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EXTERIOR:
SPACE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON The
Millennium Falcon speeds away from Hoth, closely followed
by one huge Star Destroyer and four tiny TIE fighters. As it is
pursued, the Falcon races toward two very bright star-sized
objects. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT Inside
the cockpit, Chewie lets out a loud howl. Han checks as the
ship is buffeted by exploding flak. He appears to be doing
six things at once. HAN:
(harried) I saw them! I saw them! LEIA:
Saw what? HAN:
Star Destroyers, two of them, coming right at us. Threepio
bumps and bangs his way into the cockpit. THREEPIO:
Sir, sir! Might I suggest... HAN: (to
Leia) Shut him up or shut him down! (to Chewie) Check the deflector
shield! Chewie
barks a reply as he readjusts an overhead switch. HAN: Oh,
great. Well, we can still outmaneuver them. EXTERIOR:
SPACE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON -- STAR DESTROYERS The
Millennium Falcon races toward one of the huge oncoming Star
Destroyers. Suddenly, the Falcon starts into a deep dive straight
down, closely followed by four TIE fighters. The underside
of the Star Destroyer continues on a collision course
with two oncoming Star Destroyers. Slowly, it starts to veer
to the left. INTERIOR:
STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE Out the
front window, the two approaching Star Destroyers can be
seen veering to the left. IMPERIAL
OFFICER: Take evasive action! Alarms
sound all over the huge ship. The two other Star Destroyers
get closer, one of them moving over the bridge so close
that it makes brushing contact with it. EXTERIOR:
SPACE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON -- TIE FIGHTERS The
Millennium Falcon races away from the colliding Star Destroyers,
still followed by four TIE fighters. Laser bolts spark
the pitch-black skies. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT Things
have calmed down a bit, but the race isn't over yet. Chewie
barks at Han. Leia is still trying to recover from the steep
dive. The ship is buffeted by laser blasts. HAN:
Prepare to make the jump to light-speed. THREEPIO:
But, sir! The
buffeting of lasers becomes louder and stronger. LEIA:
They're getting closer! HAN:
(with a gleam in his eye) Oh yeah? Watch this. Expectantly,
they look out the cockpit window as stars do not go
into hyperspace, but just sit there. Han and
Chewie look at each other and are thrown into an acute
state of concern. LEIA:
Watch what? Han
tries again. Still nothing. HAN: I
think we're in trouble. THREEPIO:
If I may say so, sir, I noticed earlier the hyperdrive motivator
has been damaged. It's impossible to go to light-speed! HAN:
We're in trouble! The
explosions become heavier. EXTERIOR:
SPACE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON -- TIE FIGHTERS -- STAR DESTROYER The
Falcon races into the starry vastness, followed by the four
Imperial TIE fighters and an Imperial Star Destroyer. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT Stars
race by as flak bursts outside the Falcon's window. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- HOLD Han
works furiously at some control panels while giving various
orders to Chewie. HAN:
Horizontal boosters...! (Chewie
barks) HAN:
Alluvial dampers...! Well that's not it. (Chewie
barks) HAN:
Bring me the hydrospanners! Chewie
hurries over to the pit and places the tools on the edge. HAN: I
don't know how we're going to get out of this one. Suddenly,
a loud thump hits the side of the Falcon, causing
it to lurch radically. Chewie barks. The tools fall into the
pit on top of Han. HAN:
Oww! Chewie! More
turbulence rocks the ship. HAN:
That was no laser blast! Something hit us. LEIA:
(over comlink) Han, get up here! HAN:
Come on, Chewie! Han
climbs out of the hold like a shot. Both he and Chewie run out
of the hold and toward the cockpit. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT Out the
front cockpit window, they see hundreds of asteroids
racing by. LEIA:
Asteroids! Han
changes places with Leia who has been at the controls, and
Chewie gets into his chair. Han works his controls as a chunk of
rock crosses in front of the ship. HAN: Oh,
no! Chewie, set two-seven-one. LEIA:
What are you doing? You're not actually going into an asteroid field? HAN:
They'd be crazy to follow us, wouldn't they? Another
asteroid thumps against the ship and Leia winces at the
jolt. LEIA:
You don't have to do this to impress me. THREEPIO:
Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is
approximately three thousand, seven hundred and twenty to one. HAN:
Never tell me the odds! EXTERIOR:
ASTEROID BELT -- MILLENNIUM FALCON The
Falcon turns into the asteroid storm and as the ship completes
its turn, asteroids start coming straight at the cockpit
windows. A large
asteroid tumbles away from the Falcon's path at top speed.
Several smaller asteroids crash into the big one, creating
small explosions on its surface. Other asteroids of all
sizes pass by in every direction, some colliding and exploding.
The tiny Millennium Falcon veers around the big asteroid
and races past it through the rain of rocks, followed by four
TIE fighters, which bob and weave around the asteroids. One of
the pursuing TIE fighters connects with an asteroid and
explodes. The other fighters are pelted with a steady stream
of smaller explosions. Two huge
asteroids tumble toward the Millennium Falcon, which
quickly banks around both of them. The three TIE fighters
follow in hot pursuit until one of the fighters scrapes
an asteroid and tumbles out of control into deep space. EXTERIOR:
SPACE -- STAR DESTROYER -- ASTEROID BELT The
massive Star Destroyer blasts oncoming asteroids as it follows
the Falcon. Smaller asteroids explode across its vast surface. EXTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- TIE FIGHTERS -- ASTEROID BELT The
Falcon twists on its side as it races around an oncoming
asteroid. Two TIE fighters follow in the distance, coming
from either side. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT Asteroids
race by the cockpit window as Han pilots his trusty
craft through the dangerous field. Looking out
the cockpit window, the Falcon crew sees a big asteroid
drop past the window, narrowly missing their ship. Chewie
barks in terror as a slightly smaller asteroid comes especially
close -- to close -- and bounces off the Falcon with a
loud crunch. Threepio's hands cover his eyes. He manages
a short peek at the cockpit window. Princess Leia sits stone-faced,
staring at the action. Han gives her a quick look. HAN: You
said you wanted to be around when I made a mistake; well, this
could be it, sweetheart. LEIA: I
take it back. We're going to get pulverized if we stay out here
much longer. The
group watches as more asteroids race by outside the window. HAN: I'm
not going to argue with that. THREEPIO:
Pulverized? HAN: I'm
going in closer to one of the big ones. LEIA:
Closer? THREEPIO:
Closer?! Chewbacca
barks the same word, only louder. EXTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- ASTEROID BELT The
Millennium Falcon dives toward the surface of one of the
moon-sized asteroids. There is a continued display of explosions
against the starry void as smaller asteroids collide
with larger chunks of rock. The two remaining TIE fighters
follow the Falcon to the large asteroid. The Falcon skims
the surface of the giant asteroid as, all the while, small
asteroids explode on the surface of the ship. The TIE
fighters approach the Falcon, but a giant asteroid hurtles
directly into their path. As the asteroid continues on its way,
it leaves remains of the two exploded TIE fighters to tumble
into deep space. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT Rattled
by the violent rocking of the starship, Threepio is nearly
in hysterics. THREEPIO:
Oh, this is suicide! Han
notices something on his main scope and nudges his faithful
Wookiee, pointing. HAN:
There. That looks pretty good. LEIA:
What looks pretty good? HAN:
Yeah. That'll do nicely. THREEPIO:
(to Leia) Excuse me, ma'am, but where are we going? Out the
cockpit window, they see that they are skimming the surface
of the enormous asteroid and nearing a large crater. EXTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GIANT ASTEROID CRATER The
Millennium Falcon dives into the huge crater and disappears. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT LEIA: I
hope you know what you're doing. HAN:
Yeah, me too. INTERIOR:
GIANT ASTEROID CRATER The
Falcon races down into the crater. The walls are barely visible
as the ship speed through the tunnellike opening. A small
cave appears on one side of the crater, and the Falcon turns,
slows, and scoots into it. EXTERIOR:
SPACE -- LUKE'S X-WING The tiny
X-wing speeds toward the cloud cover of Dagobah. Artoo,
riding on the back of the fighter, turns his head back and
forth with some anxiety. INTERIOR:
LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT Luke
watches Artoo's words as they are translated and screened
on the computer scope. LUKE:
(into comlink) Yes, that's it. Dagobah. Artoo
beeps a hopeful inquiry. LUKE:
(into comlink) No, I'm not going to change my mind about this. (getting
a little nervous) I'm not picking up any cities or technology.
Massive life-form readings, though. There's something alive
down there... Artoo
beeps, this time a slightly worried question. LUKE:
(into comlink) Yes, I'm sure it's perfectly safe for droids. EXTERIOR:
SPACE -- DAGOBAH -- LUKE'S X-WING The
X-wing continues its flight through the twilight above the
cloud-covered planet. INTERIOR:
LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT Luke
sees the cloud race by as he takes his craft closer to the
planet. He must operate his controls carefully since the
cloud cover has completely obscured his vision. An alarm buzzes
in the background, Artoo beeps and whistles frantically. LUKE:
(into comlink) I know, I know! All the scopes are dead. I can't see a
thing! Just hang on, I'm going to start the landing cycle... The
blast of the retrorockets is deafening, drowning out Artoo's
electronic squeals. Suddenly, there is a cracking sound as
if limbs were being broken off trees and then a tremendous
jolt as the spacecraft stops. Luke pulls a switch and his
canopy pops open. EXTERIOR:
DAGOBAH -- DUSK The
mist-shrouded X-wing fighter is almost invisible in the thick
fog. Luke climbs out onto the long nose of the spacecraft
as Artoo pops out of his cubbyhole on the back. The young
warrior surveys the fog, which is barely pierced by the ship's
landing lights. About all he can make out are some giant,
twisted trees nearby. Artoo whistles anxiously. LUKE:
No, Artoo, you stay put. I'll have a look around. Artoo
lets out a short beep. As Luke moves along the nose, Artoo
loses his balance and disappears with a splash into the boggy
lake. LUKE:
Artoo? Luke
kneels and leans over the plane looking for Artoo, but the
water is still and reveals no sign of the little droid. LUKE:
Artoo! Where are you? A small
periscope breaks the surface of the water and a gurgly
beep is heard. The periscope starts to move to shore. Relieved,
Luke starts running along the nose of the fighter to its tip. LUKE:
Artoo! You be more careful. The
outline of the shore is now more than ten feet away. Luke
jumps off the plane into the water, scrambles up to the shore,
and turns to look for Artoo. The periscope still steadily
moves toward shore. LUKE:
Artoo -- that way! Suddenly,
through the thick fog layer, a dark shape appears,
moving toward the little droid. The dark, sinuous bog beast
dives beneath the swampy water, making a loud clunk against
Artoo's metal hull. The droid disappears from sight, uttering
a pathetic electronic scream. Holding
his ignited lightsaber before him, Luke wades a few feet
into the murky pool, looking for any sign of his little friend. LUKE:
Artoo! The
black surface is still as death itself...until a few bubbles
begin to appear. Then, phheewaat!! The runt-size robot is spit
out of the water, makes a graceful arc, and comes crashing
down into a patch of soft gray moss. LUKE:
Oh, no! Are you all right? Come on. You're lucky you don't taste very good.
