STAR WARS III: FALL OF THE REPUBLIC
Story treatment by John L. Flynn
Adapted from Part I:
"The Adventures of Obi-Wan Kenobi"
The Journal of the Whills
By George Lucas
FADE IN:
MAIN AND CREDIT TITLES SUPERIMPOSED ON THE BLACK
OF OUTER SPACE -- pinpointed with piercing
stars, several moons, and bright-colored
nebulae. As TITLES end --
The following is related in the story, roll-up
format:
Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, the Old Republic was crumbling
away, rotting from the corruption and treachery within. Power-hungry
technocrats and wealthy bureaucrats maneuvered and bribed their way into
office, while one ambitious senator plotted to destroy the Jedi and rule the
galaxy.
Hoping to restore virtue and the remembered glory of the Republic, the
High Council of Senators dispatched the Jedi Knights - protectorate of
justice in the galaxy - on a quest to retrieve the lost Kaiburr Crystal.
They believed that the small diamond-like object (which intensified the
power of the Force) would unite the disaffected among the people and would
destroy the corruption around them.
However, within their Council, the evil Senator Palpatine had other
traitorous designs. Foreseeing that the Crystal would secure his position
as Emperor, Palpatine deceived one of the Jedi Knights and sent him to
acquire the crystal...
DISSOLVE TO:
SCENE 1: Sigma Vulcanus -- a new evolving world, that is
constantly being shaken by violent earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions, and which is devoid of
sentient life-forms.
On the molten, volcanic world of Sigma Vulcanus, Anakin Skywalker, a
handsome, swarthy man with a dignified stature, makes and important discovery.
Using his lightsabre (as the equivalent of a divining rod), he uncovers the
legendary Kaiburr Crystal. It pulsates with energy and fills Skywalker with a
false sense of power and importance. But before he can savor his triumph, and
return the Crystal to Palpatine, he is confronted by his old friend, and
fellow Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi and is requested to explain his actions.
Anakin refuses, and instantly, the two knights draw their lethal weapons and
become locked in mortal combat.
Anakin Skywalker, as if controlled by another force, strikes swiftly in
rage, but Obi-Wan Kenobi, the more experiences Jedi, easily deflects the
furious blows of his young opponent. "Let go of the Crystal, my friend! Its
power will consume you and turn you against the Jedi Knights," Kenobi
explains. But the words are unheeded by the young Jedi, and the conflict
continues.
Skywalker attacks Obi-Wan again, forcing him to discard his defensive
posture. Kenobi parries the thrust and sends Anakin's lightsabre flying out
of his hand. At precisely the same moment, a cataclysmic earthquake rocks the
planet. The effect is devastating: fissures in the earth crack open and spout
walls of flame; thunder and lightning strike violently from the sky; and
several volcanos burst and bubble.
The young Jedi struggles to regain his lightsabre, but loses his footing
and plunges, still in possession of the Crystal, into a pit of molten lava.
Kenobi hurries to the edge of the volcano and looks down; but he is too
late to save his former friend: Skywalker is completely engulfed in lava!
With tears in his eyes and anguish in his heart, Obi-Wan picks up Anakin's
lightsabre and bids a sad farewell to the body of his friend.
CUT TO:
SCENE 2: Jhantor -- "the bright center of the universe."
Highly populated and technology-oriented, it is
an old world of many contrasts: the huge domed
capital, with its elaborate space ports and
transportation systems, stands adjacent to an
ancient castle and temple.
In another part of the galaxy, on the capital world of Jhantor,
Palpatine enters his senate chambers - followed closely by a brash, young
courtier named Prince Valarium - and assumes his place at the head of a
conference table. Valarium stands next to him and whispers in his ear as
Palpatine's wizened eyes travel around the table from man to man.
Through a terse discussion with his cabinet members and personal guard,
Palpatine reveals that he has bribed or blackmailed most of the High Council
members into voting for him as President, but he is concerned with three
senators who cannot be swayed - Tara Courtney, Mon Mothma, and Bail Organa.
He further explains that, once they have been eliminated, he intends to have
his troops take over the Spice and Mineral mines and blockade the commercial
shipping lanes.
Several of his personal guard note their approval; however, two young
officers stand and voice their disagreement. Lieutenant Motti (bright, young,
and smartly-dressed) and Commander Tarkin (thin, hatched-faced with dark eyes)
report that Palpatine's military force (which he has genetically engineered on
the prison planet) are en route to the Spice Mines and Starports AND that
they are ready to take command of the Starfleet; but they fear the swift
retribution of the Jedi Knights!
"I think I know the best way to deal with that rabble," Palpatine
announces, standing and walking over to his cabinet. "It's time that I
demonstrate my absolute power --"
Taking a large, crystal globe from his cabinet, Palpatine strokes it
with his long, well-manicured fingers, then traces the longitude and latitude
lines. The object begins to glow, and (with ILM's help) conjures a series of
images from the planet Sigma Vulcanus. These images combine and crystallize
on the SINGLE image of the dead Anakin Skywalker.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
SCENE 3: Sigma Vulcanus
Four shadowy figures - adorned only in dark, hooded robes (which conceal
their identity) - approach the charred, motionless body of Anakin Skywalker
and lift him from his fiery grave. Skywalker's flesh is torn and scabbed, his
hair is missing and clumped in disgusting patches. Deep scars trace his face,
and his body and limbs are without life.
They place him on the ground with great reverence and begin to
administer to his injuries in an attempt to bring him back to life. One robed
figure motions to the other: "Bring me the herbs and remedies." He actually
says nothing but is instantly understood by the others. A third figure
sprinkles the body with a powder, while a fourth looks toward the stars and
begins to chant in a deep rumbling voice.
In a matter of moments, the lifeless body of Anakin Skywalker stirs, as
we
CUT TO:
SCENE 4: Dagobah (introduced in Episode Five: The Empire
Strikes Back)
Far across the galaxy, on the bog world of Dagobah, Obi-Wan Kenobi walks
through the dense fog and pauses, unhappy and dejected because he has been
forced by circumstances to kill his friend. He turns to Yoda, his eight
hundred year-old teacher and says: "I have failed, Master Yoda."
Yoda gives him a contemptuous stare, then closes his eyes: "No good is
it to teach you when you have not yet learned patience! Humility!"
Obi-Wan shakes his head and offers and excuse as his reply: "But Anakin
was my friend. The Force was with him very strongly, and I thought that I
could be as good a teacher as you were with me." He pauses and breathes a
deep sigh: "I fear my mistake may have terrible consequences for the galaxy!"
The Jedi Master points a crooked finger at him: "Most important lesson
have you learned! Now a great burden you carry."
Kenobi squeezes his tear-filled eyes shut and drops his head in defeat.
But Yoda is immediately at his side to offer comfort and to reveal that Anakin
is not dead. He further explains the incidents which have just taken place
and foresees a deadly conflict.
The Jedi Knight is pale and silent for a long moment. Then, slowly, he
too, recognizes the entire awesome threat that Palpatine has brought to the
Old Republic. he thinks of the lives of his friends (Lady Arcadia Skywalker
and Bail Organa) and realizes that he must leave immediately for Jhantor.
CUT TO:
SCENE 5: Bridge Interior -- a small, saucer-shaped
freighter, with cramped quarters and a cockpit-
like bridge.
On the starship bridge, Captain Antilles - a rugged, mustached thirty-
year-old - makes his final calculations for his approach to Jhantor when two
tractor beams lock-on and bring his vessel to a halt. His short-range
scanners reveal two sentry fighters, swooping into a holding pattern on his
port and starboard sides. The sentry pilots order him to heave-to and prepare
to be boarded.
"No," he snarls in reply - but quickly reconsiders, when his protocol
droid (C3PO) and his ten-year-old Correllian cabin boy remind him that he is
out-gunned. Antilles brings his ship about, and, in moment, despite his
objections, a handful of Palpatine's troops board the freighter and confiscate
his cargo.
