145 Cu' Ra's Bar — Int. 145
Su'Ka'Layans now surround Poe and Finn. They all stare at Poe intently, waiting on every word, roaring with Poe's laughter at the tales he shares.
POE No, really, we call him 'Master Skippy!' You all laugh, but he sacrificed himself for the galaxy. Twice. He just needs help upstairs sometimes.
Four figures emerge from the entrance to the bar. One is Rey, behind her a hooded light green Twi'lek woman, and the other two are C3PO and R2D2.
VILPUS Cu'Ra! I'm back with a friend. Give everyone a round on me!
The entire bar —including Poe and excluding Finn— erupts in cheers. Finn is confused; Rey is slightly annoyed that Poe and Finn were only drinking in this dangerous bar.
CU'RA Will do Jedi Vilpus! You got two more friends waiting for you over there.
VILPUS Add two more for all then, but I'll need a booth in private for now, yaa?
C3PO Master Vilpus, this would be an improper use of funds.
CU'RA I don't hear any complaints.
Vilpus points to a stall. Finn and Poe quickly wade through the crowd to the spot. Poe takes his drink with him. Vilpus is the first there. Rey follows her, careful not to touch anyone. The droids stay standing. BB8 tries to get a better view, R2D2 goes out of his way to block him.
C3PO Oh, stop that, R2.
R2D2 *Beeps mischievously
POE Greetings, Jedi Vilpus. Thank you for your tolerance toward the interruption we have given you. I am Corporal Poe Dameron, Elite of the Republic Cluster of Planets.
FINN I am FN... ah Finn, my name is. Formerly private, currently spy.
REY ...And I am Rey.
VILPUS Worry not, Poe. I, and my droids R2D2 and C3PO are happy to have come across you all.
C3PO Indeed! It is always pleasant to meet new people!
POE Trust us. We are overjoyed to see your kindness after all we have been through today.
VILPUS What has that been, precisely?
POE Too much, too much. But I will say: my life and my mission are both owed to these two next to you. I only need a safe passage to the Republic Cluster for them.
VILPUS Oh... Are you sure they wouldn't want to go anywhere else?
FINN What do you mean?
Vilpus stares into Finn, her face slightly changing.
VILPUS I don't know what hidden heroics you have performed... but I see it within you as I have seen it hidden in others... The Force has awakened within you.
FINN But... that can't be... my midichlorian count is in the bottom five percent.
VILPUS It is not absolute. Anyone can learn the Force, and you have just broken into it. If you dedicate yourself, the midichlorians will find their way to you.
REY Finn! That's incredible!
VILPUS I would not say he is the only incredible one.
REY ...
VILPUS It is in you as well. I have never seen as much in any other. I think it would be a wise idea to take you to the Jedi temple if you both desire admission.
Rey is overwhelmed by this information. Vilpus changes partially into Rey when she told her this.
POE You' re the shapeshifter Master Skywalker converted.
VILPUS Yes, we are working together even now, actually.
REY Luke Skywalker!?
VILPUS Haha, no, Miss Datas Skywalker. She isn't on this planet. Sorry to disappoint.
FINN This is heavy.
VILPUS I understand. There is time before you have to make your decision. Much remains for me to find here before I return to the Jedi Temple.
POE We can stay few more days.
VILPUS Haha, it may be longer than that. These pyramids are the Vatshnien Pirates' secret to hyperspace interception.
POE ...Woah.
VILPUS I doubt this secret will be easy to find.
FINN Can we be of help?
VILPUS I am sure you can be. For now, however, you two should take your time with your thoughts. Know that if you choose this new path, it will be the end of everything you once were. Ruminate on this. I will accept whatever answer you find and take you where you need to be.
Finn says nothing but looks down, deep in thought.
REY Yes, that is appreciated. Thank you for this opportunity.
VILPUS Not at all. For now, I need to talk more about why a Republic Elite is here in the Outer Rim.
Rey signals Finn to follow her out of the bar. He slowly follows. They leave together.
C3PO Oh, I do hope they aren't too rattled.
POE They'll be fine. For the girl, this is the best news in her entire life. I have seen her at work, Vilpus. She is stellar.
VILPUS Is she?
