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 slowly crawls into infinity. It is a key turning point in the Galactic Civil War. The victory over Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader at Endor culminated with the destruction of the second Death Star and opened a window of opportunity for the Alliance. In an attempt to push its advantage the fledgling New Republics Provisional Council has commissioned Admiral Ackbar to pull founding member Wedge Antilles out of retirement and reform the greatest fighter unit in the galaxy, Rogue Squadron. However, a new Imperial head has risen from the ashes of the Empire with only one goal in mind, to destroy the New Republic... A single TIE fighter speeds away, red lasers flashing at its aft. The beams connect and the ship explodes. This dogfight belies the much larger battle happening concurrently over the gas giant Briggia. Several small shuttles from the New Republic, along with the larger CR90 Corvette Korolev are transferring wounded personnel to the New Republics Frigate Redemption. The Imperial Frigate Warspite has dropped out of hyperspace in system and has launched TIE fighters in an attempt to stop the Rebels from escaping. CORRAN HORN, a brash pilot with just the right amount of smarts and impatience to either be great or go out in a blaze of glory, has rushed off to face the incoming ships in order to give enough time for the evacuation.

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INT./EXT. SPACE - ABOVE PLANET BRIGGIA - X-WING COCKPITS NAWARA VEN (O.S.) We need to keep these incoming ships off the medical frigate while they evacuate onto Redemption. CORRAN HORN You heard him, Whistler. Get a fix on those bombers. Mark them as priority and lets keep the Korolev alive. Whistler beeps in acknowledgement. CORRAN HORN (CONT'D) Green Group, stay in the holding sector. Keep the fires burning but dont leave the frigate unattended. NAWARA VEN Youre not going to last very long against that many fighters. CORRAN HORN You worry about those evacuees, Ill worry about the TIEs. NAWARA VEN Copy, Green Leader. Corran twists knobs and focuses the calibration on his stick. He settles his hand on the necklace hidden beneath his flight suit. CORRAN HORN Whistler, push all power to front shields, were going to have to deal with a lot of TIEs at one time. Level out once weve passed. Corran watches his targeting computer for the lead TIE bomber. As it moves from yellow to green, he fires his lasers and connects. Corran then veers off to a 90 degree angle and cuts his engines down to one percent. The TIEs, not expecting this maneuver, move past quickly. RIV SHIEL What happened One? Are you hit? CORRAN HORN No, trying to end this quickly, rewrite history. Whistler, bring up second target.

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Corrans HUD moves from yellow to red and he clips the second bomber with a proton torpedo. The TIEs begin evasive maneuvers. Third. CORRAN HORN (CONTD) Too late, cancel!

Corran dives forward. He ignores the TIEs and goes straight for the bomber. The TIEs do not ignore him. Corrans X-wing dances to avoide a target lock. RIV SHIEL One, youre taking the TIEs away from the Korolev, but away from us too. Do we leave to engage? CORRAN HORN Negative two, Warspite could still dump another flight. Keep spraying the fighters but do not move beyond a klick of the Korolev. OORYL QRYGG Green Leader, Eyeballs at your back. CORRAN HORN (To himself) Not for much longer. The bomber makes its way to the medical frigate while Corran shakes and bakes, taking care of the two TIEs in pursuit. CORRAN HORN (CONTD) Whistler, get us between the medical frigate and that bomber. How long do we have before its in range? Whistler tones his answer. CORRAN HORN (CONTD) Well, lets see if we can get there sooner. Redirect energy from the shields and quads to engines, Im going to need more time. Whistler beeps with worry. CORRAN HORN (CONTD) Just do it. It takes a second for the internal compensators to kick in and Corran is thrust back into his seat.

