Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 08_ Ascension - Christie Golden [117]
“A new Senate subcommittee has been formed to investigate possible abuses of power by the Jedi during their time on Coruscant,” the anchor was saying. Dorvan and Bwua’tu exchanged surprised glances. “There are only two known Jedi remaining on the planet—Jedi Leia Organa Solo and the escaped felon, Tahiri Veila. Jedi Solo has been contacted and has agreed to testify before the Senate subcommittee.”
There was a shot of both women: an unflattering one of Leia, which made her look irritable and haggard, and one of Tahiri turning to snap angrily at a reporter.
“So that’s why Uncle Eramuth was called back,” Nek said quietly. “They want to find all the Jedi.”
“I really don’t think I want to know why,” Dorvan said.
“I confess, I had not thought I would ever see another Order 66 enacted,” Nek said, his voice close to despairing. “Well, we knew there was a conspiracy afoot.”
Dorvan frowned, listening with only half an ear as the BAMR news anchor went on and on about the Subcommittee to Investigate Jedi Activity and its members, some kind of update on the increase in spice smuggling and new security measures to stop it, and a shot of an uncomfortable-looking Padnel Ovin standing in front of the Senate receiving a standing ovation.
“We do know that,” Dorvan said slowly, “but things aren’t adding up.”
“What do you mean?” asked Nek. “I was attacked by beings pretending to be Jedi, and suddenly we have a subcommittee formed with what seems to be the express purpose of crushing them utterly. That seems to add up rather well to me.”
Dorvan shook his head. “It’s a different cast of players,” he said. “Think about it. Did you recognize any names on that list of the subcommittee members?”
“Other than Suldar? No,” Bwua’tu said.
“They’re all fledging Senators, even Suldar,” Dorvan said. “And as I told you, the only reason I’m still around is that Ovin wanted me to stay—a lucky break for us, and we need to make the most of it. Someone thinks they’re pulling the strings on him.”
“Are they?”
Dorvan thought about it. “No, I don’t believe so,” he said at last. “At least, not as much as they think they are. Nor is Ovin trying to play me. I believe he is what he seems to be. Jedi Solo seemed to, and she had much more contact with him than I had.”
“So, new players.”
“Different players,” Dorvan corrected.
“Clearly there is a distinction I am missing,” Bwua’tu said. “Perhaps I am not as ‘back’ as we thought.”
“Oh, you are, sir. New implies ‘replaced.’ Different in this case means ‘additional.’ And I wonder if they’re on the same team.”
“Do you think we have two separate conspiracies going on?” Nek asked incredulously. “Perhaps you, too, ought to be talking to the doctors. That’s a trifle paranoid.”
“Is it?” Dorvan asked. “Think about the poisoning attempt that occurred a while ago at the Senate. It first looked like Jedi Seha Dorvald was behind it, but that idea quickly was proven wrong. There was a flurry of concern over it when it happened, but it got completely swept away once the coup occurred.”
“I remember Asokaji telling me about that,” said Bwua’tu. “It’s still an open case. The incident discredited Galactic Alliance Security. Parova was tapped to provide security instead. GAS was really smarting about …”
Their eyes met.
Bwua’tu reached for his comm, using his prosthetic hand. He did everything with that hand now, attempting to become as adept with it as with his former, flesh-and-blood hand. So far, he was making good progess.
He clicked in a code. “This lets Asokaji know it’s me,” he told Dorvan, who nodded. A moment later Bwua’tu’s comm beeped.
“Asokaji, I need you to do something for me,” he said. “I need you to find out, if at all possible, if Admiral Parova has had any contact with Moff Drikl Lecersen.” He was quiet, listening. “I’ll explain the next time you’re visiting me. The club