“But Ten South was still standing—and there was a transport on the ground—” “We have analyzed the recordings from your interceptor,” Ackbar said. “The transport was being loaded with droids and other equipment. I’m afraid there is little foundation for hope.”
Mallar fell silent for more than half a lap around the courtyard. “Who did it?” he asked at last. “Can you at least tell me who killed my family?”
“The attack was carried out by the Yevetha,” Ackbar said.
“The Yevetha?” Mallar asked, indignant. “Who are the Yevetha?”
“They are a species native to Koornacht Cluster.
They were enslaved by the Empire but seem to have stolen the Empire’s technologies, and perhaps a substantial battle fleet as well. Several other colonies were attacked at the same time. Our information is far from complete, but you are, in fact, the only known survivor.”
“What are you doing about them?”
“We have taken steps to protect the other inhabited worlds near Koornacht,” said Ackbar. “We are still looking at what we can do to respond to the Yevethan aggression.”
“What I saw wasn’t aggression,” said Mallar. “It was murder. It was nothing but calculated butchery.”
“Yes,” Ackbar said, nodding. “It was.”
“Then I don’t understand. Is what I’ve heard about the New Republic wrong? You deposed the Emperor because of the injustices under his rule. You stood up against the whole Imperial Navy over principle. Is that true, or propaganda?”
“It is true.”
“And you still have a great fleet of your own?”
“Yes.”
Mallar stopped and turned to Ackbar. “Will you use it?” ment,” Ackbar said. “I do not know what they will decide.”
“Why is this so difficult?”
“You may not understand this, Plat Mallar, but it is not easy to rouse a democracy to war,” said Ackbar.
“Not unless it has been attacked directly. Everything must be discussed. The provocation must be more compelling than the politics.
And it always takes time.”
Ackbar shook his head. “Sixteen days is not enough time.”
“What do you think will happen? Tell me what you honestly believe,” said Mallar. “It’s important.”
Ackbar nodded. “I believe that, in the end, we will call the Yevetha to account. But there will be an ugly fight here first.”
“Thank you,” Mallar said. “Do you know when I can leave the hospital?”
“Whenever Dr. Yintal is satisfied with your recovery,” said Ackbar.
“I would think another day at least.
Do you have plans already?”
“Yes,” said Plat Mallar. “I’m going to volunteer to join your pilot corps. When you call the Yevetha to account, I want to be part of it.
That’s the only thing that matters to me now. That’s all there is that’s worth doing.”
By the time Leia reached the executive suite on the fifteenth level of the Ministry Center, Alole and Tarrick were standing and talking just inside the suite’s reception entrance, inconspicuously positioned to either greet or intercept her. Alole’s face lit up as she turned toward Leia.
“Princess—we just heard that you were back.”
“I’ll bet you heard,” said Leia with a wry smile.
“How are you, Alole?”
“I’m fine, Princess.”
“Tarrick?”
“Very well, Madame President.”
“Then is there any reason we can’t go inside and get to work?”
“None at all,” Tarrick said, breaking into a smile.
Once in Leia’s private office, both the formality and the familiarity quickly passed. “So—how does the damage look from your end of the lifeboat?”
“Better now that you’re here again,” Tarrick said.
“We’ve been having some trouble with the steerage,” Alole said.
“Oh?”
“A lot of people trying to grab the wheel.”
Leia nodded. “How long is my hot list?”
“Manageable,” Alole said. “We’ve been handling everything we could on our own. But Nanny is pretty insistent on seeing you at the earliest opportunity.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Leia said. “Alole, please call over to the Senate and see if Bennie has any time for me today.”
“Right away,” Alole said, fading back toward the door. “Your hot list is on your datapad.”
“Thank you,” Leia said, pulling the datapad toward her. “Tarrick, see if you can find Councillor Jobath and coax him in. Tell him I have news for him.”