Corruption discovered at the core of the Banking Clan! Reunited, Rush Clovis and Senator Amidala discover the full extent of the deception. Anakin Skywalker is sent to the rescue! He refuses to trust Clovis and asks Padmé not to work with him. Determined to save the banks, she refuses her husband's request, throwing their relationship into turmoil. Voted for by both the Separatists and the Republic, Rush Clovis is elected new leader of the Galactic Banking Clan. Now all attention is focused on Scipio as the important transfer of power begins....

A Republic diplomatic cruiser approaches the landing platform outside the Main Vault of Scipio, escorted by gunships. Rush Clovis and Senator Amidala emerge from the cruiser, flanked by clone troopers of the diplomatic service led by Clone Commander Thorn. A delegation from the Separatists, led by Bec Lawise, greets them. Clovis allows a single Republic delegate -- Amidala -- and a single Separatist delegate -- Lawise -- to accompany him into the neutral zone to witness the transfer of power. The clone troopers and commando droids must wait outside in separate garrisons.

Inside the rotunda hall of the Main Vault, a Muun judge renders verdict on the Core Five, who stand accused of embezzlement. They are sentenced to be imprisoned, and Rush Clovis is named as their replacement under the guidance of the Muun government. Rush restates his intentions -- he is not seeking control, he just wants to institute order. The assembled applaud his forthrightness.

As Clovis settles into his office atop the spire at the very crest of the Main Vault fortress and enjoys a majestic view of the Scipio mountains, he is startled by the sudden holographic appearance of Count Dooku. Clovis thanks Dooku for his help in landing him in office, but now, Rush claims no allegiance in the war. He is determined to remain neutral. Dooku demands recompense, but seeing how stalwart Rush is, counters by refusing to pay back the Banking Clan loans.

Clovis takes his place along four other Muuns in the newly launched Traxus Division government. His first decree, under the guise of stabilization, is to raise the interest rates on the loans of the Republic. Padmé is shocked by this.

The outrage spills to Coruscant, where Senators Mot-Not Rab, Kin Robb, and Meena Tills decry the actions of the Banking Clan. Matters are made all the worse when Palpatine confirms rumors that the Separatists are not experiencing a similar hike in rates. Yoda, Mace Windu, and Anakin Skywalker observe the turmoil in the Senate. They are at a loss to explain Clovis' actions. Even Anakin believes there may be something else here at work.

The Separatist fleet soars through space towards Scipio. From the bridge of the command dreadnought, Count Dooku orders super tactical droid Kraken to begin the attack as a ruse to make Clovis appear to be in alliance with the Separatists.

At the Main Vault landing platform, Commander Thorn and his troopers spot an incoming assault of Separatist fighters. They are caught in the open. He calls Senator Amidala on his comlink, warning her of the attack. Padmé watches from her guest quarters' balcony in disbelief. Hyena bombers divebomb the landing platform, blowing up the Republic cruiser and gunships.

Thorn hauls out his rotating laser cannon and returns fire. Droid gunships deploy super battle droids onto the platform and the battle is joined. Thorn is overwhelmed but goes down fighting. With landing platform secured, Count Dooku's solar sailer lands. Dooku emerges and walks with purpose toward the Main Vault.

In Palpatine's office, Anakin, the Chancellor, and Mas Amedda watch a holographic broadcast from Padmé Amidala. She reports that war has come to Scipio. Palpatine orders her off the planet immediately, but she is trapped. Suddenly a commando droid grabs her, and the signal goes dead. Palpatine calls for an emergency session of the Senate.

Commando droids drag Padmé before Rush Clovis in his office, where Senator Lawise already stands. Dooku orders Padmé arrested. Padmé grabs a battle droid's blaster, and attempts to point it at Dooku, but he pushes her weapon with the Force, causing her instead to shoot and kill Lawise. Dooku smiles at this turn of events. He declares the Confederacy in control of the banks and thanks Clovis for his role in this plot. Padmé is saddened that Clovis' idealism was just a front. Rush insists he had no choice.

In the Senate, Palpatine tells the assembly what has happened: that Count Dooku and his Separatist betrayers have manipulated the good faith of the Republic, and that Clovis was a puppet to facilitate the invasion of Scipio. Alarmist Senators demand an immediate Republic invasion, lest their entire economic system be hijacked by the enemy. Palpatine abides by the will of the Senate, and launches a mercy mission to Scipio led by General Skywalker.

At the Republic staging grounds, Anakin confers with Yoda and Mace Windu before he departs. Yoda advises Anakin to let go of his selfishness if he is to see clearly in this most important mission.

As Dooku leaves the Main Vault and returns to his ship, he contacts Darth Sidious with an update from Scipio. Sidious tells Dooku that the Republic forces are on their way. Dooku informs his Master that the deception was complete -- it now appears that Clovis masterminded the Separatist takeover. Because of this treachery, control of the banks will be placed in the hands of the victorious Supreme Chancellor.

The Republic task force emerges from hyperspace and immediately engages the Separatist fleet. Anakin, Clone Captain Rex, and a squad of 501st troopers are in a gunship that will specifically search for Amidala. Clone pilot Hawk flies escort in a Headhunter starfighter.

Aboard the Sepratist dreadnought, Dooku orders Kraken to withdraw. The droid protests, because his tactical programming shows that their forces are still engaged on the surface. Dooku orders them to be abandoned. The Separatist flotilla leaps into hyperspace. A Muun controller contacts Clovis in his office with the surprising word that the Separatists have fled the planet. Now, the Republic invaders arrive. The 501st gunship blasts its way past vulture and hyena droids, and Anakin leaves the landing craft running at full tilt.

Rush, overwhelmed, watches battle rage outside the window. The sanctity of Scipio has crumbled, as has his legacy. Padmé urges Clovis to turn himself in. The elevator to the office opens, and Anakin rushes out, cutting past the battle droids that hold Padmé. Clovis panics, and pulls a blaster, holding Padmé as a human shield in front of him. Clovis tries to explain that Dooku was behind the plot, but he is cut short when the entire office trembles as a stricken vulture droid from the air battle crashes into the base of the spire.

The whole spire begins to fall, and Anakin, Clovis and Padmé slide across the floor towards a treacherous fall into the mountains. Anakin secures his footing and grabs onto Clovis and Padmé, each with one hand. Anakin cannot hold both of them. Clovis apologies to Padmé before letting go and plunging to his death.

Back in the Senate, Nix Card officially blames Rush Clovis for the disruption that had occurred. In the interests of stability, he cedes control of the Banking Clan to the office of the Supreme Chancellor. With humility, Palpatine takes on this newfound responsibility. He assures a prosperous and secure future, and is now more powerful than ever.