[Hand Of Thrawn] - 01(69)

“It was probably kept in the Special Files section,” Gavrisom said with a whinnying sigh. “The records Imperial forces were ordered to destroy before retreating.”

“Probably,” Leia said. “We’re still hoping a copy somewhere might have survived.”

“A small hope, though.”

“Yes,” Leia had to concede. “Fey’lya, how much time will the Combined Clans need to get back on their feet?”

“The current projection is to have our major debts retired within three months,” the Bothan said. “But at that time we will still be far from the financial position we are currently thought to be in.”

Gavrisom made a noise deep in his throat. “And how long until you’d be able to take on this kind of project?” Leia asked, tapping her datapad.

Fey’lya closed his eyes. “Perhaps ten years. Perhaps never.”

Leia looked back at Gavrisom. “I wish I could offer you advice, President Gavrisom,” she said. “But at the moment I can’t see a clear path here.”

“I understand,” Gavrisom said. “May I encourage you to meditate and seek further guidance through the Force?”

“I’ll certainly do that,” Leia assured him. “The one thing that is clear, though, is that the Bothans aren’t going to be able to meet the demands of this petition anytime soon.”

“Indeed,” Gavrisom said heavily. “I’ll have to attempt to buy some time.”

“How, by offering it for debate?” Leia asked doubtfully. “That could be risky.”

“More than merely risky,” Gavrisom agreed. “If someone decided to bring it up as an official bill, the full Senate could end up ratifying it. At that point I would have no maneuvering room at all.”

Leia grimaced. No room for Gavrisom, and even less for the Bothans. They would then have to go ahead and create a new homeworld for the Caamasi or face the consequences of defying New Republic law.

“But as you know, the President is not entirely without resources,” the Calibop continued. “And there are certain parliamentary tricks that can be applied. I should be able to hold this up for a while.”

Leia looked at Fey’lya. “But not for the next ten years.”

“No.” There was another brief silence. “Well,” Gavrisom said. “There seems to be little we can do right now. Except for one thing: I want the Combined Clans’ financial records examined to confirm that the situation is indeed as described. Councilor Organa Solo, would you be willing to travel to Bothawui for such a purpose?”

“Me?” Leia asked, surprised. “I’m not a financial expert.”

“Yet you surely must have been taught the basics by your father Bail Organa when you were younger,” Gavrisom pointed out.

“The basics, yes,” Leia said. “But that’s all.”

“That will be all you need,” Gavrisom assured her. “The trickery will be in the falsified documents, not the true ones.” He gestured to Fey’lya with one wing. “She will be allowed to see the true ones, will she not?”

“Of course,” Fey’lya said, his fur rippling unhappily. “I’ll alert the Combined Clan leaders you will be coming.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Gavrisom said firmly. “They are to have no notice whatsoever.”

Fey’lya’s eyes flashed. “You insult the integrity of the clan leaders, President Gavrisom.”

“You may see it any way you choose,” Gavrisom said. “But they are to have no advance warning. And do not forget that Councilor Organa Solo is a Jedi Knight. If your clan leaders are not genuinely surprised by her arrival and request, she will be instantly aware of it.”

Leia kept her face expressionless. In point of fact, she’d always found the average Bothan somewhat difficult to read, and wasn’t at all sure she’d be able to tell if the clan leaders had been tipped off.

But of course Fey’lya didn’t know that. “I understand,” he muttered. “When do you wish her to leave?”

“As soon as possible,” Gavrisom said. “Councilor Organa Solo?”

“We could probably leave within a couple of hours,” Leia said, running quickly through a mental list of the necessary arrangements. Han would want to come along, of course. Come to think of it, it would be a good chance for the two of them to have same quiet time together. “Chewie and the Noghri can watch the children here for us.”

“The Noghri,” Fey’lya murmured, an edge of bitterness to his voice. “They should have killed that Devaronian on Wayland. Then none of this would have happened.”