EXT. GEONOSIS – CONDAWNI CAMP – EVENING
With the coming of night, the already cold desert has grown colder. Growing sluggish in the intensified chill, everyone feels like doing nothing more than curling up close together and falling asleep.
CUT TO
Chlorian, Darth, and Mitra.
In the wake of her parents’ death, Chlorian has taken it upon himself to be the child’s new guardian. Curled up asleep on the ground, Darth and Mitra sit behind him, leaning against his back for support. Mitra hangs close onto Darth for warmth.
MITRA: (shivering) So cold … so cold ….
DARTH: You want me to read you some more of The Maverick Moon?
MITRA: Yeah.
Reaching into a pocket on the oversized adult’s jacket he’s wearing, Darth finds and pulls out his datapad. Activating it, he begins to read more of the story.
DARTH: Deak and Zara raced to the office of Gen. Oleson, Deak’s favourite instructor. “What’s wrong?” asked Luke. The general quickly explained the emergency. A small moon from a nearby system had been blasted out of its orbit. No one knew how or why. The moon was surrounded by a powerful magnetic field. None of the Academy’s sensors could pierce it. Now the maverick moon was on a collision course – travelling at well beyond the speed of light – and it was headed their way! “We’ll be meeting in the conference room in five minutes,” said Gen. Oleson. “I’d like you to be there, Deak.” Deak and Zara hurried to the conference room. (beat) An enormous monitor in the conference room was tracking the course of the maverick moon. It’s path was obvious to everyone. In just a few hours, the maverick moon would collide with them, blowing the Academy – and indeed the whole planet – to smithereens! (beat) “We don’t have time to evacuate the planet,” said Gen. Oleson. “Besides, we don’t have enough spaceships to take everyone to safety.” “We still have our old fighter planes!” said Deak. “And we can use the power we’ve developed with our zukonium rays to blow that maverick moon right off the star map!” Gen. Oleson looked thoughtful. “Even if those old ships will still fly, you couldn’t get close enough to blast that moon. The magnetic field is impossible to penetrate.” “I’d like to try it,” said Deak. “It’s our only hope,” said Zara. “Go ahead and try it, Deak,” said Gen. Oleson.
Taking his eyes of the datapad screen, Darth looks down on Mitra. The girl’s shivering has subsided and her eyelids have grown heavy.
DARTH: (deactivates the datapad) I think that’s enough for tonight. Gotta conserve the batteries, anyway.
MITRA: (drowsy) Darth ….
DARTH: Yeah?
MITRA: Does your mommy read you this story?
DARTH: She did when I was your age.
MITRA: Where is your mommy and daddy?
DARTH: I don’t know, Mitra. I really don’t.
MITRA: Do you think they’re with my mommy and daddy?
DARTH: I hope so.
Mitra closes her eyes and falls asleep. Hugging Mitra close to him, Darth follows suit.
INT. CORUSCANT – 662 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX/OBI-WAN & SIRI’S APARTMENT/ENTRANCE HALL – DAY
Obi-Wan enters the dark apartment.
OBI-WAN: Siri?
Receiving no answer, Obi-Wan begins looking for his wife.
INT. 662 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX/OBI-WAN & SIRI’S APARTMENT/LIVING AREA – DAY
Entering the living area, Obi finds a message disc waiting for him on the glass coffee table. Activating it, he gets a recording from Siri; she gives him a brief message about having moved back to the Jedi Temple and leaves him a number he can reach her at.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE/SIRI’S APARTMENT/MEDITATION ROOM – DAY
Siri is seated upon a mat on the floor, legs crossed and eyes closed in deep meditation, when she hears a RING at the door.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE/SIRI’S APARTMENT/ENTRANCE HALL – DAY
Coming to the front door, she answers it. Obi-Wan is waiting on the other side. Exchanging kisses, she invites him inside.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE/SIRI’S APARTMENT/LIVING AREA – DAY
Husband and wife sit down together on a sofa. Siri tells Obi-Wan everything about how Llomon & Mahttoh attacked her at their apartment, how they were looking for him, and about how the Trandoshan is still at large.
OBI-WAN: (concerned) You weren’t harmed?
SIRI: (half-smiles) Received a few scratches.
Obi-Wan then tells Siri everything about what happened to him and Anakin, about the sabotaged mission to Bajilon Prime, about what happened to Anakin on Xuthltan, and about his leaving Anakin to the doctors on Delantine.
OBI-WAN: (morose; cont’d) Did I do the right thing, Siri? Was I right in leaving him?
Siri doesn’t have an answer for him. Taking him in her arms, she hugs him close, offering her comfort in silence.
INT. DELANTINE – WIND VALLEY STOP – EVENING
Anakin enters the Wind Valley Stop, a cantina located close to the nearby spaceport. Not the swankiest of outfits, it’s no dive either. What sets this cantina apart from so many others is the abundance of blacklight fixtures.
Turning up the collar of his stolen trench coat, Anakin walks up to the bar and takes a stool. The bartender – an Umbaran – turns to him.
