本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛EXT. SPAVE
A vast sea of stars severas as a backdrop for the Main Title, following by a rollup, whcih crawls into infinity.

There is unrest in the Galactic Senate
Several hundred solar systems under
the leadership of the rebel leader, Count
Dooku, have decalred their intentions to
secede from the Republic.

This separatist movement has made it
difficult for the limited number of
Jedi Kights to maintain peace and
order in the galaxy.

Senator Amidala, the former Queen of
Naboo, is returning to Coruscant
to vote on the critical issue
of creating an army to assist the
overwhelmed Jedi.

PAN UP to reveal the amber city planet of Coruscant. A yellow Naboo Fighter flies OVER CAMERA toward the planet, followed by a large Royal Cruiser and two more Fighters.

EXT. CITYSCAPE, CORUSCANT - DAWN
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.

EXT. CORUSCANT, LANDING PLATFORM - DAWN
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.

A small GROUP OF DIGNITARIES waits to welcome the Senator. One of the members of the group os a well dressed JAR JAR BINKS, a member of the Galactic Representative Commission, and DORME, Senator Amidala's handmaiden.

One of the FIGHTER PILOTS jumps from the wing of his ship and removes his helmet. He is CAPTAIN TYPHO, SENATOR AMIDALA'S Security Officer. He moves over to a WOMAN PILOT.

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

The ramp ;pwers. TWO NABOO GUARDS appear. SENATOR AMIDALA, ONE HANDMAIDEN (VERSE) and FOUR TROOPERS descend the ramp. AMIDALA is more beautiful now than she was ten years earlier when, as Queen, she was freeing her people from the yoke of the Trade Federation.

The DIGNITARIES start to move forward. SENATOR AMIDALA reaches the foot of the ramp, when suddenly there is a blinding FLASH and a huge EXPLOSION. The DIGNITARIES and PILOTS are hurled to the ground as the starship is destroyed.

Klaxons blare, alarms sound! CAPTAIN TYPHO and the TWO ESCORT PILOTS get up and run to where SENATOR AMIDALA lies dying. Beyond, ARTOO DETOO drops down from the Naboo Fighter and rolls toward the wreckage. The FEMALE ESCORT PILOT kneels by SENATOR AMIDALA and takes off her helmet, revealing SENATOR PADME AMIDALA.

PADMÉ
Cordé...

She gathers up her decoy double in her arms. Cordé's eyes are open. She looks up at her.

CORDÉ
... I'm sorry, m'lady... I'm... not sure I...

CORDÉ dies. PADMÉ hugs her.

AMIDALA
No!... No!... No!...

PADMÉ lowers CORDÉ to the ground. She gets up and looks around at the devastation. There are tears in her eyes.

AMIDALA
I should not have come back.

CAPTAIN TYPHO
M'Lady, you are still in danger.

Amidala says nothing.

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

She turns. They walk away. ARTOO lets out a small whimper and rolls off after them.

EXT. SENATE BUILDING - DAY
The massive Senate Building glistens in the afternoon sun. Small patches of fog have still to burn off.

INT. SENATE CHAMBER - DAY
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.

MAS AMEDDA
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.

Everything quiets down. The AIDE disperses, and SUPREME CHANCELLOR PALPATINE steps to the podium.

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

There is a shock silence in the vast arena.

PALPATINE
(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.

There is a moment of silence. ASK AAK, the SENATOR of MALASTARE, moves his pod into the centre of the arena.

SENATOR ASK AAK
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.

A second pod moves into the centre of the area with DARSANA, the
AMBASSADOR OF GLEE ANSELM.

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

Senator ORN FREE TAA swings forward in his pod.

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

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

The SENATORS yell pro and con. MAS AMEDDA tries to calm things down. SENATOR PADME AMIDALA, with CAPTAIN TYPHO, JAR JAR, and DORME, manoeuvre her pod into the centre of the vast arena.

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

The Senate goes quiet, then there is an outburst of cheering and
applause.

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

PADMÉ
Less than an hour ago, an
assassination attempt was made
against my life. One of my
bodyguards 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 it's
passage...

Many of the SENATORS boo and yell at SENATOR AMIDALA.

PADMÉ
(continuing)
I warn you, if you vote to create
this army, war will follow. I
have experienced the misery of war
first-hand; I do not wish to do it
again.

There is sporadic yelling for and against her statements.

PADMÉ
Wake up, Senators... you must wake
up! If you 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 pray 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.

There is an undercurrent of booing... and groaning. SENATOR ORN FREE TAA moves his pod next to AMIDALA.

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

AMIDALA looks angry and frustrated. PALPATINE gives her a sympathetic look.

PALPATINE
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.

EXT. EXECUTIVE QUARTERS BUILDING - DAY
The giant towers of the Republic Executive Building seem to reach the heavens. Traffic clogs the smoggy sky.

INT. CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE - DAY
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.

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

MACE WINDU
If they do break away -

PALPATINE
No! I will not let that happen!

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

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

YODA closes his eyes.

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

PALPATINE
What?

MACE WINDU
What do you sense, Master?

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

A muted BUZZER SOUNDS. A hologram of an AIDE, DAR WAC, appears on the Chancellor's desk.

DAR WAC
The loyalist committee has arrived,
my Lord.

PALPATINE
Send them in.

They all stand as SENATOR AMIDALA, CAPTAIN TYPHO, JAR JAR, MAS AMEDDA, DORME, and SENATORS BAIL ORGANA, HOROX RYYDER and ORN FREE TAA enter the office. YODA and MACE WINDU move to greet the SENATOR, YODA taps AMIDALA with his cane.

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

PADMÉ
Thank you, Master Yoda. Do you
have any idea who was behind
the attack?

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

PADMÉ
I don't wish to disagree but I
think that Count Dooku was behind
it.

There is a stir of surprise.

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

KI-ADI-MUNDI
He is a political idealist, not
a murderer.

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

PALPATINE gets up, walks to the window, and looks out at the vast city.

PALPATINE
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?

PADMÉ
I don't know, but everything in my
being tells me he was behind it...

After gazing out of the window for several moments Palpatine turns to
Mace.

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

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

PADMÉ
Chancellor, if I may comment, I
do not believe the...

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

PADMÉ
Chancellor, please! I don't want
any more guards!

PALPATINE
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...

PALPATINE nods to MACE WINDU, who nods back.

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

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

PADMÉ
This is not necessary, Chancellor.

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

AMIDALA sighs as the JEDI get up to leave.

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

YODA leans into her ear.

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

As the JEDI leave the office, PALPATINE continues to pace behind his desk.

