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 a bright-coloured 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
manoeuvred and bribed their way into
office, while one am-
bitious senator plotted to destroy the
Jedi and rule the
galaxy.
Hoping to restore virtue and the
remembered glory of the
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 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 savour 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 volcanoes 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
centre of the universe." Highly populated and technology-oriented, it is an old world
of many contrasts: the huge, domed capital, with its elaborate spaceports 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; how- ever, 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 Star- ports 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, moustached 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, Corellian 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 sorcerers’
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 Corellian 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 cellblock.
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 -- Cellblock
Meanwhile, deep in the cellblock 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 cellblock. 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 Corellian pilot.
Retreating down a linking corridor, past
the cellblock armoury, 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 armoury 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 Corellian 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 fingertips, 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 Corellian 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 manoeuvring, Palpatine is struck down - paralysed - for a few, fleeting moments.
When he regains his composure, he is deeply disturbed by 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 newborn 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, 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 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
centre. 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 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 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,
Sullust, 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 that 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 colours 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
firepower, 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 manoeuvres 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 coloured
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 rebellious 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