EXT. CORUSCANT - SPACE

A small bright streak of light flashes into existence, transforming into a Nabu courier ship. The craft flies on an unsteady course into Coruscant's orbit.

INT. SPACE - COURIER SHIP - COCKPIT

The courier, a short man in his mid twenties, struggles to stabilize his turbulent trajectory, fighting with the ship's controls. He pulls the goggles over his eyes up and off, wiping the sweat from his brow as he does so.

COURIER : No good ... no good ... This is not good.

EXT. CORUSCANT - SPACE

One of the courier ship's engines suddenly flashes bright, throwing the whole craft into a spin. The craft tumbles toward a giant orbiting mirror.

It strikes the reflective surface of the mirror, damaging the fragile material, and careens off, falling into Coruscant's atmosphere in an uncontrolled re-entry.

INT. SPACE - COURIER SHIP - COCKPIT

Klaxons begin to blare and warning lights begin to flash. The courier flips a number of switches and presses a couple buttons.

COURIER : Lateral controls are gone now!? Dammit it all to hell! Why is this happening to - !

EXT. CORUSCANT - CITYSCAPE - LATE DAY

Several Coruscanti civilians notice the courier ship as it descends from the sky trailing smoke, pointing with expressions of alarm on their faces.

INT. CORUSCANT - COURIER SHIP - COCKPIT - LATE DAY

COURIER : Please hold together, baby, please? You hear me, you piece of junk? Hold together! Hold together long enough for me to land you and safely get the hell out!

EXT. CORUSCANT - PLAZA - LATE DAY

The courier manages to stabilize the craft just enough to make a safe, but rough, landing on a plaza. A crowd gathers as fire & medical units arrive on the scene.

The ship's outer hatch opens, and the pilot staggers out. Medics rush to aid him. The courier collapses to the ground. The medics get to him and start to lift him into a stretcher.

MEDIC : Are you hurt? Did you sustain injuries on the way in? Sir, can you hear me?

PILOT : I - I have to speak to the Senate - the Chancellor! The Federation - the Neimoidians have taken over Nabu! I have to get help - !

MEDIC : It will all be taken care. For now let us help you. Let's get you looked at.

PILOT : You don't understand! The Royal Family sent me. We have to get back to them before it’s too late!

MEDIC : (to his colleagues) Let's get him out of here.

INT. CORUSCANT - CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE - SUNSET

The two highest ranking members of the Jedi Council - Yoda and Mace Windu - stand before Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum’s desk, discussing the crisis on Nabu. The Jedi wear close-fitting black uniforms, complete with the dark cloaks that define Jedi Masters. Valorum is a middle-aged man - in his late fifties - with pale white hair.

The Chancellor puts his hand on top of his desk, trailing his fingers across its surface, before taking a seat behind it.

VALORUM : ... You now see why we need your help with this situation, Masters. In your capable hands we can surely succeed.

MACE WINDU : Understood. However, this will be a difficult undertaking, Chancellor. There can be no doubt about that.

VALORUM : None whatsoever, Master Windu. Which is why I'm asking for your top acolytes on this mission.

YODA : Our best?

VALORUM : Indeed. If it is not too much to ask ...

MACE WINDU : There’s an academy on Chommell Minor. It is the closest world to Nabu with a Jedi presence ...

YODA : (to Valorum) The fleet ... around Corellia it amasses, yes?

VALORUM : It does, Master.

YODA : Stationed there is Obi-Wan my old apprentice, assisting the rebuilding effort.

VALORUM : Obi-Wan Kenobi? He helped repel the Mandalorians from Alderaan, if I am not mistaken?

MACE WINDU : That is correct. (cont’d) Obi-Wan has proven himself in the past.

YODA : Indeed.

VALORUM : (cont’d) Then it’s decided. We will assign Obi-Wan Kenobi to this mission.

YODA : A good choice is he for the rescue mission - a perfect choice.

VALORUM : Your assistance is appreciated, Masters. I am sure the Nabuan heirs will thank you.

INT. SPACE - NUTE GUNRAY’S PERSONAL FLAGSHIP - CORRIDOR

Viceroy Nute Gunray slinks down the empty corridor, coming to a door. Looking down both ends of the hallway to make certain that no one is around, the Neimoidian opens the door.

He quickly enters the dim chamber beyond, and the door closes behind him.

INT. SPACE - NUTE GUNRAY’S PERSONAL FLAGSHIP - NUTE GUNRAY'S PERSONAL CHAMBERS

Gunray steps into a darkened room. In the centre sits a large holographic display.

At his approach the display surges into life, displaying the image of a shadowy horned figure clad in black robes with red trim - the Zabrak Sith Lord Maul.

MAUL : Speak.

NUTE GUNRAY : We have secured hold of Nabu, My Liege. We had the city of Theed bombarded, as you requested, and stormed the palace. Our soldiers disposed of King and Queen Naberrie and the Princess Sola.

MAUL : And what of Oeta and Amidala?

NUTE GUNRAY : Ah, yes - yes! As you see, My Lord ...

MAUL : Out with it, you blithering worm.

NUTE GUNRAY : Yes, Lord. See, I - I mean we. We ... the soldiers -

MAUL : (angry) Now!

NUTE GUNRAY : They escaped us - twice.

MAUL : Twice ...

NUTE GUNRAY : At the palace, and in the swamps. The Gungans - this world's aboriginals - are helping them. We know that they live in aquatic cities. We're attempting to locate the nearest possible settlement relative to their last known position.

MAUL : You stupid fool - the Gungans are allied with the Nabu! You didn't stop to think that they would assist the Royal Family beforehand?!

NUTE GUNRAY : My Lord, we didn't think -

MAUL : Precisely! You don't think. You are as stupid as you are incompetent.

NUTE GUNRAY : Liege -

MAUL : Shut up. I will hear no more of your pitiful excuses.

NUTE GUNRAY : As you wish, My Lord. I serve only to please you.

MAUL : (cont’d) Once you have found the Gungan city have it destroyed. We will not be taking any chances with these children. I want them dead.

NUTE GUNRAY : Yes, Liege. As you command. (cont'd) I ...

MAUL : I sense you have something more to say?

NUTE GUNRAY : My Lord, the Republic will not stand for this. I fear we will be facing a retaliation from them sooner rather than later.

MAUL : You must tighten your hold on the planet. Have your ships form a solid blockade in orbit around Nabu. (cont’d) I assume the droid fleet is still on its way?

NUTE GUNRAY : They are still on their way, Lord.

MAUL : Once they arrive have them reinforce the blockade. Have an ambush prepared for any armada sent against you.

NUTE GUNRAY : My Lord ... it is a risky move siphoning off ships for this invasion. The Directorate has not sanctioned this endeavour. Should they find out about my involvement ...

MAUL : Viceroy, if you fail me there will be more to worry about than persecution from either the Republic or your fellow Neimoidians. I promise you this.

NUTE GUNRAY : The blockade will be established according to your wishes.

MAUL : Serve me well, Viceroy. You will be soon rewarded.

The Viceroy bows before the Sith Lord's image, and the hologram passes it's hand over the Neimoidian's form. The hologram dissolves, and the display grows dark.