Seren delivered Minister Deval's statement to General Ruadh as soon as she and Becca returned to the Ælba base.

The general pressed his lips together in a tight line, and for a minute or so, silence stood between the two rebels. Finally, the general spoke.

"Thank you, Turadh," he said, making note of something on his datapad. "You are dismissed."

"Good night, sir," Seren said, acknowledging his orders with a polite nod.

She could feel the hours catching up with her. It was almost two in the morning, and Seren had the feeling that she would simply fall asleep without changing out of her clothes. She wasn't unaccustomed to such things, though it was admittedly nice at times, to sleep in soft, loose pajamas, especially after a long trip.

"Good night Turadh," the general replied, returning the nod. "Now go rest. I might have need of you in the morning, and I'd like you to have some sleep behind you."

General Ruadh waited until Turadh left to release the sigh he'd been holding in since the girl delivered Minister Deval's message.

What else did you expect him to say? The general thought as he turned the Minister of Hibern's words over in his mind.

Minister Deval was a good ten years older than Ruadh, and had served as Senator for Hibern in the early days of the Galactic Empire, before the Selts system quietly withdrew. He had kept the Empire from demolishing the Selts system through clever politics and promises of neutrality and isolation. As a result, the Empire left the Selts system alone—forgot about it completely, according to certain sources.

It was clear that Deval wished to keep the Selts system out of the Empire's databases, which was why he would be calling for a vote of the Selts Parliament on the subject of system-wide neutrality.

Ruadh didn't know when this meeting would be called, but he knew for sure that Deval would vote for system-wide neutrality when it did.

There was no telling what system-wide neutrality would mean for the rebels who had established a base on Ælba, as well as the smaller sectors on the other planets in the system. At worse, it meant they would have to leave the system entirely, he knew that much, and hoped it wouldn't come to that. At best, a vote for system-wide neutrality would cease what little aid the Selts system gave the Alliance in terms of guns and ships and speedercraft, which wouldn't set the Alliance back too far, if they were careful.

Ruadh was uncertain of how the other planets in the system would vote when the time came. Cymbri and Ellan were perhaps the most likely to vote in favor of aiding the Alliance more openly, while the decisions of Ælba and Airlan were less certain. Of course, all of the systems would give into Minister Deval's clever politics, and then the vote would be all in favor of system-wide neutrality on uncertain terms.

Something needed to be done, but the general wasn't sure what.

His father might have been a senator, but Ruadh had no skill with politics such as these, and even if he did, he was no match for Minister Deval.

"Visk, please patch me through to Mon Mothma," General Ruadh told the Rodian who was in charge of communications at the moment.

Visk nodded and did as the general asked.

"What is it, General?" asked the hologram miniature of the Rebellion's commander, a regal human female with pronounced cheekbones and short auburn hair.

"Pardon me for disturbing you, madam, but a situation has arisen in my system of command, and I need your advice on how to proceed."

"Then do," Mon Mothma said in her usual brisk manner. "How secure is the channel?"

"Secure, madam," he replied, after Visk assured him that yes, the channel was very secure, because it was one of the "ghost channels," but that was hardly important anyways "The Selts Parliament will be holding a vote to determine the status of their system as far as neutrality is concerned."

"And you want my advice on how to proceed."

"If you would be so kind, it would be appreciated."

"It is your sector, General, and it is therefore your choice what you chose to do about it. Tell me, what do you think is the most crucial part of this vote?"

It was like he was a child again, listening to his father mentoring up-and-coming representatives from this or that province, or discussing politics with his children. On the occasions when he had met Mon Mothma (thrice during his younger years), he had found that the Senator spoke the same way with his father, who often asked her for advice when Ruadh's mother was seeing to her own obligations.

"That our people have a say in the terms of neutrality," he told her, expecting her to praise his quick, confident answer.

Instead, she pressed her lips together. "If we can get the Selts system on our side, we have a chance of winning this war," said she. "It would be a step towards winning the support of the mid-Rim, which will be a more difficult battle than the Outer Rim has been, and it will benefit the cause if we can."

"Hibern will always be neutral," General Ruadh said. "There's no changing that, not as long as Minister Deval is in power."

"That's a problem easily solved," Mon Mothma said, "but assassination and usurpation is not a value of our movement…unfortunately. If anyone knew I had allowed for the execution of a political leader, simply on grounds such as this, our cause would be lost."

"Indeed."

"I will see what can be done, General," the Rebel commander told him. "I cannot promise a diplomatic team, and you might as well prepare your own, but know that something will be done."

"Thank you, madam."

"You are most welcome, General." Her holographic form turned as if to leave, but she paused. "Oh, and General."

"Yes madam?"

"You'll be pleased to know that there's a spot on Rouge Squadron, if you would like to put forth your candidate."

"Just one spot?"

"Don't play that with me General. It was a lot of trouble to convince Antilles that your candidate was actually good. I hope what you say about her is true, or it could cost us all."

General Ruadh only nodded. "She is, madam, I assure you. I'll put her through her paces, test if she's ready, and report to you."

"You doubt her, General Ruadh?"

"I have full confidence in her, madam. She just needs some in herself, that's all."

"Very well. I'll relay this to Antilles and the rest of Rouge Squadron, and we'll be in touch."

"Thank you."

The communication ended.