Star Wars_ Cloak of Deception - James Luceno [19]
“I’m well aware of some of those,” Valorum said, with a note of disgust. “As a result of continuing raids and harassment, the Trade Federation plans to demand Republic intervention, or, failing that, senate approval to further augment their droid contingent.”
Palpatine made his lips a thin line and nodded. “I must confess, Supreme Chancellor, that my first instinct was to refuse their requests out of hand. The Trade Federation is already too powerful—in wealth and in military might. However, I’ve since reassessed my position.”
Valorum regarded him with interest. “I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts.”
“Well, to begin with, the Trade Federation is made up of entrepreneurs, not warriors. The Neimoidians, especially, are cowards in any theater other than commerce. So granting them permission to enlarge their droid defenses—slightly, at any rate—doesn’t concern me unduly. More important, there may be some advantage to doing so.”
Valorum interlocked his fingers and leaned forward. “What possible advantage?”
Palpatine took a breath. “In exchange for honoring their requests for intervention and additional defenses, the senate would be in a position to demand that all trade in the outlying systems would henceforth be subject to Republic taxation.”
Valorum sat back in his chair, clearly disappointed. “We’ve been through all this before, Senator. You and I both know that a majority of the senate has no interest in what happens in the outer systems, much less in the free trade zones. But they do care about what happens to the Trade Federation.”
“Yes, because the shimmersilk pockets of many a senatorial robe are being lined with graft from the Neimoidians.”
Valorum snorted. “Self-indulgence is the order of the day.”
“Undeniably so, Supreme Chancellor,” Palpatine said tolerantly. “But that, in itself, is no reason to allow the practice to continue.”
“Of course not,” Valorum said. “For both my terms of office I have sought to end the corruption that plagues the senate, and to unravel the knot of policies and procedures that thwart us. We enact legislation, only to find that we cannot implement it. The committees proliferate like viruses, without leadership. No fewer than twenty committees are needed just to determine the decor of the senate corridors.
“The Trade Federation has prospered by taking advantage of the very bureaucracy we’ve created. Grievances brought against the Federation languish in the courts, while commissions belabor each and every aspect. It’s little wonder that Dorvalla and many of the worlds along the Rimma Trade Route support terrorist groups like the Nebula Front.
“But taxation isn’t likely to solve anything. In fact, such a move could prompt the Trade Federation to abandon the outlying systems entirely, in favor of more lucrative markets closer to the Core.”
“Thus depriving Coruscant and its neighbors of important outer system resources and luxury goods,” Palpatine interjected, seemingly by rote. “Certainly the Neimoidians will see taxation as a betrayal, if for no other reason than the Trade Federation blazed many of the hyperspace routes that link the Core to the outlying systems. Regardless, this could be the opportunity many of us have waited for—the chance to exercise senate control over those very trade routes.”
Valorum mulled it over briefly. “It could be political suicide.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that, Supreme Chancellor. Proponents of taxation would suffer merciless attacks from the Commerce Guild, the Techno Union, and the rest of the shipping conglomerates awarded franchises to operate in the free trade zones. But it is the appropriate measure.”
Valorum shook his head slowly, then got to his feet and moved to the windows. “Nothing would cheer me more than getting the upper hand on the Trade Federation.”
“Then now is the time to act,” Palpatine said.
Valorum kept his gaze fixed on the distant towers. “I could count on your support?”
Palpatine