Episode III: Attack of the Clones

Dramatis Personae

Anakin Skywalker; Jedi Padawan (Human male)

Antellica Grievous; Handmaiden of Senator Amidala (Human female)

Arica Grievous; Handmaiden of Senator Amidala (Human female)

Count Dooku; Political Leader of the Confederacy of the Independent Systems (Human male)

Darth Lady Baynetta; Sith Knight (Human female)

Darth Sidious; Dark Lord of the Sith (Human male)

Darth Tyranus; Sith Apprentice (Human male)

Dorme Travelen; Servant at the Amidala Lake Estate (Human female)

Gregar Typho; Head of the Naboo Royal Security Forces (Human male)

Jar Jar Binks; Junior Representative of Naboo (Gungan male)

Ki-Adi-Mundi; Jedi Master (Cerean male)

Kit Fisto; Jedi Master (Nautolan male)

Leslie Dayaden; Servant at the Amidala Lake Estate (Human female)

Lizzie Dayaden; Servant at the Amidala Lake Estate (Human female)

Obi-Wan Kenobi; Jedi Master (Human male)

Mace Windu; Jedi Master (Human male)

Mas Amedda; Vice Chair of the Senate (Chagrian male)

Nute Gunray; Viceroy of the Trade Federation (Neimoidian male)

Padme Amidala; Senator of the Chommel Sector, Representative of Naboo (Human female)

Palpatine; Supreme Chancellor of the New Galactic Republic (Human male)

R2-D2; Astromech Droid

Yoda; Jedi Master (male unknown tridactyl species)

Chapter 1: The Return and Beginning of Chaos

Year 3, New Galactic Republic Era (NRE)

The assassination attempts Darth Lady Baynetta, currently aged 24, foresaw upon becoming Senator of the Chommel Sector in 5 NRE started approximately a year and half to two years afterwards. Around the same time former ex-Jedi Knight/Political Idealist Count Dooku of Serenno began to start uproar in the galaxy with the creation of the Separatists Movement.

The Separatists Movement was an organization for different star systems and corporations which no longer wanted anything to do with the New Republic and thought that should be started over again because it'd grown too corrupt.

In the decades prior to this, the New Republic was seen by many as a failing government, plagued by corruption and mindless bureaucracy that stifled the voices of many constituents represented in the Galactic Senate. Secession grew during the period following the Naboo Crisis, and the commerce guilds became disillusioned with the New Republic after the law was passed to place taxation on all trade routes to outlying star systems.

In this critical situation stepped Count Dooku, a former Jedi Master who had become disillusioned with the Republic and Jedi Order that served it. This charismatic figure stirred up anti-Republic sentiments on many worlds, paving the way for a rebellion against the government. A loose affiliation of separatists was formed, with Dooku at their head, pushing for a new government to take the place of the stagnant Republic. Eventually, this Separatist movement established itself as the Confederacy of the Independent Systems, a body formally opposed to the Galactic Republic. And although the Republic recognized that many of its member worlds were in rebellion, it refused to formally acknowledge the existence of the CIS as their common government, deeming that doing so would legitimize it.

Before these attempts of death started, however, the Senator/Sith Lady was informed of who was behind them: Viceroy Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation. He'd just gotten out of jail and joined the Separatists, wanting revenge against the former Naboo Queen for all she'd done to him; putting he and his aide in the slammer. Padme was mildly humored upon learning this and welcomed the attacks. However, after two unsuccessful attempts on the young woman's life, the Supreme Chancellor suggested she return to Coruscant.

With all the violence being caused by the Separatists across the galaxy, the Senate had been debating over the matter of a 'Creation of a Grand Army of the Republic' to assist the overwhelmed Jedi for about a year now. The only problem was while a large majority of the Senate applauded this idea for as long as it'd been first brought forth, other Senators – like Amidala for instance – opposed and looked down on this solution. Senator Amidala began to lead an opposition against this idea soon after it was conceived, with more and more Senators joining her campaign by the day. Though the Separatists seemed to be preparing for war, Amidala didn't feel the Republic needed an army. "The Jedi are our protectors," was her argument. "They don't need assistance."

