Star Wars_ Cloak of Deception - James Luceno [58]
“Masters Windu and Yoda,” Valorum said warmly. “Thank you for coming.”
Yoda regarded him for a moment, then smiled lightly. “Restored, you are.”
Valorum touched his right forearm beneath the cloak. “Nearly. If the assassin had been a better shot …”
Windu and Yoda traded meaningful looks.
“How may the Jedi be of service, Supreme Chancellor?” Windu asked.
Valorum motioned to chairs in the sitting area. “Won’t you be seated?”
Windu sat tall and straight, with his feet flat on the floor. Yoda considered sitting, then paced to the center of the room, tapping the floor with his cane.
“Think better in motion, I do.”
Valorum dismissed Sei Taria and the two guards and sat down opposite Windu, where he could watch Yoda, as well.
“I trust you’ve heard that the assassins have been identified as members of the Nebula Front.” Valorum waited for Windu’s nod before continuing. “The few that managed to escape were traced to Asmeru, a world on the edge of the Senex sector.”
Leaning toward the table that separated him from Windu, Valorum activated a holoprojector. In a cone of translucent blue light, a star map took shape. Valorum indicated a cluster of star systems.
“The Senex is an autonomous sector, ruled by a line of fiercely self-reliant royal houses. The Republic respects the independence of the Senex worlds, and has no interest in meddling in the affairs of those worlds—given especially my recent request that worlds along the nearby Rimma Trade Route unite to curtail terrorism in their sector of space. However, when affairs there reach across the stars to affect Coruscant, we cannot stand idly by.”
Valorum switched off the holoprojector.
“I have communicated with the rulers of Houses Vandron and Elegin, who hold sway over Asmeru and other systems in that part of the Senex sector. They deny granting the Nebula Front safe haven. Rather, they contend that the terrorists seized Asmeru from a scant indigenous population, and have been using the planet as a base of operations for raids against ships plying the Rimma Trade Route and Corellian Trade Spine. Wishing to avoid becoming targets of the Nebula Front, Houses Vandron and Elegin have essentially ignored activities on Asmeru.”
“Until now,” Windu interjected.
Valorum nodded. “They have agreed to help us in our effort to contain the Nebula Front on Asmeru until the Eriadu trade summit concludes.”
Yoda frowned. “Breeders of slaves, they are. No better than those who make up the Nebula Front.”
Valorum acknowledged it with a fatigued sigh. “It’s true. Slavery is what has prevented the Senex sector from trading openly with the Republic. The possibility of trade is what prompts their willingness to help us.”
Windu’s eyebrows beetled. “What help are the Senex Houses offering?”
“Logistical support. Owing to a nearby gravitic sink, as well as to space mines sown by the Nebula Front, Asmeru is not easily approached. House Vandron has offered to guide us in.”
Windu considered it. “You wish us to accompany the Judicial Department cruisers.”
“Yes,” Valorum said flatly. “Should you consent, I will petition the senate for authorization. But allow me to explain. This operation is not designed to be a show of force, nor an attempt at retaliation for what happened here. I propose to dispatch two cruisers, carrying thirty judicials, along with as many Jedi as you see fit to include.
“For all we know, those responsible for the attempt on my life could be members of a radical faction. The rest may know nothing of the assassination plot. Nevertheless, I don’t want them disrupting the Eriadu summit. I also wish to learn what they hoped to accomplish by assassinating me. If their actions sprang from not being included in the trade summit, then I want them to know that I am willing to meet with them, as soon as they agree to desist in attacking Trade Federation vessels. If they are unwilling to enact a truce, the Trade Federation will likely be given consent to increase their already substantial arsenal of weapons.”
Windu glanced at Yoda before replying. “And