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“The Yuuzhan Vong have established and fortified what amounts to a resupply corridor that stretches from the Outer Rim to Hutt space. Since the battle at Obroa-skai they have been receiving a steady influx of warships and matériel, clearly in anticipation of launching a major offensive—their first since Ithor. Against such a formidable fleet, and without weakening our security in the Core or at Bilbringi, where harassment continues despite holding actions by the Imperial Remnant, we can mobilize and deploy a task force of vessels borrowed from battle groups currently in service at Commenor, Kuat, Ralltiir, and a score of other worlds. Should the Hapes Consortium vote to support New Republic efforts, some of their ships would also be allocated to the task force, which would be led by the heavy cruiser Yald, under my command.”

Brand paused again and planted his large hands on the podium. “Councilors, we have not discounted that the assembled intelligence could be a ploy to keep us from identifying a different target entirely, but at the same time we cannot afford to ignore the evidence.”

“Evidence,” Fey’lya grumbled. “Inferences, suggestions, remote possibilities, but certainly not evidence.” His violet eyes mocked Brand openly. “What has the command staff decided, with regard to this redisposition of naval power?”

Brand motioned to the holograph. “As you know, we have been triaging in all sectors, allowing worlds like Gyndine and now Tynna to fall in order to safeguard others like Kuat, Bilbringi, and Commenor. Our actions—or shall I say inactions—have hardly endeared us to worlds that consider themselves to be in the path of invasion. Regardless, even if we can manage to amass a sizable task force, it will not be of sufficient size to provide adequate protection to both Bothawui and Corellia.”

He straightened to his full height. “After analyzing all available data, it is the conclusion of the command staff that Corellia is the target. Therefore, Admiral Sovv is recommending that all available ships and resources be moved to the Corellian sector as soon as possible.”

Fey’lya’s cream-colored fur bristled. “I thought as much,” he said in a flat, menacing voice. “You would, as you say, ‘triage’ Bothawui for the sake of saving Corellia. But I won’t have it.” He shook his head angrily. “I’m sorry, Commodore, but I refuse to authorize such action at this time. Your ‘evidence’ is too scanty.”

“No one said anything about abandoning Bothawui,”Brand rejoined. “The flotilla already there will remain in place. We are only trying to protect Corellia.”

“Protect the sacred Core, you mean.” The Bothan stood to regard his eight peers. “I wish the council to consider closely the source of this spicy intelligence. Commodore Brand would have you believe that it was gathered by the Intelligence division or gleaned through hours of painstaking investigation and analysis. But, in fact, it was brought to the attention of two officers of questionable standing in the intelligence community by a person of even more dubious reputation, who claims to be serving as a kind of ombudsman for the Jedi Knights—Talon Karrde.”

“I fail to see the pertinence of that,” Cal Omas said. “Talon Karrde is well known to this council.”

Fey’lya glared at him. “Well, of course you wouldn’t see the pertinence, Councilor Omas, because you fail to grasp that the Jedi would sooner rid the galaxy of Bothans than do anything to protect them.”

“The Jedi had nothing to do with our decision,” Brand argued.

Fey’lya made a gesture of dismissal. “We all know that the Jedi have been holding back, downplaying their role until such time as they might truly show their hand. With Bothawui defeated, they will do just that.”

“In what way have they been holding back?” Cal Omas interrupted. “They’ve done nothing less than lead this fight from the start, making a stand on Dantooine and Ithor while the senate insisted on thinking of the Yuuzhan Vong as a ‘local problem.’ ”

Fey’lya wasn’t unprepared to defend his accusations. “Consider what