Fan Fiction ❯ STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES (a revision) ❯ ACT II ( Chapter 2 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: johnny_lee 
this is it! the final act in this Alternate Universe script. some of the more fun changes occur in here. I warn you that creative liberties are taken (lol obviously), and a few additional scenes are written for more possible character development. if you don't understand the point to my changes, feel free to ask me about them. feedback is good.
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance / Sci-fi | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.04.2005 | Pages: 77 | Words: 47.3K | Visits: 152 | Status: Completed
this is it! the final act in this Alternate Universe script. some of the more fun changes occur in here. I warn you that creative liberties are taken (lol obviously), and a few additional scenes are written for more possible character development. if you don't understand the point to my changes, feel free to ask me about them. feedback is good.
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance / Sci-fi | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.04.2005 | Pages: 77 | Words: 47.3K | Visits: 152 | Status: Completed
STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES (a re-write)
Rating: PG-13 (stylized violence)
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, George Lucas does. NO money is being made from this fiction.
Summary: This is a script treatment for Attack of the Clones, based from chunks of what are (TO MY KNOWLEDGE) the screenplay and shooting script. This was an exercise for me, to see if I could effectively make reasonable changes and make Anakin a more agreeable character. I, as a viewer, felt that it was too soon to make Anakin as impolite as he tends to be in the movie. I am not saying that my changes are a must or even all that good, it all depends on what you all think as you read it. Just know that I couldn't rest until I did some character work on Anakin.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, APARTMENT - LATE DAY
TAUN WE shows OBI-WAN into his room.
TAUN WE:
I have arranged for you to meet
Jango Fett in the morning. Sleep
well.
TAUN WE goes. The door slides closed behind him. OBI-WAN looks around, then moves swiftly to check the room over. Finally, satisfied, he takes out his comlink.
OBI-WAN:
Arfour, Arfour…
EXT. TIPOCA CITY LANDING PLATFORM, JEDI FIGHTER, (RAINSTORM) - LATE DAY
The R4 D17, Obi-Wan's Astro-Droid, who is sitting on top of Obi-Wan's Starfighter, switches on and BEEPS.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, APARTMENT - LATE DAY
OBI-WAN hears ARFOUR BEEP through his comlink.
OBI-WAN
Arfour, relay this, "scramble code
five," to Courscant: care of "the
old folks home."
EXT. TIPOCA CITY LANDING PLATFORM, JEDI FIGHTER, (RAINSTORM) - LATE DAY
ARFOUR BEEPS and WHISTLES. The panels light up inside the cockpit, as the message is transmitted.
EXT. JEDI TEMPLE, LIVINF QUARTERS - EARLY EVENING
YODA and MACE WINDU listen as a hologram of OBI-WAN stands between them broadcasting the massage. The singnal is very weak, the image fades in and out.
OBI-WAN: (V.O.)
...I've never heard of a Jedi
called Sifo-Dyas, have you, Master?
MACE:
No. Whoever placed that order was
not a Jedi, I can assure you.
OBI-WAN: (V.O.)
I have a strong feeling that this
bounty hunter is the assassin
we're looking for.
YODA:
Who he is working for… discover
that, you must.
OBI-WAN: (V.O.)
I will, Master, and I will also
find out more about this clone
army... May The Force...
The hologram switches off, and OBI-WAN fades away.
MACE:
A clone army! Ordered by someone
in the Senate perhaps… Someone's
out to start a war.
YODA:
Inform the chancellor of this, we
must.
MACE:
Who do you think this impostor
Sifo-Dyas, could be?
YODA stares back at MACE WINDU, then slowly shakes his head.
EXT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT - NIGHT
The silent lodge. The triple moons of Naboo reflected in the tranquil waters of the lake.
INT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, ANAKIN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
ANAKIN moves restlessly in his sleep. He mutters to himself. Sweat
forms on his forehead. He turns violently. He cries out.
ANAKIN:
No… No! No!! Mother, no!! Don't!!
EXT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, LODGE, BALCONY OVERLOOKING GARDENS - MORNING
ANAKIN is on the balcony overlooking the gardens. After a moment, PAMDE comes onto the balcony behind him. She sees he is meditating and turns to go.
ANAKIN: (eyes closed)
Don't go…
PAMDE:
I don't want to disturb you.
ANAKIN:
On the contrary, your presence is soothing.
Brief pause.
PADME:
You had a nightmare again last
night.
ANAKIN:
Jedi don't have nightmares.
PADME:
I heard you.
ANAKIN slowly opens his eyes and looks at her.
ANAKIN
I did dream. I saw my mother almost as
clearly as I see you now. She was
suffering, Padme. She was…
ANAKIN grows serious.
ANAKIN:
She is in pain. They're killing her!
He stands.
ANAKIN:
I know I'm disobeying my mandate to
protect you. I may even be punished
and possibly thrown out of the Jedi
Order, but I must go back to Tatooine.
I have to know if my mother is safe.
I'm sorry Padme, but I don't have a
choice.
PADME:
Anakin, I told you I wouldn't let
you give up your future.
I'll go with you. That way you
can continue to protect me, and
you won't be disobeying your
mandate.
ANAKIN:
And what of Master Obi-Wan?
PADME smiles and takes his hand.
PADME:
I guess we won't tell him, will we?
EXT. NABOO LAKE, FLOATING LANDING PLATFORM - DAY
ANAKIN and PADME step onto the landing platform from the water speeder. They enter the Naboo Starship. ARTOO BEEPS, and follows them on board. The ramp retracts.
PADDY ACCU drives the water speeder away from the platform as Anakin's Starship takes off.
EXT. TIPOCA CITY (RAINSTORM) - DAY
Rain lashes the city. Below, mightly waves pound the stilts, breaking almost to the height of the platforms.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CORRIDOR - DAY
TAUN WE conducts OBI-WAN to the door of Jango Fett's apartment. TAUN WE waves his hand, and a muted bell RINGS.
As they wait, OBI-WAN notes the door lock entry mechanism. Then the door opens, and a ten-year-old boy, BOBA FETT, looks at them. He is identical to the boys in the classroom.
TAUN WE:
Boba, is your father here?
There is a brief pause, then BOBA FETT nods.
TAUN WE:
May we see him?
BOBA:
Sure.
Another brief pause, then BOBA FETT steps aside, and TAUN WE and OBI-WAN go through.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, FETT APARTMENT - DAY
OBI-WAN, TAUN WE, and BOBA FETT enter the apartment. OBI-WAN looks around the room.
BOBA:
Dad! Taun We's here!
JANGO FETT comes in from the bedroom. He wears a jumpsuit. He is unshaven and mean looking, his face pitted with scars of old wounds. There are a couple of weird tattoos on his muscular forearms. He eyes OBI-WAN with suspicion.
TAUN WE:
Welcome back, Jango. Was your
trip productive?
JANGO:
Fairly.
OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT size each other up. BOBA FETT studies both of them.
TAUN WE:
This is Jedi Master Obi-Wan
Kenobi. He's come to check on our
progress.
JANGO:
That right?
JANGO FETT'S eyes fix OBI-WAN coldly.
OBI-WAN:
Your clones are very impressive.
You must be very proud.
JANGO:
I'm just a simple man, trying to
make my way in the universe,
Master Jedi.
OBI-WAN:
Aren't we all?
OBI-WAN eyes the half-open bedroom door, through which a couple of pieces of body armour can be seen on the floor. JANGO FETT registers OBI-WAN'S look. He moves in front of him, blocking the view.
OBI-WAN:
Ever made your way as far into the
interior as Coruscant?
JANGO:
Once or twice.
OBI-WAN:
Recently?
JANGO:
Possibly...
OBI-WAN:
Then you must know Master Sifo-
Dyas?
JANGO: (another language)
Boba, close the door.
BOBA FETT moves to close the bedroom door. JANGO FETT smiles thinly at OBI-WAN.
JANGO:
Master who?
OBI-WAN:
Sifo-Dyas. Isn't he the Jedi who
hired you for this job?
JANGO:
Never heard of him. I was recuited
by a man called Tyranus on one of
the moons of Bogden.
OBI-WAN:
No? I thought…
TAUN WE:
Sifo-Dyas told us to expect him.
And he showed up just when your
Jedi Master said he would. We
have kept the Jedi's involvement
a secret until your arrival, just
as your Master requested.
OBI-WAN:
Curious…
JANGO:
Do you like your army?
OBI-WAN:
It seems to me it's your army…
being that they are all clones of
you.
JANGO FETT grins.
JANGO:
They'll do their job well, I'll
guarantee that.
OBI-WAN:
I look forward to seeing them in
action. Thank you for your time,
Jango.
JANGO:
Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi.
OBI-WAN and TAUN WE go out. The door slides closed. JANGO FETT turns to his son. He is deep in thought.
BOBA:
What is it, Dad?
JANGO:
Pack your things. We're leaving.
EXT. SPACE
The Naboo Starship heads toward the desert planet of Tatooine.
EXT. TATOOINE, MOS ESPA STREETS AND WATTO'S SHIP - DAY
The Naboo Starship lands in a large parking lot of Spaceships on the outskirts of Mos Espa. ANAKIN and PADME ride a rickshaw through the streets. ANAKIN stares at sights he hasn't seen for years. Finally, they come to Wattos' shop, and the rickshaw stops.
ANAKIN: (to the droid driver)
Wait here, please.
ANAKIN and PADME get down. Sitting on a stool in front of the shop is WATTO. He is using a small electronic screwdriver on a fiddly DROID. THREE PIT DROIDS are chattering away and are trying to help him, but they seem only to make him madder.
WATTO: (yelling, in Huttese)
No, not that one, that one!
ANAKIN:
Excuse me, Watto.
WATTO: (in Huttese)
What?
ANAKIN: (in Huttese)
I said “excuse me”.
WATTO turns to the chattering PIT DROIDS.
WATTO: (in Huttese)
Shut down.
The PIT DROIDS snap into their storage position.
WATTO: (in Huttese)
What? I don't know you... What can
I do for you? You look like a
Jedi. Whatever it is... I didn't
do it.
WATTO drops the screwdriver and curses loudly in Huttese
ANAKIN: (in Huttese)
Let me help you with that.
ANAKIN takes the fiddly piece of equipment and starts to play with it. WATTO blinks in surprise.
ANAKIN: (in Huttese)
I'm looking for Shmi Skywalker.
WATTO looks at him suspiciously. He stares at PADME, then back to ANAKIN.
WATTO:
Annie?? Little Annie?? Naaaah!!
Suddenly, the fiddly piece of equipment in Anakin's hands WHIRS into life. WATTO blinks at it.
WATTO:
You are Annie! It is you! You
little womp rat.
WATTO gives ANAKIN a big hug.
WATTO:
You sure sprouted! A
Jedi! Waddaya know? Hey, maybe
you couldda help wit some
daedbeats who owe-
ANAKIN:
My mother, Watto… if you please.
WATTO:
Oh, yeah. Shmi... she's not mine
no more. I sold her.
ANAKIN:
Sold her?
WATTO:
Years ago. Sorry, Annie, but you
know, business is business.
Sold her to a moisture farmer
named Lars. Least I think it was
Lars. Believe it or not, I heard
he freed her and married her. Can
ya beat that?
ANAKIN:
Do you know where they are?
WATTO:
Long way from here… someplace
over on the other side of Mos
Eisley, I think…
ANAKIN:
I'd really like to know, Watto. Time
is something of an issue here.
ANAKIN'S grim look means business; WATTO gets the hint quickly.
WATTO:
Yeah… sure… absolutely. Let's
go look in my records.
ANAKIN and WATTO go into the shop.
EXT. TIPOCA CITY (RAINSTORM) - DAY
The waves crash against the water city as the storm continues. Light suddenlyt streams from the base of a landing platform as a door slides open.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CORRIDOR - DAY
OBI-WAN stands with LAMA SU and TAUN WE just inside the open door.
LAMA SU:
Tell your Council the first
battalions are ready. And remind
them that if they need more
troops, we will need time to grow
them.
OBI-WAN:
I won't forget.
EXT. TIPOCA CITY, KAMINO LANDING PLATFORM (RAINSTORM) - DAY
OBI-WAN comes out from the tower into the driving ran. The door closes behind him. He pulls his robe around him and stands braced against the gale.
Below, a huge wave crashes against the stilts. Spray flies high and whips across the platform where OBI-WAN is standing. He walks over to his Starfighter, looks to see if anyone is watching, then turns and goes back to the door. It slides open.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, CORRIDOR - DAY
OBI-WAN enters cautiously from outside. Ahead, the corridor is deserted. He moves down it.
INT. TIPOCA CITY, FETT APARTMENT - DAY
OBI-WAN walks in to find the room in complete disorder. The bedroom door is wide open - clear signs of hurried departure. All of the Fetts' personal belongings are gone.
OBI-WAN goes to an ultra-thin computer screen. He punches up AN ONSCREEN PICTURE of JANGO FETT and BOBA FETT unhitching the lines securing their ship to the landing platform. JANGO FETT is wearing his armour and rocket pack. BOBA FETT climbs aboard the small Fighter.
