INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Anakin nods as he leaves the explosions in his wake.
FRIGATE CAPTAIN (O.S.)
Thanks for that. We need to take
out the shields on this destroyer
or we'll never bring her down. And
I think you're just the pilot for
it.
ANAKIN
Happy to help, ma'am.
FRIGATE CAPTAIN (O.S.)
The shield generator's located on
top of the ship, about halfway
between bow and stern. We'll send
you the targeting data now.
ANAKIN
No good, ma'am, the Lance isn't
equipped for that sort of thing,
but I'll find it, I promise.
FRIGATE CAPTAIN (O.S.)
The target's miniscule, and
practically invisible -- if you're
off by an inch...
ANAKIN
Then, it's a good thing you're
sending a Jedi.
Anakin pulls back on the stick.
ANAKIN (CONT'D)
(to himself)
You sound like an idiot.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Lance jets up and out of sight, climbing high into space,
leaving the battle far behind.
INT. REPUBLIC FRIGATE, HELM - CONTINUOUS
The captain strains to see Anakin's departing fighter.
REPUBLIC TECH OFFICER
Where's he going?
The captain just shakes her head.
EXT. ALDERAAN, BATTLE FIELD - CONTINUOUS
Canaris helps a wounded Jedi to his feet with one hand, while
deflecting laser fire with the other.
CANARIS
On your feet now. It's almost over.
The Jedi nods back with appreciation and determination. As
Canaris returns the nod, he spies, well behind the wounded
Jedi, Donzin Faal.
Faal duels another Jedi. Pulling him violently in with the
Force, Faal grabs him by the throat and raises him off his
feet. A quick snap, and Faal discards the limp body.
Canaris sneers, and begins cutting his way toward Faal. Faal
notices Canaris just as the Jedi is encircled by a unit of
clones.
Canaris returns the stare and clears away the pack of
surrounding clones with a violent blast of Force energy.
CANARIS (CONT'D)
Donzin Faal!
FAAL
Jardin Canaris, my old comrade.
CANARIS
I call you to account!
FAAL
I do not recognize your authority.
CANARIS
You will submit or you will die.
The murder of our master will not
go unpunished.
FAAL
We shall see.
Faal grips his lighstaber in both hands and runs at Canaris.
Canaris runs toward Faal, and then their lightsabers meet in
a flash of light.
Canaris and Faal trade blows, the rapidity of their strikes
gradually increasing beyond human capabilities. A massive
swing from Faal drives Canaris to his knees and sends him
sliding back a dozen feet, until he comes to a stop against a
small mound of upturned earth.
Faal roars, and Canaris shakes it off.
CANARIS
Why did you do it, Donzin? He took
you in. Sheltered you, trained you,
trusted you. I trusted you.
FAAL
Had he not, I may never have been
able to destroy him.
CANARIS
But why? To what end?
FAAL
The Dark Side called, and I obeyed.
CANARIS
Can evil be so simple?
FAAL
So very simple. And so very
powerful.
CANARIS
I'll kill you!
Canaris leaps into the air, closing the entire distance
between them, and brings his lightsaber down heavily.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Infinity Lance climbs high into the stars, leaving the
battle and Rohn's ship far below.
INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Anakin takes a breath.
ANAKIN
Okay. Here we go.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Lance stalls, rolls, and dives straight down.
INT. ROHN'S SHIP, HOLO-COMMUNICATION DECK - CONTINUOUS
Rohn kneels before the giant display of the High Suzerain's
bust, still framed as to obscure our view.
ROHN
We are defeated, High Suzerain. My
failure is total.
HIGH SUZERAIN PRIME
Your failures are mine, brother.
ROHN
The Jedi, they...
HIGH SUZERAIN PRIME
I understand.
ROHN
Was this not foreseen?
HIGH SUZERAIN PRIME
No. Yes. I do not know. Perhaps I
have failed to divine the greater
design of the Dark Side.
