Erikstormtrooper said:Synopsis - 1st HALF:
The story starts as a spice freighter (spice is a substance of questionable legality) exits hyperspace over a random planet, only to drop right into the thick of a battle. The ship is suddenly struck by random blaster fire, the captain killed, and the navicomputer damaged. But the navigator Anakin skywalker - with the help of the ship's astromech R2-D2 - begins repairs. While the battle rages, Anakin restores main engines and begins a slow getaway, when he receives a distress call from another nearby ship. He weighs whether he should get involved, risking being caught for his spice smuggling. After a moment, he decides to go back for the rescue.When Anakin doesn't immediately say no, Owen balks. He asks how Anakin could even consider this after all that's happened, how he could willingly put himself in harm's way. Anakin looks at his father's helmet on the wall, then grabs it and says "let's go". After Anakin leaves with the others, Owen says "I have a bad feeling about this". Beru replies that Anakin must follow his heart.
(Sorry to keep posting like mad, but I've read this thread front to back four times now!)
I really dig on this plot structure for your Episode I. A great way to introduce Anakin, Alderaan, the Skywalker fam, Tatoinne and Obi. It's exciting, wastes no time, and gives us an unexpected interesting character in Bail Organa. With Beru beleiving in Anakin and Owen being kind of aggressive to Obi, it perfectly sets up their characters in "Star Wars."
I'm a little iffy on the Civil War aspects of the Second Clone War. Anyone opposed to clone rights would just seem to evil, but I don't have an alternative idea.
I'm also not too hot on the Sith Pirates, and the Darth Vader/Dread Pirate Roberts angle. It's original, but a tad confusing.
Here's a doodle I Photoshopped. Young Sebastian Shaw's head with stormtrooper armor and cape. Perhaps what Anakin might look like if he leads the Storm Troopers?