Nute Gunray

**Nute Gunray** was a Neimoidian businessman and politician who served as the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. During the Clone Wars, he was also a high-ranking Separatist leader.

## Biography

### Naboo Crisis

By the year 32 BBY, Nute Gunray had become the Trade Federation Viceroy and had allied himself with Darth Sidious. Unhappy with the Republic's taxation of trade routes, Gunray led the Trade Federation's Blockade of Naboo in 32 BBY, although he was secretly taking orders from Sidious (publicly known as Senator Palpatine).

The Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum sent two ambassadors to negotiate an end to the conflict. However, upon the ambassadors' arrival on his flagship, Gunray learnt that they were in fact Jedi. Darth Sidious ordered Gunray to kill the Jedi and invade Naboo. The Jedi ultimately managed to escape down to the surface of the planet while the Federation succeeded in capturing Theed City.

Gunray needed Queen Padmé Amidala to sign a treaty that would legalise the invasion. However, Amidala refused and was rescued by the two Jedi ambassadors. Gunray reported her escape to Darth Sidious, who sent Darth Maul out to find her.

Luckily for Gunray, the Federation's senator was able to prevent the Republic from getting involved in the crisis. By this time, the Federation had captured the underwater Gungan City. However, during the Battle of Naboo, Amidala and her soldiers managed to infiltrate Theed Palace and arrest both Gunray and his adviser, Rune Haako.

After four trials in the Supreme Court, Gunray escaped without penalty. However, he was still desperate for revenge against Amidala for his defeat.

### Joining the Separatists

In 22 BBY, Nute Gunray sought revenge against the Republic and pledged the Federation's support and resources to the Separatist Alliance, led by Count Dooku. Gunray joined under the condition that Amidala was killed. This led to the assassination attempts on Amidala and the discovery of the Clone Army on Kamino by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Gunray and Haako attended a meeting on Geonosis where several leaders of governments and corporations gave their armies, ships and other resources to the Separatists. Unbeknown to the Separatists, Kenobi was spying on the entire meeting and reported it to the Republic leaders.

Amidala, Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker were captured on Geonosis and sentenced to death. Gunray attended the execution in the Petranaki Arena, but the three were rescued by the Clone Army, leading to the Battle of Geonosis. After the battle began, Gunray and Haako fled the planet as Federation starships were launched into space. The Clone Wars began shortly after.

### Death

As the Clone Wars was coming to an end in 19 BBY, Gunray and the Separatist leaders hid on Utapau. On the orders of Darth Sidious, Grievous sent them to Mustafar to keep them safe as Republic forces were approaching Utapau.

However, Sidious (who was now the Supreme Chancellor) no longer had plans for the Separatists and needed them silenced. He dispatched Anakin Skywalker, who he had recently turned to the Dark Side of the Force, to assassinate the Separatist leaders. When Skywalker arrived in the Separatist fortress, he used his lightsaber to slaughter everyone in the room. Gunray was the last to be killed, pleading for his life seconds before he was struck down by Skywalker.

Following the deaths of the Separatists, the Droid Army was shut down and the Federation's assets were absorbed into the newly formed Galactic Empire.

## Appearances

* The Phantom Menace (First appearance)
* Attack of the Clones
* Revenge of the Sith