A conspiracy motif, initially composed by John Williams and performed by the renowned London Symphony Orchestra, made its debut in the soundtrack for Attack of the Clones in 2002. Serving as a leitmotif throughout scenes depicting the Separatist conspiracy, it takes the form of an arpeggio figure rendered in a minor key. A powerful and intensified version of this theme is employed as a recurring musical cue for Count Dooku within the 2017 video game Star Wars Battlefront 2.
In the film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, the initial appearance of the motif occurs during a discussion between Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and the Jedi Order concerning the escalating tensions within the Galactic Republic and the potential for war with the burgeoning Separatist Movement. Later, in the same scene, when Mace Windu and Ki-Adi-Mundi, the two highest-ranking Jedi Councilors besides Grand Master Yoda, challenge Senator Padmé Amidala's assertion that Count Dooku was responsible for the attempted assassination on her life, due to Dooku's previous status as a Jedi, the motif is heard again. It continues as Yoda affirms that regardless of the perpetrator behind the failed attempt on Amidala's life, the senator remains in significant danger. As Palpatine proposes that Amidala be placed under Jedi protection, specifically under Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, the motif is played with increased emphasis and volume. This is then interrupted by a segment of dies irae when Windu acknowledges the availability of potential Jedi protection for Amidala, only to return as Palpatine urges the senator to accept Kenobi and Skywalker as her personal protectors.
The leitmotif is featured once more during the scene involving Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Zam Wesell outside the Outlander Club. This occurs as Wesell is about to reveal the identity of her employer before being murdered by a mysterious assassin. As the film unfolds, the killer is revealed to be her employer, the bounty hunter Jango Fett, who himself is in the service of the Separatists.
The motif is heard again when Kenobi encounters Fett at his residence on the waterworld of Kamino. The motif is consistently played throughout the meeting, during which they discuss the clone army, Fett's trips to Coruscant, and Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas. Upon Fett's denial of any knowledge of Sifo-Dyas, the commissioner of the clone army, the conspiracy motif transitions into the mystery motif. After Jango Fett discloses that he was hired by an individual named Tyranus, the mystery motif ceases, replaced by a fragment of The Emperor's Theme. The conspiracy motif then reappears as Kenobi departs Fett's quarters.
The conspiracy motif also appears as the leitmotif for Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, a film released in 2002 with music by John Williams. The motif is played during Malfoy's initial encounter with Harry Potter, and again when Malfoy threatens Potter after the latter frees Dobby.
Within the Sith Inquisitor narrative of Star Wars: The Old Republic, which debuted in 2011, the motif is audible when Darth Thanaton petitions the Dark Council to kill the player's character.