(Meanwhile, back on Mekkai, two hundred Nova Knights are assembling outside the huge center of the Nova Order. The Clockwork Star Council are assembled as Android 17 makes his plea.)

Android 17: The longer we wait, the stronger Damon's armies become. We cannot wait for the Senate to make up its mind about granting Ghetsis emergency powers, in order to be able to use that clone army... We have the authority to go now. We must go now.

(All of the Clockwork Star Council nod their approval.)

King DeDeDe: Agreed, Lapis. (Laughs) Send two hundred Nova Knights. Let's hope they are enough.

(Meanwhile, inside the great rotunda, the uproar is even louder. Opposing Senators yell furiously at one another.)

Will Powers: Order! Order!!

(Finally, the uproar dies.)

Ghetsis: In the regrettable absence of Senator Celadon, the chair recognizes Senior Representative of Floralia, Palpitoad.

(Amid the conflicting storm of cheers and jeers, Palpitoad, with two shiny Palpitoad aides, floats on his pod to the middle of the vast space. He looks at Ghetsis nervously. Ghetsis nods. Palpitoad clears his throat.)

Palpitoad: Senators, fellow delegates...

(Laughter. Jeers. Palpitoad blushes.)

Will Powers: Order! The Senate will accord the Representative the courtesy of a hearing!

(Comparative quiet. Palpitoad grips the edge of the podium.)

Palpitoad: In response to the direct threat to Team Justice from Robotnik Industries, I propose that the Senate gives immediate emergency powers to the Supreme Chancellor.

(Uproar. Palpitoad looks a little sheepish.)

Palpitoad: (continuing) Who can deny these are exceptional times? Exceptional times demand exceptional measures! Exceptional measures demand exceptional men!

Count Bleck: Bleck, says Count Bleck! We won't support a dictator.

(Shouts of agreement come from the other podiums.)

Palpitoad: That is the sentiment every one of us agrees with! And when the shadow of war has dispersed and the bright day of liberty has dawned once again, the power we now give to the Supreme Chancellor will be gladly, and swiftly returned. Out ancient liberties will be restored to us, burnished even more brightly than before!

(Brief silence, then a rolling wave of applause. Palpitoad beams and bows. Ghetsis rises.)

Ghetsis: It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy... I love the Republic. The fact that this crisis is demanding I be given absolute power to rule over you is evident. But I am mild by nature and have no desire to destroy the democratic process. The power you give me I will lay down when this crisis has abated, I promise you. And all I ask in return is when my current term of office is over, you allow me to retire and live out my life in peace.

Will Powers: We shall proceed to the vote. All those in favor of granting emergency powers to the Supreme Chancellor, signal ate at this time... those opposed?

(Meanwhile, in space, the Lor Starcutter heads toward the rings of Halcandra. The Lor Starcutter lands on the surface of said planet. Koga switches off the engines. Viger and Iron Valient are in the navigation area of the cockpit. Erika is in the co-pilot's seat. She gets up.)

Koga: Hey, where are you going?

Erika: To find Obi-Wan.

(Koga gets up and goes over to her.)

Koga: No! You're not!

(He grabs her arm.)

Erika: Let go of me!

Koga: I'm not letting you go out there. It's too dangerous.

Erika: What?!?

Koga: It's my job to protect you. I said it's too dangerous. You're not going, and that's final!

Erika: Don't you give me orders, Koga! I'm a Senator of Team Justice. You have no authority to contain me, restrain me, or direct me! You remember your place, young man. (standing up) Now you can come along and protect me or stay here. It's up to you.

(Erika storms out of the cockpit of the Lor Starcutter. Koga stands scratching his head, then follows.)

Viger: Most confusing, am I right, Valient?

Iron Valient: Yes, it is, Artoo. Most confusing. One moment they're generating a pleasant mutual attraction and the next, waves of violent hostility. Even though I'm programmed to understand them, I doubt if I ever shall.

Viger: (Magnet-palms)

(Meanwhile, Koga and Erika enter the stalagmite city. They stop, looking around in wonder at the emptiness.)

Erika: (in a low voice) It's empty!

(They start forward. As they pass, the surface of the pillars seems to pulse slowly and move. High above, Heracross grow from the pillars and detach themselves. Koga and Erika cross the square, reaching the middle. They stop suddenly as four Heracross grab them. Koga reaches for his lightsaber.)

Erika: Wait!

(Twenty Heracross carrying weapons alight on the flagstones in front of them. The Heracross part, and Damon Gant appears. He bows courteously.)

Damon Gant: Senator Celadon, I've heard so much about you.

Erika: Damon Gant, I assume.

Damon Gant: I'm delighted to meet you at last. We have a great deal to discuss, Senator. I hope you can keep your young Jedi under control.

Erika: Don't worry he's housebroken.

(In the Halcandrian conference room, Damon Gant sits at a large conference table with Erika on the far side. Koga stands behind her with four Heracross standing behind him. Handsome Jack stands behind Damon Gant, and six Heracross stand behind him.)

Erika: You are holding a Nova Knight, Bolo Scuttle. I am formally requesting you turn him over to me, effective immediately.

Gant: He has been convicted of espionage, Senator, and will be executed. In just a few hours, I believe.

(Damon Gant smiles.)

Erika: He is an officer of Team Justice. You can't do that.

Gant: We don't recognize Team Justice here, Senator. But if Floralia were to join our Alliance, I could easily hear your plea for clemency.

(Koga grabs his lightsaber but doesn't turn it on.)

Erika: And if I don't join your rebellion, I assume this Nova with me will also die?

Gant: I don't wish to make you to join our cause against your will, Senator, but you are a rational, honest representative of your people and I assume you want to do what's in their best interest. Aren't you fed up with the corruption, the bureaucrats, the hypocrisy of it all?...Aren't you? Please be honest, Senator.

Erika: The ideals are still alive, Count, even if the institution is failing.

Gant: You believe in the same ideals we believe in! The same ideals we are striving to make prominent.

Erika: If what you say is true, you should stay in the Republic and help Chancellor Palpatine put things right.

Gant: The Chancellor means well, M'Lady, but he is incompetent. He has promised to cut the bureaucracy, but the bureaucrats are stronger than ever, no? Senator, Team Justice cannot be fixed. It is time to start over. The democratic process in Team Justice is a sham, a shell game played on the voters. It will not be long before the cult of greed, called Team Justice, will lose even the pretext of democracy and freedom.

Erika: I cannot believe that. I will not forsake all I have honored and worked for and betray the Republic. I know of your treaties with Robotnik Industries, the Aqua/Magma Commerce, and the others, Count. What is happening here is not government that has been bought out by business... it's business becoming government!

Gant: Are you willing to betray your Nova friends? Without your co-operation, I can do nothing to stop their execution.

Erika: What is to happen to me? Am I to be executed also?

Gant: I wouldn't think of such an offence. But, there are individuals who have a strong interest in your demise, M'lady. It has nothing to do with politics, I'm afraid. It's purely personal, and they have already paid great sums to have you assassinated. I'm sure they will push hard to have you included in the executions. I'm sorry, but if you are not going to co-operate, I must turn you over to the Halcandrians for TRUE justice. I've done all I can for you.

(Handsome Jack moves over to Koga.)

Handsome Jack: I'll take that weapon.

(Koga hesitates.)

Gant: You may cause a lot of bloodshed, my young Nova, but you will not escape.

Erika: Koga...

(Koga hands his lightsaber over to Handsome Jack. Later, Koga and Erika are standing in the center of what looks like a courtroom. Seated before them in a tall, boxed-off area is Giovanni, leader of Team Rocket and Archduke of Halcandra. He is accompanied by his underling, Davy Sprocket. Off to one side are the Robotnik Industries Senators Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts. Next to them are the Aqua/Magma Commerce Dignitaries, Shielbert, Gaspen Payne, Matt, Maxie and Swordward of the Multiversal Money Group. Along the wall about one hundred Heracross wait for a verdict.)

Davy Sprocket: You have been charged and found guilty of espionage.

Giovanni: Do you have anything to say before your sentence is carried out?

Erika: You are committing an act of war, Boss Rocket. I hope you are prepared for the consequences.

(Giovanni laughs. Damon Gant simply smiles.)

Giovanni: We build weapons, Senator... that is our business! Of course we're prepared!

Gaspen Payne: Get on with it. Carry out the sentence. I want to see her suffer.

Giovanni: Your other Nova friend is waiting for you, Senator. Take them to the arena!