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“What has to stop?”

“All this business with your duels. What is this nonsense with simulated weapons?”

“A simple way to give the Adumari the encounters they obviously want so very much, without getting them killed. Or me, or my pilots.”

Tomer rolled exasperated eyes toward the floor of the balcony above. “General Antilles, you’re changing things. There are now Adumari pilots, famous pilots, talking about doing more sim-weapon exercises.”

“Good.”

“You’re not here to change things! You’re here to gain their respect, according to their culture, and to demonstrate that they should throw in with the New Republic.”

“Meaning what? Meaning that I should stop doing duels—”

“No, that would cost you the respect you’ve earned in their eyes.”

“—or start doing live-weapon duels?”

Tomer was silent.

“That’s it, isn’t it? You think I should go up in the skies day after day and shoot down eager Adumari pilots.”

“That’s what Turr Phennir and his men are doing.”

Wedge felt cold anger creep through his guts. When he spoke again, his voice was very quiet. “So you’re saying that I should win playing by the Empire’s rules.”

Tomer hesitated. “In this case, yes.”

“Never.”

“If you don’t, we lose Adumar to the Empire. And there go the proton torpedo supplies you were hoping for. And more of your pilots die, and the Empire gains new ground. All because you’re too squeamish to do what common sense demands of you.”

Wedge took an involuntary step toward Tomer. The diplomat jolted backward. “Listen,” Wedge said, “and try to understand. This isn’t some civil trial where all positions, all propositions, are equally valid until the judge decides which one is right. If we act like the Empire, we become the Empire. And then, even if we defeat the Empire, we’ve still lost—because the Empire is once again in control. Just with a new name and with new faces printed on the crednotes.”

Tomer shook his head. “No. Chief of State Leia Organa Solo is in charge. It doesn’t matter what we do here. Her opinions, her ethics, still define what the New Republic is.”

“You’re deluded.”

“And you’re a naive fool, and you’re going to lose Adumar for us with your naivete.”

Wedge offered him a tight, unfriendly smile. “Would you like this diplomatic mission to use a different approach? Turr Phennir’s approach?”

“I hate to say it, but yes.”

“Then get a different diplomat.”

Tomer hesitated again. “Not feasible. You’re just going to have to fall in line.” He heaved a regretful sigh. “General Antilles, that constitutes an order.”

“You don’t give me orders, Darpen.”

“No, of course not.” Tomer shrugged, apology on his face. “These are orders from the regional director of Intelligence, and since Intelligence was actually the first division to institute activity in this system, all New Republic activities currently ongoing, including diplomatic, fall under its authority. The director has issued orders that you cease these simulated training missions.”

“Who is the regional director of Intelligence?”

Tomer shook his head. “I can’t tell you that. He or she likes to maintain anonymity.”

Wedge offered him a frosty smile. “Well, I can tell you who the local director isn’t.”

“Who’s that?”

“General Cracken. I received my initial orders from Cracken, and they didn’t say anything about being answerable to one of his subordinates. When I get a message from Cracken telling me to do what you’ve just said, I will, of course, comply. Until then—not a chance.”

“But—”

“And now it’s time for you to go.”

“No, we need to talk this through.”

“You can leave through the door or go flying over the rail, Tomer.”

Tomer read his eyes, then shook his head angrily and turned away.

Only when the door had slid in place behind Tomer did Wedge relax again. He took a long breath. “Hallis, are you recording? In any way?”

She shook her head. “General, I’m an ethical documentarian. One reason why I’m no longer in sludge.”

“Good.” Wedge wrestled a moment with the words he was about to say. “Are any of you wondering whether Adumar is worth