Star Wars Legends - Page Three
Star Wars Legends
page 3
EXT QALAMIS RODEO GROUNDS - CONTINUING
Sirens blare and alarms sound.
Vader, Shonna, and Grumble freeze next to the wall.
VADER KESKAR
Guess he found out we left.
CUT TO:
INT GROMBY'S CANTINA - NIGHT
Two Bounty Hunters, KIN and KETH, decked out in their battle-scarred armor, drink themselves silly at a corner table.
KIN
Okay, I've got it. You drain the mug, and then ... and then you smash it on your forehead.
KETH
Okay. You go first.
KIN
Hey.
Kin points a dirty finger at Keth, accusing him of... something.
The WAITRESS arrives with another tray full of mugs, immediately changing Kin's mind.
KIN
Okay.
Kin grabs a mug, drains it, and slams it against his forehead, only cracking the mug. Kin falls back against the wall, stunned. Keth almost chokes on his food, he's laughing so hard.
Kin smashes the mug against Keth's forehead, shattering it.
KETH
OW!
KIN
Take that.
KETH
You didn't have to hit me. I would have done it myself.
KIN
You laughed at me.
Kin's comlink beeps.
KETH
Who is it?
KIN
Be quiet.
KETH
Who is it?
KIN
Hello? Kin and Keth Bounties. We find 'em, and you bind 'em. What? I can't hear you.
KETH
Turn up the sound.
Keth turns up a knob on the side of the comlink. It sends a high pitched squeal out. Everyone in the cantina winces in pain, and turns to glare at Kin and Keth. Keth points to Kin.
KIN
Ssshh. I think it's about a job.
KETH
You need a job, so you don't keep stinking up the office.
KIN
Shut up, I'm trying to listen.
The garbled syllables coming out of the comlink make no sense to Keth. He picks food off of Kin's plate. Kin idly sticks his finger in his ear and digs around while he's listening.
Kin notices Keth stealing food from his plate. He reaches over and smacks Keth in the face. Keth jumps over the table and knocks Kin to the floor. They roll around on the floor, trying to get the upper hand. Kin holds the comlink out so it won't get damaged.
One intelligible word emerges from the comlink.
COMLINK
...fifty thousand credits.
Kin and Keth freeze. Slow smiles spread over both of their faces. They get up and run for the door.
KETH
I'm gonna get there first!
Kin tackles Keth and climbs over him in his rush to get to the door.
KIN
No you're not. You're too stupid. See, I'm climbing on top of you.
They both run out the door. The door swings shut behind them. The Cantina Patrons shrug and turn back to their drinks.
CUT TO:
INT SANCTUARY OF PEACE - NIGHT
The Sanctuary is holy ground for the Guardians of Peace. It is a low building, simply constructed. No walls or guards surround the building. It sits on a hill, in the center of the Capital City.
Beings of every race imaginable are welcome. Several robed Guardians walk the grounds, even though the hour is late.
INT SANCTUARY OF PEACE - CONTINUING
The Council of Elder Guardians gathers in an upper room. WANDLE LY'UI, the pale skinned head of the council, shuffles down the hallway toward the upper room.
INT SANCTUARY OF PEACE - UPPER ROOM - CONTINUING
The Council rises as Wandle Ly'Ui enters. He sits at the head of the circle and motions for the others to be seated.
Twelve members now sit in the Council. They are representative of the people of the galaxy. Each of them was selected by the will of the force. All must be in agreement to accept new members when a vacancy arises.
Wandle strokes his long beard. Every male Council Member sports a beard.
WANDLE LY'UI
I have been told that we have received permission to build our temple.
Smiles spread around the room.
FEZ ANDAE, a giant of a man, rumbles in his deep baritone.
FEZ ANDAE
What do they want from us?
WANDLE LY'UI
They want to meet. Next month. We will arrange the terms of the agreement then.
JI'KALA ANOBI, the lone female member of the Council, taps her long fingernails on the arm of her chair. She wears a veil, to cover her beardless face.
JI'KALA ANOBI
Master Zhaggie, from the Tanto Complex called me today.
