SCENE 4.
Aboard the Trade Federation battleship.
Enter NUTE GUNRAY, RUNE HAAKO, and, in beam, DARTH SIDIOUS.
NUTE
Th’invasion doth proceed apace, my lord.
SIDIOUS
I have, with cunning, slow’d the Senate’s speed,
Arresting—by procedure—their advance.
They shall have little choice but to accept
The strong control you hold o’er small Naboo.
NUTE
The queen has faith—misguided, to be sure—
And doth believe the Senate sides with her.
SIDIOUS
Queen Amidala’s but an ingénue;
Controlling her shall not be difficult.
NUTE
Indeed, my lord.
[Exit Darth Sidious from beam.
RUNE
—One thing you did omit.
Naught of the missing Jedi did you speak.
NUTE
Why give him reason to make loud retort?
We shall report when we have some report.
[Exeunt.