EXT. SPACE – ANTAR (FLASHBACK)
The Antar Orbital Station sits situated in orbit above the gas giant Antar. The planet and the station both belong to the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
Having emerged from hyperspace, a Sheathipede-class transport shuttle makes an approach run for the space station.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DOCKING BAY
The Sheathipede glides into the docking bay; a welcoming party of ONE GOTAL LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, ONE B1-SERIES TECHNICIAN ‘DROID, and NINE BX-SERIES BATTLE ‘DROIDS stands in wait of the craft as it touches down.
As the shuttle’s hatch opens and boarding ramp extends, Csan Than and his blonde apprentice emerge, accompanied by an escort of FOUR ARMED CIS GUARDS. While the guards wear gray uniforms, Than and the girl wear dark green uniforms, denoting them as Jedi Separatist officers.
GOTAL LT. CMDR: (bows to the Jedi) Welcome, Master Jedi. You honour us with your presence.
CSAN THAN: Let us dispense with the pleasantries, Lieutenant Commander. I have come for the prisoner, Hoed Rubin.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: Yes, the prisoner Hoed Rubin. (beat) Master, if you don’t mind my asking, why is he being transferred to the Algara V facility? The execution can be easily carried out here.
CSAN THAN: I am not privy to that information. Whatever their reasoning, that is what our masters desire, Commander.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: So it is, Master. At your command, we will guide your entourage and yourself to Rubin’s cell.
CSAN THAN: Make it so.
Bowing his head in deference once again, the Gotal lieutenant commander turns on his heel, signalling the ‘droids to do the same. With the Jedi and their guards in tow, they depart the docking bay.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DETENTION LEVEL/CORRIDOR #1
As the Gotal, Jedi, ‘droids, and guards make their way towards the detention block, the lieutenant commander takes notice of Than’s artificial left hand.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: That must have been a most grievous injury, my lord.
CSAN THAN: It was – not that it’s any concern of yours, Commander.
GOTAL LT. CMDR: I am sorry. You will forgive me, of course?
CSAN THAN: (sighs) If it is necessary …
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DETENTION BLOCK ANTECHAMBER
The Confederates enter the antechamber leading to the detention block. Before the detention block entrance stands a control console, behind which are stationed a BRONZE-COLOURED EV-SERIES SUPERVISOR ‘DROID and six BX battle ‘droids.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: Open the door for us, supervisor.
Obeying without remark, the supervisor ‘droid opens the door leading into the detention block proper.
GOTAL LT. CMDR. (gestures towards the open door) After you, Master Jedi.
Nodding once silently, Than enters first, followed by his apprentice and guards and finally by the Gotal and his ‘droids.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DETENTION BLOCK
CSAN THAN: The prisoner is in prime condition, I expect.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: For his sake, he had to be sedated. He is in complete health otherwise.
CSAN: Good. It wouldn’t do to mistreat our prisoners, even the ones on death row.
Arriving at the closed door to Hoed Rubin’s cell, the Gotal sweeps a keycard through a keycard lock and punches in an access code, opening it. Beyond the door lies Rubin, unconscious on his bunk, his back turned to the opening.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: There he is, Master – asleep but alive.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DETENTION BLOCK/HOED RUBIN’S CELL
Entering the cell, Master Than, his apprentice, and the four guards walk over to Rubin’s prone form.
CSAN THAN: Stimulant, if you please, apprentice.
Fishing out a hypo-syringe, the blonde girl hands it to the Anx. Taking the hypo-syringe, he injects the contents into the man’s bloodstream. Almost immediately, the Human GROANS.
CSAN THAN: He’s coming around.
The Jedi turns Hoed Rubin face-up, finally affording us a view of his face. Hair long and black, with an aquiline nose and chin, he’s quite striking, though not in a conventionally handsome sense. Gaining a semblance of consciousness, his heavy maroon eyes crack open.
HOED RUBIN: (weary) Who are you?
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: Your new cellmates, Mr. Rubin.