FEZ ANDAE
How is Zhaggie doing?
JI'KALA ANOBI
He spoke of one rebel. A Vader Keskar.
Wandle Ly'Ui sighs deeply. He appears to sink deeper into his chair.
FEZ ANDAE
You know him?
WANDLE LY'UI
I had hoped to become one with the force before anything happened.
JI'KALA ANOBI
I was told that he means to undermine our authority.
WANDLE LY'UI
Call it what you will. He sees things differently than we do. He has quite a following, though no one publicly acknowledges it.
JI'KALA ANOBI
So what is the problem? Can we not just sever him from all rights and privileges?
The Council Members murmur agreement.
WANDLE LY'UI
No. I fear that is the last thing we could do.
Wandle closes his eyes and braces himself, both within and without. He sits up and looks each Council Member in the eye.
WANDLE LY'UI
Despite his methods, Vader Keskar is right. The force is with him. We can do nothing but let him be.
Consternation furrows the faces of everyone in the room. This was not what they expected to hear from their leader.
JI'KALA ANOBI
What if he turns the Guardians against us?
WANDLE LY'UI
He won't. But I imagine he's got more important things on his mind right now.
CUT TO:
INT CORUSCANT - TANTO CITY - SLUMS - NIGHT
Grumble carries Shonna on his back as he runs down the dirty streets. Vader runs behind them.
Shouts and blaster fire follow them as they round another corner into an alley.
VADER KESKAR
I thought he'd have more of a sense of humor about this.
GRUMBLE
Halron has no sense of humor.
SHONNA MURRIN
Ow! You're squeezing my ankle!
She hits Grumble on the shoulder. He loosens his grip.
VADER KESKAR
We need somewhere to hide for the night.
GRUMBLE
Follow me.
Grumble splashes through a thick puddle. Vader narrowly dodges the puddle. He turns up his nose in disgust.
EXT CONDEMNED BUILDING - CONTINUING
Grumble enters, followed immediately by Vader. They close and bar the door behind them.
INT CONDEMNED BUILDING - CONTINUING
They look around. The interior is a wreck - worse than outside.
GRUMBLE
It's changed.
SHONNA MURRIN
Changed?
GRUMBLE
I lived here for a while.
VADER KESKAR
I hope you didn't pay too much in rent.
GRUMBLE
No, it was free.
VADER KESKAR
Go figure.
Grumble starts up a wide staircase.
SHONNA MURRIN
Hey, put me down.
Vader supports most of his weight by an arm around her waist. Shonna doesn't seem to mind at all. She smiles at Vader. He absently returns the smile. His mind is elsewhere.
Voices from out on the street grow louder as Halron's men get closer.
Suddenly, voices come from upstairs. Grumble, Vader, and Shonna freeze. They're trapped.
Two large silhouettes appear at the top of the stairs, bristling with weaponry.
VADER KESKAR
Just hold on. It was all in fun. I didn't mean to get anyone hurt. Me, especially.
The two silhouettes look at each other in confusion.
KETH
Hey, who are you?
Shonna immediately perks up and takes control.
SHONNA MURRIN
Those men out there, they're trying to kill us.
KIN
What men? And why do they want to kill you? You're just a girl.
Shonna works up some fake tears.
SHONNA MURRIN
My boss, he did something. I'm sorry, I can't even say it.
KETH
You don't have to say nothing, lady. We'll take care of them. Get the cannon.
Kin runs back into the darkness. A hideous screeching heralds the arrival of the cannon. The legs have long since frozen into place, so Kin just pushed it along the floor.
KIN
You go hide. We'll take care of them.
Keth slaps Kin on the back of the head.
KETH
I said that, you stupid!
KIN
You're the stupid head. I got the cannon, remember?
KETH
Hey, are you going to argue, or are you going to shoot that thing?
Vader and Grumble look at Kin and Keth, then at the cannon.
VADER KESKAR
We'll go hide.
CUT TO:
EXT CONDEMNED BUILDING - CONTINUING
The Guards group together for a full-on assault. Their leader signals, "One, two, three". They all rush the door.
