114 MDS Krannek Assembly Center – Int. 114
Inside the MDS Krannek is a circular hall. The center is spotlighted, and a raised crowd is positioned surrounding it. While not a single seat is absent, most attend virtually. On the larger left are the 523 legal aged members of the seven Imperial Families (House Hux was liquidated as the scapegoats after Finn's Invasion). On the smaller right are the 355 young, confident Princes of Dawn. Rey stands in the center, orating to all. Cardinal Knight Kylo Ren stands to her left.
The topic of debate: the annihilation of Shanglacius.
REY As promised, your Empress has gotten the unconditional surrender of Shanglacius. Their means of staggering our Krannek Death Star —the Hypermatter Protection Grid— has been dismantled. I now convene the Krannek Summit for the annihilation of Shanglacius. The chamber is open for the Affirmative Representative.
An old miser in military regalia enters the right podium just beneath Rey. He faces both parties. Old, hardened, and highly accomplished. Every member of the Imperial Family trusts this man to represent their interests against their reigning dictator. He is the retired general, Solomon Palpatine.
GEN. PALPATINE Thank you, your grace. Our Empire has cleaved its returned reputation by exemplary wrath. And it has been too long since the last example. This loose planet has openly rejected our peaceful alliance to supersede the very cornerstone of our galactic authority. All our conquered and all our enemies are watching this worthless, resource-dry iceball to witness a weakness. And that includes leniency. I vote in favor of annihilation. From what I hear, their people want it destroyed.
The left side applauds. The right side understands this event is ceremonial; they are neither surprised nor grim nor angry. They know that one day, this will play out differently. Cassariot has already started moving to the right podium.
REY Thank you, General Palpatine. The chamber is open to a Negative Representative.
Cassariot raises a hand with a wry grin. He arrives at the podium just as she finishes. The grin stays.
CASSARIOT Thank you, Sith Empress. It is only through you the Empire has resurged.
Cassariot eyes General Palpatine on that comment; the General scowls back.
CASSARIOT (cont.) Not only did you personally end the war, but you also made us: the Princes of Dawn. The general and his respected House members wasted us as slaves, just as they wasted the MDS Krannek when they had power. With us, every year has yielded more territory than the last, for six entire years. Yet, we don't get any of that land. They took a new capital planet in Shi after they lost the crown jewel, Coruscant. How worthy. Now they reject this iceball. We Princes accept it. Especially with all the riches in their new hypermatter mining. The Cariyas —and Frozen Men who all long for death— may scare the fragile royals, but my brothers don't fear them. We bring death! I vote against annihilation.
High energy cheers erupt from the right side. The left side deflated some.
REY Thank you, Prince Cassariot. Are there any further petitions?
Silence.
REY Then let the vote begin.
The entire right side shows uniformly raises their thumbs up. Cassariot rolls his eyes as he does. The left side is mixed: A fifth abstain, and all others vote have their thumbs down. The count of the vote is displayed for Rey.
REY We have a tie vote. I am beneath the summit on this vote. In the event of a tie, Cardinal Knight Kylo Ren, as Emperor's Aide will decide.
Kylo sticks his hand out, looking at Cassariot. Cassariot's smirk daring him. Kylo turns his thumb down. The Imperial Family softly rejoice; the Princes of Dawn have already moved on.
REY It is decided. Shanglacius will be annihilated. General Nestorb, you will handle the evacuation procedure. You may offer the Frozen Men military position in trade for a new planet. This offer will not go to the Cariyas.
GEN. NESTORB Of course, your grace.
REY The summit has concluded. Meeting adjourned.
.
115 MDS Krannek Hallway – Int. 115
Rey and Kylo leave first. The in-person members mix and clog the hallways after them.
KYLO Same results as always.
REY …we have to shift the Empire into a democracy eventually, Kylo. This galaxy must change for the better.
Cassariot stares at Rey. Kylo looks back at him.
.
