Preview of Episode Two

 

KENOBI EPISODE TWO

Created by: Alex Enslow

EXT. SPACE – ABDORELLIAN BELT – KEVESHJIM

An expanse of unending stars twinkle before they are abruptly disrupted as the STAR BANDIT rips out of hyperspace. Our view follows the ship and we see its trajectory: a ring of dust and pebbles slowing growing to the size of large asteroids, ending somewhere in the far distance, a shattered moon barely visible behind the planet the ring encompasses. The planet KEVESHJIM swirls with shades of turquoise, cobalt and two distinct lines of white ringing the planet, looking more like swirling sand than dense gas.   

 

INT. STAR BANDIT – BEN’S QUARTERS

Tucked within one of the sleeping alcoves of the cramped quarters, BEN Kenobi rests as the STAR BANDIT nears its destination. The Jedi’s lightsaber, clutched in his right hand, rests on his chest as he sleeps on. Focusing on his face, Ben’s dreams are made visible to us.

 

EXT. DREAM – ILUM – DAY

An icy landscape of colossal icebergs, their jagged protrusions creating small mountains. An ice wall, extending to the sky, stands out distinctly with a stone carved archway leading into a buried building, long ago shrouded in ice and continuously layered upon by the cold storms of the desolate world. A group of six or seven individuals can be faintly seen making their way to the archway, mere specks of black starkly contrasting the predominant white and blue.

 

INT. ILUM – JEDI TEMPLE – DAY

The vaulted ice ceilings of a Jedi Temple lost to the elements shimmer with faint sunlight. A crystal mechanism, with on large central crystal encased in metal and a smaller focusing crystal suspended on a metallic arm, turns laboriously until the focusing crystal catches the brightest sunbeam. The whole system is built like a lightsaber, the focusing crystal directing the dim sunlight through the central piece and redirecting it as a powerful beam of heat at the frozen entryway of the sacred Ilum caves.

A steady dripping begins at the top of the doorway, water trickling down the ice façade.

INT. STAR BANDIT – BEN’S QUARTERS

A pattering outside of the STAR BANDIT syncs perfectly with the melting ice of Ben’s dream. The pattering increases in tempo with a few accompanying pings of larger unseen objects striking the ship.

INT. ILUM – JEDI TEMPLE – DAY

A crowd of JEDI PADAWANS, wrapped in warm coats with hoods cloaking their human and alien features, gaze up at the melting ice wall as small chucks begin to loose themselves from the solid mass. A single human male PADAWAN makes his way through the small group until he stands before all his fellow students, clearly enthralled with the ancient workings of the temple itself.

Two larger chunks of ice crash down not far from the PADAWAN.

INT. STAR BANDIT - BEN’S QUARTERS

BEN twitches slightly in his sleep as the pattering outside is interrupted by two loud thuds, mixing with the sounds of falling ice as we descend back into the dream.

INT. ILUM – JEDI TEMPLE – DAY

With increasing frequency, ice chunks crash down from the wall, splashing in the constant river of water coming down the stairs of the hidden cavern. The other PADAWANS step back as the falling ice bounces of the floor of the cavern and splash into the water already beginning to frost over. The lone PADAWAN in front remains standing before the imposing archway, watching as the way beyond the ice materializes.

The hooded face of the PADAWAN, the student’s braid visible below his right ear, looks up in awe at the hidden passage way newly revealed as ice crashes ever louder before him.

INT. STAR BANDIT – BEN’S QUARTERS

Loud bangs and thuds rattle some loose cargo crates and send pieces of forgotten star freighter components rolling across the floor as BEN sleeps on.

INT. ILUM – JEDI TEMPLE – DAY 

The lone PADAWAN smiles in wonder as he removes his hood. Jedi initiate OBI-WAN KENOBI’s eyes glimmer with wonder, shining with the glow of refracting sunlight.

INT. STAR BANDIT – BEN’S QUARTERS

Louder bangs shake the Jedi’s alcove and jostles his sleeping body.

INT. ILUM – JEDI TEMPLE – DAY

The ice wall cracks suddenly and collapses, time slowing as young OBI-WAN raises has hands in alarm. He turns to run, taking one look back.

FLASH!

EXT. MUSTAFAR – DREAM – DAY

Showers of ember and burning volcanic bombs barrage the suspended heat shield, now deactivated, as ANAKIN and OBI-WAN run for cover, lava cutting off their only path back to solid ground.

The banging of volcanic debris grows loader and LOADER! The former friends cower at the violent power of the planet. Cables give out and the bridges body bows. The dueling force users rush forward to get some form of handhold as the shield collapses. Severed from its base, the shield, with the two adversaries, plunges over the Mustafarian cliff.  

Down, down, DOWN, DOWN!

BANG!

INT. STAR BANDIT – BEN’S QUARTERS

BEN wakes as he is thrust out of his bed by a large object slamming into the wall of the ship. In a split second, the Jedi reacts, pushing with the Force inches away from the ground allowing for him to tumble roughly, but more gently than falling, into the wall below the bottom sleeping space.

BEN groans as he stands. Objects continue to ricochet of the outside of the ship but no other large objects strike the hull as BEN looks around the cabin, trying to remember exactly what brought him to this awful cramped room.

Remembering, BEN jabs the door’s controls and exits.

 

INT. STAR BANDIT – COCKPIT

KEJ grips the controls as the ship navigates through a constant barrage of fist-sized rocks, swerving to avoid a much larger asteroid. R-8BY chirps agitatedly, one extended arm plugged into a computer interface and another spraying foam on a smoking open panel beneath the dashboard.

                     Kej (defensively)

           How is this MY fault? You were supposed to be manning               the laser cannon!

The droid beeps indignantly while simultaneously working the ships controls to fire a precise laser bolt knocking a truck sized boulder out of the ship’s path.

                     Kej (shaking his head)

           Your circuits are fried.

A raspberry from the droid as BEN takes the seat next to KEJ.

                     Ben

           If I can’t rest perhaps I can be of some help.

KEJ glances at BEN quickly.

                     Kej (smiling)

           No that’s alright. Roby may look like a waste bin but               he’s actually a pretty good gunner.

R-8BY sprays some foam on Kej’s leg in protest.

                     Kej

           HEY! I meant it as a compliment!

 

EXT. SPACE – ABOVE KEVESHJIM

Rocks pinging off its metal body, the STAR BANDIT narrowly evades a number of floating boulders. The shattered moon looms in the distance, the system’s sun visible faintly through the colossal pieces of the planetary satellite.

 

INT. STAR BANDIT – COCKPIT

Shouting over the rain of rocks barraging the freighter:

                     Ben

           Can’t we fly OUTSIDE of the planetary ring?

                     Kej

           Not until we are past the sensor towers over there.

KEJ gestures towards a metallic structure atop an asteroid the size of a large building. A faint red light on the tower blinks.

                     Kej (CONT’D)

           For all that sensor can tell, we’re just a large                   rock. We have to get just below it to not be picked up               before we enter the atmosphere.

 

EXT. SPACE – ABOVE KEVESHJIM

Dipping below the sensor-topped asteroid, the STAR BANDIT rockets down towards the planet.

 

EXT. KEVESHJIM – ATMOSPHERE

Small eyeless bat-like creatures weave in and out of blue gas clouds hovering high above any visible terrain. The STAR BANDIT narrowly misses a group of the winged creatures as it burst through the clouds.

The music takes on a more adventurous nature as the ship speeds up, barely skimming the cloud layer above it.

 

INT. STAR BANDIT – COCKPIT

KEJ grips the controls with a worried expression on his face. R-8BY, detaching from the computer interface, hurries to lock himself into the astromech turbulence rig located near the door. BEN cranes his neck to see the clouds just above the ship.

                     Kej (noticing BEN)

           We have to fly the ship just below the clouds until we               get almost directly under the moon.

EXT. KEVESHJIM – ATMOSPHERE

The STAR BANDIT passes over a REFINERY far below on the obsidian-like surface of the planet. Large towers brace enormous drills digging deep into the planets mineral rich core, pillars of black smoke marking their many locations spanning far in the distance.

INT. STAR BANDIT – COCKPIT

R-8BY chirps and KEJ nods.

                     Kej

           Just a little bit farther.

EXT. KEVESHJIM – ATMOSPHERE

The ship soars past, the clouds rippling slightly. After the ship passes, we briefly see a large appendage breach the bottom of the clouds. A tentacle of some sort, metallic blue but altering in color as it moves back into the clouds. It’s gone too quick to tell what it was.

INT. STAR BANDIT – COCKPIT

R-8BY whistles insistently and KEJ immediately pulls the ship into a steep climb.

                     Kej

           Hold on!

The ship’s cockpit darkens as the freighter climbs through the thick blue gas. A front light illuminates, glinting off particles of mineral suspended in the clouds.

EXT. KEVESHJIM – GAS LAYER

The ship cuts through the clouds with ease. The two turbo engines burn bright blue, distinct in the dark gaseous mass.

INT. STAR BANDIT – COCKPIT

R-8BY erupts into a fit of startled beeps and alarms.

                     Kej

           What is it?!

R-8BY more beeps and chirps. A monitor next to the droid shows a sonar-like layout of the ships trajectory, twisted lines appearing just ahead of the STAR BANDIT.

                     Kej (CONT’D)  

           It’s probably just mineral interference! Nothing we                   have to…

KEJ trails off as a dark shadow the shape of a thick cable narrowly misses the ship, disappearing into the darkness of the gas atmosphere.

BEN sits back in his chair, a startled expression on his face.

                     Ben

           Kej… does anything (pause) big live in this atmosphere?

KEJ swallows, not looking at BEN.

                     Kej

           Let’s hope we don’t find out.

The smuggler adjusts in his chair and flips a few switches on the dashboard. Another light illuminates the surrounding gas and KEJ increases the throttle, propelling the ship faster through the dense clouds.

BEN, more alert now, leans forward in his chair, reaching out in the Force. His brow crinkles as he probes the darkness for threats unseen. His eyes widen suddenly, the Force warning him of danger.

                     Ben (to KEJ)

           On your left!

KEJ turns quickly. Another thick shadow, growing out of the blue clouds, can just be seen approaching the left side of the ship. KEJ instinctively pulls the ship to the right, still ascending out of the planet’s atmosphere.

EXT. KEVESHJIM – GAS LAYER

A large tentacle, alternating in color to match the changing hues of blue around it, barely misses the STAR BANDIT. Fleshy flaps open along the arm as the appendage curls back towards the unseen body of the beast. The flaps act as gills collecting floating nutrient particulates from the gaseous environment the beast lives in.

The STAR BANDIT rolls to avoid the massive appendage, barely making it. The engines whine with effort as the ship speeds away.

INT. STAR BANDIT – COCKPIT

R-8BY squeals as the ship comes out of the roll. Several bangs resound from the rear cargo hold as loose crates tumble. Exhaling from the sudden turbulence, BEN sits back in his chair.

                     Kej (wiping sweat off his face and laughing)

           That was too close.

R-8BY raspberries at the remark, decupling from the wall harness and moving down the hallway to a maintenance panel, a red light blinking on the wall next to it. Kej blows off the remark turning back to the controls.

BEN gets up and begins heading down the ship’s hall as KEJ turns.

                     Kej

           Too rough for you?

BEN looks back over his shoulder.

                     Ben (with a small smile)

           No, no. I’ve had my share of rough flights.

Gesturing to the rear cargo hold.

                     Ben (CONT’D)

           I think some of the crates could use strapping down.

KEJ smiles at this.

                     Kej

           Got to make sure that wine doesn’t break before we                   land, eh? Good idea.

KEJ swivels back to the controls, flipping switches while whistling a tune of some kind and BEN continues down the hall, sidling around the busy droid.

INT. STAR BANDIT – CARGO

The Cargo Hold is in disarray. Crates turned over, the contents spilled all over the already cluttered floor. BEN moves over to a stack near the rear of the ship, checking to see that the wine inside hasn’t broken.

INT. STAR BANDIT – COCKPIT

KEJ flips a few more switches before kicking back in his chair. Looking back down the hall to ensure that Ben can’t see the cockpit, KEJ pulls out a mini-holo display. A blue tinted display of Keveshjim appears with an orange path outlining the stolen smuggler’s route Kej has been using.

INT. STAR BANDIT – CARGO

BEN turns the handle on a CARGO CLAMP, securing several crates to the floor of the ship. The Jedi picks up a few loose items and tosses them into a crate nearby. A wood staff catches his eye, wedged behind a storage drum. BEN notices the chest of personal affects that the staff obviously fell from hanging off the shelf above the drum, the straps barely keeping it up. He pushes the chest back onto the shelf and tightens the strap before picking up the staff. The wood is carved, shaped like something. Something familiar. A lightsaber! A crude, short lightsaber, carved from wood!

INT. STAR BANDIT – COCKPIT

KEJ studies the holo, tracing the path with his finger. He glances up to make sure the ship is still flying straight and immediate jerks back in his seat. Another limb emerges from the gas!

INT. STAR BANDIT – CARGO

BEN senses the danger too late! His call to KEJ is cut off.

