Across the galaxy as war continues to brew, the cost of the war also rises at an alarming rate.

On this particular day, the Senate has called an emergency meeting to debate the true cost of the war.

The Senators were all talking at once, leading Mas Amedda to call for order.

"Let Senator Saam finish." sai Mas Amedda.

"This is a matter not of philosophy," said Senator Saam. "More troops are needed. The Republic cannot afford to let the Separatists gain any more ground."

"Our generals inform us that troops in the field continue to perform valiantly," said Senator Bail Organa. "What we cannot afford is to be irresponsible. The Republic is near bankruptcy due to the cost of this war."

Senators cheered and jeered at that.

"Bankruptcy is not necessary, my friends." said Senator Dod. "If we pass Senator Saam's bill to open new lines of credit, we will gain access to the needed funds."

"Won't this bill essentially deregulate the banks?" Said a human female senator.

"A small price to pay to finance the war, is it not?" Said a Kaminoan senator.

""We must keep the war going." Said two more senators.

"Get a bill on the table!" Shouted another voice.

Gabby looked around at all the senators arguing. She didn't like what she was seeing. That was when her mother stepped up.

"Members of the Senate, do you hear yourselves? More money, more clones, more war. Say nothing of fiscal responsibility, what about moral responsibility? Hasn't this war gone on long enough?"

"I must agree with Senator Skywalker," said Queen Sophia, her daughters Esther and Memoria beside her. "This war doesn't just affect us. It affects the children as well. What kind of example are we setting for them by encouraging war to continue?"

"Senator Skywalker," Senator Saam spoke up. "Are you suggesting we surrender to the Separatists?"

"Of course not." said Padme. "But negotiation might be a better course of action."

"You can't negotiate with animals." Said another senator. "Keep the war going."

King Leofric let out a mighty roar to get attention.

"Need I remind you some of your allies are animals?" said the viventia king.

"If our kind could be reasoned with and be tame enough to be your allies despite our so-called savage nature through negotiation," said Queen Carnatia. "Why can't there be even the smallest morsel of a chance that Senator Skywalker's negotation idea woud not work with the Separatists?"

But the Senate just chanted "Vote now!"

"Members of the Senate," said Bail. "I suggest we table any emergency bill until it is determined whether or not deregulation is the right course of action."

"Very well," said Mas Amedda. "We shall let calmer heads prevail."

Later, Senators Dod and Saam met in an office with a Banking Clan official.

"That legislation would have meant billions for us," said the Banking Clan guy.

"I tried my best to push the bill through." Said Saam.

"You did your part, Representative," said Senator Dod. "Senator Skywalker is the problem."

"I thought age combined with motherhood might temper her idealism," said the banker.

"I know people who could do something about her." Saam said.

"That task is more difficult than you presume." Dod said. "Especially with her daughter's royal guard around."

"Gentlemen, the Banking Clan and Trade Federation are about business, not violence."

"Hmm, in this case, our business is violence."

"Precisely. With or without Senator Skywalker, the Galactic Senate is unlikely to deregulate the banks until this war hits home."

"What exactly are you proposing?"

"Perhaps some unexpected bloodshed on Coruscant, uh, may change a few minds."

"Coruscant? Coruscant has not been attacked in over 1,000 years."

"Then it has a false sense of security." The Banking Clan member stood up from his desk. "There are some powerful clients on the other side who could help us, uh, shall we say, make the point?"

"Ooh, I like this plan." Saam said.

"No one cares what you think."

Padme walked with her family and Ahsoka down the hall.

"You must ask th Jedi Council to speak with Chancellor Palpatine." Padme told Anakin.

"Don't involve me in this." Anakin said.

"Daddy! Mommy believes a peaceful solution is the only way out of the war." Gabby said. "I believe it too."

"It isn't my role. I'm not a politician or a royal."

"Why not?" Ahsoka asked.

"Because he doesn't know much about politics?" Remix said.

"Not the being a politician thing. Why it's not his role." Ahsoka corrected. "Aren't we Jedi Knights? Isn't it our duty to speak our minds to advise the chancellor?"

"If he'd even listen to what we have to say." Gabby mumbled.

