Daughter of the Jedi - Page Four

Daughter of the Jedi

page 4

INT MENARIA FOLTEC'S HOME - NIGHT

The door opens. Faulkerk points his blaster at the newcomers. Danna wipes Paij's forehead with a damp cloth.

Menaria and Tek enter.

MENARIA FOLTEC

It's just us.

TEK WYZER

So you're the one that almost fried me.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Who is this?

MENARIA FOLTEC

Tek Wyzer. He builds things.

TEK WYZER

Hey.

DANNA TIMRI

She's burning up.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

It's some sort of virus. If we can get to my ship, I have some antibodies in there.

DANNA TIMRI

I'll go.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Me, too.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

We all must leave this place. There will be more soldiers after us.

PAIJ ZELVA

Danna. Come close.

Danna leans close to Paij. Her ear is almost touching Paij's lips.

PAIJ ZELVA

Take this.

Paij gestures to a cylindrical device.

PAIJ ZELVA

It's yours now. Use it well.

Danna picks up the cylinder.

DANNA TIMRI

What is it?

FAULKERK TILLO'U

It's a lightsaber.

DANNA TIMRI

Really?

Danna turns it sideways, looking for the on switch. She finds it, and the blade ignites, piercing the wall.

Faulkerk takes the lightsaber and turns it off.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Not yet. You could hurt someone.

CUT TO:

EXT HANGARS - NIGHT

Danna and Menaria huddle behind a dumpster full of rotting refuse. Squads of Stormtroopers patrol the entire area.

MENARIA FOLTEC

There's too many of them. We can't get through.

DANNA TIMRI

We have to. Paij is going to die if we don't get her those antibodies.

MENARIA FOLTEC

She believes in what we're fighting for.

DANNA TIMRI

So you're just going to let her die?

MENARIA FOLTEC

What if she does? Where does that leave you? Right here. Nothing happens to you.

Danna sets her jaw stubbornly.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Danna, you know only the barest essentials of what we're fighting for. I don't want to see you get hurt.

DANNA TIMRI

I'm already in, Menaria. You can't kick me out now.

Danna tenses, preparing to sprint for the hangar. Menaria puts out a hand to stop her.

MENARIA FOLTEC

I asked Faulkerk to come here.

DANNA TIMRI

Why?

MENARIA FOLTEC

For you.

DANNA TIMRI

I don't get it.

MENARIA FOLTEC

The only way you would leave this gods-forsaken world is if some handsome stranger carried you away, just like in your stories. I can't let you live your life like this anymore. You've got too much potential.

DANNA TIMRI

Where will we go?

MENARIA FOLTEC

I don't know.

Danna looks out from their hiding place. No Stormtroopers are in their path anymore.

Danna draws her sword. She looks at it critically.

DANNA TIMRI

Not as good as mine, but it'll have to do.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Ready?

They sprint toward the hangar.

Three hovercars pull to a halt nearby. Menaria leads Danna into the nearest building to hide.

Danna looks at the battered wreck in this hangar.

DANNA TIMRI

This isn't his ship.

MENARIA FOLTEC

There's three more cars out there. They're here for us.

DANNA TIMRI

Menaria, Paij is going to die.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Do you want to die, too?

DANNA TIMRI

What good is life, if you're not willing to die for your friends?

MENARIA FOLTEC

Very profound. Now will you listen to common sense? We can't beat that many.

DANNA TIMRI

Faulkerk could.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Yeah, well he's not here, is he?

The door bursts open. Menaria dives behind a rack of tools. Stormtroopers rush in. Danna gets caught out in the open.

STORMTROOPER

Freeze!

Danna panics for a brief second, frantically searching for a place to run. A calm falls over her, and she turns to face her captors.

DANNA TIMRI

Can I help you?

STORMTROOPER

You are the traitor.

(to squad)

Take her.

Behind the rack, Menaria checks the charges on her blaster - half empty. She swears silently while tensing to attack. She peeks around the corner of the rack.

Danna waves her hand in front of her.

DANNA TIMRI

I am not the jedi you're looking for.

