Download: The Empire Strikes Back – Scanned First Draft by Leigh Brackett (PDF)
Download: The Empire Strikes Back – First Draft by Leigh Brackett (transcript)
STAR WARS sequel
Screenplay
by
LEIGH BRACKETT
Notes on the transcription:
- Italics represent handwritten lines in the script or in the margins
- Cross-outs represent typed lines which were XXX-ed out with the typewriter or crossed out by hand, but which were still legible (totally illegible XXX-ed out lines have been left out of the transcription)
- Double cross-outs represent typed lines which were XXX-ed out with the typewriter and crossed out by hand
- Italicized cross-outs represent handwritten lines that were crossed out by hand, but which were still legible
- [unreadable] represents illegible handwritten words in the middle of otherwise legible handwritten lines (totally illegible handwritten lines have been left out of the transcription)
- [Missing] represents a line, or lines, that were cut off by the person who scanned the script from the original
- (sic) denotes misspelled or incorrect words in the original
- {notes} represent handwritten notes from an editor, that are not part of the story
- Please excuse the formatting
Leigh Brackett – feb 17, 1978
FADE IN
1 EXT PLAIN OF ICE PLANET – DAY
A sweeping dramatic shot of LUKE SKYWALKER, mounted on a white snow-lizard, racing across a white snowy landscape. Luke’s scarlet cloak flies in the wind. Curving plumes of snow rise from beneath the speeding paws of the lizard. All about in the distance, snow-wraiths blow on the wind across a cruel and beautiful landscape, in the light of a strange sun.
2 EXT LOW RIDGE – DAY
The low ridge rises from the plain like a long-backed dune of snow. Luke gallops up the slope into CLOSE SHOT and reins his lizard to a halt. Luke’s face is protected by a masking helmet and goggles, but now he pushes up the goggles so that we can see that it is indeed Luke. He looks keenly about at the land beyond the ridge. He carries a blaster on his right hip and his light-saber on the left.
3 LUKE’S POV
More of the lovely, cruel, white country, apparently deserted except for the blown veils of snow. Dimly there appears through these veils a formation of rocks or perhaps ice of exceptional beauty, catching points of fire from the sun.
4 BACK TO LUKE
He smiles and activates his helmet radio.
LUKE
Han. Come in, Han Solo.
CUT TO
5 EXT PLAIN – DAY HAN SOLO
Han is also mounted on a white snow lizard. He is galloping along on another part of the plain, distinguished perhaps by some tumbled rock ice formations. He pulls up.
6 HAN SOLO
He speaks into his helmet radio.
HAN
Yeah, Luke. What is it?
7 LUKE
LUKE
(into radio)
Nothing. No sign of life. I’m at the north ridge. How about you?
8 HAN SOLO
HAN
(into radio)
I’m at the cliffs. I haven’t seen anything either. I guess the survey was right – the planet’s clean. We might as well go back to Base. I’ll wait for you.
9 LUKE
LUKE
(into radio, looking o.s.)
No, you go on…no use freezing to death. There’s a real pretty ice formation on the other side of the ridge…want to get a closer look at it. I’ll Follow you in a few minutes.
10 HAN
HAN
(into radio, big-brother style)
Now wait a minute, Luke. Orders said just to the ridge. Don’t take any chances…
The helmet radio makes some angry squawking noises that cause Han to wince.
HAN
Okay, okay, break your fool neck. I was just asking you if you were….
The mike makes one final snarl and goes dead.
HAN
(shrugs)
…All right. I guess he’s all right.
(to lizard)
Come on, my animated ice-berg, let’s get back where it’s warm. Or at least, warmer.
He prods the lizard into motion and races away, cloak flying.
11 EXT RIDGE – DAY LUKE
Luke readjusts his helmet and goggles, looks off at the alluring ice-formation, and starts jauntily off along the farther slope of the low ridge, angling his mount in a graceful curve. The scene is one of sheer beauty, both in motion and setting.
12 CLOSER ANGLE
A veil of snow blows across the slope…no different from any of the others. It momentarily obscures Luke and his mount…and suddenly, without warning, a gigantic form explodes out of the snow almost under the feet of the lizard, which screams and rears, throwing Luke. The monstrous shape…white on white against the snow-cloud, we do not see it clearly except that it is huge and menacing…utters a weird and bestial groaning like rocks boulders grinding together in the bowels of a mountain. It strikes the lizard dead with one horrendous blow, breaking its neck. Half stunned by the fall, Luke staggers up and attempts to draw the light-saber blaster holstered at his hip. The snowman fetches him a blow across the face that would have taken part of his head off if it had not been for the helmet. Luke falls. Loses blaster. He also has his light-saber.
13 LUKE
He lies motionless in the snow, bleeding, his helmet torn, goggles gone, one side of his face a mass of blood. Above him, obscure in the snow-cloud, the white monster looks down at him, then bends and grasps him by one ankle and drags him away.
CUT TO
14 EXT ICE CASTLE AND APPROACHES – DAY
The ice castle is a natural structure of great beauty with fantastic domes and spires, much akin to the one that lured Luke into trouble only larger. No banners fly from its “battlements”. There are no visible sentries and the wind-scoured ice of the approaches shows no tracks. Yet Han Solo gallops his snow-lizard confidently toward the blank glittering wall of the structure. In upper natural caves hollowed out there are hooded gun emplacements and radar installations all constructed to be invisible from above.
15 THE ICE CASTLE – DAY
As Han approaches the seemingly blank wall, a section of the ice slides open and he disappears inside, the wall closing behind him.
16 INT ICE CASTLE – DAY OUTER COURT
Inside, the ice has been hollowed out into a series of chambers and halls. In this, the outer court, Han dismounts and gives his lizard to an attendant. Stripping off helmet and goggles, he hurries on toward an inner door. Here he is stopped by a SOLDIER JUNIOR OFFICER on duty with several SOLDIERS.
HAN
Han Solo, with a report for the.…Princess.
OFFICER
Captain Solo, the Princess Leia wishes you to report to her immediately.
HAN
Well, that’s what I just….
17 INT INNER HALL – DAY AT DOOR
OFFICER
She’s in the War Room on the Third Level. Soldier, escort Captain…
HAN
I know the way.
He turns and strides impatiently across the inner hall, which is large and busy, with people and robots going back and forth on errands. There are corridors opening off the hall, and a bank of lifts. Han Solo steps into one of these and is taken down. The officer meanwhile turns to an intercom.
18 INT THIRD LEVEL – DAY
This level has been blasted out of solid rock ice and is huge in extent. Stretching away on either side, as Han steps out of the lift, we see a hangar deck with rebel ships ranked in line. An X-wing fighter is being towed into place. Mechanics and mech-robots work among the ships. In other places are banks of indicators with flashing lights showing the status of various life-support systems. Men, women, and robots monitor these indicators. Huge pipes snake across the roof overhead. The scene is one of great activity, planned and orderly.
Han Solo crosses toward a door that says WAR ROOM Authorized Personnel Only. He hesitates briefly, then strides on past along the hangar deck.
19 INT HANGAR DECK – THIRD LEVEL – DAY
Han approaches the battered, unorthodox shape of the MILENNIUM FALCON, looking out of place among the sleek war-craft. He runs up the gangway.
HAN
Chewie…?
20 INT FALCON – DAY
CHEWBACCA, the Wookie, answers with growling pleasure from the control cabin as Han enters the main cabin. Chewie comes in wiping his paws on oily waste and talking a blue streak. Han laughs and pats his huge chest.
HAN
You’re not any more bored than I am, Chewie. I never thought I’d go for a sojer, and I doubt if it’ll last long I can put up with it much longer. You just keep the old Falcon in….
They both break off as a heavy BOOMING SOUND interrupts, and the ground shakes. Chewbacca roars.
HAN
Calm down…they’re just blasting more space to put more ships as they come in. You just keep the old Falcon in top shape, Chewie. Never know when we may want to jump.
(moving his shoulders uneasily)
I’ve got that funny old itch again, just like when the hot breath of the law was puffing down the back of my neck.
Chewie growls understandingly.
21 INT WAR ROOM – DAY
FEATURING a huge map or three-dimensional galactic model occupying one entire wall of a good-sized room. The model shows the heavily-clustered stars at the central core, thinning out along the outflung spiral arms.
20 (cont.)
Chewie growls a question and Han shrugs, shaking his head.
HAN
How should I know? Nobody’s likely to find us in this forsaken hole. I doubt if even God remembers where He hung this star.
21 INT WAR ROOM – DAY THE PLOTTING TANK
At first we think we’re in space looking down from above at the entire galaxy…the burning core of stars at the center, the outflung spiral arms. It is dizzying. Then a single point of light brightens…green light…and a man’s voice speaks OVER.
MAN’S VOICE
We are here…the second fourth planet of this detached system at the edge of the Granida Cluster.
The green light is indeed close to a great hive of suns, burning with many colors.
22 INT WAR ROOM – DAY FULL SHOT
We see now that the galaxy is a three-dimensional model occupying a huge tank in the center of a rock hewn great ice chamber. Men and women stand or move about on a catwalk that surrounds it. Lining the walls are control panels, indicator panels, computers, and communicators.
The man who has spoken, COMMANDER WILLARD, stands on the walk with PRINCESS LEIA, GENERAL DODONNA, and some other brass, looking down at the plotting tank.
WILLARD
It is to be We hoped that the massive energy output of the cluster will mask hide our comings and goings from the Empire radar sweeps, which we know will eventually quarter the entire galaxy. See Threepio….
23 INT WAR ROOM – DAY
At one of the control panels, C3PO stands ready, with R2D2 beside him.
THREEPIO
Yes, Commander.
WILLARD
Let us have the display, based on our latest calculations.
THREEPIO
Right away, sir. (officiously to Artoo) Artoo, you have your orders.
Artoo whistles derisively and does things to the panel.
24 THE TANK
Princess Leia, Willard, and others in f.g. looking down. The galaxy model now shifts color. Part of it, the largest part, is engulfed in red.
WILLARD
That is the Empire.
Other areas begin to glow green, first a small well-defined center and then scattered patches or single lights.
WILLARD
Since we destroyed the Empire’s Death Star, many more systems have found courage to join the rebellion. At the last count, one thousand and twenty-six. But as you see, we’re widely scattered and still vastly inferior in ships and men. This base, if we can establish and hold it, is strategically placed for….
He breaks off and looks up, as they all do, as Han Solo flings the door open and enters.
WILLARD
Captain Solo, I believe you were ordered to report at once. Where have you been? Something more important delayed you no doubt.
Han reddens. Princess Leia puts a hand on Willard’s arm.
LEIA
I’ll handle this. Please continue, gentlemen. Han—
24 (cont.)
She walks quickly to Han, whose mouth is open on an angry retort. He shuts it as she smiles at him.
LEIA
Let’s go outside.
They go
25 THREEPIO AND ARTOO
They have watched this; they see Han and Leia go out, and Threepio gives the robotic equivalent of a chuckle.
THREEPIO
For a moment I really thought Captain Solo was going to simply fuse all his circuits. He’s as undisciplined as you, Artoo.
Artoo makes a rude noise and continues to manage the board as men’s voices continue behind them at the plotting tank.
THREEPIO
(serious now)
I have to admit I’m worried. What the commander says is true. The Empire is so powerful even without the Death Star, and we’re taking an awful chance with this base…putting all our eggs in one basket, as it were.
Artoo makes a series of whistling sounds.
THREEPIO
We don’t have haven’t got enough eggs for two baskets? That’s a profound remark, Artoo. I’ll treasure it.
26 EXT DOCKING BAY – DAY
Leia has drawn is leading Han into a quiet area of the hangar. Han has recovered his good humor and is bending over Leia with a smile. But her small face is serious and intent.
LEIA
So you saw no signs of any inhabitants.
HAN
(Shaking his head)
Hostile or otherwise. Leia…
LEIA
Where’s Luke?
26 (cont.)
HAN
He’ll be along. He had to go look at something pretty on the other side of the ridge.
(halts)
Leia, I’ve been meaning to…
She holds up her hand imperiously, every inch a princess.
LEIA
Han. I want you to Listen to me. And you’re not going to like what I have to say.
(a beat)
We’ve been in touch with your stepfather.
Han’s face changes, hardens. He steps back from her.
HAN
He’s not my stepfather.
LEIA
Well, whatever he is. He was fond of you once…of all the people in the galaxy, you’re the only one he might listen to.
HAN
No. And anyway, he won’t…
LEIA
He’s agreed to talk to you.
HAN
He has. Well, that’s fine. I don’t want to talk to him.
LEIA
I don’t know why you quarreled with him and ran away from him. I don’t care. All that matters is that Ovan Marekal is the most powerful man in the galaxy next to the Emperor himself…and Darth Vader. Through the his Transport Guild he controls…
HAN
(impatiently)
…he controls all the pilots and navigators in commercial space, and wars aren’t won entirely with weapons. I know that. I also know that Ovan Marekal goes with the winning side, and that’s the Empire. He doesn’t exactly love it, but that’s where the power is.
26 (cont.)
27 INT ICE CORRIDOR – DAY
Han and Leia have stopped now in an unfinished side corridor away from the noise and activity of the docking area. The corridor stretches away into dimness beyond where the light strip ends. Leia is looking up at Han, and he at her neither of them see what might be vague shadowy motion, white-on-white, at the far dim end of the corridor.
LEIA
You might change his mind.
HAN
I might. And all this ice might melt and become a tropical garden. Leia…
LEIA
(ignoring his tone)
When If the Emperor crushes the rebellion and comes to full power, how long does Ovan Marekal think his precious Guild will last? Han, we must have him on our side. You must try to win him for us.
Han puts his hands gently on either side of the (sic) Leia’s face, turning her lips toward his his (sic). He bends over her.
HAN
Leia…for you…I’d try even that…
LEIA
You would? For me?
She smiles. Now his arms go around her. He pulls her closer to him and for a moment it seems that she is melting in his arms, ready for his kiss. In the background, unnoticed, the dim white shapes move and watch. At the very last minute, Leia slaps Han’s face with a resounding crack and he starts back, letting her go, thoroughly startled. Coldly angry, she faces him.
LEIA
Captain Solo, a great war is raging. What you would do for me, or I for you, are matters of no consequence. The mission is vital. The success or failure of the Rebel Alliance may depend on it. As an officer of that Alliance, do you will you or will you not accept the mission?
HAN
(rigidly)
I’ll think about it. Your Highness.
27 (cont.)
She turns and stalks away and he follows her. Behind them at the end of the corridor the white-on-white shadows seem also to have departed.
DISSOLVE TO
28 INT SNOWMAN CAVE – DAY NIGHT
Luke Skywalker lies on the floor of an ice cave, alone. Somewhere in the recesses of the cave we can hear voices; the deep growling unhuman voices like the grinding of rocks together of rocks, the cadence very slow, the rise and fall of tones very limited. We can understand no single word; perhaps there are no words. Yet there is menace in the voices, chillingly alien and incomprehensible.
Luke stirs. The cave is suffused with a strange light, as of starlight but much brighter. Luke’s face is covered in dried or frozen blood on one side. He sits up, touching himself to discover the extent of his injuries, looking about him, listening to the muttering voices. His light-saber is still holstered at his side. He can see no one. Gathering himself, moving unsteadily, he steals toward what appears to be the cave mouth.
He has almost reached it when, through glittering shapes of ice at one side, a gigantic white form emerges and bars the way. It reaches for Luke with huge amorphous paws, grating and grumbling, and for a moment Luke stands appalled…and then a voice seems to speak to him very softly and quietly, a remembered voice a familiar and well-loved voice.
BEN’S VOICE (over)
Remember the Force, boy. Let the Force be with you. Open your mind to it, open your heart…
LUKE
Ben…Ben!
Stepping back from the monstrous form, only half glimpsed in the starlight, Luke seems to grow taller, to take on stature, his weakness leaving him. He draws the light-saber, and when the beast lunges at him he moves expertly, slashing with the beam…and the beast with one strange cry vanishes in a burst of vapor back into the icy formations.
Luke runs out of the cave.
29 EXT ICE PLANET PLAIN – NIGHT
Luke runs across the snowy plain under a night sky of incredible magnificence, with the great star cluster burning overhead. At the mouth of the cave behind him there are groanings and grumblings and moving shapes but the
29 (cont.)
creatures do not attempt to follow.
30 EXT ICE PLANET PLAIN – NIGHT
Luke runs on, a small figure in the vastness of snow and cluster-light. His pace begins to slow and his track weaves from side to side. He stumbles, goes to his hands and knees.
LUKE
Ben…help me. I can’t control…The Force. It’s gone.
There is no help. Luke drags himself erect. And stagger
LUKE
Please help me, Ben. Please help…
He staggers on, toward the foot of a long slope of snow. He essays the ascent, falls again, and lies still for a moment, then begins painfully to crawl upward.
31 HAN SOLO, LEIA, AND OTHERS
A search party pulls up mounted on snow-lizards pulls up at to (sic) top of the slope some distance away and Han points to the still figure of Luke lying in the snow.
HAN
There he is!
LEIA
Thank God.
They race down the slope toward Luke.
DISSOLVE TO
32 INT BASE SICK BAY – DAY NIGHT
Threepio and Artoo hurry together down a long corridor cut from the ice of the base.
THREEPIO
Poor Master Luke! If I’d been with him, this might never have happened.
Artoo beeps and whistles.
THREEPIO
Certainly my joints would have frozen, but not at once, and I might have been able to -what is it now?
CONTINUED
32 (cont.)
Passing the mouth of a side corridor, Artoo has halted and turned, apparently caught by something he sees or senses in the side corridor. He takes a few tentative steps into the side corridor, beeping uncertainly.
THREEPIO
What do you mean, you saw something? It’s only storage space, and not even finished yet.
He follows Artoo into the corridor.
33 INT SIDE CORRIDOR – NIGHT
At the end of the corridor, where the light does not reach, there is a suggestion of movement, white-on-white. Artoo begins making urgent noises, halting abruptly. Threepio peers into the dimness.
THREEPIO
Nonsense, you silly collection of spare parts! Your sensors are You’d better have your sensors checked…the cold here seems to be affecting them. Come along now…
(but Artoo is way ahead of him, scooting back into the main corridor)
Artoo! Wait for me!
34 INT MAIN CORRIDOR – NIGHT
But Artoo is waiting for no man, nor robot. Beeping furiously, he hurries on, with Threepio lumbering in his wake.
THREEPIO
Artoo! Wait..!
35 INT BASE SICK BAY – NIGHT
Luke lies in a bunk in the small sick bay, his face roughly bandaged. Leia hovers sits on the side of the bunk, holding his hand, her face showing her concern. Han Solo, standing at the foot of the bunk, does not miss this. Commander Willard is also there.
LUKE
I don’t know what they are. I couldn’t get a good look at them, even at the one I killed or drove away. It just…vanished. I only know they’re big huge and white, and cold. they seem to live in the snow and ice the way sharks do in water. And they’re just about as friendly.
CONTINUED
35 (cont.)
WILLARD
Could you make any estimate as to their number? Were there many of them?
LUKE
No. I don’t know. I heard strange voices.
An inner door of the bay opens and a DOCTOR and NURSE enter.
DOCTOR
Your Highness…Commander. This man has lost an awful lot of blood, and his wounds need attention. I must ask you….
WILLARD
One moment, Doctor. This is vital. Skywalker…do you believe that these snow-creatures pose any threat to the base?
LUKE
I can’t…
He is interrupted by a beeping and whistling o.s. outside. The outer door opens. Artoo and Threepio enter.
LUKE
Artoo! Threepio!
THREEPIO
Master Luke. Oh, Master Luke! If I’d only been there to help…
LUKE
The Force helped me.
HAN
(derisively)
The Force!
LUKE
Yes. I heard old Ben…or I thought I did…telling me to open my mind to the Force, and I must have because suddenly I was strong and able to fight kill the thing fight. That’s how I got away.
HAN
You only got one of them. Why didn’t the others follow you?
LUKE
Maybe they’re afraid of the night sky, the cluster of [unreadable] the Force. The Force held them. But after that I lost it. But after I lost it, I couldn’t get it back. If you hadn’t found me, I…
(he shakes his head, then starts up in alarm)
My sabre. My father’s light-sabre. Where is it?
CONTINUED
35 (cont.)
THREEPIO
Right here, Master Luke.
