Prologue:

Recently elected Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine strode over to the Jedi knight and the sandy-haired child who was tailing Kenobi. So, this was the one whom the Jedi said would bring balance to the Force. Palpatine allowed the slightest hint of a smirk to tug at the corners of his lips as he studied the child. Bring balance, indeed. The ratio of Sith to Jedi at this time is hardly optimal.

Well, young Skywalker's Force-guided destruction of the Droid Control Ship had certainly been impressive, and his midi-chlorian counts were astounding. But Palpatine felt an unease, an uncertainty that he had never felt before while allowing the powerful, surging energy of the Dark Side to guide him. Anger- and power- were the trademarks of the Dark Side, not doubt.

The Jedi had started to murmur in concern lately about how the Dark Side was clogging the Force, like mud that turning a clear pond into murk. Palpatine always inwardly scoffed at this: It was the Light Side that blinded his vision in the Force, with its pools of luminescence that flooded into the corners of the Dark. Suddenly, he realized it was receding. The Dark Side was regaining the ground it had lost after Maul's death, and he could see again. Yes, the Force was swirling around Skywalker-

But there was someone in the crowd of handmaidens, guards, and spectators whose Force presence was even stronger.

Palpatine glanced in the direction the Force was pointing, and his eyes fell directly on her. His gaze pierced deeper than the face paint and elaborate hairdo she wore.

Ah. You may not know the power you possess, Queen Amidala, but I do. And I will soon have all the power to be found in this galaxy eating out of the palm of my hand.