[theredbaron]

I figured you guys would appreciate this more than most Star Wars forums, so here are my rather detailed rewrites of Episodes I and II. Episode III is in the works at the moment, and after I've finished that, I will try my hand at a script, and format it all as a screenplay (once I learn how to write a good screenplay). These are all working drafts, so feel free to tell me what you think.

[theredbaron]

STAR WARS: EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE (REWRITE)

A Story by Adam Redsell. Original Story and Film by George Lucas.

Act I Scene 1 – An Echo in the Force

Obi-wan Kenobi is flying in a Jedi Starfighter on the Outer Rim, when he receives a holographic transmission from Master Yoda. He congratulates Obi-wan on his progress thus far, and Obi-wan fervently asks if that makes him a Jedi Master, but Yoda tells him that his training is not yet complete. Yoda tells him that a master must have an apprentice, and thus the final tier of his training requires him to take on his own apprentice and instruct him in the ways of the Force. Obi-wan accepts his mission and Yoda wishes him well before the holotransmission ends. Obi-wan begins searching in his mind for potential Force sensitives, but when he senses a huge echo in the Force, he narrowly averts a collision with a spice freighter. He changes course to trace the source of this echo, landing on Tatooine.

Act I Scene 2 – Anakin Skywalker

Anakin is a teenage starship mechanic in Mos Eisley. He doesn’t employ the aid of an astromech droid, as he does not need one, and the technology is mostly salvage from the area. A few of his colleagues have scavenger droids. Anakin can be quite discerning when it comes to how things operate, even ships he’s had no exposure to. His colleagues throw hydrospanners at him when he least expects it, because they know he’ll catch it – to them, it’s just a trick he does. They like to show off his freakish reflexes to customers, but often they do it for their own amusement. He’s always telling them to stop doing it. When a pilot takes his ship to Anakin, Anakin can tell them which parts will pose him danger in the future. A keen pilot himself, Anakin enjoys test-driving the starships before his patrons return. It is while he’s test-driving a ship that he comes into the presence of Obi-wan. He notices a Jedi Starfighter, and then makes a second pass to make sure he’s not just seeing things – a Jedi craft is an absolute rarity given that Tatooine is outside of the Republic’s jurisdiction. He lands the ship next to Obi-wan’s to check it out.

Act I Scene 3 – Search for an Apprentice

Anakin inquires Obi-wan as to what brings a Jedi to these parts. Obi-wan says that the Force brought him there. Anakin is curious about the nature of the Force. Obi-wan cryptically elucidates in saying that he is searching for his apprentice. Anakin naturally asks him to describe his apprentice so he can help find him. Obi-wan keeps things cryptic and describes skills and traits that Anakin possesses. Obi-wan notes Anakin’s interest in spacecraft and offers to let him pilot his starfighter, if he agrees to help him find his apprentice. Anakin agrees, and this becomes a test of his skills, reflexes and potential for Obi-wan. As they cruise the surface of Tatooine, Anakin fools around with some adventurous manoeuvres, narrowly averting dangerous interactions with mountains, canyons, and large beasts. Obi-wan is a little shaken once he lands the craft. Anakin bemoans the fact that they didn’t find Obi-wan’s apprentice, but Obi-wan corrects him. They did find his apprentice, and Anakin is him. Anakin, astonished, asks him how this can be, so Obi-wan brings his innate Force sensitivity to his attention: his precognition and reflexes, among other things. Anakin is excited by the prospect, but he hesitates, and Obi-wan can sense this, so he asks him what the matter is. He says that it’s his mother. A few years ago, his people were attacked by slave-traders that kidnapped his mother and he doesn’t know where they took her. He’s circled the entire planet countless times, but he couldn’t find her there. Obi-wan suggests that perhaps on his path to becoming a Jedi, the answers might present themselves. Anakin’s fondness and knowledge of starships stems from his desire to leave Tatooine. He is a skilled mechanic and enjoys test-driving starships, but for him it is really just a means to get by. He wants to see the galaxy and make something of his life. With these things in mind, Anakin agrees to leave with Obi-wan Kenobi to receive training in the ways of the Jedi. Anakin says goodbye to his fellow mechanics and they ask him what he’s doing, because work isn’t over yet. He tells them he’ll see them later, leaves his tools behind, and walks out of the hangar bay with Obi-wan. One of the mechanics walks out and calls after Anakin to tell him he’s left his tools behind, but trails off once he realises he’s out of earshot. The mechanic shakes his head and grins in resignation as he watches Anakin walk away. Anakin tells Obi-wan that he needs to say goodbye to a friend before he leaves…

Act I Scene 4 – Obi-wan Meets Owen

Anakin takes Obi-wan back in his landspeeder to a moisture farm in Anchorhead. They get out of the landspeeder, and Anakin calls out to Owen. Owen is finishing up on the farm for the day, and asks Anakin why he isn’t still at work himself. Anakin tells him that there’s someone he wants him to meet – Obi-wan Kenobi. Anakin introduces Obi-wan to Owen, and they shake hands, although Owen greets him with much suspicion. Owen finishes up, and invites them back to his homestead for refreshments.

Act I Scene 5 – Owen’s Objection

They sit down at the dinner table while Beru serves cups of purple fluid (a la Episode IV). Owen asks Obi-wan where he’s from and Obi-wan replies that he came there from Coruscant. Owen probes further, asking why someone from Coruscant would travel all the way to the Outer Rim. Obi-wan answers that he is a Jedi Knight on a mission to find an apprentice. Anakin adds that he’s going with Obi-wan to Coruscant to be trained as a Jedi, and that he’s come to say goodbye. Owen is distressed by this announcement, and asks Anakin if he can talk with him outside. He asks Anakin if he’s lost his mind, and tells him that he should stay away from Obi-wan’s kind, because the Jedi are dangerous. Anakin says that there’s nothing left for him here, and that this might be his chance to find his mother. Owen tells Anakin that his mother is gone; that there’s nothing he can do about it, and he needs to let her go. He tells him that he’s a great mechanic, and that he should stay on Tatooine where it’s safe, and not let himself get involved. Anakin tells Owen that it’s a dead-end for him here, and he wants to make something of himself, then drags Owen back inside. Obi-wan gets up and tells Owen that he can tell he does not approve of Anakin’s decision, but that his gifting in the Force is too big to ignore. Owen gives Anakin a hug and tells him to take care of himself. Anakin thanks Owen for looking out for him and wishes him well with his moisture farm. Obi-wan and Anakin board the Jedi Starfighter and leave for Coruscant…

Act I Scene 6 – Anakin’s Approval

Obi-wan and Anakin stand before the Jedi Council to approve Anakin’s training as a Jedi. Obi-wan gushes about Anakin’s instinctive strength and potential in the Force, but Yoda warns Obi-wan not to over-inflate the boy, for he is full of fear. Obi-wan retorts that the Council are expecting Anakin to run before he can walk. Conceding to his point, the Council approve Anakin’s training in the Jedi arts, but warn Obi-wan to be mindful. Once Obi-wan and Anakin leave the chamber, Mace Windu comments on the immense power and sense of destiny that he felt in the boy’s presence. Yoda agrees, but admits that the future surrounding him is too clouded to see. Always in motion, the future is.

Act I Scene 7 – Impressive…Most Impressive: Part One

Anakin’s Jedi training begins in the Meditation Chamber. Here Obi-wan teaches him to clear his thoughts and centre himself in the Force. He then learns about the very nature of the Force – that it flows through and binds everything. He correctly induces that this means that he can move objects. Obi-wan asserts this notion, and then demonstrates how to move objects in the chamber.

[theredbaron]

Act II Scene 1 – Shoot the Messenger

General Grievous’ spies on Dxun find a Mandalorian Base Camp. They are training their warriors intensely, stockpiling assault weapons from conquered systems, and rebuilding their assault transports. Soon after the spies report back to Grievous, they are blasted by Mandalorian sentries.

Act II Scene 2 – Impressive…Most Impressive: Part Two

Anakin and Obi-wan train in the Combat Chamber. They begin training and sparring with staffs, then vibroblades. Obi-wan teaches Anakin all the different stances and techniques.

Act II Scene 3 – Grievous’ Proposal

General Grievous reports to Queen Amidala in the throne room. He kneels before her and informs her that two of his spies on Dxun have been killed. He adds that the Mandalorian presence on the moon is stronger than ever, and that they have enough firepower to make a landing on Onderon. She commands him to withdraw any surviving personnel from Dxun. Furthermore, he suggests that they should make full use of the technology at their disposal and use it to build clone armies to defend Onderon. Queen Amidala denies this request on the grounds that it would be a direct contravention of Republic law. She tells Grievous that she will not condone an action that will lead to war. Grievous curtly accepts and is dismissed. Grievous rises, about-turns, and leaves the room. Once Grievous has left the room, Amidala calls upon one of her handmaidens. She comes and kneels before her majesty. Amidala instructs her to follow Grievous and find out what he’s up to. She obeys and leaves the room.

Act II Scene 4 – Proceed

Grievous walks down the corridor from the throne room into his chamber. Grievous’ second-in-charge enters his chamber, and salutes his general. He asks Grievous if they are to proceed with the operation. He tells him to proceed, but to exercise extreme caution. His second-in-charge salutes him, about-turns, and leaves his chamber.

Act II Scene 5 – Impressive…Most Impressive: Part Three

Obi-wan takes Anakin to some chasms in the Combat Chamber, where he teaches him to Force-jump. Anakin gets himself into a perilous situation here, but his resourcefulness prevails. Gripping the edge with a few fingers, Anakin pulls himself up the wall at speed, somersaults, and lands on his feet. Obi-wan is impressed to say the least.

Act II Scene 6 – Grievous’ Inspection

Grievous walks outside the Iziz city limits and into the canyon. The handmaiden watches from behind a rock as the ground opens up before Grievous. He boards a platform that takes him to the lower levels of the facility as the ground closes up behind him. The handmaiden contacts the Queen to inform her that Grievous has just entered a secret underground facility outside of the Iziz city limits. Meanwhile, Grievous inspects the progress of his underground cloning facility. His second-in-charge informs him that his first squad of clone troopers are ready. They turn on the incline towards Grievous, present arms, and salute. He commends his men on their progress, but receives a transmission from the Queen, requesting his presence in her chamber.

Act II Scene 7 – Impressive…Most Impressive: Part Four

The final tier of Anakin’s basic training comes in the form of a gift. Obi-wan presents him with his very own lightsabre. Obi-wan gets Anakin to train with a remote, and later, with a visor over his eyes. Eventually, Anakin’s blind reflexes become so quick that he slices the remote into quarters with a leap, downwards strike, then a sideways strike.

Act II Scene 8 – Grievous’ Coup

Grievous enters Queen Amidala’s throne room and stands before her. She asks him why he deliberately disobeyed her orders and Grievous replies with a tirade on the weakness of the Republic and the incompetence of her leadership. She orders her guards to arrest him on the charge of treason and violating Republic law, but his clone troopers storm the throne room and capture her instead. The clone armies execute the Royal Guard, while the real Queen – under the guise of one of her handmaidens – escapes to make an emergency transmission to Master Yoda. The escape is short-lived, however, as Grievous soon realises that the Queen is an impostor. He hears the outgoing transmission in the throne room, checks the control panel to trace the source of the message, and sends a squad of clone troopers to capture her. Yoda listens as her message becomes static. Grievous eventually seizes full control over Onderon, builds more cloning facilities, and begins full-scale production.

[theredbaron]

Act III Scene 1 – Onderon’s Secession

A Senate meeting on Coruscant is interrupted by a holotransmission from General Grievous. Grievous reports that his spies were killed on Dxun after witnessing Mandalorian forces rebuilding Basilisks and stockpiling weapons from conquered systems. He emphasises the Mandalorian threat to Onderon and its neighbouring systems, and requests military aid from the Republic to pre-emptively strike the Mandalorian Base Camp on Dxun. Representatives of Onderon’s neighbouring systems agree with Grievous’ assessment of the Mandalorian threat and verbally support his proposition. Supreme Chancellor Valorum tells General Grievous that the Mandalorians wouldn’t dare invade a Republican system, and that a request for military aid cannot be verified unless it comes from Queen Amidala herself. Grievous informs Valorum that he is the new leader of Onderon and his request can now be verified. Valorum states that the Queen was popularly elected for a term of three years and that she is the recognised leader of Onderon until that term ends. Grievous gives a tirade about the weakness of Queen Amidala’s leadership and her failure to act. Valorum asks Grievous what he has done with Queen Amidala. Grievous simply says that he was acting in the best interests of his people. He adds that if the Republic will not take this threat seriously, then it is in the interests of Onderon’s security to secede from the Republic. Before Valorum has a chance to reply, Grievous cuts the holotransmission short. A rabble rouses in the Senate as Valorum struggles to maintain order…

Act III Scene 2 – Prime Candidates

Master Yoda holds a special meeting of the Jedi Council on Coruscant to inform them that General Grievous has overthrown and imprisoned Queen Amidala. They all agree that a rescue mission should be conducted to save her and to investigate Grievous’ activities. The Council decides to send two Jedi who are young and agile, so naturally they select Obi-wan and his new student. Yoda volunteers to inform them.

Act III Scene 3 – Anakin’s First Mission

Obi-wan and Anakin are sparring with their lightsabres in the Combat Chamber. At one point, Anakin seemingly defeats Obi-wan, pointing his lightsabre down at him as he’s lying on the floor. Obi-wan exploits Anakin’s playful cockiness, however, and turns the tables on him. Now Anakin is on the floor with a lightsabre pointed at him. Yoda is impressed by what he sees in secret, but remains wary of Anakin’s cocky attitude. Master Yoda interrupts Obi-Wan and Anakin’s training to brief them on their mission. By the time Yoda enters the chamber, they are exhausted, their garments are tattered, and their facial hair is overgrown. Yoda instructs Obi-Wan and Anakin to rescue the Queen as their first priority, and to investigate General Grievous’ activities on Onderon. They clean themselves up, board their starfighters and leave for Onderon…

Act III Scene 4 – The Sith Lords

Darth Sidious is sitting and meditating in a dark chamber. His face is hidden completely in the darkness. Another cloaked figure enters the room, removes his hood, and bows down. He asks his master what his bidding is. Sidious turns his chair around and tells his apprentice that everything is going according to plan. He tells his apprentice that it is time for him to do his part. This scene is kept deliberately cryptic, so that the audience cannot identify the Sith Lords, nor understand their plan.

Act III Scene 5 – Separatist Alliance

General Grievous holds a secret meeting with Onderon’s neighbouring systems concerning the perceived Mandalorian threat. They are concerned about the Mandalorians’ activities, as they have conquered systems outside of the Republic’s jurisdiction in past decades, and now they appear to be preparing themselves for another invasion. They are equally concerned that Chancellor Valorum and the Senate are not taking this threat seriously. Grievous emphasises the threat and the Republic’s apathy and implores the system leaders to join the Confederacy of Independent Systems. He tells them that they can free themselves of the Republic’s shackles; that together they can utilise the technologies at their disposal to ‘defend’ themselves against the Mandalorian ‘scourge’. Of course, he makes reference to cloning for military purposes as the lynchpin of his strategy against the Mandalorians. The system leaders agree and sign the Separatist Alliance. Their first resolution is to secede from the Republic, build cloning facilities in their respective systems, and to begin clone army production as soon as possible.