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NAWARA VEN Green One, Warspite has jumped! CORRAN HORN Already in pursuit of that last bomber, now you can pick off those TIEs. Green Group rushes off to his aid. But, Warspite reappears on the other side of the Korolev, too far for its lasers to be effective, but close enough to stop an escape from the lumbering frigate. RIV SHIEL It was a feint, Warspite is still in system. OORYL QRYGG And its dumping the second flight. Corran takes out the last bomber from the first group. He then rushes forward to meet the newly launched TIEs that have entered the fight. CORRAN HORN Green Two, defensive pattern Alpha. Three, Four, wipe the floor with those new TIEs. Im on the bombers. Whistler, mark them: four, five and six. Corran takes out targets four and five with proton torpedoes. Hes flying like an ace. CORRAN HORN (CONTD) Green Two NAWARA VEN Hes gone, One. Nawaras X-wing disintegrates as he delivers the news. CORRAN HORN Hang in there Four, its just you and me. Rivs ship blows too. The last bomber roars closer to ending the Korolev. Corran shoots a couple of lasers to distract the pilot. Whistler beeps about a TIE in pursuit. CORRAN HORN (CONTD) I dont give a damn about a single TIE fighter, I have to get to the bomber.

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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 bomber first. Hold on. Corran takes his X-wing to its limits. The TIE behind him cant get a lock, but is doing a surprisingly good job staying with him. Corran focuses on the bomber, getting a torpedo lock. But, at the same time, a shock rockets his fighter. Whistler! CORRAN HORN (CONTD) Whistler!

Corrans shot connects on the bomber and he comes around to go head-to-head with the TIE. His fighter barely working, Whistler lost, the two ships shoot back and forth, red and green lasers flashing. They are going to fly into each other. Suddenly, everything goes black. all a simulation. The canopy lifts. It was

INT. FOLOR - ALLIANCE TRAINING BASE - SIMULATOR ROOM The other three pilots who flew the simulated mission speak as Corran Horn exits the simulator. Like the Rebellion itself, they represent the diversity and hope of the galaxy. RIV SHIEL Corran is good, but hes no Skywalker. NAWARA VEN He very well may have beaten the scenario. No one else has come this close. OORYL QRYGG Qrygg counted Green One with nine kills. Jace will not be pleased his score was beaten and he did not blow the medical frigate.

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RIV SHIEL The pilot that got him, the one that took the three of us out too, it had to be Commander Antilles. A mysterious MAN IN THE BLACK FLIGHT SUIT walks over to Corran. MAN IN THE BLACK FLIGHT SUIT You are an exceptionally good pilot, 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 QRYGG It appears that it was not Commander Antilles. RIV SHIEL It had to be someone just as good to get all three of us. On that note, a Lieutenant touches the mystery pilot on the arm and whispers something in his ear. Off their looks, Corran exits and we cut to -INT. FOLOR - ALLIANCE TRAINING BASE - OFFICE OF ADMIRAL ACKBAR COMMANDER WEDGE ANTILLES, a seasoned veteran of the Galactic Civil War and founding member of Rogue Squadron, enters and stops to salute ADMIRAL ACKBAR, the head of military operations for the Alliance, behind the desk. WEDGE ANTILLES Thank you for seeing me, sir. Admiral Ackbar turns to GENERAL HORTON SALM, the other man in the room, and in charge of the training base on Folor, before answering. ADMIRAL ACKBAR General Salm and I were just discussing the importance of having an active Rogue Squadron back in the fleet. He feels you are all but ready to go. Your current crop of hopefuls is quite impressive.

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WEDGE ANTILLES With all do respect, sir, I believe more testing is necessary before we choose the active unit. GENERAL SALM Hardly, Id say you could take any eleven pilots weve brought in and make a lethal squadron. WEDGE ANTILLES Sir, that is the main problem. This may be my squadron but it is not my roster. The air shifts in the room. WEDGE ANTILLES (CONTD) There have been additions made without my consultation. GENERAL SALM There are circumstances beyond your control that have deemed those changes necessary, Commander. WEDGE ANTILLES I am well aware of that, sir. I know Hobbie and Janson will do well bringing their new squadrons up to snuff. It is not the absence of familiar faces that has me worried. Its the fact that more than half of my squad seems to be made up of political picks. GENERAL SALM And you understand why its important for the allies of this New Republic to have representation within its most celebrated squadron? WEDGE ANTILLES Yes, but I also know the difference between a real fighter unit and the monster youve made Rogue Squadron out to be. The remnants of the Empire arent going to hand over Coruscant when they see a dozen Xwings show up in system. GENERAL SALM Of course not.

