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TV's Frink said:
Boba Fett? You mean Jango Fett's carbon copy, right?
;-(
Fixed.
Bingowings said:
After Jurassic Park he came to the conclusion that puppets were so 20th Century and farts and poop were funny.
But farts and poop are older than Methuselah. The logic doesn't wash! It just doesn't wash!!!
;-(
asterisk8 said:
RedFive said:
No! What's "AKing"?According to dark_jedi, "ass-kissing".
I thought it meant "axeing" ;-(
EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - COURTYARD - TWILIGHT
Obi-Wan stands outside the house, leaning again the wall beside the entrance, communicating with Qui-Gon through his comlink.
OBI-WAN : ... secured the hyperdrive. Tomorrow we’ll pick it up and bring it to the ship.
QUI-GON : (O.S.) What of you? You're not coming back to the ship?
OBI-WAN : We're staying the night with some moisture farmers.
QUI-GON : (O.S.) Well then ... goodnight.
OBI-WAN : Goodnight Qui-Gon.
The communication ends, and Obi-Wan returns the comlink to his belt as Anakin steps out of the house. Anakin leans back against the wall beside Obi-Wan, crossing his arms across his chest.
OBI-WAN : It must be peaceful here as a moisture farmer. A bit hot, I suppose, but peaceful. Nothing to worry about - other than your debt to Watto, I suppose.
ANAKIN : Other than the debt and the odd Tusken, yeah. It's peaceful, but ...
OBI-WAN : But?
ANAKIN : Dull. It’s dull. Day in, day out - nothing ever really changes. I don't feel I'm getting anything out of my life or doing anything important with it. (cont’d) It's funny, really. I’ve been a farmer all my life, just like my dad and his dad, but it all feels ... I don’t know ... ephemeral. I don’t feel like I'm me, if that makes any sense. I feel like I’m in someone else's shoes - someone else's body - and am just going along for the ride. Has that ever happened to you?
OBI-WAN : With me? No, I can't say it has.
ANAKIN : You'd think Owen would feel the same way - same parents, same upbringing and all - but he doesn’t. Thing about Owen is that he’s no dreamer. I think his prospects end just before the horizon. Tatooine, and this farm, will always be his home - and I think he's fine with that, and always will be.
OBI-WAN : You don’t always see eye-to-eye, do you?
ANAKIN : Not always, no. (laughing) He thinks I’m a damn fool romantic with my head in the clouds.
OBI-WAN : What of your mother?
ANAKIN : I ... I don’t really know. She encouraged me a lot growing up. She was my rock ... (cont’d) That was a long time ago.
OBI-WAN : Why should she feel any differently now?
ANAKIN : I ... I feel that I've disappointed her.
OBI-WAN : Disappointed her?
ANAKIN : She's a great mother - I'm not saying she isn't - and it isn't as if she's ever said she isn't proud of me. It's just that I feel ...
OBI-WAN : Yes?
ANAKIN : I feel I should have done more for her - more to show her that I appreciate everything she's done for me.
OBI-WAN : Anakin, believe me when I say this -
ANAKIN : Yes?
OBI-WAN : I believe that she realizes you appreciate her and that you love her. I also believe that she appreciates that.
ANAKIN : Even though I’m reckless, impatient, and often do stupid, impulsive things on a whim?
OBI-WAN : Yes ... even though you are reckless, impatient, and often do stupid, impulsive things on a whim.
The Jedi’s answer causes Anakin to laugh. Obi-Wan smiles as the tension leaves the young man.
OBI-WAN : What about your father? Were you close?
ANAKIN : Not as close, but close enough. He was my father in every way that mattered.
OBI-WAN : That mattered?
ANAKIN : (cont’d) Cliegg Lars was the only father I've ever had, and may as well have been my true father ... but he wasn't. (cont’d) Mom had gone out one morning to pick the mushrooms that grow on the vaporators, just as she always does. She found Nellith there, barely alive, with me in her arms.
OBI-WAN : Your biological mother?
