Star Wars: Knight of the Empire (The Second Episode in DuracellEnergizer's New PT Re-Write) *CANCELLED* — Page 3

EXT. AGRARIAN COLONY WORLD -- FARMING COMMUNITY -- DAY (FLASHBACK)

From a cyan sky, a red dwarf star shines its light down upon a small farming community. Established on a temperate world located beyond even the outskirts of the greater galactic community, the community has little in the way of modern contrivances; while a small number of prefabricated huts and at least one landspeeder can been seen, they are outnumbered by adobe houses, wooden barns, and animal-drawn wagons and carriages.

Beside a short wood fence, a group of children play. Running about, tossing a large red ball back and forth, they are clearly having the time of their young lives. Seated upon the fence apart from the children, watching them play, is an ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD BLONDE GIRL dressed in a simple tan shirt, brown pants, but no shoes. Though a lovely child, with aquamarine eyes so intense they could almost cut through solid durasteel, her prettiness is marred by the downcast expression she wears across her face.

As one of the children -- a pigtailed strawberry blonde with freckles -- tosses the red ball to a pudgy boy with dark auburn hair, he leaps up to catch it; grazing the boy's fingertips, the ball passes over his head and hits the blue grass behind him, rolling over to the fence, where it stops right below the blonde girl's feet. Spotting the ball, she lowers herself down from the fence and picks it up.

BLONDE GIRL: (walks over to the auburn-haired boy, a smile on her face) Here.

The blonde girl hands the boy the ball. He hesitates a moment, suspicious of her intentions. The moment passes, then he snatches the ball from her and retreats, acting as if afraid he might catch something. Returning to his comrades, the auburn boy tosses the ball and the game resumes. Ignored once again, the girl's hopeful smile fades. Turning away, she returns to the fence, crestfallen.

As she climbs up the fence, she takes the time to look upon the small group of five ranchers currently at work there in on the other side. Strong hemp ropes gripped in their strong, calloused hands, they struggle to hold down an ornery bull bantha. The bantha, snorting and braying, kicks out with its back legs and throws its head side-to-side in an effort to dislodge the ropes. One of the workers, slipping in the earth under his feet, falls forward, losing his hold on the rope in his hands. This is all the bantha needs to press his advantage, and he does so; unbalanced, the ranchers all lose their hold on the bantha and he shakes and tosses them loose. 

With no one holding him down, the bantha charges the fence, ramming it. The fence is sturdy, and though it rattles tremendously, it refuses to break. Rearing back, the bantha rams the fence again, this time releasing a pained roar as it does so. Quickly, it becomes apparent that the bantha won't be able to break down the fence; he won't stop trying, though, even if it means his death.

Hanging onto the fence, the blonde girl looks upon the bantha as it slowly bashes its brains in in a futile effort at escape. Her aquamarine eyes narrowing, she decides to take action; flinging herself over the fence, she jogs over towards the bull. Noticing her, one of the ranchers runs over and grabs her by the arm, pulling her back.

RANCHER #1: Are you daft, girl?! That bull'll trample you right into the earth!

Spinning around, the girl locks her fierce eyes on the rancher.

BLONDE GIRL: (angry) Let me go!

The force of her words slamming into him with the force of a planet-killing asteroid, the rancher takes his hold off her, stock-still and dumbstruck. Wasting not one second more on the rancher, she completes her jog to the bantha's side.

BLONDE GIRL: (raising her hands up in a placating gesture) It's alright, boy ... Calm down ... Stop ramming the fence, boy ... you'll hurt yourself ... I'm here, now, I won't hurt you ... I'm your friend ... Just move away from the fence, boy ... move away ...

The girl continues with her soothing words. It takes only a minute, and the bantha stops his violent assault against the fence. Calming down, he backs away from the wooden posts. Smiling, the girl walks right up to the bantha and begins stroking the red-brown fur on his massive side.

Looking upon the girl and the now-docile bantha, the ranchers exchange confused glances.

RANCHER #2: How in the worlds did she do that?

RANCHER #3: She has a weird way about her.

RANCHER #4: Her sister was the same -- exactly the same.

INT. PURIFIER/HOLOPROJECTION CHAMBER

A door slides open, allowing entrance into the dark, spacious holoprojection chamber. Fully clad now in the white armour, robe, and cloak of a Force-adept shocktrooper, SGW-0027 steps inside. As the door slides back closed, she walks on over to a small round platform set into the floor in the centre of the chamber. As she steps atop it, THIRTEEN HOLOGRAPHIC FIGURES manifest in a circle around her. All larger than life, these are the members of the Athan Directorate.

ATHA PRIME: Officer SGW-0027? 

SGW-0027: I am she. (bows to the athas) How may I be of serve, my masters?

ATHA NINE: We have received some rather disconcerting news.

ATHA ZERO: News pertaining to your actions in the Bajilon system, Captain. 

SGW-0027: (confused) News pertaining to ...? (beat) Masters, I am sure I do not know what you are talking about.

ATHA ELEVEN: According to a report filed by your subordinate, officer UIY-2249, in the process of securing the Bajilon system, you captured a group of Imperial researchers trying to flee the primary world.

SGW-0027: Yes, that is true. Such is standard procedure --

ATHA SEVEN: (interrupting) What is not standard procedure, Captain, is the summary execution of your prisoners without an extensive prior interrogation.

SGW-0027: Not true, Masters. I did interrogate one of them beforehand.

ATHA SIX: Only one. 

SGW-0027: In the process of capturing the Imperials, they fired upon us. There was no choice but to return fire. Unfortunately, he was the only survivor.

ATHA ONE: That isn't what the report says, Captain.

ATHA EIGHT: According to officer UIY-2249's report, the researchers surrendered without incident.

ATHA TWO: You purposely selected those Imperials which were non-humanoid and female and had them immediately put to death. The one you spared was a Human male.   

SGW-0027: I fail to see how his gender or species has any bearing on this matter.

ATHA THREE: Also according to officer UIY-2249's report, the "interrogation" you subjected your captive to was largely a pretense. You submitted no questions, received no answers.

ATHA FIVE: You subjected your prisoner to torture.

ATHA FOUR: And for reasons other than service to this body.

The athas fall silent for a moment to allow SGW to digest this.

SGW-0027: Masters, I do not know what to tell you. Perhaps officer UIY-2249 misinterpreted the facts. Perhaps you misread his report.

ATHA TEN: Are you questioning our competence, officer SGW-0027?

SGW-0027: Forgive me, Masters. You competence is not at question here.

ATHA PRIME: It is clear to us, Captain, that something is amiss within the hierarchy of your command. Either you are defective or officer UIY-2249 is. In either case, we will be sending another Force-adept captain to rendezvous with your fleet; they will assume command and see the rest of this campaign through to completion.

SGW-0027: (nonplussed) What?! You cannot --!

ATHA PRIME: (angry) You and officer UIY-2249 will report to Cartao for evaluation! (beat) Am I making myself understood, Captain?

SGW-0027: (fuming) Yes. 

ATHA PRIME: Very well, then. Dismissed.

With that final word, the athas discontinue the connection. The holograms fade, returning the chamber to complete blackness. Turning on her heel, SGW storms out.

I've introduced a fair number of new characters since the last time I posted an "Assign a Face to the Name" entry, so I feel now's as good a time as ever for another.

The carnie who operates the shooting gallery Siri and Corin pay a visit to is based on -- as the photo above clearly indicates -- the director/occasional actor David Lynch.

I rewatched Twin Peaks a number of months ago, and as I have a fondness for patterning the characters in my stories after people/characters from movies/TV shows/music I like, I decided to give Lynch a spiritual role in my story, patterning the carnie character after the Twin Peaks character Gordon Cole (whom Lynch played, just in case you're not familiar with the series).

Clone commander UIY-2249 is patterned after the Blue Velvet character Ben, who was played by Dean Stockwell (My fondness for Lynch's work shows yet again.).

Ben's character is an eccentric character, to say the least, so laid back and carefree that he acts like he's on sedatives. At the same time, though, he possesses a dark edge which lies just beneath the surface. These are qualities I know the higher ranking, non-Force sensitive clones in my universe would have, engineered as they are by the Clonemasters to have fewer emotions than non-clones.

The physical appearance of the "red-skinned woman" -- who I'm just going to go ahead and identify as Nykres Eikhan, a biological Sith sorceress of the original Sith Empire --  is based off of the actress Karen Black.

Nykres is very much a character out of a horror film -- and that will become very evident later on in this screenplay -- so it came to me to pattern her after an actress who has long been associated with the genre. I came to settle on Ms. Black, who -- while being rather attractive in her younger years (at least in my eyes) -- still had a bizarre, almost alien cast to her features. Such features would sit well on a female of the Sith species.

The young blonde girl from the flashback on the agrarian colony world is based on a young Britt Irvin (An actress I'm sure no one outside of Canada knows about. ;-()

Why I've chosen her to represent the character will be made clear in a future post.

Atha Prime -- real name Iain Cadmus -- looks too much like Ray Wise. =P

Yeah, I know -- he doesn't look very intimidating for someone who instigated a Clone War. That certainly worked to his favour, though, allowing him to rise from geneticist to CEO to ruler of an entire interstellar power with a minimum of fuss.

To make a long story short, the basic physical appearance of Atha Prime/Iain Cadmus was based on the appearance of Paul Westfield, a character who ran a genetic engineering program in the Superman comics.

So when the idea came to me to find an actor who had some physical resemblance to the character above -- especially in regards to the hair -- I settled on Wise (That he played Leland Palmer on Twin Peaks had absolutely no bearing on my choosing him -- none whatsoever. *crossesfingers*)

And as you've all almost certainly noticed, I didn't list anyone in connection to SGW-0027, the sadomasochistic Force-adept clone. JFTR, I have chosen an actress to represent her, but I don't want to say who just yet in order to preserve the mystery.

Now, moving on to something I haven't touched on for a while: uniforms.

This is the armour worn by your basic clone shocktrooper.

Obviously, the body of the armour is the same as that of the clone troopers from the PT. I changed the helmet, though, as I didn't want to imply a connect to the Mandalorians (That I don't like the design of the clone trooper helmets to begin with is beside the point). The helmet used in the image above was taken from a screencap of a Genite, a type of pseudo-stormtrooper featured in the TV series Andromeda.

When it comes to the armour worn by Force-adept clones like SGW-0027, it appears as a composite of the armour and robes worn by Obi-Wan in the image just above (only with white robes and cloak instead of brown) with a smooth, featureless, mirrored helmet worn under a large hood similar to that shown in the comic book cover.

INT. CORUSCANT -- JEDI TEMPLE/WINDU APARTMENT/LIVING AREA -- DAY

Mistress Gallia stands with her son Uzochi, her hand over the hilt of her lightsaber to prevent the child from plucking it from her belt, when a KNOCK is heard at the door.

ADI GALLIA: It's open.

Opening the door, Siri enters the apartment of the Windu family. Approaching her teacher, Siri bows in greeting. Mistress Gallia responds in kind.

ADI GALLIA: You didn't get stuck in traffic, I hope.

SIRI: I cut it close, but I managed to avoid the rush hour. (beat) Where is Master Windu?

ADI GALLIA: Mace couldn't be here. He's been in conference with the emperor and chancellor since 08:00. (to Uzochi) 'Chi, darling, this is Siri. She's a good friend of mine. You remember her, don't you?

Siri looks upon the child and smiles. Uzochi, a small child in spite of his age, looks almost cherub-like under the simple white tunic and pants he wears.

SIRI: (crouches down) Hi there, 'Chi. I'm gonna be your new caretaker from now on. You know what that means, don't you? It means I'll be spending a couple hours with you everyday for awhile. We'll play games, go out for treats, stuff like that. Does that sound like fun to you? 

A shy child, 'Chi grabs hold of his mother's leg and clings close, gazing upon Siri warily with his brown-and-indigo eyes.

ADI GALLIA: (places her hand on Uzochi's head) It's alright, 'Chi. Siri's my friend, remember? She'll take good care of you while mommy and daddy are at work.

UZOCHI: Nan takes care of me.

ADI GALLIA: Nan's a machine, 'Chi. You need to be with living, breathing people once in a while.

Pulling her boy off of her, Gallia walks on over to the front door.

ADI GALLIA: (turns to Siri) I don't know when Mace will be back, but I should be here around 19:15. (waves to 'Chi) See you tonight, honey. Have a good time with Siri, okay? Love you.

UZOCHI: Bye, Mommy.

At that, the Jedi mistress leaves the apartment. Once she has left, Siri turns to Uzochi.

