rasalvatore.attackoftheclones-第36章

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gh　the　beast's　skull；　and　turned　to　face　yet　another　leaping　beast。　Falling　back　and　down；　he　let　the　lizard　fly　past；　then　he　came　up　immediately　and　started　to　pursue。　But　abruptly　he　stopped；　reversed　his　grip；　and　stabbed　out　behind　him；　impaling　a　fourth　creature。　He　spun　about；　flipping　the　weapon　from　his　right　hand　to　his　left；　then　slashed　it　out　the　side　of　the　dying　beast　as　he　pleted　his　circuit；　ing　right　around　to　face　the　one　that　had　leapt　past。　The　creature　circled　slowly；　seemingly　sizing　him　up；　and　Obi…Wan　turned　with　it；　but　kept　his　eyes　and　ears　scanning　the　area。
　
　He　tried　to　scare　the　creature　off；　and　with　two　of　its　panions　lying　dead　on　the　rocks　and　a　third　having　gone　over　the　cliff；　he　fully　expected　it　to　flee。
　
　But　not　this　fierce　beast。　It　charged　suddenly；　jaws　snapping。　A　sidestep；　forward　step；　and　overhand　slash　had　the　creature's　head　rolling　free　on　the　ground。
　〃Fun　place；〃　the　Jedi　remarked　after　a　while；　when　he　was　confident　that　no　more　of　the　creatures　were　about。　He　put　his　weapon　away　and　moved　along；　and　soon　after　rounded　the　corner　of　the　mesa。
　
　A　great　plain　spread　out　wide　before　him　with　many　tall　shapes　in　the　far　distance；　indistinguishable　in　the　darkness。　Obi…Wan　took　out　his　electrobinoculars　and　peered　across　the　plain。　He　saw　a　cluster　of　great　towers…not　natural　stalagmites　like　those　he　had　seen　dotting　the　landscape；　but　shaped　structures。　A　roll　of　his　finger　increased　the　magnification；　of　both　size　and　available　light；　and　he　scanned　slowly　to　the　side。
　
　Trade　Federation　starships；　scores　of　them；　lined　the　region；　settled　on　platforms。　The　Jedi　watched　in　amazement　as　another　platform　rose　beside　one　ship　and　thousands　of　Battle　Droids　stepped　off　it　and　into　the　vessel；　which　then　lifted　away。
　
　And　was　quickly　replaced　by　another　starship；　settling　down　on　the　platform。
　
　Another　platform　rose　to　the　side；　and　again；　thousands　of　droids　stepped　off　to　board　the　waiting　starship；　and　that　one；　now　filled　with　droid　soldiers；　lifted　away。
　〃Unbelievable；〃　the　Jedi　muttered　and　he　looked　to　the　eastern　horizon；　trying　to　gauge　the　amount　of　time　he　had　before　dawn；　wondering　if　he　could　make　the　run　before　the　light　found　him。
　
　Not　if　he　had　to　slowly　work　his　way　down　the　mesa；　he　realized；　and　so　he　shrugged　and　stepped　ahead；　closing　his　eyes　and　finding　his　power　in　the　Force。　Then　he　leapt　out；　lifting　himself　with　the　Force　to　ease　his　descent。　He　hit　a　bluff　many　feet　down；　but　sprang　away　and　fell　again；　and　again；　half　bouncing；　half　flying　his　way　down　to　the　dark　plain。
　
　The　sun　was　still　below　the　eastern　rim；　though　the　land　was　beginning　to　lighten　around　him；　when　he　reached　the　grandest　tower　of　the　plex。　The　entryway　was　heavily　guarded　by　battle　droids；　but　Obi…Wan　had　no　intention　of　going　anywhere　near　that　area。　Using　the　Force　and　his　own　conditioning；　the　Jedi　scaled　the　tower；　until　he　came　to　a　small　window。
　
　He　slipped　in　silently　and　moved　from　shadow　to　shadow；　then　ducked　behind　a　wind　curtain　as　he　heard　the　approach　of　a　pair　of　strange…looking　creatures…Geonosians；　he　supposed。　They　wore　little　clothing；　and　their　skin　was　reddish；　like　the　air　about　them；　with　flaps　hanging　in　rolls　in　many　places　about　their　slender　frames。　Leathery　wings　showed　behind　their　bony　shoulders。　Their　heads　were　large　and　elongated；　their　skulls　ridged　top　and　side；　and　they　had　thick…lidded；　bulbous　eyes。　Their　expressions　seemed　to　be　locked　in　a　perpetual　scowl。　〃Too　many　sentients；〃　he　heard　one　of　them　say。　〃It　is　not　your　place　to　question　Archduke　Poggle　the　Lesser；〃　the　other　scolded；　and　grumbling；　the　pair　wandered　away。
