Vaulting the conference table, the Corellian strode over to the ruined machinery and nodded to himself when he saw that it indeed had hidden a service well. "This is our way out." Then, with an evil smile on his face, he turned back toward the 'council': "Now, what to do with you?"
"Jix! We have to get out!" Mara snarled and pushed past him. She checked the service well with an expert eye, then hunched her shoulders to gain access into the cramped corridor. "Come on!"
"What about Sarreti?" he called back.
"Leave him, and stun the others," she ordered, unholstering her BlasTech. Behind her she could hear some protests, but they were quickly quelled by the sound of Jix' blaster. He joined her in the well and wrinkled his nose.
"Cozy. Do you know which way we have to go?"
Mara shrugged. "Anywhere but here will suit me just fine." Just then a loud booming noise told them that a few stormtroopers were keen on joining the meeting. "Let's hurry."
She squeezed past a cable array and ducked underneath another, focusing her senses ahead. Perhaps they could somehow get into the ventilation system and find a way out from there. Provided, of course, that the entrance to the service well was blocked, somehow, and if she considered the average security protocol of an Imperial garrison, that would be the case here. Now, she was certain that there had to be ventilation close by, to cool all the mechanical equipment installed into that conference room. Looking up, she saw a grid that looked promising. She turned toward Jix and gestured up.
"Give me a hand here, will you," she asked and he hoisted her up so she could reach the grid. It wasn't secured. Good. Working it out of its frame was easy, and she let it clatter to the floor unceremoniously. Just then someone started shooting, and she found herself being pushed into the ventilation shaft by Jix' able but decidedly ungentle hands. "Jix!"
So the troopers had already broken through, Jix would never make it up here. He'd have to find another way. Setting her mouth in a grim line, Mara holstered her blaster again and started down the ventilation shaft, following the breeze of fresh air. Underneath her the shooting continued, then died abruptly. She tensed, but continued after a short break during which nothing happened. Then there was something that sounded like running feet, and she smiled, when she could sense Jix' presense, focused and determined. He would be okay by himself. Crawling around a corner, Mara raised her brows when she found that she had hit a vertical shaft.
Carefully balancing her weight, she made a lunge for the opposite ledge, where the horizontal shaft continued, but just as she did so, a warning tingle started in the back of her head. Too late. A hard gust of exhaust air from underneath lost her her purchase and she plunged into the vertical shaft unchecked. Frantically searching for a way to stop her fall she found a safety ladder and her arms felt as if they were being torn from their sockets when she held on. She suppressed a scream and hung there for a moment to catch her breath. Then, with a supreme effort, she hauled herself up the ladder and found a small access hatch. She noticed that it had a security lock on the outside, but could be opened from the inside without a code. Relieved, she wrenched the door open and slipped into a darkened hallway. Mara stalked down the corridor noiselessly, her senses sharpened. Even though she was not fully trained in the use of the Force, she still could get an inkling of what to expect, and right now that were a whole lot of stormtroopers coming her way. Mara guessed that the access hatch had been connected to some kind of alarm that had been activated when she had opened the hatch.
Damn.
Turning the other way, Mara hastened further through the hallways, and the changing decorations told her that she was closing in on the living quarters, which was not good. There were bound to be more people, increasing the chances that someone would spot her. She passed a hallway with windows, and almost smiled when she found that she was only one storey above ground-level. A yard of some sort stretched out before her, and a door at the far end promised freedom. She unholstered her blaster again and took a careful shot at the window, which shattered instantly, to her great relief. Checking both ways, she unrolled a slim cable from her utility belt and latched it onto the window frame before lowering herself to the ground below. She hurried in unhooking the cable from her belt, but she really needn't have bothered. Looking up at the sound of a blaster's safety catch being released, she stared into the googles of a stormtrooper. Two more were flanking him.
"Freeze," the one standing right in front of her ordered, steadying his blaster rifle against his shoulder.
"I would do as he says, were I you," Franzis Sarreti told her calmly as he stepped around the trio of troopers to confront her. "Give me your blaster." He held out a hand, waiting. His eyes were infinitely tired, but Mara searched for a flicker of something nevertheless. There was nothing. Handing over her weapon she gave him a disgusted look.
