"THE CORELLIAN CONNECTION"
CHAPTER FIVE
OUTSIDE ALDERA, ALDERAAN
The evacuation of the villa near Aldera Palace continued in an orderly fashion. With the Imperial presence focused upon the palace, Padme and her companions managed to clear the villa of her belongings with great speed. They carted the items to Captain Antilles' shuttle, parked underneath a nearby grove of trees.
The twins' nursemaid, Madga finally walked out of the villa for the last time, carrying Luke and her belongings. Padme, who held a sleeping Leia in a baby sling, spotted her mini holoprojector and some data pads on a table. She fetched the objects and thrust them into her traveling bag. After checking on the sleeping Leia, Padme examined her bedroom of eight months for the last time and walked out. Just as she reached the villa's front door, she saw Madga scuttle hurriedly toward the grove's edge. Padme frowned. Why would Madga rush . . .?"
Captain Antilles' voice crackled on her comlink. She removed it from her cloak's left pocket and answered. "Captain, is there a problem?"
"Clone troopers coming from the palace," Antilles answered. "Just three kilometers from the east."
Padme inhaled sharply. She glanced to her right and spotted three clone troopers marching toward the villa. Making a run for the grove and Captain Antilles' shuttle seemed out of the question. Then she heard the clone troopers' voices. Hoping and praying that Leia would not wake up, Padme quickly rushed into one of the villa's small rooms.
Minutes passed. Then she heard the troopers enter the villa. She held her breath, as they conducted their search by opening and closing doors. As footsteps approached the small room Padme had chosen as her sanctuary, she desperately searched for a closet where she could hide. She glanced around. Apparently the room lacked a closet. But it did lead to the villa's second-floor veranda.
Footsteps grew closer to the room. Clutching the baby sling that held Leia and her traveling bag, Padme quickly dashed out onto the verana. And just in time. She overheard voices inside the room.
"No one's here," a trooper announced.
Another one asked, "What about a holoprojector?"
"No sign of one." The first trooper paused. "I'll check the veranda."
Panic filled Padme. Now, she really had no place to hide. She quickly rushed along the veranda, searching for an opened door. Fortunately, one appeared just short of the veranda's south end. Padme ducked inside, just as she heard voices from the outside. The former senator allowed herself a quick sigh of relief. Then she glanced at her daughter. Leia's eyes fluttered briefly before they snapped wide open. Padme hoped and prayed to nearly every deity she could think of - along with the Force - that Leia would not cry for food. Several seconds passed, as her infant daughter blinked several times and yawned. Then to Padme's relief, Leia closed her eyes and fell back asleep. Again, Padme sighed.
Then an idea came to her. With the clone troopers searching the veranda, she saw an opportunity to escape from the villa. Padme rushed out of what used to be her dining room. Without a moment's hesitation, Padme continued to rush toward the villa's front door. She spotted Antilles, Madga and Threepio silently urging her to head toward the grove. Which she did as fast as her feet would allow. Once she reached the safety of her companions, Captain Antilles ordered, "Into the shuttle, everyone! We're leaving now."
"No!" Padme insisted. "Not yet." Everyone stared at her, as if she had lost her mind. "The Imperial troopers are still searching the villa. If we leave now, we'll be spotted." And so . . . they waited.
Another fifteen minutes passed before the three clone troopers emerged from the villa. Padme overheard one of them said, "We might as well return. There's no inside. Or a holoprojector." He and the other two troopers proceeded along the path that led back to the palace.
Once the clone troopers disappeared, Padme, Captain Antilles and Madga all heaved sighs of relief. Threepio exclaimed, "Thank the Maker! They're gone. When can we leave, Miss Padme?"
"I think it would be best to leave now," Padme replied. "While we can."
Magda frowned. "But why should we leave, Milady? The troopers are gone. They won't be coming back."
A sigh left Padme's mouth. "I'm afraid that I've outstayed my welcome, Magda," she gently replied. "It's time for me to leave Alderaan." She hesitated, dreading the response to her next words. "I'll understand if you want to remain. After all, Alderaan is your home."
To Padme's surprise, the nursemaid said, "No, I'll leave. I've become . . ." A sweet smile formed on her lips. ". . . very fond of you and the children. And Alderaan has nothing for me. Not anymore."
The Nabooan woman planted a light kiss on the nursemaid's cheek. "Thank you, Magda."
"I believe that we should leave now, Milady." Captain Antilles led Padme and the others to the shuttle. Once everyone was seated inside, it rose several feet from the ground and sped away. As it zoomed above the picturesque landscape, Padme realized with a pang that she would miss the months spent here on Alderaan.
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CORONET, CORELLIA
Solipo Yeb packed the last of his belongings into his traveling valise. Then he glanced over his shoulder and saw his sister staring out of the window. "I'm ready, Thalia. Now, all we have to do is wait to hear from Captain Horus." When his sister failed to answer, he joined her at the window. "Thalia?"
"I think we're in trouble, Solipo," Thalia declared ominously. "Look."
Solipo glanced out of the window. The usual crowd of sentient beings filled the street below. But Solipo noticed something more disturbing - four human males heading toward the hotel. Two of them wore the uniforms of Corellia's security force, the third wore civilian clothes and the last man turned out to be an Imperial officer. "Oh no!" he murmured. "I think we've been sold out."
Thalia frowned. "By someone here at the hotel?"
Another candidate loomed in Solipo's mind. "How about our intrepid Captain Horus? After all, he had recognized me."
"I doubt it very much," Thalia replied. She turned away from the window. "Let's get out of here. Now."
Grabbing his valise, Solipo retorted, "And go where? We can't leave Corellia without Horus' help. And our only alternative is to take a shuttle to another city."
Brother and sister slipped out of their room. After making sure that the corridor was empty, they made their way to the nearest staircase and rushed downstairs. The pair spotted one of the hotel's employees near the back door. Once he left, the Andalians slipped outside and quickly rushed down an alley.
"I can't believe that we're doing this," Solipo bemoaned. "We didn't even pay our bill. And as for Captain Horus . . ."
An annoyed sigh from his flamboyant sister, interrupted him. "For goodness sake, Solipo! He didn't inform on us! Not Captain Horus."
"And how do you know?"
The pair merged into a busy street. "Because Captain Horus has a very good reason to avoid the Imperials. Trust me." Brother and sister continued on toward Coronet's spaceport.
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ALDERA PALACE, ALDERAAN
"Nothing or no one was found at the villa, my Lord," the clone trooper reported to Darth Rasche. "It is empty."
Breha heaved an inward sigh of relief. Padme and the children had evaded detection.
Darth Rasche nodded. "Wait for me near the shuttle." He turned to the queen. "Well, Your Majesty, it seems you had spoken the truth."
"Of course I had!" Breha retorted. "We do not understand why you would doubt our word." She paused and added with less asperity, "By the way, when are you leaving?"
"You wish to be rid of our presence so soon?" Breha shot a dark look at the Sith Lord. Who quickly sobered. "If you must know, we'll be leaving as soon as our search is completed."
A frowning Breha demanded, "What do you mean? You've searched the entire palace and the villa near the lagoon."
"But not Aldera or Crevasse City," Rasche added. "The signal from Corellia had been received in this sector of the planet. We intend to learn who had received it."
Breha heaved a frustrated sigh. So much for getting rid of the Imperials. "Has it ever occurred to you, my Lord, that the Corellian signal had been sent by someone other than Solipo Yeb?"
A long silence followed. Confusion whirled in the Sith Lord's eyes momentarily, before Rasche glared at the monarch. Then he turned away. Four other clone troopers appeared in the foyer. "No sign of the holoprojector, my Lord," one trooper announced.
Rasche's jaw twitched, as he barked, "Fine! Return to the shuttle. I'll . . ." The Sith Lord's face turned pale, as he halted in mid-sentence. His dark eyes glazed over for a second, before a frown appeared on his face. He faced Breha. "Excuse me, Your Majesty. I have an emergency message to send." Breha opened her mouth to respond, but Darth Rasche strode away before she could.