Hidden lamps suddenly come on within the cell, flooding the interior with a harsh orange light. Suddenly nauseous, everyone in the cell doubles over.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: (grins) Surprised? So was I when I saw your hand; Master Bene Ilaxu wears a prosthetic limb on his right side, not his left.
Collapsing to her knees, one of the guards throws up.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: How are you enjoying the ultrasonics? Quite effective in disrupting Force-sensitive and non-sensitive equilibriums both, no?
Struggling to maintain her balance, the female Jedi unhooks her primary lightsaber from her belt. When she tries to activate it, though, nothing happens.
GOTAL LT. CMDR: You’ll also find that the nullifier field present in your cell has rendered your weapons inoperative.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DETENTION BLOCK ANTECHAMBER
The double doors into the antechamber slide open, admitting five new arrivals: THREE BLUE-SKINNED DUROS MALES and TWO IDENTICAL HUMAN FEMALES. While the Duros wear gray CIS uniforms and carry blaster rifles, the two women wear white plastoid armour, their wrists held in binders.
SUPERVISOR ‘DROID: Where are you taking these … things?
DUROS GUARD #1: New prisoners. Just transferred up from Antar V.
SUPERVISOR ‘DROID: I wasn’t notified. I’ll have to clear it.
DUROS GUARD #1: No need.
Bringing his blaster up until the EV is within his scopes, the Duros pulls the trigger; a bolt of superheated red plasma flashes out with a harsh CHOOM, blasting the ‘droid’s head clean off.
As the headless body of the bronze ‘droid stands there, sparks flying from its neck stump, the battle ‘droids move in to engage the imposters. Freeing their hands from their unsecured binders, the armoured women fish out hidden blaster pistols. A short firefight ensues, ending with the five clones making minced microchips out of the mechanical warriors.
Stepping behind the control console, one of the Duros opens fire upon the various panels.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DETENTION BLOCK/HOED RUBIN’S CELL
The control console taken out, the nullifier and ultrasonic fields wink out.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: (surprised) What in the twelve --!?
Quickly regaining herself, the blonde Jedi locks gazes with the Gotal. Sporting an almost feral grin, she triggers her lightsaber; with a sharp SNAP-HISS, the blazing aureolin blade springs to life.
Unholstering his blaster, the Gotal takes quick aim and opens fire. With one grand sweep of her blade, the young Jedi parries the blaster bolt, sending it back to sender.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: (blaster blown out of hand) ARGH!
As the Gotal retreats, the battle ‘droids advance. As Than engages the aureolin blade of his own lightsaber and joins his apprentice, their guards cover them, helping to mow the robots down with blasterfire.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DOCKING BAY
Back in the docking bay, the Sheathipede has been locked down; several battle and technician ‘droids go over and through the ship with the proverbial fine-toothed comb for any hidden surprises.
Away from the shuttle, another starship – a HWK-285 freighter – has arrived. It’s loading ramp lowered, a PAIR OF BLX LABOUR ‘DROIDS push a wide repulsorcart laden with two large crates through the open hatch, a Human woman dressed in ochre coveralls following along behind.
With two battle ‘droids flanking it, a technician ‘droid approaches the woman. As it gets close to her, we can finally make out of the woman’s features; her haircut and colour, the exact hue of her eyes, the size and shape of her nose and chin – all are identical to those of the two clone women back in the detention block.
Bringing forward a scanner, the B1 takes readings of the crates.
TECHNICIAN ‘DROID: No weapons detected. You may open the crates.
The clone gestures to the labour ‘droids for them to open the crates. As the ‘droids fling open the crate lids, several small objects secreted in silver foil are revealed.
CLONE IN COVERALLS: One-hundred self-sealing stem bolts, as ordered.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DETENTION BLOCK ANTECHAMBER
The Jedi, guards, and semi-conscious Hoed Rubin emerge from the detention block, joining the clones in wait for them. The Gotal officer, now a captive of the clones, sneers at the Jedi.
GOTAL LT. CMDR.: The entire station’s been alerted to your presence here. You’ll never leave the station – not alive.
