A FOOL'S CRUSADE
Excerpt 1: The first 10 pages of the story can be found below. This story takes place 10 years after the events of the third cinematic episode and the rise of the Galactic Empire.
The story was written before the release of the first standalone anthology film (...the ONE where they go ROGUE). I had written an opening crawl for this story unaware that they would not be used with the standalone films.
A Fool’s Crusade
A STAR WARS Story
Based on characters and situations created by George Lucas
OPENING CRAWL
The might of the GALACTIC EMPIRE spreads throughout the
galaxy. The natural resources of peaceful planets are being
exploited to feed the Imperial machine.
By decree of the ruthless Emperor Palpatine, the amphibious
Gungan people of the planet Naboo are being relocated
against their will.
In an effort to provide aid and comfort, the QUEEN of the
benevolent world of Alderaan joins the convoy of Gungan
refugees...
EXT. SPACE
A single blockade runner, the Glative (an ancient word
meaning “hope”), races to the green planet Naboo. The
planet is blockaded by several Imperial Star Destroyers. The
massive Imperial warships were involved in the military
action against the native Gungan people of
Naboo. Hostilities have ended, the Gungans have lost. Now
refugees, the remaining Gungans have been packed into
several transport ships - each about one quarter the size of
the Star Destroyers. These refugee ships take up formation
around one of the destroyers as additional ships rise from
the surface.
INT. BLOCKADE RUNNER GLATIVE - BRIDGE
Seated in a central location on the bridge is QUEEN ORGANA
of Alderaan, the wife of Alderaan's leader, Bail Organa. She is
a striking woman with olive skin, dark and compassionate eyes,
and long black hair.
To her right is the ship’s captain, ULEES. A veteran pilot, Ulees bears a
wicked scar below his right eye - the result of a freak
accident many years ago. On the Queen’s left is the pilot,
SHEM. The Queen’s aid, a young woman named SALISAN, stands
next to her chair.
While the Queen is stoic, Salisan’s eyes show the concern
and fear that everyone on the bridge is feeling.
QUEEN ORGANA
Captain.
Ulees swivels his seat to face the Queen.
CAPTAIN ULEES
Yes, Your Highness?
QUEEN ORGANA
Hail the Star Destroyer.
Ulees nods and swivels back to his control panel. He keys a
button as he speaks.
CAPTAIN ULEES
Star Destroyer Guardian, the Queen
of Alderaan wishes to address your
captain.
No response.
CAPTAIN ULEES
Star Destroyer Guardian, are you
receiving?
Beat. Then...
The main view screen on the Glative flickers on. CAPTAIN
KELVIS TARKIN, a younger cousin of the infamous Governor
Tarkin, appears on the screen. He seems annoyed.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
I am Captain Kelvis Tarkin, at your
service.
QUEEN ORGANA
Captain, the Imperial Senate has
granted Alderaan special privileges
in providing aid and care to the
Gungan refugees. I am here to
accompany your fleet to Gamorr
where we will see that safe passage
and compassionate aid are given to
the Gungan people.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
(stifling a laugh)
Ah. You kindness is appreciated
but unnecessary. The Imperial Navy
will provide for their needs.
QUEEN ORGANA
With all due respect, these people
are being forced from their homes
against their will. The cold hand
of the military is not what they
need. Alderaan is committed to
this cause.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
(annoyed)
Very well. You may join us. Have
your helm release all system locks
and hyperspace navigation control
to us. We will take direct control
of your ship during the journey.
Ulees again turns to face the Queen, this time in protest.
CAPTAIN ULEES
Your Highness, if we give them
control, we’ll be locked out of our
own navigation systems.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
These conditions are not
negotiable. Either hand us
control... or be left behind.
The Queen ponders her options for a moment but realizes she
has no other choice. She gives an order to Ulees.
QUEEN ORGANA
Captain, do as he says.
The image of Tarkin disappears. Ulees is now annoyed, but
he does as ordered.
EXT. SPACE
The Glative takes up position with the rest of the refugee
ships. There are over a dozen refugee ships, each crammed
with a quarter million souls.
INT. STAR DESTROYER GUARDIAN - BRIDGE
The bridge of the Guardian is as cold and joyless as every
other Star Destroyer in the Imperial fleet. Captain Tarkin
is standing above the command pits with his hands behind his
back. He is still perturbed about the conversation with the
Queen. He wonders aloud to no one in particular.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
Why does the Senate always
interfere with a good plan?
Two Stormtroopers in gleaming white armor approach him from
behind. Between them is a Gungan prisoner - JAR JAR
BINKS. Jar Jar is shackled, defeated and has seemingly been
through Hell.
