EXT. AGRARIAN COLONY WORLD -- FARMING COMMUNITY -- EVENING (FLASHBACK)
Four years have passed since we last visited this quaint world. Things have changed much since then, and all for the worst. Space-borne debris has rained down upon the farming community, starting an uncontrollable blaze which is consuming the buildings and fields. The town elders, fighting to keep the chaos to a minimum, attempt to direct the townspeople from atop riding beasts to the sheltering caves in the hills outside the community with varying degrees of success.
The young blonde girl, now a budding young woman of fourteen, is following the main body of the crowd when she sees a pair of damaged starfighters -- a Z-95 Headhunter and an I-7 Howlrunner -- come streaking from the sky on a downward course for the plains lying perpendicular to the cave hills. As she watches the two ships disappear at the horizon, she stops dead in her tracks.
BLONDE GIRL: (turns to one of the mounted town elders, pointing toward the plains) Two ships crashed over there!
TOWN ELDER: It's none of our concern.
BLONDE GIRL: They could still be alive! We have to help!
TOWN ELDER: We have our own to take of.
BLONDE GIRL: (grabs the elder's reins) If you won't do anything for them, I will. Give me your mount.
TOWN ELDER: Begone with you, girl!
Kicking out with his leg, he dislodges the girl, knocking her to the ground. She quickly springs back up, leaping atop the hindquarters of the elder's beast. Pushing him off the beast, she scoots forward onto the saddle then takes off in a long gallop for the awaiting starfighters.
EXT. PLAINS -- EVENING (FLASHBACK)
Riding atop her stolen beast, the girl soon comes across the first of the two ships: the Howlrunner. Bringing the animal to a halt, she climbs off and runs toward the downed craft. As she comes to it, she finds the right stabilizer fin completely crushed and the canopy ruptured. Moving up close to the canopy, she peers inside. A custom-built, non-standard variant, this Howlrunner carried two passengers. In the back seat, sprawled forward and bloody, is the still form of an Aleena. The front seat, however, is conspicuously empty.
Poking her head inside, the girl looks the Aleena over to make sure if it is alive or dead. When the Aleena refuses to blink its fixed-open eyes, when it refuses to breathe, she realizes it is too late for the short creature. Reaching inside, she closes the eyes of the non-Human creature. That is when she sees the lightsaber attached to its belt.
Perplexed, she takes hold of the cylinder and removes it from the dead Jedi's person. Bringing it up to her eyes, she looks it over, trying to make out its function. Deciding to continue on her way, she slides the saber into one of the front pockets on her vest and climbs back onto the riding beast, nudging it in the sides with her boots to make it resume its stride. In moments she comes upon the crashed Headhunter. It, too, is empty of passengers.
BLONDE GIRL: They've got to be around here.
Kicking the beast into action, she scouts forward a ways, looking out for the survivors. She soon comes upon them both. Standing there out in the open, crossing blades, is the tall Anx Jedi CSAN THAN and the Bpfasshi Dark Jedi SJOERD ETHAN. While both suffered injuries in the crash, Ethan's are largely superficial; Than's, on the other hand, are severe, heavily impairing his ability to fight.
Making a large sweep with his aureolin blade, Than tries to bisect the Dark Jedi. The Bpfasshi easily parries the blow with his blue-violet blade, though, knocking his opponent off-kilter. Grinning, Ethan makes his first debilitating strike, hacking the Anx's right leg off at the knee. As Than collapses, Ethan then slices the Jedi's left arm off just below the elbow, disarming him of his lightsaber.
SJOERD ETHAN: Have you any gods, Jedi?
CSAN THAN: What concern is that of yours?
SJOERD THAN: Pray to them, make peace with them now, for you're going to be in their presence very soon.
Kicking the dismembered hand, Ethan sends Than's lightsaber flying into the deep grass, far out of the Jedi's reach. Grinning, the Dark Jedi positions his blade directly over Than's throat in preparation for a beheading.
Jumping off her beast, the girl races toward the two combatants.
BLONDE GIRL: Stop it!
Both noticing her for the first time, the Jedi and Dark Jedi turn to regard her.
CSAN THAN: This isn't your fight! Go!
BLONDE GIRL: No!
Reaching for the lightsaber tucked away inside her vest, she pulls it out. Finding the stud set just above the pommel, she activates the aureolin blade with a sharp SNAP-HISS.
SJOERD ETHAN: (scoffs) Please. Turn that lightsaber off and go home, child, before I wrench it from your hands and sodomize you with it.
The girl stands her ground, refusing to capitulate to the Dark Jedi or show her fear.
BLONDE GIRL: No. You're going to turn your lightsaber off and leave or I'll eviscerate you.
Amused by her candor, the Bpfasshi steps over Than's broken form. Grinning animalistically, he makes his way toward the young girl at a casual stride.
SJOERD ETHAN: You would at that, wouldn't you?
BLONDE GIRL: Yes.
Bringing forth his glowing blade, he taps it against hers; the blue-violet and yellow blades flash as they make contact.
SJOERD ETHAN: A spunky Jedi wannabe. This'll be a joy.
His grin twisting into a grimace, Ethan rears back his arm and brings the lightsaber down on hers with tremendous force. His strength overwhelming hers, she is knocked off-centre, the lightsaber hilt almost jarred out of her hands. She quickly rights herself and makes a strike for his side. The Bpfhassi easily blocks the blow, however, and delivers another powerful hit to her blade, knocking her off-kilter again.
SJOERD ETHAN: I'll admit this to you, sweetheart -- you've got determination and will. How about we strike a deal? Surrender to me right now, agree to come back with me to the master, submit yourself to the path of a Dark Jedi, and I'll let you survive minus a limb or three.
BLONDE GIRL: Hell with you.
