Jedi Trial by David Sherman Page A

meeting at Palpatine’s residence broke up. The fact that the caller was using a holoshroud to disguise his image did not surprise her, either. That technique was frequently used on Coruscant when politicians, lobbyists, or informants desired to keep their true identities unknown.
    “Is that you, Isard?” Ha’Nook asked, laughing.
    “I am not Isard, Senator,” the caller replied in a deep, gravelly voice as unrecognizable as the image dancing before Ha’Nook’s eyes.
    “Well, come straight to the point then. I haven’t eaten in hours.”
    “I am your ally, Senator,” the image said, “and I wish to help you.”
    “How?” This could be interesting.
    “You have been recognized as a person who is capable of being far more than a practitioner of base political intrigue. I can use my considerable influence to further your career in ways you cannot even begin to imagine.”
    There was a compelling, even hypnotic quality to the voice. “Go on.” Jannie twisted a lock of her hair around a forefinger and pursed her lips in thought. The more the mysterious caller talked, the more hair she wrapped around the finger.
    “There are great events about to take place in thegalaxy. You have just come from a meeting where they were under discussion.”
    “How did—” But Ha’Nook caught herself immediately. Of course someone had been eavesdropping—despite all of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s measures to prevent spying. It was done all the time on Coruscant, and no one could completely avoid it; total security was never truly possible.
    “The invasion of Praesitlyn is but a ripple in a vast wave of history, Senator, and I am about to offer you a ride on that wave.”
    “Pray continue.” Ha’Nook was beginning to enjoy this conversation.
    “The events now taking place in the Sluis sector shall be resolved. When they are, someone will be needed to oversee the Republic’s interests there. Let me be frank: an appointment as ambassador plenipotentiary can be highly profitable.”
    “Ah,” Ha’Nook gasped.
    “Yes,” the voice rumbled.
    “You can arrange that?”
    “Yes.”
    “How?”
    “I can. But I need something from you first.”
    “I thought we’d come to that.” Ha’Nook smiled, but she was more than intrigued with the conversation at this point. Her mind was whirring. Ambassador plenipotentiary? That sounded about right to her. The work of a mere Senator, no matter how influential, could be immensely boring, dealing day in and day out with inanities such as bills for the improvement of the sewer system on Coruscant, or endless discussion ofsome silly resolution guaranteeing the religious freedom of some primitive species on some far-flung chunk of rock. After enough exposure to the routine business of the Senate in session, even important business failed to challenge or excite anymore. Here was a chance to really be in charge of something big!
    “Supreme Chancellor Palpatine asked for your support to dispatch a relief force to Praesitlyn. Can he count on you, Senator?”
    “Yes,” she answered without hesitation.
What possible difference could it mean to me
, she thought,
if the relief expedition fails and the Separatists defeat the Republic? If I can’t be an ambassador, I can be an ally
. Whichever way this war came out, Jannie Ha’Nook planned to be on the winning side.
    “Excellent! Stand fast in your support of the Chancellor, Senator, and I shall stand fast in my promise to reward you.” The transceiver went dead.
    On the other end Sly Moore sat back and smiled. Time now to send that message to the Jedi Council.

9
    J edi Nejaa Halcyon had no idea why he had been summoned so suddenly to appear before the Jedi Council. He had already been reprimanded for his failure. Perhaps, after the long period of idleness imposed on him because of the
Scarlet Thranta
affair, the Jedi Council was ready to reinstate him? He desperately wanted a chance to redeem himself. Perhaps this summons was