Our harmful passions find us out:
there is no refuge from our fate.
***
Mon Mothma thoughtfully stirred her spoon in her cup of coffee.
"Unfortunately, the senators are increasingly satisfied with the current situation, in which all military matters have been shifted onto the shoulders of the Supreme Chancellor and the Jedi Order. No one wants to take responsibility for what is happening—especially after the negative reports from the front. Take Jabiim, for example: terrible losses… Or the battle on Aargonar, which has been dragging on for seven months now…"
The Naboo woman sighed heavily.
"It's bitter to admit it, but you're right. Even some of our supporters… are wavering."
After a short pause, she asked,
"How is Bail?"
"I heard he arrived on Christophsis with the lead freighters."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he arrived on the very first one…"
The women's conversation was interrupted by the appearance of C-3PO.
"Excuse me, Lady Padme. The Separatists are broadcasting an important message on the Hyper-Communications Cartel wave."
"Put it on the projector," Amidala ordered.
CIS broadcasting was carried out through the resources of the Intergalactic Banking Clan and was prohibited within the Republic. Any citizen caught viewing such information could lose several hundred credits, and those aiding its distribution might even end up on Kessel. Senators, however, enjoyed many privileges…
A respectable-looking Neimoidian addressed the audience:
"…Long-range scanning has confirmed that the Republic is building up its defense forces along the outer borders of Kuat space, increasing the number of warships stationed between Kuat and Neimoidia. Let me remind you that less than ten parsecs separate the two systems. Many experts believe that the war will be decided by a fierce battle between these two shipbuilding centers…"
"…"When the campaign to capture Coruscant begins—and it will begin—the first priority will be to neutralize Kuat," said an official representative of the Trade Federation, who wished to remain anonymous. "Until then, it will be a game of Dejarik, in which each player accumulates strong pieces on their side of the board"…"
"...We know that last week the Republic deployed an additional twenty-four Acclamator-class warships to the outer borders of the Kuat system in response to the appearance of a dozen Trade Federation vessels in orbit around Balmorra. The planet is located exactly between Kuat and Neimoidia. When Balmorra left the Republic, Kuat abandoned its holdings on this factory world, allowing the Techno Union to take control of the local facilities. And although this was a gift to Confederacy intelligence, the installations captured there still hold very little tactical value in the confrontation between the two systems…"
"...Kuat left behind primarily ground walkers and heavy transport vehicles, which will be of little use in the upcoming space battle. Unlike other planets, capturing the surface of Kuat is a pointless exercise. The only truly valuable assets are the shipyards," said military strategist Duskyn Hobiv. "Orbital stations have been installed around the Kuat shipyards—among the best protected in the galaxy—to prevent information gathering by long-range scanners."
"…In addition to protecting its interests, the Republic is actively engaged in reconnaissance. Specialists from Kuat attempted to infiltrate Neimoidia using modified worker droids equipped with espionage hardware. However, the attempt failed. 'The use of automated labor units and semi-intelligent insectoids prevented the Kuat thieves from stealing any of our technological secrets,' said Techno Union Foreman Wat Tambor after the capture of fifteen spy droids—an incident widely reported in the media last week…"
When the broadcast ended, the senators sat in silence for a long time, digesting what they had heard. Finally, Padme sighed.
"The conflict is escalating."
"But that may serve our purpose," Mon Mothma replied.
Under Amidala's surprised gaze, the red-haired woman continued,
"Now that the CIS has the upper hand, all our talk of reconciliation sounds fictitious. Neither the Trade Federation nor the Techno Union will agree to a peace settlement. However, if the Republic delivers a serious blow to the Separatists—and at that very moment, when the balance of power is evened out—they may become more accommodating. The key is not to miss that moment."
"Yes," Padmé said after quickly weighing the idea. "That way we could end this war. However…"
"We'll have to wait. That's all we can do for now. However..."
Amidala tilted her head expectantly. Mothma glanced around the room—an oddly cautious gesture—and then spoke again, almost in a whisper:
"Before his departure, Bail met with Valorum."
"Finis Valorum?" the Naboo senator asked.
"Exactly. They agreed to meet again when our friend returns from Christophsis. You remember that Palpatine managed to avoid the elections by citing extraordinary circumstances—the Separatist crisis and the outbreak of the war."
"Yes. They were supposed to take place in the eleventh year, but were postponed indefinitely. What are you getting at?"
"Bail hinted that Valorum is ready to openly criticize Palpatine—and to fight for the chancellor's seat."
Amidala grimaced.
"Valorum? I don't trust him."
"I understand. The blockade of Naboo hasn't been forgotten. But… we can't afford to miss this opportunity. Palpatine is concentrating too much power in his own hands. We need to remove him. And besides, Valorum may be the one person capable of ending this war. We need him, Padme."
"It pains me to admit it, but… I agree with you," Amidala said quietly. "We simply don't have another candidate. Our opponents won't follow any of us—but they might vote for him."