SIRI: So, 'Chi, what do you want to do? What do you and Nan usually do this time of day?

Wordlessly, Uzochi turns his back on the knight and runs off for a place to hide. Sighing, Siri sets off after him.

INT. PURIFIER/UIY-2249'S QUARTERS

UIY-2249 is seated in a chair, reading over the contents on a datapad, when the door to his quarters slide open. Standing there, a black silhouette in the doorway, is SGW-0027; having shorn herself of her robes and cloak, she now only wears her white armour and featureless mirrored helmet.

UIY-2249: (turns to SGW-0027) Ah, Captain. Come in, take a seat. I was just about to imbibe a glass of nectarwine. You are more than welcome to join me, of course.

Entering the quarters, SGW strides up UIY, takes him in a choke hold, wrests him up from his chair, and then hurtles him across the room. With a CRASH he hits the far wall then collapses to the floor.

UIY-2249: I also have Osskorn stout, if nectarwine's not to your liking.

Moving over to him, the armoured clone warrior grabs the commander by his hair, pulls him up by it, then throws him back across the room. He lands atop his desk, shattering his computer terminal before rolling over to hit the floor beneath him.

Pulling the black lightsaber hilt from her belt, SGW advances on UIY. Placing her boot under his ribs, she flips him over, affording her a view of his bashed and bloody face. Engaging the blade of her lightsaber, she positions the tip of the weapon directly over his trachea.

SGW-0027: (angry) You motherless kaj. They're going to send another Force-adept in to relieve me while I'll be returning to Cartao. I won't survive their evaluation.

UIY-2249: (smiles) Our society may appear to be a strong, well-oiled machine, but we both know all it takes is one defective cog to throw the whole mechanism out of alignment. You, my dear captain, are one such cog.

SGW-0027: This is all a game to you, isn't it? Your own twisted mental version of sabacc.

UIY-2249: (grins) And I hold the winning hand.

SGW-0027: No -- you don't.

Taking the white blade away from UIY's throat, SGW instead brings it down on his left arm, severing it just below the shoulder. The clone commander looks at his severed limb with disinterest.

UIY-2249: I can't feel pain, remember?

SGW-0027: It doesn't matter!

With her lightsaber, the clone captain proceeds to remove the rest of her disloyal subordinate's limbs.

INT. CORUSCANT -- JEDI TEMPLE/WINDU APARTMENT/UZOCHI'S BEDROOM -- DAY

Cautiously, Siri enters Uzochi's bedroom. A small room, it doesn't contain much; a bed, a closet, a dresser, two small chairs, and a couple toys are all that take up space within it. 'Chi has hidden himself somewhere in here, but it's only a matter of time before Siri finds him.

SIRI: 'Chi, I know you're in here. There's no point hiding from me -- I know where you are.

Treading softly, the Jedi Knight makes her way over to the closet door. Pulling it open, she finds it stuffed bottom-to-top with various stuffed toys; there, wedged between a plush Kreevaki and paddle-footed sapient from the Brodo Asogi system, is Uzochi's young head.

SIRI: (grins) Gotcha!

Unfortunately for Siri, Uzochi doesn't share her good humour. Discovered, the young boy shrieks in terror and bursts through the pile of stuffed creatures, dashing past Siri and out the open door as stuffed animals bombard the poor woman like soft meteoroids.

SIRI: (sighs) Ancients preserve me ...

EXT. WESTPORT -- DOCKING BAY 77 -- DAY

At the Westport spaceport, right outside the entrance into Docking Bay 77, Capt. Bail Organa waits. Leaning against the wall, he checks his wrist chronometre for what must be the fiftieth time that afternoon.  

As if materializing from the shadows of Westport itself, Obi-Wan and Anakin suddenly appear. 

BAIL: It's about time you two got here. We were about ready to take off without you.

ANAKIN: Sorry. We had some business to take care of first.

BAIL: Let's go.

The three men proceed to enter the docking bay.

INT. WESTPORT -- DOCKING BAY 77 -- DAY

Within the dim interior of the docking bay, Bail leads the two Jedi toward the ship they will be making the trip to the Bajilon system on.

BAIL: Gentlemen, may I present you the Wayward Son.

Standing before them, like a great big cheeseburger with an olive stuck to its side and a great big bite taken out of it, is the Wayward Son. A YT-1300 light freighter which came off the assembly line twenty-five years ago, it is as old as Obi-Wan. As such, the ship's surface bears the tell-tale signs of weathering, patching, and carbon-scoring that come with almost three decades of constant action.

ANAKIN: (snickers) What a piece of junk.

BAIL: You ever hear of not judging a book by it's cover, son?

ANAKIN: I wouldn't know. I haven't ever seen a book.

BAIL: (to Obi-Wan) You've never taken him to a museum?

The Jedi Knight merely shrugs.

BAIL: (sighs) Let's go on inside.

INT. WAYWARD SON/MAIN HOLD -- DAY

Bail, Obi-Wan, and Nik enter the main hold, where they find six individuals -- CMDR. RAIA VANESS; CMDR. JANGO CODY; MSC. KÄTHE NAAD; DR. ZOSIME MOULIN; SPACEMAN PETRA ANTILLES; and SN. MAL'AKHI -- waiting for them. The officers and scholars all stop whatever it is they're doing to momentarily focus their attention on the Jedi.

BAIL: (to Obi-Wan and Nik) You met these folks at the briefing, but I don't believe you were formally introduced.

OBI-WAN: Other than Cmdr. Vaness, I haven't had the pleasure, no.

CMDR. VANESS: (salutes Obi-Wan) Greetings, Master Kenobi. It's nice to see you again.

OBI-WAN: And you as well, Commander. 

CMDR. VANESS: (nods to Nik) I don't believe I've met your handsome companion before, however.

ANAKIN: (bows) Anakin Tan Skywalker at your service, madame.

CMDR. VANESS: (grins) Handsome and genteel. You must do some lucky girl proud, Master Skywalker.

ANAKIN: (grins) I try my best.

BAIL: As for the rest of the team ... (points at a lanky Gungan female) That's Dr. Zosime Moulin, our resident astrocartographer.

DR. MOULIN: (gives the two Jedi a short wave) Salutations.

BAIL: (points at a willowly Human woman with pale skin and long, brown hair) That's Käthe Naad.

MSC. NAAD: (smiles) Cryptographer.

BAIL: (points at a Human male, a muscular Falleen woman, and a black-furred Talz) And that's Cmdr. Jango Cody and Spacemen Petra Antilles and Mal'Akhi, the muscle of the group.

OBI-WAN: Hello.

ANAKIN: Hey.

A stocky man of average height, Cmdr. Cody has close-cropped black hair, a swarthy complexion, and a face so stern it could have been chiselled from hard stone. Cocking an eyebrow, he issues one, low grunt.

OBI-WAN: (under his breath) Not the talkative type, is he?

BAIL: Jango's a man of action, not words.

OBI-WAN: Worked with him before?

BAIL: (nods) Last year, in the Battle of Concord Dawn.

OBI-WAN: Not Imperial, is he?

BAIL: No.

OBI-WAN: Journeyman Protector?

BAIL: Yes. 

OBI-WAN: I've heard they're excellent fighters.

BAIL: You heard correctly.

Their conversation ends there.

INT. JEDI TEMPLE/WINDU APARTMENT/MACE & ADI'S BEDROOM -- DAY

Uzochi, having fled his bedroom for that of his parents, is now in hiding under their large bed.

Having surmised 'Chi's probable location, Siri enters the bedroom doorway, a food tray held in her arms. Reticent to scare the child any more than she already has, she remains motionless in the doorframe.

SIRI: 'Chi, is it alright if I come in? (beat) I prepared a snack for us. (beat) I'm going to come inside now, okay?

Tentatively, Siri walks inside. Taking small steps, she makes her way to the end of the bed.

SIRI: I made two sandwiches, 'Chi, one for you and one for me. I'm just going to set this tray down now and have one. You don't have to join me if you don't want to, but it'd be sad if the sandwich I made for you goes to waste.

Slowly, she lowers the tray onto the carpeted floor, right in front of Uzochi's eyes. Just as slowly, she sits down, crossing her legs before her. Then, picking up a sandwich, she begins to eat.

Moments pass. His hunger overpowering his fear, 'Chi crawls out from under the bed and cautiously sits down across from Siri.

SIRI: (smiles) Would you like your sandwich?

UZOCHI: (reserved) Yes, please.

Her smile broadening into a grin, Siri hands the boy his sandwich.

EXT. SPACE -- CORUSCANT

Leaving the bronze surface of Coruscant, the Wayward Son heads toward the star-spangled fabric of darkness that is deep space. 

INT. WAYWARD SON/COCKPIT

Raia Vaness sits in the pilot's seat, hands on the controls, while Bail stands over her.

BAIL: Course laid in?

CMDR. VANESS: Course laid in.

BAIL: Then engage hyperdrive whenever you're ready, Commander.

CMDR. VANESS: Aye, Captain.

Vaness pulls back on the hyperdrive levers, engaging the drive.

BAIL: Bajilon system, here we come.

CMDR. VANESS: That's the plan, at any rate.

EXT. SPACE

Carried forward on pseudo-motion, the Son is catapulted into the depthless fathoms of hyperspace.

I returned to my last entry and edited the Wayward Son scene. I reduced the team members (not counting Anakin, Ben, Bail, and Vaness) from nine to five, clarified what their respective roles in the mission are, altered the dialogue to read more naturally, and made other various small changes to improve the scene.

INT. SCOREKEEPER'S RYYK/COCKPIT

Llomon enters the cockpit, two large and meaty drumsticks in his hands. Crossing over to the pilot's seat, he finds Mahttoh there, fast asleep, snoring.

LLOMON: (in Dosh, subtitled) Wake up, Mahttoh, we're almost there.

When the Wookiee refuses to stir, the Trandoshan whacks him in the side of the head with one of the drumsticks.

LLOMON: (subtitled) Wake up!

Jolted out of his sleep, the Wookiee looks up at his partner and notices the drumsticks.

MAHTTOH: (in Shyriiwook, subtitled) It's dinner already?

LLOMON: (subtitled) Breakfast. You've been asleep since yesterday afternoon. (hands the Wookiee a drumstick) Now here, take it and get ready to drop out of hyperspace. We're coming up on our destination.

Taking the drumstick, the Wookiee takes a ravenous bite. Reaching for the hyperspace levers, he pulls them back, allowing them to drop into realspace.

LLOMON: (subtitled) And there's the great big ball of cheese herself.

Situated out beyond the viewport, massive even from this distance, is the ecumenopolis of Coruscant.

INT. ORRON III -- DUQUESNE HOMESTEAD/NASHIRA'S BEDROOM -- EVENING

Nashira is seated before her bedroom window, looking out into the ebon sky aglow with sparkling stars, when her mother opens the door and peeks her head inside.

CORIN: Getting ready for bed, honey?

NASHIRA: (turns to Corin) Yes, Mom. (turns back to the open window) I was just saying goodnight to Anakin.

CORIN: Alright. Sweet dreams, honey.

NASHIRA: (smiles) You too, Mom.

Corin departs, taking the time to close the door behind her.

Soon after, Nashira gets up from her chair and leaves the window. Crossing over to her bed, she discards her nightgown, revealing the turquoise nightshirt she's wearing underneath. Sliding under the sheets, she claps her hands twice, deactivating the lights. Shrouded in deep shadow, she pulls the covers up to her chin.

NASHIRA: (sighs) Nik ...

Crossing her hands under her head, 'Shira tries to relax enough to fall asleep. When that doesn't work, she turns over on her side, bracing her hands under her face. That doesn't work, either, so she flips right over on her belly, pushing the side of her face into her plush pillow. Even that fails for her.

NASHIRA: (flipping back over onto her back) God, I don't know if You even exist, but if You do, please -- just one good night's sleep. That's all I ask. Just one single night of deep, uninterrupted, REM sleep. I can't take this anymore -- I really can't.

Whether God hears her prayer and answers it will remain unknown to us. In either case, Nashira manages to drift off into a light, uncertain sleep.

INT. WAYWARD SON/LOWER GUN WELL

Anakin lies seated inside the Wayward Son's lower gun well, eyes fixed upon the streaming fabric of hyperspace situated beyond the transparisteel viewport.

ANAKIN: (morose) 'Shira ...

Before he knows it, Anakin finds himself nodding off. Before a minute can pass, he is fast asleep.

EXT. CORAL & TEAL WORLD -- HYPERSPACE (DREAM)

Leaving the conscious world, we find ourselves looking upon a most unusual planet. Floating within the blue morass of hyperspace, it is divided into two halves -- one bright coral, the other dark teal.

