by James Luceno
Justice Building, an enormous edifice of pointed arches, tall decorative
spires, and elaborate statuary, located in the so-called Plains of Coruscant,
not far from the Jedi Temple.
Valorum and his lawyers were seated at a long table opposite the twelve
robed figures who comprised the judiciary council. Bail Antilles and the
members of the Internal Activities Committee sat perpendicular to the bench.
The chief justice spoke, addressing Valorum.
"Supreme Chancellor, we appreciate that you elected to appear before us,
without being subpoenaed by writ." "We are given to understand that this is an
informal inquest," one of the lawyers said in Valorum's stead.
"Your presumption is correct." The judge looked to Antilles, who stood
and spoke from his place at the committee's table.
"Your Honors, Supreme Chancellor Valorum," he began. "Just two weeks ago
the senate met in special session to vote on a motion introduced by Supreme
Chancellor Valorum, calling for a tax to be levied on all shipping and other
mercantile activities in what were formerly known as the free trade zones of
the outlying systems.
"An amendment to the original proposal directed that a percentage of all
revenues collected by the Republic would be redistributed among the outlying
systems, for purposes of social welfare and technological advancement. Many
business concerns located in those systems have already begun to reap the
benefits of the amendment, in the form of venture capital bestowed by
investors, here in the Core. One of those concerns is Valorum Shipping and
Transport, of Eriadu, which has received an enormous sum, for a company that
has shown only marginal profits over the past several standard years."
Valorum's lawyer interrupted.
"With all due respect, Senator Antilles, Supreme Chancellor Valorum was
not made aware of the investment in Valorum Shipping until last week.
Regardless, while it's true that the company bears the Valorum name, and that
the Supreme Chancellor is a member of the board of directors, he does not
participate in company operations, or involve himself with each and every
commonplace business transaction.
"More important, Your Honors, since when does it violate Republic law for
a company to profit, based on merit alone? In the case of Valorum Shipping, it
strikes me as good business sense for investors to be drawn to concerns owned
by prominent public figures. It's not as if the Supreme Chancellor actively
solicited investments. Furthermore, the Supreme Chancellor, as required by
law, has made full disclosure of all his holdings, and his record, with regard
to earnings and taxes, is spotless." The twelve judges looked at Antilles, who
was still frowning when the lawyer finished speaking.
"If I may be allowed to continue. The Internal Activities Committee does
not take issue with any of the statements made by the Supreme Chancellor's
legal representative. In fact, when this matter was first brought to our
attention, we proceeded under the assumption that no infringement of protocol
had occurred. However..." Antilles let the word dangle for a long moment
before continuing.
"Subsequent investigation has shown that the contribution to Valorum
Shipping did not originate with a consortium or venture capital group. Rather,
the revenue was drawn from a blind account, and moved to Eriadu through a
Coruscant bank of dubious reputation. I use the term moved advisedly, Your
Honors, since the investment was tendered in the form of hard assets."
Valorum's lawyers regarded one another in puzzlement. "Of what sort?" the
spokesman asked Antilles.
"Aurodium ingots." Blood drained from Valorum's face, and a stir went
through the room. Valorum and his lawyers conferred for a moment, before the
spokesman replied.
"Your Honors, we acknowledge that the investment begins to sound, shall
we say, less than forthright.
Nevertheless, Senator Antilles has yet to demonstrate exactly how this
matter relates to the Supreme Chancellor." Antilles's expression made clear
that he had been waiting for just this moment. He gazed at Valorum while he
delivered his finishing stroke.
"What the Internal Activities Committee finds most interesting, and
questionable, is that the value of the aurodium--and indeed the quantity--
corresponds exactly to a cache of ingots reported missing by the Trade
Federation, following an attack on one of their vessels, the Revenue, in the
Dorvalla system, several months ago." Hushed conversations erupted throughout
the room, as Antilles stepped out from behind the table and approached the
bench.
"Your Honors, this is not an indictment. The committee merely wishes to
be reassured that the Supreme Chancellor did not have a hidden agenda in
supporting taxation, as part of a scheme to enrich his own holdings in the
outlying systems. The committee also wishes to be reassured that the aurodium
in question did, in fact, disappear from the Revenue, and was not simply
transferred to Valorum Shipping, to seal a clandestine partnership existing
between the Supreme Chancellor and the Trade Federation." Senator Palpatine
was one of a hundred or more senators who had been invited to Orn Free Taa's
lavish penthouse for an evening of exceptional food and extravagant drink.
What had been touted as an occasion, however, had all the under currents of a
conclave; and where outsiders assumed that its purpose was to celebrate
Valorum's seeming victory in the Senate, it was instead intended to cheer his
recent reversal of fortune.
On the largest of the penthouse's many terraces, the blue - skinned
Twi'lek host was holding forth for an audience of senators, who hung on his
every word.
