Star Wars_ The Approaching Storm - Alan Dean Foster [119]
“Wait too long, and the fruit rots.” The industrialist was not smiling. “We need to move. It feels right.”
Shu Mai stepped down off her dais. “And are you now basing your decisions on your feelings, my friend?”
“Not of the Force, no. But I know people.” Uliss gestured behind him, at the attentive crowd. “I know these people. They’ve waited and worked long and hard for this moment. So have I.”
“I would be the last one here to deny everyone their moment,” Shu Mai replied softly. “I just want to make sure it’s the right moment.” Off to one side, Senator Mousul nodded somber agreement. Looking past Tam Uliss, Shu Mai raised her voice again. “We have to wait for Ansion to declare for secession. Ansion is still the key. Public disgust with the corruption and bureaucracy of the Republic runs high, but even the most sensitive explosive needs a fuse to set it off. Ansion’s withdrawal will serve as the detonator, and its interlocking alliances will bring the Malarians and the Keitumites with it. It will be the excuse we need to move.”
“The movement is strong enough now,” the industrialist objected. “We could continue to wait on Ansion and the others, yes. But in so doing we might well lose other, equally vital support. Once we move, Ansion will follow docilely enough.”
“Are you sure of that, my friend? Are you certain? Even as we stand here conversing, there are Jedi on Ansion.” Confused mutterings from the group showed that by no means everyone present was aware of what was happening on that key world. “Jedi working to ensure that Ansion, and by inference the Malarians and the Keitumites, remain within the Republic.”
Uliss’s gaze narrowed. “You and Senator Mousul told me they were being dealt with.”
“So they are,” Shu Mai assured him. “But where Jedi are involved, nothing is certain until it is done. As soon as the Senator receives word that their efforts have been countered and that the delegates to the Unity of towns and cities on Ansion have voted for secession, we move. But not before. We need Ansion and the others to declare for withdrawal before we can confidently implement the rest of our plans.”
“No,” someone else in the back insisted. “No more waiting. Enough waiting! What matters this week or the next? I say we move now! Ansion and the others will follow. Jedi or no Jedi!”
“ ‘Jedi or no Jedi’?” Shu Mai’s echo of the insistent speaker’s proclamation was drowned out by supporting yells and exclamations of approval. “Very well then: since the majority of you are clearly in favor of taking action, I have no choice but to concede to the wishes of the majority.” Cheers in several languages filled the compartment. “I ask only that you wait another few days.”
“A few days?” someone blurted. “What difference could a few days make? We move to a turning point in the history of the Republic!”
Nearby, the voice of an anxious Senator Mousul rose above the ensuing clamor for action. “As you say, what difference could a few days make?”
Confronting his stolid co-conspirators, Uliss smiled condescendingly. “Since a few days will not make any difference, we will grant them. But,” he added loudly to forestall the incipient rush of protests from those who supported his position, “only a few days. If after that time has elapsed Ansion still has not voted, we set in motion that which we have worked toward for so long.” His eyes locked on Shu Mai’s. “Those who do not wish to move with us will have only themselves to blame if they find themselves left behind.”
It was not a threat—not in so many words. The president of the Commerce Guild’s response was a smile of her own. “I could call for a vote on this here and now, but I am neither blind nor deaf. I see and hear how the wind is blowing. Never let it be said that I was a poor listener. We are agreed, then. We wait a few more days. That should be time enough.” Raising her gaze, she looked past the unwavering industrialist to scan the rest of the expectant group. “I hereby acknowledge your wishes, my friends, and will deal with them,