Captain Antilles curses the officer in charge, and explains the incident
is far from over, as we
DISSOLVE TO:
SCENE 6: Jhantor
When the tragic news of Tara Courtney's assassination reaches her
embassy chambers, Lady Arcadia Skywalker is shocked and hastily gathers her
servants and droids to leave for her homeworld. She is a beautiful matron,
who is in the last stages of pregnancy, and she is fearful for her unborn
child (or children).
For the past several weeks, she was watched the order of Jhantor
deteriorate into anarchy under the rule of Palpatine, and she has made plans
to escape, by smuggling her household aboard a spice freighter.
But, in the docking bay, Lady Arcadia and her party are suddenly
surrounded by a heavily-armed detachment of troops, activating their weapons
and raising them to firing position. She turns to the officer in charge and
demands to know what's going on; but he doesn't know - he is simply following
orders. She resists his authority, claiming diplomatic immunity, but quickly
reconsiders when the voice of evil echoes through the bay:
"You mustn't be so hasty, Lady Skywalker!" PRESIDENT Palpatine emerges
from the shadows, accompanied by Prince Valarium, and explains that Arcadia,
her servants, her droids, and her pilot are being placed under his protective
custody.
CUT TO:
SCENE 7: Sigma Vulcanus -- The Monastic Order of the Sith
-- a spartan-like retreat, high atop the mountain ridge
Through a montage of scenes, wherein Anakin Skywalker remains in a coma,
the silent, robed figures minister to his injuries. Their task is an awesome
one: First, in a most sophisticated furnace, they forge battle armour and a
metal breath-screen (skull-like in appearance) that will cover his demolished
visage. Next, they amputate his arms and limbs that no longer function,
repair vital organs, and encase the torso -- forever -- in the dreaded armour
and artificial respirator. Finally, they restore the severed limbs with
intricate computer circuitry and revive him from his comatose state. Anakin
Skywalker becomes Darth Vader, more machine than man!
Following his repairs, the monk-like figures (still hidden under their
hooded robes) begin to instruct Vader in a dark, evil parody of Luke's
apprenticeship under Yoda. Darth Vader is taught many sorcerer's skills; he
is lectured on the sinister machinations of the Force and is shown how to
construct an even more lethal sabre using fragments of the shattered Kaiburr
Crystal. But with each new challenge and skill accomplished, Vader is
doubtful of purpose. He knows he is being trained as a power weapon -- and
yet, he cannot conceive why.
Angered by this confusion, and the fear that his humanity (and manhood)
has been stripped away, Darth Vader strikes out in rage at one of his hooded
teachers only to discover and empty robe. he is momentarily terror-stricken
and then mystified as, one by one, the hooded figures vanish -- in a strangely
compelling way -- to reveal a 3-D holographic image of Palpatine.
"Yes, yes," Palpatine taunts him. "Only now do you conceive that it was
my force of will that saved you -- that kept you alive -- and that gave you
life again!"
Darth Vader extends a courtly bow to Palpatine and thanks him for his
life. But Palpatine is not interested in gratitude. He is in need of a
powerful weapon and an obedient servant, and he reminds the former Jedi that
he has the power to crush him should he desire. He then forces Vader to his
knees and commands: "Now come to me, my servant. I have an important task
that will complete your training!"
CUT TO:
SCENE 8: Jhantor -- Docking-bay and City Exteriors
Obi-Wan Kenobi's approach and arrival on Jhantor is undetected by the
planetary defenses. Marshalling his Jedi strength and cunning, he is able to
slip past the sentries in the docking bay, edge by the troops patrolling the
perimeter and reach the home of Lady Skywalker. But when he reaches the
embassy, the huge chambers are silent and empty -- and there are no apparent
clues as to the Lady's whereabouts.
