Star Wars Legends

Prophesy of Light

by Tarl N. Telford

based on Star Wars

created by George Lucas

Against a backdrop of stars, the opening crawl begins...

STAR WARS LEGENDS

Prophesy of Light

Twenty five thousand years before the stories we know so well, There were other heroes - brave men and women who lived and died for the salvation of the galaxy. The greatest of these was a man named VADER KESKAR.

The Galaxy gathers together in celebration. For the first time in history, the entire galaxy will be united under one central government - THE GALACTIC REPUBLIC.

The GUARDIANS OF PEACE also face changes in their ranks. The Council of Elder Guardians jealously covets its power, expressly forbidding anyone to question their authority. Their traditions, long held sacred, come under scrutiny by the man who holds the fate of the galaxy in his hands ...

FADE IN:

EXT DESOLATE PLAINS OF MEGHYDD'O - NIGHT

Stars twinkle brightly in the alien sky. Distant mountains rim the lifeless plain.

A single starship, THE RECLUSE, rests silently in the center of the plains.

A tall, broad man, VADER KESKAR (late 20's), handsome and clean shaven, looks off into the distance. His eyes show only sorrow and compassion, with a sense of unchangeable destiny. He sighs, then turns to a companion waiting nearby.

His companion, JIN BOLEMAR, is unusually somber this night. He shifts uneasily as Vader turns to him.

VADER KESKAR

Is the Recluse ready?

JIN BOLEMAR

We are all ready. The ship waits only for you, Brother Keskar.

Vader studies Jin's face, reading beyond what his eyes show him.

VADER KESKAR

You don't have to do this, Jin.

Jin meets his gaze with a steely glare of his own.

JIN BOLEMAR

Neither do you.

Jin inclines his head slightly and gestures toward the ship.

JIN BOLEMAR

After you.

Vader walks to his ship and enters. Jin checks the charge on his blaster, and then follows Vader into the ship.

CUT TO:

INT KESKAR APARTMENT - NIGHT

Vader Keskar wakes up and sits bolt upright. It was only a dream. He lays back down. He feels with his hand in the bed next to him. Nothing. He sighs. That was only a dream, too.

VADER KESKAR

Still alone.

CUT TO:

EXT CORUSCANT - PLANET - MORNING

Coruscant bustles with activity. Mountains and oceans are visible through the thick smog of industry. Slow freight convoys orbit the planet.

A small, sleek ship weaves around the larger traffic and dives into the atmosphere.

EXT CORUSCANT - TANTO CITY - CONTINUING

The sleek ship sets down on a small landing platform outside a low complex. The skyscrapers of Tanto City rise in the distance.

The entry ramp of the ship lowers. JEDI KIZEDEK (20's), a smile creasing his weatherbeaten face, exits. He wears simple robes and carries a carved staff.

Vader Keskar exits the compound. He raises a hand in greeting.

JEDI KIZEDEK

Vader! It's good to see you face to face again!

Vader and Jedi lock hands in a warm handshake.

VADER KESKAR

It is good to see you, also, Jedi.

JEDI KIZEDEK

How have things been? It's been over a solar cycle.

VADER KESKAR

Not as well as I had hoped. These bureaucrats don't move very quickly anymore.

JEDI KIZEDEK

Is it that bad, then?

VADER KESKAR

No. I'm just frustrated. You know the plans that we had. Nothing is working. I just don't know what to do.

Vader leads Jedi toward the complex.

JEDI KIZEDEK

Your family sends their greetings.

VADER KESKAR

Are they well?

JEDI KIZEDEK

You know them.

VADER KESKAR

That good?

JEDI KIZEDEK

Better. Your brother has chosen to follow in your footsteps.

Vader stops and closes his eyes. He breathes deeply, once, then opens his eyes to face Jedi.

VADER KESKAR

Does he know what is required of him?

JEDI KIZEDEK

Did you?

VADER KESKAR

That's not the point. I just don't want him to have to go through what I've gone through.

JEDI KIZEDEK

Everyone has to live their own lives, Vader. You can't protect him, if this is the destiny he chooses.

VADER KESKAR

I know.

Vader turns back toward the complex.

VADER KESKAR

Shall we get something to eat?

CUT TO:

EXT CORUSCANT - CAPITAL CITY - MORNING

The Capital City is abuzz with excitement. Crowds of beings clog the wide streets. No air traffic circles - all has been diverted for security reasons.