Anything broken? Luke
helps Artoo to his feet and begins wiping the mud and roots
from his round metal body. Artoo responds with feeble, soggy
beeps. LUKE: If
you're saying coming here was a bad idea, I'm beginning to agree
with you. Oh, Artoo, what are we doing here? It's like... something
out of a dream, or, I don't know. Maybe I'm just going crazy. As Luke
glances around at the spooky swamp jungle that surrounds
him, Artoo ejects a stream of muddy water from one of his
cranial ports. EXTERIOR:
VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- VADER'S CHAMBER Admiral
Piett hesitates in the entryway to Vader's private cubicle.
After a moment, he steps into the room and pauses at the
surprising sight before him. Darth
Vader, his back turned, is silhouetted in the gloom on the far
side of the chamber. A black, insectlike droid attends
him. Among the various apparatuses surrounding them, a respirator
tube now retracts from Vader's uncovered head. The head is
bald with a mass of ugly scar tissue covering it. The black
droid then lowers the mask and helmet onto Vader's head. When it
is in place, the Dark Lord turns to face Piett. VADER:
Yes, Admiral? PIETT:
Our ships have sighted the Millennium Falcon, lord. But...it has
entered an asteroid field and we cannot risk... VADER:
(interrupting) Asteroids do not concern me, Admiral. I want that
ship and not excuses. PIETT:
Yes, lord. EXTERIOR:
ASTEROID CAVE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON The
pirate starship rests in a dark, dripping asteroid cave. It
is so dark that the cave's exact dimensions are impossible
to determine. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT Han and
Chewie busily shut down the engine and all electronic
systems. Threepio and Leia watch worriedly. HAN: I'm
going to shut down everything but the emergency power systems.
THREEPIO:
Sir, I'm almost afraid to ask, but...does that include shutting
me down, too? Chewie
barks "yes". But Han thinks otherwise. HAN: No,
I need you to talk to the Falcon, find out what's wrong with the
hyperdrive. Suddenly,
the ship lurches, causing all the loose items in the
cockpit to go flying. Chewie howls. THREEPIO:
Sir, it's quite possible this asteroid is not entirely stable. HAN: Not
entirely stable? I'm glad you're here to tell us these things.
Chewie, take the professor in the back and plug him into the hyperdrive. THREEPIO:
Oh! Sometimes I just don't understand human behavior. After all, I'm
only trying to do my job in the most... The
sliding door closes behind the indignant Threepio as Chewie
and he move back to the hold. Suddenly, the ship lurches
again, throwing Leia across the cabin into Han's arms. Then,
abruptly, the motion stops as suddenly as it started. With
some surprise, Han and Leia realize they are in each other's
arms. LEIA:
Let go. HAN:
Sshh! LEIA:
Let go, please. Leia
flushes, averting her eyes. She's not exactly fighting to get
free. But, of course, Han blows it... HAN:
Don't get excited. The
anger rises in Leia. LEIA:
Captain, being held by you isn't quite enough to get me excited. HAN:
Sorry, sweetheart. We haven't got time for anything else. Han
grins quickly wickedly at Leia as he turns and exits through
the door. Leia's confused emotions show clearly on her lovely
face. EXTERIOR:
DAGOBAH -- BOG CLEARING -- DUSK The mist
has dispersed a bit, but it is still a very gloomy-looking
swamp. Luke
pulls an equipment box from the shore to the clearing. He
ignites a little fusion furnace and warms his hands before it.
Taking a power cable, he plugs it into Artoo's noselike socket. LUKE:
Ready for some power? Okay. Let's see now. Put that in there. There
you go. The
droid whistles his appreciation. Luke then opens a container
of processed food and sits before the thermal heater. LUKE:
(sighs) Now all I have to do is find this Yoda...if he even exists. Nervously,
he looks around at the foreboding jungle. LUKE:
Still...there's something familiar about this place. I feel like...I
don't know... STRANGE
VOICE: Feel like what? Luke
jumps out of his skin. Artoo screeches in terror. The young
warrior grabs for his lightsaber as he spins around, looking
for the speaker. Mysteriously standing right in front of Luke
is a strange, bluish creature, not more than two feet tall.
The wizened little thing is dressed in rags. It motions toward
Luke's sword. LUKE:
(looking at the creature) Like we're being watched! CREATURE:
Away with your weapon! I mean you no harm. After
some hesitation, Luke puts away his weapon, although he
really doesn't understand why. Artoo watches with interest. CREATURE:
I am wondering, why are you here? LUKE:
I'm looking for someone. CREATURE:
Looking? Found someone, you have, I would say, hmmm? The
little creature laughs. LUKE:
(Trying to keep from smiling) Right. CREATURE:
Help you I can. Yes, mmmm. LUKE: I
don't think so. I'm looking for a great warrior. CREATURE:
Ahhh! A great warrior. (laughs and shakes his head) Wars not make one
great. With the
aid of a walking stick, the tiny stranger moves over to
one of the cases of supplies. He begins to rummage around. Artoo
moves to the edge of the case -- standing almost eye level to
the creature who is carelessly handling the supplies -- and
squeaks his disapproval. Their
tiny visitor pick up the container of food Luke was eating
from and takes a bite. LUKE:
Put that down. Hey! That's my dinner. The
creature spits out the bite he has taken. He makes a face. CREATURE:
How you get so big, eating food of this kind? He flips
the container in Luke's direction and reaches into one of
Luke's supply cases. LUKE:
Listen, friend, we didn't mean to land in that puddle, and if we could
get our ship out, we would, but we can't, so why don't you just... CREATURE:
(teasing) Aww, cannot get your ship out? The
creature spots something of interest in Luke's case. Luke
loses patience and grabs the case away. The creature retains
his prize -- a tiny power lamp -- and examines it with delight. LUKE:
Hey, you could have broken this. Don't do that. Ohhh...you're making a
mess. Hey, give me that! CREATURE:
(retreating with the lamp) Mine! Or I will help you not. Clutching
its treasure, the creature backs away from Luke, drawing
closer to Artoo. As Luke and the creature argue, one of
Artoo's little arms slowly moves out toward the power lamp, completely
unnoticed by the creature. LUKE: I
don't want your help. I want my lamp back. I'll need it to get out of
this slimy mudhole. CREATURE:
Mudhole? Slimy? My home this is. Artoo
grabs hold of the lamp and the two little figures are immediately
engaged in a tug-of-war over it. Artoo
beeps a few angry, "Give me thats." CREATURE:
Ah, ah, ah! LUKE:
Oh, Artoo, let him have it. CREATURE:
Mine! Mine! LUKE:
Artoo! CREATURE:
Mine! The
creature lets go with one hand and pokes Artoo lightly with one
finger. Artoo reacts with a startled squeal, and lets go. CREATURE:
Mine! LUKE:
(fed up) Now will you move along, little fella? We're got a lot of work
to do. CREATURE:
No! No, no! Stay and help you, I will. (laughs) Find your friend,
hmm? LUKE:
I'm not looking for a friend, I'm looking for a Jedi Master. CREATURE:
Oohhh. Jedi Master. Yoda. You seek Yoda. LUKE:
You know him? CREATURE:
Mmm. Take you to him, I will. (laughs) Yes, yes. But now, we must
eat. Come. Good food. Come. With
that, the creature scurries out of the clearing, laughing
merrily. Luke stares after him. All he sees is the faint
light from the small power lamp moving through the fog. Luke
makes his decision and starts after the creature. CREATURE:
(in the distance) Come, come. Artoo,
very upset, whistles a blue streak of protest. LUKE:
Stay here and watch after the camp, Artoo. Artoo
beeps even more frantically. But as Luke disappears from
view, the worried little droid grows quieter, and utters a soft
electronic sigh. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- MAIN HOLD AREA Threepio
whistles and beeps a strange dialect into the control
panel in front of him. The control panel whistles back a few mystifying
beeps. THREEPIO:
Oh, where is Artoo when I need him? Han
enters the hold area and kneels on the floor near the control
box. THREEPIO:
Sir, I don't know where your ship learned to communicate, but it
has the most peculiar dialect. I believe, sir, it says that the power
coupling on the negative axis has been polarized. I'm afraid you'll
have to replace it. HAN:
Well, of course I'll have to replace it. He hands
a wire coil up to Chewie who is working near the ceiling. HAN:
Here! And Chewie... Chewie brings
his head back through the trap door in the ceiling
and whines. Han glances back at Threepio, then speaks quietly
to Chewie so only he can hear. HAN:
(continued)...I think we'd better replace the negative power coupling. Leia
finishes welding the valves she has been working on and
attempts to reengage the system by pulling a lever attached
to the valve. It doesn't budge. Han notices her struggle,
and moves to help her. She rebuffs him. HAN:
Hey, Your Worship, I'm only trying to help. LEIA:
(still struggling) Would you please stop calling me that? Han
hears a new tone in her voice. He watches her pull on the
lever. HAN:
Sure, Leia. LEIA:
Oh, you make it so difficult sometimes. HAN: I
do, I really do. You could be a little nicer, though. (he watches
her reaction) Come on, admit it. Sometimes you think I'm all right. She lets
go of the lever and rubs her sore hand. LEIA:
Occasionally (a little smile, haltingly) maybe...when you aren't acting
like a scoundrel. HAN:
(laughs) Scoundrel? Scoundrel? I like the sound of that. With
that, Han takes her hand and starts to massage it. LEIA:
Stop that. HAN:
Stop what? Leia is
flushes, confused. LEIA:
Stop that! My hands are dirty. HAN: My
