When Senator Onaconda Farr dies under suspicious circumstances and the local Inspector appears incompetent, Padmé; sets out to find the person who poisoned her mentor. Following a trail of clues, Padmé and Bail Organa delve into a dangerous world of backstabbing, lies, and secrets controlled by the powerful Senators Mee Deechi and Halle Burtoni. Padmé's search forces her to risk her career and ideals but the true identity of the assassin is even more destructive than she could imagine.

Padmé, Bail Organa and Onaconda Farr attempt to rally Senators in opposition to a bill that would appropriate funds for millions of new clone troops and have disastrous financial consequences for the Republic. Their opposition to the measure, however, soon makes them targets for intimidation and attacks by hired guns. After escaping two hired thugs -- Chata Hyoki and Robonino -- in a harrowing speeder bike chase, Padmé is able to sway the Senate with a stirring account of how the war has affected an everyday civilian, her handmaiden Teckla Minnau.