Star Wars: Episode II - Page Two
Sanctuary Lost
page 2
EXT CONCORD DAWN SYSTEM - ESTABLISHING
The huge Mandalorian Armada spreads across the entire system. Two small moons orbit the planet. An ion blast from one moon lances out and disables a command ship. Swarms of fighters decend on that offending moon.
From the other moon, amidst the confusion, a single ship blasts off, unnoticed by the rest of the armada. The ship is the SLAVE I.
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EXT CORUSCANT - GALACTIC SENATE - HANGING GARDENS - SUNSET
The hanging gardens are filled with exotic plant life from around the galaxy. A few other beings walk through the gardens, keeping their distance from the two young lovers.
Anakin and Amidala walk hand in hand, obviously enjoying their time together.
ANAKIN
So who are you really? Amidala, or Padme?
AMIDALA
My real name is Padme Amidala ... but I like the name Amidala better. It's who I am. Rabe and I came up with this idea for how we could meet.
ANAKIN
I'm glad you did.
AMIDALA
Me too.
Amidala stops to smell a fragrant flower. Anakin takes this moment to pick a beautiful blossom. He presents it to Amidala.
ANAKIN
For you. Though its beauty pales next to yours.
Amidala blushes. Then she realizes that Anakin actually picked the flower.
AMIDALA
You picked it? You can't do that.
ANAKIN
What are they going to do? I'm a Jedi.
AMIDALA
Still, you shouldn't have picked it.
Anakin notices a leather string around Amidala's neck. He reaches out gingerly and pulls out the necklace he gave her ten years before. Amidala looks into Anakin's eyes, trying to gauge his reaction.
ANAKIN
You kept it.
AMIDALA
You said you'd come back. I just wanted to be ready.
ANAKIN
That was a long time ago.
AMIDALA
You saved us all. The people of Naboo are forever in your debt.
ANAKIN
And what about you?
AMIDALA
What do you mean?
ANAKIN
I remember you said you would always care for me. Is that still true?
AMIDALA
Of course it is.
ANAKIN
You're the only reason I came back here, Amidala. I've loved you for a long time.
AMIDALA
Ani... no. It can't be like this. There's going to be a war. I've got to be with my people. I... I'm sorry.
Amidala's commlink beeps. It is Rabe.
SABE AS AMIDALA (O.S.)
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine wishes to speak with us. Please come quickly.
Amidala puts away the commlink.
AMIDALA
Anakin, I'm sorry. I've got to go. Please try to understand.
Anakin stands stiffly, not knowing what to say. This did not go at all the way he had planned.
Amidala runs to the end of the garden. The sprinklers come on. Anakin still stands there confused at what just happened.
Before Amidala turns the corner, she turns back to look at Anakin. She smiles briefly at him, then hurries away.
Water drips off of Anakin. He pays it no mind, still stunned.
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INT JEDI TEMPLE - TRAINING ARENA - TWILIGHT
Yoda runs Obi Wan through a grilling obstacle course. Obi Wan nearly drops from exhaustion, but Yoda keeps running him.
YODA
In your mind the pain is. Sense only the force.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I can't. Too tired.
YODA
No! Tired you are not. A Jedi uses the force. A Jedi is strong.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I can't teach him anymore.
YODA
You must.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Why? Why me?
YODA
Your destiny it is.
OBI WAN KENOBI
No. It was Qui Gon's destiny, not mine.
YODA
Why wish you to leave the boy?
OBI WAN KENOBI
If you trained him, Master Yoda, he would learn more of the force. I have taught him all that I know.
YODA
Ready for the trials, is he?
OBI WAN KENOBI
I don't know. I...
YODA
Yes?
OBI WAN KENOBI
He crushed a pipe with the force. There is much anger in him.
YODA
I have sensed it. But you must teach him. You must be ready for the battle ahead.
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INT CORUSCANT - GALACTIC SENATE - BAIL ANTILLES' CHAMBERS -
Amidala enters. Palpatine looks out the window on the huge city.
Sabe, dressed as the Queen, is in another room. Mon Mothma and Bail Antilles speak in hushed tones in the corner.
Palpatine turns as he senses Amidala's presence.
PALPATINE
Ah, your majesty.
He stops, realizing his mistake.
PALPATINE
Excuse me, I mistook you for...
He trails off, sensing her real identity.
PADME
I'm Padme. One of the Queen's handmaidens.
SABE AS AMIDALA (O.S.)