POE Oh yeah. Even your Jedi tricks are nothing like her. She's all natural, too. Didn't even think it was the Force.
VILPUS It isn't.
POE ...what?
VILPUS Poe, I have never seen as much in any other. What she is, is impossible. Poe. I need specifics and details from you. Where did you find her?
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146 Trail to Pyramids — Ext. 146
The trail is still dark, with misty weather now. It is illuminated by some lights on the ground and by distant town signs. The pyramids are closer to them now but have not yet reached them. Pleasant algae-like plants (structured similarly to flowering bushes) frame their pathway.
Finn and Rey are walking together. Rey is excited, manic, Finn quietly listening and softly agreeing.
REY I still cannot believe this Finn! It's been the Force all this time!
FINN Yeah.
REY We are going to become Jedi masters, Finn! Training together! Do you know how unlikely that is?
FINN Really unlikely.
REY It's incredible! It's finally our chance! We can be somebody now!
FINN ...I don't know what that is supposed to mean.
REY Finn, it means we MATTER now. We're not just some nameless soldier and some desert witch. We can do things that matter now! We can be heroes known across the entire galaxy!
FINN Did you not think I mattered before Vilpus said all that?
REY Wha—Finn , that's not what I mean—
FINN Rey, You're incredible. You mattered before she said anything. I think you should go. It's your dream.
REY I don't want to go without you. This is the happiest day of my entire life; it should be yours too!
FINN To become a Jedi? To kill all the people I lived alongside?
Rey wants to fight about this, but she senses their beliefs may clash here.
FINN (cont.) There are plenty of small people that don't matter, Rey. They get forgotten, and no one says their names after they die. That's me. That's my people. I don't want to keep fighting against my people who don't matter.
REY Finn... you'll come with me, right? At least for a little while?
Finn locks eyes with Rey and is torn between her face and his beliefs. He wrestles within himself but before he can answer:
An explosion roars through the sky, the bright red illuminating the think cloud layer. Ship engines scream, and heavy weapons wail. Out of the clouds, a small burning craft hurls into the ground.
Finn and Rey look to see what is going on. Finn grabs his gun.
.
147 Pyramid Town — Ext. 147
People look up to see what is happening. Military police around the area start signaling people to stay indoors and ready their guns.
The engine sounds are getting closer. Another explosion and a second craft careens down. And then it bursts through the sky:
Kylo Ren's Eagle.
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148 Trail to Pyramids – Ext. 148
FINN That's Kylo Ren's private ship!
REY Is he following us?!
FINN No, that's impossible. Unless... Rey! Your Imperial Shuttle, did it still have its original black box?
REY No! Of course not!
FINN It must have been something like that. We have to hide; they can't hold this position for long.
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149 Su'Ka'Lay — Woods 149
The Eagle lands on a flat space in the deeper algae-woods of the terrain. As the ship is landing, they shoot down the final small craft.
The back opens, and Kylo Ren walks out with Eepha Ren first. His men rush out afterwards with large anti-aircraft technology. The troops begin establishing a perimeter around the ship —a group of ten stays with Kylo.
KYLO Get those missiles ready. We do not have time for shields! Secure the area around. Expect local retaliation! Eepha Rent protect the ship at any cost. Group One, you are with me!
Kylo holds out his hand with the earring.
KYLO (cont.) We are heading north! MOVE!
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150 Pyramid Town — Ext. 150
Poe and Vilpus emerge out of the bar, each with their weapons in hand.
POE Wow, dangerous area.
VILPUS This isn't normal. I sense a presence... Kylo Ren.
POE ...that's impossible.
VILPUS Finn and Rey are near the front pyramid. Find them. Does Kylo Ren have any other Knights of Ren with him?
POE Yes, a nasty one that takes down ships.
VILPUS That will be a problem. Hurry!
Poe takes off but has no clue where he is going.
Vilpus activates her two twin blue light sabers and heads toward the craft.
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151 Front of Pyramid — Ext. 151
At the front of the first pyramid, the algae overrun ruins of a once-great city. Two troops begin examining the area, guns ready. Finn and Rey are hiding within eyeshot of each other. Finn is only one with a gun.
Rey accidentally trips a brick, alerting the two guards. Finn shoots one with the non-lethal blast from his gun but misses the other. The second trooper goes for cover while blaster fire starts hitting all around Finn and Rey. Finn tries to respond, but it is chaos. Rey panics and flees. The rubble collapses in on Finn.
.
152 Su'Ka'Lay — Woods 152
Much of the algae-trees are on fire. The stormtroopers are maintaining total control of the battlefield. The Su'Ka'Lay military police scramble to make any impact. Just as they begin to retreat, Vilpus' lightsaber cuts through a stormtrooper. She pushes forward, breaking the line. The stormtroopers flee backward. Then, unseen from behind, Eepha Ren strikes.
Vilpus takes a nasty hit on her right arm, only her Force mastery and lightsaber stop the spear from going deeper. Unable to advance, Eepha retracts it into her hands and lunges at the Jedi. The plasma blade and the phrik pole lock the two in stalemate.
.
153 Trail to Pyramids — Ext. 153
Five Su'Ka'Lay soldiers drive off two stormtroopers, only for Kylo Ren to jump in the middle of the bird-people, slicing two in half on his opening swing. The furthest soldier shoots three shots, but Kylo stops them midair while digging his lightsaber into a third soldier. He grabs the remaining soldier close to him and thrusts his face into the frozen blaster shots. Kylo fully extends his arm, pointing his light saber directly at the soldier who fired on him. With the other hand, he drags the pleading soldier into the blade. None are left.
Kylo Ren breathes out and returns to his search when he feels something. He turns his head and sees a fleeing Rey.
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154 Front of Pyramid — Ext. 154
The stormtroopers dig up Finn. His face is bleeding. After one puts his hand on his shoulder, a shot sends the stormtrooper to the ground. Poe is revealed and starts making his way to Finn. Only two stormtroopers remain in this area.
Poe makes it to Finn, who is just coming to.
POE Finn. Finn! Stay with me buddy. Common.
FINN Poe... where's Rey?
Stormtroopers lay fire upon them; returns with fervor.
POE We'll find her. You need to get up.
FINN Yeah, got it.
Finn takes his gun and lays non-lethal shots.
.
155 Trail to Pyramids — Ext. 155
Rey runs through the forest, then trips. Kylo Ren's lightsaber appears suddenly near her neck. She gets up very slowly.
KYLO Surrender fully.
Rey lifts her hands.
KYLO Good, now show me where the traitor and prisoner are.
Rey takes the chance and swings at his sword hand. A burst of energy sends Kylo into a tree, knocking his lightsaber out of his hand.
A Good Stormtrooper uses his gun's stun function on Rey.
GOOD STORMTROOPER Sir! Are you alright, sir?
Kylo gets up, unharmed but annoyed.
KYLO Keep this one here for now. I will find the other two.
As Kylo goes off to hunt Finn and Poe, the Stormtrooper touches his helmet.
GOOD STORMTROOPER Sir, wait! We are getting a priority transmission.
KYLO Disregard that trooper!
The trooper plays a hologram of Vice Admiral Hux.
HUX What are you doing, Kylo!?
KYLO Sir, I have cornered the traitor and prisoner, we are about—
HUX I have given you an explicit command to drop this issue! We are now behind schedule for the launch.
KYLO This must be our top priority.
HUX You do not get to decide that Knight of Ren! It is over now.
Hux presses a device on his wrist.
HUX Eepha Ren, you are no longer under Kylo Ren's command. If Kylo Ren takes any further action other than returning to Faldur, kill him.
.
156 Su'Ka'Lay — Woods 156
Eepha Ren and Vilpus have reached a stalemate. Hux's message concludes on this scene, being projected by a metal disc on Eepha's robe. The injury on her arm has gotten worse.
VILPUS I suppose our battle will continue another time then.
Eepha Ren retreats, Vilpus collapses on her exit.
.
157 Trail to Pyramids — Ext. 157
The hologram of Hux is still playing.
HUX Does this make circumstances clear now?
KYLO Yes, sir.
HUX Good. Do not bother coming to base. My Star Destroyer is already here. I expect to see you in Hanger 2 in thirty.
Hux exits without waiting for Kylo's response.
Kylo kills Good Stormtrooper and carries Rey. He sends a message out to the remaining troopers.
KYLO Men, we have successfully captured the collaborator. Fall back into The Eagle immediately.