EXT. TIPOCA CITY, KAMINO LANDING PLATFORM (RAINSTORM) - DAY
JANGO FETT picks up a case and swings it up to BOBA FETT, who stows it inside the ship. JANGO FETT picks up another case and is about to swing it, when:
BOBA:
Dad!!
JANGO FETT turns to see OBI-WAN charging out of the tower toward him. As he runs, OBI-WAN draws his lightsaber from his belt. It flashes on.
JANGO FETT draws his gun and fires at the charging JEDI. OBI-WAN deflects the blast and swings at JANGO FETT.
The bounty hunter rockets up and over OBI-WAN, landing behind him. He fires a thin wire from his wrist pack, trying to entangle the Jedi.
JANGO FETT fire several Kamino Kyber Darts from his elbow launcher. OBI-WAN deflects them back at JANGO FETT, but they strike harmlessly against the bounty hunter's armour.
IN THE COCKPIT of Jango Fett's ship, BOBA FETT grabs the controls of a laser gun and swings it to aim at OBI-WAN.
OUTSIDE, in the driving rain, OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT circle each other, sizing each other up - feinting.
IN THE COCKPIT, each time BOBA FETT is ready to fire, JANGO FETT blocks his view of OBI-WAN.
OUTSIDE, OBI-WAN makes a sudden attack, swinging at JANGO FETT, who deflects the blows. One slices off a piece of the bounty hunter's shoulder plate. JANGO FETT rockets into the air and hovers above OBI-WAN. The Jedi spins as:
IN THE COCKPIT, BOBA FETT fires.
OUTSIDE, the laser shell streaks past OBI-WAN to strike the edge of the tower. JANGO FETT fires down at OBI-WAN. The Jedi deflects the shots back, but JANGO FETT evades them. Then he swoops down, swinging around OBI-WAN. As he shoots past, he kicks the lightsaber out of the Jedi's hand.
The lightsaber skids across the wet surface of the landing platform. OBI-WAN dives after it. JANGO FETT zooms in front of him and grabs the lightsaber. OBI-WAN punches it out of his hand.
IN THE COCKPIT, BOBA FETT watches as:
OUTSIDE, OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT grapple and fight, punching, kicking, grabbing hold, and throwing each other around. OBI-WAN grabs JANGO FETT tightly, and JANGO FETT rockets up into the air and kicks OBI-WAN loose. OBI-WAN crashes to the deck and slides toward the edge. He grapples desperately for a handhold on the slick surface.
JANGO FETT rockets down to kick at him. OBI-WAN hauls himself up. JANGO FETT zooms to the far side of the platform.
OBI-WAN uses Jedi powers to pull part of the structure loose. It hits JANGO FETT, who loses his balance, teetering on the edge. OBI-WAN charges acress, dives, and grabs hold of JANGO FETT just as he falls over the edge.
Locked together, OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT plummet down toward the raging ocean. At the last moment, JANGO FETT fires a cable out of his backpack that shoots upward and locks onto a metal strut on the underside of the platform. OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT swing and CRASH onto one of the stilts.
OBI-WAN is knocked clear and drops onto a SMALL SERVICE PLATFORM just above the waves. He hauls himself to his feet. JANGO FETT hovers in mid-air opposite him, as a HUGE WAVE crashes over OBI-WAN. When it subsides, the Jedi has disappeared.
JANGO FETT rockets up to the landing platform, where he drops down beside his ship. He clambers inside the cockpit and settles into the pilot's seat. He punches buttons. The engines ROAR.
OUTSIDE, JANGO FETT's ship lifts off from the platform and heads up into the lowering sky. It disappears. Lightning flashes. Rain lashes the tower and streams across the surface of the platform, to where:
A HAND suddenlt clutches at the very edge of the platform. A moment later, ANOTHER HAND grabs hold.
EXT. TATOOINE, BLUFF OVERLOOKING HOMESTEAD - LATE DAY
The Naboo Starship descends, hovers, and land on a bluff. ANAKIN and PADME get out. They look down from the edge of the bluff to where the homestead is seen on the desert floor below.
PADME:
Stay with the ship, Artoo.
ARTOO WHISTLES as ANAKIN and PADME start down the trail toward the homestead.
EXT. TATOOINE, DESERT, HOMESTEAD MOISTURE FARM - LATE DAY
C-3PO is working outside the homestead. He still lacks an outer covering; his inner parts and wiring show. He looks up as ANAKIN and PADME arrive,
C-3PO:
Good evening. May I help you?
ANAKIN:
No way… Threepio?
C-3PO:
Oh, my... oh, my! Master
Anakin! My goodness, I can hardly
believe it! And this must be Miss
Padme.
PADME:
Hello, Threepio.
ANAKIN:
I've come to see my mother, Threepio.
C-3PO:
Oh, dear! I'm so terribly sorry,
Master Annie.
PADME:
Threepio, what's happened?
C-3PO:
I think we'd better go inside.
EXT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, COURTYARD - LATE DAY
ANAKIN, PADME and THREEPIO arrive in the courtyard. THREEPIO shuffles ahead.
C-3PO:
Master Lars! Master Owen!
Somebody to see you!
OWEN LARS and BERU WHITESUN come out into the courtyard.
ANAKIN:
Hello. My name's Anakin Skywalker.
I'm looking for my mother, Shmi.
OWEN extends his hand, ANAKIN accepts it and the two shake hands.
OWEN:
Owen Lars. I guess I'm your
step-brother. This is my
girlfriend, Beru.
BERU:
Hello.
PADME:
I'm Padme.
OWEN:
I had a feeling you might show up
some day.
ANAKIN:
Is my mother here?
CLIEGG:
No, she's not.
CLIEGG LARS swings from the house on a small floating chair. One of his legs is heavily bandaged; the other is missing. He balances awkwardly and puts out a hand.
CLIEGG:
Cliegg Lars. Shmi is my wife.
Come on inside. We have a lot to
talk about.
INT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, KITCHEN - LATE DAY
BERU puts several steaming cups of ardees on a tray and exits the kitchen...
CLIEGG: (O.S.)
It was just before dawn. They
came out of nowhere. A hunting
party of Tusken Raiders.
INT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, DINING AREA - LATE DAY
CLIEGG, OWEN, PADME and ANAKIN sit around the table, BERU brings the drinks from the kitchen.
CLIEGG:
Your mother had gone out early,
like she always did, to pick
mushrooms that grow on the
vaporators. From the tracks, she
was about halfway when they
took her. Those Tuskens walk like
men, but they're vicious, mindless
monsters. Thirty of us went out
after her. Four of us came back.
Three more are still out there
looking. I'd be with them,
only... I just couldn't ride any
more... until I heal.
CLIEGG grimaces, easing his throbbing leg.
CLIEGG:
This isn't the way I wanted to
meet you, son. This isn't how
your mother and I planned it. I
don't want to give up on her, but
she's been gone a month. There's
little hope she's lasted this long.
Silence. Then ANAKIN stands up.
OWEN:
Where are you going?
ANAKIN:
To find my mother.
PADME:
Anakin…
CLIEGG:
She's dead, son. Accept it.
ANAKIN:
She is alive. I can't explain it,
but I can feel her pain. Through it…
I will find her.
ANAKIN turns abruptly.
OWEN:
Wait!
Owen stands and hands Anakin keys.
OWEN:
Take my speeder bike.
EXT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, MOISTURE FARM - LATE DAY
ANAKIN stands looking across the desert. PADME comes running out of the homestead after him. ANAKIN turns to PADME.
ANAKIN:
You're going to have to stay
here. These are good people,
Padme. You'll be safe.
PADME:
Anakin…
PADME and ANAKIN embrace. ANAKIN slowly breaks the contact, then walks over to Owen's speeder bike which stands close by.
ANAKIN:
I won't be long.
ANAKIN swings onto the bike. The engine fires.
ANAKIN takes off across the desert. PADME watches him go.
EXT. TATOOINE, DUNE SEA, CAMPFIRE - TWILIGHT
ANAKIN rides over a large dune toward a small flickering light in the distance.
He rides up and stops the bike in front of a campfire. There are bodies of THREE DEAD FARMERS lying beside the campfire. TWO EOPIES are thethered nearby, along with a burned and smoking speeder.
EXT. SPACE, GEONOSIS
The red planet of Geonosis is circled by a large asteroid field that form rings. Jango Fett's ship appears, heading toward it.
INT. COCKPIT, FETT SHIP, SPACE, GEONOSIS
JANGO FETT grins at BOBA FETT.
JANGO:
Nearly there, son.
JANGO FETT guides he ship around the asteroids. Suddenly:
BOBA:
Dad, look!!
On the view screen, Obi-Wan's ship appears, chasing after them. JANGO FETT grabs the controls. They are thrown around as the ship plummets to try to lose OBI-WAN.
JANGO:
Hang on!
The ship goes into a power-climb. A GREAT SPACE DDOGFIGHT ensues between OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT.
EXT. SPACE, GEONOSIS
The ships flip, roll, and turn at incredible speed, didging, weaving and firing. They tumble from near misses. Hits fly off Obi-Wan's fighter as one of Jango's missiles gets through.
Finally, it seems as if OBI-WAN is getting the upper hand. JANGO FETT breaks off the fight and dives sharply. He maneuvers deftly between two huge asteroids.
In JANGO FETT'S COCKPIT, BOBA FETT flinches as asteroids pass very close by.
BOBA:
Dad! Watch out!
JANGO:
Stay calm, son. We'll be fine.
That Jedi won't be able to follow
us through this.
But Obi-Wan ship dives into the asteroid belt after them.
IN OBI-WAN'S COCKPIT, his skill is pushed to the limit as he throws the ship from side to side, avoiding great rocks. Then a huge asteroid tumbles across his path. There seem no way he can avoid it. OBI-WAN fires a couple of aerial torpedoes. They streak toward the asteroid.
IN JANGO'S COCKPIT, they see the huge explosion as Obi-Wan's ship appears to smash into the asteroid.
BOBA:
Got him! Yeahhhhh!
JANGO:
We won't see him again.
BOBA FETT laughs. Jango Fett's ship emerges from the asteroid belt and heads down toward the planet of Geonosis.
EXT. TATOOINE, DESERT, JAWA CAMP - SUNSET
ANAKIN stands in the middle of a crowd of JAWAS. He asks them from directions. The JAWAS confer exicitedly, then the CHIEF JAWA points in a particular direction. ANAKIN gets on the bike and speeds off to where the JAWA pointed.
EXT. TATOOINE, LANDSCAPE (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
THREE DIFFERENT SHOTS. ANAKIN rids the speeder bike through three exotic landscapes. In one shot, he stops and looks down at some tracks. Then he starts up his speeder and rides off.
EXT. TATOOINE, DESERT, HOMESTEAD (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
The lights of the vaporators blink in the night sky. Somewhere close by, a night animal HOWLS.
EXT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, COURTYARD (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
PADME is pacing the courtyard restlessly. She stops, listening to the animal HOWLING nearby. She shivers slightly, then turns and goes into the garage at the side of the courtyard.
INT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD - GARAGE (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
PADME stands looking at a speeder parked in the garage. Short silence. Then:
C-3PO:
Please don't leave us, Miss Padme.
These people need your help.
THREEPIO is parked in a corner.
PADME:
I'm not leaving, Threepio. I just
can't sleep.
C-3PO:
That's something I cannot relate
to. As a Protocol Droid, I'm
either active or inactive.
There's no in-between.
PADME:
I guess you're lucky.
C-3PO:
Do you really think so? I
suppose I shouldn't expect...
PADME:
You're not ha:ppy here?
C-3PO:
Oh, I'm not unhappy! And my
masters here are so kind I
wouldn't wish to trouble them,
it's just... being like this...
well, it's embarrassing.
PADME:
Being like what?
C-3PO:
Naked, if you pardon the
expression. You see, when Master
Annie made me, he never quite
found the time to give me any
outer covering. It's so
humiliating. How would you like it
if you had to go around with all
your circuits showing?
PADME:
I guess I wouldn't like it at all.
C-3PO:
Of course you wouldn't. Nobody
would. It's simply not protocol.
PADME looks thoughtfully at a pile of spare parts and bits of metal and tools.
PADME:
Maybe we can do something about it.
C-3PO:
I don't think so. Only Master
Annie...
PADME:
Why not? They seem to have a box
of old coverings here.
C-3PO:
Oh? How observant of you, Miss
Padme. Of course, I'm just not
mechanically minded... if you see
what I mean.
PADME picks up a piece of metal and holds it against him.
PADME:
Let's see, if we put this...
here...
C-3PO:
Ooooh! That tickles.
PADME:
You'll have to be quiet, Threepio.
Hold still, please.
EXT. SPACE, GEONOSIS RINGS
A huge chunk of rock tumbles slowly through the asteroid bely. CAMERA CLOSES, to discover Obi-Wan's Starship hidden in a blasted-out area on the pitted back side of the great rock.
