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Continuity & Analysis

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - An Old Friend (2014) [S6E5]
To love, is to trust. To trust is to believe.
"As the war between the Republic and the Separatists intensifies, many are driven from their
home planets, and it is up to Senator Amidala to secure aid for them. All eyes turn to the
Banking Clan and the planet Scipio. In an effort to remain independent from the Republic
and the Separatists, all operations are divided, and money transactions are performed in
a neutral zone surrounding the main vault. For operations to continue, there must be no
war on Scipio. However, worry about the stability of the Banking Clan is brewing within
the Republic as the wellspring of money may be in jeopardy..."
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Rise of Clovis (2014) [S6E6]
Jealousy is the path to chaos.
"War profiteers! In times 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..."
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Crisis at the Heart (2014) [S6E7]
Deceit is the weapon of greed.
"Corruption discovered at the core of the Banking Clan! Reunited, Rush Clovis and
Senator Amidala discover the full extent of the deception. Anakin Skywalker is sent to
the rescue. He refuses to trust Clovis, and asks Padme not to work with him. Determined
to save the banks, she refuses her husband's request, throwing their relationship into
turmoil. Voted for by both the Separatists and the Republic, Clovis is elected new leader
of the Galactic Banking Clan. Now all attention is focused on Scipio, as the important
transfer of power begins..."




CONTINUITY
These three episodes form a single storyline about the Banking Clan. The chronological order of episodes is as given by Lucasfilm,
and follows their release order. The planet Scipio is seen for the first time. Three worlds are seen in these episodes:

This storyline was written in 2011 and originally intended to connect to 'A Friend in Need' (S4E14), but was separated and moved to Season 5,
only to be bumped to make room for other storylines. It eventually aired in 2014 as the second storyline of Season 6: The Lost Missions.

- As the war intensifies in its final year, the number of refugees fleeing planets across the galaxy are increasing apace. Padme is heavily involved in Senate
efforts to secure aid for them, as was previously addressed in 'Assassin' (S3E7), leading to the Republic seeking additional loans from the Banking Clan.

- Scipio is a frozen planet in the Albarrio Sector, in the New Territories of the Outer Rim. It is a prominent Muun colony world, located relatively near to
the Muun homeworld of Muunilinst. Non-canon material has repeatedly suggested that this world with no appreciable ecosystem is somehow
the Muun homeworld, which makes no sense. Just as Neimodia is the Neimodian homeworld, yet their colony of Cato Neimodia has become more
important due to being the headquarters of the Trade Federation, Muunilinst is the Muun homeworld, yet their colony of Scipio has become more
important due to being the headquarters of the InterGalactic Banking Clan. The capital city of Scipio, located on rugged mountains on a remote and
frozen world, is isolated and populated primarily by Muuns, making it an ideal location for the main vault fortress of the Banking Clan. As insular
people who are also bankers, they traditionally restrict access to their facilities, and historically no outsiders are ever allowed into the vault.


- In an effort to remain independent of the Republic and the Separatists, all operations within the bank are divided between the two sides, and
money transactions are performed in a neutral zone surrounding the main vault. Scipio is therefore considered to be still a part of the Republic,
but is acting as a neutral system. Concern about the stability of the Banking Clan is threatening to disrupt that neutrality.
Main Article: The Galactic Republic and the Neutral Systems

- Rush Clovis, last seen less than two years earlier in 'Senate Spy' (S2E4), was ousted from his position in the Senate for conspiring with the Separatists.
He was replaced shortly after by Nix Card, who remains their senator. Clovis is still a respected member within the Banking Clan, and has been made
their special representative in this affair. He is still considered to be their most trusted and best negotiator.

- Teckla Minnau, Padme's aide, was first seen in 'Pursuit of Peace' (S3E11), where she was revealed to be a loyal assistant and admirer of Padme,
whose family lives in a miserable village on Naboo for some reason. She sabotages the power station to complete Padme and Clovis' plan,
but is killed by Embo immediately afterwards, leading the Muuns to discover their treachery.

