EXT. CORUSCANT, STREETS - CONTINUOUS
The two Jedi and the young apprentice walk with a purpose.
ANAKIN
We're not really gonna leave them
are we?
KENOBI
No, my boy. I wasn't lying when I
said I knew people. This is merely
the quickest way.
JARDIN
So, where are we going now?
KENOBI
To the Senate.
JARDIN
You have allies in the Senate?
KENOBI
In the Quintumvirate, actually.
JARDIN
You're telling me that you have the
ear of one of the five most
powerful people in the galaxy.
KENOBI
Don't sound so surprised.
(spying a row of air
taxis)
Here we are.
Kenobi hails a taxi. An alien driver pops the door open for
them.
TAXI DRIVER
Where to?
KENOBI
To the Senate Chambers.
(to Jardin)
You have money, right?
INT. SENATE LOBBY - LATER
Obi Wan, Jardin, and Anakin stride confidently up to the
reception desk, staffed by a mantis-like alien.
RECEPTIONIST
How may I help you?
KENOBI
I require an audience with
Quintumvir Mothma.
The receptionist scrutinizes him dubiously.
RECEPTIONIST
Do you have an appointment?
KENOBI
Tell her it's Obi Wan Kenobi.
EXT. PRISON COMPLEX - DAY
A massive and robustly defended prison floats above the
outskirts of the city.
INT. PRISON CELL - CONTINUOUS
Kitch and company share adjoining cells. Force fields and
guard droids abound.
Kitch sits on a cot, staring woefully at a tray of prison
food. Manx is one cell over, doing the same.
KITCH
Look at this garbage. If we ever
get out of here, I'm trading in
piracy for murder.
MANX
I still can't believe he'd do us
like this, Cap.
KITCH
You know, I actually thought he was
my friend?
Scraping an gulping noises cause Kitch to look up. Several
cells over Heph is eating lustily.
HEPH
Hey, at least the food's good!
Kitch throws his tray to the floor.
At that moment, a line of human guards, armed and armored,
enters the cell block. The force field barriers blink off as
a pair of guards, blasters out, stop in front of Kitch's
cell. Ditto, down the line.
PRISON GUARD
On your feet.
KITCH
Where are we going?
PRISON GUARD
You'll find out soon enough.
Kitch looks over at Manx, nods at her, and steps out of the
cell.
EXT. PRISON COMPLEX - MINUTES LATER
An armored transport takes off from a fortified landing pad
and heads toward the capital city.
INT. ARMORED TRANSPORT - MOMENTS LATER
Kitch and Manx are seated next to each other, hands cuffed,
guards in the aisle.
MANX
Moving fast for a trial, right?
KITCH
Maybe. Big fish like us, could be
they want to show off their catch.
MANX
You'd like that.
KITCH
Hey, I didn't issue that Class 5
warrant on myself. The people have
spoken.
MANX
It's not an award, Cap.
KITCH
Says you.
Manx is looking out the viewport by her seat.
MANX
Uh oh.
Kitch leans forward to see what she's looking at. It looks
like the transport is heading toward a very large structure --
gleaming, but ancient, steel and even more ancient stone.
KITCH
That's the Senate.
MANX
I didn't know they held trials
there.
KITCH
As far as I know, they don't.
INT. SENATE, CORRIDOR - LATER
The crew of the Falling Star is being marched down a very
long corridor. Fashioned mostly of stone, it's wide with high
ceilings, Romanesque columns and statues. Illumination
emanates from floating orbs. Holographic calenders and
announcements pepper the floor.
The crew approaches a set of gargantuan stone double doors,
and is brought to a stop at their base. The guards uncuff
them, much to their confusion.
As Kitch looks at Manx with wry puzzlement, the doors grind
slowly open - revealing the grand Senate floor.
INT. SENATE FLOOR - CONTINUOUS
Kitch and company shuffle cautiously into the chamber. It's
gigantic. Rows and rows of stone benches with hundreds, if
not thousands, of hovering seats spaced inches above them,
extend in a steep semicircular rake around the floor. They
are all empty.
In the center of the floor, seated at a broad dais, are five
robed figures -- the Quintumvirate.
Standing just to one side of the dais are Kenobi, Canaris,
and Skywalker in clean clothes. Kenobi is smiling. Anakin
waves.
KENOBI
Hope your stay wasn't too
unpleasant, old boy. So sorry about
that.
