High above the atmosphere of the planet Coruscant, a massive Naboo Cruiser made its final approach. As it came in close with two Naboo starfighters on either side of it, they began spinning around so they could enter the atmosphere upright. It soared over the cityscape skyline, making good time as they approached their destination.

-X-

Onboard the cruiser, Padme Amidala sat in her seat, quietly thinking to herself as Captain Panaka approached.

"Senator," Captain Panaka spoke, getting their attention. "We should be ready to land soon."

"Thank you, Captain," Padme replied, rising from her seat.

Panaka nodded, heading to the cockpit as Padme's handmaiden, Corde, approached.

"Is there anything I can get you before we land, milady?" she asked.

"No thank you, Corde. I must admit though, I am a little nervous. So much is depending on this vote…"

Corde placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know what you're capable of. You have nothing to worry about. You'll be able to convince them of what is right."

Padme gave a comforting smile in response.

-X-

The ship continued sailing toward its destination. As it passed over one building, a figure stepped out of the shadows, revealing himself to be a man in blue armor with weapons mounted on his wrists, holsters on his belt that held twin pistols, a jetpack on his back, and a helmet that had a scope attached to the side. His scope lowered, giving him a good view of the cruiser as it and the starfighters touched down on a landing platform.

-X-

As the cruiser landed, the ramp lowered, allowing Panaka to step out with a few guards to secure the area. Once they made sure it was clear, Panaka signaled for Padme and the others to disembark. Padme made her way out, along with Corde and several other handmaidens, C-3PO, and Jar Jar Binks, who was now a junior representative in the Senate. The pilots all disembarked from their ships, with one of them, a man with an eyepatch named Lieutenant Typho leaving his ship as R2-D2 disengaged from it. As the entourage made their way out onto the platform, R2 rolled over to 3PO to converse with him while Panaka went to speak with Typho.

"Anything detected on our flight in?" Panaka asked.

"All clear on my end," Typho reassured, pulling off his helmet. "Guess we were wrong. There was no danger."

On top of the nearby building, the armored man lined up his shot on his scope, finally locking onto it. He then pressed a button on his wrist, firing a rocket from the jetpack on his back that sailed through the air and hit the ship right in the engines. The hit caused the entire ship to explode, throwing the delegates off the ramp and creating a shockwave that knocked the guards off their feet. The ship was completely wrecked as a result, which the armored man took satisfaction in.

"Step one complete," he said into comms. "All on you."

Back on the landing platform, Lieutenant Typho and Captain Panaka were the first ones to pick themselves up, making their way over to the others. Jar Jar managed to pick himself up, moving to help 3PO onto his feet.

"Oh my," he let out.

"Are you two alright?" Panaka asked.

"A little jostled, but otherwise, undamaged," 3PO reassured.

Padme started to pick herself up, looking over and catching sight of something that made her blood run cold.

"No…"

She picked herself up, running over to the still form of Corde. She knelt over her, turning her over so that she could see her face. She was clearly injured, with blood on her lip.

"Corde…"

"I'm sorry, Senator… I wish I… did more…"

With that, Corde's eyes closed and her body went limp. Padme just stood there in shock that her longtime aide and friend had passed away. As she grieved, a second figure wearing a helmet and mask spied on the Senator through a sniper scope. As Panaka turned toward Padme, he saw the reflection of something off in the distance, causing him to wide eyed.

"Milady!" he cried out, running over toward her.

Typho looked over as Panaka ran toward Padme just as the assassin pulled the trigger. The rifle fired its shot just as Panaka ran in front of Padme, causing him to get shot in the chest. Padme gasped in horror as Panaka dropped to the ground dead, prompting Typho to rush over and move her for cover.

"Come on, milady!" he called out.

Padme was floored by what happened, but Typho had managed to snap her out of her trance long enough to get them to cover. The assassin worked to line up another shot, only for the sound of sirens to fill the air. The assassin turned to see Coruscant Security Force vehicles coming to lend support. They decided it was best to retreat for now, lest getting caught by the authorities. Back on the platform, Padme and Typho had taken cover underneath the wing of the destroyed ship. Padme watched in horror at the destruction around her.