- There is serious corruption at the core of the Banking Clan, as it is being heavily embezzled from by its leadership, and is running a hedge to cover
their mismanagement. There is virtually no money in the bank, and while they can give the Republic its first installment of a new loan, it will be
unable to release further funds until the next installment of payments from the Republic or the Separatists. The Banking Clan is therefore on
the verge of collapse. As Clovis suggests, those behind this scheme are among those who are the "real criminals behind this war", the profiteers
and the military-industrial complex. The Banking Clan are at the center of all of this, and yet Padme points out that she has exposed war profiteers,
and that nobody cares, especially considering the many issues that likely seem more important in this time of war. Far more concerning to the public
would be the Core Five hiding massive secret accounts, depleting the funds needed to mitigate this monetary flow issue. Their senator, Nix Card,
correctly blames the Core Five for precipitating this scandal, having used hundreds of smaller transactions over time to embezzle the funds.

- It is clear from Senator Card's conversation with Sidious that he was maneuvered by Sidious into becoming the top candidate to replace Rush Clovis
two years earlier, after 'Senate Spy' (S2E4). Sidious has been aiding the political ambitions of his allies in the Senate since before Episode I, now over
thirteen years. He has certainly been working all along to replace senators who are unlikely to work with him directly, which sometimes include
senators like Clovis, who were generally helpful to his policies anyway. It is always more valuable to have senators who owe him direct allegiance.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan


- Palpatine once again sees an opportunity to push Anakin towards the dark side, and perhaps instigate his fall. He tells Padme to trust her old 'friend'
Clovis, and twice to work closely with him. Anakin is instantly enraged by even the mention of Clovis. He gives in to his anger during their fight,
allowing it to consume him. This leads directly to a major low point in his marriage to Padme. Palpatine can use Anakin and Padme's relationship
to turn him in several ways. The opportunity presented in Episode III relied on Padme's imminent death from giving birth, however a different
situation which puts her in jeopardy could also serve the purpose. If they break up, while it may lead to Anakin recommitting himself to the Order,
it is far more likely to leave him angry, bitter, and emotionally detached. However he stirs the pot, the results can be used to manipulate Anakin.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan

- Anakin senses through the Force that Embo is about to shoot just before he fires, even though Anakin had not seen him and had his back turned to
him. This allows enough time for him to react, suggesting that several seconds into the future can be at times detected through the Force.

- Anakin's modest quarters at the Jedi Temple are seen to contain some crates with personal effects or equipment, droid parts he is working on,
a model of an Eta-2 Actis starfighter, and a pod racing poster of Sebulba, the champion Dug he defeated as a child in Episode I. There is also
a bed and a meditation seat. The door features a Jedi department symbol which probably indicates living quarters or something similar.

- Anakin and Obi-Wan discuss Anakin's love for Padme. Obi-Wan senses deep anger in Anakin regarding Clovis. He tells Anakin that he understands to
a degree, and that he knows Anakin loves her like loved Satine. Anakin tells him they are just friends. Obi-Wan tells him they must remain friends only
for the good of the Order. Anakin is clearly angry about this, but still accepts this in theory, however this situation is testing his patience.

- When Padme and Clovis were relatively new Senators, they were involved in Senate hearings regarding their efforts to rescue Bromlarch's planetary
aqueduct system. They succeeded in saving people from drought and famine. Supplementary material has located Bromlarch in the Vish Sector of
the Mid Rim, which is adjacent to the Chommell Sector where Naboo is located.

- The Muun government holds legal authority over the Banking Clan, at least in regard to criminal matters, despite the fact that the organization is
far more powerful than the Muun starsystems alone. As Clovis points out, the Muuns aren't bad people, but like any species, some are criminals,
and many are greedy to one degree or another. Most Muun citizens want this type of corruption ended, so they can continue to benefit from
the wealth and prosperity which the banks bring, rather than lose a central component to their economy and galactic influence.
The Muun government arrests the corrupt leaders of the Clan as soon as they have enough evidence to prosecute them.


- Clovis knows enough about the Jedi to ask rhetorically "isn't it forbidden for a Jedi to have romantic ties?" He is a well-educated individual and was
formerly a member of the Senate, and therefore is more likely to know about Jedi practices, and may have known Jedi personally.
Main Article: Awareness of the Jedi and the Sith

- Padme is becoming overly frustrated about not being able to public about her marriage to Anakin. She points out to Anakin that no matter how it is
justified, their relationship is ultimately based on lies and deception. She is not happy anymore, particularly after the situation with Clovis, and no
longer feels safe with Anakin or feels safe about their relationship. She tells Anakin that it is best if they don't see each other, at least for a while.
This could have been a falling out, one which may have altered the course of coming events, if not for the events at the conclusion of this crisis.
Having been deceived by Dooku into believing that Clovis was indeed a liar and a con-man, she questions her initial questioning of the value of
Anakin and their relationship, as he is at least honest with her about his intentions, and cares more about protecting her than his other priorities.
Their reassociation and commiseration here is about nine months before the birth of their twin children Luke and Leia.

