Star Wars_ The Jedi Academy Trilogy 01_ Jedi Search - Kevin J. Anderson [100]
The Twi’lek squirmed. “But the Sun Crusher isn’t finished yet. We still have tests to run, reports to file—”
“You have been procrastinating for two years. You are behind schedule thanks to your bureaucracy and ineptness. Grand Moff Tarkin is not coming back, and you no longer have an excuse to delay. I need the weapon now, and I’m going to take it.”
Her mind kept replaying the words Tarkin had told her while inspecting the Kuat Drive Yards. I am giving you enough power to turn any planet to slag. And with the newly designed Sun Crusher weapon, she could bring the New Republic to its knees.
“If Solo is telling the truth,” Daala said, “then my fleet could be the most powerful remnant of the Imperial Navy.” She picked up one of Tol Sivron’s small models. “We can’t just wait here any longer. Now it’s our turn to show them what we can do.”
20
The Caridan ambassador arrived with his entourage on the recently repaired west landing platform, far from the Imperial Palace. His diplomatic shuttle looked like a glossy black beetle, bristling with weapons that had been remotely neutralized before the ship was allowed to approach Coruscant.
On the landing platform Leia waited to greet Ambassador Furgan with a full contingent of New Republic honor guard. The wind picked up, blowing around the tall buildings, as if trying to push the Caridan delegation back in the direction it had come. She wore her formal government robes as well as rank insignia for the Alliance forces.
Carida, with its powerful military training center, was one of the most important strongholds still loyal to the Empire. If she could crack open negotiations with them, her coup would not be soon forgotten. But the Caridan system was going to be a tough jewel-fruit to crack, especially with a rude and icy ambassador like Furgan.
The shuttle’s hatch hissed open as the denser air of Carida rushed out. Two stormtroopers marched down the ramp, shouldering ceremonial blaster rifles equipped with bayonets. Their white armor gleamed from meticulous polishing. They moved like droids, walking off the ramp and stepping to either side, then freezing in position as a second pair of stormtroopers followed them down and waited at the end of the ramp.
Ambassador Furgan strode down, stubby-legged and self-important, as if to ceremonial music. His uniform was spattered with more badges, insignia, and ribbons than any person could possibly have earned in a lifetime.
After two more stormtrooper officers followed the ambassador down, Furgan drew a deep breath, looking into the distance and ignoring Leia. “Ah, the air of Imperial Center.” He turned toward the waiting reception committee, beetling his thick brows. “Smells a bit sour now, though. The taint of rebellion.”
Leia disregarded the comment. “Welcome to Coruscant, Ambassador Furgan. I am Minister of State Leia Organa Solo.”
“Yes, yes,” Furgan said impatiently. “After Mon Mothma’s words about the extreme importance of Carida, I expected her to send more than a minor official to greet me. A slap in the face.”
Leia had to fall back on some of Luke’s tempercontrolling exercises, a Jedi mind-blanking technique that allowed her to quell the surge of anger. “I see you have not taken the time to familiarize yourself with the structure of our government, Ambassador. Though Mon Mothma is the New Republic’s Chief of State, the Cabinet is the actual governing body, of which the Minister of State and my subordinate diplomatic corps comprise perhaps the most important arm.”
Leia stopped herself, angry with Furgan for goading her, and angry with herself for letting him manipulate her into petty games. Mon Mothma had instructed her to extend every diplomatic courtesy to the ambassador. She wished Han or Luke were there beside her.
“Mon Mothma has a great many other duties, but she has arranged for a brief face-to-face meeting with you later in the day,” Leia said. “Until then, would you like me