　
　Obi…Wan　moved　out　behind　them；　going　the　opposite　way。　He　slipped　from　shadow　to　shadow　along　a　narrow　corridor　lined　with　pillars。　He　couldn't　help　but　see　the　contrast　between　this　place　and　Tipoca　City。　Where　Tipoca　City　was　a　work　of　art；　all　rounded　and　smooth；　all　glass　and　light；　this　place　was　rough…edged；　all　sharp　corners　and　utilitarian　features。
　
　The　Jedi　moved　along；　ing　to　an　open　vent；　sharp　noises　and　pounding　echoing　up　from　it。　He　dropped　to　the　ground　and　looked　all　about；　then　crawled　and　peered　over　the　edge。
　
　A　factory；　a　huge　alignment　of　conveyor　belts　and　pounding　machines；　lay　below；　in　a　wide…open　area。　Obi…Wan　watched　in　blank　amazement　as　many；　many　Geonosians…these　without　wings　like　the　pair　that　had　walked　past　him…　worked　at　various　stations　assembling　droids。　At　the　far　end　of　the　conveyor；　pleted　droids　stepped　off　under　their　own　power；　walking　away　down　a　distant　corridor。
　
　To　platforms　that　would　lift　them　to　waiting　Trade　Federation　starships；　the　Jedi　realized。
　
　With　a　shake　of　his　head；　Obi…Wan　ran　along；　and　then　he　sensed　something；　fleeting　but　definite。　He　followed　his　instincts　along　the　maze　of　corridors；　at　last　ing　to　a　vast　underground　chamber；　with　huge　vaulted　ceilings　and　rough…styled　arches。　He　started　across；　moving　pillar　to　pillar；　sensing　that　something　or　someone　was　near。
　
　He　heard　their　voices　before　he　saw　them；　and　he　fell　flat　against　the　stone。
　
　A　group　of　six　figures　walked　past　him；　four　in　front　and　two　behind。　Two　Geonosians　were　in　that　front　row；　along　with　a　Neimoidian　viceroy　whom　Obi…　Wan　knew　all　too　well　and　a　man　whose　features　were　also　recognizable　from　busts　the　Jedi　had　seen　in　the　Temple　on　Coruscant。
　〃Now　we　must　persuade　the　merce　Guild　and　the　Corporate　Alliance　to　sign　the　treaty；〃　that　former　Jedi；　Count　Dooku；　was　saying。　The　man　was　tall　and　regal；　with　perfect　posture　and　a　graceful　gait。　His　hair　was　silver　and　perfectly　trimmed　and　his　elegant　features；　strong　jaw；　and　piercing　eyes　pleted　the　look　of　a　man　who　had　once　been　among　the　greatest　of　the　Jedi。　He　wore　a　black　cape；　clipped　at　his　neck　by　a　silver　chain；　and　a　black　shirt　and　pants　of　the　finest　materials。　In　looking　at　him；　in　feeling　his　presence；　Obi…Wan　understood　that　nothing　less　would　ever　suit　this　one。
　〃What　about　the　Senator　from　Naboo？〃　asked　the　Neimoidian；　Nute　Gunray；　his　beady　eyes　and　thin　features　seeming　smaller　still　beneath　the　tripronged　headdress　he　always　wore。　〃Is　she　dead　yet？　I'm　not　signing　your　treaty　until　I　have　her　head　on　my　desk。〃
　
　Obi…Wan　nodded；　huge　pieces　of　the　puzzle　starting　to　fall　into　place。　It　made　sense　to　him　that　Nute　Gunray　would　want　Amidala　dead；　even　if　her　voice　of　opposition　to　an　army　of　the　Republic　was　working　in　his　favor。　Amidala　had　embarrassed　the　Neimoidian　badly　in　the　Battle　of　Naboo；　after　all。
　〃I　am　a　man　of　my　word；　Viceroy；〃　one　of　the　separatists　answered。
　〃With　these　new　battle　droids　we've　built　for　you；　Viceroy；　you'll　have　the　finest　army　in　the　galaxy；〃　said　the　Geonosian　whom　Obi…Wan　believed　to　be　Poggle　the　Lesser。　He　didn't　look　much　like　the　winged　moners　and　workers　Obi…Wan　had　seen。　His　skin　was　lighter；　more　a　grayish　tan　than　red…　tinted；　and　his　head　was　huge；　his　large　scowling　mouth　protruding　just　a　bit；　giving　him　a　fierce　appearance；　an　elongated　chin　that　seemed　more　a　long　beard　hung　halfway　down　his　torso。
　
　They　continued　their　banter；　but　had　moved　out　of　earshot　by　then；　and　Obi…　Wan　didn't　dare　step　out　to　follow。　They　moved　across　the　way；　through　an　archway　and　up　a　flight　of　stairs。
　
