Daughter of the Jedi - Page Two

Daughter of the Jedi

page 2

EXT CAPITAL BUILDING - EVENING

The shimmering Capital Building rises tall against the white cliffs. An Imperial landing platform stands nearby.

INT CAPITAL BUILDING - COUNCIL CHAMBER - CONTINUING

Members of the ruling Council of the Empress Teta System gather for this meeting.

EVASTIA LYACEUM, a tall, striking woman with red hair, sits at the head of the Council. She has a half smile, and her eyes constantly move from face to face, as if she walked in on the end of an amusing story, and is searching for any clue to what is happening.

ELAMON MIN'CARLUS, the ProChancellor Incarnate, sits in his throne on a dais above the Council. He looks down with cold enjoyment from his lofty position.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

ProChancellor, perhaps it would be wise to open our arms fully to the Empire, and welcome them to our system.

ELAMON MIN'CARLUS

What does the Council say, Mistress Lyaceum?

EVASTIA LYACEUM

I speak for the Council.

ELAMON MIN'CARLUS

So you say.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

To forestall this acceptance of their control would be disastrous. You know what happened to Kashyyyk.

ELAMON MIN'CARLUS

They were Wookies. We are human.

Elamon nods to the Council members of the different alien races.

ELAMON MIN'CARLUS

With all respect to our fellow Sentients.

The alien Council members nod appreciatively.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

There is already a garrison of Stormtroopers here. If we don't embrace the Empire, they could send a Star Destroyer. Do you want that?

ELAMON MIN'CARLUS

I am the ProChancellor Incarnate. What you want is irrelevant. What the people want is my decision.

The Council murmurs among themselves.

ELAMON MIN'CARLUS

The Empire has extended their hand to us. We have the choice to accept or to reject. Let us move forward cautiously, and carefully weigh our decisions, that we might make any mistakes that could harm those in our care.

The Council voices approval - all except Evastia Lyaceum.

ELAMON MIN'CARLUS

So you see, Mistress Lyaceum, I am the voice of the people.

CUT TO:

INT CANTINA - EVENING

Danna stares into her cup. She and Tek have been joined by MENARIA FOLTEC (20's), a brash, self-proclaimed freedom fighter. She carries a blaster loosely at her hip, plus several other concealed weapons.

DANNA TIMRI

They don't speak for me.

MENARIA FOLTEC

So tell them.

DANNA TIMRI

I should.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Do it.

DANNA TIMRI

I will.

TEK WYZER

Hey, are you going to eat that?

MENARIA FOLTEC

Don't you ever think of anything but food?

(catching herself)

Don't answer that.

TEK WYZER

(between bites)

If my family was that rich, I'd just tough it out. For the money. You know.

MENARIA FOLTEC

They don't control your life, Danna.

DANNA TIMRI

I know. But how do I tell them that?

MENARIA FOLTEC

Just tell them. You'll figure it our. You're good with words.

DANNA TIMRI

I almost wish I was good with a sword, or with a blaster.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Hey, not everyone can be Menaria Foltec.

TEK WYZER

And thank the stars for that.

Menaria and Danna look at Tek in bemused curiosity.

TEK WYZER

Did I say that out loud? I just mean, Menaria, you're great, don't get me wrong, but if everyone were like you...

MENARIA FOLTEC

Yes?

TEK WYZER

Um, if everyone were like you. I can't think of the right words. Danna?

DANNA TIMRI

You got yourself into this, Tek. How are you going to get out?

A tall, rugged spacer, FAULKERK TILLO'U (about 30), walks through the door. He walks with purpose, his eyes missing nothing.

Danna's jaw drops open at the sight of him. Menaria also watches with rapt attention.

Tek looks at Faulkerk and scoffs.

TEK WYZER

Where was I? Oh yes. I was trying to pull my foot out of my mouth. And ... you were about to kiss me, right Danna?

Danna pulls her attention back to the conversation.

DANNA TIMRI

What? Oh. No, no I don't think so. What were we talking about?

MENARIA FOLTEC

He looked at you. Did you see that?

DANNA TIMRI

Really? No, he was probably looking at you.

MENARIA FOLTEC

He looked straight at you, Danna. Swear.

TEK WYZER

Hey, hello. Anybody paying attention to Tek over here?

DANNA TIMRI

No.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Not a chance.

TEK WYZER

Fine. But when your hearts are broken, don't come crying to me.

Tek turns away, trying to hold his head high. He looks down at Danna's plate, and snatches a small piece of food. Neither Danna nor Menaria notices - they are too busy eyeing Faulkerk.

CUT TO:

INT CAPITAL BUILDING - CORRIDORS - NIGHT

Evastia Lyaceum stalks out of the Council Chamber. She is immediately joined by her assistant, RINNA I'LA'S. Rinna is a short-haired woman of intense convictions. She has seen firsthand the affects of rebellion. Her education on Chandrila opened her eyes and her support of the new Empire.

RINNA A'LI'S

I just received this from Captain Timri.

Rinna hands a datapad to Evastia.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

Two more scout walkers disabled. This is getting ridiculous.

RINNA A'LI'S

We may have to move without the Council's approval.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

Give me two days. Tell Captain Timri to find these rebels and hold them. I want them to suffer.

Rinna inclines her head respectfully.

RINNA A'LI'S

As you wish, Mistress Lyaceum.

Evastia continues her journey down the hall, her robes swirling behind her.

CUT TO:

EXT PAIJ ZELVA'S HOVEL - NIGHT

Two Stormtroopers stand outside the door. One of them turns to the other in the low light.

STORMTROOPER

I don't like this. Something's not right about this place.

His companion looks around at the empty street. A scratching noise comes from a nearby alley.

STORMTROOPER

What was that?

The Stormtrooper cautiously approaches the alleyway, his blaster rifle pointed in front of him.

As he reaches the alley, a slimy reptilian creature jumps out at him. He falls back in terror. He shoots, but the blast goes wild and scorches the wall. His partner rushes to his aid.

STORMTROOPER

Shoot it! Shoot it!

The second stormtrooper shoots, but the blasts pass right through the beast.

The beast opens its mouth and bites the first stormtrooper's head. He screams in terror, then goes silent. He falls limply to the ground.

The beast disappears without a trace.

His partner kneels next to him and nudges him.

STORMTROOPER TWO

Juma? Are you all right? Juma?

He lifts Juma's hand. It falls to the ground, dead. He taps his comlink.

STORMTROOPER TWO

This is J-L-4-2-1. I have a man down. Repeat. I have a man down. Unknown assailant. I need backup.

In the background, Paij Zelva's door closes quietly.

CUT TO:

INT CANTINA - NIGHT

Danna and Menaria watch Faulkerk closely. Tek Wyzer tries to look interested, but his attention is taken by the waitresses.

DANNA TIMRI

He's waiting for somebody.

MENARIA FOLTEC

He's waiting for you.

DANNA TIMRI

No. It's probably some exotic-looking woman from a distant planet. They'll have a drink, and then they'll go back to his ship and he'll take her to some paradise and we'll never see them again.

MENARIA FOLTEC

You've been reading too many stories.

DANNA TIMRI

It could happen.

A voluptuous lavender-skinned waitress walks by. Tek's eyes follow her every move.

TEK WYZER

Hello blossoming spiderflower.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Goodbye self respect.

TEK WYZER

What? She looks nice.

MENARIA FOLTEC

And for a couple of credits she'll look even nicer. Take my advice, Tek, stick to the humans - they can turn you down in your own language.

DANNA TIMRI

He's looking over here.

MENARIA FOLTEC

He's looking at you. Look.

DANNA TIMRI

No. I'm not looking.

Menaria forcibly turns Danna's head to look at Faulkerk. He gestures for her to join him.

DANNA TIMRI

Me?

Faulkerk nods. Danna gets up, not believing her good fortune.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Don't do anything I wouldn't do.

DANNA TIMRI

And what wouldn't you do?

MENARIA FOLTEC

Good point. Good luck.

Tek sulks as Danna leaves the table.

TEK WYZER

What has he got that I don't?

MENARIA FOLTEC

Tek. How can I tell you this? Everything.

Menaria puts out a reassuring hand to comfort Tek.

TEK WYZER

You don't even have anymore dadish bits on your plate.

MENARIA FOLTEC

I'll order you more. Cheer up. You've still got me.

TEK WYZER

(brightening)

Really?

MENARIA FOLTEC

Well, not really, but I'm here for you.

INT CANTINA - CORNER BOOTH - CONTINUING

Danna sits down at Faulkerk's booth. She looks expectantly at him.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

You've been watching me for the last half hour.

DANNA TIMRI

I thought you were waiting for someone.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

I was.

DANNA TIMRI

And now?

FAULKERK TILLO'U

I'm not alone.

DANNA TIMRI

I'm Danna Timri.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Timri. Someone named Timri just got promoted to Captain.

DANNA TIMRI

He's my cousin.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

You don't sound very happy.

DANNA TIMRI

I don't like the Empire.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

What did they do to you?

DANNA TIMRI

Nothing. Yet.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

And what do you think they will do?

A squad of STORMTROOPERS enters the cantina and looks around.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Trouble.

Danna turns to look.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Act natural. Don't say anything.

The Stormtroopers question Menaria and Tek. The Stormtroopers continue their rounds, questioning every table. They stop in front of the corner booth.

STORMTROOPER

State your name.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Fallom Withoul, and this is my young wife Saleena. Just passing through on our way to the Capital.

Danna looks sharply at Faulkerk.

STORMTROOPER

(to Danna)

Is that true?

DANNA TIMRI

I, um. Yes, I'm sorry. It's just it's all so new to me. Being married and all. You know.

STORMTROOPER

You match the description of a man seen at the North Compound earlier today.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

You must have me confused with someone else. I just got here. Ask them.

Faulkerk gestures to Menaria and Tek. The Stormtrooper walks over to their table.

STORMTROOPER

How long has that man been in here?

MENARIA FOLTEC

What man?

STORMTROOPER

That-

Faulkerk's table is empty.

CUT TO: