[StarWarsIsUs]

Star Wars
Episode III: Rise of the Empire
By: Steven C. Smith (July 30th 2006)

A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main title. War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup slowly crawls into infinity.

Turmoil has gripped the galaxy, as supporters of democracy
fight tirelessly to keep the Republic in-tact. But few make progress.
A new leader has stepped up to claim himself the Emporer!
Many are stunned and amazed at the resurrection of Senator Palpatine,
who died several months before. But is this the real Palpatine or someone
more sinister?

During this time of war and grief, the galaxy has lost its main protection,
the Jedi Knights! Darth Vader has began
a hunt through the galaxy for them: many have been slaughtered already . . .

INT: SENATE ROTUNDA: DAY

Senators, each on floating scooters, float around the giant rotunda, yelling and debating with one another as to the issues at hand. It is pure chaos. One man is seen falling from his scooter to his death.

MAS AMEDDA: Order! We shall have order! This has to stop!

His words seem to have no effect on the debating politicians all around. Mas Amedda turns to a robed figure.

MAS AMEDDA: Help me, will you?

The robed figure, (a decoy Senator Palpatine) raises his hands in the air and many stop to look at him.

PALPATINE: Silence... Silence! We shall indeed have order!

His words seem to have an effect on the many senators; their arguments stop, and they turn to listen to Palpatine.

PALPATINE: I have been resurrected for a reason. This is not something we should bicker about... because it is the fate of this wonderful and precious galaxy that we should be concerned with. We must ask ourselves which option would be best for the needs of all. Democracy has served us well in the past, but it has seemed to have run its coarse. Is it not time to activate other government possibilities? Talk of an Empire has caused much controversy, as I expected.

ASK AAK: Damn right it has sparked controversy! We don't want a dictator ruling over us!

DARSANA: My planet and I are with you, Palpatine! Your resurrection from the dead happened for a reason. If you want to be our ruler, I saw go ahead!

Yelling breaks out again.

MAS AMEDDA: Palpatine is not finished speaking! (Rotunda goes silent again)

PALPATINE: I send my blessings to you, Darsana, for you have seen the light of these recent events. By divine election, by some force of nature beyond our reckoning, I have come back for another play at politics. My death, has left me scarred . . . and tired. But I assure you, my determination for resolve has never been stronger! That is why, on this very day, I proclaim to you all, that the Republic will not be destroyed --- but will transform! Into the first, galactic Empire!

Sinister music plays in the background. "Senator Palpatine" has manipulated the crowd. The senators and politicians begin to cheer for him. Out of the shadows steps an eerie figure. It is Darth Vader. He comes to stand behind "Palpatine."

VADER: You have done well, my master. To be your apprentice gives me much pride . . .

PALPATINE: As it should, Lord Vader. As it should.

INT: ALDERAANIAN CRUISER

The captain is pressing buttons on the electronic panel in front of her.

OBI-WAN: (off screen voice) Are you detecting anything? Anything at all?

CAPTAIN URATA: No, sir. There is no sign of Anakin's signature below.

EXT: SPACE: GEONOSH IS SHOWN BELOW. PAN IN ON THE CRUISER, WHICH IS FLYING CLOSER.

INT: ALDERAANIAN CRUISER

Nera is sitting next to Obi-Wan a few feet behind the Captain's chair.

NERA: This isn't good news. What do you feel in the Force, Master Jedi?

OBI-WAN: Very little. I am beginning to have doubts that Anakin is even down there anymore.

NERA: That leaves a better chance of him being alive, maybe. A better chance that he found a ship and escaped.

OBI-WAN: (looks at her) The worst case scenario is that he was captured. I do not want to believe that anymore than you do, but it is possible.

CAPTAIN: Sir, we are low of fuel.

OBI-WAN: Turn back. Head for Alderaan.

EXT: SPACE

The space cruiser turns and goes in the opposite direction. Camera PANS on the ships for a few moments.

INT: SENATOR PALPATINE'S QUARTERS: NIGHT

A room is shown that appears to be an expensive penthouse. There is a large glass-wall, looking out at Coruscant. A fire is burning in the fireplace. Sitting in a chair, with a glass of wine in his hand, is Senator Palpatine. Sitting near him is Darth Vader; his breathing can be heard along with the cackling of the fire.

VADER: Master . . . what if someone you have hired finds that you are not truly the late Senator Palpatine? There could be many assassinations made on your life if they found out you are a decoy.

SIDIUS: It matters not at this point. I am the emporer of this galaxy, now. What lays in the past is in the past. The future, Lord Vader, is ours to command and control. After we killed the real Palpatine for mimicking me as a Sith Lord, I thought it ironic that I should take his identity, also. It just takes manipulation through the Force to get those weak-minded politicians to think I was really him . . . that he was really resurrected.

EXT: ALDERAAN: NIGHT

The outside of the Senate House is shown. Many lights are on, twinkling like the stars above.