The saber lies on a table nearby. Luke reaches out for it and Threepio picks it up…fumbles it…grasps the hilt…
36 CLOSE SHOT
On Threepio’s hands with the light sabre. As he grips the hilt awkwardly there is a sharp click and something crystalline and shiny pops out of a hidden recess in the hilt.
THREEPIO
Oh dear.
36 BACK TO SCENE
THREEPIO
Oh, dear, what have I done? I’ve broken it, Master Luke…
HAN
No, wait a minute, wait a minute, calm down.
He takes the sabre from Threepio and studies it.
HAN
Stupid contraption. You’d do better to throw the thing away and get yourself a good blaster. It’s a miracle he could do anything with this antique. Let’s see – There’s a little stud here hidden here. It activates a spring and….
LUKE
(almost feverishly)
Let me have it…
DOCTOR
Skywalker, if you want….
LUKE
Let me have it, Han!
The Doctor shrugs and Han gives Luke the saber. Luke looks at the crystal projecting from the hilt. He works it gently with his fingers, and it comes free.
LUKE
Yes. It belongs there. It fits. But what is it?
Artoo, who has kept up a steady, if subdued, beeping, now gives a shriller whistling.
THREEPIO
I could have told him that, Artoo.
36 (cont.)
LUKE
A memory cell…like from a computer?
LEIA
Luke…put it away now and let the doctor….
But Artoo, having finally managed to get people’s attention, goes into a renewed burst of urgent noises.
HAN
What is he babbling about? He hasn’t shut up once since he came in here.
THREEPIO
He claims he saw something big and white moving at the end of a corridor. Sheer nonsense, of course, and I’ve told him to have his sensors…..
Threepio suddenly becomes aware of the frozen stares he is getting from everyone in the room.
THREEPIO
It is nonsense…isn’t it?
WILLARD
Princess…I think we’d better continue this the discussion outside and let the doctor get on with his work.
DOCTOR
That would be nice. I’d appreciate it.
LUKE
Leia…if those things are in the base….
LEIA
We’ll be careful. Don’t worry.
She kisses him quickly on his unbandaged cheek. They all go out, Artoo giving one final triumphant beep. Doctor and nurse approach Luke’s bed. He is still holding the saber and the crystal. Staring at the crystal, he starts to replace it in the sabre-hilt, fumbling a bit from weakness.
DOCTOR
Perhaps you’d better let me do that.
LUKE
No. I’ll manage.
Fascinated, he stares at the enigmatic crystal. CAMERA MOVES IN TO A CLOSE on the glittery thing and
DISSOLVES TO
37 CLOSE SHOT
A moving beam of light reflects splintered radiance from knobs and spikes of ice on a rough ice wall.
WILLARD’S VOICE
(over)
No sign of anything here now.
38 INT SIDE CORRIDOR – NIGHT
Willard, holding a torch in one hand and a blaster in the other, Han and Leia each armed with a blaster, stand in a wary group of with Threepio and Artoo.
HAN
It’s possible Artoo was mistaken.
Artoo makes a noise like Hmph! They start to move back into the main corridor.
WILLARD
I’m afraid we have to believe that…Artoo…assume that –
He breaks off and they all pause a moment as the dull booming shock of an explosion somewhere reaches them from somewhere in the base.
LEIA
I’ll be glad when they stop that.
WILLARD
We all will.
39 INT MAIN CORRIDOR – NIGHT
As they come back into the main corridor.
WILLARD
We have to assume that Artoo saw exactly what he said he did.
LEIA
But how in the world could these creatures get into the base?
WILLARD
There’s no rock around us – just ice. They could tunnel.
HAN
And What could they do, anyway? They sound very primitive…just animals.
WILLARD
Nevertheless, until we know a little more about it I’m going to
39 (cont.)
Suddenly alarm hooters begin to SOUND all through the base and mechanical voices speak through boom through speakers mounted in the corridor.
VOICE FROM SPEAKER
Red alert! Red alert! Security squads Six and Eight to Sector K-12 on the double! All other personnel evacuate the area immediately. I repeat, Red Alert. All personnel report to assigned stations.
WILLARD
K-12…that’s where they’ve been blasting.
He starts to run. Leia and Han follow. The mechanical voice and the hooting continue as a blurred background as they go. Threepio and Artoo hesitate.
THREEPIO
Report to assigned stations. Thank heaven ours is nowhere near K-12! Come on, Artoo! We’re needed.
They take off in along the corridor.
40 INT SECTOR K-12 – NIGHT
Several A number of bodies are sprawled around like dolls hurled and broken by giant children. Heavy equipment is smashed. The security people are standing around looking baffled, with nothing to shoot at. Willard, Leia, and Han are looking at the death and destruction, their faces grim. At one side a WOMAN in uniform coveralls stands weeping, a security man beside her.
WILLARD
(to Han)
You were asking what they could do.
(Han nods)
Corporal, Bring the sergeant her over here.
The security man brings the weeping woman to Willard. He looks at her shoulder patches.
WILLARD
Sergeant. Technician, First Class.
The woman straightens up and controls herself.
WOMAN SERGEANT WOMAN
Yes, sir. Monitoring the blasting excavation procedures. I’m sorry, sir. It’s just that I saw them…great white things. All of a sudden they were here, and this all happened…in seconds. So fast!
40 (cont.)
WILLARD
And how did they get away?
SERGEANT WOMAN
They seemed to just…disappeared.
WILLARD
I see. Thank you. Dismissed.
(the woman goes; Willard looks at Han)
You were asking what these primitive animals could do.
Han nods. He and Leia and Willard leave the area as clean-up operations begin and paramedics arrive.
41 INT BASE – NIGHT
Leia, Han, and Willard walking across the main hangar.
WILLARD
I’m putting the base on a 24-hour Red Alert…maximum precautions, everyone to go armed at all times –
LEIA
Can we control these creatures? Do we dare to take the risk?
They halt, and Willard looks around at the ships, a haggard and tired man.
WILLARD
Princess, we don’t do not dare not to take the risk. If we move, searching for another base…with all this to do over again…there’s no chance we’d get away with it. This base is our best hope. We’ve got to hold onto it. At least here, so far, we’re safe from the Empire.
(turns to look at Han)
Has Captain Solo granted us a decision yet on whether he will he’ll undertake the mission to Ovan Marekal?
HAN
Why don’t you just order me to go, Commander?
CONTINUED
41 (cont.)
WILLARD
Because I have Princess Leia’s orders not to do that.
LEIA
Either you go of your own free will, Han, or there’s no point in your going at all. Good night, gentlemen. If you need me, Commander, I’ll be in the sickbay.
HAN
Where are you going?
LEIA
Back to the sickbay, to make sure Luke’s all right.
She strides away, her back straight and uncompromising. Han looks after her with a peculiar expression.
Secretly, tired as he is, Willard smiles.
DISSOLVE TO
42 EXT TON MUUND – DAY ESTABLISHING
View of an enormous city, covering all we can see of a planet. CAPTION: TON MUUND, THE CITY-PLANET, ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER OF THE EMPIRE.
43 EXT BUILDING – DAY
(Ton Muund should have an odd sort of daylight; perhaps a blue star)
One of a complex of mighty, squat, towering buildings with a look of cold efficiency about them, totally devoid of beauty.
44 INT DARTH VADER’S QUARTERS – TON MUUND – DAY
The office room is large, Spartan in its furnishings, with a bank of communicators and computer terminals indicating that it is an office devoted to the business of the Empire.
DARTH VADER, huge, black-clad and caped cloaked, his face hidden by the black breathing mask, stands in watching as two of his minions interview an alien ALIEN…a very alien-looking alien who speaks in quick chittering bursts, glancing uneasily at Vader’s menacing height. One of the minions is an INTERPRETER, who listens to the alien speech and then relays the translation to Vader and the other minion, who is recording it the conversation.
44 (cont.)
INTERPRETER
This individual is a native of one of says it is a small trader the worlds of the Granida Cluster makes occasional small trader voyages into the Granida Cluster, where he has several contacts…
VADER
Thief, smuggler, and slaver. No one else goes into the Granida. Continue.
There is another brief exchange of chittering and squeaking.
INTERPRETER
As the individual was approaching he was leaving the Cluster, still at light speed normal velocity, he it saw a number of ships drop out of hyper-space and head away from the cluster. He It counted twenty-three, all most of these bearing rebel insignia. Because of the intense glare of the cluster, they did not see him. He It did not dare to follow them, but he it was able to get a fix on the direction of flight –
VADER
The coordinates, man! Give me the coordinates!
More chittering and squeaking. The interpreter looks unhappy.
INTERPRETER
Lord Vader, the individual believes that this information is of considerable value to the Empire. It desires a reward…
VADER
Naturally. Whatever it requests. The Empire is gracious to its friends. Give me the coordinates. Or the name of the solar system. Anything.
More chittering. The interpreter writes down a series of numbers. Vader gestures to him to hand the paper to the second man.
VADER
Put it on the screen.
The second man sets up a pattern on a keyboard. A huge screen lights up, showing the lower segment of the Granida Cluster. A light-pointer appears in the area where the rebel ships were sighted. It begins to move, away from the cluster. The picture moves with it, leaving the cluster farther behind. Vader watches tensely. A spot of light appears…a star…planets. The pointer zeroes in on the solar system, and stops. Vader’s great gauntleted hand crashes down on a table-top in triumph.
44 (cont.)
VADER
(to interpreter)
Remove this unpleasant lump of protoplasm from my sight. Give it whatever its heart desires, if it has a heart…but see that it’s kept under lock and key until we’re sure it’s the information is accurate.
And he sweeps out of the office, striding like a man with a mighty purpose.
DISSOLVE TO
45 INT SICKBAY – THE REBEL BASE – DAY
Luke is up and around the sickbay, convalescent. He still looks a bit shaky and his face shows some scarring. Leia is with him. They speak are in the midst of a tentative, and very tender love scene.
LUKE
You must have spent a lot of time here, Leia Leia. It seemed to me that whenever every time I woke up you I could see you, sitting beside the bed.
LEIA
All the time I could spare. You very nearly didn’t make it. The doctor said if it hadn’t been for your helmet…
(she shivers)
You were lucky.
LUKE
And those snow-things are inside the base.
LEIA
There hasn’t been another attack since that night. Perhaps they’ve been scared off.
LUKE
Leia, I wish you’d go somewhere safe.
LEIA
There isn’t any safe place for me, you know that. Not as long as Darth Vader and the Empire….
LUKE
Leia….
45 (cont.)
He takes her in his arms and kisses
LUKE (cont.)
I love you. I want to keep you safe.
He kisses her and she returns it…a sweet and tender kiss. Then she pushes him gently away.
LEIA
Dear Luke. Please Try to understand. Whether I will it or not, I’m the Princess Leia Organa, a leader of the rebel forces…
LUKE
(sadly)
And I’m just the farmboy from Tatooine.
LEIA
You’re Luke Skywalker, the fighter pilot who destroyed the Death Star. You have duties, Luke, just as I have. …much greater ones than we can could possibly have owe to each other. It isn’t that I couldn’t love you…there isn’t any place for love – not now.
LUKE
(tries to take her in his arms again)
Do you, Leia? Say it. Might there be – later?
LEIA
(unhappily, backing off)
Luke…I wish…
She is interrupted by a brisk knock on the door.
LEIA
Yes…come in.
Han Solo enters, looking very brisk, brash, and pleased with himself. Leia seems relieved to see him. Luke is somehow, subtly, relegated to the background.
LEIA
Oh…hello, Han.
HAN
I was looking for you, Hello, Leia. They told me I’d find you up here. How’s it going, Luke? You’re looking great.
LUKE
I’m Fine, thanks.
HAN
Good. We thought for a while there you were going to leave us.
CONTINUED
45 (cont.)
HAN
You’re looking great, kid. I’m Glad to see hear it. Leia, I wanted to tell you…
LEIA
You’ve decided to undertake the mission.
HAN
How did you…?
LEIA
(smiling)
I know you better than you know yourself.
HAN
(wincing)
A man always hates to hear a woman tell him that. It might just be true, and what a catastrophe that would be!
LEIA LUKE
(eagerly)
Can I go with you, Han? I’m strong enough now.
HAN
No, I can’t take anyone, Luke. Just me and Chewbacca. Chewie’s been there before, and anyway, Wookiees don’t get involved much with politics. See, Ovan Marekal knows he’s a prime target for assassination or kidnapping. I’m one of the very few people in the galaxy who knows where to find him. I’m one of the few people in the galaxy who knows where to find him. He lives a very private life.
LUKE
But he’s head of the Transport Guild. He must….
HAN
A face on the vidscreen. He even attends board meetings by remote control. I’m one of the very few people in the galaxy who know where to find him. Anyway, those were his orders. Chewie and me, alone. I’m sorry, Luke. I’d really like to have you along. But it’s not going to be any pleasure jaunt.
45 (cont.)
LEIA
It’s going to be very extremely dangerous. That’s another reason I couldn’t order you to go. I’m very grateful, too. When do you plan to leave?
HAN
I’ve got a list of stores we’ll need. As soon as we get them loaded….
LEIA
Come on. I’ll see that the requisitions are put through right away. Luke, why don’t you get some rest?
HAN
Chewie and I’ll be up to see you before we go.
She smiles at him and goes out arm in arm with Han Solo.
Leia and Han go out together.
46 LUKE
He looks after them, dejected.
LUKE
If I were a Jedi knight, she’d she’d…look at me the way she looks at him.
Full of anger and hurt pride, he goes to where the saber lies and picks it up, as if it holds the answer to all his problems if only he can find it.
LUKE
Why can’t I learn to control the Force? If only old Ben had waited a little longer….
BEN’S VOICE
(very softly)
But I’d waited long enough, Luke. It’s your time now.
LUKE
Ben! Ben, tell me what to do.
He has not noticed that the door has opened and the nurse is watching him.
NURSE
I’ll tell you what to do, young man. You climb right back into that bed, where you while I go and call the doctor. You’re hallucinating again, hearing voi…
She breaks off, her jaw dropping, as Luke abruptly turns toward her, adopting an almost ritual pose with the light-saber [Missing]
46 (cont.)
She makes a brave attempt to stand her ground.
NURSE
Now, you stop. Stop right there, Luke. Luke… You stay –
Luke is neither seeing nor hearing her. His face is remote and strange.
NURSE
Luke, you can’t… The doctor… Doctor! Doctor…!
She is running down the corridor, calling for the doctor. Luke leaves the room, paying no attention.
CUT TO
47 INT BASE – DAY A DESERTED AREA – DAY
In a Threepio and Artoo are hurrying rather furtively along a corridor. Threepio looks about nervously.
THREEPIO
You don’t sense anything, do you, Artoo? I haven’t felt safe for one minute since….
He breaks off as Artoo beeps, stops and looks at him in horror.
THREEPIO
You do sense something? Oh, my..!
He is turning around, on the verge of running, when Artoo beeps some more, impatiently. Threepio calms down at once.
THREEPIO
Well, why didn’t you say so, instead of frightening the titanium out of me?
They go round a bend in the corridor and find Luke waiting in a kind of recess.
THREEPIO
We came as soon as we could, Master Luke. I think they’re looking for you.
LUKE
I know they are.
He presses the stud in the hilt of his sabre and lifts out the crystal.
CONTINUED
47 (cont.)
LUKE
Artoo, you said this was a memory cell. Can you read it?
Artoo beeps.
THREEPIO
He says he’ll try. Insert it there, Master Luke.
He points to a slot that Artoo has opened on his front. Luke inserts the crystal. Artoo stands quietly humming for a moment, digesting. Then he beeps and whistles.
THREEPIO
He says it appears to contain the coordinates of a star-system in the north-west quadrant a distant remote part of the galaxy. Very far away, and neither of us is familiar with it.
Luke removes the crystal and stares at it.
LUKE
Perhaps it’s where my father was trained. Perhaps if I went there…
{cut this down}
THREEPIO
But Master Luke…even if it were, there are no more Jedi knights. Obi-Wan Ben Kenobi, or Ben as you call him, was the last.
Artoo beeps and whistles.
THREEPIO
All right, yes, I know. Darth Vader is a is really the last Jedi knight, but Master Luke can hardly go to him for lessons!
(to Luke)
There’s no one left to teach you now. Besides, we can’t leave our posts now here.
Luke sighs and replaces the crystal in the hilt.
LUKE
I suppose you’re right. I’ll just have to…
A distant rumbling shock interrupts him; he stops until it has passed.
LUKE
…do the best I can myself.
47 (cont.)
Threepio follows him with Artoo. As they go away, CAMERA PANS to show white shadows in the far depths of the corridor. Faintly, like a menacing whisper, comes the SOUND of deep, grinding, grumbling voices.
DISSOLVE TO
48 EXT SPACE IN SPACE
The An Empire fleet moves swiftly through space in the cluster light.
49 INT DARTH VADER’S SHIP – THE BRIDGE
Darth Vader stands with a high-ranking OFFICER looking out the forward port. Others are present in b.g.; the PILOT, NAVIGATOR, COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER.
NAVIGATOR
If the coordinates are accurate, Lord Vader, we should make star-fall in approximately two-and-a-half time units.
OFFICER
But then we still won’t know which planet the rebels have occupied… and you can be sure they’re well hidden.
DARTH VADER
I’ll know. Already I can sense a disturbance in the Force.
OFFICER
Luke Skywalker?
DARTH VADER
Obi-Wan’s protégée apprentice knight who disabled my ship and sent me spinning off into space, to drift for days until I was rescued just before he blew up the Death Star.
(Vader laughs)
I should be grateful to him, at that. He saved me from my life. Perhaps I can find a suitable way to repay him.
The Officer look at him sidelong, uncomfortable.
49 (cont.)
DARTH VADER
(half to himself)
Obi-Wan’s fledgling. He {Rewrite – Han did this.} disabled my fighter and sent me spinning off into space with all systems dead, even the radio…but I knew. I knew when he destroyed the Death Star, using the Force to find the target. I had much time to consider Master Skywalker while I was waiting to be rescued. He’s too much like his father…
Darth Vader pauses, remembering old betrayals. The Officer glances sidelong at him, uneasily; he does not break the silence.
DARTH VADER
His control is still rudimentary, but his potential is strong. It must not be allowed to develop into a weapon for the rebels.
DISSOLVE TO
50 INT BASE – THE HANGAR – DAY
By the Millenium (sic) Falcon. Chewie and some others a couple of WORK MEN are finishing a loading operation. A little distance away, Han Solo is shaking hands talking with Willard, while Luke and Leia look on. Luke has the light-saber holstered at his side.
WILLARD
I don’t need to stress again the importance of this mission.
HAN SOLO
But you’re doing it anyway. Don’t you trust me?
WILLARD
I have to, Captain Solo. Good luck.
He goes. Han goes to Leia.
HAN
Leia…
LEIA
(smiling at him)
I know you’ll… He’ll listen to you. I know he –
A distant but very powerful explosion BOOMS. Things shake and fall. Everyone reacts, startled.
CONTINUED
50 (cont.)
HAN
If they’re not careful they’ll have the whole place down around our ears.
Chewie and the men start working again. Han turns again to Leia. And the lights go out. There is a moment of intense quiet.
LUKE
The air-duct fans have stopped, too.
One of the workmen switches on a flashlight hand lamp.
LEIA
They’ll have the emergency generators on in a moment.
The second workman turns on a flashlight his hand lamp, making two wavering beams of light in the intense darkness. From elsewhere in the base come sudden shouts and cries and the sound of blasters.
51 THE HANGAR DECK – FULL SHOT
HAN
Sounds like an attack in force. Chewie, turn on the…
But Chewie growls an urgent warning. It is answered by deep, grinding voices.
LEIA
There…over there! Something moving!
51 THE HANGAR
The wavering swinging flashlight beams show huge, dim white shadows moving in the darkness, sliding swiftly just beyond the edges of the light. Suddenly one of the workmen who has moved incautiously away from the Falcon in the effort to see, goes flying with a scream, broken by a huge paw. He drops his His flashlight goes too. Chewie fires his blaster.
LUKE
Leia! Get inside the ship!
He draws his light-saber and activates it. The blade sheds its strange radiance. Everybody else is pulling blasters. The white shapes move very swiftly, elusive targets. The fighter The ship next to the Falcon in the bay goes over with a crash. The Falcon itself begins to shake. Chewie runs forward, firing at a white shape by the stern. A flying piece of wreckage knocks the blaster from his hand. Roaring, he grapples with the beast. {Fight with Chewie/beast} Han seems to have killed one of the things. More wreckage and containers are hurled. Leia is firing. The second workman is killed. Han runs toward Chewie and the beast; Chewie is huge himself, but he looks child-sized by
CONTINUED
51 (cont.)
comparison with his adversary. He is also becoming covered with frost where the snow-creature touches him. A human would have been dead by now; Wookiees are made of tougher stuff, but Chewie is not long for the world. Han runs toward him for a close shot at the creature. As he does so, another one of the creatures attacks Luke. Luke wields the light-saber. The beast easily eludes it and knocks Luke spinning, a glancing blow. It rears over him for the death-blow. Leia screams.
LEIA
Luke!
She runs toward him, firing, but misses as she is knocked down by a piece of debris hurled by the third creature. Han perforce turns aside to help Luke. The snow creature attacks him but he fires turns to attack him but he fires and the creature vanishes back into the darkness, whether hit or not. Han hauls the half-stunned Luke to his knees, snarling.
HAN
The Force is not with you today, kid. Get out of this.
He runs back toward Chewie. Leia, unhurt, is now firing coolly from a kneeling position.
LEIA
Over here, Luke. I’ll cover you.
But Luke, crushed and humiliated, stays where he is, the shining saber lying on the ice beside him. Han runs in and gets off a close shot into the dim white body of the snow-creature. There is a sound like an avalanche of boulders. Both Chewie and Han go flying. When they look up the creature has vanished and everything around them is quiet, though there are still sounds of turmoil in the distance.
HAN
I don’t believe those things. Just one of them shook the Falcon…?! And yet they’re like phantoms.
He scrambles up and goes to Chewie, who is picking himself up growling, wincing, and saying bad things in Wookie. Leia goes to Luke picks up the saber and gets unsteadily to his feet. Leia comes to him.
LEIA
Luke, are you hurt?
Luke is staring at the saber and does not look at her.
LUKE
No, I’m fine.
51 (cont.)
Luke turns and starts away. Leia looks worried. Han has been brushing the frost from Chewie’s fur.
HAN
A little moth-eaten, but I guess you’ll do.
(Chewie growls)
Get the lights on and we’ll check for damage. Hey, Luke, where are you going? Wait a minute.
Chewie climbs into the Falcon. Han catches up with Luke.
52 LUKE, HAN, AND LEIA
HAN
Listen, I’m sorry I was so rough. I didn’t mean it. It’s just that…Luke, those light-sabers were ceremonial weapons, even for the Jedi knights. They’re deadly, sure they are, but only at close quarters, hand to hand, and that snow-creature was just too fast for you.
LEIA
Luke hasn’t recovered yet, Han. He’s still weak.
LUKE
You don’t have to defend me, Leia. He’s right. I almost got all three of you killed.
HAN
The point is, you’re going to get yourself killed. I know old Ben got you all excited about the knights and the Force and all that stuff. But you’ve got to stop daydreaming, kid. You’re not a Jedi knight, and you never will be.
The Falcon’s landing lights come on, illuminating a part of the hangar deck. Leia, sorry for Luke’s distress and anxious to break up the talk, interrupts.
LEIA
Well, that’s better.
WILLARD’S VOICE (o.s.)
Princess Leia!
Willard, with a hand-lamp, now comes running into the deck area from the war-room, calling.
WILLARD
CONTINUED
52 (cont.)
LEIA
I’m here, Commander.
WILLARD
Thank Heaven. I’ll take you You’ll be safer in the war room…if there’s any safety anywhere.
Luke deactivates the saber, watching the light die.
LEIA
(to Willard)
What’s happening?
WILLARD
Everything.
(starts to lead her away)
HAN
I’ve got (sic) check out the Falcon.
He goes and Leia motions Willard to stop. She looks at Luke.
LEIA
Come on, Luke.
Her gentle sympathy is more humiliating to Luke than a slap in the face blow. It is the ultimate wound. He holsters the saber. Willard and Leia start on again and he trails after them, looking as if he had been whipped.
DISSOLVE TO
51 (cont.)
LEIA
(as Han goes)
Come on, Luke.
Her gentle sympathy and pity is more painful is more humiliating to Luke than a blow. It is the ultimate wound. He holsters the deactivates the sabre, watching the light die. Holstering the weapon, he follows Leia, looking as if he had been whipped.
DISSOLVE TO
52 53 IN SPACE
The Empire fleet, approaching the system of the ice-planet.
53 54 INT DARTH VADER’S SHIP – THE BRIDGE
Darth Vader and the officer are stand on the bridge, looking through the forward port.
OFFICER
There is the system, Lord Vader. There are four planets. Which one?
Vader’s black gauntlet rises and points like the hammer of doom.
VADER
The outermost…there!
CAMERA ZOOMS in on the port, on the little icy ball glittering in the light of its primary.
OFF SCREEN VOICE
Attention all fleet units. Assume attack formation. Attack formation.
DISSOLVE TO
54 INT WAR ROOM – THE BASE
54 INT BASE
55 INT BASE – SERIES OF SHOTS
In dark corridors, men and women with handlamps run, the wildly-tossing beams glittering off the icy walls. There is a confusion of voices, shouts, cries, screams, the deep grinding grumbling voices of the snow-creatures. A white-on-white spectre emerges from a side-corridor and tosses a man screaming to the roof of the corridor down which he has been running. Men clatter down emergency ladders. The sound of shots echo echoes irregularly from o.s.
56 BASE – THE GENERATOR LEVEL
Bodies lie about amid wrecked equipment and debris. There is a portal completely blocked with fallen ice; from this ice-fall a pair of boots protrudes stiffly. Above the portal a sign hangs drunkenly: GENERATOR ROOM. An Several engineering-maintenance technicians CAPS run about, through other doorways, blasters in hand. An ENGINEER speaks into a portable, self-powered radio unit. He is understandably in shock.
ENGINEER
Chief Engineer, Squad Three, Generator Level. I have a damage report…
57 INT BASE – THE WAR ROOM
Lighted by handlamps, the war-room resembles the catatonic ward of a mental hospital. Technicians with nothing to do stand to (sic) beside their blacked-out panels. Everything is dead. Threepio and Artoo stand quietly. Various officers and orderlies stand by, along with Princess Leia. Luke looks on. Willard is speaking into one of the self-contained walkie-talkie units.
WILLARD
Commander Willard here. Go on.
INTERCUT with Engineer on Generator Level.
ENGINEER
Sir, the main generators…there isn’t even a generator room left. Relays are burnt out right across the board…cables fused…power surge of some kind…probably what blew the…
WILLARD
Let’s skip the technical speculations for the moment. Have you checked the emergency generators? They should cut in automatically.
ENGINEER
My men are doing that now.
57 (cont.)
ENGINEER
Haven’t had time yet. It’s cold here. Getting colder.
WILLARD
Engineer…we need those air pumps going again. Check out those generators. Jury rig anything you have to but get those air pumps going again.
ENGINEER
Sir…The main pumps…they’re wrecked.
He is looking through another portal at a mass of twisted metal.
WILLARD
The back-up system, then, get on it, man. We’re going to run out of breathable air pretty quick now.
ENGINEER
Yes, sir.
58 INT BASE – GENERATOR LEVEL
The engineer
ENGINEER
Yes, sir.
He beckons to his squad and they hurry after him into an adjoining chamber and begin into an adjoining corridor.
59 INT BASE – GENERATOR LEVEL
The engineer and his squad enter a chamber containing the emergency generators and a bank of pumps. They walk around quickly, inspecting the equipment. The engineer speaks into his radio.
ENGINEER
It looks all right, sir. Power packs intact. Pumps haven’t been damaged. We’ll have to start the generators manually…
Suddenly there are ghostly white shapes all around and a man screams, and the deep grinding voices blot out human speech.
60 INT BASE – GENERATOR LEVEL
Running for his life, a man comes out of the generator room. As he runs, an overhead pipe bursts suddenly, drenching the man with water which instantly freezes, encasing him in ice. The water itself freezes into a gigantic icicle.
61 WAR ROOM
In utter silence, everyone listens horrified to the sounds issuing from Willard’s radio…screams, the deep grinding voices, then another explosion. The radio goes dead.
DODONNA
WILLARD
That explains This is why the creatures have been so quiet since that first attack. They were making planning a concerted effort to drive us off their world completely.
WILLARD
Well, it They’ve succeeded very well. Without power and an air supply… With no power and no air, we won’t survive long.
People are running past the room outside, onto the hangar deck. A MAN runs in. the vanguard of people fleeing the terror below. A MAN comes in unceremoniously, shouting panicky.
MAN
The water pipes are bursting. The water’s freezing everything…people freezing right where they stand. water freezing everything..people The lower levels are filling up with ice. And those creatures…they’re everywhere.
WILLARD
Get on to your evacuation area.
(to OFFICER)
Pass the order…immediate evacuation. clear the base, immediately.
He turns to Dodonna and Leia and the senior officers.
WILLARD
Now we have to make a decision. Do we evacuate to the surface and try to find some way of combating these beasts …these…I don’t know what to call them, mere beasts would be incapable of doing what they’ve done, and they’re certainly not human…or shall we bow to them and abandon the base entirely?
Luke, who has been sitting quietly in his corner, with an increasingly strange look on his face as if he listens to something far away, now speaks up.
LUKE
Leia. Leia, tell them to go. Now.
They stare at him, and Leia puts her hand out to him.
LEIA
Why, Luke? What is it?
61 (cont.)
LUKE
I can’t explain it. I just feel…danger. Dark. Reaching…
DODONNA
(not unkindly)
I’m afraid This is too big a decision to be made on the basis of a hunch. We….
The radio comes alive abruptly, a man’s voice sharp with panic.
MAN’S VOICE
(on radio)
Condition Red! Condition Red! Does anyone read me?
WILLARD
(into radio)
Commander Willard here.
62 INT BASE – UPPER RADAR INSTALLATION
In one of the hollowed-out ice towers of the castle, two RADAR TECHNICIANS stare at a screen. The screen shows a large number of unmistakable blips. One of the men has the radio.
RADAR MAN
Sir, this is Radar Installation Six. Operating on power-pack. Our screen shows ships approaching…attack formation…a whole fleet, heading straight for us.
63 THE WAR ROOM INTERCUT with Willard in the war room.
A wave of shock has gone around the room as this news penetrates. White-faced, Willard asks a question.
WILLARD
How long do we have?
RADAR MAN
Estimate…no more than contact in twenty minutes before contact.
63 INT WAR ROOM
Leia looks at Luke, who shakes his head as if not quite believing it. Willard puts down the radio. Dodonna is already barking orders to subordinates.
DODONNA
Find out how many guns we’ve got operative up there. Tell the crews to hold We’ll hold out as long as we can to cover the evacuation. And get those people moving!
An OFFICER comes up.
OFFICER
Sir, shall I scramble the fighters?
DODONNA
No. We can’t stop to pick them up. And there’s no point in wasting good men. We’re going to lose enough as it is.
Willard has gone to Leia.
WILLARD
Princess, you must go now, at once.
LEIA
Wait a minute. Luke…in case of evacuation, you and Artoo and Threepio were supposed to go with Han, weren’t you.
LUKE
Yeah…we were all kind of extra personnel.
LEIA
Well, you can’t now do that now.
WILLARD
And I’m afraid some of the ‘droids will have to be left behind.
A shudder goes through Threepio, and Artoo whistles plaintively.
LUKE
(fiercely)
Not these two. Unless you want to leave me with them.
LEIA
My spacer will hold five if Artoo doesn’t mind being crowded a little.
Artoo indicates that he won’t mind it at all. Threepio all but faints.
THREEPIO
[Missing]
63 (cont.)
LEIA
(looks around)
Sedge!
A PILOT in a flying suit shoulders his way to Leia, and salutes.
LEIA
Oh, there you are. Let’s go. I’ve got to warn Han…he must get away.
They all move out of the war room, into the increasing tumult and confusion beyond.
64 INT BASE – THIRD LEVEL
The group hurrying toward the hangar deck.
LEIA
Luke, how did you know that You couldn’t have known the fleet was coming.
LUKE
I didn’t. It’s crazy…what I felt was like the Force, but…The dark side of the Force. That’s what Ben called it.
LEIA
Darth Vader.
LUKE
Could be. We knew he’d been picked Could be. We know he was picked up by an Imperial ship after the Death Star blew up. I guess Hey, you’ve got to get away. If he takes you again…
LEIA
Han’s more important than I am right now, and…look there!
65 INT BASE – THE HANGAR DECK
In the distance the Falcon stands in the bright pool of its lights. Han and Chewbacca, with welding equipment, are working on one of the after lifting vanes. Leia runs
CONTINUED
65 (cont.)
toward the Falcon.
LUKE
(to Threepio)
Help Sedge get Artoo into the spacer.
(starts after Leia)
SEDGE
I can manage. There’s a magnetic lift hoist right over there. But there’s no power to open bays. See if you can operate the manual controls.
The Falcon Leia’s spacer, much smaller than the Falcon, is in another bay, across from the Falcon one where the Falcon is. Men are already straining to open the doors of the Falcon’s bay these doors. Reluctantly, Luke looks after Leia and goes with Threepio in the opposite direction. The two of them begin to heave on the manual controls wheel, which resists.
66 INT BASE – SERIES OF QUICK SHOTS
Men with battery-powered loud-hailers run along the corridors.
MEN WITH LOUD-HAILERS
Condition Red! All personnel to evacuation areas! Move!
And the people are moving. running through the corridors, swarming up ladders. Bodies lie about here and there.
MAN WITH LOUD-HAILER
Get to your evacuation areas!
He turns a corner and skids to a halt, staring in horror. The people in the corridor ahead are frozen, encased in ice. Huge icicles depend from the pipes. The man turns to run. The pipe overhead ruptures and he too is frozen.
67 THE HANGAR DECK
At the Falcon. Han and Leia are shouting at each other.
HAN
Imperial fleet or not, we can’t fly until we get this fixed.
LEIA
Well, hurry up!
67 EXT BASE – DAY
On the snow-plain in front of the ice-castle, Imperial ships land. The transports disgorge great tank-type crawlers and armored troopers. Gun-emplacements in the upper castle open up. The tank guns fire back. Troops and tanks attack the ice-castle.
68 INT BASE – THE HANGAR
The rumblings and shocks of heavy gunfire are transmitted from above. Men and women pour into the hangar deck, into the ships. Loud-hailers bellow.
69 THE FALCON
Leia, hugging herself with cold and impatience, watches Han and Chewie.
LEIA
Aren’t you finished yet. I could do better with a needle and thread.
70 LUKE AND THREEPIO
In the opposite bay. They’re still wrenching at the wheel, the bay doors have begun to open. Luke is looking nervously at the Falcon. The pilot, Sedge, has just finished lifting Artoo into the spacer with a magnetic hoist.
LUKE
THREEPIO
Is it very cold here, Master Luke? This mechanism appears to be partly frozen.
LUKE
No wonder. So am I. It’s cold. There…I think it’ll go now. Threepio, go and get the Princess Leia.
Threepio sets off. The pilot begins to back the hoist away. Luke heaves on the door, looking after Threepio, who disappears into the crowd.
71 EXT BASE – DAY
Imperial troops and tanks hammer at the ice castle. Tank guns and castle guns carry out a vicious duel. Casualties mount on both sides. Part of the ice castle collapses, shattered by cannon-fire.
72 INT BASE
Quick SHOTS of corridors collapsing, people running to escape.
73 THE HANGAR DECK
At the Falcon. Threepio runs up to Leia. Chunks of ice begin to fall from the roof. People are struck, injured, killed.
THREEPIO
Princess Leia! Master Luke says to come now.
LEIA
Just a minute!
(to Han and Chewie)
Hurry!
HAN
We’re doing our best. Why don’t you just get out?
Threepio tries to protect Leia from falling ice. Water
74 THE HANGAR DECK
74 THE ROOF
CAMERA ponders for a moment on the network of pipes.
75 SEDGE
In another part of the bay, he has parked the lift out of the way and is climbing down to return to the spacer when a pipe overhead bursts and he is frozen in the act. of
76 LUKE
He sees this, horrified. The bay is open now.
LUKE
Sedge…
He begins to run toward the Falcon. As he
76 77
Luke fights his way toward the Falcon. He sees Han and Chewie jump down at last, their repairs completed. He runs toward them, They and Leia and Threepio.
LEIA
LUKE
Leia!
Another overhead pipe lets go, spurting water in a curtain between him and the Falcon. Some people are caught and frozen. Han snatches Leia out of the way, but Threepio is frozen in a thin casing of ice by the edge of the spray.
CONTINUED
77 (cont.)
Luke halts, cut off. Dimly he can see Han thrust Leia up the steps into the Falcon. Chewie picks up the rigid Threepio and carries him after. The hatch slams shut.
78 EXT BASE – DAY
The battle continues. Imperial troops are forcing an entrance.
79 THE HANGAR DECK
The Falcon takes off through the bay doors. Luke runs for Leia’s spacer, as more of the ceiling falls in.
80 INT COCKPIT – SPACER
Luke Artoo is beeping wildly as Luke straps himself into the pilot’s seat and scans the controls.
LUKE
Chewie took him Threepio into the Falcon. I think he’ll be all right. Quiet down. I’ve got to figure these controls.
He figures them quickly and starts punching buttons.
81 THE HANGAR DECK
The spacer takes off.
82 INT SPACER – IN SPACE
Luke is dropping the ice-planet behind him as fast as he can…which is very fast indeed.
LUKE
(into helmet mike)
Han Falcon, do you read me?
83 INT. FALCON – IN SPACE
Han and Chewbacca at the controls. Leia looks out of a port. The frozen Threepio reposes stiffly where Chewie put him. He is beginning to drip.
HAN
Yeah, Luke. You okay?
LUKE
Off like a skyrocket. This thing really [Missing]
83 (cont,)
HAN
All healthy.
LUKE’S VOICE
(on radio)
Threepio?
HAN
He’ll be all right when he thaws. He (sic) already beginning to drip.
LEIA
Now that’s all settled, we’d better move. Look there.
84 HER POV
Imperial ships are rising from the planet, pursuing the ships which are taking off, including the Falcon.
85 INT FALCON
Han and Chewie see the ships and Chewie growls.
HAN
(into radio)
‘Ware ships, kid. How’ll we find you again?
86 INT SPACER – IN SPACE
LUKE
Never mind that now…just go! Out.
He cracks on more speed.
87 INT FALCON – IN SPACE
HAN
Hang on!
He pours on the coal. Leia, hanging on, watches the distant ships through the port.
LEIA
Can’t you go into hyper-space?
HAN
Not till we get farther out. There’s a thing called gravity. There’s also a thing called [Missing]
87 (cont.)
LEIA
Well, there’s also a thing called an Imperial destroyer, and it seems to be coming our way.
88 INT SPACER – DAY
Luke is nursing every last ounce of speed out of the fighter. Artoo beeps a questioning note.
LUKE
If you’re asking where we’re going, little friend, I don’t know yet. At least we don’t seem to have anybody on our tail.
89 IN SPACE
The spacer screams (figuratively) streaking through space at tremendous speed.
90 INT BASE
Darth Vader stands amid the shambles of the base, speaking to an unhappy-looking officer.
OFFICER
We haven’t found him among the prisoners, Lord Vader. Unless he’s buried in one of the tunnels…
DARTH VADER
No. He lives. Leave me, you incompetent idiot.
The officer is glad to scuttle away. Darth Vader stands and the pattern of his breathing changes.
DARTH VADER
(very softly)
Luke Skywalker.
91 INT SPACER – IN SPACE
Luke shakes his head. It is suddenly difficult for him to breathe.
LUKE
What’s the matter? I can’t breathe…
(checks the oxygen system)
Continued
91 (cont.)
He checks the oxygen system.
LUKE
(cont.)
No malfunction…
(his face changes; realization, horror)
No. No, I won’t. I won’t…!
But inexorably he is losing consciousness. With the last of his strength he unholsters the light saber; desperately he releases the crystal.
LUKE
Artoo…
He sags in the harness, unconscious…or dead? Artoo extends an auxiliary arm and picks up the crystal, beeping and whistling the while in a general tone of, “Why does everything happen to me?” and, “Humans are the oddest contraptions.” Placing the crystal in the slot, he punches out some coordinates on the little navigational computer and then flips a toggle.
92 IN SPACE
The spacer vanishes, into hyper-space, leaving only a brief flicker behind.
93 INT BASE –
Darth Vader relaxes.
DARTH VADER
Good bye, Luke Skywalker.
