A FOOL'S CRUSADE
Excerpt 1: As mentioned on the intro page, I wrote this story in 2015 as an exercise in writing a feature length story.
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 "the powers that be" would not use crawls for 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; which is blockaded by several IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYERS. The EMPIRE has just completed a military action against the native GUNGAN people of NABOO. Hostilities have ended, the GUNGAN have lost. Now refugees, the remaining GUNGAN have been packed into several transport ships. As these REFUGEE TRANSPORTS rise up from the surface of NABOO, take up formation around one of the STAR DESTROYERS.
INT. BLOCKADE RUNNER GLATIVE - BRIDGE
Seated in a central location on the bridge is QUEEN ORGANA of ALDERAAN (aka the QUEEN), the wife of ALDERAAN’S leader, BAIL ORGANA. QUEEN ORGANA is a striking woman with olive skin, dark and compassionate eyes, and long black hair.
To the QUEEN’S 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 ORGANA’S left is the pilot, SHEM. A young handmaiden named SALISAN, stands next to the QUEEN’S 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. ULEES 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?
After a few moments, the main view screen on the GLATIVE flickers on. CAPTAIN KELVIS TARKIN, a younger cousin of the infamous GOVERNOR TARKIN, appears on the screen. CAPTAIN TARKIN 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. Your 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. The QUEEN gives an order.
QUEEN ORGANA
Captain, do as he says.
The image of CAPTAIN TARKIN disappears. ULEES is now annoyed, but he does as ordered.
EXT. SPACE
The GLATIVE takes up position with the rest of the REFUGEE TRANSPORTS. There are over a dozen REFUGEE TRANSPORTS, each crammed to capacity.
​
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. CAPTAIN TARKIN is still perturbed about the conversation with the QUEEN and 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 CAPTAIN TARKIN from behind. Between the STORMTROOPERS is a GUNGAN prisoner - JAR JAR BINKS. JAR JAR is shackled, defeated, and has seemingly been through Hell.
CAPTAIN 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. CAPTAIN TARKIN takes a step closer to JAR JAR and continues the taunting.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
(continued)
I find it hard to believe that the likes
of you came from the same home world as our
beloved Emperor.
CAPTAIN TARKIN turns away from JAR JAR.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
Very well. Helm! Get us underway.
HELM OFFICER
(off screen)
Aye, Captain.
​
EXT. SPACE
The engines of the STAR DESTROYER GUARDIAN hum. Moments later, the STAR DESTROYER jumps into hyperspace, followed closely by all of the REFUGEE TRANSPORTS and the GLATIVE.
​
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 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. A trusted adviser and loyal servant, HULLSON speaks with a soft, yet powerful voice as he address the QUEEN.
HULLSON
Your Highness.
HULLSON bows and steps aside. Hiding behind HULLSON 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 is in trouble and she knows it.
QUEEN ORGANA
(surprised)
Leia!
The QUEEN is shocked to see her daughter, PRINCESS LEIA (aka LEIA), on the ship.
HULLSON
We found the Princess Leia stowed
away in the cargo hold, Your Highness.
The QUEEN rises from her chair, places her hands on LEIA’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 LEIA.
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.
CAPTAIN 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
(off screen)
Aye, sir.
CAPTAIN 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.
CAPTAIN TARKIN turns his attention back to the view port. The COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER clicks his heels and dismisses himself. The camera pans to show that JAR JAR is still on the bridge. CAPTAIN TARKIN has had his back to JAR JAR 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. CAPTAIN 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 STAR DESTROYER GUARDIAN and REFUGEE TRANSPORTS 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
(voice over; stammering)
Ald- 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...
The QUEEN looks out of the main view port only to see the STAR DESTROYER jump into hyperspace on its own.
QUEEN ORGANA
(continued)
...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 STAR DESTROYER 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.
The COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER puts a hand to his headphones as the SHUTTLE PILOT replies.
SHUTTLE PILOT
(voice over)
Thank you, destroyer. We are grateful to
see you.
EXT. SPACE
The SHUTTLE turns and makes its way back to the STAR DESTROYER. The STAR 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 the SHUTTLE.
The camera pans to one STORMTROOPER who speaks into a wrist mic.
STORMTROOPER
Shuttle secure. Recovery team standing by.
EXT. SPACE
The STAR DESTORYER 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
CAPTAIN TARKIN watches the action out the bridge view port as the last two FIGHTERS head off into space. CAPTAIN TARKIN is satisfied with the situation.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
Get us back to the convoy.
HELM OFFICER
(off screen)
Aye, sir.
CAPTAIN TARKIN
(to himself)
Something is not right about this. Short
range fighters shouldn’t be able to get this
deep into space...
(barks orders)
Secure that shuttle! Let nothing out!
​
INT. STAR DESTROYER GUARDIAN - DOCKING BAY
CAPTAIN 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 DROIDEKAS 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. The CREATURES are fast, strong and relatively well armored against blaster fire. The CREATURES 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 (aka ARTOO). ARTOO chirps quietly to himself as a human emerges behind him. - a man in his 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. EURIPIDES 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....
​