CSAN THAN: The future isn’t set yet, Commander. (to the others) Back to the docking bay.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DOCKING BAY
A company of BX battle ‘droids enters the docking bay. Forming into a long column, they form an impenetrable barrier between the doors and the ships.
Lacking the full range of Human emotion, the covert clone remains as impassive as ever.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DETENTION LEVEL/CORRIDOR #2
In a hurry, the Republican agents make their way through the corridor. The head of Hoed Rubin, whose limp form remains held up between two guards, bops up and down with each stride.
As they pass by an adjoining corridor, red blasterfire rains forth from it, striking down two of the clones, two of the guards, and the captive Gotal himself. Spinning around, the two Jedi spot a small company of battle ‘droids on approach, blasters aimed and firing. Positioning themselves between the ‘droids and their comrades, they form a pair of living shields, using their lightsabers to block and parry the hail of blasterfire.
CSAN THAN: Continue on to the docking bay! We’ll be right behind you!
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DOCKING BAY
Reaching for her belt, the clone pulls out a comlink. Activating it, she brings it close to her lips.
CLONE IN COVERALLS: (into comlink) Awaken.
Almost immediately, the HWK-285 comes to life. Repulsorlifts burning, the ship rises, coming to hover above the deck.
Unholstering her blaster, the clone shoots the technician ‘droid and one of the battle ‘droids straight through the head, execution style, but the remaining BX guns her down before she can turn on it.
Turning on its axis, the HWK-285 comes to face the column of ‘droids. Panels retract and hidden blasters extend from the body of the ship; a torrent of green blasterfire is released, decimating the robots.
CUT TO
The Jedi and their compatriots as they finally arrive in the docking bay.
Moving forward, the Republicans cut through the remaining ‘droids on a dead run for the HWK-285. Hot on their heels, guns ablaze, are more BXs.
As the agents of Republic close in on the freighter, the craft reorients itself until the entry hatch is positioned in their direction. The hatch sliding open, THREE CLONE SHOCKTROOPERS emerge. Attired in the same plasteel body armour worn by the two female clones, they also wear face-concealing white helmets. Lifting their rifles into position, they lay down green cover fire, taking out as many of the BXs as they can lock on to.
Coming to the edge of the open hatch, the Jedi girl takes Rubin into her arms. Turning towards the armoured clones, she hoists his loose body up to them.
BLONDE GIRL: Quickly – get him inside!
The shocktroopers obey immediately and without question, taking hold of the man and pulling him up into the ship.
INT. HWK-285/CARGO HOLD
The Jedi apprentice climbs aboard the ship, followed quickly by her teacher and the remaining clones and guards. As she bends in close to Hoed Rubin, inspecting him for any injuries sustained, his eyes open, focusing on her pretty face.
HOED RUBIN: Are you an angel? (giggles) Deep space pilots talk about them. They’re the most beautiful creatures in the universe. (beat) They live on the moons of Iego, I think.
As the man bursts into a fit of drug-induced giggles, the girl exchanges glances with her master.
BLONDE GIRL: He’s delirious.
INT. ANTAR ORBITAL STATION/DOCKING BAY
With everyone aboard, the HWK-285 enters into a run for open space. As that very moment, the docking bay blast doors begin to close, threatening to cut them off and entrap them.
INT. HWK-285/COCKPIT
Master Than peeks his head in the cockpit. In the pilot and co-pilot seats, respectively, are RIC OLIÉ and an anonymous orange Nikto.
RIC OLIÉ: The blast doors are closing.
EXT. SPACE/ANTAR ORBITAL STATION
Sublight engines burning at maximum, the HWK-285 manages to make it through just as the blast doors crash shut.
RIC OLIÉ: We did it! We made it through!
CSAN THAN: (sighs with relief) Chart a course for Alsakan, Mr. Olié.
EXT. SPACE
With a burst of pseudo-motion, the freighter leaps to hyperspace, on direct course for the planet Alsakan.