surface, could be seen as an insult to many. In truth, though, she wasn't thinking along those lines concerning the source of the assassination. She had a definite hunch, one that went against the obvious logic. The people who would most logically want her silenced were indeed those in favor of the formation of an army of the Republic, but for some reason she could not put her finger on-some subconscious clues, perhaps, or just a gut feeling-Amidala believed that the source of the attempt was exactly those who would not logically, on the surface, at least, want her silenced. She remembered Panaka's warning about the Trade Federation reportedly joining hands with the separatists.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself against the growing rancor in the audience, and steadfastly went on. 'I warn you, if you vote to create this army, war will follow. I have experienced the misery of war firsthand; I do not wish to do so again.'
The cheering began to outweigh the booing.
'This is insanity, I say!' Orn Free Taa yelled above it all. 'I move that we defer this vote, immediately!' But that suggestion only led to more yelling.
Amidala looked at the Twi'lek Senator, understanding his sudden desire to defer a vote that her mere presence had cast into doubt.
'Wake up, Senators-you must wake up!' she went on, shouting him down. 'If we offer the separatists violence, they can only show us violence in return! Many will lose their lives, and all will lose their freedom. This decision could well destroy the very foundation of our great Republic! I pray you do not let fear push you into a disastrous decision. Vote down this security measure, which is nothing less than a declaration of war! Does anyone here want that? I cannot believe they do!'
Ask Aak, Orn Free Taa, and Darsana, on their floating platforms down by the podium, exchanged nervous glances as the cheers and boos echoed about the great hall. The fact that Amidala had just survived an assassination attempt and yet was here begging the Senate to put off raising an army against the likely perpetrators only added strength to her argument, only elevated Amidala higher in the eyes of many-and the former Queen of Naboo, having stood firm against the Trade Federation a decade before, was already held in high esteem by many. At Ask Aak's nod, Orn Free Taa demanded the floor, and was given it promptly by Palpatine.
'By precedence of order, my motion to defer the vote must be dealt with first,' Orn Free Taa demanded. 'That is the rule of law!'
Amidala glared at the Twi'lek, her expression both angry and frustrated by the obvious delaying tactic. She turned plaintively to Palpatine, but the Supreme Chancellor, though his responding expression seemed to be sympathetic to her plight, could only shrug. He moved to the podium and held up his hands for order, and when the room was quiet enough, announced,
'In view of the lateness of the hour and the seriousness of this motion, we will take up these matters tomorrow. Until then, the Senate stands adjourned.'
Traffic clogged the Coruscant sky, flowing slowly about the meandering smoggy haze. The sun was up, giving the sprawling city an amber glow, but many lights were still on, shining behind the windows of the great skyscrapers.
The massive towers of the Republic Executive Building loomed above it all, seeming as if they would reach the very heavens. And that seemed fitting indeed, for inside, even at this early hour, the events and participants took on godlike stature to the trillions of common folk of the Republic. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine sat behind his desk in his spacious and tasteful office, staring across at his four Jedi Master visitors. Across the room, a pair of red-clad guards flanked the door, imposing, powerful figures, with their great curving helmets and wide, floor- length capes.
'I fear this vote,' Palpatine remarked.
'It is unavoidable,' replied Mace Windu, a tall and muscular human, bald, and with penetrating eyes, standing next to the even taller Ki-Adi-Mundi.
'And it could unravel the remainder of the Republic,' Palpatine said.
'Never have I seen the Senators so at odds over any issue.'
'Few issues would carry the import of creating a Republic army,' Jedi Master Plo Koon remarked. He was a tall, sturdy Kel Dor, his head ridged and ruffled at the sides like the curly hair of a young girl, and with dark, shadowed eyes and a black mask over the lower portion of his face.
'The Senators are anxious and afraid, and believe that no vote will ever be more important than this one now before them.'
'And this way or that, much mending must you do,' said Master Yoda, the smallest in physical stature, but a Jedi Master who stood tall against anyone in the galaxy. Yoda's huge eyes blinked slowly and his tremendous ears swiveled subtly, showing, for those who knew him, that he was deep in thought, giving this situation his utmost attention. 'Unseen is much that is here,' he said, and he closed his eyes in contemplation.
'I don't know how much longer I can hold off the vote, my friends,' Palpatine explained. 'And I fear that delay on this definitive issue might well erode the Republic through attrition. More and more star systems are joining the separatists.'
Mace Windu, a pillar of strength even among the Jedi, nodded his understanding of the dilemma. 'And yet, when the vote is done, if the losers do break away-'
'I will not let this Republic that has stood for a thousand years be split in two!' Palpatine declared, slamming a fist determinedly on his desk. 'My negotiations will not fail!' Mace Windu held his calm, keeping his rich voice even and controlled. 'But if they do, you must realize there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers.'
Palpatine took a few steadying breaths, trying to digest it all. 'Master Yoda,' he said, and he waited for the greenish-skinned Jedi to regard him.
'Do you really think it will come to war?'
Again Yoda closed his eyes. 'Worse than war, I fear,' he said. 'Much worse.'
'What?' an alarmed Palpatine asked.
'Master Yoda, what do you sense?' Mace Windu prompted.