hands are dirty, too. What are you afraid of? LEIA:
(looking right into his eyes) Afraid? Han
looks at her with a piercing look. He's never looked more
handsome, more dashing, more confident. He reaches out slowly
and takes Leia's hand again from where it is resting on a
console. He draws it toward him. HAN:
You're trembling. LEIA:
I'm not trembling. Then
with an irresistible combination of physical strength and
emotional power, the space pirate begins to draw Leia toward
him...very slowly. HAN: You
like me because I'm a scoundrel. There aren't enough scoundrels
in your life. Leia is
now very close to Han and as she speaks, her voice becomes
an excited whisper, a tone completely in opposition to her
words. LEIA: I
happen to like nice men. HAN: I'm
a nice man. LEIA:
No, you're not. You're... He
kisses her now, with slow, hot lips. He takes his time, as
though he had forever, bending her body backward. She has never
been kissed like this before, and it almost makes her faint.
When he stops, she regains her breath and tries to work up some
indignation, but finds it hard to talk. Suddenly,
Threepio appears in the doorway, speaking excitedly. THREEPIO:
Sir, sir! I've isolated the reverse power flux coupling. Han
turns slowly, icily, from their embrace. HAN:
Thank you. Thank you very much. THREEPIO:
Oh, you're perfectly welcome, sir. The
moment spoiled, Han marches out after Threepio. EXTERIOR:
SPACE -- ASTEROID FIELD The
Imperial fleet moves through the asteroid-filled void, intently
seeking its prey. INTERIOR:
VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE Asteroids
collide, creating a fireworks display outside the bridge
window. Darth Vader stands, staring out the window above
the control deck. Then slowly turns toward the bridge. Before
him are the hologram images of twenty battleship commanders.
One of these images, the commander of a ship that has just
exploded, is fading away quickly. Another image, in the
center and a little apart from the others, is faded and continually
disrupted by static. It is the image of Captain Needa,
commander of the Star Destroyer most hotly on the tail of the
Millennium Falcon. Admiral Piett and an aide stand behind
the Dark Lord. NEEDA:
(in hologram)...and that, Lord Vader, was the last time they appeared
in any of our scopes. Considering the amount of damage we've sustained,
they must have been destroyed. VADER:
No, Captain, they're alive. I want every ship available to sweep
the asteroid field until they are found. The
Imperial star captains fade out one by one as Vader turns to
Admiral Piett. PIETT:
Lord Vader. VADER:
Yes, Admiral, what is it? The
admiral is scared, his face white as a sheet. PIETT:
The Emperor commands you make contact with him. VADER:
Move the ship out of the asteroid field so that we can send a clear
transmission. PIETT:
Yes, my lord. EXTERIOR:
ASTEROID FIELD -- VADER'S STAR DESTROYER Vader's
Imperial Star Destroyer moves against the vast sea of stars
away from the rest of the fleet. INTERIOR:
VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- VADER'S CHAMBER The Dark
Lord, Darth Vader, is alone in his chamber. A strange
sound enters the room and a light begins to play across
Vader's black figure. He looks up and bows quickly. A
twelve-foot hologram of the Galactic Emperor materializes before
Vader. The Emperor's dark robes and monk's hood are reminiscent
of the cloak worn by Ben Kenobi. His voice is even deeper
and more frightening than Vader's. VADER:
What is thy bidding, my master? EMPEROR:
There is a great disturbance in the Force. VADER: I
have felt it. EMPEROR:
We have a new enemy -- Luke Skywalker. VADER:
Yes, my master. EMPEROR:
He could destroy us. VADER:
He's just a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him. EMPEROR:
The Force is strong with him. The son of Skywalker must not become a
Jedi. VADER:
If he could be turned, he would become a powerful ally. EMPEROR:
Yes. Yes. He would be a great asset. Can it be done? VADER:
He will join us or die, my master. Vader
kneels. The supreme Emperor passes a hand over the crouched
Lord of the Sith and fades away. EXTERIOR:
DAGOBAH -- CREATURE'S HOUSE -- NIGHT A heavy
downpour of rain pounds through the gnarled trees. A
strange baroque mud house sits on a moss-covered knoll on the edge
of a small lagoon. The small, gnomish structure radiates
a warm glow from its thick glass windows. As rain tap-dances
a merry tune on Artoo's head, the stubby little droid
rises up on his tip-toes to peek into one of the glowing portals. INTERIOR:
CREATURE'S HOUSE Artoo,
peeking in the window, sees the inside of the house -- a
very plain, but cozy dwelling. Everything is in the same small
scale as the creature. The only thing out of place in the
miniature room is Luke, whose height makes the four-foot ceiling
seem even lower. He sits cross-legged on the floor of the
living room. The
creature is in an adjoining area -- his little kitchen --
cooking up an incredible meal. The stove is a steaming hodgepodge
of pots and pans. The wizened little host scurries about
chopping this, shredding that, and showering everything with
exotic herbs and spices. He rushes back and forth putting platters
on the table in front of Luke, who watches the creature
impatiently. LUKE:
Look, I'm sure it's delicious. I just don't understand why we can't
see Yoda now. CREATURE:
Patience! For the Jedi it is time to eat as well. Eat, eat. Hot.
