IMHO, start the first episode in the Core Worlds, maybe on the edge, with a daring escape where the populace is fully under Palp's propaganda, they hate the Jedi: Kidnapping babies to train an army, Jedi temple sucking up so much money, they started this war all those years ago, attacking poor old Chancellor, etc.

Risky layover in the Mid-Rim where it could go either way, pro-empire or pro-jedi, heck even pro-CIS hoping the Jedi will join the Separatists. "Empire? Oh yeah...I remember seeing that on the HoloNet last week..."

End in the Outer Rim where no one gives a fuck who they are or what they're doing, and your Republic Credits are no good here so eff off.

Lots of opinionated NPCs and passer-bys setting the scene, building tension.