EXT. CORUSCANT - SENATE LANDING PLATFORM - EVENING

Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Anakin stand on the platform. The two Jedi are close together, arguing. Anakin stands off to the side, watching them.

QUI-GON : ... It is not disrespect, Obi-Wan. It is the truth.

OBI-WAN : From your point of view ...

QUI-GON : Anakin is dangerous. They all sense it. Why can’t you?

OBI-WAN : His fate is uncertain, not dangerous. The Council will decide Anakin’s future. That should be enough for you.

Organa, Vaness, Tarpals, Amidala and her bodyguards arrive. Obi-Wan greets them, then walks over to Anakin.

ANAKIN : Obi-Wan, I don’t want to be a problem.

OBI-WAN : You won’t be. Qui-Gon is simply employing caution. Too much caution perhaps, but he will come to understand in time.

ANAKIN : (cont’d) You’re not taking me with you, are you?

OBI-WAN : No. Nabu will be a dangerous place to be. It is no place for you.

ANAKIN : But I can fight! I can fly!

OBI-WAN : Can you now?

ANAKIN : I’ve got the skills. Me and my friends Kitster and Wald had a refurbished skyhopper back home. The controls aren’t that different from the ones on Headhunter starfighters. (cont’d) C’mon, don’t leave me here!

OBI-WAN : I have no doubt in your skills, but without training -

ANAKIN : I’ll enlist! They’ll have to let me -

OBI-WAN : (cont’d) You are too young. The military will never accept a fifteen-year-old.

ANAKIN : But -

OBI-WAN : No buts, Anakin. You will remain here on Coruscant.

Obi-Wan reaches into his tunic and pulls out a datapad. He hands it to Anakin who tentatively accepts it.

ANAKIN : (sarcastic) I can play games to pass the time - yay!

OBI-WAN : (cont’d) I’ve created an account for you. You’ll have access to enough money to pay for temporary housing, food, and other essentials. It will last until I return.

ANAKIN : If you return.

Before Obi-Wan can respond a starship drops down from the sky and touches down on the platform.

OBI-WAN : This is our ride. (cont’d) May the Force be with you, Anakin Skywalker.

ANAKIN : And with you, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The retinue begins to board the transport, leaving Anakin to watch as they climb aboard. Once all passengers are on-ship, the hatch closes, and the craft lifts off and climbs into the air.

As the craft shrinks to a point in the sky Anakin turns to leave, and bumps into something in his way. Looking down he spots a blue R2 unit droid sitting in his path. The droid’s dome swivels and a series of beeps and whistles are released.

ANAKIN : Sorry, little guy. I wasn’t watching where I was going.

The R2 unit issues a few good-natured beeps, then continues on its way. Once the droid is past Anakin starts forward, leaving the platform for the city beyond.

EXT. NABU - HALES - CITYSCAPE - MORNING

Within the heart of the city several construction droids are hard at work building a towering mechanical pyramid. A trio of Federation cruisers fly overhead.

INT. NABU - NEIMOIDIAN CRUISER - PASSENGER DECK - MORNING

Nute Gunray looks out the side window at the construction going on down below. Beside him sits Rune Haako. A serving droid - TC-14 - approaches the two Neimoidians carrying a tray loaded with two glasses.

TC-14 : Your drinks, sirs.

Haako takes the two drinks, and the droid returns to its serving area. Haako sips on his drink, then holds Gunray’s out to him.

RUNE HAAKO : Your drink.

Gunray snaps to attention, drawn out of his deep thoughts.

NUTE GUNRAY : Ah - yes - my drink! Thank you.

Gunray takes the glass, taking a deep gulp.

RUNE HAAKO : Go easy! That’s a strong drink!

NUTE GUNRAY : I need it ... to calm my nerves.

RUNE HAAKO : You’ve been overly agitated these past few days. I think you should see a medic before you have a nervous breakdown.

NUTE GUNRAY : We shouldn’t have taken this assignment, Rune. It was a bad mistake.

RUNE HAAKO : Mistake?

NUTE GUNRAY : We are in danger. Grave, grave danger!

RUNE HAAKO : We are a federation of mercenaries, My Lord. We make our profits off the backs of hungry despots and squabbling factions. There’s very little difference between this contract and any others we’ve taken on before.

NUTE GUNRAY : Oh, no. This time is different - very, very different. We’re facing destruction from three opposing fronts. The Republic on one, our own Directorate on another, with Ma -

Gunray goes silent, refusing to say anymore. He downs the last of his drink.

RUNE HAAKO : With? With what?

NUTE GUNRAY : Never mind.

Gunray then steals Haako’s drink, putting the glass to his lips.

RUNE HAAKO : Hey!

NUTE GUNRAY : Go order another one.