ROHN
I have instructed my forces to
fight to the death. What are your
instructions for me?
HIGH SUZERAIN PRIME
The very same. Make your way to the
castle. Kill the king and queen of
Alderaan. This first blow may yet
sting. I pity you that you shall
not see what will follow.
ROHN
As you command. It is enough that
you will see it. My eyes are yours,
my lord, my brother, my... father.
With that, we finally see the face of the High Suzerain. It
is Rohn's.
HIGH SUZERAIN PRIME
Die well, my son.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Falling Star speeds toward the formation of frigates and
Rohn's destroyer.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
The view from the cockpit clearly illustrates the Republic's
firepower deficit. The frigates can only manage superficial
damage.
Another frigate goes down.
KITCH
Blast it, she's tough.
MANX
And no way we're boarding her in
the middle of this mess.
KITCH
That sounds like a dare to m--
MANX
Wait, what's that?
A faint red beam has appeared atop the destroyer shooting
straight up into space. It begins to increase in brightness
and concentration.
KITCH
Skywalker.
INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Behind Anakin's closed lids, his eyes roll side to side.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Lance dives, dives, dives, executing a slow, graceful
pirouette -- the particle beam unerring. Rohn's ship is just
a speck below, but growing larger.
INT. REPUBLIC FRIGATE, HELM - CONTINUOUS
The tech officer can't believe what he's seeing.
REPUBLIC TECH OFFICER
He's right on it, ma'am. Twenty
kilometers out and right on it.
REPUBLIC FRIGATE CAPTAIN
(under her breath)
Come on, kid.
INT. ROHN'S SHIP, PASSAGEWAY - CONTINUOUS
Rohn thunders down a corridor, a unit of elite clones falling
in behind him from an adjoining passageway. A hatch hisses
open in front of him, revealing a massive hangar bay.
INT. ROHN'S SHIP, HANGAR BAY - CONTINUOUS
Ships launch, soldiers and crew scurry to and fro, but all
who find themselves in Rohn's path clear the way and stand at
attention. The line of clones on either side of Rohn and his
personal guard frame his destination -- a jet-black cruiser.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Lance continues its dive. Far below, the beam terminates
mere inches above the exterior of Rohn's ship. The otherwise
invisible shield begins to glow at the point of impact.
As the Lance draws closer, some wreckage obstructs its
vector. It maneuvers easily around the debris.
INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - COCKPIT
Anakin's eyes are still closed and his face serene, even as
he dodges debris.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The particle beams sways off target ever so slightly, this
way and that, as the Lance avoids wreckage. As it does, the
termination point of the beam jumps significantly farther
from hull of the ship, demarcating for us the shape of the
shield and highlighting the tininess of the target.
Above, the Lance passes through the debris field.
INT. REPUBLIC FRIGATE, HELM - CONTINUOUS
The tech officer's eyes are glued to the holographics.
REPUBLIC TECH OFFICER
Enemy shields failing, ma'am. He's
punching through.
FRIGATE CAPTAIN
All frigates, discontinue cannonade
and ready for a salvo.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The shields of Rohn's destroyer glow red hot at the point of
impact and then flash a brilliant white.
INT. ROHN'S SHIP, PASSAGEWAY - CONTINUOUS
Clones scatter as the particle beam drills a whole in the
ceiling and tears through the floor.
INT. ROHN'S SHIP, HANGAR BAY - CONTINUOUS
Rohn's cruiser and a small fighter escort take off as the
Lance's particle beam shoots through the cavernous hangar
like a thin red column, destroying an outbound fighter craft.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Lance is almost on top of Rohn's ship now, the beam
cutting straight through the behemoth.
INT. REPUBLIC FRIGATE, HELM - CONTINUOUS
The tech officer turns to face the captain.
REPUBLIC TECH OFFICER
Shields down!
REPUBLIC FRIGATE CAPTAIN
Fire!