ANAKIN : (nodding) Nellith was the name she gave us, anyway. (cont’d) With Dad’s help Mom brought her inside. It was too late by then, though - she’d been out in the desert for too long without any water. She’d kept me safe, though. Don’t know how, but I was just fine.(cont’d) She didn’t last long - she died soon after we were found. But before she did she was able to give my name: Anakin Skywalker. (cont’d) It’s the only thing I have from her - the name she gave me.
OBI-WAN : And you know nothing of your father? No clue as to who he is or was?
ANAKIN : Nothing.
OBI-WAN : Hmm ...
ANAKIN : The Lars took me in, cared for me, made me one of their own ... (to himself) Mom loved me like a son ... I am her son ... (cont’d) Obi-Wan, I wish you were a Jedi. You could take me off Tatooine. I could join the Jedi Order and become a Knight like you. I could make Mom proud of me.
OBI-WAN : I'm afraid I couldn’t do that even if I were a Jedi.
ANAKIN : You couldn’t? Why not?
OBI-WAN : Had you been born in the Republic they would have identified you early, and you would have been accepted into their ranks. But now ... (cont’d) You’re too old. The Jedi do not recruit anyone your age.
ANAKIN : Is that so?
OBI-WAN : I’m sorry.
ANAKIN : Funny you should say that, seeing as you’ve never heard of the Jedi Order before tonight.
OBI-WAN : Well, now ... how about that! It seems I was wrong. I guess I have heard of the Jedi before and simply forgot. (grinning) It happens to all of us at one time or another, I suppose.
ANAKIN : (suspicious) Yes ...
OBI-WAN : Your story must have jogged my memory.
ANAKIN : I guess so.
Without another word Obi-Wan leaves Anakin, going into the house. Anakin remains motionless, watching the Jedi Knight leave. He then turns toward the horizon, watching the last rays of the day's light disappear over the skyline as he ponders his future.
Check it out.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/starwars2000/
All I can says is "too little, too late".
ator said:
Like pretty much all of the EU, it's totally unnecessary and speculative, taking liberties with situations and characters that don't go over well with everyone, but when I was 12 it was very entertaining and imaginative.
Isn't this pretty much the case with any fictional work?
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - LATE DAY
The speeder races over sand and low dunes. Small animals scurry in the vehicle’s wake.
EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - COURTYARD - LATE DAY
As the speeder approaches the farm Anakin pulls back on the controls, slowing the vehicle down. They come to a stop near the house, climbing off as the engines die down.
ANAKIN : Mom! Mom, we're home!
Two women - Shmi Lars and Beru Whitesun - exit the house, meeting the others as they come to the door. Shmi is in her early forties, with long dark hair and sun-weathered skin. Beru is much younger, around the same age as Owen, with sandy blonde hair.
SHMI : Ani - Owen - who's this?
ANAKIN : These are ... (turning to their guests) Man, I don't know any of your names.
OBI-WAN : I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi, (gesturing to the Gungan) this is Tarpals ...
AMIDALA : ... and I'm Amidala Naberrie, ma'am. Pleased to meet you.
SHMI : (to Owen) What are they doing here?
OWEN : His idea, Mom. Ask him.
ANAKIN : They got in a fight with Sebulba. I got involved -
SHMI : Anakin! I've told you to avoid that Dug - !
ANAKIN : (cont'd) It was nothing, Mom. He was the one who lost fingers, not me.
SHMI : What!?
OBI-WAN : Your son was kind enough to offer us shelter.
ANAKIN : They'll be gone in the morning, once they get the parts they need for their ship.
SHMI : Okay ... (to Obi-Wan) I'm sorry if I was abrupt. I'll never get used to Anakin's surprises.
EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - DINING AREA - SUNSET
Obi-Wan, Tarpals, and Amidala are seated at the dining table with the Lars family. Beru gives each person at the table a plate piled with food before sitting down and joining them.
SHMI : ... Cliegg was a good man - an honest man - but he had his vices. He was a gambler, and not a very good one. He got in over his head, and ended up in debt to pretty much everyone. (cont’d) He asked Watto for some money, and he gave it, but ended up owing the Toydarian in the process. He worked so hard the last couple of months ... before he ...
Shmi's eyes start to well up with tears. She stops to wipe her eyes. Owen picks up the conversation.
OWEN : With him gone we’ve had to take up the debt. We've been giving the bird as much as we can make from moisture farming ...
