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Text File | 1993-07-08 | 519KB | 15,311 lines

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

                        Episode IV

                        A NEW HOPE

   It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a
hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic
Empire.
   During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the
Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star, an armored space station
with enough power to destroy an entire planet.
   Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess Leia races home
aboard her starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save her
people and restore freedom to the galaxy...


        The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total
        eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A tiny
        silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing lasers from
        the back of the ship, races through space. It is pursed by a
        giant Imperial Stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly laserbolts
        streak from the Imperial Stardestroyer, causing the main solar
        fin of the Rebel craft to disintegrate.

2 2

        An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)
        and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way through the
        shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are old and battered.
        Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod. His face is a mass of
        computer lights surrounding a radar eye. Threepio, on the
        other hand, is a tall, slender robot of human proportions. He
        has a gleaming bronze-like metallic surface of an Art Deco
        design.
           Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their
        way.

THREEPIO: Did you hear that? They've shut down the main reactor. We'll
be destroyed for sure. This is madness!

           Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions
        in the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.

THREEPIO: We're doomed!

           The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that
        only another robot could understand.

THREEPIO: There'll be no escape for the Princess this time.

           Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as
        loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment
        are heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.

THREEPIO: What's that?

3 3

        The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade
        Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the
        underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.

        The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a
        tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and a
        score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make their
        way into the smoke-filled corridor.
           In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with
        laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns
        creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck
        behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel soldiers
        who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered
        arms and faces.
           An explosion hits near the robots.

THREEPIO: I should have known better than to trust the logic of a
half-sized thermocapsulary dehousing assister...

           Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages
        around the two hapless robots.

4 4

        A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The
        tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone figure,
        Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations who looks
        much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy hair and
        baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable lad with
        a prize-winning smile.
           A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
        large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the
        desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided by
        a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot
        appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions.
        A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye and he
        instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his utility
        belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying the
        heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired
        Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet
        above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the tiny
        robot to follow him.

LUKE: Hurry up! Come with me! What are you waiting for?! Get in gear!

           The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
        smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his arms
        up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps into his
        Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum madly.

5 5

        The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Sith makes his
        way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is
        Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured
        by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask, which
        stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the
        Imperial stormtroopers. Everyone instinctively backs away from
        the imposing warrior and a deathly quiet sweeps through the
        Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run in a
        frenzied panic.

6 6

        A woman's hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo's dome.
        Artoo makes beeping sounds.

        Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is
        nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel
        soldiers can be heard in the distance.

THREEPIO: Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are you?

           A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio's attention and
        he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a
        smoke-filled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen
        years old) stands in front of Artoo. Surreal and out of place,
        dreamlike and half hidden in the smoke, she finishes adjusting
        something on Artoo's computer face, then watches as the little
        robot joins his companion.

THREEPIO: At last! Where have you been?

        Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.

THREEPIO: They're heading in this direction. What are we going to do?
We'll be sent to the spice mine of Kessel or smashed into who knows
what!

           Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the
        subhallway. Threepio chases after him.

THREEPIO: Wait a minute, where are you going?

           Artoo responds with electronic beeps.

7 7

        The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted bodies
        of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as
        an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.

IMPERIAL OFFICER: The Death Star plans are not in the main computer.

           Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
        in vain.

VADER: Where are those transmissions you intercepted?

           Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.

VADER: What have you done with those plans?

REBEL OFFICER: We intercepted no transmissions. Aaah....This is a
consular ship. Were on a diplomatic mission.

VADER: If this is a consular ship...were is the Ambassador?

           The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
        Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer's throat, creating a
        gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp.
        Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to
        his troops.

VADER: Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found those plans
and bring me the Ambassador. I want her alive!

           The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.

8 8

        The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
        stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia
        Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her eyes
        slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds of the
        approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the troopers
        spots her.

TROOPER: There she is! Set for stun!

           Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
        her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a
        paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.

TROOPER: She'll be all right. Inform Lord Vader we have a prisoner.

9 9

        Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod. He
        snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light
        begins to flash. The stubby astro-robot works his way into the
        cramped four-man pod.

THREEPIO: Hey, you're not permitted in there. It's restricted. You'll
be deactivated for sure..

           Artoo beeps something to him.

THREEPIO: Don't call me a mindless philosopher, you overweight glob of
grease! Now come out before somebody sees you.

           Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding
        the mission he is about to perform.

THREEPIO: Secret mission? What plans? What are you talking about? I'm
not getting in there!

           Artoo isn't happy with Threepio's stubbornness, and he beeps
        and twangs angrily.

        A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris
        through the narrow subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and,
        after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky
        robot jumps into the lifepod.

THREEPIO: I'm going to regret this.

10 10

        On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified
        robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel spacecraft.

CHIEF PILOT: There goes another one.

CAPTAIN: Hold your fire. There are no life forms. It must have been
short-circuited.

        Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial starship.
        Stars circle as the pod rotates through the galaxy.

THREEPIO: That's funny, the damage doesn't look as bad from out here.

        Artoo beeps an assuring response.

THREEPIO: Are you sure this things safe?

11 11

        Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
        buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty empty
        street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to get out of
        the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist at Luke as
        he flies past.

WOMAN: I've told you kids to slow down!

        Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged
        mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been
        asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through the
        office, yelling wildly.

FIXER: Did I hear a young noise blast through here?

CAMIE: It was just wormie on another rampage.

           Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
        and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
        playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
        handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy city
        attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics of the
        farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the background.

LUKE: Shape it up you guys!.... Biggs?

           Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to
        great joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.

LUKE: I didn't know you were back! When did you get in?

BIGGS: Just now. I wanted to surprise you, hot shot. I thought you'd be
here...certainly didn't expect you to be out working. (he laughs.)

LUKE: The Academy didn't change you much...but you're back so soon?
Hey, what happened, didn't you get your commission?

           Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.

BIGGS: Of course I got it. Signed aboard The Rand Ecliptic last week.
First mate Biggs Darklighter at your service...(he salutes)...I just
came to say good-bye to all you unfortunate landlocked simpletons.

           Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing
        friend is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out
        of it.

LUKE: I almost forgot. There's a battle going on! Right here in our
system. Come and look!

DEAK: Not again! Forget it.

12 12

        The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie and
        The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes. Luke
        has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.

LUKE: There they are!

           Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke as the others strain
        to see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars
        Biggs sees two small silver specks.

BIGGS: That's no battle, hot shot...they're just sitting there!
Probably a freighter-tanker refueling.

LUKE: But there was a lot of firing earlier...

           Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the
        building in the process. Luke grabs them.

LUKE: Hey, easy with those...

CAMIE: Don't worry about it, Wormie.

           The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy
        shrugs his shoulders in resignation.

FIXER: I keep telling you, the Rebellion is a long way from here. I
doubt if the Empire would even fight to keep this system. Believe me
Luke, this planet is a big hunk of nothing...

           Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The
        group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
        Luke's ineptitude.

13 13

        Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad
        of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is
        brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly
        marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as Darth Vader
        emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord stares hard
        at the frail young senator, but she doesn't move.

LEIA: Lord Vader, I should have known. Only you could be so bold. The
Imperial Senate will not sit for this, when they hear you've attacked
a diplomatic...

VADER: Don't play games with me, Your Highness. You weren't on any
mercy mission this time. You passed directly through a restricted
system. Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by Rebel spies.
I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you.

LEIA: I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a member of the
Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan...

VADER: You're a part of the Rebel Alliance...and a traitor. Take her
away!

           Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the
        smoldering hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial
        Commander turns to Vader.

COMMANDER: Holding her is dangerous. If word of this gets out, it
could generate sympathy for the Rebellion in the senate.

VADER: I have traced the Rebel spies to her. Now she is my only link
to find their secret base!

COMMANDER: She'll die before she tells you anything.

VADER: Leave that to me. Send a distress signal and then inform the
senate that all aboard were killed!

           Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the
        Commander. They stop and snap to attention.

SECOND OFFICER: Lord Vader, the battle station plans are not aboard
this ship! And no transmissions were made. An escape pod was
jettisoned during the fighting, but no life forms were aboard.

           Vader turns to the Commander.

VADER: She must have hidden the plans in the escape pod. Send a
detachment down to retrieve them. See to it personally, Commander.
There'll be no one to stop us this time.

COMMANDER: Yes, sir.

        The Imperial Stardestroyer comes over the surface of the
        planet Tatooine.

14 14

        Jundland, or "No Man's Land", where the rugged desert mesas
        meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-droids
        kick up clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily
        work their way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in the
        distance rests half buried in the sand.

THREEPIO: How did I get into this mess? I really don't know how. We
seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life.

           Artoo answers with beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: I've got to rest before I fall apart. My joints are almost
frozen.

           Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: What a desolate place this is.

           Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and
        starts off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio
        stops and yells at him.

THREEPIO: Where are you going?

           A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small
        robot.

THREEPIO: Well, I'm not going that way. It's much too rocky. This way
is much easier.

           Artoo counters with a long whistle.

THREEPIO: What makes you think there are settlements over there?

           Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: Don't get technical with me.

           Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: What mission? What are you talking about? I've had just
about enough of you! Go that way! You'll be malfunctioning within a
day, you nearsighted scrap pile!

           Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in
        the direction of the vast dune sea.

THREEPIO: And don't let me catch you following me begging for help,
because you won't get it.

           Artoo's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
        off in the direction of the towering mesas.

THREEPIO: No more adventures. I'm not going that way.

           Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the
        distant mountains.

15 15

        Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a dune;
        only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for endless
        miles.  He looks back in the direction of the now distant rock
        mesas.

THREEPIO: That malfunctioning little twerp. This is all his fault! He
tricked me into going this way, but he'll do no better.

           In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the
        sand from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint
        of reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving
        towards him.

THREEPIO: Wait, what's that? A transport! I'm saved!

           The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the
        approaching transport.

THREEPIO: Over here! Help! Please, help!

16 16

        Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer and
        the others can be heard working inside.

LUKE: (Very animated)...so I cut off my power, shut down the
afterburners and came in low on Deak's trail. I was so close I thought
I was going to fry my instruments. As it was I busted up the Skyhopper
pretty bad. Uncle Owen was pretty upset. He grounded me for the rest
of the season. You should have been there...it was fantastic.

BIGGS: You ought to take it easy Luke. You may be the hottest
bushpilot this side of Mos Eisley, but those little Skyhoppers are
dangerous. Keep it up, and one day, whammo, you're going to be nothing
more than a dark spot on the down side of a canyon wall.

LUKE: Look who's talking. Now that you've been around those giant
starships you're beginning to sound like my uncle. You've gotten soft
in the city...

BIGGS: I've missed you kid.

LUKE: Well, things haven't been the same since you left, Biggs. It's
been so...quiet.

           Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.

BIGGS: Luke, I didn't come back just to say good-bye...I shouldn't
tell you this, but you're the only one I can trust...and if I don't
come back, I want somebody to know.

           Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.

LUKE: What are you talking about?

BIGGS: I made some friends at the Academy. (he whispers)...when our
frigate goes to one of the central systems, we're going to jump ship
and join the Alliance...

           Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.

LUKE: Join the Rebellion?! Are you kidding! How?

BIGGS: Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth bigger than a meteor
crater!

LUKE: I'm sorry. I'm quiet. (he whispers) Listen how quiet I am. You
can barely hear me...

           Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.

BIGGS: My friend has a friend on Bestine who might help us make
contact.

LUKE: Your crazy! You could wander around forever trying to find them.

BIGGS: I know it's a long shot, but if I don't find them I'll do what
I can on my own...It's what we always talked about. Luke, I'm not
going to wait for the Empire to draft me into service. The Rebellion
is spreading and I want to be on the right side -- the side I believe
in.

LUKE: And I'm stuck here...

BIGGS: I thought you were going to the Academy next term. You'll get
your chance to get off this rock.

LUKE: Not likely! I had to cancel my application. There has been a lot
of unrest among the Sandpeople since you left...they've even raided
the outskirts of Anchorhead.

BIGGS: Your uncle could hold off a whole colony of Sandpeople with one
blaster.

LUKE: I know, but he's got enough vaporators going to make the place
pay off. He needs me for just one more season. I can't leave him now.

BIGGS: I feel for you, Luke, you're going to have to learn what seems
to be important or what really is important. What good is all your
uncle's work if it's taken over by the Empire?...You know they're
starting to nationalize commerce in the central systems...it won't be
long before your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving for the greater
glory of the Empire.

LUKE: It couldn't happen here. You said it yourself. The Empire won't
bother with this rock.

BIGGS: Things always change.

LUKE: I wish I was going...Are you going to be around long?

BIGGS: No, I'm leaving in the morning...

LUKE: Then I guess I won't see you.

BIGGS: Maybe someday...I'll keep a lookout.

LUKE: Well, I'll be at the Academy next season...after that who knows.
I won't be drafted into the Imperial Starfleet that's for sure...Take
care of yourself, you'll always be the best friend I've got.

BIGGS: So long, Luke.

           Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads towards the
        power station.

17 17

        The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
        foreboding mist and the onimous sounds of unearthly creatures
        fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the creepy rock
        canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking noise as he goes.
        He hears a distant, hard, metallic sound and stops for a
        moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues on his way.
           In the distance, a pepple tumbles down the steep canyon
        wall and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A little
        further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a pair
        of eyes in the dark recesses only a few feet from the narrow
        path.
           The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until
        suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out
        of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow. He manages one
        short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his back.
        His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then off
        again. Out of the rocks scurry three Jawas, no taller than
        Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they
        cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks and
        their faces are shrouded so only their glowing eyes can be
        seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave the
        heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down the
        trail.
           The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge
        tank-like vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a
        small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a large
        tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot is sucked
        into the giant machine.
           The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders
        and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.

18 18

        It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. Artoo
        switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles
        around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty
        metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and
        maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic whimper
        and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at the end
        of the chamber.
           Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the
        middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various
        shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic conversation,
        while others simply mill about. A voice of recognition calls
        out from the gloom.

THREEPIO: Artoo-Detoo! It's you! It's you!

           A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.

        The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent
        twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain
        ridge.

19 19

        Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the half-
        buried lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine. A
        trooper yells to an officer some distance away.

FIRST TROOPER: Someone was in the pod. The tracks go off in this
direction.

           A second trooper picks a small bit of metal out of the sand
        and gives it to the first trooper.

SECOND TROOPER: Look, sir -- droids.

20 20

        The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.
           Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped
        prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.

THREEPIO: Wake up! Wake up!

           Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops,
        creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men.
        Threepio's fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer lights
        pop on as he begins beeping. At the far end of the long
        chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with blinding white
        light. a dozen or so Jawas make their way through the odd
        assortment of robots.

THREEPIO: We're doomed.

           A Jawa starts moving toward them.

THREEPIO: Do you think they'll melt us down?

           Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Will this never end?

21 21

        The Jawas mutter gibberish as they busily line up their
        battered captives, including Artoo and Threepio, in front of
        the enormous Sandcrawler, which is parked beside a small
        homestead consisting of three large holes in the ground
        surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small
        adobe block house.
           The Jawas scurry around fussing over the robots,
        straightening them up or brushing some dust from a dented
        metallic elbow. The shrouded little creatures smell horribly,
        attracting small insects to the dark areas when their mouths
        and nostrils should be.
           Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limps Owen
        Lars, a large burly man in his mid-fifties. His reddish eyes
        are sunken in a dust-covered face. As the farmer carefully
        inspects each robot, he is closely followed by his slump-
        shouldered nephew, Luke Skywalker. One of the vile little
        Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales
        pitch in a queer, unintelligible language.
           A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form the
        homestead. Luke goes over to the edge and sees his Aunt Beru
        standing in the main courtyard.

BERU: Luke, tell Owen that if he gets a translator to be sure it
speaks Bocce.

LUKE: It looks like we don't have much of a choice but I'll remind
him.

           Luke returns to his uncle as they look over the equipment
        for sale with the Jawa leader.

OWEN: I have no need for a protocol droid.

THREEPIO: (quickly) Sir -- not in an environment such as this --
that's why I've also been programmed for over thirty secondary
functions that...

OWEN: What I really need is a droid that understands the binary
language of moisture vaporators.

THREEPIO: Vaporators! Sir -- My first job was programming binary load
lifter...very similar to your vaporators. You could say...

OWEN: Do you speak Bocce?

THREEPIO: Of course I can, sir. It's like a second language for
me...I'm as fluent in Bocce...

OWEN: All right shut up! (turning to Jawa) I'll take this one.

THREEPIO: Shutting up, sir.

OWEN: Luke, take these two over to the garage, will you? I want you to
have both of them cleaned up before dinner.

LUKE: But I was going into Toshi Station to pick up some power
converters...

OWEN: You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done.
Now come on, get to it!

LUKE: All right, come on! And the red one, come on. Well, come on,
Red, let's go.

           As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots
        back into the Sandcrawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little
        beep and starts after his old friend Threepio. He is
        restrained by a slimy Jawa, who zaps him with a control box.

           Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa. Luke and the two
        robots start off for the garage when a plate pops off the head
        of the red astro-droid's head plate and it sparks wildly.

LUKE: Uncle Owen...

OWEN: Yeah?

LUKE: This R2 unit has a bad motivator. Look!

OWEN: (to the head Jawa) Hey, what're you trying to push on us?

           The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Artoo has
        sneaked out of line and is moving up and down trying to
        attract attention. He lets out with a low whistle. Threepio
        taps Luke on the shoulder.

THREEPIO: (pointing to Artoo) Excuse me, sir, but that R2 unit is in
prime condition. A real bargain.

LUKE: Uncle Owen...

OWEN: Yeah?

LUKE: What about that one?

OWEN: (to Jawa) What about that blue one? We'll take that one.

           With a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the
        damaged astro-droid for Artoo.

LUKE: Yeah, take it away.

THREEPIO: Uh, I'm quite sure you'll be very pleased with that one,
sir. He really is in first-class condition. I've worked with him
before. Here he comes.

           Owen pays off the whining Jawa as Luke and the two robots
        trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.

LUKE: Okay, let's go.

THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Now, don't you forget this! Why I should stick my
neck out for you is quite beyond my capacity!

22 22

        The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly peaceful
        atmosphere permeates the low grey chamber. Threepio lowers
        himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the
        battered Landspeeder little Artoo rests on a large battery
        with a cord to his face.

THREEPIO: Thank the maker! This oil bath is going to feel so good.
I've got such a bad case of dust contamination, I can barely move!

           Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke seems to be lost in
        thought as he runs his hand over the damaged fin of a small
        two-man Skyhopper spaceship resting in a low hangar off the
        garage. Finally Luke's frustrations get the better of him and
        he slams a wrench across the workbench.

LUKE: It just isn't fair. Oh, Biggs is right. I'm never gonna get out
of here!

THREEPIO: Is there anything I might do to help?

           Luke glances at the battered robot. A bit of his anger
        drains and a tiny smile creeps across his face.

LUKE: Well, not unless you can alter time, speed up the harvest, or
teleport me off this rock!

THREEPIO: I don't think so, sir. I'm only a droid and not very
knowledgeable about such things. Not on this planet, anyways. As a
matter of fact, I'm not even sure which planet I'm on.

LUKE: Well, if there's a bright center to the universe, you're on the
planet that it's farthest from.

THREEPIO: I see, sir.

LUKE: Uh, you can call me Luke.

THREEPIO: I see, sir Luke.

LUKE: (laughing) Just Luke.

THREEPIO: And I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg relations, and this is
my counterpart, Artoo-Detoo.

LUKE: Hello.

           Artoo beeps in response. Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to
        scrape several connectors on the robot's head with a chrome
        pick. Threepio climbs out of the oil tub and begins wiping oil
        from his bronze body.

LUKE: You got a lot of carbon scoring here. It looks like you boys
have seen a lot of action.

THREEPIO: With all we've been through, sometimes I'm amazed we're in
as good condition as we are, what with the Rebellion and all.

LUKE: You know of the Rebellion against the Empire?

THREEPIO: That's how we came to be in your service, if you take my
meaning, sir.

LUKE: Have you been in many battles?

THREEPIO: Several, I think. Actually, there's not much to tell. I'm
not much more than an interpreter, and not very good at telling
stories. Well, not at making them interesting, anyways.

           Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo's
        neck joint. He uses a larger pick.

LUKE: Well, my little friend, you've got something jammed in here real
good. Were you on a cruiser or...

           The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke
        tumbling head over heels. He sits up and sees a twelve-inch
        three-dimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Rebel senator,
        being projected from the face of little Artoo. The image is a
        rainbow of colors as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly lit
        garage. Luke's mouth hangs open in awe.

LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.

LUKE: What's this?

           Artoo looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for
        Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the sentence
        fragment over and over.

THREEPIO: What is what?!? He asked you a question...(pointing to Leia)
What is that?

           Artoo whistles his surprise as he pretends to just notice
        the hologram. He looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer
        for Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the
        sentence fragment over and over.

LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope. Help me, Obi-Wan
Kenobi. You're my only hope.

THREEPIO: Oh, he says it's nothing, sir. Merely a malfunction. Old
data. Pay it no mind.

           Luke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.

LUKE: Who is she? She's beautiful.

THREEPIO: I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.

LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi...

THREEPIO: I think she was a passenger on our last voyage. A person of
some importance, sir -- I believe. Our captain was attached to...

LUKE: Is there more to this recording?

           Luke reaches out for Artoo but he lets out several frantic
        squeaks and a whistle.

THREEPIO: Behave yourself, Artoo. You're going to get us in trouble.
It's all right, you can trust him. He's our new master.

           Artoo whistles and beeps a long message to Threepio.

THREEPIO: He says he's the property of Obi-Wan Kenobi, a resident of
these parts. And it's a private message for him. Quite frankly, sir I
don't know what he's talking about. Our last master was Captain
Antilles, but with what we've been through, this little R2 unit has
become a bit eccentric.

LUKE: Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he means old Ben Kenobi?

THREEPIO: I beg your pardon, sir, but do you know what he's talking
about?

LUKE: Well, I don't know anyone named Obi-Wan, but old Ben lives out
beyond the dune sea. He's kind of a strange old hermit.

           Luke's gazes at the beautiful young princess for a few
        moments.

LUKE: I wonder who she is. It sounds like she's in trouble. I'd better
play back the whole thing.

           Artoo beeps something to Threepio.

THREEPIO: He says the restraining bolt has short circuited his
recording system. He suggests that if you remove the bolt, he might be
able to play back the entire recording.

           Luke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and
        hasn't really heard what Threepio has been saying.

LUKE: H'm? Oh, yeah, well, I guess you're too small to run away on me
if I take this off! Okay.

           Luke takes a wedged bar and pops the restraining bolt off
        Artoo's side.

LUKE: There you go.

           The princess immediately disappears...

LUKE: Well, wait a minute. Where'd she go? Bring her back! Play back
the entire message.

           Artoo beeps an innocent reply as Threepio sits up in
        embarrassment.

THREEPIO: What message? The one you're carrying inside your rusty
innards!

           A women's voice calls out from another room.

AUNT BERU: Luke? Luke! Come to dinner!

           Luke stands up and shakes his head at the malfunctioning
        robot.

LUKE: All right, I'll be right there, Aunt Beru.

THREEPIO: I'm sorry, sir, but he appears to have picked up a slight
flutter.

           Luke tosses Artoo's restraining bolt on the workbench and
        hurries out of the room.

LUKE: Well, see what you can do with him. I'll be right back.

THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Just you reconsider playing that message for him.

           Artoo beeps in response.

THREEPIO: No, I don't think he likes you at all.

           Artoo beeps.

THREEPIO: No, I don't like you either.

23 23

         Luke's Aunt Beru, a warm, motherly woman, fills a pitcher
        with blue fluid from a refrigerated container in the well-used
        kitchen. She puts the pitcher on a tray with some bowls of
        food and starts for the dining area.
           Luke sits with his Uncle Owen before a table covered with
        steaming bowls of food as Aunt Beru carries in a bowl of red
        grain.

LUKE: You know, I think that R2 unit we bought might have been stolen.

OWEN: What makes you think that?

LUKE: Well, I stumbled across a recording while I was cleaning him. He
says he belongs to someone called Obi-Wan Kenobi.

           Owen is greatly alarmed at the mention of his name, but
        manages to control himself.

LUKE: I thought he might have meant old Ben. Do you know what he's
talking about? Well, I wonder if he's related to Ben.

           Owen breaks loose with a fit of uncontrolled anger.

OWEN: That old man's just a crazy old wizard. Tomorrow I want you to
take that R2 unit into Anchorhead and have its memory flushed. That'll
be the end of it. It belongs to us now.

LUKE: But what if this Obi-Wan comes looking for him?

OWEN: He won't, I don't think he exists any more. He died about the
same time as your father.

LUKE: He knew my father?

OWEN: I told you to forget it. Your only concern is to prepare the new
droids for tomorrow. In the morning I want them on the south ridge
working out those condensers.

LUKE: Yes, sir. I think those new droids are going to work out fine.
In fact, I, uh, was also thinking about our agreement about my staying
on another season. And if these new droids do work out, I want to
transmit my application to the Academy this year.

           Owen's face becomes a scowl, although he tries to suppress
        it.

OWEN: You mean the next semester before harvest?

LUKE: Sure, there're more than enough droids.

OWEN: Harvest is when I need you the most. Only one more season. This
year we'll make enough on the harvest so I'll be able to hire some
more hands. And then you can go to the Academy next year.

           Luke continues to toy with his food, not looking at his
        uncle.

OWEN: You must understand I need you here, Luke.

LUKE: But it's a whole 'nother year.

OWEN: Look, it's only one more season.

           Luke pushes his half-eaten plate of food aside and stands.

LUKE: Yeah, that's what you said last year when Biggs and Tank left.

AUNT BERU: Where are you going?

LUKE: It looks like I'm going nowhere. I have to finish cleaning those
droids.

           Resigned to his fate, Luke paddles out of the room. Owen
        mechanically finishes his dinner.

AUNT BERU: Owen, he can't stay here forever. Most of his friends have
gone. It means so much to him.

OWEN: I'll make it up to him next year. I promise.

AUNT BERU: Luke's just not a farmer, Owen. He has too much of his
father in him.

OWEN: That's what I'm afraid of.

24 24

        The giant twin suns of Tatooine slowly disappear behind a
        distant dune range. Luke stands watching them for a few
        moments, then reluctantly enters the doomed entrance to the
        homestead.
           Luke enters the garage to discover the robots nowhere in
        sight. He takes a small control box from his utility belt
        similar to the one the Jawas were carrying. He activates the
        box, which creates a low hum, and Threepio, letting out a
        short yell, pops up from behind the Skyhopper spaceship.

LUKE: What are you doing hiding there?

           Threepio stumbles forward, but Artoo is still nowhere in
        sight.

THREEPIO: It wasn't my fault, sir. Please don't deactivate me. I told
him not to go, but he's faulty, malfunctioning; kept babbling on about
his mission.

LUKE: Oh, no!

        Luke races out of the garage followed by Threepio.
           Luke rushes out of the small doomed entry to the homestead and
        searches the darkening horizon for the small triped astro-
        robot. Threepio struggles out of the homestead and on the salt
        flat as Luke scans the landscape with his electrobinoculars.

THREEPIO: That R2 unit has always been a problem. These astro-droids
are getting quite out of hand. Even I can't understand their logic at
times.

LUKE: How could I be so stupid? He's nowhere in sight. Blast it!

THREEPIO: Pardon me, sir, but couldn't we go after him?

LUKE: It's too dangerous with all the Sandpeople around. We'll have to
wait until morning.

           Owen yells up from the homestead plaza.

OWEN: Luke, I'm shutting the power down for the night.

LUKE: All right, I'll be there in a few minutes. Boy, am I gonna get it.

        He takes one final look across the dim horizon.

LUKE: You know that little droid is going to cause me a lot of
trouble.

THREEPIO: Oh, he excels at that, sir.

25 25

        Morning slowly creeps into the sparse but sparkling oasis of
        the open courtyard. The idyll is broken be the yelling of
        Uncle Owen, his voice echoing throughout the homestead.

OWEN: Luke? Luke? Luke? Where could he be loafing now!

        Later...

OWEN: Have you seen Luke this morning?

AUNT BERU: He said he had some things to do before he started today,
so he left early.

OWEN: Uh? Did he take those two new droids with him?

AUNT BERU: I think so.

OWEN: Well, he'd better have those units in the south range repaired
be midday or there'll be hell to pay!

26 26

        The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as Threepio
        pilots the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast
        wasteland.
           Luke leans over the back of the speeder and adjusts something
        in the motor compartment.

LUKE: (yelling) How's that.

           Threepio signals that is fine and Luke turns back into the
        wind-whipped cockpit and pops the canopy shut.

LUKE: Old Ben Kenobi lives out in this direction somewhere, but I
don't see how that R2 unit could have come this far. We must have
missed him. Uncle Owen isn't going to take this very well.

THREEPIO: Sir, would it help if you told him it was my fault.

LUKE: (brightening) Sure. He needs you. He'd probably only deactivate
you for a day or so...

THREEPIO: Deactivate! Well, on the other hand if you hadn't removed
his restraining bolt...

LUKE: Wait, there's something dead ahead on the scanner. It looks like
our droid...hit the accelerator.

27 27

        From high on a rock mesa, the tiny Landspeeder can be seen
        gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground
        two weather-beaten Sandpeople shrouded in their grimy desert
        cloaks peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the
        marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser rifle
        and points it at the speeder but the second creature grabs the
        gun before it can be fired.
           The Sandpeople, or Tusken Raiders as they're sometimes
        called, speak in a coarse barbaric language as they get into
        an animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seems to get in
        the final word and the nomads scurry over the rocky terrain.
           The Tusken Raider approaches two large Banthas standing tied
        to a rock. The monstrous, bear-like creatures are as large as
        elephants, with huge red eyes, tremendous looped horns, and
        long, furry, dinosaur-like tails. The Tusken Raiders mount
        saddles strapped to the huge creatures' shaggy backs and ride
        off down the rugged bluff.

28 28

        The speeder is parked on the floor of a massive canyon. Luke,
        with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder, stands
        before little Artoo.

LUKE: Hey, whoa, just where do you think you're going?

           The little droid whistles a feeble reply, as Threepio poses
        menacingly behind the little runaway.

THREEPIO: Master Luke here is your rightful owner. We'll have no more
of this Obi-Wan Kenobi jibberish...and don't talk to me about your
mission, either. You're fortunate he doesn't blast you into a million
pieces right here.

LUKE: Well, come on. It's getting late. I only hope we can get back
before Uncle Owen really blows up.

THREEPIO: If you don't mind my saying so, sir, I think you should
deactivate the little fugitive until you've gotten him back to your
workshop.

LUKE: No, he's not going to try anything.

           Suddenly the little robot jumps to life with a mass of
        frantic whistles and screams.

LUKE: What's wrong with him now?

THREEPIO: Oh my...sir, he says there are several creatures approaching
from the southeast.

           Luke swings his rifle into position and looks to the south.

LUKE: Sandpeople! Or worst! Come on, let's have a look. Come on.

29 29

        Luke carefully makes his way to the top of a rock ridge and
        scans the canyon with his electrobinoculars. He spots the two
        riderless Banthas. Threepio struggles up behind the young
        adventurer.

LUKE: There are two Banthas down there but I don't see any...wait a
second, they're Sandpeople all right. I can see one of them now.

           Luke watches the distant Tusken Raider through his
        electrobinoculars. Suddenly something huge moves in front of
        his field of view. Before Luke or Threepio can react, a large,
        gruesome Tusken Raider looms over them. Threepio is startled
        and backs away, right off the side if the cliff. He can be
        heard for several moments as he clangs, bangs and rattles down
        the side of the mountain.
           The towering creature brings down his curved,
        double-pointed gaderffii -- the dreaded axe blade that has
        struck terror in the heart of the local settlers. But Luke
        manages to block the blow with his laser rifle, which is
        smashed to pieces. The terrified farm boy scrambles backward
        until he is forced to the edge of a deep crevice. The sinister
        Raider stands over him with his weapon raised and lets out a
        horrible shrieking laugh.

30 30

        Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in the
        rocks as the vicious Sandpeople walk past carrying the inert
        Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the speeder.
        The Sandpeople ransack the speeder, throwing parts and
        supplies in all directions. Suddenly they stop. Then
        everything is quiet for a few moments. A great howling moan is
        heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the Sandpeople
        fleeing in terror.
           Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight
        swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grows even
        closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and
        leans over Luke. His ancient leathery face, cracked and
        weathered by exotic climates is set off by dark, penetrating
        eyes and a scraggly white beard. Ben Kenobi squints his eyes
        as he scrutinizes the unconscious farm boy. Artoo makes a
        slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him.

BEN: Hello there! Come here my little friend. Don't be afraid.

        Artoo waddles over to were Luke lies crumpled in a
        heap and begins to whistle and beep his concern. Ben
        puts his hand on Luke's forehead and he begins to
        come around.

BEN: Don't worry, he'll be all right.

LUKE: What happened?

BEN: Rest easy, son, you've had a busy day. You're fortunate you're
still in one piece.

LUKE: Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I glad to see you!

BEN: The Jundland wastes are not to be traveled lightly. Tell me young
Luke, what brings you out this far?

LUKE: Oh, this little droid! I think he's searching for his former
master...I've never seen such devotion in a droid before...there
seems to be no stopping him. He claims to be the property of an Obi-
Wan Kenobi. Is he a relative of yours? Do you know who he's talking
about?

        Ben ponders this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard.

BEN: Obi-Wan Kenobi...Obi-Wan? Now thats a name I haven't heard in a
long time...a long time.

LUKE: I think my uncle knew him. He said he was dead.

BEN: Oh, he's not dead, not...not yet.

LUKE: You know him!

BEN: Well of course, of course I know him. He's me! I haven't gone by
the name Obi-Wan since oh, before you were born.

LUKE: Then the droid does belong to you.

BEN: Don't seem to remember ever owning a droid. Very interesting...

        He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.

BEN: I think we better get indoors. The Sandpeople are easily startled
but they will soon be back and in greater numbers.

        Luke sits up and rubs his head. Artoo lets out a pathetic
        beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.

LUKE: Threepio!

31 31

        Little Artoo stands at the edge of a large sand pit and begins
        to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke and Ben
        stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio lying half
        buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken off.
           Luke tries to revive the inert robot by shaking him and
        then flips a hidden switch on his back several times until
        finally the mechanical man's systems turn on.

THREEPIO: Where am I? I must have taken a bad step...

LUKE: Can you stand? We've got to get out of here before the
Sandpeople return.

THREEPIO: I don't think I can make it. You go on, Master Luke. There's
no sense in you risking yourself on my account. I'm done for.

           Artoo makes a beeping sound.

LUKE: No, you're not. What kind of talk is that?

           Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little
        Artoo watches from the top of the pit. Ben glances around
        suspiciously. Sensing something, he stands up and sniffs the
        air.

BEN: Quickly, son...they're on the move.

32 32
           The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but
        still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and
        security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio's arm, as
        old Ben sits thinking.

LUKE: No, my father didn't fight in the wars. He was a navigator on a
spice freighter.

BEN: That's what your uncle told you. He didn't hold with your
father's ideals. Thought he should have stayed here and not gotten
involved.

LUKE: You fought in the Clone Wars?

BEN: Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the same as your father.

LUKE: I wish I'd known him.

BEN: He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior.
I understand you've become quite a good pilot yourself. And he was a
good friend. Which reminds me...

           Ben gets up and goes to a chest where he rummages around.
        As Luke finishes repairing Threepio and starts to fit the
        restraining bolt back on, Threepio looks at him nervously.
        Luke thinks about the bolt for a moment then puts it on the
        table. Ben shuffles up and presents Luke with a short handle
        with several electronic gadgets attached to it.

BEN: I have something here for you. Your father wanted you to have
this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn't allow it. He
feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damned-fool idealistic
crusade like your father did.

THREEPIO: Sir, if you'll not be needing me, I'll close down for
awhile.

LUKE: Sure, go ahead.

           Ben hands Luke the saber.

LUKE: What is it?

BEN: Your fathers lightsaber. This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not
as clumsy or as random as a blaster.

           Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam shoots out
        about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across the
        ceiling.

BEN: An elegant weapon for a more civilized time. For over a thousand
generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice
in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire.

           Luke hasn't really been listening.

LUKE: How did my father die?

BEN: A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he
turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi
Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father. Now the Jedi are all
but extinct. Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force.

LUKE: The Force?

BEN: Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy
field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us.
It binds the galaxy together.

           Artoo makes beeping sounds.

BEN: Now, let's see if we can't figure out what you are, my little
friend. And where you come from.

LUKE: I saw part of the message he was...

           Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful
        young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face.

BEN: I seem to have found it.

           Luke stops his work as the lovely girl's image flickers
        before his eyes.

LEIA: General Kenobi, years ago you served my father in the Clone
Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire.
I regret that I am unable to present my father's request to you in
person, but my ship has fallen under attack and I'm afraid my mission
to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital
to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2
unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid
safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour.
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

        There is a little static and the transmission is cut short.
        Old Ben leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs
        on a tarnished chrome water pipe. Luke has stars in his eyes.

BEN: You must learn the ways of the Force if you're to come with me to
Alderaan.

LUKE: (laughing) Alderaan? I'm not going to Alderaan. I've got to go
home. It's late, I'm in for it as it is.

BEN: I need your help, Luke. She needs your help. I'm getting too old
for this sort of thing.

LUKE: I can't get involved! I've got work to do! It's not that I like
the Empire. I hate it! But there's nothing I can do about it right
now. It's such a long way from here.

BEN: That's your uncle talking.

LUKE: (sighing) Oh, God, my uncle. How am I ever going to explain
this?

BEN: Learn about the Force, Luke.

LUKE: Look, I can take you as far as Anchorhead. You can get a
transport there to Mos Eisley or wherever you're going.

BEN: You must do what you feel is right, of course.

33 33

           An Imperial Stardestroyer heads toward the evil planet-like
        battle station: the Death Star!
           Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black
        conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around
        the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general, is
        speaking.

TAGGE: Until this battle station is fully operational we are
vulnerable. The Rebel Alliance is too well equipped. They're more
dangerous than you realize.

           The bitter Admiral Motti twists nervously in his chair.

MOTTI: Dangerous to your starfleet, Commander, not to this battle
station!

TAGGE: The Rebellion will continue to gain a support in the Imperial
Senate as long as....

           Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge's speech is cut
        short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial
        outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally,
        The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and bow
        before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his place
        at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind him.

TARKIN: The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us.
I've just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council
permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept
away.

TAGGE: That's impossible! How will the Emperor maintain control
without the bureaucracy?

TARKIN: The regional governors now have direct control over
territories. Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this
battle station.

TAGGE: And what of the Rebellion? If the Rebels have obtained a
complete technical readout of this station, it is possible, however
unlikely, that they might find a weakness and exploit it.

VADER: The plans you refer to will soon be back in our hands.

MOTTI: Any attack made by the Rebels against this station would be a
useless gesture, no matter what technical data they've obtained. This
station is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we use
it!

VADER: Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've
constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to
the power of the Force.

MOTTI: Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader.
Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure
up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the
Rebel's hidden fort...

           Suddenly Motti chokes and starts to turn blue under Vader's
        spell.

VADER: I find your lack of faith disturbing.

TARKIN: Enough of this! Vader, release him!

VADER: As you wish.

TARKIN: This bickering is pointless. Lord Vader will provide us with
the location of the Rebel fortress by the time this station is
operational. We will then crush the Rebellion with one swift stroke.

35 35

        The speeder stops before what remains of the huge Jawas
        Sandcrawler. Luke and Ben walk among the smoldering rubble
        and scattered bodies.

LUKE: It looks like Sandpeople did this, all right. Look, here are
Gaffi sticks, Bantha tracks. It's just...I never heard of them hitting
anything this big before.

           Ben is crouching in the sand studying the tracks.

BEN: They didn't. But we are meant to think they did. These tracks are
side by side. Sandpeople always ride single file to hide there numbers.

LUKE: These are the same Jawas that sold us Artoo and Threepio.

BEN: And these blast points, too accurate for Sandpeople. Only
Imperial stormtroopers are so precise.

LUKE: Why would Imperial troops want to slaughter Jawas?

           Luke looks back at the speeder where Artoo and Threepio are
        inspecting the dead Jawas, and put two and two together.

LUKE: If they traced the robots here, they may have learned who they
sold them to. And that would lead them home!

           Luke reaches a sudden horrible realization, then races for
        the speeder and jumps it.

BEN: Wait, Luke! It's too dangerous.

           Luke races off leaving Ben and the two robots alone with
        the burning Sandcrawler.

36 36

        Luke races across the wasteland in his battered Landspeeder.
           The speeder roars up to the burning homestead. Luke jumps out
        and runs to the smoking holes that were once his home. Debris
        is scattered everywhere and it looks as if a great battle has
        taken place.

LUKE: Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru! Uncle Owen!

           Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and
        uncle. Suddenly he comes upon their smoldering remains. He is
        stunned, and cannot speak. Hate replaces fear and a new
        resolve comes over him.

37 37

        Imperial TIE fighter races toward the Death Star.
           Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow
        several Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia's face is
        filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as a
        giant black torture robot enters, followed by Darth Vader.

VADER: And, now Your Highness, we will discuss the location of your
hidden Rebel base.

           The torture robot gives off a steady beeping sound as it
        approaches Princess Leia and extends one of its mechanical
        arms bearing a large hypodermic needle. The door slides shut
        and the long cell block hallway appears peaceful. The muffled
        screams of the Rebel princess are barely heard.

38 38

        There is a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazing in front of
        the Sandcrawler as Ben and the robots finish burning the dead.
        Luke drives up in the speeder and Ben walks over to him.

BEN: There's nothing you could have done, Luke, had you been there.
You'd have been killed, too, and the droids would be in the hands of
the Empire.

LUKE: I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing here for me
now. I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my
father.

39 39

        The Landspeeder with Luke, Artoo, Threepio, and Ben in it
        zooms across the desert. The speeder stops on a bluff
        overlooking the spaceport at Mos Eisley. It is a haphazard
        array of low, grey, concrete structures and semi-domes. A
        harsh gale blows across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusts
        his goggles and walks to the edge of the craggy bluff where
        Ben is standing.

BEN: Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of
scum and villainy. We must be cautious.

           Ben looks over at Luke, who gives the old Jedi a determined
        smile.

40 40

        The speeder is stopped on a crowded street by several
        combat-hardend stormtroopers who look over the two robots. A
        Trooper questions Luke.

TROOPER: How long have you had these droids?

LUKE: About three or four seasons.

BEN: They're for sale if you want them.

TROOPER: Let me see your identification.

           Luke becomes very nervous as he fumbles to find his ID
        while Ben speaks to the Trooper in a very controlled voice.

BEN: You don't need to see his identification.

TROOPER: We don't need to see his identification.

BEN: These are not the droids your looking for.

TROOPER: These are not the droids we're looking for.

BEN: He can go about his business.

TROOPER: You can go about your business.

BEN: (to Luke) Move along.

TROOPER: Move along. Move along.

41 41

        The speeder pulls up in front of a rundown blockhouse cantina
        on the outskirts of the spaceport. Various strange forms of
        transport, including several unusual beasts of burden, are
        parked outside the bar. A Jawa runs up and begins to fondle
        the speeder.

THREEPIO: I can't abide these Jawas. Disgusting creatures.

           As Luke gets out of the speeder he tries to shoo the Jawa
        away.

LUKE: Go on, go on. I can't understand how we got by those troopers. I
thought we were dead.

BEN: The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded. You
will find it a powerful ally.

LUKE: Do you really think we're going to find a pilot here that'll
take us to Alderaan?

BEN: Well, most of the best freighter pilots can be found here. Only
watch your step. This place can be a little rough.

LUKE: I'm ready for anything.

THREEPIO: Come along, Artoo.

42 42

        The young adventurer and his two mechanical servants follow
        Ben Kenobi into the smoke-filled cantina. The murky, moldy den
        is filled with a startling array of weird and exotic alien
        creatures and monsters at the long metallic bar. At first the
        sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed, slimy, furry,
        scaly, tentacled, and clawed creatures huddle over drinks. Ben
        moves to an empty spot at the bar near a group of repulsive
        but human scum. A huge, rough-looking Bartender stops Luke and
        the robots.

BARTENDER: We don't serve their kind here!

           Luke still recovering from the shock of seeing so many
        outlandish creatures, doesn't quite catch the bartender's
        drift.

LUKE: What?

BARTENDER: Your droids. They'll have to wait outside. We don't want
them here.

           Luke looks at old Ben, who is busy talking to one of the
        Galactic pirates. He notices several of the gruesome creatures
        along the bar are giving him a very unfriendly glare.
           Luke pats Threepio on the shoulder.

LUKE: Listen, why don't you wait out by the speeder. We don't want any
trouble.

THREEPIO: I heartily agree with you sir.

        Threepio and his stubby partner go outside and most of the
        creatures at the bar go back to their drinks.

43 43

           Ben is standing next to Chewbacca, an eight-foot-tall-
        savage-looking creature resembling a huge grey bushbaby monkey
        with fierce baboon-like fangs. His large blue eyes dominate a
        fur-covered face and soften his otherwise awesome appearance.
        Over his matted, furry body he wears two chrome bandoliers,
        and little else. He is a two-hundred-year-old Wookiee and a
        sight to behold.
           Ben speaks to the Wookiee, pointing to Luke several times
        during his conversation and the huge creature suddenly lets
        out a horrifying laugh. Luke is more than a little bit
        disconcerted and pretends not to hear the conversation between
        Ben and the giant Wookiee.
           Luke is terrified but tries not to show it. He quietly sips
        his drink, looking over the crowd for a more sympathetic ear
        or whatever.
           A large, multiple-eyed Creature gives Luke a rough shove.

CREATURE: Negola dewaghi wooldugger?!?

           The hideous freak is obviously drunk. Luke tries to ignore
        the creature and turns back on his drink. A short, grubby
        Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the
        belligerent monstrosity.

HUMAN: He doesn't like you.

LUKE: I'm sorry.

HUMAN: I don't like you either

           The big creature is getting agitated and yells out some
        unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous, young
        adventurer.

HUMAN: (continued) Don't insult us. You just watch yourself. We're
wanted men. I have the death sentence in twelve systems.

LUKE: I'll be careful than.

HUMAN: You'll be dead.

           The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar
        moves away. Luke tries to remain cool but it isn't easy. His
        three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in behind
        Luke.

BEN: This little one isn't worth the effort. Come let me buy you
something...

           A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the
        young would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through
        tables and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking
        liquid. With a blood curdling shriek, the monster draws a
        wicked chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at old
        Ben. The bartender panics.

BARTENDER: No blasters! No blaster!

           With astounding agility old Ben's laser sword sparks to
        life and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is
        cut in two and the giant multiple-eyed creature lies doubled,
        cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns off
        his laser sword and replaces it on his utility belt. Luke,
        shaking and totally amazed at the old man's abilities, attempts
        to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter of seconds.
        The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is given a
        respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing his
        bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. Ben points
        the the Wookiee.

BEN: This is Chewbacca. He's first-mate on a ship that might suit our
needs.

44 44

        Threepio paces in front of the cantina as Artoo carries on an
        electronic conversation with another little red astro-droid. A
        creature comes out of the cantina and approaches two
        stormtroopers in the street.

THREEPIO: I don't like the look of this.

45 45

        Strange creatures play exotic big band music on odd-looking
        instruments as Luke, still giddy, downs a fresh drink and
        follows Ben and Chewbacca to a booth where Han Solo is
        sitting. Han is a tough, roguish starpilot about thirty years
        old. A mercenary on a starship, he is simple, sentimental, and
        cocksure.

HAN: Han Solo. I'm captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells
me you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system.

BEN: Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship.

HAN: Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?

BEN: Should I have?

HAN: It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve
parsecs!

           Ben reacts to Solo's stupid attempt to impress them with
        obvious misinformation.

HAN: (continued) I've outrun Imperial starships, not the local
bulk-cruisers, mind you. I'm talking about the big Corellian ships
now. She's fast enough for you, old man. What's the cargo?

BEN: Only passengers. Myself, the boy, two droids, and no questions
asked.

HAN: What is it? Some kind of local trouble?

BEN: Let's just say we'd like to avoid any Imperial entanglements.

HAN: Well, that's the trick, isn't it? And it's going to cost you
something extra. Ten thousand in advance.

LUKE: Ten thousand? We could almost buy our own ship for that!

HAN: But who's going to fly it, kid! You?

LUKE: You bet I could. I'm not such a bad pilot myself! We don't have
to sit here and listen...

BEN: We haven't that much with us. But we could pay you two thousand
now, plus fifteen when we reach Alderaan.

HAN: Seventeen, huh!

           Han ponders this for a few moments.

HAN: Okay. You guys got yourself a ship. We'll leave as soon as you're
ready. Docking bay Ninety-four.

BEN: Ninety-four.

HAN: Looks like somebody's beginning to take an interest in your
handiwork.

           Ben and Luke turn around to see four Imperial stormtroopers
        looking at the dead bodies and asking the bartenders some
        questions. The bartender points to the booth.

TROOPER: All right, we'll check it out.

           The stormtroopers look over at the booth but Luke and Ben
        are gone. The bartender shrugs his shoulders in puzzlement.

HAN: Seventeen thousand! Those guys must really be desperate. This
could really save my neck. Get back to the ship and get her ready.

46 46

           As Han is about to leave, Greedo, a slimy green-faced alien
        with a short trunk-nose, pokes a gun in his side. The creature
        speaks in a foreign tongue translated into English subtitles.

GREEDO: Going somewhere, Solo?

HAN: Yes, Greedo. As a matter of fact, I was just going to see your
boss. Tell Jabba that I've got his money.

           Han sits down and the alien sits across from him holding
        the gun on him.

GREEDO: It's too late. You should have paid him when you had the
chance. Jabba's put a price on your head, so large that every bounty
hunter in the galaxy will be looking for you. I'm lucky I found you
first.

HAN: Yeah, but this time I got the money.

GREEDO: If you give it to me, I might forget I found you.

HAN: I don't have it with me. Tell Jabba...

GREEDO: Jabba's through with you. He has no time for smugglers who
drop their shipments at the first sign of an Imperial cruiser.

HAN: Even I get boarded sometimes. Do you think I had a choice?

           Han Solo slowly reaches for his gun under the table.

GREEDO: You can tell that to Jabba. He may only take your ship.

HAN: Over my dead body.

GREEDO: That's the idea. I've been looking forward to killing you for
a long time.

HAN: Yes, I'll bet you have.

           Suddenly the slimy alien disappears in a blinding flash of
        light. Han pulls his smoking gun from beneath the table as the
        other patron look on in bemused amazement. Han gets up and
        starts out of the cantina, flipping the bartender some coins
        as he leaves.

HAN: Sorry about the mess.

47 47

        Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.

VADER: Her resistance to the mind probe is considerable. It will be
some time before we can extract any information from her.

           An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.

IMPERIAL OFFICER: The final check-out is complete. All systems are
operational. What course shall we set?

TARKIN: Perhaps she would respond to an alternative form of
persuasion.

VADER: What do you mean?

TARKIN: I think it is time we demonstrate the full power of this
station. (to soldier) Set your course for Princess Leia's home planet
of Alderaan.

TROOPER: With pleasure.

48 48

        Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a
        narrow slum alleyway crowed with darkly clad creatures hawking
        exotic goods in the dingy little stalls. Men, monsters, and
        robots crouch in the waste-filled doorways, whispering and
        hiding from the hot winds.

THREEPIO: Lock the door, Artoo.

           One of the troopers checks a tightly locked door and moves
        on down the alleyway. The door slides open a crack and
        Threepio peeks out. Artoo is barely visible in the background.

TROOPER: All right, check that side of the street. It's secure. Move
on to the next door.

           The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.

THREEPIO: I would much rather have gone with Master Luke than stay
here with you. I don't know what all the trouble is about, but I'm
sure it must be your fault.

           Artoo makes beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: You watch your language!

49 49

        Ben and Luke are standing in a sleazy used speeder lot,
        talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder
        dealer. Strange exotic bodies and spindly-legged beasts pass
        by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some coins.

LUKE: He says it's the best he can do. Since the XP-38 came out,
they're just not in demand.

BEN: It will be enough.

           Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty
        alleyway past a small robot herding a bunch of anteater-like
        creatures. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his
        faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad creature
        moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches them as they
        disappear down another alley.

BEN: If the ship's as fast as he's boasting, we ought to do well.

50 50

        Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and purple
        creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is the
        grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is a grim
        testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is a fat,
        slug-like creature with eyes on extended feelers and a huge
        ugly mouth.

JABBA: Come on out, Solo!

           A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and
        they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee,
        Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight.

HAN: I've been waiting for you, Jabba.

JABBA: I expected you would be.

HAN: I'm not the type to run.

JABBA: (fatherly-smooth) Han, my boy, there are times when you
disappoint me...why haven't you paid me? And why did you have to fry
poor Greedo like that...after all we've been through together.

HAN: You sent Greedo to blast me.

JABBA: (mock surprise) Han, why you're the best smuggler in the
business. You're too valuable to fry. He was only relaying my concern
at your delays. He wasn't going to blast you.

HAN: I think he thought he was. Next time don't send one of those
twerps. If you've got something to say to me, come see me yourself.

JABBA: Han, Han! If only you hadn't had to dump that shipment of
spice...you understand I just can't make an exception. Where would I
be if every pilot who smuggled for me dumped their shipment at the
first sign of an Imperial starship? It's not good business.

