Star Wars: Episode II - Page Four

Sanctuary Lost

page 4

INT NABOO - PALACE - QUEEN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT

Amidala sleeps peacefully on her bed. A dark shadow falls over her. She turns uncomfortably, then wakes suddenly. She looks around in terror, but sees nothing.

Amidala gets up to look around. A breeze blows the curtains slightly. She moves to close the window. A black gauntlet darts out and grabs her arm, pulling her out onto the balcony.

EXT NABOO - PALACE - QUEEN'S CHAMBERS - BALCONY - CONTINUING

A black gauntlet clamps down over Amidala's mouth. Darth Rezin grins wickedly and whispers in her ear.

DARTH REZIN

Hello, Amidala.

CUT TO:

INT NABOO - PALACE - GUEST CHAMBERS - CONTINUING

Anakin wakes with a start. He reaches out and feels for his lightsaber.

ANAKIN

Amidala.

INT NABOO - PALACE - QUEEN'S CHAMBERS - CONTINUING

Anakin slowly opens the door and looks in. Amidala's bed is empty. He creeps to the open balcony door. Nothing.

He goes out onto the balcony. Down below, on the ground, Darth Rezin holds Amidala by the back of her hair. His red lightsaber is at her throat.

Darth Rezin speaks to Anakin telepathically.

DARTH REZIN

You want her? Come and get her.

Anakin leaps off the balcony, landing on his feet right in front of Darth Rezin. Anakin ignites his lightsaber.

ANAKIN

You.

DARTH REZIN

Ah, you remember. Do you have the courage to fight me now, boy?

ANAKIN

Let her go.

DARTH REZIN

Come get her.

Darth Rezin drags Amidala back towards the hangars.

Anakin follows closely, to make sure nothing happens to Amidala.

ANAKIN

Coward. Face me.

DARTH REZIN

My Lord has no more need of her.

Darth Rezin shoves Amidala down. Anakin leaps into battle.

Anakin strikes first, anger making him strong.

DARTH REZIN

Yes, use your anger.

Darth Rezin backs into the hangar.

INT NABOO - HANGAR - CONTINUOUS

The Queen's royal ship occupies the central berth in the hangar.

The two Jedi trade blows equally. They whirl and clash in a deadly dance of whirling sabers. Darth Rezin uses the force to hurl tools and crates at Anakin. Anakin dodges most of them.

Amidala follows the Jedi into the hangar.

ANAKIN

Amidala, go! Run!

AMIDALA

Anakin, look out!

A large fuel barrel hurtles at Anakin. He leaps over it. The barrel continues its course toward Amidala. She ducks. The barrel hits the wall, splashing fuel everywhere. Amidala gets drenched with the fuel.

Darth Rezin grins and slashes open another fuel container. Fuel splashes all over the floor. He touches the tip of his lightsaber to the fuel. It ignites.

Fire races through the hangar, following the fuel lines.

ANAKIN

Amidala!

AMIDALA

Anakin, I can't see you.

ANAKIN

Get out! Hurry!

Darth Rezin lunges at Anakin. Anakin barely dodges the death blow. They continue their duel through the raging flames.

DARTH REZIN

She's dead, boy. Can't you feel it?

ANAKIN

No! I'll kill you.

DARTH REZIN

Try.

Anakin rains down blows upon Darth Rezin. Darth Rezin goes on the defensive, backing up and trying to survive.

ANAKIN

Who are you?

DARTH REZIN

I am your destiny, young Skywalker. Lord Sidious is waiting for you.

Darth Rezin whirls, removing his cape in one quick motion. He flings it at Anakin. Anakin cuts through it with his lightsaber. The moment's distraction was all Darth Rezin needed. He makes his escape, leaping through a window.

DARTH REZIN

Another time, Skywalker.

Anakin stares up at the broken window. Flames make the air hazy.

AMIDALA (O.S.)

Anakin? Anakin?!

A note of panic starts in Amidala's voice when she can't find Anakin.

ANAKIN

Amidala, I'm here. I'm coming.

EXT NABOO - HANGAR - CONTINUING

Alarms blare. Droids rush out to extinguish the flames. Everyone in the palace wakes up and rushes around, not sure what's going on.

Amidala shivers in the night air. Anakin puts his arm protectively around her.

ANAKIN

You're shivering.

AMIDALA

Who was that?

ANAKIN

I don't know.

CUT TO:

INT NABOO - PALACE - THRONE ROOM - MORNING

Bail Antilles communicates by hologram to Queen Amidala. Padme and Anakin sit nearby, listening to the conversation. They are just out of sight of Bail Antilles.

BAIL ANTILLES

We have confirmed that the Mandalorian threat to Naboo is real. Queen Amidala, I beg you to come to Alderaan. You will be safe here.

SABE AS AMIDALA

I cannot leave my people, Senator.

BAIL ANTILLES

You will die if you don't leave. The Mandalorians do not take prisoners.

SABE AS AMIDALA

Perhaps this will convince the Senate-

BAIL ANTILLES

Nothing will convince the Senate! Palpatine rules them completely. We are but a few who oppose him. If you die, he gains more power.

Amidala and Anakin whisper while the conversation continues.

AMIDALA

I can't leave my people, Anakin.

ANAKIN

He's right. If you stay, you will die.

BAIL ANTILLES (O.S.)

I will send twelve warships to engage the Mandalorians while your people evacuate.

AMIDALA

(to Anakin)

We can't just leave.

Anakin sees that he cannot convince Amidala otherwise. But he cannot leave her, either.

ANAKIN

All right. I'll stay with you. But the minute the last transport leaves, we leave.

Amidala sighs in resignation. Her people are going to lose their homes.

CUT TO:

EXT NABOO - OUTSIDE THEED - DAY

Ship after ship blasts off, vacating the planet.

Boba Fett watches from a nearby forest. He gets on a speeder bike and heads toward the palace.

INT NABOO - PALACE - THRONE ROOM - CONTINUING

Queen Amidala and four handmaidens watch a viewscreen of ships leaving the planet. On the other side of the viewscreen, the Mandalorian battle group approaches.

Captain Panaka enters, his expression grave.

CAPTAIN PANAKA

That's the last of the civilian transports. Let's get moving.

The Queen and four handmaidens follow Captain Panaka toward their waiting ship.

Anakin and Amidala enter the throne room. Amidala is dressed simply. She carries a blaster at her belt.

AMIDALA

Captain, is the evacuation complete?

CAPTAIN PANAKA

Yes, my queen. Do you think this is wise? I would recommend that you come with us.

AMIDALA

If the Mandalorians target any ship, it will be the royal transport. I will be safer this way.

Anakin looks at the viewscreen.

ANAKIN

Is this the Mandalorian fleet?

CAPTAIN PANAKA

Yes.

ANAKIN

Then what is this?

Anakin points to several new dots that appeared.

A SCREAMING MISSILE strikes a nearby building, decimating it.

Everyone drops to the ground.

CAPTAIN PANAKA

To the hangar! GO!

Amidala and Sab (as the Queen) look at each other sadly. They know this could be the last time they see each other.

AMIDALA

Thank you.

Sab smiles sadly, then hurries toward the hangar.

CUT TO:

EXT NABOO - OUTSIDE THEED - CONTINUING

Mandalorian drop ships land around the city. Supercommando troops pour out and race toward the city.

EXT NABOO - THEED - CONTINUING

Boba Fett races his speeder bike through the streets. He pulls up in front of the palace.

Mandalorian troops approach. Boba Fett holds up a hand to stop them. They obediently stop.

INT NABOO - PALACE - CORRIDORS - CONTINUING

Amidala and Anakin run through the corridors. They can hear blaster fire exchanged between the palace guards and the Mandalorian enemy.

AMIDALA

How much further is it?

ANAKIN

Trust me.

They rush out into a repair hangar off to the side of the main hangar. Anakin's ship sits in the center. R2D2 makes touch up repairs.

ANAKIN

Artoo, get the ship started!

The hangar door explodes inward. Mandalorian troops swarm into the hangar.

ANAKIN

Get inside. I'll take care of this.

AMIDALA

Anakin!

Amidala draws her pistol and picks off two of the Mandalorians.

Anakin leaps and flips into the middle of the squad. He slashes left and right with his lightsaber. Mandalorians drop to the ground silently. He deflects laser bolts into some Mandalorians.

Smoke rises from all the blasters firing. The smoke obscures the fighting. Amidala searches for Anakin. She can't see him anywhere. Silence.

Anakin leaps out of the smoke and races toward the ship.

ANAKIN

I told you to get in!

Amidala gets into the ship. Anakin jumps in.

Blaster fire rips through the air.

ANAKIN

Artoo, shields up.

The blaster fire bounces harmlessly off the shields.

INT ANAKIN'S SHIP - CONTINUING

Anakin takes the pilot's seat. Amidala sits in the navigator's seat.

ANAKIN

All right. Here we go.

The ship lifts off moves toward the hangar doors.

Boba Fett strides confidently into the hangar. As the ship exits, he raises his arm blaster and fires a tracking device at Anakin's ship. It hits with a loud clang, and clamps on.

EXT NABOO - HANGAR - CONTINUING

Anakin's ship races into the sky. A Mandalorian TANK fires at his ship, but misses.

EXT NABOO - CONTINUING

The advance group of the Mandaloria Fleet masses ahead. The Queen's royal transport races past Anakin's ship. In pursuit are Mandalorian fighters.

The fighters part as Anakin's ship flies through the center of their formation.

A huge WORLD SHATTERER opens its primary weapon and targets Naboo.

INT ANAKIN'S SHIP - CONTINUING

Alarms and lights blare. Amidala panics at all the flashing lights and alarms.

AMIDALA

Oh. What do I do?

