“EPISODE VI: SPECIAL DELIVERY”
by
Jim Cook
Based on a story by MICHAEL ROMANOWSKI & CO
EMAIL: JAMESJCOOK3RD@GMAIL.COM
TWITTER: @JIMCOOKJIMCOOK
TEXT: (609) 891-8476
FADE IN:
OPENING CRAWL
Having
dropped off their cargo at seemingly clandestine Imperial construction
site, the crew of the Dancing Star now must deal with their Wookiee
stowaway while en route to their next destination: the drop-off for the
“special” cargo consigned to them by their employer, Bib Fortuna…
EXT. HYPERSPACE
The DANCING STAR powers though hyperspace with a ROAR of her engines.
INT. DANCING STAR CREW LOUNGE
The
crew is gathered around the Wookiee GAARTATHA. It seems that we see
them as Gaartatha has just finished telling the story of his life of
forced labor for the Empire.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
Your tale saddens us all, Gaartatha, but you are a free being now.
MYKAR ROSHENK
We just have to get that collar off you.
GAARTATHA
Rooo, Gwaaahr!
DELOR SEROOL
You can use the tools we have, but I don’t understand why you won’t accept our help.
RENEE MARKOV
I
think I do, Delor. He wants to free himself, and not owe his liberty to
us. Go and cut that shock collar off, friend, then we’ll talk about
where we can drop you off.
GAARTATHA
Oooohar! Haarooohh!
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
I’ve never been to Kashyyyk. I hear it is very beautiful.
RENEE MARKOV
Tovi always wanted to see the Wroshyr trees…
After a moment of awkward silence, Delor CLEARS his throat.
DELOR SEROOL
Why don’t we head up to the bridge, and give Gaartatha some “alone time” to do what he needs to do?
The
crew rises to leave. Delor, Renee, and Koyi’una head to the bridge, and
Mykar toward the engineering compartment. The Wookiee picks up a
grinding tool and begins to work at the collar around his neck.
INT. DANCING STAR ENGINEERING
Mykar
enters, and begins working on some control adjustments. R4K17 is
already here and WHISTLES in acknowledgement of Mykar’s presence.
The sound of the grinder is heard for a few moments, and then…
A blood curdling sound, half SCREAM, half ROAR echoes through the ship. Mykar jumps up from his work and runs toward the lounge.
INT. DANCING STAR LOUNGE
Mykar
enters from Engineering, followed by R4K17. The bridge crew enters from
the other side simultaneously. They see a chilling sight.
Gaartatha
lies contorted on the floor. The shock collar emits a BUZZ and his
limbs contract. Again and again, in quick succession, the collar BUZZES
and the Wookiee twitches, as if having a seizure. Finally, a puff of
smoke and a final lingering BUZZ indicates the failure of the shock
collar. Gaartatha lies still on the deck, a dark singed mark around his
neck.
EXIT. SPACE – CETIS SYSTEM
The
Dancing Star flickers back into reality from hyperspace. She is
surrounded by the blackness of space and the glowing points of faraway
stars in all directions.
INT. DANCING STAR BRIDGE
Delor checks the ship’s location and navigation system indicators. He frowns.
DELOR SEROOL
We
came out of lightspeed at the right coordinates. I don’t understand why
we are out here. What gives? Why did you plot our course so far out
from Cetis V?
RENEE MARKOV
Check
the long range sensors. The system is lousy with asteroids. Two planets
collided here, leaving a dense field of debris. The whole system is
constantly bombarded by asteroids and comets, big and small. If it
weren’t for the huge deposits of industrial metals on Cetis V, nobody
would bother with this system. There are only a few shipping lanes that
are swept clear of debris, and this is the middle of one.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
What about the planet itself?
RENEE MARKOV
There
are massive shield generators in place around the north pole. Without
them, living conditions would be problematic at best. With them, Cetis V
gets treated to a pretty light show at night as the rocks smash into
the shield.
MYKAR ROSHENK
Maybe we should hold position here while we take care of Gaartatha?
INT. DANCING STAR LOUNGE
The body of Gaartatha is on the deck near the ship’s airlock, shrouded in cargo mesh sealed with spacer’s tape.
MYKAR ROSHENK
Does anyone want to say anything?
For a few moments none of the crew says anything. They stand uncomfortably staring at the plastic wrapped body.
DELOR SEROOL
It wasn’t your fault. No one could have detected that tertiary trigger on the shock collar.
MYKAR ROSHENK
I suppose so…
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
I guess Tovi was the spiritual one among us. He’d know what to say, and how to say it.
DELOR SEROOL
Let’s just get it over with, R4.
R4-K17
BURBLES solemnly, and cycles the airlock door open. MSDB-14 ALPHA drags
the body in, and in moments the body of Gaartatha of Kashyyk is
consigned to the deep of space. Mykar looks out the viewport.
MYKAR ROSHENK
Peace be with you. At least you died a free being, not a slave.
The crew watched the body slowly float away from the Dancing Star for a few minutes in silence.
RENEE MARKOV
We need to get back to work, people. The approach through these asteroids won’t be easy.
EXT. SPACE ABOVE CETIS V
The
Dancing Star twists and turns, following the travel lane cleared of
asteroids and debris. We see, in the distance, flashes of bright color
as rocks and dust strike the planetary shield.