EXT. CORAL & TEAL WORLD -- TWILIGHT ZONE (DREAM)

Anakin suddenly finds himself standing within the gray border region between the teal and coral sides of the strange world. Before him, clad in her turquoise nightshirt, is Nashira. The two lovers approach.

NASHIRA: (frowns) Nik? (looks about their surroundings) Where are we?

ANAKIN: (looks up at the swirling violet maelstrom that is the sky) Hyperspace, I think.

NASHIRA: How's that possible? Planets can't exist in hyperspace. (beat) Can they?

ANAKIN: This isn't real.

NASHIRA: It feels real enough.

ANAKIN: No way. (beat) I know what this is. This is a dream. Yeah, that's it. This is just a dream. I fell asleep in the gun well, staring out into hyperspace, and now I'm having this crazy dream. I'm not really here -- you're not the real Nashira -- this is all just a Carrollian scenario I dredged up from my subconscious. (laughs) They say not to look out into hyperspace for prolonged periods of time.

NASHIRA: (cocks an eyebrow) I'm not real? Buster, this is my dream. You're the one who's a figment of my imagination.

ANAKIN: (sighs) Well, one of us is dreaming and one of us is a creation of that dream. We can't both be real, we can't both be having the same dream.

NASHIRA: Anakin, maybe we are having the same dream. Maybe we are both here, real, together.

ANAKIN: What? No. Not possible.

NASHIRA: This is a Force rapport, Nik. We're sharing a dream through our connection in Force!

ANAKIN: No way. You're on Orron III, I'm in hyperspace going God knows where thousands of light-years away. It can't be done, not at those distances! 

NASHIRA: (rests her hands on Anakin's arms) Maybe it can, Anakin. (beat) I've read strange stories about hyperspace. Not just the usual stuff about ships encountering hyperspacial lifeforms or accidentally jumping into alternate universes and different time periods, but about people with psionic and Force potential having their abilities amplified while in-transit. That could be what's happening to us.

ANAKIN: I've travelled through hyperspace hundreds of times before, and I've met plenty of Force-adepts who have, too. I've never had something like that happen to me before and they've never told me any different.

NASHIRA: Maybe it happens rarely. (grins) Maybe they didn't get lucky.

ANAKIN: (smiles) Well, rapport or not, it's nice to see you, 'Shira. It gets lonely without you.

NASHIRA: (sneers) Oh, don't give me that "I get so lonely without you" speech. You've got a girl at every port of call and we both know it. You're about as lonely as a fat Hutt crimelord.

ANAKIN: (frowns) 'Shira, you wound me! I'd never do a thing like that. (grins salaciously) Not when I've got several fine specimens available to me right here on this ship.

NASHIRA: (cocks an eyebrow) Oh, really?

ANAKIN: Yeah. Four of 'em in fact. (beat) Well, three actually. I'm not really interested in the Gungan. Sure, she can probably do amazing things with that tongue of hers, but that face -- nah. (beat) Cmdr. Vaness and Sn. Antilles, on the other hand -- ooh, they're both mighty fine. Antilles doesn't have much of a chest, but she's got an amazing tush. She's Falleen, too. Can you just imagine it? I can. I'd enter the bedroom and there they'd both be, dressed in nothing but a pair of thongs -- a yellow one for Vaness, red for Antilles. Antilles would start pumping out those pheromones of hers and then -- 

Nashira punches Anakin in the arm. Very hard.

ANAKIN: OW!

NASHIRA: That's it. I can't abide an unfaithful boyfriend. You need to be chastised, and since this is a dream and I can make anything I imagine real --

'Shira brings up a chrome lightsaber hilt. With a press of the activation stud, she engages an angry red blade.

NASHIRA: (cont'd) -- I can carry through with your chastisement right here and now.

Taking several steps back, Anakin raises his hands to ward her away.

ANAKIN: (frightened) Hey, c'mon now. You know I was joking. I'd never cheat on you -- not in a million light-years.

Nashira advances on the young man menacingly.

ANAKIN: (grins weakly) Oh, c'mon, I was just fooling with you. Vaness and Antilles aren't very attractive, anyway. Too old for me -- both of them.

Locking the blade of the lightsaber on, 'Shira rears back her arm then sends the blade twirling through the air towards Anakin. He freezes, instinctively raising his hands up to protect his face. As the lightsaber hits him, though, the hilt and the plasma blade both transform. With a loud SPLASH, the young Jedi finds himself coated in layers of red-and-silver paint.

NASHIRA: (giggles) It isn't a cold shower, but it should work just as well.

Frowning, Nik wipes and flings the dripping paint off of him.

ANAKIN: Not funny, Nashira. This was a fresh outfit.

NASHIRA: And this is a dream, stupid. Now clean yourself off and come to me.

Reaching up behind his head, Anakin finds the tab of a zipper there. Pulling it up, over, and down, he unzips his pigment-marred skin and clothes as if they were one whole suit. With tugging and stretching, he manages to get the whole deal off him, revealing a brand new Anakin identical to the original underneath.

ANAKIN: There -- how's that?

NASHIRA: Servicable.

Stepping up to 'Shira, Nik wraps his arms around her.

ANAKIN: (grins) What do you think we should do while we're here?

NASHIRA: (strokes his hair) What else? (beat) Besides, I wanna see how it feels to do it long distance.

ANAKIN: Alright. But first --

Taking his hands away from Nashira's waist, Nik brings up his left hand and snaps his fingers. With a puff of purple smoke, Raia Vaness and Petra Antilles suddenly materialize; dressed in the scant articles of clothing Anakin mentioned before, they strike alluring poses before their creator. Frowning, 'Shira snaps her own fingers. With a puff of smoke, the facsimiles of Vaness and Antilles are instantly replaced with two new figures: a duplicate of Obi-Wan and a handsome olive-skinned man with long, curly black hair, each wearing the same yellow and red thongs their predecessors sported.

ANAKIN: (points at the olive-skinned man) Who the hell is he?!

NASHIRA: (takes Nik's head in her hands) Wouldn't you like to know ...

Locking their lips in a deep kiss, the two lovers lower themselves onto a large, round bed that has suddenly appeared. Now ignored, Nashira's two masculine creations exchange glances, shrug, then cease to exist in a puff of purple smoke.

Some time passes, and we now find Anakin and Nashira cuddling together under the bed sheets, both looking up into the strange blue sky with contemplation.

ANAKIN: This was nice.

NASHIRA: Yeah, it was, wasn't it? (beat) Do you think we'll ever be able to meet like this again?

ANAKIN: No. I feel that this -- whatever it is -- is a one-time deal. 

NASHIRA: (sighs) It was good while it lasted.

ANAKIN: I'll continue to dream about you, though, just like I do every night.

NASHIRA: (kisses Nik's shoulder) Likewise.

With that, the dream comes to a close.

INT. WAYWARD SON/LOWER GUN WELL

Awakening, Anakin finds that the ship has dropped out of hyperspace; situated out beyond the viewport is the star-studded blackness of realspace.

INT. WAYWARD SON/COCKPIT

Entering the cockpit, Bail crosses over to the pilot's seat. Peering out the viewport, he gazes upon the emptiness before him.

CMDR. VANESS: Next route is three light-minutes out.

BAIL: (rests his hand on her shoulder) Go to my quarters and have yourself a good night's sleep. I'll take it from here.

Yawning, Vaness rises from the seat and leaves the cockpit, allowing the captain to take her place.

INT. WAYWARD SON/MAIN CORRIDOR

Moving out into the freighter's main corridor, Anakin finds Käthe Naad coming towards him from the right end of the corridor.

MSC. NAAD: (smiles) Hi.

ANAKIN: Hi. We just come out of hyperspace?

MSC. NAAD: Yeah, we did. (beat) This is the last safe leg of the journey, you know. From here we're off into Wild Space, travelling along routes few have ever travelled, some which haven't even been charted at all. We're going to be covering new ground, and a lot of it's going to be rough, even dangerous.

ANAKIN: Yeah, I know. It's almost enough to make me want to bail and hitch a ride back to civilization.

MSC. NAAD: Hitch a ride? From here? (grins) I think you'll be waiting quite awhile with your thumb hanging out before any ship comes this way and finds you.

ANAKIN: Hey, I'm a Jedi. Patience and I are old friends from way back.

MSC. NAAD: (nods) I'm sure.

EXT. SPACE

The Wayward Son returns to hyperspace, leaving the relative safety of the Known Regions of the Galaxy for the uncertain paths of Wild Space.

EXT. AGRARIAN COLONY WORLD -- FARMING COMMUNITY -- EVENING (FLASHBACK)

Four years have passed since we last visited this quaint world. Things have changed much since then, and all for the worst. Space-borne debris has rained down upon the farming community, starting an uncontrollable blaze which is consuming the buildings and fields. The town elders, fighting to keep the chaos to a minimum, attempt to direct the townspeople from atop riding beasts to the sheltering caves in the hills outside the community with varying degrees of success.

The young blonde girl, now a budding young woman of fourteen, is following the main body of the crowd when she sees a pair of damaged starfighters -- a Z-95 Headhunter and an I-7 Howlrunner -- come streaking from the sky on a downward course for the plains lying perpendicular to the cave hills. As she watches the two ships disappear at the horizon, she stops dead in her tracks.

BLONDE GIRL: (turns to one of the mounted town elders, pointing toward the plains) Two ships crashed over there!

TOWN ELDER: It's none of our concern.

BLONDE GIRL: They could still be alive! We have to help!

TOWN ELDER: We have our own to take of.

BLONDE GIRL: (grabs the elder's reins) If you won't do anything for them, I will. Give me your mount.

TOWN ELDER: Begone with you, girl!

Kicking out with his leg, he dislodges the girl, knocking her to the ground. She quickly springs back up, leaping atop the hindquarters of the elder's beast. Pushing him off the beast, she scoots forward onto the saddle then takes off in a long gallop for the awaiting starfighters.

EXT. PLAINS -- EVENING (FLASHBACK)

Riding atop her stolen beast, the girl soon comes across the first of the two ships: the Howlrunner. Bringing the animal to a halt, she climbs off and runs toward the downed craft. As she comes to it, she finds the right stabilizer fin completely crushed and the canopy ruptured. Moving up close to the canopy, she peers inside. A custom-built, non-standard variant, this Howlrunner carried two passengers. In the back seat, sprawled forward and bloody, is the still form of an Aleena. The front seat, however, is conspicuously empty.

Poking her head inside, the girl looks the Aleena over to make sure if it is alive or dead. When the Aleena refuses to blink its fixed-open eyes, when it refuses to breathe, she realizes it is too late for the short creature. Reaching inside, she closes the eyes of the non-Human creature. That is when she sees the lightsaber attached to its belt. 

Perplexed, she takes hold of the cylinder and removes it from the dead Jedi's person. Bringing it up to her eyes, she looks it over, trying to make out its function. Deciding to continue on her way, she slides the saber into one of the front pockets on her vest and climbs back onto the riding beast, nudging it in the sides with her boots to make it resume its stride. In moments she comes upon the crashed Headhunter. It, too, is empty of passengers.

BLONDE GIRL: They've got to be around here.

Kicking the beast into action, she scouts forward a ways, looking out for the survivors. She soon comes upon them both. Standing there out in the open, crossing blades, is the tall Anx Jedi CSAN THAN and the Bpfasshi Dark Jedi SJOERD ETHAN. While both suffered injuries in the crash, Ethan's are largely superficial; Than's, on the other hand, are severe, heavily impairing his ability to fight.

Making a large sweep with his aureolin blade, Than tries to bisect the Dark Jedi. The Bpfasshi easily parries the blow with his blue-violet blade, though, knocking his opponent off-kilter. Grinning, Ethan makes his first debilitating strike, hacking the Anx's right leg off at the knee. As Than collapses, Ethan then slices the Jedi's left arm off just below the elbow, disarming him of his lightsaber.

SJOERD ETHAN: Have you any gods, Jedi?

CSAN THAN: What concern is that of yours?

SJOERD THAN: Pray to them, make peace with them now, for you're going to be in their presence very soon.

Kicking the dismembered hand, Ethan sends Than's lightsaber flying into the deep grass, far out of the Jedi's reach. Grinning, the Dark Jedi positions his blade directly over Than's throat in preparation for a beheading.

Jumping off her beast, the girl races toward the two combatants.

BLONDE GIRL: Stop it!

Both noticing her for the first time, the Jedi and Dark Jedi turn to regard her.

CSAN THAN: This isn't your fight! Go!

