Star Wars Prequels Rewritten: Rise Of The Dark Lord
Posted: 2015-03-10 12:05am
Written by: Nic Rellek
Story art by: Nic Rellek
Poster art by: Muharrem ACAR
Poster titles by: Neil Bonner
The battle between the Galactic Republic and Confederacy of Independent Systems rages on!
The Grand Army of the Republic is pushing back the Separatists in the Middle Rim Systems. Meanwhile the EVIL SITH have agents on both sides of the conflict and continue their plan to destroy the Jedi Knights and rule the galaxy.
Major Anakin Skywalker leads his troops, the elite 501st Legion, into a desperate battle to retake the Onariss System for the Republic....
PLANET ONARISS - WE MOVE DOWNWARD FROM THE CRAWL TO FOLLOW A TROOP TRANSPORT VESSEL LEADING A DOZEN OTHERS HEADING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE OF A BLUISH-GREEN PLANET. Larger war ships are battling in the space around the planet and we follow a troop transport ship as it descends into the atmosphere. Dressed in a field uniform and black hooded cloak, Major Anakin Skywalker looking a bit older from the stress of war, he has stubble on his scarred face, shouts last minute instructions to his clone troops as the ship navigates through anti aircraft flak on its way to the surface. Walking through the carrier, he sternly pats his troops on the shoulder while making his way to the rear of the ship. Seeing his Padawan standing alone and looking nervous, Skywalker approaches him, gives a stern look and tells him to remember his training, allow the Force to flow through him and to stay close when they reach the surface.
The ships land on the surface of the planet and the troops disembark in a rush. This is urban warfare and the fighting is intense as Republic soldiers clash with Confederacy of Independent Systems (Separatists) forces on the streets of capital city. The clone troopers methodically push the local militia, who is fighting with the droid army, back and take more territory moving toward the capital building. Major Skywalker watches from atop a tank and commands his troops from the rear. The clone troopers finally make they're way to the steps of the capital building and have it surrounded. Inside the building the militia fighters have the huge front doors barricaded. The men take cover in the building waiting for the final attack. Outside, Skywalker's tank rolls up and he and his apprentice step onto the ground. A clone trooper captain steps to him and says they have the area secure and are prepared to execute the final assault on his command. The Jedi surveys the scene and gives a nod.
From inside the building the militia men crouch behind shields prepared for the worst. The huge door explodes and three squads of 501st Legion pour into the breach firing at anything that moves. After an intense exchange of laser fire its over quickly and those not killed are rounded up and taken prisoner. As other clone troopers move to secure the building, Major Skywalker walks into the lobby, his black cloak flows out behind him as he steps over bodies that still litter the area. A squad leader comes to him and gives his report that the building is secure but there is no sign of the militia or Separatist military leaders of this region. The Jedi officer orders the squad leader to prepare a room. Looking over at the POWs, Anakin sees the three highest ranked men in the group, marches over to one and with both hands grabs a surviving militia soldier holding him up in the air by his neck, he demands to know where the Separatist leaders are. In the background we see a shocked look on his Padawan face. CUT TO...
NABOO - ROYAL PALACE In walks a very pregnant Padme with Korin and theyre talking about the civil war and how its affected their planet. Padme's husband, Prince Blaan Dorhaan, contacts her on a small tablet. He asks how she feels and they talk about the war effort. Blaan reassures the Princess that the Ziaan military can protect them from any aggression from the Trade Federation and that additional ships have been stationed in their sector. Blaan asks Padme to come to Curoscant for a visit and he informs her that there is an award ceremony for her former bodyguard Anakin Skywalker. His heroics in battle on several occasions is being recognized and Blaan has it on good authority that Skywalker will be promoted from Major to Colonel. Padme gives an impressed nod to the news and says she'll schedule transportation to the capital planet right away. The way they talk to each other is cordial but its clear she's not in love with him. In fact in signing off he says "I love you" and she responds with a polite smile, "I know". WIPE TO...
ONARISS - COLONEL KENOBI AT BASE CAMP GOING OVER PLANS WHEN ANAKIN'S PADAWAN COMES IN. Skywalker's apprentice tells the Colonel that he's concerned about Master Skywalker's methods. The Padawan states that he witnessed his teacher use Force techniques to extract information from three militia men. Obi-Wan sighs in frustration and tells the apprentice to keep and eye on Anakin and report back if another incident occurs. Kenobi then contacts Yoda and Mace Windu and informs them of this incident. They summon both back to Curoscant partly as a request from the Chancellor who wants to award Skywalker with a medal for his heroism and Obi-Wan is to meet with Palpatine for a new assignment. The Council also want to see the hero Jedi personally. WIPE TO...
MUSTAFAR - COUNT DOOKU IS TALKING TO THE TRADE FEDERATION VICEROY AND GENERAL GRIEVOUS, BOTH ARE ON HOLOGRAM. Grievous gives Dooku progress reports on the battles in the Middle Rim systems and the Count says Palpatine is working on a plan to spread Republic Forces so that Curoscant is exposed to CIS forces and tells Grievous that he should have a fleet ready to move when the signal is given. Grievous signs off. Admiral Tarkin pops up and says the proto-type for the super weapon laser system is ready for live fire testing, at that moment Dooku is notified of an urgent message. Newt Gunray, the Viceroy of the Trade Federation pops up and says that he's gathering his troops to go back to Naboo but Ziaan forces have the planet well protected. Dooku says he'll direct additional CIS ships to back up his forces. Gunray signs off. Then a thought occurs to the Count, he turns to Tarkin and says that the Ziaan home world would be a perfect target for the live fire test. The Admiral agrees and says when they're in range he'll contact him with the results. WIPE TO...
ANAKIN AND HIS APPRENTICE ARRIVE ON CUROSCANT THE NEXT DAY. Walking through the space port he runs into Padme with Korin along with a small contingent of Naboo security and her Jedi guard. Anakin says she looks beautiful. The Princess looks at the Jedi Knight who has scars on his face and cybernetic arms and she quickly searches for something positive to say and congratulates him for the honor he's about to receive. She says theyre in town visiting with her husband on business. Anakin asks her if they can talk in private and Padme, looking reluctant, tells Korin to check out some gift possibilities for her mother and the hand maiden leaves. Anakin tells his Padawan to stand guard with Padme's Jedi guard a distance away The two step to an alcove space away from the foot traffic of the space port. The security team busy themselves visually scanning the area.
Out of ear shot, Anakin tells her he still loves her and can't stop thinking about her. We see the hurt in her eyes as she tells him that she can't be with him. He says he understands why she married Dorhaan but that he could protect her. She says its not about her but her people, Anakin cuts her off and says he's more powerful in the Force now, even more so than Obi-Wan, and with his rank and pull within the Republic Forces he can protect Naboo better than Dorhaan. Getting more emotional, Anakin looks at her pregnant belly and says that should be his child. Padme looks at him with a bit of shock. He continues and says that Dorhaan can't love her the way he does. The Princess takes a step back. Sensing the heightened emotional state from Skywalker, his apprentice turns to look at the couple. Her Jedi guard takes a step toward them. No mind-trick here, the battle hardened war veteran gives a brief intimidating you-really-don't-want-to-****-with-me-right-now stare at the clean cut recently graduated from the Academy guard and he steps back. The Padawan turns and looks away. Composing himself, Anakin says he knows she still loves him and that deep down they should be together. Padme doesn't reply but looks torn. Anakin says he'll win her back, steps back and gives a respectful bow to the Princess. They part. WIPE TO...
OBI-WAN MEETING WITH THE CHANCELLOR LATER IN THE EVENING. The meeting is to discuss tactical issues in defending the Middle Rim planets in the Republic from Separatists incursion. Essentially the Chancellor wants to promote Obi-Wan with greater command responsibility in the region and make him a General. Palpatine says that Kenobi was recommended by the Jedi Council as the best person for the job. Kenobi says he'll do his best. Leaving the meeting Obi-Wan runs into Blaan and Padme on their way out. The Prince says they were going to dinner. In the middle of small talk, Blaan says he forgot something in the office and leaves to get it and Obi-Wan and Padme talk where she mentions going back to Naboo to visit her mother the Queen. She also mentions seeing Anakin and she's concerned about him and Obi-Wan says the war has been hard on all of us but Anakin will work through his issues and be alright. The new General says if she ever needs anything he's at her beck and call. Feeling a bit relieved the Princess says she's grateful for his friendship. Her husband comes back and the couple and officer part ways. WIPE TO...
AWARD CEREMONY FOR ANAKIN THE NEXT MORNING. We come in at the end of the ceremony where Skywalker has received his medal and promotion to Colonel. Kenobi and he are talking when Palpatine steps in and heaps much praise on the awardee. The Chancellor then says he has a good FEELING about the Jedi hero. Palpatine then says before he leaves he must introduce Anakin to someone he should meet. Waving him over, the Chancellor presents to Skywalker Blaan Dorhaan the Prince of Ziaa, who is on the Republic War Council. Blaan happily greets the Jedi who feigns a smile as he recognizes Padme's husband. Blaan says he'd love to get Anakin's input on the war effort from a front line POV and they should set a time to talk. Skywalker says he'll make that happen. As Dorhaan walks away the Colonel looks at him coldly before turning to engage with another admirer. WIPE TO....
ANAKIN STANDING BEFORE THE JEDI COUNCIL. Mace Windu says theyve been hearing about some disturbing things concerning the new Colonel's methods on the battle front and he needs to explain his conduct. Anakin says he's just doing his job and winning the war. "What happened on Onariss?" asks Master Ki-Adi-Mundi getting down to business. "I executed the plan drawn up by Master Kenobi and myself to re-establish a controlling presence in the system by advancing on the capital city." Skywalker reports.
Another Council member asks about more details of the battle specifically what happened once they reached the Capital building and Anakin replies about how the fighting went but avoids certain details about what happened once they reached the building. Windu, tired of the semantics game interjects: "Colonel Skywalker, did you torture captured soldiers on this mission?" Looking the elder Master Jedi in the eyes, Skywalker says, "I obtained vital information from the prisoners after questioning and as a result was able to track down the Separatist leaders of that sector. The objective was achieved and the Onariss system is secure for the Republic." Quiet for most of the meeting, Grandmaster Yoda finally breaks his silence. "Disappointed in you I am. Better than this, you are. Determine the path you choose, your methods will." Anakin replies, "With all due respect Master Yoda, we're losing this war. The only way I can see for the Republic to stay viable is through strength, A greater show of force. The Jedi Order can do and be so much more in this galaxy if we just show them the proper way." Windu, probing, asks if the proper way is torture? Anakin, standing his ground on doing whats necessary to achieve ones objective. repeats that he was given a mission and achieved results.
Looking down in deep reflection the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order continues, "Not long ago began your journey did you. Been asked to do much, you have. Taking a toll on your spirit, the war is." Master Windu says with authority, "In regards to your service to the Republic and your status as a master in the Jedi Order, we find that your conduct is troubling at the very least." Windu says Skywalker's Padawan will be reassigned and Anakin is ordered out of the field for a period of time so that he can enter into meditation to settle his emotions and thoughts. The Jedi Knight acknowledges the reprimand and says he'll endeavor to live up to the standards and precepts of the Order. After he exits the room Master Windu asks Yoda if he felt the growing turmoil in the man. Yoda says wearily "Great, Skywalker's struggle is. Hmm. To a dark place this line of thought will carry him. Great care he must take. But good in him there is. Resist the Dark Side on his own, he must. Yes, hmmm." WIPE TO...