STORMTROOPER

She's not the jedi we're looking for.

DANNA TIMRI

She is in another building.

STORMTROOPER

Check the other hangars.

The stormtroopers exit.

Menaria emerges from her hiding place. Danna turns to her excitedly.

DANNA TIMRI

It worked! It's never worked before.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Great. Now let's get to Faulkerk's ship.

CUT TO:

EXT PLANET ARCA - NIGHT

An Imperial Star Destroyer moves into orbit around the planet. A shuttle exits the docking bay and drops toward the planet. It is accompanied by three Interceptor fighters.

EXT CAPITAL BUILDING - LANDING PAD - NIGHT

Evastia Lyaceum and Rinna A'Li'S stand to greet MOFF AKZERR. They are flanked by their bodyguards.

MOFF AKZERR exits his shuttle and glances around, cold eyes missing nothing. He tugs at the cuff of his immaculate uniform.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

Moff Akzerr, you honor us with your presence.

MOFF AKZERR

These rebels, you have them in custody?

EVASTIA LYACEUM

Not yet, but your men are searching for them even as we speak.

EXT HANGARS - CONTINUING

Menaria and Danna run from shadow to shadow, making their way toward the main hangar.

The Stormtroopers report back to Sharla Timri. All Danna can hear is her screaming at the Stormtroopers.

SHARLA TIMRI (O.S.)

That was her, you dolt! Find her!

MENARIA FOLTEC

She sounds mad.

DANNA TIMRI

When she gets like this, someone always ends up getting hurt.

Menaria points her blaster toward Sharla.

MENARIA FOLTEC

I can pick her off from here.

DANNA TIMRI

Let's just get the ship and get out.

Menaria starts forward. Danna grabs her and pulls her back just as a blaster bolt shatters the crate next to them.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Uh oh.

CUT TO:

EXT CAPITAL BUILDING - LANDING PAD - CONTINUING

Evastia Lyaceum and Rinna A'Li'S lead Moff Akzerr into the Capital Building.

MOFF AKZERR

And why aren't your soldiers joining the search for these rebels?

RINNA A'LI'S

Excuse me, my Lady, I have some business to attend to.

Rinna bows and excuses herself.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

Well, to be perfectly honest, I...

Evastia panics without Rinna nearby.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

There is very little support for the Empire here on Arca.

MOFF AKZERR

I was under the impression that this world was ready to support the Empire fully.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

Who told you that?

MOFF AKZERR

Grand Moff Tarkin himself. He sent an ambassador to facilitate the shift in governmental authority.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

I know of no ambassador.

CUT TO:

INT CAPITAL BUILDING - COUNCIL CHAMBER - CONTINUING

The door silently opens. Elamon Min'Carlus stares blankly at the wall. Despair deepens the creases in his face.

A solitary figure walks in, robes swirling behind.

RINNA A'LI'S

The Empire is not pleased, ProChancellor. Not pleased at all.

CUT TO:

EXT MENARIA FOLTEC'S HOME - NIGHT

A drunken being shuffles by, unnoticed by the two Stormtroopers patrolling the street.

STORMTROOPER

So, you hear about the new Incom T-65's?

STORMTROOPER TWO

I saw one on the holovid today. Nice.

A garbage container crashes to the ground nearby. The Stormtroopers stop and point their rifles warily.

TEK WYZER (O.S.)

No, it's mine! Give it back.

The trash container slams down. Tek falls to the ground.

The Stormtroopers hurry to investigate. Only Tek lies unmoving on the ground.

STORMTROOPER

What happened?

STORMTROOPER TWO

Looks like he got jumped. He'll live.

The Stormtroopers' helmets slam together. They fall to the ground. Tek gets up and looks up at Faulkerk.

TEK WYZER

Looks like they got jumped.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

They'll live.

CUT TO:

INT MENARIA FOLTEC'S HOME - CONTINUING

Tek and Faulkerk, clad in the stolen Stormtrooper armor, help Paij out the door.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

There should be a transport around here somewhere.

TEK WYZER

Can you see anything?

