STAR WARS
Episode VII: Escape from Peril
An Original Screenplay
By
Jeremy Lazar
And
GenMadine

---

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...

EXT. SPACE

A vast star field serves as a backdrop for the main title, followed by a roll-up, which crawls into infinity.

It is a time of unstable peace in the galaxy. The reformed Republic, under the leadership of Leia Organa Solo, struggles to maintain freedom in the galaxy.

Recently a secretive force known as the COALITION OF FREE SYSTEMS has begun to assert control along the Outer Rim, and challenge the Republic?s right to rule.

In the midst of this turmoil, LUKE SKYWALKER has called for his two sons to return with him to his home planet of Tatooine in order to teach them the dark secrets of their family?s past....

EXT. SPACE ? TATOOINE

The Jaren?s Dream zooms towards the desolate planet of Tatooine.

INT. JAREN?S DREAM ? KANE?S QUARTERS


In the spartan quarters of the ship, a hooded Jedi ? KANE SKYWALKER (14) stands next to R2-D2, gazing out of the window at the planet below.

KANE
It?s beautiful.

Artoo beeps and gives an electronic raspberry.

KANE (con?d)
I don?t care what you say Artoo. I can?t thank Master Talja enough for letting me come here with father and-

The door chimes and Kane turns.

KANE (con?d)
Come in Ben.

The door opens up revealing BEN SKYWALKER (16), also dressed in Jedi robes.

BEN
Kane, get ready, we?ll be landing soon.

Kane smiles and follows Ben out of the room.

EXT. SPACE ABOVE TATOOINE - DAY

The Jaren?s Dream flies past an unnoticed scout ship.

INT. COALITION SCOUT SHIP ? COCKPIT

A Coalition Officer hits a switch, activating the holocomm. The hooded face of a severe-looking woman appears. She is pale with white eyes.

WOMAN
Speak.

COALITION OFFICER
They?ve just passed us m?lady. Transmitting vector now.

The woman nods as the holo fizzles out.

EXT. TATOOINE ? ABOVE MOS EISLEY - DAY

The Jaren?s Dream flies in high orbit above Mos Eisley.

INT. JAREN?S DREAM ? COCKPIT

Ben enters the cockpit with Kane behind him. At the helm is LUKE SKYWALKER. He is in his early 60s now, with a beard and graying hair down to the bottom of his neck. On his right hand is a black glove.

KANE
Is that it?

Luke laughs.

LUKE
That?s Mos Eisley, we?ll be heading out a lot further.

EXT. MOS EISLEY ? DOCKING BAY 47

The ship lands in the docking bay. The cargo door opens and Luke, Ben and Kane exit on speeder bikes while Artoo stays inside.

LUKE
It?s not too far away, just follow me.

Luke revs his speeder and the boys follow him out of the docking bay.

WIPE

EXT. TATOOINE ? DUNES/MOS ESPA

The speeders fly over the dunes and enter the ruins of Mos Espa. The city has fallen into disrepair. Kane looks around as they go through the abandoned slums and reach an arid patch of ground.

EXT. TATOOINE ? MOS ESPA SLAVE QUARTERS

They get off of their speeders and the boys look around, confused. The ground is barren, with ruined building foundations around them.

KANE
Where are we?

LUKE
Where my father grew up. This used to be the Mos Espa slave quarters.

Kane looks at his father.

KANE
The Great Anakin Skywalker - the Chosen One ? grew up a slave?

Luke nods.

LUKE
And under the Emperor he was a slave for most of his life.

Kane digests the information. Luke looks up.

KANE
What is it?

BEN
Dad ? look.

Luke looks and sees footprints in the desert sand.

WOMAN
Master Skywalker.

The Skywalkers all look to the pale woman who has appeared directly in front of them. She is DARTH NYX, a young Sith Lord cloaked in black. Attached to her belt are two small saber handles with long knife blades protruding from them. She throws back her hood, revealing white dreadlocks, and smiles, before making a grab for Kane with her right arm.

KANE
Hey!

Luke ignites his green saber and charges. Nyx swings her back towards him and ignites one of her small red sabers. Luke parries it, but she releases Kane and brings her second saber around towards his face, which Luke barely blocks in time. Kane and Ben ignite their blue sabers.

LUKE
No ? get back.

Nyx continues to fiercely duel with Luke. Kane leaps to his father?s rescue, but Nyx easily deflects his saber and knocks him to the ground. Ben runs to Kane to help him up.

KANE
I?m fine, help dad.

Ben looks up and sees Nyx trying to throw Luke off in order to get closer to them. Luke looks to his boys.

LUKE
Take the speeders ? go!

Nyx punches Luke in the face and knees him in the stomach. He falls back and she runs after Kane and Ben. Kane stands his ground and re-ignites his saber. Ben starts in to help Luke, stops, thinks a minute, then turns to run, grabbing Kane by the shoulder.

BEN
You heard him, lets go.

KANE
No, we stay here.

Nyx leaps into the air, her sabers outstretched towards the boys. Ben pulls Kane around.

BEN
Now.

As Nyx is about to land, Luke?s saber flies at her head and she hits the ground prematurely. Luke?s saber flies back to his hand as he charges after her. She flips around, barely blocking Luke?s saber coming at her face. She uses his momentum to flip him over her onto the ground.

Ben and Kane reach the speeder bikes.

BEN
Get on, let?s go.

Kane looks back and sees Nyx getting up, with Luke lying on his back.

KANE
We can?t leave him.

BEN
We don?t have a choice right now.

Nyx runs past Luke, but he grabs her ankle and pulls her backwards. As she falls back to the ground she brings a saber towards Luke, which he parries as he gets up. Spinning, he puts himself between her and the boys and yells to them.

LUKE
Kane ? trust me!

Kane looks his father in the eyes and gets on his speeder bike. Ben jumps on his as well and they take off as Nyx gets up, swinging her sabers upwards. Luke turns back and catches one saber, but the other cuts the side of his knee. He screams in pain and drops to the ground, his chin stopping just above Nyx?s other saber.

EXT. TATOOINE ? DUNES


Ben and Kane speed away along side each other. Kane turns his head back and sees Nyx standing over Luke, bringing her sabers to either side of his neck.

KANE
We need to go back.

BEN
We can?t. She?s not after him she?s after us. Keep going.

KANE
She?ll kill him.

BEN
If she wanted to he?d be dead right now, so move.

Ben speeds up. Kane takes one last look and follows after his brother.

EXT. TATOOINE ? MOS ESPA SLAVE QUARTERS

Nyx speaks into a commlink near her shoulder.


DARTH NYX
I have the father. The sons are heading your way.

Smiling, she turns back to Luke, who shuts off his saber and drops it.

DARTH NYX (con?d)
Looks like you?re mine, Skywalker.

She turns back to her commlink.

DARTH NYX (con?d)
Bring the Capture Droid.

EXT. TATOOINE ? DUNES


Ben and Kane continue to fly through the dessert. As they rise above a large dune they see a Coalition Camp. A Coalition Commander stands with several Coalition Swoop Troopers, sitting ready on Sand Skates.

COALITION COMMANDER
There they are! Go! Go!

The Troopers rev their engines. The Skates roar to life and zoom out after the boys. Kane looks over his shoulder and spots the Skates in hot pursuit.

BEN
Looks like trouble.

KANE
Hit your accelerator! They?re gaining on us!

Kane hits a toggle on his handlebars. His bike lurches forward and goes faster, almost making him fly off the speeder. Ben sighs and hits his accelerator following after his brother. Behind them the Sand Skates continue to gain.

EXT. TATOOINE ? METTA DROP

The speeder bikes head towards Ebe Crater Valley and pass between two markers.

MARKER
Warning! You have entered the racetrack.

Ben and Kane stop their bikes and look at each other.

BEN
Racetrack?

KANE
How could I have forgotten ? the Boonta Eve 6000!

BEN
What?

The Sand Skates head over the dune towards the boys. They start their bikes back up, when suddenly they hear several loud engine roars.

KANE
Pod racing!


Five sleek pod racers head towards the boys, who are right at the edge of the cliff. Kane turns his bike facing off the edge.

KANE (con?d)
Come on!

He flies forward towards the edge.

BEN
You?re crazy!

KANE
Trust me.

They fly off the edge of the cliff, with the Pod Racers right behind them. At the same time the Sand Skates get in the way, causing several to crash into two of the pods.

EXT. TATOOINE - EBE CRATER VALLEY

The bikes land with three pods right behind them.

BEN
I thought pod racing was outlawed.

KANE
Sure, under the Empire.

The pods, much faster than the speeders, threaten to suck the boys into their engines.

KANE (con?d)
Hurry up!

BEN
Thanks for the advice.

Up ahead, Kane sees more track markers in the dust.

KANE
Slow down!

BEN
Hurry up, slow down - make up your mind.

Kane pulls his speeder bike to the side, heading between two oncoming pods.

BEN (con?d)
I ever tell you you?re crazy?

KANE
All the time. Follow me.

Ben follows after Kane as they fly past two more markers.

MARKER
You have deviated from the course.

Kane turns his head to look at Ben.

KANE
That wasn?t so bad!

Ben?s eyes widen, and Kane turns his head forward again to see what Ben is looking at ? it?s a Bantha herd. Kane turns to avoid the lead Bantha and spooks it. It begins to charge after Kane, almost crushing Ben. The rest of the herd bellows and begins to charge after them both.

Kane?s bike begins to sputter.

KANE
Oh no.

He falls back past Ben, towards the stampeding herd.

KANE (con?d)
I?m out of fuel!

BEN
Hold on.

Ben cuts back his throttle, dropping right in front of the herd.

BEN (con?d)
Jump!

Kane gets up on his speeder and leaps onto Ben?s. Ben speeds back up and pulls off as Kane?s bike is crushed by the herd.

EXT. MOS EISLEY

As Ben and Kane zoom towards Mos Eisley, more Sand Skates appear behind them.

KANE
Looks like more trouble.

The bike heads into the street, startling several pedestrians. The Skates continue pursuit.

The boys turn down a side street. They turn sharply and knock over a droid wheeling a cart. The fallen cart sprouts legs and walks off the road.

KANE (con?d)
Go that way!

The bike races the docking bay. Ben hits a switch on the bike.

BEN
Artoo?

INT. DOCKING BAY 47

The Jaren?s Dream sits silently in the docking bay.

INT. JAREN?S DREAM ? LOUNGE

Artoo has a panel open in the lounge when he hears something calling from the cockpit.

BEN (O.S.)
Artoo pick up!

R2 warbles and heads into the cockpit. He activates a scomp link.

BEN (con?d)
Artoo get the ship fired up. We?ve got to get out of here.

Artoo chirps.

BEN (con?d)
And open the hanger bay. Take off as soon as we enter.

Artoo chirps in the affirmative.

EXT. MOS EISLEY STREETS

Ben and Kane head to the docking bay doors with the Skates behind them. One of the Coalition troopers takes a shot at them, the blaster bolt whizzing by Kane?s ear and hitting the wall.

INT. DOCKING BAY 47

The bike enters the docking bay, with the Skates behind it. They start to blast at the boys. Ben sees a sloping rock in front of the opening hanger bay door and aims the bike at it.

BEN
It?s going to be close.

He rides the bike up the rock, jumping it over the troops and into the bay.

INT. JAREN?S DREAM ? CARGO BAY

The bike skids to a stop. Ben and Kane tumble off of it.

KANE
Ben?

BEN
Yes?

KANE
Never do that again!

EXT. MOS EISLEY

The Jaren?s Dream begins to lift off. The Skates stop and a Coalition Trooper activates his comm link as the ship jets away.

EXT. SPACE ABOVE TATOOINE

The Jaren?s Dream heads into orbit just as several Coalition Scouts head towards them.

INT. JAREN?S DREAM ? COCKPIT

The boys rush into the cockpit and Ben takes the controls.

BEN
They must want us really bad.

The scouts begin to fire at the Dream. The ship?s communications dish explodes.

BEN (con?d)
We?ve got to jump to avoid them.

KANE
Where?

BEN
Anywhere for now ? we?ll worry about our course later.

Ben does a few small calculations and punches the ship to hyperspace.

WIPE

INT. EBONY BLADE ? CAPTURE BAY

Nyx is standing over Luke, who?s being locked into place. The Coalition Commander enters.

COALITION COMMANDER
I?m afraid we?ve lost them.

In a fit of rage Nyx throws the Commander into the ceiling then the wall with the Force. He collapses to the ground.

LUKE
You won?t get my sons that easily.

DARTH NYX
Gloat all you want Skywalker. We?re still sending you to Doom Keep.

WIPE

EXT. SPACE ? CORUSCANT

Bustling traffic zooms all around the planet of Coruscant.

INT. CORUSCANT ? SENATE BUILDING - SUNRISE

The domed Senate building sits majestically over the main thoroughfare.

INT. SENATE - MAIN SENATE CHAMBER

Chancellor LEIA ORGANA-SOLO is presiding a debate in the Senate. SEE-THREEPIO is at her side, both providing her with information as well as translating.

QUARREN SENATOR
The Jedi are our best source for
(more)

QUARREN SENATOR (con?d)
protection and peacekeeping in the galaxy. To undermine their authority is ludicrous.

LEIA
Local security squads are for everyday matters, Senator, we are talking about returning them as protectors of the Republic. To use their autonomy to help with disputes that benefit the galaxy as a whole. Like this matter with the Coalition.

ITHORIAN SENATOR
Jedi can make the jobs of our armed forces a whole lot easier.

DUG SENATOR
Echam wonna Jedi eit take bukka woe min ehy tabba whu. Deh mo anomen.

