Disclaimer: I am not Rick Riordan or George Lucas.
Enter Baas, on Ashla.
Baas tinkers with one of his machines in his workshop.
Enter Cray Mingla, a black-clad young woman with blond hair and brown eyes.
Cray. Uncle.
Baas. [cold] Hello, Cray. Done with your projects already?
Cray. Yes, Uncle. They were easy.
Baas. [scowls] Easy? The problem of moving water uphill without a pump was easy?
Cray. Oh, yes. Look.
Cray shows Baas the diagrams she had drawn up. The Krevaaki nods grudgingly.
Baas. I see. Not bad.
Cray. The King loved it. He said I might be even smarter than you.
Baas. Did he now?
Cray. But I don't believe that. I'm so glad Mother sent me to study with you. I want to know everything you do.
Baas. Yes. So when I die, you can take my place, eh?
Cray. Oh no, Uncle. But I've been thinking . . . why does a being have to die, anyway?
Baas. [scowls] It is the way of things, lass. Everything dies but the Je'daii.
Cray. But why? If you could capture the pneuma, the soul in another form . . . Well, you've told me about your droids, Uncle: reeks, hawk-bats, rancors, equines. Why not a mechanical sentient?
Baas. No, my girl. You are naïve. Such a thing is impossible.
Cray. I don't think so. With the use of the Force . . .
Baas. [scoffs] The Force?
Cray. Yes, Uncle. The Force and technology together . . . With a little work, one could make a body that would look exactly human, only better. I've made some notes.
Cray hands Baas her notes. He examines them closely, then sets them down.
Baas. It would never work, my girl. When you're older, you'll see.
Cray. Can I fix that homing beacon, then, Uncle? Are your joints swelling up again?
Baas. [irritated] No. Thank you. Now why don't you run along?
Cray walks off to the side, playing with a buzz droid, while Baas continues his own work.
Smarter than me.
Cray. Is it true that your son died flying, Uncle? I heard you made him a repulsorlift engine, but they failed.
Baas. [bitter] Take my place.
The wind whips around Cray.
Cray. I would like to fly. I'd make my own repulsors that wouldn't fail. Do you think I could?
Enter Darth Bane, appearing before Baas.
Bane. Choose. Choose.
Baas's face hardens with anger. He tosses a buzz droid in Cray's direction.
Baas. Cray. Catch.
Cray reaches for the buzz droid, but the throw was too long. The wind catches hold of Cray and blows her out the viewport. In desperation, Cray grabs hold of the rim.
Cray. Uncle. Help me.
Baas does not move.
Baas. Go on, Cray. Make your own repulsors. Be quick about it.
Cray. Uncle.
Cray tumbles into the sea and dies.
Exit Bane.
Enter Ashla.
Ashla. You will pay the price for that, Vodo-Siosk Baas.
Baas. [scowls] I have always honored you, Mother. I have sacrificed everything to follow your way.
Ashla. Yet the girl had my blessing as well. And you have killed her. For that, you must pay.
Baas. [angry] I have paid and paid. I've lost everything. I'll suffer in the Netherworld, no doubt. But in the meantime . . .
Baas pockets Cray's notes.
Ashla. You do not understand. You will pay now and forever.
Ashla marks Baas with the symbol of a murderer. The Krevaaki cries out in agony.
Exit all.