INT: SENATE HOUSE: NERA'S QUARTERS: NIGHT

Nera stands in front of a mirror, undoing her hair and organizing some of her make-up accessories. Obi-Wan sits in a chair across the room.

NERA: I'm not safe anymore, Obi-Wan. The Republic is no longer a Republic. . . it's an Empire. But I stand for democracy. Many people know that I won't back down from my beliefs.

OBI-WAN: That is admirable of you, Nera. I have much respect for you.

She puts down her comb and turns, facing him.

NERA: There is something. . . that I have been meaning to tell you. The last time I saw Anakin, when I was being kept in the underground chamber, he came to me to visit. . . and we made love. But Obi-Wan, I'm pregnant now. It's his child.

Obi-Wan seems shocked by this revelation. He stands up from the chair and walks slowely over to her.

OBI-WAN: Are you ready to become a mother, Nera?

NERA: Yes. I think I am prepared for the challenges. It's just. . . the child won't have a father, if we end up not finding Anakin.

OBI-WAN: I am not suggesting romance between both of us. . . but if Anakin doesn't turn up, a father is always needed in raising either a boy or girl. I feel obligated to take that responsibility.

NERA: You would be a father to the baby? But you are a Jedi Knight --- you have duties. . .

Obi-Wan looks away, thinking. After a moment he nods slightly.

OBI-WAN: But Anakin was also my close friend. I do have duties to fulfill. But I can be a father, too.

Nera and Obi-Wan gaze into one another's eyes.

EXT: SPACE: TATOOINE

A small space-cruiser is seen zooming toward the dry desert planet below. It is sleek and black. PAN with the cruiser for a few moments. It goes very fast, breaking the atmosphere and slowing down.

EXT: TATOOINE: DOCKING BAY 49: DAY

The cruiser comes out of the sky and expertly lands in a docking bay. Top opens up, and a Darth Vader gets out. He walks in the direction of the exit, to the streets outside.

EXT: TATOOINE: MOS ESPA: DAY

Vader winds his way through the crowds of people walking on the street. Very few people attempt to bump into him. Many glances and weird looks are sent in his direction.

INT: CANTENA: DAY

The interior of a busy cantena is shown. People and aliens of all kinds bustle about, smoking or drinking. There are shouts of anger, laughter, and surprise. Smoke fills the air and creates somewhat of a fog near the low ceiling.

Vader comes in and stops, looking around at the different beings sitting at the tables. Camera PANS in on the lightsaber clipped to his belt. Moving across the cantena, Vader comes to a large table where several people are sitting. One of them is a rugged man wearing brown robes. He is playing cards. Looking up at Vader, the man's eyes grow large from fear.

JEDI: How the hell did you ---

The red blade of Darth Vader's lightsaber comes to life before the Jedi can finish, and in a flash, the Jedi is decapitated. The people around the table scream and throw their cards down, spilling liquor everywhere.

Vader lowers his blade, when several other lightsaber ignite behind him: the cantena has three other Jedi.

They move in on Vader, who manuevers himself quite well for a man in a mechanical suit. Blades clash together and sizzle. The three Jedi work to take down Vader, but this proves to be a very hard task. One Jedi, a woman, goes for Vader's legs. Parrying the shot, Vader does a quick swipe at the woman's neck.

One down, three to go, the remaining two come at Vader from both sides. The Sith moves out of the way in time, and the two Jedi's blades accidently clash together. Vader uses this moment of surprise to make an attack at the Jedi's legs. They scream and fall down. In a few quick slashes, Vader clicks off his lightsaber and begins his walk to the cantena's exit.

(to be continued)

This post has been edited by StarWarsIsUs: 30 July 2006 - 04:07 AM

[StarWarsIsUs]

INT: SENATE HOUSE: BAIL ORGANA'S OFFICE: NIGHT

Bail Organa sits at his desk and types something into a keypad. There is a static sound, and he looks up from what he is doing. A holographic image has imerged from one of the small devices sitting on the desk. It is Ask Aak, the main senator from Malastare. The strange three-eyed alien waves to Bail.

ASK AAK: Organa. There is an important proposition I find necessary to offer to you.

BAIL: Speak, I am listening.

ASK AAK: It is known that you are gravely against the new Empire. Many are against it. . . so it is important that we stick together, if we want to keep from getting assassinated. I do not trust Palpatine. . . mainly because I believe that he did not come back from the dead, and someone is acting like him to gain political power.

BAIL: I know this. There is no doubt in my mind that it is a decoy of some sort. He will reveal himself, perhaps, in time.

ASK AAK: My proposition is that we start a movement that counteracts the dealings of the Empire. Somewhat of an alliance.

BAIL: I have been thinking along these lines, also. As a matter of fact, I have been working on my letter to Palpatine. It will announce that Alderaan, under my leadership, will take no place in the Empire and its militaries. I will be a pacifist in these times.

ASK AAK: You should be crowned a king, then. A moral leader in these dark times.

BAIL: (smiles) King? I think not. Dictatorship would arise from such a thing, and that is exactly what I am attempting to break away from. It would be hypocrisy.

ASK AAK: I have faith in you, Bail. You're the type of person that power would not corrupt. We need you and your intellect to lead this rebellion against the new Empire. I have set aside a place where like-minded politicians can meet and discuss this. How does Coruscant SubSector 4576B-12 sound to you? It would be a convenient location.

BAIL: (nods) Let's have the council meeting one week from this moment. Send an explanatory signal to all of the members.

INT: SITH LORD'S LAIR: NIGHT

A dark robed figure, the Sith Lord, sits in a large and tall chair like it was a throne. He faces a large window, his hands clasped together, as if praying. There is a sound behind him. The door has opened, and Darth Vader steps in. Sidius presses a switch on the arm of the chair and it slowely turns in Vader's direction.

SIDIUS: Yes? How many did you find?

Vader walks to Darth Sidius and kneels down. He lays five lightsabers down in front of him, nicely putting them side-by-side.

SIDIUS: Five. . . I am pleased. But I wonder why more weren't found. Are you sure you checked in all the cantenas on Mos Espa?

VADER: Yes, my master. When I walk into a place a Jedi is hiding, I can feel the light-side of the Force permeating from their beings. That is how I know who is a Jedi and who is not. I assure you, only five were in Mos Espa this night.

SIDIUS: Soon, my apprentice, you will have someone to assist you in this hunt for the Dark Side. A creature that is being reconstructed, almost as you were. But he will have more agility. . . but no Force power. He will be your underling, of sorts. Does this sound helpful? Or do you prefer to keep working alone?

VADER: (pauses) Any help my master offers, will gladly be accepted. What is this creature's name?

SIDIUS: He was a general in the Separatist armies, before he crashed his ship and almost died. General Grievous. I have trained him personally in the art of saber dueling. . . he will prove a great assistance indeed.

INT: SENATE HOUSE: GUEST ROOM: NIGHT

Obi-Wan lays in bed, sweating. Images of terrible things flash through his dreams. He is sensing things through the Force. Hearing the screams of fellow Jedi, he sees the red blade of a shadowy creature come downward. Gasping and waking up, he looks around him, realizing it was a dream. But he does feel a tremor in the Force. Something terrible is going on. . .

INT: SENATE HOUSE: PRIVATE FEASTING HALL: MORNING

Nera and Obi-Wan are sitting across from each other at a large table. Apparently, they are waiting for food to be served.

NERA: How did you sleep last night?

OBI-WAN: Not well. There is something we need to speak about, Nera. It is about something I dreamt, actually.

NERA: Dreams? You feel like they are trying to tell you something?

OBI-WAN: (nods) Jedi often have nightmares when the Force has been greatly disturbed. I felt it last night, and I feel it now. Something terrible has happened.

NERA: What is it, Obi-Wan?

OBI-WAN: Well, in the nightmare, Jedi were fighting for their lives. All of them ended up eventually getting killed though. . . the attacker was always the same person. A man dressed in a black warrior's armor of some type. . . with a crimson red lightsaber. It was disturbing to see.

NERA: That's. . . terrible! Could they be symbolic?

OBI-WAN: I doubt it. It was very strong and very clear. Nothing foggy about it. I truly believe that someone. . . or something, is hunting down Jedi. And there are few of us left as it is.

(to be continued)

[StarWarsIsUs]

EXT: ALDERAAN: NOON

Obi-Wan and Nera walk down a path in a grove of tall trees. After the camera pans on them walking for a few moments, they come to a clearing. In the clearing is the remains of Nera's house that was bombed around a month ago.

OBI-WAN: This is terrible. I'm so sorry this happened.

NERA: (shrugs and crosses her arms) Anakin and I really liked this place. And the Separatists found out it was my home. So they destroyed it. Luckily we weren't inside. But many of our possessions were.

Obi-Wan walks over to some of the busted rock and looks around. He leans down and slowely shifts through the rubble.

NERA: We already searched for things. Didn't find much of anything, actually. A few broken cups and plates.

OBI-WAN: I think I have ran across an object of some sort.

Nera walks over to him and looks down where Obi-Wan is shifting through rock and dirt. Indeed, he has found something. Obi-Wan grabs the object and lifts it up for Nera to see better. It is Anakin's lightsaber. The one he thought had been destroyed when the house was bombed.

NERA: (gasp) Anakin's lightsaber! He went to go make a new one after he thought he had lost it. . .

OBI-WAN: It appears to still be working. (turns it on and swishes it around)

There is a sound above them. A small black ship swooped over, heading in the direction of the Senate House.

OBI-WAN: Looks like someone has a visitor. Should we start heading back?

NERA: Yeah. Let's go.

Obi-Wan turns off the lightsaber and clips it beside his own on his belt. They hurry back down the path toward the S.H.

INT: SENATE HOUSE: NOON

Camera view shows only a couple of feet above the polished marble floors of the corridor-entrance to the Senate House from the docking bay outside. Black boots sound out across the corridor, and a familiar mechanical breathing can be heard. View slowely moves up Vader's body, and see that a three clone troopers are behind him, blasters in hand, ready to fire at any opposing enemy.