Act III Scene 6 – Call to Arms

Charismatic Jedi Khameir Sarin holds a forum of Jedi Knights. He believes that the Republic is not taking the Mandalorian threat seriously and that if action is not taken soon, the Republic will be perceived as ineffective and apathetic, and more systems will secede. Sarin explains that the Mandalorians have conquered worlds just outside the border, and are stockpiling weapons from these planets. He argues that the Jedi are not called to apathy, but to compassion and peacemaking, and that by pre-emptively striking the Mandalorians on Dxun, galactic warfare can be avoided in the future. He adds that if the Mandalorians are allowed to conquer more worlds and further build their arsenal, the Jedi will be forced to fight as soldiers in a war they cannot win. A large group of Jedi Knights agree with Sarin, and pledge themselves to his cause.

Khameir Sarin stands before the Jedi Council to bring the same case before them. He informs them that he will be leading a group of Jedi Knights to Dxun. Master Yoda does not agree with Khameir’s case, instead believing that there is a greater evil at work, and that the Jedi should wait until the true enemy is revealed. Khameir argues that doing nothing can only allow evil to grow, and the Council decide that if he and the other Jedi Knights believe so strongly that this is the right course of action, they must be allowed to go.

The Jedi Knights board a dropship and set hyperspace co-ordinates for Dxun…

Act III Scene 7 – Jailbreak

While General Grievous is busy co-ordinating the Separatist treaty, Obi-wan and Anakin land in a canyon outside of the city limits of Iziz. They run fully cloaked across Onderon’s rocky terrain with speed and stealth. They encounter a sentry of clone troopers and waste them. They sneak through Iziz, peering around corners, hiding behind walls, running and jumping along rooftops. They cut a hole through the wall of Queen Amidala’s prison block with their lightsabres, using Force push to throw the prison guards into the wall. They use their lightsabres to disrupt the force cage imprisoning her. She asks them who they are, and they tell her that they are keepers of the peace. Another squad of clone troopers come running down the corridor to her cell block. Anakin picks up a blaster rifle with the Force and hands it to the Queen. The Queen, taken aback, holds the blaster awkwardly and fires at the clone troopers. The Jedi deflect enemy blaster fire and carry the Queen back through the wall opening they created. When they reach safety, they ask the Queen if she knows what Grievous is up to. She says she may have an idea…

[theredbaron]

Act IV Scene 1 – Dxun Landing

Separatist dropships land in the jungle of Dxun, crushing the trees beneath them as the wildlife scrambles. Their hangars open uniformly and battalions of clone troopers march onto the surface of the jungle moon. They march towards the Mandalorian Base Camp…

Act IV Scene 2 – Spanner in the Works: Part One

Obi-wan, Anakin and Amidala sneak back to the outer limits of Iziz, overlooking the canyon where they landed from behind a rock. They can see a squad of clone troopers scrutinising their starfighters. Suddenly the ground opens up in the canyon, and a battalion of clone troopers marches out into the hangar of an Onderonian dropship. Once the dropship takes off, the three run towards the opening before it closes. Anakin carries Amidala on his back and climbs down the wall with Obi-wan. They slide down to land on the elevator platform as it descends. They see the awesome spectacle of human soldier production at every level. Amidala is astonished to realise that these are clones of Grievous himself. Obi-Wan whispers to Master Yoda via commlink that General Grievous is producing clone armies of himself. Yoda becomes very concerned about the group of Jedi that went to Dxun…

Act IV Scene 3 – The Second Mandalorian War

The clone army marches through the jungles of Dxun, eliminating any Mandalorian sentries along the way with barrages of blaster fire. The clone army commander sees the Jedi dropship above them and orders the army to halt. The dropship lands in front of the clone army, crushing the trees beneath it. The hangar opens and Khameir Sarin walks out to meet the clone army commander to discuss the attack. The Jedi Knights are astonished by the discipline and uniformity of the army before them (they are unaware that these troopers are clones). Once the discussion is complete, the Jedi Knights join the front ranks of the clone army. The army marches onward. Finally, they reach the entrance to the Mandalorian Base Camp, where the Mandalorian army is waiting for them. The Jedi run towards the Mandalorians, brandishing their blue lightsabres as blaster fire erupts from the ground. The clone troopers follow their lead and storm the gates. The Second Mandalorian War has begun…

Act IV Scene 4 – Republic in Tatters

There is a rabble in the Senate as representatives are anxious about the system exodus from the Republic and Onderon's military action on Dxun. Representatives lobby for increased military capabilities and expenditure to counter the Separatist threat. Chancellor Valorum denies their request, on the grounds that they will exceed the Republic's self-imposed limit, and that such actions could lead to galactic warfare. At the head of this movement is Senator Palpatine, who gives a powerful speech about the dangers of Valorum’s inaction and apathy towards galactic security, motioning for a vote of no confidence. A majority vote forces Valorum’s resignation as Supreme Chancellor. The Republic is in tatters.

Act IV Scene 5 – Boba Fett’s Escape

The Mandalorians are being overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the clone army. The focused attacks and guerrilla tactics of the Mandalorian warriors incur massive clone trooper casualties, but it is merely a dent in their assault. A small group of warriors, including Boba Fett and their leader Mandalore are surrounded and cornered in the hangar bay of the Base Camp. The clone troopers severely wound Mandalore and he falls to the ground. Boba Fett quickly drags him onto the Slave One. He commandeers the ship, using cannon fire to take out as many clone troopers as he can before he flies to safety. When he reaches deep space, he tends to the dying Mandalore. Mandalore admits his failure and weakness to Boba, and leaves his armour to him, along with the honour of the Mandalorians. With the remainder of his strength, Mandalore takes a sample of his own blood from his right arm, and tells Boba to take it to the cloners on Kamino. Through his own blood, the honour of the Mandalorians can be preserved and restored. The Mandalorian presence is all but wiped out on the moon of Dxun.

Act IV Scene 6 – Spanner in the Works: Part Two

They slip through the factory corridors, looking for a way to severely cripple production. They see the control room at the highest level to the right. Obi-wan instructs Anakin to wait with the Queen, and stealthily climbs up the wall. Anakin uses his mechanical knowledge to hotwire the circuitry of a factory line. Skilfully evading remote patrol droid sensors, Obi-wan climbs above the control room and lays face-down on the roof. He uses the Force to make a sound come from down the corridor (a la Episode IV), alerting the guards to leave and check it out. Obi-wan drops down, swings through the control room door and closes it behind him with the Force on the button. He pulls down the power levers and light switches (with sound effects reminiscent of Episode IV). The entire factory goes dark, until the infa-red backup lighting turns on, and the guards come rushing back down the corridors, scouring the entire factory for intruders. The Queen fires at the clone troopers over Anakin’s shoulder as he works away at the circuitry. The production line comes to a screeching halt as Anakin’s efforts prove successful. The troopers get closer and the Queen has trouble holding them off, so Anakin brandishes his lightsabre to deflect their blaster fire while they retreat down the corridor. Obi-wan notices a panel of commlinks to other factories before he leaves the control room. As clone troopers are blasting the door, Obi-wan brandishes his lightsabre, destroys the control panel, and pushes it through the opposing wall. He cuts a hole through the wall and flips downward, as blaster fire reflects off his lightsabre. The factory’s infa-red lighting is flashing on and off, the alarm is sounding, with blaster fire erupting on all sides. Obi-wan yells out to Anakin that it’s time to leave. Anakin heartily agrees…

Act IV Scene 7 – Kamino’s Doorstep

Boba Fett flies the Slave One to Kamino. He drags Mandalore’s body off the landing platform in the monsoon rain. He leaves his body at the facility entrance, with his arms folded on his chest, holding the vial of blood. He runs back to the Slave One, and flies away, as a Kaminoan walks outside, inspects the body, then looks at the Slave One flying away. The Kaminoan gestures two other Kaminoans to carry the body away…

[theredbaron]

Act V Scene 1 – Bad News

Grievous slams his fist on the table when he receives word about the factory’s destruction. He sends his messengers away, and bows before the holotransmitter as it receives the image of a dark, cloaked figure – Darth Sidious. Grievous informs Sidious that the Jedi have destroyed one of his cloning facilities. He assures his master that it was only a minor setback and that troop production will continue as planned. Grievous informs Sidious of a tracking device planted by his troops on the Jedi starfighters and asks if he should dispatch some fighters to pursue them. Sidious still has plans for them, so he tells Grievous that no action will be necessary.