"I had thought you'd be tougher than that," she grated out. "You cannot truly believe that Yana Dar is cooperating with the Yuuzhan Vong."
"She told me, and I believe her. She would not lie to me," he answered wearily and tucked her weapon behind his belt. "Take her away."
"Who is the traitor now?" Mara managed, before she was hustled inside the complex. A last look over her shoulder showed Sarreti standing forlornly in the yard, his gaze blank. Except for Jix he was the sole ally she had on this blasted world, she knew, if only she could beat some backbone into his head! Unfortunately she had a feeling that Hah Kima would make certain that she would not live quite that long.
"Drop your weapons."
The voice was low, and had a mechanical quality to it, as if it came through a filter. Great. Another stormtrooper, Jix thought and raised his hands obediently, after he had let his blaster fall. It landed in a clatter of metal on metal. He had managed to get into the complex' sewage system, but he had had to admit to himself that he was lost in the maze of service tunnels, and had no clue how to get out of there again. Perhaps having a trooper here wasn't so bad after all.
"All right," the voice continued. "Turn around and let me see your face."
That irritated the Corellian somewhat, but again he complied wordlessly and raised a brow when he recognized his captor. "Boba Fett. What a nice surprise."
"Is it?" the bounty-hunter asked casually, his left hand searching Jix' belt, while his right held a blaster aimed steadily on the Corellian's chest.
"Actually, yes. I have been expecting you." Jix grinned inwardly at the special joke he shared with the Dark Lord.
"You're Wrenga Jixton, right?"
"Yeah. I didn't know I was that famous."
"Famous? No, just known, in select circles," Fett told him, amused. "You've been expecting me? How so?"
"Roj Kell hinted at your presence here on Byss. He sent you, didn't he?"
The bounty-hunter chuckled softly. "A man full of surprises. Yes, he sent me."
"Any notion why?"
Boba Fett shook his helmeted head. "He said I would know the time to act, and I have a feeling now's that time. Here," he added, gesturing at Jix' blaster. "I guess we're in this together."
"Kell's dead," the Corellian informed him as he bent down to pick up his weapon.
"I know. He told me. As I said, full of surprises. I suggest we get Sarreti and blast out of here."
"Sarreti? He's a traitor," Jix countered angrily.
"Sure, just like the Empress," Boba Fett retorted, and the Corellian's anger deepened at the bounty-hunter's casual arrogance.
"Is there more you wanna tell me? Yana Dare sent you to get rid of Kell. Why didn't he kill you?"
Fett gave him a long look, probably feeling hurt at Jix' assumption that he'd not manage to get Kell anyway. "Yes, why not? Seems he had different plans. Said the Empress would be in trouble and he'd appreciate my help." Fett laughed. "Very convincing, that man. I almost would have thought he'd used some Jedi mind trick on me."
"So, what was that about Sarreti?"
"He gave me a message for the Empress, a holocube. An interesting message at that. And he said that we'd have to get Sarreti back on track, if he survived. So I say we go and get him." He gazed straight at Jix. "Are you up to it?"
"Are you kidding me?" the Corellian snorted. "This will be easy." He gave the bounty-hunter a hopeful look. "Know the way out of here? The stink is kinda getting to me."
"What will we gain by having the infidel leaders killed?" Alyn Cha was just asking, and Yana, who was busy braiding Roganda's long black hair, looked up to meet the priestess' eyes.
"Confusion," she purred. "Chaos. Even if those attacks should fail, they will draw in on themselves and leave us free reign to finish the Grand Admiral. We are selfish creatures," she added with a rough laugh.
Her hands moved gently, as she lifted another strand of dark hair to wrap it around the three already gathered at the base of the younger woman's neck. Roganda had fallen into some kind of stupor, refusing to recognize anything around her. But Yana kept her with her nevertheless. She knew that, should she discard Roganda now, their captors would very likely kill her without a second thought. So Yana pretended to find amusement in the woman's torment. Studying her progress, she frowned, and let her fingers slip over Roganda's neck tenderly. That way she had a chance to delve into the woman's mind, to examine her mental state. But Roganda had drawn in on herself, desperately trying to keep her heart alive despite the losses she had suffered in the past.