　After　a　short　pause　to　make　sure　they　were　well　along；　Obi…Wan　rushed　out；　peeking　through　to　the　stairs；　then　crept　up　them；　ing　to　a　narrow　archway　overlooking　a　smaller　room。　Inside；　he　saw　the　six　who　had　passed；　along　with　several　others；　notably　three　opposition　Senators　the　Jedi　recognized。　First　came　Po　Nudo　of　Ando；　an　Aqualish　who　looked　as　if　he　was　wearing　a　helmet　with　great　goggles；　but　was　not；　of　course。　Beside　him　sat　neckless　Toonebuck　Toora　of　Sy　Myrth；　with　her　rodentlike　head　and　wide　mouth；　and　the　Quarren　Senator　Tessek；　his　face　tentacles　waggling　anxiously。　Obi…Wan　had　met　this　trio　before；　back　on　Coruscant。
　
　Yes；　he　realized；　it　seemed　he　had　walked　into　the　center　of　the　hive。
　〃You　have　met　Shu　Mai？〃　Count　Dooku；　seated　at　the　head　of　the　table；　asked　the　three　Senators。　〃Representing　the　merce　Guild。〃　Across　the　way；　Shu　Mai　nodded　deferentially。　Her　delicate　and　gray；　wrinkled　head　was　set　on　a　long　neck　and　her　most　striking　feature；　aside　from　long　and　pointy　horizontal　ears；　was　a　hairstyle　that　looked　much　like　a　skin…covered　horn；　protruding　out　the　back　of　her　skull；　rising　up　and　curving　forward。
　〃And　this　is　San　Hill；　distinguished　member　of　the　InterGalactic　Banking　Clan；〃　Dooku　went　on；　indicating　a　creature　with　the　longest　and　narrowest　face　Obi…Wan　had　ever　seen。
　
　Those　gathered　about　the　table　murmured　their　greetings；　nodded　to　each　other；　for　many　moments；　and　then　they　went　silent；　all　eyes　settling　on　Count　Dooku；　who　seemed　to　Obi…Wan　in　plete　control　here；　even　above　the　Archduke　of　the　planet。
　〃As　I　explained　to　you　earlier；　I'm　quite　convinced　that　ten　thousand　more　systems　will　rally　to　our　cause　with　your　support；〃　the　Count　said。　〃And　let　me　remind　you　of　our　absolute　mitment　to　capitalism　。。。　to　the　lower　taxes；　the　reduced　tariffs；　and　the　eventual　abolition　of　all　trade　barriers。　Signing　this　treaty　will　bring　you　profits　beyond　your　wildest　imagination。　What　we　are　proposing　is　plete　free　trade。〃　He　looked　to　Nute　Gunray；　who　nodded。
　〃Our　friends　in　the　Trade　Federation　have　pledged　their　support；〃　Count　Dooku　went　on。　〃When　their　battle　droids　are　bined　with　yours；　we　shall　have　an　army　greater　than　anything　in　the　galaxy。　The　Republic　will　be　overwhelmed。〃
　〃If　I　may；　Count；〃　said　one　of　the　others；　one　of　the　two　who　had　trailed　Dooku　to　the　room。
　〃Yes；　Passel　Argente；〃　Count　Dooku　said。　〃We　are　always　interested　in　hearing　from　the　Corporate　Alliance。〃
　
　The　huddled　and　nervous　man　offered　a　slight　bow　to　Dooku。　〃I　am　authorized　by　the　Corporate　Alliance　to　sign　the　treaty。〃　〃We　are　most　grateful　for　your　cooperation；　Magistrate；〃　Dooku　said。
　
　Obi…Wan　recognized　that　exchange　for　what　it　was；　a　play　for　the　benefit　of　the　other；　less　enthusiastic；　people　at　the　table。　Count　Dooku　was　trying　to　build　some　momentum。
　
　That　momentum　hit　a　bit　of　a　bump　a　moment　later；　though；　when　Shu　Mai　piped　in。　〃The　merce　Guild　at　this　time　does　not　wish　to　bee　openly　involved。〃　However；　she　smoothed　it　over　immediately。　〃But　we　shall　support　you　in　secret；　and　look　forward　to　doing　business　with　you。〃
　
　Several　chuckles　erupted　about　the　table；　and　Count　Dooku　only　smiled。
　〃That　is　all　we　ask；〃　he　assured　Shu　Mai。　Then　he　looked　to　the　distinguished　member　of　the　Banking　Clan；　and　all　the　other　gazes　settled　on　San　Hill；　as　well。
　〃The　InterGalactic　Banking　Clan　will　support　you　wholeheartedly；　Count　Dooku；〃　San　Hill　declared。　〃But　only　in　a　nonexclusive　arrangement。〃
　
　Obi…Wan　settled　back；　trying　to　sort　out　the　implications　of　it　all。　Count　Dooku　had　it　all　falling　together　here；　a　threat　beyond　anything　the　Republic　had　expected。　With　the　money　of　the　bankers　and　the　mercial　and　trade　guilds　behind　him；　and　this　factory…and　likely　many　others　like　it…　churning　out　armies　of　battle　droids；　the　potential　danger　was　staggering。　Was　that　why　Sifo…Dyas　had　missioned　the　clone　army？　Ha