We
follow the ship down through the atmosphere. The sky around the Dancing
Star goes from the ebon black of space, through violet, to clear azure
blue. Below the ship, the surface of Cetis V is revealed. She arcs high
over the southern hemisphere, where huge industrial complexes and
gigantic crawling vehicles are seen strip mining the precious ore
deposits. As the ship’s course brings us over the northern hemisphere,
we see an entirely different environment. Untamed tropical jungle and
pristine white sand beaches on the coast of the shallow seas stretch
away to the north.
The
Dancing Star nears the capitol of Cetis V, Ebar Landing. Glittering
towers of shining alloys and reflective windows make up the city. The
ship settles at LANDING SLOT 7795D stop atop the tower known as SECTOR
77.
EXT. LANDING SLOT 7795D - AFTERNOON
As
the Dancing Star settles onto the landing platform, a detachment of
brown uniformed Corporate Sector Authority ESPO TROOPERS approach. The
ramp lowers, and the Espo Troopers enter.
INT. DANCING STAR CARGO HOLD
The
Espo Troopers and a CUSTOMS OFFICIAL are examining the cargo spaces
unenthusiastically. They spend more time inspecting Koyi’una’s physique
than they do the hold.
CUSTOMS OFFICIAL
Everything seems to be in order here, Captain Markov. Enjoy your stay on Cetis V.
With that the Espos leave the ship, and the crew gets down to their real work.
RENEE MARKOV
Koi, get onto the planet’s data net and rent us a cargo speeder.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
Right away.
RENEE MARKOV
Mykar,
Delor, and 14-Alpha, you break out the cargo. Load up the speeder when
it gets here, and let’s get this delivered as fast as possible and get
back to Tattooine.
EXT. LANDING SLOT 7795D - EVENING
A
flatbed speeder hovers next to the Dancing Star, loaded with six sealed
shipping containers. R4-K17 and Renee stand at the base of the ramp.
RENEE MARKOV
You stay here, R4. Keep the ship locked up, and keep an ear on the comm.
R4-K17
Warble! Bloop! Whee!
RENEE MARKOV
Don’t worry, R4. We’ll be back soon. Besides, you’re a droid, you’re not capable of feeling good or bad about anything.
Renee
mounts a speeder bike, joining 14-Alpha and Delor on their bikes, and
Mykar and Koyi’una on the speeder truck. With a ROAR of engines the
little convoy starts down the great curving ramp from the landing slot
down the tower to street level. Renee and Delor lead, followed by the
truck, with 14-Alpha bringing up the rear.
EXT. EBAR LANDING - EVENING
The
streets are full of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Brown uniformed
Espos are in evidence maintaining law and order. Repulsor billboards
float in the sky, advertising all manner of products and services. The
little convoy heads west, toward the neighborhood known as GAROOSH
HEIGHTS.
EXT. GAROOSH HEIGHTS - NIGHT
Night
is falling across the city as the convoy turns into a badly light side
road. Here, on the outskirts of the city glittering towers have given
way to street upon street of drab warehouses, supply depots, and storage
facilities. Traffic is lighter here than in the heart of the city,
though the streets are far from deserted.
Suddenly a BOOM is heard, and we see an explosion further up the street. On the speeder truck, Delor reaches for the comm.
DELOR SEROOL (into comm)
This is the street our drop is on. That explosion should be near the address.
RENEE MARKOV (into comm)
How much do you want to bet that our delivery just became a lot more complicated?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL (into comm)
Don’t slow down and don’t stop, no matter what just keep going!
MYKAR ROSHENK (into comm)
What do we do if the Espos try to stop us?
RENEE MARKOV (into comm)
Just keep driving casual. We’ll worry about whatever happens when.. if it happens.
The
speeders continue down the street until they reach a roadblock. Espos
wearing body armor and carrying riot guns wave traffic onto an
intersecting street. Behind the security perimeter two huge gray ESPO
WALKERS stand in the street in front of a long, low warehouse. The side
of the building has been breached by heavy weapons fire. Flames and
smoke pour from the building as several squads of Espo Troopers haul
hooded and shackled prisoners into a waiting security speeder.
As
the convoy clears the immediate area, more Espos can be seen along with
firefighters and emergency droids and equipment. Several bodies lie on
the ground just inside the security cordon. In moments the group is past
the scene and back on open streets.
INT. SPEEDER TRUCK - NIGHT
MYKAR ROSHENK
Now what do we do?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
Don’t worry. It’s all part of the plan, actually. Pull into that alley; I need to make a call.
The
speeder truck pulls into a dark, shadow filled alley between two
storage rental facilities. Koyi’una punches in a code on the vehicle’s
comm unit.
MALE VOICE (via comm)
Who is this?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL (into comm)
I have some packages to deliver, but the shipping address is no longer valid. Can you help me?
MALE VOICE (via comm)
Who sent you?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL (into comm)
This is Keva. I was sent by Korvo.
MALE VOICE (via comm)
There is a cantina on Fourth Street in the Zokollo district. Meet me there in an hour.
EXT. ZOKOLLO DISTRICT – NIGHT
We
see the speeder truck driving along the streets of the district. It
seems to be slightly erratic, unable to fully maintain its lane of
travel.
INT. SPEEDER TRUCK – NIGHT
Mykar
is driving, having a very hard time keeping his eyes on the road as
Koyi’una clambers over the seat to the rear storage area with a satchel.
MYKAR ROSHENK
What are you doing?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
I can’t go into a nightclub dressed like a delivery driver, can I? Now, don’t peek, Mykar! It wouldn’t be gentlemanly.
Mykar
sneaks a peek or two over the back seat as the shapely Twi’lek peels
off her overalls and shimmies into a very nice, very revealing, very
small outfit.
EXT. ZOKOLO DISTRICT – NIGHT
Leaving
the rest of the crew behind in the alley with the vehicles and cargo,
Koyi’una and Mykar stroll arm-in-arm through the city’s pleasure
district. The road is lined for kilometers in either direction with
pleasure clubs, spice dens, and all manner of places catering to
sentients’ baser instincts. Nearly every building has a lurid holo
marquee or billboard advertising every kind of vice imaginable.
Mykar gestures to a sign that reads ‘ZORBAK’S PLACE’.
MYKAR ROSHENK
This is the place… I think.
The cantina’s RODIAN DOORMAN barely sees Mykar as he passes, but pays close attention to Koyi’una, or at least parts of her.
INT. ZORBAK’S PLACE
It
is a tiny place, seedy, crowded, and poorly lit. The air is thick with
various colors of recreational smoke and fumes. PATRONS cluster around
the bar, which is tended by a battered service droid, 3T-RB.
Koyi’una begins to saunter off into the crowd, twitching both her hips and her lekku.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
Don’t go too far, hot shot. We may need to leave this place in a hurry.
Koyi’una
gets a drink from the bar. Carrying her glass across the small dance
floor, her arm is jostled, and sher turns around quickly.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
Hey! Watch it!
Our
view widens from Koyi’una, and we see a beautiful young Twi’lek female
in a sheer shimmersilk dress that leaves absolutely nothing to the
imagination. She extends her hand to Koyi’una.
MIKA
Sorry! My name is Mika.
Mika leans forward, bringing her lips to Koyi’una’s ear. She puts her arm across Koi’s back, snuggling up to her.
MIKA (whisper)
You passed the warehouse, Keva. Were the Espos still there?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL (whisper)
The whole area was crawling with them. Walkers, too.
MIKA (whisper)
I was afraid of that.
Mika
leans forward and lightly runs her hand across the neckline of
Koyi’una’s low cut top. We see a quick glimpse of a code cylinder drop
between Koyi’una’s breasts. The drop was so skillful that no one in the
cantina could have noticed the pass.
MIKA (whisper)
If you want your money, follow the instructions.
Koyi’una grabs the other woman’s wrist firmly.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL (whisper)
Our price has gone up; too much danger. Two thousand credits, not a fraction less.
Mika brushes her lips against Koyi’una’s cheek, for the benefit of any onlookers.
MIKA (whisper)
If that’s what it takes.
Both Twi’lek women give fake, forced smiles and then head in opposite directions into the crowd.
EXT. ZOKOLLO DISTRICT – NIGHT
Koyi’una and Mykar return to the alley. The rest of the party is watching a local news broadcast in the back of the speeder.
ANNOUNCER (os)
…And
the Espo spokesman has issued a statement indicating that at least a
dozen smugglers, terrorists, and other criminals have been arrested or
neutralized by the gallant Espo detachment of Ebar Landing.
Koyi’una
shuts off the broadcast with a CLICK. She slides the code cylinder from
her cleavage and into the monitor’s data slot. A map appears on the
display, showing a rural compound about 50 kilometers inland from the
city. It appears to be a private hunting and camping reserve for
Corporate Sector and Espo elites.
DELOR SEROOL
Oh, great, a camping trip.
RENEE MARKOV
I’m starting to agree with R4 about his bad feeling.
FADE TO BLACK
|
STAR WARS: HEROES OF DESTINY
Saturday, March 15, 2014
EPISODE VI: SPECIAL DELIVERY
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
EPISODE V: IMPERIAL ENTANGLEMENTS
“STAR WARS: HEROES OF DESTINY
EPISODE v: IMPERIAL ENTANGLEMENTS”
by
JIM COOK
BASED ON A STORY BY
MICHAEL ROMANOWSKI & CO.
JAMESJCOOK3RD@GMAIL.COM
HTTP://STAR-WARS-HEROES-OF-DESTINY.BLOGSPOT.COM
TWITTER:
@JIMCOOKJIMCOOK
FADE IN
EXT. SPACE
We see a field of
stars. As the theme music plays, words CRAWL across the blackness.
CRAWL
The Dancing Star has
lost a crewmember. Tovi Zahn has taken up with the Human-among-Sand-People
known as Old Fang. Renee Markov, the captain of the Dancing Star, hurtles back
to the ship, the pain of his crushed ribs exceeded by the pain of the loss of
his friend.
EXT. DUNE SEA – NIGHT
KOYI’UNA SEROOL stands
at the ramp of the DANCING STAR, anxiously peering into the darkness.
MSDB 14-ALPHA (O.S.)
(via ship’s
comm)
Mistress Koyi’una,
sensors detect an approaching speeder bike.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
(into ship’s
comm)
How man riders?
MSDB 14-ALPHA (O.S.)
(via ship’s
comm)
One, Mistress
Koyi’una.
Koyi’una waits
nervously at the end of the boarding ramp, shivering slightly in the cold
desert night.
A dark shape ROARS out
of the night, and slides to a stop just inside the bright area of light cast by
the Dancing Star’s work lights.
RENEE MARKOV, the Khil
captain of the Dancing Star, nearly falls off the speeder bike. Koyi’una rushes
to assist him. She helps himhobble toward the ship, while he presses a hand
against his ribs.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
What happened? Where
is Tovi?
RENEE MARKOV
Gone. I’m not sure if
he’s alive or dead. I fear he’s alive, and in the clutches of a power he can’t
understand. Get everyone inside. The ‘Star is lifting off; we have incoming.