Act V Scene 2 – Escape from Onderon/ Surprise Attack

They run out to the canyon where they landed, Anakin leading the Queen by the hand. Luckily, the squad that was inspecting their starfighters ran back to the factory to find the intruders. The Queen flies with Anakin as the two Jedi leave for Coruscant. Tower cannons and clone troopers fire at them from behind as they leave the atmosphere…

Obi-wan contacts the Jedi Council via commlink to report that they have rescued the Queen and destroyed one of the underground cloning facilities. Yoda inquires as to why Obi-wan said ‘one of’ the facilities and Obi-wan replies that there are others…

Once they are satisfied that they’re out of danger, Anakin and Amidala get to know each other on the starfighter through a cocky and funny exchange. Anakin continually teases her about her majesty and she starts to feel attraction for him. She tells him to call her Padmé, thanks him for rescuing her, and pecks him on the cheek. Anakin blushes. All of a sudden, the hull starts taking hits from cannon fire. Boba Fett, recognising a Jedi starfighter, fires upon Anakin from the Slave One. Anakin pulls an impressive evasive manoeuvre to get out of the Slave One’s line of fire, while Obi-wan doubles back and fires at its right wing. Boba Fett crash-lands his craft in the Dune Sea of Tatooine. Anakin asks Obi-wan where that ship came from, and Obi-wan, puzzled, says that he barely even saw it, but he thinks it came from Kamino. Anakin notices all the dropships from neighbouring systems heading for Dxun. Amidala is anxious about having left her home planet and is concerned for the safety of her people…

Act V Scene 3 – The Tomb of Freedon Nadd: Part One
Back on Dxun, the Jedi force, led by Khameir Sarin, run through the grasslands of Dxun, cutting through Mandalorian soldiers on the way. Blaster fire is erupting in the distance as the battle for Dxun continues. They keep running through the grasslands and stop in the middle of the clearing. In the distance they can see a monolith – the tomb of Freedon Nadd. Khameir leads them onward.

Act V Scene 4 – Mission Completed

Obi-wan, Anakin, and Padmé arrive on Coruscant, where Yoda and Mace Windu is waiting for them. They express their relief at the Queen’s safety and congratulate the Jedi on a successful mission. Anakin lets the adulation go to his head a little, but Obi-wan tells him to curb his excitement with humility. Obi-wan asks Master Windu if the Council has informed the Senate of Onderon’s cloning capabilities. Windu says that the Senate is gripped with panic as it is, and he is concerned how they will react to such information. Yoda concurs with Mace on this point, and says that the Senate is not ready for this information. He expresses his concern that something far greater is at work here; something far more sinister than Grievous and his clone armies…

Act V Scene 5 – The Tomb of Freedon Nadd: Part Two

The Jedi on Dxun run up the stairs to the entrance of the tomb. Standing at the entrance, one of the Jedi Knights says he can feel great power coming from within the walls. Another Jedi asks what this place is. Khameir says it’s a tomb as he opens the entrance. It’s extremely dark inside. The Jedi enter cautiously with a sense of awe…

Act V Scene 6 – Palpatine’s Election

Rabble continues in the Senate following Valorum's resignation. A potential candidate stands up and proposes that surely the Jedi are capable of maintaining peace in the galaxy. This does not satisfy most of the Senators and the rabble continues. Senator Palpatine rises and claims that the galaxy is no longer safe, and that the Jedi alone will not be enough to defend the Republic from this new Separatist threat. If the Separatist army can overwhelm the mighty Mandalorians, who can stop them? He argues that the Republic must remain ever-vigilant, lest it fall into ineffectiveness and apathy. He adds that if he is elected as Supreme Chancellor, he will increase the Republic's military expenditure, and its military presence on its borders. He says that the Republic will not be bullied, nor will it fall to inaction. He receives a standing ovation and thunderous applause. After being elected Supreme Chancellor, Palpatine gives a moving speech about democracy and freedom for the galaxy.

Act V Scene 7 – Boba’s Worth

Young Boba Fett regains consciousness lying on the deck of the Slave One. He hobbles towards the loading ramp, where sand is blowing around. He walks outside and immediately notices the sand dunes surrounding him. Then he hears a strange, savage war cry. When his vision unblurs, he can see a whole tribe of Tusken Raiders surrounding him, raising their gaffi sticks above their heads. Boba immediately springs into action, performing an army roll and shooting one of them with his blaster. One of the sand-people strikes on either side of him as he rolls sideways in the opposite direction. Boba shoots a grappling hook at him, which coils around him, then swings him like an olympic hammer, knocking over other sand-people. He activates his rocket pack to lunge at the leader and tackles him to the ground. He promptly knocks him out with his wrist blade. An entire tribe of sand-people lie scattered at his feet. Laughter erupts from over the sand dunes as Jabba the Hutt, accompanied by his Gamorrean Guard, hovers towards him. This Mandalorian is Jabba’s kind of scum: fearless and inventive…

END OF EPISODE

[theredbaron]

STAR WARS: EPISODE II – THE CLONE WARS

A Story by Adam Redsell. Based on ‘Attack of the Clones’ by George Lucas.

Act I Scene 1¬¬ – Republic Blockade

The Republic Navy, with fleets of prototype Star Destroyers, Nebulon-A Frigates, and Assault Gunboats, lie in wait on the Republic border. Battalions of Republic soldiers have been deployed on the outer systems of the Republic to defend its borders from the growing Separatist threat. AT-walker variants patrol the grasslands of Dantooine. A Republic officer keeps watch from the patrol tower.

Act I Scene 2¬¬ – Anakin’s Premonition

Obi-wan and Anakin are training in the Meditation Chamber. Anakin uses the Force to lift large objects in the room, but he momentarily loses concentration and drops everything. Obi-wan admonishes him, reminding him that he must learn control. Obi-wan realises that something is wrong, and asks Anakin what it is. He says that he thinks Padmé is in danger, and they both run towards her chamber.

Act I Scene 3¬¬ – Assassination Attempt

Anakin runs into the chamber, drags Padmé out of bed. Padmé is still groggy and has no idea what’s going on. Anakin runs, carrying Padmé, and Obi-wan follows. They jump as the chamber explodes behind them. The explosion floors Anakin, and he lands on his back. Padmé lands straddled on Anakin, creating an awkward situation. Obi-wan hits the wall on the other side of the corridor. He observes Anakin and Padmé’s embarrassing situation. Padmé and Anakin stare at each other for a few seconds until they realise their embarrassment. Padmé rolls away from Anakin, and then asks what is going on in a rather dazed tone. Anakin, exhausted, replies (in between breaths) that he thinks someone is trying to kill her.

