Star Wars: Episode III - Page Three
Star Wars Episode III
The Path of Darkness
page 3
INT MANDALORIAN FLAGSHIP - DAY
The image of PALPATINE communicates with Mandalore and his SECOND IN COMMAND, standing in the shadows.
PALPATINE
Bring your forces to Botham Caruz.
MANDALORE
The Jedi still have a foothold on Concord Dawn. They will not leave.
PALPATINE
They will have no choice.
MANDALORE
What of Skywalker?
PALPATINE
He will join us.
Mandalore turns to his SECOND.
MANDALORE
Give the signal.
The SECOND nods silently and exits.
MANDALORE
It shall be done. My ships will be waiting to attack.
PALPATINE
Do not be hasty, Mandalore. There is more at stake than you realize.
The image of Palpatine disappears.
MANDALORE
The same holds true for you, Emperor.
Mandalore picks up a comlink.
MANDALORE
Prepare my shuttle.
CUT TO:
INT CORUSCANT - SKYWALKER RESIDENCE - DAY
Anakin and Amidala enter. Amidala sits down in the first available seat. She wipes beads of sweat off her pale face.
ANAKIN
Mother?
AMIDALA
Anakin ...
ANAKIN
She's not here.
Anakin rushes through the apartment, searching for his mother.
AMIDALA
Don't leave me.
Anakin stops in front of Amidala. The door CHIMES.
A DROID, CC-04 (SEE SEE OH FOUR), stands motionless in the corridor.
SEE SEE OH FOUR
You are Anakin Skywalker.
ANAKIN
Yes. What is it?
See see oh four responds in an unrecognizable mechanical voice.
SEE SEE OH FOUR
(repeating message)
Anakin Skywalker. Come to Gromby's Tavern, on lower level three. Ask for Selba.
The Droid wobbles and then shakes uncontrollably.
ANAKIN
And if I don't?
The droid's head pops off in a shower of sparks. The body falls into the apartment. Pieces scatter as they hit the floor.
Amidala stoops and picks up an ornate jeweled hairpin, carved in the shape of a flower.
AMIDALA
Anakin, this is your mother's.
CUT TO:
EXT GROMBY'S CANTINA - AFTERNOON
Gromby's Cantina is on the lower levels. Unsavory characters sniff the air as Anakin and a heavily cloaked Amidala pass.
Anakin wears his lightsaber plainly visible. Whispers of "Jedi" follow after them.
AMIDALA
(quietly)
I don't like it here.
ANAKIN
We'll be quick.
Anakin opens the door for Amidala. Exotic smells and unpleasant odors assault them as they enter.
INT GROMBY'S CANTINA - CONTINUING
Peculiar aliens of every imaginable description crowd the dimly lit tavern. An Ithorian, MULLIGOTT, stands behind the bar. A vocoder box rests on its throat, partially covering an ugly scar. The vocoder box gives Mulligott a harsh, mechanical voice.
MULLIGOTT
What do you want?
ANAKIN
I'm looking for Selba.
MULLIGOTT
She's busy.
Anakin pulls his lightsaber and rests it lightly on the bar. Amidala looks around nervously.
ANAKIN
Tell her I'm here.
Mulligott gestures to one of the bouncers, a huge gray skinned Vendag.
MULLIGOTT
Follow him.
Anakin and Amidala follow the Vendag into the deeper recesses of the building. The Vendag stops outside a heavy door. He gestures to the door, then walks away.
Anakin opens the door slowly. The room is dark. He reaches out with his senses.
ANAKIN
Mother?
Anakin enters, wary of traps. Amidala takes his hand and follows him.
INT GROMBY'S CANTINA - BACK ROOM - CONTINUING
The door slams shut behind them. A lightsaber hisses on, bathing the room in reddish light.
Aurra Sing steps out from behind the door. Her lightsaber hovers just inches from Amidala's head.
AURRA SING
Toss your lightsaber over there.
ANAKIN
No.
AURRA SING
Her life is mine. I'll give it back to you if you obey.
Shmi moves into the light.
SHMI SKYWALKER
Do as she says, Annie.
Anakin tosses his lightsaber away.
Aurra Sing turns her lightsaber off and clips it to her belt. She turns on a row of low lights. She gestures to a couch.
AURRA SING
Have a seat.
ANAKIN
I'll stand.
AURRA SING
If you prefer.
Amidala takes a seat next to Shmi and Rab. Anakin watches Aurra Sing's every move. She pulls up a tall stool in the center of the room.
ANAKIN
What do you want with us?
Aurra Sing smiles, amused.
AURRA SING
I always imagined you'd be more ... all-knowing.
ANAKIN
What are you talking about?
AURRA SING
You are the Chosen One.
Aurra steps off the stool and kneels before Anakin.
AURRA SING
I am your servant.
