Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Vector Prime by R. A. Salvatore Read Free Book Online Page A

scientists, at their excitement and sense of relief and accomplishment. If only they knew.
    More than halfway across the galaxy, Nom Anor sat quietly in front of his villip, considering the words of his agent, Yomin Carr.
    It had begun.

THREE
The Role of Politics
     
    With a hesitation in his step that betrayed his uncomfortable feelings, Jacen Solo followed his uncle Luke into the council chamber. Jacen knew the new chief of state and his six councilors, of course, but his dealings with them had been primarily restricted to social events. This was business, serious business, judging from the tense nature of Luke Skywalker’s stride. They had come to Coruscant so that Luke could accept an invitation to address the New Republic Advisory Council concerning his plans to reestablish the Jedi Council, but there was no doubt in Luke’s mind that he would face some tough opposition on that matter, even from some councilors he considered his friends.
    What made it all the worse for Jacen was the fact that he hoped his uncle Luke’s opponents proved victorious in this matter.
    The six councilors, Chief of State Borsk Fey’lya in the middle, sat at a semicircular table facing the doorway. Two chairs had been set before the long table—down lower, Jacen noted, and it seemed to him a rather thinly veiled attempt to elevate the stature of the councilors above their invited guests.
    In this particular instance, that seemed utterly ridiculous.
    Especially in the case of Borsk Fey’lya. Jacen had beenwith his uncle Luke and his mother, Leia, when the news had come through that Borsk, as the longest-serving member of the council, the “elder statesman” of the New Republic, had been elected chief of state, a position the conniving Bothan no doubt relished.
    Just a few years before, Borsk had escaped a lengthy prison sentence only through a generous pardon. Ever was he the consummate politician, who leaked information to weaken his opponents, once nearly unseating Leia as chief of state with damaging, and ultimately untrue, allegations. Despite getting caught in such an unseemly situation, Borsk, as always, found a way to land on his own political feet. He had climbed within a handbreadth of the top, serving the council as Chief of State Mon Mothma’s trusted adviser, and then he had crashed to the bottom, facing charges that could have landed him in prison, or even, if the charge of treason had been pushed, a sentence of permanent exile.
    And yet, here he was again, lingering on like the Findris flu, seated between a new generation of councilors, who looked upon him as an age-wizened statesman and hero of the New Republic.
    On the day when the news of his latest ascension had come down, Jacen’s mother had honestly wondered if she had done right in resigning as chief of state. Leia had even openly remarked that she might go back into politics.
    It was Luke who had dissuaded her, reminding her that more than the mood of the government had changed greatly in the year since she had resigned, that familiar and friendly faces had walked away. Even respected and dutiful Admirals Drayson and Ackbar had taken the apparent firming of the New Republic as their signal to retire, and neither had shown any inclination to remain politically active.
    As Borsk called the meeting to order, offering a polite recitation of the agenda and a welcome to their guests, Jacen looked around at the members, viewing their respective expressions in light of the information his uncle Luke had givenhim regarding their positions toward Luke and the proposed Jedi Council. At the far end to Jacen’s right sat Niuk Niuv of Sullust. With his Sullustan features, the oversize, rounded ears and ample jowls, Niuk Niuv appeared more like a child’s cuddle toy than a councilor, but Jacen knew Sullustans better than that, knew that they could be steadfast allies and dangerous foes. Niuk Niuv, according to Luke, would be among his most vocal detractors.
    Next to Niuk Niuv