He turns and stalks from the room.
DISSOLVE TO
94 IN SPACE
The Falcon racing through space. Some distance behind it, a much larger ship is closing fast.
95 INT FALCON – IN SPACE
LEIA
There’s an Imperial destroyer closing on us.
The Falcon lurches as a shot from the destroyer bursts astern.
HAN
[Missing]
87 (sic) (cont.)
LEIA
Can’t you go into hyper-space?
Another blast rocks the ship. Han takes evasive action.
HAN
Need a destination. Can’t jump blind, and They must have I can’t take you to Ovan Marekal. Marekal’s out unless you want to stay Weren’t you given a rendezvous point for your group? I can drop you there and go on.
Leia pulls a cord from around her neck; a small metal cylinder container like a locket depends from it.
LEIA
Yes. Just a minute. These things have to be opened right the right way –
HAN
I know. They’re anti-personnel bombs in case they get into the wrong hands.
(taking evasive action as the destroyer closes in)
Don’t blow it but don’t fiddle around, either.
LEIA
Here it is.
She extracts a metal strip chip to and She starts to give it to (sic) Han when a near miss, or a glancing hit, almost throws the Falcon over. Red lights glow on the panel.
HAN
Just a second too late, Princess. That one shook the teeth {Some corrections} out of our overdrive generator. Keep her going, Chewie! I’ll see what I can do.
He crowds back past Leia toward the generator hatch, passing Threepio on the way; he is the ‘droid is still encased in ice but visibly dripping. Muffled sounds come from Threepio’s voice box, but Han ignores them. He disappears down the through the hatch while the Falcon dances and leaps wildly. Leia clings close to Chewbacca, who is outdoing himself as a pilot.
88 IN SPACE – RUNNING BATTLE – FALCON AND DESTROYER
The Falcon darts and swerves as the larger and faster destroyer inexorably overhauls it. Bolts of energy from the destroyer’s guns burst brightly.
89 INT FALCON – LEIA AND CHEWBACCA
LEIA
What’s he doing down there?
Chewbacca makes a series of grunts and growls growling noises, as if wishing that Han would get the lead out of his spanners. On the other hand, if the damage is too severe…
LEIA
What if he can’t fix it?
Again the Falcon leaps and yaws. Chewie grunts.
LEIA
Even I can understand that.
90 IN SPACE – RUNNING BATTLE – FALCON AND DESTROYER
The destroyer pressing hard after the Falcon. Her time is running out.
91 INT FALCON
Threepio is moaning and muttering through the ice, unintelligibly, as his still partially-rigid body is thrown about. Leia is still with Chewie. There is a particularly violent lurch, and Chewie’s grumblings indicate that accompanied by an anxious look around at the fabric of the ship, mean that the ship won’t hold together too much longer. Suddenly, on the board panel, the red lights go off. Chewie growls insistently at turns demandingly to Leia, talking a blue streak, holding out one paw urgently. She hesitates, then hands him the metal strip metal chip. He thrusts it into the computer. Han emerges from the hatch just as Chewie slams in the overdrive.
HAN
Okay, let’s go!
Chewie slams in the overdrive. The blazing stars become streaks of light as they go into hyperspace the Falcon makes the jump into hyperspace. It’s suddenly quiet.
HAN
Chewie…just supposing that that had been a false reading on the panel, and I hadn’t really finished the repairs?
Chewie gives the Wookie equivalent of a shrug.
HAN
Yeah. I guess you’re right.
continued
91 (cont.)
Shaken by the suddenness swiftness and violence of everything that has happened, and the abrupt cessation, for the moment anyway, of danger, everybody relaxes undergoes a reaction. Han sinks down in the pilot chair.
HAN
(to Chewie)
Nice going.
Leia sinks down in the cabin.
LEIA
Nice going for both of you. For a while there, I didn’t think…What is it, Threepio?
He is still making muffled noises. Leia goes to him and with her fingers cracks the mask of ice covering his face.
THREEPIO
Oh, that’s much better. Thank you, Princess Leia. Do you think it would be too great an annoyance if I were to ask for some a little bit of oil, before my joints rust to prevent my joints rusting?
FADE OUT
FADE IN
92 EXT BOG PLANET – DAY
This is an eerie place, full of drifting mists and the distorted shapes of trees and undergrowth clawing upward out of mud and stagnant stagnant water. There are pools, lakes, bogs. Bubbles of marsh gas rise and burst with plopping noises. Things slither and gubble (sic) through the mud, flap with weird screamings through the murky air.
An object appears in the sky.
93 EXT BOG PLANET – SKY AND LAKE POND
In the sky above a fair sized pond, or lake, an object appears, moving swiftly…Leia’s spacer.
94 INT SPACER – DAY
Luke is still comatose. Artoo is flying the spacer, making noises both irritable and doubtful; this is not his job, and he’s making a botch of it. Obviously he’s coming in too fast.
95 EXT BOG PLANET POND – DAY
The spacer comes in for a crash landing in the pond. There is a mighty splash.
96 INT SPACER – DAY
Luke starts up, still dazed but roused by the shock. The spacer is volplaning (sic) forward on momentum, sinking as it goes.
LUKE
What the…What’re you doing, Artoo?
Artoo beeps and whistles furiously. The spacer, scudding forward, piles onto a muddy beach and comes to a jarring halt. It settles comes to a jarring halt with its nose buried in a mudbank. It settles gently into the water, remaining in its upper half remaining clear. Artoo cuts the power.
LUKE
That was a great landing. What happened to me? Where are we?
Artoo beeps and produces the crystal. Luke takes it.
LUKE
You brought me here? And I’ve been out ever since. Artoo, I owe you an apology. Hadn’t been for you…
He gropes about for the light saber.
96 (cont.)
LUKE
Doesn’t look like much. Let’s go see.
He rises and staggers back to the hatch.
97 EXT BOG PLANET SPACER AND POND – DAY
The hatch opens. Luke falls into the water and starts to flounders ashore. Artoo appears in the hatch. He beeps, then steps forward and disappears with a splash into the water.
LUKE
Artoo!
He starts to go back. But a small periscope appears above the water, turns till it gets a fix on him, then moves steadily through the water. as the submerged Artoo trundles toward him we watch the periscope
98 ARTOO
We watch the periscope as the submerged ‘droid trundles toward the muddy beach. Artoo emerges, retracting the periscope. He swivels stands besides Luke’s prostrate form looks around for Luke, then moves to stand beside a prostrate body; Luke has passed out again. Artoo bubbles electronic profanity and ejects a stream of muddy water.
DISSOLVE TO
99 CLOSE SHOT – DAY LUKE
On Luke’s face as he lies on the muddy ground. There is a shadow across it. He stirs and opens his eyes, blinks upwards.
100 LUKE’S POV
A darkish blur is hanging over him…something watching him.
101 LUKE
LUKE
Artoo?
He strives for a clearer focus.
102 LUKE’S POV
The dark blur wavers, then begins to clear. A strange face peers down
102 (cont.)
peers down at him…wizened, froglike, totally unhuman, with with eyes that show a curious bright, intent eyes that show a curious mixture of intelligence and what could be madness. Luke yells. CAMERA PULLS BACK TO A WIDER ANGLE as he flounders away from the creature in fear.
LUKE
Artoo!
Artoo is nearby. He beeps placidly irritably and the froglike creature, which is quite small and has a shiny slippery-looking skin, laughs at him.
MINCH
Skywalker. Skywalker. And why do you walk my sky do you come to walk my sky, with the sword of a Jedi knight?
LUKE
(astounded)
How do you know my…? How is it you speak my… Who are you?
MINCH
My name, or part of it, is Minch. As for the language, I’ve always been ugly by your standards, but I haven’t always been old. I’ve travelled the starways in my time. And your name…that was easy.
He points to Luke’s communications belt.
LUKE
My communications belt. ID. All right, Minch. What do you know about the Jedi knights?
MINCH
I knew them.
LUKE
(brightening)
You served them?
MINCH
(with an odd smile)
Yes, I served them. I served them well. I remember another Skywalker.
LUKE
My father. Did you know Ben…Obi-Wan Kenobi…
(a wave of weakness comes over him; he finishes [Missing]
102 (cont.)
MINCH
You need food…and a certain [unreadable] restoratives. You’ve had a close brush with the Force…the wrong side of it.
(he hops away)
LUKE
Wait! Why do you say that?
MINCH
I can smell it.
He disappears into the muddy, misty swamp-growth.
LUKE
(to Artoo)
I remember now. Just before I passed out, I felt…but this is weird. He couldn’t know. He’s just guessing, or making it up, trying to impress me.
Artoo makes a sour comment. He doesn’t like Minch.
DISSOLVE TO
103 CLOSE SHOT – DAY
On a wooden bowl in Luke’s hands. There is a wooden spoon. The bowl is filled with a highly unappetizing-looking mess.
LUKE’S VOICE
What is this glop?
MINCH’S VOICE
Better eat it, Skywalker.
104 LUKE, MINCH, ARTOO
LUKE
If I do, it’ll come right up again.
MINCH
It’s all there is on this world. So unless you mean to fly away…
(Luke looks sadly at the half-sunk spacer. Minch laughs)
Obi-Wan Kenobi ate it…he and all the other boys young ones who came here to learn to be knights.
LUKE
Then this was a training center! Is anyone left? Anyone who can [Missing]
104 (cont.)
MINCH
(with mocking amusement)
Eat, Skywalker. Eat, and dream. And when you feel strong enough, you’d better wade out and find an oil-can for your bad-tempered friend. This climate eats ‘droids.
Artoo makes a rude noise. Minch hops away, laughing.
LUKE
Crazy little… Well, how can you blame him, living in a place like this?
(looks at the bowl and steels himself)
I wonder if Ben was ever really here?
He raises a spoonful to his mouth, hesitates, shuts his eyes, forces the stuff in, and swallows.
LUKE
It’s not too bad, really, if you just don’t look at it.
DISSOLVE TO
105 IN SPACE INT FALCON – IN HYPERSPACE
Chewie is in the cockpit. In the cabin, Han Solo and Leia are playing the three-dimensional chess game, or what you prefer. Threepio sits quietly in the background. Han is watching Leia closely; she seems distracted, occupied with thoughts of her own which she is finding disturbing. She makes a misplay, and Han shakes his head.
HAN
Your mind’s not on it, Princess.
LEIA
I guess it isn’t. We’re almost there, aren’t we?
(she rises and moves around the cabin)
HAN
Yeah. We’ll have you at your rendezvous point and among friends in no time. You don’t seem too happy about it.
LEIA
Perhaps it’s a mistake to have an interlude of peace and quiet like this. You lose your fighting pitch…begin to think about other things…
105 (cont.)
HAN
Worried about Luke?
LEIA
Naturally.
THREEPIO
I, too, Mr. Solo. And Artoo. I do hope they’re all right.
HAN
(to Leia)
But that’s not the whole story, is it?
Chewie barks from the cockpit.
LEIA
I think Chewbacca wants you.
HAN
Mm. Time to go sublight.
(rising, he puts his hand gently on her shoulder)
Leia…if you think I’m going to enjoy leaving you behind, not knowing if I’ll ever see you again, you’re wrong.
He goes into the cockpit. Leia looks after him briefly, then looks down at her hands locked very tightly in her lap.
DISSOLVE TO
106 IN SPACE
The blackness of space, the glory of stars. There is a wink and a shimmer as the spatial fabric is disturbed and Falcon drops out of hyper-space.
107 INT FALCON – IN SPACE
Han and Chewie in the cockpit. Leia is close behind them still sits in the cabin, with Threepio.
HAN
Deflector screens up. Good. Okay, Chewie, that’s it. Now we get a Get me a fix on the star.
THREEPIO
CONTINUED
107 (cont.)
Chewbacca growls suddenly and points to the tracking screen.
THREEPIO
No matter how many times I do it, going in and out of jump makes all my circuits simply leap with shock.
HAN
(looking into screen)
You want a really good shock?
Leia rouses up, the warrior princess again, and joins Han.
LEIA
What?
HAN
Look there.
LEIA
Empire ships?
HAN
Do we have a fleet in this area?
LEIA
No. But how did they find out…?
An imperious voice suddenly speaks over the cockpit radio.
VOICE
Imperial cruiser Darkason. Identify yourself.
HAN
(improvising swiftly)
Deep-space trader Verrill, out of Terrix, Empire Sector Seven.
VOICE
Maintain constant speed, Verrill. Prepare for boarding. We’re coming alongside.
HAN
Yes, sir.
Motioning the others to caution, Han yanks a locket identical to Leia’s from his neck and gingerly opens it.
LEIA
(whispering)
What are you doing?
HAN
Continued
107 (cont.)
HAN
We need a new destination, real quick. They gave me a rendezvous point, too, before this Marekal mission came up. See what it is.
He extracts the metal chip, places it in the nav computer, and looks disgusted.
HAN
Same as yours.
Chewie grunts and indicates the radar screen.
108 IN SPACE
An Imperial cruiser, a great ominous shape against the stars, approaches the much-smaller Falcon, still some distance away.
109 INT FALCON – IN SPACE
VOICE ON RADIO
Screens down, Verrill.
HAN
Yes, sir. Right away.
(to others)
Well, here we go again. Hang on.
He punches hits the control board and Falcon takes off in a screaming (figuratively speaking) streaking curve away from the cruiser.
110 IN SPACE
As Falcon speeds away. In a moment Much more slowly, the cruiser alters course to pursue, and begins firing.
111 INT FALCON – IN SPACE
Han is taking evasive action, the Falcon bouncing and swerving as bolts from the cruiser burst nearby. Leia and Threepio are hanging on. Chewbacca is operating a scanner, grumbling.
HAN
(plaintively, to Leia)
I remember how peaceful things used to be when I was just a low-down rotten smuggler, involved with people like Jabba the Hut, who might try to kill me, but it was on a kind of person-
(cont.)
111 (cont.)
HAN (cont.)
to-person level. I could handle it. But since I’ve been treading the straight-and-narrow…
(a particularly violent shock interrupts him)
I mean. Entire fleets thrown at me? I’m giving away too much weight!
112 IN SPACE – THE CRUISER
From open bays, fighters are being launched from the cruiser. They outspeed the larger ship in pursuit of the Falcon.
113 INT FALCON – IN SPACE
LEIA
They’re dropping fighters now.
Chewie says something, pointing to the scanner. Han looks.
HAN
What would I do without you, my hairy friend?
Again he hits the controls, and Falcon darts away on a new course.
HAN
(to Leia)
An asteroid swarm. Must be a million of ‘em. Try and find a place to hide.
LEIA
Isn’t that dangerous?
HAN
You think it’s safe out here?
Change of course and a very near miss dump Leia on the deck, to make his point very thoroughly.
114 IN SPACE – THE ASTEROID SWARM THE RADAR SCREEN
A swarm of glittering points of light.
115 THE ASTEROID SWARM
The shattered fragments of some nameless world lighted by a distant sun (the one the Falcon was [unreadable]), still travelling in company, bound by gravitational attraction. Some are the size of pebbles rocks, some of large buildings, some as large great as little planets. They range in size from rocks to big planetoids. The Falcon plunges toward the swarm, out- [Missing]
116 INT FALCON – IN SPACE
Leia is manning the turret gun, firing in erratic bursts.
HAN
Getting Hitting anything, Princess?
LEIA
No, they’re still too far away. But maybe I’m slowing them down a little.
HAN
We’ll be inside the swarm in a minute. That’ll make their radars useless.
LEIA
But they can still pick up the heat and ionization stream from our drive.
HAN
That’s why I have to find a place to roost…and quick.
The edge of the asteroid swarm rushes past the forward port.
HAN
All right, Chewie. Here we go.
Chewie roars.
117 THE ASTEROID SWARM
The Falcon threads its way into the swarm. Deflector screens ward off the small ones. Pilot skill evades the large ones. It is a very hairy trip.
Imperial fighters follow.
118 INT FALCON
Leia has left the gun and is watching speechless as asteroids blunder by, them seeming to miss the Falcon by a hair’s breadth. Astern, doggedly, a couple of fighters still follow. One of them is struck collides with a LEIA small asteroid and there is an annihilating burst of flame. A thing the size of the Empire State Building bears down on Falcon; Chewie sees it and roars. Han evades by a cat’s whisker; beyond the large asteroid a second burst of flame is seen as the other fighter collides.
THREEPIO
I do think Artoo will miss me, don’t you?
DISSOLVE TO
119 EXT BOG PLANET – DAY
Luke, with Artoo giving unintelligible advice, is setting up a light but very strong collapsible hoist on the mudbank where by the spacer; it is complete with cable, a small motor and powerpack. Minch hovers about, watching. Luke is quite himself again physically, but very bitter and downcast with disappointment.
LUKE
Found this in the ship. I guess it’s standard emergency equipment for spacers of this class.
MINCH
In a hurry to leave, Skywalker?
LUKE
(bitterly)
As soon as I can.
MINCH
Haven’t I fed you, brought you back to health?
LUKE
You have, and I thank you. But there’s nothing for me here. Ben was the last of the Jedi knights. There’s no one left to teach.
MINCH
Suppose I told you that I taught Obi-Wan Kenobi?
LUKE
I’d say that you were lonesome and wanted trying to con me so you can have someone to talk to. Don’t you have any people? All right, Artoo. Start the motor.
He has made the grapple fast on the nose of the spacer. Artoo starts the motor. The winch drum turns, taking up the slack.
MINCH
We’re a solitary folk. Probably why we haven’t killed each other off. Not coming, is she?
She isn’t. She’s stuck, hard and fast.
LUKE
You really did a good job, Artoo. We may be here for the rest of our lives. Try again. Gently…don’t snap the cable!
CONTINUED
119 (cont.)
The spacer remains firmly stuck.
MINCH
Why don’t you use the Force to help you?
LUKE
The Force! I’ll never learn to use it now.
MINCH
Won’t hurt you to try. Open your mind to it, boy…
LUKE
(startled)
You sounded almost like old Ben. All right, I’ll try. But it won’t work.
He faces the spacer and concentrates. Minch has dropped behind him.
120 MINCH
He watches Luke, his strange face both cunning and abstracted. His eyes glow. He seems to grow in stature.
121 THE SPACER
Reluctantly, it sucks free of the mud, rises, and slides onto the bank, the winch chugging merrily. Luke walks over and stares at it while Artoo whistles triumphantly and kills the motor.
LUKE
It did work! It did!
Minch, having regained his normal appearance, hops up and peers at the spacer.
MINCH
Told you it was worth trying. Trouble with you, Skywalker, you’re too impatient and too easily discouraged. Both diseases of faith. From the looks of that hull, you’re you’ll going to be around here for a while yet.
LUKE
Mm. Okay, Artoo. Let’s see how much damage we’ve got.
They converge on the spacer while Minch watches, grinning.
DISSOLVE TO
122 IN SPACE – THE ASTEROID SWARM
Moving through space, lighted by the distant sun as they turn. Everything seems peaceful…except for the cruiser hovering above.
123 PLANETOID
One of the larger masses. What appears to be a shadow on its surface becomes a cave as we move in closer.
124 INT PLANETOID CAVE – IN SPACE
The Millennium Falcon nestles comfortably in the wide, flat cave, gun-ports closed so that no light escapes. It is invisible, as is the cave, except at very close range.
125 INT FALCON
Lights are on Cabin lighting is at a minimum. Falcon is like a sub hiding on the bottom, powered down. Only the life-support system is functioning, and a small worklight in the cockpit where Chewie is working on some of the electronic gear. Threepio is with him, but is looking into the cabin. Typical old gossip, he nudges Chewie in the ribs with his elbow and points. Chewie turns to look. In the cabin, Han and Leia are in a close embrace.
126 HAN AND LEIA
He holds her tight, kissing her. She is reciprocates. Then, as if coming to her senses, she pulls back and half raises her hand.
HAN
You’re not going to do that again, Princess!
(she turns from him)
(he studies her)
Are you in love with Luke?
LEIA
I’m not in love with anybody, and I don’t want to be! You’re forgetting something. Since we don’t know where the other secret rendezvous points are, we have to think of somewhere we can go…
HAN
We’re not going anywhere as long as that cruiser’s up there. In the meantime…
127 THE CRUISER – IN SPACE
The bays open, the fighters drop and flash in toward the asteroid swarm.
128 INT FALCON
Han has moved in on Leia again.
HAN
We’re two people, alone in the immensity of space…
(stops, shakes his head)
No, no, hold it. That’s too much even for me.
Leia suddenly doubles up with laughter.
LEIA
It’s a great line, Han, and well-polished with use.
HAN
No. Matter of fact, you’re the only woman who’s ever flown in Falcon. Trouble is, I can’t make seem to make anything sound convincing. Leia…
129 THE ASTEROID SWARM
The fighters dart and wheel among the asteroids; more cautiously this time since they’re not pursuing. Methodically they fire and drop bombs shining pellets that explode with considerable violence against the larger asteroids…silently, of course.
130 INT FALCON
There is no outside atmosphere to carry sound, but the Falcon shudders and the air inside picks up a dull booming. Things rattle and quake.
HAN
They’re still just quartering, trying to shake us out.
(he and Leia sit down)
Mind if I hold your hand?
LEIA
Why? Are you frightened?
CONTINUED
130 (cont.)
HAN
You bet I am. Aren’t you?
They sit together, holding hands, while the booming and shaking go on. Chewie gives a disgusted grunt and returns to his work. Threepio sighs audibly.
131 THE ASTEROID SWARM
The fighters move on in their charted path, pounding away.
DISSOLVE TO
132 EXT BOG PLANET – DAY
Artoo The spacer is partly suspended by the hoist. Artoo works away at repairing the hull. From time to time he looks around at Luke and Minch, and beeps softly but sarcastically.
Luke is practicing with the light-saber. Minch capers nearby in an about, jeering at him.
MINCH
Skywalker! Farmboy! That’s not an axe to chop your wood with.
LUKE
There was precious little wood on Tattooine to chop.
MINCH
Nor it’s not a sickle, either, to reap your grain. Lightness, Skywalker! Grace. Speed. Skill. That was how the Jedi knights used the saber. not like a
Artoo practically snorts. He moves farther in under the hull.
LUKE
I suppose you had a lot of chance to watch them.
MINCH
Yes, I did. I did indeed.
LUKE
You know, Minch, I’m going to be so glad…
Whatever he was going to say is cut short by a sudden burst of shrill whistling from Artoo. The note of urgency spins Luke around. The hull has shifted and Artoo is in trouble, pinned beneath. Luke deactivates the saber and puts it down on a [Missing]
132 (cont.)
Minch goes to the stump, looks at the saber with strange pride and affection. He puts out a tentative hand.
Luke starts the hoist motor and lifts the spacer a bit higher. He manages to tilt the hull a bit enough to free Artoo, who comes waddling out from under doing the ‘droid equivalent of breathing hard.
LUKE
You all right?
Artoo lets go a string of sounds that might mean, “I think so. Checking circuitry now.”
LUKE
Well, be more careful, will you?
He turns and sees Minch. Minch has the saber now, activated, and is flourishing it. Luke yells.
LUKE
Hey! Put that down!
He runs back to Minch to take the saber away from him, but Minch holds him off with it, and Luke is afraid of being killed.
MINCH
You want to watch the swordplay of the Jedi knights? Very well, young Skywalker. Stand and I’ll show you.
He moves quickly away from Luke. In a voice quite unlike his usual one, a voice of dignity and power, he calls out.
MINCH
In the name of the Force By the Force I call you!
Luke gasps. Suddenly Ben is there…Obi-Wan Kenobi, with a saber in his hand. He is there, but not quite; the swamp woods are partially visible through him.
LUKE
Ben! Is it really…
BEN
It is. Stand clear, Luke, and watch.
He brings the saber to the formal salute. So does Minch. They begin a fencing match which develops into a thing of breathtaking skill and beauty…and Minch is clearly the superior. His skill with the light-blade is dazzling. Luke watches, still not quite believing. At last Ben breaks off,
CONTINUED
132 (cont.)
brings his saber again to the salute and deactivates it. He bows to Minch.
BEN
The victor, as always.
Minch smiles, salutes, and deactivates his saber.
BEN
(to Luke)
Minch was my teacher. He was a Jedi knight, one of the best of them. We came from many worlds, each with our special talents.
LUKE
And you did this because otherwise I’d never have believed him.
(ashamed)
I’m sorry. Ben, there are so many things I want to ask you questions –
BEN
When you’re able to call me here yourself, I’ll come and talk to you. But I must warn you of one thing, Luke. Darth Vader believes you dead. But as you learn to control use the Force and use it, he’ll find you again. And he’ll do his best to destroy you.
LUKE
But…why? I’m nobody.
BEN
He senses in you the same potential I did…though from the other side.
LUKE
I don’t understand.
BEN
Be careful, Luke.
LUKE
Ben!
But Ben has gone. Minch comes up to him and salutes with the hilt of the deactivated saber, then holds it out to Luke.
MINCH
Your saber, young Jedi.
(he produces his own from a hiding place nearby and activates it)
Now shall we get to work?
133 IN THE ASTEROID SWARM
The fighters are pursuing their methodical shake-down bombing and strafing.
134 INT FALCON
Again the shaking, rattling, and muffled booming.
LEIA
One accidental hit and we’re done. I don’t know how much more of this I can take….
HAN
They’ll get tired of it; figure we’re dead, or somehow managed to slip away. As soon as they quit, we’ll go.
LEIA
Yes, but where?
HAN
I’ll think of someplace. Don’t worry.
Over in the far corner of the cabin, a game forgotten between them, Chewie and Threepio sweat through the attack and watch Han and Leia. Han takes her in his arms.
LEIA HAN
Leia…
LEIA
You’re trying to make me say what I don’t want to say. Han, if we live through this, there’ll still be your mission, and mine. We may never see each other again.
HAN
Will not saying that you love me make that any easier?
LEIA
(after a moment)
I guess not.
HAN
Then why waste what little time we have? You do, don’t you?
Leia sighs…what’s the use of denying it? It shows, unmistakably. She kisses him. The kiss is interrupted by a large hairy paw shaking Han.
CONTINUED
134 (cont.)
HAN
What is it, Chewie?
Chewie growls and rumbles, gesticulating.
HAN
All right. All right. You’re bored with this, you don’t want to hang around while I…
(to Leia)
Wookie is sometimes difficult to translate.
(to Chewie)
I will think, Chewie. I will think very hard, of a place we can go to be safe from the Empire. And any time we haven’t had a raid for two days, we’ll get going. Okay?
Chewie nods and goes grumbling back to Threepio. Leia laughs.
LEIA
He makes a great chaperone.
HAN
Oh, forget him.
(listens)
I think they’ve gone on.
They kiss again. Over in the corner Chewie and Threepio watch.
THREEPIO
I’ve never been able to understand the pleasure human beings get from placing their mouths together.
LEIA
O, Han…
She begins to weep, hugging him closer, burying her face against him.
THREEPIO
They And they seem to get so much an equal amount of sorrow from it as well. {very confusing} Sometimes I’m thankful that I’m not a human, or… being or an —
(looks at Chewie, who is daring him to say it)
Well, that I am what I am. Your move, I believe?
DISSOLVE TO
135 EXT MINCH’S HOUSE – THE BOG PLANET – DAY
The house, scaled to Minch’s size, sits on a hummock on the swamp. It’s a small gem, beautifully constructed of reeds rather in the fashion of the Marsh Arabs.
136 INT MINCH’S HOUSE – DAY
It is spotlessly clean. The floor is covered with reed mats. Various exotic items hang on the walls, mementos of Minch’s years as a Jedi. Luke sits on the floor…even so, the roof is close over his head…listening to Minch, who crouches on a small bed.
MINCH
For the novice, the body must be comfortable, neither hungry not overfed, neither hot nor cold. You must not be sleepy or tired, and your mind must be clear.
(Luke nods; Minch assumes a posture of intense concentration)
Very well. Close Shut your eyes if you like. Let your mind go free. I’ll help you as much as I can. Reach out with it. Reach for the Force…the Force that runs between the stars, between the galaxies. The Force that lights the suns, and sparks the life in all of us…tree and fish, bird and animal, man and creatures such as I surrounds all living things. Reach for it, Luke. Reach…
LUKE
(whispers)
I’m trying.
CUT TO
137 EXT DARTH VADER’S CASTLE
A grim castle of black iron that squats on a rock in the midst of a crimson sea.
138 INT DARTH VADER’S CASTLE
In a tower room, grim and darkling, lighted by the red glow outside. Vader is at home, at ease. He has companions; several small gargoyles that perch or caper on the massive furniture. He is feeding them tid-bits from a golden bowl, enjoying their ugliness and their greed. Abruptly he stiffens. He sweeps the gargoyles aside and stands up, his fists on the table. The gargoyles skitter away, fightened (sic).
139 INT MINCH’S HOUSE – DAY
Minch and Luke. Luke’s face glistens with sweat. Minch is staring at him in amazement.
LUKE
I think… I think…
140 INT DARTH VADER’S CASTLE
Darth Vader, feeling the disturbance in the Force, knowing it can only derive from one source, hurls his own dark power against Luke.
141 INT MINCH’S HOUSE – DAY
Luke, in semi-trance, shows signs of distress.
LUKE
Dark. Dark.
Minch is instantly alert.
MINCH
Come back, Luke.
But Luke straightens and something unfamiliar comes into his face. When he speaks his voice is harsh and deep, and he is not speaking to Minch but to someone far away.
LUKE
No! Fight. Dark…with dark!
Minch, frightened, bends all his efforts to bring Luke
142 INT DARTH VADER’S CASTLE
The gargoyles cower. Darth Vader recoils as if from a blow. And then he laughs, AS IF HE HAS DISCOVERED something that bodes no good for Luke.
143 INT MINCH’S HOUSE – DAY
Minch, frightened, bends every effort to call Luke back.
MINCH
Luke!
Luke’s eyes open and he looks dazedly around at Minch.
LUKE
Darth Vader knows Touched me struck at me. And I felt…power. I struck back.
MINCH
The dark side of the Force. You must never use it, Luke.
143 (cont.)
LUKE
Why not?
MINCH
It’ll destroy you, as it destroyed Darth Vader. Luke, you’re in greater danger than I realized. Even untrained, you’re far more powerful than I, more far more powerful than Obi-Wan. I was trying to show you the way, and you outran me. You don’t just touch the Force, you rend it. You tear it. No wonder Darth Vader knew.
LUKE
(taking this in)
But why should that be dangerous? I mean, to be strong?
MINCH
The more strength, the greater the temptation. Skywalker, if your ship could fly, I’d order you off my world right now. You’re too great a burden.
144 INT DARTH VADER’S CASTLE
Darth Vader has sat down, lost in thought, and the small gargoyles are taking courage, coming back to him. Abruptly a communications device shrills a summons. He rises and goes to it, flips a switch. The screen comes to life. The man revealed is draped and hooded in cloth-of-gold, so that we cannot see his face, but the figure is instinct (sic) with power and Darth Vadar (sic) bows before it.
DARTH VADER
Your Imperial Majesty Highness.
The voice that speaks is silken and deadly as a strangler’s cord.
EMPEROR
You are aware of the disturbance in the Force?
DARTH VADER
I am.
EMPEROR
Then you know that Skywalker is not dead. And he is more dangerous than [unreadable] I had realized. Remove him this time, Lord Vader… Or I shall remove you.
Darth Vader bows. The screen goes blank. Vader turns away. From his posture and the rhythm of his breathing, he is in a rage because he is afraid of the Emperor.
CONTINUED
144 (cont.)
angry because of his fear of the emperor. He knocks the golden bowl off the table with a mighty clang, and once more the gargoyles cower.
DISSOLVE TO
145 INT FALCON THE ASTEROID SWARM
It looks peaceful and deserted.
146 INT FALCON
Han is pacing up and down the cabin, deep in thought, while the others watch.
HAN
Trouble is, the places I know are just not suitable for leaving Princesses in. If nothing else, they’re full of people characters who’d sell you to the Empire for the price of a drink. Need a place that’s safe for you, somebody dependable to…
(scowls)
Hey, Maybe I’ve got it. Chewie, you remember Lando Kadar?
(Chewie does)
We used to be friends years ago. I think his family were refugees from the Clone Wars. Anyway, he was kicking around and we flew some…well, trips together.
LEIA
You mean he was a smuggler?
HAN
But an honest one. And the last time I saw him, he’d gone respectable on a world gone called Hoth. Chewie and I visited him dropped in on him once. Lando’s all right. Lando’s the man.
LEIA
How does he stand on the Empire?
HAN
Never had any more politics than a frog.
Han goes to the cockpit and consults the computer.
HAN
Hoth. Hoth. What are Need the coordinates for Hoth.
He waits for the readout, then begins to set it up on the console. Chewie and Leia join him.
145 (cont.)
LEIA
Are we going now?
HAN
I said, when we had two clear days with nobody shooting at us.
(Chewie says something)
I know they may be sitting out there standing off, waiting for us to do just this. But we can’t sit here forever, wondering.
He begins to flip switches. Chewie slips into the copilot’s seat. Leia goes back to the cabin, looking apprehensive. Threepio somehow manages to display extreme nervousness. The Falcon throbs to life.
HAN
Okay. Here we go!
146 EXT THE FALCON
As it lifts and moves out of the asteroid cave.
147 THE FALCON
Threading its way as swiftly as possible through the swarm.
148 THE ASTEROID SWARM AND ADJACENT SPACE
Falcon comes clear of the swarm and speeds away. Immediately, Imperial fighters which have been stooging (sic) around the swarm hoping for something to come out of it, begin to converge.
149 SHOTS OF FIGHTERS
Still at a distance, but having sighted their quarry, closing in. The cruiser hovers at a in b.g.
150 INT FALCON – IN SPACE
Han and Chewie pouring on the coal.
HAN
Yep…there they are. Figured if they stopped making a noise we’d poke our heads out.
(makes an insolent gesture at the enemy)
Sorry, friends, but this time we really are in a hurry. Chewie…!
151 IN SPACE
The asteroid swarm is has already far been left behind. As the fighters dive in on Falcon, there is a ripple and flicker in the fabric of space, and Falcon vanishes.
DISSOLVE TO
152 EXT BOG WORLD – NIGHT
In the ghostly, glimmering night we see the spacer, repaired and positioned for take-off, ready to go.
153 EXT MINCH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Pale light spilling from the doorway shows Artoo standing vigil.
154 INT MINCH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
By the light of a dim lamp, Luke and Minch face each other as before; Luke seems indefinably older, more sober, intent. Minch is restless, not entirely happy.
MINCH
It would have been easier to teach you if you’d started younger, like Obi-Wan. You’re going too far, too fast.
LUKE
But I’m beginning to understand, Minch. Beginning to get control.
A plaited basket holds strange fruit. Luke holds out his hand and one of the things levitates into it.
MINCH
Before you can truly control the Force, you have to be able to control yourself. And that you haven’t learned yet. I know you think you have, but…
LUKE
You think I won’t be able to hold out against Darth Vader.
(he wills the fruit back into the basket making it do [unreadable] on the way; Minch watches sourly)
Yet you tell me I’m stronger than Obi-Wan…and he held out.
154 (cont.)
MINCH
Obi-Wan had already won his battle.
LUKE
With the dark side of the Force. You’ve never told me exactly what that is, Minch.
MINCH
It’s the dark side of you.
(a pause while Luke grapples with this)
It’s The dark side in all of us. That’s what makes the temptation so great. It’s not an external thing. The Force is power. It’s up to the individual how he uses it that power. Most of the Jedi knights were honorable men, faithful to their vows. But sometimes…
LUKE
What happened to the bad ones?
MINCH
There were none during my long service, until Darth Vader. I think they’d the knights had forgotten and grown careless.
LUKE
How soon will I be able to call Ben from…wherever he is?
MINCH
You’ve still got a few lessons yet to go ahead of you.
Resignedly, Luke settles into his student posture.
155 EXT MINCH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Artoo makes a small, sad, lonely beeping.
DISSOLVE TO
156 INT FALCON – IN HYPERSPACE
In the cabin, Han and Leia have their heads together, talking quietly as lovers do. In the cockpit, Chewbacca is grumpily minding the store, with Threepio, who is not above peeping.
THREEPIO
They do make a handsome couple.
Chewie growls, rather nastily, Threepio looks at him.
156 (cont.)
THREEPIO
Chewbacca! Are you jealous?
(he growls again)
Afraid the Princess may lure your friend into domesticity and away from your rather…how shall I say it? …raffish adventurings?
Chewbacca rises, slowly and awesomely, turning toward Threepio, who retreats hastily into the other seat.
THREEPIO
I’m sorry, Chewbacca. Truly I am. I didn’t mean…
Chewbacca sounds as if he might be saying, “Well, keep your smart mouth shut, then.” But he sits down again. Threepio quivers. Han and Leia have noticed none of this.
DISSOLVE TO
156 IN SPACE – THE FALCON
SHOT of the Falcon, back in normal space and sweeping in toward a planet shrouded in clouds. The primary burns in b.g.
157 INT FALCON – IN SPACE
Han is showing Leia the planet through the forward port.
HAN
That’s Hoth. I think the name means “Cloud”, and that’s sensible appropriate. Never see the sun, but otherwise it’s a pretty world. Very old native cultures, ruined cities everywhere.
DISSOLVE TO
158 IN CLOUDS – THE FALCON
The Falcon whipping down descending through layers of curling, whipping clouds.
159 EXT INT FALCON – HOTH – DAY
The Falcon, moving slowly now, drops below the cloud layer. Ahead, through the port, there is an expanse of green landscape with a ruined city, alien and picturesque.
HAN
CONTINUED
159 (cont.)
HAN
Lando fixed up one of the old buildings here and built a big trader’s compound. The natives Gets along fine with the natives because he treats them right…
LEIA
I don’t see any compound.
Chewie rumbles agreement, and Han is now staring at the city.
HAN
Neither do I. Set her down, Chewie. Let’s have a look.
160 EXT RUINED CITY – HOTH – DAY
The Falcon lands at the edge of the city. Han, Leia, and Chewbacca emerge from the craft; Threepio remains in the hatch. They look around. Everything is silent and deserted, including what has obviously been a not too long ago abandoned dwelling and a compound.
LEIA
How long as (sic) it been since you were here?
HAN
Oh, it’s only been… Well, a while.
They start forward toward the city. Threepio, looking upward, gives a sudden shrill cry of warning.
THREEPIO
Look up there!
161 EXT RUINED CITY – DAY
Out of the clouds a strange group materializes; tall noble-looking warriors who carry a pneumatic dart weapon. They are ride white-skinned and white-haired. They ride through the sky on creatures that resemble pale giant manta-rays. They swoop toward the Falcon, weapons leveled. Han has his small blaster holstered at his hip. Chewbacca carries his big one.
HAN
Chewie! Give ‘em a warning blast…don’t hit anybody.
(grabs Leia)
Back in the ship.
Han and Leia run up the steps. The warriors sheer off from Chewie’s blast, fired straight up. Chewie follows into the ship. The landing stair folds upward, the hatch slams. The leader of
161 (cont.)
he takes a communications device from his belt and speaks into it. the warriors (sic) motions his people back; the manta-rays circle. The warriors watch the Falcon take off into the clouds. Then they too disappear back into the clouds.
162 INT FALCON – HOTH – DAY
The Falcon flying through the clouds rises swiftly into the cloud layer.
LEIA
Well, I guess that settles what the question of what happened to your friend. The natives aren’t exactly friendly.
HAN
(shakes his head)
No. They’re a peaceable people, and Lando got on fine with ‘em. The old chief practically adopted him. I don’t get it.
LEIA
What do we do now?
HAN
Give me a minute to think!
163 EXT THE CLOUD LAYER – HOTH – DAY
Falcon emerges from a vast bank of cloud into a clear space among other towering clouds…and is surrounded by scout craft.
164 INT FALCON – DAY
The occupants see the scout craft as the radio comes to life.
VOICE ON RADIO
Hold your fire! We’re friends. Are you the Milennium (sic) Falcon, Han Solo, captain?
HAN
That’s right.
VOICE ON RADIO
Follow us, please. We’ll escort you to your landing area.
Han and Chewie look at each other. The scout craft are fast and well-armed. They shrug.
HAN
Thank you. We’ll follow.
165 THE CLOUD LAYER – HOTH – DAY
The scout craft and the Falcon disappear into the clouds.
DISSOLVE TO
166 THE CLOUD LAYER – HOTH – DAY
Something is moving, slowly, majestically, a huge mass through the clouds. It is huge, and as it shows is seen more clearly through thinning vapour, it shows windows, lights, symmetry, a soaring beauty.
167 INT FALCON – THE CLOUDS – HOTH – DAY
The occupants watch amazed as the apparition swings toward them.
LEIA
Look at that!
HAN
An orbital city. That wasn’t here before.
VOICE FROM RADIO
You will pick up your landing beam in five seconds. Mark. Five, four, three, two, one.
(a flat whining SOUND clicks in and holds)
Follow it in.
HAN
(making flipping some switches)
Locked on.
Chewie growls uneasily.
168 EXT ORBITAL CITY – HOTH – DAY
The scout craft stand off and watch as Falcon approaches the city.
169 EXT ORBITAL CITY – DAY
The grand concourse, with a landing area and above it a wide terrace reached by a flight of steps. A number of people stand on the terrace watching as the Falcon lands. They include A number of them are natives, tall folk in long robes. Others swoop overhead on their flying mounts.
170 INT FSLCON – DAY
Han and Chewie are switching off the engines. Leia and Threepio look anxiously out the port.
HAN
Looks like quite a reception.
LEIA
Well, We might as well go face it.
Chewie goes to open the hatch. Han catches Leia by the arm.
HAN
Remember, you never heard of the Princess Leia Organa. You’re Ethania…uh…uh, what did I say your last name was?
LEIA
Ardith.
HAN
No. It was Erith.
THREEPIO
Excuse me, sir. It was Eredith.
HAN
I don’t care what it is was, but let’s make up our minds!
LEIA
If
172 EXT CONCOURSE – ORBITAL CITY – DAY
Han and Leia, Chewbacca and Threepio disembark and walk toward the steps. Han pauses at the bottom, looking up, and a man steps forward on the balcony, flings out his arms, and comes running down.
LANDO KADAR
Han!
(embraces him)
And Chewbacca.
He gives the Wookie a hearty slap on the shoulder, and turns to look at Leia. Lando Kadar is no particular age, though he looks younger than he is. He is richly dressed in impeccable taste, and incredibly handsome; so handsome that, like Rudolph Valentino, he seems not quite real. Yet when Han introduces Leia, his smile is warm and his welcome seems genuine.
HAN
Ethania Eredith, a young lady from I found her stranded I met in my travels on a very unpleasant world…her father was in my line of work and came
172 (cont.)
HAN
Ethania, this is Lando Kadar. Ethania Eredith.
(they exchange acknowledgements)
I found her stranded on a really unpleasant world. Her father was in my line of work, and came to grief. I promised to bring her back to civilization.
LANDO
If this can qualify as civilization, you are most welcome.
LEIA
Thank you.
LANDO
And this Travelling with your own ‘droid now, Han?
HAN
(laughs)
Haven’t reached those levels yet! He’s far too valuable for the work he was doing, but his owner didn’t know it. Picked him up cheap. Reckon I can sell him at a good profit.
LANDO
Perhaps I can use him.
Threepio goes rigid with shock. Lando doesn’t see this. He and Han have started up the stairs.
HAN
You’ve certainly come up in the world, Lando. Literally.
LEIA
(touches Threepio reassuringly)
Come on, Threepio.
She and Chewie and Threepio follow. Leia is obviously not taken with Lando.
173 ON THE TERRACE
LANDO
(lightly)
Baron Kadar now, if you please. Yes, I’ve been very lucky the last few years. Han, you remember my old friend Bahiri, chief of the White Bird clan of the Cloud People?
CONTINUED
173 (cont.)
A particularly noble-looking elder steps forward to greet Han.
HAN
Of course I do. Hello, Bahiri.
BAHIRI
Han Solo…Chewbacca…
(bows to them and to Leia)
My people meant you no harm. Since the compound has gone They merely wished to know why you were there. Since the compound has gone, people sometimes come to rob the ancient cities.
HAN
No harm done.
LANDO
Well, shall we go inside?
He courteously ushers them through an imposing doorway. Threepio toddles along behind them, looking nervously about.
THREEPIO
(as the doorway swallows him)
Oh, dear. I wonder if Artoo will ever be able to find me.
DISSOLVE TO
174 EXT BOG WORLD – DAY
Threepio Artoo, standing disconsolately apart from Luke and Minch in the clearing by the pond, seems to be wondering the same thing. Minch has also retired to the background. Luke, with a new strength and authority in his voice and manner, calls out.
LUKE
Ben. Obi-Wan. By the Force, I call you.
For a moment nothing happens, and Luke wonders if he has failed. Then, as before, Ben materializes in a ghostly fashion out of the mist.
BEN
And I am here.
LUKE
Ben…I’m so glad to see you! Are you real…or are you a ghost?
BEN
CONTINUED
174 (cont.)
BEN
(laughs)
I’m as real as you are, only my ‘reality’ has changed a little. There are no ghosts. Those are only names we put to things we can’t understand.
LUKE
Then Darth Vader didn’t kill you.
BEN
It was my time to move on.
LUKE
To move on where?
BEN
To a different part of the universe. It’s all one, if you know the way. Or rather, if you understand the laws that govern the way. Physical laws. One day you’ll understand, Luke you will. You’ll be able to glimpse, as I have, the beautiful symmetry of the perfection of this creation we all belong to… Luke, I’ve brought someone with me.
Another half-ghostly form emerges from the mists; a tall fine-looking man who approaches Luke slowly, looking at him.
BEN
Your father.
LUKE
My father.
Even with his new-found maturity, Luke finds this an awesome, not to say shattering, moment. They look at each other.
SKYWALKER
You’ve grown well, Luke. I’m proud of you.
(Luke, not knowing what to say, says nothing)
Proud, and afraid for you. You’re going into battle untried. Did your uncle ever speak to you about Nellith? your sister?
LUKE
Nellith? No. Who is she?
SKYWALKER
Your sister.
174 (cont.)
LUKE
My sister? I have a sister? But why didn’t Uncle Owen….
SKYWALKER
It was my request. When I saw the Empire closing in, I sent you both away for your own safety, far apart from each other.
LUKE
Where is she? What’s her name?
SKYWALKER
If I were to tell you, Darth Vader could get that information from your mind and use her as a hostage. Not yet, Luke. When it’s time…
(he looks gravely at his son)
Luke. Will you take, from me, the oath of a Jedi knight?
Slowly, proudly, Luke draws his light saber and activates it, bringing it to the salute. Skywalker does the same. Ben and Minch also raise their sabers, standing by as witnesses.
SKYWALKER
I, Luke Skywalker…
(Luke repeats after him at suitable intervals)
do swear on my honor, and on the faith of the brotherhood of knights, to use the Force only for good, denying turning always from the Dark Side; dealing in all matters with justice and compassion, to dedicate my life to the cause of freedom, and justice. If I should fail of this vow, my life shall be forfeit, here and hereafter.
The four sabers touch, a kind of ceremonial amen. Then Ben and Skywalker fade back into the mists. Ben’s voice sounds softly, almost as an echo.
SKYWALKER
That is the only armor I can give you, son. The rest is yours to do.
BEN
Good bye, Luke.
Ben and Skywalker fade back into the mists. Luke looks after them, his face at once ennobled and fearful.
MINCH
Your test is yet to come, and Darth Vader will do the testing. At that time, you may regret your vow that vow.
174 (cont.)
MINCH
Your real test is yet to come, and Darth Vader will do the testing.
LUKE
What’s he waiting for?
MINCH
You. Because you were afraid, you’ve kept your mind closed to the dark side. But sooner or later you must open it, and he’ll know. You may wish you hadn’t taken that vow.
DISSOLVE TO
175 THE ORBITAL CITY – HOTH – DAY
The city moves majestically through the cloudy layers.
176 INT MACHINE SHOP REPAIR DOCK – THE CITY
Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and Threepio stand with Lando in the dock where men are swarming over the Falcon with tools and testing equipment. Some of her outer panels have been removed, showing her ribs. Chewbacca does not look happy.
LANDO
You took a little more structural damage than you realised (sic), Han. When are you going to In fact, it’s a miracle you got here. When are you going to settle down and get rich make an honest living?
HAN
Ask me again in twenty years! Come on, Chewie, they’ve got the heavy equipment, let ‘em do it.
LEIA
What’s beyond there?
She’s pointing at heavy steel doors. Lando shrugs.
LANDO
More docks. Warehouses. Supply and maintenance areas. Nothing of interest. Ever been in one of these orbital cities before?
HAN
No.
LANDO
Then I have something of interest to show you that I think will interest you.
He ushers them on, toward a lift.
LEIA
Do you trade much with the Empire, Baron Kadar?
LANDO
I trade with anyone.
The lift door closes behind them.
177 THE REACTOR SHAFT
Looking down a tremendous vertical shaft with various apertures in its sides. Far down, the bottom of the shaft is closed by a dome of some opaque material.
LANDO
This is the shaft that goes At the bottom of this shaft is the reactor that powers the city and keeps us in orbit.
178 MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL AREA
At the top of the shaft At the center is a railing, where the humans are standing looking down, Threepio staying back. Around the circumference of the walls are instrument panels, indicators, a communications panel, and racks of varied equipment. This is literally the heart of the city, and the area is spacious. Various ‘droids preside over the panels. A roaring draft sucks down the shaft, which continues upward for some distance. Just the edge of it blows their hair and garments and the roar makes conversation difficult.
LANDO
The shaft itself is part of the ventilating system. The We use specialist ‘droids here because instead of humans because of the constant noise; their auditory sensors can be adjusted.
LEIA
Mine are giving way.
All, especially Chewbacca, are uncomfortable. The Wookie growls. Lando nods and leads them away.
LANDO
Perhaps a stroll in one of the gardens.
179 EXT GARDEN – ORBITAL CITY – DAY
The garden is a kind of balcony, open to the cloudy sky, on the outer circumference of the city. It is filled with exotic flowers and fruit trees, which Chewbacca is enjoying with childlike pleasure; Wookies like growing things. Leia is hugging herself, finding the air at this altitude rather chilly.
LEIA
Do you own this city, Baron?
LANDO
CONTINUED
179 (cont.)
LANDO
Hardly! It belongs to a shipping conglomerate. They decided that my business had outgrown the compound and required better facilities. Hoth, you see, is… But my dear, you’re shivering. Shall we go in?
LEIA
No, it’s nice here. Threepio, would you fetch me a wrap? from the
THREEPIO
Of course, Miss Eredith.
(he goes)
He goes
LANDO
As I started to say, Hoth is very strategically situated with regard to trade routes. I’ve been able to develop it into a center of distribution…..
180 INT ORBITAL CITY
Threepio hurries along through a maze of corridors, complaining to himself.
THREEPIO
Well, we have come down in the world, haven’t we? From protocol ‘droid at galactic embassies to ladies’ maid, and the further prospect of being sold off to that…that what? Why do my sensor relays positively crinkle when I get close to him?
(halts, bewildered)
Oh, dear, I’m afraid I’ve lost my way; all these corridors look alike. What shall I do?
(draws himself up)
Now then, See Threepio…no panic. Think. Visualize the door to the suite. It can’t be very far from here. Yes, I have it.
He starts off along a corridor, looking for the doorway. A couple of twists and turns, and he sees it…or thinks he does.
THREEPIO
Ah! There it is!
He hurries on to the doorway, made distinctive by mouldings, etc.,
CONTINUED
180 (cont.)
and believing the suite to be unoccupied, he flings the door open. We cannot see past him into the room beyond, but he freezes instantly.
THREEPIO
I beg your pardon. I seem to be lost. Please forgive the intrusion.
He turns and starts to run back the way he came.
181 EXT GARDEN – DAY
LEIA
(shivering)
I’m going to have to go in. I can’t imagine what’s happened to Threepio.
DISSOLVE TO
182 EXT BOG WORLD – NIGHT
Luke and Artoo walk toward Minch’s house, where Minch is waiting. Artoo crackles a steady stream of what sounds like protest.
MINCH
Doesn’t it ever shut up?
LUKE
Artoo turns on Minch and his terminals fairly smoke.
LUKE
Artoo! I have to do this. Then we’ll go.
MINCH
Don’t tell me you can really understand him it that gibberish.
LUKE
Not the words, no. But it’s pretty obvious that he doesn’t like it here this place, that he blames you for keeping me here…
(blast from Artoo)
And I believe he thinks you’re a danger to me.
(another corroboratory beep from Artoo)
MINCH
Unfortunately, he’s right.
Minch goes inside. Luke speaks to Artoo.
Continued
182 (cont.)
LUKE
Please, little friend. Be patient.
Artoo waddles aside, disconsolate, beeping softly. Luke enters Minch’s house.
183 INT MINCH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Luke sits down. Minch is already on the bunk, head and shoulders bowed by the importance and the danger of the occasion.
MINCH
There’s nothing more I can tell you. No way I can help you. This you must do yourself.
LUKE
Suppose I go on the way I am…keeping my mind closed.
MINCH
Nobody ever conquered a thing by ignoring it. You’ll only It’s there, and part of you. It’ll only wait until you’re off guard, and then…
(Luke nods)
LUKE
All right. I guess I’m as ready as I ever will be.
He shuts his eyes and leans back against the wall.
MINCH
Open your mind, Luke, to the dark side of the Force.
184 EXT MINCH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
The clearing in the swamp, wreathed by with the ever-present mist. Artoo stands at one side of the house. Abruptly, his metal housing begins to twitch with a kind of eerie brush discharge. Beeping, he looks around, and falls silent. A tall shape of darkness, much taller than a man and having no visible features, yet still giving an impression of Darth Vader’s shape and form, towers in the clearing, outlined in little flickering tongues of force flames darts of energy. Phantom-like, there seems to be an echo of heavy breathing. Presently, much smaller, a second form manifests itself. This too is featureless but suggests Luke; it is light in color, almost white, but the flickering flames energy that outline it are much less strong is weaker than Vader’s. Strange ghostly voices speak now.
Continued
184 (cont.)
DARTH VADER
You’re still afraid.
LUKE
You tried twice to kill me.
DARTH VADER
That was before I knew your strength. Now I’d prefer to have you as an ally.
LUKE
Ally!
DARTH VADER
Look.
The swamp clearing has vanished. They seem to stand now in interstellar space, with glory all around them, stars, nebulae, the shining spirals of distant galaxies. The great companies of stars that march forever stride the paths of the galaxy. Nebulae dark and bright. There are novas and distant nebulae. The Darth Vader figure reaches out a huge shadowy hand as if to grasp a star-field; the stars seem to run through his fingers like sand.
DARTH VADER
I can no longer go as a man among men. What is left of my body survives only because of the life-support system that sustains it. But my brain lives, and my will lives, and power lives. Have you never wanted power, Luke? Power to strike back at your enemies, to avenge wrongs, to keep those you love safe from harm? Of course you have. You think the You’ve been that the dark side of the Force is evil. What about the Princess Leia?
LUKE
I’ve sworn an oath.
DARTH VADER
Other men’s words, other men’s shackles. Will you be a child all your life?
LUKE
I’ve sworn an oath.
But the lightness of the smaller form seems to be darkening, the flickers of energy getting stronger.
DARTH VADER
You’re in love with Leia. You don’t want to lose her to Han Solo…and but you will, if you lack the courage to use the strength that’s in you. A
(cont.) CONTINUED
184 (cont.)
DARTH VADER (cont.)
strength as great as mine, Luke. If you join with me, nothing can stand against us.
LUKE
What about the Empire?
DARTH VADER
The Empire is a passing phase. Not even We would rule instead. You and I. The Emperor is a harsh master. You would not be. You could restore the republic peace, put a stop to the killing. How much good you could do, Luke! Don’t be afraid. Reach out and Grasp the stars. They’re yours for the taking.
Tentatively, the Luke image reaches a cloudy hand toward the starfield. The image has gone quite dark now; the pulse of energy around it is very bright. The cloudy fingers gather up seem to gather up stars. There is a whisper of a laugh…which turns suddenly into a wailing cry.
LUKE
They burn. And I’ve sworn an oath.
The cloudy hand is snatched back, the Luke image dwindles and fades, pursued by the booming laughter of Darth Vader.
DARTH VADER
Run, then, Luke! But you’ll come back. The dark side in you won’t let you rest.
185 INT MINCH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Luke is hugging himself, shivering, half sobbing.
LUKE
I ran, Minch. I ran away. I couldn’t fight him.
(he looks at his hand with in a kind of horror)
Because I wanted. I wanted.
Minch looks at him sombrely (sic), unsurprised.
186 EXT MINCH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Artoo, still standing outside, surveys the deserted clearing and gives a heartfelt beep of relief.
DISSOLVE TO
187 INT CORRI SUITE LIVING ROOM – THE ORBITAL CITY – HOTH – DAY
CLOSE SHOT on a large container containing Threepio holding the remains of Threepio; all the pieces are there, but dismembered, with the head piled carefully on top, mute and reproachful. Han, Leia, and Chewie are looking at the wreckage mournfully. Lando explains.
LANDO
He was found jammed in the gears of a recycling chute. He must have opened the wrong panel.
Chewie rumbles and touches the head. Leia is close to tears. Han puts a comforting arm around her.
HAN
I’m sorry.
LEIA
(to Lando)
But you can rebuild him. Surely you With all the ‘droids you I’ve seen around, you must have the facilities.
LANDO
I’m sorry. I’m afraid My workshops are already running overtime now, with orders and repairs. Perhaps in a week or two…
LEIA
I see. And what How about the Falcon? How is that job coming?
LANDO
Han and Chewbacca are keeping a close eye on it. Falcon should be spaceworthy very shortly now. May I expect you all for lunch? Well…I must go. See you all later.
Lando goes. Han looks at Leia.
HAN
I see Little Ethania Eredith hasn’t forgotten how to bristle like the crack the whip like the Princess Leia. Why all the hostility? What was all that about?
LEIA
If you trust your friend so much, why must do we have this ridiculous masquerade?
In b.g. Chewbacca is hunkered down by the container, gently handling the pieces of Threepio.
CONTINUED
187 (cont.)
HAN
I’ve already told you, it’s because I don’t know the people around him and the less temptation…
LEIA
Is he a clone?
HAN
Is he a what?
LEIA
You said his people family were refugees from the Clone Wars. Is he a clone?
HAN
I don’t know, he never told me, I never thought about it. What is all this anyway?
LEIA
I think your friend is lying. I think Threepio was smashed deliberately.
LEIA HAN
Why would anybody want to do that?
LEIA
How do I know? Perhaps he saw something he wasn’t supposed to see. But the Baron could get him repaired if he wanted to, and don’t tell me he couldn’t. And don’t tell me they’re not dragging their feet on the Falcon, and don’t tell me he couldn’t find me a passage out on one of his trading ships.
HAN
Just what are you trying to say?
LEIA
I’m not trying to say it, I’m saying it. We’re being kept here, and the Baron is up to something.
HAN
Leia. Leia, please listen to me. I know you’re all upset, but please listen. I’ve known Lando for years…
LEIA
You knew a young man. But you never knew the Baron Kadar.
CONTINUED
187 (cont.)
HAN
Ah, that’s just hair-splitting. You’re letting your imagination run away with you.
(Chewie interrupts)
What is it, Chewie?
(Chewie talks)
Hey, did you hear that? Chewbacca thinks he might be able to put Threepio back together again. All the pieces are here. He’s going to try.
(together he and Chewie pick up the box)
Wookies are very good with electronics. You’ll see. Everything will be all right.
Han is glad to escape. As Han and Chewie carry the box into an adjoining room, Threepio’s head watches looks back with blank mournfulness. Leia turns away in mingled sadness and anger Angry at Han’s refusal to listen She Leia goes into her room and slams the door.
DISSOLVE TO
188 EXT BOG WORLD – DAY
By the pond. The spacer is ready for take-off. Artoo is inside, standing in the hatch, impatient for Luke to come aboard. But Luke is saying goodbye to Minch.
LUKE
I ran away, Minch…not because I was afraid of Darth Vader, but because I couldn’t trust myself. What will I do next time?
MINCH
Remember you’re a Jedi knight!
He draws his saber and activates it, bringing it to the salute. Luke does the same activates his saber, speaking softly.
LUKE
And if I am foresworn of this oath, may my life be forfeit, here and hereafter.
He brings the saber to the salute. He and Minch look at each other. Then Luke deactivates the saber and climbs quickly into the spacer. Minch, still holding his saber, watches the spacer take off and disappear into the misty sky. He lets the saber drop. The light dies out of it, and Minch’s face is he turns away into his misty foggy swamp.
DISSOLVE TO
189 INT CHEWBACCA’S QUARTERS – THE ORBITAL CITY – HOTH – NIGHT
On an improvised workbench, with a multitude of small tools scattered about, Chewbacca has Threepio’s head remounted on a partial assembly of Threepio’s upperworks, just the head and shoulders. He is working carefully to complete a connection. There is a rap on the door.
HAN’S VOICE (o.s.)
Chewie!
Chewie growls and ignores the summons. The door opens.
HAN
Everybody’s waiting. Time to go to dinner.
Chewie growls and indicates his work.
HAN
That’s great, Chewie, but you can finish him it after dinner. Come on.
Reluctantly, Chewie drops his tools and follows Han, grumbling.
190 INT SUITE LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Lando and Leia are waiting; all are dressed for dinner, and Chewie pauses by a pier-glass to slick down his hair.
HAN
Chewie says he can have Threepio talking with a couple more connections.
LANDO
Splendid. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help to you.
He seems perfectly unruffled and at ease as he stands back for Leia at the door into the corridor.
LANDO
Miss Eredith. I suppose Han has told you that the Falcon is repaired ready to fly…
191 INT CORRIDOR – THE ORBITAL CITY – NIGHT
They all come into the corridor, and they walk along it the corridor. The doorway into the suite is identical with the one 3PO opened by mistake.
LEIA
Yes.
CONTINUED
191 (cont.)
LANDO
And I have a ship going into the general sector And in a few days I’ll be able to find you passage out to the sector where you wished to go.
HAN
You see? I told you everything would work out.
Leia can’t very well dispute this, yet she seems unconvinced. As they walk along the corridor, she watches Lando. He smiles.
LANDO
You’re wondering, Miss Eredith. You’re too polite to ask, but still you wonder. So I’ll tell you. Yes. I am I’m a clone. Of the Ashardi family. My great-grandfather wanted many sons and he produced them from the cells of his own body. His sister, a remarkable woman, produced many daughters by the same means. Thus we keep the blood pure. But since the wars, there are not many of us left, and we try not to attract attention.
(a sadness comes into his voice, a remembering)
It did not didn’t seem strange to us to see our own faces endlessly repeated in the streets of our cities. It gave us a sense of oneness, of belonging. I Now, when every face is that of a stranger new and unknown different…I feel truly alone.
They are approaching a large and imposing doorway, which is closed.
LEIA
I’m sorry, Baron Kadar. I didn’t mean to…
He brushes her protestations aside with a light hand.
LANDO
No matter. Oh…I should tell you that we have a guest this evening. I believe you all know him.
Lando throws open the door with a flourish.
192 INT DINING SALON – NIGHT
As Leia, Han, and Chewbacca, ushered in by Lando, stop to stare in shock at the dinner guest, rising in black enormous menace from the seat at the head of the table.
LANDO
The Princess Leia Organa…Lord Darth Vader.
DARTH VADER
(bowing)
Princess.
Han, stammering with fury, turns on Lando.
HAN
You…you…you sold us out!
He is about to go for Lando’s throat, but Chewie grabs and holds him by main force, growling. He indicates a couple of Imperial troopers standing unobtrusively, but armed and ready.
HAN
I guess you’re right.
DISSOLVE TO
193 INT DINING SALON – NIGHT
Everyone is at table, Darth Vader presiding at the head; he is neither eating nor drinking. Lando eats with a good appetite. The others Chewbacca sits quiet, not touching anything. Han and Leia have lost their appetites but both…and especially Han…are drinking wine. Looking at Lando and contemplating murder.
LANDO
You see, Han, I had no choice. I knew who the Princess was the moment you landed, I knew that the Empire wanted you both…and the Empire is important to me. I suppose that I really owe my comfortable existence here to the Empire, though I’m not a part of it, and I continue to trade with both sides. So I really had no choice.
HAN
I hope you were well paid. You know what’s going to happen to us.
CONTINUED
193 (cont.)
LANDO
Lord Vader assured me that nothing would happen to any of you.
LEIA
Ha! I’ve enjoyed Lord Vader’s hospitality before. What’s the matter, Lord Vader? Have you gone so far beyond humanity that you no longer need to eat, or drink?
DARTH VADER
I have had to forego those simple pleasures, like an along with many others; but there are compensations I survive. And you’re forgetting something, Princess. When we entertained you aboard the Death Star, you had information that we needed. Now you have nothing.
LEIA
Then…I don’t understand.
DARTH VADER
Luke Skywalker.
HAN
Luke!
LEIA
What about him? But I don’t know where he is…or even if he’s still alive.
DARTH VADER
He’s alive. And he’ll find you, because he loves you.
HAN
That’s ridiculous. He could search for….
DARTH VADER
He’ll find her. And until then, we wait. I would advise you against any rash moves. I’ve set a guard on the Falcon so there’s no escape that way. I shan’t lock your doors unless you make it necessary.
LEIA
It’s impossible. Luke hasn’t the faintest idea where we are. You must be out of your mind.
DARTH VADER
Then there’s no need to worry, is there?
193 (cont.)
LEIA
Anytime the Empire is around, I worry.
She rises and strides out, not excusing herself or looking back.
HAN
Guess I’ll go, too. The air’s bad in here. Coming, Chewie Chewbacca?
Chewie growls. They go out. Darth Vader looks after them. Lando glances at him uneasily, then goes on with his meal. But he too seems to have lost his appetite.
DISSOLVE TO
194 INT CHEWIE’S QUARTERS – NIGHT
On Threepio’s head; remounted on his shoulders, is propped up on Chewie’s workbench. Chewie, Han, and Leia stand round listening.
THREEPIO
That’s what I saw, when I opened the wrong door. Imperial troopers. I tried to get away to warn you…oh, dear, what a headache! …but they caught me and…well, you see what they did. I can’t bear to think of it.
LEIA
That’s why Lando wouldn’t have him repaired. So he couldn’t talk.
HAN
I don’t know what to say, Leia. Except that I should have listened to you.
She puts her hand out to him, he takes her in his arms.
LEIA
That doesn’t matter now. Darth Vader’s setting up some kind of a trap for Luke, with me as the bait.
HAN
But that’s foolish. He couldn’t Luke can’t possibly find you. Vader couldn’t possibly have found you if Lando hadn’t….
LEIA
Darth Vader’s a lot of things, but he’s no fool. I’m worried frightened, Han.
They go out, Han’s arm comfortingly around her.
194 (cont.)
HAN
But I don’t see how Luke can find us.
LEIA
It doesn’t matter if whether we can see. If Darth Vader says he can do it, he can do it.
Arguing, they go out of Chewie’s quarters.
195 INT SUITE – NIGHT
HAN
Luke’s just a kid! Why would he… Vader want –
LEIA
Luke dropped the bomb down the slot that blew up the Death World. Maybe that’s it, just revenge, or maybe it’s something more, something we don’t know about. But I’m frightened, Han.
Han puts his arms around her, draws her to him.
196 INT CHEWBACCA’S QUARTERS – NIGHT
Threepio speaks to Chewbacca, who’s working with more wiring in Threepio’s torso.
THREEPIO
My friend. My. friend, you will help me? Put me back together again?
Chewie pats Threepio awkwardly on his metal head, and growls softly.
DISSOLVE TO
197 IN SPACE
Luke’s spacer speeding through a star-shot void.
198 INT SPACER
Artoo flies the ship while Luke exercises his mind powers, sitting remote and still in his chair. Artoo watches him. From time to time, Artoo beeps interrogatively questioningly.
LUKE
Wait Patience, little friend, It’s a long search.
Artoo waits, not patiently. Eventually, Luke smiles.
198 (cont.)
LUKE
I know where she is now. A world called Hoth. But there’s something else, a dark shadow… Darth Vader. Darth Vader He’s there too. And he knows that that because of Leia I have to come to him.
Artoo starts twittering furiously, Luke silences him.
LUKE
I wondered what would happen next time we met. Might as well go and find out. Prepare for jump. Set the coordinates for Hoth.
He begins to set up coordinates on the computer while Artoo makes doleful noises. Luke begins to push switches preparatory to jump, while Artoo consults the computer, making doleful noises.
DISSOLVE TO
199 INT CORRIDOR – THE ORBITAL CITY – DAY
On Lando Kadar walks toward the doorway which Threepio mistook for the one to Leia’s suite. It is partly ajar and a rumble of men’s voices comes from inside. Lando hesitates, then gives a perfunctory knock and enters.
200 INT DARTH VADER’S COMMAND HQ – DAY
A number of Imperial troopers stand guard. Lando is inspected briefly…which does not please him…and he is then waved on to where Darth Vader discusses plans with two or three officers, bending over a table whereon is are spread schematic diagrams of the orbital city. Lando waits a reasonable interval, then speaks.
LANDO
I believe you wished to see me, Lord Vader.
Darth Vader turns toward him, brusque and impatient.
DARTH VADER
I am sealing off the city. Access will be through the main portal only. Instruct your patrols to keep a five-mile radius clear of all this native clutter…
LANDO
These are my people. They come and go as they will.
CONTINUED
200 (cont.)
DARTH VADER
Inform your ‘people’ that any who approach the city on any other path without my authorization will be summarily shot.
(as Lando reacts angrily)
You have your orders, Baron.
Lando looks back angrily at Darth Vader and the cold arrogant faces of the officers; he has not missed the hint of threat in the title Vader has flicked him with…the Empire giveth, and the Empire taketh away. His own face becomes impassive. He turns on his heel and stalks out. The others return to their diagrams.
201 IN SPACE
There is a blink and a quiver in the fabric of space, and Luke’s spacer drops out of jump.
202 INT SPACER
Luke looks out of the port at the tiny distant ball of Hoth, glittering brightly. He is frowning, concentrating hard. He checks various instruments and scanners.
LUKE
If Imperial ships are waiting for us, they’re waiting very quietly. We’ll head for the planet’s shadow, come in on the night side.
203 IN SPACE – HOTH
The cloudy planet casts a cone-shaped shadow, thrown by its sun. The bright speck of Luke’s spacer vanishes into the it.
204 INT SPACER – IN PLANETARY SHADOW AND CLOUD
The cock spacer is dark, showing no neither running lights nor interior cabin lights except for the dim glow of the instrument panels. Luke’s face, as he flies the ship, is intent and withdrawn.
LUKE
Darth Vader is and Leia are not on the planet. Somewhere above it. In a ship….? No. Larger than a ship.
Artoo beeps, point indicating one of the scanners. Luke leans over. The scanner shows the bulk of the planet with one bright spot just passing [unreadable] its upper limb. Luke adjusts the scanner for long focus; the city springs into view, glittering with lights.
204 (cont.)
LUKE
An orbiting city. All right. We’ll keep well clear of it, drop down to the surface. See if we can find someone to talk to, before we go barging in.
205 THE NIGHT SURFACE EXT HOTH – NIGHT
A dark landscape. Something passes overhead with a whoosh and a soft groan, down below the cloud layer.
206 INT SPACER – NIGHT
Luke flies on, peering into the darkness, while Artoo watches the indicators.
LUKE
We’re awfully low. Keep your eye out for molehills.
Artoo beeps. Luke peers forward.
LUKE
Not very thickly populated. Haven’t seen a sign of… Wait a minute. Artoo…are those lights up ahead?
Artoo peer clicks knowledgeably, swiveling his headpiece, then begins to twitter excitedly.
207 EXT RUINED CITY – NIGHT
As the spacer lands in the open space where the Falcon landed before. A fair number of torches burn Many torches burn in the city, indicating that the clans have gathered.
208 THE SPACER
The engines shut off. In a moment the hatch opens and the stairs are run down. Luke stands in the doorway, looking out.
209 EXT CITY AND SPACER – NIGHT LUKE
He reacts to what he sees o.s.
210 HIS POV
White-haired warriors of the Cloud People are drawn up in stern ranks, with their pneumatic-dart weapons ready. There is a sudden murmur as they react to the sight of Luke; a sharp word of command; and they fire.
211 LUKE
In the door hatchway, with Artoo behind him. His face is set but not alarmed. The darts rattle like hail against an invisible barrier and fall to the ground.
212 THE SPACER, THE NATIVES
The natives clap their hands over their mouths in astonishment. Luke raises his own hand in the gesture of peace. He descends the steps and walks toward a (sic) old man who has stepped forward…Bahiri. The Cloud People, though awed by Luke’s power, are still hostile.
LUKE
I come in peace. Why did you order your people to fire on me?
BAHIRI
Off-worlders are not welcome here now. And you carry at your hip the strange weapon as the black giant who has taken over the city Imperial chief who has taken over the city.
LUKE
And I hope to destroy him with it. Tell your men to put down their weapons; I’m on your side.
(Bahiri eyes him, unconvinced)
I’m looking for friends. I think they’re captives in the city. A man named Han Solo. A girl with brown hair. A very tall person named Chewbacca. And a ‘droid man-shaped. I want to get them free.
Bahiri motions to his warriors, who let their weapons relax from the firing position.
BAHIRI
Come with me.
He turns and Luke follows him into the city.
213 THE SPACER
Artoo stands grumbling in the hatchway, debating whether or not to try the steps, which are not suited to his build.
DISSOLVE TO
214 EXT RUINED CITY – NIGHT
Amid the ruins, torches burn and the Cloud People are about their cooking fires. Luke and Bahiri sit beside a small fire, talking earnestly.
BAHIRI
You’re determined to walk into this trap.
LUKE
I have to.
BAHIRI
You’re a powerful shaman. Perhaps you’ll survive. In any case, we can help each other.
LUKE
How?
BAHIRI
As I told you, the city is sealed except for the single path, and twice now I have been forbidden to enter. My foster-son Lando is also a prisoner of sorts captive there, being forced to do things that are without honor. I want to talk to him honor. If I could only talk to him, there I might be something I could do able to help…but three times now I’ve been forbidden to enter.
LUKE
If you brought me as a captive, though, they’d have to let you in?
Bahiri looks at Luke and nods. Luke smiles.
DISSOLVE TO
215 INT CHEWBACCA’S QUARTERS – THE ORBITAL CITY – DAY
Chewie now has Threepio’s upper torso pretty well reassembled. He works away on more wires and circuits. Threepio talks.
215 (cont.)
THREEPIO
You’re doing that all wrong! How many times have I told you, those are the negative terminals… Oh! You’re shorting You’ll short all my circuits, you hairy idiot. I can’t stand it…Agh!
Chewie has begun to growl ominously. Abruptly he reaches out and does something to Threepio’s neck which brings instant silence.
216 EXT GARDEN BALCONY – DAY
Han and Leia stand close together on the garden balcony, looking at the cloudy sky.
LEIA
What’s going to happen, Han? I can’t quite see Darth Vader letting us go, no matter what he says.
HAN
I don’t know. But I’ll tell you, if I ever get my hands on Lando Kadar’s throat…!
LEIA
Save some for me.
(sees something o.s.)
Han!
217 THEIR POV
A flight of snowy mantas appears out of the clouds, heading for the city.
LEIA (over)
I thought the natives were forbidden…
HAN (over)
They must have had clearance. They’re heading straight down the slot.
218 IN THE SKY
The flight of Mantas, bearing natives including Bahiri. Luke rides on one, and two of the Cloud People carry Artoo in a net between their mounts.
219 THE BALCONY
Han and Leia are now able to recognize Luke and Artoo.
HAN
It’s Luke…
LEIA
And Artoo. Come on. We have to warn them.
She and Han turn and run for the doorway, only to be met by several troopers. Han tries to fight them and gets a blaster barrel under his jaw for his pains; Leia picks up a tub with an ornamental plant in it and throws it at the troopers, but one of them simply grabs her and carries her off.
220 INT CORRIDOR – ORBITAL CITY – DAY
The troopers, rough-handling Han and Leia, approach the doorway of their suite and toss them unceremoniously inside. One of the troopers bends to lock the door.
221 INT SUITE – DAY
Han tries the door, shakes it.
HAN
They’ve locked us in.
(pounds on the door)
Hey, you…! Open up!
Chewie comes running in from his quarters. Taking in the situation at a glance, he stretches his arms over his head and approaches to batter the door down. Leia stops him.
LEIA
No, not yet! There are too many of them. They won’t leave that many on guard…give them time to go.
Chewie looks at Han, who nods.
HAN
She’s right, as usual.
Chewie nods and hurries back into his quarters.
222 INT CHEWIE’S QUARTERS – DAY
Quickly Chewie picks up Threepio’s upper portion and puts it back in the box with the legs, etc.
223 EXT ORBITAL CITY – DAY
The main landing area. The Mantas settle down. Luke and Bahiri go toward Lando, who waits for them, with Artoo tagging behind. Luke notes there are some of the city’s security men Luke notes the troopers drawn up around the area.
BAHIRI
This is my foster-son, Lando. Lando, this is Han Solo’s friend, Luke Skywalker.
LUKE
Princess Leia and Han…are they safe?
LANDO
Yes. Come. I’ll take you to them.
BAHIRI
Lando. I wish to speak to you.
LANDO
Father Bahiri…friend…please go. I know you want to help me but there is no help. Please, because I love you…go.
Lando has been speaking very softly. Now he turns with Luke and goes in through the portal. A couple of troopers fall in behind them. Bahiri looks after them. He makes his decision; he attempts to follow with his principal men, but troopers bar the way. Roughly. The old man looks at them contemptuously.
BAHIRI
We are free men. We take no orders from the Empire.
Pneumatic weapons appear from beneath the flowing robes of the Cloud People. They are largely futile against the troopers’ armour (sic). Blasters fire. A number of the natives go down, Bahiri among them.
224 INT CORRIDOR – DAY
Hearing the blasters, Lando turns and breaks back, looking out the door at the crumpled bodies beyond.
LANDO
No! They’ve killed Bahiri. He was an old man. How could he have hurt them?
The troopers catch up with him and one of them rams a blaster into his middle. Lando turns docilely enough and rejoins Luke. But his face is the face of a stricken man. He looks at Luke.
Continued
224 (cont.)
LANDO
I’m not taking you to your friends.
LUKE
I know. You’re taking me to Darth Vader.
225 INT CORRIDOR – DOORWAY OF SUITE – DAY
A single trooper stands guarding the door, his back to it, his blaster across his arm.
226 INT SUITE – DAY
Han and Leia stand close to the door, but clear of it so as not to get in Chewie’s way. Also nearby is the box containing Threepio. Chewie listens carefully, his ear to the door. He nods to the others and steps back to get a good run, his huge arms lifted.
227 INT CORRIDOR – DAY
The locked door of the suite suddenly bursts outward. It knocks the guard flat and falls on top of him, followed instantly by the Wookie, Who pounds the guard into insensibility. Han scoops up the blaster. He starts off along the corridor with Leia, but Chewie runs back in and picks up the box with Threepio in it; it’s no light load even for Chewie, and Han looks at him as if he’s about to say something.
LEIA
We can’t just leave him.
HAN
Let’s go find Luke.
They hurry along the corridor, into another corridor, searching.
228 INT CORRIDORS – DAY
Luke, Lando, and troopers, with Artoo following. They reach an intersection of corridors and Lando indicates a door at the far end of one.
LANDO
He’s waiting for you there.
Luke looks at the ominous door. But suddenly there is a distraction; Leia, Han, and Chewie, with Threepio, come running along a side corridor.
CONTINUED
228 (cont.)
The group begins to turn into the corridor with the ominous door at the end…but Lando whirls abruptly, whipping a small weapon from beneath his coat. Quiet bolts leap from it. The troopers, taken by surprise, fall down.
LANDO
But we’re not going there.
He scoops up the blasters, hands one to Luke, pockets the small weapon.
LANDO
An extremely powerful shocker, only good at short range, but quite useful on occasion. Come on. We’ll get Han and the Princess.
They hurry on. But at another intersection of corridors they see Han and Leia, and Chewie with his box, running toward them. Instantly they halt and Han lifts his weapon to cover Lando.
HAN
Lando! Stop right there. Drop the blaster. Luke, it’s all a trap. He’s working for Darth Vader.
LUKE
He was, but he just changed sides.
HAN
Oh?
LANDO
They killed Bahiri. I didn’t like what I was doing, and I’m not doing it any more.
Chewie has put down the box. Artoo has seen it. With an outburst of beeping and whistling, indicative of shock, Artoo scuttles to the box and begins to mourn over Threepio.
LANDO
There are guards on the Falcon, but I think we can get through them.
229 EXT CORRIDOR – DARTH VADER’S DOOR
The door opens and a number of troopers run out. They run past the two fallen ones at the end of the corridor, then go after Luke and Lando.
230 LUKE, LANDO, AND GROUP
LANDO
There are guards on the Falcon, but I think we can get around them.
HAN
(taking Luke’s shoulder)
Come on, kid. We’ll find a way.
LUKE
You’ll find a way.
Luke shoves the blaster into Chewie’s hands and glances at Threepio.
LUKE
Poor Threepio.
LEIA
He’ll be all right if we can get him away. But Luke, you must come with us. Darth Vader…
Luke kisses her.
LUKE
That’s why I have to stay. Go now and don’t wait for me. As soon as you’re aboard, take off.
LEIA
But Luke…
Luke, walking away, does not look back.
HAN
Ah, the kid’s out of his mind.
But he’s not happy. He starts after Luke. And suddenly the troopers appear at the intersection of the corridors. Luke is between them and the fugitives, but they have a and they know that Luke is not to be killed. But they have a clear field of fire past him and there’s no place for the others to duck.
TROOPER
Lay down your arms or we kill the Princess Leia.
Luke continues to move toward them, unarmed except for the sword sabre. The others watch him, frozen.
LEIA
Luke..!
LUKE
(to himself)
May the Force be with me.
230 (cont.)
Suddenly the saber is out and blazing, and Luke’s face is no longer that of the farmboy from Tattoine (sic). An ancient and powerful wisdom dwells there. The light saber dances, slashes, flickers like lightning. The troopers fire, but they seem bemused dazed and their shots go wild. One By ones and twos they fall.
231 HAN, LANDO, AND GROUP
They stare in amazement.
HAN
What happened to the kid?
LANDO
Never mind that now. Follow me.
He leads them away, Chewie shouldering his box and Artoo scuttling along beside, beeping plaintively.
232 LUKE
Saber in hand, he passes the fallen troopers and goes toward the door. He flings it open.
233 INT DARTH VADER’S APARTMENT – DAY
Darth Vader, alone now, stands facing Luke as he enters, huge and menacing, the his own light saber in his hand.
DARTH VADER
Your friends are wasting their time.
(Luke shrugs)
Once more. Luke. Will you join with me? Together we could rule the galaxy.
LUKE
No.
DARTH VADER
Then I have no choice.
He brings the sabre to the salute. So does Luke. They begin to fence. Darth Vader is much larger and stronger, and twenty years more experienced. But Luke is young and agile…and he has studied with Minch. They fight, a breathtaking and deadly passage of arms, which takes them out of the room and into the corridors. Darth Vader Luke holds his own, but just barely.
234 INT LITTLE-USED STAIRWAY – DAY
Lando leads the others down a stairway that obviously is only there for emergencies. They go quietly, helping Artoo along, pausing often to listen. Leia is agitated, Han is unhappy but realistic. They speak in hurried whispers.
LEIA
We can’t go off without Luke!
HAN
He Those were his orders, Leia, and I think he knew what he was doing. You’ve got to understand, Leia. He’s not the same Luke we knew.
Lando motions them to silence, halts to listen, then moves on again.
235 LUKE AND DARTH VADER
They are fighting down a broad staircase now. Luke, growing angrier, is on the defensive. He stumbles. Vader moves in. But Luke sees a piece of statuary above, at one side. By the power of the Force, he hurls it at Vader, who steps aside deflects it laughing, and hurls it at Luke, who narrowly evades it. But it gives Luke a respite. They stand for a moment, looking at each other, the anger deepening in Luke’s face, changing it.
VADER
You’re forgetting, little Jedi, that I’m 20 years older and stronger in the use of the Force than you and 20 years ago your father was helpless against me.
{insert}
INSERT
235 LUKE AND DARTH VADER
They are fighting down a broad staircase now. Luke is on the defensive. He stumbles. Vader moves in. Luke sees a piece of statuary above, at one side. By the power of the Force, he hurls it at Vader, who deflects it, laughing. But it gives Luke a respite. They stand for a moment, looking at each other.
VADER
You’re very good, Luke. But I’m twenty years older and stronger than you in the use of the Force. You haven’t a chance with me…any more than your father had.
The anger deepens in Luke’s face, changing it. Vader laughs softly and as Luke furiously attacks again.
236 INT LITTLE –USED STAIRWAY – DAY
Lando and the group have now reached the landing on the stairway which has a door that says HANGAR DECK – EMERGENCY ONLY. They check their weapons, tensing themselves for the fray.
237 THE HANGAR DECK
The Falcon sits waiting patiently, with a guard of troopers drawn up around it. The troopers are facing away from the emergency door.
238 INT EMERGENCY STAIRWELL – DAY
Lando pushes at the door. Nothing happens.
HAN
What’s the matter?
LANDO
Against all orders, regulations, it’s locked.
238 (cont.)
Han brings up his blaster but Lando stops him.
LANDO
No…wait!
He motions them to silence and quickly remounts the stairs. Leia looks after him doubtfully, but it (sic) sees they must trust him.
238 (cont.)
Han brings up his blaster to blow the door open, but Lando stops him.
LANDO
No, wait! Let me try.
He motions them to silence and quickly runs back up the stair. Leia looks doubtful, but they have no choice but to trust him.
239 LUKE AND VADER
They have fought their way deeper into the bowels of the city. Luke is a brilliant swordsman, yet it is apparent that Vader is somewhat better. He seems to be almost playing with Luke, driving him into corners where Luke must use some trick of the Force to get free. He erects barriers, such as he used against the Cloud People; Vader smashes them contemptuously. They are in a maintenace (sic) area far below the living quarters. With increasing fury, Luke hurls things at Vader. His face is dark and contorted. He wants to kill Vader, to kill him for his own selfish ends, for revenge. Vader seems ro (sic) be well pleased.
239 LUKE AND VADER
They have fought their way deeper into the bowels of the ciy (sic). Luke is a brilliant swordsman, and it seems now that his youth and agility may be telling just a bit on Vader, and Luke drives him mercilessly. But he can’t quite corner him. He hurls things at Vader by mind-poer (sic), but somehow Vader always evades…and Vader sends objects hurtling back at Luke, almost braining him. Luke fights with increasing ferocity, his one blind objective to destroy Darth Vader, but something has come into his face, something dark and unfamiar (sic).
240 INT HANGAR DECK
Lando, coming from the main entrance to the deck, approaches the guard around the Falcon.
LANDO
Lord Vaders orders. The prisoners have escaped and may make an attempt on the ship. They may already be hiding somewhere on the hangar deck. I want four of you to go and search. The rest of (sic) remain here while I check the doors.
(the men hesitate)
Would you care for me to inform Lord Vader?
Four of the troopers move away into the hangar. Lando goes to the emergency door mot (sic) far away.
TROOPER
It’s locked, sir.
LANDO
Is it indeed!
He pulls it open. Han and Chewie come out shooting. Lando retrieves his blaster. A fierce gun-battle breaks out, the troopers fall or run for cover. Dragging the box with Threepio, the party makes a run for the Falcon.
240 (cont.)
But through another doorway farther along, fresh troopers pour in. The gun battle cpntinues (sic), growing hotter. Cursing at the aswkard (sic) box, with Artoo doing all he can to push, the party gains the Falcon with all hands including Threepio, and the hatch slams hut (sic) with a bang. Shots continue to ricochet from the hull.
241 INT FALCON – THE HANGAR DECK
Han and Chewie bolt for the cockpit. Leia looks out the cabin port. Artoo, hovers over Threepio’s box.
LEIA
The troopers are bringing up some kind of a small weapon…look like rocket launches.
HAN
Armor piercing. We’ve got to get out of here.
LANDO
The bay door opens on the right responds to the right frequency. Where’s your transmitter?
He begins to punch out a signal.
ARTOO activates Threepio, who looks at him.
THREEPIO
Artoo…my little friend! You came to me! Where are we? What’s happening?
Artoo goes off into a stream of beeps and whistles.
Up in the cockpit, the men see the bay doors begin to open.
HAN
Full power…
Abruptly then an inner set of doors, the blast doors, much heavier, snap shut with a booming crash.
LANDO
They’ve closed the crash blast doors.
The Falcon lurches wildly, slewing around to avoid collision. Shots rattle on her hull.
THREEPIO
Oh, no. I can’t stand any more. I’ve been through too much. Good bye, Artoo. Good bye, world.
He reaches up his own hand and deactivates himself.
242 LUKE AND VADER
They are in a large space in the lower pendulum of the city, where the great roaring ventilator shaft runs down to the reactor. Vader now pours on the coal, and it is obvious that Luke is tired and losing, no matter how he uses the dark Force. Suddenly the scene changes as it did before in the clearing by Minch’s house; we see the blackness of space roiled and dusted with stars burning with stars and we see the large black shadow of Darth Vader towering against the starfields. The smaller form of Luke is there as well, but and this time the shadow it casts is almost as dark a (sic) Vader’s.
VADER
You see, my little Jedi, you’re beaten. You have used the dark side of the Force against me, as I knew you would…and powerfully. Very powerfully, Luke. With training, you could be as strong as I.
He reaches out for a handful stars (sic) and plays with them idly.
VADER
But you’ve had no training in the dark side, Luke. You simply felt more power in it, and you used it for revenge, for hate, for the sake of being able to say that you, Luke Skywalker, had destroyed the great Darth Vader.
LUKE
(looking down at himself)
But I didn’t realize…
VADER
Of course you didn’t. I simply led you along so that at each point you had a choice to make, and you always made the right one…or the wrong one.
He tosses a handful of stars over Luke’s shadowy form, where they run over him like sparks.
VADER
So, once more, little Jedi. Or Will you join with me, and let me teach you the uses of the dark side of the force…or will you at the last minute remember your oath and die?
LUKE
I think I would prefer to die.
Continued
242 (cont.)
Luke stands silent, watching the stars trickle away and vanish. His shadowy form is growing intangibly lighter.
LUKE
I’ve wasted and thrown away all the careful teaching I was given. I betrayed my trust, I broke my oath. I would prefer to die.
VADER
You’re a fool, Luke. Nevertheless, it can be arranged.
The illusion dissolves back in to the maintenance area around them around the shaft. Luke, himself again, stands facing Vader with his light saber. Vader, some distance away, laughs softly.
VADER
You’re weak, little Jedi, without the dark side. But I warn you that if you use it once more, you are lost…forfeit in this world and the next.
He lunges forward and the battle is on again.
243 INT FALCON
Sounds of weaponry outside. Lando has manned one of the Falcon’s guns and is holding off the attak (sic) as best he can. In the cockpit, Han and Chewie are conferring furiously.
HAN
All right, everybody, Down on the deck. I’m going to try to…..
LEIA
We can’t go without Luke!
HAN
Can you give me any practical ideas on how to find hm (sic) and bring him here? Besides, weren’t you the one who told me that the mission to Marekal was more important that (sic) any individual?
Defeated, Leia turns away.
HAN
Continued
243 (cont.)
HAN
We’re going to try to We’re going to try to blow out these blast doors with the Falcon’s main jets. Don’t know if it’ll work or not, but it’ll make the devil of a bang. Hang on now.
(They all get down, except Artoo, who stays protectively by Threepio)
Full brakes, Chewie. Reverse forward thrusters. Okay, here we go.
He thrusts down on a main lever.
244 INT HANGAR
The Falcon, slewed with her main tail tubes facing the blast door, lets go her jets at maximin (sic) power. The roar is stunning. Smoke and flame billow. Troopers are bowled over by the concussion; they drop their weapons, they roll on the floor deafened and half stunned; those who can, run.
245 THE BLAST DOORS
They buckle, crumple, and go flying out into the sky outward.
246 INT FALCON
Wild cries of triumph and thanksgiving.
HAN
Swing her around, Chewie! Let’s go!
247 INT HANGAR
The Falcon begins to turn turns swiftly to face the open doors. It takes off.
248 LUKE AND VADER
They continue their fight in the maintenance area. Luke, now eschewing the dark side of the Force, is fighting with amazing power, but Darth Vader is more than holding his own. Little by little, Luke is forced back to the railing that protects the terrible shaft.
249 EXT CITY – THE FALCON
The Falcon is free of the city, but not of trouble. Scout boats are closing in from their patrol positions. This is not an immediate menace. But Vader’s men have mounted heavy gun emplacements on the balconies of the city and the fire is hot.
250 INT FALCON – DAY
Lando has taken over the rear stern gun, and is firing away.
LANDO
Down below the curve of the city. They can’t reach us there.
251 EXT CITY – THE FALCON
It dives down under the top-shaped bulge of the city, screened at least from the gun emplacements.
252 LUKE AND VADER
Forcing Luke steadily back, Vader gets him p9nned (sic) agains (sic) the rail. Fighting valiantly but without hope, Luke glances down the shaft.
253 HIS POV
The dreadful shaft, sucking its torrent of air. Here and there the blowholes are visible, air vents, and here and there a (sic) stout metal bars thrust out from the sides, probably for maintenance work in the vent-holes. At the far bottom, the dim glare of the reactor glows beneath its shielding. It is altogether a heart stopping sight.
254 LUKE AND VADER
Luke turns bakc (sic) to the fight to see that Vader is rushing at him to deal the death-stroke. Valiantly Luke lifts his saber to parry; then as Vader’s blade comes streaking down, Luke deactivates his sabre and darts aside. Thrown momentarily off balance because the unexpected ruse and the lack of opposition to his blade, Vader is overbalanced. Luke leaps aside and over the railing into the shaft.
255 VADER
He is hanging in an effort not to follow Luke, staring down.
266 VADER’S POV LUKE IN TUNNEL
256 LUKE IN SHAFT
He catches one of the protruding steel bars. He is almost torn loose, but he manages to swing his body into one of the vent holes. He disappears.
256 (sic) LUKE IN VENT HOLE
Being carried along at dizzying speed. At the end there is a steel grating to catch larger pieces of debris. Luke is a large piece of debris. He takes out his saber He lies there a moment hugging the grate, wondering what to do next…and he sees the Falcon approaching on a path that will bring it close to and under the mount of the tube. Frantically he hauls out his sabre and activates it, begins o (sic) cut the mesh, kicking at it to loosen at it, yelling perfectly useless pleas to the Falcon to slow down, watch, wait, etc. Inexorably, the Falcon comes closer.
257 EXT CITY – THE FALCON
It is now passing close to and a little below the vent. The mesh is red hot but still holding. A series of wild kicks from inside kocks (sic) it loose enough so that Luke can wriggle through. He doesn’t hesitate, but leaps for the back of the Falcon landing by the upper hatch and clinging for dear life.
258 INT FALCON – DAY
HAN
What’s that?
LANDO
Something hit us.
HAN
Chewie. Take a look.
Chewie picks up his blaster and mounts the ladder. He opens it a crack, sticking the blaster through.
259 EXT FALCON – DAY
Luke peers in to to crach (sic) with the blaster and Chewies fierce eyes.
LUKE
Chewie, let me in. It’s Luke.
260 Int FALCON
As Luke is being hauled bodily inside. He is greeted by a babble of questions, exclamations of joy, etc.
HAN
Bat Dog down that hatch, Chewie! All the rest of it can wait. We’ve got to If we don’t get out of here or we’re all goners. I’ll think of a place to jump to.
LEIA
You will not…not this time! I’ll think of a place to jump to.
Artoo has activated Threepio.
THREEPIO
Master Luke! Master Luke! I can’t begin to tell you what terrible things I’ve been through. Did you beat Darth Vader?
LUKE
No (sic) this time, Threepio. But perhaps there is a the next time, if there is one.
Leia has gone forward and bending over Han by the computer.
HAN
I hope you know what you’re doing. Prepare for jump!
The stars become streaks of brilliant light through the port.
260 (sic) THE ORBITAL CITY
Left behind, wheeling on its way around the planet Hoth.
DISSOLVE TO
262 INT FALCON – IN JUMP
Han, Leia, and Luke are deep in conversation. Threepio Artoo has all of Threepio’s component parts spread out on the deck, in the order they belong and is working to assemble them. Threepio is awake and talkative. Chewie in the cockpit.
HAN
Continued
263 (sic) (cont.)
HAN LUKE
I almost beat him at that, but the wrong way…the more I was winning, the more I was losing. I was so full of hate, and rage, and the desire for revenge. I was using the dark side of the force without even realizing it, and he was making me destroy myself.
LEIA
But you didn’t.
LUKE
No (sic) quite. He asked me again to join with him…he said that together we could rule the galaxy. I said no, so he came in for the kill. I’ve got an awful lot to learn yet.
They are interrupted by an angry outbrust (sic) angry gowling (sic) mingled with furious beepings and twittering. Chewie has come from the cockpit to stand over Threepio. After all, he’s done a lot of work on the ‘droid and has certain proprietary rights.
THREEPIO
Oh, no. Not his tender ministrations again!
Artoo is warning Chewie off. He attacks the big Wooky (sic), running up as if he intends to bite him on the knees, like an irate small dog. He can’t bite, of course, but his under pinnings are heavy when he treads on Chewie’s feet. The others laugh.
HAN
Better let him alone, Chewie. After all, he’s a ‘droid and he probably knows more about repairing one than you do.
Grumbling, Chewie retreats, and Artoo commences to work on Threepio.
264 VIEW OF THE PLANET BESSPIN KAALIEDA FROM SPACE
An extremely beautiful planet revolves jewl-like (sic) in space.
265 EXT GARDEN – BESSPIN KAALIDA – NIGHT
Brilliant moons illuminate beautiful gardens. In one of them, with the Falcon visible in b.g., our people are saying their farewells. Han and Leia stand alone, Chewie waiting in the background. Threepio, now fully restored, and Artoo, stand together at one side. Luke is by himself, his face set but quiet and controlled. Lando is nearby.
266 HAN AND LEIA
Lovers; close together.
LEIA
Come back to me, Han.
HAN
As soon as I’ve won over persuaded Ovan Marekal to join us.
LEIA
Even if you don’t persuade him.
They kiss, and Han turns toward the ship, waving a farewell salute to Luke stopping to shake hands with Luke.
HAN
Take care of her, Luke. And yourself.
Luke waves acknowledgement. Lria (sic) runs to Chewie and throws her arms around him. He rumbles, patting her awkwardly, and then Threepio comes up, with Artoo.
THREEPIO
I really deserve to have my vocal apparatus rusted shut for a year. You were doing you (sic) best, trying so hard, and I…well, I’m ashamed.
Chewie rumbles and pats Threepio on the shoulder. But when Artoo starts to beep, Chewie growls and stamps on Artoo’s underpinnings…which only hurts Chewie’s foot and sends him on his way grumbling.
Han stops to shake Lando’s hand.
HAN
Hadn’t been for you, Lando, none of us would have been here.
The men shake hands. Han and Chewie go on toward the ship. In a moment the others turn and enter a nearby building.
267 INT CORRIDOR – BUILDING
A lift opens. Leia, Luke, Lando, Threepio, and Artoo get out and walk out onto a garden balcony rich with flowers. They stand waiting. The Falcon takes off, rising into the starry sky on a plume of flame. They watch it diminishing in against the starry sky. We see their faces. The ‘droids. Leia, with all her heart and soul in her eyes, watching the man she loves vanish into unknown dangers. And Luke…older, wiser, and more humble about his shortcomings, still loving Leia but in a different way. Abruptly he unsheathes the light-sabre and activates, holding it in a position of salute for the departing Falcon.
THE END
***
Download: The Empire Strikes Back – Scanned First Draft by Leigh Brackett (PDF)
Download: The Empire Strikes Back – First Draft by Leigh Brackett (transcript)
June 21, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Great find! But you know… “volplaning”, “stooging”… these are real words, spelled and used correctly here, and you marked them as (sic).
January 30, 2011 at 8:28 am
Very cool post! I love reading these original scripts. It’s a lot like a nice AU to the Star Wars we know and love.
January 5, 2013 at 8:26 am
Any idea who made the handwritten changes? Brackett or Lucas?
January 25, 2017 at 7:15 am
Many thanks for all the work effort to provide the first ESB draft as a transcript. And it’s full of small and big surprises. I had no idea that Lando was supposed to be a clone and that the original Clone Wars had something to do with clones being pursued. Especially the first part has plenty of Wampas involved that act like ALIENS – Can’t help the suspicion that JamesCameron might have had a copy of that draft…
November 5, 2022 at 10:37 am
“cloak flies in the wind”
Such are ideas, which took place in a more romantic epoch, when all characters sitting on horses have to wear “flying cloaks” … but not very realistic, especially on an ice planet. Thanks to the Lords of Kobol, they changed that.