The Star Wars Page #5

The general looks down, somewhat embarrassed. He scratches his head, then

smiles.

GENERAL:

Old friend, you do me too much honor. I was never a match for you. Why don't

you finish his training yourself?

KANE:

I'm too old, Luke. I can't go on... You must finish it.

GENERAL:

What kind of talk is this? You're not the old Starkiller I remember. Too

old?!?

Starkiller suddenly ignites in a rage and swings his left forearm down with a

mighty blow across the solid chrome desk the general is sitting on. The old

Jedi warrior's forearm cracks in two, spewing forth wires, and many fine

multicolored electronic components. The artificial limb flops lifelessly to

Starkiller's side. The warrior rips open his tunic, revealing a plastic chest

stuffed with flashing electric parts.

KANE (angrily)

I'm not the same. There is nothing left but my head and right arm... I've

lost too much, Luke...I'm dying.

The general bows his head in sorrow for one of the greatest warriors in the

galaxy and a dear friend.

GENERAL:

I'm sorry...

KANE:

I'm sorry. I keep losing control. I'm very tired...Take my son! The Jedi-

Bendu must survive. We must pass it on. Only a Jedi can stop the Empire.

We're very old, Luke. A new generation of Jedi must be started. Take him;

teach him the way of the Jedi-Bendu...

Captain Montross bursts into the office and somewhat excitedly salutes the

general.

MONTROSS:

Sir, we have picked up something! An asteroid, or solid comet moving away

from the Anchorhead System.

18. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE

The general rushes out of the control station and back to the giant Galactic

display. He is followed by Montross, Starkiller and his son.

GENERAL:

Are you sure it's not the battalion?

MONTROSS:

A solid object. It's as big as our Third Moon.

PRUE:

It's too large to be man-made, and it's too slow to be a comet.

GENERAL:

Analysis?

MONTROSS:

It's too far out.

GENERAL:

I'll be with the king. Report as soon as you can get a reading on it.

(turning to Kane's son) Captain Starkiller, from now on you stick close to

me.

The older Starkiller smiles, and puts his good arm around his old friend.

19. DINING CHAMBER - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE

King Kayos moves his arm around Breha's waist as they stand on a balcony

watching the giant twin suns of Aquilae disappear behind a distant dune range.

The general enters, rather in a rush, followed by the young Starkiller, who is

now dressed in the white uniform of the Aquilaean starforce. (He still wears

the distinctive Kessilian hair knot.) They bow before the king.

KAYOS (pointing to the suns)

Aren't they beautiful, General? "Always and never the same." You're just in

time for dinner.

GENERAL:

I have come for other reasons. Could....

KAYOS:

Relax, General. We will discuss it, but over dinner. There are times, Luke,

when I find you a bit too rigid. Is this your new disciple?

Starkiller is ill at ease and bows again.

STARKILLER:

Annikin Starkiller, Sir.

KAYOS:

Where's Kane?

GENERAL:

He left for the spaceport at Gordon to visit an old friend, Han Solo, the

Ureallian.

KAYOS:

We are becoming quite a refuge.

The group sits at a large table, and food is brought in by servants. They

eat. Starkiller is nervous and watches the general, to make sure he is being

proper.

GENERAL:

My Lord, several events have occurred which lead me to believe we are in

imminent danger of attack. There is no longer time for discussion and

debate...

KAYOS:

What events?

GENERAL:

Whitsun, our best agent, has disappeared in the Imperial capital. There is

unusual military traffic in the S-4 sectors...

KAYOS:

Unless you have direct, concrete proof of a pending attack, there is nothing I

can do.

GENERAL:

By the time we have proof, it may be too late.

KAYOS:

Luke, I'm leaving tonight for Amsel. I'm meeting with the full assembly first

thing in the morning. I am not going to approve the Alliance Treaty, and I

will get your defense measure approved. Just be patient. You will have the

war code.

GENERAL:

Tomorrow may be too late. My Lord, I need the war code now. We must get our

forces into space.

KAYOS:

But it must be done legally, with everyone's approval. Tomorrow you will have

that. I doubt the Empire would attack before receiving our answer. The

separation of war powers is the one condition upon which you assumed command

of our forces. You're a friend, Luke, and I trust you. But you're also an

outlander who controls a great deal of power. I can't forsake my oath any

more than you can. Just be patient. You will have the code tomorrow.

Captain Montross enters the large chamber and bows before the king.

MONTROSS:

I bring a report to General Skywalker, My Lord.

KAYOS:

You may deliver it.

MONTROSS:

Sir, the asteroid has disappeared from our scopes. There is no trace of it.

GENERAL:

Were they able to analyze it?

MONTROSS:

It never came within range, Sir.

The general rises, quickly followed by Starkiller.

GENERAL:

Excuse us, My Lord. We'd better get back. I will wait patiently for the

approval.

The general and Montross exit the chamber. Starkiller takes one last bite of

his dinner, then dashes after his mentor.

20. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE

The general sits rigidly, facing the big Galactic display board. Several

aides and bureaucrats rush to and fro, ignoring the general. he is asleep.

Captain Prue approaches the general and snaps to attention. The general's

eyes open.

GENERAL:

What are the results?

PRUE:

Negative, Sir.

GENERAL:

Are you sure?

PRUE:

Absolutely.

GENERAL:

It's just not possible. Something that size can't just disappear without a

trace...Check it again.

PRUE:

That's the tenth negative, Sir.

GENERAL:

I said check it again.

Captain Prue retreats to a computer station. The general looks around for

Starkiller.

GENERAL:

Starkiller!

Everyone near the general turns, but Starkiller doesn't show.

GENERAL:

Where is that boy? Montross!

Montross rushes to the general and snaps to attention.

GENERAL:

Page Starkiller.

Montross goes back to his station and a few moments later, Starkiller is paged

over the P.A. system. The general waits, watching the big board. Eventually,

Starkiller stumbles out of an enclosed computer closet, fastening his pants

and tucking in his tunic. A moment later, the cute female aide rather

sheepishly exits the computer closet. She is also in the process of putting

her uniform back together. Starkiller rushes up to the general and snaps to

attention.

The general lets him stand there for a moment, not acknowledging his presence;

then, suddenly, without warning and in one masterful flash motion, the general

stands, grabs a small baton attached to his belt (which immediately ignites

into a four-foot glowing lasersword,) and swings at the young warrior's head.

In an equally quick movement, Starkiller ignites his lasersword and blocks the

general's blow. Everyone in the war room is surprised and startled. After a

moment, they rush to the general. Starkiller and the general stand motionless

for a few moments, with laserswords locked in mid-air, creating a low buzzing

sound. Finally, the general grins, and Starkiller hesitantly relaxes. They

lower their swords and turn them off.

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