Good food, hm? Good, hmm? Moving
with some difficulty in the cramped quarters, Luke sits
down near the fire and serves himself from the pot. Tasting
the unfamiliar concoction, he is pleasantly surprised. LUKE:
How far away is Yoda? Will it take us long to get there? CREATURE:
Not far. Yoda not far. Patience. Soon you will be with him. (tasting
food from the pot) Rootleaf, I cook. Why wish you become Jedi?
Hm? LUKE:
Mostly because of my father, I guess. CREATURE:
Ah, your father. Powerful Jedi was he, powerful Jedi, mmm. LUKE: (a
little angry) Oh, come on. How could you know my father? You don't
even know who I am. (fed up) Oh, I don't even know what I'm doing
here. We're wasting our time. The
creature turns away from Luke and speaks to a third party. CREATURE:
(irritated) I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience. Luke's
head spins in the direction the creature faces. But there is
no one there. The boy is bewildered, but it gradually dawns on
him that the little creature is Yoda, the Jedi Master,
and that he is speaking with Ben. BEN'S
VOICE: He will learn patience. YODA:
Hmmm. Much anger in him, like his father. BEN'S
VOICE: Was I any different when you taught me? YODA:
Hah. He is not ready. LUKE:
Yoda! I am ready. I...Ben! I can be a Jedi. Ben, tell him I'm ready. Trying
to see Ben, Luke starts to get up but hits his head on the
low ceiling. YODA:
Ready, are you? What know you of ready? For eight hundred years have I
trained Jedi. My own counsel will I keep on who is to be trained!
A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind.
(to the invisible Ben, indicating Luke) This one a long time have I
watched. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing.
Hmph. Adventure. Heh! Excitement. Heh! A Jedi craves not these things.
(turning to Luke) You are reckless! Luke
looks down. He knows it is true. BEN'S
VOICE: So was I, if you'll remember. YODA: He
is too old. Yes, too old to begin the training. Luke
thinks he detects a subtle softening in Yoda's voice. LUKE:
But I've learned so much. Yoda
turns his piercing gaze on Luke, as though the Jedi Master's
huge eyes could somehow determine how much the boy had
learned. After a long moment, the little Jedi turns toward where he
alone sees Ben. YODA:
(sighs) Will he finished what he begins? LUKE: I
won't fail you -- I'm not afraid. YODA:
(turns slowly toward him) Oh, you will be. You will be. EXTERIOR:
SPACE -- STAR DESTROYERS -- ASTEROID FIELD The
Imperial fleet around Vader's ship is surrounded by the asteroid
storm. Asteroids big and small pelt the vast exteriors
of the menacing ships. One of the smaller Imperial vessels
is hit by a huge asteroid and explodes in a brilliant flash of
light. INTERIOR:
ASTEROID CAVE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT The
cockpit is quiet and lit only by the indicator lights on the
control panel. Princess Leia sits in the pilot's seat. She runs
her hand across the control panel as she thinks of Han and
the confusion he has created within her. Suddenly, something
outside the cockpit window catches her eye. The reflection
of the panel lights obscures her vision until a soft
suctionlike cup attaches itself to the windscreen. Leia moves
closer to see what it might be. Large, yellow eyes flash open and
stare back at her. Startled, she jumps back into her seat,
her heart pounding. There is a scurry of feet and a loud screech,
and in an instant the eyes are gone. The young princess
catches her breath, jumps out of her chair, and races from the
cockpit. INTERIOR:
ASTEROID CAVE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON -- HOLD AREA The
lights go bright for a second then out again. Threepio and
Chewbacca watch as Han finishes with some wires. THREEPIO:
Sir, if I may venture an opinion... HAN: I'm
not really interested in your opinion, Threepio. Leia
rushes into the cabin just as Han drops the final floor
panel into place. LEIA:
(out of breath) There's something out there. HAN:
Where? LEIA:
Outside, in the cave. As she
speaks, there comes a sharp banging on the hull. Chewie
looks up and barks anxiously. THREEPIO:
There it is. Listen! Listen! HAN: I'm
going out there. LEIA:
Are you crazy?! HAN: I
just got this bucket back together. I'm not going to let something
tear it apart. He and
Chewie grab their breath masks off a rack and hurry out.
Leia follows. LEIA:
Then I'm going with you. THREEPIO:
I think it might be better if I stay here and guard the ship.