Her pain was Yana's punishment, for keeping up this charade, for betraying her own ideals. And it reminded her that she was still human. It was so easy to succumb to the Dark Side, to adopt the cruel, harsh views of the Yuuzhan Vong, to surrender to their rules to justify her deeds, to ease her conscience. Yet Yana denied herself that escape. She needed to be strong, shrewd, be everything her mentors had taught her to be. She had to live Sarreti's cold reason and unfaltering resolve and Kell's ruthless deviousness. She could not allow herself to think about what that would make her in the end.
"The Grand Admiral," Alyn Cha continued. "He is awaiting us at Almashin."
"Yes," Yana agreed with a tiny sigh. "A noble stand. With the Imperial troops's retreat he has no choice, really, but to seek a final confrontation." She looked down at the finished braid with a satisfaction she did not feel inside. But it served the image she was trying to build up, of an unpredictable, unstable ally that needed to be treated with utmost delicacy. Then, seeking Alyn Cha's eyes abruptly, she grinned. "He will perish, no matter how shrewd he may be. Once Hah Kima is dead, and Sarreti has gained the trust of the New Republic again, we can begin to dismantle that government bit by bit."
Grand Admiral Thrawn would undoubtedly deliver a crushing blow to the Yuuzhan Vong forces assembled against him. And here, aboard the Warmaster's own worldship, there was her. There was no escape for the Yuuzhan Vong. No escape from her revenge. Hesitating, Yana blinked back tears as she felt a tiny part of her self stand valiantly against the darkness that was invading her very soul, but she knew that she could not deny that darkness, or else she would not survive. The problem was, she did not know who she was any longer.
The Millennium Falcon had barely settled down on her assigned landing pad when Leia was already half-way to the entry hatch, wearing a huge smile on her face. Although their separation had not been a long one, after the ordeals they had passed and the promises they had made to each other, this reunion felt very special. She waited impatiently for the hatch to open, ignoring the icy cold up on the platform. In anticipation of Han's arrival she had managed to delay a meeting with Telmann Page, so Han and his companion could participate. She had been a little bit excited to hear that Han would be bringing a Chiss representative with him, and she was thrilled to see whether Anto Andorwyn would be as much trouble as she anticipated him to become.
Finally the hatch hissed open, and she took a tentative step back, almost bumping into a nameless guard Telmann Page had assigned to her once he had read the select excerpts Mother had chosen for him to see. Leia knew very well that her mother was playing a dangerous game, withholding the entire report and its true origins. But knowing Mon Mothma and her attitude toward the Sith, the princess felt better, albeit very guilty, with Padmé's course of action. It would be too staggering, if Mon Mothma made a Senate issue out of this report, and all the information they had now would lose its value as the debates would drag on. They needed to act, and the president's current stance on maintaing peace at all costs was too cautious for even Leia's taste. Ever since having trained with her father she knew the value of striking first, and hard, but she had no chocie but to follow the president's lead, or else she might surrender her post as Minister of State right away. She'd probably have to do that anyway.
Padmé held everything she told Leia confidential, and she took great pains to avoid anything that might connect her daughter with her own activities once they became public. That way she sought to protect the princess and her reputation. Yet Leia knew, and she very much suspected that her mother did too, that they could not avoid retaliations in the future. That thought dimmed her good mood somewhat, and her smile had faded once Han pounded down the ramp and whirled her around in a joyful embrace.
"Missed ya!" he said, a lop-sided grin on his face as he set her down again. Leia laughed, despite her mood.
"Well," she replied teasingly, "since you are back I assume Father did not push certain issues further."
Han grimaced wrily. "Nah. We're down to first names now."
"Is that so?" Leia extended a hand toward the blue-skinned humanoid who was second to leave the freighter. "Commander Al'than'erudo, I presume? Welcome to Coruscant."
"Your Highness," the commander replied graciously, as he shook the offered hand, his tenor voice very pleasant, "an honor to be here."