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Darth Rasche strode out of the royal palace and halted before the wide staircase. He made his way toward the Imperial shuttle and entered. "Leave," he barked at the pilot, inside the cockpit.
Once alone, the young Sith Lord sent a signal to Coruscant. Two minutes passed before the shuttle's holoprojector lit up with his mentor's image. "Lord Rasche," Darth Sidious pronounced. "You have news for me?"
"No one within the royal palace had received the message from Corellia, Master," Rasche reported. "Including Senator Organa. The holoprojector that had received the signal had not been inside Aldera Palace." Rasche hesitated. "However, I have more important news. I have sensed a presence in the Force."
Lord Sidious replied, "We both have, my young apprentice. On Kashyyyk."
"Jedi on the Wookie homeworld?" Rasche paused. "It is possible that Skywalker might be . . .?"
The Sith Master continued, "Whether Skywalker is on Kashyyk or not, there is a Jedi presence on that planet. You will rendezvous with Grand Moff Tarkin in the Kashyyyk System and stamp out any Wookie resistance and hunt down the Jedi. As for the signal from Corellia, ignore it. This is a more urgent matter."
"Hunt down the Jedi? Including Skywalker, if he is there?"
Lord Sidious' already hideous face formed a grim mask. "Yes, Lord Rasche. Including him. Hunt them all down and kill them. Kill them all."
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CORONET, CORELLIA
"Good afternoon," Coronet's port master greeted Anakin. "Here to schedule a departure?"
Anakin smiled, at the other man. "Yes. I'm Captain Horus of the Javian Hawk." He spotted the departure schedule on the port master's desk. Using the Force, he knocked an object off the desk and the port master bent down to retrieve the object. At that moment, Anakin used the opportunity to check the schedule. He saw that two other Corellian freighters were scheduled to depart within the next hour. Perfect.
The port master sat up and shot an embarrassed smile at the former Jedi Knight. "Sorry about that. Um . . . about your departure?"
"I hope to leave between now and an hour from now," Anakin replied. "If it's possible."
The other man glanced at the departure schedule. "Yes, well there is no problem there." He entered the information in the data pad that contained the schedule. "The Javian Hawk. Okay. I've managed to fit you in between the Eureka and the Tawhid. Will that do?
Anakin nodded politely. "Yes, it will. Thank you."
Smiling, the port master replied, "Glad to be of service. Have a safe journey, Captain."
After leaving the port master's office, Anakin headed back to the Javian Hawk's hangar. He hoped that his Andalian passengers were ready to depart. The pilot contacted the pair through his comlink and ordered them to meet him inside the Hawk's hangar within twenty minutes. "We should be there within ten minutes, Captain," Thalia Yeb's voice replied. "We had to leave a lot sooner than we had planned."
In other words, brother and sister had encountered trouble. Great.
-------
Captain Hardy and his three companions entered the Selonia Hotel's modest lobby. They approached a neatly dressed desk clerk. "May I help you?" she asked in a prim voice.
The senior CorSec officer, a dark-haired human named Gil Bastra switched on a small holoprojector. It contained images of the Andalian senator and his sister. "Are these two guests at this hotel?" he asked.
The desk clerk shrugged her thin shoulders. "The man does not look familiar," she began.
"How can he not look familiar?" Captain Hardy demanded. "He's Senator Solipo Yeb of Andalia. He's wanted for treason by the Empire. And his image has been posted on the Imperial Holovision for the past several days."
"Imperial Holovision?" The clerk frowned. "I've never . . ."
Hardy sighed. "It used to be the old HoloNet News Service. It's now called Imperial Holovision. This man's face has been plastered all over the news recently. And you don't recognize him?"
A supercilious smile touched the clerk's lips. "I do not pay attention to politics."
"Really?" A pale, dark-haired man with a thin, aristocratic face glared at the clerk. Kirtan Loor happened to be the Imperial liaison to CorSec and an agent for Imperial Intelligence. "I suppose you know nothing about the recent death of one of your senators, Garm Bel Iblis, at the hands of Separatist fugitives?"
The desk clerk stiffened slightly. "He was Corellian. Of course, I knew about him."
"What about the woman?" Hardy asked, feeling slightly impatient. "Have you seen her?"
"Yes," the clerk replied. "Her name is Thalia Kor and she's a guest in Room Eleven. Second Floor."
Bastra frowned. "She's alone?"
The clerk checked the hotel's records. "Not anymore. Her husband became an additional guest, three days ago. I was not on duty when he had arrived."
Hardy felt a surge of triumph. The Emperor would be quite pleased upon learning of the capture of his new prize. "Take us to Room Eleven," he barked at the clerk. He and his three companions followed the desk clerk toward the wide staircase.
-------
The moment the Andalians arrived at the hangar, Anakin rounded on them. "Why did you leave before I could signal you?"
Solipo Yeb regarded the former Jedi with suspicious eyes. "Why did you want us to wait for your signal? So that the Imperials would take us by surprise at the hotel?"
Anakin frowned at the senator. "What?"
"The Imperials are here," Thalia Yeb explained. "My brother and I spotted an Imperial officer, along with two CorSec officers, approaching the hotel. And we've spotted Imperial clone troopers on the streets. We need to get out of here, fast."
But Solipo Yeb refused to budge. "Wait a minute! Four hours after we meet Captain Horus, we nearly encounter the Imperials. I want to know how . . ."
"Are you suggesting that I had turned you in to the Empire?" Anakin demanded, glaring at the Andalian male.
Miss Yeb sarcastically retorted, "My brother has no idea of what he is talking about, Captain. Meanwhile, may we please leave? Now?"
Senator Yeb protested, "But Thalia . . ." His sister marched toward the Javian Hawk's ramp. He glanced uneasily at Anakin. "Never mind."
Anakin made final checks on the Javian Hawk's systems. He noticed that his hypodrive system needed repairs and reminded himself to see to it when they arrive on Averam. Then he boarded the starship and made his way to the cockpit. The Andalians stood behind him. "I suggest that you two strap yourselves in for the takeoff."
"Why aren't we leaving now?" Senator Yeb demanded.
Miss Yeb pleaded with her brother. "Solipo, please!"
Anakin retorted, "We're not scheduled to depart until another ten minutes, Senator. This is not Tatooine, where I can simply take off anytime I want. Despite Corellia's questionable reputation, the spaceport is operated in a tight and orderly manner. And I refuse to take off at a moment's whim and attract unwanted attention. Now please . . . take your seat and strap in!"
Thankfully, the senator's sister managed to convince the annoying man to sit down in one of the passengers' seats. Anakin turned on the ship's engines after receiving a signal to depart. He guided the Hawk toward one of the landing pads. Within three minutes, the freighter was airborne and zooming away from Corellia's atmosphere.
END OF CHAPTER FIVE
”VANTAGE POINT” Review
”VANTAGE POINT” is a tightly woven thriller about eight strangers with eight different points of view of an assassination attempt on the President of the United States, during an anti-terrorism summit in Salamanca, Spain. Directed by Pete Travis and written by Barry Levy, the movie starred Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt.
When I had first saw the trailer for ”VANTAGE POINT”, I had assumed it would be one of those remakes of the Japanese film, Rashomon (1950). I figured there would be an assassination attempt on the President and the film would follow with various points of view on the incident. This is what happened in ”VANTAGE POINT” . . . but not quite. ”VINTAGE POINT” did reveal the assassination attempt from various points of view. In ”RASHOMON” and other versions of the film, those views are shown as flashbacks. But in ”VANTAGE POINT” each point of view is not a flashback. Instead each POV merely gives a certain view of the story, while the story moves forward. For example, the movie started out with the point of view of a news producer (Sigourney Weaver), before ending at a particular point in the story. The next point of view belongs to Secret Service agent Thomas Barnes (Dennis Quaid), which ends a little further in the story than the news producer’s POV. And so on. The movie ends with an exciting action sequence told from the various viewpoints of the major characters – heroes and villains.
The more I think about ”VANTAGE POINT”, the more I realize how much I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the tight setting of Salamanca, Spain (actually the film was shot in Mexico). I must add that one of the things I enjoyed about this movie was that Levy’s script had a way of putting a twist on any assumptions anyone might form about the plot. I loved how Travis handled the film’s action, making it well-paced. I enjoyed the performances of the major cast members. I was especially impressed by the performances of Dennis Quaid as the emotionally uncertain Barnes, who eventually pieced together the real plot. I also enjoyed the performances of Matthew Fox as his fellow Secret Service agent, Forest Whitaker as an American tourist and Edgar Ramirez (”THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM”) as a Spanish Special Forces soldier involved in the plot against the President. But more importantly, I loved Barry Levy’s script, which put a twist on any assumptions the moviegoer may have formed about the story’s plotlines and characters. My only quibble with ”VANTAGE POINT” was the interaction between Whitaker’s character and a Spanish girl, which I found slightly contrived near the end of the movie.
I suspect that ”VANTAGE POINT” might not become a hit at the box office, even if it did well upon its initial release. It is the type of movie that forces the audience to think. And I suspect that most moviegoers would prefer a film that lays everything out in the open. And I especially doubt that many moviegoers will have the patience to deal with the constant rewinds in order to show the viewpoints of various characters. Since I have a history of liking movies that are not popular with the public or film critics, all I can do is hope that I will have the chance to see the movie again, before it leaves the theater for good. Personally, I would recommend ”VANTAGE POINT”.
CASINO ROYALE
Notes and Observations
The following is a list of minor notes and observations that came to me, during my four viewings of the 21st James Bond movie, “Casino Royale”. I hope that you enjoy them:
*Watching CASINO ROYALE had reminded me of something about Bond’s character that I had read about, a long time ago. But I had forgotten over the years. Until now. In GOLDENEYE, M (Judi Dench) had accused Bond of being a misygonist dinosaur from the Cold War, expressing contempt for his attitude toward women. Personally, I had no problem with this description. But CASINO ROYALE reminded me what Steven Jay Rubin had once written about Bond . . . that the British agent was basically a romantic with a “St. George who slays the dragon for the damsel” complex. He also stated that Bond tends to hide this romantic nature in order to maintain a professional distance and avoid emotional pain. I can only wonder if we’ll see any more cracks in the Bond veneer in future Daniel Craig movies.*Moral ambiguity practically seeped in this movie. Prime examples seemed to be Bond’s actions at the Nambutu Embassy in Madagascar, his seduction of Solange Dimitrios, Steven Obanno’s character, Vesper Lynd’s actions against MI6 and Bond’s reaction to Vesper’s death.
*Bond’s killing of Mollaka at the Nambutu Embassy seemed to have resulted in mixed results. On the positive, it led to the deaths of Mollaka, Steven Obanno, Le Chiffre and the capture of Mr. White. On the other hand, it got Bond into trouble with M, it resulted in Rene Mathis’ capture by MI6, it led to the deaths of Solange and Vesper, and resulted in Bond suffering from a broken heart.
*For a ruthless and brutal man, Steven Obanno seemed capable of being very paternal and warm toward the young boy who had delivered a message to him. Rather interesting.
*It is interesting that Bond’s initial mission to capture Mollaka in Madagascar for information on a terrorist organization, would not come into fruition until he captured Mr. White at the end of the movie.
*I could comment on how exciting it was to watch two virile and good-looking men – namely Daniel Craig and Sebastien Foucan – engage in an action sequence. But that might be construed as sexist by some.
*Later in the movie, Vesper had commented upon Bond’s disdain toward the privilege, due to his experiences at Oxford. I cannot help but wondered if that same disdain had came out when he crashed the Range Rover of a guest who had mistaken him for a parking lot valet.
*When I first saw CASINO ROYALE, I had been confused as to why Bond had ordered champagne and caviar for one, before the scene immediately shifted to Miami. Upon second viewing, I now realized that he had ordered champagne and caviar for Solange, with the intent to abandon her at his hotel villa and follow her husband to Miami.
*I don’t agree with those who had complained that Bond’s romance with Vesper was rushed. For me, it began when the two first met on the train; and it ended during M’s conversation with Bond about Vesper’s past.
*If I did not know better, I would swear that Bond’s irritation with Vesper and her anger at Bond in the hotel lobby had a lot to do with their growing attraction to one another. Both had good reasons to be wary of such emotions – Vesper’s relationship with her French-Algerian boyfriend, and Bond’s reluctance to become emotionally involved due to his profession.
*Co-producer Michael G. Wilson also served as the movie’s poker consultant (he is a poker fiend) and he did a cameo appearance as a corrupt Montenegrin police chief, who is framed by Mathis.
*The scene in which Bond and Vesper made “suggestions” about each other’s wardrobe is hilarious. It should become a classic.
*Apparently, Bond was not the only one who had noticed Vesper’s entrance into the gaming room. I believe that Le Chiffre also noticed. I wondered if he had noticed Vesper’s necklace, as well. It is possible that this may have initiated the scheme to blackmail her.
*Some moviegoers had been bored by the poker game. I wasn’t. What made the poker sequences so interesting were the following:
-Le Chiffre’s growing anxiety that Bond might win.
-Bond’s shock when he had lost his money to Le Chiffre.
-The quarrel between Bond and Vesper, when she had refused to back him with another 5 million pounds.
-Le Chiffre’s smug expression when he won.
-Bond’s first order for a vodka martini, which led to Leiter and some of the other players ordering the same. Very funny moment.
-Leiter’s growing anger and sense of self-disgust at losing money, while Bond was gone from the gaming table, dealing with being poisoned.
-The expressions of the other players during that last round of poker.
-Bond’s hesitation to play his last hand. What made this moment so curious is that Craig didn’t assume the usual “super cool” mask. Instead, the actor expressed Bond’s curiosity . . . and uneasiness on whether he would win.
*The entire sequence that started with Obanno’s appearance in Le Chiffre’s suite and ended with Bond comforting Vesper in the shower was brilliant. Just brilliant. One of the best sequences I have ever seen in a Bond film, period.
*Bond comforting Vesper in the shower scene should be remembered for a long time to come. Especially for female fans of the franchise. It seemed like a classic moment for me. When I saw CR for the second time, the middle-aged couple sitting next to me began snuggling up to each other during this scene.
*I had wondered if the film would feature the infamous torture scene from the novel . . . and they did. Bond’s nude state and his attempt to endure the torture using humor made this sequence memorable for me. But I cannot help but wonder if Vesper had been forced to set up the whole thing.
*” I have no armour left. You've stripped it from me. Whatever is left of me - whatever is left of me - whatever I am - I'm yours.” – Aside from Bond’s marriage proposal in OHMSS, this has to be the most romantic Bond moment I have ever seen.
*The nursing home where Bond had recovered from his torture had also served as Padme Amidala’s lakeside villa in the STAR WARS movie, “AOTC”. The scenes from both movies were filmed at Lake Como, Italy.
*Vesper must have been in contact with Mr. Gettler, one of Mr. White’s associates, during Bond’s recovery. Which would explain how she had recognized him within the crowd upon hers and Bond’s arrival in Venice.
*I agree with those who believe that Rene Mathis was innocent of betraying MI6. In fact, I’m convinced that Vesper had set him up. She kept mentioning his name during Bond’s late night supper after the poker game. If Bond had not made arrangements for Mathis’ arrest, I believe that the latter would have guessed the truth about Vesper’s role in Le Chiffre’s murder. Now, I can only wonder what will happen to Mathis in the next film.
*Despite Bond’s initial anger over Vesper’s betrayal, his attempt to save her from the elevator cage trapped underwater and his grief over her death was heartbreaking to watch. Even more interesting was how his facial reaction had changed from cold anger (“The bitch is dead.”) to wavering emotion, when M speculated that Vesper had probably made a deal with Mr. White to spare his life. Superb acting by Daniel Craig.
