After collapsing into my cabin, I headed straight for the shower. Another lesson with Ahsoka had worn me out thoroughly. I never cease to be amazed at how much she doesn't know. Or is it that I simply know too much?
By the way, about many things… I still need to write that report for Jasmill... As soon as we arrive on Coruscant, I'll have to send it immediately, as I've already delayed it enough as it is.
After finishing my shower and wrapping myself in a towel, I settled down with my datapad.
Alright then, what should I write? In principle, there isn't actually that much I can report. As for the BTL-B bomber, I have no complaints about that machine whatsoever. It's a magnificent craft, one that will still be able to give any ship a run for its money even forty years from now. And the fact that the Alliance later reclassified them as heavy fighters… well, they paid dearly for that decision.
Right, what's next… Ah. The Eta-2 "Actis" interceptor. There aren't really any complaints there either, aside from the price of the thing. Though… the smaller a craft of that class is, the more expensive it tends to be. Still, it doesn't even have a hyperdrive, which should have affected the price—after all, they don't make hyperdrives that small anymore. And mass production ought to bring the cost down as well…
But when it comes to the ARC-170, I do have something to say to its designers. Its rear defense is too weak. Don't get me wrong—the power of the defensive cannon surpasses any equivalent system. But what's the point of that kind of firepower when the enemy consists mostly of Vulture droids that don't even have shields? Simply put, the power is excessive, and that affects the rate of fire.
It would be more rational to replace it with a twin—or even a quad—rapid-fire cannon. A laser system like the one on the LAAT would work, or even a turret assembly taken straight from the Y-wing bomber. It should fit. As an additional argument, they could attach two to four missiles… well, air-to-air or space-to-space; the line between those classes is more than a little blurred. Even those used on the LAAT could be included. Well, "used" might be a generous term… most of the time they just hang there as dead weight. At least here they'd serve some purpose.
After finishing the report, I went to bed with a clear conscience. I needed to get some rest before our arrival on Coruscant.
***
Padme Amidala hurried toward the Senate chamber. The news that had spread across every broadcast channel today had left her shaken—and, she suspected, not just her.
In one of Coruscant's hotels, the Royal Plaza, Finis Valorum, the former Chancellor of the Republic, had been murdered in his own room. Some claimed it was a simple robbery. Others insisted the assassination had been ordered by the Separatists. In recent years Finis had devoted himself to charity work, and even now he had been helping refugees trying to escape the chaos of war.
Naturally, all the senators had rushed to the one place where they could discuss the matter—and decide what should be done.
Most were already in their pods, while the few who had arrived late hurried along the corridors. The Naboo senator moved quickly toward her repulsor platform. When she reached the appropriate passageway, she discovered Jar Jar Binks sitting there alone. At her appearance, he waved his arms energetically.
"Yousa right on time, Senator Padme!"
"Jar Jar, has it already started?"
"No! First there was lots and lotsa noise. Mesa not understand anything. But Ammedda bang his staff and say 'silence.' Then everyone quiet! Now the senator from Ryloth speaking. You can hear him clear," the Gungan explained.
Amidala focused on the speech being delivered by Orn Free Taa, whose platform had detached from the wall and now floated beside the central podium.
"...This horrific act of sabotage, this act of terrorism—the murder of Finis Valorum, the previous Chancellor of our Republic—shows that we must take urgent measures!" the Twi'lek declared. "The foremost duty of any government is the protection of the lives and safety of its citizens. If the government is unable to do so, then we must place in its hands the tools necessary to correct this situation and eliminate any possibility of such tragedies happening again!
"I demand it, my planet demands it, the Republic demands it—the immediate adoption of a law strengthening security measures! We must be certain of our protection!"
As soon as the corpulent Twi'lek finished speaking, the senators immediately reacted. Some applauded; others shouted their disapproval.
"My friends, a great responsibility already rests upon my shoulders," Chancellor Palpatine began, taking the floor. "And I do not seek greater burdens. However, if it is your will, then for the sake of the Republic's safety I shall accept this new duty as well. I will submit to your wishes. Does anyone wish to add something to what the esteemed Senator Free Taa has said, or shall we proceed to a vote?"
"Supreme Chancellor, I would like to speak!" Padme recognized the voice of Bail Organa.
Palpatine turned toward Mas Amedda, after which the Chagrian proclaimed:
"The floor is granted to the senator from Alderaan, Bail Organa!"
"Thank you." The Alderaanian's platform drifted forward. "I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to speak—just as I am for the reluctance with which you are prepared to accept these new duties and powers," Bail said, bowing politely in Palpatine's direction.
"The Senate is an assembly of rational beings vested with power and authority! When power is divided among many, it cannot be seized by any single individual! That was one of the fundamental principles upon which the Republic was founded!
"The authority that the Supreme Chancellor would receive under this law belongs to the Senate! Only we are responsible for how it is used!"
Padme looked at Organa in confusion.
Has he really decided to oppose the Chancellor personally? Now that Valorum is gone, our plans have fallen apart. But to do it like this, without consulting anyone… I understand there was little time… or is this simply an attempt to challenge the new bill? But… I don't understand.
Meanwhile, Organa continued:
"Furthermore, some of the powers that may be included in this law must never be transferred to the central government! These are the rights of our citizens, and we cannot encroach upon them.
"We fight in the name of the Republic. But what is the Republic, if not the basic principles upon which it was founded? By abandoning those principles, we would diminish even the brightest victory of this war!
"These are terrible times. They awaken powerful emotions. But we must not give in to anger. These times call us to great deeds, and I do not exaggerate when I say that everyone in this chamber is ready to risk everything if it brings the war closer to its end!
"With our decisions we are writing history. But! We cannot allow events—no matter how terrible—to change who we are. We must remain ourselves. We have no right to pass this law!"
However, most of the senators greeted Bail's speech with angry shouts:
"No!"
"Shame!"
"Traitor!"
"No!"
"Order!" Mas Amedda tried unsuccessfully to restrain the loudest voices.
It's no surprise Organa found no support, Padmé thought. Right now most of the senators are frightened, and they'll agree to anything if it means they won't share Valorum's fate. But… how strange. Valorum had only just agreed to stand with us… Was his murder really a coincidence? I should contact Anakin. I suspect the Order will be assigned to investigate this case. Perhaps they know far more than has been revealed to the public…