'We recognize Ainlee Teem, delegate of Malastare,' Valorum said.
A Gran, Teem had a trio of eyestalks that were thick and closely set.
'Since the Trade Federation is willing to defend itself, at its own expense, there is no justification for taxing the trade routes.' Teem's voice was deep and abrasive. 'We have precedent in the Corporate Alliance.
Otherwise, it appears that the Republic is interested in nothing more than skimming profits from those who endangered themselves to blaze the hyperspace routes now used by one and all.' Half the amphitheater applauded. But even in the midst of it, a third platform was floating to the center.
'We recognize Bail Antilles of Alderaan.' 'Supreme Chancellor,' the human said with great emotion, 'under no circumstances should the senate allow the Trade Federation to augment its droid defenses.
If the Nebula Front has succeeded in making certain sectors dangerous, then the Federation should avoid those trouble spots until such time as the involved sectors find a way to counter terrorism. By sanctioning increases to the Trade Federation's defenses, we imperil the balance of power throughout the Outer Rim.' 'And what becomes of the worlds in those contested sec tors?'
Senator Orn Free Taa of Ryloth asked, his blue head-tails draped over the bodice of an exorbitant cloak. 'How do we trade with the Core? With whom do we ship?' Rejoinders flew fast and furious from all sides of the chamber- from the Wookiee delegation, the Sullustans, the Bimms, and Bothans.
Valorum attempted to quote the rules, but many of the senators had had enough of the rules, and shouted him down.
'The Trade Federation will seek to offset the taxes by charging more for their services,' the Bothan delegate argued. 'The outlying systems will, in turn, be forced to assume the burden of taxation.' Palpatine saw what was coming and quickly dispatched black-cloaked Sate Pestage to deliver a handwritten note to the sergeant-at-arms, who relayed the note to the Supreme Chancellor.
Valorum received the message a moment after the Bothan delegate had demanded to know how the credits garnered from taxation would be allocated.
Lifting his eyes from the note, Valorum glanced at the Na — boo balcony before responding. 'I propose that a percentage of the revenues garnered through taxation be allocated for relief and development of the outlying systems.' Cheers roared from most of the upper-tier balconies, and many of the senators in the platforms there came to their feet to applaud. Closer to the floor, encouragement came from Wookiee Senator Yarua, Tendau Bendon of Ithor, and Horox Ryyder, who represented thousands of worlds in the Raioballo sector.
Palpatine made a mental note of the naysayers, including Toonbuck Toora, Po Nudo, Wat Tambor, and other delegates. Then he detached the platform and dropped for the center of the rotunda, chased by two hovercams.
'We recognize the senator from the sovereign system of Na — boo,' Valorum said.
'Supreme Chancellor,' Palpatine said, 'may I suggest that, while many important points have been made, these issues are far from resolved, and should perhaps be explored in greater depth in a different forum, after everyone has had an opportunity to reflect on what has been said.' Valorum appeared confused for a moment. 'What sort of forum, Senator Palpatine?'
'Before the motion goes to committee, I propose that a summit be held, where delegates from the Trade Federation and its signatory members can meet openly to offer their solutions to these… 'sobering challenges,' as you say.' The same senators who had cheered Valorum, now applauded Palpatine.
Uncertainty and perhaps vague misgiving drained some of the color from Valorum's face. 'Do you have some specific location in mind, Senator?' he asked.
Palpatine considered it. 'May I suggest…
Eriadu?' A platform joined Palpatine's at the center of the rotunda. The delegation's dark-complexioned human members wore loose — fitting garments and cloth turbans.
'Supreme Chancellor,' their spokesman said, 'Eriadu would be honored to host such a summit.' Senator Toora seconded the motion and moved to enact a moratorium on the taxation proposal.
Valorum had no choice but to comply.
'I will confer with all relevant parties and set a date for the summit,'
he said when the furor had abated. 'With regard to taxation of the outlying trade routes, there will be a moratorium on the voting process until the summit concludes and all view points have been expressed. Furthermore, as a sign of the senate's commitment to foster peace and stability, I shall attend the summit personally.' Many in the rotunda rose and applauded.
Valorum's gaze found Palpatine and lingered on him for a moment.
Palpatine smiled and nodded conspiratorially.
s porting jagged wounds it hadn't had when it had first appeared over Dorvalla, or later, when it had settled down to retrieve Cohl and what was left of his team, the Hawk-Bat floated in space, gravitationally anchored to a buff-colored world of arid mountain ranges and ice-blue seas. Five CloakShape starfighters surrounded her, with a sixth nuzzled up to the gunship's starboard airlock. Far beyond the ships spread a band of space mines, made to resemble asteroids.
On the Hawk-Bat's side of the airlock, Cohl waited vigilantly for his visitors to board. His bare arms were lacerated from the razor ferns he had been forced to forge through on Dorvalla, and his dark face, with its eye mask of diamond-shaped tattoos, was bruised black and blue beneath his beard.
Adding severity to features many thought ferocious to begin with, his coiled hair framed his countenance like the hood of a serpent.
The airlock's indicator light flashed.
'Do you want me to disappear?' Rella asked from behind him.
She was in even worse shape than Cohl. Her left eye was con cealed by a bacta patch and her left forearm wore a plascast. Boiny remained in a bacta tank.