The quintumvir just right of the center, a human with dark
hair slicked back and a gaunt face with high cheekbones
flashes annoyance at Kenobi's impertinence. This is
Quintumvir Tarkin.
TARKIN
Step forward, Pirate Kitch.
Kitch hesitates, but Obi Wan waves his hand encouragingly.
Kitch approaches the dais.
TARKIN (CONT'D)
You replotted a hyperspace jump on
board the cloning ship.
KITCH
You know about the ship?
The man at the center of the dais, an affable looking fellow
with thick eyebrows and sideburns -- Quintumvir Arnot --
leans forward.
ARNOT
It is in our possession.
TARKIN
Answer the question.
KITCH
Yes, I did.
TARKIN
And the original destination?
KITCH
Was Alderaan.
The man at the far left of the dais shifts uncomfortably.
He's middle-aged, handsome, and has a royal bearing --
Quintumvir Bail Organa.
At the far right of the dais, a wrinkled old man speaks
without moving - Quintumvir Palpatine.
PALPATINE
This proves nothing.
ORGANA
On the contrary. It would seem to
demonstrate that this fleet was
heading for my home planet.
PALPATINE
So says a criminal in collusion
with a so-called Jedi.
The final quintumvir, a beautifully androgynous young woman,
with a placid mien, seated just to the left of center, speaks
up -- Mon Mothma.
MOTHMA
So called because that is exactly
what he is. As I said, Obi Wan
Kenobi is a personal friend of mine
and an ally to my planet.
PALPATINE
(with a cough that turns
into a laugh)
Have Chandrila's fortunes fallen so
far that it takes vagrant wizards
for allies and... personal friends?
MOTHMA
The Jedi are much more than that.
They were very great once.
Tarkin spits out a laugh. Palpatine sneers.
KENOBI
We were great once, it is true. You
might think it legend, but it is
history.
TARKIN
Please, enlighten us.
KENOBI
And we are not so diminished now as
you believe.
TARKIN
Are you threatening this august
body?
KENOBI
Not at all, but if I were to
threaten you, you should not take
it lightly.
Palpatine cackles heartily.
ARNOT
That's quite enough of that. The
business at hand is a possible
attack on Alderaan.
ORGANA
Yes, the trustworthiness of this
... Jedi aside, I see enough
evidence to suggest a possible
invasion.
TARKIN
Do you?
ORGANA
The cloning ship is real, is it
not? Have you ever seen anything
like it?
PALPATINE
Admittedly, the technology is
fascinating. I look forward to
further study.
ORGANA
And I see no reason they would have
falsified their testimony about its
destination. I am formally
requesting three legions and a
fleet until such time as the threat
has passed.
TARKIN
Three legions?!
ARNOT
A reasonable request for the
defense of a core world.
TARKIN
And where would these legions come
from, eh? Which war would you
suggest we jeopardize?
MOTHMA
It would hardly harm us to slow our
expansion in the Uth system. We are
a Republic after all, not an
Empire.
PALPATINE
And now she shows her hand. This is
your true motivation, is it not
Mothma? Just a maneuver in your
quest for pacifism?
ORGANA
The Uth system is a quagmire. I
agree with her.
TARKIN
You would deny the people of Uth
the rule of Republic law? I thought
you were a patriot, Organa.
PALPATINE
I propose two cohorts of Republic
infantry and a flotilla.
ORGANA
What?! Two cohorts for the defense
of Alderaan? Are you mad,
Palpatine? I am a quintumvir of the
Republic, not some far flung
governor.
PALPATINE
A quintumvir indeed -- and with
three legions at your disposal, who
knows what you might become.
ORGANA
Outrageous!
TARKIN
Even this Kenobi says the invasion
fleet is small. And we have their
cloning ship.
MOTHMA
Obi Wan believes the threat is
larger.
TARKIN
Utter nonsense. A galaxy-wide
attack from an invading army that
no one has seen? Who could mount
such an attack? What is their
purpose?
KENOBI
With enough cloning ships, such a
war could easily be waged. And
evidence of this army has been seen
-- all over the outer rim by my
fellow Jedi.
TARKIN
Pish posh.
KENOBI
Their purpose is to destroy the
Republic and dominate its people.
PALPATINE
You've spoken with them, have you?
KENOBI
With one of them yes, and I could
feel his intentions plainly enough.