INT. DANCING STAR
BRIDGE
DELOR SEROOL sits in
the pilot’s seat, running the Dancing Star through her pre-flight routine.
MYKAR ROSHENK (O.S.)
(via ship’s
comm)
Engines are hot. You
can lift when ready.
DELOR SEROOL
(into ship’s
comm)
Understood. Just
waiting for Renee and Koy.
The captain and
Koyi’una enter the bridge and take their stations. Koyi’una sits at the System
Operator station normally occupied by their absent shipmate.
DELOR SEROOL
Are we going after
Tovi?
RENEE MARKOV
Just fly the ship,
Delor, let me handle the rest.
Delor GRUMBLES under
his breath, but does as he is told. He turns to his controls, and moments later
the Dancing Star soars skyward.
At the System
Operator’s console, Koyi’una is in communication with the grizzled moisture
farmer known to her only as HIRAM.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
(into comm)
You have to evacuate.
There’s no way you can hope to defend your farms now. There are just too many
Sand People.
HIRAM (O.S.)
(via comm)
This is our home, and
we’ll defend it. We’ll fight them, no matter the cost.
KORYI’UNA SEROOL
(into comm)
Don’t be a fool! You
have children there. Do their lives mean nothing to you?
HIRAM (O.S.)
(via comm)
We’ll never be able
to get the kids, the old, and the sick out in time.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
(into comm)
We will cover you!
RENEE MARKOV
(loudly, to be
heard over the comm)
This may be a fool’s
errand, Hiram, but we’re with you. We will use the ‘Star’s guns to hold the
Sand People off as long as we can. Get your people out. Those bastards have one
of my people already, they don’t need to get any of yours.
DELOR SEROOL
I can see the Sand
People now!
EXT. DUNE SEA NEAR
FARMER’S VILLAGE
The Dancing Star is
circling low over the desert, just visible is the village, Crossing the sand
slowly but inorexibly is a column of SAND PEOPLE. There are about one hundred
of them, most mounted on BANTHAS.
The Dancing Star
pitches forward in a shallow diave. Her guns fire, red bolts sending sand
fountaining skyward. The Sand People return fire, but none of their shots hit
home.
The ship completes her
attack run, and wheels around to attack again. In the distance speeders and
other vehicles are fleeing the village.
The Dancing Star
continues to fire at the Sand People, circling over them, covering the escape.
At last, only one cart
being pulled by a couple of harnessed EOPIES is left in sight. The Sand People
have reached the outskirts of the town, more harassed and slowed than actually
hurt by the Dancing Star’s attacks. Several smoking bantha carcasses and
blackened piles of rags testify to the accuracy of some of Delor’s shots,
however.
As the last cart
disappears into the desert night, the Sand People begin to set fires in the
compound, and loot it. Having covered the escape, and suffered some minor
damage to add to her already beaten hull, the Dancing Star heads away.
CLOCKWISE ROTATING
TRANSFORM WIPE TO
INT. DOCKING BAY 327
– MOS EISLEY – DAY
Renee Markov and
Koyi’una Serool descend the ship’s boarding ramp. BIB FORTUNA visibly incensed,
and two GAMORREAN GUARDS, visibly intimidating, stand at the end of the ramp.
Before Renee is halfway down, Fortuna starts yelling.
BIB FORTUNA
Your newly refurbished
ship damaged?! More credits added to your debt with to Jabba?! I should have
you executed right now!
RENEE MARKOV
Fortuna, you couldn’t
possibly make me feel any worse than I already do.
BIB FORTUNA
We’ll see about that,
Markov. Maybe I’ll have my guards—
Koyi’una interposes
herself between Renee and Fortuna. She begins to move her supple, sensual head
tails in a display of non-verbal Twi’lek communication.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
(in Twi’lekese)
Lord Fortuna, please
have mercy on us! If not for the sake of Captain Markov, than for my brother...
and me.
Koyi’una lowers her
eyes, and folds her hands in front of her waist. A submissive pose that Fortuna
seems to react well to.
BIB FORTUNA
(in Twi’lekese)
Very well, my child,
but only out of affection for one of my own people. Your captain may have
twenty-four hours to make what repairs you can on this ship. While I value your
life, child, I do not value that of Markov, nor this ship. I will give no more
of the Mighty Jabba’s money to fix it.
Fortuna turns his
attention to Renee.
BIB FORTUNA
Tomorrow a large
cargo shipment will be delivered to you. Load it immediately. A second shipment
will arrive after that. Much smaller. Much more valuable. Much more important
to me. See to it that it is well secured. Deliver both cargos, Renee Markov,
and you will be well on your way to clearing your debt with Jabba. Until you
lift off with your holds full, I want to games, foolishness, or distractions. I
will leave a squad of guards to ensure that no more... accidents befall you or
this ship. None of your crew are to leave this docking bay for any reason!
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
Lord Fortuna, I will
make sure none of us gets into trouble. For you, I will do this.
BIB FORTUNA
(in Twi’lekese)
You should have a
better class of associates, my dear. Come and live with us in Jabba’s palace.
You could dance for us, and I would care for you as my own.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
(in Twi’lekese)
Thank you, my lord. I
will certainly think about your offer.
CLOCKWISE TRANSFORM
WIPE TO
EXT. HYPERSPACE
The Dancing Star flies
through the mottled blue patterns of hyperspace with a ROAR of her engines.
