logo Sign In

Post #793272

Author
carlhollywood
Parent topic
Star Wars Episode 1: A False Dawn
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/793272/action/topic#793272
Date created
14-Oct-2015, 1:32 PM

EXT. ALDERAAN, BATTLE FIELD - CONTINUOUS

               In the absence of bombardment, the Jedi rally -- reforming

               their ranks, cutting off the flow of clones into the city. 

               They are able to beat back another wave, but, out from the

               lingering smoke, emerges another. A few Jedi exchange weary,

               uncertain glances.

               INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS

               Anakin scans his surroundings. The density of enemy fighters

               has greatly diminished, and for the most part Republic star

               fighters have them under control.

               He watches as the Falling Star speeds toward's Faal's

               destroyer.

                                   ANAKIN

                         Got anything for me to do?

                                   KENOBI (O.S.)

                         We must seize the momentum. We're

                         sending the frigates to assault

                         their command ship. Join the

                         attack.

                                   ANAKIN

                         You bet, master.

               Anakin banks and accelerates toward Rohn's ship.

               INT. ALDERAAN CASTLE, COMMAND CENTER - CONTINUOUS

               Kenobi's eyes are grave.

                                   KENOBI

                         But be careful, Anakin. The

                         commander of that ship is strong

                         with the Dark Side.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               Even as Anakin joins a formation of frigates, the Falling

               Star approaches its prey.

               INT. FALLING STAR, HANGAR BAY - CONTINUOUS

               Kitch, Contana, and the Alien Gunners strap on weapons and

               grenades.

                                   KITCH

                         We drop directly into the bridge.

                         Take it, hold it long enough to do

                         the job, and get out. Quick and

                         clean, got it?

               Aye's from the crew as the gear up.

                                   KITCH (CONT'D)

                             (into comms)

                         Manx, are we close?

               INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS

               Manx is close enough to the bridge or Faal's ship to make out

               the crew, gesticulating frantically.

                                   MANX

                         I'd say so.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The Star evades incoming fire from the destroyer as it rushes

               the bridge and alights atop it. A boarding tube descends from

               the hull.

               INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS

               Manx bolts out of her chair and exits the cockpit.

               INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS

               Kitch and the crew unroll cords from winches and latch them

               to their belts. They assemble around a circular lock in the

               floor. Kitch holds a blaster rifle.

               Manx charges in, grabs a cord of her own, latches in, and

               Kitch tosses her the rifle.

                                   MANX

                         Well, what are we waiting for?

               Kitch hits a switch and the lock opens.

               INT. FAAL'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

               A circle is burned instantly into the ceiling, and then a

               blast blows open a hole.

               A surprised clone crew watches as a few thermal detonators

               drop through the breach and skitter across the floor. A

               moment, and then a scramble for cover.

               BOOM. BOOM, BaBOOM.

               In the immediate aftermath of the detonations, Kitch and his

               crew drop in on their lines and open fire.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The Infinity Lance falls into formation with the Republic

               frigates en route to Rohn's destroyer -- itself flanked by

               smaller dark destroyers.

               INT. REPUBLIC FRIGATE, HELM - CONTINUOUS

               A frigate captain hails Anakin from his command chair, a

               faint smile on her lips.

                                   FRIGATE CAPTAIN

                         It looks like we have a fighter

                         escort.

               A few of the frigate crew laugh good-naturedly.

               INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS

               Anakin looks earnest.

                                   ANAKIN

                         Skywalker here in the Infinity

                         Lance, reporting for duty.

               INT. REPUBLIC FRIGATE, HELM - CONTINUOUS

               The captain looks a little confused.

                                   FRIGATE CAPTAIN

                             (to her XO)

                         Sounds like a boy.

                             (into comms)

                         On whose orders?

                                   ANAKIN (O.S.)

                         Under direct orders from General

                         Kenobi, ma'am.

               A pause as the captain looks even more confused.

                                   ANAKIN (O.S.) (CONT'D) 

                             (his pride audible)

                         I'm his apprentice. Jedi apprentice

                         ma'am.

               INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS

               Anakin considers whether to continue.

                                   ANAKIN

                         And if I may offer a report. Those

                         shields are tough. Real tough. I

                         think the thrusters are exposed,

                         but I don't really see her running

                         for it anyway, you know what I

                         mean? Ma'am?

               INT. REPUBLIC FRIGATE, HELM - CONTINUOUS

                                   FRIGATE CAPTAIN

                             (a bit taken aback)

                         Roger that. Good hunting.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The frigates converge on Rohn's ship.

               INT. ROHN'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

               A clone officer straightens his back.

                                   CLONE OFFICER

                         Commander, we have a squadron of

                         frigates inbound.

                                   ROHN

                         Launch reserve fighters and divert

                         all surplus power to shields. Now

                         we test this ship's mettle.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The frigates take positions in range of the destroyer --

               several rows of heavy Republic firepower, but still dwarfed

               by Rohn's dreadnought.

               Dozens of enemy AA turrets open up on the Republic ships, and

               the frigates return the light fire.

