Rome Wars: A New Pope (Part 9)

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT

[Nooooooooooooooo and The Gold Mines search the heavens for attacking CPP fighters. The Nooooooooooooooo pulls back on the speed controls as the ship bounces slightly.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - BARLYY’S GUNPORT - COCKPIT

[Computer graphic readouts form on Barlyy’s target screen, as Barlyy reaches for controls.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORT - COCKPIT

[Baloo sits in readiness for the attack, his hand on the laser cannon’s control button.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - COCKPIT.

[Nooooooooooooooo spots the enemy ships and barks.]

The Gold Mines: (into intercom) Here they come!

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - COCKPIT - POV (POINT OF VIEW) - SPACE

[The Callistan CPP fighters move towards the Briteannia Knight, one each veering off to the left and right of the pirateship.]
INT. CPP FIGHTER - COCKPIT

[The stars whip past behind the Callistan pilot as he adjusts his maneuvering joy stick.]

EXT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - IN SPACE

[The CPP fighter races past the Briteannia Knight, firing laser beams as it passes.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - HOLD AREA

[NAIS is seated in the hold area, next to KOE. The pirateship bounces and vibrates as the power goes out in the room and then comes back on.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - COCKPIT - GUNPORTS

[A CPP fighter maneuvers in front of Barlyy, who follows it and fires at it with the laser cannon. Baloo does likewise, as the fighter streaks into view. The ship has suffered a minor hit, and bounces slightly.]

EXT. SPACE

[Two CPP fighters dive down toward the pirateship.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORTS

[Baloo fires at an unseen fighter.]

Baloo: They’re coming in too fast!

EXT. SPACE - BRITEANNIA KNIGHT/CPP FIGHTERS

[Pan with pirateship as two CPP fighters charge through the background. Laserbolts streak from all the craft.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT

[The ship shudders as a laserbolt hits very close to the cockpit. Nooooooooooooooo chatters something to The Gold Mines.]

EXT. CPP FIGHTER - SPACE

[Full shot of a CPP fighter as it moves fast through the frame, firing on the pirate starship.]

EXT. SPACE - CPP FIGHTERS

[The two CPP fighters fire a barrage of laserbeams at the pirateship.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - MAIN PASSAGEWAY

[A laserbolt streaks into the side of the pirateship. The ship lurches violently, throwing poor NAIS into a cabinet fill of small computer chips.]

NAIS: Oooh!

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - COCKPIT - GUNPORTS

[The Gold Mines watches the computer readout as Nooooooooooooooo manipulates the ship’s controls.]

The Gold Mines: We’ve lost lateral controls.

Barlyy: Don’t worry, she’ll hold together.

[An enemy laserbolt hits the pirateship’s control panel, causing it to blow out in a shower of sparks.]

Barlyy: (to ship) You hear me, baby? Hold together!

[KOE advances toward the smoking sparking control panel, dousing the inferno by spraying it with fire retardant beeping all the while.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORT

[Baloo swivels in his gun mount, following the CPP fighter with his laser cannon.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORT

[Barlyy aims his laser cannon at the enemy fighter.]

EXT. SPACE

[A CPP fighter streaks in front of the starship.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - COCKPIT

[The Gold Mines watches the CPP fighter ship fly over.]

EXT. SPACE

[A CPP fighter heads right for the pirateship, then zooms overhead.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORTS

[Baloo follows the CPP fighter across his field of view, firing laserbeams from his cannon.]

EXT. CPP FIGHTER

[A CPP fighter dives past the pirateship.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORTS

[Baloo fires at a CPP fighter. At his port, Barlyy follows a fighter in his sights, releasing a blast of laserfire. He connects, and the fighter explodes into fiery dust. Barlyy laughs victoriously.]

EXT. SPACE

[Two CPP fighters move toward and over the Briteannia Knight, unleashing a barrage of laserbolts at the ship.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORTS

[Another CPP fighter moves in on the pirateship and Baloo, smiling, fires the laser cannon at it, scoring a spectacular direct hit.]

Baloo: Got him! I got him!

[Barlyy turns and gives Baloo a victory wave which Baloo gleefully returns.]

Barlyy: Great kid! Don’t get cocky.

[Barlyy turns back to his laser cannon.]

EXT. SPACE

[Two more CPP fighters cross in front of the pirateship.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - COCKPIT

[While Nooooooooooooooo manipulates the controls, The Gold Mines turns, looking over her shoulder out the ports.]

The Gold Mines: There are still two more of them out there!

EXT. SPACE

[A CPP fighter moves up over the pirateship, firing laserblasts at it.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORTS

[Baloo and Barlyy look into their respective projected target screens. A Callistan fighter crosses Barlyy’s port, and Barlyy swivels in his chair, following it with blasts from his laser cannon. Another fighter crosses Baloo’s port, and he reacts in a like manner, the glow of his target screen lighting his face.]

