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“They couldn’t have been on continuous deployment for ten years,” Leia protested.

“No,” said Ackbar. “But there are more than two hundred inhabited worlds in Hatawa and Farlax, many of which we still know little about. Some may still be friends with our enemies. And there is still the matter of the five unknown shipyards used by the Black Sword Command. No matter who owns them, I would like to know what has come off the ways in those ten years.”

Pressed from both sides, by one she knew and trusted and by another she did not know but respected, Leia relented. “I really don’t need this right now,” she said, sighing. “What exactly are you recommending?”

“Princess, the Fifth Fleet is about to sail on its show-the-flag excursion,” said A’baht. “I would suggest to you that searching for the Black Fleet would be a better use of those ships.”

“You want to take the entire Fifth into Hatawa and Farlax?”

“I would not want to find the Black Fleet with anything less at my command, Princess.”

“You realize, of course, that the Koornacht Cluster is in Farlax.”

Ackbar nodded. “Yes—of course.”

“Then you realize that you’ll have to exempt Koornacht from any search. Nil Spaar has been adamant about territorial integrity,” she said. “Their claim extends to the entire cluster. He hasn’t even agreed to grant emergency landing or pass-through rights yet. Any intrusion by Republic warships, no matter what the mission, is completely unacceptable—to him and to me.”

Once again Ackbar and A’baht exchanged glances. This time A’baht lost. “Princess, perhaps you can explain to me the logic in starting a search and announcing a safe hiding place at the same time.”

“Ackbar said there’re over two hundred inhabited worlds in that region,” Leia said. “That should give you enough to keep you busy until I’ve reached an agreement with the Yevetha.”

“Koornacht is centrally located, and the Yevetha are technologically adept,” said A’baht. “It’s a likely location for at least one of the shipyards.”

“The Yevetha hate the Empire as much as anyone,” said Leia. “They ran them out of Koornacht at the first opportunity. You can be sure there are no secret weapons hidden there.”

“Perhaps. And perhaps Nil Spaar will view the missing vessels with more alarm than you have,” said A’baht. “Why not ask him for permission for my ships to search the Cluster for the Black Fleet? Make him say no for himself.”

“You obviously don’t understand the situation with the Yevetha, or you would never make such a request,” Leia said sharply. “Admiral Ackbar, I know you understand.”

“I understand your reluctance, and I understand General A’baht’s concern,” said Ackbar. “Given that, as you say, the Yevetha are no friends of the Empire, I would like to see the question put before the viceroy. He could surprise you.”

“No,” said Leia with a shake of her head. “The question alone is a threat. The presence of warships would be an open provocation. He could never agree to such a thing.”

A’baht pressed her again. “Let him say so. Put the question before him, as the admiral suggests.”

“No,” Leia said firmly. “Don’t ask me again. General, you may take the Fifth into Hatawa and Farlax to search for Nylykerka’s phantoms. You will respect the boundaries asserted by the Duskhan League, and not enter the Koornacht Cluster without explicit permission from me. Is that understood?”

A’baht rose from his seat and made himself tall. “I understand,” he said. “Please excuse me, Princess. I have a great deal to see to.”

“Good day, General.”

He saluted smartly and was gone.

“I want your word, too, Admiral,” Leia said, turning to Ackbar. “I won’t have all my efforts with Nil Spaar compromised. I’ve worked very hard to earn his trust. I don’t intend to lose it because some junior intelligence analyst couldn’t get his lists to agree.”

“You are Chief of State, and my superior,” said Ackbar, standing. “You do not need my word, but I give it to you—your orders will be obeyed. But I cannot give you my approval.