Enemy Lines II_ Rebel Stand - Aaron Allston [42]
Leia sighed. “This is going to be a big blow to Addath.”
“I know. But survival is more important than friendship.”
Addath switched it off. Anger made her feel tight from head to foot.
It wasn’t Leia turning against her that angered her. That was just politics. It was the fact that it might have worked. If she hadn’t had enough layers of security for one of them to keep track of Han’s movements, this deal between the Solos and the admiral might have come to pass, and she’d have missed her chance—her opportunity to come up with a more formidable counterbribe.
They walked alone on the lengthy balcony at the rear of the Presider’s residence. Addath had arranged for it to be cleared of all visitors, of all government employees, for this meeting. Now Leia walked along beside her, with Han, wrapped up in his hooded cloak and anonymous as any bodyguard or servant, a step behind them.
Truth be told, Addath preferred it that way. There should never be any question that Han Solo, regardless of his comparative fame, ranked lower than she did.
“I have come to make you an offer,” Addath said. “Something to help motivate your participation in my campaign.”
Leia hesitated. “About that … Addath, I won’t be able to help. Circumstances have changed. Han and I have to return to Borleias immediately. We’ll be leaving tonight.”
“Bear with me. I think what I have to offer will change your mind. I think you’ll want to stay.”
“I … well, let’s hear it.”
“Six squadrons of improved A-Nine Vigilance Interceptors and a Nebulon-B frigate refitted to carry them all—it’s more of a light carrier than it is a frigate. Vessels like it form the backbone of our new fleet.”
“Impressive. And you’d give me all this just to keep me here, campaigning for you?”
“Yes. I think that highly of your influence.”
“But Addath, you aren’t in possession of those vehicles. Admiral Werl is.”
“Until I win this election, that is. At which time I take control of the military and can simply detach those units from the navy. We won’t need them anyway. We’ll be pursuing nonviolence pacts with the Yuuzhan Vong.”
Leia sighed. “Listen, Addath, you might lose this election even with my participation. Or there might be another runoff. Or some enemy of your politics might arrange for you to be killed. There are a thousand different things that could pop up to keep you from providing us with those resources. I have to refuse.”
“What if I obtained them for you now?”
“How?”
Addath slipped a data card from her sleeve and held it up. It glinted in the moonlight. “This card holds access and authorization codes, plus a temporary military rank for the bearer. It will allow you to enter Vanstar Military Base, catch a shuttle to any of our new frigates, and assume command of it. For whatever purpose you want. Send it straight to Borleias.”
“Addath, you’re talking about taking control of military resources you don’t have legal control over.”
“But I will. A little alteration of documentation, and the dates for the transfer of ownership and control are moved up to one day after I assume the Presider’s office.”
“That’s just wrong, Addath. I can’t do that. I don’t think I can support you in this campaign at all.”
Addath blinked at her. “Leia, you surprise me. I doubt your husband is so dainty.” She turned back to the cloaked figure. “What do you say, Han?”
“Han has nothing to say about this.”
“Perhaps you should let him speak for himself.”
“I would if he were here.”
“What?” Addath felt a jolt of coldness spread through her. She looked again at the tall cloaked figure. “Who’s this, then? Your bodyguard?”
“Addath, I can’t exactly introduce you to Fasald Ghem. I understand you already know her.”
That coldness reached to every one of Addath’s fingers and toes as the cloaked figure threw back the cloak hood. The gesture revealed the face of a tall, lean woman, dark-haired, dark-eyed. On her forehead was a device shaped like a crown, but instead of featuring a central gem, it carried a central lens—it was a head-mounted holocam