[Black Fleet Crisis(53)

This time A’baht lost. “Princess, perhaps you can explain to me the logic in starting a search and announcing a safe hiding place at the same time. “

“Ackbar said there’re over two hundred inhabited worlds in that region, ” Leia said. “That should give you enough to keep you busy until I’ve reached an agreement with the Yevetha. “

“Koornacht is centrally located, and the Yevetha are technologically adept, ” said A’baht. “It’s a likely location for at least one of the shipyards. “

“The Yevetha hate the Empire as much as anyone, ” said Leia. “They ran them out of Koornacht at the first opportunity. You can be sure there are no secret weapons hidden there. “

“Perhaps. And perhaps Nil Spaar will view the missing vessels with more alarm than you have, ” said A’baht. “Why not ask him for permission for my ships to search the Cluster for the Black Fleet? Make him say no for himself. “

“You obviously don’t understand the situation with the Yevetha, or you would never make such a request, ” Leia said sharply. “Admiral Ackbar, I know you understand. “

“I understand your reluctance, and I understand General A’baht’s concern, ” said Ackbar. “Given that, as you say, the Yevetha are no friends of the Empire, I would like to see the question put before the viceroy. He could surprise you. “

“No, ” said Leia with a shake of her head. “The question alone is a threat. The presence of warships would be an open provocation. He could never agree to such a thing. “

A’baht pressed her again. “Let him say so. Put the question before him, as the admiral suggests. “

“No, ” Leia said firmly. “Don’t ask me again. General, you may take the Fifth into Hatawa and Farlax to search for Nylykerka’s phantoms. You will respect the boundaries asserted by the Duskhan League, and not enter the Koornacht Cluster without explicit permission from me. Is that understood? “

A’baht rose from his seat and made himself tall. “I understand, ” he said. “Please excuse me, Princess. I have a great deal to see to. “

“Good day, General. “

He saluted smartly and was gone.

“I want your word, too, Admiral, ” Leia said, turning to Ackbar. “I won’t have all my efforts with Nil Spaar compromised. I’ve worked very hard to earn his trust. I don’t intend to lose it because some junior intelligence analyst couldn’t get his lists to agree. “

“You are Chief of State, and my superior, ” said Ackbar, standing. “You do not need my word, but I give it to you-your orders will be obeyed. But I cannot give you my approval. I believe you’ve wrongly placed a lesser matter above a greater one. “

“Curious-that’s exactly how I felt listening to you and General A’baht, ” Leia said. “I considered it quite a concession on my part to agree to send the Fifth into those sectors at all. You might try to appreciate that a little more, and lecture me a little less. “

“Han, darling? “

Han’s face was buried in a pillow, and his answer was muffled.

“Um-what? “

“I’m thinking something I don’t like thinking. “

Rolling over, Han made as polite a show of interest as he could manage half asleep. “What’s that? “

“These aren’t negotiations anymore. With Nil Spaar. All they are is conversations. “

“What do you mean? “

Leia sat up in bed. “In the beginning, I thought what I had to do was learn enough about them to find something they wanted-wanted enough to make them reconsider their position. “

“You can’t bargain with a man who doesn’t want to buy, ” Han said.

“No, ” said Leia. “You’re right about that. The viceroy was sent here to preserve the status quo. No trade, no cultural exchange, no technical or scientific information access, mutual agreement on borders and territories, strict border controls. To

the Yevetha, only

the status quo

is acceptable-and the status quo is isolationism. “

“Well-that’s their choice, isn’t it? “

“But I want to bring N’zoth and Coruscant closer together. This could be the most important alliance of the last ten years-or the next fifty. “

“There’s always someone who doesn’t want to join the club, ” said Han. “Sometimes to be contrary. Sometimes because they like not having to answer to anyone, follow anyone elSe’s rules. Independence is worth something, Leia. I knew a man on the Praff runs, name of-oh, blast, what was his name? -Hatirma Havighasu. He always worked alone. Said cooperation was for cowards. “