Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 08_ Ascension - Christie Golden [99]
“Friendship,” Luke said at once, sending Dorvan sincere reassurance. “We’re not abandoning you. If you have need of us, we will be there. The only real difference is we’re not confined to helping only those beings the GA wants us to help.”
“I think it’s a splendid idea,” Treen said. “You’re not droids or hired thugs, Master Skywalker. You should not be treated as such. While I commend Master Sebatyne on the civilized nature of the coup, I think it high time that the Jedi and GA politics disentangled themselves.” She paused and cocked her head. “Except … how do we actually go about that?”
“The triumvirate you formed was an emergency measure,” Leia said. “Legally, once the emergency is past, you need to hold a formal election as soon as possible.”
“Leaving aside the difficulty of arranging a parade,” Dorvan said drily, “that will still take some time.”
“We’re all just making this up as we go along. The GA has been fortunate that it’s worked so far, but I think with the withdrawal of the Jedi, we should look to precedent. And while I wish none of you ill, the closest type of precedent would be how we would determine another Chief of State if the present one were to die.”
Dorvan consulted his datapad. “Current law would stipulate that the Senate elect a leader to serve for no more than two standard months until such time as a proper election can be duly held,” he said. “That being the case, I would suggest that Senator Treen, as she has already been serving in that capacity, would take over Daala’s position.” He seemed heartened by his conclusion.
“Oh, dear me, no!” exclaimed Treen. “The little taste I’ve had of this so far has convinced me that I want no part of it. Kuat is starting to think I’ve forgotten about them and their specific interests. It’s far too complicated, and there is no time for proper caf breaks. I would refuse such a position if the Senate were to offer it to me. I rather think that the Senate would wish to continue with you at its head, Wynn.”
Leia smiled at him. “Wynn,” she said, “we’ve known each other a long time. You’re in a unique position.”
Dorvan sighed. “I didn’t even want to manage an assistant, let alone an entire government.”
“Better you than someone hungry for power,” Luke said. “It doesn’t have to be forever. At least let the Senate put you in charge until there’s a chance for a fair and legal election. No one says you have to run for office then. But for now, it sounds like putting you in the role of Chief of State won’t cause upheaval and chaos at a time when the GA needs stability.”
“Very well,” Dorvan said, in a hollow tone of voice.
“Oh, come come, Wynn,” Treen said brightly. “You sound like you’re being led off to execution!”
“I rather think I am,” said Dorvan. “But I suppose there’s no help for it.”
The five eased quickly into the details of how the departure of the Jedi would be handled. And there were a great many. Even so, it seemed like all of them were in harmony. By the time the meeting was over, they had a date, an itinerary, had gathered copies of the necessary documents, and had decided when, how, and by whom the various revelations would be made. It had been a highly successful morning, but Luke could tell Leia was not as comfortable as she had appeared to Treen and Dorvan.
As he, Leia, and Saba walked together back to the Temple, he asked her about it.
“I agree with your reasons for the Jedi leaving,” she said. “But … I don’t trust Senator Treen. She’s hiding something.”
“I noticed that as well,” Luke said.
“Even this one did,” Saba said. “This one had hoped it was simply unfamiliarity with the nature of human politicz. Otherz in the cabinet, too—something seemz unquiet. But this one is confused. If Treen hungerz for power, why did she refuse it when it was all but handed to her?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it,” Leia said. “I don’t like any of this. And we’re not having a private meeting with Dorvan about