Star Wars Legends - Page Five
Star Wars Legends
page 5
EXT GANTHROCIL V - TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY
Low buildings lie nestled among rocky cliffs. Hundreds of beings train in various capacities.
Atop a low hill, Jedi, Nigus, and IRL, HIGH MAGISTRATE OF CLAN BESPOA, watch the trainees.
IRL is a GANTHROCIL, a race of feathered serpents. Two spindly arms hold a cape of feathers on his back. A ring of deep purple feathers lines his head, signifying his rank in his clan.
JEDI KIZEDEK
You have done much to help us, Magistrate Irl.
As Irl speaks, a biomechanical translator crudely translates the hisses and clicks into understandable language.
IRL
Honor you bring us, Warrior Priest. Despair we had. Before.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
The force guides us all. It will guide your people back to their glorious days of prosperity.
IRL
Much given us from humans. Glad. But sad. We offer little treasure.
JEDI KIZEDEK
You have given us far more than we asked, Irl. You have given us refuge. There. There is the next generation of Guardians.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
We will take our rightful place as peacekeepers in the galaxy. Not just bureaucrats, like the rest of them.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Patience, Nigus. In time.
IRL
Foulness. In air.
Irl swings his head from side to side. He clicks faster and faster.
IRL
They are come.
Thousands of shadows darken the sky. A hail of fiery ribbons falls upon the ground. Flames shoot up around the landscape.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Nigus, get everyone inside! Irl, come with me.
Nigus races down the hill toward the training grounds. Irl follows Jedi down the backside of the hill.
CUT TO:
INT GANTHROCIL V - TRAINING GROUNDS - ARMORY - CONTINUING
Grumble pulls out a huge rail gun. He straps a barrel of ammunition to his back. Nigus bursts into the room.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
You can't go out there.
GRUMBLE
I will not let them burn the school.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
You almost died last time.
GRUMBLE
Then watch my back.
Grumble storms out, kicking the outside door open. Nigus grabs several blasters and follows Grumble outside.
EXT GANTHROCIL V - TRAINING GROUNDS - CONTINUING
Grumble points his huge gun skyward and lets loose with a tremendous volley of shots. Rat-sized humanoids fall writhing to the ground.
GRUMBLE
Infernal Illimythrians.
The ILLIMYTHRIANS are rat-sized winged with gossamer wings. They are the mortal enemies of the GANTHROCIL. Each Illimythrian can spit a combustible stream of saliva. These "ribbons" of fire ignite in the air and burn anything they come in contact with.
Grumble sidesteps a ribbon of fire. Nigus opens fire with his blaster rifle. More Illimythrians fall.
One by one, students come out of the armory and join the fight against the invaders.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
There's more of them this time.
GRUMBLE
Then we'll kill them all.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
(to students)
Watch out!
Two students misjudge their sidestep and get hit by the fire. They fall down, screaming in pain.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
Get them inside. NOW!
Grumble concentrates his attack on the main flock. Hundreds of dark Illimythrians fall to the ground. Their shrill cries of agony split the air.
Suddenly everything falls silent. Grumble takes his finger off the trigger. A high-pitched whine starts out quiet, then builds to a deafening pitch. It quickly becomes inaudible to the human ear. The students fall to their knees, clutching vainly at their heads, trying to block the noise.
Even Grumble shakes his head in pain.
Nigus looks up to the hill. Irl, followed by close to a hundred other Ganthrocil, sway their heads in a hypnotic rhythm as they crest the hill.
The Illimythrians scream in pain and terror. Those still in the air rush about, trying to get away. Many get tangled up their hurry to escape. They tumble to the ground, smashing their fragile bodies against the hard earth.
The Ganthrocil swarm down upon the fallen Illimythrians, ending the lives of any not already dead.
Irl and Jedi follow the rest of the Ganthrocil. Irl looks to Jedi. The rest of his people have begun their frenzy.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Don't let me stop you.
Irl slithers down the hill toward the black masses of writhing Illimythrians.
JEDI KIZEDEK
The circle of life continues.
CUT TO:
INT GANTHROCIL V - TRAINING GROUNDS - GREAT HALL - NIGHT
Nigus walks around the perimeter of the room. Jedi kneels on the floor in the center, lost in meditation.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
Why must we seek violence only as a last resort?