INT: SENATE HOUSE: FRONT ENTRANCE: NOON

Obi-Wan and Nera enter through the large archway of the back entrance. Obi-Wan leads the way, glancing around the halls as he goes. A protocal droid walks in front of them and turns.

C-3PO: Hello madam Nera. Is there any way that I may be of service?

NERA: No, thank you, droid. All is fine.

They pass the droid and continue walking.

When they turn a corner, Obi-Wan immediatly walks backward and grabs Nera's shoulder and pulls her back, to stop her from being seen by the dark figure coming down the corridor.

NERA: What are you doing?!

OBI-WAN: Ssshh! It is . . . the thing from my dream. We have to find a way out of here.

VADER: (off screen voice) I can sense your presence, Kenobi. It is time to face me. Face the darkness of your own demise.

There is clanking behind them, and they turn, gasping. In front of them is standing a tall android. . . it is General Grievous.

OBI-WAN: Nera. Go out the back exit again. Get a ship and leave. . . Hurry!

GRIEVOUS: Thought you could hide from us, did you? (unclips two lightsabers from his sides and turns them on)

OBI-WAN: My intention is not to hide. . . but to stall you. (unclips the two sabers from his belt and ignites them. It is now a fair fight)

Nera tries to run out of the back exit, but Grievous activates his other two arms, and quickly grabs Nera by the waist, holding her tightly to him.

NERA: Let go!

OBI-WAN: Your fight is not with her. It is with me only. Release her!

Grievous manuevers his lightsabers in the direction of Obi-Wan, and the Jedi is barely able to pary the expert attacks. With a few clashes of their blades, Grievous gains the upper-hand, and Obi-Wan is overwhelmed. He ducks down and skids in between Grievous' legs, standing up and blocking the archway so that the android cannot escape.

Darth Vader comes around the corner.

VADER: Shoot him!

The clone troopers fire their blasters at Obi-Wan, who blocks them and sends several rounds back, making one of the troopers fall over dead. Grievous uses this distraction to shove the Jedi out of the way and escape through the archway. Obi-Wan, without a glance to Vader, follows Grievous outside.

EXT: DOCKING BAY: NOON

Grievous jumps high into the air and lands with a large THUMP! on one of the landing pads where his small ship is. Obi-Wan does an equally powerful jump raises his sabers into the air, prepared to take off Grievous' head when he lands.

NERA: Kill him, Obi-Wan!

The android drops Nera on the ground and raises his two sabers in an 'X' to block the Jedi's attack. It works, and Obi-Wan's attack is parried. The Jedi does a back-flip and lands on his feet, immediatly attacking Grievious.

Their lightsaber blades flash like lightning and the duel grows more intense with every passing moment. Grievous swings his right saber at Obi-Wan's legs and his left one down at his head. Obi-Wan blocks them, but barely. Suddenly, the android unclips two more sabers and turns them on.

OBI-WAN: Four against two? That is not a fair duel!

GRIEVOUS: Quit your wining and let me end you once and for all. . .

The blades whizz by each others, clashing into one another. The ability of Grievous to use the sabers is great, and he begins to prove that he has more offensive skill than the Jedi. In a streak of luck, Obi-Wan manages to quickly slice off one of Grievous' arms. The Jedi ducks down quickly, barely missing the two blades that almost decapitated him. Grievous stabs at Obi-Wan's stomache. Obi-Wan moves out the way as quickly as he can, but stumbles and looses ground.

Grievous uses this moment to bring his remaining three lightsabers down on Obi-Wan. The motion is fast, but suddenly the attack his cut short midway by several blaster rounds being fired from behind. Grievous throws his head back in anger. Behind them, a few meters away, stands Bail Organa, aiming a blaster at Grievous.

BAIL: Obi-Wan! Run!

GRIEVOUS: (turns and runs toward Bail) Filthy poodoo!

OBI-WAN: No!

Bail's arms holding the blaster are sliced off. He screams with shock, as the blaster falls to the ground. In another quick attack, Grievous takes off both of Bail's legs.

Obi-Wan leaps in the air and brings both of his lightsabers down upon Grievous. Predicting the attack, however, Grievous managers to roll out of the way. When the Jedi lands, Grievous and Obi-Wan's blades lock onto one another once more, and the duel continues.

Bail, missing all four limbs, screams in agony. Nera runs over to him and begins to drag him back toward the entrance to the Senate House.

Grievous brings his blades down upon Obi-Wan continuesly. With a sizzling sound, Obi-Wan's shoulder is sliced deeply open. He only gasps and tries his hardest to concentrate on the duel. Grievous raises up his leg and kicks Obi-Wan in the chest, sending the Jedi flying backward toward the edge of the landing pad.

GRIEVOUS: 'Heard you were the best. But I will kill you like the rest!