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

EXT. SENATE APARTMENTS - TWILIGHT
A graceful skyscraper twinkles in the evening light of Coruscant.

INT. SENATE BUILDING, APARTMENT CORRIDOR - EVENING
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.

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

OBI-WAN smiles.

OBI-WAN
It's Good to see you, too, Jar Jar.

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...

JAR JAR notices OBI-WAN'S APPRENTICE.

JAR JAR
(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.

ANAKIN
Hi, Jar Jar.

JAR JAR grabs hold of ANAKIN and envelops him in a big hug.

JAR JAR
Annie! Annie! Yiyiyiyiyiyiiii!

INT. SENATE BUILDING, APARTMENT - EVENING
PADME is in a conference with CAPTAIN TYPHO and DORME. JAR JAR enters the room, followed by the TWO JEDI.

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

PADME and TYPHO rise as OBI-WAN and ANAKIN stop before the SENATOR. OBI-WAN steps forward. ANAKIN stares at PADME. She glances at him.

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

PADMÉ
It has been far too long Master
Kenobi. I'm so glad our paths
have crossed again... but I must
warn you that I think your
presence here is unnecessary.

OBI-WAN
I'm sure the Jedi Council have
their reasons.

She moves in front of ANAKIN

PADMÉ
Annie??
(stares)
My goodness you've grown.

They look at each other for a long moment.

ANAKIN
(trying to be smooth)
So have you... grown more
beautiful, I mean... and much
shorter... for a Senator, I mean.

OBI-WAN looks disapprovingly at his apprentice. PADME laughs and shakes her head.

PADMÉ
Oh Annie, you'll always be that
little boy I knew on Tatooine.

This embarrasses ANAKIN, and he looks down. OBI-WAN and CAPTAIN TYPHO smile.

OBI-WAN
Our presence will be invisible,
M'Lady.

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

PADMÉ
I don't need more security, I need
answers. I want to know who is
trying to kill me.

OBI-WAN
(frowning)
We're here to protect you
Senator, not to start an
investigation.

ANAKIN
We will find out who is trying to
kill you Padmé, I promise you.

He's done it again. He bites his lip in frustration and shame. OBI-WAN gives ANAKIN a dirty look.

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

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

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

ANAKIN
Why?

OBI-WAN
What??!!

ANAKIN
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.

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

PADMÉ
Perhaps with merely your presence,
the mysteries surrounding this
threat will be revealed. Now if
you will excuse me I will retire.

Everyone gives AMIDALA a slight bow as she and DORME leave the room.

CAPTAIN TYPHO
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.

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

Captain Typho leaves.

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

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

OBI-WAN
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.

ANAKIN
Yes, my master.

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

INT. JEDI TEMPLE, CORRIDOR - EVENING
MACE WINDU and YODA walk down the long hallways, silhouetted by a lit room at the end.

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

YODA
Masking the future, is this
disturbance in the Force.

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

YODA
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.

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

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

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

YODA
Only if he chooses to follow his
destiny.

There is a long silence as they walk away. Only footsteps are heard.

INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, BEDROOM - NIGHT
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.

INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, MAIN R0OM - NIGHT
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.

The door to the apartment slides open, and OBI-WAN enters.

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

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

OBI-WAN checks a palm-sized view scanner he has pulled out of his utility belt. It shows a shot of ARTOO by the door, but no sign of PADME on the bed.

OBI-WAN
What's going on?

ANAKIN shrugs.

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

OBI-WAN
What is she thinking?

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

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

ANAKIN
I know, but we also want to catch
this assassin. Don't we, Master?

OBI-WAN
You're using her as bait??

ANAKIN
It was her idea... No harm will
come to her. I can sense
everything going on in that room.
Trust me.

OBI-WAN
It's too risky... and your senses
aren't that attuned, young
apprentice.

ANAKIN
And yours are?

OBI-WAN
Possibly.

INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, BEDROOM - NIGHT
As PADME sleeps, a PROBE DROID approaches outside her window. It sends out several small arms that attach to the window, creating sparks that shut down the security system. Then a large arm cuts a small hole in the glass. A FAINT SOUND is heard as the small section of glass is removed from the window.

ARTOO wakes up, and his lights go on. The PROBE DROID freezes. ARTOO looks around, makes a PLAINTIVE LITTLE SOUND, then shuts down again. The PROBE DROID attaches a little tube to the window. TWO DEADLY LOOKING CENTIPEDE-LIKE KOUHUNS exit the tube, crawl through the blinds and head toward the sleeping PADME.

INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, MAIN ROOM - NIGHT
ANAKIN and OBI-WAN continue their conversation in the main room of the apartment.

OBI-WAN
You look tired.

ANAKIN
I don't sleep well, anymore.

OBI-WAN
Because of your mother?

ANAKIN
I don't know why I keep dreaming
About her now. I haven't seen her
since I was little.

OBI-WAN
Dreams pass in time.

ANAKIN
I'd rather dream of Padmé. Just
Being around her again is...
intoxicating.

OBI-WAN
Mind your thoughts, Anakin, they
betray you. You've made a
commitment to the Jedi order... a
commitment not easily broken...
and don't forget she's a
politician. They're not to be
trusted.

ANAKIN
She's not like the others in the
Senate, Master.

OBI-WAN
It's been my experience that
Senators are only focused on
pleasing those who fund their
campaigns... and they are more
than willing to forget the
niceties of democracy to get those
funds.

ANAKIN
Not another lecture, Master. Not
on the economics of politics....
It's too early in the morning... and
besides, you're generalising. The
Chancellor doesn't appear to
be corrupt.

OBI-WAN
Palpatine's a politician, I've
observed that he is very clever at
following the passions and
prejudices of the Senators.

ANAKIN
I think he is a good man. My
instincts are very positive
about...

ANAKIN looks stunned. He looks sharply at OBI-WAN

OBI-WAN
I sense it, too.

INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, BEDROOM - NIGHT
ARTOO sounds an alarm and shines a light on the bed. THE KOUHUNS are inches from PADME'S face. Their mouths are open, and wicked stinger tongues flick out.


OBI-WAN and ANAKIN burst into the room. The KOUHUNS stand on their hind legs and hiss as PADME wakes up. ANAKIN throws himself in front of her, whacking in half the deadly creatures with his lightsaber.

OBI-WAN sees the DROID outside the window and raqces straight at it, crashing through the blinds as he goes through the window.

EXT. WINDOW LEDGE, APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
OBI-WAN flies through the glass window and flings himself at the PROBE DROID, grabbing onto the deadly machine before it can flee. The PROBE DROID sinks under the weight of OBI-WAN but manages to stay afloat and fly away, with the Jedi hanging on for dear life, a hundred stories above the city.

INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
ANAKIN and PADME stare at the sight of OBI-WAN being carried off by the DROID. ANAKIN turns to her. She pulls her nightdress around her shoulders.

ANAKIN
Stay here!

CAPTAIN TYPHO, with TWO GUARDS and DORME, enter the room as Anakin dashes out.

EXT. CITYSCAPE, CORUSCANT - NIGHT
The PROBE DROID sends several protective electrical shocks across its surface, causing OBI-WAN to almost lose his grip. As they dart in and out of the speeder traffic, OBI-WAN disconnects a wire on the back of the DROID. Its power shuts off! OBI-WAN and the DROID drop like rocks. OBI-WAN realises the error of his ways and quickly puts the wire back. The DROID'S systems light up again and it takes off.

EXT. SENATE APARTMENTS - ENTRANCE - NIGHT
ANAKIN charges out of the building and runs to a line of parked speeders. He vaults into an open one and takes off, gunning it fast toward the lines of speeder traffic high above.

EXT. CITYSCAPE, CORUSCANT - NIGHT
The DROID bumps against a wall, hoping to knock the Jedi loose. It moves behind a speeder afterburner to scorch him. It takesthe JEDI wildly between buildings and finally skims across a rooftop as OBI-WAN is forced to lift his legs, tenaciously hanging onto the DROID. The DROID heads for a dirty, beat-up speeder hidden in an alcove of a building about twenty stories up. When the pilot of the speeder, a scruffy bounty hunter called ZAM WESELL, sees the DROID approach with OBI-WAN hanging on, she pulls a long rifle out of the speeder and starts to fire at the JEDI. EXPLOSIONS burst all around OBI-WAN.

OBI-WAN
I have a bad feeling about this.

FINALLY, the DROID suffers a direct hit and blows up. OBI-WAN falls fifty stories, until a speeder drops down next to him, and he manages to grab onto the back end of the speeder and haul himself toward the cockpit. The JEDI struggles to climb into the passenger seat of the open speeder and sit down next to the driver, ANAKIN.

ANAKIN
That was wacky! I almost lost you
in the traffic.

OBI-WAN
What took you so long?

ANAKIN
Oh, you know, Master, I couldn't
find a speeder I really liked,
with an open cockpit... and with
the right speed capabilities...
and then you know I had to get a
really gonzo color...

They zoom upward in hot pursuit of ZAM asshe fires out the open window at them with her laser pistol.

OBI-WAN
If you'd spend as much time
working on your saber skills as
you do on your wit, young Padawan,
you would rival Master Yoda as a
swordsman.

ANAKIN
I thought I already did.

OBI-WAN
Only in your mind, my very young
apprentice. Careful!! Hey, easy!!

As this conversation is going on, ANAKIN deftly moves in and out of the oncoming traffic, across lanes, between buildings, and miraculously through a construction site. ZAM WESELL continues firing at them.

ANAKIN
Sorry, I forgot you don't like
flying, Master.

OBI-WAN
I don't mind flying... but
what you're doing is suicide!

They barely miss a commuter train

ANAKIN
Master, you know I've been flying
since before I could walk. I'm very
good at this.

OBI-WAN
Just slow down!

ZAM WESSEL and the JEDI race through a line of cross-traffic made up of giant trucks. The speeders bank sideways as they slide around right-angle turns between buildings. ZAM races into a tram tunnel.

OBI-WAN
(continuing)
Wait! Don't go in there!

ANAKIN zooms into the tunnel after ZAM. They see a tram coming at them. They brake, turn around, and race out, barely ahead of the charging commuter transport.

OBI-WAN
(continuing)
You know I don't like it when you
do that!

ANAKIN
Sorry, Master. Don't worry, this
guy's gonna kill himself any
minute now!

ZAM WESSEL turns into oncoming traffic, deliberately trying to throw the JEDI off. Oncoming speeders swerve, trying to avoid ZAM and the JEDI. ZAM does a quick, tight loop-over and ends up behind the JEDI. She is now in a much better position to fire at them with her laser pistol. To avoid being hit by the laser bolts, ANAKIN slams on the brakes and moves alongside ZAM. She now fires point-blank at OBI-WAN.

OBI-WAN
What are you doing? He's gonna
blast me!

ANAKIN
Right - this isn't working.

ANAKIN slides underneath Zam's speeder. They race along in traffic, one speeder right on top of the other. The BOUNTY HUNTER skims over the rooftops, causing ANAKIN to drop behind. ANAKIN goes through his gears, zooming around traffic. They race at high speed across a wide, flat surface of the city planet. A large spacecraft almost collides with them as it attempts to land. They round a corner and clip a flag, which gets caught on one of the front air scoops.

OBI-WAN
That was too close!

ANAKIN
Clear that!

OBI-WAN
What??

ANAKIN
Clear the flag! We're losing
power! Hurry!

OBI-WAN leans out of the speeder, then crawls out onto the front engine, pulling the flag free of the scoop. The speeder lurches forward with a surge of power.

OBI-WAN
Whooooaaa! Don't do that! I
don't like it when you do that!

ANAKIN
So sorry, Master.

They chase the BOUNTY HUNTER through a power refinery.

OBI-WAN
It's dangerous near those power
couplings! Slow down! Don't go
through there!

Huge electrical bolts shoot between the buildings as the speeders pass.

OBI-WAN
(continuing)
Yiiii, what are you doing?

ANAKIN
Sorry, Master!

OBI-WAN
(sarcastically)
Oh, that was good...

ANAKIN
That was crazy!!!

ZAM slides around a corner sideways, blocking an alley, firing point-blank as ANAKIN approaches.

ANAKIN
(continuing)
Ahh, damn.

OBI-WAN
Stop!!

ANAKIN
No, we can make it.

ANAKIN barely misses the BOUNTY HUNTER'S speeder as he dives under it, and through a small gap in the building hitting several pipes and going wildly out of control. ANAKIN struggles to regain control of the speeder, narrowly missing a crane, barely clipping a pair of giant struts. A giant gasball shoots up, causing ANAKIN to spin and bump a building, stalling the speeder.

OBI-WAN
I'm crazy... I'm crazy... I'm
crazy.

ANAKIN
But it worked... we made it.

OBI-WAN
(angrily)
It didn't work... we've stalled!
And you almost got us killed!

ANAKIN
I think we're still alive.

ANAKIN works to get the speeder started. It quickly races to life.

OBI-WAN
(very angrily)
It was stupid!

ANAKIN
(sheepishly)
I could have made it...

OBI-WAN
(furious)
But you didn't!!! And now we've
lost him.