BLONDE GIRL: No!

Reaching for the lightsaber tucked away inside her vest, she pulls it out. Finding the stud set just above the pommel, she activates the aureolin blade with a sharp SNAP-HISS.

SJOERD ETHAN: (scoffs) Please. Turn that lightsaber off and go home, child, before I wrench it from your hands and sodomize you with it.

The girl stands her ground, refusing to capitulate to the Dark Jedi or show her fear.

BLONDE GIRL: No. You're going to turn your lightsaber off and leave or I'll eviscerate you.

Amused by her candor, the Bpfasshi steps over Than's broken form. Grinning animalistically, he makes his way toward the young girl at a casual stride.

SJOERD ETHAN: You would at that, wouldn't you?

BLONDE GIRL: Yes.

Bringing forth his glowing blade, he taps it against hers; the blue-violet and yellow blades flash as they make contact.

SJOERD ETHAN: A spunky Jedi wannabe. This'll be a joy.

His grin twisting into a grimace, Ethan rears back his arm and brings the lightsaber down on hers with tremendous force. His strength overwhelming hers, she is knocked off-centre, the lightsaber hilt almost jarred out of her hands. She quickly rights herself and makes a strike for his side. The Bpfhassi easily blocks the blow, however, and delivers another powerful hit to her blade, knocking her off-kilter again.

SJOERD ETHAN: I'll admit this to you, sweetheart -- you've got determination and will. How about we strike a deal? Surrender to me right now, agree to come back with me to the master, submit yourself to the path of a Dark Jedi, and I'll let you survive minus a limb or three.

BLONDE GIRL: Hell with you.

SJOERD ETHAN: (sighs) Such wasted potential.

Deciding to put an end to this farce, the Dark Jedi locks his lightsaber with hers, twists it around, and forces the hilt out of her hands. Sailing end-over-end, the girl's adopted lightsaber joins Than's in the grass. Now unarmed, she is wholly without the pretense of any defense.

SJOERD ETHAN: (rears his lightsaber back) Goodbye.

As that word leaves Sjoerd Ethan's lip, an arrow sings through the air. Driving itself through the Bpfasshi's adam's apple, the arrowhead buries itself in a vertebra, lodging there. Violently surprised, Ethan's eyes grow wide. Dropping his lightsaber, he reaches for his throat as three more arrows fly through the air, driving themselves into his chest and abdomen. Gurgling as blood wells up from his open mouth, he finally drops to the ground, a fatality of primitive weapons.

Turning around, the blonde girl finds her saviour behind her. Atop a steed, a bow in his hands and a quiver of arrows slung across his back, is another one of the town elders.

CSAN THAN: (O.S.) That was stupid, child. The darksider would have killed you were it not for your kin's aid. (beat) But I thank you, anyway.

Turning back to focus her attention on the crippled Anx Jedi, the girl finds him smiling upon her. Esoterically knowing that she has found a kindred spirit in this strange alien being, she returns his smile.  

EXT. SPACE -- BAJILON PRIME

The Bajilon system in the immediate area surrounding the primary world has changed considerably since we last saw it. Whereas the last time there had been enough ships to blockade one hemisphere of Bajilon Prime, now there are so many star destroyers, star defenders, frigates, corvettes, and gunships in orbit around the planet that they almost form a solid 400,000 kilometre-thick shell around it. The Purifier stands just outside this sphere of influence, however, a sentinel on watch and on guard.

Emerging from hyperspace, a white Victor-class star destroyer makes its approach towards the Purifier. Coming to a rest five kilometres away from the larger star destroyer, the Herrenvolk disgorges a Lambda-class shuttle -- the CC 161 -- from its docking bay. Engines flaring bright with blue-light light, the CC 161 rockets toward the Purifier.

INT. CC 161/COCKPIT

Reaching forward, the pilot opens communications with the Purifier.

CLONE PILOT: Purifier, this is CC 161, code clearance black. We are beginning our approach. Deactivate deflector shield.

INT. PURIFIER/BRIDGE

The officers of the bridge crew man their stations and perform their duties as SGW-0027, clad in her white robes and niqab, oversees them. Dressed in the beige uniforms of Athan naval officers, there are about a dozen of them altogether; between them all, however, they only sport three different faces.

CLONE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: The shield will be lowered when we have confirmed your code transmission. Stand by.

INT. CC 161/COCKPIT

CLONE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: (O.S.) You are cleared to proceed.

CLONE PILOT: We are starting our approach.

EXT. SPACE

As CC 161 makes its way toward the Purifier, a smaller craft -- a TIE shuttle -- leaves the Imperator-class star destroyer and sets off on a heading for the Lambda.

INT. PURIFIER/BRIDGE

CLONE SENSOR OFFICER: Captain.

SGW-0027: Yes?

CLONE SENSOR OFFICER: TIE shuttle LN 21 has left our docking bay and is on an intercept course for the CC 161.

SGW-0027: Open communications with the shuttle. I want to know who's on board and what it is they're up to.

Before the communications officer can go through with the order, a communication from the other end comes through.

CLONE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Captain, LN 21 is hailing us. Audio and visual.

SGW-0027: On-screen.

A second passes. UIY-2249's olive-green face then appears on all the screens. The unnatural calm natural to his features has faded; in its place now rests a crazed exuberance.

UIY-2249: This is clone commander UIY-2249! Salutations to all!

SGW-0027: (stern) Commander, I don't know what it is you are trying to get away with here, but I order you to --

UIY-2249: (angry) No! No more orders! Orders are a thing of the past! I have shed myself of that past. Have you? (giggles)

SGW-0027: Commander, you have not been cleared to approach the CC 161. Now, I am giving you a choice; veer off and return to the ship or I will bring you in.

UIY-2249: Go right on ahead, Captain. Shine your little light my way. I promise not to make myself too hard to get.

SGW-0027: Engage tractor beam and bring the LN 21 in.

CLONE SENSOR OFFICER: Captain, the tractor beam has been disabled.

SGW-0027: What!?

UIY-2249: (grins) Just a little parting gift, my dear, from me to you.

SGW-0027: Then I'll shoot you down instead, Commander.

UIY-2249: You've made me many promises before, Captain; at least two thirds of them have been broken or gone unfulfilled. Please don't make any more; my poor heart couldn't handle another disappointment.

SGW-002Y: Commander --

UIY-2249: My apologies, Captain, but you begin to tire me. Let's bring our banter to a close here, shall we, while terms between us are still good? (kisses the screen) Farewell.

CLONE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: LN 21 is no longer receiving communications. Transmitting only.

EXT. SPACE

As the LN 21 nears the CC 161, the Lambda peels away, trying to evade the smaller ship. UIY stays close on them, though, refusing to be shaken off.

INT. CC 161/COCKPIT

Entering the cockpit, the clone captain sent to replace SGW strides up the pilot and co-pilot.

CLONE CAPTAIN: What is going on here?!

CLONE CO-PILOT: A defective from the Purifier's crew is pursuing us, sir. We can't shake him.

INT. PURIFIER/BRIDGE

SGW-0027: Target UIY-2249 and open fire.

CLONE WEAPONS OFFICER: He is too close to the CC 161, Captain. If we open fire, the possibility of destroying both shuttles is high.

UIY-2249's face, still on-screen, begins to gleam with the sweat of fierce determination.

UIY-2249: (eyes bulging) I have become Death, destroyer of worlds! Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair!

CLONE SENSOR OFFICER: Captain, the hyperdrive aboard the LN 21 is coming on-line.

SGW-0027: No!

EXT. SPACE

Jumping forward into hyperspace mere metres behind the CC 161, the LN 21 plows straight through it; reducing the Lambda to fine debris in mere seconds, what's left of the TIE shuttle is then carried forward through hyperspace to impact on the Herrenvolk's forward deflector shield.

INT. PURIFIER/BRIDGE

SGW-0027: (clenches fists) Dammit! No!

INT. PURIFIER/SGW-0027'S QUARTERS

Some time later, SGW enters her dim quarters. Closing the door behind her, she reaches up and removes her niqab. Crossing over to her computer terminal, she activates it and opens a program, calling up the file on UIY-2249. There, displayed in living colour beside his personal information, is the Mirialan clone's profile photo.

SGW-0027: Sabacc.

Balling her hand up into a tight fist, she punches the terminal screen, driving plastic shards into her knuckles as it shatters.

As this site is wont to do, it hasn't sent me notification emails for this thread for the past month, although I am still subscribed. I'm glad, in a way, that you haven't been writing that much, or I never would have caught up....

I guess we all have to take the blessings we're given, even if they're mixed ones. ;-)

Due to my obsessive-compulsive need to keep revising my stories everytime something in them loses appeal to me, I decided to make yet another pendantic change to my screenplays.

I've come to believe that "Ben" works best as an alias that Obi-Wan adopts shortly before exiling himself to Tatooine, so I've dropped the idea of it being Obi-Wan's de facto nickname during this timeframe and altered my scripts to reflect that. "Ben" still appears occasionally as a pet name Siri uses for him when they're alone together, but everyone else now refers to him as "Obi-Wan" or just "Obi".

I apologize in advance if this ends up disrupting the reading experience.

EXT. CORUSCANT -- GALACTIC CITY -- CORUSCANT PLAZA -- SUNSET

Through Coruscant Plaza -- a large, wide-open plaza whereupon stand various shops and restaurants tailored to suit the various needs and wants of Coruscant's residents and visitors -- walk Siri and Uzochi, together hand-in-hand. A sufficient amount of time has passed since we last saw them together, enough for 'Chi to have grown comfortable in Siri's presence.

As the two pass by a VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN selling cones from a small stand, 'Chi halts in his tracks, eyes fixed on the inviting insectoid.

UZOCHI: (tugs at Siri's sleeve) Siri, ice cream!

SIRI: No, 'Chi, we have to be getting home.

UZOCHI: (begins hopping with enthusiasm) Please, Siri, please!

Stopping a moment, the Jedi Knight ponders on the situation. Coming to a conclusion, she sighs with frustration.

SIRI: Alight, but let's make this quick. I don't want a repeat of the other day with the toy store, okay?

UZOCHI: (grins) Thanks, Siri!

Rolling her eyes, Siri takes the small boy over to the ice cream stand.

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: (speaking through a translator) Hello, ma'am. What would you like today? 

UZOCHI: Beebleberry-chocolate swirl!

SIRI: (to the Verpine) One cone of beebleberry-chocolate swirl.

Scooping out a blob of beebleberry-chocolate swirl, the Verpine plops it down into a cone and hands it to the Jedi.

VERPINE ICE CREAM VENDOR: That'll be two credits, please.

Fishing out the two credits, she hands them to the Verpine as she accepts the cone. Bending low, she hands the ice cream to 'Chi, who begins to lick it with great relish.

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: How about you, ma'am? Would you like anything?

SIRI: Hmmm ... I'm not sure.

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: How about a scoop of magenge cream?

SIRI: Magenge cream?

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: Yes, magenge cream. It's made from magenge fungus, a favoured staple among my people.

SIRI: Oh, I knew that. I've just never had it before.

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: Well, now, this'll be a new experience for you! Why not give it a try?

SIRI: (smiles) Oh, alright. It won't kill me, after all. (frowns) Will it?

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: Magenge is compatible with the Human digestive tract.

SIRI: That'll be another two credits, right?

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: Correct.

Siri gives the Verpine another pair of credits. Accepting them, he gives her a cone of pale green magenge cream.

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: Give it a lick and tell me how it tastes.

Accepting the cone, Siri looks it over from a moment. She then sticks out her tongue and gives it a taste. Immediately, her eyes bug out.

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: Is it to your liking?

SIRI: It's excellent!

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: Glad to hear it.

SIRI: Thank you!

VERPINE ICE CREAM MAN: Have yourself a pleasant evening, ma'am.

SIRI: You, too.

Taking Uzochi by his free hand, Siri leaves the ice cream stand.

EXT. GALACTIC CITY -- TEMPLE DISTRICT -- SUNSET

Now behind the wheel of her airspeeder, Siri flies over the city blocks of the Temple District, on a course for the Jedi Temple which stands like a behemoth in the distance.

INT. AIRSPEEDER/CAB -- SUNSET

As Siri drives, 'Chi looks upon her fondly, a smile across his chocolate coloured face.

SIRI: (notices 'Chi's stare) What's up, 'Chi?

UZOCHI: Siri ...

SIRI: Yes?

UZOCHI: You're nice to me. You take me to the park every day. You buy me ice cream. I like being with you.

SIRI: (smiles) That's nice of you to say, 'Chi. I like being with you, too.

UZOCHI: I wish you were my mommy.

SIRI: (frowns) Why do you say that, 'Chi?

UZOCHI: (grows sullen) Mommy and Daddy are never around. They hate me.

SIRI: Oh, 'Chi, don't say that! Your mommy and daddy love you more than the worlds themselves!

UZOCHI: Then why aren't they ever home?

SIRI: 'Chi, the reason your mommy and daddy aren't home so much is because they're busy being Jedi. They'd like to be with you more, but they can't right now.

UZOCHI: (frowns) Then why don't they stop being Jedi?

SIRI: It's not that easy, 'Chi. 

UZOCHI: Why not?

SIRI: It's hard to explain right now, but you'll understand when you're older, when it's time for you to become a Jedi.

UZOCHI: Maybe I don't want to be a Jedi.

SIRI: (sighs) Maybe you won't, but give it time before you make up your mind, okay?

UZOCHI: Okay, Siri.

Reaching out with her right hand, Siri gives 'Chi's shoulder a rub and a squeeze, a small smile coming to her lips.

EXT. GALACTIC CITY -- ENTERTAINMENT STREET -- NIGHTCLUB -- SUNSET

Entertainment Street -- with its smoggy air, run-down buildings, flickering lights, and disreputable-looking characters -- lies at the heart of the world planet's seedy underbelly, far from the well-maintained, gleaming chrome centres of civilization that serve as the planet's public face to the rest of the Empire.

Arriving at the entrance to a grime-stained establishment bearing a blue neon "NIGHTCLUB" sign above its door are Llomon and Mahttoh.

INT. NIGHTCLUB -- SUNSET

The bounty hunters enter the nightclub. Looking about the dingy interior, they see a number of clientele -- all seedy and disreputable like the people outside -- lounging around, nursing drinks and talking in hushed tones at the bar or in booths. Silently, they move forward across the room toward the bar.

As they stop before the grimy bar counter and plop down in a pair of seats, a Balosar sitting beside Mahttoh -- VISS UTHAR -- turns toward them.

VISS UTHAR: You wanna buy some deathsticks? I'm selling them at prime rates.

LLOMON: We don't want any deathsticks.

VISS UTHAR: (leans forward) Oh, c'mon, you can't tell me you don't wanna buy --

Grabbing the Balosar by the back of the head, Mahttoh slams Uthar's face down onto the counter. Pulling the Balosar's face back up, exposing his bashed-in and bloody nose for all to see, the Wookiee then pushes him away, knocking his unconscious form to the floor. 

Seeing this altercation, the Besalisk bartender XED is quick to reach under his counter and pull out a blaster rifle.

XED: Alright, ya twos. Ya gonna cause trouble, ya get out o' here now!

With lightning speed, Mahttoh lunges forward, grabbing hold of the rifle barrel and wrenching it out of the Besalisk's hands before he can pull the trigger. No longer armed, visibly frightened, the bartender takes several cautious steps back.

LLOMON: We're not looking for trouble, just information.

XED: (stammering) I-i-information?

LLOMON: Yes. You see, we're looking for someone, but we're new to the planet and don't know where he lives.

XED: Is t'at so?

MAHTTOH: (sneers) Yes.

LLOMON: Furthermore, he's a Jedi.

XED: A Jedi.

LLOMON: We need to get in touch with someone who might have access to the information we seek. We would appreciate it if you'd give us a name and an address to such an individual.

XED: Sure, no problem. (beat) What ya gonna offer me for t'is info?

LLOMON: Your life.

To punctuate this point, Mahttoh takes hold of either end of Xed's blaster rifle and applies pressure to them, bending the weapon into a boomerang.

XED: (swallows audibly) Point taken.

Llomon grins.

INT. WAYWARD SON/FORWARD HOLD

Sn. Mal'Akhi and Dr. Zosime Moulin currently stand together over a large crate, at work preparing supper. Opening metallic foil ration packets, the Barabel takes out the self-heating foodstuffs and arranges them on a makeshift platter, the Gungan at his side offering assistance.

SN. MAL'AKHI: (finishes arranging rectangular meat logs and sucks gravy off his fingers) And there we are.

Hefting the ersatz platter up, he turns around and starts off with Moulin for the main hold.

INT. WAYWARD SON/MAIN HOLD

A hatch opens, allowing the Barabel and Gungan entry into the Wayward Son's main hold. Waiting for them -- empty plates at the ready -- is the rest of the crew.

DR. MOULIN: Dinner is served.

Making his way to each of the awaiting teammates, Mal'Akhi gives each of them a serving of each of the items on the tray in his hands.

MSC. NAAD: (looks down upon the food on her plate with distaste) What is it tonight?

SN. MAL'AKHI: Processed meat logs in gravy, a slice of maize bread, and candleberry pudding for dessert. 

MSC. NAAD: (takes a bite of meat log and immediately gags) When was this packaged? 8000 PE?

SN. ANTILLES: (grins) There's a reason they're called MREs, little sister. It stands for Meals Regurgitated by Elom.

MSC. NAAD: Not even Elom would touch this food.

SN. MAL'AKHI: Sorry, Ms. Naad, but I'm only a gourmet chef. I can't work miracles.

MSC. NAAD: This doesn't require a miracle worker, just an undertaker. This stuff's long overdue for a proper burial.

OBI-WAN: Just hold your nose, Käthe. It'll go down much easier.

Heeding the knight's advice, the slender woman pinches her nose shut before taking another bite.

CMDR. CODY: We shouldn't be going through our rations like this. We should be conserving them in the event we lose control of our ship and end up stranded in unknown territory.

CMDR. VANESS: (smirks) Still quite the iron warhorse, aren't you, Cody? (beat) Have you ever considered lightening up a bit, Commander?

CMDR. CODY: "Lightening up" has never saved anyone under my charge, Commander. Keeping an eye out for the future -- being prepared -- has.

DR. MOULIN: (takes a seat with her own plate of food) Can we not get into another one of these conversations, please? I like eating in a peaceful environment.

CMDR. VANESS: I have no problem with that. (to Cmdr. Cody) Do you?

Cody merely picks up his slice of bread and takes a bite.

MSC. NAAD: (turns to Obi-Wan) Maj. Kenobi, I -- 

OBI-WAN: (holds up a hand) Please, Käthe, just call me Obi-Wan.

MSC. NAAD: (cont'd) Obi-Wan. (beat) I've been meaning to ask you this for some time now, and -- well -- I guess I've been a little too shy to ask you before ...

OBI-WAN: (smiles) Go ahead. You can ask me anything. 

MSC. NAAD: How long have you been in the service?

OBI-WAN: Over five years now. I enlisted shortly after I was knighted.

MSC. NAAD: And you've already advanced to the rank of sergeant major?

OBI-WAN: (solemn) It's not as glamorous as it sounds. For every step I've taken up that ladder, I've had to make a sacrifice. Sometimes it's been a friend or a comrade, other times it's been a piece of myself.

MSC. NAAD: What's your plan for the future, after the war's over?

OBI-WAN: (smiles) Siri -- my wife -- thinks I should return to the Academy and work towards becoming an officer. Personally, though, I feel like hanging up my armour and leaving the military life behind when all is said and done. (beat) I think I'll take a course in journalism, become a reporter. (laughs) That way I can continue my work as a Jedi and get paid for it, too.

MSC. NAAD: Jedi don't have pensions?

OBI-WAN: Oh, the Jedi of the larger sects do. I'm an independent, though, so I'm left to my own devices.

MSC. NAAD: I see. Thanks for clarifying that. (to Nik) What about you? What do you have planned for the future?

ANAKIN: Well, I don't have any real long-term plans. If things continue to run smoothly with my girlfriend, I suppose I'll return to Orron III to live with her and her parents on their farm.

MSC. NAAD: (grins) So, no grandiose plans on becoming the next galactic superhero celebrity, with sixteen-hundred mansions on every major world in the Inner Core with harems of beautiful women in each?

ANAKIN: (laughs) No. I was born a farmer and I'm content to live the rest of my life as one. I used to hate the lifestyle, but after five years of fighting whitefaces, I think I've had my fill of adventure.

MSC. NAAD: So you'll be hanging up your lightsaber, quit being a Jedi?

ANAKIN: Well, no. I won't go out looking for trouble, but if my services as a Jedi are needed, I'll be there. I'll always be a Jedi. (looks down at his lightsaber) If I have any kids, I'll train them the same. I'll even give my firstborn my lightsaber when he or she's old enough.

MSC. NAAD: (smiles) Well, I think you'd make a great dad.

ANAKIN: (returns her smile) Thanks. I like to think so, too.

EXT. CORUSCANT -- GALACTIC CITY -- ENTERTAINMENT STREET -- ALLEY -- EVENING

Llomon and Mahttoh make their way through the dank alley, navigating around piles of organic and inorganic refuse until they come to a doorway with a sickly green light burning above it. Standing in the shadows of the doorway, almost invisible inside his dirty black jacket, is TAAR PFAALL, a Gran information broker. Though relatively young, his sagging skin, missing teeth, and cataracted eyes make him appear far older than his years.

TAAR PFAALL: (raises his right arm in greeting) Ho!

LLOMON: (irrate) Quiet, fool! Are you trying to draw attention to us?!

TAAR PFAALL: Do you really believe anyone living in this neighbourhood cares what you're here for? (grins) Offworlders. You're so quaint. (gestures toward the door) Of course, if you're so worried about being noticed, you're welcome to come inside. I can fix you both a mug of ardees.

LLOMON: Never mind that. I want to get out of this offal pit before its stench seeps through my clothes into my skin.

TAAR PFAALL: Very well. (reaches inside his jacket and pulls out a datacard) Here's what you wanted.

The Gran tosses the datacard to Mahttoh. The Wookiee catches it and slips in into a datapad on hand, activating the device and calling up the card's stored data.

TAAR PFAALL: It took some digging, but I found what you're looking for. Your Obi-Wan Kenobi lives in Apartment 53 of the 662 Gasgor Valley complex. Not the swankiest of outfits, but still not a half-bad place to call home.

MAHTTOH: (frowns) It says here that the apartment is being rented by a Siri Tachi.

TAAR PFAAL: That's Kenobi's wife. The rental agreement is in her name.

MAHTTOH: (to Llomon) I thought Human women took their mate's surname in marriage.

LLOMON: (shrugs) Don't ask me to explain it. Human marriage customs are completely alien to me.

EXT. AGRARIAN COLONY WORLD -- CABIN GROUNDS -- DAY (FLASHBACK)

It is an overcast day on this part of the world, and Csan Than currently sits upon the grass in a clearing in the forest, arranging several long, rectangular stones into a structure of multiple tiered mini-stonehenges with his remaining hand. Several months have passed since he crashed to the planet, affording him enough time to procure a wooden peg leg and have a log cabin built for himself. The young blonde girl, seated a ways away behind him, is now his Jedi apprentice.

CSAN THAN: (places the last stone in place) There -- it's complete.

Taking care not to disturb the stone structure or the ground supporting it, the Anx Jedi scoots backward, taking a place by his young apprentice's side.

BLONDE GIRL: Do I really have to try this again? I keep failing. You know I can't do it.

CSAN THAN: Yes, you have failed in the past. However, there's an old Human adage which comes to mind which may be of some help to you.

BLONDE GIRL: Yeah? What is it?

CSAN THAN: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

BLONDE GIRL: (groans) Master Than ...

CSAN THAN: (chuckles) Just close your eyes, young one.

BLONDE GIRL: (sighs) Alright ... (closes her eyes)

CSAN THAN: The stones have been placed in a flawless configuration, my child, arranged so as to give the structure a low centre of gravity. This makes it a sturdy structure, child, one which will not easily shake or fall. (beat) However, it has one primary weak point: the keystone. This stone is the load bearing stone, supporting all the others; dislodge this one stone, and the entire structure will fall. (beat) Picture the keystone in your mind. Now picture the Force, a current of energy flowing around the stone. Picture the current bending to your will, moving in the direction you wish it to move towards. Make that current soften the foundations of the keystone, weakening it.  

Furrowing her brow, the girl concentrates on the stone structure's keystone. At first, the effects are imperceptible. In seconds, though, a slight tremor becomes evident in the foundations of the tiered stones.

CSAN THAN: (cont'd) The foundations have been weakened. Now concentrate the Force flow against the keystone itself -- bring it to bear like a battering ram! Knock it over!

The girl obeys her master's advice. The tiered structure collapses into a pile of stones.

BLONDE GIRL: (opens her eyes; astonished) I did it!

