Star Wars: Episode II - Page One
Star Wars Episode II
Sanctuary Lost
by
Tarl N. Telford
Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away ...
Against a backdrop of stars, the opening crawl text begins.
War looms on the horizon as the Galactic Senate attempts to appease the demands of the hostile CONCORD DAWN system.
In an effort to crush all opposition, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine orders an armada of huge warships to blockade the systems surrounding Concord Dawn. Unknown to the rest of the galaxy, Concord Dawn has been manufacturing an unstoppable army of clones.
Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi race toward Coruscant to witness the dreaded declaration of war. Anakin has other plans, as he prepares to reunite with the young queen of Naboo...
EXT SPACE - ESTABLISHING
Obi Wan's ship races through space toward Coruscant.
INT OBI WAN'S SHIP - CONTINUING
ANAKIN SKYWALKER (20 yrs), a handsome and powerful jedi apprentice, lounges in a chair. He levitates a piece of metal pipe with one hand. As it rises off the floor, he makes a crushing motion with the other hand. The pipe begins to crush and cave in.
OBI WAN KENOBI, jedi knight, enters. He stops short as he sees the pipe collapse.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin! What are you doing?
The pipe drops to the ground. Anakin stands up quickly.
ANAKIN
Nothing.
OBI WAN KENOBI
You must only use the force to guide, not to dominate.
ANAKIN
It's just a piece of pipe.
OBI WAN KENOBI
But it could be somebody's throat. Did you ever think of that?
Anakin shifts uncomfortably. Obviously he has thought of it.
OBI WAN KENOBI
We're almost to Coruscant.
EXT CORUSCANT - CONTINUING
Obi Wan's ship drops down toward Coruscant. A fleet of Imperial-Class Star Destroyers orbit the planet.
INT OBI WAN'S SHIP - CONTINUING
Anakin points to the fleet.
ANAKIN
It's worse than we thought.
OBI WAN KENOBI
This war is not right. There is something else behind this...
ANAKIN
The Sith?
OBI WAN KENOBI
Perhaps. Can you feel it, Anakin?
ANAKIN
There is a dark, cold...something, out there, just on the edge of my thoughts. It's like it's waiting for me...
Anakin drifts off, focusing on something just out of sight.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin!
Anakin snaps out of his trance.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Pay attention.
Obi Wan expertly manuevers through the multiple levels of atmospheric traffic.
OBI WAN KENOBI
There.
Obi Wan points to a floating dock. He lands his ship on it.
EXT CORUSCANT - LANDING DOCK - CONTINUING
Obi Wan and Anakin exit the ship. A COURIER, Fez Rimrah, bows and gestures to an awaiting taxi ship.
COURIER
The Jedi Council asked me to meet you here.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Can you take us to the Senate?
COURIER
With all speed. Please.
Obi Wan and Anakin enter the taxi. Anakin looks very uncomfortable.
INT TAXI SHIP - CONTINUING
ANAKIN
Something is very wrong here.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I sense only concern about the war.
ANAKIN
There's something out there.
EXT CORUSCANT - GALACTIC SENATE - DAY
The Senate building rises above the surrounding monoliths. The taxi weaves through traffic and enters the landing area.
INT GALACTIC SENATE - MAIN ROTUNDA - DAY
Hundreds, if not thousands, of delegates from across the galaxy gather in council. PALPATINE, the Supreme Chancellor, stands at the head of the council.
At Palpatine's right stands GRAND MOFF TARKIN.
PALPATINE
Friends, dignitaries, and Senators, it is with grave concern that I stand before you today. Our very security is threatened from within by the Concord Dawn System.
The Senators from Concord Dawn float up in front of Palpatine.
CONCORD DAWN SENATOR
You are weak! You cannot control your own borders, let alone an entire galaxy!
GRAND MOFF TARKIN
The Senate does not recognize the Senator from Concord Dawn.
The Senator from Malastare, AKS MOE, floats up towards Palpatine.
AKS MOE
The Sovereignty of Malastare supports the Republic of Concord Dawn in their movement for expansion.
PALPATINE
The motion will be brought to a vote at the appropriate time, Senator. Please return to your place.
Aks Moe twitches as a greater force exerts its will on his mind. He returns to his place.
PALPATINE
There will be no more outbursts. We have called this council to vote on the matter of war.
BAIL ANTILLES, of Alderaan, motions to speak.
GRAND MOFF TARKIN
The Chair recognizes the Senator from Alderaan.
BAIL ANTILLES
Supreme Chancellor, to go to war now would be folly. We have many diplomatic alternatives still open to us.
Grand Moff Tarkin leans over and whispers to Palpatine.
GRAND MOFF TARKIN
Many will agree with him.
PALPATINE
Let them agree. War is inevitable.
Murmurs begin among the Senate, agreeing with Bail Antilles.
PALPATINE
Peace, my friends. I do not disagree with any diplomatic means of settling disputes, but I worry that this diplomacy will find us back where we were when Valorum stood as your Supreme Chancellor.
The murmurs stop. The point is well taken.
PALPATINE
Endless debates only serve to weaken the power of the Senate. We are the ruling power of the galaxy. If we choose to surrender that power, we become subjects to the cold grasp of fate. Only by seizing our destiny can we hope to control the fate of the galaxy.
Cheers erupt for Palpatine.
MON MOTHMA, senator from Chandrila, speaks over the cheering crowds.
MON MOTHMA
Supreme Chancellor, if we go to war, who will lead us? You?
(to Senate)
If we let this man lead us into war, we surrender all our rights to him. Think, sentients. Make the decision for yourself.
AMIDALA (25 yrs), the beautiful young queen of Naboo, whispers to the senator from Naboo. She raises her voice in support of Mon Mothma.
AMIDALA
The Republic of Naboo concurs with the senators from Chandrila and from Alderaan. Chancellor Palpatine, your own people wish peace, not war. Will you not listen to them?
PALPATINE
Good Senators, let us vote now. Do we surrender our rights to the hostilities of Concord Dawn? Or do we fight for our inborn rights to choose?
The Senate erupts in shouts of war.
The Concord Dawn Senator spits at Palpatine, and pulls a Mandalorian War Mask over his face. He returns to his place.
Palpatine smiles smugly. He and Grand Moff Tarkin exchange a satisfied look.
CUT TO:
INT CORUSCANT - GALACTIC SENATE - CORRIDORS - DAY
Obi Wan and Anakin hurry through the corridors.
ANAKIN
Can you believe that? War.
OBI WAN KENOBI
There is a great disturbance in the force. We must not allow the senate to be led into this war.
ANAKIN
What about the Jedi Council? Won't they take care of it?
OBI WAN KENOBI
That is what we must determine.
As they round a corner, Anakin bumps into a black robed being. This MAN IN BLACK sneers at Anakin and his plain Jedi robes.
MAN IN BLACK
Watch it, peasant!
ANAKIN
Hey, you bumped into me.
MAN IN BLACK
You want to say that again?
The Man In Black gets right up in Anakin's face. They stare down at each other, both tensing for a fight.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin, no! Not now.
Obi Wan tries to pull Anakin away. Anakin resists.
ANAKIN
I'll take you any day.
MAN IN BLACK
You and what army?
The Man In Black shoves Anakin.
MAN IN BLACK
Strike me! Strike me, boy!
Anakin glares at him, then turns to walk away.
MAN IN BLACK
And I thought the Jedi were all-powerful.
Anakin stops mid-step.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Keep walking, Anakin.
Anakin continues on after Obi Wan.
The Man In Black grins evilly.
CUT TO:
INT CORUSCANT - GALACTIC SENATE - CORRIDORS - CONTINUING
Bail Antilles, Mon Mothma, Amidala, and all their aides and attendants storm angrily down the corridor.
Behind them, Anakin and Obi Wan hurry to catch up.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Excuse me, Senators?
The group stops. Bail Antilles turns around.
BAIL ANTILLES
I told the Council I would be in contact with them.
OBI WAN KENOBI
We're not from the Council.
BAIL ANTILLES
Then what do you want?
OBI WAN KENOBI
We wish to speak with Queen Amidala.
Queen Amidala had been conferring with one of her handmaidens, Rabe. When she hears her name, she looks up.
Obi Wan and Anakin are still walking towards the group. As Anakin sees Amidala, he is so distracted by her beauty that he bumps into one of the statues in the hallway.
AMIDALA
I am Queen Amidala.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I am Obi Wan Kenobi, your Highness. We last saw each other at the battle of Naboo.
AMIDALA
Yes, I remember.
(to Anakin)
And that makes you...
Now it is Amidala's turn to get weak in the knees.
ANAKIN
Hi.
AMIDALA
Anakin?
ANAKIN
I told you I'd be back.
The handmaidens whisper excitedly among themselves.
BAIL ANTILLES
Now that we're all introduced, can we get back to the war at hand?
AMIDALA
Prince Antilles, this is Anakin Skywalker. The hero of the battle of Naboo.
BAIL ANTILLES
So you're the one.
MON MOTHMA
It is our privelege to meet you, young Anakin. I am Mon Mothma, Senior Senator in the Republic.
ANAKIN
Pleasure to meet you.
(to Amidala)
Do you think that maybe...?
BAIL ANTILLES
We have work to do, boy. The queen cannot entertain guests right now.
OBI WAN KENOBI
We'll come back another time. Anakin, we must make our report to the Council.
As Anakin and Amidala part to go their seperate directions, they turn and meet each other's gazes. Anakin smiles hopefully. Bail Antilles turns to follow Amidala's glance. He frowns disapprovingly.
CUT TO:
EXT DARTH SIDIOUS CHAMBER - DAY
DARTH SIDIOUS confers with a hologram of a masked Mandalorian. This is MANDALORE; so named to carry on a tradition among the pure Mandalorian warriors.