Act I Scene 4¬¬ – Severing Ties

Palpatine sits in his chair, gazing out the window at the cityscape, until Obi-wan, Anakin, and Queen Amidala enter his bureau. Palpatine turns his chair around, and rises to greet them. They bow towards each other. He expresses his relief at the Queen’s safety, and praises Anakin for his swift and heroic action. Anakin is flattered, but tries to retain a humble disposition. Palpatine tells them to take a seat, and the discussion of security matters begins. Palpatine informs them that the attack was no doubt perpetrated by one of General Grievous’ assassins. Obi-wan asks why Grievous would still consider the Queen to be a threat, and Palpatine explains that she is still the recognised leader of Onderon, and as long as she remains so, Onderon is officially a Republican system. Palpatine adds that Queen Amidala has become a symbol of the Republic, and that Grievous would love nothing more than to completely sever Onderon’s ties with the Republic. He emphasises the seriousness of the situation, and considers it an act of war. He proposes that the Queen be taken to another system to lay low until the danger subsides, and that she be assigned a Jedi Guardian to protect her. He recommends Anakin for the job. Obi-wan considers this, but informs the Chancellor that the decision will ultimately lie with the Council. Padmé objects to the idea, as it will take her away from the Senate meetings. Palpatine tells her that he knows it is difficult, but that her safety is the most important concern at this time. He says that he will deliver an ultimatum to General Grievous in the next Senate meeting, and that for her own safety, he cannot know that she is still alive. Padmé admits that he is right, but is at a loss as to what she should do. Palpatine tells her that she will need to arrange for a delegate to take her place. Padmé is unsure as to who should take her place. Palpatine mentions that perhaps one of the regional governors, like Moff Tarkin, may be suitable. Padmé says that she trusts in Palpatine’s judgement, and so agrees to delegate Governor Tarkin. Palpatine says that he will contact the governor immediately. He tells her that she can confer with Tarkin – assuming he accepts the responsibility – via commlink at any time, but she must be discreet. The matter is settled. The three of them rise, bow, thank Palpatine for his counsel, and leave with his warmest blessings.

Act I Scene 5¬¬ – Separate Paths

Obi-wan and Anakin stand before the Jedi Council to report on their meeting with the Chancellor. The Masters ask how the meeting went. Obi-wan tells them that they believe the attack to be perpetrated by one of Grievous’ assassins. He adds that the Chancellor recommended that the Queen be assigned a Jedi Guardian and taken to another system until the danger subsides. He adds that Palpatine recommended Anakin in particular. Master Windu agrees that Anakin is most suited to the task, on account of his initial premonition of her danger, and his friendship with her. Yoda concurs, and charges Anakin with the protection of the Queen. He tells Anakin to take the Queen to Alderaan and to remain there until notified. Anakin bows and accepts his mandate. Master Windu tells Obi-wan that he is to go to the moon of Dxun to investigate the disappearance of a group of Jedi Knights. Yoda explains that Khameir Sarin led a Jedi force there to disarm the Mandalorians, and that later it was discovered that the Separatist clone army had already landed for an invasion. Obi-wan asks why they helped the Separatists, and Mace says that they had come to aid the neighbouring systems, and were unaware of the Separatist movement or their cloning activities. Yoda adds that as far as they knew, they were still fighting for the Republic. Mace says that the mission was a disaster, as the Mandalorians were annihilated and the Jedi force has not returned. Obi-wan bows and accepts the mission. The Council wish them both well; they bow, and leave the chamber.

Act I Scene 6¬¬ – Anakin’s Departure

The two Jedi walk through the Temple corridor towards the docking bay. Obi-wan looks at Anakin for a while and smiles, until Anakin asks him what he’s smiling about. Obi-wan tells him how much he’s grown, and congratulates him on his first mission alone. Anakin jokingly asks him if he thinks he can’t take care of himself, much less anyone else, and Obi-wan places his hands on his shoulders as a sign of trust. He tells him sternly not to do anything unless the Council instructs him. Anakin shrugs off his concern but acknowledges him nonetheless. They wish each other well as Anakin walks over to meet Padmé. Obi-wan stops, turns around, and calls out to Anakin. Anakin rolls his eyes back, turns around, and asks him what he wants this time. He tells him to take care, and Anakin jokingly tells him to get out of there; he’s got a mission to accomplish. Anakin boards the transport with Padmé and sets course for Alderaan.

Act I Scene 7¬¬ – Palpatine’s Ultimatum

Meanwhile, in the Senate, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine delivers an ultimatum to General Grievous via holotransmission: stand down, or be forcibly removed. General Grievous laughs at Palpatine’s threats, declaring them to be idle in the face of his military might. The holotransmission ends. Palpatine swears to the Senate that General Grievous will be overthrown, Onderon will be liberated, and Queen Amidala will reclaim her throne. He motions for military action in Onderon, which is passed by a majority vote.

Act I Scene 8¬¬ – Flight to Alderaan

Anakin is flying a transport ship to Alderaan. Padmé and Anakin discuss all the events that transpired. Padmé asks Anakin how he knew there was a bomb in her chamber. He explains that he didn’t, he just had a vision that she was in danger. She asks him how often he has visions. Anakin replies that this was the first vision he’s had since he left home. Padmé asks about his homeworld, and he describes the deserts and bustling merchant centres of Tatooine to her in vivid detail. She asks him if he misses Tatooine, and he says he does sometimes, but he doesn’t miss its roughness, or its criminal activity. She asks him if he misses his family, and he tells her that he missed his family long before he became a Jedi. She asks how this can be and he explains how he never knew his father, and his mother was captured by slave-traders years ago. He says that it’s just as well in a way, as a Jedi must free himself of all attachments. She asks if that means he is not allowed to love. He says that the Jedi are sworn to act out of compassion, but that attachment is frowned upon by the Order. She says that that must be a difficult thing to do. She asks him if he knows where the slave-traders had taken his mother, and he says he doesn’t know. He adds that when Obi-wan found him, he told him that on the path to becoming a Jedi, the answers may reveal themselves.

Act I Scene 9¬¬ – Separatist Scheme

General Grievous meets with other Separatist leaders on a secluded moon. Grievous informs his allies that the Republic intends to invade Onderon. The Separatist leaders report that their cloning facilities are fully operational and that their clone army production is on schedule. The Separatists agree that an invasion of Onderon would be an act of war. They decide to deploy their clone armies on multiple fronts across the Republic border following the Republic landing on Onderon, as they believe that the Republic does not have the resources to defend itself during the invasion. They also agree that their ‘Jedi’ warriors should lead the attacks.

Act I Scene 10¬¬ – Grievous’ Request

General Grievous enters his quarters and kneels before the holotransmitter. The image of the Dark Lord emerges. Grievous requests Sith warriors to lead his clone armies on the Republic borders. Sidious grants Grievous’ wish, but tells him that his apprentice Darth Maul and his followers have other matters to attend to.

[theredbaron]

Act II Scene 1¬¬ – The Mandalorian Ruins

Obi-wan lands safely in the smouldering ruins of the Mandalorian Base Camp. The remains of countless Mandalorian warriors and clone troopers are strewn across the camp. Smoke rises from the burning grasslands, ruined Basilisks, and collapsing structures. Obi-wan explores the ruins, and enters into a room with a telemetry computer in it. He checks all arrivals and departures in the past standard year, and finds that the Slave One is the only ship that escaped during the Separatist attack. He traces its path to the Kamino system, which puzzles him greatly. He searches the ruins again, and finds a group of footprints leading outside of the camp…

Act II Scene 2¬¬ – Attack on Onderon

Republic dropships land outside of Iziz’s city walls. Republic soldiers run out of the dropship hangars and take their positions. An army of clone troopers, led by General Grievous, awaits them. Grievous orders his Separatist comrades to commence the attack via commlink. Blaster fire erupts and battle ensues in the canyon of Iziz.

Act II Scene 3¬¬ – The Beauty of Alderaan

It is daytime, and Anakin and Padmé are sharing a meal together out in the fields of Alderaan. The field is decorated with willows and lotuses of every colour. There are crystal blue mountains in the distance. A river cuts through the mountains, and from the cliff-face a waterfall showers the lilies in the lake below. Anakin shows off with a Force trick that makes the fruit disappear. He says that Obi-wan would kill him if he found out he was doing this, but Padmé applauds his antics regardless. He uses the Force to cut fruit into pieces and feed it to her. Padmé is falling in love with Anakin. Padmé admires the beauty of the landscape, but Anakin gets restless and excited as he has never even set eyes upon a planet like Alderaan before. He stands up and takes Padmé’s hand. She asks him what he’s doing, and he helps her up with a wry grin. He says that he wants to see it all, so he runs towards the transport, leading her by the hand. Padmé smiles; she is attracted to his wide-eyed innocence and sense of adventure.