BAM! The ship shakes and rocks from the impact.

        

          

                      

 

               

 

 

  

  

    

 

Preview of Kenobi Episode Two

 Here's a little snippet from the beginning of Episode Two in the Kenobi concept series. 

I am currently planning on sending my first episode script to Lucasfilm through their fan mail service. Fingers crossed that someone (Dave Filoni) reads it! 

KENOBI EPISODE TWO

Created by: Alex Enslow

EXT. SPACE – ABDORELLIAN BELT – KEVESHJIM

An expanse of unending stars twinkle before they are abruptly disrupted as the STAR BANDIT rips out of hyperspace. Our view follows the ship and we see its trajectory: a ring of dust and pebbles slowing growing to the size of large asteroids, ending somewhere in the far distance, a shattered moon barely visible behind the planet the ring encompasses. The planet KEVESHJIM swirls with shades of turquoise, cobalt and two distinct lines of white ringing the planet, looking more like swirling sand than dense gas.   

 

INT. STAR BANDIT – BEN’S QUARTERS

Tucked within one of the sleeping alcoves of the cramped quarters, BEN Kenobi rests as the STAR BANDIT nears its destination. The Jedi’s lightsaber, clutched in his right hand, rests on his chest as he sleeps on. Focusing on his face, Ben’s dreams are made visible to us.

 

EXT. DREAM – ILUM – DAY

An icy landscape of colossal icebergs, their jagged protrusions creating small mountains. An ice, extending to the sky, stands out distinctly with a stone carved archway leading to an unseen building, long ago shrouded in ice and continuously layered upon by the cold storms of the desolate world. A group of six or seven individuals can be faintly seen making their way to the archway, specks of black starkly contrasting the predominant white and blue.

 

INT. ILUM – JEDI TEMPLE – DAY

Potential look of Keveshjim. 

MORE TO COME SOON! 
 

Concept Art and Character Building

When writing Episode One, I attempted to build with species and ideas already present within the Star Wars universe while introducing some new worlds and characters that could easily exist within Lucas' galaxy. 

The Wroonian humanoid species was introduced in Legends as a blue-skinned people with distinct yellow irises. Canon would later describe them as colonizers of  Saleucami. 

I picked this particular lesser-known species because they were well known in Legends to be smugglers and risk takers. A perfect pick for one of the spice dealers on Nejeev. 

Nejeev was mostly inspired by my desire to see more of the interesting planets in the inner rim worlds of the Republic. Star Wars The Clone Wars did a great job at introducing many of these worlds and new species. I have always wanted to see more gem stone or crystal planets. 

Nejeev City Alley

I never realized how little we saw or knew about Ben Kenobi's Tatooine home until I started writing about it. I tried to build off of what was featured in the house during A New Hope. The cooking apparatus was particularly fun to imagine, featured behind the wall in the center of the set photo of the house. 

The question of what Qui Gon would talk to Ben about was always on my mind. The Disney Plus series really breezed over this with a quick cameo of the Jedi Master. I thought that a dive into some interesting Kyber lore and, as always, an explanation of the Living Force was appropriate. 

Ben's pistol concept. 

Moisture Vaporator next to Ben's home 

Kej is actually based off the character of Haja from the Disney Plus series. I specifically kept Kumail Nanjiani in mind when writing this character and played out the lines of this character in my head using Nanjiani's voice. His cocky and humorous attitude was really a great addition to the Star Wars canon. I felt like he would have been better suited with a more aloof role than the one he took on in the actual series. 

His relationship with R-8BY was something I put particular effort into. As the series progresses, it will be obvious that the two bickering characters actually trust one another with their lives but poke at each other constantly. 

R-8BY concept, built by someone at the droid depot in Galaxy's Edge 

Star Bandit Concept 

I claim no copyrights or ownership of the images or ideas presented on this concept page. 

Kenobi Episode One

EPISODE ONE – KENOBI SERIES CONCEPT

Created by: Alex Enslow

RECAP SCENE COMPILATION

Excerpts from Revenge of the Sith flash on the screen, lasting seconds:

Padme talking with Anakin:

                     Padme

           Ani, I’m pregnant.

Scenes flash of Anakin and Obi-Wan fighting side by side, pauses on final conversation they had before Kenobi left to fight Grievous on Utapau.

                     Anakin

           I have just been so frustrated with the council.

 

Flash to different point in the conversation.

                     Obi-Wan

…You have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be.

The two exchange smiles from that conversation. Flashes of Anakin’s visions of Padme’s death during childbirth.

                     Palpatine (VO)

           …he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying.

Flash forward.

                     Anakin

           Is it possible to learn this power?

Flashes of scenes when Anakin killed Jedi, Separatist leadership and finally settling on Anakin turning to look at the camera with Sith eyes.

                     Palpatine (VO)

           Not from a Jedi.

Faster flashes of scenes. Anakin and Obi-Wan battling on Mustafar, lightsabers clashing, close ups on both Anakin and Obi-Wan’s faces.

                     Obi-Wan (VO)

           You were the Chosen One!

Anakin is chopped out of the air by Obi-Wan.

                     Obi-Wan (VO CONT’D)

           It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them!

                     Anakin (VO echoing)

           I hate you!

Fast flashes of Obi-Wan holding Luke, Padme dying, Obi-Wan handing Luke to Aunt Beru.

                     Obi-Wan (VO)

           I will take the child and watch over him.

                     Yoda (VO)

           In your solitude on Tatooine, training I have for you… Your

           old master.

The screen turns abruptly to black with Obi-Wan’s voice echoing softly…

                     Obi-Wan (VO like a whisper)

           Qui-Gon?

 

EXT. SPACE - ABOVE THE PLANET NEJEEV

A deep expanse of stars interrupted with a bright blue and a deep maroon moon.

Panning down, a planet of jade green appears, snow-capped and dotted with lights visible only in the shadowed portion of the planet. Several ships can be seen as tiny specks, approaching and leaving the biggest cluster of lights. The central city of the planet Nejeev.

 

INT. NEJEEV CITY – CITY CENTER – NIGHT

The city, raised buildings carved into jagged mountains of jade stone, steam emitting from unseen volcanic vents under the city. Crowds of varying species peruse shops, banter, and trade their less than legal wares.

 

INT. NEJEEV CITY – ALLEYWAY – NIGHT

An icy-blue skinned Wroonian male pushes through the crowd, frantically attempting to flee a cloaked pursuer. The Wroonian looks back and the pursuer is gaining. The pursuer has a familiar look, the look of a Jedi.

The Jedi’s robes flap in the air as they leap over boxes and roll under tables. The Wroonian ducks into a circular, open roof building and the Jedi follows, losing sight of the fleeing deviant just as the Jedi reaches the door.

 

INT. NEJEEV CITY – BUILDING – NIGHT

Entering, the Jedi stops in the middle of the room, spinning around, sensing unseen danger.

Several armed aliens and humans emerge from the shadows, encompassing the Jedi.

                     Thug #1 (speaking in alien language)

           Looking for someone? Are you lost?

The group snickers and jeers at the trespassing Jedi. The Jedi’s face is completely shadowed but we hear a familiar voice.

                     Young Obi-Wan

Hello there. I seem to have lost the man I was chasing. Did you happen to see where he ran off to?

The Wroonian steps out from behind a taller thug, blaster leveled at KENOBI and sneering.

                     Young Obi-Wan

           I see you’ve all met.

The entire group level their blasters at KENOBI preparing to take down the Jedi intruder.

A sudden figure in similar Jedi robes jumps down from the open roof. A green lightsaber ignites, and Kenobi’s blue lightsaber ignites with it.

                     Young Obi-Wan

           Nice of you to jump in, Master.

The thugs open fire. Blaster bolts are deflected with precision and several thugs retreat with wounds to their arms and legs. The two Jedi flow with practiced movements, the movements of two synced force users.

The assailants are quickly defeated and all retreat except for the Wroonian, holding his injured leg. The two Jedi extinguish their lightsabers.

The Jedi Master removes his hood, and the familiar profile of Qui-Gon Jinn is seen in the shadowed room.

                     Qui-Gon

Well done, Padawan. While the methods could have been cleaner, you managed to apprehend our spice dealer friend.

A much younger OBI-WAN than seen in Episode I removes his hood, his Padawan braid visible on the back of his head.

                     Young Obi-Wan

           Thank you, Master. Your assistance was very well timed.

Obi-Wan kicks a blaster pistol away from the injured Wroonian and checks the doorways for more thugs.

                     Qui-Gon (thoughtfully)

Assistance that may not have been needed with a little more mindfulness on your part.

Obi-Wan’s head droops as he finishes his sweep of the room, thinking he has upset his master.

Qui-Gon turns to his Padawan, placing a hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

                     Qui-Gon

           Your sense of duty serves you well. Capturing this spice

           dealer will be crucial in our goal to end the spice trade

in this and other sectors of the core worlds.

At this Obi-Wan smiles. His Master’s approval is something he strives for and receives often from the wise, kind teacher.  

                     Qui-Gon (CONT’D)

           I simply wish to emphasize the importance of heeding the

           LIVING FORCE.

All around the two Jedi fades and the familiar FORCE THEME is heard.

                     Qui-Gon (CONT’D)

           The LIVING FORCE surrounds us all. It teaches us, guides

           us. *It can alert us to danger.

*Qui-Gon gestures to the room and Obi-Wan appears ashamed of the danger he just walked into.

                     Qui-Gon (CONT’D comforting)

           It will take time and training. But you will learn to feel

           it more readily, as I have learned. It will guide you.  

Obi-Wan smiles and looks up to his Master, figuratively and literally. He trusts him and strives to be like him.  

                     Obi-Wan

           Thank you, Master. How will I know when the LIVING FORCE

           is…

He is cut off as Qui-Gon pushes him out of the way, shouting as he deflects the laser bolt headed for Obi-Wan’s back. The bolt is directed back at the shooter, the injured Wroonian who managed to slip a blaster out of a hidden holster, unbeknownst to the Padawan but sensed by the Master through the LIVING FORCE.

As the blast strikes the spice dealer, we are jolted out of the scene.

 

INT. TATOOINE – BEN KENOBI’S HUT – EARLY DAY

OBI-WAN, now known to all as BEN, sits up abruptly in his bed. He is much older than he was when we last saw him: much longer hair, a thick beard with gray/white coming through and deep wrinkles attesting to his quickened aging on the dry, desert planet.

He breathes heavily, attempting to relax as he checks for his lightsaber hidden in an alcove just above his head carved into the sand-based cement of his desert home.

The home looks much as it does when Luke and his droids visit Ben’s dwelling years from then. Vessels, cargo chests and pelts of unknown creatures decorate the place. A simple home, as a Jedi would have.

As BEN calms, he dresses in a simple over shirt, a light scarf to protect his neck from the sun (as well as cover the cylindrical holster supported with shoulder straps) and locks his lightsaber securely out of sight, just under his neck.

 

EXT. TATOOINE – BEN KENOBI’S HUT – EARLY DAY

BEN emerges from his home and the door closes automatically behind him. We are greeted with a spectacular Tatooine sunrise, the duller sun just barely cresting over far off sand dunes, the sky a peachy hue.

BEN’s home sits atop a familiar volcanic crag, tucked into a sandy outcropping overlooking the Dune Sea. A pile of large, broken rocks lies in a pile near the home. BEN, placing a large pack down, begins packing up stones. He slings the pack onto his back and jogs off towards a narrow trail up the crag. He is not the refined, polished Kenobi we remember. As BEN heads up the trail you see the muscles he’s acquired from a hard life and even harder self-induced training.

The sweat drips from BEN as he approaches the end of the trail: a steep cliff made of the jagged volcanic rock. We see well-worn hand and foot holds on the face of the cliff and BEN begins his climb, still carrying the stones on his back.

Halfway up the cliff face, BEN reaches a break in the hand holds. The closest hold lies far above his head. Without much hesitation, BEN places both hands in one handhold and braces his legs against the rock wall. He leaps, we hold our breath. Just as his hands reach the hold the scene changes.   

As BEN reaches the leveled off top of the cliff, he removes his pack and pushes it away from him, taking a long drink from a canteen attached to the side and breathing heavily.

 

EXT. TATOOINE – CLIFF TOP – DAY

We see BEN, eyes closed in deep concentration, extending his right arm, reaching with the FORCE. As our view widens, we see his concentration is focused on one of the stones he carried up the cliff face. The stone, suspended by the force, rests upon a stack of similar stones.

Ben’s face is focused on as he exhales, having completed his exercise. As he sits down to meditate, we see that this is not a singular stack of rocks. The entire cliff top is dotted with these pillars. The Jedi Master has built them, training for 10 years, honing his focus in the Force.

 

EXT. CLIFF TOP - CAVE 

A handmade steel cylinder trap hangs from a cable within a small cave, an undistinguishable creature, similar to a LOTH CAT, lies still within. BEN appears at the mouth of the cave, opening the trap and retrieving his quarry. He reaches into his belt for a scrap of food stuffs that he places inside the trap, closing it and setting the device for the next wandering creature.

 

INT. BEN KENOBI’S HUT - DAY

A low humming emits from Ben’s ACCELERATED INDUCTION PLATFORM COOKER. Rough sliced game meat hangs of a hovering rack, slowly dehydrating into jerky-like rations. BEN works on something in the background.

 

EXT. BEN KENOBI’S HUT – LATE DAY

The suns sink lower as BEN throws a fresh pelt over a makeshift metal drying rack near the MOISTURE VAPORATOR tower of Ben’s home.

Packing some jerky rations in a saddle bag, BEN climbs atop his EOPIE, the animal giving a friendly snuffle to its rider as the two descend the volcanic crag, following a sandy trail.

 

EXT. TATOOINE – DUNE SEA – LATE DAY 

The EOPIE slowly crosses the sand, casting a long shadow as the suns dip lower towards the horizon.

BEN stops the EOPIE at the crest of a hill and uses binoculars to look at some point unseen.

Through the binoculars, a moisture farm comes into view, so familiar to us. The lights of the Lars family homestead shine dimly, each window a soft orange, with a soft glow emitting from the entrenched living quarters and vehicle hanger.

 

EXT. TATOOINE – LAR’S HOMESTEAD – EARLY EVENING       

As BEN approaches on his EOPIE, no one appears to be outside of the subterranean home. BEN dismounts his animal and unpacks the dried food from the saddlebags.

As BEN approaches the door, we hear the voice of a young boy from the hanger pit. BEN turns to the pit and begins walking to the edge. Whoops and mouthed vehicle noises grow louder as we approach and peer over the ledge to find a young boy, his back turned to us, working on a SX-14 FIELD HOVER-UTE utility vehicle. The sandy blond hair, a white tunic, a belt around his waist. It’s LUKE.

Young LUKE, seen from Ben’s perspective on the ledge, fiddles with the complex network of wires and pipes within the SX-14. While his skills are still developing, LUKE clearly knows the inner works of the vehicle. He works carefully and slowly, chattering to himself.

                     Young Luke (BARELY AUDIBLE)

           …engines are powered on and ready, captain. (inaudible

           chatter)…look out! Shields up! Whoosh!

YOUNG LUKE lifts a SIPHON VALVE into the air, mimicking a starfighter mid-battle with a HYDROSPANNER hanging from the vehicle. The boy’s dreams come to life as he begins playing out the mock battle. Starfighter cannons blaze, engines roar, hulls of ships buckle, all created through the boy’s mimicked sounds and motions.

Focused on BEN, we see memories in his eyes. Another boy from his past with dreams of traversing the stars, a different Skywalker. Ben’s lips turn up in a small smile and his eyes shimmer remembering Luke’s father at a similar age. An extended pause on BEN as he remembers.

A figure stands not far behind BEN. He grunts and BEN turns to see OWEN LARS standing close to the entrance of the family home. He doesn’t look pleased to see the weathered Jedi.

                     Owen

           What are you doing here?         

 Coming out of long-gone memories, BEN holds up the dried meat.

                     Ben

           I thought you might like…

BEN looks back at the pit where LUKE continues to work and play.

                     Ben (CONT’D)

           I thought you could use some meat rations in case you

           and your family ran low on…

                     Owen

We have plenty of food. I’ve told you, we don’t need your help, Ben.

This obviously isn’t the first time Ben has come by.

BEN sighs and places the package of meat down on a barrel near the house.

                     Ben

           I don’t question your ability to be able to provide for

           your family, Owen. I simply wanted to do what I can.

OWEN steps to BEN, clearly frustrated.

                     Owen

           To what, Ben? Help? To protect us? To protect him?

                     Ben (wounded)

           Of course, I want to protect…

                     Owen

           The best way you can protect him (gesturing in Luke’s

           direction) is by staying away.

OWEN sighs, seeing that Ben is hurt by what he is saying.

                     Owen (CONT’D gently)

           I know that you care about him. (Pause)

But you have to stay away. The Empire isn’t looking for him. But they are looking for you. The closer you get to him the more you put him in danger.  

BEN knows that what Owen says is true. It’s hard for him to keep away. He knows the boy will have to be trained someday.

                     Ben 

           He can’t be kept in the dark forever, Owen. He must

           eventually be trained. If he is to become a Jedi, he…

                     Owen (sharply) 

           And why should he want to be a Jedi?! What good would

           that do?! You said it yourself. The Jedi were killed. What

           kind of life would that be for him? Hiding, living alone,

           a wizard in the desert?

A direct jab at Ben.

                     Owen (CONT’D)

He can have a life here. A safe life. This farm could be his someday. He already has his head wrapped up in the stars. He doesn’t need any more dreams or…

           Ben

IS that what Luke wants? (Owen caught off guard by this)

 Does he want to be a farmer?

OWEN knows he doesn’t and looks away from Ben, knowing he can’t honestly say that he does.

                     Ben (hesitantly)

           Does he ask about his father?

OWEN looks up, not answering but it’s clear that the boy has asked before.

                     Ben

           *sigh* I am sorry to have stopped by unannounced.

BEN takes the reigns of his EOPIE and begins walking away into the desert.

                     Ben

           I am never far if you should need me.

OWEN snorts and turns back to the man as he disappears into the night.

From inside the hangar pit.

                     Young Luke

           Uncle Owen!

OWEN turns to the pit but doesn’t approach the edge.

                     Owen

           What is it, Luke?

                     Young Luke

           Who was that? Who were you talking to?

OWEN sighs and looks after Ben who has already disappeared into the desert.

                     Owen

           Just an old man.

 

INT. TATOOINE – BEN KENOBI’S HUT – NIGHT

BEN, blanketed in pelts, tosses in his sleep, plagued by dreams.

                     Anakin (VO)

           If you’re not with me…

Visions of the clash on Mustafar flash: lightsabers clashing, Anakin and Obi-Wan locked in combat over raging lava. Every scene flashes by in a matter of second.

BEN tosses in his bed, sweat beading on his forehead.

                     Anakin (VO)

           …then you’re my enemy.

Scenes of the two former friends clashing in the Mustafar control room, collapsing platforms, locked lightsabers on a shared platform, inches from liquid destruction. Again, the scene ends in second.

BEN breathes heavily and whimpers.

                     Ben

           No…no…

Anakin glares at Obi-Wan as he stands above him on the lava riverbank.

                     Obi-Wan (VO from dream)

           Don’t try it!

Flashes of Anakin dismembered and tumbling towards the lava flow.

BEN winces in his sleep, feeling the pain of that moment all over again.

The dream slows. Anakin groans in pain, unable to distance himself from the heat of the molten river.

Obi-Wan looks down, distraught at the hate and pain his former friend has brought about.

                     Anakin (VO, off screen)

           I hate you!

                     Obi-Wan (VO, off screen)

           You were my brother, Anakin.

Flashes of scenes starting from when Anakin first met Obi-Wan to just before the mission to Utapau, all depicting the trust these two had prior to Anakin’s turn.

The scene becomes one we never saw in the battle on Mustafar. We see Obi-Wan from behind, looking down on his former padawan, feeling his suffering.

                     Obi-Wan (VO)

           I loved you.

A hand appears in the dream, just behind Obi-Wan on the Mustafarian hill. As the hand rests on the Jedi’s shoulder, the dream abruptly ends.

BEN sits up in a cold sweat. He is alone in his home. He rests his head in his hands as he sits up. The moment is silent.

BEN slides off the bed and continues to breathe as he settles into a seated, meditative position. This action seems practiced, he’s had these nightmares before.

As BEN settles on the floor, he exhales, closes his eyes and his face relaxes.

                     Ben

           Master?

The moment swells as the Jedi reaches out in the force to his former Master.

                     Ben

           Master?

A familiar voice breaks the silence of Ben’s desert home. The voice of QUI-GON JINN.

                     Qui-Gon (VO)

           Obi Wan.

The voice doesn’t startle BEN. He was expecting an answer, having communed with his master using this method many times over the last ten years.

                     Ben

           Master, I could sense your presence in the dream. How was             this possible? Is this one of your trainings?

                     Qui-Gon (VO)

No. Dreams may often serve as a conduit of the LIVING FORCE. They may serve as warnings or insights.

BEN nods at this, accepting his master’s wisdom.

                     Ben

           I have had far more frequent nightmares since our last                meeting. They all revolve around Anakin’s death.

                     Qui-Gon (VO)

The LIVING FORCE can reveal our deepest wounds. We are the

vessels through which it can flow. Our own

internal life force affords us some abilities but is

limited by our own frailties in mortality. There is wisdom

in the tradition of using KYBER to build our tools of

defense.

Kyber does not possess energy of its own. It is attuned to

the Force user with which it bonds. It allows energy to

flow through it. There was even a time when the Jedi used

these conduits without the assistance of power cells and

metal casings. This ancient practice was symbolic of our

own need for connection to the LIVING FORCE. The only way

for the Ancients to produce a blade was through a deep

connection with the Kyber and the Force as one. You must

become as Kyber, my friend. Channel the Living Force.

Become the vessel. Only through achieving peace and

balance within can you become one with the Force, a

conduit for its power. The training I have given you 

during your solitude has helped you to expand your ability

to harness the Force. But now it is time for you to begin

your true training in becoming a vessel of the Living

Force.    

 

(Pause) 

           You must go to the Ablorellian belt above Keveshjim.

BEN opens his eyes in surprise. The hut is empty still.

 

                     Ben

           I must what?

                     Qui-Gon (VO)

           You will meet with a cargo inspector named Merax.

                     Ben

           Master, I don’t…

                     Qui-Gon (VO)

           You will tell them that you are seeking to “Commune with              the forest”. They will know its meaning.

BEN is shocked that QUI-GON would ever ask him to leave. He sighs before replying. 

                     Ben

           I can’t leave this place. I must protect…

QUI-GON cuts off Obi Wan’s comment.

                     Qui-Gon (VO)

           Obi-Wan.

BEN is still stammering but quiets, waiting for an explanation from his long gone master.

                     Qui-Gon (VO)

           The boy’s anonymity will protect him in your absence. The             enemy does not know of his existence.

There are others who need your help now. A trial lies ahead that will prepare you to train the boy.    

With that, the voice of QUI-GON fades.

                     Ben

           Master… Master wait!  

No reply. BEN sits alone in the dark, stunned at what he has just been instructed to do. The hut is dark and silent as the scene ends.

 

EXT. TATOOINE - BEN KENOBI’S HUT – EARLY DAY

As the Tatooine suns rise in the distance, BEN packs rations and canteens into the same pack he had packed stones into the day prior. The Jedi wears a simple tunic with mid-forearm sleeves, a wide leather belt and dark trousers. His usual scarf flutters in the wind, concealing his lightsaber, and a holster packing a short barreled TM-49 BLASTER PISTOL hangs under his left arm.

BEN pats the neck of his EOPIE as he unties the harness on its back, releasing the rope keeping the animal close to the hut. The EOPIE snuffles at Ben’s tunic as he puts away the saddle and straps.

                     Ben

           I don’t know when I will be back.

The EOPIE trumpets in a friendly way.

                     Ben (CONT’D)

           I left the backfill tanks of the MOISTURE VAPORATOR open.

BEN leads the EOPIE over to the VAPOR SPIRE of the moisture vaporator. A pipe at the base drips water into a stone bowl. He gestures to the bowl.

                     Ben (CONT’D)

           It’ll be here for you if you need it. Couldn’t blame you            if you left though. I’m sure you will be able to scrounge            up something to eat from the scraps of yesterday’s catch.

The EOPIE bows its head to drink, and BEN fondly pats the animal on the back.

                     Ben (CONT’D)

           Goodbye, old friend.

 

EXT. TATOOINE – DUNE SEA – EARLY DAY

As the wind whips across the dunes, BEN treks towards a distant collection of rock formations. The old Jedi wears the scarf over his mouth and nose, blocking out the flying sand.

A shot shows the larger dull sun rising in the distance, BEN silhouetted in the orange background.

As BEN reaches the rock formations, we see a Jawa SANDCRAWLER far in the distance, striking out on another scavenging expedition.

As BEN clambers the peaks of the rocks, we look up with a clan of TUSKEN RAIDER WOMEN and CHILDREN at the strange figure leaping between jagged gaps. No rifles point in the figure’s direction; the men are away on an early morning hunt.

After traversing a narrow ledge, BEN reaches a flat outcropping. Gazing down into the sand valley, we are greeted with a spectacular view of MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT. Ships fly in and out of the hanger-dotted city. It looks just like it will many years later when Ben and Luke look out at it from a similar cliff side.

 

EXT. TATOOINE – MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT – DAY

Rough characters stroll the narrow streets of the spaceport, forcing BEN to step out of the way as they hurry by. A market stall, with a tattered, sun-bleached covering, sells seeds and dried fruits with a small selection of wild game and fish swinging from hooks. A speeder speeds by, spooking a group of hooded alien pedestrians.

Spice dealers and buyers haggle nosily outside an alleyway as BEN crosses a street of pedestrians and pack animals of varying species and sizes.

 

INT. TATOOINE – MAIN HANGAR - DAY

Vents hum and machinery beeps as BEN passes through a doorway leading to one of the largest hangers. A group of pilots and mechanics drink and laugh next to several large freighter starships.

A DEJARIK TABLE hosts a number of pilots with a HUMAN MALE, dressed in a worn-out jacket with a jump suit tied at the waist, and a reptilian MALE TRANDOSHAN, in the midst of molting, battling holographic beasts. BEN, removing his scarf from his face, casually comes up behind the HUMAN MALE to watch the game.

The TRANDOSHAN grins as he moves one of his terrible, holographic goliaths over to a spindly, worm-like creature of his opponent. The goliath easily dispatches the worm with terrible slam of its fists. The HUMAN flinches and desperately looks over his remaining pieces. The TRANDOSHAN hisses in satisfaction, playing with a large stack of previously won credits and foreign currencies. The human’s chances don’t look good and it’s clear that there is money riding on this game.

BEN surveys the board. Leaning over the shoulder of the HUMAN MALE, BEN presses a button on the table.

                     Ben

           Might I suggest this move?

A lumbering squid-armed brute responds to the button command, crossing several spaces on the board. Settling between two opposing beasts, the squid seizes the digital foes and tosses them off the holographic board, both creatures disappearing as they reach the edges.

                     Ben (looking up with a grin at the TRANDOSHAN)

           Your move.

The HUMAN MALE looks up, open-mouthed at his opponent, laughing in disbelief. The TRANSDOSHAN scowls and attempts to knock some pieces off the board, forgetting that they are all projections. BEN, still grinning slightly, heads over to the main body of pilots and mechanics. The TRANDOSHAN, hissing angrily, glares at the stranger as he walks away.

BEN approaches the nearest pilot, surveying the other members of the group as he clears his throat.  

The amethyst-skinned RODIAN MALE eyes BEN, sipping from a mug of marmalade-hued liquid.

                     Ben

           I wonder if you could help me find a pilot who could take             me to the Ablorellian Belt.

The group laughs and the RODIAN shakes his head.

                     Rodian Pilot (translated on screen from Rodese)

           No pilot on this planet would be dumb enough to try a run             on that rock pile. The Empire’s presence is too big a               risk.

The remaining pilots in the group seem to share the opinion of the Rodian as they all chuckle and jeer before turning their backs on BEN.

                     Ben

           I can provide you with plenty of credits.

The pilots take no notice of the offer and return to their conversations.

BEN, taking the hint, heads back through the doorway. A pair of DUROSIAN MECHANICS signal each other a short moment after his departure and begin pursuing the Jedi. The HUMAN MALE from the dejarik table notices the thugs trailing the stranger and he quickly grabs his meager winnings and heads out the door, provoking a growl and hiss in protest from the TRANDOSHAN clearly hoping for the chance to win back some credits.

 

EXT. TATOOINE – MAIN ROAD - DAY

BEN pulls his scarf over his mouth as he heads down one of the city’s busy alleys. The DUROSIAN MECHANICS, carrying holstered blaster pistols, follow inconspicuously behind.

A market stall, selling various metal scraps and plastic panels, attracts the Jedi’s attention and BEN stops to look at a triangular cockpit shaped component. As he surveys the table further, three identical, miniature wing-shaped panels stand out to him. He picks up one panel, the ALIEN SHOP KEEPER smiling encouragingly as she senses a potential sale, and places it atop the triangular piece. As he fixes the panel crudely to the cockpit-shaped component, we see the familiar shape of what will one day be Luke’s MODEL T-16 SKYHOPPER. BEN smiles as he sees the toy coming together in his mind. Placing the pieces down, he haggles with the SHOPKEEPER for a moment as we see the DUROSIAN MECHANICS lingering nearby. The mechanics’ interests are peaked when BEN pulls credits from a hidden pouch on the inner side of his belt. Placing the pieces in his pack and wrapping them in a graying piece of clothing, BEN continues down the alleyway, covertly looking back to see the MECHANICS following him.

Music drifts out of a local bar as BEN walks briskly down a central street of the space port. The MECHANICS weave around pedestrians and parked speeders, attempting to keep the Jedi in their sights.

As BEN walks a HUMAN MALE suddenly catches up to him, pretending to walk next to the Jedi but not with him. It’s the same HUMAN MALE from the dejarik game, hooded as to not be recognized by the other hanger patrons.

                     Human Male

           I don’t know if you realize but you’re being followed.

BEN raises his eyebrows in feigned surprise, looking behind his shoulder overtly.

                     Human Male

           Don’t look!

BEN turns back forward.

                     Human Male

           There’s a corner coming up on your right. I know the bar             keeper there. Helped him out a few times. Turn down the               alley and I will let you in the door.

The HUMAN MALE breaks off, crossing behind BEN and entering a street-facing door of the building just to the right of Ben.

Approaching the corner, BEN notices the MECHANICS speeding up behind him, anticipating his upcoming turn.

BEN turns at the corner and immediately leans up against the doorway directly to his right. For a tense second, the door does not open. BEN pushes the button display next to the door but nothing happens.

The MECHANICS round the corner, sure to find the Jedi trapped in an alley with no outlet. Their brows furrow as they look down the alley. BEN is gone.

 

INT. TATOOINE – BAR – DAY

Shying away from the doorway he had opened with the force, BEN weaves through the dim lit, crowded bar. Humans and aliens drink florescent colored cocktails and chat loudly. This is not the Mos Eisley cantina but it has a similar layout only smaller: underlighting in the bar counters, circular tables, liquids of every color displayed for patrons to choose from. A distinctive feature of the place are cylindrical aquariums filled with murky water, positioned like pillars, equally spaced, ringing the bar. Frog-legged, multi-eyed amphibians swim up and down the tubes, feasting on scum and small swimming shrimp.

BEN turns back to check the door he entered, obviously having used the Force to open the sealed door, when the HUMAN MALE meets him in the middle of the crowd.

Human Male

           You made it in? I was on my way… Who let you in? The door             was locked.

                     Ben

           Got lucky. They were taking out some waste.

The HUMAN MALE nods but his brow is knitted, obviously confused with how lucky Ben was.

Nodding to the four-armed bar keeper polishing some mugs, the HUMAN leads BEN back to a storage area of the bar closing the door behind them. Crates of sealed food stuffs and cylinders of drink and live shrimp creatures line the walls. A singular lamp gives the room a dull amber lighting.

The HUMAN MALE sits on a closed crate, grabbing a metal foil baggie of dried snacks and popping one in his mouth. 

                     Human Male (mouth full)

           Grab a crate if you want.

BEN eyes the man, cautious but slightly amused, and remains standing.

                     Human Male

           Or stand if you want.

(Pause)

           I overheard you asking about passage to the Ablorellian               Belt. Lucky for you I know how to get to that                       particular port without alerting the Empire. I know one               of the dock inspectors and he owes me a favor.

                     Ben

           It seems like you know a lot of people. Part of your               trade?

The HUMAN MALE chuckles at this.

                     Human Male

           You could say that. I am sort of an infamous character                around here.

           My name is KEJ. I’m the captain of the notorious STAR                 BANDIT.

BEN shows no recognition of the name or this supposed “infamous character”.

                     Kej

           I do quite a lot of smuggling of certain goods that are               hard to come by. You saw the fish tanks in the bar? A gift            from me to the bar keep. At a fair price of course.

Seeing that BEN does not recognize the smuggler, Kej continues.

                     Kej (CONT’D)

           Anyway, I figured I could help a fellow space traveler out            by offering my services to you.

                     Ben

           At a fair price, of course.

                     Kej

           Just the necessary cost for fuel, potential dangers we               could run into, some in-flight refreshments, perhaps.      

Kej is obviously good natured but, just like any smuggler, he is in it for the money.

BEN smiles.

                     Ben

           How much?

Kej shrugs his shoulders, exhaling exaggeratedly as he calculates the cost in his head.

                     Kej

           About… seven thousand credits, leaving room for any                   unforeseen complications, of course.

Ben’s smile falters a little but not completely.

                     Ben

           I would be willing to pay five thousand.

Kej chuckles, smiling in a mischievous, but good-natured, way.

                     Kej

           Six thousand.

                     Ben

           Five thousand and a case of meat rations.

Kej sighs and leans back, still smiling.

                     Kej

           Five thousand, the case of rations and you throw in that             nice belt of yours.

                     Ben

           Five thousand, no belt and I buy you a case of Corellian             wine.

Kej raises his eyebrows at this, obviously interested.

                     Kej

           Deal. You are quite the negotiator.

Kej stands up heading for the door.

                     Kej

           I expect payment up front.

Kej exits into the bar and BEN stands to follow him, sighing but still smiling to himself.

                     Ben

           Of course.

 

INT. TATOOINE – STAR BANDIT HANGAR – DAY

The STAR BANDIT sits in the middle of a large, open top hangar. The ship has two curved wings reminiscent of a tie bomber with a long neck and tetrahedron-shaped cockpit, looking like a long-necked bird with its wings tucked in.

Kej loads a hovering crate of wine onboard as BEN boards the ramp. Hydraulics release steam, readying for the upcoming lift off. Boarding the ship, BEN enters a hallway.

To the left, Kej stacks the crate of wine on a pile of roughly organized similar looking cargo. The cargo room has a slanted wall at the back end of the ship, capable of acting as a ramp when larger shipments are expected. Besides the cargo crates, the room is littered with spare parts, loose panels and wiring and banners with unknown languages and symbols hanging from the wall. A ladder sits at the right far end of the hallway leading up to a domed gunner turret. 

To the right, there are two sealed doors on the left and right. The cockpit lies at the end of the hallway, the hanger visible through the large windows. A pilot and passenger chair are positioned in front of a dashboard covered in buttons and levers. Green and blue lights blink in front of the two steering handholds positioned directly in front of the seats.

As Kej finishes loading the crate, he shimmies past BEN in the narrow hallway and opens the cabin on the left.

                     Kej

           Your quarters.

BEN looks confused, entering the small room with a simple set of beds built into the walls and enough room for someone to possibly pace two to three steps across the cramped space.  

                     Ben

           I was under the impression that we would jump directly to             Keveshjim.

Kej laughs.

                     Kej

Only if you want the Empire to blockade us before we reach the port.

BEN looks confused as Kej shakes his head, still smiling at Ben’s bewilderment and explaining his plan.

                     Kej

           The only way not to check in with Imperial sentries before            we land is to go through the atmosphere of the planet                 before landing at the port. Then it looks like you came               directly from the surface. The only way to do THAT without            getting stopped on our route is by taking a secret route            to the underside of the planet. Old smuggler’s secret.    

Kej grins and winks at BEN.

                     Ben

           Alright then.

Kej slaps BEN on the back and steps towards the door.

                     Kej                 

           Relax. I’ll get you there. No problem. I have flown                   this route hundreds of times. 

Kej closes the door and BEN sits down on the bed, looking around the room, not feeling completely at ease with his decision to hire the “infamous smuggler.”

INT. STAR BANDIT - COCKPIT

Kej enters the cockpit of the ship. Hopping in the chair and spinning around once, Kej engages the engines and pulls up a holomap of the route he is planning on taking. As he studies the map, an R-4 unit astromech, colored tan with black detailing and a cone shaped head, rolls out from the room adjacent to Ben’s quarters.

                     R-8BY

           Beep boop. Blip.

The droid sounds concerned.

                     Kej

           Don’t worry, Roby. I know what I’m doing.

The droid raspberries as it plugs into the ships computer port, running diagnostics preflight.

                     Kej

           I am sure that the plans we borrowed from Oqrim are                   accurate. He runs that route all the time!

R-8BY chirps, chastising the “smuggler”.

                     Kej

           You know I don’t like that term. It’s not stealing if               nobody gets hurt.

INT. STAR BANDIT – BEN’S QUARTERS

We jump back to Ben’s quarters where the old Jedi rests his pack against the wall and sits down on the floor, preparing to meditate. The ship rocks and BEN braces himself as the ship tilts.

 

EXT. TATOOINE – OUTSIDE OF Kej’S HANGAR – DAY

The TRANDOSHAN from the dejarik game works at the control panel of the hangar, trying to get inside and get his money back from Kej. The door panel beeps a negative tone and the TRANDOSHAN hisses loudly at the controls. A sudden engine roar attracts the big lizard’s attention as the STAR BANDIT rises out of the hanger. The alien shakes his fists at the ship as it rises into the air, flying past the two suns setting in the distance.

 

EXT. SPACE – STAR BANDIT- ABOVE TATOOINE

Kej takes one last look at the star map, checking the trajectory and putting in calculations for the first hyper jump. R-8BY rotates his head, looking with his round optical lens at his reckless owner, clearly judging him.

                     Kej

           Don’t look at me like that! Everything is going to be                 fine!

R-8BY raspberries again but locks into place, readying for the hyper jump. Kej snorts at the droid but then looks back at the controls and the holomap with a worried expression.

                     Kej (CONT’D)

           Here goes nothing.

 

An external shot shows the STAR BANDIT powering up its engines. The stars begin to stretch and the vehicle rockets into hyperspace, leaving us with a view of the stars as the vehicle speeds off.

 

 

END OF EPISODE ONE.