It was all hugely expensive, though, in both credits and political capital. Even in an era of enlightenment and peace, when trade flourished and the coffers were relatively full, there were those who preferred the status quo. Their view: Certainly, things were good now, but they could always turn bad, and why spend credits now you might need then? The Republic was huge, and creating complete consensus was impossible. A group of three people might all face the same problem and find three utterly different solutions—multiply that by trillions and it gave some sense of what it was like to run a galactic government. But Lina had done it, not by making promises she had no intention of keeping, or making threats, or abusing the power of her office. She had simply done her best to show the worlds of the Republic what they might be if they all came together. How much better things could be. How unique this moment was in history, and how they needed to seize it and move forward and, ideally, extend it so the many generations to come could know the peace and prosperity they all now enjoyed.

The Starlight Beacon symbolized everything she wanted for the Republic, and every member of the Senate knew it. If it succeeded, the rest became that much easier. If it failed…

“I will not jeopardize lives,” the chancellor said, “but you all know how important it is, for many reasons, that the Starlight Beacon dedication ceremony takes place as currently scheduled.”

Jora Malli spoke, her tone milder than before—this was a question to which she had an answer.

“I was just at Starlight. It’s finished, but for perhaps a bit of polishing and cleanup,” she said. “A short delay shouldn’t have much impact on the schedule.”

She gestured at Avar.

“Master Kriss was there recently as well, just before the Legacy Run disaster, for the inspection tour, reviewing the Jedi quarter. How did it seem to you?”

“As you say, Master Malli,” she answered, “I’m not an expert, but Administrator Tennem explicitly said Starlight Beacon could hold its dedication ceremony as scheduled. If not for the blockade, the last little touches would be complete in a few weeks from now. She does not seem the type to exaggerate.”

“All right, then,” Lina said. “Let’s figure this out. I have questions.”

She lifted her hand and started to tick them off on her fingers, one by one.

“How many fragments remain of the Legacy Run? Do any of them contain survivors, and if so, is there a chance those people could be rescued? They’re all Republic citizens, and if we can save them, we must.

“Is there a way to predict where any remaining Emergences might happen? And most important…”

She closed her hand into a fist.

“…what actually happened, and why? Is hyperspace safe, or is this all just getting started?”