THE MYSTERIES OF DAGOBAH (excerpt)
Introduction: The idea for this story was written at some point during the premiere season of the animated television show. It had the working title "Yoda vs. Dooku, Round 2" as it would feature another battle between the two (following their duel in the second cinematic episode). The purpose of the story was to explain how Yoda knew about the planet Dagobah and why he went into exile there. Interestingly enough, the series would explore this concept a few years later during the "Lost Missions" episodes.
The first act of the story is below:
STAR WARS The Clone Wars
The Mysteries of Dagobah
NEWSREEL
NARRATOR
It is an age of treachery and deceit! Entire
planets have been erased from the archives of
the Jedi Order. While the Clone Wars rage
across the galaxy, Jedi Master Yoda seeks out
these missing planetary systems, hoping to learn
their secrets....
As the NARRATOR speaks, there is a montage of battle action from the war. One shot shows YODA leaving Coruscant on a REPUBLIC SHIP. The final shot shows that same REPUBLIC SHIP traveling through hyperspace. The camera angle focuses in on the bridge of the REPUBLIC SHIP as the story begins.
INT. REPUBLIC SHIP - BRIDGE
JEDI MASTER YODA is on the bridge of the REPUBLIC SHIP - a survey vessel the size of a freighter. With YODA are six Clone Troopers including JEK, THIRE, and RYS (previously seen in the episode "Ambush"). RYS looks down at YODA and asks a question.
RYS
Something I don’t understand, sir. How can an
entire planet go missing?
YODA lets out a humph and replies with:
YODA
Deceived the Jedi were by Count Dooku.
THIRE
I heard Dooku even erased our home planet of
Kamino from the Jedi archives.
YODA
Startling it is, how events have unfolded. Never
must the Sith be underestimated.
The CLONE PILOT looks back at YODA from his seat. The swirling blues of hyperspace can be seen outside the cockpit.
CLONE PILOT
We’re coming up on the coordinates you gave us,
sir. But according to the charts, there’s nothing
out there but empty space.
YODA sits down in a seat behind the CLONE PILOT.
YODA
Inaccurate the charts are. A planet we will find.
Why it was erased from the archives, our mission
to answer.
​
EXT. SPACE
The REPUBLIC SHIP emerges from hyperspace and passes the camera position which turns to follow it. A green planet with thick white clouds is dead ahead.
​
INT. REPUBLIC SHIP - BRIDGE
The body language of the CLONE PILOT is one of surprise as he perks up in his seat.
CLONE PILOT
Well... You were right, sir. There’s your missing
planet.
THIRE
Are you picking up any signals?
CLONE PILOT
Negative. Not a peep. But scanners indicate a
LOT of life down there.
YODA has a look as if he is about to sneeze.
YODA
Strange. Feel right, this does not. Very wrong,
something is.
CLONE PILOT
Should we go in for a closer look?
YODA
Patience. For now, orbit the planet we will. The
northern hemisphere, we will begin with.
CLONE PILOT
Yes, sir.
JEK
Any idea what this place is called?
YODA
A name, I did find. Dagobah.
EXT. SPACE
The REPUBLIC SHIP orbits the planet. The camera pans to a dark and lifeless object floating in space; a SITH PROBE DROID which suddenly powers up and focus its attention on the REPUBLIC SHIP. The SITH PROBE DROID sends a signal.
​
INT. REPUBLIC SHIP - BRIDGE
An indicator signal beeps from the control panel.
CLONE PILOT
Sir, I’m getting something. We are being scanned.
YODA examines the signal for himself.
YODA
It’s a trap!
(or)
A trap, it is!
​
EXT. SPACE
Several VULTURE DROIDS launch from one of Dagobah’s moons. The VULTURE DROIDS head directly towards the REPUBLIC SHIP.
​
INT. REPUBLIC SHIP - BRIDGE
CLONE PILOT
Vulture droids, closing fast!
THIRE
Can we outrun them?
CLONE PILOT
Not a chance. Someone man the guns while I
calculate a jump to hyperspace.
THIRE doesn’t hesitate to take control of the laser cannons.
EXT. SPACE
One of the VULTURE DROIDS launches a MISSILE. Three other VULTURE DROIDS also launch MISSILES at the REPUBLIC SHIP.
​
INT. REPUBLIC SHIP - BRIDGE
CLONE PILOT
Incoming missiles!
THIRE starts shooting at the MISSILES.
​
EXT. SPACE
Unfortunately, THIRE can’t stop all of the MISSILES and one hits the REPUBLIC SHIP.
