Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order_ Dark Tide 02_ Ruin - Michael A. Stackpole [42]
The young moff’s comments had his colleagues nodding their heads, by and large. Pellaeon smiled at him and gave him a nod, then stood himself. He balled his fists and planted them on his hips, then nodded gravely.
“As always I find your commentary and advice useful, my moffs, but I must remind you that I command Imperial space. I summoned you to this meeting not to seek your advice, but to advise you and warn you. When we allow the people to know what is happening in the New Republic, and what our response to it will be, there will be plenty who react as some of you have. They will see no reason to support those they see as enemies. I expect you will find it in yourselves to be persuasive to the contrary. I thank Moff Sarreti for his eloquence and commend him to you as an example.”
Flennic’s hologram arched an eyebrow. “You will commit our forces no matter what our opinion is?”
“You act as if you are surprised, Moff Flennic.” Pellaeon smiled slowly, his bristling white mustache broadening. “This was your opportunity to voice your opposition, but you know that your fellow moffs, by and large, will be in support of this move. I wanted to inform all of you that I will be issuing a mobilization order that will activate all reservists and call some of those units into active duty. I will also issue a call to all of our covert forces, both within the Empire and without, to come to our aid. While some of you might have seen our hidden forces as ones that would someday enable us to take back the galaxy, the Yuuzhan Vong threat is one we must defeat. We will need everything we can summon, and then some.”
Pellaeon glanced at an aide in the rear of the chamber. “I am having sent to all of you the acceptable codes being used by returning forces. You will not impede their travel in any manner. In return for this cooperation I will not be summoning your personal bodyguard units and you will be given latitude in using reserve units to maintain order.”
Crowal shook her head. “You think you can distract us by giving us soldiers to play with?”
“If you think that’s what I’m doing, then, yes, I think you shallow enough to be distracted.” The admiral’s eyes darkened. “Understand this: If the Yuuzhan Vong can defeat the New Republic, we cannot stand against them. I suggest you use the time I will win us in fighting against them to make our worlds as secure as you can. If I fail, if you are made to play with your soldiers, I hope I do not live to see the results. Pellaeon out.”
The holographic images of the moffs vanished. Sarreti came walking over to Pellaeon as the other three moffs drew together in a group and filed from the room. The admiral noticed that the young moff remained standing on the floor, not mounting the dais, allowing the two men to remain on an even eye level.
Sarreti smiled kindly. “You did not chasten them too badly for their poor manners.”
“If I were to do that, they would gain the impression that their antics concern me.”
“Good point.” The younger man gathered his hands at the small of his back. “Bastion’s forces will be glad to join you. I am still a reservist. If you require my service, I am certain my administration can function in my absence.”
“I’d love to have you with me, Ephin, but I think I could use your efforts in organizing the other moffs.”
“As long as I don’t rebel against you?”
Pellaeon nodded. “I’d rather have the people with us than against us. Then again, if I mismanage things so badly that you need to rebel, better you running things than Crowal or Flennic.”
“I trust that situation will not come to pass.”
“That’s my hope.” Pellaeon sighed. “Now, if the Yuuzhan Vong will just oblige us and