Then, out of the darkness, Captain Antilles appears and confirms what
Kenobi already suspects: The Lady and her party have been detained as
"guests" of Palpatine in the prison cell block. After introducing himself (as
Captain of a Correllian freighter), Antilles explains that he came to her
embassy, seeking the help of the Merchanter's Guild (because of the piracy of
his goods), and discovered an R2 unit (Artoo Detoo), that had slipped away
during her capture, cowering in the shadows. He further reveals that the R2
unit has monitored her termination notice!
Realizing that he has little time, Obi-Wan enlists the pilot's aid; and
the two men, accompanied by the stubby, mechanical droid, hurry toward the
cell-block
CUT TO:
Scene 9: Jhantor -- Palpatine's Senate Chambers
Palpatine orders his guards to bring the captured slaver to his senate
chambers. While pacing back and forth, he examines the individual who stands
before him in chains and shrewdly considers his fate: Boba Fett, the lone
survivor of a group of commandos the Jedi defeated on Mandalore during the
Clone Wars, is charged with interstellar slavery and the cold-blooded murder
of the Jedi Kane Starkiller. Fett's battle-scarred face sneers at the
charges, defending his actions as "righteous vengeance."
The evil President stares malevolently at Boba Fett for several moments,
then offers him his freedom (and his confiscated slavership) in exchange for
the extermination of the Jedi Knights. He also promises him a rich bounty for
each Jedi scalp that he brings back; he wants proof of their deaths -- and no
disintegrations. Fett grins and replies that he may have difficulty in
locating them since they are scattered throughout the galaxy. But Palpatine
reassures him that the task should be an easy one with the President's secret
weapon.
Boba Fett dubiously agrees, and his chains are unlocked and he is
escorted from the chambers.
As the slaver exits, Prince Valarium -- accompanied by a few personal
guards -- announces the arrival of Darth Vader. Palpatine, in a quiet
whisper, advises Valarium to -- personally -- supervise Lady Arcadia's
execution, then requests that Vader be shown in.
As the guards stand aside, Darth Vader, tall and threatening in flowing
black robes and armour, enters the chamber and kneels before his master.
Palpatine smiles, looking at his nightmare creation in black, and commands him
to hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights. Vader is hesitant and requests
permission to visit his wife. But Palpatine refuses, telling his servant a
vicious lie that she has been murdered by his comrades, and produces his
crystal globe as evidence.
Seemingly unmoved, Vader turns to look at a series of images Palpatine
conjures (from the globe). The images re-create -- in holographic form -- the
treacherous betrayal and murder of Lady Arcadia by two of Vader's fellow
knights. (Note: since the images are too brutal for our saga, tight point-
of-view camera angles should convey the details.) When the last image
vanishes, the Dark Lord, fooled by the false images, stands, ignites his
lightsabre and strikes the crystal globe with monumental anger. And this rage
completes Vader's journey to the dark side.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
SCENE 10: Jhantor -- Cell-block
Meanwhile, deep in the cell-block dungeons, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Captain
Antilles overpower a pair of detention guards and open lady Arcadia's cell.
Overjoyed to find her still alive, Obi-Wan embraces Arcadia warmly, then
senses the pains of her motherly contractions. Antilles interrupts their
embrace and reminds them to save their hellos until they're safely out of the
cell-block. But, as they leave the cell, Prince Valarium and his personal
guards appear and draw their weapons. Antilles exchanges fire with the
guards, and Obi-Wan and Arcadia hurry off into the dungeon maze, followed
closely by the Correllian pilot.
Retreating down a linking corridor, past the cell-block armory, the two
heroes -- with their pregnant fugitive -- decide to stand firm and fight.
Captain Antilles charges his weapon and blasts away at the detention guards,
while the Jedi Knight concentrates all his thoughts and feeling on detonating
the arsenal and sealing the dungeon exit. But, in the midst of his efforts,
Kenobi's heightened senses feel his former friend's RAGE. The rage, in turn,
betrays Vader's thoughts and President Palpatine's sinister mission (to Obi-
Wan).
