EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
Shield relays are repositioning, spreading out. The shield is
failing as a result.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
A tech types furiously at a console.
CHANDRILLAN TECH
Relays in position. This had better
work.
Heph is on his knees next to the generator, tools all around
him. His droids are cannibalizing components from all over
the facility, dropping them at his side, as he pulls out
parts from the generator and replaces them at breakneck
speed.
HEPH
(to one of his droids)
I said a conduction amplifier not
an induction amplifier!
The droid beeps.
HEPH (CONT'D)
No you stay and weld this bit into
place.
(to another droid)
You, if your audio receptors are
working, get me a conduction
amplifier!
(into a comm)
Forbee, progress report!
EXT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Forbee shuffles along the hull of the platform toward a
control box. It's slow going, as each step requires the
activation and release of magnets.
Ships and laser fire whiz all about. Forbee's head literally
spins as he draws closer to his destination and beeps his
reply.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
A droid wipes Heph's brow with a towel on the end of a
manipulator arm.
HEPH
Well, it's no picnic in here
either.
Heph waves away a droid trying to hold a thermos of water to
his lips.
HEPH (CONT'D)
Hurry it up!
EXT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Forbee approaches the control box tentatively -- a tiny droid
practically floating out in space, surrounded by total
mayhem.
He studies the cover on the control box; several knobs need
to be turned to unlock and open it. Forbee raises his various
appendages in front of his optics -- none of them look like
they'll work particularly well on smooth knobs. Forbee makes
a sad whine.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Heph slaves away at the generator. The Chandrillan tech types
furiously at his console.
CHANDRILLAN TECH
If your calculations are correct,
the power will be more than
adequate.
HEPH
What'd I tell ya?
CHANDRILLAN TECH
In fact, there will be an initial
energy surge, just for a moment,
that will destroy any ship caught
in the force field.
HEPH
Hot damn!
(into comms)
Cap'n, I'll have this shield up in
half a minute, and when I do, any
ship hanging about between those
relays is a goner. You got me?
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Kitch pilots his way through the massive star battle.
KITCH
Us out. Them in. Gotcha.
(into comms)
All units, lure as many ships into
the force field as possible --
right on it, now you hear? My
Heph's cooking up a surprise for
them, so when he says break, you
break!
ANAKIN (O.S.)
And then we go to work on those
destroyers, right?
MANX
Sure thing, you little lunatic.
KITCH
In fact, that's the perfect way to
hook 'em.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Star and the Lance make for Rohn's destoryer.
INT. ROHN'S SHIP, BRIDGE - MOMENTS LATER
A jolt causes clone officers to lose their footing, though
Rohn keeps his balance.
ROHN
What was that?
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The explosion of a recent cannon blast is visible against the
hull of Rohn's destroyer as the Falling Star fires another
broadside.
INT. ROHN'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
A clone officer looks up from his console.
CLONE OFFICER
A lone frigate, sir. Our shields
are holding.
ROHN
A lone frigate, you say?
Rohn closes his eyes, opens them again.
ROHN (CONT'D)
(to himself)
You will not escape this time.
(to his crew)
Destroy it.
CLONE OFFICER
Affirmative.
INT. FALLING STAR, MAIN BATTERY - CONTINUOUS
Alda smirks.
ALDA
There's more where that came from
you sack of sunyips!
INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Anakin can see a several squadrons of fighters converging on
their position, some of them fresh from the belly of Rohn's
behemoth.
ANAKIN
Looks like we got their attention!
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Star and Lance make for the shield, multiple squadrons in
pursuit.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Heph slams one more component into place and begins welding.
HEPH
That should do her.
(into comms)
You ready yet, Forbee?
EXT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Forbee's most hand-like appendage -- a three-pronged hook --
scrapes uselessly around one of the control box knobs. He
just can't get a grip.
Forbee beeps his frustration.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Heph jumps to his feet.
HEPH
What do you mean you haven't got it
open yet?! What've you been doing
out there?!
EXT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Forbee has switched to a blow torch. This appears to be
working, but it's very slow going. He beeps and whirs, as if
to say, "I'm doing the best I can."
