-ooo- Escape from Ren, 4 of 13 -ooo-

127 The Eagle Mark II — Int. 127

The Eagle's exterior and interior stylishly pop with the new renovations. It can no longer be identified visually as Kylo's. Finn is meditating, Poe watching BB8 broadcast a Hologanda of Luke facing the Emperor. He cleans his pistol while R2D2 and C3PO watch it with him. Poe and the droids' commentary disturb Finn's focus.

POE You guys were here for this?

R2D2 *Beeps affirmatively

BB8 *Peeps in awe at R2D2

C3PO Oh, don't lie to him. However, I did save Master Luke by becoming the new patron deity to the locals.

POE That true, R2?

R2D2 *Beeps negatively

BB8 *Beeps in laughter

FINN Luke never mentioned that either.

C3PO Oh, it's useless! I don't even know why I bother.

POE Ayy! Finn, you're back! I should have known the droids would be better talkers than the monk.

FINN And all that talk has made it impossible to get in any more mediation.

POE Two months' worth wasn't long enough?

FINN ...no.

POE Then I hope our maiden voyage of The Eagle Mark II here let you cram those last Jedi points we need.

Finn looks around, He makes a gesture, the gun ejects its battery, and stylishly lands it in his hand.

Poe eyes Finn while he takes a spare battery from his chest pocket and stylishly reloads.

POE Cute. Now bring on the heavies: Mind tricks, flip a ship, fly—

FINN Fly?

POE You've had two months of "meditation."

Finn looks to R2D2. He tries to lift him. Despite all his focus, nothing. He shifts to BB8, all his focus once again, and he slightly rolls toward Finn. Finn's face lights up.

POE Hardhat, that's rude.

BB8 stops moving. Finn takes in the embarrassment. BB8's head slumps down with a remorseful beep.

POE Well... mind tricks are better for a stealth mission.

Finn waves his hand toward Poe.

FINN You will forget what you saw.

POE 'fraid not.

Finn grimaces.

C3PO We can still abort now!

They leave hyperspace to see the planet of Coruscant. Imperial battleships dominate the surroundings as smaller trade ships scurry between them.

POE No turning back now. I'll go request docking into Port 24.

C3P0 Oh no...

Everyone takes their positions. Finn hides his meditation materials then joins with Poe in the cockpit. Poe is finalizing docking procedures.

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128 The Eagle Mark II Cockpit – Int. 128

Poe is still on the comm with a Star Destroyer. He is readying The Eagle MII for auto-control by an Imperial Robot. This will place them into Port 24 without coordination issues.

POE Alright, Finn, 'bout to hand off controls to the Empire, we can't have any engine problems that make them investigate us. We're about to see if you 'sleeping on the job' was such a good idea.

FINN Your additions to The Eagle were hard to fit in.

POE Bigger engine and WAY bigger guns? Common. No point of a YT-1300f light freighter that you don't overstuff.

FINN It was a pain.. but everything works. This mission won't fail from engine failure.

POE It won't fail at all. You mean.

FINN Oh, uh, yes, of course.

Poe looks downward. He is about to talk when a robotic voice pops on the comm.

MAGISTERIAL ROBOT Attention AC757, your request for entry into Port 24 has been confirmed. Please shift control of the vehicle to channel Beta 617, so I may begin docking procedures.

POE There you go, sweetheart.

MAGISTERIAL ROBOT Accepted. Wait as I bring you into the terminal.

The craft moves on its own into a stream of other trade vessels. We can see trails of them leading into the many ports that dot the atmosphere.

POE So, we're here. How's it feel to he back?

FINN ...like returning from a dream.

POE You haven't ever told me anything good about it.

FINN Yeah.

POE Look, Finn... is there anything else you're not telling me?

FINN What?

POE No, it's nothing, it's just, mmm.

Poe struggles to use unpracticed words.

POE (cont.) You don't say anything. You kept me from this deal with Kylo. You talk as little as you can about your home. Now there's that same feeling. You're leaving me out. It... it feels- I should be expecting another betrayal.

FINN Poe I... I'm sorry.

POE No, just urghh. Tell me.

FINN ...I talked with Luke. He has seen visions of our many deaths on this mission.

POE The usual, then?

FINN No, it's more than that. Before the danger was obvious, I knew the enemy. I knew what to do. Here... it's all wrong. It feels familiar yet sinister. Nothing's changed, but.. You want me to talk about the Empire? About Coruscant?

POE Their AI pilot here flies like a frozen fish. We got time.

FINN It's all so... evil. Our lives and deaths belong to the Imperial Family. The honor we prove to them is everything. Our rations, our homes, our families. They control it all... and we like it. It was comfortable. It was my home. Now returning... knowing nothing has changed. I know how everyone will look at me: a traitor.

POE Every friend you made will kill you for the "honor."

FINN They'll jump at the chance.

POE ...are you gonna fight back this time?

FINN I'm not killing anyone, Poe. We shouldn't even need to! I don't see how we can be in so much danger! That's what scares me the most! I feel safe, the plan is easy, yet we're entering what Luke calls certain death... and I've never felt more sure in my life of the opposite.

POE That is weird.

FINN Yeah.

POE I'll keep my eyes out.

FINN Poe...

POE Yeah?

FINN You've never talked about your past either.

POE What you think I'm a traitor now?

FINN No, not that—

POE I'm messing with you. Just an Alderaanian boy. People without a planet. Rats harbored up in Naboo. We all join the military. To make sure no one suffers the same tragedy we did. And for the easy money.

FINN And now that your Republic is destroying planets?

POE Well, better an Alderaanian do it, right?

The Eagle MII has entered the docking bay. The inside is three kilometers wide and half a kilometer long. A hundred ships are having their goods inspected. Our heroes pull up the front, next to a black ship staffed by many hooded figures, one a Knight of Ren.

Control is returned to Poe after the robot pilot lands him.

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125 PORT 24 – Int. 125

The port is overcrowded —every space filled with people, cargo, droids, troopers, and noise.

The Eagle opens as the two get out in their disguises: Poe wears a wig and face paint. Finn with a mask and hood. Finn feels a wave of nostalgia seeing the place. Poe enjoys the energy of all the chaos and ships.

POE Hometown 's popular, Finn.

FINN Largest market in the galaxy.

POE Worth selling your planet out for.

FINN Money is a way out of bad situations. You can't blame them.

Poe spots something behind his friend, then smiles,

POE Haha, coming from Mr. Popular himself!

FINN Hmm?

Poe points out a hologram display for the Empire's Most Wanted. Finn's serial number, FN-2187, flashes above the cycling life-size holograms of Finn: first in his Stormtrooper Armor with the bloodied-handprint helmet in his hands, second with the lightsaber in his Jedi suit. At the very bottom is his bounty of three million credits. It shifts to the next criminal.

POE You can't blame them, Finn.

FINN ...it's nice to feel missed.

POE Haha! Excellent perspective, Finn. Ohh, keep that helmet on tight and start unpacking. Here we go.

The port authority and some soldiers leave the hooded figures next to them and finally move to our heroes, The head is an elderly female with an electric notepad. Her name is Merriam Polyxenia, and she is ecstatic to see the legendary craft. Several dock workers and other merchants can also gawk at the Millennium Falcon-like ship.

Finn goes off to start unloading packages. Poe greats the port authority, biting back disdain for the Empire and wanting to keep things short.

MERRIAM POLYXENIA Hello there, you're Arana Datch from Spirana?

POE Yes ma'am. Trying to pass through 'fast as I can.

MERRIAM POLYXENIA With a Corellian YT-1300f light freighter, that'd be a cinch!

POE ...uh-huh.

Polyxenia offers out her hand,

MERRIAM POLYXENIA Merriam Polyxenia, Head Port Authority. I was the one who moved you up ahead of the line; it's not often we get to see one of these classics come in!

Polyxenia gestures to the growing crowd and The Eagle MII.

POE Yeah... how tasteless of me to bring a Millennium Falcon into the Empire.

MERRIAM POLYXENIA Oh, pfft! No one here cares about that. This here is a machine, when used best, can take down Death Stars! Nothing but respect for the craft.

POE (disappointed) Oh. Uh, I suppose so...

MERRIAM POLYXENIA All depends on how you customize it, though. I can see you've made some mods recently too.

POE Just came into a lucrative arrangement with some influential people. I thought, "why not?" I am willing to share—

MERRIAM POLYXENIA And you used it to stuff that nice sublight engine, I see. Girodyne make, SRB40, maybe 45? No no no is that a 38!?

This raises Poe's interest.

POE Oh, yeah! Actually. Had to pull some major strings to get it.

A man from the growing crowd shouts out:

SHIP ENTHUSIAST Did you say a 38!?

POE Hey, only the best!

MERRIAM POLYXENIA No kidding! What an era that's from. Girodyne at their peak with that one-off SBR... the start-up doesn't bend the frame?

POE No no no, that's overstated.

Poe continues his conversation with the Polyxenia. Meanwhile, soldiers examine the packages Finn took out. Just as Finn sets down a new crate, a lone stormtrooper stares him down.

TIRED STORMTROOPER Stop unloading. I'll need you to take off your helmet for the synoscan.

Finn freezes and looks at the distracted Poe.

FINN If you wait a moment, my captain will explain that's not needed.

TIRED STORMTROOPER No, it is required of all transfers.

Finn stares down for a bit and summons his focus. Keeping low so no one can see, Finn waves his hand.

FINN ...I do not need to take off my helmet.

The stormtrooper stops.

TIRED STORMTROOPER You don't need to take off your helmet...

The stormtrooper grabs his gun and points it at Finn.

TIRED STORMTROOPER Just what are you trying to pull?

Finn gestures once more.

FINN I do not need to take off my helmet.

TIRED STORMTROOPER Take your helmet off now!

Poe is oblivious to the rising tension. Instead, he chats away with a crowd crazy about spacecraft.

MERRIAM POLYXENIA I still can't see how you can fit the SBR38 and an SSP05.

POE I don't know either, but I've got a wonder of a mechanic, best one in the galax— WOAH!

Poe notices the situation, causing Folyxena to turn as well.

MERRIAM POLYXENIA What is going on over there?

Poe takes out the earring and conspicuously shows it to Polyxenia. He whispers:

POE We need his helmet to stay on.

Polyuena's eyes light up at the sight.

MERRIAM POLYXENIA ZX-2424!

The trooper accosting Finn turns.

TIRED STORMTROOPER Yes, sir?

MERRIAM POLYXENTIA That won't be necessary —deferred inspection by random selection.

TIRED STORMTROOPER Ah.. so it is.

The trooper rests his firearm and turns to Finn.

TIRED STORMTROOPER Apologies. You may proceed as you were.

The trooper leaves, Finn has a sigh of relief, Back to Poe and Polyxenia. He whispers to her:

POE Deferred means "completely off the record."

MERRIAM POLYXENIA Of course. A scene wouldn't have been made if you lead with that.

POE Well, it's not everyday you can talk crafts with a classy lady—

AENEAS DEATH TO THE IMPERIAL FAMILY!

An explosion instantly mangles the hooded figures' ship. Our heroes are pushed back by the shockwave.

Stormtroopers with red handprints smeared over their armor appear everywhere, laying into the hooded figures and surrounding white stormtroopers. The Knight of Ren unleashes two ten-meter energy whips, slicing enemies (slices the remains of the ship too).

The red alert screams out, sending the entire port into lockdown. Poe adjusts fast. He sees Polyxenia under the rubble. Before he can help, a handprint stormtrooper's bisected corpse falls in front of him. Poe takes the corpse's firearm and gets up.

Several blocked doors explode. The handprint soldiers flee into the new openings as their reinforcements lay suppressing fire against the Knight of Ren and remaining white troopers. The Imperials rush in, chasing the terrorists. Poe runs in after them.

FINN Poe stop!

BB8 makes noises from The Eagle MII's entrance.

FINN No, stay right there. We'll be right back!

Finn goes into the flaming hole.

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130 Burning Hallway -— Int. 130

At the far end of the hallway, the handprint soldiers fight fruitlessly as the Knight of Ren butchers them. On the other side, Poe crouches behind the stormtroopers, too focused to look behind themselves. There isn't much time as handprint troopers scramble into speedy four-person ships.

Poe points to his left, eyeing Finn to take cover there, Finn gets in position and unholsters his scrambler. Finn and Poe nod at the same time. Poe shoots the furthest two, Finn scrambles the one closest to them. Finn waves his hand as the remaining trooper turns to face them, removing a piece from the gun before the trooper can fire. Just as Poe readies to shoot this trooper, Finn uses the same Force power to cripple Poe's rifle and then scrambles this last trooper.

Only two handprint soldiers are left. They remain behind cover, peeking cut to see our heroes.

AENEAS Who are you guys?

POE Don't worry...

Poe gets up, approaching Finn with his hands raised.

POE (cont.) ...We're with you.

Poe takes off Finn's helmet. The troopers leave cover in captured reverence to the man before them.

HONEST TROOPER Impossible...

From the back of the hallway, we hear the scream of a handprint trooper. The Knight of Ren has finished on his end. He turns and charges toward the last of the infection, slicing the walls as he passes.

AENEAS Get in!

The men get into the small ship and take off, the Knight of Ren's whips scratch the surface as it leaves. The Knight stares at the escaping craft, the whips twitching like a cat's tail.

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131 Escape Ship — Int. 131

Cramped ship. Limited lighting. The two handprint soldiers take off their helmets, staring wide-eyed at their icon before them. Poe takes his wig off, looking back and forth at the men and Finn. Finn doesn't know where to look. The awkward silence remains.

POE This craft safe?

HONEST TROOPER Oh, uh, yes. We have eighty decoys running on algorithm.

The silence returns.

AENEAS Sir, I got to say: You're a hero, I— we— all of us, You inspire all of us. Thank you.

Finn looks back to Poe, looking for confirmation this is real.

FINN I haven't done anything yet.

Both men hear that statement as a declaration for even greater ambitions against the Empire. They nod in response, more resolved than they were before.

The ship flies into the underground tunnels. Then after a time, a sudden rough landing. The sound of bustling city life outside.

AENEAS They're gonna want to see you, sir. Is that... okay?

Finn nods, unsure of everything now. Aeneas opens the door.

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132 Red Republic Camp (Welcome Home Finn) – ext. 132

Massive cave, Well lit. Plenty of development. An active camp of hundreds of men and women with the Red Handprints everywhere, from their uniforms to the banners on the walls. Aeneas steps from the landing platform to the very edge so everyone can see him.

AENEAS HEY! I need your attention! Please! You'll want to see this!

The crowd working on their jobs look up, confused.

AENEAS (cont.) He has returned:

Finn gets out of the ship, Aeneas moves out of the way so that Finn will have visibility. The crowd gasps when they register who it is. All look up at Finn the exact way the prior two had. Finn keeps still, his nervous eyes seeing all their hope directed at him. Poe steps out, sees this spectacle, and without taking the spotlight, Poe whispers to Finn:

POE Welcome home, Finn.

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