INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - MOMENTS LATER
The body of a pale trooper hits the floor near the boots of
Captain Kitch, a light sprinkling of ash falling on top of
it.
The room is strewn with bodies -- Kitch and his team have
taken the bridge. Kitch and Alda holster their weapons,
Jardin powers down his lightsaber.
KITCH
You know, I really thought this was
gonna be a lot harder.
JARDIN
You lost a man.
KITCH
I figured we were all done for, so
I'd say we're pretty lucky.
JARDIN
Pirate through and through.
KITCH
Speaking of which, it's time to get
this ship out of here.
Kitch moves to the controls. Alda and his eep follow. As they
fiddle around, Kitch raises his communicator.
KITCH (CONT'D)
Kenobi, haven't heard from you in a
while. The ship is ours, I
repeat...
The door to the bridge hisses open, and Kenobi and Anakin
step through. Anakin is visibly shaken.
KENOBI
Well done, gentlemen.
KITCH
Hey, they're alive.
JARDIN
(noting Anakin's face)
What did you find?
KENOBI
Are we ready to make the jump to
lightspeed?
KITCH
Working on it right now, I just
need to replot. They already have a
course programmed into the ship's
computer, so... uh oh.
KENOBI
What is it?
KITCH
This ship was headed for Alderaan.
JARDIN
Alderaan?!
KENOBI
So, that's where it begins.
ALDA
These guys are bold, I'll give 'em
that.
KITCH
Ok. Got it. Course set. Just need
to bring her around for a clean
getaway.
Kitch raises his communicator again.
KITCH (CONT'D)
Manx, we're ready to blow this
snarp stand!
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Manx is sweating. The star field in front of her rolls
wildly.
KITCH (O.S.)
Manx? It's all aboard.
MANX
Aye aye, Cap. Except, I'm kind of
in the middle of something.
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The Falling Star climbs, falls, spins and twists amidst a
swarm of fighters and a line of transports, doing everything
she can to stay alive while Heph and the gunners shoot down
what they can.
Meanwhile, the dark capital ship has initiated maneuvers.
It's bringing its guns to bear on the hulk.
INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
KITCH
I don't wanna hear it. You get your
butt docked immediately. You
understand me, First Mate?
MANX
Aye, Cap, doing our best, believe
me, but Heph's no gunner, and...
ANAKIN
(looking out the viewing
panel)
Oh boy.
KITCH
What?
Anakin points a finger at the dark destroyer as it moves to
engage.
ANAKIN
It looks like they're cutting their
losses.
Kitch's back stiffens.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Manx looks desperate.
MANX
You've got to make the jump, Cap.
I'll follow as soon as I can shake
these guys.
INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Alda's locked eyes with Kitch.
ALDA
You heard her. Let's make our exit.
KITCH
We're not leaving the Star.
ALDA
She'll be right behind. This ain't
no battle ship, remember? We've got
no guns, and we can't outrun that
destroyer.
KITCH
We go to lightspeed with Manx in
the hangar. That's the plan, and
we're sticking to it.
JARDIN
I respect your loyalty, Captain
Kitch, but we can't just sit here
and wait.
KITCH
Who said anything about waiting?
Alda, hard to port!
Alda glares at Kitch, but ultimately chooses to follow
orders.
JARDIN
What are you doing, Kitch?
KITCH
Spark up that laser sword, or shut
your beak, bird boy. I'm buying her
some time.
JARDIN
(looking at Kenobi)
Bird boy??!
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The hulk is on a collision course with the capital ship. The
dark destroyer lets loose a barrage of laser fire.
INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Kitch stands at the controls with Alda, the capital ship
coming straight toward them, slow but sure, rocking the hulk
with laser blasts.
MANX (O.S.)
Cap, what are you doing?!
KITCH
Losing my damn mind.
MANX (V.O.)
They're coming right for you!
KITCH
We're coming right for them. I'm
betting they'll blink first.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Manx looks angry.
MANX
(to herself)
Blasted maniac. Thinks he's saving
me -- now I've gotta save them.
(on comms)
All guns, I need you to clear me a
patch of space to bow.
INT. FALLING STAR, SWIVEL GUN TURRET ONE - CONTINUOUS
Gunner Three pivots and fires, pivots and fires.
GUNNER THREE
Amazing as I am, there's only so
much I can do.
MANX (O.S.)
I'll only need a second.
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The Falling Star quits it with the evasive action and bee
lines for the dark capital ship -- as a result, she starts
taking heavier fire.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
The cockpit jolts from incoming fire. The capital ship, some
distance away on its crash course with the hulk, is centered
in the viewing panel. Much closer, enemy fighters
continuously zip past the viewing panel, occasionally
succumbing to the Star's swivel guns.
Manx is hurriedly flipping switches and turning dials.
HEPH (O.S.)
What are we doing Manx? We're
getting pummeled.
MANX
Just brace yourself.
Manx flips one last switch.
MANX (CONT'D)
(to herself)
Got it.
She takes a breath, steadies her hands, watches for a break
in the fighter traffic.
MANX (CONT'D)
Come on.
INT. FALLING STAR, SWIVEL GUN TURRET ONE - CONTINUOUS
Gunner Three's face is alight with the glow of laser fire.
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The Star is surrounded, but it doesn't deviate from its
course.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Manx grits her teeth.
MANX
Come on.
A fighter explodes directly in front of the panel, and just
for a moment, the path is clear.
Manx punches it.
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The Star makes the jump to lightspeed, disappearing from
amidst the fighter swarm, and reappearing a moment later just
clear, and that much closer to the enemy capital ship.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Manx is a bit shell-shocked -- that took expert timing -- but
she shakes it off.
MANX
Coming for you, Renzo.
INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Kitch and Alda are still at the helm.
KITCH
How are we holding up?
ALDA
We're taking a lot of damage, but
so far so good. This baby's
massive. Hull like a tortola hide.
Kenobi slowly approaches the viewing panel, the oncoming
capital ship looming ever larger.
KENOBI
There it is again. Do you feel it,
Canaris?
Jardin approaches, closes his eyes.
JARDIN
(hatefully)
Yes ,I do.
A buzz from the helm console.
ALDA
Captain, we're being hailed.
KITCH
Well, patch them through.
An image feed fills the left third of the towering viewing
panel -- it's Donzin Faal.
DONZIN FAAL
Greetings to the soon-departed. Who
are the fools I have the
displeasure of addressing?
KITCH
The dire pirate, Captain Renzo
Kitch, Terror of the Larnican--
Kenobi and Canaris appear at the helm, recognition narrowing
Canaris's eyes.
KENOBI
Jedi Knights, Obi Wan Kenobi and
Jardin Canaris. And who are you,
apostate?
Kitch is a little annoyed at the interruption.
DONZIN FAAL
Oh ho. Jedi? I am Donzin Faal, and
I want my ship back.
KENOBI
Then you should have taken better
care of it.
DONZIN FAAL
You live up to your reputation. Mad
Kenobi, ever the fool, consort of
petty criminals and hedge knights,
like my old friend Jardin.
Jardin can only glare, anger making him rigid.
KITCH
Who are you calling petty?
KENOBI
Criminals and hedge knights who
just stole your most important ship
right out from under your nose.
DONZIN FAAL
Indeed. And that is why I must
offer you surrender, before I'm
forced to destroy you.
KITCH
Good luck with that. Don't think
you have the fire power.
DONZIN FAAL
Alas, we will soon see.
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
There is movement near the bow of the capital ship, a
shifting of plates and flaps, the emergence of a large
apparatus from the interior.
INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Through the viewing panel, this apparatus is plainly
recognizable as a huge cannon -- pointed right at them.
ALDA
Uh, Captain?
KITCH
Brace for impact.
A visible flow of energy surrounds the cannon, as it charges
up for a volley. Kenobi and Jardin exchange a look. Alda's
eep clutches his leg.
ALDA
Captain!?
KITCH
You heard me.
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The cannon's blast seems a split second away, when BOOM, it
explodes under heavy fire from The Falling Star, which has
just swooped in and unleashed a vicious broadside.
INT. FALLING STAR, MAIN BATTERY - CONTINUOUS
Heph pumps his fist as Forbee does a little celebratory spin.
HEPH
Got 'er, Ma'am! I got her!
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Manx slaps the console in front of her.
MANX
Atta boy, Heph!
(in the comms)
Direct hit, Cap.
INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
The explosion is greeted with cheers. Donzin Faal in the
image feed, stumbles with the impact.
KITCH
Manx, you're an angel.
JARDIN
Now, turn aside Faal, or it is you
who will be destroyed!
DONZIN FAAL
Never.
KITCH
Then open wide, because this giant
hunk of metal's going straight down
your throat.
KENOBI
We'll see you on Alderaan.
DONZIN FAAL
What?! How did you...?
KENOBI
Short one army.
Kitch cuts the transmission.
KITCH
Ok, now where's Manx?
A crackle on the comms.
MANX (O.S.)
Almost there, Cap.
Through the viewing panel, the capital ship, almost upon them
now, begins to change course.
ANAKIN
He's flinching.
KITCH
Of course he is.
But, even as it effects its ponderous turn, a swarm of
fighters emerge from the ship's hull.
KITCH (CONT'D)
(in the comms)
Manx, we've got more fighters. I
want you docked now.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
MANX
Aye aye, Captain.
Manx jerks the controls.
EXT. SPACE, OFF HORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The Falling Star weaves through oncoming fighters, its swivel
guns popping off continuously. As it speeds toward the hulk's
hangar we get a close up view of the two giant vessels and
how close they were to collision.
INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Canaris steps forward.
JARDIN
Kitch, begin the countdown.
KENOBI
Are you sure we shouldn't wait
until she's aboard?
KITCH
She'll be here. Ten!
EXT. SPACE, OFF HORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The Falling Star races toward the hulk -- almost there.
INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Kitch looks nervous.
ALDA
Five seconds.
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
A thick formation of fighters stands in between the Star and
its destination.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Manx raises her eyebrows.
MANX
Oh boy.
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The Falling Star barrel rolls past enemy fighters.
INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
ALDA
Two, one...
Anakin looks at Kitch with concern. Kenobi's expression is
steely.
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The Star dives under one last ship, does a full loop to right
it's course, and shoots into the hangar bay.
INT. DARK HULK, HANGAR BAY - CONTINUOUS
The Star touches down roughly, screeching and skidding
hundreds of yards across the hangar floor.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Manx is jostled about as she slides to a stop.
MANX
(in the comms)
Clear!
INT. DARK HULK, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Kitch closes his eyes in relief, then he smirks.
KITCH
Hey Canaris, I just remembered we
left your ship behind.
JARDIN
I'll come back for it later!!
Kitch starts cackling.
JARDIN (CONT'D)
(to Kenobi)
He's crazier than y--
Kitch punches it.
EXT. SPACE, OFF YORVATH - CONTINUOUS
The dark hulk elongates and disappears in a flash, leaving
the fleet in its dust.