The Unsorted BBS Collection/thegreatunsorted.tar/thegreatunsorted/texts/txtfiles_misc/starwrs3.txt

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                 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-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 am-
bitious 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:

  September 6, 1983
  FALL OF THE REPUBLIC
                                          Page 2



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 Bk)

  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 dif-
        ferently 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 -- unquestion- ingly -- 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 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, 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 emascu- lates 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.
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