Star Wars: Episode III - Page Five
Star Wars Episode III
The Path of Darkness
page 5
EXT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - MEDICAL FACILITY -
Rab hurriedly pushes Amidala in on a wheelchair. Amidala huffs and puffs, obviously going into labor. Shmi follows along right behind.
Two droids, R2D2 and C3PO trundle along. They pass the group entering the medical room.
C3PO
I say, Artoo, that looked just like Mistress Shmi.
C3PO enters the medical facility. Artoo follows, beeping angrily.
C3PO
No, I don't think so. They will be happy to see me.
Artoo beeps his displeasure at being excluded.
C3PO
No, I don't see Master Anakin. I don't think anyone else will want to see you.
Artoo beeps sadly.
INT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - MEDICAL FACILITY - CONTINUING
Medical personnel place Amidala on a bed. R2D2 and C3PO walk right in.
LADY ORGANA
Get those droids out of here.
A burly doctor's assistant bars the droids' path. Artoo beeps knowingly at C3PO.
C3PO
Well, how was I supposed to know that Lady Amidala was having a baby?
Artoo beeps and whistles a complex reply. They go back into the main medical foyer area.
C3PO
That's easy for you to say. Your sensors look directly at her belly. I have to look down. In most cultures that is considered quite rude.
Artoo grunts a short response.
C3PO
You most certainly are.
INT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - MEDICAL FACILITY - CONTINUING
Shmi wipes beads of sweat off Amidala's face.
AMIDALA
(through gritted teeth)
Anakin. Where are you?
EXT BOTHAM CARUZ - GEOTHERMAL GENERATOR - SAME TIME
Anakin looks up to the sky as if hearing something.
ANAKIN
Amidala. I'm coming.
INT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - MEDICAL FACILITY - CONTINUING
The cries of two newborn babies fills the air. Rab and Shmi proudly put the two newborns in Amidala's arms. Tears of joy, exhaustion, and pain stream down Amidala's cheeks.
INT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - WAR ROOM - CONTINUING
Lady Organa slips through the door quietly. The holoprojection of the galaxy still glows above the table. Red clusters of dots appear throughout the galaxy.
LADY ORGANA
Bail ... I have news.
BAIL ORGANA
Good or bad?
LADY ORGANA
Both, I'm afraid.
Obi Wan and Bail both stand up, concerned.
LADY ORGANA
Lady Skywalker ... Padme
(she exchanges a knowing glance with Obi Wan)
Has given birth to twins. A beautiful baby boy and girl.
Obi Wan breathes a sigh of relief. Concern still clouds Bail's face.
BAIL ORGANA
And what is the bad news?
LADY ORGANA
Amberle's newborn son ...
Lady Organa shakes her head sadly. Bail sits down slowly. It is as if a great weight has suddenly descended upon him.
BAIL ORGANA
What happened?
LADY ORGANA
The doctors don't know. They couldn't save him.
Bail puts his face down in his hands. Lady Organa goes to him to provide some scant comfort.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I don't understand.
LADY ORGANA
That boy was to be the heir. Amberle is my daughter.
CUT TO:
INT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - MEDICAL FACILITY - CONTINUING
Obi Wan enters. C3PO and R2D2 stand nearby. The two babies sleep quietly, curled up in Amidala's arms. Obi Wan smiles warmly.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Congratulations.
AMIDALA
They're beautiful.
OBI WAN KENOBI
What will you name them?
AMIDALA
Luke. And Leia. After my parents.
Shmi smiles.
AMIDALA
(continuing; to Shmi)
I don't mean to leave you out-
SHMI SKYWALKER
It's fine. Those are wonderful names. At least they will bear the name Skywalker.
Amidala's face clouds.
AMIDALA
Anakin is coming.
(to Obi Wan)
Don't let him take my babies.
EXT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - SAME TIME
A ship lands in the docking bay. A warrior, by the looks of her, steps out and approaches the palace. She flashes identification as she passes the sentries. They let her by without word.
Aurra Sing smiles at their trust in her.
CUT TO:
INT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - MEDICAL FACILITY - CONTINUING
Obi Wan devises a plan to keep the children on Alderaan for the time being.
OBI WAN KENOBI
We can put Luke in an oxygen chamber. Modify the medical records to show that he needs to stay in there for several weeks.
AMIDALA
What about Leia?
OBI WAN KENOBI
There is another woman who lost a child today ...
INT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - CORRIDORS - CONTINUING
Aurra Sing strides confidently down the long corridor. Lady Organa walks quickly by, carefully holding a small wrapped bundle.
Aurra Sing looks quizzically at her, then continues.
INT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - MEDICAL FACILITY - CONTINUING
Obi Wan looks up, sensing something. Aurra Sing enters. He flashes out his lightsaber, standing protectively in front of Amidala.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Who are you?
