Star Wars_ The New Rebellion - Kristine Kathryn Rusch [82]
He had said the Sullustan equivalent of “It’s not my fault.”
Twenty-two
Leia hurried down the hall to the ballroom. She had hastily combed her hair back and changed into a formal pantsuit. She had been practicing with her lightsaber and a remote when the call came in: an urgent meeting of the Inner Council to be held immediately. She had changed and run down the hall at top speed.
Even then she would be late. And Leia Organa Solo was never late.
Meido had called the meeting. He had been elected to the Inner Council a few short days ago by an overwhelming majority of senators. Two other former Imperials had also been elected to fill the vacancies left by the bombing.
Meido was within his rights; any Inner Council member could call a meeting. But junior members never took such authority upon themselves. It was just Not Done. Tradition would have to give way now to the new order, unless Leia got tradition written into the procedures of the Inner Council.
Yet another thing to do. Another thing she didn’t have time for.
She skated around a corner and arrived at the ballroom. The doors were closed. She was late. She made herself take a deep breath. Meido had notified her last, and made it impossible for her to be on time. That had thrown her off-balance, as it was intended to do. So had his calling the meeting. But she wouldn’t let him see any of her emotions. He wouldn’t win on petty political maneuvering.
Leia smoothed her hair back and adjusted her tunic. Then she waited until her breathing was regular. She shoved open the double doors and stepped into the ballroom.
The room was too large for an Inner Council meeting, although it would do well for the full Senate. The Council met on the platform usually reserved for the live musicians. A table had been set up, again without her orders.
Meido sat in her chair at the head of the table. Formal seats had not been assigned here; he never would have been able to do that in the old Chamber. But here he could plead simple misundertanding. And if she sat in a different chair, she acknowledged his rise in power.
She would not do that. Much as she hated these games, she would have to play.
The conversation stopped when she entered. Gno was in his usual position beside her chair. So was C-Gosf. Both looked uneasy. Leia nodded at them, then let her gaze meet Meido’s. His eyes sparkled in his crimson face. The white lines on his skin seemed brighter than they ever had before.
“I am aware, Senator Meido,” Leia said, “that your people’s political customs differ from mine. But we run the Senate, the Inner Council, and the government of the New Republic on the precepts of the Old Republic. It would do you good to learn those precepts.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand, President.” His voice was smooth, his features guileless.
Leia climbed the stairs leading to the chairs and table. She put one hand on the back of his chair and smiled down at him. “I thought perhaps it was your ignorance that caused this. The Chief of State is always informed first of any meeting. In fact, the custom is that meetings are suggested to her, and she calls them. I’m sure our colleagues are here because they know you do not yet understand tradition.”
“I was merely following the bylaws,” Meido said.
Leia nodded. “I understand. Now you know for future meetings.” She turned to the rest of the Inner Council. “Forgive my tardiness, my friends. I only learned of this meeting a few moments ago.” She waited, her hand on the chair. Gno leaned over to Meido.
“Senator, it is easier to run the meeting from the head of the table.”
Meido’s white lines grew even whiter. He slipped out of the chair and moved to a different spot at the table. Wwebyls and R’yet Coome, the other new Council members, watched him, frowns on their faces.
Leia took her chair regally, nodding once to thank Gno for making a difficult moment easier. “Now that you have called this meeting, Senator, I think