“Murderers, ” Han
muttered as he
watched the recording
from Doornik-319. He shook his head disbelievingly. “I’ve been around enough to see some cold moves pulled, but killing a family one day and moving into their house the next is right up there with anything our old buddy Palpatine ever thought up. “
Leia nodded. “I’m beginning to wonder if the greatest indignity that the Empire subjected the Yevetha to wasn’t holding them to a higher standard of behavior, ” she said.
“Now, that’s a picture, isn’t it? The Emperor’s stormtroopers setting the example for good manners, ” Han said. “Like arming protocol droids with blasters. “
He tried to win a smile from her, but she had looked away to gaze at the map of Koornacht Cluster displayed on the main screen, and he turned his attention there as well. “Look at what they’ve done-it makes no sense at all, ” he said. “It’s not like any of these settlements were crowding the League worlds. Or that real estate is getting scarce in there. “
“I’m afraid it makes perfect sense, ” said Leia, propping her chin on folded hands. “So much of what he said sounds different to me now-almost as though he lied to me with the truth. ‘What we want more than anything is to be left alone. ‘ I remember that clearly, from the first time we met. He mentioned how strange it was to see so many different species. He told me the Yevetha didn’t need our protection. “
“No, ” said Han. “It was the Kubaz who needed protection. “
“He as much as told me that, too, ” said Leia. “He said it was his mission to protect his people-and he did. He kept them inside that ship, safely away from us. He controlled his own exposure to us-as though he were afraid of contamination. That’s why those settlements were destroyed, Han. This wasn’t a boundary war, or a matter of competing territorial claims. It was an act of revulsion. “
Han looked dubious. “Maybe so. But there’s something else, too. Look at the results. Doornike319 sits nearly on a line between Coruscant and N’zoth, just where you’d want a forward base. These other targets-it’s like they burned a firebreak between themselves and all of us. “
She reached out and touched the point of light that was Doornik-319.
“Or dug a moat. Complete with gate and drawbridge, maybe. “
“Yeah, ” said Han. “So what are you going to do? “
Withdrawing her finger, Leia shook her head slowly. “It seems as though it’s already all over. All I can see to do now is try to make sure Nil Spaar stays on his side of the moat. Protect the settlements that haven’t been torched-Galatos, Wehttam, The Marais. ” She looked up at Han. “I’m going to have to send the Fifth Fleet back to Farlax. “
“I thought that might happen, ” Han said. “I left the Fleet at readiness high-no shore leaves, no major maintenance. They should be able to sail on a half hour’s notice.
She touched his hand. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t want this. “
“Hold on just a moment, ” Han said, pulling back from her. “I’m not going anywhere. “
“I can’t change commanders on them again, not twice in a week, not under these circumstances. You’ve been out there with them for two months now. That gives some continuity, at least. “
“Right idea, wrong man, ” said Han. “If it were me, the first thing I’d do is hand the Fifth back to General A’baht. “
“How can I do that? He was disloyal to me. “
“Was he? He disobeyed your orders, but is that the same thing as being disloyal? Did he do what he did for personal gain? Did he do it to enhance his career, or aid the enemy? No. He was trying to protect all those people out there with him, and all the people back here, too. And hell, Leia-he was right. He ought to get some points for that. “
“You said it yourself, ” she said stiffly. “He disobeyed my orders. “
“He disobeyed an order you never should have given, ” Han said. “And if that’s your reason, you’re going to have to disqualify me, too. That prowler that picked up Plat Mallar-what do you think it was doing out there? “
She realized she had never asked herself that question.
“I guess I assumed it was Admiral Drayson’s handiwork. “
“You weren’t paying close enough attention, ” Han said. “That’s a Fifth Fleet prowler. I sent it there. “
“You? ” Leia said and her eyes flashed anger. “I don’t understand. Is it because I’m a woman? Is that why lately everyone seems to treat my orders like suggestions? “