"Whatever you're doing -- do it faster!" Antilles shouts, snapping the
Jedi out of his daze. Kenobi immediately refocuses his energy and, in a
matter of moments, the armory explodes, isolating the guards from them.
However, the noise and excitement are too much for the Lady Skywalker as she
doubles over in pain. The Correllian pilot fears she's been hit by flying
shrapnel -- but Kenobi says she's having a baby and advises Antilles to take
her to the safety of his freighter. He further explains that he must leave --
in spite of his desire to help Arcadia -- to warn his fellow knights of
Vader's treachery.
CUT TO:
SCENE 11: Jhantor -- Palpatine's Chambers
Reporting to the President's chambers, Valarium reluctantly tells of
Lady Skywalker's escape. Palpatine is angered and quickly orders -- over his
private comlink -- a division of troops to search the city. He then orders
the arrest of Mon Mothma and Bail Organa to prevent any further interferences
in his plans.
Turning to Valarium, Palpatine's face darkens to an insane fury.
Blinding energy bolds shoot from his finger tips, and the young Prince is
stuck down. "Don't fail me again!" Palpatine warns, as Prince Valarium
crawls, like a wounded animal, to his side and gasps, "Never..."
CUT TO:
SCENE 12: Jhantor -- Docking bay, interior of saucer-
shaped Correlian freighter
In the dank, dark hangar-bay, Obi-Wan Kenobi departs in his starship,
and Captain Antilles turns his attention to one of his most difficult tasks.
With the nervous assistance of C3PO, he first comforts Lady Skywalker, then
helps deliver her children. The moment is a joyous, mystic one as Luke and
Leia take their first breath and begin crying. But that special sound of
babies crying brings a detachment of troops down upon them! *
* Special Note: The troops should be
costumed differently from the stormtroopers
because they are part of Bail Organa's personal
guard, - but the scene should cause a false
moment of suspense for Antilles, and the
audience.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
SCENE 13: Jhantor -- Palpatine's Chambers
Still enraged by Valarium's carelessness, Palpatine plots a unique
political move that will destroy Lady Arcadia's influence with the
Merchanter's Guild AND further cement his power with commerce and industry.
He first frees a handful of pirates and bribes them to raid the Spice Mines
and Mineral Springs; he then orders his personal troops to eliminate the
pirates and guard -- as well as regulate -- the shipping lanes.
But, in the midst of his political maneuvering, Palpatine is struck down
-- paralyzed -- for a few, fleeting moments. When he regains his composure,
he is deeply disturbed by a nightmare premonition, a tremor in the Force which
threatens his well being. He senses Lady Arcadia's true strength -- the birth
of a son that would one day challenge his power. (But he fails -- in his
twisted wickedness -- to sense the second child!)
Sending his special group of assassins into Jhantor, Palpatine orders
them to kill every new-born son -- both in the capital city and the nearby
outlands -- because, for the first time in his life, he is afraid. (The
character should be played much like Herod's in the New Testament.)
This brutal action (of Palpatine's) spans screams of anguish and
unrestricted weeping as the soldiers -- unquestionly -- carry out their
violent task. (Note: The horror of the events will be merely suggested --
and not shown -- to our cameras.)
IMMEDIATE CUT TO:
SCENES 14 TO 18: Numerous Worlds --- Each distinct in its
own way
Across the galaxy, in a terror-filled montage of scenes, wherein we
glimpse numerous worlds and races, the betrayal and execution of the Jedi
Knights is perpetrated. Darth Vader and a handful of Palpatine's assassins
barge into an exotic saloon and eliminate an alien-looking Jedi amidst screams
and mass hysteria from the patrons.
While this is happening, Boba Fett leads a group of stormtroopers into a
docking bay and disintegrates the Knight mending repairs to his starship.
And by the time Vader and his cohorts have slipped into the quarters and
strangled a sleeping Jedi, Boba Fett, accompanied by several trained
assassins, chases down and executes a fleeing Jedi and his family. However,
the abomination of Vader (as well as Palpatine's sinister plan) is not
complete until he destroys the remaining Jedi Knights as they make a final
stand. The battle is fearsome, and the Jedi force manages to kill a large
number of troops; but they are vastly outnumbered, and soon, they are
massacred -- to the last man -- by Vader's troops.
