Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 07_ Conviction - Aaron Allston [90]
“Representing the interests of the Jedi, the Senate, and the armed forces, respectively. About as appropriate an organization as one could hope for—but I’m surprised, even shocked, that former Chief of State Solo is not on it.”
“Instead of this one?”
“Yes. Because of her experience with the office.”
“Ah. But to have Jedi Solo here would suggest to the people that the Jedi intend to install her permanently, no?”
“Hm. Well, yes.”
“Besides, we have other taskz for Jedi Solo’s unique combination of political and Jedi skillz. Specifically, Klatooine. Newz of the intended assault there has stirred up a piranha-beetle’s nest of protest and anger. She will quell it.”
“And you want me for what, exactly?”
“A continuity of knowledge. We want someone who knowz the politicz, yet who would willingly abandon the opportunity to influence this office in order to defend a woman who is now the focus of the greatest political trial in many yearz. He who wishes to abandon power may be the one best suited to direct it.”
“And Daala? What will you give me related to her situation if I agree?”
Saba sissed, a steam-valve noise bespeaking amusement. She recovered quickly. “Daala’s defense team will doubtlesz want a change of venue so her trial does not take place on Coruscant or in some region hostile to her. The Triumvirate will ensure that the trial does receive a change of venue, and that the choice is made before we abandon the office.”
“You have enough pull with the Department of Justice to do that?”
“It seemz so. They have already agreed to drop charges against Seha Dorvald, Booster Terrik, and Valin and Jysella Horn, and to set aside the plea bargain of Master Skywalker so that he might return to Coruscant. We are working on persuading them to drop the case against Tahiri Veila.”
“Don’t do that. Let that one go to trial.”
Saba cocked her head, clearly curious. “Why?”
“First—unlike the case with Terrik, the active-duty Jedi, whose actions were clearly preludes to Jedi Order missions the populace basically approves of or should not have been prosecuted in any case, and Master Skywalker, whose trial and plea bargain were clearly the result of Chief Daala’s specific interest—the Veila case is more murky. She did kill Pellaeon, and not for a clearly altruistic reason. Second, if you clear both Master Skywalker and Jedi Veila, critics of the Jedi will have an unimpeachable argument that you’re using your new power for gain or personal reasons, but if you clear Master Skywalker and allow the case against Tahiri Veila to proceed, you divide your critics and weaken their opposition. Let’s be honest, you can’t stand too much opposition right now.”
Saba was silent for a long moment. Then she picked up Wynn’s letter of resignation and handed it to him. “Destroy this, please. Then assemble a list of ten worldz you believe can give Chief Daala a fair trial. Have it on this one’s desk by tomorrow morning.”
He looked over the envelope, its contents so carefully composed over so many hours, and accepted it from her. “Yes, Master Sebatyne.”
“This one appreciates your help, Dorvan.”
“You’re welcome.”
HWEG SHUL, NAM CHORIOS
IN THE MOST STILL PREDAWN HOUR, THEY LANDED THE SHUTTLE, SHUT it down, and, bundled as well as they could be against the chill, hiked the few remaining kilometers in to Hweg Shul.
From a hilltop a kilometer off, Luke studied the town through his macrobinoculars. He could make out the government center, mostly domes and other raised buildings, and the area near the spaceport where the Admirable Admiral was located. But many things had changed in the couple of days they had been away. Nighttime overhead lighting was out in several sections of town; only when Luke switched the macrobinoculars over to starlight-vision mode could he make out details.
In the Oldtimer sections of town, there were men or women on the occasional street corner, dressed for the chill, standing stationary or pacing to keep warm.