Later, as dawn rises over Naboo, the Chancellor returns to Theed, greeted warmly by Senator Amidala. Anakin and Obi-Wan reunite, and Skywalker shares his frustrations about the Jedi Council's lack of trust in him. Obi-Wan reveals that it was his decision to keep the truth from Anakin. Anakin angrily wonders how many truths Obi-Wan and the Council might be keeping from him.

Obi-Wan is troubled, and not just at his disagreement with Anakin. Does he know the whole truth? Kenobi returns to his sniper's apartment to reexamine the kidnapping plot. He closely inspects his sniper rifle case, and finds a secret comlink hidden inside. "Dooku was listening," concludes a stunned Obi-Wan. "He knew all along!"

In the Theed Palace, Anakin and the Chancellor talk and stroll through the darkened corridors. Palpatine expresses dismay that Anakin knew nothing of Obi-Wan's undercover mission. "I was under the impression the Jedi always worked as a team," observes Palpatine. The conversation halts as they enter the banquet hall -- Count Dooku and his MagnaGuard droids are waiting for them.

Dooku's plan has worked. He knew he could never fight off the whole Jedi security team, so he constructed an elaborate plot within a plot to distract the Jedi, and have them assume the Chancellor was safe. Now, guarded by a lone Jedi, the Chancellor is vulnerable. Dooku ignites his blade and moves toward Anakin.

Obi-Wan rushes to the banquet hall, arriving just in time to help an overwhelmed Anakin. The two Jedi work together and rescue the Chancellor. Dooku is forced to leave empty-handed in a shuttle that hastily departs Theed.

The Chancellor is once again impressed by the Jedi, especially taking note of the heroics of Anakin and Obi-Wan. Underestimating them in the future would be a mistake. "One shudders to think where the galaxy would be without the Jedi," observes the Chancellor.