Star Wars_ X-Wing 02_ Wedge's Gamble - Michael A. Stackpole [146]
Coruscant also became a black hole from which the New Republic could not escape. Just as taking it had been a goal for them, so taking it would be a goal for any other pretender to Palpatine’s throne. The Rebellion that had survived detection by the enemy through moving their headquarters dozens of times now had bottled itself up. It traded flexibility and mobility for legitimacy and Wedge wasn’t certain that was a trade made in their favor.
He also knew the conquest of Coruscant would not be without a price. Ysanne Isard had clearly traded the world for her escape from it—no one had found any trace of her and the reason for her evacuation seemed quite sound. Already rumors of a plague spreading through Invisec were flying thick and fast. Nawara Ven and Riv Shiel had undergone bacta therapy and were recovering. What little General Cracken had told him about Aril Nunb’s debriefing suggested the virus might have been created by the Empire specifically to leave Coruscant a charnel house, but the conquest had aborted that plan. Virus had been found in the water supply, though Rogue Squadron’s boil-off of a lot of water may have killed a vast quantity of the virus.
Wedge heard footsteps behind him and, expecting to see Tycho and Winter, was surprised when instead he saw General Cracken and Pash. Wedge began to smile, but Pash appeared hesitant and Airen intent, which led him to believe something serious was going on. “Good afternoon, General, Lieutenant. Is there something I can do for you?”
The elder Cracken nodded. “There’s been some headway in the investigation of what happened to Lieutenant Horn. My people went over all the sensor traces we could find concerning the crash, as well as comm transcripts and the statements made by everyone who heard his last transmissions.”
Wedge smiled genuinely. “This is good news. If you don’t mind waiting a minute or two, I know Tycho will want to hear this, and it will save you telling it again.” Wedge glanced at his chronometer. “He should be here momentarily.”
Airen Cracken shook his head. “I’m afraid he won’t be joining you. He’s been arrested for treason and the murder of Corran Horn.”
“What? That’s impossible.” Wedge stared at the head of Alliance Intelligence. “Tycho would never do that. Never.”
General Cracken held a hand up. “There are some things you don’t know, Commander, and I shouldn’t have to remind you that an arrest is not a conviction. It is just that we have sufficient evidence to arrest him and it was deemed appropriate to do so.”
Wedge folded his arms across his chest. “What evidence?”
“He was absent without leave from his post at Noquivzor. He traveled from there to Coruscant, bringing with him an M-3PO droid full of highly sensitive data.”
“He did those things on my order, General. Those orders were issued and sealed by me at Noquivzor.”
The older man nodded. “So I have been told and so it says in your statement. If we ever get down to where your office was, I believe I will find those orders. However, until I do, his vanishing act looks highly suspicious, especially when coupled with other things.”
“Such as?”
“Captain Celchu knew the command codes for the Headhunter Horn was flying.”
“He knew them for all those Headhunters.”
“Yes, but no other pilot threatened him with exposure for treasonous activities.” General Cracken looked at his son. “Pash overheard a heated conversation between Horn and Celchu right before the mission began. Celchu told Horn he’d checked his machine out special.”
Wedge’s head came up and Pash winced at the harshness of his stare. “Is this true?”
“I wasn’t spying, Commander.”
“My son was not placed in your unit to spy. He just happened to be there.” Airen frowned. “He didn’t want to tell me about the conversation and has proved a most reluctant witness.”
“I see.