"Of course we knew about the alleged improprieties. But it was necessary
to delay mention of the scandal to ensure that the tax proposal would be
ratified, which wouldn't have been the case had Valorum been weakened
beforehand." Taa shook his head and fat lekku. "No, by waiting to reveal the
allegations, and by supporting Valorum, we managed to turn what might have
been perceived as an instance of ordinary corruption into what hints at a
nefarious plot that threatens the stability of the very Republic." "But is
there actually anything to the accusations?" Quarren Senator Tikkes asked, his
facial tentacles quivering in prospect.
Taa's enormous shoulders heaved in a shrug of indifference. "There is the
aurodium, and there is the appearance of deceit. What else matters?" "If it is
true, then Valorum has become a danger to the general good," Mot Not Rab
remarked.
Tikkes affirmed that with an enthusiastic nod. "I say we shake him,
before worse days endure." Others nodded in agreement, muttering among
themselves.
"Patience, patience," Taa advised in a soothing voice. "Baseless or not,
the allegations have essentially crippled Valorum. We need only to rid
ourselves of those senators who have buoyed him in the past, enabling him to
remain afloat despite our best attempts to sink him. Besides, there may yet be
some advantag
e to keeping him high and dry." "What advantage?" the senator
from Rodia asked.
"With his influence further eroded, and the Justice Department stripped
of some of its former authority, commissions will have to be appointed to
render judgments and decisions he would ordinarily make. The power of the
courts will increase. But cases will invariably take longer than ever to
resolve. And yet Valorum will continue to suffer the blame." "Unless a strong
vice chancellor is appointed," the Rodian thought to point out.
"We must not let that happen," Taa said firmly.
"We need a consummate bureaucrat to serve as vice chancellor." He leaned
toward his circle of conspirators. "Senator Palpatine has suggested that we do
our best to install the Chagrian--Mas Amedda." "But Amedda is rumored to be
well disposed to the Trade Federation," Tikkes said in disbelief.
"All the better, all the better." Taa was gleeful. "What matters is that
the more fanatical he is about procedure, the more he stifles Valorum's
ability to act." "To what final end?" Mot Not Rab asked.
"Why, to Valorum's final end," Taa said. "And when that time comes, we
will elect a leader with fire in his veins." "Bail Antilles is already
campaigning," the Rodian said.
"As is Ainlee Teem of Malastare," Tikkes added.
Taa noticed Palpatine standing by the terrace doors, engaged in deep
conversation with the senators from Fondor and Eriadu.
"I propose that we consider nominating Palpatine," he said, gesturing
discreetly.
Tikkes and the rest glanced at the tall senator from Naboo.
"Palpatine would never accept the nomination," the Quar - ren said. "He
considers himself a supporting player." Taa narrowed his eyes. "Then we must
convince him.
Think what it would mean to the outlying systems if someone from other
than a Core world was elected Supreme Chancellor. There might finally be
equality for all species. He can restore order, if anyone can. He has the
right combination of selflessness and quiet power. And don't let yourvs be
fooled there is a strong hand concealed within those loose sleeves.
He cares deeply about the integrity of the Republic, and he will do
whatever is needed to enforce the laws." Tikkes was dubious. "Then we will not
be able to play him as we have Valorum." "That's the beauty of it," Taa said.
"We won't have to, because he thinks like one of us." I n all the years she
had known him, Adi Gallia had never seen Valorum so despondent. He could be
moody at times, and unjustly hard on himself, but the allegations of
corruption had tipped him into a dark place from which he could not surface.
In the month since she had seen him last, he appeared to have aged a year.
"The aurodium was the Nebula Front's final stab at me," he was telling
her. "The terrorists were determined to take me down, along with the Trade
Federation Directorate. That has to be the explanation. And do you know why my
family members on Eriadu said nothing of the aurodium? Because they felt
slighted that I had chosen to accept the hospitality of Lieutenant Governor
Tarkin, who, it seems, has been something of a nemesis for them. I did so only
as a courtesy to Senator Palpatine, who now feels that he played a guilty part
in this whole wretched affair." Adi was about to reply, but Valorum didn't
give her the chance.
"Although I ask myself if certain senators weren't involved.
Those who would sooner see me disgraced than simply dis - empowered." Adi
had come to his office in the senate, which had become a place of purposeful
whisperings and innuendo. The entire climate of the senate had changed--and
Valorum felt responsible.
"It will only be a matter of time before you are exonerated," Adi tried
to reassure him.
He shook his head. "Few are interested in seeing me exonerated--the
media, least of all. And with the terrorist Havac dead, there is no one to say
with certainty that the Trade Federation wasn't trying to buy my influence."
"If that was the case, why would you have pushed so hard to tax the trade
routes? The tax alone is proof of your honesty." Valorum's weak smile belied
his sense of hopelessness. "My critics have an explanation.