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Falling Star flies over the formation of frigates as they
unleash a simultaneous barrage of artillery. Explosions tear
at the structure of the dark destroyer.
The Star too fires a broadside, generating the largest
explosion yet and breaking the destroyer's back.
INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Anakin's eyes snap open and he releases the trigger. Rohn's
ship rushes toward him, explosions rocking its starboard
side. Anakin jerks the controls hard.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Infinity Lance buzzes the port side of Rohn's ship as
fire bursts through the hull from the interior.
INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Anakin looks over his shoulder as he continues his dive,
Rohn's ship disintegrating behind him.
ANAKIN
Wooohoooohoo!
Facing front again, Anakin sees Rohn's cruiser. His face
falls. He senses something dark, disturbing. His fear and
revulsion turn to determination.
INT. ALDERAAN CASTLE, COMMAND CENTER - CONTINUOUS
More celebration, but Obi Wan has his back to the crowd and
his hand to his temple. Anakin's voice can be heard, faint
and echoey.
ANAKIN (V.O.)
Master Kenobi... the enemy
commander... in my sights. It's
him... know it.
KENOBI (V.O.)
Anakin, do not engage. He's too
powerful.
ANAKIN (V.O.)
Heading for the surface. I can take
him.
KENOBI (V.O.)
Anakin, listen to me. He's a master
of the Dark Side. You're no match
for him. Anakin.
(aloud)
Anakin!
INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Anakin shakes his head. He looks grim, angry.
ANAKIN
You said it yourself, when I'm
inside this ship, I have no match.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Lance comes up on Rohn's tail. The particle beam makes
contact with Rohn's cruiser, but it glances off as the ship
takes quick evasive action.
As Anakin course-corrects, the beam sweeps through and
destroys one of Rohn's escorts.
INT. ROHN'S CRUISER, HELM - CONTINUOUS
Rohn pilots the ship himself.
ROHN
Strong with the Force, this one,
but a mere babe.
Rohn puts a single finger between his eyes, shuts them,
clenches his jaw.
INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Anakin's eyes roll back, and then he screams and grabs his
head. Wracked with pain, he passes out, his head slumping
against the glass of the cockpit.
INT. ROHN'S CRUISER, HELM - CONTINUOUS
Rohn opens his eyes and returns his hands to the controls.
ROHN
A lullaby for you.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
Rohn's cruiser speeds toward Alderaan throwing off sparks
where Anakin hit it.
The Lance plummets behind it, off-kilter, unmanned, but also
heading for the planet's surface.
EXT. ALDERAAN, BATTLE FIELD - CONTINUOUS
The clone ranks have thinned considerably -- the Jedi are
mopping up now.
In the tall, blue grass, Faal and Canaris strike at each
other wearily. A blow from Canaris sends Faal reeling. As he
steadies himself, Faal makes a gripping gesture and Canaris
begins to choke, his eyes wide with panic.
As Canaris watches Faal laugh, something shifts in him, his
eyes narrowing into slits. No longer straining for air, he
relaxes into Faal's grip and begins to take slow, deep
breaths, even as Faal struggles to maintain his hold.
CANARIS
Is that all the Dark Side has to
offer?
FAAL
Think Canaris, was I ever a match
for you before? You, the perfect
student. And yet today, you doubt
whether you'll survive. You're
right to doubt it. Your anger
weakens you, but it makes me
strong.
CANARIS
Funny, I don't feel weak.
The duel resumes.
Above them, Rohn's cruiser descends toward the castle.
Seconds behind, and falling much more rapidly, the Infinity
Lance's trajectory suggests a crash in the middle of the
city.
EXT. ALDERAAN, CAPITAL CITY - CONTINUOUS
The fighting is hot and heavy here.
Odo Luff uses the Force to topple a crumbling bit of statuary
atop a small unit of clones. Looking up, he sees the Lance
barreling down.
ODO
Anakin.
Luff drops to one knee and extends both arms out in front of
him in a pushing gesture -- slowing the Lance's descent,
righting its orientation.
