Free Jedi Trial by David Sherman Page A

She felt a genuine surge of pity for the great man. She had watched him carefully since his assumption of emergency powers to deal with the Separatist threat, and she believed the cares of public service in this crisis were wearing the poor man down.
    “This is a matter of the utmost urgency,” he said. “I need to see you at once.”
    “We can’t discuss it now?” she asked. “I’m expecting dinner guests.”
    “No, I am afraid this venue is not secure for what we have to talk over.” The Chancellor’s image smiled sadly. “I do apologize for interrupting your plans like this, Senator.”
    “No, no, not at all, sir, I am at your disposal. How long do you think we’ll be?”
    “It could take some time, Senator. I do apologize again.”
    She hesitated. A member of the powerful Tarkin family, Paige-Tarkin was an unabashed admirer of the Supreme Chancellor, and in her public and private life she described him as the one person who could lead the Republic to victory in this crisis. Now he, who had devoted his entire life to public service, was apologizing for asking her to interrupt an evening at home with friends to deal with important galactic business? “No bother,” she responded, her voice catching with emotion, “but can you give me any idea what it involves?”
    “All I can tell you is that a situation has arisen that might have the most serious consequences for the inhabitants of the Seswenna sector, Senator.”
    Paige-Tarkin’s heart skipped a beat—Seswenna was the sector she represented in the Senate. “Where shall we meet?”
    “My apartment, as quickly as you can get here. I must—”
    “Your apartment, Supreme Chancellor?” she blurted. “Not your office?”
    Palpatine shook his head. “This is a matter of the utmost sensitivity—it’s best if nobody knows about the meeting yet. My security droids are sweeping my apartment even as we speak; it would take longer to assure the security of my office. Now I must invite some others, so please excuse me.” The image vanished before she could ask who the others might be.
    Quickly, Paige-Tarkin canceled her engagements, changed, and called for transportation.
    Mas Amedda received the next call. As Speaker ofthe Senate and a loyal follower of the Supreme Chancellor, Amedda was best known for keeping his mouth shut and maintaining order during Senate debates. He had also supported granting Palpatine the emergency powers he believed the Supreme Chancellor needed to deal with the Separatists. Palpatine knew he could count on Amedda in this crisis, and his help would be invaluable when the inevitable debate broke out in the Senate.
    Then Palpatine summoned Jannie Ha’Nook of Glithnos, a senior member of the Security and Intelligence Council. Ha’Nook saw everything in terms of profit and loss to herself. Although of a somewhat independent mind, she had also voted to grant Palpatine his emergency powers.
    Next on the list was Armand Isard, director of Republic Intelligence, a man who knew much but said little.
    Finally, Palpatine called Sate Pestage, controller of the Senate’s executive agenda. Pestage was a master of persuasion. Many times since Palpatine’s assumption of emergency powers Pestage had convinced recalcitrant Senators to get behind the Supreme Chancellor.
    Thus Supreme Chancellor Palpatine gathered his staunchest allies to deal with his enemies.
    Palpatine’s apartment was comfortable but not ostentatious, as befit an abstemious public servant in the service of the people. Since not everyone arrived at the same time, he engaged his guests in small talk until they were all present. As soon as everyone was seated, he nodded to Sly Moore, his administrative aide. At hissignal she engaged the security system that provided additional asssurance that no one eavesdropped on their deliberations.
    “We may begin, sir,” she announced.
    “I apologize again for getting you all here on such short notice,” Palpatine opened as his guests