(hears another mysterious noise) Oh, no. EXTERIOR:
ASTEROID CAVE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON It is
very dark inside the huge asteroid cave, too dark to see what
is attacking the ship. Leia
stamps her foot on the floor of the cave. LEIA:
This ground sure feels strange. It doesn't feel like rock at all. Han
kneels and studies the ground, then attempts to study the
outline of the cave. HAN:
There's an awful lot of moisture in here. LEIA: I
don't know. I have a bad feeling about this. HAN:
Yeah. Chewie
barks through his face mask, and points toward the ship's
cockpit. A five-foot-long shape can be seen moving across
the top of the Falcon. The leathery creature lets out a screech
as Han blasts it with a laser bolt. HAN: (to
Leia) Watch out! The
black shape tumbles off the spaceship and onto the ground
in front of the princess. Han bends down to investigate the dead
creature. HAN:
Yeah, that's what I thought. Mynock. Chewie, check the rest of the
ship, make sure there aren't any more attached. They're chewing on the
power cables. LEIA:
Mynocks? HAN: Go
on inside. We'll clean them off if there are any more. Just
then, a swarm of the ugly creatures swoops through the air.
Leia puts her arms over her head to protect herself as she runs
toward the ship. Chewie shoos another Mynock away with his
blaster. Several of the batlike creatures flap their wings
loudly against the cockpit window of the Falcon. Inside, Threepio
shudders at their presence. THREEPIO:
Ohhh! Go away! Go away! Beastly thing. Shoo! Shoo! Han
looks around the strange, dripping cave. HAN:
Wait a minute... He
unholsters his blaster and fires at the far side of the huge
cave. The cavern begins to shake and the ground starts to buckle. Chewie
barks and moves for the ship, followed closely by Leia and
Han. The large wings of the Mynocks flap past them as they
protect their faces and run up the platform. INTERIOR:
ASTEROID CAVE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON -- ENTRY AREA As soon
as Han and Leia are on board, Chewie closes the main
hatch. The ship continues to shake and heave. HAN: All
right, Chewie, let's get out of here! The
Wookiee heads for the cockpit as Han, followed by Threepio,
rushes to the hold area and checks the scopes on the control
panel. Leia hurries after. LEIA:
The Empire is still out there. I don't think it's wise to... Han
rushes past her and heads for the cockpit. HAN: (interrupting)
No time to discuss this as a committee. And with
that he is gone. The main engines of the Falcon begin to
whine. Leia races after him, bouncing around in the shaking
ship. LEIA:
(angry) I am not a committee! INTERIOR:
ASTEROID CAVE -- MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT Han is
already in the pilot's seat pulling back on the throttle.
The cave-quake has greatly diminished. LEIA:
You can't make the jump to light-speed in this asteroid field... HAN: Sit
down, sweetheart. We're taking off! As the
ship begins to move forward, Chewie barks. He notices
something out the window ahead. Threepio sees it too. THREEPIO:
Look! HAN: I
see it, I see it. Suddenly,
a row of jagged white stalagmites and stalactites can be
seen surrounding the entrance. And as the Falcon moves forward,
the entrance to the cave grows ever smaller. Han pulls
hard on the throttle, sending his ship surging forward. THREEPIO:
We're doomed! LEIA:
The cave is collapsing. HAN:
This is no cave. LEIA:
What? Leia's
mouth drops open . She sees that the rocks of the cave
entrance are not rocks at all, but giant teeth, quickly closing
around the tiny ship. Chewie howls. INTERIOR:
SPACE SLUG MOUTH The
Millennium Falcon, zooming through the monster's mouth, rolls on
its side and barely makes it between two of the gigantic
white teeth before the huge jaws slams closed. EXTERIOR:
CAVE ENTRANCE -- GIANT ASTEROID The
enormous space slug moves its head out of the cave as the
Falcon flies out of its mouth. The monster tilts its head, watching
the starship fly away. EXTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- GIANT ASTEROID The
Falcon races out of the asteroid crater and into the deadly
rain of the asteroid storm. EXTERIOR:
DAGOBAH -- DAY With
Yoda strapped to his back, Luke climbs up one of the many
thick vines that grow in the swamp. Panting heavily, he continues
his course -- climbing, flipping through the air, jumping
over roots, and racing in and out of the heavy ground fog. YODA:
Run! Yes. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark
side. Anger...fear...aggression. The dark side of the Force are
they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start
down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume
you it will, as it did Obi-Wan's apprentice. LUKE:
Vader. Is the dark side stronger? YODA:
No...no...no. Quicker, easier, more seductive. LUKE:
But how am I to know the good side from the bad? YODA:
You will know. When you are calm, at peace. Passive. A Jedi uses the
Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack. LUKE: But
tell me why I can't... YODA:
(interrupting) No, no, there is no why. Nothing more will I teach
you today. Clear your mind of questions. Mmm. Mmmmmm. Artoo
beeps in the distance as Luke lets Yoda down to the ground.
Breathing heavily, he takes his shirt from a nearby tree
branch and pulls it on. He turns
to see a huge, dead, black tree, its base surrounded
by a few feet of water. Giant, twisted roots form a dark and
sinister cave on one side. Luke stares at the tree, trembling. LUKE:
There's something not right here. Yoda
sits on a large root, poking his Gimer Stick into the dirt. LUKE: I
feel cold, death. YODA:
That place...is strong with the dark side of the Force. A domain of evil
it is. In you must go. LUKE:
What's in there? YODA:
Only what you take with you. Luke
looks warily between the tree and Yoda. He starts to strap on
his weapon belt. YODA:
Your weapons...you will not need them. Luke
gives the tree a long look, than shakes his head "no." Yoda
shrugs. Luke reaches up to brush aside some hanging vines and
enters the tree. INTERIOR:
DAGOBAH -- TREE CAVE Luke
moves into the almost total darkness of the wet and slimy
cave. The youth can barely make out the edge of the passage.
Holding his lit saber before him, he sees a lizard crawling
up the side of the cave and a snake wrapped around the
branches of a tree. Luke draws a deep breath, then pushes deeper
into the cave. The
space widens around him, but he feels that rather than sees it.
His sword casts the only light as he peers into the darkness.
It is very quiet here. Then, a
loud hiss! Darth Vader appears across the blackness,
illuminated by his own just-ignited laser sword. Immediately,
he charges Luke, saber held high. He is upon the youth in
seconds, but Luke sidesteps perfectly and slashes at Vader with
his sword. Vader is
decapitated. His helmet-encased head flies from his
shoulders as his body disappears into the darkness. The metallic
banging of the helmet fills the cave as Vader's head spins
and bounces, smashes on the floor, and finally stops. For an
instant it rests on the floor, then it cracks vertically.
The black helmet and breath mask fall away to reveal...Luke's
head. Across
the space, the standing Luke gasps at the sight, wide-eyed
in terror. The
decapitated head fades away, as in a vision. EXTERIOR:
DAGOBAH -- CAVE -- DUSK Meanwhile,
Yoda sits on the root, calmly leaning on his Gimer
Stick. EXTERIOR:
SPACE -- VADER'S STAR DESTROYER Vader's
Imperial Star Destroyer moves through space, guarded
by its convoy of TIE fighters. INTERIOR:
VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE -- CONTROL DECK Vader
stands in the back control area of his ship's bridge with a
motley group of men and creatures. Admiral Piett and two
controllers stand at the front of the bridge and watch the group
with scorn. PIETT:
Bounty hunters. We don't need that scum. FIRST
CONTROLLER: Yes, sir. PIETT:
Those Rebels won't escape us. A second
controller interrupts. SECOND
CONTROLLER: Sir, we have a priority signal from the Star Destroyer
Avenger. PIETT:
Right. The
group standing before Vader is a bizarre array of galactic
fortune hunters: There is Bossk, a slimy, tentacled monster
with two huge, bloodshot eyes in a soft baggy face; Zuckuss
and Dengar, two battle-scarred, mangy human types; IG-88, a
battered, tarnished chrome war droid; and Boba Fett, a man in
a weapon-covered armored space suit. VADER:
...there will be a substantial reward for the one who finds the
Millennium Falcon. You are free to use any methods necessary, but I want
them alive. No disintegrations. BOBA
FETT: As you wish. At that
moment, Admiral Piett approaches Vader in a rush of excitement. PIETT:
Lord Vader! My lord, we have them. EXTERIOR:
IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER, AVENGER -- ASTEROID BELT The
Millennium Falcon speeds through deep space, closely followed
by a firing Imperial Star Destroyer. A large asteroid about
the same size as the Falcon tumbles rapidly toward the starship.
The tiny Falcon banks to avoid the giant asteroid as smaller
rocks pelt its surface. Then the small craft roars under
the asteroid which explodes harmlessly on the hull of the vast
Star Destroyer. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT The ship
shudders as flak explodes near the cockpit window. Threepio
checks a tracking scope an the side control panel while
Leia watches tensely out the window. THREEPIO:
Oh, thank goodness we're coming out of the asteroid field. Chewie
barks excitedly as the rain of asteroids begins to subside.
A bolt from the Star Destroyer sets up a fiery explosion
on the back side of the Falcon, causing it to lurch to one
side. EXTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- STAR DESTROYER, AVENGER -- ASTEROID FIELD The
Falcon is hit hard by another bolt from the Star Destroyer
which creates a huge explosion near the cockpit of the
smaller ship. The Falcon tilts steeply, then rights itself. INTERIOR:
MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT Han
corrects the angle of his ship. HAN:
Let's get out of here. Ready for light-speed? One...two...three! Han
pulls back on the hyperspace throttle and -- nothing happens.
Flak bursts continue to rock the ship. HAN:
(frantic) It's not fair! Chewie
is very angry and starts to growl and bark at his friend
and captain. Again, Han desperately pulls back on the throttle. HAN: The
transfer circuits are working. It's not my fault! Chewie
puts his head in his hands, whining. LEIA: (almost
expecting it) No light-speed? HAN:
It's not my fault. THREEPIO:
Sir, we just lost the main rear deflector shield. One more dir |