On board the Trade Federation's flagship, the Profiteer, were the Neimoidans who controlled the Trade Federation. Communications officer and Pilot for the Profiteer, Tey How was on the bridge. She wore a pair of data goggles over her eyes and vocabulator over her mouth by means of which she communicated with the ship. She piloted the Profiteer under the command of Captain Daultay Dofine.

Also on the bridge was the Viceroy of the Trade Federation, Nute Gunray and Settlement Officer Rune Haako.

Tey How turned round to Rune Haako, "sir!" she called, "we have a transmission coming in from the planet!"

"That would be Queen Amidala," Rune Haako replied, "send her through,"

Rune and Nute Gunray turned to a large screen on the bridge. The face of a young woman, heavily made up with white and a dash of red on her lips, appeared on screen. She wore a dress of red and was surrounded by four handmaidens all dressed in the same orange attire, looking very much like clones of each other.

Nute Gunray walked forward, "again," he said, "you come before me, your highness. The Federation is pleased."

"You shall not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy," Queen Amidala replied, her voice deep and monotone, but still displaying the contempt she had for her Neimoidan captors. "Your Trade boycott of our planet shall not last."

Nute Gunray and Rune Haako exchanged a smirk with each other

"And what," Gunray asked, "makes you suggest that?"

"The Senate shall soon find out what you are doing. They have the Jedi Knights patrolling the whole galaxy. Once the Jedi report your behaviour to the Senate they shall vote on this blockade of yours."

"I take it you know the outcome, then. I wonder why the senate even bother voting?"

"Enough of this pretence, viceroy! The Federation has gone too far this time."

"Your Highness, do you think we would do anything that the Senate does not approve of? You assume far too much."

"She shall see about that," said Queen Amidala, "we shall see." The transmission cut off.

"Sir!" said Tey How, "they have cut the transmission!"

Rune Haako came to a state of unease, "she's right, you know." He said to the Viceroy, "if the Senate find out about this, they would never approve. We would be done for."

"It is too late to turn back now," replied the Viceroy, "we must act quickly!" He turned to the Neimoidan Captain Daultay Dofine, "send more droid battalions!" he ordered, "disrupt all communications down there! Make sure no one escapes the planet and make sure no ships enter the atmosphere!"

Captain Dofine nodded and gestured to the officers. Viceroy Gunray left the bridge.

Gunray went down one of the ship's corridors to a door. He pressed the button on the door panel to open it and then closed it behind him. He was alone in the negotiation room where a nicely polished set of black table and chairs stood.

He got out his holoprojector and placed it on the table. On came the hologram of a figure with his head bowed low and his face concealed with a black cloak.

Gunray bowed his head low, "Lord Sidious," he addressed the figure, "the invasion is going as you planned."

"Good," Lord Sidious drawled slowly with a raspy tone, "I have the Senate bogged down in procedures. By the time this incident comes up for a vote, they will have no choice but to accept your control of the system."

"But the Queen has faith in the Jedi," Viceroy Gunray worried, "and also in the Senate. She thinks the Senate will side with her."

"Naboo is one of thousands of planets to the Republic, They will not notice if Naboo is quiet." Lord Sidious assured the Viceroy, "Nor will the Jedi Council notice that two of their many Jedi Knights are missing." "As for Queen Amidala," he went on, "she is but a child, young and naive, you will find controlling her isn't so difficult. You have done well, Viceroy."

"Thank you, my lord."

Lord Sidious' hologram flickered away.