HAN: You know, even I get boarded sometimes, Jabba. I had no choice,
but I've got a charter now and I can pay you back, plus a little
extra. I just need some more time.

JABBA: (to his men) Put your blasters away. Han, my boy, I'm only
doing this because you're the best and I need you. So, for an extra,
say twenty percent I'll give you a little more time...but this is it.
If you disappoint me again, I'll put a price on your head so large you
won't be able to go near a civilized system for the rest of your short
life.

HAN: Jabba, I'll pay you because it's my pleasure.

51 51

        Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay 94.
        Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street.
        Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry. The
        darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder lot.
        He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small
        transmitter.

           Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is Docking
        Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a large,
        round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that could only
        loosely be called a starship.

LUKE: What a piece of junk.

           The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp.

HAN: She'll make point five beyond the speed of light. She may not
look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've added some
special modifications myself.

           Luke scratches his head. It's obvious he isn't sure about
        all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others to
        follow.

HAN: We're a little rushed, so if you'll hurry aboard we'll get out of
here.

           The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han
        Solo.

52 52

        Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty
        engines of the starship.
           Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium
        Falcon passing Solo.

THREEPIO: Hello, sir.

53 53

        Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad
        creature.

TROOPER: Which way?

           The darkly clad creature points to the door of the docking
        bay.

TROOPER: All right, men. Load your weapons!

54 54

        The troops hold their guns at the ready and charge down the
        docking bay entrance.

TROOPER: Stop that ship!

           Han Solo looks up and sees the Imperial stormtroopers
        rushing into the docking bay. Several of the troopers fire at
        Han as he ducks into the spaceship.

TROOPER: Blast 'em!

           Han draws his laser pistol and pops off a couple of shots
        which force the stormtroopers to dive for safety. The
        pirateship engines whine as Han hits the release button that
        slams the overhead entry shut.

55 55

HAN: Chewie, get us out of here!

           The group straps in for take off.

THREEPIO: Oh, my. I'd forgotten how much I hate space travel.

           The half-dozen stormtroopers at a check point hear the general
        alarm and look to the sky as the huge starship rises above the
        dingy slum dwellings and quickly disappears into the morning
        sky.
           Han climbs into the pilot's chair next to Chewbacca, who
        chatters away as he points to something on the radar scope.

56 56

        The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.
           Han frantically types information into the ship's computer.
        Little Artoo appears momentarily at the cockpit doorway, makes
        a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.

HAN: It looks like an Imperial cruiser. Our passengers must be hotter
than I thought. Try and hold them off. Angle the deflector shield
while I make the calculations for the jump to light speed.

57 57

           The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow
        planet, Tatooine. It is followed by two huge Imperial
        stardestroyers.
           Over the shoulders of Chewbacca and Han, we can see the galaxy
        spread before them. Luke and Ben make their way into the
        cramped cockpit where Han continues his calculation.

HAN: Stay sharp! There are two more coming in; they're going to try to
cut us off.

LUKE: Why don't you outrun them? I thought you said this thing was
fast.

HAN: Watch your mouth, kid, or you're going to find yourself floating
home. We'll be safe enough once we make the jump to hyperspace.
Besides, I know a few maneuvers. We'll lose them!

58 58

        Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.

        The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the window.

HAN: Here's where the fun begins!

BEN: How long before you can make the jump to light speed?

HAN: It'll take a few moments to get the coordinates from the
navi-computer.

        The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.

LUKE: Are you kidding? At the rate they're gaining...

HAN: Traveling through hyperspace isn't like dusting crops, boy!
Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star or
bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick,
wouldn't it?

           The ship is now constantly battered with laserfire as a red
        warning light begins to flash.

LUKE: What's that flashing?

HAN: We're losing our deflector shield. Go strap yourself in, I'm
going to make the jump to light speed.

           The galaxy brightens and they move faster, almost as if
        crashing a barrier. Stars become streaks as the pirateship
        makes the jump to hyperspace.
           The Millennium Falcon zooms into infinity in less than a
        second.

59 59

        Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.

        Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before
        Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen
        displaying a small green planet.

MOTTI: We've entered the Alderaan system.

           Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her
        hands are bound.

LEIA: Governor Tarkin, I should have expected to find you holding
Vader's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on
board.

TARKIN: Charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it
signing the order to terminate your life!

LEIA: I surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility
yourself!

TARKIN: Princess Leia, before your execution I would like you to be my
guest at a ceremony that will make this battle station operational. No
star system will dare oppose the Emperor now.

LEIA: The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems
will slip through your fingers.

TARKIN: Not after we demonstrate the power of this station. In a way,
you have determined the choice of the planet that'll be destroyed
first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the
Rebel base, I have chosen to test this station's destructive power...
on your home planet of Alderaan.

LEIA: No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have no weapons. You can't
possibly...

TARKIN: You would prefer another target? A military target? Then name
the system!

           Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.

TARKIN: I grow tired of asking this. So it'll be the last time. Where
is the Rebel base?

           Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to
        Alderaan.

LEIA: (softly) Dantooine.

           Leia lowers her head.

LEIA: They're on Dantooine.

TARKIN: There. You see Lord Vader, she can be reasonable. (addressing
Motti) Continue with the operation. You may fire when ready.

LEIA: What?

TARKIN: You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an
effective demonstration. But don't worry. We will deal with your Rebel
friends soon enough.

LEIA: No!

60 60

VADER: Commence primary ignition.

           A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A
        hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever.
        Another lever is pulled. Vader reaches for still another lever
        and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up. A huge beam
        of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area and converges
        into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan. The small green
        planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.

61 61

        Ben watches Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker"
        robot. Ben suddenly turns away and sits down. He falters,
        seems almost faint.

LUKE: Are you all right? What's wrong?

BEN: I felt a great disturbance in the Force...as if millions of
voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear
something terrible has happened.

           Ben rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then
        he fixes his gaze on Luke.

BEN: You'd better get on with your exercises.

           Han Solo enters the room.

HAN: Well, you can forget your troubles with those Imperial slugs. I
told you I'd outrun 'em.

           Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.

HAN: Don't everyone thank me at once.

           Threepio watches Chewbacca and Artoo who are engrossed in a
        game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move along
        a chess-type board.

HAN: Anyway, we should be at Alderaan about oh-two-hundred hours.

           Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table
        covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the
        table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca
        seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-
        covered arms over his head.

THREEPIO: Now be careful, Artoo.

           Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his
        stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures to
        walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's
        face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny robot.
        Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion and
        begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.

THREEPIO: He made a fair move. Screaming about it won't help you.

HAN: (interrupting) Let him have it. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee.

THREEPIO: But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.

HAN: That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their socket
when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that.

THREEPIO: I see your point, sir. I suggest a new strategy, Artoo. Let
the Wookiee win.

62 62

           Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems
        frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his
        head. Ben watches him from the corner, studying his movements.
        Han watches with a bit of smugness.

BEN: Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him.

LUKE: You mean it controls your actions?

BEN: Partially. But it also obeys your commands.

           Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a
        "seeker", a chrome baseball-like robot covered with antennae,
        hovers slowly in a wide arc. The ball floats to one side of
        the youth then the other. Suddenly it makes a lightning-swift
        lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke doesn't
        move and the ball backs off. It slowly moves behind the boy,
        then makes another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood red
        laser beam as it attacks. It hits Luke in the leg causing him
        to tumble over. Han lets loose with a burst of laughter.

HAN: Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good
blaster at your side, kid.

LUKE: You don't believe in the Force, do you?

HAN: Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other. I've
seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me
believe there's one all-powerful force controlling everything. There's
no mystical energy field that controls my destiny.

           Ben smiles quietly

HAN: It's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.

BEN: I suggest you try it again, Luke.

           Ben places a large helmet on Luke's head which covers his
        eyes.

BEN: This time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct.

LUKE: (laughing) With the blast shield down, I can't even see. How am
I supposed to fight?

BEN: Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them.

           Han skeptically shakes his head as Ben throws the seeker
        into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then
        drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around blindly
        missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt which hits
        Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful
        yell and attempts to hit the seeker.

BEN: Stretch out with your feelings.

           Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker
        makes a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect
        the bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original
        position.

BEN: You see, you can do it.

HAN: I call it luck.

BEN: In my experience, there's no such thing as luck.

HAN: Look, going good against remotes is one thing. Going good against
the living? That's something else.

           Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the
        control panel.

HAN: Looks like we're coming up on Alderaan.

           Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.

LUKE: You know, I did feel something. I could almost see the remote.

BEN: That's good. You have taken your first step into a larger world.

63 63

        Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin and the
        evil Dark Lord Darth Vader.

TARKIN: Yes.

OFFICER CASS: Our scout ships have reached Dantooine. They found the
remains of a Rebel base, but they estimate that it has been deserted
for some time. They are now conducting an extensive search of the
surrounding systems.

TARKIN: She lied! She lied to us!

VADER: I told you she would never consciously betray the Rebellion.

TARKIN: Terminate her...immediately!

64 64

        The pirateship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange
        surreal light show surrounds the ship.

HAN: Stand by, Chewie, here we go. Cut in the sublight engines.

           Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit
        window stars begin streaking past, seem to decrease in speed,
        then stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder and
        violently shake about. Asteroids begin to race toward them,
        battering the sides of the ship.

HAN: What the...? Aw, we've come out of hyperspace into a meteor
shower. Some kind of asteroid collision. It's not on any of the
charts.

           The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very cool
        in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing
        cockpit.

LUKE: What's going on?

HAN: Our position is correct, except...no, Alderaan!

LUKE: What do you mean? Where is it?

HAN: Thats what I'm trying to tell you, kid. It ain't there. It's been
totally blown away.

LUKE: What? How?

           Ben moves into the cockpit behind Luke as the ship begins
        to settle down.

BEN: Destroyed...by the Empire!

HAN: The entire starfleet couldn't destroy the whole planet. It'd take
a thousand ships with more fire power than I've...

           A signal starts flashing on the control panel and a muffled
        alarm starts humming.

HAN: There's another ship coming in.

LUKE: Maybe they know what happened.

BEN: It's an Imperial fighter.

           Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts
        outside the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently. A
        tiny, finned Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit
        window.

LUKE: It followed us!

BEN: No. It's a short range fighter.

HAN: There aren't any bases around here. Where did it come from?

65 65

        The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.

LUKE: It sure is leaving in a big hurry. If they identify us, we're in
big trouble.

HAN: Not if I can help it. Chewie...jam it's transmissions.

BEN: It'd be as well to let it go. It's too far out of range.

HAN: Not for long...

66 66

        The pirateship zooms over the camera and away into the
        vastness of space after the Imperial TIE fighter.
           The tension mounts as the pirateship gains on the tiny fighter.
        In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter until it is
        obvious that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben stands behind
        Chewbacca.

BEN: A fighter that size couldn't get this deep into space on its own.

LUKE It must have gotten lost, been part of a convoy or something.

HAN: Well, he ain't going to be around long enough to tell anyone
about us.

67 67

        The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger pirateship as
        they race toward camera and disappear over head.
           The distant star can be distinguished as a small moon or
        planet.

LUKE: Look at him. He's headed for that small moon.

HAN: I think I can get him before he gets there...he's almost in
range.

           The small moon begins to take on the appearance of a
        monstrous spherical battle station.

BEN: That's no moon! It's a space station.

HAN: It's too big to be a space station.

LUKE: I have a very bad feeling about this.

BEN: Yeah, I think your right. Full reverse! Chewie, lock in the
auxiliary power.

           The pirateship shudders and the TIE fighter accelerates
        away toward the gargantuan battle station.

LUKE: Why are we still moving towards it?

HAN: We're caught in a tractor beam! It's pulling us in!

LUKE: But there's gotta be something you can do!

HAN: There's nothin' I can do about it, kid. I'm in full power. I'm
going to have to shut down. But they're not going to get me without a
fight!

           Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.

BEN: You can't win. But there are alternatives to fighting.

68 68

        As the battered pirate starship is towed closer to the awesome
        metal moon, the immense size of the massive battle station
        becomes staggering. Running along the equator of the gigantic
        sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports into which
        the helpless pirateship is dragged.
           The helpless Millennium Falcon is pulled past a docking port
        control room and huge laser turret cannons.

VOICE OVER DEATH STAR INTERCOM: Clear Bay twenty-three-seven. We are
opening the magnetic field.

        The pirateship is pulled in through port doors of the Death
        Star, coming to rest in a huge hangar. Thirty stormtroopers
        stand at attention in a central assembly area.

OFFICER: To your stations!

OFFICER: (to another officer) Come with me.

69 69

        Stormtroopers run to their posts.
           A line of stormtroopers march toward the pirateship in
        readiness to board it, while other troopers stand with weapons
        ready to fire.

OFFICER: Close all outboard shields! Close all outboard shields!

70 70

        Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz.

TARKIN: Yes.

VOICE: (over intercom) We've captured a freighter entering the remains
of the Alderaan system. It's markings match those of a ship that
blasted its way out of Mos Eisley.

VADER: They must be trying to return the stolen plans to the princess.
She may yet be of some use to us.

71 71

        Vader and a commander approach the troops as an Officer and
        several heavily armed troops exit the spacecraft.

VOICE: (over intercom) Unlock one-five-seven and nine. Release
charges.

OFFICER: (to Vader) There's no one on board, sir. According to the
log, the crew abandoned ship right after takeoff. It must be a decoy,
sir. Several of the escape pods have been jettisoned.

VADER: Did you find any droids?

OFFICER: No, sir. If there were any on board, they must also have
jettisoned.

VADER: Send a scanning crew on board. I want every part of this ship
checked.

OFFICER: Yes, sir.

VADER: I sense something...a presence I haven't felt since...

           Vader turns quickly and exits the hangar.

OFFICER: Get me a scanning crew in here on the double. I want every
part of this ship checked!

72 72

        A trooper runs through the hallway heading for the exit. In a
        few moments all is quiet. The muffled sounds of a distant
        officer giving orders finally fade. Two floor panels suddenly
        pop up revealing Han Solo and Luke. Ben Kenobi sticks his head
        out of a third locker.

LUKE: Boy, it's lucky you had these compartments.

HAN: I use them for smuggling. I never thought I'd be smuggling myself
in them. This is ridiculous. Even if I could take off, I'd never get
past the tractor beam.

BEN: Leave that to me!

HAN: Damn fool. I knew that you were going to say that!

BEN: Who's the more foolish...the fool or the fool who follows him?

           Han shakes his head, muttering to himself. Chewbacca
        agrees.

73 73

        The crewmen carry a heavy box on board the ship, past the two
        stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp.

TROOPER: The ship's all yours. If the scanners pick up anything,
report it immediately. All right, let's go.

           The crewmen enter the pirateship and a loud crashing sound
        is followed by a voice calling to the guard below.

HAN'S VOICE: Hey down there, could you give us a hand with this?

           The stormtroopers enter the ship and a quick round of
        gunfire is heard.

74 74

        In a very small command office near the entrance to the
        pirateship, a Gantry Officer looks out his window and notices
        the guards are missing. He speaks into the comlink.

GANTRY OFFICER: TX-four-one-two. Why aren't you at your post?
TX-four-one-two, do you copy?

           A stormtrooper comes down the ramp of the pirateship and
        waves to the gantry officer, pointing to his ear indicating
        his comlink is not working. The gantry officer shakes his head
        in disgust and heads for the door, giving his aide an annoyed
        look.

GANTRY OFFICER: Take over. We've got a bad transmitter. I'll see what
I can do.

           As the officer approaches the door, it slides open
        revealing the towering Chewbacca. The gantry officer, in a
        momentary state of shock, stumbles backward. With a bone-
        chilling howl, the giant Wookiee flattens the officer with one
        blow. The aide immediately reaches for his pistol, but is
        blasted by Han, dressed as an Imperial stormtrooper. Ben and
        the robots enter the room quickly followed by Luke, also
        dressed as a stormtrooper. Luke quickly removes his helmet.

LUKE: You know, between his howling and your blasting everything in
sight, it's a wonder the whole station doesn't know we're here.

HAN: Bring them on! I prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking
around.

THREEPIO: We found the computer outlet, sir.

           Ben feeds some information into the computer and a map of
        the city appears on the monitor. He begins to inspect it
        carefully. Threepio and Artoo look over the control panel.
        Artoo finds something that makes him whistle wildly.

BEN: Plug in. He should be able to interpret the entire Imperial
computer network.

           Artoo punches his claw arm into the computer socket and the
        vast Imperial brain network comes to life, feeding information
        to the little robot. After a few moments, he beeps something.

THREEPIO: He says he's found the main computer to power the tractor
beam that's holding the ship here. He'll try to make the precise
location appear on the monitor.

           The computer monitor flashes readouts.

THREEPIO: The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven
locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to
leave.

75 75

           Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.

BEN: I don't think you boys can help. I must go alone.

HAN: Whatever you say. I've done more that I bargained for on this
trip already.

LUKE I want to go with you.

BEN: Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch over the droids.

LUKE: But he can...

BEN: They must be delivered safely or other star systems will suffer
the same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny lies along a different path
than mine. The Force will be with you...always!

           Ben adjusts the lightsaber on his belt and silently steps
        out of the command office, then disappears down a long grey
        hallway. Chewbacca barks a comment and Han shakes his head in
        agreement.

HAN: Boy you said it, Chewie.

           Han looks at Luke.

HAN: Where did you dig up that old fossil?

LUKE: Ben is a great man.

HAN: Yeah, great at getting us into trouble.

LUKE: I didn't hear you give any ideas...

HAN: Well, anything would be better than just hanging around waiting
for him to pick us up...

LUKE: Who do you think...

           Suddenly Artoo begins to whistle and beep a blue streak.
        Luke goes over to him.

LUKE: What is it?

THREEPIO: I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir. He says "I found her",
and keeps repeating, "She's here."

LUKE: Well, who...who has he found?

           Artoo whistles a frantic reply.

THREEPIO: Princess Leia.

LUKE: The princess? She's here?

HAN: Princess? What's going on?

THREEPIO: Level five. Detention block A A-twenty-three. I'm afraid
she's scheduled to be terminated.

LUKE: Oh, no! We've got to do something.

HAN: What are you talking about?

LUKE: The droid belongs to her. She's the one in the message.. We've
got to help her.

HAN: Now, look, don't get any funny ideas. The old man wants us to
wait right here.

LUKE: But he didn't know she was here. Look, will you just find a way
back into the detention block?

HAN: I'm not going anywhere.

LUKE: They're going to execute her. Look, a few minutes ago you said
you didn't want to just wait here to be captured. Now all you want to
do is stay.

HAN: Marching into the detention area is not what I had in mind.

LUKE: But they're going to kill her!

HAN: Better her than me...

LUKE: She's rich.

           Chewbacca growls.

HAN: Rich?

LUKE: Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if you were to rescue her, the
reward would be...

HAN: What?

LUKE: Well more wealth that you can imagine.

HAN: I don't know, I can imagine quite a bit!

LUKE: You'll get it!

HAN: I better!

LUKE: You will...

HAN: All right, kid. But you'd better be right about this.

           Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.

76 76

LUKE: All right.

HAN: What's your plan?

LUKE: Uh...Threepio, hand me those binders there will you?

           Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.

LUKE: Okay. Now, I'm going to put these on you.

           Chewie lets out a hideous growl.

LUKE: Okay. Han, you put these on.

           Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.

HAN: Don't worry, Chewie. I think I know what he has in mind.

           The Wookiee has a worried and frightened look on his face
        as Han binds him with the electronic cuffs.

THREEPIO: Master Luke, sir! Pardon me for asking...but, ah...what
should Artoo and I do if we're discovered here?

LUKE: Lock the door!

HAN: And hope they don't have blasters.

THREEPIO: That isn't very reassuring.

           Luke and Han put on their armored stormtrooper helmets and
        start off into the giant Imperial Death Star.

77 77

        Han and Luke try to look inconspicuous in their armored suits
        as they wait for a vacuum elevator to arrive. Troops,
        bureaucrats, and robots bustle about, ignoring the trio
        completely. Only a few give the giant Wookiee a curious
        glance.
           Finally a small elevator arrives and the trio enters.

LUKE: I can't see a thing in this helmet.

        A bureaucrat races to get aboard also, but is signaled away by
        Han. The door to the pod-like vehicle slides closed and the
        elevator car takes off through a vacuum tube.

78 78

        Several Imperial officers walk through the wide main
        passageway. They pass several stormtroopers and a robot
        similar to Threepio but with an insect face. At the far end of
        the hallway, a passing flash of Ben Kenobi appears, then
        disappears down a small hallway. His appearance is so fleeting
        that it is hard to tell if he is real or just an illusion. No
        one in the hallway seems to notice him.
           Luke and Han step forward to exit the elevator, but the door
        slides open behind them. The giant Wookiee and his two guards
        enter the old grey security station. Guards and laser gates
        are everywhere. Han whispers to Luke under his breath.

HAN: This is not going to work.

LUKE: Why didn't you say so before?

HAN: I did say so before!

79 79

        Elevator doors open. A tall, grim looking Officer approaches
        the trio.

OFFICER: Where are you taking this...thing?

           Chewie growls a bit at the remark but Han nudges him to
        shut up.

LUKE: Prisoner transfer from Block one-one-three-eight.

OFFICER: I wasn't notified. I'll have to clear it.

           The officer goes back to his console and begins to punch in
        the information. There are only three other troopers in the
        area. Luke and Han survey the situation, checking all of the
        alarms, laser gates, and camera eyes. Han unfastens one of
        Chewbacca's electronic cuffs and shrugs to Luke.
           Suddenly Chewbacca throws up his hands and lets out with
        one of his ear-piercing howls. He grabs Han's laser rifle.

HAN: Look out! He's loose!

LUKE: He's going to pull us all apart.

HAN: Go get him!

           The startled guards are momentarily dumbfounded. Luke and
        Han have already pulled out their laser pistols and are
        blasting away at the terrifying Wookiee. Their barrage of
        laserfire misses Chewbacca, but hits the camera eyes, laser
        gate controls, and the Imperial guards. The officer is the
        last of the guards to fall under the laserfire just as he is
        about to push the alarm system. Han rushes to the comlink
        system, which is screeching questions about what is going on.
        He quickly checks the computer readout.

80 80

HAN: We've got to find out which cell this princess of yours is in.
Here it is...cell twenty-one-eight-seven. You go get her. I'll hold
them here.

        Luke races down one of the cell corridors. Han speaks into the
        buzzing comlink.

HAN: (sounding official) Everything is under control. Situation
normal.

INTERCOM VOICE: What happened?

HAN: (getting nervous) Uh...had a slight weapons malfunction. But, uh,
everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here,
now, thank you. How are you?

INTERCOM VOICE: We're sending a squad up.

HAN: Uh, uh, negative. We had a reactor leak here now. Give us a few
minutes to lock it down. Large leak...very dangerous.

INTERCOM VOICE: Who is this? What's your operating number?

           Han blasts the comlink and it explodes.

HAN: Boring conversation anyway. (yelling down the hall) Luke! We're
going to have company!

81 81

        Luke stops in front of one of the cells and blasts the door
        away with a laser pistol. When the smoke clears, Luke sees the
        dazzling young princess-senator. She had been sleeping and is
        now looking at him with an uncomprehending look on her face.
        Luke is stunned by her incredible beauty and stands staring at
        her with his mouth hanging open.

LEIA: (finally) Aren't you a little short to be a stormtrooper?

           Luke takes off his helmet, coming out of it.

LUKE: What? Oh...the uniform. I'm Luke Skywalker. I'm here to rescue
you.

LEIA: You're who?

LUKE: I'm here to rescue you. I've got your R2 unit. I'm here with Ben
Kenobi.

LEIA: Ben Kenobi is here! Where is he?

LUKE: Come on!

82 82

        Darth Vader paces the room as Governor Tarkin sits at the far
        end of the conference table.

VADER: He is here...

TARKIN: Obi-Wan Kenobi! What makes you think so?

VADER: A tremor in the Force. The last time I felt it was in the
presence of my old master.

TARKIN: Surely he must be dead by now.

VADER: Don't underestimate the power of the Force.

TARKIN: The Jedi are extinct, their fire has gone out of the universe.
You, my friend, are all that's left of their religion.

           There is a quiet buzz on the comlink.

TARKIN: Yes.

INTERCOM VOICE: Governor Tarkin, we have an emergency alert in
detention block A A-twenty-three.

TARKIN: The princess! Put all sections on alert!

VADER: Obi-Wan is here. The Force is with him.

TARKIN: If you're right, he must not be allowed to escape.

VADER: Escape is not his plan. I must face him alone.

83 83

        An ominous buzzing sound is heard on the other side of the
        elevator door.

HAN: Chewie!

        Chewbacca responds with a growling noise.

HAN: Get behind me! Get behind me!

           A series of explosions knock a hole in the elevator door
        through which several Imperial troops begin to emerge.
           Han and Chewie fire laser pistols at them through the smoke
        and flame. They turn and run down the cell hallway, meeting up
        with Luke and Leia rushing toward them.

HAN: Can't get out that way.

LEIA: Looks like you managed to cut off our only escape route.

HAN: (sarcastically) Maybe you'd like it back in your cell, Your
Highness.

           Luke takes a small comlink transmitter from his belt as
        they continue to exchange fire with stormtroopers making their
        way down the corridor.

LUKE: See-Threepio! See-Threepio!

THREEPIO: (over comlink) Yes sir?

LUKE: We've been cut off! Are there any other ways out of the cell
bay?...What was that? I didn't copy!

        Threepio paces the control center as little Artoo beeps and
        whistles a blue streak. Threepio yells into the small comlink
        transmitter.

THREEPIO: I said, all systems have been alerted to your presence, sir.
The main entrance seems to be the only way in or out; all other
information on your level is restricted.

           Someone begins banging on the door.

TROOPER VOICE: Open up in there!

THREEPIO: Oh, no!

84 84

        Luke and Leia crouch together in an alcove for protection as
        they continue to exchange fire with troops. Han and Chewbacca
        are barely able to keep the stormtroopers at bay at the far
        and of the hallway. The laserfire is very intense, and smoke
        fills the narrow cell corridor.

LUKE: There isn't any other way out.

HAN: I can't hold them off forever! Now what?

LEIA: This is some rescue. When you came in here, didn't you have a
plan for getting out?

HAN: (pointing to Luke) He's the brains, sweetheart.

           Luke manages a sheepish grin and shrugs his shoulders.

LUKE: Well, I didn't...

           The princess grabs Luke's gun and fires at a small grate in
        the wall next to Han, almost frying him.

HAN: What the hell are you doing?

LEIA: Somebody has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute, wise
guy.

           She jumps through the narrow opening as Han and Chewbacca
        look on in amazement. Chewbacca sniffs the garbage chute and
        says something.

HAN: Get in there you big furry oaf! I don't care what you smell! Get
in there and don't worry about it.

           Han gives him a kick and the Wookiee disappears into the
        tiny opening. Luke and Han continue firing as they work their
        way toward the opening.

HAN: Wonderful girl! Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to
like her. Get in there!

           Luke ducks laserfire as he jumps into the darkness. Han
        fires off a couple of quick blasts creating a smokey cover,
        then slides into the chute himself and is gone.

85 85

        Han tumbles into the large room filled with garbage and muck.
        Luke is already stumbling around looking for an exit. He finds
        a small hatchway and struggles to get it open. It won't budge.

HAN: (sarcastically) Oh! The garbage chute was a really wonderful
idea. What an incredible smell you've discovered! Let's get out of
here! Get away from there...

LUKE: No! wait!

           Han draws his laser pistol and fires at the hatch. The
        laserbolt ricochets wildly around the small metal room.
        Everyone dives for cover in the garbage as the bolt explodes
        almost on top of them. Leia climbs out of the garbage with a
        rather grim look on her face.

LUKE: Will you forget it? I already tried it. It's magnetically
sealed!

LEIA: Put that thing away! You're going to get us all killed.

HAN: Absolutely, Your Worship. Look, I had everything under control
until you led us down here. You know, it's not going to take them long
to figure out what happened to us.

LEIA: It could be worse...

           A loud, horrible, inhuman moan works its way up from the
        murky depths. Chewbacca lets out a terrified howl and begins
        to back away. Han and Luke stand fast with their laser pistols
        drawn. The Wookiee is cowering near one of the walls.

86 86

HAN: It's worse.

LUKE: There's something alive in here!

HAN: That's your imagination.

LUKE: Something just moves past my leg! Look! Did you see that?

HAN: What?

LUKE: Help!

           Suddenly Luke is yanked under the garbage.

HAN: Luke! Luke! Luke!

           Solo tries to get to Luke. Luke surfaces with a gasp of air
        and thrashing of limbs. A membrane tentacle is wrapped around
        his throat.

LEIA: Luke!

           Leia extends a long pipe toward him.

LEIA: Luke, Luke, grab a hold of this.

LUKE: Blast it, will you! My gun's jammed.

HAN: Where?

LUKE: Anywhere! Oh!!

           Solo fires his gun downward. Luke is pulled back into the
        muck by the slimy tentacle.

HAN: Luke! Luke!

           Suddenly the walls of the garbage receptacle shudder and
        move in a couple of inches. Then everything is deathly quiet.
        Han and Leia give each other a worried look as Chewbacca howls
        in the corner. With a rush of bubbles and muck Luke suddenly
        bobs to the surface.

LEIA: Grab him!

           Luke seems to be released by the thing.

LEIA: What happened?

LUKE: I don't know, it just let go of me and disappeared...

HAN: I've got a very bad feeling about this.

           Before anyone can say anything the walls begin to rumble
        and edge toward the Rebels.

87 87

LUKE: The walls are moving!

LEIA: Don't just stand there. Try to brace it with something.

           They place poles and long metal beams between the closing
        walls, but they are simply snapped and bent as the giant
        trashmasher rumbles on. The situation doesn't look too good.

LUKE: Wait a minute!

           Luke pulls out his comlink.

LUKE: Threepio! Come in Threepio! Threepio! Where could he be?

88 88

        A soft buzzer and the muted voice of Luke calling out for
        See-Threepio can be heard on Threepio's hand comlink, which is
        sitting on the deserted computer console. Artoo and Threepio
        are nowhere in sight. Suddenly there is a great explosion and
        the door of the control tower flies across the floor. Four
        armed stormtroopers enter the chamber.

FIRST TROOPER: Take over! (pointing to the dead officer) See to him!
Look there!

           A trooper pushes a button and the supply cabinet door
        slides open. See-Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are inside. Artoo
        follows his bronze companion out into the office.

THREEPIO: They're madmen! They're heading for the prison level. If you
hurry, you might catch them.

FIRST OFFICER: (to his troops) Follow me! You stand guard.

           The troops hustle off down the hallway, leaving a guard to
        watch over the command office.

THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Come on!

           The guard aims a blaster at them.

THREEPIO: Oh! All this excitement has overrun the circuits of my
counterpart here. If you don't mind, I'd like to take him down to
maintenance.

TROOPER: All right.

           The guard nods and Threepio, with little Artoo in tow,
        hurries out the door.

89 89

        As the walls rumble closed, the room gets smaller and smaller.
Chewie is whining and trying to hold a wall back with his giant paws.
Han is leaning back against the other wall. Garbage is snapping and
popping. Luke is trying to reach Threepio.

LUKE: Threepio! Come in, Threepio! Threepio!

           Han and Leia try to brace the contracting walls with a
        pole. Leia begins to sink into the trash.

HAN: Get to the top!

LEIA: I can't

LUKE: Where could he be? Threepio! Threepio, will you come in?

90 90

THREEPIO: They aren't here! Something must have happened to them. See
if they've been captured.

           Little Artoo carefully plugs his claw arm into a new wall
        socket and a complex array of electronic sounds spew from the
        tiny robot.

THREEPIO: Hurry!

91 91

        The walls are only feet apart. Leia and Han are braced against
        the walls. The princess is frightened. They look at each
        other. Leia reaches out and takes Han's hand and she holds it
        tightly. She's terrified and suddenly groans as she feels the
        first crushing pressure against her body.

HAN: One thing's for sure. We're all going to be a lot thinner! (to
Leia) Get on top of it!

LEIA: I'm trying!

92 92

THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Thank goodness, they haven't found them! Where
could they be?

           Artoo frantically beeps something to See-Threepio.

THREEPIO: Use the comlink? Oh, my! I forgot I turned it off!

        Meanwhile, Luke is lying on his side, trying to keep his head
        above the rising ooze. Luke's comlink begins to buzz and he
        rips it off his belt.

93 93

        Muffled sounds of Luke's voice over the comlink can be heard,
        but not distinctly.

THREEPIO: Are you there, sir?

LUKE: Threepio!

THREEPIO: We've had some problems...

LUKE: (over comlink) Will you shut up and listen to me? Shut down all
garbage mashers on the detention level, will you? Do you copy?

94 94

LUKE: Shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level!

95 95

LUKE: (over comlink) Shut down all the garbage mashers on the
detention level!

THREEPIO: (to Artoo) No. Shut them all down! Hurry!

           Threepio holds his head in agony as he hears the incredible
        screaming and hollering from Luke's comlink.

THREEPIO: Listen to them! They're dying, Artoo! Curse my metal body! I
wasn't fast enough. It's all my fault! My poor master!

LUKE: (over comlink) Threepio, we're all right!

96 96

        The screaming and hollering is the sound of joyous relief. The
        walls have stopped moving. Han, Chewie and Leia embrace in the
        background.

LUKE: We're all right. You did great.

           Luke moves to the pressure sensitive hatch, looking for a
        number.

LUKE: Hey...hey, open the pressure maintenance hatch on unit number...
where are we?

HAN: Three-two-six-eight-two-seven.

97 97

        Ben enters a humming service trench that powers the huge
        tractor beam. The trench seems to be a hundred miles deep. The
        clacking sound of huge switching devices can be heard. The old
        Jedi edges his his way along a narrow ledge leading to a
        control panel that connects two large cables. He carefully
        makes several adjustments in the computer terminal, and
        several lights on the board go from red to blue.

98 98

        The group exits the garbage room into a dusty, unused hallway.
        Han and Luke remove the trooper suits and strap on the blaster
        belts.

HAN: If we can just avoid any more female advice, we ought to be able
to get out of here.

           Luke smiles and scratches his head as he takes a blaster
        from Solo.

LUKE: Well, let's get moving!

           Chewie begins growling and points to the hatch to the
        garbage room, as he runs away and then stops howling.

HAN: (to Chewie) Where are you going?

           The Dia Nogu bangs against the hatch and a long, slimy
        tentacle works its way out of the doorway searching for a
        victim. Han aims his pistol.

LEIA: No, wait. They'll hear!

           Han fires at the doorway. The noise of the blast echoes
        relentlessly throughout the empty passageway. Luke simply
        shakes his head in disgust.

HAN: (to Chewie) Come here, you big coward!

           Chewie shakes his head "no."

HAN: Chewie! Come here!

LEIA: Listen. I don't know who you are, or where you came from, but
from now on, you do as I tell you. Okay?

           Han is stunned at the command of the petite young girl.

HAN: Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get one thing straight! I take
orders from one person! Me!

LEIA: It's a wonder you're still alive. (looking at Chewie) Will
somebody get this big walking carpet out of my way?

           Han watches her start away. He looks at Luke.

HAN: No reward is worth this.

           They follow her, moving swiftly down the deserted corridor.

99 99

        Suddenly a door behind Ben slides open and a detachment of
        stormtroopers marches to the power trench. Ben instantly slips
        into the shadows as an Officer moves to within a few feet of
        him.

OFFICER: Secure this area until the alert is canceled.

FIRST TROOPER: Give me regular reports.

           All but two of the stormtroopers leave.

FIRST TROOPER: Do you know what's going on?

SECOND TROOPER: Maybe it's another drill.

           Ben moves around the tractor beam, watching the
        stormtroopers as they turn their backs to him. Ben gestures
        with his hand toward them, as the troops think they hear
        something in the other hallway. With the help of the Force,
        Ben deftly slips past the troopers and into the main hallway.

SECOND TROOPER: What was that?

FIRST TROOPER: Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it.

100 100

        Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and Leia run down an empty hallway and
        stop before a bay window overlooking the pirateship. Troopers
        are milling about the ship. Luke takes out his pocket comlink.

HAN: (looking at his ship) There she is.

LUKE: See-Threepio, do you copy?

THREEPIO: (voice) For the moment. Uh, we're in the main hangar across
from the ship.

LUKE: We're right above you. Stand by.

           Han is watching the dozen or so troops moving in and out of
        the pirateship. Leia moves towards Han, touches his arm and
        points out the window to the ship.

LEIA: You came in that thing? You're braver that I thought.

HAN: Nice! Come on!

           Han gives her a dirty look, and they start off down the
        hallway. They round a corner and run right into twenty
        Imperial stormtroopers heading toward them. Both groups are
        taken by surprise and stop in their tracks.

FIRST TROOPER: It's them! Blast them!

           Before even thinking, Han draws his laser pistol and
        charges the troops, firing. His blaster knocks one of the
        stormtroopers into the air. Chewie follows his captain down
        the corridor, stepping over the fallen trooper on the floor.

HAN: (to Luke and Leia) Get back to the ship!

LUKE: Where are you going? Come back!

           Han has already rounded a corner and does not hear.

LEIA: He certainly has courage.

LUKE: What good will it do us if he gets himself killed? Come on!

           Luke is furious but doesn't have time to think about it for
        muted alarms begin to go off down on the hangar deck. Luke and
        Leia start off toward the starship hangar.

101 101

        Han chases the stormtroopers down a long subhallway. He is
        yelling and brandishing his laser pistol. The troops reach a
        dead end and are forced to turn and fight. Han stops a few
        feet from them and assumes a defensive position. The troops
        begin to raise their laser guns. Soon all ten troopers are
        moving into an attack position in front of the lone
        starpirate. Han's determined look begins to fade as the troops
        begin to advance. Solo jumps backward as they fire at him.
           Chewbacca runs down the subhallway in a last-ditch attempt to
        save his bold captain. Suddenly he hears the firing of laser
        guns and yelling. Around the corner shoots Han, pirate
        extraordinaire, running for his life, followed by a host of
        furious stormtroopers. Chewbacca turns and starts running the
        other way also.

102 102

        Luke fires his laser pistol wildly as he and Leia rush down a
        narrow subhallway, chased by several stormtroopers. They
        quickly reach the end of the subhallway and race through an
        open hatchway.
           Luke and Leia race through the hatch onto a narrow bridge that
        spans a huge, deep shaft that seems to go into infinity. The
        bridge has been retracted into the wall of the shaft, and Luke
        almost rushes into the abyss. He loses his balance off the end
        of the bridge as Leia, behind him, takes hold of his arm and
        pulls him back.

LUKE: (gasping) I think we took a wrong turn.

           Blasts from the stormtroopers' laser guns explode nearby
        reminding them of the oncoming danger. Luke fires back at the
        advancing troops. Leia reaches over and hits a switch that
        pops the hatch door shut with a resounding boom, leaving them
        precariously perched on a short piece of bridge overhang.
        Laserfire from the troopers continues to hit the steel door.

LEIA: There's no lock!

           Luke blasts the controls with his laser pistol.

LUKE: That oughta hold it for a while.

LEIA: Quick, we've got to get across. Find the control that extends
the bridge.

LUKE: Oh, I think I just blasted it.

           Luke looks at the blasted bridge control while the
        stormtroopers on the opposite side of the door begin making
        ominous drilling and pounding sounds.

LEIA: They're coming through!

           Luke notices something on his stormtrooper belt, when
        laserfire hits the wall behind him. Luke aims his laser pistol
        at a stormtrooper perched on a higher bridge overhang across
        the abyss from them. They exchange fire. Two more troops
        appear on another overhang, also firing. A trooper is hit, and
        grabs at his chest.
           Another trooper standing on the bridge overhang is hit by
        Luke's laserfire, and plummets down the shaft. Troopers move
        back off the bridge; Luke hands the gun to Leia.

LUKE: Here, hold this.

           Luke pulls a thin nylon cable from his trooper utility
        belt. It has a grappler hook on it. A trooper appears on a
        bridge overhang and fires at Luke and Leia. As Luke works with
        the rope, Leia returns the laser volley. Another trooper
        appears and fires at them, as Leia returns his fire as well.
        Suddenly, the hatch door begins to open, revealing the feet of
        more troops.

LEIA: Here they come!

           Leia hits one of the stormtroopers on the bridge above, and
        he falls into the abyss. Luke tosses the rope across the gorge
        and it wraps itself around an outcropping of pipes. He tugs on
        the rope to make sure it is secure, then grabs the princess in
        his arms. Leia looks at Luke, then kisses him quickly on the
        lips. Luke is very surprised.

LEIA: For luck!

           Luke pushes off and they swing across the treacherous abyss
        to the corresponding hatchway on the opposite side. Just as
        Luke and Leia reach the far side of the canyon, the
        stormtroopers break through the hatch and begin to fire at
        the escaping duo. Luke returns the fire before ducking into
        the tiny subhallway.

103 103

        Ben hides in the shadows of the narrow passageway as several
        stormtroopers rush past him in the main hallway. He checks to
        make sure they're gone, then runs down the hallway in the
        opposite direction. Darth Vader appears at the far end of the
        hallway and starts after the old Jedi.
           Threepio looks around at the troops milling about the
        pirateship entry ramp.

THREEPIO: Where could they be?

           Artoo, plugged into the computer socket, turns his dome
        left and right, beeping a response.

104 104

        Han and Chewbacca run down a long corridor with several
        troopers hot on their trail.

TROOPER: Close the blast doors!

           At the end of the hallway, blast doors begin to close in
        front of them. The young starpilot and his furry companion
        race past the huge doors just as they are closing, and manage
        to get off a couple off laserblasts at the pursuing troops
        before the doors slam shut.

TROOPER: Open the blast doors! Open the blast doors!

105 105

        Ben hurries along one of the tunnels leading to the hangar
        where the pirateship waits. Just before he reaches the hangar,
        Darth Vader steps into view at the end of the tunnel, not ten
        feet away. Vader lights his saber. Ben also ignites his and
        steps slowly forward.

VADER: I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The
circle is now complete.

           Ben Kenobi moves with elegant ease into a classical
        offensive position. The fearsome Dark Knight takes a defensive
        stance.

VADER: When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the master.

BEN: Only a master of evil, Darth.

           The two Galactic warriors stand perfectly still for a few
        moments, sizing each other up and waiting for the right
        moment. Ben seems to be under increasing pressure and strain,
        as if an invisible weight were being placed upon him. He
        shakes his head and, blinking, tries to clear his eyes.
           Ben makes a sudden lunge at the huge warrior but is checked
        by a lightning movement of The Sith. A masterful slash stroke
        by Vader is blocked by the old Jedi. Another of the Jedi's
        blows is blocked, then countered. Ben moves around the Dark
        Lord and starts backing into the massive starship hangar. The
        two powerful warriors stand motionless for a few moments with
        laser swords locked in mid-air, creating a low buzzing sound.

VADER: Your powers are weak, old man.

BEN: You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more
powerful than you can possibly imagine.

           Their lightsabers continue to meet in combat.

106 106

        Han Solo and Chewbacca, their weapons in hand, lean back
        against the wall surveying the forward bay, watching the
        Imperial stormtroopers make their rounds of the hangar.

HAN: Didn't we just leave this party?

           Chewbacca growls a reply, as Luke and the princess join
        them.

HAN: What kept you?

LEIA: We ran into some old friends.

LUKE: Is the ship all right?

HAN: Seems okay, if we can get to it. Just hope the old man got the
tractor beam out of commission.

107 107

        Vader and Ben Kenobi continue their powerful duel. As they hit
        their lightsabers together, lightning flashes on impact.
        Troopers look on in interest as the old Jedi and Dark Lord of
        The Sith fight. Suddenly Luke spots the battle from his
        group's vantage point.

LUKE: Look!

           Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie look up and see Ben and Vader
        emerging from the hallways on the far side of the docking bay.

108 108

        Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are in the center of the Death Star's
        Imperial docking bay.

THREEPIO: Come on, Artoo, we're going!

           Threepio ducks out of sight as the seven stormtroopers who
        were guarding the starship rush past them heading towards Ben
        and The Sith Knight. He pulls on Artoo.
           Solo, Chewie, Luke, and Leia tensely watch the duel. The
        troops rush toward the battling knights.

HAN: Now's our chance! Go!

        They start for the Millennium Falcon. Ben sees the troops
        charging toward him and realizes that he is trapped. Vader
        takes advantage of Ben's momentary distraction and brings his
        mighty lightsaber down on the old man. Ben manages to deflect
        the blow and swiftly turns around.
           The old Jedi Knight looks over his shoulder at Luke, lifts
        his sword from Vader's then watches his opponent with a serene
        look on his face.
           Vader brings his sword down, cutting old Ben in half. Ben's
        cloak falls to the floor in two parts, but Ben is not in it.
        Vader is puzzled at Ben's disappearance and pokes at the empty
        cloak. As the guards are distracted, the adventurers and the
        robots reach the starship. Luke sees Ben cut in two and starts
        for him. Aghast, he yells out.

LUKE: No!

           The stormtroopers turn toward Luke and begin firing at him.
        The robots are already moving up the ramp into the Millennium
        Falcon, while Luke, transfixed by anger and awe, returns their
        fire. Solo joins in the laserfire. Vader looks up and advances
        toward them, as one of his troopers is struck down.

HAN: (to Luke) Come on!

LEIA: Come on! Luke, its too late!

HAN: Blast the door! Kid!

           Luke fires his pistol at the door control panel, and it
        explodes. The door begins to slide shut. Three troopers charge
        forward firing laser bolts, as the door slides to a close
        behind them, shutting Vader and the other troops out of the
        docking bay. A stormtrooper lies dead at the feet of his
        onrushing compatriots. Luke starts for the advancing troops,
        as Solo and Leia move up the ramp into the pirateship. He
        fires, hitting a stormtrooper, who crumbles to the floor.

BEN'S VOICE: Run, Luke! Run!

           Luke looks around to see where the voice came from. He
        turns toward the pirateship, ducking Imperial gunfire from the
        troopers and races into the ship.

109 109

        Han pulls back on the controls and the ship begins to move. The
        dull thud of laser bolts bouncing off the outside of the ship
        as Chewie adjusts his controls.

HAN: I hope the old man got that tractor beam out if commission, or
this is going to be a real short trip. Okay, hit it!

           Chewbacca growls in agreement.

        The Millennium Falcon powers away from the Death Star docking
        bay, makes a spectacular turn and disappears into the vastness
        of space.

110 110

        Luke, saddened by the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi, stares off
        blankly as the robots look on. Leia puts a blanket around him
        protectively, and Luke turns and looks up at her. She sits
        down beside him.

        Solo spots approaching enemy ships.

HAN: (to Chewie) We're coming up on the sentry ships. Hold 'em off!
Angle the deflector shields while I charge up the main guns!

111 111

        Luke looks downward sadly, shaking his head back and forth, as
        the princess smiles comfortingly at him.

LUKE: I can't believe he's gone.

           Artoo-Detoo beeps a reply.

LEIA: There wasn't anything you could have done.

           Han rushes into the hold area where Luke is sitting with
        the princess.

HAN: (to Luke) Come on, buddy, we're not out of this yet!

112 112

        Solo climbs into his attack position in the topside gunport.

        Luke gets up and moves out toward the gunports as Leia heads
        for the cockpit.

        Luke climbs down the ladder into the gunport cockpit, settling
        into one of the two main laser cannons mounted in large
        rotating turrets on either side of the ship.

        Han adjusts his headset as he sits before the controls of his
        laser cannon, then speaks into the attached microphone.

HAN: (to Luke) You in, kid? Okay, stay sharp!

        Chewbacca and Princess Leia search the heavens for attacking
        TIE fighters. The Wookiee pulls back on the speed controls as
        the ship bounces slightly.

        Computer graphic readouts form on Solo's target screen, as Han
        reaches for controls.

        Luke sits in readiness for the attack, his hand on the laser
        cannon's control button.

113 113

        Chewbacca spots the enemy ships and barks.

LEIA: (into intercom) Here they come!

        The Imperial TIE fighters move towards the Millennium Falcon,
        one each veering off to the left and right of the pirateship.

        The stars whip past behind the Imperial pilot as he adjusts
        his maneuvering joy stick.

        The TIE fighter races past the Falcon, firing laser beams as
        it passes.

        Threepio is seated in the hold area, next to Artoo-Detoo. The
        pirateship bounces and vibrates as the power goes out in the
        room and then comes back on.

        A TIE fighter maneuvers in front of Han, who follows it and
        fires at it with the laser cannon. Luke does likewise, as the
        fighter streaks into view. The ship has suffered a minor hit,
        and bounces slightly.

        Two TIE fighters dive down toward the pirateship.

        Luke fires at an unseen fighter.

LUKE: They're coming in too fast!

        Pan with pirateship as two TIE fighters charge through the
        background. Laserbolts streak from all the craft.

114 114

        The ship shudders as a laserbolt hits very close to the
        cockpit. The Wookiee chatters something to Leia.

        Full shot of a TIE fighter as it moves fast through the frame,
        firing on the pirate starship.

        The two TIE fighters fire a barrage of laserbeams at the
        pirateship.

        A laserbolt streaks into the side of the pirateship. The ship
        lurches violently, throwing poor Threepio into a cabinet fill
        of small computer chips.

THREEPIO: Oooh!

115 115

        Leia watches the computer readout as Chewbacca manipulates the
        ship's controls.

LEIA: We've lost lateral controls.

HAN: Don't worry, she'll hold together.

           An enemy laserbolt hits the pirateship's control panel,
        causing it to blow out in a shower of sparks.

HAN: (to ship) You hear me, baby? Hold together!

           Artoo-Detoo advances toward the smoking sparking control
        panel, dousing the inferno by spraying it with fire retardant
        beeping all the while.

        Luke swivels in his gun mount, following the TIE fighter with
        his laser cannon.

        Solo aims his laser cannon at the enemy fighter.

        Leia watches the TIE fighter ship fly over.

        Luke follows the TIE fighter across his field of view, firing
        laserbeams from his cannon.

        Luke fires at a TIE fighter. At his port, Han follows a
        fighter in his sights, releasing a blast of laserfire. He
        connects, and the fighter explodes into fiery dust. Han laughs
        victoriously.

116 116

        Two TIE fighters move toward and over the Millennium Falcon,
        unleashing a barrage of laserbolts at the ship.

        Another TIE fighter moves in on the pirateship and Luke,
        smiling, fires the laser cannon at it, scoring a spectacular
        direct hit.

LUKE: Got him! I got him!

           Han turns and gives Luke a victory wave which Luke
        gleefully returns.

HAN: Great kid! Don't get cocky.

        Han turns back to his laser cannon.

        While Chewbacca manipulates the controls, Leia turns, looking
        over her shoulder out the ports.

LEIA: There are still two more of them out there!

117 117

        A TIE fighter moves up over the pirateship, firing laserblasts
        at it.

        Luke and Han look into their respective projected target
        screens. An Imperial fighter crosses Solo's port, and Han
        swivels in his chair, following it with blasts from his laser
        cannon. Another fighter crosses Luke's port, and he reacts in
        a like manner, the glow of his target screen lighting his
        face.

        Luke fires a laserblast at the approaching enemy fighter, and
        it bursts into a spectacular explosion. Luke's projected
        screen gives a readout of the hit. The pirateship bounces
        slightly as it is struck by the enemy fire.

118 118

        The last of the attacking Imperial TIE fighters looms in,
        firing upon the Falcon.

        Solo swivels behind his cannon, his aim describing the arc of
        the TIE fighter. The fighter comes closer, firing at the
        pirateship, but a well-aimed blast from Solo's laser cannon
        hits the attacker, which blows up in a small atomic shower of
        burning fragments.

LUKE: (laughing) That's it! We did it!

           The princess jumps up and gives Chewie a congratulatory
        hug.

LEIA: We did it!

119 119

        Threepio lies on the floor of the ship, completely tangled in
        the smoking, sparking wires.

THREEPIO: Help! I think I'm melting! (to Artoo) This is all your
fault.

           Artoo turns his dome from side to side, beeping in
        response.

        The victorious Millennium Falcon moves off majestically
        through space.

120 120

        Darth Vader strides into the control room, where Tarkin is
        watching the huge view screen. A sea of stars is before him.

TARKIN: Are they away?

VADER: They have just made the jump into hyperspace.

TARKIN: You're sure the homing beacon is secure aboard their ship? I'm
taking an awful risk, Vader. This had better work.

121 121

        Han, removes his gloves and smiling, is at the controls of the
        ship. Chewie moves into the aft section to check the damage.
        Leia is seated near Han.

HAN: Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh? You know, sometimes I even amaze
myself.

LEIA: That doesn't sound too hard. Besides, they let us go. It's the
only explanation for the ease of our escape.

HAN: Easy...you call that easy?

LEIA: Their tracking us!

HAN: Not this ship, sister.

           Frustrated, Leia shakes her head.

LEIA: At least the information in Artoo is still intact.

HAN: What's so important? What's he carrying?

LEIA: The technical readouts of that battle station. I only hope that
when the data is analyzed, a weakness can be found. It's not over yet!

HAN: It is for me, sister! Look, I ain't in this for your revolution,
and I'm not in it for you, Princess. I expect to be well paid. I'm in
it for the money!

LEIA: You needn't worry about your reward. If money is all that you
love, then that's what you'll receive!

           She angrily turns, and as she starts out of the cockpit,
        passes Luke coming in.