*CASINO ROYALE marks the third time that a Eon Bond film was set in Venice (along with FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE and MOONRAKER) and the second time that one was set in the Bahamas (also THUNDERBALL).
*Apparently, Bond did not complete his first kill until he shot the man via the gun barrel moment.
*I wonder when Vesper had the opportunity to view Bond’s “perfectly formed arse” before their conversation in the train’s dining car.
*Upon my third viewing, I had noticed for the first time that after Steven Obanno had given Le Chiffre his money, the latter contacted his broker and announced his intention to set in motion his plan to profit against an airline stock.
*It is interesting that when M first assigned Bond to deal with Le Chiffre, the agent immediately assumed that his task was to kill the terrorist/banker.
*I also noticed that when Vesper walked away from Bond, following their meal on the train, he seemed to regard her with an expression of deep fascination.
*At first I could not understand why Bond did not bother to use his alias of Mr. Beach, when he and Vesper first checked in at the hotel in Montenegro. Then he finally explained to Vesper near the hotel’s elevator that Le Chiffre probably knew his identity – thanks to what happened to Solange in the Bahamas – and had decided to take up the challenge of playing against Bond.
*How did Steven Obanno learn of Le Chiffre’s whereabouts? Did he find out via announcements about the poker tournament? Or did Mr. White inform him? And how did he learn that Le Chiffre had lost his money?
*Did anyone notice that Bond and Obanno’s bodies seemed to be practically sailing down the stairwell on at least two occasions during their fight?
*Someone had once pointed out there was no reason for Bond and Vesper to head for Le Chiffre’s suite during the poker tournament’s first break. I had agreed with this assessment . . . until my third viewing of the film. I finally noticed that during the tournament’s break, Bond saw one of Le Chiffre’s men hand the latter a note (unbeknownst to Bond, the note was probably Obanno’s way of luring the banker to his suite). When he saw Le Chiffre receive the note, Bond decided to find out what was going on, which included planting a bug in Le Chiffre’s inhaler.
*Vesper must have pointed out to Mr. White that Bond had to remain alive in order to use the code that would enable Vesper to transfer the poker winnings to that bank in Venice.
*I never realized until recently that Bond must have lost his temper when he spotted Le Chiffre – and his entourage – walking through the casino’s main floor wearing a smug expression (he had just wiped out Bond at the poker table). This obviously spurred Bond into anger and an attempt to kill Le Chiffre with a steak knife.
*Vesper’s comment that Bond was more of a man than any she had ever known seemed to have caught the agent offguard. There was a brief display of barely suppressed emotion on his face before he hid it with his “my little finger” joke. Eventually, this all led to his declaration of love.
*Amongst Vesper’s belongings, Bond found a seashell – possible a token from their time spent together before their arrival in Venice. The seashell must have told Bond that Vesper had fallen in love with him. The question remained whether he was willing to view the shell as a sign of her love.
"RETURN WITH VENGEANCE"
CHAPTER 15
"It's been over twenty-fours hours, now!" Sheila Morris cried over the telephone. "Where the hell is he? Where's Darryl?"
Olivia winced from the noise in her ear. She glanced around the precinct office. Thankfully, no one had overheard. She took a deep breath. "She . . . Sheila, honey. I don't know. We're still looking for him."
"Still looking?" Sheila's voice practically screeched. "That's the same answer I got from Phoebe!" She paused. "I think it's time to bring the police in. Maybe they can find . . ."
Olivia switched the cell phone to her other ear. She glanced at Bruce, who seemed engrossed with a magazine. Her brother had dropped by for a visit on his day off. "Sheila," she said in a low voice, "I don't think that's a good idea. Trust me on this. We have . . . a pretty good idea on where we can find Darryl."
"You do?"
"Yes, Sheila. I swear. By this evening, Darryl should be home. Safe with his family." Olivia glanced at the skeptical expression on Bruce's face and shrugged. "Yes honey, I'm serious. Okay? Good-bye." She disconnected her cell phone and tossed it on her desk. "God, I'm screwed! Darryl's screwed!"
Bruce began, "Then why did you . . .?"
"I know what I said! I literally promised Sheila the moon." Olivia sighed. "It was the only way to keep her from calling McPherson, and that's the last thing Darryl need."
Bruce calmly asked, "Do you have any idea where we can find Darryl?"
"We?" Olivia stared at her brother.
"Yeah, I know I wasn't around when Harry was attacked. Mom, Barbara and I were in Palos Alto. You know, at the opening of Baron Todd's new restaurant."
Olivia frowned. "You and Mo . . . What were you doing there? Mom hates Todd!"
With a sigh, Bruce explained, "That isn't exactly a family secret. But we both received invitations. And Mom wanted to see how his new restaurant turned out." He snorted. "Just the usual New Age California cuisine."
"Grilled fish and salads made from weeds? They seemed to be the only dishes that Todd is capable of preparing."
Shaking his head, Bruce smiled. "You really are a bitch, you know that?" Bruce returned his attention to the magazine in his hand. Several minutes passed, while Olivia stared at her computer. Without bothering to glance up, Bruce added, "If you keep staring at that thing any longer, you'll go . . ."
Olivia's cell phone rang. She snatched it from her desk and snapped it open. "Hello?" she answered breathlessly.
"Olivia? It's Marty Jancek. I just called to let you know that I've got the information that you wanted. Got a pen and paper ready?"
Olivia scrambled for the needed items. Then she instructed Marty to proceed. The Customs agent revealed that the S.S. Enigma's Singapore manifest included a package addressed to the VENDRUM Company, in San Francisco. At the Hopkins Building on Columbus, Fifth floor, Room 508. The information did not surprise Olivia one bit. "However, when I checked the Enigma's manifest after it had arrived in town," Marty continued, "the VENDRUM package was missing."
The VENDRUM Company. Olivia mouthed the words silently. She had checked the MALEHEX Corporation's list of assets for any other San Francisco company, other than the Tower Bay Import/Export Company and found no sign of the company on the list. How did the remaining Crozats get their hands on this VENDRUM Company? "Who had sent the package to San Francisco?" she asked.
The Customs agent paused. "Uh, someone named William Dagbani. I gather he's not a native of Singapore or Malaysia."
"Hmmm, no kidding. Thanks Marty."
"No problem," Marty warmly replied. "Say, about next Friday night . . ."
Olivia interrupted, "Marty? Do me a favor. Glance at the third finger on your right hand. Now, do you really want to finish that question?"
Marty paused, before he broke into a soft laughter. "Catch you later, Livy." The agent hung up.
Olivia disconnected her cell phone and smiled at Bruce. "Well, looks like we might find Darryl, after all. I have a pretty good idea on where he might be. And the Crozats."
"So where is he?" Bruce asked.
"At the VENDRUM Company." Olivia paused. "Well, maybe. It's at the Hopkins Building. Fifth floor. Hmmm, funny. That company isn't on the list of Crozats assets I had received over a month ago."
Bruce suggested that it might be a new company. "Or maybe this bokor has nothing to do with the Crozats."
Olivia shook her head. "No. A Crozat warlock goes out of his way to kill Ben Mallard. Who may have intercepted a package from a guy named William Dagbani? The guy sounds like he came from somewhere in West Africa. The coincidence is too much." After another pause, she added, "I hope that Cecile is finished with that potion. I wonder if Andre had called about that spell."
Bruce added, "I wonder what happened to Cole. Has he been in touch with that Maxwell woman, yet?"
"I don't know. I haven't been able to get in touch with him, all morning." Once more, Olivia's cell phone rang. She answered, "Hello?"
Cecile's voice exploded in her ears. "Livy! It's me, Cecile! I just had another vision and we're all in trouble! Especially Cole! Where can I meet you?"
Anxiety gripped Olivia. "Huh? What the hell are you talking about? Are you still at the apartment?"
"Dammit Olivia! Haven't you heard a word I said? Cole is about to find himself in deep shit! And so will the rest of us! I saw five people steal his powers and kill him, inside some office! We've got to find him! Look, I've finished the potion and I've got the vanquishing spell from Andre."
"Yeah. Okay! Did you say an office? Then I have a pretty good idea on where he might be." Olivia took a deep breath and instructed her friend to meet her and Bruce at a certain address in downtown San Francisco.
* * * *
Cole glanced around the VENDRUM Company's posh office and nearly whistled aloud. Not bad, he thought to himself. Not even his private office looked this well-decorated . . . or expensive. Cole wondered how much profit the Crozats had accumulated over the years.
"Do you like it?" Suzanne Maxwell suddenly appeared by his side. For a woman holding an impromptu meeting, she looked dressed to kill. Or seduce. She wore a white tailored suit with a slit along the long skirt, and a jacket with no blouse underneath, but plenty of cleavage. She added sweetly, "The office, I mean."
Nodding, Cole replied, "Yes, it's uh, very . . . very nice. Are all of these antiquities yours?" He walked over to the far wall and fingered a long scimitar that hung from it.
"That came with the office when I rented it," Suzanne hastily replied. "Along with the name on the door."
"Really?" Cole gave her a brief, intense stare.
The young widow shifted uneasily on her feet. Then she indicated at the liquor cabinet with a sweep of her hand. "Uh, would you like a drink?"
"Thanks. Something non-alcoholic, I think. Club soda. No ice." Suzanne smiled and headed for the cabinet. Actually, she swayed. Cole watched her move with admiring eyes. Too bad she was a Crozat warlock. He would not have minded a one-night stand with her. Or perhaps even an hour. However, there was a certain matter to discuss, first. "By the way, you said that the name on the door came with this office."
Suzanne removed a bottle of club soda from the liquor cabinet. "Yes?" She reached for a glass and poured liquid in it.
Cole continued, "Well, it's strange that you would say that. I had someone investigate your background." The warlock paused momentarily. "One, your name is Suzanne, all right. Suzanne Crozat. You were born in Seattle, Washington on September 4, 1970, not Portland. Two, your married name is Maxwell. You had married a wealthy investor by the name of Anton Maxwell, but two years ago, not seven. He died of . . . mysterious circumstances, last August, not two years ago." Cole strode toward her. "And one of his assets happened to be the VENDRUM Company, located here in San Francisco. The one asset you didn't bother to liquidate before you left Vancouver." He paused right behind her and demanded in a low voice, "What do you want with me?"
The warlock whirled around and handed Cole his club soda. "I don't know what you . . ."
Slamming his glass on the cabinet, Cole roughly grabbed her arm. "Don't toy with me. When someone does, I get easily riled. I know you're a warlock with the Crozat coven. What . . . do . . . you . . . want . . . with . . . me?"
Fear flickered briefly in Suzanne's dark eyes. Then she nervously handed Cole his club soda. "Okay. I am a warlock with the Crozat coven. But it's not what you think."
"Oh really?" Cole took a sip of his drink.
Suzanne took a deep breath and continued. "Look, my cousins and I know what happened to the rest of our coven, last month. They tried to acquire enough power to take over the Source's Realm, and they failed. Well, my cousins and I intend to succeed." She glanced into his eyes. "With your help. If you're willing."
Cole swallowed half the contents of his glass. A sneer curled his lips. "What do you take me for? An idiot? So far, your coven has killed two men and unleased the spirit of a 250 year-old West African bokor, who seems bent upon killing the McNeills and the Charmed Ones. People I care . . ." A dizzy spell gripped him, making him feel disoriented. His eyes grew heavy. "What the . . . what the hell?"
An acid smile tugged the corners of Suzanne's lips. "How's your drink?"
"What the hell have you done to me?" Cole cried. He dropped his glass on the floor, and grabbed Suzanne's forearms. "What . . .?"
Suzanne replied innocently, "I have no idea what you're talking about. And would you please let go of my arms? You're hurting me."
Cole struggled to speak his next words. "I . . . you know damn . . ." Suzanne's face began to blur. Another wave of dizziness left him reeling.
"You don't look so well, . . . Belthazor." Suzanne took a step closer. At least it seemed so to Cole's groggy mind. He could barely make out the sinister smile on her face, as he sank to his knees. "I believe I know a few people who can help you."
At that moment, four men emerged from the far office. Despite his groggy state, Cole recognized two of them - Edward and Henry Crozat. "You . . ." he began. But the word came out as a slur and Cole found himself unable to speak any further.
"And it's nice to see you again, Belthazor," Edward Crozat greeted cheerfully. "How long has it been? Five years? Six?"
An impatient Henry Crozat cried, "Enough of the small talk! Let's get this over with! Now!"
Edward nodded. "All right. Ready?" The four men and Suzanne formed a circle around the kneeling Cole. The warlocks began to chant and the half-daemon felt his strength, slipping away. Despair overwhelmed him. For there was no one to save him.
* * * *
Olivia and Bruce met Cecile outside the Hopkins Building, before all three rushed inside. "Suzanne Crozat, thanks to her late husband, owns a company located on the fifth floor," Olivia commented to her friend. "It's called VENDRUM. Would you believe it? It's one of the companies I was investigating in conjecture with the Alvarez murder."
The trio entered the elevator. Olivia bridled with impatience, as the elevator creaked its way up to the fifth floor. "I wonder how Cole managed to discover the whereabouts of the Crozat?" Bruce asked.
"Suzanne Maxwell," Olivia muttered darkly. "Or should I say Suzanne Crozat? He tried to call me this morning, but I was in another meeting with Captain McPherson. Who was still bugging me about Darryl. I tried returning Cole's call, but he didn't answer. Dammit!" The elevator finally reached the fifth floor and the three people stepped out.
Cecile added, "I hope we're in time. From what I saw, these warlocks were using both a potion and a spell to steal his powers."
"Oh great!" Olivia groaned.
The two witches and the priestess finally came upon a door marked VENDRUM COMPANY. Olivia grasped the doorknob to open the door. It refused to budge. "Dammit!" she cried in frustration. Then using her telekinesis, she forced the door open.
The trio rushed inside and a terrifying sight greeted their eyes. Five warlocks - four men and a woman, surrounded a kneeling Cole, chanting a spell. Olivia recognized the woman. Suzanne Maxwell. She cried out, "Cole!". The warlocks halted in mid-chant and stared at the newcomers. Fortunately, Bruce reacted first. Using his power of aero kinesis, he scattered the warlocks away from Cole, with a gust of wind.
A tall warlock in his mid-thirties scrambled to his feet. A dagger appeared in his hand. He threw it at Cecile, who stood closer. The Vodoun priestess quickly ducked and withdrew a small bottle of liquid from her jacket. She tossed it at the warlock, who dematerialized into a ball of flames and smoke.
Another warlock became the second to respond to the newcomers' threat. He stood up, stared at the visitors with dismay. The young man - the same warlock whom Cecile had spotted near Pablo Alvarez's body - disappeared. He reappeared behind Bruce, with a knife in hand. Before he could stab the witch, the latter viciously elbowed in the side and flipped him onto the floor. Then Bruce immobilized the young warlock with a kick to the jaw.
Meanwhile, another Crozat, one who reminded Olivia of the late Philip Crozat, sent a fireball toward Bruce. Olivia deflected the attack with her power and the fireball engulfed the warlock.
"Edward!" cried the fourth warlock. Stock and middle-aged, he glared at Olivia with hatred. Fortunately, Bruce reacted first and with his aero kinesis, attacked. The warlock screamed in horror, as he became trapped within a tunnel of strong wind. Until his body disintegrated into nothing.