INT. COCKPIT, JEDI FIGHTER, SPACE, GEONOSIS RINGS
OBI-WAN looks out toward Geonosis and sees in the distance a large fleet of Trade Federation Ships hidden among the asteroids. He starts the engines of his fighter.
Obi-Wan's Fighter moves out from the back side of the asteroid and heads away from the asteroid field, descending toward Geonosis.
EXT. GEONOSIS, LANDING AREA - NIGHT
Obi-Wan's ship skims across the top of a small mesa along the edge of a rocky ridge. He maneuvers under a rock overhang and lands. He gets out of the Fighter and walks onto the mesa. The wind whips at him. He looks around.
Geonosis is a red rock planet, featureless apart from buttes and mesas, and occasional tall stalagmites that stand out dramatically on the arid plains.
The night is quiet, except for an occasional WEIRD CRY. OBI-WAN checks his bearings, then heads away.
EXT. GEONOSIS, ROCK FACE TRAIL - NIGHT
OBI-WAN climbs a steep, narrow trail. Suddenly, a CRY is heard close by. OBI-WAN stumbles slightly. His foot slips on the edge, sending a stream of peblles skittering into the darkness.
OBI-WAN listens. Silence. He draws his lightsaber but does not ignite it.
He sets off again and works his way around a narrow corner, to confront a crouching MASSIFF (a dog-sized lizard) with slavering fangs! The beast leaps at him, and OBI-WAN ignites his lightsaber as the MASSIFF knocks him on his back. Its jaws open wide. OBI-WAN stabs the creature, throws it off of him, and jumps up.
A SECOND MASSIFF jumps from behind. OBI-WAN swings around and cuts it in half. The MASSIFF flies over the cliff, HOWLING. It plummets to its death hundreds of feet below.
EXT. TATOOINE, CLIFF (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
ANAKIN pulls up near the edge of a cliff. He gets off the bike and creeps to the edge. He looks over to see a Tusken camp in the oasis below. One of the huts at the edge of the camp has TWO TUSKEN GUARDS outside it.
EXT. TATOOINE, TUSKEN RAIDER CAMP, OASIS (FULL MOON) - NIGHT
ANAKIN creeps through the camp, working his way from hut to hut. He does this by placing his hand toward each hut, feeling it out through the Force.
ANAKIN: (silently)
No…
Continuing to the next hut.
ANAKIN:
No…
And the next hut.
ANAKIN:
No…
Suddenly, he stops. The Force tells him he has reached his destination. He takes out his lightsaber and cuts into the base of the wall.
INT. TUSKEN RAIDER HUTT - NIGHT
The lightsaber completes the hole in the wall. ANAKIN wriggles in. He pulls himself to his feet. There are candles everywhere.
A shaft of moonlight from a hole in the roof pierces the gloom of the hut. By its light, ANAKIN sees SHMI, hanging from a wooden frame in the middle of the hut.
His eyes widen.
He cuts her free, takes her into his arms, and lowers her gently to the ground. Her eyes are closed. Her face is bloodied. She has been
terribly beaten. Anakin cradles her tenderly.
ANAKIN: (silently)
Mom! Mom! Mom, c'mon, wake up!
SHMI'S eyelids flutter, and barely open. They are caked with blood.
SHMI:
Annie...? Is it you?
SHMI'S eyes focus slowly. ANAKIN gives a little choking gasp.
ANAKIN:
I'm here, Mom. You're safe. I'm
so sorry I didn't come sooner…
A noise occurs outside somewhere. ANAKIN looks up trying to trace it, then looks back to his mother.
ANAKIN:
Hang on. I'm going to get you out
of here...
SHMI:
I'm so glad... to see you,
Annie... Now... I am complete...
Shmi is fading fast. Anakin then understands that she is going to die. He quickly takes her hand.
ANAKIN:
Just stay with me, Mom. I'm going
to make you well again. Everything's
going to be fine.
Anakin closes his eyes and concentrates. He attempts to use the Force and heal Shmi. He is succeeding, but in small doses only. His concentration begins to fade, and he can feel that he is not strong enough to completely heal Shmi. He feels that it is only enough to keep her with him for a few moments more.
SHMI:
You look so handsome. My son...
my grown-up son. I'm so proud of
you, Annie... so proud...
ANAKIN:
Thanks mom. I hoped you would be.
SHMI:
I missed you so much... I love...
SHMI dies.
ANAKIN lets this sink in… then ANAKIN draws her to his breast. There is silence for a moment. ANAKIN lifts his head, listening for a moment, then he sits on the floor of the Tusken hut, cradling his dead mother in his arms.
ANAKIN remains in this position. Suddenly, we hear a series of voices. These are pieces of past dialogue between Anakin and Obi-Wan/Padme, even whispers amongst Padawans.
OBI-WAN:
He cannot handle this mission on his
own!
PALPATINE:
You don't need guidance, Anakin.
PADAWAN A:
Master Bendor says that Anakin's the
Chosen One…
PALPATINE:
I see you becoming greatest of all
the Jedi…
OBI-WAN:
No Anakin, you are not ready for this!
JEDI MASTER A:
You've done so well, Padawan!
PALPATINE:
The greatest of all the Jedi…
MACE:
He is the one who shall bring balance to
the Force. He has exceptional powers.
OBI-WAN:
Just dreams, trust me…
PALPATINE:
Greatest of all the Jedi…
OBI-WAN:
Just dreams, trust me…
PALPATINE:
Greatest of all the Jedi…
Greatest of all the Jedi…
OBI-WAN:
Trust me…
ANAKIN looks up. His face, no longer hidden by the dark, is clearly visible in the candlelight. Only now, we no longer see Anakin Skywalker the good man who would go out of his way to help others. We now see a horrible visage. His eyes glow in unnatural yellow and blood-red colors. ANAKIN wears a mask of pure rage. Everything has now crashed down upon ANAKIN mentally/spiritually. His control over former moments of rage has been relinquished. For now, ANAKIN SKYWALKER is an engine of rage and hatred. He takes in a deep breath, then releases it slowly... almost like it's a sigh of release.
EXT. TATOOINE, TUSKEN RAIDER CAMP, OASIS - DAWN
The pale light grows. Thin tendrils of smoke rise slowly in the cold, clear air. Somewhere a dog BARKS. An OLD WOMAN comes out of one of the huts. She carries a pail. She swirls it and tosses the dirty water onto the ground.
As she goes back inside the hut, a TUSKEN CHILD runs past, dragging a stick in the sand. The CHILD runs through the line of huts, turns a corner, and stops suddenly, staring at the bodies of the TWO TUSKEN GUARDS. Between them, ANAKIN stands outside the hut door. The CHILD stares.
Ten TUSKEN MEN come running toward ANAKIN, ready to kill him. ANAKIN slowly moves his eyes toward them, not moving another muscle. Then there is a FLASH OF LIGHT as ANAKIN'S lightsaber switches on.
The TUSKEN MEN rush forward and we see ANAKIN scream an almost primal roar as he dices through them with the grace of an expert.
INTERIOR: JEDI TEMPLE, YODA'S QUARTERS - LATE AFTERNOON
YODA meditates and suddenly hears a familiar voice, as if
from a great distance. It is the voice of QUI-GON JINN,
filled with alarm.
QUI-GON:(V.O.)
YODA meditates and suddenly hears a familiar voice, as if
from a great distance. It is the voice of QUI-GON JINN,
filled with alarm.
QUI-GON:(V.O.)
No, Anakin! No! Don't! No!!!
MACE WINDU enters the room and sits down. YODA opens his
eyes and looks to MACE.
MACE:
MACE WINDU enters the room and sits down. YODA opens his
eyes and looks to MACE.
MACE:
What is it?
YODA:
YODA:
Pain. Suffering. Death, I feel.
Something terrible has happened.
Young Skywalker is in pain.
Terrible pain.
EXT. GEONOSIS, ROCK FACE TRAIL - NIGHT
OBI-WAN arrives at the head of the trail. Far below, a flat plain stretches into the distance. He stop, peering into the darkness, where strange shapes loom indistinctly.
OBI-WAN takes a pair of electronic binoculars from his belt and puts them to his eyes. He sees a cluster of great towers like fantastic stalagmites rise from the plain below.
SLOW PAN with the binoculars, and suddenly a line of Battle Starships come into view. OBI-WAN touches the viewfinder. Between fifty and a hundred Federation Starships in near rows. Some are on platforms that are carrying the Starships diwn to an underground facility. Other platforms are rising to the surface. They carry THOUSANDS of BATTLE DROIDS that step off and file into the waiting ships. A fully loaded Starship takes off. OBI-WAN swings the binoculars upward, to see more Federation Starships.
EXT. GEONOSIS, LANDING AREA - NIGHT
OBI-WAN comes running back to his ship and climbs into the cockpit. He settles into his seat. His ARFOUR DROID beeps a happy greeting. OBI-WAN switches on his comlink.
OBI-WAN:
"Guiding light" to "old folks
home."
EXT. CORUSCANT, REPUBLIC EXECUTIVE BUILDING - DAY
LOW ANGLE. A line of reflecting pools with splashing fountains flanked by statues on each side leads to the main entrance to the awesome building.
INT. CORUSCANT, CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE
A hologram of OBI-WAN flickers in front of a group, made up of Jedi (YODA, MACE WINDU, and KI-ADI-MUNDI) and Senators (BAIL ORGANA, ASK AAK, LUMINARA, and JAR JAR). PALPATINE and MAS AMEDDA are in the middle of the group, watching with growing concern.
OBI-WAN:
...Starships from the Trade
Federation and the Commerce Guilds
are taking deliveries of battle
droids from the foundries on
Geonosis.
BAIL ORGANA:
That's outrageous! The treaty
forbids the Trade Federation from
building up an army. What are
they doing?!
OBI-WAN:
The droid foundry seems to be
working at full capacity. I am
going to go down and investigate.
I will bring Jango Fett back home
for interrogation.
PALPATINE:
Those Geonosian foundries are part
of the Techno Union. We will call
in their representatives and ask
them a few very pointed questions.
OBI-WAN:
One more thing. Jango mentioned
he was recruited by someone named
Tyranus. Any idea who that
might be?
MACE:
Our missing apprentice. They are
playing their hand at last.
OBI-WAN:
Do you believe he could be the
Sifo-Dyas who made the deal for the
clone army?
YODA:
Perhaps too many pieces missing
from this puzzle, there are.
MACE:
Be careful, Obi-Wan. This
investigation is becoming less
than routine. Do you need help?
OBI-WAN:
Let me see if I can figure out
what's going on first.
The hologram of OBI-WAN fades off. PALPATINE stares at the spot where the hologram was in disbelief.
BAIL ORGANA:
The Commerce Guilds are preparing
for war... there can be no doubt
of that.
PALPATINE:
Count Dooku must have made a
treaty with them.
MACE:
We must stop them soon before
they're fully ready.
SENATOR ASK AAK:
The debate is over, we need
that clone army now!
BAIL ORGANA: (shocked)
Unfortunately, the debate is not
over. The Senate will never be
able to approve the use of that
army before the separatists
attack.
MAS AMEDDA, who had been silent up until now suddenly speaks up.
MAS AMEDDA:
This is a crisis! If the Senate
votes the Chancellor emergency
powers, he could approve the use
of the army in a minute.
PALPATINE:
Please, please, I don't wish to
have emergency powers. That's too
extreme a solution. It's akin to
a dictatorship. We must rely on
the Jedi. Master Yoda, how many
are available to go to Geonosis?
MACE WINDU and YODA look at one another.
YODA:
Two-hundred… less or more.
BAIL ORGANA:
With all due respect for the Jedi
Order, two hundred will be no
match for hundreds of thousands of
battle droids.
MACE:
Patience. We should wait for Obi-
Wan to report back. We don't know
that Count Dooku has made a treaty
with the Corporate Alliance, it's
speculation.
SENATOR ASK AAK:
But we must prepare for the worst.
I'm going to propose a motion
granting emergency powers to the
Chancellor at the next session. We
must not wait!
PALPATINE:
Out of the question, Senator! You
and I are too closely aligned.
The issue will become partisan and
debates will begin. The proposal
must come from a neutral source.
MAS AMEDDA:
If only Senator Amidala were here.
JAR-JAR steps forward from the back of the group.
JAR-JAR:
Supreme Chancellor… my august
colleagues, I would be proud to
propose the motion in question.
This is a grave situation, and I'm
sure Senator Amidala, and the
Queen of Naboo would agree.
SENATOR ASK AAK:
Thank you, Representative Binks.
Silence. Then PALPATINE sighs deeply.
PALPATINE:
If called upon, I will serve. But
it will be the saddest day of my
life.
EXT. TATOOINE, DESERT, HOMESTEAD MOISTURE FARM - DAY
All is quiet. BERU comes out of the house. She goes to a moisture line and starts to draw water.
INT. TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, GARAGE - DAY
PADME fixes the last piece of covering onto THREEPIO.
PADME:
There!
PADME stands back. OWEN is with her. They look at THREEPIO. He isn't the golden figure we know because PADME has had to use whatever stuff she could findin the garage. He is multi-coloured in several textures, but he is complete.
C-3PO:
Um. How do I look?
OWEN:
Great! You look perfect.
C-3PO:
Perfect? Oh, Miss Padme, I'm so
happy!
THREEPIO drops his hand and bows formally.
C-3PO:
Thank you.
He forgets formality and hugs her. PADME hugs him back, laughing.
C-3PO:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
OWEN grins.
OWEN:
Well Padme, I think he should be
yours from now on. I know that's
what my mom would want.
C-3PO:
Oh, my!
Then suddenly, from outside:
BERU: (V.O.)
Come topside, everybody! He's
back! He's back!
ANAKIN rides the speeder bike toward the homestead. SHMI'S
body is tied to it. OWEN, followed by BERU and PADMÉ, comes
out of the homestead to meet ANAKIN. THREEPIO follows.
CLIEGG hobbles out of the homestead on his hovering chair.
ANAKIN arrives. They run to him as he steps away from the
bike, carrying SHMI. He stops, face-to-face with CLIEGG. ANAKIN'S eyes are back to their normal color. There is a brief pause. Then he carries SHMI into the homestead.
INTERIOR: TATOOINE, MOISTURE FARM, KITCHEN - MORNING
PADMÉ prepares some food for ANAKIN. BERU helps her.
BERU:
body is tied to it. OWEN, followed by BERU and PADMÉ, comes
out of the homestead to meet ANAKIN. THREEPIO follows.
CLIEGG hobbles out of the homestead on his hovering chair.
ANAKIN arrives. They run to him as he steps away from the
bike, carrying SHMI. He stops, face-to-face with CLIEGG. ANAKIN'S eyes are back to their normal color. There is a brief pause. Then he carries SHMI into the homestead.
INTERIOR: TATOOINE, MOISTURE FARM, KITCHEN - MORNING
PADMÉ prepares some food for ANAKIN. BERU helps her.
BERU:
What's it like there?
PADMÉ:
PADMÉ:
I'm sorry?
BERU:
BERU:
On Naboo… What's it like?
PADMÉ is completely preoccupied with her concern for
ANAKIN, but she does her best to reply.
PADMÉ:
PADMÉ is completely preoccupied with her concern for
ANAKIN, but she does her best to reply.
PADMÉ:
Oh! It's… very green. With lots of water,
and trees. Not like here at all.
She takes out a tray and starts to put food on it.
BERU:
She takes out a tray and starts to put food on it.
BERU:
I think I like it here better.
PADMÉ:
PADMÉ:
Maybe you'll come and see it one day.
BERU:
BERU:
I don't think so. I don't like to
travel.
They finish preparing the tray.
PADMÉ:
They finish preparing the tray.
PADMÉ:
Thanks, Beru.
She goes out.
INTERIOR: TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, GARAGE - DAY
PADMÉ comes in with a tray of food. ANAKIN is standing at a
workbench, repairing a part of the speeder bike.
PADMÉ:
She goes out.
INTERIOR: TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, GARAGE - DAY
PADMÉ comes in with a tray of food. ANAKIN is standing at a
workbench, repairing a part of the speeder bike.
PADMÉ:
I brought you something. Are you
hungry?
PADMÉ puts the tray down.
ANAKIN:
PADMÉ puts the tray down.
ANAKIN:
The shifter broke on the way back.
ANAKIN tinkers with a few objects.
ANAKIN:
Life always seems so much simpler
when you can fix things. I'm good
at fixing things, I always was.
But I couldn't…
ANAKIN stops, choking back tears.
ANAKIN:
I tried so hard to focus all of
myself into healing her… but I
didn't know how to finish. I
couldn't save her.
ANAKIN'S eyes wander listlessly.
PADMÉ:
PADMÉ:
Sometimes there are things no
one can fix.
ANAKIN doesn't respond. He stands perfectly still.
PADME:
You're not all-powerful, Annie.
ANAKIN turns violently and walks away from the bench.
ANAKIN: (furious)
ANAKIN turns violently and walks away from the bench.
ANAKIN: (furious)
BUT I SHOULD BE!!!
He halts, looking in PADME'S direction.
ANAKIN:
And someday I will be! I promise
you that I will become the most
powerful Jedi! I will even learn
how to stop death!
PADMÉ:
PADMÉ:
Anakin...
ANAKIN: (furious)
ANAKIN: (furious)
This is all Obi-Wan's fault. He
told me that they were just dreams.
He told me to trust him! And I did!
ANAKIN slams his fist into the workbench, leaving a large dent on it and bruising his fist in the process.
ANAKIN:
He didn't tell me that because he cares.
He told me that because he's afraid of my
abilities. He's jealous of me! He hates
that I came in so old, more powerful than
his entire trained life!! He's holding me
back!!!
ANAKIN hurls the wrench across the garage. It CLATTERS to
the floor. He looks at his trembling hands. PADMÉ stares at
him, shocked.
PADMÉ:
ANAKIN hurls the wrench across the garage. It CLATTERS to
the floor. He looks at his trembling hands. PADMÉ stares at
him, shocked.
PADMÉ:
Anakin, what's wrong?
ANAKIN:
ANAKIN:
I... I killed them.
ANAKIN turns slowly to face PADME.
ANAKIN:
I killed them all. They're dead,
Padme. Every single one of
them...
ANAKIN focuses on her like someone returning from far away.
ANAKIN:
ANAKIN focuses on her like someone returning from far away.
ANAKIN:
And I didn't stop with the men.
I killed the women and the
children too.
PADME is shocked.
ANAKIN:
They're like animals! They treated
my mother like an animal!! And so
I slaughtered them all like
animals!!! I HATE THEM!!
There is silence for a moment, then ANAKIN breaks down, sobbing.
There is silence for a moment, then ANAKIN breaks down, sobbing.
ANAKIN:
What have I done…
PADMÉ takes him into her arms.
ANAKIN:
ANAKIN:
I didn't... I couldn't... I didn't
control my anger. I...
PADMÉ:
PADMÉ:
To be angry is to be human.
ANAKIN:
ANAKIN:
But to control your anger is to be
a Jedi. To release it is to take the
path of the Sith. And I've taken a
dangerous step toward it, Padme.
PADMÉ:
PADMÉ:
Ssshhh... you're human first.
ANAKIN:
ANAKIN:
No, I'm a Jedi. If I don't have
control, what am I?
PADMÉ:
PADMÉ:
You're like everyone else...
PADMÉ rocks him, and ANAKIN weeps.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, GRAVESITE - DAY
ANAKIN, PADMÉ, CLIEGG, OWEN, BERU, and THREEPIO are
standing around Shmi's grave. Two other headstones, one
smaller than the other, stand in the blazing suns.
CLIEGG:
PADMÉ rocks him, and ANAKIN weeps.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE, HOMESTEAD, GRAVESITE - DAY
ANAKIN, PADMÉ, CLIEGG, OWEN, BERU, and THREEPIO are
standing around Shmi's grave. Two other headstones, one
smaller than the other, stand in the blazing suns.
CLIEGG:
I know wherever you are it's become
a better place. You were the most
loving partner a man could ever have.
Goodbye, my dearest wife. And thank
you.
Brief pause. ANAKIN steps forward and kneels at his
mother's grave. He picks up a handful of sand.
ANAKIN:
Brief pause. ANAKIN steps forward and kneels at his
mother's grave. He picks up a handful of sand.
ANAKIN:
I wasn't strong enough to save you,
Mother. I wasn't strong enough. But
I promise I won't fail again...
ANAKIN stands up.
ANAKIN:
I miss you… so much.
Silence. Then BEEPS and WHISTLES are heard. They turn as
ARTOO rolls up.
PADMÉ:
Silence. Then BEEPS and WHISTLES are heard. They turn as
ARTOO rolls up.
PADMÉ:
Artoo, what are you doing here?
ARTOO BEEPS and WHISTLES.
C-3PO:
ARTOO BEEPS and WHISTLES.
C-3PO:
It seems that he is carrying a
message from an Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Master Annie, does that name mean
anything to you?
INT. COCKPIT, NABOO STARSHIP - SUNSET
INT. COCKPIT, NABOO STARSHIP - SUNSET
ANAKIN sits down in the cockpit with PADME. THREEPIO is behind them. ARTOO is beside him.
A rough hologram of OBI-WAN is projected in front of ANAKIN
and PADMÉ. They watch the flickering image.
OBI-WAN:(V.O.)
A rough hologram of OBI-WAN is projected in front of ANAKIN
and PADMÉ. They watch the flickering image.
OBI-WAN:(V.O.)
Anakin, my long range transmitter
has been knocked out. Retransmit this
message to Coruscant.
PADMÉ turns and reaches over to a control board and pushes
a button to transmit the message.
OBI-WAN:(V.O.)
PADMÉ turns and reaches over to a control board and pushes
a button to transmit the message.
OBI-WAN:(V.O.)
I have tracked the bounty hunter
Jango Fett to the droid foundries
on Geonosis.
INTERIOR: JEDI COUNCIL ROOM - DAY
The members of the Jedi Council stand around a hologram of
OBI-WAN.
OBI-WAN:(V.O.)
The members of the Jedi Council stand around a hologram of
OBI-WAN.
OBI-WAN:(V.O.)
The Trade Federation is to take
taking delivery of a droid army
here and it is clear that Viceroy
Gunray...
OBI-WAN's hologram flickers in static, then returns.
OBI-WAN:
...Alliance have pledged their
armies to Count Dooku and are
forming an... Wait!
HOLOGRAM OBI-WAN pulls out his lightsaber and ignites it. He swings it and deflects laser blasts. This pushes him out of hologram view. Into the hologram steps a Destroyer Droid, blasting away.
INT. COCKPIT, NABOO STARSHIP - SUNSET
The hologram cuts off. ANAKIN jumps up, agitated.
INTERIOR: JEDI COUNCIL ROOM - DAY
The Council members also see the attack on OBI-WAN. YODA
looks to MACE WINDU.
YODA:
The Council members also see the attack on OBI-WAN. YODA
looks to MACE WINDU.
YODA:
More happening on Geonosis, I feel,
than has been revealed.
MACE:
MACE:
I agree.
INT. COCKPIT, NABOO STARSHIP - SUNSET
ANAKIN and PADME watch a hologram of Mace Windu.
MACE:
We will deal with Count Dooku. The
most important thing for you,
Anakin, is to stay where you are.
Protect the Senator at all costs.
That is your priority.
ANAKIN:
Understood, Master.
The hologram switches off. PADME is looking at the readout on the ship's control panel.
PADME:
They'll never get there in time to
save him. They have to come half
way across the galaxy. Look,
Geonosis is less than a parsec away.
PADME starts to hit buttons and flick switches. ANAKIN puts a hand over hers, stopping her. She stares at him.
ANAKIN:
If he's still alive.
PADME:
Annie, are you just going to sit
here and let him die?? He's your
friend… your mentor…
ANAKIN:
...He's like my father, but you
heard Master Windu. He gave me
strict orders to stay here.
PADME:
He gave you strict orders to
protect me…
PADME pulls her hand free and flicks more switches. The engines fire.
PADME:
...and I'm going to save Obi-Wan.
So if you plan to protect me, you
will have to come along.
ANAKIN grins and takes the controls.
ANAKIN:
I think I've been a bad influence
on you.
EXT. TATOOINE, BLUFF OVERLOOKING HOMESTEAD - SUNSET
The Naboo Starship rises from the bluff and zooms away.
EXT. CORUSCANT, JEDI TEMPLE - DAY
TWO HUNDRED JEDI KNIGHTS are assembling outside the huge center of the Jedi Order.
INT. CORUSCANT, JEDI TEMPLE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY
The JEDI COUNCIL are assembled as MACE WINDU makes his plea.
MACE:
The longer we wait, the stronger
Dooku's armies become. We cannot
wait for the Senate to make up its
mind about granting the Chancellor
emergency powers, in order to be
able to use that clone army. We
have the authority to go now. We
must go now.
All of the JEDI COUNCIL nod their approval.
YODA:
Agreed, Master Windu. Two hundred
Jedi send. Enough, let's hope
they are.
INT. CORUSCANT, MAIN SENATE CHAMBER - DAY
Inside the great rotunda, the UPROAR is even louder. Opposing SENATOES yell furiously at one another.
MAS AMEDDA:
Order! Order!!
Finally, the uproar dies.
PALPATINE:
In the regrettable absence of
Senator Amidala, the chair
recognizes Senior Representative
of Naboo, Jar-Jar Binks.
Amid the conflicting storm of CHEERS AND BOOS, JAR-JAR, with TWO GUNGAN AIDES, floats on his pod to the middle of the vast space. He looks at PALPATINE nervously. PALPATINE nods. JAR-JAR clears his throat.
JAR-JAR:
Senators, dellow felagates...
Laughter. Jeers. JAR-JAR blushes.
MAS AMEDDA:
Order! The Senate will accord the
Representative the courtesy of a
hearing!
Comparative quiet. JAR-JAR grips the edge of the podium.
JAR-JAR:
In response to the direct threat
to the Republic from the
Confederacy of Independent
Systems, I propose that the Senate
gives immediate emergency powers to
the Supreme Chancellor.
Uproar. JAR-JAR looks a little sheepish.
JAR JAR:
Who can deny these are exceptional
times? Exceptional times demand
exceptional measures!
Exceptional measures demand
exceptional men!
ORN FREE TAA:
We won't support a dictator.
SHOUTS of agreement.
JAR-JAR:
That is the sentiment every one of
us agrees with! And when the
shadow of war has dispersed and
the bright day of liberty has
dawned once again, the power we now
give to the Supreme Chancellor
will be gladly, and swiftly
returned. Our ancient liberties
will be restored to us, burnished
even more brightly than before!
Brief silence, then a rolling wave of APPLAUSE. JAR-JAR beams and bows.
PALPATINE rises.
PALPATINE:
It is with great reluctance that
I have agreed to this calling. I
love democracy, I love the
Republic. The fact that this
crisis is demanding I be given
absolute power to rule over you is
evident. But I am mild by nature
and have no desire to destroy
the democratic process. The power you
give me I will lay down when this
crisis has abated, I promise you.
And all I ask in return is when my
current term of office is over,
you allow me to retire and live
out my life in peace.
MAS AMEDDA:
We shall proceed to the vote. All
those in favor of granting
emergency powers to the Supreme
Chancellor, signal at this
time... those opposed?
EXT. SPACE
The Naboo Starship heads toward the rings of Geonosis.
EXT. GEONOSIS, LANDING AREA
The Naboo Starship lands.
INT. COCKPIT, NAOO STARFIGHTER - DAY
ANAKIN switches off the engines. ARTOO and THREEPIO are in the navigation area of the cockpit. PADME is in the co-pilot's seat. She gets up.
ANAKIN:
Hey, where are you going?
PADME:
To find Obi-Wan.
ANAKIN gets up and goes over to her.
ANAKIN:
No! You're not!
He grabs her arm.
PADME:
Let go of me!
ANAKIN:
I can't let you go out there.
It's too dangerous.
PADMÉ:
What!?
ANAKIN:
I said it's too dangerous. It's
my job to protect you. You're
not going, and that's final!
PADMÉ:
Don't you give me orders, Annie!
I'm a Senator of the Galactic
Republic. You have no authority
to contain me, restrain me, or
direct me! You remember your
place, young man.
PADMÉ stands up.
PADMÉ:
Now you can come along and protect
me or stay here. It's up to you.
PADME storms out of the cockpit of the Naboo Starfighter. ANAKIN stands, blown away at PADMÉ's feistiness. Then a grin sparks over his face.
ANAKIN:
I love it when you rough-house, you know.
ANAKIN then follows PADME.
ARTOO BEEPS and WHISTLES.
C-3PO:
Yes, it is, Artoo. Most
confusing. One moment they're
generating a pleasant mutual
attraction and the next, waves of
violent hostility. Even though
I'm programmed to understand them,
I doubt if I ever shall.
ARTOO WHISTLES a plaintive sigh.
INT. GEONOSIS, CORRIDORS - DAY
ANAKIN and PADME enter the stalagmite city. They stop, looking around in wonder at the emptiness.
They start forward.
INT. GEONOSIS, CENTRAL SQUARE - DAY
ANAKIN and PADMÉ cross the square, reaching the middle. As they pass, the surface of the pillars seem to pulse slowly and move. High above WINGED CREATURES grow from the pillars and detach themselves.
ANAKIN comes to a halt, reaching for his lightsaber.
ANAKIN:
Wait…
TWENTY WINGED GEONOSIANS carrying weapons alight on the flagstones in front of them.
ANAKIN ignites his lightsaber and slices through the GEONOSIANS in front of him. Then he looks at PADMÉ.
ANAKIN:
Run!
PADMÉ does, and ANAKIN follows close behind.
INT. GEONOSIS, DROID FACTORY - DAY
ANAKIN and PADMÉ reach a door which leads out into the DROID FACTORY. The pair stop immediately as they've suddenly reached the end of the floor, a metal catwalk a few feet away from the door. The two look around briefly, now understanding where the TRADE FEDERATION obtain their illegal droids from.
Suddenly, the metal catwalk beneath them begins to pull back toward the door. ANAKIN quickly grabs a sturdy metal bar nearby, and is about to reach for PADMÉ but she suddenly slips off of the platform.
ANAKIN:
Padme!
PADMÉ drops onto an assembly line in motion. She dodges and jumps over numerous obstacles as they come her way. ANAKIN lets go of the metal bar and drops onto the assembly line, but must immediately deflect laser blasts from FLYING GEONOSIANS.
PADMÉ continues dodging around the obstacles. But suddenly a WINGED GEONOSIAN drops onto the platform and the two lock into combat.
INT. GEONOSIS, DROID FACTORY - DAY
ANAKIN has diced through a handful of GEONOSIANS. He turns to find PADME, but sees all-too-late as a robotic hand belonging to the assembly line flies straight into his face, knocking him down.
ANAKIN moves to get back up, but a few other robotic hands slap a large strip of metal around the area where his right arm below the elbow is. Another pair of robotic arms fasten the metal strip onto the assembly line, pinning ANAKIN to the ground. He continuously yanks at the metal strip in attempts to free himself, but it's futile. Suddenly, a series of heavy thuds are heard nearby. ANAKIN turns and sees three very large machines which are meant for chopping up spare metal, like the strip pinning ANAKIN's arm down.
INT. COCKPIT, NABOO STARSHIP - DAY
ARTOO BEEPS
C-3PO:
Danger? Oh no, I shouldn't think
so. It looks a very dull planet
to me. They should be back
shortly. Just stop worrying,
Artoo.
ARTOO BEEPS and WHISTLES.
C-3P0:
Well for a mechanic, you seem to
do an awful amount of thinking.
ARTOO BEEPS again.
C-3P0:
My obtuse little friend, I think
that if they wanted our help, then
they would have asked for it! Hmm?
ARTOO turns around and exits down the ship's exitway.
C-3P0:
Wait! Where are you going!?
C-3P0 follows close behind.
EXT. GEONOSIS, CORRIDORS - DAY
ARTOO and C-3P0 wander into the corridors, C-3P0 darting his metallic head every which-way looking for a possible threat.
C-3P0:
Do you even know where you're
going?
INT. GEONOSIS, DROID FACTORY - DAY
The GEONOSIAN and PADMÉ are still fighting. PADMÉ sees a heavy swinging machine flying toward the GEONOSIAN's back. Before she can react, the machine flies into the GEONOSIAN's back and throws it and PADMÉ off of the assembly line.
PADMÉ lands inside a large copper container. This container, as it turns out, is headed toward a machine which secretes amounts of hot molten steel into the copper containers.
INT. GEONOSIS, DROID FACTORY - DAY
ARTOO and C-3P0 reach the same door which ANAKIN and PADME came in through earlier. C-3P0 looks around at the factory as droids are put together.
C-3P0:
Shut me down… machines building
machines! How perverse!
ARTOO, stuck behind C-3P0, continuously bumps into the taller droid so they can press onward.
C-3P0:
Ouch! Be careful, Artoo! You almost
knocked me off! You'll get your
chance to-
Before C-3P0 can finish his sentence, ARTOO knocks into him again and this time knocks the taller droid over the side of the entrance. THREEPIO screams as he falls down. He suddenly lands on a giant droid carrying a heavy load in its hands. The giant droid grabs THREEPIO and swings him around and around.
C-3P0:
It's a nightmare!!
The giant droid lets go and THREEPIO flies with momentum onto another assembly line. Once he stands up, a metal crane flies up behind him and knocks his head off. C-3P0's head soars and lands in a box containing BATTLE DROID heads.
C-3P0:
Ohh… I'm scrap!
INT. GEONOSIS, DROID FACTORY ENTRANCE - DAY
ARTOO peers around the corner and sees ANAKIN and PADME in trouble. It quickly opens two side panels, one on each side, and two jet-propulsers emerge. ARTOO then activates them and soon takes off flying toward its' humans.
INT. GEONOSIS, DROID FACTORY - DAY
ANAKIN eyes the metal slicers as they come closer still. Suddenly, a series of familiar beeps sound from nearby and ARTOO flies to ANAKIN's side.
ANAKIN:
Artoo!
ARTOO beeps.
ANAKIN:
Quick Artoo, help me get my
arm loose.
ANAKIN keeps watch on the slicers while ARTOO opens yet another panel and produces a laser cutter. ARTOO immediately sets to work on freeing ANAKIN.
The slicers grow closer. ANAKIN begins to sweat.
ANAKIN:
Artoo… time is of the essence!
ARTOO moves faster. The slicers continue to grow closer and closer. ANAKIN begins to feel the end coming, but then he suddenly feels the weight of the metal slab leave his arm. ARTOO beeps happily, then flies away. Now free, ANAKIN leaps off of the conveyor belt and onto another.
ANAKIN searches for PADMÉ.
ANAKIN:
Padme! Padme, where are you!?
PADMÉ: (distant)
Anakin! Anakin, I'm over here!
ANAKIN traces the source of her voice and breaks into a run. Before long, ANAKIN finds the metal container and PADMÉ trapped inside it.
PADMÉ:
Anakin!
ANAKIN:
Don't worry, I'll get you out!
Just stay right there!
PADMÉ glares at him. ANAKIN pauses.
ANAKIN:
Oh yeah… I guess you're kinda'
stuck there. Sorry.
ANAKIN closes his eyes and concentrates. PADMÉ begins to levitate up and then out of the container. ANAKIN places her gently onto the non-moving floor he currently stands on. He re-opens his eyes and breathes out.
INT. GEONOSIS, DROID FACTORY - DAY
PADMÉ runs over to ANAKIN and they hug, glad to be alive.
PADMÉ:
Oh Anakin… I was almost certain
that I was about to die in there.
ANAKIN:
You're not going to die any time
soon. Not on my watch.
PADMÉ looks up into ANAKIN's face, and he hers.
Suddenly, a series of blasters charging can be heard. ANAKIN and PADMÉ pull away and turn in the direction of the sound. Sanding in front of them, are 30 BATTLE DROIDS and JANGO FETT.
JANGO:
Don't move, Jedi!
ANAKIN and PADMÉ freeze on the spot.
VOICE:
Now Jango, let's not be impolite
to our guests!
The JANGO and the BATTLE DROIDS part, and COUNT DOOKU appears. He bows courteously.
COUNT DOOKU:
Senator Amidala, I've heard so
much about you.
PADMÉ:
Count Dooku, I assume.
COUNT DOOKU:
I'm delighted to meet you at
last. We have a great deal to
discuss, Senator. I hope you can
keep your young Jedi under control.
ANAKIN:
Don't worry, I'm housebroken.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM (GEONOSIS) - DAY
COUNT DOOKU sits at a large conference table with PADME on the far
side. ANAKIN stands behind her with FOUR GEONOSIANS GUARDS standing behind him. JANGO FETT stands behind COUNT DOOKU, and SIX GEONOSIAN GUARDS stand behind him.
PADMÉ:
You are holding a Jedi Knight, Obi-
Wan Kenobi. I am formally
requesting you turn him over to
me, now.
COUNT DOOKU:
He has been convicted of
espionage, Senator, and will be
executed. In just a few hours, I
believe.
COUNT DOOKU smiles.
PADMÉ:
He is an officer of the Republic.
You can't do that.
COUNT DOOKU:
We don't recognize the Republic
here, Senator. But if Naboo were
to join our Alliance, I could
easily hear your plea for clemency.
ANAKIN grabs his lightsaber but doesn't turn it on.
PADMÉ:
And if I don't join your
rebellion, I assume this Jedi with
me will also die?
COUNT DOOKU:
I don't wish to make you to join
our cause against your will,
Senator, but you are a rational,
honest representative of your
people and I assume you want to do
what's in their best interest.
Aren't you fed up with the
corruption, the bureaucrats, the
hypocrisy of it all?.. Aren't
you? Be honest, Senator.
PADMÉ:
The ideals are still alive, Count,
even if the institution is failing.
COUNT DOOKU:
You believe in the same ideals we
believe in! The same ideals we
are striving to make prominent.
PADMÉ:
If what you say is true, you
should stay in the Republic and
help Chancellor Palpatine put
things right.
COUNT DOOKU:
The Chancellor means well, M'Lady
but he is incompetent. He has
promised to cut the bureaucracy,
but the bureaucrats are stronger
than ever, no? Senator, the
Republic cannot be fixed. It is
time to start over. The
democratic process in the Republic
is a sham, a shell game played
on the voters. It will not be long
before the cult of greed, called
the Republic, will lose even the
pretext of democracy and freedom.
PADMÉ:
I cannot believe that. I will not
forsake all I have honoured and
worked for and betray the
Republic. I know of your treaties
with the Trade Federation, the
Commerce Guilds, and the others,
Count. What is happening here is
not government that has been
bought out by business... it's
business becoming government!
COUNT DOOKU:
Are you willing to betray your Jedi
friends? Without your co-operation
I can do nothing to stop their
execution.
PADMÉ
What is to happen to me? Am I to be
executed also?
DOOKU:
I wouldn't think of such an
offence. But, there are
individuals who have a strong
interest in your demise, M'lady.
It has nothing to do with
politics, I'm afraid. It's purely
personal, and they have already
paid great sums to have you
assassinated. I'm sure they will
push hard to have you included in
the executions. I'm sorry but if
you are not going to co-operate, I
must turn you over to the
Geonosians for justice. I've done
all I can for you.
JANGO FETT moves over to ANAKIN.
JANGO:
I'll take that weapon.
ANAKIN hesitates.
COUNT DOOKU:
You may cause a lot of bloodshed,
my young Jedi, but you will not
escape.
PADMÉ:
Anakin…
ANAKIN hands his lightsaber over to JANGO FETT.
INT. GEONOSIS, HIGH AUDIENCE CHAMBER - DAY
ANAKIN and PADME are standing in the centre of what looks like a courtroom. Seated before them in a tall, boxed-off area is POGGLE THE LESSER, Archduke of Geonosis. He is accompanied by his underling, SUN RIT. Off to one side the Separatist Senators PO NUDU, TESSEK, and TOONBUCK TOORA. Next to them are the Commerce Dignitaries, SHU MAI, NUTE GUNRAY, PASSEL ARGENTE, WAT TAMBOR and SAN HILL of the Intergalactic Bank Clan. Along the wall about a HUNDRED GEONOSIANS wait for a verdict.
SUN RIT:
You have been charged and found
guilty of Espionage.
POGGLE:
Do you have anything to say before
your sentence is carried out?
PADMÉ:
You are committing an act of war,
Archduke. I hope you are prepared
for the consequences.
POGGLE laughs. COUNT DOOKU simply smiles.
POGGLE:
We build weapons, Senator... that
is our business! Of course we're
prepared!
NUTE GUNRAY:
Get on with it. Carry out the
sentence. I want to see her suffer.
POGGLE:
Your other Jedi friend is waiting
for you, Senator. Take them to
the arena!
FOUR GUARDS take hold of PADMÉ and ANAKIN. They are escorted out of the chamber to the sounds of chuckling.
INT. GEONOSIS TUNNEL TO EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
In the gloomy tunnel, ANAKIN and PADMÉ are tossed into an open cart. The murmur of a vast crowd is heard off-screen. GUARDS extend their arms along the framework and tie them so that they stand facing each other.
The DRIVER gets up onto his seat.
ANAKIN:
Don't be afraid, Padme.
PADMÉ:
I'm not afraid to die. I've been
dying a little bit each day since
you came back into my life.
ANAKIN:
What do you mean?
PADMÉ hesitates… then answers.
PADMÉ:
I love you.
ANAKIN's eyes widen in surprise.
ANAKIN:
You love me?
ANAKIN looks away, confused. Then back at her.
ANAKIN:
I thought that we had agreed not to
fall in love. That we would be forced
to live a lie. That it would destroy
our lives.
PADMÉ:
I think our lives are about to be
destroyed anyway.
PADMÉ wriggles one of her bound hands toward Anakin's right hand. She takes his hand into hers, caressing in a loving fashion. ANAKIN, still confused, does not return the gesture. This makes PADMÉ look ANAKIN in his eyes, afraid her words were just wasted.
ANAKIN:
Now I am afraid, Padme. I'm afraid
that you say this in confusion, and
I pray to the Force that I'm only
imagining that.
Tears build in PADMÉ's eyes as she continues to gaze into the eyes of her Jedi protector.
PADMÉ:
My love for you is a puzzle, Anakin
Skywalker, for which I have no answers.
I can't control it, and now I don't
care. I truly, deeply love you. And
before we die, I want you to know that.
ANAKIN's eyes well-up with tears of joy. He finally takes her hand in his.
ANAKIN:
I have no desire to be cured of
this love either. Long or short,
I vow to spend the rest of my life
with you. And I will live for only
one purpose; to give you all the
love and devotion I have to give.
PADME leans toward ANAKIN. By straining hard, it is just possible for
their lips to meet. They kiss.
The DRIVER cracks his whip over the ORRAY harnessed between the shafts. The cart jerks forward. Suddenly, there is a HUGE ROAR and blinding sunlight as they emerge into the arena
INT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
The great stadium is packed with tier upon tier of yelling GEONOSIANS. The cart trundles to the center, where OBI-WAN is chained to one of four upright posts that are three feet in diameter. The cart stops. PADME and ANAKIN are taken down, dragged to posts, and chained to them. PADME is in the center.
OBI-WAN:
I was beginning to wonder if you
had gotten my message.
ANAKIN:
I re-transmitted it as you
requested, Master. Then we decided
to come and rescue you.
OBI-WAN looks at his shackled hands above his head.
OBI-WAN:
It looks like you're going a good
job so far.
ANAKIN:
Oh not to worry Master, I wanted
to be caught. Everything's going
accordingly to plan.
OBI-WAN: (surprised)
…you have a plan?
ANAKIN grins.
ANAKIN:
No, not really. But I had you going
for a minute there, didn't I?
Their arms are pulled high above their heads, and the cart drives away. There is another ROAR as POGGLE THE LESSER, COUNT DOOKU, NUTE GUNRAY, THE FETTS and DIGNITARIES arrive in the archducal box and take their places.
SUN RIT:
The felons before you have been
convicted of espionage against the
Sovereign System of Geonosis.
Their sentence of death is to be
carried out in this public arena
henceforth.
The crowd ROARS and CHEERS. In the box, POGGLE THE LESSER rises. The crowd becomes quiet.
POGGLE:
Let the executions begin!
The crowd goes wild.
ANAKIN:
I have a bad feeling about this.
From different gates around the arena, THREE MONSTERS are driven in. One is a REEK (bull-like), one is a NEXU (lion-like), and one is an ACKLAY (a kind of dino-lobster). They are driven in by PICADORS carrying long spears and riding ORRAYS. The PICADORS poke the MONSTERS toward the center, then retire to the perimeter.
The MONSTERS toss their heads, looking around, ROARING or SCREECHING. Then they catch sight of the THREE CAPTIVES and start moving toward them.
OBI-WAN:
Take the one the left. I'll
take the one on the right.
ANAKIN:
What about Padme?
PADME has turned around and is pulling herself up by the chain to the top of the post. Within a moment, she is standing on top of it, trying to pull the chain free.
OBI-WAN:
It looks like she's already on top
of things.
The REEK charges ANAKIN. He jumps up, and the beast hits the post hard. ANAKIN lands onto its back, wrapping part of his chain around its horn. The REEK backs off, shaking its head angrily, which tears the chain from the post
OBI-WAN ducks around the post as the ACKLAY charges. It knocks the post flat, sending OBI-WAN sprawling. The ACKLAY crunches the post between its claws, freeing the chain. OBI-WAN leaps up and runs towards ONE of the PICADORS. The ACKLAY taks off after him.
The NEXU arrives at PADME'S post and rears on its hind legs. One top, PADME struggles to tear the chain free. The NEXU ROARS, displaying wicked, dripping fangs.
In the archducal box, NUTE GUNRAY beams and rubs his hands.
In the arena, OBI-WAN runs at the PICADOR. The ORRAY rears up. OBI-WAN grabs the PICADOR'S long spear and pole vaults over him. The chasing ACKLAY smashes into the ORRAY. It goes down. The PICADOR tumbles onto the sand, where he is grabbed by the ACKLAY and crunched.
ANAKIN's REEK starts to buck. It charges around the arena with ANAKIN hanging on for dear life. He whirls the free length of chain around his head and casts it into the REEK's mouth. Its jaws clamp hard on the chain. ANAKIN yanks hard on the chain, turning the REEK, beginning to ride it.
The NEXU's claws dig deep into the post. The cat-like creature reaches the top of the post and takes a swipe at PADME. She turns and the claw barely catches her shirt ripping it off, leaving superficial claw marks across her back. She hits the creature with her chain and it backs off down the pole. Then, PADME jumps off the post into the air. She swings around on the chain and whacks the beast hard on the head with both her feet. It tumbles back onto the sand.
In the archducal box:
NUTE GUNRAY:
Foul!! She can't do that! Shoot
her, or something!
In the arena, OBI-WAN runs out from behind the fallen ORRAY and throws the spear at the ACKLAY, hitting it in the neck. It lets out a terrible SCREECH and turns on him. The NEXU springs up and makes to leap up at PADME again. She finally manages to work the chain loose. ANAKIN comes charging up on the REEK.
ANAKIN:
Need a lift?
The NEXU springs. PADME leaps from the top of the post to land on the REEK in front of ANAKIN. He hauls her upright. PADME sits behind ANAKIN, then kisses his cheek affectionately. ANAKIN grins to himself, then commands the REEK to move. The REEK charges away, around the arena. The NEXU bounds after it. The REEK passes the wounded ACKLAY. The NEXU smells the blood and turns aside to attack the ACKLAY. The TWO MONSTERS fight. The crowd GROANS and BOOS.
In the archducal box, NUTE GUNRAY turns angrily to COUNT DOOKU.
NUTE GUNRAY:
This isn't how it's supposed to
be! Jango, finish her off.
COUNT DOOKU motions for the bounty hunter to stay put. BOBA FETT is enjoying the spectacle. COUNT DOOKU smiles enigmatically.
COUNT DOOKU:
Patience Viceroy, she will die.
Maybe this is the way it's
supposed to end.
OBI-WAN runs and jumps on the back of the REEK behind ANAKIN. Across the arena, the NEXU, having chewed up the ACKLAY, starts to advance toward them.
EXT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
In the archducal box, amid the uproar, COUNT DOOKU feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns to see MACE WINDU standing behind him. COUNT DOOKU masks his surprise elegantly as he surveys the arena and sees JEDI KNIGHTS standing at every entrance and exit.
COUNT DOOKU:
Master Windu, how pleasant of you
to join us. You're just in time
for the moment of truth. I would
think these two new boys of yours
could use a little more training.
MACE:
Sorry to disappoint you, Dooku.
This party's over.
MACE WINDU signals, and at stategic places around the arena there are sudden flashes of light as about ONE HUNDRED JEDI switch on their lightsabers. The crowd is suddenly silent. COUNT DOOKU'S lips curl in slight amusement.
COUNT DOOKU:
Brave, but stupid, my old Jedi
friend. You're impossibly
outnumbered.
MACE WINDU:
I don't think so. One Jedi has to
be worth a hundred Geonosians.
COUNT DOOKU looks around the great theater. His smile grows.
COUNT DOOKU:
It wasn't the Geonosians I was
thinking about. How well do you
think one Jedi will hold up
against one-thousand battle droids?
COUNT DOOKU signals. THOUSANDS OF DROIDS start to pour into all parts of the arena. Among them is a BATTLE DROID with THREEPIO's head attached at the neck
C-3P0:
I'm so confused!
MACE WINDU draws his lightsaber, JANGO FETT draws his guns and fires at MACE WINDU, who deflects the shots. JANGO FETT and MACE WINDU jump into the arena, where they fight. BOBA FETT watches his Dad and the Jedi Master fight. The battle begins. GEONOSIANS fly away everywhere. DROIDS fire at JEDI, who deflect the bolts and cult down the DROIDS. The GEONOSIAN TROOPS fire ray guns that are more difficult for the JEDI to deflect.
The REEK and the NEXU are spooked by the battle. The REEK bucks the riders off its back and stampedes around the arena, trampling DROIDS and JEDI that have moved into its path. PADME picks up a discarded pistol and joins the fight. SEVERAL JEDI run to the center of the arena and toss lightsabers to OBI-WAN and ANAKIN.
Among the crowd, JEDI cut down swaths of GEONOSIANS and DROIDS. On the sand, JEDI fight, attacking DROIDS. OBI0WAN and ANAKIN swing their lightsabers, cutting DROIDS in half. PADME blasts away at DROIDS and GEONOSIANS.
EXT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
Among the tiers, JEDI are slowly being driven back. They have killed heaps of GEONOSIANS and have kncoked out piles of DROIDS, but sheer numbers are telling. Individual JEDI are being cut down or blasted/ The rest are retreating into the arena.
ANAKIN and PADME are back-to-back, fighting DROIDS and flying GEONOSIANS. MACE WINDU fights fiercely with JANGO FETT. Finally, the bounty hunter falls. His helmet goes flying, bouncing down the steps, tumbling and rolling, kicked here and there by random feet. The bounty hunter's body falls to the ground.
MACE WINDU runs to the center of the arena and fights back-to-back with OBI-WAN, as they swipe and mangle DROIDS.
OBI-WAN:
Someone's got to - shut down -
these droids.
MACE:
Don't worry! It's being - taken
care of!
EXT. GEONOSIS, FEDERATION STARSHIP - DAY
KI-ADI-MUNDI leads a raiding party of about TWENTY JEDI through the lines of parked Battle Starships. They cut a swath through masses of DROIDS until they arrive at the Command Starship. Some JEDI fall. The rest cut their way up the ramps and into the Command Ship.
INT. COMMAND FEDERATION STARSHIP, CORRIDORS - DAY
KI-ADI-MUNDI and the surviving JEDI fight their way through the corridors of the Command Ship, deflecting laser bolts, slicing DROIDS.
INT. COMMAND FEDERATION STARSHIP, CONTROL BRIDGE - DAY
THEY burst onto the bridge and chop down the COMMAND DROIDS. The NEIMOIDIANS flee in all directions. KE-ADI-MUNDI leans over the control panel. He locates the illuminated master switch and punches down on it. It goes dark. Instantly, all the DROIDS on the Starship FREEZE!
EXT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
C-3P0 is firing his gun at all of the JEDI, unintentionally being confused by the programming of the body he is attached to.
C-3P0:
Die, Jedi scum! Die! Die!!
THREEPIO's battle droid body shuts down, allowing him to regain his senses.
C-3P0:
Oh… what did I just say!?
Soon, all of the BATTLE DROIDS in the arena FREEZE!
There is a moment of stunned silence, then the JEDI CHEER. One the bridge, PLO KOON claps KI-ADI-MUNDI on the back.
PLO KOON:
We've done it! Now we have a
chance!
Suddenly, there is a harsh BEEPING SOUND. All the DROIDS on the Starship and all the DROIDS in the arena start fighting again! KI-ADI-MUNDI stares in disbelief and dismay.
KI-ADI-MUNDI:
The system's off but they're still
active. That's a new feature. They
are independent of the control
system. Our effort has been for
nothing!
EXT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
C-3P0 is still not moving. But in a jolt of electricity, his BATTLE DROID body fires back to life and once again corrupts his better programming.
THREEPIO immediately dives into a side-ward roll and lands on his robotic chest, firing away again with his blaster.
C-3P0:
The next Jedi I see gets a
red-ass beatdown!!
Suddenly, a random jedi runs up behind THREEPIO and severs his head from the rest of the body. The JEDI runs on and into battle.
C-3P0:
No wait! Wait!! Help!
EXT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
MACE WINDU, OBI-WAN, ANAKIN, PADME and an exhausted group of about TWENTY JEDI stand in the center of the arena surrounded by a ring of BATTLE DROIDS. The bloodied sand around them is strewn with the bodies of DEAD GEONOSIANS, SHATTERED DROIDS and JEDI.
At the foot of some steps, BOBA FETT finds his father's battered helmet. He picks it up.
KI-ADI-MUNDI and the SURVIVORS from the raiding party are herded into the arena by SUPERDROIDS. From the encircling tiers above, THOUSANDS OF BATTLE DROIDS level their weapons menacingly.
In the archducal box, COUNT DOOKU lifts his hand. The DROIDS lower their weapons. The COUNT calls out to the JEDI.
COUNT DOOKU:
Master Windu!
Silence.
COUNT DOOKU:
You have fought gallantly. Worthy
of recognition in the history
archives of the Jedi Order. Now
it is finished.
(pauses briefly)
Surrender, and your lives will be
spared.
MACE:
We will not be hostages for you to
barter with Dooku.
COUNT DOOKU:
Then, I'm sorry, old friend. You
will have to be destroyed.
The DROIDS raise their weapons. ANAKIN and PADME clasp hands tightly. COUNT DOOKU raises his hand to give the order to fire. PADME looks up suddenly and whispers to ANAKIN.
PADME:
Look!
Above, six Gunships are descending fast through the open area in the arena ceiling. They land in a cluster around the handful of JEDI. CLONE TROOPERS spill out and start firing at the DROIDS. There is a hellstorm of laserfire that bounces off the laser shields created by the Gunships. YODA appears at the door of one of the Gunships.
YODA
Come on! Hurry! Hurry!
ANAKIN turns, grinning at DOOKU.
ANAKIN:
Sorry Count, but I'm afraid we must dash!
The SURVIVING JEDI rush to the Gunships and scramble in. MACE WINDU hangs on tight as the Gunship, firing all its weapons, rises out of the arena up and over the topmost rim.
EXT. GEONOSIS, TERRAIN OUTSIDE EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
The massed lines of parked Federation Starships and the DROIDS surrounding the arena are themselves surrounded by thousands of Republic Starships, disgorging TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CLONE TROOPERS. Beyond, more Republic Starships are landing and spewing out troops.
INT. GUNSHIP NUMBER ONE - DAY
MACE WINDU stares at the incredible sight.
YODA:
More battalions to the left.
Encircle them we must, then
divide.
The CLONE TROOPERS open fire with artillery. EXPLOSIONS wreck the parked Battle Starships. CLONE TROOPERS advance, firing at the massed DROIDS. FIGHTER DROIDS fly overhead, exchanging fire with the Gunships and JEDI fighters.
EXT. GEONOSIS, EXECUTION ARENA - DAY
ARTOO emerges into the arena. He looks around and spots THREEPIO's head. Quickly, ARTOO rushes over to help his friend.
C-3PO:
Oh! Artoo! Thank goodness you
found me! I keep hearing
explosions!
ARTOO extends two metallic arms from his robot body, reaching to gather THREEPIO's head. Large explosions can be heard from afar.
C-3P0:
I'm sure I heard something, this
time! Didn't you!?
THREEPIO begins to panic.
C-3P0: (panicking)
Oh, it's probably just a
celebration!
ARTOO slaps THREEPIO, causing his head to roll across the ground. THREEPIO screams. ARTOO goes to THREEPIO's head and lifts it up with his two metallic claws.
C-3P0:
Just fix me!
ARTOO lets out an EXHAUSTED BLEEP.
EXT. BATTLEFIELD, GEONOSIS LANDSCAPE - DAY
Gunship #2 skims the battlefield, firing down, deflecting answering fire from the droids.
INT. GUNSHIP NUMBER TWO - DAY
OBI-WAN, ANAKIN and PADME are at the open sides of the Gunship. CLONES fire down at the DROIDS below.
The Gunship slows, circling over a droid gun-emplacement. It blasts it, but suddenly the Gunship is rocked by a near miss. It lurches violently.
OBI-WAN:
Hold on! Look over there!
Through the other side of the Gunship, they see a Geonosian Speeder racing past. In the open cockpit is the unmistakable figure of COUNT DOOKU.
ANAKIN:
Aha! It's Dooku! Pilot, shoot him down!
CLONE PILOT:
We're out of rockets, sir!
ANAKIN:
Well go after him then!
There is a HUGE BLAST, the ship lurches on its side, and PADME tumbles out.
ANAKIN:
Padme!!!
ANAKIN stares down in horror as PADME hits the ground below.
ANAKIN:
Put the ship down! Down!!
OBI-WAN:
No! Anakin, forget her! We have
to go after Dooku!
OBI-WAN looks to the CLONE PILOT.
OBI-WAN:
Follow that speeder!
ANAKIN:
No we're not!! Land this ship!
OBI-WAN:
Anakin!! Don't let your personal feelings
get in the way! We've got a job to
do!
ANAKIN:
I don't care! Go back!!
OBI-WAN:
I can't take Dooku alone! I need you on
this one! If we catch Dooku now, we can
end this war today Anakin!! Trust me!
ANAKIN:
The last time I trusted you, my mother
died when could have trusted my instincts
and saved her!!
OBI-WAN stands still, mouth a-gape. This news is horrible for him to hear, but even worse is to hear his padawan so angry at him… blaming him for the events.
OBI-WAN:
Your mother… she… oh Anakin, I'm
so sorry…
OBI-WAN moves to place his hand on ANAKIN's shoulder, but ANAKIN pulls away. Seeing that this won't get anything done, OBI-WAN resorts to logic.
OBI-WAN:
Anakin, what do you think Padme would
do were she in your position?
ANAKIN looks down, knowing full well what PADME would do.
ANAKIN:
She would do her duty…
Below, PADME hauls herself to her feet and waves for them to go after DOOKU. PADME looks up at Gunship #2 as it speeds away.
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN follow the speeder to a Geonosian tower. The speeder decsends rapidly; the Gunship follows.
COUNT DOOKU's speeder parks outside the tower; the Gunship parks next to it. OBI-WAN and ANAKIN leap down and run inside the tower.
INT. GEONOSIS, SECRET HANGER TOWER - LATE DAY
COUNT DOOKU throws switches on a control panel. His Interstellar Sail Ship is guarded by a SQUAD OF SUPER BATTLE DROIDS. The doors of the exit-port slide open.
COUNT DOOKU turns as OBI-WAN and ANAKIN run in through the hanger doors. They draw their lightsabers. The DROIDS raise their weapons.
COUNT DOOKU:
That won't be necessary. Leave
them to me.
The DROIDS lower their weapons and back off to the walls. COUNT DOOKU looks at OBI-WAN and ANAKIN with slight amusement.
ANAKIN:
You'll pay for all the Jedi you've
killed today, Dooku.
OBI-WAN:(to Anakin)
We move in together. You slowly
on the-
ANAKIN:
I'm taking him now!
ANAKIN charges across the open space at COUNT DOOKU, who smiles faintly, watching him come.
OBI-WAN:
Anakin, no!!
ANAKIN raises his lightsaber. At the last moment, COUNT DOOKU thrusts out an arm, and ANAKIN is lifted up, hurled across the room, and slammed into the opposite wall. He slumps to the foot of the wall, semi-conscious. COUNT DOOKU moves toward OBI-WAN
COUNT DOOKU:
Kenobi, isn't it? As you can see,
my Jedi powers are far beyond
yours. Now, back down.
DOOKU again extends his arm, releasing a blast of force-lightning. The lightning hits OBI-WAN's lightsaber, protecting the Jedi from the blast.
OBI-WAN:
I don't think so.
COUNT DOOKU lowers his arm, smiling.
COUNT DOOKU:
Ah, but if I must.
COUNT DOOKU draws his lightsaber. He and OBI-WAN start to circle each other.
COUNT DOOKU:
I have spent the last ten years
learning to use the power of the
Dark Side. It gives me infinitely
greater power.
OBI-WAN:
You will have to prove it.
OBI-WAN comes in fast, swinging at COUNT DOOKU'S head. DOOKU parries the cut easily. As they fight, it quickly becomes clear that DOOKU is the complete swordsman - elegant, graceful, classical - a master of the old style.
COUNT DOOKU:
Grand Master Kenobi, you
disappoint me. Yoda holds you in
such high esteem.
COUNT DOOKU parries another cut.
COUNT DOOKU:
Surely you can do better?
DOOKU parries.
COUNT DOOKU:
No, I'm surprised. Has Jedi
swordsmanship degenerated so
quickly, or are you trying to make
fun of me?
DOOKU cuts.
COUNT DOOKU:
Which is it?
COUNT DOOKU thrusts. OBI-WAN steps back quickly, panting for breath.
COUNT DOOKU:
Come, come, Master Kenobi. Put me
out of my misery.
OBI-WAN takes a deep breath, gets a fresh grip on his lightsaber and comes in again. For a moment, he drives COUNT DOOKU back. Then Dooku's superior skill begins to tell again, and he forces OBI-WAN to retreat.
COUNT DOOKU increases the tempo of his attack. OBI-WAN is pushed to the limit to defend himself. DOOKU presses. His lightsaber flashes.
OBI-WAN is wounded in the shoulder, then the thigh. He stumbles back against the wall, trips, and falls. His lightsaber goes skittering across the floor.
COUNT DOOKU raises his lightsaber. OBI-WAN looks up helplessly. Dooku's lightsaber flashes down and CLASHES against - Anakin's lightsaber!
COUNT DOOKU and ANAKIN stare eyeball to eyeball.
COUNT DOOKU:
That's brave of you, boy… but
foolish. I would have thought
you'd have learned your lesson.
ANAKIN:
I'm a slow learner.
And ANAKIN rushes at COUNT DOOKU. The force of his attack catches the Count slightly off balance. ANAKIN pulls away momentarily. DOOKU takes this as a sign of ANAKIN's weakness.
COUNT DOOKU:
You have unusual powers, young
Padawan… but not enough to save
you here.
Anakin's lightsaber flashes. COUNT DOOKU draws back, putting a hand to his arm. He takes the hand away and looks at the smear of blood where Anakin has nicked him.
ANAKIN raises his lightsaber, grinning.
ANAKIN:
Don't bet on it, Dookie.
OBI-WAN:
Anakin!
OBI-WAN uses the Force to catch his lightsaber and he tosses it to ANAKIN. With TWO LIGHTSABERS, ANAKIN attacks. COUNT DOOKU parries and ripostes.
ANAKIN holds off against Dooku well with two lightsabers, but they slow him down in the long run. As if in answer, Dooku slices through the tip of one of ANAKIN's lightsabers and ANAKIN discards it.
The fight continues. Dooku is indeed a powerful/graceful swordsman, but ANAKIN seems to alternate between one step ahead or behind DOOKU's maneuvers.
OBI-WAN:
Anakin, watch your side defenses!
ANAKIN continues the battle.
OBI-WAN:
Use the Force, Anakin. Think out his
next attack!
Annoyed with OBI-WAN's suggestions, ANAKIN grows angry. And this escalates, causing him to become more in touch with the DARK ANAKIN back at the Tusken Camp. ANAKIN and DOOKU battle faster and more fiercly. ANAKIN grows more powerful in his rage, and Dooku is tiring.
OBI-WAN:
Watch that defense, Anakin. Trust me!
Upon hearing this, ANAKIN quickly faces OBI-WAN.
DOOKU takes this advantage. In one flashing move, he sends Anakin's arms, cut at the elbows, flying. ANAKIN drops to the ground in agony. COUNT DOOKU stands slumped over, catching much needed breath. He then draws himself up to deliver the coup de grace.
Suddenly, the great doors slide open. The DROIDS turn fast, raising their weapons. Through the thick smoke, emerges the heroic figure of YODA. He stops on the smoke-filled threshold, FOUR DROIDS lined up on either side of him, guns pointed.
Before the DROIDS can get off a shot, YODA raises his hand, and the DROIDS are flung against the far walls and crash to the floor in heaps of smoking metal.
Silence. COUNT DOOKU steps away from ANAKIN to face the Jedi Grand Master. His lightsaber whirls in a formal salute.
COUNT DOOKU:
Master Yoda. At last we shall
know who is the most powerful.
YODA draws a miniature lightsaber out of his cane. He salutes formally.
YODA:
Count Dooku. No interest in
contests, do I have.
COUNT DOOKU charges across the space at YODA. He rains down blows upon the tiny figure. YODA doesn't budge an inch. For the first part of the contest, he parries every cut and thrust that Dooku aims. Nothing the great swordsman tries gets through. His energy drains. His strokes become feebler, slower.
YODA attacks! He flies forward. COUNT DOOKU is forced to retreat. Words are insufficient to describe the range and skill of Yoda's speed and swordplay. His lightsaber his a humming blur of light.
Count Dooku's lightsaber is sent cartwheeling from his hand. He staggers back, gasping and spent, against the control panel. YODA jumps onto DOOKU'S shoulders, and is about to drive the lightsaber into the top of the Count's head.
YODA:
The end for you, Count, this is.
COUNT DOOKU:
Not yet!
COUNT DOOKU raises his arms and knocks YODA off his shoulders and then, with all his might, he uses the Force to pull on one of the cranes in the hanger. It comes crashing down on OBI-WAN and ANAKIN. But in the blink of and eye, YODA is under the crane, holding it up, using the Force. YODA closes his eyes and concentrates.
ANAKIN is unconscious, and OBI-WAN tries to get out from under the crane. The fallen crane trembles and starts to life. Behind it, the sound of the Sail Ship's engines are heard starting up.
YODA concentrates harder. Slowly, the crane rises. The SOUND OF THE ENGINES increases. YODA exerts every scrap of his powers. The crane lifts clear of ANAKIN and is thrown to the ground. DOOKU'S Sail Ship takes off. OBI-WAN and ANAKIN struggle to the exhausted YODA, but it's too late. The Sail Ship rises into the air and flies away. PADMÉ and a CLONE CAPTAIN with about TEN TROOPERS appear in the doorway.
PADMÉ:
Anakin!
PADMÉ runs too him and throws her arms around him. ANAKIN is barely able to stand up. The CLONE CAPTAIN marches up to YODA, stops, and salutes smartly.
CLONE CAPTAIN:
Resistance is at an end, General.
What are your orders ?
YODA looks at him and sighs.
EXT. CORUSCANT, OLD TOWN - DAWN
COUNT DOOKU'S Interstellar Sail Ship glides through a deserted, burned-out part of Coruscant. COUNT DOOKU manuevres the ship into one of the empty buildings and lands.
INT. CORUSCANT, SECRET LANDING PLATFORM - DAWN
The ramp lowers. COUNT DOOKU emerges and walks to where the hooded figure of DARTH SIDIOUS stands waiting. COUNT DOOKU bows.
COUNT DOOKU:
The Force is with us, my Master.
DARTH SIDIOUS:
Welcome home, Lord Tyranus. You have
done well.
COUNT DOOKU:
I bring you good news, my Lord.
The war has begun.
DARTH SIDIOUS:
Excellent. Everything is going as planned.
SIDIOUS smiles wickedly.
EXT. CORUSCANT, JEDI TEMPLE - SUNSET
The beautiful temple basks in the red glow of the setting sun.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE, ANAKIN's QUARTERS - SUNSET
ANAKIN is busy packing. He is having a slightly difficult time with the task, as he is not used to his new cybernetic arms.
As ANAKIN rifles through his belongings, he suddenly comes across something which causes him to pause. He reaches and draws an old and worn backpack from one of his chests. This is the same backpack which ANAKIN wore when he first moved away from Tatooine. ANAKIN gazes at it with familiarity. Tears slowly rise in ANAKIN's eyes.
Deciding to put the backpack in its storage, ANAKIN moves the bag toward the chest from which he removed it. As this happens, the bottom of the bag catches on a sharp sliver of metal from a worn section of ANAKIN's storage chest. The bottom of the bag rips open.
Before ANAKIN gets a chance to curse aloud, he suddenly hears something hit the ground. He looks down and spots a holo-disc which he has never seen before. Written on it are the words “my son”.
ANAKIN picks up the holo-disc, studying it carefully. He then walks over to his nearby holo-disc player and slips the disc inside it. After punching a few buttons, an image appears on his holo-screen.
It is SHMI SKYWALKER, looking like she did the very day ANAKIN left. Speechless, ANAKIN slowly takes a seat close-by.
HOLOGRAM SHMI looks almost directly at ANAKIN, love and concern in her eyes.
HOLOGRAM SHMI:
Annie… I'm not sure that I'm working
this recorder right. (she chuckles)
You were always the knowledgeable one
when it came to these machines.
ANAKIN chuckles.
HOLOGRAM SHMI:
I hope that this message records before
you leave… I'd hate to send you off
without giving you one last piece of me…
HOLOGRAM SHMI pauses a moment, wiping tears out of her eyes. She then re-adjusts herself on her seat, looking ANAKIN's way again.
HOLOGRAM SHMI:
I don't know how long it will be before
you discover this message… but I hope it
is when you are older in mind, body, and
spirit. There are things I'm holding in,
worries and fears of what might happen to
you while you are away from home… and away
from me… which I don't want you to be
burdened with while you train to become a
Jedi. I cannot put into words how lonely
I will feel without you here… it won't be
home without you, Annie. And the path
you've chosen could quite possibly lead
you into danger, maybe even… (pause)
…death…
ANAKIN looks sideways, feeling guilt set in.
ANAKIN:
I should never have left you, mother…
HOLOGRAM SHMI:
But then I think about how much good
you strive to accomplish…
ANAKIN turns back, facing the holo-screen.
HOLOGRAM SHMI:
… how selfless and caring you are when
it comes to others. You aspire to do so
much good in this life Annie, and you
will. I can't explain it, but I can feel
deep down that you will grow into a
responsible young man, a man who would
brave many dangers just to save a wounded
Tusken.
ANAKIN's eyes widen… the guilt falls heavy.
HOLOGRAM SHMI:
When you grow older, you will feel new
things. There will be times when even
your calm is tested. What makes us strong
is how we face those tests when they
find us. Fostering anger will only make
us more susceptible to darkness and
suffering. If this has happened to you,
and you have chosen to let your anger
take hold of you, then you have betrayed
yourself.
ANAKIN no longer holds back the tears. They flow freely from his eyes as he continues to watch the screen.
HOLOGRAM SHMI:
But don't punish yourself for it, Anakin.
To be angry is to be human. What makes you
strong inside is how you plan to live with
your actions done out of anger. Qui-Gon
would tell you the same thing. But he sees
in you the same thing I've seen since the
day you were born… your spark of goodness.
Trust in your master, Anakin… for Qui-Gon
would not willingly give you over to danger.
Trust in his decisions.
ANAKIN reaches his arms out toward the hologram.
ANAKIN:
Oh mother…
Suddenly, the sound of a door opening is heard off-screen. HOLOGRAM SHMI looks to her right, then back at the screen.
YOUNG ANAKIN: (off-screen)
Mom, he sold the Pod. Look at all the money
we have!
HOLOGRAM SHMI quickly reaches passed the screen. The holographic message shuts off.
For a minute, ANAKIN remains seated, his robotic arms outstretched in a vain attempt to embrace what is not even there. Slowly, ANAKIN lowers his limbs.
A knock is then heard from ANAKIN's door.
OBI-WAN: (hesitantly)
Anakin? Are you there?
ANAKIN looks to the door, considering. He lowers his eyes, feeling that deep down he knows what is the right thing to do.
ANAKIN:
Come in.
The door opens, and OBI-WAN enters. ANAKIN takes one look at his mentor and sees something he refused to see before. OBI-WAN is in pain, and it shows.
OBI-WAN:
Anakin… I-
OBI-WAN pauses, digging hard in his mind to find the right words. He pulls up a seat beside his padawan.
OBI-WAN:
I never meant for things to
happen like they did. I was
only doing what I thought was
my best by you. I don't want
to keep you on a harness and
control you… I have more
respect for you than you
realize. I trust you.
ANAKIN nods, giving OBI-WAN a small hope.
OBI-WAN:
I know that you expect much
more from yourself than any
other Jedi… and it hurts me
to see it, Anakin. Through
all that I've taught you,
I meant to show you how to
not place so much weight on
yourself. That is what keeps
you from truly focusing
yourself into the Force.
ANAKIN looks to OBI-WAN. OBI-WAN slowly begins to smile.
OBI-WAN:
When you can do that, who knows
what good you will be able to
accomplish? And when you make
your step into it, Anakin… I
will be by your side. Not
because I have to be… but because
I want to be.
ANAKIN continues to look at his mentor. OBI-WAN stands, then gives ANAKIN one final nod/smile. He turns and walks back to the door. OBI-WAN is almost there when suddenly…
ANAKIN:
Master, wait!
OBI-WAN turns to face ANAKIN. ANAKIN rises from his seat, slowly stepping away from it. Tears fill his eyes, and spill down his face.
OBI-WAN becomes concerned.
ANAKIN walks over to OBI-WAN, then slowly bows his head to his master once stopped.
ANAKIN:
I apologize, Master… I was wrong
to blame you. I don't even blame
you at all…
Before OBI-WAN knows it, ANAKIN has enveloped him in a tight hug. All the while, ANAKIN cries into OBI-WAN's shoulder in trying to let it all out. OBI-WAN stiffens, reacting awkwardly. But after a moment, OBI-WAN slowly returns the hug. He returns it with meaning.
EXT. CORUSCANT, JEDI TEMPLE - SUNSET
A Naboo ship takes off from one of the landing platforms. It rises and then pushes forward.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - SUNSET
OBI-WAN watches out of the window, spotting a small Naboo ship as it makes its way from the temple landing bay and into space.
MACE:
Where is your apprentice?
OBI-WAN:
On his way back to Naboo. He needs
time to heal from his wounds, so I
suggested that he escort Senator
Amidala home and get some rest
there.
They are standing, looking out through the tall windows at the great plaza below. YODA sits in his chair.
OBI-WAN:
I must admit without the clones,
it would not have been a victory.
YODA:
Victory? Victory, you say?
OBI-WAN turns and looks at the sad little Jedi sitting in the Council Chamber. Apart from KI-ADI-MUNDI and PLO KOON, who is wounded, the Chamber is empty.
YODA
Not victory. A defeat, it was,
Master Obi-Wan. Begun, the Clone
War has!
EXT. CORUSCANT, MILITARY STAGING AREA, BALCONY - LATE DAY
PALPATINE, JAR JAR, BAIL ORGANA and the OTHER SENATORS, with TWO ROYAL GUARDS, stand looking down at the square below.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CLONE TROOPS are drawn up in a strict formation or move forwards in near files to climb the ramps of the Military Assault Ships.
On the balcony, PALPATINE'S expression is deeply sad. Everyone watches comberly as, in the square, loaded Assault Ships take off. Other land immediately in their place. The sky above is thick with transports. CLONE TROOPS march and board the Ships.
The Great Clone War has begun...
EXT. NABOO LAKE RETREAT, LODGE, GARDEN - LATE DAY
In a rose-covered arbor overlooking the sparkling lake, ANAKIN and PADME stand before a NABOO HOLY MAN.
THREEPIO and ARTOO stand by, watching, as the HOLY MAN blesses the happy couple.
The HOLY MAN walks away, leaving the married lovers to their bliss.
PADME embraces her husband warmly. ANAKIN returns the embrace, his new cybernetic arms encircling his beloved wife. Both ANAKIN and PADME gaze into each others' eyes.
Amid gently falling rose petals, ANAKIN and PADME kiss.
FADE OUT:
THE END