“Indeed we are, coordinator,” the chancellor said, playing to Rhil’s cam droid. “Let’s sample the delights of the Republic.”

The pod lifted from the ground with the gentle purr of a felinx, the delegates’ chatter shifting from pleasantries to wonder as the full beauty of the park became apparent from the air.

As she had on the ground, Samera pointed out key buildings while they rose, from the awe-inspiring Starlight Pavilion housing treasures from the Archives on Coruscant, Devaron, and the Beacon itself to the fair’s spectacular main gates. Like the sky-islands, what had been dubbed the Unity Arc was a marvel of repulsor technology, twenty-two floating spheres, one for each of the Republic’s Core Founders, forming a majestic arc.

But Stellan’s eye was drawn to the city beyond the gates. Lonisa was already teeming with the thousands of visitors who had arrived early for tomorrow’s opening ceremony. He had never been here before but knew the work that had gone into the city, from the construction of the new spaceport to the east to Valo’s own Jedi Temple, currently in the finishing stages of being rebuilt from its more modest predecessor, like many of the outposts across the frontier. All of life was here on the very edge of Republic space, testament to the rapid expansion of the last few centuries. While Rana Kant would have been the first to remind him that a Jedi thought only of the present, Stellan saw nothing wrong in acknowledging the promise of a bright future. It gave hope, and hope fueled the Force.

Ahead of him, Larep Reza shook his head in wonder. “You said we’d do it,” he told the chancellor, “and you were right.”

“The Republic can do anything,” Soh said proudly, absently ruffling Matari’s crimson head. “Together we are strong, as I hope the Togrutas will come to believe, Ambassador Tiss.”

Tiss acknowledged the comment with a slight bow. “The fair is an amazing achievement, Madam Chancellor. I am sure the regasa will be most impressed.”

Reza and Quo shared a meaningful glance, seizing on the ambassador’s words. If Soh’s gamble to invite Elarec Yovet paid off, her dream of the Togrutas joining the Republic would move one step closer. And yet their cautious smiles vanished as Tia Toon opened his wide mouth.

“Yes, a fortune in galactic credits can do anything. The site is truly impressive, Madam Chancellor, as I always knew it would be. After all, when you spend that much money, anything less would be, shall we say, disappointing.”

“The fair will bring much investment to Valo and the surrounding systems,” Samera cut in. “In fact, it already is. Transport, passage, tourism …”

“Increased security, numerous grants …” Toon said, picking up the litany.

“Do you not feel the credits are well spent?” Ambassador Tiss asked, regarding the Sullustan with eyes the color of a burnt sunset.