Star Wars - Cloak Of Deception

by James Luceno

  Justice Building, an enormous edifice of pointed arches, tall decorative

  spires, and elaborate statuary, located in the so-called Plains of Coruscant,

  not far from the Jedi Temple.

  Valorum and his lawyers were seated at a long table opposite the twelve

  robed figures who comprised the judiciary council. Bail Antilles and the

  members of the Internal Activities Committee sat perpendicular to the bench.

  The chief justice spoke, addressing Valorum.

  "Supreme Chancellor, we appreciate that you elected to appear before us,

  without being subpoenaed by writ." "We are given to understand that this is an

  informal inquest," one of the lawyers said in Valorum's stead.

  "Your presumption is correct." The judge looked to Antilles, who stood

  and spoke from his place at the committee's table.

  "Your Honors, Supreme Chancellor Valorum," he began. "Just two weeks ago

  the senate met in special session to vote on a motion introduced by Supreme

  Chancellor Valorum, calling for a tax to be levied on all shipping and other

  mercantile activities in what were formerly known as the free trade zones of

  the outlying systems.

  "An amendment to the original proposal directed that a percentage of all

  revenues collected by the Republic would be redistributed among the outlying

  systems, for purposes of social welfare and technological advancement. Many

  business concerns located in those systems have already begun to reap the

  benefits of the amendment, in the form of venture capital bestowed by

  investors, here in the Core. One of those concerns is Valorum Shipping and

  Transport, of Eriadu, which has received an enormous sum, for a company that

  has shown only marginal profits over the past several standard years."

  Valorum's lawyer interrupted.

  "With all due respect, Senator Antilles, Supreme Chancellor Valorum was

  not made aware of the investment in Valorum Shipping until last week.

  Regardless, while it's true that the company bears the Valorum name, and that

  the Supreme Chancellor is a member of the board of directors, he does not

  participate in company operations, or involve himself with each and every

  commonplace business transaction.

  "More important, Your Honors, since when does it violate Republic law for

  a company to profit, based on merit alone? In the case of Valorum Shipping, it

  strikes me as good business sense for investors to be drawn to concerns owned

  by prominent public figures. It's not as if the Supreme Chancellor actively

  solicited investments. Furthermore, the Supreme Chancellor, as required by

  law, has made full disclosure of all his holdings, and his record, with regard

  to earnings and taxes, is spotless." The twelve judges looked at Antilles, who

  was still frowning when the lawyer finished speaking.

  "If I may be allowed to continue. The Internal Activities Committee does

  not take issue with any of the statements made by the Supreme Chancellor's

  legal representative. In fact, when this matter was first brought to our

  attention, we proceeded under the assumption that no infringement of protocol

  had occurred. However..." Antilles let the word dangle for a long moment

  before continuing.

  "Subsequent investigation has shown that the contribution to Valorum

  Shipping did not originate with a consortium or venture capital group. Rather,

  the revenue was drawn from a blind account, and moved to Eriadu through a

  Coruscant bank of dubious reputation. I use the term moved advisedly, Your

  Honors, since the investment was tendered in the form of hard assets."

  Valorum's lawyers regarded one another in puzzlement. "Of what sort?" the

  spokesman asked Antilles.

  "Aurodium ingots." Blood drained from Valorum's face, and a stir went

  through the room. Valorum and his lawyers conferred for a moment, before the

  spokesman replied.

  "Your Honors, we acknowledge that the investment begins to sound, shall

  we say, less than forthright.

  Nevertheless, Senator Antilles has yet to demonstrate exactly how this

  matter relates to the Supreme Chancellor." Antilles's expression made clear

  that he had been waiting for just this moment. He gazed at Valorum while he

  delivered his finishing stroke.

  "What the Internal Activities Committee finds most interesting, and

  questionable, is that the value of the aurodium--and indeed the quantity--

  corresponds exactly to a cache of ingots reported missing by the Trade

  Federation, following an attack on one of their vessels, the Revenue, in the

  Dorvalla system, several months ago." Hushed conversations erupted throughout

  the room, as Antilles stepped out from behind the table and approached the

  bench.

  "Your Honors, this is not an indictment. The committee merely wishes to

  be reassured that the Supreme Chancellor did not have a hidden agenda in

  supporting taxation, as part of a scheme to enrich his own holdings in the

  outlying systems. The committee also wishes to be reassured that the aurodium

  in question did, in fact, disappear from the Revenue, and was not simply

  transferred to Valorum Shipping, to seal a clandestine partnership existing

  between the Supreme Chancellor and the Trade Federation." Senator Palpatine

  was one of a hundred or more senators who had been invited to Orn Free Taa's

  lavish penthouse for an evening of exceptional food and extravagant drink.

  What had been touted as an occasion, however, had all the under currents of a

  conclave; and where outsiders assumed that its purpose was to celebrate

  Valorum's seeming victory in the Senate, it was instead intended to cheer his

  recent reversal of fortune.

  On the largest of the penthouse's many terraces, the blue - skinned

  Twi'lek host was holding forth for an audience of senators, who hung on his

  every word.

