Star Wars_ X-Wing 08_ Isard's Revenge - Michael A. Stackpole [111]
Leia glanced over at the Bothan. “I would remind my learned colleague that the Hegemony worlds—despite Krennel’s attempts to make them into a haven for humans—are only fifty-six percent human in population, and several worlds have a strong nonhuman majority.”
“Who are ruled by a human minority, yes, Leia, I recall those worlds well.” Fey’lya looked around the room at the other members of the Council. “I believe we have an unsavory situation here. I suspect very strongly that Krennel’s subordinates are using Rogue Squadron to stage an uprising that will unseat Krennel, and they expect us to put them in his place. While they will say they are joining the New Republic, the reality of human oppression in the Hegemony will not be changed. I think we should reject this plan because of the obligations it will place on us.”
Ackbar stood to disagree. “With all due respect, Councilor, I believe you are dreading a poor harvest and the first algae cloud has yet to appear. The plan appended to the message is decidedly sound and I see much of General Antilles’s direction in it. This will be a stunning opportunity to smash Krennel. Even if he were to escape, we would still possess Ciutric, which is the political and economic hub of the Hegemony. We have always known a strike at Ciutric would shatter the Hegemony, and here is a plan that will allow us to do it.”
“That is all well and good, Admiral Ackbar, but it still says nothing about the shadowy partners in this enterprise.” Fey’lya stood and opened his arms. “What do we do if we discover that Grand Moff Tarkin didn’t die on the Death Star, but has been lurking, waiting for this opportunity to ask for sanctuary? What do we do when he asks to be repaid for his role in this conquest of Ciutric? What if General Derricote, the architect of the Krytos virus, is not dead, but instead is behind this move? Do we welcome him? Perhaps this is Thrawn’s ploy, or even one masterminded by Ysanne Isard. Don’t look so surprised, Admiral, I have my sources that have told me what your Lusankya prisoners from Commenor have told you. No matter how beneficial their contribution to the New Republic is in this operation, could we reward them?”
Mon Mothma raised a hand. “If you will permit me, I must say that Councilor Fey’lya raises some interesting points. The question of when and how someone who has worked for the Empire may make a transition from enemy to friend is one we have not sufficiently addressed. We have accepted people like General Dodonna and General Madine without question. Even after the Emperor’s death, we allowed Imperials who had seen the folly of their allegiance come over to us without penalty. General Garm Bel Iblis presents a different sort of example, one of someone who, while he was one of the Rebellion’s founders, left us for a while because of differences with how things were being done. In choosing to rejoin us at an important moment, he contributed greatly to the New Republic’s survival. We’ve accepted him, but there have been those who have grumbled over that fact.”
Borsk Fey’lya smiled, bowed his head toward Mon Mothma, and seated himself.
She continued. “These questions, however important, really have little bearing on the issue at hand. We started a war with the Hegemony and, so far, have failed to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Wedge Antilles offers us a perfectly good plan that will allow us to end this conflict quickly. The only reason I can see for rejecting it is if it is unmilitarily sound. Admiral Ackbar says it is not, and we have trusted his judgment before in similar matters. I see no reason to doubt him now.”
Ackbar lowered himself to his chair. “I believe I can assemble the taskforce required to take