STAR WARS III: FALL OF THE REPUBLIC
Original Story treatment by John L. Flynn
(September 1983)
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 a 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 con stantly being shook 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 an 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 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 experienced
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 un-heeded 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 -- is "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 nod their approval;
however, two young officers stand and voice their disagreement.
Lieutenant Motti (bright, young and smartly-dressed) and Commander
Tarkin (thin, hatchet-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 form 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:
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 an 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 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 moments, 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 has 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 a 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 sorceror'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 an
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 is 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 (Refer to Star Wars: Episode II).
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, as 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, ignite 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
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 bolts shoot from his finger
tips, and the young Prince is struck 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
1st 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 from 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
premonitions, 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) spawns screams
of anguish and unrestricted weeping as the soldiers - unquestioningly
- 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 in 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 very 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 1st Chairman of the Alderaan
System, enters the room and apologizes to his guests for frightening
then 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 Valerium
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 ambitious plans (of galactic conquest) to Vader and the
others 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 personnel 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 confused 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 oops.
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 along side 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 Calamari, 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 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.
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 their surfaces, zipping between
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 flight
crews) are brought to an abrupt halt by the armada as the heavy
cruisers fire broadsides 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 brightly-colored nebulae.
He demands the scanning sensors probe the area for any sign of
the Jedi Knight - but the results are negative! Gravely disappointed,
the Dark Lord orders the Flagship returned to the fleet and walks
away, sensing that they would meet again.
The victory is an incomplete one for Palpatine's
forces. His starfleet has destroyed or captured nearly three dozen
vehicles - but scattered throughout the galaxy were rebelous pirates
and outlaws that he would one day have to deal with!
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.