Star Wars - Darth Plagueis

advance, then it will.”
    Sifo-Dyas grew uneasy. “The Rotunda is an arena even we don’t enter,” he said in a level voice, “except as spectators.”
    Plagueis could not restrain a smile. “But you have, from time to time, been known to lobby.” He continued before Sifo-Dyas or Dooku could answer. “It can be a circus. One thing is certain, however: the Core is not holding. New leadership is needed.”
    “Darus will undoubtedly be elected to another term,” Dooku said.
    Plagueis pretended concern. “Is there no one who can defeat him, Master Dooku?”
    “Frix, possibly. Kalpana—eventually. At present he isn’t strong enough to overcome the special-interest lobbies.”
    Sifo-Dyas’s unease increased. “We are sworn not to take an active role, in any case.”
    “Kalpana would certainly set a different tone,” Plagueis said, “but perhaps an equally risky one. His stance against piratism, smuggling, even slavery is well known. Unfortunately, many of the outer systems survive only because of such practices.”
    “Then those worlds will have to find alternative means,” Sifo-Dyas said.
    Plagueis turned to him. “Without assistance from the Republic? It begins to sound to me as if the Jedi will have their work cut out for them.”
    Sifo-Dyas compressed his lips. “The Judicials and the Jedi will maintain peace.”
    “There’s certainty in your voice,” Plagueis said. “But let me pose a question: If discontent spreads and intersystem conflict breaks out—if member worlds threaten secession, as Serenno threatened in times past—would your loyalties not be divided?”
    “The Republic will be preserved.”
    Plagueis grinned. “Again, that comforting confidence. But suppose the Republic’s goals were not in keeping with the greater good? Suppose conflict grew to become actual schism?”
    The two Jedi traded looks. “In the absence of armies there can be no war,” Dooku said.
    “Are the Jedi not an army—or at least capable of becoming one should the need arise?”
    “We were an army at one time, but our enemies were vanquished,” Sifo-Dyas said with deliberate vagueness. “No matter the extent of the conflict, we would attempt to forge a peace—and without becoming the ruling body you seem to fear.”
    Plagueis didn’t reply immediately. Sifo-Dyas was proving to be even more interesting than Dooku, though in a different way. Only a misguided sense of loyalty to the Jedi Order kept him from giving voice to the real extent of his apprenhensions.
    “And yet you say forge a peace. That has the ring of semantics to it, Master Sifo-Dyas. But for the sake of argument, what if the disaffected systems raised an army? Wouldn’t the Jedi be obligated to serve and protect the Republic?”
    Sifo-Dyas forced an exhale. “From where would these hypothetical armies arise? The outlying systems lack the resources …” Realizing his error, he trailed off.
    Plagueis waited a moment, his satisfaction concealed. “I didn’t mean to suggest that the Republic is purposely depriving the outlying systemsof the right to self-determination. I’m merely speculating, because I do see a growing threat.”
    Dooku regarded him. “You are not alone in seeing it, Magister.”
    “Then one final question, if I may: If attacked, would you counterattack?”
    “The Republic has pledged to remain demilitarized,” Dooku said. “It would militarize only in the instance of a perceived threat.”
    “Once more, you’ve reframed your initial question, Magister Damask,” Sifo-Dyas interrupted, a new fire in his eyes. “You’re hypothesizing an attack on the Jedi Order itself.”
    “I suppose I am,” Plagueis said self-deprecatingly. “I suppose I was thinking of the recent assassination of Senator Vidar Kim. A Jedi was involved, if I’m not mistaken.”
    “That matter is being looked into,” Sifo-Dyas said in a controlled voice. “There’s no evidence to suggest that the Jedi in question was targeted.”
    The silence that followed was broken by the voice of Jocasta Nu, who was summoning the Jedi to the far side of the conference room. Plagueis studied Sifo-Dyas peripherally. While Nu and the others conferred, he thought back to the conversation he’d had with Sidious on Sojourn.
    We will have to exploit their self-righteousness and blind obedience to the Republic , Sidious had said at one point. The Jedi must be made to appear the enemies of peace and justice, rather than the guardians .
    Mulling it over