There remained one last Crozat - Suzanne. She regarded Bruce's attack upon the stocky warlock with horror, before she dashed to one of the desks. Olivia used her telekinesis to throw her against the wall. Unfortunately, it seemed that Suzanne possessed the power of deflection. The telekinesis boomeranged from Suzanne and sent Olivia sprawling to the floor.
"Your powers don't work on me, bitch!" Suzanne spat out. A Glock pistol appeared in her hand. She pointed it at Olivia and fired twice. Still sprawled on the floor, the latter immediately reacted by using her telekinesis to send the bullets right into the warlock's chest. The dark-haired woman's eyes flew open momentarily, before she dropped to the floor. Dead.
Olivia and Bruce rushed over to help Cole to his feet. Cecile's voice from behind cried, "Look out!" Brother and sister whirled around. They saw a knife appear in the battered young warlock's hand - the same warlock whom Bruce had knocked unconscious. The oldest McNeill grabbed a knife from a nearby desk and very neatly, sent it flying into the warlock chest, killing the latter.
Cecile let out a sigh of relief and rushed over to help Olivia and Bruce deal with the groggy half-daemon. "Cole?" Olivia said sounding concerned. "Cole, can you hear me? It's Olivia! Are you all right?"
"I'm . . . help . . . me . . . sto . . ."
"Cole! C'mon Cole! Snap out of it!" Olivia shook the half-daemon. When he failed to respond, she cried out, "Dammit!" Then she grabbed Cole's head and pressed her lips against his. The kiss failed to snap her friend out of his lethargy. Desperate, Olivia kissed Cole for the second time. Only harder. After a few seconds, he finally responded by placing his hands on Olivia's waist and returning the kiss wholeheartedly. A rush of heat spread all over her body. Groggy or not, Olivia had to admit that the half-daemon was an above-average kisser. More than above-average.
"Livy?" he murmured, after their lips had parted. "Olivia, was that . . .?"
Elated, Olivia gave Cole one last shake. "Yes Cole, it's me. Olivia. Wake up!"
"I'm . . . I'm awake . . . I'm . . . would you please stop shaking me?" The last sentence came out without any hesitation.
Cecile eyed Cole with curiosity. "Amazing! He seems to have recovered, despite being drugged."
"Self-healing power," Cole gasped, as he struggled to his feet. "But the drug isn't completely gone. I still feel a little bit groggy." He opened his eyes wide and stared at the dead body near one of the desks. "Suzanne," he muttered. "What happened?"
Olivia replied, "I killed her. Deflected two bullets she had shot at me."
"Two bad," Cole shot back, under his breath. His eyes fell upon the other corpse. "Say, uh, isn't that the warlock . . .?"
Nodding, Olivia replied, "That's him."
"He's the one who had killed Pablo Alvarez," Cecile added.
Cole shook his head. Blinked several times. "Where's Dako? And where's Bruce?"
"I'm here." The eldest McNeill sibling had disappeared into one of the inner offices. He returned, carrying something that looked like a crude vase. Or urn. And a file in a brown accordion folder. "As for Dako, I don't know where he's at. But I'll bet top money that he had arrived in this." He held up the vase.
Cecile's eyes narrowed. "That looks like a Benin urn. How did the Crozats get their hands on it?"
Before anyone could answer, the door burst open. A uniformed guard appeared in the doorway, brandishing a revolver at the four occupants. "This is security!" he barked. "Everyone hold it!"
Bruce murmured, "Looks like Dako might be the least of our problems."
END OF CHAPTER 15
*AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm sure that many of you were surprised that I had Suzanne Crozat killed off with two bullets. Personally, I don't buy CHARMED's theory that warlocks are immortal and are incapable of receiving a mortal's death. I have checked the definition of a warlock. The only difference between one and a witch is that a warlock practices dark magic for selfish and perverse reasons and a witch practices magic to help others . . . and occasionally, oneself. I just could not fathom that because a warlock has chosen evil, he or she is also immortal.
"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: Dead Man's Chest" Review
First of all, I would like to say that originally, I had not been that keen on the idea of a sequel or two to "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: Curse of the Black Pearl". I simply did not think that the 2003 movie needed a sequel. It had ended just fine, as far as I was concerned. And I suspect that many "POTC" fans still feel this way. In end, I am glad that Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski had went ahead and forged a trilogy out of the franchise. To my surprise, "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: Dead Man's Chest" has become my favorite of the three movies.
That said, here are my thoughts on this film:*At first I had thought that the first movie was better. Which is not surprising to me. Sequels are rarely better than the first movie - the STAR WARS, X-MEN and SPIDER-MAN franchises being the exceptions. But upon second viewing, I will add that DMC also became amongst the exceptions. I do not believe that it was better or worse than the CotBP. I feel that it is just as good, only darker . . . with a cliffhanger at the end. I must congratulate the two screenwriters, Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, along with director Gore Verbinski for taking the story in a new direction, instead of rehashing the success of the first movie.
*At first, I did not care for the sequences featuring the cannabalistic Pelegostos. I did not like the idea of Jack Sparrow being some kind of god to them, or even the idea of them being cannibals. It seemed to smack of old Hollywood cliches regarding whites' encounters with "non-white savages". Yet, upon repeated viewings, one could see that Verbinski, Elliot and Russio took this cliche and turned it on its heels with the portrayal of the Pelegostos being more than just savages. The director and two screenwriters showed that despite their status as cannibals, the Pelegostos were just as human as anyone else, thanks to the comic acting of the cast members portraying the group. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the Black Pearl crew's escape from the Pelegostos. It was filled with excitement, great humor and good acting. In fact, it is one of my favorite sequences in the entire trilogy.
*I also have to congratulate Elliot and Russio for allowing the characters to develop even more since the first movie – especially Will Turner (portrayed by the very underappreciated Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightly), and James Norrington (Jack Davenport). Even dear old Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp in all his glory) had managed to develop somewhat by the end of the film. And all of the major actors - including Kevin McNally as Joshamee Gibbs; and Lee Arnberg and MacKenzie Crook as Pintel and Rigetti - were excellent. Not much of a surprise, really.
*"DMC" also introduced four new characters to the franchise - the perceptive and charming Vodoun priestess, Tia Dalma (Naomi Harris); the vindictive and deadly Captain Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) who commanded the ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman; Will's gloomy father, Bootstrap Bill Turner (Stellan Skarsgård); and the ruthless and manipulative representative of the East India Trading Company, Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander). Skarsgård gave a solid performance, and the other three actors - Harris, Nighy and Hollander - were fabulous.
*Many have expressed dislike of Elizabeth Swann for what she had done to Jack. What many had forgotten was that Will had more or less done the same thing to Jack - leave him for dead - in the first film.
Despite my low expectations of the movie, I am surprised that I grew to love it so much. Even more surprising was the fact that it became my favorite in the "POTC" franchise. However, the movie's final scene featuring the resurrection of Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) was BRILLIANT. It had one of the best cliffhangers I have ever seen on film. On the whole, I would give "POTC: Dead Man's Chest" an "A-". I am taking points off for the Pelegostos sequence. I may be more tolerant of it, but I do not love it. Quite frankly, I would rather see "DEAD MAN'S CHEST" over again, than watch the likes of "SUPERMAN RETURNS" (which was released around the same period) again.
"THE CORELLIAN CONNECTION"
CHAPTER FOUR
OUTSIDE ALDERA, ALDERAAN
Padme stepped out onto the villa's terrace and found Raymus Antilles pacing back and forth near the balustrade. "Captain Antilles," she greeted politely. "How kind of you to visit."
The captain ceased his pacing and faced Padme with a grim expression. "I'm afraid this isn't a social visit, Milady. Alderaan's intelligence has just received news that a report that an Imperial emissary will be arriving here, pretty soon. It seems that someone had traced Solipo Yeb's message to this planet."
A sense of alarm filled Padme. "Oh no! Bail! Has His Highness been arrested?"
"Thankfully no," Antilles replied. "He managed to leave Alderaan before the Empire's arrival."
Padme frowned. "You mean that this emissary is here?"
"He will be. Soon." With a sigh, Antilles continued, "Her Majesty and I believe that this emissary might search for the holoprojector that had received Senator Yeb's message." Unease crept into his eyes.
Padme asked, "Is there something else?"
Antilles inhaled sharply. "We've also learned that the emissary is someone with the title of 'Darth'. Possibly a Sith Lord."
A gasp left Padme's mouth. She stared at Antilles with anxious eyes. "But that's not possible! According to Bail and Master Kenobi, Anakin had turned away . . ."
"Yes, Milady, but we don't know if Skywalker had returned to the emperor or not." The captain paused. "Right now, we need to get you and children away from here. I have a shuttle waiting nearby to take you away from the palace grounds. I suggest that you pack your belongings quickly."
Padme replied, "I already have. Bail had suggested that I pack. In case of an emergency."
At that moment, a shadow appeared in the sky above. Both Padme and Antilles glanced and noticed a rectangular-shaped space vehicle. An Imperial shuttle. Padme murmured, "He's here."
----------
CORONET, CORELLIA
"Room Eleven," Anakin murmured to himself, as he walked along the second floor corridor of the Selonia Hotel. The hotel was named after another planet that made up the Corellian Sector. The clean and stark interior reminded Anakin of a modest home for a respectable family. Large jars filled with flowers and other plants dotted the length of the corridor. He finally came upon his destination - Room Eleven. The pilot rang the announciator.
Seconds later, a female voice crackled from the small audio box next to the door. "Yes? Who is it?"
"Captain Set Horus," Anakin replied. "We met last night."
The door slid open, revealing Thalia Kor. Her shoulders sagged with relief. "Oh, thank goodness! Captain Horus, I'm glad that you could finally make it. Come in, please."
Once Anakin had stepped inside the modest room, he was surprised to find a human male with skin tone similar to his new client's. He knew that Miss Kor had a brother. But he had no idea that this sibling would turn out to be the missing senator from Andalia. "Senator Yeb?" he exclaimed, before he could stop himself.
The senator and his sister exchanged uneasy glances. "You know who I am?" the former demanded.
Anakin shrugged his shoulders. "Of course. Your face has been plastered consistently on the HoloNet News Service, since your escape from Andalia."
"I didn't think of that," Yeb murmured, wearing an anxious expression.
An impatient Thalia Kor (or Yeb) quickly dismissed the matter. "Never mind that. Captain Horus, can you get us both to Averam? No questions asked?"
Nodding, Anakin replied, "Sure. I only hope that the Empire hasn't traced you to here on Corellia." He saw the troubled expression on Senator Yeb's face. "Is there something wrong, Senator?"
Solipo Yeb hesitated. "Well . . . upon my arrival here, I had contacted . . . a friend to send me some much needed funds. We had also made arrangements to meet on Averam."
"And you think there might be a chance that your message may have been detected by the Empire," Anakin concluded. He sighed. "I understand. I don't mean to sound mercenary, Senator, but how much are you willing to pay for passage?"
The Andalian senator immediately replied, "Three thousand Imperial credits." Anakin's eyes widened in shock. Apparently, the senator's friend had provided him with ample funds.
With an amicable smile on his face, Anakin replied, "Well then . . . you have a deal. Meet me inside the Javian Hawk's hangar." He glanced at the Andalian woman. "Your sister should know where to find it. I'll be ready to leave within two hours. Senator . . . Milady." He bowed politely and left the hotel room.
--------
ALDERA PALACE, ALDERAAN
Darth Rasche and his entourage stood inside Aldera Palace's vast and impressive foyer. Just beyond, a large staircase curved upward to the floor above. Although Rasche was familiar with the plans for the new Imperial Palace, he could not help but be impressed by this palace's elegant style and sense of history. Not that he really cared. After all, he had a job to perform.
An royal aide dressed in a long blue robe approached the Sith Lord. "May I help you, sir?"
"I am Darth Rasche," Rasche announced. "I am here to see Her Majesty Queen Breha and His Highness Prince Bail Organa, on behalf of His Imperial Highness, the Emperor Palpatine."
The aide nervously replied, "Her Majest is . . ."
"Her Majesty is here," a female's husky voice finished. The voice's owner descended the staircase's remaining steps and approached the newcomers. Dressed in a simple, elegant tangerine gown with bell-shaped sleeves, Breha Antilles-Organa looked every inch an Alderaanian queen. Even her hair, styled in two round buns pinned on each side of her head, added to the regal presence. The aide immediately bowed. To prove that he was not a rude vulgarian, Darth Rasche did the same. "We are Queen Breha of Alderaan," she continued. "May we ask who you are, sir? And what are you doing here with Imperial troops?"
Again, the Sith Lord bowed. "I am Darth Rasche, Your Majesty. I am the personal emissary of the Emperor. He believes that someone here on Alderaan had received a holographic message from Solipo Yeb on Corellia. And since your husband happened to be one of Senator Yeb's former colleagues, naturally our search will start here."
The queen's countenance formed a stony mask. "We must protest this intrusion, Lord Rasche. His Highness has been a loyal supporter of the Emperor since the latter was the Supreme Chancellor. Despite his initial misgivings, he also supported the war against the Separatists . . . even against the wishes of some of our more pacifist citizens. This is outrageous!"
"Nevertheless, Your Majesty, I must perform my duty and search the palace. You may file an official protest to the Imperial Senate, if you wish." Rasche paused, as he glanced around the foyer. When the Queen had first appeared, something seemed amiss. Now, he knew why. "Pardon me, Your Majesty, but where is your husband? Where is His Highness, Prince Bail?"
The Queen's dark eyes flickered momentarily before she assumed a haughty air. "His Highness is not here. He has left . . . on a business trip."
Allowing his eyes to penetrate the monarch's Rasche said in a silky voice, "A business trip? To Corellia, by any chance?"
Contempt poured out of Queen Breha's eyes. "Of course not! He went to Duro with a member of Alderaan's Trade Association to discuss our import contract regarding Alderaanian wine."
"Do you expect me to believe you?" Rasche coolly shot back.
"I beg your pardon?" The queen's voice radiated ice. "Do you doubt our word?"
A retort hung on Rasche's lips. But a growing sense that the Queen had no suspicions of any connection between her husband and Solipo Yeb, other than the Senate, gnawed in his mind. He also suspected that insulting Alderaan's queen might backfire against the Empire. Especially since he has yet to find any proof linking Bail Organa with Yeb. Rasche took a deep breath and bowed to the Queen. "Pardon me, Your Majesty. I would never doubt anything you say."
Queen Breha lifted her chin in a haughty manner. "You are forgiven."
Rasche felt a slight surge of anger at what he viewed as royal arrogance. Then he turned to the clone squad and barked, "Search every room for a holoprojector, and make sure that each one has been checked for any recent transmissions!" The troopers then split into smaller groups and commenced upon the search.
Meanwhile, Rasche became aware of Queen Breha's intense scrutiny. "Pardon me, Lord . . . Rasche," she began, "but your face looks familiar to us." She paused. "Were you a veteran of the recent war against the Separatists?"
The young Sith Lord's eyes flicked. "Yes . . . Your Majesty."
The Queen frowned. "Were you a former Jedi Knight, by any chance? Aside from the clone troopers, the only other humans engaged in combat were . . ."
Longing to avoid memories of his previous life, Rasche curtly interrupted. "There were other humans that fought against Dooku and Grievious." Queen Breha's eyes bored into his. He added quietly, "Your Majesty."
"I see."
Rasche decided to change the subject. "By the way, I had noticed a charming villa near the palace's lagoon. Who lives there, if I may ask?"
A touch of fear flicked in the Queen's eyes. Much to Rasche's surprise. Interesting.
"My husband's cousin lives there," Queen Breha finally replied. "Cousin Yane Organa-Rivaaj. Well . . . she and her children used to live there. Until recently. She is a war widow."
Rasche asked, "Why did she leave?"
