Star Wars_ X-Wing 08_ Isard's Revenge - Michael A. Stackpole [33]
Ackbar opened his hands. “Krennel is not an idiot, but he is in a difficult position. He has roughly a dozen capital ships: a mix of Imperial Star Destroyers and Victory-class Destroyers. He has a dozen worlds to protect. With the Freedom, Swift Liberty, and Moonshadow, we have a task-force that can destroy any one of his ships in a running battle, and can fight any patrol taskforce he’s likely to put together. If he concentrates his ships enough to hammer us, we attack the worlds he leaves open.”
The Duros Admiral raised a finger. “The force we have is significant, but I wonder if the Lusankya will be refit in time to use it against Krennel?”
Wedge’s jaw dropped open. “You’ve rebuilt the Lusankya?”
Ackbar nodded. “We have, and it’s gone to Bilbringi for final refits. It won’t be ready for the start of this operation, but if Krennel does not fall early, we could employ it against him.”
Wedge closed his mouth and shook his head. He well remembered the toll taken when Rogue Squadron assembled a fleet of ships to destroy the Lusankya. Because it was a Super Star Destroyer it took a lot of killing and yet an ample amount of ship had been left over. Enough to salvage. This time it can be put to good use.
Admiral Ackbar hit more keys and a spherical representation of Krennel’s realm replaced his image. A dozen worlds were linked by glowing gold lines that marked transit routes. Navigational hazards like stars, black holes, and planets tended to make certain pathways much easier to fly and Ciutric, Krennel’s capital world, served as a hub for trade routes with all the other worlds he claimed as his own.
“Ciutric is Krennel’s capital and, for that reason, is well defended. It’s the most industrialized of his worlds and has a shipyard capable of keeping his fleet in repair. It cannot build new Star Destroyers, though an expansion project now under way might give it that capability in a year or so.”
Another world on the display grew up to displace the image of the realm. “This is Liinade Three. Its development was begun in the last days of the Old Republic and continued during the Empire. Much of it is given over to agricultural combines and light industry producing consumer products like comlinks and caf synthesizers. There is nothing about it that is vital, but taking it away from Krennel would result in noticeable, though minor, shortages of goods in the rest of his realm.”
Salm nodded. “It would get his people thinking that the stability he’s offering is not likely to last very long.”
Admiral Bell leaned forward in her chair. “Are you saying that higher prices on comlinks will provoke a revolt?”
Salm shook his head. “Not exactly. You’ve seen reports coming out of Ciutric. Krennel is offering his realm as a safe, peaceful, and stable place where anyone is welcome to make a home and prosper. Taking Liinade Three will make the Hegemony a little less prosperous and will take away one of his more attractive worlds.”
Wedge reached out and tapped the golden trio of trade routes connected to Liinade’s blue-green ball. The name of each of the worlds to which the routes were connected flashed up in a little box. “Sure, Ciutric might seem like a nice place to go, but Vrosynri Eight or Corvis Minor? Before reading the briefing files on Krennel’s realm, I never even heard of them, and what I’ve read doesn’t make them seem like the sorts of places I’d want to retire to.”
“I agree, General Antilles, but once we’ve cut those worlds off from the main part of the Hegemony, they will be vulnerable. The fear of our coming and taking them might provoke revolts that preclude the need for invasion.”
Ackbar held his hands up. “Your points are well taken, everyone. The shortages will be difficult for Krennel to conceal if he is determined to use mass media to make his people believe Liinade Three has not fallen.