In light of the assassination attempts, the present Naboo Queen, Jamilla, sent her head of security, Captain Gregar Typho, (Panaka made an early retirement when Amidala stepped down from the throne) with the Senator when she returned to Coruscant, along with some of other security. Amidala's handmaidens – Antellica Grievous, Arica Grievous, and her decoy, Corde Star – also came.

The journey to the capital was well enough, but to ensure security, the Senator and her decoy were in opposite positions. While Corde traveled on the Senator's immense star cruiser posing as her mistress, Amidala herself traveled in one of the two starfighters which flanked the ship on either side as a security pilot named Verse.

The trio of ships landed smoothly onto one of Coruscant's public landing platforms located near the Galactic Senate Building, and the occupants of the star fighters deboarded first to secure the area. Only once it was deemed safe by Amidala and Typho did Corde, with a flank of guards in tow, exit the cruiser. But it would seem Amidala and Typho didn't secure the area enough, for just as Corde and entourage were halfway down the ship's boarding ramp an explosion erupted, knocking everyone whom was within a ten-meter radius off their feet. Padme had sensed a disturbance a split second before it happened, but could do nothing to stop it as she, along with everyone else, was thrown onto the ground.

Rising to a stand, the Sith Lady saw that half her ship had been destroyed. Yet she didn't care about the ship; she had plenty others back home. Her only concern was that the Grievous twins, who had not accompanied Corde down the ramp for some reason, were hopefully all right. One search within the Force for their signatures assured her the two were alive and well, somewhere in the back of the ship. Corde, however, was a different story. Her signature was fading rapidly.

Padme ran to the deathly still form of her decoy handmaiden, which was lying within some of the rubble of the ship. Kneeling beside her, she turned the young brunette haired woman over from her side. "Corde!"

The decoy opened her eyes and looked up sadly. "Milady," she acknowledged softly, her life Force continuing to dwindle with speed. "I'm so sorry. I failed you Senator." And with one last breath, she died.

Captain Typho was by Amidala's crouched side almost instantly. "Milady, you're still in danger here. We must get you to the Republic Executive Building immediately."

Giving one last look at her fallen handmaiden, the Senator gave a brisk nod and stood up, proceeding to follow Typho toward the nearby waiting shuttle that would take them to the large domed building which was also sometimes known as the Senate Office Building or Executive Annex Dome. Glancing back briefly at her ruined ship, she saw Antellica and Arica running after them. In the shuttle, she learned from the two that besides being a bit shaken and out of breath, they were thankfully fine.

The New Republic Executive Building (REB) was located at the rear of the Senate Building. The annex dome was designed to complement the Senate Building, due to their similar appearances. The building was built to alleviate the cramped office conditions in the Senate Building. The Chancellor's Suite was located towards the top of the building, from which the Supreme Chancellor conducted meetings with Senators and members of the Jedi High Council among others.

The Executive Building featured an expansive, multi-level landing dock near the top of the dome. Executive shuttles, speeders, and gunships docked here for meetings with the occupants of the Senate offices. It was here that Amidala's shuttle docked. Attendant droids, load-lifters, and pilot automatons were on hand to assist Republic officials. Larger vessels, such as diplomatic cruisers, star skiffs, and light stock freighters, could dock in some of the larger landing bays. From the dock, visitors walked through a huge, column-lined hall to reach the executive offices. The building also had a atrium at its top.

It was through here that the entourage of four entered the building and rushed into Amidala's office on the second level. The unique thing about each Senate office that every representative held was how like the Senator's homeworld the office was. They were each designed to reflect the likeness of the worlds to give its occupant a sense of familiarity when away from home for lengths at a time. As such, Amidala's office was filled with pools of water and fountains, grassy designs of hills and plains, and tiny swamps in a moss forest of miniature trees.

While Typho covered the entrance, the Senator and her two remaining handmaidens dashed through the main office, with no look at its beautiful design, and into the office's changing room. Inside, Antellica and Arica helped their mistress change out of her security personnel uniform and into one of her many packed senatorial gowns. None of the three were upset about Corde dying. On the contrary, they were pleasured by it as neither of the three had ever liked the decoy much to begin with. For it was as Padme told the smirking thirteen-year-old sisters, "She served her purpose, and did it well."

Finishing up, the trio joined Typho and left the REB in their private shuttle with the destination in question being the Galactic Senate Building, or as it was sometimes known, the Senate Rotunda. Walking the Avenue of the Core Founders – a flat concourse that was lined with tall, thin humanoid statues and led to the Great Door of the Senate Dome – after arrival, they then proceeded into the Senate Building itself and from there the Grand Convocation Chamber, where Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's voice could be heard addressing the gathered politicians within.

Upon arriving inside the vast arena, the foursome climbed into their assigned repulsorpod. Naboo's Junior Associate Planetary Representative, Jar Jar Binks, was already seated therein.

The Gungan had acquired this job late last year at the retirement of former longtime Junior Representative Agustis Lambshaw at the tender age of twenty. When Amidala first learned of Binks' campaign for the office, she openly scoffed, as it was her belief that he didn't acquire enough political experience to qualify. However, the people of Naboo must've thought differently, for he'd gotten the job much to Padme's distaste. This meant with her as the planet's Representative, she and Jar Jar would be spending a lot of time working together in the Senate; something she wasn't too pleased about.

Jar Jar, or Representative Binks as he was now known, seemed to be so engrossed in the Senate session that he didn't notice Amidala and her entourage at first. A moment later, though, he did, and rose to greet them.

"Senator Amidalee." He gave an elaborate bow. "Mesa so happy to see yousa alive and wella."

"Thank you Jar Jar," she said politely. The last thing she needed was to have a conversation with the freak. She took her seat in front and turned her attention towards the Chancellor, whom after a brief pause and look in her direction began to speak again.

"Might I remind the Senator from Malastare, that negotiations are continuing with the Separatists. Peace is our objective here. Not war."

Amidala pressed the repulsorpod activation button before her, and stood, ready to address the Senate body. As the pod approached the center of the arena, she began to speak the speech she'd thought up while changing into her current costume.

"My normal colleges: less than an hour ago, yet another assassination attempt was made against my life after landing on a nearby public platform."

This pronouncement caused instant chattering in the Senate, but Amidala mostly ignored them as she continued. "One of my bodyguards and six others were ruthlessly, and senselessly murdered."

She paused a moment to allow the Senators to continue chattering before resuming her speech. "I was the target. But more importantly, the security measure before me was the target. I have led an opposition to building this army of the Republic. And someone, will stop at nothing to insure its passage."

By now a lot of the Senators in the arena were throwing their fists in the air, egging her on. She eyed them in disgust.

"Wake up Senators! You must wake up! If you offer the Separatists violence, they will only show violence in return. Many will lose their lives; all will lose their freedom. I pray that you will not vote for this army, for it will only lead to disaster. Vote down the security measures, which is nothing less than a declaration of war. Does anyone here want that? I can not believe they do."

Amidala stepped back from her podium, her speech complete and listened as Senators began to make even more of a racket, some shouting approval, others disapproval.

Vice Chair of the Senate, Mas Amedda rose to silence the crowd with raised hands. "Order! Order!"

When the noise died down somewhat, the Naboo Senator turned to glance at the Chancellor. He looked grim.

"Due to the lateness of the hour and the seriousness of this motion, we shall recess until tomorrow," he announced. "Until then, the Senate is adjourned."

As Amidala and Co. exited the arena, Senators Bail Organa of Alderaan, Mon Mothma of Chandrila, and other members of her opposition against the Republic's Army, came over to congratulate her on her speech, and express their happiness that she was safe and sound after her recent attack. Once she was finished thanking them all, Amidala and her entourage of three left the Senate Building for the Annex Dome once more, because of the meeting she and the committee opposition against the Military Creation Act had scheduled with the Republic's supreme ruler as soon as that morning's Senate meeting was over.

After meeting again at the REB's landing dock, the committee of politicians entered the building together and ventured to the crown level and Chancellor's Suite, engaged in conversation.

The Chancellor's Suite was comprised of a number of circular, red-hued rooms arrayed around the Chancellor's main, formal office. A reception area staffed by an Executive Administrator, presently the Rodian Dar Wac, led into the main office where visitors could meet with the Chancellor. A corridor branching off at the right led into a multipurpose anteroom, the Chancellor's private office, the Chancellor's Archive, a working office for the Red Guard and the Chancellor's personal chambers. Emergency turbolifts on either side of the main entrance allowed for a quick escape, as well as access to a passage leading into the Red Guard office.

