When the Senate begins debate on a bill that would eliminate government oversight of the Banking Clan's activities, Padmé and Ahsoka travel in secret to the capital of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, in an attempt to forge a peace agreement with the Separatists.

Darth Sidious, troubled by Ventress's growing progress with the dark side of the Force, commands Count Dooku to eliminate her. When Ventress survives Dooku's assassination attempt, the jilted former apprentice vows to take revenge, enlisting her kinswomen – the Nightsisters of Dathomir – in her scheme.