The Star Wars Page #3

He looks in Antilles' glass.

ANTILLES:

No thanks, Whitsun. I've had enough.

WHITSUN:

Just a dantic then. Bail, it's not like you to refuse a drink. You're going

to give Galactic traders a bad name.

A drink appears magically from a small elevator in the bar. Whitsun takes it,

and then places a pen-like transmitter he has taken from his pocket next to

the intercom. It creates a low electronic buzz.

10. BAR OBSERVATION CENTER - ALDERAAN

A controller sitting in front of a row of monitors taps his headphones, then

flips a switch back and forth a couple of times. He is obviously annoyed.

CONTROLLER:

Number eighteen is out again. Give me a maintenance check.

The controller yawns and puts his feet up on the control panel.

11. NIGHTCLUB - ALDERAAN

Whitsun leans in close to Antilles. He is suddenly very serious.

ANTILLES:

Whitsun, we've got problems. They've just grounded all spacecraft, including

trade frigates. Even the ships under Imperial registry can't move. Something

big is up.

WHITSUN:

I'm afraid they're not waiting for the Alliance Treaty. They're already

moving against the System. I've got to get word back.

ANTILLES:

The chrome companies are protesting the embargo, but it's going to take some

time.

WHITSUN:

Isn't anything moving?

ANTILLES:

Military ships, but...

They are interrupted by an Imperial officer, and several stormtroopers. The

officer shouts over the P.A. system, as the troops rush to block the exits.

Whitsun and the Galactic trader are tense, but remain cool.

OFFICER:

Attention:
all Captains and First Officers of Guild Trade frigates will

accompany me to the Ministry of Transport immediately.

Antilles gives Whitsun a hopeless look as the troops check their papers, and

then take Antilles away. A small fight breaks out in the back of the

nightclub as one of the trader captains expresses his dislike of the Empire.

Whitsun slams his glass to the bar in a gesture of hate and frustration.

12. GOVERNOR HOEDAACK'S QUARTERS - ALDERAAN

The large, white-on-white executive quarters resound with the high-pitched

laugh of the evil Governor Hoedaack. He slaps Darth Vader, a tall, grim-

looking general, on the back, and the general's mouth makes the slightest

gesture at a smile.

HOEDAACK:

Success, I told you. We are no longer under the control of the Great

Families....We've gained a true advantage.

Vantos Coll, a member of the Supreme Tribunal, and a man of the grossest

dimensions, appears to be a little worried.

COLL:

A rather dangerous advantage. You still have a System to conquer.

HOEDAACK:

But this System will bring us more scientific wealth than that of any other

House in the Tribunal. We will easily gain control of the directorship.

COLL:

Don't underestimate the armies of Aquilae. They're lead by a Jedi.

HOEDAACK:

I've told you about Commissioner Lars, General. He worries a lot.

VADER:

It's a myth that any Jedi still exist.

COLL:

General Skywalker is no myth. When I first arrived at court, he was the First

Bodyguard to the emperor...He lead the Jedi Rebellion.

VADER:

Seig Darklighter lead the Rebellion.

COLL:

So the emperor would have you think, but I was there.

VADER:

Then why wasn't he hunted down like the others?

COLL:

Because he is too dangerous, too clever. Besides, his presence on Aquilae is

still only a rumor.

HOEDAACK:

Then why do you believe it?

COLL:

Because I knew him. He's there, alright. I can sense it. Mark my words:

Aquilae will not be easily conquered.

13. COURTYARD - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE

A low, sleek "landspeeder," (an auto-like transport which travels a few feet

above the ground on a magnetic field), glides into the courtyard of the palace

of Aquilae. The planet is desert wilderness, but the palace is a sparkling

oasis, with low concrete walls and great turrets spilling over with foliage

from rooftop gardens. The speeder stops before an enormous shaded corridor.

Fountains line the beautiful and highly polished, tiled walkway. Two young

boys, Biggs (7) and Windom (5) are helped out of the speeder by Amber, a one-

armed bodyguard dressed in the flowing white robes of the Aquilaean military.

The two boys run through the long corridors, yelling and screaming, their

little footsteps echoing throughout the palace.

14. The palace library is a dim, cool room projecting an aura of time-worn

comfort and security. In the distance, the children can be heard screaming

through the corridors. King Kayos, silver-haired but amazingly youthful under

a tanned and leathery face, motions for one of his aides to shut the partially

closed door. He is in the middle of an emergency meeting of the Aquilaean

High Senate. The twelve men sit in overstuffed chairs, placed in a large

circle. A large, sallow-eyed Galactic trader named Aay Zavos fiddles

nervously with a small scrap of leather as he speaks.

ZAVOS:

My Lord, the chrome companies are with you in spirit, but you must understand,

they can't openly support you. Imperial trade restrictions are very

unfavorable, and we, of course, favor your independence.

KAYOS:

If there were to be war, would your frigates still supply us?

ZAVOS:

Your bluntness is to be commended. It could be arranged.

Count Sandage, a corrupt noble of the Senate, jumps to his feet in a rage.

SANDAGE:

This is nonsense! We have no choice but to approve the Treaty. If there is

war, the Empire will destroy our entire System with a snap of the finger.

General Skywalker is a dreamer if he thinks he can mount any meaningful

resistance....And you're dreamers if you believe him. So much trust in one

aged man. You must see...

At that moment, all heads turn as someone enters the room. It is General Luke

Skywalker, Commander of the Aquilaean Starforce. He is a large man,

apparently in his early sixties, but actually much older. Everyone senses the

aura of power that radiates from this great warrior. Here is a leader: a

Jedi general. He looks weary, but is still a magnificent-looking warrior.

His face, cracked and weathered by exotic climates, is set off by a close

silver beard, and dark, penetrating eyes. Sandage is somewhat embarrassed and

quietly sits down.

GENERAL:

Is there anyone here so naive he believes the Empire would even bother

negotiating if they were contemplating destruction of this System? Your

Excellencies, this is more than a simple raid on your resources. You must

reach a decision.

Mir Nash, a thin, birdlike senator, turns to the general.

NASH:

General Skywalker, war is a serious business...a deadly business.

GENERAL:

Procrastination is a deadly business, Senator. War is my business. Have you

approved my defense measures?

The Grande Mouff Tarkin wears the long, black robes of the Aquilaean religion.

He speaks with a high, cracking voice.

TARKIN:

An actual war with the Empire is still only a remote possibility. As a

military treatise, your proposal has certain merits, but in the harsh light of

reality, an attack against the Empire appears to be a somewhat extreme

defense.

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