FAULKERK TILLO'U

I hope nobody looks too closely. This armor's starting to chafe.

TEK WYZER

It's only been a few minutes.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Me wearing this is like you wearing Danna's clothing.

Tek's eyes glaze over as he ponders this thought.

TEK WYZER

Hmm.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Don't think about it.

PAIJ ZELVA

Oh no. Danna.

CUT TO:

EXT HANGARS - CONTINUING

Danna and Menaria bolt towards the main hangar. Blaster fire hails all around them.

The door is locked. Menaria blasts the lock. Danna looks back at her pursuers and trips. She falls hard.

SHARLA TIMRI (O.S.)

Well, Danna, you've fallen - again. Do I need to pick you up and kiss it better?

Menaria starts back to help Danna.

DANNA TIMRI

Get the stuff, Menaria. Save Paij. I can take care of myself.

SHARLA TIMRI

Oh, you think so?

Menaria disappears into the hangar.

SHARLA TIMRI

Get her!

Stormtroopers rush into the hangar after Menaria.

Danna gets up slowly and turns to face Sharla.

DANNA TIMRI

You don't frighten me. I am a jedi, like my father before me.

Sharla laughs derisively.

SHARLA TIMRI

A jedi? That's what you think you are? Danna, my dear, you are sadly mistaken. You are nobody. You are a disgrace to the Timri name. We don't want you. Nobody wants you.

DANNA TIMRI

That's not true.

SHARLA TIMRI

Look deep within yourself, Danna. You know it's true. You are worthless. Your blood isn't worthy to stain my blade.

Sharla draws a slender sword from her scabbard.

DANNA TIMRI

You hate me because I'm better than you; because I can see what's happening here.

SHARLA TIMRI

All that's happening is that you are going to die.

Danna fixes a calm gaze on Sharla and breathes slowly.

DANNA TIMRI

You don't want to fight me.

SHARLA TIMRI

I don't want to fight you, Danna.

DANNA TIMRI

Let me go in peace.

SHARLA TIMRI

Maybe I should let you go in peace.

Sharla lowers her sword. Danna backs away a few steps.

SHARLA TIMRI

And maybe I should just kill you quickly.

Sharla leaps to the attack. She catches Danna off balance. Danna stumbles backwards, but gains her footing quickly enough to block a downwards slash.

Sharla presses her attack, working Danna every which way. Danna meets every attack defensively, unable to turn the tide of this battle.

EXT TOFF LESS'IN - STREETS - NIGHT

Faulkerk hot-wires an Imperial hovercar. He picks Paij up and sets her gently in the back. Tek hops in excitedly.

TEK WYZER

Wow. I've never seen anyone hot-wire a car that fast.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Just takes practice, kid. Do we have everything?

TEK WYZER

I think so.

Tek glances back to Paij. She doesn't appear to be breathing.

TEK WYZER

Are we going to make it in time?

Faulkerk turns to look at Tek.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Menaria will be fine. She can take care of herself.

Tek gestures to Paij.

TEK WYZER

I meant her.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

I hope so.

Tek adjusts his Stormtrooper helmet so he can see better.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Are you going to take that thing off?

TEK WYZER

No. Why?

The hovercar speeds toward the hangars.

CUT TO:

INT MAIN HANGAR - CONTINUING

Menaria skids to a stop in front of Faulkerk's ship. The ship shows signs of wear and tear, but there is a sense of beauty and power inherent in the design and maintenance.

Menaria punches in a series of numbers on the entry keypad.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Come on, come on. Work.

Booted footsteps draw closer every passing second.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Come on.

She glances back nervously. Three squads of Stormtroopers pour through the door and towards her.

The ship entry door hisses open. The Stormtroopers open fire. Menaria races into the ship. The door slides shut behind her.

INT FAULKERK'S SHIP - CONTINUING

Menaria runs up to the cockpit. An old, half-eaten bag of yamchips lies on the control panel.

MENARIA FOLTEC

So much for him being perfect.

Menaria activates the security systems. A blaster cannon peeks out of the side of the ship and decimates a squad of Stormtroopers.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Well, I can give him the benefit of the doubt.

