• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

“The saboteurs were after the Jedi, not us,” Director of Fleet Intelligence Addar Nylykerka interjected.

A’baht swung to him. “And why? Because, until Ithor, the Jedi were the ones who were leading the campaign. Now either we assume that role, or we allow the New Republic to splinter beyond repair. We must demonstrate our commitment to stopping the Yuuzhan Vong, and we must do so before additional worlds fall.”

He adopted a more affable tone. “I’m not saying that security isn’t an issue; only that we set a proper example. By relocating to Dometown we have encouraged everyone to think in terms of concealment.”

A kilometer-wide cavern of homes and buildings, Dometown had originally been financed by a consortium of investors, including former general Lando Calrissian. But the hundreds of thousands expected to abandon the frenetic surface for underground tranquillity had never arrived, and the enterprise had gone bankrupt. Repossessed by banks and various credit unions, the would-be community had ultimately become the property of the New Republic military.

“Already there are new hotels and restaurants being opened on the lowest levels,” A’baht was saying, “in anticipation that those currently fortunate enough to live in Coruscant’s lofty towers will have nowhere to go but down should the Yuuzhan Vong attack. And mark my words, there’ll be no survival, even here. For if what is occurring at Sernpidal and Obroa-skai is any indication, the Yuuzhan Vong will remake Coruscant in their own image, entombing any who have fled to the depths.”

“Has thought been given to just where we will go should Coruscant fall?” Ixidro Legorburu asked while most of the officers were mulling over A’baht’s dire prediction. A native of M’haeli, Legorburu was director of the New Republic’s Battle Assessment Division.

“That will never happen,” Sien Sovv assured, then lowered his voice to add, “Nevertheless, we’re exploring options for relocating key government and military personnel to the Koornacht Cluster or, should worse come to worst, the Empress Teta system in the Deep Core.”

“Key personnel,” someone said leadingly.

The Sullustan admiral frowned. “It’s a moot point, in any case, since most of the proposals have met with opposition by certain members of the senate.”

Knowing glances were traded around the table.

“General A’baht’s point about honoring our commitment to secondary worlds is well taken,” Sovv said, “but I’m certain that even he would be willing to concede that sending a flotilla to Gyndine wouldn’t have slowed the enemy’s advance.”

When everyone looked at A’baht for confirmation, he nodded, though with obvious reluctance.

“The attack on Gyndine indicates a change in the enemy’s battle campaign. Clearly they are probing for weaknesses, perhaps routes into the Core. At the same time, there has been a marked increase in their mining of select hyperspace routes, which has narrowed our access to several outlying sectors.”

“In other words, they’re attempting to contain us,” Brand said.

The diminutive Sovv stood and directed everyone’s attention to a holomap that projected from the table’s center, showing the current disposition of Yuuzhan Vong forces. “This is what we have been able to piece together from direct observation, in addition to stasis probe reconnaissance and hyperspace orbiting scanners.

“As you can see, their fleets are concentrated between Ord Mantell and Obroa-skai, and now between Hutt space and Gyndine. Should they move Coreward from Obroa-skai, Bilbringi, Borleias, Venjagga, and Ord Mirit are imperiled. From Gyndine, Commenor, Kuat, and Corellia are vulnerable. Analysis suggests that the conquest of Gyndine was effected to ready the way for a two-pronged attack. Logic dictates that—”

“You err in believing that they strategize as we do,” A’baht interrupted, “when, in fact, they are waging a psychological war. The destruction of natural beauty and repositories of learning, the pursuit of refugees—such tactics are meant to confound