“Oh, they will bring much pleasure to those lucky few who make it here.” Toon looked up at the approaching island.

“More than a few,” Soh said calmly, although Stellan could feel the frustration roiling in her belly. “We expect thousands to pass through those gates every day.”

“Thousands compared with the trillions who make up the Republic as a whole.”

“While others, who cannot make the journey, will be able to watch from their home,” Soh continued, indicating the cam droid hovering just above them, recording every moment of the conversation, although Stellan doubted any of this would make the official broadcast.

“Yes,” Toon agreed. “They will sit, huddled together in habs too small for them, watching a flickering image on a holoscreen, safe in the knowledge that their taxes have paid for all this, when they could have paid for so much more.”

Reza’s face had darkened, a flush covering his cheeks. “Senator, I hardly think now is the time—”

“And when would have been the time, Vice Chancellor? On the numerous occasions when I requested meetings with yourself and the chancellor, or when my concerns were dismissed on the Senate floor?”

“Nothing was dismissed,” Soh said firmly. “We listened to every argument regarding the Defense Force Program …”

“And continued without pause or consideration.”

“Because we already have the Republic Defense Coalition.”

“Which is haphazard at best and absent at worst.” Toon raised his hands to signal a pause in the conversation and turned to the Togruta ambassador with well-practiced sympathy written all over his face. “I apologize for any embarrassment this conversation may bring, Your Excellency, but I admit to having my doubts about this venture, doubts I hope and pray will be proved wrong. The fair, I am sure, will be a marvelous success.” Now he acknowledged Samera, who was obviously trying hard not to shatter the datapad clutched tightly in her hands. “And I am also sure that Valo will benefit from the fame and investment, but I cannot help but wonder if, considering the current climate on the frontier, the money could not have been better used to shore up our defenses against the growing Nihil threat.”

The slightest irritation had crept into Soh’s voice when she responded. “As the Senate has been informed … and has accepted on numerous occasions … our security budget has not been affected by the fair …”

“It has not been increased.”

“Nor does it need to be. The Nihil situation is being contained.”

“And the Drengir?”

“Again, the situation is under control. The Jedi are already working with Republic authorities to stop the spread of the Drengir across the sector.”

“That’s not all they are working with, of course,” Toon said, not letting the chancellor reply before turning the conversation back to the ambassador. “Have the Togrutas suffered much at the Nihil’s hands, Your Excellency?”

“Senator Toon—” Soh tried to interject, only to be cut short by Tiss’s reply.