BACK

EXT. SPACE (FX)

TITLE CARD: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main title, followed by a roll-up, which crawls into infinity.

PROLOGUE: HUNTERS OF THE DARK SIDE

New foes have risen against the Republic. Shadow organizations of different kinds are plotting countless ways to take over the Galaxy.
Bent on being the first to achieve total domination, agents of the Magistrate, a royal crime syndicate, have secretly planned out a scheme that involves hijacking a military program that will accomplish this evil goal.
Making matters worse, an ancient cult of renegade Jedi, the Sith, have begun to rise from its hiding place and begin planting the seeds that will lead to the Republic’s great demise....

PAN DOWN to the sinister-looking Sith Spacecraft heading TOWARD CAMERA at great speed. PAN with the spacecraft as it heads toward a lone vessel—a Magisterial Trade Ship—in the distance. In the background of this shot is a far-off gas nebula.

INT. TRADE SHIP—MAIN BRIDGE

RADAR OFFICER:
(looking at a display in front of him)
Sir, we’ve picked up something on radar.

CAPTAIN:
What is it?

RADAR OFFICER:
I don’t know... But it looks like it’s trying to dock with us.

CAPTAIN:
Let’s see what it is.
(To the Communications Officer)
Open the transmission line and contact the pilot. Ask him why he’s here.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:
Yes sir.

SHIP OFFICER:
(to the Captain)
I wonder what this is about.

EXT. TRADE SHIP—DOCKING PORT—SPACE (FX)

The Sith spacecraft comes to a halt above the trade ship’s hull and slowly descends onto the upper docking port.

INT. TRADE SHIP—MAIN BRIDGE

The COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER has an alert look on his face as he continues to listen in on his headphone. He then takes off the headphone and places it next to his computer display.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:
(shaking his head)
This doesn’t look good, Captain. The pilot’s not responding.

CAPTAIN:
Then contact Security. Tell them to go into a Level One-Priority alert.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:
Yes sir. (Presses a button that activates the ship’s main alarm; he then speaks into his headphone)

CAPTAIN:
(to the Message Officer)
Farlander, relay a message to the nearest command base... Inform it on what’s going on here.

The MESSAGE OFFICER nods as he starts typing something on his station’s computer.

INT. TRADE SHIP—HALLWAY

The sound of an ALARM fills the ship’s corridors as SECURITY OFFICERS run down the hallway towards the section below the upper docking port. The COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER’S voice can be heard on the ship’s intercom speakers.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Attention all Security Members, report to Sector Nine immediately... We have an unknown intruder trying to get on board. I repeat, attention all Security Members... (First line of dialogue is repeated)

Once the SECURITY OFFICERS reach that section, they hear a large CLANGING sound outside the docking hatch as the Sith spacecraft finally connects with the trade ship.

EXT. TRADE SHIP—DOCKING PORT—SPACE (FX)

Another outer view of the trade ship as the Sith spacecraft finally comes to a rest on top of the larger vessel’s hull.

INT. TRADE SHIP—HALLWAY

The SECURITY OFFICERS cock their weapons as they wait in anticipation for the unknown pilot to enter the ship. They listen intently as some activity is taking place outside the docking hatch. As they continue to listen, the SECURITY OFFICERS hear a HUMMING SOUND coming from that same side of the docking hatch. They step back and get into a battle pose when they hear that the HUMMING SOUND starts to get louder and louder each second.

SECURITY OFFICER:
Look out!

The docking hatch finally DISINTEGRATES IN A BRILLIANT EXPLOSION above the SECURITY OFFICERS. Several SECURITY OFFICERS are blown off their feet by the powerful blast.

INT. TRADE SHIP—MAIN BRIDGE

The main bridge shakes violently from the explosion near the upper docking port of the ship.

CAPTAIN:
(to an officer standing next to him) What was that?

RADAR OFFICER:
(looking at a display showing the schematic of the trade ship’s interior)
That intruder has just entered this ship, Captain.

INT. TRADE SHIP—HALLWAY

The remaining SECURITY OFFICERS begin firing their blasters at the robed figure, a SITH LORD, who jumped out of the hatch and into the hallway.

The SITH LORD has his red-bladed lightsaber drawn.

INT. TRADE SHIP—MAIN BRIDGE

The CAPTAIN and OTHER OFFICERS watch the intruder on a view screen.