"I shouldn't have come back…"

"They did their job so you can do yours," Typho reassured. "This vote is far too important."

Padme paused for a moment, hating what had happened today. Yet deep down, she knew Typho was right. People were counting on her. She could not let this tragedy dissuade her from her mission.

"Let's go," she declared.

-X-

Later, the Galactic Senate was in an uproar. Voices were shouting back and forth, almost incomprehensible as Chancellor Palpatine stood at his podium taking it all in.

"Order!" Mas Amedda cried out. "We will have order!"

After a few moments, the talking died down, much to Palpatine's relief.

"Now then," Palpatine spoke. "The motion before this session is whether or not to vote on the Military Creation Act. The floor now falls to its author, Governor Wilhuff Tarkin of Eriadu.

Hearing his name, Tarkin, a middle-aged man with an almost sinister-looking face pressed a button on his podium that sent it floating out into the middle of the Senate Chamber.

"Thank you, Chancellor," Tarkin replied before addressing the Senate. "Ladies and gentlemen, the threat we face is more than apparent. As we stand here and debate, more and more systems abandon the Republic in favor of Count Dooku's Separatist rebellion. And with every system lost, the Republic's very strength diminishes. If we are to quell this insurrection, we must respond in force. To show that we will not back down from this mutiny. Therefore, I insist in favor of the Military Creation Act, and that we begin recruitment of a Grand Army of the Republic!"

The speech brought about both cheers and vitriol from the members of the Senate. As they began to die down, Bail Organa of Alderaan activated his podium and floated out as well.

"With all due respect, Governor Tarkin, I strongly disagree," he spoke. "Military response will only give validity to the Separatists' feelings of alienation from the Republic. What you suggest could ignite a full-scale war. We must let peace prevail!"

More arguing erupted before Tarkin spoke again.

"With all due respect, Senator Organa, the sad truth is that there are some individuals that cannot be reasoned with. These Separatists are extremists, and can only be dealt with through extreme measures."

"Perhaps, but that does not mean we shouldn't at least try."

As the two continued to argue, Palpatine looked down at his console, seeing a report coming in on the screen. He took a look and his face dropped a bit. Reluctantly, he looked upward to address the Senate.

"My friends," Palpatine spoke. "I have some unfortunate news. Senator Padme Amidala has been assassinated," a massive uproar broke out in the Senate, affecting even both Bail and Tarkin. "This comes as a devastating blow to me personally. I served her family for many years during my time as Senator and had the distinct pleasure of mentoring her during her time as Queen. She was a staunch believer in democracy, and common decency for those around her. This loss… is a devastating blow not just to me, but to this body to which she dedicated her life. Please, a moment of silence, in honor of our fallen comrade, and friend."

The Senators all concurred and observed a moment of silence for their fallen comrade. After a moment, Ask Aak was the first to speak up.

"How many more Senators have to die before this madness comes to an end?!" he let out. "Governor Tarkin is right! We need an army to protect ourselves, and fast!"

"Why weren't the Jedi able to stop this?!" Orn Free Taa let out. "If we are no longer safe with them, then we need the army now!"

"I would like to remind the Senators of Malistare and Ryloth that negotiations are still being conducted with the Separatists?" Palpatine spoke up. "Peace is our objective here, not war."

"War may be inevitable either way, Chancellor," Tarkin continued. "The Separatists grow more and more bold every day. Need I remind this Senate against the invasion of Naboo some years ago."

"No one needs to be reminded of the toll that event took," a new voice chimed in.

Everyone turned in shock to see Padme, as well as Typho, Jar Jar, and 3PO on the Naboo platform as it floated out into the open area.

"Least of all, me," Padme concluded.

Palpatine chuckled a bit before clearing his throat. "It is with great surprise and joy that the chair recognizes Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo."