ANAKIN : And some other part-time work on the side ...
OWEN : (cont'd) ... But it's not enough. And now he's threatening to take the farm.
SHMI : We'll deal with it when the time comes. We always have.
Anakin turns his attention toward Obi-Wan. The boy’s eyes - filled with barely contained awe - bore into the Jedi.
OBI-WAN : (noticing Anakin’s stare) Something on your mind, Anakin?
ANAKIN : Mr. Kenobi - Obi-Wan - I was wondering something ...
OBI-WAN : What?
ANAKIN : Well, ahhh ... are you a Jedi Knight?
OBI-WAN : Jedi Knight?
ANAKIN : Yes, a Jedi.
OBI-WAN : No, can’t say that I am. (cont’d) What is that, anyway?
ANAKIN : What, the Jedi? You’ve never heard of them?
OBI-WAN : No. What’s gives you the idea that I might be one of them?
ANAKIN : Your laser sword. Only Jedi carry that kind of weapon.
OBI-WAN : My laser sword ...? Ah, you mean my cutting tool. I bought that from a curiosity dealer on Ogana Major. (cont’d) I take it you’ve seen one before?
OWEN : Nebar Foxis ...
OBI-WAN : Nebar Foxis ...?
ANAKIN : Foxis is an old spacer we met in town. He told us all about the Jedi.
OBI-WAN : Tell me what he told you.
ANAKIN : The Jedi are policemen who patrol and protect the Republic. They’re ditheists.
OBI-WAN : Ditheists?
ANAKIN : They believe in two gods.
OBI-WAN : Ah, yes.
ANAKIN : The two gods are Ashla and Bogan. Ashla is the Goddess of Light, and Bogan is the God of Darkness. They used to be married until they created the universe, and then they became enemies.
OBI-WAN : So the Jedi pray to both - to Bogan?
ANAKIN : No, no ... The Jedi worship Ashla, but they oppose Bogan. Bogan is evil and only wants to sow death and destruction. The Jedi are against that.
OBI-WAN : And they carry tools - weapons - like mine?
ANAKIN : Yes. Foxis had one of his own. He showed it to Owen and me. (cont’d) He claims he was apprenticed to a Jedi once when he was young, but the Jedi died in battle. He left the Order after that, but held onto his sword.
OWEN : Foxis is full of it. He probably bought or stole the thing from somebody else.
OBI-WAN : Well, it seems I got a good deal on mine. The poor fool would have charged extra if he had known it was a weapon once owned by a mystical warrior.
ANAKIN : (cont’d) So ... you’re not a Jedi.
OBI-WAN : No, I’m afraid not.
A. Kabomp the Bompoceratops.
Q: will the interrobang ever catch on?
Username : "Duracell" and "Energizer" fused.
Avatar : I always liked how, in the EU, there were multiple lightsaber colours available to darksiders and lightsiders both. When AOTC came out, this cliched "red = bad, blue & green = good" lightsaber colour rule was firmly established and the EU quickly adopted it. I've been pissed off about it ever since. Giving a Nazgul a green lightsaber is my small way of defying the system.
Title : ties into the reasoning behind my avatar.
Signature : relates how the fantards on TF.N will spit on you if you don't allow the thought police to shove the official canon up your ass.
1. Go back in time and steal a pristence copy of every movie that has ever been lost and then bring them back to the present.
2. Go sideways through time to find a version of the present that doesn't suck.
TPM - I read the kid novelizations first, and going by them I thought the story sucked. Then I read the adult novelization, and I found it a lot better than the kid novelizations. I then finally watched the movie on video. I liked it, but still thought it pailed in comparison to the OT; I probably would have rated it around 7/10 (The OT was practically a 9-10/10 for me back as a kid).
Over a decade later, my tastes have changed dramatically. I now give it a 4.9/10. That's more than I'll give for the other two prequels, though, which I both rate 2/10.
After the Hand of Thrawn duology, they really should have moved beyond Luke, Han, and Leia. If they had toned down the NJO they could have used it as a send off for the classic characters, and then started focusing on other more minor characters and exploring the greater SW Universe. There was plenty of potential in the next generation of Solos and Skywalkers and the one-off characters and entities briefly explored in the vast amount of comics and novels.