LEIA: Your friend is quite a mercenary. I wonder if he really cares
about anything...or anyone.

LUKE: I care!

           Luke, shaking his head, sits in the copilot seat. He and
        Han stare out at the vast blackness of space.

LUKE: So...what do you think of her, Han?

HAN: I'm trying not to, kid!

LUKE: (under his breath) Good...

HAN: Still, she's got a lot of spirit. I don't know, what do you
think? Do you think a princess and a guy like me...

LUKE: No!

           Luke says it with finality and looks away. Han smiles at
        young Luke's jealousy.

122 122

        The battered pirateship drifts into orbit around the planet
        Yavin and proceeds to one of its tiny green moons.

        The pirateship soars over the dense jungle.

        An alert guard, his laser gun in hand, scans the countryside.
        He sets the gun down and looks toward the temple, barely
        visible in the foliage.

        Rotting in a forest of gargantuan trees, an ancient temple
        lies shrouded in an eerie mist. The air is heavy with the
        fantastic cries of unimaginable creatures. Han, Luke and the
        others are greeted by the Rebel troops.
           Luke and the group ride into the massive temple on an
        armored military speeder.

123 123

        The military speeder stops in a huge spaceship hangar, set up
        Willard gives Leia a big hug. Every one is pleased to see her.

WILLARD: (holding Leia) You're safe! We had feared the worst.

           Willard composes himself, steps back and bows formally.

WILLARD: When we heard about Alderaan, we were afraid that you were...
lost along with your father.

LEIA: We don't have time for our sorrows, Commander. The battle
station has surely tracked us here (looking pointedly to Han). It's
the only explanation for the ease of our escape. You must use the
information in this R2 unit to plan the attack. It is our only hope.

124 124

        The surface of the Death Star ominously approaches the red
        planet Yavin.

        Grand Moff Tarkin and Lord Vader are interrupted in their
        discussion by the buzz of the comlink. Tarkin moves to answer
        the call.

TARKIN: Yes.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: We are approaching the planet Yavin. The
Rebel base is on a moon on the far side. We are preparing to orbit the
planet.

125 125

        A lone guard stands in a tower high above the Yavin landscape,
        surveying the countryside. A mist hangs over the jungle of
        twisted green.

        Dodonna stands before a large electronic wall display. Leia
        and several other senators are to one side of the giant
        readout. The low-ceilinged room is filled with starpilots,
        navigators, and a sprinkling of R2-type robots. Everyone is
        listening intently to what Dodonna is saying. Han and
        Chewbacca are standing near the back.

DODONNA: The battle station is heavily shielded and carries a
firepower greater than half the star fleet. It's defenses are designed
around a direct large-scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be
able to penetrate the outer defense.

           Gold Leader, a rough looking man in his early thirties,
        stands and addresses Dodonna.

GOLD LEADER: Pardon me for asking, sir, but what good are snub
fighters going to be against that?

DODONNA: Well, the Empire doesn't consider a small one-man fighter to
be any threat, or they'd have a tighter defense. An analysis of the
plans provided by Princess Leia has demonstrated a weakness in the
battle station.

           Artoo-Detoo stands next to a similar robot, makes beeping
        sounds, and turns his head from right to left.

DODONNA: The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver
straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The
target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust
port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the
reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should
destroy the station.

           A murmer of disbelief runs through the room.

DODONNA: Only a precise hit will set up a chain reaction. The shaft is
ray-shielded, so you'll have to use proton torpedoes.

           Luke is sitting next to Wedge Antilles, a hotshot pilot
        about sixteen years old.

WEDGE: That's impossible, even for a computer.

LUKE: It's not impossible. I used to bull's-eye womp rats in my
T-sixteen back home. They're not much bigger than two meters.

DODONNA: Man your ships! And may the Force be with you!

           The group rises and begins to leave.

126 126

        The Death Star begins to move around the planet toward the
        tiny green moon.

        Tarkin and Vader watch the computer projected screen with
        interest, as a circle of lights intertwines around one another
        on the screen showing it's position in relation to Yavin and
        the forth moon.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Orbiting the planet at maximum velocity.
The moon with the Rebel base will be in range in thirty minutes.

VADER: This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of
Kenobi and it will soon see the end of the Rebellion.

127 127

        Luke, Threepio and little Artoo enter the huge spaceship
        hangar and hurry along a long line of gleaming spacefighters.
        Flight crews rush around loading last-minute armaments and
        unlocking power couplings. In an area isolated from this
        activity Luke finds Han and Chewbacca loading small boxes onto
        an armored speeder.

MAN'S VOICE: (over loudspeaker) All flight trooper, man your stations.
All flight troops, man your stations.

           Han is deliberately ignoring the activity of the fighter
        pilots' preparation. Luke is quite saddened at the sight of
        his friend's departure.

LUKE: So...you got your reward and you're just leaving then?

HAN: That's right, yeah! I got some old debts I've got to pay off with
this stuff. Even if I didn't, you don't think I'd be fool enough to
stick around here, do you? Why don't you come with us? You're pretty
good in a fight. I could use you.

LUKE: (getting angry) Come on! Why don't you take a look around? You
know what's about to happen, what they're up against. They could use a
good pilot like you. You're turning your back on them.

HAN: What good's a reward if you ain't around to use it? Besides,
attacking that battle station ain't my idea of courage. It's more like
suicide.

LUKE: All right. Well, take care of yourself, Han. I guess that's
what you're best at, isn't it?

           Luke goes off and Han hesitates, then calls to him.

HAN: Hey, Luke...may the Force be with you!

           Luke turns and sees Han wink at him. Luke lifts his hand in
        a small wave and then goes off.
           Han turns to Chewie who growls at his captain,

HAN: What're you lookin' at? I know what I'm doing.

128 128

        Luke, Leia, and Dodonna meet under a huge space fighter.

LEIA: What's wrong?

LUKE: Oh, it's Han! I don't know, I really thought he'd change his
mind.

LEIA: He's got to follow his own path. No one can choose it for him.

LUKE: I only wish Ben were here.

           Leia gives Luke a little kiss, turns, and goes off. As Luke
        heads for his ship, another pilot rushes up to him and grabs
        his arm.

BIGGS: Luke! I don't believe it! How'd you get here...are you going
out with us?!

LUKE: Biggs! Of course, I'll be up there with you! Listen, have I got
some stories to tell...

           Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, comes up
        behind Luke and Biggs. He has the confident smile of a born
        leader.

RED LEADER: Are you...Luke Skywalker? Have you been checked out on the
Incom T-sixty-five?

BIGGS: Sir, Luke is the best bushpilot in the outer rim territories.

           Red Leader pats Luke on the back as they stop in front of
        his fighter.

RED LEADER: I met your father once when I was just a boy, he was a
great pilot. You'll do all right. If you've got half of your father's
skill, you'll do better than all right.

LUKE: Thank you, sir. I'll try.

           Red Leader hurries to his own ship.

BIGGS: I've got to get aboard. Listen, you'll tell me your stories
when we come back. All right?

LUKE: I told you I'd make it someday, Biggs.

BIGGS: (going off) You did, all right. It's going to be like old
times, Luke. We're a couple of shooting stars that'll never be
stopped!

           Luke laughs and shakes his head in agreement. He heads for
        his ship.

129 129

           As Luke begins to climb up the ladder into his sleek,
        deadly spaceship, the crew chief, who is working on the craft,
        points to little Artoo, who is being hoisted into a socket on
        the back of the fighter.

CHIEF: This R2 unit of your seems a bit beat up. Do you want a new
one?

LUKE: Not on your life! That little droid and I have been through a
lot together. (to Artoo) You okay, Artoo?

           Luke climbs up into the cockpit of his fighter and puts an
        his helmet. Threepio looks on from the floor of the massive
        hangar as the crewmen secure his little electronic partner
        into Luke's X-wing. It's an emotional-filled moment as Artoo
        beeps good-bye.

CHIEF: Okay, easy she goes!

THREEPIO: Hang on tight,Artoo, you've got to come back.

           Artoo beeps in agreement.

THREEPIO: You wouldn't want my life to get boring, would you?

           Artoo whistles his reply.
           All final preparations are made for the approaching battle.
        The hangar is buzzing with the last minute activity as the
        pilots and crewmen alike make their final adjustments. The hum
        of activity is occasionally trespassed by the distorted voice
        of the loudspeaker issuing commands. Coupling hoses are
        disconnected from the ships as they are fueled. Cockpit
        shields roll smoothly into place over each pilot. A signalman,
        holding red guiding lights, directs the ships. Luke, a trace
        of a smile gracing his lips, peers about through his goggles.

BEN'S VOICE: Luke, the Force will be with you.

           Luke is confused at the voice and taps his headphones.

130 130

        All that can be seen of the fortress is a lone guard standing
        on a small pedestal jutting out above the dense jungle. The
        muted gruesome crying sounds that naturally permeate this
        eerie purgatory are overwhelmed by the thundering din of ion
        rockets as four silver starships catapult from the foliage in
        a tight formation and disappears into the morning cloud cover.

        The princess, Threepio, and a field commander sit quietly
        before the giant display showing the planet Yavin and its four
        moons. The red dot that represents the Death Star moves ever
        closer to the system. A series of green dots appear around the
        fourth moon. A din of indistinct chatter fills the war room.

MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE: Stand-by alert. Death Star approaching.
Estimated time to firing range, fifteen minutes.

131 131

        The Death Star slowly moves behind the massive yellow surface
        of Yavin in the foreground, as many X-wing fighters flying in
        formation zoom toward us and out of the frame.

        Light from a distant sun creates an eerie atmospheric glow
        around a huge planet, Yavin. Rebel fighters flying in
        formation settle ominously in the foreground and very slowly
        pull away.

132 132

        Red Leader lowers his visor and adjusts his gun sights,
        looking to each side at his wing men.

RED LEADER: All wings report in.

        One of the Rebel fighters checks in through his mike.

RED TEN: Red Ten standing by.

        Biggs checks his fighter's controls, alert and ready for
        combat.

RED SEVEN: (over Biggs' headset) Red Seven standing by.

BIGGS: Red Three standing by.

PORKINS: Red Six standing by.

RED NINE: (over headset) Red Nine standing by.

WEDGE: Red Two standing by.

RED ELEVEN: (over headset) Red Eleven standing by.

LUKE: Red Five standing by.

133 133

        Artoo-Detoo, in position outside of the fighter, turns his
        head from side to side and makes beeping sounds.

RED LEADER: Lock S-foils in attack position.

        The group of X-wing fighters move in formation toward the
        Death Star, unfolding the wings and locking them in the "X"
        position.

134 134

READ LEADER: (over headset) We're passing through their magnetic
field.

RED LEADER: Hold tight!

        Luke adjusts his controls as he concentrates on the
        approaching Death Star. The ship begins to be buffeted
        slightly.

RED LEADER: (over headset) Switch your deflectors on.

RED LEADER: (over headset) Double front!

135 135

        The fighters, now X-shaped darts, move in formation. The Death
        Star now appears to be a small moon growing rapidly in size as
        the Rebel fighters approach. Complex patterns on the metallic
        surface begin to become visible. A large dish antenna is built
        into the surface on one side.

        Wedge is amazed and slightly frightened at the awesome
        spectacle.

WEDGE: Look at the size of that thing!

RED LEADER: (over headset) Cut the chatter, Red Two.

RED LEADER: Accelerate to attack speed. This is it, boys!

136 136

        As the fighters move closer to the Death Star, the awesome
        size of the gargantuan Imperial fortress is revealed. Half of
        the deadly space station is in shadow and this area sparkles
        with thousands of small lights running in thin lines and
        occasionally grouped in large clusters; somewhat like a city
        at night as seen from a weather satellite.

GOLD LEADER: Red Leader, this is Gold Leader.

RED LEADER: (over headset) I copy, Gold Leader.

GOLD LEADER: We're starting for the target shaft now.

        Red Leader looks around at his wingmen; the Death Star looming
        in from behind. Two Y-wing fighters bob back and forth in the
        background. He moves his computer targeting device into
        position.

RED LEADER: We're in position. I'm going to cut across the axis and
try and draw their fire.

137 137

        Two squads of Rebel fighters peel off. The X-wings dive
        towards the Death Star surface. A thousand lights glow across
        the dark grey expanse of the huge station.

        Alarm sirens scream as soldiers scramble to large turbo-
        powered laser gun emplacements. Electronic drivers rotate the
        huge guns into position as crew adjust their targeting
        devices.

        Laserbolts streak through the star-filled night. The Rebel
        X-wing fighters move in toward the Imperial base, as the Death
        Star aims its massive laser guns at the Rebel forces and
        fires.

138 138

        Princess Leia listens to the battle over the intercom.
        Threepio is at her side.

WEDGE: (over war room speaker system) Heavy fire, boss! Twenty-degrees.

RED LEADER: (over speaker) I see it. Stay low.

        An X-wing zooms across the surface of the Death Star.

        Technical crews scurry here and there loading last-minute
        armaments and unlocking power cables.

        Wedge maneuvers his fighter toward the menacing Death Star.

        Luke nosedives radically, starting his attack on the monstrous
        fortress. The Death Star surface streaks past the cockpit
        window.

139 139

LUKE: This is Red Five; I'm going in!

        Luke's X-wing races toward the Death Star. Laserbolts streak
        from Luke's weapons, creating a huge fireball explosion on the
        dim surface.

        Terror crosses Luke's face as he realizes he won't be able to
        pull out in time to avoid the fireball.

BIGGS: (over headset) Luke, pull up!

        Luke's ship emerges from the fireball, with the leading edges
        of his wings slightly scorched.

BIGGS: Are you all right?

        Luke adjusts his controls and breathes a sigh of relief. Flak
        bursts outside the cockpit window.

LUKE: I got a little cooked, but I'm okay.

140 140

        Rebel fighters continue to strafe the Death Star's surface
        with laserbolts.

        Walls buckle and cave in. Troops and equipment are blown in
        all directions. Stormtroopers stagger out of the rubble.
        Standing in the middle of the chaos, a vision of calm and
        foreboding, is Darth Vader. One of his Astro-Officers rushes
        up to him.

ASTRO-OFFICER: We count thirty Rebel ships, Lord Vader. But they're so
small they're evading our turbo-lasers!

VADER: We'll have to destroy them ship to ship. Get the crews to their
fighters.

141 141

        Smoke belches from the giant laser guns as they wind up their
        turbine generators to create sufficient power. The crew rushes
        about preparing for another blast. Even the troopers head gear
        is not adequate to protect them from the overwhelming noise of
        the monstrous weapon. One troopers bangs his helmet with his
        hand in an attempt to stop the ringing.

        Red Leader flies through a heavy hail of flak.

RED LEADER: Luke, let me know when you're going in.

        The Red Leader's X-wing flies past Luke as he puts his nose
        down and starts his attack dive.

LUKE: I'm on my way in now...

RED LEADER: Watch yourself! There's a lot of fire coming from the
right side of that deflection tower.

LUKE: I'm on it.

        Luke flings his X-wing into a twisting dive across the horizon
        and down onto the dim grey surface.

        A shot hurls from Luke's guns. Laserbolts streak toward the
        onrushing Death Star surface. Several small radar emplacements
        erupt in flame. Laserfire erupts from a protruding tower on
        the surface.

        The blurry Death Star surface races past the cockpit window as
        a big smile sweeps across Luke's face at the success of his
        run. Flak thunders on all sides of him.

        The Death Star superstructure races past Luke as he maneuvers
        his craft through a wall of laserfire and peels away from the
        surface towards the heavens.

142 142

        The thunder and smoke of the big guns reverberate throughout
        the massive structure. Many soldiers rush about in the smoke
        and chaos, silhouetted by the almost continual flash of
        explosions.

        Biggs dives through a forest of radar domes, antennae, and gun
        towers as he shoots low across the Death Star surface. A dense
        barrage of laserfire streaks by on all sides.

        Imperial star pilots dash in unison to a line of small
        auxiliary hatches that lead to Imperial TIE fighters.

143 143

        Princess Leia, surrounded by her generals and aides, paces
        nervously before a lighted computer table. On all sides
        technicians work in front of many lighted glass walls. Dodonna
        watches quietly from one corner. One of the officers working
        over a screen speaks into his headset.

CONTROL OFFICER: Squad leaders, we've picked up a new group of
signals. Enemy fighters coming your way.

144 144

        Luke looks around to see if he can spot the approaching
        Imperial fighters.

LUKE: My scope's negative. I don't see anything.

        The Death Star's surface sweeps past as Red Leader searches
        the sky for the Imperial fighters. Flak pounds at his ship.

RED LEADER: Keep up your visual scanning. With all this jamming,
they'll be on top of you before your scope can pick them up.

        Silhouetted against the rim lights of the Death Star horizon,
        four ferocious Imperial TIE ships dive on the Rebel fighters.
        Two of the TIE fighters peel off and drop out of frame. Pan
        with the remaining two TIE ships.

        Biggs panics when he discovers a TIE ship on his tail. The
        horizon in the background twists around as he peels off,
        hoping to lose the Imperial fighter.

145 145

RED LEADER: Biggs! You've picked one up...watch it!

BIGGS: I can't see it! Where is he?!

        Biggs zooms off the surface and into space, closely followed
        by an Imperial TIE fighter. The TIE ship fires several
        laserbolts at Biggs, but misses.

        Biggs see the TIE ship behind him and swings around, trying to
        avoid him.

BIGGS: He's on me tight, I can't shake him...I can't shake him.

        Biggs, flying at high altitude, peels off and dives toward the
        Death Star surface, but he is unable to lose the TIE fighter,
        who sticks close to his tail.

        Luke is flying upside down. He rotates his ship around to
        normal attitude as he comes out of his dive.

LUKE: Hang on, Biggs, I'm coming in.

        Biggs and the tailing TIE ship dive for the surface, now
        followed by a fast-gaining Luke. After Biggs dives out of
        sight, Luke chases the Imperial fighter.

        In the foreground, the Imperial fighter races across the Death
        Star's surface, closely followed by Luke in the background.

        There is a shot from Luke's X-wing of the TIE ship exploding
        in a mass of flames.

LUKE: Got him!

146 146

        Darth Vader strides purposefully down a Death Star corridor,
        flanked by Imperial stormtroopers.

VADER: Several fighters have broken off from the main group. Come with
me!

147 147

        A concerned Princess Leia, Threepio, Dodonna, and other
        officers of the Rebellion stand around the huge round readout
        screen, listening to the ship-to-ship communication on the
        room's loudspeaker.

BIGGS: (over speaker) Pull in! Luke...pull in!

WEDGE: (over speaker) Watch your back, Luke!

WEDGE: (over headset) Watch your back! Fighter's above you, coming in!

        Luke's ship soars away from the Death Star's surface as he
        spots the tailing TIE fighter.

        The TIE pilot takes aim at Luke's X-wing.

        The Imperial TIE fighter pilot scores a hit on Luke's ship.
        Fire breaks out on the right side of the X-wing.

        Luke looks out of his cockpit at the flames on his ship.

LUKE: I'm hit, but not bad.

        Smoke pours out from behind Artoo-Detoo.

LUKE'S VOICE: Artoo, see what you can do with it. Hang on back there.

        Green laserfire moves past the beeping little robot as his
        head turns.

        Luke nervously works his controls.

RED LEADER: (over headset) Red Six...

148 148

        In the war room, Leia stands frozen as she listens and worries
        about Luke.

RED LEADER: (over speaker) Can you see Red Five?

RED TEN: (over speaker) There's a heavy fire zone on this side. Red
Five, where are you?

149 149

        Luke spots the TIE fighter behind him and soars away from the
        Death Star surface.

LUKE: I can't shake him!

        Luke's ship soars closer to the surface of the Death Star, an
        Imperial TIE fighter closing in on him in hot pursuit.

        The Death Star whips below Wedge.

WEDGE: I'm on him, Luke!

WEDGE: (over headset) Hold on!

        Wedge dives across the horizon toward Luke and the TIE
        fighter.

        Wedge moves his X-wing in rapidly.

        Luke reacts frantically.

LUKE: Blast it! Wedge where are you?

        The fighter pilot watches Wedge's X-wing approach. Another
        X-wing joins him, and both unleash a volley of laserfire on
        the Imperial fighter.

        The TIE fighter explodes, filling the screen with white light.
        Luke's ship can be seen far in the distance.

        Luke looks about in relief.

LUKE: Thanks, Wedge.

        Leia, Threepio, Dodonna and other Rebel officers are listening
        to the Rebel Fighter's radio transmissions over the war room
        intercom.

BIGGS: (over speaker) Good shooting, Wedge!

150 150

GOLD LEADER: (over speaker) Red Leader...

        Gold Leader peels off and starts toward the long trenches at
        the Death Star surface pole.

GOLD LEADER: This is Gold Leader. We're starting out attack run.

        Three Y-wing fighters of the Gold group dive out of the stars
        toward the Death Star surface.

        Leia and the others are grouped around the screen, as
        technicians move about attending to their duties.

RED LEADER: (over speaker) I copy, Gold Leader. Move into position.

        Three Imperial TIE ships in precise formation dive toward the
        Death Star surface.

        Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars whip
        past in the window above his head.

VADER: Stay in attack formation!

151 151

        Technicians are seated at the computer readout table.

GOLD LEADER: (over speaker) The exhaust post is marked and locked in!

        Gold Leader approaches the surface and pulls out to skim the
        surface of the huge station. The ship moves into a deep
        trench, firing laserbolts. The surface streaks past as
        laserfire is returned by the Death Star.

        Gold Five is a pilot in his early fifties with a very battered
        helmet that looks like it's been through many battles. He
        looks around to see if enemy ships are near. His fighter is
        buffeted by Imperial flak.

        Gold Leader races down the enormous trench that leads to the
        exhaust port. Laserbolts blast toward him in increasing
        numbers, occasionally exploding near the ship causing it to
        bounce about.

GOLD LEADER: Switch power to front deflector screens.

        Three Y-wing skim the Death Star surface deep in the trench,
        as laserbolts streak past on all sides.

GOLD LEADER: How many guns do you think, Gold Five.

GOLD FIVE: (over speaker) I'd say about twenty guns. Some on the
surface, some on the towers.

152 152

           Leia, Threepio, and the technicians view the projected
        target screen, as red and blue target lights glow. The red
        target near the center blinks on and off.

MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE: (over speaker) Death Star will be in range in
five minutes.

153 153

           The three Y-wing fighters race toward camera and zoom
        overhead through a hail of laserfire.

           Gold Leader pulls his computer targeting device down in
        front of his eye. Laserbolts continue to batter the Rebel
        craft.

GOLD LEADER: Switching to targeting computer.

           Gold Two, a younger pilot about Luke's age, pulls down his
        targeting eye viewer and adjusts it. His ship shudders under
        intense laser barrage.

GOLD TWO: Computer's locked. Getting a signal.

           As the fighters begin to approach the target area, suddenly
        all the laserfire stops. An eerie clam clings over the trench
        as the surface whips past in a blur.

GOLD TWO: The guns...they've stopped!

        Gold Five looks behind him.

GOLD FIVE: Stabilize your read deflectors. Watch for enemy fighters.

GOLD LEADER: They've coming in! Three marks at two ten.

154 154

        Three Imperial TIE ships, Darth Vader in the center flanked by
        two wingmen, dive in precise formation almost vertically
        toward the Death Star surface.

        Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars zoom
        by.

VADER: I'll take them myself! Cover me!

WINGMAN'S VOICE: (over speaker) Yes, sir.

        Three TIE fighters zoom across the surface of the Death Star.

        Vader lines up Gold Two in his targeting computer. Vader's
        hands grip the control stick as he presses the button.

        The cockpit explodes around Gold Two. His head falls forward.

        As Gold Two's ship explodes, debris is flung out into space.

        Gold Leader looks over his shoulder at the scene.

        The three TIE fighters race along in the trench in a tight
        formation.

        Gold Leader panics.

GOLD LEADER: (into mike) I can't maneuver!

        Gold Five, the old veteran, trys to calm Gold Leader.

GOLD FIVE: Stay on target.

        The Death Star races by outside the cockpit window as he
        adjusts his targeting device.

GOLD LEADER: We're too close.

        The older pilot remains calm.

GOLD FIVE: Stay on target!

        Now he's really panicked.

GOLD LEADER: Loosen up!

        Vader calmly adjusts his targeting computer and pushes the
        fire button.

        Gold Leader's ship is hit by Vader's laser.

        Gold Leader explodes in a ball of flames, throwing debris in
        all directions.

155 155

        Gold Five moves in on the exhaust port.

GOLD FIVE: Gold Five to Red Leader...

        Luke looks over his shoulder at the action outside of his
        cockpit.

GOLD FIVE: (over headset) Lost Tiree, lost Dutch.

RED LEADER: I copy, Gold Five.

GOLD FIVE: They came from behind....

        One of the engines explodes on Gold Five's Y-wing fighter,
        blazing out of control. He dives past the horizon toward the
        Death Star's surface, passing a TIE fighter during his
        descent. Gold Five, a veteran of countless campaigns, spins
        toward his death.

        Luke looks nervously about him at the explosive battle.

156 156

        Grant Moff Tarkin and a Chief Officer stand in the Death
        Star's control room.

OFFICER: We've analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger.
Should I have your ship standing by?

TARKIN: Evacuate? In out moment of triumph? I think you overestimate
their chances!

           Tarkin turns to the computer readout screen. Flames move
        around the green disk at the center of the screen, as numbers
        read across the bottom.

VOICE: (over speaker) Rebel base, three minutes and closing.

157 157

        Red Leader looks over at his wingmen.

RED LEADER: Red Group, this is Red Leader.

        Dodonna moves to the intercom as he fiddles with the computer
        keys.

RED LEADER: (over speaker) Rendezvous at mark six point one.

WEDGE: (over speaker) This is Red Two. Flying toward you.

BIGGS: (over speaker) Red Three, standing by.

DODONNA: (over headset) Red Leader, this is Base One. Keep half your
group out of range for the next run.

RED LEADER'S VOICE: (over headset) Copy, Base One. Luke, take Red Two
and Three. Hold up here and wait for my signal...to start your run.

           Luke nods his head.

158 158

        The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge fly in formation
        high above the Death Star's surface.

        Luke peers out from his cockpit.

        Two X-wings move across the surface of the Death Star. Red
        Leader's X-wing drops down to the surface leading to the
        exhaust port.

        Red Leader looks around to watch for the TIE fighters. He
        begins to perspire.

RED LEADER: This is it!

        Red Leader roams down the trench of the Death Star as lasers
        streak across the black heavens.

        A huge remote-control laser cannon fires at the approaching
        Rebel fighters.

        The Rebel fighters evade the Imperial laser blasts.

        Red Ten looks around for the Imperial fighters.

RED TEN: We should be able to see it by now.

        From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the
        Death Star streaks by, with Imperial laserfire shooting toward
        them.

RED LEADER: Keep your eyes open for those fighters!

RED TEN: There's too much interference!

RED TEN'S VOICE: Red Five, can you see them from where you are?

        Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below.

LUKE: No sign of any...wait!

        Red Ten looks up and sees the Imperial fighters.

LUKE: (over headset) Coming in point three five.

RED TEN: I see them.

        Three TIE fighters, Vader flanked by two wingmen, dive in a
        tight formation. The sun reflects off their dominate solar
        fins as they loop toward the Death Star's surface.

159 159

        Red Leader pulls his targeting device in front of his eyes and
        makes several adjustments.

RED LEADER: I'm in range.

        Red Leader's X-wing moves up the Death Star trench.

RED LEADER: Target's coming up!

           Red Leader looks at his computer target readout screen. He
        then looks into his targeting device.

RED LEADER: Just hold them off for a few seconds.

        Vader adjusts his control lever and dives on the X-wing
        fighters.

VADER: Close up formation.

        The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death Star
        surface.

           Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device
        cross hairs.

        Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.

        Vader rapidly approaches the two X-wings of Red Ten and Red
        Twelve. Vader's laser cannon flashes below the view of the
        front porthole. the X-wings show in the center of Vader's
        computer screen.

        Red Twelve's X-wing fighter is hit by Vader's laserfire, and
        it explodes into flames against the trench.

        Red Ten works at his controls furiously, trying to avoid
        Vader's fighter behind him.

RED TEN: You'd better let her loose.

        Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device.

RED LEADER: Almost there!

160 160

        Red Ten panics.

RED TEN: I can't hold them!

        Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of
        the Rebel fighters.

        Vader cooly pushes the fire button on his control stick.

        Darth Vader's well-aimed laserfire proves to be unavoidable,
        and strikes Red Ten's ship. Red Ten screams in anguish and
        pain.

        Red Ten's ship explodes and bursts into flames.

        Grimly, Red Leader takes careful aim and watches his computer
        targeting device, which shows the target lined up in the cross
        hairs, and fires.

RED LEADER: It's away!

        An armed Imperial stormtrooper is knocked to the floor from
        the attack explosion. Other troopers scurrying about the
        corridors are knocked against the wall and lose their balance.

161 161

        Leia and the others stare at the computer screen.

RED NINE'S VOICE: (over speaker) It's a hit!

RED LEADER: (over speaker) Negative.

        Red Leader looks back at the receding Death Star. Tiny
        explosions are visible in the distance.

RED LEADER: Negative! It didn't go in. It just impacted on the
surface.

        Darth Vader peels off in pursuit as Red Leader's X-wing passes
        the Death Star horizon.

        Vader swings his ship around for the next kill.

LUKE: (over headset) Red Leader, we're right above you. Turn to
point...

        Luke tries to spot Red Leader. He looks down at the Death Star
        surface.

LUKE: ...oh-five; we'll cover for you.

RED LEADER: (over headset) Stay there...

        A wary Red Leader looks about nervously.

RED LEADER: ...I just lost my starboard engine.

        Luke looks excitedly toward Red Leader's X-wing.

RED LEADER: (over headset) Get set to make your attack run.

        Vader's gloved hands make contact with the control sticks, and
        he presses their firing buttons.

        Red Leader fights to gain control of his ship.

        Laserbolts are flung from Vader's TIE fighter, connecting with
        Red Leader's Rebel X-wing fighter. Red Leader buys it,
        creating a tremendous explosion far below. He screams and is
        destroyed.

        Luke looks out the window of his X-wing at the explosion far
        below. For the first time, he feels the helplessness of his
        situation.

162 162

        Grand Moff Tarkin casts a sinister eye at the computer screen.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Rebel base, one minute and closing.

        Dodonna and Princess Leia, with Threepio beside them, listen
        intently to the talk between the pilots. The room is grim
        after Red Leader's death. Princess Leia nervously paces the
        room.

LUKE: (over speaker) Biggs, Wedge, let's close it up. We're going in.
We're going in full throttle.

        The horizon twists as Wedge begins to pull out.

WEDGE: Right with you, boss.

        The two X-wings peel off against a background of stars and
        dive toward the Death Star.

BIGGS: Luke, at that speed will you be able to pull out in time?

LUKE: It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon back home.

163 163

        The three X-wings move in, unleashing a barrage of laserfire.
        Laserbolts are returned from the Death Star.

        Luke's lifelong friend struggles with his controls.

BIGGS: We'll stay back far enough to cover you.

        Flak and laserbolts flash outside Luke's cockpit window.

WEDGE: (over headset) My scope shows the tower, but I can't see the
exhaust port! Are you sure the computer can hit it?

        The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotates as it shoots
        laserbolts.

        Luke looks around for the Imperial TIE fighters. He thinks for
        a moment and then moves his targeting device into position.

LUKE: Watch yourself! Increase speed full throttle!

        Wedge looks excitedly about for any sign of the TIE fighters.

WEDGE: What about the tower?

LUKE: You worry about those fighters! I'll worry about the tower!

164 164

        Luke's X-wing streaks through the trench, firing lasers.

        Luke breaks into a nervous sweat as the laserfire is returned,
        knicking one of his wings close to the engine.

LUKE: (to Artoo) Artoo...that, that stabilizer's broken loose again!
See if you can lock it down!

        Artoo works to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushes by
        in the background, making his delicate task seem even more
        precarious.

        Two laser cannons are firing on the Rebel fighters.

        Wedge looks up and sees the TIE ships.

        Luke's targeting device marks off the distance to the target.

        Vader and his wingmen zoom closer.

        Vader adjusts his controls and fires laserbolts at two X-wings
        flying down the trench. He scores a direct hit on Wedge.

        Leia and the others are grouped around the computer board.

WEDGE: (over speaker) I'm hit! I can't stay with you.

LUKE: (over speaker) Get clear, Wedge.

LUKE: You can't do any more good back there!

WEDGE: Sorry!

        Wedge pulls his crippled X-wing back away from the battle.

        Vader watches the escape but issues a command to his wingmen.

VADER: Let him go! Stay on the leader!

165 165

        Luke's X-wing speeds down the trench; the three TIE fighters,
        still in perfect unbroken formation, tail close behind.

        Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters. He is worried.

BIGGS: Hurry, Luke, they're coming in much faster this time. I can't
hold them!

        The three TIE fighters move ever closer, closing in on Luke
        and Biggs.

        Luke looks back anxiously at little Artoo.

LUKE: Artoo, try and increase the power!

        Ignoring the bumpy ride, flak, and lasers, a beeping
        Artoo-Detoo struggles to increase the power, his dome turning
        from side to side.

        Stealthily, the TIE formation creeps closer.

        Vader adjusts his control stick.

        Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters.

        Luke looks into his targeting device. He moves it away for a
        moment and ponders its use. He looks back into the computer
        targeter.

BIGGS: (over headset) Hurry up, Luke!

        Vader and his wingmen race through the Death Star trench.
        Biggs moves in to cover for Luke, but Vader gains on him.

        Biggs sees the TIE fighter aiming at him.

BIGGS: Wait!

        Vader squeezes the fire button on his controls.

        Biggs' cockpit explodes around him, lighting him in red.

        Biggs' ship bursts into a million flaming bits and scatters
        across the surface.

166 166

        Leia and the others stare at the computer board.

        Luke is stunned by Biggs' death. His eyes are watering, but
        his anger is also growing.

        Grand Moff Tarkin watches the projected target screen with
        satisfaction.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Rebel base, thirty seconds and closing.

        Vader takes aim on Luke and talks to the wingmen.

167 167

VADER: I'm on the leader.

        Luke's ship streaks through the trench of the Death Star.

        Princess Leia returns her general's worried and doubtful
        glances with solid, grim determination. Threepio seems nervous.

THREEPIO: Hang on, Artoo!

        Luke concentrates on his targeting device.

        Three TIE fighters charge away down the trench toward Luke.

        Vader's finger's curls around the control stick.

        Luke adjusts the lens of his targeting device.

        Luke's ship charges down the trench.

        Luke lines up the yellow cross-hair lines of the targeting
        device's screen. He looks into the targeting device, then
        starts at a voice he hears.

BEN'S VOICE: Use the Force, Luke.

168 168

        The Death Star trench zooms by.

        Luke looks up, then starts to look back into the targeting
        device. He has second thoughts.

BEN'S VOICE: Let go, Luke.

           A grim determination sweeps across Luke's face as he closes
        his eyes and starts to mumble Ben's training to himself.

        Luke's fighter streaks through the trench.

VADER: The Force is strong with this one!

        Vader follows Luke's X-wing down the trench.

        Luke looks to the targeting device, then away as he hears
        Ben's voice.

BEN'S VOICE: Luke, trust me.

           Luke's hand reaches for the control panel and presses the
        button. The targeting device moves away.

        Leia and the others stand watching the projected screen.

BASE VOICE: (over speaker) His computer's off. Luke, you switched off
your targeting computer. What's wrong?

LUKE: (over speaker) Nothing. I'm all right.

        Luke's ship streaks ever close to the exhaust port.

        Luke looks at the Death Star surface streaking by.

        Artoo-Detoo turns his head from side to side, beeping in
        anticipation.

        The three TIE fighters, manned by Vader and his two wingmen,
        follow Luke's X-wing down the trench.

169 169

        Vader maneuvers his controls as he looks at his doomed target.
        He presses the fire buttons on his control sticks. Laserfire
        shoots toward Luke's X-wing fighter.

        A large burst of Vader's laserfire engulfs Artoo. The arms go
        limp on the smoking little droid as he makes a high-pitched
        sound.

        Luke looks frantically back over his shoulder at Artoo.

        Smoke billows out around little Artoo and sparks begin to fly.

LUKE: I've lost Artoo!

           Artoo's beeping sounds die out.

        Leia and the others stare intently at the projected screen,
        while Threepio watches the Princess. Lights representing the
        Death Star and targets glow brightly.

MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE: The Death Star has cleared the planet. The
Death Star has cleared the planet.

170 170

        Tarkin glares at the projected target screen.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Rebel base, in range.

TARKIN: You may fire when ready.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Commence primary ignition.

           An officer reaches up and pushes buttons on the control
        panel, as green lighted buttons turn to red.

171 171

        The three TIE fighters zoom down the Death Star trench in
        pursuit of Luke, never breaking formation.

        Luke looks anxiously at the exhaust port.

        Vader adjusts his control sticks, checking his projected
        targeting screen.

        Luke's ship barrels down the trench.

        Vader's targeting computer swings around into position. Vader
        takes careful aim on Luke's X-wing fighter.

VADER: I have you now.

           He pushes the fire buttons.

        The three TIE fighters move in on Luke. As Vader's center
        fighter unleashes a volley of laserfire, one of the TIE ships
        at his side is hit and explodes into flame. The two remaining
        ships continue to move in.

        Luke looks about, wondering whose laserfire destroyed Vader's
        wingman.

        Vader is taken by surprise, and looks out from his cockpit.

VADER: What?

        Vader's wingman searches around him trying to locate the
        unknown attacker.

        Han and Chewbacca grin from ear to ear.

HAN: (yelling) Yahoo!

        The Millennium Falcon heads right at the two TIE fighters.
        It's a collision course.

        The wingman spots the pirateship coming at him and warns the
        Dark Lord.

WINGMAN: Look out!

        Vader's wingman panics at the sight of the oncoming pirate
        starship and veers radically to one side, colliding with
        Vader's TIE fighter in the process. Vader's wingman crashes
        into the side wall of the trench and explodes. Vader's damaged
        ship spins out of the trench with a damaged wing.

        Vader's ship spins out of control with a bent solar fin,
        heading for deep space.

        Vader turns round and round in circles as his ship spins
        into space.

        Solo's ship moves in toward the Death Star trench.

        Solo, smiling, speaks to Luke over his headset mike.

HAN: (into mike) You're all clear, kid.

        Leia and the others listen to Solo's transmission.

HAN: (over speaker) Now let's blow this thing and go home!

        Luke looks up and smiles. He concentrates on the exhaust port,
        then fires his laser torpedoes.

        Luke's torpedoes shoot toward the port and seems to simply
        disappear into the surface and not explode. But the shots do
        find their mark and have gone into the exhaust port and are
        heading for the main reactor.

        Luke throws his head back in relief.

172 172

        An Imperial soldier runs to the control panel board and pulls
        the attack lever as the board behind him lights up.

INTERCOM VOICE: Stand by to fire at Rebel base.

        Two X-wings, a Y-wing, and the pirateship race toward Yavin in
        the distance.

        Several Imperial soldiers, flanking a pensive Grand Moff
        Tarkin, busily push control levers and buttons.

INTERCOM VOICE: Standing by.

           The rumble of a distant explosion begins.

        The Rebel ships race out of sight, leaving the moon-like Death
        Star alone against a blanket of stars. Several small flashes
        appear on the surface. The Death Star bursts into a supernova,
        creating a spectacular heavenly display.

HAN: Great shot, kid. That was one in a million.

        Luke is at ease, and his eyes are closed.

BEN'S VOICE: Remember, the Force will be with you...always.

           The ship rocks back and forth.

        Vader's ship spins off into space.

        The Rebel ships race toward the fourth moon of Yavin.

173 173


        Luke climbs out of his starship fighter and is cheered by a
        throng of ground crew and pilots. Luke climbs down the ladder
        as they all welcome him with laughter, cheers, and shouting.
           Princess Leia rushes toward him.

LEIA: Luke! Luke! Luke!

           She throws her arms around Luke and hugs him as they dance
        around in a circle. Solo runs in toward Luke and they embrace
        one another, slapping each other on the back.

HAN: (laughing) Hey! Hey!

LUKE: (laughing) I knew you'd come back! I just knew it!

HAN: Well, I wasn't gonna let you get all the credit and take all the
reward.

           Luke and Han look at one another, as Solo playfully shoves
        at Luke's face. Leia moves in between them.

LEIA: (laughing) Hey, I knew there was more to you than money.

           Luke looks toward the ship.

LUKE: Oh, no!

        The fried little Artoo-Detoo is lifted off the back of the
        fighter and carried off under the worried eyes of Threepio.

THREEPIO: Oh, my! Artoo! Can you hear me? Say something! (to mechanic)
You can repair him, can't you?

TECHNICIAN: We'll get to work on him right away.

THREEPIO: You must repair him! Sir, if any of my circuits or gears
will help, I'll gladly donate them.

LUKE: He'll be all right.

174 174

        Luke, Han, and Chewbacca enter the huge ruins of the main
        temple. Hundreds of troops are lined up in neat rows. Banners
        are flying and at the far end stands a vision in white, the
        beautiful young Senator Leia. Luke and the others solemnly
        march up the long aisle and kneel before Senator Leia. From
        one side of the temple marches a shined-up and fully repaired
        Artoo-Detoo. He waddles up to the group and stands next to an
        equally pristine Threepio, who is rather awestruck by the
        whole event. Chewbacca is confused. Dodonna and several other
        dignitaries sit on the left of the Princess Leia. Leia is
        dressed in a long white dress and is staggeringly beautiful.
        She rises and places a gold medallion around Han's neck. He
        winks at her. She then repeats the ceremony with Luke, who is
        moved by the event. They turn and face the assembled troops,
        who all bow before them. Chewbacca growls and Artoo beeps with
        happiness.

                                    FADE OUT

175 175

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



            Episode V

          THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK


       It is a dark time for the Rebellion. Although the
    Death Star has been destroyed, Imperial troops have
    driven the Rebel forces from their hidden base and
    pursued them across the galaxy.
       Evading the dreaded Imperial Starfleet, a group of
    freedom fighters led by Luke Skywalker has established
    a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth.
       The evil lord Darth Vader, obsessed with finding
    young Skywalker, has dispatched thousands of remote
    probes into the far reaches of space...


176 176

       A Star Destroyer moves through space, releasing Imperial probe
    robots from its underside.
       One of these probes zooms toward the planet Hoth and lands
    on its ice-covered surface. An explosion marks the point of
    impact.

177 177

       A weird mechanical sound rises above the whining of the
    wind. A strange probe robot, with several extended sensors,
    emerges from the smoke-shrouded crater. The ominous mechanical
    probe floats across the snow plain and disappears into the
    distance.

178 178

       A small figure gallops across the windswept ice slope. The
    bundled rider is mounted on a large gray snow lizard, a
    Tauntaun. Curving plumes of snow rise from beneath the
    speeding paws of the two-legged beast.
       The rider gallops up a slope and reins his lizard to a
    stop. Pulling off his protective goggles, Luke Skywalker
    notices something in the sky. He takes a pair of
    electrobinoculars from his utility belt and through them sees
    smoke rising from where the probe robot has crashed.
       The wind whips at Luke's fur-lined cap and he activates a
    comlink transmitter. His Tauntaun shifts and moans nervously
    beneath him.

LUKE: (into comlink) Echo Three to Echo Seven. Han, old buddy, do you
read me?
       After a little static a familiar voice is heard.

HAN: (over comlink) Loud and clear, kid. What's up?

LUKE: (into comlink) Well, I finished my circle. I don't pick up any
life readings.

HAN: (over comlink) There isn't enough life on this ice cube to fill a
space cruiser. The sensors are placed. I'm going back.

LUKE: (into comlink) Right. I'll see you shortly. There's a meteorite
that hit the ground near here. I want to check it out. It won't take
long.

       Luke clicks off his transmitter and reins back on his
    nervous lizard. He pats the beast on the head to calm it.

LUKE: Hey, steady girl. What's the matter? You smell something?

       Luke takes a small device from his belt and starts to
    adjust it when suddenly a large shadow falls over him from
    behind. He hears a monstrous howl and turns to see an eleven-
    foot-tall shape towering over him. It is a Wampa Ice Creature,
    lunging at him ferociously.

LUKE: Aaargh!

       Luke grabs for his pistol, but is hit flat in the face by a
    huge white claw. He falls unconscious into the snow and in a
    moment the terrified screams of the Tauntaun are cut short by
    the horrible snap of a neck being broken.
       The Wampa Ice Creature grabs Luke by one ankle and drags
    him away across the frozen plain.

179 179

       A stalwart figure rides his Tauntaun up to the entrance
    of an enormous ice cave.

180 180

       Rebel troopers rush about unloading supplies and otherwise
    securing their new base. The rider, Han Solo, swings off his
    lizard and pulls off his goggles.
       He walks into the main hangar deck toward the Millennium
    Falcon, which is parked among several fighters. Mechanics, R2
    units, and various other droids hurry about. Han stops at the
    Millennium Falcon where his Wookiee copilot, Chewbacca, is
    welding on a central lifter. Chewie stops his work and lifts
    his face shield, growling an irritated greeting to his boss.

HAN: Chewie!

       The Wookiee grumbles a reply.

HAN: All right, don't lose your temper. I'll come right back and give
you a hand.

       Chewbacca puts his mask back on and returns to his welding
    as Han leaves.

181 181

       A makeshift command center has been set up in a blasted area
    of thick ice. The low-ceilinged room is a beehive of activity.
    Controllers, troops, and droids move about setting up
    electronic equipment and monitoring radar signals.
       General Rieekan straightens up from a console at Han's
    approach.

RIEEKAN: Solo?

HAN: No sign of life out there, General. The sensors are in place.
You'll know if anything comes around.

RIEEKAN: Commander Skywalker reported in yet?

HAN: No. He's checking out a meteorite that hit near him.

RIEEKAN: (indicates radar screen) With all the meteor activity in this
system, it's going to be difficult to spot approaching ships.

       Taking a deep breath, Han blurts out what is on his mind.

HAN: General, I've got to leave. I can't stay anymore.

       Princess Leia, standing at a console nearby, is dressed in a
    short white combat jacket and pants. Her hair is braided across
    her head in a Nordic fashion. She overhears their
    conversation and seems somewhat distressed.

RIEEKAN: I'm sorry to hear that.

HAN: Well, there's a price on my head. If I don't pay off Jabba the
Hut, I'm a dead man.

RIEEKAN: A death mark's not an easy thing to live with. You're a good
fighter, Solo. I hate to lose you.

HAN: Thank you, General.

       He turns to Leia as Rieekan moves away.

HAN: (with feeling) Well, Your Highness, I guess this is it.

LEIA: That's right.

       Leia is angry. Han sees she has no warmth to offer him. He
    shakes his head and adopts a sarcastic tone.

HAN: (cooly) Well, don't get all mushy on me. So long, Princess.

       Han walks away into the quiet corridor adjoining the
    command center. Leia stews a moment, then hurries after him.

182 182

LEIA: Han!

       Han stops in the corridor and turns to face Leia.

HAN: Yes, Your Highnessness?

LEIA: I thought you decided to stay.

HAN: Well, the bounty hunter we ran into on Ord Mantell changed my
mind.

LEIA: Han, we need you!

HAN: We?

LEIA: Yes.

HAN: Oh, what about you need?

LEIA: (mystified) I need? I don't know what you're talking about.

HAN: (shakes his head, fed up) You probably don't.

LEIA: And what precisely am I supposed to know?

HAN: Come on! You want me to stay because of the way you feel about
me.

LEIA: Yes. You're a great help to us. You're a natural leader...

HAN: No! That's not it. Come on. Aahhh -- uh huh! Come on.

       Leia stares at him, understanding, then laughs.

LEIA: You're imagining things.

HAN: Am I? Then why are you following me? Afraid I was going to leave
without giving you a goodbye kiss?

LEIA: I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee.

HAN: I can arrange that. You could use a good kiss!

       Angrily, Han strides down the corridor as Leia stares after
    him.

183 183

       A familiar stream of beeps and whistles herald the approach
    of Artoo-Detoo and See-Threepio, who appear around a corner
    and move along an ice wall toward the main hangar.

THREEPIO: Don't try to blame me. I didn't ask you to turn on the
thermal heater. I merely commented that it was freezing in the
princess's chamber. But it's supposed to be freezing. How are we going
to dry out all her clothes? I really don't know.

       Artoo beeps a stream of protesting whistles.

THREEPIO: Oh, switch off.

184 184

       The two robots stop at Han Solo's space freighter. Han and
    Chewie are struggling with their central lifters.

HAN: (to Chewie) Why do you take this apart now? I'm trying to get us
out of here and you pull both of these.

       Chewie grumbles in irritation.

THREEPIO: Excuse me, sir.

HAN: (to Chewie) Put them back together right now.

THREEPIO: Might I have a word with you, please?

HAN: What do you want?

THREEPIO: Well, it's Princess Leia, sir. She's been trying to get you
on the communicator.

HAN: I turned it off. I don't want to talk to her.

THREEPIO: Oh. Well, Princess Leia is wondering about Master Luke. He
hasn't come back yet. She doesn't know where he is.

HAN: I don't know where he is.

THREEPIO: Nobody knows where he is.

HAN: What do you mean, "nobody knows"?

       Han glances at the fading light at the entrance of the ice
    cave as night slowly begins to fall on the planet.

THREEPIO: Well, uh, you see...

       Han jumps down off the lift, as Threepio follows him.

HAN: Deck Officer. Deck Officer!

THREEPIO: Excuse me, sir. Might I inqu-...

       Han abruptly puts his hand over Threepio's mouth as the
    deck officer approaches.

DECK OFFICER: Yes, sir?

HAN: Do you know where Commander Skywalker is?

DECK OFFICER: I haven't seen him. It's possible he came in through the
south entrance.

HAN: It's possible? Why don't you go find out? It's getting dark out
there.

DECK OFFICER: Yes, sir.

       The deck officer leaves hurriedly, as Han takes his hand
    off Threepio's mouth.

THREEPIO: Excuse me, sir. Might I inquire what's going on?

HAN: Why not?

THREEPIO: Impossible man. Come along, Artoo, lets find Princess Leia.
Between ourselves, I think Master Luke is in considerable danger.

185 185

       The deck officer and his assistant hurry toward Han as he
    enters the tunnel.

DECK OFFICER: Sir, Commander Skywalker hasn't come in through the
south entrance. He might have forgotten to check in.

HAN: Not likely. Are the speeders ready?

DECK OFFICER: Not yet. We're having some trouble adapting them to the
cold.

HAN: Then we'll have to go out on Tauntauns.

DECK OFFICER: Sir, the temperature's dropping too rapidly.

HAN: That's right. And my friends out in it.

ASSISTANT OFFICER: I'll cover sector twelve. Have com-control set
screen alpha.

       Han pushes through the troops and mounts a Tauntaun.

DECK OFFICER: Your Tauntaun'll freeze before you reach the first
marker.

HAN: Then I'll see you in hell!

       Han maneuvers his mount out of the cave and races into the
    dark bitter night.

186 186

       The jagged face of a huge ice wall sits gloomily in the dim
    twilight of a Hoth day. Luke hangs upside down, ankles frozen
    into icy stalactites, his extended arms within a foot of the
    snow floor. One side of his face is covered in a dried mask of
    frozen blood. He opens his eyes as a chilling moan of the
    hideous ice creature echoes off the gorge walls. Luke pulls
    himself up, grabs hold of his ankles, and futilely tries to
    unfasten the throngs.
       Exhausted, he drops back into his hanging position. As he
    hangs there, he spies his lightsaber lying near a pile of his
    discarded gear, about three feet out of reach.
       He focuses on the saber and, as his hand strains toward the
    weapon, he squeezes his eyes tight in concentration.
       Just as the ice creature looms over Luke, the lightsaber
    jumps into Luke's hand.
       The young warrior instantly ignites his sword, swinging up,
    and cuts himself loose from the ice. He flops to the snow in a
    heap. The startled creature moves back, his giant yellow eyes
    blinking. Luke scrambles to his feet. He swings his lightsaber
    and the beast screams in pain.

187 187

       Luke staggers out of the gorge into the dark and snowy
    twilight. Weak and exhausted, he stumbles down a snow bank.
       A small, lone figure riding a Tauntaun races through the
    hostile vastness of snow and cold. As it runs, the Tauntaun's
    legs kick up large clouds of snow and ice into the snowy air.

188 188

       Artoo stands in the falling snow, beeping worriedly.
    Threepio moves stiffly over to him.

THREEPIO: You must come along now, Artoo. There's really nothing more
we can do. And my joints are freezing up.

       Artoo beeps, long and low.

THREEPIO: Don't say thing like that! Of course we'll see Master Luke
again. He'll be quite all right, you'll see. (to himself) Stupid
little short-circuit. He'll be quite all right.

       Threepio turns to go back inside the main hangar as Artoo
    mournfully keeps his vigil.

189 189

       The wind is blowing quite strong now. Luke struggles to
    stay upright, but a blast of freezing snow knocks him over. He
    struggles to get up, but he can't. The young warrior from
    Tatooine drags himself a couple of feet and then collapses.

190 190

       Princess Leia stands inside the dark entrance to the Rebel
    base, waiting for a sign of the two Rebel heroes. She shivers
    in the cold wind as, nearby, Chewie sits with his head in his
    hands. In the background, Artoo and Threepio move through the
    doors.
       A Rebel lieutenant moves to Major Derlin, an officer
    keeping watch with the princess.