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ADMIRAL ACKBAR Are the current pilots selected inferior to other possible candidates? WEDGE ANTILLES Admiral, with training I can make them into the sort of unit that will strike fear into Iceheart and the Empire. That is, with exception of two. The first is Deegan... GENERAL SALM Deegan is a superb pilot. WEDGE ANTILLES Agreed, but he is from Corellia, as are Corran Horn and myself. And as you have built this squadron, dont you think it unwise to comprise a fourth of it from one planet? I can only imagine how that will be received from Borsk Feylya and his Bothan delegates on the Provisional Council. ADMIRAL ACKBAR (cutting Wedge off) And you have a suggestion for his replacement? WEDGE ANTILLES Yes, I want to bring in Gavin Darklighter. GENERAL SALM Darklighter? He may be a good flyer, but hes not ready for this kind of action. Hes just a kid from some outer rim, backwater world. Ackbar moves one eye to look at Wedge. WEDGE ANTILLES Begging your pardon sir, but Luke Skywalker was just a kid from some backwater world when we flew the first Death Star run.

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GENERAL SALM Admiral, what the Commander is failing to mention is that this pilot is only sixteen years old. WEDGE ANTILLES Yes, but as much heart and skill as his cousin Biggs had. Who did not make it out of the trenches of that first death star. Who didnt make it because he was giving Luke enough time to get that shot off. GENERAL SALM I do not think Lieutenant Janson would deny him a spot in his squad. WEDGE ANTILLES (To Admiral Ackbar) Let me bring him in, if he does better than Deegan in the tests, I want to make the switch. Admiral Ackbar turns to the General and Salm gives a curt nod yes. With this small victory, Wedge presses forward. WEDGE ANTILLES (CONTD) The second is my XO. Nien Numb may have flown with General Calrissian at Endor, and he is an exceptional pilot, but what he is not, is a teacher. And while we bring Rogue Squadron up to what is expected, I will need an exceptional instructor. ADMIRAL ACKBAR And what candidate do you have in mind? WEDGE ANTILLES I want Tycho Celchu. GENERAL SALM Absolutely not. Under no circumstances will I allow Celchu to be anywhere near an active duty squadron. Just because he is not in prison is no reason for me to want him under my command. WEDGE ANTILLES Prison! He has done nothing to deserve...

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GENERAL SALM (Cutting him off) He can not be trusted. WEDGE ANTILLES There is no reason to believe that. GENERAL SALM Come off it Commander, you know what hes been through. WEDGE ANTILLES What I know is this: Tycho is a hero. He fought on Hoth. He flew the A-wing that took a pack of TIEs away from Lando and me so we could have a chance to take out that second Death Star. He volunteered to fly a captured ship into Imperial Center. He got captured. He escaped. Thats it. GENERAL SALM That is all you wish to see, Antilles. WEDGE ANTILLES Meaning? GENERAL SALM You say he escaped. I say they let him go. WEDGE ANTILLES Just like they let him go at Endor? Youre chasing ghosts. GENERAL SALM No, Im fighting to prevent you and your squad from becoming ghosts. WEDGE ANTILLES Well, so am I. And thats why I just had Tycho in the sim, running the Redemption Scenario, making sure they dont. GENERAL SALM What? Admiral, you can not stand by while Commander Antilles compromises the security of this base.

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ADMIRAL ACKBAR You must admit that General Salms concerns are valid. WEDGE ANTILLES Yes sir. And that is why he has agreed to restrictions even General Salm would think is adequate. Tycho has agreed to fly an old Z-95 Headhunter in training sessions, with the lasers powered down. Hes agreed to have an explosive device put inside of his starfighter so if he tries to kamikaze or fly away it can be remotely detonated. And, when not flying, he has agreed to remain under house arrest. ADMIRAL ACKBAR He has agreed to all these arrangements? WEDGE ANTILLES Hes no different than you, Admiral. Hes a warrior. What he knows, what he can teach, will keep pilots alive. Of course, there is no way General Salm will ever let him return to active combat flying again. GENERAL SALM That can be etched in durasteel. WEDGE ANTILLES So, this is his only way to fight, to serve. Admiral Ackbar pushes a button on his desk. ADMIRAL ACKBAR Bring in the Captain. WEDGE ANTILLES And hes already made his presence felt. Corran Horn and Bror Jace are the two best pilots in the group. Jace is arrogant. Horn, however is impatient. I need a pilot like Celchu to not only take him out in the sims, but to then teach him how to control that impatience. (MORE)

12. WEDGE ANTILLES (CONT'D) 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 simulator room. They salute. ADMIRAL ACKBAR At ease, Captain. That will be all, Lieutenant. His Assistant and the Lieutenant leave. ADMIRAL ACKBAR (CONTD) Commander Antilles has informed me of the unusual number of encroachments into your privacy you are willing to accept for this position in the squadron. TYCHO CELCHU Yes, sir. ADMIRAL ACKBAR And you realize you will be flying the oldest and slowest in our fleet? Why have you agree to such restrictions? TYCHO CELCHU Because it is my duty, sir. I joined the Rebellion after the destruction of Alderaan and will continue to serve as long as I am able. My imprisonment... The restrictions you are imposing are nothing compared to what the Empire has done to me. GENERAL SALM That is all well and noble, but would we expect anything less from someone in his position? ADMIRAL ACKBAR No, nor would we expect anything less from a son of Alderaan. Admiral Ackbar picks up his datapad.

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ADMIRAL ACKBAR (CONTD) I am signing the orders to make Captain Celchu the Executive Officer for Rogue Squadron and bringing Gavin Darklighter in for the tests. In return you will now have a military protocol droid assigned to help with all the reports that will come directly to me. Is that understood, Commander? WEDGE ANTILLES Yes sir. ADMIRAL ACKBAR Good. I am glad we understand each other. Dismissed. As the two men exit the office, a smile pulls at the corner of Wedges mouth and we cut to -INT./EXT. SPACE - LAMBDA CLASS T-4A TRANSPORT SHUTTLE Intelligence Officer KIRTAN LOOR looms over the pilots as his transport prepares to enter the Carrack-Class Cruiser, Expeditious. With his hair slicked back and prominent widows peak, he looks every bit like a young Grand Moff Tarkin. And Loor is just the type of man to use that similarity to his advantage. The ramp opens and an IMPERIAL OFFICER waits to greet him. INT. CARRACK-CLASS CRUISER EXPEDITIOUS - DOCKING BAY IMPERIAL OFFICER Greetings Agent Loor. The rest of Starwinds crew has been sequestered as was ordered. KIRTAN LOOR Good, I will deal with them after I have the information I need from the Captain. IMPERIAL OFFICER He is stable and out of medical, however... The Imperial Officer hands Kirtan Loor a data pad. KIRTAN LOOR And he has not been told of the results?

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IMPERIAL OFFICER No. A predatory smile comes to Loors face. elevator to the detention cells. They enter an

INT. CARRACK-CLASS CRUISER EXPEDITIOUS - DETENTION CELLS HALLWAY IMPERIAL OFFICER I must ask, why is your name attached to the prisoners file? And why were we to hail you, specifically, when he was apprehended? KIRTAN LOOR Gil Bastra was a spy at Corellian Security and a traitor to the Empire. My job will be to find out what information has been passed along to the Rebellion and then rectify those mistakes. They come to the Detention Hallway and TWO STORMTROOPERS follow them. Agent Loor stops before they get to the prisoners cell. KIRTAN LOOR (CONTD) I do not need an escort. IMPERIAL OFFICER This profile and his tier four ranking on the hostility index indicate otherwise. KIRTAN LOOR I know his file Lieutenant, I gave him that ranking. With that he steps in, shuts the door, and leaves the other men outside as we CUT TO BLACK END ACT ONE