The door explodes outward as the cannon fires. No one gets up.
Inside the building, two voices argue.
KIN (O.S.)
Ow! You blew up the cannon!
KETH (O.S.)
You pulled the trigger. You blew it up.
Shonna's voice comes from the distant darkness.
SHONNA MURRIN (O.S.)
Are they gone?
KETH (O.S.)
Yeah. I think so. I think I blew 'em all up.
Kin smack Keth.
KIN (O.S.)
I pulled the trigger. Me. I did it.
The guards stir and moan. Apparently they aren't dead.
VADER KESKAR (O.S.)
Did you hear something?
INT CONDEMNED BUILDING - CONTINUING
Keth pulls off a concussion grenade from his armor. He looks hopefully toward the door.
VADER KESKAR
Wait a minute.
KETH
What? I throw this. Boom. They won't be back.
SHONNA MURRIN
If you get the authorities down here, to investigate the explosion, we'll all be in trouble.
KIN
She's right.
GRUMBLE
She usually is.
VADER KESKAR
We'll just go around back. Thanks, guys.
KETH
Hey, we don't work for free.
SHONNA MURRIN
I'd really appreciate if you would.
Shonna gives them her most fetching smile. Both Kin and Keth blush and look at the ground.
SHONNA MURRIN
Thanks.
Shonna leans on Vader for support as they walk down the stairs. Grumble shakes his head in amusement at Kin and Keth, then follows Vader.
KIN
Um, hello? Could you, like, tell us your names. Maybe we could protect you some more.
VADER KESKAR
I don't think so.
SHONNA MURRIN
Come on, it might be fun.
GRUMBLE
We don't have much time. I know another place we can go.
KETH
Please. We'll help you. Just until we get some more information on this job.
Kin and Keth run down the stairs to join the group.
VADER KESKAR
Wait just a minute.
KIN
We're Kin and Keth, Bounty Hunters. We find 'em, you bind 'em.
KETH
We can protect you against anything and anyone.
SHONNA MURRIN
Really? You'd do that for us?
KETH
Not for free. Anymore. We had to stop doing things for free.
KIN
This stupidhead didn't pay rent, so we lost our other building.
KETH
That's 'cause you spent it all on that stupid cannon.
VADER KESKAR
How much do you charge?
Kin and Keth look at each other. They weren't expecting that question - at least not so soon.
KIN
Um, how much are you worth?
KETH
Hey, I know you.
VADER KESKAR
You do?
KETH
Not you, her. You're on that Rodeo Show. I saw you riding that Gartalope. You were so good. Just like whee, and whoo, and... you were good.
Keth mimics riding a Gartalope.
SHONNA MURRIN
Thanks.
Sirens whine in the distance, growing closer.
GRUMBLE
That is our cue to leave. Let the authorities deal with them.
Grumble strides off into the darkness. Vader and Shonna follow. Kin follows after them.
KETH
Hey, stupid.
KIN
What?
KETH
What about the cannon?
KIN
Leave it. We'll put it away when we come back.
KETH
All right.
Keth follows after Kin.
KETH
You got any of those nuts left? I'm hungry.
CUT TO:
INT SANCTUARY OF PEACE - UPPER ROOM - NIGHT
Wandle Ly'Ui looks out over the courtyard. The twinkling lights of the surrounding city cast long shadows on his wizened face.
Behind him, Fez Andae enters the room. Wandle doesn't turn around.
WANDLE LY'UI
You don't agree with me.
FEZ ANDAE
I do not.
Fez steps forward, but stops, as if hitting an invisible wall. He steps back, puzzled.
FEZ ANDAE
You don't have to keep me away. I will not harm you.
WANDLE LY'UI
It is not you that concerns me. The Council does not agree with my assessment of Vader Keskar.
FEZ ANDAE
Neither do I, but I respect your authority.
WANDLE LY'UI
You are the only one who does.
Wandle turns to face Fez.
WANDLE LY'UI
I am old. My time in this frame is soon to close. Who will lead then? You? Jikala? LessiDaud?
FEZ ANDAE
LessiDaud would be a good leader. He has served for many long years.
WANDLE LY'UI
He is old, like me. He will also go to his grave before the year closes.
FEZ ANDAE
You are certain of this?
WANDLE LY'UI
The force is with me.
Wandle stops and thinks for a moment, formulating a deep question for Fez.
WANDLE LY'UI
Tell me, Fez, do you believe the living force?
FEZ ANDAE
I'm on the Council of Elders, aren't I?
WANDLE LY'UI
Do you believe the living force?
FEZ ANDAE
Yes.
WANDLE LY'UI
If it is the will of the force that Vader Keskar sit on the Council, how will you respond?
FEZ ANDAE
Master, that's preposterous.
WANDLE LY'UI
Is it?
FEZ ANDAE
He is reckless. He has no respect for tradition.
WANDLE LY'UI
And what of us? Do we have respect for the living force, or are we too wrapped up in tradition to see clearly?
FEZ ANDAE
You are not yourself, Master Ly'Ui. Come, let me show you to bed.
Fez steps forward as if to help Wandle. Wandle flings his hand out, thrusting Fez backwards with the force.
WANDLE LY'UI
On the contrary, Fez, I feel more myself than I have in many years. I feel as if I have just awakened from a dream.
Fez gets up and wipes away a trickle of blood from his mouth.
FEZ ANDAE
The Council shall hear of this.
Fez stalks out of the room.
WANDLE LY'UI
I know.
CUT TO:
EXT HYDROPONICS FARM - NIGHT
Huge tanks rise up hundreds of feet into the air. They go below the surface just as deep. Transports load up food for the outer cities. The loading docks protrude from the tops of the tanks, casting long shadows on the ground.
Grumble leads the group straight up to the main building. He pounds on the door.
VADER KESKAR
What if she's not here?
SHONNA MURRIN
I thought you had faith, Vader. Come on, trust him.
KETH
I'm hungry.
KIN
Me too. What do they grow in there?
GRUMBLE
Synthesized algae.
VADER KESKAR
Oh, I'm hungry now.
GRUMBLE
It is processed to make many other foods, such as-
The door opens, spilling white light onto the group. They blink in the unnatural brightness.
A large silhouette steps into the center of the light. Standing at least seven feet tall, but not quite as broad as Grumble, SELBA GAUNTIL, also a Vendag, sleepily greets them.
SELBA GAUNTIL
Grumble?
(yawning)
Come in. Come in.
Her voice is of a slightly higher pitch than is Grumble's, but it is still far deeper than a human female's.
GRUMBLE
Hello, Selba.
Selba ushers the entire group inside.
INT HYDROPONICS FARM - LIVING CHAMBER - CONTINUING
Thin walls divide the large chamber into individual rooms. Shadows on the walls show the movements of the inhabitants of the rooms. Selba gestures to cushions on the floor. She pulls a shawl over her shoulders and seats herself.
Grumble plops down across from Selba. Everyone else seats themselves unsurely.
SELBA GAUNTIL
I didn't expect to see you until next week.
GRUMBLE
We ran into some complications.
SELBA GAUNTIL
I saw Halron Budne on the holo. Was that your doing?
GRUMBLE
No. It was his.
Vader smiles nervously.
SELBA GAUNTIL
He deserved it. He's killed more beasts needlessly than any rancher I know. I stopped trading with him.
GRUMBLE
But he's your biggest buyer.
SELBA GAUNTIL
I'll find another.
VADER KESKAR
Can we stay here tonight? We're in some trouble.
Grumble casts a disapproving glare at Vader.
SELBA GAUNTIL
I cannot support fugitives, you know that, Grumble. My license strictly prohibits it.
GRUMBLE
We will be moving on, Selba.
Shonna elbows Vader in the arm.
SHONNA MURRIN
(whispering)
Way to go.
GRUMBLE
Will you provide us with a meal before we leave?
SELBA GAUNTIL
Every time, Grumble ... and yet I keep feeding you. Follow me, please.
Selba leads the group back into the kitchen.
CUT TO: