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Titolo: Tutto quello che c'è da sapere su AOC

Così togliamo il discorso da mezzo...
Kuros
_______________
EXT. SPAVE
A vast sea of stars severas as a backdrop for the Main Title, following by a
rollup, whcih crawls into infinity.
    There is unrest in the Galactic Senate
    Several hundred solar systems under
    the leadership of the rebel leader, Count
    Dooku, have decalred their intentions to
    secede from the Republic.
    This separatist movement has made it
    difficult for the limited number of
    Jedi Kights to maintain peace and
    order in the galaxy.
    Senator Amidala, the former Queen of
    Naboo, is returning to Coruscant
    to vote on the critical issue
    of creating an army to assist the
    overwhelmed Jedi.
PAN UP to reveal the amber city planet of Coruscant. A yellow Naboo Fighter
flies OVER CAMERA toward the planet, followed by a large Royal Cruiser and
two more Fighters.
EXT. CITYSCAPE, CORUSCANT - DAWN
The ships skim across the surface of the city landscape. The sun glints off
the chrome hulls of the sleek Naboo spacecraft as they navigate between the
buildings of the capital planet.
EXT. CORUSCANT, LANDING PLATFORM - DAWN
Two Naboo Fighters land on one leaf of a three-leaf-clover landing platform.
The Royal Starship lands on the central lead, and the third Fighter lands on
the remaining plaform.
A small GROUP OF DIGNITARIES waits to welcome the Senator. One of the
members of the group os a well dressed JAR JAR BINKS, a member of the
Galactic Representative Commission, and DORME, Senator Amidala's handmaiden.
One of the FIGHTER PILOTS jumps from the wing of his ship and removes his
helmet. He is CAPTAIN TYPHO, SENATOR AMIDALA'S Security Officer. He moves
over to a WOMAN PILOT.
CAPTAIN TYPHO
We made it. I guess I was wrong,
there was no danger at all.
The ramp ;pwers. TWO NABOO GUARDS appear. SENATOR AMIDALA, ONE HANDMAIDEN
(VERSE) and FOUR TROOPERS descend the ramp. AMIDALA is more beautiful now
than she was ten years earlier when, as Queen, she was freeing her people
from the yoke of the Trade Federation.
The DIGNITARIES start to move forward. SENATOR AMIDALA reaches the foot of
the ramp, when suddenly there is a blinding FLASH and a huge EXPLOSION. The
DIGNITARIES and PILOTS are hurled to the ground as the starship is
destroyed.
Klaxons blare, alarms sound! CAPTAIN TYPHO and the TWO ESCORT PILOTS get up
and run to where SENATOR AMIDALA lies dying. Beyond, ARTOO DETOO drops down
from the Naboo Fighter and rolls toward the wreckage. The FEMALE ESCORT
PILOT kneels by SENATOR AMIDALA and takes off her helmet, revealing SENATOR
PADME AMIDALA.
    PADMÉ
   Cordé...
She gathers up her decoy double in her arms. Cordé's eyes are open. She
looks up at her.
    CORDÉ
   ... I'm sorry, m'lady... I'm... not sure I...
CORDÉ dies. PADMÉ hugs her.
    AMIDALA
   No!... No!... No!...
PADMÉ lowers CORDÉ to the ground. She gets up and looks around at the
devastation. There are tears in her eyes.
    AMIDALA
   I should not have come back.
    CAPTAIN TYPHO
   M'Lady, you are still in danger.
Amidala says nothing.
    CAPTAIN TYPHO
   This vote is very important. You did
   your duty and Cordé did hers. Now
   come. (she doesn't respond) M'Lady,
   please!
She turns. They walk away. ARTOO lets out a small whimper and rolls off
after them.
EXT. SENATE BUILDING - DAY
The massive Senate Building glistens in the afternoon sun. Small patches of
fog have still to burn off.
INT. SENATE CHAMBER - DAY
The vast rotunda is buzzing with chatter. MAS AMEDDA, the Supreme
Chancellor's majordomo, tries to quiet things down as PALPATINE confers with
an AIDE, UV GIZEN, riding a small one man floating scooter.
    MAS AMEDDA
   Order! We shall have order! The motion
   for the Republic to commission an army
   takes precedent, and that is what we
   will vote on at this time.
Everything quiets down. The AIDE disperses, and SUPREME CHANCELLOR PALPATINE
steps to the podium.
    PALPATINE
   ...My esteemed colleagues, excuse
   me... I have just received some
   tragic and disturbing news. Senator
   Amidala of the Naboo system... Has
   been assassinated!
There is a shock silence in the vast arena.
    PALPATINE
    (continued)
   This grievous blow is especially
   personal to me. Before I became
   Chancellor, I served Amidala when
   she was Queen. She was a great
   leader who fought for justice, not
   only in this honourable assembly,
   but also on her home planet. She
   was so loved she could have been
   elected queen for life. She
   believed in public service, and
   she fervently believed in
   democracy. Her death is a great
   loss to us all. We will all mourn
   her as a relentless champion of
   freedom... and as a dear friend.
There is a moment of silence. ASK AAK, the SENATOR of MALASTARE, moves his
pod into the centre of the arena.
    SENATOR ASK AAK
   How many more Senators will die
   before this civil strife ends! We
   must confront these rebels now,
   and they need an army to do it.
A second pod moves into the centre of the area with DARSANA, the
AMBASSADOR OF GLEE ANSELM.
    AMBASSADOR DARSANA
   Why weren't the Jedi able to stop
   this assassination? We are no
   longer safe, under their protection.
Senator ORN FREE TAA swings forward in his pod.
    ORN FREE TAA
   The Republic needs more security
   now! Before it comes to war.
    PALPATINE
   Must I remind the Senator from
   Malastare that negotiations are
   continuing with the separatists.
   Peace is our objective here... not
   war.
The SENATORS yell pro and con. MAS AMEDDA tries to calm things down. SENATOR
PADME AMIDALA, with CAPTAIN TYPHO, JAR JAR, and DORME, manoeuvre her pod
into the centre of the vast arena.
    AMIDALA
   My noble colleagues, I concur with
   the Supreme Chancellor. At all
   costs, we do not want war!
The Senate goes quiet, then there is an outburst of cheering and
applause.
    PALPATINE
   It is with great surprise and
   joy the chair recognises the
   Senator from Naboo, Padmé Amidala.
    PADMÉ
   Less than an hour ago, an
   assassination attempt was made
   against my life. One of my
   bodyguards and six  others were
   ruthlessly and senselessly
   murdered. I was the target but,
   more importantly, I believe this
   security measure before you, was
   the target. I have led the
   opposition to build an army... but
   there is someone in this body who
   will stop at nothing to assure it's
   passage...
Many of the SENATORS boo and yell at SENATOR AMIDALA.
    PADMÉ
     (continuing)
   I warn you, if you vote to create
   this army, war will follow. I
   have experienced the misery of war
   first-hand; I do not wish to do it
   again.
There is sporadic yelling for and against her statements.
    PADMÉ
   Wake up, Senators... you must wake
   up! If you offer the separatists
   violence, they can only show us
   violence in return! Many will
   lose their lives. All will lose
   their freedom. This decision
   could very well destroy the very
   foundation of our great Republic.
   I pray you do not let fear push
   you into a disastrous decision.
   Vote down this security measure,
   which is nothing less than a
   declaration of war! Does anyone
   here want that? I cannot believe
   they do.
There is an undercurrent of booing... and groaning. SENATOR ORN FREE TAA
moves his pod next to AMIDALA.
    ORN FREE TAA
   My motion to defer the vote must
   be dealt with first. That is the
   rule of law.
AMIDALA looks angry and frustrated. PALPATINE gives her a sympathetic look.
    PALPATINE
   Due to the lateness of the hour
   and the seriousness of this
   motion, we will take up these
   matters tomorrow. Until then, the
   Senate stands adjourned.
EXT. EXECUTIVE QUARTERS BUILDING - DAY
The giant towers of the Republic Executive Building seem to reach the
heavens. Traffic clogs the smoggy sky.
INT. CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE - DAY
CHANCELLOR PALPATINE sits behind his desk with TWO RED-CLAD ROYAL GUARDS on
either side of the door. YODA, PLOT KOON, KI-AD-MUNDI, and MACE WINDU sit
acress from him.
    PALPATINE
   I don't know how much longer I can
   hold off the vote, my friends.
   More and more star systems are
   joining the separatists.
    MACE WINDU
   If they do break away -
    PALPATINE
   No! I will not let that happen!
    MACE WINDU
   But if they do, you must realise
   there aren't enough Jedi to
   protect the Republic. We are
   keepers of the peace, not soldiers.
    PALPATINE
   Master Yoda, do you think it will
   really come to war?
YODA closes his eyes.
    YODA
   Worse than war, I fear... Much
   worse.
    PALPATINE
   What?
    MACE WINDU
   What do you sense, Master?
    YODA
   Impossible to see ... The Dark Side
   clouds everything. But this I am
   sure of -
    (opens his eyes)
   Do their duty the Jedi will.
A muted BUZZER SOUNDS. A hologram of an AIDE, DAR WAC, appears on the
Chancellor's desk.
    DAR WAC
   The loyalist committee has arrived,
   my Lord.
    PALPATINE
   Send them in.
They all stand as SENATOR AMIDALA, CAPTAIN TYPHO, JAR JAR, MAS AMEDDA,
DORME, and SENATORS BAIL ORGANA, HOROX RYYDER and ORN FREE TAA enter the
office. YODA and MACE WINDU move to greet the SENATOR, YODA taps AMIDALA
with his cane.
    YODA
   With you the force is strong...
   young Senator. To see you alive
   brings warm feeling to my heart.
    PADMÉ
   Thank you, Master Yoda. Do you
   have any idea who was behind
   the attack?
    MACE WINDU
   Our intelligence points to
   disgruntled spice miners, on
   the moons of Naboo.
    PADMÉ
   I don't wish to disagree but I
   think that Count Dooku was behind
   it.
There is a stir of surprise.
    MACE WINDU
   You know, M'Lady, Count Dooku
   was once a Jedi. He wouldn't
   assassinate anyone, it is not in
   his character.
    KI-ADI-MUNDI
   He is a political idealist, not
   a murderer.
    YODA
   In dark times nothing is what it
   appears to be, but the fact remains
   Senator, in grave danger you are.
PALPATINE gets up, walks to the window, and looks out at the vast city.
    PALPATINE
   Count Dooku has always avoided
   any kind of conflict. It appears
   he has no desire to start a war.
   Why would he kill you? To what end?
    PADMÉ
   I don't know, but everything in my
   being tells me he was behind it...
After gazing out of the window for several moments Palpatine turns to
Mace.
    PALPATINE
   Master Jedi, may I suggest that
   the Senator be placed under the
   protection of your graces.
    BAIL ORGANA
   Do you think that is a wise use
   of manpower during these stressful
   times?
    PADMÉ
   Chancellor, if I may comment, I
   do not believe the...
    PALPATINE
   ..."situation is that serious."
   No, but I do, Senator.
    PADMÉ
   Chancellor, please! I don't want
   any more guards!
    PALPATINE
   I realise all too well that
   additional security might be
   disruptive for you, but perhaps
   someone you are familiar with... an
   old friend like... Master Kenobi...
PALPATINE nods to MACE WINDU, who nods back.
    MACE WINDU
   That's possible. He has just
   returned from a Border dispute on
   Ansion.
    PALPATINE
   You must remember him, M'Lady...
   he watched over you during the
   blockade conflict.
    PADMÉ
   This is not necessary, Chancellor.
    PALPATINE
   Do it for me, M'Lady, please. I
   will rest easier. We had a big
   scare today. The thought of
   losing you is unbearable.
AMIDALA sighs as the JEDI get up to leave.
    MACE WINDU
   I will have Obi-Wan report to you
   immediately, M'Lady.
YODA leans into her ear.
    YODA
   Too little about yourself you
   worry, Senator, and too much about
   politics. Be mindful of your
   danger, Padmé. Accept our help.
As the JEDI leave the office, PALPATINE continues to pace behind his desk.
    PALPATINE
   I will not like this Republiv, that
   has stood for over a thousand
   years, be split in two
EXT. SENATE APARTMENTS - TWILIGHT
A graceful skyscraper twinkles in the evening light of Coruscant.
INT. SENATE BUILDING, APARTMENT CORRIDOR - EVENING
The door to the apartment slides open. JAR JAR walks into the corridor,
where TWO JEDI are exiting the elevator. He recognises OBI-WAN and becomes
extremely excited, jumping around, shaking his hand.
    JAR JAR
   Obi! Obi! Obi! Mesa sooo smilen
   to see'en yousa. Wahoooooo!
OBI-WAN smiles.
    OBI-WAN
   It's Good to see you, too, Jar Jar.
    JAR JAR
   Oops! Wheresa mesa manners?
   Excuse me, Master Obi-Wan. I
   completely forgot myself for
   a moment there. I have had to learn
   Diplodiaclect... speak it like a
   native now. Don't really see the
   point, actually, but members of
   the Senate seem to prefer it...
JAR JAR notices OBI-WAN'S APPRENTICE.
    JAR JAR
    (continuing)
   ...and this, I take it, is your
   apprentice... Nooooooooo! Annie?
   Noooooooo! Little Bitty Annie?
    (Looks at Anakin)
   Nooooooo! Yousa so biggen!
   Yiyiyiyyi! Annie!! Mesa no
   believen.
    ANAKIN
   Hi, Jar Jar.
JAR JAR grabs hold of ANAKIN and envelops him in a big hug.
    JAR JAR
   Annie! Annie! Yiyiyiyiyiyiiii!
INT. SENATE BUILDING, APARTMENT - EVENING
PADME is in a conference with CAPTAIN TYPHO and DORME. JAR JAR enters the
room, followed by the TWO JEDI.
    JAR JAR
   Lookie... lookie... Oops!... Oh,
   dear, I'm afraid I've forgotten
   myself again.
PADME and TYPHO rise as OBI-WAN and ANAKIN stop before the SENATOR. OBI-WAN
steps forward. ANAKIN stares at PADME. She glances at him.
    OBI-WAN
   It's a great pleasure to see you again,
   M'Lady.
    PADMÉ
   It has been far too long Master
   Kenobi. I'm so glad our paths
   have crossed again... but I must
   warn you that I think your
   presence here is unnecessary.
    OBI-WAN
   I'm sure the Jedi Council have
   their reasons.
She moves in front of ANAKIN
    PADMÉ
   Annie??
    (stares)
   My goodness you've grown.
They look at each other for a long moment.
    ANAKIN
    (trying to be smooth)
   So have you... grown more
   beautiful, I mean... and much
   shorter... for a Senator, I mean.
OBI-WAN looks disapprovingly at his apprentice. PADME laughs and shakes her
head.
    PADMÉ
   Oh Annie, you'll always be that
   little boy I knew on Tatooine.
This embarrasses ANAKIN, and he looks down. OBI-WAN and CAPTAIN TYPHO smile.
    OBI-WAN
   Our presence will be invisible,
   M'Lady.
    CAPTAIN TYPHO
   I am very grateful you are here,
   Master Kenobi. The situation is
   more dangerous than the Senator
   will admit.
    PADMÉ
   I don't need more security, I need
   answers. I want to know who is
   trying to kill me.
    OBI-WAN
    (frowning)
   We're here to protect you
   Senator, not to start an
   investigation.
    ANAKIN
   We will find out who is trying to
   kill you Padmé, I promise you.
He's done it again. He bites his lip in frustration and shame. OBI-WAN gives
ANAKIN a dirty look.
    OBI-WAN
   We are not going to exceed our
   mandate, my young Padawan learner.
    ANAKIN
   I meant in the interest of
   protecting her, Master, of course.
    OBI-WAN
   We are not going through this
   exercise again, Anakin. You will
   pay attention to my lead.
    ANAKIN
   Why?
    OBI-WAN
   What??!!
    ANAKIN
   Why else do you think we were
   assigned to her, if not to find
   the killer? Protection is a job
   for local security... not Jedi.
   It's overkill, Master.
   Investigation is implied in our
   mandate.
    OBI-WAN
   We will do as the Council has
   instructed, and you will learn
   your place, young one.
    PADMÉ
   Perhaps with merely your presence,
   the mysteries surrounding this
   threat will be revealed.  Now if
   you will excuse me I will retire.
Everyone gives AMIDALA a slight bow as she and DORME leave the room.
    CAPTAIN TYPHO
   Well, I know I feel a lot better
   having you here.
   I'll have an officer on every
   floor and I'll be at the command
   centre downstairs.
    JAR JAR
   Mesa busten wit happiness seein
   Yousa again, Annie. Deesa bad
   times, bombad times.
Captain Typho leaves.
    ANAKIN
   She didn't even recognise me, Jar
   Jar. I thought about her every
   day since we parted... and she's
   forgotten me completely.
    JAR JAR
   Shesa happy. Happier den mesa
   see-en her in longo time.
    OBI-WAN
   Anakin, you're focusing on the
   Negative again. Be mindful of your
   thoughts. She was glad to see us.
   Now lets check the security here.
    ANAKIN
   Yes, my master.
EXT. JEDI TEMPLE - EVENING
The vast Jedi Temple sits on an endless flat plain, silhouetted by a against
the traffic-filled sky.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE, CORRIDOR - EVENING
MACE WINDU and YODA walk down the long hallways, silhouetted by a lit room
at the end.
    MACE WINDU
   Why couldn't we see this attack on
   the Senator?
    YODA
   Masking the future, is this
   disturbance in the Force.
    MACE WINDU
   The propecy is coming true, the
   Dark Side is growing.
    YODA
   And only those who have turned to
   the Dark Side can sense the
   possibilities of the future. Only
   going through the Dark Side can we
   see.
    MACE WINDU
   It's been ten years, and the Sith
   still have no shown themselves.
   Do you think they are behind this?
    YODA
   ...Out there, they are. A
   certainty that is.
    MACE WINDU
   Do you think Obi-Wan's apprentice
   will be able to bring balance to
   the Force?
    YODA
   Only if he chooses to follow his
   destiny.
There is a long silence as they walk away. Only footsteps are heard.
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, BEDROOM - NIGHT
PADME is asleep in her bed, lit only by the light of the city outside her
window coming through the blinds. ARTOO stands in the corner of the bedroom.
His power is off.
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, MAIN R0OM - NIGHT
ANAKIN is standing in the living room. He is in a meditative state. It is
quiet. We hear DISTANT FOOTSTEPS in the corridor outside the apartment.
Suddenly ANAKIN'S eyes pop open. His eyes dart around the room. He reaches
for his lightsaber, then smiles and puts it back in his belt.
The door to the apartment slides open, and OBI-WAN enters.
    OBI-WAN
   Captain Typho has more than enough
   men downstairs. No assassin will
   try that way. Any activity up
   here?
    ANAKIN
   Quiet as a tomb. I don't like
   just waiting here for something to
   happen to her.
OBI-WAN checks a palm-sized view scanner he has pulled out of his utility
belt. It shows a shot of ARTOO by the door, but no sign of PADME on the bed.
    OBI-WAN
   What's going on?
ANAKIN shrugs.
    ANAKIN
   She covered that camera. I don't
   think she liked me watching her.
    OBI-WAN
   What is she thinking?
    ANAKIN
   She programmed Artoo to warn us if
   there's an intruder.
    OBI-WAN
   It's not an intruder I'm worried
   about. There are many other ways
   to kill a Senator.
    ANAKIN
   I know, but we also want to catch
   this assassin. Don't we, Master?
    OBI-WAN
   You're using her as bait??
    ANAKIN
   It was her idea... No harm will
   come to her. I can sense
   everything going on in that room.
   Trust me.
    OBI-WAN
   It's too risky... and your senses
   aren't that attuned, young
   apprentice.
    ANAKIN
   And yours are?
    OBI-WAN
   Possibly.
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, BEDROOM - NIGHT
As PADME sleeps, a PROBE DROID approaches outside her window. It sends out
several small arms that attach to the window, creating sparks that shut down
the security system. Then a large arm cuts a small hole in the glass. A
FAINT SOUND is heard as the small section of glass is removed from the
window.
ARTOO wakes up, and his lights go on. The PROBE DROID freezes. ARTOO looks
around, makes a PLAINTIVE LITTLE SOUND, then shuts down again. The PROBE
DROID attaches a little tube to the window. TWO DEADLY LOOKING
CENTIPEDE-LIKE KOUHUNS exit the tube, crawl through the blinds and head
toward the sleeping PADME.
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, MAIN ROOM - NIGHT
ANAKIN and OBI-WAN continue their conversation in the main room of the
apartment.
    OBI-WAN
   You look tired.
    ANAKIN
   I don't sleep well, anymore.
    OBI-WAN
   Because of your mother?
    ANAKIN
   I don't know why I keep dreaming
   About her now. I haven't seen her
   since I was little.
    OBI-WAN
   Dreams pass in time.
    ANAKIN
   I'd rather dream of Padmé. Just
   Being around her again is...
   intoxicating.
    OBI-WAN
   Mind your thoughts, Anakin, they
   betray you. You've made a
   commitment to the Jedi order... a
   commitment not easily broken...
   and don't forget she's a
   politician. They're not to be
   trusted.
    ANAKIN
   She's not like the others in the
   Senate, Master.
    OBI-WAN
   It's been my experience that
   Senators are only focused on
   pleasing those who fund their
   campaigns... and they are more
   than willing to forget the
   niceties of democracy to get those
   funds.
    ANAKIN
   Not another lecture, Master. Not
   on the economics of politics....
   It's too early in the morning... and
   besides, you're generalising. The
   Chancellor doesn't appear to
   be corrupt.
    OBI-WAN
   Palpatine's a politician, I've
   observed that he is very clever at
   following the passions and
   prejudices of the Senators.
    ANAKIN
   I think he is a good man. My
   instincts are very positive
   about...
ANAKIN looks stunned. He looks sharply at OBI-WAN
    OBI-WAN
   I sense it, too.
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, BEDROOM - NIGHT
ARTOO sounds an alarm and shines a light on the bed. THE KOUHUNS are inches
from PADME'S face. Their mouths are open, and wicked stinger tongues flick
out.
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN burst into the room. The KOUHUNS stand on their hind legs
and hiss as PADME wakes up. ANAKIN throws himself in front of her, whacking
in half the deadly creatures with his lightsaber.
OBI-WAN sees the DROID outside the window and raqces straight at it,
crashing through the blinds as he goes through the window.
EXT. WINDOW LEDGE, APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
OBI-WAN flies through the glass window and flings himself at the PROBE
DROID, grabbing onto the deadly machine before it can flee. The PROBE DROID
sinks under the weight of OBI-WAN but manages to stay afloat and fly away,
with the Jedi hanging on for dear life, a hundred stories above the city.
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
ANAKIN and PADME stare at the sight of OBI-WAN being carried off by the
DROID. ANAKIN turns to her. She pulls her nightdress around her shoulders.
    ANAKIN
   Stay here!
CAPTAIN TYPHO, with TWO GUARDS and DORME, enter the room as Anakin dashes
out.
EXT. CITYSCAPE, CORUSCANT - NIGHT
The PROBE DROID sends several protective electrical shocks across its
surface, causing OBI-WAN to almost lose his grip. As they dart in and out of
the speeder traffic, OBI-WAN disconnects a wire on the back of the DROID.
Its power shuts off! OBI-WAN and the DROID drop like rocks. OBI-WAN realises
the error of his ways and quickly puts the wire back. The DROID'S systems
light up again and it takes off.
EXT. SENATE APARTMENTS - ENTRANCE - NIGHT
ANAKIN charges out of the building and runs to a line of parked speeders. He
vaults into an open one and takes off, gunning it fast toward the lines of
speeder traffic high above.
EXT. CITYSCAPE, CORUSCANT - NIGHT
The DROID bumps against a wall, hoping to knock the Jedi loose. It moves
behind a speeder afterburner to scorch him. It takesthe JEDI wildly between
buildings and finally skims across a rooftop as OBI-WAN is forced to lift
his legs, tenaciously hanging onto the DROID. The DROID heads for a dirty,
beat-up speeder hidden in an alcove of a building about twenty stories up.
When the pilot of the speeder, a scruffy bounty hunter called ZAM WESELL,
sees the DROID approach with OBI-WAN hanging on, she pulls a long rifle out
of the speeder and starts to fire at the JEDI. EXPLOSIONS burst all around
OBI-WAN.
    OBI-WAN
   I have a bad feeling about this.
FINALLY, the DROID suffers a direct hit and blows up. OBI-WAN falls fifty
stories, until a speeder drops down next to him, and he manages to grab onto
the back end of the speeder and haul himself toward the cockpit. The JEDI
struggles to climb into the passenger seat of the open speeder and sit down
next to the driver, ANAKIN.
    ANAKIN
   That was wacky! I almost lost you
   in the traffic.
    OBI-WAN
   What took you so long?
    ANAKIN
   Oh, you know, Master, I couldn't
   find a speeder I really liked,
   with an open cockpit... and with
   the right speed capabilities...
   and then you know I had to get a
   really gonzo color...
They zoom upward in hot pursuit of ZAM asshe fires out the open window at
them with her laser pistol.
    OBI-WAN
   If you'd spend as much time
   working on your saber skills as
   you do on your wit, young Padawan,
   you would rival Master Yoda as a
   swordsman.
    ANAKIN
   I thought I already did.
    OBI-WAN
   Only in your mind, my very young
   apprentice. Careful!! Hey, easy!!
As this conversation is going on, ANAKIN deftly moves in and out of the
oncoming traffic, across lanes, between buildings, and miraculously through
a construction site. ZAM WESELL continues firing at them.
    ANAKIN
   Sorry, I forgot you don't like
   flying, Master.
    OBI-WAN
   I don't mind flying... but
   what you're doing is suicide!
They barely miss a commuter train
    ANAKIN
   Master, you know I've been flying
   since before I could walk. I'm very
   good at this.
    OBI-WAN
   Just slow down!
ZAM WESSEL and the JEDI race through a line of cross-traffic made up of
giant trucks. The speeders bank sideways as they slide around right-angle
turns between buildings. ZAM races into a tram tunnel.
    OBI-WAN
    (continuing)
   Wait! Don't go in there!
ANAKIN zooms into the tunnel after ZAM. They see a tram coming at them. They
brake, turn around, and race out, barely ahead of the charging commuter
transport.
    OBI-WAN
    (continuing)
   You know I don't like it when you
   do that!
    ANAKIN
   Sorry, Master. Don't worry, this
   guy's gonna kill himself any
   minute now!
ZAM WESSEL turns into oncoming traffic, deliberately trying to throw the
JEDI off. Oncoming speeders swerve, trying to avoid ZAM and the JEDI. ZAM
does a quick, tight loop-over and ends up behind the JEDI. She is now in a
much better position to fire at them with her laser pistol. To avoid being
hit by the laser bolts, ANAKIN slams on the brakes and moves alongside ZAM.
She now fires point-blank at OBI-WAN.
    OBI-WAN
   What are you doing? He's gonna
   blast me!
    ANAKIN
   Right - this isn't working.
ANAKIN slides underneath Zam's speeder. They race along in traffic, one
speeder right on top of the other. The BOUNTY HUNTER skims over the
rooftops, causing ANAKIN to drop behind. ANAKIN goes through his gears,
zooming around traffic. They race at high speed across a wide, flat surface
of the city planet. A large spacecraft almost collides with them as it
attempts to land. They round a corner and clip a flag, which gets caught on
one of the front air scoops.
    OBI-WAN
   That was too close!
    ANAKIN
   Clear that!
    OBI-WAN
   What??
    ANAKIN
   Clear the flag! We're losing
   power! Hurry!
OBI-WAN leans out of the speeder, then crawls out onto the front engine,
pulling the flag free of the scoop. The speeder lurches forward with a surge
of power.
    OBI-WAN
   Whooooaaa! Don't do that! I
   don't  like it when you do that!
    ANAKIN
   So sorry, Master.
They chase the BOUNTY HUNTER through a power refinery.
    OBI-WAN
   It's dangerous near those power
   couplings! Slow down! Don't go
   through there!
Huge electrical bolts shoot between the buildings as the speeders pass.
    OBI-WAN
    (continuing)
   Yiiii, what are you doing?
    ANAKIN
   Sorry, Master!
    OBI-WAN
    (sarcastically)
   Oh, that was good...
    ANAKIN
   That was crazy!!!
ZAM slides around a corner sideways, blocking an alley, firing point-blank
as ANAKIN approaches.
    ANAKIN
    (continuing)
   Ahh, damn.
    OBI-WAN
   Stop!!
    ANAKIN
   No, we can make it.
ANAKIN barely misses the BOUNTY HUNTER'S speeder as he dives under it, and
through a small gap in the building hitting several pipes and going wildly
out of control. ANAKIN struggles to regain control of the speeder, narrowly
missing a crane, barely clipping a pair of giant struts. A giant gasball
shoots up, causing ANAKIN to spin and bump a building, stalling the speeder.
    OBI-WAN
   I'm crazy... I'm crazy... I'm
   crazy.
    ANAKIN
   But it worked... we made it.
    OBI-WAN
    (angrily)
   It didn't work... we've stalled!
   And you almost got us killed!
    ANAKIN
   I think we're still alive.
ANAKIN works to get the speeder started. It quickly races to life.
    OBI-WAN
    (very angrily)
   It was stupid!
    ANAKIN
    (sheepishly)
   I could have made it...
    OBI-WAN
    (furious)
   But you didn't!!! And now we've
   lost him.
Suddenly, there is an ambush. Laser bolts fire everywhere. EXPLOSIONS
surround them. They look up to see ZAM WESSEL take off.
    ANAKIN
   No we didn't...
Out of a cloud of smoke and ball of flames the JEDI tear after ZAM. They are
smoking. OBI-WAN slaps out the small fire on the dashboard. ZAM goes up and
down, through cross-traffic. There is a near miss as a speeder almost hits
them. ZAM turns down and left between two buildings. ANAKIN pulls up and to
the right
    OBI-WAN
   Where are you going?! He went
   down there, the other way.
    ANAKIN
   This is a shortcut... I think.
    OBI-WAN
   What do you mean, 'You think?'
   What kind of shortcut?! He went
   completely the other way! You've
   lost him!
    ANAKIN
   Master, if we keep this chase
   going, that creep's gonna end up
   deep fried. Personally, I'd very
   much like to find out who in the
   hell he is and who he's working
   for...
    OBI-WAN
    (sarcastic)
   Oh, so that's why we're going in
   the wrong direction.
ANAKIN turns up a side street, zooming up several small passageways, then
stops, hovering about fifty stories up.
    OBI-WAN
    (continuing)
   Well, you lost him.
    ANAKIN
   I'm deeply sorry, Master.
ANAKIN looks around front and back. He spots something. He seems to
start counting to himself as he watches something below approach.
    ANAKIN
    (continuing)
   Excuse me for a moment.
ANAKIN jumps out of the speeder. OBI-WAN looks down and sees Zam's speeder
about five stories below them cruising past. ANAKIN miraculously lands on
top of the Bounty Hunter's speeder. The speeder wobbles under the impact.
ZAM looks up and realises what has happened.
ZAM takes off, and ANAKIN slides to the back strut and almost slips off, but
manages to hang on. ANAKIN works his way back to the speeder's cockpit, just
as ZAM stops suddenly, and ANAKIN flies forward to the left front fork. ZAM
shoots at him with a laser pistol. There is a BLAST near ANAKIN'S hand,
which breaks off a piece of the speeder. ANAKIN slides to the right fork of
the speeder, where ZAM can't reach him. He scrambles to the top, holding
onto an air scoop.
OBI-WAN has jumped into the driver's seat of his speeder and is deftly
gaining on the rogue speeder. The two speeders dive through oncoming traffic
and then through cross traffic. Finally, ANAKIN is able to get hold of his
lightsaber and starts to cut his way through the roof of the speeder. ZAM
takes out her laser pistol and starts firing at the helpless JEDI, knocking
the sword out of his hand. OBI-WAN races under the speeder and catches the
Jedi weapon in the passenger's seat.
ANAKIN sticks his hand into the cockpit and, using the Force, pulls the gun
out of ZAM'S hand. She grabs the Jedi's hand, and they struggle for the
weapon. It goes off, blowing a hole in the floor of the speeder. The speeder
careens wildly out of control. ZAM struggles to pull the speeder out of it's
nose dive. OBI-WAN gets slowed down by traffic and loses sight of the Bounty
Hunter's speeder.
Just as the dragster is about to nose dive into the ground, ZAM pulls it
out, and it slides hard on the pavement in a shower of sparks. ANAKIN goes
flying into the street.
EXT. ENTERTAINMENT STREET - NIGHT
ZAM exits the crashed speeder and runs. ANAKIN picks himself up off the
pavement and runs down the very crowded street.
It's the seedy underbelly of the city. Broken sidewalks, garish lights
reflected on the filthy puddles. It's pretty crowded with various ALIEN
LOW-LIFES, PANHANDLING DROIDS, and the occasional group of UPPERCLASS
SLUMMERS.
ANAKIN barges into several of them as he chases after the fleeing ZAM. He
loses the Bounty Hunter in the crowd, them sees him again. The young Jedi is
having a very difficult time getting through the crowd.
Ahead, ZAM turns in through a door and disappears.
A nightclub sighs is flashing over the door. ANAKIN is just about to follow
ZAM when there is a sudden swirl of litter from downthrusters. PEOPLE start
moving out of the way, and the open speeder lands in the street beside him.
OBI-WAN gets out and walks over, holding out ANAKIN'S lightsaber.
    OBI-WAN
   Anakin!
    ANAKIN
   She went into that club, Master.
    OBI-WAN
   Patience.
OBI-WAN hands ANAKIN the lightsaber.
    OBI-WAN
     (continuing)
   Here. Next time try not to lose it.
    ANAKIN
   Sorry, Master.
ANAKIN reaches for the lightsaber, but OBI-WAN holds it back.
    OBI-WAN
   A Jedi's saber is his most
   precious possession.
    ANAKIN
   Yes, Master.
He reaches for the lightsaber, OBI-WAN pulls it back.
    OBI-WAN
   He must keep it with him at all
   times.
    ANAKIN
   I know, Master.
    OBI-WAN
   This weapon is your life!
    ANAKIN
   I've heard this lesson before...
OBI-WAN finally holds out the lightsaber and ANAKIN grabs it.
    OBI-WAN
   But, you haven't learned anything,
   Anakin.
    ANAKIN
   I try, Master.
INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN enter the nightclub bar, and everyone stares at them
    OBI-WAN
   Why do I think you are going to be
   the death of me?!
    ANAKIN
   Don't say that Master... You're
   the closest thing I have to a
   father... I love you. I don't want
   to cause you pain.
    OBI-WAN
   Then why don't you listen to me?!
    ANAKIN
   I will. I'll do better, I promise.
    OBI-WAN
   Do you see him him?
    ANAKIN
   I think he's a she...
    OBI-WAN
   Then be extra careful...
    (nods to a room)
   Check it out.
OBI-WAN goes away.
    ANAKIN
   Where are you going, Master?
    OBI-WAN
   To get a drink.
OBI-WAN heads for the bar. ANAKIN blinks in surprise, then moves into the
room, where ALIEN FACES look back at him with hostility, suspicion, and
invitation as he moves among the tables. OBI-WAN arrives at the bar. He
signals the BARMAN.
CLOSE - Somewhere in the room a HAND moves to a pistol in its holster and
unsnaps the safety catch. At the bar, a glass is placed in from of OBI-WAN.
A drink is poured. He lifts the glass.
    ELAN SLEAZEBAGGANO
   Wanna buy some death sticks?
OBI-WAN looks at him. He moves his fingers slightly.
    OBI-WAN
   You don't want to sell me death-
   sticks.
    ELAN
   I don't want to sell you death-
   sticks.
OBI-WAN moves his fingers.
    OBI-WAN
   You want to go home and rethink
   your life.
    ELAN
   I want to go home and rethink my
   life.
He leaves. OBI-WAN lifts the drink and tosses it back.
CLOSE. The gun is drawn from its holster and held down out of sight. The
BOUNTY HUNTER starts to move toward the bar.
ANAKIN checks out ALIEN FACES. OBI-WAN signals for another drink. The gun
moves toward his unsuspecting back.
The drink is poured. OBI-WAN reaches for it. The gun is raised to aim
directly at his back, and suddenly OBI-WAN turns fast. His lightsaber
flashes. There is a shrill SCREAM and ZAM'S ARM hits the floor. The gun
drops from its twitching fingers. Blood spreads.
The room is silent. ALIENS rise menacingly from their seats, and ANAKIN is
suddenly at OBI-WAN's side, his lightsaber glowing.
    ANAKIN
   Easy... Official business. Go
   back to your drinks.
Slowly, the ALIENS sit. Conversation resumes. Onstage, THE PERFORMERS pick
up their routine. OBI-WAN and ANAKIN lift ZAM and carry her out.
EXT. ALLEY OUTSIDE NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN carry ZAM into the alley and lower her to the ground.
OBI-WAN attends to her wounded shoulder. She stares up hatefully at ANAKIN.
She winces in pain, then nods.
    OBI-WAN
   Do you know who it was you were
   trying to kill?
    ZAM WESSEL
   The Senator from Naboo.
    OBI-WAN
   Who hired you?
ZAM glares at OBI-WAN.
    ZAM WESSEL
   It was just a job.
    ANAKIN
   Tell us!
    ZAM WESSEL
   That Senator's gonna die soon
   anyway, and the next one won't
   make the same mistake I did...
    OBI-WAN
   This wound's going to need
   treatment.
    ANAKIN
   Who hired you? Tell us... tell us
   now!
ZAM glares hatefully.
    ZAM
   It was a Bounty Hunter called...
There is a sudden FTZZZ sound. ZAM twitches. She blinks in surprise and
dies.
There is a WEOOSH from above. OBI-WAN and ANAKIN look up yo see an ARMOURED
ROCKET-MAN taking off from a roof high above. OBI-WAN looks down at ZAM. He
touches her neck and pulls out a small, wicked-looking dart.
    OBI-WAN
   Toxic Dart...
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT - DAY
ANAKIN and JAR JAR stand near the door of the anteroom to PADME'S
bedroom. PADME and DORME move about packing luggage.
    PADMÉ
   Representative Binks. I know I can
   count on you.
    JAR JAR
   Yousa betchen mesa bottums.
    PADMÉ
   What?!
    JAR JAR
    (coughs, recovers)
   Oh, pardone-ay, Senator. I mean,
   I am honoured to accept this heavy
   burden. I take on this
   responsibility with deep humility
   tinged with an overwhelming pride.
    (pompously)
   It is not every day that I am
   called upon to...
PADME kisses him on the cheek and gives him a hug. JAR JAR turns red.
    PADMÉ
   You're a good friend, Jar Jar. I
   don't wish to hold you up. I'm
   sure you have a great deal to do.
    JAR JAR
   Of course, M'lady.
JAR JAR bows and goes out. As he passes ANAKIN, he flashes a dazzling
smile... PADME is in a very bad mood.
    PADMÉ
   I do not like this idea of hiding.
    ANAKIN
   Don't worry. Now that the Council
   has ordered an investigation, it
   won't take Master Obi-Wan long to
   find that bounty hunter.
    PADMÉ
    (frustrated)
   I haven't worked for a year to
   defeat the "Military Creation Act"
   not to be here when its fate is
   decided.
    ANAKIN
   Sometimes we have to let go of our
   pride and do what is requested of
   us.
    PADMÉ
   Pride?!? Annie, you're young, and
   you don't have a very firm grip on
   politics. I suggest you reserve
   your opinions for some other time.
    ANAKIN
   Sorry, M'lady. I was only trying
   to...
    PADMÉ
   Annie! No!
    ANAKIN
   Please don't call me that.
    PADMÉ
   What?
    ANAKIN
   Annie...
    PADMÉ
   I've always called you that... it
   is your name, isn't it?
    ANAKIN
   It's Anakin. When you say Annie
   it's like I'm still a little
   boy... and I'm not.
    PADMÉ
   I'm sorry, Anakin. It's impossible
   to deny you've...
    (looks him over)
   ...that you've grown up.
PADME smiles at ANAKIN. He becomes a little shy.
    ANAKIN
   Master Obi-Wan manages not to see
   it...
    PADMÉ
   Mentors have a way of seeing more
   of our faults than we would like.
   It's the only way we grow.
    ANAKIN
   Don't get me wrong... Obi-Wan is
   a great mentor. As wise as Master
   Yoda and as powerful as Master
   Windu. I am truly thankful to be
   his apprentice. Only... although
   I'm a Padawan learner, in some
   ways... a lot of ways... I'm ahead
   of him. I'm ready for the trials.
   I know I am! He knows it too. He
   believes I'm too unpredictable...
   Other Jedi my age have gone
   through the trials and made it...
   I know I started my training
   late... but he won't let me move
   on.
    PADMÉ
   That must be frustrating.
    ANAKIN
   It's worse... he's overly
   critical. He never listens! He
   just doesn't understand! It's not
   fair!
PADME cannot surpress a laugh. She shakes her head.
    PADMÉ
   I'm sorry... You sounded exactly
   like that little boy I once knew,
   when he didn't get his way.
    ANAKIN
   I'm not whining! I'm not.
PADME just smiles at him. DORME laughs in the background.
    PADMÉ
   I didn't say it to hurt you.
    ANAKIN
   I know...
There is a brief silence. PADME comes over to ANAKIN.
    PADME
   Anakin...
They look into each other's eyes for the first time.
    PADMÉ
    (continuing)
   Don't try to grow up too fast.
    ANAKIN
   I am grown up. You said it
   yourself.
ANAKIN looks deep into PADME'S eyes.
    PADMÉ
   Please don't look at me like that.
    ANAKIN
   Why not?
    PADMÉ
   Because I can see what you're
   thinking.
    ANAKIN
    (laughing)
   Ahh... so, you have Jedi powers
   too?
DORME is watching with concern.
    PADMÉ
   It makes me feel uncomfortable.
    ANAKIN
   Sorry, M'lady.
ANAKIN backs away as PADME turns and goes back to her packing.
EXT. CORUSCANT, SPACEPORT FREIGHTER DOCKS, TRANSPORT BUS - DAY
A small bus speeds toward the massive freighter docks of Coruscant's
Industrial area. The spaceport is bustling with activity. Transports of
various sizes moves supplies and passengers as giant floating cranes lift
cargo out of starships. The bus stops before a huge intergalactic freighter
starship. It parks in the shadows of an overhang.
INT. CORUSCANT, SPACEPORT FREIGHTER DOCKS, TRANSPORT BUS - DAY
ANAKIN and PADME, dressed in Outland peasant outfits, get up and head for
the door where CAPTAIN TYPHO, DORME and OBI-WAN are waiting to hand them
their luggage. DORME is dressed to look like Senator Amidala.
    CAPTAIN TYPHO
   Be safe, m'lady.
    PADMÉ
   Thank you, Captain. Take good
   care of Dorme... the threat's on
   you two now.
    DORME
   He'll be safe with me.
They laugh, and PADME embraces her faithful handmaiden. DORME start to weep.
    PADMÉ
   You'll be fine.
    DORME
   It's not me, M'Lady. I worry
   about you. What if they realise
   I'm not you?
    PADMÉ
    (looks to Anakin)
   Then my Jedi protector will have
   to prove how grown up he is.
DORME and PADME smile. ANAKIN frowns as OBI-WAN pulls him aside.
    OBI-WAN
   Anakin, you stay put on Naboo.
   Do not attract any attention. Do
   absolutely nothing without
   checking in with me or the Council.
    ANAKIN
   Yes, Master.
    OBI-WAN
    (to Padme)
   I will get to the bottom of this
   plot quickly, M'Lady. You'll be
   back here in no time.
    PADMÉ
   I will be most grateful for your
   speed, Master Jedi.
    ANAKIN
   Time to go.
    PADMÉ
   I know.
PADME gives DORME a last hug. ANAKIN picks up the luggage, and the TWO
PEASANTS exit the speeder bus, where ARTOO is waiting for them.
    OBI-WAN
   May the Force be with you.
    ANAKIN
   May the Force be with you, Master.
They head off toward the giant Starfreighter.
    PADMÉ
   Suddenly, I'm afraid...
    ANAKIN
   I'm kinda scared too. This is my
   first assignment on my own.
    PADMÉ
   There's nothing to worry about...
   we have Artoo with us.
The two laugh.
OBI-WAN and CAPTAIN TYPHO watch ANAKIN and PADME disappear into the
vastness of the spaceport with ARTOO trundling along behind them.
    OBI-WAN
   I hope he doesn't try anything
   foolish.
    CAPTAIN TYPHO
   I'd be more concerned about her
   doing something, than him.
EXT. FREIGHTER DOCKS - CORUSCANT - DAY
The freighter slowly takes off from the huge docks area of Coruscant. It
soon moves into the crowded skies.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE, MAIN HALLWAY - LATE DAY
From high above, light streams down from the lofty ceilings. OBI-WAN crosses
the floor of the great hallway, heaading for the Analysis Rooms.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE, ANALYSIS CUBICLES - LATE DAY
OBI-WAN walks past several glass cubicles where work is going on. He comes
to an empty one and sits down in front of a console. A PK-4 ANALYSIS DROID
comes to life. A tray slides out of the console.
    PK-4
   Place the subject for analysis on
   the sensot tray, please.
OBI-WAN puts the dart onto the traym which retracts into the console. The
DROID activates the system, and a screen lights up in from of OBI-WAN.
    OBI-WAN
   It's a toxic dart. I need to know
   where it came from and who made it.
    PK-4
   One moment, please.
Diagrams and .... appear on the screem, scrolling past at great speed.
OBI-WAN watches as the screen goes blank. They tray slides out.
    PK-4
    (continuing)
   As you can see on your screen,
   subject weapon does not exist in
   any known culture. Markings
   cannot be identified. Probablt
   self-made by a warrior not
   associated with any known society.
    OBI-WAN
   Excuse me? Could you try again
   please?
    PK-4
   Master Jedi, our records are very
   thorough. they cover eight
   percent of the galaxy. If I can't
   tell you where it came from,
   nobody can.
OBI-WAN picks up the dart and looks at it, then looks to the DROID.
    OBI-WAN
   Thanks for your assistance! You
   may not be able to figure this
   out, but I think I know someone
   who might.
EXT. SPACE, STARSHIP FREIGHTER
The massive, slow-moving Freighter suddenly zooms away into lightspeed.
INT. STARFREIGHTER, STORAGE HOLD - DAY
The great, gloomy hold is crowded with EMIGRANTS and their belongings. To
one side ARTOO is coming to the head of a food line, where SERVERS are
ladling out bowls of mush. ARTOO holds two bowls.
    SERVER
   Keep moving! Keep moving!
ARTOO slips tube into a tub of mush and sucks up a large quantity. With one
of his little claw-arms, he grabs several chunks of something that looks
like brown bread. A SERVER sees him.
    FOOD SERVER
    (continuing)
   Hey! No Droids!
ARTOO takes one last big suck and heads away from the food line. The SERVER
shouts after him angrily. The little droid moves past groups of eating or
sleeping EMIGRANTS and comes to where ANAKIN is sound asleep. The young Jedi
seems to be having a nightmare. He is very restless.
    ANAKIN
   No, no, Mom, no...
He is sweating. PADME leans over to wipe some of the sweat from his
forehead. He wakes up with a start, then realises where he is. PADME simply
looks at him. He stares back, somewhat confused. ARTOO fills up two bowls
with mush.
    ANAKIN
    (continuing)
   What?
    PADMÉ
   You seemed to be having a
   nightmare.
ANAKIN looks at PADME a little more closely, trying to see if he has
revealed any of his secrets. She hands him a bowl of mush and bread.
    PADMÉ
    (continuing)
   Are you hungry?
    ANAKIN
   Thank you.
    PADMÉ
   We went into lightspeed a while
   ago.
ANAKIN looks into PADME'S eyes.
    ANAKIN
   I look forward to seeing Naboo
   again. I've thought about it every
   day since I left. It's by far the
   most beautiful place I've ever
   seen...
PADME is a little unnerved by his intense stare.
    PADMÉ
   You were just a little boy then.
   It may not be as you remember it;
   time changes your perception.
    ANAKIN
   I think time has given me much
   more mature feelings to enhance my
   perception.
    PADMÉ
   It must be difficult having sworn
   your life to the Jedi... not being
   able to visit the places you
   like... or do the things you
   like...
    ANAKIN
   Or be with the people I love.
    PADMÉ
   Are you allowed to love? I
   thought that was forbidden for a
   Jedi.
    ANAKIN
   Attachment is forbidden.
   Possession is forbidden.
   Compassion, which I would define
   as unconditional love, is central
   to a Jedi's life, so you might say
   we're encouraged to love.
    PADMÉ
   You have changed so much
    ANAKIN
   You haven't changed a bit. You're
   exactly the way I remember you in
   my dreams. I doubt if Naboo has
   changed much either.
    PADMÉ
   It hasn't...
    ANAKIN
   I can't wait to breathe the sweet
   breeze that comes off the rolling
   hills. Whenever I try to
   visualise the Force, those hills
   are what I see.
ANAKIN looks at PADME when he says this.
    ANAKIN
    (continuing)
   I love Naboo.
There is an awkward moment.
    PADMÉ
    (changing the subject)
   Were you dreaming about you
   mother earlier, weren't you?
    ANAKIN
   Yes... I left Tatooine so long
   ago, my memory of her is fading.
   I don't want to lose it. Recently
   I've been seeing her in my
   dreams... vivid dreams... scary
   dreams. I worry about her.
PADME gives ANAKIN a sympathetic look.
EXT. CORUSCANT, DOWNTOWN, BACK STREET - MORNING
OBI-WAN walks down the street. It is a pretty tough part of town. Old
buildings, warehouses, beat up speeders and transporter rigs occasional
"shiny freighters" hissing through.
OBI-WAN comes to a kind of alien diner. On the steamed-up windowa it says
"DEX'S DINER" in alien lettering. He goes inside.
INT. CORUSCANT, DEX'S DINER - MORNING
A young waitress, HERMIONE BAGWA, is wiping off a booth tabletop. There is a
counter with stools and a line of booths along the wall by the window. A
number of CUSTOMERS are eating - TOUGH-LOOKING WORKERS, FREIGHTER DRIVERS
etc. HERMIONE looks up as OBI-WAN comes in.
    HERMIONE
   Can I help ya?
    OBI-WAN
   I'm looking for Dexter.
HERMIONE'S eyes narrow.
    HERMIONE BAGWA
   Waddya want him for?
    OBI-WAN
   He's not in trouble. It's
   personal.
HERMIONE stares at OBI-WAN. There is a brief pause. Then she goes to the
open serving hatch behind the counter.
    HERMIONE BAGWA
   Someone to see ya, honey
    (lowering her voice)
   A Jedi, by the looks of him.
Steam billows out from the kitchen hatch behind the counter as a huge head
pokes through.
    DEXTER JETTSTER
   Obi-Wan!
    OBI-WAN
   Hey, Dex.
    DEXTER JETTSTER
   Take a seat! Be right with ya!
OBI-WAN sits in a booth.
    HERMIONE BAGWA
   You want a cup of ardees?
    OBI-WAN
   Thank you.
HERMIONE moves off as the door to the counter opens and DEXTER JETTSTER
appears. He is big - bald and sweaty, old and alien. Not someone to tangle
with. He arrives, beaming hugely.
    DEXTER JETTSTER
   Hey, ol' buddy!
    OBI-WAN
   Hey, Dex.
DEXTER eases himself into the seat opposite OBI-WAN. He can just make it.
HERMIONE sets two mugs of steaming ardees in from of them.
    DEXTER JETTSTER
   So, my friend. What can I do for
   ya?
    OBI-WAN
   You can tell me what this is.
OBI-WAN places the dart on the table between them. DEX'S eyes widen. He puts
down his mug.
    DEXTER JETTSTER
   Well, whattaya know...
DEXTER picks up the dart delicately between his puffy fingers and peers at
it.
    DEXTER JETTSTER
    (continuing)
   I ain't seen one of these since I
   was prospecting on Subterrel
   beyond the Outer Rim!
    OBI-WAN
   Do you know where it came from?
DEXTER grins. He puts the dart down between them.
    DEXTER JETTSTER
   This baby belongs to them cloners.
   What you got here is a Kamino
   Kyberdart.
    OBI-WAN
   Kamino Kyberdart... I wonder why
   it didn't show up in any analysis
   archive.
    DEXTER JETTSTER
   It's these funny little cuts on
   the side give it away...
   Those analysis droids you've got
   over there only focus on symbols,
   you know. I should think you Jedi
   would have more respect for the
   difference between knowledge and
   wisdom.
    OBI-WAN
   Well, Dex, if droids could think, we
   wouldn't be here, would we?
    (laughing)
   Kamino... doesn't sound familiar.
   Is it part of the Republic?
    DEXTER JETTSTER
   No, it's beyond the Outer Rim.
   I'd say about twelve parsecs
   outside the Rishi Maze, toward the
   south. It should be easy to find,
   even for those droids in your
   archive to find. Those Kaminoans
   keep to themselves. They're
   cloners. Damned good ones, too.
OBI-WAN then picks up the dart, holding it midway between them.
    OBI-WAN
   Cloners? Are they friendly?
    DEXTER JETTSTER
   It depends.
    OBI-WAN
   On what, Dex?
Dexter grins.
    DEXTER JETTSTER
   On how good your manners are...
   and how big your pocketbook is...
EXT. NABOO SPACEPORT - DAY
The Starfreighter lands in the giant port city of Theed.
PADME, ANAKIN and ARTOO are among the EMIGRANTS streaming from the
Starfreighter and into the vast docking area. They exit onto the main plaza.
EXT. NABOO PALACE, GRAND COURTYARD (NABOO) - AFTERNOON
The speeder bus pulls up and stops. PADME, ANAKIN, and ARTOO get out. The
great courtyard stretches out before them, and they see the rose-colored
dome of the palace on the far side. ARTOO WHISTLES. They pick up their gear
and start to cross the courtyard. ARTOO trundles behind them.
    ANAKIN
   If I grew up here, I don't think
   I'd ever leave.
    PADMÉ
    (laughing)
   I doubt that.
    ANAKIN
   No, really. When I started my
   training, I was very homesick and
   very lonely. This city and my Mom
   were the only pleasant things I
   had to think about... The problem
   was, the more I thought about my
   Mom, the worse I felt. But I
   would feel better if I thought
   about the palace - the way it
   shimmers in the sunlight - the way
   the air always smells of flowers...
    PADMÉ
   ...and the soft sound of the
   distant waterfalls. The first
   time I saw the Capital, I was very
   young... I'd never seen a
   waterfall before. I though they
   were so beautiful... I never
   dreamed one day I'd live in the
   palace.
    ANAKIN
   Well, tell me, did you dream of
   power and politics when you were
   a little girl?
    PADMÉ
    (laughing)
   No! That was the last thing I
   thought of. My dream was to help
   in the "Refugee Relief Movement."
   I never thought of running for
   elected office. But the more
   history I studied, the more I
   realised how much good politicians
   could do. So when I was eight, I
   joined the "Apprentice
   Legislators", then later on became
   a Senatorial advisor, with such a
   passion that, before I knew it, I
   was elected Queen. Partly because
   I scored so high on my education
   certificate, but for the most part
   it was my conviction that reform
   was possible. I wasn't the
   youngest Queen ever elected, but
   now that I think back on it, I'm
   not sure I was old enough. I'm not
   sure I was ready.
    ANAKIN
   The people you served thought you
   did a good job. I heard they
   tried to amend the Constitution so
   you could stay in office.
    PADMÉ
   Popular rule is not democracy,
   Annie. It gives the people what
   they want, not what they need.
   And, truthfully, I was relieved
   when my two terms were up. So
   were my parents. They worried
   About me during the blockade and
   couldn't wait for it all to be
   over. Actually, I was hoping to
   have a family by now... My
   sisters have the most amazing,
   wonderful kids... but when the
   Queen asked me to serve as
   Senator, I couldn't refuse her.
    ANAKIN
   I agree! I think the Republic
   needs you... I'm glad you chose
   to serve. I feel things are going
   to happen in our generation that
   will change the galaxy in profound
   ways.
    PADMÉ
   I think so too.
ANAKIN and PADME walk toward the palace. ARTOO continues to follow.
INT. NABOO PALACE, THRONE ROOM - AFTERNOON
QUEN JAMILLIA is seated on the throne, flanked by SIO BIBBLE and a COUPLE OF
ADVISORS. FOUR HANDMAIDENS stand close by, and GUARDS are at the doors.
    QUEEN JAMILLIA
   We've been worried about you.
    (takes her hand)
   I'm so glad you're safe, Padmé.
    PADMÉ
   Thank you, Your Highness. I only
   Wish I could have served you
   better by staying on Coruscant for
   the vote.
    SIO BIBBLE
   Given the circumstances, Senator,
   you know it was the only decision
   Her Highness could have made.
    QUEEN JAMILLIA
   How many systems have joined Count
   Dooku and the separatists?
    PADMÉ
   About two hundred. And more are
   leaving the Republic every day.
   If the Senate votes to create an
   army, I'm sure it's going to push
   us into a civil war.
    SIO BIBBLE
   It's unthinkable! There hasn't
   been a full-scale war since the
   formation of the Republic!
    QUEEN JAMILLIA
   Do you see any way, through
   negotiations, to bring the
   separatists back into the Republic?
    PADMÉ
   Not if they feel threatened. The
   separatists don't have an army,
   but if they are provoked, they
   will move to defend themselves.
   I'm sure of that. And with no time
   or money to build an army, my
   guess is they will turn to the
   Commerce Guilds or the Trade
   Federation for help.
    QUEEN JAMILLIA
   The armies of commerce! Why has
   Nothing been done in the Senate
   to restrain them?
    PADMÉ
   I'm afraid that, despite the
   Chancellor's best efforts, there
   are still many bureaucrats,
   judges, and even Senators on the
   payrolls of the Guilds.
    SIO BIBBLE
   It's outrageous! After all of
   those hearings, and the four trials in
   the Supreme Court, Nute Gunray is
   still the Viceroy of the Trade
   Federation. Do those money
   mongers control everything?
    QUEEN JAMILLIA
   Remember, Counsellor, the courts
   were able to reduce the
   Federation's armies. That's a
   move in the right
   direction.
    PADMÉ
   There are rumours, Your Highness,
   that the Federation Army was not
   reduced as they were ordered.
    ANAKIN
   The Jedi have not been allowed to
   investigate. It would be to be too
   dangerous for the economy, we were
   told.
    QUEEN JAMILLIA
   We must keep our faith in the
   Republic. The day we stop
   believing democracy can work is
   the day we lose it.
    PADMÉ
   Let's pray that day never comes.
    QUEEN JAMILLIA
   In the meantime, we must consider
   your own safety.
SIO BIBBLE signals. All the other ADVISORS and ATTENDANTS bow and leave the
room.
    SIO BIBBLE
    (to Anakin)
   What is your suggestion, Master
   Jedi?
    PADMÉ
   Anakin's not a Jedi yet, Counsellor.
   He's still a Padawan learner. I
   was thinking...
    ANAKIN
    (nettled)
   Hey, hold on a minute!
    PADMÉ
   Excuse me! I was thinking I would
   stay in the Lake Country. There
   are some places up there that are
   very isolated.
    ANAKIN
   Excuse me?! I am in charge of
   security here, M'Lady.
SIO BIBBLE and QUEEN JAMILLIA exchange a look. Something is going on here.
    PADMÉ
   Annie, my life is at risk, and
   this is my home. I know it very
   well... that is why we're here.
   I think it would be wise for you
   to take advantage of my knowledge
   in this instance.
    ANAKIN
    (takes a deep breath)
   Sorry, M'Lady.
    SIO BIBBLE
    (to Anakin, amused)
   She is right. The Lake Country is
   the most remote part of Naboo.
   Not many people and a clear view
   of the surrounding terrain.
    QUEEN JAMILLIA
   Perfect. It's settled then.
ANAKIN glares at PADME. Then QUEEN JAMILLIA gets up, and they all start to
leave.
    QUEEN JAMILLIA
    (continued)
   Padmé, I had an audience with your
   father yesterday. I told him what
   was happening. He hopes you will
   visit your mother before you
   leave... your family's very
   worried about you.
PADME looks worred. They ALL exit down the main staircase.
EXT. JEDI TEMPLE - DAY
The main entrance at the base of the huge temple is bustling with activity.
All sorts of JEDI are coming and going.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE, ARCHIVES LIBRARY - DAY
A bronze bust of Count Dooku, stands among a line of other busts of Jedi in
the Archive Room. OBI-WAN stands in front it, studying the striking features
of the chiselled face.
On the walls, lighted computer panels seem to stretch into infinity. Farther
along the room in the background, FIVE JEDI are seated at tables, studying
archival material.
After OBI-WAN studies the bust for a few moments before MADAME JOCASTA NU,
the Jedi Archivist is standing next to him. She is an elderly, frail-looking
human Jedi. Tough as old boots and smart as a whip.
    JOCASTA NU
   Did you call for assistance?
    OBI-WAN
    (distracted in thought)
   Yes... yes, I did...
    JOCASTA NU
   He has a powerful face, doesn't
   he? He was one of the most
   brilliant Jedi I have had the
   privilege of knowing.
    OBI-WAN
   I never understood why he quit.
   Only twenty Jedi have ever left
   the Order.
    JOCASTA NU
    (sighs)
   The Lost Twenty... and Count Dooku
   was the most recent and the most
   painful. No one likes to talk
   about it. His leaving was a great
   loss to the Order.
    OBI-WAN
   What happened?
    JOCASTA NU
   Well, one might say, he was always
   a bit out of step with the
   decisions of the Council... much
   like your old Master, Qui-Gon Jinn.
    OBI-WAN
    (surprised)
   Really?
    JOCASTA NU
   Oh, yes. They were alike in many
   ways. Very individual thinkers...
   idealists...
JOCASTA NU stares at the bust
    JOCASTA NU
    (continuing
   He was always striving to become
   a more powerful Jedi. He wanted
   to be the best. With a lightsaber,
   in the old style of fencing, he
   had no match. His knowledge of
   the Force was... unique. In the
   end, I think he left because he
   lost faith in the Republic. He
   believed that politics were
   corrupt, and he felt the Jedi
   betrayed themselves by serving the
   politicians. He always had very
   high expectations of government.
   He disappeared for nine or ten
   years, then he just showed up
   recently as the head of the
   separatist movement.
    OBI-WAN
   Interesting... I'm still not sure
   I understand.
    JOCASTA NU
   Well, I'm sure you didn't call me
   over here for a history lesson.
   Are you having a problem, Master
   Kenobi?
    OBI-WAN
   Yes, I'm trying to find a planet
   system called Kamino. It doesn't
   seem to show upon any of the
   archive charts.
    JOCASTA NU
   Kamino? It's not a system I'M
   familiar with... Let me see...
JOCASTA NU leans over OBI-WAN'S shoulder, looking at the screen.
    JOCASTA NU
    (continuing)
   Are you sure you have the right
   co-ordinates?
    OBI-WAN
    (nodding)
   According to my information, it
   should be in this quadrant
   somewhere... just south of the
   Rishi Maze.
JOCASTA NU taps the keyboard and frowns.
    JOCASTA NU
   No co-ordinates? It sounds like the
   kind of directions you'd get from
   a street tout... some old miner or
   Furbog trader.
    OBI-WAN
   All three actually.
    JOCASTA NU
   Are you sure it exists?
    OBI-WAN
   Absolutely.
    JOCASTA NU
   Let me do a gravitational scan.
OBI-WAN and JOCASTA NU studt the star map hologram.
    JOCASTA NU
   There are some inconsistencies
   here. Maybe the planet you're
   looking for was destroyed.
    OBI-WAN
   Wouldn't that be on record?
    JOCASTA NU
   It ought to be. Unless it was very
   recent.
    (shakes her head)
   I hate to say it, but it looks
   like the system you're searching
   for doesn't exist.
    OBI-WAN
   That's impossible... perhaps the
   archives are incomplete.
    JOCASTA NU
   The archives are comprehensive and
   totally secure, my young Jedi.
   One thing you may be absolutely
   sure of - if an item does not
   appear in our records, it does not
   exist!
OBI-WAN stares at her, then looks back at the map.
EXT. THEED, RESIDENTIAL AREA, SIDE STREET - AFTERNOON
PEOPLE are passing through the little street, OLD MEN are sunning themslves,
WOMEN are gossipping, KIDS are playing. ANAKIN, PADME and ARTOO turn onto a
side street. ANAKIN is back in his Jedi robes. PADME wear a beautiful simple
dress. She stops, beaming.
    PADME
   There's my house!
PADME starts forward; ANAKIN hangs back.
    PADME
    (continuing)
   What? Don't say you're shy!
    ANAKIN
    (untruthfully)
   No, but I...
Suddenly, there are shouts from two little girils, RYOO (age 6) and POOJA
(age 4). They come running toward PADME.
    RYOO & POOJA
   Aunt Padme!! Aunt Padme!!
    PADME
   Ryoo!! Pooja!!
PADME scoops up RYOO and POOJA and hugs them.
    PADME
    (continuing)
   I'm so happy to see you! This is
   Anakin. Anakin, this is Ryoo, and
   this is Pooja.
ANAKIN and the GIRLS say hello shyly. Then:
    RYOO & POOJA
   Artoo!!!
As they see the droid, they hug him. ARTOO WHISTLES and BEEPS. PADME laughs.
ANAKIN and PADME go on toward the house. The GIRLS stay and play with ARTOO.
INT. PADME'S PARENTS' HOUSE, MAIN ROOM - AFTERNOON
SOLA, PADME'S beautiful older sister, comes in from the kitchen carrying a
big bowl of food.
    SOLA
    (over her shoulder)
   They're eating over at Jev
   Narran's later, Mom. They just
   had a snack. They'll be fine.
SOLA puts the bowl down on the table, where ANAKIN, PADME and RUWEE NABERRIE
(Padme's father) are coming into the room.
    PADME
   Anakin, this is my sister, Sola.
    SOLA
   Hello, Anakin.
    ANAKIN
   Hello.
SOLA sits, as JOBAL NABERRIE (Padme's mother) comes in with a heaped bowl of
steaming food.
    JOBAL
   You're just in time for dinner. I
   hope you're hungry, Anakin.
    ANAKIN
   A little.
    PADME
   He's being polite, Mom. We're
   starving.
    RUWEE
    (grinning)
   You came to the right place at the
   right time. Sit down, son.
EVERYONE sits and starts passing food.
    JOBAL
    (to Padme)
   Honey, it's so good to see you
   safe. We were so worried.
PADME gives JOBAL a dirty look. RUWEE smiles as he watches.
    RUWEE
   Dear...
    JOBAL
   I know, I know... but I had to say
   it. Now it's done.
    SOLA
   Well, this is exciting! Do you
   know, Anakin, you're the first
   boyfriend my sister's ever brought
   home?
    PADME
    (rolls her eyes)
   Sola!! He isn't my boyfriend!
   He's a Jedi assigned by the Senate
   to protect me.
    JOVAL
   A bodyguard?! Oh, Padme! They
   didn't tell us it was that serious!
    PADME
   It's not, Mom, I promise.
    (glances at Jobal)
   Anyway, Anakin's a friend. I've
   known him for years. Remember
   that little boy who was with the
   Jedi during the blockade crisis?
They nod.
    PADME
    (continuing)
   He grew up.
    JOBAL
   Honey, when are you going to
   settle down? Haven't you had
   enough of that life? I certainly
   have!
    PADME
   Mom, I'm not in any danger.
    RUWEE
    (to Anakin)
   Is she?
    ANAKIN
   ...Yes... I'm afraid she is.
    PADME
    (quickly)
   But not much.
EXT. PADME'S PARENTS' GARDEN - AFTERNOON
ANAKIN and RUWEE are walking.
    RUWEE
   Sometimes I wish I'd traveled
   more... but I must say, I'm happy
   here.
    ANAKIN
   Padme tells me you teach at the
   university?
    RUWEE
    (nodding)
   Yes, and before that, I was a
   builder. I also worked for the
   Refugee Relief Movement, when I
   was very young.
INT. PADME'S PARENTS' HOUSE, MAIN ROOM - AFTERNOON
PADME, SOLA and JOBAL are clearing the table.
    SOLA
   Why haven't you told us about him?
    PADMÉ
   What's there to talk about?  He's
   just a boy.
    SOLA
   A boy? Have you seen the way he
   looks at you?
    PADMÉ
   Sola - stop it!
    SOLA
   It's obvious he has feelings for
   you. Are you saying, little baby
   sister, that you haven't noticed?
    PADMÉ
   I'm not your baby sister, Sola.
   Anakin and I are friends... our
   relationship is strictly
   professional.
    (to Jobal)
   Mom, would you tell her to stop it?
    SOLA
    (laughing)
   Well, maybe you haven't noticed
   the way he looks at you. I think
   you're afraid to.
    PADMÉ
   Cut it out.
    JOBAL
   Sola's just concerned... we all
   are.
    PADMÉ
   Oh, Mom, you're impossible. What
   I'm doing is important.
    JOBAL
   You've done your service, Padmé.
   It's time you had a life of your
   own. You're missing so much!
EXT. PADME'S PARENTS' GARDEN - AFTERNOON
ANAKIN and RUWEE are walking in the garden. RUWEE stops and faces ANAKIN
directly.
    RUWEE
   Now tell me, son. How serious is
   this thing? How much danger is my
   daughter really in?
    ANAKIN
   There have been two attempts on
   her life. Chances are there'll be
   more. My Master is tracking down
   the assassins. I'm sure he'll find
   out who they are. This situation,
   won't last long.
    RUWEE
   I don't want anything to happen to
   her.
    ANAKIN
   I don't either.
INT. PADME'S PARENTS' HOUSE, PADME'S ROOM - AFTERNOON
PADME throws some things into a bag.
    PADME
   Don't worry, this won't take long.
    ANAKIN
   I just want to get there before
   dark.
PADME goes on packing. ANAKIN looks around the room.
    ANAKIN
    (continuing)
   You still live at home.
    PADME
   I move around so much, I've never
   had a place of my own. Official
   residences have no warmth. I feel
   good here. I feel at home.
    ANAKIN
   I never had a real home. Home was
   always where my Mom was.
ANAKIN picks up a framed hologram.
    ANAKIN
    (continuing)
   Is this you?
The hologram shows Padme at age seven or eight surrounded by forty or fifty
little green creatures. She is holding one in her arms. They are all smiling
hugely.
    PADME
   That was when I went with the
   Relief Group to Shadda-Bi-Boran.
   Their sun was imploding, and the
   planet was dying. I was helping
   to relocate the children. See
   that little one I'm holding? His
   name was N'a-kee-tula, which means
   sweethear. He was so full of
   life,. All those kids were. I did
   everything I could to save him,
   but he died... they all did. They
   were never able to adapt... to
   live off their native planet.
ANAKIN picks up another hologram. It shows PADME at age ten or eleven. She
is wearing official robes and standing between two robed legislators. Her
expression is severe.
    PADME
    (continuing)
   My first day as an Apprentice
   Legislator. Notice the difference?
PADME pulls a face. ANAKIN grins. She continues packing. ANAKIN sets the two
holograms down side by side - the beaming little girl, and the the stern,
unsmiling adolescent.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE, MAIN HALLWAY - DAY
OBI-WAN walks through the main hallway to the training area.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE, TRAINING VERANDA - DAY
OBI-WAN comes out onto the veranda and stops, watching TWENTY or so
FOUR-YEAR-OLDS doing training exercises, supervised by YODA. They wear
helmets over their eyes and try to strike little TRAINING DROIDS with their
miniature lightsabers. The DROIDS dance in front of them.
    YODA
   Don't think... feel... be as one
   with the Force. Help you, it will.
    (he sees Obi-Wan)
   Younglings - enough! A visitor we
   have. Welcome him.
The CHILDREN take off their helmets and turn off their lightsabers.
    YODA
    (continuing)
   Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, meet the
   mighty Bear Clan.
    CHILDREN
   Welcome, Master Obi-Wan!
    OBI-WAN
   I am sorry to disturb you, Master.
    YODA
   What help to you, can I be?
    OBI-WAN
   I'm looking for a planet described
   to me by an old friend. I trust
   him. But the system doesn't show
   up on the archive maps.
    YODA
   An interesting puzzle. Gather
   round the map reader, younglings.
   Master Obi-Wan has lost a planet.
   Find it, we will try...
The map reader is a small shaft with a hollow opening at the top. The
CCHILDREN gather around it. OBI-WAN takes out a little glass ball and places
it into the bowl. The window shades close darkening the room and the reader
lights up, projecting the star map hologram into the room. The CHILDREN
laugh. Some of them reach up to try and touch the nebulae and stars. OBI-WAN
walks into the display.
    OBI-WAN
   This is where it ought to be...
   but it isn't. Gravity is pulling
   all the stars in this area inward
   to this spot. There should be a
   star here... but there isn't.
    YODA
   Most interesting. Gravity's
   silhouette remains, but the star
   and all its planets have
   disappeared. How can this be?
There is a brief pause. Then a CHILD puts its hand up. YODA nods.
    JEDI CHILD JACK
   Because someone erased it from the
   archive memory.
    CHILDREN
   That's right! Yes! That's what
   happened! Someone erased it!
    JEDI CHILD MAY
   If the planet blew up, the gravity
   would go away.
OBI-WAN stares; YODA chuckles.
    YODA
   Truly wonderful, the mind of a
   child is. Uncluttered. To the
   centre of the pull of gravity go,
   and find your planet you will.
    OBI-WAN
   But Master Yoda who could have
   erased information from the
   archives? That's impossible,
   isn't it?
    YODA
    (frowning)
   Much harder to answer, that
   question is.
EXT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, WATER SPEEDER, LANDING PLATFORM - LATE AFTERNOON
A water speeder driven by PADDY ACCU, the retreat caretaker, skims across
the lake away from the island landing platform where a chrome Naboo Starship
rests. ANAKIN and PADME are sitting in the speeder as it skims away to where
a lodge rises on a beautiful island in the middle of the lake.
EXT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, LODGE, GARDEN TERRACEM LATE AFTERNOON
ANAKIN and PADME walk up the stairs from where the water speeder is parked
onto a terrace overlooking a lovely garden. Behind them, PADDY ACCU
supervises two serving girls, NANDI and TECKLA, as they carry the bags into
the Lodge.
ANAKIN and PADME stop at the balustrade. PADME looks out across the garden
to the shimmering lake and the mountains rising beyond. ANAKIN looks at her
silently.
    PADMÉ
   When I was in Level Three, we used
   to come here for school retreat.
   See that island? We used to swim
   there every day. I love the water.
    ANAKIN
   I do too. I guess it comes from
   growing up on a desert planet.
PADME becomes aware that ANAKIN is looking at her.
    PADMÉ
   ...We used to lie on the sand and
   let the sun dry us... and try to
   guess the names of the birds
   singing.
    ANAKIN
   I don't like sand. It's coarse
   and rough and irritating, and it
   gets everywhere. Not like here.
   Here everything's soft... and
   smooth...
He touches her arm. PADME has become receptive to the way he looks at her
but is nervous.
    PADMÉ
   There was a very old man who lived
   on the island. He used to make
   glass out of sand - and vases and
   necklaces out of the glass. They
   were magical.
    ANAKIN
    (looks into her eyes)
   Everything here is magical.
    PADMÉ
   You could look into the glass and
   see the water. The way it ripples
   and moves. It looked so real...
   but it wasn't.
    ANAKIN
   Sometimes, when you believe
   something to be real, it becomes
   real. Real enough, anyway...
They look into each other's eyes. He touches her chin.
    PADMÉ
   I used to think if you looked too
   deeply into glass, you would
   lose yourself.
    ANAKIN
   I think it's true...
ANAKIN kisses PADME. She doesn't resist. She comes to her senses and pulls
away.
    PADMÉ
   I shouldn't have done that.
    ANAKIN
   I'm sorry. When I'm around you,
   my mind is no longer my own.
    PADMÉ
   It's the situation... the stress...
He looks at her.
    ANAKIN
   ...the view.
EXT. CORUSCANT, LANDING PLATFORM - LATE AFTERNOON
Obi-Wan's Starfighter is ready for takeoff. OBI-WAN and MACE WINDU stand
beside it.
    MACE WINDU
   Be wary, this disturbance in the
   Force is growing stronger.
    OBI-WAN
   I am concerned for my Padawan. He
   is not ready to be on his own.
    YODA
   The Council is confident in this decision,
   Obi-Wan.
    MACE
   He has exceptional skills. The
   Council is confident in its
   decision, Obi-Wan. If the
   prophecy is true, he weill be the
   one to bring balance to the Force.
    OBI-WAN
   But he still has much to learn.
   And his abilities have made him...
   well... arrogant. I realise now
   what you and Master Yoda knew from
   the beginning... the boy was too
   old to start the training and...
OBI-WAN hesitates.
    MACE WINDU
   There's something else?
    OBI-WAN
   Master, he should not have been
   given this assignment. I'm afraid
   Anakin won't be able to protect
   the Senator.
    MACE WINDU
   Why?
    OBI-WAN
   He has a... an emotional
   connection with her. It's been
   there since he was boy. Now
   he's confused... distracted.
    MACE-WINDU
   Obi-Wan, you must have faith that
   he will take the right path.
OBI-WAN climbs into the cockpit of the Starfighter.
    OBI-WAN
   Has Master Yoda gained any insight
   into whether or not this war will
   come about?
    MACE WINDU
   Probing the Dark Side is a
   dangerous process. He could be in
   seclusion for days... May the
   force be with you.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE, YODA'S QUARTERS - LATE AFTERNOON
YODA sits with his eyes closed, meditating. Silence.
EXT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, LOUNGE, LATE AFTERNOON
The setting sun touches the mountain peaks. The lake glows in the
rose-tinted light. Floatinf lamps glean softly like jewels at the lodge.
INT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, DINING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
NANDI place dessert in front of PADME. TECKLA does the same for ANAKIN. The
dessert is some kind of fruit. PADME picks up her fork and goes to spear a
piece, but it moves! She frowns and tries again -the fruit moves. She lokk
up at ANAKIN. His eyes are on his plate.
    PADME
   You did that?
ANAKIN looks up - wide-eyed innocence.
    ANAKIN
   What?
PADME scowls at him. PADME jabs at the fruit - ANAKIN subtly moves his hand
and it lifts up from the plate and hovers in front of her.
    PADME
   That! Now stop it!
PADME laughs. ANAKIN laughs. She reaches out for the fruit - it loops.
    PADME
    (continuing)
   Anakin!!
ANAKIN moves his fingers. The fruit flies into his hand.
    ANAKIN
   I'm not really supposed to do
   that... for fun, I mean. If
   Master Obi-Wan were here, he'd be
   very grumpy.
ANAKIN is pleased. He cuts the fruint into several pieces and sends one back
to PADME. She bites it out of the air and laughs.
INT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, LODGE, FIREPLACE ALCOVE - TWILIGHT
A fire blazes in the open hearth. PADME is sitting in front of it, gazing at
the flames.
She looks up as ANAKIN arrives. She makes room for him. Brief pause.
    ANAKIN
   May I tell you something?
    PADME
   I don't know.
    ANAKIN
   Then how can I tell you?
    PADME
   Maybe you should use your Jedi
   intuition.
    ANAKIN
   It doesn't work around you. My
   mind is always a muddle... I can
   only think of you.
    PADME
   Anakin, don't...
    ANAKIN
   From the moment I met you, all
   those years ago, a day hasn't gone
   by when I haven't thought of you.
   And now that I'm close to you again,
   I'm in agony. The closer I get to
   you, the worse it gets. The
   thought of not being with you
   mskes my stomach turn over - my
   mouth goes dry. I feel dizzy. I
   can't breathe. I'm haunted by the
   kiss you should never have given
   me. My heart is beating, hoping
   that kiss will not become a scar.
   You are in my very soul,
   tormenting me. What can I do? I
   will do anything you ask...
Silence. The logs flame in the hearth.
    ANAKIN
    (continuing)
   If you are suffering as much as I
   am, tell me.
    PADME
   ...I can't. We can't. It's just
   not possible.
    ANAKIN
   Anything's possible. Padme,
   please listen...
    PADME
   You listen. We live in a real
   world. Come back to it. You're
   studying to become a Jedi Knight.
   I'm a Senator. If you follow your
   thoughts through to conclusion,
   they will take us to a place we
   cannot go... regardless of the way
   we feel about each other.
    ANAKIN
   Then you do feel something!
   There's an extraordinary
   connection between us. You can't
   deny that.
    PADME
   Annie, it doesn't make any
   difference. Jedi aren't allowed
   to marry. You swore an oath,
   remember? You'd be expelled from
   the Order. I will not let you
   give up your responsibilities...
   your future, for me.
    ANAKIN
   I was destined to be a Jedi. I
   don't think I could be anything
   else. But you are asking me to be
   rational. That is something I
   know I cannot do. I wish I could
   wish my feelings away... but I
   can't.
    PADME
   I am not going to give into this.
   I'm not going to throw my life
   away. I have more important things
   to do than fall in love.
There is silence as they stare at the fire. ANAKIN is thinking.
    ANAKIN
   It wouldn't have to be that way...
   we could keep it a secret.
    PADME
   Then we'd be living a lie - one we
   couldn't keep even if we wanted
   to. Mt sister saw it. So did my
   mother. I couldn't do that.
   Could you, Anakin? Could you live
   like that?
Silence for a moment.
    ANAKIN
   ...No, you're right. It would
   destroy us.
EXT. SPACE
It's just like the star map hologram, plus the storm-shrouded planet of
Kamino, which is exactly where it ought to be. Obi-Wan's Starship flies OVER
CAMERA and heads down toward the planet.
EXT. TIPOCA CITY, KAMINO LANDING PLATFORM (RAINSTORM) - DAY
Heavy rans and hard-driving winds lash the platform as Obi-Wan's Starship
approaches. The huge, ultra-modern city of Tipoca rests on great stilts that
keep it above the pounding and ever-present waves that cover the surface of
this watery world.
The Starfighter lands. OBI-WAN gets out and makes his way through the
bowling wind toward a tower on the far side of the platform. A door slides
open. A shaft of brilliant light pierces the swirling rain. OBI-WAN passes
through it and goes inside.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CORRIDOR ENTRANCE
A Brilliant white light. OBI-WAN pushes the soaking hood from his face.
    TAUN WE
   Welcome to Tipoca City, Master
   Jedi.
OBI-WAN wipes the rain from his face and blinks in surprise at a tall,
pasty-white alien named TAUN WE. He has large, almond shaped eyes.
    TAUN WE
   Everything is ready. The Prime
   Minister expects you.
    OBI-WAN
    (warily)
   I'm expected?
    TAUN WE
   Of course! He is anxious to see
   you. After all these years, we
   were beginning to think you
   weren't coming. Now please, this
   way!
OBI-WAN masks his surprise as they move away along the corridor.
Obi-Wan follows Taun We cautiously.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, PRIME MINISTER OFFICE - DAY
The door slides open. OBI-WAN and TAUN WE enter and cross to where LAMA SU
rises, smiling, from behind his desk, which, like all the furniture on
Kamino, seems made out of pure light.
    TAUN WE
   May I present Lama Su, Prime
   Minister of Kamino... and this is
   Master Jedi...
    OBI-WAN
   Obi-Wan Kenobi.
    LAMA SU
   Please...
LAMA SU indicates a chair. OBI-WAN sits. TAUN WE hovers. The room is bathed
in brilliant white light. The whole place is ultra high-tech.
    LAMA SU
   I trust you are going to enjoy
   your stay. We are most happy you
   have arrived at the best part of
   the season.
    OBI-WAN
   You make me feel most welcome.
    LAMA SU
   And now to business. You will be
   delighted to hear we are on
   schedule. Two hundred thousand
   units are ready, with another
   million well on the way.
    OBI-WAN
    (improvising)
   That is... good news.
    LAMA SU
   Please tell your Master Sido-Dyas
   that we have every confidence his
   order will be met on time and in
   full. He is well, I hope?
    OBI-WAN
   I'm sorry Master - ?
    LAMA SU
   Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas. He's still
   a leading member of the Jedi
   Council, is he not?
    OBI-WAN
   Oh, yes. Sido-Dyas.
    LAMA SU
    (rising)
   You must be anxious to inspect the
   units for yourself.
    OBI-WAN
   That's why I'm here.
EXT. NABOO, MOUNTAIN MEADOW - LATER AFTERNOON
PADME and ANAKIN are in the middle of an idyllic hilly meadow, its lush
grasses sprinkled with flowers. At a distance, a herd of SHAAKS graze
contentedly.
Beyond is the shimmering expanse of the lake. Several other lakes stretch to
the horizon. The warm air is full of little floating puffballs. They sit on
the grass, in a playful, coy mood, talking. PADME is picking flowers.
    PADMÉ
   I don't know...
    ANAKIN
   Sure you do... you just don't want
   to tell me.
    PADMÉ
   Are you going to use one of your
   Jedi mind tricks on me?
    ANAKIN
   They only work on the weak-minded.
   You are anything but weak-minded.
    PADMÉ
   All right... his name was Palo.
   I was twelve. We were both in the
   Legislative Youth Program. He was
   a few years older then I... very
   cute... dark curly hair... dreamy
   eyes.
    ANAKIN
   All right, I get the picture...
   whatever happened to him?
    PADMÉ
   I went on to become a Queen. He
   went on to become an artist.
    ANAKIN
   Maybe he was the smart one.
    PADME
   You really don't like politicians,
   do you?
    ANAKIN
   I like two or three, but I'm not
   really sure about one of them.
    (smiling)
   I don't think the system works.
    PADME
   How would you have it work?
    ANAKIN
   We need a system where the
   politicians sit down and discuss
   the problems, agree what's in the
   best interests of all the people,
   and then do it.
    PADME
   That is exactly what we do. The
   trouble is that people don't
   wlways agree. In fact, they
   hardly ever do.
    ANAKIN
   Then they should be made to.
    PADME
   By whom? Who's going to make them?
    ANAKIN
   I don't know. Someone.
    PADME
   You?
    ANAKIN
   Of course not me.
    PADME
   But someone.
    ANAKIN
   Someone wise.
    PADME
   That sounds an awful lot like a
   dictatorship to me.
A mischievious little grin creeps across his face.
    ANAKIN
   Well, if it works...
PADME stares at ANAKIN. He looks back at her, straight-faced, and can't hold
a smile.
    PADMÉ
   You're making fun of me.
    ANAKIN
     (sarcastic)
   On no, I'd be much too frightened
   to tease a Senator.
    PADMÉ
   You're so bad!
PADME picks up a piece of fruit and throws it at him. He catches it. PADME
throws two more pieces of fruit, and ANAKIN catches them.
    ANAKIN
   You're always so serious. Always
   carrying the weight of the
   universe on your shoulders.
ANAKIN then starts to juggle the fruit. PADME laughs and throws more fruit
at him. He manages to juggle them too until there are too many, and he loses
control and ducks, letting food fall on his head. They both laugh.
ANAKIN stands in front of a SHAAK, yelling at it and waving his arms. PADME
starts laughing as ANAKIN runs in circles, chased by the SHAAK.
The SHAAK crosses in front of PADME. ANAKIN is riding it, facing the SHAAK'S
tail. The SHAAK bucks, and ANAKIN falls off. PADME laughs even harder.
ANAKIN lies still. PADME jumps uip and runs to where ANAKIN is face down in
the grass. She turns him over. He is pulling a stupid face at her. She yelps
in mock fury and takes a swing at him. He catches her arm. She struggles.
They roll over in the grass. Suddenly, they become aware of the contact
between them. They let go of each other quickly and sit up, looking away.
ANAKIN stands up and holds out his hand to her. She take it. He pulls her
up. And now they are easy together, not self-conscious any more. PADME
scrambles up onto the SHAAK behind ANAKIN. She puts her arms around his
waist and leans against his back. ABAJUB digs his heels in. The SHAAK starts
forward, and they ride away.
EXT. TIPOCA CITY, PARADE GROUND (RAINSTORM) - DAY
OBI-WAN, LAMA SU and TAUN WE come out onto a balcony. Below is a huge parade
ground. The rain and wind are brutal. THOUSANDS OF STORMTROOPERS, faces
covered by helmets, are marching and drilling in formations of several
hundred.
    LAMA SU
    (beaming)
   Magnificent, aren't they?
OBI-WAN nods slowly.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CLONE CENTER, COMMINSSARY - DAY
LAMA SU conducts OBI-WAN through a large eating area. TAUN WE follows as
they walk by HUNDREDS OF CLONES who look exactly alike, all about twenty
years old, dressed in black. They are seated at tables, eating.
    LAMA SU
   We modified their genetic
   structure to make them less
   independent than the original
   host. As a result they are
   totally obedient, taking any order
   without question.
    OBI-WAM
   Who was the original host?
    LAMA SU
   A bounty hunter called Jango Fett.
   We felt a Jedi would be the
   perfect choice, but Sido-Dyas hand-
   picked Jango Fett himself.
    OBI-WAN
   Where is this bounty hunter now?
    LAMA SU
   Oh, we keep him here. After a few
   hundred thousand clones, the
   genetic pattern starts to fade, so
   we take a fresh supply. He lives
   here, but he's free to come and go
   as he pleases.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CLONE CENTER, BARRACKS - DAY
The tour continues through a long corridor folled with narrow, transparent
tubes into which CLONES are climbing. Once in the tube, the CLONE goes to
sleep.
    LAMA SU
   Apart from his pay, which is
   considerable, Fett demanded only
   one thing - an unaltered clone for
   himself. Curious isn't it?
    OBI-WAN
   Unaltered?
    LAMA SU
   Pure genetic replication. No
   tampering with the structure to
   make it more docile... and no
   growth acceleration...
    OBI-WAN
   I would like to meet this Jango
   Fett.
    TAUN WE
   I would be most happy to arrange
   it, for you.
TAUN WE bows, and leaves.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CLONE CENTER, CLASSROOM - DAY
The tour continues through a classroom filled with IDENTICAL YOUNG BOY
CLONES.
    OBI-WAN
   You mentioned growth
   acceleration...
    LAMA SU
   Oh yes, it's essential.
   Otherwise, a mature clone would
   take a lifetime to grow. Now, we
   can do it in half the time. Those
   items you saw on the parade ground
   were started ten years ago, when
   Sido-dyas first placed the order,
   and they're already mature...
OBI-WAN looks at the BOY CLONES.
    OBI-WAN
   And these?
    LAMA SU
   About five years ago.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CLONE CENTER, HATCHERY - DAY
They enter a space filled with great racks of glass spheres, which are
filled with fluid in which EMBRYOS are suspended.
    LAMA SU
   They're immensely superior to
   droids, capable of independent
   thought and action.
    OBI-WAN
   Very impressive.
    LAMA SU
   I'd hoped you would be pleased.
OBI-WAN gazes at the nearest embryos.
    OBI-WAN
    (carefully)
   Tell me, prime minister, when my
   Master Sido-dyas first contacted
   you, did he say the order was
   for... himself... or?
    LAMA SU
   Himself? Of course not. This
   army is for the Republic?
    OBI-WAN
    (astonished)
   The Repubic?
    LAMA SU
   We are also very much agasint this
   Count Dooku and his seccessionist
   movement. We are proud to be of
   help to the Republic.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, APARTMENT - LATE DAY
TAUN WE shows OBI-WAN into his room.
    TAUN WE
   I have arranged for you to meet
   Jango Fett in the morning. Sleep
   well.
TAUN WE goes. The door slides closed behind him. OBI-WAN looks around, then
moves swiftly to check the room over. Finally, satisfied, he takes out his
comlink.
    OBI-WAN
   Arfour, Arfour...
EXT. TIPOCA CITY LANDING PLATFORM, JEDI FIGHTER, (RAINSTORM) - LATE DAY
The R4 D17, Obi-Wan's Astro-Droid, who is sitting on top of Obi-Wan's
Starfighter, switches on and BEEPS.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, APARTMENT - LATE DAY
OBI-WAN hears ARFOUR BEEP through his comlink.
    OBI-WAN
   Arfour, relay this, "scramble code
   five," to Courscant: care of "the
   old folks home."
EXT. TIPOCA CITY LANDING PLATFORM, JEDI FIGHTER, (RAINSTORM) - LATE DAY
ARFOUR BEEPS and WHISTLES. The panels light up inside the cockpit, as the
message is transmitted.
EXT. JEDI TEMPLE, LIVINF QUARTERS - EARLY EVENING
YODA and MACE WINDU listen as a hologram of OBI-WAN stands between them
broadcasting the massage. The singnal is very weak, the image fades in and
out.
    OBI-WAN (V.O.)
   ...I've never heard of a Jedi
   called Sido-Dyas, have you, Master?
    MACE WINDU
   No. Whoever placed that order was
   not a Jedi, I can assure you.
    OBI-WAN (V.O.)
   I have a strong feeling that this
   bounty hunter is the assassin
   we're looking for.
    YODA
   Who he is working for... discover
   that, you must.
    OBI-WAN (V.O.)
   I will, Master, and I will also
   find out more about this clone
   army... May The Force...
The hologram switches off, and OBI-WAN fades away.
    WINDU
   A clone army! Ordered by someone
   in the Senate perhaps... Someone's
   out to start a war.
    YODA
   Inform the chancellor of this, we
   must.
    WINDU
   Who do you think this impostor
   Sido-Dyas, could be?
YODA stares back at MACE WINDU, then slowly shakes his head.
EXT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT - NIGHT
The silent lodge. The triple moons of Naboo reflected in the tranquil waters
of the lake.
INT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, ANAKIN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
ANAKIN moves restlessly in his sleep. He mutters to himself. Sweat
forms on his forehead. He turns violently. He cries out.
    ANAKIN
   No...No...No...Mom!...Don't,
   no, don't!
EXT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, LODGE, BALCONY OVERLOOKING GARDENS - MORNING
ANAKIN is on the balcony overlooking the gardens. After a moment, PAMDE
comes onto the balcony behind him. She sees he is meditating and turns to
go.
    ANAKIN
    (eyes closed)
   Don't go.
    PAMDE
   I don't want to disturb you.
    ANAKIN
   Your presence is soothing.
Brief pause.
    PADME
   You had a nightmare again last
   night.
    ANAKIN
   Jedi don't have nightmares.
    PADME
   I heard you.
ANAKIN'S opens his eyes and looks at her.
    ANAKIN
   I saw my mother. I saw her as
   clearly as I see you now. She's
   suffering, Padme. She is in
   pain...They're killing her!
    (getting up)
   I know I'm disobeying my mandate
   to protect you, Senator. I know I
   will be punished and possibly
   thrown out of the Jedi Order, but
   I must go. I have to help her!
   I'm sorry, Padme. I don't have a
   choice.
    PADME
   Annie, I told you I wouldn't let
   you give up your future for me.
   I'll go with you. That way you
   can continue to protect me, and
   you won't be disobeying your
   mandate.
    ANAKIN
   What about Master Obi-wan?
PADME smiles and takes his hand.
    PADME
   I guess we won't tell him, will we?
EXT. NABOO LAKE, FLOATING LANDING PLATFORM - DAY
ANAKIN and PADME step onto the landing platform from the water speeder. They
enter the Naboo Starship. ARTOO BEEPS, and follows them on board. The ramp
retracts.
PADDY ACCU drives the water speeder away from the platform as Anakin's
Starship takes off.
EXT. TIPOCA CITY (RAINSTORM) - DAY
Rain lashes the city. Below, mightly waves pound the stilts, breaking almost
to the height of the platforms.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CORRIDOR - DAY
TAUN WE conducts OBI-WAN to the door of Jango Fett's apartment. TAUN WE
waves his hand, and a muted bell RINGS.
As they wait, OBI-WAN notes the door lock entry mechanism. Then the door
opens, and a ten-year-old boy, BOBA FETT, looks at them. He is identical to
the boys in the classroom.
    TAUN WE
   Boba, is your father here?
There is a brief pause, then BOBA FETT nods.
    TAUN WE
    (continuing)
   May we see him?
    BOBA FETT
   Sure.
Another brief pause, then BOBA FETT steps aside, and TAUN WE and OBI-WAN go
through.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, FETT APARTMENT - DAY
OBI-WAN, TAUN WE, and BOBA FETT enter the apartment. OBI-WAN looks around
the room.
    BOBA FETT
   Dad! Taun We's here!
JANGO FETT comes in from the bedroom. He wears a jumpsuit. He is unshaven
and mean looking, his face pitted with scars of old wounds. There are a
couple of weird tattoos on his muscular forearms. He eyes OBI-WAN with
suspicion.
    TAUN WE
   Welcome back, Jango. Was your
   trip productive?
    JANGO FETT
   Fairly.
OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT size each other up. BOBA FETT studies both of them.
    TAUN WE
   This is Jedi Master, Obi-Wan
   Kenobi. He's come to check on our
   progress.
    JANGO FETT
   That right?
JANGO FETT'S eyes fix OBI-WAN coldly.
    OBI-WAN
   Your clones are very impressive.
   You must be very proud.
    JANGO FETT
   I'm just a simple man, trying to
   make my way in the universe,
   Master Jedi.
    OBI-WAN
   Aren't we all?
OBI-WAN eyes the half-open bedroom door, through which a couple of pieces of
body armour can be seen on the floor. JANGO FETT registers OBI-WAN'S look.
He moves in front of him, blocking the view.
    OBI-WAN
    (continuing)
   Ever made your way as far into the
   interior as Coruscant?
    JANGO
   Once or twice.
    OBI-WAN
   Recently?
    JANGO
    (eyes Obi-Wan carefully)
   Possibly...
    OBI-WAN
   Then you must know Master Sido-
   Dyas?
    JANGO
   Boba, close the door.
BOBA FETT moves to close the bedroom door. JANGO FETT smiles thinly at
OBI-WAN.
    JANGO
    (continuing)
   Master who?
    OBI-WAN
   Sido-Dyas. Isn't he the Jedi who
   hired you for this job?
    JANGO
   Never heard of him. I was
   recuited by a man called Darth
   Tyranus on one of the moons of
   Bogden.
    OBI-WAN
   No? I thought...
    TAUN WE
   Sido-Dyas told us to expect him.
   And he showed up just when your
   Jedi Master said he would. We
   have kept the Jedi's involvement
   a secret until your arrival, just
   as your Master requested.
    OBI-WAN
   Curious...
    JANGO
   Do you like your army?
    OBI-WAN
   It seems to me it's your army -
   being that they are all clones of
   you.
    JANGO
    (grinning)
   They'll do their job well, I'll
   guarantee that.
    OBI-WAN
   I look forward to seeing them in
   action. Thank you for your time,
   Jango.
    JANGO
   Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi.
OBI-WAN and TAUN WE go out. The door slides closed. JANGO FETT turns to his
son. He is deep in thought.
    BOBA
   What is it, Dad?
EXT. SPACE
The Naboo Starship heads toward the desert planet of Tatooine.
EXT. TATOOINE, MOS ESPA STREETS AND WATTO'S SHIP - DAY
The Naboo Starship lands in a large parking lot of Spaceships on the
outskirts of Mos Espa. ANAKIN and PADME ride a rickshaw through the streets.
ANAKIN stares at sights he hasn't seen for years. Finally, they come  to
Wattos' shop, and the rickshaw stops.
    ANAKIN
    (to the droid driver)
   Wait, please.
ANAKIN and PADME get down. Sitting on a stool in front of the shop is WATTO.
He is using a small electronic screwdriver on a fiddly DROID. THREE PIT
DROIDS are chattering away and are trying to help him, but they seem only to
make him madder.
    WATTO
    (yelling, in Huttese)
   No, not that one - that one!
    ANAKIN
    (arriving)
   Excuse me, Watto.
    WATTO
    (in Huttese)
   What?
    ANAKIN
    (in Huttese)
   I said excuse me.
WATTO turns to the chattering PIT DROIDS.
    WATTO
    (in Huttese)
   Shut down.
The PIT DROIDS snap into their storage position.
    WATTO
    (continuing, in Huttese)
   What? I don't know you... What can
   I do for you? You look like a
   Jedi. Whatever it is... I didn't
   do it.
WATTO drops the screwdriver and curses loudly in Huttese
    ANAKIN
   Let me help you with that.
ANAKIN takes the fiddly piece of equipment and starts to play with it. WATTO
blinks in surprise.
    ANAKIN
    (continuing)
   I'm looking for Shmi Skywalker.
WATTO looks at him suspiciously. He stares at PADME, then back to ANAKIN.
    WATTO
   Annie?? Little Annie?? Naaaah!!
Suddenly, the fiddly piece of equipment in Anakin's hands WHIRS into life.
WATTO blinks at it.
    WATTO
    (continuing; in English)
   You are Annie! It is you! You
   little womp rat.
WATTO gives ANAKIN a big hug.
    WATTO
    (continuing)
   You sure sprouted Weehoo! A
   Jedi! Waddya know? Hey, maybe
   you couldda help wit some
   daedbeats who owe...
    ANAKIN
   My mother...
    WATTO
   Oh, yeah. Shmi... she's not mine
   no more. I sold her.
    ANAKIN
   Sold her...
    WATTO
   Years ago. Sorry, Anne, but you
   know, business is business.
   Sold her to a moisture farmer
   named Lars. Least I think it was
   Lars. Believe it or not, I heard
   he freed her and married her. Can
   ya beat that?
    ANAKIN
   Do you know where they are?
    WATTO
   Long way from here... someplace
   over on the other side of Mos
   Eisley, I think...
    ANAKIN
   I'd like to know.
ANAKIN'S grim look means business; WATTO gets the hint quickly.
    WATTO
   Yeah... sure... absolutely. Let's
   go look in my records.
ANAKIN and WATTO go into the shop.
EXT. TIPOCA CITY (RAINSTORM) - DAY
The waves crash against the water city as the storm continues. Light
suddenlyt streams from the base of a landing platform as a door slides open.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CORRIDOR - DAY
OBI-WAN stands with LAMA SU and TAUN WE just inside the open door.
    LAMA SU
   Tell your Council the first
   battalions are ready. And remind
   them that if they need more
   troops, we will need time to grow
   them.
    OBI-WAN
   I won't forget.
EXT. TIPOCA CITY, KAMINO LANDING PLATFORM (RAINSTORM) - DAY
OBI-WAN comes out from the tower into the driving ran. The door closes
behind him. He pulls his robe around him and stands braced against the gale.
Below, a huge wave crashes against the stilts. Spray flies high and whips
across the platform where OBI-WAN is standing. He walks over to his
Starfighter, looks to see if anyone is watching, then turns and goes back to
the door. It slides open.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CORRIDOR - DAY
OBI-WAN enters cautiously from outside. Ahead, the corridor is deserted. He
moves down it.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, FETT APARTMENT - DAY
OBI-WAN walks in to find the room in complete disorder. The bedroom door is
wide open - clear signs of hurried departure. All of the Fetts' personal
belongings are gone.
OBI-WAN goes to an ultra-thin computer screen. He punches up AN ONSCREEN
PICTURE of JANGO FETT and BOBA FETT unhitching the lines securing their ship
to the landing platform. JANGO FETT is wearing his armour and rocket pack.
BOBA FETT climbs aboard the small Fighter.
EXT. TIPOCA CITY, KAMINO LANDING PLATFORM (RAINSTORM) - DAY
JANGO FETT picks up a case and swings it up to BOBA FETT, who stows it
inside the ship. JANGO FETT picks up another case and is about to swing it,
when:
    BOBA FETT
   Dad!!
JANGO FETT turns to see OBI-WAN charging out of the tower toward him. As he
runs, OBI-WAN draws his lightsaber from his belt. It flashes on.
JANGO FETT draws his gun and fires at the charging JEDI. OBI-WAN deflects
the blast and swings at JANGO FETT.
The bounty hunter rockets up and over OBI-WAN, landing behind him. He fires
a thin wire from his wrist pack, trying to entangle the Jedi.
JANGO FETT fire several Kamino Kyber Darts from his elbow launcher. OBI-WAN
deflects them back at JANGO FETT, but they strike harmlessly against the
bounty hunter's armour.
IN THE COCKPIT of Jango Fett's ship, BOBA FETT grabs the controls of a laser
gun and swings it to aim at OBI-WAN.
OUTSIDE, in the driving rain, OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT circle each other,
sizing each other up - feinting.
IN THE COCKPIT, each time BOBA FETT is ready to fire, JANGO FETT blocks his
view of OBI-WAN.
OUTSIDE, OBI-WAN makes a sudden attack, swinging at JANGO FETT, who deflects
the blows. One slices off a piece of the bounty hunter's shoulder plate.
JANGO FETT rockets into the air and hovers above OBI-WAN. The Jedi spins as:
IN THE COCKPIT, BOBA FETT fires.
OUTSIDE, the laser shell streaks past OBI-WAN to strike the edge of the
tower. JANGO FETT fires down at OBI-WAN. The Jedi deflects the shots back,
but JANGO FETT evades them. Then he swoops down, swinging around OBI-WAN. As
he shoots past, he kicks the lightsaber out of the Jedi's hand.
The lightsaber skids across the wet surface of the landing platform. OBI-WAN
dives after it. JANGO FETT zooms in front of him and grabs the lightsaber.
OBI-WAN punches it out of his hand.
IN THE COCKPIT, BOBA FETT watches as:
OUTSIDE, OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT grapple and fight, punching, kicking,
grabbing hold, and throwing each other around. OBI-WAN grabs JANGO FETT
tightly, and JANGO FETT rockets up into the air and kicks OBI-WAN loose.
OBI-WAN crashes to the deck and slides toward the edge. He grapples
desperately for a handhold on the slick surface.
JANGO FETT rockets down to kick at him. OBI-WAN hauls himself up. JANGO FETT
zooms to the far side of the platform.
OBI-WAN uses Jedi powers to pull part of the structure loose. It hits JANGO
FETT, who loses his balance, teetering on the edge. OBI-WAN charges acress,
dives, and grabs hold of JANGO FETT just as he falls over the edge.
Locked together, OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT plummet down toward the raging
ocean. At the last moment, JANGO FETT fires a cable out of his backpack that
shoots upward and locks onto a metal strut on the underside of the platform.
OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT swing and CRASH onto one of the stilts.
OBI-WAN is knocked clear and drops onto a SMALL SERVICE PLATFORM just above
the waves. He hauls himself to his feet. JANGO FETT hovers in mid-air
opposite him, as a HUGE WAVE crashes over OBI-WAN. When it subsides, the
Jedi has disappeared.
JANGO FETT rockets up to the landing platform, where he drops down beside
his ship. He clambers inside the cockpit and settles into the pilot's seat.
He punches buttons. The engines ROAR.
OUTSIDE, Jango Fett's ship lifts off from the platform and heads up into the
lowering sky. It disappears. Lightning flashes. Rain lashes the tower and
streams across the surface of the platform, to where:
A HAND suddenlt clutches at the very edge of the platform. A moment later,
ANOTHER HAND grabs hold.
EXT. TATOOINE, BLUFF OVERLOOKING HOMESTEAD - LATE DAY
The Naboo Starship descends, hovers, and land on a bluff. ANAKIN and PADME
get out. They look down from the edge of the bluff to where the homestead is
seen on the desert floor below.
    PADME
   Stay with the ship, Artoo.
ARTOO WHISTLES as ANAKIN and PADME start down the trail toward the
homestead.
EXT. TATOOINE, DESERT, HOMESTEAD MOISTURE FARM - LATE DAY
C-3PO is working outside the homestead. He still lacks an outer covering;
his inner parts and wiring show. He looks up as ANAKIN and PADME arrive,
    C-3PO
   Good evening. May I help you?
    ANAKIN
   Threepio?
    C-3PO
   Oh, my... oh, my! Master
   Anakin! My goodness, I can hardly
   believe it! And this must be Miss
   Padme.
    PADME
   Hello, Threepio.
    ANAKIN
   I've come to see my mother.
    C-3PO
   Oh, dear! I'm so terribly sorry,
   Master Annie.
    PADME
   Threepio, what's happened?
    C-3PO
   I think we'd better go inside.
EXT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, COURTYARD - LATE DAY
ANAKIN, PADME and THREEPIO arrive in the courtyard. THREEPIO shuffles ahead.
    C-3PO
   Master Lars - Master Owen!
   Somebody to see you!
OWEN LARS and BERU WHITESUN come out into the courtyard.
    ANAKIN
   I'm Anakin Skywalker. I'm here
   looking for my mother.
    OWEN
   Owen Lars... I guess I'm your
   step-brother.
    (they shake hands)
   This is my girlfriend, Beru.
    BERU
   Hello.
    PADME
   I'm Padme.
    OWEN
   I had a feeling you might show up
   some day.
    ANAKIN
   Is my mother here?
    CLIEGG
   No, she's not.
CLIEGG LARS swings from the house on a small floating chair. One of his legs
is heavily bandaged; the other is missing. He balances awkwardly and puts
out a hand.
    CLIEGG
    (continuing)
   Cliegg Lars. Shmi is my wife...
   Come on inside. We have a lot to
   talk about.
INT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, KITCHEN - LATE DAY
BERU puts several steaming cups of ardees on a tray and exits the kitchen...
    CLIEGG (O.S.)
   It was just before dawn. They
   came out of nowhere. A hunting
   party of Tusekn Raiders.
INT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, DINING AREA - LATE DAY
CLIEGG, OWEN, PADME and ANAKIN sit around the table, BERU brings the drinks
from the kitchen.
    CLIEGG
   Your mother had gone out early,
   like she always did, to pick
   mushrooms that grow on the
   vaporatos. From the tracks, she
   was about halfway when they
   took her. Those Tuskens walk like
   men, but they're vicious, mindless
   monsters. Thirty of us went out
   after her. Four of us came back.
   Three more are still out there
   looking. I'd be with them,
   only... I just couldn't ride any
   more... until I heal.
CLIEGG grimaces, easing his throbbing leg.
    CLIEGG
    (continuing)
   This isn't the way I wanted to
   meet you, son. This isn't how
   your mother and I planned it. I
   don't want to give up on her, but
   she's been gone a month. There's
   little hope she's lasted this long.
Silence. Then ANAKIN stands up.
    OWEN
   Where are you going?
    ANAKIN
   To find my mother.
    PADME
   No, Annie!
    CLIEGG
   She's daed, son. Accept it.
    ANAKIN
   I can feel her pain, and I will
   find her. I know she's alive.
ANAKIN turns abruptly.
EXT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, MOISTURE FARM - LATE DAY
ANAKIN stands looking across the desert. PADME comes running out of the
homestead after him, followed by OWEN. ANAKIN turns to PADME.
    ANAKIN
   You are going to have to stay
   here. These are good people,
   Padme. You'll be safe.
    OWEN
   Take my speeder bike.
    PADME
   Anakin...
PADME hugs him. ANAKIN walks over to Owen's speeder bike, which is standing
close by.
    ANAKIN
   I trust you'll watch over her,
   Owen.
    OWEN
   Don't worry.
ANAKIN swings onto the bike. The engine fires.
    ANAKIN
   I won't be long.
ANAKIN takes off across the desert. PADME watches him go.
EXT. SPACE, GEONOSIS
The red planet of Geonosis is circled by a large asteroid field that form
rings. Jango Fett's ship appears, heading toward it.
INT. COCKPIT, FETT SHIP, SPACE, GEONOSIS
JANGO FETT grins at BOBA FETT.
    JANGO FETT
   Nearly there, son.
JANGO FETT guides he ship around the asteroids. Suddenly:
    BOBA FETT
   Dad, look!!
On the view screen, Obi-Wan's ship appears, chasing after them. JANGO FETT
grabs the controls. They are thrown around as the ship plummets to try to
lose OBI-WAN.
    JANGO FETT
   Hang on!
The ship goes into a power-climb. A GREAT SPACE DDOGFIGHT ensues between
OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT.
EXT. SPACE, GEONOSIS
The ships flip, roll, and turn at incredible speed, didging, weaving and
firing. They tumble from near misses. Hits fly off Obi-Wan's fighter as one
of Jango's missiles gets through.
Finally, it seems as if OBI-WAN is getting the upper hand. JANGO FETT breaks
off the fight and dives sharply. He maneuvers deftly between two huge
asteroids.
In JANGO FETT'S COCKPIT, BOBA FETT flinches as asteroids pass very close by.
    BOBA FETT
   Dad! Watch out!
    JANGO FETT
   Stay calm, son. We'll be fine.
   That Jedi won't be able to follow
   us through this.
But Obi-Wan ship dives into the asteroid belt after them.
IN OBI-WAN'S COCKPIT, his skill is pushed to the limit as he throws the ship
from side to side, avoiding great rocks. Then a huge asteroid tumbles across
his path. There seem no way he can avoid it. OBI-WAN fires a couple of
aerial torpedoes. They streak toward the asteroid.
IN JANGO'S COCKPIT, they see the huge explosion as Obi-Wan's ship appears to
smash into the asteroid.
    BOBA FETT
   Got him! Yeahhhhh!
    JANGO FETT
   We won't see him again.
BOBA FETT laughs. Jango Fett's ship emerges from the asteroid belt and heads
down toward the planet of Geonosis.
EXT. TATOOINE, DESERT, JAWA CAMP - SUNSET
ANAKIN stands in the middle of a crowd of JAWAS. He asks them from
directions. The JAWAS confer exicitedly, then the CHIEF JAWA points in a
particular direction. ANAKIN gets on the bike and speeds off to where the
JAWA pointed.
EXT. TATOOINE, DUNE SEA, CAMPFIRE - TWILIGHT
ANAKIN rides over a large dune toward a small flickering light in the
distance.
He rides up and stops the bike in front of a campfire. There are bodies of
THREE DEAD FARMERS lying beside the campfire. TWO EOPIES are thethered
nearby, along with a burned and smoking speeder.
EXT. TATOOINE, LANDSCAPE (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
THREE DIFFERENT SHOTS. ANAKIN rids the speeder bike through three exotic
landscapes. In one shot, he stops and looks down at some tracks. Then he
starts up his speeder and rides off.
EXT. TATOOINE, DESERT, HOMESTEAD (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
The lights of the vaporators blink in the night sky. Somewhere close by, a
night animal HOWLS.
EXT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, COURTYARD (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
PADME is pacing the courtyard restlessly. She stops, listening to the animal
HOWLING nearby. She shivers slightly, then turns and goes into the garage at
the side of the courtyard.
INT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD - GARAGE (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
PADME stands looking at a speeder parked in the garage. Short silence. Then:
    C-3PO
   Please don't leave us, Miss Padme.
   These people need your help.
THREEPIO is parked in a corner.
    PADME
   I'm not leaving, Threepio. I just
   can't sleep.
    C-3PO
   That's something I cannot relate
   to. As a Protocol Droid, I'm
   either active or inactive.
   There's no in-between.
    PADME
   I guess you're lucky.
    C-3PO
   Do you really think so..? I
   suppose I shouldn't expect...
    PADME
   You're not happy here?
    C-3PO
   Oh, I'm not unhappy... and my
   masters here ar so kind I
   wouldn't wish to trouuble them,
   it's just... being like this...
   well, it's embarrassing.
    PADME
   Being like what?
    C-3PO
   Naked. If you pardon the
   expression. You see, when Master
   Annie made me, he never quite
   found the time to give me any
   outer covering. It's so
   humiliating. How would you like it
   if you had to go around with all
   your circuits showing?
    PADME
   I guess I wouldn't like it at all.
    C-3PO
   Of course you wouldn't. Nobody
   would. It's simply not protocol.
PADME looks thoughtfully at a pile of spare parts and bits of metal and
tools.
    PADME
   Maybe we can do something about it.
    C-3PO
   I don't think so. Only Master
   Annie...
    PADME
   Why not? They seem to have a box
   of old coverings here.
    C-3PO
   Oh? How observant of you, Miss
   Padme. Of course, I'm just not
   mechanically minded... if you see
   what I mean.
PADME picks up a piece of metal and holds it against him.
    PADME
   Let's see, if we put this...
   here...
    C-3PO
   Ooooh! That's tickles.
    PADME
   You'll have to be quiet, Threepio.
   Hold still, please.
EXT. SPACE, GEONOSIS RINGS
A huge chunk of rock tumbles slowly through the asteroid bely. CAMERA
CLOSES, to discover Obi-Wan's Starship hidden in a blasted-out area on the
pitted back side of the great rock.
INT. COCKPIT, JEDI FIGHTER, SPACE, GEONOSIS RINGS
OBI-WAN looks out toward Geonosis and sees in the distance a large fleet of
Trade Federation Ships hidden among the asteroids. He starts the engines of
his fighter.
Obi-Wan's Fighter moves out from the back side of the asteroid and heads
away from the asteroid field, descending toward Geonosis.
EXT. GEONOSIS, LANDING AREA - NIGHT
Obi-Wan's ship skims across the top of a small mesa along the edge of a
rocky ridge. He maneuvers under a rock overhang and lands. He gets out of
the Fighter and walks onto the mesa. The wind whips at him. He looks around.
Geonosis is a red rock planet, featureless apart from buttes and mesas, and
occasional tall stalagmites that stand out dramatically on the arid plains.
The night is quiet, except for an occasional WEIRD CRY. OBI-WAN checks his
bearings, then heads away.
EXT. GEONOSIS, ROCK FACE TRAIL - NIGHT
OBI-WAN climbs a steep, narrow trail. Suddenly, a CRY is heard close by.
OBI-WAN stumbles slightly. His foot slips on the edge, sending a stream of
peblles skittering into the darkness.
OBI-WAN listens. Silence. He draws his lightsaber but does not ignite it.
He sets off again and works his way around a narrow corner, to confront a
crouching MASSIFF (a dog-sized lizard) with slavering fangs! The beast leaps
at him, and OBI-WAN ignites his lightsaber as the MASSIFF knocks him on his
back. Its jaws open wide. OBI-WAN stabs the creature, throws it off of him,
and jumps up.
A SECOND MASSIFF jumps from behind. OBI-WAN swings around and cuts it in
half. The MASSIFF flies over the cliff, HOWLING. It plummets to its death
hundreds of feet below.
EXT. TATOOINE, CLIFF (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
ANAKIN pulls up near the edge of a cliff. He gets off the bike and creeps to
the edge. He looks over to see a Tusken camp in the oasis below. One of the
huts at the edge of the camp has TWO TUSKEN GUARDS outside it.
EXT. TATOOINE, TUSKEN RAIDER CAMP, OASIS (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
ANAKIN creeps through the camp, working his way from hut to hut, flattening
himself against the wall,s overhearing snatches of Tusken conversation from
inside, using the shadows to him him until he arrives at the hut with the
TWO GUARDS. They are sitting a short distance from the door. ANAKIN wriggles
around the black. He takes out his lightsaber and cuts into the base of the
wall.
INT. TUSKEN RAIDER HUTT - NIGHT
The lightsaber completes the hole in the wall. ANAKIN wriggles in. He pulls
himself to his feet. There are candles everywhere.
A shaft of moonlight from a hole in the roof pierces the gloom of the hut.
By its light, ANAKIN sees SHMI, hanging from a wooden frame in the middle of
the hut.
He cuts her free, takes her into his arms, and lowers her gently to the
ground. Her eyes are closed. Her face is bloodied. She has been
terribly beaten. Anakin cradles her tenderly.
    ANAKIN
   Mom... Mom... Mom...
SHMI'S eyelids flutter - and barely open. They are caked with blood.
    SHMI
   Annie...? Is it you?
SHMI'S eyes focus slowly. ANAKIN gives a little choking gasp.
    ANAKIN
   I'm here, Mom. You're safe. Hang
   on. I'm going to get you out of
   here...
    SHMI
   I'm so glad... to see you,
   Annie... Now... I am complete...
    ANAKIN
   Just stay with me, Mom. I'm going
   to make you well again.
   Everything's going to be fine.
    SHMI
   You look so handsome. My son...
   my grown-up son. I'm so proud of
   you, Annie... so proud... I missed
   you so much... I love...
SHMI dies. ANAKIN draws her to his breast. There is silence for a moment.
ANAKIN lifts his head, listening for a moment, then he sits on the floor of
the Tusken hut, cradling his dead mother in his arms.
EXT. GEONOSIS, ROCK FACE TRAIL - NIGHT
OBI-WAN arrives at the head of the trail. Far below, a flat plain stretches
into the distance. He stop, peering into the darkness, where strange shapes
loom indistinctly.
OBI-WAN takes a pair of electronic binoculars from his belt and puts them to
his eyes. He sees a cluster of great towers like fantastic stalagmites rise
from the plain below.
SLOW PAN with the binoculars, and suddenly a line of Battle Starships come
into view. OBI-WAN touches the viewfinder. Between fifty and a hundred
Federation Starships in near rows. Some are on platforms that are carrying
the Starships diwn to an underground facility. Other platforms are rising to
the surface. They carry THOUSANDS of BATTLE DROIDS that step off and file
into the waiting ships. A fully loaded Starship takes off. OBI-WAN swings
the binoculars upward, to see more Federation Starships.
EXT. TATOOINE, TUSKEN RAIDER CAMP, OASIS - DAWN
The pale light grows. Thin tendrils of smoke rise slowly in the cold, clear
air. Somewhere an dog BARKS. An OLD WOMAN comes out of one of the huts. She
carries a pail. She swirls it and tosses the dirty water onto the ground.
As she goes back inside the hut, a TUSKEN CHILD runs past, dragging a stick
in the sand. The CHILD runs through the line of huts, turns a corner, and
stops suddenly, staring at the bodies of the TWO TUSKEN GUARDS. Between
them, ANAKIN stands outside the hut door. His face is a grim mask. The CHILD
stares, then there is a FLASH OF LIGHT as Anakin's lightsaber switches on.
EXT. GEONOSIS, LANDING AREA - NIGHT
OBI-WAN comes running back to his ship and climbs into the cockpit. He
settles into his seat. His ARFOUR DROID beeps a happy greeting. OBI-WAN
switches on his comlink.
    OBI-WAN
   "Guiding light" to "old folks
   home."
EXT. CORUSCANT, REPUBLIC EXECUTIVE BUILDING - DAY
LOW ANGLE. A line of reflecting pools with splashing fountains flanked by
statues on each side leads to the main entrance to the awesome building.
INT. CORUSCANT, CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE
A hologram of OBI-WAN flickers in front of a group, made up of Jedi (YODA,
MACE WINDU, and KI-ADI-MUNDI) and Senators (BAIL ORGANA, ASK AAK, LUMINARA,
and JAR JAR). PALPATINE and MAS AMEDDA are in the middle of the group,
watching with growing concern.
    OBI-WAN
   ...Starships from the Trade
   Federation and the Commerce Guilds
   are taking deliveries of battle
   droids from the foundries on
   Geonosis.
    BAIL ORGANA
   That's outrageous! The treaty
   forbids the Trade Federation from
   building up an army. What are
   they doing?!
    OBI-WAN
   The droid foundry seems to be
   working at full capacity. I am
   going to go down and investigate.
   I will bring Jango Fett back home
   for interrogation.
    PALPATINE
   Those Geonosian foundries are part
   of the Techno Union. We will call
   in their representatives and ask
   them a few very pointed questions.
    OBI-WAN
   One more thing. Jango mentioned
   he was recruited by someone named
   Darth Tyranus. Any idea who that
   might be?
    YODA
   With the forename Darth, a Sith he
   must be.
    MACE WINDU
   Our missing apprentice. They are
   playing their hand at last.
    OBI-WAN
   Do you believe he could be the
   mysterious Sido-Dyas, who made the
   deal for the clone army?
    YODA
   Perhaps too many pieces are missing
   from this puzzle, there are.
    MACE WINDU
   Be careful, Obi-Wan. This
   investigation is becoming less
   than routine. Do you need help?
    OBI-WAN
   Let me see if I can figure out
   what's going on first.
The hologram of OBI-WAN fades off. PALPATINE stares at the spot where the
hologram was in disbelief.
    BAIL ORGANA
   The Commerce Guilds are preparing
   for war... there can be no doubt
   of that.
    PALPATINE
   Count Dooku must have made a
   treaty with them.
    MACE WINDU
   We must stop them soon before
   they're fully ready.
    SENATOR ASK AAK
   The debate is over, we need
   that clone army now!
    BAIL ORGANA
   Unfortunately, the debate is not
   over. The Senate will never be
   able to approve the use of that
   army before the separatists
   attack.
Mas Amedda, who had been silent up until now suddenly speaks up.
    MAS AMEDDA
   This is a crisis! If the Senate
   votes the Chancellor emergency
   powers, he could approve the use
   of the army in a minute.
    PALPATINE
   Please, please, I don't wish to
   have emergency powers. That's too
   extreme a solution. It's akin to
   a dictatorship. We must rely on
   the Jedi. Master Yoda, how many
   are available to go to Geonosis?
MACE WINDU and YODA look at one another.
    YODA
   Two Hundred,... less or more.
    BAIL ORGANA
   With all due respect for the Jedi
   Order, two hundred will be no
   match for hundreds of thousands of
   battle droids.
    MACE WINDU
   Patience. We should wait for Obi-
   Wan to report back. We don't know
   that Count Dooku has made a treaty
   with the Corporate Alliance, it's
   speculation.
    SENATOR ASK AAK
   But we must prepare for the worst.
   I'm going to propose a motion
   granting emergency powers to the
   Chancellor at the next session. We
   must not wait!
    PALPATINE
   Out of the question, Senator! You
   and I are too closely aligned.
   The issue will become partisan and
   debates will begin. The proposal
   must come from a neutral source.
    MAS AMEDDA
   If only Senator Amidala were here.
JAR JAR steps forward from the back of the group.
    JAR JAR
   Supreme Chancellor... my august
   colleagues, I would be proud to
   propose the motion in question.
   This is a grave situation, and I'm
   sure Senator Amidala, and the
   Queen of Naboo would agree.
    SENATOR ASK AAK
   Thank you, Representative Binks.
Silence. Then PALPATINE sighs deeply.
    PALPATINE
   If called upon, I will serve. But
   it will be the saddest day of my
   life.
EXT. TATOOINE, DESERT, HOMESTEAD MOISTURE FARM - DAY
All is quiet. BERU comes out of the house. She goes to a moisture line and
starts to draw water.
INT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, GARAGE - DAY
PADME fixes the last piece of covering onto THREEPIO.
    PADME
   There!
PADME stands back. OWEN is with her. They look at THREEPIO. He isn't the
golden figure we know because PADME has had to use whatever stuff she could
findin the garage. He is multi-coloured in several textures, but he is
complete.
    C-3PO
   Um. How do I look?
    OWEN
   Great! You look perfect.
    C-3PO
   Perfect? Oh, Miss Padme, I'm so
   happy!
    (extending his hand to shake hers)
   Oh, pardon me.
THREEPIO drops his hand and bows formally.
    THREEPIO
    (continuing)
   Thank you.
He forgets formality and hugs her. PADME hugs him back, laughing.
    C-3PO
    (continuing)
   Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
    OWEN
    (grinning)
   Well, Padme, I think he should be
   yours from now on... I know that
   is what my Mom would want.
    C-3PO
   Oh, my!
Then suddenly, from outside:
    BERU (V.O.)
   Come topside, everybody! He's
   back! He's back!
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INT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, GARAGE - DAY
A rough hologram of OBI-WAN is projected onto the garage by ARTOO. ANAKIN,
PADME and THREEPIO watch the flickering image.
    OBI-WAN
   ...Alliance have pledged their
   armies to Count Dooku and are
   forming an... Wait!... ah...
   attack... I don't... make it...
   aaaggghhh!
The hologram cuts off. ANAKIN jumps up, agitated.
    ANAKIN
   I'm going after him!
    PADME
   I thought the first thing he said
   was to retransmit his message to
   Coruscant.
    ANAKIN
   Yeah, you're right, you're right.
EXT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, MOISTURE FARM - LATE DAY
ANAKIN, PADME, ARTOO and THREEPIO leave the homestead, waving to CLIEGG,
OWEN and BERU as they go into the desert.
INT. COCKPIT, NABOO STARSHIP - SUNSET
ANAKIN sits down in the cockpit with PADME. THREEPIO is behind them. ARTOO
is beside him. They are watching a hologram of MACE WINDU.
    MACE WINDU
   We will deal with Count Dooku. The
   most important thing for you,
   Anakin, is to stay where you are.
   Protect the Senator at all costs.
   That is your priority.
    ANAKIN
   Understood, Master.
The hologram switches off. PADME is looking at the readout on the ship's
control panel.
    PADME
   They'll never get there in time to
   save him. They have to come half
   way across the galaxy. Look,
   Geonosis is less than a parsec away.
PADME starts to hit buttons and flick switches. ANAKIN puts a hand over
hers, stopping her. She stares at him.
    ANAKIN
   If he's still alive.
    PADME
   Annie, are you just going to sit
   here and let him die?? He's your
   friend... your mentor...
    ANAKIN
   ...He's like my father, but you
   heard Master Windu. He gave me
   strict orders to stay here.
    PADME
   He gave you strict orders to
   protect me...
PADME pulls her hand free and flicks more switches. The engines fire.
    PADME
    (continuing)
   ...and I'm going to save Obi-Wan.
   So if you plan to protect me, you
   will have to come along.
ANAKIN grins and takes the controls.
EXT. TATOOINE, BLUFF OVERLOOKING HOMESTEAD - SUNSET
The Naboo Starship rises from the bluff and zooms away.
EXT. CORUSCANT, JEDI TEMPLE - DAY
TWO HUNDRED JEDI KNIGHTS are assembling outside the huge center of the Jedi
Order.
INT. CORUSCANT, JEDI TEMPLE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY
The JEDI COUNCIL are assembled as MACE WINDU makes his plea.
    MACE WINDU
   The longer we wait, the stronger
   Dooku's armies become. We cannot
   wait for the Senate to make up its
   mind about granting the Chancellor
   emergency powers, in order to be
   able to use that clone army... We
   have the authority to go now. We
   must go now.
All of the JEDI COUNCIL nod their approval.
    YODA
   Agreed, Master Windu. Two hundred
   Jedi send. Enough, let's hope
   they are.
INT. CORUSCANT, MAIN SENATE CHAMBER - DAY
Inside the great rotunda, the UPROAR is even louder. Opposing SENATOES yell
furiously at one another.
    MAS AMEDDA
   Order! Order!!
Finally, the uproar dies.
    PALPATINE
   In the regrettable absence of
   Senator Amidala, the chair
   recognises Senior
   Representative of Naboo, Jar Jar
   Binks.
Amid the conflicting storm of CHEERS AND BOOS, JAR JAR, with TWO GUNGAN
AIDES, floats on his pod to the middle of the vast space. He looks at
PALPATINE nervously. PALPATINE nods. JAR JAR clears his throat.
    JAR JAR
   Senators, dellow felagates...
Laughter. Jeers. JAR JAR blushes.
    MAS AMEDDA
   Order! The Senate will accord the
   Representative the courtesy of a
   hearing!
Comparative quiet. JAR JAR grips the edge of the podium.
    JAR JAR
   In response to the direct threat
   to the Republic from the
   Confederacy of Independent
   Systems, I propose that the Senate
   gives immediate emergency powers to
   the Supreme Chancellor.
Uproar. JAR JAR looks a little sheepish.
    JAR JAR
    (continuing)
   Who can deny these are exceptional
   times? Exceptional times demand
   exceptional measures!
   Exceptional measures demand
   exceptional men!
    ORN FREE TAA
   We won't support a dictator.
SHOUTS of agreement.
    JAR JAR
   That is the sentiment every one of
   us agrees with! And when the
   shadow of war has dispersed and
   the bright day of liberty has
   dawned once again, the power we now
   give to the Supreme Chancellor
   will be gladly, and swiftly
   returned. Out ancient liberties
   will be restored to us, burnished
   even more brightly than before!
Brief silence, then a rolling wave of APPLAUSE. JAR JAR beams and bows.
PALPATINE rises.
    PALPATINE
   It is with great reluctance that
   I have agreed to this calling. I
   love democracy... I love the
   Republic. The fact that this
   crisis is demanding I be given
   absolute power to tule over you is
   evident. But I am mild by nature
   and have no desire to destroy
   the democratic process. The power you
   give me I will lay down when this
   crisis has abated, I promise you.
   And all I ask in return is when my
   current term of office is over,
   you allow me to reture and live
   out my life in peace.
    MAS AMEDDA
   We shall proceed to the vote. All
   those in favor of granting
   emergency powers to the Supreme
   Chancellor, signal ate at this
   time... those opposed?
EXT. SPACE
The Naboo Starship heads toward the rings of Geonosis.
EXT. GEONOSIS, LANDING AREA
The Naboo Starship lands.
INT. COCKPIT, NAOO STARFIGHTER - DAY
ANAKIN switches off the engines. ARTOO and THREEPIO are in the navigation
area of the cockpit. PADME is in the co-pilot's seat. She gets up.
    ANAKIN
   Hey, where are you going?
    PADME
   To find Obi-Wan.
ANAKIN gets up and goes over to her.
    ANAKIN
   No! You're not!
He grabs her arm.
    PADME
   Let go of me!
    ANAKIN
   I'm not letting you go out there.
   It's too dangerous.
    PADMÉ
   What?!?
    ANAKIN
   It's my job to protect you. I said
   it's too dangerous. You're not
   going, and that's final!
    PADMÉ
   Don't you give me orders, Annie!
   I'm a Senator of the Galactic
   Republic. You have no authority
   to contain me, restrain me, or
   direct me! You remember your
   place, young man.
    (standing up)
   Now you can come along and protect
   me or stay here. It's up to you.
PADME storms out of the cockpit of the Naboo Starfighter. ANAKIN stands
scratching his head, then follows.
ARTOO BEEPS and WHISTLES.
    C-3PO
   Yes, it is, Artoo. Most
   confusing. One moment they're
   generating a pleasant mutual
   attraction and the next, waves of
   violent hostility. Even though
   I'm programmed to understand them,
   I doubt if I ever shall.
ARTOO WHISTLES a plaintive sigh.
INT. GEONOSIS, CORRIDORS - DAY
ANAKIN and PADME enter the stalagmite city. They stop, looking around in
wonder at the emptiness.
    PADME
    (in a low voice)
   It's empty!
They start forward. As they pass, the surface of the pillars seems to pulse
slowly and move. High above WINGED CREATURES grow from the pillars and
detach themselves.
INT. GEONOSIS, CENTRAL SQUARE - DAY
ANAKIN and PADME cross the square, reaching the middle. They stop suddenly
as FOUR GEONOSIANS grabs them. ANAKIN reaches for his lightsaber.
    PADME
   Wait!
TWENTY WINGED GEONOSIANS carrying weapons alight on the flagstones in front
of them.
The GEONOSIANS part, and COUNT DOOKU appears. He bows courteously.
    COUNT DOOKU
   Senator Amidala, I've heard so
   much about you.
    PADMÉ
   Count Dooku, I assume.
    COUNT DOOKU
   I'm delighted to meet you at
   last. We have a great deal to
   discuss, Senator. I hope you can
   keep your young Jedi under control.
    PADMÉ
   Don't worry he's housebroken.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM (GEONOSIS) - DAY
COUNT DOOKU sits at a large conference table with PADME on the far
side. ANAKIN stands behind her with FOUR GEONOSIANS GUARDS standing behind
him. JANGO FETT stands behind COUNT DOOKU, and SIX GEONOSIAN GUARDS stand
behind him.
    PADMÉ
   You are holding a Jedi Knight, Obi-
   Wan Kenobi. I am formally
   requesting you turn him over to
   me, now.
    DOOKU
   He has been convicted of
   espionage, Senator, and will be
   executed. In just a few hours, I
   believe.
COUNT DOOKU smiles.
    PADMÉ
   He is an officer of the Republic.
   You can't do that.
    DOOKU
   We don't recognise the Republic
   here, Senator. But if Naboo were
   to join our Alliance, I could
   easily hear your plea for clemency.
ANAKIN grabs his lightsaber but doesn't turn it on.
    PADMÉ
   And if I don't join your
   rebellion, I assume this Jedi with
   me will also die?
    DOOKU
   I don't wish to make you to join
   our cause against your will,
   Senator, but you are a rational,
   honest representative of your
   people and I assume you want to do
   what's in their best interest.
   Aren't you fed up with the
   corruption, the bureaucrats, the
   hypocrisy of it all?.. Aren't
   you? Be honest, Senator.
    PADMÉ
   The ideals are still alive, Count,
   even if the institution is failing.
    DOOKU
   You believe in the same ideals we
   believe in! The same ideals we
   are striving to make prominent.
    PADMÉ
   If what you say is true, you
   should stay in the Republic and
   help Chancellor Palpatine put
   things right.
    DOOKU
   The Chancellor means well, M'Lady
   but he is incompetent. He has
   promised to cut the bureaucracy,
   but the bureaucrats are stronger
   than ever, no? Senator, the
   Republic cannot be fixed. It is
   time to start over. The
   democratic process in the Republic
   is a sham, a shell game played
   on the voters. It will not be long
   before the cult of greed, called
   the Republic, will lose even the
   pretext of democracy and freedom.
    PADMÉ
   I cannot believe that. I will not
   forsake all I have honoured and
   worked for and betray the
   Republic. I know of your treaties
   with the Trade Federation, the
   Commerce Guilds, and the others,
   Count. What is happening here is
   not government that has been
   bought out by business... it's
   business becoming government!
    DOOKU
   Are you willing to betray your Jedi
   friends? Without your co-operation
   I can do nothing to stop their
   execution.
    PADMÉ
   What is to happen to me? Am I to be
   executed also?
    DOOKU
   I wouldn't think of such an
   offence. But, there are
   individuals who have a strong
   interest in your demise, M'lady.
   It has nothing to do with
   politics, I'm afraid. It's purely
   personal, and they have already
   paid great sums to have you
   assassinated. I'm sure they will
   push hard to have you included in
   the executions. I'm sorry but if
   you are not going to co-operate, I
   must turn you over to the
   Geonosians for justice. I've done
   all I can for you.
JANGO FETT moves over to ANAKIN.
    JANGO FETT
   I'll take that weapon.
ANAKIN hesitates.
    DOOKU
   You may cause a lot of bloodshed,
   my young Jedi, but you will not
   escape.
    PADMÉ
   Anakin...
ANAKIN hands his lightsaber over to JANGO FETT.
INT. GEONOSIS, HIGH AUDIENCE CHAMBER - DAY
ANAKIN and PADME are standing in the centre of what looks like a courtroom.
Seated before them in a tall, boxed-off area is POGGLE THE LESSER, Archduke
of Geonosis. He is accompanied by his underling, SUN RIT. Off to one side
the Separatist Senators PO NUDU, TESSEK, and TOONBUCK TOORA. Next to them
are the Commerce Dignitaries, SHU MAI, NUTE GUNRAY, PASSEL ARGENTE, WAT
TAMBOR and SAN HILL of the Intergalactic Bank Clan. Along the wall about a
HUNDRED GEONOSIANS wait for a verdict.
    SUN RIT
   You have been charged and found
   guilty of Espionage.
    POGGLE
   Do you have anything to say before
   your sentence is carried out?
    PADMÉ
   You are committing an act of war,
   Archduke. I hope you are prepared
   for the consequences.
POGGLE laughs. COUNT DOOKU simply smiles.
    POGGLE
   We build weapons, Senator... that
   is our business! Of course we're
   prepared!
    NUTE GUNRAY
   Get on with it. Carry out the
   sentence. I want to see her suffer.
    POGGLE
   Your other Jedi friend is waiting
   for you, Senator. Take them to
   the arena!
FOUR GUARDS take hold of PADME and ANAKIN. They are escorted out of the
chamber to the sounds of chuckling.
INT. GEONOSIS TUNNEL TO EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
In the gloomy tunnel, ANAKIN and PADME are tossed into an open cart. The
murmur of a vast crowd is heard offscreen. GUARDS extend their arms along
the framework and tie them so that they stand facing each other.
The DRIVER gets up onto his seat.
    ANAKIN
   Don't be afraid.
    PADMÉ
   I'm not afraid to die. I've been
   dying a little bit each day since
   you came back into my life.
    ANAKIN
   What are you talking about?
    PADMÉ
   I love you.
    ANAKIN
   You love me?! I thought we
   decided not to fall in love. That
   we would be forced to live a lie.
   That it would destroy our lives...
    PADMÉ
   I think our lives are about to be
   destroyed anyway. My love for you
   is a puzzle, Annie, for which I
   have no answers. I can't control
   it... and now I don't care. I
   truly, deeply love you, and before
   we die I want you to know.
PADME leans toward ANAKIN. By straining hard, it is just possible for
their lips to meet. They kiss.
    ANAKIN
   I have no desire to be cured of
   this love either. Long or short,
   I vow to spend the rest of my life
   with you.
They kiss again.
The DRIVER cracks his whip over the ORRAY harnessed between the shafts. The
cart jerks forward. Suddenly, there isa HUGE ROAR and blinding sunlight as
they emerge into the arena
INT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
The great stadium is packed with tier upon tier of yelling GEONOSIANS. The
cart trundles to the center, where OBI-WAN is chained to one of four upright
posts thatare three feet in diameter. The cart stops. PADME and ANAKIN are
taken down, dragged to posts, and chained to them. PADME is in the center.
    OBI-WAN
   I was beginning to wonder if you
   had gotten my message.
    ANAKIN
   I retransmitted it as you
   requested, Master. Then we decided
   to come and rescue you.
    OBI-WAN
   It looks like you're going a good
   job so far.
Their arms are pulled high above their heads, and the cart drives away.
There is another ROAR as POGGLE THE LESSER, COUNT DOOKU, NUTE GUNRAY, THE
FETTS and DIGNITARIES arrive in the archducal box and take their places.
    SUN RIT
   The felons before you have been
   convicted of espionage against the
   Sovereign System of Geonosis.
   Their sentence of death is to be
   carried out in this public arena
   henceforth.
The crowd ROARS and CHEERS. In the box, POGGLE THE LESSER rises. The crowd
becomes quiet.
    POGGLE
   Let the executions begin!
The crowd goes wild.
    ANAKIN
   I have a bad feeling about this.
From different gates around the arena, THREE MONSTERS are driven in. One is
a REEK (bull-like), one is a NEXU (lion-like), and one is an ACKLAY (a kind
of dino-lobster). They are driven in by PICADORS carrying long spears and
riding ORRAYS. The PICADORS poke the MONSTERS toward the center, then retire
to the perimeter.
The MONSTERS toss their heads, looking around, ROARING or SCREECHING. Then
they catch sight of the THREE CAPTIVES and start moving toward them.
    OBI-WAN
   Take the one the left. I'll
   take the one on the right.
    ANAKIN
   What about Padme?
PADME has turned around and is pulling herself up by the chain to the top of
the post. Within a moment, she is standing on top of it, trying to pull the
chain free.
    OBI-WAN
   It looks like she's already on top
   of things.
The REEK charges ANAKIN. He jumps up, and the beast hits the post hard.
ANAKIN lands onto its back, wrapping part of his chain around its horn. The
REEK backs off, shaking its head angrily, which tears the chain from the
post
OBI-WAN ducks around the post as the ACKLAY charges. It knocks the post
flat, sending OBI-WAN sprawling. The ACKLAY crunches the post between its
claws, freeing the chain. OBI-WAN leaps up and runs towards ONE of the
PICADORS. The ACKLAY taks off after him.
The NEXU arrives at PADME'S post and rears on its hind legs. One top, PADME
struggles to tear the chain free. The NEXU ROARS, displaying wicked,
dripping fangs.
In the archducal box, NUTE GUNRAY beams and rubs his hands.
In the arena, OBI-WAN runs at the PICADOR. The ORRAY rears up. OBI-WAN grabs
the PICADOR'S long spear and pole vaults over him. The chasing ACKLAY
smashes into the ORRAY. It goes down. The PICADOR tumbles onto the sand,
where he is grabbed by the ACKLAY and crunched.
ANAKIN's REEK starts to buck. It charges around the arena with ANAKIN
hanging on for dear life. He whirls the free length of chain around his head
and casts it into the REEK's mouth. Its jaws clamp hard on the chain. ANAKIN
yanks hard on the chain, turning the REEK, beginning to ride it.
The NEXU's claws dig deep into the post. The cat-like creature reaches the
top of the post and takes a swipe at PADME. She turns and the claw barely
catches her shirt ripping it off, leaving superficial claw marks across her
back. She hits the creature with her chain and it backs off down the pole.
Then, PADME jumps off the post into the air. She swings around on the chain
and whacks the beast hard on the head with both her feet. It tumbles back
onto the sand.
In the archducal box:
    NUTE GUNRAY
   Foul!! She can't do that... shoot
   her or something!
In the arena, OBI-WAN runs out from behind the fallen ORRAY and throws the
spear at the ACKLAY, hitting it in the neck. It lets out a terrible SCREECH
and turns on him. The NEXU springs up and makes to leap up at PADME again.
She finally manages to work the chain loose. ANAKIN comes charging up on the
REEK.
    ANAKIN
   You okay?
    PADME
    (nods, gasping)
   Sure! Well, sort of.
    ANAKIN
   Jump!!!
The NEXU springs. PADME leaps from the top of the post to land on the REEK
in front of ANAKIN. He hauls her upright. The REEK charges away, around the
arena. The NEXU bounds after it. The REEK passes the wounded ACKLAY. The
NEXU smells the blood and turns aside to attack the ACKLAY. The TWO MONSTERS
fight. The crowd GROANS and BOOS.
In the archducal box, NUTE GUNRAY turns angrily to COUNT DOOKU.
    NUTE GUNRAY
   This isn't how it's supposed to
   be! Jango, finish her off.
COUNT DOOKU motions for the bounty hunter to ptay put. BOBA FETT is enjoying
the spectacle.
    COUNT DOOKU
    (smiling enigmatically)
   Patiece, Viceroy... she will die.
   Maybe this is the way it's
   supposed to end.
OBI-WAN runs and jumps on the back of the REEK behind ANAKIN. Across the
arena, the NEXU, having chewed up the ACKLAY, starts to advance toward them.
INT. COCKPIT, NABOO STARSHIP - DAY
ARTOO BEEPS
    C-3PO
   Yes, it has been rather a long
   time. Do you suppose something's
   happened to them?
ARTOO BEEPS and WHISTLES.
    C-3PO
    (continuing)
   Danger? Oh no, I shouldn't think
   so. It looks a very dull planet
   to me. They should be back
   shortly. Just stop worrying, Artoo.
EXT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
In the archducal box, amid the uproar, COUNT DOOKU feels a tap on his
shoulder. He turns to see MACE WINDU standing behind him. COUNT DOOKU masks
his surprise elegantly as he surveys the arena and sees JEDI KNIGHTS
standing at every entrance and exit.
    COUNT DOOKU
   Master Windu, how pleasant of you
   to join us. You're just in time
   for the moment of truth. I would
   think these two new boys of yours
   could use a little more training.
    MACE WINDU
   Sorry to disappoint you, Dooku.
   This party's over.
MACE WINDU signals, and at stategic places around the arena there are sudden
flashes of light as about ONE HUNDRED JEDI switch on their lightsabers. The
crowd is suddenly silent. COUNT DOOKU'S lips curl in slight amusement.
    COUNT DOOKU
    (to Mace Windu)
   Brave, but stupid, my old Jedi
   friend. You're impossibly
   outnumbered.
    MACE WINDU
   I don't think so. One Jedi has to
   be worth a hundred Geonosians.
COUNT DOOKU looks around the great theater. His smile grows.
    COUNT DOOKU
   It wasn't the Geonosians I was
   thinking about. How well do you
   think one Jedi will hold up
   against a thousand battle droids?
COUNT DOOKU signals. THOUSANDS OF DROIDS start to pour into all parts of the
arena.
MACE WINDU draws his lightsaber, JANGO FETT draws his guns and fires at MACE
WINDU, who deflects the shots. JANGO FETT and MACE WINDU jump into the
arena, where they fight. BOBA FETT wacthes his Dad and the Jedi Master
fight. The battle beginss. GEONOSIANS fly away everywhere. DROIDS fire at
JEDI, who deflect the bolts and cult down the DROIDS. The GEONOSIAN TROOPS
fire ray guns that are more difficult for the JEDI to deflect.
The REEK and the NEXU are spooked by the battle. The REEK bucks the riders
off its back and stampedes around the arena, trampling DROIDS and JEDI that
have moved into its path. PADME picks up a discarded pistol and joins the
fight. SEVERAL JEDI run to the center of the arena and toss lightsabers to
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN.
Among the crowd, JEDI cut down swaths of GEONOSIANS and DROIDS. On the sand,
JEDI fight, attacking DROIDS. OBI0WAN and ANAKIN swing their lightsabers,
cutting DROIDS in half. PADME blasts away at DROIDS and GEONOSIANS.
INT. COCKPIT, NABOO STARSHIP
ARTOO whistles.
    C-3PO
   I don't hear anything.
    (Artoo beeps)
   You're scaring me! Stop imagining
   things!
EXT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
Among the tiers, JEDI are slowly being driven back. They have killed heaps
of GEONOSIANS and have kncoked out piles of DROIDS, but sheer numbers are
telling. Individual JEDI are being cut down or blasted/ The rest are
retreating into the arena.
ANAKIN and PADME are back-to-back, fighting DROIDS and flying GEONOSIANS.
MACE WINDU fights fiercely with JANGO FETT. Finally, the bounty hunter
falls. His helmet goes flying, bouncing down the steps, tumbling and
rolling, kicked here and there by random feet. The bounty hunter's body
falls to the ground.
MACE WINDU runs to the center of the arena and fights back-to-back with
OBI-WAN, as they swipe and mangle DROIDS.
    OBI-WAN
   Someone's got to - shut down -
   these droids.
    MACE WINDU
   Don't worry! It's being - taken
   care of!
EXT. GEONOSIS, FEDERATION STARSHIP - DAY
KI-ADI-MUNDI leads a raiding party of about TWENTY JEDI through the lines of
parked Battle Starships. They cut a swath through masses of DROIDS until
they arrive at the Command Starship. Some JEDI fall. The rest cut their way
up the ramps and into the Command Ship.
INT. COMMAND FEDERATION STARSHIP, CORRIDORS - DAY
KI-ADI-MUNDI and teh surviving JEDI fight their way through the corridors of
the Command Ship, deflecting laser bolts, slicing DROIDS.
INT. COMMAND FEDERATION STARSHIP, CONTROL BRIDGE - DAY
THEY burst onto the bridge and chop down the COMMAND DROIDS. The NEIMOIDIANS
flee in all directions. KE-ADI-MUNDI leans over the control panel. He
locates the illuminated master switch and punches down on it. It goes dark.
Instantly, all the DROIDS on the Starship and all the DROIDS in the arena
FREEZE!
There is a moment of stunned silence, then the JEDI CHEER. One the bridge,
PLO KOON claps KI-ADI-MUNDI on the back.
    PLO KOON
   We've done it! Now we have a
   chance!
Suddenly, there is a harsh BEEPING SOUND. All the DROIDS on the Starship and
all the DROIDS in the arena start fighting again! KI-ADI-MUNDI stares in
disbelief and dismay.
    KI-ADI-MUNDI
   The system's off but they're still
   active. That's a new feature. They
   are independent of the control
   system.
EXT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
MACE WINDU, OBI-WAN, ANAKIN, PADME and an exhausted group of about TWENTY
JEDI stand in the center of the arena surrounded by a ring of BATTLE DROIDS.
The bloodied sand around them is strewn with the bodies of DEAD GEONOSIANS,
SHATTERED DROIDS and JEDI.
At the foot of some steps, BOBA FETT finds his father's battered helmet. He
picks it up.
KI-ADI-MUNDI and the SURVIVORS from the raiding party are herded into the
arena by SUPERDROIDS. From the encircling tiers above, THOUSANDS OF BATTLE
DROIDS level their weapons menacingly.
In the archducal box, COUNT DOOKU lifts his hand. The DROIDS lower their
weapons. The COUNT calls out to the JEDI.
    COUNT DOOKU
   Master Windu!
Silence.
    COUNT DOOKU
    (continuing)
   You have fought gallantly. Worthy
   of recognition in the history
   archives of the Jedi Order. Now
   it is finished.
    (pauses briefly)
   Surrender - and your lives will be
   spared.
    MACE WINDU
   We will not be hostages for you to
   barter with Dooku.
    COUNT DOOKU
   Then, I'm sorry, old friend. You
   will have to be destroyed.
The DROIDS raise their weapons. ANAKIN and PADME clasps hands tightly. COUNT
DOOKU raises his hand to give the order to fire. PADME looks up suddenlt and
whispers to ANAKIN.
    PADME
   Look!
Above, six Gunships are descending fast through the open area in the arena
ceiling. They land in a cluster around the handful of JEDI. CLONE TROOPERS
spill out and start firing at the DROIDS. There is a hellstorm of laserfire
that bounces off the laser shields created by the Gunships. YODA appears at
the door of one of the Gunships.
    YODA
   Come on - hurry! Hurry!
The SURVIVING JEDI dash to the Gunships and scramble in. MACE WINDU hangs on
tight as the Gunship, firing all its weapons, rises out of the arena up and
over the topmost rim.
EXT. GEONOSIS, TERRAIN OUTSIDE EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
The massed lines of parked Federation Starships and the DROIDS surrounding
the arena, are themselves surrounded by thousands of Republic Starships,
disgorging TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CLONE TROOPERS. Beyond, more Republic
Starships are landing and spewing out troops.
INT. GUNSHIP NUMBER ONE - DAY
MACE WINDU stares at the incredible sight.
    YODA
   More battalions to the left.
   Encircle them we must, then
   divide.
The CLONE TROOPERS open fire with artillery. EXPLOSIONS wreck the parked
Battle Starships. CLONE TROOPERS advance, firing at the massed DROIDS.
FIGHTER DROIDS fly overhead, exchanging fire with the Gunships and JEDI
fighters.
INT. COCKPIT, NABOO STARSHIP - DAY
THREEPIO and ARTOO see flashes outside of the ship, exploding everywhere.
    C-3PO
   I'm sure I heard something, this
   time. Didn't you? It's probably
   just a celebration
ARTOO lets out an EXHAUSTED BLEEP.
EXT. BATTLEFIELD, GEONOSIS LANDSCAPE - DAY
Gunship #2 skims the battlefield, firing down, deflecting answering fire
from the droids.
INT. GUNSHIP NUMBER TWO - DAY
OBI-WAN, ANAKIN and PADME are at the open sides of the Gunship. CLONES fire
down at the DROIDS below.
The Gunship slows, circling over a droid gun-emplacement. It blasts it, but
suddenly the Gunship is rocked by a near miss. It lurches violently.
    OBI-WAN
   Hold on! Look over there...
Through the other side of the Gunship, they see a Geonosian Speeder racing
past. In the open cockpit is the unmistakable figure of COUNT DOOKU.
    ANAKIN
   It's Dooku, go after him!
The PILOT starts to comply, but... there is a HUGE BLASTS, the ship lurches
on its side, and PADME tumbles out.
    ANAKIN
    (continuing)
   Padme!!!
ANAKIN stares down in horror as PADME hits thr ground below.
    ANAKIN
    (continuing; to pilot)
   Put the ship down! Down!
    OBI-WAN
   No! Forget her. We have to go
   after Dooku.
    ANAKIN
   No we're not!! Land this ship!
    OBI-WAN
   Don't let your personal feelings
   get in the way. We've got a job to
   do.
Below, PADME hauls herself to her feet and waves for them to go after DOOKU.
    ANAKIN
   I don't care!.. Go back.
    OBI-WAN
   Anakin! She's all right! Look.
ANAKIN stares out to see PADME rescued by CLONE TROOPERS.
    OBI-WAN
    (continuing)
   Follow that speeder!
On the ground, PADME looks up at Gunship #2 as it speeds away after Count
Dooku. OBI-WAN and ANAKIN follow the speeder to a Geonosian tower. The
speeder decsends rapidly; the Gunship follows.
Count Dooku's speeder parks outside the tower; the Gunship parks next to it.
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN leap down and run inside the tower.
INT. GEONOSIS, SECRET HANGER TOWER - LATE DAY
COUNT DOOKU throws switches on a control panel. His Interstellar Sail Ship
is guarded by a SQUAD OF SUPER BATTLE DROIDS. The doors of the exit-port
slide open.
    DROID CAPTAIN
   Your Excellency!
COUNT DOOKU turns as OBI-WAN and ANAKIN run in through the hanger doors.
They draw their lightsabers. The DROIDS raise their weapons.
    COUNT DOOKU
   That won't be necessary, Captain.
   Stand down. And leave them to me.
The DROIDS lower their weapons and back off to the walls. COUNT DOOKU looks
at OBI-WAN and ANAKIN with slight amusement.
    OBI-WAN
    (to Anakin)
   We move in together - you slowly
   on the...
    ANAKIN
   I'm taking him now!
    OBI-WAN
   Anakin, no!
    ANAKIN
   You'll pay for all the Jedi you've
   killed today, Dooku.
ANAKIN charges across the open space at COUNT DOOKU, who smiles faintly,
watching him come. ANAKIN raises his lightsaber. At the last moment, COUNT
DOOKU thrusts out an arm, and ANAKIN is lifted up, hurled across the room,
and slammed into the opposite wall. He slumps to the foot of the wall,
semi-conscious. COUNT DOOKU moves toward OBI-WAN
    COUNT DOOKU
   Kenobi, isn't it? As you can see,
   my Jedi powers are far beyond
   yours. Now, back down.
    OBI-WAN
   I don't think so.
OBI-WAN lifts his lightsaber. COUNT DOOKU smiles.
    COUNT DOOKU
   Ah, but if I must.
COUNT DOOKU draws his lightsaber. He and OBI-WAN start to circle each other.
    COUNT DOOKU
    (continuing)
   I have spent the last ten years
   learning to use the power of the
   Dark Side. It gives me infinitely
   greater power.
    OBI-WAN
   You will have to prove it.
OBI-WAN comes in fast, swinging at COUNT DOOKU'S head. DOOKU parries the cut
easily. As they fight, it quickly becomes clear that DOOKU is the complete
swordsman - elegant, graceful, classical - a master of the old style.
    COUNT DOOKU
   Grand Master Kenobi, you
   disappoint me. Yoda holds you in
   such high esteem.
COUNT DOOKU parried another cut.
    COUNT DOOKU
    (continuing)
   Surely you can do better...?
    (parries)
   No, I'm surprised. Has Jedi
   swordsmanship degenerated so
   quickly, or are you trying to make
   fun of me?
    (cuts)
   Which is it?
COUNT DOOKU thrusts. OBI-WAN steps back quickly, panting for breath.
    COUNT DOOKU
    (continuing)
   come, come, Master Kenobi. Put me
   out of my misery.
OBI-WAN takes a deep breath, gets a fresh grip on his lightsaber and comes
in again. For a moment, he drives COUNT DOOKU back. Then Dooku's superior
skill begins to tell again, and he forces OBI-WAN to retreat.
COUNT DOOKU increases the tempo of his attack. OBI-WAN is pushed to the
limit to defend himself. DOOKU presses. His lightsaber flashes.
OBI-WAN is wounded in the shoulder, then the thigh. He stumbles back against
the wall, trips, and falls. His lightsaber goes skittering across the floor.
COUNT DOOKU raises his lightsaber. OBI-WAN looks up helplessly. Dooku's
lightsaber flashes down and CLASHES against - Anakin's lightsaber! COUNT
DOOKU and ANAKIN stare eyeball to eyeball.
    COUNT DOOKU
    (continuing)
   That's brave of you, boy - but
   foolish. I would have thought
   you'd have learnt your lesson.
    ANAKIN
   I'm a slow learner.
And ANAKIN charges at COUNT DOOKU. The force of his attack catches the Count
slightly off balance. Anakin's lightsaber flashes. COUNT DOOKU draws back,
putting a hand to his arm. He takes the hand away and looks at the smear of
blood whee Anakin has nicked him.
    COUNT DOOKU
   You have unusual powers, young
   Padawan. But not enought to save
   you this time.
    ANAKIN
   Don't bet on it!
    OBI-WAN
   Anakin!
OBI-WAN uses the Force to catch his lightsaber and he tosses it to ANAKIN.
With TWO LIGHTSABERS, ANAKIN attacks. COUNT DOOKU parries and ripostes. It
is no contest. ANAKIN is driven back against the wall. He loses one
lightsaber. Finally COUNT DOOKU, in one flashing move, sends Anakin's arm,
cut at the elbow, flying still gripping his lightsaber. ANAKIN drops to the
ground in agony. COUNT DOOKU draws himself up to deliver the coup de grace.
Suddenly, the great doors slide open. The DROIDS turn fast, raising their
weapons. Through the thick smoke, emerges the heroic figure of YODA. He
stops on the smoke-filled threashold, FOUR DROIDS lined up on either side of
him, guns pointed.
Before the DROIDS can get off a shot, YODA raises his hand, and the DROIDS
are flung against the far walls and crash to the floor in heaps of smoking
metal.
Silence. COUNT DOOKU steps away from ANAKIN to face the Jedi Grand Master.
His lightsaber whirls in a formal salute.
    COUNT DOOKU
   Master Yoda. At last we shall
   know who is the most powerful.
YODA draws a miniature lightsaber out of his cane. He salutes formally.
    YODA
   Count Dooku. No interest in
   contests, do I have.
COUNT DOOKU charges across the space at YODA. He rains down blows upon the
tiny figure. YODA doesn't budge an inch. For the first part of the contest,
he parries every cut and thrust that Dooku aims. Nothing the great swordsman
tries gets through. His energy drains. His strokes become feebler, slower.
YODA attacks! He flies forward. COUNT DOOKU is forced to retreat. Wprds are
insufficient to describe the range and skill of Yoda's speed and swordplay.
His lightsaber his a humming blur of light.
Count Dooku's lightsaber is sent cartwheeling from his hand. He staggers
back, gasping and spent, against the control panel. YODA jumps onto DOOKU'S
shoulders, and is about to drive the lightsaber into the top of the Count's
head.
    YODA
    (continuing)
   The end for you, Count, this is.
    COUNT DOOKU
   ...Not yet...
COUNT DOOKU raises his arms and knocks YODA off his shoulders and then, with
all his might, he uses the Force to pull on one of the cranes in the hanger.
It comes crashing down on OBI-WAN and ANAKIN. But in the blink of and eye,
YODA is under the crane, holding it up, using the Force. YODA closes his
eyes and concentrates.
ANAKIN is unconscious, and OBI0WAN tries toget out from under the crane. The
fallen crane trembles and starts to life. Behind it, the sound of the Sail
Ship's engines are heard starting up.
YODA concentrates harder. Slowly, the crane rises. The SOUND OF THE ENGINES
increases. YODA exerts every scrap of his powers. The crane lifts clear of
ANAKIN and is thrown to the ground. DOOKU'S Sail Ship takes off. OBI-WAN and
ANAKIN struggle to the exhausted YODA, but it's too late. The Sail Ship
rises into the air and flies away. PADMÉ and a CLONE CAPTAIN with about TEN
TROOPERS appear in the doorway.
    PADMÉ
   Anakin!
PADMÉ runs too him and throws her arms around him. ANAKIN is barely able to
stand up. The CLONE CAPTAIN marches up to YODA, stops, and salutes smartly.
    CLONE CAPTAIN
   Resistance is at an end, General.
   What are your orders ?
YODA looks at him and sighs.
EXT. CORUSCANT, OLD TOWN - DAWN
COUNT DOOKU'S Interstellar Sail Ship glides through a deserted, burned-out
part of Coruscant. COUNT DOOKU manoeuvres the ship into one of the empty
buildings and lands.
INT. CORUSCANT, SECRET LANDING PLATFORM - DAWN
The ramp lowers. COUNT DOOKU emerges and walks to where the hooded figure of
DARTH SIDIOUS stands waiting. COUNT DOOKU bows.
    COUNT DOOKU
   The Force is with us, my Master.
    DARTH SIDIOUS
   Welcome home, Lord Tyranus. You have
   done well.
    COUNT DOOKU
   I bring you good news, my Lord.
   The war has begun.
    DARTH SIDIOUS
   Excellent.
     (smiling)
   Everything is going as planned.
EXT. CORUSCANT, JEDI TEMPLE - SUNSET
The beautiful temple basks in the red glow of the setting sun.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - SUNSET
    MACE WINDU
   Where is your apprentice?
    OBI-WAN
   On his way back to Naboo. He is
   escorting Senator Amidala home.
They are standing, looking out through the tall windows at the great plaza
below. YODA sits in his chair.
    OBI-WAN
    (continuing)
   I must admit without the clones,
   it would not have been a victory.
    YODA
   Victory? Victory, you say?
OBI-WAN turns and looks at the sad little Jedi sitting in the Council
Chamber. Apart from KI-ADI-MUNDI and PLO KOON, who is wounded, the Chamber
is empty.
    YODA
    (continuing)
   Not victory, a defeat, it was...
   Master Obi-Wan. Begun, the Clone
   War has!
EXT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, LODGE, GARDEN - LATE DAY
In a rose-covered arbor overlooking the sparkling late, ANAKIN and PADME
stand before a NABOO HOLY MAN.
THREEPIO and ARTOO stand by, watching, as the HOLY MAN blesses the happy
couple and, amid gently falling rose petals, ANAKIN and PADME kiss.
EXT. CORUSCANT, MILITARY STAGING AREA, BALCONY - LATE DAY
PALPATINE, JAR JAR, BAIL ORGANA and the OTHER SENATORS, with TWO ROYAL
GUARDS, stand looking down at the square below.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CLONE TROOPS are drawn up in a strict formation or move
forwards in near files to climb the ramps of the Military Assault Ships.
On the balcony, PALPATINE'S expression is deeply sad. Everyone watches
comberly as, in the square, loaded Assault Ships take off. Other land
immediately in their place. The sky above is thick with transports. CLONE
TROOPS march and board the Ships.
The Great Clone War has begun...
FADE OUT:
THE END

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