The ship hits the ground hard but doesn't break apart. The
Lance loses a bit of wing as it skids to a stop in the middle
of a tiled square, a few hundred feet from Luff's position.
Luff takes off at run, but is knocked to the ground by an
exploding facade -- a university building perhaps. Shaking it
off, Luff sees that the source of the blast is a large
armored vehicle, like a tank atop six spherical wheels.
Luff looks at the tank, looks toward Anakin's position, back
at the tank. In the distance, he spies the Sensei -- occupied
by some clones, but relatively unencumbered.
Dodging another blast from the tank -- this one aimed at him
- Luff closes his eyes for just a moment.
The Sensei, fighting alongside a few of her pupils,
dispatches the last of the clones in her immediate vicinity,
then pauses as she hears Luff's projected thoughts.
ODO (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The fighter that went down... It's
Kenobi's apprentice.
The Sensei nods and makes for the Lance, its location easily
marked by a column of smoke. Approaching the wreckage, she
flings the canopy off with the Force, and reaches into the
cockpit to pull out an unconscious Anakin.
She pulls off his helmet and places her hand on his forehead.
Anakin's eyes flutter open. She smiles at him, and he back at
her -- but then he sees something behind her.
ANAKIN
Look out!
The Sensei shields Anakin with her body, and then there is a
blinding flash of light and a cloud of thick smoke.
As the smoke begins to clear Anakin sits up, rolls the Sensei
off of him.
He shakes her, and keeps shaking, desperately, but she does
not rouse.
ANAKIN (CONT'D)
On no. No, no.
And then, the cloud of smoke dispels completely, and Anakin
is kneeling on the ground next to the wreck of his ship and
the corpse of a brave Jedi -- the massive barrel of a tank's
main gun pointed straight at him.
He braces for the worst, but suddenly, the tank is completely
upended, rolling over onto its roof and sliding into the side
of a building which collapses on top of it.
Odo comes running around the corner.
ODO
Anakin, are you alright?
ANAKIN
She's dead.
ODO
Bastards.
ANAKIN
It's my fault.
ODO
Stop it, boy.
ANAKIN
(blubbering)
I didn't listen to him. I should
have listened, and I got her
killed.
Odo nods as if he somehow understands the whole story, and
maybe he does.
ODO
Then you get up, and you make sure
she didn't die for nothing. With me
now.
Odo helps Anakin to his feet, then turns his back and runs
off into the fray. Anakin wipes tears and snot from his
bruised and bloodied face.
Something catches his eye -- a flash of yellow. Turning to
look, he sees the handmaiden running for cover, a group of
four clones in pursuit.
He looks down at the dead Jedi at his feet, sees her
lightsaber on the ground. For those of us in the know, we
recognize it as Luke's father's lightsaber.
Odo turns to say something to Anakin, and discovers he's not
there.
EXT. ALDERAAN CASTLE - CONTINUOUS
Rohn leads his elite troopers along the battlements, his
cruiser and a litter of corpses behind him on a landing pad.
He easily dispatches a few royal guardsman in his path.
INT. ALDERAAN CASTLE, COMMAND CENTER - CONTINUOUS
Organa watches the battle in the city anxiously.
ORGANA
Damn it, Leore, your men are
useless.
LEORE
How dare you? My soldiers are dying
out there for your pack of artists
and philosophers.
ELSPET
Watch your tone, General, you
address a king!
Kenobi stands with his back to the altercation, still, eyes
closed, searching. His eyes suddenly snap open.
KENOBI
Quiet, all of you, and arm
yourselves.
LEORE
Are you joking? You mean for us to
lead a sortie?
KENOBI
The enemy commander is here, and he
is a master of the Dark Side.
ORGANA
But, the palace is too well
guarded.
KENOBI
Not well enough.
Kenobi makes for the exit.
MOTHMA
Where are you going, Obi Wan?
KENOBI
To meet him.