rogue squadron act i

7/29/2019 Rogue Squadron Act I

1/14

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....

EXT. SPACE

A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main

title. War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup slowlycrawls into infinity.

It is a key turning point in theGalactic Civil War. The victoryover Emperor Palpatine and DarthVader at Endor culminated with thedestruction of the second DeathStar and opened a window ofopportunity for the Alliance.

In an attempt to push itsadvantage the fledgling NewRepublics Provisional Council hascommissioned Admiral Ackbar to pullfounding member Wedge Antilles outof retirement and reform thegreatest fighter unit in thegalaxy, Rogue Squadron.

However, a new Imperial head hasrisen from the ashes of the Empirewith only one goal in mind, todestroy the New Republic...

A single TIE fighter speeds away, red lasers flashing at itsaft. The beams connect and the ship explodes.

This dogfight belies the much larger battle happeningconcurrently over the gas giant Briggia. Several smallshuttles from the New Republic, along with the larger CR90Corvette Korolevare transferring wounded personnel to theNew Republics Frigate Redemption. The Imperial FrigateWarspite has dropped out of hyperspace in system and haslaunched TIE fighters in an attempt to stop the Rebels fromescaping.

CORRAN HORN, a brash pilot with just the right amount ofsmarts and impatience to either be great or go out in a blazeof glory, has rushed off to face the incoming ships in orderto give enough time for the evacuation.


2/14

INT./EXT. SPACE - ABOVE PLANET BRIGGIA - X-WING COCKPITS

NAWARA VEN (O.S.)We need to keep these incomingships off the medical frigate while

they evacuate onto Redemption.

CORRAN HORNYou heard him, Whistler. Get a fixon those bombers. Mark them aspriority and lets keep the Korolevalive.

Whistler beeps in acknowledgement.

CORRAN HORN (CONT'D)Green Group, stay in the holdingsector. Keep the fires burning butdont leave the frigate unattended.

NAWARA VENYoure not going to last very longagainst that many fighters.

CORRAN HORNYou worry about those evacuees,Ill worry about the TIEs.

NAWARA VENCopy, Green Leader.

Corran twists knobs and focuses the calibration on his stick.He settles his hand on the necklace hidden beneath his flightsuit.

CORRAN HORNWhistler, push all power to frontshields, were going to have todeal with a lot of TIEs at onetime. Level out once weve passed.

Corran watches his targeting computer for the lead TIEbomber. As it moves from yellow to green, he fires his

lasers and connects. Corran then veers off to a 90 degreeangle and cuts his engines down to one percent. The TIEs,not expecting this maneuver, move past quickly.

RIV SHIELWhat happened One? Are you hit?

CORRAN HORNNo, trying to end this quickly,rewrite history. Whistler, bringup second target.

2.


3/14

Corrans HUD moves from yellow to red and he clips the secondbomber with a proton torpedo. The TIEs begin evasivemaneuvers.

CORRAN HORN (CONTD)

Third. Too late, cancel!

Corran dives forward. He ignores the TIEs and goes straightfor the bomber. The TIEs do not ignore him. Corrans X-wingdances to avoide a target lock.

RIV SHIELOne, youre taking the TIEs awayfrom the Korolev, but away from ustoo. Do we leave to engage?

CORRAN HORNNegative two, Warspite could stilldump another flight. Keep sprayingthe fighters but do not move beyonda klick of the Korolev.

OORYL QRYGGGreen Leader, Eyeballs at yourback.

CORRAN HORN(To himself)

Not for much longer.

The bomber makes its way to the medical frigate while Corranshakes and bakes, taking care of the two TIEs in pursuit.

CORRAN HORN (CONTD)Whistler, get us between themedical frigate and that bomber.How long do we have before its inrange?

Whistler tones his answer.

CORRAN HORN (CONTD)Well, lets see if we can get there

sooner. Redirect energy from theshields and quads to engines, Imgoing to need more time.

Whistler beeps with worry.

CORRAN HORN (CONTD)Just do it.

It takes a second for the internal compensators to kick inand Corran is thrust back into his seat.

3.


4/14

NAWARA VENGreen One, Warspite has jumped!

CORRAN HORNAlready in pursuit of that last

bomber, nowyou can pick off thoseTIEs.

Green Group rushes off to his aid. But, Warspite reappearson the other side of the Korolev, too far for its lasers tobe effective, but close enough to stop an escape from thelumbering frigate.

RIV SHIELIt was a feint, Warspite is stillin system.

OORYL QRYGGAnd its dumping the second flight.

Corran takes out the last bomber from the first group. Hethen rushes forward to meet the newly launched TIEs that haveentered the fight.

CORRAN HORNGreen Two, defensive pattern Alpha.Three, Four, wipe the floor withthose new TIEs. Im on the bombers.Whistler, mark them: four, five andsix.

Corran takes out targets four and five with proton torpedoes.Hes flying like an ace.

CORRAN HORN (CONTD)Green Two

NAWARA VENHes gone, One.

Nawaras X-wing disintegrates as he delivers the news.

CORRAN HORN

Hang in there Four, its just youand me.

Rivs ship blows too. The last bomber roars closer to endingthe Korolev. Corran shoots a couple of lasers to distractthe pilot. Whistler beeps about a TIE in pursuit.

CORRAN HORN (CONTD)I dont give a damn about a singleTIE fighter, I have to get to thebomber.

4.


5/14

Whistler wails as green lasers flash by the cockpit.

CORRAN HORN (CONTD)Fine, where the hell is he?

A shot rocks through the X-wing.

CORRAN HORN (CONTD)We need to take out this bomberfirst. Hold on.

Corran takes his X-wing to its limits. The TIE behind himcant get a lock, but is doing a surprisingly good jobstaying with him. Corran focuses on the bomber, getting atorpedo lock. But, at the same time, a shock rockets hisfighter.

CORRAN HORN (CONTD)Whistler! Whistler!

Corrans shot connects on the bomber and he comes around togo head-to-head with the TIE. His fighter barely working,Whistler lost, the two ships shoot back and forth, red andgreen lasers flashing. They are going to fly into eachother.

Suddenly, everything goes black. The canopy lifts. It wasall a simulation.

INT. FOLOR - ALLIANCE TRAINING BASE - SIMULATOR ROOM

The other three pilots who flew the simulated mission speakas Corran Horn exits the simulator. Like the Rebellionitself, they represent the diversity and hope of the galaxy.

RIV SHIELCorran is good, but hes noSkywalker.

NAWARA VENHe very well may have beaten thescenario. No one else has come

this close.

OORYL QRYGGQrygg counted Green One with ninekills. Jace will not be pleasedhis score was beaten andhe did notblow the medical frigate.

5.


6/14

RIV SHIELThe pilot that got him, the onethat took the three of us out too,it had to be Commander Antilles.

A mysterious MAN IN THE BLACK FLIGHT SUIT walks over toCorran.

MAN IN THE BLACK FLIGHT SUITYou are an exceptionally goodpilot, very hard to kill.

The mysterious man extends his hand and Corran reciprocates.

MAN IN THE BLACK FLIGHT SUIT (CONTD)Good flying, all of you.

OORYL QRYGGIt appears that it was notCommander Antilles.

RIV SHIELIt had to be someone just as goodto get all three of us.

On that note, a Lieutenant touches the mystery pilot on thearm and whispers something in his ear. Off their looks,Corran exits and we cut to --

INT. FOLOR - ALLIANCE TRAINING BASE - OFFICE OF ADMIRALACKBAR

COMMANDER WEDGE ANTILLES, a seasoned veteran of the GalacticCivil War and founding member of Rogue Squadron, enters andstops to salute ADMIRAL ACKBAR, the head of militaryoperations for the Alliance, behind the desk.

WEDGE ANTILLESThank you for seeing me, sir.

Admiral Ackbar turns to GENERAL HORTON SALM, the other man inthe room, and in charge of the training base on Folor, before

answering.

ADMIRAL ACKBARGeneral Salm and I were justdiscussing the importance of havingan active Rogue Squadron back inthe fleet. He feels you are allbut ready to go. Your current cropof hopefuls is quite impressive.

6.


7/14

WEDGE ANTILLESWith all do respect, sir, I believemore testing is necessary before wechoose the active unit.