​
INT. REPUBLIC SHIP - BRIDGE
Everyone is rocked by the explosion.
CLONE PILOT
They took out the hyperdrive.
JEK tends to one of the other CLONES.
JEK
Kad is dead.
​​
EXT. SPACE
The VULTURE DROIDS swoop in and begin shooting. The REPUBLIC SHIP is trailing fire as it is rocked by laser blasts.
INT. REPUBLIC SHIP - BRIDGE
YODA
To the planet, we must go.
CLONE PILOT
Won’t argue with that.
EXT. SPACE
The REPUBLIC SHIP heads into the atmosphere of DAGOBAH and disappears in the thick clouds. The VULTURE DROIDS do not follow but break off and head away from the planet.
​
INT. REPUBLIC SHIP - BRIDGE
The REPUBLIC SHIP bounces and rocks. One of the CLONES loses his footing and falls down.
CLONE PILOT
Woah! Can’t hold her steady. I can’t see a
thing. Hold on boys, we’re going down!
RYS
Brace for impact!
The CLONES fight to get to their seats and strap in. YODA is calm.
​
EXT. DAGOBAH - BOG
The REPUBLIC SHIP has a hard landing, slamming into the ground. The REPUBLIC SHIP slides along the surface of DAGOBAH. One wing strikes a tree, causing the ship to spin and careen to a stop.
​
INT. REPUBLIC SHIP - BRIDGE
Everything inside the REPUBLIC SHIP is a mess and illuminated by red emergency lighting. JEK is the first to his feet.
JEK
Master YODA, are you all right?
YODA gets to his feet and places a hand on his head.
YODA
Fine I am. Help the others.
JEK
Sign off. Is everyone all right?
THIRE
I need some help over here.
CLONE
Rys is dead.
There is a groan from the CLONE PILOT’s seat.
CLONE PILOT
Agh. My leg. I’m stuck.
The REPUBLIC SHIP shutters violently and everyone gets that sinking feeling. Muddy water starts to fill the ship.
YODA
Clear the ship, we must.
JEK
Everybody out!
THIRE
The door is jammed.
YODA reaches for his LIGHTSABER, but it’s not there. YODA jumps down into the growing pool of murky water and disappears. JEK and THIRE tend to the CLONE PILOT and are able to get him free. YODA jumps out of the water and activates his LIGHTSABER. A quick slice and the crew are climbing out of the REPUBLIC SHIP.
​
EXT. DAGOBAH - BOG
YODA, JEK, THIRE and the CLONE PILOT are the only survivors. But before they can catch their breath, a giant MUD SQUID emerges from the murk. The MUD SQUID grabs the CLONE PILOT and pulls him under. YODA slashes his LIGHTSABER at one of the tentacles and the MUD SQUID retreats under the bog.
YODA, JEK and THIRE make their way to solid ground.
THIRE
Something tells me coming here was a bad idea.
​
WIPE TO:
INT. COUNT DOOKU’S FORTRESS
COUNT DOOKU, the Sith Lord also known as DARTH TYRANUS, is meditating in his private chambers. A signal chimes from a kiosk in the room. COUNT DOOKU opens his eyes, stands, and activates a button on the kiosk. A hologram of his master, DARTH SIDIOUS, appears. COUNT DOOKU obediently kneels.
COUNT DOOKU
What is thy bidding, my master?
DARTH SIDIOUS
(hologram)
A Republic ship has been spotted over a key
Sith planet.
COUNT DOOKU
I shall dispatch Ventress there at once.
DARTH SIDIOUS
(hologram)
No! This is no mission for a child. You will go
Lord Tyranus. And you will not fail me.
There is a brief pause before COUNT DOOKU asks:
COUNT DOOKU
Tell me master, why is this system so valuable?
COUNT DOOKU raises his head to look at the hologram. DARTH SIDIOUS growls lightly.
DARTH SIDIOUS
(hologram)
There was once a Sith Lord who conducted experiments
on the life forms that inhabit the planet. The Jedi
must not know what he did there. You will see to that.
COUNT DOOKU
I shall depart at once.
COUNT DOOKU again bows his head.
​
EXT. SERENNO
The camera looks over DOOKU’S FORTRESS as a SHUTTLE rises up from the planet.
EXT. SPACE - ABOVE SERENNO
The SHUTTLE docks with a massive WARSHIP Moments later, the WARSHIP turns and jumps into hyperspace.
END ACT 1