In "Episode II: Attack of the Clones," set ten years after "Episode I: The Phantom Menace," the galaxy faces growing unrest. The Galactic Republic is threatened by the emergence of the Separatists, led by Count Dooku, who seeks to break away from the Republic. Anakin Skywalker, now a Jedi apprentice, is assigned to protect Padmé Amidala, a former queen and senator, as she becomes a target for assassination. As tensions rise, the Jedi Council discovers a secret clone army created for the Republic. Anakin and Padmé develop a forbidden romance while investigating the assassination attempts. The film culminates in a large-scale battle on the planet Geonosis, marking the beginning of the Clone Wars.