Back in the city, Obi-Wan led the unique group through alleys and back roads, hoping to stay out of sight of the patrolling Battle Droids. As they rounded an alley, Obi-Wan peaked around a corner, seeing a patrol of Battle Droids making their way by.

"These patrols are becoming harder to evade," Obi-Wan commented.

"I'm guessing something went wrong with your negotiations that caused this," Captain Panaka surmised.

"In truth, the negotiations never took place. We were attacked by the Separatists right before they began their occupation."

"I don't understand," Padme commented. "Why are they doing this? They must know my mother will never join them. What do they have to gain?"

"I wish I knew."

Just then, something dropped down in front of them. Obi-Wan quickly drew his lightsaber to attack, only to stop when he realized it was Qui Gon who had joined them.

"Obi-Wan," he let out, causing his former padawan to retract his weapon.

"Master!" Obi-Wan realized.

"There are parols all over the city. They said it's in response to a Jedi. I assume that's your handiwork."

"They were about to capture the Princess. I needed to intervene."

Qui Gon looked past Obi-Wan, seeing Padme amidst the group.

"At any rate what's done is done," Qui Gon replied, walking past him and approaching Padme. "Your Highness. Under the present circumstances, it is imperative we make contact with the Republic."

"Unfortunately, they've knocked out our communications," Panaka lamented.

"Then we will have to go to Coruscant directly."

"Leave Naboo?" Padme realized. "I can't. Leaving the city is one thing, but leaving the planet-"

"With all due respect, Your Highness, staying here would not be wise. They need your mother's cooperation in order to legitimize their occupation, but I have no doubt they would use you as leverage to get it."

"Master, you don't honestly think Count Dooku would do such a thing," Obi-Wan protested. "It's not in his character."

"Maybe not. But there is something else afoot here. Something much more sinister," he turned back to Padme. "Your Highness, you are in dire danger if you stay. And your mother would be forced to concede to their demands."

This floored Padme. "Would she really?"

"There is very little that a parent won't do for their child."

Padme paused for a moment, looking out at the city for a moment and thinking of the suffering that was unfolding. After a moment, she steeled herself and turned back to the Jedi.

"Very well. If it means protecting my home… I'll go."

"We'll need transport," Obi-Wan reasoned.

"I know where we can get it," Panaka informed. "This way."

Paanaka took the lead, with the group following close behind.

-X-

The group continued making their way toward the city as Panaka led them. Jar Jar found him walking close by Panaka, who took notice and began to ponder to himself.

"You know, I was surprised you were unable to handle yourself back there," he commented. "I thought Gungans were warriors."

"We are," Jar Jar confirmed. "I just… prefer not to fight."

"With all due respect, I don't think you have a choice on that right now."

Jar Jar didn't respond, not sure what to say. Deep down, considering everything that had happened, he knew he was right. Eventually, they reached the hangar holding the Queen's personal cruiser. A large silver starship that was being guarded by several Battle Droids, who were also holding some pilots at gunpoint.

"We need to free those pilots before we leave," Panaka informed.

"Lot of bots between us and them," Jar Jar feared.

"We can handle them," Obi-Wan reassured, reaching for his weapon.

"Perhaps," Qui Gon replied, holding up a hand and signaling him to pause. "But there are alternatives to fighting. Help Panaka free the pilots. I'll deal with the droids."

"Master?"

"Trust me, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan paused for a moment but relented. He and Panaka went to get the pilots as Qui Gon approached the command Droid.

"Halt!" it ordered.

"We are ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor," Qui Gon relayed. "Count Dooku has instructed me to escort these people to Coruscant."

"Coruscant? Uh… that does not compute."

"Count Dooku merely wishes to inform the Senate of Naboo's cooperation. You are welcome to contact him about this if you doubt."

"I will. Just wait," the command droid replied, grabbing his comm device and activating it as Obi-Wan and Panaka got to work freeing the pilots. "Count Dooku, we have an ambassador for the Chancellor here. He is taking the Princess to Coruscant."

"Ambassadors?"Dooku repeated."You fool! The Jedi are trying to help the Princess escape! Stop them!"