Obi-Wan's lightsabers are knocked out of his hands and fall down to the forest below, over the edge of the landing pad. Obi-Wan clings to the edge with both hands, trying to pull himself up. Grievous walks quickly over to him and brings his foot down upon one of Obi-Wan's hands. The Jedi grimaces and the grip with his other hand fails. Now, he is only being held above the forest below by Grievous' weight upon his hand.

[StarWarsIsUs]

INT: SENATE HOUSE: NOON

Nera drags the de-limbed Bail Organa down a hallway.

BAIL: Take me to. . . the medical room.

NERA: I'm hurrying as fast as I ---

A dark figure walks in front of Nera and she looks up, gasping.

VADER: Well, well. The senator managed to survive. But not for long. (turns on his lightsaber)

NERA: No!

OBI-WAN: Lower your weapon, Sith!

The Jedi has come onto the scene, and has the lightsaber he got from Grievous' arm earlier. He turns it on and twirls it around, beconing Darth Vader to come nearer so that they can end this once and for all.

VADER: I knew we would encounter one another quite soon. I felt it in the Force that you were here. And it was one of the reasons I came. To assassinate both you and Bail.

OBI-WAN: The only one being destroyed from here on will be the Emporer's rule. No longer will he threaten democracy. And you are his key element in killing the Jedi. Therefore, unfortunatly. . . (walks toward Vader) . . . You must fall.

Vader and Obi-Wan's blades smash together with a menacing sizzling sound. Obi-Wan does turns his body quickly to gather momentum, and slices at Vader's legs. Vader blocks the attack and raises his lightsaber, bringing in toward the Jedi's neck. Obi-Wan parries the attack and kicks out at Vader, sending him back a few feet.

VADER: Let me assure you, that you will not be leaving this place alive. (slashes at the Jedi's midsection)

The duel grows heated, and the camera PANS on them as they move past rooms and corridors, heading in the direction of the main lobby. Inside of the main lobby, there is a large fountain in the middle. Around its rim are several statues of long-deceased politicians from Alderaan. A large gizer of water booms up from the fountain, spilling over the statues and back down into the drain at their feet. Vader and Obi-Wan go nearer to the fountain during the fight.

OBI-WAN: Just who are you, anyway? Where did the Emporer dig you up from?

Vader almost takes off the Jedi's arm while he was talking.

VADER: I was born a human, and was reborn as a deity. Nothing can become equal to my power. . .

Obi-Wan ducks down from one of Vader's attacks, and the red lightsaber cuts one of the statues in half. It comes tumbling down in their direction, barely missing them.

OBI-WAN: That does not even come close to answering my question. Suddenly you just appear out of nowhere a few months ago. And then most the Jedi are murdered by your saber. Who exactly --- (blocks a forceful attack) --- ARE YOU?!

Vader raises the hand he isn't using to hold his saber, and one of the statues breaks off of the fountain and comes tumbling toward Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan turns and isn't able to react in time. It smashes into his body and sends him across the lobby, hitting hard against one of the marble walls. He slides down to the ground, leaving a streak of blood on the wall where he hit his head.

VADER: My master named me Darth Vader. I am a lord of the Dark Side of the Force. But you knew me as Skywalker.

Obi-Wan, barely able to move, gasps, shaking his head. Vader slowely walks in his direction, raising his saber slowely; in a few seconds he planned to bring the saber down and end the Jedi's life.

OBI-WAN: No. I cannot believe that. I will not even. . . (his gaze narrows, and he uses a giant Force-push to send Vader flying across the lobby toward the fountain.)

Vader smashes into one of the statues and his helmet cracks. Falling down into the water below, he lets out a blood-curdling scream, as the water pours over him, and into the openings of his electrically-charged suit.

Obi-Wan gets up slowely and drops his lightsaber: the Jedi is badly injured. He makes his way over to the fountain. Electricity like lightning surrounds the fountain, frying the Sith. Vader's suit begins to melt to his body, and his screams are choked out by a gurgling sound, as he begins to accidently swallow melted hard-plastic.

INT: SENATE HOUSE: MEDICAL ROOM: NOON

Nera helps a medical droid hoist Bail Organa onto a bed.

NERA: Are there robotic arms and legs that you could create for him?

DROID: Of course. But it will be a painful process if his body does not accept the potent pain-killers that we must administer.

There is a knocking at the door. Nera turns and sees the protocal droid C3-PO.

THREEPIO: Madam, there seems to be a complication in the lobby. I was sent to warn you.

INT: SENATE HOUSE: LOBBY: NOON

Nera rushes into the lobby and covers her mouth with her hands from surprise at what she spots going on. Obi-Wan is kneeling by the fountain, a small pool of blood having been created by the head-wound. And there are large bolts of electricity leaping up into the air from the center of the ruined fountain. She hurries over to Obi-Wan and crouches down beside him.

NERA: Obi-Wan ----

OBI-WAN: It's Anakin, Nera. Darth Vader was Anakin.

NERA: What?

She stands up and leans over the side of the fountain, gasping. Vader's mask and most of his suit has melted onto his stiff form, making him look like a melted wax-sculpture. A groaning sound can be heard, and Nera knows that he is still living.

NERA: Can you speak?

VADER: N---nnn---eee---ra.

NERA: Obi-Wan, we have to help him!

EXT: SPACE

A Republic transporter flies through space at a great speed.

INT: REP. TRANSPORTER

An old man is piloting the ship. In the back, are Nera, Obi-Wan, and Vader.

Vader is on a small resting cot. They have managed to strip the melted plastic out of his face and mouth, and have inserted breathing tubes into his mouth. An obnoxious and labored breathing can be heard from Vader. His face is red, hairless, and scarred and disfigured in several places, both from when he fell through the Geonoshian atmosphere, and the recent incident.

OBI-WAN: (bandaged up) Are you sure the doctors on Coruscant can help him? He does not have much time left.

NERA: (nods) It's our only chance.

OBI-WAN: I still cannot believe that Anakin turned to the Dark Side. I felt something wrong in the Force. . . but I never suspected this. Where did I go wrong in training him?

Nera puts a hand on his shoulder.

NERA: Nothing you did caused this. Don't say that to yourself.

OBI-WAN: Do not blame yourself, either. The responsibility of his choice falls on his shoulders. I sense very little good in him, if any at all. (looks at the still form of Vader) The Anakin we knew and loved. . . is gone. He is not himself anymore. He has been made into a whole different creature.

Nera leans into Obi-Wan and buries her face into his shoulder, overcome with tears. He comforts her.

OBI-WAN: Remember my promise?

NERA: That you would help take care of the child?

OBI-WAN: Yes. I will never falter.

Suddenly, there is a BANG! and the small ship is thrown off course.

CAPTAIN: We're being attacked by. . . Holy ---

There is another BANG! and alert systems start sounding out. The ship is becoming unstable from the attacks.

Obi-Wan gets up and goes to the viewing window. Looking out, he gasps at what he sees. A very large ship of great proportion hovers over them.

CAPTAIN: Heard of those things. They're new. Think they're called Imperial Star-Destroyers.

OBI-WAN: Send a communication signal!

The Captain types a few keys into the panel in front of him and the viewing screen shows three men dressed in gray uniforms.

ADMIRAL: (smiling) It was ignorant to think that you could get away. Emporer Palpatine demands that you hand over your captive immediatly.

OBI-WAN: Captive? He's far from it. Darth Vader is injured and needs to be taken to the best medical care in the galaxy. Let us pass.

ADMIRAL: If you resist, we will take him ourselves. (motions for another officer) Power up the tractor-beam!

CAPTAIN: (to Obi-Wan) Sir, we're being pulled in!

OBI-WAN: (sighs) I have a bad feeling about this.



(continued next Tuesday)

[StarWarsIsUs]

INT: IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER: HANGAR #3

The small Republic ship is pulled into one of the hangars of the Star Destroyer. Reminiscent of the Death Star's hangar, it even has several lines of clone troopers lined up, blasters held in their hands. Several officers walk up near the ship and await for the bridge to be lowered. Six royal guards, dressed in red robes and helmets, follow the officers and line up three on either side of the path leading down from the ship.

ADMIRAL: Send an alert to the inside and tell the captain to lower the ramp.

The officer that the Admiral spoke to looks up to one of the stations, overlooking the hangar. He gives a hand gesture and the man inside nods.

INT: REP. TRANSPORTER

CAPTAIN: Should I open it up, sir?

Obi-Wan looks from Nera to Vader and sighs.

NERA: What else is there to do? Maybe negotiations could occur. . .

OBI-WAN: They do not care about our lives. They just want him back. (points at Vader) Go ahead, captain. Lower the ramps. We will see what their complete intentions are soon enough.

The ramp lowers.

Obi-Wan gets up from the seat and goes over to Vader.

OBI-WAN: I don't know if you can hear me. But I went and retrieved your lightsaber from the destruction site of Nera's home. I lost it again, when I was fighting Grievous. . . but found it again when I went to look for it. (puts the lightsaber beside Vader's hand) Hopefully, in due time, you can look at it and be reminded of what you used to stand for. Peace. Justice.

Suddenly Vader's eyes open, and he scowls at Obi-Wan.

OBI-WAN: Also. . . you should know that you have a child. Because of your choices you can't be a loving and caring father.

Vader takes his old lightsaber and hands it back weakly to Obi-Wan.

VADER: (raspy, almost inaudible voice) Give it. . . to the child. When he or she --- is old enough. (coughs) That is the most. . . that I can possibly do.

INT: IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER: HANGAR #3

Obi-Wan, Nera, and Vader (on a floating pallet) come down the ramp and stop in front of the Admiral.

ADMIRAL: Good to see that you have come to your senses!

OBI-WAN: He is still alive, but he needs immediate medical attention.

ADMIRAL: It will be administered. (motions for some of the troops to start directing the pallet to the medical quarters)

OBI-WAN: In exchange for our peaceful transactions, we would like you to let us go.

