CREDITS
INT. DREAMSCAPE

Jedi padawan RONO VICHAM stands alone, blindfolded, lightsaber raised, in a fog lit by the saber and by irregular firelight. A training remote darts around him. We HEAR the sounds of a major disaster - screams, crumbling buildings, crying, etc - but we do not see it. The voice of a woman, LIROMÉ ESEVOE, rises above it.

VOICE OF LIROMÉ
Rono! Rono hold on! I'll get them!

Rono turns, and the remote shoots him in the arm. He swings at it belatedly. The SOUNDS continue. The remote fires twice more. He manages to block one shot.

VOICE OF LIROMÉ
Only a minute more! Rono!

But suddenly, a thunderous CRASH cuts her off, just as the remote fires and Rono swings blindly at it. We HEAR Rono in the background, distantly.

VOICE OF RONO
Master!

The remote fires again, and again, and again. Rono is just swinging wildly, and he falls to his knees. The SOUNDS change abruptly in the background, though the lightsaber and the stings of the remote remain constant. Now, there are only the calm voices of the Jedi Council.

VOICE 1
Rono Vicham, it was the wish of your Master that you
complete your training.

VOICE OF RONO
I can't, I lost hold...

The remote hits him in the back of the neck.

VOICE 2
If it is your wish to leave...

VOICE OF RONO
I want to...

VOICE 1
We will not impede you. But you are not released from
your vows. We will not accept a departure from the
Order while your thinking is unclear.

Rono turns off the blade of his lightsaber, and just lets the remote hit him as it will.

VOICE OF RONO
I want to go home...

VOICE 3
Padawan, you have been in this place for all your living
memory. It is unwise to -

Rono, who has curled down to take the remote's shots, looks up with anger in his eyes.

RONO
(yells)
I'm going home!

END CREDITS.

CUT TO:

INT. A NON-DESCRIPT CABIN ON A TRANSPORT SHIP

Rono awakens, still mouthing, "I'm going home." The ship shudders to a stop. A soft electronic chime precedes a processed, courteous VOICE.

SHIP'S VOICE
We have now entered the Shondor system. If you will be
shuttling to the port of Basovek, please report to docking
bay three. We hope you have enjoyed your voyage.

Rono stares dully at the speaker, then gathers up his few possessions and puts them in a non-descript packsack. A long brown cloak and a lightsaber remain on the cot. He looks at them for a long time, then abruptly picks them up and walks purposefully to an incinerator unit in the wall (just a small porthole, with a suitable symbol beside it to identify it). His hand hovers over the button that will open the cover, but he makes no move.

RONO
(mutters to himself)
Just toss them...

But he doesn't. As abruptly as he moved before, he pulls on the robe and hooks the lightsaber onto his belt. Then he picks up his packsack and leaves the cabin.

DISSOLVE (OR WIPE) TO:

EXT. SHONDOR - WIDE SHOT

The scene is vast and flat, and it seems to go on for miles. Somewhere on the horizon, the town of Basovek can be seen, with trails of landings going up into the sky, but Rono is outside it now, a small speck making his lonely way across the plain.

EXT. SHONDOR - RONO

Rono has been walking with his head down, as if fighting the wind, but his feet are slowing now, and he looks up. He's clearly not personally familiar with the place. He checks something in his hand - a handheld viewer of some sort - then checks the landmarks around him. Satisfied of his location, he sighs, and turns toward a small group of uncharming buildings.

DISSOLVE (OR WIPE) TO:

EXT. VICHAM PROPERTY - DOORYARD

The place looks like a farm, but instead of livestock, metal-working supplies seem to be dozing in the afternoon light. The forge is somewhere offscreen, but KARBRE and FERIM VICHAM, Rono's brothers, are working away from its immediate heat. Karbre, the elder, is hammering a texture into a sheet of whitish metal, and Ferim is trimming at wires. WURI SINJALA, a potter, comes outside to set her pottery out in the sun to dry. She looks at them carefully, and opts not to talk to them.

KARBRE
Quitting early, Wuri?

WURI
(washing hands)
Never quit yesterday.

FERIM
Well, maybe you should take a break. As it happens,
I've got-

KARBRE
You've got three hours of work left.

Wuri doesn't listen to them. She starts to arrange her pieces on a board, checking the angle of the sun as she does so.

FERIM
You're putting them out again? After last week?

