Chapter 3: Disrupting Communications
Back on the bridge, Tey received a transmission from Naboo's surface. "Sir, a transmission from the planet." She said, opening the transmission. It was from the queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala. "Tis Queen Amidala herself." Haako said. "At last, we are getting results. Again, you come before us, Your Highness." Gunray said, greeting the queen. "You will not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy. Your trade boycott of our planet has ended." Queen Amidala said. "I was not aware of such failure." Gunray said, acting innocent. "I have word that the Chancellor's ambassadors are with you now and that you have been commanded to reach settlement." Queen Amidala said. "I know nothing of any ambassadors. You must be mistaken." Gunray said. "Beware, Viceroy. The Federation has gone too far this time." Queen Amidala said. "We would never do anything without the approval of the Senate. You assume too much." Gunray said. "We will see." Queen Amidala said, ending the transmission.
"She's right. The Senate will never-" Haako tried to say. "It's too late now." Gunray interrupted. "Do you think she suspects an attack?" Haako asked. "I don't know. But we must move quickly to disrupt all communications down there." Gunray said.
Meanwhile, on Naboo's surface, in the palace of Theed, Queen Amidala and her Advisory Council contacted their Senator, Sheev Palpatine, on Coruscant and told him about what Gunray said to her. "Negotiations haven't started because the ambassadors aren't there? How could that be true? I have assurances from the Chancellor his ambassadors did arrive." Palpatine said. Just then, the transmission started to get garbled. "It must- handiwork- negotiate- ambassador- nobody would-" And then the transmission was cut off. "Senator Palpatine. What's happening?" Queen Amidala asked. "Check the transmission generator." Captain Quarsh Panaka, head of Queen Amidala's security, said. One of the other security officers took out a commlink to check the generator. "A communications disruption can mean only one thing: invasion." Sio Bibble, the Governor of Naboo and member of the council, deduced. "The Federation would not dare go that far." Queen Amidala said. "The Senate would revoke their trade franchise, and they'd be finished." Captain Panaka said. "We must continue to rely on negotiation." Queen Amidala said. "Negotiation? We've lost all communications. And where are the Chancellor's ambassadors?" Sio asked. "This is a dangerous situation, Your Highness. Our security volunteers will be no match against a battle-hardened Federation army." Captain Panaka advised. "I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war." Queen Amidala assured.