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Neimoidia - 32 BBY

Wormtail had to say that home of the Neimoidians was not somewhere he would want to visit if he had anywhere else to go. But as he oversaw the command of the Trade Federation, he had to be here.

He and Gunray now sat with two other Neimoidian aides, Hath Monchar and Rune Haako. They were doing as what was suggested by Darth Sidious. They were to introduce their underlings to the Sith Lord.

The problem was that they had allied with Nebula Front. The leader, Cohl, had run into Jedi. Wormtail was relieved to know that neither Jedi were his old friends.

Haako looked at the human Viceroy. "Welcome, Viceroy. We hope you have not come in vain."

Realizing what he was suggesting, Wormtail glared at the legal counsel.

Gunray made a hash gesture of dismissal. "He said he would come. That is enough for me."

"For you," Monchar muttered.

Wormtail glared. "He hasn't deceived us. Cohl's mates attacked and the Revenue was destroyed."

Haako's voice raised slightly. "And this is reason to rejoice? This plan of yours has cost the Trade Federation a class-I freighter and billions in aurodium."

Wormtail looked over and noticed Gunray's rather doubtful expression, and sighed.

"One ship and a bit of aurodium," he said. "If Lord Sidious is true, then we have little to fear."

But him, e added silently to himself.

Haako snorted. "But how can you be sure? What proof does he offer, Viceroy? He only contacts you by hologram, out of the ether. He can claim to be anyone."

Wormtail opened his mouth, then closed it. What if Haako was right?

Luckily, Gunray saved him. "Who would be brain-dead enough to make such a claim without being able to support it?"

"This bickering is pointless," Wormtail snapped. "Gunray. The holoprojector."

Gunray set the portable holoprojector on the table. Immediately, that dark figure that so reminded Wormtail of Lord Voldemort appeared.

"I see, Viceroy," Darth Sidious began, "that you have assembled your underlings, as I asked."

Wormtail nodded. "Yes, my lord."

Sidious observed the room. "I perceive an atmosphere of misgiving, Viceroy. Has the aftermath of our plan failed to please you?"

Wormtail paled. "No, my lord. Not at all. It's the loss of the freighter and the aurodium that concerns my . . . colleagues."

"Your colleagues fail to grasp the larger purpose, Viceroy," Sidious said disdainfully. "Perhaps we need to reacquaint them with our intent to stir sympathy for the Trade Federation in the Senate. That is why we informed the Nebula Front militants of the shipment of aurodium. The loss of the ingots will further our cause. Soon you will have the politicians and bureaucrats eating out of your hands, and then the Trade Federation will at last have the droid army it needs. Baktoid, Haor Chall Engineering, and the Colicoids are waiting to fill your orders."

Wormtail saw Gunray fidget, and he himself gulped with anxiety.

"Do you have a problem, Viceroy?" Sidious asked.

Wormtail gulped. "No, my lord. Nothing."

Sidious smiled. "Good. I wouldn't want to have to kill you. With this droid army at your command, no one would dare question Neimoidia's authority to rule the space lanes."

Haako risked himself in saying, "We'd welcome the ability to defend ourselves against pirates and agitators. But we don't wish to break the terms of our trade treaty with the Republic. Not when the price of a droid army is taxation of the free trade zones."

"So you've heard about Chancellor Valorum's intentions," Sidious said.

"Yes, my lord," Wormtail replied. "What shall we do if - "

"Don't panic, Viceroy Pettigrew," Sidious said coldly. "Finis Valorum is our greatest ally in the Senate."

Haako swallowed. "Lord Sidious has influence in the Senate?"

Wormtail couldn't believe that Haako was thick enough to believe that Sidious would so easily take that bait.

"You will come to learn that there are many that do my bidding," Sidious said. "They understand, as you will understand, that they serve themselves best by serving me."

Haako and Monchar glanced at each other, and the latter informed the Sith Lord of what Gunray had informed him: that the Trade Federation Directorate would not trust a Neimoidian.

"They find us unnecessarily suspicious," he finished.

"I am well aware of this, Monchar," Sidious rasped. "But you must remember that foolish friends are no better than enemies."

"Nevertheless," Monchar continued, "they will oppose this arrangement."

"Then we will have to find some way to convince."

Wormtail kneeled before the Sith before his allies could say anything more.

"We place ourselves in your hands, my lord."

Sidious nearly smiled. "I thought you might see things my way, Viceroy. I know that you will not fail me in the future."

Jedi Temple - Coruscant - 32 BBY

Jedi Knights James Potter and Remus Lupin stood with their respective Padawans, Harry Potter and Galilea Sage, in the Room of a Thousand Fountains. It was then that the older Jedi noticed their old friends, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, standing in the hall.

