Star Wars Legends - Page Six
Star Wars Legends
page 6
INT CORUSCANT - CAPITAL CITY - LIBRARY - AFTERNOON
Elbani sits at a table, writing in her book. Shonna takes a seat across from her.
SHONNA MURRIN
What are you writing?
ELBANI
Everything he says. He's incredible. There is so much. So much to learn.
SHONNA MURRIN
You're writing everything?
ELBANI
Yes. I'm calling it The Journal of The Whills.
SHONNA MURRIN
Why?
ELBANI
To show my people just how important the force is. They don't believe in it.
SHONNA MURRIN
There's a lot of people that don't believe.
Nigus enters. He drops a satchel of weapons on the table.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
There's going to be trouble.
CUT TO:
EXT CORUSCANT - CAPITAL CITY - STREETS - CONTINUING
Initiates and followers flood from the Guardian's Temple into the streets.
Vader and Jedi hide in an alley until the main group passes by. They pull hoods over their heads.
JEDI KIZEDEK
Do we fight?
Vader responds immediately - no thinking required.
VADER KESKAR
No.
JEDI KIZEDEK
No? But back there -
VADER KESKAR
Look at them. They are people. They may be deceived, but they are people. I will not have innocent blood on my hands.
CUT TO:
EXT CORUSCANT - CAPITAL CITY - LIBRARY - CONTINUING
The LIBRARY rises high above the surrounding buildings. Statues and carved gargoyles jut from every precipice. The entire building boasts a style not seen for centuries on Coruscant.
The angry mob gathers strength as bystanders curiously join.
Ji'Kala Anobi exits the library and stands at the head of the steps.
JI'KALA ANOBI
Calm yourselves.
The crowd quiets somewhat.
JI'KALA ANOBI
You have no reason to be angry. The Council has acted irrationally.
A SHOUT from the crowd flies upward.
SHOUT
Kill the infidel!
JI'KALA ANOBI
You are Guardians of Peace. Look at yourselves.
The crowd mysteriously parts as two cloaked figures make their way up to the stairs. Confused and worried murmurs flow through the assemblage.
JI'KALA ANOBI
You want to kill innocent men. And why? Did you stop to think about that? Why are you doing this?
SHOUT
They will destroy us.
Vader and Jedi reach the top of the steps. They drop their hoods.
VADER KESKAR
Who will destroy you? Me? Him? How? We are two men. What can we accomplish?
JEDI KIZEDEK
Go back to your homes. Ponder on what your masters have taught you on the force.
SHOUT
They don't teach us.
VADER KESKAR
Ask them to.
CUT TO:
INT GUARDIAN'S TEMPLE - UPPER ROOM - EVENING
Shouts and cries of anger rise up from the courtyards. The Council members pace worriedly around the room. Fez Andae stares down out of a window to the courtyard below.
FEZ ANDAE
He has turned our people against us.
MUNKIN LOLL'P'P, a dimunitive humanoid, stamps angrily on the ground.
MUNKIN LOLL'P'P
What if he's right?
FEZ ANDAE
He's wrong!
LESSIDAUD
Munkin, we are the Council. We decide right from wrong.
MUNKIN LOLL'P'P
Yeah, I know, but -
MORIAH LIKAANIS
But nothing. We decide.
MASTER ZHAGGIE
How is Amon Rama dealing with this situation?
FEZ ANDAE
At least he can use military force.
CUT TO:
INT CAPITAL BUILDING - OFFICE - NIGHT
Amon Rama stands in front of a viewscreen. One of his GENERALS, VECTOR PRIAM, awaits orders.
AMON RAMA
No. Leave the military out of this.
VECTOR PRIAM
There have been deaths already. I strongly urge you to reconsider before something terrible happens.
AMON RAMA
What's going to happen? The people want to get rid of the Guardians? Fine. Let them. I'll just find some new stooges.
VECTOR PRIAM
I will double the guard around the perimeter.
AMON RAMA
Where are my advisors?
CUT TO:
INT CAPITAL BUILDING - WAR ROOM - MIDNIGHT
Amon Rama, Yinto Falshadishh (the Twi'Lek), Bellis Jargon (the Bothan), and Halron Budne confer about this new threat to the status quo.
BELLIS JARGON
I can have assassins brought in.
YINTO FALSHADISHH
That would be too obvious. Perhaps ...
HALRON BUDNE
Just kill him. Who cares what anybody says?
AMON RAMA
We cannot just kill him, Halron. You tried that already. If I recall correctly, you showed a side heretofore unseen.
Halron turns an angry red.
HALRON BUDNE
You just say the word, and I'll kill him myself.
AMON RAMA
No. Your heart is in the right place, but Vader would rip it right out of your chest. We must find a better solution.
A KNOCK at the door echoes through the large room.
AMON RAMA
(continuing; sharply)
What is it?
The door opens. JIN BOLEMAR enters.
JIN BOLEMAR
Master Fez Andae sent me. He has a proposal for you.
CUT TO:
INT GROMBY'S CANTINA - NIGHT
Kin and Keth stare glumly down into their drinks.
KETH
We'll never see them again.
KIN
All that money.
KETH
Yeah.
A large bag, full of coins, drops on the table between them. They look up in surprise to see a familiar face under a dark hood.
VADER KESKAR
I have a proposition for the two of you.
CUT TO:
EXT CORUSCANT - CAPITAL CITY - STREETS - MIDNIGHT
Two shadows detach themselves from a dark wall as Vader Keskar passes by.
Vader disappears around a corner. His cloak swirls behind him, swishing softly in the stillness.
The two following figures approach the corner with trepidation. They nod silently, then both step out into the open at once.
Vader's energy blade slices down between them. The hum of the blade is drowned out by a sharp, staccato scream of terror. One of the pursuers panics and runs away.
Jin Bolemar, the second pursuer, gulps and tries to regains some measure of composure.
VADER KESKAR
Who told you to follow me?
JIN BOLEMAR
Me? I was ... I was out for a walk.
VADER KESKAR
No one walks in the garment district at this hour.
JIN BOLEMAR
Are you going to kill me?
VADER KESKAR
Are you ready to die?
Vader moves his blade dangerously close to Jin's face. Jin trembles, every fiber of his being screams run, yet Jin stays rooted firmly in place.
VADER KESKAR
No. I don't suppose you are.
Vader deactivates his blade and turns his back on Jin. He walks to a beam of light shining down from high above.
VADER KESKAR
I won't stop teaching them.
JIN BOLEMAR
I'm not asking you to.
VADER KESKAR
Then why are you here?
JIN BOLEMAR
I want you to teach me.
Vader stops. He looks over his shoulder at Jin.
VADER KESKAR
Do you know what will be required of you?
The question catches Jin completely off guard. He lets his composure slip briefly.
JIN BOLEMAR
What?
(softly)
Oh no. He knows.
Vader turns and walks back to Jin. He stoops so that they are face to face.
VADER KESKAR
Will you believe every word I say?
Jin nods mutely.
VADER KESKAR
Do you have integrity?
JIN BOLEMAR
I'll finish what I start.
Vader chuckles to himself.
VADER KESKAR
You probably will.
Vader slaps Jin on the back.
VADER KESKAR
Very well. You may join us.
Jin allows himself a wide smile. Vader abruptly turns to him, deathly serious.
VADER KESKAR
Know this, Jin Bolemar-
Jin looks at Vader in surprise.
VADER KESKAR
Yes, I know you. And I know why you're here.
Jin stiffens. He stops in his tracks.
JIN BOLEMAR
It's not what you think.
VADER KESKAR
That you're betraying the Council? I know that you've met with them. It doesn't matter.
JIN BOLEMAR
Where are the rest of your friends?
VADER KESKAR
That is something you must earn.
JIN BOLEMAR
You don't trust me?
VADER KESKAR
Trust must be earned. You know that.
Vader whips his fist up, catching Jin under the jaw. His eyes roll back in his head. He goes limp and falls to the ground.
VADER KESKAR
You can come out now, Nigus.
Nigus drops from a shadowed overhang.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
I thought I had you that time.
VADER KESKAR
It was better this time.
Nigus nudges Jin with his toe.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
Is he the one?
VADER KESKAR
He's just a stooge. Bring him along.
Vader heads out into the darkness.
CUT TO:
INT UNDERGROUND HIDEOUT - MAIN ROOM - MIDNIGHT
Shonna carries a cup of steaming liquid in her hands. A small blanket rests over her shoulders. Condensation drips down the rough walls.
Elbani shivers in the corner. Her book lies open before her. Shonna kneels beside her and offers the cup.
SHONNA MURRIN
It's late. I thought you could use something to warm you up.
ELBANI
Thanks.
Elbani sips the liquid.
SHONNA MURRIN
It's not much, but it should help.
ELBANI
Can't we get any heat down here?
SHONNA MURRIN
That would betray our position. We can't afford that right now.
ELBANI
But he's so powerful. Nobody can touch him.
Tears come to Shonna's eyes. She turns away.
ELBANI
What is it? Did I say something wrong?
SHONNA MURRIN
No. It's nothing, really. I'm fine.
Shonna wipes away her tears with the heel of her hand.
VADER KESKAR (O.S.)
Smoke from the lanterns again?
Vader stands majestically in the doorway. Shonna smiles at him and blinks the rest of the tears back.
SHONNA MURRIN
You really should do something about that.
Vader takes Shonna in his arms. She holds him close, as if she could protect him from the world.
VADER KESKAR
I'll get Grumble to figure something out.
(to Elbani)
How is the writing going?
Elbani smiles, despite her shivering.
ELBANI
My hands are cold. But it's going well. There is one thing, though ...
Nigus enters and drops Jin onto the floor. Nigus tosses a small blaster down next to Jin.
NIGUS ELE'AGAR
His blaster dug into my shoulder.
Vader gestures to two students and they carry Jin out.
VADER KESKAR
What is your question, Elbani?
ELBANI
Are you going to die?
Vader's easy smile freezes in place. Shonna looks up to him, hoping for a different answer than the truth.
VADER KESKAR
Everyone dies.
ELBANI
But you said, "There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no death; there is the force." I have it written right here.
VADER KESKAR
Elbani, you're still young. There is a lot that I haven't told you. But what I have told you will be had by countless generations. It will be because of you that I am remembered.
Grumble hollers from the communications room.
GRUMBLE (O.S.)
Vader! You had better take a look at this!
VADER KESKAR
Excuse me.
Shonna lets him go. Vader brushes past Nigus.
VADER KESKAR
(continuing; to Nigus)
Tell her what she needs to know.
Nigus turns to Elbani. She smiles at him, hope and expectation shining in her eyes.
INT UNDERGROUND HIDEOUT - COMMUNICATIONS ROOM - CONTINUING
Vader enters. Grumble leans over a tactical screen. Small blips show ships moving into a previously unoccupied sector.
GRUMBLE
Four warships.
VADER KESKAR
That's odd. Why are they here?
GRUMBLE
There is not enough information. Perhaps Chancellor Rama is negotiating a treaty.
VADER KESKAR
Hopefully it's to our favor.
GRUMBLE
What of your agents?
VADER KESKAR
They are on their way.
CUT TO:
INT CAPITAL BUILDING - OFFICE - DAWN
Amon Rama sits wearily behind a great desk. Yinto Falshadishh and Bellis Jargon slump deeply into their respective chairs.
A huge THUMP hits the outside of the door.
KIN (O.S.)
OUCH!
KETH (O.S.)
You stupidhead. These doors slide open. They don't swing. Watch.
The doors slide open. Keth sticks his head in.
AMON RAMA
Who are you? How did you get past my guards?
Kin and Keth stroll in and look in appreciation at the opulent room.
KIN
Hey, nice place. These real?
Kin picks up a gem studded statuette. Amon Rama snatches it away from him.
AMON RAMA
Don't touch that. Where are my guards? GUARDS!
KETH
They can't hear you. They told me to give you this.
Keth tosses the BADGE of the Captain of the Guard on the desk.
AMON RAMA
I concede. You have the upper hand. What do you want?
Keth raises a fist to Yinto Falshaddissh. Yinto falls over himself in his rush to move.
KETH
Yeah, that's right, tail head. You'd better move.
Keth sits down comfortably in the deep chair.
KETH
Hey, this is nice. Where'd you get it?
KIN
(to Keth)
Hey, I'm talking here.
KETH
Then talk.
Bellis Jargon creeps slowly toward the communications console. Kin picks up a delicate vase and hurls it at Bellis. It shatters as it hits Bellis' head. He falls straight to the ground. Amon Rama winces at the loss of this rare treasure.
KIN
Like I was saying, we need to talk.
KETH
I wonder if Mom would like a chair like this.
AMON RAMA
Are you mercenaries? Assassins? I can offer you women. A ship. Your own planet. Name your price.
Keth sits up attentively.
KETH
Say, do you have some of those little gummy candies?
Kin shoots Keth a withering glare.
KETH
(continuing; to Keth)
What? They're good.
Kin takes a seat in front of the desk, in Bellis' chair.
KIN
We've already been paid. All you have to do is listen.
An uncomfortable silence descends for a few seconds.
AMON RAMA
Well?
KIN
Well, what?
AMON RAMA
I'm listening.
KETH
He's listening.
KIN
I know he's listening. I just like having this power.
Keth reaches over and smacks Kin upside the head.
KETH
Tell him the message.
Rubbing the back of his head, Kin turns to Amon Rama.
KIN
Vader Keskar wants peace.
YINTO FALSHADISHH
You mean he wants to overthrow the government.
KETH
He didn't tell us about that.
KIN
He says that he will leave Coruscant and go to Botham Caruz. No tricks. All he asks is that you leave him and his people alone.
AMON RAMA
That's it?
KIN
Um, yup. That's all he said.
AMON RAMA
Done.
YINTO FALSHADISHH
What? You can't let him go. Not when we're so close.
At a glare from Amon Rama, Yinto shuts up.
AMON RAMA
Give him my regards. Tell him that the Galactic Senate recognizes his right to teach according to the dictates of his conscience. But give him this warning - if he raises an army, or any group that can be construed as rebellious, he will be imprisoned.
KETH
That's a lot of words.
AMON RAMA
Shall I write it down?
Kin and Keth look at each other for the answer.
AMON RAMA
I'll write it down. I wouldn't want you two ... gentlemen ... to forget what has been done here.
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