Without opening his eyes, Jedi answers every question.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Every being deserves a chance to amend mistakes.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
Sometimes violence is the only way.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Yes.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
So why not teach them to fight? They would stand a better chance than just learning how to defend themselves.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Vader thinks as you do.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
Maybe he's right.
JEDI KIZEDEK
I am not Vader.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
I can be. Let me teach them. Teach them how to fight. How to use the force in battle.
Jedi opens his eyes and stands. He stretches and follows Nigus with his eyes.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Attack me.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
With what?
JEDI KIZEDEK
Whatever you desire.
Nigus looks over at a pole standing by the fire. He reaches out with the force. The pole leaps to his hands.
Nigus spins the pole around his body, limbering himself for the fight. He charges Jedi. Jedi's brown robes seem to float weightlessly as he dodges and parries every attack made by Nigus.
Nigus speeds up his attacks.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Don't just try to hit me. Hit me.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
You're much better than I gave you credit for.
Nigus leaps and thrusts with the pole. Jedi flips over the attacks and hits Nigus in the back. Nigus flies against the wall.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Where was your mistake?
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
I watched you.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Your eyes constantly deceive you. Again.
More cautiously this time, Nigus enters the battle. He slashes and spins, never landing a hit on Jedi.
JEDI KIZEDEK
The force is my ally.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
Then let go.
Nigus ducks under a roundhouse kick by Jedi and punches upward. Jedi catches his fist and cranks back on his arm.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Never let go of the force.
Nigus swings the pole upward and raps Jedi's knuckles, freeing his arm. Nigus rolls to a safe distance and stares down his opponent.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
I am lord. You have no power over me. I control my destiny. I control the force.
Nigus closes his eyes and breathes deeply.
JEDI KIZEDEK
You begin to see. The force cannot be defeated.
Eyes closed, Nigus leaps the twenty feet separating them. He launches into a whirlwind attack. Jedi blocks and ducks a high swing from Nigus' left hand.
With his right, Nigus swings the pole at Jedi's face. He halts it less than two inches from Jedi's nose. Jedi blinks in astonishment. Nigus is fast!
Nigus slams his fist down on the back of Jedi's head. His face slams into the pole. Jedi falls to the ground, stunned.
Nigus steps back and tosses the pole away.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
The two sides to the force are equally successful.
Jedi gets up. He wipes away a spot of blood from his nose. He rubs the base of his skull.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Aggression. Very good. If you can keep your rage in check, you will win. Always.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
Let me teach them.
JEDI KIZEDEK
You may have five students.
Nigus' grin nearly splits his face in half.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Only FIVE.
Nigus inclines his head respectfully in thanks, and exits.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Vader, what have we gotten ourselves into?
CUT TO:
INT GANTHROCIL V - TRAINING GROUNDS - CORRIDORS - NIGHT
Jedi walks alone in the corridors. He climbs a staircase to a balcony overlooking the great hall. Grumble looks down on the students training.
Grumble turns slightly to greet Jedi.
JEDI KIZEDEK
How are they doing?
GRUMBLE
They are all natural warriors.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Is that good?
GRUMBLE
Depends. In my clan, yes. For Guardians of Peace, I do not know.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Times are changing. We can't stay stagnant any longer.
GRUMBLE
Do you wish to train with them?
JEDI KIZEDEK
Not yet.
Jedi pulls out a comlink. He looks at it sadly.
JEDI KIZEDEK
He hasn't called back yet.
GRUMBLE
No.
CUT TO:
EXT PILLARS OF PENDAGAAR - SUNSET
Vader overlooks the mighty Pillars. He wears a high collared dark cloak. A bitterly cold wind whips his cloak around him. He unconsciously fingers his energy blade.
Shonna walks up behind him.
VADER KESKAR
I can't do it.
Shonna tries to sound confident in her words.
SHONNA MURRIN
The prophesy could be wrong.
Vader manages a sad smile. The wind stings his eyes, bringing a tear. He wipes it away with a gloved hand.
VADER KESKAR
The wind.
Shonna wipes a tear away from his other eye. She embraces him and holds him tight.
SHONNA MURRIN
I know.
The two figures stand alone in the empty wasteland. The sun sets behind them on the horizon.
CUT TO:
EXT CORUSCANT - CAPITAL CITY - GRAND AUDITORIUM - DAY
Dignitaries of all member worlds fill the auditorium. King Ahbi'el sits on the stand behind the dais. Amon Rama raises his hands in triumph. The assembly cheers.