WURI
(tired of having the same argument)
My mother sun dried her pottery, my mother's mother
sun-dried her pottery, my mother's-mother's-mother...

FERIM
(rolls eyes)
In case you haven't noticed, there's been a little progress
in the last thousand years or so.

Karbre is also obviously sick of the argument. He bends to his task again.

KARBRE
Don't mind Ferim, Wuri. But I do wonder about you
putting your work out in the same place you always do,
after what happened.

WURI
I'm not going to let a vandal make me change so much
as my hairstyle, let alone an old tradition. No way am I
letting him win.

She moves a few more pieces, then checks the sun again. When she looks up, she squints into the sunlight, and raises her hand to shade her eyes.

WURI
Someone's coming.

Karbre swears under his breath. It is apparent that visitors have not always been a blessing here. He pulls a pair of scanning binoculars off a post, puts them to his eyes, then lowers them. His face looks both surprised and confused.

KARBRE
(softly)
I'll be damned.

DISSOLVE (OR WIPE) TO:

EXT. SHONDOR - NEAR VICHAM PLACE - WIDE SHOT

We SEE Rono approaching the farm, and his brothers (followed by Wuri) coming from it. They stop about five feet apart.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE MEETING PLACE

The Vichams look at one another uncomfortably, and Wuri catches up behind Ferim, looking confused.

RONO
(after a long silence)
Are you my brothers?

Ferim continues staring at him blankly, but Karbre smiles (it is not a particularly warm smile, more one of recognition and resignation).

KARBRE
I thought I recognized you from the news. Welcome
home, Rono. Though I don't suppose you remember
much of it.

RONO
Almost none of it.
(eyes catch Wuri)
I didn't know we had a sister...

FERIM
(laughs)
Wuri? She's just a tagalong. She's madly in love with me.

KARBRE
Wuri rents the storehouse from us. I'm Karbre, by the way.
The one who can't open his mouth without telling a lie is
Ferim. Come. We'll go home.

They start walking. The camera follows them.

RONO
I do recognize you. I found everything I could as I came here.
(tries tentative tease)
Though the standard entries said nothing about Ferim's
mouth.

There's no response to the tease, and the smile Rono was starting to offer disappears. The silence is palpable as they walk, and Rono tries to break it.

RONO
I noticed a great deal of new construction in Basovek
when I shuttled down. Was there a fire, or-?

FERIM
No, we're just growing is all. You wouldn’t believe how
quickly Basovek's been developed.

Wuri makes a derisive sound.

FERIM
Wuri, of course, would have been happier if we were still
living in the caves and dragging hand carts to market.

WURI
I doubt that it is the first thing your brother wants to
discuss. I'll leave you to more important matters.

She hurries ahead, to give them some space.

RONO
I actually was interested. That wasn't feigned. I
think I may stay, and I should know something...

Karbre looks up, shocked, but Ferim speaks first.

FERIM
Oh, she just doesn't like Mortak D'lashra. He's finally
building this place up, and she doesn't much like it. He's
bringing in a lot of-

KARBRE
(takes Rono's arm)
You're staying? Just like that? Did the Jedi reject you?

Karbre's question was not accusatory-he is simply asking-but Rono stops as if slapped. Karbre and Ferim stop when they realize he is no longer walking with them.

RONO
(tightly)
I chose to leave.
KARBRE
I'm sorry, Rono. I meant no insult by it. But your showing
up here, after so many years without so much as a letter...

RONO
It was not encouraged-

KARBRE
We have always watched you, Rono. Before Mother and Dad
died-
(pause)
You do know...?

RONO
Yes. I was told. I am sorry.

FERIM
(astonished at the coolness)
He was told. Just like that.

KARBRE
I'm not going to question Rono's upbringing. I just
wonder... As I was saying, we tried to keep up. And
I heard your name on the news... on Ampinua. The
earthquake. You were called a hero. I wasn't expecting
you back.

Rono lowers his head at the mention of the planet, and he looks away.

RONO
I was not a hero. My master, Liromé, was the true hero.
She gave her life trying to save Ampinuan villagers. I...
I was distracted.

The three of them stand in awkward silence, which is abruptly broken by the SOUND of breaking pottery. Ferim and Karbre look at each other, then burst into a run. Rono runs with them.

EXT. SHONDOR - WIDE SHOT

The three brothers run toward their home, Wuri running ahead of them.

