“Sounds like it’s about the same here as everywhere else in the galaxy,” Luke said.
“True,” Tre said. “The point I wished to make, Master Skywalker, is that these differences are not the result of enemy plots or even posturings among political rivals. They are the genuine and honest differences of opinion among the many beings who make up the New Republic. To dismiss any of them as unimportant or unthinking is to insult the honor and integrity of those beings and their cultures.”
“I know,” Luke said. “I’m sure the Senate does, too. The problem is how to reconcile all those differences. Not just over Caamas, but also in a thousand other matters.”
“I do not know how you will succeed,” Tre said. “I only know that it must be done, and that it must be done quickly. Already I have heard the stirrings of genuine anger at the Senate’s inaction on this matter. There are other even more disturbing stirrings: whispered suggestions that the New Republic no longer cares what any world does against its neighbors or adversaries. Even now some are preparing to settle old grievances, while others seek new alliances for protection.”
Luke sighed. “I’ve lost track of how many times the New Republic government has been accused of being too heavy-handed in one crisis or another over the past few years. Now they’re trying to let the sectors and systems do more of their own governing, so of course they’re being accused of doing nothing.”
“Does this surprise you?” Tre asked. “The one truism in all politics is that loud voices will be raised against any decision that is made.”
“Yes,” Luke said, looking down at the flickering lights below.
“Many of those now demonstrating will be gathering later tonight at the ThoughtsAreFreedom tapcafe,” Tre said. “It is on the far side of the Common, at the western corner of the diamond. If you choose to meet with them, they will be pleased to speak their thoughts to you.”
“I’m sure they will,” Luke said, carefully hiding a grimace. “Thank you for taking the time to show, me this.”
“It is my sworn duty to provide information to the leaders of the New Republic,” the Rellarin said gravely. “It is a swearing I take most seriously.”
He placed his fingertips together and inclined his head. “I thank you in turn for your time and attention, Master Skywalker, and I urge you to visit the ThoughtsAreFreedom this night. You will gain much knowledge there.” Inclining his head again, be turned and headed back along the Promenade.
Behind Luke, Artoo whistled softly, and he turned to see the little droid standing up on mechanical tiptoe as he gazed at the lights of the Canyonade below. “It’s impressive, all right,” Luke agreed soberly. “That’s what makes this so hard to deal with. So much of it really is honest differences of opinion.”
Artoo warbled again, his dome swiveling pointedly in the direction of the skyarch to their left the direction they would go to get across the Canyonade and down to the tapcafe Tre had mentioned. “I suppose we ought to go take a look,” Luke said reluctantly. “Though I doubt we’ll get any new information there. It’ll just be more opinions.”
He pushed away from the guardwall and started walking toward the entrance to the skyarch. “If you want real information you have to go to someone like Talon Karrde,” he continued as Artoo rolled alongside like a well-trained pet. “In fact, I’ve been thinking that maybe we ought to try to get in touch with him.”
Artoo made a rude-sounding noise. “I hope that’s for the current attitude toward him on Coruscant,” Luke warned, “and not for Karrde himself. He’s done a lot for the New Republic.”
The droid gave an ambiguous twitter, followed by a remarkably good impression of a pile of coins clinking together. “Yes, I know he’s been paid for his help,” Luke acknowledged. “You might remember that money was the reason Han first got involved with the Rebellion, too, and he’s turned out pretty good.”
They reached the entrance to the skyarch and stepped onto the umbrella-roofed, guardwalled bridge. Like the Rim Promenade itself, the Canyonade’s skyarches were remarkable examples of engineering skill, curving gently and gracefully across the half-kilometer gorge without the benefit of extra supports or suspension cables. The right side of the walkway was finished in a simple nonslip surface, clearly designed for casual strollers or those who wanted to pause and linger over the view of the Canyonade be low. The left side, in contrast, was equipped with a pair of slideways for the serious traveler who merely wished to go from one side to the other.