[Book] The Approaching Storm

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THE APPROACHING STORM

ALAN DEAN FOSTER

THE BALLANTINE PUBLISHING GROUP NEW YORK

ISBN 0-345-44300-4

For Shelby Hettinger,

So that everyone will know you're not kidding, From Uncle Alan

A LONG TIME AGO IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY....

STAR WARS 2

"It seems to me that mine is becoming a very important planet, Honorable Shu

Mai."

The president of the Commerce Guild smiled thinly. "Small keys can unlock very

big doors, Senator Mousul."

As they conversed, the dignified quartet strode slowly through the galaxy. Not the

actual galaxy, of course, but an immense, intricately delineated, fully three-

dimensional representation. It filled the entire private chamber. Stars glowed all

around them, enveloping the strollers in a haze of soft, multihued refulgence. By

reaching out and touching a planetary system, a visitor could summon forth a

detailed, encyclopedic description of that system and its individual worlds:

everything from species and population to minute characteristics of flora and fauna,

economic statistics, and future prospects.

One of the strollers was a blue-skinned Twi'lek female who was quiet and

contemplative of aspect. Her companion was a very important and readily

recognizable Corellian industrialist. The president of the Commerce Guild was

short and slender, greenish of skin, with the typical coiffure for females of the Gos-

sam species: a rising, upswept tailing. The fourth member of the group, trailing

elaborate robes woven from the most exotic materials to be found on his

homeworld, was the Senator from the world called Ansion. Despite his high

standing, he looked nervous, like someone afraid of being watched. As for the

Twi'lek and the Corellian, they were clearly master and supplicant- though the

3 THE APPROACHING STORM

second was a very powerful supplicant indeed.

The president of the Commerce Guild halted. With a single, expansive gesture she

encompassed shimmering pinpoints of light representing a thousand worlds and

more. Amazing, she thought, how trillions of sentient beings and entire

civilizations could be reduced to mere specks hovering in a single room. If only the

reality were as easy to organize and manage as was this efficient, luminous

depiction.

Given time and the assistance of carefully nurtured alliances, she reflected

confidently, it would be.

"Your forgiveness, noble lady," the Corellian murmured, "but my associates and I

also do not configure the importance of this world called Ansion."

Shu Mai clapped her hands softly. "Excellent!"

Among her three companions, confusion readily crossed species lines. "You find it

satisfying that we do not see this place's significance?" the female Twi'lek asked.

"Absolutely." A tolerant grin creased the Gossam's face. "If you do not see it, then

neither will our enemies. Pay attention, and I will do more than make it evident-I

will make it visible."

Turning, she reached into the pulsing panoply of worlds and suns to pass the tips of

the fingers of her right hand through a small but centrally located star. With words

and gestures, she proceeded to manipulate the system she had singled out.

In response to her actions, a trio of laser-bright blue lines appeared, linking the first

system to three others. "The Malarian Alliance. On the face of it, one of hundreds

of such casual alliances." Her slim, deft fingers moved again. Yellow lines ap-

peared, tying the first star to six additional systems. "Keitumite Mutual Military

Treaty. Never invoked, but still in force." Her smile widened. She was enjoying

herself. "Now, observe this." Her hands proceeded to play with the surrounding

galographics like a musician strumming an expensive quintolium.

When at last Shu Mai finished, her three companions eyed her triumphant

handiwork in silence. The four visitors were enclosed by a web of lines, straight

and uncompromising: blue, yellow, gold, crimson-all the colors of the spectrum.

Perhaps even, some dared to think, the colors of an empire.

And at the nexus of this web of intensely bright, unwavering lines that represented

outstanding treaties and alliances, pacts and planetary partnerships, lay a single,

suddenly far less insignificant world.

Ansion.

STAR WARS 4

With a wave of one hand and a dismissive word from Shu Mai's lips, the elaborate

network faded. It would not do to have someone not privy to the machinations of

the group walk in unannounced and see what was being discussed. Awkward ques-

tions might ensue.

"Who would have suspected that a world such as this could lie at the center of so

many interlocking treaties?" The blue-skinned female was suitably impressed.

"Precisely the point." Shu Mai inclined her head slightly in the female's direction.

"There are other worlds that occupy comparable positions of strategic importance;

worlds more heavily populated, thoroughly industrialized, and frequently

mentioned as important players when the current unsettled state of affairs within

the Republic is being discussed. In contrast, no one thinks to bring up Ansion. That

is the beauty of it." Steepling her fingers, she glanced significantly at Senator

Mousul.

"If we can get the Ansionians to commit to pulling out of the Republic, no one will

really care. But because of their alliances, their withdrawal should be enough to

sway their already vacillating partners in both the Malarian Alliance and the

Keitumite Treaty to follow. You saw how many other systems are tied, in turn, to

both of those pacts. The effect will be as of an avalanche; starting small, growing

fast, and accelerating of its own accord. By the time the Senate knows what has hit

it, forty systems or more will have withdrawn from the Republic, and we will be

well on our way to solidifying the kind of changes we wish to see come about."

Mousul's fingers clenched tighter and tighter until whiteness showed beneath the

skin. "That will be the spark that we need to propose the passage of extraordinary

measures to cope with the emergency."

The Corellian industrialist was all but dancing with excitement. "It's wonderfully

cunning, this plan you've devised! I know that the interests I represent will agree to

send a force to Ansion immediately, to compel the inhabitants to withdraw from

the Republic." For an instant, Senator Mousul looked alarmed.

"Which is exactly what we do not want them to do," Shu Mai countered sternly.

"As I seem to recall, the Trade Federation already tried something similar

elsewhere. The results were, shall we say, somewhat less than triumphant."

"Yes, well." The Corellian coughed uncomfortably into one hand. "There were

unforeseen complications."

"That continue to resonate to this day." Shu Mai was unrelenting in her tone. "Don't

you see? The beauty of this plan is the seeming insignificance of its linchpin. Send

a fleet, or even a few ships, to Ansion, and you will immediately attract the atten-

tion of those forces that continue to frustrate us. Obviously, that is the last thing we

5 THE APPROACHING STORM

wish. We want the Ansionian withdrawal to appear wholly natural, the result of

internal decisions reached in the absence of external influences." She smiled

benignly at Mousul.

"Will it be?" the Twi'lek asked pointedly.

Shu Mai eyed her approvingly. She would be useful, she knew. As would the

others she had involved-if they could keep their wits about them.

It was Senator Mousul's turn to respond. "Like so many peoples, the Ansionians are

divided as to whether they should remain within the Republic or step outside the

corruption and sleaze that permeate it. Rest assured that there are among its citizens

those who are sympathetic to our cause. I have taken care and expended

considerable political capital to ensure that these elements are appropriately

encouraged."

"How long?" the deceptively soft-voiced Twi'lek wanted to know.

"Before Ansion decides?" The Senator looked thoughtful. "Assuming the internal

divisions continue to widen, I would expect a formal vote on whether to withdraw

from the Republic within half a standard year."

The president of the Commerce Guild nodded approvingly. "At which point we can

look on with satisfaction as those who have been traditionally allied to Ansion

follow suit, and those allied to the allies fall in turn. Surely, as children all of you

played with blocks? There is invariably one key block near the bottom that, if

removed, will cause the entire structure to collapse.

"Ansion is that key. Remove that one block, and the rest of these systems will

crumble." Her thoughts, as well as her gaze, seemed to focus on something outside

the range of vision of her associates. "On the ruins of the old, decrepit Republic

those of us with foresight will build a new political structure, perfect and gleaming.

One without any weak links, free of the moralistic waste that encumbers and slows

the appropriate development of a truly advanced society."

"And who will lead this new society?" The female Twi'lek's voice was tinged with

just a touch of cynicism. "You?"

Shu Mai shrugged modestly. "My interests lie with the Commerce Guild. Who can

say? That is something yet to be determined, is it not? The cause must succeed

before leaders can be chosen. While I admit I would not turn down such a nomina-

tion, I believe there are others who are more qualified. Let us begin with small

things."

"Like this Ansion." Having recovered from the previous mild reproach, the

Corellian's enthusiasm had returned full strength. "What a pleasure it would be,

STAR WARS 6

what a wonderment, to at last be able to conduct business unencumbered by

mountains of superfluous rules, regulations, and restrictions! Those I represent

would be forever grateful."