ANAKIN

Keep the shields up.

Anakin hits some buttons on the communications console.

ANAKIN

Anakin Skywalker to Royal Transport.

The royal pilot, RIC OLIE, responds.

RIC OLIE (O.S.)

Royal Transport.

ANAKIN

We'll see you on Alderaan.

RIC OLIE (O.S.)

Good luck.

Another squad of Mandalorian fighters homes in on Anakin's ship.

Artoo beeps in warning.

ANAKIN

I see them.

(to Amidala)

Maybe we won't be going to Alderaan after all.

AMIDALA

What?

CUT TO:

EXT NABOO - CONTINUING

Anakin weaves his ship in and out among the Mandalorian fleet. The fighters pilots are no match for Anakin. Some of them crash. Anakin bursts through the entire advance fleet. Only open space in front of him.

The fighters still pursue him, just further behind than before.

The World Shattering Ship fires its primary weapon. A great beam of energy fires down on Naboo.

EXT NABOO - FOREST - CONTINUING

The beam plunges into the planet. Waves of devastation spread like ripples in a pond, destroying everything in a ten kilometer radius. The beam stops. Nothing stands in the wake of the waves of destruction. Only charred memories.

INT ANAKIN'S SHIP - CONTINUING

Anakin punches some coordinates on the navicomputer. He shakes his head, as if sensing that something just happened.

AMIDALA

What is it?

He looks at Amidala and takes a deep breath.

ANAKIN

Nothing. Here we go.

The ship jumps into hyperspace.

CUT TO:

EXT NABOO - OUTSIDE THEED - DAY

Boba Fett stops his speeder bike next to his ship, the Slave I. He looks at his wrist computer.

BOBA FETT

Tatooine.

CUT TO:

EXT AURRA SING'S SHIP - DAY

The sleek ship races through space.

INT AURRA SING'S SHIP - CONTINUING

Aurra Sing communicates with Darth Sidious by hologram.

AURRA SING

They're going to Tatooine.

DARTH SIDIOUS

A peculiar choice. Follow them. Your counterpart will go to Alderaan.

AURRA SING

I don't have a counterpart. I work alone.

DARTH SIDIOUS

You will do as I command.

AURRA SING

One wrong step, and this Boba Fett dies.

DARTH SIDIOUS

(ignoring her threat)

When Anakin is alone, silence the girl.

AURRA SING

What about him?

DARTH SIDIOUS

I will deal with him, when the time comes.

Darth Sidious severs the connection.

AURRA SING

I hate dark lords.

CUT TO:

EXT TATOOINE - DAY

Twin suns blaze brightly ahead of Anakin's ship. The dusty planet of Tatooine fills the viewscreen.

INT ANAKIN'S SHIP - CONTINUING

Amidala looks at the navicomputer.

AMIDALA

Why are we coming to Tatooine?

ANAKIN

To keep a promise.

AMIDALA

Anakin, you can't single-handedly free the slaves.

ANAKIN

I can free my mother.

The ship speeds down toward Tatooine.

CUT TO:

EXT MOS ESPA - EVENING

Anakin lands his ship near the outskirts of the city. Anakin and Amidala exit, disguised in simple clothing.

ANAKIN

Stay close to me. Things might get rough.

AMIDALA

It hasn't changed.

ANAKIN

It never will.

CUT TO:

EXT SKYWALKER HOVEL - CONTINUING

Anakin enters, followed closely by Amidala. The place is in disrepair. Cracks line the walls. No one has lived here in several years.

ANAKIN

Mom? Hello?

AMIDALA

Nobody's here.

Anakin reaches out with the force.

ANAKIN

No, someone's right...here.

Anakin whirls and rips aside a curtain. A twenty-year old woman, AMEE, one of Anakin's childhood friends, huddles in terror.

Recognition flashes in Anakin's mind.

ANAKIN

Amee?

AMEE

Who are you?

ANAKIN

It's me, Anakin.

AMEE

Annie? You came back!

Amee rushes in and embraces Anakin. He awkwardly accepts the hug.

AMEE

Your mother said you'd be back, but nobody believed her. Then the slavers came.

Anakin tries gently to free himself from the crushing embrace. When Amee lets him go, he turns to gauge Amidala's reaction. Amusement shines in Amidala's eyes.

ANAKIN

Where's my mother?

AMEE

Watto sold her.

Amidala beats Anakin to the question on both of their minds.

AMIDALA

Sold her? To who?

AMEE

Jabba the Hutt. Kitster went to find her, but he never came back.

Anakin takes a purse of coins out from within his cloak. He hands them to Amee.

ANAKIN

Find a safe place to live, Amee.

Anakin turns and exits without another word. Amidala turns to follow him, but Amee holds her back.

AMEE

He's a powerful Jedi now, isn't he?

AMIDALA

Yes.

AMEE

Are you his...?

AMIDALA

No. Not yet, anyway.

CUT TO:

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