116 Mass Migration Ship Haul – Int. 116
We see a massive gray ship —one of thousands— orbiting Shanglacius. The MDS Krannek crouched above. We see a dressed-down Watphaba, Taifosha, and Lantuahon waiting for the prophecy to conclude. The Frozen Men and Cariyas have been segregated.
WATPHABA …the Frozen Men only ever believed in "the god who looks backs at you from the ice." Meaning themselves, dead, in the future buried in the snow. Guiding them where they are meant to rest.
TAIFOSHA I didn't know that. If they only believe in themselves, maybe they will be fine, Young King.
WATPHABA You don't need to call me that anymore.
LANTUAHON Every prayer they make, an acknowledgment of their mortality. Incredible.
Watphaba and Taifosha look at each other startled.
WATPHABA Isn't that heresy?
LANTUAHON In the past. The prophecy is fulfilled. Faith concluded its purpose. I trust the High One began us, but in this New World, it will be ourselves that guide us as well. Under our king.
WATPHABA No faith maintains my position now. I'm nothing now. Lantuahon: Find a king who can break a prophecy.
Lantuahon is unused to being impressed by the Young King.
LANTUAHON As the King wishes.
Cut to other mass migration ships of Frozen Men, one with Noonak. All in total dread.
.
117 MDS Krannek Trigger Room – Int. 117
This empty compartment at the center of the MDS Krannek once held the final trigger mechanism to launch its payload. It has been replaced by a single platform, pointing directly ahead at a depopulated Shanglacius.
Rey strolls up the steps. Ten Princes of Dawn, twenty generals (wearing eye protection), legions of stormtroopers, thousands foreign allies in shielded booths, ten thousands of staff, and a single Ephrath watch. Kylo Ren walks between the crowds, investigating any sign of treachery.
Rey arrives at the top, facing down an entire planet. Rey breathes in, lifts her hands, and upon opening her eyes, evokes her godhood: the entire metal cavity illuminated by electrostatic strands. The knotted tentacles working every device and adjustment, from the smallest electron to the heaviest piston. The cavity begins shaking. Until finally, in front of them, all the MDS Krannek's wrath is unleashed.
Kylo stops and stares at Cassariot, who stares back.
.
118 Mass Migration Ship Hauls – Comp. 118
Watphaba's ship, Noonak's ship, the ships of Cariyas, the ships of Frozen Men, from their all eyes we watch the MDS Krannek take a single shot and annihilates Shanglacius. All they once knew, no more.
.
119 MDS Krannek Trigger Room – Int. 119
With the planet destroyed, Rey ends her meditative state. The radiation stops, returning the cavity to its expansive vacancy. The crowd applauds Rey.
Rey has drained all of herself, barely standing. She looks up in time to see the bright floating sparkles that were once a planet. Far from the sight of anyone else and in a weakened state of mind, Rey breaks character —just for a second. A tyrant should not tear.
Kylo turns sharply away from Cassariot to walk Rey down the platform. Regaining her strength now, she addresses the army.
REY Your Empress has passed your judgment upon the Empire's enemies. You who have the most glory in this war are all rewarded. Enjoy our victory. The MDS Krannek can provide much. Grow ready for the next battle.
The crowd cheers and mixes in celebration. Many will head down the plaza for all the parties. Or go to one of the many hangars to enjoy an extended leave. Rey spends her time with Ephrath, needing a long Spa session after becoming the trigger mechanism. Kylo walks with them but takes one last peek behind: Cassariot has his back to them, talking to two other Princes of Dawn.
.
120 Spa Entrance – Int. 120
Two guards walk in front of Rey and Ephrath with Kylo behind them and four guards at the very back. Ephrath is keeping a spirited conversation with Rey that almost comes off as natural.
They are in a plaza section of the MDS Krannek, where a cargo area had stores and housing shipped inside it. For today, family, alcohol, and even rides have been made available. The site is packed, though stormtroopers entirely block off one store. This is the spa Ephrath has reserved.
EPHRATH Alright, we're finally here! You're gonna love this place! It's the best you can find on the Krannek. Jon, shoo, this is a deluxe spa, and you need a reservation to enter.
KYLO I will stay out here.
EPHRATH We'll be out soon~!
Rey and Ephrath enter the spa. Kylo stays out for a second, just to see if they come back. With the two inside, he leaves.
ENVIOUS TROOPER You're heading off, sir? We're supposed to be guarding the Empress and the princess.
Kylo stays in his stride.
KYLO I am.
Kylo leaves while the stormtroopers who skipped their conditioning today suffer every second watching their peers party down.
.
121 Conspirator's Private Room – Int. 121
In the same plaza area, a raised restaurant hosts vibrant festivities of joyous Imperial citizens. But deeper inside, past the voices and lights, at the very edge, inside a private room: dark machinations. Three figures linger, having a perfect vantage point of the blocked-off spa. In silence, Cassariot and the two other Princes of Dawn lie in wait.
PRINCE EGER Surely now, brother?
CASSARIOT No, no… Princess Galencia has a habit of keeping our Empress talking. We wait. There is plenty of time.
PRINCE JITT So, we can't know when she enters the healing pod! We need to back down for now! Another plan will come! I ca—can't face her down in person.
CASSARIOT Shhh. We are not slaves anymore. We only have one master left. A master, sleeping in a pod, fixed, for an hour. The only ones stopping us from extending that time are those guards —easy —that princess —less easy with ears —and Kylo Ren.
PRINCE EGER You think you can beat him this time?
CASSARIOT Perhaps. If possible, let us duel. I have to know my place to his.
KYLO Beneath me.
Kylo looms behind the Princes. Cassariot instantly attacks while the other two follow his lead. The attacks phase through the specter, Cassariot figures it out too late.
The window behind explodes with a massive Force push. The broken glass shards all dive into the conspirators, like darts. Not a single piece of glass lands on the floor, all into the men. Cassariot takes the least damage, his Force-string threading a few, protecting his face and right arm. While injured, he hides these threaded shards behind his back.
Kylo Ren enters from the evicted window frame, lightsaber in hand. His hand waves and the two painfully living Princes fall unconscious. Just as he reaches Cassariot, that remaining conspirator springs his trap, flinging the strung glass!
Kylo cuts through the shards in a relaxed fashion. Now Cassariot sighs and puts his hand up.
CASSARIOT Take me to her then.
Kylo keeps Cassariot conscious and drags him out.
.
122 MDS Krannek Luxury Spa – Int. 122
The inside of the spa is quaint. Expensive stained wood furnishes the room. The relaxation technology is all pearly white, including the healing pods.
Only a single pod is occupied. The only other person here is Ephrath. She is only wearing a towel, having a droid massage her back. She'd prefer a humanoid touch, but this is the best that can be done while Rey is in the healing pod.
Some soft, oceanic music ebbs inside —Kylo kicks open the door with the bloody mess of Cassariot behind him.
EPHRATH What are you doing!?
KYLO Stay calm, Ephie. This matter is pressing.
EPHRATH No, it is NOT! Get out and wait!
Kylo starts to approach the healing pod.
KYLO She can continue the healing pod after deciding his fate.
Ephrath runs in front of Kylo, frantic, desperate. Obviously trying to block Kylo's sight of the pod.
EPHRATH No, she can't! She is far too weak after using all her power on the Krannek! She needs rest!
Kylo's surprise at Ephrath's aggressive reaction has finally bled into suspicion.
KYLO You're hiding something.
Ephrath's face gives her away. Kylo moves her aside. Cassariot looks on curiously.
Kylo eyes skim up and down the pod, looking for it. He locks on to the synoscan display on the front. He sees it. Oh no. The sight sinks Kylo enough to unknowingly release Cassariot from Force-grip.
Kylo punches the emergency stop button. The pod opens. Ephrath keeps her head down, eyes shut. Kylo takes off his mask and waits. Cassariot still has no idea. From the steam, Rey's eyes blink awake.
Rey can feel the misery in the room. Something is deeply wrong.
REY Kylo… what's happened?
.
.
.