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Post #793266

Author
carlhollywood
Parent topic
Star Wars Episode 1: A False Dawn
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/793266/action/topic#793266
Date created
14-Oct-2015, 1:24 PM

  EXT. JEDI ENCAMPMENT - EARLY MORNING

               The sun is just beginning to crest the mountains.

               INT. JEDI TENT - EARLY MORNING

               Anakin sleeps fitfully on a cot. His eyes are pressed closed

               tightly, his face twitching.

               We can hear violent sounds, quiet at first but growing

               louder, the sounds of his dreams. Laser fire, explosions...

               and a cacophony of screams.

               Suddenly Anakin awakes, breathing hard and sweating, and just

               as suddenly the sounds cease. There is only the sound of his

               own blood pumping filling his ears and ours. Then that sound

               is slowly replaced by the sounds of the morning -- chirps and

               clicks, crackling fire, quiet chatter... and pipes.

               Anakin rubs his eyes and rises from his cot. 

               EXT. JEDI ENCAMPMENT - CONTINUOUS

               Wandering outside, he sees a few Jedi up and about, but many

               are still asleep. Canaris is nearby, sitting cross-legged on

               a stump, playing his pipes. Jardin finishes his tune and

               looks at Anakin.

                                   JARDIN

                         Troubled dreams?

                                   ANAKIN

                         The whole galaxy at war with those

                         clones. So much death.

                                   JARDIN

                         Perhaps it was the future you saw --

                         visions do come to us. Or perhaps

                         it was just your fears.

                                   ANAKIN

                         I hope it's the second one.

                                   JARDIN

                         If Obi Wan were here, he'd suggest

                         breakfast.

                                   ANAKIN

                         Not hungry.

                                   JARDIN

                         Then perhaps we'll calm your nerves

                         a different way.

               Jardin pops up and approaches Odo Luff who's fallen asleep

               over a half-eaten plate. He puts a hand on the giant's

               shoulder, and Luff starts awake, flipping his plate.

                                   ODO

                         Huh? What? Oh look what you made me

                         do.

                                   JARDIN

                         What's the point of getting out of

                         bed so early if you're just going

                         to fall asleep again?

                                   ODO

                         Just trying to be like my friend

                         the early bird.

                                   JARDIN

                         Sorry to disturb you, but may I

                         borrow your weapon?

               Luff sees Anakin waiting nearby, lost in thought.

                                   ODO

                         Ah. Sure thing, Jardin.

               Luff hands Canaris his lightsaber. Canaris has to hold it in

               two hands.

                                   JARDIN

                         Of course.

               A nearby Jedi, human, streaks of grey in his long hair, eye

               patch, throws Jardin his weapon. It hangs in the air by

               Jardin's head, while Jardin gives Luff his giant lightsaber

               back. Then, Jardin plucks it from its suspension and walks

               back to Anakin.

                                   JARDIN (CONT'D)

                         You know what this is, yes?

               Anakin is distracted, feeling the tall grass with his hand.

                                   ANAKIN

                         It's grass, right?

                                   JARDIN

                             (laughing)

                         Yes, that's right. But I meant

                         this.

               Canaris holds up the lightsaber.

                                   ANAKIN

                         A Jedi lightsaber.

                                   JARDIN

                         Here. Take this one.

               Anakin takes a step forward.

                                   JARDIN (CONT'D)

                         Uh uh. Use the force.

               Anakin closes his eyes, extends a hand, and the lightsaber

               floats slowly from Jardin's open palm into his hand.

                                   JARDIN (CONT'D)

                         Obi Wan has trained you very well

                         indeed.

               Jardin takes his own lightsaber in hand and ignites it.

               Anakin follows suit.

                                   JARDIN (CONT'D)

                         Things aren't so frightening with a

                         lightsaber in hand are they?

                                   ANAKIN

                         No, they aren't.

                                   JARDIN

                         Good. Now, let's teach you how to

                         use it. Come at me.

               Obi Wan approaches the camp from the direction of the castle.

               He stops short to watch Jardin train his charge -- the Jedi

               and the apprentice engaged in mock battle, stopping from time

               to time to demonstrate technique.

               Luff has woken up and interjects his own advice, as does the

               owner of Anakin's lightsaber. A few other Jedi watch casually

               from where they sit.

               Yoda appears at Kenobi's side.

                                   KENOBI

                         When was the last time a young Jedi

                         could learn our ways from so many

                         gifted warriors?

               Yoda grunts and nods.

                                   KENOBI (CONT'D)

                         They just made me a general. If I'm

                         to command forces in the battle, I

                         must have an appropriate rank.

                                   YODA

                         Follow you, they will. Doubts I

                         have, but you, trust I do. Ranks,

                         politics, power -- it is these

                         things I dislike.

                                   KENOBI

                         I know. You must think me an

                         arrogant fool.

                                   YODA

                         I do, yes, I do. And me, an even

                         greater fool, so proud I am, Obi

                         Wan.

               Kenobi swells with emotion, then releases it in a sigh.

                                   KENOBI

                         Perhaps this is all the will of The

                         Force.

                                   YODA

                         Maybe. Hard to know the Force's

                         will is. Like a mind it is not.

                         This choice, this reason. No. The

                         will of the Force like a great wind

                         is. Lifts us up it does, carries us

                         through time. Feel, a wise Jedi

                         can, the direction it blows. But

                         where, why -- this we cannot know.

               Obi Wan nods, watches his apprentice. After awhile...

                                   KENOBI

                         I won't see battle. I must lead

                         from the rear. I don't like it. I

                         want to stand beside my brothers

                         and sisters. My apprentice.

               Yoda nods, pats Obi Wan's hand.

                                   KENOBI (CONT'D)

                         And what about you? You said my

                         betters accept my leadership. Will

                         you be fighting under my command?

                                   YODA

                         Me? Under your command?

                             (Yoda laughs)

                         Thank you Obi Wan, good to laugh it

                         is, at times like these. But no,

                         fight the Council will not. Many

                         battles ahead, save our strength we

                         must.

               Yoda points to a nearby peak.

                                   YODA (CONT'D)

                         There we will be, deep in

                         meditation.

                         Channel the Force we will to make

                         sharp the minds of the Jedi. Make

                         strong their hands. Make brave

                         their hearts. Killing, I love not,

                         Obi Wan. Even so, fight with the

                         rest I would, but, the price of

                         leadership I too must pay.

                                                               WIPE TO:

               EXT. ALDERAAN CASTLE SQUARE - DAY

               The citizenry mass in the square. Bail Organa stands at a

               balcony to address the crowd. At his side are Elspet, Honoré,

               other nobles, a protocol droid.

               Organa's image is magnified via hologram, and his voice

               amplified.

                                   ORGANA

                         People of Alderaan, our planet will

                         soon come under attack from a foe

                         whose origins and motives we do not

                         know. We know only that they intend

                         to annihilate us. Our fellows in

                         the Quintumvirate, save for the

                         brave and true Mon Mothma of

                         Chandrilla, have all but abandoned

                         us to our fate. Nevertheless, we

                         will use what meager resources they

                         have lent us, and we owe our

                         deepest gratitude to the Republic

                         soldiers who will fight for us.

                             (pause)

                         However, in this dark hour, we have

                         received aid from the unlikeliest

                         of places. From out of the

                         histories, Alderaan's ancient

                         allies, the defenders of the Old

                         Republic, the Jedi Knights have

                         come to our defense.

                             (murmurs and gasps

                              throughout the crowd,

                              scattered "I knew its")

                         Yes. It is true. It would appear

                         the Force is on our side. And as

                         Madame Mothma and our new friends

                         have reminded me, there is perhaps

                         no greater ally.

               EXT. ALDERAAN, BATTLE FIELD - DAY

               A row of soldiers salute Obi Wan as he strides by to oversee

               the battle preparations -- he nods quizzically. Before him is

               the field of battle, where soldiers and Jedi, together under

               Canaris' guidance, dig trenches (with the help of the Force)

               and mount artillery.

               Behind Obi Wan are the homes, businesses, studios, factories

               of the capital, and behind that the castle.

                                   ORGANA (V.O.)

                         Together, Jedi and soldier will

                         fight at the front to defend the

                         city, and in orbit to protect us

                         from bombardment.

               INT. FALLING STAR, AFT VIEWING DECK

               Mon Mothma observes a network of orbital platforms thrusting

               into their final positions around Alderaan as Kitch, Manx,

               and Anakin stand beside her. In the center of the viewing

               panel is the largest and most ornate of the platforms.

                                   ORGANA (V.O.)

                         To this end, Chandrilla has given

                         us the use of its planetary shield

                         system. Her people assemble it as

                         we speak.

               Mothma raises a communicator.

                                   MOTHMA

                         Ready?

                                   CHANDRILLAN TECH (O.C.)

                         Ready for ignition.

                                   MOTHMA

                         Please proceed.

               The large platform sparks into life, energy coiling at the

               tips of its many spokes and shooting out toward the other

               platforms. The energy spreads from relay to relay and a

               glowing energy shield begins to envelope the planet.

                                   KITCH

                         Very impressive.

                             (raising a communicator)

                         Learning anything, Heph?

               INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS

               Heph is inspecting the gleaming consoles of the interior,

               flanked by his droids, and surrounded by the beautiful,

               androgenous Chandrillan engineers, bustling about their

               duties. 

                                   HEPH

                         It's complicated tech, to be sure

                         Cap'n, but I think I've got my head

                         around it. This thing's not going

                         down on my watch.

               EXT. ALDERAAN, CAPITAL CITY - DAY

               Able-bodied men and women, including the queen's young blonde

               handmaiden collect blasters from Republic troopers. Nearby,

               the samurai-like Jedi and her pupils lead a group of

               civilians in meditation.

               Odo Luff wrestles with a group of children, a full ten of

               them hanging from his massive body.

                                   ORGANA (V.O.)

                         Should the enemy breach the trench

                         line, you, people of Alderaan, be

                         you thinker, merchant, or courtier,

                         will protect your homes and

                         families, with a detachment of

                         soldiers and Jedi to fight beside

                         you. As for the children and

                         elderly, they are to take shelter

                         in the castle.

               INT. ALDERAAN CASTLE, COMMAND CENTER - DAY

               The room was once a throne room, and the gleaming throne can

               be seen against the far wall -- but Obi Wan, Organa, Elspet,

               two Republic officers, Dyson Honoré, a protocol droid, and a

               few others are gathered at a circular table in the middle of

               the hall.

               Holographic projections of the planet, the battleground, and

               key units hover above the table, and the assembled animatedly

               discuss strategy.

                                   ORGANA (V.O.)

                         The castle will also serve as

                         command center. In ancient times it

                         was a fortress, and mighty, so the

                         histories say.

               EXT. ALDERAAN CASTLE - DAY

                                   ORGANA

                         We will soon see whether this is

                         still true. If it is anything like

                         all of you, my brothers and sisters

                         of Alderaan, then it can never

                         fall!

               Another cheer erupts from the crowd.

               EXT. ALDERAAN LANDING FIELD - MORNING

               Amidst the Republic ships prepping for battle, Anakin is

               giving his fighter one last tune-up while a few of Heph's

               droids apply a fresh coat of paint via integral sprayer

               attachments -- yellow, with red and blue accents. 

               Anakin, wearing half a flightsuit, an undershirt, and a

               blaster on his hip, looks up as Obi Wan approaches.

                                   KENOBI

                         Do you think your ship is ready?

                                   ANAKIN

                         Ready as she's gonna be.

               Anakin puts down his tools, wipes his hands with a towel,

               walks over to Kenobi.

                                   KENOBI

                         I'm sorry there wasn't more time.

                         Your training has only just begun.

                                   ANAKIN

                         Thanks for reminding me.

               Kenobi puts a hand on Anakin's shoulder, looks him in the

               eye.

                                   KENOBI

                         And yet, I think it will be enough.

                         Anakin, I believe in you. Inside

                         that ship of yours, you have no

                         match. Stay with your squadron, and

                         let the Force guide you.

                             (tapping Anakin on the

                              forehead with a finger)

                         And if you need me, I am here.

                                   ANAKIN

                             (extending a hand)

                         Thanks, Master.

               Kenobi draws him in for a hug.

                                                               WIPE TO:

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN

               Rohn's dark fleet exits hyperspace -- several destroyer class

               vessels, including Faal and Rohn's super destroyers, and a

               cloner.   

               INT. ROHN'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

               Rohn stands at the helm, hands clasped behind his back,

               Alderaan centered on the panel in front of him.

                                   ROHN

                         There she is. Unguarded. Naked.

                         Afraid.

                             (into a com)

                         Faal. Make ready the troops.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               A shot of the humming cloner establishes Faal's whereabouts.

               INT. CLONER - CONTINUOUS

               In a large bay, thousands of armed clones file into

               transports and other large, armored vehicles under Faal's

               supervision.

                                   FAAL

                         As you command.

               Faal strides into a transport and surveys the troopers of the

               vanguard.

               INT. ROHN'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

                                   ROHN

                         When the capital city has fallen,

                         we will begin the collection of

                         material. Until then: total

                         eradication.

                                   FAAL (O.S.)

                         My pleasure.

                                   ROHN

                         Then let us proceed.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The dark fleet advances toward Alderaan.