The Senate continues to debate whether the Banking Clan should be deregulated in order to fund the war. The recent Separatist attack on Coruscant has convinced many that the banks should be deregulated. Senator Amidala argues that the attack was a calculated attempt by forces unknown to destroy the peace process.

A hologram of Count Dooku is channeled into the Senate chamber. To Amidala's horror, he reports that a Republic attack has killed Senator Mina Bonteri, the Separatist who had sponsored the peace negotiations with Padmé. As a result of the alleged Republic attack, Dooku withdraws the peace proposal offered by their senate.

In a hallway outside the Senate chamber, Padmé is shocked that the Republic would target Bonteri. According to Senator Organa, they didn't -- Republic spies report that Bonteri was murdered by Dooku's thugs. He says that to defeat the bill, they'll need information -- Padmé and Senator Farr will go to the Banking Clan to learn the details of the war loan.

Speaking with a representative of the Banking Clan, the two learn they will charge 25 percent interest on the loan -- 15 percent higher than the previous arrangement. The representative further cautions that the Separatists have just secured a loan for three million new battle droids -- a blatant admission that the Banking Clan is benefitting from both sides of the war.

Padmé shares the loan information with Senator Organa, suggesting the interest alone could bankrupt the Republic. The basic needs it provides to its people -- social services, education, infrastructure, health care -- will evaporate. Padmé just needs to convince a handful of senators to vote the bill down. Bail claims that some of the senators are being intimidated to not vote against the bill.

In the streets of Coruscant, a mandatory blackout is in effect. Senator Farr, making his way to a designated safe area in the dark, is beaten by two bounty hunter thugs.

Speaking to a handful of senators outside the Senate chamber, Padmé explains that intimidation tactics are being used to sway votes. Regardless, the senators are still not convinced to vote the bill down. Senator Farr -- who has arrived with his arm in a sling -- assures Padmé that he still intends to vote against the bill.

In a seedy bar on Coruscant, the two thugs that attacked Farr -- Robonino and Chata Hyoki -- receive a holographic transmission from Dooku. He orders a hit on Amidala.

Bail and Padmé are concerned that they are still six votes short of defeating the bill. Padmé asks Bail to address the Senate with a stirring argument against deregulation. It will be dangerous, but he agrees to do it. As he prepares, Padmé once again will try to convince the undecided.

Padmé and Senator Farr arrive by speeder at the apartment of Senator Christo. He is uncertain how he will vote, and is not swayed by Padmé's argument -- he would, however, be willing to listen to what Senator Organa thinks.

Leaving Senator Christo's apartment, Padmé and Farr part ways on the street outside. Walking to her speeder, Padmé is attacked by Robonino and Hyoki. Though two nearby police droids hear the struggle and intervene, they are easily overcome by the skilled assassins.

Padmé makes a break for a parked BARC speeder and takes off, but not before Hyoki fires a tethered claw from his gauntlet into the rear of the bike. As he is dragged behind Padmé's speeder, Robonino mounts a speeder bike and makes chase.

Padmé tries knocking the tethered hunter off while his accomplice slams his speeder into hers. The trailing Hyoki finally draws in the cable and boards the rear of her speeder. Padmé pulls out the tethered claw, causing a rush of engine fluid to stream into the thug's face. A police speeder spots the chase and pursues.

Padmé finally knocks Hyoki off her speeder by flying under a floating billboard. As Robonino picks his accomplice up on his speeder bike, the police speeders block Padmé's escape, claiming she is riding a stolen bike. The two bounty hunters avoid detection and take off.

In her apartment, Padmé's handmaiden Teckla cleans a wound on the Senator's face. Finding Padmé dispirited, Teckla reminds her that the Senator's strength is in her willingness to listen to the people, people like herself. This gives Padmé an idea -- she presses Teckla for details of how the war is affecting her family.

In a parking garage, Bail Organa is confronted by the two thugs. Quickly calling for security on his wrist-com, guards move in to arrest the aggressors. A firefight ensues, and Bail is injured as he tries to escape in a speeder.

Padmé learns of Bail's condition via hologram. He will not be able to make the speech. He asks Padmé to address the Senate on his behalf. Meanwhile, the Senate has grown impatient with the delay in taking a vote. They move to proceed without Organa's address.

In her office, Padmé confides to Senator Farr that she is not confident she can deliver the speech as effectively as Organa. Teckla, who readies Padmé's Senatorial headpiece, reminds the Senator that her strength is in her willingness to listen to the people.

As the Senate prepares to vote, Amidala announces she will speak on Organa's behalf. She uses the example of Teckla, her aid, to argue for the basic services the Republic has provided, services that will be lost if they choose to further fund the war. To preserve the lives of the people, the bill must be defeated. She receives a unanimous applause.

The bill will be defeated. In his office with Mas Amedda, Palpatine ruminates about the power of a single senator -- a power which can change a course of action set forth by the ruler of the galaxy. For now, Palpatine will not interfere with the workings of democracy...