"The New Rebellion (Kristine Rusch)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rusch Kristine Kathryn)

were gold leaf and delicate. A mirror covered one panel, floor to ceiling,
reflecting both Leia and Mon Mothma. In some ways, Mon Mothma looked like an
older, calmer version of Leia, although her short hair was now streaked with
silver. Tiny lines webbed her skin, lines that had been there since her
devastating illness at the hands of Carida's Ambassador Furgan six years
before.
"What is it?" Mon Mothma said.
Leia shook her head. She smoothed her damp hands on her skirts. She
didn't look much different from the girl who had walked into the Imperial
Senate filled with hope and idealism, Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, the
youngest senator, the one who believed that persuasion and reason would save
the Old Republic. The one who lost her idealism the moment she stared into
Senator Palpatine's ruined face.
"They're members of the New Republic now, Leia," Mon Mothma said. "They
were elected fairly." "This is wrong. This is how it all started before." Leia
had had this same conversation with Han since the elections. Several planets
had petitioned the Senate to allow former Imperials to serve as political
representatives. The argument was that some of the best politicians had kept
their peoples alive by working with the Empire, as minor functionaries. They
were petty bureaucrats who saved dozens of Rebel lives by overlooking strange
troop movements, or unusual faces in the crowds. Leia had opposed the
petitions from the beginning, but the arguments in Chamber had been fierce.
M'yet Luure, the powerful senator from Exodeen, had finally reminded her that
even she had once served the Empire in her role as Imperial senator. She had
retorted that she was serving the Rebellion even then. M'yet had smiled,
revealing six rows of uneven teeth. These people were serving the Rebellion
too, he had said, in their own way.
Leia had disputed that claim. They had served the Empire and not fought
against it, had merely looked the other way. But M'yet's argument was
powerful, and because of it, the Senate had approved the petition. Leia had
modified the election law with the help of her backers-no former stormtroopers
could hold office, no Imperial of rank, no former Imperial governor-in short,
no Imperial with access to power in the Empire could serve the New Republic.
But still she felt this law was wrong.
"They're going to destroy all we've worked for," she said to Mon Mothma.
"You don't know that," Mon Mothma said softly.
Her words echoed Han's. Leia clenched her fists. "I do know that," she
said. "Since we formed the New Republic, we have always known that our leaders
have the same goals. We have the same philosophy of life. We have always
worked in the same directions." Mon Mothma's grip on Leia's arm loosened. "We
have always fought the Empire. But the Empire is gone now. Only bands remain.
Someday we must move beyond the Rebellion and into true government. Part of
that, Leia, is accepting those who lived under the Empire but did not serve
it." Leia shook her head. "It's too soon." "Actually," Mon Mothma said, "I
think it isn't soon enough." Leia tugged at her skirt. She had even worn her
hair in the long-outdated style, braids wrapped around her ears, in defiance
of the new Senate members-as a sign that Chief of State Leia Organa Solo was
once Leia Organa, princess, senator, and Rebel leader. Han had kissed her
roughly before she left their apartments and had grinned at her. Well, Your
Worship, does this mean I get to go back to being a scoundrel?