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158 Front Pyramids — Ext. 158
Finn hears the end of the transmission from a dead stormtrooper's helmet. There are no troopers around them now, yet Poe and Finn stay behind cover.
FINN Poe, they got Rey!
POE Urgh great. We have to hope Vilpus and the Su'Ka'Layans do their jobs.
.
159 Su'Ka'Lay — Woods 159
Kylo Ren is still carrying Rey as he passes Eepha, staring at him as he enters. Fighting is still intense.
KYLO Retreat in The Eagle, now! Now!
More troopers load into The Eagle.
Kylo looks out and senses Jedi Vilpus through the algae-trees. Jedi Vilpus herself is being examined by a Su'Ka'Layan and protected by many soldiers firing upon the Eagle. Kylo enters last with Eepha closely following him. The door shuts, and Rey is gone.
.
160 Pyramids Town — Ext. 160
The town is panicking. The military is trying to lock things down. Finn and Poe get to the outside of the bar, and they see The Eagle take off.
POE There it goes.
FINN No…
POE Vilpus could have got her in time.
VILPUS I apologize.
They turn to see the injured Vilpus being treated by a Su'Ka'Layan doctor with a robot. C3PO, R2D2, and BB8 are with her.
POE So, she's gone.
FINN How did you let this happen?
VILPUS The Knight of Ren called "Eepha' surprised me. I saw Kylo Ren take Rey onto his ship.
POE I'm sorry, Finn.
C3PO Oh dear, that poor girl.
There is a silence among the characters.
FINN They wanted me.
POE I'm not sure about that, Finn. They left right as they took Rey.
FINN No wait... if they wanted either of us, they would have offered the planet a bounty first. Why did he come here? The risk has no reason.
POE Well, I guess that's it—
VILPUS What are you thinking, Finn?
Finn is processing a lot; he stumbles over his words.
FINN We might— we might, well. We might be able to save Rey.
POE ...
VILPUS Keep going.
FINN Kylo was in a rush. We called in for a Star Destroyer. It has to be the Vice Admiral's Agnomenon.
POE Okay.
FINN A year ago on Chos, Hangar 7 took a massive hit. Fueling, electric, doors, and shield generators were severely damaged. Our head engineers sent in a repair request the whole time and got nothing back.
Finn looks at Vilpus.
FINN Master Vilpus, your ship is stealth class, right? They have to be leaving soon. How fast is it?
VILPUS It wouldn't be as fast as Kylo's.
FINN Could it make ten light-years in under an hour?
VILPUS Yes.
POE Finn, I know what you're thinking.
FINN She has a stealth craft, Poe. The destroyer will be severely understaffed, not to mention rushed. No one should be paying attention to visuals on that side, and the Hangar 7 doors are wide open. The craft is stealth and can sneak in! It's possible!
POE Why would they let that massive weak spot stay open!?
FINN We used the Agnomenon to ferry other units and establishing presence in controlled areas. The ship hasn't been near any combat.
POE Finn, how long has it been since you were on this vessel?! Why couldn't they have fixed it while you were on world?
FINN I know the Empire. It would be more surprising if it were fixed. The opening is there, Poe.
POE Okay, whatever, let us say we could just... fly right up to death's mouth and lay down. The next part, Finn. Think about this. "Understaffed" means about twenty thousand to me.
FINN Roughly forty thousand. Eight thousand are troopers.
POE Finn, do you have any idea how insane this is?
VILPUS Finn... I take it from this you used to be a trooper on this ship.
FINN I was.
VILPUS Then you know the layout and all the dangers of this plan.
FINN I do.
VILPUS Mmm. Let's get my ship ready.
C3PO Master, I must insist we abort this plan! The odds of this mission's success are—
VILPUS I thought Datas removed your situation calculator?
C3PO She did, but I found reinstalling it in everyone's best interest to avoid suicidal scenarios.
POE Alright, Finn. We will land in the Star Destroyer.
C3PO Oh, no…
POE (cont.) But I'll drive. If I see the slightest aggression or movement from that monster, I take us out of there no matter what. Agreed?
FINN Agreed.
They all begin walking to the garage.
POE And uh, Finn.
FINN Yeah?
POE I want to save her too.
.
.
.