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Post #793263

Author
carlhollywood
Parent topic
Star Wars Episode 1: A False Dawn
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/793263/action/topic#793263
Date created
14-Oct-2015, 1:22 PM

 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.