CUT TO:
EXT MANDALORIAN FLAGSHIP - SAME TIME
Mandalore's shuttle blasts away from the flagship and races down toward the planet of MALASCHU'CKAR.
EXT MALASCHU'CKAR - CLONING FACILITY - CONTINUING
The shuttle touches down on the landing area of a huge cloning facility. The facility covers the entire valley.
Mandalore walks down the shuttle ramp. A senior officer, GENERAL BARABEL, greets him uneasily.
GENERAL BARABEL
Lord Mandalore, we did not expect you so soon.
MANDALORE
Are you prepared for the invasion?
GENERAL BARABEL
We will be ready according to schedule.
MANDALORE
Our time is limited. Emperor Palpatine has moved up the attack.
GENERAL BARABEL
He asks the impossible.
MANDALORE
Yes.
The SECOND IN COMMAND exits the shuttle. He pulls a Mandalorian war mask over his face to hide his features.
General Barabel chokes on his words as he sees the SECOND exit and approach him.
MANDALORE
I see you are familiar with my Second.
CUT TO:
INT JEDI TEMPLE - LIBRARY - AFTERNOON
Obi Wan Kenobi sits in meditation. A fellow Jedi Master, VIN TIRO approaches. Vin Tiro wears a traditional cover over his bald head.
Obi Wan turns his head slightly, indicating his attention to Vin Tiro.
VIN TIRO
Forgive me, Master Obi Wan, but the Council wishes to speak with you.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Very well.
Obi Wan follows Vin Tiro down the corridor and up a flight of stairs before speaking.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Did they give any indication what they wanted?
VIN TIRO
Probably the same thing they said to me. They want you on the Council.
CUT TO:
INT JEDI TEMPLE - COUNCIL CHAMBER - CONTINUING
Obi Wan and Vin Tiro stand in the center of the room. Only half the seats are filled. Mace Windu speaks for the group.
MACE WINDU
Master Obi Wan, we are in great need. We need you to sit on the Council.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Why me?
MACE WINDU
You have proven yourself in countless battles during this war. The Jedi Knights look to you for leadership.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Why not choose someone here on Coruscant?
Mace Windu nods to the two guards at the door, excusing them. They close the door behind them.
MACE WINDU
The Jedi are dying, Obi Wan. We need all the strong leadership we can get. If you're out there fighting, you could get killed.
OBI WAN KENOBI
So you would rather have me sit safely here than fight a war out there? Is that it?
YODA
Reckless you are. The Jedi need you.
Obi Wan closes his eyes, seeking the consoling guidance that comes from the force.
OBI WAN KENOBI
The time will come when each of us will be called on to fight.
MACE WINDU
We are aware.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Which seat is mine?
Mace Windu inclines his head to his right - the empty seat next to Yoda - Ki Adi Mundi's seat.
Obi Wan nods slowly, understanding the significance of this.
CUT TO:
INT CORUSCANT - LOWER LEVELS - STORAGE FACILITY - SAME TIME
Ki Adi Mundi is still comatose. Darthine Jez straps him upright in a carbonite freezing module.
Silmus Wombar stands at the controls.
DARTHINE JEZ
No one will ever find him. Not dead, but definitely not alive.
Silmus Wombar activates the carbonite freezing chamber. Ki Adi Mundi lowers down into the chamber. Gases spew forth, encasing him in solid carbonite. He emerges, frozen in a block.
Darthine Jez pushes the block over, onto the ground. It echoes through the empty room. She sits on top of Ki Adi's chest, looking down at his frozen face.
DARTHINE JEZ
The great Ki Adi Mundi. I had hoped for a greater challenge.
SILMUS WOMBAR
Where do you want me to put him?
Darthine absently gestures to an empty wall.
DARTHINE JEZ
Set him up there. I'll decide where to put him later.
CUT TO:
INT GROMBY'S CANTINA - BACK ROOM - AFTERNOON
Aurra Sing explains everything to her audience. She gestures with hands half the length they should be. Her hands are now "normal".
SHMI SKYWALKER
Annie, she didn't kill me because she wanted to see if you really were the Chosen One.
ANAKIN
She still made you a slave.
AURRA SING
Only so that I might watch you better.
AMIDALA
Why come forward now?
AURRA SING
The Jedi are dying.
AMIDALA
And that's why you have three lightsabers hanging on your belt?
AURRA SING
I have killed Jedi. I make no excuses.
ANAKIN
Answer her question.
AURRA SING
You are the one to bring balance. Only you can balance the force.
ANAKIN
And what part do you play in all of this?
AURRA SING
I want to be a jedi again.
CUT TO:
INT DARTH SIDIOUS CHAMBER - NIGHT
Darthine Jez enters. The Emperor sits on his throne, overlooking the Imperial Palace.
PALPATINE
What is it?
DARTHINE JEZ
Skywalker has a new ally. A woman. Aurra Sing.
Palpatine chuckles evilly.
PALPATINE
She betrayed me. She will suffer.
DARTHINE JEZ
Allow me.
PALPATINE
The time is not yet, but soon. Skywalker will betray her.
DARTHINE JEZ
You put far too much faith in Skywalker.
PALPATINE
He will learn the power of the dark side.
CUT TO:
INT JEDI TEMPLE - LIBRARY - NIGHT
Anakin sits alone in the library. Open tomes surround him as he delves into the history of the jedi and the House of the Sun.
Amidala enters and looks around for him.
AMIDALA
There you are.
ANAKIN
I told you I'd be here.
AMIDALA
I missed you.
Amidala sits down next to Anakin. She takes his hand. He doesn't look up from his reading.
AMIDALA
Come home.
ANAKIN
This is important.
AMIDALA
So am I.
Anakin looks up at her for the first time. She smiles hopefully. Her smile fades as she sees the intensity in his eyes.
ANAKIN
This is important.
Amidala stands, sorrowing. She nods silently and moves toward the door. She looks back at Anakin. His nose is once again buried in the book. She touches her belly. A tear springs to her eye. She exits quickly.
Behind a rack of ancient records, in the shadows, a voice emerges.
DARTHINE JEZ (O.S.)
No way to treat a woman.
Anakin looks up, sensing another presence.
ANAKIN
What do you want?
Darthine Jez saunters out of the shadows. She is dressed lavishly. Rare gems glitter on her costly apparel. Her lightsaber is nowhere to be seen.
Darthine Jez looks over Anakin's shoulder to the book he's reading.
DARTHINE JEZ
"The House of The Sun." Now why would you care about that?
ANAKIN
(sarcastically)
I'm doing a book report.
Darthine Jez sits down across from Anakin. Her streaked blond hair falls down over her shoulders. She stares unflinching at Anakin. He looks up from his book to meet her gaze.
ANAKIN
I'm married.
DARTHINE JEZ
You wouldn't know it, from the way you treat her.
ANAKIN
Go away.
DARTHINE JEZ
I know what you want.
ANAKIN
And what would that be?
DARTHINE JEZ
Knowledge. Power. You want to know if you are truly "The Son of the Sun."
Anakin stands to leave. This is hitting way too close to home.
DARTHINE JEZ
I can show you things.
ANAKIN
Like I said, I'm married.
Anakin walks toward the exit.
DARTHINE JEZ
I can show you a holocron.
That stops him.
DARTHINE JEZ
Emperor Palpatine has one.
CUT TO:
INT MALASCHU'CKAR - CLONING FACILITY - HOLDING TANKS -
DAY
Mandalore overlooks the huge storage facility. Tens of thousands of tanks grow clones. His Second stands next to him. All the researchers and scientists keep as far away from the two as possible.
MANDALORE
These clones will destroy the Jedi. Then we will destroy them.
The Second remains silent. He turns to look at a passing SCIENTIST. The scientist scrambles backwards and disappears around a corner.
MANDALORE
The jedi will be extinct. Palpatine will rule. And we shall be heirs to that power.
CUT TO:
EXT CORUSCANT - SKYWALKER RESIDENCE - MORNING
Obi Wan Kenobi approaches the apartment. Anakin exits. Amidala tries to hold him back.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin, where are you going?
ANAKIN
I go where I please.
AMIDALA
Annie, don't go.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin. I need to speak with you.
ANAKIN
It can wait.
OBI WAN KENOBI
The Council has proposed a plan of attack that will end this war.
ANAKIN
They are fools.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I am on the Council.
Anakin pauses and looks at Obi Wan steadfastly.
ANAKIN
You are a fool.
Anakin turns to Amidala, gives her a quick kiss, and walks away.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I'm not the only fool.
(to Amidala)
Where is he going?
AMIDALA
I don't know.
INT CORUSCANT - SKYWALKER RESIDENCE - CONTINUING
Obi Wan follows Amidala back into her apartment. Rabe prepares a small meal in the adjoining kitchen.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Did he give any indication why he was going?
Rabe sticks her head into the main room.
RABE
Oh, hello, Obi Wan. Will you be eating with us?
EXT CORUSCANT - SKYWALKER RESIDENCE - CONTINUING
In the hall, unseen by anyone, Aurra Sing walks by the apartment. She senses Obi Wan inside, but she follows after Anakin.
INT CORUSCANT - SKYWALKER RESIDENCE - CONTINUING
Obi Wan senses Aurra Sing nearby. He glances around warily. His hand drops to his lightsaber.
AMIDALA
What is it?
OBI WAN KENOBI
I think I had better stay.
RABE
I'll prepare you a plate.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Now what was Anakin doing?
AMIDALA
He only said that he was going to get something the Council wouldn't give him.
CUT TO: