“I do, ” said Leia. I may understand one of our own better now, too.
“Then let us turn our attention to the future, ” Nil Spaar said.
For the next hour, they worked at teasing out what the language of alliance might sound like. Despite apparent good faith, they constantly stumbled over conflicting assumptions, and their progress was hard to measure. But at midday, when the viceroy gathered himself and stood, he pronounced, “This has been valuable and enjoyable. Shall we resume in one hour? “
“I’d be happy to continue through lunch, ” Leia offered. “We could have food brought to us. “
Nil Spaar looked momentarily shocked. “With all apologies, that is not possible, ” he said. “My people hold it a great affront to propriety to take food in mixed company. And I personally believe it foolish to dilute a worship meal with distracting conversation. “
“My apologies, ” Leia said, standing. “In an hour, then. “
“I look forward to it. “
The debriefing session included Leia, Admiral Ackbar for the Fleet Office, Admiral Drayson standing in for Intelligence director General Rieekan, Behn-kihl nahm for the Senate, First Administrator Engh, two recorder droids, and half a dozen senior aides.
Everyone listened without interruption as Leia quickly recounted as much of her conversation with Nil Spaar as her memory would allow.
Then all had a chance to question Leia or offer their comments.
The comments were largely predictable. Ackbar, always thinking about strategic issues, was concerned that navigation rights hadn’t come up yet, and wanted that issue given priority in the afternoon session.
Drayson, always looking to open intelligence channels, wondered how the viceroy would react to a proposal to revive the Intersystem Library Exchange, in which some of the Yevetha worlds had once participated.
Behn-kihl-nahm, always cognizant of the ebb and flow of power, questioned whether Leia had the authority to negotiate at all without a pending application.
And Engh, always aware of the power of money to cement political bonds, urged Leia to dangle the entire catalog of trade goods before Nil Spaar as an inducement to reconsider membership.
“After hearing your report, I expect them to insist that all trade into and out of Koornacht be on Yevetha ships, ” Engh said. “Fine for their traders, but not what ours are accustomed to. “
“I’m not sure the Yevetha are terribly interested in trade, ” said Leia.
“Interesting, ” said Drayson. “If they don’t want membership and they’re not interested in trade, why are they here? “
“I think they’re here because the New Republic has grown large enough and strong enough to begin to worry them, ” Leia said. “They don’t want to join us, but they don’t want to be overrun by us, either. “
“How strong are they militarily? ” Behn-kihl-nahm asked.
“I don’t think we know, ” said Drayson.
“Before the Imperial occupation, there were three systems in the Koornacht Cluster with a Class Two military rating, ” said Ackbar. “But that was before. The Empire may have seized or destroyed most of those vessels. “
“According to the viceroy, it’s been nine years since the occupation ended, ” said Drayson. “At this point, I don’t think we can guess how extensively they may have rearmed. That ship sitting over at Eastport certainly testifies to their engineering abilities. “
“I don’t think it matters, ” Leia said. “There’s no question in my mind that they feel threatened by us. I think it’s critical that we give them reason not to be. “
“If they do feel threatened, that should provide you with useful leverage, ” said Behn-kihl-nahm.
“I’m not looking for leverage, ” Leia said. “That’s the wrong tone for these talks. The Yevetha have good reason to be wary of us-reasons that everyone here ought to be able to identify with. I don’t want to twist their arm. I want to win their trust. It’s not going to be quick or easy. But I think Nil Spaar and I have a chance to develop the kind of personal rapport that will carry us through the hard parts. I don’t know if we’re going to end up with an alliance or an application for membership. But I’m not going to worry about that now. “
“Five minutes, ” an aide called.
“Thank you, Alole. “
“Please-be very careful with your promises, Leia, ” said Behn-kihl-nahm as they all rose. “The idea that we are all equals, in the eyes of Coruscant, is very important to the strength of the New Republic. “
“I realize that, Chairman. “