Star Wars_ The Black Fleet Crisis 03_ Tyrant's Test - Michael P. Kube-McDowell [131]
“Here’s the interesting news,” said Colonel Mauit’ta. “Looking at the data from today’s action together with the clash at ILC-Nine-oh-five, we now believe that the Yevetha have their own game of where’s-the-candy under way. That is, we are now ninety percent convinced that there are two versions of the Yevethan T-type—one a capital warship, and the other an unarmed transport. At this point, we’re still looking for tip-offs to provide to your sensor crews. But we believe the risks would justify following a simple rule of thumb: Don’t bother firing on any targets that aren’t firing on you.”
“Here’s the bad news,” said General A’baht. “The last survey of the N’zoth and Z’fell systems show that the Yevethan fleets there continue to be reinforced by ships coming in from elsewhere in Koornacht Cluster. N’zoth is now at forty-six capital ships and Z’fell thirty-four. That means that if they call our bluff and we end up in a tussle, we’ll have only about a six-to-five edge—which could go to even odds by the time we get there. We will get one more snapshot from our stasis probes just before the jump-out.” He looked down the table at Wialu. “A lot’s riding on you, madam. If there’s any reason to think—”
“I am ready,” she said quietly.
“Then we go at the times established in revision nine of the coordinated plan,” said A’baht. “Good luck to us all—and if luck disappoints us, then good hunting to us all.” As the holos began dissolving, one after another, A’baht leaned toward Luke. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
This conversation truly was private—just Luke and the general, alone behind the closed door of A’baht’s office.
“I’ve been holding off saying anything about this, thinking I’d let you come to me on your own and let me know what sort of role you wanted to have in this,” said A’baht. “But we’re getting close to the end of the talking, so I’ll get right to the point. If this comes to a shooting war, I’d like to have the benefit of your experience and leadership.
“I know there are some strictly bureaucratic issues about your status, but I don’t care about them. I’d like to offer you command of Red E Squadron. That’s twelve of this ship’s best E-wing pilots, and I know there won’t be any hard feelings about your coming in at the top. You can use my personal fighter—the crews keep it zeroed in—”
“I’m sorry,” Luke said. “I appreciate your confidence, but I have to say no.”
A’baht frowned. “I’m not sure I understand. What, uh—what are your plans, then?”
Luke stood. “I intend to be with Wialu and Akanah on the observation deck. My obligations to them come first.”
Squinting unhappily in Luke’s direction, A’baht said, “If it’s their security you’re worried about, I can put as many armed men up there as you want, so you’d be free—”
“Armed men will not contribute to their sense of security,” Luke said. “The answer is no. I’m sorry if that answer disappoints you.”
“It confounds me,” said A’baht. “The choice is yours, of course—but I would appreciate an explanation, if there is one.”
Luke felt the heavy weight of expectations settle on his shoulders. If you don’t let them make your choices for you, they demand that you justify yourself to them—ah, Ben, how did you ever learn to refuse them with a tranquil conscience?
“The obligations I spoke of don’t involve protecting the Fallanassi,” said Luke. “I can’t stand with one foot in their world and one foot in yours. I asked them to involve themselves in our conflict as a matter of principle. Now I have to show that I respect that same principle myself.”
“Where exactly do your loyalties lie, then?”
“That’s a deceptively simple question, General, and we haven’t the time to explore it,” Luke said. “It does need to be explored—I suspect it’s the question that eventually led to Palpatine’s purge of the Jedi.”
“I did not intend to question your honor,” said A’baht.
“I