"Less than an hour ago, an assassination attempt was made against my life," Padme spoke. "One of my handmaidens, and six others were ruthlessly and senselessly murdered. I was the target, but, more importantly, I believe this security measure before you was the target. I have led the opposition to build an army... but there is someone in this body who will stop at nothing to assure its passage."

Many of the Senators yelled in response. Even booing Padme as they did. Tarkin all the while kept silent, drumming his fingers on his console.

"I warn you," Padme continued, completely undaunted by the vitriol that was thrown at her. "If you vote to create this army, war will follow. As Governor Tarkin has reminded everyone, I have experienced the misery of war firsthand; I do not wish to do it again."

There was more sporadic yelling for and against her statements. Regardless of it all, Padme stood firm.

"Wake up, Senators... you must wake up! If we offer the Separatists violence, they can only show us violence in return! Many will lose their lives. All will lose their freedom. This decision could very well destroy the very foundation of our great Republic. I beg of you, do not let fear push you into a disastrous decision. Vote down this security measure, which is nothing less than a declaration of war! Does anyone here want that? I cannot believe they do."

"That is all well and good, Senator," Tarkin spoke up, clearly not impressed. "But there is no guarantee that the Separatists are even willing to negotiate."

"Actually, there is," Padme combated. "I have just returned from a meeting with the representation of several Separatist systems. They have expressed willingness to meet with me and a handful of other Republic Senators to discuss a peaceful solution to this conflict. We have a chance to end this without bloodshed. Pass this bill, and any chance of peace will be lost."

"I propose that the vote on the Military Creation Act be postponed until negotiations have been given a chance," Bail proposed.

An uproar for and against erupted in the Senate chamber. Once again though, Tarkin remained silent, glaring at Padme in response to everything. Mas Amedda stood up, banging his staff on the ground.

"Order! We will have order!" he called out.

Things began to quiet down, allowing Palpatine to speak.

"In light of these revelations, I concur that the vote for the creation of an army be postponed for seven rotations to allow peaceful negotiations to take place. This Senate is adjourned."

-X-

After the meeting, Senators began piling out of the chamber, with Bail Organa sifting through the crowd and finding Padme amidst the sea of Senators alongside Jar Jar, Typho, and 3PO.

"It would seem even assassination cannot stop you when you set your mind to something," Bail commended, getting her attention.

"Bail," she let out, moving toward him and hugging him.

He returned the hug in kind, pulling away as he gave her a sympathetic look.

"I'm sorry for your losses today. Captain Panaka was a good man. Neither he nor the others should have to perish like that."

"Thank you," Padme replied, slightly melancholy. "... But I can't dwell on that now. Chancellor Palpatine has given us our chance and we must take it," the two started walking toward Palpatine's office. "Thank you again for opening up your home for the peace talks."

"Of course. Alderaan has known peace for generations. It seemed like the ideal place for negotiations to take place. Who else can we expect to help us?"

"Mon Mothma of Chandrila and Garm Bel Iblis of Corellia."

"An impressive collective," Tarkin voiced, causing the two to turn and see him approach. "If I do say so myself."

"Governor Tarkin," Padme addressed. "I hope you weren't too disappointed by today's events."

"Oh, not at all. Though I must warn you that these 'negotiations' are only prolonging the inevitable."

"If there is even a chance these talks can bring an end to this crisis, shouldn't we take it?"

"As I said in the session, some individuals simply cannot be reasoned with. Before becoming Governor, I was a pilot in the Republic Security Force, and I have learned that there are times when force is needed to restore order. Fear is what is needed to keep these rogue systems in line."

"Not to disagree," Bail spoke up. "But if these Separatists are as fanatical as you claim, I doubt fear will be enough to deter them."

"Everyone is afraid of something, Organa," Tarkin reminded before walking away.

The others watched as he walked away with a smug expression on his face.

"How rude," Jar Jar commented.

"Come," Padme ushered. "We still have work to do."