Chapter 3 Summary

In the starry blackness of space the emerald planet of Naboo sits surrounded by a heavily armed Trade Federation fleet. A small Republic space cruiser glides toward one of the battleships. Behind the pilot of the cruiser, a shadowy figure sits watching Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray, a Neimoidian, on the viewscreen. The shadowy figure instructs the Captain that the ambassadors for the supreme chancellor wish to board

immediately. The figure is a Jedi Knight Qui-Gon sent by the Republic's supreme chancellor to try to resolve the trade dispute amicably. Jedi Knights originated as a theological and philosophical order, but had evolved into a movement that studied and used The Force in their capacity as peacemakers.

As Qui-Gon debarks with his apprentice Obi-Wan, he thinks about how odd it is that the Federation should blockade this insignificant planet, ruled by a newly elected...