Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 05_ Agents of Chaos 02_ Jedi Eclipse - James Luceno [14]
Impatience coaxed Brand out of his seat. “Spare us the rhetoric, General, and come to the point. With such keen insight into the Yuuzhan Vong, you no doubt have some foreknowledge of where they will strike next.”
A’baht squared his shoulders. “The next targets will be Bothawui and Kothlis.”
Everyone regarded the Dornean for a long moment. “You have evidence to support this?” Sovv asked.
“No more than what you present to support your belief that they will push for the Core. With their forces in Hutt space, they are practically at Bothawui’s door.”
“So this is what he’s been getting at,” Brand muttered. “He’s finally gone over to Borsk Fey’lya’s side. Fey’lya the warrior, the hero of Ithor.”
A’baht refused to speak to the remark. “I propose that elements of the Third and Fourth Fleets be relocated to Bothan space as soon as possible. Bothawui is where we should draw the line and launch our counteroffensive.”
Brand snorted derisively. “And if you’re wrong? If the Yuuzhan Vong should decide to assault Bilbringi, Kuat, or Mon Calamari instead?”
A’baht glowered. “Are you suggesting that those worlds are more important than Bothawui?”
“I’m saying precisely that. If any of our shipyards fall, the New Republic will topple.”
“And if Bothawui falls?”
“We will mourn the loss, but the New Republic will survive.”
A’baht shook his head in dismay. “Times like this make me wish that Ackbar could be persuaded to come out of retirement.”
Sovv held up his hands to silence half a dozen separate conversations. “Contrary to General A’baht’s assertions, no scenarios have been ruled out. Based on current intelligence, Bothawui is just as likely to be targeted as Bilbringi. But more important, we are not simply standing by, waiting for the Yuuzhan Vong to strike. Two plans have already been put into action.” He looked at Brand. “Commodore, if you would be so kind.”
A’baht leaned forward in interest.
“The first plan involves inducing the Hapes Consortium to join the fight,” Brand said. “The Hapans are not only well armed but well positioned to outflank the enemy. Indeed, the Yuuzhan Vong may have skirted the Hapes Cluster in order to avoid having to engage them.”
“Then why should the Consortium worlds elect to get involved now?” A’baht asked. “Why wouldn’t they secure their own space as the Imperial Remnant has, or cut a deal, as the Hutts appear to have done?”
“Because the Consortium has allied with us in the past,” Sovv explained calmly. “Following the Battle of Endor, they captured several Imperial Star Destroyers, but instead of holding on to those ships, they donated them to the New Republic. Additionally, the Hapan queen mother’s homeworld of Dathomir is threatened.”
“More to the point,” Brand interjected, “the Jedi recently did the royal family a favor by foiling a coup directed against the queen mother. It is hoped that Ambassador Organa Solo can persuade the rulers of the noble houses to repay us in kind.”
A’baht feigned a look of confusion. “The Jedi did them a favor, and yet you’ve asked Organa Solo to intercede. To the best of my knowledge, she is not a true member of that order. Or is it perhaps that she was once courted by Prince Isolder?”
Brand fielded the question. “I won’t deny that that didn’t influence our decision to approach her.”
“And she has agreed?”
“For a price. We had to promise to back her in seeking added funds for SELCORE—refugee relief. But, yes, she has agreed. She will leave for Hapes immediately on her return from Gyndine.”
A’baht allowed an uncertain nod. “And this other plan?”
Brand adjusted the fit of his collar. “We’re hoping to lure the Yuuzhan Vong into attacking the Corellian system.”
For a moment, even A’baht was too surprised to speak; then he said, “Corellia isn’t Gyndine, Commodore. If it’s your aim to make that system a battlefield to avoid fouling Coruscant’s space lanes, you will never have my vote. Wasn’t it enough that