Suddenly, there is an ambush. Laser bolts fire everywhere. EXPLOSIONS surround them. They look up to see ZAM WESSEL take off.

ANAKIN
No we didn’t...

Out of a cloud of smoke and ball of flames the JEDI tear after ZAM. They are smoking. OBI-WAN slaps out the small fire on the dashboard. ZAM goes up and down, through cross-traffic. There is a near miss as a speeder almost hits them. ZAM turns down and left between two buildings. ANAKIN pulls up and to the right

OBI-WAN
Where are you going?! He went
down there, the other way.

ANAKIN
This is a shortcut... I think.

OBI-WAN
What do you mean, ‘You think?’
What kind of shortcut?! He went
completely the other way! You’ve
lost him!

ANAKIN
Master, if we keep this chase
going, that creep’s gonna end up
deep fried. Personally, I’d very
much like to find out who in the
hell he is and who he’s working
for...

OBI-WAN
(sarcastic)
Oh, so that’s why we’re going in
the wrong direction.

ANAKIN turns up a side street, zooming up several small passageways, then stops, hovering about fifty stories up.

OBI-WAN
(continuing)
Well, you lost him.

ANAKIN
I’m deeply sorry, Master.

ANAKIN looks around front and back. He spots something. He seems to
start counting to himself as he watches something below approach.

ANAKIN
(continuing)
Excuse me for a moment.

ANAKIN jumps out of the speeder. OBI-WAN looks down and sees Zam’s speeder about five stories below them cruising past. ANAKIN miraculously lands on top of the Bounty Hunter’s speeder. The speeder wobbles under the impact. ZAM looks up and realises what has happened.

ZAM takes off, and ANAKIN slides to the back strut and almost slips off, but manages to hang on. ANAKIN works his way back to the speeder’s cockpit, just as ZAM stops suddenly, and ANAKIN flies forward to the left front fork. ZAM shoots at him with a laser pistol. There is a BLAST near ANAKIN'S hand, which breaks off a piece of the speeder. ANAKIN slides to the right fork of the speeder, where ZAM can’t reach him. He scrambles to the top, holding onto an air scoop.

OBI-WAN has jumped into the driver’s seat of his speeder and is deftly gaining on the rogue speeder. The two speeders dive through oncoming traffic and then through cross traffic. Finally, ANAKIN is able to get hold of his lightsaber and starts to cut his way through the roof of the speeder. ZAM takes out her laser pistol and starts firing at the helpless JEDI, knocking the sword out of his hand. OBI-WAN races under the speeder and catches the Jedi weapon in the passenger’s seat.

ANAKIN sticks his hand into the cockpit and, using the Force, pulls the gun out of ZAM’S hand. She grabs the Jedi’s hand, and they struggle for the weapon. It goes off, blowing a hole in the floor of the speeder. The speeder careens wildly out of control. ZAM struggles to pull the speeder out of it’s nose dive. OBI-WAN gets slowed down by traffic and loses sight of the Bounty Hunter’s speeder.

Just as the dragster is about to nose dive into the ground, ZAM pulls it out, and it slides hard on the pavement in a shower of sparks. ANAKIN goes flying into the street.

EXT. ENTERTAINMENT STREET - NIGHT
ZAM exits the crashed speeder and runs. ANAKIN picks himself up off the pavement and runs down the very crowded street.

It's the seedy underbelly of the city. Broken sidewalks, garish lights reflected on the filthy puddles. It's pretty crowded with various ALIEN LOW-LIFES, PANHANDLING DROIDS, and the occasional group of UPPERCLASS SLUMMERS.

ANAKIN barges into several of them as he chases after the fleeing ZAM. He loses the Bounty Hunter in the crowd, them sees him again. The young Jedi is having a very difficult time getting through the crowd.

Ahead, ZAM turns in through a door and disappears.

A nightclub sighs is flashing over the door. ANAKIN is just about to follow ZAM when there is a sudden swirl of litter from downthrusters. PEOPLE start moving out of the way, and the open speeder lands in the street beside him. OBI-WAN gets out and walks over, holding out ANAKIN'S lightsaber.

OBI-WAN
Anakin!

ANAKIN
She went into that club, Master.

OBI-WAN
Patience.

OBI-WAN hands ANAKIN the lightsaber.

OBI-WAN
(continuing)
Here. Next time try not to lose it.

ANAKIN
Sorry, Master.

ANAKIN reaches for the lightsaber, but OBI-WAN holds it back.

OBI-WAN
A Jedi's saber is his most
precious possession.

ANAKIN
Yes, Master.

He reaches for the lightsaber, OBI-WAN pulls it back.

OBI-WAN
He must keep it with him at all
times.

ANAKIN
I know, Master.

OBI-WAN
This weapon is your life!

ANAKIN
I've heard this lesson before...

OBI-WAN finally holds out the lightsaber and ANAKIN grabs it.

OBI-WAN
But, you haven't learned anything,
Anakin.

ANAKIN
I try, Master.

INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN enter the nightclub bar, and everyone stares at them

OBI-WAN
Why do I think you are going to be
the death of me?!

ANAKIN
Don't say that Master... You're
the closest thing I have to a
father... I love you. I don't want
to cause you pain.

OBI-WAN
Then why don't you listen to me?!

ANAKIN
I will. I'll do better, I promise.

OBI-WAN
Do you see him him?

ANAKIN
I think he's a she...

OBI-WAN
Then be extra careful...
(nods to a room)
Check it out.

OBI-WAN goes away.

ANAKIN
Where are you going, Master?

OBI-WAN
To get a drink.

OBI-WAN heads for the bar. ANAKIN blinks in surprise, then moves into the room, where ALIEN FACES look back at him with hostility, suspicion, and invitation as he moves among the tables. OBI-WAN arrives at the bar. He signals the BARMAN.

CLOSE - Somewhere in the room a HAND moves to a pistol in its holster and unsnaps the safety catch. At the bar, a glass is placed in from of OBI-WAN. A drink is poured. He lifts the glass.

ELAN SLEAZEBAGGANO
Wanna buy some death sticks?

OBI-WAN looks at him. He moves his fingers slightly.

OBI-WAN
You don't want to sell me death-
sticks.

ELAN
I don't want to sell you death-
sticks.

OBI-WAN moves his fingers.

OBI-WAN
You want to go home and rethink
your life.

ELAN
I want to go home and rethink my
life.

He leaves. OBI-WAN lifts the drink and tosses it back.

CLOSE. The gun is drawn from its holster and held down out of sight. The BOUNTY HUNTER starts to move toward the bar.

ANAKIN checks out ALIEN FACES. OBI-WAN signals for another drink. The gun moves toward his unsuspecting back.

