Star Wars_ Cloak of Deception - James Luceno [118]
“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 Quarren 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 yourselves 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.”
In 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 disempowered.”
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