AURRA SING
I'm not here to harm her - only to talk.
Amidala reaches out a hand to calm Obi Wan.
AMIDALA
It's all right. I trust her.
Obi Wan lowers his lightsaber.
AURRA SING
Your husband, Anakin, is being led down the path of darkness.
OBI WAN KENOBI
By who?
AURRA SING
Palpatine.
CUT TO:
INT SITH COMPOUND - TRAINING ARENA - NIGHT
Darthine Jez beats on a training dummy, venting her frustrations. Her long blonde hair is pulled back in a tight braid.
One of her rivals, SAJO YEX, watches her closely. He wears ancient-style Sith armor and wields two lightsabers.
Darthine turns to face him as he draws to within a few paces.
DARTHINE JEZ
What do you want?
SAJO YEX
I heard Silmus is dead.
DARTHINE JEZ
Yeah. Mandalore's men killed him.
SAJO YEX
How many?
Darthine refuses to answer.
SAJO YEX
(continuing; sensing the answer)
One?
DARTHINE JEZ
I could have taken him.
SAJO YEX
That's not the point. How did Silmus die?
DARTHINE JEZ
By his own lightsaber.
SAJO YEX
Impressive. He would make a powerful ally.
DARTHINE JEZ
Have you come to gloat over my defeat?
SAJO YEX
The Emperor is moving against the Jedi.
DARTHINE JEZ
When?
SAJO YEX
Now. We have discovered that Adi Gallia is here on Coruscant. She is the first.
DARTHINE JEZ
Good.
CUT TO:
EXT ALDERAAN - ROYAL PALACE - NIGHT
Obi Wan and Amidala stand on a balcony overlooking the courtyard. They watch a ship blast off into the night sky.
AMIDALA
Do you think she was telling the truth about Anakin?
OBI WAN KENOBI
I sensed no deception in her.
AMIDALA
Why would he do something like that?
OBI WAN KENOBI
The dark side is very seductive; very dangerous. If Palpatine is behind this, all of the Jedi are in danger.
AMIDALA
Should we tell Bail?
OBI WAN KENOBI
This is a Jedi matter. We will deal with it in our own way.
CUT TO:
INT JEDI TEMPLE - COUNCIL CHAMBER - EVENING
A hologram of Obi Wan stands in the center of the room. Only a few Council members are present. Among them, Mace Windu, Yoda, Yaddle, and Oppo Rancisis.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I fear that the Emperor may be behind this war.
MACE WINDU
That is a powerful accusation.
YADDLE
What if he is right?
OPPO RANCISIS
We may have no choice but to face him.
YODA
No! Stay our hands, we must. Unfortunate this is.
MACE WINDU
We may have to move against the Empire.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I fear even now that it may be too late.
CUT TO:
EXT ADI GALLIA'S RESIDENCE - NIGHT
A horde of Dark Jedi weave through the catwalks connecting the buildings. They merge with the shadows, slipping silently through the night.
INT ADI GALLIA'S RESIDENCE - CONTINUING
Adi Gallia looks out the window to the lanes of traffic in the sky.
She senses something elusive, dangerous. She reaches for her lightsaber at her belt.
DARTHINE JEZ (O.S.)
Very good. You're better than I thought.
Adi Gallia turns around.
Darthine Jez and Sajo Yex stand in the doorway.
ADI GALLIA
So you're the Dark Lords of the Sith.
Darthine smiles, but doesn't answer.
ADI GALLIA
You are no match for a Jedi.
DARTHINE JEZ
Oh?
She gestures behind Adi Gallia. Dark Jedi crowd the balcony. For the first time, Adi Gallia shows a hint of panic.
DARTHINE JEZ
It's just you and me, Gallia. I want to see if your legendary courage brings you a noble death.
ADI GALLIA
I trust in the Force.
DARTHINE JEZ
I gathered as much.
Darthine gestures to the room they stand in. It is large, but not exactly a good place for a battle.
DARTHINE JEZ
It's not much, but it will have to do.
She ignites her lightsaber. Adi Gallia ignites hers. They circle each other, sizing up their opponent.
Adi strikes first. The blow is easily deflected.
ADI GALLIA
I sense your fear.
DARTHINE JEZ
I just had my nails done. I don't want to chip them.
Darthine just tears into Adi, pushing her back against the wall.
DARTHINE JEZ
Would you?
Adi throws her off and leaps over her. She rushes toward the door. Sajo Yex steps in her way.
DARTHINE JEZ
No way out.
ADI GALLIA
You'll never succeed. There will always be Jedi.
Darthine shakes her head, clucking softly.
DARTHINE JEZ
I'm afraid not.
