[Hand Of Thrawn] - 01(156)

“Clever enough,” Ardiff said. “I can see why you wouldn’t want to use it very often, though it certainly worked well enough with proton torpedoes playing the A-wings’ role. What does this have to do with Bel Iblis?”

Pellaeon smiled tightly. “I was at the battle where he invented it.”

Ardiff blinked in surprise; and then he too smiled. “In other words, it’s not a tactic he’d be fooled by?”

“Not a chance in the galaxy,” Pellaeon agreed. “But with those Corellian markings, I’d say someone worked very hard to make us think it was him.”

Ardiff sobered. “Someone from the Empire?”

“Or someone from the New Republic,” Pellaeon said. “We know there are factions on our side who don’t want peace. I imagine they have their counterparts on the other.”

“Probably,” Ardiff said. “So what do we do now?” “Whoever ordered that attack wanted us to think Bel Iblis was behind it,” Pellaeon said. “The small size of the force, plus the quick and unashamed disengagement, implies he didn’t really care whether or not he actually inflicted any damage. His purpose, therefore, must have been to drive us away from here before Bel Iblis could arrive.”

“And so we stay?”

“So we stay,” Pellaeon agreed. “At least awhile.”

“Yes, sir.” Ardiff pursed his lips. “You realize, of course, that our unknown opponent may not give up this easily. He may attack again.”

Pellaeon turned again to look out at the fiery debris. “Let him try.”

To Be Concluded