There was a tiny spike of jealousy Leia could pick up from Han, and she risked a glance over at him to see him scowl fiercely at the Chiss, who, Leia had to admit, was certainly a striking appearance. "Commander, I trust your will indulge a worried sister on her brother's fate," she continued, and Han growled softly.
"Certainly." For some reason Al'than'erudo's face darkened.
But before Leia could inquire more closely, Anto Andorwyn joined the trio on the landing pad, and Leia withdrew a step to look the Kuati up and down quite pointedly. "Welcome, your lordship," she told him coolly. "Please, gentlemen, if you would follow me?" Falling in step with Han she asked under her breath: "Where did you leave Andarack?"
"With your father, where else? Any last minute instructions?"
"None. Apart from the obvious ones."
"Good." He turned his head to gaze at her intently. "Are we doing the right thing?"
"Why do you ask?" Her brow furrowed suspiciously.
"It is just that I have a bad feeling about all this secrecy. It will take a bad ending, trust me in that:"
"It can't be worse than having those Yuuzhan Vong progress further in their conquest," she countered calmly.
"I am not thinking about the New Republic here, what concerns me more is your family's fate." Leia gave him an incredulous look, and he added lightly: "Has the Imperial representative arrived already?"
"No." She shook her head. "What do you mean?"
Laying an arm around her shoulders he hugged her close for a moment and pressed a kiss on her right temple, before they passed the doorway and stepped into the Imperial Palace's complex. "You know exactly what I mean, Highnessness," he whispered. "We'll talk later some more."
Padmé felt actually a bit nervous, and had the fluttering hands to prove it, but when the door slid open to admit Leia and the newcomers, she relaxed once more. Favoring Han with a most confident smile, she rose with the assembly to greet him and his companions. Leia introduced the Chiss and the Kuati in solemn tones, and Mon Mothma greeted them just as formally. Then they took their seats again, and Padmé was pleased to have her daughter next to her. The as of yet not completed Council of War now consisted of herself, Leia, Han, Telmann Page, Mon Mothma, Al'than'erudo, Anto Andorwyn and General Seelac, who had taken up the post Tomas Piett had previously occupied, as Chief Military Advisor. The president herself got straight to the point as she turned toward Al'than'erudo, smiling.
"You have already sent a report ahead to inform us of the most recent developments at the front, which I appreciate very much," she began. "Is there anything you can advise us to do to prepare ourselves, should things go wrong at Almashin?"
Al'than'erudo's lips twitched almost imperceptively, and Padmé wondered about that. "Madam President," he replied smoothly, "Coruscant may not be in immediate danger, but if that battle turns into defeat, I suppose it is only natural to assume that the Yuuzhan Vong will continue their conquest. I doubt that they will be satisfied with occupying just the Unknown Regions. Theirs is a spiritual conquest, if you will."
"In what way?" Padmé heard herself ask.
"Well, Your Highness, as has been verified by different sources so far, the Yuuzhan Vong are here to reclaim what they view as theirs. They seem to operate on orders from their gods."
"Their priests, rather," Telmann Page snorted.
"Yes, General," Al'than'erudo agreed with a nod, "yet you must view the entire society as deeply suffused by religion. Their lives are directed toward their belief. We have uncovered evidence that links them to the Massassi, and ultimately to the Sith."
"Then perhaps we should let the Sith deal with them," General Seelac suggested, betraying his allegiance to Mon Mothma and her inner circle. Padmé's mouth twisted in disapproval, but she said nothing. To her surprise it was the president herself who moved to ridicule Seelac's comment, but then, Mon Mothma's motives for that unexpected interference were certainly of a more political than personal nature.
"While I tend to agree that the Sith would be the best choice to deal with these aliens, I must stress that the New Republic has an interest in peace, and the continuation of peace, " she said sternly. "Therefore we must prepare for any eventuality. Perhaps this council was ill-titled as Council of War, though." She gazed straight at Al'than'erudo. "While we certainly will continue to support your efforts in the Unknown Regions, we must also devise a plan for defending ourselves."