Tarkin turns to address his guest.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
Ah! And you must be the infamous
Jar Jar Binks. The former
representative of the Gungan people
in the Senate. Since none of your
other Gungan leaders are still
alive, you have the honor of
witnessing this auspicious occasion
alone. Have you nothing to say?
Jar Jar says nothing and simply stares at the deck. Tarkin
takes a step closer to him and continues the taunting.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
I find it hard to believe that the
likes of you came from the same
home world as our beloved Emperor.
He turns away from Jar Jar.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
Very well. Helm! Get us underway.
HELM OFFICER
(O.S.)
Aye, Captain.
EXT. SPACE
The engines of the Guardian hum and the ship jumps into
hyperspace, followed closely by all of the ships in the
convoy.
INT. BLOCKADE RUNNER GLATIVE - BRIDGE
The Queen and crew are still in their seats. The Queen is
quietly speaking with Salisan when the door to the bridge
opens behind them. The Queen swivels in her seat to face
the new arrival. In walks a distinguished middle-aged
gentlemen with a finely trimmed mustache. His name is
HULLSON and he has been a leader in the Organa household for
many years. He is a trusted adviser and loyal servant. He
speaks with a soft, yet powerful voice as he address the
Queen.
HULLSON
Your Highness.
Hullson bows and steps aside. Hiding behind him is a girl
about 10 years old. Her long dark hair is tied in loose buns
behind her head. Her dark brown eyes are fixated on the
floor. She’s in trouble and she knows it.
QUEEN ORGANA
(surprised)
Leia!
The Queen is shocked to see her daughter, PRINCESS LEIA, on
the ship.
HULLSON
We found the Princess stowed away
in the cargo hold, Your Highness.
The Queen rises from her chair, places her hands on her
daughter’s shoulders and crouches down to look at her
daughter face-to-face. While this act is informal for
someone of her rank, it is a stressful situation and the
Queen is concerned for her daughter.
PRINCESS LEIA
I’m sorry to cause so much
trouble. I just wanted to come
with you.
QUEEN ORGANA
You shouldn’t be here, my love. We
have a plan to help the Gungans but
it’s very dangerous.
The Queen looks up to Hullson and rises to her feet.
HULLSON
I’m afraid nothing can be done now,
Your Highness. The plan is in
motion and we must see it
through. Shall I take the Princess
to your quarters?
The Queen places a loving arm around the Princess.
QUEEN ORGANA
No. Thank you, Hullson. The
Princess will stay with me.
INT. STAR DESTROYER GUARDIAN - BRIDGE
All is ship-shape and Bristol fashioned. A communications
officer approaches Captain Tarkin.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Sir, we’re receiving a coded
distress message from a transport
shuttle in sector three
thirty-eight. They say they are
under attack and in need of
assistance.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
What sort of transport?
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
The code is mark zero zero nim.
Tarkin ponders for a moment and then gives his orders.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
Helm, take us out of hyperspace and
chart course to sector three
thirty-eight.
HELM OFFICER
(O.S.)
Aye, sir.
Tarkin turns back to the Communications Officer
CAPTAIN TARKIN
I won’t waste the life of a single
Imperial for a fleet of
Gungans. Zero zero nim means a
high value prisoner, possibly even
a Jedi.
Tarkin turns his attention back to the view port. The
communications officer bows slightly and dismisses
himself. The camera pans to show that Jar Jar is still on the
bridge. Tarkin has had his back to the Gungan all this time
and only now remembers the prisoner is still on his bridge.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
Captain of the Guard!
The Stormtroopers on either side of Jar Jar snap to
attention.
STORMTROOPER
Sir!
CAPTAIN TARKIN
Why is this.... thing still on my
bridge. Take him away.
The Stormtroopers spin Jar Jar around and lead him off the
bridge, shoving him as they go. Jar Jar is nearly knocked
off his feet. Tarkin pays him no further attention.
INT. BLOCKADE RUNNER GLATIVE - BRIDGE
PRINCESS LEIA
We’re stopping.
Everyone looks out the view port to see the ships drop from
hyperspace. It’s almost as if Leia has a power that allows
her to see things before they happen. Ulees and Shem key
their controls trying to figure out what is going on.
EXT. SPACE - DEBRIS FIELD
The Abregado sector was the sight of major space battle
during the Clone Wars. The debris field in the sector has
been drifting harmlessly all this time.
The Guardian and refugee ships drop from hyperspace near the
debris field - a graveyard of old Republic Star Destroyers,
Separatist capital ships and fighters of various
design. The debris field has been well-picked-over by
scavengers in the intervening years. Almost nothing of
value is left to be found here as the debris slowly drifts
to an inevitable fate with the star in the center of the
system.
INT. BLOCKADE RUNNER GLATIVE - BRIDGE
QUEEN ORGANA
Captain.
Ulees instinctively understand what the Queen is asking for
and keys the communication controls.
CAPTAIN ULEES
Channel open.
QUEEN ORGANA
Star Destroyer Guardian, why have
we stopped?
No reply. The Queen looks at Salisan who returns her look
of concern.
QUEEN ORGANA
Guardian!
The comm cracks. There is no image on screen, just a voice
over the speakers of the communication system. It is a new
voice, one they have not heard before; a youthful voice of a
young officer. The Imperials clearly do not want to waste
time explaining themselves and delegated the responsibility
to the least experienced officer possible.
JUNIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
(V.O.)
Alderaan vessel, hold your current
position and wait for our return.
QUEEN ORGANA
(protesting)
At least release the helm lock so
we are not helpless...
She looks out of the main view port only to see the Star
Destroyer jump to hyperspace on its own.
QUEEN ORGANA
(cont’d)
...and alone.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE
In another part of space, an Imperial Sentinel-Class Shuttle
is avoiding laser fire from several smaller fighters
in pursuit of it. The shuttle bobs and weaves straight at
the camera position as the fighters continue the chase.
As soon as the last of the pursuing fighters pass the
camera position, the Guardian appears out of hyperspace,
flying towards the camera - filling the top half of the
screen.
INT. STAR DESTROYER GUARDIAN - BRIDGE
The Communications Officer is at his station with his headphones on. He
signals the shuttle.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Imperial shuttle, come
about. Docking bay is open and
ready to receive you.
He puts a hand to his headphones as the shuttle pilot
replies.
SHUTTLE PILOT
(V.O)
Thank you, destroyer. We are
grateful to see you.
EXT. SPACE
The shuttle turns and makes its way back to the Star
Destroyer. The destroyer opens fire on the pursuing
fighters. One fighter is destroyed as the shuttle finds its
way under the Star Destroyer and into the docking bay.
INT. STAR DESTROYER GUARDIAN - DOCKING BAY
Klaxons sound as the pot-marked shuttle lands with a
thud. Stormtroopers in specialized recovery team gear
approach it.
The camera pans to one Stormtrooper who speaks into a wrist
mic.
STORMTROOPER
Shuttle secure. Recovery team
standing by.
EXT. SPACE
The Star Destroyer continues to shoot at the remaining
fighters. One fighter is hit and crashes into the Star
Destroyer’s hull. The damage is minimal.
INT. STAR DESTROYER GUARDIAN - BRIDGE
Tarkin watches the action out the bridge view port as the
last two fighters head off into space. He is satisfied with
the situation.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
Get us back to the convoy.
HELM OFFICER
(O.S.)
Aye, sir.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
(to himself)
Something is not right about
this. Short range fighters
shouldn’t be able to get this deep
in to space...
(barks orders)
Secure that shuttle! Let nothing
out!
INT. STAR DESTROYER GUARDIAN - DOCKING BAY
Tarkin’s orders arrive too late. The boarding ramp to the
shuttle lowers on its own. The Stormtroopers are a bit edgy
but continue their approach. There is a beat as nothing
happens. Suddenly, three droidekas (commonly known as
destroyer droids) roll down the ramp. Droidekas propel
themselves by folding into a ball, allowing them to move very
quickly from place to place. When they unfold, they become
heavily armed - and highly feared - killing machines.
STORMTROOPER
Destroyers!
The droids from the shuttle unfold and begin shooting. One
of the droidekas is modified with a heavy repeating blaster
(a kind of Gatling gun) on the end of its arm. The weapon
whirs to life and several Stormtroopers are quickly cut
down.
The Stormtroopers find cover and a gunfight erupts in the
docking bay. The droidekas were not alone. Several creatures
emerge from the shuttle. Each is about the size of a
velociraptor. They are fast, strong and relatively well
armored against blaster fire. They make short work of the
Stormtroopers before moving on to other parts of the ship.
The droidekas also roll out of the docking bay and begin the
next phase of their mission.
With the chaos in the docking bay subsided, another droid
gently rolls out of the shuttle and stops on the ramp -
R2-D2 (Artoo). He chirps quietly to himself. Another figure
emerges behind him. A human man, early-50’s, barrel chested,
slightly overweight, scruffy and in need of a shave and a
haircut. His name is EURIPIDES and he is obviously up to no
good.
Euripides takes a bite out of something resembling a beef
stick. He casually steps off the shuttle ramp as the
sounds of chaos can be heard in the distance.
12/18/20 update - I just completed watching the final episode of The Mandalorian season two. How Mando and Co. infiltrated Moff Gideon's ship was awfully familiar....
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