"Yes sir!" the command droid replied, deactivating his comm and turning to Qui Gon. "You! You're under arrest!"

Qui Gon didn't miss a beat, drawing his lightsaber and cutting through the command droid with ease. He then proceeded to slice through the Battle Droids standing next to it as the others got on board the ship. Obi-Wan quickly drew his weapon before joining Qui Gon and fending off the Battle Droids. Once the last pilot got onboard, Obi-Wan and Qui Gon ran up the ramp of the ship, allowing them to close it and take off.

-X-

Outside the palace, Dooku watched as the cruiser took off into the air. Keeping a calm expression, he activated his comm device and contacted the Trade Federation command ship.

"This is Count Dooku. The Princess and the Jedi are trying to escape the planet. Cripple their ship, but do not destroy it. I want them alive."

-X-

The ship sailed upward, breaking through the planet's atmosphere before coming face to face with the Separatist Blockade.

"There's the blockade," the pilot noted.

"Does this ship have any defensive capabilities?" Obi-Wan asked.

"No, it's a consular's ship," Panaka informed. "There's no offensive capabilities onboard.

"Then we will just have to rush them," Qui Gon decided.

The pilot nodded before accelerating toward the blockade. As the ship got closer, the ships started to open fire. The ship did well avoiding the blasts at first, but a stray shot managed to hit the side of the ship, causing an alert to flash on the monitor screen.

"Shield generator's been hit!"

-X-

Down below, five Astromech Droids sat in their charging stations, waiting for the call to action. Just then, an alarm sounded off, prompting the droids to activate and disengage from their stations. One by one, they all funneled into the chute carrying them out to the exterior of the ship. The last one, a blue and white Astromech, eventually made it into the chute and joined the others on the outside. They all made it to the damaged area, getting to work repairing the damage done by the blaster fire. As they continued working, the blaster fire from the blockade managed to hit some of the droids, destroying them.

-X-

Back in the cockpit, the others watched on the monitor as the droids were destroyed one by one.

"We're losing droids fast!" Obi-Wan let out.

"Shields are almost gone," the pilot informed.

"If we don't get that generator back online, we're sitting ducks!" Panaka realized.

-X-

Back outside, all but one of the droids, the blue and white Astromech, were destroyed. The droid worked overtime to get the ship's systems back online. It managed to get a connection cable plugged back in, restoring power to the shield generator.

-X-

In the cockpit, the pilot noticed power was being restored to the shields.

"Powers back!" he declared, getting everyone's attention. "That little droid did it! He bypassed the main power drive!"

The droid retreated back into the ship as it sailed toward the blockade, narrowly dodging the laser blasts as it did. Eventually, they did manage to get past the blockade, making a clear break away from the planet.

"What's the damage?" Qui Gon inquired.

"The hyperdrive is leaking," the pilot lamented. "We don't have enough to jump to Coruscant."

"When we'll have to land somewhere to make repairs. Obi-Wan, check to see if there are any habitable planets we can jump to with the energy we have left."

Obi-Wan took a seat at the computer, looking at a read-out of some star charts. Eventually, he caught sight of something.

"Here, Master," Obi-Wan reported. "Tatooine. It's in the Outer Rim. Remote, poor, and the Separatists have no presence here."

"How can you be sure?" Captain Panaka inquired.

"Because it's controlled by the Hutts," Qui Gon answered.

"What?!" Panaka let out, turning to face him. "The Hutts are gangsters! If they find the princess down there-!"

"She'd be in no less danger then if the Separatists found her. The only difference is that the Hutts aren't looking for her."

"Even so…"

"I know it's a risk, but I don't see an alternative."

Panaka paused for a moment, mulling over their options.

"I will… bring this suggestion to Her Highness. She should make the final decision."

"Very well," Qui Gon relented as they went to speak to Padme.

-X-

"Tatooine?" Padme questioned.

"It's a remote world," Qui Gon informed. "Far from the reach of the Separatists. It is the ideal place to hide and make repairs so we can travel to Coruscant."

