WIPE TO:
EXT. CORUSCANT, MILITARY AIRFIELD - EARLY MORNING
Two cohorts of Republic infantry, clad in armor not unlike
that of storm troopers but without helmets, pile into troop
transports.
A flotilla of fighters, reminiscent of X and A wings,
gunships, frigates, and a single destroyer also make ready
for departure. It's not a small force, impressive to behold
actually, but for a planet, it seems miniscule.
The Falling Star and Bail Organa's personal shuttle, large
and white, are almost ready for lift off as well. Heph and
Alda board their ship as Kitch and Manx shake hands with
Organa, Kenobi and Mothma.
KITCH
See you on Alderaan.
KENOBI
See you soon, my friend.
Kitch and Manx turn toward the Star.
MANX
How does it feel now that you're
not wanted anymore?
KITCH
I wouldn't say I'm not wanted.
Manx raises an eyebrow.
KITCH (CONT'D)
Look here, I'm a brilliant and
daring frigate captain with the
finest ship and the best damn crew
around. And if we're not pirates
anymore, then I guess we'll just
have to be war heroes.
Manx can't suppress a broad smile.
MANX
Aye aye, Cap.
As they approach Organa's shuttle, Anakin tugs on Kenobi's
sleeve.
ANAKIN
(whispering)
So, he's a king and a quintumvir?
KENOBI
King of Alderaan, Quintumvir of the
Republic, yes.
ANAKIN
(unsure)
Got it.
KENOBI
The former title is traditional,
honorary. As I said before,
Alderaan used to be the monarchic
seat of the galaxy, but now it
sends a senator to represent its
interests just like any other
planet of the Republic. Of course,
with the relatively recent rise of
the Quintumvirate, Organa is no
mere senator.
ANAKIN
Sure, sure. Of course.
(pause)
What's a quintumvir?
INT. ORGANA'S SHUTTLE, DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The party enters a richly appointed dining room, with droid
butlers standing against the walls awaiting orders. A droid
valet takes coats from Organa and the rest -- even a startled
Anakin. It is absolutely nothing like the mess deck of the
Falling Star.
ANAKIN
(whistles)
So, you're the king of Alderaan,
huh?
Jardin shakes his head, Kenobi puts his hand to his head but
can't suppress a bemused smirk.
ANAKIN (CONT'D)
Huh... your highness?
Organa laughs.
EXT. CORUSCANT, MILITARY AIRFIELD - CONTINUOUS
Organa's shuttle lifts off, surrounded by dozens of other
ships.
CUT TO:
EXT. DEEP SPACE
Rohn's fleet hovers amidst the black. The cloning ship hums
with activity.
INT. ROHN'S SHIP, COMMANDER'S ANTEROOM - CONTINUOUS
Rohn stands behind his desk, back to it and the door, hands
clasped, gazing through a viewing panel, pondering the void.
The door to his chambers hisses open, and a clone
intelligence officer marches in.
INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
Pardon the interruption, Commander,
I bring a report from our spies on
Coruscant.
ROHN
Proceed.
INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
News of our invasion has reached
the Quintumvirate...
Rohn scowls.
INTELLIGENCE OFFICER (CONT'D)
(proceeding timidly)
Our stolen cloner was presented by
the Jedi as evidence.
The intelligence officer pauses to attempt a read on Rohn's
emotional state, but can deduce nothing from his unmoving
back.
INTELLIGENCE OFFICER (CONT'D)
However, the Republic is sending
only a token force.
ROHN
How small is this token?
INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
The report indicates two cohorts
and a flotilla.
An uncomfortable pause and then Rohn begins laughing, much to
the intelligence officer's relief.
ROHN
Faal's failure has cost us nothing!
And the Jedi's great coup is
meaningless.
INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
Uh, yes Commander.
ROHN
Once again, the power of the Dark
Side proves superior.
INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
Hail the High Suzerain.
ROHN
Summon my captains. We depart for
Alderaan immediately.
CUT TO:
EXT. ALDERAAN, JEDI ENCAMPMENT - EVENING
In a beautiful field of tall, pale, blue grass, surrounded by
mountains and in view of a shining castle, a motley ring of
ships encircles a camp of varied tents and temporary
enclosures.
The inhabitants are just as varied, over a hundred Jedi from
all over the galaxy. Some are gigantic, some slight. Men,
women, human, alien, young, old, dusty, refined, ostentatious
-- they have in common only the lightsabers on their hips and
their essential goodness.
One hardened female, a scar on her face, dress not unlike a
samurai, is overseeing the lessons of her pupils, seven young
Jedi in similar garb, each balanced on a single finger, a
coin spinning slowly in front of every one.
The roar of ships distracts her, and looking up, she sees the
arrival of the Republic forces, Organa's shuttle, the Falling
Star.
The ships fly past on their way to the glistening crystal
castle. Beyond the castle are the residences and shops,
studios and schools, of the capital city, large and urban,
yet ancient -- a modernist Athens.
Several of the Jedi in the camp look up and wave at the
ships' arrival, and a few friendly cheers go up.
EXT. ALDERAAN CASTLE - LATER
The castle landing pad is a flurry of activity.
Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, trailed by Kenobi, Jardin,
Anakin, Kitch and Manx stride toward the castle proper atop a
wide gangway.
Striding toward them is a small party of nobles -- the queen,
Elspet Organa, a counselor, a general, and their retinues.
Bail and his wife meet and embrace.
ORGANA
Elspet, my love. It has been too
long.
ELSPET
I've missed you too. If only the
circumstances were different.
Elspet takes a moment to size up the two Jedi.
ELSPET (CONT'D)
Are these our brave Jedi?
The Jedi offer shallow bows.
ELSPET (CONT'D)
Alderaan offers her deepest thanks.
Rooms have been prepared for you
and your party.
KENOBI
Thank you your highness, but if I
may, I'd like to pass the night
with my fellow Jedi -- there are
dear friends among them who I have
not seen for many years.
KITCH
(piping up from the back)
Me and mine gladly except your
offer, your highness!
ELSPET
And you would be... the pirate?
KITCH
Recently pardoned, your highness. I
promise we won't steal anything.
Organa's white-haired counselor, Dyson Honoré steps forward.
HONORé
Your highness, a conference of our
generals has been scheduled for
dawn.
ORGANA
Very good. The Jedi will send a
delegate?
Kenobi nods and kisses Elspet's hand.
KENOBI
We take our leave then, your
highness.
(shaking his hand)
Quintumvir.
(nodding at her, a look
passing between them)
Madame Mothma.
Kenobi turn, putting a hand on Anakin's shoulder.
KENOBI (CONT'D)
Come Anakin.
But Anakin is distracted, his eyes locked on one of the
queen's young handmaidens, blond, beautiful, and steely.
KENOBI (CONT'D)
Anakin?
ANAKIN
Sorry, yeah, nice meeting you all.
Kenobi, Canaris, and Skywalker head back toward the landing
pad.
ANAKIN (CONT'D)
She's beautiful.
JARDIN
She's the queen of Alderaan.
ANAKIN
Not her.
Anakin looks over his shoulder one more time.
EXT. ALDERAAN, JEDI ENCAMPMENT - NIGHT
The stars are out, bright and beautiful. Small campfires dot
the site, with one large bonfire at its center.
Kenobi, Canaris and Skywalker approach the bonfire where a
dozen or more Jedi are swapping stories, contemplating,
playing tunes.
A very large, gregarious ogre of a Jedi, Odo Luff, friendly
looking despite his mass and monstrosity, stops what he was
saying, pauses, and then turns his head.
ODO
(roaring)
Obi Wan Kenobi?!
Kenobi draws closer
KENOBI
Is that Odo Luff? Yes, it's me old
boy. And Canaris, and my apprentice
Anak...
ODO
Obi Wan bleedin' Kenobi!
Odo draws Obi Wan up into his trunk-like arms and crushes him
against his stony chest.
ODO (CONT'D)
(a tear forming)
My stars it's good to see you.
KENOBI
(struggling to breathe)
You too, my friend.
ODO
(yelling)
Kenobi's arrived, brothers and
sisters! And that old bird Canaris!
Invite us all to their party and
show up late. I expect it from this
one...
(gives Kenobi a squeeze)
But you've always been a punctual
pidge, Jardin.
More Jedi have started to gather around the reunion, laughing
and smiling, shouting their greetings.
CANARIS
Haven't changed a bit, I see.
Odo practically drops Kenobi.
ODO
All right, that's enough of that --
I'm not the only one you need to
say hello to.
Odo sticks a giant hand in front of Anakin's nose.
ODO (CONT'D)
You're the apprentice, eh? Anak?
ANAKIN
Actually it's Anak...
ODO
S'what I said, boy. Mind the
manners, and let's have that
handshake.
Anakin complies, managing to get his hand around two fingers.
Kenobi catches his breath and dusts himself off. He looks
around him at all his companions, turning in a circle.
KENOBI
My my, what a beautiful sight.
ODO
And more on their way.
KENOBI
What of master Yoda?
A slightly officious Jedi, Uther Halladan, approaches from
the darkness at the edge of the bonfire. He is well-groomed,
crisply-dressed, and has excellent posture.
HALLADAN
He summons you before the Council.
Please follow me.
Obi Wan hesitates. Halladan looks at Canaris.
HALLADAN (CONT'D)
You too, sir.
Halladan turns.
HALLADAN (CONT'D)
The apprentice may come as well.
Kenobi, Canaris, and Skywalker do as they're told.
EXT. COUNCIL TENT - MOMENTS LATER
The Jedi stop before a large round tent, lit from within.
Halladan pulls open a flap and holds it for the summoned.
They enter, Halladan follows.
INT. COUNCIL TENT - CONTINUOUS
Ten wizened Jedi sit cross-legged in a semi-circle around a
hovering, glowing crystal. They are as varied in appearance
as the rest of the Jedi, but older and more serene.
Yoda, wearing robes not unlike those we're familiar with, but
silken, with large flowing patterns in pale colors, is near
the center of the half-circle.
Obi Wan and Canaris kneel before them. Anakin awkwardly
follows suit. Halladan kneels by the entrance to the tent.
Kenobi and Canaris bow they're heads, and the members of the
Council return the gesture.
YODA
Grown you have, Obi Wan, since last
I saw you.
Kenobi allows a familiar smile that cuts the formality
somewhat.
KENOBI
I doubt that, I stopped growing
years ago.
YODA
Grown greater, stronger. But
recognize you, I do. Daring still,
yes, but wise and kind.
Kenobi nods, touched.
Atothka Kama, a very, very aged woman, brown leather for
skin, straw-like hair -- a benevolent, vivacious mummy --
speaks up.
ATOTHKA
You have set us along a perilous
path.
CANARIS
Our deepest apologies, Master Kama.
We know we've acted rashly, but
circumstances demanded...
KENOBI
The path is the path, perilous or
not, and it is not I who have set
us upon it.
Anakin looks a bit shocked at his master's nerve. Canaris is
a bit offended. Kama, however, nods sagely, and Yoda
registers pride.
ATOTHKA
Boldness and wisdom rarely walk
hand in hand, but what is rare is
often precious.
Dalu Dalu, an alien like a large stick bug, speaks.
DALU DALU
We are here now. This may have
begun as Kenobi's crusade, but it
is much larger than one young Jedi.
(pause)
The peril Atothka Kama speaks of is
real, however, and it does not come
the looming battle or even the wars
that may follow, terrible though
they might be.
ATOTHKA
The Jedi were almost consumed by
the Dark Side long ago, when we
were at our mightiest and our will
shaped the course of history. That
was no coincidence.
And it is no secret that you yearn
for the old way.
KENOBI
The Republic is crumbling. We try
to hold it together without
interfering, but we are too few
now, too subtle -- and we are
failing. I know, I've seen it with
my own eyes. My apprentice comes
from a planet ruled by gangsters,
whose Senator is content to let his
people suffer while he luxuriates
in Coruscant's comforts. So it is
everywhere. I've been to the Senate
chambers. I've seen the empty
chairs. The galaxy belongs to The
Quintumvirate now. Mothma is a
great woman, and I believe the
Organas have not fallen as much as
I thought. But, Arnot is useless.
The Republic truly belongs to
Palpatine. So many lives in the
hands of a villain.
Anakin watches his master with awe.
ATOTHKA
You are not alone in your opinions.
We hear such talk from more than a
few young Jedi, travelers like
yourself. You talk of our failures,
yet you forget the failures of old.
KENOBI
We have been chastened for a
thousand years. I would like to
believe we have learned from the
mistakes of the past.
ATOTHKA
But you were not there. You have
not lived those thousand years. Nor
have I, nor anyone else, not even
your old master.
KENOBI
Yes, but...
DALU DALU
Eh, eh -- we do not dispute the
necessity of our gathering.
Alderaan must not fall.
These armies of the Dark Side must
be faced. But we must proceed with
the utmost caution.
KENOBI
Yes. Of course. But do you not see
the glory of it? Outside this tent,
so many of us together. Together!
It's such a joyful thing.
YODA
Hard it can be to see the light,
when the darkness occupies one's
mind. That is why chosen you we
have to lead the Jedi in this
fight.
CANARIS
What?!! With so many veteran
knights at the ready?
YODA
Like you, Jardin?
CANARIS
It would be my honor, certainly.
KENOBI
He's right. I have my charms to be
sure, but I'm no leader.
YODA
And yet, led us here you have.
DALU DALU
Alderaan requires a Jedi liaison --
a representative in their high
command. This is exactly the type
of entanglement most of us frown
upon.
YODA
(warmly)
Accustomed to that you should be.
KENOBI
(smiling)
Yes, Master.