Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 05_ Agents of Chaos 02_ Jedi Eclipse - James Luceno [76]
Despite the damage to his roguish reputation a demonstration of real concern might inflict, there was no excusing his continued silence, and Leia was as angry at him as she was worried.
A new uproar filled the hall.
Leia saw that it was Isolder who now stood before the delegates. Like Thane, the prince was all but basking in the contentious mix of esteem and condemnation that greeted him, his face puffy with contusions, and one arm bandaged.
No bacta treatments for the real men of Hapes, Leia thought.
“Everyone who has wished to be heard on the issue of the Consortium pledging support to the New Republic has been heard,” Isolder began when the commotion in the hall had settled. “It’s clear that we have no consensus on this issue, and the vote is certain to be close. The decision to go to war is never an easy one, and our decision this day is made all the more difficult because we appear to be safely distanced from that war. But bear in mind the counsel of Ambassador Organa Solo: This quiet will not endure. The light that shines on the Consortium today could very well be eclipsed tomorrow, and any battles avoided will ultimately have to be fought, perhaps by us alone. I won’t stand here and reiterate the many arguments that have been presented, denigrating one stance or bolstering another. I ask only that each of you eschew politics and vote the will of the people you represent. That is our commitment, and by doing so we vote our conscience.”
The process was infuriatingly meticulous. With Teneniel Djo and her attendants looking on from a balcony, voting was done by hand rather than electronically, with representatives bringing forth their finest heirloom quills and employing their most baroque calligraphy. The votes—sometimes missives—were read and tallied by a panel of senescent judges; then the results were hand-delivered to the royal balcony in the form of a natural-fiber scroll resting on an outsize shimmersilk pillow.
The queen mother herself made the announcement.
“By a vote of thirty-two in favor to thirty-one opposed, the Consortium avows to support the New Republic in its just and decisive actions against the Yuuzhan Vong.”
Isolder’s champions cheered and his detractors railed. It was a long while before Teneniel Djo could restore order.
“The vote is concluded,” she said at last. “I ask now that personal differences be set aside and the word of law accepted, so that we may enter into this momentous resolution in a spirit of union.”
The grumbling gradually subsided, and delegates shook hands or embraced one another ceremoniously. The sudden fellowship struck Leia as counterfeit as an arranged marriage.
“Mistress,” C-3PO said with a touch of alarm, “the prince approaches.”
Turning, Leia saw a beaming Isolder marching toward her, throwing his richly embroidered cloak over one shoulder. For a moment she feared that he was actually going to scoop her up and twirl her around, but he came to a halt just out of arm’s reach.
“We won the day, Leia. In spite of everything, we won the day.” He scanned the crowded hall until he located Archon Thane, then motioned at him with his chin. “Look how Thane sulks. If he’d had his way, the vote would have been reversed.” He swung to Leia. “You realize it was his plan all along to insult you, then best me in combat after I had agreed to his wager. But we prevailed.”
Leia stared at him with mounting disquiet. “The last thing I wanted was for this decision to hinge on the outcome of a grudge match, Isolder.”
His gleaming, hero’s smile held. “Perhaps not, but that is often the way on Hapes—and besides, you know that I wouldn’t have done any less for you.”
“But I don’t want you doing