A CLONE WARS SPY THRILLER! PADMÉ and ANAKIN, disguised, are aboard the HALCYON, keeping tabs on a senator suspected of separatist connections! Their covert operation, however, will pit them against ASAJJ VENTRESS! Furthermore, fifty years later, the ship's crew is attempting a perilous escape through a lethal solar storm!

In the year 34 ABY, Crimson Jack, a pirate captain, orders his ship to attack the Halcyon. Riyola Keevan, the ship's captain, skillfully evades the attack by piloting the ship into a solar storm. When one of the pirates praises Keevan's impressive flying, Crimson Jack kills him, offended by the unwanted praise. Meanwhile, on the Halcyon, Keevan asks Lenka Mok, the cruise director, about the Resistance spy she brought on board. Mok explains that the First Order is about to plunge the galaxy into a terror and bloodshed not seen since the Empire's fall thirty years ago, so it's up to ordinary people to stand up and fight back. Passenger Shorr Komrrin's granddaughter remains fearful of the situation, so droid D3-O9 tells a story full of action, romance, and Jedi, which Shorr will find memorable.

Switching to a flashback during the Clone Wars, D3-O9 is knocked over on the Hutt-controlled Halcyon. Republic Senator Padmé Amidala helps the droid up, but Jedi Anakin Skywalker reminds his secret wife Padmé to be more cautious as they are undercover. Padmé dismisses the concern, stating that they are fighting for a Republic worth fighting for. Anakin points out that Lannik Senator Zast Tri'vak seemed to be in a hurry, and if he were to sway Lannik to side with the Separatists, Republic supply routes would be cut off. He also mentions that Republic spies have spotted Separatist agents at the port where the Halcyon will arrive, but since Obi-Wan is already staked out with clone troopers, they will have some time to enjoy the cruise. Later, in private, Padmé and Anakin engage in a sparring match, which ends with both of them laughing on the floor. Afterwards, in the climate simulator, they observe Puffer Pigs, and Padmé convinces Anakin to take a moment to "have a moment" as they have both sacrificed their lives for the cause, and they share a kiss.

Suddenly, Asajj Ventress boards the Halcyon, and Anakin senses her presence, realizing that the Senator's extraction is happening now. They rush to Tri'vak's room, and when Anakin cuts through the sealed door, they find a hole in the floor caused by a lightsaber. Ventress, hooded, leads Tri'vak through the lobby as they try to escape, but Anakin and Padmé intercept them, leading to a lightsaber duel. As the Jedi and Sith acolyte fight, Padmé watches with a young Shorr Komrrin, who comments on Anakin's strength. Padmé tells the boy that Anakin's greatness as a Jedi comes from his desire to help others, and that he too has the potential to be a powerful force for good. At that moment, the Hutt's ship security arrives and orders everyone to drop their weapons. Before they can open fire, Padmé grabs Shorr, swings across the room to safety using a grappling hook, and stuns the security with her blaster.

While neither Anakin nor Ventress will surrender, a Hutt interrupts them, questioning the situation and stating that the Halcyon belongs to the Hutts, so they do not want to be involved in their war. Anakin tries to plead their case, but Padmé stops him and explains that they are on a mission to bring a traitor to justice. Tri'vak begs the Hutt not to let them take him, but Padmé tells the Hutt that she knows the Republic can count on his cooperation, as it would be a shame if access to key routes through the Mid Rim were reconsidered if they didn't. When the Hutt agrees, Tri'vak says that he has information on both the Separatists and Republic that can be of use to him, but Ventress stabs him through the chest with her lightsaber, rendering him useless to her. Ventress escapes by hurling her sabers at the windows, shattering the glass and sucking the security members into the vacuum of space. Ventress leaps through the opening into her waiting ship and escapes, and Anakin uses the Force to seal the breach. With the situation resolved, Padmé comforts a scared Shorr, telling him that it's okay to be scared as long as he doesn't let it overcome him, and that a cause may inspire him to be braver than he thought possible.

Returning to the present, Cimina comments on Padmé's bravery, and Shorr explains that she was brave because she had to be, which is an example for everyone. Shorr then asks D3-O9 to thank Lenka Mok for her hospitality as he will be disembarking early. When Cimina asks what he means, Shorr says that he is determined to do something about the Halcyon's potential doom.

The summary provided by the publishers says the flashbacks occur fifty years after the main story, but this would place them in 16 BBY, while the latest they could occur is 20 BBY. Star Wars: Timelines also mistakenly places the flashback events after Ventress was betrayed in the Battle of Sullust.