The Star Wars Page #14

GENERAL:

We've found them, five of them, anyway...Watch yourself.

The troops slowly ride their huge birds over to the speeder, and dismount.

The officer in charge is a vicious looking warrior, with a large scar across

his face.

OFFICER:

Let me see your passes.

Whitsun hands him the small pass disc, and he places it in his reader. He

studies the computer readout for a few moments, and then returns the disc to

Whitsun.

OFFICER:

Have you seen any other transports in this area?

GENERAL SKYWALKER

We saw two heading south. Goin' toward Ansel, look like to me.

OFFICER:

All right. Be on your way.

The officer mounts his dune bird, and the patrol moves away. Whitsun winks at

the princess, and smiles at the general, as the speeder starts off across the

dry lake. The general fiddles with the intercom.

GENERAL:

S-2, are you clear?

STARKILLER:

I have five troopers approaching. Any problems on your end?

GENERAL:

We came through all right. You shouldn't have any trouble, but stay alert.

STARKILLER:

Best wishes....Here they come.

Everyone rides along in silence, a little worried about Starkiller, especially

the princess.

PRINCESS:

..Do you think he'll be all right?

GENERAL:

He can take care of himself.

Biggs is looking out the back window of the speeder.

BIGGS:

Hey look! They're coming back.

Everyone looks to see the patrol quickly gaining on them.

GENERAL:

Stop! They're faster. Get your weapon.

The speeder screeches to a halt in a cloud of dust. The general and his

captain jump from the transport with laserpistols drawn. The patrol bears

down on them, swords drawn, at full charge. Both the general and Whitsun

fire. Two of the troopers and their Dune birds explode in a cloud of smoke.

The remaining three troopers are upon the duo in a matter of seconds. The

general ignites his lasersword and cuts down two of the troops as they pass.

The last turns his bird around before reaching the speeder, and hightails it

back toward the ravine. The general jumps onto one of the riderless dune

birds and takes off in pursuit. Whitsun checks the dead troopers.

73. WASTELAND RAVINE - AQUILAE

The general rides at breakneck speed after the fleeing trooper. His

lasersword is raised high over his head, ready to deal a death blow. The

lumbering birds race through the winding ravine.

74. WASTELAND RAVINE - AQUILAE

The intercom warning buzzer begins to scream. Whitsun rushes for it, but the

princess gets there first.

PRINCESS:

Are you all right?

STARKILLER:

Two riders heading your way. I got three, but two got away. Watch

yourselves!

75. WASTELAND RAVINE - AQUILAE

The general is riding neck and neck with the trooper. He swiftly brings his

sword down and the trooper drops from his saddle. The momentum of his charge

carries the general around a bend in the ravine, and right in the path of two

more troops charging down on him. The two troopers are taken by surprise.

They stop their birds, and so does the general. They stand there, about fifty

yards apart, sizing up each other. Suddenly, the two troopers start for the

Jedi at full speed. The general raises his sword, and starts for them. The

troopers are no match for the general, who kills them both before they are

even able to swing their swords.

76. WASTELAND LAKEBED - AQUILAE

Starkiller stops near the larger landspeeder and gets out. He is wounded.

Blood streams from his left arm. Whitsun rushes to help him. The princess

shows a great deal of concern.

WHITSUN:

It looks worse than it is. You'll be all right.

Whitsun motions to the princess, who looks a little relieved.

WHITSUN:

Bring me the med aid pack.

PRINCESS:

It he was clumsy enough to get hurt, maybe we ought to let him bleed to death.

She hands Whitsun the kit, as the general rides up and dismounts. He moves to

Starkiller.

GENERAL:

You missed two.

STARKILLER:

I know, I couldn't...

GENERAL:

Don't let it happen again. We'd better move out. They might have reported

in.

77. CONTROL ROOM - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE

The dark and sinister Valorum moves several markers on a large map readout to

form a line from the destroyed underground fortress to the spaceport at

Gordon. An aide enters with General Vader.

AIDE:

The patrol was lost, Sir. All ten of them.

VALORUM:

It's to be expected.

VADER:

Have you found them?

VALORUM:

They're heading for the spaceport at Gordon. I'm going there. Have all

security doubled. Make it an alert.

78. THE OUTSKIRTS OF GORDON - AQUILAE

The speeders stop on a bluff overlooking a small cantina on the outskirts of

Gordon. The spaceport can be seen in the distance. The general and Captain

Whitsun walk over to the smaller speeder. Starkiller helps the two androids

out of their cramped quarters.

THREEPIO:

Your kindness is greatly appreciated.

STARKILLER (to general)

I'm fit enough to...

The general gives him a hard look and he shuts up. Whitsun and the general

climb into the speeder.

GENERAL:

We'll make contact at zero four hundred. If we're not back by fifty-five

forty, get worried.

The speeder starts off toward the cantina.

79. SPACEPORT CANTINA - AQUILAE

The speeder pulls up in front of the low, blockhouse style cantina. Various

strange forms of transport are parked outside the bar.

GENERAL:

Take care here. If there is any trouble, get back to the others.

The general and Whitsun enter the shabby cantina. The murky little den is

filled with a startling array of weird and exotic alien creatures, laughing at

the bar. At first, the sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed, slimy,

furry, scaling arms, tentacles, and claws huddle over drinks. The general

looks over the patrons, but does not see the contact, Han Solo. A large

multiple eyed creature shoves the general.

CREATURE:

Assha dughi wouldugga?

The general tries to ignore the creature, and turns back to his drink. A

short, grubby looking human, and an even smaller rodent-like creature join the

first creature.

HUMAN:

He doesn't like you.

GENERAL:

I understood him.

HUMAN:

I don't like you either.

GENERAL:

I'm sorry.

The big creature is getting agitated, and yells at the general.

HUMAN:

Don't insult us. You just watch yourself. We're wanted men. I have the

death sentence on twelve Systems.

GENERAL:

I'll be careful then.

HUMAN:

You'll be dead.

The short rodent yells something, and everything at the bar moves away. The

general assumes a defensive position. His three adversaries ready their

weapons.

GENERAL:

You insist on a fight then.

HUMAN:

Just try and kill us.

GENERAL:

It will hurt a little.

HUMAN:

We aren't cowards.

GENERAL:

Then it can't be helped.

The general's lasersword sparks to life. An arm lies on the floor. The

rodent is cut in two, and the large, multiple-eyed creature lies doubled, cut

from chin to groin. The general, with quiet dignity, replaces his sword in

its sheath. The entire fight has lasted only a matter of seconds. A figure

stands in the doorway watching the general. As soon as the general notices

him, he leaves. The cantina goes back to normal, as if nothing had happened,

although the general is given a respectable amount of room at the bar. The

Jedi finishes his drink, and then leaves. Captain Whitsun follows.

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