GENERAL SALMHardly, Id say you could take anyeleven pilots weve brought in andmake a lethal squadron.

WEDGE ANTILLESSir, that is the main problem.This may be my squadron but it isnot my roster.

The air shifts in the room.

WEDGE ANTILLES (CONTD)There have been additions madewithout my consultation.

GENERAL SALMThere are circumstances beyond yourcontrol that have deemed thosechanges necessary, Commander.

WEDGE ANTILLESI am well aware of that, sir. Iknow Hobbie and Janson will do wellbringing their new squadrons up to

snuff. It is not the absence offamiliar faces that has me worried.Its the fact that more than halfof my squad seems to be made up ofpolitical picks.

GENERAL SALMAnd you understand why itsimportant for the allies of thisNew Republic to have representationwithin its most celebratedsquadron?

WEDGE ANTILLESYes, but I also know the differencebetween a real fighter unit and themonster youve made Rogue Squadronout to be. The remnants of theEmpire arent going to hand overCoruscant when they see a dozen X-wings show up in system.

GENERAL SALMOf course not.

7.


8/14

ADMIRAL ACKBARAre the current pilots selectedinferior to other possiblecandidates?

WEDGE ANTILLESAdmiral, with training I can makethem into the sort of unit thatwill strike fear into Iceheart andthe Empire. That is, withexception of two. The first isDeegan...

GENERAL SALMDeegan is a superb pilot.

WEDGE ANTILLESAgreed, but he is from Corellia, asare Corran Horn and myself. And asyou have built this squadron, dontyou think it unwise to comprise afourth of it from one planet? Ican only imagine how that will bereceived from Borsk Feylya and hisBothan delegates on the ProvisionalCouncil.

ADMIRAL ACKBAR(cutting Wedge off)

And you have a suggestion for his

replacement?

WEDGE ANTILLESYes, I want to bring in GavinDarklighter.

GENERAL SALMDarklighter? He may be a goodflyer, but hes not ready for thiskind of action. Hes just a kidfrom some outer rim, backwaterworld.

Ackbar moves one eye to look at Wedge.

WEDGE ANTILLESBegging your pardon sir, but LukeSkywalker was just a kid from somebackwater world when we flew thefirst Death Star run.

8.


9/14

GENERAL SALMAdmiral, what the Commander isfailing to mention is that thispilot is only sixteen years old.

WEDGE ANTILLESYes, but as much heart and skill ashis cousin Biggs had. Who did notmake it out of the trenches of thatfirst death star. Who didnt makeit because he was giving Lukeenough time to get that shot off.

GENERAL SALMI do not think Lieutenant Jansonwould deny him a spot in his squad.

WEDGE ANTILLES(To Admiral Ackbar)

Let me bring him in, if he doesbetter than Deegan in the tests, Iwant to make the switch.

Admiral Ackbar turns to the General and Salm gives a curt nodyes. With this small victory, Wedge presses forward.

WEDGE ANTILLES (CONTD)The second is my XO. Nien Numb mayhave flown with General Calrissianat Endor, and he is an exceptional

pilot, but what he is not, is ateacher. And while we bring RogueSquadron up to what is expected, Iwill need an exceptionalinstructor.

ADMIRAL ACKBARAnd what candidate do you have inmind?

WEDGE ANTILLESI want Tycho Celchu.

GENERAL SALMAbsolutely not. Under nocircumstances will I allow Celchuto be anywhere near an active dutysquadron. Just because he is notin prison is no reason for me towant him under my command.

WEDGE ANTILLESPrison! He has done nothing todeserve...

9.


10/14

GENERAL SALM(Cutting him off)

He can not be trusted.

WEDGE ANTILLES

There is no reason to believe that.

GENERAL SALMCome off it Commander, you knowwhat hes been through.

WEDGE ANTILLESWhat I know is this: Tycho is ahero. He fought on Hoth. He flewthe A-wing that took a pack of TIEsaway from Lando and me so we couldhave a chance to take out thatsecond Death Star. He volunteeredto fly a captured ship intoImperial Center. He got captured.He escaped. Thats it.

GENERAL SALMThat is all you wish to see,Antilles.