The drink is poured. OBI-WAN reaches for it. The gun is raised to aim directly at his back, and suddenly OBI-WAN turns fast. His lightsaber flashes. There is a shrill SCREAM and ZAM'S ARM hits the floor. The gun drops from its twitching fingers. Blood spreads.

The room is silent. ALIENS rise menacingly from their seats, and ANAKIN is suddenly at OBI-WAN's side, his lightsaber glowing.

ANAKIN
Easy... Official business. Go
back to your drinks.

Slowly, the ALIENS sit. Conversation resumes. Onstage, THE PERFORMERS pick up their routine. OBI-WAN and ANAKIN lift ZAM and carry her out.

EXT. ALLEY OUTSIDE NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN carry ZAM into the alley and lower her to the ground. OBI-WAN attends to her wounded shoulder. She stares up hatefully at ANAKIN. She winces in pain, then nods.

OBI-WAN
Do you know who it was you were
trying to kill?

ZAM WESSEL
The Senator from Naboo.

OBI-WAN
Who hired you?

ZAM glares at OBI-WAN.

ZAM WESSEL
It was just a job.

ANAKIN
Tell us!

ZAM WESSEL
That Senator's gonna die soon
anyway, and the next one won't
make the same mistake I did...

OBI-WAN
This wound's going to need
treatment.

ANAKIN
Who hired you? Tell us... tell us
now!

ZAM glares hatefully.

ZAM
It was a Bounty Hunter called...

There is a sudden FTZZZ sound. ZAM twitches. She blinks in surprise and dies.

There is a WEOOSH from above. OBI-WAN and ANAKIN look up yo see an ARMOURED ROCKET-MAN taking off from a roof high above. OBI-WAN looks down at ZAM. He touches her neck and pulls out a small, wicked-looking dart.

OBI-WAN
Toxic Dart...

INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT - DAY
ANAKIN and JAR JAR stand near the door of the anteroom to PADME'S
bedroom. PADME and DORME move about packing luggage.

PADMÉ
Representative Binks. I know I can
count on you.

JAR JAR
Yousa betchen mesa bottums.

PADMÉ
What?!

JAR JAR
(coughs, recovers)
Oh, pardone-ay, Senator. I mean,
I am honoured to accept this heavy
burden. I take on this
responsibility with deep humility
tinged with an overwhelming pride.
(pompously)
It is not every day that I am
called upon to...

PADME kisses him on the cheek and gives him a hug. JAR JAR turns red.

PADMÉ
You're a good friend, Jar Jar. I
don't wish to hold you up. I'm
sure you have a great deal to do.

JAR JAR
Of course, M'lady.

JAR JAR bows and goes out. As he passes ANAKIN, he flashes a dazzling smile... PADME is in a very bad mood.

PADMÉ
I do not like this idea of hiding.

ANAKIN
Don't worry. Now that the Council
has ordered an investigation, it
won't take Master Obi-Wan long to
find that bounty hunter.

PADMÉ
(frustrated)
I haven't worked for a year to
defeat the "Military Creation Act"
not to be here when its fate is
decided.

ANAKIN
Sometimes we have to let go of our
pride and do what is requested of
us.

PADMÉ
Pride?!? Annie, you're young, and
you don't have a very firm grip on
politics. I suggest you reserve
your opinions for some other time.

ANAKIN
Sorry, M'lady. I was only trying
to...

PADMÉ
Annie! No!

ANAKIN
Please don't call me that.

PADMÉ
What?

ANAKIN
Annie...

PADMÉ
I've always called you that... it
is your name, isn't it?

ANAKIN
It's Anakin. When you say Annie
it's like I'm still a little
boy... and I'm not.

PADMÉ
I'm sorry, Anakin. It's impossible
to deny you've...
(looks him over)
...that you've grown up.

PADME smiles at ANAKIN. He becomes a little shy.

ANAKIN
Master Obi-Wan manages not to see
it...

PADMÉ
Mentors have a way of seeing more
of our faults than we would like.
It's the only way we grow.

ANAKIN
Don't get me wrong... Obi-Wan is
a great mentor. As wise as Master
Yoda and as powerful as Master
Windu. I am truly thankful to be
his apprentice. Only... although
I'm a Padawan learner, in some
ways... a lot of ways... I'm ahead
of him. I'm ready for the trials.
I know I am! He knows it too. He
believes I'm too unpredictable...
Other Jedi my age have gone
through the trials and made it...
I know I started my training
late... but he won't let me move
on.

PADMÉ
That must be frustrating.

ANAKIN
It's worse... he's overly
critical. He never listens! He
just doesn't understand! It's not
fair!

PADME cannot surpress a laugh. She shakes her head.

PADMÉ
I'm sorry... You sounded exactly
like that little boy I once knew,
when he didn't get his way.

ANAKIN
I'm not whining! I'm not.

PADME just smiles at him. DORME laughs in the background.

PADMÉ
I didn't say it to hurt you.

ANAKIN
I know...

There is a brief silence. PADME comes over to ANAKIN.

PADME
Anakin...

They look into each other's eyes for the first time.

PADMÉ
(continuing)
Don't try to grow up too fast.

ANAKIN
I am grown up. You said it
yourself.

ANAKIN looks deep into PADME'S eyes.

PADMÉ
Please don't look at me like that.

ANAKIN
Why not?

PADMÉ
Because I can see what you're
thinking.

ANAKIN
(laughing)
Ahh... so, you have Jedi powers
too?

DORME is watching with concern.

PADMÉ
It makes me feel uncomfortable.

ANAKIN
Sorry, M'lady.

ANAKIN backs away as PADME turns and goes back to her packing.

EXT. CORUSCANT, SPACEPORT FREIGHTER DOCKS, TRANSPORT BUS - DAY
A small bus speeds toward the massive freighter docks of Coruscant's Industrial area. The spaceport is bustling with activity. Transports of various sizes moves supplies and passengers as giant floating cranes lift cargo out of starships. The bus stops before a huge intergalactic freighter starship. It parks in the shadows of an overhang.

INT. CORUSCANT, SPACEPORT FREIGHTER DOCKS, TRANSPORT BUS - DAY
ANAKIN and PADME, dressed in Outland peasant outfits, get up and head for the door where CAPTAIN TYPHO, DORME and OBI-WAN are waiting to hand them their luggage. DORME is dressed to look like Senator Amidala.

CAPTAIN TYPHO
Be safe, m'lady.

PADMÉ
Thank you, Captain. Take good
care of Dorme... the threat's on
you two now.

DORME
He'll be safe with me.

They laugh, and PADME embraces her faithful handmaiden. DORME start to weep.

PADMÉ
You'll be fine.

DORME
It's not me, M'Lady. I worry
about you. What if they realise
I'm not you?

PADMÉ
(looks to Anakin)
Then my Jedi protector will have
to prove how grown up he is.

DORME and PADME smile. ANAKIN frowns as OBI-WAN pulls him aside.

OBI-WAN
Anakin, you stay put on Naboo.
Do not attract any attention. Do
absolutely nothing without
checking in with me or the Council.

ANAKIN
Yes, Master.

OBI-WAN
(to Padme)
I will get to the bottom of this
plot quickly, M'Lady. You'll be
back here in no time.

PADMÉ
I will be most grateful for your
speed, Master Jedi.

ANAKIN
Time to go.

PADMÉ
I know.

PADME gives DORME a last hug. ANAKIN picks up the luggage, and the TWO PEASANTS exit the speeder bus, where ARTOO is waiting for them.

OBI-WAN
May the Force be with you.

ANAKIN
May the Force be with you, Master.

They head off toward the giant Starfreighter.

PADMÉ
Suddenly, I'm afraid...

ANAKIN
I'm kinda scared too. This is my
first assignment on my own.

PADMÉ
There's nothing to worry about...
we have Artoo with us.

The two laugh.

OBI-WAN and CAPTAIN TYPHO watch ANAKIN and PADME disappear into the
vastness of the spaceport with ARTOO trundling along behind them.

OBI-WAN
I hope he doesn't try anything
foolish.

CAPTAIN TYPHO
I'd be more concerned about her
doing something, than him.

EXT. FREIGHTER DOCKS - CORUSCANT - DAY
The freighter slowly takes off from the huge docks area of Coruscant. It soon moves into the crowded skies.

INT. JEDI TEMPLE, MAIN HALLWAY - LATE DAY
From high above, light streams down from the lofty ceilings. OBI-WAN crosses the floor of the great hallway, heaading for the Analysis Rooms.

INT. JEDI TEMPLE, ANALYSIS CUBICLES - LATE DAY
OBI-WAN walks past several glass cubicles where work is going on. He comes to an empty one and sits down in front of a console. A PK-4 ANALYSIS DROID comes to life. A tray slides out of the console.

PK-4
Place the subject for analysis on
the sensot tray, please.

OBI-WAN puts the dart onto the traym which retracts into the console. The DROID activates the system, and a screen lights up in from of OBI-WAN.

OBI-WAN
It's a toxic dart. I need to know
where it came from and who made it.

PK-4
One moment, please.

Diagrams and .... appear on the screem, scrolling past at great speed. OBI-WAN watches as the screen goes blank. They tray slides out.

PK-4
(continuing)
As you can see on your screen,
subject weapon does not exist in
any known culture. Markings
cannot be identified. Probablt
self-made by a warrior not
associated with any known society.

OBI-WAN
Excuse me? Could you try again
please?

PK-4
Master Jedi, our records are very
thorough. they cover eight
percent of the galaxy. If I can't
tell you where it came from,
nobody can.

OBI-WAN picks up the dart and looks at it, then looks to the DROID.

OBI-WAN
Thanks for your assistance! You
may not be able to figure this
out, but I think I know someone
who might.

EXT. SPACE, STARSHIP FREIGHTER
The massive, slow-moving Freighter suddenly zooms away into lightspeed.

INT. STARFREIGHTER, STORAGE HOLD - DAY
The great, gloomy hold is crowded with EMIGRANTS and their belongings. To one side ARTOO is coming to the head of a food line, where SERVERS are ladling out bowls of mush. ARTOO holds two bowls.

SERVER
Keep moving! Keep moving!

ARTOO slips tube into a tub of mush and sucks up a large quantity. With one of his little claw-arms, he grabs several chunks of something that looks like brown bread. A SERVER sees him.

FOOD SERVER
(continuing)
Hey! No Droids!

ARTOO takes one last big suck and heads away from the food line. The SERVER shouts after him angrily. The little droid moves past groups of eating or sleeping EMIGRANTS and comes to where ANAKIN is sound asleep. The young Jedi seems to be having a nightmare. He is very restless.

ANAKIN
No, no, Mom, no...

He is sweating. PADME leans over to wipe some of the sweat from his forehead. He wakes up with a start, then realises where he is. PADME simply looks at him. He stares back, somewhat confused. ARTOO fills up two bowls with mush.

ANAKIN
(continuing)
What?

PADMÉ
You seemed to be having a
nightmare.

ANAKIN looks at PADME a little more closely, trying to see if he has revealed any of his secrets. She hands him a bowl of mush and bread.

PADMÉ
(continuing)
Are you hungry?

ANAKIN
Thank you.

PADMÉ
We went into lightspeed a while
ago.

ANAKIN looks into PADME'S eyes.

ANAKIN
I look forward to seeing Naboo
again. I've thought about it every
day since I left. It's by far the
most beautiful place I've ever
seen...

PADME is a little unnerved by his intense stare.

PADMÉ
You were just a little boy then.
It may not be as you remember it;
time changes your perception.

ANAKIN
I think time has given me much
more mature feelings to enhance my
perception.

PADMÉ
It must be difficult having sworn
your life to the Jedi... not being
able to visit the places you
like... or do the things you
like...

ANAKIN
Or be with the people I love.

PADMÉ
Are you allowed to love? I
thought that was forbidden for a
Jedi.

ANAKIN
Attachment is forbidden.
Possession is forbidden.
Compassion, which I would define
as unconditional love, is central
to a Jedi's life, so you might say
we're encouraged to love.

PADMÉ
You have changed so much

ANAKIN
You haven't changed a bit. You're
exactly the way I remember you in
my dreams. I doubt if Naboo has
changed much either.

PADMÉ
It hasn't...

ANAKIN
I can't wait to breathe the sweet
breeze that comes off the rolling
hills. Whenever I try to
visualise the Force, those hills
are what I see.

ANAKIN looks at PADME when he says this.

ANAKIN
(continuing)
I love Naboo.

There is an awkward moment.

PADMÉ
(changing the subject)
Were you dreaming about you
mother earlier, weren't you?

ANAKIN
Yes... I left Tatooine so long
ago, my memory of her is fading.
I don't want to lose it. Recently
I've been seeing her in my
dreams... vivid dreams... scary
dreams. I worry about her.

PADME gives ANAKIN a sympathetic look.

EXT. CORUSCANT, DOWNTOWN, BACK STREET - MORNING
OBI-WAN walks down the street. It is a pretty tough part of town. Old buildings, warehouses, beat up speeders and transporter rigs occasional "shiny freighters" hissing through.

OBI-WAN comes to a kind of alien diner. On the steamed-up windowa it says "DEX'S DINER" in alien lettering. He goes inside.

INT. CORUSCANT, DEX'S DINER - MORNING
A young waitress, HERMIONE BAGWA, is wiping off a booth tabletop. There is a counter with stools and a line of booths along the wall by the window. A number of CUSTOMERS are eating - TOUGH-LOOKING WORKERS, FREIGHTER DRIVERS etc. HERMIONE looks up as OBI-WAN comes in.

HERMIONE
Can I help ya?

OBI-WAN
I'm looking for Dexter.

HERMIONE'S eyes narrow.

HERMIONE BAGWA
Waddya want him for?

OBI-WAN
He's not in trouble. It's
personal.

HERMIONE stares at OBI-WAN. There is a brief pause. Then she goes to the open serving hatch behind the counter.

HERMIONE BAGWA
Someone to see ya, honey
(lowering her voice)
A Jedi, by the looks of him.

Steam billows out from the kitchen hatch behind the counter as a huge head pokes through.

DEXTER JETTSTER
Obi-Wan!

OBI-WAN
Hey, Dex.

DEXTER JETTSTER
Take a seat! Be right with ya!

OBI-WAN sits in a booth.

HERMIONE BAGWA
You want a cup of ardees?

OBI-WAN
Thank you.

HERMIONE moves off as the door to the counter opens and DEXTER JETTSTER appears. He is big - bald and sweaty, old and alien. Not someone to tangle with. He arrives, beaming hugely.

DEXTER JETTSTER
Hey, ol' buddy!

OBI-WAN
Hey, Dex.

DEXTER eases himself into the seat opposite OBI-WAN. He can just make it. HERMIONE sets two mugs of steaming ardees in from of them.

DEXTER JETTSTER
So, my friend. What can I do for
ya?

OBI-WAN
You can tell me what this is.

OBI-WAN places the dart on the table between them. DEX'S eyes widen. He puts down his mug.

DEXTER JETTSTER
Well, whattaya know...

DEXTER picks up the dart delicately between his puffy fingers and peers at it.

DEXTER JETTSTER
(continuing)
I ain't seen one of these since I
was prospecting on Subterrel
beyond the Outer Rim!

OBI-WAN
Do you know where it came from?

DEXTER grins. He puts the dart down between them.

DEXTER JETTSTER
This baby belongs to them cloners.
What you got here is a Kamino
Kyberdart.

OBI-WAN
Kamino Kyberdart... I wonder why
it didn't show up in any analysis
archive.

DEXTER JETTSTER
It's these funny little cuts on
the side give it away...
Those analysis droids you've got
over there only focus on symbols,
you know. I should think you Jedi
would have more respect for the
difference between knowledge and
wisdom.

OBI-WAN
Well, Dex, if droids could think, we
wouldn't be here, would we?
(laughing)
Kamino... doesn't sound familiar.
Is it part of the Republic?

DEXTER JETTSTER
No, it's beyond the Outer Rim.
I'd say about twelve parsecs
outside the Rishi Maze, toward the
south. It should be easy to find,
even for those droids in your
archive to find. Those Kaminoans
keep to themselves. They're
cloners. Damned good ones, too.

OBI-WAN then picks up the dart, holding it midway between them.

OBI-WAN
Cloners? Are they friendly?

DEXTER JETTSTER
It depends.

OBI-WAN
On what, Dex?

Dexter grins.

DEXTER JETTSTER
On how good your manners are...
and how big your pocketbook is...

EXT. NABOO SPACEPORT - DAY
The Starfreighter lands in the giant port city of Theed.

PADME, ANAKIN and ARTOO are among the EMIGRANTS streaming from the Starfreighter and into the vast docking area. They exit onto the main plaza.

EXT. NABOO PALACE, GRAND COURTYARD (NABOO) - AFTERNOON
The speeder bus pulls up and stops. PADME, ANAKIN, and ARTOO get out. The great courtyard stretches out before them, and they see the rose-colored dome of the palace on the far side. ARTOO WHISTLES. They pick up their gear and start to cross the courtyard. ARTOO trundles behind them.

ANAKIN
If I grew up here, I don't think
I'd ever leave.

PADMÉ
(laughing)
I doubt that.

ANAKIN
No, really. When I started my
training, I was very homesick and
very lonely. This city and my Mom
were the only pleasant things I
had to think about... The problem
was, the more I thought about my
Mom, the worse I felt. But I
would feel better if I thought
about the palace - the way it
shimmers in the sunlight - the way
the air always smells of flowers...

PADMÉ
...and the soft sound of the
distant waterfalls. The first
time I saw the Capital, I was very
young... I'd never seen a
waterfall before. I though they
were so beautiful... I never
dreamed one day I'd live in the
palace.

ANAKIN
Well, tell me, did you dream of
power and politics when you were
a little girl?

PADMÉ
(laughing)
No! That was the last thing I
thought of. My dream was to help
in the "Refugee Relief Movement."
I never thought of running for
elected office. But the more
history I studied, the more I
realised how much good politicians
could do. So when I was eight, I
joined the "Apprentice
Legislators", then later on became
a Senatorial advisor, with such a
passion that, before I knew it, I
was elected Queen. Partly because
I scored so high on my education
certificate, but for the most part
it was my conviction that reform
was possible. I wasn't the
youngest Queen ever elected, but
now that I think back on it, I'm
not sure I was old enough. I'm not
sure I was ready.

ANAKIN
The people you served thought you
did a good job. I heard they
tried to amend the Constitution so
you could stay in office.

PADMÉ
Popular rule is not democracy,
Annie. It gives the people what
they want, not what they need.
And, truthfully, I was relieved
when my two terms were up. So
were my parents. They worried
About me during the blockade and
couldn't wait for it all to be
over. Actually, I was hoping to
have a family by now... My
sisters have the most amazing,
wonderful kids... but when the
Queen asked me to serve as
Senator, I couldn't refuse her.

ANAKIN
I agree! I think the Republic
needs you... I'm glad you chose
to serve. I feel things are going
to happen in our generation that
will change the galaxy in profound
ways.

PADMÉ
I think so too.

ANAKIN and PADME walk toward the palace. ARTOO continues to follow.

INT. NABOO PALACE, THRONE ROOM - AFTERNOON
QUEN JAMILLIA is seated on the throne, flanked by SIO BIBBLE and a COUPLE OF ADVISORS. FOUR HANDMAIDENS stand close by, and GUARDS are at the doors.

QUEEN JAMILLIA
We've been worried about you.
(takes her hand)
I'm so glad you're safe, Padmé.