EXT. VICHAM PROPERTY - DOORYARD

The Vichams and Wuri enter together, and Wuri rushes to her pottery. She picks up a broken shard and throws it hard across the clearing. Ferim finds some of the metalwork damaged as well. He picks up a piece he'd been working on, and confronts her with it.
FERIM
That's it! Now they're on us, too!

WURI
Yeah, Ferim, this is going to convince me of why
you support them...

FERIM
I never did anything to 'em. I think they're doing fine,
and...

The argument starts, non-specifically because they've had it so often. They continue yelling at each other (according to Ferim, Wuri has attracted trouble because she's opposed to healthy progress; according to Wuri, Ferim is appeasing a no-good thug) as we FOCUS on Rono.

Rono bends over the broken pottery, a puzzled look on his face. He keeps looking nervously up toward the tree line, not quite seeing anything. He picks up a piece of broken pottery. The edge of the break is clean and scorched dark. He runs a thumb over it and picks up char, then looks again at the tree line. Karbre squats down beside him.

KARBRE
What is it? Do you see something?

RONO
No. I... I feel something. Something not right.

Karbre doesn't answer. Rono rises to his feet, the shard still in one hand, the other almost unconsciously on the hilt of his lightsaber.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE TREE LINE

JAMOD ZEGAN-D'LASHRA, in a dark cloak with a simple eye-mask is hidden in the shadows, watching the Vicham place. He sees Rono looking back at him. An understanding smile spreads across his face. He raises his hand slowly, SEEING Rono through the curve of his palm. Then, suddenly, he clenches his hand into a fist, blocking Rono from his sight. The smile widens. He sinks further back into the shadows.

CUT TO:

INT. A POSH HOUSE IN BASOVEK

MORTAK D'LASHRA stands at a window, but his back is to the setting sun. The door across from him opens, and Jamod scrambles in. He is clearly excited... but not excited enough to forget standard procedure. He drops to his knees (rather sloppily) and lowers his head.

JAMOD
I've returned, my Master, and I bring news.

MORTAK
Obviously. Get up if you're not going to kneel
properly.

Jamod scrambles to his feet and perches on a chair.

JAMOD
(eagerly)
The Vicham brother has returned. The Jedi padawan.

MORTAK
I see. And you believe this is of importance to us
in some way?

JAMOD
(a bit confused)
Well, he's a... well...
(straightens back and speaks
with more pride)
He is our worthy and natural enemy.

MORTAK
Natural, perhaps. Worthy? A padawan who left
his master to die? Hardly likely.

JAMOD
He sensed me, Master Githon. I will have to face him. I
look forward to it.

Mortak looks like an urban sophisticate, but when he moves, he moves like a striking snake. He grabs Jamod by the lapels of his shirt, and pushes him back.

MORTAK
You idiot! You let the Jedi sense you? You showed
yourself?

Jamod is unfazed by the attack. He pulls himself free with an annoyed snort.

JAMOD
I thought he was hardly a worthy opponent. I'm not
afraid of a padawan. At any rate, I did not show myself.
He merely sensed me.

MORTAK
You never think beyond the moment, Talus. I do not
doubt you could defeat the padawan-without great
effort, in all likelihood-but if he disappears, the Order
will investigate, and we are not in a position to defeat
them at present. If we do not consolidate our power
we never will be.

He looks like he is about to reach out and shake Jamod again, then turns away in disgust, with a gesture that clearly says he doesn't think Jamod is worth the energy. Jamod glares at him.

JAMOD
You're a coward.

MORTAK
Do you wish to confront me now, my apprentice? Do
you believe yourself ready to be Master? I encourage
you to try. I have no time to waste, and if you insist on
throwing your training away, I should like to get to the
business of finding my new apprentice quickly.

He draws the hilt of a lightsaber, but doesn't ignite it. Jamod just continues to glare at him sullenly.

MORTAK
No? Then you will acknowledge that I am still your
Master?

Jamod stands. His hand hovers over his lightsaber, and he moves forward menacingly. Mortak simply waits. They stare at each other.

JAMOD
(after a moment)
Yes, Master.

MORTAK
Good.

JAMOD
Then what course of action do you propose?

MORTAK
None at all. I see no reason change our policies.
Shondor has proved a profitable enterprise, and
the Shondoran representatives have proved quite
malleable. The padawan will return to the Temple
eventually-they always do-and that will be the
end of it.

JAMOD
But he will tell them what he has sensed.

Mortak laughs at this, quite genuinely.

MORTAK
Jamod... your background reveals itself. I was
raised in the Temple, as this boy was. The
Masters are quite accustomed to padawans who
have discovered the resurgence of the Sith. Every
petty thug on Coruscant has been named at one
point or another. No, my son... the Council is quite
unlikely to believe such nonsense from a returning
padawan, particularly one who has been through
something of a shock lately, and wishes to do
something to regain his good name. They will smile
and promise to look into it.

JAMOD
How do you know this?

MORTAK
Personal experience, boy. The man who would be my
master laughed when I told him I would expose him to
the Council. He was right. They are fools. The padawan
is more dangerous to us dead than alive.

JAMOD
Then I should let the Sinjala woman be while he is
present?

MORTAK
I see no reason to raise suspicions by breaking a pattern.
You will take care to remain out of sight. And I won't have
her questioning us.

Jamod looks at Mortak with narrow suspicion, but doesn't argue.

JAMOD
(bows)
As you wish, Master and father.

WIPE TO:

EXT. VICHAM PROPERTY - DOORYARD - THE NEXT MORNING

Wuri is stubbornly setting out more pottery (though not as much). Rono is standing over her, watching with clear interest.

RONO
Why is it so important to put it in the sun?

Wuri lifts one of the vases. It is unmarked white clay.

WURI
This is what makes Shondoran clay special-they try to
mass produce it in town, for market, but they can't
really do it. The clay responds to the sunlight.

She picks up another vase, which has been in the sun for a bit apparently. A fading pattern of rainbow colors spreads out in a circle (resembling a tie-dye pattern in some ways).

WURI
This one's not very good, because it's been in and out
of the sun several times now. Also, because I'm not
nearly as good at this as the craftspeople who used
to do this.
(smiles sheepishly)
I make a fuss, but I'm not that good.

RONO
(takes the vase)
I think it's quite nice. I always saw Shondoran pottery
on Coruscant. I assumed it was painted.

WURI
(sniffs)
If you're seeing it in shops on Coruscant, it probably
is. But that's not the way it's supposed to be. That's
just a fake. Probably made right there at the capitol.

RONO
I never thought of myself as easily conned.

WURI
If you don't know what you're looking for, how would you
know if you weren't getting it?

She finishes arranging the pieces, checks the layout, then moves one or two.

WURI
Why aren't you with your brothers?

RONO
They suggested I come out and talk to you. I suspect they
are discussing me.

WURI
You can't just listen in on them with the Force? I see that
in holovids all the time.

RONO
That would be terribly rude.
(smiles)
It is also not often possible, even between two people who
are deliberately trying to remain in touch.

WURI
(disappointed)
Oh. I guess you probably can't jump ten yards straight up
or move things around without touching them, either.

RONO
I haven't mastered the jump yet, but as for the other, if it
is necessary, of course I can move things with my mind.
(turns sad)
At least, usually I can. If I become distracted... it's easy to
lose hold.

Wuri looks at him with some understanding.

WURI
Is that why you left?

RONO
I don't wish to discuss it. And if I do, it would be proper
for me to share it with my brothers first.

WURI
Yes, of course. I apologize.

RONO
There's no need for it, I assure you. I showed up out of
nowhere, with no explanation. I hardly need the Force
to sense curiosity. I can't satisfy it just yet, but I understand
it, and don't hold it against you.

They are quiet. After a moment, Rono changes the subject.

RONO
So tell me about this argument you have with my brother
Ferim. Who is Mortak D'lashra? And why is your pottery
broken for not getting along with him?

Wuri doesn't exactly warm to the subject, but she's animated about it.

WURI
D'lashra came three years ago. Trade was dragging,
and he promised to open it up. He kept his promise,
I'll give him that. We're getting off-world money in.

RONO
But...?

WURI
We've always been known for our craftsmanship. People
collect Shondoran pieces because they're unique. What
D'lashra is selling is imitation. In the short run, it's done
well for us, but our reputation is already suffering. I couldn't
sell enough of my own work to keep my workshop in town
because... oh, I suppose all of this is boring you. Not to mention
sounding self-righteous. And self-serving.

RONO
Not at all. Wuri, I sensed something strange when your vandal
was here. Something off in the Force. I want to know what
happens to the people who oppose D'lashra, and why. And where
he came from.

WURI
As to where he came from, he hasn't been clear. He adopted the
boy, Jamod, from an Outer Rim mining colony, but that's all we
know for sure. And you've seen what happens. If you're looking
for murders and mysterious disappearances, I'm afraid I have to
disappoint you. He's driven some craftsmen off-world, but so far
that's the extent of it.

RONO
I don't understand. Why not allow you to keep your own
business, even if it doesn't use his methods? It seems not
to cut into his own.

WURI
That confused me, too. I don't think... well, honestly, I don't
think it's about the money. I contradicted him. He... or,
well, I can't really say it's him.

RONO
Whoever it is, then.

WURI
Yes, whoever it is. Whoever it is wants everyone to do
as he says. That's more important to him than a few
credits here and there.

Rono sighs; he expected that information.

RONO
Do you know why my brothers support him?

WURI
Karbre, because it's practical. Ferim? I don't know.
Sometimes I think he does it to spite me.

Rono grins at her, obviously agreeing.

CUT TO:

EXT. NEAR THE VICHAM PLACE

Ferim and Karbre are in the middle of an argument, and both keep shooting glances over their shoulders toward the dooryard, where Wuri and Rono can be seen in the distance.

FERIM
Why do you really think he's back?

KARBRE
I think something happened to him, and he's upset.

FERIM
I guess. I just... when D'lashra first came, that Jamod
asked a lot of questions about him. About whether we
heard from him and so on.

KARBRE
I remember.

FERIM
What did he say to you yesterday? After Wuri's stuff
got smashed?

KARBRE
He said he sensed something. He's probably trying to
impress us.

FERIM
(after a pause)
Okay, maybe I'm not the one who got picked by the Temple,
but I have a funny feeling about this, Karbre. Something's
wrong. I think he should go back to the Temple.

KARBRE
(thinks about it)
He will. I don't doubt it. In the meantime, he is our
brother. I'm not going to send him away.

Ferim picks up a rock and throws it toward town in a frustrated gesture.

FERIM
Yeah. I guess. But I still haven't found anything on
them. It's not safe for us if they start watching any
closer. We can get away with Wuri as long as we
fight with her, but-

KARBRE
-but extended attention on Rono's account isn't going
to help. I know.

FERIM
We could tell him about Mother and Dad.

They start back toward the dooryard. We FOLLOW them.

KARBRE
(shakes head)
No. I don't think... maybe I'd rather not see how little
it would matter to him. Come on. We should go back.

FERIM
(rolls eyes when he sees WURI)
She's doing it again.

KARBRE
And you're surprised again?

Ferim goes forward, adopting his usual attitude toward Wuri, teasing her about her stubbornness.

CUT TO:

EXT. A DIFFERENT ANGLE

First, we SEE the dooryard from Jamod's point of view, then we SEE Jamod. He can't hear them very well, but he is smiling in a none-too-pleasant way. He kneels on the ground, his hands spread out, and closes his eyes.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE VICHAM DOORYARD

We SEE Wuri's pottery tremble slightly. She and the Vichams don't notice it at first.

FERIM
Can't you leave it alone for one day, Wuri?

WURI
Can't you?

The pottery shakes again, more visibly, and the rattling silences them. Rono braces himself against something nearby, obviously automatically jumping to the conclusion that it's an earthquake.

KARBRE
What the-

Rono realizes his mistake and a look of irritation crosses his face. He goes out toward the tree line. We SEE a shadowy figure moving back there. Karbre goes after Rono.

KARBRE
Let her fight her own battles, Rono.

RONO
This isn't hers. This is... I sense something beyond
vandalism.

KARBRE
Rono, please. Let it be.

RONO
I can't. I've always been taught... my Master...
(shakes his head quickly, as
if to clear it)
There are forces in the galaxy other than the Jedi,
Karbre. And I have to know who this is. I can't
walk away from it.

KARBRE
You think it's Sith.

RONO
(surprised)
You use a word that isn't common.

KARBRE
We studied Jedi history, Rono. We weren't kidding
when we told you that we tried to learn everything about
your life. We read about the uprising. They're all supposed
to be dead. For about five hundred years.

RONO
Yes. And there's no proof otherwise. And if I report it, I'll
look like a fool, and nothing will be done anyway. So I
need to find out.
(looks to tree line)
And whoever it is, and whatever it is, I'm sick of it. And
so are you.

There's no argument to be made to this-it's obvious. Karbre lets Rono go, and he slips off to the trees.

