“I arrived earlier today. I have a number of meetings to attend before the festivities begin. One of the benefits of the fair. So many visiting dignitaries. Perfect for business.”

“Business of the Senate or the SoroSuub Corporation?” Reza asked with ill-disguised venom.

Toon didn’t seem ruffled by the vice chancellor’s tone. “Both,” he admitted pleasantly. “I am here to represent my people and the Republic.”

“And this is—?” Quo inquired, giving the Orzrelanso the most damning of side-eyed glances.

“My personal secretary, Ratko.”

Quo didn’t pretend to hide his incredulity. “Your secretary? Isn’t he a little … big?”

The Sullustan looked shocked. “Big? Whatever are you suggesting, Norel?”

That was obvious to them all. Ratko had security guard written all over him.

Fortunately, Samera jumped in, trying her best to avoid fireworks while also steering the proceedings back to her schedule. “We would be happy for you to join us, Senator. You and your, um, associate. In fact, we have repulsorpods waiting for us all.” The coordinator turned, indicating a number of hoverbuggies, similar in design to the pods used by representatives in the Senate chamber on Coruscant although each of these was staffed by a discreet pilot droid built into the chassis itself. “Those vando wraps won’t eat themselves.”

Reza tried his best to guide Lina Soh away from Tia Toon, but the Sullustan wouldn’t take the hint, attaching himself to the chancellor like a mynock to a fuel line. Reza glanced up, finding Stellan’s eye. The implication was clear—stay close. Surely Reza didn’t consider Toon a threat, physical or otherwise. There was the Orzrelanso, of course, with his long prehensile lobes and ridged forehead, but Stellan could sense no malice from the giant, intimidating as he was. Nonetheless, Stellan maneuvered himself so he joined the chancellor in her pod. Behind him, Elzar was already leading the Togruta ambassador to the second pod along with Nib and the other Jedi, all of whom had read the situation perfectly. Rhil Dairo joined the remaining dignitaries and officials in the third and final pod, although her cam droid still hovered above them all, taking footage from all angles. Stellan reached out with the Force, noting that Elzar was doing the same, ascertaining if there was any real danger. Their eyes met and Elzar nodded subtly, obviously having come to the same conclusion. Toon was an irritant, nothing more, the heightened anxiety in the group due to the worry that he would turn what should be a pleasant lunch into another opportunity to push his DFP agenda.

The fears were only heightened when Lina Soh turned around and called for Ambassador Tiss to join them at the front. Elzar was forced to stay in the second pod as the Togruta accepted the invitation, Senator Toon grinning from jowl to jowl.

“Excellent,” Samera said, doing her best to ignore the worried looks from her colleagues. “Is everyone ready?”