EXT CORUSCANT - CAPITAL CITY - GRAND AUDITORIUM - CONTINUING

The Grand Auditorium rises up, higher than any other structure in the area. It is thronged by masses of spectators.

Security guards patrol on small hoverplates.

INT CORUSCANT - CAPITAL CITY - GRAND AUDITORIUM - CONTINUING

KING AHBI'EL, resplendent in his robes of office stands atop a dais. His broad shoulders and regal bearing mark him as a man of no small significance. He pounds his scepter once, silencing the assembled dignitaries.

KING AHBI'EL

My friends, beings, and fellow sentients, we are gathered today on this historic occasion to unite the galaxy as one!

The crowd rises and cheers. He quiets them again.

KING AHBI'EL

It is with great honor that I call forth Amon Rama.

AMON RAMA, a tall humanoid with light blue skin, stands up and moves next to King Ahbi'el.

KING AHBI'EL

Amon Rama shall serve as the first Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic.

Cheers rise up again.

KING AHBI'EL

Every planet shall have a delegation and a voice. All shall be heard, that our galaxy may be one, as we are one in spirit.

King Ahbi'el steps back, and Amon Rama steps forward.

AMON RAMA

Fellow Sentients, words alone cannot express what I feel. This day shall long be remembered as a day of peace, when all our people united their voices and raised their anthems to the stars.

Amon Rama gestures to King Ahbi'el, who steps forward once again.

AMON RAMA

King Ahbi'el has graciously offered to step down as Lord of the Core Systems, but I propose that he be reinstated, that his reign of prosperity may continue!

Cries of adulation from the assembled dignitaries deafen those atop the dais.

King Ahbi'el and Amon Rama bask in the roars of praise.

CUT TO:

INT GUARDIAN'S COMPLEX - MORNING

The Guardian's Complex lies on the outskirts of Tanto City. Jedi's ship sparkles in the morning sunlight.

A small table, holding a small meal, stands next to a large window. Vader stares out the window into the distance.

Jedi breaks bread and eats.

VADER KESKAR

Have they chosen the Council of Elder Guardians yet?

JEDI KIZEDEK

Not as far as I know.

Vader turns back to his pondering.

JEDI KIZEDEK

Vader, eat. You can think about that later.

VADER KESKAR

Later ... I wish I had that luxury.

JEDI KIZEDEK

You're talking in riddles again. What is it this time?

VADER KESKAR

I had another dream.

JEDI KIZEDEK

How far did this one go?

VADER KESKAR

Only to the betrayal.

JEDI KIZEDEK

Well, that's better, I suppose.

VADER KESKAR

There's too much that needs to happen between now and then. I don't see how it all can.

JEDI KIZEDEK

If it is the will of the force, it will happen. Come on, now, eat.

Vader sits down on a stool and takes a morsel of bread. He toys with it absently.

JEDI KIZEDEK

You're never quiet this long, Vader. What else is on your mind?

CUT TO:

EXT QALAMIS RODEO GROUNDS - MORNING

Vast stables and fields are dwarfed by a huge stadium. Great fences and walls surround every enclosure, to keep the deadly beasts contained.

A large, scaled, scorpion-like creature snaps out at three much smaller beings. One of them, a gray-skinned Vendag called GRUMBLE, slaps the protruding jaws away with a club.

Grumble, also known as WYNETH OL'CHEQ, is well over seven feet tall. He is heavily muscled, easily able to tip a hovercar onto its side.

A tall, athletic woman, SHONNA MURRIN (20's), deftly ducks under a swiping claw. She leaps back and avoids the jabbing pincer in the tail. Her long blonde hair swirls gracefully behind her as she dances out of reach.

The third, HALRON BUDNE (30's), short and heavily muscled, sits atop a speederbike. He wields an electric prod. He races around the scorpion, infuriating it even more.

SHONNA MURRIN

Stop it, Halron. He's had enough.

HALRON BUDNE

I'll decide when it's had enough, sweetheart.

Grumble steps back next to Shonna. The scorpion focuses in on its final target, but it is unable to make contact. Halron swoops and dodges every attempted strike by the beast.

GRUMBLE

The beast is tired.

SHONNA MURRIN

I can see that. Why can't Halron?

GRUMBLE

He is stubborn.

Halron leads the scorpion beast over to the stable. The door opens. Halron enters. The beast follows him. Halron races out and the door slams shut behind him.