LIEUTENANT: Sir, all the patrols are in. There's still no contact from
Skywalker or Solo.

THREEPIO: Mistress Leia, Artoo says he's been quite unable to pick up
any signals, although he does admit that his own range is far too
weak to abandon all hope.

       Leia nods an acknowledgment, but she is lost in thought.

DERLIN: Your Highness, there's nothing more we can do tonight. The
shield doors must be closed.

       He turns to the lieutenant.

DERLIN: Close the doors.

LIEUTENANT: Yes, sir.

       The lieutenant walks away. Chewie lets out a long, mournful
    howl, somewhat like a coyote. At the same moment, Artoo begins
    a complex series of efficient beeps.

THREEPIO: Artoo says the chances of survival are seven hundred
seventy-five...to one.

       Leia stands praying to herself as the huge metal doors slam
    across the entrance of the ice cave. The loud booms echo
    throughout the huge cavern. Chewie lets out another suffering
    howl.

THREEPIO: Actually, Artoo has been known to make mistakes...from time
to time. Oh, dear, oh, dear. Don't worry about Master Luke. I'm sure
he'll be all right. He's quite clever, you know...for a human being.

191 191

       Luke lies face down in the snow, nearly unconscious. Slowly
    he looks up and sees Ben Kenobi, barely visible through the
    blowing snow. It is hard to tell if Kenobi is real or a
    hallucination.

BEN: Luke...Luke.

LUKE: (weakly) Ben?

BEN: You will go to the Dagobah system.

LUKE: Dagobah system?

BEN: There you will learn from Yoda, the Jedi Master who instructed
me.

       The image of Ben fades, revealing a lone Tauntaun rider
    approaching from the windswept horizon.

LUKE: (groaning faintly) Ben...Ben.

       Luke drops into unconsciousness.
       Han pulls up and leaps off his mount. He hurries to his
    snow-covered friend, cradling him in his arms. Han's Tauntaun
    lets out a low, pitiful bellow. But Han's concern is with
    Luke, and he shakes him urgently.

HAN: Luke! Luke! Don't do this, Luke. Come on, give me a sign here.

       Luke doesn't respond. Han begins frantically rubbing and
    slapping Luke's unconscious face. As he starts to lift the
    youth, Han hears a rasping sound behind him. He turns, just in
    time to see his Tauntaun stagger and then fall over into the
    snow.
       Han carries Luke to the moaning beast. Then, with a final
    groan, the Tauntaun expires.

HAN: Not much time.

       He pushes Luke's inert form against the belly of the dead
    beast.

LUKE: (moaning) Ben...Ben...

HAN: Hang on, kid.

LUKE: Dagobah system...

       Han ignites Luke's saber and cuts the beast from head to
    toe. He quickly tosses it's steaming innards into the snow,
    then lifts Luke's inert form and stuffs him inside the
    carcass.

HAN: (reeling from the odor) Whew...

LUKE: Dagobah...

HAN: This may smell bad, kid...

LUKE: (moaning) Yoda...

HAN: ...but it will keep you warm...til I get the shelter built.
(struggling to get Luke in the carcass) Ooh...I thought they smelled
bad on the outside!

       The wind has picked up considerably, making it difficult to
    move. Han removes a pack from the dead creature's back, taking
    out a shelter container. He begins to set up what can only be
    a pitiful protection against a bitter Hoth night.

192 192

       Four snub-nosed armored snowspeeders race across the white
    landscape.
       There is only one pilot, Zev, in the enclosed two-man
    craft. He concentrates on the scopes which ring his cockpit.
    He hears a low beep from one of his monitors.

ZEV: (into transmitter) Echo Base...I've got something! Not much, but
it could be a life form.

       The small craft banks and makes a slow arc, then races off
    in a new direction.

       The pilot switches over to a new transmitter.

ZEV: (into transmitter) This is Rouge Two. this is Rouge Two. Captain
Solo, so you copy? Commander Skywalker, do you copy? This is Rouge
Two.

       There is a sharp crackle of static, then a faint voice.

HAN: (filtered over Zev's receiver) Good morning. Nice of you guys to
drop by.

ZEV: (switching transmitters) Echo Base...this is Rouge Two. I found
them. Repeat, I found them.

       The small shelter Han set up is covered with snow on the
    windward side. A makeshift antenna rests gingerly on top the
    snowdrift. Han spots Zev's snowspeeder approaching in the
    distance, and begins waving his arms frantically at the tiny
    craft.

193 193

       Strange robot surgeons adjust a mass of electronic
    equipment. A switch is thrown and a sudden blinding flash
    obscures Luke in a bacta tank filled with a thick, gelatinous
    slime. He begins to thrash about, raving in delirium.

194 194

       Luke sits up in a recovery-room bed, weak but smiling. His
    face shows terrible wounds from the Wampa's attack. Threepio
    and Artoo enter the room.

THREEPIO: Master Luke, sir, it's good to see you fully functional
again.

       Artoo beeps his good wishes.

THREEPIO: Artoo expresses his relief, also.

       Han and Chewie make their entrance. The Wookiee growls a
    greeting.

HAN: How are you feeling, kid? You don't look so bad to me. In fact,
you look strong enough to pull the ears off a Gundark.

LUKE: Thanks to you.

HAN: That's two you owe me, junior.

       Han turns as Leia enters the room. He looks at her with a
    big, devilish grin.

HAN: Well your Worship, looks like you managed to keep me around for a
little while longer.

LEIA: (haughtily) I had nothing to do with it. General Rieekan thinks
it's dangerous for any ships to leave the system until we've activated
the energy shield.

HAN: That's a good story. I think you just can't bear to let a
gorgeous guy like me out of your sight.

LEIA: I don't know where you get you delusions, laser brain.

       Chewie is amused; he laughs in his manner. Han, enjoying
    himself, regards Chewie good-humoredly.

HAN: Laugh it up, fuzz ball. But you didn't see us alone in the south
passage.

       Luke sparks to this; he looks at Leia.

HAN: She expressed her true feelings for me.

       Leia is flushed, eyes darting between Luke and Han.

LEIA: My...! Why, you stuck up,...half-witted,...scruffy-looking...
nerf-herder!

HAN: Who's scruffy-looking? (to Luke) I must have hit her pretty close
to the mark to get her all riled up like that, huh, kid?

       Leia looks vulnerable for a moment, then the mask falls
    again, and she focuses on Luke.

LEIA: Why, I guess you don't know everything about women yet?

       With that she leans over and kisses Luke on the lips. Then
    she turns on her heel and walks out, leaving everyone in the
    room slightly dumbstruck. With some smugness, Luke puts his
    hands behind his head and grins.
       Suddenly, in the distance, the muffled sound of an alarm is
    heard.

ANNOUNCER: (over loudspeaker) Headquarters personnel, report to command
center.

       The voice repeats the order and Han, Chewie, Artoo, and
    Threepio hurry out of the room, bidding farewell to Luke.

HAN: Take it easy.

THREEPIO: Excuse us, please.

195 195

       Rieekan looks up grimly from a console screen. He calls
    over to Leia and Han.

RIEEKAN: Princess...we have a visitor.

       The group hurries over to Rieekan.

RIEEKAN: We've picked up something outside the base in zone twelve,
moving east.

SENIOR CONTROLLER: It's metal.

LEIA: Then it couldn't be one of those creatures that attacked Luke.

HAN: It could be a speeder, one of ours.

SENIOR CONTROLLER: No. Wait -- there's something very weak coming
through.

       Threepio steps up to the control panel and listens intently
    to the strange signal.

THREEPIO: Sir, I am fluent in six million forms of communication. This
signal is not used by the Alliance. It could be an Imperial code.

       The transmission ends in static.

HAN: It isn't friendly, whatever it is. Come on, Chewie, let's check
it out.

RIEEKAN: Send Rouges Ten and Eleven to station three-eight.

196 196

       The dark probe robot moves past the smoldering ruins of
    station three-eight and down a ridge toward the Rebel base. It
    raises a large antenna from the top of its head and begins to
    send out a piercing signal.
       The probe droid has spotted Chewbacca who, not thirty feet
    away, has popped his head over a snow bank. Instantly, the
    probe robot swings around, its deadly ray ready to fire. But
    before it can get a shot off, it is hit from behind by a laser
    bolt, and explodes in a million pieces.
       Han Solo replaces his blaster in its holster and peers
    intently at the smoldering remains of the Imperial probe.

197 197

       Leia and Rieekan listen to Han on the comlink.

HAN: (over comlink) Afraid there's not much left.

LEIA: (into comlink) What was it?

HAN: (over comlink) Droid of some kind. I didn't hit it that hard. It
must have had a self-destruct.

LEIA: (into comlink) An Imperial probe droid.

HAN: (over comlink) It's a good bet the Empire knows we're here.

RIEEKAN: We'd better start the evacuation.

198 198

       Darth Vader's Star Destroyer, larger and more awesome than
    the five Imperial Star Destroyers that surround it, sits in
    the vastness of space. The six huge ships are surrounded by a
    convoy of smaller spacecraft. TIE fighters dart to and fro.

199 199

       Controllers working the vast complex of electronic controls
    hear ominous approaching footsteps and look up from their
    controls. The squat, evil-looking Admiral Ozzel and the young,
    powerfully built General Veers, who have been conferring near
    the front, also feel the approaching presence and turn toward
    it. Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith, enters like a chill wind.
    As Vader moves across the wide bridge, Captain Piett hurries
    up to Ozzel.

PIETT: Admiral.

OZZEL: Yes, Captain

PIETT: I think we've got something, sir. The report is only a fragment
from a probe droid in the Hoth system, but it's the best lead we've
had.

OZZEL: (irritated) We have thousands of probe droids searching the
galaxy. I want proof, not leads!

PIETT: The visuals indicate life readings.

OZZEL: It could mean anything. If we followed every lead...

PIETT: But, sir, the Hoth system is supposed to be devoid of human
forms.

       Vader moves to a large screen showing an image of the Rebel
    snow base. Rebel speeders can be seen approaching the base in
    the distance.

VADER: You found something?

PIETT: Yes, my lord.

VADER: (studying the image on the console screen) That's it. The
Rebels are there.

OZZEL: My lord, there are so many uncharted settlements. It could be
smugglers, it could be...

VADER: That is the system. And I'm sure Skywalker is with them. Set
your course for the Hoth system. General Veers, prepare you men.

200 200

       A captain issues instructions to two of his men at the
    entrance to the main transport bay. Several Rebel transports
    behind them are being loaded by men carrying heavy boxes and
    moving quickly, but not in panic.

REBEL CAPTAIN: Groups seven and ten will stay behind to fly the
speeders. As soon as each transport is loaded, evacuation control will
give clearance for immediate launch.

REBEL FIGHTER: Right, sir.

201 201

       Alarms sound. Troops, ground crews, and droids rush to
    their alert stations. Armored snowspeeders are lined up in
    attack formation near the main entrance.
       In the midst of all this activity, Han does some frantic
    welding on the lifters of the Millennium Falcon.
       Han finishes his work and hops down to the hangar floor. He
    pulls out his comlink, all the while eyeing problematic
    lifters.

HAN: (into comlink, to Chewie) Okay, that's it. Try it...Off! Turn it
off! Turn it off! Off!

       Smoke rises from a minor explosion on the lifter.
    Exasperated, Han surveys the new damage.

202 202

       Luke dresses in readiness for the evacuation as his
    attending medical droid stands by.

MEDICAL DROID: Sir, it will take quite awhile to evacuate the T-forty-
sevens.

LUKE: Well, forget the heavy equipment. There's plenty of time to get
the smaller modules on the transports.

MEDICAL DROID: Take care, sir.

LUKE: Thanks.

168 168

       Pilots, gunners, and R2 units scurry about. Luke, pulling
    on his heavy-weather jacket, is headed toward a row of armored
    speeders. He stops at the rear of the Millennium Falcon, where
    Han and Chewie are trying to repair the right lifter with even
    more haste than before.

LUKE: Chewie, take care of yourself, okay?

       As Luke pats Chewie on the arm, Chewie puts his arms around
    Luke and gives him a tight hug. Han is discussing the lifter
    with a repair droid when he sees Luke.

HAN: Hi, kid. (to droid) There's got to be a reason for it. Check it
at the other end. Wait a second. (to Luke) You all right?

LUKE: Yeah.

HAN: Be careful.

LUKE: You, too.

       Luke smiles, then waves at his friend and walks on. After a
    few steps, he stops and looks back. Han glances up and the two
    exchange a silent communication, each wishing the other
    safety, happiness -- many things, all difficult to verbalize.

203 203

       Alarms sound throughout the hidden Rebel base. In the
    control room, a controller urgently gestures for General
    Rieekan to check a computer scan.

CONTROLLER: General, there's a fleet of Star Destroyers coming out of
hyperspace in sector four.

RIEEKAN: Reroute all power to the energy shield. We've got to hold
them till all transports are away. Prepare for ground assault.

       Rieekan exits hurriedly.

204 204

       The dark cubicle is illuminated by a single shaft of light
    which falls on the brooding Dark Lord as he sits on a raised
    meditation cube. General Veers enters the room and approaches
    the silent, unmoving Vader. Although seemingly very sure of
    himself, Veers is still not bold enough to interrupt the
    meditating lord. The younger general stands quietly at
    attention until the evil presence speaks.

VADER: What is it, General?

VEERS: My lord, the fleet has moves out of light-speed. Com-Scan has
detected an energy field protecting an area around the sixth planet of
the Hoth system. The field is strong enough to deflect any
bombardment.

VADER: (angrily) The Rebels are alerted to our presence. Admiral Ozzel
came out of light-speed too close to the system.

VEERS: He felt surprise was wiser...

VADER: He is as clumsy as he is stupid. General, prepare your troops
for a surface attack.

VEERS: Yes, my lord.

       Veers turns smartly and leaves as Vader activates a large
    viewscreen showing the bridge of his mighty ship. Admiral
    Ozzel appears on the viewscreen, standing slightly in front of
    Captain Piett.

OZZEL: Lord Vader, the fleet has moved out of light-speed, and we're
preparing to...Aaagh!

VADER: You have failed me for the last time, Admiral. Captain Piett.

       Piett steps forward, as the admiral moves away, slightly
    confused, touching his throat as it begins to constrict
    painfully.

PIETT: Yes, my lord.

VADER: Make ready to land out troops beyond the energy shield and
deploy the fleet so that nothing gets off that system. You are in
command now, Admiral Piett.

PIETT: Thank you, Lord Vader.

       Piett's pleasure about his unexpected promotion is not an
    unmixed emotion. He glances warily at the struggling Admiral
    Ozzel who, with a final choke, stumbles and falls in a
    lifeless heap before him.

205 205

       With a sense of urgency, Leia quickly briefs a group of
    pilots gathered in the center of the hangar.

LEIA: All troop carriers will assemble at the north entrance. The
heavy transport ships will leave as soon as they're loaded. Only two
fighter escorts per ship. The energy shield can only be opened for a
short time, so you'll have to stay very close to your transports.

HOBBIE: Two fighters against a Star Destroyer?

LEIA: The ion cannon will fire several shots to make sure that any
enemy ships will be out of your flight path. When you've gotten past
the energy shield, proceed directly to the rendezvous point.
Understood?

PILOTS: (in unison) Right. Okay.

LEIA: Good luck.

DERLIN: Okay. Everyone to your stations. Let's go!

       The pilots hurry away.

206 206

       Rebel troops carry heavy bazooka-type weapons and position
    them along the snow trench. Men hurriedly respond to their
    officers' yelled orders and brace themselves against the
    rhythmic gusts of bitter-cold wind.
       Other troops load power packs into a gun turret and swing
    its guns into position.

207 207

       Near the base power generators, troops rush to set up their
    heavy battle equipment. Buzzing loudly, the generators send
    along, sparking fingers of energy into the bitter Hoth wind.

208 208

       The long line of Rebel controllers is tense, as are
    Princess Leia and General Rieekan, who are trying very hard
    not to show any fear.

RIEEKAN: Their primary target will be the power generators. Prepare to
open the shield.

       The Rebel transport and two escort fighters begin their
    departure from the ice planet.

       A huge Imperial Star Destroyer rest against a sea of stars,
    far above the white surface of the planet Hoth.

       An Imperial controller approaches his commander.

CONTROLLER: Sir, Rebel ships are coming into our sector.

CAPTAIN: Good. Our first catch of the day.

209 209

WOMAN CONTROLLER: Stand by, ion control....Fire!

       The giant ball-shaped ion cannon rotates into position and
    blasts two red energy beams skyward.

       The Rebel transport and its escort race away from the white
    planet, closely followed by the two red energy beams.
       As the Rebel transport races toward the waiting Imperial
    Star Destroyer, it is overtaken by the two scarlet energy
    bolts. The Imperial Star Destroyer is hit in the conning tower
    by the powerful bolts, which set up fiery explosions on its
    metal hull.
       The big Star Destroyer veers, then spins wildly out of
    control. As the Imperial ship careers into deep space, the
    Rebel transport races away to safety.

210 210

       Pilots, gunners, and troopers hurry to their stations and
    their vehicles.

ANNOUNCER: (over loudspeaker) The first transport is away.

      Everyone cheers at the announcement, which echoes through
    the hangar. Luke turns and walks on, heading toward his
    snowspeeder. His gunner, Dack, a fresh-faced, eager kid, is
    glad to see him. They climb in.

DACK: Feeling all right, sir?

LUKE: Just like new, Dack. How about you?

DACK: Right now I feel I could take on the whole Empire myself.

LUKE: (quietly, strapping in) I know what you mean.

211 211

       A thin horizon line cuts across the bleak landscape. Small
    dot-size objects begin to appear on the horizon, moving in the
    direction of the Rebel base.
       A Rebel officer lifts a pair of electrobinoculars to his
    eyes. Through the lens he sees a very close view of a giant
    Imperial snow walker. He adjusts the view which then zooms
    back to reveal three more of the ominous battle machines.
    Small flashes of yellow fire billow from the guns of the
    lumbering snow walkers.
       The officer lowers his binoculars as the regular rhythmic
    pounding begins to make the ground vibrate. The pounding grows
    louder and is accompanied by a high-pitched, metallic
    rattling. The officer speaks into his comlink.

TRENCH OFFICER: Echo Station Three-T-Eight.

212 212

       Pilots and gunners race to their waiting snowspeeders. Ice
    and snow begin falling from the walls of the corridor, shaken
    by the pounding Imperial snow walker as they draw ever nearer.

TRENCH OFFICER: (over comlink) We have spotted Imperial walkers!

CONTROLLER: Imperial walkers on the north ridge.

213 213

       The Rebel troops aim their weapons at the horizon as
    explosions erupt all around them. They are nervous and their
    grip on their weapons tightens from the cold and from fear.
       Behind the troops a dozen snowspeeders race through the
    sky.

LUKE: (into comlink) Echo station Five-Seven. We're on our way.

       The fleet of snowspeeders races above the ice field at full
    throttle. They accelerate away from the base and head toward
    the distant walkers.

214 214

LUKE: (into comlink) All right, boys, keep tight now.

DACK: Luke, I have no approach vector. I'm not set.

LUKE: Steady, Dack. Attack pattern delta. Go now!

215 215

       The cannons mounted on the walker head fire at the
    speeders. Other walkers loom in the background. Two speeders
    race away past two of the enormous walkers and bank to the
    right.

LUKE: All right, I'm coming in.

       He turns his speeder and heads directly at one of the
    walkers, flying toward its towering legs. The horizon twists
    as the speeder banks between the legs.

LUKE: (into comlink) Hobbie, you still with me?

216 216

       Two speeders race directly at the head of a walker, then
    split and fly past it.
       Three other walkers march onward, firing all cannons.
       Rebel troops fire on the approaching walkers, as the snow
    and ice explode all around them.
       A speeder banks through and away from the legs of a walker.
    Two other speeders pass the first speeder from the opposite
    direction. Other Rebel craft race just above the icy plain.
       A giant walker head swivels and fires, striking a
    snowspeeder and sending it crashing in a ball of flames.

217 217

       General Veers and two walker pilots keep a careful eye on
    the racing Rebel snowspeeders as they maneuver their lumbering
    war machine forward.
       Luke's speeder banks in from the side of Veers's walker and
    heads straight for its viewport, blasting away. An explosion
    hits the walker window, but dissipates, doing no harm. The
    speeder roars up and over the impregnable war machine.
       Luke looks back at the walker as it grows smaller in the
    distance.

LUKE: That armor's too strong for blasters.

       On the horizon, another walker moves up past Luke's cockpit
    window, twisting out of sight as Luke banks and starts another
    run.

LUKE: (into comlink) Rouge Group, use your harpoons and tow cables. Go
for the legs. It might be our only chance of stopping them. (to Dack)
All right, stand by, Dack.

       Dack is at the gunner's controls.

DACK: Luke, we've got a malfunction in fire control. I'll have to cut
in the auxiliary.

LUKE: Just hang on. Hang on, Dack. Get ready to fire that tow cable.

       Barely keeping his seat in the tumbling ship, Dack struggles
    to set up his harpoon gun.
       Luke swings his speeder around and heads toward an oncoming
    walker. Laser bolts and flak fill the air, creating a deadly
    obstacle course for the tiny craft.

218 218

       Rouge Leader and another snowspeeder fly in tight formation
    toward the walker as explosions burst all around them.
       After sustaining a heavy volley of fire, Luke turns around
    to see if Dack is all right.

LUKE: Dack? Dack!

       Dack is lost. Blood streams down his forehead, which
    rests on his smoldering controls. Out the back window, an
    Imperial walker recedes in the distance.

219 219

       Rebel troops fire the dishlike ray gun while explosions
    erupt around them.
       Two walkers lumber toward the Rebel base as a speeder
    between them explodes in a ball of flames.
       The dislike ray gun is hit by a laser bolt and instantly
    explodes.

220 220

       Through the cockpit window, Veers and his pilot can see the
    Rebel power generators in the distance.
       A hologram of Darth Vader appears on a control panel
    screen.

VEERS: Yes, Lord Vader. I've reached the main power generator. The
shield will be down in moments. You may start your landing.

221 221

LUKE: (into comlink) Rouge Three.

WEDGE: (into comlink) Copy, Rouge Leader

LUKE: (over comlink) Wedge, I've lost my gunner. You'll have to make
this shot. I'll cover for you. Set your harpoon. Follow me on the next
pass.

WEDGE: (into comlink) Coming around, Rouge Leader.

LUKE: (into comlink) Steady, Rouge Two

       Wedge's speeder races through the legs of one of the
    monstrous walkers.

WEDGE: (to gunner) Activate harpoon.

       Wedge's gunner reaches for a firing switch to activate the
    harpoon. The harpoon flashes out, and speeds toward the
    receding legs of the walker.
       The harpoon hurtles toward the walker, In an instant it is
    embedded in one of the walker's legs.

WEDGE: (to gunner) Good shot, Janson.

222 222

       The speeder Rouge Three races around one of the giant
    walker's feet, trailing the cable behind it. Continuing around
    the back foot, Rouge Three then circles the walker around the
    tail end.
       Wedge checks his controls and banks around the front of the
    walker.

WEDGE: One more pass.

JANSON: Coming around. Once more.

       The speeder sweeps left to right in front of the giant
    legs, towing the cable behind it.

JANSON: One more.

       Wedge swings the speeder between the legs of the giant
    walker.

JANSON: Cable out! Let her go!

WEDGE: Detach cable.

       The cable release on the back of the speeder snaps loose
    and the cable drops away.

JANSON: Cable detached.

       The speeder zooms away into the distance. The tangled legs
    of the enormous war machine attempt a step, but as they do the
    giant Imperial walker begins to topple. It teeters for a
    moment, and then crashes onto the icy ground, sending snow and
    metal pieces flying.

223 223

       The troops in the trenches cheer at the sight of the
    crashing walker.
       An officer gives a signal to his men and Rebel troops
    charge the fallen war machine.

TRENCH OFFICER: Come on!

       The troops run toward the downed walker, followed by two
    Rebel speeders flying overhead. Just as they reach the walker,
    it explodes, the impact throwing some of the men onto the
    frozen ground.

       Wedge lets out a triumphant yell, banking his speeder away
    from the fallen walker.

WEDGE: (into comlink) Whooha!! That got him!

LUKE: (into comlink) I see it, Wedge. Good work.

224 224

       Large chunks of ice tumble into the command center as Leia
    and General Rieekan monitor computer screens.

RIEEKAN: I don't think we can protect two transports at a time.

LEIA: It's risky, but we can't hold out much longer. We have no
choice.

RIEEKAN: (into comlink) Launch patrols.

LEIA: (to an aide) Evacuate remaining ground staff.

225 225

       Muffled distant explosions create widening cracks in the
    ice roof of the hangar. Trying to ignore the noise and falling
    bits of snow, Han works on one of the Falcon's lifters while
    Chewie works on one of the wings. Noticing Chewie attach a
    wrong part, Han grows impatient.

HAN: No, no! No! This one goes there, that one goes there. right?

       In another area of the hangar, Threepio watches as Artoo is
    raised up into Luke's X-wing fighter.

THREEPIO: Artoo, you take good care of Master Luke now, understand?
And...do take care of yourself. Oh, dear, oh, dear.

226 226

       The fierce battle on the vast snow plains of Hoth rages on.
    The Imperial walkers continue their slow, steady assault on
    the Rebel base, firing lasers as they lumber ever onward. In
    the snow trench, Rebel troops fire large bazookalike guns and
    dishlike ray guns as explosions erupt around them. A gun tower
    is hit by a laser bolt and instantly explodes. Another blast
    destroys a ray gun.

       General Veers studies various readouts on his control
    panel.

VEERS: All troops will debark for ground assault. Prepare to target
the main generator.

227 227

       Luke's speeder and Rouge Two fly in formation, banking from
    right to left and flying above the erupting battlefield. Flak
    bursts all around them.

       Luke, glancing over, sees Rouge Two on his left. His ship
    shudders as flak bursts nearby.

LUKE: (into comlink) Rouge Two, are you all right?

ZEV: (into comlink) Yeah. I'm with you, Rouge Leader.

LUKE: (into comlink) We'll set harpoon. I'll cover for you.

228 228

       The two speeders race across the horizon toward the giant
    walkers.

ZEV: (into comlink) Coming around.

LUKE: (into comlink) Watch that cross fire, boys.

ZEV: (into comlink) Set for position three. (to gunner) Steady.

LUKE: (over comlink) Stay tight and low.

       Luke's speeder moves in formation with Rouge Two, when
    suddenly Zev's speeder is hit by a laser bolt. His ship bucks
    violently under the impact and the cockpit explodes in a ball
    of flame.
       Spewing smoke, the speeder hurtles toward a looming walker.
    Before they collide. Rouge Two explodes in a million flaming
    pieces.
       Desperately, Luke works the controls of his flak-buffeted
    ship. Suddenly, the speeder is rocked by a huge explosion.
    Luke struggles with the controls with a look of terror on his
    face. The speeder fills with smoke, and electrical sparks jump
    about the cockpit.

LUKE: (into comlink) Hobbie, I've been hit!

230 230

       Apart from the distant thunder of laser blasts, the
    corridor is strangely quiet and empty. Running footsteps echo
    through the freezing hallway, then Han appears. Cracks have
    appeared in some of the walls and some pipes have broken,
    sending hot steam billowing into the underground hallways. Han
    hurries into the command center. It is a shambles, but some
    people are still at their posts. As he enters, a gigantic
    cave-in almost obliterates the room. He finds Leia and
    Threepio near one of the control boards.

HAN: You all right?

       Leia nods. She is surprised to see him.

LEIA: Why are you still here?

HAN: I heard the command center had been hit.

LEIA: You got your clearance to leave.

HAN: Don't worry. I'll leave. First I'm going to get you to your ship.

THREEPIO: Your Highness, we must take this last transport. It's our
only hope.

LEIA: (to controller) Send all troops in sector twelve to the south
slope to protect the fighters.

       A blast rocks the command center, throwing Threepio
    backward into Han's arms.

ANNOUNCER: (over loudspeaker) Imperial troops have entered the base.

HAN: Come on...that's it.

LEIA: (to head controller) Give the evacuation code signal. And get to
your transports!

       Leia looks exhausted. Han grabs her and starts to lead her
    out.
       As Han, Leia, and Threepio run out of the command center,
    the code signal can be heard echoing off the corridor walls.

HEAD CONTROLLER: K-one-zero...all troops disengage.

THREEPIO: (to Han and Leia) Oh! Wait for me!

231 231

       Rebel troops retreat under the awesome Imperial onslaught.

OFFICER: Begin retreat!

SECOND OFFICER: Fall back!

       Troops flee from the battle, the ground exploding around
    them.

       Three of the giant walkers, firing lasers, advance toward
    the Rebel headquarters.

       Continuing their retreat, the Rebels see the walkers
    looming ever nearer.

232 232

       On the battlefield, Luke watches as a walker foot rises and
    moves over him. He looks up at the underbelly of the huge
    walker, passing overhead.
       Running beneath the monstrous machine, Luke fires his
    harpoon gun at the walker's underside. A thin cable follows
    the projectile from the gun. The magnetic head and cable
    attach firmly to the metal hull.
       Still running under the walker, Luke attaches the cable
    drum to his belt buckle. Soon he is pulled up the cable and
    hangs dangling underneath the walker.
       The walker's giant feet continue to pound onward across the
    frozen snow. Stray laser bolts whistle by Luke as he climbs up
    the cable to the walker's hull, reaching a small hatch.
    Hanging precariously, Luke cuts the solid metal hatch with his
    laser sword.
       He takes a landmine from around his neck and throws it
    inside the Imperial machine. Quickly, Luke starts down the
    cable and crashes onto the icy ground far below. He lies
    unconscious as a giant rear leg passes by -- and just misses
    him.
       The giant walker stops in mid-step. A muffled explosion
    comes from within -- and then the walker's mechanical insides
    are spewed out every conceivable opening. The machine sits
    dead in its tracks, smoking like a locomotive on stilts.

233 233

       Veers's walker continues to advance toward the Rebel base.
    The smoldering walker that Luke exploded stands smoking just
    to the right of Veers's path.
       Inside his walker, General Veers prepares to fire on the
    Rebel power generators.

VEERS: Distance to power generators?

PILOT: One-seven, decimal two-eight.

       Veers reaches for the electrorangefinder and lines up the
    main generator.

VEERS: Target. Maximum fire power.

       The Rebel troops continue their desperate retreat, pushed
    back by the relentless Imperial assault.

234 234

       With Threepio lagging behind, Han and Leia race through the
    crumbling ice corridors. Suddenly, there is an explosion. Han
    turns, grabs the princess, and pulls her to the wall as a
    tremendous cave-in blacks their path.
       He takes the comlink from his pocket.

HAN: (into comlink) Transport, this is Solo. Better take off -- I
can't get to you. I'll get the princess out on the Falcon.

       Han and Leia turn and race down the corridor.

THREEPIO: But...but...but...where are you going? Uh...come back!!

235 235

       Imperial troops have reached the base. As they push through
the blocked passageway, Darth Vader strides behind them.

       Han and Leia run toward the entrance of the main hangar
    where the Millennium Falcon is docked. Threepio still lags
    behind.

THREEPIO: Wait! Wait for me! Wait! Stop!

       The door to the hangar closes in his face.

THREEPIO: (exasperated) How typical.

       Quickly, the door reopens as Han reaches out and pulls the
    golden droid through.

HAN: Come on.

236 236

       Chewie paces under the shelter of the Millennium Falcon's
    landing gear. The giant Wookiee pats the underbelly of his
    beloved ship and barks a few reassuring words. As he searches
    worriedly for his captain, something at last catches his eye.
       Chewie lets out a relieved shriek at seeing Han and Leia
    running toward the ship. The Wookiee runs out into the
    falling ice, lets out a howl, then runs up the ship's ramp.
    Han and Leia run up the ramp after him, closely followed by
    Threepio.

HAN: Hurry up, goldenrod, or you're going to be a permanent resident!

THREEPIO: Wait! Wait!

       Imperial troops run through the base corridors. Vader
    surveys the place. A huge chunk falls, almost hitting him, but
    he calmly, purposefully, continues around it.
       A distant, huge, explosion rocks the hangar deck. Ice cakes
    come crashing down on the Millennium Falcon.
       Han, standing before a control panel, is busy flipping
    switches as Chewie watches a troublesome gauge. A worried Leia
    observes their efforts.

HAN: (to Chewie) How's this?

       The Wookiee barks a negative reply.

LEIA: Would it helped if I got out and pushed?

HAN: It might.

       Threepio clanks into the hold.

THREEPIO: Captain Solo, Captain Solo...sir, might I suggest that
you...

       Han gives the gold robot a devastating look.

THREEPIO: It can wait.

237 237

       They move to the cockpit where Han flips some more
    switches. Leia watches him, impatient, disbelieving.

LEIA: The bucket of bolts is never going to get us past that blockade.

HAN: This baby's got a few surprises left in her, sweetheart.

       Han and Leia look out the cockpit window and see a squad of
    stormtroopers rushing into the far side of the hangar.
       Quickly, Han straps himself into the pilot's seat and Leia
    into the navigator's chair.
       Stormtroopers hurriedly set up a large bazookalike weapon.
    Behind them the giant hangar doors open slowly.
       A laser gun appears on the Falcon and swings around to aim
    at the Imperial troops.
       The stormtroopers, preparing to fire their bazooka cannon,
    are hit by the Falcon's fire and are thrown about in all
    directions.
       Chewie rushes into the cockpit.

HAN: Come on! Come on! Switch over. Let's hope we don't have a
burnout.

       A laser hits the window near Chewie as he is settling into
    his chair. Letting out a loud whelp, Chewie quickly pulls back
    on the controls and the first stage of engine fire can be
    heard. Han flashes a big grin at Leia.

HAN: See?

LEIA: Someday you're going to be wrong, and I hope I'm there to see it.

       Han looks at Chewie.

HAN: Punch it!

       The roar of the Falcon's main engines blasts out everything
    as the ice-cave wall rushes by outside the cockpit window.

238 238

       More stormtroopers run into the hangar, closely followed by
    Vader. Hearing the loud roar of the Millennium Falcon's
    engines, Vader looks toward the main hangar doors just in time
    to see the Falcon lift up and disappear outside the cave.
       Luke and two other pilots look up as the Millennium Falcon
    races above them, flying very close to the ground.
       The three pilots turn then, and trudge onward toward their
    X-wing fighters, each going to his own ship. Luke waves
    farewell, then heads toward his own fighter.
       Artoo, seated on his cubbyhole, chirps an excited greeting
    as Luke climbs aboard the spacecraft.

LUKE: Artoo! Get her ready for takeoff.

       From his ship, Luke sees Wedge in his own X-wing, preparing
    for takeoff.

WEDGE: Good luck, Luke. See you at the rendezvous.

       Luke smiles and nods at Wedge, then lowers himself into the
    cockpit of his X-wing while Artoo waits in the cubbyhole,
    beeping impatiently.

LUKE: Don't worry, Artoo. We're going, we're going.

       The canopy over the X-wing lowers and snaps shut.

239 239

       Luke's fighter, its wings closed, speeds away from the icy
    planet. Soon it disappears into the stars.
       Luke, looking thoughtful, suddenly makes a decision. He
    flips several switches. The stars shift as he takes his
    fighter into a steep turn. The X-wing banks sharply and flies
    away in a new direction.
       The monitor screen on Luke's control panel prints out a
    question from the concerned Artoo.

LUKE: (into comlink) There's nothing wrong, Artoo. I'm just setting a
new course.

       Artoo beeps once again.

LUKE: (into comlink) We're not going to regroup with the others.

       Artoo begins a protest, whistling an unbelieving, "What?!"
       Luke reads Artoo's exclamation on his control panel.

LUKE: (into comlink) We're going to the Dagobah system.

       Luke checks his readouts and makes a few adjustments. He
    rides along with only the soft hum of the instruments to break
    the silence. Finally, Artoo chirps up.

LUKE: (into comlink) Yes, Artoo?

       Artoo utters a soft, carefully phrased steam of whistles.

LUKE: (into comlink, chuckling) That's all right. I'd like to keep it
on manual control for a while.

       The little droid lets out a defeated whimper. Luke smiles,
    and continues on his course.

240 240

       The Millennium Falcon speeds away from Hoth, closely
    followed by one huge Star Destroyer and four tiny TIE
    fighters.
       As it is pursued, the Falcon races toward two very bright
    star-sized objects.
       Inside the cockpit, Chewie lets out a loud howl. Han checks
    as the ship is buffeted by exploding flak. He appears to be
    doing six things at once.

HAN: (harried) I saw them! I saw them!

LEIA: Saw what?

HAN: Star Destroyers, two of them, coming right at us.

       Threepio bumps and bangs his way into the cockpit.

THREEPIO: Sir, sir! Might I suggest...

HAN: (to Leia) Shut him up or shut him down! (to Chewie) Check the
deflector shield!

       Chewie barks a reply as he readjusts an overhead switch.

HAN: Oh, great. Well, we can still outmaneuver them.

241 241

       The Millennium Falcon races toward one of the huge oncoming
    Star Destroyers. Suddenly, the Falcon starts into a deep dive
    straight down, closely followed by four TIE fighters. The
    underside of the Star Destroyer continues on a collision
    course with two oncoming Star Destroyers. Slowly, it starts
    to veer to the left.

       Out the front window, the two approaching Star Destroyers
    can be seen veering to the left.

IMPERIAL OFFICER: Take evasive action!

       Alarms sound all over the huge ship. The two other Star
    Destroyers get closer, one of them moving over the bridge so
    close that it makes brushing contact with it.
       The Millennium Falcon races away from the colliding Star
    Destroyers, still followed by four TIE fighters. Laser bolts
    spark the pitch-black skies.

242 242

       Things have calmed down a bit, but the race isn't over yet.
    Chewie barks at Han. Leia is still trying to recover from the
    steep dive. The ship is buffeted by laser blasts.

HAN: Prepare to make the jump to light-speed.

THREEPIO: But, sir!

       The buffeting of lasers becomes louder and stronger.

LEIA: They're getting closer!

HAN: (with a gleam in his eye) Oh yeah? Watch this.

       Expectantly, they look out the cockpit window as stars do
    not go into hyperspace, but just sit there.
       Han and Chewie look at each other and are thrown into an
    acute state of concern.

LEIA: Watch what?

       Han tries again. Still nothing.

HAN: I think we're in trouble.

THREEPIO: If I may say so, sir, I noticed earlier the hyperdrive
motivator has been damaged. It's impossible to go to light-speed!

HAN: We're in trouble!

       The explosions become heavier.

       The Falcon races into the starry vastness, followed by the
    four Imperial TIE fighters and an Imperial Star Destroyer.

       Stars race by as flak bursts outside the Falcon's window.

243 243

       Han works furiously at some control panels while giving
    various orders to Chewie.

HAN: Horizontal boosters...!

       (Chewie barks)

HAN: Alluvial dampers...! Well that's not it.

       (Chewie barks)

HAN: Bring me the hydrospanners!

       Chewie hurries over to the pit and places the tools on the
    edge.

HAN: I don't know how we're going to get out of this one.

       Suddenly, a loud thump hits the side of the Falcon,
    causing it to lurch radically. Chewie barks. The tools fall
    into the pit on top of Han.

HAN: Oww! Chewie!

       More turbulence rocks the ship.

HAN: That was no laser blast! Something hit us.

LEIA: (over comlink) Han, get up here!

HAN: Come on, Chewie!

       Han climbs out of the hold like a shot. Both he and Chewie
    run out of the hold and toward the cockpit.

244 244

       Out the front cockpit window, they see hundreds of
    asteroids racing by.

LEIA: Asteroids!

       Han changes places with Leia who has been at the controls,
    and Chewie gets into his chair. Han works his controls as a
    chunk of rock crosses in front of the ship.

HAN: Oh, no! Chewie, set two-seven-one.

LEIA: What are you doing? You're not actually going into an asteroid
field?

HAN: They'd be crazy to follow us, wouldn't they?

       Another asteroid thumps against the ship and Leia winces at
    the jolt.

LEIA: You don't have to do this to impress me.

THREEPIO: Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid
field is approximately three thousand, seven hundred and twenty to one.

HAN: Never tell me the odds!

245 245

       The Falcon turns into the asteroid storm and as the ship
    completes its turn, asteroids start coming straight at the
    cockpit windows.
       A large asteroid tumbles away from the Falcon's path at top
    speed. Several smaller asteroids crash into the big one,
    creating small explosions on its surface. Other asteroids of
    all sizes pass by in every direction, some colliding and
    exploding. The tiny Millennium Falcon veers around the big
    asteroid and races past it through the rain of rocks, followed
    by four TIE fighters, which bob and weave around the
    asteroids.
       One of the pursuing TIE fighters connects with an asteroid
    and explodes. The other fighters are pelted with a steady
    stream of smaller explosions.
       Two huge asteroids tumble toward the Millennium Falcon,
    which quickly banks around both of them. The three TIE
    fighters follow in hot pursuit until one of the fighters
    scrapes an asteroid and tumbles out of control into deep
    space.
       The Falcon twists on its side as it races around an
    oncoming asteroid. Two TIE fighters follow in the distance,
    coming from either side.
       Asteroids race by the cockpit window as Han pilots his
    trusty craft through the dangerous field.
       Looking out the cockpit window, the Falcon crew sees a big
    asteroid drop past the window, narrowly missing their ship.
       Chewie barks in terror as a slightly smaller asteroid comes
    especially close -- to close -- and bounces off the Falcon
    with a loud crunch. Threepio's hands cover his eyes. He
    manages a short peek at the cockpit window. Princess Leia sits
    stone-faced, staring at the action. Han gives her a quick
    look.

HAN: You said you wanted to be around when I made a mistake; well,
this could be it, sweetheart.

LEIA: I take it back. We're going to get pulverized if we stay out
here much longer.

       The group watches as more asteroids race by outside the
    window.

HAN: I'm not going to argue with that.

THREEPIO: Pulverized?

HAN: I'm going in closer to one of the big ones.

LEIA: Closer?

THREEPIO: Closer?!

       Chewbacca barks the same word, only louder.

246 246

       The Millennium Falcon dives toward the surface of one of
    the moon-sized asteroids. There is a continued display of
    explosions against the starry void as smaller asteroids
    collide with larger chunks of rock. The two remaining TIE
    fighters follow the Falcon to the large asteroid. The Falcon
    skims the surface of the giant asteroid as, all the while,
    small asteroids explode on the surface of the ship.
       The TIE fighters approach the Falcon, but a giant asteroid
    hurtles directly into their path. As the asteroid continues on
    its way, it leaves remains of the two exploded TIE fighters to
    tumble into deep space.
       Rattled by the violent rocking of the starship, Threepio is
    nearly in hysterics.

THREEPIO: Oh, this is suicide!

       Han notices something on his main scope and nudges his
    faithful Wookiee, pointing.

HAN: There. That looks pretty good.

LEIA: What looks pretty good?

HAN: Yeah. That'll do nicely.

THREEPIO: (to Leia) Excuse me, ma'am, but where are we going?

       Out the cockpit window, they see that they are skimming the
    surface of the enormous asteroid and nearing a large crater.
       The Millennium Falcon dives into the huge crater and
    disappears.

LEIA: I hope you know what you're doing.

HAN: Yeah, me too.

       The Falcon races down into the crater. The walls are barely
    visible as the ship speed through the tunnellike opening. A
    small cave appears on one side of the crater, and the Falcon
    turns, slows, and scoots into it.

247 247

       The tiny X-wing speeds toward the cloud cover of Dagobah.
    Artoo, riding on the back of the fighter, turns his head back
    and forth with some anxiety.

       Luke watches Artoo's words as they are translated and
    screened on the computer scope.

LUKE: (into comlink) Yes, that's it. Dagobah.

       Artoo beeps a hopeful inquiry.

LUKE: (into comlink) No, I'm not going to change my mind about this.
(getting a little nervous) I'm not picking up any cities or
technology. Massive life-form readings, though. There's something
alive down there...

       Artoo beeps, this time a slightly worried question.

LUKE: (into comlink) Yes, I'm sure it's perfectly safe for droids.

248 248

       The X-wing continues its flight through the twilight above
    the cloud-covered planet.

       Luke sees the cloud race by as he takes his craft closer
    to the planet. He must operate his controls carefully since
    the cloud cover has completely obscured his vision. An alarm
    buzzes in the background, Artoo beeps and whistles
    frantically.

LUKE: (into comlink) I know, I know! All the scopes are dead. I can't
see a thing! Just hang on, I'm going to start the landing cycle...

       The blast of the retrorockets is deafening, drowning out
    Artoo's electronic squeals. Suddenly, there is a cracking
    sound as if limbs were being broken off trees and then a
    tremendous jolt as the spacecraft stops. Luke pulls a switch
    and his canopy pops open.

249 249

       The mist-shrouded X-wing fighter is almost invisible in the
    thick fog. Luke climbs out onto the long nose of the
    spacecraft as Artoo pops out of his cubbyhole on the back. The
    young warrior surveys the fog, which is barely pierced by the
    ship's landing lights. About all he can make out are some
    giant, twisted trees nearby. Artoo whistles anxiously.

LUKE: No, Artoo, you stay put. I'll have a look around.

       Artoo lets out a short beep. As Luke moves along the nose,
    Artoo loses his balance and disappears with a splash into the
    boggy lake.

LUKE: Artoo?

       Luke kneels and leans over the plane looking for Artoo, but
    the water is still and reveals no sign of the little droid.

LUKE: Artoo! Where are you?

       A small periscope breaks the surface of the water and a
    gurgly beep is heard. The periscope starts to move to shore.
    Relieved, Luke starts running along the nose of the fighter to
    its tip.

LUKE: Artoo! You be more careful.

       The outline of the shore is now more than ten feet away.
    Luke jumps off the plane into the water, scrambles up to the
    shore, and turns to look for Artoo. The periscope still
    steadily moves toward shore.

LUKE: Artoo -- that way!

       Suddenly, through the thick fog layer, a dark shape
    appears, moving toward the little droid. The dark, sinuous bog
    beast dives beneath the swampy water, making a loud clunk
    against Artoo's metal hull. The droid disappears from sight,
    uttering a pathetic electronic scream.
       Holding his ignited lightsaber before him, Luke wades a few
    feet into the murky pool, looking for any sign of his little
    friend.

LUKE: Artoo!

       The black surface is still as death itself...until a few
    bubbles begin to appear. Then, phheewaat!! The runt-size robot
    is spit out of the water, makes a graceful arc, and comes
    crashing down into a patch of soft gray moss.

LUKE: Oh, no! Are you all right? Come on. You're lucky you don't taste
very good. Anything broken?

       Luke helps Artoo to his feet and begins wiping the mud and
    roots from his round metal body. Artoo responds with feeble,
    soggy beeps.

LUKE: If you're saying coming here was a bad idea, I'm beginning to
agree with you. Oh, Artoo, what are we doing here? It's like...
something out of a dream, or, I don't know. Maybe I'm just going
crazy.

       As Luke glances around at the spooky swamp jungle that
    surrounds him, Artoo ejects a stream of muddy water from one
    of his cranial ports.

250 250

       Admiral Piett hesitates in the entryway to Vader's private
    cubicle. After a moment, he steps into the room and pauses at
    the surprising sight before him.
       Darth Vader, his back turned, is silhouetted in the gloom
    on the far side of the chamber. A black, insectlike droid
    attends him. Among the various apparatuses surrounding them, a
    respirator tube now retracts from Vader's uncovered head. The
    head is bald with a mass of ugly scar tissue covering it. The
    black droid then lowers the mask and helmet onto Vader's head.
    When it is in place, the Dark Lord turns to face Piett.

VADER: Yes, Admiral?

PIETT: Our ships have sighted the Millennium Falcon, lord. But...it
has entered an asteroid field and we cannot risk...

VADER: (interrupting) Asteroids do not concern me, Admiral. I want
that ship and not excuses.

PIETT: Yes, lord.

251 251

       The pirate starship rests in a dark, dripping asteroid
    cave. It is so dark that the cave's exact dimensions are
    impossible to determine.

       Han and Chewie busily shut down the engine and all
    electronic systems. Threepio and Leia watch worriedly.

HAN: I'm going to shut down everything but the emergency power
systems.

THREEPIO: Sir, I'm almost afraid to ask, but...does that include
shutting me down, too?

       Chewie barks "yes". But Han thinks otherwise.

HAN: No, I need you to talk to the Falcon, find out what's wrong with
the hyperdrive.

       Suddenly, the ship lurches, causing all the loose items in
    the cockpit to go flying. Chewie howls.

THREEPIO: Sir, it's quite possible this asteroid is not entirely
stable.

HAN: Not entirely stable? I'm glad you're here to tell us these
things.  Chewie, take the professor in the back and plug him into the
hyperdrive.

THREEPIO: Oh! Sometimes I just don't understand human behavior. After
all, I'm only trying to do my job in the most...

       The sliding door closes behind the indignant Threepio as
    Chewie and he move back to the hold. Suddenly, the ship
    lurches again, throwing Leia across the cabin into Han's arms.
    Then, abruptly, the motion stops as suddenly as it started.
    With some surprise, Han and Leia realize they are in each
    other's arms.

LEIA: Let go.

HAN: Sshh!

LEIA: Let go, please.

       Leia flushes, averting her eyes. She's not exactly fighting
    to get free. But, of course, Han blows it...

HAN: Don't get excited.

       The anger rises in Leia.

LEIA: Captain, being held by you isn't quite enough to get me excited.

HAN: Sorry, sweetheart. We haven't got time for anything else.

       Han grins quickly wickedly at Leia as he turns and exits
    through the door. Leia's confused emotions show clearly on her
    lovely face.

252 252

       The mist has dispersed a bit, but it is still a very
    gloomy-looking swamp.
       Luke pulls an equipment box from the shore to the clearing.
    He ignites a little fusion furnace and warms his hands before
    it. Taking a power cable, he plugs it into Artoo's noselike
    socket.

LUKE: Ready for some power? Okay. Let's see now. Put that in there.
There you go.

       The droid whistles his appreciation. Luke then opens a
    container of processed food and sits before the thermal
    heater.

LUKE: (sighs) Now all I have to do is find this Yoda...if he even
exists.

       Nervously, he looks around at the foreboding jungle.

LUKE: Still...there's something familiar about this place. I feel
like...I don't know...

STRANGE VOICE: Feel like what?

       Luke jumps out of his skin. Artoo screeches in terror. The
    young warrior grabs for his lightsaber as he spins around,
    looking for the speaker. Mysteriously standing right in front
    of Luke is a strange, bluish creature, not more than two feet
    tall. The wizened little thing is dressed in rags. It motions
    toward Luke's sword.

LUKE: (looking at the creature) Like we're being watched!

CREATURE: Away with your weapon! I mean you no harm.

       After some hesitation, Luke puts away his weapon, although
    he really doesn't understand why. Artoo watches with interest.

CREATURE: I am wondering, why are you here?

LUKE: I'm looking for someone.

CREATURE: Looking? Found someone, you have, I would say, hmmm?

       The little creature laughs.

LUKE: (Trying to keep from smiling) Right.

CREATURE: Help you I can. Yes, mmmm.

LUKE: I don't think so. I'm looking for a great warrior.

CREATURE: Ahhh! A great warrior. (laughs and shakes his head) Wars not
make one great.

       With the aid of a walking stick, the tiny stranger moves
    over to one of the cases of supplies. He begins to rummage
    around.
       Artoo moves to the edge of the case -- standing almost eye
    level to the creature who is carelessly handling the supplies
    -- and squeaks his disapproval.
       Their tiny visitor pick up the container of food Luke was
    eating from and takes a bite.

LUKE: Put that down. Hey! That's my dinner.

       The creature spits out the bite he has taken. He makes a
    face.

CREATURE: How you get so big, eating food of this kind?

       He flips the container in Luke's direction and reaches into
    one of Luke's supply cases.

LUKE: Listen, friend, we didn't mean to land in that puddle, and if we
could get our ship out, we would, but we can't, so why don't you
just...

CREATURE: (teasing) Aww, cannot get your ship out?

       The creature spots something of interest in Luke's case.
    Luke loses patience and grabs the case away. The creature
    retains his prize -- a tiny power lamp -- and examines it with
    delight.

LUKE: Hey, you could have broken this. Don't do that. Ohhh...you're
making a mess. Hey, give me that!

CREATURE: (retreating with the lamp) Mine! Or I will help you not.

       Clutching its treasure, the creature backs away from Luke,
    drawing closer to Artoo. As Luke and the creature argue, one
    of Artoo's little arms slowly moves out toward the power lamp,
    completely unnoticed by the creature.

LUKE: I don't want your help. I want my lamp back. I'll need it to get
out of this slimy mudhole.

CREATURE: Mudhole? Slimy? My home this is.

       Artoo grabs hold of the lamp and the two little figures are
    immediately engaged in a tug-of-war over it.
       Artoo beeps a few angry, "Give me thats."

CREATURE: Ah, ah, ah!

LUKE: Oh, Artoo, let him have it.

CREATURE: Mine! Mine!

LUKE: Artoo!

CREATURE: Mine!

       The creature lets go with one hand and pokes Artoo lightly
    with one finger. Artoo reacts with a startled squeal, and lets
    go.

CREATURE: Mine!

LUKE: (fed up) Now will you move along, little fella? We're got a lot
of work to do.

CREATURE: No! No, no! Stay and help you, I will. (laughs) Find your
friend, hmm?

LUKE: I'm not looking for a friend, I'm looking for a Jedi Master.