               INT. REPUBLIC FRIGATE, HELM - CONTINUOUS

               The captain's eyes are hard.

                                   FRIGATE CAPTAIN

                         Fire.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The frigates let loose their big guns. A mighty barrage

               peppers Rohn's destroyer, but no damage is visible.

               INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS

               Anakin looks uncertain. He steels himself and dives in.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The Lance banks and rolls into a strafing run, above the

               plane of his comrades. Anakin fires the particle beam,

               dragging it across the hull of Rohn's ship. It doesn't

               penetrate.

               INT. INFINITY LANCE, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS

               Anakin looks over his shoulder.

                                   ANAKIN

                         Not good. Let's try another pass.

               But, as he swings about he sees a squadron of enemy fighters

               pouring out of the destroyer.

                                   ANAKIN (CONT'D)

                         How many does he have in there?

               INT. FAAL'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

               In a room full of clone corpses, Kitch takes the helm, while

               Alda and one of the gunners work on sealing the hatch to the

               bridge. Manx and Gunner Three have taken up positions behind

               consoles, blasters trained at the hatch.

               A small column of clones double-times it toward the bridge,

               but Manx and Gunner Three fell them before they make it in --

               Manx dropping the last one late enough that his momentum

               carries his body through the hatch. 

               Alda gives her a look over his shoulder.

                                   ALDA

                         Cutting it a little close, aren't

                         we?

                                   MANX

                             (raising an eyebrow)

                         Then shut the door already.

               Kitch swings the ship about, the cloner sliding into view and

               landing dead center.

                                   KITCH

                         Here's hoping they repaired that

                         cannon.

               Kitch flips a switch.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The giant cannon emerges from the destroyer's hull.

               INT. FAAL'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

               Kitch laughs.

                                   KITCH

                         I like it a whole lot better from

                         over here. Alda, would you like the

                         honor?

                                   ALDA

                         Give me a few more seconds.

                                   KITCH

                             (smiling)

                         Sorry.

               He fires the cannon.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The blast from the cannon is truly epic, a huge, brilliant

               bolt of energy blazing across the distance from the destroyer

               to the cloner.

               It's a direct hit, and a series of explosions erupt across

               the cloner's hull, but the damage is less than catastrophic.

               Manx watches over her shoulder. She looks quizzically at

               Kitch, who shrugs.

                                   KITCH

                         Guess we would have made it.

                                   MANX

                         Don't tell Heph. He was very proud.

               Alda and the gunner seal the hatch. Alda slaps some

               explosives on it -- a booby trap -- and approaches Kitch.

                                   ALDA

                         So, I guess it's Plan B.

                                   KITCH

                         My favorite plan.

               Kitch locks in the destroyer's heading and sets thrust to

               maximum. He and his crew head back to the breach and reattach

               their lines. Kitch hits a button on his belt, and the winches

               pull them all up and out.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The Republic frigates hold formation, even as they are

               swarmed by clone fighters. Swivel guns track the bogeys as

               best they can, but between the fighters and Rohn's destroyer

               the losses begin to mount.

               And worst of all, the frigate's fire is still not

               penetrating.

               The Infinity Lance really does constitute a one-man fighter

               escort, though. It seems to be everywhere all at once, lasing

               through clone ships with abandon.

               INT. ROHN'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

               Rohn looks pleased, as he views a holographic representation

               of the action.

                                   ROHN

                         And soon their fleet will be so

                         much dust. Our clones will travel

                         to the surface unopposed, the

                         planetary shield will fall again,

                         and the Jedi will be swept away

                         like vermin by a flood.

                                   CLONE OFFICER

                         Commander! Lord Faal's ship!

                                   ROHN

                         What about it?

               Rohn replaces the hologram of his ship with that of Faal's

               and its surroundings. He can see what's happening.

                                   ROHN (CONT'D)

                         No.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The Falling Star detaches from the destroyer and thrusts to a

               safe distance.

               INT. FALLING STAR, COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS

               Kitch grins widely as he and Manx pilot to safety.

                                   MANX

                         I knew you were disappointed the

                         first time around. You love a good

                         crash.

                                   KITCH

                         But not from the front row. And not

                         without my first mate.

               Kitch winks at her and starts flipping switches.

                                   MANX

                         What are you doing, Cap?

                                   KITCH

                         Autopilot.

                                   MANX

                         There's a war on in case you

                         haven't noticed.

                                   KITCH

                         It's just for a second.

               Kitch unstraps and holds out a hand.

               INT. ROHN'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

               Rohn turns from the hologram to the viewing panel. He can see

               the impending disaster with his own eyes. It won't be long

               now.

                                   ROHN

                             (into comms)

                         Open it! Or I will open you.

               INT. FAAL'S SHIP, PASSAGEWAY - CONTINUOUS

               A unit of clones works to unseal the hatch to the bridge.

                                   CLONE SOLDIER

                             (into comms)

                         We have it now.

               A clone subordinate activates the door control. The hiss of

               the opening hatch is followed by an explosion.

               Those closest to the hatch are incinerated, but the clone

               with the communicator and a few others survive. They stagger

               to their feet and take the bridge.

