· 6 years ago · Apr 19, 2019, 07:50 PM
1STAR WARS
2
3 Episode IV
4
5 A NEW HOPE
6
7 From the
8 JOURNAL OF THE WHILLS
9
10 by
11 George Lucas
12
13 Revised Fourth Draft
14 January 15, 1976
15
16 LUCASFILM LTD.
17
18
19
20 A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away...
21
22 A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main title.
23 War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup slowly crawls
24 into infinity.
25
26 It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships,
27 striking from a hidden base, have won their first
28 victory against the evil Galactic Empire.
29
30 During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal
31 secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, the
32 Death Star, an armored space station with enough
33 power to destroy an entire planet.
34
35 Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess
36 Leia races home aboard her starship, custodian of
37 the stolen plans that can save her people and
38 restore freedom to the galaxy...
39
40 The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total
41 eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A tiny
42 silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing lasers
43 from the back of the ship, races through space. It is pursed
44 by a giant Imperial Stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly
45 laserbolts streak from the Imperial Stardestroyer, causing
46 the main solar fin of the Rebel craft to disintegrate.
47
48 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN PASSAGEWAY
49
50 An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo (R2-
51 D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way
52 through the shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are
53 old and battered. Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod. His
54 face is a mass of computer lights surrounding a radar eye.
55 Threepio, on the other hand, is a tall, slender robot of
56 human proportions. He has a gleaming bronze-like metallic
57 surface of an Art Deco design.
58
59 Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their way.
60
61 THREEPIO
62 Did you hear that? They've shut down
63 the main reactor. We'll be destroyed
64 for sure. This is madness!
65
66 Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions in
67 the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.
68
69 THREEPIO
70 We're doomed!
71
72 The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that
73 only another robot could understand.
74
75 THREEPIO
76 There'll be no escape for the Princess
77 this time.
78
79 Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as
80 loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment
81 are heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.
82
83 THREEPIO
84 What's that?
85
86 EXT. SPACECRAFT IN SPACE
87
88 The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade
89 Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the
90 underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.
91
92 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
93
94 The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a
95 tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and
96 a score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make
97 their way into the smoke-filled corridor.
98
99 In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with
100 laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns
101 creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck
102 behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel soldiers
103 who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered
104 arms and faces.
105
106 An explosion hits near the robots.
107
108 THREEPIO
109 I should have known better than to
110 trust the logic of a half-sized
111 thermocapsulary dehousing assister...
112
113 Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages
114 around the two hapless robots.
115
116 EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - DAY
117
118 A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon.
119 The tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone
120 figure, Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations
121 who looks much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy
122 hair and baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable
123 lad with a prize-winning smile.
124
125 A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
126 large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the
127 desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided
128 by a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot
129 appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions.
130 A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye and
131 he instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his
132 utility belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying
133 the heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired
134 Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet
135 above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the
136 tiny robot to follow him.
137
138 LUKE
139 Hurry up! Come with me! What are you
140 waiting for?! Get in gear!
141
142 The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
143 smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his
144 arms up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps
145 into his Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum
146 madly.
147
148 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN HALLWAY
149
150 The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Sith makes his
151 way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is
152 Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured
153 by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask, which
154 stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the
155 Imperial stormtroopers. Everyone instinctively backs away
156 from the imposing warrior and a deathly quiet sweeps through
157 the Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run
158 in a frenzied panic.
159
160 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
161
162 A woman's hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo's dome.
163 Artoo makes beeping sounds.
164
165 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
166
167 Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is
168 nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel
169 soldiers can be heard in the distance.
170
171 THREEPIO
172 Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are you?
173
174 A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio's attention and
175 he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a smoke-
176 filled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen years
177 old) stands in front of Artoo. Surreal and out of place,
178 dreamlike and half hidden in the smoke, she finishes adjusting
179 something on Artoo's computer face, then watches as the little
180 robot joins his companion.
181
182 THREEPIO
183 At last! Where have you been?
184
185 Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.
186
187 THREEPIO
188 They're heading in this direction.
189 What are we going to do? We'll be
190 sent to the spice mine of Kessel or
191 smashed into who knows what!
192
193 Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the
194 subhallway. Threepio chases after him.
195
196 THREEPIO
197 Wait a minute, where are you going?
198
199 Artoo responds with electronic beeps.
200
201 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - CORRIDOR
202
203 The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted bodies
204 of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as
205 an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.
206
207 IMPERIAL OFFICER
208 The Death Star plans are not in the
209 main computer.
210
211 Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
212 in vain.
213
214 VADER
215 Where are those transmissions you
216 intercepted?
217
218 Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.
219
220 VADER
221 What have you done with those plans?
222
223 REBEL OFFICER
224 We intercepted no transmissions.
225 Aaah... This is a consular ship.
226 Were on a diplomatic mission.
227
228 VADER
229 If this is a consular ship... were
230 is the Ambassador?
231
232 The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
233 Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer's throat, creating a
234 gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp.
235 Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to
236 his troops.
237
238 VADER
239 Commander, tear this ship apart until
240 you've found those plans and bring
241 me the Ambassador. I want her alive!
242
243 The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.
244
245 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY
246
247 The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
248 stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia
249 Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her
250 eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds
251 of the approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the
252 troopers spots her.
253
254 TROOPER
255 There she is! Set for stun!
256
257 Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
258 her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a
259 paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.
260
261 TROOPER
262 She'll be all right. Inform Lord
263 Vader we have a prisoner.
264
265 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY
266
267 Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod.
268 He snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light
269 begins to flash. The stubby astro-robot works his way into
270 the cramped four-man pod.
271
272 THREEPIO
273 Hey, you're not permitted in there.
274 It's restricted. You'll be deactivated
275 for sure..
276
277 Artoo beeps something to him.
278
279 THREEPIO
280 Don't call me a mindless philosopher,
281 you overweight glob of grease! Now
282 come out before somebody sees you.
283
284 Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding
285 the mission he is about to perform.
286
287 THREEPIO
288 Secret mission? What plans? What are
289 you talking about? I'm not getting
290 in there!
291
292 Artoo isn't happy with Threepio's stubbornness, and he beeps
293 and twangs angrily.
294
295 A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris
296 through the narrow subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and,
297 after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky
298 robot jumps into the lifepod.
299
300 THREEPIO
301 I'm going to regret this.
302
303 INT. IMPERIAL STARDESTROYER
304
305 On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified
306 robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel spacecraft.
307
308 CHIEF PILOT
309 There goes another one.
310
311 CAPTAIN
312 Hold your fire. There are no life
313 forms. It must have been short-
314 circuited.
315
316 INT. LIFEPOD
317
318 Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial starship.
319 Stars circle as the pod rotates through the galaxy.
320
321 THREEPIO
322 That's funny, the damage doesn't
323 look as bad from out here.
324
325 Artoo beeps an assuring response.
326
327 THREEPIO
328 Are you sure this things safe?
329
330 EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY
331
332 Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
333 buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty
334 empty street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to
335 get out of the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist
336 at Luke as he flies past.
337
338 WOMAN
339 I've told you kids to slow down!
340
341 INT. POWER STATION - DAY
342
343 Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged
344 mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been
345 asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through the
346 office, yelling wildly.
347
348 FIXER
349 Did I hear a young noise blast through
350 here?
351
352 CAMIE
353 It was just wormie on another rampage.
354
355 Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
356 and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
357 playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
358 handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy
359 city attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics
360 of the farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the
361 background.
362
363 LUKE
364 Shape it up you guys!... Biggs?
365
366 Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to great
367 joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.
368
369 LUKE
370 I didn't know you were back! When
371 did you get in?
372
373 BIGGS
374 Just now. I wanted to surprise you,
375 hot shot. I thought you'd be here...
376 certainly didn't expect you to be
377 out working.
378 (he laughs)
379
380 LUKE
381 The Academy didn't change you
382 much...but you're back so soon? Hey,
383 what happened, didn't you get your
384 commission?
385
386 Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.
387
388 BIGGS
389 Of course I got it. Signed aboard
390 The Rand Ecliptic last week. First
391 mate Biggs Darklighter at your
392 service...
393 (he salutes)
394 ...I just came to say good-bye to
395 all you unfortunate landlocked
396 simpletons.
397
398 Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing friend
399 is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out of
400 it.
401
402 LUKE
403 I almost forgot. There's a battle
404 going on! Right here in our system.
405 Come and look!
406
407 DEAK
408 Not again! Forget it.
409
410 EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD - SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION -
411 DAY
412
413 The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie
414 and The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes.
415 Luke has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.
416
417 LUKE
418 There they are!
419
420 Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke as the others strain to
421 see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars
422 Biggs sees two small silver specks.
423
424 BIGGS
425 That's no battle, hot shot... they're
426 just sitting there! Probably a
427 freighter-tanker refueling.
428
429 LUKE
430 But there was a lot of firing
431 earlier...
432
433 Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the
434 building in the process. Luke grabs them.
435
436 LUKE
437 Hey, easy with those...
438
439 CAMIE
440 Don't worry about it, Wormie.
441
442 The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy shrugs
443 his shoulders in resignation.
444
445 FIXER
446 I keep telling you, the Rebellion is
447 a long way from here. I doubt if the
448 Empire would even fight to keep this
449 system. Believe me Luke, this planet
450 is a big hunk of nothing...
451
452 Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The
453 group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
454 Luke's ineptitude.
455
456 INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - HALLWAY
457
458 Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad
459 of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is
460 brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly
461 marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as Darth Vader
462 emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord stares hard
463 at the frail young senator, but she doesn't move.
464
465 LEIA
466 Lord Vader, I should have known.
467 Only you could be so bold. The
468 Imperial Senate will not sit for
469 this, when they hear you've attacked
470 a diplomatic...
471
472 VADER
473 Don't play games with me, Your
474 Highness. You weren't on any mercy
475 mission this time. You passed directly
476 through a restricted system. Several
477 transmissions were beamed to this
478 ship by Rebel spies. I want to know
479 what happened to the plans they sent
480 you.
481
482 LEIA
483 I don't know what you're talking
484 about. I'm a member of the Imperial
485 Senate on a diplomatic mission to
486 Alderaan...
487
488 VADER
489 You're a part of the Rebel Alliance...
490 and a traitor. Take her away!
491
492 Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the smoldering
493 hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial Commander
494 turns to Vader.
495
496 COMMANDER
497 Holding her is dangerous. If word of
498 this gets out, it could generate
499 sympathy for the Rebellion in the
500 senate.
501
502 VADER
503 I have traced the Rebel spies to
504 her. Now she is my only link to find
505 their secret base!
506
507 COMMANDER
508 She'll die before she tells you
509 anything.
510
511 VADER
512 Leave that to me. Send a distress
513 signal and then inform the senate
514 that all aboard were killed!
515
516 Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the Commander.
517 They stop and snap to attention.
518
519 SECOND OFFICER
520 Lord Vader, the battle station plans
521 are not aboard this ship! And no
522 transmissions were made. An escape
523 pod was jettisoned during the
524 fighting, but no life forms were
525 aboard.
526
527 Vader turns to the Commander.
528
529 VADER
530 She must have hidden the plans in
531 the escape pod. Send a detachment
532 down to retrieve them. See to it
533 personally, Commander. There'll be
534 no one to stop us this time.
535
536 COMMANDER
537 Yes, sir.
538
539 EXT. SPACE
540
541 The Imperial Stardestroyer comes over the surface of the
542 planet Tatooine.
543
544 EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT
545
546 Jundland, or "No Man's Land", where the rugged desert mesas
547 meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-droids
548 kick up clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily
549 work their way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in
550 the distance rests half buried in the sand.
551
552 THREEPIO
553 How did I get into this mess? I really
554 don't know how. We seem to be made
555 to suffer. It's our lot in life.
556
557 Artoo answers with beeping sounds.
558
559 THREEPIO
560 I've got to rest before I fall apart.
561 My joints are almost frozen.
562
563 Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.
564
565 THREEPIO
566 What a desolate place this is.
567
568 Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and starts
569 off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio
570 stops and yells at him.
571
572 THREEPIO
573 Where are you going?
574
575 A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small
576 robot.
577
578 THREEPIO
579 Well, I'm not going that way. It's
580 much too rocky. This way is much
581 easier.
582
583 Artoo counters with a long whistle.
584
585 THREEPIO
586 What makes you think there are
587 settlements over there?
588
589 Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
590
591 THREEPIO
592 Don't get technical with me.
593
594 Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
595
596 THREEPIO
597 What mission? What are you talking
598 about? I've had just about enough of
599 you! Go that way! You'll be
600 malfunctioning within a day, you
601 nearsighted scrap pile!
602
603 Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in the
604 direction of the vast dune sea.
605
606 THREEPIO
607 And don't let me catch you following
608 me begging for help, because you
609 won't get it.
610
611 Artoo's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
612 off in the direction of the towering mesas.
613
614 THREEPIO
615 No more adventures. I'm not going
616 that way.
617
618 Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the distant
619 mountains.
620
621 EXT. TATOOINE - DUNE SEA
622
623 Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a
624 dune; only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for endless
625 miles. He looks back in the direction of the now distant
626 rock mesas.
627
628 THREEPIO
629 That malfunctioning little twerp.
630 This is all his fault! He tricked me
631 into going this way, but he'll do no
632 better.
633
634 In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the sand
635 from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint of
636 reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving
637 towards him.
638
639 THREEPIO
640 Wait, what's that? A transport! I'm
641 saved!
642
643 The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the
644 approaching transport.
645
646 THREEPIO
647 Over here! Help! Please, help!
648
649 EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY
650
651 Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer
652 and the others can be heard working inside.
653
654 LUKE
655 (Very animated)
656 ...so I cut off my power, shut down
657 the afterburners and came in low on
658 Deak's trail. I was so close I thought
659 I was going to fry my instruments.
660 As it was I busted up the Skyhopper
661 pretty bad. Uncle Owen was pretty
662 upset. He grounded me for the rest
663 of the season. You should have been
664 there... it was fantastic.
665
666 BIGGS
667 You ought to take it easy Luke. You
668 may be the hottest bushpilot this
669 side of Mos Eisley, but those little
670 Skyhoppers are dangerous. Keep it
671 up, and one day, whammo, you're going
672 to be nothing more than a dark spot
673 on the down side of a canyon wall.
674
675 LUKE
676 Look who's talking. Now that you've
677 been around those giant starships
678 you're beginning to sound like my
679 uncle. You've gotten soft in the
680 city...
681
682 BIGGS
683 I've missed you kid.
684
685 LUKE
686 Well, things haven't been the same
687 since you left, Biggs. It's been
688 so... quiet.
689
690 Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.
691
692 BIGGS
693 Luke, I didn't come back just to say
694 good-bye... I shouldn't tell you
695 this, but you're the only one I can
696 trust... and if I don't come back, I
697 want somebody to know.
698
699 Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.
700
701 LUKE
702 What are you talking about?
703
704 BIGGS
705 I made some friends at the Academy.
706 (he whispers)
707 ...when our frigate goes to one of
708 the central systems, we're going to
709 jump ship and join the Alliance...
710
711 Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.
712
713 LUKE
714 Join the Rebellion?! Are you kidding!
715 How?
716
717 BIGGS
718 Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth
719 bigger than a meteor crater!
720
721 LUKE
722 I'm sorry. I'm quiet.
723 (he whispers)
724 Listen how quiet I am. You can barely
725 hear me...
726
727 Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.
728
729 BIGGS
730 My friend has a friend on Bestine
731 who might help us make contact.
732
733 LUKE
734 You're crazy! You could wander around
735 forever trying to find them.
736
737 BIGGS
738 I know it's a long shot, but if I
739 don't find them I'll do what I can
740 on my own... It's what we always
741 talked about. Luke, I'm not going to
742 wait for the Empire to draft me into
743 service. The Rebellion is spreading
744 and I want to be on the right side --
745 the side I believe in.
746
747 LUKE
748 And I'm stuck here...
749
750 BIGGS
751 I thought you were going to the
752 Academy next term. You'll get your
753 chance to get off this rock.
754
755 LUKE
756 Not likely! I had to cancel my
757 application. There has been a lot of
758 unrest among the Sandpeople since
759 you left... they've even raided the
760 outskirts of Anchorhead.
761
762 BIGGS
763 Your uncle could hold off a whole
764 colony of Sandpeople with one blaster.
765
766 LUKE
767 I know, but he's got enough vaporators
768 going to make the place pay off. He
769 needs me for just one more season. I
770 can't leave him now.
771
772 BIGGS
773 I feel for you, Luke, you're going
774 to have to learn what seems to be
775 important or what really is important.
776 What good is all your uncle's work
777 if it's taken over by the Empire?...
778 You know they're starting to
779 nationalize commerce in the central
780 systems... it won't be long before
781 your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving
782 for the greater glory of the Empire.
783
784 LUKE
785 It couldn't happen here. You said it
786 yourself. The Empire won't bother
787 with this rock.
788
789 BIGGS
790 Things always change.
791
792 LUKE
793 I wish I was going... Are you going
794 to be around long?
795
796 BIGGS
797 No, I'm leaving in the morning...
798
799 LUKE
800 Then I guess I won't see you.
801
802 BIGGS
803 Maybe someday... I'll keep a lookout.
804
805 LUKE
806 Well, I'll be at the Academy next
807 season... after that who knows. I
808 won't be drafted into the Imperial
809 Starfleet that's for sure... Take
810 care of yourself, you'll always be
811 the best friend I've got.
812
813 BIGGS
814 So long, Luke.
815
816 Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads towards the
817 power station.
818
819 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SUNSET
820
821 The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
822 foreboding mist and the onimous sounds of unearthly creatures
823 fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the creepy rock
824 canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking noise as he
825 goes. He hears a distant, hard, metallic sound and stops for
826 a moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues on his way.
827
828 In the distance, a pebble tumbles down the steep canyon wall
829 and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A little
830 further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a
831 pair of eyes in the dark recesses only a few feet from the
832 narrow path.
833
834 The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until
835 suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out
836 of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow. He manages
837 one short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his
838 back. His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then
839 off again. Out of the rocks scurry three Jawas, no taller
840 than Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they
841 cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks and
842 their faces are shrouded so only their glowing eyes can be
843 seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave
844 the heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down
845 the trail.
846
847 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET
848
849 The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge tank-
850 like vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a
851 small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a
852 large tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot
853 is sucked into the giant machine.
854
855 The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders
856 and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.
857
858 INT. SANDCRAWLER - HOLD AREA
859
860 It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. Artoo
861 switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles
862 around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty
863 metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and
864 maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic whimper
865 and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at the end
866 of the chamber.
867
868 INT. SANDCRAWLER - PRISON AREA
869
870 Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the
871 middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various
872 shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic conversation,
873 while others simply mill about. A voice of recognition calls
874 out from the gloom.
875
876 THREEPIO
877 Artoo-Detoo! It's you! It's you!
878
879 A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.
880
881 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET
882
883 The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent
884 twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain
885 ridge.
886
887 EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - DAY
888
889 Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the half-
890 buried lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine.
891 A trooper yells to an officer some distance away.
892
893 FIRST TROOPER
894 Someone was in the pod. The tracks
895 go off in this direction.
896
897 A second trooper picks a small bit of metal out of the sand
898 and gives it to the first trooper.
899
900 SECOND TROOPER
901 Look, sir -- droids.
902
903 EXT. TATOOINE - DUNES
904
905 The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.
906
907 INT. SANDCRAWLER
908
909 Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped
910 prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.
911
912 THREEPIO
913 Wake up! Wake up!
914
915 Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops,
916 creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men.
917 Threepio's fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer lights
918 pop on as he begins beeping. At the far end of the long
919 chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with blinding
920 white light. a dozen or so Jawas make their way through the
921 odd assortment of robots.
922
923 THREEPIO
924 We're doomed.
925
926 A Jawa starts moving toward them.
927
928 THREEPIO
929 Do you think they'll melt us down?
930
931 Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.
932
933 THREEPIO
934 Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Will this
935 never end?
936
937 EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - LARS HOMESTEAD - AFTERNOON
938
939 The Jawas mutter gibberish as they busily line up their
940 battered captives, including Artoo and Threepio, in front of
941 the enormous Sandcrawler, which is parked beside a small
942 homestead consisting of three large holes in the ground
943 surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small
944 adobe block house.
945
946 The Jawas scurry around fussing over the robots, straightening
947 them up or brushing some dust from a dented metallic elbow.
948 The shrouded little creatures smell horribly, attracting
949 small insects to the dark areas when their mouths and nostrils
950 should be.
951
952 Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limps Owen Lars,
953 a large burly man in his mid-fifties. His reddish eyes are
954 sunken in a dust-covered face. As the farmer carefully
955 inspects each robot, he is closely followed by his slump-
956 shouldered nephew, Luke Skywalker. One of the vile little
957 Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales
958 pitch in a queer, unintelligible language.
959
960 A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form the
961 homestead. Luke goes over to the edge and sees his Aunt Beru
962 standing in the main courtyard.
963
964 BERU
965 Luke, tell Owen that if he gets a
966 translator to be sure it speaks Bocce.
967
968 LUKE
969 It looks like we don't have much of
970 a choice but I'll remind him.
971
972 Luke returns to his uncle as they look over the equipment
973 for sale with the Jawa leader.
974
975 OWEN
976 I have no need for a protocol droid.
977
978 THREEPIO
979 (quickly)
980 Sir -- not in an environment such as
981 this -- that's why I've also been
982 programmed for over thirty secondary
983 functions that...
984
985 OWEN
986 What I really need is a droid that
987 understands the binary language of
988 moisture vaporators.
989
990 THREEPIO
991 Vaporators! Sir -- My first job was
992 programming binary load lifter...
993 very similar to your vaporators. You
994 could say...
995
996 OWEN
997 Do you speak Bocce?
998
999 THREEPIO
1000 Of course I can, sir. It's like a
1001 second language for me... I'm as
1002 fluent in Bocce...
1003
1004 OWEN
1005 All right shut up!
1006 (turning to Jawa)
1007 I'll take this one.
1008
1009 THREEPIO
1010 Shutting up, sir.
1011
1012 OWEN
1013 Luke, take these two over to the
1014 garage, will you? I want you to have
1015 both of them cleaned up before dinner.
1016
1017 LUKE
1018 But I was going into Toshi Station
1019 to pick up some power converters...
1020
1021 OWEN
1022 You can waste time with your friends
1023 when your chores are done. Now come
1024 on, get to it!
1025
1026 LUKE
1027 All right, come on! And the red one,
1028 come on. Well, come on, Red, let's
1029 go.
1030
1031 As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots back
1032 into the Sandcrawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little beep
1033 and starts after his old friend Threepio. He is restrained
1034 by a slimy Jawa, who zaps him with a control box.
1035
1036 Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa. Luke and the two
1037 robots start off for the garage when a plate pops off the
1038 head of the red astro-droid's head plate and it sparks wildly.
1039
1040 LUKE
1041 Uncle Owen...
1042
1043 OWEN
1044 Yeah?
1045
1046 LUKE
1047 This R2 unit has a bad motivator.
1048 Look!
1049
1050 OWEN
1051 (to the head Jawa)
1052 Hey, what're you trying to push on
1053 us?
1054
1055 The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Artoo has sneaked
1056 out of line and is moving up and down trying to attract
1057 attention. He lets out with a low whistle. Threepio taps
1058 Luke on the shoulder.
1059
1060 THREEPIO
1061 (pointing to Artoo)
1062 Excuse me, sir, but that R2 unit is
1063 in prime condition. A real bargain.
1064
1065 LUKE
1066 Uncle Owen...
1067
1068 OWEN
1069 Yeah?
1070
1071 LUKE
1072 What about that one?
1073
1074 OWEN
1075 (to Jawa)
1076 What about that blue one? We'll take
1077 that one.
1078
1079 With a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the damaged
1080 astro-droid for Artoo.
1081
1082 LUKE
1083 Yeah, take it away.
1084
1085 THREEPIO
1086 Uh, I'm quite sure you'll be very
1087 pleased with that one, sir. He really
1088 is in first-class condition. I've
1089 worked with him before. Here he comes.
1090
1091 Owen pays off the whining Jawa as Luke and the two robots
1092 trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.
1093
1094 LUKE
1095 Okay, let's go.
1096
1097 THREEPIO
1098 (to Artoo)
1099 Now, don't you forget this! Why I
1100 should stick my neck out for you is
1101 quite beyond my capacity!
1102
1103 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - GARAGE AREA - LATE AFTERNOON
1104
1105 The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly peaceful
1106 atmosphere permeates the low grey chamber. Threepio lowers
1107 himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the
1108 battered Landspeeder little Artoo rests on a large battery
1109 with a cord to his face.
1110
1111 THREEPIO
1112 Thank the maker! This oil bath is
1113 going to feel so good. I've got such
1114 a bad case of dust contamination, I
1115 can barely move!
1116
1117 Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke seems to be lost in thought
1118 as he runs his hand over the damaged fin of a small two-man
1119 Skyhopper spaceship resting in a low hangar off the garage.
1120 Finally Luke's frustrations get the better of him and he
1121 slams a wrench across the workbench.
1122
1123 LUKE
1124 It just isn't fair. Oh, Biggs is
1125 right. I'm never gonna get out of
1126 here!
1127
1128 THREEPIO
1129 Is there anything I might do to help?
1130
1131 Luke glances at the battered robot. A bit of his anger drains
1132 and a tiny smile creeps across his face.
1133
1134 LUKE
1135 Well, not unless you can alter time,
1136 speed up the harvest, or teleport me
1137 off this rock!
1138
1139 THREEPIO
1140 I don't think so, sir. I'm only a
1141 droid and not very knowledgeable
1142 about such things. Not on this planet,
1143 anyways. As a matter of fact, I'm
1144 not even sure which planet I'm on.
1145
1146 LUKE
1147 Well, if there's a bright center to
1148 the universe, you're on the planet
1149 that it's farthest from.
1150
1151 THREEPIO
1152 I see, sir.
1153
1154 LUKE
1155 Uh, you can call me Luke.
1156
1157 THREEPIO
1158 I see, sir Luke.
1159
1160 LUKE
1161 (laughing)
1162 Just Luke.
1163
1164 THREEPIO
1165 And I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg
1166 relations, and this is my counterpart,
1167 Artoo-Detoo.
1168
1169 LUKE
1170 Hello.
1171
1172 Artoo beeps in response. Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to
1173 scrape several connectors on the robot's head with a chrome
1174 pick. Threepio climbs out of the oil tub and begins wiping
1175 oil from his bronze body.
1176
1177 LUKE
1178 You got a lot of carbon scoring here.
1179 It looks like you boys have seen a
1180 lot of action.
1181
1182 THREEPIO
1183 With all we've been through, sometimes
1184 I'm amazed we're in as good condition
1185 as we are, what with the Rebellion
1186 and all.
1187
1188 LUKE
1189 You know of the Rebellion against
1190 the Empire?
1191
1192 THREEPIO
1193 That's how we came to be in your
1194 service, if you take my meaning,
1195 sir.
1196
1197 LUKE
1198 Have you been in many battles?
1199
1200 THREEPIO
1201 Several, I think. Actually, there's
1202 not much to tell. I'm not much more
1203 than an interpreter, and not very
1204 good at telling stories. Well, not
1205 at making them interesting, anyways.
1206
1207 Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo's
1208 neck joint. He uses a larger pick.
1209
1210 LUKE
1211 Well, my little friend, you've got
1212 something jammed in here real good.
1213 Were you on a cruiser or...
1214
1215 The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke tumbling
1216 head over heels. He sits up and sees a twelve-inch three-
1217 dimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Rebel senator, being
1218 projected from the face of little Artoo. The image is a
1219 rainbow of colors as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly
1220 lit garage. Luke's mouth hangs open in awe.
1221
1222 LEIA
1223 Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my
1224 only hope.
1225
1226 LUKE
1227 What's this?
1228
1229 Artoo looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for Threepio
1230 to translate. Leia continues to repeat the sentence fragment
1231 over and over.
1232
1233 THREEPIO
1234 What is what?!? He asked you a
1235 question...
1236 (pointing to Leia)
1237 What is that?
1238
1239 Artoo whistles his surprise as he pretends to just notice
1240 the hologram. He looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer
1241 for Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the
1242 sentence fragment over and over.
1243
1244 LEIA
1245 Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my
1246 only hope. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
1247 You're my only hope.
1248
1249 THREEPIO
1250 Oh, he says it's nothing, sir. Merely
1251 a malfunction. Old data. Pay it no
1252 mind.
1253
1254 Luke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.
1255
1256 LUKE
1257 Who is she? She's beautiful.
1258
1259 THREEPIO
1260 I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.
1261
1262 LEIA
1263 Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi...
1264
1265 THREEPIO
1266 I think she was a passenger on our
1267 last voyage. A person of some
1268 importance, sir -- I believe. Our
1269 captain was attached to...
1270
1271 LUKE
1272 Is there more to this recording?
1273
1274 Luke reaches out for Artoo but he lets out several frantic
1275 squeaks and a whistle.
1276
1277 THREEPIO
1278 Behave yourself, Artoo. You're going
1279 to get us in trouble. It's all right,
1280 you can trust him. He's our new
1281 master.
1282
1283 Artoo whistles and beeps a long message to Threepio.
1284
1285 THREEPIO
1286 He says he's the property of Obi-Wan
1287 Kenobi, a resident of these parts.
1288 And it's a private message for him.
1289 Quite frankly, sir I don't know what
1290 he's talking about. Our last master
1291 was Captain Antilles, but with what
1292 we've been through, this little R2
1293 unit has become a bit eccentric.
1294
1295 LUKE
1296 Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he means
1297 old Ben Kenobi?
1298
1299 THREEPIO
1300 I beg your pardon, sir, but do you
1301 know what he's talking about?
1302
1303 LUKE
1304 Well, I don't know anyone named Obi-
1305 Wan, but old Ben lives out beyond
1306 the dune sea. He's kind of a strange
1307 old hermit.
1308
1309 Luke's gazes at the beautiful young princess for a few
1310 moments.
1311
1312 LUKE
1313 I wonder who she is. It sounds like
1314 she's in trouble. I'd better play
1315 back the whole thing.
1316
1317 Artoo beeps something to Threepio.
1318
1319 THREEPIO
1320 He says the restraining bolt has
1321 short circuited his recording system.
1322 He suggests that if you remove the
1323 bolt, he might be able to play back
1324 the entire recording.
1325
1326 Luke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and hasn't
1327 really heard what Threepio has been saying.
1328
1329 LUKE
1330 H'm? Oh, yeah, well, I guess you're
1331 too small to run away on me if I
1332 take this off! Okay.
1333
1334 Luke takes a wedged bar and pops the restraining bolt off
1335 Artoo's side.
1336
1337 LUKE
1338 There you go.
1339
1340 The princess immediately disappears...
1341
1342 LUKE
1343 Well, wait a minute. Where'd she go?
1344 Bring her back! Play back the entire
1345 message.
1346
1347 Artoo beeps an innocent reply as Threepio sits up in
1348 embarrassment.
1349
1350 THREEPIO
1351 What message? The one you're carrying
1352 inside your rusty innards!
1353
1354 A women's voice calls out from another room.
1355
1356 AUNT BERU
1357 Luke? Luke! Come to dinner!
1358
1359 Luke stands up and shakes his head at the malfunctioning
1360 robot.
1361
1362 LUKE
1363 All right, I'll be right there, Aunt
1364 Beru.
1365
1366 THREEPIO
1367 I'm sorry, sir, but he appears to
1368 have picked up a slight flutter.
1369
1370 Luke tosses Artoo's restraining bolt on the workbench and
1371 hurries out of the room.
1372
1373 LUKE
1374 Well, see what you can do with him.
1375 I'll be right back.
1376
1377 THREEPIO
1378 (to Artoo)
1379 Just you reconsider playing that
1380 message for him.
1381
1382 Artoo beeps in response.
1383
1384 THREEPIO
1385 No, I don't think he likes you at
1386 all.
1387
1388 Artoo beeps.
1389
1390 THREEPIO
1391 No, I don't like you either.
1392
1393 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - DINING AREA
1394
1395 Luke's Aunt Beru, a warm, motherly woman, fills a pitcher
1396 with blue fluid from a refrigerated container in the well-
1397 used kitchen. She puts the pitcher on a tray with some bowls
1398 of food and starts for the dining area.
1399
1400 Luke sits with his Uncle Owen before a table covered with
1401 steaming bowls of food as Aunt Beru carries in a bowl of red
1402 grain.
1403
1404 LUKE
1405 You know, I think that R2 unit we
1406 bought might have been stolen.
1407
1408 OWEN
1409 What makes you think that?
1410
1411 LUKE
1412 Well, I stumbled across a recording
1413 while I was cleaning him. He says he
1414 belongs to someone called Obi-Wan
1415 Kenobi.
1416
1417 Owen is greatly alarmed at the mention of his name, but
1418 manages to control himself.
1419
1420 LUKE
1421 I thought he might have meant old
1422 Ben. Do you know what he's talking
1423 about? Well, I wonder if he's related
1424 to Ben.
1425
1426 Owen breaks loose with a fit of uncontrolled anger.
1427
1428 OWEN
1429 That old man's just a crazy old
1430 wizard. Tomorrow I want you to take
1431 that R2 unit into Anchorhead and
1432 have its memory flushed. That'll be
1433 the end of it. It belongs to us now.
1434
1435 LUKE
1436 But what if this Obi-Wan comes looking
1437 for him?
1438
1439 OWEN
1440 He won't, I don't think he exists
1441 any more. He died about the same
1442 time as your father.
1443
1444 LUKE
1445 He knew my father?
1446
1447 OWEN
1448 I told you to forget it. Your only
1449 concern is to prepare the new droids
1450 for tomorrow. In the morning I want
1451 them on the south ridge working out
1452 those condensers.
1453
1454 LUKE
1455 Yes, sir. I think those new droids
1456 are going to work out fine. In fact,
1457 I, uh, was also thinking about our
1458 agreement about my staying on another
1459 season. And if these new droids do
1460 work out, I want to transmit my
1461 application to the Academy this year.
1462
1463 Owen's face becomes a scowl, although he tries to suppress
1464 it.
1465
1466 OWEN
1467 You mean the next semester before
1468 harvest?
1469
1470 LUKE
1471 Sure, there're more than enough
1472 droids.
1473
1474 OWEN
1475 Harvest is when I need you the most.
1476 Only one more season. This year we'll
1477 make enough on the harvest so I'll
1478 be able to hire some more hands. And
1479 then you can go to the Academy next
1480 year.
1481
1482 Luke continues to toy with his food, not looking at his uncle.
1483
1484 OWEN
1485 You must understand I need you here,
1486 Luke.
1487
1488 LUKE
1489 But it's a whole 'nother year.
1490
1491 OWEN
1492 Look, it's only one more season.
1493
1494 Luke pushes his half-eaten plate of food aside and stands.
1495
1496 LUKE
1497 Yeah, that's what you said last year
1498 when Biggs and Tank left.
1499
1500 AUNT BERU
1501 Where are you going?
1502
1503 LUKE
1504 It looks like I'm going nowhere. I
1505 have to finish cleaning those droids.
1506
1507 Resigned to his fate, Luke paddles out of the room. Owen
1508 mechanically finishes his dinner.
1509
1510 AUNT BERU
1511 Owen, he can't stay here forever.
1512 Most of his friends have gone. It
1513 means so much to him.
1514
1515 OWEN
1516 I'll make it up to him next year. I
1517 promise.
1518
1519 AUNT BERU
1520 Luke's just not a farmer, Owen. He
1521 has too much of his father in him.
1522
1523 OWEN
1524 That's what I'm afraid of.
1525
1526 EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD
1527
1528 The giant twin suns of Tatooine slowly disappear behind a
1529 distant dune range. Luke stands watching them for a few
1530 moments, then reluctantly enters the doomed entrance to the
1531 homestead.
1532
1533 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - GARAGE
1534
1535 Luke enters the garage to discover the robots nowhere in
1536 sight. He takes a small control box from his utility belt
1537 similar to the one the Jawas were carrying. He activates the
1538 box, which creates a low hum, and Threepio, letting out a
1539 short yell, pops up from behind the Skyhopper spaceship.
1540
1541 LUKE
1542 What are you doing hiding there?
1543
1544 Threepio stumbles forward, but Artoo is still nowhere in
1545 sight.
1546
1547 THREEPIO
1548 It wasn't my fault, sir. Please don't
1549 deactivate me. I told him not to go,
1550 but he's faulty, malfunctioning;
1551 kept babbling on about his mission.
1552
1553 LUKE
1554 Oh, no!
1555
1556 Luke races out of the garage followed by Threepio.
1557
1558 EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD
1559
1560 Luke rushes out of the small doomed entry to the homestead
1561 and searches the darkening horizon for the small triped astro-
1562 robot. Threepio struggles out of the homestead and on the
1563 salt flat as Luke scans the landscape with his
1564 electrobinoculars.
1565
1566 THREEPIO
1567 That R2 unit has always been a
1568 problem. These astro-droids are
1569 getting quite out of hand. Even I
1570 can't understand their logic at times.
1571
1572 LUKE
1573 How could I be so stupid? He's nowhere
1574 in sight. Blast it!
1575
1576 THREEPIO
1577 Pardon me, sir, but couldn't we go
1578 after him?
1579
1580 LUKE
1581 It's too dangerous with all the
1582 Sandpeople around. We'll have to
1583 wait until morning.
1584
1585 Owen yells up from the homestead plaza.
1586
1587 OWEN
1588 Luke, I'm shutting the power down
1589 for the night.
1590
1591 LUKE
1592 All right, I'll be there in a few
1593 minutes. Boy, am I gonna get it.
1594
1595 He takes one final look across the dim horizon.
1596
1597 LUKE
1598 You know that little droid is going
1599 to cause me a lot of trouble.
1600
1601 THREEPIO
1602 Oh, he excels at that, sir.
1603
1604 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - PLAZA
1605
1606 Morning slowly creeps into the sparse but sparkling oasis of
1607 the open courtyard. The idyll is broken be the yelling of
1608 Uncle Owen, his voice echoing throughout the homestead.
1609
1610 OWEN
1611 Luke? Luke? Luke? Where could he be
1612 loafing now!
1613
1614 INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - KITCHEN
1615
1616 The interior of the kitchen is a worm glow as Aunt Beru
1617 prepares the morning breakfast. Owen enters in a huff.
1618
1619 OWEN
1620 Have you seen Luke this morning?
1621
1622 AUNT BERU
1623 He said he had some things to do
1624 before he started today, so he left
1625 early.
1626
1627 OWEN
1628 Uh? Did he take those two new droids
1629 with him?
1630
1631 AUNT BERU
1632 I think so.
1633
1634 OWEN
1635 Well, he'd better have those units
1636 in the south range repaired be midday
1637 or there'll be hell to pay!
1638
1639 EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - LUKE'S SPEEDER - DAY
1640
1641 The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as Threepio
1642 pilots the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast
1643 wasteland.
1644
1645 INT./EXT. LUKE'S SPEEDER - DESERT WASTELAND - TRAVELING -
1646 DAY
1647
1648 Luke leans over the back of the speeder and adjusts something
1649 in the motor compartment.
1650
1651 LUKE
1652 (yelling)
1653 How's that.
1654
1655 Threepio signals that is fine and Luke turns back into the
1656 wind-whipped cockpit and pops the canopy shut.
1657
1658 LUKE
1659 Old Ben Kenobi lives out in this
1660 direction somewhere, but I don't see
1661 how that R2 unit could have come
1662 this far. We must have missed him.
1663 Uncle Owen isn't going to take this
1664 very well.
1665
1666 THREEPIO
1667 Sir, would it help if you told him
1668 it was my fault.
1669
1670 LUKE
1671 (brightening)
1672 Sure. He needs you. He'd probably
1673 only deactivate you for a day or
1674 so...
1675
1676 THREEPIO
1677 Deactivate! Well, on the other hand
1678 if you hadn't removed his restraining
1679 bolt...
1680
1681 LUKE
1682 Wait, there's something dead ahead
1683 on the scanner. It looks like our
1684 droid... hit the accelerator.
1685
1686 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK MESA - DUNE SEA - COASTLINE - DAY
1687
1688 From high on a rock mesa, the tiny Landspeeder can be seen
1689 gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground
1690 two weather-beaten Sandpeople shrouded in their grimy desert
1691 cloaks peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the
1692 marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser rifle
1693 and points it at the speeder but the second creature grabs
1694 the gun before it can be fired.
1695
1696 The Sandpeople, or Tusken Raiders as they're sometimes called,
1697 speak in a coarse barbaric language as they get into an
1698 animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seems to get in
1699 the final word and the nomads scurry over the rocky terrain.
1700
1701 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK MESA - CANYON
1702
1703 The Tusken Raider approaches two large Banthas standing tied
1704 to a rock. The monstrous, bear-like creatures are as large
1705 as elephants, with huge red eyes, tremendous looped horns,
1706 and long, furry, dinosaur-like tails. The Tusken Raiders
1707 mount saddles strapped to the huge creatures' shaggy backs
1708 and ride off down the rugged bluff.
1709
1710 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR
1711
1712 The speeder is parked on the floor of a massive canyon. Luke,
1713 with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder, stands
1714 before little Artoo.
1715
1716 LUKE
1717 Hey, whoa, just where do you think
1718 you're going?
1719
1720 The little droid whistles a feeble reply, as Threepio poses
1721 menacingly behind the little runaway.
1722
1723 THREEPIO
1724 Master Luke here is your rightful
1725 owner. We'll have no more of this
1726 Obi-Wan Kenobi jibberish... and don't
1727 talk to me about your mission, either.
1728 You're fortunate he doesn't blast
1729 you into a million pieces right here.
1730
1731 LUKE
1732 Well, come on. It's getting late. I
1733 only hope we can get back before
1734 Uncle Owen really blows up.
1735
1736 THREEPIO
1737 If you don't mind my saying so, sir,
1738 I think you should deactivate the
1739 little fugitive until you've gotten
1740 him back to your workshop.
1741
1742 LUKE
1743 No, he's not going to try anything.
1744
1745 Suddenly the little robot jumps to life with a mass of frantic
1746 whistles and screams.
1747
1748 LUKE
1749 What's wrong with him now?
1750
1751 THREEPIO
1752 Oh my... sir, he says there are
1753 several creatures approaching from
1754 the southeast.
1755
1756 Luke swings his rifle into position and looks to the south.
1757
1758 LUKE
1759 Sandpeople! Or worst! Come on, let's
1760 have a look. Come on.
1761
1762 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - RIDGE - DAY
1763
1764 Luke carefully makes his way to the top of a rock ridge and
1765 scans the canyon with his electrobinoculars. He spots the
1766 two riderless Banthas. Threepio struggles up behind the young
1767 adventurer.
1768
1769 LUKE
1770 There are two Banthas down there but
1771 I don't see any... wait a second,
1772 they're Sandpeople all right. I can
1773 see one of them now.
1774
1775 Luke watches the distant Tusken Raider through his
1776 electrobinoculars. Suddenly something huge moves in front of
1777 his field of view. Before Luke or Threepio can react, a large,
1778 gruesome Tusken Raider looms over them. Threepio is startled
1779 and backs away, right off the side if the cliff. He can be
1780 heard for several moments as he clangs, bangs and rattles
1781 down the side of the mountain.
1782
1783 The towering creature brings down his curved, double-pointed
1784 gaderffii -- the dreaded axe blade that has struck terror in
1785 the heart of the local settlers. But Luke manages to block
1786 the blow with his laser rifle, which is smashed to pieces.
1787 The terrified farm boy scrambles backward until he is forced
1788 to the edge of a deep crevice. The sinister Raider stands
1789 over him with his weapon raised and lets out a horrible
1790 shrieking laugh.
1791
1792 EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR - DAY
1793
1794 Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in
1795 the rocks as the vicious Sandpeople walk past carrying the
1796 inert Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the
1797 speeder. The Sandpeople ransack the speeder, throwing parts
1798 and supplies in all directions. Suddenly they stop. Then
1799 everything is quiet for a few moments. A great howling moan
1800 is heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the
1801 Sandpeople fleeing in terror.
1802
1803 Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight
1804 swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grows even
1805 closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and
1806 leans over Luke. His ancient leathery face, cracked and
1807 weathered by exotic climates is set off by dark, penetrating
1808 eyes and a scraggly white beard. Ben Kenobi squints his eyes
1809 as he scrutinizes the unconscious farm boy. Artoo makes a
1810 slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him.
1811
1812 BEN
1813 Hello there! Come here my little
1814 friend. Don't be afraid.
1815
1816 Artoo waddles over to were Luke lies crumpled in a heap and
1817 begins to whistle and beep his concern. Ben puts his hand on
1818 Luke's forehead and he begins to come around.
1819
1820 BEN
1821 Don't worry, he'll be all right.
1822
1823 LUKE
1824 What happened?
1825
1826 BEN
1827 Rest easy, son, you've had a busy
1828 day. You're fortunate you're still
1829 in one piece.
1830
1831 LUKE
1832 Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I glad to
1833 see you!
1834
1835 BEN
1836 The Jundland wastes are not to be
1837 traveled lightly. Tell me young Luke,
1838 what brings you out this far?
1839
1840 LUKE
1841 Oh, this little droid! I think he's
1842 searching for his former master...
1843 I've never seen such devotion in a
1844 droid before... there seems to be no
1845 stopping him. He claims to be the
1846 property of an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Is he
1847 a relative of yours? Do you know who
1848 he's talking about?
1849
1850 Ben ponders this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard.
1851
1852 BEN
1853 Obi-Wan Kenobi... Obi-Wan? Now thats
1854 a name I haven't heard in a long
1855 time... a long time.
1856
1857 LUKE
1858 I think my uncle knew him. He said
1859 he was dead.
1860
1861 BEN
1862 Oh, he's not dead, not... not yet.
1863
1864 LUKE
1865 You know him!
1866
1867 BEN
1868 Well of course, of course I know
1869 him. He's me! I haven't gone by the
1870 name Obi-Wan since oh, before you
1871 were born.
1872
1873 LUKE
1874 Then the droid does belong to you.
1875
1876 BEN
1877 Don't seem to remember ever owning a
1878 droid. Very interesting...
1879
1880 He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.
1881
1882 BEN
1883 I think we better get indoors. The
1884 Sandpeople are easily startled but
1885 they will soon be back and in greater
1886 numbers.
1887
1888 Luke sits up and rubs his head. Artoo lets out a pathetic
1889 beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.
1890
1891 LUKE
1892 Threepio!
1893
1894 EXT. TATOOINE - SAND PIT - ROCK MESA - DAY
1895
1896 Little Artoo stands at the edge of a large sand pit and begins
1897 to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke and
1898 Ben stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio lying half
1899 buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken off.
1900
1901 Luke tries to revive the inert robot by shaking him and then
1902 flips a hidden switch on his back several times until finally
1903 the mechanical man's systems turn on.
1904
1905 THREEPIO
1906 Where am I? I must have taken a bad
1907 step...
1908
1909 LUKE
1910 Can you stand? We've got to get out
1911 of here before the Sandpeople return.
1912
1913 THREEPIO
1914 I don't think I can make it. You go
1915 on, Master Luke. There's no sense in
1916 you risking yourself on my account.
1917 I'm done for.
1918
1919 Artoo makes a beeping sound.
1920
1921 LUKE
1922 No, you're not. What kind of talk is
1923 that?
1924
1925 Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little
1926 Artoo watches from the top of the pit. Ben glances around
1927 suspiciously. Sensing something, he stands up and sniffs the
1928 air.
1929
1930 BEN
1931 Quickly, son... they're on the move.
1932
1933 INT. KENOBI'S DWELLING
1934
1935 The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but
1936 still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and
1937 security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio's arm, as
1938 old Ben sits thinking.
1939
1940 LUKE
1941 No, my father didn't fight in the
1942 wars. He was a navigator on a spice
1943 freighter.
1944
1945 BEN
1946 That's what your uncle told you. He
1947 didn't hold with your father's ideals.
1948 Thought he should have stayed here
1949 and not gotten involved.
1950
1951 LUKE
1952 You fought in the Clone Wars?
1953
1954 BEN
1955 Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the
1956 same as your father.
1957
1958 LUKE
1959 I wish I'd known him.
1960
1961 BEN
1962 He was the best star-pilot in the
1963 galaxy, and a cunning warrior. I
1964 understand you've become quite a
1965 good pilot yourself. And he was a
1966 good friend. Which reminds me...
1967
1968 Ben gets up and goes to a chest where he rummages around.
1969 As Luke finishes repairing Threepio and starts to fit the
1970 restraining bolt back on, Threepio looks at him nervously.
1971 Luke thinks about the bolt for a moment then puts it on the
1972 table. Ben shuffles up and presents Luke with a short handle
1973 with several electronic gadgets attached to it.
1974
1975 BEN
1976 I have something here for you. Your
1977 father wanted you to have this when
1978 you were old enough, but your uncle
1979 wouldn't allow it. He feared you
1980 might follow old Obi-Wan on some
1981 damned-fool idealistic crusade like
1982 your father did.
1983
1984 THREEPIO
1985 Sir, if you'll not be needing me,
1986 I'll close down for awhile.
1987
1988 LUKE
1989 Sure, go ahead.
1990
1991 Ben hands Luke the saber.
1992
1993 LUKE
1994 What is it?
1995
1996 BEN
1997 Your fathers lightsaber. This is the
1998 weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy
1999 or as random as a blaster.
2000
2001 Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam shoots out
2002 about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across
2003 the ceiling.
2004
2005 BEN
2006 An elegant weapon for a more civilized
2007 time. For over a thousand generations
2008 the Jedi Knights were the guardians
2009 of peace and justice in the Old
2010 Republic. Before the dark times,
2011 before the Empire.
2012
2013 Luke hasn't really been listening.
2014
2015 LUKE
2016 How did my father die?
2017
2018 BEN
2019 A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who
2020 was a pupil of mine until he turned
2021 to evil, helped the Empire hunt down
2022 and destroy the Jedi Knights. He
2023 betrayed and murdered your father.
2024 Now the Jedi are all but extinct.
2025 Vader was seduced by the dark side
2026 of the Force.
2027
2028 LUKE
2029 The Force?
2030
2031 BEN
2032 Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi
2033 his power. It's an energy field
2034 created by all living things. It
2035 surrounds us and penetrates us. It
2036 binds the galaxy together.
2037
2038 Artoo makes beeping sounds.
2039
2040 BEN
2041 Now, let's see if we can't figure
2042 out what you are, my little friend.
2043 And where you come from.
2044
2045 LUKE
2046 I saw part of the message he was...
2047
2048 Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful
2049 young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face.
2050
2051 BEN
2052 I seem to have found it.
2053
2054 Luke stops his work as the lovely girl's image flickers before
2055 his eyes.
2056
2057 LEIA
2058 General Kenobi, years ago you served
2059 my father in the Clone Wars. Now he
2060 begs you to help him in his struggle
2061 against the Empire. I regret that I
2062 am unable to present my father's
2063 request to you in person, but my
2064 ship has fallen under attack and I'm
2065 afraid my mission to bring you to
2066 Alderaan has failed. I have placed
2067 information vital to the survival of
2068 the Rebellion into the memory systems
2069 of this R2 unit. My father will know
2070 how to retrieve it. You must see
2071 this droid safely delivered to him
2072 on Alderaan. This is our most
2073 desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan
2074 Kenobi, you're my only hope.
2075
2076 There is a little static and the transmission is cut short.
2077 Old Ben leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs
2078 on a tarnished chrome water pipe. Luke has stars in his eyes.
2079
2080 BEN
2081 You must learn the ways of the Force
2082 if you're to come with me to Alderaan.
2083
2084 LUKE
2085 (laughing)
2086 Alderaan? I'm not going to Alderaan.
2087 I've got to go home. It's late, I'm
2088 in for it as it is.
2089
2090 BEN
2091 I need your help, Luke. She needs
2092 your help. I'm getting too old for
2093 this sort of thing.
2094
2095 LUKE
2096 I can't get involved! I've got work
2097 to do! It's not that I like the
2098 Empire. I hate it! But there's nothing
2099 I can do about it right now. It's
2100 such a long way from here.
2101
2102 BEN
2103 That's your uncle talking.
2104
2105 LUKE
2106 (sighing)
2107 Oh, God, my uncle. How am I ever
2108 going to explain this?
2109
2110 BEN
2111 Learn about the Force, Luke.
2112
2113 LUKE
2114 Look, I can take you as far as
2115 Anchorhead. You can get a transport
2116 there to Mos Eisley or wherever you're
2117 going.
2118
2119 BEN
2120 You must do what you feel is right,
2121 of course.
2122
2123 EXT. SPACE.
2124
2125 An Imperial Stardestroyer heads toward the evil planet-like
2126 battle station: the Death Star!
2127
2128 INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
2129
2130 Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black
2131 conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around
2132 the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general,
2133 is speaking.
2134
2135 TAGGE
2136 Until this battle station is fully
2137 operational we are vulnerable. The
2138 Rebel Alliance is too well equipped.
2139 They're more dangerous than you
2140 realize.
2141
2142 The bitter Admiral Motti twists nervously in his chair.
2143
2144 MOTTI
2145 Dangerous to your starfleet,
2146 Commander, not to this battle station!
2147
2148 TAGGE
2149 The Rebellion will continue to gain
2150 a support in the Imperial Senate as
2151 long as....
2152
2153 Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge's speech is cut
2154 short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial
2155 outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally,
2156 The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and
2157 bow before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his
2158 place at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind
2159 him.
2160
2161 TARKIN
2162 The Imperial Senate will no longer
2163 be of any concern to us. I've just
2164 received word that the Emperor has
2165 dissolved the council permanently.
2166 The last remnants of the Old Republic
2167 have been swept away.
2168
2169 TAGGE
2170 That's impossible! How will the
2171 Emperor maintain control without the
2172 bureaucracy?
2173
2174 TARKIN
2175 The regional governors now have direct
2176 control over territories. Fear will
2177 keep the local systems in line. Fear
2178 of this battle station.
2179
2180 TAGGE
2181 And what of the Rebellion? If the
2182 Rebels have obtained a complete
2183 technical readout of this station,
2184 it is possible, however unlikely,
2185 that they might find a weakness and
2186 exploit it.
2187
2188 VADER
2189 The plans you refer to will soon be
2190 back in our hands.
2191
2192 MOTTI
2193 Any attack made by the Rebels against
2194 this station would be a useless
2195 gesture, no matter what technical
2196 data they've obtained. This station
2197 is now the ultimate power in the
2198 universe. I suggest we use it!
2199
2200 VADER
2201 Don't be too proud of this
2202 technological terror you've
2203 constructed. The ability to destroy
2204 a planet is insignificant next to
2205 the power of the Force.
2206
2207 MOTTI
2208 Don't try to frighten us with your
2209 sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. Your
2210 sad devotion to that ancient religion
2211 has not helped you conjure up the
2212 stolen data tapes, or given you
2213 clairvoyance enough to find the
2214 Rebel's hidden fort...
2215
2216 Suddenly Motti chokes and starts to turn blue under Vader's
2217 spell.
2218
2219 VADER
2220 I find your lack of faith disturbing.
2221
2222 TARKIN
2223 Enough of this! Vader, release him!
2224
2225 VADER
2226 As you wish.
2227
2228 TARKIN
2229 This bickering is pointless. Lord
2230 Vader will provide us with the
2231 location of the Rebel fortress by
2232 the time this station is operational.
2233 We will then crush the Rebellion
2234 with one swift stroke.
2235
2236 EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
2237
2238 The speeder stops before what remains of the huge Jawas
2239 Sandcrawler. Luke and Ben walk among the smoldering rubble
2240 and scattered bodies.
2241
2242 LUKE
2243 It looks like Sandpeople did this,
2244 all right. Look, here are Gaffi
2245 sticks, Bantha tracks. It's just...
2246 I never heard of them hitting anything
2247 this big before.
2248
2249 Ben is crouching in the sand studying the tracks.
2250
2251 BEN
2252 They didn't. But we are meant to
2253 think they did. These tracks are
2254 side by side. Sandpeople always ride
2255 single file to hide there numbers.
2256
2257 LUKE
2258 These are the same Jawas that sold
2259 us Artoo and Threepio.
2260
2261 BEN
2262 And these blast points, too accurate
2263 for Sandpeople. Only Imperial
2264 stormtroopers are so precise.
2265
2266 LUKE
2267 Why would Imperial troops want to
2268 slaughter Jawas?
2269
2270 Luke looks back at the speeder where Artoo and Threepio are
2271 inspecting the dead Jawas, and put two and two together.
2272
2273 LUKE
2274 If they traced the robots here, they
2275 may have learned who they sold them
2276 to. And that would lead them home!
2277
2278 Luke reaches a sudden horrible realization, then races for
2279 the speeder and jumps it.
2280
2281 BEN
2282 Wait, Luke! It's too dangerous.
2283
2284 Luke races off leaving Ben and the two robots alone with the
2285 burning Sandcrawler.
2286
2287 EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
2288
2289 Luke races across the wasteland in his battered Landspeeder.
2290
2291 EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD
2292
2293 The speeder roars up to the burning homestead. Luke jumps
2294 out and runs to the smoking holes that were once his home.
2295 Debris is scattered everywhere and it looks as if a great
2296 battle has taken place.
2297
2298 LUKE
2299 Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru! Uncle Owen!
2300
2301 Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and uncle.
2302 Suddenly he comes upon their smoldering remains. He is
2303 stunned, and cannot speak. Hate replaces fear and a new
2304 resolve comes over him.
2305
2306 EXT. SPACE
2307
2308 Imperial TIE fighter races toward the Death Star.
2309
2310 INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION CORRIDOR
2311
2312 Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow
2313 several Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia's face is
2314 filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as a
2315 giant black torture robot enters, followed by Darth Vader.
2316
2317 VADER
2318 And, now Your Highness, we will
2319 discuss the location of your hidden
2320 Rebel base.
2321
2322 The torture robot gives off a steady beeping sound as it
2323 approaches Princess Leia and extends one of its mechanical
2324 arms bearing a large hypodermic needle. The door slides shut
2325 and the long cell block hallway appears peaceful. The muffled
2326 screams of the Rebel princess are barely heard.
2327
2328 EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
2329
2330 There is a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazing in front of
2331 the Sandcrawler as Ben and the robots finish burning the
2332 dead. Luke drives up in the speeder and Ben walks over to
2333 him.
2334
2335 BEN
2336 There's nothing you could have done,
2337 Luke, had you been there. You'd have
2338 been killed, too, and the droids
2339 would be in the hands of the Empire.
2340
2341 LUKE
2342 I want to come with you to Alderaan.
2343 There's nothing here for me now. I
2344 want to learn the ways of the Force
2345 and become a Jedi like my father.
2346
2347 EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
2348
2349 The Landspeeder with Luke, Artoo, Threepio, and Ben in it
2350 zooms across the desert. The speeder stops on a bluff
2351 overlooking the spaceport at Mos Eisley. It is a haphazard
2352 array of low, grey, concrete structures and semi-domes. A
2353 harsh gale blows across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusts
2354 his goggles and walks to the edge of the craggy bluff where
2355 Ben is standing.
2356
2357 BEN
2358 Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will never
2359 find a more wretched hive of scum
2360 and villainy. We must be cautious.
2361
2362 Ben looks over at Luke, who gives the old Jedi a determined
2363 smile.
2364
2365 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
2366
2367 The speeder is stopped on a crowded street by several combat-
2368 hardend stormtroopers who look over the two robots. A Trooper
2369 questions Luke.
2370
2371 TROOPER
2372 How long have you had these droids?
2373
2374 LUKE
2375 About three or four seasons.
2376
2377 BEN
2378 They're for sale if you want them.
2379
2380 TROOPER
2381 Let me see your identification.
2382
2383 Luke becomes very nervous as he fumbles to find his ID while
2384 Ben speaks to the Trooper in a very controlled voice.
2385
2386 BEN
2387 You don't need to see his
2388 identification.
2389
2390 TROOPER
2391 We don't need to see his
2392 identification.
2393
2394 BEN
2395 These are not the droids your looking
2396 for.
2397
2398 TROOPER
2399 These are not the droids we're looking
2400 for.
2401
2402 BEN
2403 He can go about his business.
2404
2405 TROOPER
2406 You can go about your business.
2407
2408 BEN
2409 (to Luke)
2410 Move along.
2411
2412 TROOPER
2413 Move along. Move along.
2414
2415 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
2416
2417 The speeder pulls up in front of a rundown blockhouse cantina
2418 on the outskirts of the spaceport. Various strange forms of
2419 transport, including several unusual beasts of burden, are
2420 parked outside the bar. A Jawa runs up and begins to fondle
2421 the speeder.
2422
2423 THREEPIO
2424 I can't abide these Jawas. Disgusting
2425 creatures.
2426
2427 As Luke gets out of the speeder he tries to shoo the Jawa
2428 away.
2429
2430 LUKE
2431 Go on, go on. I can't understand how
2432 we got by those troopers. I thought
2433 we were dead.
2434
2435 BEN
2436 The Force can have a strong influence
2437 on the weak-minded. You will find it
2438 a powerful ally.
2439
2440 LUKE
2441 Do you really think we're going to
2442 find a pilot here that'll take us to
2443 Alderaan?
2444
2445 BEN
2446 Well, most of the best freighter
2447 pilots can be found here. Only watch
2448 your step. This place can be a little
2449 rough.
2450
2451 LUKE
2452 I'm ready for anything.
2453
2454 THREEPIO
2455 Come along, Artoo.
2456
2457 INT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - CANTINA
2458
2459 The young adventurer and his two mechanical servants follow
2460 Ben Kenobi into the smoke-filled cantina. The murky, moldy
2461 den is filled with a startling array of weird and exotic
2462 alien creatures and monsters at the long metallic bar. At
2463 first the sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed, slimy,
2464 furry, scaly, tentacled, and clawed creatures huddle over
2465 drinks. Ben moves to an empty spot at the bar near a group
2466 of repulsive but human scum. A huge, rough-looking Bartender
2467 stops Luke and the robots.
2468
2469 BARTENDER
2470 We don't serve their kind here!
2471
2472 Luke still recovering from the shock of seeing so many
2473 outlandish creatures, doesn't quite catch the bartender's
2474 drift.
2475
2476 LUKE
2477 What?
2478
2479 BARTENDER
2480 Your droids. They'll have to wait
2481 outside. We don't want them here.
2482
2483 Luke looks at old Ben, who is busy talking to one of the
2484 Galactic pirates. He notices several of the gruesome creatures
2485 along the bar are giving him a very unfriendly glare.
2486
2487 Luke pats Threepio on the shoulder.
2488
2489 LUKE
2490 Listen, why don't you wait out by
2491 the speeder. We don't want any
2492 trouble.
2493
2494 THREEPIO
2495 I heartily agree with you sir.
2496
2497 Threepio and his stubby partner go outside and most of the
2498 creatures at the bar go back to their drinks.
2499
2500 Ben is standing next to Chewbacca, an eight-foot-tall savage-
2501 looking creature resembling a huge grey bushbaby monkey with
2502 fierce baboon-like fangs. His large blue eyes dominate a fur-
2503 covered face and soften his otherwise awesome appearance.
2504 Over his matted, furry body he wears two chrome bandoliers,
2505 and little else. He is a two-hundred-year-old Wookiee and a
2506 sight to behold.
2507
2508 Ben speaks to the Wookiee, pointing to Luke several times
2509 during his conversation and the huge creature suddenly lets
2510 out a horrifying laugh. Luke is more than a little bit
2511 disconcerted and pretends not to hear the conversation between
2512 Ben and the giant Wookiee.
2513
2514 Luke is terrified but tries not to show it. He quietly sips
2515 his drink, looking over the crowd for a more sympathetic ear
2516 or whatever.
2517
2518 A large, multiple-eyed Creature gives Luke a rough shove.
2519
2520 CREATURE
2521 Negola dewaghi wooldugger?!?
2522
2523 The hideous freak is obviously drunk. Luke tries to ignore
2524 the creature and turns back on his drink. A short, grubby
2525 Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the
2526 belligerent monstrosity.
2527
2528 HUMAN
2529 He doesn't like you.
2530
2531 LUKE
2532 I'm sorry.
2533
2534 HUMAN
2535 I don't like you either.
2536
2537 The big creature is getting agitated and yells out some
2538 unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous, young
2539 adventurer.
2540
2541 HUMAN
2542 Don't insult us. You just watch
2543 yourself. We're wanted men. I have
2544 the death sentence in twelve systems.
2545
2546 LUKE
2547 I'll be careful than.
2548
2549 HUMAN
2550 You'll be dead.
2551
2552 The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar
2553 moves away. Luke tries to remain cool but it isn't easy. His
2554 three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in behind
2555 Luke.
2556
2557 BEN
2558 This little one isn't worth the
2559 effort. Come let me buy you
2560 something...
2561
2562 A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the young
2563 would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through tables
2564 and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking liquid.
2565 With a blood curdling shriek, the monster draws a wicked
2566 chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at old Ben.
2567 The bartender panics.
2568
2569 BARTENDER
2570 No blasters! No blaster!
2571
2572 With astounding agility old Ben's laser sword sparks to life
2573 and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is cut
2574 in two and the giant multiple-eyed creature lies doubled,
2575 cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns
2576 off his laser sword and replaces it on his utility belt.
2577 Luke, shaking and totally amazed at the old man's abilities,
2578 attempts to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter
2579 of seconds. The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is
2580 given a respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing
2581 his bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. Ben
2582 points the the Wookiee.
2583
2584 BEN
2585 This is Chewbacca. He's first-mate
2586 on a ship that might suit our needs.
2587
2588 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
2589
2590 Threepio paces in front of the cantina as Artoo carries on
2591 an electronic conversation with another little red astro-
2592 droid. A creature comes out of the cantina and approaches
2593 two stormtroopers in the street.
2594
2595 THREEPIO
2596 I don't like the look of this.
2597
2598 INT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - CANTINA
2599
2600 Strange creatures play exotic big band music on odd-looking
2601 instruments as Luke, still giddy, downs a fresh drink and
2602 follows Ben and Chewbacca to a booth where Han Solo is
2603 sitting. Han is a tough, roguish starpilot about thirty years
2604 old. A mercenary on a starship, he is simple, sentimental,
2605 and cocksure.
2606
2607 HAN
2608 Han Solo. I'm captain of the
2609 Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells
2610 me you're looking for passage to the
2611 Alderaan system.
2612
2613 BEN
2614 Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship.
2615
2616 HAN
2617 Fast ship? You've never heard of the
2618 Millennium Falcon?
2619
2620 BEN
2621 Should I have?
2622
2623 HAN
2624 It's the ship that made the Kessel
2625 run in less than twelve parsecs!
2626
2627 Ben reacts to Solo's stupid attempt to impress them with
2628 obvious misinformation.
2629
2630 HAN
2631 I've outrun Imperial starships, not
2632 the local bulk-cruisers, mind you.
2633 I'm talking about the big Corellian
2634 ships now. She's fast enough for
2635 you, old man. What's the cargo?
2636
2637 BEN
2638 Only passengers. Myself, the boy,
2639 two droids, and no questions asked.
2640
2641 HAN
2642 What is it? Some kind of local
2643 trouble?
2644
2645 BEN
2646 Let's just say we'd like to avoid
2647 any Imperial entanglements.
2648
2649 HAN
2650 Well, that's the trick, isn't it?
2651 And it's going to cost you something
2652 extra. Ten thousand in advance.
2653
2654 LUKE
2655 Ten thousand? We could almost buy
2656 our own ship for that!
2657
2658 HAN
2659 But who's going to fly it, kid! You?
2660
2661 LUKE
2662 You bet I could. I'm not such a bad
2663 pilot myself! We don't have to sit
2664 here and listen...
2665
2666 BEN
2667 We haven't that much with us. But we
2668 could pay you two thousand now, plus
2669 fifteen when we reach Alderaan.
2670
2671 HAN
2672 Seventeen, huh!
2673
2674 Han ponders this for a few moments.
2675
2676 HAN
2677 Okay. You guys got yourself a ship.
2678 We'll leave as soon as you're ready.
2679 Docking bay Ninety-four.
2680
2681 BEN
2682 Ninety-four.
2683
2684 HAN
2685 Looks like somebody's beginning to
2686 take an interest in your handiwork.
2687
2688 Ben and Luke turn around to see four Imperial stormtroopers
2689 looking at the dead bodies and asking the bartenders some
2690 questions. The bartender points to the booth.
2691
2692 TROOPER
2693 All right, we'll check it out.
2694
2695 The stormtroopers look over at the booth but Luke and Ben
2696 are gone. The bartender shrugs his shoulders in puzzlement.
2697
2698 HAN
2699 Seventeen thousand! Those guys must
2700 really be desperate. This could really
2701 save my neck. Get back to the ship
2702 and get her ready.
2703
2704 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
2705
2706 BEN
2707 You'll have to sell your speeder.
2708
2709 LUKE
2710 That's okay. I'm never coming back
2711 to this planet again.
2712
2713 INT. MOS EISLEY - CANTINA
2714
2715 As Han is about to leave, Greedo, a slimy green-faced alien
2716 with a short trunk-nose, pokes a gun in his side. The creature
2717 speaks in a foreign tongue translated into English subtitles.
2718
2719 GREEDO
2720 Going somewhere, Solo?
2721
2722 HAN
2723 Yes, Greedo. As a matter of fact, I
2724 was just going to see your boss.
2725 Tell Jabba that I've got his money.
2726
2727 Han sits down and the alien sits across from him holding the
2728 gun on him.
2729
2730 GREEDO
2731 It's too late. You should have paid
2732 him when you had the chance. Jabba's
2733 put a price on your head, so large
2734 that every bounty hunter in the galaxy
2735 will be looking for you. I'm lucky I
2736 found you first.
2737
2738 HAN
2739 Yeah, but this time I got the money.
2740
2741 GREEDO
2742 If you give it to me, I might forget
2743 I found you.
2744
2745 HAN
2746 I don't have it with me. Tell Jabba...
2747
2748 GREEDO
2749 Jabba's through with you. He has no
2750 time for smugglers who drop their
2751 shipments at the first sign of an
2752 Imperial cruiser.
2753
2754 HAN
2755 Even I get boarded sometimes. Do you
2756 think I had a choice?
2757
2758 Han Solo slowly reaches for his gun under the table.
2759
2760 GREEDO
2761 You can tell that to Jabba. He may
2762 only take your ship.
2763
2764 HAN
2765 Over my dead body.
2766
2767 GREEDO
2768 That's the idea. I've been looking
2769 forward to killing you for a long
2770 time.
2771
2772 HAN
2773 Yes, I'll bet you have.
2774
2775 Suddenly the slimy alien disappears in a blinding flash of
2776 light. Han pulls his smoking gun from beneath the table as
2777 the other patron look on in bemused amazement. Han gets up
2778 and starts out of the cantina, flipping the bartender some
2779 coins as he leaves.
2780
2781 HAN
2782 Sorry about the mess.
2783
2784 EXT. SPACE
2785
2786 Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.
2787
2788 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
2789
2790 VADER
2791 Her resistance to the mind probe is
2792 considerable. It will be some time
2793 before we can extract any information
2794 from her.
2795
2796 An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.
2797
2798 IMPERIAL OFFICER
2799 The final check-out is complete. All
2800 systems are operational. What course
2801 shall we set?
2802
2803 TARKIN
2804 Perhaps she would respond to an
2805 alternative form of persuasion.
2806
2807 VADER
2808 What do you mean?
2809
2810 TARKIN
2811 I think it is time we demonstrate
2812 the full power of this station.
2813 (to soldier)
2814 Set your course for Princess Leia's
2815 home planet of Alderaan.
2816
2817 TROOPER
2818 With pleasure.
2819
2820 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
2821
2822 Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a
2823 narrow slum alleyway crowed with darkly clad creatures hawking
2824 exotic goods in the dingy little stalls. Men, monsters, and
2825 robots crouch in the waste-filled doorways, whispering and
2826 hiding from the hot winds.
2827
2828 THREEPIO
2829 Lock the door, Artoo.
2830
2831 One of the troopers checks a tightly locked door and moves
2832 on down the alleyway. The door slides open a crack and
2833 Threepio peeks out. Artoo is barely visible in the background.
2834
2835 TROOPER
2836 All right, check that side of the
2837 street. It's secure. Move on to the
2838 next door.
2839
2840 The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.
2841
2842 THREEPIO
2843 I would much rather have gone with
2844 Master Luke than stay here with you.
2845 I don't know what all the trouble is
2846 about, but I'm sure it must be your
2847 fault.
2848
2849 Artoo makes beeping sounds.
2850
2851 THREEPIO
2852 You watch your language!
2853
2854 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET - ALLEYWAY - USED
2855 SPEEDER LOT
2856
2857 Ben and Luke are standing in a sleazy used speeder lot,
2858 talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder
2859 dealer. Strange exotic bodies and spindly-legged beasts pass
2860 by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some coins.
2861
2862 LUKE
2863 He says it's the best he can do.
2864 Since the XP-38 came out, they're
2865 just not in demand.
2866
2867 BEN
2868 It will be enough.
2869
2870 Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty
2871 alleyway past a small robot herding a bunch of anteater-like
2872 creatures. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his
2873 faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad creature
2874 moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches them as
2875 they disappear down another alley.
2876
2877 BEN
2878 If the ship's as fast as he's
2879 boasting, we ought to do well.
2880
2881 INT. DOCKING BAY 94 - DAY
2882
2883 Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and purple
2884 creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is
2885 the grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is
2886 a grim testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is
2887 a fat, slug-like creature with eyes on extended feelers and
2888 a huge ugly mouth.
2889
2890 JABBA
2891 Come on out, Solo!
2892
2893 A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and
2894 they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee,
2895 Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight.
2896
2897 HAN
2898 I've been waiting for you, Jabba.
2899
2900 JABBA
2901 I expected you would be.
2902
2903 HAN
2904 I'm not the type to run.
2905
2906 JABBA
2907 (fatherly-smooth)
2908 Han, my boy, there are times when
2909 you disappoint me... why haven't you
2910 paid me? And why did you have to fry
2911 poor Greedo like that... after all
2912 we've been through together.
2913
2914 HAN
2915 You sent Greedo to blast me.
2916
2917 JABBA
2918 (mock surprise)
2919 Han, why you're the best smuggler in
2920 the business. You're too valuable to
2921 fry. He was only relaying my concern
2922 at your delays. He wasn't going to
2923 blast you.
2924
2925 HAN
2926 I think he thought he was. Next time
2927 don't send one of those twerps. If
2928 you've got something to say to me,
2929 come see me yourself.
2930
2931 JABBA
2932 Han, Han! If only you hadn't had to
2933 dump that shipment of spice... you
2934 understand I just can't make an
2935 exception. Where would I be if every
2936 pilot who smuggled for me dumped
2937 their shipment at the first sign of
2938 an Imperial starship? It's not good
2939 business.
2940
2941 HAN
2942 You know, even I get boarded
2943 sometimes, Jabba. I had no choice,
2944 but I've got a charter now and I can
2945 pay you back, plus a little extra. I
2946 just need some more time.
2947
2948 JABBA
2949 (to his men)
2950 Put your blasters away. Han, my boy,
2951 I'm only doing this because you're
2952 the best and I need you. So, for an
2953 extra, say twenty percent I'll give
2954 you a little more time... but this
2955 is it. If you disappoint me again,
2956 I'll put a price on your head so
2957 large you won't be able to go near a
2958 civilized system for the rest of
2959 your short life.
2960
2961 HAN
2962 Jabba, I'll pay you because it's my
2963 pleasure.
2964
2965 EXT. DOCKING PORT ENTRY - ALLEYWAY
2966
2967 Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay
2968 94. Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street.
2969 Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry.
2970 The darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder
2971 lot. He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small
2972 transmitter.
2973
2974 INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94
2975
2976 Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is
2977 Docking Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a
2978 large, round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that
2979 could only loosely be called a starship.
2980
2981 LUKE
2982 What a piece of junk.
2983
2984 The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp.
2985
2986 HAN
2987 She'll make point five beyond the
2988 speed of light. She may not look
2989 like much, but she's got it where it
2990 counts, kid. I've added some special
2991 modifications myself.
2992
2993 Luke scratches his head. It's obvious he isn't sure about
2994 all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others
2995 to follow.
2996
2997 HAN
2998 We're a little rushed, so if you'll
2999 hurry aboard we'll get out of here.
3000
3001 The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han
3002 Solo.
3003
3004 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
3005
3006 Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty
3007 engines of the starship.
3008
3009 INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94
3010
3011 Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium
3012 Falcon passing Solo.
3013
3014 THREEPIO
3015 Hello, sir.
3016
3017 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
3018
3019 Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad
3020 creature.
3021
3022 TROOPER
3023 Which way?
3024
3025 The darkly clad creature points to the door of the docking
3026 bay.
3027
3028 TROOPER
3029 All right, men. Load your weapons!
3030
3031 INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94]
3032
3033 The troops hold their guns at the ready and charge down the
3034 docking bay entrance.
3035
3036 TROOPER
3037 Stop that ship!
3038
3039 Han Solo looks up and sees the Imperial stormtroopers rushing
3040 into the docking bay. Several of the troopers fire at Han as
3041 he ducks into the spaceship.
3042
3043 TROOPER
3044 Blast 'em!
3045
3046 Han draws his laser pistol and pops off a couple of shots
3047 which force the stormtroopers to dive for safety. The
3048 pirateship engines whine as Han hits the release button that
3049 slams the overhead entry shut.
3050
3051 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
3052
3053 HAN
3054 Chewie, get us out of here!
3055
3056 The group straps in for take off.
3057
3058 THREEPIO
3059 Oh, my. I'd forgotten how much I
3060 hate space travel.
3061
3062 EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREETS
3063
3064 The half-dozen stormtroopers at a check point hear the general
3065 alarm and look to the sky as the huge starship rises above
3066 the dingy slum dwellings and quickly disappears into the
3067 morning sky.
3068
3069 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3070
3071 Han climbs into the pilot's chair next to Chewbacca, who
3072 chatters away as he points to something on the radar scope.
3073
3074 EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE
3075
3076 The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.
3077
3078 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3079
3080 Han frantically types information into the ship's computer.
3081 Little Artoo appears momentarily at the cockpit doorway,
3082 makes a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.
3083
3084 HAN
3085 It looks like an Imperial cruiser.
3086 Our passengers must be hotter than I
3087 thought. Try and hold them off. Angle
3088 the deflector shield while I make
3089 the calculations for the jump to
3090 light speed.
3091
3092 EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE
3093
3094 The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow
3095 planet, Tatooine. It is followed by two huge Imperial
3096 stardestroyers.
3097
3098 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3099
3100 Over the shoulders of Chewbacca and Han, we can see the galaxy
3101 spread before them. Luke and Ben make their way into the
3102 cramped cockpit where Han continues his calculation.
3103
3104 HAN
3105 Stay sharp! There are two more coming
3106 in; they're going to try to cut us
3107 off.
3108
3109 LUKE
3110 Why don't you outrun them? I thought
3111 you said this thing was fast.
3112
3113 HAN
3114 Watch your mouth, kid, or you're
3115 going to find yourself floating home.
3116 We'll be safe enough once we make
3117 the jump to hyperspace. Besides, I
3118 know a few maneuvers. We'll lose
3119 them!
3120
3121 EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE
3122
3123 Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.
3124
3125 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3126
3127 The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the window.
3128
3129 HAN
3130 Here's where the fun begins!
3131
3132 BEN
3133 How long before you can make the
3134 jump to light speed?
3135
3136 HAN
3137 It'll take a few moments to get the
3138 coordinates from the navi-computer.
3139
3140 The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.
3141
3142 LUKE
3143 Are you kidding? At the rate they're
3144 gaining...
3145
3146 HAN
3147 Traveling through hyperspace isn't
3148 like dusting crops, boy! Without
3149 precise calculations we could fly
3150 right through a star or bounce too
3151 close to a supernova and that'd end
3152 your trip real quick, wouldn't it?
3153
3154 The ship is now constantly battered with laserfire as a red
3155 warning light begins to flash.
3156
3157 LUKE
3158 What's that flashing?
3159
3160 HAN
3161 We're losing our deflector shield.
3162 Go strap yourself in, I'm going to
3163 make the jump to light speed.
3164
3165 The galaxy brightens and they move faster, almost as if
3166 crashing a barrier. Stars become streaks as the pirateship
3167 makes the jump to hyperspace.
3168
3169 EXT. SPACE
3170
3171 The Millennium Falcon zooms into infinity in less than a
3172 second.
3173
3174 EXT. DEATH STAR
3175
3176 Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.
3177
3178 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
3179
3180 Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before
3181 Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen
3182 displaying a small green planet.
3183
3184 MOTTI
3185 We've entered the Alderaan system.
3186
3187 Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her
3188 hands are bound.
3189
3190 LEIA
3191 Governor Tarkin, I should have
3192 expected to find you holding Vader's
3193 leash. I recognized your foul stench
3194 when I was brought on board.
3195
3196 TARKIN
3197 Charming to the last. You don't know
3198 how hard I found it signing the order
3199 to terminate your life!
3200
3201 LEIA
3202 I surprised you had the courage to
3203 take the responsibility yourself!
3204
3205 TARKIN
3206 Princess Leia, before your execution
3207 I would like you to be my guest at a
3208 ceremony that will make this battle
3209 station operational. No star system
3210 will dare oppose the Emperor now.
3211
3212 LEIA
3213 The more you tighten your grip,
3214 Tarkin, the more star systems will
3215 slip through your fingers.
3216
3217 TARKIN
3218 Not after we demonstrate the power
3219 of this station. In a way, you have
3220 determined the choice of the planet
3221 that'll be destroyed first. Since
3222 you are reluctant to provide us with
3223 the location of the Rebel base, I
3224 have chosen to test this station's
3225 destructive power... on your home
3226 planet of Alderaan.
3227
3228 LEIA
3229 No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have no
3230 weapons. You can't possibly...
3231
3232 TARKIN
3233 You would prefer another target? A
3234 military target? Then name the system!
3235
3236 Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.
3237
3238 TARKIN
3239 I grow tired of asking this. So it'll
3240 be the last time. Where is the Rebel
3241 base?
3242
3243 Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to
3244 Alderaan.
3245
3246 LEIA
3247 (softly)
3248 Dantooine.
3249
3250 Leia lowers her head.
3251
3252 LEIA
3253 They're on Dantooine.
3254
3255 TARKIN
3256 There. You see Lord Vader, she can
3257 be reasonable.
3258 (addressing Motti)
3259 Continue with the operation. You may
3260 fire when ready.
3261
3262 LEIA
3263 What?
3264
3265 TARKIN
3266 You're far too trusting. Dantooine
3267 is too remote to make an effective
3268 demonstration. But don't worry. We
3269 will deal with your Rebel friends
3270 soon enough.
3271
3272 LEIA
3273 No!
3274
3275 INT. DEATH STAR - BLAST CHAMBER
3276
3277 VADER
3278 Commence primary ignition.
3279
3280 A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A
3281 hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever.
3282 Another lever is pulled. Vader reaches for still another
3283 lever and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up. A
3284 huge beam of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area
3285 and converges into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan.
3286 The small green planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.
3287
3288 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA
3289
3290 Ben watches Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker"
3291 robot. Ben suddenly turns away and sits down. He falters,
3292 seems almost faint.
3293
3294 LUKE
3295 Are you all right? What's wrong?
3296
3297 BEN
3298 I felt a great disturbance in the
3299 Force... as if millions of voices
3300 suddenly cried out in terror and
3301 were suddenly silenced. I fear
3302 something terrible has happened.
3303
3304 Ben rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then
3305 he fixes his gaze on Luke.
3306
3307 BEN
3308 You'd better get on with your
3309 exercises.
3310
3311 Han Solo enters the room.
3312
3313 HAN
3314 Well, you can forget your troubles
3315 with those Imperial slugs. I told
3316 you I'd outrun 'em.
3317
3318 Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.
3319
3320 HAN
3321 Don't everyone thank me at once.
3322
3323 Threepio watches Chewbacca and Artoo who are engrossed in a
3324 game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move
3325 along a chess-type board.
3326
3327 HAN
3328 Anyway, we should be at Alderaan
3329 about oh-two-hundred hours.
3330
3331 Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table
3332 covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the
3333 table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca
3334 seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-
3335 covered arms over his head.
3336
3337 THREEPIO
3338 Now be careful, Artoo.
3339
3340 Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his
3341 stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures
3342 to walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's
3343 face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny robot.
3344 Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion and
3345 begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.
3346
3347 THREEPIO
3348 He made a fair move. Screaming about
3349 it won't help you.
3350
3351 HAN
3352 (interrupting)
3353 Let him have it. It's not wise to
3354 upset a Wookiee.
3355
3356 THREEPIO
3357 But sir, nobody worries about
3358 upsetting a droid.
3359
3360 HAN
3361 That's 'cause droids don't pull
3362 people's arms out of their socket
3363 when they lose. Wookiees are known
3364 to do that.
3365
3366 THREEPIO
3367 I see your point, sir. I suggest a
3368 new strategy, Artoo. Let the Wookiee
3369 win.
3370
3371 Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems
3372 frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his
3373 head. Ben watches him from the corner, studying his movements.
3374 Han watches with a bit of smugness.
3375
3376 BEN
3377 Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force
3378 flowing through him.
3379
3380 LUKE
3381 You mean it controls your actions?
3382
3383 BEN
3384 Partially. But it also obeys your
3385 commands.
3386
3387 Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a
3388 "seeker", a chrome baseball-like robot covered with antennae,
3389 hovers slowly in a wide arc. The ball floats to one side of
3390 the youth then the other. Suddenly it makes a lightning-swift
3391 lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke doesn't
3392 move and the ball backs off. It slowly moves behind the boy,
3393 then makes another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood
3394 red laser beam as it attacks. It hits Luke in the leg causing
3395 him to tumble over. Han lets loose with a burst of laughter.
3396
3397 HAN
3398 Hokey religions and ancient weapons
3399 are no match for a good blaster at
3400 your side, kid.
3401
3402 LUKE
3403 You don't believe in the Force, do
3404 you?
3405
3406 HAN
3407 Kid, I've flown from one side of
3408 this galaxy to the other. I've seen
3409 a lot of strange stuff, but I've
3410 never seen anything to make me believe
3411 there's one all-powerful force
3412 controlling everything. There's no
3413 mystical energy field that controls
3414 my destiny.
3415
3416 Ben smiles quietly.
3417
3418 HAN
3419 It's all a lot of simple tricks and
3420 nonsense.
3421
3422 BEN
3423 I suggest you try it again, Luke.
3424
3425 Ben places a large helmet on Luke's head which covers his
3426 eyes.
3427
3428 BEN
3429 This time, let go your conscious
3430 self and act on instinct.
3431
3432 LUKE
3433 (laughing)
3434 With the blast shield down, I can't
3435 even see. How am I supposed to fight?
3436
3437 BEN
3438 Your eyes can deceive you. Don't
3439 trust them.
3440
3441 Han skeptically shakes his head as Ben throws the seeker
3442 into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then
3443 drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around blindly
3444 missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt which hits
3445 Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful
3446 yell and attempts to hit the seeker.
3447
3448 BEN
3449 Stretch out with your feelings.
3450
3451 Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker makes
3452 a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect the
3453 bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original
3454 position.
3455
3456 BEN
3457 You see, you can do it.
3458
3459 HAN
3460 I call it luck.
3461
3462 BEN
3463 In my experience, there's no such
3464 thing as luck.
3465
3466 HAN
3467 Look, going good against remotes is
3468 one thing. Going good against the
3469 living? That's something else.
3470
3471 Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the
3472 control panel.
3473
3474 HAN
3475 Looks like we're coming up on
3476 Alderaan.
3477
3478 Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.
3479
3480 LUKE
3481 You know, I did feel something. I
3482 could almost see the remote.
3483
3484 BEN
3485 That's good. You have taken your
3486 first step into a larger world.
3487
3488 INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
3489
3490 Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin and the
3491 evil Dark Lord Darth Vader.
3492
3493 TARKIN
3494 Yes.
3495
3496 OFFICER CASS
3497 Our scout ships have reached
3498 Dantooine. They found the remains of
3499 a Rebel base, but they estimate that
3500 it has been deserted for some time.
3501 They are now conducting an extensive
3502 search of the surrounding systems.
3503
3504 TARKIN
3505 She lied! She lied to us!
3506
3507 VADER
3508 I told you she would never consciously
3509 betray the Rebellion.
3510
3511 TARKIN
3512 Terminate her... immediately!
3513
3514 EXT. HYPERSPACE
3515
3516 The pirateship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange
3517 surreal light show surrounds the ship.
3518
3519 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3520
3521 HAN
3522 Stand by, Chewie, here we go. Cut in
3523 the sublight engines.
3524
3525 Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit window
3526 stars begin streaking past, seem to decrease in speed, then
3527 stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder and violently
3528 shake about. Asteroids begin to race toward them, battering
3529 the sides of the ship.
3530
3531 HAN
3532 What the...? Aw, we've come out of
3533 hyperspace into a meteor shower.
3534 Some kind of asteroid collision.
3535 It's not on any of the charts.
3536
3537 The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very cool
3538 in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing
3539 cockpit.
3540
3541 LUKE
3542 What's going on?
3543
3544 HAN
3545 Our position is correct, except...
3546 no, Alderaan!
3547
3548 LUKE
3549 What do you mean? Where is it?
3550
3551 HAN
3552 Thats what I'm trying to tell you,
3553 kid. It ain't there. It's been totally
3554 blown away.
3555
3556 LUKE
3557 What? How?
3558
3559 Ben moves into the cockpit behind Luke as the ship begins to
3560 settle down.
3561
3562 BEN
3563 Destroyed... by the Empire!
3564
3565 HAN
3566 The entire starfleet couldn't destroy
3567 the whole planet. It'd take a thousand
3568 ships with more fire power than
3569 I've...
3570
3571 A signal starts flashing on the control panel and a muffled
3572 alarm starts humming.
3573
3574 HAN
3575 There's another ship coming in.
3576
3577 LUKE
3578 Maybe they know what happened.
3579
3580 BEN
3581 It's an Imperial fighter.
3582
3583 Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts outside
3584 the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently. A tiny, finned
3585 Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit window.
3586
3587 LUKE
3588 It followed us!
3589
3590 BEN
3591 No. It's a short range fighter.
3592
3593 HAN
3594 There aren't any bases around here.
3595 Where did it come from?
3596
3597 EXT. SPACE
3598
3599 The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.
3600
3601 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3602
3603 LUKE
3604 It sure is leaving in a big hurry.
3605 If they identify us, we're in big
3606 trouble.
3607
3608 HAN
3609 Not if I can help it. Chewie...jam
3610 it's transmissions.
3611
3612 BEN
3613 It'd be as well to let it go. It's
3614 too far out of range.
3615
3616 HAN
3617 Not for long...
3618
3619 EXT. SPACE
3620
3621 The pirateship zooms over the camera and away into the
3622 vastness of space after the Imperial TIE fighter.
3623
3624 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3625
3626 The tension mounts as the pirateship gains on the tiny
3627 fighter. In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter
3628 until it is obvious that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben
3629 stands behind Chewbacca.
3630
3631 BEN
3632 A fighter that size couldn't get
3633 this deep into space on its own.
3634
3635 LUKE
3636 It must have gotten lost, been part
3637 of a convoy or something.
3638
3639 HAN
3640 Well, he ain't going to be around
3641 long enough to tell anyone about us.
3642
3643 EXT. SPACE
3644
3645 The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger pirateship as
3646 they race toward camera and disappear over head.
3647
3648 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
3649
3650 The distant star can be distinguished as a small moon or
3651 planet.
3652
3653 LUKE
3654 Look at him. He's headed for that
3655 small moon.
3656
3657 HAN
3658 I think I can get him before he gets
3659 there... he's almost in range.
3660
3661 The small moon begins to take on the appearance of a monstrous
3662 spherical battle station.
3663
3664 BEN
3665 That's no moon! It's a space station.
3666
3667 HAN
3668 It's too big to be a space station.
3669
3670 LUKE
3671 I have a very bad feeling about this.
3672
3673 HAN
3674 Yeah, I think your right. Full
3675 reverse! Chewie, lock in the auxiliary
3676 power.
3677
3678 The pirateship shudders and the TIE fighter accelerates away
3679 toward the gargantuan battle station.
3680
3681 LUKE
3682 Why are we still moving towards it?
3683
3684 HAN
3685 We're caught in a tractor beam! It's
3686 pulling us in!
3687
3688 LUKE
3689 But there's gotta be something you
3690 can do!
3691
3692 HAN
3693 There's nothin' I can do about it,
3694 kid. I'm in full power. I'm going to
3695 have to shut down. But they're not
3696 going to get me without a fight!
3697
3698 Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.
3699
3700 BEN
3701 You can't win. But there are
3702 alternatives to fighting.
3703
3704 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - DEATH STAR
3705
3706 As the battered pirate starship is towed closer to the awesome
3707 metal moon, the immense size of the massive battle station
3708 becomes staggering. Running along the equator of the gigantic
3709 sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports into which
3710 the helpless pirateship is dragged.
3711
3712 EXT. DEATH STAR - HUGE PORT DOORS
3713
3714 The helpless Millennium Falcon is pulled past a docking port
3715 control room and huge laser turret cannons.
3716
3717 VOICE OVER DEATH STAR INTERCOM
3718
3719 Clear Bay twenty-three-seven. We are opening the magnetic
3720 field.
3721
3722 INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY 2037
3723
3724 The pirateship is pulled in through port doors of the Death
3725 Star, coming to rest in a huge hangar. Thirty stormtroopers
3726 stand at attention in a central assembly area.
3727
3728 OFFICER
3729 To you stations!
3730 (to another officer)
3731 Come with me.
3732
3733 INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
3734
3735 Stormtroopers run to their posts.
3736
3737 INT. DEATH STAR - HANGAR 2037
3738
3739 A line of stormtroopers march toward the pirateship in
3740 readiness to board it, while other troopers stand with weapons
3741 ready to fire.
3742
3743 OFFICER
3744 Close all outboard shields! Close
3745 all outboard shields!
3746
3747 INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
3748
3749 Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz.
3750
3751 TARKIN
3752 Yes.
3753
3754 VOICE
3755 (over intercom)
3756 We've captured a freighter entering
3757 the remains of the Alderaan system.
3758 It's markings match those of a ship
3759 that blasted its way out of Mos
3760 Eisley.
3761
3762 VADER
3763 They must be trying to return the
3764 stolen plans to the princess. She
3765 may yet be of some use to us.
3766
3767 INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY 2037
3768
3769 Vader and a commander approach the troops as an Officer and
3770 several heavily armed troops exit the spacecraft.
3771
3772 VOICE
3773 (over intercom)
3774 Unlock one-five-seven and nine.
3775 Release charges.
3776
3777 OFFICER
3778 (to Vader)
3779 There's no one on board, sir.
3780 According to the log, the crew
3781 abandoned ship right after takeoff.
3782 It must be a decoy, sir. Several of
3783 the escape pods have been jettisoned.
3784
3785 VADER
3786 Did you find any droids?
3787
3788 OFFICER
3789 No, sir. If there were any on board,
3790 they must also have jettisoned.
3791
3792 VADER
3793 Send a scanning crew on board. I
3794 want every part of this ship checked.
3795
3796 OFFICER
3797 Yes, sir.
3798
3799 VADER
3800 I sense something... a presence I
3801 haven't felt since...
3802
3803 Vader turns quickly and exits the hangar.
3804
3805 OFFICER
3806 Get me a scanning crew in here on
3807 the double. I want every part of
3808 this ship checked!
3809
3810 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HALLWAY
3811
3812 A trooper runs through the hallway heading for the exit. In
3813 a few moments all is quiet. The muffled sounds of a distant
3814 officer giving orders finally fade. Two floor panels suddenly
3815 pop up revealing Han Solo and Luke. Ben Kenobi sticks his
3816 head out of a third locker.
3817
3818 LUKE
3819 Boy, it's lucky you had these
3820 compartments.
3821
3822 HAN
3823 I use them for smuggling. I never
3824 thought I'd be smuggling myself in
3825 them. This is ridiculous. Even if I
3826 could take off, I'd never get past
3827 the tractor beam.
3828
3829 BEN
3830 Leave that to me!
3831
3832 HAN
3833 Damn fool. I knew that you were going
3834 to say that!
3835
3836 BEN
3837 Who's the more foolish... the fool
3838 or the fool who follows him?
3839
3840 Han shakes his head, muttering to himself. Chewbacca agrees.
3841
3842 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY
3843
3844 The crewmen carry a heavy box on board the ship, past the
3845 two stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp.
3846
3847 TROOPER
3848 The ship's all yours. If the scanners
3849 pick up anything, report it
3850 immediately. All right, let's go.
3851
3852 The crewmen enter the pirateship and a loud crashing sound
3853 is followed by a voice calling to the guard below.
3854
3855 HAN'S VOICE
3856 Hey down there, could you give us a
3857 hand with this?
3858
3859 The stormtroopers enter the ship and a quick round of gunfire
3860 is heard.
3861
3862 INT. DEATH STAR - FORWARD BAY - COMMAND OFFICE
3863
3864 In a very small command office near the entrance to the
3865 pirateship, a Gantry Officer looks out his window and notices
3866 the guards are missing. He speaks into the comlink.
3867
3868 GANTRY OFFICER
3869 TX-four-one-two. Why aren't you at
3870 your post? TX-four-one-two, do you
3871 copy?
3872
3873 A stormtrooper comes down the ramp of the pirateship and
3874 waves to the gantry officer, pointing to his ear indicating
3875 his comlink is not working. The gantry officer shakes his
3876 head in disgust and heads for the door, giving his aide an
3877 annoyed look.
3878
3879 GANTRY OFFICER
3880 Take over. We've got a bad
3881 transmitter. I'll see what I can do.
3882
3883 As the officer approaches the door, it slides open revealing
3884 the towering Chewbacca. The gantry officer, in a momentary
3885 state of shock, stumbles backward. With a bone- chilling
3886 howl, the giant Wookiee flattens the officer with one blow.
3887 The aide immediately reaches for his pistol, but is blasted
3888 by Han, dressed as an Imperial stormtrooper. Ben and the
3889 robots enter the room quickly followed by Luke, also dressed
3890 as a stormtrooper. Luke quickly removes his helmet.
3891
3892 LUKE
3893 You know, between his howling and
3894 your blasting everything in sight,
3895 it's a wonder the whole station
3896 doesn't know we're here.
3897
3898 HAN
3899 Bring them on! I prefer a straight
3900 fight to all this sneaking around.
3901
3902 THREEPIO
3903 We found the computer outlet, sir.
3904
3905 Ben feeds some information into the computer and a map of
3906 the city appears on the monitor. He begins to inspect it
3907 carefully. Threepio and Artoo look over the control panel.
3908 Artoo finds something that makes him whistle wildly.
3909
3910 BEN
3911 Plug in. He should be able to
3912 interpret the entire Imperial computer
3913 network.
3914
3915 Artoo punches his claw arm into the computer socket and the
3916 vast Imperial brain network comes to life, feeding information
3917 to the little robot. After a few moments, he beeps something.
3918
3919 THREEPIO
3920 He says he's found the main computer
3921 to power the tractor beam that's
3922 holding the ship here. He'll try to
3923 make the precise location appear on
3924 the monitor.
3925
3926 The computer monitor flashes readouts.
3927
3928 THREEPIO
3929 The tractor beam is coupled to the
3930 main reactor in seven locations. A
3931 power loss at one of the terminals
3932 will allow the ship to leave.
3933
3934 Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.
3935
3936 BEN
3937 I don't think you boys can help. I
3938 must go alone.
3939
3940 HAN
3941 Whatever you say. I've done more
3942 that I bargained for on this trip
3943 already.
3944
3945 LUKE
3946 I want to go with you.
3947
3948 BEN
3949 Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch
3950 over the droids.
3951
3952 LUKE
3953 But he can...
3954
3955 BEN
3956 They must be delivered safely or
3957 other star systems will suffer the
3958 same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny
3959 lies along a different path than
3960 mine. The Force will be with you...
3961 always!
3962
3963 Ben adjusts the lightsaber on his belt and silently steps
3964 out of the command office, then disappears down a long grey
3965 hallway. Chewbacca barks a comment and Han shakes his head
3966 in agreement.
3967
3968 HAN
3969 Boy you said it, Chewie.
3970
3971 Han looks at Luke.
3972
3973 HAN
3974 Where did you dig up that old fossil?
3975
3976 LUKE
3977 Ben is a great man.
3978
3979 HAN
3980 Yeah, great at getting us into
3981 trouble.
3982
3983 LUKE
3984 I didn't hear you give any ideas...
3985
3986 HAN
3987 Well, anything would be better than
3988 just hanging around waiting for him
3989 to pick us up...
3990
3991 LUKE
3992 Who do you think...
3993
3994 Suddenly Artoo begins to whistle and beep a blue streak.
3995 Luke goes over to him.
3996
3997 LUKE
3998 What is it?
3999
4000 THREEPIO
4001 I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.
4002 He says "I found her", and keeps
4003 repeating, "She's here."
4004
4005 LUKE
4006 Well, who... who has he found?
4007
4008 Artoo whistles a frantic reply.
4009
4010 THREEPIO
4011 Princess Leia.
4012
4013 LUKE
4014 The princess? She's here?
4015
4016 HAN
4017 Princess? What's going on?
4018
4019 THREEPIO
4020 Level five. Detention block A A-twenty-
4021 three. I'm afraid she's scheduled to
4022 be terminated.
4023
4024 LUKE
4025 Oh, no! We've got to do something.
4026
4027 HAN
4028 What are you talking about?
4029
4030 LUKE
4031 The droid belongs to her. She's the
4032 one in the message... We've got to
4033 help her.
4034
4035 HAN
4036 Now, look, don't get any funny ideas.
4037 The old man wants us to wait right
4038 here.
4039
4040 LUKE
4041 But he didn't know she was here.
4042 Look, will you just find a way back
4043 into the detention block?
4044
4045 HAN
4046 I'm not going anywhere.
4047
4048 LUKE
4049 They're going to execute her. Look,
4050 a few minutes ago you said you didn't
4051 want to just wait here to be captured.
4052 Now all you want to do is stay.
4053
4054 HAN
4055 Marching into the detention area is
4056 not what I had in mind.
4057
4058 LUKE
4059 But they're going to kill her!
4060
4061 HAN
4062 Better her than me...
4063
4064 LUKE
4065 She's rich.
4066
4067 Chewbacca growls.
4068
4069 HAN
4070 Rich?
4071
4072 LUKE
4073 Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if you
4074 were to rescue her, the reward would
4075 be...
4076
4077 HAN
4078 What?
4079
4080 LUKE
4081 Well more wealth that you can imagine.
4082
4083 HAN
4084 I don't know, I can imagine quite a
4085 bit!
4086
4087 LUKE
4088 You'll get it!
4089
4090 HAN
4091 I better!
4092
4093 LUKE
4094 You will...
4095
4096 HAN
4097 All right, kid. But you'd better be
4098 right about this.
4099
4100 Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.
4101
4102 LUKE
4103 All right.
4104
4105 HAN
4106 What's your plan?
4107
4108 LUKE
4109 Uh... Threepio, hand me those binders
4110 there will you?
4111
4112 Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.
4113
4114 LUKE
4115 Okay. Now, I'm going to put these on
4116 you.
4117
4118 Chewie lets out a hideous growl.
4119
4120 LUKE
4121 Okay. Han, you put these on.
4122
4123 Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.
4124
4125 HAN
4126 Don't worry, Chewie. I think I know
4127 what he has in mind.
4128
4129 The Wookiee has a worried and frightened look on his face as
4130 Han binds him with the electronic cuffs.
4131
4132 THREEPIO
4133 Master Luke, sir! Pardon me for
4134 asking... but, ah... what should
4135 Artoo and I do if we're discovered
4136 here?
4137
4138 LUKE
4139 Lock the door!
4140
4141 HAN
4142 And hope they don't have blasters.
4143
4144 THREEPIO
4145 That isn't very reassuring.
4146
4147 Luke and Han put on their armored stormtrooper helmets and
4148 start off into the giant Imperial Death Star.
4149
4150 INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - ELEVATOR TUBE
4151
4152 Han and Luke try to look inconspicuous in their armored suits
4153 as they wait for a vacuum elevator to arrive. Troops,
4154 bureaucrats, and robots bustle about, ignoring the trio
4155 completely. Only a few give the giant Wookiee a curious
4156 glance.
4157
4158 Finally a small elevator arrives and the trio enters.
4159
4160 LUKE
4161 I can't see a thing in this helmet.
4162
4163 A bureaucrat races to get aboard also, but is signaled away
4164 by Han. The door to the pod-like vehicle slides closed and
4165 the elevator car takes off through a vacuum tube.
4166
4167 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN HALLWAY
4168
4169 Several Imperial officers walk through the wide main
4170 passageway. They pass several stormtroopers and a robot
4171 similar to Threepio but with an insect face. At the far end
4172 of the hallway, a passing flash of Ben Kenobi appears, then
4173 disappears down a small hallway. His appearance is so fleeting
4174 that it is hard to tell if he is real or just an illusion.
4175 No one in the hallway seems to notice him.
4176
4177 INT. DEATH STAR - INTERIOR ELEVATOR - DETENTION SECURITY
4178 AREA
4179
4180 Luke and Han step forward to exit the elevator, but the door
4181 slides open behind them. The giant Wookiee and his two guards
4182 enter the old grey security station. Guards and laser gates
4183 are everywhere. Han whispers to Luke under his breath.
4184
4185 HAN
4186 This is not going to work.
4187
4188 LUKE
4189 Why didn't you say so before?
4190
4191 HAN
4192 I did say so before!
4193
4194 INT. DETENTION AREA
4195
4196 Elevator doors open. A tall, grim looking Officer approaches
4197 the trio.
4198
4199 OFFICER
4200 Where are you taking this... thing?
4201
4202 Chewie growls a bit at the remark but Han nudges him to shut
4203 up.
4204
4205 LUKE
4206 Prisoner transfer from Block one-one-
4207 three-eight.
4208
4209 OFFICER
4210 I wasn't notified. I'll have to clear
4211 it.
4212
4213 The officer goes back to his console and begins to punch in
4214 the information. There are only three other troopers in the
4215 area. Luke and Han survey the situation, checking all of the
4216 alarms, laser gates, and camera eyes. Han unfastens one of
4217 Chewbacca's electronic cuffs and shrugs to Luke.
4218
4219 Suddenly Chewbacca throws up his hands and lets out with one
4220 of his ear-piercing howls. He grabs Han's laser rifle.
4221
4222 HAN
4223 Look out! He's loose!
4224
4225 LUKE
4226 He's going to pull us all apart.
4227
4228 HAN
4229 Go get him!
4230
4231 The startled guards are momentarily dumbfounded. Luke and
4232 Han have already pulled out their laser pistols and are
4233 blasting away at the terrifying Wookiee. Their barrage of
4234 laserfire misses Chewbacca, but hits the camera eyes, laser
4235 gate controls, and the Imperial guards. The officer is the
4236 last of the guards to fall under the laserfire just as he is
4237 about to push the alarm system. Han rushes to the comlink
4238 system, which is screeching questions about what is going
4239 on. He quickly checks the computer readout.
4240
4241 HAN
4242 We've got to find out which cell
4243 this princess of yours is in. Here
4244 it is... cell twenty-one-eight-seven.
4245 You go get her. I'll hold them here.
4246
4247 Luke races down one of the cell corridors. Han speaks into
4248 the buzzing comlink.
4249
4250 HAN
4251 (sounding official)
4252 Everything is under control. Situation
4253 normal.
4254
4255 INTERCOM VOICE
4256 What happened?
4257
4258 HAN
4259 (getting nervous)
4260 Uh... had a slight weapons
4261 malfunction. But, uh, everything's
4262 perfectly all right now. We're fine.
4263 We're all fine here, now, thank you.
4264 How are you?
4265
4266 INTERCOM VOICE
4267 We're sending a squad up.
4268
4269 HAN
4270 Uh, uh, negative. We had a reactor
4271 leak here now. Give us a few minutes
4272 to lock it down. Large leak... very
4273 dangerous.
4274
4275 INTERCOM VOICE
4276 Who is this? What's your operating
4277 number?
4278
4279 Han blasts the comlink and it explodes.
4280
4281 HAN
4282 Boring conversation anyway.
4283 (yelling down the
4284 hall)
4285 Luke! We're going to have company!
4286
4287 INT. DEATH STAR - CELL ROW
4288
4289 Luke stops in front of one of the cells and blasts the door
4290 away with a laser pistol. When the smoke clears, Luke sees
4291 the dazzling young princess-senator. She had been sleeping
4292 and is now looking at him with an uncomprehending look on
4293 her face. Luke is stunned by her incredible beauty and stands
4294 staring at her with his mouth hanging open.
4295
4296 LEIA
4297 (finally)
4298 Aren't you a little short to be a
4299 stormtrooper?
4300
4301 Luke takes off his helmet, coming out of it.
4302
4303 LUKE
4304 What? Oh... the uniform. I'm Luke
4305 Skywalker. I'm here to rescue you.
4306
4307 LEIA
4308 You're who?
4309
4310 LUKE
4311 I'm here to rescue you. I've got
4312 your R2 unit. I'm here with Ben
4313 Kenobi.
4314
4315 LEIA
4316 Ben Kenobi is here! Where is he?
4317
4318 LUKE
4319 Come on!
4320
4321 INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
4322
4323 Darth Vader paces the room as Governor Tarkin sits at the
4324 far end of the conference table.
4325
4326 VADER
4327 He is here...
4328
4329 TARKIN
4330 Obi-Wan Kenobi! What makes you think
4331 so?
4332
4333 VADER
4334 A tremor in the Force. The last time
4335 I felt it was in the presence of my
4336 old master.
4337
4338 TARKIN
4339 Surely he must be dead by now.
4340
4341 VADER
4342 Don't underestimate the power of the
4343 Force.
4344
4345 TARKIN
4346 The Jedi are extinct, their fire has
4347 gone out of the universe. You, my
4348 friend, are all that's left of their
4349 religion.
4350
4351 There is a quiet buzz on the comlink.
4352
4353 TARKIN
4354 Yes.
4355
4356 INTERCOM VOICE
4357 Governor Tarkin, we have an emergency
4358 alert in detention block A A-twenty-
4359 three.
4360
4361 TARKIN
4362 The princess! Put all sections on
4363 alert!
4364
4365 VADER
4366 Obi-Wan is here. The Force is with
4367 him.
4368
4369 TARKIN
4370 If you're right, he must not be
4371 allowed to escape.
4372
4373 VADER
4374 Escape is not his plan. I must face
4375 him alone.
4376
4377 INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - HALLWAY
4378
4379 An ominous buzzing sound is heard on the other side of the
4380 elevator door.
4381
4382 HAN
4383 Chewie!
4384
4385 Chewbacca responds with a growling noise.
4386
4387 HAN
4388 Get behind me! Get behind me!
4389
4390 A series of explosions knock a hole in the elevator door
4391 through which several Imperial troops begin to emerge.
4392
4393 Han and Chewie fire laser pistols at them through the smoke
4394 and flame. They turn and run down the cell hallway, meeting
4395 up with Luke and Leia rushing toward them.
4396
4397 HAN
4398 Can't get out that way.
4399
4400 LEIA
4401 Looks like you managed to cut off
4402 our only escape route.
4403
4404 HAN
4405 (sarcastically)
4406 Maybe you'd like it back in your
4407 cell, Your Highness.
4408
4409 Luke takes a small comlink transmitter from his belt as they
4410 continue to exchange fire with stormtroopers making their
4411 way down the corridor.
4412
4413 LUKE
4414 See-Threepio! See-Threepio!
4415
4416 THREEPIO
4417 (over comlink)
4418 Yes sir?
4419
4420 LUKE
4421 We've been cut off! Are there any
4422 other ways out of the cell bay?...
4423 What was that? I didn't copy!
4424
4425 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN BAY GANTRY - CONTROL TOWER
4426
4427 Threepio paces the control center as little Artoo beeps and
4428 whistles a blue streak. Threepio yells into the small comlink
4429 transmitter.
4430
4431 THREEPIO
4432 I said, all systems have been alerted
4433 to your presence, sir. The main
4434 entrance seems to be the only way in
4435 or out; all other information on
4436 your level is restricted.
4437
4438 Someone begins banging on the door.
4439
4440 TROOPER VOICE
4441 Open up in there!
4442
4443 THREEPIO
4444 Oh, no!
4445
4446 INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION CORRIDOR
4447
4448 Luke and Leia crouch together in an alcove for protection as
4449 they continue to exchange fire with troops. Han and Chewbacca
4450 are barely able to keep the stormtroopers at bay at the far
4451 and of the hallway. The laserfire is very intense, and smoke
4452 fills the narrow cell corridor.
4453
4454 LUKE
4455 There isn't any other way out.
4456
4457 HAN
4458 I can't hold them off forever! Now
4459 what?
4460
4461 LEIA
4462 This is some rescue. When you came
4463 in here, didn't you have a plan for
4464 getting out?
4465
4466 HAN
4467 (pointing to Luke)
4468 He's the brains, sweetheart.
4469
4470 Luke manages a sheepish grin and shrugs his shoulders.
4471
4472 LUKE
4473 Well, I didn't...
4474
4475 The princess grabs Luke's gun and fires at a small grate in
4476 the wall next to Han, almost frying him.
4477
4478 HAN
4479 What the hell are you doing?
4480
4481 LEIA
4482 Somebody has to save our skins. Into
4483 the garbage chute, wise guy.
4484
4485 She jumps through the narrow opening as Han and Chewbacca
4486 look on in amazement. Chewbacca sniffs the garbage chute and
4487 says something.
4488
4489 HAN
4490 Get in there you big furry oaf! I
4491 don't care what you smell! Get in
4492 there and don't worry about it.
4493
4494 Han gives him a kick and the Wookiee disappears into the
4495 tiny opening. Luke and Han continue firing as they work their
4496 way toward the opening.
4497
4498 HAN
4499 Wonderful girl! Either I'm going to
4500 kill her or I'm beginning to like
4501 her. Get in there!
4502
4503 Luke ducks laserfire as he jumps into the darkness. Han fires
4504 off a couple of quick blasts creating a smokey cover, then
4505 slides into the chute himself and is gone.
4506
4507 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4508
4509 Han tumbles into the large room filled with garbage and muck.
4510 Luke is already stumbling around looking for an exit. He
4511 finds a small hatchway and struggles to get it open. It won't
4512 budge.
4513
4514 HAN
4515 (sarcastically)
4516 Oh! The garbage chute was a really
4517 wonderful idea. What an incredible
4518 smell you've discovered! Let's get
4519 out of here! Get away from there...
4520
4521 LUKE
4522 No! wait!
4523
4524 Han draws his laser pistol and fires at the hatch. The
4525 laserbolt ricochets wildly around the small metal room.
4526 Everyone dives for cover in the garbage as the bolt explodes
4527 almost on top of them. Leia climbs out of the garbage with a
4528 rather grim look on her face.
4529
4530 LUKE
4531 Will you forget it? I already tried
4532 it. It's magnetically sealed!
4533
4534 LEIA
4535 Put that thing away! You're going to
4536 get us all killed.
4537
4538 HAN
4539 Absolutely, Your Worship. Look, I
4540 had everything under control until
4541 you led us down here. You know, it's
4542 not going to take them long to figure
4543 out what happened to us.
4544
4545 LEIA
4546 It could be worse...
4547
4548 A loud, horrible, inhuman moan works its way up from the
4549 murky depths. Chewbacca lets out a terrified howl and begins
4550 to back away. Han and Luke stand fast with their laser pistols
4551 drawn. The Wookiee is cowering near one of the walls.
4552
4553 HAN
4554 It's worse.
4555
4556 LUKE
4557 There's something alive in here!
4558
4559 HAN
4560 That's your imagination.
4561
4562 LUKE
4563 Something just moves past my leg!
4564 Look! Did you see that?
4565
4566 HAN
4567 What?
4568
4569 LUKE
4570 Help!
4571
4572 Suddenly Luke is yanked under the garbage.
4573
4574 HAN
4575 Luke! Luke! Luke!
4576
4577 Solo tries to get to Luke. Luke surfaces with a gasp of air
4578 and thrashing of limbs. A membrane tentacle is wrapped around
4579 his throat.
4580
4581 LEIA
4582 Luke!
4583
4584 Leia extends a long pipe toward him.
4585
4586 LEIA
4587 Luke, Luke, grab a hold of this.
4588
4589 LUKE
4590 Blast it, will you! My gun's jammed.
4591
4592 HAN
4593 Where?
4594
4595 LUKE
4596 Anywhere! Oh!!
4597
4598 Solo fires his gun downward. Luke is pulled back into the
4599 muck by the slimy tentacle.
4600
4601 HAN
4602 Luke! Luke!
4603
4604 Suddenly the walls of the garbage receptacle shudder and
4605 move in a couple of inches. Then everything is deathly quiet.
4606 Han and Leia give each other a worried look as Chewbacca
4607 howls in the corner. With a rush of bubbles and muck Luke
4608 suddenly bobs to the surface.
4609
4610 LEIA
4611 Grab him!
4612
4613 Luke seems to be released by the thing.
4614
4615 LEIA
4616 What happened?
4617
4618 LUKE
4619 I don't know, it just let go of me
4620 and disappeared...
4621
4622 HAN
4623 I've got a very bad feeling about
4624 this.
4625
4626 Before anyone can say anything the walls begin to rumble and
4627 edge toward the Rebels.
4628
4629 LUKE
4630 The walls are moving!
4631
4632 LEIA
4633 Don't just stand there. Try to brace
4634 it with something.
4635
4636 They place poles and long metal beams between the closing
4637 walls, but they are simply snapped and bent as the giant
4638 trashmasher rumbles on. The situation doesn't look too good.
4639
4640 LUKE
4641 Wait a minute!
4642
4643 Luke pulls out his comlink.
4644
4645 LUKE
4646 Threepio! Come in Threepio! Threepio!
4647 Where could he be?
4648
4649 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN GANTRY - COMMAND OFFICE
4650
4651 A soft buzzer and the muted voice of Luke calling out for
4652 See-Threepio can be heard on Threepio's hand comlink, which
4653 is sitting on the deserted computer console. Artoo and
4654 Threepio are nowhere in sight. Suddenly there is a great
4655 explosion and the door of the control tower flies across the
4656 floor. Four armed stormtroopers enter the chamber.
4657
4658 FIRST TROOPER
4659 Take over!
4660 (pointing to the dead
4661 officer)
4662 See to him! Look there!
4663
4664 A trooper pushes a button and the supply cabinet door slides
4665 open. See-Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are inside. Artoo follows
4666 his bronze companion out into the office.
4667
4668 THREEPIO
4669 They're madmen! They're heading for
4670 the prison level. If you hurry, you
4671 might catch them.
4672
4673 FIRST OFFICER
4674 (to his troops)
4675 Follow me! You stand guard.
4676
4677 The troops hustle off down the hallway, leaving a guard to
4678 watch over the command office.
4679
4680 THREEPIO
4681 (to Artoo)
4682 Come on!
4683
4684 The guard aims a blaster at them.
4685
4686 THREEPIO
4687 Oh! All this excitement has overrun
4688 the circuits of my counterpart here.
4689 If you don't mind, I'd like to take
4690 him down to maintenance.
4691
4692 TROOPER
4693 All right.
4694
4695 The guard nods and Threepio, with little Artoo in tow, hurries
4696 out the door.
4697
4698 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4699
4700 As the walls rumble closed, the room gets smaller and smaller.
4701 Chewie is whining and trying to hold a wall back with his
4702 giant paws.
4703
4704 Han is leaning back against the other wall. Garbage is
4705 snapping and popping. Luke is trying to reach Threepio.
4706
4707 LUKE
4708 Threepio! Come in, Threepio! Threepio!
4709
4710 Han and Leia try to brace the contracting walls with a pole.
4711 Leia begins to sink into the trash.
4712
4713 HAN
4714 Get to the top!
4715
4716 LEIA
4717 I can't
4718
4719 LUKE
4720 Where could he be? Threepio! Threepio,
4721 will you come in?
4722
4723 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4724
4725 THREEPIO
4726 They aren't here! Something must
4727 have happened to them. See if they've
4728 been captured.
4729
4730 Little Artoo carefully plugs his claw arm into a new wall
4731 socket and a complex array of electronic sounds spew from
4732 the tiny robot.
4733
4734 THREEPIO
4735 Hurry!
4736
4737 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4738
4739 The walls are only feet apart. Leia and Han are braced against
4740 the walls. The princess is frightened. They look at each
4741 other. Leia reaches out and takes Han's hand and she holds
4742 it tightly. She's terrified and suddenly groans as she feels
4743 the first crushing pressure against her body.
4744
4745 HAN
4746 One thing's for sure. We're all going
4747 to be a lot thinner!
4748 (to Leia)
4749 Get on top of it!
4750
4751 LEIA
4752 I'm trying!
4753
4754 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4755
4756 THREEPIO
4757 (to Artoo)
4758 Thank goodness, they haven't found
4759 them! Where could they be?
4760
4761 Artoo frantically beeps something to See-Threepio.
4762
4763 THREEPIO
4764 Use the comlink? Oh, my! I forgot I
4765 turned it off!
4766
4767 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4768
4769 Meanwhile, Luke is lying on his side, trying to keep his
4770 head above the rising ooze. Luke's comlink begins to buzz
4771 and he rips it off his belt.
4772
4773 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4774
4775 Muffled sounds of Luke's voice over the comlink can be heard,
4776 but not distinctly.
4777
4778 THREEPIO
4779 Are you there, sir?
4780
4781 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4782
4783 LUKE
4784 Threepio!
4785
4786 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4787
4788 THREEPIO
4789 We've had some problems...
4790
4791 LUKE
4792 (over comlink)
4793 Will you shut up and listen to me?
4794 Shut down all garbage mashers on the
4795 detention level, will you? Do you
4796 copy?
4797
4798 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4799
4800 LUKE
4801 Shut down all the garbage mashers on
4802 the detention level.
4803
4804 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4805
4806 LUKE
4807 (over comlink)
4808 Shut down all the garbage mashers on
4809 the detention level.
4810
4811 THREEPIO
4812 (to Artoo)
4813 No. Shut them all down! Hurry!
4814
4815 Threepio holds his head in agony as he hears the incredible
4816 screaming and hollering from Luke's comlink.
4817
4818 THREEPIO
4819 Listen to them! They're dying, Artoo!
4820 Curse my metal body! I wasn't fast
4821 enough. It's all my fault! My poor
4822 master!
4823
4824 LUKE
4825 (over comlink)
4826 Threepio, we're all right!
4827
4828 INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
4829
4830 The screaming and hollering is the sound of joyous relief.
4831 The walls have stopped moving. Han, Chewie and Leia embrace
4832 in the background.
4833
4834 LUKE
4835 We're all right. You did great.
4836
4837 Luke moves to the pressure sensitive hatch, looking for a
4838 number.
4839
4840 LUKE
4841 Hey... hey, open the pressure
4842 maintenance hatch on unit number...
4843 where are we?
4844
4845 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
4846
4847 HAN
4848 (over comlink)
4849 Three-two-six-eight-two-seven.
4850
4851 INT. DEATH STAR - TRACTOR BEAM - POWER GENERATOR TRENCH
4852
4853 Ben enters a humming service trench that powers the huge
4854 tractor beam. The trench seems to be a hundred miles deep.
4855 The clacking sound of huge switching devices can be heard.
4856 The old Jedi edges his his way along a narrow ledge leading
4857 to a control panel that connects two large cables. He
4858 carefully makes several adjustments in the computer terminal,
4859 and several lights on the board go from red to blue.
4860
4861 INT. DEATH STAR - UNUSED HALLWAY
4862
4863 The group exits the garbage room into a dusty, unused hallway.
4864 Han and Luke remove the trooper suits and strap on the blaster
4865 belts.
4866
4867 HAN
4868 If we can just avoid any more female
4869 advice, we ought to be able to get
4870 out of here.
4871
4872 Luke smiles and scratches his head as he takes a blaster
4873 from Solo.
4874
4875 LUKE
4876 Well, let's get moving!
4877
4878 Chewie begins growling and points to the hatch to the garbage
4879 room, as he runs away and then stops howling.
4880
4881 HAN
4882 (to Chewie)
4883 Where are you going?
4884
4885 The Dia Nogu bangs against the hatch and a long, slimy
4886 tentacle works its way out of the doorway searching for a
4887 victim. Han aims his pistol.
4888
4889 LEIA
4890 No, wait. They'll hear!
4891
4892 Han fires at the doorway. The noise of the blast echoes
4893 relentlessly throughout the empty passageway. Luke simply
4894 shakes his head in disgust.
4895
4896 HAN
4897 (to Chewie)
4898 Come here, you big coward!
4899
4900 Chewie shakes his head "no."
4901
4902 HAN
4903 Chewie! Come here!
4904
4905 LEIA
4906 Listen. I don't know who you are, or
4907 where you came from, but from now
4908 on, you do as I tell you. Okay?
4909
4910 Han is stunned at the command of the petite young girl.
4911
4912 HAN
4913 Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get
4914 one thing straight! I take orders
4915 from one person! Me!
4916
4917 LEIA
4918 It's a wonder you're still alive.
4919 (looking at Chewie)
4920 Will somebody get this big walking
4921 carpet out of my way?
4922
4923 Han watches her start away. He looks at Luke.
4924
4925 HAN
4926 No reward is worth this.
4927
4928 They follow her, moving swiftly down the deserted corridor.
4929
4930 INT. DEATH STAR - POWER TRENCH
4931
4932 Suddenly a door behind Ben slides open and a detachment of
4933 stormtroopers marches to the power trench. Ben instantly
4934 slips into the shadows as an Officer moves to within a few
4935 feet of him.
4936
4937 OFFICER
4938 Secure this area until the alert is
4939 canceled.
4940
4941 FIRST TROOPER
4942 Give me regular reports.
4943
4944 All but two of the stormtroopers leave.
4945
4946 FIRST TROOPER
4947 Do you know what's going on?
4948
4949 SECOND TROOPER
4950 Maybe it's another drill.
4951
4952 Ben moves around the tractor beam, watching the stormtroopers
4953 as they turn their backs to him. Ben gestures with his hand
4954 toward them, as the troops think they hear something in the
4955 other hallway. With the help of the Force, Ben deftly slips
4956 past the troopers and into the main hallway.
4957
4958 SECOND TROOPER
4959 What was that?
4960
4961 FIRST TROOPER
4962 Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about
4963 it.
4964
4965 INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
4966
4967 Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and Leia run down an empty hallway and
4968 stop before a bay window overlooking the pirateship. Troopers
4969 are milling about the ship. Luke takes out his pocket comlink.
4970
4971 HAN
4972 (looking at his ship)
4973 There she is.
4974
4975 LUKE
4976 See-Threepio, do you copy?
4977
4978 THREEPIO
4979 (voice)
4980 For the moment. Uh, we're in the
4981 main hangar across from the ship.
4982
4983 LUKE
4984 We're right above you. Stand by.
4985
4986 Han is watching the dozen or so troops moving in and out of
4987 the pirateship. Leia moves towards Han, touches his arm and
4988 points out the window to the ship.
4989
4990 LEIA
4991 You came in that thing? You're braver
4992 that I thought.
4993
4994 HAN
4995 Nice! Come on!
4996
4997 Han gives her a dirty look, and they start off down the
4998 hallway. They round a corner and run right into twenty
4999 Imperial stormtroopers heading toward them. Both groups are
5000 taken by surprise and stop in their tracks.
5001
5002 FIRST TROOPER
5003 It's them! Blast them!
5004
5005 Before even thinking, Han draws his laser pistol and charges
5006 the troops, firing. His blaster knocks one of the
5007 stormtroopers into the air. Chewie follows his captain down
5008 the corridor, stepping over the fallen trooper on the floor.
5009
5010 HAN
5011 (to Luke and Leia)
5012 Get back to the ship!
5013
5014 LUKE
5015 Where are you going? Come back!
5016
5017 Han has already rounded a corner and does not hear.
5018
5019 LEIA
5020 He certainly has courage.
5021
5022 LUKE
5023 What good will it do us if he gets
5024 himself killed? Come on!
5025
5026 Luke is furious but doesn't have time to think about it for
5027 muted alarms begin to go off down on the hangar deck. Luke
5028 and Leia start off toward the starship hangar.
5029
5030 INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY
5031
5032 Han chases the stormtroopers down a long subhallway. He is
5033 yelling and brandishing his laser pistol. The troops reach a
5034 dead end and are forced to turn and fight. Han stops a few
5035 feet from them and assumes a defensive position. The troops
5036 begin to raise their laser guns. Soon all ten troopers are
5037 moving into an attack position in front of the lone
5038 starpirate. Han's determined look begins to fade as the troops
5039 begin to advance. Solo jumps backward as they fire at him.
5040
5041 INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY
5042
5043 Chewbacca runs down the subhallway in a last-ditch attempt
5044 to save his bold captain. Suddenly he hears the firing of
5045 laser guns and yelling. Around the corner shoots Han, pirate
5046 extraordinaire, running for his life, followed by a host of
5047 furious stormtroopers. Chewbacca turns and starts running
5048 the other way also.
5049
5050 INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY
5051
5052 Luke fires his laser pistol wildly as he and Leia rush down
5053 a narrow subhallway, chased by several stormtroopers. They
5054 quickly reach the end of the subhallway and race through an
5055 open hatchway.
5056
5057 INT. DEATH STAR - CENTRAL CORE SHAFT
5058
5059 Luke and Leia race through the hatch onto a narrow bridge
5060 that spans a huge, deep shaft that seems to go into infinity.
5061 The bridge has been retracted into the wall of the shaft,
5062 and Luke almost rushes into the abyss. He loses his balance
5063 off the end of the bridge as Leia, behind him, takes hold of
5064 his arm and pulls him back.
5065
5066 LUKE
5067 (gasping)
5068 I think we took a wrong turn.
5069
5070 Blasts from the stormtroopers' laser guns explode nearby
5071 reminding them of the oncoming danger. Luke fires back at
5072 the advancing troops. Leia reaches over and hits a switch
5073 that pops the hatch door shut with a resounding boom, leaving
5074 them precariously perched on a short piece of bridge overhang.
5075 Laserfire from the troopers continues to hit the steel door.
5076
5077 LEIA
5078 There's no lock!
5079
5080 Luke blasts the controls with his laser pistol.
5081
5082 LUKE
5083 That oughta hold it for a while.
5084
5085 LEIA
5086 Quick, we've got to get across. Find
5087 the control that extends the bridge.
5088
5089 LUKE
5090 Oh, I think I just blasted it.
5091
5092 Luke looks at the blasted bridge control while the
5093 stormtroopers on the opposite side of the door begin making
5094 ominous drilling and pounding sounds.
5095
5096 LEIA
5097 They're coming through!
5098
5099 Luke notices something on his stormtrooper belt, when
5100 laserfire hits the wall behind him. Luke aims his laser pistol
5101 at a stormtrooper perched on a higher bridge overhang across
5102 the abyss from them. They exchange fire. Two more troops
5103 appear on another overhang, also firing. A trooper is hit,
5104 and grabs at his chest.
5105
5106 Another trooper standing on the bridge overhang is hit by
5107 Luke's laserfire, and plummets down the shaft. Troopers move
5108 back off the bridge; Luke hands the gun to Leia.
5109
5110 LUKE
5111 Here, hold this.
5112
5113 Luke pulls a thin nylon cable from his trooper utility belt.
5114 It has a grappler hook on it. A trooper appears on a bridge
5115 overhang and fires at Luke and Leia. As Luke works with the
5116 rope, Leia returns the laser volley. Another trooper appears
5117 and fires at them, as Leia returns his fire as well.
5118 Suddenly, the hatch door begins to open, revealing the feet
5119 of more troops.
5120
5121 LEIA
5122 Here they come!
5123
5124 Leia hits one of the stormtroopers on the bridge above, and
5125 he falls into the abyss. Luke tosses the rope across the
5126 gorge and it wraps itself around an outcropping of pipes. He
5127 tugs on the rope to make sure it is secure, then grabs the
5128 princess in his arms. Leia looks at Luke, then kisses him
5129 quickly on the lips. Luke is very surprised.
5130
5131 LEIA
5132 For luck!
5133
5134 Luke pushes off and they swing across the treacherous abyss
5135 to the corresponding hatchway on the opposite side. Just as
5136 Luke and Leia reach the far side of the canyon, the
5137 stormtroopers break through the hatch and begin to fire at
5138 the escaping duo. Luke returns the fire before ducking into
5139 the tiny subhallway.
5140
5141 INT. DEATH STAR - NARROW PASSAGEWAY
5142
5143 Ben hides in the shadows of the narrow passageway as several
5144 stormtroopers rush past him in the main hallway. He checks
5145 to make sure they're gone, then runs down the hallway in the
5146 opposite direction. Darth Vader appears at the far end of
5147 the hallway and starts after the old Jedi.
5148
5149 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY
5150
5151 Threepio looks around at the troops milling about the
5152 pirateship entry ramp.
5153
5154 THREEPIO
5155 Where could they be?
5156
5157 Artoo, plugged into the computer socket, turns his dome left
5158 and right, beeping a response.
5159
5160 INT. DEATH STAR - CORRIDOR - BLAST SHIELDS DOOR
5161
5162 Han and Chewbacca run down a long corridor with several
5163 troopers hot on their trail.
5164
5165 TROOPER
5166 Close the blast doors!
5167
5168 At the end of the hallway, blast doors begin to close in
5169 front of them. The young starpilot and his furry companion
5170 race past the huge doors just as they are closing, and manage
5171 to get off a couple off laserblasts at the pursuing troops
5172 before the doors slam shut.
5173
5174 TROOPER
5175 Open the blast doors! Open the blast
5176 doors!
5177
5178 INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY LEADING TO MAIN FORWARD BAY
5179
5180 Ben hurries along one of the tunnels leading to the hangar
5181 where the pirateship waits. Just before he reaches the hangar,
5182 Darth Vader steps into view at the end of the tunnel, not
5183 ten feet away. Vader lights his saber. Ben also ignites his
5184 and steps slowly forward.
5185
5186 VADER
5187 I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan.
5188 We meet again, at last. The circle
5189 is now complete.
5190
5191 Ben Kenobi moves with elegant ease into a classical offensive
5192 position. The fearsome Dark Knight takes a defensive stance.
5193
5194 VADER
5195 When I left you, I was but the
5196 learner; now I am the master.
5197
5198 BEN
5199 Only a master of evil, Darth.
5200
5201 The two Galactic warriors stand perfectly still for a few
5202 moments, sizing each other up and waiting for the right
5203 moment. Ben seems to be under increasing pressure and strain,
5204 as if an invisible weight were being placed upon him. He
5205 shakes his head and, blinking, tries to clear his eyes.
5206
5207 Ben makes a sudden lunge at the huge warrior but is checked
5208 by a lightning movement of The Sith. A masterful slash stroke
5209 by Vader is blocked by the old Jedi. Another of the Jedi's
5210 blows is blocked, then countered. Ben moves around the Dark
5211 Lord and starts backing into the massive starship hangar.
5212 The two powerful warriors stand motionless for a few moments
5213 with laser swords locked in mid-air, creating a low buzzing
5214 sound.
5215
5216 VADER
5217 Your powers are weak, old man.
5218
5219 BEN
5220 You can't win, Darth. If you strike
5221 me down, I shall become more powerful
5222 than you can possibly imagine.
5223
5224 Their lightsabers continue to meet in combat.
5225
5226 INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY
5227
5228 Han Solo and Chewbacca, their weapons in hand, lean back
5229 against the wall surveying the forward bay, watching the
5230 Imperial stormtroopers make their rounds of the hangar.
5231
5232 HAN
5233 Didn't we just leave this party?
5234
5235 Chewbacca growls a reply, as Luke and the princess join them.
5236
5237 HAN
5238 What kept you?
5239
5240 LEIA
5241 We ran into some old friends.
5242
5243 LUKE
5244 Is the ship all right?
5245
5246 HAN
5247 Seems okay, if we can get to it.
5248 Just hope the old man got the tractor
5249 beam out of commission.
5250
5251 INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
5252
5253 Vader and Ben Kenobi continue their powerful duel. As they
5254 hit their lightsabers together, lightning flashes on impact.
5255 Troopers look on in interest as the old Jedi and Dark Lord
5256 of The Sith fight. Suddenly Luke spots the battle from his
5257 group's vantage point.
5258
5259 LUKE
5260 Look!
5261
5262 Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie look up and see Ben and Vader
5263 emerging from the hallways on the far side of the docking
5264 bay.
5265
5266 INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY
5267
5268 Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are in the center of the Death Star's
5269 Imperial docking bay.
5270
5271 THREEPIO
5272 Come on, Artoo, we're going!
5273
5274 Threepio ducks out of sight as the seven stormtroopers who
5275 were guarding the starship rush past them heading towards
5276 Ben and The Sith Knight. He pulls on Artoo.
5277
5278 INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
5279
5280 Solo, Chewie, Luke, and Leia tensely watch the duel. The
5281 troops rush toward the battling knights.
5282
5283 HAN
5284 Now's our chance! Go!
5285
5286 They start for the Millennium Falcon. Ben sees the troops
5287 charging toward him and realizes that he is trapped. Vader
5288 takes advantage of Ben's momentary distraction and brings
5289 his mighty lightsaber down on the old man. Ben manages to
5290 deflect the blow and swiftly turns around.
5291
5292 The old Jedi Knight looks over his shoulder at Luke, lifts
5293 his sword from Vader's then watches his opponent with a serene
5294 look on his face.
5295
5296 Vader brings his sword down, cutting old Ben in half. Ben's
5297 cloak falls to the floor in two parts, but Ben is not in it.
5298 Vader is puzzled at Ben's disappearance and pokes at the
5299 empty cloak. As the guards are distracted, the adventurers
5300 and the robots reach the starship. Luke sees Ben cut in two
5301 and starts for him. Aghast, he yells out.
5302
5303 LUKE
5304 No!
5305
5306 The stormtroopers turn toward Luke and begin firing at him.
5307 The robots are already moving up the ramp into the Millennium
5308 Falcon, while Luke, transfixed by anger and awe, returns
5309 their fire. Solo joins in the laserfire. Vader looks up and
5310 advances toward them, as one of his troopers is struck down.
5311
5312 HAN
5313 (to Luke)
5314 Come on!
5315
5316 LEIA
5317 Come on! Luke, its too late!
5318
5319 HAN
5320 Blast the door! Kid!
5321
5322 Luke fires his pistol at the door control panel, and it
5323 explodes. The door begins to slide shut. Three troopers charge
5324 forward firing laser bolts, as the door slides to a close
5325 behind them, shutting Vader and the other troops out of the
5326 docking bay. A stormtrooper lies dead at the feet of his
5327 onrushing compatriots. Luke starts for the advancing troops,
5328 as Solo and Leia move up the ramp into the pirateship. He
5329 fires, hitting a stormtrooper, who crumbles to the floor.
5330
5331 BEN'S VOICE
5332 Run, Luke! Run!
5333
5334 Luke looks around to see where the voice came from. He turns
5335 toward the pirateship, ducking Imperial gunfire from the
5336 troopers and races into the ship.
5337
5338 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
5339
5340 Han pulls back on the controls and the ship begins to move.
5341 The dull thud of laser bolts bouncing off the outside of the
5342 ship as Chewie adjusts his controls.
5343
5344 HAN
5345 I hope the old man got that tractor
5346 beam out if commission, or this is
5347 going to be a real short trip. Okay,
5348 hit it!
5349
5350 Chewbacca growls in agreement.
5351
5352 EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
5353
5354 The Millennium Falcon powers away from the Death Star docking
5355 bay, makes a spectacular turn and disappears into the vastness
5356 of space.
5357
5358 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA
5359
5360 Luke, saddened by the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi, stares off
5361 blankly as the robots look on. Leia puts a blanket around
5362 him protectively, and Luke turns and looks up at her. She
5363 sits down beside him.
5364
5365 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
5366
5367 Solo spots approaching enemy ships.
5368
5369 HAN
5370 (to Chewie)
5371 We're coming up on the sentry ships.
5372 Hold 'em off! Angle the deflector
5373 shields while I charge up the main
5374 guns!
5375
5376 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA
5377
5378 Luke looks downward sadly, shaking his head back and forth,
5379 as the princess smiles comfortingly at him.
5380
5381 LUKE
5382 I can't believe he's gone.
5383
5384 Artoo-Detoo beeps a reply.
5385
5386 LEIA
5387 There wasn't anything you could have
5388 done.
5389
5390 Han rushes into the hold area where Luke is sitting with the
5391 princess.
5392
5393 HAN
5394 (to Luke)
5395 Come on, buddy, we're not out of
5396 this yet!
5397
5398 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT
5399
5400 Solo climbs into his attack position in the topside gunport.
5401
5402 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HOLD AREA
5403
5404 Luke gets up and moves out toward the gunports as Leia heads
5405 for the cockpit.
5406
5407 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT
5408
5409 Luke climbs down the ladder into the gunport cockpit, settling
5410 into one of the two main laser cannons mounted in large
5411 rotating turrets on either side of the ship.
5412
5413 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - SOLO'S GUNPORT
5414
5415 Han adjusts his headset as he sits before the controls of
5416 his laser cannon, then speaks into the attached microphone.
5417
5418 HAN
5419 (to Luke)
5420 You in, kid? Okay, stay sharp!
5421
5422 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT
5423
5424 Chewbacca and Princess Leia search the heavens for attacking
5425 TIE fighters. The Wookiee pulls back on the speed controls
5426 as the ship bounces slightly.
5427
5428 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - SOLO'S GUNPORT - COCKPIT
5429
5430 Computer graphic readouts form on Solo's target screen, as
5431 Han reaches for controls.
5432
5433 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT - COCKPIT
5434
5435 Luke sits in readiness for the attack, his hand on the laser
5436 cannon's control button.
5437
5438 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT.
5439
5440 Chewbacca spots the enemy ships and barks.
5441
5442 LEIA
5443 (into intercom)
5444 Here they come!
5445
5446 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - POV (POINT OF VIEW) -
5447 SPACE
5448
5449 The Imperial TIE fighters move towards the Millennium Falcon,
5450 one each veering off to the left and right of the pirateship.
5451
5452 INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT
5453
5454 The stars whip past behind the Imperial pilot as he adjusts
5455 his maneuvering joy stick.
5456
5457 EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - IN SPACE
5458
5459 The TIE fighter races past the Falcon, firing laser beams as
5460 it passes.
5461
5462 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HOLD AREA
5463
5464 Threepio is seated in the hold area, next to Artoo-Detoo.
5465 The pirateship bounces and vibrates as the power goes out in
5466 the room and then comes back on.
5467
5468 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - GUNPORTS
5469
5470 A TIE fighter maneuvers in front of Han, who follows it and
5471 fires at it with the laser cannon. Luke does likewise, as
5472 the fighter streaks into view. The ship has suffered a minor
5473 hit, and bounces slightly.
5474
5475 EXT. SPACE
5476
5477 Two TIE fighters dive down toward the pirateship.
5478
5479 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5480
5481 Luke fires at an unseen fighter.
5482
5483 LUKE
5484 They're coming in too fast!
5485
5486 EXT. SPACE - MILLENNIUM FALCON/TIE FIGHTERS
5487
5488 Pan with pirateship as two TIE fighters charge through the
5489 background. Laserbolts streak from all the craft.
5490
5491 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CHEWBACCA
5492
5493 The ship shudders as a laserbolt hits very close to the
5494 cockpit. The Wookiee chatters something to Leia.
5495
5496 EXT. TIE FIGHTER - SPACE
5497
5498 Full shot of a TIE fighter as it moves fast through the frame,
5499 firing on the pirate starship.
5500
5501 EXT. SPACE - TIE FIGHTERS
5502
5503 The two TIE fighters fire a barrage of laserbeams at the
5504 pirateship.
5505
5506 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - MAIN PASSAGEWAY
5507
5508 A laserbolt streaks into the side of the pirateship. The
5509 ship lurches violently, throwing poor Threepio into a cabinet
5510 fill of small computer chips.
5511
5512 THREEPIO
5513 Oooh!
5514
5515 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - GUNPORTS
5516
5517 Leia watches the computer readout as Chewbacca manipulates
5518 the ship's controls.
5519
5520 LEIA
5521 We've lost lateral controls.
5522
5523 HAN
5524 Don't worry, she'll hold together.
5525
5526 An enemy laserbolt hits the pirateship's control panel,
5527 causing it to blow out in a shower of sparks.
5528
5529 HAN
5530 (to ship)
5531 You hear me, baby? Hold together!
5532
5533 Artoo-Detoo advances toward the smoking sparking control
5534 panel, dousing the inferno by spraying it with fire retardant
5535 beeping all the while.
5536
5537 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT
5538
5539 Luke swivels in his gun mount, following the TIE fighter
5540 with his laser cannon.
5541
5542 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT
5543
5544 Solo aims his laser cannon at the enemy fighter.
5545
5546 EXT. SPACE
5547
5548 A TIE fighter streaks in front of the starship.
5549
5550 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
5551
5552 Leia watches the TIE fighter ship fly over.
5553
5554 EXT. SPACE
5555
5556 A TIE fighter heads right for the pirateship, then zooms
5557 overhead.
5558
5559 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5560
5561 Luke follows the TIE fighter across his field of view, firing
5562 laserbeams from his cannon.
5563
5564 EXT. TIE FIGHTER
5565
5566 A TIE fighter dives past the pirateship.
5567
5568 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5569
5570 Luke fires at a TIE fighter. At his port, Han follows a
5571 fighter in his sights, releasing a blast of laserfire. He
5572 connects, and the fighter explodes into fiery dust. Han laughs
5573 victoriously.
5574
5575 EXT. SPACE
5576
5577 Two TIE fighters move toward and over the Millennium Falcon,
5578 unleashing a barrage of laserbolts at the ship.
5579
5580 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5581
5582 Another TIE fighter moves in on the pirateship and Luke,
5583 smiling, fires the laser cannon at it, scoring a spectacular
5584 direct hit.
5585
5586 LUKE
5587 Got him! I got him!
5588
5589 Han turns and gives Luke a victory wave which Luke gleefully
5590 returns.
5591
5592 HAN
5593 Great kid! Don't get cocky.
5594
5595 Han turns back to his laser cannon.
5596
5597 EXT. SPACE
5598
5599 Two more TIE fighters cross in front of the pirateship.
5600
5601 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
5602
5603 While Chewbacca manipulates the controls, Leia turns, looking
5604 over her shoulder out the ports.
5605
5606 LEIA
5607 There are still two more of them out
5608 there!
5609
5610 EXT. SPACE
5611
5612 A TIE fighter moves up over the pirateship, firing laserblasts
5613 at it.
5614
5615 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5616
5617 Luke and Han look into their respective projected target
5618 screens. An Imperial fighter crosses Solo's port, and Han
5619 swivels in his chair, following it with blasts from his laser
5620 cannon. Another fighter crosses Luke's port, and he reacts
5621 in a like manner, the glow of his target screen lighting his
5622 face.
5623
5624 EXT. SPACE
5625
5626 The TIE fighter zooms toward the pirateship, firing
5627 destructive blasts at it.
5628
5629 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
5630
5631 Luke fires a laserblast at the approaching enemy fighter,
5632 and it bursts into a spectacular explosion. Luke's projected
5633 screen gives a readout of the hit. The pirateship bounces
5634 slightly as it is struck by the enemy fire.
5635
5636 EXT. SPACE - TIE FIGHTER
5637
5638 The last of the attacking Imperial TIE fighters looms in,
5639 firing upon the Falcon.
5640
5641 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT
5642
5643 Solo swivels behind his cannon, his aim describing the arc
5644 of the TIE fighter. The fighter comes closer, firing at the
5645 pirateship, but a well-aimed blast from Solo's laser cannon
5646 hits the attacker, which blows up in a small atomic shower
5647 of burning fragments.
5648
5649 LUKE
5650 (laughing)
5651 That's it! We did it!
5652
5653 The princess jumps up and gives Chewie a congratulatory hug.
5654
5655 LEIA
5656 We did it!
5657
5658 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - PASSAGEWAY
5659
5660 Threepio lies on the floor of the ship, completely tangled
5661 in the smoking, sparking wires.
5662
5663 THREEPIO
5664 Help! I think I'm melting!
5665 (to Artoo)
5666 This is all your fault.
5667
5668 Artoo turns his dome from side to side, beeping in response.
5669
5670 EXT. SPACE - MILLENNIUM FALCON
5671
5672 The victorious Millennium Falcon moves off majestically
5673 through space.
5674
5675 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
5676
5677 Darth Vader strides into the control room, where Tarkin is
5678 watching the huge view screen. A sea of stars is before him.
5679
5680 TARKIN
5681 Are they away?
5682
5683 VADER
5684 They have just made the jump into
5685 hyperspace.
5686
5687 TARKIN
5688 You're sure the homing beacon is
5689 secure aboard their ship? I'm taking
5690 an awful risk, Vader. This had better
5691 work.
5692
5693 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
5694
5695 Han, removes his gloves and smiling, is at the controls of
5696 the ship. Chewie moves into the aft section to check the
5697 damage. Leia is seated near Han.
5698
5699 HAN
5700 Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh? You
5701 know, sometimes I even amaze myself.
5702
5703 LEIA
5704 That doesn't sound too hard. Besides,
5705 they let us go. It's the only
5706 explanation for the ease of our
5707 escape.
5708
5709 HAN
5710 Easy... you call that easy?
5711
5712 LEIA
5713 Their tracking us!
5714
5715 HAN
5716 Not this ship, sister.
5717
5718 Frustrated, Leia shakes her head.
5719
5720 LEIA
5721 At least the information in Artoo is
5722 still intact.
5723
5724 HAN
5725 What's so important? What's he
5726 carrying?
5727
5728 LEIA
5729 The technical readouts of that battle
5730 station. I only hope that when the
5731 data is analyzed, a weakness can be
5732 found. It's not over yet!
5733
5734 HAN
5735 It is for me, sister! Look, I ain't
5736 in this for your revolution, and I'm
5737 not in it for you, Princess. I expect
5738 to be well paid. I'm in it for the
5739 money!
5740
5741 LEIA
5742 You needn't worry about your reward.
5743 If money is all that you love, then
5744 that's what you'll receive!
5745
5746 She angrily turns, and as she starts out of the cockpit,
5747 passes Luke coming in.
5748
5749 LEIA
5750 Your friend is quite a mercenary. I
5751 wonder if he really cares about
5752 anything... or anyone.
5753
5754 LUKE
5755 I care!
5756
5757 Luke, shaking his head, sits in the copilot seat. He and Han
5758 stare out at the vast blackness of space.
5759
5760 LUKE
5761 So... what do you think of her, Han?
5762
5763 HAN
5764 I'm trying not to, kid!
5765
5766 LUKE
5767 (under his breath)
5768 Good...
5769
5770 HAN
5771 Still, she's got a lot of spirit. I
5772 don't know, what do you think? Do
5773 you think a princess and a guy like
5774 me...
5775
5776 LUKE
5777 No!
5778
5779 Luke says it with finality and looks away. Han smiles at
5780 young Luke's jealousy.
5781
5782 EXT. SPACE AROUND FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN
5783
5784 The battered pirateship drifts into orbit around the planet
5785 Yavin and proceeds to one of its tiny green moons.
5786
5787 EXT. FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN
5788
5789 The pirateship soars over the dense jungle.
5790
5791 EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST
5792
5793 An alert guard, his laser gun in hand, scans the countryside.
5794 He sets the gun down and looks toward the temple, barely
5795 visible in the foliage.
5796
5797 EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - JUNGLE TEMPLE
5798
5799 Rotting in a forest of gargantuan trees, an ancient temple
5800 lies shrouded in an eerie mist. The air is heavy with the
5801 fantastic cries of unimaginable creatures. Han, Luke and the
5802 others are greeted by the Rebel troops.
5803
5804 Luke and the group ride into the massive temple on an armored
5805 military speeder.
5806
5807 INT. MASSASSI - MAIN HANGAR DECK
5808
5809 The military speeder stops in a huge spaceship hangar, set
5810 up in the interior of the crumbling temple. Willard, the
5811 commander of the Rebel forces, rushes up to the group and
5812 gives Leia a big hug. Every one is pleased to see her.
5813
5814 WILLARD
5815 (holding Leia)
5816 You're safe! We had feared the worst.
5817
5818 Willard composes himself, steps back and bows formally.
5819
5820 WILLARD
5821 When we heard about Alderaan, we
5822 were afraid that you were... lost
5823 along with your father.
5824
5825 LEIA
5826 We don't have time for our sorrows,
5827 Commander. The battle station has
5828 surely tracked us here.
5829 (looking pointedly to
5830 Han)
5831 It's the only explanation for the
5832 ease of our escape. You must use the
5833 information in this R2 unit to plan
5834 the attack. It is our only hope.
5835
5836 EXT. SPACE
5837
5838 The surface of the Death Star ominously approaches the red
5839 planet Yavin.
5840
5841 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
5842
5843 Grand Moff Tarkin and Lord Vader are interrupted in their
5844 discussion by the buzz of the comlink. Tarkin moves to answer
5845 the call.
5846
5847 TARKIN
5848 Yes.
5849
5850 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
5851
5852 We are approaching the planet Yavin. The Rebel base is on a
5853 moon on the far side. We are preparing to orbit the planet.
5854
5855 EXT. YAVIN - JUNGLE
5856
5857 A lone guard stands in a tower high above the Yavin landscape,
5858 surveying the countryside. A mist hangs over the jungle of
5859 twisted green.
5860
5861 INT. MASSASSI - WAR ROOM BRIEFING AREA
5862
5863 Dodonna stands before a large electronic wall display. Leia
5864 and several other senators are to one side of the giant
5865 readout. The low-ceilinged room is filled with starpilots,
5866 navigators, and a sprinkling of R2-type robots. Everyone is
5867 listening intently to what Dodonna is saying. Han and
5868 Chewbacca are standing near the back.
5869
5870 DODONNA
5871 The battle station is heavily shielded
5872 and carries a firepower greater than
5873 half the star fleet. It's defenses
5874 are designed around a direct large-
5875 scale assault. A small one-man fighter
5876 should be able to penetrate the outer
5877 defense.
5878
5879 Gold Leader, a rough looking man in his early thirties, stands
5880 and addresses Dodonna.
5881
5882 GOLD LEADER
5883 Pardon me for asking, sir, but what
5884 good are snub fighters going to be
5885 against that?
5886
5887 DODONNA
5888 Well, the Empire doesn't consider a
5889 small one-man fighter to be any
5890 threat, or they'd have a tighter
5891 defense. An analysis of the plans
5892 provided by Princess Leia has
5893 demonstrated a weakness in the battle
5894 station.
5895
5896 Artoo-Detoo stands next to a similar robot, makes beeping
5897 sounds, and turns his head from right to left.
5898
5899 DODONNA
5900 The approach will not be easy. You
5901 are required to maneuver straight
5902 down this trench and skim the surface
5903 to this point. The target area is
5904 only two meters wide. It's a small
5905 thermal exhaust port, right below
5906 the main port. The shaft leads
5907 directly to the reactor system. A
5908 precise hit will start a chain
5909 reaction which should destroy the
5910 station.
5911
5912 A murmer of disbelief runs through the room.
5913
5914 DODONNA
5915 Only a precise hit will set up a
5916 chain reaction. The shaft is ray-
5917 shielded, so you'll have to use proton
5918 torpedoes.
5919
5920 Luke is sitting next to Wedge Antilles, a hotshot pilot about
5921 sixteen years old.
5922
5923 WEDGE
5924 That's impossible, even for a
5925 computer.
5926
5927 LUKE
5928 It's not impossible. I used to bull's-
5929 eye womp rats in my T-sixteen back
5930 home. They're not much bigger than
5931 two meters.
5932
5933 DODONNA
5934 Man your ships! And may the Force be
5935 with you!
5936
5937 The group rises and begins to leave.
5938
5939 EXT. SPACE
5940
5941 The Death Star begins to move around the planet toward the
5942 tiny green moon.
5943
5944 INT. DEATH STAR
5945
5946 Tarkin and Vader watch the computer projected screen with
5947 interest, as a circle of lights intertwines around one another
5948 on the screen showing it's position in relation to Yavin and
5949 the forth moon.
5950
5951 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
5952
5953 Orbiting the planet at maximum velocity. The moon with the
5954 Rebel base will be in range in thirty minutes.
5955
5956 VADER
5957 This will be a day long remembered.
5958 It has seen the end of Kenobi and it
5959 will soon see the end of the
5960 Rebellion.
5961
5962 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN HANGAR DECK
5963
5964 Luke, Threepio and little Artoo enter the huge spaceship
5965 hangar and hurry along a long line of gleaming spacefighters.
5966 Flight crews rush around loading last-minute armaments and
5967 unlocking power couplings. In an area isolated from this
5968 activity Luke finds Han and Chewbacca loading small boxes
5969 onto an armored speeder.
5970
5971 MAN'S VOICE
5972 (over loudspeaker)
5973 All flight trooper, man your stations.
5974 All flight troops, man your stations.
5975
5976 Han is deliberately ignoring the activity of the fighter
5977 pilots' preparation. Luke is quite saddened at the sight of
5978 his friend's departure.
5979
5980 LUKE
5981 So... you got your reward and you're
5982 just leaving then?
5983
5984 HAN
5985 That's right, yeah! I got some old
5986 debts I've got to pay off with this
5987 stuff. Even if I didn't, you don't
5988 think I'd be fool enough to stick
5989 around here, do you? Why don't you
5990 come with us? You're pretty good in
5991 a fight. I could use you.
5992
5993 LUKE
5994 (getting angry)
5995 Come on! Why don't you take a look
5996 around? You know what's about to
5997 happen, what they're up against.
5998 They could use a good pilot like
5999 you. You're turning your back on
6000 them.
6001
6002 HAN
6003 What good's a reward if you ain't
6004 around to use it? Besides, attacking
6005 that battle station ain't my idea of
6006 courage. It's more like suicide.
6007
6008 LUKE
6009 All right. Well, take care of
6010 yourself, Han. I guess that's what
6011 you're best at, isn't it?
6012
6013 Luke goes off and Han hesitates, then calls to him.
6014
6015 HAN
6016 Hey, Luke... may the Force be with
6017 you!
6018
6019 Luke turns and sees Han wink at him. Luke lifts his hand in
6020 a small wave and then goes off.
6021
6022 Han turns to Chewie who growls at his captain,
6023
6024 HAN
6025 What're you lookin' at? I know what
6026 I'm doing.
6027
6028 INT. MAIN HANGAR DECK - LUKE'S SHIP
6029
6030 Luke, Leia, and Dodonna meet under a huge space fighter.
6031
6032 LEIA
6033 What's wrong?
6034
6035 LUKE
6036 Oh, it's Han! I don't know, I really
6037 thought he'd change his mind.
6038
6039 LEIA
6040 He's got to follow his own path. No
6041 one can choose it for him.
6042
6043 LUKE
6044 I only wish Ben were here.
6045
6046 Leia gives Luke a little kiss, turns, and goes off. As Luke
6047 heads for his ship, another pilot rushes up to him and grabs
6048 his arm.
6049
6050 BIGGS
6051 Luke! I don't believe it! How'd you
6052 get here... are you going out with
6053 us?!
6054
6055 LUKE
6056 Biggs! Of course, I'll be up there
6057 with you! Listen, have I got some
6058 stories to tell...
6059
6060 Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, comes up
6061 behind Luke and Biggs. He has the confident smile of a born
6062 leader.
6063
6064 RED LEADER
6065 Are you... Luke Skywalker? Have you
6066 been checked out on the Incom T-sixty-
6067 five?
6068
6069 BIGGS
6070 Sir, Luke is the best bushpilot in
6071 the outer rim territories.
6072
6073 Red Leader pats Luke on the back as they stop in front of
6074 his fighter.
6075
6076 RED LEADER
6077 I met your father once when I was
6078 just a boy, he was a great pilot.
6079 You'll do all right. If you've got
6080 half of your father's skill, you'll
6081 do better than all right.
6082
6083 LUKE
6084 Thank you, sir. I'll try.
6085
6086 Red Leader hurries to his own ship.
6087
6088 BIGGS
6089 I've got to get aboard. Listen, you'll
6090 tell me your stories when we come
6091 back. All right?
6092
6093 LUKE
6094 I told you I'd make it someday, Biggs.
6095
6096 BIGGS
6097 (going off)
6098 You did, all right. It's going to be
6099 like old times, Luke. We're a couple
6100 of shooting stars that'll never be
6101 stopped!
6102
6103 Luke laughs and shakes his head in agreement. He heads for
6104 his ship.
6105
6106 As Luke begins to climb up the ladder into his sleek, deadly
6107 spaceship, the crew chief, who is working on the craft, points
6108 to little Artoo, who is being hoisted into a socket on the
6109 back of the fighter.
6110
6111 CHIEF
6112 This R2 unit of your seems a bit
6113 beat up. Do you want a new one?
6114
6115 LUKE
6116 Not on your life! That little droid
6117 and I have been through a lot
6118 together.
6119 (to Artoo)
6120 You okay, Artoo?
6121
6122 The crewmen lower Artoo-Detoo into the craft. Now a part of
6123 the exterior shell of the starship, the little droid beeps
6124 that he is fine.
6125
6126 Luke climbs up into the cockpit of his fighter and puts an
6127 his helmet. Threepio looks on from the floor of the massive
6128 hangar as the crewmen secure his little electronic partner
6129 into Luke's X-wing. It's an emotional-filled moment as Artoo
6130 beeps good-bye.
6131
6132 CHIEF
6133 Okay, easy she goes!
6134
6135 THREEPIO
6136 Hang on tight,Artoo, you've got to
6137 come back.
6138
6139 Artoo beeps in agreement.
6140
6141 THREEPIO
6142 You wouldn't want my life to get
6143 boring, would you?
6144
6145 Artoo whistles his reply.
6146
6147 All final preparations are made for the approaching battle.
6148 The hangar is buzzing with the last minute activity as the
6149 pilots and crewmen alike make their final adjustments. The
6150 hum of activity is occasionally trespassed by the distorted
6151 voice of the loudspeaker issuing commands. Coupling hoses
6152 are disconnected from the ships as they are fueled. Cockpit
6153 shields roll smoothly into place over each pilot. A signalman,
6154 holding red guiding lights, directs the ships. Luke, a trace
6155 of a smile gracing his lips, peers about through his goggles.
6156
6157 BEN'S VOICE
6158 Luke, the Force will be with you.
6159
6160 Luke is confused at the voice and taps his headphones.
6161
6162 EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - JUNGLE
6163
6164 All that can be seen of the fortress is a lone guard standing
6165 on a small pedestal jutting out above the dense jungle. The
6166 muted gruesome crying sounds that naturally permeate this
6167 eerie purgatory are overwhelmed by the thundering din of ion
6168 rockets as four silver starships catapult from the foliage
6169 in a tight formation and disappears into the morning cloud
6170 cover.
6171
6172 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6173
6174 The princess, Threepio, and a field commander sit quietly
6175 before the giant display showing the planet Yavin and its
6176 four moons. The red dot that represents the Death Star moves
6177 ever closer to the system. A series of green dots appear
6178 around the fourth moon. A din of indistinct chatter fills
6179 the war room.
6180
6181 MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
6182 Stand-by alert. Death Star
6183 approaching. Estimated time to firing
6184 range, fifteen minutes.
6185
6186 EXT. SPACE
6187
6188 The Death Star slowly moves behind the massive yellow surface
6189 of Yavin in the foreground, as many X-wing fighters flying
6190 in formation zoom toward us and out of the frame.
6191
6192 EXT. SPACE - ANOTHER ANGLE
6193
6194 Light from a distant sun creates an eerie atmospheric glow
6195 around a huge planet, Yavin. Rebel fighters flying in
6196 formation settle ominously in the foreground and very slowly
6197 pull away.
6198
6199 INT. RED LEADER STARSHIP - COCKPIT
6200
6201 Red Leader lowers his visor and adjusts his gun sights,
6202 looking to each side at his wing men.
6203
6204 RED LEADER
6205 All wings report in.
6206
6207 INT. ANOTHER COCKPIT
6208
6209 One of the Rebel fighters checks in through his mike.
6210
6211 RED TEN
6212 Red Ten standing by.
6213
6214 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
6215
6216 Biggs checks his fighter's controls, alert and ready for
6217 combat.
6218
6219 RED SEVEN
6220 (over Biggs' headset)
6221 Red Seven standing by.
6222
6223 BIGGS
6224 Red Three standing by.
6225
6226 INT. PORKINS' COCKPIT
6227
6228 PORKINS
6229 Red Six standing by.
6230
6231 RED NINE
6232 (over headset)
6233 Red Nine standing by.
6234
6235 INT. WEDGE'S FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6236
6237 WEDGE
6238 Red Two standing by.
6239
6240 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6241
6242 RED ELEVEN
6243 (over headset)
6244 Red Eleven standing by.
6245
6246 LUKE
6247 Red Five standing by.
6248
6249 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
6250
6251 Artoo-Detoo, in position outside of the fighter, turns his
6252 head from side to side and makes beeping sounds.
6253
6254 INT. RED LEADER'S FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6255
6256 RED LEADER
6257 Lock S-foils in attack position.
6258
6259 EXT. SPACE
6260
6261 The group of X-wing fighters move in formation toward the
6262 Death Star, unfolding the wings and locking them in the "X"
6263 position.
6264
6265 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
6266
6267 READ LEADER
6268 (over headset)
6269 We're passing through their magnetic
6270 field.
6271
6272 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
6273
6274 RED LEADER
6275 Hold tight!
6276
6277 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6278
6279 Luke adjusts his controls as he concentrates on the
6280 approaching Death Star. The ship begins to be buffeted
6281 slightly.
6282
6283 RED LEADER
6284 (over headset)
6285 Switch your deflectors on.
6286
6287 INT. ANOTHER COCKPIT
6288
6289 RED LEADER
6290 (over headset)
6291 Double front!
6292
6293 EXT. SPACE
6294
6295 The fighters, now X-shaped darts, move in formation. The
6296 Death Star now appears to be a small moon growing rapidly in
6297 size as the Rebel fighters approach. Complex patterns on the
6298 metallic surface begin to become visible. A large dish antenna
6299 is built into the surface on one side.
6300
6301 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
6302
6303 Wedge is amazed and slightly frightened at the awesome
6304 spectacle.
6305
6306 WEDGE
6307 Look at the size of that thing!
6308
6309 RED LEADER
6310 (over headset)
6311 Cut the chatter, Red Two.
6312
6313 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
6314
6315 RED LEADER
6316 Accelerate to attack speed. This is
6317 it, boys!
6318
6319 EXT. SPACE
6320
6321 As the fighters move closer to the Death Star, the awesome
6322 size of the gargantuan Imperial fortress is revealed. Half
6323 of the deadly space station is in shadow and this area
6324 sparkles with thousands of small lights running in thin lines
6325 and occasionally grouped in large clusters; somewhat like a
6326 city at night as seen from a weather satellite.
6327
6328 INT. GOLD LEADER'S COCKPIT
6329
6330 GOLD LEADER
6331 Red Leader, this is Gold Leader.
6332
6333 RED LEADER
6334 (over headset)
6335 I copy, Gold Leader.
6336
6337 GOLD LEADER
6338 We're starting for the target shaft
6339 now.
6340
6341 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
6342
6343 Red Leader looks around at his wingmen; the Death Star looming
6344 in from behind. Two Y-wing fighters bob back and forth in
6345 the background. He moves his computer targeting device into
6346 position.
6347
6348 RED LEADER
6349 We're in position. I'm going to cut
6350 across the axis and try and draw
6351 their fire.
6352
6353 EXT. SPACE
6354
6355 Two squads of Rebel fighters peel off. The X-wings dive
6356 towards the Death Star surface. A thousand lights glow across
6357 the dark grey expanse of the huge station.
6358
6359 INT. DEATH STAR
6360
6361 Alarm sirens scream as soldiers scramble to large turbo-
6362 powered laser gun emplacements. Electronic drivers rotate
6363 the huge guns into position as crew adjust their targeting
6364 devices.
6365
6366 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6367
6368 Laserbolts streak through the star-filled night. The Rebel X-
6369 wing fighters move in toward the Imperial base, as the Death
6370 Star aims its massive laser guns at the Rebel forces and
6371 fires.
6372
6373 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6374
6375 Princess Leia listens to the battle over the intercom.
6376 Threepio is at her side.
6377
6378 WEDGE
6379 (over war room speaker
6380 system)
6381 Heavy fire, boss! Twenty-degrees.
6382
6383 RED LEADER
6384 (over speaker)
6385 I see it. Stay low.
6386
6387 EXT. SPACE
6388
6389 An X-wing zooms across the surface of the Death Star.
6390
6391 INT. DEATH STAR
6392
6393 Technical crews scurry here and there loading last-minute
6394 armaments and unlocking power cables.
6395
6396 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
6397
6398 Wedge maneuvers his fighter toward the menacing Death Star.
6399
6400 EXT. SPACE
6401
6402 X-wings continue in their attack course on the Death Star.
6403
6404 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6405
6406 Luke nosedives radically, starting his attack on the monstrous
6407 fortress. The Death Star surface streaks past the cockpit
6408 window.
6409
6410 LUKE
6411 This is Red Five; I'm going in!
6412
6413 EXT. SPACE
6414
6415 Luke's X-wing races toward the Death Star. Laserbolts streak
6416 from Luke's weapons, creating a huge fireball explosion on
6417 the dim surface.
6418
6419 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6420
6421 Terror crosses Luke's face as he realizes he won't be able
6422 to pull out in time to avoid the fireball.
6423
6424 BIGGS
6425 (over headset)
6426 Luke, pull up!
6427
6428 EXT. SURFACE OF DEATH STAR
6429
6430 Luke's ship emerges from the fireball, with the leading edges
6431 of his wings slightly scorched.
6432
6433 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
6434
6435 BIGGS
6436 Are you all right?
6437
6438 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6439
6440 Luke adjusts his controls and breathes a sigh of relief.
6441 Flak bursts outside the cockpit window.
6442
6443 LUKE
6444 I got a little cooked, but I'm okay.
6445
6446 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6447
6448 Rebel fighters continue to strafe the Death Star's surface
6449 with laserbolts.
6450
6451 INT. DEATH STAR
6452
6453 Walls buckle and cave in. Troops and equipment are blown in
6454 all directions. Stormtroopers stagger out of the rubble.
6455 Standing in the middle of the chaos, a vision of calm and
6456 foreboding, is Darth Vader. One of his Astro-Officers rushes
6457 up to him.
6458
6459 ASTRO-OFFICER
6460 We count thirty Rebel ships, Lord
6461 Vader. But they're so small they're
6462 evading our turbo-lasers!
6463
6464 VADER
6465 We'll have to destroy them ship to
6466 ship. Get the crews to their fighters.
6467
6468 INT. DEATH STAR
6469
6470 Smoke belches from the giant laser guns as they wind up their
6471 turbine generators to create sufficient power. The crew rushes
6472 about preparing for another blast. Even the troopers head
6473 gear is not adequate to protect them from the overwhelming
6474 noise of the monstrous weapon. One troopers bangs his helmet
6475 with his hand in an attempt to stop the ringing.
6476
6477 INT. READ LEADER'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6478
6479 Red Leader flies through a heavy hail of flak.
6480
6481 RED LEADER
6482 Luke, let me know when you're going
6483 in.
6484
6485 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6486
6487 The Red Leader's X-wing flies past Luke as he puts his nose
6488 down and starts his attack dive.
6489
6490 LUKE
6491 I'm on my way in now...
6492
6493 RED LEADER
6494 Watch yourself! There's a lot of
6495 fire coming from the right side of
6496 that deflection tower.
6497
6498 LUKE
6499 I'm on it.
6500
6501 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6502
6503 Luke flings his X-wing into a twisting dive across the horizon
6504 and down onto the dim grey surface.
6505
6506 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING TRAVELING
6507
6508 A shot hurls from Luke's guns. Laserbolts streak toward the
6509 onrushing Death Star surface. Several small radar emplacements
6510 erupt in flame. Laserfire erupts from a protruding tower on
6511 the surface.
6512
6513 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6514
6515 The blurry Death Star surface races past the cockpit window
6516 as a big smile sweeps across Luke's face at the success of
6517 his run. Flak thunders on all sides of him.
6518
6519 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6520
6521 The Death Star superstructure races past Luke as he maneuvers
6522 his craft through a wall of laserfire and peels away from
6523 the surface towards the heavens.
6524
6525 INT. DEATH STAR
6526
6527 The thunder and smoke of the big guns reverberate throughout
6528 the massive structure. Many soldiers rush about in the smoke
6529 and chaos, silhouetted by the almost continual flash of
6530 explosions.
6531
6532 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6533
6534 Biggs dives through a forest of radar domes, antennae, and
6535 gun towers as he shoots low across the Death Star surface. A
6536 dense barrage of laserfire streaks by on all sides.
6537
6538 INT. DEATH STAR
6539
6540 Imperial star pilots dash in unison to a line of small
6541 auxiliary hatches that lead to Imperial TIE fighters.
6542
6543 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6544
6545 Princess Leia, surrounded by her generals and aides, paces
6546 nervously before a lighted computer table. On all sides
6547 technicians work in front of many lighted glass walls. Dodonna
6548 watches quietly from one corner. One of the officers working
6549 over a screen speaks into his headset.
6550
6551 CONTROL OFFICER
6552 Squad leaders, we've picked up a new
6553 group of signals. Enemy fighters
6554 coming your way.
6555
6556 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6557
6558 Luke looks around to see if he can spot the approaching
6559 Imperial fighters.
6560
6561 LUKE
6562 My scope's negative. I don't see
6563 anything.
6564
6565 INT. RED LEADER'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6566
6567 The Death Star's surface sweeps past as Red Leader searches
6568 the sky for the Imperial fighters. Flak pounds at his ship.
6569
6570 RED LEADER
6571 Keep up your visual scanning. With
6572 all this jamming, they'll be on top
6573 of you before your scope can pick
6574 them up.
6575
6576 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6577
6578 Silhouetted against the rim lights of the Death Star horizon,
6579 four ferocious Imperial TIE ships dive on the Rebel fighters.
6580 Two of the TIE fighters peel off and drop out of frame. Pan
6581 with the remaining two TIE ships.
6582
6583 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6584
6585 Biggs panics when he discovers a TIE ship on his tail. The
6586 horizon in the background twists around as he peels off,
6587 hoping to lose the Imperial fighter.
6588
6589 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
6590
6591 RED LEADER
6592 Biggs! You've picked one up... watch
6593 it!
6594
6595 BIGGS
6596 I can't see it! Where is he?!
6597
6598 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6599
6600 Biggs zooms off the surface and into space, closely followed
6601 by an Imperial TIE fighter. The TIE ship fires several
6602 laserbolts at Biggs, but misses.
6603
6604 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6605
6606 Biggs see the TIE ship behind him and swings around, trying
6607 to avoid him.
6608
6609 BIGGS
6610 He's on me tight, I can't shake him...
6611 I can't shake him.
6612
6613 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6614
6615 Biggs, flying at high altitude, peels off and dives toward
6616 the Death Star surface, but he is unable to lose the TIE
6617 fighter, who sticks close to his tail.
6618
6619 INT. X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6620
6621 Luke is flying upside down. He rotates his ship around to
6622 normal attitude as he comes out of his dive.
6623
6624 LUKE
6625 Hang on, Biggs, I'm coming in.
6626
6627 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6628
6629 Biggs and the tailing TIE ship dive for the surface, now
6630 followed by a fast-gaining Luke. After Biggs dives out of
6631 sight, Luke chases the Imperial fighter.
6632
6633 EXT. SURFACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6634
6635 In the foreground, the Imperial fighter races across the
6636 Death Star's surface, closely followed by Luke in the
6637 background.
6638
6639 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6640
6641 There is a shot from Luke's X-wing of the TIE ship exploding
6642 in a mass of flames.
6643
6644 LUKE
6645 Got him!
6646
6647 INT. DEATH STAR
6648
6649 Darth Vader strides purposefully down a Death Star corridor,
6650 flanked by Imperial stormtroopers.
6651
6652 VADER
6653 Several fighters have broken off
6654 from the main group. Come with me!
6655
6656 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6657
6658 A concerned Princess Leia, Threepio, Dodonna, and other
6659 officers of the Rebellion stand around the huge round readout
6660 screen, listening to the ship-to-ship communication on the
6661 room's loudspeaker.
6662
6663 BIGGS
6664 (over speaker)
6665 Pull in! Luke... pull in!
6666
6667 WEDGE
6668 (over speaker)
6669 Watch your back, Luke!
6670
6671 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6672
6673 WEDGE
6674 (over headset)
6675 Watch your back! Fighter's above
6676 you, coming in!
6677
6678 EXT. SPACE
6679
6680 Luke's ship soars away from the Death Star's surface as he
6681 spots the tailing TIE fighter.
6682
6683 INT. TIE FIGHTER'S COCKPIT
6684
6685 The TIE pilot takes aim at Luke's X-wing.
6686
6687 EXT. SPACE
6688
6689 The Imperial TIE fighter pilot scores a hit on Luke's ship.
6690 Fire breaks out on the right side of the X-wing.
6691
6692 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6693
6694 Luke looks out of his cockpit at the flames on his ship.
6695
6696 LUKE
6697 I'm hit, but not bad.
6698
6699 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
6700
6701 Smoke pours out from behind Artoo-Detoo.
6702
6703 LUKE'S VOICE
6704 Artoo, see what you can do with it.
6705 Hang on back there.
6706
6707 Green laserfire moves past the beeping little robot as his
6708 head turns.
6709
6710 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
6711
6712 Luke nervously works his controls.
6713
6714 RED LEADER
6715 (over headset)
6716 Red Six...
6717
6718 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6719
6720 In the war room, Leia stands frozen as she listens and worries
6721 about Luke.
6722
6723 RED LEADER
6724 (over speaker)
6725 Can you see Red Five?
6726
6727 RED TEN
6728 (over speaker)
6729 There's a heavy fire zone on this
6730 side. Red Five, where are you?
6731
6732 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
6733
6734 Luke spots the TIE fighter behind him and soars away from
6735 the Death Star surface.
6736
6737 LUKE
6738 I can't shake him!
6739
6740 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6741
6742 Luke's ship soars closer to the surface of the Death Star,
6743 an Imperial TIE fighter closing in on him in hot pursuit.
6744
6745 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
6746
6747 The Death Star whips below Wedge.
6748
6749 WEDGE
6750 I'm on him, Luke!
6751
6752 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
6753
6754 WEDGE
6755 (over headset)
6756 Hold on!
6757
6758 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6759
6760 Wedge dives across the horizon toward Luke and the TIE
6761 fighter.
6762
6763 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
6764
6765 Wedge moves his X-wing in rapidly.
6766
6767 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
6768
6769 Luke reacts frantically.
6770
6771 LUKE
6772 Blast it! Wedge where are you?
6773
6774 INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT
6775
6776 The fighter pilot watches Wedge's X-wing approach. Another X-
6777 wing joins him, and both unleash a volley of laserfire on
6778 the Imperial fighter.
6779
6780 EXT. SPACE
6781
6782 The TIE fighter explodes, filling the screen with white light.
6783 Luke's ship can be seen far in the distance.
6784
6785 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
6786
6787 Luke looks about in relief.
6788
6789 LUKE
6790 Thanks, Wedge.
6791
6792 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6793
6794 Leia, Threepio, Dodonna and other Rebel officers are listening
6795 to the Rebel Fighter's radio transmissions over the war room
6796 intercom.
6797
6798 BIGGS
6799 (over speaker)
6800 Good shooting, Wedge!
6801
6802 GOLD LEADER
6803 (over speaker)
6804 Red Leader...
6805
6806 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6807
6808 Gold Leader peels off and starts toward the long trenches at
6809 the Death Star surface pole.
6810
6811 GOLD LEADER
6812 This is Gold Leader. We're starting
6813 out attack run.
6814
6815 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6816
6817 Three Y-wing fighters of the Gold group dive out of the stars
6818 toward the Death Star surface.
6819
6820 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6821
6822 Leia and the others are grouped around the screen, as
6823 technicians move about attending to their duties.
6824
6825 RED LEADER
6826 (over speaker)
6827 I copy, Gold Leader. Move into
6828 position.
6829
6830 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6831
6832 Three Imperial TIE ships in precise formation dive toward
6833 the Death Star surface.
6834
6835 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
6836
6837 Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars
6838 whip past in the window above his head.
6839
6840 VADER
6841 Stay in attack formation!
6842
6843 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6844
6845 Technicians are seated at the computer readout table.
6846
6847 GOLD LEADER
6848 (over speaker)
6849 The exhaust post is...
6850
6851 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6852
6853 GOLD LEADER
6854 ...marked and locked in!
6855
6856 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6857
6858 Gold Leader approaches the surface and pulls out to skim the
6859 surface of the huge station. The ship moves into a deep
6860 trench, firing laserbolts. The surface streaks past as
6861 laserfire is returned by the Death Star.
6862
6863 INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
6864
6865 Gold Five is a pilot in his early fifties with a very battered
6866 helmet that looks like it's been through many battles. He
6867 looks around to see if enemy ships are near. His fighter is
6868 buffeted by Imperial flak.
6869
6870 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6871
6872 Gold Leader races down the enormous trench that leads to the
6873 exhaust port. Laserbolts blast toward him in increasing
6874 numbers, occasionally exploding near the ship causing it to
6875 bounce about.
6876
6877 GOLD LEADER
6878 Switch power to front deflector
6879 screens.
6880
6881 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6882
6883 Three Y-wing skim the Death Star surface deep in the trench,
6884 as laserbolts streak past on all sides.
6885
6886 EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE - GUN EMPLACEMENTS
6887
6888 An exterior surface gun blazes away at the oncoming Rebel
6889 fighters.
6890
6891 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6892
6893 GOLD LEADER
6894 How many guns do you think, Gold
6895 Five.
6896
6897 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
6898
6899 GOLD FIVE
6900 (over speaker)
6901 I'd say about twenty guns. Some on
6902 the surface, some on the towers.
6903
6904 Leia, Threepio, and the technicians view the projected target
6905 screen, as red and blue target lights glow. The red target
6906 near the center blinks on and off.
6907
6908 MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
6909 (over speaker)
6910 Death Star will be in range in five
6911 minutes.
6912
6913 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
6914
6915 The three Y-wing fighters race toward camera and zoom overhead
6916 through a hail of laserfire.
6917
6918 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6919
6920 Gold Leader pulls his computer targeting device down in front
6921 of his eye. Laserbolts continue to batter the Rebel craft.
6922
6923 GOLD LEADER
6924 Switching to targeting computer.
6925
6926 INT. GOLD TWO'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6927
6928 Gold Two, a younger pilot about Luke's age, pulls down his
6929 targeting eye viewer and adjusts it. His ship shudders under
6930 intense laser barrage.
6931
6932 GOLD TWO
6933 Computer's locked. Getting a signal.
6934
6935 As the fighters begin to approach the target area, suddenly
6936 all the laserfire stops. An eerie clam clings over the trench
6937 as the surface whips past in a blur.
6938
6939 GOLD TWO
6940 The guns... they've stopped!
6941
6942 EXT. GOLD FIVE'S COCKPIT
6943
6944 Gold Five looks behind him.
6945
6946 GOLD FIVE
6947 Stabilize your read deflectors. Watch
6948 for enemy fighters.
6949
6950 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6951
6952 GOLD LEADER
6953 They've coming in! Three marks at
6954 two ten.
6955
6956 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6957
6958 Three Imperial TIE ships, Darth Vader in the center flanked
6959 by two wingmen, dive in precise formation almost vertically
6960 toward the Death Star surface.
6961
6962 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
6963
6964 Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars
6965 zoom by.
6966
6967 VADER
6968 I'll take them myself! Cover me!
6969
6970 WINGMAN'S VOICE
6971 (over speaker)
6972 Yes, sir.
6973
6974 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6975
6976 Three TIE fighters zoom across the surface of the Death Star.
6977
6978 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
6979
6980 Vader lines up Gold Two in his targeting computer. Vader's
6981 hands grip the control stick as he presses the button.
6982
6983 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6984
6985 The cockpit explodes around Gold Two. His head falls forward.
6986
6987 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
6988
6989 As Gold Two's ship explodes, debris is flung out into space.
6990
6991 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
6992
6993 Gold Leader looks over his shoulder at the scene.
6994
6995 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
6996
6997 The three TIE fighters race along in the trench in a tight
6998 formation.
6999
7000 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7001
7002 Gold Leader panics.
7003
7004 GOLD LEADER
7005 (into mike)
7006 I can't maneuver!
7007
7008 INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7009
7010 Gold Five, the old veteran, trys to calm Gold Leader.
7011
7012 GOLD FIVE
7013 Stay on target.
7014
7015 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7016
7017 The Death Star races by outside the cockpit window as he
7018 adjusts his targeting device.
7019
7020 GOLD LEADER
7021 We're too close.
7022
7023 INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7024
7025 The older pilot remains calm.
7026
7027 GOLD FIVE
7028 Stay on target!
7029
7030 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7031
7032 Now he's really panicked.
7033
7034 GOLD LEADER
7035 Loosen up!
7036
7037 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7038
7039 Vader calmly adjusts his targeting computer and pushes the
7040 fire button.
7041
7042 INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7043
7044 Gold Leader's ship is hit by Vader's laser.
7045
7046 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7047
7048 Gold Leader explodes in a ball of flames, throwing debris in
7049 all directions.
7050
7051 INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7052
7053 Gold Five moves in on the exhaust port.
7054
7055 GOLD FIVE
7056 Gold Five to Red Leader...
7057
7058 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7059
7060 Luke looks over his shoulder at the action outside of his
7061 cockpit.
7062
7063 GOLD FIVE
7064 (over headset)
7065 Lost Tiree, lost Dutch.
7066
7067 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7068
7069 RED LEADER
7070 I copy, Gold Five.
7071
7072 INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
7073
7074 GOLD FIVE
7075 They came from behind...
7076
7077 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7078
7079 One of the engines explodes on Gold Five's Y-wing fighter,
7080 blazing out of control. He dives past the horizon toward the
7081 Death Star's surface, passing a TIE fighter during his
7082 descent. Gold Five, a veteran of countless campaigns, spins
7083 toward his death.
7084
7085 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7086
7087 Luke looks nervously about him at the explosive battle.
7088
7089 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
7090
7091 Grant Moff Tarkin and a Chief Officer stand in the Death
7092 Star's control room.
7093
7094 OFFICER
7095 We've analyzed their attack, sir,
7096 and there is a danger. Should I have
7097 your ship standing by?
7098
7099 TARKIN
7100 Evacuate? In out moment of triumph?
7101 I think you overestimate their
7102 chances!
7103
7104 Tarkin turns to the computer readout screen. Flames move
7105 around the green disk at the center of the screen, as numbers
7106 read across the bottom.
7107
7108 VOICE
7109 (over speaker)
7110 Rebel base, three minutes and closing.
7111
7112 INT. READ LEADER'S COCKPIT
7113
7114 Red Leader looks over at his wingmen.
7115
7116 RED LEADER
7117 Red Group, this is Red Leader.
7118
7119 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7120
7121 Dodonna moves to the intercom as he fiddles with the computer
7122 keys.
7123
7124 RED LEADER
7125 (over speaker)
7126 Rendezvous at mark six point one.
7127
7128 WEDGE
7129 (over speaker)
7130 This is Red Two. Flying toward you.
7131
7132 BIGGS
7133 (over speaker)
7134 Red Three, standing by.
7135
7136 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7137
7138 DODONNA
7139 (over headset)
7140 Red Leader, this is Base One. Keep
7141 half your group out of range for the
7142 next run.
7143
7144 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7145
7146 RED LEADER'S VOICE
7147 (over headset)
7148 Copy, Base One. Luke, take Red Two
7149 and Three. Hold up here and wait for
7150 my signal... to start your run.
7151
7152 Luke nods his head.
7153
7154 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7155
7156 The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge fly in formation
7157 high above the Death Star's surface.
7158
7159 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7160
7161 Luke peers out from his cockpit.
7162
7163 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7164
7165 Two X-wings move across the surface of the Death Star. Red
7166 Leader's X-wing drops down to the surface leading to the
7167 exhaust port.
7168
7169 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7170
7171 Red Leader looks around to watch for the TIE fighters. He
7172 begins to perspire.
7173
7174 RED LEADER
7175 This is it!
7176
7177 EXT. SPACE
7178
7179 Red Leader roams down the trench of the Death Star as lasers
7180 streak across the black heavens.
7181
7182 EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE - GUN EMPLACEMENTS
7183
7184 A huge remote-control laser cannon fires at the approaching
7185 Rebel fighters.
7186
7187 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
7188
7189 The Rebel fighters evade the Imperial laser blasts.
7190
7191 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
7192
7193 Red Ten looks around for the Imperial fighters.
7194
7195 RED TEN
7196 We should be able to see it by now.
7197
7198 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
7199
7200 From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the
7201 Death Star streaks by, with Imperial laserfire shooting toward
7202 them.
7203
7204 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7205
7206 RED LEADER
7207 Keep your eyes open for those
7208 fighters!
7209
7210 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
7211
7212 RED TEN
7213 There's too much interference!
7214
7215 EXT. SPACE - DEATH STAR TRENCH
7216
7217 Three X-wing fighters move in formation down the Death Star
7218 trench.
7219
7220 RED TEN'S VOICE
7221 Red Five, can you see them from where
7222 you are?
7223
7224 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7225
7226 Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below.
7227
7228 LUKE
7229 No sign of any... wait!
7230
7231 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
7232
7233 Red Ten looks up and sees the Imperial fighters.
7234
7235 LUKE
7236 (over headset)
7237 Coming in point three five.
7238
7239 RED TEN
7240 I see them.
7241
7242 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7243
7244 Three TIE fighters, Vader flanked by two wingmen, dive in a
7245 tight formation. The sun reflects off their dominate solar
7246 fins as they loop toward the Death Star's surface.
7247
7248 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7249
7250 Red Leader pulls his targeting device in front of his eyes
7251 and makes several adjustments.
7252
7253 RED LEADER
7254 I'm in range.
7255
7256 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7257
7258 Red Leader's X-wing moves up the Death Star trench.
7259
7260 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7261
7262 RED LEADER
7263 Target's coming up!
7264
7265 Red Leader looks at his computer target readout screen. He
7266 then looks into his targeting device.
7267
7268 RED LEADER
7269 Just hold them off for a few seconds.
7270
7271 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7272
7273 Vader adjusts his control lever and dives on the X-wing
7274 fighters.
7275
7276 VADER
7277 Close up formation.
7278
7279 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
7280
7281 The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death
7282 Star surface.
7283
7284 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7285
7286 Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device cross
7287 hairs.
7288
7289 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7290
7291 Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.
7292
7293 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7294
7295 Vader rapidly approaches the two X-wings of Red Ten and Red
7296 Twelve. Vader's laser cannon flashes below the view of the
7297 front porthole. the X-wings show in the center of Vader's
7298 computer screen.
7299
7300 EXT. SPACE
7301
7302 Red Twelve's X-wing fighter is hit by Vader's laserfire, and
7303 it explodes into flames against the trench.
7304
7305 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
7306
7307 Red Ten works at his controls furiously, trying to avoid
7308 Vader's fighter behind him.
7309
7310 RED TEN: You'd better let her loose.
7311
7312 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7313
7314 Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device.
7315
7316 RED LEADER
7317 Almost there!
7318
7319 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
7320
7321 Red Ten panics.
7322
7323 RED TEN
7324 I can't hold them!
7325
7326 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7327
7328 Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of
7329 the Rebel fighters.
7330
7331 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7332
7333 Vader cooly pushes the fire button on his control stick.
7334
7335 INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
7336
7337 Darth Vader's well-aimed laserfire proves to be unavoidable,
7338 and strikes Red Ten's ship. Red Ten screams in anguish and
7339 pain.
7340
7341 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7342
7343 Red Ten's ship explodes and bursts into flames.
7344
7345 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7346
7347 Grimly, Red Leader takes careful aim and watches his computer
7348 targeting device, which shows the target lined up in the
7349 cross hairs, and fires.
7350
7351 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7352
7353 RED LEADER
7354 It's away!
7355
7356 INT. DEATH STAR
7357
7358 An armed Imperial stormtrooper is knocked to the floor from
7359 the attack explosion. Other troopers scurrying about the
7360 corridors are knocked against the wall and lose their balance.
7361
7362 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7363
7364 Leia and the others stare at the computer screen.
7365
7366 RED NINE'S VOICE
7367 (over speaker)
7368 It's a hit!
7369
7370 RED LEADER
7371 (over speaker)
7372 Negative.
7373
7374 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7375
7376 Red Leader looks back at the receding Death Star. Tiny
7377 explosions are visible in the distance.
7378
7379 RED LEADER
7380 Negative! It didn't go in. It just
7381 impacted on the surface.
7382
7383 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR - TIE FIGHTER
7384
7385 Darth Vader peels off in pursuit as Red Leader's X-wing passes
7386 the Death Star horizon.
7387
7388 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7389
7390 Vader swings his ship around for the next kill.
7391
7392 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7393
7394 LUKE
7395 (over headset)
7396 Red Leader, we're right above you.
7397 Turn to point...
7398
7399 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7400
7401 Luke tries to spot Red Leader. He looks down at the Death
7402 Star surface.
7403
7404 LUKE
7405 ...oh-five; we'll cover for you.
7406
7407 RED LEADER
7408 (over headset)
7409 Stay there...
7410
7411 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7412
7413 A wary Red Leader looks about nervously.
7414
7415 RED LEADER
7416 ...I just lost my starboard engine.
7417
7418 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7419
7420 Luke looks excitedly toward Red Leader's X-wing.
7421
7422 RED LEADER
7423 (over headset)
7424 Get set to make your attack run.
7425
7426 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7427
7428 Vader's gloved hands make contact with the control sticks,
7429 and he presses their firing buttons.
7430
7431 INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
7432
7433 Red Leader fights to gain control of his ship.
7434
7435 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7436
7437 Laserbolts are flung from Vader's TIE fighter, connecting
7438 with Red Leader's Rebel X-wing fighter. Red Leader buys it,
7439 creating a tremendous explosion far below. He screams and is
7440 destroyed.
7441
7442 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7443
7444 Luke looks out the window of his X-wing at the explosion far
7445 below. For the first time, he feels the helplessness of his
7446 situation.
7447
7448 INT. DEATH STAR
7449
7450 Grand Moff Tarkin casts a sinister eye at the computer screen.
7451
7452 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
7453 Rebel base, one minute and closing.
7454
7455 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7456
7457 Dodonna and Princess Leia, with Threepio beside them, listen
7458 intently to the talk between the pilots. The room is grim
7459 after Red Leader's death. Princess Leia nervously paces the
7460 room.
7461
7462 LUKE
7463 (over speaker)
7464 Biggs, Wedge, let's close it up.
7465 We're going in. We're going in full
7466 throttle.
7467
7468 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
7469
7470 The horizon twists as Wedge begins to pull out.
7471
7472 WEDGE
7473 Right with you, boss.
7474
7475 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7476
7477 The two X-wings peel off against a background of stars and
7478 dive toward the Death Star.
7479
7480 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7481
7482 BIGGS
7483 Luke, at that speed will you be able
7484 to pull out in time?
7485
7486 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7487
7488 LUKE
7489 It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon
7490 back home.
7491
7492 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7493
7494 The three X-wings move in, unleashing a barrage of laserfire.
7495 Laserbolts are returned from the Death Star.
7496
7497 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7498
7499 Luke's lifelong friend struggles with his controls.
7500
7501 BIGGS
7502 We'll stay back far enough to cover
7503 you.
7504
7505 INT. LUKE'S COCKPIT
7506
7507 Flak and laserbolts flash outside Luke's cockpit window.
7508
7509 WEDGE
7510 (over headset)
7511 My scope shows the tower, but I can't
7512 see the exhaust port! Are you sure
7513 the computer can hit it?
7514
7515 EXT. DEATH STAR - GUN EMPLACEMENTS
7516
7517 The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotates as it shoots
7518 laserbolts.
7519
7520 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7521
7522 Luke looks around for the Imperial TIE fighters. He thinks
7523 for a moment and then moves his targeting device into
7524 position.
7525
7526 LUKE
7527 Watch yourself! Increase speed full
7528 throttle!
7529
7530 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
7531
7532 Wedge looks excitedly about for any sign of the TIE fighters.
7533
7534 WEDGE
7535 What about the tower?
7536
7537 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7538
7539 LUKE
7540 You worry about those fighters! I'll
7541 worry about the tower!
7542
7543 EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE
7544
7545 Luke's X-wing streaks through the trench, firing lasers.
7546
7547 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7548
7549 Luke breaks into a nervous sweat as the laserfire is returned,
7550 knicking one of his wings close to the engine.
7551
7552 LUKE
7553 (to Artoo)
7554 Artoo... that, that stabilizer's
7555 broken loose again! See if you can't
7556 lock it down!
7557
7558 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7559
7560 Artoo works to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushes by
7561 in the background, making his delicate task seem even more
7562 precarious.
7563
7564 EXT. DEATH STAR
7565
7566 Two laser cannons are firing on the Rebel fighters.
7567
7568 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
7569
7570 Wedge looks up and sees the TIE ships.
7571
7572 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7573
7574 Luke's targeting device marks off the distance to the target.
7575
7576 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7577
7578 Vader and his wingmen zoom closer.
7579
7580 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7581
7582 Vader adjusts his controls and fires laserbolts at two X-
7583 wings flying down the trench. He scores a direct hit on Wedge.
7584
7585 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7586
7587 Leia and the others are grouped around the computer board.
7588
7589 WEDGE
7590 (over speaker)
7591 I'm hit! I can't stay with you.
7592
7593 LUKE
7594 (over speaker)
7595 Get clear, Wedge.
7596
7597 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7598
7599 LUKE
7600 You can't do any more good back there!
7601
7602 INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
7603
7604 WEDGE
7605 Sorry!
7606
7607 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7608
7609 Wedge pulls his crippled X-wing back away from the battle.
7610
7611 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7612
7613 Vader watches the escape but issues a command to his wingmen.
7614
7615 VADER
7616 Let him go! Stay on the leader!
7617
7618 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7619
7620 Luke's X-wing speeds down the trench; the three TIE fighters,
7621 still in perfect unbroken formation, tail close behind.
7622
7623 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7624
7625 Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters. He is worried.
7626
7627 BIGGS
7628 Hurry, Luke, they're coming in much
7629 faster this time. I can't hold them!
7630
7631 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7632
7633 The three TIE fighters move ever closer, closing in on Luke
7634 and Biggs.
7635
7636 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7637
7638 Luke looks back anxiously at little Artoo.
7639
7640 LUKE
7641 Artoo, try and increase the power!
7642
7643 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7644
7645 Ignoring the bumpy ride, flak, and lasers, a beeping Artoo-
7646 Detoo struggles to increase the power, his dome turning from
7647 side to side.
7648
7649 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7650
7651 Stealthily, the TIE formation creeps closer.
7652
7653 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7654
7655 Vader adjusts his control stick.
7656
7657 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7658
7659 Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters.
7660
7661 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7662
7663 Luke looks into his targeting device. He moves it away for a
7664 moment and ponders its use. He looks back into the computer
7665 targeter.
7666
7667 BIGGS
7668 (over headset)
7669 Hurry up, Luke!
7670
7671 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7672
7673 Vader and his wingmen race through the Death Star trench.
7674 Biggs moves in to cover for Luke, but Vader gains on him.
7675
7676 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7677
7678 Biggs sees the TIE fighter aiming at him.
7679
7680 BIGGS
7681 Wait!
7682
7683 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7684
7685 Vader squeezes the fire button on his controls.
7686
7687 INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
7688
7689 Biggs' cockpit explodes around him, lighting him in red.
7690
7691 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7692
7693 Biggs' ship bursts into a million flaming bits and scatters
7694 across the surface.
7695
7696 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7697
7698 Leia and the others stare at the computer board.
7699
7700 INT. LUKE'S X-WING COCKPIT
7701
7702 Luke is stunned by Biggs' death. His eyes are watering, but
7703 his anger is also growing.
7704
7705 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
7706
7707 Grand Moff Tarkin watches the projected target screen with
7708 satisfaction.
7709
7710 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
7711 Rebel base, thirty seconds and
7712 closing.
7713
7714 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7715
7716 Vader takes aim on Luke and talks to the wingmen.
7717
7718 VADER
7719 I'm on the leader.
7720
7721 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR - LUKE'S SHIP
7722
7723 Luke's ship streaks through the trench of the Death Star.
7724
7725 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7726
7727 Princess Leia returns her general's worried and doubtful
7728 glances with solid, grim determination. Threepio seems
7729 nervous.
7730
7731 THREEPIO
7732 Hang on, Artoo!
7733
7734 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7735
7736 Luke concentrates on his targeting device.
7737
7738 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7739
7740 Three TIE fighters charge away down the trench toward Luke.
7741
7742 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7743
7744 Vader's finger's curls around the control stick.
7745
7746 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7747
7748 Luke adjusts the lens of his targeting device.
7749
7750 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7751
7752 Luke's ship charges down the trench.
7753
7754 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7755
7756 Luke lines up the yellow cross-hair lines of the targeting
7757 device's screen. He looks into the targeting device, then
7758 starts at a voice he hears.
7759
7760 BEN'S VOICE
7761 Use the Force, Luke.
7762
7763 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7764
7765 The Death Star trench zooms by.
7766
7767 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7768
7769 Luke looks up, then starts to look back into the targeting
7770 device. He has second thoughts.
7771
7772 BEN'S VOICE
7773 Let go, Luke.
7774
7775 A grim determination sweeps across Luke's face as he closes
7776 his eyes and starts to mumble Ben's training to himself.
7777
7778 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7779
7780 Luke's fighter streaks through the trench.
7781
7782 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7783
7784 VADER
7785 The Force is strong with this one!
7786
7787 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7788
7789 Vader follows Luke's X-wing down the trench.
7790
7791 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7792
7793 Luke looks to the targeting device, then away as he hears
7794 Ben's voice.
7795
7796 BEN'S VOICE
7797 Luke, trust me.
7798
7799 Luke's hand reaches for the control panel and presses the
7800 button. The targeting device moves away.
7801
7802 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7803
7804 Leia and the others stand watching the projected screen.
7805
7806 BASE VOICE
7807 (over speaker)
7808 His computer's off. Luke, you switched
7809 off your targeting computer. What's
7810 wrong?
7811
7812 LUKE
7813 (over speaker)
7814 Nothing. I'm all right.
7815
7816 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7817
7818 Luke's ship streaks ever close to the exhaust port.
7819
7820 INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
7821
7822 Luke looks at the Death Star surface streaking by.
7823
7824 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7825
7826 Artoo-Detoo turns his head from side to side, beeping in
7827 anticipation.
7828
7829 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7830
7831 The three TIE fighters, manned by Vader and his two wingmen,
7832 follow Luke's X-wing down the trench.
7833
7834 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7835
7836 Vader maneuvers his controls as he looks at his doomed target.
7837 He presses the fire buttons on his control sticks. Laserfire
7838 shoots toward Luke's X-wing fighter.
7839
7840 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7841
7842 A large burst of Vader's laserfire engulfs Artoo. The arms
7843 go limp on the smoking little droid as he makes a high-pitched
7844 sound.
7845
7846 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7847
7848 Luke looks frantically back over his shoulder at Artoo.
7849
7850 EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
7851
7852 Smoke billows out around little Artoo and sparks begin to
7853 fly.
7854
7855 LUKE
7856 I've lost Artoo!
7857
7858 Artoo's beeping sounds die out.
7859
7860 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7861
7862 Leia and the others stare intently at the projected screen,
7863 while Threepio watches the Princess. Lights representing the
7864 Death Star and targets glow brightly.
7865
7866 MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
7867 The Death Star has cleared the planet.
7868 The Death Star has cleared the planet.
7869
7870 INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
7871
7872 Tarkin glares at the projected target screen.
7873
7874 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
7875 Rebel base, in range.
7876
7877 TARKIN
7878 You may fire when ready.
7879
7880 DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
7881 Commence primary ignition.
7882
7883 An officer reaches up and pushes buttons on the control panel,
7884 as green lighted buttons turn to red.
7885
7886 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7887
7888 The three TIE fighters zoom down the Death Star trench in
7889 pursuit of Luke, never breaking formation.
7890
7891 INT. LUKE'S COCKPIT
7892
7893 Luke looks anxiously at the exhaust port.
7894
7895 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7896
7897 Vader adjusts his control sticks, checking his projected
7898 targeting screen.
7899
7900 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7901
7902 Luke's ship barrels down the trench.
7903
7904 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7905
7906 Vader's targeting computer swings around into position. Vader
7907 takes careful aim on Luke's X-wing fighter.
7908
7909 VADER
7910 I have you now.
7911
7912 He pushes the fire buttons.
7913
7914 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7915
7916 The three TIE fighters move in on Luke. As Vader's center
7917 fighter unleashes a volley of laserfire, one of the TIE ships
7918 at his side is hit and explodes into flame. The two remaining
7919 ships continue to move in.
7920
7921 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7922
7923 Luke looks about, wondering whose laserfire destroyed Vader's
7924 wingman.
7925
7926 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7927
7928 Vader is taken by surprise, and looks out from his cockpit.
7929
7930 VADER
7931 What?
7932
7933 INT. DARTH VADER'S WINGMAN - COCKPIT
7934
7935 Vader's wingman searches around him trying to locate the
7936 unknown attacker.
7937
7938 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
7939
7940 Han and Chewbacca grin from ear to ear.
7941
7942 HAN
7943 (yelling)
7944 Yahoo!
7945
7946 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7947
7948 The Millennium Falcon heads right at the two TIE fighters.
7949 It's a collision course.
7950
7951 INT. WINGMAN'S COCKPIT
7952
7953 The wingman spots the pirateship coming at him and warns the
7954 Dark Lord.
7955
7956 WINGMAN
7957 Look out!
7958
7959 EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
7960
7961 Vader's wingman panics at the sight of the oncoming pirate
7962 starship and veers radically to one side, colliding with
7963 Vader's TIE fighter in the process. Vader's wingman crashes
7964 into the side wall of the trench and explodes. Vader's damaged
7965 ship spins out of the trench with a damaged wing.
7966
7967 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
7968
7969 Vader's ship spins out of control with a bent solar fin,
7970 heading for deep space.
7971
7972 INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
7973
7974 Vader turns round and round in circles as his ship spins
7975 into space.
7976
7977 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
7978
7979 Solo's ship moves in toward the Death Star trench.
7980
7981 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
7982
7983 Solo, smiling, speaks to Luke over his headset mike.
7984
7985 HAN
7986 (into mike)
7987 You're all clear, kid.
7988
7989 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
7990
7991 Leia and the others listen to Solo's transmission.
7992
7993 HAN
7994 (over speaker)
7995 Now let's blow this thing and go
7996 home!
7997
7998 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
7999
8000 Luke looks up and smiles. He concentrates on the exhaust
8001 port, then fires his laser torpedoes.
8002
8003 EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
8004
8005 Luke's torpedoes shoot toward the port and seems to simply
8006 disappear into the surface and not explode. But the shots do
8007 find their mark and have gone into the exhaust port and are
8008 heading for the main reactor.
8009
8010 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
8011
8012 Luke throws his head back in relief.
8013
8014 INT. DEATH STAR
8015
8016 An Imperial soldier runs to the control panel board and pulls
8017 the attack lever as the board behind him lights up.
8018
8019 INTERCOM VOICE
8020 Stand by to fire at Rebel base.
8021
8022 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
8023
8024 Two X-wings, a Y-wing, and the pirateship race toward Yavin
8025 in the distance.
8026
8027 INT. DEATH STAR
8028
8029 Several Imperial soldiers, flanking a pensive Grand Moff
8030 Tarkin, busily push control levers and buttons.
8031
8032 INTERCOM VOICE
8033 Standing by.
8034
8035 The rumble of a distant explosion begins.
8036
8037 EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
8038
8039 The Rebel ships race out of sight, leaving the moon-like
8040 Death Star alone against a blanket of stars. Several small
8041 flashes appear on the surface. The Death Star bursts into a
8042 supernova, creating a spectacular heavenly display.
8043
8044 INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
8045
8046 HAN
8047 Great shot, kid. That was one in a
8048 million.
8049
8050 INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
8051
8052 Luke is at ease, and his eyes are closed.
8053
8054 BEN'S VOICE
8055 Remember, the Force will be with
8056 you... always.
8057
8058 The ship rocks back and forth.
8059
8060 EXT. DARTH VADER'S TIE FIGHTER
8061
8062 Vader's ship spins off into space.
8063
8064 EXT. SPACE
8065
8066 The Rebel ships race toward the fourth moon of Yavin.
8067
8068 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN HANGAR
8069
8070 Luke climbs out of his starship fighter and is cheered by a
8071 throng of ground crew and pilots. Luke climbs down the ladder
8072 as they all welcome him with laughter, cheers, and shouting.
8073 Princess Leia rushes toward him.
8074
8075 LEIA
8076 Luke! Luke! Luke!
8077
8078 She throws her arms around Luke and hugs him as they dance
8079 around in a circle. Solo runs in toward Luke and they embrace
8080 one another, slapping each other on the back.
8081
8082 HAN
8083 (laughing)
8084 Hey! Hey!
8085
8086 LUKE
8087 (laughing)
8088 I knew you'd come back! I just knew
8089 it!
8090
8091 HAN
8092 Well, I wasn't gonna let you get all
8093 the credit and take all the reward.
8094
8095 Luke and Han look at one another, as Solo playfully shoves
8096 at Luke's face. Leia moves in between them.
8097
8098 LEIA
8099 (laughing)
8100 Hey, I knew there was more to you
8101 than money.
8102
8103 Luke looks toward the ship.
8104
8105 LUKE
8106 Oh, no!
8107
8108 The fried little Artoo-Detoo is lifted off the back of the
8109 fighter and carried off under the worried eyes of Threepio.
8110
8111 THREEPIO
8112 Oh, my! Artoo! Can you hear me? Say
8113 something!
8114 (to mechanic)
8115 You can repair him, can't you?
8116
8117 TECHNICIAN
8118 We'll get to work on him right away.
8119
8120 THREEPIO
8121 You must repair him! Sir, if any of
8122 my circuits or gears will help, I'll
8123 gladly donate them.
8124
8125 LUKE
8126 He'll be all right.
8127
8128 INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN THRONE ROOM
8129
8130 Luke, Han, and Chewbacca enter the huge ruins of the main
8131 temple. Hundreds of troops are lined up in neat rows. Banners
8132 are flying and at the far end stands a vision in white, the
8133 beautiful young Senator Leia. Luke and the others solemnly
8134 march up the long aisle and kneel before Senator Leia. From
8135 one side of the temple marches a shined-up and fully repaired
8136 Artoo-Detoo. He waddles up to the group and stands next to
8137 an equally pristine Threepio, who is rather awestruck by the
8138 whole event. Chewbacca is confused. Dodonna and several other
8139 dignitaries sit on the left of the Princess Leia. Leia is
8140 dressed in a long white dress and is staggeringly beautiful.
8141 She rises and places a gold medallion around Han's neck. He
8142 winks at her. She then repeats the ceremony with Luke, who
8143 is moved by the event. They turn and face the assembled
8144 troops, who all bow before them. Chewbacca growls and Artoo
8145 beeps with happiness.
8146
8147 FADE OUT:
8148
8149 END CREDITS OVER STARS
8150
8151 THE END