AMON RAMA
Now that the Temple is completed, The Guardians of Peace can truly stand as examples of righteousness in the galaxy.
Amon Rama gestures to Fez Andae, seated on the stand. He rises and shakes Amon Rama's hand in congratulations.
The huge doors to the auditorium open. A chill breeze flows into the room. Everyone turns to face the entrance.
Vader Keskar, decked out in stately black cloak, enters. He is flanked by Jedi, Grumble, Shonna, Nigus, and several of Nigus' students, including a cute young woman, ELBANI. Elbani carries a large volume in her arms.
VADER KESKAR
No.
Vader's voice carries clearly through the auditorium, despite the vastness of the arena.
AMON RAMA
Who is this infidel?
(to guards)
Escort them out.
Vader holds up a hand. The guards freeze in place. They cannot advance toward the group.
VADER KESKAR
I am the voice of truth. Tradition will not stand any longer.
Fez Andae leaps to his feet and points an accusatory finger at Vader.
FEZ ANDAE
He is a traitor to the Republic!
Jedi steps up next to Vader.
JEDI KIZEDEK
The force is with us.
FEZ ANDAE
Liar! No one who betrays the Council can wield the force!
VADER KESKAR
There has been no betrayal.
Vader narrows his eyes at Fez Andae.
VADER KESKAR
Yet.
Nigus and his students fan out, forming an honor guard for Vader. They all walk to the stand. Amon Rama stands his ground against Vader. Vader calmly returns his glare of rebuke.
VADER KESKAR
Pardon me.
Vader turns to address the congregation.
VADER KESKAR
I am Vader Keskar. These are my friends. We seek to bring peace to you.
Catcalls and hisses fly towards the stand. Vader waits for them to quiet, then continues.
VADER KESKAR
How do you expect peace, when you abide by the same laws you did centuries ago? Tradition conflicts with existence. YOUR existence. Do you think these up here really care what happens to you?
Fez trembles with indignation. He tenses to spring at Vader, but Grumble puts out a huge hand, stopping him mid-spring. Fez falls to the ground.
VADER KESKAR
If you do not follow what you yourselves know to be true, this galaxy will be ripped apart. Intrigues, betrayals, and war will divide you. We can only help you if you let us.
Amon Rama slides in front of Vader.
AMON RAMA
I think that's what the Guardians of Peace are here for.
This prompts a chuckle from the audience.
VADER KESKAR
To assist you in your acts?
Amon Rama backs down against Vader's calm stare.
VADER KESKAR
There will be troubles.
Vader pauses, as if realizing something for the first time. Behind him, ELBANI (20 yrs), a dark haired beauty, pulls out a writing implement and opens her book to write.
VADER KESKAR
And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be called THE SON OF THE SUNS.
Vader blinks, coming back to himself. Behind him, Elbani writes furiously. She smiles and nods, confident in the prophesy.
Fez scrambles up next to Vader.
FEZ ANDAE
You make yourself to be the savior?
VADER KESKAR
I do not. I am but a messenger.
FEZ ANDAE
You call yourself true? Bah. You are a false prophet, just like Wandle.
Vader grabs Fez by the throat and lifts him into the air. The audience silences themselves immediately.
VADER KESKAR
You listen to me, Fez. I did not choose this life. It was given to me. But if you so much as lift one finger against us, your fate will be worse than death.
Vader drops Fez. Fez stumbles backward into Amon Rama.
Vader turns to King Ahbi'el. The King gulps nervously.
VADER KESKAR
Choose your friends carefully, Highness. Know who you can trust.
Vader leads his company off the stand and out the door.
Fez glares after the retreating group.
FEZ ANDAE
Don't just stand there! Guards! Seize them!
The GUARDS move toward the door after the group.
KING AHBI'EL
Belay that order!
The guards freeze and face the King. Fez turns to King Ahbi'el in disbelief.
FEZ ANDAE
You would support a traitor to the Republic?
KING AHBI'EL
You would destroy an honest man?
King Ahbi'el stands up against both Fez Andae and Amon Rama.
KING AHBI'EL
Let him go. If he is wrong, nothing will come of this. But if he is right, no power in the galaxy will stop him.
Fez throws his costly cape back over his shoulder and storms out in disgust.
