The Senate chambers are huge. Thousands of senators and their aides sit in the circular assembly area. Chancellor Valorum sits in an elevated area in the center. Hundreds of aides and droids hurry about. Senator Palpatine and Queen Amidala sit in the Naboo congressional box, which is actually a floating platform. Palpatine leans over to the queen, "If the Federation moves to defer the motion...Your Majesty, I beg of you to ask for a 'vote of no confidence'."
"I wish I had your confidence in this, Senator."
"You must force a new election for Supreme Chancellor...I promise you there are many who will support us...it is our best chance... Your Majesty, our only, chance."
"You truly believe Chancellor Valorum will not bring our motion to a vote?"
"He is distracted...he is afraid. He will be of no help."
Valorum rises, "The Chair recognizes the Senator from the sovereign system of Naboo."
The Naboo congressional box floats into the center as Palaptine speaks, "Supreme Chancellor, delegates of the Senate. A tragedy has occurred on our peaceful system of Naboo. We have become caught in a dispute which has now engulfed our entire planet in the oppression of the Trade Federation."
A second box rushes into the center of the Senate. It is filled with Federation trade barons led by the Senator for the Federation, "This is outrageous! I object to the Senator's statements!"
Valorum waves a hand in their direction, "The Chair does not recognize the Senator from the Trade Federation at this time. Please return to your station."
They reluctantly move back to their place. Palaptine continues, "To state our allegations, I present Queen Amidala, the recently elected ruler of Naboo, to speak on our behalf."
Amidala stands and addresses the assembly with some applause, "Honorable representatives of the Republic, distinguished delegates, and Your Honor Supreme Chancellor Valorum, I come to you under the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by the Trade Federation."
"We demand a commission to look into these baseless accusations," the Trade Federation senator speaks out once again, "We have a right according to Republic law!"
"The Chair...," Valorum's aides pull him aside and begin whispering in his ear. Palaptine likewise whispers something to the queen, "Enter the bureaucrats, the true rulers of the Republic, and on the payroll of the Trade Federation, I might add. This is where Chancellor Valorum's strength will disappear."
Valorum returns to his podium, "The point is conceded...Section 523A takes precedence here. Queen Amidala of the Naboo, will you defer your motion to allow a commission to explore the validity of your accusations?"
She is angry but remains composed, "I will not defer...I have come before you to resolve this attack on our sovereignty now. I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee. If this body is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed. I move for a 'vote of no confidence'...in Chancellor Valorum's leadership."
Valorum is stunned. This causes a great stir in the assembly. A loud murmur crescendos into a roar of approval and jeers. The Vice Chair takes over and shouts, 'Order! We shall have order..." Things settle down a little. The Federation box settles next to Amidala. Prince Bail Organa moves his box into the arena, "Alderaan seconds the motion for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum." More and more Senators begin to chant, "Vote now! Vote now!" Palpatine stands next to her proudly, "You see, Your Majaesty, the tide is with us...Valorum will be voted out, I assure you, and they will elect in a new Chancellor, a strong Chancellor, one who will not let our tragedy continue..." Amidala remains stoic as order is restored in the Senate.
Anakin stands in a darkened room in the Jedi Temple. Mace Windu holds a small hand-held viewing screen. In rapid succession, images flash across it and Anakin predicts each image, "A ship...a cup...a speeder." Mace turns the viewing screen off and nods toward Yoda who is seated next to him.
"Good, good, young one," Yoda begins, "How feel you?"
"Cold, sir."
"Afraid are you?"
"No."
"See through you, we can."
"Be mindful of your feelings," Mace begins, "Your thoughts dwell on your mother."
"I miss her. What's that got to do with anything?"
"Everything. A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. I sense much anger in you."
"Slaves tend to get angry a lot. For good reason, I think."
Amidala waits quietly in her quarters. Soon, Captain Panaka enters, "Your Highness, Senator Palpatine has been nominated to succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor."
Palpatine enters the room, "A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. I promise, Your Majesty, if I am elected, the Trade Federation will lose its influence over the bureaucrats, and our people will be freed."
"I fear by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator, there will be nothing left of our cities, our people, our way of life."
"I understand your concern, Your Majesty; unfortunately, the Federation has possession of our planet. The law is in their favor."
"With the Senate in transition, there is nothing more I can do here...Senator, this is your arena. I feel I must return to mine. I have decided to go back to Naboo. My place is with my people."
"Go back? But, Your Majesty, be realistic! You would be in danger. They will force you to sign the treaty."
"I will sign no treaty, Senator. My fate will be no different from that of our people. Captain Panaka, ready my ship and alert our Jedi friends."
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon wait in a garden area. Soon, Mace enters, followed by Yoda who sits atop a hovering chair.
"Correct you were, Obi-Wan," Yoda admits.
Mace concurs, "The Force is strong with him."
"He's to be trained, then?," Obi-Wan asks.
"No. He will not be trained. He is too old. There is already too much anger in him.
"He is the Chosen One...you must see it," Obi-Wan pleads.
Yoda shakes his head, "Clouded, this boy's future is. Masked by his youth".
"I can take him as my apprentice. I am ready for the trials. I can be a Jedi Knight."
"Master Qui-Gon?"
"Obi-Wan has more to learn about the living Force, but I feel he is ready."
"As a Knight, I can choose my apprentice. There is nothing stating it has to be a youngling."
"We will discuss this matter with the Council," Mace tells him, "In the meantime, ...we have received word the Senate is voting for a new Spreme Chancellor. Queen Amidala is returning home, which will put pressure on the Federation, and could widen the confrontation."
"And draw out the Queen's attacker," Yoda adds.
"Go with the Queen to Naboo and discover the identity of the dark warrior. That is the clue we need to unravel this mystery of the Sith."
"Young Skywalker's fate will be decided later," Yoda states finally, "May the Force be with you."