UMBARAN BARTENDER: What’ll you be having?
ANAKIN: Glass of bantha milk.
Taking a tall glass, the bartender takes it over to a stainless steel dispenser and fills it to the brim with blue bantha milk. Carrying the glass to the counter, he sets it down before Anakin.
UMBARAN BARTENDER: Seven credits.
ANAKIN: (takes out credit chip) You take card?
Reaching under the counter, the bartender brings up a chip reader. Taking the reader, Anakin slips the card into it and the transaction goes through. Returning the credit chip to his coat pocket, Anakin takes a sip of his drink.
The bartender then turns his attention over to the woman seated beside Anakin, DAHLIA KARIN. Dahlia is a young Pantoran woman, slender, with wavy black hair, blue skin, and yellow eyes. Judging by the violet jumpsuit she wears and the hydrospanner held in a sheath strapped to her thigh, she’s a mechanic of some sort; a mechanic, or just a spacer who likes to carry a hydrospanner around on her in case of emergency.
UMBARAN BARTENDER: Heading out soon, Karin?
DAHLIA: Yeah. Have a cargo of mock Caamasi furs to deliver to Thule.
UMBARAN BARTENDER: Thule? That ranat’s nest?
DAHLIA: That ranat’s nest.
UMBARAN: (shakes head) Whatever pays the tuition.
DAHLIA: Exactly.
That very moment, a Devaronian enters the establishment. Clad head-to-toe in studded black leather, he swaggers over to the bar. Plopping down on the stool to the right of Dahlia, he tosses some loose credits onto the countertop.
LEATHER-CLAD DEVARONIAN: Gimme a shot of bloodsour.
The bartender delivers the Devaronian his drink.
LEATHER-CLAD DEVARONIAN: (turns to Dahlia; cont’d) And give her another of whatever she’s having. (grins) On me.
DAHLIA: Thanks, but I was leaving.
LEATHER-CLAD DEVARONIAN: (lays hand over hers) C’mon. Just one more for the road.
DAHLIA: I need to stay sober for the road. (pulls her hand out from under his) Now if you’ll excuse me –
Losing his good humour, the Devaronian grabs her hand and holds it down on the countertop.
LEATHER-CLAD DEVARONIAN: Listen, bitch, I’m not asking – I’m telling you; let’s have a drink together.
ANAKIN: She said she’s not interested.
Hearing Anakin speak, the Devaronian stands up.
LEATHER-CLAD DEVARONIAN: I hear you squeak something, puke?
ANAKIN: She’s not interested in your come-ons. Why don’t you show the woman some respect and leave her alone?
Crossing over to the other side, the Devaronian looms over Anakin.
LEATHER-CLAD DEVARONIAN: I didn’t quite hear that last squeak, puke. Come again?
Understanding where this discussion is headed, Anakin rises from his stool.
ANAKIN: We’re going to have to throw-down, aren’t we?
LEATHER-CLAD DEVARONIAN: The wax must’a just cleared from my ears.
ANAKIN: Allow me to finish my drink ….
Picking up his glass of bantha milk, Anakin drinks it all down.
ANAKIN: (sighs)
Empty glass in hand, Anakin thrusts it into the Devaronian’s face, shattering it. Shards of broken glass cutting into his face, the large Devaronian staggers back.
LEATHER-CLAD DEVARONIAN: (enraged) Mother–!
Pulling out a slim vibroblade, the Devaronian takes a jab at Anakin. Easily sidestepping the clumsy assault, the ex-Jedi takes hold of the larger male’s wrist; wresting the vibroblade from the Devaronian’s grasp, Anakin then stabs the Devaronian through that same hand, pinning him to the bar countertop.
LEATHER-CLAD DEVARONIAN: ARGH!
The ex-Jedi delivers a hard kick to the Devaronian’s jaw, knocking him out cold.
ANAKIN: (to the bartender) Sorry for the glass. How much do you want for it?
DAHLIA: Let me. (pays the bartender; to Anakin) Thanks.
Anakin accepts her gratitude with a nod.
EXT. DELANTINE MAIN SPACEPORT – DOCKING BAY 12 – EVENING
Having left the Wind Valley Stop, Dahlia Karin has returned to her ship. The Slipstream is a CR60 Corvette, the latest Corvette model manufactured by Corellian Engineering Corporation, only a few years old and in excellent condition.
Lurking in the shadows, taking great care not to be seen by Dahlia, is a MASCULINE FIGURE.
INT. SLIPSTREAM/COCKPIT – EVENING
Settling down in the pilot’s chair, Dahlia begins powering up the Slipstream’s systems. Lights come on and the engines begin to warm up.
As she looks over her readouts, she suddenly frowns.
INT. SLIPSTREAM/CARGO HOLD – EVENING
Dahlia enters the cargo hold. Peering at the crates taking up space within the hold, she brings out a blaster.
DAHLIA: You may as well come out. I know you’re hiding in here.
Seconds pass, then the person who was tailing her steps out from behind a stack of crates. It’s Anakin.
DAHLIA: Let me guess. You figured since you fought that lug off for me, you were entitled to some quick and easy Pantoran poon. You figured wrong.
ANAKIN: That’s not it at all.
DAHLIA: Then explain. I’m all ears.
ANAKIN: I overheard you talking to the bartender about delivering a shipment of furs to Thule. I need a ride out there.
DAHLIA: No money to pay your way, eh?
Anakin’s silence speaks volumes.
DAHLIA: What do you want to go to Thule for, anyway? The place would have to become a worthless cesspool to improve any.
ANAKIN: It’s not my destination. I’m heading for Korriban.
DAHLIA: (cocks an eyebrow) Korriban? Never heard of Korriban. Where’s that?
ANAKIN: The Sith Worlds.
DAHLIA: (nonplussed) The Sith Worlds!? That region’s a haven for pirates! You’re insane if you think I’m taking you out there!
ANAKIN: Just take me to Thule. I’ll find another means to travel the rest of the way.
Dahlia takes a moment to think things over.
DAHLIA: Okay, I’ll take you to Thule. Consider it a favour for what you did for me back at the Stop.
ANAKIN: Thank you.
Putting her blaster away, Dahlia steps up to Anakin.
DAHLIA: (holds her open hand out to Anakin) By the way, name’s Dahlia. Dahlia Karin.
ANAKIN: (shakes Dahlia’s hand) Akira. Akira Valor.
DAHLIA: Welcome aboard the Slipstream, Akira.
INT. BATTLEMOON/OVERBRIDGE
The beige-uniformed officers of the Overbridge crew man their stations and perform their duties as SGW oversees them from the command platform above.
EXT. SPACE
A TIE shuttle leaves the battlemoon and sets off for Townowi.
INT. BATTLEMOON/OVERBRIDGE
CLONE SENSOR OFFICER: Admiral.
SGW-0027: Yes?
CLONE SENSOR OFFICER: TIE shuttle LN 21 has left Docking Bay 15. It is on an approach vector for Townowi.
SGW-0027: Open communications with the shuttle. I want to know who’s on board and what it is they’re up to.
Before the communications officer can go through with the order, a communication from the other end comes through.
CLONE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Admiral, LN 21 is hailing us. Audio and visual.
SGW-0027: On-screen.
A second passes. Uwe’s olive-green face then appears on all the screens. The unnatural calm natural to his features is gone; in its place now rests a crazed exuberance.
UIY-2249: This is Officer UIY-2249! Salutations to all!
SGW-0027: (stern) Commander, I don’t know what it is you are trying to get away with here, but I order you to –
UIY-2249: (angry) No! No more orders! Orders are a thing of the past! I have shed myself of that past. Have you? (giggles)
SGW-0027: Commander, you have not been cleared to pass through the blockade. Now I am giving you a choice; veer off and return to this station or I will bring you in.
UIY-2249: Go right on ahead, Admiral. Shine your little light my way. I promise not to make myself too hard to get.
SGW-0027: Engage tractor beam and bring the LN 21 in.
CLONE SENSOR OFFICER: Admiral, the tractor beam has been disabled.
SGW-0027: What!?
UIY-2249: (grins) Just a little parting gift, my dear, from me to you.
SGW-0027: Then I’ll shoot you down instead, Commander.
UIY-2249: You’ve promised many promises before, Admiral; at least two thirds of them have been broken or gone unfulfilled. Please don’t make any more; my poor heart couldn’t handle further disappointment.
SGW-002Y: Commander –
UIY-2249: My apologies, Admiral, but I begin to tire of you. Let’s bring our banter to a close here, shall we, while terms between us are still good? (kisses the screen) Farewell.
EXT. SPACE
The LN 21 closes in on the ships blockading the planet.
INT. BATTLEMOON/OVERBRIDGE
SGW-0027: Target UIY-2249 and open fire.
CLONE WEAPONS OFFICER: He is too close to the other ships, Admiral. If we open fire, the possibility of hitting them is high.
Uwe’s face, still on-screen, begins to gleam with the sweat of fierce determination.
UIY-2249: (eyes bulging) I am become Death, destroyer of worlds! Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!
CLONE SENSOR OFFICER: Captain, the hyperdrive aboard the LN 21 is coming on-line.
SGW-0027: No!
EXT. SPACE
Jumping forward into hyperspace mere metres behind the blockade, the LN 21 plows straight through it. Reducing a Victor-class Star Destroyer to a flaming wreck in mere seconds, what’s left of the TIE shuttle is then dispersed through Townowi’s atmosphere.
INT. BATTLEMOON/OVERBRIDGE
SGW-0027: (clenches fists) Dammit! No!
INT. BATTLEMOON/SGW-0027’S CABIN
Some time later, Sigeu enters her dim cabin. Closing the door behind her, she reaches up and removes her niqab. Crossing over to her computer terminal, she sits down behind it, activates it and opens a program, pulling up the file on UIY-2249. There, displayed in living colour beside his personal information, is the Mirialan clone’s profile photo.
She LAUGHS maniacally.