The Menacing Presence/Part I

''We see a black screen. Camera starts to point down. Enter a small ship, not visibly armed, red and white, and with an X-wing format. Zoom into ship's cockpit. We see two pilots and a cloaked figure. This cloaked figure is none other than Jedi Master Gon Qui Jinn. From the cockpit window, we see a planet, and several battleships around it. Pilot turns on communication systems.''

Pilot: Attention Trade Federation. The ambassadors of the Supreme Chancellor wish to dock with one of your ships and board.

''Crackling, then another voice starts to speak back to the pilot. This voice has a distinct Thai accent and sounds very nasal.''

Voice: Of course, the Viceroy is more than happy to meet ambassadors of the Chancellor.

''A warp-like effect around one of the ships. The voices breaks through again.''

Voice: The shields have been taken down. You may approach the main ship.

Pilot: Affrimative. Starting approach.

Co-pilot switches off communication systems.

Co-pilot: This doesn't sound good to me.

Jinn: I agree. I sense a trap.

''We see the ship of the Republic approaching the ship of the Federation. The republican ship enters a hangar on the Federation's ship and several droids are there to welcome the ship and its inhabitants.''

Droid 1: Ship has completed descent.

Droid 2: Confirmation received. Ship of the Republic.

Droid 1: Lower your weapons.

Droid 2: Approach with caution.

''Enter a silver protocol droid. Droid is female. Two Jedi emerge from the ship.''

Protocol Droid: Welcome, ambassadors. Please follow me this way.

''The protocol droid leads the Jedi through a set of doors, which close remarkably fast once they pass through it. The protocal droid leads them through a long, meandering hall with all doors closed. They approach a large door at the end of the hall, which the droid opens.''

Protocol droid: Please make yourselves comfortable. The Viceroy will be with you shortly.

''The droid leaves the Jedi in what appears to be a conference room. The Jedi take off their hoods once the droid is gone. The Jedi in question are Gon Qui Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. They start pacing the room.''

Kenobi: I have a bad feeling about this.

Jinn: Do you sense anything dangerous?

Kenobi: No, nothing dangerous, and not here either.

Jinn: Do not worry about what is not here. Focus your concentration here and now.

Kenobi: But Master Yoda said to be mindful of the future.

Jinn: That too is true. But you should also be mindful of the Force.

Kenobi: Yes, Master.

They reach the other end of the room and look out the floor-to-ceiling windows to see the small planet of Naboo.

Kenobi: What do you think the Viceroy will do about our presence here?

Jinn: These Federation types are careless and selfish. Negotiations will be blunt and short.

''Crossfade to the bridge of the ship. Two Nemoidians, the Viceroy Daultay Dofine and the the Lieutenant Viceroy Nute Gunray are conversing with the protocol droid from earlier.''

Dofine: What did you say?

Droid: The Chancellor has sent Jedi as his Ambassadors.

Gunray: I knew it! They will try to use their powers to force us into an agreement.

Dofine: I will confer with Lord Sidious!

Gunray: We cannot go in there with two Jedi!

Dofine: Very well. We will send the droid.

''The droid moves around as if confused. Then we cut to the droid going to the room the Jedi are in.''

Kenobi: Is it usual for us to be waiting this long?

Jinn: No. I sense an unusual amount of fear.

''The droid is carrying a serving tray with some drink. She offers it to both Jedi, who accept it. Diagonal fade to the bridge again. Dofine, Gunray, and Rune Haako have contacted the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.''

Dofine: This game of yours has failed, Lord Sidious!

Gunray: The blockade is finished! We dare not go against Jedi!

Sidious: This turn of events is only unfortunate. We must accelerate our plans. Begin landings.

Dofine: But Lord Sidious, this is impossible! We do not have the power!

''We see Sidious reaching out towards Dofine. Even though he is a hologram, Dofine flinches. Suddenly, he begins to show signs of being strangled. Sidious has Force-choked him to death.''

Sidious: Fool. My power is far more vast than that of the entire Jedi Order. He points to Gunray. You will be the VIceroy now. And you will not fail me. You will invade the planet.

Haako: But my Lord, is that legal?

Sidious: It will be.

Gunray: And the Jedi?

Sidious: The Chancellor should not have brought them into this. Kill them immediately.

Gunray: Yes, my Lord. As you wish.