SPACEPORT - PADME AND KORIN ARE LEAVING FOR NABOO. Prince Blaan is seeing them off and making small talk with Padme. She says she'll stay with her mother the Queen for a couple of weeks then visit with his parents on Ziaa to set up plans for the birthing ceremony. Blaan is genuine in his affection for his wife and for the first time we see Padme start to warm up to him. He goes to kiss her goodbye and she kisses him back...with feeling. The ship departs and we see the Princess wave bye to the husband. WIPE TO...
ANAKIN IN HIS APARTMENT MEDITATING. In the lotus position he's in deep concentration and levitating a few inches off the ground. We MOVE IN on his face and see scenes of action flash and flicker, these as his dreams and premonitions appear to him again. Once again the images are Padme smiling then screaming/Obi-Wan screaming "ANAKIN NO!"/Blaan falling away into an abyss/a demon moving to hit him and a blinding flash of light pass before him. Anakin is hyperventilating as these images play faster and are superimposed over each other. It's all a jumbled blur and he wakes up and falls to the ground with a look of horror. Going to a sink in his room he splashes cold water on his face. The Jedi looks at himself in the mirror going over the scars on his face then looks at his cybernetic right hand. Its clenched into a tight fist and trembling. WIPE TO...
PALPATINE ON HOLOGRAM WITH THE JEDI COUNCIL. Obi-Wan is in attendance and seated on the council as they give the Chancellor an update on the war in various regions. Palpatine then says he heard that Colonel Skywalker wasn't back to his position on the war front. General Kenobi says that Anakin is taking a break from his duties for a bit to recharge from leading such an aggressive campaign in the Middle Rim. The Chancellor says that Colonel Skywalker's successes in that region is exactly the kind of action and progress the Republic needs to win the war and because of that he wishes to place the Jedi on the War Council. Master Windu objects stating that General Kenobi is already on the council and defends his record and performance but Palpatine says the appointment isn't to replace the General but in addition to, that Skywalker will inject much needed new blood and new way of thinking on the Council and invokes his executive order on the authority of the emergency war powers the senate granted him as Supreme Chancellor which includes direct authority over the Jedi High Council. He says in closing that he expects to see Colonel Skywalker at the next War Council session.
After the meeting the Jedi Masters all confer and agree that Palpatine's actions and the power he wields are a direct threat to the democracy of the Republic and upon the conclusion of the war their first order of business is to make sure he relinquishes the title of Supreme Chancellor. WIPE TO...
TRADE FEDERATION WARSHIPS AND PLANET ZIAA'S WARSHIPS IN HEATED BATTLE OVER NABOO. Its an invasion by the separatist faction but Naboo's alliance with Ziaa brings their armada into the fray. On the surface there is pandemonium as invasion ships are landing and are engaged by Naboo security forces. At the palace, people are scrambling to evacuate the place. Padme and Korin and a protocol droid (not C3PO) bringing up the rear are quickly being escorted by her Royal security team and Jedi bodyguard to an escape ship. Korin says she thought Padme marrying Blaan was going to prevent this kind of thing. Padme says she thought so too. They're about to board the official transport when the head of the Royal Naboo Security Forces reports that the ships carrying the Prime Minister and Queen Amidala have been attacked and shot down. They decide the best way for Padme, the new Queen, to escape is to smuggle her out. The officer in charge of security says he knows a way off the planet. CUT TOO...
THE WAR COUNCIL MEETING WITH THE CHANCELLOR. Anakin, personally invited to session by the Supreme Chancellor himself, is seated near Palpatine. Sitting on the far side of the table is General Kenobi. In the middle of the meeting news arrives of the attack and fall of Naboo. The report announces the Queen and Prime Minister were killed trying to evacuate but there is no news on new Queen Padme Amidala's status. No one knows if she got out or not. Anakin immediately perks up catching the eye of Palpatine. Prince Blaan gets up and excuses himself from the meeting leaving the room quickly followed by Kenobi. There's chatter in the room as the politicians talk among themselves. Outwardly Anakin looks calm and professional. Emotionally he's losing it and Palpatine, chatting with a senator seated next to him, glances at the Jedi as he can sense his intense fear and frustration. CUT TO...
NABOO - PADME AND FAMILY ARRIVING BY HOVERCRAFT TO AN ABANDONED DOCKING FACILITY. In the distance we can hear and see the invasion raging. There they are met by a shady looking man standing in front of his beat up star ship. The security officer introduces him as a smuggler named Garris Shrike who agrees to get the new Queen off planet for an incredible fee. The officer, disgusted with the mercenary tactic, moves to shoot the smuggler when Padme steps up and orders him to stop. She then steps to Shrike and says that he can have his fee. The deal agreed, Padme, Korin, the droid, two members of the Royal Security team and the Jedi board the ship. CUT TO...
CUROSCANT - THE SECURITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. Palpatine talks to Anakin about the situation on Naboo. Anakin just listens. Palpatine asks if there is someone special to him there and Anakin says yes. The Chancellor then tells the Jedi he has permission to intervene in the Naboo invasion and to use a hyperspace lane that would get them to the Naboo system much faster. Anakin gives him a heartfelt thanks and the Chancellor intently watches Skywalker as he leaves the conference room quickly.
Obi-Wan steps out of the Situation Room and sees Anakin hurriedly leaving the building. Catching up to the Colonel, the General asks where he's going. Anakin says they need to go to Naboo to make sure Padme is safe. Kenobi tries to sympathize but says they have their assignments and that the Ziaans have that responsibility. Obi-Wan says that he knows how much he's infatuated with Padme but he reminds Skywalker that Amidala is a married woman. Anakin blanches in anger at his friend then says that he has permission from the Supreme Chancellor to intervene and if Kenobi wants to stop him then he has to shoot him. The General watches stunned as his subordinate turns his back and briskly walks out of the building. WIPE TO...
NABOO - SHRIKES SHIP. With the precious cargo aboard and hidden in the secret compartments, they leave orbit and a unit of Separatist droid fighters surround the ship and demand to board. Garris lands on a Droid Control Ship and allows them on board to scan the vessel. As the droids walk through the ship, inside the secret compartments, we see Padme in one very claustrophobic sized cabin and Korin is in another trying to suppress a cough after dust blew up in her face from the dusty compartment door slamming shut.
Inside Padme's compartment, she spots a blaster on the wall and picks it up. We can hear the clunk of metal on metal as the droids walk near and stop at her compartment. Padme protectively puts her left hand on her belly and moves her index finger on the trigger of the blaster in her right hand. She doesn't realize she's holding her breath. In her compartment, Korin is turning red holding in the reflex to cough. Shrike fast talks his way through the inspection while producing fake credentials showing him to be a CIS (the Separatists) sympathizer. Just as they're about to give the all clear, Korin coughs, the droids stop and Shrike, quick drawing his weapon, starts blasting droids and shoots his way out of the Control ship.
Now in open space a wild chase ensues. Padme, Korin and others emerge from their compartments to witness Shrike flying like a mad man dodging fire from the droid fighters that are closing in. The smuggler tries a few times to jump to hyperspace but the hyper-drive system fails. One of the security team members offers to fly the ship so Shrike can fix the problem and they exchange positions. While he works frantically to repair the hyper-drive, everyone is jostled about as the ship takes damaging hits on its quickly diminishing shields. The squadron of droid fighters position themselves for one final strike on the smuggler's ship when Anakin and a squadron of clone fighters arrive out of hyperspace. Contacting the fleeing starship, he's told the new Queen is on board and request assistance. Anakin acknowledges and the Republic forces immediately engage the droid fighters. A spectacular dog fight follows with Anakin executing superior flying skills and taking out a number of droid ships himself. The clones destroy the rest just as Shrike announces he's fixed the hyper-drive system. The smuggler ship carrying the Queen as well as Anakin and the clones all slip into hyperspace before more droid fighters arrive. WIPE TO...
NABOO REFUGEES ARE ARRIVING AT CUROSCANT SPACEPORT. Evening is falling upon the Capital City and some of the Naboo refugees are coming into the space port and families are reunited. At the VIP section of the port lands the beat up space freighter with Anakin and the clone security surrounding it. Once on the ground, out comes Korin and the droid. They're quickly followed by Padme with her Jedi guard and Naboo security. Skywalker pops the cockpit of his fighter, jumps to the ground and briskly walks toward Padme when Prince Blaan, who was standing by, rushes in to hug his wife. Blaan's back is to Anakin and Padme opens her eyes to see him standing a distance away looking at her. Still hugging her husband she looks at the Jedi and silently mouths the words "thank-you". A distance away from Anakin a small spy droid is watching him. From the droid's POV we see it focus on Anakin then on what he's looking at...Padme hugging and kissing Prince Blaan. In his office, Palpatine watches the secure feed of this on a tablet and smiles at the discovery of the Jedi's affections. Turning off the display he calls his assistant in and tells her to keep him informed on Queen Amidala's whereabouts and movements. The reunited couple is quickly hustled away under heavy security. Obi-Wan, who was also waiting at the platform, is talking to the smuggler who is demanding payment for his delivery of the Queen. Anakin stands alone, watching from a distance the married couple leave the port area. WIPE TO...
CUROSCANT - ANAKIN IN PALPATINE'S OFFICE. Its a few days later and Anakin is in a private meeting with the Chancellor. He just lightly debates the Jedi on doing the wrong thing for the right reasons and how a selfish act can sometimes lead to a greater good overall. Ideals that connect with Anakin's goal of getting Padme back. The Chancellor says he has some business he has to attend to and he dismisses Anakin with a cheery smile and the last words, "you have great potential ahead of you, Skywalker, you just have to remove the obstacles in front of you.." After the Jedi leaves, he opens a secure hologram of Darth Maul who pops up and Palpatine tells him to prepare a special mission involving the Capitol world of Coruscant. WIPE TO...
BLAAN SPOTTING ANAKIN IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL AS THEY AWAIT PALPATINES STATE OF THE REPUBLIC ADDRESS. Bright and early the next morning and the two step into an elevator of the glass building with a few other politicians and on the ride up Blaan says he would like to thank the Jedi once again for saving his wife and Anakin humbly says he just saw his duty and done it. Turning to business, the Prince asks Anakin if he has some time after the address to go over some details of the war effort in the Outer Rim and Anakin agrees. They step onto a floor 80 stories up and take their seats, behind them is a large glass window, we see the nonstop floating traffic. In the great hall is a large video display of the Chancellor giving his address to the politicians and potentates in attendance. His speech is about winning the war and there are frequent rousing applause. Obi-Wan is one floor up in a room with other military officers. He's sitting near a large glass window himself and looking out with small binoculars he sees Anakin sitting near Blaan one floor below. CUT TO...
PADME AND KORIN AT THE SPACE PORT. The Queen sees her personal assistant and best friend off at the space port. They discuss Korin overseeing the setting up of the birthing ceremony on Ziaa and she tries to console Padme about Naboo Padme says she'll be along in a few days, she wants to start the process of retaking her planet while she's here and the senate is in session. They hug and the handmaiden departs. WIPE TO...
