TITLE CARD : A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ...

A vast sea of stars serves as the main backdrop for the main title, followed by a roll up, which crawls up into infinity.

EPISODE I - THE BEGINNING

It is a time of uncertainty, a time of war. The Galactic Republic is pitched in battle with an incomprehensible enemy. Law and order stand at a breaking point. Chaos reigns.

The nefarious Federation Neimoidia, a confederacy of mercenaries, has taken advantage of the universal strife. Having invaded the peaceful world of Nabu, they seek to depose the Royal Family and replace their benevolent rule with a bloodthirsty new regime.

In a race against time the King and Queen of Nabu hope to send their children to a place of safety among their allies the Gungans, to secure the continued existence of their government along with their royal bloodline.

PAN DOWN

From a star-lit sky to the Palace of Theed, which is surrounded by well-cared-for trees and trimmed green grass. Fifteen Nabu soldiers are at the palace's front steps, firing their blasters at something before them. The soldiers are quickly cut down by return blaster fire.

A company of Neimoidian soldiers move forward, trampling the dead soldiers underfoot. Bringing a battering ram to bear, they begin to pound away at the heavy front doors.

INT. NABU - PALACE - THRONE ROOM - EVENING

The palace King and Queen tearfully bid farewell to their three children.

King Ruwee is in his mid fifties, with grey hair and blue eyes. Queen Jobal, slightly younger, has black hair with intense green eyes. The children share all the same features - dark hair with brown eyes. Sola is eighteen, Amidala is fourteen, and Oeta is five. With them are sixteen loyal bodyguards, lead by Captain Panaka.

SOLA : Mother, Father - you have to come with us. You don't have to stay here!

QUEEN JOBAL : We can't go with you.

KING RUWEE : It has to be this way. We don’t have any choice in the matter.

AMIDALA : We've all had flashes that have never come true before! Why stake so much on this one? What is any different this time?

KING RUWEE : Your mother knows.

SOLA : She knows!? How can she know?!

KING RUWEE : (annoyed) Because she knows! ...

QUEEN JOBAL : (to Ruwee) Dear, please ... (to Sola) I’m sorry, Sola. I have a feeling ... I just know this.

OETA : Why ... ?

QUEEN JOBAL : You’ll be safe with Boss Nass in Otoh Gunga. A courier has been dispatched to Coruscant with news of the invasion. You’ll be safe with the Gungans until the Senate can arrange a rescue.

SOLA : This isn’t right.

INT. NABU - PALACE - ENTRANCE HALL - EVENING

The great front doors to the palace are smashed in. A single armed guard is swiftly cut down as the Neimoidians surge into the great corridor.

INT. NABU - PALACE - THRONE ROOM - EVENING

QUEEN JOBAL : Remember that we love you, all of you. (to Panaka) Captain Panaka?

CAPT. PANAKA : Yes, Your Highness!

QUEEN JOBAL : Take them out back, quickly. Time is definitely not on our side.

CAPT. PANAKA : Yes, milady. (to the children) Come children - Princess Sola.

The bodyguards firmly grab hold of the children, dragging them away from their parents.

OETA : I love you Mom!

The bodyguards take the children to a door at the back of the throne room, and disappear through it.

KING RUWEE : (taking Jobal's hand in his) So this is it.

QUEEN RUWEE : I do love you.

The Neimoidians break into the throne room. The Royal Couple turn to face the soldiers as they approach them, weapons levelled at them.

NEIMOIDIAN SOLDIER : Your children - where are they?

QUEEN JOBAL : They're gone.

KING RUWEE : You'll never hurt them.

Before they can say another word the mercenaries open fire, quickly cutting them down.