boisterous bellows that belied their wiry frames. The tension that had enveloped the summit like a smothering spiderweb promptly vanished.
'I hope,' Luminara murmured as she turned away and resumed her seat, 'that no one is particularly thirsty.'
Sputtering and soaked, the big alien growled dangerously- and then a change washed over him. Dripping water from face, teeth, and now glistening leather attire, he stomped back to his chair and sat down in a somewhat soggy frump. Folding arms the size of a human's torso across his massive chest, he nodded slowly in the direction of the woman responsible for his aqueous humiliation.
'Tolut is big among his people. Don't always speak so good. But big doesn't always mean stupid. Tolut knows when he wrong. I defer to greater power. Was wrong about Jedi abilities.'
Luminara favored him with a kindly smile. 'There is no shame in admitting one does not know everything. It shows wisdom. That is a much more valued talent than physical strength-or even the ability to influence the Force. You are to be com mended, not condemned.' She bowed her head slightly. 'I con gratulate you on the acuteness of your perception.'
Tolut hesitated, at first uncertain if the Jedi was making fun of him. When he realized that the compliment was meant honestly, and came from the heart, his glower softened and his demeanor changed.
'Perhaps we of the Unity can work with you.' A hint of his earlier belligerence threatened a return despite the lesson that had just been imparted. 'But working with the Alwari is something else.'
Leaning toward Anakin, Obi-Wan whispered softly. 'And that, my young Padawan, was a demonstration of what is known as dynamic diplomacy.'
Skywalker nodded briefly. 'Example noted, Master.' He studied the tranquil, beautiful face of Luminara Unduli afresh. He did not notice the 'I-told-you-so' look on Barriss's face. Her expression strayed dangerously close to a smirk.
Wiping a last tear of amusement from the corner of one eye, Ranjiyn strove to recapture the serious tone that had preceded the watery demonstration. 'It doesn't matter what you do. A thousand tapcaf tricks will not persuade the Alwari to allow us to jointly exploit the prairies. That is the only way we of the Unity will agree to remain bound by Republic law; if we are treated as equals everywhere on the planet, and not like people who are hemmed in forever in our towns. As it stands, the Alwari dominate by far the great bulk of the land, while we control the cities. If they are going to run bleating to the Senate every time we try to expand, then we are better off outside the Republic and free of its endless, pestiferous rules and regulations.'
'It seems to me that would mean interminable local war,'
Anakin spoke out. At a look from Obi-Wan he thought further and added, 'Or at least some form of continuous, running con flict between you and the Alwari.'
'It would be debilitating for both of you,' Barriss added as Luminara looked on approvingly.
From his seat, the tall, elder human male gestured resignedly. 'Anything is better than being forced to bow beneath oppressive regulations that take a hundred years just to get out of committee. We have been assured by friends that if we were to announce our secession from the Republic, the kind of aid that we truly need-and that the Senate does not provide-would be readily forthcoming.'
'What friends?' Obi-Wan inquired pleasantly. His tone made it sound as if the answer was of no particular consequence, but Anakin knew differently. He could see the slight tenseness in his Master's posture.
Whether the Ansionian representative detected it or not they never knew. In any event, he did not supply names.
Luminara filled the pause that ensued. 'Anything may be better-except peace.' She eyed each of the skeptical representatives in turn. 'In our capacity as representatives of the Jedi Council, we have a proposition for you. If we can get the Alwari to agree to share dominion over half or more of the prairie lands they presently control, and to allow you to develop some of the resources that lie within those lands, will the people of the Unity agree to abide by the Republic law under which they have always lived, and to forget this dangerous talk of secession?'
At this unexpected and extraordinary offer, the delegates fell to murmuring among themselves. Their tone, their expressions, and their repressed excitement showed that they had not considered so sweeping a proposal before.
While they caucused, Obi-Wan leaned over to whisper to his colleague. 'You promise much, Luminara.'
She adjusted the thrown-back hood of her robe. 'I spent a lot of time prior to arriving on this world studying the history of Ansion's peoples. Something extreme has to be done to break this local sociopolitical datajam. It's the only way to get these people thinking about something besides leaving the Republic.' She smiled. 'I thought laying out the possibility of a whole new, vast commercial opportunity before them would shake them up a little.'
Obi-Wan studied the quietly deliberating delegates. The ani mation in their expressions and gestures was genuine, and not simply a display for the benefit of the four visitors.
'Looks like you've certainly done that.' He added that small, sly smile with which she was rapidly becoming familiar. 'Of course, if they accept, you've put us in the awkward position of having to deliver.'
'Master Luminara always fulfills her promises.' There was just a touch of sharpness in Barriss's voice.
'I've no doubt she does.' Obi-Wan regarded the Padawan tolerantly. 'It's getting these innumerable, fractious, quarrelsome nomads who call themselves the Alwari to abide by the proposed terms that concerns me.'
Luminara interrupted the exchange with a slight nod. The delegates had concluded their vigorous conversation and once more sat facing the visitors.
'No one doubts that obtaining the agreement of the Alwari to such an accord would radically change the social dynamic that exists here.' It was the third Ansionian representative, a female named Induran, who spoke. 'And if such a treaty could be achieved, it would certainly tilt the opinion of many of those who are presently inclined to favor secession from the Republic because they believe remaining in it does nothing for them.' Her large, convex eyes gazed unflinchingly at the Jedi. 'However, the likelihood of obtaining the hand of the Alwari to such an agreement the majority of us find doubtful in the extreme.'