CAPTAIN:
(turns to the Message Officer)
I want you to now include in the message that it’s some kind of Jedi who’s attacking our ship.

SHIP OFFICER:
It’s not a Jedi...
(Both the Captain and the Message Officer turn their heads to look at the Ship Officer)
It’s a Sith Lord.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:
(putting down his headphone, frowning)
A what?

INT. TRADE SHIP—HALLWAY

SECURITY OFFICER:
Blast him!

While using acrobatic moves, the SITH LORD quickly cuts down the SECURITY OFFICERS as he makes his way down the hallway. As he passes room by room, the SITH LORD either uses his weapon to vanquish the OFFICERS standing in his way or uses the Force to lift them up and throw them against the wall...knocking them unconscious.

SECURITY OFFICER #2 is hiding behind a corridor wall as he talks into his comlink.

SECURITY OFFICER #2:
(while peering beyond the edge of the wall to check out the carnage)
...this intruder is killing all of our security officers, Captain! There’s no way we can stop him... I suggest you start evacuating the ship, now.

SECURITY OFFICER #2 barely puts the comlink back into a pocket on his uniform when the SITH LORD pops up on him near the wall... Quickly cutting the SECURITY OFFICER down as he does so.

INT. TRADE SHIP—MAIN BRIDGE

The CAPTAIN and SHIP OFFICER continue to stare at the viewing screen. They look on as this SECURITY OFFICER meets his demise.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:
(to the Captain)
I think we should follow his advice, sir. Should I activate the escape pods?
SHIP OFFICER:
It’s gonna be a waste of time…look where that attacker is heading!

The COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER turns to look at the viewing screen.

INT. TRADE SHIP—HALLWAY—OUTSIDE MAIN BRIDGE

The SITH LORD continues his violent attack until he arrives at the main bridge.

INT. TRADE SHIP—HALLWAY—OUTSIDE MAIN BRIDGE

The SITH LORD makes his way to the bridge door and begins to cut through it. The CREW of the trade ship watch with nervousness as sparks start flying around the bridge door.

INT. TRADE SHIP—MAIN BRIDGE

CAPTAIN:
(a look of anxiety on his face as he turns to face the Communications officer)
Switch on the intercom system.

SHIP OFFICER:
He’s going to kill us all, Captain…no matter what we say to him!

CAPTAIN:
(with an anxious tone of voice)
I said switch on the intercom system!

The COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER reluctantly switches on the intercom system.

INT. TRADE SHIP—HALLWAY—OUTSIDE MAIN BRIDGE

The SITH LORD continues to cut through the door even as he hears the ship’s speakers come alive. It is the CAPTAIN speaking into the intercom system.

CAPTAIN:
This is the Captain speaking. To the intruder who has just provoked an attack on my trade vessel...I order you to cease what you are doing immediately and lay down your weapon.

INT. TRADE SHIP—HALLWAY—OUTSIDE MAIN BRIDGE

The SITH LORD pauses in his cutting of the bridge door after he hears this. A grin is apparent on his partially cloaked face. Two seconds later, he takes out the lightsaber blade and quickly stabs it into the bridge door again...this time right through the middle section. On the other side of the bridge door, large chunks of molten metal begin to fall away.

INT. TRADE SHIP—MAIN BRIDGE

SHIP OFFICER:
He’s not listening... Sith Lords cannot be negotiated with.

Molten metal continues to drop away as a large hole starts to appear at the center of the bridge door. The CAPTAIN ignores the SHIP OFFICER’S comment.

CAPTAIN:
This is the Captain speaking again. I order you to cease what you are doing... Or else I will send more security guards to deal with y—

The CAPTAIN stops talking as the remaining chunks of molten metal drop to the ground, revealing a large hole at the center of the bridge door. The CREW is stunned as they stand up from their crew stations. The SITH LORD, his lightsaber shut down, enters the main bridge. There is a brief pause as everyone is silent. The CAPTAIN is the first one who TRIES to speak.

CAPTAIN:
(slowly steps away from the Sith Lord)
Wh... What do you want?

The SITH LORD remains silent as he continues to stand in front of the nervous CREW. The CAPTAIN looks at his CREWMATES and then back towards the CLOAKED WARRIOR.

CAPTAIN:
I said what do you want?
(There is a brief pause as the Sith Lord does not reply)
Answer me!

