Obi-Wan proceeds out of his quarters down the halls of the temple heading towards the north section of the building. He then enters the waiting room and accesses the elevator control panel. He waits patiently for the elevator to reach his level. After a few minutes he boards the wide elevator and awaits for the vessel to take him to his destination. He reluctantly enters the room as the Jedi Council is conducting a meeting.

The fearsome voice of Mace Windu addresses the Jedi, "I do not recall a Jedi Knight having authorization to enter a Jedi Council Meeting without permission or summoning."

"I'm aware of that, Master Windu."

The master glares back, "Then why are you here?"

A soft chuckle follows, "Calm, Master Windu. Come I'm, a Jedi would not without purpose, hmm?"

Obi-Wan relaxes and replies, "Yes Master Yoda, I've come because I witnessed a Force-inspired spirit contact me. It was Qui-Gon."

The shorter Jedi leans on his cane in interest while Master Windu scratches his chin contemplating.

"What did Qui-Gon say?"

"He said something about seeing former General Fett on Kamino. Are you familiar with such a system?"

Master Windu states, "A most obscure system at the most."

Yoda continues, "And how does this General concern us?"

"I don't know I'm just reporting something I believe to be urgent."

The second in command master taps his fingers together, "Being that perhaps you could still be mourning Qui-Gon, perhaps we'll send Master Stratus to the system."

Yoda turns, "Master Stratus, Master Windu?"

"Yes, his investigative skills are useful for this case. And he also knew Qui-Gon quite well."

Obi-Wan bows, "Very good, Master Windu, I'll be on my way."

The eldest master calls out, "Obi-Wan, before you go, a mission I have for you."

This afternoon, the Galactic Senate was in chaos. There was thunderous uproar with the senators of Cato Nemoidia and Malastare having a verbal spar across the Senate Chamber.

"You are a puppet of the Trade Federation, admit it!"

"No! You have no evidence to support that!"

"Says the man who fabricates false evidence for invading a planet!"

"You are out of line, Senator!"

Suddenly the chamber is immediately silenced, "Order! Order! I present, despite the circumstances, Chancellor Palpatine!"

The Senate breaks out in applause as the politician approaches the podium, wearing bandages holding his wound bearable.

"Whoever is responsible for that assassination attempt is clearly uses fear for progress. I will not. I will stand to anyone who threaten the Republic's peace, especially now! But now is not the time for speeches, we will listen to Count Dooku's testimony."

The Senate claps to welcome the representative who stands in a floating pod with a Nemoidian and a Muun.

The man clears his throat and speaks, "Dear Chancellor, Senators, its my privilege to testify for these victims of circumstance. I do not condone the Trade Federation's actions of invading Naboo, but I tell you Chancellor, remember when the Republic's economy was flourishing. When businesses were able to pull in more profit, because they had easier access through the Trade Federation networks of trade. But then, that traitor Valorum used the tax code to manipulate the company into his will and satisfy his quest for power. We already arrested him for his crimes and for some reason, he was allowed to escape! Yet nobody presents any trails our ways to capture him for an attempt to keep the Republic in endless war. For his executive orders put into play without first a vote from the Senate, was there not a recorded poll for declaring war against the Trade Federation, for taking this action to force the Federation's occupation from Naboo knowing very well it could lead to war and yet the Federation had already lost its share from just the occupation itself, but now we punish the Federation and yet we don't search for the man behind the war. As I said though, the Trade Federation is guilty for acts of war, but do we not try leaders instead of the soldiers? I believe and so do thousands believe, that Valorum should be your highest priority and the Trade Federation is owed a pardon."

Some murmuring echoes throughout the chamber to which the Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda calls out, "Order!"

"Count Dooku, you've made some excellent points, however I will not pardon the Trade Federation, however we will reestablish an effort to hunt down the former Chancellor so that he will be unable to cause more trouble for the Republic. We thank you for your time, thus we conclude this session."

Applause starting following but the Count wasn't finished, "You say that the Republic is a nation of mercy, you say the citizens have freedom, you say your listen to the people, but those are all lies, Chancellor! From this day forth, you will see many systems join my cause and your Republic will suffer the will of the people, I'm finished!"

As Dooku has his pod land in its designated spot, booing follows him with some curses having the Vice Chancellor struggle to call order to the Senate.

The Count and his entourage proceeds in a storm towards the Cato Nemoidian sector of the hangars meeting with the Senator and his security detail.

"I would like to be out of this city as soon as possible!"

"Take my shuttle!"

"This evening on the Holonet, Count Dooku gives a fiery speech addressing the missing former Chancellor Valorum and the reparations against the Trade Federation. After refusing the Trade Federation's pardon and repriortizing the manhunt for the war criminal. Dooku goes off threatening to bring star systems against the Republic. The Chancellor us to address this tomorrow."

Within the office of the Chancellor sits its owner, Senators Organa, Amidala, Hammok and Mon Mothma.

"I don't know what I'm going to do about this, my friends. It seems the corruption had scarred the people to the point of not trusting the Republic."

Senator Organa suggests, "We could talk about it at the party convention I'm hosting back home."

The Chancellor nods, "I can only hope that the party would be cooperative with my agenda, otherwise the Republic could face some serious crisis."

Where is Valorum? What will Count Dooku do? Where is the mysterious Sith Lord from before and what are the Jedi doing about it?

Join me in the next chapter of Attack of the Clones!