by Cavan Scott
A datapad. Old by the look of the design. Well worn. I lift it out, activating the screen, hearing the device hum to life.
Beeps as she scrolls through the leather-bound datapad.
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
No. It can’t be. Why would he leave it here, on his airship? I scroll through the contents to make sure and yes, yes it is. It’s Dooku’s journal, written while he was training, chronicling his lessons with Yoda, long after the Jedi Master had tried to teach him humility. Voyages to Mantooine, Lahsbane, and Kashyyyk. Diplomatic encounters, rescues, mercy missions, and even a time when the pair liberated an entire solar system from the thrall of a necrotic queen.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
Worth finding.
VENTRESS:
To see how a real teacher operates? Yes.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
Ouch. If I weren’t already dead.
There’s a buzz at the door.
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
I deactivate the device, slipping the pad into my pocket.
VENTRESS:
Come.
The door slides open.
TACTICAL DROID:
We have arrived at the spaceport.
Ventress scrapes up all the data disks.
VENTRESS:
Finally.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
Do you think it saw you?
VENTRESS:
(SOTTO) Shush.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
Do you think it knows you’ve taken it?
VENTRESS:
(SOTTO) I won’t tell you again.
TACTICAL DROID:
Tell me what?
VENTRESS:
I was clearing my throat. Please. After you.
SCENE 34. EXT. THE WINDRUNNER. DECK.
The droid leads Ventress out onto the deck. She peers over the edge.
VENTRESS:
Is that it?
TACTICAL DROID:
You were expecting something else?
VENTRESS:
I was expecting something grander. Where is the main terminal?
TACTICAL DROID:
That building there, ma’am. Next to the control tower.
VENTRESS:
Then that is where I shall go.
TACTICAL DROID:
We will make preparations to land.
VENTRESS:
There’s no need.
TACTICAL DROID:
Ma’am. Wait—
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
The droid holds out a metallic hand to stop me as I vault over the side of the airship. I plunge down to the ground, landing unseen behind a duracrete hangar.
She lands nimbly.
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
The place stinks of hyperfuel and desperation. Every spaceport is the same. Yes, they can gild the buildings, play jaunty tunes, even fly holographic flags from the towers, but scratch the surface and you’ll find the dregs of the galaxy. It’s easy to see why. Everywhere is noise and bustle. Cargoes unloaded, passengers keen to be on their way. Loved ones are reunited and families torn apart, hope and despair in equal measures. Perfect for those who want to slip beneath the sensor. Thieves and smugglers, cutthroats and bounty hunters, all happy to relieve you of your wallet or your life, most often at the same time.
I head to where the disks were found, a greasy back alley, a deactivated droid slumped against a graffiti-strewn wall like a spice-addled junkie. The heat of a furnace spills from a nearby repair pod, the constant din of hammered metal all but drowning out the roar of ships rocketing toward the stars.
Dooku’s sister was a senior member of the ruling house. There was no way she would’ve chosen to come to a place like this of her own accord.
SCENE 35. INT. PORTMASTER’S OFFICE.
Atmosphere: An office far from the shipyard. The portmaster—Raz Fellidrone—is operating a computer when his in-ear comm beeps. It chirps as he answers it.
FELLIDRONE:
Portmaster’s office. Raz Fellidrone speaki— Erbelene, you old space-dog! When did you get in? What’s that? A problem with customs? (MOCK GASP) I can’t believe it. (LAUGHS) No, it’s fine. I can make that go away. For the usual price, of course. (PAUSE) From Zeltros? You’re spoiling me, Erb. Just give me a minute.
Beeps as he operates the computer.
FELLIDRONE:
Just make a few adjustments to your docking authorization and…
One last beep.
FELLIDRONE:
You’ve been added to the fast track. No, no, there’s no need to thank me. Just have the consignment sent to the usual…yeah, you know the drill.
How long are you in town? There’s a new club in the marina that—
There’s a sudden thump from outside, followed by a tinkle of droid parts.
FELLIDRONE:
What the—
The door slides open and Ventress slinks in, followed by a female portworker—Yepa.
YEPA:
You can’t go in there!
VENTRESS:
It appears I can.
FELLIDRONE:
Erb. I need to go. I have a…visitor.
He deactivates the comm.
FELLIDRONE:
What in Rylon’s name is going on here, Yepa?
YEPA:
I’m sorry, Portmaster. She just barged in. Cee Zee Ninety-Four—
VENTRESS:
Cee Zee Ninety-Four is no longer operational.
YEPA:
I’ll call security.
VENTRESS:
You don’t want to call security.
YEPA:
I don’t want to call security.
VENTRESS:
You want to make your boss a nice cup of caf. In Saffia.