CUT TO:
EXT. THE TREES

Rono slips into the shadows, following the figure of Jamod, who has gone further back. Rono draws his lightsaber, but doesn't ignite it.

Jamod stops, sensing Rono. Instead of either breaking away or facing him there, he waits until Rono is only a few yards away-close enough to meet his eyes once-then dives deeper into the shadows.

Rono pauses, considering his course of action, then follows. The cycle happens again a bit deeper into the forest, Jamod just tauntingly out of reach, until Rono comes out into an open space. Jamod is in one final shadow, backed against a tree or a rock face. He ought to look trapped, but instead, he looks quite satisfied with himself.

EXT. THE CLEARING

RONO
Who are you?

JAMOD
Who do you think I am?

Rono clearly feels foolish suggesting his suspicions aloud-imagine telling a local goth teenager "I think you're really the vampire who's been sucking the town's blood for years." Instead of voicing it, he moves toward Jamod, still-unignited lightsaber raised slightly.

RONO
I think you're a coward who creeps in shadows to
destroy property. But only when you think there's
no chance of being caught.

JAMOD
(sarcastic)
I'm stung right to my heart, padawan. How can I
live after being accused of that?

But Rono is only interested in getting closer.

RONO
(moving in)
I think you're a fool who's been duped into doing
dirty work for a greedy old man.

Jamod's smile falters slightly. This is a little closer to the mark.

JAMOD
You're on the wrong track if you're trying to make me
angry. I know who's using who, and if you're expecting
some kind of maudlin Jedi loyalty, you're mistaken.

RONO
I think you were expecting maudlin Jedi loyalty. Jamod,
isn't it? I think he adopted you, and you expected a father.
But that's not what you got, is it?

JAMOD
I didn't want one.

RONO
(has moved in most of the way)
And I think you know how to answer this!

He ignites the lightsaber suddenly, and swings at Jamod. Jamod is in close quarters, and has no opportunity to do anything other than meet the parry by drawing his own lightsaber... and thereby revealing that he has one, which confirms Rono's suspicions-exactly what his Jamod's master told him not to do. Jamod recognizes what Rono has done, and glares at him across the blades.

JAMOD
There were things you were better off not knowing.

He pushes Rono away easily, and leaps aside. Rono starts to come after him, but he puts up one hand, and Rono suddenly grasps at his head in pain and collapses to the ground. Jamod watches him suffer for a moment, then runs toward town, leaving Rono alone in the clearing.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE WOODS NEARBY

Jamod is going back toward town, looking pleased with himself, when Mortak appears quite suddenly, obviously taking Jamod by surprise. His lightsaber is drawn, and he pushes his apprentice against the nearest tree, holding the blade between them menacingly.

MORTAK
Fool! Idiot!

Jamod tries to pull away, but Mortak isn't toying with him this time. Instead, he becomes accusatory.

JAMOD
You were the one who wanted to keep up the attacks
on Wuri Sinjala!

MORTAK
And you were told not to engage the Jedi. You
have confirmed suspicions he might never have
voiced. You drew your lightsaber.

JAMOD
I have a funny thing about stopping people from
slicing through me.

MORTAK
And you dared to call me a coward? You have lost
everything I built here. You are unworthy of the weapon
you built, and certainly unworthy of the name I gave you.

Mortak pushes Jamod to the ground and holds his lightsaber up to behead him. Jamod finally gets it through his head that this is serious.

JAMOD
(gets to his knees)
Master, my father, please... You were correct. I was
mistaken. There's still time. He won't get to the
homestead for several minutes. We need to block
communications.
(LOOKS toward communications
tower of some sort)
Then I'll take care of him.

MORTAK
Short-sighted fool. It will not be enough to destroy the
boy. The brothers and the girl will know.

JAMOD
It would be my pleasure, Master.

Mortak has hesitated too long, and the power is shifting to Jamod, even though he's still on his knees. Suddenly, Jamod jumps to his feet, and the blades cross. Jamod pushes Mortak back.

JAMOD
We'll finish discussing this later.
(overdone respect)
Master.

He raises a hand, almost casually, and the communications tower sparks madly, then burns out. He smiles gently. Mortak is surprised, but tries to cover.

MORTAK
You have learned new skills.

JAMOD
You've seen only the beginning.

MORTAK
Use them. You have created this disaster.
Repair it.

Jamod gives a sarcastic bow, and doubles back toward the Vicham place. Mortak watches him go, staring after him with the eyes of an enemy.

EXT. THE CLEARING - SIMULTANEOUSLY

Rono is still seized up with pain when his brothers and Wuri run to him. Ferim kneels down beside him, and pulls his hands away from his head to check for injury. Karbre hovers, unsure what to do. Wuri runs to the edge, looking for Rono's assailant.

FERIM
Rono! Are you all right? Can you hear me?

Rono nods tightly. His nose has bled a bit.

KARBRE
What happened? What did he do?

RONO
(starting to gather himself)
I don't know. I...
(rubs temples)
I never heard of anything like it. It felt like he
was crushing my skull.

KARBRE
Then it was... it was what we discussed.

RONO
Unquestionably.

With care and in obvious pain, Rono pulls himself to his feet. His brothers try to take his arms to support him, but he shakes his head and holds up a hand. He's getting his strength back.

FERIM
Why'd you run after him alone? We'd have come with
you.

RONO
I had to do it by myself. He was waiting for me.

Wuri has been edging closer. At this, she becomes frustrated.

WURI
He was waiting for you, so you just obligingly went?
What kind of logic is that?

FERIM
(glares)
The same kind that puts your damned vases out every
day, just waiting for someone to come break them. And
I'm sick of it.

WURI
Well, if you'd have stood up to them in the first place-

FERIM
You have no idea what-

Karbre steps between them and pushes them apart.

KARBRE
We don't have time for this. Rono's right. He needs to
contact the-

A SOUND of sparking wires interrupts him and they all look up at the communications tower, which Jamod is destroying. Wuri laughs humorlessly.

WURI
You were saying?

For a moment, the Vichams just stare at it blankly. FOCUS on Rono. We HEAR the distant echo of Liromé's voice from long ago.

VOICE OF LIROMÉ
Only a minute more! Rono!

Rono's paralysis is broken by the memory. He turns, and runs back toward home. His brothers and Wuri follow.

EXT. THE VICHAM DOORYARD

They arrive back. It seems empty, but Rono is keyed up. He draws his lightsaber.

RONO
(calls)
I know you're here!

Ferim, Karbre, and Wuri all cautiously fan into the dooryard. Karbre heads toward the actual home, Ferim toward the tools, and Wuri toward her work area.

Silence is heavy, then suddenly one of the metalworking tools flies up from the work area, striking Ferim across the throat. He falls back, grasping at the wound, then falls to his knees.

WURI
Ferim!

She begins to run toward him, but a large object flies at her and knocks her out of the way. A second object starts flying toward her head, but this time Rono's attention is there, and he deflects it into the wall. He runs to Ferim, feels for a pulse, and doesn't find one. He stands and shouts.

RONO
Where are you?!

Jamod steps casually out from his hiding place.

JAMOD
And here I thought you knew who I was.

Rono charges forward, and the blades of their lightsabers clash. Rono is angry, and it shows, while Jamod is calm and quite pleased with himself.

JAMOD
You'd have been better off if you'd left it alone, like
they did. They knew better than to ask questions
after your parents died.

Rono needs no explanation of this. He attacks again, and a duel begins.

EXT. NEAR WURI'S WORK AREA

We still HEAR the duel in the background. Karbre is moving slowly, trying not to attract attention. He makes her way slowly to Wuri, who is taking shallow breaths. There is blood on her face.

KARBRE
(whispers)
We have to get you inside.

WURI
Your brother... Ferim...

Karbre glances over at Ferim and bites his lip.

KARBRE
I don't think I can get to him. Rono will have to
bring him.

WURI
He's dead.

KARBRE
(considers a lie - to himself
as much as Wuri - then rejects it)
Yes.

Wuri lies back, not offering any energy to move from the spot where she's lying. Karbre looks up anxiously.

EXT. THE DUEL

Rono is getting his anger under control, leaving him a better swordsman. Jamod is beginning to tire.

RONO
D'lashra's your master.

JAMOD
No.

This throws Rono for a moment, and Jamod is able to pick up a parry, and push the duel back toward the house.

RONO
Why are you protecting him?

Jamod laughs at this, genuinely amused.

JAMOD
I'm not protecting anyone.

He pushes the duel again, forcing Rono into a defensive stance.

EXT. WITH WURI AND FERIM

Karbre is frustrated. He puts his arms under Wuri's shoulders and pulls her up.