Act II Scene 4¬¬ – Joyride

They jump in the transport and take off. Anakin pulls all manner of crazy manoeuvres: flying close to the ground in the fields (leaving a flurry of lotus petals), and flying through the mist of the waterfall while narrowly averting the cliff-face. He allows Padmé to take the controls, and then puts his hand on hers to guide her. The craft does a loop-de-loop. Anakin lands the craft among the willows beside the lake. They get out of the transport and walk along the lake back to their quarters. Once they get to Padmé’s door, they stand in front of it for a while. Padmé thanks Anakin for a wonderful time, and Anakin jokingly says that it’s all in the interests of protecting her. Their faces draw close as they are about to kiss, but Anakin abruptly breaks contact and bids her goodnight.

Act II Scene 5¬¬ – Separatist Invasion

The Separatists charge through the Republic blockade with assault transports firing missiles and Ion cannons into the Republic Fleet. The prototype Star Destroyers take down some of the assault transports, which crash and explode on the surface of nearby planets. Patrol officers witness the invasion through electrobinoculars. Battalions of clone troopers deploy on Dantooine, Kashyyyk, Mon Calamari, Ryloth, Sriluur, Sullust, Ithor, Kinyen, Rodia, Duro, Ando, and a host of other Republican systems. Dark Jedi Generals lead the charge against the Republic, red lightsabers bared.

Act II Scene 6¬¬ – Anakin’s Nightmare

Anakin moves restlessly from side to side in his bed and wakes up bolt upright in a cold sweat. He walks out onto the balcony and watches the sunrise. Padmé walks up behind him and puts her hands on his shoulders. She asks him what is wrong, and he says that he had a nightmare. Padmé says that she thought Jedi didn’t have nightmares, and he says that that’s the problem. He says that he saw his mother suffering in the spice mines of Kessel. He says that he knows he will be violating his mandate to protect her, but that he has to go. Padmé says that she understands, and that she will go with him. He tells her that she should stay here with the Republican Guard, but she insists that she will be safer with him, so he concedes. They board the transport and set course for Kessel.

[theredbaron]

Act III Scene 1¬¬ – Kessel Landing

As Anakin enters Kessel’s atmosphere, they receive a transmission from the spice mining authority, asking him for his clearance code. Anakin replies that he has no clearance code; that he is there on Jedi business. The authority replies that the Jedi have no business there, and the patrol craft fires on their transport from behind. Anakin doubles back and shoots it down. He lands the craft on a secluded cliff, overlooking the spice mines. Anakin tells Padmé to stay back on the ship, and sets out on his own.

Act III Scene 2¬¬ – Jedi Trail

It is night, and Obi-wan treks through the Dxun jungle. He walks past a Jedi dropship, overgrown with vines and grass. He follows the tracks until he finds the remains of two Mandalorian warriors. He inspects the bodies and notices that their armour is clearly singed with lightsaber marks. Obi-wan gazes across the vastness of the grasslands and sees the monolithic tomb far off in the distance. He walks towards it.

Act III Scene 3¬¬ – Anakin’s Revenge

Anakin peers over the cliff and sees the slaves digging for spice in the mining caverns. There is a walkway leading out of the caverns, where slaves carry the spice containers back and forth from the mines. He spots an old lady, struggling to carry her container, and recognises her as his mother. She collapses under the heavy load and drops the container on the ground. The slavers immediately run over to reprimand her. They whip her repeatedly and she cries out in pain. Anakin leaps down with a cry and knocks them both flying with his fist and elbow. The slaves drop their containers and run. He holds his mother in his arms. She opens her eyes and asks if he is Anakin. He says it is him and that everything will be okay. She admires how strong and handsome he’s grown. He says that he is a Jedi and that he’s come to save her. She says that he already has. She says that she’s very proud of him. As she fades away, Anakin begs her not to leave him. With her last dying breath, she says she loves him. Anakin closes his eyes and lowers his head, crying for the loss of his mother. He wells up with anger and ignites his lightsaber. He slaughters the slavers mercilessly, even as they beg for their lives. He marches out of the caves, with the slaves marching behind him. A spirit of revenge is in the air. The slaves take up arms and riot against their oppressors. Anakin stoops down and picks up his mother’s corpse, climbing back up the cliff-face.

Act III Scene 4¬¬ – Local Uprising

Local species (Wookies, Mon Calamari, Quarrens, Twi’leks, Sullustians, Ithorians, Gran, Rodians, Weequays, Duros and Aqualish respectively) rally alongside Republic soldiers to defend their homeworlds from the Separatist invasion, but are on the back foot already, given the surprise attack, as well as the clone troopers’ greater numbers and superior firepower. The legendary beast-riders of Onderon rally from the caves to help liberate their planet from the tyranny of General Grievous.

Act III Scene 5¬¬ – Padmé Comforts Anakin

Padmé looks down the loading ramp and sees Anakin carrying his mother’s corpse. He lays her down, and falls to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably. Padmé tries to comfort him, embracing him and running her hands down his face. Anakin gets up, turns around, and holds Padmé close to him. In a whirlwind of emotion, they kiss each other passionately.

Act III Scene 6¬¬ – Return to Tatooine: The Funeral

[Anakin and Padmé return to Tatooine and bury Anakin’s mother]. Anakin stands before the grave of his mother, with his arm around Padmé. Owen Lars is there with them. He tells Anakin that his mother was a kind, generous woman. Anakin says that he couldn’t save her. Owen says that he did all he could; that no-one even expected to see her again, and that his mother would be proud of him.

Act III Scene 7¬¬ – Tomb Entrance

Obi-wan reaches the bottom of the tomb entrance and looks up at the apex of the tomb. He ascends the stairs very warily. Once he reaches the entrance, he studies the wall markings, hieroglyphs, and statues. He tries to contact the Jedi Council via commlink, but they’re out of range. He tries to pick up a signal from Anakin, and he is astonished to find Anakin’s signal coming from Tatooine. Obi-wan tries to contact Anakin on the commlink.

Act III Scene 8¬¬ – Patch Bay

Anakin finally answers, and Obi-wan asks him what the blazes he is doing on Tatooine. Anakin tries to explain, but Obi-wan gives up, and instructs him to patch him through to the Jedi Council urgently. Anakin tells the Jedi Council that he’s patching Obi-wan through on the commlink, and the Council receive him.

Act III Scene 9¬¬ – Sith History

Obi-wan asks the Jedi Masters if they know anyone of historic importance who may have been buried on Dxun. They think about it for a moment, and no one seems to come to mind. They ask him why he needs to know. He tells them that he may have found a tomb; an extremely large one. He tells them that he’ll investigate further, and asks them to contact him if they have more information. Yoda tells him to wait, as he has an idea of who might be buried there. Yoda sounds disturbed and ominous, so Obi-wan becomes anxious to know what it is. Yoda recalls that a Sith Lord by the name of Freedon Nadd was once a ruler over Onderon. Mace Windu tells Obi-wan to leave the tomb immediately, as he is in grave danger.

Act III Scene 10¬¬ – The Sith Lord Revealed/ Obi-wan’s Abduction

Obi-wan turns around to see a dark, cloaked figure with two of the Jedi behind him. Obi-wan asks the cloaked figure where they’ve been. The cloaked figure replies that they’ve been training. Obi-wan asks him what happened to the other Jedi Knights. The cloaked figure replied that some of them are away on important missions, but the rest weren’t strong enough to complete their training. Obi-wan asks which one of them is the Jedi known as Khameir Sarin. The figure takes off his hood to reveal his tattooed scalp, and steps into the light. The figure says that the Jedi he refers to as Khameir Sarin is dead. Obi-wan, astonished, realises that he is a Sith Lord. They both brandish their lightsabers and duel. The other Dark Jedi look onward. Obi-wan and Darth Maul circle until they’re facing the opposite way. Obi-wan asks Maul what seduced him to fall away. The duellists lock blades, and Maul replies that he was a Sith all along, then forces Obi-wan flying down the stairs. Maul tells Obi-wan that he will join him either by choice or by force. Obi-wan tells him that he will never join him, and Maul says “very well”. Maul parries Obi-wan’s blade and pushes Obi-wan against a rock wall with the Force, with the aid of his two followers. Obi-wan falls unconscious, dropping his lightsaber. The Dark Jedi bind him and take him away.

