[Legacy Of The Force] - 07(94)

Tycho’s shuttle, Han Solo visible at the controls, moved out ahead of the Rakehells and accelerated toward trie distant conflict.





Chapter 32


ABOARD THE ANAKIN SOLO


So far, so good. Caedus was satisfied for the moment. His task force’s arrival in the Corellian system had not caught Centerpoint’s defenders entirely unprepared-the Corellians had a defensive screen of capital ships in position to protect the station-but the enemy were apparently unprepared for the speed and ferocity of the attack, and were presenting less forceful resistance than anticipated. The first round of analysis suggested that they were low on proton torpedoes, concussion missiles, and other physical deterrents.

He lent a touch of urgency to the Panther Star’s commander, subtly pushing the Sullustan to greater speed, greater confidence. Too much caution would not benefit his task force.

Capital ships were breaking from orbit around Talus and Tralus, heading toward the conflict, which was halfway between the two worlds. Even when they arrived, the Corellian force would have less strength than his. The troop shuttles were nearing the station itself, only two of them lost so far to defensive fire…

He could feel more units in play than should have been present, and only detected them because the streamers of possibility predicting their actions did not align them with either the Alliance or the Corellians. He spared them a look. A fighter squadron, on a mission of … harrassment, rather than defense or destruction? He shook his head. The squadron commander had to be a coward, determined to keep himself and his subordinates out of the line of fire. Caedus would deal with them, make them an example to others, when time allowed.



CORELLIA, CORONET, COMMAND BUNKER

“What you’re talking about is treason.” Admiral Delpin’s words were straightforward.

With political skills that had served him well all through his professional life-reading character traits, instantly revising plans to accommodate changing circumstances-Denjax Teppler decided to make a slight alteration to the course of this conversation.

Which meant he had to lie, another of his political skills. “I’m not talking about forcibly removing Koyan from office. But I think you’ve seen as clearly as I have that he’s the sort of duelist who’ll shoot his own foot off before his blaster clears its holster. Inevitably, he’s going to remove himself from office. At that precise instant, what do we do? Sit obediently by while the war-dogs fight among themselves to choose a new Koyan, or take charge and improve things?”

Her expression didn’t change, but for the first time in the conversation, she didn’t respond instantly or predictably.

Teppler kept his own elation off his face. She’s considering it. Take the violent removal of Koyan out of the equation, and she has no problem with the idea.

She leaned forward. “Speaking hypothetically … I could probably secure myself in the role of Chief of State just with the backing of the military. Why would I then need you?”

“Two reasons. First, you don’t want to govern all of the Corellian system any more than I do, meaning that as partners we can keep each other’s decisions in perspective. Second, half the burden feels like a tenth the burden. I’ll manage the tasks you’re unwilling or not entirely competent to handle, and you’ll do the same for me.”

She took in a breath to answer, and then her comlink beeped.

So did Teppler’s, a high-pitched urgency signal. They looked at each other with the misgivings of professional leaders who knew things were bad when comlinks went off simultaneously.

Teppler pulled out his comlink to answer while the admiral did the same with hers. “Teppler here.”

Moments later, they were in the corridor, trotting toward the bunker’s main situation room, Teppler struggling to keep up with Delpin’s long military strides.

The admiral tucked her comlink back into her tunic. “Where’s the Prime Minister?”

“Up on the station. Under attack.” Teppler considered. There had to be some way for him to use this situation to bring about the very change in government he’d just been proposing to the admiral.

“And the station? Is it operational again?” Teppler almost spoke one of Koyan’s favorite conversation-ending phrases, That’s on a need-to-know basis. But he bit his tongue. Given Delpin’s efforts to convince Koyan to cooperate more fully with the Confederation Supreme Military Commander, Koyan had been cutting her out of the line of information flow more and more frequently. But Teppler decided she did need to know. This was a combat situation, and Centerpoint Station was a military resource. “Operational as of four hours ago. The techs also think they’ve overcome the programming that limited the scope of the last beam. If they’re right, on its next use the station could eliminate an entire planet or star. That’s why Koyan is there. He’s composing his surrender-or-die message to Admiral Niathal.”