What If... Qui-Gon Jinn Never met Anakin Skywalker?

Written by Master P Koon.

## Synopsis

In this story, Palpatine had a different plan to take over the galaxy. This resulted in Anakin never being born. This obviously prevented Qui-Gon meeting him, following with him being inducted into the Jedi Order. See how the Star Wars saga would've changed.

## Fan Cast

* **Ian MacDiarmid** as Palpatine / Sidious
* **Ewan McGregor** as Obi-Wan Kenobi
* **Nick Park** as Darth Maul
* **Ralph Fiennes** as Count Dooku
* **Frank Oz** as Yoda
* **Samuel L. Jackson** as Mace Windu
* **Jimmy Smits** as Bail Organa
* **Alan Ruscoe** as Plo Koon & Daultay Dophine
* **Natalie Portman** as Padme Amidala
* **Liam Neeson** as Qui-Gon Jinn
* **Ahmed Best** as Jar Jar Binks
* **Jimmy Vee** as R2-D2
* **Nika Futterman** as Asajj Ventress
* **Clancy Brown** as Savage Opress
* **Timuera Morrison** as Jango Fett, Boba Fett & Clone Troopers
* **Stephen Stanton** as Admiral / Grand Moff Tarkin
* **Orli Shoshan** as Shaak Ti
* **Ben Cooke** as Kit Fisto
* **Kenji Oates** as Saesee Tiin
* **Barbara Goodson** as Mother Talzin
* **Silas Carson** as Nute Gunray, Lott Dod & Ki-Adi-Mundi
* **Jerome Blake** as Mas Amedda & Orn Free Taa
* **Jim Cummings** as Hondo Ohnaka
* **Ralph Brown** as Ric Olie
* **Hugh Quarshie** as Captain Panaka
* **Jay Laga'aia** as Captain Typho
* **Oliver Ford Davies** as Sio Bibble
* **Kiera Knightly** as Queen Amidala's Decoy
* **Timothy Stamp** as Chancellor Finis Valorum
* **Leeanna Walsam** as Zam Wesell
* **Marton Csokas** as Poggle the Lesser
* **James Taylor** as Rune Haako
* **Jamie King** as Aurra Sing
* **Anthony Daniels** as C-3PO
* **Tux Akindoyeni** as Agen Kolar
* **Werner Herzog** as Admiral Coburn
* **Sam Witwer** as the voice of Darth Maul
* **Dee Bradley Baker** as the voice of Onaconda Farr, Admiral Coburn & clone troopers
* **Matthew Wood** as the voice of the Battle Droids & General Grievous
* **Bob Bergen** as the voice of Lama Su
* **Gwendoline Yeo** as the voice of Nala Se
* **Rena Owen** as the voice of Taun We
* **Chris Sanders** as the voice of Daultay Dohpine
* **Toby Longworth** as the voice of Lott Dod
* **Amanda Lucas** as the voice of Tey How

## Prologue

The Force sees all. Not just this world, but other worlds too. It peers into a vast multiverse where a single choice can change the fate of a universe. Watch these new realities unforld with a single decision, and ponder the question: "What If?"

Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi have been dispatched to negotiate with Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation. With the negotiations never taking place, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan land on the surface of Naboo. They encounter a Gungan named Jar Jar Binks and make their way to the Theed Royal Palace. They are able to get Queen Amidala, her handmaiden, Captain Panaka and Ric Olie onto the Naboo Royal Starfighter which departs from the planet, up to the blockade...

## Part 1: *The Phantom Menace*

### Chapter One: Escape

The Naboo Royal Starfighter flies up to the large droid control ship above Naboo.

Inside the Naboo Royal Starfighter.

QUI-GON JINN: How long until we arrive at Coruscant?

RIC OLIE: We should be there by nightfall.

The consoles beep.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: What is it?

RIC OLIE: We've detected a large Trade Federation ship. A droid control ship.

QUI-GON JINN: Fly slowly. Try and avioid its attention.

Inside the droid control ship.

DAULTAY DOFINE: Sir! We've got a Naboo ship incoming!

NUTE GUNRAY: Open fire! Destroy it!

DAULTAY DOFINE: Yes, sir.

Space.

The droid control ship fires rapidly at the Naboo Royal Starfighter.

Inside the Naboo Royal Starfighter.

RIC OLIE is manouvering the ship around the cannon fire.

PANAKA: I'll get to the cannons -

The ship gets hit.

PANAKA: Damage?

RIC OLIE: Minor. But we've lost the cannons.

PANAKA sighs.

PANAKA: We have to get her Majesty to safety. Can we jump to hyperspace?

RIC OLIE: Plotting our trajectory.

QUEEN AMIDALA: No. Send a message to the droid control ship. If Viceroy Gunray wants me to sign his treaty, then he won't want to destroy this ship, as long as he knows I'm on it.

RIC OLIE: But then they'll know we have you.

QUEEN AMIDALA: We have no other options. Captain, that's an order.

RIC OLIE: If you so wish.

Inside the droid control ship.

DAULTAY DOFINE: Sir! We're getting a message from the starfighter.

NUTE GUNRAY: Put it through!

A screen projects an image of QUEEN AMIDALA. This shocks NUTE GUNRAY, RUNE HAAKO and DAULTAY DOFINE.

RUNE HAAKO: Queen Amidala?

QUEEN AMIDALA: Viceroy.

NUTE GUNRAY: You are on that ship?

QUEEN AMIDALA: You are more intelligent than I thought. I order you to halt your fire on our starfighter and lift your blockade of Naboo.

NUTE GUNRAY: Unfortunately, your majesty, I cannot. I am not in command of this operation. Lord Sidious is.

QUEEN AMIDALA: *Lord Sidious*?

NUTE GUNRAY: He is my client. He commissioned the blockade.

QUEEN AMIDALA: What has a bloackde of Naboo got to do with your trade, Viceroy?

NUTE GUNRAY: That is none of your concern, your majesty.

QUEEN AMIDALA: You are blockading my planet. Of course it is of my concern.

NUTE GUNRAY cringes. He doesn't like conversations like this, and this is clear.

NUTE GUNRAY: Come aboard my ship and I will explain all to you.

QUEEN AMIDALA: We can converse the way it is.

NUTE GUNRAY: No. Our negotiations shall take place on this ship or our negotiations shall never take place.

QUEEN ADMIALA: If the negotiations don't take place, viceroy, this bloackade will be illegal and you will become a criminal.

NUTE GUNRAY (TO DAULTAY DOFINE): Cut the transmission.

DAULTAY DOFINE does and the screen goes blank.

Inside the Naboo Royal Starfighter.

RIC OLIE: Your majesty, they've cut us out.

Inside the Droid Control Ship.

NUTE GUNRAY: Change of plan. Open fire and destroy that starfighter!

RUNE HAAKO: Viceroy. But what of the treaty?

NUTE GUNRAY: We don't need the queen. She is too defiant and I don't trust her. We'll use the cowardly governor. He'll do anything if it saves his life. Open fire.

DAULTAY DOFINE: Yes, sir.

Space.

The droid control ship fires at the Naboo Royal Starfighter rapidly.

Inside the Naboo Royal Starfighter.

RIC OLIE: They're firing too much! I can't dodge all the blasts!

QUI-GON JINN: Prepare the escape pods. We'll get the queen on one.

RIC OLIE: You'll have to hurry.

QUEEN AMIDALA: Captain. Thank you.

RIC OLIE: It's all for you, your majesty.

The cockpit doors open and QUI-GON JINN and QUEEN AMIDALA leave.

In the escape pod bay.

QUI-GON JINN, OBI-WAN KENOBI and QUEEN AMIDALA get into one escape pod. The handmaiden split up and take up 2 escape pods altogether. CAPTAIN PANAKA, JAR JAR BINKS and R2-D2 get into the final escape pod.

In the cockpit.

RIC OLIE: Master Jedi, you're clear to launch.

Space.

The four escape pods depart from the Naboo Royal Starfighter. They go undetected from the droid control ship. The Naboo Royal Starfighter takes many hits.

Inside the Naboo Royal Starfighter.

RIC OLIE closes his eyes.

Space. The Naboo Royal Starfighter is finally destroyed.

Inside droid control ship.

NUTE GUNRAY (TO RUNE HAAKO): Prepare my shuttle. We're going to the surface.

RUNE HAAKO nods then leaves.

### Chapter Two: Politics

Inside the Senate building.

MAS AMMEDA: Order! Order!

SENATOR PALPATINE: Chancellor. You have ingored our pleas for help against this blockade time and time again. Naboo is in peril and you have sat in your office, doing nothing.

The Senators boo CHANCELLOR VALORUM.

CHANCELLOR VALORUM: No! That's not true! I have deployed two Jedi to deal with this issue!

SENATOR PALPATINE: The Trade Federation has a whole army and you send two Jedi? They'll not be able to take on them all.

CHANCELLOR VALORUM: They can...negotiate. Get the Trade Federation to leave.

SENATOR PALPATINE: The Neomodians are slimy and untrustworthy scum. We cannot trust them to adhear to their side of a deal or bargain. They only care about themselves and their own gain. I would recommend we destroy them whilst we can.

LOTT DOD, representative of the Trade federation, comes into the debate.

LOTT DOD: The Trade Federation are a legitimate part of the Galactic Republic; just as much as the Jedi Order. Their annihilation would cause a civil war and cause many planets to break away and separate from the Republic. Surely you do not wish to be responsible for that, Senator. Chancellor, listen to me. The Trade Federation is merely trying to make Naboo a better planet. Do you wish to stop trade to Naboo -

SENATOR PALPATINE: Lott Dod is lying. The Trade Federation have launched a full invasion and have captured the Royal Advisory Council, killed those who can't make decisions outwith the planet, and are holding Queen Amidala and Governor Bibble as hostages. I urge us to move now until it is too late.

CHANCELLOR VALORUM: But we have no military. We can't act.

SENATOR PALPATINE: I recommend we dispatch the Jedi Council to deal with the threat.

CHANCELLOR VALORUM: But they are keepers of the peace, not soldiers.

SENATOR PALPATINE: The Trade Federation has a droid army. The Jedi would not have a problem with destroying droids. Besides. Take one life to save two, eh, chancellor?

CHANCELLOR VALORUM sighs.

SENATOR PALPATINE: I will contact them.

Inside the Jedi Council Chambers.

A hologram of SENATOR PALPATINE appears.

YODA: Senator. An honour, this is.

SENATOR PALPATINE: I'm sure you're aware, but Naboo has been blockaded by the Trade Federation. Our only possible way around this is your aid.

MACE WINDU: We're not fighters, senator. I'm sure you'll understand.

SENATOR PALPATINE: The people of Naboo are suffering under the Trade Federation. I implore you to help us. *Please*. They're only droids. You won't have to kill the Neomodians, only arrest them.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: Well, we can't let the people of Naboo suffer.

PLO KOON: I fear if we go into this combat, we will turn out worse and we will go down a path of darkness. Just as the Jedi of the Old Republic did.

SENATOR PALPATINE: Master Koon, I was under the impression that you were one of the wiser Jedi council members.

PLO KOON: Wise does not mean rushing headfirst into action, senator. A wise man takes time to view all the possible ways around a problem then does whichever one is best.

SENATOR PALPATINE: Do you have a better option, Master Koon?

SHAAK TI: I agree with Master Plo. We have to be cautious with this.

SENATOR PALPATINE: I don't care *how* you do it. I just care *that* you do it.

MACE WINDU: We've still not had a report back from Master Qui-Gon and his Padawan.

YODA: A plan, I have.

The council members and SENATOR PALPATINE all focus on YODA.

YODA: Send a Master we will. To check on Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Report back, they will. And based on their answer, send a Jedi Strike Team we will. Or not.

SENATOR PALPATINE: Please do.

YODA: Over, the conflict may be. If our ambassadors, succeeded, they did...

### Chapter Three: Occupation

At a hill in Theed.

The four escape pod lands. the doors are kicked open and the survivors get out. They look at the distance, where a Trade Federation shuttle lands.

QUI-GON JINN: Your majesty, I fear that this blockade is going to get far, far worse...

Inside the hangar in Theed Royal Palace.

The Trade Federation shuttle lands and the ramp opens. NUTE GUNRAY, RUNE HAAKO and four security battle droids get out. NUTE GUNRAY turns around and looks outside of the hangar doors and sees legions of battle droids approaching.

Inside the dungeons in Theed Royal Palace.

NUTE GUNRAY, RUNE HAAKO and the four security enter. They walk over to Governor SIO BIBBLE who is locked in a cell behind a ray shield.

SIO BIBBLE: Viceroy Gunray. With my authority, I order that you will release me.

NUTE GUNRAY: You will be released in good time, governor. Once you sign our treaty, your release shall take place directly after.

SIO BIBBLE: I cannot sign your treaty, viceroy. I am not either this planet's senator or monarch -

NUTE GUNRAY: Senator Palpatine has already turned down our offer. And with Queen Amidala's death, you will be temporarily filling in for the monarch until a new election.

SIO BIBBLE: You've certainly done your research, viceroy.

NUTE GUNRAY: I am committed to learning the cultures of the systems who I serve.

SIO BIBBLE: I won't legalise this blockade!

NUTE GUNRAY (SIGHING): Governor. I have another proposal. Sign the treaty or face execution.

SIO BIBBLE has clear panic on his face.

NUTE GUNRAY: I assume I know your answer.

SIO BIBBLE: I will be released. And still in command?

NUTE GUNRAY: Of course.

NUTE GUNRAY nods and one of the security battle droids deactivate the ray shield. SIO BIBBLE is handed a pen and the treaty, which he signs.

NUTE GUNRAY: Thank you for your coorperation, governor.

One of the security battle droids fires and kills SIO BIBBLE.

NUTE GUNRAY: I shall inform Lord Sidious of our success. He will be most pleased.

Inside the throne room in Theed Royal Palace.

NUTE GUNRAY, RUNE HAAKO and the four security battle droids enter. They activate a hologram of SIDIOUS (SENATOR PALPATINE). The two Neomodians bow.

SIDIOUS: I assume you have an update, viceroy?

NUTE GUNRAY: Yes, my Lord. The treaty has been signed, legalising this operation.

SIDIOUS: Good. Everything is proceeding according to plan.

Inside SAESEE TIIN's Jedi Starfighter.

SAESEE TIIN's Jedi starfighter is travelling through hyperspace. On his consoles, he has a hologram of YODA and WINDU up.

SAESEE TIIN: I'm exiting hyperspace, Masters. On approach.

YODA: Good.

Space.

SAESEE TIIN'S Jedi Starfighter exits hyperspace. It flies out of its hyperspace ring, then flies rapidly down to Naboo.

Inside the droid control ship.

DAULTAY DOFINE: Jedi!

Inside the throne room in Theed Royal Palace.

A hologram of DAULTAY DOFINE appears.

DAULTAY DOFINE: Sir! A starfighter has exited hyperspace and is flying down to the surface.

NUTE GUNRAY: What is its origins?

DAULTAY DOFINE: Jedi, sir.

NUTE GUNRAY cowers. He turns to a hologram of OOM-9

NUTE GUNRAY: Get all units to find the Jedi! Kill them!

OOM-9: Roger roger.

Above Theed hills.

SAESEE TIIN's Jedi Starfighter is flying above the hills. Eventually he spots 11 life forms.

Inside SAESEE TIIN's Jedi Starfighter.

SAESEE TIIN: Masters. I've located the two Jedi. They appear to be with Queen Amidala and some others.

MACE WINDU: Good job. Land. We'll send a frigate to retrieve them.

SAESEE TIIN nods.

Theed Hills.

SAESEE TIIN's Jedi Starfighter lands and the latter gets out.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Master Tiin.

SAESEE TIIN: I take it that we're not making any progress with the blockade.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Not at the moment. But we have Queen Amidala.

He gestures to her. SAESEE TIIN bows.

SAESEE TIIN: Your majesty. I sense - confusion and fear in you. Do you require assistance?

QUEEN AMIDALA: I already have plenty, Master Tiin.

SAESEE TIIN turns and spots the marching legions of battle droids.

SAESEE TIIN: There's at least 9 legions of battle droids. Over there.

He points in the droids' direction.

SAESEE TIIN: I'll send a report to the Council.

Inside the Jedi Council chambers in the Jedi Temple.

SAESEE TIIN is present by hologram.

SAESEE TIIN: The Trade Federation blockade has gotten worse. The battle droids appear to have taken over Otoh Gunga and have enslaved the Gungans.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: We *have* to act now!

MACE WINDU sighs.

MACE WINDU: I agree. It's our only option. If we do nothing, the people will lose faith in the Jedi.

YODA: Very well. A strike team prepare, Master Windu. Master Plo. A squad of fighters, get ready.

Both MACE WINDU and PLO KOON nod.

MACE WINDU: Very well. Until the next one, this council is ajourned.

Inside the Galactic Senate.

SENATOR #1: We have to act now!

SENATOR #2: They'll lose faith in the Republic!

SENATOR #3: We have to do *something*!

MAS AMMEDA: Order! Order! Senator Palpatine?

SENATOR PALPATINE: Chancellor Valorum. You have sat idly by whilst Naboo is suffering. We've had reports that the entire system has been enslaved by Battle Droids. An entire system. And you've done nothing. It is with this in mind, that I propose a vote of no confidence on Chancellor Valorum.

Senators cheer loudly. CHANCELLOR VALORUM sinks into his seat.

ORN FREE TAA: Replace the Senator!

### Chapter Four: Battle

Inside the throne room in Theed Royal Palace.

NUTE GUNRAY and RUNE HAAKO are talking to SIDIOUS via hologram.

NUTE GUNRAY (STUTTERING): Lord S...S...Sidious. A J...J...Jedi has arrived. I f...f...fear more will arr..rr...rrive.

SIDIOUS: That is the intention.

NUTE GUNRAY: The intention?

SIDIOUS: This is my apprentice, Darth Maul.

A Zabrak - DARTH MAUL - comes into the hologram.

SIDIOUS: He will take care of the Jedi. Use your battle droids to their full potential.

NUTE GUNRAY: Yes, my Lord.

He bows.

Space.

A Sith Infultrator exits hyperspace and flies down to Naboo.

Inside the hangar of Theed Royal Palace.

The Sith Infultrator lands and MAUL exits.

Inside the Theed Royal Palace throne room.

MAUL is talking to SIDIOUS via hologram.

SIDIOUS: Move against the Jedi first. You will then have no difficulty in taking the queen and her loyal compatriots. Take the queen into arrest and make it public. Then Naboo will wish to break away from the Republic and join the Confederacy of Independant Systems. Many systems will follow and this will allow us to plunge the galaxy into war. The end of the Jedi is near.

MAUL: At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge.

SIDIOUS: You have been well trained, my young apprentice. They will be no match for you. But remember this: don't kill them all. You have to let the more arrogant ones survive. They will spread the mind of warfare throughout the Jedi. To them, it is a plague. A deadly plague that must be killed. They will become reckless. We will use that to slowly turn them against the Republic. Nothing will stop us from executing Order 66. It will only take time.

MAUL: I shall do as you wish, my Master.

He bows.

The hologram of SIDIOUS flickers off, and two holograms: DAULTAY DOFINE and OOM-9 appear. The doors to the throne room open and NUTE GUNRAY and RUNE HAAKO enter.

MAUL: Prepare you droid army. A Jedi strike force is coming. (TO DAULTAY DOFINE) Prepare your starfighters. You cannot let your ship be destroyed.

DAULTAY DOFINE: Yes, sir.

Inside the Jedi Council chambers, in the Jedi Temple.

Many of the Jedi are present via hologram, however YODA is present in person.

MACE WINDU: The strike team has been assembled.

PLO KOON: So are the starfighters.

YODA: Good. May the Force be with you.

Space.

Two Republic Venators exit hyperspace. Multiple Republic gunships exit the hangars and fly down to Naboo. A dozen Jedi Starfighters also exit hyperspace - with the aid of hyperspace rings, which they then fly out of.

Hills, Theed.

QUI-GON JINN, OBI-WAN KENOBI, QUEEN AMIDALA, her handmaiden, CAPTAIN PANAKA, JAR JAR BINKS and R2-D2 are walking towards Theed Royal Palace.

QUI-GON JINN's comm beeps.

MACE WINDU: Master Qui-Gon.

QUI-GON JINN: Master Windu?

MACE WINDU: We've assembled a strike team. We'll take care of the legions of battle droids. You take the palace.

QUI-GON JINN: We're on our way.

Inside the Theed Royal Palace hangar.

Many Naboo pilots are hancuffed and sitting on the floor, with security battle droids guarding them. The lead security battle droid looks out of the hangar, and sees QUI-GON JINN and the others on their way.

SECURITY BATTLE DROID: Fire!

The Naboo pilots are all blasted and killed.

Hills, Theed.

The Republic gunships land and the large Jedi Strike Team run out, over to the legions of battle droids. They activate their lightsabers.

OOM-9: Fire!

The battle droids open fire on the Jedi. The Jedi get blasted one by one, but the battle droids are destroyed much faster than the Jedi. But they have far superior numbers and the droids easily outnumber the Jedi.

Space.

PLO KOON is leading a dozen starfighters.

PLO KOON: We're not to destroy the ship. Fire ion cannons.

The Jedi Starfighters start firing ion cannons on the droid control ship.

Droid control ship.

DAULTAY DOFINE: Get the shields up! We have to keep the droids online!

Space.

The Jedi Starfighters continue to fire, but the shield is activated and the ion cannons have little effect.

PLO KOON: They've activated their shield. Halt your fire for now.

Inside the droid control ship.

A hologram of NUTE GUNRAY is up.

NUTE GUNRAY: Launch starfighters!

Space.

Three dozen vulture droids spill out of the droid control ship and fire at the Jedi Starfighters.

JEDI PILOT #1: There's too many of them!

JEDI PILOT #2: They outnumber us three to one -

His starfighter is destroyed.

PLO KOON: Concentrate your fire on the enemy starfighters.

Inside the droid control ship.

DAULTAY DOFINE: Fire the autocannons.

Space.

The droid control ship starts firing at the Jedi Starfighters. One is destroyed.

PLO KOON: I'll take out the autocannons, you deal with the starfighters.

JEDI PILOT #1: Copy, sir -

They're killed.

JEDI PILOT #3: On it.

PLO KOON starts destroying the autocannons on the droid control ship.

Inside the droid control ship.

TEY HOW: Sir! Our autocannons have been taken out!

DAULTAY DOFINE: Do...Do something!

Inside the hangar in Theed Royal Hangar.

QUI-GON JINN, OBI-WAN KENOBI and CAPTAIN PANAKA enter. They make short work of security battle droids. Then, doors to the Theed power generator open, and DARTH MAUL stands. He lowers his hood. He then takes out his lightsaber - it's a doubled-bladed red lightsaber, which he activates.

QUI-GON JINN: A Sith Lord? (TO QUEEN AMIDALA, HANDMAIDEN and CAPTAIN PANAKA) We'll take care you him. You take the palace.

QUEEN AMIDALA: We'll go the long way. R2, protect Jar Jar.

They run through the side door. QUI-GON JINN and OBI-WAN KENOBI activate their lightsabers.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: How?

DARTH MAUL advances towards QUI-GON JINN and OBI-WAN KENOBI. They clash many times. DARTH MAUL uses the Force to send QUI-GON JINN hurtling to one of the Naboo Starfighters, injuring him. OBI-WAN KENOBI struggles with DARTH MAUL, but he's able to hold his ground. QUI-GON JINN flips over to the duel. DARTH MAUL uses the Force to send a security battle droid limb hurtling into the button to open the door, opening in it. Their duel makes their way into the Theed power generator.

Hills, Theed.

One by one, the Jedi are falling. The *droids* appear to be winning.

MACE WINDU (INTO COMM): How much longer?

PLO KOON (OVER COMM): They've raised their shields and their starfighters are overwhelming us.

MACE WINDU: I have a plan.

Inside a Republic Venator's bridge.

ADMIRAL TARKIN nods, and a hologram of MACE WINDU flickers off.

ADMIRAL TARKIN: You may fire when ready.

Space.

The two Republic Venators send a bombardment of fire at the droid control ship. Laser cannons this time, not ion cannons.

PLO KOON, SAESEE TIIN and three remaining Jedi pilots are able to destroy the final vulture droids.

TEY HOW: Our starfighters have all been destroyed! And our shields are critical!

DAULTAY DOFINE: We have to keep the shields operational! The droids MUST stay online!

Space.

The two Republic Venators are stil firing at the droid control ship. The shields appear to be holding up.

Hills, Theed.

The Jedi are struggling with the droids. YARAEL POOF is blasted multiple times and collapses dead. The surviving Jedi Council members are holding up, however other Jedi seem to be struggling. AAYLA SECURA, LUMINARA UNDULI, BARRISS OFFEE and SHAAK TI are making a back-to-back circle, deflecting droid blasts left and right. QUINLAN VOS is hacking through droids with incredible speed. TIPLAR is killed, followed by her sister, TIPLEE. IMA-GUN-DI is blasted many times, collapsing dead.

Space.

The shields on the droid control ship are finally destroyed. The Republic Venators stop firing.

Inside the droid control ship.

TEY HOW: Sir! Our shields have been destroyed!

Space.

PLO KOON: Fire your ion cannons!

PLO KOON, SAESEE TIIN and the other three surviving Jedi pilots fly down to the droid control ship and fire many ion blasts at the droid control ship.

Inside the droid control ship.

TEY HOW: Sir! We're losing power.

DAULTAY DOFINE: No!

Hills, Theed.

SHADDAY POTKIN is killed. Then, all the battle droids power down and collapse. This shocks the Jedi Strike Team. KI-ADI-MUNDI kicks one of the droids.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: They've been deactivated.

MACE WINDU: It worked.

Inside the Theed Power Generator.

DARTH MAUL is eassily taking on QUI-GON JINN and OBI-WAN KENOBI. He kicks OBI-WAN KENOBI, sending him over the side of the platform, all the way to one much further down. Just after, QUI-GON JINN kicks DARTH MAUL and he falls down to the same platform as OBI-WAN KENOBI. QUI-GON JINN jumps down to that platform. Their duel continues.

Inside the throne room, Theed Royal Palace.

The four security battle droids have collapsed. Then, the door opens. NUTE GUNRAY and RUNE HAAKO have clear panic on their face. QUEEN AMIDALA, her handmaiden and CAPTAIN PANAKA enter, all armed, blasters raised.

QUEEN AMIDALA: Surrender, viceroy!

NUTE GUNRAY: Queen Amidala. You...you survived!

QUEEN AMIDALA: The assassination attempt? You tried to have me killed.

NUTE GUNRAY: *Me*? I never ordered your death. I am serving a client, but I did not try to have you killed.

QUEEN AMIDALA: I heard a report. You had Governor Bibble killed. You've enslaved the Gungans. You've committed treason, viceroy. And for that, you will die.

PADME AMIDALA: No.

NUTE GUNRAY and RUNE HAAKO stare at her.

PADME AMIDALA: You will not die. You'll be imprisoned and will suffer.

NUTE GUNRAY: You are a mere handmaiden of the queen -

PADME AMIDALA: No. I am Queen Amidala. She's my decoy. I will decide your fate.

CAPTAIN PANAKA: Your majesty?

Inside the droid control ship.

TEY HOW: Sir. We're rerouting the power. They should recieve the signal shortly...

Inside the throne room of Theed Royal Palace.

The security battle droids get back up.

CAPTAIN PANAKA: What trick are you trying to play, viceroy?

The security battle droids prepare their blasters. CAPTAIN PANAKA blasts them all. RUNE HAAKO raises his hands, surrendering.

RUNE HAAKO: No! No!

CAPTAIN PANAKA blasts him and kills him. PADME AMIDALA stares at him.

PADME AMIDALA: Captain! Why?

CAPTAIN PANAKA: The punishment for treason is death.

He points his blaster at NUTE GUNRAY.

PADME AMIDALA: Captain! Stand down. That's an order!

CAPTAIN PANAKA: He enslaved this planet, your majesty. You must understand.

PAMDE AMIDALA: I can't allow this.

CAPTAIN PANAKA: Fine.

He sets his blaster to stun then presses the trigger, stunning NUTE GUNRAY, who collapses onto the floor.

Hills, Naboo.

The droids get up. The Jedi are unaware and many Jedi (such as BULTAR SWAN, MELIK GALERHA, MA'KIS'SHAALAS, PABLO JILL and J'OOPI SHE) are killed. The surviving Jedi activate their lightsabers and start taking out the droids.

OOM-9: Fire -

He's destroyed by MACE WINDU. The Jedi are taking out the final two legions. YADDLE is circled by ten battle droids, who all fire at her. She is able to take out some of the droids, but the circle increases. She is gunned down and killed.

MACE WINDU: Yaddle!

In the distance, a C-9979 landing craft lands and two MTTs come out, releasing thousands of battle droids. They march to Theed Royal Palace, guns at the ready.

Back at the battle site, HASLEY is gunned down.

### Chapter Five: Liberation

Inside the Theed Power Generator.

DARTH MAUL is still taking on QUI-GON JINN and OBI-WAN KENOBI with relative ease. They make their way to the main generator room, however the corridor to it has force fields. The force fields are activated. OBI-WAN KENOBI is trapped in the first force field, wheras QUI-GON JINN is trapped in the final one.

OBI-WAN KENOBI pants, waiting eagerly for the force field to deactivate, lightsaber at the ready, whereas QUI-GON JINN deactivates his lightsaber, kneels on the floor, and starts to meditate. DARTH MAUL slashes the force field with his lightsaber. It deactivates. QUI-GON JINN quickly gets up and activates his lightaber, and resumes his duel with DARTH MAUL. OBI-WAN KENOBI runs towards DARTH MAUL to resume fighting him, however the force fields are activated again, and OBI-WAN KENOBI is trapped in the final force field.

Space.

A Jedi starfighter is shot down by a vulture droids. A dozen vulture droids have come out of the droid control ship and fire at the four remaining Jedi starfighters.

PLO KOON: All craft, concentrate your fire on the starfighters.

The Jedi starfighters start to take out the vulture droids.

Inside a Republic Venator's bridge.

ADMIRAL TARKIN: Open fire.

Space.

The Republic Venators open fire and bombard the droid control ship.

Inside the droid control ship.

DAULTAY DOFINE: Noooooooooo!

DAULTAY DOFINE & TEY HOW: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Space.

The droid control ship explodes.

Hill, Theed.

BARRISS OFFEE is gunned down. Then, the battle droids collapse, deactivated. MACE WINDU and the Jedi survivors look up at the sky and see a large explosion in space.

MACE WINDU: The droid control ship's been destroyed!

MACE WINDU, KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, SHAAK TI, LUMINARA UNDULI, AAYLA SECURA, EVEN PIELL, OPPO RANCISIS, ADI GALLIA, STASS ALLIE, COLEMAN TREBOR, EETH KOTH, AGEN KOLAR, DEPA BILLABA, COLEMAN KCAJ, BOLLA ROPAL and the other survivors get into the gunships which take off.

Inside Republic Gunship.

MACE WINDU: Circle round to the palace. We'll pick up Master Qui-Gon and his Padawan.

Hills, Theed.

All the gunships fly out of the planet except one, which flies to the Theed Royal Palace.

The battle droids marching towards the Theed Royal Palace deactivate and collapse like dominos.

Inside the Theed power generator.

QUI-GON JINN is clearly struggling with DARTH MAUL. DARTH MAUL knocks QUI-GON JINN'S lightsaber out of his hand, then impales him with one of his lightsaber's blades.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Noooooooooooooo!

DARTH MAUL pulls the blade out of QUI-GON JINN. The latter collapses onto the ground, dead.

The force field deactivates and OBI-WAN KENOBI runs out. He agressively clashes DARTH MAUL's lightsaber, feeding into his hate and anger. He cuts DARTH MAUL's lightsaber in half. One half falls to the ground, whilst DARTH MAUL keeps holding the other half. They continue their duel, with DARTH MAUL holding his saber like a standard single-bladed lightsaber. DARTH MAUL is able to disarm OBI-WAN KENOBI. He then uses the Force to send him hurtling down the generator shaft. However OBI-WAN KENOBI grabs onto a vent, and holds on. He watches DARTH MAUL kick his lightsaber down the shaft, past him.

Inside the Theed Royal Palace's hangar.

The Republic gunship lands. MACE WINDU, KIT FISTO, AGEN KOLAR and KI-ADI-MUNDI get out. They make their way to the Theed power generator.

Inside the Theed Power Generator.

DARTH MAUL is taunting OBI-WAN KENOBI; he's using his lightsaber to send sparks flying towards OBI-WAN KENOBI. OBI-WAN KENOBI looks at QUI-GON JINN's lightsaber. He uses the Force to pull it towards him. He jumps from the vent, onto the floor above the shaft and catches the lightsaber. He activates it and swiftly cuts DARTH MAUL in half, just as the latter in about to decapitate him. DARTH MAUL hurtles down the shaft, falling out of view.

OBI-WAN KENOBI deactivates his lightsaber and makes his way over to QUI-GON. He holds the dead body in his arms, and cries, the tears dropping onto QUI-GON JINN'S lifeless face, still one of shock. He hears rapid footseps and activates QUI-GON JINN's lightsaber, ready.

MACE WINDU (O.C.): Master Qui-Gon! Master Qui-Gon!

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Master Windu!

MACE WINDU (O.C.): Padawan Kenobi. Where are you?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: In the room with the main generator shaft.

The doors open. Once OBI-WAN KENOBI realises that it's MACE WINDU, KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO and AGEN KOLAR, he deactivates QUI-GON JINN's lightsaber and puts it on his belt. The Jedi spot QUI-GON JINN's dead body and the lightsaber wound through it. MACE WINDU then spots half of DARTH MAUL's saber. He uses the Force to lift it up and over to his hand, and then he activates it.

MACE WINDU: What happened?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: A Sith Lord. I fear the Sith have returned. It was a Zabrak, Master. From Dathomir.

MACE WINDU: Very well. Prepare a full report in front of the Jedi Council.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Yes, Master.

MACE WINDU: Let's go.

He tosses the half of DARTH MAUL's lightsaber down the generator shaft.

Inside the hangar in Theed Royal Palace.

A Republic frigate has landed. Two Senate guards and CAPTAIN PANAKA wrestle NUTE GUNRAY - handcuffed - onto the frigate. PADME AMIDALA, the handmaiden, the queen decoy, R2-D2 and JAR JAR BINKS board the frigate, which takes off.

Space.

The final Republic gunship flies into the Republic Venator, followed by the Republic frigate. They then jump to hyperspace.

Chancellor's Office, Galactic Senate.

PALPATINE, now chancellor, is on talking to DOOKU via hologram.

DOOKU: Congratulations on the election, *chancellor*. I have contacted Prime Minister Lama Su of Kamino. The new army is ready and await your command.

PALPATINE: Good. Everything is in place for the destruction of the Jedi.

## Part 2: *Attack of the Clones*

*In this universe,* Attack of the Clones *takes place mere days after* The Phantom Menace *- 32 BBY.*

### Chapter Six: Turmoil

Inside the Senate bulding.

MAS AMMEDA: Order! Order! Calm down!

LOT DODD: This is treachery! A peaceful Trade Federation ship was bombarded by a Republic cruiser! Many of our staff have been killed. A Naboo guard executed an unarmed, surrendering man. Our droids cost millions of credits and your ships and Jedi have destroyed them!

CHANCELLOR PALPATINE: Those actions were necessary, senator. The Trade Federation was blockading an entire system and enslaving Gungans -

LOT DODD: This cannot be. Those words are unture! The Trade Federation is legally suing the Galactic Republic and once that's done, we will be leaving the Republic and joining Count Dooku's Confederacy of Independant Systems.

Senators boo him.

CHANCELLOR PALPATINE: That's not a possibility, senator.

LOT DODD: You cannot control us. We have the right to leave the Republic whenever we wish to do so. And we do, chancellor.

Coruscant landing pad.

The Republic frigate with PADME AMIDALA is making its way to the landing pad. It lands and PADME AMIDALA, JAR JAR BINKS, CAPTAIN TYPHO (who escorts NUTE GUNRAY out) and R2-D2 get out, whilst the others are going down the ramp.

BOOM!

The entire ship explodes and the landing pad goes up in flames. The survivors of the explosion (PADME AMIDALA, JAR BINKS, CAPTAIN TYPHO, NUTE GUNRAY and R2-D2) all get up, injured. Everyone else was killed. CAPTAIN TYPHO looks up and spots a bounty hunter in the distance. He fires a few shots, but the bounty hunter is too far away.

CAPTAIN TYPHO: You alright, my lady?

PADME AMIDALA: I'm fine.

She runs over to her decoy. She crouches down at her as the life fades away.

PADME AMIDALA: Corde!

CAPTAIN TYPHO: She did her duty. As did you. (He turns to NUTE GUNRAY) Was that one of your men?

NUTE GUNRAY: I know nothing of this!

Inside the chancellor's office.

YODA, MACE WINDU, PLO KOON, KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, LUMINARA UNDULI and SHAAK TI are all present.

YODA: Joining Dooku's confederacy, more systems are.

PALPATINE: I will not allow this Republic, which has stood for a thousand years, come crumbling down.

MACE WINDU: If they do break away -

PALPATINE: They won't, Master Jedi. Don't worry. I will do everything in my power to make sure of it.

MACE WINDU: The Trade Federation -

PALPATINE: The Trade Federation are headed by slimy Neomodians. They give their allegiance to no-one but themselves. They will betray Dooku in due time.

A hologram of ONACONDA FARR appears. He mutters something in his native language. PALPATINE nods, and the hologram flickers off.

PALPATINE: We will have to continue this meeting later, Masters.

The Jedi get up. The doors open and many senators, such as ONACONDA FARR, ASK AAK, BAIL ORGANA and ORN FREE TAA enter. At the end, so does PADME AMIDALA. YODA and MACE WINDU walk over to her.

YODA: On your election results, congratulations, senator.

PADME AMIDALA: Thank you, Master Yoda.

YODA: Your attack on the landing pad. Seeing you safe brings warmth to my heart.

MACE WINDU: Do you have any suspicions behind who attacked you, senator?

PADME AMIDALA: Perhaps...Count Dooku.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: Count Dooku is a political idealist, not a murderer.

MACE WINDU: Master Mundi is correct. Count Dooku was once a Jedi. Although he left the Order so perhaps his morals have changed.

YODA: Have a personal guard, Senator Amidala should have. One that is a Jedi. And knows her.

SENATOR AMIDALA: What about Obi-Wan Kenobi?

MACE WINDU: It could happen. He's just passed the Jedi trials to Knighthood. Very well.

YODA: Send him to you, we will.

The remaining Jedi leave the room.

PADME AMIDALA'S apartment.

PADME AMIDALA is sitting on her sofa. CAPTAIN TYPHO is present as well. The doors open and OBI-WAN KENOBI enters.

PADME AMIDALA: Obi-Wan. Thank you for coming.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I'm merely doing my duty, *senator*.

Inside the Senate.

PADME AMIDALA: Someone tried to have me killed. Our landing pad was bombed. There were far too many casualties. My handmaiden, the senate guards, the pilots and Captain Panaka were all killed. This was a clear terrorist attack and the only person - or group, shall I say - that would have reason to is Count Dooku and the Confederacy of Independant Systems. The new allies of the Trade Federation.

CHANCELLOR PALPATINE: What are you wanting with this?

PADME AMIDALA: I'm not *wanting* anything from this. I'm just telling you facts and giving a report.

Inside Padme Amidala's apartment.

PADME AMIDALA and OBI-WAN KENOBI are talking.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: The shuttle is ready for departure, senator.

PADME AMIDALA: Thank you, Obi-Wan -

BAM!

A blast hits PADME AMIDALA. She collapses to the floor.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Captain!

CAPTAIN TYPHO rushes through.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Take care of her.

He spots ASN-121, the droid which shot PADME, hovering outside the window. He jumps out of the window, and jumps onto the droid.

CAPTAIN TYPHO: My lady. Are you alright?

PADME AMIDALA murmurs weakly. Then passes out.

### Chapter Seven: Chase

Coruscant Highway

OBI-WAN KENOBI grabs onto ASN-121 who wiggles a bit, trying to shake OBI-WAN KENOBI off, however the Jedi Knight has a good grip and stays on. Using one hand to hold onto the droid, OBI-WAN takes his lightsaber out with his other one. He slices a bit of the droid, and they both fall.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Whoa!

They land on an air speeder.

AIR SPEEDER DRIVER: Who are you?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. Sorry about these. Please keep driving.

The air speeder driver rolls his eyes, but keeps driving anyway. OBI-WAN KENOBI uses force (not *The Force*) to keep ASN-121 from flying off. He starts to haywire the droid.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Now. Where are you from?

In the distance, bounty hunter ZAM WESELL is contacting JANGO FETT via hologram.

ZAM WESELL: Senator Amidala has been taken out, Fett.

JANGO FETT: Good. Make your way to the rendezvous. No delays.

ZAM WESELL nods, then gets into her air speeder, which zooms off.

Back with OBI-WAN KENOBI, he's finally finished hijacking ASN-121.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (TO ASN-121): C'mon. Let's go to your master.

He jumps off the side of the air speeder, holding onto ASN-121.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (TO THE AIR SPEEDER DRIVER): Sorry about that.

ASN-121 zooms off, with OBI-WAN KENOBI holding on.

ZAM WESELL is driving her air speeder through the air. ASN-121 catches up with the speeder. ZAM WESELL realises this. She takes out her blaster and shoots ASN-121 in the head. The destroyed droid falls all the way down to the bottom of Coruscant, however OBI-WAN KENOBI manages to jump onto the speeder. He kicks ZAM WESELL'S hand and her blaster falls out of her hand. OBI-WAN KENOBI uses his lightsaber to destroy the speeder's engines. They go tumbling down. ZAM WESELL kicks OBI-WAN KENOBI and he falls over. He gets back up. Both he and ZAM WESELL jump off as the speeder crashes and explodes. The crowd screams as OBI-WAN KENOBI and ZAM WESELL jump off.

OBI-WAN KENOBI points his lightsaber at ZAM WESELL's neck. She continues to back off from him. OBI-WAN KENOBI uses the Force to slam her against the wall. She falls onto the ground. OBI-WAN KENOBI points his lightsaber at her again.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Who hired you?

ZAM WESELL: It was a bounty hunter!

OBI-WAN KENOBI: What was their name?

ZAM WESELL: He was called -

She collapses, dying.

ZAM WESELLL (MUFFLED): Fett.

OBI-WAN KENOBI examines her neck and discovers a small dart lodged in her neck.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (TO HIMSELF): Toxic dart?

He looks up as JANGO FETT zooms off. OBI-WAN KENOBI uses the Force to stop JANGO FETT's jetpack for a few seconds and jumps up towards him. JANGO FETT fires his blasters. OBI-WAN KENOBI deflects them, however JANGO FETT is able to escape. OBI-WAN KENOBI sighs.

Inside PADME AMIDALA's apartment.

PADME AMIDALA is lying in her bed. CAPTAIN TYPHO is talking to OBI-WAN KENOBI (who is on a hologram).

CAPTAIN TYPHO: Senator Amidala is still alive. She'll survive this attack, but she'll need time to recuperate.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: She'll have to move quickly. She can't stay there for long.

CAPTAIN TYPHO: I'll organise a shuttle for her.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Good. I'll be around shortly.

Coruscant Underworld.

The hologram of CAPTAIN TYPHO flickers off. Pan up to one level above. JANGO FETT was watching the entire conversation.

### Chapter Eight: Refuge

Inside PADME AMIDALA's apartment.

The door opens and OBI-WAN KENOBI enters.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: How is she?

CAPTAIN TYPHO: She's recovering. But it'll take him.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: The shuttle's ready.

PADME AMIDALA enters the room.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Senator.

PADME AMIDALA: Obi-Wan.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: The shuttle's ready. Are you alright?

PADME AMIDALA: I'm fine for the moment. I can walk, but I can't attend the senate meetings, even by hologram.

JAR JAR BINKS enters.

PADME AMIDALA: May I introduce my representative, Represenative Binks?

JAR JAR BINKS smiles, clearly happy with his new position.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: We should move. The bounty hunter might soon be back.

A protocol droid approaches: C-3PO. He picks up the luggage cases and makes for the door with R2-D2. OBI-WAN KENOBI leads PADME AMIDALA out, with CAPTAIN TYPHO taking up the rear. JAR JAR BINKS remains.

PADME AMIDALA's private hangar.

OBI-WAN KENOBI, PADME AMIDALA, CAPTAIN TYPHO, C-3PO and R2-D2 come out to the landing pad. They board the shuttle, which then departs.

Coruscant.

JANGO FETT flies up to PADME AMIDALA's shuttle and grabs onto it. He places a tracking beacon on the ship, then lets go and lands back down on the gound. No-one on the shuttle realises this, and it flies off.

On the ground, JANGO FETT activates a hologram of COUNT DOOKU.

COUNT DOOKU: Is Senator Amidala dead yet?

JANGO FETT: Not...yet. But I've placed a tracker on her ship. She will die in due time.

COUNT DOOKU: Very well. I have faith that you will succeed, Fett. Do not fail.

JANGO FETT: I won't. I assure you.

Hyperspace.

PADME AMIDALA's shuttle is travelling through hyperspace.

Inside PADME AMIDALA's shuttle.

OBI-WAN KENOBI is talking to the Jedi Council, who are all holograms.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Fortunately, Senator Amidala survived the assassination attempt, although she will need time to recover.

MACE WINDU: Were you able to get a glimpse of the bounty hunter?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: The bounty hunter who tried to kill Senator Amidala...was killed.

MACE WINDU: They're dead?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: But they were a clawdite. But their client was a man in Mandalorian armour.

YODA: A Mandalorian? Hmm.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: He used a toxic dart. Since the Mandalorians don't use them, I'm conducting an analysis on the dart to see where it came from.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: Keep Senator Amidala hidden and out of public eye. No-one outwith us and your ship's crew must know where she is.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Yes, Master.

The holograms flicker off.

SHUTTLE PILOT: My Lady, we'll be arriving at Naboo shortly.

Inside Republic Prison.

Someone in a cloak walks down the corridor. They Force-choke two guards and kill them. They walk over to NUTE GUNRAY's cell and deactivate the ray shield.

MYSTERIOUS PERSON: Come with me!

NUTE GUNRAY: Who are you?

MYSTERIOUS PERSON: Someone that's rescuing you.

NUTE GUNRAY is shocked.

MYSTERIOUS PERSON: Unless you'd rather stay here.

Four senate guards run down the corridor, staffs at the ready. The mysterious person activates two lightsabers and takes all four of them out with ease.

MYSTERIOUS PERSON: *Come on*!

NUTE GUNRAY and the mysterious person run down the corridor to a hangar.

Inside the Republic hangar prison.

NUTE GUNRAY and the mysterious person run to a starfighter.

Inside the starfighter.

The mysterious person gets into the pilot's chair whilst NUTE GUNRAY sits in the copilot seat. The mysterious person presses many buttons.

Coruscant.

The starfighter leaves the Republic prison and flies off.

Inside the starfighter.

The mysterious person removes their cloak, revealling them to be: ASAJJ VENTRESS. She activates a hologram of COUNT DOOKU.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Viceroy Gunray has been retrieved, Master.

COUNT DOOKU: Good job. Bring him to the droid factory on Geonosis.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Yes, Master.

Space.

ASAJJ VENTRESS' starfighter flies out of Coruscant and jumps to hyperspace.

Hyperspace.

PADME AMIDALA's shuttle is travelling through hyperspace.

Inside PADME AMIDALA's shuttle.

SHUTTLE PILOT: We're coming up on Naboo.

Space.

PADME AMIDALA's shuttle exits hyperspace and flies down to Naboo. So does *Slave I*.

Naboo.

PADME AMIDALA's shuttle flies into Naboo, followed by *Slave I*.

Inside PADME AMIDALA's shuttle.

SHUTTLE PILOT: We've got a ship following us.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Stay away from the surface. If he fires and we're too close, innocent civilians will die.

SHUTTLE PILOT: Yes, sir.

Naboo.

*Slave I* open fires on PADME AMIDALA's shuttle. It's hit. *Slave I* flies around to in front of the shuttle and fires at the cockpit, killing the two pilots and taking out the consoles. The shuttle is tumbling down to the ground.

Inside PADME AMIDALA's shuttle.

OBI-WAN KENOBI looks out of the window and sees the smoke. The ship takes another hit and falls faster. OBI-WAN KENOBI takes out his lightsaber and cuts the door off its hinges. It tumbles away.

CAPTAIN TYPHO: What are you doing?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Saving your life. Jump.

CAPTAIN TYPHO: Are you crazy?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: It's the only way you'll survive.

PADME AMIDALA: Trust him.

He jumps, followed by CAPTAIN TYPHO. OBI-WAN KENOBI uses the Force to land them smoothly. R2-D2 uses his rocket boosts to get out the hole.

C-3PO: Sir! Sir! What about me?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Don't worry.

C-3PO falls out the doorway. OBI-WAN KENOBI uses the Force to lower C-3PO slowly onto the ground. *Slave I* flies past and fires again at the shuttle, splitting it in half. OBI-WAN KENOBI launches his grapple hook onto *Slave I*. He jumps from the shuttle and soars in the air, holding tightly onto the rope.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (TO CAPTAIN TYPHO, INTO COMM): Get Senator Amidala to safety.

CAPTAIN TYPHO: Yes, sir. What about you?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Don't worry about me. I'll be down shortly.

JANGO FETT realises that OBI-WAN KENOBI is holding on. He moves the ship quickly so that OBI-WAN KENOBI falls off, which eventually happens.

However, he manages to place a tracking beacon on *Slave I*.

OBI-WAN KENOBI lands on the ground next to PADME AMIDALA. *Slave I* circles around and opens fire in PADME AMIDALA's direction. An explosion hits her and CAPTAIN TYPHO and they are flung far back.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Padme!

OBI-WAN KENOBI runs over to PADME AMIDALA. He turns her over so he can see her face.

PADME AMIDALA (DYING): Obi-Wan -

She dies. OBI-WAN KENOBI checks CAPTAIN TYPHO, and confirms that he too is dead.

### Chapter Nine: Councils

Inside *Slave I*.

JANGO FETT: Senator Amidala is dead.

COUNT DOOKU: Good job.

Inside the CIS Geonosis Council chambers.

The CIS Council is gathered (COUNT DOOKU: the leader, POGGLE THE LESSER: Geonosian droid factories, WAT TAMBOR: Techno Union, PASSEL ARGENTE: Corporate Alliance, SAN HILL: InterGalactic Banking Clan, SHU MAI: Commerce Guild, TIKKES: Free Dac Volunteers Engineering Corps & Pammant Docks and finally PO NUDO: Hyper-Communincations Cartel). ASAJJ VENTRESS (DOOKU's apprentice - not a Sith, but an assassin) and NUTE GUNRAY (viceroy of the Trade Federation) enter.

NUTE GUNRAY: Ah. Count.

COUNT DOOKU: Viceroy. I see that my apprentice has made good care with your rescue. Senator Amidala has been killed.

NUTE GUNRAY: I want the head on my desk as proof. Then I will sign your contract.

COUNT DOOKU: Patience, viceroy, patience. You will get her head in good time. *Once* you have signed the contact.

NUTE GUNRAY: No. The head *first*.

COUNT DOOKU: I hope my apprentice didn't put in so much effort to rescue you for nothing.

He nods, and ASAJJ VENTRESS walks closer. She activates one of her lightsabers and places it milimeters away from NUTE GUNRAY's neck.

COUNT DOOKU: I would suggest you reconsider this offer.

NUTE GUNRAY: Very well.

COUNT DOOKU nods and ASAJJ VENTRESS deactivates her lightsaber and walks back.

WAT TAMBOR (IN HIS DIALECT): The Techno Union pledges our allegiance to the Confederacy of Independant Systems.

SHU MAI (IN HER DIALECT): So do the Commerce Guild.

SAN HILL: After careful consideration...the Banking Clan *shall* join you, Count.

COUNT DOOKU: These words are most pleasing. Archduke. How many battle droids are mobile?

POGGLE THE LESSER (IN HIS DIALECT): Ten million at the moment. But it doesn't take long to make more.

COUNT DOOKU: Good. Prepare your armies. Soon, we will move against the Republic.

Inside the Jedi Council Chambers inside the Jedi Temple.

A hologram of OBI-WAN KENOBI is being projected. The council members are the same as previously, however YADDLE has been replaced by SHAAK TI and YARAEL POOF has been replaced by COLEMAN TREBOR.

PLO KOON: How is Senator Amidala holding up?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I'm afraid things have taken a turn for the worst.

SHAAK TI: In what way?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I'm afraid that Senator Amidala is dead.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: *Dead*?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Unfortunately. That Mandalorian bounty hunter must've tracked us to Naboo. He attacked our ship and she was killed in the explosion. I did everything in my power to protect her, but it wasn't enough. I've tracked his ship, however.

MACE WINDU: What of that dart that he used?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Well, my analysis isn't yet complete, but I've managed to narrow it down to five systems: Rodia, Kamino, Sullust, Raxus and Saleucami.

SAESEE TIIN: *Kamino*?

YODA: A system outwith our galaxy, it is.

MACE WINDU: I'd say Raxus is the most likely. They're the public head of the Separatists and they'd most likely wish to assassinate some senators. As for Rodia, Sullust and Saleucami, they're all Republic systems, so I'd rule them out but stay cautious. Track this bounty hunter. If he goes to any of these systems, then it's probably the system that the dart came from. But finish your analysis first.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Yes, Masters.

Space.

*Slave I* exits hyperspace and flies down to the planet below: Kamino.

Kamino.

The planet is raining heavily, as always. It's also very dark and gloomy. All the structures are built on supports raising them above the sea and they appear like fully enclosed domes. *Slave I* flies towards the largest one: Tipoca City.

Inside the Senate building.

MAS AMMEDA: Order! Order!

ONACONDA FARR: This proves it! The Separatist forces are going as far as to *assassinate* our senators.

ORN FREE TAA: We have to fight back!

BAIL ORGANA: Calm down! This isn't what Senator Amidala would've wanted, is it?

CHANCELLOR PALPATINE: I agree with you, Senator Organa, although you don't want her to have died in vain, now do you?

BAIL ORGANA eyes CHANCELLOR PALPATINE suspiciously.

Inside the chancellor's office.

Many senators (including BAIL ORGANA, ONACONDA FARR, ORN FREE TAA, ASK AAK and JAR JAR BINKS) are present to discuss this.

CHANCELLOR PALPATINE: My friends, I believe that war is imminent. If we don't fight back more and more of our senators will be murdered. We don't know how many.

MAS AMMEDA: Yes. If only...Senator Amidala were still with us. I'm sure she'd have passed this bill.

JAR JAR BINKS has a clear look of duty in him.

CHANCELLOR PALPATINE: Yes. If only.

BAIL ORGANA looks disapprovingly.

BAM!

ORN FREE TAA collapses dead. The attack takes another shot, now killing ONACONDA FARR.

CHANCELLOR PALPATINE: We have to go! This place isn't safe!

The survivors make their way to the door. It opens, but ASK AAK is killed. The others run out of the door. The assassin fires two shots, but the doors close just in time and the blasts hit the door.

Coruscant.

Reveal that it was AURRA SING who killed the three senators.

Inside the Senate.

CHANCELLOR PALPATINE: With more and more senators being killed, we *have* to stand up to COUNT DOOKU's Separatist forces. Otherwise, who knows. Every single one of us and any one of us may end up dead. This is our only option.

The senators clap and cheer CHANCELLOR PALPATINE.

Inside the Jedi Council chamber in the Jedi Temple.

OBI-WAN KENOBI is back up by hologram.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I've completed my analysis of the dart and its origins lead back to Kamino.

YODA: Investigate the planet, you must. Report back to us your findings, do.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Yes, Master.

MACE WINDU: Oh, and if you find that bounty hunter, make sure to capture him. Once you return, we'll start to question him. Don't let him be killed.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Yes, Master.

He bows and the hologram flickers off.

Inside the hangar at Theed Royal Palace.

OBI-WAN KENOBI, C-3PO and R2-D2 get into a shuttle, which then flies off.

Space.

OBI-WAN KENOBI's shuttle jumps to hyperspace.

### Chapter Ten: Kamino

Space.

OBI-WAN KENOBI's shuttle exits hyperspace and flies down to Kamino.

Kamino.

It's still heavily raining on Kamino. OBI-WAN KENOBI's shuttle flies down to Tipoca City and lands on one of its landing pads.

Tipoca City landing pad.

The shuttle lands and OBI-WAN KENOBI exits. R2-D2 starts trundling down the ramp.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: No, R2. Stay on the ship with C-3PO. I'll contact you if I need some help.

R2-D2 cheeps. OBI-WAN KENOBI walks towards the entrance to the city. The automatic doors open and a Kaminoan is standing there - TAUN WE.

TAUN WE: Welcome.

OBI-WAN KENOBI enters.

Inside Tipoca City corridor.

TAUN WE: Master Jedi. The prime minister is expecting you.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (SURPRISED): I'm expected?

TAUN WE: Of course. He is anxious to meet you. After all these years, we were beginning to think you weren't coming. Now please. This way.

She leads him down a corridor, towards the prime minister's office.

Inside the prime minister's office.

The doors open and OBI-WAN KENOBI and TAUN WE enter. LAMA SU, prime minister, is waiting for them.

TAUN WE: May I present Lama Su, prime minister of Kamino.

Both OBI-WAN KENOBI and LAMA SU bow to each other.

TAUN WE: And this is Master Jedi -

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Obi-Wan Kenobi.

LAMA SU: I trust you're going to enjoy your stay. Please.

He gestures a seat for OBI-WAN KENOBI to sit down on, which he does. LAMA SU sits down on his, whilst TAUN WE stands.

LAMA SU: And now to business. You will be delighted to hear that we are on schedule. Two-hundred thousand units are ready, with a million more well on the way.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (CLEARLY CONFUSED): That's...good news.

LAMA SU: Please tell your Master, Sifo-Dyas that his order will be met on time.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (STILL CONFUSED): I'm sorry, Master....?

LAMA SU: Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas is still a leading member of the Jedi Council, is he not?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Master Sifo-Dyas was killed almost ten years ago.

LAMA SU: Oh. I'm so sorry to hear that, but I'm sure he would've been proud of the army we've built for him.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (ONCE AGAIN CONFUSED): The army?

LAMA SU: Yes. A clone army. And I must say, one of the finest we've ever created.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Tell me, prime minister, when my Master first contact you about the army, did he say what it was for?

LAMA SU: Of course he did. This army is for the Republic. But you must be anxious to inspect the units for yourself.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: That's why I'm here.

OBI-WAN KENOBI and LAMA SU stand up. They - with TAUN WE - leave

Inside clone breeding gallery.

OBI-WAN KENOBI, LAMA SU and TAUN WE are walking down the corridor.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Very impressive.

LAMA SU: I hoped you would be pleased. Clones can think creatively. You'll find they are immensly superior to droids. We take great pride in our combat education and training programs. This group was created about five years ago.

He peers down at some younger clones wearing blue, and doing some sort of digital task.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: You mentioned growth acceloration.

LAMA SU: Oh, yes. It's essential, otherwise a mature clone would take a lifetime to grow. No, we can do it in half the time.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I see.

LAMA SU: They are totally obedient, taking any order without question. We modified their genetic structure to make them less independent and the original host.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: And who was the original host?

LAMA SU: A bounty hunter called Jango Fett.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: And where is this bounty hunter now?

LAMA SU: Oh, we keep him here. He just leaves every now and then to take on a job, then he returns.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I would very much like to meet this, Jango Fett.

TAUN WE: Very well. I'm sure that can be arranged.

Inside the corridor to JANGO FETT's apartment.

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 KENOBI: Unaltered?

LAMA SU: Pure, genetic replication. No tampering with the structure to make it more docile and no growth acceloration.

OBI-WAN KENOBI watches as clones are marching onto large ships.

LAMA SU: Magnificent, aren't they.

They arrive at JANGO FETT's apartment. LAMA SU walks off. TAUN WE opens the door.

TAUN WE: Boba. Is your father here?

BOBA FETT: Yup.

TAUN WE: May we see him?

BOBA FETT: Sure.

Inside JANGO FETT's apartment.

BOBA FETT: Dad! Taun We's here.

The doors close. OBI-WAN KENOBI peers around. JANGO FETT - without the armour - walks over.

TAUN WE: Jango. Welcome back.

OBI-WAN KENOBI bows to JANGO FETT.

TAUN WE: Was your trip productive?

JANGO FETT: Fairly.

TAUN WE: This is Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. He's come to check on our progress.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: 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.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Ever made your way as far into the interior as Coruscant?

JANGO FETT: Once or twice.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Recently?

JANGO FETT: Possibly.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Then you must know Master Sifo-Dyas.

JANGO FETT ignores this and walks over to BOBA FETT. He mutters something in another dialect, and then looks back at OBI-WAN KENOBI, once BOBA FETT has left.

JANGO FETT: Master who?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Sifo-Dyas.

He spots some Mandalorian armour, similar to the bounty hunter's from Coruscant and Naboo, stashed in a room off to the side.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Is he not the Jedi who hired you for this job?

JANGO FETT: Never heard of him.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (DISBELIEVINGLY): Really?

JANGO FETT: I was recruited by a man named Tyrannus on one of the moons of Bokdur.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Curious.

There's an akward silence.

JANGO FETT: Do you like your army?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I look forward to seeing them in action.

JANGO FETT: They'll do their job well. I'll guarantee that.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Thank you for your time, Jango.

He bows his head slightly.

JANGO FETT: Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi.

OBI-WAN KENOBI leaves, followed by TAUN WE.

BOBA FETT: What is it, dad?

JANGO FETT: Pack your things. We're leaving.

Tipoca City landing pad.

It - as always - is still raining. The doors open and OBI-WAN KENOBI exits the buildings and out onto the the landing pad. He walks over to his shuttle, which he boards.

Inside the chancellor's office.

Many are present: PALPATINE, YODA, MACE WINDU, PLO KOON, KI-ADI-MUNDI, BAIL ORGANA and JAR JAR BINKS, just to name a few.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Masters. I'm on Kamino. I've spoken to the Kaminoans and found the bounty hunter. The Kaminoans have been creating a clone army for the Republic, with the bounty hunter - Jango Fett - as the army's doner.

MACE WINDU: This bounty hunter was the doner for an army for the Republic?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: It appears this way. He said that he ways contacted by a man called Tyrannus.

YODA: Tyrannus? Hmm.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Do you know that name, Master Yoda?

YODA: Heard the name, I have.

MACE WINDU: Have you managed to capture this bounty hunter? His capture has just gone up in value. We'll interrogate him and ask him about this army. Capture him and bring him to us.

OBI-WAN KENOBI pauses.

YODA: Obi-Wan. More to say, have you?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Yes. The Kaminoans mentioned Master Sifo-Dyas. I was under the impression that he's been dead for ten years, but I'm told that he conscripted the army. All I know is that he supposedly saw a vision of droids taking over the galaxy and requested and army to vanquish this.

MACE WINDU: We'll investigate into this after we have dealt with Fett.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Yes, Master.

Inside OBI-WAN KENOBI's shuttle.

The hologram flickers off.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (TO R2-D2): Keep comms online. I'll contact you when I need retrieved.

R2-D2 chirps. OBI-WAN KENOBI leaves.

JANGO FETT's landing pad.

JANGO FETT is walking towards *Slave I*. The door opens and OBI-WAN KENOBI exits. He activates his lightsaber.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Halt. Come with me without a struggle and all will be good.

JANGO FETT: What do you want?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: The Jedi Council has a few questions for you.

JANGO FETT: Questions that don't need answered.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I don't wish to harm you.

JANGO FETT: Isn't it against the Jedi way?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Which is why I'm not wishing to harm you.

JANGO FETT quickly takes his blaster out and fires it in a gunslinger-style move. OBI-WAN KENOBI deflects it back at JANGO FETT who groans. He runs towards his ship, however OBI-WAN KENOBI uses the Force to stop JANGO FETT from moving. He tries to use his jetpack to escape. But after a few seconds, JANGO FETT's jetpack conks out and stops working. He zooms towards OBI-WAN KENOBI. He kicks OBI-WAN KENOBI in his face, knocking the latter back a bit. JANGO FETT runs towards *Slave I*, but OBI-WAN KENOBI front-flips in front of him, blocking the way. JANGO FETT goes to kick him, but OBI-WAN KENOBI catches his leg and flips him onto his back.

JANGO FETT: Stop straining me!

He punches OBI-WAN KENOBI multiples times in the face, knocking him onto the ground. JANGO FETT runs towards *Slave I*. OBI-WAN KENOBI gets up and activates his lightsaber, however BOBA FETT fires *Slave I*'s cannons in OBI-WAN KENOBI's direction. The explosion doesn't hit him, but it sends him flying back, knocking the lightsaber out of his hands. JANGO FETT activates his flamethrower and creates a large flame wall blocking OBI-WAN KENOBI from going towards him.

*Slave I* takes off. OBI-WAN KENOBI activates his comm.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Come and collect me. Quickly.

OBI-WAN KENOBI's shuttle arrives. He gets onto it and then it takes off, following *Slave I*.

Space.

OBI-WAN KENOBI's shuttle flies out of Naboo, just as *Slave I* jumps to hyperspace.

### Chapter Eleven: Geonosis

Space.

*Slave I* exits hyperspace and flies down to Geonosis.

Geonosis.

*Slave I* flies to the battle droid factory.

Battle droid factory, hangar.

*Slave I* lands and JANGO FETT and BOBA FETT exit. AURRA SING also exits her ship.

JANGO FETT: Aurra Sing. Fancy seeing you here.

AURRA SING: I've come here to collect my payment. As, I would assume, are you.

JANGO FETT: I assumed I was their only contractor.

AURRA SING: As did I. Killing senators must be something they really wanted done.

JANGO FETT: They hired you to assassinate senators? I thought I was the only one who was hired for that.

AURRA SING: Who did you kill?

JANGO FETT: Senator Amidala.

AURRA SING: That's it? Pfft. Pathetic. I've killed many senators already and I will gladly kill more if need be.

JANGO FETT: Are you saying that you're better than me?

AURRA SING: Well, let's just say, if only one person's contract should be kept on, then it would be mine.

JANGO FETT: No. It would be mine.

AURRA SING: I disagree.

JANGO FETT: You can disagree all you wish. Your beliefs won't change the facts.

AURRA SING: I was never under the impression that we were talking about facts. But if we are...

She reaches for her blaster, but JANGO FETT is too quick. He shoots her in the chest, and she collapses dead.

BOBA FETT: Dad! Why'd you do that?

JANGO FETT: She was going to kill me. If I didn't do that, she'd have tried to kill me. And probably you.

BOBA FETT: But you didn't need to -

JANGO FETT: Did I not raise to be loyal? To be appreciative.

BOBA FETT: I'm sorry, father.

Inside the chancellor's office.

A hologram of OBI-WAN KENOBI appears. Many are present: MACE WINDU, YODA, PLO KOON, KI-ADI-MUNDI, ASK AAK, BAIL ORGANA and JAR JAR BINKS just for example.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I've tracked Jango Fett to Geonosis.

YODA: Geonosis?

PLO KOON: I believed that it was abandoned.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Apparently not. We've detected a battle droid factory.

MACE WINDU: Then this confirms our theory: Count Dooku and Viceroy Gunray hired Fett to assassinate Senator Amidala.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I'm going to check out the factory.

YODA: May the Force be with you.

OBI-WAN KENOBI bows. Then, the hologram flickers off.

Geonosis.

OBI-WAN KENOBI's shuttle flies towards the battle droid factory. It lands, and OBI-WAN KENOBI, R2-D2 and C-3PO (reluctantly) get out.

R2-D2 chirps.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: This way? Come on.

C-3PO: Oh my.

They make their way towards the battle droid factory.

Inside the Geonosis CIS council chambers.

JANGO FETT and BOBA FETT enter.

COUNT DOOKU: Ah. Fett. I take it you were successful.

JANGO FETT: Correct. Senator Amidala is dead, as are many other senators. I followed through with your other request, as well, Count. The Jedi are aware of the Clone Army.

COUNT DOOKU: Good. I'm sure Lord Sidious will be most pleased.

JANGO FETT bows slightly.

Inside the battle droid factory.

OBI-WAN KENOBI activates his lightsaber.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (WHISPERS): Keep your voices - cheeps - down. We can't attract attention.

They get to a large door. The door opens, and OBI-WAN KENOBI, R2-D2 and C-3PO walk through...

Inside the battle droid assembly room.

OBI-WAN KENOBI, R2-D2 and C-3PO slip and fall onto a conveyor belt. The room is full of battle droids being constructed. C-3PO's head gets knocked off and he is taken to the machines which give battle droids their heads. Meanwhile, his head falls onto the conveyor with heads to be fitted onto droid bodies. His head is put on a battle droid's body, and his body is given a battle droid head.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Oh, not good. R2, try and plot a way out of here.

R2 cheeps then gets to work. He activates his rocket booters and soars around and past many bits of machinery. He swoops down to C-3PO.

C-3PO'S HEAD: R2! Help!

R2-D2 activates his tow-cable and starts to tug on C-3PO.

C-3PO'S HEAD: Watch out, R2! You're going to strain something!

A vat goes is coming right at R2-D2. He is forced to disconnect the tow-cable and zoom out the way.

C-3PO'S HEAD: R2! Don't leave me!

OBI-WAN KENOBI is jumping from vat to vat, trying not to crash or fall. He makes his way to a door at the opposite end of the large room. Both of C-3PO's parts are carted off in the opposite direction.

C-3PO'S HEAD (DISTANT): Help me!

He fades out of view just as his voice fades out of earshot.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: C'mon R2.

R2-D2 chirps sadly.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Don't worry, R2. I'm sure we can retrieve him later.

They open the door and leave the assembly room.

Inside the droid control room corridor.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Keep your sensors peeled. I'll contact Master Yoda back on Coruscant.

R2-D2 cheeps compliently.

Inside the chancellor's office.

A hologram of OBI-WAN KENOBI activates. Everyone who was present before is still present now.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: Master Kenobi.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I don't think I have long. I've gotten inside the battle droid factory on Geonosis. The Separatists can create thousands of battle droids every hour. I believe it essential that you send some Jedi to have it destroyed before more and more battle droids are able to be created. Wait. Hang on -

He activates his lightsaber. The hologram flickers off.

Inside the droid control factory.

Four droidekas surround OBI-WAN KENOBI. So do eight B1 battle droids. Then, just as OBI-WAN KENOBI is taking care of the situation, JANGO FETT walks over.

JANGO FETT: Surrender, Jedi. Give me your weapon.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Jango Fett!

JANGO FETT places a restraining bolt on R2-D2. He raises his blaster back at OBI-WAN KENOBI.

JANGO FETT: The lightsaber. Now.

Reluctantly, OBI-WAN KENOBI deactivates his lightsaber and hands it to JANGO FETT.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: You won't get away with this, you know. The Republic and the Jedi Order will hear about this.

JANGO FETT: I know. In fact, I believe they already have. I'm counting on it.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: So it's a trap.

JANGO FETT: Precisely. And they'll never know.

He leads OBI-WAN KENOBI and R2-D2 away, with the remaining battle droids and droidekas.

Inside the Senate.

JAR JAR BINKS: It's-a clear that the Separatist leader plots wit da Federation traitors. Senate. In reponse, to this direct threat to the Republic, meesa propose that the Senate give immediately emergency powers to the supreme chancellor.

He gestures PALPATINE.

This is met with thunderous applause.

MAS AMMEDA: Order! We shall have order!

PALPATINE: It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy. I love the Republic. The power you give me, I will lay down when this crisis has abated.

More cheers erupt.

PALPATINE: And as my first act with this new authority, I will create a Grand Army of the Republic to counter the increasing strength of the Separatists.

YODA and MACE WINDU have been watching.

MACE WINDU: It is done, then. I will take what Jedi we have left and go to Geonosis to help Obi-Wan.

YODA: Visit, I will, the cloners on Kamino. And see this army they have created for the Republic.

Inside Geonosis catacombs, prison.

OBI-WAN KENOBI is being held by a ray shield. COUNT DOOKU enters.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Traitor.

COUNT DOOKU: Oh, no, my friend. This is a mistake. A terrible mistake; they've gone too far - this is madness.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I thought you were the leader here, Dooku.

COUNT DOOKU: This had nothing to do with me, I assure you. I will petition immediately to have you set free.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Well I hope it doesn't take too long. I have work to do.

COUNT DOOKU: May I ask why a Jedi Knight is all the way out here on Geonosis.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I've been tracking a bounty hunter called Jango Fett - do you know him?

COUNT DOOKU: There are no bounty hunters here that I'm aware of. The geonosians don't trust them.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Well who can blame them, but he is here. I can assure you.

COUNT DOOKU: It's a great pity that our paths have never crossed before, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon always spoke very highly of you. *(A pause.)* I wish he were...still alive. I could use his help right now.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Qui-Gon Jinn would never join you.

COUNT DOOKU: Don't be so sure, my young Jedi. You forget that he was once my apprentice just as you were once his. He knew all about the corruption of the Senate, but he would never have gone along with it if he learnt the truth, as I have.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: The truth?

COUNT DOOKU: The truth. What if I told you the Republic was now under the control of the Dark Lord of the Sith.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: No, that's not possible. The Jedi would be aware of it.

COUNT DOOKU: The Dark Side of the Force has clouded their vision, my friend. Hundreds of senators are now under the influence of a Sith Lord called Darth Sidious.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I don't believe you.

COUNT DOOKU: The viceroy of the Trade Federation was once in league with this Darth Sidious, but he was betrayed by the Dark Lord. He came to me for help, told me everything. You must join me, Obi-Wan, and together, we will destroy the Sith!

OBI-WAN KENOBI sighs for a moment, thinking.

OBI-WAN KENOBI (SIGHING): Very well.

COUNT DOOKU: Good.

Inside the Senate.

PALPATINE: I am proud to announce that our army has been assembled. We are gathering it as we speak. The clone army - the Grand Army of the Republic - is ready for combat.

Senators cheer.

Space.

Two Republic Venators exit hyperspace. There are already multiple CIS dreadnaughts present. C-9979 landing crafts are flying up to the ships, full of battle droids.

Inside the *Invisible Hand*'s bridge.

LUSHROS DOFINE: Sir! Two Republic Venators have exited hyperspace!

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Open fire!

Space.

The CIS dreadnaughts fire at the two Republic Venators.

Inside a Republic Venator's bridge.

ADMIRAL TARKIN: Fire at those ships.

Space.

Many Republic gunships fly out of the Republic Venators, along with many Jedi starfighters. The Republic gunships fly down to the surface, whilst the Jedi starfighters - led by PLO KOON and SAESEE TIIN - fire at the CIS dreadnaughts.

PLO KOON: All craft fire at the lead dreadnaught!

They all fly, in formation, to the *Invisible Hand*, and fire at the latter ship. A Republic gunship is blown up. So is another.

Geonosis.

The surviving six Republic gunships fly down to the battle droid factory.

Inside the battle droid factory, COUNT DOOKU's lair.

A large hologram of SIDIOUS is activated.

COUNT DOOKU: Everything is in place, Lord Sidious.

SIDIOUS: Good. Everything is proceeding according to plan. Continue with your operation. There must be no delays otherwise our plan will fall apart.

COUNT DOOKU: Yes, my Master.

He bows. Then the hologram flickers off.

The doors open and OBI-WAN KENOBI enters.

COUNT DOOKU: Ah. Obi-Wan. The Jedi are coming. You know what to do.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Yes, my Master.

Inside the battle droid factory, entrance corridor.

MACE WINDU, KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, AGEN KOLAR, SHAAK TI, LUMINARA UNDULI, AAYLA SECURA, EVEN PIELL, OPPO RANCISIS, ADI GALLIA, STASS ALLIE, COLEMAN TREBOR, EETH BOTH, DEPA BILLABA, COLEMAN KCAJ, BOLLA ROPAL, QUINLAN VOS, TERA SINUBE, JARO TAPAL, VOOLVIF MONN, CHIATA, RISSA MANO, BAIRDON JACE, ORD ENISENCE, ROTH-DEL MASONA, FI-EK SIRCH, JOCLAND DANVA, TARADOS GON, SORA BULQ, TU-ANH, THOLME, HUULIK, TUTSO MARA, RORON COROBB, FOUL MOUDAMA, B'INK UTRILA, L'LCAIELO SAGEON, PABLO-JILL, NICANAS TASSU, SEPHJET JOSALL, SAR LABOODA, EKIM RYELLI, QUE-MARS REDATH-GOM, ROAN SHRYNE, KHAAT QIYN, EEKAR OKI, FINN ERTAY, KAV BAYONS, AKAR-DESHU, TAN YUSTER, LUMAS ETIMA, SARISSA JENG, ICHI-TAN MICODA and GALDOS STOUFF all walk down the corridor.

MACE WINDU: Go to your positions. Make as little noise as possible, though.

Inside the Separatist Council chambers.

The entire Separatist council - including DOOKU - is present.

COUNT DOOKU: We'll move quickly. Once a reasonable ammount of battle droids have been mobilised, we'll leave this planet. The Republic knows we're here, so they'll come at any point.

His comm beeps. He activates a hologram of GENERAL GRIEVOUS.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: My lord. Two Republic cruisers have come out of hyperspace. And they've launched gunships.

COUNT DOOKU nods.

COUNT DOOKU: Destroy the cruisers. We'll deal with the troopers.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS bows, then the hologram flickers off.

Suddenly, many lightsabers activate.

MACE WINDU: Surrender, Dooku.

The Jedi are circling the walls within the room.

COUNT DOOKU: You're impossibly outnumbered, my friend.

MACE WINDU (SCOFFS): We'll see about that.

Super battle droids march down the many corridors leading into this room. They open fire on the Jedi, who turn around and deflect the blasts back. NICANAS TASSU, SEPHJET JOSALL and SAR LABOODA are killed. The rest start taking control of the droids and start taking them out. The CIS leaders make their way to the exits, however they are blocked. ROTH-DEL MASONA, FI-EK SIRCH, JOCLAND DANVA and TARADOS GON, who are all blocking an exit, are gunned down by four super battle droids. NUTE GUNRAY, POGGLE THE LESSER and WAT TAMBOR manage to escape, however the other leaders are trapped in. MACE WINDU uses Jedi signals - to KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, SHAAK TI, LUMINARA UNDULI and AAYLA SECURA - to order them to follow the CIS leaders who escaped.

COUNT DOOKU activates his lightsaber and swiftly takes out EKIM RYELLI and QUE-MARS REDATH-GOM. MACE WINDU activates his lightsabers and he clashes with COUNT DOOKU. Both seem as skilled as each other. COUNT DOOKU sends Force lightning towards MACE WINDU, however the latter uses his lightsaber to stop it. After bouncing off MACE WINDU's lightsaber, the Force lightning hits the cieling. Some rocks come crumbling down. COUNT DOOKU uses the Force to part of the roof over one of the exits crumbling down, crushing ROAN SHRYNE and KHAAT QIYN. He uses the Force to push KAV BAYONS and AKAR-DESHU (who are guarding an exit) far back. They both hit their heads on the cave wall, knocking them both out. COUNT DOOKU slips away.

The final battle droids are taken out.

MACE WINDU (TO PADAWANS): Keep them here.

He signals to EVEN PIELL, OPPO RANCISIS, ADI GALLIA, STASS ALLIE, COLEMAN TREBOR, EETH BOTH, DEPA BILLABA, COLEMAN KCAJ, BOLLA ROPAL, QUINLAN VOS, TERA SINUBE, JARO TAPAL, VOOLVIF MONN, CHIATA, RISSA MANO, BAIRDON JACE, AGEN KOLAR and ORD ENISENCE to split up and follow COUNT DOOKU. He, CHIATA, BOLLA ROPAL and COLEMAN TREBOR stick together. EVEN PIELL, DEPA BILLABA, COLEMAN KCAJ and JARO TAPAL go another way. As do OPPO RANCISIS, ADI GALLIA, STASS ALLIE and EETH KOTH. QUINLAN VOS, TERA SINUBE and VOOLVIF MONN goes one way, and RISSA MANO, BAIRDON JACE, ORD ENISENCE and AGEN KOLAR go another.

Inside a corridor within the battle droid factory.

RISSA MANO, BAIRDON JACE, ORD ENISENCE and AGEN KOLAR are walking down the corridor. Then, a red lightsaber is activates and ORD ENISENCE collapses dead. Another red lightsaber activates: ASAJJ VENTRESS. RISSA MANO, BAIDON JACE and AGEN KOLAR activate their lightsabers and clash with ASAJJ VENTRESS. With the Jedi's combined strength, ASAJJ VENTRESS is Force pushed against a wall and is knocked out.

AGEN KOLAR: We should keep going.

Space.

A CIS dreadnaught explodes.

Inside the *Invisible Hand*'s bridge.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Deploy the battle droids!

Geonosis.

Three C-9979 landing crafts land and thousands of battle droids are deployed. They march towards the battle droid factory.

Inside DOOKU's hangar within the battle droid factory.

DOOKU enters. OBI-WAN KENOBI is present.

COUNT DOOKU: Obi-Wan. I sense your Jedi friends are on their way. Keep them occupied.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Yes, Master.

The doors open. MACE WINDU, CHITA, BOLLA ROPAL and COLEMAN TREBOR enter.

MACE WINDU: Surrender, Dooku.

He notices OBI-WAN KENOBI.

MACE WINDU: Obi-Wan?

OBI-WAN KENOBI activates his lightsaber. So does COUNT DOOKU. COUNT DOOKU takes out CHIATA with ease, killing her. He takes on MACE WINDU once again, whilst OBI-WAN KENOBI takes on both BOLLA ROPAL and COLEMAN TREBOR.

Then, the doors open, and JANGO FETT - wearing his clone armour - enters. He takes out his blasters and quickly kills BOLLA ROPAL.

MACE WINDU Force pushes COUNT DOOKU away a bit. COLEMAN TREBOR flips over to COUNT DOOKU, ready to kill him, but JANGO FETT fires multiple shots at COLEMAN TREBOR, eventually taking him out. He goes over to MACE WINDU to kill him, but MACE WINDU's lightsaber absorts JANGO FETT's blasts. He then Force pushes JANGO FETT hard into a wall, knocking him unconcious. COUNT DOOKU makes his way to his starfighter. MACE WINDU uses the Force to keep the starfighter from flying off. The starfighter crashes into the ground. Multiple super battle droids enter. They fire stun blasts at MACE WINDU. He is bombarded with so many stun blasts that one eventually gets to him, and he collapses.

Inside the CIS council chambers.

Padawans TAN YUSTER, LUMAS ETIMA, SARISSA JENG, ICHI-TAN MICODA and GALDOS STOUFF are all guarding the remaining CIS councillors and their aides: SAN HILL, PASSEL ARGENTE, his aide DENARIA KEE, PO NUDO, his aide NANK TUN, SHU MAI, her aide CAT MIIN and TIKKES. A dozen super battle droids enter and gun down the Padawans, killing them all.

SUPER BATTLE DROID: Come with us.

They lead the CIS leaders out of the room.

Space.

Three Separatist shuttles - carrying NUTE GUNRAY (in one), POGGLE THE LESSER (in another) and WAT TAMBOR (in the last) - fly up to the *Invisible Hand*.

Inside the droid control factory.

ASAJJ VENTRESS gets up. A hologram of COUNT DOOKU activates.

COUNT DOOKU: Have the surviving Jedi captured, not killed. We will give those skilled enough to evade us the feeling that they won. Lord Sidious has requested that some Jedi return to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant so that they can spread the mind of warfare throughout the Jedi Order.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Yes, Master.

Inside a corridor within the battle droid factory

OPPO RANCISIS, ADI GALLIA, STASS ALLIE and EETH KOTH are walking down the corridor. Multiple super battle droids march then halt in front of them. Multiple super battle droids march then halt behind them.

SUPER BATTLE DROID: Surrender. Drop your weapons. Come with us.

The Jedi try to hack through the super battle droids, however there are too many super battle droids are present.

EETH KOTH: There's too many of them!

SUPER BATTLE DROID: Surrender or be destroyed.

STASS ALLIE deactivates her lightsaber, followed by EETH KOTH, followed by ADI GALLIA, followed reluctantly by OPPO RANCISIS.

SUPER BATTLE DROID: Come with us.

The Jedi walk with the super battle droids.

Inside the hangar within the battle droid factory.

COUNT DOOKU uses his lightsaber to cut through the side of his starfighter he uses the Force to send it flying away. He climbs out with his lightsaber still activated. MACE WINDU gets up.

COUNT DOOKU: My Jedi friend, this is a fight that you can't win. Surrender.

MACE WINDU: I will never surrender to *you*, Dooku.

COUNT DOOKU: That is a decision you will soon regret.

The doors open and KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, SHAAK TI, LUMINARA UNDULI and AAYLA SECURA enter. They activate their lightsabers.

MACE WINDU: I don't think so.

COUNT DOOKU: Master Windu. You're brave, but, er, foolish.

The door opens and many super battle droids enter.

SUPER BATTLE DROID: Surrender!

JANGO FETT takes his blasters out. OBI-WAN KENOBI activates his lightsaber.

COUNT DOOKU: Stun them all.

The super battle droids open fire. One by one, the Jedi collapse.

Inside a corridor within the battle droid factory.

EVEN PIELL, DEPA BILLABA, COLEMAN KCAJ and JARO TAPAL are walking down a corridor. ASAJJ VENTRESS jumps down from the cieling and activates her lightsaber. She clashes with the Jedi and disarms EVEN PIELL quickly and knocks him out, just like she does with COLEMAN KCAJ. DEPA BILLABA and JARO TAPAL put up a better fight. ASAJJ VENTRESS uses the Force to bring rocks coming down on JARO TAPAL, knocking him out. After a bit of a duel, DEPA BILLABA is disarmed. Many super battle droids march over to them...

Inside a different corridor within the battle droid factory.

QUINLAN VOS, TERA SINUBE and VOOLVIF MONN are surrounded by super battle droids...

Inside another corridor within the battle droid factory.

RISSA MANO, BAIRDON JACE and AGEN KOLAR are also surrounded by super battle droids...

Inside the CIS council chambers.

FI-EK SIRCH, JOCLAND DANVA, TARADOS GON, SORA BULQ, TU-ANH, THOLME, HUULIK, TUTSO MARA, RORON COROBB, FOUL MOUDAMA, B'INK UTRILA, L'LCAIELO SAGEON and PABLO-JILL enter.

SORA BULQ: Where are they?!

Geonosis.

Many CIS prisoner speeders are zooming down the planet's surface. A normal CIS speeder (with COUNT DOOKU, OBI-WAN KENOBI, JANGO FETT, BOBA FETT and ASAJJ VENTRESS) is leading the prisoner speeders. They zoom towards Petranaki Arena.

### Chapter Twelve: Petranaki

The Jedi prisoners (MACE WINDU, KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, SHAAK TI, LUMINARA UNDULI, AAYLA SECURA, OPPO RANCISIS, ADI GALLIA, STASS ALLIE, EETH KOTH, EVEN PIELL, DEPA BILLABA, COLEMAN KCAJ, JARO TAPAL, QUINLAN VOS, TERA SINUBE, VOOLVIF MONN, RISSA MANO, BAIRDON JACE and AGEN KOLAR) are taken to the centre of a large arena - *Petranaki*. They are then surrrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of both battle droids and super battle droids.

The spectator area is completely empty except for the top box, which has COUNT DOOKU, OBI-WAN KENOBI, ASAJJ VENTRESS, JANGO FETT, BOBA FETT and two Geonosian guards. COUNT DOOKU signals for the battle droids to hold their fire. *For now*. MACE WINDU activates his comm, without anyone realising.

MACE WINDU (WHISPERING INTO COMM): Now.

COUNT DOOKU: Master Windu! You have fought gallantly - worthy of recognision in the archives of the Jedi Order. But now, it is finished. Surrender, and your lives will be spared.

MACE WINDU: We will not be hostages to be bartered, Dooku.

COUNT DOOKU: Then...I'm sorry, old friend.

The battle droids all raise their blasters, preparing to fire. The Jedi prisoners activate their lightsabers (which were given to them by the geonosians by the order of Dooku) and ready them.

Then, they hear cannon fire. This distracts the battle droids. Everyone looks in their direction, and watch as PLO KOON and what remains of starfighter squadron (such as SAESEE TIIN) fire at the battle droid factory and obliterate the spires.

PLO KOON: Come on!

Then, many Republic gunships fly down to the arena, and fire at the battle droids. The battle droids aim their fire for the gunships, however their puny blasters have little to no effect on the gunships.

YODA: Around the survivors, a perimiter, create.

Multiple gunships land and the prisoners split up and board the gunships, which take off. However, one is destroyed with a clean shot by JANGO FETT's rocket launcher on his jetpack. However, this one only has clones. The Republic gunships make their way up past the planet.

Inside one of the Republic gunships.

MACE WINDU: Pilot! Turn the ship around! We have the chance to take Dooku. We have to use it!

CLONE PILOT (O.C.): Yes, sir.

Geonosis. The Republic gunships leave the atmostphere, bar one, which flies down to COUNT DOOKU's hangar, one of the few things that hasn't been obliterated yet.

Space.

Many Republic gunships fly up to the Venators. One of them is under heavy fire and is going to explode any moment now. The Republic gunshisp fly into the other.

The Jedi Starfighter hyperspace rings have also been obliterated. Three CIS dreadnaughts have also been destroyed, however three remain.

Inside the *Invisible Hand*'s bridge.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Destroy that Venator!

Space.

The remaining CIS dreadnaughts open fire on the Venator. The one under heavy fire finally explodes.

Geonosis.

The Republic gunship flies towards Dooku's hangar.

COUNT DOOKU's hangar.

MACE WINDU's Republic gunship lands. COUNT DOOKU, ASAJJ VENTRESS, OBI-WAN KENOBI, JANGO FETT and BOBA FETT are making their way to the final Separatist shuttle. The clones run out and open fire, however COUNT DOOKU, ASAJJ VENTRESS and JANGO FETT start to take out the clones. OBI-WAN KENOBI remains still, thinking. BOBA FETT hides behind one of the pillars. Then, WOOLVIF MONN exits the gunship and activates his lightsaber. He clashes with ASAJJ VENTRESS. As the clones are falling, MACE WINDU activates his purple lightsaber and enters the battlefield. He Force-chokes JANGO FETT, intensifying the choke every second. He then pulls JANGO FETT towards him with the Force, and decapitates the latter bounty hunter. He then releases the corpse, which collapses to the ground. BOBA FETT is clearly emotionally hurt, but is able to remain silent. Three seconds after his actions, MACE WINDU regrets his choice and deactivates his lightsabers. The clones fall one by one. As does WOOLVIF MONN, when ASAJJ VENTRESS kills him.

COUNT DOOKU: Surely that is not the Jedi way. No wonder I became disillousioned with the Jedi. I am merely helping those who are under the opression of the Republic and the Jedi. You are not helping anyone, just continuing their suffering.

ASAJJ VENTRESS charges MACE WINDU, however she is quickly sent flying back against the cave wall and knocked unconcious. OBI-WAN KENOBI walks towards COUNT DOOKU slowly.

COUNT DOOKU: Kill him.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Yes, my Master.

He bows his head slightly, but quickly activates his lightsaber. However COUNT DOOKU forsaw this and sends Force-lightning hurtling at OBI-WAN KENOBI, knocking him out.

COUNT DOOKU: Such pity.

MACE WINDU: You're gonna pay for all the Jedi you killed today.

COUNT DOOKU: I beg to differ.

MACE WINDU activates his lightsaber. Then he and COUNT DOOKU clash many times, both each other's equal, but MACE WINDU is slowly getting upper hand. BOBA FETT sneaks out. The two surviving, but heavily injured, clones get up. They raise their blasters but are killed by COUNT DOOKU in a heartbeat.

COUNT DOOKU: You have improved, Master Windu. I am impressed.

The doors open, and FI-EK SIRCH, JOCLAND DANVA, TARADOS GON, SORA BULQ, TU-ANH, THOLME, HUULIK, TUTSO MARA, RORON COROBB, FOUL MOUDAMA, B'INK UTRILA, L'LCAIELO SAGEON and PABLO-JILL enter. They then activates their lightsabers.

MACE WINDU: Like I said. You're outnumbered.

COUNT DOOKU: I don't see it that way.

ASAJJ VENTRESS gets up and goes for MACE WINDU. This time they both clash. COUNT DOOKU uses the Force to rip a pillar off from the floor and the cieling, and sends it falling on OBI-WAN KENOBI. MACE WINDU, however, uses the Force to stop it just at the right time. He sends it in COUNT DOOKU's direction, but the latter uses the Force to send it against a wall, and it smashes. The cieling starts to crumble. COUNT DOOKU and ASAJJ VENTRESS board the Separatist shuttle. MACE WINDU uses the Force to stop the shuttle from leaving, however the shuttle goes even faster and MACE WINDU can't keep it down.

MACE WINDU activates his comm.

MACE WINDU: Follow them. And destroy them.

Geonosis.

The Separatist shuttle flies away from the hangar. PLO KOON, SAESEE TIIN and the two other surviving pilots chase after the Separatist shuttle. They fire, and PLO KOON manages to hit the shuttle.

Inside the Separatist shuttle.

PILOT BATTLE DROID: Sir! We're hit!

COUNT DOOKU: Keep on flying. Do not stop, under any circumstances.

PILOT BATTLE DROID: Roger roger.

Space.

The battle is continuing.

Inside the *Invisible Hand*'s bridge.

A hologram of COUNT DOOKU appears.

COUNT DOOKU: As soon as my shuttle lands in your hangar, jump to hyperspace.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: But what about the Venators -?

COUNT DOOKU: Don't worry about them. Allow the Jedi to live to *fight* another day.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS (SIGHING): Yes, my Lord.

Space.

Four vulture droids are launched and fire at the Jedi starfighters, blowing one up. PLO KOON manages to hit on of the engines on the Separatist shuttle.

Inside the Separatist shuttle.

PILOT BATTLE DROID: We're going to crash!

COUNT DOOKU: As long as you crash in the dreadnaught.

Space.

Another Jedi starfighter is destroyed.

PLO KOON: Master Tiin, take out the vulture droids. I'll handle the shuttle.

SAESEE TIIN: On it.

He fires rapidly at the vulture droids and takes two out with ease. PLO KOON hits the fin of the Separatist shuttle, and it starts to spin. Another vulture droid is destroyed. Then SAESEE TIIN is hit.

PLO KOON: Saesee!

The spinning Separatist shuttle zooms into the *Invisible Hand*'s hangar. The three CIS dreadnaughts then jump to hyperspace. SAESEE TIIN manages to regain control of his ship, and he and PLO KOON enter the remaining Venator.

Inside COUNT DOOKU's hangar in the battle droid factory.

MACE WINDU spots multiple thermal charges on the walls.

MACE WINDU: This place's gonna blow!

MACE WINDU and the surviving Jedi run onto the Republic gunship. Just as the gunship starts to fly off, MACE WINDU spots OBI-WAN KENOBI lying unconcious.

MACE WINDU: Obi-Wan!

He uses the Force to pull OBI-WAN KENOBI into the Republic gunship.

Geonosis.

MACE WINDU's Republic gunship flies out of the battle droid factory, just before the entire factory explodes. *Slave I* also flies off, but in the opposite direction to the Republic gunship. *Slave I* jumps to hyperspace.

Space. The Republic gunship flies into the Republic Venator.

Inside the Republic gunship warroom.

YODA, PLO KOON, KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO and SHAAK TI are present. The doors open and MACE WINDU enters.

MACE WINDU: Obi-Wan is currently recouperating in the medical bay. This battle was too costly. We've lost over one hundred Jedi just today.

YODA: Hmm.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: But now we have an army to fight against the Separatist droids.

PLO KOON: This can't all be about fighting. We'll soon lose our way.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: But now we have an army to fight, instead of us.

Space.

COUNT DOOKU's solar sailor exits hyperspace and flies down to the planet below.

Malachor.

COUNT DOOKU's solar sailor lands and COUNT DOOKU gets out. He walks over to SIDIOUS.

COUNT DOOKU: The Force is with us, Master Sidious.

SIDIOUS: Welcome home, Lord Tyrannus. You have done well.

COUNT DOOKU: I have good news for you, my Lord. The war has begun. The Jedi now have their clone army.

SIDIOUS: Excellent. Everything is going as planned.

COUNT DOOKU hands SIDIOUS the *Death Star* plans.

COUNT DOOKU: These are the plans for the battle station. The Geonosians are already underway with the construction.

SIDIOUS: Good.

Inside YODA's quarters on the Venator.

YODA and MACE WINDU are talking. OBI-WAN KENOBI, now better, enters.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I apologise for my failure, Masters. I tried to kill Dooku - to make him believe I was on his side and then kill him.

MACE WINDU: We will have other opertunities but that was - as of yet - our best. I admit, too, that I failed to aprehend him. I don't think the blame should be placed entirely on you.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Thank you, Master Windu. Dooku mentioned that Sidious controls the Senate. Do you believe it? To me, it doesn't feel right.

YODA: Joined the Dark Side, Dooku has. Lies. Deceit. Creating mistrust are his ways now.

MACE WINDU: Nevertheless, I feel we should keep a closer eye on the Senate.

YODA: I agree.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I have to admit, without the clones, it would not have been a victory.

YODA: Victory?

OBI-WAN KENOBI and MACE WINDU both turn to him.

YODA: Victory, you say? Obi-Wan, not victory. The shroud of the Dark Side has fallen. Begun, the Clone War has.

Coruscant.

PALPATINE, MAS AMMEDA, BAIL ORGANA, MON MOTHMA, PHILO, GUME SAAM, MOT NOT RAB and JAR JAR BINKS watch as clone troopers - all in their new legions - board Republic Acclimators, which take off once full.

## Part 3: The Clone Wars

### Chapter Thirteen: Dathomir

Inside the Jedi Council chambers in the Jedi Temple.

KIT FISTO has replaced COLEMAN TREBOR, but everyone else is there. OBI-WAN KENOBI is also present.

YODA: The clouds of darkness, stronger they grow.

MACE WINDU: I sense...the Dark Side is growing stronger.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: On Geonosis, Count Dooku told be that the Senate is under the control of Darth Sidious - the Dark Lord of the Sith.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: But if that Zabrak on Naboo was either the Sith Master or the Sith Apprentice, and Dooku is presumably the Sith Apprentice, where does this Sidious fit into the equation?

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Perhaps...the Zabrak was the Master and Dooku was the apprentice and this *Sidious* was a lie. But Dooku seemed like he was telling the truth. His nature.

MACE WINDU: I'd very like to investigate into this Zabrak.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I'll come with you.

MACE WINDU: We'll take four of those clone troopers. I'd like to see them in action again. We'll report back when we have further information.

MACE WINDU and OBI-WAN KENOBI get up. The bow to the rest of the Council then leave.

Coruscant.

A Republic attack shuttle leaves the Jedi Temple and flies out of the planet.

Space.

The Republic attack shuttle jumps to hyperspace.

The *Invisible Hand*.

A hologram of SIDIOUS appears.

COUNT DOOKU: The Separatist Council has all been evacuated and they're on this ship.

SIDIOUS: Good job, Lord *Tyrannus*. This is the beginning of the Jedi's end.

Space.

The Republic attack shuttle exits hyperspace and flies down to Dathomir.

Dathomir.

The Republic attack shuttle flies down to the surface and lands.

MACE WINDU and OBI-WAN KENOBI get out.

MACE WINDU (TO CLONE TROOPER): Stay there. We'll call you if we need reinforcements.

CLONE TROOPER: Yes, sir.

MACE WINDU and OBI-WAN KENOBI walk over to a Nightsister camp. The both bow.

MACE WINDU: Mother Talzin.

MOTHER TALZIN: Master Windu.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: You two know each other?

MACE WINDU: We were...allies once.

MOTHER TALZIN: I was once an ally of the Jedi Order - as were the Nightsister and Nightbrother clans. We were once so much more. But then the Sith came, wiped most of us out, and took one of the Nightbrothers. Called Maul. They made us eternally loyal to them, otherwise they'd return and kill us *all*. We thought Maul would be all they'd take, but they returned a decade later and took one of the Nightsisters: ASAJJ Ventress. We've remained on alert just in case they return.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: I see. Do you know what the name of the Sith was?

MOTHER TALZIN: Something like "Ochi".

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Ochi?

MOTHER TALZIN: That is correct.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Who is this *"Ochi"*?

MOTHER TALZIN: An Sith assassin.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Which Sith was he working for?

MOTHER TALZIN: I don't know.

MACE WINDU: Do you know where he could be?

MOTHER TALZIN: I don't know if he's still alive. It was two decades ago. Maul was a mere infant.

MACE WINDU: Thank you for your time, Mother Talzin.

MOTHER TALZIN bows. Then MACE WINDU and OBI-WAN KENOBI do.

MOTHER TALZIN: I'm sure the Sith would love it if they had your heads. Perhaps they'd even leave us alone.

A dozen nightsisters jump down.

MACE WINDU: I thought we were good. We didn't attack you, just asked for information.

MOTHER TALZIN: If that's what the Sith did, then you wouldn't be in this situation.

MACE WINDU and OBI-WAN KENOBI activate their lightsabers. The Nightsisters start to use their magick, and send some hurtling towards the Jedi. MACE WINDU and OBI-WAN KENOBI try to use both their lightsabers and the Force to stop it hitting them. It has *some* affect, but not much.

MACE WINDU: We came in peace!

MOTHER TALZIN: And we did not return it.

She uses her magic to knock MACE WINDU and OBI-WAN KENOBI out.

Two hours later...

MACE WINDU's comm beeps.

CLONE TROOPER: Sir! Sir, are you alright?

MACE WINDU stirs.

MACE WINDU: No.

He and OBI-WAN KENOBI get up and look around. They are in a wooden handcrafted cell. They look at their belts and see that their lightsabers are missing. They get up and walk over to the wooden door. MACE WINDU uses the Force to try and push them away, but there is magick around the cells, and he has no effect on it.

In the distance they hear multiple blaster shots and bodies falling.

NIGHTSISTER (O.C.): No-

We see two nightsisters collapse dead. The four clones walk over to the cell and start firing at the wood. The blasts, however, hit off the magick and hit them again. All four collapse dead.

MOTHER TALZIN walks over to the cell.

MOTHER TALZIN: You said you came in peace, but yet you brought four soldiers.

MACE WINDU: I told them to remain on the ship unless you attacked. And you did, so I see it fair.

MOTHER TALZIN: I always respected you, Master Windu. But I can never respect a liar.

MACE WINDU: I don't need nor want your respect.

He spots the lightsabers.

MOTHER TALZIN: You want your lightsabers? Your Force cannot penitrate this cell.

MACE WINDU: I'm not trying to get it.

A clone stirs and gets up. He picks up MACE WINDU's lightsaber and sends it hurtling towards MOTHER TALZIN. She stops it with her magick, however the clone then throws OBI-WAN KENOBI's lightsaber at her. She uses her other hand to cast magick, stopping OBI-WAN KENOBI's lightsaber. The clone trooper then fires his blaster at her. She activates OBI-WAN KENOBI's lightsaber and starts to deflect it. MOTHER TALZIN then uses magick to send the earth below the clone trooper to rise up, sending the clone hurtling away, killing him.

MOTHER TALZIN: You'll have to try better than that.

MACE WINDU: I will.

He presses one of his buttons on his gizmo. MOTHER TALZIN notices. She rips the gizmo off MACE WINDU's arm and towards her. She then destroys it with her magick.

MOTHER TALZIN: What does this gizmo do?

BANG!

The nearby vicinity explodes, except the cell, which is held up by the magick. The blast takes out MOTHER TALZIN. The magick then disappears. MACE WINDU uses the Force to send the cell door flying. He and OBI-WAN KENOBI exit and use the Force to get their lightsabers. The Republic attack shuttle lands, and MACE WINDU and OBI-WAN KENOBI board.

Inside the Jedi Council chambers in the Jedi Temple.

OBI-WAN KENOBI and MACE WINDU are present via hologram.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: The Zabrak - Maul - was taken by a Sith assassin named Ochi over two decades ago. Therefore, it couldn't have been Dooku who hired him and could possibly have been this Sidious. And if what Dooku said was true, then he is the apprentice of this Sidious, who is the Sith Master.

MACE WINDU: The question is who is this Sidious?

YODA: Reveal themself in time, this Sidious will. Do that, the Sith always do.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: But this reveal may come too late for us. If Sidious *does* have control of the Senate, he will have an advatage over us.

MACE WINDU: We will search for this *Ochi* and will not return until we have found him.

YODA: Send you reinforcements, we will.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Thank you, Master.

Space.

A Republic Venator exits hyperspace. A Republic attack shuttle flies out of Dathomir and up to the Venator, which it boards.

Inside the Republic Venator hangar.

The Republic attack shuttle lands and OBI-WAN KENOBI and MACE WINDU exit. The 212th Batallion is assembled, and COMMANDER CODY bows to them.

COMMANDER CODY: Generals, sir. I'm Commander Cody. I assume you're General Windu and General Kenobi.

MACE WINDU: Correct, commander.

COMMANDER CODY: Sir, the entire 187th Legion is already scouting the galaxy for this assassin.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Good.

### Chapter Fourteen: Betrayal

Space.

Three Republic Venators exit hyperspace.

Inside the lead Venator's bridge.

A hologram of PLO KOON is up.

PLO KOON: Fire, Admiral.

ADMIRAL COBURN: Yes, sir. (TO CLONE GUNNERS) Open fire.

Space.

The Republic Venators all open fire on the CIS dreadnaughts. PLO KOON leads his starfighter batallions out of the Venator's hangars and towards the CIS dreadnaughts, which they open fire.

Inside the lead CIS dreadnaught's bridge.

COUNT DOOKU is talking to a hologram of ASAJJ VENTRESS.

COUNT DOOKU: Launch your batallion.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Yes, my Lord.

Space.

ASAJJ VENTRESS and dozens of vulture droids fly out of the CIS dreadnaughts and towards PLO KOON's starfighter batallions.

PLO KOON: Batallions 2 and 3, take out the starfighters. Batallion 1, with me.

They split up, as per PLO KOON's orders. Captain JAG leads Batallion 2 and Batallion 3, whilst PLO KOON leads Batallion 1. Batallions 2 and 3 chase the many vulture droids and start taking them out with ease, although not without casualties of their own. But just as the vulture droids seem depleted, ASAJJ VENTRESS comes out of nowhere and starts blowing up clone starfighters one by one.

WARTHOG: Sir! Ah-

He's blown up.

PLO KOON: No. All men, go for the dreadnaught, I'll take out that ship.

CAPTAIN JAG: Copy, sir! All men, on me!

The ARC-170 starfighters all turn around and fire at the CIS dreadnaughts. PLO KOON starts chasing the ASAJJ VENTRESS, firing rapidly, however, ASAJJ VENTRESS is able to maneuver around his blasts.

PLO KOON: This pilot...is not a droid. I sense...she's...Force-sensitive!

ASAJJ VENTRESS starts firing at PLO KOON, however he outmaneuvers her. He returns the fire again, and manages to part of her wing. Smoke comes out of it and leaves a trail in space.

The remaining vulture droids fire at the lead Venator.

Inside the bridge of the lead Venator.

COBURN: Noooooooo-

Space.

The lead Venator takes too many hits and starts to list. It crashes into the second Venator. They both explode, leaving only one Venator.

Inside the bridge of the lead CIS dreadnaught.

A large hologram of SIDIOUS appears. COUNT DOOKU bows to him.

SIDIOUS: Rise, Lord Tyrannus.

COUNT DOOKU does so. He stands up, facing SIDIOUS.

SIDIOUS: That apprentice of yours.

COUNT DOOKU: She is not a true apprentice. More of a...skilled assassin.

SIDIOUS: Nevertheless, she is growing too strong and therefore is a threat. You must have her disposed of. Prove your loyalty to me, and have her killed.

COUNT DOOKU (RELUCTANTLY): Yes, my Master.

He bows once more, as the hologram flickers off.

COUNT DOOKU: Get her on.

PILOT BATTLE DROID: Roger roger.

Inside ASAJJ VENTRESS' starfighter.

A hologram of COUNT DOOKU appears.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: My Lord. What is it?

COUNT DOOKU: You have failed me for the last time, Ventress. You are too much of a liability.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: But I have succeeded in all my missions.

COUNT DOOKU: I beg to differ. Farewell, my apprentice.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: No -

The hologram flickers off. Many thermal charges start beeping in her ship.

Space.

PLO KOON hits ASAJJ VENTRESS' starfighter again. She spins out of control for a bit, but is eventually able to regain control.

CAPTAIN JAG's starfighters have been successful, and they have managed to blow up a CIS dreadnaught, however their numbers have clearly dwindled.

ASAJJ VENTRESS manages to fly her starfighter into the lead CIS dreadnaught's hangar.

Inside the lead CIS dreadnaught's hangar.

ASAJJ VENTRESS' starfighter crash-lands. She jumps out of the cockpit and through the blast doors, which close.

Space.

The starfighter blows up, and the entire hangar in the lead CIS dreadnaught explodes.

Inside a corridor within the lead CIS dreadnaught.

ASAJJ VENTRESS is knocked off her feet by the explosion. She lands, face-flat on the ground, as COUNT DOOKU and two super battle droids walk over.

COUNT DOOKU: Ventress. You survived.

ASAJJ VENTRESS gets up.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: You're surprised? You tried to have me killed, Dooku.

COUNT DOOKU: It was a necessary sacrifice. Unfortunately, I haven't got the time to deal with you.

He signals for the two super battle droids to take care of her, whilst he walks off. ASAJJ VENTRESS activates both her lightsabers and cuts down the firing droids.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: You should've known that two battle droids wouldn't be enough.

COUNT DOOKU: Oh, I knew that. I didn't care if they were unsuccessful. You've only prolonged the inevitable.

He walks off. He uses the Force to seal the blast doors. ASAJJ VENTRESS groans loudly. She cuts a large hole in the doors with her lightsabers. She climbs back into the main corridor, but COUNT DOOKU is nowhere to be seen.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Dooku!

Inside the escape pod bay within the lead CIS dreadnaught.

ASAJJ VENTRESS enters. All the escape pods have been jettisoned except one, which COUNT DOOKU is in. He presses controls, ready to exit. Then, ASAJJ VENTRESS opens the door. She gets in.

Inside the escape pod.

The doors close.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Why did you try to kill me?

COUNT DOOKU: I told you. You failed me for the last time.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: But I've never failed you before!

COUNT DOOKU: You have now. And one time too many.

Space.

The escape pod ejects. A few seconds after, so does the lead CIS dreadnaught, which causes the other one to explode, taking a few starfighters with them. The last few vulture droids are quickly taken out.

PLO KOON: All remaining starfighters, follow me.

He flies down to the planet below (Vanqor), followed by CAPTAIN JAG and the remaining starfighters.

Inside the escape pod.

COUNT DOOKU and ASAJJ VENTRESS are now duelling, whilst trying their hardest to stay standing. COUNT DOOKU seems to be getting the upper hand, but all of a sudden the whole pod jolts.

Vanqor.

The escape pod has crash landed. COUNT DOOKU - the victor of the battle - gets out and deactivates his lightsaber. He walks away from it, to one of the caves.

MULTIPLE HOURS LATER...

The starfighters - led by PLO KOON - fly down to the surface, scanning for life.

CAPTAIN JAG: I've picked up one life form, sir.

PLO KOON: Good job, captain. Circle around it and we'll see who it is.

CAPTAIN JAG: Yes, general.

Inside the escape pod.

A badly injured ASAJJ VENTRESS gets up.

Vanqor.

ASAJJ VENTRESS leaves her pod, and activates her lightsabers.

PLO KOON: It's her. It's the pilot. Stay in your ships and continue to circle her. I'm going down.

CAPTAIN JAG: Are you sure, sir?

PLO KOON: Yes, captain. I'm sure.

He flies his ship down near the crashed escape pod. He exits it, activates his blue lightsaber, and walks over to ASAJJ VENTRESS.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Master Jedi. Have you come to kill me?

PLO KOON: Killing is not the Jedi way.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: I should know. I was once a Jedi. But my Master was killed and I was taken by the Sith. Now they too have betrayed me.

PLO KOON: I saw what happened in your dreadnaught. I assumed you were killed. I will compliment your flying abilites, though.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: I wish I could say the same to you.

PLO KOON: Surrender. I do not wish to harm you.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Well. Let's see how long *that* lasts for.

She charges him and they engage.

PLO KOON: Your technique is sloppy. Arrogant. And unco-ordinated. It seems you've really lost your way every since you joined the Sith cause.

He uses the Force to pull one of her lightsabers out of her hands. He uses his lightsaber skills to knock out the other one. He then points his lightsaber to her neck.

PLO KOON: Don't try anything. I want to ask you a few questions.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Wait! I'll make a deal with you! We have a common enemy: Dooku. If I help you kill him, then you will take me back to Dathomir, rather than kill me. There I shall spend the rest of my days. I have...nothing else to do.

PLO KOON: I have no intention of killing him. But if you help me bring him in *and* answer my questions, then perhaps.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Very well. We have an understanding, then.

PLO KOON: My men will be watching this area. They have the firepower to make you One With the Force if need be.

He hands her her two lightsabers back.

PLO KOON: We're all watching. Remember.

A FEW MINUTES LATER...

PLO KOON is meditating in the air, to try and find out where COUNT DOOKU is. He is successful, and lands back on the ground.

After walking for a bit, PLO KOON and ASAJJ VENTRESS arrive at the cave which COUNT DOOKU is in.

Cave, Vanqor.

COUNT DOOKU is meditating. He's made a fire. Then, PLO KOON and ASAJJ VENTRESS enter.

PLO KOON: Count.

COUNT DOOKU: Master Plo Koon?

PLO KOON: Come with me.

COUNT DOOKU: I don't think I'll be doing that.

ASAJJ VENTRESS activates her lightsabers, runs to COUNT DOOKU and clashes twice, before getting electrocuted and sent flying into rocks.

PLO KOON: Your apprentice is arrogant. She must've learnt that from you.

COUNT DOOKU: You forget. I was once a Jedi.

PLO KOON: And when you left us, your talent left you.

COUNT DOOKU: I have grown more powerful than any Jedi. Even Yoda.

PLO KOON: Shall we test that?

COUNT DOOKU tries to Force-choke PLO KOON, however it has no affect on him.

COUNT DOOKU: Impressive.

Instead, he resorts to his Force-lightning. He sends it towards PLO KOON, however the latter deflects it back at him with his Force judgement - giving off the look of yellow Force-lightning.

COUNT DOOKU: Most impressive.

He spots the Force-lightning. PLO KOON stops his Force judgement.

COUNT DOOKU: It is clear that this contest cannot be won by our knowledge of the Force...

He activates his lightsaber.

COUNT DOOKU (CONT'D): ...but by our skills with a lightsaber.

PLO KOON activates his lightsaber. He clashes and duels with COUNT DOOKU. The latter is clearly the superior duellist, however PLO KOON is good enough to keep himself alive. They both stop the duel, skidding back a bit.

COUNT DOOKU: You have my respect, Master. As a *warrior*.

PLO KOON: I am not a warrior. Just a peacekeeper.

COUNT DOOKU: Then why do you participate in wars?

PLO KOON: Because if we weren't at war with you, then you would spread your tyranny all throughout the galaxy.

COUNT DOOKU: You wagered war on us.

PLO KOON: You had our senators assassinated!

COUNT DOOKU: If you had given us our freedom, none of that would've been necessary!

PLO KOON: It was *never* necessary.

COUNT DOOKU (TO HIMSELF): *Kel Dor*. (TO PLO KOON) I'm sorry.

He uses the Force to slowly crush PLO KOON's filter mask.

PLO KOON: No!

He is slowly taking in a tiny ammount of oxygen. Then, ASAJJ VENTRESS jumps over to COUNT DOOKU, lightsabers activated. They clash, and this distracts COUNT DOOKU, causing him to release PLO KOON. The latter stirs and activates his comm.

PLO KOON: Get...a gunship!

He passes out. His filter mask, however, resumes working.

COUNT DOOKU is slowly overpowering ASAJJ VENTRESS.

COUNT DOOKU: You are no match for me, Ventress.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: You have no hate of me. I can't say the same!

She taps into her hate and anger and starts to overpower COUNT DOOKU himself.

A Republic gunship flies down.

COMMANDER WOLFFE: Sir!

The clones get out of the gunship, and pick up PLO KOON and help him on the gunship.

COMMANDER WOLFFE: Are you alright, sir?

PLO KOON: Yes. Thank you, Wolffe.

He uses the Force to pull ASAJJ VENTRESS onto the gunship.

PLO KOON (TO PILOT): Let's go.

He takes both of ASAJJ VENTRESS' lightsabers and places them on his belt.

Vanqor.

The Republic gunship flies out of the planet.

Space.

The Republic gunship flies up to the remaining Venator, and boards it, followed by the clone starfighters.

Inside the Republic Venator's hangar.

The Republic gunship lands.

PLO KOON: Commander. Get me the Jedi Council.

COMMANDER WOLFFE: Yes, sir.

He runs off.

Inside the Venator's warroom.

PLO KOON enters. WOLFFE is present, and the Jedi Council is present via hologram.

YODA: Further information, you have?

PLO KOON: I have Dooku's apprentice, Ventress. However, I do not believe that she's the apprentice of Dooku anymore. They...were duelling and attacking each other.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: Perhaps this confrontation was staged.

PLO KOON: Impossible. I saw the whole thing. It couldn't be.

SAESEE TIIN: I'll interrogate Ventress for you.

PLO KOON: Very well.

SAESEE TIIN: I'm on my way.

Space.

TWO HOURS LATER...

SAESEE TIIN's Jedi starfighter exits hyperspace and flies into the Republic Venator.

Inside the Republic Venator's hangar.

SAESEE TIIN flies his starfighter into the Venator's hangar and lands. He exits the starfighter.

Inside the Venator's prison cell.

ASAJJ VENTRESS is sitting in her cell. The ray shield is deactivated, and SAESEE TIIN enters.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Who are you?

SAESEE TIIN: Jedi Master Saesee Tiin.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Why are you here?

SAESEE TIIN: To ask *you* questions. And I suggest you answer them *all truthfully*. Were you trained by Dooku?

ASAJJ VENTRESS: I was once a Jedi. My Master - Ky Narec - was killed by Weequay pirates and I was taken into slavery. But I was discovered by Dooku and he took me in. Then...he betrayed me.

SAESEE TIIN: Do you know of a Darth Sidious?

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Do I know *of* him? Of course. Do I *know* him? No. I've only seen him once. By hologram. But he had his hood up.

SAESEE TIIN: You're very co-operative.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: I am not an ally of the Sith anymore. I have no reason to conceal their truths.

SAESEE TIIN: I understand.

Space.

The Republic Venator exits hyperspace.

Inside ASAJJ VENTRESS' cell within the Venator.

SAESEE TIIN: Thank you.

Space.

A Republic attack shuttle flies out of the Republic Venator, and flies down to Dathomir.

Dathomir.

The Republic attack shuttle lands. MOTHER TALZIN and the surviving Nightsisters and Nightbrothers have rebuilt most of their land, however it isn't yet good as new. MOTHER TALZIN and a few Nightsisters (with their bows) walk over to the shuttle. The ramp comes down, and PLO KOON is standing there.

MOTHER TALZIN: Master Jedi. Have you come to kill us?

PLO KOON: Quite the opposite.

He stands to the side, and ASAJJ VENTRESS comes down the ramp, handcuffed. PLO KOON throws her lightsabers over to her, and they land on the ground. He then uses the Force to open her handcuffs, and she feels her hands.

ASAJJ VENTRESS (RELUCTANT): Thank you, Master Jedi.

PLO KOON bows slightly. Then, the shuttle takes off.

Inside The Republic Venator's warroom.

PLO KOON enters. SAESEE TIIN and COMMANDER WOLFFE are already present. A hologram of the Jedi Council is up.

PLO KOON: Count Dooku has been stranded on Vanqor. He's not got a comm or a ship and there were no other Separatists there to pick him up.

MACE WINDU: Good. Stay in the system, in case another Separatist ship comes.

PLO KOON: Yes, Master.

### Chapter Fifteen: Pirates

Dathomir.

ASAJJ VENTRESS walks over to MOTHER TALZIN. The latter sees that the young Nightsister is troubled.

MOTHER TALZIN: What happened, Asajj?

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Dooku. Dooku betrayed me. I...tried to kill me.

MOTHER TALZIN: Dooku? Dooku wishes to *use* us. But this won't happen. Don't worry, my daughter, you will have your revenge. *We* will have our revenge.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Thank you, mother.

She bows.

Space.

A Weequay pirate ship exits hyperspace. It starts firing at PLO KOON's Venator, which is caught unaware. The Venator starts exploding.

Inside PLO KOON's Venator's bridge.

PLO KOON: What is happening?

ADMIRAL: Pirates, sir.

The door opens, and PLO KOON runs into the warroom.

Inside the warroom.

PLO KOON enters. MACE WINDU and YODA are present via hologram.

PLO KOON: We're under attack.

MACE WINDU: It seems that the Separatists have found Dooku.

PLO KOON: It's not Separatists. It's pirates -

BOOM!

The room explodes and PLO KOON is sent flying out, along with all the clones in the room (including COMMANDER WOLFFE), into space.

Space.

The Republic Venator is under heavy fire. Then, it finally explodes.

PLO KOON floats over to the pirate ship. He holds on with one hand and uses his other hand to pull the surviving clones over to him. He then opens the boarding hatch, and enters the ship, followed by WOLFFE and the other clones. The boarding hatch then closes.

Inside Weequay pirate ship.

PLO KOON and the clones walk down the corridor. They manage to avoid the pirates and make it into a small, empty room. They then close the door.

Space.

The Weequay pirate flies down to the planet below.

Vandor.

The Weequay pirate ship flies down to the cave. It lands, and several pirates - including HONDO OHNAKA - exit and walk over to the cave.

HONDO OHNAKA: I smell profit!

He, TURK FALSO, PEG LEG PIIT, GWARM, PARSEL, R5-P8 and PILF MUKMUK (on HONDO OHNAKA's shoulder) walk into the cave.

Cave, Vandor.

COUNT DOOKU is standing there.

HONDO OHNAKA: Who are - Count Dooku! Hahaha. We are having a good day, my friends.

COUNT DOOKU: Who are you?

HONDO OHNAKA: Hondo Ohnaka, at your service. You would make a pretty profit, count. (TO PIRATES) Take him.

COUNT DOOKU: That would be an unwise decision, pirate. I would be forced to kill you all.

HONDO OHNAKA: I...believe you'd do that anyway.

He nods to the pirates, who raise their blasters. COUNT DOOKU takes his lightsaber out and quickly cuts down PARSEL, however, TURK FALSO grabs COUNT DOOKU's lightsaber hand. He takes his blaster out and blasts it. COUNT DOOKU growns, but Force-chokes TURK FALSO. HONDO OHNAKA handles COUNT DOOKU's lightsaber and points it at the latter's neck.

HONDO OHNAKA: Release him, my friend.

COUNT DOOKU reluctantly does so. HONDO OHNAKA quickly takes out his blaster and stuns COUNT DOOKU.

HONDO OHNAKA: Take him on board. This will be sufficient profit. We will get a good bargain!

Vandor.

The pirates drag COUNT DOOKU onto their ship, which then takes off.

Space.

The Weequay pirate ship jumps to hyperspace.

Dathomir.

MOTHER TALZIN is talking to ASAJJ VENTRESS.

MOTHER TALZIN: You will choose a champion. A new apprentice who you will take on. The strongest Nightbrother. Then he will become Dooku's "apprentice". Then, you and him will take on Dooku. You'll be too much for him. Then...you can kill him.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: The plan is without fault, Mother. Well will the selection begin?

MOTHER TALZIN: Momentarily, my daughter. Don't worry. Your revenge will come in time.

Space.

The Weequay pirate ship exits hyperspace and flies down to Florrum.

Florrum.

The Weequay pirate ship flies down and over to the pirate holdout.

Pirate Holdout, Florrum.

The pirates escort the handcuffed COUNT DOOKU from their ship to the holdout.

Inside the pirate prison cell.

COUNT DOOKU is tied up by electro-binders. HONDO OHNAKA pries him with an electrostaff.

COUNT DOOKU: This was a grave mistake, pirate. The Separatists will conquor this system and you will be executed.

HONDO OHNAKA: They will have no idea you're here. However. If the Separatists would pay millions of credits for your return, the Republic would surely pay more for your capture.

COUNT DOOKU is to weak to respond. HONDO OHNAKA turns to TURK FALSO.

HONDO OHNAKA: Contact Chancellor Palpatine on Coruscant. Tell him that we have Count Dooku captured and to send their top Jedi Masters to escort him.

TURK FALSO: Yes, captain.

Inside the chancellor's office on Coruscant.

PALPATINE, YODA, KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, BAIL ORGANA, MON MOTHMA and MAS AMMEDA are all present.

TURK FALSO: Leaders of the Republic. We have captured your biggest enemy: Count Dooku. Come - with your top Jedi - and bring 3,000,000 credits in spice. You have 24 hours. If you have not arrived, then we will contact the Separatists.

The hologram flickers off.

YODA: A trap this may be. But make the most of this oppertunity, we must. Send some Jedi and clones to investigate, I will. Confirm that Dooku is indeed their prisoner, they will. Once done, that is, give them their spice in return for Dooku, they shall.

Inside the pirates' holdout on Florrum.

The doors open and PLO KOON enters, lightsaber activates, followed by the surviving clones.

PLO KOON: Surrender, captain. Give us Dooku and we will leave in peace.

HONDO OHNAKA: Without being paid? *(HE CHUCKLES)* Sorry, Master Jedi, but no can do.

He signals, and the pirates open fire on PLO KOON, WOLFFE and the other clones. Both sides take hits. PLO KOON Force-pushes many pirates against the wall. However the clones are taking more and more casualties. PLO KOON uses the Force to pull HONDO OHNAKA towards him. He then traps HONDO OHNAKA between himself and his lightsaber.

PLO KOON: Hold your fire!

Both sides do.

PLO KOON: Give me the count, and I will spare your captain.

HONDO OHNAKA: You're a Jedi! You wouldn't kill an unarmed man!

WOLFFE (POINTING HIS BLASTER): I am no Jedi.

Space.

Three Jedi shuttles exit hyperspace and fly down to Florrum.

Florrum.

The three Jedi shuttles fly down to the pirate holdout. The ramps are lowered and KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, SAESEE TIIN, EETH KOTH, DEPA BILLABA, AGEN KOLAR and ADI GALLIA - along with some clones - exit the the shuttle and make their way over to the holdout.

Inside the pirate holdout.

PLO KOON uses his free hand to crush the lightbulbs, extinguishing the light from the room.

PLO KOON: Last chance.

We hear multiple more footsteps and blasters being raised. This confuses the pirates. Then, four blue lightsabers and three green lightsabers are activated. This reveals the Jedi Strike Team. Then, the clones turn their flashlights on.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: You will give us Dooku. This is your *only* chance.

HONDO OHNAKA (SIGHING): Release the count and give him to the Jedi.

TURK FALSO and GWARM deactivate the electro-binders. They force the weak COUNT DOOKU over to the Jedi.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: Thank you for your co-operation.

BOOM!

Florrum.

The Jedi shuttles have been destroyed.

Space.

PAN UP from the planet, revealling...three Separatist dreadnaughts. Then, a C-9979 landing craft, led by *Soulless One*, flies down to Florrum.

### Chapter Sixteen: Rescue

Dathomir.

MOTHER TALZIN and ASAJJ VENTRESS walk up to BROTHER VISCUS.

BROTHER VISCUS: The champions are waiting, Mother.
MOTHER TALZIN: Thank you, my son.

BROTHER VISCUS bows and MOTHER TALZIN and ASAJJ VENTRESS walk over to the gathered Nightbrothers.

Florrum.

The C-9979 landing craft lands and three MTTs exit. *Soulless One* also lands and GENERAL GRIEVOUS gets out. The MMTs stop and each release a legion of battle droids, who arm themselves with their blasters.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Attack the holdout. Kill all the pirates.

They all march towards the stronghold.

Inside the pirates' holdout.

KIT FISTO looks out of the window and stops the battle droids.

KIT FISTO: General Grievous.

HONDO OHNAKA: This is a Separatist invasion?

KIT FISTO: It appears that way.

PLO KOON: They'll be here for Count Dooku. Hold him off. The Wolfpack, Captain Ohnaka and myself with take Dooku. somewhere...secure. Jedi, clones, pirates. We'll all have to work together to stop the Separatists from taking Florrum. Remember. We all have a common enemy.

He nods to WOLFFE, who stuns COUNT DOOKU again.

PLO KOON: Let's go.

PLO KOON, WOLFFE, HONDO OHNAKA and the remaining clones from the Wolfpack (such as COMET, STINKER and BOOST - who are carrying COUNT DOOKU) walk out the back exit.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: We'll go out to meet them. Masters, with me. Clones, form the second defence. Pirates. You're the final defence. If they penetrate us, you'll be the final thing between them and this planet.

The Jedi and clones walk out.

Florrum.

KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, SAESEE TIIN, EETH KOTH, DEPA BILLABA, AGEN KOLAR and ADI GALLIA alll walk over towards the advancing droid army. The 21st Nova Corps (under command of COMMANDER JET and CAPTAIN BACARA), along with Horn Company (led by COMMANDER GREEN) form a second defence behind them. KI-ADI-MUNDI uses Jedi signal to dish out orders: He, KIT FISTO and ADI GALLIA are to take on GENERAL GRIEVOUS the others to take on the droids. Both forces get closer.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Jedi slime.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: What do you want with *this* system, anyway, Grievous? It's just pirates.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: I was about to ask you the same question, Master Jedi.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: I believe we have a common target. Dooku.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: It would appear that way. You are all that stands in our way, but you will soon be gone. And I will be rewarded for the death of *six* Jedi Masters - Jedi Council members. Your lightsabers will make a fine addition to my collection. I already have numerous. One for each arm, in fact. Now, I will have many spares.

His arms separate and he activates his four lightsabers: two blue and two green.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: These are trophies from Jedi I have killed, all ranging in ability, from Padawan to Master. Now, I will progress to Council member. But know, that I: General Grievous, am not without mercy. I will grant you a warrior's death.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: A warrior's death is shameful to the Jedi.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Then that is your problem.

He advances towards the Jedi. SAESEE TIIN, EETH KOTH, DEPA BILLABA and AGEN KOLAR flip over GENERAL GRIEVOUS' head and lands on the ground and start taking out the battle droids. KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO and ADI GALLIA start duelling GENERAL GRIEVOUS.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: You cannot destroy me. None of you. No combination of you.

After a few clashes, ADI GALLIA is truck down and killed. GENERAL GRIEVOUS kicks KI-ADI-MUNDI in the face, sending him flying away. He is knocked out. KIT FISTO manages to hold his own, but is clearly struggling against the four blades.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Surely - you must realise...you...are...doomed!

KIT FISTO: Oh, I don't think so!

The duel resumes. GENERAL GRIEVOUS is able to slice on the GENERAL GRIEVOUS' blue lightsabers.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Gaaarh!

KIT FISTO Force-pushes GENERAL GRIEVOUS into a large group of battle droids. Some are crushed by GENERAL GRIEVOUS, others are accidentally slashed and destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Jedi seem to be doing well with the battle droids. However, eventually, EETH KOTH is eventually gunned down. KIT FISTO and KI-ADI-MUNDI (who has just gotten up again) walk over to GENERAL GRIEVOUS. They engage again and are slowly overpowering GENERAL GRIEVOUS (KIT FISTO especially), who is injured. SAESEE TIIN is incipacitated by the droids. They assume he's dead so stop firing on him, however the Jedi is still alive. The same eventually happens with AGEN KOLAR. There are too many droids for DEPA BILLABA to deal with. After a while - in which DEPA BILLABA holds her own and is able to take out plenty of droids - she is gunned down and killed.

The 21st Nova Corps and Horn Company advance on the legions of battle droids, while KI-ADI-MUNDI and KIT FISTO continue their duel with GENERAL GRIEVOUS. KIT FISTO is kicked in the face as GENERAL GRIEVOUS slashes KI-ADI-MUNDI. KIT FISTO is taking on GENERAL GRIEVOUS by himself again.

Inside a corridor within the pirate holdout.

PLO KOON is using the Force to carry COUNT DOOKU (who is still unconcious) down the corridor. HONDO OHNAKA, COMMANDER WOLFFE and the remaining Wolfpack clones are going down the corridor.

PLO KOON: Is there a secret hangar?

HONDO OHNAKA: Yes. Unless these droids have destroyed it.

Florrum.

The clones are quickly falling, impossibly outnumbered. GENERAL GRIEVOUS finally takes out KIT FISTO (strangling him and then throwing him on the ground) and advances on the clone troopers. He takes out many (including COMMANDER JET, CAPTAIN BACARA and CAPTAIN LOCK), along with the aid of battle droids.

CLONE TROOPER: There's too many of them -

He is killed. Eventually, all the clones are taken out.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Move in. Do not stop until you have Count Dooku!

BATTLE DROIDS: Roger roger. Roger roger. Roger roger.

Inside the pirates' holdout.

The doors blow open.

TURK FALSO: Fire!

The pirates fire on the battle droids. GENERAL GRIEVOUS deflects many blasts. GWARM is killed. R5-P8 drives into the battle droids and knocks some down. He takes two blasts before being sliced and destroyed by GENERAL GRIEVOUS.

PEG LEG PIIT: Come on!

PILF MUKMUK and, his brother, PIKK MUKMUK jump onto GENERAL GRIEVOUS' face and starts pulling on it.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Gaaarh!

They are both stabbed. PEG LEG PIIT is blasted. The pirates are overwhelmed. TURK FALSO is the last pirate left, and is stabbed by GENERAL GRIEVOUS.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Find them!

The battle droids all split up and go down different corridors. GENERAL GRIEVOUS goes down one too.

Inside the corridor to the secret hangar within the pirates' holdout.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS and four battle droids are going down the corridor. They spot a clone walk down the corridor.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: Fire!

The clones turn and pause.

COMMANDER WOLFFE: Get to the hangar, sir. We'll hold them off.

PLO KOON: You don't have to do this.

COMMANDER WOLFFE: We're just clones, sir. We're meant to be expendable.

PLO KOON: Not to me.

COMMANDER WOLFFE: Sorry, sir. Come on, boys!

PLO KOON and HONDO OHNAKA start running. COUNT DOOKU is still being pulled down the corridor by the Force.

The clones take out the battle droids.

PLO KOON and HONDO OHNAKA make it to the hangar doors. They hear the clones' blasts and bodies falling to the floor one by one. PLO KOON activates his comm.

One by one, the clones are falling. Only four are left (COMMANDER WOLFFE, COMET, STINKER and BOOST). COMMANDER WOLFFE's comm beeps.

PLO KOON: We're at the hangar. Fall back.

COMMANDER WOLFFE: We've almost got him, sir.

PLO KOON: That was an order, Wolffe.

COMMANDER WOLFFE: Very well, sir. (TO THE CLONES) Fall back, boys!

STINKER is killed, but the others run down the corridor. As they get to the hangar doors, BOOST is also killed. GENERAL GRIEVOUS is in pursuit.

Inside the secret hangar within the pirates' holdout.

WOLFFE and COMET places several charges on the door.

COMET: Get to the ship.

HONDO OHNAKA runs onto a Weequay pirate ship. GENERAL GRIEVOUS approaches the door.

COMET: Gotcha.

He presses a detonator and the door explodes. The explosion sends GENERAL GRIEVOUS flying, but also kills COMET. GENERAL GRIEVOUS gets back up and advances.

PLO KOON: Wolffe. Get Dooku on board. I'll hold him off.

He activates his lightsaber and engages GENERAL GRIEVOUS. One of his green lightsabers is destroyed. GENERAL GRIEVOUS kicks PLO KOON in the face and walk over to COMMANDER WOLFFE. He chokes COMMANDER WOLFFE and takes COUNT DOOKU. COMMANDER WOLFFE takes out his blaster and fires at GENERAL GRIEVOUS, but the latter deflects it back, killing COMMANDER WOLFFE. He then exits the hangar with COUNT DOOKU.

PLO KOON goes over to COMMANDER WOLFFE and crouches down.

PLO KOON: Wolffe.

He realises that COMMANDER WOLFFE is dead. PLO KOON boards the Weequay pirate ship, which takes off.

Florrum.

*Soulless One* flies up and out of the planet. The Weequay pirate ship flies over to the battlefield. It lands, and PLO KOON exits. KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, SAESEE TIIN and AGEN KOLAR (all injured) are standing.

PLO KOON: They took Dooku.

He looks around.

PLO KOON: Hurry. If we're quick, we might be able to get Dooku back.

BOOM!

The CIS dreadnaughts fire at the planet. Explosions occur all around them. PLO KOON helps the surviving Jedi into the Weequay pirate ship, which takes off.

Space.

The Weequay pirate ship exits Florrum, just as the CIS dreadnaughts jump to hyperspace.

Inside the bridge within the leading CIS dreadnaught.

COUNT DOOKU is sitting. He seems to have gotten better.

A hologram of MOTHER TALZIN appears.

COUNT DOOKU: Mother Talzin.

MOTHER TALZIN: It's been too long, Dooku.

COUNT DOOKU: Indeed. How may I be of service?

MOTHER TALZIN: I heard you had a bit of trouble with your previous assassin. And that you were captured.

COUNT DOOKU: How are you aware of this?

MOTHER TALZIN: I know these things. Your previous assassin, Count, was one of ours. I wish to offer you a male this time. He may be easier for you as you clearly can't tame the female.

COUNT DOOKU: Very well. I will take up your offer.

MOTHER TALZIN: Good. I will be in contact.

Mustafar.

Establishing shot.

Inside the Separatist base on Mustafar.

Separatist leaders NUTE GUNRAY, POGGLE THE LESSER, WAT TAMBOR, PASSEL ARGENTE, SAN HILL, SHU MAI, TIKKES and PO NUDO are all gathered, along with their aides: SUN FAC, DENARIA KEE, CAT MIIN and NANK TUN. Several Neomodian generals are also present, standing at controls and pressing buttons. There are also infantry battle droids and security battle droids, who guard exits.

A hologram of COUNT DOOKU appears. The leaders bow.

NUTE GUNRAY: Count Dooku.

COUNT DOOKU: I see you have arrived on Mustafar.

NUTE GUNRAY: Without any aid from your mechanial menace. Why must we remain here for the whole war?

COUNT DOOKU: You are in a secure base. If the Republic were to learn of your location, they'd come here and wipe you all out.

NUTE GUNRAY: Then why don't we use that cackling droid? He nearly bankrupted the entire Trade Federation! And what's he done to benefit the war effort?

COUNT DOOKU: He has killed countless Jedi all throughout the galaxy. And he aided my rescue. He's added more to this war effort than you, Viceroy.

NUTE GUNRAY: I have funded your battle droids! I give you millions of credits every cycle!

POGGLE THE LESSER (TRANSLATED FROM HIS DIALECT): And you destroyed our battle droid factories!

COUNT DOOKU: If the Republic got hold of that factory, then we possible wouldn't be winning the war. They'd take control of the droids and reprogram them. But I assure you that this war will soon be over. The Jedi and Republic will be destroyed.

Space.

The Weequay pirate ship exits hyperspace. It flies towards the Kolinda Shoals Medical Center.

Inside the Kolinda Shoals Medical Center's bridge.

NALA SE and several clones are present.

CLONE OFFICER: Ma'am. We're detecting an approaching ship. It's not a Republic ship. It could be Separatists. Shall we fire?

NALA SE: Ask them for the codes. If they don't have them, open fire.

CLONE OFFICER: Yes, Ma'am.

Inside the Weequay pirate ship.

The comm beeps.

HONDO OHNAKA: Yes?

CLONE OFFICER: Please transmit your clearance clodes to proceed further.

HONDO OHNAKA: Very well.

PLO KOON reaches down to the controls.

PLO KOON: Transmitting clearance codes.

A few seconds.

CLONE OFFICER: Thank you. You are clear for entry.

Space.

The Weequay pirate ship flies into the hangar.

Inisde Kolinda Shoals Medical Center's hangar.

The Weequay pirate ship lands and its occupants get out. NALA SE and a few clone medical officers (such as KIX) walk over to them.

KIX: We'll take care of them, General Plo.

PLO KOON: Thank you.

KIX and the other clones help the injured KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, SAESEE TIIN and AGEN KOLAR away. NALA SE walks over to PLO KOON.

NALA SE: Master Jedi.

PLO KOON: Nala Se.

They both bow.

PLO KOON: I trust you will take care of them.

NALA SE: Of course. Their care is our number one priority.

PLO KOON nods. NALA SE walks off. He turns to HONDO OHNAKA.

PLO KOON: What will you do now?

HONDO HONAKA: Well, probably just more scavenging.

PLO KOON: But you don't have a crew. If you help us, perhaps you could get your revenge on the Separatists for destroying your crew and making your planet essentially uninhabitable.

HONDO OHNAKA (SIGHS): Very well, Master Jedi. I will help you hunt down that maniacal droid.

PLO KOON: Thank you.

### Chapter Seventeen: Savages

Space.

COUNT DOOKU's solar sailor exits hyperspace and flies down to Dathomir.

Dathomir.

COUNT DOOKU's solar sailor lands. He gets out and walks over to MOTHER TALZIN, who is accompanied by four Nightsisters.

COUNT DOOKU: Mother Talzin.

MOTHER TALZIN: Count Dooku. Come.

They all walk.

COUNT DOOKU: Thank you for receiving me, sister. I belive the old alliance can once again be what it once was. You would only have to pledge you clan's allegiance to the Separatist cause. We could certainly use the powers of the Nightsisters against the Jedi.

MOTHER TALZIN: Such a generous offer, Count. But our loyalty is reserved for only each other. The only reason I am aiding in your search for a new assassin is because long ago, you chose to help me. After this matter is resolved, I hope our paths never cross again.

COUNT DOOKU: As you wish, Sister.

MOTHER TALZIN: You have heard of the Sith warrior Darth Maul, have you not?

COUNT DOOKU: Yes. He was slain on Naboo at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

MOTHER TALZIN: A few still remain in his bloodline. The men dwell on the far side of Dathomir. What If I could provide another of his kind?

COUNT DOOKU: A warrior of the same caliber?

MOTHER TALZIN: Yes, but I warn you. Men are easy to aquire, hard to control.

COUNT DOOKU: With my last assassin, Asajj Ventress, dead and the Jedi's attacks against me increasing, procuring a new personal assassin is essential.

MOTHER TALZIN: Very well. It shall be done, my Lord.

COUNT DOOKU returns to his solar sailor, which takes off.

ASAJJ VENTRESS comes out from behind a tree.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: So he has agreed to take another apprentice - a barbarian, no less.

MOTHER TALZIN: A man who we will deliver to the Count with all of the training and skill an assassin can possess.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: This warrior must have no loyalty to Dooku.

MOTHER TALZIN: He will be our pawn.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Yes, yes.

MOTTHER TALZIN: We will use our magicks to manipulate his assassin and when the time is right...

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Dooku will pay for his betrayal with his life.

MOTHER TALZIN: You will go to the far side of Dathomir and find the men. You will select the most suitable candidate, one with you strength and skill, one we can use to our advantage.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Yes, Mother.

She boards her speeder, which proceeds to zoom away.

She reaches the far side of Dathomir. When she arrives at the male camp, BROTHER VISCUS and the other Nightbrothers look at her.

BROTHER VISCUS: Ah, welcome, Sister.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: I have come for the selection.

BROTHER VISCUS: Yes, yes, of course. Line up! Heads of each tribe, line up for the Sister!

SAVAGE OPRESS: Feral, try not to draw attention to yourself.

FERAL: That won't be a problem for me, Savage.

Nine Nightbrothers line up in front of ASAJJ VENTRESS and BROTHER VISCUS, who inspect them all.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: What a fine looking specimen. But looks aren't everything.

She chokes him and he collapses. He struggles on the ground, then passes out. ASAJJ VENTRESS continues her inspection.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: To small.

She pushes his face and he falls on the ground. She then pushes one in the stomach. They groan.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Too weak.

She looks at the remaining six.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: These will do.

She walks over to FERAL.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Him...

And then to SAVAGE OPRESS.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: ...And him.

BROTHER VISCUS: These men are to your liking, Sister?

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Yes. Now for the tests. There will be three of them. Whoever survives will be my champion and go on to serve me. Understood?

ALL: Yes, Sister.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Excellent. Let the games begin.

ONE HOUR LATER...

The contestants are all standing on a mountain, along I with ASAJJ Ventress and BROTHER VISCUS. Each are holding a club, axe or spear.

SAVAGE OPRESS: We must be vigilant, Feral.

FERAL: Aren't I always?

BROTHER VISCUS claps his hands. The contestants all yell and then start to charge ASAJJ VENTRESS. One is knocked onto the ground whilst another is kicked in the face. Another is quickly taken out. SAVAGE OPRESS charges her, but he is sent flying back a bit by the Force. FERAL then charges her. However, she is too quick for him, and takes him out in a matter of kicks and flips. But FERAL gets up just as another Nightbrother is taken out. ASAJJ VENTRESS grabs his club, and starts duelling FERAL. SAVAGE OPRESS gets back up and charges her. She kills one who got up, then turns her attention to SAVAGE OPRESS. Using the Force, she gets two axes and sends them hurtling towards SAVAGE OPRESS, who dodges them. ASAJJ VENTRESS finally takes out FERAL. Another gets up and throws their spear her. She catches it and throws it back at him, impaling him. FERAL looks up, fear in his eyes.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Feral!

ASSAJ VENTRESS kicks FERAL in the face, sending him flying, knocking him unconscious. Rather than take on ASAJJ VENTRESS, SAVAGE OPRESS runs over to FERAL.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Brother, get up.

FERAL: The witch. Where is she?

They look around and eventually spot her standing next to them.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Pathetic.

She punches SAVAGE OPRESS in the face, knocking him out.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Where are the warriors I came for? Is this all the power these men possess?

ONE HOUR LATER...

Inside the mountain, he four survivors of the last round are present, with ASAJJ VENTRESS.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: In order to fight against the Force, you must see what cannot be seen.

BROTHER VISCUS claps loudly again. The lights are extinguished one by one, creating darkness.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Only four of you remain. Who will be the first to fall?

She runs off. The Nightbrothers look around. They take out their weapons, ready for an attack. ASAJJ VENTRESS laughs. Then, one is stabbed. He collapses to the ground, dead.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Not fast enough.

Another one is taken out and killed, leaving only SAVAGE OPRESS and FERAL. They look at each other, then go back to back, looking intensively. Then, ASAJJ VENTRESS runs towards them. She goes to stab FERAL, but SAVAGE OPRESS pulls him out of the way.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Show yourself!

ASAJJ VENTRESS walks over to them.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Good.

ONE MORE HOUR LATER...

They are at the same mountain.

BROTHER VISCUS: Let the third and final challenge begin.

He claps. SAVAGE OPRESS and FERAL face ASAJJ VENTRESS. The lights go back on.

FERAL: There are only two of us left, brother, but only one will survive.

SAVAGE OPRESS: No. Not if I can help it.

The ground rumbles. A large platform lifts ASAJJ VENTRESS up, higher than the two remaining Nightbrothers.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Stick together. We must work as a team.

More platforms in the ground start moving, and they stop at different heights.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Go!

They both run. The platforms form a maze. ASAJJ VENTRESS lands back on the ground. They start chasing her. The two Nightbrothers both jump onto a platform which is moving. They then leap from that platform to another moving one, to another moving one, to a still one, on and on again, however they are separated. FERAL jumps onto one, which he fails to land on, but his hands grab the top. He slips, however, and falls down to the ground.

FERAL: Savage!

SAVAGE OPRESS looks around for him. On the ground, Feral is sneaking around, sticking to the edges. Then, ASAJJ VENTRESS jumps down. This shocks FERAL, who is then beaten up by ASAJJ VENTRESS with relative ease. She then Force chokes him, but just as she's about to kill him, SAVAGE OPRESS grabs her, and throws her into one of the stone platforms. She gets back up.

SAVAGE OPRESS: As long as I live, you will not harm him!

They run towards each other and start fighting. Then, they pause.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Please, spare him. Take me.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Leave us.

FERAL scurries off. Then, their fight continues. They both get hits, but eventually ASAJJ VENTRESS is able to subdue him.

SAVAGE OPRESS: My life if yours.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Yes, it is.

The Nightsisters' camp on Dathomir.

ASSAJ VENTRESS and SAVAGE OPRESS arrive on their speeder. They both get off it and walk over to MOTHER TALZIN.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: He has surrendered his life to me.

She places her hand on his chest and runs it down.

SAVAGE OPRESS: This one is strong... A perfect male specimen. Oh, such hate, the sheer power of it.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: A tremendous gift from the galaxy, Mother. He will serve us well.

MOTHER TALZIN taps his forehead, and he falls asleep.

A FEW MINUTES LATER...

SAVAGE OPRESS is lying in a stone bed. The Nightsisters have all surrounded him, and they are uttering an incantation in a mystical language. MOTHER TALZIN uses her magick to make his body stronger. He is lifted up into the air as the magick surrounds him. Then, his body transforms. Everything in his body grows larger - his bones, strength, skill and mind.

MOTHER TALZIN: He is ready, Sisters. Look at the strength in him, the power!

She taps his forehead again, and he wakes up.

He starts strangling ASAJJ VENTRESS.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Let me go!

MOTHER TALZIN: Calmly, my daughter.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Let me go.

SAVAGE OPRESS releases him.

MOTHER TALZIN: That's better. Bring in the prisoner.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Now for the final test.

Two Nightsisters walk over with a weak FERAL.

FERAL: Savage?

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Kill him.

FERAL: Savage, you know me. I am your kin. Do not do this.

ASAJJ VENTRESS smacks SAVAGE OPRESS.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: I said, "Kill him."

FERAL: No! Brother! Brother, please!

SAVAGE OPRESS: You beg? Weakling!

FERAL: Savage!

SAVAGE OPRESS does as ASAJJ VENTRESS requested.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: Good. Very good. You will learn to draw your strength from your emotions. Hate will feed you. Never sympathise with the enemy, not even for a moment.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Yes, Sister.

MOTHER TALZIN crafts a spear with her magick.

MOTHER TALZIN: For you, an enchanted blade, blessed with our most potent magicks.

ASAJJ VENTRESS: I think it's time we introduce the apprentice to his new master. (TO MOTHER TALZIN) Wouldn't you agree?

SAVAGE OPRESS picks up the blade.

Space.

A Separatist shuttle flies down to Serenno.

Serenno.

The Separatist shuttle flies to COUNT DOOKU's Palace. It lands. COUNT DOOKU is waiting. SAVAGE OPRESS walks down the ramp and out to his new Master.

COUNT DOOKU: At last.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Master. I am Savage Opress.

COUNT DOOKU: You certainly are a sight to behold.

SAVAGE OPRESS: I shall serve you well.

COUNT DOOKU: Yes, you shall.

SAVAGE OPRESS bows.

Inside COUNT DOOKU's lair.

COUNT DOOKU and SAVAGE OPRESS enter.

COUNT DOOKU: Mother Talzin speaks very highly of your skills. Still, I require proof of your abilities as a warrior. The Jedi are in control of a vital Outpost on the jungle planet of Devaron, a temple.

SAVAGE OPRESS: A temple?

COUNT DOOKU: Do not be fooled, Savage. The temple of Eedit serves only as a front for the military operations of the Republic. It is essential that we seize the Temple if the Separatists ever hope to take control of that corner of the galaxy. You shall go to Devaron and take what is rightfully ours.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Yes, my Lord.

He bows.

Space.

A solar sailor exits hyperspace and flies down to Devaron.

Outisde the Temple of Eedit.

The solar sailor lands. SAVAGE OPRESS walks out onto a large battle between the Republic and the Separatists. Jedi Council members OPPO RANCISIS and EVEN PIELL are leading the attack, along with COMMANDER TRAUMA. The Republic is winning the battle. For now...

The two Jedi Council members are taking the droids with ease. Then, SAVAGE OPRESS runs to the front of the Separatist forces and immediately starts hacking through clones with ease. He takes a shot, but it doesn't affect him.

COMMANDER TRAUMA: Get him!

He - along with all the other clones - are killed. OPPO RANCISIS and EVEN PIELL are still holding their own and taking out the droids. But then SAVAGE OPRESS walks over to them.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Jedi.

EVEN PIELL leaps towards him but, after a few clashes, is cut down. OPPO RANCISIS and SAVAGE OPRESS engage in a longer duel, but the latter wins again and kills this Council member too. He then takes out his holoprojector. A hologram of COUNT DOOKU appears.

SAVAGE OPRESS: My Lord.

COUNT DOOKU: Is it finished?

SAVAGE OPRESS: Yes. The temple has been taken.

COUNT DOOKU: And the Jedi?

SAVAGE OPRESS: Dead.

COUNT DOOKU: Very impressive, Savage. Return to Serenno immediately. The droids will take care of the system now.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Very well, my Lord.

The hologram flickers off and SAVAGE OPRESS pockets the holoprojector.

Inside COUNT DOOKU's lair on Serenno.

COUNT DOOKU: You have done well, Savage. I'll have much use for you.

SAVAGE OPRESS: Thank you, my Lord.

COUNT DOOKU: I forsee we will do great things together. I shall teach you the ways of the Dark Side. Soon your powers will rival that of the great Sith Lord, Darth Maul. We will be even more powerful than Lord Sidious. We shall rule the galaxy together, my apprentice.

SAVAGE OPRESS: I am your servant, Master.

Space.

A Republic attack shuttle exits hyperspace and flies down to Coruscant.

Coruscant.

The Republic attack shuttle flies towards the Jedi Temple.

Inside the Jedi Temple hangar.

The Republic attack shuttle lands. Delta Squad (BOSS, FIXER, SCORCH and SEV) walk down from the ramp. They are carrying five coffins. They walk over YODA, PLO KOON, KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO and SAESEE TIIN.

BOSS: They were dead on Devaron, generals. And the Separatists have taken the entire system. They had help.

Inside the Jedi Temple funeral room.

YODA, PLO KOON, KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO, SAESEE TIIN, AGEN KOLAR, QUINLAN VOS, AAYLA SECURA, LUMINARA UNDULI, STASS ALLIE, TERA SINUBE, JOCASTA NU, COLEMAN KCAJ, RIG NEMA, CIN DRALLIG, BAIRDON JACE, RISSA MANO, JARO TAPAL, VOOLVIF MONN, FI-EK SIRCH, JOCLAND DANVA, TARADOS GON, SORA BULQ, TU-ANH, THOLME, HUULIK, TUTSO MARA, RORON COROBB, FOUL MOUDAMA, B'INK UTRILA, L'LCAIELO SAGEON and PABLO-JILL are all present. A hatch under the ground opens, and the coffins float down, in a typical Jedi funeral ceromony.

Inside the Jedi Council chambers.

With the death of five of the Council members, only seven seats are occupied (MACE WINDU and SHAAK TI by hologram and YODA, PLO KOON, KI-ADI-MUNDI, KIT FISTO and SAESEE TIIN in person). A holoimage of SAVAGE OPRESS has been activated and is being looked at by the surviving members of the Jedi Council.

MACE WINDU: He's from Dathomir. A Zabrak - the same race as Darth Maul.

KI-ADI-MUNDI: I sense the danger he opposes. I suggest we send some of our best duellists to deal with him.

MACE WINDU: Unfortunately, myself and Master Kenobi are currently occupied at the moment, so we can't join you. But I think I know who we should send instead.

Space.

A Jedi shuttle, Republic attack shuttle and the *Havoc Marauder* flies out of hyperspace and down to Serenno.

Serenno.

The shuttles lands at COUNT DOOKU's Palace. Then, Jedi Masters RISSA MANO, BAIRDON JACE, THOLME, VOOLVIF MONN and JARO TAPAL exit them, followed by two commando squads.

Inside COUNT DOOKU's lair on Serenno.

COUNT DOOKU and SAVAGE OPRESS are talking.

Outside COUNT DOOKU's lair on Serenno.

Clone Force 99, RISSA MANO, BAIRDON JACE and THOLME go on one side of COUNT DOOKU's lair, and Delta Squad, VOOLVIF MONN and JARO TAPAL go on the other side of COUNT DOOKU's lair. CROSSHAIR and SEV fire grapple hooks up to the top floor of the palace.

CROSSHAIR: Hold on.

They do so. Then, they haul themselves up on the wires.

Inside COUNT DOOKU's lair.

A blast. The glass smashes. COUNT DOOKU and SAVAGE OPRESS turn around and see the Jedi and clones. The Jedi activate their lightsabers and the clones ready their blasters. COUNT DOOKU activates his lightsaber and SAVAGE OPRESS readies his spear.

BOSS: Fire!

The clones open fire. COUNT DOOKU deflects the blasts back, whilst the Jedi run over to them. They split up (RISSA MANO and VOOLVIF MONN take on COUNT DOOKU, whilst BAIRDON JACE, THOLME and JARO TAPAL take on SAVAGE OPRESS). COUNT DOOKU and SAVAGE OPRESS are clearly winning. BAIRDON JACE is taken out quickly and killed.

COUNT DOOKU kicks RISSA MANO and VOOLVIF MONN, and moves onto the clones. He deflects a blast back at TECH, killing him. He then decapitates FIXER, then stabs BOSS, killing him. WRECKER punches COUNT DOOKU in the face, sending him flying.

SAVAGE OPRESS kills THOLME. JARO TAPAL proves more of a challenge, but is also soon taken out and killed. He then goes over to the clones. He strangles HUNTER and kills him. CROSSHAIR gets a shot in his head, and SAVAGE OPRESS collapses. SCORCH and WRECKER get ready to fire, but SAVAGE OPRESS gets up. He kills SCORCH and flings WRECKER out of the window, then moves on to SEV. He kills him. CROSSHAIR opens fire again, but SAVAGE OPRESS sends the blasts flying away. CROSSHAIR is impaled. His body then falls out of the broken window.

RISSA MANO and VOOLVIF MONN get up again, along with COUNT DOOKU. VOOLVIF MONN duels COUNT DOOKU, whilst RISSA MANO takes on SAVAGE OPRESS. Both Jedi are killed.

COUNT DOOKU uses the Force to push the bodies out of the smashed window.

COUNT DOOKU: The Jedi are onto us now. Your training will start shortly -

BOOM!

Serenno.

COUNT DOOKU's lair is on fire. The *Havoc Marauder* is flying.

Inside the *Havoc Marauder*.

WRECKER is flying the ship, with the aid of GONKY.

Inside COUNT DOOKU's lair.

COUNT DOOKU uses the Force to send the *Havoc Marauder* spiralling up into the air, then straight into the ground...

Serenno.

The *Havoc Marauder* is sent flying straight into the ground. It explodes, killing WRECKER and destroying GONKY.

Inside COUNT DOOKU's lair.

COUNT DOOKU and SAVAGE are standing in the ruins of the palace.

COUNT DOOKU: We're not safe here. But I have a location that I know we will be.

### Chapter Eighteen: Confrontation

Space.

A Republic Venator is flying.

Inside the Republic Venator's warroom.

OBI-WAN KENOBI, MACE WINDU, and the 187th Legion's CLONE COMMANDER are all present. COMMANDER CODY enters.

COMMANDER CODY: Generals. Clone Intelligence has found the Sith Assassin. He's on Pasaana. It's a desert planet.

MACE WINDU: Thank you, Commander.

Inside the Republic Venator's bridge.

MACE WINDU enters.

MACE WINDU: Admiral. Set course for Pasaana.

ADMIRAL TARKIN: As you wish, Master Jedi. (TO THE CLONES) Go to the Middian system in the Ombakond sector.

Space.

The Republic Venator jumps to hyperspace.

Inside the Republic Venator's warroom.

A hologram of the Jedi Council is present: STASS ALLIE has replaced ADI GALLIA, AGEN KOLAR has replaced EETH KOTH, COLEMAN KCAJ has replaced DEPA BILLABA, LUMINARA UNDULI has replaced OPPO RANCISIS and finally OBI-WAN KENOBI (who is present in the warroom physically) has replaced EVEN PIELL.

MACE WINDU: Clone Intelligence has managed to track Ochi to Pasaana. We're currently on our way to apprehend him.

YODA: Good. With this assassin in our custody, learn more about the Sith, we will.

MACE WINDU: What of Count Dooku, General Grievous and this new Zabrak monster?

YODA: Hmm. More time, we need. Recouperate, we should. Low, our numbers are.

OBI-WAN KENOBI: Perhaps once we've got the assassin in our custody, finding the Sith will be easier. Especially with the mystery of Darth Sidious.

PLO KOON: May the Force be with you.

Inside the *Invisible Hand*'s bridge.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS is present. COUNT DOOKU and SAVAGE OPRESS enter.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: My Lord. Who is *this*?

SAVAGE OPRESS grunts. He takes his blade out and goes for GENERAL GRIEVOUS, but the latter takes his lightsabers out. GENERAL GRIEVOUS obviously has more experience, so he is able to hold his own against SAVAGE OPRESS. He slices the latter's arm. They both point their weapons at the other.

COUNT DOOKU: That's enough.

He sends Force lightning at them both. They drop all their weapons. They, COUNT DOOKU stops.

COUNT DOOKU: You can't be doing this. If there's a civil war within the Confederacy, our entire war effort will fall apart. Consider this a warning: both of you.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS and SAVAGE OPRESS both grunt, but calm down.

COUNT DOOKU: That's good. General, this is Savage Opress. Savage, this is General Grievous. General, Savage is now in command of this ship.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: What?! This is *my* ship!

COUNT DOOKU: Savage hasn't failed me. You have.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS: He's only every had *one* mission! He will fail!

COUNT DOOKU: I'll be the judge of that.

He nods to two security battle droids.

COUNT DOOKU: Take them off the bridge.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS is taken away.

Dathomir.

ASAJJ VENTRESS boards her starfighter.

MOTHER TALZIN: Get your revenge on Dooku.

ASAJJ VENTRESS nods. Then, the starfighter takes off.

Space.

The starfighter jumps to hyperspace.