WEDGE ANTILLESMeaning?

GENERAL SALM

You say he escaped. I say they lethim go.

WEDGE ANTILLESJust like they let him go at Endor?Youre chasing ghosts.

GENERAL SALMNo, Im fighting to prevent you andyour squad from becoming ghosts.

WEDGE ANTILLESWell, so am I. And thats why I

just had Tycho in the sim, runningthe Redemption Scenario, makingsure they dont.

GENERAL SALMWhat? Admiral, you can not standby while Commander Antillescompromises the security of thisbase.

10.


11/14

ADMIRAL ACKBARYou must admit that General Salmsconcerns are valid.

WEDGE ANTILLES

Yes sir. And that is why he hasagreed to restrictions even GeneralSalm would think is adequate.Tycho has agreed to fly an old Z-95Headhunter in training sessions,with the lasers powered down. Hesagreed to have an explosive deviceput inside of his starfighter so ifhe tries to kamikaze or fly away itcan be remotely detonated. And,when not flying, he has agreed toremain under house arrest.

ADMIRAL ACKBARHe has agreed to all thesearrangements?

WEDGE ANTILLESHes no different than you,Admiral. Hes a warrior. What heknows, what he can teach, will keeppilots alive. Of course, there isno way General Salm will ever lethim return to active combat flyingagain.

GENERAL SALMThat can be etched in durasteel.

WEDGE ANTILLESSo, this is his only way to fight,to serve.

Admiral Ackbar pushes a button on his desk.

ADMIRAL ACKBARBring in the Captain.

WEDGE ANTILLESAnd hes already made his presencefelt. Corran Horn and Bror Jaceare the two best pilots in thegroup. Jace is arrogant. Horn,however is impatient. I need apilot like Celchu to not only takehim out in the sims, but to thenteach him how to control thatimpatience.

11.

(MORE)


12/14

Because, if he cant master that,hes going to get himself killed.Or worse yet, one of his wingmates.

Tycho, the same man in the black flight suit, enters the room

with ACKBARS ASSISTANT and the LIEUTENANT from the simulatorroom. They salute.

ADMIRAL ACKBARAt ease, Captain. That will beall, Lieutenant.

His Assistant and the Lieutenant leave.

ADMIRAL ACKBAR (CONTD)Commander Antilles has informed meof the unusual number ofencroachments into your privacy youare willing to accept for thisposition in the squadron.

TYCHO CELCHUYes, sir.

ADMIRAL ACKBARAnd you realize you will be flyingthe oldest and slowest in ourfleet? Why have you agree to suchrestrictions?

TYCHO CELCHUBecause it is my duty, sir. Ijoined the Rebellion after thedestruction of Alderaan and willcontinue to serve as long as I amable. My imprisonment... Therestrictions you are imposing arenothing compared to what the Empirehas done to me.

GENERAL SALMThat is all well and noble, butwould we expect anything less from

someone in his position?

ADMIRAL ACKBARNo, nor would we expect anythingless from a son of Alderaan.

Admiral Ackbar picks up his datapad.

12.

WEDGE ANTILLES (CONT'D)


13/14


14/14

IMPERIAL OFFICERNo.

A predatory smile comes to Loors face. They enter anelevator to the detention cells.

INT. CARRACK-CLASS CRUISER EXPEDITIOUS - DETENTION CELLSHALLWAY

IMPERIAL OFFICERI must ask, why is your nameattached to the prisoners file?And why were we to hail you,specifically, when he wasapprehended?

KIRTAN LOORGil Bastra was a spy at CorellianSecurity and a traitor to theEmpire. My job will be to find outwhat information has been passedalong to the Rebellion and thenrectify those mistakes.

They come to the Detention Hallway and TWO STORMTROOPERSfollow them. Agent Loor stops before they get to theprisoners cell.

KIRTAN LOOR (CONTD)

I do not need an escort.

IMPERIAL OFFICERThis profile and his tier fourranking on the hostility indexindicate otherwise.

KIRTAN LOORI know his file Lieutenant, I gavehim that ranking.

With that he steps in, shuts the door, and leaves the othermen outside as we CUT TO BLACK

END ACT ONE

14.

rogue squadron act i

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