On Geonosis, Obi-Wan arrives at the head of the trail. Far below, a flat plain stretches into the distance. He stops, peering into the darkness, where strange shapes loom indistinctly, then he takes a pair of electronic binoculars from his belt and puts them to his eyes. He sees a cluster of great towers like fantastic stalagmites rise from the plain below. A line of Battle Starships come into view. OBI-WAN touches the viewfinder. Between fifty and a hundred Federation Starships in near rows. Some are on platforms that are carrying them down to an underground facility. Other platforms are rising to the surface. They carry battle droids that step off and file into the waiting ships. A fully loaded Starship takes off.

He brings out his comlink once more, "R4, relay another message. Coruscant. Care of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. I have located the bounty hunter to the planet Geonosis."

In Palpatine's chambers, he sits alongside Senator Organa, Yoda, and Mace Windu, "...Starships from the Trade Federation are taking deliveries of battle droids from the foundries here."

"That's outrageous!," Bail thumps the desk, "The treaty forbids the Trade Federation from building up an army. What are they doing?"

"They seem to be ignoring their treaty," Obi-Wan explains, "I am going to go down and investigate. I will bring Jango Fett back to the Senate for interrogation."

"The Geonosians have considered joining the Seperatists for some time," Palaptine explains, "We will call in their representatives and ask them a few very pointed questions."

"One more thing. Jango mentioned he was recruited by someone named Darth Tyranus. Any idea who that might be?"

"With the forename Darth, a Sith he must be," Yoda explains, "Perhaps this is the Sithlord we have been tracking."

"The missing apprentice would not be far behind. The Sith is playing their hand at last."

"Too many pieces are missing from this puzzle, there are."

"Be careful, Obi-Wan. This investigation is becoming less than routine. Do you need help?"

"Let me see if I can figure out what's going on first, Master Windu."

The hologram of Obi-Wan fades off. Palpatine stares at the spot where the hologram was in disbelief.

"The Separatists are preparing for war," Bail exclaims, "... There can be no doubt of that. Which means Count Dooku must be behind this."

"We must stop them soon before they're fully ready," Mace adds, "Especially if they are in league with the Sith."

"I hate to say this, but we need that clone army now," Bail states solemnly, "But the Senate will never be able to approve the use of that army before the Separatists attack," he contemplates briefly, "This is a crisis! If the Senate votes the Chancellor emergency powers, he could approve the use of the army in a minute."

Palpatine seems alarmed, "Please, please, I don't wish to have emergency powers. That's too extreme a solution. It's akin to a dictatorship. We must rely on the Jedi. Master Yoda, how many are available to go to Geonosis?"

Yoda seems disturbed, "Two Hundred,... less or more."

"With all due respect for the Jedi Order, two hundred will be no match for hundreds of thousands of battle droids," Bail adds.

"If only Senator Amidala were here," Palpatine sighs.

On Tatoonie, Anakin arrive son his speeder bike to the Lars homestead. It's morning now. He takes the bound body of Shmi and carries it solemnly to the homestead. In the field, Owen and Beru watch him with sadness. He says nothing to them. Sometime later, he sits silently in a garage area. Padme comes in and wraps her arms around him.

"My mother was the reason I became a Jedi," Anakin says sadly, "She's gone now and... I've failed her."

"You didn't."

"I failed her by failing at being a Jedi," Anakin stands, "I keep going against my vows. I've abandoned my post, I tried to be with you,... and I've taken revenge."

"You stopped those creatures from hurting anyone else."

"It wasn't about justice. It was about revenge. That is something no Jedi should ever consider."

She rises and takes his hands in hers, "Remember when the Trade Federation invaded my planet? I went against the wishes of the Senate and I fought to reclaim what was mine. I learned in that moment that sometimes doing the right thing... means breaking the rules. I'm sure your mother would agree. She supported you... Obi-Wan Kenobi still supports you... and I support you."

She leans in and kisses him. He returns the kiss. This time, they do not stop.

Back in the Senate, Bail Organa address his fellow senators with C3P0 and R2D2 by his side, "Supreme Chancellor... my august colleagues,... It is with great reluctance and consideration that I propose the motion in question. This is a grave situation and I'm sure Senator Amidala would agree if she were with us today. In the past, I have spoken out against waging war but it seems it is now inevitable. The Seperatists are preparing for an attack. By giving Supreme Chancellor Palpatine emergency powers, we can move swiftly, eliminating this threat before it becomes any worse. I move to give Supreme Chancellor Palpatine this power in our darkest hour, although temporary." Several senators applaud and one speaks up, "I second Senator Ogana's motion!" Palaptine waves at the crowd, calling them into order. Everyone falls silent as he speaks, "If called upon, I will serve. But it will be the saddest day of my life. I love democracy. I love the Republic. As I have vowed to serve the Senate, I will take these powers only if it is the will of the Senate to do so. And I promise, when this crisis is over, I will step down immediately and relinquish control back to the Republic." The Senate erupts in more applause.

Obi-Wan sneaks into the secret base, hiding on a ledge as he spots Nute Gunray and other Trade Federation officers sitting at a table with other alien leaders, including Geonosians: insect-like humanoids with wings. "I see our host has not arrived," Nute complains as he takes a seat.

"I was overseeing our droid shipments," an older man in a red cloak emerges from a sliding door with Jango Fett at his side, "If we are to make a full scale attack on the Republic, I want everything in proper order."

"We are pleased you are taking such great interests," Nute Gunray bows politely, "It is an honor as usual, Count Dooku."

"Count Dooku?," Obi-Wan whispers to himself.

"I warned you against using that name, Viceroy."

"My apologies,... Darth Tyranus."

Dooku sits and motions toward the bounty hunter, "Jango Fett has informed me that a Jedi followed him here. He believes the Jedi was killed but I have my suspicions. We must be extra cautious."

The Geonosian general speaks up, "A single Jedi will be no match for my battalion."

"If one Jedi knows the location of this base, I assure you, the Jedi Council and the armies of the Republic will soon follow. Remember, I know how they think."

"Are you sure?"

Another leader chimes in, "He's a Jedi. He knows how they operate."

"I was a Jedi!," Dooku grows angry, "I now serve only the Sith."

"Speaking of the Sith," Nute Gunray begins, "Where is Darth Sidious?"

"He does not speak to his underlings in person. He has sent his apprentice to speak for him. That should suffice."

Obi-Wan moves away from the ledge and goes through a door to a sewage area with many pipes. He places his comlink on the ground and begins another message, "R4, send an urgent message to Anakin Skywalker," as he speaks a shadowy figure skulks along the pipes above, "Anakin... I have learned the identity of Padme's assassin. He is working for Count Dooku who has joined the Sith and is leading an attack against the Republic. I have sent my coordinates to you. You must warn the Jedi Council!" The figure drops behind Obi-Wan with a loud CLANG as a metal hand hits the ground. He turns and the metal hand strikes him across the face, rendering him unconscious. Darth Maul stands over him, clenching a cybernetic hand in anger.