CSAN THAN: (smiles) Indeed you did. (beat) Go and get my stick, girl. Help an old man up onto his feet.

Standing up, the girl retrieves the Anx's walking stick. Returning to her master, she takes hold of his good arm and, pulling him to his feet, hands him his stick.

BLONDE GIRL: I still don't see why I have to learn this. Knocking over a small pile of rocks isn't going to do me much good against a Dark Jedi. 

CSAN THAN: (frowns) How many times have I told you, child? Do not call them "Dark Jedi"; it is an obscenity. They are dark -- leave it at that.

BLONDE GIRL: Forgive me, Master. Sjoerd Ethan referred to himself as such; I guess the term has just stuck with me.

CSAN THAN: The Bpfasshi cultists call themselves "Dark Jedi" to mock true Jedi. It is an affront to our kind and meant as such; cleanse your mind of it once and for all.

The two Jedi start off for the cabin.

BLONDE GIRL: (sighs) I'll keep trying, Master Than. (beat) Still, I don't see the point of these exercises.

CSAN THAN: You will need to know how to manipulate physical objects when it comes time for you to build your own lightsaber.

BLONDE GIRL: I already have a lightsaber, Master -- two of them.

CSAN THAN: And if you should lose them both?

BLONDE GIRL: (brings up her hands and wiggles her fingers) I have hands, don't I?

CSAN THAN: (sighs) The inner mechanism of a lightsaber requires a delicate touch, child; try to assemble it by hand and you're likely to create a plasma grenade that'll explode in your hand as soon as you go to activate it.

BLONDE GIRL: Well, it doesn't really matter, does it? There aren't enough parts on this world to construct a replacement lightsaber, anyway. (beat) Now, if only I could use the Force to actually lift things, to throw them -- I wouldn't need to worry about having a lightsaber then!

CSAN THAN: That was a power of the ancient Jedi.

BLONDE GIRL: (astonished) It was?!

CSAN THAN: (nods) It is a matter of fact. Advanced telekinetic feats were child's play for them.

BLONDE GIRL: But modern Jedi can't do it?

CSAN THAN: A small number can. For the rest of us, however, it is a lost art -- has been for centuries.

BLONDE GIRL: How is that? How did we lose it?

CSAN THAN: (sighs) That is a question which I have no definitive answers to. Perhaps the Force is like the tide -- rising and falling -- and right now it is at an ebb. Or perhaps -- and this is more unsettling -- the Force is abandoning us.

BLONDE GIRL: Why would the Force abandon us? Don't we serve its will?

CSAN THAN: We try to the best of our ability and knowledge, but that may not count for much if we have erred in our ways somewhere along the line, stumbled and fallen off the path without our being aware of it.

Just as the master and his apprentice reach the door of their cabin, an object -- a Theta-class shuttle bearing the colours of the now-defunct Galactic Republic -- comes streaking down from the sky. Noticing the craft as it descends into the distance, the Jedi look to one another.

CSAN THAN: Shall we?

BLONDE GIRL: Can your leg bear it?

CSAN THAN: I can manage.

Turning away from the cabin, they start off on a trek to rendezvous with the Republican shuttle.

INT. PURIFIER/HOLOPROJECTION CHAMBER

SGW-0027 stands at the centre of the chamber, surrounded by the holographic images of the thirteen athas.

SGW-0027: (cont'd) ... and then commandeering a TIE shuttle, officer UIY-2249 took it out and intercepted the CC 161. Before our gunners had a chance to get a clear bead on him, he engaged his hyperdrive in a Stewart Maneuver. Both shuttles were instantly destroyed and the Herrenvolk suffered some damage to its forward hull after being caught in the line of fire.

The clone captain pauses in her report, giving her masters a moment to process this information.

ATHA ONE: We will need all documentation pertaining to this incident sent to us immediately. Docking bay security footage, log-records of computer access to the tractor beam generator -- everything.

SGW-0027: It will be done. (beat) Masters, I should have sensed that officer UIY-2249's mind was slipping. If I had, I would have been able to stop him from destroying the CC 161 and killing officer CBA-0101. My failure weighs heavily on me. (beat) I hold myself directly responsible for UIY-2249's actions and am ready to accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate.

ATHA PRIME: That won't be necessary, Captain. (beat) It will take time to review the data, so we will have to postpone the invasion until then. You will remain in command of the fleet, however. Provided things turn out in your favour, you will still be in command when the order to continue on to Geonosis goes through.

SGW-0027: (bows her head) Thank you, Master.

The athas end the communication.

SGW-0027: (cont'd) Thank you for being such an ignorant, gullible fool.

Turning around, the clone captain walks over to the door leading out of the chamber. Just as she reaches it, however, laughter -- deep, eerie, mocking, masculine laughter -- begins to reverberate throughout the chamber. Spinning around, SGW peers into the dark centre of the chamber.

SGW-0027: Who is that?! Who's there?!

The laughter continues. Anger rising, the clone stomps her way back toward the centre of the chamber. Looking all about the depths of the chamber, she tries to find the individual making the laughter but cannot find him.

SGW-0027: Where are you!?

Slowly, the laughter dies down, soon disappearing altogether. Frightened, her hands beginning to shake, SGW-0027 wastes no more time in leaving the chamber as fast as she can.

SABOTEUR'S P.O.V. -- WAYWARD SON

Exiting the crew quarters, the saboteur makes their way along the main corridor of the Wayward Son until they reach the entrance into the engineering bay.

Slipping inside, the saboteur walks on over to the entrance which leads into the #3 hold. Entering the small hold, they step up to a green metal crate. Bringing out their left wrist, they pull their sleeve up and, peeling off a patch of synthskin, reveal a small wafer of super-thin electronics attached to the real skin beneath. After several touch-sensitive spots on the wafer are pressed, a hidden compartment near the base of the crate slides opens. Reaching into the compartment, the saboteur pulls out a toolkit along with a brick-sized detonator.

Re-sealing the compartment, the saboteur returns to the engineering bay and crosses over to the hyperdrive access panel. Taking care to make sure no one is around to see them, they open the panel and slip down inside the access tube. Opening the toolkit, the saboteur takes the detonator and begins connecting it to pathways which link the hyperdrive motivator up to the hyperdrive itself.

Time passes, and the job of securing the detonator in place is eventually finished. Taking their tools, the saboteur returns them to the toolkit.

SN. ANTILLES: (O.S.) Hey,  wait's up down there?

Hearing the Falleen's voice, the saboteur quickly reaches for the blaster pistol holstered to their left thigh. Unholstering the blaster, they make an adjustment to the pistol's setting, then taking care to hide the weapon against their palm, they climb out of the access tube. Antilles, unaware of the danger facing her, casually approaches the saboteur.

SN. ANTILLES: (smiles) What were you doing with the hyperdrive? Is there something --

Pressing their advantage, the saboteur moves right up to Antilles. Grabbing the Falleen's queue, the saboteur pulls the reptilian woman's head back. Quickly bringing out the blaster, the saboteur shoves the barrel right up under Antilles' chin and pulls the trigger. The energy discharged from the pistol is only a stun blast, but at this close range it's powerful enough to fry the Falleen's brain.  

As Antilles collapses to the deck, eyes rolling up in their sockets, the saboteur proceeds to take hold of the dead Falleen's shoulders and drags the body over to the hyperdrive access tube. Pushing the corpse down into the tube, the saboteur then re-seals the access panel. Once that is done, the saboteur departs, leaving the engineering bay as close to clean and spotless as it was before their arrival.

EXT. CORUSCANT -- 663 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX/LLOMON & MAHTTOH'S APARTMENT/BALCONY -- DAY 

Llomon stands over the balcony rail, peering out through his macrobinoculars at the 662 Gasgar Valley apartment complex which stands on the other side of the street.

LLOMON'S P.O.V. -- 662 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX'S ENTRANCE

The entrance door of the building opens and Siri steps out. Making sure she has her wallet on her, she proceeds to continue on her way down the sidewalk towards the parking garage.

INT. 663 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX/LLOMON & MAHTTOH'S APARTMENT/LIVING AREA -- DAY

Opening the balcony door, Llomon enters the living area. Mahttoh, seated on the sofa, fingers steepled across his chest and feet propped up on the caf table, turns his dark chocolate eyes away from the Wookiee opera performance currently playing on the holovid display and centres them on his partner.

LLOMON: (in Dosh, subtitled) She just left.

Nodding once silently, the Wookiee picks up a remote control and presses a button, turning the holovid player off at the exact moment before the Wookiee opera singer reaches crescendo.

INT. 662 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX/OBI-WAN & SIRI'S APARTMENT/ENTRANCE HALL -- DAY

The door into the darkened apartment slides open and Llomon and Mahttoh, two satchels at hand, sneak inside. Making haste, they reseal the door before anyone can see them and proceed to make their way deeper into the apartment.

INT. 662 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX/OBI-WAN & SIRI'S APARTMENT -- MONTAGE

We follow the bounty hunters as they make their way room-to-room, planting bugs and miniaturized cameras in various hidden spots.

INT. 662 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX/OBI-WAN & SIRI'S APARTMENT/KITCHEN -- DAY

Entering the kitchen, the bounty hunters step on over to the refrigerator. Taking hold of the unit, they pull it back away from the wall. Reaching into his satchel, Mahttoh then pulls out a detonator; arming it, he steps in the space between the refrigerator and wall and secures it in place to the unit.

LLOMON: (subtitled) That should do it.

Stepping out from behind the refrigerator, the two non-Humans then push the unit back in place.

LLOMON: (nods toward the door; subtitled) We're done here.

The bounty hunters depart the apartment, leaving no visible trace of their presence behind.

EXT. ORRON III -- DUQUESNE HOMESTEAD -- COURTYARD -- EVENING

It is a calm, clear evening on the night side of Orron III. The DuQuesne family, currently seated on lounge chairs outside, look up into the night sky of their world. The planet's three moons have coming into perfect alignment, combining their collective light to form a large, brilliant star in the heavens.

EXT. SPACE

With a blur of pseudo-motion, the Wayward Son emerges from hyperspace. The Corellian ship finds itself floating in deep interstellar space, surrounded on all sides by billions of brilliant stars with a distant varicoloured nebula situated in the black firmament to their far right. No worlds or nearby suns are to be found anywhere, however.

INT. WAYWARD SON/COCKPIT 

Taking one long glance out at the magnificent view of realspace situated beyond the cockpit, Cmdr. Vaness then reaches for the headset comlink secured over her left ear. 

CMDR. VANESS: (activates comlink) Dr. Moulin, we have emerged from hyperspace. Could you report to the cockpit to calculate our next hyperroute, please?

The commander receives no response.

CMDR. VANESS: (cont'd) Dr. Moulin, are you there?

INT. WAYWARD SON/CREW QUARTERS

Having a need to keep to their daily exercise routine even aboard the Wayward Son, Obi-Wan and Nik have decided to take up jogging through the length of the ship. Currently dressed in their lightest, coolest clothes, they make their way out into the main corridor, passing by Käthe Naad as she makes her way inside towards her quarters.

ANAKIN: (nods to Käthe) Hey, Käthe.

MSC. NAAD: (grins) Hi, Nik.

INT. WAYWARD SON/MAIN CORRIDOR

ANAKIN: (checks his chronometre) So, how long should we go for today? Sixty-nine minutes?

OBI-WAN: Let's make it an even eighty-six and then we'll hit the showers.

Just as they get ready to begin their jog, Cmdr. Cody exits the engineering bay. Looking ill at ease and edgy, the man from Concord Dawn hurriedly turns to his right and makes a sprint down the corridor without noticing the pair of Jedi. Exchanging glances, the two Jedi Knights silently agree to follow him.

INT. WAYWARD SON/COCKPIT

As Cmdr. Vaness gets ready to leave her seat, Dr. Moulin enters the cockpit and plops down in the co-pilot's seat.

DR. MOULIN: (calls a star chart up on a computer display) Sorry for the tardiness, Commander. I had to use the facilities.

EXT. ORRON III -- DUQUESNE HOMESTEAD -- COURTYARD -- EVENING

As the DuQuesnes watch the three aligned moons blaze, a formation of storm clouds -- appearing suddenly out of nowhere -- begins to coalesce in the sky above them.

INT. WAYWARD SON/MAIN CORRIDOR

Rounding a corner, Cody comes to the hatch leading into cockpit access corridor. Opening the hatch, the Journeyman Protector dashes inside.

INT. WAYWARD SON/COCKPIT

DR. MOULIN: There, I've finished charting our course. If we head for the K-type star here (points to a spot on the star chart), we'll be able to avoid crossing paths with the neutron star and continue on to the C-type star here (points to another spot on the chart). It's a long route -- it'll add another six hours to our travel time -- but it's safe.