After dismissing Boba Fett and his troops, Darth Vader looks over the
battlefield, at the dead bodies, then takes a deep breath and says, "Kenobi, I
will deal with you myself..."
* * *
Obi-Wan Kenobi hears Vader's words -- but he is too far in space to
offer him a challenge. He accelerates his starship, thinking of his
compatriots, and hurries to the planet. However, arriving several hours too
late, Kenobi is disheartened to find the dead bodies of his fellow Jedi
Knights. He unhappily builds a funeral pyre and burns their bodies (in a
ceremony befitting a viking hero).
He then examines the broad, huge footprints in the sand, and whispers
Darth Vader's name.
CUT TO:
SCENE 19: Jhantor --- The Alderaan Embassy --- Well-
guarded, the building is deceptive in its heavy
fortification.
With little military effort, a special detachment of troops take Captain
Antilles, Lady Skywalker and party through the defenses of the Alderaan
Embassy and deliver them to a darkened conference room.
Bail Organa, Viceroy and First Chairman of the Alderaan System, enters
the room and apologizes to his guests for frightening them with his personal
guard, but he confesses that his caution is not without warrant: Jhantor was
full of spies and assassins and the R2 unit (in her embassy) could have been a
clever trap. He further explains that his colleagues had put too much trust
in the stability of the Republic, failing to realize that while the body might
be sound, the head was growing diseased and feeble, and THEY WERE ALL DEAD!
There is deep bitterness in his voice, and genuine concern for Lady Arcadia.
Antilles and Arcadia accept his apology and anxiously insist upon
diplomatic sanctuary. But as news of Palpatine's takeover of the Merchanter's
Guild and the galactic shipping lanes reaches the Embassy, the outlook is
grim! Organa curses loudly, suddenly realizing that there was nothing he
could do to prevent the fall of the Republic and guarantee their safety.
Pragmatically, he prays for their salvation by the Jedi Knights (unaware of
their extinction), then orders the immediate evacuation of the Embassy.
CUT TO:
SCENE 20: Jhantor --- Palpatine's Chambers
With grim anticipation, Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith, kneels
at his ruler's feet and reports his success. Palpatine is pleased that his
servant has eliminated all but one of the Jedi Knights and smiles -- with evil
delight -- at Valarium and the other members of his cabinet. He then asks the
fate of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Vader is hesitant and replies that he and Kenobi have
a private matter to settle! But that answer is not satisfactory enough.
Palpatine pauses in his interrogation and boasts of his ambition plans
(of galactic conquest) to Vader and the other that are assembled: his few
traitorous lieutenants have betrayed their superiors and taken control of the
Starfleet; his troops have successfully routed marauding pirates and have
begun to regulate commerce and industry along the shipping lanes; and his
political arrangements with greedy landlords, sadistic gangsters, and power-
hungry governors have made his power absolute. He explains (that he has told
them this to illustrate) that his control is predicated on his personal
following orders, even at the cost of their own lives!
Pausing a second time, Palpatine dismisses Valarium, and orders him to
report to the control center. The young prince agrees and bows slightly, a
gesture Palpatine acknowledges with a perfunctory salute. Then he spins and
strides from the room leaving the Dark Lord looking from man to man in
silence. As Valarium steps into the corridor, he is grabbed and assassinated
by Palpatine's guards.
Darth Vader then nods his understanding as the evil President reminds:
"The fate of those who fail me is DEATH!"
IMMEDIATE CUT TO:
SCENE 21: Jhantor --- Docking-bay
In the docking-bay, the massive evacuation of the Alderaan Embassy is
taking place under tight security. The humming of elevators and the moving of
heavy equipment echo through the large chamber as the bustling flight crews
make ready their freighters and the pilots perform final checkouts. Bail
Organa, with the "help" of See Threepio, supervises his men loading supplies
and ammunition, while Artoo Detoo aids the Lady Arcadia with her two infants.