Act III Scene 11¬¬ – The Rescue Team

Obi-wan’s commlink transmission goes static, and Master Windu tries to communicate to no avail. Windu says that they’ve lost communication, but they can still pick up his signal. He tells Anakin to stay put with the Queen, and that they will send a team of Jedi to rescue Obi-wan. Windu continues to call out to Anakin, but Anakin ignores him and turns off the commlink, and walks toward the transport. Mace loses contact and can only hope that Anakin will do the right thing. The Council are concerned for the safety of Obi-wan, and astonished by revelations of Sarin’s dark alignment. They can’t believe that a Sith Lord was in their midst undetected for so long, and wonder how his alignment could have been hidden from them. Yoda says that he will assemble a rescue team for Obi-wan. He excuses himself and leaves the chamber.

Act III Scene 12¬¬ – Owen’s Plea

Anakin is frustrated that his friend is in danger and he’s been ordered to do nothing about it. Owen tells him that he can live in peace on Tatooine again now that he’s found his mother. Anakin says that he can’t stay. Owen says that there’s a crazy war going on. Anakin says that his friend’s out there in it. Anakin walks over to the flight control panel. Padmé asks Anakin what he’s doing, and he replies that he’s going to save Obi-wan. She insists that she will go with him. Anakin says that he has to go alone this time. Padmé reminds him that he has a mandate to protect her. Anakin agrees with her, and tells her that he’ll only be placing her in danger if he allows her to come. He tells her to stay back on Tatooine with Owen because the Separatists have no presence there. She accepts his decision and kisses him. He tells her that he will return for her. Anakin checks the radar to track Obi-wan’s signal, and sets course accordingly.

[theredbaron]

Act IV Scene 1¬¬ – The Jedi Take Action

Mace Windu reconvenes the meeting and informs the Council that they have received a request from the Senate to dispatch Jedi forces on the battlefronts. He informs them that Republic soldiers and local militias are being overwhelmed, and that the Separatist clone armies are reportedly being led by Sith warriors. The Jedi concur that they must defend the Republic now that the true enemy has revealed itself. The Council agrees to send the Jedi Knights to the Republic border. They are concerned; however, that Khameir Sarin’s warnings have come to fruition. Mace Windu declares that he will lead the Jedi Knights on Onderon and face General Grievous. He stands up and leaves the chamber.

The Jedi Knights run down the Temple corridors to the docking bay. They board dropships en masse. Dropships filled to capacity close their hangars and make the jump into hyperspace.

Act IV Scene 2¬¬ – Emergency Powers/ Army for the Republic

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine calls an emergency meeting of the Senate. The Senate is in disorder over the Separatist invasion, but the Chancellor calls them to order. He informs the representatives that the Separatist clone armies are overwhelming Republic soldiers and the local militias and that it won’t be long before these systems fall. He says that the Jedi Knights will be dispatched on each battlefront to aid their soldiers, but he believes that the Jedi alone will not be enough to defend the Republic from the ever-increasing Separatist army. He concludes that any further actions on his part are limited by Republic law. The rabble continues as anxiety grows among the representatives, until acting Senator Tarkin rises and motions that Emergency Powers be given to the wartime Chancellor. The motion is passed by a majority vote, and Palpatine rises again to give a speech. He declares his love of democracy and the Republic and promises that he will lay down the power he has been given once the crisis has abated. The Senate applauds his speech, and he motions for the construction of an Army for the Republic.

Act IV Scene 3¬¬ – Obi-wan’s Torture

Obi-wan Kenobi regains consciousness aboard a Separatist Cruiser. He looks down at his hands and realises that he is bound. Darth Maul stands before him, and Kenobi tells him that he won’t get away with this. Maul notes that he has spirit, and that he could use it to increase his power. Obi-wan tells him that he will not turn, and Maul laughs, calling him a slave to his own Code. Maul says that Obi-wan has had his chance, and that he has chosen the hard way. He uses the Force to torture Obi-wan, sending shockwaves through his body. Obi-wan cries out in pain, but refuses to give in. Maul tells him that he could be free if only he would embrace his anger. Maul shakes his head in disappointment and walks away. He turns around at the last second and shocks him one last time.

Act IV Scene 4¬¬ – Aerial Dogfight

Anakin approaches the cruiser in remote space. A group of Separatist fighters patrol the vicinity of the cruiser. Anakin takes out the leader, and his two wingmen double back to counter-attack. Anakin maximises shield output to the rear and brilliantly evades their cannon fire. The enemy fighters fire proton torpedoes at him. Anakin performs a barrel-roll, and then releases the garbage chute. The torpedoes lock onto the space garbage and explode. The wingmen, assuming their target to be destroyed, wait for the smoke to clear. Anakin flies back through the smoke towards them, firing rapidly upon them. They both take critical hits and nosedive. Anakin quickly flies the transport into the cruiser’s hangar.

Act IV Scene 5¬¬ – Intruder alert

An officer alerts Darth Maul that a hostile transport has boarded the cruiser. Maul tells his officer to offer them no resistance; that he will deal with them himself. He calls upon his two apprentices. They come and bow before him. He orders them to find the intruder and silence him. As they are about to leave, he warns them not to underestimate him. The Force is strong with this one.

Anakin cloaks himself and bolts down the corridor, running along the walls.

Act IV Scene 6¬¬ – Reinforcements

The Jedi Knights on Onderon deflect barrages of blaster fire from Separatist clone troopers, using the Force to push them over. A strong wind blows above them, so Mace Windu turns around and looks up. A squadron of dropships hover above the surface of Onderon. Their hangars open up, and cables lower down, as thousands upon thousands of Republic storm troopers slide down. Reinforcements have arrived. Republic soldiers raise their blaster rifles and native beast-riders rally with a great cry as they charge into battle once again. The tide of the battle has turned…

Act IV Scene 7¬¬ – Dark Confrontation

Anakin stops, lowers his head, and ignites his lightsaber, as he feels the presence of two Dark Jedi. They too, ignite their lightsabers as they drop down from the ceiling. A frenetic melee ensues. Anakin holds his own against his opponents. He asks them what they have done with his master. They reply that he is being taught about the true nature of the Force. Anakin asserts that he has nothing to learn from traitors such as them. One of the Dark Jedi challenges his assertion and uses the Force to lift Anakin and choke him. Anakin’s grips his throat with his other hand, desperately trying to counter its effects. His eyes widen as his enemy laughs. Suddenly, Anakin throws his lightsaber like a boomerang, cutting his laughing opponent in half. The other Dark Jedi somersaults towards Skywalker, who is unarmed. At the last second, Anakin uses the Force to pull both lightsabers towards him and fights on. Finally, Anakin disarms his opponent, and without thought of remorse, beheads him with both lightsabers. Anakin continues running down the corridor.

Act IV Scene 8¬¬ – Anakin Frees Obi-wan

Anakin finds Obi-wan bound in the control tower of the Cruiser. Obi-wan struggles, yelling at Anakin to run; that it is a trap. Anakin ignores Obi-wan and runs over to free him. He uses the Force to break the energy binders on Obi-wan’s hands and feet. Obi-wan tells Anakin that he shouldn’t have come. Anakin replies that he had to come. Anakin tells Obi-wan to take his lightsaber, and throws it to him. Obi-wan is puzzled by Anakin’s abundance of lightsabers, but accepts it nonetheless. He ignites the lightsaber and inspects it for a moment.

