"Three? " said Behn-kihl-nahm. "They can't count or tell the truth. "

"-located near the boundaries of our territory. These outsiders, whom we had generously allowed to settle on Yevethan soil, betrayed our trust and hospitality. All were discovered to be secretly a.s.sisting our enemies prepare for an invasion.

"We have escaped the immediate danger. We acted swiftly and forcefully in our defense, and we make no apology for doing so. All those responsible have been executed for their crimes-"

"Great stars, " said Ackbar. "He's claiming credit for the ma.s.sacres. "

"-but you, the homeworlds, remain in danger. Because the plot against us was hatched on Coruscant, by a new generation of warlords. They are our enemies-not because we wish it, but because they have chosen it.

"They are your enemies as well. They hide their faces and their evils behind a cloak of open government. Do not underestimate their perfidy. A New Empire is being born, led by a child of the old Empire. Your dream has been betrayed. You have placed your trust in immoral and deceitful leaders.

"I accuse President Princess Leia Organa Solo of high crimes against her office, and against my people.

"Even now, after her conspiracy has been revealed, she threatens us. Warships of the New Empire are in Farlax at this very moment, seeking to compel my silence and our submission. She covets our wealth, and fears our independence.

"But know this-the Yevetha will never bow our necks to this woman and her hired killers. We will resist her predations to the fullest measure. Her spies and conspirators know that now. Her generals will know it soon. We will resist, and we will prevail.

"We regret the deaths which have already transpired. But they are on her hands, and the hands of those who serve her without question. We have the right to protect ourselves. We will never accept the authority of the Coruscant warlords over our dominion. And we will not tolerate the daughter of Vader meddling in our affairs.

"If you do not renounce her, and you will not restrain her, then be prepared for war. "

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

MICHAEL P. KUBE-McDOWELL is the pen name of Philadelphia-born novelist Michael Paul McDowell. His highly praised works include the star-spanning 1985 Philip K. d.i.c.k Award finalistEmpriseand the evocative 1991 Hugo Award nomineeThe Quiet Pools.

In addition to his eight previous novels, Michael has contributed more than two dozen short stories to leading magazines and anthologies, including a.n.a.log, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, After the Flames, and Alternate Warriors. Three of his stories have been adapted as episodes of the horror-fantasy television series Tales from the Darkside. He is the author of more than five hundred nonfiction articles on subjects ranging from "scientific creationism" to the U.S. s.p.a.ce program.

A popular guest at SF conventions, Michael is also a member of the cheerfully amateur folk-rock group The Black Book Band, in which he plays guitar, keyboards, and viola. A live alb.u.m, First Contact, was released in 1995 by Dodeka Records.

Michael resides in central Michigan with artist and modelmaker Gwen Zak, children Matt and Amanda, cats Doc and Captain, and "entirely too many books. " At various times he has called Fairview Village (Camden), New Jersey; East Lansing, Sturgis, and Lansing, Michigan; and Goshen, Indiana, home.

"Kube" is p.r.o.nounced "CUE-bee.