INT. DANCING STAR
LOUNGE
RENEE MARKOV
I checked the coded
instructions from Fortuna for the cargo. We drop the main load at an Imperial
depot in the Mardolus System. Then we drop the smaller load in the Cetis
System.
MYKAR ROSHENK
Cetis? That’s deep
inside the Corporate Sector. What business could Fortuna or Jabba have there?
RENEE MARKOV
I didn’t ask for an
explanation, Mykar, and neither should you. Whatever the answer is isn’t our
business. This run will be worth an easy thousand credits off our debt to Jabba
the Hutt. That’s all I care about.
DELOR SEROOL
I don’t like the drop
at the Imperial base, myself. That cargo is Marcor-alloy bar stock, the same
stuff they use to construct capitol ship hulls. Why all the secrecy for
something mundane?
RENEE MARKOV
We are all better off
keeping ourselves as far out of any of this as we can. No questions means no
lies. Now, let’s spend the time in hyperspace fixing what systems we can. If
this run does go bad, I want to have the choice to either run, or fight, or both.
CLOCKWISE TRANSFORM
WIPE TO
INT. DANCING STAR
BRIDGE
The chaotic patterns of
hyperspace, visible through the viewports, turn to starlines, which quickly
resolve into bright points of light in the blackness.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
Sensors are picking
up a lot of traffic here. About a dozen freighters of various models, tow
Imperial frigates, a couple of Griffin-class containerized cargo ships, and too
many TIE fighters to count.
RENEE MARKOV
Ok, people, let’s get
the load delivered as fast as possible.
EXT. SPACE – THE
MARDOLUS SYSTEM
The Dancing Star
maneuvers between other freighters. Two TIE fighters approach and take the ship
under escort.
After looping over and
around several outgoing transport ships, the Dancing Star enters the docking
bay of the Griffin-class cargo ship PROVIDER.
INT. PROVIDER DOCKING
BAY
The Dancing Star
settles to the deck of the massive cargo ship. The docking bay is so large that
ten ships the size of the ‘Star could fit inside, with room to spare.
Hundreds of DROIDS,
UNIFORMED HUMANS, and various NON-HUMAN WORKERS bustle about unloading and
handling cargo. We see that most of the non-Human workers are huge, hairy
bipeds: WOOKIEES. The Wookiees wear heavy collars around their necks, These are
portable, wearable torture devices known as SHOCK COLLARS. They are clearly a
non-voluntary labor force, watched over by armed Human overseers. These
Wookiees are slaves of the Empire.
All the workers, Droid,
Human, Wookkiee, free and slave, are moving pallets of Marcor-alloy bar stock
from the holds of the freighters on the deck to a storage area in the far end
of the bay. There are thousands fo stacks of pallets, more being added all the
time.
An IMPERIAL NAVY LT,
accompanied by a squad of STORM TROOPERS, a couple of large BINARY LOAD
LIFTERS, and several Wookiee slaves, approaches the Dancing Star. He meets with
Renee Markov and Mykar Roshenk at the boarding ramp.
IMPERIAL NAVY LT
Captain, as soon as
you are offloaded, we will transfer payment to your account. Our droids and
these hairy brutes will handle the cargo. Just open your hatches, and we will
have you on your way shortly. Mind you, keep your crew away from the Wookiees.
Mykar smiles and points
toward Renee.
MYKAR ROSHENK
Thanks, Ell Tee, but he’s
the Captain. I’m just the mechanic who keeps this old girl running.
The Imperial Navy LT
seems confused for a moment, than regains his composure.
IMPERIAL NAVY LT
Of course. Just the
same, have your crew stay clear of the Wookiees. They can be dangerous,
especially in enclosed spaces.
The Stormtroopers begin
herding the Wookiee slaves into the ship’s cargo hold. The crew, especially
Mykar, watches them for a time, then turn away to their own concerns.
CLOCKWISE ROTATING
TRANSFORM WIPE TO
INT. DANCING STAR
BRIDGE
The crew works their
controls. Out the view port we see the cargo handling deck of the Provider fall
away, and the dark, star filled vista of space open before us as the Dancing
Star leaves the docking bay.
RENEE MARKOV
I am thankful to be
out of there. Let’s head to Cetis, and be done with Fortuna’s errand.
DELOR SEROOL
Course for Cetis is
plotted and laid in.
RENEE MARKOV
(into ship;s comm)
Mykar, you have
everything ready back there?
INT. DANCING STAR
ENGINEERING COMPARTMENT
MYKAR ROSHENK
(into ship’s comm)
Yeah, Renee. I just
got the flow converters balanced again. Try not to shake us up too much. I can’t
promise she’ll hold together forever under fire, but we should make it to Cetis’
and then home, with no problem.
RENEE MARKOV (O.S.)
(via ship’s comm)
Ok, Mykar, we’ll be
gentle.
INT. DANCING STAR
BRIDGE
RENEE MARKOV
Punch it, Delor.
Delor pulls back on the
hyperdrive leaver, and we hear the engines WHINE.
EXT. SPACE – MARDOLUS
SYSTEM
The Dancing Star
flickers momentarily against the starfield, as if moving slowly and
tremendously fast at the same time. Then, just an instant later, she is gone.
INT. DANCING STAR
ENGINEERING COMPARTMENT
Mykar is fiddling with
some equipment. He and R4-K17 are working closely but in silence. The astromech
droid is focused on his task, and Mykar is enjoying a quiet moment of solitude
with his thoughts.
Suddenly, over the HUM
of the ship’s systems and the ROAR of the engines, there is a loud metallic
THUNK from behind a storage rack. Mykar turns to face the noise, and R4-K17’s
dome swivels that direction.
R4-K17
Burble. Whoot. Whee.
MYKAR ROSHENK
Yeah, R4, I think we
have a visitor.
Mykar slowly draws his
blaster and heads behind the storage rack, toward the starboard escape pod
hatch.
As Mykar approaches, we
see a large figure huddled against the escape pd hatch. It notices Mykar’s
approach, and begins to unfold itself to a standing position. It lumbers its
two-meter-plus form out of the hatchway, and raises two thickly furred arms
over its head in surrender. The stowaway is a Wookiee.
With his blaster still
drawn, Mykar hits a comm button on a bulkhead panel.
MYKAR ROSHENK
(into ship’s comm)
Guys, uh... we seem
to have an unexpected bit of cargo...
FADE TO BLACk
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
EPISODE IV: TARGET PRACTICE
“STAR WARS: HEROES OF DESTINY
EPISODE IV: TARGET PRACTICE”
by
JIM COOK
BASED ON A STORY BY MICHAEL ROMANOWSKI & CO.
JAMESJCOOK3RD@GMAIL.COM
HTTP://STAR-WARS-HEROES-OF-DESTINY.BLOGSPOT.COM
TWITTER: @JIMCOOKJIMCOOK
FADE IN
EXT. SPACE
We see a field of stars. As the theme music plays, words CRAWL
across the blackness.
CRAWL
The Dancing Star, having narrowly escaped an attack by a lone
fighter, now rests in the desert, her crew making repairs, plans, and
preparations.
EXT. DUNE SEA – DAY
The WOMP RAT is a huge, mangy thing, two-and-a-half meters
long, very lean, and hungry looking. MSDB 14-ALPHA steadies his blaster rifle,
and takes careful aim.
SCOPE VIEW
The womp rat is visible through the heat shimmer coming off the
sand. The cross hair adjusts slightly… The magnified view shows the creature is
holding a large, torn hung of flesh in its paws, taking quick bites, warily
watching for others who might want to steal its snack. A shape in green ink is
just barely visible on the skin of the rat’s food.
EXT. DUNE SEA – DAY
The blaster rifle flashes and kicks, sending a bolt toward the
womp rat. The rat SCREAMS and staggers for a moment before dropping to the
ground. A large, heat blackened hole in the side of its carcass smokes in the
still desert air.
TOVI ZAHN
Good shot!
MSDB 14-ALPHA
Thank you, Master Tovi.
Tovi takes the rifle from the droid, and lays it back into the
crate of old E-5 blaster rifles provided by their employers. He grabs another
and hands it to MSDB 14-Alpha The rifle is quickly stripped down, examined for
damage and defect, and reassembled.
The droid brings the rifle up, aims at the dead rat, and
hesitates.
MSDB 14-ALPHA
Master Tovi, the meat that animal was eating seems to be
marked with a tattoo. It could be a stock brand for a domesticated
animal, but the skin appears to be human.
TOVI ZAHN
Let’s check it out.
The young Togruta and the droid walk across the burning sand to
the carcass of the rat. In the heat it is already starting to putrefy. The
smell of dead flesh and smoking hair is very strong. Various insects are
already buzzing around the body.
The droid reaches down and pries the marked flesh from the dead
animal’s paws. He holds it up to Tovi, showing him a green tattoo of a stylized
Krayt Dragon.
Tovi’s comlink BEEPS. He keys it on.
RENEE MARKOV (O.S.)
Time to bring it in, you two. The suns are setting and I’d
rather have everyone inside for the night.
TOVI ZAHN
(into comlink)
We were just about to pack up the crate and bring you
something to see… you may not like it very much.
WIPE TO
INT. DANCING STAR LOUNGE
KOYI’UNA SEROOL is working over a computer terminal intently,
and doesn’t acknowledge when MYKAR ROSHENK enters.
MYKAR ROSHENK
What’cha working on?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
Just fiddling with this code cylinder you found on the guy
you killed.
Mykar looks abashed.
MYKAR ROSHENK
If I had bothered to strip him down, I’d have found that
dragon tattoo on him.
KORI’UNA SEROOL
You should just be thankful that this planet is home to
helpful vermin.
Mykar gestures toward the code cylinder hooked up to the
computer.
MYKAR ROSHENK
14-Alpha couldn’t crack this, right? What makes you think you
can do any better?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
Nothing, I suppose. Whoever encoded this data certainly went
out of their way to make sure it wasn’t read by the wrong people. I was
able to find this, though.
Koyi’una strikes a few keys, and one line of code on the
display is highlighted.
Mykar leans forward and examines the characters intently.
MYKAR ROSHENK
It’s the name of a ship. The Rand Ecliptic, have you ever
heard of her?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
She’s listed as an Imperial frigate assigned to the Outer Rim
Territories.
Suddenly, and alarm BUZZES through the ship.
MYKAR ROSHENK
That’s the proximity alarm. There’s a ship incoming
RENEE MARKOV (o.S.)
(via ship’s comm)
Looks like trouble, everyone. Arm yourselves and get to
emergency stations.
INT. DANCING STAR BRIDGE
DELOR SEROOL is powering up the ship’s weapons. Tovi at the
systems operator console is busily working his controls.
TOVI ZAHN
Shields are up.
Kori’una peers out the viewport.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
It looks like an airspeeder.
TOVI ZAHN
Sensors show it as a T-16 Skyhopper, coming in fast, weapons
hot!
MYKAR ROSHENK
We can’t lift off. The engines are exposed. The droids and I
have been trying to run new duct work to vent plasma away from the damaged hull
plating.
RENEE MARKOV
Doesn’t matter now, he’s nearly on top of us.
EXT. DUNE SEA – DAY
The SKYHOPPER ROARS over the grounded freighter, plasting away
with its gun, missing.
It circles around to begin another attack run.
INT. DANCING STAR BRIDGE
RENEE MARKOV
I guess negotiations are off the table.
EXT. DANUE SEA – DAY
The Skyhopper fires again. Crimson bolts from the gun causing
cyan flares on the shields. The shields hold, and the Dancing Star returns fire.
The Skyhopper is untouched, and turns once again to make
another attack run.
INT. DANCING STAR BRIDGE
RENEE MARKOV
Who taught you how to shoot, Delor! Try to actually hit him
next time.
DELOR SEROOL
(annoyed grunt)
The ship shudders and shakes from the pounding she’s taking.
One of the overhead lighting units bursts into sparks, and smoke pours out.
TOVI ZAHN
Shields are holding… barely.
Delor pulls his trigger, firing back at the attacking speeder.
The fire control system shows his shots going wide.
DELOR SEROOL
Shut up! I know what I’m doing!
Delor tracks his guns around, lining up the targeting cursor on
the fire control monitor with the Skyhopper. He pulls the trigger but none of
the bolts hit the mark.
EXT. DUNE SEA – DAY
The Skyhopper flashes overhead again, dodging more shots from
the Dancing Star’s weapon.
INT. SKYHOPPER COCKPIT
The PILOT’s hands skillfully maneuver his control stick, and
his fingers pull the trigger.
EXT. DUNE SEA – DAY
Blasts from the Skyhopper’s weapon rip into the Dancing Star.
Smoke and sparks rise from the hull.
INT. DANCING STAR ENGINEERING COMPARTMENT
Equipment sparks and smokes. Mykar and the DROIDS are working
feverishly to contain the damage.
MYKAR ROSHENK
(into ship’s comm)
WE can’t take much more of this! The shields have almost had
it!
DELOOR SEROOL (O.S.)
(via ship’s comm)
I’ve got this, dammit! Now be quiet, all of you!
EXT. DUNE SEA – DAY
The Dancing Star’s weapons, under Delor’s control, continue
blasting away at the airspeeder. The Pilot of the Skyhopper is just too good at
anticipating the pattern of fire, and avoids each shot. The smaller craft
returns fire, hitting the grounded ship again, causing her to nearly flip off
her landing gear.
INT. DANCING STAR BRIDGE
An alarm on Tovi’s panel WAILS.
TOVI ZAHN
There go the shields!
RENEE MARKOV
(into ship’s comm)
Mykar, we need the shields back up!
Delor stares intently at the fire control and targeting
monitor. His tongue sticks out past his lips, his concentration evident on his
face. He lines up his shot carefully.
DELOR SEROOL
(to himself)
Come on, you bastard… come on…
He pulls the trigger.
ext. dune sea – day
The Dancing Star’s guns fire.
Crimson bolts leap into the sky.
The Skyhopper blossoms into a bright red fireball.
Debris rains down across the desert.
INT. DANCING STAR BRIDGE
Silence reigns aboard the ship momentarily… until Koyi’una
looks over Tovi’s shoulder.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
More contacts heading this way!
RENEE MARKOV
Speeders?
TOVI ZAHN
Negative. Surface contacts, closing quickly. Six contacts,
bearing two four three, thirty three hundred meters.
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
They are closing fast. Probably swoops.
DELOR SEROOL
We won’t have much luck engaging them with the ship’s guns.
RENEE MARKOV
Fair enough. Everyone, arm yourselves and meet me up on the
dorsal hull. We’ll meet them gun-for-gun, and home for the best.
EXT. DUNE SEA – EVENING
The crew stands atop the hull of the Dancing Star. They huddle
as best they can among the equipment housings. Sand and grit cover everything,
and the wind picks up, blowing it around.
The WHINE of swoop engines gets closer.
MSDB 14-ALPHA
Master, I can engage them now, if you wish.
TOVI ZAHN
Not yet. Let them make the first move.
Moments later the fast moving dots approaching from the deep
desert resolve themselves as individual swoops. The riders are masked, dressed
in leathers, and have their weapons ready.
They come closer, rapidly closing the distance.
The riders begin firing. Blaster bolts sparkle in the desert
twilight.
One of the bolts grazes Koyi’una’s lekku. She SNARLS in pain
and anger, and drops to the ship’s hull.
The crew of the Dancing Star’s crew begins returning fire.
One of Delor’s shots catches a swoop, causing it to
disintegrate into a fireball. The other riders continue on toward the ship.
DELOR SEROOL
Here they come!
The remaining swoops continue to attack. None of the crew
speaks. There is only the exchange of blaster fire between the two sides.
Renee aims carefully at one of the riders and shoots. He hits
his target in the belly, sending a corpse sprawling on the sands. The swoop
goes tumbling across the flat desert, trailing flames, smoke, and sparks.
Mykar braces his heavy blaster pistol against an engine
housing, and fires at a rider. His bolt catches the thug, ventilating his
chest, causing him to slump over the control bars of his swoop. The vehicle
goes off course, heading out into the desert on a death ride.
The surviving riders wheel and return the way they came, amid a
hail of blaster bolts.
DELOR SEROOL
Koyi’una! Are you alright?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
I’ll live.
Delor begins to apply burn gel to his sister’s singed head tail
TOVI ZAHN
They’ll be back, you can count on it.
RENEE MARKOV
You’re probably right. How soon until the ‘Star is air
worthier, Mykar?
MYKAR ROSHENK
An hour, maybe two. We got shot up pretty bad. I can’t make
you any promises, Renee!
RENEE MARKOV
Just do the best you can, Mykar.
Koyi’una winces a bit, and lets out a HISS of pain as her
brother continues to apply the burn gel.
RENEE MARKOV
You alright?
KOYI’UNA SEROOL
Like I said, I’ll live.
TOVI ZAHN
We need to set up a defensive perimeter, extend the range of
our sensors, and improve their ability to pick up ground targets. The way
things are now, we’re just fresh meat on the fire.
Renee twitches his facial tendrils in a display of humorless
Khil laughter.
RENEE MARKOV
I’ve already thought of that, actually. Grab your field kit,
kid. You and I are going for a little ride.
CLOCKWISE WIPE CUT TO
EXT. DUNE SEA – EVENING
An old, beat up Aratech speeder bike ZOOMS across the desert.
Renee Markov is at the controls, with Tovi Zahn hanging on behind.
TOVI ZAHN
(yelling over engine noise)
What are we doing, exactly?
RENEE MARKOV
(over shoulder)
These canyons are too steep and windy for our sensors to get
a good reading. I want to set up a top of that tall spire. Once we get up
there, we’ll be able to keep watch on everything for kilometers all around.
TOVI ZAHN
(yelling over engine noise)
What if we run into Sand People?
RENEE MARKOV
(over shoulder)
You have a blaster, right? If you see one, shoot him…and any
friends he might have with him!
EXT. TOP OF PEAK – EVENING
Tovi and Renee are on top of a rocky peak, about ten kilometers
from the Dancing Star. There is a beautiful view; the surrounding desert for
many kilometers in all directions is presented for viewing pleasure.
Renee pulls out a pair of electro-binoculars and begins to
carefully scan the surrounding canyons, arroyos, and desert.
Tovi shields his eyes against the twin lowering suns’ glare,
and peers into the distance also.
TOVI ZAHN
What are we looking for?
RENEE MARKOV
Anything out of the ordinary. I don’t… Wait. Look there.
Tovi takes the electro-binoculars proffered by Renee.
BINOCULAR VIEW
Long columns of bantha-mounted SAND PEOPLE, riding single file
through the desert to hide their numbers head toward the peak.
EXT. TOP OF PEAK – EVENING
RENEE MARKOV
Damn! There must be two hundred of them down there, and they
are headed this way. At the rate they are going, they will be at the village in
two hours.
TOVI ZAHN
They will be on top of us in half that time.
A blaster bolt strikes a rock next to Renee, splitting it into
a thousand pieces with a CRASH.
RENEE MARKOV
…or maybe even faster.
Renne and Tovi turn around, raising their hands in the air. A
trio of Sand People stand at the edge of the escarpment. Two are armed with
blaster rifles and Gaffi sticks.
The one in the middle is huge; a giant almost, tall and
strongly built. Around its neck is a cord from which dangle Human fingers. Some
fresh, some desiccated and nearly mummified. This is OLD FANG.
Old Fang and Tovi stare at each other, Old Fang’s eyes
invisible beneath his mask, but Tovi’s show a feral intensity.
RENEE MARKOV
Listen, friend, we don’t want any trouble. We are just here
long enough to fix our ship, then we go home. WE are stocked with trade goods,
we could give you gifts. A peace offering! Maybe you’d like to see…
Old Fang, keeping his wrapped and masked gaze on Tovi, casually
raises his hand toward Renee.
The Khil captain goes tumbling backward, as if struck by a
hammer blow. He lays on the ground, GASPING and GURGLING. He COUGHS, and his
lips are flecked with bloody foam.
Old Fang, with his attention focused on Tovi, reaches into his
robe with his other hand. He slowly removes a silver cylinder with a black grip.
At the press of a button, there is a SNAP-HISS and a green blade of light
appears, HUMMING.
FLASHBACK
INT. DANCING STAR LOUNGE
Tovi is walking through the crew lounge of the Dancing Star. He
drops his kit bag, spilling the contents. A cylinder, silver with a black grip,
rolls across the deck. The other crew members all see it rolling, and Tovi’s
nervous scramble to recover it. All have the look of recognition for this
object. It is an elegant weapon from a more noble time. The hilt of a
Lightsaber, the weapon of a Jedi Knight.
The members of the crew turn their eyes away, back to what they
were doing. All save Renee, who stares into Tovi’s eyes.
END FLASHBACK
OLD FANG
I have much to teach you, young one…if you are willing to
learn. Will you join me?
TOVI ZAHN
Yes.
Tovi walks away from Renee, leaving him still GASPING for air.
Old Fang now turns his attention to Markov.
The now obviously masked Human lowers his hand, seemingly
releasing Renee from under a great weight. Renee’s hands go immediately to
press against his ribs, but his breathing is suddenly easier.
OLD FANG
You will leave this place, Outlander. Leave my desert. Never
come back to the Dune Sea. If I see you on the sand again, it will mean your
death.
Old Fang shuts down his lightsaber and walks away, joined by
his Tusken companions and Tovi.
Renee Markov is left alone, in the gloom, on top of the peak,
listening to the soft footsteps fade away across the desert.
FADE OUT
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