Upon entrance outside the Chancellor's Suite, the group was told to wait a moment by Dar Wac as Palpatine was in the middle of conducting yet another meeting with members of the Jedi High Council. The Rodian then informed the Chancellor of the committee's arrival via holographic transmission and the doors to the office opened to allow them entry just in time for Amidala to hear Palpatine say, "We shall discuss this matter later."

Glancing around the circular room, she saw that he'd been speaking to four of the twelve Jedi High Council members: the small and wise Yoda, the dark and serious Mace Windu, the Cerean Ki-Adi Mundi, and the Nautolan Kit Fitso. The foursome was either standing behind or seated in the chairs surrounding the Chancellor's desk. But as Amidala and the committee entered the room, however, Yoda jumped his tiny body out of the single chair on the far right, which faced the Chancellor's desk and approached them. Though it was obvious his main intent was Amidala herself.

"Senator Amidala," he greeted warmly. "Your tragedy on the landing platform, terrible. Seeing you alive, brings warm feelings to my heart."

Padme fought back a smirk at the sight of the little green creature. She smiled instead. "Thank you Master Yoda, but do you have any idea who's behind these attacks?"

It was Mace Windu who answered. He'd also risen from his seat, as well as the other two, to approach the committee also. "Our intelligence points to rebel spice-landers on the moons of Naboo."

Rebel spice-landers?!

Are you crazy?!

Padme had to bit back yet another smirk at the sound of Antellica and Arica's thoughts. Although the two young teens were not Force sensitive, the three of them were still able to communicate via thought if they wished. Being as Antellica and Arica were twins, they naturally had a telepathic connection. But Padme could also join this connection if she wished by placing thoughts into their minds, and they could communicate back to her by simply thinking things.

"I, however, think that Count Dooku was behind it," Amidala said in response to Master Windu's claim.

"He is a political idealist," Ki-Adi Mundi was quick to defend, "not a murderer."

"You know milady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi," Windu added. "He couldn't assassinate anyone. It's not in his character."

"Really?" Amidala gazed around at the four Jedi with a raised eyebrow. "And ah, how many years has it been since you've last seen him? From what I've heard, he left the Jedi Order ten years ago, right after his one-time apprentice Qui-Gon was killed by that so-called Sith. It's been my experience that people can change very much over time."

There was a slight pause before Yoda offered her a smile. "Yes, right you are Senator," he said giving a slight bow. And before Windu could start to object to the Senator's statements, he continued, "But for a certain Senator, in great danger, you are." He pointed to Amidala with his ever-present gimmer stick.

"After three assassination attempts, I think I've pretty much figured that out master."

Her reply wasn't meant to be sarcastic, yet that's the way it came out. Yoda merely nodded.

"Master Jedi," Palpatine said, speaking for the first time since the committee arrived, "might I suggest the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces?"

"What?!" Amidala exclaimed in a snappish tone.

Before she could say anything else though, Senator Organa stepped forward and spoke up. "Do you really think that's a wise decision under these stressful times?"

"Chancellor, if I may be so bold as to comment," Amidala snarled in a tone close to anger, "I do not believe-"

"-the situation is that serious," he finished for her.

Padme's eyes flashed dangerously. Don't you dare read my thoughts!

"No, but I do Senator," Palpatine objected. "I realize all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you. But perhaps someone you're familiar with. Some old friends like Master Kenobi, and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker."

All the while Palpatine had been speaking, Amidala noticed Yoda looking at him strangely, almost suspiciously. She wasn't sure why, but found this to be strange.

Master Windu spoke up to the Chancellor's suggestion. "That's possible. They've just returned from a border dispute on Ansion."

"See here Chancellor," Amidala began to retort in a heated tone, but Palpatine quickly cut her off.

"Do it for me milady please," he begged. "The thought of losing you...is unbearable."

"How touching Chancellor," she practically spat. "But I'm not going anywhere. I'm too stubborn to die," she boasted with her head held high.

This caused raised eyebrows and exchanged glances from some, while the Grievous twins gave small snickers. Yoda gave a chuckle of his own and Palpatine nodded, seeming amused. "That you are my dear. That you are."

"I will have Obi-Wan report to you immediately milady," Master Windu said and nodded to her. Amidala returned the nod. "Thank you Master Windu."