THREEPIO
Senator Setoka says that the Jedi cannot be allowed to roam the galaxy free to do what they please. They have to be regulated.

LEIA
The Senate will have authority, but you cannot take away their basic freedoms!

Threepio takes Leia aside.

THREEPIO
Madame Chancellor, if I may, Malastare has a history of disliking Jedi for centuries. I do no think you can change their minds today.

LEIA
I have to try.
(To senate)
To continue to serve the galaxy in the best way possible, I urge this (more)

LEIA (con?d)
body to discontinue their distrust of the Jedi. The Jedi were the pillars of the Old Republic.

The aging, blue skinned, red eyed, pointy eared, SENATOR GOLEMUN moves his platform forwards.

SENATOR GOLEMUN
The Jedi were responsible for the fall of the Old Republic, if I am not mistaken.

LEIA
Senator Golemun, that is simply untrue-

GOLEMUN
I was there, Madame Chancellor. The Republic was by destroyed by Palpatine, whose manipulations the Jedi could not detect. We relied too heavily on their guidance, and as a result, the Jedi?s weakness led to decades of war.

Rumblings and cheers emit from various pods throughout the senate. Leia starts to look concerned.

THREEPIO
Oh my!

GOLEMUN
Why should we trust them now?

LEIA
The Coalition forces are growing, Senator. We need to support this body?s position on the Jedi if they are to help us with this new threat.

GOLEMUN
Threat? Threat, my lady? The Coalition is simply fulfilling the promises that this body has lacked the ability to accomplish.

RODIAN SENATOR
Here here!

LEIA
Under current conditions, the Jedi are stinted. They cannot make a move without this body?s approval. They need more freedom to perform their duties.

GOLEMUN
The Empire was free of Jedi interference to complicate matters. The galaxy is once more in turmoil, and we?re here again talking about Jedi. I myself am beginning to think that the Coalition might be more effective in running the galaxy than either Empire or Republic.

There is an uproar. The Senators begin to argue.

MON CALAMARI SENATOR
That is treason!

THREEPIO
This is not good.

LEIA
Senator Golemun, enough! We are going in circles. The Coalition is consolidating their forces. We need to decide this issue as soon as we can.

Leia notices Jedi Master MARA JADE-SKYWALKER standing in the viewers area.

LEIA (con?d)
We will revisit this topic when we reconvene. Thank you all for your time. Senate adjourned.

The turmoil begins to die down as the Senators leave.

INT. SENATE ? HALLWAY

Leia and Threepio walk with Mara down to Leia?s office.

LEIA
I don?t know how much more I can take, Mara. This debate about the Jedi has been going on for months.

MARA
The number of Senators sharing Golemun?s point of view is growing.

LEIA
Golemun has his own agenda. He?s only using this issue as a catalyst.

MARA
And he?s doing a very good job.

INT. CHANCELLOR?S OFFICE

Leia leads Mara and Threepio into the Chancellor?s office, now hers and decorated in white. Leia walks to her desk and looks wistfully at a holostill of Han, now well into his 80s.

MARA
I?m about to leave for Kharam. I want to get back before Luke does

LEIA
How do you deal with being away from Luke and the boys?

MARA
Luke never seems to get enough time with them. This trek to Tatooine is important for their training, and for him. That?s all I need. Besides, I can?t say I?m not enjoying the break.

Leia smiles as her door chimes.

LEIA
Come.

Golemun enters, flanked by his honor guard, atop a mechanical throne.

GOLEMUN
Madame Organa-Solo?

LEIA
Senator Golemun, what brings you to my office?

GOLEMUN
With all due respect, I came seeking a private audience with you to discuss the growing Coalition debate, to see if we can avoid a repeat of what happened today in the Senate Chamber.

LEIA
That is a nice thought, Senator, you can make an appointment with?

GOLEMUN
I feel you are only seeing one side of this issue. As both a Jedi and the Chancellor, it is imperative you remain as neutral as possible on this matter. Your mind seems made up as far as the proper way to govern the galaxy is concerned.

LEIA
Senator, I have made no nods to the contrary. The galaxy was governed for years under the very body I wish to reinstate.

GOLEMUN
Your type of government has failed before, why will it not fail now? My friends in The Coalition assure me they are simply offering an alternative to the reforming Republic, they mean no harm.

LEIA
I am well aware of your ties to The Coalition, Senator?

GOLEMUN
The Jedi were unable to prevent (more)
GOLEMUN (con?d)
Palpatine from bringing about the rise of the Empire. A governing body without Jedi presence is the only safe way to maintain a democracy in this galaxy. Frankly, some find your tactics for running the Galaxy quite imperialistic?

LEIA
Imperialistic? I do not care for your implication, Senator Golemun. You seek a government with you in charge and the Jedi non-existent.

GOLEMUN
That is a most remarkable presumption. I should know not to expect less from the daughter of Darth Vader.

Leia looks around as if to see if anyone is close enough to hear Golemun?s words.

LEIA
That is hardly public knowledge, Senator. And completely irrelevant.

GOLEMUN
On the contrary, Madame Organa-Solo, it is completely relevant. The Jedi continue to push their ideals upon the galaxy for the ?greater good?. You push for a government where the Jedi are the real power, not the people.

Golemun leans in to Leia.

GOLEMUN (con?d)
I am confident that I will persuade the Senate to see my point of view... And you will be surprised of the many things I know that are hardly public knowledge.

Leia pulls back a little.

LEIA
We have strong intelligence showing that The Coalition is stockpiling arms. If anyone is looking for a war, it?s them.

GOLEMUN
Please. With the Republic military so large, obviously they feel threatened. Try being a diplomat again. I fear your time with the Rebellion has turned you into a warmonger.

LEIA
I have sacrificed my life many times for this galaxy. You cannot say the same. Until you have, keep your slanderous comments to yourself.

Golemun?s throne begins to retreat backwards.

GOLEMUN
When my planet was threatened during the Clone Wars, I pleaded with the Senate for assistance, but got none. The Republic destroyed my planet after I joined the Separatists in order to avoid their attack. My people blamed me for the destruction. I have sacrificed plenty.

LEIA
That was 50 years ago, Senator, now is not the time to fix your family legacy.

GOLEMUN
Again, Madame Organa Solo, you are mistaken. Your personal agenda has no right to try and prevent free will. I have sworn to bring true order to the galaxy. And if that means?

LEIA
That?s Chancellor Organa-Solo, (more)
LEIA (con?d)
Senator, and until you hold that title, you will show the proper respect. Good day.

GOLEMUN
My apologies...

LEIA
Good day.

The door closes as Golemun leaves.

WIPE

EXT. HYPERSPACE


The Jaren?s Dream rockets through hyperspace.

INT. JAREN?S DREAM - COCKPIT

Ben and Kane are sitting at the controls, mulling over data screens.

KANE
The damage isn?t nearly as bad as I thought.