Qui-Gon was speaking with another Jedi, the Mirialan Luminara Unduli.

"Did he bear any special grudge against the Trade Federation?" the old Jedi was asking.

Unduli shook her head. "No more than anyone else in my home system. The Trade Federation brought us into the Republic, though they did so at the expense of my world's resources.

"In the beginning, Arwen Cohl would hire himself out only to those whose cause he felt was justified. But over time - no doubt because of the blood he shed - he became nothing more than a pirate and a contract killer. He was said never to have betrayed a friend or an ally."

As she paused, James sensed her dismay and regret. "It is regrettable that history will remember the criminal Cohl rather than the exemplary Cohl. I was sad to hear that he had perished at Dorvalla."

James frowned at this; he had heard from Master Yoda Qui-Gon's suspicions. Arwen Cohl may not actually be dead.

Qui-Gon's expression clearly showed his doubt. Unduli noticed this.

"Did he not?" she asked.

"For now, I'll grant that he vanished at Dorvalla."

Unduli nodded with uncertainty. "Whether Cohl is dead or alive, the matter is in the hands of the Judicial Department, is it not?"

Qui-Gon hesitated, and James thought he knew why. He gotten to know the old man very well and Qui-Gon's desire to chase down Cohl was almost palpable.

"All that is certain is that Cohl's destiny is in hands other than mine."

Unduli nodded and turned away. As she did, Sirius met up with them, and the five Jedi walked over to their two friends.

"Qui-Gon!" James called. "Obi-Wan! Welcome back."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan smiled when they saw the others.

"It's good to be back, Master Potter," said Obi-Wan.

"Ah, call me James, kid," said James. Sometimes Obi-Wan's extreme by-the-book manner was tiring.

"Galilea, Harry," said Remus, "let us introduce you to Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Qui-Gon smiled at the teenagers. Looking at James and Remus, he said, "Your Padawans?"

"And my son," said James. "Please meet Harry Potter."

"Pleasure to meet you, Master Jinn," said Harry.

"And this is my Padawan, Galilea Sage," said Remus.

"How's it going, Master?" said Galilea, far less formal than Harry. Unlike her best friend's distinct Coruscanti accent, Galilea's was vaguely Corellian.

"It's all right, young Galilea," said Qui-Gon.

"Seriously, Qui-Gon," said Sirius, "how is iot going? We heard about what happened with Captain Cohl."

"Surely, you've heard the briefing I gave the Council," said Qui-Gon.

"Yes," said James, "but we hear you doubt Cohl's demise?"

"Yes," Qui-Gon said. "Don't be surprised if that mercenary returns in our lives."

Senate Arena - Senate Building - Coruscant - 32 BBY

Senatorial aide Lily Evans Organa stood beside her honorary cousin, Prince Bail Prestor Organa, Viceroy and First Chairman of Alderaan. Bail was also a Senatorial aide. They stood beside Senator Bail Antilles. They stood in the pod of Alderaan.

Looking around the Senate Arena, Lily found that she could identify many in the Senate, even if she didn't know them personally. Senator Palpatine of Naboo stood with aides Kinman Doriana and Sate Pestage. She recognized the Koorivar Senator Passel Argente, the Twi'lek Senator Orn Free Taa, the Neimoidian Senator Lott Dod, the Rodian Senator Onaconda Farr, the Corellian Senator Com Fordox, the Brodo Asogi Senator Greblieps, and the Aqualish Senator Po Nudo.

And of course she recognized the older human Supreme Chancellor, Finis Valorum. He was the one speaking before the Senate.

"Delegates of the Galactic Senate, we find ourselves beset by confluence of sobering challenges. Frayed at its far-flung borders by internecine skirmishes and hollowed at its very heart by corruption, the Republic is in grave danger of unraveling. Recent events in the Mid and Outer Rim demand that we stem the rising tide of strife by restoring order and balance. So dire is our plight, that even extreme measures should not be dismissed out of hand."

Lily knew that Valorum's words were true. If they were to ignore this, then they would soon have a war on their hands.

"The free trade zones were originally created to foster exchange between the Core Worlds and the outlying systems of the Mid and Outer Rims. At the time, it was thought that free and open trade would prove a benefit to all concerned. But those zones have since become a haven not only for smugglers and pirates, but also for shipping and trading cartels that have availed themselves of the liberties we ensured, by setting themselves up as entities of political and military leverage."

Lily exchanged looks with Bail. Something about this didn't seem right to her.

"The Trade Federation comes before us with a request that we do something to safeguard commerce in the outlying sectors. They are within their rights to request this, and we are obliged by our covenant to respond. But in a very real sense it is the questionable practices of the Trade Federation that have made it a target for thieves and terrorists."

Valorum had raised his voice now, as his words had faced controversy.

"This will only alienate him with the Trade Federation," Antilles muttered.

"I agree, Senator Antilles," said Lily. "What is the Chancellor playing at?"

"In the same way," Valorum continued, "we must accept some of the blame for this, since it was this body that granted the Trade Federation such latitude, and it is this body that has chosen to turn deaf ear time and again to what transpires in the outlying systems. The practice cannot be allowed to continue. The Trade Federation has become a bloated creature, ingesting lesser concerns and refusing to do business with worlds that seek to ship with its few remaining competitors. It would not be overstatement to say that these trade zones are no longer free.

"And yet the Trade Federation comes before us to solicit our help in putting an end to the disorder it has fashioned.

"The Federation asks for protection - as if this body can blithely deploy a military force against the pirates and terrorists who prey on the Federation's freighters. As if this body could provide starfighters and Dreadnaughts and, in so doing, turn the free trade zones into contested space - a battleground.

"There is, however, a solution to all this. If the Trade Federation wants us to ensure that the outlying systems be made safe for commerce - a task that will require action from this body, as well as from the many systems that lie within the free trade zones - then those planetary systems must be brought into the Republic as member worlds. Those worlds that the Trade Federation currently represents in the Senate must abjure their affiliation with the Federation and bring their individual voices to this hall, to be heard as autonomous systems once more."

Lily heard some grumbling at the Chancellor's words, but she found he made sense. The Trade Federation should not be allowed to represent these systems. It would be best to allow the systems to represent themselves.

"We urge that the worlds of the free trade zones move quickly and decisively. Terrorist groups like the Nebula Front are merely the tip of a more deep-seated discontent. By working in accordance, the volunteer militaries and space corps of the affected systems can quell local insurrections before they swell to widespread revolution.

"The direct consequence on this will be the abolition of the free trade zones. The trade routes to those outlying systems that join the Republic would henceforth be subject to the same taxation that applies to routes in the Core, the Colonies, and the Inner Rim. I urge you to consider that such action is long overdue. For free trade is no longer that when all trade is controlled by one cartel."

There were many cheers and boos at the Chancellor's speech. Lily and the other Alderaanians were among the cheering. But as she expected it was the Neimoidians who rejected this idea. She saw Senator Dod's platform move to the center.

"We recognize Delegate Lott Dod," Valorum said, "representing the Trade Federation."

"We submit that the Senate does not have the right or the authority to enact taxation of the outlying trade zones," Dod announced. "This is nothing more than a ploy to break up our consortium

"It was the Trade Federation who opened the hyperlanes to the outlying, who risked the lives of its space-faring captains to bring formerly primitive worlds into the Republic, and new resources into the Core.

"Now we learn that we are expected to defend ourselves against the mercenaries and pirates who masquerade as freedom fighters, merely to enrich themselves at our expense. We come before you asking for aid, and instead become the victim of an indirect attack."

Lily listened with disdain as other Senators yelled encouragement at the greedy Senator.

"If the Senate does not wish to intercede with the Nebula Front - or if it is incapable of doing so - then we must at least grant us what we need to defend ourselves. As it is, we are defenseless in the face of far superior fighters."

Valorum nodded in response. "Commissions can be appointed to determine if additional defense capabilities are warranted at this time."

Dod's speech was responded to by Malastare's Gran Senator Ainlee Teem.

"Since the Trade Federation is willing to defend itself, as its own expense, there is no justification for taxing the trade routes. We have precendent 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 and by one and all."

Antilles grimaced. "I'm going to have to speak on this."

And immediately, Lily felt there pod moving forward.

"Supreme Chancellor," Antilles said, "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."

Orn Free Taa glared at Antilles. "And what becomes of the worlds in those contested sectors? How do we trade with the Core? With whom do we ship?"

And then the arguments continued, from Wookiees to Sullustans, Bimms to Bothans. Even Valorum's mediating attempts did nothing. Finally, it ended as a very powerful Senator chose to speak, one highly respected.

"We recognize the Senator from the sovereign system of Naboo."

Palpatine nodded. "Supreme Chancellor, 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."

"I concur with that," Lily said quietly to Bail and Antilles.

Appearing confused, Valorum asked, "And what sort of forum, Senator Palpatine?"

"Before the motion goes to committee, I propose that a summit he held, where delgates from the Trade Federation and its signatory members can meet openly to offer their solutions to these . . . 'sobering challenges,' as you say."

"Do you have a specific location, Senator?" Valorum asked.

Palpatine pondered the question, then said, "May I suggest . . . Eriadu?"

Lily smiled at this. Finally things were progressing further. They might reach a peaceful resolution yet.