CMDR. VANESS: (sighs) Punch it in.

As the Gungan begins entering the coordinates into the navicomputer, Cmdr. Cody bursts into the cockpit. At a near panic, he pounces upon the two women just as the hyperdrive comes on-line.

INT. WAYWARD SON/HYPERDRIVE ACCESS TUBE

Inside the access tube, where the twisted body of Sn. Antilles lies cold in unceremonious death, the detonator activates as commands from the hyperdrive motivator are filtered through it.

With a soundless flash of brilliant white light, the detonator explodes.

EXT. ORRON III -- DUQUESNE HOMESTEAD -- COURTYARD -- EVENING

The cloud formation grows like a cancer, concealing the aligned moons and blotting out their light.

EXT. TRANSSPACE

A wound in the fabric of spacetime is torn open, catapulting the Wayward Son into the extradimensional realm of transspace. Unlike hyperspace, which is a corridor of swirling blue light, transspace consists of a white void filled with iridescent energy conduits connecting different regions of realspace. Caught in one of these conduits, the YT-1300 freighter tumbles end-over-end on an uncontrolled flight through this alien cosmos toward an unknown destination.

INT. WAYWARD SON -- MONTAGE  

We take a look into the Wayward Son. Moving through the various rooms of the ship, we find everything -- crew members, ship's functions, and the expanding explosion from the ruptured hyperdrive itself -- frozen in place, affixed in time.

EXT. SPACE -- XUTHLTAN

With a burst of pearlescent light, the Wayward Son emerges in a distant region of the Galaxy. Trailing burning hyperdrive energies from its back end, it careens toward a planet enveloped in sulphur-yellow cloud formations. 

EXT. XUTHLTAN -- DESERT LANDSCAPE -- DAY

Emerging from the thick cloud cover, the Wayward Son finds itself speeding towards the surface of a perfectly flat, dried-up river bed. The craft banks left, putting it on a slightly more stable course, but that is all the ship has left to give.

Losing altitude, the Wayward Son hits the ground. Plowing through the dry earth, the freighter carves a long line into it as it skids forward.

EXT. ORRON III -- DUQUESNE HOMESTEAD -- COURTYARD -- EVENING

With a flash of lightning and a crash of thunder, the heavy storm clouds unload their burden. Large rain drops the colour of fresh blood pelt the ground in a torrential downpour. 

Disgusted by the sight and the smell of the red rain, Nemec and Corin quickly leave their lounge chairs and rush into the house. Nashira, on the other hand, cooly and calmly rises to her feet. Raising her open hands to the sky, she slowly looks up, standing in place as rivulets of crimson water run down her face and body.

INT. XUTHLTAN -- WAYWARD SON/COCKPIT ACCESS CORRIDOR -- DAY

Anakin lies face-down on the deck while Obi-Wan lies sprawled out on his back. Both are unconscious.

INT. WAYWARD SON/COCKPIT -- DAY

Cmdr. Vaness and Dr. Moulin remain upright in their seats, sparks flying from the damaged controls surrounding them. Though banged up, they managed to secure their restraints before the crash, saving them from serious injury. Cdmr. Cody, on the other hand, lies in a motionless heap against the bulkhead behind them, a bloody wound on his right temple.

Unfastening her restraints, Moulin leaves her seat and crosses over to the motionless Concordian. Bending low, she feels his throat for a pulse.

CMDR. VANESS: (unfastens her own restraints and joins the Gungan) Is he --?

DR. MOULIN: He's not dead, no -- just unconscious. I'd venture he's suffered a pretty severe concussion.

CMDR. VANESS: (puts her hands under Cody's armpits) Help me get him up.

With the Gungan's assistance, Vaness hefts the unconscious Journeyman Protector up to his feet and drags him over to the co-pilot's seat. Taking care not to jostle him too much, they set him down in it.

INT. WAYWARD SON/COCKPIT ACCESS CORRIDOR -- DAY

As Vaness and Moulin exit the cockpit, they find Nik and Obi-Wan in the access corridor.

CMDR. VANESS: (takes hold of Nik's shoulder and gives it a shake) Hey, Skywalker -- you awake?

Groggily, Anakin comes to.

ANAKIN: What in the Holy's name just happened?

CMDR. VANESS: (half-smiles) Here I was hoping you'd be the one to tell me.

Regaining consciousness, Obi-Wan sits up with a groan.

OBI-WAN: (rubs his forehead) Ooh, my head. It hasn't ached this bad since that time we attended the Tenaabi Spirits Festival.

CMDR. VANESS: I don't like to rush you guys, but we need to check out the rest of the ship. The others may need our help.

The two Jedi acknowledge this with a pair of nods.

INT. WAYWARD SON/MAIN CORRIDOR -- DAY

As soon as the four step out of into the main corridor, they find it filled with black, greasy smoke, the air heavy with an oppressive heat.

CMDR. VANESS: Oh, God -- the ship's fuel has caught on fire! (beat) We need to get respirators and extinguishers and get to the others -- fast!

INT. WAYWARD SON/COCKPIT -- DAY

They quickly backtrack to the cockpit and strap themselves into respirators, making sure to take up spare respirators and as many fire extinguishers as they can carry back with them. 

CMDR. VANESS (points at Cody's unconscious form) Obi-Wan, you get Cody off the ship. We'll find the others.

INT. WAYWARD SON/MAIN CORRIDOR -- DAY

As they return to the corridor and make their way down toward the hatch leading to the boarding ramp, they feel the already-intense heat grow even more palpable as the hairs on most of their bodies begin to singe. At the far end of the corridor, they can see the shadows being cast by the blazing silver inferno which has already consumed the engineering bay and its surrounding areas.

CMDR. VANESS: Bail's in the #2 hold. I'll go get him -- you guys get off the ship.

ANAKIN: (alarmed) What about the others?! Käthe's in her quarters! And what about Mal'Akhi and Antilles?!

CMDR. VANESS: If they were at the rear of the ship when the hyperdrive went critical, then they're dead. 

ANAKIN: I don't accept that --

CMDR. VANESS: Feel that heat, Skywalker? We're not even close to the source and it's still unbearable. There's no way they could've survived.   

ANAKIN: I still have to try and get to them!

DR. MOULIN: (angry) Are you suicidal or just stupid? They're dead, Skywalker! If we don't get off this death trap, we will be, too!

Anakin grits his teeth, torn between his duty to his comrades and his sense of self-preservation.

OBI-WAN: She's right, Nik. There's nothing we can do for them.

ANAKIN: No ... NO!

OBI-WAN: (irate) Anakin, listen to reason!

Finally, silently, Anakin acquiesces.

MSC. NAAD: (O.S.) I think we'd better get off-ship, guys, before this heat blisters my fair skin.

Hearing Käthe's voice, they turn to look behind them. There they find the mild-mannered woman moving towards them from up the corridor, a semi-conscious Bail braced against her. She begins to cough violently as the smoke in the air finally reaches unbreathable levels.

ANAKIN: Käthe, you're alive?! But I saw you returning --

MSC. NAAD: (coughs) I couldn't sleep, so I decided to take a walk. Capt. Organa and I can both thank God for that. Now please -- let's go!

EXT. WAYWARD SON -- DRIED-UP RIVERBED -- DAY

The hatch of the Wayward Son opens and the boarding ramp extends to touch the brown ground. Exiting the demolished, burning ship, the eight surviving team members emerge out into the dry heat of this uncharted desert planet.

OBI-WAN: (to Käthe) Did you see Sn. Antilles or Mal'Akhi on your way out?

MSC. NAAD: (shakes her head) I'm sorry ... I didn't.

The survivors looks out to their horizons, finding nothing but empty, barren nothingness before them.

ANAKIN: Now what? 

CMDR. VANESS: Now we wait for the fire to burn itself out and see what happens from there.

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.

Wow, that was a long break. Finally overcome your writer’s block I see. Or is this just the product of a temporary respite from it?

I don’t know if it was writer’s block so much as it was burn-out. A couple months away from this script allowed me to take a good breather, so now I’m ready to get back on the horse (and finish wrestling it to the ground 😉).

I do think I’m a little rusty, though; the last entry’s a bit too derivative of Leia’s rescue scene from SW, so I’m definitely going to have to go back and tweak it.

True to my word, I went back to the last entry and tweaked* it.

*“Tweaked” being code for “overhauled”.

INT. PURIFIER/SGW-0027’S CABIN

The clone captain is back at her desk, once again sitting in contemplation of the holographic statuette which burns before her in the gloom of her cabin.

As she leans forward to shut the hologram off, a low CHUCKLING begins behind her. Spinning her chair around, she jumps to her feet, sweeping up the hilt of her lightsaber and engaging the colourless blade in one smooth motion.

There, barely registering against the darkness surrounding it, is the black silhouette of a familiar figure.

SILHOUETTE: Salutations, Captain. You didn’t ever expect to see me again, did you?

SGW-0027: It can’t be!

Striding forward, the clone hefts up her saber, hoping to dispel any uncertainty regarding this vague figure’s identity. As the sterile light washes forth, though, nothing but the empty air is revealed.

SILHOUETTE: (O.C.) Over here.

Spinning around, the clone captain now finds the source of the silhouette standing by her desk; it is UIY-2249, unscathed and whole, characteristic distant smile worn on his green lips.

UIY-2249 (SILHOUETTE): I must give praise where praise is due; you did a masterful job faking my psychological breakdown and subsequent suicide run. The cyber-faked transmission and footage? The auto-operated shuttle? I didn’t know you had it in you – and I mean that quite literally; such technical skill isn’t routinely imprinted on Force-adepts.

Moving in upon the clone commander, SGW swings her white blade on a downward arc; instead of bisecting the Mirialan, it passes right through him, leaving no damage to flesh or cloth.

UIY-2249: Silly girl – what’s dead can’t be killed a second time.

SGW-0027: How is this possible?

UIY-2249: Perhaps I’m the spiritual essence of the departed UIY-2249, recalled from beyond the veil. (beat) Or more likely, I’m a figment of your fractured imagination.

SGW, not knowing how to deal with the phantasm’s revelation, just stands there. Bewilderment giving way to a lurking fear, she lowers her lightsaber but doesn’t disengage it.

SGW-0027: I can’t be going insane …

Smug as ever, UIY looks down upon the hologram of the Jedi.

UIY-2249: Don’t be too crestfallen. You can’t be blamed for having a defective aberration for a template.

At those words, the captain’s fear is immediately overwhelmed by anger. Bringing the point of her saber back up, she takes one menacing step towards her slain subordinate.

SGW-0027: (angry) Don’t you ever dare speak of her that way again!

UIY-2249: (cocks an eyebrow) Touched a most sensitive nerve, did I? (beat) Sentimentality’s an emotion I thought even you were rid of. She was just a gene donor.

The clone captain chooses not to remark on that comment.

SGW-0027: Why come to me now? What is it that you want?

UIY-2249: I’m here (grins) because you brought me here.

SGW-0027: Damn you and the mother who birthed you.

UIY-2249: It’s going to be a tad difficult accommodating that request, seeing as I never had a mother …

With those words spoken, UIY-2249 – be he phantom or figment – fades away, leaving SGW-0027 alone with her lightsaber burning bright against the darkness.

EXT. XUTHLTAN – WAYWARD SON – DRIED-UP RIVERBED – SUNSET

Beneath the shade of the wrecked ship, Obi-Wan, Bail, and Moulin sit around Cmdr. Jango Cody. Several hours have passed since the crash, and the Journeyman Protector remains unconscious, his body laid out prone atop a scavenged stretcher.

At that moment, Vaness, Anakin, and Kathe emerge from the Wayward Son, each weighed down with as many full knapsacks as they can carry. Coming to the makeshift camp, they unload their burden before the others.

CMDR. VANESS: This is all we could salvage. (beat) We have enough food for a week – maybe a week and a half. Our water will last for half that, if we drink it sparingly.

DR. MOULIN: Cmdr. Cody was right; we should have conserved our supplies.

ANAKIN: Speaking of the devil, has our sleeping beauty stirred at all since we went aboard?

BAIL: (shakes his head) He hasn’t moved a muscle since the accident.

OBI-WAN: (looks up into the sky) Judging by the encroaching darkness, the sun or suns are going down. If there’s any civilization to be found – any food or water – we’d best go searching for it while it’s cool enough to travel.

MSC. NAAD: What’ll we do for weapons? Your lightsabers were lost in the fire and none of us have any extra power packs for our blasters when they run out of charge. There could be dangerous creatures out there.

VANESS: We’ll fashion makeshift knives and spears out of the wreckage and pray there’s nothing on this planet tougher than that.

BAIL: Do it. (stands up) Skywalker – you, Moulin, and Nadd handle the supplies; Raia, once you’re finished making the weapons, take lead; Obi-Wan and I’ll handle Cody. (beat) As soon as we’re ready, we’re leaving.

INT. CORUSCANT – 663 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX/LLOMON & MAHTTOH’S APARTMENT/LIVING AREA – DAY

Sitting in their apartment, the Trandoshan and Wookiee go over several hours worth of recorded surveillance footage and transmissions taken from Obi and Siri’s apartment. Though their non-Human visages are hard to read, they are intensely frustrated.

MAHTTOH: (in Shyriiwook, subtitled) It’s been over a week since we bugged the apartment. Kenobi hasn’t once shown up or made a transmission, and she hasn’t made any transmissions to him. (beat) This is hopeless!

LLOMON: (in Dosh, subtitled) Hopeless? No. We’ve just reached the limits of what surveillance alone can teach us. If we’re to learn where the husband is, we’re going to have to ask the wife.

MAHTTOH: You mean --?

LLOMON: Yes. (stands up) We’re going back to the Ryyk. Once we’ve suited up, we’re going to pay Siri Tachi a house call.

INT. JEDI TEMPLE/WINDU APARTMENT/LIVING AREA – DAY

Siri and ‘Chi are decked out on the couch, watching cartoons on the holovid display, when the front door opens and Master Windu and Mistress Gallia step inside.

UZOCHI: (ecstatic) Mommy! Daddy!

Bolting off the couch, the little boy runs to his parents, seizing Gallia’s leg in a vice-like grip. The two are as happy to see their son as he is to see them.

MACE WINDU: (grins) Hello, little man. How’s your day been?

UZOCHI: Great! Me and Siri’s been watching Bungo ‘n’ Rusti!

Leaving the couch, Siri approaches the two Jedi masters and their child.

SIRI: You’re home early.

ADI GALLIA: It was unusually slow in the council chambers today. We were able to call it a day earlier than usual. (to ‘Chi) Now we can send some time with our special little guy, can’t we?

MACE WINDU: What would you like us to do, ‘Chi? The choice is yours.

UZOCHI: (thinks it over) Ice cream?

MACE WINDU: (laughs) No problem. (to Siri) Would you care to join us? You’re more than welcome.

SIRI: (shakes her head) This is your time. Spend it together as a family.

The Jedi masters choose to accept that answer.

SIRI: (to Uzochi) I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?

UZOCHI: Okay. Bye, Siri.

Smiling, Siri gives the boy a rub on the head.

INT. 662 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX/CORRIDOR OUTSIDE OBI-WAN & SIRI’S APARTMENT – DAY

Stepping out of the turbolift, Siri makes her way to her apartment door. Unlocking it, she opens it and takes a step inside.

INT. 662 GASGAR VALLEY APARTMENT COMPLEX/OBI-WAN & SIRI’S APARTMENT/ENTRANCE HALL – DAY

As soon as she closes the door and moves to turn the lights on, Siri freezes, suddenly apprehensive for an unknown but all too palpable reason. Reaching for her lightsaber, she pulls it from her belt.

Suddenly, out from the darkness before her, comes a large metal net. Hitting Siri, the net forces her back against the door, holding her there as a stun charge begins to course through the mesh. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she triggers her lightsaber; with a SNAP-HISS, the brilliant yellow blade of her lightsaber springs to life, burning through the mesh of the net and disrupting the charge.

As the Jedi slices through the net, freeing herself, her assailants step out of the darkness, revealing themselves to be Llomon and Mahttoh; dressed head-to-toe in identical suits of brown body armour, they wield a vibroaxe and vibrosword, respectively.

With a growl, Mahttoh springs forward, swinging his blade at Siri’s exposed neck. Ducking, the Jedi somersaults, bringing her legs up to kick the Wookiee directly in the face. Grunting as broken teeth fly, he stumbles backward, tripping over himself and hitting the floor.

Springing back to her feet, Siri turns on Llomon. Grinning, he brings up the blade of his vibroaxe as she brings down her lightsaber; the vibrating axe-head, forged from phrik alloy, easily blocks the yellow plasma blade.

Coming back into the fray, Mahttoh brings his lanvarok into alignment and fires off a razor-edged disc. The disc grazes Siri’s leg, distracting her long enough for the Trandoshan to backhand her, sending the Jedi Knight reeling. She recollects herself just in time to parry the Wookiee’s vibrosword, which is also crafted from lightsaber-resistant phrik alloy. Llomon charges, swinging his vibroaxe, but Siri leaps up, evading the deadly blade. Somersaulting over Mahttoh’s head, she stabs backward with her lightsaber, hoping to skewer the Wookiee on the blade. As the plasma blade makes contact with his cortosis armour, however, it shorts out, rendering it inactive. Grinning, Mahttoh unsheathes the claws of his right hand and racks them against Siri’s sword arm; crying out in agony, she drops her disabled weapon.

Clutching her bleeding arm, Siri staggers back, putting as much distance between her and the two bounty hunters as she can. Dauntless, the pair of hunters advance.

SIRI: (grimacing) Who are you?

LLOMON: Who we are isn’t important. What we want is the question you should be asking.

SIRI: What do you want then?!

Moving in close to Siri, Llomon brings the blade of his vibroaxe up to her throat until they’re almost touching.

LLOMON: Kenobi.

SIRI: He’s been called back to the front lines. He won’t return home in months.

LLOMON: That’s too bad – for you.

Taking his axe away from her her throat, Llomon swings it on a downward arc to cleave her in twain. Bringing up her hands, Siri manages to seize hold of the weapon’s shaft before it can connect. Gritting her teeth, she wrestles with the Trandoshan for control of the blade. Bringing up his lanvarok, Mahttoh prepares to fire off another razor disc, this time to finish the Jedi off.

At that very moment, the front door opens and Mace Windu, lightsaber in hand with blue blade engaged, steps inside. Surprised, the two non-Humans freeze momentarily, stopping to evaluate this new arrival.

MACE WINDU: I’m sorry – did I break your concentration?

Taking his lanvarok off Siri, Mahttoh trains it on Windu, firing off a volley of discs. With a flurry of movement, the Jedi master intercepts each and every disc, slicing them apart with his blue blade as he advances on the Wookiee. Lowering his lanvarok, Mahttoh hefts up his sword.

As the Jedi master and Wookiee bounty hunter cross blades, Siri sends her heel down on one of the Trandoshan’s feet. Unleashing a ROAR of agony, he loses hold of the vibroaxe. Exploiting her newfound advantage, she brings the shaft of the axe up into Llomon’s chin, snapping his head back and throwing him off balance. Hitting the floor, the Trandoshan seizes Siri’s fallen lightsaber, engaging the blade of yellow plasma just in time to block Siri’s blow as she brings the vibroaxe down on his face.

SIRI: (to Windu) Watch out for the armour!

Bringing his lightsaber around in a downward arc, Windu tries slicing through the Wookiee’s wrists. Upon making contact with one of the cortosis gauntlets, however, the blade winks out.

MACE WINDU: (staring at the inactive hilt) Point taken.

Windu ducks as Mahttoh goes for his face with his claws, following it through with a roundhouse kick to the Wookiee’s armoured chest. Thrown backward, Mahttoh hits the living area picture window, shattering it with a resounding CRASH. Falling through, Mahttoh releases a bloodcurdling HOWL as he takes a long plummet to the ground far below.

LLOMON: (horrifed) Mahttoh!

Distracted, Llomon falls to intercept Siri as she brings the vibroaxe down on the unarmoured joint of his right arm, slicing clean through the flesh and bone. He clutches the gaping wound with a SHRIEK, desperately squeezing to staunch the flow of blood. Now standing defenseless before the Jedi Knights, the Trandoshan’s only route of escape lies through the broken picture window.

MACE WINDU: (re-engages his lightsaber) You have lost. Stand down.

LLOMON: (spits on the Jedi) Chaos take me first.

Turning on his left, Llomon bolts for the broken window. Before the Jedi can stop him, he leaps through, unholstering a grappling gun and shooting off a line as he disappears from view.

Deactivating and discarding the vibroaxe, Siri retrieves her lightsaber from the Trandoshan’s severed arm as she joins Windu by the shattered window.

MACE WINDU: Who were they?

SIRI: Haven’t a clue. They came for Ben; I’ve no idea why. (beat) I’m just lucky you happened to be in the neighbourhood. I thought you and Mistress Gallia were taking ‘Chi out for ice cream.

Reaching into his tunic, Windu pulls out a slim synth-leather object.

MACE WINDU: You left your wallet behind.

EXT. XUTHLTAN – DRIED-UP RIVERBED – DAWN

The survivors of the Wayward Son march on, sluggish and weary from over a week of nigh-endless exertion under the planet’s unyielding dry heat.

Lids heavy, Moulin uncaps her canteen and raises it to her long, cracked lips. When her tongue is met with no water, she taps the bottom of the canteen, but nothing comes forth.

DR. MOULIN: (returns the empty canteen to her belt) Well, that’s that – I’m dry.

MSC. NAAD: (offers her her own canteen) Here, have some of mine.

DR. MOULIN: (raises her hands) I couldn’t.

MSC. NAAD: Please. I can do with less water than you, anyway.

Tentatively, the rephibian takes the young woman’s canteen. Uncapping it, she takes a short sip.

DR. MOULIN: (returns the canteen to Kathe) Thank you.

CMDR. VANESS: (halts) Stop.

At the commander’s order, the others come to a sudden halt. Before them, almost unnoticeable from their angle of observation, the river bed comes to an abrupt end, transitioning into a vertical drop in the rock which stretches for several metres. Most likely a high waterfall at some point in this world’s history, it – along with the rest of the landscape – dried up a long time ago.

With Obi-Wan’s assistance, Bail lowers Cody’s stretcher. He then joins his second-in-command at the drop.

BAIL: (looks over the drop) It goes down a ways. (beat) It looks too steep to climb down.

MSC. NAAD: We managed to salvage line from the wreck.

BAIL: Let’s see it.

Lowering their packs, Anakin, Kathe, and Moulin begin fishing around in them in search of the line. The Gungan soon finds the bundle of line in one of hers; striding over to the captain and commander, she presents it to them.

BAIL: It might not be long enough, but it’ll have to do.

ANAKIN: (points at something in the distance) Hey – what’s that, way over there?

Following his finger, Bail and Vaness find, past the vertical drop, far in the distance but not too far to walk, a large mass rising out of the otherwise flat terrain. Pulling out her pair of electrobinoculars, Vaness takes a look.

CMDR. VANESS’ P.O.V. – ZIGGURAT

Through the electrobinoculars, we can see that the mass is no natural formation. Though fine details still cannot be made out, it is clearly a ziggurat, consisting of two levels with a prominent ramp leading to the first and a lesser ramp leading to the second.

CUT TO

Vaness handing the electrobinoculars to Bail.

VANESS: It’s a ziggurat.

BAIL: (looks through the electrobinoculars) Well, this world’s not as empty as we were led to believe.

VANESS: There’re no other traces of civilization, Bail – no agriculture, no other buildings, definitely no sign of people. It looks as dead as everything else we’ve seen.

BAIL: You may be right. Regardless, there still may be something of value to be found inside. I’m game to find out if you are.

VANESS: (shrugs) I’m game.

BAIL: Alright. (to the others) Find something to secure the line to and get it ready. We’re going on to the ziggurat.

OBI-WAN: I don’t think it’s wise to take Cody along with us. We don’t know how grievous his injuries are; we could do him serious harm if we tried lowering him down the line.

BAIL: Then one of us is going to have to stay behind to keep a watch over him.

MSC. NAAD: I’ll do it.

DR. MOULIN: If you don’t mind, Captain, I’d like to stay, too. We haven’t run up against any dangers so far, but if that were to change, it’d be better for there to be two around to protect the commander than one.

BAIL: (nods) Very well. We’ll leave you some extra water and a comlink. Contact us if his condition changes at all.

Moulin nods once in acknowledgement.

CUT TO

Bail, Vaness, Obi-Wan, and Nik as they lower themselves down the line centimetre-by-centimetre. Moulin and Naad, back on top with the unconscious Cmdr. Cody, watch them make their descent.

Soon, they come to the end of the line. As luck would have it, the line is a bit too short; they have to let go and fall a short but safe distance to make it to the bottom.