               INT. FAAL'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

               It's too late. The cloner looms very large in the viewing

               panel.

               INT. ROHN'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

               Rohn quivers with rage, his eyes red and moist. He stares at

               his ships in horror. They collide in a brilliant flash.

               INT. FALLING STAR, AFT VIEWING DECK - CONTINUOUS

               The crew is assembled, Manx and Kitch side by side, the

               explosion framed perfectly before them.

               The crew laughs, hoots, hugs. Alda pats his eep on the head.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The explosion continues, awesome to behold. Clone transports

               too near the blast are engulfed.

               INT. FALLING STAR, PASSAGEWAY - CONTINUOUS

               Kitch and Manx head back toward the cockpit, Kitch's comm in

               hand.

                                   KITCH

                         Captain Kitch reporting. Scratch

                         one command ship and one cloner.

               INT. ALDERAAN CASTLE, COMMAND CENTER - CONTINUOUS

               Applause all around, as the two ships vanish from the

               holographic battle map.

                                   LEORE

                         Copy that, Captain. Well done!

                                   KENOBI

                         Bloody amazing!

                                   ELSPET

                         We're going to win aren't we?

                                   ORGANA

                         I think so, my love.

                                   KENOBI

                             (into comms)

                         I owe you one, my friend.

                                   KITCH (O.S.)

                         One?! You cheap son of a gundark.

               Laughter all around, but Mothma's eyes drift to the window,

               and Kenobi's follow.

                                   MOTHMA

                         Won, but not over.

                                   KENOBI

                         No.

               INT. ROHN'S SHIP, BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS

               Rohn turns his back to the viewing panel, and marches toward

               the exit.

                                   CLONE OFFICER

                         Orders, commander?!

                                   ROHN

                             (still walking)

                         We are lost. Kill as many as you

                         can. I must report our defeat.

                                   CLONE OFFICER

                         Commander?

                                   ROHN

                         Kill, and then die. That is all. 

               Rohn passes through a hatch and off the bridge.

               EXT. ALDERAAN, CAPITAL CITY - CONTINUOUS

               The fighting in the city is chaotic. Republic troops arrive

               from the same direction as the clones. There is no order or

               clear objective other than survival.

               The handmaiden and her family continue to hold their

               apartment, firing from windows. On the street below, a clone

               rocket team readies their heavy shoulder-mounted weapon and

               takes aim.

               INT. HANDMAIDEN'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

               The handmaiden's father sees the plasma bazooka pointed in

               their direction.

                                   HANDMAIDEN'S FATHER

                         Get back. Everybody back!

               He turns from the window, but it is too late. He, his wife,

               and one of their sons are caught in the blast.

               The handmaiden and her other brother, firing from a different

               window are knocked back and dazed, debris falling around

               them.

               Stunned and woozy, the handmaiden surveys the corpses of her

               family. He brother finds his feet and rushes the gaping hole

               in the wall, blaster in hand. 

               The handmaiden screams for him, but he ignores her... and is

               dropped by blaster fire.

               EXT. ALDERAAN, CAPITAL CITY - CONTINUOUS

               Odo Luff glances back at the ruins of the handmaiden's

               apartment -- more casualties. 

               The rocket team takes aim at another nest, but as the

               projectile leaves the launcher, Luff stops it mid-air with a

               wave of his hand and flings it back at them. They are killed

               instantly.

               Luff quickly ducks behind a building, taking a moment while

               he is out of the line of fire. He puts fingers to his temple.

                                   ODO (V.O.)

                         Obi Wan, I don't know how much more

                         we can take.

               INT. ALDERAAN CASTLE, COMMAND CENTER - CONTINUOUS

               Obi Wan is watching the field of battle. The battle rages on,

               but the stream of clones into the city, past the trenches,

               has been stemmed. 

                                   KENOBI (V.O.)

                         Stand firm, Odo. There will be no

                         more reinforcements, so stay alive

                         and save as many as you can,

                         because it is only a matter of

                         time.

               EXT. SPACE, OFF ALDERAAN - CONTINUOUS

               The frigates continue their fruitless assault on Rohn's ship,

               and one more of them succumbs to enemy fire.

               INT. REPUBLIC FRIGATE, HELM - CONTINUOUS

               The captain grips the arms of her chair.

                                   FRIGATE CAPTAIN

                         Analytics. Report!

                                   REPUBLIC TECH OFFICER

                         There's a weak point, at the shield

                         generator itself -- sort of like a

                         funnel emanating from that single

                         point. Readying visual.

               A hologram appears in front of the captain's chair. An energy

               field surrounds Rohn's ship, but it originates from a tiny

               spot atop the ship, about midway down the length of it. It

               looks kind of like a navel.

                                   FRIGATE CAPTAIN

                         Damn, that's small.

               In the viewing panel a pair of fighters materialize, heading

               straight for the helm in kamikaze run. The captain winces in

               anticipation. 

               Suddenly, the Infinity Lance appears and destroys the clone

               fighters with a sweep of its particle beam.

                                   FRIGATE CAPTAIN (CONT'D)

                         Skywalker!