[Black Fleet Crisis] - 02(99)

Chairman Behn-kihl-nahm intervened at that point. “Senator

Deega, inasmuch as you’re new to the Council, I’m aware that you haven’t had much experience evaluating military intelligence. Much as we would all like to have absolute certainty in these matters, technical espionage does not often allow us the luxury of the exacting standards a scientist has for evidence, or a mathematician for a proof. Sometimes we just have to trust our spies—or, if that asks too much, trust our eyes.”

That brought chuckles from Senators Bogen and Yar, and effectively silenced Deega. But Senator Marook stepped up to fill the void.

“I have no doubt that terrible, shameful things have happened in Koornacht Cluster,” said the Hrasskis, his air sacs pulsing slowly. “I do not question what Princess Leia has shown us.”

Leia waited, knowing not to take his words as a vote of confidence.

“In truth, I found the presentation sufficiently real that I should not like to see any more, or see any more closely. It’s enough to know that the dying are screaming—I don’t find that listening to it adds anything to my understanding,” said Marook. “What I question is the Princess’s claim that this is a matter of great urgency.

Perhaps she can help me understand.”

“I’ll do my best,” Leia said, wary.

“These recordings—to the best of your knowledge, they were made days, even weeks ago, yes?”

“That’s true.”

“So what you’ve shown us is history. None of these tragedies can be prevented, or even tempered.”

“Then how is this any different from the unavenged atrocities of the Imperial era? Why are we not meeting to discuss how and when to invade the Core in search of the agents of Palpatine’s rampages? Isn’t the real urgency here the waning of your political power, and your desperate need for a dramatic victory to restore your prestige?”

That brought Tolik Yar roaring to his feet in Leia’s defense with accusations of his own. “Bold talk from a traitor who secretly visited Aramadia and plotted with Nil Spaar against his own.

You have never explained what you were doing there—besides shaming your people and betraying your oath—” Marook answered with a lunge and a clenched fist, which brought Senators Bogen and Frammel into it as peacemakers and sent Deega fleeing from the room.

Meanwhile Senator Cundertol of Bakura and Senator Zilar of Praesitlyn sat back in their chairs, treating the contretemps as an object lesson and an entertainment, respectively.

“You see?” Cundertol said, leaning toward his companion.

“These aliens are always fighting, on the least provocation. It’s in their nature. You can’t stop them—so why should we try? Why are we obliged to protect the weak against the strong? Why not let the weak fall, and then make our alliances with the strong?”

It took all Behn-kihl-nahm’s persuasive skill to bring everyone back to the table and the session back to order. But by then, unanimity was hopelessly beyond reach.

The meeting dragged out for three more fractious hours. At the end of it, Leia was forced to settle for a compromise that pleased no one in the room, least of all herself and the chairman. The plan was too bold for Deega, too hasty for Marook, too interventionist for Cundertol, too far short of what Behn-kihl-nahm had thought possible, and too timid for Tolik Yar and the rest of the Council.

But all eight were willing to support it when they left the privacy of the hearing room, which made it the best Leia could hope for.

“Thank you, Chairman,” Leia said after the consensus vote, pretending to a dignity far more elevated than the process deserved. “I’ll give the Council advance notice of the announcement. I’ll need to consult with Admi ral Ackbar and notify General A’baht. But it should only be a matter of a few hours.”

The preparation took longer than the execution.

“Here’s a question for you, Princess,” Han said, scratching his head as he peered at the holorecorder’s reference screen. “How exactly will we know that Nil S paar has gotten the message, since he’s officially not talking to you?”

“We have three different holocomm codes from his visit here—two for Ararnadia and one for the viceroy’s staff,” said Leia. “It’ll go to all three. “

“We’ll be using Channel One to notify all the home governments,” added Minister of State Mokka Falanthas. “Since the Yevetha used Channel One themselves for Nil Spaar’s last address, we know they can monitor it—and if they can, it’s likely that they do.”

“We will also have prowlers broadcasting in high-band and