Star Wars_ Cloak of Deception - James Luceno [88]
Valorum beetled his thick brows. “A strike against me here would undermine what little support the Nebula Front currently enjoys in the Outer Rim.”
“The Nebula Front has no more faith in the Republic than it does in the coalition of outlying worlds,” Qui-Gon replied calmly but firmly. “By attacking you here, the Front may be hoping to induce the Republic to forsake any interest in the free trade zones, and lay the ground work for a separatist movement in the Outer Rim.” He compressed his lips. “I know that it defies all reason, Supreme Chancellor, but the Nebula Front appears to have abandoned reason.”
Valorum paced away from Qui-Gon, then whirled around. “Then it’s up to me to convince the delegates of the outlying sectors to loosen the yoke the Nebula Front and Trade Federation have thrown about them.”
“Supreme Chancellor,” Adi interjected, “will you at least consider postponing your opening remarks until we’ve had a chance to uncover the Nebula Front’s plan? It’s possible that assassins have already managed to penetrate Eriadu security.”
Valorum shook his head. “I won’t hear of it. At this late stage, any change to the proceedings would be interpreted as weakness or hesitancy.” He glanced at the three Jedi. “I’m sorry. I realize that you have my best interests in mind. But for the sake of the Republic, I can’t allow you to interfere.”
Adi bowed her head. “We will honor your wishes, Supreme Chancellor.”
The three Jedi turned and exited the room.
No sooner did the door close behind them than Qui-Gon said, “We must go directly to the site of the summit and see what we can learn.”
“If the attack on Valorum didn’t make him the focus of this summit, Asmeru certainly did,” Senator Bor Gracus of Sluis Van was telling Palpatine as they moved in step with the slow flow of other delegates toward Eriadu Spaceport’s immigration scanners.
Human or alien, almost everyone was draped in robes and capes of the finest cloth, including Palpatine and his temporary companion in the snaking line, who were dressed alike in richly adorned cloaks with roomy sleeves and high double collars.
Sate Pestage and Kinman Doriana, also dressed alike in black cloaks, followed closely behind Palpatine.
“Gossip to which I’ve been privy suggests many of the Core and Inner Rim delegates are whispering that the Supreme Chancellor’s actions at Asmeru were a bald attempt to curry favor with the Trade Federation.”
Gracus was a stout human with protruding eyes and a putty nose. His homeworld boasted a small but flourishing shipyard. As with other worlds along and in close proximity to the Rimma Trade Route, Sluis Van viewed its future import as preordained.
“Gossip is valuable only if it is accurate, Senator,” Palpatine said after a moment. “Supreme Chancellor Valorum is scarcely an advocate of unfair trade policies.”
“Unfair, you say? I didn’t hear you stand up and cheer when Valorum made his speech championing the advantages of taxation of the free trade zones.”
“That doesn’t mean that I think otherwise,” Palpatine said in a composed voice. “But, like you, my station compels me to echo the voice of those I represent, and, at present, Naboo remains undecided.”
Gracus gave him a sidelong glance. “King Veruna is undecided, you mean to say.”
“His troubles are on the rise, to be sure. Our regent is too enmeshed in scandal to give much thought to what lies ahead for Naboo. He forgets that our world relies on the Trade Federation for much of its industrial imports, in addition to some of its food. Naboo risks as much, if not more than any other outlying system in actively opposing the Trade Federation. It was only after much discussion and debate that I convinced King Veruna of the importance of my attending this summit.”
“You are most judicious, Senator,” Gracus said, in a way that mixed mild annoyance with admiration. “You answer my question without actually answering