STAR WARS: THE ENEMY WITHIN - EPISODE I

Twentieth Century Fox presents
A Lucasfilm Ltd. production

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

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THE ENEMY WITHIN

It is a period of chaos for the Rebellion. Still engulfed in the fierce intergalactic war, the Alliance has decided to set up a new base of operations on the wasteland planet of Dantooine, while Luke Skywalker has returned to duty after his ordeal on Cloud City, still continuing his Jedi training on his own.

Meanwhile, the infamous bounty hunter Boba Fett has arrived on the desert planet of Tatooine, ready to deliver Han Solo to the crimelord Jabba the Hutt. However, the Empire is still eager to obtain the frozen Solo after Skywalker's escape from Bespin.

All of this, and more, is part of the Emperor’s plan as he makes his final move to take over the galaxy completely. As Palpatine’s scheme enters its crucial phase, Darth Vader prepares to depart the Imperial center of Coruscant for the forest moon of Endor, where a secret project is in construction that will spell doom for the Rebellion, and plunge the galaxy into darkness forever....

DAYBREAK PATROL
The Rebel Base, Dantooine
(ATTN: Gioman)

The blinding sun slowly rises above the wastelands of Dantooine, shining its light down on the craggy rock formations that hide the gigantic Alliance base and thankfully raising the temperature from the cold night as another day begins in the Rebellion.

As the sky lightens evermore, three small fighters escape from the main hangar bay of the base and scream out into the open. At the head of the trio is Wedge Antilles, whose experience has come a long way since his almost suicidal dogfighting in the early days of Rogue Squadron. Behind him, his wingmen: Derek “Hobbie” Klivian, a relatively fresh-faced human and a valuable member of the flight group, and Ven Renavo, a talented and determined pilot, who to this day is the only Twi’lek to serve in the Rebel Alliance.

As Antilles banks around the rocks and heads for the plains, he flicks his sensor grid on.

‘Keep your eyes open,’ the veteran states. ‘Any sign of activity, Imperial or not, needs to be checked out immediately.’

‘Roger, Rogue Leader,’ replies Hobbie.

‘We’ll split up. Hobbie, you take Sector-Four. Renavo, you have three. I’ll take one and two. We’ll rendezvous back at the base in an hour.’

As Wedge and Hobbie bank away, Ven kicks in his thrusters and heads for the desolate mountain range identified as Sector-Three.

RECRUITMENT
Mos Eisley, Tatooine
(ATTN: Blunt, Katanga, Burke)

The com-machine beeps furiously as the message slowly downloads, bringing up a short paragraph of text inch-by-inch. As it stutters, the figure of SK-951 stands in front of it and squints, trying to read what text has come so far. As the message finishes, he sees what it is: a communication from the Alliance. However, he is immediately baffled by the message.

It tells him they have an operative in Mos Eisley, and that he is ready to meet the ex-Stormtrooper. However, the spying mission he will undertake is far more important, and dangerous, that he was expecting.

As he deletes the message, and walks out of the booth onto the dusty streets of the spaceport, he looks towards the cantina he has been told to go to, thinking about his job, and his mission: to shadow Boba Fett, the most infamous bounty hunter in the galaxy. He walks towards the cantina, and possibly, his fate.

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In a smoky corner of Chalmun’s Cantina, a human sits, taking in the local aura of the resident drunks and barflies that can always be seen in this zoo of a cantina. Decklan Yuan Cross takes another swig of Leckti and stares around. He hates the place. It’s full of undesirables, and smells like dead acklay. However, it’s known as a haven for starpilots. And, as rumour would have it, Rebels. People who Deck is very eager to get into contact with.

He spots a man sitting at the bar, minding his own business. A long coat hangs from his tall frame. Deck can clearly see a heavy blaster strapped to his left thigh. But there’s something about this pilot that seems different.

Deck sees this as his chance. He walks over to the bar, and sits down. The barman, Wuher, gives an inhospitable grunt to the human. Deck orders a drink, and turns to the pilot. He feels like he’s intruding, but he must speak to him, if he’s ever going to join the Alliance. Suddenly, he is surprised as the pilot speaks to him.

‘You don’t look like a Stormtrooper.’

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Inside Mos Eisley Station 94-11, Mei Sta’ar sits in a chair and stares at Captain Dancto, the commanding officer of Skirmish Co., a particularly notorious battalion of Imperial Sandtroopers. She has been sitting in his waiting room for two hours, awaiting his attention. Unlike the troops, he is wearing a standard officer’s uniform, and looks quite refined.

‘Your skills have been made aware to the Empire, Miss Sta’ar. I have been authorized to offer you a considerable amount for a job we think you would be ideal at carrying out.’

He stands up, and walks to a console.

‘We have just received word that a certain someone will be arriving on Tatooine tonight. That person will be carrying something of value to us, something we require back. We will pay you 15, 000 now, and a further 20, 000 once the quarry is delivered. We would prefer him alive, but under the circumstances, just proof of his death and the item he is carrying will do.’

As Mei waits for more details, a trooper enters the room, not wearing his helmet, but nevertheless looking slightly grubby. His armour is covered in dust from the plains.

‘The Slave I has just landed, Captain,’ he whispers to Dancto, some of his last words inaudible.

‘Very good, Corporal.’

As the trooper leaves, Dancto turns his attention back to Mei.

‘I can see by your face you are understandably curious. Six weeks ago, the infamous smuggler Han Solo was encased in Carbonite by Darth Vader after our Lord had captured the Rebel. He had originally planned to freeze a young pilot named Luke Skywalker, but his machinations did not go to plan, and Skywalker escaped. However, Solo was given to a bounty hunter, who was to take the smuggler to Jabba the Hutt, who had put a large price on his head. We need to find Solo again to help entrap Skywalker, so we must detain the bounty hunter who was hired. This is where you would come in.’

Dancto flips a switch, and a hologram of an odd-looking starship appears.

‘This is the Slave I, which as you are probably aware, is the property of Boba Fett. It has just been spotted over Mos Espa, which means he is on his way to Jabba’s palace. We need you to get to the palace, infiltrate it, and obtain Solo, and capture, or kill, the bounty hunter Fett. Of course, we will provide you with necessary equipment, should you need it. Are there any questions, Miss Sta’ar?’

IMPERIAL RENDEZVOUZ
The Skyrake, in orbit of Verdata IV
(ATTN: General Logan, Captucalyptus, Mr Skin)

The large bulk starship known as the Skyrake slowly escapes Verdata IV’s gravity pull, and engages its engines, taking it out of the system with a mighty roar.

Inside the cockpit, two figures sit, both a contrast to each other. Sitting in the captain’s chair is Oribuss, the Whiphid commander of the craft. Known to most as an intergalactic collector of game, the humanoid is as tall as a Wookie, but with quite the opposite in temperament.

Next to him sits DC-3, a four armed Navigation Droid, whose current duty is to helm the ship while Oribuss checks the ship’s computer systems on a datapad. Occasionally, she will make a quick diagnostic of the ship while keeping her auto-pilot engaged, usually followed by a quiet comment about her master’s flying, but her main function is to pilot the craft.

Behind the droid sits Lila E’chor, the Skyrake’s current mechanic. While normally residing in the engine room, Lila has stationed herself in the cockpit to advise her captain of the current status of the ship, as there has recently been some structural damage from one of Oribuss’ “items”. However, in all other ways, the ship is in top condition.

Standing just behind Lila, plugged into the environmental conditions console, is R2-X5, the mechanic’s personal droid. He whistles quietly as he goes about his business, occasionally swivelling his head towards the two humanoids in his own inquisitive nature.

As Lila prepares to give the final report, the ship’s sensors suddenly begin to go haywire. X5 begins to beep fiercely, as Oribuss checks the sensor grid, and looks out of the cockpit at the looming shape travelling above the Skyrake.

As Lila becomes increasingly nervous, the communications beacon begins to whine, as a message comes through.

‘This is the Imperial Star Destroyer Avenger. Power down and state your business in this sector immediately!’

As Lila looks at Oribuss, the Whiphid must decide whether to respond.

TALES OF THE EMPIRE
The Rebel Fleet
(ATTN: Laugharn)

Myron K. Nelor stares out of the small window in his quarters on the eighteenth deck of the Nebulon-B frigate, his console sitting quietly behind him on his desk. He had meant to be translating the day’s recollections. Recently, the fleet has been quiet, with most of its manpower having been sent to the base on Dantooine. However, he has just been informed of a move involving the Calamarians, who before now had only an underground presence in the Rebellion, and were understandably hesitant in helping the Alliance in full-view of Coruscant. But, now that the Empire is moving in, they see a window of opportunity to officially declare their services to the Rebels, so they can join the fleet before the Imperial Navy can come down on them. With the fleet a day away from Mon Calimari, Nelor is eager to see history made, the Alliance strengthened, and the black mark under his name wiped away.

Nelor sits at his console, and begins to write.

FORTUNE AND GLORY
Olana’s Casino, Dressen II
(ATTN: Poxy, Rath, Unicorn)

Jod Wotanna couldn’t believe it. He had always been a good gambler, especially at Sabacc, but this had beaten his life haul in one fell swoop. His eyes were almost bulging as the banker collected up the 200, 000 credit jackpot, a sullen look in his eye as if Wotanna had just handed him the death penalty. As Wotanna collects up his winnings, he turns, looking around somewhat suspiciously, and walks to a side counter, where a girl waits with a case.

‘Congratulations. Will you spending the night at Olana’s?’

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Inside the control room at the casino, Dran Olana stares at the video screen, watching the Twi’lek walk away from the table. He slumps back in his huge chair, and growls in basic to the two figures behind him, an ugly human named Stuum, and a large Trandoshan named Sheshurrek.

‘Stuum. I want that dealer killed. Now.’