ADMIRAL: Unfortunatly, your ship does not register as part of the Empire. Which can only point to you being Separatists!

NERA: We're no such thing! Democracy is our political stand-point! The Empire is not as much in control as it would like to think.

ADMIRAL: Really? FIRE!

(to be continued tomorrow)

[StarWarsIsUs]

In a flash, Obi-Wan's lightsaber is ignited, and he deflects the blaster bolts flying in their direction. Sending many of them back, several troopers are hit, and fall over dead. The Jedi turns in the direction of Vader, who is being directed away.

OBI-WAN: The path you are going down is a path of destruction! Veer off before it is too late!

ADMIRAL: Kill them!

More blaster bolts head toward them. Obi-Wan jumps in the air and lands in the midsts of the troopers, and begins cutting them down. Several of them are chopped in half while others are decapitated. Running one through the chest, Obi-Wan moves his left hand in the direction of a group of troopers running toward him. They go flying several meteres back, smacking the wall of the hangar.

NERA: (goes behind the ship, to get away from the blaster fire) Obi-Wan! I need help!

Obi-Wan unclips an extra lightsaber and tosses it in Nera's direction. In a flash, the blue blade is ignited, and Nera runs to Obi-Wan's side to help him take down the troopers. The Admiral picks up a blaster from the ground and aims at Nera. She deflects the bolt seemingly expertly and it goes back to hit the Admiral in the chest, killing him.

OBI-WAN: (slicing through a trooper) We've got to get back to the ship, before it is too late!

NERA: Come on! (slices a trooper's hands off before he can shoot at her, and begins running back to the ship)

[StarWarsIsUs]

Boom! The ship they came in explodes. Someone with a large gun fired at the ship, and now it is a chunk of charred metal, smoke beginning to fill the area.

A trooper comes from behind and knocks Obi-Wan in the shoulder with the butt of his blaster. Obi-Wan falls down, injured, his lightsaber turned off.

Nera comes to his side, but she too is knocked with the butt of the gun. The Admiral walks up to the two of them laying on the ground and leans over.

ADMIRAL: The Emporer has been informed of these inane shenanigans.

INT: IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER: CORRIDOR

Obi-Wan and Nera are slung over the shoulder of a couple of troopers, being taken down a corridor.

NERA: My head. I think I might faint, Obi-Wan.

OBI-WAN: Stay awake, Nera. We will find a way to get out of this mess soon enough.

Walking behind them are many soldiers holding their blasters. Bringing up the rear of the convoy is the Admiral.

INT: IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER: EMPORER'S THRONE ROOM

The two captives are dropped to the floor in front of a dark platform. Sitting on the platform in a tall chair, is the Emporer. The chair slowly turns to reveal his pale, aged face. Hatred etches his features.

OBI-WAN: Your apprentice was saved by our hand. I had no choice to fight him. But when I knew he was going to die if he didn't get help soon, Nera and I tried taking him to Coruscant. Mercy would be a necessary payment for our help.

EMPORER: Help? You assisted me in no way, shape or form. (does a Force-choke on Nera. She passes out.)

The Jedi tries getting up to help her, but is kicked in the side by the Admiral. He doubles over, coughing.

OBI-WAN: Do not touch her!

EMPORER: Give me one reason ... one ... adequate reason. That I should release you alive. You caused more damage to Lord Vader, when his health was in poor enough shape. This won't go unpunished ... (gets up from his chair, walking down the steps to the front of the Jedi)

Raising his hands, the Emporer sends large amounts of Force-lightning into Obi-Wan.

EMPORER: Of all the Jedi that Vader has killed, only you have managed to do any damage to him.

Obi-Wan begins to scream and squirm on the metal floor as more lightning is sent into his body.

EMPORER: (says loudly, over Obi-Wan's protests) There will be no mercy. Especially ... not to your kind.

OBI-WAN: Stop it. Let's settle ... this ... with ... sabers.

The Emporer stops the shots of Force-lightning and begins to cackle maniacally.

EMPORER: A duel? Very well. You're in no shape for one, though. This should be quick.

A trooper hands Obi-Wan his lightsaber and helps him to his feet. Instantly the Jedi falls to the ground, out of breath, too injured to fight.

The Emporer raises his hands again to shoot lightning into Obi-Wan; before he does so, Obi-Wan suddenly turns on his lightsaber, deflecting the lightning right back toward the Emporer's face.

EMPORER: No!

Obi-Wan gets to his feet, coming forward slowly. The Emporer stumbles against the platform and falls over on his back, covering his face.

OBI-WAN: (bringing his lightsaber over his head, prepared to strike down) The end of the Sith has come.

Suddenly, a large explosion sends the entire Star Destroyer shaking.

A uniformed man runs into the throne room, pushing past the many troopers and officers crowded around.

"The ship is under attack!"

Obi-Wan, who almost lost his footing after the tremors, looks and sees that the Emporer has dissapeared from the platform.

ADMIRAL: Put up all external shields! Reroute back-up energy to weapons! (leaves the throne room, along with most the troopers)

Obi-Wan runs over and grabs Nera. He dodges past the troopers before they can react, and is soon out in the corridor.

INT: IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER: ESCAPE CAPSULE ROOM

Obi-Wan slips into a large room with escape capsules ready to go. Opening one, he climbs inside. (Much like in ANH)

EXT: SPACE

The capsule zooms away into space. There is a space-battle between several Rebel ships and the Imperial Star Destroyer.

INT: ALDERAAN: SENATE HOUSE: NIGHT

Bail Organa walks into his office. He has robotic legs now; they are covered up by his pant legs, but the mechanisms within can be heard as he makes his way over to his desk and sits down.

Obi-Wan steps in behind him, closing the door.

BAIL: They have made me a King of Alderaan. My people ... they are very loyal to me and to democracy. In many ways, I am proud.

OBI-WAN: Thank you for sending ally vessels to engage the Star Destroyer. Without the distraction, we would never have gotten out alive.

BAIL: (nods) As of earlier this evening, the Rebel Alliance was formed. Many have flocked to help. It's small now, but it will grow with time and effort. The Empire does have an adequate adversary, now. That is how it needs to be, if the true Galactic Republic is ever to return. Someday, if we are lucky, we will see things as they were.

OBI-WAN: There will have to be changes, of course. Stubborness in the senate was what made this happen. Corruption. Twisted morals.

BAIL: Is Nera alright? I heard the child was unharmed.

OBI-WAN: They are fine, actually. Pure luck that the baby didn't ... die.

BAIL: It wasn't luck. There's no such thing. It was by your hand that Nera and that the child were saved. You're one of the few Jedi left in this galaxy. What's left of them have fled to other galaxies ... or have hidden themselves permanently it seems. But you are sticking by your post.

OBI-WAN: I know of a few who have found good hiding places. My old master, for instance, Yoda. I spoke with him in a short transmition just an hour ago. He seems assured that whereabouts will go unnoticed, until the time is right to come forth once more.

This post has been edited by StarWarsIsUs: 21 August 2006 - 07:28 PM

[StarWarsIsUs]

INT: MEDICAL CENTRE

OBI-WAN: (off-screen voice) So I will go into hiding ...

Nera lays in a bed, with many droids surrounding her.

"There's a desert planet, where I am from. Tatooine. It's a dry and lonely place. But alas, it is my home."

DROID: She is carrying twins! Prepare the ---

"Will a time come that the Jedi can rise again from their sleep? From death itself?"

(Sound of babies crying. Nera holds one of them and says "Leia.")

BAIL ORGANA: (off-screen voice) The infants will need to be seperated. Nera can raise Leia.

(Nera takes the other baby. "Luke.")

OBI-WAN: (off-screen voice) There is a haven I know of. A family I owe much to. Moisture farmers ...

INT: SENATE HOUSE: BAIL ORGANA'S QUARTERS

He stands by the window. In his hand is a recorder/speaker. Turning it on, he speaks into it.

BAIL: It is with great remorse and regret, that I inform you of the tragedy that happened earlier today. On the initial take-off in an Alderaanian cruiser, politician Nera Abrika was assassinated by Imperial forces.

EXT: LANDING PAD [FLASHBACK]

(screen is black & white) A cruiser takes off. As it nears the sky, there is a rather large explosion, that lights up the sky, setting many trees below on fire. When the large flames die down, nothing is left but a dark cloud of smoke.

[END FLASHBACK]

EXT: ALDERAAN: EVENING

"She will be remembered for her bravery. Boldness. And most definitely her love for the Galactic Republic. To give into the Empire is to forget what Nera stood for. She left behind a newborn daughter, who I will now be looking after."

Hundreds of people stand around a tombstone, which is an object of rememberance. Nera was completely incinerated in the explosion, so there was no corpse.


INT: SUPER STAR DESTROYER

The Emporer stands by a large viewing portal. Many Imperial ships are assembling. Grand Moff Tarkin stands a few feet away, but steps aside when Darth Vader, in a new and improved suit comes to stand beside his master. Crossing his arms, Vader's breathing mechanism sounds out over all the many beeps and footsteps around them.

VADER: Mission accomplished, my master. The Jedi are extinct. If any survive, they pose no threat.

EMPORER: Good ... good.

Many TIE-Fighters zoom around outside of the SSD.

EMPORER: Did you activate the squadron to plant the explosive device upon Senator Nera Abrika's ship?

VADER: (long pause) Yes.

EXT: TATOOINE: EVENING: LARS MOISTURE FARM

Obi-Wan Kenobi walks to Beru, handing baby Luke over to her. He nods and turns around, heading back toward the strange beast-of-burden a few meters away.

Beru goes over to Owen, who puts his arm around her, looking back up at the twin suns of Tatooine as they set.


(END)

Star Wars
Episode III: Rise of the Empire
By: Steven C. Smith (July 30th 2006)