The First Jedi: Alternative Star Wars Episode VIII Screenplay

Act II: The Unrelenting Acolyte

INT. HANGAR, RESISTANCE COMMAND SHIP - NIGHT

FINN, with his cane, and a MEDICAL TEAM arrive to greet POE and ROSE, who each have an arm draped over the other's shoulder. BB-8 rolls up behind as they stagger in.

FINN: "Poe!"

POE: "Finn, you're awake!"

FINN: "You all right?"

POE: "Yeah, just..."

Poe's elation fades quickly. He's preoccupied, brooding somehow.

FINN (to Rose) "You did a great thing out there, Captain."

With watery eyes, Rose looks at him like: 'You have no idea...'

POE (serious) "Yeah... C'mon..."

He hands her over to the medical staff, who take her away.

POE (going in for a hug) "Is it ever good to see you."

FINN: "Uh-uh!"

Finn stops him, wriggling inside his exoskeletal cage.

POE: "Still sore?"

FINN: "Just a little."

With BB-8 in tow, they disappear down a corridor.

INT. MEETING ROOM (OFF BRIDGE), RESISTANCE COMMAND SHIP – NIGHT

ANGLE ON Bilkes's face as he works at a console in a small meeting room. Behind him, Leia, Holdo and Ackbar, seated around a table, discuss next steps.

ACKBAR: "The fleet will have to remain aloft until we can establish a new base of operations."

LEIA: "That's why I'm recommending we send an advance party here--"

She signals Bilkes, who punches up a hologram of CRAIT (a whitish mineral planet with veins of red) appearing in the center of the table.

HOLDO: "Crait? There's nothing there but an abandoned mine."

LEIA: "Precisely. A good place for us to go unnoticed."

The women exchange looks. Holdo's sceptical, but then she gets it.

HOLDO: "You want me to go?"

Leia nods. Holdo looks at Ackbar, then back at Leia.

HOLDO (nodding, resigned) "I'll do my best."

LEIA: "Thank you, Vice Admiral."

ACKBAR: "What about you, General?"

LEIA: "With the Republic gone, we need new funds and new ships in a hurry, so..."

Ackbar and Holdo exchange a knowing, vaguely sceptical look.

HOLDO: "You're going to Canto Bight?"

Leia nods ('Where else?').

ACKBAR: "Careful, General. It may be neutral ground, but the First Order will have spies there."

LEIA: "I'll be very discreet. And I'll have Commander Dameron to protect me."

ANGLE ON Bilkes, who privately sneers at the name. Everybody scatters to prepare.

EXT. STONE VILLAGE / LUKE'S ENCAMPMENT (AHCH-TO) - DUSK

As Luke emerges from his hovel, the Caretakers, sweeping his stoop, humbly avoid him. Their glances are both bashful and disapproving. His surly intransigence denies them the dignity of their service.

He goes to the edge of the rocky encampment and sees Rey below, practicing with a bow-staff. He clambers down in her direction.

EXT. CLIFFSIDE (AHCH-TO) - DUSK