Anakin cleared his throat and told his wife, "Uh, I suggest you teach my young Padawan a thing or two about politics."

"After today's debate, I was hoping she and the children learned a great deal." Padme said.

"I definitely learned a lot of politicians argue like kids." Boba said. "And that's coming from an eleven-year-old."

"Truthfully, I don't understand any of it." Ahsoka confessed. "I know the Separatists are evil, but all anyone argued about was banking deregulation, interest rates, and well, almost nothing about why we're fighting in the first place."

"Yeah, why are we fighting a war in the first place?" Gabby asked. "Because I doubt this is like when Boba and I fought over who got the last piece of cake."

Anakin stepped in front of the group and said, "War's complicated, kids. But let me simplify it. The Separatists believe the Republic is corrupt, but they're wrong, and we have to restore order."

"Maybe talking to the Jedi Council isn't the role for you after all." Said Padme. "Thanks for your help. Come on Ahsoka. Boba, you too."

Boba looked at his father and sister before leaving with his mother and Ahsoka.

"Hey." Said Anakin.

"You told me to teach them about politics," said Padme. "So, I'm going to. You can keep teaching Gabby to use her powers."

"Why didn't your mother ask you to go?" Anakin looked at his daughter.

Gabby shrugged. "I've spent more time with Mommy than Ahsoka and Boba together. Maybe Mommy think I've learned a lot already."

"Well, she is definitely right about one thing."

Anakin picked up his daughter and rested her in the crook of his arm.

"You still have a lot to learn about using the Force."

Almost three months had passed since Gabby received her Force powers, and she was making steady progress with them so far. However, with her fourth birthday only three weeks away, Gabby was still a youngling, and thus was naturally drawn to using her powers for playful antics.

Anakin brought Gabby to the Jedi Temple, where he brought her into one of the training halls to begin practice.

Over the last few months, Anakin guided Gabby through levitation of various objects from feathers to big pillows.

"Okay, Gabby." Anakin said, marching up and Force-lifting some crates and various heavy objects to one side of the room. "So far, you've levitated toys, pillows, and even art supplies. I'm still shaking glitter out of my hair from that incident."

Anakin shook his head around, glitter sparkles flying out from his head, making Gabby laugh.

"Sparkly!" said the little girl.

"When you're a big girl and a Jedi Padawan, you may need to levitate bigger and heavier objects. That requires more concentration than playing around with your toys." Anakin levitated a chair to demonstrate. "We're going to start off simple. Your task here is to move the chair from this side of the room to the other."

Anakin placed the chair down. "Think you can do it?"

"I know I can do it." Gabby said.

Gabby looked at the chair and put her hands out in front of her and concentrated on the chair.

The chair began to vibrate slightly as Gabby concentrated. Then, it began to lift about an inch off the floor as Gabby concentrated harder. Gabby continued to concentrate and got the chair to move across the room.

"Yes!" Gabby exclaimed excitedly, but her excitement quickly turned into disappointment as the chair fell down. "No!"

"It's okay, Princess. That was just your first go." Anakin said, pushing the chair back to the start. "Do it again. Like Master Yoda says. Do or no not, there is no try."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Basically, that you need to push yourself." Anakin said. "Your concentration was broken by your overexcitement. If you want the Force to work, you need to concentrate and stay focused until your desired deed is done."

Anakin knelt down and held his daughter's shoulders.

"Your enthusiasm is admirable, little one. But you need to get it under control, or you could jeopardize your whole mission. The way I need to keep my emotions in check to get a job done, you need to be able to know how to remain calm even in difficult situations. Do you remember when you first used the Force?"

"You mean the hostage situation?" Gabby asked.

Anakin nodded. "Exactly. How did you perform it then? What were you thinking about?"

"You, Mommy, Boba, and lots of other people were in trouble. I was the only one left to do anything. So, I meditated and asked the Force to work, and I was filled with this feeling I couldn't explain. But it told me that there were people in need and getting them out safely was my top priority."

"Exactly. You were focused on reaching a goal, but had to perform multiple steps to do it." Anakin said. "You obviously remembered to take out the enemy's weapons first, then created a distraction, and then apparently had a little fun with Bane."

"It was funny making him slap himself." Gabby giggled.

"Yeah, it was pretty funny to see." Anakin chuckled, then turned serious. "But right now, it seems to me you're distracted by desire to be good at using the Force instead of focusing on making progress?"

Gabby was confused.

"I'll make it simple. You always say you wanna be like me when you grow up, right?"

"I do wanna be just like you, Daddy." Gabby said.

"Well, you're not me. And not just because you're a girl. You are your own person with your own capabilities. You have to make your power work for you. Not anyone else. Don't try to be someone you aren't and use your powers your way."

"But you just said I need to focus to control them."

"And you do. But you need to find what helps you focus. Look for your motivation. Let go of everything else."

Gabby thought about what her father said, and she decided to do the chair again. This time, Gabby took a breath and focused on finding her motivation. And when she thought hard, she found it. Focus not on being as powerful as Anakin, but taking it slow and steady to make progress. Gabby remembered a story Anakin read to her: The Tortoise & the Hare. Like Gabby just now, the hare was in a rush to win, and goofed off instead of focusing on the path he should have taken to win the race. But then, Gabby remembered the tortoise took it slow and kept going despite that it took him longer to get across, and in the end won the race, hence the moral "Slow and steady wins the race."

This time, Gabby managed to lift the chair a little higher off the floor and slowly moved it across the floor. Inside, Gabby was excited, but had to resist shouting it out to keep her concentration going. She took a slow, deep breath, and continued to move the chair until it was all the way across the room.

Anakin smiled proudly as he watched his daughter get through the first task.

"Good. Now move it back to where it was." Anakin said. "You'll need to do this more than once to master it. We'll get to the heavier stuff in good time."

"Okay, Daddy." Gabby said.

After about an hour of practicing levitation, Anakin started to teach Gabby a few other Force tricks.

Anakin told Gabby that a Force choke was very dangerous if not used properly, and was only to be used in an emergency as a last resort. Since they obviously couldn't use a real person to practice, Anakin found a stress ball for Gabby to practice on.

"Okay, Princess. Look at my hand." Anakin said. "You hold your hand out like this and concentrated. The tighter you pull your fingers in, the tighter the grip."

Anakin Force-squeezed a stress ball to demonstrate, and it got squished pretty good.

"Now you do it."

Gabby looked at the stress ball and concentrated, cupping her hand towards the ball and pulling her fingers as though she were about to form a fist to tighten her grip. The ball returned to round form slowly after she stopped.

"Wow! That's hard!" Gabby said.

"Another reason to reserve that trick for an emergency." Anakin said.

"Are there other tricks I can do like that?" Gabby asked. "Like tickling?"

"Well, I can't say I've ever tried that." Anakin said, growing mischievous as he slowly got closer to his daughter. "I've only ever done it... like this!"

Anakin tried to grab Gabby, but she started to run, but Anakin grabbed her with the Force and trapped her in his arm, then tickled her mercilessly in the stomach with his free hand, making her squeal with laughter.

"No, Daddy! Stop it!" Gabby laughed. She wriggled and squirmed, trying to escape her father's tickles.

"You asked for tickles, Princess! Now you got 'em."

Anakin was laughing too as he tortured his daughter by tickling her pretending to eat her up and occasionally blowing a raspberry onto her stomach, making her squeal with laughter.

Gabby managed to slip out from her father's grip and use a Force push to throw him onto a big pillow she pulled in. Then she jumped on him and used a couple of plants to tie his arms down.

"Your turn, Daddy." Gabby smirked.

"No, no, no!" Anakin begged before bursting into laughter as Gabby began wiggling her fingers up and down his stomach and torso.

Anakin guffawed as he begged Gabby to stop tickling him.

Meanwhile, Padme looked out a window in her office, worried about the bill and the chaos in the Senate. Boba was genuinely worried about his mother; he couldn't explain why, but seeing his mother upset about anything just broke his heart.

"If only I could talk to Senator Bonteri." sighed Padme.

"Who's he?" Ahsoka asked.

"He is a she, a senator in the Confederacy of Independent Systems."

"What?" Boba said. He was no expert on politics, but he knew what that meant.

"Your friend is a Separatist?" said Ahsoka. "One of Dooku's pawns?"

"When did that happen?" Remix asked.

"The Separatists used to be a part of the Republic." said Padme. "I was close with many of the senators who left. I may not agree with them, but they're more than pawns."

"If you think negotiating is the right thing to do," said Ahsoka. "let's talk to her."

Unfortunately... "The Senate's made it illegal."

"Illegal?"

"They say official meetings would only legitimize the Separatists."

"Well, Master Skywalker and I hold what we call aggressive negotiations all the time."

"Too bad the war has to be people shooting at each other instead of something like a dance-off." Remix said.

"You just want any excuse to deejay." Boba said. " And it's a real shame you can't hold more peaceful talks when you want."

"You just gave me an idea." Padme said.

"We challenge the Separatists to a dance-off?"

"No," chuckled Padme. "Ahsoka, you're a Jedi, which gives you special clearance."

"Right." said Ahsoka.

"And Jedi are allowed to travel to neutral worlds like Mandalore, where we could then board a cargo ship to a Separatist System."

"Are you suggesting I use my status as a Jedi to smuggle you behind enemy lines?"

"It's just that you could get us through to meet with her, and I haven't seen her or her family in so long."

"Relax, I'll help you. Besides, Master Skywalker said you should teach me about politics."

"Me too." said Boba.

"You're both right." said Padme.

"You know, you two have more in common than you think." Ahsoka said. "It's no wonder you get along so well."

"Of course." Padme looked at her wedding ring.

"So where are we heading?" Ahsoka asked.

"Raxus."

Meanwhile, Dooku was getting a progress report from General Grievous.

"I am about to deploy the infiltrators." said Grievous.

"You must hurry," said the Banking Clan worker over the transmission. "The Senate is restless."

"I don't take orders from you. Only Count Dooku."

And the cyborg ended the call.

Grievous marched in front of a row of large droids.

"You have been designed to be the ultimate infiltration units." said Grievous. "Some of you may not return. Actually, none of you will return. But don't let that get in your way. Is that clear?"

A droid whose face Grievous got into rumbles as if to say "Yes, Sir"

The droids all took their forms, disguising themselves as cleaning droids, and Grievous ordered the battle droids to deliver them to Coruscant.

Far away, Padme rode with her son, his horse, and Ahsoka on a cargo ship to Planet Raxus. All of them wore a sort of hood over their heads to avoid being recognized. Remix even ditched his sunglasses.

The ship soon landed at a dock, where the group of four found battle droids inspecting the passengers departing the ship.

Before a battle droid could question Padme's group, a woman started asking a droid for directions, while another guided the group to meet an older, very pretty woman.

"Hello, old friend." said the woman.

"Everyone, this is Mina Bonteri." Padme introduced. "She was my mentor when I was growing up on Naboo."

"You're a Separatist?" said Ahsoka.

"Well, of course, my dear." said Mina. "What were you expecting? Now, come. I have a transport waiting."

The transport brought Senator Bonteri and Padme's group to a beautiful building that looked like a palace or a church. And there was a boy about Ahsoka's age waiting at the door.

"Lux, come down here and help our guests with their luggage, please." Mina told the boy, apparently Lux.

Ahsoka just looked plain suspicious. So did Boba and Remix.

"Be ready to blast when I tell you." Boba whispered to his horse.

"Got it."

The two oldest women walked together.

"Padme, it's so good to see you." said Mina, pulling Padme closer to her.

"Yes. How things have changed since the last time we met." said Padme.

"Let's go inside. There' much to discuss."

Lux approached Padme and took her suitcase.

"Please, allow me." said the boy. He tried to do the same with Ahsoka.

"I can handle it." said Ahsoka.

The grownups went inside, but Boba had to keep Remix outside, where Lux was sitting on the edge of a stone fence.

Padme looked out the window.

"He's grown so much, Mina." said Padme.

"Time won't stop, even if we are at war." said Mina, handing Padme a drink. "And I'm afraid these events are shaping his young life."

"The same can be said for both of my children." Padme said.