Instead we have to see galactic civil wars, Jedi purges, and reborn Empires & Sith reused, reduced, and recycled ad infinitum. No originality or sense of broadening the horizons whatsoever.
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET - MARKET - DAY
The Jedi, the Gungan, and the Princess pass by several outdoor cafes and stalls. Amidala’s stomach growls as she takes in the scent of roasting meat and vegetables.
AMIDALA : I'm hungry. I'd like something to eat.
OBI-WAN : Buy us each a little something, Captain.
Tarpals leaves them, going to a stall where a vendor sells several dead frog-like creatures hanging from wires.
VENDOR : Whatcha want?
CAPT. TARPALS : Three of those - three of those f'oggs.
VENDOR : Fog? What?
CAPT. TARPALS : (pronouncing the word with difficulty) F'ogg, ferg ... fer-og. Three fer-ogs.
VENDOR : That'll be seven truguts.
As the vendor takes down three of the frogs and hands them over to Tarpals, an ugly Dug - Sebulba - strides up to the Gungan.
SEBULBA : Chuba! You!
TARPALS : Me?
SEBULBA : Yes, you!
CAPT. TARPALS : What is it u'sa want?
SEBULBA : (pushing his face up to Tarpals's) I don't like you ...
CAPT. TARPALS : That isn't my problem. Be going.
SEBULBA : (poking Tarpals in the chest) I don't like you, you toad-faced worrt! You smell like something's wet underfoot!
CAPT. TARPALS : (pushing away Sebulba's wrist) Leave, barbarian. Your insults will put you down.
SEBULBA : Try me, maggot!
The Dug violently pushes Tarpals, causing the Gungan to fall back and crash into another stall, tipping several trays of fried roach candies over. Tarpals unsheathes a knife, and Sebulba pulls out a blaster.
As Obi-Wan unclips his lightsaber a blaster bolt lances out, hitting the Dug in the hand, knocking the weapon from his grip and burning away several fingers. Everyone looks over to the blaster bolt came from - where they find Owen and the armed Anakin standing at a café. Anakin leaves Owen, walking over to the Dug.
ANAKIN : Better be careful, Dug. This one's connected - to the Hutts, I believe. I wouldn’t mess with him if I were you.
SEBULBA : (nursing his injured hand) Stupid dirt farmer. I'll teach you to meddle with me ...
Sebulba begins to walk towards Anakin. Anakin brings his blaster up, aiming it straight toward the Dug's face. Sebulba freezes.
ANAKIN : I think you'd better get going, Sebulba, seeing as you’ve got more pressing matters to attend to. We’ll tango later.
SEBULBA : I'll be going, twerp. I've got more pressing matters to attend to. (cont’d) I promise you, though, that’ll we’ll tango later. Oh, yes!
ANAKIN : Glad to hear it, Dug, glad to hear it.
SEBULBA : Glad to hear it, dirt farmer, glad to hear it.
Sebulba steps away from Anakin, returning to the stall with the frogs. The Dug swipes the three frogs meant for the trio from the vendor, then leaves fuming. Anakin holsters the blaster as Owen goes to him, scolding him.
OWEN : Anakin. You've gotta stop getting into fights with him. You know Sebulba ...
Obi-Wan and the others approach the two brothers.
OBI-WAN : (clipping his lightsaber to his belt) Tarpals here could have met an unfortunate end if you hadn't gotten involved and helped. Thank you.
ANAKIN : (eyeing the lightsaber) No problem ... (cont’d) You guys aren’t from around here are you?
OBI-WAN : How’d you guess?
ANAKIN : (pointing at his clothes) No one dresses like that here.
OBI-WAN : (looking down at his shirt, then at Owen’s and Anakin’s) No, I suppose not. (cont’d) We were on our way to the Ophuchi system when our ship suffered damage travelling through hyperspace. Once the replacement parts have been delivered and installed we’ll be on our way.
ANAKIN : Do you have any shelter?
OBI-WAN : We'll be heading back to our ship.
ANAKIN : You're welcome to stay the night at our farm. We have an extra room or two we never use.
OBI-WAN : Hmm ...
ANAKIN : You won't be a burden on us or anything. I'm sure it'll be okay.
OBI-WAN : Very well ... we'll gladly accept your invitation. Lead the way.
As the brothers lead the trio to their landspeeder Owen leans close to Anakin, whispering in his ear.
OWEN : We don't know them from Adam, Nik. I don't know if we should let them stay with us.
ANAKIN : Don't be such a worry-worrt. It's not like they're Anzati marauders or something like that.
OWEN : Fine, I’ll go along with it. But don’t think for a second that I'm going to let you get me in trouble for any of this. If Mom asks, I’m telling her it was all your idea.
ANAKIN : (laughing) Sure, Owen, sure.
zombie84 said:
Or would you rather have Chewbacca killed by a moon colliding with him? Honestly, what stoner thought up that one? "Duuude...what if Chewie gets hit by a moon?? Woah, far out!"
I can kinda understand what they were going for with Chewie's death. Up til that point the good guys kept getting into all sorts of dangerous situations without suffering any long-term consequences; the idea of killing off a major character was meant to inject some aura of true danger and uncertainty into the mix.
I think they went too far with actually killing Chewie off, though. They could have done anything short of killing him or any other major character from the films and still acheived their goal.
This
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZe9_LWlOtM
Combined with the stupid scene from ROTS where Ani & Obi twirl their sabers in tandem played over-and-over in a continuous loop.
Tobar said:
Hotlinking problem with your second pic there Duracell.
No biggie. It was just a picture of Dooku with some stupid "He took my ice cream cone away from me, mama!" expression on his face.
Sorry for the necropost, but I've got to get this off my chest.
I like - no, love - how the EU portrayed the Sith prior to the prequels.
They weren't simply evil or anti-Jedi. They were dark sorcerors and black knights. They had kingdoms and dynasties. They could tear stars apart and twist living creatures into horrendous abominations with their black arts.
They sure as hell weren't red glowstick-twirling KISS rejects with juvenile club names.
This
mops the floor with this
A: Whatever floats your boat.
Q: How many woodchucks could wood chuck if wood could chuck woodchucks?
A: ?ti teG
Q: What's the meaning of death?
EXT. TATOOINE - SPACE
The cruiser drops out of hyperspace. Before the small ship sits the large brown orb of Tatooine.
INT. SPACE - AKKADIAN - COCKPIT
One of Panaka’s men sits in the pilot’s seat, studying several readouts. Obi-Wan stands at his side, hands on his belt.
BODYGUARD : That's it. Tatooine ... There's a settlement - a spaceport, looks like.
OBI-WAN : Land near the outskirts. We don't want to attract any attention.
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - DAY
The Akkadian descends from the sky, slowly touching down on barren desert sand. Far in the distance lies the Mos Eisley spaceport - a bright spot on the horizon.
INT. TATOOINE - AKKADIAN - ENGINE ROOM - DAY
Qui-Gon and Major Vaness stand in the guts of the ship, inspecting the damaged hyperdrive. Obi-Wan enters the room, wearing the garb of a Nabu citizen.
QUI-GON : The hyperdrive generator is gone. We will need a new one.
Obi-Wan gestures for Qui-Gon to come to him. The Padawan goes to his elder, who begins to speak with him quietly.
OBI-WAN : Don't let them send any transmissions. Be wary ... I sense a disturbance in the Force.
QUI-GON: I feel it too.
Obi-Wan departs the engine room, leaving Qui-Gon to return to the hyperdrive with Vaness.
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - AKKADIAN - DAY
Obi-Wan and Captain Tarpals leave the ship, beginning their trek toward Mos Eisley.
CAPT. TARPALS : This sun does murder toe teh skin.
OBI-WAN : The desert climate is harsh to aquatic species, my friend. You’ll just have to bear with it.
Captain Panaka and Amidala step out of the ship, and begin to sprint after the duo.
CAPT. PANAKA : Wait!
The Gungan and the Jedi stop, allowing the Nabu to catch up to them.
CAPT. PANAKA : (cont'd) Her Highness commands you to take her with you. She wishes to observe the local -
OBI-WAN : There will be no commands from Her Highness today, Captain. This spaceport is unlikely to be pleasant ...
CAPT. PANAKA : The Princess wishes it. She is curious about this planet.
AMIDALA : I've been trained in self-defence. I can take care of myself.
OBI-WAN : I don't have the time to argue, but this is not a good idea. Stay close to me.
The Jedi gives Amidala a stern look. The three of them continue toward Mos Eisley, leaving Panaka behind.
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET - DAY
The trio walks down the town's main street, several exotic creatures passing them by. Amidala examines the sights around her with her eyes, fascinated.
OBI-WAN : ... moisture farms for the most part, but also a few indigenous tribes and scavengers. The few spaceports like this one are havens for those who do not wish to be found ...
CAPT. TARPALS : Like us.
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - JUNK DEALER PLAZA - DAY
They come to a plaza strewn with several junk shops, many of which have dilapidated starships in their back lots.
OBI-WAN : We'll try one of the smaller dealers.
They walk over to one of the shops, entering through the main doorway.
INT. TATOOINE - WATTO'S JUNK SHOP - DAY
Obi-Wan, Amidala, and Tarpals enter the dingy shop, examining the many items of machinery lain in piles on the floor and hung upon the walls.
Moving deeper into the shop they find three individuals at a large desk engaged in a heated argument - brothers Anakin Skywalker and Owen Lars with the flying blue Toydarian Watto. Owen is seventeen years old, slightly chubby with close-cropped brown hair. Anakin is fifteen, leaner and somewhat more handsome than Owen.
WATTO : Whatta's this? This is a payment, you say? Payment!? Bah! I wouldn't have been able to pay for my mother's funeral with this! This isn't enough. But then, thee never have enough.
OWEN : We're giving you all we can, Watto. We’re in a funk right now. Ever since Ash-It Eeyoo Naim set up shop our farming business hasn’t been doing well, and ferrying spice down from Chenini only -
WATTO : (alarmed) Shaddap! Thee want-a have somebody hear you?!
OWEN : (cont'd) We're barely getting by.
WATTO : Thee think I give a Ranat's rear if thee get by? I don't-a. I want what's due to me. I've been more than fair, waiting for thee.
ANAKIN : You're paying interest, you old bird. That's being fair?
WATTO : I was at a low point when I loaned to your father - rest his soul - as thee well know. I took a big loss pitying the fool. That's why there's-a interest. (pushing his face up in front of Anakin's) I'm-a taking your farm - or your momma's flesh, boy. Your choice.
ANAKIN : (enraged) You lousy piece of - !
Anakin strikes out, hands reaching for Watto’s throat. Owen grabs him, wrestling him away from the Toydarian.
OWEN : Anakin, no! Calm down. Your gonna get us in trouble. Stop it!
ANAKIN : (struggling) Stupid rotten - (to Owen) Let me go, dammit!
OWEN : Anakin, stop! Stop it!
Anakin squirms for another several seconds. Finally he stops, letting out a deep breath. Owen slowly releases him.
ANAKIN : Okay ... I'm okay now. (cont’d) Let's get out of here. I don't want to stand in this dump a minute longer.
The brothers leave the Toydarian’s desk, moving past Obi-Wan, Amidala, and Tarpals on their way out the door. Watto follows them with angry eyes.
WATTO : You've made your decision, then ... (to the trio) Whatta thee want?
They step forward up to Watto’s desk.
OBI-WAN : I need parts for a K-type 723 Akkadian.
WATTO : Ah yes, ah yes. Akkadian. We have lots of that. What kinda junk?
OBI-WAN : My sister here has a readout of what we need.
WATTO : (taking a datapad from Amidala and looking it over) Sooo, let me take-a thee out back. In you'll find what you need.
Handing back the datapad, Watto leaves the desk, floating out a back door to the junk yard beyond. The three of them follow after him.
EXT. TATOOINE - WATTO’S JUNK SHOP - BEHIND SHOP - DAY
The Toydarian takes them along a path through several piles of assorted machinery, consulting his own datapad. He soon stops at a large hyperdrive.
WATTO : ... Here it is ... a U-15 hyperdrive generator! Thee in luck. I'm the only one hereabouts who has one ... But thee might as well buy a new ship. It would be cheaper, I think ... Saying of which, how's thee going to pay for all of this?
OBI-WAN : I have 120,000 Republic dataries.
WATTO : Republic credits? I'd prefer something more real ... Eh, I'll just get 'em exchanged. (cont’d) It's-a deal, outlander.
INT. HYPERSPACE - AKKADIAN - CORRIDOR
Qui-Gon walks past Amidala’s sealed chambers, stopping as he hears muted sobbing from behind the door. The Padawan steps back, pressing a button at the side of the door, activating the intercom system.
QUI-GON : Amidala? Princess?
AMIDALA : (O.S.) Huh? What?
QUI-GON : Is there ... Can I help you with anything?
AMIDALA : (O.S.) No! Go away!
Qui-Gon takes his finger away, and prepares to leave before a rush of static comes through the speaker.
AMIDALA : (O.S.) No ... wait ... come in.
INT. HYPERSPACE - AKKADIAN - AMIDALA’S CHAMBERS
The chamber door swishes open and the Jedi steps inside. Amidala is seated on the floor beside the door, tears running down her face. Qui-Gon closes the door for privacy.
QUI-GON : I’m ... sorry for what I said earlier. You are going through a lot right now, and ... I was ... it was ...
AMIDALA : Never mind. Just forget about it.
QUI-GON : Maybe I ... maybe I should go.
AMIDALA : You wanted to help me, so help me.
QUI-GON : (crouching down beside Amidala) What can I do for you?
AMIDALA : Tell me ... will it always be like this?
QUI-GON : What?
AMIDALA : (angry) This pain! (calming down) The pain ... is it going to stay with me like this? Will ... will it always hurt like this?
QUI-GON : I ... I don’t know what to say. I’ve ... I’ve never had to feel what you feel ... I don’t know what it’s like to lose a family.
AMIDALA : Weren’t you taken from your parents, like all Jedi?
QUI-GON : Yes, but I was so young ... it was so long ago ... I wasn’t with them long enough to form any attachments.
AMIDALA : I see ... and I see there’s nothing you give me but empty platitudes.
QUI-GON : I haven’t -
AMIDALA : No, but you will. You Jedi like to pretend that you know everything, that you know the heart, that you know how it works and how to fix it ... heal it. All-wise, all-knowing philosopher-priests ... (angry) And you don’t know anything! You shut yourselves away in your temples and your academies, away from all human contact, away from all human emotion ... (cont’d) What is it that you can do for me, Jedi? How can you ease my pain when you’ve never felt any of your own?
QUI-GON : I ... I ... I can’t. Force help me, but I can’t.
AMIDALA : No, you can’t ... but maybe you can learn.
QUI-GON : (grinning slightly) Can I? A Jedi?
AMIDALA : With some help ...
Amidala reaches out to Qui-Gon, and pulls him to her. Digging her nails into his back she buries her face into his chest, and begins to sob heavily. The Jedi gingerly returns the hug, his face softened with sympathy as he cradles her like a child.
EXT. NABU - GORDON SPACEPORT - TWILIGHT
The travellers and their Gungan guide crouch down behind the cover of a thick duracrete wall, with Obi-Wan surveying the spaceport beyond with his electrobinoculars. Each of the derelict ships are guarded by a pair of armed Neimoidian soldiers.
The Jedi lowers his binoculars and drops down with the others.
OBI-WAN : The shipyard is heavily guarded. The Akkadian is the closest ship, so it’ll be the easiest one to capture.
MAJ. VANESS : There’s still risk involved.
CAPT. PANAKA : Amidala is under my protection, Jedi. I failed her
brother and sister. I can't fail her, too.
OBI-WAN : I cannot guarantee her safety, Captain. I can only give you my word that I’ll do what I can.
COL. ORGANA : So we're grabbing an Akkadian.
OBI-WAN : Exactly.
COL. ORGANA : Then let's move out.
They stand, quickly turning and leaping over the low wall onto the tarmac. They run toward the guarded Akkadian, the Jedi activating their lightsabers as they approach the two guards.
The Neimoidians bring their blasters up into firing position as the Jedi swing their blue blades, cutting the soldiers down. The mercenaries guarding the other cruisers quickly notice the commotion and begin to attack them, blasters firing.
The Republic soldiers and Nabu bodyguards return fire, with the Jedi using their lightsabers to ricochet the Neimoidians’ fire back and the Force to push the beings away. One of the bodyguards and one of Organa's men are struck and go down.
QUI-GON : (using the Force to open the ship's hatch) Quickly! Get aboard!
They hurry onto the craft once the hatch is down, Obi-Wan guarding their flanks. The Knight deactivates his lightsaber and jumps aboard as the engines roar to life, closing the hatch behind him.
The Neimoidian soldiers swarm the ship as it rises, opening fire with their weapons as it soars up into the violet sky.
EXT. NABU - SPACE
The ship escapes Nabu's atmosphere, entering a field of debris from destroyed star cruisers. The Federation blockade is still in place, with no intact Republic ships in sight.
INT. SPACE - AKKADIAN - COCKPIT
QUI-GON : There's no sign of the Republic fleet, Obi-Wan. It appears they were all destroyed.
OBI-WAN : Damn! (to Qui-Gon) Power up the guns, Qui-Gon.
QUI-GON : Uh ... this ship has no weapons. We're defenceless.
OBI-WAN : Then you'd better put the shields up to full power and get ready for some fancy manoeuvring.
EXT. NABU - SPACE
Qui-Gon pilots the small ship forward toward a space between two massive Lucrehulks. As they pass through the battleships open fire. The Padawan manages to dodge four salvos of heavy turbolaser fire, but a fifth strikes the engines, blasting one to shards, and the ship goes dead.
INT. SPACE - AKKADIAN - COCKPIT
COL. ORGANA : Stang!
QUI-GON : Diverting power to auxiliary engines!
The lights inside the ship go dark, and the craft rockets forward, engines at full power.
EXT. NABU - SPACE
Hangar bay doors on the Lucrehulks open, unleashing squadrons of droid starfighters on the fleeing cruiser.
INT. SPACE - AKKADIAN - COCKPIT
QUI-GON : There's not enough power to take us to Coruscant ... the hyperdrive has been damaged.
OBI-WAN : We'll have to land somewhere to repair the ship.
CAPT. PANAKA : With those fighters on our tails?!
QUI-GON : (studying a star chart on a monitor) Here, Obi-Wan. Tatooine ... it's small, out of the way ... the Federation has no presence there.
CAPT. PANAKA : How can you be sure?
OBI-WAN : It's controlled by the Hutts ...
CAPT. PANAKA : The Hutts!?
QUI-GON : It's risky ... but there's no alternative.
CAPT. PANAKA : You can't take Her Royal Highness there! The Hutts are gangsters. If they discovered her ...
OBI-WAN : ... It would be no different than if we landed on a system controlled by the Federation - except the Hutts aren't looking for her, which gives us an advantage.
CAPT. PANAKA : (sighing) Okay. It's your call.
EXT. NABU - SPACE
As the droid fighters catch up with the ship it leaps into hyperspace, escaping a volley of lethal laserfire.
INT. SPACE - NUTE GUNRAY’S PERSONAL FLAGSHIP - NUTE GUNRAY'S PERSONAL CHAMBERS
Viceroy Nute Gunray stands before the holographic projection of Lord Maul, who has his arms crossed over his chest.
NUTE GUNRAY : We control all the cities in the north and are now concentrating on the Gungan settlements -
MAUL : Yes, yes - what about the brats?
NUTE GUNRAY : Amidala ... escaped, My Lord ... on a cruiser that managed to make it past the blockade. (cont’d) Prince Oeta was not reported to have been with the rescue party, however, so we believe him to be dead.
MAUL : I don’t want beliefs, Viceroy, I want certainties! I want their bodies laid out on a slab!
NUTE GUNRAY : My Lord, you ask the impossible ... To locate the Prince ... the ship ... It's out of our range.
MAUL : Not for a master of the dark Force ... (cont’d) You find the Prince. I will deal with your lost ship.
NUTE GUNRAY : Yes, My Lord.
Maul cuts the connection, throwing the chamber into eerie darkness.
NUTE GUNRAY : This is getting out of hand ... I should never have made this bargain.
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