HALRON BUDNE

And that, my friends, is how it is done.

SHONNA MURRIN

It's not hard when the beast is old and ready to die.

HALRON BUDNE

Hey, I raised that thing. It owes me its very life. I decide when and where it dies.

Halron takes a cloth off the speeder and wipes the sweat off his face.

HALRON BUDNE

Tomorrow night. At the Messicar Championships. That ought to bring a credit or two, eh?

Shonna narrows her eyes, then storms off.

GRUMBLE

Think. Then speak.

Grumble follows Shonna.

INT QALAMIS RODEO GROUNDS - RIDER'S QUARTERS - CONTINUING

Grumble ducks to enter the small doorway. Shonna sits on her cot, removing her boots.

GRUMBLE

He is not a smart man.

SHONNA MURRIN

He's an idiot.

Shonna pulls off her boots and throws them against the wall.

SHONNA MURRIN

How can he treat those creatures like that? He owes his whole livelihood to them, and he kills them at the drop of a hat.

GRUMBLE

Halron will find his justice, but we cannot give it to him.

Shonna steps behind a screen. She throws her trousers and shirt over the top of the screen.

GRUMBLE

I do not find humans to be attractive. The constant fear of disrobing in my presence is completely illogical, Shonna.

SHONNA MURRIN

Yeah, well call me old-fashioned, but my mother said never take off your clothes in front of strange men.

Shonna steps out from behind the screen. She twirls, showing Grumble her new clothes.

SHONNA MURRIN

And, Grumble, you are one of the strangest I know.

Grumble smiles, the motion crinkling his rough, gray skin.

GRUMBLE

Where are you going?

Shonna slings a poncho over her shoulder.

SHONNA MURRIN

I'm going to see if Vader's doing anything.

CUT TO:

INT GUARDIAN'S COMPLEX - MORNING

Vader and Jedi finish up their small morning meal.

JEDI KIZEDEK

Shonna Murrin? She's a beastrider. Be real, Vader. Nobody on the Council will agree with that.

VADER KESKAR

She has potential, Jedi. I have felt it. I have seen it.

Jedi chuckles in amused disbelief.

JEDI KIZEDEK

Whatever. It's your life.

An apprentice Guardian, JIN BOLEMAR, enters the common area. He bows respectfully to Vader and Jedi.

JIN BOLEMAR

Excuse me, Master Keskar, a thousand apologies for disturbing you. Master Zhaggie wishes to speak with you.

VADER KESKAR

Thank you, Padawan Bolemar. Tell him that we shall be there shortly.

Jin Bolemar bows and exits.

JIN BOLEMAR

Yes, Brother Keskar.

A brief flash of remembrance crosses Vader's face. He looks after Jin, but can't quite remember what struck him.

JEDI KIZEDEK

What is it?

VADER KESKAR

Something ... I don't remember. But it probably ... never mind. Shall we? Best not to keep Master Zhaggie waiting.

CUT TO:

EXT GUARDIAN'S COMPLEX - NOON

Shonna stands outside the gate. A sentry, BOLLIM GENNER, argues with her.

SHONNA MURRIN

Come on, I've been in here at least forty times before.

BOLLIM GENNER

No one goes in without the express permission of the High Court. Orders. Sorry.

SHONNA MURRIN

Can't you just look the other way for ten seconds?

BOLLIM GENNER

You want to get me reprimanded, don't you? Look, lady, I just can't. I'm almost to the third degree. I can't risk losing my position. I could even be chosen this season as an apprentice.

SHONNA MURRIN

Fine. All right. Just give Vader Keskar a message for me.

BOLLIM GENNER

V-v-v- Vader? You're here for Vader?

SHONNA MURRIN

Yeah, why?

BOLLIM GENNER

Nothing. No reason at all. I'll let the sentries know you're here.

The gates open. Two heavily armed SENTRIES escort Shonna into the complex. Bollim Genner wipes nervous sweat off his brow. He pulls out a comlink.

BOLLIM GENNER

Yes, Master. She's here to see HIM.

CUT TO:

INT GUARDIAN'S COMPLEX - MASTER ZHAGGIE'S CHAMBER - NOON

The room is lush with greenery. Exotic plants adorn every available space on the floor, walls, and ceiling.

MASTER ZHAGGIE is a tall, gangly humanoid. His hair is unkempt, and his clothing ill-fitting. Long whiskers protrude from his pointed chin.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

Vader Keskar, welcome.

