Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 04_ Agents of Chaos 01_ Hero's Trial - James Luceno [21]
“I submit to this body that a task force was deployed to protect Obroa-skai,” Shinev argued, “and that all within reason was done.”
Bel-dar-Nolek addressed Shinev’s hologram. “A pair of reconditioned Golan Defense Platforms and a couple of antique warships hardly constitute a task force, Senator.”
“That was all that could be spared, Director,” Bothan Chief of State Borsk Fey’lya growled from his seat on the dais. His violet eyes flashed. “What’s more, I find such recriminations reprehensible, in light of the enemy’s erratic movements and often unpredictable strategies.”
Bel-dar-Nolek spread his hands placatingly. “Chief Fey’lya, I’m simply trying to prevent further errors in judgment. It’s one thing to ignore the pleas of Outer Rim worlds, but to allow a world of Obroa-skai’s prominence to fall into enemy hands—”
“I object to the director’s blatant chauvinism!” the senator from Agamar interrupted. “And by what right does Obroa-skai portray itself as a cynosure?”
Bel-dar-Nolek glowered at the human and flung his words with brutal carelessness. “Obroa-skai’s dedication to the perpetuation of cultural diversity makes it more important than other worlds. I demand that something be done to rescue what remains of our historical documents before it’s too late.”
“Secretary Kumas,” a deep and mellifluous female voice rang out, “I ask to be recognized.”
Kumas spread his wings. “The senate recognizes Senator Viqi Shesh of Kuat.”
A slender, handsome woman of indeterminate age, Shesh flipped radiant black hair over her shoulder as she rose from her balcony seat. Relatively new to politics, she had quickly become known as a clever deal maker, with a knack for keeping all sides happy. The media had taken an immediate interest in her, to the point where she had been the subject of countless news stories, and her face was almost as widely recognized as that of Chief of State Fey’lya.
“On the matter of rescuing data, Director, it is my understanding that shiploads of important documents were relocated to the Institute’s facility on Coruscant well in advance of the attack on Obroa-skai. Was I misinformed?”
“A fraction of what we had hoped to save,” bel-dar-Nolek countered nastily.
Shesh beetled her fine brows and nodded in a way that combined gravity and conceit. “Forgive my saying so, but the past concerns me far less than the future. While the loss of Obroa-skai is a terrible blow, the New Republic military is hardly in a position to spare ships to retake a world when it is already overextended in defending so many others. The Yuuzhan Vong are widening their hold of key sectors in the Outer and Mid Rims, and unless their advance is thwarted, they could reach the Colonies or the Core in a standard year, leaving even Coruscant itself vulnerable to assault.”
Bel-dar-Nolek studied her stonily. “I see through you, Senator. Obroa-skai was surrendered because it lacks strategic value. When Yuuzhan Vong warships begin to close on Kuat, Chandrila, or Bothawui, I doubt very much that the New Republic fleets will be otherwise engaged. The military was in force at Ithor. Even the Imperial Remnant.”
“And Ithor was despoiled in spite of our efforts,” Shesh said. “I sympathize, Director, but I certainly don’t see what can be done now.”
Bel-dar-Nolek slammed his fist into his open hand. “We can appeal to the Yuuzhan Vong to allow Obroaskai to remain accessible to scholars.”
Denunciations flew from every quarter. While Kumas was attempting to restore order, Borsk Fey’lya got to his feet, his cream-colored fur bristling. “It is not the policy of this body to bargain with aggressors,” he pronounced, in a way that left little room for argument.
But bel-dar-Nolek was unmoved. “Then I’m afraid you leave the Obroan Institute no choice but to forge a separate peace with the Yuuzhan Vong.”
“I strongly advise against that, Director,” Shesh said. “The most recent attempt at appealing to