I don't know who they are, but I
know they are in league with the
Dark Side.
TARKIN
Now I've heard enough. Two cohorts
and a flotilla. What say you?
ORGANA
Not nearly enough. I don't know if
I believe everything this man is
saying, but if there's even a
chance that he's right... There's
too much at stake. My people. My
family. Alderaan must be protected.
MOTHMA
I trust Kenobi with every fiber of
my being. I believe in him, and I
believe in the power of the Force.
We must send more troops.
ARNOT
I feel the proposed commitment is
sufficient. I understand your
concern, Bail, but I think you're
overreacting. If the menace proves
greater, then we will send more
aid.
TARKIN
The Uth wars are too important, and
the threat too uncertain.
PALPATINE
This whole pageant is ridiculous.
Be happy you're getting anything at
all.
ARNOT
The vote is concluded. Sorry, Bail.
ORGANA
I won't forget this, Palpatine.
MOTHMA
I expected more, even from you.
The Quintumvirate rises from their seats.
KITCH
Hey, what about me?
Palpatine offers a dismissive gesture as he struggles to his
feet.
PALPATINE
Have it your way, Mothma. Pardon
him for all I care.
TARKIN
Really!?
PALPATINE
Come Tarkin, we can't have her
thinking we've never done anything
for her.
CUT TO:
INT. SENATE, CORRIDOR - MINUTES LATER
Mothma, Kenobi, Canaris, Anakin, and Kitch stride briskly
down the mammoth hallway, as the rest of the crew follows a
short distance behind.
MOTHMA
Captain Kitch, an aide is on his
way to show you to your ship.
KITCH
I don't know what to say. Thank
you.
MOTHMA
Thank our friend, Obi Wan -- he's
the one who insisted that your
contributions merited a reward.
KENOBI
Yes, and your contributions still
to come, eh?
Kitch nods reluctantly.
KITCH
I still can't believe you two know
each other. Must be some story.
KENOBI
Oh, it is, but I'm afraid now is
not the time to tell it.
The crew of the Falling Star stay put as Kenobi and the rest
continue on.
MOTHMA
Obi Wan, I am so sorry.
KENOBI
You did all you could, my dear.
MOTHMA
The disrespect was galling.
JARDIN
We are accustomed to worse Madame
Quintumvir.
KENOBI
And it won't be us who need
apologies, nor will it be you who
must make them if Alderaan falls.
At that moment, Bail Organa catches up to them -- he has been
sprinting down the corridor.
ORGANA
Sirs Kenobi and Canaris, do you
think there is any hope for
Alderaan?
JARDIN
Its best hope died in your Senate
chambers, but all is not lost.
ORGANA
I know the evidence points to an
invasion, but I just can't believe
it's as bad as you say.
JARDIN
You don't want to believe,
Quintumvir, and it is hard to fault
you for that, but we are telling
the truth.
KENOBI
There will be no mercy for your
people. This army does not conquer,
it consumes. Your whole planet will
be turned to feed.
Organa looks into the eyes of Kenobi, Canaris, and then
Kenobi again.
ORGANA
Sirs, I implore you to return with
me to Alderaan. You have seen the
enemy, and we will need your help.
KENOBI
And you shall have it.
MOTHMA
And mine. Chandrila will lend what
aid she may.
ORGANA
Thank you. Though I fear it won't
be enough.
KENOBI
As do we. That is why the Jedi have
decided to intervene. We are coming
to Alderaan.
ORGANA
How many?
KENOBI
All of us. More or less.
MOTHMA
Obi Wan, is it true?
ORGANA
How many of you are there?
JARDIN
A few hundred.
ORGANA
I fine gesture, but...
KENOBI
Oh, it's much more than that. The
most powerful warriors in the
galaxy are gathering to Alderaan's
defense, and we are willing to lay
down our lives.
ORGANA
But, there are so few of you.
JARDIN
Our worth cannot be counted in
numbers.
ORGANA
When do they arrive?
KENOBI
Some may have arrived already. All
the rest who can are on their way,
from all parts of the galaxy.
ORGANA
What?!
KENOBI
Today's meeting is not the only one
we've attended. The Senate may see
fit to await the outcome of this
battle. The Jedi Council does not
agree.
MOTHMA
All the Jedi together, in one
place. Nothing like this has
happened...
KENOBI
In a thousand years.