He nodded: "Since the Empire has withdrawn its troops, your assistance is doubly welcome."
"Very good. Now, I suggest we begin on discussing ways for us to strengthen the ties between our governments, to improve our cooperating with one another. Lord Andorwyn, I would hear the Confederate Zone's stance on this conflict now."
The Kuati inclined his head gravely: "As you were also able to deduce from the report sent ahead, the enemy has made a move on the Confederate Zone's leader, which was blunted by the brave interference from his bodyguard, and these two gentlemen." Here he gestured vaguely at Han and Al'than'erudo. "Therefore we must consider treason within or own ranks. Personally, I would like to see an investigation that will purge such disruptive elements before they can become lethal."
"Excuse me," Leia injected quietly," but we did not ask your specific paranoia. Tomas Piett has previously promised the New Republic protection and assistance. Does that offer still stand? Or does he consider a withdrawal, as the Empire did?"
Taken slightly aback, Andorwyn blinked his eyelids rapidly, before his features eased again. A smile appeared on his face as he steepled his hands in front of his chest: "Your concern is well received, Princess. While the Confederate Zone is willing to assist you, we have little to offer in military terms."
"Not true," General Seelac snapped. "Kuat and Bilbringi boast some of the biggest shipyards this galaxy has to offer."
"Shipyards yes, a fleet, not," Andorwyn countered. "Of course, we could offer those facilities to you, should you whish to use them as base of operations."
"Profiteers!" Seelac sneered. "I would have expected more from Admiral Piett!"
"I am not Tomas Piett," Andorwyn countered coolly.
"Yet you represent the Confederate Zone," Leia reminded him.
"And its interests. I am certain that the New Republic is willing to recompensate us for the use of our facilities."
"You will find that we are not willing to do that at all," Leia said sharply. Andorwyn glared at her as if she were stupid, but Mon Mothma motioned for her to continue. "As has been stated already, Bilbringi and Kuat prosper because of their shipyards, and the industries tied to them. Both worlds also make for excellent military targets for the enemy. Therefore, Lord Andorwyn, a compromise might benefit us both. Protection in exchange for the free use of your shipyards."
"A reduced fee," Andorwyn managed defiantly. Leia nodded.
"Then we are agreed," Telmann Page sighed. "We establish a defensive front at Bilbringi and Kuat, and, if I may suggest, also toward Anobis and Yaga Minor."
"You expect raids to come out of Imperial Space?" Al'than'erudo inquired.
"As the president has already stated, we should guard against all eventualities," the general replied smoothly. "Speaking of," he continued, "Senior Analyst Padmé Naberrie has prepared a report for you that I would ask you to study closely. It will give you an outline of the enemy's motives and motivations, and his tactics."
Padmé began sliding the datacards she had prepared in a stack sitting on the table in front of her toward the attendees. Han caught his with a pensive frown on his forehead. The report was not the full report she had received from Talon Karrde, and in a recent talk with the information broker she had been made aware of the attempts on Page's part to uncover more about the report's source. But she had to keep that secret, until she had the council right where she wanted it. So far neither Mon Mothma, nor her staff, had realized that this council was no council of war. The war would be decided regardless of their decisions. All they were here for was to focus the enemy's attention on a possible threat. Once the Yuuzhan Vong realized that they had been looking the wrong way all the time, Padmé would reveal the true purpose of this assembly. But to survive that revelation she had to groom the egos of its members. Smiling at each attendee she activated her datacard.
"I suggest we discuss each point one after the other, so you can ask questions right away," she informed them demurely. "And we can discuss each aspect together. Ready? Then here we go."
It was hours later that they finished their discussions, and General Seelac immediately went with Telmann Page to prepare a plan of action to establish the defensive front. Of course, such a measure would have to be approved of by the Senate before being enacted first. Another cliff to master. Meanwhile Leia accompanied her mother to her office, where Padmé wanted to prepare an official letter of notice for all senators, that would outline the basic results of the council's discussion. Han had volunteered for getting Al'than'erudo set up in the quarters provided for him as representative of the Chiss Empire. Leia guessed that Han wanted to discuss a few additional points with the Chiss, which reminded her that she needed to talk to him herself soon, too.