PADMÉ
Thank you, Your Highness. I only
Wish I could have served you
better by staying on Coruscant for
the vote.

SIO BIBBLE
Given the circumstances, Senator,
you know it was the only decision
Her Highness could have made.

QUEEN JAMILLIA
How many systems have joined Count
Dooku and the separatists?

PADMÉ
About two hundred. And more are
leaving the Republic every day.
If the Senate votes to create an
army, I'm sure it's going to push
us into a civil war.

SIO BIBBLE
It's unthinkable! There hasn't
been a full-scale war since the
formation of the Republic!

QUEEN JAMILLIA
Do you see any way, through
negotiations, to bring the
separatists back into the Republic?

PADMÉ
Not if they feel threatened. The
separatists don't have an army,
but if they are provoked, they
will move to defend themselves.
I'm sure of that. And with no time
or money to build an army, my
guess is they will turn to the
Commerce Guilds or the Trade
Federation for help.

QUEEN JAMILLIA
The armies of commerce! Why has
Nothing been done in the Senate
to restrain them?

PADMÉ
I'm afraid that, despite the
Chancellor's best efforts, there
are still many bureaucrats,
judges, and even Senators on the
payrolls of the Guilds.

SIO BIBBLE
It's outrageous! After all of
those hearings, and the four trials in
the Supreme Court, Nute Gunray is
still the Viceroy of the Trade
Federation. Do those money
mongers control everything?

QUEEN JAMILLIA
Remember, Counsellor, the courts
were able to reduce the
Federation's armies. That's a
move in the right
direction.

PADMÉ
There are rumours, Your Highness,
that the Federation Army was not
reduced as they were ordered.

ANAKIN
The Jedi have not been allowed to
investigate. It would be to be too
dangerous for the economy, we were
told.

QUEEN JAMILLIA
We must keep our faith in the
Republic. The day we stop
believing democracy can work is
the day we lose it.

PADMÉ
Let's pray that day never comes.

QUEEN JAMILLIA
In the meantime, we must consider
your own safety.

SIO BIBBLE signals. All the other ADVISORS and ATTENDANTS bow and leave the room.

SIO BIBBLE
(to Anakin)
What is your suggestion, Master
Jedi?

PADMÉ
Anakin's not a Jedi yet, Counsellor.
He's still a Padawan learner. I
was thinking...

ANAKIN
(nettled)
Hey, hold on a minute!

PADMÉ
Excuse me! I was thinking I would
stay in the Lake Country. There
are some places up there that are
very isolated.

ANAKIN
Excuse me?! I am in charge of
security here, M'Lady.

SIO BIBBLE and QUEEN JAMILLIA exchange a look. Something is going on here.

PADMÉ
Annie, my life is at risk, and
this is my home. I know it very
well... that is why we're here.
I think it would be wise for you
to take advantage of my knowledge
in this instance.

ANAKIN
(takes a deep breath)
Sorry, M'Lady.

SIO BIBBLE
(to Anakin, amused)
She is right. The Lake Country is
the most remote part of Naboo.
Not many people and a clear view
of the surrounding terrain.

QUEEN JAMILLIA
Perfect. It's settled then.

ANAKIN glares at PADME. Then QUEEN JAMILLIA gets up, and they all start to leave.

QUEEN JAMILLIA
(continued)
Padmé, I had an audience with your
father yesterday. I told him what
was happening. He hopes you will
visit your mother before you
leave... your family's very
worried about you.

PADME looks worred. They ALL exit down the main staircase.

EXT. JEDI TEMPLE - DAY
The main entrance at the base of the huge temple is bustling with activity. All sorts of JEDI are coming and going.

INT. JEDI TEMPLE, ARCHIVES LIBRARY - DAY
A bronze bust of Count Dooku, stands among a line of other busts of Jedi in the Archive Room. OBI-WAN stands in front it, studying the striking features of the chiselled face.

On the walls, lighted computer panels seem to stretch into infinity. Farther along the room in the background, FIVE JEDI are seated at tables, studying archival material.

After OBI-WAN studies the bust for a few moments before MADAME JOCASTA NU, the Jedi Archivist is standing next to him. She is an elderly, frail-looking human Jedi. Tough as old boots and smart as a whip.

JOCASTA NU
Did you call for assistance?

OBI-WAN
(distracted in thought)
Yes... yes, I did...

JOCASTA NU
He has a powerful face, doesn't
he? He was one of the most
brilliant Jedi I have had the
privilege of knowing.

OBI-WAN
I never understood why he quit.
Only twenty Jedi have ever left
the Order.

JOCASTA NU
(sighs)
The Lost Twenty... and Count Dooku
was the most recent and the most
painful. No one likes to talk
about it. His leaving was a great
loss to the Order.

OBI-WAN
What happened?

JOCASTA NU
Well, one might say, he was always
a bit out of step with the
decisions of the Council... much
like your old Master, Qui-Gon Jinn.

OBI-WAN
(surprised)
Really?

JOCASTA NU
Oh, yes. They were alike in many
ways. Very individual thinkers...
idealists...

JOCASTA NU stares at the bust

JOCASTA NU
(continuing
He was always striving to become
a more powerful Jedi. He wanted
to be the best. With a lightsaber,
in the old style of fencing, he
had no match. His knowledge of
the Force was... unique. In the
end, I think he left because he
lost faith in the Republic. He
believed that politics were
corrupt, and he felt the Jedi
betrayed themselves by serving the
politicians. He always had very
high expectations of government.
He disappeared for nine or ten
years, then he just showed up
recently as the head of the
separatist movement.

OBI-WAN
Interesting... I'm still not sure
I understand.

JOCASTA NU
Well, I'm sure you didn't call me
over here for a history lesson.
Are you having a problem, Master
Kenobi?

OBI-WAN
Yes, I'm trying to find a planet
system called Kamino. It doesn't
seem to show upon any of the
archive charts.

JOCASTA NU
Kamino? It's not a system I'M
familiar with... Let me see...

JOCASTA NU leans over OBI-WAN'S shoulder, looking at the screen.

JOCASTA NU
(continuing)
Are you sure you have the right
co-ordinates?

OBI-WAN
(nodding)
According to my information, it
should be in this quadrant
somewhere... just south of the
Rishi Maze.

JOCASTA NU taps the keyboard and frowns.

JOCASTA NU
No co-ordinates? It sounds like the
kind of directions you'd get from
a street tout... some old miner or
Furbog trader.

OBI-WAN
All three actually.

JOCASTA NU
Are you sure it exists?

OBI-WAN
Absolutely.

JOCASTA NU
Let me do a gravitational scan.

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