Captain Antilles is suspiciously nowhere to be found.
Momentarily, the defensive sensors sound alarm -- but they are quickly
silenced when the unknown danger is identified as Obi-Wan Kenobi's approaching
starship. Once in the docking-bay, Kenobi emerges from the craft and informs
Bail Organa and his anxious troops that the Jedi Knights have all been
destroyed by the treachery of President Palpatine and the hand of Darth Vader.
A heart-felt murmur sweeps over the docking-bay, like a swell in a heavy sea.
The last Jedi Knight's second piece of news is even more grim: the Starfleet,
under the command of Palpatine's forces, have formed a perimeter blockade, and
their purpose is to prevent Organa from leaving and force him to surrender his
ground troops.
Bail Organa curses quietly to himself, recognizing the futility of
further conflict. The great leader -- Viceroy and Senator of the Alderaan
system -- has fought many battles: he has fought alongside Kenobi and the
other Jedi Knights during the Clone Wars, and has helped to eliminate piracy
and slavery -- with the crusading Lady Arcadia -- in the formation of the
Merchanter's Guild. But this time, he realizes that he is outmatched! Organa
acquires a comlink from one of his men and begins to broadcast surrender
orders to his troops.
When, suddenly, dozens of Merchanter's Guild members, of all species and
life-forms, follow Captain Antilles into the Docking-bay and assemble around
Bail Organa. The group of freighter pilots and navigators is an impressive
one: There are representatives from Mon Clamari, Bespin, Sullest, Correllia,
Mandalore, Kessel, and Alderaan. Some are wearing fatigues, loaded with
weapons and tools, while others are adorned in their native wear.
"Some of them still have their ships -- and the others will fly anything
we can put into the air," Antilles reports, and the morale of Organa's men is
revived again. "And if this action makes us pirates and outlaws -- in the
eyes of Palpatine's new empire -- then we're with you one hundred percent!"
As the two groups of men (and aliens) hurry off, cheering the success of
their united departure, Obi-Wan Kenobi approaches the Lady Arcadia with his
painful secret. He reluctantly admits that his pride (in the Force) may have
betrayed Anakin to Palpatine, and that the man she once loved was now a
hideous monster, more machine than man. She is, at first, taken aback,
chilled by his statement; then, with tears in her eyes, she confesses that
she, too, felt him slipping away -- many months before -- and was unable to
reach him either.
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Lady Skywalker exchange a tender embrace, and
recognizing the potential danger they both faced, they arrange to separate the
children with the hope that they would be united one day as brother and
sister. Kenobi will take Luke to live with his brother Owen on Tatooine,
while Arcadia will arrange for Leia to live as daughter of Senator Organa, on
Alderaan. This way the children would have a better chance of survival should
one (or the other) be discovered by Vader!
CUT TO:
SCENE 22: Bridge interior --- Flagship of the Starfleet*
in the Jhantor Star System
Darth Vader emerges from his private shuttle and strides past a handful
of troops in formation. His presence is awesome and threatening as he
approaches the starship captain. Commander Tarkin bows from the neck down and
advises his superior that they were ready to annihilate anyone who attempts to
run the blockade. Tarkin is over confident in his appraisal of the situation,
and that reflects in his conversation with the Dark Lord.
* Special Note: The Starfleet -- at this moment in galactic history --
is composed largely of heavy cruisers, destroyers, and spacecraft carriers,
with a full complement of fighters. There are no Star Destroyers, Death
Stars, or TIE fighters because the Republic's Starfleet was used primarily for
exploration and occasional law enforcement. However, under the ruthless
command of Darth Vader, it is a formidable opponent.
Darth Vader informs Commander Tarkin that he wants Organa and his
diplomatic party captured alive (if possible) so that they would face the
embarrassment of a public tribunal. And the Dark Lord adds that he wants
Kenobi, his voice conveying the image of a dreadful fate (that would be
inflicted) if his commands were not executed.