"Your Highness, I strongly oppose this plan," Panaka insisted. "The planet is under the control of an alliance of gangs known as the Hutts. They are ruthless. If they find out you're on the planet, they will not hesitate to try and ransom you. Or worse."

"We know there are risks," Obi-Wan conceded. "But as long as we remain hidden and refrain from drawing attention to ourselves, the Hutts won't even know we're there. Besides, we have nowhere else to go."

Padme paused to consider.

"If it truly is our best option… then I trust the Jedi's judgment," she decided.

"Your Highness, I still think this is an unnecessary risk," Panaka chimed in.

"Your opinion is noted, Captain, but it is a risk we will have to take. Tell the Captain to set a course to Tatooine."

Panaka sighed in response. "As you wish, Your Highness."

Panaka went off to inform the pilot while Padme turned to the astromech droid that repaired the ship as it wheeled in.

"It seems we owe a deal of gratitude to this droid," Padme noted before turning to one of her handmaidens. "Corde, what's its number?"

Corde took a quick look. "R2-D2, Your Highness. I was just about to have it cleaned up."

"See that you do. I have a feeling we will need this droids aid again soon."

"Need any help?" Jar Jar offered, stepping forward.

Corde gave a confused look, before turning to Padme. Padme in turn, turns to Obi-Wan, who gives a reassuring nod.

"It's alright," Padme allowed.

Corde nodded as she, R2, and Jar Jar went down to the droid hold. Padme watched on with curiosity on her face.

"I've heard stories about Gungans," Padme commented. "But I never expected one to be like… that."

"I'm afraid Your Highness, that with the situation at hand, preconceptions are a luxury we cannot afford," Qui Gon commented.

-X-

Back on Naboo, Dooku met with Gunrey and Dod in the dining room, taking a seat at a table across from the two of them.

"Gentlemen," he addressed. "What have you to report?"

"We have control over all cities in the northern hemisphere," Gunrey reported. "Our forces are now searching the rest of the planet for other major cities and settlements."

"Excellent. I expect the entire planet will be ours in two rotations. However, we have a new problem. The Princess managed to leave the planet with the aid of the Jedi. If they manage to reach Coruscant and inform the Senate, it could prove to be trouble for us."

"Oh no… what should we do?"

"Relax, my friends. I have connections to someone who should be able to track them down."

"How?" Dod questioned. "That ship is far beyond our range. It is impossible to track."

"Not for a Sith," a new voice commented.

Gunrey and Dod turned toward the doorway, seeing a figure cloaked in black sauntering toward them. He raised his face, revealing it to be black with red markings all across it. He also had yellow eyes, that caused the Nemoidians a bit of uneasiness.

"Who… what is that?!" Gunrey asked.

"Gentlemen," Dooku replied, rising from his seat and gesturing to the mysterious stranger. "Allow me to introduce you to Darth Maul… Lord of the Sith."

"A Sith Lord…?" Dod questioned. "I… I thought the Sith were extinct."

"The Sith never truly die," Maul mused, approaching the table. "We have survived for over a thousand years by skulking in the shadows… while the Jedi have ruled on high all this time."

"Your revenge will come in time," Dooku reassured. "For now," he held up a disk, showing a holographic display of the Naboo Cruiser. "You are to track down this ship and bring Princess Padme Amidala back here unharmed. You may use any means necessary, but you are not to harm her… or the Jedi."

Maul gave a confused look.

"I have designs for them. You will have your chance to kill Jedi in time, but not these two. Do you understand?"

"... yes, Count. Of course. And I trust you will keep your end of our deal?"

"Yes. The Sith will have a place in our Separatist Alliance. And the Jedi Order will be… dealt with."

Maul smiled in response. "Well then, I'd best get to it."

With that, Maul turned to leave, the Nemoidians walking up to Dooku with concerned looks on their faces.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Gunrey asked. "If half of the stories of the Sith I've heard are true, he could kill us all. I do not think it is a good idea to trust him."

"Oh, I don't trust him at all, Viceroy," Dooku reassured, crossing his arms. "I merely intend to use him to serve our greater goals. Should he become a problem… we will dispose of him."