CREATURE: Oohhh. Jedi Master. Yoda. You seek Yoda.

LUKE: You know him?

CREATURE: Mmm. Take you to him, I will. (laughs) Yes, yes. But now, we
must eat. Come. Good food. Come.

       With that, the creature scurries out of the clearing,
    laughing merrily. Luke stares after him. All he sees is the
    faint light from the small power lamp moving through the fog.
    Luke makes his decision and starts after the creature.

CREATURE: (in the distance) Come, come.

       Artoo, very upset, whistles a blue streak of protest.

LUKE: Stay here and watch after the camp, Artoo.

       Artoo beeps even more frantically. But as Luke disappears
    from view, the worried little droid grows quieter, and utters
    a soft electronic sigh.

253 253

       Threepio whistles and beeps a strange dialect into the
    control panel in front of him. The control panel whistles back
    a few mystifying beeps.

THREEPIO: Oh, where is Artoo when I need him?

       Han enters the hold area and kneels on the floor near the
    control box.

THREEPIO: Sir, I don't know where your ship learned to communicate,
but it has the most peculiar dialect. I believe, sir, it says that the
power coupling on the negative axis has been polarized. I'm afraid
you'll have to replace it.

HAN: Well, of course I'll have to replace it.

       He hands a wire coil up to Chewie who is working near the
    ceiling.

HAN: Here! And Chewie...

       Chewie brings his head back through the trap door in the
    ceiling and whines. Han glances back at Threepio, then speaks
    quietly to Chewie so only he can hear.

HAN: (continued)...I think we'd better replace the negative power
coupling.

       Leia finishes welding the valves she has been working on
    and attempts to reengage the system by pulling a lever
    attached to the valve. It doesn't budge. Han notices her
    struggle, and moves to help her. She rebuffs him.

HAN: Hey, Your Worship, I'm only trying to help.

LEIA: (still struggling) Would you please stop calling me that?

       Han hears a new tone in her voice. He watches her pull on
    the lever.

HAN: Sure, Leia.

LEIA: Oh, you make it so difficult sometimes.

HAN: I do, I really do. You could be a little nicer, though. (he
watches her reaction) Come on, admit it. Sometimes you think I'm all
right.

       She lets go of the lever and rubs her sore hand.

LEIA: Occasionally (a little smile, haltingly) maybe...when you aren't
acting like a scoundrel.

HAN: (laughs) Scoundrel? Scoundrel? I like the sound of that.

       With that, Han takes her hand and starts to massage it.

LEIA: Stop that.

HAN: Stop what?

       Leia is flushes, confused.

LEIA: Stop that! My hands are dirty.

HAN: My hands are dirty, too. What are you afraid of?

LEIA: (looking right into his eyes) Afraid?

       Han looks at her with a piercing look. He's never looked
    more handsome, more dashing, more confident. He reaches out
    slowly and takes Leia's hand again from where it is resting
    on a console. He draws it toward him.

HAN: You're trembling.

LEIA: I'm not trembling.

       Then with an irresistible combination of physical strength
    and emotional power, the space pirate begins to draw Leia
    toward him...very slowly.

HAN: You like me because I'm a scoundrel. There aren't enough
scoundrels in your life.

       Leia is now very close to Han and as she speaks, her voice
    becomes an excited whisper, a tone completely in opposition to
    her words.

LEIA: I happen to like nice men.

HAN: I'm a nice man.

LEIA: No, you're not. You're...

       He kisses her now, with slow, hot lips. He takes his time,
    as though he had forever, bending her body backward. She has
    never been kissed like this before, and it almost makes her
    faint. When he stops, she regains her breath and tries to work
    up some indignation, but finds it hard to talk.
       Suddenly, Threepio appears in the doorway, speaking
    excitedly.

THREEPIO: Sir, sir! I've isolated the reverse power flux coupling.

       Han turns slowly, icily, from their embrace.

HAN: Thank you. Thank you very much.

THREEPIO: Oh, you're perfectly welcome, sir.

       The moment spoiled, Han marches out after Threepio.

254 254

       The Imperial fleet moves through the asteroid-filled void,
    intently seeking its prey.
       Asteroids collide, creating a fireworks display outside the
    bridge window. Darth Vader stands, staring out the window
    above the control deck. Then slowly turns toward the bridge.
    Before him are the hologram images of twenty battleship
    commanders. One of these images, the commander of a ship that
    has just exploded, is fading away quickly. Another image, in
    the center and a little apart from the others, is faded and
    continually disrupted by static. It is the image of Captain
    Needa, commander of the Star Destroyer most hotly on the tail
    of the Millennium Falcon. Admiral Piett and an aide stand
    behind the Dark Lord.

NEEDA: (in hologram)...and that, Lord Vader, was the last time they
appeared in any of our scopes. Considering the amount of damage we've
sustained, they must have been destroyed.

VADER: No, Captain, they're alive. I want every ship available to
sweep the asteroid field until they are found.

       The Imperial star captains fade out one by one as Vader
    turns to Admiral Piett.

PIETT: Lord Vader.

VADER: Yes, Admiral, what is it?

       The admiral is scared, his face white as a sheet.

PIETT: The Emperor commands you make contact with him.

VADER: Move the ship out of the asteroid field so that we can send a
clear transmission.

PIETT: Yes, my lord.

       Vader's Imperial Star Destroyer moves against the vast sea
    of stars away from the rest of the fleet.

255 255

       The Dark Lord, Darth Vader, is alone in his chamber. A
    strange sound enters the room and a light begins to play
    across Vader's black figure. He looks up and bows quickly.
       A twelve-foot hologram of the Galactic Emperor materializes
    before Vader. The Emperor's dark robes and monk's hood are
    reminiscent of the cloak worn by Ben Kenobi. His voice is even
    deeper and more frightening than Vader's.

VADER: What is thy bidding, my master?

EMPEROR: There is a great disturbance in the Force.

VADER: I have felt it.

EMPEROR: We have a new enemy -- Luke Skywalker.

VADER: Yes, my master.

EMPEROR: He could destroy us.

VADER: He's just a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him.

EMPEROR: The Force is strong with him. The son of Skywalker must not
become a Jedi.

VADER: If he could be turned, he would become a powerful ally.

EMPEROR: Yes. Yes. He would be a great asset. Can it be done?

VADER: He will join us or die, my master.

       Vader kneels. The supreme Emperor passes a hand over the
    crouched Lord of the Sith and fades away.

256 256

       A heavy downpour of rain pounds through the gnarled trees.
    A strange baroque mud house sits on a moss-covered knoll on
    the edge of a small lagoon. The small, gnomish structure
    radiates a warm glow from its thick glass windows. As rain
    tap-dances a merry tune on Artoo's head, the stubby little
    droid rises up on his tip-toes to peek into one of the glowing
    portals.
       Artoo, peeking in the window, sees the inside of the house
    -- a very plain, but cozy dwelling. Everything is in the same
    small scale as the creature. The only thing out of place in
    the miniature room is Luke, whose height makes the four-foot
    ceiling seem even lower. He sits cross-legged on the floor of
    the living room.
       The creature is in an adjoining area -- his little kitchen
    -- cooking up an incredible meal. The stove is a steaming
    hodgepodge of pots and pans. The wizened little host scurries
    about chopping this, shredding that, and showering everything
    with exotic herbs and spices. He rushes back and forth putting
    platters on the table in front of Luke, who watches the
    creature impatiently.

257 257

LUKE: Look, I'm sure it's delicious. I just don't understand why we
can't see Yoda now.

CREATURE: Patience! For the Jedi it is time to eat as well. Eat, eat.
Hot. Good food, hm? Good, hmm?

       Moving with some difficulty in the cramped quarters, Luke
    sits down near the fire and serves himself from the pot.
    Tasting the unfamiliar concoction, he is pleasantly surprised.

LUKE: How far away is Yoda? Will it take us long to get there?

CREATURE: Not far. Yoda not far. Patience. Soon you will be with him.
(tasting food from the pot) Rootleaf, I cook. Why wish you become
Jedi? Hm?

LUKE: Mostly because of my father, I guess.

CREATURE: Ah, your father. Powerful Jedi was he, powerful Jedi, mmm.

LUKE: (a little angry) Oh, come on. How could you know my father? You
don't even know who I am. (fed up) Oh, I don't even know what I'm
doing here. We're wasting our time.

       The creature turns away from Luke and speaks to a third
    party.

CREATURE: (irritated) I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience.

       Luke's head spins in the direction the creature faces. But
    there is no one there. The boy is bewildered, but it gradually
    dawns on him that the little creature is Yoda, the Jedi
    Master, and that he is speaking with Ben.

BEN'S VOICE: He will learn patience.

YODA: Hmmm. Much anger in him, like his father.

BEN'S VOICE: Was I any different when you taught me?

YODA: Hah. He is not ready.

LUKE: Yoda! I am ready. I...Ben! I can be a Jedi. Ben, tell him I'm
ready.

       Trying to see Ben, Luke starts to get up but hits his head
    on the low ceiling.

YODA: Ready, are you? What know you of ready? For eight hundred years
have I trained Jedi. My own counsel will I keep on who is to be
trained! A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious
mind. (to the invisible Ben, indicating Luke) This one a long time
have I watched. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was
doing. Hmph. Adventure. Heh! Excitement. Heh! A Jedi craves not these
things. (turning to Luke) You are reckless!

       Luke looks down. He knows it is true.

BEN'S VOICE: So was I, if you'll remember.

YODA: He is too old. Yes, too old to begin the training.

       Luke thinks he detects a subtle softening in Yoda's voice.

LUKE: But I've learned so much.

       Yoda turns his piercing gaze on Luke, as though the Jedi
    Master's huge eyes could somehow determine how much the boy
    had learned. After a long moment, the little Jedi turns toward
    where he alone sees Ben.

YODA: (sighs) Will he finished what he begins?

LUKE: I won't fail you -- I'm not afraid.

YODA: (turns slowly toward him) Oh, you will be. You will be.

258 258

       The Imperial fleet around Vader's ship is surrounded by the
    asteroid storm. Asteroids big and small pelt the vast
    exteriors of the menacing ships. One of the smaller Imperial
    vessels is hit by a huge asteroid and explodes in a brilliant
    flash of light.

259 259

       The cockpit is quiet and lit only by the indicator lights
    on the control panel. Princess Leia sits in the pilot's seat.
    She runs her hand across the control panel as she thinks of
    Han and the confusion he has created within her. Suddenly,
    something outside the cockpit window catches her eye. The
    reflection of the panel lights obscures her vision until a
    soft suctionlike cup attaches itself to the windscreen. Leia
    moves closer to see what it might be. Large, yellow eyes flash
    open and stare back at her. Startled, she jumps back into her
    seat, her heart pounding. There is a scurry of feet and a loud
    screech, and in an instant the eyes are gone. The young
    princess catches her breath, jumps out of her chair, and races
    from the cockpit.
       The lights go bright for a second then out again. Threepio
    and Chewbacca watch as Han finishes with some wires.

THREEPIO: Sir, if I may venture an opinion...

HAN: I'm not really interested in your opinion, Threepio.

       Leia rushes into the cabin just as Han drops the final
    floor panel into place.

LEIA: (out of breath) There's something out there.

HAN: Where?

LEIA: Outside, in the cave.

       As she speaks, there comes a sharp banging on the hull.
    Chewie looks up and barks anxiously.

THREEPIO: There it is. Listen! Listen!

HAN: I'm going out there.

LEIA: Are you crazy?!

HAN: I just got this bucket back together. I'm not going to let
something tear it apart.

       He and Chewie grab their breath masks off a rack and hurry
    out. Leia follows.

LEIA: Then I'm going with you.

THREEPIO: I think it might be better if I stay here and guard the
ship. (hears another mysterious noise) Oh, no.

260 260

       It is very dark inside the huge asteroid cave, too dark to
    see what is attacking the ship.
       Leia stamps her foot on the floor of the cave.

LEIA: This ground sure feels strange. It doesn't feel like rock at
all.

       Han kneels and studies the ground, then attempts to study
    the outline of the cave.

HAN: There's an awful lot of moisture in here.

LEIA: I don't know. I have a bad feeling about this.

HAN: Yeah.

       Chewie barks through his face mask, and points toward the
    ship's cockpit. A five-foot-long shape can be seen moving
    across the top of the Falcon. The leathery creature lets out a
    screech as Han blasts it with a laser bolt.

HAN: (to Leia) Watch out!

       The black shape tumbles off the spaceship and onto the
    ground in front of the princess. Han bends down to investigate
    the dead creature.

HAN: Yeah, that's what I thought. Mynock. Chewie, check the rest of
the ship, make sure there aren't any more attached. They're chewing on
the power cables.

LEIA: Mynocks?

HAN: Go on inside. We'll clean them off if there are any more.

       Just then, a swarm of the ugly creatures swoops through the
    air. Leia puts her arms over her head to protect herself as
    she runs toward the ship. Chewie shoos another Mynock away
    with his blaster. Several of the batlike creatures flap their
    wings loudly against the cockpit window of the Falcon. Inside,
    Threepio shudders at their presence.

THREEPIO: Ohhh! Go away! Go away! Beastly thing. Shoo! Shoo!

       Han looks around the strange, dripping cave.

HAN: Wait a minute...

       He unholsters his blaster and fires at the far side of the
    huge cave. The cavern begins to shake and the ground starts to
    buckle.
       Chewie barks and moves for the ship, followed closely by
    Leia and Han. The large wings of the Mynocks flap past them as
    they protect their faces and run up the platform.

261 261

       As soon as Han and Leia are on board, Chewie closes the
    main hatch. The ship continues to shake and heave.

HAN: All right, Chewie, let's get out of here!

       The Wookiee heads for the cockpit as Han, followed by
    Threepio, rushes to the hold area and checks the scopes on the
    control panel. Leia hurries after.

LEIA: The Empire is still out there. I don't think it's wise to...

       Han rushes past her and heads for the cockpit.

HAN: (interrupting) No time to discuss this as a committee.

       And with that he is gone. The main engines of the Falcon
    begin to whine. Leia races after him, bouncing around in the
    shaking ship.

LEIA: (angry) I am not a committee!

       Han is already in the pilot's seat pulling back on the
    throttle. The cave-quake has greatly diminished.

LEIA: You can't make the jump to light-speed in this asteroid field...

HAN: Sit down, sweetheart. We're taking off!

       As the ship begins to move forward, Chewie barks. He
    notices something out the window ahead. Threepio sees it too.

THREEPIO: Look!

HAN: I see it, I see it.

       Suddenly, a row of jagged white stalagmites and stalactites
    can be seen surrounding the entrance. And as the Falcon moves
    forward, the entrance to the cave grows ever smaller. Han
    pulls hard on the throttle, sending his ship surging forward.

THREEPIO: We're doomed!

LEIA: The cave is collapsing.

HAN: This is no cave.

LEIA: What?

       Leia's mouth drops open . She sees that the rocks of the
    cave entrance are not rocks at all, but giant teeth, quickly
    closing around the tiny ship. Chewie howls.
       The Millennium Falcon, zooming through the monster's mouth,
    rolls on its side and barely makes it between two of the
    gigantic white teeth before the huge jaws slams closed.
       The enormous space slug moves its head out of the cave as
    the Falcon flies out of its mouth. The monster tilts its head,
    watching the starship fly away.
       The Falcon races out of the asteroid crater and into the
    deadly rain of the asteroid storm.

262 262

       With Yoda strapped to his back, Luke climbs up one of the
    many thick vines that grow in the swamp. Panting heavily, he
    continues his course -- climbing, flipping through the air,
    jumping over roots, and racing in and out of the heavy ground
    fog.

YODA: Run! Yes. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of
the dark side. Anger...fear...aggression. The dark side of the Force
are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you
start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny,
consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan's apprentice.

LUKE: Vader. Is the dark side stronger?

YODA: No...no...no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.

LUKE: But how am I to know the good side from the bad?

YODA: You will know. When you are calm, at peace. Passive. A Jedi uses
the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.

LUKE: But tell me why I can't...

YODA: (interrupting) No, no, there is no why. Nothing more will I
teach you today. Clear your mind of questions. Mmm. Mmmmmm.

       Artoo beeps in the distance as Luke lets Yoda down to the
    ground. Breathing heavily, he takes his shirt from a nearby
    tree branch and pulls it on.
       He turns to see a huge, dead, black tree, its base
    surrounded by a few feet of water. Giant, twisted roots form a
    dark and sinister cave on one side. Luke stares at the tree,
    trembling.

LUKE: There's something not right here.

       Yoda sits on a large root, poking his Gimer Stick into the
    dirt.

LUKE: I feel cold, death.

YODA: That place...is strong with the dark side of the Force. A domain
of evil it is. In you must go.

LUKE: What's in there?

YODA: Only what you take with you.

       Luke looks warily between the tree and Yoda. He starts to
    strap on his weapon belt.

YODA: Your weapons...you will not need them.

       Luke gives the tree a long look, than shakes his head "no."
    Yoda shrugs. Luke reaches up to brush aside some hanging vines
    and enters the tree.

263 263

       Luke moves into the almost total darkness of the wet and
    slimy cave. The youth can barely make out the edge of the
    passage. Holding his lit saber before him, he sees a lizard
    crawling up the side of the cave and a snake wrapped around
    the branches of a tree. Luke draws a deep breath, then pushes
    deeper into the cave.
       The space widens around him, but he feels that rather than
    sees it. His sword casts the only light as he peers into the
    darkness. It is very quiet here.
       Then, a loud hiss! Darth Vader appears across the
    blackness, illuminated by his own just-ignited laser sword.
    Immediately, he charges Luke, saber held high. He is upon the
    youth in seconds, but Luke sidesteps perfectly and slashes at
    Vader with his sword.
       Vader is decapitated. His helmet-encased head flies from
    his shoulders as his body disappears into the darkness. The
    metallic banging of the helmet fills the cave as Vader's head
    spins and bounces, smashes on the floor, and finally stops.
    For an instant it rests on the floor, then it cracks
    vertically. The black helmet and breath mask fall away to
    reveal...Luke's head.
       Across the space, the standing Luke gasps at the sight,
    wide-eyed in terror.
       The decapitated head fades away, as in a vision.
       Meanwhile, Yoda sits on the root, calmly leaning on his
    Gimer Stick.

264 264

       Vader's Imperial Star Destroyer moves through space,
    guarded by its convoy of TIE fighters.
       Vader stands in the back control area of his ship's bridge
    with a motley group of men and creatures. Admiral Piett and
    two controllers stand at the front of the bridge and watch the
    group with scorn.

PIETT: Bounty hunters. We don't need that scum.

FIRST CONTROLLER: Yes, sir.

PIETT: Those Rebels won't escape us.

       A second controller interrupts.

SECOND CONTROLLER: Sir, we have a priority signal from the Star
Destroyer Avenger.

PIETT: Right.

       The group standing before Vader is a bizarre array of
    galactic fortune hunters: There is Bossk, a slimy, tentacled
    monster with two huge, bloodshot eyes in a soft baggy face;
    Zuckuss and Dengar, two battle-scarred, mangy human types;
    IG-88, a battered, tarnished chrome war droid; and Boba Fett,
    a man in a weapon-covered armored space suit.

VADER: ...there will be a substantial reward for the one who finds
the Millennium Falcon. You are free to use any methods necessary, but
I want them alive. No disintegrations.

BOBA FETT: As you wish.

       At that moment, Admiral Piett approaches Vader in a rush of
    excitement.

PIETT: Lord Vader! My lord, we have them.

265 265

       The Millennium Falcon speeds through deep space, closely
    followed by a firing Imperial Star Destroyer. A large asteroid
    about the same size as the Falcon tumbles rapidly toward the
    starship. The tiny Falcon banks to avoid the giant asteroid as
    smaller rocks pelt its surface. Then the small craft roars
    under the asteroid which explodes harmlessly on the hull of
    the vast Star Destroyer.
       The ship shudders as flak explodes near the cockpit window.
    Threepio checks a tracking scope an the side control panel
    while Leia watches tensely out the window.

THREEPIO: Oh, thank goodness we're coming out of the asteroid field.

       Chewie barks excitedly as the rain of asteroids begins to
    subside. A bolt from the Star Destroyer sets up a fiery
    explosion on the back side of the Falcon, causing it to lurch
    to one side.
       The Falcon is hit hard by another bolt from the Star
    Destroyer which creates a huge explosion near the cockpit of
    the smaller ship. The Falcon tilts steeply, then rights
    itself.

266 266

       Han corrects the angle of his ship.

HAN: Let's get out of here. Ready for light-speed? One...two...three!

       Han pulls back on the hyperspace throttle and -- nothing
    happens. Flak bursts continue to rock the ship.

HAN: (frantic) It's not fair!

       Chewie is very angry and starts to growl and bark at his
    friend and captain. Again, Han desperately pulls back on the
    throttle.

HAN: The transfer circuits are working. It's not my fault!

       Chewie puts his head in his hands, whining.

LEIA: (almost expecting it) No light-speed?

HAN: It's not my fault.

THREEPIO: Sir, we just lost the main rear deflector shield. One more
direct hit on the back quarter and we're done for.

       Han pauses for a moment, makes a decision, and pulls back
    on a lever.

HAN: Turn her around.

       Chewie barks in puzzlement.

HAN: I said turn her around! I'm going to put all power in the front
shield.

LEIA: You're going to attack them?!

THREEPIO: Sir, the odds of surviving a direct assault on an Imperial
Star Destroyer...

LEIA: Shut up!

267 267

       The Falcon banks, makes a steep, twisting turn. In the
    next moment it is racing toward the Star Destroyer, looking
    very small against the massive surface of the Imperial ship.
    As it moves across the surface of the Star Destroyer, the
    Falcon bobs and weaves to avoid the numerous flak bursts.
       The tiny Falcon heads directly for the Avenger's bridge.
    The Imperials stationed there are stunned to see the small
    spaceship racing low across the hull, headed directly at the
    huge windows of the bridge area. Alarms go off everywhere. The
    Destroyer's commander, Captain Needa, can scarcely believe his
    eyes.

NEEDA: They're moving to attack position. Shields up!

       Needa and his men duck as the Falcon nears the bridge
    window. At the last minute, the Falcon veers off and out of
    sight. All is quiet.

NEEDA: Track them,. They may come around for another pass.

TRACKING OFFICER: Captain Needa, the ship no longer appears on our
scopes.

NEEDA: They can't have disappeared. No ship that small has a cloaking
device.

TRACKING OFFICER: Well, there's no trace of them, sir.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Captain, Lord Vader demands an update on the
pursuit.

NEEDA: (drawing a breath) Get a shuttle ready. I shall assume full
responsibility for losing them, and apologize to Lord Vader.
Meanwhile, continue to scan the area.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Yes, Captain Needa.

268 268

       Luke's face is upside-down and showing enormous strain. He
    stands on his hands, with Yoda perched on his feet. Opposite
    Luke and Yoda are two rocks the size of bowling balls. Luke
    stares at the rocks and concentrates. One of the rocks lifts
    from the ground and floats up to rest on the other.

YODA: Use the Force. Yes...

       Yoda taps Luke's leg. Quickly, Luke lifts one hand from the
    ground. His body wavers, but he maintains his balance. Artoo,
    standing nearby, is whistling and beeping frantically.

YODA: Now...the stone. Feel it.

       Luke concentrates on trying to lift the top rock. It rises
    a few feet, shaking under the strain. But, distracted by
    Artoo's frantic beeping, Luke loses his balance and finally
    collapses. Yoda jumps clear.

YODA: Concentrate!

       Annoyed at the disturbance, Luke looks over at Artoo, who
    is rocking urgently back and forth in front of him.
       Artoo waddles closer to Luke, chirping wildly, then scoots
    over the edge of the swamp. Catching on, Luke rushes to the
    water's edge. The X-wing fighter has sunk, and only the tip of
    its nose shows above the lake's surface.

LUKE: Oh, no. We'll never get it out now.

       Yoda stamps his foot in irritation.

YODA: So certain are you. Always with you it cannot be done. Hear you
nothing that I say?

       Luke looks uncertainly out at the ship.

LUKE: Master, moving stones around is one thing. This is totally
different.

YODA: No! No different! Only different in your mind. You must unlearn
what you have learned.

LUKE: (focusing, quietly) All right, I'll give it a try.

YODA: No! Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.

       Luke closes his eyes and concentrates on thinking the ship
    out.
       Slowly, the X-wing's nose begins to rise above the water.
    It hovers for a moment and then slides back, disappearing once
    again.

LUKE: (panting heavily) I can't. It's too big.

YODA: Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hm?
Mmmm.

       Luke shakes his head.

YODA: And well you should not. For my ally in the Force. And a
powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. It's energy
surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we...(Yoda pinches
Luke's shoulder)...not this crude matter. (a sweeping gesture) You must
feel the Force around you. (gesturing) Here, between you...me...the
tree...the rock...everywhere! Yes, even between this land and that
ship!

LUKE: (discouraged) You want the impossible.

       Quietly Yoda turns toward the X-wing fighter. With his eyes
    closed and his head bowed, he raises his arm and points at the
    ship.
       Soon, the fighter rises above the water and moves forward
    as Artoo beeps in terror and scoots away.
       The entire X-wing moves majestically, surely, toward the
    shore. Yoda stands on a tree root and guides the fighter
    carefully down toward the beach.
       Luke stares in astonishment as the fighter settles down
    onto the shore. He walks toward Yoda.

LUKE: I don't...I don't believe it.

YODA: That is why you fail.

       Luke shakes his head, bewildered.

269 269

       The fleet around Vader's Star Destroyer now includes
    Needa's Star Destroyer, the Avenger.

VADER: Apology accepted, Captain Needa.

       Clutching desperately at his throat, Captain Needa slumps
    down, then falls over on his back, at the feet of Darth Vader.
    Two stormtroopers pick up the lifeless body and carry it
    quickly away as Admiral Piett and two of his captains hurry up
    to the Dark Lord.

PIETT: Lord Vader, our ships have completed their scan of the area and
found nothing. If the Millennium Falcon went into light-speed, it'll
be on the other side of the galaxy by now.

VADER: Alert all commands. Calculate every possible destination along
their last know trajectory.

PIETT: Yes, my lord. We'll find them.

VADER: Don't fail me again, Admiral.

       Vader exits as the admiral turns to an aide, a little more
    uneasy than when he arrived.

PIETT: Alert all commands. Deploy the fleet.
       Vader's ship moves away, flanked by its fleet of smaller
    ships. the Avenger glides off into space in the opposite
    direction. No one on that ship or on Vader's is aware that,
    clinging to the side of the Avenger, is the pirateship, the
    Millennium Falcon.

270 270

THREEPIO: Captain Solo, this time you have gone too far. (Chewie
growls) No, I will not be quiet, Chewbacca. Why doesn't anyone listen
to me?

HAN: (to Chewie) The fleet is beginning to break up. Go back and stand
by the manual release for the landing claw.

       Chewie barks, struggles from his seat, and climbs out of
    the cabin.

THREEPIO: I really don't see how thats going to help. Surrender is a
perfectly acceptable alternative in extreme circumstances. The Empire
may be gracious enough...

       Leia reaches over and shuts off Threepio, mid-sentence.

HAN: Thank you.

LEIA: What did you have in mind for your next move?

HAN: Well, if they follow standard Imperial procedure, they'll dump
their garbage before they go to light-speed, then we just float away.

LEIA: With the rest of the garbage. Then what?

HAN: Then we've got to find a safe port somewhere around here. Got any
ideas?

LEIA: No. Where are we?

HAN: The Anoat system.

LEIA: Anoat system. There's not much there.

HAN: No. Well, wait. This is interesting. Lando.

       He points to a computer mapscreen on the control panel.
    Leia slips out of her chair and moves next to the handsome
    pilot. Small light points representing several systems flash
    by on the computer screen.

LEIA: Lando system?

HAN: Lando's not a system, he's a man. Lando Calrissian. He's a card
player, gambler, scoundrel. You'd like him.

LEIA: Thanks.

HAN: Bespin. It's pretty far, but I think we can make it.

LEIA: (reading from the computer) A mining colony?

HAN: Yeah, a Tibanna gas mine. Lando conned somebody out of it. We go
back a long way, Lando and me.

LEIA: Can you trust him?

HAN: No. But he has no love for the Empire, I can tell you that.

       Chewie barks over the intercom. Han quickly changes his
    readouts and stretches to look out the cockpit window.

HAN: (into intercom) Here we go, Chewie. Stand by. Detach!

       Han leans back in his chair and gives Leia an invisible
    smile. She thinks for a moment, shakes her head; a grin creeps
    across her face and she gives him a quick kiss.

LEIA: You do have your moments. Not many, but you have them.

271 271

       As the Avenger Star Destroyer moves slowly into space, the
    hatch on its underbelly opens, sending a trail of junk behind
    it. Hidden among the refuse, the Falcon tumbles away. In the
    next moment, the Avenger roars off into hyperspace. The
    Falcon's engines are ignited, and it races off into the
    distance. Amidst the slowly drifting junk, Boba Fett's ship
    appears and moves after the Falcon.

272 272

       In the clearing behind Yoda's house, Luke again stands
    upside-down, but his face shows less strain and more
    concentration than before. Yoda sits on the ground below the
    young warrior. On the other side of the clearing, two
    equipment cases slowly rise into the air. Nearby Artoo
    watches, humming to himself, when suddenly he, too, rises into
    the air. His little legs kick desperately and his head turns
    frantically, looking for help.

YODA: Concentrate...feel the Force flow. Yes. Good. Calm, yes. Through
the Force, things you will see. Other places. The future...the past.
Old friends long gone.

       Luke suddenly becomes distressed.

LUKE: Han! Leia!

       The two packing boxes and Artoo fall to the ground with a
    crash, then Luke himself tumbles over.

YODA: (shaking his head) Hmm. Control, control. You must learn control.

LUKE: I saw...I saw a city in the clouds.

YODA: Mmm. Friends you have there.

LUKE: They were in pain.

YODA: It is the future you see.

LUKE: Future? Will they die?

       Yoda closes his eyes and lowers his head.

YODA: Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.

LUKE: I've got to go to them.

YODA: Decide you must how to serve them best. If you leave now, help
them you could. But you would destroy all for which they have fought
and suffered.

       Luke is stopped cold by Yoda's words. Gloom shrouds him as
    he nods his head sadly.

273 273

       The powerful pirate starship blasts through space as it
    heads toward the soft pink planet of Bespin.
       It is down on the gaseous planet. Huge billowing clouds
    form a canyon as the ship banks around them, heading toward
    the system's Cloud City.
       Suddenly, two twin-pod cloud cars appear and move toward
    the Falcon. The cloud cars draw up alongside the starship.
       One of the cloud cars opens fire on the Falcon, its flak
    rocking the ship. Chewie barks his concern.

HAN: (into transmitter) No, I don't have a landing permit. I'm trying
to reach Lando Calrissian.

       More flak bursts outside the cockpit window and rattles the
    ship's interior. Leia looks worried.

HAN: (into transmitter) Whoa! Wait a minute! Let me explain.

INTERCOM VOICE: You will not deviate from your present course.

THREEPIO: Rather touchy, aren't they?

LEIA: I thought you knew this person.

       Chewie barks and growls at his boss.

HAN: (to Chewie) Well, that was a long time ago. I'm sure he's
forgotten about that.

INTERCOM VOICE: Permission granted to land on Platform
Three-two-seven.

HAN: (into transmitter) Thank you.

       Angry, Han snaps off the intercom. Chewie looks at him and
    grunts. Han turns to the worried princess and her droid.

HAN: There's nothing to worry about. We go way back, Lando and me.

       Leia doesn't look convinced.

LEIA: Who's worried?

       The clouds part to reveal a full view of the city as it
    bobs in and out of the cloud surface. The cloud cars and the
    Falcon head for the gleaming white metropolis.

274 274

       With the cloud cars still guarding it, the Falcon lands on
    one of the Cloud City's platforms.
       Han and Leia stand at the open door, armed. Behind them,
    Chewie, also armed, surveys the scene warily.

THREEPIO: Oh. No one to meet us.

LEIA: I don't like this.

HAN: Well, what would you like?

THREEPIO: Well, they did let us land.

HAN: Look, don't worry. Everything's going to be fine. Trust me.

       Lando Calrissian, a suave, dashing black man in his
    thirties, leads a group of aides and some Cloud City guard
    rapidly toward the landing platform. The group, like the other
    citizens of the city, is a motley collection of aliens,
    droids, and humans of all descriptions. Lando has a grim
    expression on his face as he moves onto the landing platform.

275 275

HAN: See? My friend. (to Chewie) Keep your eyes open, okay?

       Chewie growls as Han walks down the ramp. Lando and his men
    head across the bridge to meet the space pirate.
       Lando stops ten feet from Han. The two men eye each other
    carefully. Lando shakes his head.

LANDO: Why, you slimy, double-crossing, no-good swindler! You've got a
lot of guts coming here, after what you pulled.

       Han points to himself innocently, mouthing, "Me?"
       Lando moves threateningly toward Han. Suddenly, he throws
    his arms around his startled, long-lost friend and embraces
    him.

LANDO: (laughs) How you doing, you old pirate? So good to see you! I
never thought I'd catch up with you again. Where you been?

       The two old friends embrace, laughing and chuckling.

THREEPIO: Well, he seems very friendly.

LEIA: (wary) Yes...very friendly.

LANDO: What are you doing here?

HAN: (gestures toward the Falcon) Ahh...repairs. I thought you could
help me out.

LANDO: (in mock panic) What have you done to my ship?

HAN: Your ship? Hey, remember, you lost her to me fair and square.

       Chewie growls a reserved greeting. Lando suddenly notices
    the princess and smiles.

LANDO: Hello. What have we here? Welcome. I'm Lando Calrissian. I'm
the administrator of this facility. and who might you be?

LEIA: Leia.

LANDO: Welcome, Leia.

       Lando bows before Leia and kisses her hand.

HAN: All right, all right, you old smoothie.

       Han takes Leia by the hand and steers her away from Lando.

THREEPIO: Hello, sir. I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg relations. My
facilities are at your...

       Before Threepio can finish his self-introduction, Lando has
    turned to follow Han and Leia, who are walking toward the
    city.

THREEPIO: Well, really!

       Lando, his aide, Lobot, and Han lead the way across the
    bridge, followed by Threepio, Chewie and Leia.

LANDO: What's wrong with the Falcon?

HAN: Hyperdrive.

LANDO: I'll get my people to work on it.

HAN: Good.

       Lando turns to Leia.

LANDO: You know, that ship saved my life quite a few times. She's the
fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.

277 277

       The group has crossed the narrow bridge and entered the
    city. They walk down the lovely Art Deco passageway, rounding
    several corners and passing many small plazas as they go.
    Threepio lags a bit behind.

HAN: How's the gas mine? Is it paying off for you?

LANDO: Oh, not as well as I'd like. We're a small outpost and not very
self-sufficient. And I've had supply problems of every kind. I've had
labor difficulties...(catches Han grinning at him) What's so funny?

HAN: You. Listen to you -- you sound like a businessman, a responsible
leader. Who'd have thought that, huh?

       Lando is reflective. He looks at Han a moment.

LANDO: You know, seeing you sure brings back a few things.

HAN: Yeah.

LANDO: (shakes his head) Yeah, I'm responsible these days. It's the
price you pay for being successful.

       Han and Lando laugh together, and the group moves on
    through the corridor.
       The lagging Threepio passes a Threepio-type silver droid
    who is coming out of a door.

THREEPIO: Oh! Nice to see a familiar face.

SECOND THREEPIO: (mumbles) E chu ta!

THREEPIO: How rude!

       Threepio stops, watching the silver droid move away. Then
    he hears the muffled beeping and whistling of an R2 unit
    coming from within the room.

278 278

       Curious, Threepio enters the room.

THREEPIO: That sounds like an R2 unit in there. I wonder if...

       Threepio walks through the doorway to the main room. He
    looks in.

THREEPIO: Hello? How interesting. Oh, my.

MAN'S VOICE: (from within) Who are you?

THREEPIO: Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I...I didn't mean to intrude. No,
no, please don't get up. No!

       A laser bolt to Threepio's chest sends him flying in twenty
    directions. Smoldering mechanical arms and legs bounce off the
    walls as the door whooshes closed behind him.
       Lando, Han, and Leia continue down the corridor unaware of
    Threepio's dreadful accident. Chewbacca glances around, sniffs
    the air, but shrugs his shoulders and follows the group.

279 279

       In the bright lights of the fighter, Luke loads a heavy
    case into the belly of the ship. Artoo sits on top of the
    X-wing, settling down into his cubbyhole. Yoda stands nearby
    on a log.

YODA: Luke! You must complete the training.

LUKE: I can't keep the vision out of my head. They're my friends. I've
got to help them.

YODA: You must not go!

LUKE: But Han and Leia will die if I don't.

BEN'S VOICE: You don't know that.

       Luke looks toward the voice in amazement. Ben has
    materialized as a real, slightly shimmering image near Yoda.
    The power of his presence stops Luke.

BEN: Even Yoda cannot see their fate.

LUKE: But I can help them! I feel the Force!

BEN: But you cannot control it. This is a dangerous time for you, when
you will be tempted by the dark side of the Force.

YODA: Yes, yes. To Obi-Wan you listen. The cave. Remember your failure
at the cave!

LUKE: But I've learned so much since then. Master Yoda, I promise to
return and finish what I've begun. You have my word.

BEN: It is you and your abilities the Emperor wants. that is why your
friends are made to suffer.

LUKE: And that is why I have to go.

BEN: Luke, I don't want to lose you to the Emperor the way I lost
Vader.

LUKE: You won't.

YODA: Stopped they must be. On this depends. Only a fully trained Jedi
Knight with the Force as his ally will conquer Vader and his Emperor.
If you end your training now, if you choose the quick and easy path,
as Vader did, you will become an agent of evil.

BEN: Patience.

LUKE: And sacrifice Han and Leia?

YODA: If you honor what they fight for...yes!

       Luke is in great anguish. He struggles with the dilemma, a
    battle raging in his mind.

BEN: If you choose to face Vader, you will do it alone. I cannot
interfere.

LUKE: I understand. (he moves to his X-wing) Artoo, fire up the
converters.

       Artoo whistles a happy reply.

BEN: Luke, don't give in to hate -- that leads to the dark side.

       Luke nods and climbs into his ship.

YODA: Strong is Vader. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can.

LUKE: I will. And I'll return. I promise.

       Artoo closes the cockpit. Ben and Yoda stand watching as
    the roar of the engines and the wind engulf them.

YODA: (sighs) Told you, I did. Reckless is he. Now matters are worse.

BEN: That boy is our last hope.

YODA: (looks up) No. There is another.

       Luke's tiny X-wing rockets away from the green planet of
    Dagobah and off into space.

280 280

       Within the quarters assigned her on Cloud City, Leia paces
    in agitation. She has changed from her cold-weather pants and
    jacket to a lovely dress. Her hair is down, tied back with
    ribbons. She moves from a large, open window and turns to see
    Han entering through the doorway.

HAN: The ship is almost finished. Two or Three more things and we're
in great shape.

LEIA: The sooner the better. Something's wrong here. No one has seen
or knows anything about Threepio. He's been gone too long to have
gotten lost.

       Han takes Leia by the shoulders and gently kisses her
    forehead.

HAN: Relax. I'll talk to Lando and see what I can find out.

LEIA: I don't trust Lando.

HAN: Well, I don't trust him, either. But he is my friend. Besides,
we'll soon be gone.

LEIA: And then you're as good as gone, aren't you?

       Not speaking, Han considers her words and gazes at her
    troubled face.

281 281

    The room is piled high with broken and discarded machine
    parts. Four Ugnaughts, small hoglike creatures, separate the
    junk and throw some pieces onto a conveyer belt which moves
    briskly toward a pit of molten metal. Pieces of Threepio's
    golden body move down the belt. Chewie enters the room and
    spots an Ugnaught picking up and inspecting Threepio's head.
    The Wookiee barks a command, startling the Ugnaught, then
    reaches to grab the head. But the Ugnaught tosses it away from
    him to another Ugnaught. This game of keep-away goes on until
    Threepio's head falls from their grip and bounces with a clang
    onto the ground.

282 282

       The door zaps open. Chewbacca walks in, carrying a packing
    case of Threepio, arms and legs hanging over the edge.

LEIA: What happened?

       Chewie sets the case on a table, grunting and groaning an
    explanation.

HAN: Where? Found him in a junk pile?

LEIA: Oh, what a mess. Chewie, do you think you can repair him?

       The giant Wookiee studies the array of robot parts. He
    looks at the princess and shrugs sadly.

HAN: Lando's got people who can fix him.

LEIA: No, thanks.

       There is a buzz and the door slides open, revealing Lando.

LANDO: I'm sorry. Am I interrupting anything?

LEIA: Not really.

LANDO: You look absolutely beautiful. You truly belong here with us
among the clouds.

LEIA: (coolly) Thank you.

LANDO: Will you join me for a little refreshment?

       Han looks at Lando suspiciously, but Chewie barks at the
    mention of food and licks his lips.

LANDO: Everyone's invited, of course.

       Leia takes Lando's proffered arm, and the group turns to
    go. Lando spots Threepio's remains.

LANDO: Having trouble with you droid?

       Han and Leia exchange a quick glance.

HAN: No. No problem. Why?

       Han and Leia move arm-in-arm through the door, followed by
    Lando and Chewie. The door slides closed behind them.

284 284

       Leia walks between Han and Lando as Chewie follows a short
    distance behind. Long shafts of light pour across the corridor
    between tall, pure-white columns.

LANDO: So you see, since we're a small operation, we don't fall into
the...uh...jurisdiction of the Empire.

LEIA: So you're part of the mining guild then?

LANDO: No, not actually. Our operation is small enough not to be
noticed...which is advantageous for everybody since our customers are
anxious to avoid attracting attention to themselves.

       The group walks into another corridor and heads for a huge
    doorway at the far end.

HAN: Aren't you afraid the Empire's going to find out about this
little operation and shut you down?

LANDO: That's always been a danger looming like a shadow over
everything we've built here. But things have developed that will
insure security. I've just made a deal that will keep the Empire out
of here forever.

285 285

       The mighty doors to the dining room slide open and the
    group enters the dining room. At the far end of a huge banquet
    table sits Darth Vader. Standing at his side and slightly
    behind him is Boba Fett, the bounty hunter.
       Faster than the wink of an eye, Han draws his blaster and
    pops off a couple of shots directly at Vader. The Dark Lord
    quickly raises his hand, deflecting the bolts into one of the
    side walls, where they explode harmlessly. Just as quickly,
    Han's weapon zips into Vader's hand. The evil presence calmly
    places the gun on the table in front of him.

VADER: We would be honored if you would join us.

       Han gives Lando a mean look.

LANDO: I had no choice. They arrived right before you did. I'm sorry.

HAN: I'm sorry, too.

286 286

       Luke's X-wing races through thick clouds toward Cloud City.

       Luke is grim-faced as he pilots his course toward Bespin's
    shining city. Artoo's beeps and whistles are transmitted onto
    the scope.

LUKE: (into comlink) No, Threepio's with them.

       Artoo whistles another worried inquiry.

LUKE: (into comlink) Just hang on. We're almost there.

287 287

       Chewbacca is in a Cloud City prison cell. The stark room is
    flooded with hot light. To add to Chewie's misery, a
    high-pitched whistle screeches loudly. Chewie is going mad. He
    hits the wall with giant fists as he paces back and forth
    across the cell floor. The upper lights go off abruptly. The
    prisoner rubs his eyes and moves to a wall, where he listens
    for a moment. Then, moaning to himself, he moves to a platform
    where the disassembled pieces of Threepio lie. He picks up the
    golden droid's head and meditates on it for a moment, barking
    a few philosophical remarks. Chewie sticks the robot's head on
    its torso and starts adjusting wires and circuits. Suddenly,
    the lights in Threepio's eyes spark to life as Chewie touches
    two connectors together. Threepio immediately begins to speak,
    but his voice is so slow and so low as to be nearly
    unintelligible.

THREEPIO: Mmmm. Oh, my. Uh, I, uh -- Take this off! I, uh, don't mean
to intrude here. I, don't, no, no, no...Please don't get up. No!

       Chewie looks at Threepio in bewilderment, then scratches
    his furry head. He gets an idea and adjusts some connections,
    whereupon Threepio immediately begins speaking normally.

THREEPIO: Stormtroopers? Here? We're in danger. I must tell the
others. Oh, no! I've been shot!

288 288

       Darth Vader strides through the room as two stormtroopers
    prepare an elaborate torture mechanism. Han is strapped to a
    rack which tilts forward onto the torture device. Vader
    activates the mechanism, creating two bursts of sparks, one of
    which strikes Han's face.
       The door opens, and Darth Vader moves to the holding
    chamber, where Lando and Boba Fett await him.

LANDO: Lord Vader.

VADER: (to Fett) You may take Captain Solo to Jabba the Hut after I
have Skywalker.

       Han's screams filter through the torture room door.

BOBA FETT: He's no good to me dead.

VADER: He will not be permanently damaged.

LANDO: Lord Vader, what about Leia and the Wookiee?

VADER: They must never again leave this city.

LANDO: That was never a condition of our agreement, nor was giving Han
to this bounty hunter!

VADER: Perhaps you think you're being treated unfairly.

LANDO: No.

VADER: Good. It would be unfortunate if I had to leave a garrison
here.

       Vader turns and sweeps into the elevator with Boba Fett.
    Lando walks swiftly down another corridor, muttering to
    himself.

LANDO: This deal's getting worse all the time.

289 289

       Chewie now has a little more of Threepio back together. One
    arm is connected, but the legs are yet to be attached. There
    is one small problem, however. It seems the Wookiee has
    managed to put the droid's head on backwards.

THREEPIO: Oh, yes, that's very good. I like that. Oh! Something's not
right because now I can't see. Wait. Wait! Oh, my! what have you done?
I'm backwards, you stupid furball. Only an overgrown mophead like you
would be stupid enough...

       Threepio is cut off in mid-sentence as Chewie angrily
    deactivates a circuit and the droid shuts down. The Wookiee
    smells something and sits up. The door to the chamber slides
    open and a ragged Han Solo is shoved into the room by two
    stormtroopers. Barking his concern, the huge Wookiee gives Han
    a big hug. Han is very pale, with dark circles under his eyes.

HAN: I feel terrible.

       Chewie helps Han to a platform and then turns as the door
    slides open revealing Leia. She, too, looks a little worse for
    wear. The troopers push her into the cell, and the door slides
    closed. She moves to Han, who is lying on the platform, and
    kneels next to him, gently stroking his head.

LEIA: Why are they doing this?

HAN: They never even asked me any questions.

       The cell door slides open. Lando and two of his guards
    enter.

LEIA: Lando.

HAN: Get out of here, Lando!

LANDO: Shut up and listen! Vader has agreed to turn Leia and Chewie
over to me.

HAN: Over to you?

LANDO: They'll have to stay here, but at least they'll be safe.

LEIA: What about Han?

LANDO Vader's giving him to the bounty hunter.

LEIA: Vader wants us all dead.

LANDO: He doesn't want you at all. He's after somebody called
Skywalker.

HAN: Luke?

LANDO: Lord Vader has set a trap for him.

       Leia's mind is racing.

LEIA: And we're the bait.

LANDO: Well, he's on his way.

       Han's rage peaks.

HAN: Perfect. You fixed us all pretty good, didn't you? (spits it out)
My friend!

       Han hauls off and punches Lando. The two friends are
    instantly engaged in a frantic close-quarters fight. The
    guards hit Han with their rifle butts and he flies across the
    room. Chewie growls and starts for the guards. They point
    their laser weapons at the giant Wookiee, but Lando stops
    them.

LANDO: Stop! I've done all I can do. I'm sorry I couldn't do better,
but I have my own problems.

HAN: Yeah, you're a real hero.

       Lando and the guards leave. Han wipes the blood from his
    chin as Leia and Chewie help him up.

LEIA: (dabs at his wound) You certainly have a way with people.

290 290

       Four armor-suited stormtroopers stand at the ready in the
    large chamber, which is filled with pipes and chemical tanks.
    In the middle of the room is a round pit housing a hydraulic
    platform. Darth Vader and Lando stand near the platform.

VADER: This facility is crude, but it should be adequate to freeze
Skywalker for his journey to the Emperor.

       An Imperial soldier appears.

IMPERIAL SOLDIER: Lord Vader, ship approaching. X-wing class.

VADER: Good. Monitor Skywalker and allow him to land.

       The soldier bows and leaves the chamber.

LANDO: Lord Vader, we only use this facility for carbon freezing. If
you put him in there, it might kill him.

VADER: I do not want the Emperor's prize damaged. We will test it...on
Captain Solo.

       Lando's face registers dismay.

291 291

       Luke's X-wing moves through the clouds as it nears the
    city.

       Encountering no city guards, Luke scans the display panel
    with concern.

292 292

       There is a great activity on the carbon-freezing platform.
    Six Ugnaughts frantically prepare the chamber for use. A
    special coffinlike container is put in place. With Boba Fett
    in the lead, a squad of six stormtroopers brings in Han, Leia
    and Chewie. Strapped to Chewie's back, with only his head,
    torso, and one arm assembled, is Threepio. Threepio's head
    faces the opposite direction from Chewie's and the droid is
    constantly twisting around in a vain effort to see what is
    happening. His one attached arm is animate and expressive,
    intermittently pointing, gesturing, and covering his eyes. The
    remaining pieces of his body are randomly bundled to the
    Wookiee's back so that his legs and other arm stick out at odd
    angles from the pack.

THREEPIO: If only you had attached my legs, I wouldn't be in this
ridiculous position. Now, remember, Chewbacca, you have a
responsibility to me, so don't do anything foolish.

HAN: (to Lando) What's going on...buddy?

LANDO: You're being put into carbon freeze.

       Boba Fett moves away from the group to Darth Vader.

BOBA FETT: What if he doesn't survive? He's worth a lot to me.

VADER: The Empire will compensate you if he dies. Put him in!

       Realizing what is about to happen, Chewie lets out a wild
    howl and attacks the stormtroopers surrounding Han. Within
    seconds, other Imperial reinforcements join the scuffle,
    clubbing the giant Wookiee with their laser weapons. From the
    instant of Chewie's first move, Threepio begins to scream in
    panic while he tries to protect himself with his one arm.

THREEPIO: Oh, no! No, no, no! Stop, Chewbacca, stop...!

       The stormtroopers are about to bash Chewie in the face.

HAN: Stop, Chewie, stop! Do you hear me? Stop!

THREEPIO: Yes, stop, please! I'm not ready to die.

       Han breaks away from his captors. Vader nods to the guards
    to let him go and the pirate breaks up the fight.

HAN: Chewie! Chewie, this won't help me. Hey!

       Han gives the Wookiee a stern look.

HAN: Save your strength. There'll be another time. The princess -- you
have to take care of her. You hear me?

       Han winks at the Wookiee, who wails a doleful farewell.
       In a flash the guards have slipped binders on Chewbacca,
    who is too distraught to protest. Han turns to Princess Leia.
    They look sorrowfully at one another, then Han moves toward
    her and gives her a final, passionate kiss.

LEIA: I love you!

HAN: I know.

       Tears roll down Leia's face as she watches the dashing
    pirate walk to the hydraulic platform. Han looks one final
    time at his friends -- and then, suddenly, the platform drops.
    Chewie howls. Leia turns away in agony. Lando winces in
    sorrow; it makes a life-changing impression on him.
       Instantly, fiery liquid begins to pour down in a shower of
    sparks and fluid as great as any steel furnace. Holding Leia,
    Chewie half-turns away from the sight, giving Threepio a view
    of the procedure.

THREEPIO: What...what's going on? Turn around, Chewbacca, I can't see.
Oh...they've encased him in carbonite. He should be quite
well-protected -- if he survives the freezing process, that is.

       Chewie is in no mood for technical discussion; he gives the
    droid an angry glance and barks.
       A huge mechanical tong lifts the steaming metal-encased
    space pirate out of the vat and stands him on the platform.
    Some Ugnaughts rush over and push the block over onto the
    platform. They slide the coffinlike structure to the block and
    lift the metal block, placing it inside. They then attach an
    electronic box onto the structure and step away.
       Lando kneels and adjusts some knobs, measuring the heat. He
    shakes his head in relief.

VADER: Well, Calrissian, did he survive?

LANDO: Yes, he's alive. And in perfect hibernation.

       Vader turns to Boba Fett.

VADER: He's all yours bounty hunter. Reset the chamber for Skywalker.

IMPERIAL OFFICER: Skywalker has just landed, my lord.

VADER: Good. See to it that he finds his way here. Calrissian, take
the princess and the Wookiee to my ship.

LANDO: You said they'd be left in the city under my supervision.

VADER: I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.

       Lando's hand instinctively goes to his throat as he turns
    to Leia, Chewie, and Threepio.

293 293

       As Luke and Artoo move carefully down a deserted corridor,
    they hear a group of people coming down a side hallway. Artoo
    lets out an excited series of beeps and whistles. Luke glares
    at the tiny droid, who stops in his tracks with a feeble
    squeak.
       Boba Fett enters from a side hallway followed by two guards
    pushing the floating, encased body of Han Solo. Two
    stormtroopers, who follow, immediately spot Luke and open fire
    on him. The youth draws his weapon and blasts the two
    troopers before they can get off a second shot. The two guards
    whisk Han into another hallway as Fett lowers his arm and
    fires a deadly laser at Luke, which explodes to one side and
    tears up a huge chunk of wall.
       Luke rushes to a side hallway, but by the time he reaches
    it, Fett, Han, and the guards are gone. A think metal door
    blocks the passage. Luke turns to see Leia, Chewie, Threepio,
    and Lando being herded down a second hallway by several other
    stormtroopers. Leia turns just in time to see Luke.

LEIA: Luke! Luke, don't -- it's a trap! It's a trap!

       Before she can finish, she is pulled through a doorway and
    disappears from sight. Luke races after the group, leaving
    little Artoo trailing behind.
       Luke runs into an anteroom and stops to get his bearings.
    Leia and the others are nowhere to be seen. Behind Luke, Artoo
    scoots down the corridor toward the anteroom when suddenly a
    giant metal door comes slamming down, cutting off Luke's exit.
    Several more doors clang shut, echoing through the chamber.

294 294

       Artoo stands with his nose pressed against the giant metal
    door. He whistles a long sigh of relief and, a little dazed,
    wanders off in the other direction.
       Luke cautiously walks forward among hissing pipes and
    steam. Seeing an opening above him, he stops to look up. As he
    does, the platform he stands on begins to move.
       Luke rises into the chamber, borne by the platform. The
    room is deathly quiet. Very little steam escapes the pipes and
    no one else seems to be in the large room. Warily, Luke walks
    toward the stairway.
       Steam begins to build up in the chamber. Looking up through
    the steam, Luke sees a dark figure standing on a walkway above
    him. Luke holsters his gun and moves up the stairs to face
    Vader. He feels confident, eager to engage his enemy.

VADER: The Force is with you, young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi
yet.

       Luke ignites his sword in answer. In an instant, Vader's
    own sword is lit. Luke lunges, but Vader repels the blow.
    Again Luke attacks, and the swords of the two combatants clash
    in battle.

295 295

       Leia, Lando, and Chewie, with Threepio on his back, march
    along, guarded by six stormtroopers. The group reaches an
    intersection where Lobot and a dozen of Lando's guards stand
    at attention.
       The guards immediately aim their weapons at the startled
    stormtroopers. Taking the stormtroopers' weapons from them,
    Lobot hands one to Leia and one to Lando.

LANDO: Well done. Hold them in the security tower -- and keep it
quiet. Move.

       As Lando's guards quickly march the stormtroopers away,
    Lando begins to undo Chewie's binding.

LEIA: What do you think you're doing?

LANDO: We're getting out of here.

THREEPIO: I knew all along it had to be a mistake.

       Chewie turns on Lando and starts to choke him.

LEIA: Do you think that after what you did to Han we're going to trust
you?

       Lando tries to free himself from Chewie.

LANDO: (choking) I had no choice...

       Chewie barks ferociously.

THREEPIO: (to Chewie) What are you doing? Trust him, trust him!

LEIA: Oh, so we understand, don't we, Chewie? He had no choice.

LANDO: I'm just trying to help...

LEIA: We don't need any of your help.

LANDO: (choking) H-a-a-a...

LEIA: What?

THREEPIO: It sounds like Han.

LANDO: There's still a chance to save Han...I mean, at the East
Platform...

LEIA: Chewie.

       Chewie finally releases Lando, who fights to get his breath
    back.

THREEPIO: (to Lando) I'm terribly sorry about all this. After all,
he's only a Wookiee.

296 296

       The two guards slide Han's encased body into an opening in
    the side of the bounty hunter's ship. Boba Fett climb aboard
    on a ladder next to the cargo hold.

BOBA FETT: Put Captain Solo in the cargo hold.

       And with that, the door slams shut.

297 297

       Lando, Leia, and Chewie run down a Cloud City corridor when
    suddenly they spot Artoo who rushes toward them, beeping
    wildly.

THREEPIO: Artoo! Artoo! Where have you been?

       Chewie turns around to see the stubby droid, causing
    Threepio to be spun out of sight of his friend.

THREEPIO: Turn around, you wooly...! (to Artoo) Hurry, hurry! We're
trying to save Han from the bounty hunter!

       Whistling frantically to Threepio, Artoo scoots along with
    the racing group.

THREEPIO: Well, at least your still in one piece! Look what happened
to me!

       An elevator door slides open and Lando, Leia, and Chewbacca
    race for a large bay overlooking the East Landing Platform.
       Just as they arrive, Boba Fett's ship takes off against a
    cloudy sunset sky.
       In wild anguish, Chewie howls and starts firing at the
    ship.

THREEPIO: Oh, no! Chewie, they're behind you!

       A laser bolt explodes near the princess. Everyone turns to
    see what Threepio has already spotted coming from the other
    direction; a squad of stormtroopers running toward them. Artoo
    peeks out from the elevator.
       Leia and Chewbacca start firing at the troopers as Lando
    makes a break for the elevator. Laser bolts continue to
    explode around the princess and the Wookiee, but they refuse
    to budge. Lando sticks his head out of the elevator and
    motions for the pair to run, but they barely notice. They seem
    possessed, transported, as all the frustration of captivity
    and anger of loss pour through their death-dealing weapons.
       But after a few moments, they begin to move through the
    rain of laser fire toward the elevator. Once they are inside,
    the door slams shut and the stormtroopers race forward.

298 298

       Luke and Vader are locked in combat on the platform
    overlooking the chamber. Their swords clash, the platform
    sways. Luke aggressively drives Vader back, forcing Vader to
    use defensive tactics.

VADER: You have learned much, young one.

LUKE: You'll find I'm full of surprises.

       Vader makes two quick moves, hooking Luke's sword out of
    his hand and sending it flying. Another lightning move at
    Luke's feet forces the youth to jump back to protect himself.
    Losing his balance, Luke rolls down the stairs to the circular
    carbon-freezing platform. There he sprawls on the floor,
    surprised and shaken. Just in time he looks up to see Vader,
    like a giant black bird, flying right at him. Luke rolls away
    as Vader lands. Crouching, Luke keeps his gaze steadily on his
    enemy.

VADER: Your destiny lies with me, Skywalker. Obi-Wan knew this to be
true.

LUKE: No!

       Behind Luke the hydraulic elevator cover has opened
    noiselessly. All the while, Luke slowly, cautiously moves
    back, away from the Dark Lord.
       Suddenly, Vader attacks so forcefully that Luke loses his
    balance and falls back into the opening. There is a rumble,
    and in an instant freezing steam rises to obscure Vader's
    vision.  Vader turns aside and deactivates his sword.

VADER: All to easy. Perhaps you are not as strong as the Emperor
thought.

       Through the steam behind Vader something blurs upward.
    Liquid metal begins to pour into the pit.
       Vader turns around -- and then looks up. He sees Luke, who
    has leaped fifteen feet straight up and who now hangs from
    some hoses on the carbonite outlet.

VADER: Impressive...most impressive.

       Luke jumps down to the platform where he is separated from
    Vader by the steaming carbonite pit. He raises his hand. His
    sword, which had fallen on another part of the platform,
    swiftly jumps into his outstretched hand and is instantly
    ignited. Vader immediately lights his sword as well.

VADER: Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear...
now release your anger.

       Luke is more cautious, controlling his anger. He begins to
    retreat as Vader goads him on. As Luke takes a defensive
    position, he realizes he has been foolhardy. A quick sword
    exchange and Luke forces Vader back. Another exchange and
    Vader retreats. Luke presses forward.

VADER: Only your hatred can destroy me.

       Breathing hard, Luke jumps in the air, turning a somersault
    over Vader. He lands on the floor and slashes at Vader as the
    room continues to fill up with steam.
       Vader retreats before Luke's skillful sword. Vader blocks
    the sword, but looses his balance and falls into the outer rim
    of pipes. The energy Luke has used to stop Vader has brought
    him to the point of collapse. Luke moves to the edge and looks
    down, but sees no sign of Vader. He then deactivates his
    sword, hooks it on his belt, and lowers himself into the pit.

299 299

       Moving through a tunnellike entrance, Luke cautiously
    approaches the reactor room. He ignites his sword and moves
    into the room and toward a large window as Vader enters.
       Luke raises his sword and moves forward to attack.
       Behind Luke a large piece of machinery detaches itself from
    the wall and comes smashing forward toward his back. Luke
    turns and cuts it in half just as another machine comes
    hurtling at him. Using the Force, Luke manages to deflect it
    and send it flying as if it had hit an invisible shield. A
    large pipe detaches and comes flying at Luke. He deflects it.
    Sparking wires pull out of the wall and begin to whip at the
    youth. Small tools and equipment come flying at him.
    Bombardment from all sides, Luke does his best to deflect
    everything, but soon he is bloodied and bruised. Finally, one
    machine glances off his and goes flying out the large window.
    A fierce wind blows into the room, unmoving, stands the dark,
    rocklike figure of Vader.
       A piece of machinery hits Luke and he is knocked out of the
    window.
       Luke falls onto the gantry, rolls, and hangs over the edge,
    holding his deactivated sword in hand. He puts the sword on
    his belt and begins to scramble up.

300 300

       Leia, Lando, Chewie and the droids come round a corner and
    head for the door to the landing platform. They glimpse the
    Millennium Falcon for a moment before the door slams shut. The
    group ducks into an alcove as stormtroopers arrive at the end
    of the corridor. The troopers send a rain of laser bolts at
    the group. Chewie returns their fire as Lando punches
    desperately at the door's control panel.

LANDO: The security codes has been changed!

THREEPIO: Artoo, you can tell the computer to override the security
system.

       Threepio points to a computer socket on the control panel.
    Artoo beeps and scoots toward it. Lando meanwhile has
    connected up to the panel's intercom.

LANDO: Attention! This is Lando Calrissian. The Empire has takes
control of the city. I advise everyone to leave before more Imperial
troops arrive.

       Artoo takes off a computer cover and sticks his computer
    arm into the socket. Suddenly, a short beep turns into a wild
    scream. Artoo's circuits light up, his head spins wildly, and
    smoke begins to seep out underneath him. Quickly, Chewie pulls
    him away.

LANDO: This way.

       Lando, Leia, Artoo, and Chewie flee down the corridor. As
    he scoots along with them, Artoo sends some angry beeps
    Threepio's way.

THREEPIO: Don't blame me. I'm an interpreter. I'm not supposed to know
a power socket from a computer terminal.

301 301

       In a panic, Cloud City residents are trying to get out of
    the city. Some carry boxes, others packages. They run, then
    change direction. Some are shooting at stormtroopers, others
    simply try to hide.
       Other stormtroopers pursue Lando, Leia, and Chewie who are
    firing back at them. Artoo works on another door to the
    landing platform while Threepio berates him for his seeming
    ineptitude.

THREEPIO: What are you talking about? We're not interested in the
hyperdrive on the Millennium Falcon. It's fixed! Just open the door,
you stupid lump.

       Chewie, Leia, and Lando retreat along the corridor. A
    triumphant beep from Artoo -- and the door snaps open.

THREEPIO: (to Artoo) I never doubted you for a second. Wonderful!

       Artoo lays a cloud fog, obscuring everything, as the group
    dashes outside.
       They race for the Millennium Falcon as a battalion of
    stormtroopers reaches the main door. Lando and Leia hold off
    the troops as the droids get on board with Chewie. As Chewie
    bounds to the ship the Threepio on his back, Threepio hits his
    head on the top of the ramp.

THREEPIO: Ouch! Oh! Ah! That hurt, Bend down, you thoughtless...Ow!

       Chewie starts up the ship. The giant engines begin to whine
    as Lando and Leia race up the ramp under a hail of laser fire.

LANDO: Leia! Go!

302 302

       Artoo drags the partially assembled Threepio down the
    corridor of the Falcon.

THREEPIO: I thought that hairy beast would be the end of me. Of
course, I've looked better.

       Artoo beeps understandingly.

303 303

       Chewie works the controls as Leia sits in Han's seat and
    Lando watches over their shoulders. As Chewie pulls back on
    the throttle, the ship begins to move.
       The Millennium Falcon lifts gracefully into the twilight
    sky and roars away from the city. Troops fire after it and TIE
    fighters take off in pursuit.

304 304

       Luke moves along the railing and up to the control room.
    Vader lunges at him and Luke immediately raises his lit sword
    to meet Vader's. Sparks fly as they duel, Vader gradually
    forcing Luke backward toward the gantry.

VADER: You are beaten. It is useless to resist. Don't let yourself be
destroyed as Obi-Wan did.

       Luke answers by rolling sideways and thrusting his sword at
    Vader so viciously that he nicks Vader on the shoulder. The
    black armor sparks and smokes and Vader seems to be hurt, but
    immediately recovers.
       Luke backs off along the narrow end of the gantry as Vader
    comes at him, slashing at the young Jedi with his sword. Luke
    makes a quick move around the instrument complex attached to
    the end of the gantry. Vader's sword comes slashing down,
    cutting the complex loose; it begins to fall, then is caught
    by the rising wind and blown upward.
       Luke glances at the instrument complex floating away. At
    that instant, Vader's sword comes down across Luke's right
    forearm, cutting off his hand and sending his sword flying.
    In great pain, Luke squeezes his forearm under his left armpit
    and moves back along the gantry to its extreme end. Vader
    follows. The wind subsides. Luke holds on. There is nowhere
    else to go.

VADER: There is no escape. Don't make me destroy you. You do not yet
realize your importance. You have only begun to discover you power.
Join me and I will complete your training. With our combined strength,
we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy.

LUKE: I'll never join you!

VADER: If you only knew the power of the dark side. Obi-Wan never told
you what happened to your father.

LUKE: He told me enough! He told me you killed him.

VADER: No. I am your father.

       Shocked, Luke looks at Vader in utter disbelief.

LUKE: No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!

VADER: Search your feelings. You know it to be true.

LUKE: No! No! No!

VADER: Luke. You can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is
your destiny. Join me, and we can rule the galaxy as father and son.
Come with me. It's the only way.

       Vader puts away his sword and holds his hand out to Luke.
       A calm comes over Luke, and he makes a decision. In the
    next instant he steps off the gantry platform into space. The
    Dark Lord looks over the platform and sees Luke falling far
    below. The wind begins to blow at Vader's cape and the torrent
    finally forces him back, away from the edge. The wind soon
    fades and the wounded Jedi begins to drop fast, unable to grab
    onto anything to break his fall.

305 305

       Suddenly Luke is sucked into an exhaust pipe in the side of
    the shaft. When Vader sees this, he turns and hurries off the
    platform.

       Luke tumbles through the exhaust pipe.

       He slides to the end of the slickly polished pipe and stops
    as his feet hit a circular grill and knock it open. Luke claws
    at the surface of the pipe, trying to keep from sliding out
    into space.

       Unable to hang onto the pipe, Luke tumbles out, emerging at
    the undermost part of Cloud City. Reaching out desperately, he
    manages to grab onto on electronic weather vane.

LUKE: Ben...Ben, please!

       Luke tries to pull himself up on the weather vane but slips
    back down. He hooks one of his legs around the fragile
    instruments. All the while, a powerful current of air rushes
    out at him from the exhaust pipe.

LUKE: Ben. Leia!

       There is an ominous cracking sound from the base of the
    weather vane and a piece breaks off, falling into the clouds
    far below.

LUKE: Hear me! Leia!

306 306

       Leia seems to be lost in a fog, her expression troubled.
    Chewie is busy operating the ship. Lando stands next to the
    Wookiee, watching a readout on the control panel.

LEIA: Luke...We've got to go back.

       Chewie growls in surprise.

LANDO: What?

LEIA: I know where Luke is.

LANDO: But what about those fighter?

       Chewie barks in agreement with Lando.

LEIA: Chewie, just do it.

LANDO: But what about Vader?

       Chewie turns on Lando, the newcomer, with an ominous growl.

LANDO: All right, all right, all right.

       The Falcon makes a graceful banking turn back toward Cloud
    City.

307 307

       Vader enters the landing platform and watches as the speck
    that is the Falcon disappears. The wind blows at his cape.
       He turns to two aides who are standing near the entrance to
    the landing platform.

VADER: Bring me my shuttle.

308 308

       Nearly unconscious, Luke hangs upside-down on the weather
    vane as his body shifts in the wind.

       The Falcon dives to the underside of the floating city.
    Three TIE fighter close in on the starship.

       Leia tries to remain calm.

LANDO: (pointing out the cockpit window) Look, someone's up there.

LEIA: It's Luke. Chewie, slow down. Slow down and we'll get under him.
Lando, open the top hatch.

       Lando rushes out of the cockpit.

309 309

       Luke hangs by one arm from the crossbar of the weather
    vane. He slips from the bar and grabs onto the pole of the
    vane as the Falcon banks toward him. The Falcon positions
    itself under Luke as Lando moves up through the opening of the
    hatch. Luke begins to slide and finally falls from the vane
    into space.

       Out the cockpit window, Leia sees Luke falling from the
    bottom of the city. The ship gains on him.

LEIA: Okay. Easy, Chewie.

       The Falcon closes in on Luke.

       Three TIE fighters race towards the Falcon.

       The hatch pops open with a hiss of pressure. Lando reaches
    out to help the battered warrior inside the ship.

       Flak bursts all around it as the Falcon banks away from the
    city. Leia and Chewie struggle with the controls.

LEIA: (into intercom) Lando?

LANDO: (over intercom) Okay, let's go.

       The Falcon races away. It is closely followed by three TIE
    fighters, all of which keep up a heavy laser assault on the
    fleeing starship.

310 310

       Explosions erupt all around the cockpit, buffeting the ship
    wildly. Chewie howls as he frantically tries to control the
    ship.
       Leia and Chewie turns to see Luke, bloody and battered,
    enter the cockpit supported by Lando. Leia jumps up and hugs
    him while Chewie barks in joyous relief.

LUKE: Oh, Leia.

LANDO: All right, Chewie. Let's go.

       Leia helps Luke from the cockpit as another huge blast
    rocks the ship.

       The Falcon, still followed by the three TIE fighters, races
    away from the cloud-covered city.

       Luke rests on a cot, his injured arm wrapped in a
    protective cuff. Leia gently wipes his face. The ship lurches
    again.

LEIA: I'll be back.

       She kisses him, then leaves the quarters.

311 311

       All over the ship muted alarm buzzers sound. Lando
    anxiously watches the flashing lights on the control panel and
    hurriedly adjusts some switches. Seated next to him, Chewie
    points out a new blip appearing on the panel. Leia, watching
    over their shoulders, recognizes the shape.

LEIA: Star Destroyer.

LANDO: All right, Chewie. Ready for light-speed.

LEIA: If your people fixed the hyperdrive.

       Another explosion rocks the ship. Leia notices as a green
    light on the panel next to her flashes on.

LEIA: All the coordinates are set. It's now or never.

       Chewie barks in agreement.

LANDO: Punch it!

       The Wookiee shrugs and pulls back on the light-speed
    throttle. The sound of the ion engine changes...it is winding
    up. Faces are tense, expectant. But nothing happens, and the
    engine goes off. Chewie lets out a frustrated howl. The flak
    still violently rocks the ship.

LANDO: They told me they fixed it. I trusted them to fix it. It's not
my fault!

       Chewie gets up from his chair and starts out of the
    cockpit. He gives Lando and angry shove as he storms past him.

       In the distance the TIE fighters continue their chase,
    still shooting lasers. Vader's Star Destroyer moves behind
    them, determinedly following the Falcon.

312 312

       Vader stands on the bridge looking out the window as
    Admiral Piett approaches him.

PIETT: They'll be in range of our tractor beam in moments, lord.

VADER: Did your men deactivate the hyperdrive on the Millennium
Falcon?

PIETT: Yes, my lord.

VADER: Good. Prepare the boarding party and set for your weapons for
stun.

PIETT: Yes my lord.

313 313

       Beeping while he works, Artoo is busy connecting some wires
    to Threepio who now has one leg attached.
       Chewie enters through the doorway, grunting to himself.

THREEPIO: Noisy brute. Why don't we just go into light-speed?

       Artoo beeps in response.

THREEPIO: We can't? How would you know the hyperdrive is deactivated?

       Artoo whistles knowingly.

THREEPIO: The city's central computer told you? Artoo-Detoo, you know
better than to trust a strange computer. Ouch! Pay attention to what
you're doing!

       Chewie is in the pit. He is trying to loosen something with
    an enormous wrench. Frustrated, he uses the wrench like a club
    and hits the panel...

       Leia and Lando, seated in front of the control panel, are
    suddenly sprayed by a shower of sparks.

314 314

       Vader stands on the bridge, watching as the Millennium
    Falcon is chased by the TIE fighters. As his Destroyer draws
    nearer, Vader's breathing gets slightly faster.

VADER: Luke.

       Luke realizes that Vader's ship is very near. He feels
    resigned to his fate. He senses that he is beaten, more
    emotionally than physically.

LUKE: Father.

VADER: Son, come with me.

LUKE: (moaning) Ben, why didn't you tell me?

315 315

       Lando and Leia are at the controls of the Falcon.
    Meanwhile, in the ship's hold, Chewie continues to work
    frantically on the hyperdrive mechanism.

LANDO: (into intercom) Chewie!

EXTERIOR: SPACE

       The Falcon races through space followed very closely by the
    TIE fighters and the huge Imperial Star Destroyer.

       Luke enters the cockpit and looks out the window. He is
    almost unconscious with pain and depression.

LUKE: It's Vader.

VADER: Luke...it is your destiny.

LUKE: Ben... why didn't you tell me?

316 316

PIETT: Alert all commands. Ready for the tractor beam.

       Artoo races to a control panel and starts working on a
    circuit board. Furious, Threepio stands on one leg, yelling.

THREEPIO: Artoo, come back at once! You haven't finished with me yet!
You don't know how to fix the hyperdrive. Chewbacca can do it. I'm
standing here in pieces, and you're having delusions of grandeur!

       Artoo moves a circuit on a control panel. Suddenly, the
    control panel lights up.

       Leia and Lando are thrown into their seats as the
    Millennium Falcon unexpectedly shoot into hyperspace.

       The ship tilts up and Artoo topples into the pit on top of
    Chewie.

THREEPIO: Oh, you did it!

       The Falcon soars into infinity and away from the huge Star
    Destroyer which seems, by contrast, to stand still.

       Admiral Piett and another captain glance at Vader in
    terror. Vader turns slowly and walks off the bridge, his hands
    held behind his back in a contemplative gesture.

317 317

       The Millennium Falcon is attached to a huge Rebel cruiser
    by a docking tube. Rebel fighters move about the giant
    cruiser, and a Rebel transport ship hovers near the fleet.

       Lando sits in the pilot's seat as he talks into the
    comlink. Chewie busily throws a variety of switches in
    preparation for takeoff.

LANDO: (into comlink) Luke, we're ready for takeoff.

LUKE: (over comlink) Good luck, Lando

LANDO: (into comlink) When we find Jabba the Hut and that bounty
hunter, we'll contact you.

       Luke speaking into the comlink as a medical droid works on
    his hand. Leia stands near him while Threepio and Artoo look
    out the window.

LUKE: (into comlink) I'll meet you at the rendezvous point on
Tatooine.

LANDO: (into comlink) Princess, we'll find Han. I promise.

LUKE: (into comlink) Chewie, I'll be waiting for your signal.

       Chewie's wail comes over the comlink.

LUKE: (into comlink) Take care, you two. May the Force be with you.

       Luke looks down at his hand. A metalized type of bandage
    has been wrapped around his wrist. The medical droid makes
    some adjustments in a tiny electronic unit, then pricks each
    one of Luke's fingers.

LUKE: Ow!

       Luke wriggles his fingers, makes a fist, and relaxes it.
    His hand is completely functional.
       He gets up and walks over to Leia. There is a new bond
    between them, a new understanding. Leia is thinking about Han;
    Luke is thinking about his uncertain and newly complicated
    future. Together they stand at the large window of the medical
    center looking out on the Rebel Star Cruiser and a dense,
    luminous galaxy swirling in space. Luke puts his arm around
    Leia. The droids stand next to them, and Threepio moves closer
    to Artoo putting his arm on him. The group watches as the
    Millennium Falcon moves into view, makes a turn, and zooms
    away into space.

       While Luke, Leia, and the droids stand, looking out the
    window of the star cruiser, two escort fighters join the large
    ship. Slowly, the cruiser turns and moves away into space.


318 318

     The boundless heavens serve as a back-drop for the MAIN TITLE,
     followed by a ROLL-UP, which crawls into infinity.

                Episode VI

            RETURN OF THE JEDI

           Luke Skywalker has returned to his home
           planet of Tatooine in an attempt to rescue
           his friend Han Solo from the clutches of the
           vile gangster Jabba the Hutt.

           Little does Luke know that the GALACTIC
           EMPIRE has secretly begun construction on a
           new armored space station even more powerful
           than the first dreaded Death Star.

           When completed, this ultimate weapon will
           spell certain doom for the small band of
           Rebels struggling to restore freedom to the
           galaxy...

     PAN DOWN to reveal a monstrous half-completed Death Star, its
     massive superstructure curling away from the completed section
     like the arms of a giant octopus. Beyond, in benevolent contrast,
     floats the small, green moon of ENDOR.

     An Imperial Star Destroyer moves overhead toward the massive
     armored space station, followed by two zipping TIE fighters. A
     small Imperial shuttle rockets from the main bay of the ship and
     hustles toward the Death Star.

319 319

     The shuttle captain makes contact with the Death Star.

                  SHUTTLE CAPTAIN
           Command station, this is ST three twenty-one. Code
           Clearance Blue. We're starting our approach.
           Deactivate the security shield.

                  DEATH STAR CONTROLLER
                  (filtered VO)
           The security deflector shield will be
           deactivated when we have confirmation of your
           code transmission. Stand by... You are clear
           to proceed.

                  SHUTTLE CAPTAIN
           We're starting our approach.

320 320

     Operators move about among the control panels. A SHIELD OPERATOR
     hits switches beside a large screen, on which is a display of the
     Death Star, the moon Endor, and a bright web delineating the
     invisible deflector shield.

     A control officer rushes over to the shield operator.

                  OFFICER
           Inform the commander that Lord Vader's
           shuttle has arrived.

                  OPERATOR
           Yes, sir.

     The control officer moves to a view port and watches as the
     Imperial shuttle lands in the massive docking bay. A squad of
     Imperial stormtroopers moves into formation before the craft.

321 321

     The DEATH STAR COMMANDER, MOFF JERJERROD, a tall, confident
     technocrat, strides through the assembled troops to the base of
     the shuttle ramp. The troops snap to attention; many are uneasy
     about the new arrival. But the Death Star commander stands
     arrogantly tall.

     The exit hatch of the shuttle opens with a WHOOSH, revealing only
     darkness. Then, heavy FOOTSTEPS AND MECHANICAL BREATHING. From
     this black void appears DARTH VADER, LORD OF THE SITH. Vader
     looks over the assemblage as he walks down the ramp.

                  JERJERROD
           Lord Vader, this is an unexpected pleasure.
           We're honored by your presence.

                  VADER
           You may dispense with the pleasantries,
           Commander. I'm here to put you back on
           schedule.

     The commander turns ashen and begins to shake.

                  JERJERROD
           I assure you, Lord Vader, my men are working
           as fast as they can.

                  VADER
           Perhaps I can find new ways to
           motivate them.

                  JERJERROD
           I tell you, this station will be operational
           as planned.

                  VADER
           The Emperor does not share your
           optimistic appraisal of the situation.

                  JERJERROD
           But he asks the impossible. I need more men.

                  VADER
           Then perhaps you can tell him when he
           arrives.

                  JERJERROD (aghast)
           The Emperor's coming here?

                  VADER
           That is correct, Commander. And he is most
           displeased with your apparent lack of
           progress.

                  JERJERROD
           We shall double our efforts.

                  VADER
           I hope so, Commander, for your sake. The
           Emperor is not as forgiving as I am.

322 322

     A lonely, windswept road meanders through the desolate Tatooine
     terrain. We HEAR a familiar BEEPING and a distinctive reply
     before catching sight of ARTOO-DETOO and SEE-THREEPIO, making
     their way along the road toward the ominous palace of Jabba the
     Hutt.

                  THREEPIO
           Of course I'm worried. And you should be,
           too. Lando Calrissian and poor Chewbacca
           never returned from this awful place.

     Artoo whistles timidly.

                  THREEPIO
           Don't be so sure. If I told you half the
           things I've heard about this Jabba the Hutt,
           You'd probably short-circuit.

     The two droids fearfully approach the massive gate to the palace.

                  THREEPIO
           Artoo, are you sure this is the right place?
           I better knock, I suppose.

323 323

     Threepio looks around for some kind of signaling device, then
     timidly knocks on the iron door.

                  THREEPIO (instantly)
           There doesn't seem to be anyone there. Let's
           go back and tell Master Luke.

     A small hatch in the middle of the door opens and a spidery
     mechanical arm, with a large electronic eyeball on the end, pops
     out and inspects the two droids.

                  STRANGE VOICE
           Tee chuta hhat yudd!

                  THREEPIO
           Goodness gracious me!

     Threepio points to Artoo, then to himself.

                  THREEPIO
           Artoo Detoowha bo Seethreepiowha ey toota odd
           mischka Jabba du Hutt.

     The eye looks from one robot to the other, there is a laugh then
     the eye zips back into the door. The hatch slams shut. Artoo
     beeps his concern.

                  THREEPIO
           I don't think they're going to let us in,
           Artoo. We'd better go.

     Artoo beeps his reluctance as Threepio turns to leave. Suddenly
     the massive door starts to rise with a horrific metallic SCREECH.
     The robots turn back and face an endless black cavity. The droids
     look at one another, afraid to enter.

     Artoo starts forward into the gloom. Threepio rushes after his
     stubby companion. The door lowers noisily behind them.

                  THREEPIO
           Artoo, wait. Oh, dear! Artoo. Artoo, I really
           don't think we should rush into all this.

     Artoo continues down the corridor, with Threepio following.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, Artoo!  Artoo, wait for me!

324 324

     The door slams shut with a loud crash that echoes throughout the
     dark passageway. The frightened robots are met by two giant,
     green GAMORREAN GUARDS, who fall in behind them. Threepio glances
     quickly back at the two lumbering brutes, then back to Artoo. One
     guard grunts an order. Artoo beeps nervously.

                  THREEPIO
           Just you deliver Master Luke's message and
           get us out of here. Oh my! Oh! Oh, no.

     Walking toward them out of the darkness is BIB FORTUNA, a
     humanlike alien with long tentacles protruding from his skull.

                  BIB
           Die Wanna Wanga!

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, my! Die Wanna Wauaga. We -- we bring a
           message to your master, Jabba the Hutt.

     Artoo lets out a series of quick beeps.

                  THREEPIO (cont)
           ... and a gift.
           (thinks a moment, then to Artoo)
           Gift, what gift?

     Bib shakes his head negatively.

                  BIB
           Nee Jabba no badda. Me chaade su goodie.

     Bib holds out his hand toward Artoo and the tiny droid backs up a
     bit, letting out a protesting array of squeaks. Threepio turns to
     the strange-looking alien.

                  THREEPIO
           He says that our instructions are to give it
           only to Jabba himself.

     Bib thinks about this for a moment.

                  THREEPIO
           I'm terribly sorry. I'm afraid he's ever so
           stubborn about these sort of things.

     Bib gestures for the droids to follow.

                  BIB
           Nudd Chaa.

     The droids follow the tall, tentacled alien into the darkness,
     trailed by the two guards.

                  THREEPIO
           Artoo, I have a bad feeling about this.

325 325

     The throne room is filled with the vilest, most grotesque
     CREATURES ever conceived in the universe. Artoo and Threepio seem
     very small as they pause in the doorway to the dimly lit chamber.
     Light shafts partially illuminate the drunken courtiers as Bib
     Fortuna crosses the room to the platform upon which rests the
     leader of this nauseating crowd: JABBA THE HUTT. The monarch of
     the galactic underworld is a repulsive blob of bloated fat with a
     maniacal grin. Chained to the horrible creature is the beautiful
     alien female dancer named OOLA. At the foot of the dais sits an
     obnoxious birdlike creature, SALACIOUS CRUMB. Bib whispers
     something in the slobbering degenerate's ear. Jabba laughs
     horribly, at the two terrified droids before him. Threepio bows
     politely.

                  THREEPIO
           Good morning.

                  JABBA
           Bo Shuda!

     The robots jump forward to stand before the repulsive, loose-
     skinned villain.

                  THREEPIO
           The message, Artoo, the message.

     Artoo whistles, and a beam of light projects from his domed head,
     creating a HOLOGRAM of LUKE on the floor. The image grows to over
     ten feet tall, and the young Jedi towers over the space
     gangsters.

                  LUKE
           Greetings, Exalted One. Allow me to introduce
           myself. I am Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight and
           friend to Captain Solo. I know that you are
           powerful, mighty Jabba, and that your anger
           with Solo must be equally powerful. I seek an
           audience with Your Greatness to bargain for
           Solo's life. (Jabba's crowd laughs) With your
           wisdom, I'm sure that we can work out an
           arrangement which will be mutually beneficial
           and enable us to avoid any unpleasant
           confrontation. As a token of my goodwill, I
           present to you a gift: these two droids.

     Threepio is startled by this announcement.

                  THREEPIO
           What did he say?

                  LUKE (cont)
           ... Both are hardworking and will serve you
           well.

                  THREEPIO
           This can't be! Artoo, you're playing the
           wrong message.

     Luke's hologram disappears.

     Jabba laughs while Bib speaks to him in Huttese.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           There will be no bargain.

                  THREEPIO
           We're doomed.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           I will not give up my favorite decoration. I
           like Captain Solo where he is.

     Jabba laughs hideously and looks toward an alcove beside the
     throne. Hanging high, flat against the wall, exactly as we saw
     him last, is a carbonized HAN SOLO.

                  THREEPIO
           Artoo, look! Captain Solo. And he's still
           frozen in carbonite.

326 326

     One of Jabba's Gamorrean guards marches Artoo and Threepio down a
     dank, shadowy passageway lined with holding cells. The cries of
     unspeakable creatures bounce off the cold stone walls.
     Occasionally a repulsive arm or tentacle grabs through the bars
     at the hapless droids. Artoo beeps pitifully.

                  THREEPIO
           What could possibly have come over Master
           Luke. Is it something I did? He never
           expressed any unhappiness with my work. Oh!
           Oh! Hold it! Ohh!

     A large tentacle wraps around Threepio's neck. He manages to
     break free, and they move on to a door at the end of the
     corridor.

327 327

     The door slides open, revealing a room filled with steam and
     noisy machinery. The guard motions them into the boiler room,
     where they are met by a tall, thin humanlike robot named EV-9D9
     (EVE-NINEDENINE). Behind the robot can be seen a torture rack
     pulling the legs off a screaming baby work droid. A second
     power droid is upside down.  As smoking branding irons are
     pressed into his feet, the stubby robot lets out an agonized
     electronic scream. Artoo and Threepio cringe as the guard grunts
     to EV-9D9.

                  NINEDENINE
           Ah, good. New acquisitions. You are a
           protocol droid, are you not?

                  THREEPIO
           I am See-Threepio, human-cy...

                  NINEDENINE
           Yes or no will do.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh. Well, yes.

                  NINEDENINE
           How many languages do you speak?

                  THREEPIO
           I am fluent in over six million forms of
           communication, and can readily...

                  NINEDENINE
           Splendid! We have been without an interpreter
           since our master got angry with our last
           protocol droid and disintegrated him.

                  THREEPIO
           Disintegrated?

                  NINEDENINE (to a Gamorrean guard)
           Guard! This protocol droid might be useful.
           Fit him with a restraining bolt and take him
           back to His Excellency's main audience
           chamber.

     The guard shoves Threepio toward the door.

                  THREEPIO (disappearing)
           Artoo, don't leave me! Ohhh!

     Artoo lets out a plaintive cry as the door closes. Then he beeps
     angrily.

                  NINEDENINE
           You're a feisty little one, but you'll soon
           learn some respect. I have need for you on
           the master's Sail Barge. And I think you'll
           fit in nicely.

     The poor work droid in the background lets out another tortured
     electronic scream.

328 328

     The court of Jabba the Hutt is in the midst of a drunken, raucous
     party. Sloppy, smelly monsters cheer and make rude noises as Oola
     and a fat female dancer perform in front of Jabba's throne.

     Jabba leers at the dancers and with a lustful gleam in his eye
     beckons Oola to come and sit with him. She stops dancing and
     backs away, shaking her head. Jabba gets angry and points to a
     spot next to him.

                  JABBA
           Da Eitha!

     The lovely alien shakes her head again and screams.

                  OOLA
           Na Chuba negatorie Na! Na! Natoota...

     Jabba is furious and pulls her toward him, tugging on the chain.

                  JABBA
           Boscka!

     He pushes a button and, before the dancer can flee, a trap door
     in the floor springs open and swallows her up. As the door snaps
     shut, a muffled growl is followed by a hideous scream. Jabba and
     his monstrous friends laugh hysterically and several revelers
     hurry over to watch her fate through a grate.

     Threepio cringes and glances wistfully at the carbonite form of
     Han Solo, but is immediately distracted by a gunshot offscreen.
     An unnatural quiet sweeps the boisterous gathering. On the far
     side of the room, the crush of debauchers moves aside to allow
     the approach of two guards followed by BOUSHH, an oddly cloaked
     bounty hunter, leading his captive, Han Solo's copilot, CHEWBACCA
     THE WOOKIEE.

     Bib takes his place next to his disgusting master, and whispers
     into his ear, pointing at Chewbacca and the bounty hunter. Jabba
     listens intently, then the bounty hunter bows before the gangster
     and speaks a greeting in a strange, electronically processed
     tongue (Ubese).

                  BOUSHH (in Ubese subtitled)
           I have come for the bounty on this Wookiee.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, no! Chewbacca!

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           At last we have the mighty Chewbacca.

     Jabba lets out a loud, long, blood-curdling laugh and turns to
     Threepio, waving him closer. The reluctant droid obeys.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, uh, yes, uh, I am here, Your
           Worshipfulness. Uh... yes!

     Jabba continues speaking, as Threepio nervously translates.
     Boushh listens, studying the dangerous creatures around the room.
     He notices BOBA FETT standing near the door.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh. The illustrious Jabba bids you welcome
           and will gladly pay you the reward of twenty-
           five thousand.

                  BOUSHH (in Ubese subtitled)
           I want fifty thousand. No less.

     Jabba immediately flies into a rage, knocking the golden droid
     off the raised throne into a clattering heap on the floor. Boushh
     adjusts his weapon as Jabba raves in Huttese and Threepio
     struggles back onto the throne. The disheveled droid tries to
     compose himself.

                  THREEPIO
           Uh, oh... but what, what did I say?
           (to Boushh)
           Uh, the mighty Jabba asks why he must pay
           fifty thousand.

     The bounty hunter holds up a small silver ball in his hand.
     Threepio looks at it, then looks at Jabba, then back to the
     bounty hunter. The droid is very nervous and Jabba is getting
     very impatient.

                  THREEPIO
           Because he's holding a thermal detonator.

     The guards instantly back away, as do most of the other monsters
     in the room. Jabba stares at the silver ball, which begins to
     glow in the bounty hunter's hand. The room has fallen into a
     tense hush. Jabba stares at the bounty hunter malevolently until
     a sly grin creeps across his vast mouth and he begins to laugh.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           This bounty hunter is my kind of scum.
           Fearless and inventive.

     Jabba continues.

                  THREEPIO
           Jabba offers the sum of thirty-five. And I
           suggest you take it.

     Bib and the other monsters study the bounty hunter and wait for
     his reaction. Boushh releases a switch on the thermal detonator
     and it goes dead.

                  BOUSHH
           Zeebuss.

                  THREEPIO
           He agrees!

     The raucous crowd of monsters erupts in a symphony of cheers and
     applause as the party returns to its full noisy pitch. Chewbacca
     growls. As he is led away we spot LANDO CALRISSIAN, disguised as
     a skiff guard in a partial face mask. The band starts up and
     dancing girls take the center of the floor, to the hoots of the
     loudly appreciative creatures.

     Boushh leans against a column with gunfighter cool and surveys
     the scene, his gaze stopping only when it connects with a glare
     from across the room. Boba Fett is watching him. Boushh shifts
     slightly, cradling his weapon lovingly. Boba Fett shifts with
     equally ominous arrogance.

329 329

     Gamorrean guards lead Chewie down the same hallway we saw before.
     When a tentacle reaches out at the Wookiee, Chewie's ferocious
     ROAR echoes against the walls and the tentacle snaps back into
     its cell in terror. It takes all the guards to hurl Chewie
     roughly into a cell, slamming the door behind him. Chewie lets
     out a pathetic howl and bangs on the iron door.

330 330

     The palace is sitting in the light of the double sunset. On the
     road in front, a large toadlike creature flicks its tongue out
     for a desert rodent and burps in satisfaction.

331 331

     Silence. The room is deserted, only the awful debris of the alien
     celebration giving mute witness to the activity here before.
     Several drunk creatures lie unconscious around the room, snoring
     loudly.

     A shadowy figure moves stealthily among the columns at the
     perimeter of the room and is revealed to be Boushh, the bounty
     hunter. He picks his way carefully through the snoring, drunken
     monsters.

     Han Solo, the frozen space pirate, hangs spotlighted on the wall,
     his coffin-like case suspended by a force field. The bounty
     hunter deactivates the force field by flipping a control switch
     to one side of the coffin. The heavy case slowly lowers to the
     floor of the alcove.

     Boushh steps up to the case, studying Han, then turns to the
     controls on the side of the coffin. He activates a series of
     switches and, after one last, hesitant look at Han, slides the
     decarbonization lever. The case begins to emit a sound as the
     hard shell covering the contours of Han's face begins to melt
     away. The bounty hunter watches as Han's body is freed of its
     metallic coat and his forearms and hands, previously raised in
     reflexive protest, drop slackly to his side. His face muscles
     relax from their mask of horror. He appears quite dead.

     Boushh's ugly helmet leans close to Han's face listening for the
     breath of life. Nothing. He waits. Han's eyes pop open with a
     start and he begins coughing. The bounty hunter steadies the
     staggering newborn.

                  BOUSHH
           Just relax for a moment. You're free of the
           carbonite.

     Han touches his face with his hand and moans.

                  BOUSHH
           Shhh. You have hibernation sickness.

                  HAN
           I can't see.

                  BOUSHH
           You eyesight will return in time.

                  HAN
           Where am I?

                  BOUSHH
           Jabba's palace.

                  HAN
           Who are you?

     The bounty hunter reaches up and lifts the helmet from his head,
     revealing the beautiful face of PRINCESS LEIA.

                  LEIA
           Someone who loves you.

                  HAN
           Leia!

                  LEIA
           I gotta get you out of here.

     As Leia helps her weakened lover to stand up, the relative quiet
     is pierced by an obscene HUTTESE CACKLE from the other side of
     the alcove.

                  HAN
           What's that? I know that laugh.

     The curtain on the far side of the alcove opens, revealing Jabba
     the Hutt, surrounded by Bib and other aliens. He laughs again,
     and his gross cronies join in a cacophony of alien glee.

                  HAN
           Hey, Jabba. Look, Jabba, I was just on my way
           to pay you back, but I got a little
           sidetracked. It's not my fault.

     Jabba laughs.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           It's too late for that, Solo. You may have
           been a good smuggler, but now you're Bantha
           fodder.

                  HAN
           Look...

                  JABBA (cont Huttese subtitled)
           Take him away!

     The guards grab Han and start to lead him away.

                  HAN
           Jabba... I'll pay you triple! You're throwing
           away a fortune here. Don't be a fool!

     Han is dragged off, as Lando quickly moves forward and attempts
     to lead Leia away.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           Bring her to me.

     Jabba chuckles as Lando and a second guard drag the beautiful
     young princess toward him. Threepio peeks from behind a monster
     and quickly turns away in disgust.

                  LEIA
           We have powerful friends. You're gonna regret
           this...

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           I'm sure.

     Inexorably her lovely face moves to within a few inches of
     Jabba's ugly blob of a head, and Leia turns away in disgust.

                  LEIA
           Ugh!

                  THREEPIO
           Ohhh, I can't bear to watch.

332 332

     The heavy metal door of the dungeon whines and slowly creaks
     open. A guard throws the blinded star captain into the dark cell
     and the door slams shut behind him, leaving only a thin sliver of
     light from a crack in the door. Han is trying to collect himself
     when suddenly a growl is heard from the far side of the cell. He
     jumps back against the cell door and listens.

                  HAN
           Chewie? Chewie, is that you?

     The shadowy figure lets out a crazy yell and races toward Han,
     lifting him off the ground with a big hug that carries them into
     the light, revealing Chewie.

                  HAN
           Ah! Chew--Chewie!

     The giant Wookiee barks with glee.

                  HAN
           Wait. I can't see, pal. What's goin' on?

     Chewie barks an excited blue streak.

                  HAN
           Luke? Luke's crazy. He can't even take care
           of himself, much less rescue anybody.

     Chewie barks a reply.

                  HAN
           A...Jedi Knight? I--I'm out of it for a
           little while, everybody gets delusions of
           grandeur.

     Chewie growls insistently. He holds Han to his chest and pets his
     head.

                  HAN
           I'm all right, pal. I'm all right.

333 333

     Noisily, the main gate lifts to flood the blackness with blinding
     LIGHT and reveal the silhouetted figure of LUKE SKYWALKER. He is
     clad in a robe similar to Ben's and wears neither pistol nor
     laser sword. Luke strides purposefully into the hallway. Two
     giant guards move to block Luke's path. Luke halts.

     Luke raises his hand and points at the puzzled guards, who
     immediately lower their spears and fall back. The young Jedi
     lowers his hand and moves on down the hallway.

     Bib Fortuna appears out of the gloom. He speaks to Luke as they
     approach each other, but Luke doesn't stop and Bib must reverse
     his direction and hurry alongside the young Jedi in order to carry
     on the conversation. Several other guards fall in behind them in
     the darkness.

                  LUKE
           I must speak with Jabba.

     Bib answers in Huttese, shaking his head in denial. Luke stops
     and stares at Bib; he raises his hand slightly.

                  LUKE
           You will take me to Jabba now!

     Bib turns in hypnotic response to Luke's command, and Luke
     follows him into the gloom.

                  LUKE
           You serve your master well.

     Bib responds.

                  LUKE
           And you will be rewarded.

334 334

     Jabba is asleep on his throne, with Leia lying in front of him.
     Salacious sits by Jabba's tail, watching it wriggle. Leia is now
     dressed in the skimpy costume of a dancing girl; a chain runs
     from a manacle/necklace at her throat to her new master, Jabba
     the Hutt. Threepio stands behind Jabba as Bib comes up to the
     gangster slug.

                  THREEPIO
           At last! Master Luke's come to rescue me.

                  BIB
           Master.

     Jabba awakens with a start and Bib continues, in Huttese.

                  BIB
           ...Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           I told you not to admit him.

                  LUKE
           I must be allowed to speak.

                  BIB (in Huttese subtitled)
           He must be allowed to speak.

     Jabba, furious, clobbers Bib and shoves him away.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           You weak-minded fool! He's using an old Jedi
           mind trick.

     Luke stares hard at Jabba.

                  LUKE
           You will bring Captain Solo and the Wookiee
           to me.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           Your mind powers will not work on me, boy.

                  LUKE
           Nevertheless, I'm taking Captain Solo and his
           friends. You can either profit by this... or
           be destroyed! It's your choice. But I warn
           you not to underestimate my powers.

     Jabba's laugh is mean and loud. Threepio attempts to warn Luke
     about the pit.

                  THREEPIO
           Master Luke, you're standing on...

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           There will be no bargain, young Jedi. I shall
           enjoy watching you die.

     Luke reaches out, and a pistol jumps out of a guard's holster and
     flies into Luke's hand. The bewildered guard grabs for it as
     Jabba raises his hand.

                  JABBA
           Bascka!

     The floor suddenly drops away, sending Luke and the hapless guard
     into the pit. The pistol goes off, blasting a hole in the
     ceiling. Jabba laughs and his courtiers join in. Leia starts
     forward but is restrained by a human guard-- Lando, recognizable
     behind his mask. She looks at him and he shakes his head "no."

335 335

     Luke and the guard have dropped twenty-five feet from a chute
     into the dungeonlike cage. Luke gets to his feet as the guard
     yells hysterically for help. A crowd gathers up around the edge
     of the pit as the door in the side of the pit starts to RUMBLE
     open. The guard screams in panic. Luke looks calmly around for a
     means of escape.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, no! The Rancor!

     At the side of the pit, an iron door rumbles upward and a giant,
     fanged RANCOR emerges. The guard runs to the side of the pit and
     tries futilely to scramble to the top. The hideous beast closes
     in on him.

     The Rancor moves past Luke, and as the guard continues to
     scramble, the Rancor picks him up and pops him into its slavering
     jaws. A few screams, and the guard is swallowed with a gulp. The
     audience cheers and laughs at the guard's fate.

     The monster turns and starts for Luke. The young Jedi dashes away
     just ahead of the monster's swipe at him, and picks up the long
     arm bone of an earlier victim. The monster grabs Luke and brings
     him up to his salivating mouth. At the last moment, Luke wedges
     the bone in the monster's mouth and is dropped to the floor. The
     monster bellows in rage and flails about, hitting the side of the
     pit, causing an avalanche.

     The monster crushes the bone in its jaws and sees Luke, who
     squeezes into a crevice in the pit wall. Luke looks past the
     monster to the holding cave beyond. On the far side of the
     holding cave is a utility door--if only he can get to it. The
     Rancor spots Luke and reaches into the crevice for him. Luke
     grabs a large rock and raises it, smashing it down on the
     Rancor's finger.

336 336

     The Rancor lets out a loud howl as Luke makes a run for the
     holding cave. He reaches the door and pushes a button to open it.
     When he succeeds, he sees a heavy barred gate between him and
     safety. Beyond the gate two guards look up from their dinner.
     Luke turns to see the monster heading for him, and pulls with all
     his might on the gate. The guards move to the gate and start
     poking at the young Jedi with spears, laughing.

     Luke crouches (against the wall) as the monster starts to reach
     for him. Suddenly he notices a main door control panel halfway up
     the wall. As the Rancor moves in for the kill, Luke picks up a
     skull from the cave floor and hurls it at the panel. The giant
     overhead door comes crashing down on the beast's head, squashing
     it like a sledgehammer on an egg.

337 337

     A startled gasp is heard from the stunned court. There's
     consternation at this turn of events. Heads look to Jabba, who is
     actually turning red with anger. Leia cannot suppress her joy.
     Jabba utters harsh commands to his guards and they hurry off.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           Bring me Solo and the Wookiee. They will all
           suffer for this outrage.

338 338

     The Rancor KEEPERS have come into the cage and are examining
     their dead beast. One of them breaks down and weeps. The other
     glares menacingly at Luke, who is unworried. Several guards rush
     into the holding tunnel and take Luke away.

339 339

     The crowd of creepy courtiers parts as Han and Chewie are brought
     into the throne room, and other guards drag Luke up the steps.

                  LUKE
           Han!

                  HAN
           Luke!

                  LUKE
           Are you all right?

                  HAN
           Fine. Together again, huh?

                  LUKE
           Wouldn't miss it.

                  HAN
           How are we doing?

                  LUKE
           The same as always.

                  HAN
           That bad, huh? Where's Leia?

     Luke looks to Leia.

                  LEIA
           I'm here.

     Threepio is standing behind the grotesque gangster as he strokes
     Leia like a pet cat. Several of the guards, including Lando,
     bring Luke from the other side of the room. Boba is standing
     behind Jabba.

     Threepio steps forward and translates for the captives.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, dear. His High Exaltedness, the great
           Jabba the Hutt, has decreed that you are to
           be terminated immediately.

                  HAN
           Good, I hate long waits.

                  THREEPIO
           You will therefore be taken to the Dune Sea
           and cast into the pit of Carkoon, the nesting
           place of the all-powerful Sarlacc.

                  HAN (to Luke)
           Doesn't sound so bad.

                  THREEPIO
           In his belly, you will find a new definition
           of pain and suffering, as you are slowly
           digested over a thousand years.

                  HAN
           On second thought, let's pass on that, huh?

     Chewie barks his agreement.

                  LUKE
           You should have bargained, Jabba. That's the
           last mistake you'll ever make.

     Jabba cackles evilly at this.

     As the guards drag the prisoners from the throne room, a loud
     cheer rises from the crowd. Leia and Chewie exchange concerned
     looks, but Luke Skywalker, Jedi warrior, cannot suppress a smile.

340 340

     Jabba's huge SAIL BARGE moves above the desert surface
     accompanied by two smaller SKIFFS. One of the skiffs glides
     close, revealing Luke, Han, and Chewie -- all in bonds --
     surrounded by guards, one of whom is Lando in disguise.

                  HAN
           I think my eyes are getting better. Instead
           of a big dark blur, I see a big light blur.

                  LUKE
           There's nothing to see. I used to live here,
           you know.

                  HAN
           You're gonna die here, you know. Convenient.

                  LUKE
           Just stick close to Chewie and Lando. I've
           taken care of everything.

                  HAN
           Oh... great!

341 341

     Jabba the Hutt rides like a sultan in the massive antigravity
     ship. His entire retinue is with him, drinking, eating, and
     having a good time. Leia is watching her friends in the skiff
     when the chain attached to her neck is pulled tight and Jabba
     tugs the scantily clad princess to him.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           Soon you will learn to appreciate me.

     Threepio wanders among the Sail Barge aliens, bumping into a
     smaller droid serving drinks, spilling them all over the place.
     The stubby droid lets out an angry series of beeps and whistles.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, I'm terribly sor... Artoo! What are you
           doing here?