SJOERD ETHAN: (sighs) Such wasted potential.
Deciding to put an end to this farce, the Dark Jedi locks his lightsaber with hers, twists it around, and forces the hilt out of her hands. Sailing end-over-end, the girl's adopted lightsaber joins Than's in the grass. Now unarmed, she is wholly without the pretense of any defense.
SJOERD ETHAN: (rears his lightsaber back) Goodbye.
As that word leaves Sjoerd Ethan's lip, an arrow sings through the air. Driving itself through the Bpfasshi's adam's apple, the arrowhead buries itself in a vertebra, lodging there. Violently surprised, Ethan's eyes grow wide. Dropping his lightsaber, he reaches for his throat as three more arrows fly through the air, driving themselves into his chest and abdomen. Gurgling as blood wells up from his open mouth, he finally drops to the ground, a fatality of primitive weapons.
Turning around, the blonde girl finds her saviour behind her. Atop a steed, a bow in his hands and a quiver of arrows slung across his back, is another one of the town elders.
CSAN THAN: (O.S.) That was stupid, child. The darksider would have killed you were it not for your kin's aid. (beat) But I thank you, anyway.
Turning back to focus her attention on the crippled Anx Jedi, the girl finds him smiling upon her. Esoterically knowing that she has found a kindred spirit in this strange alien being, she returns his smile.
EXT. SPACE -- BAJILON PRIME
The Bajilon system in the immediate area surrounding the primary world has changed considerably since we last saw it. Whereas the last time there had been enough ships to blockade one hemisphere of Bajilon Prime, now there are so many star destroyers, star defenders, frigates, corvettes, and gunships in orbit around the planet that they almost form a solid 400,000 kilometre-thick shell around it. The Purifier stands just outside this sphere of influence, however, a sentinel on watch and on guard.
Emerging from hyperspace, a white Victor-class star destroyer makes its approach towards the Purifier. Coming to a rest five kilometres away from the larger star destroyer, the Herrenvolk disgorges a Lambda-class shuttle -- the CC 161 -- from its docking bay. Engines flaring bright with blue-light light, the CC 161 rockets toward the Purifier.
INT. CC 161/COCKPIT
Reaching forward, the pilot opens communications with the Purifier.
CLONE PILOT: Purifier, this is CC 161, code clearance black. We are beginning our approach. Deactivate deflector shield.
INT. PURIFIER/BRIDGE
The officers of the bridge crew man their stations and perform their duties as SGW-0027, clad in her white robes and niqab, oversees them. Dressed in the beige uniforms of Athan naval officers, there are about a dozen of them altogether; between them all, however, they only sport three different faces.
CLONE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: The shield will be lowered when we have confirmed your code transmission. Stand by.
INT. CC 161/COCKPIT
CLONE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: (O.S.) You are cleared to proceed.
CLONE PILOT: We are starting our approach.
EXT. SPACE
As CC 161 makes its way toward the Purifier, a smaller craft -- a TIE shuttle -- leaves the Imperator-class star destroyer and sets off on a heading for the Lambda.
INT. PURIFIER/BRIDGE
CLONE SENSOR OFFICER: Captain.
SGW-0027: Yes?
CLONE SENSOR OFFICER: TIE shuttle LN 21 has left our docking bay and is on an intercept course for the CC 161.
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: Captain, LN 21 is hailing us. Audio and visual.
SGW-0027: On-screen.
A second passes. UIY-2249's olive-green face then appears on all the screens. The unnatural calm natural to his features has faded; in its place now rests a crazed exuberance.
UIY-2249: This is clone commander 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 approach the CC 161. Now, I am giving you a choice; veer off and return to the ship or I will bring you in.
UIY-2249: Go right on ahead, Captain. 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: Captain, 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 made me many promises before, Captain; at least two thirds of them have been broken or gone unfulfilled. Please don't make any more; my poor heart couldn't handle another disappointment.
SGW-002Y: Commander --
UIY-2249: My apologies, Captain, but you begin to tire me. Let's bring our banter to a close here, shall we, while terms between us are still good? (kisses the screen) Farewell.
CLONE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: LN 21 is no longer receiving communications. Transmitting only.
EXT. SPACE
As the LN 21 nears the CC 161, the Lambda peels away, trying to evade the smaller ship. UIY stays close on them, though, refusing to be shaken off.
INT. CC 161/COCKPIT
Entering the cockpit, the clone captain sent to replace SGW strides up the pilot and co-pilot.
CLONE CAPTAIN: What is going on here?!
CLONE CO-PILOT: A defective from the Purifier's crew is pursuing us, sir. We can't shake him.
INT. PURIFIER/BRIDGE
SGW-0027: Target UIY-2249 and open fire.
CLONE WEAPONS OFFICER: He is too close to the CC 161, Captain. If we open fire, the possibility of destroying both shuttles is high.
UIY-2249's face, still on-screen, begins to gleam with the sweat of fierce determination.
UIY-2249: (eyes bulging) I have become Death, destroyer of worlds! Look upon 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 CC 161, the LN 21 plows straight through it; reducing the Lambda to fine debris in mere seconds, what's left of the TIE shuttle is then carried forward through hyperspace to impact on the Herrenvolk's forward deflector shield.
INT. PURIFIER/BRIDGE
SGW-0027: (clenches fists) Dammit! No!
INT. PURIFIER/SGW-0027'S QUARTERS
Some time later, SGW enters her dim quarters. Closing the door behind her, she reaches up and removes her niqab. Crossing over to her computer terminal, she activates it and opens a program, calling up the file on UIY-2249. There, displayed in living colour beside his personal information, is the Mirialan clone's profile photo.
SGW-0027: Sabacc.
Balling her hand up into a tight fist, she punches the terminal screen, driving plastic shards into her knuckles as it shatters.