THE ASSEMBLY HALL - PALPATINES STATE OF THE REPUBLIC ADDRESS. The Chancellor is thundering away in his rousing speech when suddenly an explosion rocks the building and the windows are shattered. The concussion of the explosion causes bodies to fly all over the place and Prince Blaan flies out the window. At the last second, Anakin grabs his wrist as he's hanging out of the opening, debris is flying all over. On the floor above, Obi-Wan, still woozy and nose bleeding from the concussion of the bomb, drags himself to the window frame on his floor and peers through the dust and debris at the floor below him to see if he can spot Anakin. He sees his friend hanging out of the window frame holding on to someone. Looking through his binoculars he sees its Prince Blaan hanging by his wrist in Anakin's gloved cybernetic hand. There are bodies on the floor behind them and no one has gotten to him yet. Its eerily silent and still as the dust settles . Anakin has Blaan firmly in his grasp and begins to pull him up when he stops. The Prince, whose ears are bleeding and has cuts and bruises on his face, looks up at Skywalker and sees the emotion drain from the Jedi's face. Obi-Wan, now magnifying his binoculars to see closer up, sees the Jedi stop pulling the Prince up, holding in him in place. Skywalker, staring directly into Blaan's eyes, opens his hand and releases him. Obi-Wan screams "ANAKIN NO!!" and he reflexively tries to Force levitate the falling man but, still too dazed, can't do it and we see the Prince plummet eighty stories. Summoning all of his might Kenobi dashes through the crowd to get to the floor below him. Anakin pulls himself back on the floor and runs over the dead and injured for the exit. The two Jedi Knights see each other in the hallway. Kenobi calls out to Skywalker who runs to the floor exit and the chase is on. CUT TO...
PADME IN A HOVER VEHICLE ARRIVING AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL. She's stepping out of the vehicle just as all hell is breaking loose. She looks at the Assembly hall building and its heavily damaged and smoke is pouring from it. Security moves to get her back in the vehicle and she yells "My husband is in there!" Security reassure her they will check into it once she's secure and the caravan leaves the scene quickly. CUT TO...
THE ASSEMBLY HALL LOWER LEVEL. We're in an area that's been evacuated. There are major cracks in the walls and column positions are shifted off their base here. Running through the floor Obi-Wan calls out for Anakin to stop. The renegade Jedi does and turns around to face his former master. Face to face, Kenobi asks why Anakin did what he did. Skywalker doesn't answer the question but calmly says that his former master is bleeding and should seek medical attention. Kenobi demands an answer and Anakin says coldly "Dorhaan was weak. He didn't deserve her." His voice rising in anger he continues, "He couldn't save her. I could. I DID!" Obi-Wan tells him that he can't let him go and that the Jedi Council will- Anakin cuts him off and reveals his true his true feelings about the Jedi Order saying, "I no longer care what the Jedi Council will do! They're all old men and the Order is weak! They couldn't stop the war from happening and the way they're fighting it is ineffective. The only way to win a fight is by using all of your strength. Going where your enemy isn't willing. Doing what needs to be done. I'm now seeing that the Jedi Order isn't prepared to do that."
Obi-Wan tells him that he's expressing Dark Side philosophy. Anakin says the only times he's truly felt powerful and effective was when he used the Force to its full potential and recounts the information he got from the separatist terror suspect on Kiiron and the information he got from torture during the skirmish on Onariss. Skywalker states that he was given commendations for the battles he's won and that's only because he used the Force in ways the Jedi never would.
Obi-Wan, near tears and pleading with his eyes, apologizes for his apparent failure in teaching his former apprentice the ways of the Jedi Knights. Kenobi reaches for his light saber and ignites it. Taking a breath, he declares in an authoritative voice to his brother in arms, "By the authority of the Galactic Senate of the Republic, Anakin Skywalker you are under arrest." Silent, the renegade Jedi Knight telekinetically draws his light saber into his hand and ignites it. {CLOSE UPS OF BOTH THEIR EYES} The two are about to make their move when a building security guard enters the room telling them that the floor is off limits and in danger of collapsing. Obi-Wan averts his eyes off Anakin for a split second to tell the guard to get the hell out of there and at that moment Anakin force pushes a column causing part of the ceiling to collapse. Force pushing the guard out of the way of the falling debris, Obi-Wan turns to face his adversary and peering through the dust its clear Skywalker is gone. WIPE TO...
CIS ARMADA APPROACHING PLANET ZIAA - An enormous ship, shaped like a cigar with the flat front end housing a number of laser nodes, is flanked by a half dozen CIS battle ships, The look of the laser nodes is very similar to the super-laser design seen on the Death Star. The fleet moves toward the grey-greenish home world of Prince Dorhaan. On board. the Executive Officer notifies Admiral Tarkin that they have arrived at the target destination in the Ziaa System. He acknowledges and gives the order for preparation to fire the super weapon. WIPE TO...
JEDI COUNCIL ROOM - MACE WINDU AND YODA ARE IN CONFERENCE WITH OBI-WAN WHO IS ON HOLOGRAM. They're talking about the bombing and that the Chancellor is publicly blaming the Separatists for it. Windu says his feelings in the Force gives him doubts about that story. Obi-Wan tells him that Anakin killed the Prince of Ziaa and Windu says they tried to contact him separately and have gotten no answer. Obi Wan says he's going to look for Anakin and the Council should put out feelers for his whereabouts but Yoda tells Kenobi that's not a priority at this moment and he needs his help investigating who attacked the Assembly Hall. After the conference is over, the Council members agree that the matter should be handled privately since they don't want the Senate nor the public to know that a Jedi Knight has gone rogue. CUT TO...
ANAKIN IN HIS PERSONAL TRANSPORT GOING TO SEE PALPATINE. He's speeding through the floating traffic and he has a shocked look on face as the weight of his actions are now sinking in. Gathering his thoughts he makes his way towards the Supreme Chancellor's secure quarters. Once at the heavily guarded building his security clearance gives him entrance and he makes his way to Palpatine's office. The Chancellor is finishing up a hasty meeting with his military advisers, on hologram is Mace Windu. Skywalker waits in the shadows for the meeting to end. Agreeing to some measures to re-secure the capital city, Palpatine clears the room of everyone. Just before signing off Windu asks the Chancellor if he had been in contact with Skywalker recently, Palpatine (knowing Anakin is in the room) says no. With the room empty, Anakin steps foward. They both exchange concerns about the capital bombing and what needs to be done next when Palpatine says he can feel something weighing on Anakin and is there anything he needs to talk about?
Anakin talks about Padme and the first time they met. Palpatine asks is this is who he was worried about during the invasion of Naboo and Anakin confirms. When Palpatine says she's married to the Prince of Ziaa. Anakin, indignant, objects and says that the union was fake and she doesn't love him. Then in an almost rambling fashion he recounts the bombing at the Assembly Hall and how Blaan got blown out of the window in the explosion. That he initially caught the man then before he knew what was happening the Prince slipped out of his grip. "He...slipped out of your hand?" Palpatine looks down at one of Anakin's cybernetic sturdy looking hands. Stating that while he's happy that Skywalker came to him first, he can't help by wonder why he didn't go to someone in the Jedi Order with this? "I can't go to them...I no longer think there is a place for myself in the Order." Anakin takes a breath, "A brother saw me with Dorhaan, he saw him fall. He didn't slip...I let him go."
"I see..." says Palpatine seeing the anguish and conflict play out on Anakin's face. "It's good that you came to me with this. Rest assure, we'll work through this my good man." The Sith pats Skywalker on the shoulder consolingly while inwardly relishing the turmoil raging in the young man. WIPE TOO.
PADME AT HER SAFE LOCATION. Obi-Wan arrives at the safe house and speaks with Padme who asks about her husband. He breaks the news to her that Prince Blaan was killed in the bombing. He tells her about how much damage the explosion caused but stops short at saying anything about Anakin being there. Obi-Wan holds her as she cries. He asks what are her plans and Padme says that she was working on a plan to free Naboo from the Trade Federation but in light of the current situation she'll escort her husband's body back to Ziaa and be with his parents for awhile. Obi-Wan gives his condolences again and leaves to go investigate the bombing. Padme gathers herself and tells security to make arrangements to leave for Ziaa as soon as soon as possible. WIPE TO...
SEPARATIST WAR SHIPS PARKED NEAR A MOON OF PLANET ZIAA. The fleet of Ziaan ships are moving in to intercept the CIS battleships and are met by droid fighters. While thats happening the ship's crew is preparing to fire the super laser. Tarkin has Dooku on hologram prepared to relay the results. The power-up process completed, they fire the super-laser. The bolt strikes the planet and a roiling wave of destruction consumes the surface of Ziaa. The planet itself is not totally obliterated but all life on Ziaa is destroyed. CUT TO:
*Yoda, alone meditating in his chambers, is suddenly startled. He looks up sensing a huge disturbance in the force.
*Obi-Wan and Mace Windu at the Assembly Hall overseeing the investigation. Both are shaken and look at each other in a "did you feel that?" manner as well.
*Anakin, in one of the living quarters near Palpatine's office, feels a huge disturbance and shudders.
*Palpatine in the middle of reading a report suddenly looks up, feeling the disturbance and smiling broadly. CUT TO...
Tarkin reports the results of the devastation in an almost disappointed fashion and Dooku says to keep working at it. WIPE TO...
CUROSCANT- PALPATINE'S OFFICE. Anakin walks back into Palpatine's office and the Chancellor tells him that the Jedi Council will issue an arrest warrant for him. The murder of a foreign dignitary carries a death penalty and for his crime, Palpatine says, the Senate will push for the ultimate punishment. But, the Chancellor says, that he can protect him. Extending his hand toward Anakin, Palpatine says in order to personally protect him, Skywalker must leave the Jedi Order and pledge loyalty to him. The Jedi looks at the friendly gesture in deep conflict, then takes the Sith Lord's hand with both of his and agrees to his terms. Smiling, the Chancellor re-assuredly pats Skywalker on the back and tells him everything will fine. WIPE TO...
PADME AT HER SAFE LOCATION. Amidala's going over her travel plans with her security detail when Anakin contacts her on a small handheld device. Asking for privacy and alone, she tells Anakin that Blaan is dead. She says she's leaving for Ziaa to return him to his home planet. Anakin asks if he can meet her at the spaceport. Padme says she's in a period of of mourning and hesitates and Anakin pleads to meet with her just briefly. CUT TO, Palpatine's assistant stepping into his office and tells him that Queen Amidala's security team has made plans to leave for planet Ziaa, when she steps out of the office we see the Sith Lord bring up Darth Maul on his secure hologram display. WIPE TO...
PLANET ZIAA - KORIN'S TRANSPORT. The ship arrives out of hyperspace. The pilot tries to hail the planet for landing approach and get no response. One pilot says "I don't have a good feeling about this". Approaching the planet they see the swirling storms of devastation and wonder out loud what could have caused such destruction. The pilots decide to contact Curoscant and report their return. The ship turns around and goes back into hyperspace. WIPE TO.
GENERAL GRIEVOUS BATTLESHIP. There is an armada of Confederate battleships in formation. Darth Maul is on hologram to the General and relays a message from Palpatine that the attack on the capital planet can proceed as planned. WIPE TO...
CUROSCANT - SPACE PORT TRANSPORT PAD. The sun is setting and the transport vessel for Queen Amidala lands on the open air pad and her security contingent starts to board. Just as she's about to board, Anakin steps from the shadows and calls her name. Padme tells her security to stand down and the two meet on the open pad. They stand in front of each other but don't hug because that would be inappropriate given her position and status. Anakin offers his condolences and says that he wanted to give them to her personally but trails off. Then he says it was her beautiful face that got him through the hardest days in his life and that even though sadness abounds for now he pledges to always be there for her. The Queen looks up into Anakin's eyes and smiles. taking his hand into her's, she's just about to reply when Her smiling face turns to wide eyed horror and she screams.
The transport pad is rocked by explosions and laser fire as invading CIS ships fly over head. Anakin covers Padme as her transport vessel is destroyed by incoming fire. Droid ships land and battle droids disembark and start to pick off the Queen's security team. Anakin takes Padme by the hand and they run for cover as pandemonium ensues. Republican forces already in the area engage with the advancing battle droids. Anakin, the Jedi guard and a few Naboo guards protect the Queen by returning fire from their pinned position. A Naboo guard is killed and drops his weapon and Padme picks it up. Her eyes squinted and teeth clenched, she starts shooting back. Skywalker looks at her with a double take and smiles to himself. Anakin and his Queen against the world, the way it should be. Darth Maul is the last to disembark from the droid troop ship. He walks down the ramp and surveys the battle. Seeing Anakin and Padme, Maul directs the battle droids to clear a path and he moves in on his target. Through the lazer fire and explosions Anakin sees the Sith who may be responsible for his parents murder, who killed his first Master, who cut off his arms and almost killed him, the demon in his visions. Maul points at his battle droids and they move to another part of the space port platform, clearing an area. Anakin calls over to Padme's Jedi guard and say that the Sith is the commander here, they need to take him out. The guard looks at his charge, the Queen of Naboo, who says "It's okay, go with Anakin." then goes back to firing on droids. The two Jedi Knights ignite their light sabers and start to move on the Sith Lord. CUT TO..
JEDI TEMPLE - OBI-WAN AND MACE WINDU IN A PITCHED BATTLE WITH DROID INVADERS. Night creeps in and from a distance the scene looks like the finale of a fireworks display gone awry. Laser fire and explosions criss cross everywhere. Obi-Wan and Mace Windu are leading a few dozen Jedi and Padawans in defending the Temple against droid troopers advancing on the building. The droids are overwhelming the Jedi who are getting picked off. Padawans are gamely fighting back but they succumb to the speed and sheer numbers of the battle droids. Windu, Kenobi and the other Council members use offensive weapons and deflect laser fire with their light sabers trying to protect the younglings and regain control of the Temple. A contingent of six battle droids breaks off from the intense fighting in the main hall and make their way to a meditation chamber. One battle droid fires from his wrist gun and blows the door off its hinges. When the smoke clears, Yoda calmly walks through the smoke and dust. All six droids train their weapons on the small green wizened Jedi elder who raises his hands in a martial art pose.
At the front of the Temple, the surviving Jedi Knights are still fighting off the battle droids when a Padawan (Skywalker's former protege) runs up to Obi-Wan and says that he saw a pack of battle droids going towards Master Yoda's meditation chamber. Kenobi tells him that Yoda can handle himself but the kid shouts he's going to help and runs for the chambers. Successfully deflecting several volleys of laser fire back at the droids, Obi-Wan is too engulfed in the fighting to object. We follow the kid as he sprints down the hall and we can hear intense laser fire and explosions coming from Yoda's chambers. Rounding a corner the kid ignites his light saber and jumps into the room only to see Yoda standing peacefully in the middle of a pile of smoking droid parts. "End this, we must." The diminutive Grand Master says to the shocked Padawan while heading for the clash at the front of the Temple. CUT TO...
SPACE PORT TRANSPORT PAD. Even in the midst of a raging gun fight, the Force Sensitives prepare to clash.The Jedi Knights maneuver around the Sith Lord. The last time Skywalker encountered the demon from his visions, he was a Padawan and his arms were severed in the process. Anakin and the guard, their light sabers glowing, cautiously close the distance between them and Darth Maul who calmly ignites his double saber.
All three engage quickly with both Jedi Knights striking almost simultaneously. Darth Maul's blinding speed deflects both blows and he responds with rapid strikes putting both Jedi on the defensive. Amazingly, the three fight while still managing to deflect stray laser fire in their direction from the skirmish around them. The Sith,sensing more fear from the Jedi guard, presses his attack on him while keeping Skywalker at bay. Even with more experience than before, Anakin is frustrated that he's only doing slightly better than the last time he faced this opponent. Another swift exchange and the Queen's Jedi guard is killed so fast that he barely registers it before collapsing. The demon from Anakin's visions now turns to face him once again. CUT TO...
JEDI TEMPLE - The battle is starting to wind down and the Jedi Knights are pushing back the droid invaders with the help of arriving clone troopers. Obi-Wan says that he going to respond to a call for assistance from Queen Amidala's guard, jumps into a hover car, and heads in the direction of the space port. CUT TO..
SPACE PORT TRANSPORT PAD. Anakin and Maul square off again while Padme and a few guards still able to fight try to blast their way past the few remaining droids. Anakin sustains a few light saber burns on his legs and chest but is still able to fight and Maul toys with him. The guards get whittled down to the last one with Padme and he dies destroying the last droid The way clear, the Queen starts to run for it but looks back at Anakin who is struggling in fighting Maul. He yells to her, "GO!" She turns to leave when the Sith, telekinetically drawing a blaster off the floor to his hand, shoots Padme in the back.
Falling to the ground in a heap, the young Queen doesn't move.
Anakin stands frozen in shocked silence.
The demon tosses the gun away and smiles.
Bellowing an almost inhuman cry of anguish, the renegade Jedi Knight launches into a vicious attack against the Sith Lord. Skywalker's rage is damn near tangible as he assaults Maul nonstop. Tears stream from his eyes and he wails out loud with every strike, Skywalker forces Maul, desperately trying to defend himself, back on his heels. The Sith tries to levitate to elevated platforms for a higher ground advantage and just to gain some breathing room but Anakin stays on top of him, hammering away at his defenses {dramatic mournful version of Darth Vader's theme plays over} During the close quarter clash, Darth Maul looks at Anakin Skywalker's eyes and sees they've become yellow tinged like his own, signally he's fully embraced the Dark Side of the Force and it's flowing through the enraged Jedi. Getting Maul cornered, Anakin first breaks his double light-saber in half and cuts off his left arm in the process. Maul dodges a strike from Anakin and parries with a strike of his own that hits the Jedi, sinking the tip of his light-saber into his chest. Undeterred, Anakin proceeds to quarter the Sith mercilessly, cutting off his remaining appendages.
A limbless stump sitting upright on the ground, the last thing Darth Maul sees is a swipe of blue light.
Anakin Skywalker finally beheads the demon who has haunted his dreams and life for years.
The battle over, the former Jedi collapses with exhaustion. He turns to where Padme is lying and drags himself over to her, gasping and wheezing trying to draw breath into his severely damaged lungs. Cradling her in his arms he weeps inconsolably and, his throat completely raw from screaming, hoarsely calls her name over and over. Padme regains consciousness enough to tell him she always loved him and that she wished things would have been different. Then she reaches for his hand, puts it on her belly and looks into his eyes and says "this is your son..." She passes away with her eyes open and Anakin closes them and kisses her gently on the lips. Then gently lays her down and lies beside her, holding her hand, hoping to slip into the void with her for eternity.
Clone troopers and another contingent of Naboo security arrive on the scene at the same time and separate the two {CLOSE UP OF PADME'S HAND SLIPPING OUT OF ANAKIN'S}. The jostling wakes up Anakin who weakly struggles to stay with Padme. An officer of the troopers rushes to his side and gently tries to calm him down and Anakin lays back still calling out to his love. After he's loaded in the transport vehicle, The officer in charge motions for the vehicle to move out. Obi-Wan arrives just as Padme's transport departs. Jumping out of the hover car, the Jedi surveys the aftermath of the battle with utter shock at the causalities. Walking around the area he spots Anakin's light saber on the ground. Picking it up it still feels very warm then he sees the Sith's dissected body nearby. Grabbing another officer on the scene, General Kenobi demands to know what happened. The officer says they arrived after the battle was over, Colonel Skywalker and the Queen from Naboo were just taken away. Kenobi asks where is Skywalker being transported to? The officer says that the Chancellor ordered Skywalker moved to his private medical facility. Thunder rolls heavily over head and it starts to rain hard as Obi-Wan stands there looking at the light saber in his hand.WIPE TO...
KORIN'S TRANSPORT - The ship comes out of hyperspace only to see Coruscant is under siege. They get the news that Queen Padme Amidala was killed during a clash with invading CIS forces. Korin is grief stricken and demands to be taken to the capital immediately CUT TO...
CHANCELLOR'S MEDICAL FACILITY - We see the process of the medical droids working to save Anakin who is unconscious. They clean up the wounds and burns on his body and work on repairing his lungs. In another room Palpatine watches the procedures on video display intently. CUT TO...
MEDICAL FACILITY WHERE PADME IS LOCATED- The Queen is being examined by a MRI type machine and its discovered that not only is the baby still alive and unharmed but there's two. In a discreet procedure Padme's body is kept functioning while the medical droids deliver the two fully formed but undersized babies. Korin, crying, watches from behind a glass partition in the room. CUT TO...
CHANCELLOR'S MEDICAL FACILITY - Anakin is still under the knife and the medic droids attach the slightly familiar looking triangular mask that covers Skywalker's nose and mouth. Small breathing tubes follow the contour of his neck and lead from the mask to a artificial lung/monitor thats strapped around his chest. The Chancellor asks if Skywalker will survive and the medical droid replies that his lungs have been too severely damaged and he must be fitted with a breather apparatus but he will recover. The device is activated and we hear the all too familiar iron lung rhythmic breathing pattern it produces. Palpatine smiles to himself. CUT TO...
MEDICAL FACILITY - KORIN IS WITH PADME - The newborns are placed in incubators not far from Padme. Korin is standing next to her bed holding her hand telling her about the status of the children and pledging to make sure they are taken care of. We see lightning flash from the bay window in the room and hear rain beating against it. CUT TO...
CHANCELLOR'S MEDICAL FACILITY - Its a torrential downpour as Obi-Wan arrives and is stopped by clone security who tells him his clearance isn't high enough for access then checks his ear piece and allows the Jedi Knight in. Palpatine watches on a monitor as Kenobi enters the building and walks through the halls.
Anakin starts to come to and looks around the room. Semi groggy, he rises out of the bed and walks to a mirror on the wall and sees the reflection of a person who is increasingly less human. At that moment the door opens and Obi-Wan walks in. They look at each other and Anakin asks about Padme, his voice altered by the mask to a metallic baritone. Obi-Wan looks down and says she died at the space port. Anakin falters and almost collapses from the news and Obi-Wan moves to support his friend but Anakin pushes him away and moves wearily to sit in an armchair in the room. Tears well up in his eyes as the last moments with her come back to him and he says "Padme said I had a son. She's dead and my son is dead." His breathing becomes more rapid and the lights start to flicker in the room. "There is nothing left for me. I'm not a husband, not a father..." Obi-Wan looks at Anakin's yellow tinged eyes and the renegade says with defiance and without blinking "I'm not a Jedi." We see Anakin's reflection in the mirror across the room just before it shatters and a sturdy looking cylinder on the wall starts to crumple like a soda can being squeezed by an invisible hand. Most of the lights in the room blink out. Obi-Wan starts to say something but Anakin says with barely contained anger "You need to leave now." Obi-Wan, dejected, turns and leaves the room without a word. Thunder growls in the distance and for a moment we hold on the sullen figure, sitting in the chair, filled with bitter anger and hatred.
Anakin Skywalker is left alone in the darkness.
Stepping into the hallway Kenobi is met by the Chancellor who says that Skywalker has stated his renunciation of the Jedi Order and as such is working directly in the office of the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. Clone troopers escort Kenobi out. WIPE TO...
Story art by: Nic Rellek
Poster art by: Muharrem ACAR
Poster titles by: Neil Bonner
The battle between the Galactic Republic and Confederacy of Independent Systems rages on!
The Grand Army of the Republic is pushing back the Separatists in the Middle Rim Systems. Meanwhile the EVIL SITH have agents on both sides of the conflict and continue their plan to destroy the Jedi Knights and rule the galaxy.
Major Anakin Skywalker leads his troops, the elite 501st Legion, into a desperate battle to retake the Onariss System for the Republic....
PLANET ONARISS - WE MOVE DOWNWARD FROM THE CRAWL TO FOLLOW A TROOP TRANSPORT VESSEL LEADING A DOZEN OTHERS HEADING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE OF A BLUISH-GREEN PLANET. Larger war ships are battling in the space around the planet and we follow a troop transport ship as it descends into the atmosphere. Dressed in a field uniform and black hooded cloak, Major Anakin Skywalker looking a bit older from the stress of war, he has stubble on his scarred face, shouts last minute instructions to his clone troops as the ship navigates through anti aircraft flak on its way to the surface. Walking through the carrier, he sternly pats his troops on the shoulder while making his way to the rear of the ship. Seeing his Padawan standing alone and looking nervous, Skywalker approaches him, gives a stern look and tells him to remember his training, allow the Force to flow through him and to stay close when they reach the surface.
The ships land on the surface of the planet and the troops disembark in a rush. This is urban warfare and the fighting is intense as Republic soldiers clash with Confederacy of Independent Systems (Separatists) forces on the streets of capital city. The clone troopers methodically push the local militia, who is fighting with the droid army, back and take more territory moving toward the capital building. Major Skywalker watches from atop a tank and commands his troops from the rear. The clone troopers finally make they're way to the steps of the capital building and have it surrounded. Inside the building the militia fighters have the huge front doors barricaded. The men take cover in the building waiting for the final attack. Outside, Skywalker's tank rolls up and he and his apprentice step onto the ground. A clone trooper captain steps to him and says they have the area secure and are prepared to execute the final assault on his command. The Jedi surveys the scene and gives a nod.
From inside the building the militia men crouch behind shields prepared for the worst. The huge door explodes and three squads of 501st Legion pour into the breach firing at anything that moves. After an intense exchange of laser fire its over quickly and those not killed are rounded up and taken prisoner. As other clone troopers move to secure the building, Major Skywalker walks into the lobby, his black cloak flows out behind him as he steps over bodies that still litter the area. A squad leader comes to him and gives his report that the building is secure but there is no sign of the militia or Separatist military leaders of this region. The Jedi officer orders the squad leader to prepare a room. Looking over at the POWs, Anakin sees the three highest ranked men in the group, marches over to one and with both hands grabs a surviving militia soldier holding him up in the air by his neck, he demands to know where the Separatist leaders are. In the background we see a shocked look on his Padawan face. CUT TO...
NABOO - ROYAL PALACE In walks a very pregnant Padme with Korin and theyre talking about the civil war and how its affected their planet. Padme's husband, Prince Blaan Dorhaan, contacts her on a small tablet. He asks how she feels and they talk about the war effort. Blaan reassures the Princess that the Ziaan military can protect them from any aggression from the Trade Federation and that additional ships have been stationed in their sector. Blaan asks Padme to come to Curoscant for a visit and he informs her that there is an award ceremony for her former bodyguard Anakin Skywalker. His heroics in battle on several occasions is being recognized and Blaan has it on good authority that Skywalker will be promoted from Major to Colonel. Padme gives an impressed nod to the news and says she'll schedule transportation to the capital planet right away. The way they talk to each other is cordial but its clear she's not in love with him. In fact in signing off he says "I love you" and she responds with a polite smile, "I know". WIPE TO...
ONARISS - COLONEL KENOBI AT BASE CAMP GOING OVER PLANS WHEN ANAKIN'S PADAWAN COMES IN. Skywalker's apprentice tells the Colonel that he's concerned about Master Skywalker's methods. The Padawan states that he witnessed his teacher use Force techniques to extract information from three militia men. Obi-Wan sighs in frustration and tells the apprentice to keep and eye on Anakin and report back if another incident occurs. Kenobi then contacts Yoda and Mace Windu and informs them of this incident. They summon both back to Curoscant partly as a request from the Chancellor who wants to award Skywalker with a medal for his heroism and Obi-Wan is to meet with Palpatine for a new assignment. The Council also want to see the hero Jedi personally. WIPE TO...
MUSTAFAR - COUNT DOOKU IS TALKING TO THE TRADE FEDERATION VICEROY AND GENERAL GRIEVOUS, BOTH ARE ON HOLOGRAM. Grievous gives Dooku progress reports on the battles in the Middle Rim systems and the Count says Palpatine is working on a plan to spread Republic Forces so that Curoscant is exposed to CIS forces and tells Grievous that he should have a fleet ready to move when the signal is given. Grievous signs off. Admiral Tarkin pops up and says the proto-type for the super weapon laser system is ready for live fire testing, at that moment Dooku is notified of an urgent message. Newt Gunray, the Viceroy of the Trade Federation pops up and says that he's gathering his troops to go back to Naboo but Ziaan forces have the planet well protected. Dooku says he'll direct additional CIS ships to back up his forces. Gunray signs off. Then a thought occurs to the Count, he turns to Tarkin and says that the Ziaan home world would be a perfect target for the live fire test. The Admiral agrees and says when they're in range he'll contact him with the results. WIPE TO...
ANAKIN AND HIS APPRENTICE ARRIVE ON CUROSCANT THE NEXT DAY. Walking through the space port he runs into Padme with Korin along with a small contingent of Naboo security and her Jedi guard. Anakin says she looks beautiful. The Princess looks at the Jedi Knight who has scars on his face and cybernetic arms and she quickly searches for something positive to say and congratulates him for the honor he's about to receive. She says theyre in town visiting with her husband on business. Anakin asks her if they can talk in private and Padme, looking reluctant, tells Korin to check out some gift possibilities for her mother and the hand maiden leaves. Anakin tells his Padawan to stand guard with Padme's Jedi guard a distance away The two step to an alcove space away from the foot traffic of the space port. The security team busy themselves visually scanning the area.
Out of ear shot, Anakin tells her he still loves her and can't stop thinking about her. We see the hurt in her eyes as she tells him that she can't be with him. He says he understands why she married Dorhaan but that he could protect her. She says its not about her but her people, Anakin cuts her off and says he's more powerful in the Force now, even more so than Obi-Wan, and with his rank and pull within the Republic Forces he can protect Naboo better than Dorhaan. Getting more emotional, Anakin looks at her pregnant belly and says that should be his child. Padme looks at him with a bit of shock. He continues and says that Dorhaan can't love her the way he does. The Princess takes a step back. Sensing the heightened emotional state from Skywalker, his apprentice turns to look at the couple. Her Jedi guard takes a step toward them. No mind-trick here, the battle hardened war veteran gives a brief intimidating you-really-don't-want-to-****-with-me-right-now stare at the clean cut recently graduated from the Academy guard and he steps back. The Padawan turns and looks away. Composing himself, Anakin says he knows she still loves him and that deep down they should be together. Padme doesn't reply but looks torn. Anakin says he'll win her back, steps back and gives a respectful bow to the Princess. They part. WIPE TO...
OBI-WAN MEETING WITH THE CHANCELLOR LATER IN THE EVENING. The meeting is to discuss tactical issues in defending the Middle Rim planets in the Republic from Separatists incursion. Essentially the Chancellor wants to promote Obi-Wan with greater command responsibility in the region and make him a General. Palpatine says that Kenobi was recommended by the Jedi Council as the best person for the job. Kenobi says he'll do his best. Leaving the meeting Obi-Wan runs into Blaan and Padme on their way out. The Prince says they were going to dinner. In the middle of small talk, Blaan says he forgot something in the office and leaves to get it and Obi-Wan and Padme talk where she mentions going back to Naboo to visit her mother the Queen. She also mentions seeing Anakin and she's concerned about him and Obi-Wan says the war has been hard on all of us but Anakin will work through his issues and be alright. The new General says if she ever needs anything he's at her beck and call. Feeling a bit relieved the Princess says she's grateful for his friendship. Her husband comes back and the couple and officer part ways. WIPE TO...
AWARD CEREMONY FOR ANAKIN THE NEXT MORNING. We come in at the end of the ceremony where Skywalker has received his medal and promotion to Colonel. Kenobi and he are talking when Palpatine steps in and heaps much praise on the awardee. The Chancellor then says he has a good FEELING about the Jedi hero. Palpatine then says before he leaves he must introduce Anakin to someone he should meet. Waving him over, the Chancellor presents to Skywalker Blaan Dorhaan the Prince of Ziaa, who is on the Republic War Council. Blaan happily greets the Jedi who feigns a smile as he recognizes Padme's husband. Blaan says he'd love to get Anakin's input on the war effort from a front line POV and they should set a time to talk. Skywalker says he'll make that happen. As Dorhaan walks away the Colonel looks at him coldly before turning to engage with another admirer. WIPE TO....
ANAKIN STANDING BEFORE THE JEDI COUNCIL. Mace Windu says theyve been hearing about some disturbing things concerning the new Colonel's methods on the battle front and he needs to explain his conduct. Anakin says he's just doing his job and winning the war. "What happened on Onariss?" asks Master Ki-Adi-Mundi getting down to business. "I executed the plan drawn up by Master Kenobi and myself to re-establish a controlling presence in the system by advancing on the capital city." Skywalker reports.
Another Council member asks about more details of the battle specifically what happened once they reached the Capital building and Anakin replies about how the fighting went but avoids certain details about what happened once they reached the building. Windu, tired of the semantics game interjects: "Colonel Skywalker, did you torture captured soldiers on this mission?" Looking the elder Master Jedi in the eyes, Skywalker says, "I obtained vital information from the prisoners after questioning and as a result was able to track down the Separatist leaders of that sector. The objective was achieved and the Onariss system is secure for the Republic." Quiet for most of the meeting, Grandmaster Yoda finally breaks his silence. "Disappointed in you I am. Better than this, you are. Determine the path you choose, your methods will." Anakin replies, "With all due respect Master Yoda, we're losing this war. The only way I can see for the Republic to stay viable is through strength, A greater show of force. The Jedi Order can do and be so much more in this galaxy if we just show them the proper way." Windu, probing, asks if the proper way is torture? Anakin, standing his ground on doing whats necessary to achieve ones objective. repeats that he was given a mission and achieved results.
Looking down in deep reflection the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order continues, "Not long ago began your journey did you. Been asked to do much, you have. Taking a toll on your spirit, the war is." Master Windu says with authority, "In regards to your service to the Republic and your status as a master in the Jedi Order, we find that your conduct is troubling at the very least." Windu says Skywalker's Padawan will be reassigned and Anakin is ordered out of the field for a period of time so that he can enter into meditation to settle his emotions and thoughts. The Jedi Knight acknowledges the reprimand and says he'll endeavor to live up to the standards and precepts of the Order. After he exits the room Master Windu asks Yoda if he felt the growing turmoil in the man. Yoda says wearily "Great, Skywalker's struggle is. Hmm. To a dark place this line of thought will carry him. Great care he must take. But good in him there is. Resist the Dark Side on his own, he must. Yes, hmmm." WIPE TO...
SPACEPORT - PADME AND KORIN ARE LEAVING FOR NABOO. Prince Blaan is seeing them off and making small talk with Padme. She says she'll stay with her mother the Queen for a couple of weeks then visit with his parents on Ziaa to set up plans for the birthing ceremony. Blaan is genuine in his affection for his wife and for the first time we see Padme start to warm up to him. He goes to kiss her goodbye and she kisses him back...with feeling. The ship departs and we see the Princess wave bye to the husband. WIPE TO...
ANAKIN IN HIS APARTMENT MEDITATING. In the lotus position he's in deep concentration and levitating a few inches off the ground. We MOVE IN on his face and see scenes of action flash and flicker, these as his dreams and premonitions appear to him again. Once again the images are Padme smiling then screaming/Obi-Wan screaming "ANAKIN NO!"/Blaan falling away into an abyss/a demon moving to hit him and a blinding flash of light pass before him. Anakin is hyperventilating as these images play faster and are superimposed over each other. It's all a jumbled blur and he wakes up and falls to the ground with a look of horror. Going to a sink in his room he splashes cold water on his face. The Jedi looks at himself in the mirror going over the scars on his face then looks at his cybernetic right hand. Its clenched into a tight fist and trembling. WIPE TO...
PALPATINE ON HOLOGRAM WITH THE JEDI COUNCIL. Obi-Wan is in attendance and seated on the council as they give the Chancellor an update on the war in various regions. Palpatine then says he heard that Colonel Skywalker wasn't back to his position on the war front. General Kenobi says that Anakin is taking a break from his duties for a bit to recharge from leading such an aggressive campaign in the Middle Rim. The Chancellor says that Colonel Skywalker's successes in that region is exactly the kind of action and progress the Republic needs to win the war and because of that he wishes to place the Jedi on the War Council. Master Windu objects stating that General Kenobi is already on the council and defends his record and performance but Palpatine says the appointment isn't to replace the General but in addition to, that Skywalker will inject much needed new blood and new way of thinking on the Council and invokes his executive order on the authority of the emergency war powers the senate granted him as Supreme Chancellor which includes direct authority over the Jedi High Council. He says in closing that he expects to see Colonel Skywalker at the next War Council session.
After the meeting the Jedi Masters all confer and agree that Palpatine's actions and the power he wields are a direct threat to the democracy of the Republic and upon the conclusion of the war their first order of business is to make sure he relinquishes the title of Supreme Chancellor. WIPE TO...
TRADE FEDERATION WARSHIPS AND PLANET ZIAA'S WARSHIPS IN HEATED BATTLE OVER NABOO. Its an invasion by the separatist faction but Naboo's alliance with Ziaa brings their armada into the fray. On the surface there is pandemonium as invasion ships are landing and are engaged by Naboo security forces. At the palace, people are scrambling to evacuate the place. Padme and Korin and a protocol droid (not C3PO) bringing up the rear are quickly being escorted by her Royal security team and Jedi bodyguard to an escape ship. Korin says she thought Padme marrying Blaan was going to prevent this kind of thing. Padme says she thought so too. They're about to board the official transport when the head of the Royal Naboo Security Forces reports that the ships carrying the Prime Minister and Queen Amidala have been attacked and shot down. They decide the best way for Padme, the new Queen, to escape is to smuggle her out. The officer in charge of security says he knows a way off the planet. CUT TOO...
THE WAR COUNCIL MEETING WITH THE CHANCELLOR. Anakin, personally invited to session by the Supreme Chancellor himself, is seated near Palpatine. Sitting on the far side of the table is General Kenobi. In the middle of the meeting news arrives of the attack and fall of Naboo. The report announces the Queen and Prime Minister were killed trying to evacuate but there is no news on new Queen Padme Amidala's status. No one knows if she got out or not. Anakin immediately perks up catching the eye of Palpatine. Prince Blaan gets up and excuses himself from the meeting leaving the room quickly followed by Kenobi. There's chatter in the room as the politicians talk among themselves. Outwardly Anakin looks calm and professional. Emotionally he's losing it and Palpatine, chatting with a senator seated next to him, glances at the Jedi as he can sense his intense fear and frustration. CUT TO...
NABOO - PADME AND FAMILY ARRIVING BY HOVERCRAFT TO AN ABANDONED DOCKING FACILITY. In the distance we can hear and see the invasion raging. There they are met by a shady looking man standing in front of his beat up star ship. The security officer introduces him as a smuggler named Garris Shrike who agrees to get the new Queen off planet for an incredible fee. The officer, disgusted with the mercenary tactic, moves to shoot the smuggler when Padme steps up and orders him to stop. She then steps to Shrike and says that he can have his fee. The deal agreed, Padme, Korin, the droid, two members of the Royal Security team and the Jedi board the ship. CUT TO...
CUROSCANT - THE SECURITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. Palpatine talks to Anakin about the situation on Naboo. Anakin just listens. Palpatine asks if there is someone special to him there and Anakin says yes. The Chancellor then tells the Jedi he has permission to intervene in the Naboo invasion and to use a hyperspace lane that would get them to the Naboo system much faster. Anakin gives him a heartfelt thanks and the Chancellor intently watches Skywalker as he leaves the conference room quickly.
Obi-Wan steps out of the Situation Room and sees Anakin hurriedly leaving the building. Catching up to the Colonel, the General asks where he's going. Anakin says they need to go to Naboo to make sure Padme is safe. Kenobi tries to sympathize but says they have their assignments and that the Ziaans have that responsibility. Obi-Wan says that he knows how much he's infatuated with Padme but he reminds Skywalker that Amidala is a married woman. Anakin blanches in anger at his friend then says that he has permission from the Supreme Chancellor to intervene and if Kenobi wants to stop him then he has to shoot him. The General watches stunned as his subordinate turns his back and briskly walks out of the building. WIPE TO...
NABOO - SHRIKES SHIP. With the precious cargo aboard and hidden in the secret compartments, they leave orbit and a unit of Separatist droid fighters surround the ship and demand to board. Garris lands on a Droid Control Ship and allows them on board to scan the vessel. As the droids walk through the ship, inside the secret compartments, we see Padme in one very claustrophobic sized cabin and Korin is in another trying to suppress a cough after dust blew up in her face from the dusty compartment door slamming shut.
Inside Padme's compartment, she spots a blaster on the wall and picks it up. We can hear the clunk of metal on metal as the droids walk near and stop at her compartment. Padme protectively puts her left hand on her belly and moves her index finger on the trigger of the blaster in her right hand. She doesn't realize she's holding her breath. In her compartment, Korin is turning red holding in the reflex to cough. Shrike fast talks his way through the inspection while producing fake credentials showing him to be a CIS (the Separatists) sympathizer. Just as they're about to give the all clear, Korin coughs, the droids stop and Shrike, quick drawing his weapon, starts blasting droids and shoots his way out of the Control ship.
Now in open space a wild chase ensues. Padme, Korin and others emerge from their compartments to witness Shrike flying like a mad man dodging fire from the droid fighters that are closing in. The smuggler tries a few times to jump to hyperspace but the hyper-drive system fails. One of the security team members offers to fly the ship so Shrike can fix the problem and they exchange positions. While he works frantically to repair the hyper-drive, everyone is jostled about as the ship takes damaging hits on its quickly diminishing shields. The squadron of droid fighters position themselves for one final strike on the smuggler's ship when Anakin and a squadron of clone fighters arrive out of hyperspace. Contacting the fleeing starship, he's told the new Queen is on board and request assistance. Anakin acknowledges and the Republic forces immediately engage the droid fighters. A spectacular dog fight follows with Anakin executing superior flying skills and taking out a number of droid ships himself. The clones destroy the rest just as Shrike announces he's fixed the hyper-drive system. The smuggler ship carrying the Queen as well as Anakin and the clones all slip into hyperspace before more droid fighters arrive. WIPE TO...
NABOO REFUGEES ARE ARRIVING AT CUROSCANT SPACEPORT. Evening is falling upon the Capital City and some of the Naboo refugees are coming into the space port and families are reunited. At the VIP section of the port lands the beat up space freighter with Anakin and the clone security surrounding it. Once on the ground, out comes Korin and the droid. They're quickly followed by Padme with her Jedi guard and Naboo security. Skywalker pops the cockpit of his fighter, jumps to the ground and briskly walks toward Padme when Prince Blaan, who was standing by, rushes in to hug his wife. Blaan's back is to Anakin and Padme opens her eyes to see him standing a distance away looking at her. Still hugging her husband she looks at the Jedi and silently mouths the words "thank-you". A distance away from Anakin a small spy droid is watching him. From the droid's POV we see it focus on Anakin then on what he's looking at...Padme hugging and kissing Prince Blaan. In his office, Palpatine watches the secure feed of this on a tablet and smiles at the discovery of the Jedi's affections. Turning off the display he calls his assistant in and tells her to keep him informed on Queen Amidala's whereabouts and movements. The reunited couple is quickly hustled away under heavy security. Obi-Wan, who was also waiting at the platform, is talking to the smuggler who is demanding payment for his delivery of the Queen. Anakin stands alone, watching from a distance the married couple leave the port area. WIPE TO...
CUROSCANT - ANAKIN IN PALPATINE'S OFFICE. Its a few days later and Anakin is in a private meeting with the Chancellor. He just lightly debates the Jedi on doing the wrong thing for the right reasons and how a selfish act can sometimes lead to a greater good overall. Ideals that connect with Anakin's goal of getting Padme back. The Chancellor says he has some business he has to attend to and he dismisses Anakin with a cheery smile and the last words, "you have great potential ahead of you, Skywalker, you just have to remove the obstacles in front of you.." After the Jedi leaves, he opens a secure hologram of Darth Maul who pops up and Palpatine tells him to prepare a special mission involving the Capitol world of Coruscant. WIPE TO...
BLAAN SPOTTING ANAKIN IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL AS THEY AWAIT PALPATINES STATE OF THE REPUBLIC ADDRESS. Bright and early the next morning and the two step into an elevator of the glass building with a few other politicians and on the ride up Blaan says he would like to thank the Jedi once again for saving his wife and Anakin humbly says he just saw his duty and done it. Turning to business, the Prince asks Anakin if he has some time after the address to go over some details of the war effort in the Outer Rim and Anakin agrees. They step onto a floor 80 stories up and take their seats, behind them is a large glass window, we see the nonstop floating traffic. In the great hall is a large video display of the Chancellor giving his address to the politicians and potentates in attendance. His speech is about winning the war and there are frequent rousing applause. Obi-Wan is one floor up in a room with other military officers. He's sitting near a large glass window himself and looking out with small binoculars he sees Anakin sitting near Blaan one floor below. CUT TO...
PADME AND KORIN AT THE SPACE PORT. The Queen sees her personal assistant and best friend off at the space port. They discuss Korin overseeing the setting up of the birthing ceremony on Ziaa and she tries to console Padme about Naboo Padme says she'll be along in a few days, she wants to start the process of retaking her planet while she's here and the senate is in session. They hug and the handmaiden departs. WIPE TO...
THE ASSEMBLY HALL - PALPATINES STATE OF THE REPUBLIC ADDRESS. The Chancellor is thundering away in his rousing speech when suddenly an explosion rocks the building and the windows are shattered. The concussion of the explosion causes bodies to fly all over the place and Prince Blaan flies out the window. At the last second, Anakin grabs his wrist as he's hanging out of the opening, debris is flying all over. On the floor above, Obi-Wan, still woozy and nose bleeding from the concussion of the bomb, drags himself to the window frame on his floor and peers through the dust and debris at the floor below him to see if he can spot Anakin. He sees his friend hanging out of the window frame holding on to someone. Looking through his binoculars he sees its Prince Blaan hanging by his wrist in Anakin's gloved cybernetic hand. There are bodies on the floor behind them and no one has gotten to him yet. Its eerily silent and still as the dust settles . Anakin has Blaan firmly in his grasp and begins to pull him up when he stops. The Prince, whose ears are bleeding and has cuts and bruises on his face, looks up at Skywalker and sees the emotion drain from the Jedi's face. Obi-Wan, now magnifying his binoculars to see closer up, sees the Jedi stop pulling the Prince up, holding in him in place. Skywalker, staring directly into Blaan's eyes, opens his hand and releases him. Obi-Wan screams "ANAKIN NO!!" and he reflexively tries to Force levitate the falling man but, still too dazed, can't do it and we see the Prince plummet eighty stories. Summoning all of his might Kenobi dashes through the crowd to get to the floor below him. Anakin pulls himself back on the floor and runs over the dead and injured for the exit. The two Jedi Knights see each other in the hallway. Kenobi calls out to Skywalker who runs to the floor exit and the chase is on. CUT TO...
PADME IN A HOVER VEHICLE ARRIVING AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL. She's stepping out of the vehicle just as all hell is breaking loose. She looks at the Assembly hall building and its heavily damaged and smoke is pouring from it. Security moves to get her back in the vehicle and she yells "My husband is in there!" Security reassure her they will check into it once she's secure and the caravan leaves the scene quickly. CUT TO...
THE ASSEMBLY HALL LOWER LEVEL. We're in an area that's been evacuated. There are major cracks in the walls and column positions are shifted off their base here. Running through the floor Obi-Wan calls out for Anakin to stop. The renegade Jedi does and turns around to face his former master. Face to face, Kenobi asks why Anakin did what he did. Skywalker doesn't answer the question but calmly says that his former master is bleeding and should seek medical attention. Kenobi demands an answer and Anakin says coldly "Dorhaan was weak. He didn't deserve her." His voice rising in anger he continues, "He couldn't save her. I could. I DID!" Obi-Wan tells him that he can't let him go and that the Jedi Council will- Anakin cuts him off and reveals his true his true feelings about the Jedi Order saying, "I no longer care what the Jedi Council will do! They're all old men and the Order is weak! They couldn't stop the war from happening and the way they're fighting it is ineffective. The only way to win a fight is by using all of your strength. Going where your enemy isn't willing. Doing what needs to be done. I'm now seeing that the Jedi Order isn't prepared to do that."
Obi-Wan tells him that he's expressing Dark Side philosophy. Anakin says the only times he's truly felt powerful and effective was when he used the Force to its full potential and recounts the information he got from the separatist terror suspect on Kiiron and the information he got from torture during the skirmish on Onariss. Skywalker states that he was given commendations for the battles he's won and that's only because he used the Force in ways the Jedi never would.
Obi-Wan, near tears and pleading with his eyes, apologizes for his apparent failure in teaching his former apprentice the ways of the Jedi Knights. Kenobi reaches for his light saber and ignites it. Taking a breath, he declares in an authoritative voice to his brother in arms, "By the authority of the Galactic Senate of the Republic, Anakin Skywalker you are under arrest." Silent, the renegade Jedi Knight telekinetically draws his light saber into his hand and ignites it. {CLOSE UPS OF BOTH THEIR EYES} The two are about to make their move when a building security guard enters the room telling them that the floor is off limits and in danger of collapsing. Obi-Wan averts his eyes off Anakin for a split second to tell the guard to get the hell out of there and at that moment Anakin force pushes a column causing part of the ceiling to collapse. Force pushing the guard out of the way of the falling debris, Obi-Wan turns to face his adversary and peering through the dust its clear Skywalker is gone. WIPE TO...
CIS ARMADA APPROACHING PLANET ZIAA - An enormous ship, shaped like a cigar with the flat front end housing a number of laser nodes, is flanked by a half dozen CIS battle ships, The look of the laser nodes is very similar to the super-laser design seen on the Death Star. The fleet moves toward the grey-greenish home world of Prince Dorhaan. On board. the Executive Officer notifies Admiral Tarkin that they have arrived at the target destination in the Ziaa System. He acknowledges and gives the order for preparation to fire the super weapon. WIPE TO...
JEDI COUNCIL ROOM - MACE WINDU AND YODA ARE IN CONFERENCE WITH OBI-WAN WHO IS ON HOLOGRAM. They're talking about the bombing and that the Chancellor is publicly blaming the Separatists for it. Windu says his feelings in the Force gives him doubts about that story. Obi-Wan tells him that Anakin killed the Prince of Ziaa and Windu says they tried to contact him separately and have gotten no answer. Obi Wan says he's going to look for Anakin and the Council should put out feelers for his whereabouts but Yoda tells Kenobi that's not a priority at this moment and he needs his help investigating who attacked the Assembly Hall. After the conference is over, the Council members agree that the matter should be handled privately since they don't want the Senate nor the public to know that a Jedi Knight has gone rogue. CUT TO...
ANAKIN IN HIS PERSONAL TRANSPORT GOING TO SEE PALPATINE. He's speeding through the floating traffic and he has a shocked look on face as the weight of his actions are now sinking in. Gathering his thoughts he makes his way towards the Supreme Chancellor's secure quarters. Once at the heavily guarded building his security clearance gives him entrance and he makes his way to Palpatine's office. The Chancellor is finishing up a hasty meeting with his military advisers, on hologram is Mace Windu. Skywalker waits in the shadows for the meeting to end. Agreeing to some measures to re-secure the capital city, Palpatine clears the room of everyone. Just before signing off Windu asks the Chancellor if he had been in contact with Skywalker recently, Palpatine (knowing Anakin is in the room) says no. With the room empty, Anakin steps foward. They both exchange concerns about the capital bombing and what needs to be done next when Palpatine says he can feel something weighing on Anakin and is there anything he needs to talk about?
Anakin talks about Padme and the first time they met. Palpatine asks is this is who he was worried about during the invasion of Naboo and Anakin confirms. When Palpatine says she's married to the Prince of Ziaa. Anakin, indignant, objects and says that the union was fake and she doesn't love him. Then in an almost rambling fashion he recounts the bombing at the Assembly Hall and how Blaan got blown out of the window in the explosion. That he initially caught the man then before he knew what was happening the Prince slipped out of his grip. "He...slipped out of your hand?" Palpatine looks down at one of Anakin's cybernetic sturdy looking hands. Stating that while he's happy that Skywalker came to him first, he can't help by wonder why he didn't go to someone in the Jedi Order with this? "I can't go to them...I no longer think there is a place for myself in the Order." Anakin takes a breath, "A brother saw me with Dorhaan, he saw him fall. He didn't slip...I let him go."
"I see..." says Palpatine seeing the anguish and conflict play out on Anakin's face. "It's good that you came to me with this. Rest assure, we'll work through this my good man." The Sith pats Skywalker on the shoulder consolingly while inwardly relishing the turmoil raging in the young man. WIPE TOO.
PADME AT HER SAFE LOCATION. Obi-Wan arrives at the safe house and speaks with Padme who asks about her husband. He breaks the news to her that Prince Blaan was killed in the bombing. He tells her about how much damage the explosion caused but stops short at saying anything about Anakin being there. Obi-Wan holds her as she cries. He asks what are her plans and Padme says that she was working on a plan to free Naboo from the Trade Federation but in light of the current situation she'll escort her husband's body back to Ziaa and be with his parents for awhile. Obi-Wan gives his condolences again and leaves to go investigate the bombing. Padme gathers herself and tells security to make arrangements to leave for Ziaa as soon as soon as possible. WIPE TO...
SEPARATIST WAR SHIPS PARKED NEAR A MOON OF PLANET ZIAA. The fleet of Ziaan ships are moving in to intercept the CIS battleships and are met by droid fighters. While thats happening the ship's crew is preparing to fire the super laser. Tarkin has Dooku on hologram prepared to relay the results. The power-up process completed, they fire the super-laser. The bolt strikes the planet and a roiling wave of destruction consumes the surface of Ziaa. The planet itself is not totally obliterated but all life on Ziaa is destroyed. CUT TO:
*Yoda, alone meditating in his chambers, is suddenly startled. He looks up sensing a huge disturbance in the force.
*Obi-Wan and Mace Windu at the Assembly Hall overseeing the investigation. Both are shaken and look at each other in a "did you feel that?" manner as well.
*Anakin, in one of the living quarters near Palpatine's office, feels a huge disturbance and shudders.
*Palpatine in the middle of reading a report suddenly looks up, feeling the disturbance and smiling broadly. CUT TO...
Tarkin reports the results of the devastation in an almost disappointed fashion and Dooku says to keep working at it. WIPE TO...
CUROSCANT- PALPATINE'S OFFICE. Anakin walks back into Palpatine's office and the Chancellor tells him that the Jedi Council will issue an arrest warrant for him. The murder of a foreign dignitary carries a death penalty and for his crime, Palpatine says, the Senate will push for the ultimate punishment. But, the Chancellor says, that he can protect him. Extending his hand toward Anakin, Palpatine says in order to personally protect him, Skywalker must leave the Jedi Order and pledge loyalty to him. The Jedi looks at the friendly gesture in deep conflict, then takes the Sith Lord's hand with both of his and agrees to his terms. Smiling, the Chancellor re-assuredly pats Skywalker on the back and tells him everything will fine. WIPE TO...
PADME AT HER SAFE LOCATION. Amidala's going over her travel plans with her security detail when Anakin contacts her on a small handheld device. Asking for privacy and alone, she tells Anakin that Blaan is dead. She says she's leaving for Ziaa to return him to his home planet. Anakin asks if he can meet her at the spaceport. Padme says she's in a period of of mourning and hesitates and Anakin pleads to meet with her just briefly. CUT TO, Palpatine's assistant stepping into his office and tells him that Queen Amidala's security team has made plans to leave for planet Ziaa, when she steps out of the office we see the Sith Lord bring up Darth Maul on his secure hologram display. WIPE TO...
PLANET ZIAA - KORIN'S TRANSPORT. The ship arrives out of hyperspace. The pilot tries to hail the planet for landing approach and get no response. One pilot says "I don't have a good feeling about this". Approaching the planet they see the swirling storms of devastation and wonder out loud what could have caused such destruction. The pilots decide to contact Curoscant and report their return. The ship turns around and goes back into hyperspace. WIPE TO.
GENERAL GRIEVOUS BATTLESHIP. There is an armada of Confederate battleships in formation. Darth Maul is on hologram to the General and relays a message from Palpatine that the attack on the capital planet can proceed as planned. WIPE TO...
CUROSCANT - SPACE PORT TRANSPORT PAD. The sun is setting and the transport vessel for Queen Amidala lands on the open air pad and her security contingent starts to board. Just as she's about to board, Anakin steps from the shadows and calls her name. Padme tells her security to stand down and the two meet on the open pad. They stand in front of each other but don't hug because that would be inappropriate given her position and status. Anakin offers his condolences and says that he wanted to give them to her personally but trails off. Then he says it was her beautiful face that got him through the hardest days in his life and that even though sadness abounds for now he pledges to always be there for her. The Queen looks up into Anakin's eyes and smiles. taking his hand into her's, she's just about to reply when Her smiling face turns to wide eyed horror and she screams.
The transport pad is rocked by explosions and laser fire as invading CIS ships fly over head. Anakin covers Padme as her transport vessel is destroyed by incoming fire. Droid ships land and battle droids disembark and start to pick off the Queen's security team. Anakin takes Padme by the hand and they run for cover as pandemonium ensues. Republican forces already in the area engage with the advancing battle droids. Anakin, the Jedi guard and a few Naboo guards protect the Queen by returning fire from their pinned position. A Naboo guard is killed and drops his weapon and Padme picks it up. Her eyes squinted and teeth clenched, she starts shooting back. Skywalker looks at her with a double take and smiles to himself. Anakin and his Queen against the world, the way it should be. Darth Maul is the last to disembark from the droid troop ship. He walks down the ramp and surveys the battle. Seeing Anakin and Padme, Maul directs the battle droids to clear a path and he moves in on his target. Through the lazer fire and explosions Anakin sees the Sith who may be responsible for his parents murder, who killed his first Master, who cut off his arms and almost killed him, the demon in his visions. Maul points at his battle droids and they move to another part of the space port platform, clearing an area. Anakin calls over to Padme's Jedi guard and say that the Sith is the commander here, they need to take him out. The guard looks at his charge, the Queen of Naboo, who says "It's okay, go with Anakin." then goes back to firing on droids. The two Jedi Knights ignite their light sabers and start to move on the Sith Lord. CUT TO..
JEDI TEMPLE - OBI-WAN AND MACE WINDU IN A PITCHED BATTLE WITH DROID INVADERS. Night creeps in and from a distance the scene looks like the finale of a fireworks display gone awry. Laser fire and explosions criss cross everywhere. Obi-Wan and Mace Windu are leading a few dozen Jedi and Padawans in defending the Temple against droid troopers advancing on the building. The droids are overwhelming the Jedi who are getting picked off. Padawans are gamely fighting back but they succumb to the speed and sheer numbers of the battle droids. Windu, Kenobi and the other Council members use offensive weapons and deflect laser fire with their light sabers trying to protect the younglings and regain control of the Temple. A contingent of six battle droids breaks off from the intense fighting in the main hall and make their way to a meditation chamber. One battle droid fires from his wrist gun and blows the door off its hinges. When the smoke clears, Yoda calmly walks through the smoke and dust. All six droids train their weapons on the small green wizened Jedi elder who raises his hands in a martial art pose.
At the front of the Temple, the surviving Jedi Knights are still fighting off the battle droids when a Padawan (Skywalker's former protege) runs up to Obi-Wan and says that he saw a pack of battle droids going towards Master Yoda's meditation chamber. Kenobi tells him that Yoda can handle himself but the kid shouts he's going to help and runs for the chambers. Successfully deflecting several volleys of laser fire back at the droids, Obi-Wan is too engulfed in the fighting to object. We follow the kid as he sprints down the hall and we can hear intense laser fire and explosions coming from Yoda's chambers. Rounding a corner the kid ignites his light saber and jumps into the room only to see Yoda standing peacefully in the middle of a pile of smoking droid parts. "End this, we must." The diminutive Grand Master says to the shocked Padawan while heading for the clash at the front of the Temple. CUT TO...
SPACE PORT TRANSPORT PAD. Even in the midst of a raging gun fight, the Force Sensitives prepare to clash.The Jedi Knights maneuver around the Sith Lord. The last time Skywalker encountered the demon from his visions, he was a Padawan and his arms were severed in the process. Anakin and the guard, their light sabers glowing, cautiously close the distance between them and Darth Maul who calmly ignites his double saber.
All three engage quickly with both Jedi Knights striking almost simultaneously. Darth Maul's blinding speed deflects both blows and he responds with rapid strikes putting both Jedi on the defensive. Amazingly, the three fight while still managing to deflect stray laser fire in their direction from the skirmish around them. The Sith,sensing more fear from the Jedi guard, presses his attack on him while keeping Skywalker at bay. Even with more experience than before, Anakin is frustrated that he's only doing slightly better than the last time he faced this opponent. Another swift exchange and the Queen's Jedi guard is killed so fast that he barely registers it before collapsing. The demon from Anakin's visions now turns to face him once again. CUT TO...
JEDI TEMPLE - The battle is starting to wind down and the Jedi Knights are pushing back the droid invaders with the help of arriving clone troopers. Obi-Wan says that he going to respond to a call for assistance from Queen Amidala's guard, jumps into a hover car, and heads in the direction of the space port. CUT TO..
SPACE PORT TRANSPORT PAD. Anakin and Maul square off again while Padme and a few guards still able to fight try to blast their way past the few remaining droids. Anakin sustains a few light saber burns on his legs and chest but is still able to fight and Maul toys with him. The guards get whittled down to the last one with Padme and he dies destroying the last droid The way clear, the Queen starts to run for it but looks back at Anakin who is struggling in fighting Maul. He yells to her, "GO!" She turns to leave when the Sith, telekinetically drawing a blaster off the floor to his hand, shoots Padme in the back.
Falling to the ground in a heap, the young Queen doesn't move.
Anakin stands frozen in shocked silence.
The demon tosses the gun away and smiles.
Bellowing an almost inhuman cry of anguish, the renegade Jedi Knight launches into a vicious attack against the Sith Lord. Skywalker's rage is damn near tangible as he assaults Maul nonstop. Tears stream from his eyes and he wails out loud with every strike, Skywalker forces Maul, desperately trying to defend himself, back on his heels. The Sith tries to levitate to elevated platforms for a higher ground advantage and just to gain some breathing room but Anakin stays on top of him, hammering away at his defenses {dramatic mournful version of Darth Vader's theme plays over} During the close quarter clash, Darth Maul looks at Anakin Skywalker's eyes and sees they've become yellow tinged like his own, signally he's fully embraced the Dark Side of the Force and it's flowing through the enraged Jedi. Getting Maul cornered, Anakin first breaks his double light-saber in half and cuts off his left arm in the process. Maul dodges a strike from Anakin and parries with a strike of his own that hits the Jedi, sinking the tip of his light-saber into his chest. Undeterred, Anakin proceeds to quarter the Sith mercilessly, cutting off his remaining appendages.
A limbless stump sitting upright on the ground, the last thing Darth Maul sees is a swipe of blue light.
Anakin Skywalker finally beheads the demon who has haunted his dreams and life for years.
The battle over, the former Jedi collapses with exhaustion. He turns to where Padme is lying and drags himself over to her, gasping and wheezing trying to draw breath into his severely damaged lungs. Cradling her in his arms he weeps inconsolably and, his throat completely raw from screaming, hoarsely calls her name over and over. Padme regains consciousness enough to tell him she always loved him and that she wished things would have been different. Then she reaches for his hand, puts it on her belly and looks into his eyes and says "this is your son..." She passes away with her eyes open and Anakin closes them and kisses her gently on the lips. Then gently lays her down and lies beside her, holding her hand, hoping to slip into the void with her for eternity.
Clone troopers and another contingent of Naboo security arrive on the scene at the same time and separate the two {CLOSE UP OF PADME'S HAND SLIPPING OUT OF ANAKIN'S}. The jostling wakes up Anakin who weakly struggles to stay with Padme. An officer of the troopers rushes to his side and gently tries to calm him down and Anakin lays back still calling out to his love. After he's loaded in the transport vehicle, The officer in charge motions for the vehicle to move out. Obi-Wan arrives just as Padme's transport departs. Jumping out of the hover car, the Jedi surveys the aftermath of the battle with utter shock at the causalities. Walking around the area he spots Anakin's light saber on the ground. Picking it up it still feels very warm then he sees the Sith's dissected body nearby. Grabbing another officer on the scene, General Kenobi demands to know what happened. The officer says they arrived after the battle was over, Colonel Skywalker and the Queen from Naboo were just taken away. Kenobi asks where is Skywalker being transported to? The officer says that the Chancellor ordered Skywalker moved to his private medical facility. Thunder rolls heavily over head and it starts to rain hard as Obi-Wan stands there looking at the light saber in his hand.WIPE TO...
KORIN'S TRANSPORT - The ship comes out of hyperspace only to see Coruscant is under siege. They get the news that Queen Padme Amidala was killed during a clash with invading CIS forces. Korin is grief stricken and demands to be taken to the capital immediately CUT TO...
CHANCELLOR'S MEDICAL FACILITY - We see the process of the medical droids working to save Anakin who is unconscious. They clean up the wounds and burns on his body and work on repairing his lungs. In another room Palpatine watches the procedures on video display intently. CUT TO...
MEDICAL FACILITY WHERE PADME IS LOCATED- The Queen is being examined by a MRI type machine and its discovered that not only is the baby still alive and unharmed but there's two. In a discreet procedure Padme's body is kept functioning while the medical droids deliver the two fully formed but undersized babies. Korin, crying, watches from behind a glass partition in the room. CUT TO...
CHANCELLOR'S MEDICAL FACILITY - Anakin is still under the knife and the medic droids attach the slightly familiar looking triangular mask that covers Skywalker's nose and mouth. Small breathing tubes follow the contour of his neck and lead from the mask to a artificial lung/monitor thats strapped around his chest. The Chancellor asks if Skywalker will survive and the medical droid replies that his lungs have been too severely damaged and he must be fitted with a breather apparatus but he will recover. The device is activated and we hear the all too familiar iron lung rhythmic breathing pattern it produces. Palpatine smiles to himself. CUT TO...
MEDICAL FACILITY - KORIN IS WITH PADME - The newborns are placed in incubators not far from Padme. Korin is standing next to her bed holding her hand telling her about the status of the children and pledging to make sure they are taken care of. We see lightning flash from the bay window in the room and hear rain beating against it. CUT TO...
CHANCELLOR'S MEDICAL FACILITY - Its a torrential downpour as Obi-Wan arrives and is stopped by clone security who tells him his clearance isn't high enough for access then checks his ear piece and allows the Jedi Knight in. Palpatine watches on a monitor as Kenobi enters the building and walks through the halls.
Anakin starts to come to and looks around the room. Semi groggy, he rises out of the bed and walks to a mirror on the wall and sees the reflection of a person who is increasingly less human. At that moment the door opens and Obi-Wan walks in. They look at each other and Anakin asks about Padme, his voice altered by the mask to a metallic baritone. Obi-Wan looks down and says she died at the space port. Anakin falters and almost collapses from the news and Obi-Wan moves to support his friend but Anakin pushes him away and moves wearily to sit in an armchair in the room. Tears well up in his eyes as the last moments with her come back to him and he says "Padme said I had a son. She's dead and my son is dead." His breathing becomes more rapid and the lights start to flicker in the room. "There is nothing left for me. I'm not a husband, not a father..." Obi-Wan looks at Anakin's yellow tinged eyes and the renegade says with defiance and without blinking "I'm not a Jedi." We see Anakin's reflection in the mirror across the room just before it shatters and a sturdy looking cylinder on the wall starts to crumple like a soda can being squeezed by an invisible hand. Most of the lights in the room blink out. Obi-Wan starts to say something but Anakin says with barely contained anger "You need to leave now." Obi-Wan, dejected, turns and leaves the room without a word. Thunder growls in the distance and for a moment we hold on the sullen figure, sitting in the chair, filled with bitter anger and hatred.
Anakin Skywalker is left alone in the darkness.
Stepping into the hallway Kenobi is met by the Chancellor who says that Skywalker has stated his renunciation of the Jedi Order and as such is working directly in the office of the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. Clone troopers escort Kenobi out. WIPE TO...
that also includes Falin Skywalker and Owen Lars..It always bothered me that Luke retained his father name while Leia didn't..why wasn't he called Luke Lars? Especially since they were purposefully being hidden away from Anakin/Vader. So Falin Skywalker being an estranged uncle was my work around for that.