Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 07_ Conviction - Aaron Allston [88]
The words were much the ones she expected to hear. “… acting in the interest of the Galactic Alliance … to prevent a catastrophe that might tear the Alliance … taken into custody …” Flanked by Master Horn and Jaina Solo, with Senator Rockbender conspicuous behind them, Saba’s magnified image, stern but not ferocious, spoke down toward the assembled Senators.
One level below and well to one side, her platform now empty of all but her, Treen managed her own communications far more quietly. “We have no choice. We can either leap aboard this speeder or watch it disappear into the distance, carrying all our opportunities with it. We’ll collect the pieces and suffer only a delay … if we cooperate with the Jedi right now. They need us. Yes, a unified front. I’ve been able to reach all relevant parties, even the one in custody.”
She barely listened to Bramsin’s replies. Nothing the man said meant anything at the moment. She made a few noncommittal noises of assent, then cut off the communication.
Resuming her place at the platform controls, she maneuvered so that her platform was next to Rockbender’s. She locked its controls in place, then stared at Master Sebatyne.
Eventually the Jedi came to the end of her speech. She glanced over at Treen. Treen looked just as pointedly up at the main holocam unit hovering above the platform level.
Saba gestured for the holocam to switch its attention to Treen.
Though she was not staring at the gigantic monitors above, Treen knew when the image switched from Saba to her; the light intensity changed, reflecting the fact that the image, previously dominated by Saba’s dark, scaly skin, now showed Treen’s sky-blue robes.
She lifted her chin and stared into the holocam. “Though the action by the Jedi Order has no precedent, nor was the cooperation or blessing of the Senate or any of its members sought before this action, I now announce that the portions of our government still devoted to concerns of justice and rightness have chosen to lend our conditional support to this action. I have personally spoken with General Thaal of the army; Admiral Parova, acting head of the navy; and General Jaxton of Starfighter Command. They are in agreement that this unfortunate turn of events was the only one left to reasoning beings—the only option left by former Chief Daala. The armed forces will therefore not oppose the Jedi Order so long as the Order proceeds in a just fashion and works toward returning the executive branch to duly selected hands. A convocation of Senators, including myself, Fost Bramsin of Coruscant, and many others whose names I will list as soon as they cease to pour into my comm board, also support this action.”
She saw, in her lower peripheral vision, activity on the platform’s comm monitor. She’d taken thirty seconds to put up a Senatorial poll, whose title, enigmatic until her last few words, simply read, WHO IS IN ACCORD WITH SENATOR BRAMSIN AND MYSELF ON THIS ISSUE? Now names suddenly began appearing in the left-hand column, the YES column. In an instant the list of names stretched to the bottom of the monitor, and then the document’s title scrolled off the top as more names were added.
“We encourage all citizens of the Alliance to remain calm. There is no cause for worry, and the functions of government will continue—far more smoothly and rationally than they have in recent months under former Chief Daala.” She turned back to Saba and nodded, quietly ceding control of the transmission back to the Jedi.
Back in the Chief of State’s waiting area, Han blinked as Saba’s face once again filled the monitor. He turned back to his wife. She was flanked by Kam and Tionne. Zekk and Taryn held the inner office and the still-unconscious Daala. Late arrivals Kyp and Octa had already escorted the others from the waiting room out into the approach corridor and now held that door against possible strikes by security operatives.