The SITH LORD continues to remain silent. All of a sudden, one of the CAPTAIN’S OFFICERS draws out a blaster and fires at the SITH LORD. The SITH LORD, with his lightsaber quickly ignited again, deflects the laser bolt...which ricochets off the blade and goes back towards the OFFICER, hitting him in the chest.

The SITH LORD then moves forward and begins cutting down the CREW. He deflects the laser bolts now coming from the other OFFICERS. The SITH LORD first cuts down the CAPTAIN, then the RADAR OFFICER, then the COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, then the MESSAGE OFFICER, and the SHIP OFFICER until EVERYONE in the main bridge is cut down.

When his attack is over, the SITH LORD walks over to the bridge’s main hologram projector. The faint-blue hologram of another cloaked figure—the SITH LORD’S APPRENTICE—is already glowing above the projector. The apprentice is DARTH SHUND, while the SITH LORD who provoked the attack on the trade ship is his master, DARTH VENGEANCE.

DARTH SHUND:
That attack was quite impressive, Master... This filth was no match for you.

DARTH VENGEANCE:
(putting the lightsaber back into his robe)
It was far too easy. I need to face a greater challenge next time.

DARTH SHUND:
Do you think the General will do his part in the deal?

DARTH VENGEANCE:
He better... Or else his corpse will be lying on the floor the same way these ones are.

A brief shot of the CREWMEMBERS’ bodies lying on the main bridge’s floor.

DARTH SHUND:
If you want, I can contact General Zyra for you. I will see to it that he is making progress locating those documents.

DARTH VENGEANCE:
Do that, and report back to me if my actions here have led his army to begin searching for us... As predicted.

DARTH SHUND:
I will, Master.

DARTH VENGEANCE:
I have other things to do now. (Walks back to the entrance of the main bridge)

DARTH SHUND’S HOLOGRAM disappears from the projector. The next shot is of DARTH VENGEANCE as he walks down the hallway. He steps over the bodies of the trade ship’s CREWMEMBERS as he does so.

DARTH VENGEANCE:
Dark Intrigue better be worth it.

EXT. TRADE SHIP—DOCKING PORT—SPACE (FX)

An outer view of the trade ship as the Sith spacecraft detaches from the upper docking port and heads off for deep space.

The next scene is of a back view of the Sith spacecraft as it fires two proton torpedoes from a launcher at the rear of its hull. The shot after this one has the CAMERA panning (FROM RIGHT TO LEFT) with the torpedoes as they head towards the trade ship and detonate upon impact... causing the ship to BLOW UP IN A SPECTACULAR FIREBALL in the process.

The final shot is of another rear view of the Sith spacecraft as it disappears into hyperspace. This scene DISSOLVES into the next one.

EXT. DAMOSSE GRASS FIELD—DAY

Outside the dome-shaped home of KYLE MAVER’SS, his 3 year-old son EDRON playfully runs around on the grass while his mother, JANNA, follows behind him. KYLE is a tall man with short black hair and a nicely trimmed mustache and beard on his face. At the age of 31, he has brown eyes and always has a very confident look on his face. JANNA is much shorter than her husband, with long black hair, light-brownish skin and brown eyes as well. She constantly has a loving look on her face. EDRON also has brown eyes and constantly has a playful look on his face.
Closer to the MAVER’SS homestead, FARM DROIDS tend to a small garden near the dwelling.

JANNA:
Come here, you... (Gently puts her arm around Edron and picks him up; she then speaks to him playfully) You’re very energetic today.

KYLE:
(smiling)
Were you able to keep up with him, dear?
JANNA:
Of course. Just because I work all day doesn’t mean I can’t play with Edron when I get home.

KYLE:
(raises his hands, palm-upward, while having an innocent look on his face)
Hey... I was just asking. (Walks down from the house towards his wife and child) So how’s the production coming along?

JANNA:
(cradling Edron in her arms)
It’s going great. My team just found out your base wants twelve more fighters by next year.

KYLE:
Seriously?

JANNA:
(nods her head)
Our workload is gonna be a lot harder now, but that’s okay.

KYLE puts his arm around JANNA.

KYLE:
At least your job isn’t gonna lag for a while, that’s for sure.

JANNA:
(smiles at Kyle)
Unlike yours?

KYLE:
What do you mean by that?

JANNA gently gives EDRON to KYLE to carry in his arms.

JANNA:
What I mean is you’ve been very busy lately. Have you asked General Wilkes when he’s gonna give you time-off?

KYLE:
(nods in agreement)
Yea, I asked the General. And I was thinking... The next time I’m on a leave of absence, we can take a trip off-planet... Check out what’s new in other parts of the Galaxy or something.

JANNA:
Exactly what parts of the Galaxy do you have in mind?

KYLE:
Well, we can go to Coruscant... Make this the first time we’ve ever visited the Republic Capital.

JANNA:
Anything else?

KYLE:
Or we can go to Malastare, and watch those Pod Races we’ve been hearing about for a while.

A pause.

JANNA:
I think I’d rather go to Coruscant.

KYLE:
(beaming)
I knew you were going to say that. Those Pod Races were illegal, anyway.

JANNA:
(smiles as well)
Is there a third option?

KYLE:
Well I— (KYLE is interrupted as a comlink beeps in his shirt pocket. KYLE carries EDRON in one arm while taking the device out from his pocket with the other)

KYLE:
(puts the comlink near his mouth)
Maver’ss speaking.

It is CAPTAIN DACK MADREN, KYLE’S main wingman in his fighter squadron.

DACK:
(through Kyle’s comlink)
Kyle, this is Dack. I’ve just received a message from the General. Looks like something big has come up at the base right now.

KYLE:
(frowning)
Do you know what it is?

DACK:
No clue, whatsoever... What time are you going to be there?

KYLE:
I’ll be at the base in thirty minutes.

DACK:
Right... I’m already getting in my speeder. The rest of the men should arrive the same time you do.

KYLE:
Okay.

DACK:
Madren out.

KYLE switches off his comlink.

JANNA:
What is it?

KYLE:
(shakes his head)
I don’t know... Something unexpected is happening at the base right now. I have to leave soon. (KYLE hands EDRON over to JANNA. He then kisses his wife and son good-bye before he paces back into the house) We’ll talk more about that trip when I get home.

JANNA:
Remind the General about that time-off... Okay?

KYLE turns around to look at his wife. He smiles.

KYLE:
(points a finger at Janna)
You’re the boss.

JANNA:
Talk to you later, honey.

KYLE waves to his wife and then continues to pace towards the house. JANNA stares down at her son EDRON right after her husband is out of sight.

EXT. DAMOSSE STARFIGHTER BASE—DAY (FX)

A bird’s eye view of the planet’s main starfighter base as hundreds of ships fly over the installation.

INT. DAMOSSE STARFIGHTER BASE—OPERATION CENTER

DACK MADREN, MAJOR BRYCE, COLONEL MASON and GENERAL WILKES discuss something to each other as KYLE enters the room. Before KYLE approaches the group, he runs into another of his wingmen, CORPORAL JAKE RISON.

KYLE:
How’re ya doing, Jake?

RISON:
I’m doing fine, Commander... You should hear what the General is conjuring up right now.

KYLE:
(looking at the General and the other three officers who are standing next to him)
You know what they’re talking about over there?

RISON:
(nods)
It’s a new assignment involving our squadron and those commando units.

KYLE:
I see. (Smiles) It’s not another one of those boring patrols, is it?

RISON:
Of course not... (In a low tone of voice now; he looks around, making sure that no one can hear him before he starts to speak again) But if you ask me, those commandos don’t stand a chance against what they’re about to face in this new mission.

KYLE:
Why do you say that?

RISON:
Intuition, sir. Talk to you later.

CORPORAL RISON makes a slight grin as he heads for the Operation Center’s main door. KYLE frowns at the WINGMAN as he leaves. KYLE then approaches the GENERAL and the THREE OTHER OFFICERS.

DACK:
...what if we put two brigades inside those ships, General, will that work?

WILKES:
Maybe...if we deploy them in the right cruisers.

MASON:
That may take some time, though.

BRYCE:
(to the colonel)
We don’t have any other options.
KYLE walks up to the FOUR OFFICERS.

KYLE:
Good morning, fellas. (Salutes to General Wilkes) General.

WILKES:
(nods to Kyle)
Glad of you to come by, Maver’ss... You’ve made it just in time.

DACK:
We’re being assigned a new mission.

KYLE:
So I’ve heard... Can you tell me what it is?

BRYCE:
You’ve heard about those recent attacks on trade ships, we presume?

KYLE:
Sure... They’ve been happening across the Galaxy for the past few days. What does that have to do with us?

MASON:
The Governor has just ordered us to make sure those strikes don’t take place around this planet.

KYLE:
Better safe than sorry, I guess.

BRYCE:
Unfortunately Kyle, this task is not going to be easy. It’s going to take effort on you and the commandos’ part to carry out this assignment.

WILKES:
On the plus side, we already know the preliminaries of this mission. We know where the rendezvous area is, what time we should make our way to orbit, and how many men we’re going to place inside those vessels. The only thing we need now are the captains’ approval to board their trade ships...which we should get by tomorrow morning, hopefully.

A brief pause.

KYLE:
So what’s the Senate’s take on this?

WILKES:
(sighs)
To tell you the truth? Nothing. It seems like Coruscant has more important matters to attend to.

MASON:
(sarcastically)
What can be more important than preventing people from getting slaughtered on their own ships?

DACK:
(smiles)
I know what you mean.

A brief pause.

KYLE:
Speaking of Coruscant... If this mission turns out okay, General, may I request permission to take time-off afterwards?

WILKES:
The reason being... ?

KYLE:
My wife won’t let me rest till I take her someplace that’s ten light years away from this planet.

The GENERAL grins in response.

WILKES:
You can take a leave of absence if this mission turns out a success. Promise your wife that.

KYLE:
Thank you, sir.

The FOUR OFFICERS then looks towards the entrance of the operation center as the rest of KYLE’S WINGMEN arrive.

WILKES:
There they are. (Looks at the other four officers) Time to get the briefing started.

A TECHNICIAN walks up to GENERAL WILKES right before he is about to follow the other FOUR OFFICERS through the operation center’s main door.

TECHNICIAN:
Excuse me, sir…we’ve established contact with the Hawkeye.

WILKES:
(frowns)
So soon? (The technician nods) I’ll be there in a second.

The TECHNICIAN walks away. The GENERAL then turns to face DACK, KYLE, MASON, and BRYCE.

WILKES:
You four head on down to the briefing room... I’ll meet you there. We’ve just established contact with a nearby trade convoy.

KYLE:
That’s good to know. See you in the briefing, General.

The FOUR OFFICERS then walk away. WILKES then gestures to the TECHNICIAN.

WILKES:
Let’s go, Lieutenant. (Wilkes follows the Lieutenant to his comm speaker)

EXT. TRADE CONVOY—SPACE (FX)

A shot of three trade ships grouped up in a convoy. The ship at the center of the trio is the vessel HAWKEYE.

INT. TRADE SHIP HAWKEYE—BRIDGE

CAPTAIN KREG URBINA walks into the room when one of his OFFICERS turns around at his station to report something to the CAPTAIN.

OFFICER:
Sir, General Wilkes is on the line. Do you wish to speak to him?

URBINA:
Put him on the speaker.

OFFICER:
Yes sir.

The OFFICER presses several buttons on his console to activate the comm speaker.

INT. DAMOSSE STARFIGHTER BASE—OPERATION CENTER

After hearing a brief static on a TECHNICIAN’S comm speaker, GENERAL WILKES leans forward to begin the conversation. URBINA is the first one to speak.

URBINA:
(through the speaker)
Greetings, General. Are your men all set to rendezvous with my convoy?

WILKES:
My commandos are prepared. I’m currently briefing my squadron on its role in the mission.

INT. TRADE SHIP HAWKEYE—BRIDGE

URBINA:
Interesting... I didn’t know you were gonna include your starfighters in this operation. You must be pretty serious about preventing those attacks from hitting Damosse.

WILKES:
(through the speaker)
I am dead serious. So why did you contact me so soon? I wasn’t expecting another talk till tomorrow morning.

INT. DAMOSSE STARFIGHTER BASE—OPERATION CENTER

URBINA:
(through the speaker)
I prefer not to let people wait long for my answer.

WILKES:
When can I receive the exact time to rendezvous with your convoy?

INT. TRADE SHIP HAWKEYE—BRIDGE

URBINA:
Within half an hour... You have my word.

WILKES:
(through the speaker)
Thank you, Captain.

URBINA:
Anything else?

WILKES:
That will be all.

URBINA:
Very well, then. It’s a pleasure dealing with you, General... I’ll make sure your force is well taken care of two days from now. Urbina out.

The transmission line goes silent.

INT. DAMOSSE STARFIGHTER BASE—OPERATION CENTER

The TECHNICIAN sitting in the station where WILKES was using the speaker turns around to say something to the GENERAL.

TECHNICIAN:
Do you think this Captain can be trusted, sir?

WILKES:
He said we had his word... So no, he can’t be trusted.

INT. TRADE SHIP HAWKEYE—BRIDGE

The OFFICER is about to turn off the comm speaker when URBINA prevents him from doing so.

URBINA:
Hold on… I need to contact someone.

EXT. MAGISTRATE SPACE DOCK—SPACE (FX)

PAN DOWN to reveal six Aray-class starfighters heading TOWARD CAMERA at great speed. PAN with the fighters—which are flying in a V-shaped formation—as they head toward a Space Dock containing the unfinished hulls of new Magistrate capital warships.

INT. LEADING STARFIGHTER—COCKPIT—SPACE

ZARTHAN:
Sword Command, this is Viper One. Do you read?

CLANS-HEADSMAN ZARTHAN looks down at the comlink on his fighter’s flight console.

SWORD COMMAND:
(through the comlink)
We read you loud and clear, Viper One. What is it?

ZARTHAN:
We are coming in on a Code One-Security alert... There is something urgent we must report to your base commander.

SWORD COMMAND:
Roger that... We are verifying your security code now.

EXT. STARFIGHTER SQUADRON—SPACE (FX)

A rear view of the six starfighters as they continue to approach the main dock.

INT. MAIN DOCK—COMMAND CENTER

CONTROLLER:
(through the comlink; this is the same person who is Sword Command)
Security code has been confirmed. You will land in Hangar Bay 7.

INT. LEADING STARFIGHTER—COCKPIT—SPACE

ZARTHAN:
We copy… Over and out.

He presses a series of buttons on his flight console to transmit the access code.

EXT. MAIN DOCK—HANGAR BAY 7—SPACE (FX)

The six starfighters enter one of the cavernous bays on the Space Dock. On the way to the dock, the fighters fly past the giant hulls of several unfinished capital warships.

INT. MAIN DOCK—HANGAR BAY 7—SPACE

Two SENTRIES walk PAST CAMERA as they meet up with ZARTHAN, who is standing next to his starfighter. His helmet is off. ZARTHAN’S WINGMEN are also standing next to their starfighters.

SENTRY ONE:
Come with us.

ZARTHAN nods as he follows the two guards. His wingmen stay behind at their spacecraft.

INT. MAIN DOCK—CONFERENCE ROOM

The two SENTRIES lead ZARTHAN into the conference room. The SENTRIES then walk out of the room, with the door closing behind them. GENERAL ZYRA is standing next to a large window giving a clear view of the activity occurring out in space.

ZYRA:
(still staring out the window)
You wish to speak to me, Lord Zarthan?

CLANS-HEADSMAN ZARTHAN is the leader of the elite GENO WARRIORS of the Magistrate.

ZARTHAN:
Yes, sir.

ZYRA:
What is it?

ZARTHAN:
It is not good news, General. It seems that the Magistrate has gained a new enemy recently. I came here to warn you about it.

GENERAL ZYRA, frowning, turns around to face the warrior.

ZYRA:
And this new enemy is...?

There is a brief pause.

ZARTHAN:
Sith Lords, sir.

ZYRA frowns even more.

ZYRA:
Sith Lords? What do they have against our organization?

ZARTHAN:
That’s a good question, General... And one I cannot answer. All I know is that some of our trade ships have begun to fall under attack lately. The motive for these attacks remains unknown.

ZYRA:
And how were you able to find out the identity of these attackers?

ZARTHAN:
(after another pause)
According to a report from a ship recently attacked, it was a Sith Lord who conducted the assault. He killed everyone on board before he destroyed the ship and escaped.

ZYRA:
(nods to himself)
A cowardly act... Does the Baron know about this?

ZARTHAN:
He does... And he gave his utmost approval for my new mission.

ZYRA:
(frowning once more)
What’s that, I might ask?

ZARTHAN:
To find those Sith Lords, and destroy them.

ZYRA:
(makes a slight grin again)
I guess that means this conversation has ended then. (A pause) Whatever it takes Zarthan... Find those attackers, and deal with them. Understand?

ZARTHAN:
(nods his head)
Yes, General.

ZYRA:
Dismissed.

The CLANS-HEADSMAN opens the door and then exits the conference room.

EXT. MAIN DOCK—HANGAR BAY 12—SPACE (FX)

The CAMERA PANS with the six starfighters as they leave the dock and fly for deep space.

INT. SITH SPACECRAFT—COCKPIT—SPACE

A mysterious robed figure watches as the Magistrate fighters depart from the Space Dock in the distance. Only the back of this person is shown to the CAMERA. The CAMERA REMAINS STATIONARY as the figure walks out of the frame. The scene changes to show this person as he stands in front of a hologram projector at the center of the cockpit. A hood covers more than half of this warrior’s face.

INT. MAIN DOCK—CONFERENCE ROOM

A hologram of the robed figure appears at the center of the main table in the conference room. GENERAL ZYRA is already sitting down in a chair in front of it.

ZYRA:
Did they spot you?

DARTH SHUND:
No. My ship’s cloaking shield is still on. Is this transmission line secured?

ZYRA:
Secured as usual. The plan is working, Darth Shund. Your attacks have successfully led the Geno Warriors to begin searching for you. This distraction will give me more time to look for the documents needed for our project.

DARTH SHUND:
The project better be worth it, General.

ZYRA:
Believe me, Shund, this project will be more than you bargained for.

DARTH SHUND:
See to it that it does. Lord Vengeance doesn’t associate with inferior beings like you for nothing.

ZYRA tries to suppress an angry expression on his face.

ZYRA:
I assure you, this project will succeed...

DARTH SHUND:
I will believe you when me and my master see results. Until then... continue looking for those documents.

ZYRA:
You have my word.

The SITH LORD nods as his hologram disappears. The GENERAL then turns his chair around to face the window.

ZYRA:
Inferior beings, hah? We’ll see who plays that role once this project is complete... Scum.

He is quiet as he watches a speck of light, the SITH LORD’S spacecraft, begin to go into hyperspace.

EXT. SITH SPACECRAFT—SPACE (FX)

The CAMERA PANS with the Sith ship as it disappears into hyperspace.

INT. DAMOSSE STARFIGHTER BASE—BRIEFING ROOM

All the pilots in KYLE’S SQUADRON take a seat at the briefing room auditorium. At the back of the room, the EIGHT PILOTS watch as GENERAL WILKES—with DACK, KYLE, COLONEL MASON and MAJOR BRYCE leaning against the side of a wall—stands near a hologram projector at the front of the room. The noise in the room dies down as the briefing begins.
There are SEVERAL TECHNICIAN DROIDS in the room. Some of KYLE’S WINGMEN are of different alien species.

CORPORAL RISON is one of the last PILOTS to enter the room. He walks up to KYLE.

RISON:
So did the General tell you about the plan, Commander?

KYLE:
He sure did, Corporal. So why is that you think the commandos might face trouble during this mission?

RISON:
(shakes his head) Just a hunch, I guess.

The CORPORAL walks away to take a seat. GENERAL WILKES begins the briefing.

WILKES:
All right men, listen up. By now you’ve all heard the plan on how we’re going to prevent those trade ship attacks from striking our territory. Now it’s time we flesh out the details. (Looks to his left) Captain.

DACK presses a button on the wall next to him. A hologram of the space surrounding Damosse appears above the projector. The entire image is shaped in the form of a cube.

WILKES:
Okay... At approximately 0600 hours tomorrow, you’re going to be flying your fighters towards the nearest trade route to the planet, shown here. (He points to a broken line displayed in the hologram)

The hologram shows icons depicting the KYLE’S FIGHTERS and the COMMANDO SHIPS as they leave the planet Damosse and arrive near the designated trade route. The trade route itself is represented with broken lines extending from one side of the cube (and past Damosse’s globe) to the other on the hologram.

WILKES:
During that time, the Special Commandos will be gearing up supplies inside their ships before they finally board the trade convoy... Which will not arrive near Damosse until the day after your arrival. These icons represent that convoy.

Triangles representing the trade ships appear along the broken lines a few seconds later.

WILKES:
Once those vessels arrive, and the commandos are safely on board, your squadron itself is going to dock inside the bays of those cargo ships. If the schedule is correct, there will be three ships that arrive... six of your fighters will occupy two of those ships while the remaining four will dock in the third. Any questions?

The hologram is depicting these scenarios as WILKES explains them to his wingmen.

DEV C’LLARA:
(slightly raises his hand)
How often are we going to be leaving those trade ships to patrol the area?

WILKES:
You will be patrolling at different number of hours. One shift might be one hour, the next shift might be four hours, the third shift might be seven hours, and so on. You’ll want to remain as unpredictable as possible to whoever is plotting to attack you. The Colonel has more on this to tell you. Colonel?

COLONEL MASON walks up to the projector.

MASON:
Thank you, General.
(He begins looking at the hologram)
Along selected parts of the trade route, your squadron is going to be inside the docking bay of those ships.
(The Colonel explains this as he points to different areas on the hologram)
During other parts of the trade route, you’re going to be outside patrolling the area. On both times, your flight group will always be on high alert whenever something unexpected takes place.

WILKES:
Are there any questions about this?

RISON raises his hand.

MASON:
Yes?

RISON:
Do the commandos already know their role in the mission? I’d hate to see them not doing their job while we do ours.

MAJOR BRYCE, DACK and KYLE frown after hearing this.

BRYCE:
(to Dack and Kyle)
Why would he say that?

MASON:
Just worry about your assignment, and let the commandos worry about theirs, Corporal. They were briefed on this mission way before Lancer Squadron was... So you can be sure they will be prepped up for this operation. Any more questions?

No one raises his or her hands. MASON turns to look at the GENERAL.

WILKES:
Then pack your stuff... You have a busy day tomorrow.

The pilots begin to disperse from the auditorium. GENERAL WILKES, MAJOR BRYCE, DACK, and KYLE are still in the room.

BRYCE:
I wonder why the Corporal asked that question back there?

WILKES:
He’s probably just concerned about this mission being a success, Major. That’s all.

BRYCE:
Well, if that’s the case, sir... Why didn’t he voice concern about Lancer Squadron as well?
(He turns to look at Kyle and Dack)

DACK:
(shrugs)
Maybe we have more luck than the commandos do.

BRYCE:
I don’t know about that. If you ask me, there’s something about the commandos’ fate that we don’t know of... Corporal Rison is hiding the answer from us.

GENERAL WILKES gives the MAJOR a scrutinizing look.

INT. DAMOSSE STARFIGHTER BASE—HANGAR BAY

DACK and KYLE walk past a row of starfighters as they overlook the activities taking place inside the hangar bay. PILOTS, TECHNICIANS, and DROIDS OF DIFFERENT KINDS fill the cavernous structure.

DACK:
The Major seems to be worried about the Corporal’s view of this mission.

KYLE briefly turns his head to look at his WINGMAN.

KYLE:
You know, I forgot to mention this but... Jake told me about his concern for the commandos right when I arrived at the base.
(A brief pause)
There is something he knows about this mission that we don’t.

DACK:
How long has he been in this squadron, anyway?

KYLE:
Ten days, I think.

DACK:
Ten days, hah? Looks like there’s someone we should keep an eye on... Considering we hardly know who this guy is.

KYLE:
I guess so...

DACK:
(after a brief pause)
So how are you going to explain this assignment to Janna?

KYLE turns his head to stare at his WINGMAN again, then turns his head back.

KYLE:
I have no idea.

INT. D-12 MANUFACTURING FACILITY—CONSTRUCTION HANGAR

JANNA is standing near the hull of an unfinished D-12. In the background, dozens of workers walk around as they carry about materials for starfighters that are still works-in-progress.

JANNA:
(An upset look on her face)
What??

INT. DAMOSSE STARFIGHTER BASE—HANGAR BAY

KYLE:
(holding a comlink)
I told you, honey... I’m going to be out for the next few days. I have an important mission to go on.

JANNA:
(her voice coming from the comlink)
Will you be coming home to say bye to your family, at least?

KYLE:
(smiles)
Of course. You know me better than that, sweetheart.

INT. D-12 MANUFACTURING FACILITY—CONSTRUCTION HANGAR

JANNA:
I thought you were going to ask the General for some time off.

KYLE:
I did... But he said I can take time off if this thing turns out a success. He even told me to promise you that.

A pause.

CLICK ON SCRIPT2 TO CONTINUE