- Senator Bec Lawise of Mileva, the Speaker of the Separatist Parliament, represents their interests in the transition of power on Scipio. He was
first seen in Parliament in 'Heroes on Both Sides' (S3E10), but first had spoken lines in 'A Friend in Need' (S4E14). He has a mutually respectful
relationship with Padme, either from the Galactic Senate before the war, or due to their negotiations less than a year earlier. As he is
an honest broker and unwilling to participate in the Sith scheme, Dooku uses the Force to make Padme shoot her friend, thus eliminating
Lawise as a pawn that has outlived his usefulness, and keeping his own actions on Scipio from being relayed back to the Separatist Parliament.


- The increase in interest rates to the Republic is authorized by the Traxus Division, part of the Banking Clan responsible for setting bank policy.


Do the Hyena droid bombers and HMP droid gunships have hyperdrives? When the Separatist fleet arrives at Scipio,
the formation of droid bombers and droid gunships are already in flight immediately in front of a dreadnought.
They must either have hyperdrives, or somehow can be taken into hyperspace by the larger ship without being
attached to it, which would seem to be contrary to canon evidence about this in 'Jedi Crash' (S1E13). If they do have
hyperdrives, it would certainly raise questions as to why the Separatists don't use this advantage tactically in the war.
Supplementary material suggests that neither have hyperdrives, which means this is likely an error.


- The droid Commander Kraken, seen in the Battle of Ringo Vinda in the last storyline, is commanding the fleet under Dooku that is invading Scipio.

- After the Separatist occupation of Scipio, the Republic launched a counter-invasion, leading to the brief Battle of Scipio. The Separatist move was
not designed to succeed in capturing the planet, but was instead designed to provoke an overwhelming Republic response, leading to the Republic
capture of Scipio. This is the same plan which the Sith attempted to use against the neutral system of Mandalore in 'The Mandalore Plot' (S2E12),
which failed in that instance but succeeded here, and likely in other instances. Dooku orders the fleet to withdraw to safety, leaving his ground
forces in the capital to be destroyed. The result of the battle is the Republic occupation of Scipio, and direct Republic control over the Banking Clan.
While not one of the 'Outer Rim Sieges', this was part of the same series of campaigns and consolidations in the Outer Rim as those sieges.


- Palpatine promises to reinstate the banks to the state the galaxy once knew them after the war, something he certainly will not do. He tells the Senate that
they cannot allow their money "to fall under the manipulations of a madman like Count Dooku", who of course secretly works for him.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan

ANALYSIS
The takeover of the banks was a plot instigated entirely by Sidious, but was only made possible due to the selfish incompetence of the greedy leaders of
the Banking Clan. The timing of this move was entirely dependent on the proper situation, which presented itself due to the humanitarian activities
of the Senate. It also required some preparation, as the Separatists had to begin defaulting on their interest payments over a long enough period to
deplete the bank's coffers. When Padme leaves for Scipio, Sidious paid Embo to follow her and observe. He then tries to shoot Clovis, although may
have missed intentionally, as his mission may have been only to give a believable appearance of a cover up. It is unclear if Padme or Clovis were
expendable for Sidious' plans to succeed, or if eliminating either of them would have been considered a secondary objective for Sidious at this time.
Embo kills Teckla after she sabotages the power station as part of Padme's plan, likely to ensure the Banking Clan becomes certain of Padme's
involvement in investigation of their criminal activities, and leading to Padme's arrest. He then seemingly tries to kill Padme, Clovis, and Anakin, which
may have been what he was paid to do once his reconnaissance and initial meddling were complete. After they escape, Sidious tells Embo his work is
done, which may signify that he has an alternate plan for this contingency, or that they were always intended to be allowed to escape after having
become convinced there is a cover up being attempted on Scipio. Sidious then uses his ally Senator Nix Card to double-cross the Core Five, and provide
the information about the locations of their secret accounts. Sidious promises to protect Card, which is in his interest, as Card is a team player and
an influential senator, who directly supports his agenda. Clovis moves to oust the Core Five, to save the stability of the banks. Taking advantage of
these developments, Sidious orders Tyranus to recruit Clovis as an ally once again by promising to support his rise to the leadership of the banks.

Separatists haven't been paying any interest on their loans from the Banking Clan. Dooku says they aren't paying their loans because it would be supporting
corruption, but in reality they are doing it because they can. There is no way for the Clan to enforce these terms, and the Separatists will be able to pay back
any amount of accrued interest if they win, and if they lose they will default. Refusing to keep up with payments has also helped deteriorate the stability of
the banks, something the Sith are interested in. The Separatists also have massive expenses, are undoubtedly short on excess funds for repayment, which
is why honest Separatists ignore the negative effect of missing their payments. They would certainly not approve of destabilizing the banks and which
would threaten their line of credit, but are unaware of the precarious situation within the Banking Clan which the Sith are aware of. Dooku knows that
the Banking Clan won't make these issues public, which might lead to a war for control of the banks, which is why Clu Lesser and the Core Five have allowed
the Separatists not to pay off their interest. Dooku tells Clovis they have a mutual problem than can be fixed. Dooku pretends to be afraid of what will happen
if the Separatists lose access to funding, and claims to support Clovis because he wants the stability of a bank which doesn't take sides. Dooku promises to
give Clovis the evidence he needs, and to start repaying the interest on their loans to begin to refill the bank's coffers. After Clovis' evidence leads to
the Clan's leaders being arrested, Clovis now has the endorsement of the Muun government, the Separatists, as well as the Republic, following Palpatine's
support and the Senate vote in his favor. He presents himself as a caretaker leader and impartial technocrat, which is an honest assessment of his intentions.

Having maneuvered Clovis into position as an honest broker, Dooku extorts Clovis into betraying the trust of the Republic and the Muun government. Dooku
uses his own assistance in Clovis' rise as blackmail to demand Clovis begin charging the Republic exorbitant interests rates. Clovis' position is too precarious
at this early stage to reveal to the Republic that Dooku provided him the evidence which led to his ascension, as it would make it appear he was once again
working directly with the Separatists before he had time to demonstrate his impartial and competent administration. His only other option is to agree to
Dooku's demands, which make it appear that he did all of this to maneuver himself back into a position of power, only to resume pushing a Separatist agenda.
Unwilling to expose his own culpability, which would lead to the two sides battling to control the planet and the banks, he chooses to comply with Dooku,
which outrages the Republic Senate. The Senate and the Jedi Council now believe they were deceived and manipulated by Clovis, and plan to act.

The final move in Sidious' plan to seize the banks is the Separatist invasion of Scipio. Dooku tells Commander Kraken quite openly that this move is political
theater, stating that "it is time to make Rush Clovis look like a powerful Separatist." Dooku's direct involvement ensures the Jedi and the Senate will intervene.
Palpatine acts confused about what the Separatists hope to gain, as on the surface this appears to make no sense, unless one is aware that Dooku's primary
objective is to provide the pretext for increasing the scope and power of the Chancellor's authority. As always, Palpatine acts gravely concerned that it is now
a certainty that the Senate will vote to invade Scipio. When the measure passes by a landslide, Palpatine acts reluctant and humanitarian minded, while also
using the opportunity to further promote the fame and status of his protege Anakin, telling the Senate, "as Supreme Chancellor, I must abide by the consensus
of the Senate. We will commence a mercy mission to Scipio, to be led by General Anakin Skywalker." Palpatine then switches to strong leader mode, confidently
stating that the Republic will not crumble, which is of course much of the point of the Clone Wars, to transform the Republic into a state which is as hard as steel.
Clovis takes the fall for the entire affair, and Sidious succeeds in creating a situation in which the Senate and the Jedi are in favor of a Republic invasion and
takeover of Scipio and the Banking Clan. With Clovis dead, Nix Card blames him for all previous corruption, allowing the possibility of reinstating former allies
within the Banking Clan who will make grateful associates, and providing the pretext for his government turning direct authority over the galactic financial system
to the Supreme Chancellor. Sidious' scheme succeeds in greatly increasing the massive power and influence over the galaxy of his public persona Palpatine.


FURTHER ANALYSIS
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