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Mace Windu, Yoda, and the other Jedi meet Palpatine’s shuttle as it arrives at the Senate building. Various senators such as Bail Organa and Jar Jar are also there. Padme and the droids look on as Red Royal Guards disembark before Obi-Wan, Anakin and the Chancellor himself does the same. Mace Windu- "Chancellor Palpatine. What a welcome sight. Are you all right?" Padme steals a glance at Anakin. He returns her gaze but says nothing. A tiny smile creeps up one side of his face. Padme smiles in return. She has been wearing an exotic disguise to hide her pregnancy. Palpatine nods to Anakin and Anakin follows him. Obi-Wan eyes Palpatine suspiciously, thinking about this new bond he has formed with Anakin. Later, Amidala and Skywalker break away from the group and meet in the shadows of the Senate's huge pillars. They hold each other. Inside, a Senate meeting takes place. The floor of the Senate erupts in applause as Chancellor Palpatine enters, followed steadily by Anakin. The majority of the Republic hail Palpatine as a “savior”. He saved the Republic from a disaster that the Jedi could not. Many in the Senate now oppose Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s relinquishing of the “emergency powers,” and in fact, many call to give him more power, as long as it will keep the Republic safe from the threat of another war. Palpatine announces the establishment of Regional Governors across the galaxy. However, this is a move not welcomed by many Senators since the orders for the governors comes directly from Palpatine, not the Senate. The few Senators and Jedi who oppose this notion are seen as rebels and are quickly dismissed by the Senate. Two influential members of the Senate decide to act against the Chancellor. Senator Bail Organa and Senator Mon Mothma decide to pull together the Star Systems that are opposed to Palpatine's new dictatorship. One influential senator that is mentioned is Senator Amidala of Naboo. However, Bail and Mon Mothma, and other senators, are unsure whether or not she is to be trusted. Her alignment with Palpatine's home planet of Naboo is a cause of concern to them. Mon Mothma- "She is intelligent, principled, extremely articulate, and she has the heart of a warrior." Bail Organa- "How sure can you be that she will stand with us, and not with him?" They decide to have a meeting with Senator Amidala. Later in the Chancellor's office, Palpatine speaks privately with Anakin Skywalker. Palpatine- "I need your help, son. I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council." Anakin- "I do not think the Council will agree to it." Palpatine- "I think they will. They need you... more than you know. I'm depending on you to be the eyes, ears and voice of the Republic." A ship streaks through space. It is General Grievous' starfighter. He is contacted by Darth Sidious. Sidious instructs his general to go to a secret base on the distant, neutral planet of Utapau. When he arrives on the planet, he is to wait for the arrival of a Jedi Master: then he is to destroy him. On Coruscant, Padme meets in secret with Bail Organa, Mon Mothma and others. It seems that the distrust of the Jedi has grown. They discuss Palpatine’s growing abuse of power. C-3P0 tries to serve drinks ... C-3P0- "Refreshing beverage sir?" Organa- "Alderaan has no armed forces; we don't even have a planetary defense system!" Mothma- “There are some of us who still have faith. The Delegation of 2000 is with us.” Organa- “We are being manipulated and I fear Chancellor Palpatine is behind it.” Padme- "I think we should consult the Jedi." Later, Anakin escorts Padme to her apartment followed by the two droids. She and Anakin discuss their plans for the immediate future. Anakin changes his clothes. His golden bionic arm glints in the moonlight. C-3P0 brings a shirt. C-3P0- "Here you go Master Ani ..." Padme takes Anakin's flesh hand and presses it against her belly. Padme- "He keeps kicking," Anakin- "He? I thought you'd ordered your medical droid not to spoil the surprise." Padme- "Oh, I didn't get this from Emdee. It's my ... motherly intuition." Anakin feels another kick and laughs. Anakin- "Motherly intuition, huh? With a kick that hard? Definitely a girl." Padme- “I’ll return to Naboo and wait for you. I'm so proud of you Anakin.” Anakin- “The Chancellor is my only friend. Obi-Wan and the Council don't trust me." Padme puts her arms around Anakin’s neck and kisses him lightly. During the night Anakin has a nightmare. A horror filled vision of things to come. In this vision ... his wife is dead. |
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