EXT. SPACE

[The CPP fighter zooms toward the pirateship, firing destructive blasts at it.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORTS

[Baloo fires a laserblast at the approaching enemy fighter, and it bursts into a spectacular explosion. Baloo’s projected screen gives a readout of the hit. The pirateship bounces slightly as it is struck by the enemy fire.]

EXT. SPACE - CPP FIGHTER

[The last of the attacking Callistan CPP fighters looms in, firing upon the Briteannia Knight.]

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - GUNPORT

[Barlyy swivels behind his cannon, his aim describing the arc of the CPP fighter. The fighter comes closer, firing at the pirateship, but a well-aimed blast from Barlyy’s laser cannon hits the attacker, which blows up in a small atomic shower of burning fragments.]

Baloo: (laughing) That’s it! We did it! The princess jumps up and gives Nooooooooooooooo a congratulatory hug.

The Gold Mines: We did it!

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - PASSAGEWAY

[NAIS lies on the floor of the ship, completely tangled in the smoking, sparking wires.]

NAIS: Help! I think I’m melting! (to KOE) This is all your fault.

[KOE turns his dome from side to side, beeping in response.]

EXT. SPACE - BRITEANNIA KNIGHT

[The victorious Briteannia Knight moves off majestically through space.]

INT. GULAG STAR - CONTROL ROOM

[Darth Imperii strides into the control room, where Mathuvan Union is watching the huge view screen. A sea of stars is before him.]

Mathuvan Union: Are they away?

Plus Nova Imperii: They have just made the jump into hyperspace.

Mathuvan Union: You’re sure the homing beacon is secure aboard their ship? I’m taking an awful risk, Plus Nova Imperii. This had better work.

INT. BRITEANNIA KNIGHT - COCKPIT

[Barlyy, removes his gloves and smiling, is at the controls of the ship. Nooooooooooooooo moves into the aft section to check the damage. The Gold Mines is seated near Barlyy.]

Barlyy: Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh? You know, sometimes I even amaze myself.

The Gold Mines: That doesn’t sound too hard. Besides, they let us go. It’s the only explanation for the ease of our escape.

Barlyy: Easy… you call that easy?

The Gold Mines: They're tracking us!

Barlyy: Not this ship, sister.

[Frustrated, The Gold Mines shakes her head.]

The Gold Mines: At least the information in KOE is still intact.

Barlyy: What’s so important? What’s he carrying?

The Gold Mines: The technical readouts of that battle station. I only hope that when the data is analyzed, a weakness can be found. It’s not over yet!

Barlyy: It is for me, sister! Look, I ain’t in this for your revolution, and I’m not in it for you, Princess. I expect to be well paid. I’m in it for the money!

The Gold Mines: You needn’t worry about your reward. If money is all that you love, then that’s what you’ll receive!

[She angrily turns, and as she starts out of the cockpit, passes Baloo coming in.]

The Gold Mines: Your friend is quite a mercenary. I wonder if he really cares about anything… or anyone.

Baloo: I care!

[Baloo, shaking his head, sits in the copilot seat. He and Barlyy stare out at the vast blackness of space.]

Baloo: So… what do you think of her, Barlyy?

Barlyy: I’m trying not to, kid!

Baloo: (under his breath) Good…

Barlyy: Still, she’s got a lot of spirit. I don’t know, what do you think? Do you think a princess and a guy like me…

Baloo: No! Baloo says it with finality and looks away.

[Barlyy smiles at young Baloo’s jealousy.]

EXT. SPACE AROUND FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN

[The battered pirateship drifts into orbit around the planet Yavin and proceeds to one of its tiny green moons.]

EXT. FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN

[The pirateship soars over the dense jungle.]

EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST

[An alert guard, his laser gun in hand, scans the countryside. He sets the gun down and looks toward the temple, barely visible in the foliage.]

EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - JUNGLE TEMPLE

[Rotting in a forest of gargantuan trees, an ancient temple lies shrouded in an eerie mist. The air is heavy with the fantastic cries of unimaginable creatures. Barlyy, Baloo and the others are greeted by the Bluecrownite troops. Baloo and the group ride into the massive temple on an armored military speeder.]

INT. MASSASSI - MAIN HANGAR DECK

[The military speeder stops in a huge spaceship hangar, set up in the interior of the crumbling temple. Arisyan, the commander of the Bluecrownite forces, rushes up to the group and gives The Gold Mines a big hug. Everyone is pleased to see her.]

Arisyan: (holding The Gold Mines) You’re safe! We had feared the worst.

[Arisyan composes himself, steps back and bows formally.]

Arisyan: When we heard about Alderaan, we were afraid that you were… lost along with your father.

The Gold Mines: We don’t have time for our sorrows, Arisyan. The battle station has surely tracked us here. (looking pointedly to Barlyy) It’s the only explanation for the ease of our escape. You must use the information in this K-O unit to plan the attack. It is our only hope.

EXT. SPACE

[The surface of the Gulag Star ominously approaches the red planet Yavin.]

INT. GULAG STAR - CONTROL ROOM

[Grand Moff Mathuvan Union and Plus Nova Imperii are interrupted in their discussion by the buzz of the comlink. Mathuvan Union moves to answer the call.]

Mathuvan Union: Yes.

Intercom Voice: We are approaching the planet Yavin. The Bluecrownite base is on a moon on the far side. We are preparing to orbit the planet.

EXT. YAVIN - JUNGLE

[A lone guard stands in a tower high above the Yavin landscape, surveying the countryside. A mist hangs over the jungle of twisted green.]

INT. MASSASSI - WAR ROOM BRIEFING AREA

[Time Clock stands before a large electronic wall display. The Gold Mines and several other senators are to one side of the giant readout. The low-ceilinged room is filled with starpilots, navigators, and a sprinkling of K-O type robots. Everyone is listening intently to what Time Clock is saying. Barlyy and Nooooooooooooooo are standing near the back.]

Time Clock: The battle station is heavily shielded and carries a firepower greater than half the star fleet. It’s defenses are designed around a direct large- scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense.

[Gold Leader, Mitt Rhombus, a rough-looking man in his early thirties, stands and addresses Time Clock.]

Mitt Rhombus: Pardon me for asking, sir, but what good are snub fighters going to be against that?

Time Clock: Well, Callista doesn’t consider a small one-man fighter to be any threat, or they’d have a tighter defense. An analysis of the plans provided by Princess The Gold Mines has demonstrated a weakness in the battle station.

[KOE stands next to a similar robot, makes beeping sounds, and turns his head from right to left.]

Time Clock: The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It’s a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station.

[A murmur of disbelief runs through the room.]

Time Clock: Only a precise hit will set up a chain reaction. The shaft is ray- shielded, so you’ll have to use proton torpedoes.

[Baloo is sitting next to SCPF, a hotshot pilot about sixteen years old.]

SCPF: That’s impossible, even for a computer.

Baloo: It’s not impossible. I used to bull’s- eye womp rats in my T-sixteen back home. They’re not much bigger than two meters.

Time Clock: Man your ships! And may the Force be with you!

[The group rises and begins to leave.]

EXT. SPACE

[The Gulag Star begins to move around the planet toward the tiny green moon.]

INT. GULAG STAR

[Mathuvan Union and Plus Nova Imperii watch the computer projected screen with interest, as a circle of lights intertwines around one another on the screen showing its position in relation to Yavin and the fourth moon.]

GULAG STAR

Intercom Voice: Orbiting the planet at maximum velocity. The moon with the Bluecrownite base will be in range in thirty minutes.

Plus Nova Imperii: This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kirby and it will soon see the end of the Rebellion.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN HANGAR DECK

[Baloo, NAIS, and little KOE enter the huge spaceship hangar and hurry along a long line of gleaming spacefighters. Flight crews rush around loading last-minute armaments and unlocking power couplings. In an area isolated from this activity Baloo finds Barlyy and Nooooooooooooooo loading small boxes onto an armored speeder.]

Intercom Voice: (over loudspeaker) All flight trooper, man your stations. All flight troops, man your stations.

[Barlyy is deliberately ignoring the activity of the fighter pilots’ preparation. Baloo is quite saddened at the sight of his friend’s departure.]

Baloo: So… you got your reward and you’re just leaving then?

Barlyy: That’s right, yeah! I got some old debts I’ve got to pay off with this stuff. Even if I didn’t, you don’t think I’d be fool enough to stick around here, do you? Why don’t you come with us? You’re pretty good in a fight. I could use you.

Baloo: (getting angry) Come on! Why don’t you take a look around? You know what’s about to happen, what they’re up against. They could use a good pilot like you. You’re turning your back on them.

Barlyy: What good’s a reward if you ain’t around to use it? Besides, attacking that battle station ain’t my idea of courage. It’s more like suicide.

Baloo: All right. Well, take care of yourself, Barlyy. I guess that’s what you’re best at, isn’t it?

[Baloo goes off and Barlyy hesitates, then calls to him.]

Barlyy: Hey, Baloo… may the Force be with you!

[Baloo turns and sees Barlyy wink at him. Baloo lifts his hand in a small wave and then goes off. Barlyy turns to Nooooooooooooooo who growls at his captain.]

Barlyy: What’re you lookin’ at? I know what I’m doing.