DARTH SIDIOUS
Are your troops ready?
MANDALORE
When your ships arrive, they should have no difficulty defeating the clones.
DARTH SIDIOUS
There are voices in the Senate that must be silenced.
MANDALORE
I will send one of my agents to assist you, Lord Sidious.
DARTH SIDIOUS
Your place is assured in the new Empire.
MANDALORE
The Mandalorians are warriors. These clones bring dishonor to our people. They must be destroyed.
DARTH SIDIOUS
We will let them destroy the Jedi first.
The hologram connection closes. The MAN IN BLACK steps out of the shadows behind Darth Sidious. This is DARTH REZIN.
DARTH SIDIOUS
Ah, my apprentice.
DARTH REZIN
My Master.
DARTH SIDIOUS
What news of the Jedi?
DARTH REZIN
Young Skywalker has returned.
DARTH SIDIOUS
Good. The Son of the Sun will bring balance to the Sith.
DARTH REZIN
He is weak.
DARTH SIDIOUS
Make him strong. He is the one, Darth Rezin. He will do what we cannot.
DARTH REZIN
My Master, what would you have me do?
DARTH SIDIOUS
Prepare yourself, my apprentice. The time of the prophesy is near.
CUT TO:
EXT JEDI TEMPLE - DAY
The stately building rises elegantly, in stark contrast to the drab surrounding city. Small transports give the building wide clearance out of respect.
INT JEDI TEMPLE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CONTINUING
Twelve JEDI, including MACE WINDU, YODA, and KI-ADI MUNDI, sit in a circle. Obi Wan and Anakin stand in the center of the circle.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Even without the Senate's declaration of war, I would say that conflict is inevitable.
MACE WINDU
So you've seen the armies?
OBI WAN KENOBI
We saw great buildings and sensed something strange within. I can't quite determine exactly what, though.
KI-ADI MUNDI
A new species, perhaps?
ANAKIN
No, it was something I've never felt. It was like just one person, but there were thousands of beings in there.
Yoda and Mace Windu glance at each other worriedly.
YODA
One presence, you say?
MACE WINDU
Cloning was outlawed after the Byss Massacre three hundred years ago.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I do not know that they were clones. Only that it was something I had never before sensed.
MACE WINDU
The Senate has declared war on Concord Dawn. If they have clones, there is no way the starfleet can defeat them. We will have to send in many Jedi Knights.
YODA
Much destruction I see.
KI-ADI MUNDI
The death toll will be catastrophic.
MACE WINDU
I see no other way.
(to Obi Wan)
Thank you, Obi Wan. May the Force be with you.
Anakin turns to leave. Obi Wan stays in his place.
YODA
More have you to say, Obi Wan?
OBI WAN KENOBI
I wish a private audience with the council.
ANAKIN
What?
OBI WAN KENOBI
I wish to speak to the council alone, Anakin. Go see the Queen.
ANAKIN
But I thought-
OBI WAN KENOBI
Your thoughts betray you. Go see the Queen.
Anakin tries to hide a grin as he turns to leave. The doors close behind him.
MACE WINDU
Now, what do you have to say that could not be said in front of your padawan?
OBI WAN KENOBI
I am unworthy to continue training Anakin. He is too powerful. I have taught him all that I know, and yet he needs more.
YODA
Much anger I sense in him.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I do not think that I can keep him away from the dark side. He has felt it calling to him.
MACE WINDU
Do you believe that he will bring balance to the force?
OBI WAN KENOBI
Qui Gonn believed in him. I don't know. I only know that he is too powerful for me to teach any longer.
YODA
More training do you require.
KI-ADI MUNDI
Do you think that is wise, Master Yoda?
YODA
No other option is there. Obi Wan must finish training the boy.
MACE WINDU
Your request shall be granted, Obi Wan Kenobi. We shall discuss the new developments in the Concord Dawn System, and then we shall contact you. That will be all.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I thank you.
Obi Wan bows respectfully and exits.
CUT TO:
INT GALACTIC SENATE - BAIL ANTILLES' CHAMBERS - AFTERNOON
Bail, Mon Mothma, and Queen Amidala converse about the current situation. Amidala's handmaidens are close by, including Padme.
BAIL ANTILLES
This war is madness. Palpatine has gone too far.
MON MOTHMA
Unfortunately, the Senate supports him. Our voices are small in comparison.
AMIDALA
We must find allies outside the Senate.
Two GUARDS escort Anakin into the room.
GUARD
Anakin Skywalker to speak with Queen Amidala, my lord.
BAIL ANTILLES
She's busy.
(to Amidala)
This should have waited for another time.
AMIDALA
I did not send for him.
Anakin glances over at Padme. She looks at the floor, trying not to fidget.
AMIDALA
Padme, please show Anakin the garden. I will meet with him when we are finished here.
PADME
Yes, my Queen.
Padme bows, and moves to lead Anakin outside. When they are out of sight of the group, she grabs his hand and practically runs out the door in excitement.
CUT TO: