A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

STAR WARS

DARK SKIES

It is a dark time for the Skywalker family. Amidala, now a Jedi Knight, flees from the Empire with her children, Luke and Leia. Having already seen Emperor Palpatine turn Anakin Skywalker to the dark side, Amidala must find a safe haven for her family. But before she can reach the sanctuary of Alderaan, the Sith locate and intercept their ship above the forest planet on Benga...

The camera pans down through a starfield to reveal a green planet below.

Suddenly a small ship flies overheard with laserblasts skimming the surface of the hull.
Following in contrast behind is a massive starship. The Imperial Super star destroyer dwarfs the tiny vessel. The small craft races towards us, as laser blasts begin to break through the tiny crafts shield. One causes a small explosion towards the engine section of the ship. Inside the tiny ship the three occupants, all strapped into their seats, lurch forward as the ship shudders.

AMIDALA: I thought we'd be inconspicious in this crate, (looks around at ceiling) I may as well have stuck a homing beacon on board

LEIA: Mummy, I'm scared. Make it stop. (she says, looking around at the ceiling etc.)

AMIDALA: Don't worry Leia, we'll be okay. Just wait while I calculate the jump to light.....
.(A huge explosion rocks the ship followed by the noise of engnes dying)

LUKE: That is NOT good...

AMIDALA: Okay, we're sitting wamps here, Get into an escape pod, we're leaving.

Not questioning there mothers orders, the children do as asked, walking quickly towards the escape hatch. Amidala opens a compartment in the wall of the ship and gathers a few items into a rucksack, pushes some buttons on the forward console, then joins her children inside the escape pod.

LUKE: Are we going to be okay?

AMIDALA: (pushing buttons on the ceiling) I hope so, hurry and strap yourselves in, it's going to be rough.

EXTERIOR OF SHIP The tiny pod rockets towards camera, away from the stricken starship. As the escape pod races to freedom a further volley of lasers hits the dying ship and causing it to explode in a fireball.

Interior of Pod

LUKE: Wow Mum, look at that, that could have been us!

AMIDALA: That WOULD have been us if we hadn't got out

The ship spirals towards the planets surface and relative safety. We cut back to the Super Star Destroyer, and then the interior of the 2 bridge. Here Anakin SkyWalker kneels before a hologram of his master Emperor Palpatine.

EMPEROR: I feel a sense of urgency in you my young apprentice.

ANAKIN: We have located and destroyed the SkyWalker ship master, but they managed to jettison all their escape pods before we hit them.

The emperor nods.

EMPEROR: I felt no disturbance in the force, She must still be alive.

ANAKIN: Yes my lord, I have sent a fleet of ships to track all of the pods. One made it to the planet below, it is a remote unpopulated planet. Benga.

EMPEROR: Yes, With that much vegitation tracking a life form will be difficult. Send a detachment of probe droids to the surface, they can begin triangulating the area for the SkyWalkers.

ANAKIN: What shall I do if we find them...destroy them?

EMPEROR: No, bring them before me, Imagine the possibilities of Amidala and her son also turning to the dark side, This could mean the beginning of a new empire in the galaxy.

ANAKIN: Yes, then we will crush the Jedi once and for all. Finally the Sith will rule. I will await your presence on board, Master.

CUT to a close-up of the planet Benga, here we see the stricken escape pod, which has cut the earth like a great scythe. Amidala, Luke and Leia exit the escape pod and Amidala looks around. The escape pod is in bad shape. She goes back inside, takes out the rucksack she packed, then turns and looks at Luke and Leia.

AMIDALA: Okay, the pod's dead, we'd better move fast before it explodes.

LUKE: Ow mum, can't we watch it?

AMIDALA: From a safe distance Luke, now come on, lets go.

Amidala takes Leia by the hand and begins running away from the stricken pod, smoke and steam are now billowing from inside. Just as they clear away from it, the pod explodes in a spectacular fireball.

LUKE: Wow. Today is a GOOD day for explosions.

AMIDALA: But we're on the recieving end of them, now we're stuck on this planet

Amidala looks around for a minute, then reaches inside her rucksack, and pulls out a small bronze communicator. She rests it on a log and watches as the antennae flip up and a hologram of Obi-Wan Kenobi appears.

OBI-WAN: Where are you, You're late arriving at Alderaan.

AMIDALA: Cancel the reception Obi Wan. We've crash-landed on Benga.

OBI-WAN: Benga, that's two days away. Are there any settlements there?

AMIDALA: I couldn't see any, but I was a little rushed so I don't know. I feel nothing immediate.

OBI-WAN: Are the children safe?

AMIDALA: For the time being, I need your help Obi-Wan. I sense we won't be alone for long.

OBI-WAN: I'm on my way Amidala.

With that Amidala flicks off the communicator and stands up. She looks at Luke and Leia

AMIDALA: Okay (looking at Luke and Leia) let's try and find a safe place to camp, We're going to be here for some time.

She gathers up their supplies and they begin walking through the woods. As they walk the children inevitable begin asking questions.

LUKE: Mummy, why was someone attacking our ship?

AMIDALA: Well, there are people in this galaxy that want to capture us Luke.

LUKE: People like Daddy?

AMIDALA: Yes, I think it was your father behind the attack.

LEIA: Are we safe now Mummy?

AMIDALA: For the time being, at least no-one knows where abouts on this planet we are.

Cut to the Super Star Destroyer. A Shuttle and group of Tie Raptors fly towards the Destroyer. This is the Emperors royal flight. We cut to the emperor entering a room with Anakin. They are alone in a room, save for a probe droid hovering around in the background.

EMPEROR: Have we any news of the Probe Droids search for the SkyWalkers?

ANAKIN: No Master, the planets composition is proving difficult for the probes...

EMPEROR: Then we will have to use the force to guide us. Go down to the planet and find them yourself.

ANAKIN: Yes, Amidala will not come back without a fight Master. She has great love for her son, she will protect him.

EMPEROR: GOOD, We will use that emotion to help turn her to the Dark Side. Turn her son, and she will follow...

ANAKIN: Yes. Once I have found them shall I bring them before you?

EMPEROR: Yes, only together can we hope to turn the SkyWalker family to the dark side. She has grown too strong.

ANAKIN: I will face her alone. She may yet see my point of view.

EMPEROR: ItÕs been a long time since she was at your side, She may well be past listening.

ANAKIN: Then she will have to listen to you my master.

EMPEROR: Good. Leave for the surface immediately, we must strike quickly...

Cut to the exterior belly of the Super Star Destroyer. A Tie interceptor screaches out of the hangar and heads for the planet Benga. Meanwhile on the surface... Amidala looks around...

LUKE: What is it Mummy.

AMIDALA: I feel something, We may be found sooner than we'd like. It'll be dark soon, we must find a place to set up camp.

CUT to a probe droid floating around, trying to find them, it hovers from one place to the next, drifting ever onwards trying to find them. Three shots of three separate probes follow, gradually each shot is darker that the last. CUT to Amidala, Luke and Leia all huddled around a camp fire Amidala has just made with her lightsabre. She chopped the wood cleanly with her sabre, then left the sabre in the kindling to begin the fire. Now they are snuggled together gazing peacefully into the flames. It has a slightly hypnotic effect on them, and Luke begins to think about the events of the last few days.

LUKE: Mummy, why don't we see Dad anymore?

AMIDALA: He's changed Luke. He's not the person we knew before.

LEIA: Why?

AMIDALA: Well, your father began to change even before you were both born.

LUKE: What did he do?

AMIDALA: He began to get angry, He began hurting people. That's why we moved away.

LUKE: Is that why Leia was taken away?

AMIDALA: Yes. Obi Wan thought it best not to left your father know of Leia, in case he tried to turn all of us.

LUKE: Turn us to what?

AMIDALA: Your father follows the dark side of the force.

LEIA: What is the force?

AMIDALA: The force is magic, it can be used for both good and bad.

LUKE: Is that how you can move stuff without touching it?

AMIDALA: Yes, that's the force. If you train properly, it can be used to help many. But the force can also be used for evil too. It gives you a sense of power, and for Anakin that pull was too strong.

She looks away into the distance as she says this, thinking in terms of personal grief rather than explaining to her children.

LEIA: So is Daddy after us?

AMIDALA: Probably. If the time comes, you must promise to do as I say, and hide when I say. That way I can protect you both.

As she says this we cut to a distant shot of the camp, as a probe droid silently locates them, checks it's location and turns away, heading back to base with it's new found news.... Amidala hears/senses something and stands up, looking around

LUKE: What is it? Is it Daddy?

AMIDALA: No, but we'd better put the fire out and find a place to sleep...

We cut back to the Super Star Destroyer where the Emperor and Anakin await news from the Probe Droids. A Commander walks in are reports his findings.

COMMANDER: My Lord, our probes have been searching all night. They're triangulating their positions know, it won't be long before they're found.

The Emperor nods and we fade to black. We fade back in on Amidala awakening from sleep with a start. She nudges Luke and Leia awake and puts her finger up to her mouth visually telling them both to be quiet.

LUKE: (Whispering) What is it mummy?

AMIDALA: (Whispering) They've found us, Take you sister and hid over there until I tell you it's safe.

They get up and quietly do what they're told. Amidala is left alone, behind a fallen tree, she turns around scanning the area. She catches glimpses of probes darting in and out of the bushes, as though stalking their prey. They relay their position back to the Star Destroyer. Amidala, sensing an immediate threat ignites her lightsabre. As she does so, two probe droids appear from behind a tree and begin firing laser blasts at her. As a trained Jedi these probes and no match for Amidala's skills. She quickly destroys the probes and them finds Luke and Leia hiding behind the tree as she asks.

AMIDALA: Well done, they didn't see you. But it won't be long before we can expect company, we'll move on.

Anakins ship is in the background as he walks out, followed by two more probes, this time they are set to rapidly find Amidala who is in the near vicinity. Cut to Amidala once more with the holographic projector on.

AMIDALA: We're running out of time Obi-Wan, they're close.

OBI-WAN: I'm almost with you Amidala, just hold on for a little longer.

AMIDALA: We'll try, Obi-Wan, just hurry.

Amidala switches off the comlink and turns to her children.

AMIDALA: I feel your fathers presence, we have to hide again, come with me.

They nod and once more do as they are told. This time Amidala finds a safe warren for them to hide. She comes back outside in the clearing and looks around. There isn't much she can do but sit and wait, hoping they will remain undiscovered. Amidala can sense a disturbance in the force, but Anakin is cloaking himself so Amidala cannot see him. Some of her jedi powers are being used to shield Luke and Leia's presence. She looks around knowing he is close. Turning she sees Anakin stood behind her, head down, waiting...

ANAKIN: Don't look around Amidala, you can't run from me this time.

AMIDALA: I've tired of running from you.

They circle one another as they talk, sizing each other up along the way, ready at a moments notice to fight.

ANAKIN: You have grown strong in the ways of the force Amidala, I told you you had it in you, let me complete your training.

Amidala shakes her head.

AMIDALA: Yoda taught me all I need, You can teach me nothing.

ANAKIN: I can show you the power of the dark side Amidala, it's incredible. Imagine what we could all do together. You, Luke and I, we would be more powerful that the emperor himself.

AMIDALA: I'm not interested in your power Anakin. You have nothing I want.

ANAKIN: But you have something the Emperor wants, and I must obey.

AMIDALA: You're not the man I fell in love with Anakin.

ANAKIN: No I'm better, I'm stronger.

AMIDALA: How can you say you're strong. you do exactly what the Emperor tells you.

ANAKIN: And so will you Amidala.

AMIDALA: Over my dead body...

ANAKIN: Very well.

Anakin ignites his lightsabre at this point, just a single blade, Amidala follows suit. We cut briefly to Luke and Leia's point of view as 6 they look on, still hiding as their mother asked. We cut back to the rapidly emerging duel

ANAKIN: Are you sure you want this, you can't win.

AMIDALA: Don't worry, I'm strong, I wish I could say the same for you...

At this Anakin strikes a blow at Amidala, which she parries.

AMIDALA: I see your temper hasn't improved with age.

ANAKIN: Nor has your ability to reason. Prepare to receive a lesson in the true nature of the force.

They duel some more, matching each other blow for blow. Amidala is certainly holding her ground, if not taking the ascendancy.

ANAKIN: Yoda has taught you much, but the Emperor has taught me more.

As Anakin says this he extends his lightsabre to a double ender, and spins it around showboating

AMIDALA: You belong in front of a parade Anakin, not in front of me.

At this latest insult they battle some more, this time the fight is more sustained, and the chat over, after much duelling Amidala knocks Anakin lightsabre away.

AMIDALA: You've failed again Anakin, you're half the man I thought you where.

Feeling really minty now, Anakin force pushes Amidala backward, she stumbles, and he uses the force to pick up his lightsabre, ignites it again, and once more they're into the scrap.

ANAKIN: You are indeed strong, together we could topple the Emperor. Imagine the power we'd enjoy.

AMIDALA: Do you think I want to lose my entire family to the dark side?

ANAKIN: You're lost already Amidala, I can show you the way.

They fight some more. Gradually they are moving towards where Luke and Leia are. Luke, not able to help himself is looking at the fight with open mouth, he is no longer hiding. Anakin looks past Amidala and sees Luke. '
ANAKIN: If I can't turn you, them I'm sure Luke will be easier prey.

AMIDALA: Never.

Anakin has succeeded in pushing Amidala's angry button, A more prolonged aggressive duel occurs. Luke looks on and pulls a gun from the rucksack. LUKE: Leave mummy alone! He fire at Anakin, hitting his hand. It is the advantage Amidala needs, she lurches, slashes Anakin all over the place, cutting him to ribbons. She slices off his hand into the bargain. Anakin is beaten and near death. On the floor in a crumpled heap Amidala steps on Anakins chest, and places her 'sabre blade under his chin.

AMIDALA: You leave my family alone.

She is breathing heavily as she speaks, she turns and walks away from the crumpled body of Anakin. At a safe distance from Anakin, she opens up her communicator and a hologram of Obi-Wan appears.

AMIDALA: Where are you Obi-Wan! (slightly unhappy and anxious at this point)

OBI-WAN: I'm sending landing co-ordinates, gather everything I'll meet you there. May the force be with you.

AMIDALA: It has been Obi Wan, (puffing) it has been.

She rounds up Luke and Leia and they leave.

Cut back to... Bloodied remains of Anakin, he is in a terrible, near death state. He closes his eyes and speaks softly.

ANAKIN: Master, I need help.

We cut to the Emperor onboard the Super Star Destroyer.

EMPEROR: Commander, send a medical detachment down to the planets surface to retrieve Lord Skywalker. The probes know his location.

We cut back to Benga where Obi-Wan's ship lands in front of Amidala, Luke and Leia. The walkway opens and ObiWan walks down the gangplank smiling.

OBI-WAN: Thank goodness you're safe.

AMIDALA: We nearly weren't. Let's head for Alderaan. Come on

(she ushers the children into the ship)

Cut to the Super Star Destroyer. A medical droid attends to the body of Anakin, piecing him together like a huge jigsaw. Robotics replace flesh, Iron lungs replace tissue, but Anakin is still alive. The Emperor walks in.

EMPEROR: Will he live?

The Medical droid turns and nods obediently.

DROID: Yes he will Sir, He has a great deal of robotic implants. But he will survive.

EMPEROR: See to it that he does.

DROID: Yes Sir.

The Emperor watches as the medical table raises, causing Anakin to sit upright. A robotic arm holding a black steel mask above him gently lowers itself onto Anakin's head. The vacuum seal sucks air from the helmet before snapping shut.

Then we hear the all too familiar breathing of Darth Vader. The Emperor looks on, and breaks into a small, satisfying smile.

EMPEROR: Good. Don't worry my young apprentice. We will bring suffering for this. To a great many people...

With this he turns and exits the medical centre. Anakin/Darth sits up, brushes the medical droid aside, and walks to the window. A sea of stars greets him, with the planet Benga in the background. He looks to the stars, as though directing his words to an elusive planet.

ANAKIN: I will hunt you down, and when I have destroyed you, I will hunt your son. He will be turned Amidala, he will be turned.....

We hear his heavy breathing continue, even over the END TITLES