The door closed behind them, and Mother took a seat behind her desk, looking suddenly very weary. Carefully seating herself opposite from her, Leia folded her hands on the table and gave her mother a long look.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly. "Ever since we left Bilbringi you've been constantly depressed for some reason. I suppose talking to Father did not help?"
Mother shook her head with a smile. "We cannot escape our destiny," she whispered.
"What do you mean?"
"I have always tried to stand for a democratic and liberal republic, that would offer even the powerless a voice in the Senate. But politicians are selfish. They look to the good of those they represent, or perhaps even only look out for themselves. It makes us vulnerable to outside manipulation." She smiled wearily. "In the past I have become victim to a number of such manipulations."
"You believe you have failed?" Leia lay a hand on her mother's forearm. "But that is not true! You always fought for what you believed in! You could not know what Palpatine was planning! You were confounded by events."
"Yes. That is true. But that is not what I meant." Mother's smile turned sad. "I have been deluding myself, denying my true nature. I am selfish too."
"What!"
"Please. Let me finish." Leia closed her mouth at a stern glance from her mother. "What I learned on Korriban and tried to forget over the past months, is that I can only be true to myself, including everything I am. I did enjoy serving my people as leader and in the Senate, but ultimately they hampered my maneuverability, and blinded my vision to what was truly going on. I was too trusting in the galactic leaders, trusted myself too little. Now I find I cannot summon patience for Mon Mothma's narrow-minded approach to this conflict, and I do not feel guilty at all at deceiving her, and the Senate. Yet I know what I am doing is right and true."
"And selfish," Leia added quietly.
"Yes," Mother agreed. "Very selfish." She shrugged. "But then, I am a politician. There's no denying that."
The princess leaned closer conspiratorily. "Mother," she asked in a low voice, "what else does the report predict that you haven't told me yet?"
Padmé's face fell. "I cannot tell you. If I did – If I did this conflict would never end." She shuddered for some reason. "Talon Karrde is trying to verify the validity of the Seeker's predictions. Perhaps we are simply misinterpreting the results. Fact is though, that once this is over, nothing will be the same again."
A knock at the door caught their utmost attention, and Leia saw her mother flinch guiltily. "Come!" Padmé called, letting her expression ease once more. Anja Dumilor, her aide, stuck her head in.
"The president wishes to se you, if you can spare a moment?"
"Of course. Send her in, please."
A moment later Mon Mothma entered the office, which was a little bit cramped with the three of them inside. But the president did not seem to want to stay for long and made no move to seat herself. She was wearing a smile on her face, and Leia could sense satisfaction, hope and happiness in the older woman. She gave both the princess and the former queen an amiable nod.
"Good work, both of you. I must again thank you for your dilligence and effort. Without you, I would not know if I could weather this crisis."
Leia rose elegantly. "Don't say that."
"But it is true." Mon Mothma heaved a tiny sigh. "Tomas Piett is gone, the Grand Admiral and Lord Skywalker are off playing at war, and you are the only ones who can help me hold the front here, in the Senate. It will be a tough course. But I know I can rely on you." Her shoulders straightened visibly. "That's all I wanted to tell you." She gave them another nod and half turned away, before she stole a glance at Padmé. "You are certain that Roj Kell is dead?"
"Judging from Commander Al'than'erudo's report, not even a miracle could have prevented him from succumbing to the wounds he received on Laa'kuan."
"Yes. I thought as much. A shame, in a way, he was a remarkable man. We probably won't be seeing the likes of him again. Hopefully," she added with a weary smile. "He might have been remarkable, but far too dangerous to let live. I never understood Master Yoda's insistence on sparing his life. Perhaps now we will be free of the Sith at last." Nodding to herself thoughtfully, Mon Mothma turned away. "You should get some rest. Tomorrow's Senate session will certainly be taxing." And with those words she left.
With a disapproving frown Leia turned back to face her mother, only to find her incredibly pale. "Mother! Are you all right?"
"It is nothing," Padmé managed in a low whisper. "Nothing at all."
TBC