by James Luceno
announcement of a special session, the corridors were even more jammed than
usual, but Palpatine was heartened to find that the delegates could still be
motivated to set aside their personal affairs for matters of broader import.
Flanked by his two aides, Doriana and Pestage, he smiled pleasantly as he
threaded his way toward the rotunda, easing past the blue-robed Senate Guard
stationed at the doorway and stepping down into ationaboo's balcony platform
in the vast amphitheater.
One of 1,024 identical balconies that lined the inner wall of the dome,
the platform was circular and spacious enough to accommodate half a dozen or
more humans. Each balcony was actually the apex of a wedge-shaped slice of the
building- - stretching from the rotunda clear to the outer rim of the
hemisphere--in which the separate delegations were quartered, and where most
of the senate's mundane affairs and illicit business were transacted.
Adjusting the fall of his elaborate cloak, Palpatine stepped to the
podiumlike console at the front lip of the platform. Given Naboo's elevated
position in the rotunda, the view to the floor was vertiginous.
The amphitheater was purposely sealed off from natural light, as well as
from Coruscant's dubious atmosphere, to minimize the effects of nightfall on
the delegates; that is, to encourage everyone to remain focused on the matters
at hand, despite the possibility that the sessions might continue late into
the evening. But more and more citizens had come to view the rotunda's
unnatural circumstances as symbolic of the senate's insularity - comxs
separation from reality. The senate was thought to exist apart, debating
issues of minor or occult concern, save for those that touched directly on the
illegal enrichment of its membership.
Nevertheless, Palpatine sensed renewed intensity in the recycled air.
Gossip had alerted everyone to the topics Valorum planned to discuss, but many
were eager to hear for themselves and hungry to respond.
In an effort to take a measure of senatorial opinion regarding taxation
of the outlying trade routes, Palpatine had spent the past few days meeting
with as many senators as possible. Gently, he had attempted to persuade the
undecided into backing Valorum, so that the Supreme Chancellor might carry the
day without the support of Naboo and its neighboring worlds. At the same time,
Palpatine had devised alternative plans, sufficient for dealing with a host of
eventualities.
His own sense of urgency took him by surprise; the buzz in the rotunda
was that infectious. But just as he had done at the opera, Valorum delayed his
arrival. By the time the Supreme Chancellor finally showed himself, the
atmosphere was agitated.
Valorum's perch was a thirty-meter-tall dais that rose from the center of
the floor like the stalk of a flower. Conveyed to the bud of the flower by
turbolift, Valorum stood alone, with the senate's sergeant-at-arms,
parlimentarian, journal clerk, and official reporter seated below him in a
round dish that cradled the bud. Echoing the predominant color scheme of the
amphitheater, he wore a lavender brocade cloak, with voluminous sleeves and
matching cummerbund.
It occurred to Palpatine as he applauded that the Supreme Chancellor's
lofty position made him as much a center of attention as target of
opportunity.
When the clapping and the occasional verbal accolades had gone on long
enough, Valorum held up his hands in a gesture that begged silence.
His first words brought a faint smile to Pal-patine's lips.
"Delegates of the Galactic Senate, we find ourselves beset by a
confluence of sobering challenges.
Frayed at its far-flung borders by internecine skirmishes and hollowed at
its very heart by corruption, the Republic is in grave danger of unraveling.
Recent events in the Mid and Outer Rim demand that we stem the rising tide of
strife by restoring order and balance. So dire is our plight, that even
extreme measures should not be dismissed out of hand." Valorum paused briefly
to allow his words to sink in.
"The free trade zones were originally created to foster exchange between
the Core Worlds and the outlying systems of the Mid and Outer Rims. At the
time, it was thought that free and open trade would prove a benefit to all
concerned. But those zones have since become a haven not only for smugglers
and pirates, but also for shipping and trading cartels that have availed
themselves of the liberties we ensured, by setting themselves up as entities
of political and military leverage." Murmurs of concurrence and discord
stirred the already impassioned air.
"The Trade Federation comes before us with a request that we do something
to safeguard commerce in the outlying sectors. They are within their rights to
request this, and we are obliged by our covenant to respond. But in a very
real sense it is the questionable practices of the Trade Federation that have
made it a target for thieves and terrorists." Valorum raised his voice to be
heard over hundreds of separate conversations, in as many tongues.
"In the same way, we must accept some of the blame for this, since it was
this body that granted the Trade Federation such latitude, and it is this body
that has chosen to turn a deaf ear time and again to what transpires in the
outlying systems. This practice cannot be allowed to continue. The Trade
Federation has become a bloated creature, ingesting lesser concerns and
refusing to do business with worlds that seek to ship with its few remaining
competitors. It would not be overstatement to say that these trade zones are
no longer free.
"And yet the Trade Federation comes before us to solicit our help in
putting an end to the disorder it has fashioned.
"The Federation asks for protection--as if this body can blithely deploy
a military force against the pirates and terrorists who prey on the
Federation's freighters. As if this body could provide starfighters and
Dreadnaughts and, in so doing, turn the free trade zones inffcctested space--a
battleground.
"There is, however, a solution to all this. If the Trade Federation wants
us to ensure that the outlying systems be made safe for commerce--a task that
will require action from this body, as well as from the many systems that lie
within the free trade zones- - then those planetary systems must be brought
into the Republic as member worlds. Those worlds that the Trade Federation
currently represents in the senate must abjure their affiliation with the
Federation and bring their individual voices to this hall, to be heard as
autonomous systems once more." Valorum allowed the grumbling to go on for
several moments before he gestured again for silence.
"We urge that the worlds of the free trade zones move quickly and
decisively. Terrorist groups like the Nebula Front are merely the tip of a
more deep-seated discontent. By working in accordance, the volunteer
militaries and space corps of the affected systems can quell local
insurrections before they swell to widespread revolution.
"The direct consequence of
this will be the abolition of the free trade
zones. The trade routes to those outlying systems that join the Republic would
henceforth be subject to the same taxation that applies to routes in the Core,
the Colonies, and the Inner Rim. I urge you to consider that such action is
long overdue.
For free trade is no longer that when all trade is controlled by one
cartel." Clamorous cheers and boos punctuated the air, but reaction was not as
mixed as Palpatine had feared it might be. Still, he was disappointed. Valorum
had made a case for taxation without addressing any of the consequences or the
possible compromises that might be made.
Before such a motion could be enacted as legislation, special interest
groups--on the payroll of the Trade Federation or similar concerns--would
register their protests. Then the motion would move to committee, where it
would be further weakened. After that, it would be burdened with ancillary
legislation, aimed at appeasing the special interest groups and lobbyists.
Finally, it would be endlessly debated, in the hope of continued
deferral.
But there were ways to cut through the bureaucratic tangle. Exasperated,
Palpatine glanced around the amphitheater, wondering who would make the first
move - comfiguratively and literally.
It was the Neimoidians who acted, loosing their balcony from the inner
wall and directing it to the center of the rotunda. Detached, the platforms
resembled sleeker versions of the repulsorlift air taxis that filled
Coruscant's skies. Word had it that some of the platforms moved more rapidly
than others--even on autopilot--which was crucial, since delegates frequently
raced to be recognized by the Supreme Chancellor.
"We recognize Delegate Lott Dod," Valorum said, "representing the Trade
Federation." Lott Dod wore rich robes and a tall, black miter. A saucer -
shaped hovercam with a single antenna rushed in to broadcast his flat-faced
likeness to the screens built into the display consoles of the balconies.
"We submit that the senate does not have the right or the authority to
enact taxation of the outlying trade zones.
This is nothing more than a ploy to break up our consortium.
"It was the Trade Federation who opened the hyperlanes to the outlying
systems, who risked the lives of its space-faring captains to bring formerly
primitive worlds into the Republic, and new resources into the Core.
"Now we learn that we are expected to defend ourselves against the
mercenaries and pirates who masquerade as freedom fighters, merely to enrich
themselves at our expense. We come before you asking for aid, and instead
become the victim of an indirect attack." From delegations representing the
Commerce Guild and the Techno Union came loud shouts of encouragement.
"If the senate does not wish to intercede with the Nebula Front--or,
indeed, if it is incapable of doing so," Dod continued, "then it must at least
grant us what we need to defend ourselves. As it is, we are defenseless in the
face of far superior fighters." Where some cheered and some booed, Valorum
merely nodded. "Commissions can be appointed to determine if additional
defense capabilities are warranted at this time," he said sternly.
Another balcony dropped from the curved wall.
"We recognize Ainlee Teem, delegate of Malastare," Valorum said.
A Gran, Teem had a trio of eyestalks that were thick and closely set.
"Since the Trade Federation is willing to defend itself, at its own
expense, there is no justification for taxing the trade routes." Teem's voice
was deep and abrasive. "We have precedent in the Corporate Alliance.
Otherwise, it appears that the Republic is interested in nothing more than
skimming profits from those who endangered themselves to blaze the hyperspace
routes now used by one and all." Half the amphitheater applauded. But even in
the midst of it, a third platform was floating to the center.
"We recognize Bail Antilles of Alderaan." "Supreme Chancellor," the human
said with great emotion, "under no circumstances should the senate allow the
Trade Federation to augment its droid defenses.
If the Nebula Front has succeeded in making certain sectors dangerous,
then the Federation should avoid those trouble spots until such time as the
involved sectors find a way to counter terrorism. By sanctioning increases to
the Trade Federation's defenses, we imperil the balance of power throughout
the Outer Rim." "And what becomes of the worlds in those contested sec tors?"
Senator Orn Free Taa of Ryloth asked, his blue head-tails draped over the
bodice of an exorbitant cloak. "How do we trade with the Core? With whom do we
ship?" Rejoinders flew fast and furious from all sides of the chamber- - from
the Wookiee delegation, the Sullustans, the Bimms, and Bothans.
Valorum attempted to quote the rules, but many of the senators had had
enough of the rules, and shouted him down.
"The Trade Federation will seek to offset the taxes by charging more for
their services," the Bothan delegate argued. "The outlying systems will, in
turn, be forced to assume the burden of taxation." Palpatine saw what was
coming and quickly dispatched black-cloaked Sate Pestage to deliver a
handwritten note to the sergeant-at-arms, who relayed the note to the Supreme
Chancellor.
Valorum received the message a moment after the Bothan delegate had
demanded to know how the credits garnered from taxation would be allocated.
Lifting his eyes from the note, Valorum glanced at the Na - boo balcony
before responding. "I propose that a percentage of the revenues garnered
through taxation be allocated for relief and development of the outlying
systems." Cheers roared from most of the upper-tier balconies, and many of the
senators in the platforms there came to their feet to applaud. Closer to the
floor, encouragement came from Wookiee Senator Yarua, Tendau Bendon of Ithor,
and Horox Ryyder, who represented thousands of worlds in the Raioballo sector.
Palpatine made a mental note of the naysayers, including Toonbuck Toora,
Po Nudo, Wat Tambor, and other delegates. Then he detached the platform and
dropped for the center of the rotunda, chased by two hovercams.
"We recognize the senator from the sovereign system of Na - boo," Valorum
said.
"Supreme Chancellor," Palpatine said, "may I suggest that, while many
important points have been made, these issues are far from resolved, and
should perhaps be explored in greater depth in a different forum, after
everyone has had an opportunity to reflect on what has been said." Valorum
appeared confused for a moment. "What sort of forum, Senator Palpatine?"
"Before the motion goes to committee, I propose that a summit be held, where
delegates from the Trade Federation and its signatory members can meet openly
to offer their solutions to these... "sobering challenges," as you say." The
same senators who had cheered Valorum, now applauded Palpatine.
Uncertainty and perhaps vague misgiving drained some of the color from
Valorum's face. "Do you have some specific location in mind, Senator?" he
asked.
Palpatine consi
dered it. "May I suggest...
Eriadu?" A platform joined Palpatine's at the center of the rotunda. The
delegation's dark-complexioned human members wore loose - fitting garments and
cloth turbans.
"Supreme Chancellor," their spokesman said, "Eriadu would be honored to
host such a summit." Senator Toora seconded the motion and moved to enact a
moratorium on the taxation proposal.
Valorum had no choice but to comply.
"I will confer with all relevant parties and set a date for the summit,"
he said when the furor had abated. "With regard to taxation of the outlying
trade routes, there will be a moratorium on the voting process until the
summit concludes and all view points have been expressed. Furthermore, as a
sign of the senate's commitment to foster peace and stability, I shall attend
the summit personally." Many in the rotunda rose and applauded.
Valorum's gaze found Palpatine and lingered on him for a moment.
Palpatine smiled and nodded conspiratorially.
s porting jagged wounds it hadn't had when it had first appeared over
Dorvalla, or later, when it had settled down to retrieve Cohl and what was
left of his team, the Hawk-Bat floated in space, gravitationally anchored to a
buff-colored world of arid mountain ranges and ice-blue seas. Five CloakShape
starfighters surrounded her, with a sixth nuzzled up to the gunship's
starboard airlock. Far beyond the ships spread a band of space mines, made to
resemble asteroids.
On the Hawk-Bat's side of the airlock, Cohl waited vigilantly for his
visitors to board. His bare arms were lacerated from the razor ferns he had
been forced to forge through on Dorvalla, and his dark face, with its eye mask
of diamond-shaped tattoos, was bruised black and blue beneath his beard.
Adding severity to features many thought ferocious to begin with, his coiled
hair framed his countenance like the hood of a serpent.
The airlock's indicator light flashed.
"Do you want me to disappear?" Rella asked from behind him.
She was in even worse shape than Cohl. Her left eye was con cealed by a
bacta patch and her left forearm wore a plascast. Boiny remained in a bacta
tank.
Cohl shook his head without taking his gaze from the airlock. "Stick
around. Keep your blaster handy." Rella drew the weapon from the holster on