"With all due respect," said Ahsoka. "as a Separatist, didn't you create this war?"

"Ahsoka!" Padme scolded.

"It's alright." Mina reassured. "That's a very polarized point of view, my dear. Would it surprise you to know that many of the people you call Separatists feel the same way about the Republic and the Jedi? Lux's father was like that."

"Maybe I could speak with him." said Ahsoka.

"If only you could." said Mina, sounding saddened. "A year ago next week, he was setting up a base on Aargonar when clones attacked. My husband fought bravely in self-defense but was killed."

Now Ahsoka started to feel bad. She excused herself to get some air.

There were birds chirping outside. Lux was sitting on the stair rail, when he noticed Ahsoka and her lightsaber.

"You're a Jedi, aren't you?" said Lux.

Ahsoka looked at Lux and said, "Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Before the war, I was always told Jedi were good."

"And now?"

"I don't know anymore." said Lux, standing on the stairs. "There are a lot of terrible things happening, a lot of killing. And now my friends are saying the Jedi are to blame."

"I'm the first Jedi you've ever met, aren't I?"

"Well, um... yes."

"Look at me. I'm not so bad, am I?"

Lux looked at her from down to up.

"No, not bad at all."

"Ugh. Well, it seems to me boys are the same whether they're Republic or Separatist."

Lux then followed Ahsoka as she walked through the yard.

"Wait. How many Separatists have you met?"

"What?"

"Well, I mean, you think we're all the bad guys. But how many of us have you actually met? And droids don't count."

"Well, other than military officers like Grievous and Ventress, and I guess Boba would count as a former Separatist, none I guess." Ahsoka said. "You and the mother are the first."

The two came up to a pretty gazebo near where Remix was rolling around in the grass, and Boba sat and watched him.

"Well, look at me. Am I so bad?"

Back inside the palace, Padme spoke with Lux's mother over a drink.

"I sense Dooku's dirty hand in all of this." said Padme.

"He's just the leader of the Senate. He's not the leader of the entire universe." said Mina.

"Oh, I forgot. You actually admire the man who kidnapped my daughter."

"We'll never entirely agree on Dooku, my old friend, but we can agree on the need to stop this war. The question is how."

"That is why is was so urgent that I speak with you. The Republic Senate is holding a critical vote on whether or not to escalate the war effort. However, many of the delegates are undecided as to what to do."

"How interesting. You would find the Separatist Parliament in a similar dilemma."

"I am certain if you could convince your representatives to extend an olive branch of peace towards the Republic, there might be enough sympathy in the Senate to finally open negotiations."

Senator Bonteri seemed to like that idea.

"I admire your spirit, Padme. I can at least put the motion on the floor."

Padme smiled and said, "Thank you, Mina. That's all I ask."

Mina stood up and proposed a toast. To peace. And Padme raised her glass to hope.

Later, there was a lot of shouting going on in a gathering of the Separatist Senate.

"How many lives on both sides have to end before we see the futility?" said Mina. "Surely there's room in the galaxy for Confederate and Republic planets to coexist. I move that we immediately open peace negotiations with Chancellor Palpatine on Coruscant."

The crowd cheered and jeered.

"The Corporate Alliance will never allow this to happen." said another senator.

"This is a democracy," said another. "and unlike the Republic, corporations do not rule us."

As people got noisy again, Count Dooku, over a holo-transmission, ordered silence.

Padme, Ahsoka, and Boba watched as this all went down.

"In accordance with the bylaws of Independent Systems, a voice vote is required." said Dooku. "All in favor of initiating peace negotiations with the Galactic Republic, say aye." There were a lot of ayes. "All those opposed."

There were, naturally, a few nays.

"The ayes have it." said Dooku.

Later, Dooku reported to the Banking Clan, Senator Dod, and Senator Saam about what happened on Raxus.

"This is troubling." said the banker. "your own Senate voting to end the war."

"I assure you, gentlemen, your worries are gravely exaggerated." Dooku said.

"How can you be sure this groundswell of peace won't continue?" asked Senator Dod. "Where is the attack we were promise?"

"We need fighting to feed the machine and our profits." said Saam.

