Star Wars_ Cloak of Deception - James Luceno [80]
“This, however, presents a dilemma. If the motion is ratified and the Trade Federation is forced to surrender some of its hold on the space lanes, many smaller shipping concerns stand to profit—not only as a result of a newly fashioned competitive market, but also from those tax revenues earmarked for outer system development.”
Antilles allowed his puzzlement to show. “I’m not sure I see the dilemma.”
“Well, then, permit me to illustrate a specific case. The Allocations Committee database conducted a search for Outer Rim corporations poised to benefit from taxation, and cross-checked the results of the search with data on file with the Appropriations Committee, of which I am also a member. Out of the compiled list of thousands of corporations, one concern was singled out: A shipping concern based on Eriadu that has received a sudden and, may I add, substantial inflow of capital.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Antilles said. “Investors with their noses to the air are doing the same thing your committee is doing, except that they’re looking for financial opportunities.”
“Exactly,” Taa said. “Investor speculation. But in this case the dilemma arises from the fact that the concern is owned by relatives of Supreme Chancellor Valorum.”
Antilles came to a halt and turned to the hovering Twi’lek.
Taa showed the palms of his big hands. “Let me make perfectly clear that I am not suggesting impropriety on the part of the Supreme Chancellor. I’m certain he is aware that anyone with privileged information about legislative proposals or construction contracts and the like is constrained by Statute 435, Substatute 1759 of the Amended Proprieties Bill, to refrain from profiting by such knowledge, by investment or other means.”
Antilles narrowed his eyes. “But you are suggesting something by not suggesting it.”
Taa shook his head. “I merely find it curious that the Supreme Chancellor has not brought this seeming conflict of interest to the attention of the senate. I’m confident that the dilemma will disappear once we have determined the origin of the investment and are satisfied that there is no link between those investors and Supreme Chancellor Valorum himself.”
“Have you learned anything?” Antilles asked.
“That’s the other peculiar thing,” Taa said. “The deeper I dig for the source, the more dead ends I encounter. It’s almost as if someone doesn’t wish to have it known where or with whom the investment originated. My lack of success is partially explained by the fact that I lack the necessary clearance to access the relevant financial files. Access of the sort to which I refer requires someone of high standing. Someone, well, like yourself.”
Antilles stared at him. “I assume that you’ve collected the pertinent data, Senator.”
Taa restrained a smile. “As a matter of fact, I happen to have a copy with me.”
He proffered a data holocron.
Antilles took it. “I’ll see what I can find out.”
The commandeered Hawk-Bat streaked toward Karfeddion, a mottled green semicircle filling the gunship’s forward viewports. In the slung cockpit, Qui-Gon sat at the controls. Dressed in a poncho, scarf, and boots borrowed from Asmeru, he looked every part a member of the Nebula Front.
Obi-Wan stood behind the copilot’s chair, shrugging out of his brown cloak.
“Put your robes there,” Qui-Gon said, gesturing to the empty navigator’s chair. “Along with your lightsaber.”
Obi-Wan froze. “My lightsaber?”
“Once we land, we want to be sure to give the wrong impression.”
Obi-Wan thought about it for a moment, then nodded uncertainly and unclipped the cylinder from his belt. Setting the lightsaber down, he eased back into the copilot’s chair.
“Master, did we take the right action on Asmeru?” he asked, breaking a prolonged silence. “Could the violence have been avoided, as Master Yaddle wished?”
“What can be avoided, whose end is purposed by the Force?”
Obi-Wan fell silent for another long moment. “Is