Tarkin reluctantly salutes and backs away from him, angered that their
positions were not reversed. He barks several commands, and his troops spring
to battle stations.
DISSOLVE TO:
SCENES 23 TO 27: Jhantor Star System --- Various types of
spacecraft against a backdrop of stars and
a brightly coloured nebulae
Alarms sound full alert as the handful of freighters, transport ships,
blockade runners, luxury cruisers, and one-man fighters approach the armada of
the Starfleet. The ships attempt -- first -- to cross the blockade with the
diplomatic colors and symbols of Alderaan; but when that fails, they energize
their main deflector shields and prepare to fight their way through. (Captain
Antilles and Obi-Wan Kenobi hold their groups up as the first wave attacks.)
Keeping a tight formation, dozens of transport ships and luxury cruisers
move in close to the Starfleet armada -- and begin blasting away, while fifty-
or-so small freighters and one-man fighters race across the surfaces of the
Starfleet vessels, zipping laser bolts as they engage the small pursuit
fighters. Their plan is one of strategic genius: by flying in close, the
rebel group emasculates the fire-power, which is ineffective at close-range,
of the larger ships. Additionally, the erratic and hot-dog flying of the
merchanter's Guild members confuse and place the military pilots at a
momentary disadvantage! And that disadvantage is exploited: Antilles and
Kenobi launch the second wave of ships and wait tensely to join the conflict,
or make their escape.
However, the heroic efforts (of the rebel fighter crews) are brought to
an abrupt halt by thsides at point-
blank range, disregarding their own safety. The Starfleet's audacious and
dangerous move seems to turn the tide of battle: small one-man fighters
scatter, luxury cruisers reverse their engines, and freighters drop their
additional weapons and accelerate away. But, as the proton beams take their
toll, last-ditch suicide runs are made by the damaged rebel craft: a cargo
freighter -- loaded with weapons and cargo -- heads on a collision course for
one of the Destroyers and explodes, while a transport ship -- mortally wounded
in combat -- limps at a heavy cruiser and detonates its nuclear engines,
destroying his opponent with him. The balance of the small craft punch
through holes and race for open space!
Captain Antilles, piloting the saucer-shaped freighter (with Bail
Organa, Lady Arcadia, and party aboard), dives into the chaos, then steers
through the battle. Once clear, he engages his ship's hyperdrive and soars
away at light speed. Several pursuit craft follow -- but their weapons are
ineffectual against his ship's deflector shields and their ion-propelled
engines are no match for his.
In another sector of the battle, Obi-Wan Kenobi's starship swoops past
an engagement and accelerates into space, pursued by Darth Vader's flagship.
Kenobi executes a series of stunning maneuvers in an effort to lose the Heavy
Cruiser, but he quickly realizes that it will not be easy to shake.
Marshalling the Force around him, the last Jedi prepares for a death-defying
stunt. He then guides his starship into the nebulae; and with his deflector
shields (and the Force) at full intensity, Kenobi flies through the core of
the exploding star.
Darth Vader stands silently on the Bridge of his starship, gazing in
disbelief at the S108.DIS GETTING UPSET BECA
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
SCENES 28 TO 30: EPILOGUE ---
Jhantor --- EMPEROR Palpatine, with Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the
Sith, at his side, smiles malevolently and plots his next move as his
assembled troops chant: "Long Live Palpatine! Long Live the Empire!!"
Alderaan --- Lady Arcadia Skywalker -- now a common servant in the
Organa household -- sings her daughter to sleep under the watchful sensors of
Artoo Detoo and See Threepio, while Bail Organa awards Captain Antilles with a
commission in his service.
Tatooine --- Obi-Wan Kenobi, the last Jedi Knight, delivers the infant
boy to his brother, Owen Lars, then disappears into the desert wasteland,
awaiting the day when Luke would claim the light sabre of his father (from
him) and become a man.
FADE OUT.
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