Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 05_ Agents of Chaos 02_ Jedi Eclipse - James Luceno [128]
Leia nodded. “A similar rift has occurred in the New Republic Senate. The sneak attack on Fondor has galvanized the Core Worlds into preparing for the worst, but at the expense of alienating many of the Inner Rim worlds. Support for Fey’lya has been shaken, and the senate will probably demote or demand resignations from Commodore Brand and Admiral Sovv, even though they are desperately needed.”
Isolder considered it. “That is the difference between the Consortium and the New Republic, perhaps between the old and new ways. Representatives of the New Republic are free to express their outrage without fear of breaching decorum or provoking an honor duel.” Isolder snorted a self-deprecating laugh. “I don’t know which is the best method of governing, but I know that the Hapans will put on a brave front. Already the people of my world are saying that our fleet, though destroyed, saved the day for Fondor and the New Republic.”
“And you would have.”
Isolder shook his head. “That is unknown. But we will at our next engagement with the Yuuzhan Vong. I’m sure of that now, because we are compelled to make the deaths suffered at Fondor count for something.”
“You’ll at least have the quick-recharge weapons technology Archon Thane wanted,” Leia said.
Isolder worked his jaw. “Scarcely a consolation, but it will have to suffice.” He looked at Leia. “War benefits those who devise ever more expedient methods of destruction. Let us hope we can outmaster the Yuuzhan Vong at their own game.”
Perched on the edge of his father’s favorite chair in their apartment on Coruscant, Jacen watched in dismay as a 3-D image of Thrackan Sal-Solo took shape above the HoloNet well. The voice of the Sullustan news anchor continued.
“Former head of the so-called Human League, Thrackan Sal-Solo is being credited with turning the tide at the Battle of Fondor. While scores of New Republic warships were destroyed in the Yuuzhan Vong’s sneak attack on Fondor’s orbital construction facilities, Sal-Solo’s bold use of a hyperspace repulsor beam not only drove the invaders into retreat but destroyed a significant portion of their fleet.”
The well projected an image of Centerpoint Station. “The repulsor beam was fired from Centerpoint Station, in the Corellian system, which, ironically, was used eight years ago during Corellia’s unsuccessful bid for independence from the New Republic. One of the many arrested for fomenting that crisis, Sal-Solo was released from prison to assist in rearming the station, and there are unconfirmed reports that he was the only one willing to assume the risk of triggering the weapon against the enemy fleet.
“As to what’s next for Sal-Solo or Centerpoint, that depends on whom you ask. With a vote of no confidence looming for Governor-General Marcha, Duchess of Mastigophorous, some feel that Sal-Solo will be recruited to head the newly formed Centerpoint Party, which advocates independence for the five worlds that comprise the Corellian system. Centerpoint Station itself remains in the hands of the New Republic, but whether it will—or indeed can—be employed again as a long-range weapon depends largely on how successful Coruscant is at justifying the secondary destruction suffered at Fondor by the Hapan fleet.”
The images of Sal-Solo and Centerpoint began to derezz, and the head and upper torso of the Sullustan news anchor reappeared.
“In other news, a protest demonstration on Ruan, mounted by a group of recalcitrant droids—”
“You ever going to get tired of listening to reports about Corellia?” Anakin interrupted from the doorway to the family room. “We turned Cousin Thrackan into a hero. What else needs to be said?”
Jacen silenced the HoloNet. “Cheer up. At least this report didn’t mention us by name.”
Anakin scowled. “Good. Now all we have to do is hope that Dad doesn’t hear