Darth Plagueis

by James Luceno

“There will be no Republic military,” Valorum was saying, having taken Argente’s bait. “The Ruusan Reformations must be upheld. A military force has to be financed. Taxes imposed on the outlying systems would only add to their burden and lead to talk of secession.” “Then let the Core Worlds pay!” someone seated below Palpatine shouted. “The Core has no need of a military force!” the Kuati Senator responded. “We know how to live in peace with one another!” “Why are the Jedi unable to serve as a military?” the Senator from Ord Mantell asked. Valorum turned to look at him. “The Jedi are not an army, and they number too few, in any case. They intercede at our request, but also at their own discretion. Furthermore, the Order has seen more deaths in the past twelve years than it saw in the previous fifty. Yinchorr is fast shaping up to be another Galidraan.”