"Yes, you would at last have the chance to secure the restrictive monopolies you so

devoutly seek," Shu Mai observed dryly. "Don't worry. In return for your political

and financial support, you and those you represent will receive everything they

deserve."

The industrialist was not intimidated. "And of course," he added shrewdly, "this

new political arrangement will open all manner of opportunities to the Commerce

Guild."

Shu Mai gestured modestly. "We are always eager to take advantage of shifting

political realities."

In the midst of mutual congratulations and expectations, she noticed that Senator

Mousul was saying little.

"Something burrows in your thoughts like a worm with indigestion, Mousul. What

is it?"

The Ansionian glanced back at his associate, a look of mild concern on his face.

His large, slightly bulbous eyes stared evenly back at the president of the

Commerce Guild. "You're sure no one else could winnow out the true nature of

these plans for Ansion, Shu Mai?"

"None has thus far," the other replied pointedly.

Mousul straightened to his full height. "I flatter myself that I am intelligent enough

to realize there are those who are smarter than me. They are the ones who concern

me."

Stepping forward, Shu Mai put a reassuring hand on the Senator's shoulder. "You

worry overmuch, Mousul." With her free hand and without regard for tact, Shu Mai

gestured, and the point of light that was Ansion reappeared. "Ansion! Look at it.

Small, backward, unimportant. If queried, I wager not one politician or merchant in

a hundred could tell you anything much about it. No one except those of us in this

room are aware of its potential significance."

Stymied by and angry at the casual venality and suffocating bureaucracy that had

come to rule the Republic-and to complicate his business dealings-the Corellian

industrialist could purchase entire companies and whole territories with a mere

touch of his imprinting finger. But for all his wealth, he could not buy a glimpse

into the future. At that moment, he would have gladly signed over a few billion for

the answers to one or two questions.

7 THE APPROACHING STORM

"I hope you are right, Shu Mai. I hope you are right."

"Of course she is." Having agreed to this meeting somewhat reluctantly, the

Twi'lek was feeling far more confident of the future following their host's detailed

explanation. "I am both impressed and moved by the full scope and subtlety of

President Shu Mai and Senator Mousul's strategy. As they have so eloquently

pointed out, this world is far too unimportant to attract anything in the way of

significant outside attention ..."

STAR WARS 8

"Haja, sweet scent-what're you hiding under that big ol' robe?"

Luminara Unduli did not look up at the large, unshaven, rough-hewn, and

unpleasantly fragrant man or his equally coarse and malodorous companions. She

treated their knowing grins, the eager forward tilt of their bodies, and their leering

eyes with equal indifference-though their collective body odor was somewhat

harder to ignore. Patiently, she raised the spoonful of hot stew to her lips, the lower

of which was stained a permanent purplish black. A series of interlocking black

diamonds tattooed her chin, while more intricate markings decorated the joints of

her fingers. The olive color of her skin contrasted strikingly with the deep blue of

her eyes.

These rose to regard the younger woman who was seated on the other side of the

table. Barriss Offee's attention shifted between her teacher and the men crowding

uncomfortably close around the two of them. Luminara smiled to herself. A good

person, was Barriss. Observant and thoughtful, if occasionally impulsive. For now,

the young woman held her peace, kept eating, and said nothing. A judicious

reaction, the older woman knew. She's letting me take the lead, as she should.

The man who had voiced the impropriety whispered something to one of his

friends. There was a ripple of crude, unpleasant laughter. Leaning closer, he put a

hand on Luminara's cloth-draped shoulder. "I asked you a question, darlin'. Now,

are you gonna show us what's under this lovely soft robe of yours, or d'you want us

to take a peek ourselves?" An air of pheromone-charged expectation had gripped

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THEAPPROACHINGSTORMALANDEANFOSTERTHEBALLANTINEPUBLISHINGGROUPNEWYORKCopyright©2002byLucasfilmLtd.&™.ISBN0-345-44300-4ForShelbyHettinger,Sothateveryonewillknowyou'renotkidding,FromUncleAlanALONGTIMEAGOINAGALAXYFAR,FARAWAY....STARWARS21"Itseemstomethatmineisbecomingaveryimportantplanet,HonorableShuMai...

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[Book] The Approaching Storm

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