[Legacy Of The Force] - 07(86)

There were no takers.

Wedge continued, “I think I need to put Tycho’s presence here in perspective. All this is speculation on my part, but I speculate pretty well. Tycho wouldn’t have asked for this meeting on his own initiative, because he doesn’t represent the GA in these matters. But he hasn’t once suggested that he’s here on behalf of his boss, Admiral Niathal. Which means he’s here with either her overt or her tacit approval, representing her interests as joint Chief of State of the GA. If anything goes wrong with this mission, he and his career go up in a flash of smoke, but it’s something that has to be done. And now he’s not going to say anything, because he can offer neither confirmation nor denial of what I’ve just said.” He grinned at his old friend.

Tycho’s jaw worked for a moment, then set. He contented himself merely with glaring at Wedge.

Luke grinned. “I said no to General Celchu’s request, for the simple reason that any action that puts the Order under the command of, or potentially at the mercy of, Jacen Solo is an unacceptable one, particularly after what happened at Ossus. My position remains that we serve the GA best by determining the course of action that is best for everyone, and then implementing it, at least until such time as the GA Chief of State’s office can be considered trustworthy again.”

There were nods from all around the assembly. “Let me make this clear, though.” Luke fixed Tycho with his gaze. ” We serve the Galactic Alliance. When Jacen Solo is no longer a factor, we will return our seat of authority to Coruscant. We retain trust in Admiral Niathal.”

Tycho nodded. “I understand and appreciate that. But once I file my report with her … there’s always the chance that Colonel Solo will gain access to it, and learn that you’re now stationed on Endor.”

“By the time you get back to Coruscant, we won’t be on Endor any longer.” Luke looked among the others. “Now in the spirit of serving the Alliance-at least what we want the Alliance to be-and of serving the greater good, we’re going to sketch out our next operation. Which, in part, will be to rescue Allana, Chume’da of the Hapes Consortium, and daughter of Tenel Ka, from captivity at the hands of Jacen Solo.”

Tycho raised a hand.

“Yes, General.”

“Let me see if I understand this. You’re going to help the Alliance this way.” Tycho began counting items off on his fingers. “First, you return the Chume’da to the Queen Mother. Second, the Queen Mother again, who by now must hate Jacen Solo absolutely, turns her fleets against him and the GA. Third, the Confederation, at that point stronger than the Alliance, conquers the Alliance. Fourth …” He paused as if confused. “There is no fourth.”

Luke smiled. “I left out a detail.”

“Ah, good. I was worried there.”

“The Corellians just used Centerpoint Station to destroy elements of the Second Fleet. They also tried to kill Jacen. Now, thinking the way Jacen does, the way he must, it’s inconceivable that he would not make an all-out effort to capture the station and have in his possession the most powerful weapon in the galaxy. We’re not going to let the Corellians have it, and we’re not going to let Jacen have it.

We’re going to destroy it … probably at the same time Jacen mounts his operation to capture it.”

Tycho shook his head. “So you continue to deprive us of the Hapan fleets, and you deprive us of Centerpoint Station.”

“No, we give the Queen Mother the right-her right-to negotiate the terms under which her fleets will be used by the Alliance, and we deprive the Confederation of Centerpoint Station. This will result in a morale blow to the Confederation, and will cost them allies. If the Hapans stay out of it, the two sides remain roughly equal for now. If Admiral Niathal can stuff Jacen into a box, the Hapans return to the Alliance fold, and the Alliance is suddenly the stronger side.”

The general continued to look unhappy. “There are a lot of ifs in that plan, Grand Master.”

“True.”

“How do you intend to do it?”

Luke glanced toward Kyle Katarn for a moment. “It’s inevitable that Jacen will command the mission to Centerpoint Station himself. We’ve managed to plant a tracer beacon on him, and he still apparently hasn’t detected it. Sadly, it’s very short-range, but if we can keep StealthXs in rotation near the Anakin Solo, we can detect when the mission starts. It would be better if we had a longer-range tracer, but we’ll use what we have. Then…”

Leia, looking curiously guilty, interrupted. “Actually … there’s a full-power holocomm beacon on Jacen’s ship. Zekk planted it. He also disabled their tractor beam, partly to allow us to escape and partly to give the ship mechanics some sabotage to detect and repair … so that they would miss the more subtle addition to their holocomm system.” Luke looked between Leia and Zekk. “When was this?”