  "Of course we knew about the alleged improprieties. But it was necessary

  to delay mention of the scandal to ensure that the tax proposal would be

  ratified, which wouldn't have been the case had Valorum been weakened

  beforehand." Taa shook his head and fat lekku. "No, by waiting to reveal the

  allegations, and by supporting Valorum, we managed to turn what might have

  been perceived as an instance of ordinary corruption into what hints at a

  nefarious plot that threatens the stability of the very Republic." "But is

  there actually anything to the accusations?" Quarren Senator Tikkes asked, his

  facial tentacles quivering in prospect.

  Taa's enormous shoulders heaved in a shrug of indifference. "There is the

  aurodium, and there is the appearance of deceit. What else matters?" "If it is

  true, then Valorum has become a danger to the general good," Mot Not Rab

  remarked.

  Tikkes affirmed that with an enthusiastic nod. "I say we shake him,

  before worse days endure." Others nodded in agreement, muttering among

  themselves.

  "Patience, patience," Taa advised in a soothing voice. "Baseless or not,

  the allegations have essentially crippled Valorum. We need only to rid

  ourselves of those senators who have buoyed him in the past, enabling him to

  remain afloat despite our best attempts to sink him. Besides, there may yet be

  some advantag
e to keeping him high and dry." "What advantage?" the senator

  from Rodia asked.

  "With his influence further eroded, and the Justice Department stripped

  of some of its former authority, commissions will have to be appointed to

  render judgments and decisions he would ordinarily make. The power of the

  courts will increase. But cases will invariably take longer than ever to

  resolve. And yet Valorum will continue to suffer the blame." "Unless a strong

  vice chancellor is appointed," the Rodian thought to point out.

  "We must not let that happen," Taa said firmly.

  "We need a consummate bureaucrat to serve as vice chancellor." He leaned

  toward his circle of conspirators. "Senator Palpatine has suggested that we do

  our best to install the Chagrian--Mas Amedda." "But Amedda is rumored to be

  well disposed to the Trade Federation," Tikkes said in disbelief.

  "All the better, all the better." Taa was gleeful. "What matters is that

  the more fanatical he is about procedure, the more he stifles Valorum's

  ability to act." "To what final end?" Mot Not Rab asked.

  "Why, to Valorum's final end," Taa said. "And when that time comes, we

  will elect a leader with fire in his veins." "Bail Antilles is already

  campaigning," the Rodian said.

  "As is Ainlee Teem of Malastare," Tikkes added.

  Taa noticed Palpatine standing by the terrace doors, engaged in deep

  conversation with the senators from Fondor and Eriadu.

  "I propose that we consider nominating Palpatine," he said, gesturing

  discreetly.

  Tikkes and the rest glanced at the tall senator from Naboo.

  "Palpatine would never accept the nomination," the Quar - ren said. "He

  considers himself a supporting player." Taa narrowed his eyes. "Then we must

  convince him.

  Think what it would mean to the outlying systems if someone from other

  than a Core world was elected Supreme Chancellor. There might finally be

  equality for all species. He can restore order, if anyone can. He has the

  right combination of selflessness and quiet power. And don't let yourvs be

  fooled there is a strong hand concealed within those loose sleeves.

  He cares deeply about the integrity of the Republic, and he will do

  whatever is needed to enforce the laws." Tikkes was dubious. "Then we will not

  be able to play him as we have Valorum." "That's the beauty of it," Taa said.

  "We won't have to, because he thinks like one of us." I n all the years she

  had known him, Adi Gallia had never seen Valorum so despondent. He could be

  moody at times, and unjustly hard on himself, but the allegations of

  corruption had tipped him into a dark place from which he could not surface.

  In the month since she had seen him last, he appeared to have aged a year.

  "The aurodium was the Nebula Front's final stab at me," he was telling

  her. "The terrorists were determined to take me down, along with the Trade

  Federation Directorate. That has to be the explanation. And do you know why my

  family members on Eriadu said nothing of the aurodium? Because they felt

  slighted that I had chosen to accept the hospitality of Lieutenant Governor

  Tarkin, who, it seems, has been something of a nemesis for them. I did so only

  as a courtesy to Senator Palpatine, who now feels that he played a guilty part

  in this whole wretched affair." Adi was about to reply, but Valorum didn't

  give her the chance.

  "Although I ask myself if certain senators weren't involved.

  Those who would sooner see me disgraced than simply dis - empowered." Adi

  had come to his office in the senate, which had become a place of purposeful

  whisperings and innuendo. The entire climate of the senate had changed--and

  Valorum felt responsible.

  "It will only be a matter of time before you are exonerated," Adi tried

  to reassure him.

  He shook his head. "Few are interested in seeing me exonerated--the

  media, least of all. And with the terrorist Havac dead, there is no one to say

  with certainty that the Trade Federation wasn't trying to buy my influence."

  "If that was the case, why would you have pushed so hard to tax the trade

  routes? The tax alone is proof of your honesty." Valorum's weak smile belied

  his sense of hopelessness. "My critics have an explanation.

