The spacecraft comes out of hyperspace and arrives at Coruscant which, even from orbit, reveals a planet filled with lights and tall spires. Moments later, the ship flies over the endless cityscape of Coruscant. Anakin enters the cockpit and looks out the window in awe, "So this is Coruscant...the capital of the Republic...the entire planet looks like one big city." Captain Panaka nods, "It is."

The ship docks at the Senate landing platform. Supreme Chancellor Valorum, several guards, and Senator Palpatine stand on a landing platform. The sleek Naboo spacecraft lands on the platform high above the street level of the galactic capital. The ramp lowers. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon descend the ramp first and bow before Palpatine and Valorum. Amidala descends the ramp next with Captain Panaka and Padme at either side; Anakin brings up the rear nervously. Palaptine bows before the queen.

"Senator Palaptine. Thank you for your service here."

"It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty," Palpatine tells her, "May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum."

"Welcome, Your Highness. It is an honor to finally meet you in person," the Chancellor bows politely, "I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation. I've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position."

"I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor."

"Let us speak in private," the Chancellor motions for Amidala and her entourage to come inside, then turns to the Jedi "Master Qui-Gon, Padawan Kenobi,... Thank you for your assistance. I trust you have matters elsewhere?"

"We do," Qui-Gon tells him, "We must speak with the Jedi Council immediately, Your Honor. The situation has become more complicated."

"Then I'll leave you to it."

The politians go inside and as Padme enters the Senate tower, she turns and smiles at Anakin who smiles back. A taxi ascends to the platform, ready to take the trio to the Jedi Council. "Is that it?," Anakin asks, "We're just going to leave the queen to settle the dispute herself?" Obi-Wan nods, "For the moment. The Jedi must separate themselves from political matters." The taxi takes them away, over several spires until they reach the Jedi Temple.

Some time later, they pass through a stately hallway. "Master Yoda is the head of the Council," Obi-Wan explains to Anakin, "He instructed me when I was a youngling. Before Master Qui-Gon took me as an apprentice. We will wait outside until Qui-Gon introduces us." They hang back as Qui-Gon proceeds. Twin doors open and Anakin briefly spots twelve Jedi sitting in a semi-circle before the doors close behind him. Qui-Gon stands in the center of the room, facing the Council. The Senior Jedi is Yoda with Mace Windu to his left.

"Master Qui-Gon," Yoda greets, "Pleased we are that you have arrived."

"We are relieved as well, Master Yoda," Qui-Gon greets him.

"We received your transmission," Mace explains, "You believe your padawan encountered a Sith Lord?"

"He wielded a lightsaber with masterful skill and displayed Force-abilities, Master Windu. My only conclusion can be that it was a Sith Lord."

"Impossible!," one of the Jedi council members, Ki-Adi-Mundi, interrupts, "The Sith have been extinct for a millennium."

"The very Republic is threatened, if involved the Sith are," Yoda concurs.

"I do not believe they could have returned without us knowing," Mace adds.

"Hard to see, the dark side is. Discover who this assassin is, we must."

"Whoever he was, it is clear he was sent after Queen Amidala," Qui-Gon explains.

"This attack was with purpose, that is clear, and I agree the Queen is the target," Yoda adds, "With this Naboo queen you must stay, Qui-Gon. Protect her."

"There is one more matter I'd like to address to the Council. May I bring my padawan into this meeting? We have a young man we wish to introduce."

The doors open and both Obi-Wan and Anakin step forward. Obi-Wan bows reverently and Anakin awkwardly bows as well, following suit.

"Much to say, have you, young Obi-Wan?," Yoda asks.

"Yes, Master Yoda. With your permission, of course. I have encountered a divergence in the Force," he motions toward Anakin, "This is Anakin Skywalker. He was born in the Outer Rim as a slave, but he has displayed great potential."

"The Force is strong in him, we can sense it," Ki-Adi-Mundi states plainly, "But what significance is this? Why bring him before the Council?"

"Because this boy was born from the Force itself. He has no father."

"You're referring to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force," Mace states above the low murmur among the Council members, "You believe this boy is the Chosen One?"

"Chosen One?," Anakin whispers in alarm.

"I request the boy be tested," Obi-Wan states, "Finding him was the will of the Force...I have no doubt of that. There is too much happening here."

"Qui-Gon, concur with your padawan, do you?"

"I have instructed Obi-Wan to follow the will of the Force. I believe he is responsible enough now to follow his own destiny. The truth will be revealed in time."

The Jedi all look to one another. They nod and turn back to Obi-Wan. "We will test the boy," Mace concludes. Anakin appears nervous.

Queen Amidala is sitting listening to Palpatine in his quarters. Guards stand at attention along with Captain Panaka but Padme is nowhere to be seen. Palpatine is pacing, "...the Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves and their home systems. There is no interest in the common good...no civility, only politics...its disgusting. I must be frank, Your Majesty, there is little chance the Senate will act on the invasion."

"Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope," she retorts.

"If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now. I recall you saying something about the Trade Federation having allies in the Senate? I believe it was a theory posited by one of the Jedi."

"What options do we have?"

"Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger Supreme Chancellor. One who will take control of the bureaucrats, enforces the laws, and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum."

"He has been our strongest supporter. He was the one who sent the Jedi to negotiate. Is there any other way?"

"Our only other choice would to be to submit a plea to the courts..."

"There's no time for that. The courts take even longer to decide things than the Senate. Our people are dying, Senator...more and more each day. We must do something quickly to stop the Federation."

"Then perhaps it's time for a new Chancellor."