I am right here, Chancellor.
Sabe enters, draped in an exquisite gown.
PALPATINE
Forgive me, my queen. I was mistaken.
He glances slyly at Padme. Padme and Sabe quickly glance at each other in panic.
BAIL ANTILLES
This is a meeting for Senators, not servants. You are excused, handmaid.
SABE AS AMIDALA
I wish her to stay.
PALPATINE
Prince Antilles, really, you should be more sympathetic to your supporters.
(beat)
Let the girl stay. She might learn something.
Bail mumbles something incomprehensible.
BAIL ANTILLES
Fine.
Palpatine gestures to the night sky and all the ships' lights out there.
PALPATINE
You see those lights? Not just on the ships, but the stars. Every one of those stars has millions of people counting on you... and me. They depend on us to keep them safe.
MON MOTHMA
Stop these games, Palpatine. This war benefits only you.
BAIL ANTILLES
We can see your little plan.
PALPATINE
I will be the first to say that this war is going to damage the Republic. I wish that it were not so, but we must preserve the quality of life for our people.
Padme inches over towards Sabe.
PALPATINE
What about you, handmaid? What think you of this war?
PADME
I... I cannot presume to speak for the Queen.
PALPATINE
I did not ask you to speak as the Queen. I asked you what you thought of this declaration of war.
Padme glances around nervously, terrified of letting her little identity secret slip.
PADME
I think it is wrong to put so many lives in jeopardy. There are thousands of worlds out there that will be affected by this war, and all we do is sit here and endlessly debate.
PALPATINE
That is correct. That is all WE do.
(to Bail Antilles)
There. From the mouth of a humble servant comes the wisdom of a ruler.
MON MOTHMA
What are you trying to prove, Palpatine?
PALPATINE
I only wish to express my condolences to you and your supporters. This is for the good of the galaxy.
BAIL ANTILLES
What would you know of the greater good? You've been after power for as long as I have been in the Senate.
PALPATINE
Perhaps you would care to take an active part in this conflict? You might accomplish more good than endlessly debating things here in the Senate.
MON MOTHMA
You've said enough, Palpatine.
PALPATINE
And what do the people of Naboo say, Queen Amidala?
SABE AS AMIDALA
We are a peaceful people. We remember the dark times that we might more fully appreciate the peace that we have. You would do well to remember where you came from, Chancellor.
PALPATINE
Well put. I shall remember. But you would also be wise to remember where you came from.
MON MOTHMA
Leave. Now.
PALPATINE
Your supporters are few. I beg you to reconsider.
Palpatine smiles as he exits.
BAIL ANTILLES
(to the Queen)
What did he mean by that?
SABE AS AMIDALA
I am feeling faint. If you will excuse me.
Sabe and Padme hurriedly exit.
MON MOTHMA
The Queen was quite shaken up.
BAIL ANTILLES
What does Palpatine hope to accomplish with this war?
MON MOTHMA
With Concord Dawn and Malastare as allies, nearly a third of the Senate will side with them. But if Palpatine destroys them...
BAIL ANTILLES
No one will be able to stop him.
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EXT GALACTIC SENATE - MAIN HANGAR - NIGHT
Anakin walks slowly into the hangar. The Queen's ship glistens nearby. Anakin walks over to it.
A whistle gets Anakin's attention. R2D2 enthusiastically greets Anakin.
ANAKIN
Artoo? At least you're happy to see me.
Artoo whistles and beeps sympathetically.
ANAKIN
I don't know. I just thought we had something - me and Amidala, I mean. I told her I loved her, and she ran away. I just don't get it. Do you understand women?
Artoo swivels his head negatively.
ANAKIN
Maybe it's me. Was it something that I did? She's a queen; I'm just a padawan, a lowly apprentice.
Gruff voices sound behind Anakin. A group of THUGS approach menacingly.
THUG ONE
Well, lookee what we've got here, eh, boys?
Each of the thugs brandishes weapons - some chains, others heavy tools.
ANAKIN
Well, look at what we've got here, Artoo.
Anakin shoves two of them away with the force. He leaps into battle, knocking the rest of them down.
The thugs regroup, and surround Anakin. One rushes in, Anakin grabs him by the neck and lifts him off the ground. Another comes in behind him. Anakin whirls and crushes his throat with the force. That one staggers back, clutching his throat and vainly trying to breathe.
Anakin tosses the first thug away. He ignites his glowing blue lightsaber. The other thugs stop in their tracks, then flee in terror.