CUT TO:

EXT HANGARS - CONTINUING

Danna and Sharla continue their battle. Sharla lunges and nicks Danna's arm.

SHARLA TIMRI

You never could beat me, Danna.

DANNA TIMRI

I don't have to beat you.

Sharla steps back, just out of Danna's reach.

SHARLA TIMRI

You would allow yourself to die to save your friend? What kind of self righteous idiot did you turn into?

DANNA TIMRI

I am a jedi, like my father before me.

Danna leaps again into battle with her cousin.

CUT TO:

INT CAPITAL BUILDING - COUNCIL CHAMBER - NIGHT

Rinna A'Li'S walks around the dais where Elamon Min'Carlus sits trembling.

RINNA A'LI'S

Grand Moff Tarkin made a deal with you, Elamon. He expected you to hold up your end. You failed. And you know what that means.

Terror seizes Elamon Min'Carlus. His knuckles turn white as he grips the armrests on his chair.

Rinna exits the room. Behind her, a single shot from a blaster fires.

RINNA A'LI'S

You do know what it means.

She smiles.

CUT TO:

INT CAPITAL BUILDING - LANDING PAD - CONTINUING

Rinna approaches Evastia Lyaceum and Moff Akzerr.

RINNA A'LI'S

I apologize for my abrupt departure. Did I miss anything?

MOFF AKZERR

We are moving more troops onto this planet. Because of this rebellion among the people-

He shoots a sharp glance at Evastia.

MOFF AKZERR

-and the leadership, this world is now under Imperial control.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

Just a minute-

Rinna puts out a hand to stop Evastia.

RINNA A'LI'S

It's all right. This is what you wanted. The Empire will be good to us.

(to Moff Akzerr)

Thank you, Moff Akzerr. Would you like to speak with ProChancellor Min'Carlus?

MOFF AKZERR

Yes. I want to look that coward in the eyes and tell him that his days of ruling this planet are over.

RINNA A'LI'S

Right this way.

Rinna leads Moff Akzerr and Evastia toward the Council Chamber.

CUT TO:

EXT TOFF LESS'IN - STREETS - NIGHT

Faulkerk pilots the hovercar toward the hangars. Blaster fire ahead draws his attention.

FAULKERK TILLO'U

We may have problems up there.

TEK WYZER

What is it?

FAULKERK TILLO'U

Aren't those macrobinocs in the helmet working?

TEK WYZER

No. I can't see anything.

Tek pulls the helmet off. He squints and sees the blaster fire in the distance. He looks at the helmet critically.

TEK WYZER

No wonder they can't hit anything.

CUT TO:

INT FAULKERK'S SHIP - CONTINUING

Menaria ransacks the shelves and compartments, searching frantically for the antibodies to cure Paij.

The pounding of blasts outside the ship's hull grows more frequent.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Hold it! I'm busy!!!

She finds the antibodies. She tosses them up in the air excitedly.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Here we go.

Menaria heads up to the cockpit and charges the engines. She hits the turbolaser firing buttons. They fire. Another squad of Stormtroopers fall.

MENARIA FOLTEC

You'd think they'd learn.

Menaria hits the code to open the hangar doors. They open to reveal a heavily armored tank facing the ship.

MENARIA FOLTEC

Quick learners.

CUT TO:

EXT CAPITAL BUILDING - LANDING PAD - NIGHT

Moff Akzerr stalks out to his ship. His aides hurry to keep up with him. Evastia and Rinna follow a short distance behind.

MOFF AKZERR

Fardling nerfherder killed himself.

As Moff Akzerr reaches his ship, he turns to face Evastia.

MOFF AKZERR

Grand Moff Tarkin shall hear of this. Until I return, you are in charge. Don't betray us as did your predecessor.

The entry ramp on the shuttle closes.

EVASTIA LYACEUM

What do I do now, Rinna?

RINNA A'LI'S

We'll figure something out, Evastia. We just have to show everyone that it is useless to fight against the Empire.

CUT TO: