Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

The ships skim across the surface of the city landscape. The sun glints off the chrome hulls of the sleek Naboo spacecraft as they navigate between the buildings of the capital planet.

Two Naboo Fighters land on one leaf of a three-leaf-clover landing platform. The Royal Starship lands on the central lead, and the third Fighter lands on the remaining plaform.

We made it. I guess I was wrong, there was no danger at all.

No!... No!... No!...

I should not have come back.

M'Lady, you are still in danger.

This vote is very important. You did your duty and Cord� did hers. Now come. (she doesn't respond) M'Lady, please!

The massive Senate Building glistens in the afternoon sun. Small patches of fog have still to burn off.

The vast rotunda is buzzing with chatter. MAS AMEDDA, the Supreme Chancellor's majordomo, tries to quiet things down as PALPATINE confers with an AIDE, UV GIZEN, riding a small one man floating scooter.

Order! We shall have order! The motion for the Republic to commission an army takes precedent, and that is what we will vote on at this time.

...My esteemed colleagues, excuse me... I have just received some tragic and disturbing news. Senator Amidala of the Naboo system... Has been assassinated!

(continued)

This grievous blow is especially personal to me. Before I became Chancellor, I served Amidala when she was Queen. She was a great leader who fought for justice, not only in this honourable assembly, but also on her home planet. She was so loved she could have been elected queen for life. She believed in public service, and she fervently believed in democracy. Her death is a great loss to us all. We will all mourn her as a relentless champion of freedom... and as a dear friend.

How many more Senators will die before this civil strife ends! We must confront these rebels now, and they need an army to do it.

Why weren't the Jedi able to stop this assassination? We are no longer safe, under their protection.

The Republic needs more security now! Before it comes to war.

Must I remind the Senator from Malastare that negotiations are continuing with the separatists. Peace is our objective here... not war.

My noble colleagues, I concur with the Supreme Chancellor. At all costs, we do not want war!

It is with great surprise and joy the chair recognises the Senator from Naboo, Padm� Amidala.

My motion to defer the vote must be dealt with first. That is the rule of law.

Due to the lateness of the hour and the seriousness of this motion, we will take up these matters tomorrow. Until then, the Senate stands adjourned.

The giant towers of the Republic Executive Building seem to reach the heavens. Traffic clogs the smoggy sky.

CHANCELLOR PALPATINE sits behind his desk with TWO RED-CLAD ROYAL GUARDS on either side of the door. YODA, PLOT KOON, KI-AD-MUNDI, and MACE WINDU sit acress from him.

I don't know how much longer I can hold off the vote, my friends. More and more star systems are joining the separatists.

If they do break away -

No! I will not let that happen!

But if they do, you must realise there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers.

Master Yoda, do you think it will really come to war?

Worse than war, I fear... Much worse.

What?

What do you sense, Master?

Impossible to see ... The Dark Side clouds everything. But this I am sure of - (opens his eyes) Do their duty the Jedi will.

The loyalist committee has arrived, my Lord.

Send them in.

With you the force is strong... young Senator. To see you alive brings warm feeling to my heart.

Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners, on the moons of Naboo.

You know, M'Lady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He wouldn't assassinate anyone, it is not in his character.

He is a political idealist, not a murderer.

In dark times nothing is what it appears to be, but the fact remains Senator, in grave danger you are.

Count Dooku has always avoided any kind of conflict. It appears he has no desire to start a war. Why would he kill you? To what end?

Master Jedi, may I suggest that the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces.

Do you think that is a wise use of manpower during these stressful times?

..."situation is that serious." No, but I do, Senator.

I realise all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps someone you are familiar with... an old friend like... Master Kenobi...

That's possible. He has just returned from a Border dispute on Ansion.

You must remember him, M'Lady... he watched over you during the blockade conflict.

Do it for me, M'Lady, please. I will rest easier. We had a big scare today. The thought of losing you is unbearable.

I will have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, M'Lady.

Too little about yourself you worry, Senator, and too much about politics. Be mindful of your danger, Padm�. Accept our help.

I will not like this Republiv, that has stood for over a thousand years, be split in two

A graceful skyscraper twinkles in the evening light of Coruscant.

The door to the apartment slides open. JAR JAR walks into the corridor, where TWO JEDI are exiting the elevator. He recognises OBI-WAN and becomes extremely excited, jumping around, shaking his hand.

Obi! Obi! Obi! Mesa sooo smilen to see'en yousa. Wahoooooo!

It's Good to see you, too, Jar Jar.

Oops! Wheresa mesa manners? Excuse me, Master Obi-Wan. I completely forgot myself for a moment there. I have had to learn Diplodiaclect... speak it like a native now. Don't really see the point, actually, but members of the Senate seem to prefer it...

(continuing)

...and this, I take it, is your apprentice... Nooooooooo! Annie? Noooooooo! Little Bitty Annie? (Looks at Anakin) Nooooooo! Yousa so biggen! Yiyiyiyyi! Annie!! Mesa no believen.

Hi, Jar Jar.

Annie! Annie! Yiyiyiyiyiyiiii!

PADME is in a conference with CAPTAIN TYPHO and DORME. JAR JAR enters the room, followed by the TWO JEDI.

Lookie... lookie... Oops!... Oh, dear, I'm afraid I've forgotten myself again.

It's a great pleasure to see you again, M'Lady.

I'm sure the Jedi Council have their reasons.

(trying to be smooth)

So have you... grown more beautiful, I mean... and much shorter... for a Senator, I mean.

Our presence will be invisible, M'Lady.

I am very grateful you are here, Master Kenobi. The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit.

(frowning)

We're here to protect you Senator, not to start an investigation.

We will find out who is trying to kill you Padm�, I promise you.

We are not going to exceed our mandate, my young Padawan learner.

I meant in the interest of protecting her, Master, of course.

We are not going through this exercise again, Anakin. You will pay attention to my lead.

Why?

What??!!

Why else do you think we were assigned to her, if not to find the killer? Protection is a job for local security... not Jedi. It's overkill, Master. Investigation is implied in our mandate.

We will do as the Council has instructed, and you will learn your place, young one.

Well, I know I feel a lot better having you here. I'll have an officer on every floor and I'll be at the command centre downstairs.

Mesa busten wit happiness seein Yousa again, Annie. Deesa bad times, bombad times.

She didn't even recognise me, Jar Jar. I thought about her every day since we parted... and she's forgotten me completely.

Shesa happy. Happier den mesa see-en her in longo time.

Anakin, you're focusing on the Negative again. Be mindful of your thoughts. She was glad to see us. Now lets check the security here.

Yes, my master.

The vast Jedi Temple sits on an endless flat plain, silhouetted by a against the traffic-filled sky.

MACE WINDU and YODA walk down the long hallways, silhouetted by a lit room at the end.

Why couldn't we see this attack on the Senator?

Masking the future, is this disturbance in the Force.

The propecy is coming true, the Dark Side is growing.

And only those who have turned to the Dark Side can sense the possibilities of the future. Only going through the Dark Side can we see.

It's been ten years, and the Sith still have no shown themselves. Do you think they are behind this?

...Out there, they are. A certainty that is.

Do you think Obi-Wan's apprentice will be able to bring balance to the Force?

Only if he chooses to follow his destiny.

PADME is asleep in her bed, lit only by the light of the city outside her window coming through the blinds. ARTOO stands in the corner of the bedroom. His power is off.

ANAKIN is standing in the living room. He is in a meditative state. It is quiet. We hear DISTANT FOOTSTEPS in the corridor outside the apartment. Suddenly ANAKIN'S eyes pop open. His eyes dart around the room. He reaches for his lightsaber, then smiles and puts it back in his belt.

Captain Typho has more than enough men downstairs. No assassin will try that way. Any activity up here?

Quiet as a tomb. I don't like just waiting here for something to happen to her.

What's going on?

She covered that camera. I don't think she liked me watching her.

What is she thinking?

She programmed Artoo to warn us if there's an intruder.

It's not an intruder I'm worried about. There are many other ways to kill a Senator.