"After our attack, the chances of peace will disappear. The Banking Clan, the Trade Federation, and the Techno Union will all get their fair share and then some." Dooku promised.

The trio definitely liked the sound of that.

Padme and her group soon had to head on their way back to Coruscant.

"Well, this is good-bye." said Padme.

"I've been disappointed before," said Mina. "And yet, I almost feel as if, this time, the tide has turned in the war." Mina quickly pulled Padme's hood over her head and told her she should hurry.

"Goodbye, young ones." Mina said to Ahsoka and Boba.

"You really believe the Republic will vote for peace?" Lux asked Ahsoka.

"I hope so." said Ahsoka. "I wouldn't want to meet you on the battlefield, for your sake."

"He should really worry about running into Dad or Gabby on the field." Boba said.

"Go, you four, quickly." said Mina.

And Padme and her group hurried to get onto the ship.

On Coruscant, meanwhile, Grievous's droids went to deal with high security by pretending to be there for generator maintenance.

Padme also arrived on Coruscant and told Chancellor Palpatine all about the agreement with the Separatists to negotiate peacefully.

"Well, well, well. This is quite a stunning development." said the Chancellor.

"Your Excellency, we would be remiss, if not irresponsible, to reject the Separatists' proposal." said Padme.

"Of course."

"An end to the fighting would mean there's no need to borrow money for more clones."

"I can see why you would want so badly to believe that the Separatists desire peace."

"I don't understand." Padme was confused.

"In the past, whenever we've reached out our hands in peace, they've been slapped away." Palpatine explained. "Can we believe that they're ready to sue for peace so easily?"

"If I might speak with you confidentially, I know that this is sincere. I've been in contact with my old friend Mina Bonteri, and the origin of the proposal is with her."

"Bonteri? How was the dialogue established?"

"Does it matter, Chancellor, if the result is an end to the war?"

The Chancellor caressed Padme's cheek.

"I see your point, my child. Then we shall put the vote to the floor."

Later, a new meeting was put into action.

"Given that the Separatists have put a call for negotiations on the table," said Padme. "the need for additional troops seems ill-timed."

"Which means there is no need to deregulate the banks." said Senator Organa.

"I say we vote that down now." said Senator Farr.

But no one knew then that something awful was about to happen.

"There is a move to vote on the proposed bill to lift regulations on the Banking Clan." said Mas Amedda.

"Dooku promised he would stop the vote." Senator Dod grumbled.

"You may enter your votes." said Mas Amedda.

But as the votes were being entered, the power went out all over the city, and there were explosions and people screaming.

Luckily, emergency lights were activated, and emergency services were alerted.

"The bombing of the power generator has been confirmed as a Separatist attack." said Senator Saam. "They must pay for what they have done."

"But it was the Separatist congress that issued the bill of peace." said Padme

"Obviously a tactic to lower our defenses and launch this attack." Mas Amedda said.

"No. That's not true."

"I move to immediately deregulate the banks." said the Kaminoan Senator Burtoni.

"We need a bank loan to get more troops now." said another senator.

"What are we waiting for?" said another.

"I'm afraid we've been given little choice." Chancellor Palpatine said. "To insure the safety of the Republic, we must deregulate the banks."

Padme sat down in disappointment. Ahsoka and Boba were disappointed too.

Later, the group met Anakin in the hall. He was carrying Gabby, as she was frightened by the blackout. Luckily, Carousella's horn provided some light.

"I'm returning your Padawan." Padme said.

"I'm sorry your talks with Bonteri failed." said Anakin

"How did you know?" Ahsoka asked.

"We have eyes and ears everywhere, Ahsoka." Anakin said. "That was dangerous and carless going to Raxus, not to mention illegal and you out one of my kids in danger. You went too far this time."

The group walked together down the hall.

"You would do the same." said Ahsoka and Boba.

"You do the same all the time." said Boba.

"This was too much." said Anakin.

"Maybe so," said Ahsoka. "But I did realize something. The politics of this war are not as black and white as I once thought they were."

"How so?" Gabby asked.

"There are some things I'm guessing even you didn't learn in all the time you spent around politicians."