Star Wars: Bloodline

by Claudia Gray

“How many Centrist speakers have there been now?” she murmured under her breath to C-3PO, who occasionally accompanied her to record the proceedings—not that there was much worth recording. “Seventeen, all of whom addressed irregular protocol during the dedication ceremony,” C-3PO said with his usual cheer at being able to supply an exact answer. Then he turned his golden head toward her and added, in a lower tone, “I must say, their attention to these points of etiquette seems … excessive.” Leia nearly groaned. C-3PO thought they were overdoing protocol? That was a very bad sign.

“When we redraw the constitution, we can define the First Senator’s authority and safeguard against tyranny.” “Can you?” This came from Princess Leia, whose cheeks were flushed. “Need I remind the honorable members that Palpatine maintained the illusion of the Imperial Senate for nearly twenty years after the Old Republic’s fall? A tyrant can make anything seem to be ‘the will of the people.’ ”