Act IV Scene 9¬¬ – Anakin’s Defeat

Darth Maul laughs evilly as he enters the room. He is impressed that Anakin disposed of his followers. Anakin tells him that he will pay for all the Jedi he has killed and ignites the Sith lightsaber. Darth Maul tells him that he shouldn’t have come. Now he will have two new apprentices instead of one. Obi-wan tells Anakin not to listen to his Sith lies. He says that they will never join him. Darth Maul says that Jedi beliefs always have been self-destructive; and with a sigh, concedes that he’ll have to kill them instead. Maul ignites his lightsaber. Obi-wan and Anakin take on Darth Maul in a stunning lightsaber battle. Maul holds his own against the two Jedi, ripping objects off the walls to hurl at them. Anakin swings his lightsaber at the foreign objects while Obi-wan uses the Force to put them to rest. Maul unbolts a platform above Obi-wan, which crumbles and falls.

Obi-wan’s legs are trapped underneath the debris, but he manages to pass the lightsaber back to Anakin. Maul laughs mockingly again. He tells Anakin that his master cannot save him now. Anakin asserts that he can defeat him alone. Maul replies that such arrogance is the downfall of every Jedi. Anakin runs towards him and continues fighting furiously with dual lightsabers. He performs stunning feats of swordsmanship, but ultimately, Maul is his better. Maul takes out Anakin’s Sith lightsaber, but Anakin keeps fighting. Maul taunts Anakin again, asking him if that’s all he can do. Anakin replies that he’ll find he is full of surprises. He uses the Force to throw his lightsaber at him and misses. Then he leaps at Maul, stretching out his hand. He tries to push him back with the Force, but Maul flings Anakin into the wall. Anakin raises his arms, using the Force to pull objects off the wall and throw them at him at incredible speed. Darth Maul stops them in mid-air, and then sends them back at Anakin. Anakin’s body is pounded by a barrage of foreign objects. He falls to his knees. Darth Maul tells him that it is finished. Anakin, exhausted, warns Maul not to underestimate him, for his ally is the Force. He musters up all the strength left in his body, uses the Force to pick up his lightsaber, ignites it, and rushes at his opponent. Anakin performs a furious flurry, but leaves himself open to attack. Darth Maul cuts Anakin’s hand off, and his body is thrown back, sliding across the floor. He cries out in anguish and holds his wound.

Act IV Scene 10¬¬ – Republic Advance

Mace Windu leads the charge of storm troopers, beast-riders and Republic soldiers through the Iziz palace gates. Storm troopers march onward, blasting down ranks of clone troopers. Mace Windu leaps into the thick of battle, cutting down his opponents, and using the Force to pummel all clone troopers in his vicinity. The Republic forces have pushed the Separatists back considerably. General Grievous orders his clone trooper commander to pull back, and to prepare his shuttle.

[theredbaron]

Act V Scene 1¬¬ – Yoda vs. Darth Maul

Darth Maul has his lightsaber pointed at Anakin’s throat, ready to finish him off. He raises his lightsaber above his head with both hands, and tells the Jedi that now he will die. The entire Cruiser shakes just before Maul is about to strike, and he stumbles backwards. Anakin crawls away, using his one hand to pull himself across the floor. He looks up and sees Master Yoda standing before him. Obi-wan is surprised and relieved to see his Master again. Yoda shakes his head in disappointment, and walks towards Darth Maul with his walking stick. Maul asks Yoda if he’s come to join the ranks of crippled Jedi. Yoda says he’s sorry they failed him. Maul laughs at what he calls typical Jedi ignorance. Obi-wan warns Yoda that he’s been a Sith all along. Yoda says that he sees there is no turning him, and so the battle begins. Darth Maul puts away his lightsaber, and tries to send a bolt of lightning at Yoda with the Force. Yoda absorbs the bolt with the Force, much to the frustration of Darth Maul. Maul resorts to sending both bolts from both hands, but Yoda absorbs them also. Maul sees that Yoda’s command of the Force is superior to his own, and in a last ditch effort, rips a power generator out of the wall and hurls it at them. He uses this opportunity to flee in an escape pod. Yoda stops the generator in the air, calmly and gently laying it aside. He then concentrates on lifting the platform to free Obi-wan from the debris. Without the main power generator, the Cruiser rapidly loses altitude. The rescue team rush in to carry off Obi-wan and Anakin, and run back towards the hangar bay with Yoda.

They board the Corellian Corvette and leave the Separatist Cruiser plummeting. A group of Separatist fighters from Onderon fire upon the Corvette as it flies away. The rear cannons fire at the fighters as the Corvette makes the jump into hyperspace.

Act V Scene 2¬¬ – Grievous’ Crash

General Grievous fires at several storm troopers with incredible accuracy as he backs up the ramp to his shuttle. One of his officers pilots the shuttle and flies it out of the palace walls. General Grievous asks his second-in-charge via holotransmission if the reinforcements are ready. His second-in-charge replies that they are ready for deployment, which Grievous thinks is excellent. He orders them to flank the Republic army on both sides. He says that they’ll push them in through the palace gates. Republic cannon fire takes out the vertical wing of Grievous’ shuttle, which loses control and crashes into the wilderness.

Act V Scene 3¬¬ – Medical Attention

Anakin and Obi-wan receive medical attention from the droid surgeons on board the Corellian Corvette. Obi-wan is not harmed badly, while Anakin is equipped with a black cybernetic hand. Anakin looks at his new hand for a while and moves it around. Obi-wan tells him to let it be a reminder to him. He tells him that he was told on numerous occasions to stay where he was, and he deliberately disobeyed his mandate to protect the Queen. Anakin apologises to Obi-wan, citing that he lost his mother and he didn’t want to lose a friend as well. Obi-wan places his hand on Anakin’s shoulder. He tells him that his feelings do him credit, but he must be more mindful of his actions.

Act V Scene 4¬¬ – War Montage

The Clone Wars rage on across the Republican border, on land and in space, as the two sides struggle to a stalemate. The Republic forces on Onderon are flanked on both sides by Separatist reinforcements, pushing them through the palace gates.

Act V Scene 5 – No More Adventures

No sooner than they have arrived on Coruscant, Anakin prepares to leave again. Obi-wan asks him where he’s off to this time. Anakin makes the obvious point that Queen Amidala is still on Tatooine and he has to go back and collect her. Obi-wan rolls his eyes back and tells him that he’s not to go on any more adventures. Anakin agrees heartily as he boards his Jedi Starfighter and leaves. Chancellor Palpatine greets Obi-wan and Yoda warmly, expressing his relief that they are alright. He asks where young Anakin is going and Obi-wan replies that he had some things he needed to take care of…

Act V Scene 6 – The Secret Marriage

Anakin and Padmé have a secret marriage on Tatooine. They kiss each other under the moonlight. Anakin puts his arm around Padmé as they look into space and the credits roll.

END OF EPISODE

[Zatoichi]

that is a ton to read through. I'll get back to you on it in a day or two perhaps.

[theredbaron]

that is a ton to read through.  I'll get back to you on it in a day or two perhaps.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, it's pretty detailed, and I wasn't sure on whether or not I should post EPI and II together...but take your time.

The forum rules don't help either. If I didn't have to wait 30 seconds between each post, I would have posted them in separate bite-sized scenes (but at this rate, it probably would've taken me a whole hour).

[EwokHunter]

They're cool, well I have only read two pages

[BinarySunset]

I've been away for awhile, but I had to read this. And having done so, I say:

KUDOS to you!!

I enjoyed this a lot - I like the difference in locales and character motivations (e.g. Boba Fett and Mandalore rather than a Fett father and "son"; Alderaan instead of Naboo, etc.)

IMO, this was well thought out. I hope to see an Ep III based on your Ep I & II.