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Borga laughed with him. “For the time being, let the word go out to our subcontractors to exercise caution in their transactions and deliveries.” She glanced at Leenik. “Who manages our affairs in the targeted systems?”

The Rodian dipped his head in a curt bow. “Boss Bunji oversees shipments to Corellia; Crev Bombaasa to Tynna and Bothawui.”

Borga licked her lips. “Inform them to suspend all business to the threatened systems—and to double their efforts elsewhere.” She clapped her hands loudly, awakening those sycophants who had dozed off. “Let us have music and dancing in celebration of this day!”

FIVE

Leia paced from bulkhead to bulkhead in her cramped cabin space aboard the New Republic transport. Head moving back and forth, servos whining and whirring, C-3PO tracked her movements, while Olmahk and Leia’s second bodyguard, Basbakhan, stood vigilantly to either side of the curved hatch. An illuminated planetary crescent of blue and brown dominated the view from the cabin’s transparisteel observation bay.

A tone sounded from the communications suite, bringing Leia to a sudden halt.

“Ambassador,” a raspy voice said, “we have the Ralltiiri minister on channel one.”

C-3PO pressed a lighted tile on the console, and the head and shoulders of a gray-haired man resolved in life-size holo. “Madam Ambassador,” the man said as Leia positioned herself for the visual pickup. “To what do I owe this honor?”

Leia frowned in anger. “Don’t trifle with me, Minister Shirka. Why have we been refused landing privileges at Grallia Spaceport?”

Shirka’s deeply lined face twitched. “I’m sorry, Ambassador, I thought you’d already been informed.”

“Informed of what?”

“The Ralltiiri Secretariat has vetoed the proposal that would have allowed us to accept any displaced peoples.”

“I thought so,” Leia fumed. “And just what am I supposed to do with the six thousand refugees who were promised temporary shelter on Ralltiir?”

“I’m afraid that’s not for me to decide.”

“But the Secretariat agreed to this last week. What could have changed since then?”

Shirka looked uncomfortable. “It’s rather complicated. But to be concise, the idea of accepting refugees didn’t sit well with several of our more influential offworld investors. That, of course, led the central banks to pressure the Ministry of Finance, and—”

“I assured you that the New Republic Senate had approved the allocation of funds for Ralltiir.”

“So you did, Ambassador, but the promised funds have not arrived, and to be frank there is rampant talk that they never will. As it is, investor confidence has been shaken. And as I’m sure you’re aware, what happens on Ralltiir affects market response all along the Perlemian Trade Route.”

Leia folded her arms. “This isn’t some stock issue, Minister. This is about everyone pulling together to help. What’s happening in the Mid Rim might not seem of pressing importance here in the Core, but you’re fooling yourself if you think you can hide from this. Have you already forgotten what the Emperor did when Ralltiir lent its support to the Alliance?”

Shirka bristled. “Is that meant to be a threat, Ambassador?”

“You misunderstand. I’m only suggesting that you consider the heinous actions of Lord Tion and Governor Dennix Graeber as prelude to what the Yuuzhan Vong are capable of doing—and without provocation. Remember what it was like to be denied relief, Minister? Remember what Alderaan risked for Ralltiir?”

Shirka worked his jaw. “Your mission of mercy at that time has not been forgotten. But, then, the Alliance did receive something in return …”

Shirka’s allusion was clear. A wounded Imperial soldier Leia rescued had been the first to tell of Palpatine’s superweapon, the Death Star.

“Regardless of who gained what,” she said after a moment, “is it Ralltiir’s intention to remain neutral in the coming storm to avoid disturbing the privileged lives of its wealthy residents and investors?”

Anger mottled Shirka’s face. “This conversation is over, Ambassador,” he said, and terminated the connection.

Leia