"At What Cost" Master-scene script Version: Draft Seven Authors: Christopher Walker and Chris Hanel "Life changes for better or for worse. Accept it because you have to and remember Kasen by living it." EXT - YAVIN IV OCEAN - DAY Ocean waves wash up onto the coastline of one of Yavin IV's continents. Along the coastline, two figures can be seen in robes walking in the sand, looking down and occasionally bending over to scoop up a shell and place it in a pouch. One is a young female Jedi student, and the other is a younger male Jedi student. Behind them the gas giant of Yavin looms in the sky. The boy runs ahead of the girl to grab another shell. He picks it up. As he stands back up, he spots another robed figure, taller than the other two, staring silently out at the sea. He is still enough to be meditating. The boy, JAYDEN, looks back to the girl while pointing out at the third figure. While his head is turned, the figure slowly looks their direction, and makes a sudden move. JAYDEN Who’s that? The boy turns around and sees the red blade of a laser sword pointed at his face. He freezes in terror. It is the robed man, who is TALON FLASCH, an older man in his thirties or forties, who has suddenly moved 500 feet down the shorline. JAYDEN Kierra! OLDER FLASCH (angrily at being intruded upon) What are doing here? You’re not welcome. The female student, Kierra, ignites her saber. KIERRA Let him go! Flasch motions with his head for Jayden to run back to Kierra. OLDER FLASCH Go. Now leave, and don't come back! The boy runs back towards Kierra, whose saber is still ignited. Kierra advances a few steps with her sword in a ready position. Jayden stays back, as he is too young to have a laser sword. KIERRA (angrily) No! We were here first. You leave, or you'll be dead! Flasch regards Kierra for a minute, then sighs, lowers his sword and shuts it down. OLDER FLASCH Hmm. Never let it be said that Skywalker's students are cowards… though you would do well to listen more closely to the evils of anger. Flasch smiles. OLDER FLASCH (CONT'D) I apologize for trying to scare you. Don't be afraid. This old hermit just wants to be left alone. His smile fades. Kierra, somewhat confused but satisfied that Flasch is not a threat, closes down her laser sword. Jayden walks up to stand beside her, confused as well. OLDER FLASCH (CONT'D) Don’t use me as an example… anger can be a very dangerous emotion… and a very lonely one. He regards the two padawans and decides to be friendly. OLDER FLASCH (CONT'D) What are you two doing so far from the Academy? KIERRA We come out here every time this year to pick up mollusks. But this is the first time we noticed you. What are you doing out here? Why aren't you at the Jedi Academy with the rest of the Jedi? (suspiciously) You are a Jedi, aren't you? OLDER FLASCH Yes. And No. But that is a long story… (a smile) A long story. Come. Flasch starts walking farther towards the shore towards a rock formation. Kierra follows, and so does Jayden, although tentatively. Kierra notices a far off look in his eyes. KIERRA Sounds like to me that you have a lot on your mind. Care to talk about it? OLDER FLASCH Ha. Hardly. But you could learn from my story, so I guess I have no choice. KIERRA How so? OLDER FLASCH Your anger, girl. If you don't control it it will soon control you. And I would feel terrible if I didn’t do what I could to prevent that. They come upon the rock formation and Flasch sits down and puts his laser sword on the rock. OLDER FLASCH (CONT'D) Come on, sit. We're going to be here for awhile. Kierra sits down. Jayden skirts around Flasch and sits down beside Kierra. Flasch gathers his thoughts for what is going to be a very painful retelling of past memories. OLDER FLASCH (CONT'D) It began years ago. I was... I was the son of two political prisoners on an Imperial prison planet, and, well... FLASHBACK TO EXT - DESPAYRE ORBIT - DAY The words A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... appear on screen. They fade out and are replaced by STAR WARS, which flies back from the camera into infinity. Text begins to crawl up the screen. AT WHAT COST Civil war has engulfed the galaxy. Grand Moff Tarkin, seeking to quell the rebellion, has implemented his Tarkin Doctrine which has been used to make visible a single show of force to eliminate treasonous activity against the Empire. Its introduction culminated in the creation of the Empire's ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR. To build the massive space station, Tarkin used forced labor from the hidden prison planet of Despayre. Led by Keris Gordon and Talon Flasch, the prisoners began to rebel, forcing the Empire to either expend great amounts of resources to stop the riots or import slave labor from elsewhere... POV PANS LEFT to reveal the framework of the unfinished Death Star and a Victory-class Star Destroyer orbiting to the left of the Death Star over the prison planet of DESPAYRE. CUT TO INT - IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER BRIDGE - DAY A lone man stands at the window, contemplating a hard decision. The framework of the first Death Star floats in the background orbitting the planet Despayre. The man is GRAND MOFF TARKIN. A commander of the Imperial Navy approaches him. He is COMMANDER MATHER. Tarkin nods to him, and Mather turns around to give an order. COMMANDER MATHER (solemn) Send the order to evacuate the planet. LIEUTENANT Sir? COMMANDER MATHER (tension enters his voice) Do it. INT - PRISON ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER HALLWAY - DAY Two prisoners, armed with stormtrooper blaster rifles, walk down the hallway of the administration center towards the WARDEN BOSRA's office. Several imperial officers and stormtroopers lay dead on the floor. Things are strung about in disarray, as if a panic to leave the building had ensued. The prisoners stop at the warden's door and attempt to break it in. After several tries, they succeed. INT - WARDEN'S OFFICE - DAY The two prisoners enter the warden's office only to find it empty. The desk has been cleared of all personal belongings. Its drawers are open, an empty as well. The prisoners stand there, puzzled. One of them, KERIS GORDON, pulls out his comlink. KERIS GORDON He's coming to you, Flasch. CUT TO INT - UNDERGROUND HALLWAY - DAY The warden runs down a stone hallway carrying a box of goods from his desk. He is panicked. He reaches a turbolift and calls it as some of the goods fall out of the box. He struggles to pick them up. He punches the call button several more times. WARDEN BOSRA (panicked) Come on, come on! The door finally slides open and the warden enters. The doors close in front of him. EXT - ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER ROOF - DAY The warden runs toward the shuttle that is sitting on the landing pad. On many other rooftops throughout the city, shuttles are lifting off and making for outer space. The warden slows down and finally stops as he notices someone is standing next to the shuttle, blaster drawn. It is TALON FLASCH, a younger version of the character Older Flasch. TALON FLASCH Going somewhere, Bosra? The warden chuckles nervously as he speaks. WARDEN BOSRA Why actually, yes. The warden's hand slowly moves toward the blaster concealed in his box of goods. WARDEN BOSRA (CONT'D) I was just leaving for an extended vacation. Now, if you would kindly step out of the way, I think I'll be out of your hair! The warden makes a grab for his blaster, but stops when another figure, KASEN NAPPH, enters the scene. KASEN NAPPH Stop right there, or you'll be eating plasma for lunch. She fires a shot into the shuttle for effect. KASEN NAPPH (CONT'D) Sorry about the scratch. The warden visibly gulps. WARDEN BOSRA Point, taken. TALON FLASCH (overlapping) Ok box down. On the ground. Move! WARDEN BOSRA I should have executed you when I had the chance. TALON FLASCH Shut up! Flasch hits him on the back of the head with the butt of his blaster. Bosra drops down, unconscious. KASEN NAPPH The warden is a quick draw. You're lucky Keris sent me to back you up. Your name is? TALON FLASCH Talon Flasch. And I had him covered. But thanks anyways. Kasen rolls her eyes an smiles to herself. Just then, a muffled explosion can be heard inside the shuttle. Smoke pours out of the hole that Napph's blaster left behind. TALON FLASCH (CONT'D) I think you broke it. KASEN NAPPH Nothing a paint job can’t fix. Napph's comlink chirps. She pulls it out. KASEN NAPPH (CONT'D) Napph here. Gordon's voice filters through the comlink. KERIS GORDON (V.O.) We just got word that the other prisons have succeeded as well. The Imperials are fleeing! TALON FLASCH That's great, Keris. We got Bosra, but your friend here broke his mode of transportation. KERIS GORDON What? KASEN NAPPH I shot a bolt into it and accidentally hit the power relay. She's nothing but a hunk of junk now. KERIS GORDON Ah stang Napph. Watch where you're aiming next time. KASEN NAPPH I was, it’s just I was aiming at the warden. KERIS GORDON It's alright. If we tried to leave on that thing the Imps would have shot us out of the sky anyhow. Gordon out. Napph puts the comlink away. KASEN NAPPH Well I'll leave you to take care of the garbage. Napph turns around and walks toward the turbolift. TALON FLASCH Wait. I gave you my name. What's yours? Napph turns around and looks at Talon. TALON FLASCH (CONT'D) (grinning) Wynssa Starflare, I presume? Kasen smiles back. KASEN NAPPH Only if you're Face Loran, kiddo. Name's Kasen Napph. TALON FLASCH Ouch... Well what are you in for? KASEN NAPPH Dealer in stolen goods. And the occasional hard luck case. I got caught. She smirks wryly. TALON FLASCH By... me? KASEN NAPPH You don't waste words, do you? TALON FLASCH Just cause I use 2 words where others would use 30, doesn’t mean I don’t know what I’m talking about. So whaddya say we go for a walk? There's free booze at the detention center. KASEN NAPPH So they really did find a cache of lomin ale in the officer's mess? Talon nods. TALON FLASCH I wouldn’t be a gent if I didn’t offer the lady a drink… Napph chuckles to herself. KASEN NAPPH Ok. One for the road. Napph and Flasch walk towards the turbolift. WIPE TO EXT - KASEN'S THINKING SPOT - NIGHT We see Flasch and Napph sitting on a hilltop overlooking the city. In the years that follow this becomes a favorite spot of Kasen's. Blaster shots can be heard from partiers firing into the sky. Napph and Flasch are talking, and as we move closer, we make out what they are saying. TALON FLASCH ... and he says, "Ok the Bothan can stay, but the Jawa in the trooper suit has to go." Kasen erupts in laughter. Both of them are a bit tipsy. But they soon settle down. KASEN NAPPH So where did you come from, Talon Flasch? TALON FLASCH Coruscant. My father was a reporter in the senate for the Serenno delegation. KASEN NAPPH How'd you end up here then? TALON FLASCH (in mock diplomatic tone) The intrigues of the Imperial court, mi'lady. TALON FLASCH (CONT'D) Palpatine was never fond of the Serennians after the Count Dooku incident. And somehow he wound up in the middle of it all and the next thing we know we wind up here, working on his new toy. Sold into slavery, you might say. Talon gestures at the frame of the Death Star orbitting overhead, and to the wedge floating near it. The wedge is the silhouette of Tarkin's star destroyer. TALON FLASCH (CONT'D) It cost me my former life, what I it would have been at least, but I figure I'd better make as much of it as I can. Like learning to shoot with a welding laser. TALON FLASCH (CONT'D) (self-important) I downed three guards at once today. KASEN NAPPH There you go, thinking you're all Jedi. But you're not. And I like that about you. TALON FLASCH Me too. Er, I mean.. KASEN NAPPH (seriously) I know what you mean. They look at each other and prepare to kiss. Their lips move slowly towards each other, but before they can kiss, Gordon's voice breaks in. They pull away from each other and look at the intruder. KERIS GORDON There ya are, Flasch! What are you doing way out--- Gordon realizes his intrusion. KERIS GORDON (CONT'D) Oh, sorry! I didn't know you two.. were... uh.. KASEN NAPPH No, it's okay. Talon's face says otherwise. KASEN NAPPH (CONT'D) How did you find us? KERIS GORDON Some of my men said they saw Talon head up this way. But they didn't tell me that you were with him Kasen. TALON FLASCH (crossly) I'll make a note to remind them to forget the next time. KERIS GORDON Well the rest of us want you to come down and join the party. Come on! This is not a night to be alone. Let's have some fun and celebrate! KASEN NAPPH Sure, let's go. Come on Talon, it will be fun! KERIS GORDON Great then! TALON FLASCH (overlapping) But... KASEN NAPPH (cutting Talon off) You know, I think you and I are going to do well together. Come on. Who says you can’t have fun at a prison break? Napph and Gordon walk out of camera range and down the hill to the landspeeder. Resigned to fate, Flasch follows. POV PANS skyward to show the framework of the Death Star. JAYDEN (OS) Now wait a second… EXT - YAVIN IV OCEAN - DAY Jayden and Kierra sit looking at the older Flasch, who’s sad look remains on his face. TALON Yes? JAYDEN I don’t understand. You broke out of the prison. You got out alive, you even found a companion. Talon’s face tightens at the mention. JAYDEN Why didn’t you just take off and live happily ever after? TALON We had escaped and were free again, that much is true. But the planet was surrounded by a massive debris field. Without assistance from the Imperial sensor net, it was too risky to leave. And if we made our presence known… KIERRA They’d finish you off themselves. Talon nods somberly. JAYDEN What did you do? TALON (after a beat) We hid. FADE TO EXT - HILLY SAVANNAH - NIGHT POV is now showing a completed Death Star. It is now TWO YEARS later. A shuttle flies overhead from right to left. POV moves with the shuttle as it settles down and lands in a depression on a treeless savannah. TALON (VO) The Empire had no incentive to clear the debris field. On the contrary, it was better than any defense system they could put up. So, we scrounged for supplies where we could and made our living that way. After 2 years though, it became unbearable. It was time to find a way off that accursed rock. So, I started looking for info wherever I could. INT - PRISON ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER - DAY Flasch walks around the abandoned, barely lit prison center, until he finds the warden’s office. Flasch's clothes are better, however, though still rather rugged. Flasch sits behind the former warden's desk working on a small datapad. The room has changed somewhat. It is dustier and more run down. The alert sounds that lets Flasch know there is someone at the door. Flasch quickly draws a blaster and stands from the seat. TALON FLASCH Enter… The door opens and a figure clad in black strides in. He is EITAN TEROC. Flasch is more than a little surprised. TALON FLASCH (CONT'D) Ok pal, how'd you get past security? Teroc grins at the joke. EITAN TEROC Same way you did… front door… Talon looks down at Teroc’s belt… he wears a lightsaber. TALON FLASCH You're Jedi? I thought they were wiped out. He walks towards Flasch and admires some dusty trinkets sitting on his desk. EITAN TEROC They are. I helped to make sure of that. EITAN TEROC (CONT'D) Sit down, please. I'm not going to harm you. In fact, I have a proposition for you. He picks up one of the trinkets and examines it. TALON FLASCH I think I'll stand, thank you. EITAN TEROC Hmm. Very well. I am a Sith Adept, from Byss. My Emperor has sent me here to bring you back to him. Teroc casts a glance at Flasch and returns the trinket to its place, as though it mattered. TALON FLASCH Oh, and you just happened to know where I happened to be? EITAN TEROC (mock shock and hurt) Your ignorance of the Force is staggering. TALON FLASCH And what would the Emperor want with me? EITAN TEROC Good question. You see, I have it on good authority that you are a Force-sensitive. TALON FLASCH Oh, I see. Look, Mr. Sith, why don't you leave because I'm not going anywhere. Not with you, at least. Talon sits down to accentuate the point. Teroc leans on the desk toward Flasch. He is not amused. EITAN TEROC (darkly) My name is Teroc. And I can teach you things that you could not possibly have thought you could ever do. And, I can give you your freedom from this planet as well. Teroc draws away from Flasch and looks away. EITAN TEROC (CONT'D) (offhandedly) As I understand it, the few attempts at fleeing the planet have met with some unfortunate deaths in that debris field up there. Flasch is taken aback. The thought of freedom, true freedom, hits him hard. Maybe he could take a few of his friends with him, he thinks to himself. TALON FLASCH (speaking slowly, at first) What are you offering, exactly? Safe passage for all of us? EITAN TEROC I was told to bring only you back with me. TALON FLASCH I'm not going. Not without Keris and Kasen. And certainly not as your apprentice. Teroc starts around behind Flasch's desk. EITAN TEROC (growling) You are a bold one, Flasch. You do realize that if I fail to bring you back that I must have you killed? Surely your freedom is more valuable than death. Knowing the Sith may kill him if he does not train with him, Flasch decides to take a gamble. TALON FLASCH (deadpan) Either way, it's an escape. Talon picks up his datapad and works as if the Sith is not even there. He sets it down in a hurry though, Teroc ignites his lightsaber and holds it close to Talon’s throat. Talon quickly moves his chin up, trying to avoid the close shave. EITAN TEROC How would you like to be responsible for the death of your friends? Talon is surprised. He stands up again. TALON FLASCH An idle threat. You don’t even know where they are. EITAN TEROC Funny… how did I manage to plant a few dozen thermal detonators around your hideout? Teroc holds up a timer showing a few moments left. Talon tries to act as unconvinced as one can with a lightsaber to their throat. TALON FLASCH You’re bluffing. EITAN TEROC This is a rather costly bluff to call… too bad you’ll never be able to tell Kasen… Talons face shows a brief look of shock at Eitan’s knowledge of his companion’s name. TALON FLASCH It's a deal. Teroc de-ignites the lightsaber. EITAN TEROC Good. Meet me here again in 3 days. WIPE TO EXT - HILLY SAVANNAH - DAY FADE IN It is now two months later. We see running feet rushing through tall grass. TALON (VO) It was the only chance we had. And there wasn’t much choice. Train with Teroc, pretend to be a Sith, and spare Kasen’s life. And you should always keep your friends close… but your enemies closer. The plan was working well. FOLLOW the feet UP and to the RIGHT and PAN OUT to reveal a hilly landscape, devoid of trees. Overhead hangs the Death Star. The feet belong to our hero Talon Flasch. He is running away from the camera in the direction of the Death Star. He approaches Teroc, who is waiting farther down the hill, laser sword in hand. EITAN TEROC This is your first trial. TALON FLASCH Yes, Master. EITAN TEROC The Emperor is your Master. Do not forget that, or you'll have a very short career. TALON FLASCH Yes, Adept. Teroc and Flasch ignite their lightsabers and prepare to duel. Flasch and Teroc's laser swords clash together in an aggressive yet very beautiful and dangerous dance of swordsmanship. Flasch fights as if he really wants a piece of Teroc. The following dialogue is inserted into the fight. EITAN TEROC Use of the Dark Side is not just mastery of Anger, Fear, and Hate. It is mastery of all emotions that the Jedi once taught as well. Patience, Peace, and Love. Manipulate them to serve your purposes. They are tools to be used hand in hand with strategy. The art of the Sith is only mastered through learning the strategy of a conqueror. Lull your opponent by giving him a false upper hand. Then when he is under your control, strike like a rancor. Show no mercy. Only in this way can we protect the ignorant Force-blind of the galaxy from themselves. Flasch begins to lose control of his swings, leaving himself open. He is Force-pushed down a hill. He rolls to a stop, on his back, facing the sky. Teroc points his laser sword at Flasch's throat. A moment passes, then Teroc closes his laser sword down. Overview of the Second Half of the Script (May be revised) 1. Teroc has been planning to take Talon when the time is right for him, but doesn't let him know when. He gives Talon a vague warning to leave behind his life after the training duel. 1. Talon Flasch and Kasen confront each other about the Sith adept Teroc and about what they are going to do to steal his ship. They fight, but then they spend the night together. May be married, may not be. 2. Talon has a horrible dream that foreshadows the rest of the film. During the night, Kasen is abducted by Teroc. 3. Talon wakes up and finds Gordon outside of his door almost dead via lightsaber wound. Gordon tells him about Teroc. 4. Talon jumps in his landspeeder and goes to where Teroc's ship is. He finds him there with Kasen. But no ship is present. 5. Teroc gives him the last ultimatim: Either Talon goes with, or he takes Kasen to the Empire, who is obviously wanted on multiple charges, and she'll easily be put to death. 6. This is sending Talon farther and farther towards the Dark Side. He attacks Teroc. 7. Teroc quickly disengages, tells Talon the Death Star is about to fire, and takes off on his speeder towards his ship, willin to leave Talon behind. 8. Talon hops in his speeder to follow. Kasen tries to join him, but is pushed away and told with a glare to stay there. 9. Talon pursues Teroc to the shuttle and catches him. 10. Talon engages Teroc again in front of the ship and eventually subdues him. He drags him on board the ship. 11. Talon lifts the ship off, intending to head back to Kasen. But the ship is on full autopilot and flies for orbit instead. 12. Talon rushes back to Teroc, at first screaming at him to give him the command codes to the shuttle, then beating him. Teroc never says a word until it's too late. 13. Teroc tells Talon his training is complete. The Death Star Fires. Kasen's eyes light up with the green laser energy of the Death Star striking the planet as a blazing fire wall comes rushing toward her. 14. Talon flies into hyperspace in defeat. 15. End flashback. Back on Yavin the two apprentices get Talon, though still in pain, to move beyond exile, embrace the light side, and go back to the Jedi Academy with them. "Life changes for better or for worse. Accept it because you have to and remember Kasen by living it."