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“Some evidence?” Han interrupted. “You heard the report from Tantiss Station.”

Sovv conceded that with a nod. “We assume the other stations were destroyed in the same way,” he said. “Whatever the details, it seems clear that this was an extremely well-coordinated strike at the heart of our communications network. The timing is … suspicious.”

“But not conclusive,” Bel Iblis said. “They may have known we were planning to strike—they probably did—but not where. By taking down the entire HoloNet, they jeopardize our success whatever our target.”

“I tend to agree,” Sovv said. “An examination of when the relays went off-line indicates that the first to go were not those nearest Bilbringi. In fact, the process seems to have started some time ago, albeit in sectors we aren’t for the most part in communication with anyway. Still, your whole point remains valid. Without the HoloNet to coordinate the other two fleets, General Antilles is very much on his own.”

Jaina, Leia thought. But her daughter was still alive. She could feel that much.

“Then all that fighting we did at Esfandia was for nothing?” she said.

“We don’t know if Esfandia is still up or not—all the relays linking it Coreward are gone, though. We’re as cut off as the fleets.”

“General Antilles is no fool,” Bel Iblis said. “The other fleets have orders not to make the jump to Bilbringi without his go-ahead. When he realizes he’s lost his lines of communication, he’ll retreat, as per his orders.”

“If he can,” Han said. “But if they were expecting the attack—or even if they weren’t, and they have interdictors—he’ll have to fight his way out.”

“Can he do that?” Leia asked.

“No,” Sovv replied. “Our intelligence tells us that the Vong fleet at Bilbringi is too strong for Antilles to defeat without backup.”

“And the Vong haven’t lost their communications,” Bel Iblis pointed out. “They can call for backup anytime.”

“What will Pellaeon and Kre’fey do when they don’t hear from Wedge?” Leia asked.

“They will hold their positions for a time, but when they’re sure no communication is forthcoming—”

“Oh, it’s forthcoming,” Han said. “Which force is larger?”

“Beta—the Imperials.”

“Where is it?” Han demanded.

“That’s classified, Captain Solo,” Sovv said.

“Classified?” Han sputtered. “This whole thing has already gone south, General. I say we need to salvage what we can.”

“What do you propose, Solo?” Bel Iblis asked.

“We don’t have the HoloNet. Hyperwave’s not good enough for those distances. The only thing we have faster than light is ships, and the Millennium Falcon is the fastest ship there is.”

“He’s right,” Leia said. “We need to set up a courier service, and fast. It’s not just this battle, either—the Yuuzhan Vong will certainly take advantage of this blackout to strike. We could lose whole star systems without knowing about it.”

“Yeah, but they are already too thin to keep the systems they have,” Han said. “But our main concern right now—”

“—is the fleet,” Sovv replied. “Quite right. General Solo, if you’re willing, I’m putting you in charge of a courier service to the fleet. Find four other ships, military or otherwise, but people you trust. Reestablish the lines of communication between Antilles, Pellaeon, and Kre’fey. I’ll also take suggestions on someone to head up a more widespread emergency information service. As it stands now, we are in a vacuum, and everything we have won is in jeopardy.”

EIGHTEEN

“Well?” Corran asked Nen Yim. “What can you tell me?”

They had made four more jumps since Nen Yim had given them the assessment of the ship’s living engines, and each had been rougher than the last. The vessel’s pain had gone from a pinprick to an aching throb, and Corran was happy that most of the ships he flew hadn’t had feelings. Sure, it handled well—when it wasn’t sick.

“The deterioration is marked,” Nen Yim said. “The dovin basals were damaged by the Imperial ship, and the gravitic strains of repeated jumps have worsened their condition.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this before the repeated jumps?” Corran asked.

“It took a few