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Sovv put his small hands on the table and leaned toward A’baht. “Centerpoint Station is the very reason we hope to lure the Yuuzhan Vong there.”

Larger than the Death Star, the artifact had been discovered to be a hyperspace repulsor, used in the dim past and by an unknown race, to capture and transport planets to the Corellian system. The station was also a weapon of unparalleled power, both starbuster and interdiction field generator, and eight years earlier had been employed as such by a group known as the Sacorrian Triad, in an unsuccessful attempt to achieve independence from the New Republic.

“Are you telling me that Centerpoint is operational?” A’baht asked in disbelief. “The last I heard, it had been shut down.”

“It shut itself down,” Brand snapped. “But as we speak several hundred scientists are attempting to return it to operational status. If the Yuuzhan Vong can be encouraged to attack Corellia, we will use a Centerpoint-generated interdiction field to prevent their ships from going to hyperspace while our fleets attack from the rear.”

“Much to the dismay of the species of the Corellian sector, I would imagine,” A’baht said. “After all, we didn’t win many friends by interceding in the system’s attempts at self-governance. If memory serves, the blowback from that interference is what prompted Organa Solo to resign as chief of state.”

Sovv nodded. “But Governor-General Marcha is a New Republic appointee, and she has given her conditional approval. As a Corellian citizen, her word carries a lot of weight, not only on her native Drall but on Selonia, Corellia, and the Double Worlds. What’s more, we haven’t made the full extent of our plans known.”

A’baht stared at him for a moment, then looked at Brand.

“As far as the Corellians know, we’re readying Centerpoint as a defensive weapon, in lieu of stationing a flotilla there.”

“How very noble of us,” A’baht said in obvious disgust. “Here they’ve been supplying us with Strident-class Star Defenders, and we withhold the fact that we’re planning to use their system as a battleground. Just how do you plan to lure the Yuuzhan Vong into attacking?”

“By making Corellia appear too attractive a target to pass up,” Brand said. “By leaving the system essentially unprotected.”

A’baht stroked his jaw in thought. “It’s bold, I’ll grant that much. But have Fey’lya and the Advisory Council members been apprised of this plan?”

“They know only what Corellia knows,” Brand barked, then softened his tone to add, “Fey’lya would never sanction the rearming of Centerpoint—if only to prevent Corellia from reaping such power.” He laughed shortly. “Even in the remote chance he did support us, how then could we ensure that word of the plan wouldn’t leak? Once that occurred, every world in the Corellian system would rise up in revolt.”

A’baht snorted in displeasure. “Fey’lya’s isn’t the only voice on the council. He can be overridden by a majority vote.”

Brand and Sovv traded looks. “From what we have been able to determine,” the admiral said, “three of the council members would certainly follow Fey’lya’s lead. Four of the others could very well support us.”

A’baht considered it. In response to the clamor from far-flung sectors for increased representation, two additional senators had been appointed to the council since the poisoning of Ithor. “That’s four against, four in favor. Who is the unknown quantity?”

“The council’s newest member,” Brand said, “Senator Viqi Shesh.”

“Has anyone approached her?” A’baht asked. “Unofficially, of course?”

Brand shook his head. “Not yet.”

Sovv pressed his hands together. “Then I suggest we do so, Commodore. Before our window closes.”

Ixidro Legorburu spoke up. “Is there any hope that the Hutts can be persuaded to join us, actively or indirectly?”

“Intelligence agents on Nal Hutta and Nar Shaddaa have reported that the Hutts’ decision to ally themselves with the Yuuzhan Vong is a ruse,” Sovv said. “They apparently wish to serve as conduits