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

Gunray runs down the passage, panicked with sweat running down his forehead. He stumbles as he reaches the door to his chambers, falling to his knees. He scrambles back up to his feet, opening the door with a low cry before slipping inside.

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

Gunray runs into the room, collapsing against the holographic projector. Maul’s image is already being projected, his larger-than-life eyes burning down on the Neimoidian.

MAUL : You’re late!

NUTE GUNRAY : I ... came as fast as I could ... My Lord. I ... am no athlete.

MAUL : (enraged) Do not speak up to me! Never speak up to me!

NUTE GUNRAY : My - My Lord ...! Forgive me!

MAUL : (cont’d) Send a message to the Senate on Coruscant. Do it right away!

NUTE GUNRAY : Message? What message?

MAUL : Until Naberrie returns to Nabu and surrenders to our custody, her people will suffer and die. Tell them!

NUTE GUNRAY : Suffer ...?

MAUL : As of now food is forbidden to the Nabu populace. You will have their homes and marketplaces raided, leaving them nothing.

NUTE GUNRAY : Raid ...?

MAUL : And have Theed destroyed.

NUTE GUNRAY : Destroyed!?

MAUL : A warning of what will come to the rest of her people on every day she is away from home.

NUTE GUNRAY : It is such a drastic move ...

MAUL : You will obey me! You will obey, or I will kill you where you stand!

NUTE GUNRAY : I will obey! I never said I wouldn’t! Please, pity me!

MAUL : (disgusted) You are beneath pity. Now stand up and do your duty.

The hologram fades away, and the Neimoidian collapses completely, fainted.

INT. NABU - THEED PRISON - PALPATINE’S CELL - DAWN

Dantius Palpatine lies sleeping upon his bunk when a contingent of Federation B1 battle droids lead by an orange EV supervisor droid deactivate the destructive holding beams of his cell and storm in, pulling him down and forcing him awake.

PALPATINE : What - what’s going on?

ORANGE DROID : Political prisoners are to be transferred. You will be coming with us.

A pair of droids grab hold of the Vizier’s shoulders, hauling him to his feet. As they pull him out into the cell block, Palpatine sees other palace servants being herded out of their cells with him.

EXT. NABU - THEED - DAWN

Contingents of battle droids and Neimoidian soldiers march through the streets, making their way from their posts to waiting carriers and platforms. Once every trooper has climbed aboard, the Neimoidian craft lift off and depart Theed, leaving for farther regions.

Soon, all the Federation troops are gone, leaving the city silent. Soon, the silence is broken by the sound of a sole bird tweeting.

The townspeople tentatively poke their heads out their doors and windows. Cautiously, they step out of their homes, and begin to explore. They find no trace of the Neimoidian forces.

EXT. NABU - THEED - TOWN SQUARE - DAWN

Several citizens begin to fill the marketplace. They look around, exploring their surroundings. Slowly, smiles break out over their faces.

CITIZEN #1 : They’re gone ... the Federation is gone ... the Neimoidians have left!

The people erupt with cheering. They sing and dance as the revelry grows stronger. Some begin to cry with laughter and happiness.

CITIZEN #2 : We’re free, we’re free, we’re free! Nabu is free!

The celebration is broken, however, when a low droning begins to fill the air. The laughter and singing dies down as the droning moves closer and grows loud. They freeze in terror as a bomber appears over the horizon, and passes over, throwing its shadow over the city below. The townspeople scream as a weapon is released from the bomber.

The ship pulls up and away to safety as the bomb detonates, and Theed disappears in a bright flash. The powerful shockwave plows over the buildings and uproots the earth, turning everything into a churning fiery mass.

A mushroom cloud billows upward into the air, blocking out the rising sun and turning the blue sky black.