BEN
Yeah. The hyperdrive is slow, but it?ll get us to Kharam.

KANE
We should be going after dad.

BEN
Where do we even start? At least home at the Temple we?ll have some resources to work with.

Kane sighs, staring out into hyperspace.

KANE
Great Jedi we turned out to be. Couldn?t even save our own father.

BEN
Don?t worry, we?ll find him. I?m going to the lounge, you coming?

KANE
Guess I might as well.

Kane grumbles, following Ben out of the cockpit.

INT. JAREN?S DREAM - HALLWAY

On the way to the lounge Ben and Kane walk past a reptilian creature hidden in the shadows. He slinks out after they pass and heads into the cockpit.

WIPE

EXT. SPACE ? DOOM KEEP


The Coalition Prison Station, Doom Keep, hangs silently in the darkness of space. It is gothic, black, and heavy.

INT. DOOM KEEP ? NYX?S QUARTERS

Darth Nyx stands rigidly in the center of her sparse quarters. The room is dark, open, and hexagonally shaped. Barely seen on the walls are several types of melee weapons. Her eyes are transfixed on a viewscreen, showing a tactical readout on the planet of Kharam. The viewscreen is interrupted but the face of WARDEN KVEZ, a heavy-set, stern man.

DARTH NYX
Yes, Warden Kvez?

WARDEN KVEZ
Lady Nyx, the prisoner has been incarcerated.

DARTH NYX
Good. Has the serum been administered?

WARDEN KVEZ
Of course, m?lady.

DARTH NYX
Excellent. Screen off.

The screen turns off and Nyx bows to one knee.

DARTH NYX (con?d)
Holo.

Holobeams activate from four corners, forming a hologram field in front of her. It?s dense, and flickering, with heavy interference. In the depth of the image the shadowy, hooded, face of DARTH SECUTOS can barely be glimpsed.

DARTH SECUTOS
Yes, Lady Nyx?

DARTH NYX
I have captured Skywalker.

DARTH SECUTOS
Which one?

DARTH NYX
The father.

DARTH SECUTOS
The father is unimportant to my plans-

DARTH NYX
I am aware, m?lord. I suspect the sons will come to rescue-

DARTH SECUTOS
Alert all Coalition forces. The sons must be found.

DARTH NYX
Yes m?lord.

DARTH SECUTOS
I will not tolerate further failure.

Secutos cuts the communication.

WIPE

EXT. HYPERSPACE

The Jaren?s Dream continues through hyperspace

INT. JAREN?S DREAM - LOUNGE

Ben and Kane are sitting across from one another playing holochess, with Artoo looking on. Ben?s monster defeats Kane?s. Artoo laughs and Kane scowls at him.

BEN
You?ve never played this bad before.

KANE
Yeah, well I?m a little distracted.

He glares at Ben.

KANE (con?d)
You should be too.

BEN
There?s nothing we?

Suddenly the engines strain and the ship shudders, before going back to normal. Ben and Kane look at each other.

KANE
The hyperdrive.

BEN
We?ve changed course.

The boys jump up and run to the cockpit.

INT. JAREN?S DREAM - COCKPIT

As the boys rush into the cockpit they startle the green, reptilian creature at the controls.

BEN
Hey!

The creature, MINCH, jumps up, gripping the ceiling bulkheads. He?s just over three feet tall, with a small body and long limbs. He has prickly skin, and is dressed in a ragged mechanic?s jumpsuit with many pockets. When he speaks it?s a mixture of English and his own tongue.

MINCH
[Stay away!] Back [horrible] boys! [This is my ship! You must get off!]

Ben steps in front of Kane.

BEN
I don?t know who you are, but this is our ship.

MINCH
[It?s mine now.] Sorry.

Kane ignites his lightsaber.

KANE
I suggest you surrender to us.

Ben gets a sudden realization and darts towards the control panel, but Minch beats him to it and takes them out of hyperspace.

MINCH
Rotten Jedi boys!

EXT. SPACE ABOVE TOWNOWI

The ship is now back in realspace, heading towards the dark brown and black planet of Townowi.

INT. JAREN?S DREAM - COCKPIT

MINCH
[I need to put it orbit now.] Get away.

Minch struggles with Ben for the controls. Kane pushes him away with the Force. Minch gets up and leaps at Kane, knocking him over. Kane?s lightsaber goes flying and Ben tries to bring it to him, but the spinning blade cuts through the controls.

BEN
Hey!

Kane and Minch stop fighting and look at Ben, then to the sparking control panels.

BEN (con?d)
I don?t think we?re going to be able land this thing.

Outside, the ship hits the atmosphere and begins to buckle.

MINCH
[Fools.] Coalition hates [trespassers!] They?ll shoot [us down for sure.]

Kane looks to Ben.


KANE
Great. A Coalition planet.

BEN
Let?s worry about them if we survive the crash. Head to the middle of the ship.

He nods over to Minch, who?s trying in vain to control the ship.

KANE
Leave him!

BEN
We can?t just let him die. We?re Jedi.

Ben runs up and grabs Minch?s arm. He pulls him out of the cockpit with Kane.

EXT. TOWNOWI - LOW ATMOSPHERE

The ship continues to free fall, breaking through the clouds, past a giant mountain covered in docking pads, over a vast brown rocky plain with large columns of rock, and coming up on an immense black bog, filled with refuse and garbage. The ship smacks into the bog, sending debris flying everywhere, but soon comes to a halt.

INT. JAREN?S DREAM - LOUNGE

Minch, the boys, and Artoo check themselves over. Kane glares at Minch.

KANE
You have a lot of explaining to do.

Kane starts towards Minch, but the ship shudders and drops down.

BEN
Kane, I think we?re starting to sink into the bog.

Once again the ship drops.

MINCH
No outside! [The bog is toxic,] it kill us all.

BEN
Is the MPT working?

KANE
It is if Artoo fixed it like he was supposed to.

Artoo beeps, taken aback.

KANE (con?d)
I don?t care what I did - you were supposed to fix it.

BEN
It doesn?t matter, we have no other way out of here.

INT. TOWNOWI - GARBAGE BOG - DAY

The ship is half buried in the muck. The cargo door opens and Artoo, Minch, and the boys leave, wearing gas masks and riding in their MPT - Multi-Personal Transport - a small, open cockpit walker. One leg is damaged, but still able to move, albeit slowly. The MPT lumbers on the unsure ground towards the shore. Kane looks over the side of the walker and sees large white worms writing through the muck.

Minch looks over the side as well.

MINCH
Feh! Grolgnaks. Nasty [creatures, don?t step on them]

Ben looks at Minch, unsure of what he said. Minch illustrates by bringing his fist down on his other arm and making it violently wriggle.

BEN
Got it.

On the next step the leg comes down on a grolgnak. It?s face snaps out of the muck and slams the side of the walker, causing it to shudder. Minch panics.

MINCH
Stupid Jedi boys [what are you doing? I said don?t step on them.]

KANE
Oh come on, that wasn?t so bad.

More grolgnaks start to slam into the walker, now from both sides.

BEN
The walker?s not going to hold together if this keeps up.

The attacks increase, with over a dozen worms fiercely smashing into the walker. Kane looks and sees the shore somewhat far off.

KANE
I think we?re going to have to jump.

Ben looks and sees how far away the shore is.

BEN
I don?t think we can make it.

KANE
I?ve jumped that far.

BEN
Not with a passenger.

Kane looks back at Minch.

KANE
You take him.

BEN
Then you have Artoo.

KANE
Fine.

Ben calls Minch and Artoo over the front of the cockpit. The foursome steps out onto the nose.

BEN
If we miss it won?t be pretty.

A large worm hits the walker so hard that it almost tips.

KANE
I don?t really see how we have much of a choice.

Ben and Kane force-leap, taking Minch and Artoo with them. As they leave the walker, it finally topples and the worms writhe on top of it, dragging it below.

EXT. TOWNOWI - SHORE

The four barely make it to the shore, and the boys huff with exhaustion.

BEN
Two craft in one day - a new record.

The boys look down at Minch who?s begun to walk away.

MINCH
[I guess I?ll be going then.]

Ben gets up quickly and grabs Minch.

BEN
You?re not going anywhere.

Kane comes to his brother?s side.

BEN (con?d)
I should slice your head right off.

Ben ignites his saber, shocking Kane.

KANE
Ben?

BEN
It?s your fault we?re in this mess to begin with. What?s your name?

MINCH
My name Repuper.

KANE
And why?d you steal our ship?

MINCH
Coalition pay good money for good ship.

BEN
Aunt Leia was right - The Coalition is stockpiling. (To Minch)
What else do you know about the Coalition?

Minch points to the large mountain in the distance.

MINCH
[They occupy Port Olath.] We go this way.

Minch begins to walk towards the large rock columns up ahead. The boys and Artoo start to follow.

BEN
See, he?s coming in handy all ready.

The group continues towards the distant mountain.

WIPE

EXT. TOWNOWI ? ROCK COLUMNS

The boys head with Artoo and Minch past large columns of rock which reach far into the sky. Minch looks up and sees the edges of nests resting at the very tops. He starts to make a weird hooting call. The boys stop walking.

KANE
What is he doing?

The boys hear a whooshing sound.

BEN (con?d)
Sounds like he?s calling something.

A great shadow covers the boys.

BEN (con?d)
I don?t like this.

Kane tugs Ben?s robe.

KANE
Hey, Ben ? look.

He points to the sky. Ben looks up and sees two giant birds ? atoqs ? swooping above them. Minch begins to run away.

BEN
Hey! Get back here.

He chases after Minch, as one of the atoqs begins to descend. It pulls its wings back to dive. It?s claws almost reach Ben?s shoulders, but he ducks and rolls at the last minute.

Kane activates his lightsaber and turns as the other atoq makes a dive for him. He swings at it, but quickly leaps out it?s way as it continues towards him. The atoq swoops back up into the air, almost knocking over Artoo, and turns for another pass.

Ben, barely avoiding another atoq attack, has caught up with Minch, and grabs him. Minch struggles to let go. He points at the sky and the atoq that?s now diving right at them.

MINCH
Let go! Run!

Ben refuses to let go. The atoq almost gets them when a blaster bolt hits it under the chin. The atoq hits the ground head first, rolling to a stop.

Ben looks and sees a young girl, THENNA SUNSHADOW (15), standing with her rifle. The second atoq goes for Kane and she shoots it under the chin as well, felling it instantly.

Kane walks up to her, with Ben and Minch following behind.

BEN
That was amazing.

Kane stares in amazement at Thenna. Thenna gives Kane a dirty look.

THENNA
My name is Thenna Sunshadow. And you?re both welcome. Atoqs don?t like strangers. Or anyone else, for that matter. I heard a crash, came to look for survivors.

KANE
Or salvage.

THENNA
You should talk, hanging around with Minch of all people.

Kane and Ben look at each other.

BEN
Who?s Minch?

THENNA
He is.

She points at ?Repuper.?

MINCH
Oh, yes. Forgot name.

THENNA
Anyone who hangs around with him may need help, but not from me.

Thenna turns and walks back to her speeder. Ben runs after her, grabbing her shoulder.

BEN
Not so fast. We need-

Thenna grabs him and flips him onto the hood of her speeder. Kane is astonished. Ben gets up and brushes himself off as Kane steps boldly forward.

Thenna looks the two of them up and down.

THENNA
You must be awfully brave Jedi to come to Townowi. Or just awfully stupid.

BEN
How did you know we?re Jedi?

THENNA
The lightsabers kind of gave it away.

KANE
We?re not here to cause trouble. Our father?s been?

BEN
We need to get back to the Jedi Temple.

Thenna?s eyes light up, but she quickly hides her excitement.

THENNA
The Jedi Temple?

KANE
Yes, can you help us?

THENNA
My father isn?t too fond of Jedi. I doubt he?ll take you. Maybe we can get you a ride at Port Olath.

Thenna gets in the speeder. Ben and Kane look at each other, and silently agree to go along with Thenna. Ben, Kane and Artoo follow, and Ben calls out to Minch.

BEN
You too.

THENNA
Oh no, he?s not coming with us.

BEN
Yes he is. He owes me a life debt. Two actually.

THENNA
You?ve got to be joking.

Ben looks her in the eye.

KANE
Jedi don?t joke.

THENNA
Fine. Minch ? get in here. Now.

Minch grumbles and gets in the speeder.

EXT. TOWNOWI - DAY

Thenna?s speeder rockets towards Mount Olath.

BEN
Are we going to be able to get this speeder up the mountain?

THENNA
We?re not going up the mountain, we?re going into it. Port Olath is built into Townowi?s cave system.

The speeder rides past the dark, foreboding, mountains of Townowi until it stops at the massive entrance cave to Port Olath.

THENNA (con?d)
Most people get here the traditional way by docking their ships at a docking pad. I?ve never had to sneak anyone in this way. Still, rummage in the cargo compartment. There should be something for you guys to cover up those robes with.

Kane opens the compartment and pulls out some drab cloaks. Ben and Kane look back towards Minch.

THENNA (con?d)
And give one to Minch.

BEN
He?s got friends everywhere doesn?t he?

INT. PORT OLATH

The speeder enters the wide main street of Port Olath, a bustling frontier town. Powerful lights are strung up on the high walls of the gigantic main cave, and many smaller caves can be seen breaking off and leading away. Many buildings are built directly into the walls of the cave, but others, especially on main street, are four walled structures built in the wide-open space. People and aliens scurry about their daily business and several red armored Coalition Troopers stand watch. There is vehicular traffic as well, mostly personal speeders or cargo transports.

BEN
This place is crawling with troops.

THENNA
Don?t worry, they keep away from certain areas.

Thenna turns down a side street.

INT. PORT OLATH - SIDE STREET

Thenna stops the speeder outside of the cantina and they disembark. Thenna looks at the entrance, and back at the boys, sighing.

THENNA
You should be able to find a ride here.

She pauses.

THENNA (con?d)
Well, I guess this is it. Good luck.

BEN
Thanks.

KANE
We appreciate the help.

BEN
Kane, do you have any money?

KANE
Oh, didn?t think of that.

THENNA
Maybe I should go in with you. You know, to help you find?

Suddenly Thenna?s speeder starts up and speeds off. They turn to see it go and Thenna runs a few steps after it in vain.

THENNA (con?d)
My speeder!

The boys look around to see that Minch is gone.

BEN
Minch!

THENNA
I don?t believe he stole my speeder!

KANE
You don?t?

THENNA
Dad?s going to kill me.

KANE
I have an idea.

Kane looks around at the crowd of people outside of cantina. He sees a Rodian walking towards a parked speeder and runs up to him. He waves his hand.

KANE
You will give us your speeder.

The Rodian looks at Kane. Thenna turns to Ben.

THENNA
Wow, I?ve always wanted to see a mind trick.

BEN
Keep waiting, Kane can?t do it.

He waves his hand again.

KANE
You will give us your speeder.

The Rodian still looks puzzled. Kane grabs his saber and ignites it.

KANE (con?d)
Give us your speeder!

The Rodian panics, yells, and runs off.

BEN
Kane!

Kane jumps in the speeder.

KANE
What? It worked. Come on! He?s getting away.

Thenna runs to the stolen speeder and Ben and Artoo follow. R2 beeps at Ben. Ben force-lifts Artoo into the speeder. Kane and Thenna jump in. Ben takes the controls and takes off after Minch.

INT. PORT OLATH - STREET

The Rodian?s speeder rockets through the streets of Port Olath, dodging traffic and pedestrians.

BEN
I can?t believe you stole a speeder.

KANE
You?re the one driving it.

BEN
Don?t blame this on me. We don?t want them to know we?re Jedi, and you pulled your saber out.

KANE
It?s a training saber!

Ben shoots Kane a look like he?s gone mad. Distracted, Ben almost hits a group of merchants.

THENNA
Stop arguing and drive!

BEN and KANE
Sorry!

Thenna points to the radar screen.

THENNA
Great. He?s heading into the Distribution Center.

INT. PORT OLATH - DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Minch checks the radar on Thenna?s speeder and sees that he?s still being followed. He steers the speeder into the busiest area of the Distribution Center. Automated cranes and belts sort through an endless stream of cargo containers of all shapes and sizes and drop them onto large hover trucks. Ben steers his speeder right after him.

KANE
I told you we should?ve left Minch on the sinking ship.

BEN
Our job as Jedi is to help people.

Ben just barely dodges a large crane.

BEN (con?d)
No matter who they are.

KANE
You call this helping?

They continue to give chase as Minch pulls out of the thick of the Distribution Center and turns down a small cavern.

INT. TOWNOWI CAVE SYSTEM - EXPANSION TUNNELS

Ben continues to gain on Minch. The tunnel has a string of lights running along it?s ceiling, but is devoid of traffic.

THENNA
He?s taking us outside the city limits.

BEN
Good.

THENNA
Not good. These tunnels lead up to the surface somehow, but it?s a total maze.

KANE
We will be all right. Someone had to travel through here to string these lights up.

Suddenly it goes dark. Now only the running lights of the speeder illuminate the caves.

THENNA
City limits.

Minch is now within sight distance. Kane shifts in his seat and begins to get up.

KANE
Can you get any closer?

BEN
Did I ever tell you you worry me?

KANE
Just do it. Pull up on him.

Ben floors it as Kane gets on the front of the speeder. He steadies himself as the speeder comes up behind Minch. Kane leaps off the hood of the stolen speeder and lands - barely - on Thenna?s speeder, just missing the exposed engine, which singes his cloak.

Minch turns and sees Kane moving up towards him and swats at him with his arm. Kane grabs Minch?s shoulder.

KANE
Remember what happened last time you fought with me?

Minch gets a devilish look in his eyes and jerks the speeder sharply to the left. He leaps out of his seat, just as Kane realizes what?s happened. He too leaps away as the speeder tips, hits the ground, flips over and rolls.

In the Rodian?s speeder Ben makes a wild turn in his speeder, and Artoo is thrown off by the quick turn. Ben has just enough time to react. He grabs Thenna tightly and the two of them leap to safely as well. The stolen speeder slams into Thenna?s and the two crash and explode in a flash of light.

Kane gets up and checks himself. His left shoulder is injured. He sees Minch on all fours, holding his head and runs and grabs him.

KANE
You better hope they?re still okay.

On the other side of the burning speeder wreck Thenna is lying on top of Ben. She pushes herself up a bit, her face hovering just above his. A strand of her hair dangles in Ben?s face. His eyes open.

THENNA
You saved my life.

BEN
Just, um, doing my job.

Thenna stares into his eyes and begins to drop her lips towards his and - they hear a beep. Thenna turns to see Artoo next to them. He turns on his spotlight and continues to talk. Thenna gets up, looking down at Ben as he does the same. They brush themselves off.

THENNA
What?s he saying?

BEN
Artoo? Oh. Nothing, just reminding me about something in the Jedi code.

He looks as the wreckage of the speeders.

BEN (con?d)
We better go see if Kane and Minch are okay.

He walks around to other side of the wreckage, and is met by Kane, holding Minch by the arm.

KANE
You two all right?

BEN
Just a few scrapes.

Kane throws Minch?s arm at Ben.

KANE
Good. Here?s your burden.

The three turn and see Thenna staring at the remains of her speeder. She bends down and picks up a piece of metal and hurls it back at the wreck. Ben turns to Artoo, indicating Minch.

BEN
Hold on to him.

Artoo shoots out a whipcord, which wraps around Minch?s neck. Ben and Kane walk over to Thenna, who?s practically crying.

THENNA
It?s gone. There?s no way that?s ever being fixed.

Ben puts his arm around Thenna, but she throws it off.

THENNA (con?d)
My speeder?s wrecked, we?re stuck in these caves and-

KANE
We?ll find our way out.

THENNA
How?

KANE
I thought you said the caves lead back up to the surface.

THENNA
Yeah, and no one knows how.

MINCH
[I know how.]

BEN
What?

THENNA
He said he knows how. [You do not you liar.]

MINCH
Liar! [I can take us right to the cargo tunnels. Who knows these caves better than me?]

Thenna sighs. Ben and Kane look at her.

THENNA
He does know these caves pretty well. It?s a long walk, but he should be able to get us into a cargo tunnel. I can get us to the surface from there.

BEN
Minch, you?re going to get us out of here.

KANE
Oh great. Can?t we just shoot ourselves now and save him the trouble.

Thenna turns and takes one last look at her speeder, before the group sets out.

WIPE

INT. DOOM KEEP - DARTH NYX?S QUARTERS

Darth Nyx is meditating in her quarters. She sits in the middle of the room, centered in a small pool of light. Her eyes open a split second before we hear a chime.

DARTH NYX
Activate.

Her viewscreen turns on, revealing Warden Kvez.

DARTH NYX (con?d)
What?

WARDEN KVEZ
Priority message from Governor Sate Molok of Townowi.

DARTH NYX
Put him through.

The image fizzles, replaced by the Governor. He?s a tall man wearing an elaborate hat, with many medals on the opulent robes he wears over his standard Coalition uniform.

SATE MOLOK
Lady Nyx, I have excellent news.

DARTH NYX
I hope so Governor, I am not to be disturbed otherwise.

Molok, expecting her response, continues, still smiling politely.

SATE MOLOK
We have reason to believe that the Skywalker children are on Townowi.

DARTH NYX
Impossible.

SATE MOLOK
Earlier today we received reports of a thief wielding a lightsaber.

DARTH NYX
Interesting but-

SATE MOLOK
Prior to that a ship crashed in the wastelands.

Molok hits a button off screen and a hologram of the Jaren?s Dream appears in front of him.

SATE MOLOK (con?d)
The same ship that got away from you on Tatooine.

Molok takes a moment to enjoy the anger rising to Nyx?s face.

DARTH NYX
Where are they?

SATE MOLOK
We don?t know. I?ve posted sentry droids, but I want to keep it quiet.

DARTH NYX
If you don?t find them shortly put the planet into Lockdown.

SATE MOLOK
Isn?t that a bit rash?

DARTH NYX
My Master wants those children.

SATE MOLOK
Last time we had to do that-

DARTH NYX
You have two hours.

SATE MOLOK
Yes m?lady.

Molok, bows his head and cuts his transmission.

WIPE

INT. TOWNOWI CAVE SYSTEM - NARROW PASSAGE

Kane, Ben, Thenna, Artoo and Minch are making their way through a narrow passage. Minch, still tied to Artoo, is leading the way, with Artoo?s spotlight illuminating the cavern.

KANE
Are you sure he?s not just walking us in circles?

BEN
No, we?ve been moving upwards for a while now.

KANE
Yeah, well it?s a big mountain.

THENNA
I thought Jedi were supposed to be patient?

Kane glares at her.

KANE
You seem to know an awful lot about the Jedi.

THENNA
So?

KANE
I mean cause you?re not one.

The three walk in silence for a moment.

THENNA
Listen Master Skywalker, not all of us have the freedom to choose our paths in life.

The two of them stare at each other as the group enters a new chamber.

INT. TOWNOWI CAVE SYSTEM - CAVERN

Artoo's light illuminates the huge cavern. Only a thin bridge connects the two sides, with fierce updrafts on either side of them. Hanging from the ceiling are several large stalactites. The group enters, with Minch starting to move around as if sensing something.

MINCH
[I don't like the smell of this place.]

KANE
What'd he say?

THENNA
He says he doesn't the like room.

KANE
I don't sense anything.

They continue onto the bridge, but after a few steps, Minch stops.

MINCH
[Forget it.] Danger.

BEN
What's in here?

KANE
Ignore him, he's faking.

Ben stops and concentrates.

BEN
No, I do feel something. It's faint but-

KANE
Fine, it's faint. Let's keep moving.

Minch turn and starts to walk back the way they came, tugging at the rope connecting him to Artoo.

MINCH
No way. [You want to die, be my-]

Kane shoves his lightsaber in Minch's face.

KANE
Turn around.

Minch looks at him blankly and walks back past Artoo, swatting him.

MINCH
Move fast droid.

The group begins to cross the bridge when Minch sees a large swatch of bioluminescent lichens on the side of the bridge. His eyes light up.

MINCH (con?d)
Kleamins!

He smiles and starts to try and scrape them off the side.

BEN
What's he doing?

THENNA
Kleamins are a delicacy. Worth quite a bit since they only grow in the deep caves.

Ben grunts and walks towards Minch.

BEN
Come on, we don't have time.

Ben tries to pull Minch along, but he recoils.

THENNA
I saw something move.

BEN
Where?

THENNA
Look.

Kane and Ben look to where she's pointing. One of the stalactites is missing. Minch continues to reach for the kleamins. Suddenly from the other direction, something swoops in between them, almost knocking the group off the ledge.

BEN
Stay here.

He motions for Thenna to stay put as he and Kane jump back, igniting sabers, holding them at the ready. A bluarg, a long and slender blind creature, with a head a mass of feelers, snout, and teeth, all on a short armor plated neck, swoops down on large leathery wings. It aims its wide clawed feet at Ben who dodges it, and slicing at the creature.

MINCH
[I told you!] Stupid Jedi boys!

KANE
You?re the one who stopped, you greedy little-

A second bluarg takes a swipe at Kane.

THENNA
There?s two of them!

Minch forgets the kleamins and starts to head for the other side of the cavern, Artoo quickly following him. They almost make it when the second bluarg comes at them. It hits Minch and knocks him off the edge. The tether saves him, but the impact pulls Artoo off balance. The droid falls but shoots a grappling hook out of his dome.

The boys doing their best to fight off the first Bluarg as the group moves towards the other side.

Artoo tries to pull himself up, but Minch is climbing up the tether, making it difficult. He grabs onto Artoo?s foot, and Artoo tries to shake him off.

MINCH
Stupid droid!

Artoo makes it to the ledge, but Minch falls again, jerking Artoo and almost breaking the grappling hook. The second bluarg lands on the bridge. It extends its neck, face biting at Minch, who reveals retractable claws. He jabs at the bluarg, stabbing into the feelers on its face. The bluarg roars and bites at the tether, snapping it. Minch quickly grabs onto an armored plate on the bluarg?s neck and swings himself onto Artoo?s leg as the bluarg spreads it?s wings and glides under the bridge on an updraft.

Back above, the other bluarg has landed in front of Thenna and Ben, cutting them off from Kane. Ben tries to hit it with his lightsaber, but it dodges and knocks Thenna off the side.

BEN
Thenna!

Kane, positioned behind the Bluarg, begins to strike, but the bluarg whips it?s head around, neck stretching towards Kane?s face. He yells in shock and slices off the feelers on the right side of the bluarg?s face. It retreats, leaping into the air and flying off into the darkness.

Meanwhile, Artoo and Minch have climbed back onto the bridge. Kane begins to peer into the darkness, worried. Ben walks up to him, placing his hand on his brother?s shoulder.

BEN (con?d)
She?s out there somewhere. I think.

Kane begins to speak when they hear Thenna screaming. Both bluargs return, Thenna holding onto the one that attacked Minch earlier. Its face is bleeding, and it isn?t flying very well. The other bluarg is in worse shape, unable to sense anything to it?s right. It drunkenly heads for Kane.

Thenna, meanwhile, is doing her best to stay on top of her bluarg. She climbs towards its face, using the bony plates on its neck to keep her grip. She ducks as it goes under the bridge, almost taking her head off, but manages to make it. The creature extends its neck to bite at Minch, when Thenna notices the soft flesh under the plates. She reaches under and grabs. The creature screams and changes direction.

The other bluarg attempts to attack Ben and Kane who swings his saber hard. He misses, almost falling off the bridge.

BEN
We have to help Thenna.

KANE
Go, I can handle this.

BEN
Are you sure?

Kane glares at his brother.

KANE
I?ll be fine ? just go!

Ben runs to Minch and Artoo as Thenna?s bluarg swoops overhead. She tries to steer it, but it heads towards the wall of the cavern.

BEN
Thenna! Jump!

Thenna looks back at Ben.

THENNA
Are you out of your mind?

BEN
Trust me ? jump!

Thenna closes her eyes for a moment and them jumps off the bluarg. Ben concentrates and tries to guide her with the Force. Thenna begins to drift to the ledge. Her bluarg hits the side of the wall, distracting Ben. Thenna drops, smacking the rock ledge.

THENNA
Ouch!

She glares at him.

THENNA
I?m beginning to lose my faith in the Jedi.

BEN
I?m only an apprentice.

Behind them, Kane keeps trying to fight off the bluarg attacking them. It makes passes over his head, biting at him. Kane attempts to judge its movement. It makes a turn in the air and comes right at him, when Kane leaps over it. He spins and slices off the creature?s head. It thumps as he lands, cheering.

KANE
Got it!

Kane looks at his brother, smiling, when the bluarg?s body crashes behind him, smashing through the bridge. The shock causes Kane to lose his balance. He falls backwards, grabbing onto the bridge with both hands. He pulls himself back up as his saber plunges into the darkness.

KANE
My lightsaber!

Ben runs and grabs him. The boys with Minch and Artoo, head towards Thenna as the bridge begins to crumble. The sounds of the rocks smashing down echoes throughout the cavern. Every stalactite begins to shake, revealing that they are all, in fact, bluargs, now awaking. The four companions reach Thenna and they run for the next cavern.

A male bluarg, larger, and with a horn, comes up behind them. The five run through the small tunnel leading to the next cavern. Minch pauses, seeing kleamins on the inside of the wall. He stops as the others pass him into the next cave. Kane pauses, grabs Minch and pulls him along as the male bluarg punches his head through the opening. It growls, yanks it?s head out, and flies away.

INT. TOWNOWI CAVE SYSTEM - SMALL CHAMBER

Kane and Minch join the rest of their comrades.

KANE
Whew - I didn?t think we?d make it out of there alive.

Ben shakes the dust out of his hair.

BEN
You almost didn?t.

Kane flares his arms to shake the dust off of his cloak, and is reminded of his shoulder injury.

BEN (con?d)
You lost control.

KANE
Well excuse me for having a little fun-

BEN
You?re a Jedi. Jedi don?t have fun. People could have been killed.

KANE
We seem to have made it out ok-

BEN
What if I hadn?t been there?

KANE
Yeah, well maybe next time I won?t need you to be.

The brothers stare at each other for a moment.

BEN
Come on, we still need to make it out of here.

They continue to walk and follow Minch through a small crack.

INT. TOWNOWI CAVE SYSTEM - CONSTRUCTION TUNNEL

The crack leads into a small passage, which the group can barley fit through. They only make it a few steps when they find it leads into a large circular tunnel drilled into the rock. A few lights line the ceiling. Kane looks in wonder.

KANE
Is this one of those cargo shafts you were telling us about?

THENNA
No, this is something else.

They hear a rumble.

BEN
Get back in here.

They duck back into the passageway. The rumble increases and soon a large convoy roars by, consisting of several hover trucks, troops transports and munitions carriers. In addition several Coalition Troopers escort on foot, faces obscured. As they walk past, one of them shines a light past the group?s hiding spot, but doesn?t notice them. After the convoy passes they step back out into the tunnel.

THENNA
That?s not right.

BEN
What?

THENNA
The Coalition shouldn?t have roads this deep into the mountain.

KANE
Maybe they?re mining?

THENNA
Then why would the troops be with them? Mining isn?t a military operation.

KANE
Well who cares?

Thenna and Ben look at Kane.

KANE (con?d)
This tunnel has to lead out somewhere right?

THENNA
Yeah, it should link up with a cargo shaft someplace.

KANE
So lets go.

Kane starts to walk in the direction that the convoy came from. He stops and turns.

KANE (con?d)
Well?

BEN
We should see what they?re up to.

KANE
No way, I?m tired of being stuck in the dark.

BEN
We have a responsibility to-

KANE
We have a responsibility to rescue our father. We don?t have time to conduct an investigation.

Once again the boys look at each other, waiting for the other to break. Finally Ben looks to Thenna.

THENNA
I would like to get out of here.

Ben sighs, and drops his shoulders.

BEN
Ok, lead the way.

Thenna takes the lead as they continue up the shaft.

EXT. TOWNOWI DOCKING PAD 1138 - DAY

Thenna leads the boys, Minch and Artoo out of the end of the cargo shaft and onto the landing pad. There they see Thenna?s ship surrounded by stacks of cargo boxes.

THENNA
There it is.

The boys look over the cargo freighter.

THENNA (con?d)
The Quantum Pixie.

Kane snickers.

THENNA (con?d)
What?

KANE You named the ship didn?t you?

THENNA
Yeah, so what?

KANE
Nothing.

Thenna shoots Kane a look.

THENNA
I?ll go get my dad.

She turns to Minch.

THENNA (con?d)
You better hide. If my father sees you he?ll toss you off the edge.

Minch sneers at her.

MINCH
Feh! [Not if I toss him first.]

THENNA
Really? I?ll let him know.

Minch withdraws and hides. Kane turns to Ben as the foursome continues towards the Pixie. Thenna reaches up and hits a call button near the ship?s ramp.

THENNA
Dad, I?m back.

The ramp clicks and lowers. Thenna?s father, DREKKA MONTORRA, begins to walk down, rubbing the grease off of an engine part.

DREKKA
I was wondering what was taking so long. Find anything interesting?

THENNA
Sort of.

Thenna gestures and Drekka looks up to see the Jedi. He snarls.

DREKKA
What business do they have with us?

THENNA
It?s a long story. They?re stranded here and need a ride back-

DREKKA
Forget it. I ain?t helping any Jedi. I don?t owe them anything.

Drekka storms back into the ship. Ben begins to follow him back in, but Thenna stops him.

THENNA
Better leave him alone. He?s not too fond of the Jedi, or the Republic. I?ll go see if I can talk some sense into him.

Looking deflated, Thenna enters the ship.

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Script Pages:

Intro  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33

Full Script: 1 of 2  (2 of 2)

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