by Cavan Scott
DOOKU:
Senators, on behalf of the Jedi I would urge you to reconsider cuts to the trade route defense program. Not only do the routes guarantee the supply of equipment and resources to the Galactic Core, they also provide an essential lifeline to thousands of worlds on the very edge of the Republic. Time and time again, the Jedi are called upon to protect those using these routes, especially in the Outer Rim. The Hydian Way. The Corellian Run. The list goes on and on. While we gladly serve the Republic, our numbers are few compared with the very real threats that endanger starfarers the galaxy over.
Only a fully funded Republic Guard can provide the security our citizens deserve.
There is applause from around the Senate, but also much jeering.
SENATOR BULGESKI: (SIMILARLY AMPLIFIED)
With all due respect, our honorable friend oversteps the mark. The Jedi Council claims to be a servant of the Republic, and yet here they are attempting to influence senatorial policy. Master Dooku has no business petitioning the Senate on such matters.
DOOKU:
As the senator for Salliche is aware, I speak on behalf of not just the Jedi, but also the billions in need of protection. Indeed, as I’m sure you’ll all remember, it wasn’t that long ago that Senator Bulgeski called for the Guard to intervene when Salliche was being ravaged by Norkronian raiders. Is he really suggesting that citizens in the Outer Rim shouldn’t receive the same security enjoyed by his own planet?
SENATOR BULGESKI:
Salliche is the breadbasket of the Core Worlds. If we fell, how would planets such as Coruscant survive?
DOOKU:
There are plenty of agricultural worlds in the Outer Rim who could supply crops. Perhaps Salliche is afraid of the competition?
SENATOR BULGESKI:
That is a scandalous accusation. Chancellor Kalpana, must I remind you, once again, that Master Dooku stands here not as a member of the Senate, but as an independent adviser.
DOOKU:
And my advice is that every planet in the Republic receive the same level of security, no matter how far they are from galactic central.
CHANCELLOR KALPANA:
Master Dooku, the Senate thanks you for your contribution to this debate. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that the Republic is growing at an unprecedented rate, fueled largely by the ambitions of the Trade Federation. Unless the viceroy agrees to help fund the Guard…
TRADE FEDERATION REPRESENTATIVE:
The Trade Federation already pays more than enough in taxes!
CHANCELLOR KALPANA: (CONT.)
…we simply do not have the budget to offer blanket protection to every system.
The Jedi are fond of telling us that the Force is with us, but sadly the Force doesn’t repair ships or build new droids. The Force doesn’t fund training centers or pay medical bills.
The vote has been taken and I for one intend to honor the will of the people.
Rapturous applause.
SCENE 103. INT. THE GALACTIC SENATE. CORRIDORS.
Atmosphere: Senators milling around. General bustle.
DOOKU:
(TO HIMSELF) For the Force is strong. For the Force is strong. For the Force is—
RAEL:
Hello? It that the future chancellor I see?
Rael approaches.
DOOKU:
Rael?
Rael approaches.
RAEL:
In the flesh.
DOOKU:
What are you doing back here? I thought you were on Pijal.
RAEL:
I’m representing the princess at a meeting of delegates this afternoon.
DOOKU:
Then I hope you fare better than I did.
RAEL:
Don’t be hard on yourself. Ya spoke well. You’re a natural.
DOOKU:
Not if they won’t listen.
RAEL:
At least ya tried. (SPOTS SOMEONE) Actually, there’s someone that wants to meet you.
DOOKU:
Now isn’t the time. I must return to the Temple.
RAEL:
It’ll only take a minute. (CALLING OVER) Senator.
Palpatine walks over.
PALPATINE: (APPROACHING)
Master Averross. How pleasant to see you again. I trust your secondment to Pijal is going well.
RAEL:
It is, thanks to your advice, Senator.
PALPATINE:
I’m glad to hear it.
RAEL:
Master Dooku, may I introduce Senator Palpatine of Naboo.
DOOKU:
It is a pleasure to meet you, Senator.
PALPATINE:
I fear that may not be the case, Master Jedi, especially after the chancellor’s remarks. Skor Kalpana is a good man, but he lacks backbone, which is probably why he was voted in.
I hope your experience here today will not discourage you. The Jedi need a voice in the Senate. For all its faults, I’ve always found that it’s better to operate within government, rather than outside. This is where you can make a real difference.
DOOKU:
I’m not sure my fellow Council members would agree, but I thank you for your support.
PALPATINE:
I only wish I’d been able to influence the vote. Well, if you would excuse me. A senator’s work is never done. I hope we will speak again, Master Dooku.
DOOKU:
As do I, Senator. As do I.
PALPATINE:
And we must see about getting you back to Naboo, Rael. Queen Ekay has been asking after you.
RAEL:
It would be an honor to see her again. Please give her my fondest regards.
PALPATINE:
(WALKING AWAY) I will. I promise. Until next time, then.
DOOKU:
I didn’t realize you were so well-connected.
RAEL:
Oh, Sheev isn’t that influential, more’s the pity. He’s helped me a lot over the last few years.
DOOKU:
So I heard. I would be interested in hearing more about Pijal.
RAEL:
You could come with me.
DOOKU:
A tempting offer.
RAEL:
Then why don’t you take it? I’m worried about you, Dooku. I’ve never seen you so tense. Ever since Qui-Gon flew the coop, you’ve had a face like a constipated happabore.
DOOKU:
What a captivating image.
RAEL:
I mean it. I’m not sure Temple life is good for you, especially now Qui-Gon’s makin’ a name for himself.
DOOKU:
And so he should. He’s a fine Jedi.
RAEL:
Are you surprised? Just look at his teacher. But something needs to change. At the very least get yourself a new convor, or maybe even another Padawan.
DOOKU:
And leave the Council? What would they do without me?
RAEL:
Find someone else to argue with?
DOOKU:
But what of you? After the Advent—
RAEL:
(QUICKLY) I’m fine.
DOOKU:
You should have come to see me.
RAEL:
You were too busy.
DOOKU:
Never for you.
RAEL:
Master, I know what ya did. How you spoke on my behalf.
DOOKU:
The Council vindicated you. For good reason. Your Padawan…
RAEL:
Liv
es forever in the Force.
DOOKU:
We could raise a glass in her memory. I have a bottle of Soulean brandy I’ve been meaning to open for quite some time.
RAEL:
Now I’m the one being tempted, but I need to head back as soon as today’s business is concluded. There is someone who might appreciate the invitation, though.
DOOKU:
Oh?
RAEL:
I saw the Truthseeker in the shuttle bay. Lene must be back.
DOOKU:
Hmm.
RAEL:
And Sifo-Dyas, too.
DOOKU:
Yes, I…I was aware they’d returned.
RAEL:
And have ya talked to them?
DOOKU:
Not yet.
RAEL:
But ya will…
A droid approaches, its servos whirring.
ATTENDANT DROID:
Excuse me. Master Dooku?
DOOKU:
Yes?
ATTENDANT DROID:
Someone is asking for you on the Avenue of the Core Founders.
DOOKU:
Asking for me?
RAEL:
What did I tell ya? Your fame’s spreading. Just remember. Talk to Lene. It’ll do ya good.
SCENE 104. EXT. THE AVENUE OF THE CORE FOUNDERS.
Atmosphere: A warm pleasant day on the avenue, birds singing as members of the public wander past the statues.
Dooku approaches a familiar droid.
DOOKU: (COMING UP ON MIC)
Dee-Four?
D-4:
Ah. You remember me, Master Dooku. That should make this easier.
DOOKU:
Make what easier?
D-4:
I have been sent to deliver a message.
D-4 activates a hologram.
JENZA: (HOLOGRAM)
Brother. I see Dee-Four has found you.
DOOKU:
Jenza? Are you…are you well?
JENZA:
I have been trying to contact you.
DOOKU:
I’m sorry…Council business has kept me—
JENZA: (HOLOGRAM)
Please. Don’t make excuses. I know you don’t wish to speak to me. (THE MESSAGE GLITCHES SLIGHTLY) I just didn’t know where else to turn.
DOOKU:
What has happened?
JENZA:
Serenno has been invaded.
DOOKU:
Invaded?
JENZA:
By the Abyssin.
DOOKU:
I find that hard to believe. The Abyssin are…
JENZA:
Little more than thugs. Yes, that is what the Senate said. (IT GLITCHES AGAIN)…didn’t stop them taking Carannia.
DOOKU:
But surely Father—
JENZA:
Father (GLITCH) dead. Ramil has (GLITCH)
DOOKU:
Jenza?
JENZA:
(GLITCH) Need your help. The Republic says (GLITCH) internal affair (GLITCH) beyond (GLITCH) jurisdiction.
DOOKU:
What’s happening? Can you boost the signal?
D-4:
I am trying, Master Dooku. The Abyssin are blocking signals to and from the planet. I was smuggled out on a Vandyne freighter.
DOOKU:
And the Senate has refused to help?
D-4:
From what little I know, they insist that as Count Ramil has failed to pay this season’s levy, Serenno is on its own.
DOOKU:
Count Ramil. (SHAKES HEAD) Will you come to the Jedi Temple with me? Tell the Council what you know?
D-4:
Will that help, sir?
DOOKU:
I sincerely hope so.
SCENE 105. INT. JEDI COUNCIL CHAMBER.
GRETZ:
I am sorry, Master Dooku, but the Council’s hands are tied.
DOOKU:
Droom, listen to me. You heard what Dee-Four said. Serenno has been invaded.
GRETZ:
What we heard is that a few space vagrants have set up camp on your homeworld.
D-4:
A few? There are hundreds. Thousands.
JOR:
We sympathize, Dee-Four, but must concur with the Senate’s ruling. From what we have learned, the Count of Serenno has refused to honor his fiscal responsibilities.
DOOKU:
Fiscal responsibilities? Aerith, we are Jedi, not accountants. If Serenno needs us…
GRETZ:
Serenno believes they need no one. They have withdrawn their senator, recalled ambassadors. And now, at the first sign of trouble, they call for help. They can’t have it both ways.
DOOKU:
But as Jedi, is it not our duty…
JOR:
To what, Master Dooku? To rush in, lightsabers blazing? Dooku, remind me. Where were you this afternoon?
DOOKU:
At the Senate.
JOR:
Telling all who would listen that the Jedi couldn’t police the Outer Rim.
GRETZ:
A speech, if you recall, the Council strongly advised you not to make.
JOR:
And yet here you are, a few hours later, suggesting we mount an assault on Abyssin raiders. How would you explain that to the senators? To the chancellor?
DOOKU:
The Serennians have asked for our help.
GRETZ:
No. They have asked you.
JOR:
Once again, you are allowing your fixation on your birthplace to cloud your judgment.
DOOKU:
My fixation?
GRETZ:
The Senate has made their decision and we must abide with it.
D-4:
Well, this is most disappointing.
DOOKU:
Yes. Yes, it is. Master Yoda. I notice you have remained uncharacteristically quiet.
YODA:
Speak only when they have something useful to say, a Jedi should.
DOOKU:
So you agree with the others?
YODA:
Nothing can we do, except intercede on your sister’s behalf. Talk to the chancellor, I will.
DOOKU:
Washing our hands of the matter in the process.
GRETZ:
The Council has made its decision.
DOOKU:
Have we?
JOR:
You must respect our wishes, and the wishes of the Senate.
DOOKU:
It appears I have little choice.
He walks to the door.
GRETZ:
Where are you going?
DOOKU:
To accompany Dee-Four to her transport. Unless I need the Council’s permission to visit the shuttle bay.
YODA:
Master Dooku…
DOOKU:
I didn’t think so.
SCENE 106. INT. JEDI SHUTTLE BAY.
D-4 totters after Dooku.
D-4:
But Master Dooku. I have no transport. The Vandyne will be long gone by now.
DOOKU:
I have made alternative arrangements.
BRAYLON:
It’s about time.
DOOKU:
Thank you for doing this, Braylon.
BRAYLON:
I take it from y
our expression that the vote went against you.
DOOKU:
It did.
BRAYLON:
Then I’m afraid I can’t take the droid to Serenno.
DOOKU:
But you said…
BRAYLON:
Dooku, I can’t afford to go against the Council. Not after so many years spent clawing myself back into their favor.
DOOKU:
(NOT HAPPY) I understand.
BRAYLON:
But you don’t like it.
DOOKU:
Can you blame me?
D-4:
Excuse me. I’m not sure I understand. What is happening?
DOOKU:
We’ve reached the end of the road, Dee-Four.
BRAYLON:
Now, I didn’t say that, did I?
DOOKU:
I’m sorry?
BRAYLON:
While I cannot get involved, I have a friend who doesn’t give a damn what the Council thinks of her.
Footsteps approach.
LENE:
Hello, Dooku.
DOOKU:
Lene. Sifo-Dyas.
When he speaks, we realize that Sifo-Dyas has developed a slight stutter.
SIFO-DYAS:
Your shuttle awaits.
DOOKU:
I…I don’t know what to say.
LENE:
You could say thank you. Now, or after we arrive in the Outer Rim. It’s up to you.
D-4:
You’re coming with us?
LENE:
Master Dooku has decided to meditate on the Council’s ruling.
SIFO-DYAS:
All the way to Serenno.
BRAYLON:
Now go, before the Council realizes what’s happened.
DOOKU:
They’re going to be furious.
LENE:
I sincerely hope so.
SCENE 107. EXT. SPACE.
The Truthseeker flies by.
SCENE 108. INT. THE TRUTHSEEKER.
LENE:
So how bad is it?
DOOKU:
Let me show you.
A hologram shimmers on.
DOOKU:
We can expect resistance the moment we enter the Serenno system.
LENE:
When did the Abyssin obtain an armada?
D-4:
When the Great Houses funded them.
LENE:
I’m sorry?