     Artoo beeps a quick reply.

                  THREEPIO
           Well, I can see you're serving drinks, but
           this place is dangerous. They're going to
           execute Master Luke and, if we're not
           careful, us too!

          Artoo whistles a singsong response.

                  THREEPIO
           Hmm.  I wish I had your confidence.

342 342

     The convoy moves up over a huge sand pit. The Sail Barge stops to
     one side of the depression, as does the escort skiff. But the
     prisoner's skiff moves out directly over the center and hovers.
     At the bottom of the deep cone of sand is a repulsive, mucous-
     lined hole, surrounded by thousands of needle-sharp teeth. This
     is the SARLACC. A plank is extended from the edge of the
     prisoner's skiff. Guards release Luke's bonds and shove him out
     onto the plank above the Sarlacc's mouth.

343 343

     Jabba and Leia are now by the rail, watching. Threepio leans
     forward and the slobbering villain mumbles something to him. As
     Threepio steps up to a comlink, Jabba raises his arm and the
     motley array of intergalactic pirates fall silent. Threepio's
     voice is amplified across loudspeakers.

                  THREEPIO
           Victims of the almighty Sarlacc: His
           Excellency hopes that you will die honorably.
           But should any of you wish to beg for mercy,
           the great Jabba the Hutt will now listen to
           your pleas.

344 344

     Han steps forward arrogantly and begins to speak.

                  HAN
           Threepio, you tell that slimy piece of...
           worm-ridden filth he'll get no such pleasure
           from us. Right?

     Chewie growls his agreement.

                  LUKE
           Jabba! This is your last chance. Free us or
           die.

     Lando moves unobtrusively along the skiff as Luke shoots a quick
     look of conspiracy to him.

345 345

     The assembled monsters rock with mocking laughter as Artoo zips
     unnoticed up the ramp to the upper deck. Jabba's laughter
     subsides as he speaks into the comlink.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           Move him into position.

     Jabba makes a thumbs-down gesture. Leia looks worried.

346 346

     Artoo appears from below and zips over to the rail facing the
     pit. Below, in the skiff, Luke is prodded by a guard to the edge
     of the plank over the gaping Sarlacc. Luke looks up at Artoo,
     then gives a jaunty salute: the signal the little droid has been
     waiting for. A flap opens in Artoo's domed head.

                  JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
           Put him in.

347 347

     Luke is prodded and jumps off the plank to the cheers of the
     bloodthirsty spectators. But, before anyone can even perceive
     what is happening, he spins around and grabs the end of the plank
     by his fingertips. The plank bends wildly from his weight and
     catapults him skyward. In midair he does a complete flip and
     drops down on the end of the plank in the same spot he just
     vacated, but facing the skiff. He casually extends an open palm
     and -- his lightsaber, which Artoo has sent arcing toward him,
     drops into his hand.

     With samurai speed, Luke ignites it and attacks the guard who
     prodded him off the plank, sending the hapless monster screaming
     overboard. The other guards swarm toward Luke. He wades into
     them, lightsaber flashing. Lando struggles with another guard at
     the back of the skiff.

348 348

     A bewildered guard lands in the soft, sandy slope of the pit, and
     begins sliding. He claws desperately as a Sarlacc tentacle grabs
     him and pulls him screaming into the viscous mouth.

349 349

     Jabba watches this and explodes in rage. He barks commands, and
     the guards around him rush off to do his bidding. The scuzzy
     creatures watching the action from the window are in an uproar.

350 350

     Luke knocks another guard off the skiff and into the waiting
     mouth of the Sarlacc. He starts to untie Chewie's bonds.

                  LUKE
           Easy, Chewie.

     At that moment, the deck gunmen on the barge unleash a series of
     blasts from a big cannon on the upper deck. Lando is tossed from
     the deck of the rocking skiff. He manages to grab a rope, and
     dangles desperately above the Sarlacc pit.

                  LANDO
           Whoa! Whoa! Help!

351 351

     With two swift strides, the dangerous Boba Fett ignites his
     rocket pack, leaps into the air, and flies from the barge down to
     the skiff.

352 352

     Boba lands on the skiff and starts to aim his laser gun at Luke,
     who has freed Han and Chewie from their bonds. But before Boba
     can fire, the young Jedi spins on him, lightsaber sweeping, and
     hacks the bounty hunter's gun in half.

     Immediately, the skiff takes another direct hit from the barge's
     deck gun. Shards of skiff deck fly. Chewie and Han are thrown
     against the rail.

                  HAN
           Chewie, you okay? Where is he?

     The Wookiee is wounded and he howls in pain.

                  HAN
           I'm okay, pal.

     For a moment, Luke is distracted, and in that moment, Boba fires
     a cable out of his armored sleeve. Instantly, Luke is wrapped in
     a strong cable, his arms pinned against his side, his sword arm
     free only from the wrist down.  Luke bends his wrist so the lightsaber
     points straight up to reach the wire lasso and cuts through. Luke
     shrugs away the cable and stands free.

     Another blast from the Barge's deck gun hits near Boba and he is
     knocked unconscious to the deck, next to where Lando is hanging.

                  LANDO
           Han! Chewie?

                  HAN
           Lando!

     Luke is a little shaken but remains standing as a fusillade
     brackets him. The second skiff, loaded with guards firing their
     weapons, moves in on Luke fast. Luke leaps toward the incoming
     second skiff. The young Jedi leaps into the middle of the second
     skiff and begins decimating the guards from their midst.

     Chewie, wounded, tries to lift himself as he barks directions to
     Han, guiding him toward a spear which has been dropped by one of
     the guards. Han searches the deck as Chewie barks directions;
     finally he grabs hold of the spear.

     Boba Fett, badly shaken, rises from the deck. He looks over at
     the other skiff, where Luke is whipping a mass of guards. Boba
     raises his arm, and aims his lethal appendage.

     Chewie barks desperately at Han.

                  HAN
           Boba Fett?! Boba Fett?! Where?

     The space pirate turns around blindly, and the long spear in his
     hand whacks squarely in the middle of Boba's rocket pack.

     The impact of the swing causes the rocket pack to ignite. Boba
     blasts off, flying over the second skiff like a missile, smashing
     against the side of the huge Sail Barge and sliding away into the
     pit. He screams as his armored body makes its last flight past
     Lando and directly into the mucous mouth of the Sarlacc. The
     Sarlacc burps. Chewie growls a weak congratulations to Han.

353 353

     Leia turns from the spectacle outside, leaps onto Jabba's throne,
     and throws the chain that enslaves her over his head around his
     bulbous neck. Then she dives off the other side of the throne,
     pulling the chain violently in her grasp. Jabba's flaccid neck
     contracts beneath the tightening chain. His huge eyes bulge from
     their sockets and his scum-coated tongue flops out. The Exalted
     Hutt's huge tail spasms through its death throes and then slams
     down into final stillness. Leia struggles to free herself of her
     bondage.

354 354

     Luke continues to destroy the aliens on the guards' skiff, as Han
     extends his spear downward to Lando, who is still dangling
     precariously from a rope on the prisoner's skiff.

                  HAN
           Lando, grab it!

                  LANDO
           Lower it!

                  HAN
           I'm trying!

     A major hit from the barge deck gun knocks the skiff on its side.
     Han and almost everything else on board slides overboard. The
     rope breaks, and Lando falls to the side of the Sarlacc pit.
     Luckily, Han's foot catches on the skiff railing and he dangles
     above Lando and the pit. The wounded Wookiee holds onto the skiff
     for dear life as another hit from the deck gun rocks the skiff
     violently.

                  HAN
           Whoa! Whoa! Grab me, Chewie! I'm slipping.

     Chewie grabs hold of Han's feet, holding him upside down, as Han
     extends the spear toward Lando, who is clutching to the side of
     the pit.

                  HAN
           Grab it! L--Lando. Grab!

     Luke finishes off the last guard on the second skiff. He sees the
     deck gun blasting away at his helpless companions. Luke leaps
     from the skiff, across a chasm of air, to the sheer metallic side
     of the Sail Barge. Barely able to get a fingerhold, he begins a
     painful climb up the hull, when suddenly an ax smashes through a
     window an inch from his head. With Jedi agility, Luke grasps the
     wrist holding the ax and yanks the helpless guard through the broken
     window and into the deadly pit.

     The injured Chewie is reaching over the rail for the dangling
     Han, who is in turn blindly reaching down toward the desperate
     Lando. The Baron has stopped his slippage down the sandy slope of
     the Sarlacc pit by lying very still. Every time he tries to reach
     for Han, the loose sand moves him closer to his final reward.

                  HAN
           Grab it! Almost... You almost got it!

     Another blast hits the front of the tilted skiff, causing Lando
     to let go of the spear.

                  LANDO
           Hold it! Whoa!

     Again Han extends the spear toward Lando.

                  HAN
           Gently now. All... all right. Now easy, easy.
           Hold me, Chewie.

     Lando screams. One of the Sarlacc's tentacles has wrapped tightly
     around his ankle, dragging him down the side of the pit.

                  HAN
           Chewie! Chewie, give me the gun. Don't move,
           Lando.

                  LANDO
           No, wait! I thought you were blind!

                  HAN
           It's all right. Trust me. Don't move.

                  LANDO
           All right! A little higher! Just a little
           higher!

     Han adjusts his aim as Lando lowers his head, and the fuzzy-eyed
     pirate fires at the tentacle. Direct hit. The tentacle releases
     Lando, and Chewie starts to pull them on board the skiff.

                  HAN
           Chewie, Pull us up! Come on! Okay... up,
           Chewie, up!

355 355

     The deck gunners have Chewie and the desperate dangling human
     chain in their gun sights when something up on deck commands
     their attention: Luke, standing before them like a pirate king,
     ignites his lightsaber. The deck gunners have barely reached for
     their pistols before the young Jedi has demolished them.
     Immediately, Luke turns to see two more gunners (who have been
     uncovering a giant gun at the end of the barge) racing for him,
     firing their laser pistols.

356 356

     Leia is struggling against her chains in desperation as Artoo
     zips through the tumult of confused monsters to the rescue; the
     stubby little droid extends a small laser gun and blasts the
     chain apart.

                  LEIA
           Come on. We gotta get out of here quick.

     Artoo and Leia race for the exit, passing Threepio, who is
     kicking and screaming as Salacious Crumb, the reptilian monkey-
     monster picks out one of the golden droid's eyes.

                  THREEPIO
           Not my eyes! Artoo, help! Quickly, Artoo. Oh!
           Ohhh! You beast!

     Artoo zips over and zaps Salacious, sending him skyward with a
     scream, crashing into the rafters as Artoo, Leia, and Threepio
     (with his eye dangling from a wire) hurry off.

357 357

     Luke is warding off laser blasts with his lightsaber, surrounded
     by guards and fighting like a demon. Leia emerges onto the deck
     as Luke turns to face another guard.

                  LUKE (to Leia)
           Get the gun! Point it at the deck!

     Leia turns toward the barge cannon, climbs on the platform, and
     swivels the gun around.

                  LUKE
           Point it at the deck!

     A laser blast hits Luke's mechanical hand and he bends over in
     pain, but manages to swing his lightsaber upward and take out the
     last of the guards. He looks at the wounded hand, which reveals
     the mechanism. He flexes the hand; it still works.

     Near the rail of the upper deck, Artoo and Threepio steady
     themselves as Threepio gets ready to jump. Artoo beeps wildly.

                  THREEPIO
           Artoo, where are we going? I couldn't
           possibly jump.

     Artoo butts the golden droid over the edge and steps off himself,
     tumbling toward the sand.

     Luke runs along the empty deck toward Leia and the barge gun,
     which she has brought around to point down at the deck.

                  LUKE
           Come on!

     Luke has hold on one of the rigging ropes from the mast. He
     gathers Leia in his other arm and kicks the trigger of the deck
     gun. The gun explodes into the deck as Luke and Leia swing out
     toward the skiff.

358 358

     Han leans panting against the rail as Chewie helps Lando onto the
     deck. Luke and Leia land on the skiff with flair.

                  LUKE
           Let's go! And don't forget the droids.

                  LANDO
           We're on our way.

     The Sail Barge is exploding in stages in the distance. Half of
     the huge craft is on fire.

359 359

     Threepio's legs stick straight up from the dune where he landed.
     Next to it, Artoo's periscope is the only thing above the sand.
     The skiff floats above them and two large electromagnets dangle
     down on a wire. With a loud CLANG, both droids are pulled from
     the sand.

360 360

     The little skiff skips around the burning Sail Barge, which
     continues its chain of explosions. As the skiff sails off across
     the desert, the barge settles to the sand and disappears in one
     final conflagration.

361 361

     A ferocious sandstorm blocks our view. Then, through the ROAR, we
     HEAR THE VOICES of our heroes. They emerge slowly from the veil
     of sand, pressing on against the wind. First come Artoo and
     Threepio, followed by Leia guiding Han, then Luke and Lando come
     into view, each supporting one side of the towering Chewbacca,
     who hobbles from his wound.

     Soon, they can make out some large vague shapes in the blowing
     sand. It is the Millennium Falcon and, parked beside it, Luke's
     trusty X-wing and a two-seated Y-wing. They must shout to be
     heard.

                  HAN
           I don't know. All I can see is a lot of
           blowing sand!

                  LEIA
           That's all any of us can see.

                  HAN (blinking)
           Then I guess I'm getting better.

     As soon as the group huddles under the bulk of the Falcon, the
     wind dies down to something more describable as a severe weather
     condition. Threepio hits a switch, and the gang-plank lowers with
     a HUM.

                  HAN (turning to Luke)
           I've got to hand it to you, kid, you were
           pretty good out there.

                  LUKE (shrugging it off)
           I had a lot of help. Think nothing of it.

                  HAN
           No, I'm thinking a lot about it. That carbon
           freeze was the closest thing to dead there
           is. And it wasn't just sleepin'. It was a big
           wide awake nothing!

     Luke nods, as Chewie growls affectionately at the young Jedi
     warrior, mussing his hair like a proud uncle. And Leia warmly
     hugs him.

                  LUKE (moving to his ship)
           I'll see you back at the fleet.

                  HAN
           Why don't you leave that crate and come with
           us?

                  LUKE
           I have a promise I have to keep first... to
           an old friend.

     Luke and Artoo take off in their spacecraft.

                  HAN
           (looking dubiously at Lando, obviously
           remembering his friend's betrayal and
           subsequent aide)
           Guess I owe you some thanks, too, Lando.

                  LANDO
           Figured if I left you frozen like that you'd
           just give me bad luck the rest of my life, so
           I might as well get you unfrozen sooner or
           later.

                  LEIA
           He means "You're welcome."

                  LANDO
           Come on, let's get off this miserable dust
           ball.

     The desolate yellow planet fills the screen, Luke's X-wing
     appears and peels off to the left. A moment later, the FALCON
     appears as a dot and grows huge, to roar directly over the
     CAMERA.

362 362

     Luke is at the controls, with Artoo attached behind him outside
     the canopy. Luke speaks into his comlink to the others, in the
     MILLENNIUM FALCON.

                  LUKE
           I'll meet you back at the fleet.

                  LEIA (over comlink)
           Hurry. The Alliance should be assembled by
           now.

                  LUKE
           I will.

                  HAN (over comlink)
           Hey, Luke, thanks. Thanks for comin' after
           me. Now I owe you one.

     A message from Artoo appears on the small monitor screen in front
     of Luke. He smiles at the monitor and speaks to Artoo, as he
     pulls a black glove on to cover his wounded mechanical hand.

                  LUKE
     That's right, Artoo. We're going to the Dagobah system. I have a
     promise to keep... to an old friend.

363 363

     A Super Star Destroyer and several ships of the Imperial Fleet
     rest in space above the half-completed Death Star and its green
     neighbor, Endor. Four squads of TIE fighters escort an Imperial
     shuttle toward the Death Star.

364 364

     Lord Vader strides down the hallway, accompanied by a very
     nervous Death Star commander.

365 365

     Thousands of Imperial troops in tight formation fill the mammoth
     docking bay. Vader and the officer walk to the landing platform,
     where the shuttle is coming to rest.

     The shuttle's ramp lowers and the Emperor's Royal Guards come out
     and create a lethal perimeter. The assembled troops move to rigid
     attention with a momentous SNAP.

     Then, in the huge SILENCE which follows, the EMPEROR appears. He
     is a rather small, shriveled old man. His bent frame slowly makes
     its way down the ramp with the aid of a gnarled cane. He wears a
     hooded cloak similar to the one Ben wears, except that it is
     black. The Emperor's face is shrouded and difficult to see,
     except for his piercing yellow eyes. Commander Jerjerrod and
     Darth Vader kneel to him. The Supreme Ruler of the galaxy beckons
     to the Dark Lord.

                  EMPEROR (to Vader)
           Rise, my friend.

     Vader rises and falls in next to the Emperor as he slowly makes
     his way along the rows of troops. Jerjerrod and the other
     commanders stay kneeling until the Supreme Ruler and Vader,
     followed by several Imperial dignitaries, pass by; only then do
     they join in the procession.

                  VADER
           The Death Star will be completed on schedule.

                  EMPEROR
           You have done well, Lord Vader. And now I
           sense you wish to continue your search for
           young Skywalker.

                  VADER
           Yes, my Master.

                  EMPEROR
           Patience, my friend. In time he will seek you
           out. And when he does, you must bring him
           before me. He has grown strong. Only together
           can we turn him to the dark side of the
           Force.

                  VADER
           As you wish.

                  EMPEROR
           Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.

     He laughs to himself as they pass along the vast line of Imperial
     troops.

366 366

     Once again, Artoo finds himself waiting around in the damp
     environs of the swamp planet, and he's none too happy about it.
     He beeps disconsolately to himself and turns to look at Yoda's
     cottage. Warm yellow light escapes the oddly shaped windows to
     fight the gloom.

367 367

     The tip of a walking stick taps hesitantly across the earthen
     floor of the cottage. Our view travels up the stick to the small
     green hand that clutches it, and then to the familiar face of
     YODA, THE JEDI MASTER. His manner is frail, and his voice, though
     cheerful, seems weaker.

                  YODA
           Hmm. That face you make. Look I so old to
           young eyes?

     Luke is sitting in a corner of the cramped space and, indeed, his
     look has been woeful. Caught, he tries to hide it.

                  LUKE
           No... of course not.

                  YODA (tickled, chuckles)
           I do, yes, I do!  Sick have I become. Old and
           weak. (Points a crooked finger) When nine
           hundred years old you reach, look as good you
           will not. Hmm?

     Yoda chuckles at this, coughs, and hobbles over toward his bed.

                  YODA
           Soon will I rest. Yes, forever sleep. Earned
           it, I have.

     Yoda sits himself on his bed, with great effort.

                  LUKE
           Master Yoda, you can't die.

                  YODA
           Strong am I with the Force... but not that
           strong! Twilight is upon me and soon night
           must fall. That is the way of things ... the
           way of the Force.

                  LUKE
           But I need your help. I've come back to
           complete the training.

                  YODA
           No more training do you require. Already know
           you that which you need.

     Yoda sighs, and lies back on his bed.

                  LUKE
           Then I am a Jedi?

                  YODA (shakes his head)
           Ohhh. Not yet. One thing remains: Vader. You
           must confront Vader. Then, only then, a Jedi
           will you be. And confront him you will.

     Luke is in agony. He is silent for a long moment, screwing up his
     courage. Finally he is able to ask.

                  LUKE
           Master Yoda... is Darth Vader my father?

     Yoda's eyes are full of weariness and compassion. An odd, sad
     smile creases his face. He turns painfully on his side, away from
     Luke.

                  YODA
           Mmm... rest I need. Yes... rest.

     Luke watches him, each moment an eternity.

                  LUKE
           Yoda, I must know.

                  YODA
           Your father he is.

     Luke reacts as if cut.

                  YODA
           Told you, did he?

                  LUKE
           Yes.

     A new look of concern crosses Yoda's face.  He closes his eyes.

                  YODA
           Unexpected this is, and unfortunate...

                  LUKE
           Unfortunate that I know the truth?

     Yoda opens his eyes again and studies the youth.

                  YODA (gathering all his strength)
           No. Unfortunate that you rushed to face
           him... that incomplete was your training. Not
           ready for the burden were you.

                  LUKE
           Well, I'm sorry.

                  YODA
           Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the
           Force.  But beware.  Anger, fear, aggression.
           The dark side are they.  Once you start down
           the dark path, forever will it dominate your
           destiny.

     He beckons the young Jedi closer to him.

                  YODA
           Luke...Luke...Do not...Do not underestimate
           the powers of the Emperor, or suffer your
           father's fate, you will. Luke, when gone am I
           (cough), the last of the Jedi will you be.
           Luke, the Force runs strong in your family.
           Pass on what you have learned, Luke... (with
           great effort) There is...
           another...Sky...Sky...walker.

     He catches his breath. A shiver runs through the ancient green
     creature, and he dies. Luke stares at his dead master as he
     disappears in front of his eyes.

368 368

     Luke wanders back to where his ship is sitting. Artoo beeps a
     greeting, but is ignored by his depressed master. Luke kneels
     down, begins to help Artoo with the ship, then stops and shakes
     his head dejectedly.

                  LUKE
           I can't do it, Artoo. I can't go on alone.

                  BEN (OS)
           Yoda will always be with you.

     Luke looks up to see the shimmering image of BEN KENOBI.

                  LUKE
           Obi-Wan! Why didn't you tell me?

     The ghost of Ben Kenobi approaches him through the swamp.

                  LUKE
           You told me Vader betrayed and murdered my
           father.

                  BEN
           You father was seduced by the dark side of
           the Force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker
           and became Darth Vader. When that happened,
           the good man who was your father was
           destroyed. So what I have told you was
           true... from a certain point of view.

                  LUKE (turning away, derisive)
           A certain point of view!

                  BEN
           Luke, you're going to find that many of the
           truths we cling to depend greatly on our own
           point of view.

     Luke is unresponsive. Ben studies him in silence for a moment.

                  BEN
           I don't blame you for being angry. If I was
           wrong in what I did, it certainly wouldn't
           have been for the first time. You see, what
           happened to your father was my fault.

     Ben pauses sadly.

                  BEN
           Anakin was a good friend.

     Luke turns with interest at this. As Ben speaks, Luke settles on
     a stump, mesmerized. Artoo comes over to offer his comforting
     presence.

                  BEN
           When I first knew him, your father was
           already a great pilot. But I was amazed how
           strongly the Force was with him.  I took it
           upon myself to train him as a Jedi.  I
           thought that I could instruct him just as
           well as Yoda.  I was wrong.  My pride has
           had terrible consequences for the galaxy.

     Luke is entranced.

                  LUKE
           There's still good in him.

                  BEN
           I also thought he could be turned back to the
           good side. It couldn't be done. He is more
           machine now than man. Twisted and evil.

                  LUKE
           I can't do it, Ben.

                  BEN
           You cannot escape your destiny.

                  LUKE
           I tried to stop him once. I couldn't do it.

                  BEN
           Vader humbled you when first you met him,
           Luke...but that experience was part of your
           training. It taught you, among other things,
           the value of patience.  Had you not been so
           impatient to defeat Vader then, you could
           have finished your training here with Yoda.
           You would have been prepared.

                  LUKE
           But I had to help my friends.

                  BEN (grinning at Luke's indignation)
           And did you help them? It was they who had to
           save you. You achieved little by rushing back
           prematurely, I fear.

                  LUKE (with sadness)
           I found out Darth Vader was my father.

                  BEN
           To be a Jedi, Luke, you must confront and
           then go beyond the dark side - the side your
           father couldn't get past. Impatience is
           the easiest door - for you, like your father.
           Only, your father was seduced by what he
           found on the other side of the door, and you
           have held firm. You're no longer so reckless
           now, Luke. You are strong and patient. And
           now, you must face Darth Vader again!

                  LUKE
           I can't kill my own father.

                  BEN
           Then the Emperor has already won. You were
           our only hope.

                  LUKE
           Yoda spoke of another.

                  BEN
           The other he spoke of is your twin sister.

                  LUKE
           But I have no sister.

                  BEN
           Hmm. To protect you both from the Emperor,
           you were hidden from your father when you
           were born. The Emperor knew, as I did, if
           Anakin were to have any offspring, they would
           be a threat to him. That is the reason why
           your sister remains safely anonymous.

                  LUKE
           Leia! Leia's my sister.

                  BEN
           Your insight serves you well. Bury your
           feelings deep down, Luke. They do you credit.
           But they could be made to serve the Emperor.

     Luke looks into the distance, trying to comprehend all this.

                  BEN (continuing his narrative)
           When your father left, he didn't know your
           mother was pregnant. Your mother and I knew
           he would find out eventually, but we wanted
           to keep you both as safe as possible, for as
           long as possible.  So I took you to live with
           my brother Owen on Tatooine... and your mother
           took Leia to live as the daughter of Senator
           Organa, on Alderaan.

     Luke turns, and settles near Ben to hear the tale.

                  BEN (attempting to give solace with his words)
           The Organa household was high-born and
           politically quite powerful in that system.
           Leia became a princess by virtue of
           lineage... no one knew she'd been adopted, of
           course. But it was a title without real
           power, since Alderaan had long been a
           democracy.  Even so, the family continued to
           be politically powerful, and Leia, following
           in her foster father's path, became a senator
           as well.  That's not all she became, of
           course... she became the leader of her cell
           in the Alliance against the corrupt Empire.
           And because she had diplomatic immunity, she
           was a vital link for getting information to
           the Rebel cause.  That's what she was doing
           when her path crossed yours... for her foster
           parents had always told her to contact me on
           Tatooine, if her troubles became desperate.

     Luke is overwhelmed by the truth, and is suddenly protective of
     his sister.

                  LUKE
           But you can't let her get involved now, Ben.
           Vader will destroy her.

                  BEN
           She hasn't been trained in the ways of the
           Jedi the way you have, Luke ... but the Force
           is strong with her, as it is with all of your
           family. There is no avoiding the battle. You
           must face and destroy Vader!

369 369

     The vast Rebel Fleet stretches as far as the eye can see.
     Overhead a dozen small Corellian battleships fly in formation.
     Fighters and battlecruisers surround the largest of the Rebel
     Star Cruisers, the HEADQUARTERS FRIGATE.

370 370

     Hundreds of Rebel commanders of all races and forms are assembled
     in the WAR ROOM. WEDGE is among them. In the center of the room
     is a holographic model depicting the half-completed Imperial
     Death Star, the nearby Moon of Endor, and the protecting
     deflector shield.

     MON MOTHMA, the leader of the Alliance, enters the room. She is a
     stern but beautiful woman in her fifties. Conferring with her are
     several military leaders, including GENERAL MADINE and ADMIRAL
     ACKBAR (a salmon-colored Mon Calamari). Lando moves through the
     crowd until he finds Han and Chewie, standing next to Leia and
     the two droids.

     Han peers at Lando's new insignia on his chest, and is amused.

                  HAN
           Well, look at you, a general, huh?

                  LANDO
           Oh, well, someone must have told them about
           my little maneuver at the battle of Taanab.

                  HAN (sarcastic)
           Well, don't look at me, pal. I just said you
           were a fair pilot. I didn't know they were
           lookin' for somebody to lead this crazy
           attack.

                  LANDO (smiling)
           I'm surprised they didn't ask you to do it.

                  HAN
           Well, who says they didn't.  But I
           ain't crazy. You're the respectable
           one, remember?

     Mon Mothma signals for attention, and the room falls
     silent.

                  MON MOTHMA
           The Emperor has made a critical error and the
           time for our attack has come.

     This causes a stir. Mon Mothma turns to a holographic model of
     the Death Star, the Endor moon and the protecting deflector
     shield in the center of the room.

                  MON MOTHMA
           The data brought to us by the Bothan spies
           pinpoints the exact location of the Emperor's
           new battle station. We also know that the
           weapon systems of this Death Star are not yet
           operational. With the Imperial Fleet spread
           throughout the galaxy in a vain effort to
           engage us, it is relatively unprotected. But
           most important of all, we've learned that the
           Emperor himself is personally overseeing the
           final stages of the construction of this
           Death Star.

     A volley of spirited chatter erupts from the crowd. Han turns to
     Leia as Chewie barks his amazement.

                  MON MOTHMA (cont)
           Many Bothans died to bring us this
           information. Admiral Ackbar, please.

     Admiral Ackbar steps forward and points to the Death Star's force
     field and the Moon of Endor.

                  ACKBAR
           You can see here the Death Star orbiting the
           forest Moon of Endor. Although the weapon
           systems on this Death Star are not yet
           operational, the Death Star does have a
           strong defense mechanism. It is protected by
           an energy shield, which is generated from the
           nearby forest Moon of Endor. The shield must
           be deactivated if any attack is to be
           attempted. Once the shield is down, our
           cruisers will create a perimeter, while the
           fighters fly into the superstructure and
           attempt to knock out the main reactor.

     There's a concerned murmur.

                  ACKBAR (cont)
           General Calrissian has volunteered to lead
           the fighter attack

     Han turns to Lando with a look of respect.

                  HAN
           Good luck.

     Lando nods his thanks.

                  HAN
           You're gonna need it.

                  ACKBAR
           General Madine.

     Madine moves center stage.

                  GENERAL MADINE
           We have stolen a small Imperial shuttle.
           Disguised as a cargo ship, and using a secret
           Imperial code, a strike team will land on the
           moon and deactivate the shield generator.

     The assembly begins to mumble among themselves.

                  THREEPIO
           Sounds dangerous.

                  LEIA (to Han)
           I wonder who they found to pull that off.

                  GENERAL MADINE
           General Solo, is your strike team assembled?

     Leia, startled, looks up at Han, surprise changing to admiration.

                  HAN
           Uh, my team's ready. I don't have a command
           crew for the shuttle.

     Chewbacca raises his hairy paw and volunteers.  Han looks up at
     him.

                  HAN
           Well, it's gonna be rough, pal. I didn't want
           to speak for you.

     Chewie waves that off with a huge GROWL.

                  HAN (smiles)
           That's one.

                  LEIA
           Uh, General... count me in.

                  VOICE (OS)
           I'm with you, too!

     They turn in that direction and peer into the crowd as there are
     more cheers. The commanders part, and there at the back stands
     Luke. Han and Leia are surprised and delighted.

     Leia moves to Luke and embraces him warmly. She senses a change
     in him and looks into his eyes questioningly.

                  LEIA
           What is it?

                  LUKE (hesitant)
           Ask me again sometime.

     Han, Chewie, and Lando crowd around Luke as the assembly breaks
     up.

                  HAN
           Luke.

                  LUKE
           Hi, Han... Chewie.

     Artoo beeps a singsong observation to a worried Threepio.

                  THREEPIO
           "Exciting" is hardly the word I would use.

371 371

     The Millennium Falcon rests beyond the stolen IMPERIAL SHUTTLE,
     which looks anomalous among all the Rebel ships in the vast
     docking bay. Chewie barks a final farewell to Lando and leads
     Artoo and Threepio up the shuttle, crowded now with the Rebel
     strike team loading weapons and supplies. Lando turns to face
     Han. Luke and Leia have said their good-byes and start up the
     ramp.

                  HAN
           Look. I want you to take her. I mean it. Take
           her. You need all the help you can get. She's
           the fastest ship in the fleet.

                  LANDO
           All right, old buddy. You know, I know what
           she means to you. I'll take good care of her.
           She-she won't get a scratch. All right?

                  HAN (looks at him warmly)
           Right. I got your promise now. Not a scratch.

                  LANDO
           Look, would you get going, you pirate.

     Han and Lando pause, then exchange salutes.

                  LANDO
           Good luck.

                  HAN
           You, too.

     Han goes up the ramp. Lando watches him go and then slowly turns
     away.

372 372

     Luke works on a back control panel as Han comes in and takes
     the pilot's seat. Chewie, in the seat next to him, is trying to
     figure out all the Imperial controls.

                  HAN
           You got her warmed?

                  LUKE
           Yeah, she's comin' up.

     Chewie growls a complaint.

                  HAN
           No. I don't think the Empire had Wookiees in
           mind when they designed her, Chewie.

     Leia comes in from the hold and takes her seat near Luke.

     Chewie barks and hits some switches. Han's glance has stuck on
     something out the window: the Millennium Falcon. Leia nudges him
     gently.

                  LEIA
           Hey, are you awake?

                  HAN
           Yeah, I just got a funny feeling. Like I'm
           not gonna see her again.

     Chewie, hearing this, stops his activity and looks longingly out
     at the Falcon, too. Leia puts a hand on Han's shoulder.

                  LEIA (softly)
           Come on, General, let's move.

     Han snaps back to life.

                  HAN
           Right. Chewie, let's see what this piece of
           junk can do. Ready, everybody?

                  LUKE
           All set.

                  THREEPIO
           Here we go again.

                  HAN
           All right, hang on.

373 373

     The stolen Imperial shuttle leaves the main docking bay of the
     Headquarters Frigate, lowers its wings into flight position, and
     zooms off into space.

374 374

     The converted control room is dimly lit, except for a pool of
     light at the far end. There the Emperor sits in an elaborate
     control chair before a large window which looks out across the
     half-completed Death Star to the giant green moon of Endor.

     Darth Vader, standing with other members of the Imperial council,
     cautiously approaches his master. The ruler's back is to Vader.
     After several tense moments, the Emperor's chair rotates around
     to face him.

                  VADER
           What is thy bidding, my Master?

                  EMPEROR
           Send the fleet to the far side of Endor.
           There it will stay until called for.

                  VADER
           What of the reports of the Rebel fleet
           massing near Sullust?

                  EMPEROR
           It is of no concern. Soon the Rebellion will
           be crushed and young Skywalker will be one of
           us! Your work here is finished, my friend. Go
           out to the command ship and await my orders.

                  VADER
           Yes, my Master.

     Vader bows, then turns and exits the throne room as the Emperor
     walks toward the waiting council members.

375 375

     There is a great deal of Imperial traffic in the area as
     construction proceeds on the Death Star. Transports, TIE
     fighters, and a few Star Destroyers move about. Now the huge
     Super Star Destroyer announces itself with a low roar and soon
     fills the frame.

376 376

     Han looks back at Luke and Leia as Chewie flips several switches.
     Through the viewscreen, the Death Star and the huge Super Star
     Destroyer can be seen.

                  HAN
           If they don't go for this, we're gonna have
           to get outta here pretty quick, Chewie.

     Chewie growls his agreement.

                  CONTROLLER (over radio)
           We have you on our screen now. Please
           identify.

                  HAN
           Shuttle Tydirium requesting deactivation of
           the deflector shield.

                  CONTROLLER (over radio)
           Shuttle Tydirium, transmit the clearance code
           for shield passage.

                  HAN
           Transmission commencing.

     Leia and Chewbacca listen tensely as the sound of a high speed
     transmission begins.

                  LEIA
           Now we find out if that code is worth the
           price we paid.

                  HAN
           It'll work. It'll work.

     Chewie whines nervously. Luke stares at the Huge Super Star
     Destroyer that looms ever larger before them.

                  LUKE
           Vader's on that ship.

                  HAN
           Now don't get jittery, Luke. There are a lot
           of command ships. Keep your distance though,
           Chewie, but don't look like you're trying to
           keep your distance.

     Chewie barks a question.

                  HAN
           I don't know.  Fly casual.

                  LUKE
           I'm endangering the mission. I shouldn't have
           come.

                  HAN
           It's your imagination, kid. Come on. Let's
           keep a little optimism here.

     Chewie barks his worries as the Super Star Destroyer grows larger
     out the window.

377 377

     Lord Vader stands, back to us, staring out a window at the Death
     Star. Now, some vibration felt only by him causes him to turn.
     After a moment of stillness, he walks down the row of controllers
     to where ADMIRAL PIETT is leaning over the tracking screen of the
     controller we've seen earlier. Piett straightens at Vader's
     approach.

                  VADER
           Where is that shuttle going?

                  PIETT (into comlink)
           Shuttle Tydirium, what is your cargo and
           destination?

                  PILOT VOICE (HAN)(filtered)
           Parts and technical crew for the forest moon.

     The Bridge Commander looks to Vader for a reaction.

                  VADER
           Do they have a code clearance?

                  PIETT
           It's an older code, sir, but it checks out. I
           was about to clear them.

     Vader looks upward, as he senses Luke's presence.

                  PIETT
           Shall I hold them?

                  VADER
           No. Leave them to me. I will deal with them
           myself.

                  PIETT (surprised)
           As you wish, my lord.
           (to controller) Carry on.

     Piett nods at controller, who switches on his comlink.

378 378

     The group waits tensely.

                  HAN
           They're not goin' for it, Chewie.

                  CONTROLLER (filtered)
           Shuttle Tydirium, deactivation of the shield
           will commence immediately. Follow your
           present course.

     Everyone breaths a sigh of relief. Everyone but Luke, who looks
     worried. Chewie barks.

                  HAN
           Okay! I told you it was gonna work. No
           problem.

379 379

     The stolen Imperial shuttle moves off toward the green Sanctuary
     Moon.

380 380

     The stolen Imperial shuttle sits in a clearing of the moon's
     dark, primeval forest, dwarfed by the ancient towering trees.

     On an adjacent hill, the helmeted Rebel contingent makes its way
     up a steep trail. Leia and Han are slightly ahead of Chewie and
     Luke. The troops of the strike-team squad follow, with Artoo and
     Threepio bringing up the rear. Artoo beeps.

     Up ahead, Chewie and Leia reach a crest in the hill and drop
     suddenly to the ground, signaling the rest of the group to stop.
     Han and Luke crawl up to take a look.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, I told you it was dangerous here.

     THEIR POV. Not far below them, two IMPERIAL SCOUTS are wandering
     through bushes in the valley below. Their two ROCKET BIKES are
     parked nearby.

                  LEIA
           Shall we try and go around?

                  HAN
           It'll take time. This whole party'll be for
           nothing if they see us.

     Leia motions for the squad to stay put, then she, Han, Luke and
     Chewie start quietly down.

381 381

     The four friends make their way to the edge of the clearing not
     far from the two Imperial scouts.

                  HAN
           Chewie and I will take care of this. You stay
           here.

                  LUKE
           Quietly, there might be more of them out
           there.

                  HAN (grins)
           Hey... it's me.

     Han and Chewie turn and start through the bushes toward the
     scouts. Luke and Leia exchange smiles.

     Han sneaks up behind one of the scouts, steps on a twig and the
     scout whirls, knocking Han into a tree. The scout shouts for his
     companion.

                  SCOUT #1
           Go for help! Go!

     The second scout jumps on his speeder bike and takes off, but
     Chewie gets off a shot on his crossbow laser weapon, causing the
     scout to crash into a tree. Han and Scout #1 are in a rousing
     fistfight.

                  LUKE (sarcastic)
           Great. Come on.

     Luke starts for the scuffle, followed by Leia with her laser
     pistol drawn. As they run through the bushes, Leia stops and
     points to where two more scouts are sitting on their speeder
     bikes, with an unoccupied bike parked nearby.

                  LEIA
           Over there! Two more of them!

                  LUKE
           I see them. Wait, Leia!

     But Leia doesn't hear him and races for the remaining speeder
     bike. She starts it up and takes off as Luke jumps on the bike
     behind her.

                  LUKE (pointing to the controls)
           Quick! Jam their comlink. Center switch!

     Luke and Leia speed into the dense foliage in hot pursuit, barely
     avoiding two huge trees.

                  HAN
           Hey, wait! Ahhh!

     He flips the remaining scout to the ground.

382 382

     The two fleeing Imperial scouts have a good lead as Luke and Leia
     pursue through the giant trees at 200 miles an hour, the fire
     from their bike's laser cannon hitting harmlessly near the moving
     targets.

                  LUKE
           Move closer!

     Leia guns it, closing the gap, as the two scouts recklessly veer
     through a narrow gap in the trees. One of the bikes SCRAPES a
     tree, slowing the scout.

                  LUKE
           Get alongside that one!

     Leia pulls her speeder bike up so close to the scout's bike that
     their steering vanes SCRAPE noisily. Luke leaps from his bike to
     the back of the scout's, grabs the Imperial warrior around the
     neck, and flips him off the bike, into a thick tree trunk. Luke
     gains control of the bike and follows Leia, who has pulled ahead.
     They tear off after the remaining scout.

                  LUKE
           Get him!

     The speeding chase passes TWO MORE IMPERIAL SCOUTS. These two
     swing into pursuit, chasing Luke and Leia, firing away with their
     laser cannon. The two Rebels look behind them just as Luke's bike
     takes a glancing hit.

                  LUKE (indicating the one ahead)
           Keep on that one! I'll take these two!

     With Leia shooting ahead, Luke suddenly slams his steering vanes
     into the braking mode. Luke's bike is a blur to the two pursuing
     scouts as they zip by him on either side. Luke slams his bike
     into forward and starts firing away, having switched places with
     his pursuers in a manner of seconds. Luke's aim is good and one
     scout's bike is blasted out of control. It explodes against a
     tree trunk.

     The scout's cohort takes one glance back at the flash and shifts
     into turbo drive, going even faster. Luke keeps on his tail.

     FAR AHEAD, Leia and the first scout are doing a highspeed slalom
     through the death-dealing trunks. Now Leia aims her bike skyward
     and rises out of sight.

     The scout turns in confusion, unable to see his pursuer.
     Suddenly, Leia dives down upon him from above, cannon blasting.
     The scout's bike takes a glancing hit.

     Leia moves in alongside him. The scout eyes her beside him,
     reaches down, and pulls out a handgun. Before Leia can react, the
     scout has blasted her bike, sending it out of control. Leia dives
     off as her bike explodes against a tree. The happy scout looks
     back at the explosion. But when he turns forward again, he is on
     a collision course with a giant fallen tree. He hits his brakes
     to no avail and disappears in a conflagration.

     ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST: Luke and the last remaining scout
     continue their weaving chase through the trees. Now Luke moves up
     close. The scout responds by slamming his bike into Luke's. A
     fallen tree forms a bridge across their path. The scout zips
     under. Luke goes over the top and crashes his bike down on the
     scout's. Both riders look ahead - a wide trunk looms directly in
     Luke's path, but the scout's bike beside him makes it almost
     impossible for him to avoid it. Luke banks with all his might,
     leaning almost horizontal over the scout's bike, and is able to
     make it by, just clipping the tree. When he straightens, he and
     the scout discover that their two bikes have locked front vanes
     and are moving as one.

     Another big tree looms in Luke's path. He reacts instinctively
     and dives off his bike. The two bikes come apart a second before
     Luke's explodes against a tree. The scout sweeps out and circles
     back to find Luke.

     Luke rises from the undergrowth as the scout bears down on him
     and opens fire with his laser cannon. Luke ignites his laser
     sword and begins deflecting the bolts. The scout's bike keeps
     coming and it appears that in a second it will cut Luke in half.
     At the last instant, Luke steps aside and chops off the bike's
     control vanes with one mighty slash. The scout's bike begins to
     shudder, then, pitching and rolling, it rises up to slam directly
     into a tree in a giant ball of fire.

383 383

     Han, Chewie, and the droids, along with the rest of the squad,
     wait anxiously in the clearing. Artoo's radar screen sticks out
     of his domed head and revolves, scanning the forest. He beeps.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, General Solo, somebody's coming. Oh!

     Han, Chewie, and the rest of the squad raise their weapons.

     Luke steps out of the foliage to find the weapons trained on him.
     He's too tired to care. He plops himself down on a boulder and
     looks around.

                  HAN
           Luke! Where's Leia?

                  LUKE (concerned)
           What? She didn't come back?

                  HAN
           I thought she was with you.

                  LUKE
           We got separated.

     Luke and Han exchange a silent, grim look. Luke gets up wearily.

                  LUKE
           Hey, we better go look for her.

     Han nods, and signals to a Rebel officer.

                  HAN
           Take the squad ahead.  We'll meet at the
           shield generator at 0300.

                  LUKE
           Come on, Artoo.  We'll need your scanners.

     Luke, Chewie, Han, and the droids move off in one direction as
     the squad proceeds in another.

                  THREEPIO
           Don't worry, Master Luke.  We know what to
           do.

     They move off into the woods.

                  THREEPIO (to Artoo)
           And you said it was pretty here. Ugh!

384 384

     A strange little furry face with huge black eyes comes slowly
     into view. The creature is an EWOK, by the name of WICKET. He
     seems somewhat puzzled, and prods Leia with a spear. The princess
     groans; this frightens the stubby ball of fuzz and he prods her
     again. Leia sits up and stares at the three-foot-high Ewok. She
     tries to figure out where she is and what has happened. Her
     clothes are torn; she's bruised and disheveled.

     The Ewok jumps up and grabs a four-foot-long spear, which he
     holds in a defensive position. Leia watches him as he circles
     warily and begins poking her with the sharp point of the spear.

                  LEIA
           Cut it out!

     She stands up, and the Ewok quickly backs away.

                  LEIA
           I'm not gonna hurt you.

     Leia looks around at the dense forest, and at the charred remains
     of her speeder bike, then sits down, with a sigh, on a fallen
     log.

                  LEIA
           Well, looks like I'm stuck here. Trouble is,
           I don't know where here is.

     She puts her head in her hands to rub away some of the soreness
     from her fall. She looks over at the watchful little Ewok and
     pats the log beside her.

                  LEIA
           Well, maybe you can help me. Come on, sit
           down.

     Wicket holds his spear up warily and growls at her like a puppy.
     Leia pats the log again.

                  LEIA
           I promise I won't hurt you. Now come here.

     More growls and squeaks from the little bear creature.

                  LEIA
           All right. You want something to eat?

     She takes a scrap of food out of her pocket and offers it to him.
     Wicket takes a step backward, then cocks his head and moves
     cautiously toward Leia, chattering in his squeaky Ewok language.

                  LEIA
           That's right. Come on. Hmmm?

     Sniffing the food curiously, the Ewok comes toward Leia and sits
     on the log beside her. She takes off her helmet, and the little
     creature jumps back, startled again. He runs along the log,
     pointing his spear at her and chattering a blue streak. Leia
     holds out the helmet to him.

                  LEIA
           Look, it's a hat. It's not gonna hurt you.
           Look. You're a jittery little thing, aren't
           you?

     Reassured, Wicket lowers his spear and climbs back on the log,
     coming to investigate the helmet. Suddenly his ears perk up and
     he begins to sniff the air. He looks around warily, whispering
     some Ewokese warning to Leia.

                  LEIA
           What is it?

     Suddenly a laser bolt comes out of the foliage and explodes on
     the log next to Leia. Leia and Wicket both roll backwards off the
     log, hiding behind it. Leia holds her own laser gun ready, while
     Wicket disappears underneath the log. Another shot, and still no
     sight of anyone in the forest. Then Leia senses something and
     turns to find a large IMPERIAL SCOUT standing over her with his
     weapon pointed at her head. He reaches out his hand for her
     weapon.

                  SCOUT #l
           Freeze!  Come on, get up!

     She hands the weapon over, as a second scout emerges from the
     foliage in front of the log.

                  SCOUT #1
           Go get your ride and take her back to base.

                  SCOUT #2
           Yes, sir.

     The second scout starts toward his bike, as Wicket, crouched
     under the log, extends his spear and hits the first scout on the
     leg. The scout jumps and lets out an exclamation, and looks down
     at Wicket, puzzled. Leia grabs a branch and knocks him out. She
     dives for his laser pistol, and the second scout, now on his
     bike, takes off. Leia fires away and hits the escaping bike,
     causing it to crash into the first scout's bike, which flies end
     over end and explodes. The forest is quiet once more. Wicket
     pokes his fuzzy head up from behind the log and regards Leia with
     new respect. He mumbles his awe. Leia hurries over, looking
     around all the time, and motions the chubby little creature into
     the dense foliage.

                  LEIA
           Come on, let's get outta here.

     As they move into the foliage, Wicket takes the lead. He shrieks
     and tugs at Leia to follow him.

385 385

     Darth Vader walks down the corridor to the Emperor's Tower and
     private elevator. The Emperor's private guard steps in Vader's
     path.

                  GUARD
           Halt! The Emperor does not wish to be
           disturbed at the moment.

                  VADER
           (raising his gloved hand to the two guards
           and choking them with the Force)
           The Emperor will see me, now!

                  GUARD
           (repeating Vader's command)
           The Emperor will see you, now.

386 386

     Two red Imperial Guards stand watch at the elevator as the door
     opens to reveal Vader. Vader enters the eerie, foreboding throne
     room. It appears to be empty. His footsteps echo as he approaches
     the throne. He waits, absolutely still. The Emperor sits with his
     back to the Dark Lord.

                  EMPEROR
           I told you to remain on the command ship.

                  VADER
           A small Rebel force has penetrated the shield
           and landed on Endor.

                  EMPEROR (no surprise)
           Yes, I know.

                  VADER (after a beat)
           My son is with them.

                  EMPEROR (very cool)
           Are you sure?

                  VADER
           I have felt him, my Master.

                  EMPEROR
           Strange, that I have not. I wonder if your
           feelings on this matter are clear, Lord
           Vader.

     Vader knows what is being asked.

                  VADER
           They are clear, my Master.

                  EMPEROR
           Then you must go to the Sanctuary Moon and
           wait for them.

                  VADER (skeptical)
           He will come to me?

                  EMPEROR
           I have foreseen it. His compassion for you
           will be his undoing. He will come to you and
           then you will bring him before me.

                  VADER (bows)
           As you wish.

     The Dark Lord strides out of the throne room.

387 387

     Han, Luke, Chewie, and the two droids are spread out as they move
     through the heavy foliage near the clearing where we last saw
     Leia. Luke finds Leia's helmet, picks it up with an expression of
     concern.

                  HAN (OS)
           Luke! Luke!

     Luke runs with the helmet to where Han has found the charred
     wreckage of a speeder bike in the grass.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, Master Luke.

                  LUKE
           There's two more wrecked speeders back there.
           And I found this.

     He tosses the helmet to Han.

                  THREEPIO
           I'm afraid that Artoo's sensors can find no
           trace of Princess Leia.

                  HAN (gravely)
           I hope she's alright.

     Chewbacca growls, sniffing the air, then, with a bark, pushes off
     through the foliage.

                  HAN
           What, Chewie? What? Chewie!

     The others rush to keep up with the giant Wookiee. As he scoots
     along, Artoo whistles nervously.

388 388

     The group has reached a break in the undergrowth. Chewie walks up
     to a tall stake planted in the ground. There is a dead animal
     hanging from it.

                  HAN
           Hey, I don't get it.

     The rest of the group joins the Wookiee around the stake.

                  HAN (cont)
           Nah, it's just a dead animal, Chewie.

     Chewie can't resist. He reaches toward the meat.

                  LUKE
           Chewie, wa-wait!  Don't!

     Too late. The Wookiee has already pulled the animal from the
     stake. SPROOING! The group finds itself hanging upside down in an
     Ewok net, suspended high above the clearing. Artoo lets out a
     wild series of beeps and whistles, and Chewie howls his regret.
     Their bodies are a jumble in the net. Han removes a Wookiee paw
     from his mouth.

                  HAN
           Nice work. Great, Chewie! Great! Always
           thinking with your stomach.

                  LUKE
           Will you take it easy? Let's just figure out
           a way to get out of this thing. (trying to
           free an arm) Han, can you reach my
           lightsaber?

                  HAN
           Yeah, sure.

     Artoo is at the bottommost point in the net. He extends his
     cutting appendage and begins slicing at the net. Han is trying to
     squeeze an arm past Threepio to get at Luke's lightsaber. The net
     continues to spin.

                  THREEPIO
           Artoo, I'm not sure that's such a good idea.
           It's a very long dro-o-op!!

     Artoo has cut through and the entire group tumbles out of the
     net, crashing to the ground. As they regain their senses and
     sit up, they realize they are surrounded by dozens of Ewoks,
     each brandishing a long spear.

                  HAN
           Wha--?  Hey!  Point that thing someplace
           else.

     Han pushes the spear wielded by TEEBO out of his face and a
     second Ewok warrior comes up to argue with Teebo. The spear
     returns to Han's face. He grabs it angrily and starts to go for
     his laser pistol.

                  HAN
           Hey!

                  LUKE
           Han, don't. It'll be all right.

     The Ewoks swarm through them and confiscate their weapons. Luke
     lets them take his lightsaber. Chewie growls at the furry
     critters.

                  LUKE
           Chewie, give 'em your crossbow.

     Artoo and Threepio are just untangling themselves. Threepio gets
     free of the net and sits up, rattled.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, my head. Oh, my goodness!

     When the Ewoks see Threepio, they let out a gasp and chatter
     among themselves. Threepio speaks to them in their native tongue.
     The Ewok nearest him drops his spear and prostrates himself
     before the droid. In a moment, all the Ewoks have followed suit.
     Chewie lets out a puzzled bark. Han and Luke regard the bowed
     creatures in wonder. The Ewoks begin to chant at Threepio.

                  LUKE
           Do you understand anything they're saying?

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, yes, Master Luke!  Remember that I am
           fluent in over six million forms of
           communication.

                  HAN
           What are you telling them?

                  THREEPIO
           Hello, I think... I could be mistaken.
           They're using a very primitive dialect.  But
           I do believe they think I am some sort of god.

     Chewbacca and Artoo think that's very funny. Han and Luke
     exchange "what next?" looks.

                  HAN
           Well, why don't you use your divine influence
           and get us out of this?

                  THREEPIO
           I beg your pardon, General Solo, but that
           just wouldn't be proper.

                  HAN
           Proper?!

                  THREEPIO
           It's against my programming to impersonate a
           deity.

     Han moves toward Threepio threateningly.

                  HAN
           Why, you--

     Several Ewoks' spears are thrust in Han's face at the affront to
     their god. The Ewoks move in to protect their god and Han is
     surrounded by a menacing circle of spears, all aimed at him. He
     holds up his hands placatingly.

                  HAN
           My mistake. He's an old friend of mine.

389 389

     A procession of Ewoks winds through the ever-darkening forest.
     Their prisoners - Han, Luke, Chewie, and Artoo - are tied to long
     poles and wrapped in vines, cocoonlike.

     Each pole is carried on the shoulders of several Ewoks. Behind
     the captives, Threepio is carried on a litter, like a king, by
     the remaining creatures.

390 390

     The procession moves along a shaky, narrow, wooden walkway, high
     in the giant trees. It stops at the end of the walkway, which
     drops off into nothingness. On the other side of the abyss is a
     village of mud huts and rickety walkways, attached to the giant
     trees. The lead Ewok takes hold of a long vine and swings across
     to the village square; the other Ewoks follow suit.

391 391

     The procession winds its way into the village square. Mother
     Ewoks gather their babies up and scurry into their huts at the
     sight of the newcomers. The group stops before the largest hut.

     Han, Luke, Chewie, and Artoo are still bound to their poles. Han
     is placed on a spit above what looks like a barbecue pit and the
     others are leaned against a tree nearby. Threepio's litter/throne
     is gently placed near the pit. He watches with rapt fascination.
     Han, Luke, and Chewie are less than fascinated.

                  HAN
           I have a really bad feeling about this.

     Chewie growls his concern.

     Suddenly all activity stops as LOGRAY, the tribal Medicine Man,
     comes out of the big hut. He examines the captives carefully,
     goes to join Threepio, whose throne has been placed on an
     elevated platform. A larger, gray-haired Ewok, CHIEF CHIRPA, is
     examining Luke's lightsaber with great curiosity.

     Logray speaks to Threepio and the assemblage of fuzzy Ewoks,
     pointing to the prisoners tied to the stakes. The Ewoks begin
     filling the pit under Han with firewood.

                  HAN
           What did he say?

                  THREEPIO
           I'm rather embarrassed, General Solo, but it
           appears you are to be the main course at a
           banquet in my honor.

     The drums start beating, and all the furry heads turn to the
     large hut. Leia emerges, wearing an animal-skin dress. She sees
     what's happening at the same moment the prisoners see her.

                  HAN and LUKE
           Leia!

     As she moves toward them, the Ewoks block her way with raised
     spears.

                  LEIA
           Oh!

                  THREEPIO
           Your Royal Highness.

     Artoo and Chewie chime in with their welcome. Leia looks at the
     assembled Ewoks and sighs.

                  LEIA
           But these are my friends. Threepio, tell them
           they must be set free.

     Threepio talks to Chirpa and Logray, who listen and shake their
     heads negatively. The Medicine Man gestures toward the prisoners
     and barks some orders. Several Ewoks jump up and pile more wood
     on the barbecue with vigor. Leia trades frantic looks with Luke
     and Han.

                  HAN
           Somehow, I got the feeling that didn't help
           us very much.

                  LUKE
           Threepio, tell them if they don't do as you
           wish, you'll become angry and use your magic.

                  THREEPIO
           But Master Luke, what magic? couldn't
           possibly --

                  LUKE
           Just tell them.

     Threepio speaks to the Ewoks. The Ewoks are disturbed. Logray
     steps forward and challenges Threepio. Luke closes his eyes and
     begins to concentrate.

                  THREEPIO
           You see, Master Luke; they didn't believe me.
           Just...

     Now the litter/throne, with Threepio sitting upon it, rises from
     the ground. At first Threepio doesn't notice and keeps talking.

                  THREEPIO
           ... as I said they wouldn't. Wha-wha-what's
           happening! Oh! Oh, dear! Oh!

     The Ewoks fall back in terror from the floating throne. Now
     Threepio begins to spin as though he were on a revolving stool,
     with Threepio calling out in total panic at his situation.

                  THREEPIO
           Put me down! He-e-elp! Master Luke! Artoo!
           Somebody, somebody, help! Master Luke, Artoo!
           Artoo, quickly! Do something, somebody! Oh!
           Ohhh!

     Chief Chirpa yells orders to the cowering Ewoks. They rush up and
     release the bound prisoners. Luke and Han enfold Leia in a group
     embrace. Luke notices the spinning Threepio, with Artoo beeping
     up at him, and slowly lowers the golden droid and the throne to
     the ground. Logray orders the little droid cut down. Artoo
     crashes to the ground. When the Ewoks set him upright, the little
     droid is fighting mad. Artoo beeps a blue streak at the nearest
     Ewok, and begins pursuing him, finally getting close enough to
     zap him with an electric charge. The Ewok jumps two feet in the
     air and runs away, screaming. A small group of Ewoks surround the
     giant Wookiee, scratching their heads and marveling at his
     height.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, oh, oh, oh! Thank goodness.

                  LUKE
           Thanks, Threepio.

                  THREEPIO (still shaken)
           I...I never knew I had it in me.

392 392

     A glowing fire dances in the center of the spartan, low-ceilinged
     room, creating a kaleidoscope of shadows on the walls. Along one
     side, a group of ten Ewok elders flank Chief Chirpa, who sits on
     his throne. The Rebels sit along the walls of the hut, with
     Threepio between the two groups and Wicket and Teebo off to one
     side.

     Threepio is in the midst of a long, animated speech in the Ewok's
     squeaky native tongue. The Ewoks listen carefully and
     occasionally murmur comments to each other. Threepio points
     several times at the Rebel group and pantomimes a short history
     of the Galactic Civil War, mimicking the explosion and rocket
     sounds, imitating Imperial walkers. Throughout the long account,
     certain familiar names are distinguishable in English: Princess
     Leia, Artoo, Darth Vader, Death Star, Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Artoo
     begins beeping excitedly at Threepio.

                  THREEPIO
           Yes, Artoo. I was just coming to that.

     Threepio continues with: Millennium Falcon, Cloud City, Vader,
     Han Solo, carbonite, Sarlacc, bringing the history up to the
     present time.

     At the end of it, the Chief, Logray, and the elders confer, then
     nod in agreement. The Chief stands and makes a pronouncement.

     The drums begin to sound, and all the Ewoks stand with a great
     cheer and screeches.

                  HAN
           What's going on?

                  LEIA
           I don't know.

     Luke has been sharing the joy with smiling visage, but now
     something passes like a dark cloud through his consciousness. The
     others do not notice.

                  THREEPIO
           Wonderful! We are now a part of the tribe.

     Several of the little teddy bears run up and hug the Rebels.

                  HAN
           Just what I always wanted.

     Chewbacca is being enthusiastically embraced by an Ewok, while
     Wicket clings to Han's leg.

                  HAN (chuckles)
           Well, short help is better than no help at
           all, Chewie. (to Wicket) Thank you. Okay.

                  THREEPIO
           He says the scouts are going to show us the
           quickest way to the shield generator.

     Chewie barks. Luke has drifted to the back of the hut. Now he
     wanders outside into the moonlight. Leia notices and follows.

                  HAN
           Good. How far is it? Ask him. We need some
           fresh supplies, too. And try and get our
           weapons back.

     Han pulls Threepio back as he keeps trying to translate.

                  HAN (cont)
           And hurry up, will ya? I haven't got all day.

393 393

     The walkway is deserted now. The windows of the little huts glow
     and flicker from the fires inside. The sounds of the forest fill
     the soft night air. Luke has wandered away from the Chief's hut
     and stands staring up at the Death Star. Leia finds him like
     that.

                  LUKE
           Luke, what's wrong?

     Luke turns and looks at her a long moment.

                  LUKE
           Leia... do you remember your mother? Your
           real mother?

                  LEIA
           Just a little bit. She died when I was very
           young.

                  LUKE
           What do you remember?

                  LEIA
           Just...images, really. Feelings.

                  LUKE
           Tell me.

                  LEIA
           (a little surprised at his insistence)
           She was very beautiful. Kind, but...sad.
           (looks up) Why are you asking me all this?

     He looks away.

                  LUKE
           I have no memory of my mother. I never knew
           her.

                  LEIA
           Luke, tell me. What's troubling you?

                  LUKE
           Vader is here...now, on this moon.

                  LEIA (alarmed)
           How do you know?

                  LUKE
           I felt his presence. He's come for me. He can
           feel when I'm near. That's why I have to go.
           (facing her) As long as I stay, I'm
           endangering the group and our mission here.
           (beat) I have to face him.

     Leia is distraught, confused.

                  LEIA
           Why?

     Luke moves close and his manner is gentle. And very calm.

                  LUKE
           He's my father.

                  LEIA
           Your father?

                  LUKE
           There's more. It won't be easy for you to
           hear it, but you must. If I don't make it
           back, you're the only hope for the Alliance.

     Leia is very disturbed by this. She moves away, as if to deny it.

                  LEIA
           Luke, don't talk that way. You have a power
           I--I don't understand and could never have.

                  LUKE
           You're wrong, Leia. You have that power too.
           In time you'll learn to use it as I have. The
           Force is strong in my family. My father has
           it...I have it...and...my sister has it.

     Leia stares into his eyes. What she sees there frightens her. But
     she doesn't draw away. She begins to understand.

                  LUKE
           Yes. It's you Leia.

                  LEIA
           I know. Somehow...I've always known.

                  LUKE
           Then you know why I have to face him.

                  LEIA
           No! Luke, run away, far away. If he can feel
           your presence, then leave this place. I wish
           I could go with you.

                  LUKE
           No, you don't. You've always been strong.

                  LEIA
           But, why must you confront him?

                  LUKE
           Because...there is good in him. I've felt
           it. He won't turn me over to the Emperor. I
           can save him. I can turn him back to the good
           side. I have to try.

     They hold each other close and look at each other, brother and
     sister.

     Leia holds back her tears as Luke slowly lets her go and moves
     away. He disappears onto the walkway that leads out of the
     village. Leia, bathed in moonlight, watches him go as Han comes
     out of the Chief's hut and comes over to her.

     Leia is crying, her body trembling. He realizes only now that she
     is crying.

                  HAN
           Hey, what's goin' on?

     Leia attempts to stifle her sobs and wipes her eyes.

                  LEIA
           Nothing. I - just want to be alone for a
           little while.

                  HAN (angry)
           Nothing?  Come on, tell me.  What's goin' on?

     She looks up at him, struggling to control herself.

                  LEIA
           I...I can't tell you.

                  HAN (loses his temper)
           Did you tell Luke? Is that who you could tell?

                  LEIA
           I...

                  HAN
           Ahhh...

     He starts to walk away, exasperated, then stops and walks back to
     her.

                  HAN
           I'm sorry.

                  LEIA
           Hold me.

     Han gathers her tightly in his protective embrace.

394 394

     An Imperial shuttle floats down from the Death Star and lands
     gracefully on the huge platform.

     Now, an Imperial walker approaches the platform from the darkness
     of the forest. The whole outpost - platform, walkers, military -
     looks particularly offensive in the midst of this verdant beauty.

395 395

     Darth Vader walks down the ramp of the shuttle onto the platform,
     into an elevator, and appears on a ramp on a lower level. He
     walks toward another ramp exit and is met by two troopers and a
     commander with Luke, in binders, at their center. The young Jedi
     gazes at Vader with complete calm.

                  COMMANDER
           This is a Rebel that surrendered to us.
           Although he denies it, I believe there may be
           more of them, and I request permission to
           conduct a further search of the area.

     The commander extends his hand, revealing Luke's lightsaber.

                  COMMANDER
           He was armed only with this.

     Vader looks at Luke, turns away and faces the commander, taking
     the lightsaber from the commander's hand.

                  VADER
           Good work, Commander. Leave us. Conduct your
           search and bring his companions to me.

                  COMMANDER
           Yes, my Lord.

     The officer and troops withdraw. Vader and Luke are left standing
     alone in the oddly tranquil beauty of the place. The sounds of
     the forest filter in upon them.

                  VADER
           The Emperor has been expecting you.

                  LUKE
           I know, father.

                  VADER
           So, you have accepted the truth.

                  LURE
           I've accepted the truth that you were once
           Anakin Skywalker, my father.

                  VADER (turning to face him)
           That name no longer has any meaning for me.

                  LUKE
           It is the name of your true self. You've only
           forgotten. I know there is good in you. The
           Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully. That
           is why you couldn't destroy me. That's why
           you won't bring me to your Emperor now.

     Vader looks down from Luke to the lightsaber in his own black-
     gloved hand. He seems to ponder Luke's words.

                  VADER (indicating lightsaber)
           I see you have constructed a new lightsaber.

     Vader ignites the lightsaber and holds it to examine its humming,
     brilliant blade.

                  VADER
           Your skills are complete. Indeed, you are
           powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen.

     They stand for a moment, the Vader extinguishes the lightsaber.

                  LUKE
           Come with me.

                  VADER
           Obi-Wan once thought as you do.

     Luke steps close to Vader, then stops. Vader is still.

                  VADER
           You don't know the power of the dark side. I
           must obey my master.

                  LUKE
           I will not turn...and you'll be forced to
           kill me.

                  VADER
           If that is your destiny.

                  LUKE
           Search your feelings, father. You can't do
           this. I feel the conflict within you. Let go
           of your hate.

                  VADER
           It is too late for me, son. The Emperor will
           show you the true nature of the Force. He is
           your master now.

     Vader signals to some distant stormtroopers. He and Luke stand
     staring at one another for a long moment.

                  LUKE
           Then my father is truly dead.

396 396

     Han, Leia, Chewbacca, the droids, Wicket, and another Ewok scout,
     PAPLOO, hide on a ridge overlooking the massive Imperial shield
     generator. At the base of the generator is an Imperial landing
     platform. Leia studies the installation.

                  LEIA
           The main entrance to the control bunker's on
           the far side of that landing platform. This
           isn't gonna be easy.

                  HAN
           Hey, don't worry. Chewie and me got into a
           lot of places more heavily guarded than this.

     Wicket and Paploo are chattering away in Ewok language. They
     speak to Threepio.

                  LEIA
           What's he saying?

                  THREEPIO
           He says there's a secret entrance on the
           other side of the ridge.

397 397

     The vast fleet hangs in space near a blue planet. A giant Rebel
     Star Cruiser is up at the front, but now the Millennium Flacon
     roars up to a spot ahead of it, tiny in comparison.

398 398

     Lando is in the pilot seat. His alien copilot, NIEN NUNB, takes
     some getting used to in the familiar environs of the Falcon's
     cockpit. Lando speaks into his comlink.

                  LANDO
           Admiral, we're in position. All fighters
           accounted for.

                  ACKBAR (VO)
           Proceed with the countdown. All groups assume
           attack coordinates.

     Lando turns to his weird copilot.

                  LANDO
           Don't worry, my friends are down there.
           They'll have that shield down on time...(to
           himself) or this'll be the shortest offensive
           of all time.

     The copilot flips some switches and grunts an alien comment.

                  ACKBAR (VO)
           All craft, prepare to jump to hyperspace on
           my mark.

                  LANDO
           All right. Stand by.

     He pulls a lever, and the stars outside begin to streak.

399 399

     We are treated to an awesome sight: first the Millennium Falcon,
     then Ackbar's Star Cruiser, then, in large segments, the huge
     fleet ROARS INTO HYPERSPACE. And disappears.

400 400

     Han, Leia, Chewie, the droids, and their two Ewok guides, Wicket
     and Paploo, have reunited with the Rebel strike squad. The entire
     group is spread through the thick undergrowth. Below them is the
     BUNKER that leads into the generator. Four Imperial scouts, their
     speeder bikes parked nearby, keep watch over the bunker entrance.
     Chewie growls an observation, and Paploo chatters away to Han in
     Ewok language.

                  HAN
           Back door, huh? Good idea.

     Wicket and Paploo continue their Ewok conversation.

                  HAN (cont)
           It's only a few guards. This shouldn't be too
           much trouble.

                  LEIA
           Well, it only takes one to sound the alarm.

                  HAN (with self-confident grin)
           Then we'll do it real quiet-like.

     Threepio explains what is going on to Wicket and Paploo. The
     Ewoks chatter a moment between themselves. Then Paploo jumps up
     and scampers into the underbrush.

     Threepio asks Wicket where Paploo went and is given a short
     reply.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh! Oh, my. Uh, Princess Leia!

                  LEIA
           Quiet.

                  THREEPIO
           I'm afraid our furry companion has gone and
           done something rather rash.

                  LEIA
           Oh, no.

401 401

     Paploo has slipped out of the undergrowth near where the Imperial
     scouts are lounging. He silently swings his furry ball of a body
     onto one of the scout's speeder bikes and begins flipping
     switches at random. Suddenly, the bike's engine fires up with a
     tremendous ROAR. Paploo grins and continues flipping switches.
     The scouts leap up in surprise.

402 402

     Han, Leia and company watch in distress. Chewie barks.

                  HAN (sighs)
           There goes our surprise attack.

403 403

     The Imperial scouts race toward Paploo just as his speeder zooms
     into motion. Paploo hangs on by his paws and shoots away into the
     forest.

                  SCOUT
           Look! Over there! Stop him!

     Three of the Imperial scouts jump on their rocket bikes and speed
     away in pursuit. The fourth watches them go from his post at the
     door.

404 404

     Han, Leia, and Chewie exchange delighted looks.

                  HAN
           Not bad for a little furball. There's only
           one left. You stay here. We'll take care of
           this.

     Han and the Wookiee nod at each other and slip down toward the
     bunker. Threepio moves to stand next to Wicket and Artoo.

                  THREEPIO
           I have decided that we shall stay here.

405 405

     Paploo sails through the trees, more lucky than in control. It's
     scary, but he loves it. When the Imperial scouts pull within
     sight behind him and begin firing laser bolts, he decides he's
     had enough. As he rounds a tree, out of their sight, Paploo grabs
     a vine and swings up into the trees. A moment later, the scouts
     tear under him in pursuit of the still-flying, unoccupied bike.

406 406

     Han sneaks up behind the remaining Imperial scout, taps him on
     the shoulder and lets the scout chase him behind the bunker into
     the arms of the waiting Rebel strike team. Han returns to the
     front, and taps out a pattern on the bunker door's control panel.
     Everyone stands out of sight, police-style, as the door opens.
     Han and Leia peek inside. No sign of life. The group enters the
     bunker silently, leaving one lookout behind.

407 407

     The elevator opens. Vader and Luke enter the room alone. They
     walk across the dark space to stand before the throne, father and
     son side by side beneath the gaze of the Emperor. Vader bows to
     his Master.

                  EMPEROR
           Welcome, young Skywalker. I have been
           expecting you.

     Luke peers at the hooded figure defiantly. The Emperor then looks
     down at Luke's binders.

                  EMPEROR
           You no longer need those.

     The Emperor motions ever so slightly with his finger and Luke's
     binders fall away, clattering to the floor. Luke looks down at
     his own hands, free now to reach out and grab the Emperor's neck.
     He does nothing.

                  EMPEROR
           Guards, leave us.

     The red-cloaked guards turn and disappear behind the elevator.

                  EMPEROR (to Luke)
           I'm looking forward to completing your
           training. In time you will call me Master.

                  LUKE
           You're gravely mistaken. You won't convert me
           as you did my father.

     The Emperor gets down from his throne and walks up very close to
     Luke. The Emperor looks into his eyes and, for the first time,
     Luke can perceive the evil visage within the hood.

                  EMPEROR
           Oh, no, my young Jedi. You will find that it
           is you who are mistaken...about a great
           many things.

                  VADER
           His lightsaber.

     Vader extends a gloved hand toward the Emperor, revealing Luke's
     lightsaber. The Emperor takes it.

                  EMPEROR
           Ah, yes, a Jedi's weapon. Much like your
           father's. By now you must know your father
           can never be turned from the dark side. So
           will it be with you.

                  LUKE
           You're wrong. Soon I'll be dead...and you
           with me.

     The Emperor laughs.

                  EMPEROR
           Perhaps you refer to the imminent attack of
           your Rebel fleet.

     Luke looks up sharply.

                  EMPEROR
           Yes...I assure you we are quite safe from
           your friends here.

     Vader looks at Luke.

                  LUKE
           Your overconfidence is your weakness.

                  EMPEROR
           Your faith in your friends is yours.

                  VADER
           It is pointless to resist, my son.

     The Emperor turns to face Luke.

                  EMPEROR (angry)
           Everything that has transpired has done so
           according to my design. (indicates Endor)
           Your friends up there on the Sanctuary
           Moon...

     Luke reacts. The Emperor notes it.

                  EMPEROR (cont)
           ...are walking into a trap. As is your Rebel
           fleet! It was I who allowed the Alliance to
           know the location of the shield generator. It
           is quite safe from your pitiful little band.
           An entire legion of my best troops awaits
           them.

     Luke's look darts from the Emperor to Vader and, finally, to the
     sword in the Emperor's hand.

                  EMPEROR
           Oh...I'm afraid the deflector shield will be
           quite operational when your friends arrive.

408 408

     Leia, Chewie, and the Rebel strike team storm through a door
     and enter the main control room, taking all of the personnel
     prisoner.

                  HAN
           All right! Up! Move! Come on! Quickly!
           Quickly, Chewie.

     The Rebel troops herd the generator controllers away from their
     panels. Leia glances at one of the screens on the control panel.

                  LEIA
           Han! Hurry! The fleet will be here any
           moment.

                  HAN
           Charges!  Come on, come on!

     Outside, Threepio watches nervously in the bushes as several more
     controllers and stormtroopers run into the bunker, leaving guards
     at the door.

                  THREEPIO (to Wicket)
           Oh, my! They'll be captured!

     Wicket chatters in Ewok language, and then takes off full steam
     into the forest.

                  THREEPIO
           Wa-wait! Wait, come back! Artoo, stay with
           me.

     Inside the bunker, Han looks up from setting charges as an
     Imperial commander enters.

                  COMMANDER
           Freeze! You Rebel scum.

     Han and Leia spin, to find dozens of Imperial weapons trained on
     them and their cohorts. A poised force of Imperial troops
     surround them. Even more pour into the room, roughly disarming
     the Rebel contingent. Han, Leia, and Chewie exchange looks.
     They're helpless.

409 409

     The Death Star and its Sanctuary Moon hang distant in space as
     the Rebel fleet comes out of hyperspace with an awesome roar. The
     Millennium Falcon and several Rebel fighters are at the front as
     the space armada bears down on its target.

410 410

     Lando flips switches, checks his screen, and speaks into the
     radio.

                  LANDO
           All wings report in.

                  WEDGE
           Red Leader standing by.

                  GRAY LEADER
           Gray Leader standing by.

                  GREEN LEADER
           Green Leader standing by.

                  WEDGE
           Lock S-foils in attack positions.

411 411

     From the bridge of the Rebel Headquarters Frigate, Admiral Ackbar
     watches the fighters massing outside his viewscreen.

                  ACKBAR
           May the Force be with us.

412 412

     Lando looks worriedly at his alien copilot, Nien Nunb, who points
     to the control panel and talks to Lando.

                  LANDO
           We've got to be able to get some kind of a
           reading on that shield, up or down. Well, how
           could they be jamming us if they don't know
           if we're coming.

     Lando shoots a concerned look out at the approaching Death Star
     as the implications of what he's just said sink in. He hits a
     switch on his comlink.

                  LANDO
           Break off the attack! The shield is still up.

                  RED LEADER (VO)
           I get no reading. Are you sure?

                  LANDO
           Pull up! All craft pull up!

     The Falcon turns hard to the left. Out the window the stars and
     the Death Star move off right.

413 413

     The Falcon and the fighters of Red Squad veer off desperately to
     avoid the unseen wall.

414 414

     Alarms are screaming and lights flashing as the huge ship changes
     course abruptly. Other ships in the fleet shoot by outside as the
     armada tries to halt its forward momentum.

                  ACKBAR
           Take evasive action! Green Group, stick close
           to holding sector MV-7.

     A Mon Calamari controller turns away from his screen and calls
     out to Ackbar, quite excited. The Admiral rushes over to the
     controller.

                  CONTROLLER
           Admiral, we have enemy ships in sector 47.

     On the screen can be seen the moon, Death Star, and the massive
     Imperial fleet. Ackbar moves to the comlink.

                  ACKBAR
           It's a trap!

                  LANDO (over comlink)
           Fighters coming in.

     There is much excitement on the bridge as the attack begins.

     The Millennium Falcon and several squads of Rebel fighters head
     into an armada of TIE fighters. The sky explodes as a fierce
     dogfight ensues in and around the giant Rebel cruisers.

                  REBEL PILOT
           There's too many of them!

                  LANDO
           Accelerate to attack speed! Draw their fire
           away from the cruisers.

                  WEDGE
           Copy, Gold Leader.

     The battle continues around the giant cruisers.

415 415

     Through the round window behind the Emperor's throne can be seen
     the distant flashes of the space battle in progress.

                  EMPEROR
           Come, boy. See for yourself.

     The Emperor is sitting in his throne, with Vader standing at his
     side. Luke moves to look through a small section of the window.

                  EMPEROR
           From here you will witness the final
           destruction of the Alliance, and the end of
           your insignificant Rebellion.

     Luke is in torment. He glances at his lightsaber sitting on the
     armrest of the throne. The Emperor watches him and smiles,
     touches the lightsaber.

                  EMPEROR
           You want this, don't you? The hate is
           swelling in you now. Take your Jedi weapon.
           Use it. I am unarmed. Strike me down with it.
           Give in to your anger. With each passing
           moment, you make yourself more my servant.

     Vader watches Luke in his agony.

                  LUKE
           No!

                  EMPEROR
           It is unavoidable. It is your destiny. You,
           like your father, are now mine!

416 416

     Han, Leia, Chewie, and the rest of the strike team are led out of
     the bunker by their captors. The surrounding area, deserted
     before, is now crowded with two-legged Imperial walkers and
     hundreds of Imperial troops. The situation looks hopeless.

                  STORMTROOPER
           All right, move it! I said move it! Go on!

     From the undergrowth beyond the clearing comes a wild series of
     beeps and whistles. And --

                  THREEPIO
           Hello! I say, over there! Were you looking
           for me?

                  BUNKER COMMANDER
           Bring those two down here!

                  STORMTROOPER
           Let's go!

     Artoo and Threepio are standing near one of the big trees. As six
     Imperial stormtroopers rush over to take them captive, the two
     droids duck out of sight behind the tree.

                  THREEPIO
           Well, they're on their way. Artoo, are you
           sure this was a good idea?

                  STORMTROOPER
           Freeze! Don't move!

                  THREEPIO
           We surrender.

     The stormtroopers come around the tree and find the two droids
     waiting quietly to be taken. As the Imperial troops move to do
     that, however, a band of Ewoks drops down from above and
     overpowers them.

                  THREEPIO
           Ohhh! Stand back, Artoo.

     In a nearby tree, an Ewok raises a horn to his lips and sounds
     the EWOK ATTACK CALL. All hell breaks loose as hundreds of Ewoks
     throw their fuzzy bodies into the fray against the assembled
     stormtroopers and their awesome two-legged walkers.

     Biker scouts dart about blasting Ewoks, only to be crushed by a
     volley of rocks tossed by Ewoks from the trees above.

     In the confusion of the battle, Han and Leia break away and dive
     for the cover of the bunker door as explosions erupt around them.
     Han goes to the bunker door control panel.

                  LEIA
           The code's changed. We need Artoo!

                  HAN
           Here's the terminal.

                  LEIA (into comlink)
           Artoo, where are you? We need you at the
           bunker right away.

     Artoo and Threepio are hiding behind a log as the battle rages
     around them. Suddenly the stubby little astrodroid lets out a
     series of whistles and shoots off across the battlefield.
     Threepio, panicked, runs after him.

                  THREEPIO
           Going? What do you mean, you're going. But--
           but going where, Artoo? No, what! Artoo! Oh,
           this is no time for heroics. Come back!

     Biker scouts race around and over the two droids, blasting away
     at the little Ewoks as the furries scurry for cover.

     A group of Ewoks have moved a primitive catapult into position.
     They fire off a large boulder that hits one of the walkers. The
     walker turns and heads for the catapult, blasting away with both
     guns. The Ewoks abandon their weapons and flee in all directions.
     Just as the walker moves in to stomp the catapult, Ewoks drop
     vines restraining two huge logs that swing down and smash the
     walker's head flat.

     A line of Ewoks hang desperately to a vine that is hooked to a
     walker's foot. As the walker moves along, the fuzzy creatures are
     dragged behind.

     Two speeder bikes chase Ewoks through the underbrush. As the
     scouts round a tree, they are knocked off their bikes by a vine
     tied between two trees.

417 417


     The Falcon and other Rebel fighters are engaged in a ferocious
     combat with Imperial TIE fighters, the battle raging around the
     cruisers of the Rebel armada.

418 418

     Lando is in radio communication with the pilots of the other
     Rebel squads.

                  LANDO
           Watch yourself, Wedge! Three from above!

                  WEDGE
           Red Three, Red Two, pull in!

                  RED TWO
           Got it!

                  RED THREE
           Three of them coming in, twenty degrees!

                  WEDGE

           Cut to the left! I'll take the leader!
           They're heading for the medical frigate.

     Lando steers the Falcon through a complete flip, as his crew
     fires at the TIEs from the belly guns.

                  NAVIGATOR
           Pressure's steady.

     The copilot Nien Nunb chatters an observation.

                  LANDO
           Only the fighters are attacking.  I wonder
           what those Star Destroyers are waiting for.

419 419

     The giant Imperial Star Destroyer waits silently some distance
     from the battle. The Emperor's huge Super Star Destroyer rests in
     the middle of the fleet.

420 420

     Admiral Piett and two fleet commanders watch the battle at the
     huge window of the Super Star Destroyer bridge.

                  COMMANDER
           We're in attack position now, sir.

                  PIETT
           Hold here.

                  COMMANDER
           We're not going to attack?

                  PIETT
           I have my orders from the Emperor himself. He
           has something special planned for them. We
           only need to keep them from escaping.

421 421

     The Emperor, Vader, and a horrified Luke watch the aerial battle
     fireworks out the window and on the viewscreens. Another Rebel
     ship explodes against the protective shield.

                  EMPEROR
           As you can see, my young apprentice, your
           friends have failed. Now witness the
           firepower of this fully armed and operational
           battle station. (into comlink) Fire at will,
           Commander.

     Luke, in shock, looks out across the surface of the Death Star to
     the Rebel fleet beyond.

422 422

     Controllers pull back on several switches. Commander Jerjerrod
     stands over them.

                  JERJERROD
           Fire!

423 423

     A button is pressed, which switches on a panel of lights.

     A hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever. A
     huge beam of light emanates from a long shaft. Two stormtroopers
     stand to one side at a control panel.

424 424

     The giant laser dish on the completed half of the Death Star
     begins to glow; Then a powerful beams shoots out toward the
     aerial battle.

425 425

     The air is thick with giant ships. In among them, Rebel X-wings
     dogfight with Imperial TIE fighters. Now an enormous Rebel
     cruiser is hit by the Death Star beam and is blown to dust.

     The Millennium Falcon roars over CAMERA, followed closely by
     several TIE fighters.

426 426

     The ship is buffeted by the tremendous explosion of the Rebel
     cruiser. Lando and his copilot are stunned by the sight of the
     Death Star firepower.

                  LANDO
           That blast came from the Death Star! That
           thing's operational! (into comlink) Home One,
           this is Gold Leader.

427 427

     Ackbar stands amid the confusion on the wide bridge and speaks
     into the comlink.

                  ACKBAR
           We saw it. All craft prepare to retreat.

                  LANDO
           You won't get another chance at this,
           Admiral.

                  ACKBAR
           We have no choice, General Calrissian. Our
           cruisers can't repel firepower of that
           magnitude.

                  LANDO
           Han will have that shield down. We've got to
           give him more time.

428 428

     Artoo and Threepio make it to the door, as Han and Leia provide
     cover fire.

                  THREEPIO
           We're coming!

                  HAN
           Come on! Come on!

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, Artoo, hurry!

     The little droid moves to the terminal and plugs in his computer
     arm. A large explosion hits near Artoo, knocking him head over
     heels, finally landing on his feet. The stubby astrodroid's
     head is spinning and smoldering. Suddenly there is a loud
     SPROOING and Han and Leia turn around to see Artoo with all his
     compartment doors open, and all of his appendages sticking out;
     water and smoke spurt out of the nozzles in his body. Han rushes
     to the terminal, as Threepio rushes to his wounded companion.

                  THREEPIO
           My goodness! Artoo, why did you have to be so
           brave?

                  HAN
           Well, I suppose I could hotwire this thing.

                  LEIA
           I'll cover you.

     Ewoks in handmade, primitive hanggliders drop rocks onto the
     stormtroopers, dive-bombing their deadly adversaries.  One is hit
     in the wing with laser fire and crashes.  A walker lumbers
     forward, shooting laser blasts at frantic Ewoks running in all
     directions.  Two Ewoks are struck down by laser blasts.  One
     tries to awaken his friend, then realizes that he is dead.

429 429

     The Rebel fleet continues to be picked off, from one side by the
     Death Star's deadly beam, from the other by the rampaging
     Imperial Star Destroyers.

430 430

     Lando steers the Falcon wildly through an obstacle course of
     floating giants. He's been yelling into the comlink.

                  LANDO (desperately)
           Yes! I said closer! Move as close as you can
           and engage those Star Destroyers at point-
           blank range.

                  ACKBAR
           At that close range, we won't last long
           against those Star Destroyers.

                  LANDO
           We'll last longer then we will against that
           Death Star...and we might just take a few of
           them with us.

     The Rebel cruisers move very close to the Imperial Star
     Destroyers and begin to blast away at point-blank range. Tiny
     fighters race across the giant surfaces, against a backdrop of
     laser fire.

     The control tower of a Star Destroyer is under attack.

                  REBEL PILOT
           She's gonna blow!

                  Y-WING PILOT
           I'm hit!

     The damaged Y-wing plummets toward the Star Destroyer, and
     crashes into the control tower, exploding.

431 431

     Out of the window and on the view screens, the Rebel fleet is
     being decimated in blinding explosions of light and debris. But
     in here there is no sound of battle. The Emperor turns to Luke.

                  EMPEROR
           Your fleet has lost. And your friends on the
           Endor moon will not survive. There is no
           escape, my young apprentice. The Alliance
           will die...as will your friends.

     Luke's eyes are full of rage. Vader watches him.

                  EMPEROR
           Good. I can feel your anger. I am
           defenseless.  Take your weapon! Strike me
           down with all your hatred, and your journey
           towards the dark side will be complete.

     Luke can resist no longer. The lightsaber flies into his hand. He
     ignites it in an instant and swings at the Emperor. Vader's
     lightsaber flashes into view, blocking Luke's blow before it can
     reach the Emperor. The two blades spark at contact. Luke turns to
     fight his father.

432 432

     The battle rages on. Stormtroopers fire on Ewoks with
     sophisticated weapons while their furry little adversaries sneak
     up behind the Imperial troopers and bash them over the head with
     large clubs.

     A walker marches through the undergrowth blasting Ewoks as it
     goes. An Ewok warrior gives the signal, and a pile of logs is cut
     loose. The logs tumble under the walker's feet, causing it to
     slip and slide until it finally topples over with a great crash.

     A scout bike races past and is lassoed with a heavy vine. The
     other end of the vine is tied to a tree, and the bike swings
     around in ever-tightening circles until it runs out of rope and
     crashes into the trees with a huge explosion.

     Chewie swings on a vine to the roof of one of the walkers. Two
     Ewoks cling to him. They land with a thud on the top of the
     lurching machine, then hang on for dear life. One of the Ewoks
     peeks through the window.

                  WALKER PILOT #1
           Look!

                  PILOT #2
           Get him off of there!

     The walker pilot opens the hatch to see what's going on. He is
     yanked out and tossed overboard before he can scream. The two
     Ewoks jump into the cockpit and knock the second pilot
     unconscious. The Ewoks are thrown violently as the mighty machine
     careens out of control. Outside, Chewie is almost knocked
     overboard; he sticks his head into the hatch with a series of
     angry barks. The Ewoks are too busy and frightened to listen to
     the Wookiee's complaint. Chewie slips inside the walker.

     Chewbacca's walker moves through the forest, firing laser blasts
     at unsuspecting stormtroopers, and destroying other Imperial
     walkers. The Ewoks shout and cheer as the giant machine helps
     turn the tide of the battle in their favor.

433 433

     Han works furiously at the control panel; wires spark as he
     attempts to hotwire the door. He motions to Leia, who is blasting
     away at some stormtroopers.

                  HAN
           I think I got it. I got it!

     The three wires spark as the connection is made. With a LOUD
     WHOOSH, a second blast door crashes down in front of the first.

     Han frowns and turns back to the wires again. Leia exchanges
     shots with stormtroopers in the bushes, then suddenly cries out
     in pain, her shoulder hit by a laser blast.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, Princess Leia, are you all right?

                  HAN
           Let's see.

                  LEIA
           It's not bad.

                  STORMTROOPER (OS)
           Freeze!

     They freeze.

                  THREEPIO
           Oh, dear.

                  STORMTROOPER
           Don't move!

     Leia holds her laser gun ready, behind Han, out of view of the
     two stormtroopers moving toward them. Han and Leia's eyes lock;
     the moment seems suspended in time.

                  HAN
           I love you.

     Another shared look between them, as she smiles up at Han.

                  LEIA
           I know.

                  STORMTROOPER
           Hands up! Stand up!

     Han stands up slowly and turns, revealing the gun in Leia's hand.
     She disposes of the stormtroopers in a flash. As Han turns back
     toward Leia, he looks up to see a giant walker approach and stand
     before him, its deadly weapons aimed right at him.

                  HAN (to Leia)
           Stay back.

     The hatch on top of the walker opens and Chewie sticks his head
     out and barks triumphantly.

                  HAN
           Chewie!  Get down here!  She's wounded!  No,
           wait....  I got an idea.

434 434

     Luke and Vader are engaged in a man-to-man duel of lightsabers
     even more vicious then the battle on Bespin. But the young Jedi
     has grown stronger in the interim, and now the advantage shifts
     to him. Vader is forced back, losing his balance, and is knocked
     down the stairs. Luke stands at the top of the stairs, ready to
     attack.

                  EMPEROR (laughing)
           Good.  Use your aggressive feelings, boy!  Let
           the hate flow through you.

     Luke looks momentarily toward the Emperor, then back to Vader,
     and realizes he is using the dark side. He steps back, turns off
     his lightsaber, and relaxes, driving the hate from his being.

                  VADER
           Obi-Wan has taught you well.

                  LUKE
           I will not fight you, father.

     Vader walks back up the stairs to Luke.

                  VADER
           You are unwise to lower your defenses.

     Vader attacks, forcing Luke on the defensive. The young Jedi
     leaps in an amazing reverse flip up to the safety of the catwalk
     overhead. Vader stands below him.

                  LUKE
           Your thoughts betray you, father. I feel the
           good in you...the conflict.

                  VADER
           There is no conflict.

                  LUKE
           You couldn't bring yourself to kill me
           before, and I don't believe you'll destroy me
           now.

                  VADER
           You underestimate the power of the dark side.
           If you will not fight, then you will meet
           your destiny.

     Vader throws the laser sword and it cuts through the supports
     holding the catwalk, then returns to Vader's hand. Luke tumbles
     to the ground in a shower of sparks and rolls out of sight under
     the Emperor's platform. Vader moves to find him.

                  EMPEROR (laughs)
           Good.  Good.

435 435

     The two armadas, like their sea-bound ancestors, blast away at
     each other in individual point-blank confrontations. A Star
     Destroyer explodes. The Rebel victor limps away, its back half
     alive with a series of minor explosions. The Rebel cruiser
     manages to move in next to a second Star Destroyer before it
     explodes completely, taking the Imperial Star Destroyer with it.
     The Falcon and several fighters attack one of the larger Imperial
     ships.

                  LANDO
           Watch out. Squad at .06.

                  REBEL PILOT
           I'm on it, Gold Leader.

                  WEDGE
           Good shot, Red Two.

                  LANDO
           Now...come on, Han, old buddy. Don't let me
           down.

436 436

     Controllers watch the main viewscreen on which a vague figure of
     an Imperial walker pilot can be seen. There is a great deal of
     static and interference.

                  HAN/PILOT (VO)
           It's over, Commander. The Rebels have been
           routed. They're fleeing into the woods. We
           need reinforcements to continue the pursuit.

     The controllers cheer.

                  CONTROL ROOM COMMANDER
           Send three squads to help. Open the back
           door.

                  SECOND COMMANDER
           Yes, sir.

437 437

     As the door to the bunker opens and the Imperial troops rush out,
     they're surprised to find themselves surrounded by Rebels, their
     weapons pointed at them. Ewoks holding bows and arrows appear on
     the roof of the bunker. The Imperial troops throw down their guns
     as Han and Chewie rush inside the bunker with explosive charges.

438 438

     Han, Chewie, and several troops rush into the control room and
     plant explosive charges on the control panels and rush out.

                  HAN
           Throw me another charge.

439 439

     Vader stalks the low-ceilinged area on the level below the
     throne, searching for Luke in the semi-darkness, his lightsaber
     held ready.

                  VADER
           You cannot hide forever, Luke.

                  LUKE
           I will not fight you.

                  VADER
           Give yourself to the dark side. It is the
           only way you can save your friends. Yes, your
           thoughts betray you. Your feelings for them
           are strong. Especially for...

     Vader stops and senses something. Luke shuts his eyes tightly, in
     anguish.

                  VADER
           Sister! So...you have a twin sister. Your
           feelings have now betrayed her, too. Obi-Wan
           was wise to hide her from me. Now his failure
           is complete. If you will not turn to the dark
           side, then perhaps she will.

                  LUKE
           Never-r-r!

     Luke ignites his lightsaber and screams in anger, rushing at his
     father with a frenzy we have not seen before. Sparks fly as Luke
     and Vader fight in the cramped area. Luke's hatred forces Vader
     to retreat out of the low area and across a bridge overlooking a
     vast elevator shaft. Each stroke of Luke's sword drives his
     father further toward defeat.

     The Dark Lord is knocked to his knees, and as he raises his sword
     to block another onslaught, Luke slashes Vader's right hand off
     at the wrist, causing metal and electronic parts to fly from the
     mechanical stump. Vader's sword clatters uselessly away, over the
     edge of the platform and into the bottomless shaft below. Luke
     moves over Vader and holds the blade of his sword to the Dark
     Lord's throat. The Emperor watches with uncontrollable, pleased
     agitation.

                  EMPEROR
           Good! Your hate has made you powerful. Now,
           fulfill your destiny and take your father's
           place at my side!

     Luke looks at his father's mechanical hand, then to his own
     mechanical, black-gloved hand, and realizes how much he is
     becoming like his father. He makes the decision for which he
     has spent a lifetime in preparation. Luke steps back and hurls
     his lightsaber away.

                  LUKE
           Never! I'll never turn to the dark side.
           You've failed, Your Highness. I am a Jedi,
           like my father before me.

     The Emperor's glee turns to rage.

                  EMPEROR
           So be it...Jedi.

440 440

     Han and several of the fighters run out of the bunker and race
     across the clearing.

                  HAN
           Move! Move!

     A shock wave knocks them flat as the bunker explodes, followed by
     a spectacular display as the huge shield-generator radar dish
     explodes along with the bunker.

441 441

     Ackbar, sitting in his control chair, speaks into the radio.

                  ACKBAR
           The shield is down! Commence attack on the
           Death Star's main reactor.

                  LANDO
           We're on our way. Red Group, Gold Group, all
           fighters follow me. (laughs) Told you they'd
           do it!

     The Falcon, followed by several smaller Rebel fighters, heads
     toward the unfinished superstructure of the Death Star.

442 442

     Luke stands still, as the Emperor reaches the bottom of the
     stairs. The Emperor's laughter has turned to anger. He raises his
     arms toward Luke.

                  EMPEROR
           If you will not be turned, you will be
           destroyed.

     Blinding bolts of energy, evil lightning, shoot from the
     Emperor's hands at Luke. Even in his surprise, the young Jedi
     tries to use the Force to deflect them. At first he is half
     successful, but after a moment the bolts of energy are coming
     with such speed and power the young Jedi shrinks before them, his
     knees buckling. The wounded Vader struggles to his feet, and
     moves to stand at his master's side.

                  EMPEROR
           Young fool...only now, at the end, do you
           understand.

     Luke is almost unconscious beneath the continuing assault of the
     Emperor's lightning. He clutches a canister to keep from falling
     into the bottomless shaft as the bolts tear through him.

                  EMPEROR
           Your feeble skills are no match for the power
           of the dark side. You have paid the price for
           your lack of vision.

     Luke writhes on the floor in unbearable pain, reaching weakly up
     toward where Vader stands watching.

                  LUKE (groans)
           Father, please. Help me.

     Again Vader stands, watching Luke. He looks at his master, the
     Emperor, then back to Luke on the floor.

                  EMPEROR
           Now, young Skywalker...you will die.

     Although it would not have seemed possible, the outpouring of
     bolts from the Emperor's fingers actually increases in intensity,
     the sound screaming through the room. Luke's body writhes in
     pain.

     Vader grabs the Emperor from behind, fighting for control of the
     robed figure despite the Dark Lord's weakened body and gravely
     weakened arm. The Emperor struggles in his embrace, his bolt-
     shooting hands now lifted high, away from Luke. Now the white
     lightning arcs back to strike at Vader. He stumbles with his load
     as the sparks rain off his helmet and flow down over his black
     cape. He holds his evil master high over his head and walks to
     the edge of the abyss at the central core of the throne room. With
     one final burst of his once awesome strength, Darth Vader hurls
     the Emperor's body into the bottomless shaft.

     The Emperor's body spins helplessly into the void, arcing as it
     falls into the abyss. Finally, when the body is far down the
     shaft, it explodes, creating a rush of air through the room.
     Vader's cape is whipped by the wind and he staggers, and
     collapses toward the bottomless hole. Luke crawls to his father's
     side and pulls him away from the edge of the abyss to safety.
     Both the young Jedi and the giant warrior are too weak to move.

443 443

     Rebel fighters follow the Falcon across the surface of the Death
     Star to the unfinished portion, where they dive into the super-
     structure of the giant battle station, followed by many TIE
     fighters.

                  WEDGE
           I'm going in.

                  LANDO
           Here goes nothing.

     Three X-wings lead the chase through the ever-narrowing shaft,
     followed by the Falcon and four other fighters, plus TIE fighters
     who continually fire at the Rebels. Lights reflect off the
     pilot's faces as they race through the dark shaft.

                  LANDO
           Now lock onto the strongest power source. It
           should be the power generator.

                  WEDGE
           Form up. And stay alert. We could run out of
           space real fast.

     The fighters and the Falcon race through the tunnel, still
     pursued by the TIE fighters. One of the X-wings is hit from
     behind and explodes.

                  LANDO
           Split up and head back to the surface. See if
           you can get a few of those TIE fighters to
           follow you.

                  PILOT
           Copy, Gold Leader.

     The Rebel ships peel off pursued by three of the TIE's, while
     Lando and Wedge continue through the main tunnel. It narrows, and
     the Falcon scrapes the side dangerously. Two other TIE fighters
     continue to blast away at them.

                  LANDO
           That was too close.

     Nien Nunb agrees. The battle between the Rebel and Imperial fleet
     rages on. Several cruisers fire at the giant Super Star
     Destroyer.

444 444

                  ACKBAR
           We've got to give those fighters more time.
           Concentrate all fire on that Super Star
           Destroyer.

     X-wings pilots head across the surface of the huge battleship.

445 445

     Admiral Piett and a commander stand at the window, looking out to
     the battle. They look concerned.

                  CONTROLLER
           Sir, we've lost our bridge deflector shield.

                  PIETT
           Intensify the forward batteries. I don't want
           anything to get through.

     The commander is looking out of the window where a damaged Rebel
     fighter is out of control and heading directly toward the bridge.

                  PIETT
           Intensify forward firepower!

                  COMMANDER
           It's too late!

     The Rebel pilot screams as his ship hits the Star Destroyer,
     causing a huge explosion. The giant battle ship loses control,
     crashes into the Death Star, and explodes.

446 446

     There is excitement on the bridge as the battle rages on all
     sides. They cheer as the giant Star Destroyer blows up.

447 447

     Chaos. For the first time, the Death Star is rocked by explosions
     as the Rebel fleet, no longer backed against a wall, zooms over,
     unloading a heavy barrage. Imperial troops run in all directions,
     confused and desperate to escape.

     In the midst of this uproar, Luke is trying to carry the enormous
     deadweight of his father's weakening body toward an Imperial
     shuttle. Finally, Luke collapses from the strain. The explosions
     grow louder as Vader draws him closer.

                  VADER (a whisper)
           Luke, help me take this mask off.

                  LURE
           But you'll die.

                  VADER
           Nothing can stop that now. Just for once...
           let me look on you with my own eyes.

     Slowly, hesitantly, Luke removes the mask from his father's face.
     There beneath the scars is an elderly man. His eyes do not focus.
     But the dying man smiles at the sight before him.

                  ANAKIN (very weak)
           Now...go, my son. Leave me.

                  LUKE
           No. You're coming with me. I can't leave you
           here. I've got to save you.

                  ANAKIN
           You already have, Luke. You were right about
           me. Tell your sister...you were right.

                  LUKE
           Father... I won't leave you.

     Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker...Luke's father, dies.

     A huge explosion rocks the docking bay. Slowly, Luke rises and,
     half carrying, half dragging the body of his father, stumbles
     toward a shuttle.

448 448

     The Millennium Falcon leads a swerving bomb run through the
     immense superstructure of the half-built Death Star. The Rebel
     Star Cruisers outside continually bombard the huge station. And
     each direct hit is answered by resonating, chain-reaction
     explosions within the station itself.

449 449

     Lando's crew fires away at the pursuing TIE fighters as the
     dashing Baron of Bespin and his alien copilot home in on the main
     reactor shaft. It is awesome. A lone X-wing is just in front of
     the Falcon.

                  WEDGE
           There it is!

                  LANDO
           All right, Wedge. Go for the power regulator
           on the north tower.

                  WEDGE
           Copy, Gold Leader. I'm already on my way out.

     The X-wing heads for the top of the huge reactor and fires
     several proton torpedoes at the power regulator, causing a series
     of small explosions.

     The Falcon heads for the main reactor, and when it is dangerously
     close, Lando fires the missiles, which shoot out of the Falcon
     with a powerful roar, and hit directly at the center of the main
     reactor.

     He maneuvers the Falcon out of the winding superstructure just
     ahead of the continuing chain of explosions.

450 450

     Ackbar and other Mon Calamari lean on the railing of the bridge,
     watching the large screen showing the Death Star in the main
     briefing room.

                  ACKBAR
           Move the fleet away from the Death Star.

451 451

     An Imperial shuttle, with Luke alone in the cockpit, rockets out
     of the main docking bay as that entire section of the Death Star
     is blown away. But as Luke pilots toward the safety of the
     Sanctuary moon, his thoughts - enhanced by the Force - turn to
     his friends aboard the Millennium Falcon.

     The Falcon flies at top speed, with a single X-wing as escort,
     over the endless surface of the Death Star. A series of
     explosions within the superstructure follow, then swiftly
     overtake the small craft as it races for an exit.

452 452

     Lando turns to Nien Nunb and shakes his head.

                  LANDO (into comlink)
           Wedge, I don't think we're going to make it.

                  WEDGE (VO)
           You'll make it. Just follow me Gold Leader.

                  LANDO (to himself)
           I promised to return his ship without a
           scratch...I sure hope that old pirate
           forgives me.

     An X-wing, piloted by Wedge Antilles, races out of the exploding
     superstructure and whizzes toward the Sanctuary Moon. But the
     Millennium Falcon is not fast enough as it explodes with the
     Death Star in a supernova of glory.

453 453

     Han and Leia, Chewie, the droids, the Rebel troops, and the Ewoks
     all look to the sky as the Death Star reveals itself in a final
     flash of self-destruction. All except Han cheer, as the thirty-
     year-old starship pilot feels a deep personal loss.

                  HAN (whispering to himself)
           Lando...

                  THREEPIO
           (misinterpreting Han's reference)
           They did it!

     Han looks down from the sky to Leia, a look of sorrow and regret
     on his face. He knows he will never see the Falcon and Lando
     again. His thoughts turn to Leia, as she continues to look at the
     sky, watching for Luke.

454 454

     Luke sets a torch to the logs stacked under a funeral pyre where
     his father's body lies, again dressed in black mask and helmet.
     He stands, watching sadly, as the flames leap higher to consume
     Darth Vader -- Anakin Skywalker.

     In the sky above, fireworks explode and Rebel fighters zoom above
     the forest.

455 455

     A huge bonfire is the centerpiece of a wild celebration. Rebels
     and Ewoks rejoice in the warm glow of firelight, drums beating,
     singing, dancing, and laughing in the communal language of
     victory and liberation.

     Lando runs in and is enthusiastically hugged by Han and Chewie.
     Then, finally, Luke arrives and the friends rush to greet and
     embrace him. They stand close, this hardy group, taking comfort
     in each other's touch, together to the end.

     Rebels and Ewoks join together in dancing and celebration. The
     original group of adventurers watch from the sidelines. Only Luke
     seems distracted, alone in their midsts, his thoughts elsewhere.

     He looks off to the side and sees three shimmering, smiling
     figures at the edge of the shadows: Ben Kenobi, Yoda, and Anakin
     Skywalker.

456 456