Ten years after the Battle of Naboo, the Galactic Republic faces a growing threat from a separatist movement led by former Jedi Master Count Dooku. Padmé Amidala, once Queen and now a senator, travels to Coruscant to oppose a proposal aimed at creating an army to assist the Jedi in combating this rising danger. Upon her arrival, she barely survives an assassination attempt and is subsequently placed under the protection of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker. The duo foils a second attempt on Padmé's life and apprehends the assassin, Zam Wesell. However, before revealing her employer’s identity, Wesell is silenced by a bounty hunter.

The Jedi Council assigns Obi-Wan to investigate the bounty hunter’s trail, while Anakin is tasked with ensuring Padmé’s safety by escorting her back to Naboo. Despite the Jedi Code's strict prohibition of emotional attachments, the two find themselves falling in love.