Star Wars: The Clone Wars

6x06 - "The Rise of Clovis"

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War profiteers!

In time of war, credits are the fuel that fund all operations.

Senator Amidala is sent to Scipio

to resolve matters between the Republic

and the InterGalactic Banking Clan.

Here she is reunited with Rush Clovis,

a once-close friend,

but now a known traitor to the Republic.

When Clovis reveals corruption at the core of the Banking Clan,

Senator Amidala helps him steal vital files

that may uncover the full extent of the plot.

Anakin Skywalker is sent to rescue the Senator

and escort the information back to Coruscant,

leaving the Banking Clan in chaos.

The Jedi Anakin Skywalker should never have been allowed

to leave with the Senator in tow.

Any future disruptions

will be placed upon your shoulders, Nix Card.

As you wish.

Sir, we have confirmed that Rush Clovis

was on the Jedi ship.

Then there's nothing we can do.

But they have the files.

Unfortunate, yes,

but they need more than just files to incriminate us.

That will only take them time.

We will all be destroyed.

We must remain calm.

The only way they could find our secret accounts

is if one of us told them.

I want it noted that you and you alone

allowed this to happen,

and that it has put us all at risk.

You're late.

What news?

Clovis, the Senator, and the Jedi are on their way.

With the information?

Enough.

Good.

Then we can continue to the next stage

of the proceedings.

And what about me?

You will be protected, I can assure you.

Master Yoda.

We weren't expecting such a formal welcome, Master.

A personal request of the Chancellor's,

my escorting you was, Senator.

Adventures, have you had, on Scipio, hmm?

Have you met Rush Clovis?

Met, we have, yes.

Intrigued, we are, by your return to Coruscant.

Much distrust is focused upon you.

I understand,

but I hope to right the wrongs that I have done.

Delay, we must not.

Excuse me if I find it hard to trust you, Clovis.

You used to sit on this very Senate

even as you funneled credits

into the droid foundries of Count Dooku.

I understand all of your trepidation,

but there is corruption in the banks.

And once we find this corruption?

I believe the ones responsible should be ousted from control

before the entire banking infrastructure collapses.

Oh, and I suppose you're the man to do it.

I only want the Banking Clan to be what it once was:

a fair system of trade and commerce.

I came here to root out the criminals

and reveal the truth behind what is happening.

Now, now.

We are grateful for you bringing us this information,

but what exactly can you prove?

These files show that huge funds have been diverted out

of the banks and into what I believe are private accounts.

And the veracity of this information?

I was the one who downloaded the files

from the Muun's secure mainframe.

I believe that what Clovis is saying is correct.

Then, Senator Amidala,

I would like you to spearhead this investigation.

Work closely with Rush Clovis,

and find and expose these secret accounts.

Once we know exactly what we are dealing with,

then we can decide how best to handle this...

situation.

Why didn't you just say no?

Say no? Why?

I don't want you working with Clovis.

You don't want me working with him?

A serpent can shed its skin,

but it is still a serpent.

Well, you're just going to have to trust

my judgment here.

Like the last time, hmm?

When you almost ended up dead?

Or how about you just getting arrested,

and it was me who had to bail you out?

The Chancellor has asked me to do this, Anakin.

But I'm asking you to say no.

As your husband, I demand

that you tell the Chancellor you are stepping down.

Demand?

We've been over this before.

I'm not foolish enough to allow myself

to be deceived twice, Anakin.

My sole intentions are to defend the Republic.

If you can't trust me...

Uh, excuse the interruption.

Padmé, shall we begin?

Yes, of course.

General Skywalker.

Darth Tyranus, it is time for you once again

to recruit our friend Clovis.

He appears to have lost his way.

And how would you like me to do that?

We're going to help him take over the Banking Clan.

But first, you must entrap him

so he has no one else to turn to.

Of course, my lord. As you wish.

I have been looking for you.

- Something wrong? - You tell me.

Not that I'm aware.

Master Yoda feels that your judgments

concerning Rush Clovis are clouded.

Mm, I believe he can't be trusted.

Yes, but there is more, isn't there?

I sense a deep anger in you by my simply saying his name.

He almost got Senator Amidala killed,

and I would have been responsible.

The Senator has risked her life many times.

She's quite capable of taking care of herself.

They had a relationship...

once.

I simply feel she is vulnerable to her emotions.

She is...

or you?

What are you implying?

Anakin, I understand to a degree what is going on.

You've met Satine.

You know I once harbored feelings for her.

It's not that we're not allowed to have these feelings.

It's natural.

Senator Amidala and I are simply friends.

And friends you must remain.

As a Jedi, it is essential

you make the right choice, Anakin,

for the Order.

I understand my responsibilities.

Responsibilities that must be observed

whatever relationship develops

between Clovis and Senator Amidala.

They have no relationship.

It is simply business between them.

Then we should have no problems,

should we?

The opera was wonderful,

but I'm glad we can we can get down to business.

If you look here,

the Separatists haven't been

repaying any interest on their loans.

But still, the Banking Clan is promising

to lend credits to the Republic,

credits they simply don't have.

But where have all the savings gone?

Each of the files that you downloaded

shows hundreds and hundreds of small withdrawals,

small enough to remain undetected individually,

but as a sum total,

a devastating theft.

Whoever is behind this is no fool.

We need to find out who's benefiting.

We're still lacking a critical piece of information.

Whatever we find must remain between only you and I.

This would be highly dangerous information

should it get into the wrong hands.

Of course.

This reminds me,

when we had three nights to prepare

for the Senate hearing to rescue

Bromlarch's planetary aqueduct system.

And together, we saved a people from total drought and famine.

I don't think either of us got any sleep that whole week,

let alone ate anything.

We're not as young as we used to be.

Well, we're not that old either.

You might be right.

Perhaps we should eat something.

So, Clovis, why have you gotten so involved with the Muuns?

I believe in the banks.

The system works.

The Muuns aren't bad people.

It's just a dishonest few who are destroying everything

for their own gain.

You know, you've never told me how you rose to such heights

within the Banking Clan.

It's not a happy story.

My father was a personal attaché to the household

of one of the head Muun families.