To offset the tax, revenue that goes to the outlying systems will simply
find its way back into the deep pockets of the Neimoidians' robes." "It's all
conjectural," Adi said. "It will disappear." Valorum scarcely heard her.
"I don't care what they say about me personally.
But now, all that I have accomplished in the senate is in question. I am
made to answer to Mas Amedda, who is so consumed with procedure that no new
legislation will pass. Yet more commissions and committees will come
inffbbing, and with them, expanded opportunities for graft and corruption."
Valorum fell quiet for a long moment, shaking his head back and forth.
"The assassinations on Eriadu, and now this scandal, will have wide-
ranging consequences. It has already been made clear to me that the Jedi are
not to become involved in trade disputes, without the express consent of the
senate.
"But worst of all, is the disservice I have done the Republic. The
citizenry take its cue from the head of state--even when that one has become
little more than an ineffectual figurehead.
"I looked for the causes of corruption and found myself to blame. Did I
conveniently forget all the deals I struck with malicious beings? Did I
conveniently forget that I, too, had been corrupted?" He put his elbows on the
desk and pressed his fingertips to his temples, keeping his gaze downward.
"I had a terrible dream last night, that seemed as much a reflection of
my present circumstance as a vision of the future. In it, I felt myself
besieged by nebulous forces, by wraiths of one sort or another. Something was
reaching for me out of the blackness, to crush me in its grip." "Terrible, but
only a dream," Adi said. "Not a vision." Valorum managed to summon the same
weak smile when he looked up at her.
"If only I had more supporters like you and Senator Palpatine." "Better a
few faithful supporters, than a wealth of false friends," Adi said. "Perhaps
you can find some solace in that." In the High Council tower of the Jedi
Temple, the eleven Masters listened to Adi recount her meeting with Valorum.
As ever, Yoda was in motion, walking about with his gimer stick cane, and,
because of the part they had played in the events, Qui - Gon and Obi-Wan were
present.
"The Supreme Chancellor is correct about one thing," Mace Windu said.
"The aurodium could only have come from Havac. Cohl delivered the stolen
ingots to him, then Havac set up the blind account and saw to it that the
aurodium was invested in Valorum Shipping." "But why?" Yarael Poof asked.
"By suggesting collusion, Havac hoped to bring down both the Supreme
Chancellor and the Trade Federation." "Valorum, perhaps," Depa Billaba said.
"But the Neimoidi - ans have much of the senate on their payroll. The Trade
Federation hasn't been touched by the scandal." "Indeed they haven't," Oppo
Rancisis agreed. "Too little thought we gave these events," Yoda said
. "All of
us." Yaddle turned to face Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, who were standing outside the
Masters' circle. "You two flying here, flying "there, chasing clues... If
stopped for a moment to listen to the His unifying Force, see what was coming
you might have." "I did what I had to do, Masters," Qui-Gon said, without
apology. Yoda loosed a prolonged sigh. "Blame you, we don't, Qui-Gon. But
exasperate us, you do." Qui-Gon inclined his head in a bow.
"This scandal wasn't the sole work of the Nebula Front," Adi said. "The
Supreme Chancellor has other enemies - comhidden enemies, plotting against
him. Trying to maneuver him into a positi on where he will err gravely, and be
voted out of office or be forced to resign." "To be replaced by the likes of
Bail Antilles or Ainlee Teem," Saesee Tiin muttered.
Windu nodded. "He has been too trusting." "Too naive," Even Piell
remarked harshly.
Yoda paced, then stopped. "Help him, we must--in secret, if need be." "We
must heed the will of the Force in this matter," Windu said. "We must be open
to ways to counter the treacherous vor-tex into wh the Republic has been
drawn. Perhaps we can help Valorum get wind of events before his enemies have
an opportunity to stack those events against him." "He senses perilous times
ahead," Adi said.
"As if some darkness has been awakened, intent on spreading itself across
the galaxy." Yaddle broke the long silence.
"Tipping the balance is." Yoda looked at her. "Tipping, yes. But from
troubled times to untroubled, or from bad times to worse?" Windu steepled his
fingers in front of his face.
"And what unknown hand is doing the tipping?" Darth Sidious visited Nute
Gunray and his advisers by hologram, on the bridge of the Trade Federation
freighter Saak'ak, bar bar known, in Basic, as the Profiteer.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Viceroy," the Sith Lord rasped, in a
manner that made derision sound like a compliment.
"Thank you, my Lord," Gunray was quick to respond. "We did not imagine,
when you said you would convince our competitors in the directorate, that you
would..." "That I would what, Viceroy? Perhaps you imagined that I would act
with greater subtlety, is that it? Now there is no one to stand in your way of
acquiring an army or directing the future course of the Trade Federation."