KARBRE
Come on. Whatever is happening, we have to get under
shelter before that lunatic starts throwing things again.

Ferim struggles to his feet, and together, they start making their way to the house.

EXT. THE DUEL

They have moved to the center of the courtyard and Wuri and Ferim can be seen moving in the background. Karbre's body is off to one side.

RONO
Who is your master, if not D'lashra?

JAMOD
Why so obsessed with masters, Jedi? Just because
you managed to get your own buried under half a city worth
of rubble?

RONO
We both know why.

JAMOD
And we both know I'm not saying a word.

Jamod presses another attack, and they fight evenly for awhile, until Jamod nods his head toward a large object and hurls it not toward Rono, but toward Wuri and Karbre. Karbre manages to duck in time, but she screams, catching Rono's attention.

Jamod tries to attack again, but Rono has lost patience. He raises his own hand, and Jamod falls backward several feet, as if hit by an invisible blast.

Unfortunately, this gives him a bit of momentum, and he rolls out of the fall in a controlled way, and finds himself closer to Karbre and Wuri. He rises up-nearly leaping-and grabs Karbre around the shoulders, dragging him away from Wuri. As soon as the capture is certain, Jamod closes his arm around Karbre's throat, making breathing difficult and talking impossible, though Karbre continues to struggle throughout the scene.

Wuri is still disoriented from being hit, and she sways on her feet. Jamod raises his hand at her and she stumbles back toward Rono, who has to abruptly break off the attack he has been pressing for fear of running her across his lightsaber.

Once she is settled, Rono starts to let go of her, but she suddenly screams and presses her hands against her eyes.

A look of fierce concentration has come across Jamod's face, but he is smiling slightly. Rono grabs Wuri again and she stops screaming. As soon as he lets go to attack, she starts again. Jamod laughs, and looks at Karbre.

JAMOD
As amusing as she is, I think I'll kill you by more
conventional means.

RONO
You're not killing either of them.

Unfortunately for Rono, it's obvious that Jamod has control of both of them.

JAMOD
Interesting question, Jedi... which one of them is distracting
you from rescuing the other? Or are they both distracting
you from capturing me?

Rono starts to make a move, but Wuri screams again, then a wind begins to blow across the dooryard, picking up dust and making it difficult to see.

RONO
Let them go. This is between us.

JAMOD
Ah, if I let them go, we can fight fairly and cleanly,
just the two of us, and they go on as if nothing happened?

RONO
Yes.

Jamod laughs, with great humor.

JAMOD
I have a better idea.

He raises his hand. Wuri screams loudly, and the sound is abruptly cut off. She slumps down in Rono's arms, obviously dead. Rono sets her down and raises his lightsaber.

Jamod lets him get halfway across the yard, then smiles, and twists Karbre's head. He pushes Karbre's body forward as a kind of missile, and Rono, who felt him die, falls to the ground.

There is the flash of a red lightsaber in the quickly rising dust. It falls in a quick arc down toward Rono, who is a still, prone shape in the dust, still hearing VOICES. At the last minute, just before the blow falls, he cries out in rage and his lightsaber ignites. The two blades crash together, and the light of the clash whites out the screen. It

FADES TO:

EXT. A DREAMLIKE LAND

The dust has created a yellowish haze (reminiscent of Rono's dream sequence during the opening credits) and the shadowy form of Mortak rises in it. Two unidentifiable figures are on the ground, one sprawled out, apparently dead, the other curled onto his knees.

MORTAK
Well done, my apprentice.

The one who is curled up moves his head slightly. It is Rono, but the dust should still obscure this to the audience. He says nothing. Mortak moves closer.

MORTAK
Your rage was impressive, your strength unmatched.
Perhaps you can redeem yourself from your mistakes
after all.

Rono rises to his feet. Mortak, in a calculating manner, turns his back on him and starts to walk away.

MORTAK
Come, we will almost certainly need to start again
elsewhere, where neither of us is known.

Rono's hand falls to the hilt of his lightsaber. He draws it in a quick motion, but it suddenly flies through the air, and lands in Mortak's hand. Mortak is looking at him again.

MORTAK
Perhaps, in a few years, you will be able to prevail,
padawan. But until then, I am the Master.

He turns and begins to walk away again. The dust parts and we see Rono's face again, both ashamed and enraged. He follows Mortak. The dust closes on him, leaving him only a shadowy form, finally disappearing into the darkening mist.

THE END