A pause followed before Queen Breha answered, "Painful memories. It was not the same for he . . . following her husband's death. He was killed during the Separatists' assault upon our homeworld."
Rasche nodded politely, already bored by the tragic story. Several minutes later, three clone troopers appeared from the palace's east wing. One of them reported, "We found a holoprojector each in both the Queen and Prince Organa's private offices. Neither had recently received a message from Corellia."
"You searched our private rooms?" Queen Breha demanded angrily.
Ignoring the furious monarch, Rasche ordered the two troopers to search the villa near the palace's lagoon. "If you find the holoprojector, inform me as soon as possible." Once the troopers left, Rasche turned to face Queen Breha. To his satisfaction, the fear he had earlier spotted in her eyes, had returned.
----------
CORONET, CORELLIA
"I had killed more than one person. Hundreds of them, as a matter of fact. Including children."
Captain Horus' words replayed over and over, inside Han's mind. Nor could he forget the pilot's eyes when those words spilled of his mouth. Hard. Intense. Scary and yet, a little sad. Recalling the blond-haired pilot, Han felt relieved that the man had rejected him. On the other hand, a swell of pity touched Han whenever he thought about Captain Horus' underlying sadness. What exactly had Horus done to make him so frightening and yet, sad at the same time?
Han shivered. Then he returned his attention to his drink. After leaving the Torvian Blue Hotel, the eleven year-old had made his way toward the city's spaceport in the hopes of finding passage off Corellia. Unfortunately, most ships seemed to be arriving in Coronet, instead of leaving. An old Republic cruiser had departed for Mos Espa on Tatooine. Han would have been a passenger, if the pilot had not demanded more credits than he possessed. Now, he found himself sitting in a open-air café, drinking Java Juice and waiting for the next starship to depart.
A familiar figure appeared at the spaceport's entrance. It was Set Horus. Han watched the young pilot stride into one of the hangars. Then a woman dressed in dark blue pants, a white blouse and a tan short jacket appeared at the spaceport's entrance. Han immediately recognized her aqualine features and long, dark-brown braid. It was Yenohla Jen, one of Corellia's top pilots. He had learned from the portmaster that she would be departing for Coruscant within an hour or two. And unlike the Republic cruiser's pilot, Captain Jen would not overcharge him.
After finishing his drink, Han paid two credits and slid out of his chair. He grabbed his burlap sack and started across the street. The eleven year-old had not taken five steps when a strong hand grabbed him by the back of his collar. Han screamed for help, as he struggled to escape his captor. Typically, no one bothered to rescue him. Not even a CorSec officer.
"Calm down, kid," his captor growled. "Shrike wants to speak to you." In other words - he was deep in bantha fodder.
Shrike’s thug, a blond-haired human male with narrow blue eyes, shoved him into an enclosed speeder, where he found another waiting for them. Within minutes, both men delivered him to Shrike’s villa, near the edge of town. One of the thugs dragged the eleven year-old inside the villa and delivered him to the courtyard, where the gangster awaited them. The latter’s grim expression did not seem to bode well for Han. “Well, well,” Shrike said in a low, menacing voice. “Hanging around the spaceport like some local scum, Solo? Weren’t you supposed to be doing something else? Like collecting the credits that you owe me?”
Han stared at his boss in angry silence. Only he felt anger at himself, for being stupid enough to be caught off guard by Shrike’s thugs.
“Well? Aren’t you going to say something?” Shrike demanded. His eyes fell upon Han’s burlap sack. “Where did you get that?” He snatched the sack from Han’s grip. At that moment, the Wookie cook appeared in the courtyard. She took one look at Han and gasped. “That’s right, Dewlanna,” Shrike continued with a sneer. “Solo is back. I can only assume that you helped him escape by giving him this.” He held up the burlap sack. Then he peered inside. “Let’s see. Food and and a credit chip. Interesting.”
Dewlanna growled, “He would have starved if I had not given him something.”
“Really?” Shrike glared at her. “You should have told me that he had left, in the first place.”
For Dewlanna’s sake, Han spoke up. “You leave Dewlanna out of this!” he cried angrily. “It’s not her fault!”
“No, it’s not,” Shrike coolly replied. “It’s yours. You made the choice to run away. But Dewlanna . . . well, she did make the choice to help you. And now, both of you must be punished.”
At that moment, an adolescent, green-skinned Twi’lek entered the courtyard. It was Alema Passik, one of Shrike’s slaves and his personal companion. She called out the gangster’s name. “Shrike! You have an incoming message on your holoprojector! The one you are waiting for.”
A sigh left Shrike’s mouth. He seemed to have forgotten about Han, as he diverted his attention to Alema. “I’m waiting for a lot of messages. Who is it?” he demanded, as he started toward the archway that led to the villa’s interiors.
Shrike was not the only one who became distracted by Alema’s appearance. The gangster’s two thugs had released their grip on Han’s arms. The eleven year-old decided to take advantage of a fortuitous opportunity. Using great force, Han stomped on the blond-haired thug’s foot. The man cried out in pain. Then the eleven year-old Corellian kicked the other thug’s shin and made a run for the courtyard’s gate.
A loud roar filled Han’s ears, when he reached the gate. She glanced over his shoulder and saw Dewlanna knock the second thug to the ground. The blond thug pulled out a blaster, but Dewlanna knocked him out before he could fire. Then she roared, “Run Han! Get out of here! Get out . . .”
Blaster fire from Shrike’s side weapon interrupted the Wookie’s cries. Struck directly into the chest, Dewlanna slowly sank to the ground. Han cried out, “Nooo!” Then he saw an armed Shrike rush toward him. Before Han could open the gate, the fallen Wookie grabbed one of Shrike’s ankles and jerked him to the ground. Han needed no further argument. He opened the gate and finally made good his escape.
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CORELLIAN SECTOR
Commander Jaffe approached the Agamemnon’s senior officer. “We’re now approaching Corellia, Captain Hardy. We should be in orbit above the planet within fifteen minutes.”
“Good,” Captain Hardy replied. “Contact the head of the Corellian Security Force. Inform him that I will meet him at the CorSec office on Coronet. And Have Lieutenant Rhue and his platoon meet me in the shuttle bay. I am going to the surface. I’m leaving you in command of the Agamemnon.”
The executive officer nodded. “As you wish, Captain.” He turned to a subordinate. “Contact Lieutenant Rhue and tell him to form his platoon, inside the hangar bay.”
Satisfied that his orders would be carried out, Captain Hardy left the bridge in order to prepare for his trip to Corellia’s surface.
END OF CHAPTER FOUR
Below is a gallery of photos from the new political thriller starring Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forrest Whittaker, Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt called "VANTAGE POINT":
"VANTAGE POINT" Photo Gallery
"SUPERMAN RETURNS" Review
I wish I could say that I had loved "SUPERMAN RETURNS". I wish I could say that I found it very original. I wish I could . . . but I cannot. Because I would be lying if I had said so. Do not get me wrong – "SUPERMAN RETURNS" is a pretty good movie. But it also turned out to be something of a disappointment for me.
First of all, I felt that it was a big mistake on Singer's part to carry on the story after SUPERMAN II" (1981). It was bad enough that he had re-used John Williams' score and Marlon Brando's image as Jor-El. But he also used plotlines from "SUPERMAN"(1978). He rehased the following:
*Lois' rooftop meeting with Superman, followed by a flight over Metropolis
*Some of Chris Reeves' dialogue
*Lex Luthor's plot to destroy part of the U.S. for a land swindle (which was not handled very effectively).
Singer also borrowed the love triangle from "SPIDER-MAN 2" . . . but with only a few twists.
In the end, I could not tell whether the movie was a sequel to SUPERMAN II or a remake of SUPERMAN. Very confusing and very disappointing. Although it was a pretty good movie with a first-class cast, it was also the most unoriginal comic book hero flick I have ever seen. Singer could have done better. I rated the movie a “B-“.