The Saak'ak represented a modification of the Lucrehulk-class LH-3210 cargo freighter, functioning within the private fleet belonging to the Trade Federation. It held the position of the Federation's flagship during the Invasion of Naboo. Under the command of Captain Daultay Dofine, the freighter became the site of a visit from Galactic Republic ambassadors, specifically Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn accompanied by his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. These ambassadors were dispatched to negotiate with the Federation Viceroy, Nute Gunray, to end their blockade and allow trade to resume with the planet of Naboo. However, the discussions proved unsuccessful, compelling the Jedi to seek refuge on the planet's surface.
During the blockade of Naboo, Gunray, together with fellow Trade Federation authority Rune Haako, found themselves aboard the Saak'ak during the visit of Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. These Jedi served as ambassadors representing Supreme Chancellor Valorum of the Galactic Republic. Their vessel, the Radiant VII, docked within one of the Saak'ak's hangars, leading the Jedi to a designated conference room. Upon being informed that the ambassadors were Jedi, Gunray contacted his superior, the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, who issued the order for the Jedi's termination. Gunray complied by utilizing the Saak'ak's hangar weaponry to obliterate the Radiant VII, subsequently flooding the conference room with poison gas and deploying a unit of security battle droids to ensure the Jedi's demise.
However, the Jedi emerged from the conference room unharmed and swiftly neutralized the security droids before proceeding towards the bridge. Gunray commanded the bridge to be sealed off and demanded the deployment of droidekas. He and Haako recoiled in fear as the Jedi decimated numerous battle droids, with Jinn initiating an attempt to breach the bridge doors using his lightsaber. Gunray ordered the activation of the blast doors, which only momentarily hindered Jinn, as he re-engaged his lightsaber against the door, causing it to heat up and begin to disintegrate.
Before he could completely destroy the door, the droidekas arrived, holding the Jedi at bay. This prompted the Jedi to retreat, inadvertently causing the droidekas to blast open the blast doors in the process. The Jedi went into a ventilation shaft and proceeded to another hangar, where they witnessed battle droids being loaded onto Multi-Troop Transports, realizing that the Trade Federation intended to fully invade Naboo. The two concealed themselves on separate transports to escape to the surface and rescue Naboo's Queen Amidala. Eventually, the Saak'ak launched its ships, initiating the invasion of the planet.
As the Trade Federation seized control of Naboo's capital city, Theed, the Jedi successfully liberated Queen Amidala, her handmaidens, and Royal Naboo Security Forces Head, Quarsh Panaka. They boarded the Queen's starship and attempted to flee the planet. As they approached the blockade, the Saak'ak initiated fire upon them, managing to disable the ship's shield generator. However, they managed to repair the shield generator and flew directly past the Saak'ak as they made their escape.
Following the capture of Theed, the Saak'ak, along with the remainder of the Federation fleet, departed the Naboo system. Command of the ship, along with its crew, was transferred to the Lucrehulk-class Battleship, known as the Vuutun Palaa.