THUG TWO
Aiiiee! He's a Jedi!
The last thug struggles for breath on the ground. Anakin stands over him and watches him die.
ANAKIN
(to fallen thug)
Once you start down the wrong path, it will forever dominate your destiny. Remember that.
The thug gurgles and dies.
Artoo whistles worriedly.
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INT JEDI TEMPLE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - NIGHT
The entire Jedi Council gathers for an after-hours meeting.
MACE WINDU
This threat is greater than we had imagined. I have just recieved word that the Mandalorian armies are spreading to the surrounding systems.
KI-ADI MUNDI
What about the Senate's blockade? Will that not stop them.
MACE WINDU
No. Their armies are too great.
YODA
Going are you, Master Windu?
MACE WINDU
Yes. I will lead a contingent of Jedi knights into battle.
The entire council sits in stunned silence.
ADI GALLIA
I will go with you.
MACE WINDU
Adi, I cannot ask you to risk yourself.
ADI GALLIA
The force will be with us.
YODA
I sense great darkness ahead. Mind your feelings. Guide you they will.
Adi Gallia and Mace Windu check their lightsabers and exit.
YODA
Prepare you all for the battle ahead.
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INT CORUSCANT - GALACTIC SENATE - AMIDALA'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT
Amidala and Sabe pack gowns into her wardrobe. The other handmaidens pack for the journey back to Naboo.
SABE
Do you think he knew?
AMIDALA
When he looked at me, I felt cold, like he was seeing inside of me.
SABE
I felt that too.
EIRTAE, one of the handmaidens, rushes in, quite worried.
EIRTAE
My Queen, Naboo is in danger!
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EXT CORUSCANT - NIGHT
The Queen's royal ship blasts away from Coruscant, heading back to Naboo.
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INT JEDI TEMPLE - TRAINING ARENA - NIGHT
Obi Wan balances on one hand. He lifts four weights with his mind. Yoda looks on, chewing thoughtfully on a gimer stick.
YODA
Yes, concentrate. Through the force, visions you will see. Other places and times.
Obi Wan focuses on something only he can see. He starts shaking visibly.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin. No!
Obi Wan falls to the ground. The weights fall, too. Obi Wan picks himself up and looks at Yoda. Horror fills his eyes.
YODA
It is the future.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I saw thousands of Jedi, fallen. He killed them.
YODA
He must choose his destiny, just as you must choose yours.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I have to stop him.
Yoda closes his eyes in meditation.
YODA
Mmm... perhaps.
Obi Wan stands restlessly.
OBI WAN KENOBI
How can I stop him? I can't let him kill the Jedi.
YODA
Teach him, you must. Only then will he see.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Teach me, that I may be able to keep Anakin away from the Dark Side.
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INT DARTH SIDIOUS CHAMBER - NIGHT
Darth Sidious sits in his throne in mediation. He turns his throne as Darth Rezin enters.
DARTH REZIN
Queen Amidala has gone, my master.
DARTH SIDIOUS
The boy will follow her. It is his destiny.
DARTH REZIN
How can this boy be the one? He cannot possibly bring balance to the Sith.
DARTH SIDIOUS
The Prophesy is certain. "The Son of the Sun shall bring balance."
DARTH REZIN
Balance? Pah! The boy is weak. He has no anger. He has no strength.
DARTH SIDIOUS
He will learn anger.
DARTH REZIN
The boy is too young. He cannot be taught.
DARTH SIDIOUS
Perhaps you question the sacrifice? The Sith prophesy is clear - "Anger shall overshadow weakness, and a new lord shall rise."
DARTH REZIN
That could be me. This boy is meaningless. I am the fulfillment of prophesy! My anger overshadowed my weakness! I became new that day.
DARTH SIDIOUS
We shall see, Darth Rezin. We shall see.
DARTH REZIN
You put too much faith in the boy. That will be your undoing.
DARTH SIDIOUS
Your faith in yourself is yours.
Darth Rezin bows sardonically and swaggers to the exit.
After Darth Rezin exits, another door opens. AURRA SING, force sensitive female bounty hunter, enters.
AURRA SING
Cocky.
DARTH SIDIOUS
Yes.
AURRA SING
Do you want me to follow him?
DARTH SIDIOUS
No. There is another.
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EXT CORUSCANT - NIGHT
Darth Rezin's ship streaks away from Coruscant. From beneath a large cargo ship, the Slave I moves to follow.
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