INT. ALDERAAN CASTLE, COMMAND CENTER - CONTINUOUS
Kenobi watches the continued bombardment devastate the
battlefield.
KENOBI
(into comms)
You must get the shield up, Tosca.
They can't take any more out there.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Heph paces back and forth.
HEPH
(into comms)
I'm trying. Believe me I'm trying.
KITCH (O.S.)
You ready yet?
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The Falling Star, Infinity Lance and a host of other Republic
ships are orbiting the planet, dodging relays, dragging enemy
fighters behind.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Relays fly by at high speed.
KITCH
See, first you set the trap, but
after that, you've got to spring
it, or it's no good.
MANX
First rule of traps.
KITCH
First rule of traps.
INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Anakin is smirking as he pilots his way through the gauntlet
with ease.
ANAKIN
Don't let them get to you. I could
do this all day.
EXT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
A swarm of ships buzzes the platform, enemy laser fire
scoring the hull all around Forbee. He quits it with the
blowtorch and shuffles for his life.
HEPH (O.S.)
Forbee! How long, Forbee?
A blast hits right in front of the little droid, who pulls a
one eighty only to be stopped short by another blast.
HEPH (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Do you almost have it? Talk to me!
A ship screams by so closely that it almost takes paint off
Forbee's head. He beeps and quivers with fear.
And then another enemy fighter strafes the platform, a line
of laser fire approaching Forbee, passing narrowly by and...
blowing open the control box cover.
Forbee does a double take, then shuffles toward the control
box as fast as he can.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Heph's on his knees, screaming into a communicator.
HEPH
Forbee! Are you all right out
there? Forbee!
Forbee beeps and whistles into the comms.
HEPH (CONT'D)
I thought I'd lost you, buddy. Now,
what the blazes is wrong with you?
Hurry it up.
EXT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
The interior of the control box looks like a highly complex
fuse box. Forbee is flicking switches with blinding speed.
Upon hitting the last switch, a few sparks fly from the box.
Forbee beeps his completion.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
The lights go out, then hum back to life. Various indicator
lights on the generator go green.
Heph strides toward the tech and his console.
HEPH
Atta boy!
(into comms)
All right Cap'n, we got it. On my
signal...
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - COCKPIT
Kitch looks at Manx.
KITCH
Music to my ears.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Heph's finger hovers above the keyboard.
HEPH
Break!
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The defenders of Alderaan break hard in all directions.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Heph hits it.
EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS
The shield re-ignites, a wave of energy encircling the
planet, and setting off a cascade of explosions -- enemy
fighters bursting like popcorn.
The nose is sheered off of one of the destroyers, and then it
breaks apart in a series of detonations.
And then the surge is over, and the shield is restored.
INT. PRIMARY SHIELD PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Heph is hugging the Chandrillan Tech. An air lock opens and
Forbee rolls in. Heph turns and runs over to Forbee, scooping
him up in his arms and spinning him around.
INT. ALDERAAN CASTLE, COMMAND CENTER - CONTINUOUS
Mothma hugs Kenobi's arm as Bail Organa shakes the other
hand.
ORGANA
Those bucaneers of yours may just
have turned the tide of this
battle.
KENOBI
They may have, but it's not over
yet.
LEORE
Indeed. We've neutralized their
orbital artillery, but our defenses
have been weakened, and those
clones keep coming.
KENOBI
We need to destroy the cloner.
ORGANA
So, we send in the rest of our
frigates.
KENOBI
No. I have some direct experience
with this. We don't have the
firepower, but they do.
(into comms)
Captain Kitch, we have a new
primary objective -- the enemy
cloner.
INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
Manx and Kitch are looking at each other.
KITCH
All right. What do you have in
mind?
KENOBI (O.S.)
Well, I'm afraid it's all getting a
bit repetitious...
INT. ALDERAAN CASTLE, COMMAND CENTER - CONTINUOUS
Kenobi is eyeballing the hologram of Faal's ship.
KENOBI
But, I believe it's time for
another act of piracy.