  To offset the tax, revenue that goes to the outlying systems will simply

  find its way back into the deep pockets of the Neimoidians' robes." "It's all

  conjectural," Adi said. "It will disappear." Valorum scarcely heard her.

  "I don't care what they say about me personally.

  But now, all that I have accomplished in the senate is in question. I am

  made to answer to Mas Amedda, who is so consumed with procedure that no new

  legislation will pass. Yet more commissions and committees will come

  inffbbing, and with them, expanded opportunities for graft and corruption."

  Valorum fell quiet for a long moment, shaking his head back and forth.

  "The assassinations on Eriadu, and now this scandal, will have wide-

  ranging consequences. It has already been made clear to me that the Jedi are

  not to become involved in trade disputes, without the express consent of the

  senate.

  "But worst of all, is the disservice I have done the Republic. The

  citizenry take its cue from the head of state--even when that one has become

  little more than an ineffectual figurehead.

  "I looked for the causes of corruption and found myself to blame. Did I

  conveniently forget all the deals I struck with malicious beings? Did I

  conveniently forget that I, too, had been corrupted?" He put his elbows on the

  desk and pressed his fingertips to his temples, keeping his gaze downward.

  "I had a terrible dream last night, that seemed as much a reflection of

  my present circumstance as a vision of the future. In it, I felt myself

  besieged by nebulous forces, by wraiths of one sort or another. Something was

  reaching for me out of the blackness, to crush me in its grip." "Terrible, but

  only a dream," Adi said. "Not a vision." Valorum managed to summon the same

  weak smile when he looked up at her.

  "If only I had more supporters like you and Senator Palpatine." "Better a

  few faithful supporters, than a wealth of false friends," Adi said. "Perhaps

  you can find some solace in that." In the High Council tower of the Jedi

  Temple, the eleven Masters listened to Adi recount her meeting with Valorum.

  As ever, Yoda was in motion, walking about with his gimer stick cane, and,

  because of the part they had played in the events, Qui - Gon and Obi-Wan were

  present.

  "The Supreme Chancellor is correct about one thing," Mace Windu said.

  "The aurodium could only have come from Havac. Cohl delivered the stolen

  ingots to him, then Havac set up the blind account and saw to it that the

  aurodium was invested in Valorum Shipping." "But why?" Yarael Poof asked.

  "By suggesting collusion, Havac hoped to bring down both the Supreme

  Chancellor and the Trade Federation." "Valorum, perhaps," Depa Billaba said.

  "But the Neimoidi - ans have much of the senate on their payroll. The Trade

  Federation hasn't been touched by the scandal." "Indeed they haven't," Oppo

  Rancisis agreed. "Too little thought we gave these events," Yoda said
. "All of

  us." Yaddle turned to face Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, who were standing outside the

  Masters' circle. "You two flying here, flying "there, chasing clues... If

  stopped for a moment to listen to the His unifying Force, see what was coming

  you might have." "I did what I had to do, Masters," Qui-Gon said, without

  apology. Yoda loosed a prolonged sigh. "Blame you, we don't, Qui-Gon. But

  exasperate us, you do." Qui-Gon inclined his head in a bow.

  "This scandal wasn't the sole work of the Nebula Front," Adi said. "The

  Supreme Chancellor has other enemies - comhidden enemies, plotting against

  him. Trying to maneuver him into a positi on where he will err gravely, and be

  voted out of office or be forced to resign." "To be replaced by the likes of

  Bail Antilles or Ainlee Teem," Saesee Tiin muttered.

  Windu nodded. "He has been too trusting." "Too naive," Even Piell

  remarked harshly.

  Yoda paced, then stopped. "Help him, we must--in secret, if need be." "We

  must heed the will of the Force in this matter," Windu said. "We must be open

  to ways to counter the treacherous vor-tex into wh the Republic has been

  drawn. Perhaps we can help Valorum get wind of events before his enemies have

  an opportunity to stack those events against him." "He senses perilous times

  ahead," Adi said.

  "As if some darkness has been awakened, intent on spreading itself across

  the galaxy." Yaddle broke the long silence.

  "Tipping the balance is." Yoda looked at her. "Tipping, yes. But from

  troubled times to untroubled, or from bad times to worse?" Windu steepled his

  fingers in front of his face.

  "And what unknown hand is doing the tipping?" Darth Sidious visited Nute

  Gunray and his advisers by hologram, on the bridge of the Trade Federation

  freighter Saak'ak, bar bar known, in Basic, as the Profiteer.

  "Congratulations on your promotion, Viceroy," the Sith Lord rasped, in a

  manner that made derision sound like a compliment.

  "Thank you, my Lord," Gunray was quick to respond. "We did not imagine,

  when you said you would convince our competitors in the directorate, that you

  would..." "That I would what, Viceroy? Perhaps you imagined that I would act

  with greater subtlety, is that it? Now there is no one to stand in your way of

  acquiring an army or directing the future course of the Trade Federation."