Capture of Theed

The Capture of Theed—also known as the Fall of Theed, the Invasion of Theed, or, in regards to Queen Padmé Amidala's escape, the Escape from Naboo—was a battle during the opening stages of the Invasion of Naboo in 32 BBY. After a series of quick victories, the Trade Federation OOM command battle droid OOM-9 attacked the city with a force of battle droids and Armored Assault Tanks and Heavy Energy Pummels. He went through the Royal Naboo Security Forces' defenses and fended off attacks from Gian speeders to destroy a signal jammer. Once in front of the Theed Royal Palace, he used OX9 labor droids protected by droid starfighters to construct a Neimoidian Throne as a symbol of the Federation's victory. Viceroy Nute Gunray, leader of the Trade Federation, landed soon after. Queen Amidala, her head of security Quarsh Panaka, several handmaidens, and Theed's governor Sio Bibble were all captured. Gunray tried to force Queen Amidala to sign a treaty legitimizing the invasion, and when she refused Gunray ordered her and her entourage to be sent to Camp Four.

The Jedi negotiators Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who had been the victims of a failed assassination at the hands of the Trade Federation onboard the blockade flagship, arrived in Theed along with the native Gungan Jar Jar Binks. Jinn ordered Kenobi to reach the Palace. The younger Jedi went through the streers, engaging battle droids and rescuing hostages. He then met several Naboo guards who informed him of a secret entrance to the Palace, which Kenobi entered after destroying a Single Trooper Aerial Platform. They were separated from each other when an Armored Assault Tank blew up a bridge they were trying to cross. Kenobi swam away and got back on the streets and proceeded through the garden. He was able to gain entrance to the gates of the Palace. During the battle, the two Jedi went through the city and rescued several handmaidens from B1-Series battle droids and destroyer droids. They also commandeered a tank. Near the Palace they fought Flame battle droids and a T4 turret droid.

Once inside the Royal Palace, Kenobi escorted the servant Asha through the Palace to the throne room. They were too late to rescue the Queen, and he had to duel three Trade Federation assassin droids. A guard informed them the Queen had been taken to Camp Four, and Kenobi left to look for her. The two Jedi also fought through the Palace, engaging battle droids and B1 grapple droids, and went to the throne room via a secret entrance. Once outside the Palace, Kenobi updated Jinn, who told him to regroup. Kenobi helped the Naboo guards destroy an Armored Assault Tank with ion grenades before continuing. He joined back up with Jinn and Binks, and the two rescued the Queen and her entourage from OOM security battle droids.

Jinn convinced the Queen to go to Coruscant to plead her case before the Galactic Senate. The group went to the Theed Hangar and liberated the Royal Starship which they used to escape the orbital blockade. Damage to the hyperdrive motivator forced them to take refuge on Tatooine. Before they left, Panaka ordered an evacuation of the city. Captain Kael and Lieutenant Gavyn Sykes fled the city after stealing STAP-2s, while other officers, including Palmer, were captured.

Text and facts from the “Capture of Theed/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.