VADER KESKAR

Thank you.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

And Jedi Kizedek. You have returned.

JEDI KIZEDEK

It has been too long, Master Zhaggie.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

I regret that these circumstances do not allow for pleasantries. Vader, you have been accused of teaching all manner of evils. There are many who accuse you of seeking to corrupt the established doctrines of the force.

Jedi looks incredulously at Master Zhaggie. Vader returns the accusatory stare with a calm, unblinking gaze.

VADER KESKAR

Is that all?

MASTER ZHAGGIE

Is that not enough? Those accusations are serious, Vader. There is a possibility of you being stripped of your position as a Guardian of Peace.

VADER KESKAR

No there isn't.

JEDI KIZEDEK

(whispering)

Mind what you say.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

Defend your words.

VADER KESKAR

I have no need. They stand on their own.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

You would seek to overthrow the Council?

VADER KESKAR

No. I only seek to bring enlightenment to all.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

You cannot teach outside of the established traditions!

VADER KESKAR

When did tradition take the place of listening to the living force?

JEDI KIZEDEK

(quietly)

You're making him mad.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

Heretic! Blasphemer! Traitor!

VADER KESKAR

I follow the force. No more needs to be said.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

No one is above the Council!

VADER KESKAR

Not even the Council is above the force.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

Get out! Get out before I kill you myself!

Vader and Jedi turn to the door. Jedi opens the door for Vader, but Vader stops and turns back to Master Zhaggie.

VADER KESKAR

Two things. First, it's not my time to die yet. And secondly, you'd last about as long as an icicle in Sheol against me.

Jedi and Vader exit. A potted plant shatters against the door as they close it.

EXT GUARDIAN'S COMPLEX - MASTER ZHAGGIE'S CHAMBER - CONTINUING

Vader allows himself a small smile.

JEDI KIZEDEK

You enjoyed that a little too much.

VADER KESKAR

He asked for it.

JEDI KIZEDEK

We'll both have to leave now.

VADER KESKAR

I didn't like the food here, anyway. Too salty.

JEDI KIZEDEK

You cook for yourself.

VADER KESKAR

Oh, that's right. Well, I don't like the smell of those black flowers Zhaggie always wears.

JEDI KIZEDEK

He threw a pot of them at you.

VADER KESKAR

I know.

JEDI KIZEDEK

Aside from that, I thought it went quite well.

VADER KESKAR

As did I.

CUT TO:

INT GUARDIAN'S COMPLEX - MASTER ZHAGGIE'S CHAMBER - CONTINUING

A comscreen emerges from behind a curtain of hanging vines. Master Zhaggie turns it on. On the screen, two elegantly robed dignitaries face him.

These DIGNITARIES are: BELLIS JARGON, a Bothan, and YINTO FALSHADISHH, a Twi'Lek.

BELLIS JARGON

Master Zhaggie, your color has changed. Angry about something?

YINTO FALSHADISHH

Come, Bellis, we mustn't aggravate him. He is liable to destroy his garden again. You know how expensive it was to replace.

BELLIS JARGON

Very true. A thousand apologies, Zhaggie. What news have you to give us?

MASTER ZHAGGIE

The infidel seeks to undermine the Council.

BELLIS JARGON

Undermine the Council? One man? That's impossible. No one is above the Council.

YINTO FALSHADISHH

At least among the Guardians.

Bellis and Yinto share a bemused chuckle. Master Zhaggie sends them both a withering glance. They compose themselves quickly.

BELLIS JARGON

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

He says that the Council is not above the force.

BELLIS JARGON

I don't put much stock in this "force" you so adamantly preach, but that sounds correct.

YINTO FALSHADISHH

It's like gravity. No one is above gravity.

BELLIS JARGON

Except the Illymythrians.

YINTO FALSHADISHH

Yes, I had forgotten about them.

(to Zhaggie)

Bad example. Let's see ... hunger. Hunger affects everyone. So no one is above hunger. We are all subject to it.

MASTER ZHAGGIE

You dare compare the force to hunger?

BELLIS JARGON

Calm yourself, Zhaggie. I see the point that Yinto is trying to make. Look at it this way - if he's wrong, he's not going to have any success. But if he's right, no power in the galaxy can stop him.

Master Zhaggie hurls another potted plant. It strikes the comscreen. The screen goes black. He screams in frustration.

CUT TO:

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