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.