‘Yes, sir.’

The man walks out of the office. Olana looks up at Sheshurrek.

‘You know what to do. I want subtlety. He doesn’t leave this planet, do you understand?’

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Deakon Cassidy was enjoying a quiet drink to himself when he heard the commotion. Looking around, he saw a huge crowd gathering around a Sabacc table... and a smiling Twi’lek proudly clutching handfuls of credits. Deakon hadn’t been on Dressen for long, but knew a chance when he saw one. After all, how much of a challenge can a Twi’lek be? However, he also knew the history of this Casino, and its owners. But, he knew he had to go for it.

He gulped down the rest of his drink, and walked to a nearby credit machine, calmly leaning against it and looking around at his surroundings.

DEPARTING FOR ENDOR
The Imperial Palace, Coruscant
(ATTN: Hellblazer)

The corridors of the upper echelons of the Imperial Palace are eerily quiet as Lord Darth Vader strides through them, approaching a huge door. Blocking the door are two of the Emperor’s Royal Guards, deadly bodyguards culled from the elite of the elite in the Imperial forces. They are not prepared to let Vader in.

‘The Emperor is not to be disturbed,’ one of them says to Vader.

‘I must see him before I depart,’ Vader replies. ‘You will stand aside.’

‘The Emperor has given his orders. He is not to be disturbed.’

Suddenly, the guard is thrown back against the door. A gagging sound emits from his throat as Vader slowly walks towards the guard, using the dark side of the Force to choke him. The guard is close to death when Vader drops him. As he catches his breath, the other one stands aside. The door swooshes open.

Vader walks into the dimly lit chamber, striding up a huge staircase. As he reaches the top, he walks for a few metres, and kneels. Looking down on him is Emperor Palpatine.

‘Rise, my apprentice.’

‘I am preparing to leave for Endor, my lord.’

‘Ah, yes, Endor. I trust your motivational skills will not be in question there.’

‘Of course not, my lord.’

‘Good.’

‘What is to be done about Skywalker?’

‘The young Jedi is no longer your concern at this time, Lord Vader.’

‘I understand. However, I will be making a stop at Drago. I have some business to attend to.

‘So be it. Leave. Report to me when you have arrived at the sanctuary moon.’

‘As you wish.’

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Terok Vega stared around as he waited on the landing pad, the gigantic Lambda-class Shuttle standing before him. The cold Coruscant night bit hard, even with the heavy duster he wore to protect him, but he didn’t care much. His mind was on other things, notably, his latest mission. He was surprised at being given what seemed to be an easy task, but understood the need for his quarry to be eliminated immediately.

Hearing the loud footsteps, he quickly turned around to see the tall black shape of Darth Vader heading towards him, his cloak billowing in the wind, with six Stormtroopers following him. As he stopped in front of Vega, the troops dispersed and headed towards the shuttle. Vader watched them for a second, and then looked down at the bounty hunter.

‘Your ship is completely fuelled, and your engines fully repaired. Our last report places Nelor on a ship at the forefront of the fleet. The Rebels themselves were last seen near Lahsbee. I trust your fee was... acceptable?’

RECRUITMENT
(ATTN: Katanga, Blunt)

'Sorry. My mistake...'

The stranger immediately rises and nods to Decklan, before leaving the bar, his hand slowly moving to rest on his left holster. As he looks around, he sees an empty seat, with a drink in front of it. He looks around again, and sits in the seat.

Without turning to the man next to him, he speaks.

'Has the Thranta landed?'

IMPERIAL RENDEZVOUZ
(ATTN: Logan, Capt, Skin)

'Registry information has cleared. Captain Oribuss, our commander requests an audience. Prepare to be boarded.'

The Avenger moves in closer to the Skyrake, its ventral docking bay looming ever closer to the ship.

RECRUITMENT
(ATTN: Burke)

'... Commander Kaion. I have a message for Lord Vader.'

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As Mei walks through the cramped corridors of the outpost, trying to find her way out, a Stormtrooper meets her, holding a keycard in his hand.

'This is for room 327, in the Hotel Kandar, near Chalmun's. Your droid is there. When you are ready, an unmarked transport will take you to the Hutt's palace.'

FORTUNE AND GLORY
(ATTN: Rath, Poxy, Unicorn)

Stuum hightails it out of the casino, and looks around. The plaza is full of people, a huge crowd of all discernable races. He pats his right thigh, making sure his blaster is still strapped on. He looks around, but just can't see him.

'I can't see him, Sheshurrek. He's disappeared.'

DAYBREAK PATROL
(ATTN: Gioman)

'Confirmed, Rogue Five.' replied Wedge. 'They're ours.

'Rogues, this is General Rieekan. We've picked up an unidentified signal moving in the far north. There's nothing to say it's Imperial so far, but all our communication attempts have met with no response. We need you to investigate.'

DEPARTING FOR ENDOR
(ATTN: Hellblazer)

'No. Bring him to me. The Emperor wants him alive.'