Part 27 (1/2)
Flanked by Senate Guards, a rejuvenated Valorum moved slowly through the princ.i.p.al corridor, trading dignified nods with senators and ignoring questions hurled by the media reporters.
”Supreme Chancellor, did you ever for a moment doubt that the taxation proposal would be ratified?” a Twi'lek correspondent asked.
Sei Taria answered for him.
”The issue has been controversial from the start. But everyone involved remained confident that the proposal would pa.s.s, once all parties had an opportunity to be heard.” An attractive human female shouldered her way to the front of the crowd. ”Considering what happened at the trade summit, do you still feel that all parties were heard?” Again Sei Taria intervened.
”While tragedy compelled us to abbreviate the summit, much was accomplished on Eriadu. Those who were denied an opportunity to speak were given ample time to voice their opinions here, when the discussions continued. ”
”Discussions or debates, Supreme Chancellor?” Valorum waved his hand in dismissal.
”Do you feel that taxation strikes a blow for the rights of the outlying systems?”
”The outlying systems will surely benefit,” Taria replied. ”But all worlds stand to gain as a result of this historic action. Contrary to the claims of many a would-be political pundit, the pa.s.sage of this bill demonstrates clearly that the senate has not grown too unwieldy or apathetic to act for the common good.” Another human correspondent shoved his way forward. ”Would you consider this to be the high point of your administration? ” Taria held up her hands. ”Later today, the office of the Supreme Chancellor will issue a statement.
Until that time, there will be no further questions.” The correspondents grumbled, but ultimately fell silent and stepped aside, as Valorum's contingent of advisers and guards steered him toward the turbolift that accessed his private chambers.
Once there, he removed his outer cloak, sat heavily into his chair, and loosed a prolonged exhale.
”Thank you for running interference,” he told Taria when the two of them were alone in the office.
She smiled and took a seat opposite him. ”We should issue a statement as quickly as possible. Do you want to compose something now?” Valorum frowned, then got to his feet and walked to the center of the room, his hands clasped behind his back.
Taria activated the record function of her wrist comlink.
”For too long a time the senate has been bogged down by policies and procedures,” Valorum began after a moment. ”But today we managed to sidestep that bureaucratic mora.s.s. We have succeeded in overcoming our inertia, by setting aside petty squabbles and self-interest, and by banding together to strike a blow for the Republic itself. In this, we have reaffirmed our mandate, and refound our way.
”While we are honored to have introduced this historic proposal, victory would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of several good and proper delegates. We shall refrain from going into the matter of how the vote was carried. But we do want to say that we owe much grat.i.tude to delegates like--was Valorum cut short his remarks when a tone issued from the office door. When Sei Taria opened the door, two Senate Guards conducted Alderaanian Senator Bail Antilles into the room. In his right hand, the chair of the Internal Activities Committee held a legal-looking piece of durasheet.
”Supreme Chancellor, I'm sorry to have to be the bearer of raw tidings on a day that should be devoted to celebration,” Antilles said, extending the durasheet to Valorum. ”But this doc.u.ment const.i.tutes official notification that you are hereby requested to appear before the Supreme Court to answer allegations of corruption and illegal enrichment.”
Valorum blinked in stupefaction. He couldn't make sense of what he had just heard. This had to be a mistake, or a joke in very poor taste. His heart thudded against his breastbone, and he grew short of breath. He stared at the durasheet he had accepted, then glared at Antilles.
”I demand to know the meaning of this.” Antilles compressed his lips.
”Again, I apologize, Supreme Chancellor. But that is all I am permitted to say about the matter at this time.” V alorum was surrounded not by Senate Guards but by lawyers when he finally appeared before the Supreme Court almost two weeks later. During that time his legal team had managed to discover that the basis for the allegations was an investment made in Valorum s.h.i.+pping, on Eriadu.
Beyond that, Valorum was in the dark.
The Supreme Court convened in closed session in the Galactic Courts of Justice Building, an enormous edifice of pointed arches, tall decorative spires, and elaborate statuary, located in the so-called Plains of Coruscant, not far from the Jedi Temple.
Valorum and his lawyers were seated at a long table opposite the twelve robed figures who comprised the judiciary council. Bail Antilles and the members of the Internal Activities Committee sat perpendicular to the bench.
The chief justice spoke, addressing Valorum.
”Supreme Chancellor, we appreciate that you elected to appear before us, without being subpoenaed by writ.”
”We are given to understand that this is an informal inquest,” one of the lawyers said in Valorum's stead.
”Your presumption is correct.” The judge looked to Antilles, who stood and spoke from his place at the committee's table.
”Your Honors, Supreme Chancellor Valorum,” he began. ”Just two weeks ago the senate met in special session to vote on a motion introduced by Supreme Chancellor Valorum, calling for a tax to be levied on all s.h.i.+pping and other mercantile activities in what were formerly known as the free trade zones of the outlying systems.
”An amendment to the original proposal directed that a percentage of all revenues collected by the Republic would be redistributed among the outlying systems, for purposes of social welfare and technological advancement. Many business concerns located in those systems have already begun to reap the benefits of the amendment, in the form of venture capital bestowed by investors, here in the Core. One of those concerns is Valorum s.h.i.+pping and Transport, of Eriadu, which has received an enormous sum, for a company that has shown only marginal profits over the past several standard years.” Valorum's lawyer interrupted.
”With all due respect, Senator Antilles, Supreme Chancellor Valorum was not made aware of the investment in Valorum s.h.i.+pping until last week.
Regardless, while it's true that the company bears the Valorum name, and that the Supreme Chancellor is a member of the board of directors, he does not partic.i.p.ate in company operations, or involve himself with each and every commonplace business transaction.
”More important, Your Honors, since when does it violate Republic law for a company to profit, based on merit alone? In the case of Valorum s.h.i.+pping, it strikes me as good business sense for investors to be drawn to concerns owned by prominent public figures. It's not as if the Supreme Chancellor actively solicited investments. Furthermore, the Supreme Chancellor, as required by law, has made full disclosure of all his holdings, and his record, with regard to earnings and taxes, is spotless.” The twelve judges looked at Antilles, who was still frowning when the lawyer finished speaking.
”If I may be allowed to continue. The Internal Activities Committee does not take issue with any of the statements made by the Supreme Chancellor's legal representative. In fact, when this matter was first brought to our attention, we proceeded under the a.s.sumption that no infringement of protocol had occurred. However...” Antilles let the word dangle for a long moment before continuing.
”Subsequent investigation has shown that the contribution to Valorum s.h.i.+pping did not originate with a consortium or venture capital group.
Rather, the revenue was drawn from a blind account, and moved to Eriadu through a Coruscant bank of dubious reputation. I use the term moved advisedly, Your Honors, since the investment was tendered in the form of hard a.s.sets.” Valorum's lawyers regarded one another in puzzlement. ”Of what sort?” the spokesman asked Antilles.
”Aurodium ingots.” Blood drained from Valorum's face, and a stir went through the room. Valorum and his lawyers conferred for a moment, before the spokesman replied.
”Your Honors, we acknowledge that the investment begins to sound, shall we say, less than forthright.
Nevertheless, Senator Antilles has yet to demonstrate exactly how this matter relates to the Supreme Chancellor.” Antilles's expression made clear that he had been waiting for just this moment. He gazed at Valorum while he delivered his finis.h.i.+ng stroke.
”What the Internal Activities Committee finds most interesting, and questionable, is that the value of the aurodium--and indeed the quant.i.ty- - corresponds exactly to a cache of ingots reported missing by the Trade Federation, following an attack on one of their vessels, the Revenue, in the Dorvalla system, several months ago.” Hushed conversations erupted throughout the room, as Antilles stepped out from behind the table and approached the bench.
”Your Honors, this is not an indictment. The committee merely wishes to be rea.s.sured that the Supreme Chancellor did not have a hidden agenda in supporting taxation, as part of a scheme to enrich his own holdings in the outlying systems. The committee also wishes to be rea.s.sured that the aurodium in question did, in fact, disappear from the Revenue, and was not simply transferred to Valorum s.h.i.+pping, to seal a clandestine partners.h.i.+p existing between the Supreme Chancellor and the Trade Federation.” Senator Palpatine was one of a hundred or more senators who had been invited to Orn Free Taa's lavish penthouse for an evening of exceptional food and extravagant drink. What had been touted as an occasion, however, had all the undercurrents of a conclave; and where outsiders a.s.sumed that its purpose was to celebrate Valorum's seeming victory in the Senate, it was instead intended to cheer his recent reversal of fortune.
On the largest of the penthouse's many terraces, the blue - skinned Twi'lek host was holding forth for an audience of senators, who hung on his every word.
”Of course we knew about the alleged improprieties. But it was necessary to delay mention of the scandal to ensure that the tax proposal would be ratified, which wouldn't have been the case had Valorum been weakened beforehand.” Taa shook his head and fat lekku. ”No, by waiting to reveal the allegations, and by supporting Valorum, we managed to turn what might have been perceived as an instance of ordinary corruption into what hints at a nefarious plot that threatens the stability of the very Republic.”
”But is there actually anything to the accusations?” Quarren Senator Tikkes asked, his facial tentacles quivering in prospect.
Taa's enormous shoulders heaved in a shrug of indifference. ”There is the aurodium, and there is the appearance of deceit. What else matters?”
”If it is true, then Valorum has become a danger to the general good,”
Mot Not Rab remarked.
Tikkes affirmed that with an enthusiastic nod. ”I say we shake him, before worse days endure.” Others nodded in agreement, muttering among themselves.
”Patience, patience,” Taa advised in a soothing voice. ”Baseless or not, the allegations have essentially crippled Valorum. We need only to rid ourselves of those senators who have buoyed him in the past, enabling him to remain afloat despite our best attempts to sink him. Besides, there may yet be some advantage to keeping him high and dry.”
”What advantage?” the senator from Rodia asked.
”With his influence further eroded, and the Justice Department stripped of some of its former authority, commissions will have to be appointed to render judgments and decisions he would ordinarily make. The power of the courts will increase. But cases will invariably take longer than ever to resolve. And yet Valorum will continue to suffer the blame.”
”Unless a strong vice chancellor is appointed,” the Rodian thought to point out.
”We must not let that happen,” Taa said firmly.