They clash again. Adi kicks Darthine in the jaw, knocking her backwards.
DARTHINE JEZ
I wish your friends on the Council had fought so well.
Adi falters momentarily.
ADI GALLIA
What did you do to them?
DARTHINE JEZ
They're in a better place.
Horrified realization comes to Adi's face.
ADI GALLIA
You witch!
Adi fights with everything she has. She lays into Darthine with a ferocity matched only by her skill. Darthine ducks underneath a high blow and slashes upward, knocking Adi's lightsaber loose. Darthine kicks Adi backwards.
Adi calls her lightsaber to her with the force. Darthine slashes down and severs the flying lightsaber. The two pieces drop to the floor.
Adi looks up at Darthine. Hate fills her eyes.
DARTHINE JEZ
You want to kill me. Tough.
Darthine gestures to Sajo Yex. He steps away from the door. Darthine pulls her Chakram out.
DARTHINE JEZ
Now, run.
Adi looks at Darthine; at the Chakram; then bolts for the door.
Darthine follows her slowly.
DARTHINE JEZ
Be back in a minute.
CUT TO:
INT CORUSCANT - SKYWALKER RESIDENCE - SAME TIME
Anakin opens the door. He drops his satchel on the floor.
ANAKIN
Amidala?
A voice answers from the darkness.
AURRA SING
She's not here.
Anakin flashes on his lightsaber. Aurra Sing sits comfortably on the couch.
ANAKIN
Where is she?
AURRA SING
Somewhere safe.
ANAKIN
Where?
AURRA SING
She doesn't want to see you.
Frustration and rage build in Anakin.
ANAKIN
They are my children.
Aurra Sing stands and walks toward the door.
AURRA SING
You have a lot to learn about women, Anakin. So long as she is alive, they will never be your children.
Anakin lashes out with the force, destroying everything in the room. He points his lightsaber at Aurra Sing. The tip rests just inches from her neck. The heat draws beads of sweat on her white skin.
ANAKIN
Where are they?
Aurra Sing turns around. She stares straight into Anakin's eyes.
AURRA SING
I saved you all those times because I knew you could bring balance. You are turning to the dark side.
Anakin shuts off his lightsaber.
ANAKIN
No. The Jedi Order is corrupt. I am bringing balance. The inward vessel must first be cleansed.
AURRA SING
Not like this.
Anakin reaches deep within and senses the answer.
ANAKIN
They went to Alderaan.
Anakin pushes by Aurra Sing.
AURRA SING
Don't you have to go see your Emperor first?
Anakin exits without a word.
INT CORUSCANT - IMPERIAL PALACE - EMPEROR'S THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
Anakin stands before the Emperor's throne.
PALPATINE
What news do you bring me, my apprentice?
ANAKIN
I'm not your apprentice. I will not turn to the dark side.
PALPATINE
So you wish to rejoin the Jedi.
ANAKIN
No. I will teach my children of the force. They will rule.
PALPATINE
Yes. But first you must bring them before me. I wish to honor them.
ANAKIN
I am going to Alderaan. When I get back, I will bring them.
Palpatine rises from his throne.
PALPATINE
I sense you have some concerns about this bounty hunter - this Aurra Sing.
Anakin shifts uncomfortably. He looks up to Palpatine for an answer.
PALPATINE
She will accompany you to Alderaan. Await my orders.
ANAKIN
You don't order me.
PALPATINE
As you wish.
CUT TO:
EXT CORUSCANT - FLOATING HANGAR - NIGHT
As Anakin approaches his ship, he sees Aurra Sing leaning against it. She straightens up when he draws closer.
AURRA SING
So, what's the good news from Palpy?
ANAKIN
I'm going to Alderaan.
AURRA SING
I figured you would.
ANAKIN
And?
AURRA SING
Bail Organa Antilles doesn't like you. You'll need me to get past all of his guards.
ANAKIN
I can do it myself.
AURRA SING
Yes. You probably could. But then you'd have all of Alderaan after you.
Aurra Sing winks at him conspiratorially.
AURRA SING
You tend to strike first, then try to pick up the pieces.
CUT TO:
INT JEDI TEMPLE - LIBRARY - SAME TIME
Mace Windu leafs through a large volume of sacred text.
Oppo Rancisis enters stiffly.
OPPO RANCISIS
Our forces are assembled. They go to Botham Caruz.
MACE WINDU
We shall follow when the force wills it.
OPPO RANCISIS
Why do you search that text?
MACE WINDU
I find solace in the words of Elbani dos Ele'Agar. She was no less a Jedi prophet than Vader Keskar. I draw strength from her prophesies.
OPPO RANCISIS
I fear it will take more than words to win this war.
MACE WINDU
I fear it will take more than prophesies to survive this war.
CUT TO: