THE LIBERATION OF NABOO (excerpt)
Introduction: Following the release of the seventh cinematic episode, and inspired by some of the unused ideas left over from A Fool's Crusade, I began work on another feature length story.
At the end of sixth cinematic episode (...the one where the JEDI RETURN), an anonymous Gungan can be heard yelling "We's a free!" My challenge was to write the story behind that celebration. Work began in late December 2015 and was completed four months later.
Please note that this story is concurrent to the events of the sixth cinematic episode. As such, I designed this story to have a similar pattern of events as that episode; much like writing a song with a familiar melody but using different lyrics (...Ice, ice baby!).
The opening scene can be found below. This scene is intended to mimic Darth Vader's arrival at the second Death Star.
The Liberation of Naboo
A STAR WARS Story
From the Adventures of Jar Jar Binks
Based on characters and situations created by George Lucas
OPENING CRAWL
The Gungan people have been living in exile for nearly ten
years. However, the mighty GALACTIC EMPIRE is secretly
constructing a new armored space station even more powerful
than the first dreaded Death Star.
Because of this new threat to the galaxy, the Rebel Alliance
has decided, with great reluctance, to abandon their plan to
liberate the Gungan home planet of Naboo.
With limited options, Jar Jar Binks and Euripides
have been forced to find new sources of support to achieve
the Gungan’s ultimate dream: to return home....
EXT. SPACE
An Imperial Lambda-class shuttle approaches the planet Hosnian Prime. It’s a lush, modern world with a beautiful, sprawling capital city.
EXT. HOSNIAN PRIME - SKY
The shuttle approaches a large, castle-like building
perched on a mesa at the heart of the city. The building is as
imposing as it is impressive.
This building is the Central Finance Center--the new crown
jewel of the Imperial Banking System. The building has been
under construction for some time and is near completion.
EXT. CENTRAL FINANCE CENTER - LANDING PLATFORM #1
The wings of the shuttle fold up as it lands on the
platform. Just off of the landing zone are several
representatives of the bank, including the Senior Manager--
a round faced little creep called BENNETT. He and
the other members of the bank management staff are wearing robes and
garments signifying their position. They are flanked by a
handful of private security guards in the employ of the
bank; retired Stormtroopers who still serve their Empire.
The shuttle's boarding ramp lowers. NAIR BHURRK, the
recently appointed Imperial Finance Minister, emerges and
strides up to the bank employees. A tall and lanky Neimoidian, Bhurrk is
nearly a head taller than Bennett.
Bennett bows at the waist.
BENNETT
Finance Minister Bhurrk. Welcome,
welcome. We are honored by your
arrival.
BHURRK
Thank you...ah?
Bhurrk has completely forgotten Bennett’s name despite the
fact that they’ve spoken on a half dozen occasions in the
past.
BENNETT
Bennett, sir.
BHURRK
Bennett! Yes, indeed. It has been
far too long since I’ve been here.
BENNETT
Everything is proceeding as
planned.
He gives a grand gesture to the building.
BENNETT
(continued)
The Imperial Finance Center will
soon be the most secure location in
the galaxy.
BHURRK
Well done. The Emperor is most
pleased with your progress.
Bennett is momentarily speechless at the news. Either he is
truly happy at the news or is very good at feigning joy.
BENNETT
Ah, is he!? Please give His
Excellency my most humble thanks.
The entourage heads up the stairs and inside the building.
INT. IMPERIAL FINANCE CENTER - GRAND LOBBY
The lobby is quite vast. Stone floors and columns, gilded
statues, impressive decor. It is intended to be imposing and
to put visitors--especially those seeking loans--off their
guard.
Bennett’s voice echoes off of the walls as he tries to
impress Bhurrk by pointing out the security features.
BENNETT
As you can see, the multi-spectrum
drones have been installed and are
working to perfection. All of the
expenses provide an immediate and
sustainable return on investment.
Bhurrk seems unimpressed and continues through the lobby
without giving his attention to anything. They reach a
junction in the hallway and Bennett assumes they will be heading to the
right. Bhurrk continues to his left - on towards the vaults. Puzzled,
Bennett asks:
BENNETT
Ah, Finance Minister? The security
control center, or "Penny
Pincher Central" as we call it
(he snickers, nasally)
is this way.
BHURRK
I am more interested to see the
vaults.
BENNETT
Oh? Why yes indeed. This way,
this way Minister.
Bennett is clearly a toady. The entourage continues down
the hallway to the vaults.
INT. BHURRK’S VAULT
All is black inside the vault. The vault door begins to
open. The camera angle is pointed at the opening door as
light begins to flood in. The door is thick and rumbles on
creaking hinges as it opens. The room is soundproof and
Bennett’s exposition on the door can be heard as the door
opens:
BENNETT
(mid-sentence)
....as you can see, the door to your vault is
comprised of tririllium
alloy. Which likely makes this the
most secure room in the entire
Empire.
Bennett stops speaking abruptly as he sees what is inside the
vault. His eyes open wide. The rest of the
entourage share similar expressions of disbelief. Even the
guards are stunned into inaction.
Standing in the vault like a deer in the headlights is JAR
JAR BINKS. His arms are full of loot; with multiple bulging
satchels wrapped around him. One gold chip falls from
his arms and clanks on the floor. There is a moment of
silence; Jar Jar’s eyes dart back and forth at Bhurrk’s
entourage.
Jar Jar obviously entered the vault from an exposed panel in
the ceiling duct work. He is not alone. EURIPIDES,
Jar Jar’s best friend and partner in crime, pokes his head
and arm through the opening. He points his blaster at the
open vault door.
EURIPIDES
The jig is up!
Euripides takes a couple of shots at Bhurrk’s entourage
forcing them to back away from the vault door. Euripides
disappears into the opening and activates a winch which
pulls Jar Jar and the loot up to the open panel. The security
guards reemerge from beyond the doorway
and shoot at Jar Jar as he rises. However, the Gungan
climbs back into the duct work above the vault, safely
protected from their blaster rounds.
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