YEPA:
I want to make him caf.
VENTRESS:
Shut the door behind you.
Yepa leaves, shutting the door.
FELLIDRONE:
Saffia is over a hundred kilometers away.
VENTRESS:
Your caf might not be warm when she gets back.
FELLIDRONE:
What do you want?
VENTRESS:
I’m after information.
She activates a hologram.
VENTRESS:
Jenza. Sister of your beloved count. She came here yesterday.
FELLIDRONE:
I wouldn’t know anything about that.
VENTRESS:
You’re the portmaster with the big office and the…ugh…terrible aftershave. What is that?
FELLIDRONE:
You need to leave.
VENTRESS:
No. You need to check if she had a ticket.
FELLIDRONE:
You could at least say please.
Ventress ignites one of her lightsabers.
FELLIDRONE:
(QUICKLY) I’ll check.
He works the computer.
FELLIDRONE:
Yes, I’ve found it. A ticket was purchased three days ago.
VENTRESS:
Heading where?
FELLIDRONE:
To the Core systems. To Coruscant.
VENTRESS:
And did she use it?
He presses more buttons.
FELLIDRONE:
No. She never made the flight.
VENTRESS:
You have facial recognition on your security system?
FELLIDRONE:
Of course we do.
Step aside.
FELLIDRONE:
What? Look, you can’t just—
VENTRESS:
Move.
He gets up. Ventress extinguishes her lightsaber and sits at the desk, operating the computer.
FELLIDRONE:
What are you doing?
VENTRESS:
Looking for our aristocratic friend.
The computer beeps.
VENTRESS:
There she is.
A hologram of a street scene appears.
VENTRESS:
Where is this?
FELLIDRONE:
The approach to the main terminal. Are you sure that’s her?
VENTRESS:
Looks like a match to me.
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
As we watch, Jenza hurries toward the domed building, sidestepping a man in shabby clothes who shuffles up, holding out a grimy hand.
FELLIDRONE:
Damn beggars. We try to move them on, but there are so many. It’s the droids, you see, taking all the jobs—
VENTRESS:
Don’t care.
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
Security droids swarm in, grabbing the vagrant, restraining him. They don’t notice a figure lurching out of the crowd toward Jenza. The pair are lost in the crowd for a second, a school party of hulking Togorian younglings blocking the view. I try to adjust the holo’s angle, but the flea-bitten brats are everywhere at once. When their teacher finally gets them under control, the mysterious figure is gone, as is Jenza.
I scrub back through the recording, zooming in at the moment where the alien lists toward Dooku’s sister. The holo pixelates, but the intent in his fragmented eyes is obvious.
VENTRESS:
What is that?
FELLIDRONE:
A Crolute, I think. Horrible things.
VENTRESS:
With extensive cybernetics.
FELLIDRONE:
Where is it taking her?
VENTRESS:
A more pertinent question would be why your droids didn’t notice.
FELLIDRONE:
They were focused on the beggar I suppose. Yepa is responsible for the droids. I’ll have her look into it…when she returns from Saffia.
VENTRESS:
While I look for the Crolute.
FELLIDRONE:
That shouldn’t take you long. There can’t be many on Serenno.
Ventress stands.
VENTRESS:
We never had this conversation.
FELLIDRONE:
(TRYING TO BE BRAVE) Your mind tricks won’t work on me.
VENTRESS:
Who’s using a mind trick? Tell anyone about this and I’ll rip out your tongue.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
It’s amazing how persuasive you can be…
PART THREE
SCENE 36. INT. BELSALLIAN CANTINA.
We come up on the sounds of a spaceport cantina. Music in the background. Drinks being poured. Glasses clinking. General babble of clientele.
Ventress is sitting alone at a table.
VENTRESS:
Can’t a girl enjoy a drink in peace?
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
Searching for the Crolute has proved trickier than Fellidrone suggested. It’s hard to believe but no ones’s seen a seven-foot thug with gelatinous skin and more implants than a Guavian rigger. Funny that.
My only lead has brought me here, to the Belsallian Cantina, an establishment so disreputable that it advises its patrons to arm themselves before entering its premises.
The last thing I need is the return of my spectral stalker, or the walrus-faced Khormai who staggers toward me, drooling through his drooping whiskers.
KHORMAI:
(SLURRING) Kora oron ba sandre? [Looking for fun, beautiful?]
Ventress takes a sip of her drink.
VENTRESS:
I suggest you turn around and walk away.
KHORMAI:
Oona ke marak-ne. [You could come with me.]
VENTRESS:
(SIGHS) Do you see that serving droid over there?
KHORMAI:
(GRUNTS, TURNING TO SEE)
VENTRESS:
That’s right. The one with a squeaky wheel. Do you like her tray? Here…
Suddenly the tray whips through the air, clanging into the Khormai’s face. The brute goes down, hard.
VENTRESS: (CONT.)
…take a closer look.
The waitress with the squeaky wheel trundles over.
WAITRESS DROID:
Want me to get rid of that for you, honey?
VENTRESS:
No. Leave him where he is. It’ll act as a warning.
The waitress droid squeaks off.
WAITRESS DROID:
I wouldn’t bet on it.
Ventress takes another sip.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
You bring me to all the best places.
VENTRESS:
I didn’t bring you anywhere. You followed me. (TAKES ANOTHER SIP) Shame I can’t hit you with a tray.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
It reminds me of that place in Velenki.
VENTRESS:
I’m surprised you can remember.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
That was a dive, too.
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
He’s not wrong, even if he can’t possibly know. Ky…the real Ky had received word that a small settlement called Velenki had been having problems with Weequay raiders. I knew something was wrong the moment we walked into the tavern, the way the barkeep never met our gaze, even as he asked for help.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
You can’t blame them.
VENTRESS:
They betrayed us. They betrayed you.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
They had been threatened. Kirske promised to torch their village unless they handed us over.
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
Kirske. Everything always came back to Osika Kirske.
VENTRESS:
He burned it anyway.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
I tried to warn them. All those barrels!
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
I can still hear him, calling out, desperately trying to warn the villagers.
KY NAREC: (A FLASHBACK, DISTORTED)
Look out, the paralene. It’s going to blow.
We hear an echo of an explosion, the paralene erupting.
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
The Weequay came from all directions at once. I tried to fight them off, but there were too many, even for Ky. I never saw the blaster lance until it was too late.
We hear the echo of a shot and then the young Ventress’s cry, her voice distorted by time.
YOUNG VENTRESS: (DISTORTED)
Master!
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
That was the moment when my path was set. Not when the Nightsisters handed me over to Hal’Sted, not when Ky rescued me all those years later. I took the first step toward Dooku when I grabbed Ky’s bloodied lightsaber and ignited the blade.
Again, the echo of both lightsabers igniting.
YOUNG VENTRESS: (DISTORTED)
Noooo!
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
You didn’t have to kill them all.
VENTRESS:
You wouldn’t have avenged the villagers?
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
Never out of hatred.
&
nbsp; VENTRESS:
(MOCKING) Because, repeat after me, younglings, hate leads to suffering and suffering leads…
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
Yes?
VENTRESS:
To the dark side. Do you know what? Yes. Yes, it does. (TAKES A DRINK) And I for one like it here.
KY NAREC: (GHOST)
You don’t mean that.
VENTRESS:
Believe that if it makes you feel better.
The squeaky-wheeled waitress returns.
WAITRESS DROID:
Er, hun. That blob-head you’re looking for. He runs with the Razorclaw Gang. That’s them over there.
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
Thugs are huddled by the bar, two Gran and a multi-limbed Pendago. I take one last drink and slink over to them, letting the Gran’s eyes linger on my hips. The Pendago glances at my would-be suitor, still comatose beside my table. I position myself between its suspicious gaze and the unconscious Khormai.
VENTRESS:
Hey, boys. Care to help a girl find what she’s looking for?
GRAN:
And what’s that?
VENTRESS:
A Crolute. You can’t miss him. Sagging skin, rusting implants. A real catch.
PENDAGO:
(GUTTURAL) Uhh-uh-na-na!
VENTRESS:
What was that?
GRAN:
He said we don’t know any Crolutes.
PENDAGO:
(SUGGESTIVE) Uh na-u-na. [But you can have fun with us.]
VENTRESS:
No need to translate that. I got the general idea.
She activates her lightsabers and takes off one of the Pendago’s limbs.
PENDAGO:
(BELLOWS IN PAIN)
VENTRESS:
Touch me again and you’ll lose another tentacle.
GRAN:
You’re crazy.
VENTRESS:
And you’re one answer away from being dead, so let’s try again. The droid says you know the Crolute. Is she lying, or are you?
SCENE 37. EXT. ROOFTOP. NIGHT.
Atmosphere: The sounds of the spaceport in the background. Ships arriving and leaving, speeders zooming past below on the street, a slight wind blowing across the roof.
VENTRESS: (NARRATION)
Turns out that the droid was telling the truth. The Crolute’s name was Glute. He’d fallen out of favor with their boss and no one had seen him for weeks. It took three more tentacles until I believed them.
The Gran told me where he lived, a room in a crumbling res block near the cargo stores. There was no one home, the front doors bolted, not that the rusted locks proved too much of a problem.