CUT TO:
EXT CORUSCANT - CAPITAL CITY - STREETS - CONTINUING
Elbani hurries to catch up to Nigus.
ELBANI
I got it. All of it.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
Good. That may be useful someday.
Nigus loosens his blaster and blade. Readying himself for battle.
VADER KESKAR
You all know what to do. We'll meet back here in one hour.
Everyone splits up to go their various ways. Vader and Jedi head for the Guardian's Temple.
INT GUARDIAN'S TEMPLE - DAY
Life continues as normal. Initiates carry out menial tasks. Masters walk around, looking very wise and thoughtful. Very few notice the two strangers walking confidently through their midst.
INT GUARDIAN'S TEMPLE - UPPER ROOM - DAY
The door to the upper room slams open. Fez Andae stalks in. The Council sits in their seats, waiting for him.
FEZ ANDAE
That infidel! That heretic! When I get my hands on him-
The doors slam shut behind Fez.
VADER KESKAR (O.S.)
You'll what?
Vader gestures to Fez' seat.
VADER KESKAR
Please. Be seated.
Fez defiantly stands rooted in his place.
Vader snaps out his energy blade and turns it on. He holds it right next to Fez' face. The light from the blade glistens off the beads of sweat forming. Fez looks fearfully at the energy blade.
VADER KESKAR
Sit down.
Fez obediently takes his seat.
FEZ ANDAE
You won't get away with this. I'll have you executed.
VADER KESKAR
Probably. But not yet. Jedi.
Jedi steps forward and sets a small crystal cube in the center of the floor.
JEDI KIZEDEK
This is a holocron. The Guardians outlawed their use two centuries ago. I learned of these from the Ganthrocil.
A hologram rises up in the center of the room. It shows great armies battling. Many fall. Many die. The screams of the dying fill the room.
LESSIDAUD
We've all seen war holos. Make your point.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Do you recognize any of these warriors? Their statues stand outside these walls. Kellmik the True. Vallor Akira; his two sons, Bink and his brother Justyn. They were warriors, not bureaucrats.
FEZ ANDAE
They laid down the doctrine of peace.
VADER KESKAR
At what cost? That you lose your connection with the force?
MASTER ZHAGGIE
Leave this chamber. You have no right nor the authority to be here.
VADER KESKAR
Why? Because I don't have a beard? Because I show my bare face in this place. What about Ji'Kala?
FEZ ANDAE
She veils her face.
JEDI KIZEDEK
And what of Zhaggie?
VADER KESKAR
He's only got those three whisker-things.
FEZ ANDAE
He does the best he can.
VADER KESKAR
The force is not with these people. You don't teach them to use it.
MORIAH LIKAANIS
The force is only for us. The Guardians.
JEDI KIZEDEK
The force is for everyone. If you prevent others from learning, you are the hypocrites.
JI'KALA ANOBI
What do you expect us to do?
VADER KESKAR
Teach the people the truth.
FEZ ANDAE
Your truth.
VADER KESKAR
The truth stands alone, unchanged by anyone. But you hide it. I cannot allow that to happen anymore.
Fez rises from his seat. Anger and fury cloud his eyes.
FEZ ANDAE
Get out. If I have to kill you with my bare hands ...
Fez uses all his fury and thrusts out with the force at Vader. Vader's cloak blows out behind him, but he remains unmoved.
FEZ ANDAE
Blasphemer! Spawn of darkness! Your unholy alliances damn your eternal being!
VADER KESKAR
I have the force. It protects me.
LESSIDAUD
We do not support you, or your cause. The people will continue to look to us for guidance.
MORIAH LIKAANIS
That is how it shall always be.
VADER KESKAR
Prophesy says otherwise.
FEZ ANDAE
Your prophesy is false.
JEDI KIZEDEK
We shall see.
JI'KALA ANOBI
I support you.
Ji'Kala takes off her veil.
JI'KALA ANOBI
Wandle said this day would come. Fez, I exhort you - give strict heed to his words. He speaks the truth.
FEZ ANDAE
Go hence, woman! We have no place for blasphemers!
Jedi and Ji'Kala exit. Vader turns one last time to face the Council.
VADER KESKAR
If you would have had me as a brother, I could have saved you.
Vader exits. The holocron glistens brightly in the center of the floor. Fez kicks it across the room. It rolls behind a statue in the corner.
CUT TO: