Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
EXT. GALAXY - PLANET HOTH
A Star Destroyer moves through space, releasing Imperial probe robots from its underside.
One of these probes zooms toward the planet Hoth and lands on its ice-covered surface. An explosion marks the point of
impact.
EXT. HOTH - METEORITE CRATER - SNOW PLAIN - DAY
A weird mechanical sound rises above the whining of the wind. A strange probe robot, with several extended sensors, emerges from the smoke-shrouded crater. The ominous mechanical probe floats across the snow plain and disappears into the distance.
EXT. PLAIN OF HOTH - DAY
A small figure gallops across the windswept ice slope. The bundled rider is mounted on a large gray snow lizard, a Tauntaun. Curving plumes of snow rise from beneath the speeding paws of the two-legged beast.
The rider gallops up a slope and reins his lizard to a stop. Pulling off his protective goggles, Luke Skywalker notices something in the sky. He takes a pair of electrobinoculars from his utility belt and through them sees smoke rising from where the probe robot has crashed.
The wind whips at Luke's fur-lined cap and he activates a comlink transmitter. His Tauntaun shifts and moans nervously beneath him.
LUKE
(into comlink)
Echo Three to Echo Seven. Han,
old buddy, do you read me?
After a little static a familiar voice is heard.
HAN
(over comlink)
Loud and clear, kid. What's up?
LUKE
(into comlink)
Well, I finished my circle. I
don't pick up any life readings.
HAN
(over comlink)
There isn't enough life on this
ice cube to fill a space cruiser.
The sensors are placed, I'm going
back.
LUKE
(into comlink)
Right. I'll see you shortly.
There's a meteorite that hit the
ground near here. I want to check
it out. It won't take long.
Luke clicks off his transmitter and reins back on his nervous lizard. He pats the beast on the head to calm it.
LUKE
Hey, steady girl. What's the
matter? You smell something?
Luke takes a small device from his belt and starts to adjust it when suddenly a large shadow falls over him from behind. He hears a monstrous howl and turns to see an eleven-foot-tall shape towering over him. It is a Wampa Ice Creature, lunging at him ferociously.
LUKE
Aaargh!
Luke grabs for his pistol, but is hit flat in the face by a huge white claw. He falls unconscious into the snow and in a moment the terrified screams of the Tauntaun are cut short by the horrible snap of a neck being broken.
The Wampa Ice Creature grabs Luke by one ankle and drags him away across the frozen plain.
EXT. HOTH - REBEL BASE ENTRANCE - DAY
A stalwart figure rides his Tauntaun up to the entrance of an enormous ice cave.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
Rebel troopers rush about unloading supplies and otherwise securing their new base. The rider, Han Solo, swings off his lizard and pulls off his goggles.
He walks into the main hangar deck toward the Millennium Falcon, which is parked among several fighters. Mechanics, R2 units, and various other droids hurry about. Han stops at the Millennium Falcon where his Wookiee copilot, Chewbacca, is welding on a central lifter. Chewie stops his work and lifts his face shield, growling an irritated greeting to his boss.
HAN
Chewie!
The Wookiee grumbles a reply.
HAN
All right, don't lose your temper.
I'll come right back and give you
a hand.
Chewbacca puts his mask back on and returns to his welding as Han leaves.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
A makeshift command center has been set up in a blasted area of thick ice. The low-ceilinged room is a beehive of activity. Controllers, troops, and droids move about setting up electronic equipment and monitoring radar signals.
General Rieekan straightens up from a console at Han's approach.
RIEEKAN
Solo?
HAN
No sign of life out there, General.
The sensors are in place. You'll
know if anything comes around.
RIEEKAN
Commander Skywalker reported in yet?
HAN
No. He's checking out a meteorite
that hit near him.
RIEEKAN
(indicates radar
screen)
With all the meteor activity in this
system, it's going to be difficult
to spot approaching ships.
Taking a deep breath, Han blurts out what is on his mind.
HAN
General, I've got to leave. I
can't stay anymore.
Princess Leia, standing at a console nearby, is dressed in a short white combat jacket and pants. Her hair is braided across her head in a Nordic fashion. She overhears their conversation and seems somewhat distressed.
RIEEKAN
I'm sorry to hear that.
HAN
Well, there's a price on my head.
If I don't pay off Jabba the Hut,
I'm a dead man.
RIEEKAN
A death mark's not an easy thing
to live with. You're a good
fighter, Solo. I hate to lose you.
HAN
Thank you, General.
He turns to Leia as Rieekan moves away.
HAN
(with feeling)
Well, Your Highness, I guess this
is it.
LEIA
That's right.
Leia is angry. Han sees she has no warmth to offer him. He shakes his head and adopts a sarcastic tone.
HAN
(cooly)
Well, don't get all mushy on me.
So long, Princess.
Han walks away into the quiet corridor adjoining the command center. Leia stews a moment, then hurries after him.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - ICE CORRIDOR
LEIA
Han!
Han stops in the corridor and turns to face Leia.
HAN
Yes, Your Highnessness?
LEIA
I thought you decided to stay.
HAN
Well, the bounty hunter we ran
into on Ord Mantell changed my
mind.
LEIA
Han, we need you!
HAN
We?
LEIA
Yes.
HAN
Oh, what about you need?
LEIA
(mystified)
I need? I don't know what you're
talking about.
HAN
(shakes his head,
fed up)
You probably don't.
LEIA
And what precisely am I supposed
to know?
HAN
Come on! You want me to stay
because of the way you feel about
me.
LEIA
Yes. You're a great help to us.
You're a natural leader...
HAN
No! That's not it. Come on.
Aahhh - uh huh! Come on.
Leia stares at him, understanding, then laughs.
LEIA
You're imagining things.
HAN
Am I? Then why are you following
me? Afraid I was going to leave
without giving you a goodbye kiss?
LEIA
I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee.
HAN
I can arrange that. You could use
a good kiss!
Angrily, Han strides down the corridor as Leia stares after him.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - ANOTHER ICE CORRIDOR
A familiar stream of beeps and whistles herald the approach of Artoo-Detoo and See-Threepio, who appear around a corner and move along an ice wall toward the main hangar.
THREEPIO
Don't try to blame me. I didn't
ask you to turn on the thermal
heater. I merely commented that it
was freezing in the princess'
chamber. But it's supposed to be
freezing. How are we going to dry
out all her clothes? I really don't
know.
Artoo beeps a stream of protesting whistles.
THREEPIO
Oh, switch off.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
The two robots stop at Han Solo's space freighter. Han and Chewie are struggling with their central lifters.
HAN
(to Chewie)
Why do you take this apart now?
I'm trying to get us out of here
and you pull both of these.
Chewie grumbles in irritation.
THREEPIO
Excuse me, sir.
HAN
(to Chewie)
Put them back together right now.
THREEPIO
Might I have a word with you,
please?
HAN
What do you want?
THREEPIO
Well, it's Princess Leia, sir.
She's been trying to get you on
the communicator.
HAN
I turned it off. I don't want to
talk to her.
THREEPIO
Oh. Well, Princess Leia is wondering
about Master Luke. He hasn't come
back yet. She doesn't know where he
is.
HAN
I don't know where he is.
THREEPIO
Nobody knows where he is.
HAN
What do you mean, "nobody knows"?
Han glances at the fading light at the entrance of the ice cave as night slowly begins to fall on the planet.
THREEPIO
Well, uh, you see...
Han jumps down off the lift, as Threepio follows him.
HAN
Deck Officer. Deck Officer!
THREEPIO
Excuse me, sir. Might I inqu...
Han abruptly puts his hand over Threepio's mouth as the deck officer approaches.
DECK OFFICER
Yes, sir?
HAN
Do you know where Commander
Skywalker is?
DECK OFFICER
I haven't seen him. It's possible
he came in through the south entrance.
HAN
It's possible? Why don't you go
find out? It's getting dark out there.
DECK OFFICER
Yes, sir.
The deck officer leaves hurriedly, as Han takes his hand off Threepio's mouth.
THREEPIO
Excuse me, sir. Might I inquire
what's going on?
HAN
Why not?
THREEPIO
Impossible man. Come along, Artoo,
let's find Princess Leia. Between
ourselves, I think Master Luke is
in considerable danger.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - MAIN ICE TUNNEL
The deck officer and his assistant hurry toward Han as he enters the tunnel.
DECK OFFICER
Sir, Commander Skywalker hasn't
come in through the south entrance.
He might have forgotten to check in.
HAN
Not likely. Are the speeders ready?
DECK OFFICER
Not yet. We're having some trouble
adapting them to the cold.
HAN
Then we'll have to go out on
Tauntauns.
DECK OFFICER
Sir, the temperature's dropping too
rapidly.
HAN
That's right. And my friends out
in it.
ASSISTANT OFFICER
I'll cover sector twelve. Have
com-control set screen alpha.
Han pushes through the troops and mounts a Tauntaun.
DECK OFFICER
Your Tauntaun'll freeze before you
reach the first marker.
HAN
Then I'll see you in hell!
Han maneuvers his mount out of the cave and races into the dark bitter night.
EXT. HOTH - ICE GORGE - DUSK
The jagged face of a huge ice wall sits gloomily in the dim twilight of a Hoth day. Luke hangs upside down, ankles frozen into icy stalactites, his extended arms within a foot of the snow floor. One side of his face is covered in a dried mask of frozen blood. He opens his eyes as a chilling moan of the hideous ice creature echoes off the gorge walls. Luke pulls himself up, grabs hold of his ankles, and futilely tries to unfasten the throngs.
Exhausted, he drops back into his hanging position. As he hangs there, he spies his lightsaber lying near a pile of his discarded gear, about three feet out of reach.
He focuses on the saber and, as his hand strains toward the weapon, he squeezes his eyes tight in concentration.
Just as the ice creature looms over Luke, the lightsaber jumps into Luke's hand.
The young warrior instantly ignites his sword, swinging up, and cuts himself loose from the ice. He flops to the snow in a heap. The startled creature moves back, his giant yellow eyes blinking. Luke scrambles to his feet. He swings his lightsaber and the beast screams in pain.
EXT. HOTH - ENTRANCE TO ICE GORGE - DUSK
Luke staggers out of the gorge into the dark and snowy twilight. Weak and exhausted, he stumbles down a snow bank.
EXT. HOTH - SNOW PLAIN - DUSK
A small, lone figure riding a Tauntaun races through the hostile vastness of snow and cold. As it runs, the Tauntaun's legs kick up large clouds of snow and ice into the snowy air.
EXT. HOTH - OUTSIDE ICE HANGAR - DUSK
Artoo stands in the falling snow, beeping worriedly. Threepio moves stiffly over to him.
THREEPIO
You must come along now, Artoo.
There's really nothing more we can
do. And my joints are freezing up.
Artoo beeps, long and low.
THREEPIO
Don't say thing like that! Of
course we'll see Master Luke again.
He'll be quite all right, you'll see.
(to himself)
Stupid little short-circuit. He'll
be quite all right.
Threepio turns to go back inside the main hangar as Artoo mournfully keeps his vigil.
EXT. HOTH - SNOW DRIFT - DUSK
The wind is blowing quite strong now. Luke struggles to stay upright, but a blast of freezing snow knocks him over. He struggles to get up, but he can't. The young warrior from Tatooine drags himself a couple of feet and then collapses.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK - ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Princess Leia stands inside the dark entrance to the Rebel base, waiting for a sign of the two Rebel heroes. She shivers in the cold wind as, nearby, Chewie sits with his head in his hands. In the background, Artoo and Threepio move through the doors.
A Rebel lieutenant moves to Major Derlin, an officer keeping watch with the princess.
LIEUTENANT
Sir, all the patrols are in.
There's still no contact from
Skywalker or Solo.
THREEPIO
Mistress Leia, Artoo says he's been
quite unable to pick up any signals,
although he does admit that his own
range is far too weak to abandon
all hope.
Leia nods an acknowledgment, but she is lost in thought.
DERLIN
Your Highness, there's nothing
more we can do tonight. The shield
doors must be closed.
He turns to the lieutenant.
DERLIN
Close the doors.
LIEUTENANT
Yes, sir.
The lieutenant walks away. Chewie lets out a long, mournful howl, somewhat like a coyote. At the same moment, Artoo begins a complex series of efficient beeps.
THREEPIO
Artoo says the chances of survival
are seven hundred seventy-five...
to one.
Leia stands praying to herself as the huge metal doors slam across the entrance of the ice cave. The loud booms echo throughout the huge cavern. Chewie lets out another suffering howl.
THREEPIO
Actually, Artoo has been known to
make mistakes... from time to time.
Oh, dear, oh, dear. Don't worry
about Master Luke. I'm sure he'll
be all right. He's quite clever,
you know... for a human being.
EXT. HOTH - SNOW DRIFT - DUSK
Luke lies face down in the snow, nearly unconscious. Slowly he looks up and sees Ben Kenobi, barely visible through the blowing snow. It is hard to tell if Kenobi is real or a hallucination.
BEN
Luke... Luke.
LUKE
(weakly)
Ben?
BEN
You will go to the Dagobah system.
LUKE
Dagobah system?
BEN
There you will learn from Yoda,
the Jedi Master who instructed me.
The image of Ben fades, revealing a lone Tauntaun rider approaching from the windswept horizon.
LUKE
(groaning faintly)
Ben... Ben.
Luke drops into unconsciousness.
Han pulls up and leaps off his mount. He hurries to his snow-covered friend, cradling him in his arms. Han's Tauntaun lets out a low, pitiful bellow. But Han's concern is with Luke, and he shakes him urgently.
HAN
Luke! Luke! Don't do this, Luke.
Come on, give me a sign here.
Luke doesn't respond. Han begins frantically rubbing and slapping Luke's unconscious face. As he starts to lift the youth, Han hears a rasping sound behind him. He turns, just in time to see his Tauntaun stagger and then fall over into the snow.
Han carries Luke to the moaning beast. Then, with a final groan, the Tauntaun expires.
HAN
Not much time.
He pushes Luke's inert form against the belly of the dead beast.
LUKE
(moaning)
Ben... Ben...
HAN
Hang on, kid.
LUKE
Dagobah system...
Han ignites Luke's saber and cuts the beast from head to toe. He quickly tosses it's steaming innards into the snow, then lifts Luke's inert form and stuffs him inside the carcass.
HAN
(reeling from the
odor)
Whew...
LUKE
Dagobah...
HAN
This may smell bad, kid...
LUKE
(moaning)
Yoda...
HAN
...but it will keep you warm...
til I get the shelter built.
(struggling to get
Luke inside the
carcass)
Ooh... I thought they smelled bad
on the outside!
The wind has picked up considerably, making it difficult to move. Han removes a pack from the dead creature's back, taking out a shelter container. He begins to set up what can only be a pitiful protection against a bitter Hoth night.
EXT. HOTH - SNOWDRIFT - DAWN
Four snub-nosed armored snowspeeders race across the white landscape.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER COCKPIT
There is only one pilot, Zev, in the enclosed two-man craft. He concentrates on the scopes which ring his cockpit. He hears a low beep from one of his monitors.
ZEV
(into transmitter)
Echo Base... I've got something! Not
much, but it could be a life form.
EXT. HOTH - SNOWDRIFT
The small craft banks and makes a slow arc, then races off in a new direction.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER - COCKPIT
The pilot switches over to a new transmitter.
ZEV
(into transmitter)
This is Rogue Two. this is Rogue
Two. Captain Solo, so you copy?
Commander Skywalker, do you copy?
This is Rogue Two.
There is a sharp crackle of static, then a faint voice.
HAN
(filtered over
Zev's receiver)
Good morning. Nice of you guys
to drop by.
ZEV
(switching transmitters)
Echo Base... this is Rogue Two. I
found them. Repeat, I found them.
EXT. HOTH - SNOWDRIFT - DAY
The small shelter Han set up is covered with snow on the windward side. A makeshift antenna rests gingerly on top the snowdrift. Han spots Zev's snowspeeder approaching in the distance, and begins waving his arms frantically at the tiny craft.
INT. REBEL BASE - MEDICAL CENTER
Strange robot surgeons adjust a mass of electronic equipment. A switch is thrown and a sudden blinding flash obscures Luke in a bacta tank filled with a thick, gelatinous slime. He begins to thrash about, raving in delirium.
INT. REBEL BASE - MEDICAL CENTER - RECOVERY ROOM
Luke sits up in a recovery-room bed, weak but smiling. His face shows terrible wounds from the Wampa's attack. Threepio and Artoo enter the room.
THREEPIO
Master Luke, sir, it's so good
to see you fully functional again.
Artoo beeps his good wishes.
THREEPIO
Artoo expresses his relief, also.
Han and Chewie make their entrance. The Wookiee growls a greeting.
HAN
How are you feeling, kid? You
don't look so bad to me. In
fact, you look strong enough to
pull the ears off a Gundark.
LUKE
Thanks to you.
HAN
That's two you owe me, junior.
Han turns as Leia enters the room. He looks at her with a big, devilish grin.
HAN
Well your Worship, looks like
you managed to keep me around for
a little while longer.
LEIA
(haughtily)
I had nothing to do with it. General
Rieekan thinks it's dangerous for
any ships to leave the system until
we've activated the energy shield.
HAN
That's a good story. I think you
just can't bear to let a gorgeous
guy like me out of your sight.
LEIA
I don't know where you get your
delusions, laser brain.
Chewie is amused; he laughs in his manner. Han, enjoying himself, regards Chewie good-humoredly.
HAN
Laugh it up, fuzzball. But you
didn't see us alone in the south
passage.
Luke sparks to this; he looks at Leia.
HAN
She expressed her true feelings
for me.
Leia is flushed, eyes darting between Luke and Han.
LEIA
My...! Why, you stuck up,... half-
witted... scruffy-looking ...nerf-
herder!
HAN
Who's scruffy-looking?
(to Luke)
I must have hit pretty close to
the mark to get her all riled up
like that, huh, kid?
Leia looks vulnerable for a moment, then the mask falls again, and she focuses on Luke.
LEIA
Why, I guess you don't know
everything about women yet?
With that she leans over and kisses Luke on the lips. Then she turns on her heel and walks out, leaving everyone in the room slightly dumbstruck. With some smugness, Luke puts his hands behind his head and grins.
Suddenly, in the distance, the muffled sound of an alarm is heard.
ANNOUNCER
(over loudspeaker)
Headquarters personnel, report to
command center.
The voice repeats the order and Han, Chewie, Artoo, and Threepio hurry out of the room, bidding farewell to Luke.
HAN
Take it easy.
THREEPIO
Excuse us, please.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Rieekan looks up grimly from a console screen. He calls over to Leia and Han.
RIEEKAN
Princess... we have a visitor.
The group hurries over to Rieekan.
RIEEKAN
We've picked up something outside
the base in zone twelve, moving
east.
SENIOR CONTROLLER
It's metal.
LEIA
Then it couldn't be one of those
creatures that attacked Luke.
HAN
It could be a speeder, one of ours.
SENIOR CONTROLLER
No. Wait - there's something very
weak coming through.
Threepio steps up to the control panel and listens intently to the strange signal.
THREEPIO
Sir, I am fluent in six million
forms of communication. This signal
is not used by the Alliance. It
could be an Imperial code.
The transmission ends in static.
HAN
It isn't friendly, whatever it is.
Come on, Chewie, let's check it out.
RIEEKAN
Send Rogues Ten and Eleven to
station three-eight.
EXT. HOTH - SNOW PLAIN - DAY
The dark probe robot moves past the smoldering ruins of station three-eight and down a ridge toward the Rebel base. It raises a large antenna from the top of its head and begins to send out a piercing signal.
The probe droid has spotted Chewbacca who, not thirty feet away, has popped his head over a snow bank. Instantly, the probe robot swings around, its deadly ray ready to fire. But before it can get a shot off, it is hit from behind by a laser bolt, and explodes in a million pieces.
Han Solo replaces his blaster in its holster and peers intently at the smoldering remains of the Imperial probe.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Leia and Rieekan listen to Han on the comlink.
HAN
(over comlink)
Afraid there's not much left.
LEIA
(into comlink)
What was it?
HAN
(over comlink)
Droid of some kind. I didn't hit
it that hard. It must have had a
self-destruct.
LEIA
(into comlink)
An Imperial probe droid.
HAN
(over comlink)
It's a good bet the Empire knows
we're here.
RIEEKAN
We'd better start the evacuation.
EXT. SPACE - IMPERIAL FLEET
Darth Vader's Star Destroyer, larger and more awesome than the five Imperial Star Destroyers that surround it, sits in the vastness of space. The six huge ships are surrounded by a convoy of smaller spacecraft. TIE fighters dart to and fro.
INT. DARTH VADER'S STAR DESTROYER - BRIDGE - MAIN CONTROL DECK
Controllers working the vast complex of electronic controls hear ominous approaching footsteps and look up from their controls. The squat, evil-looking Admiral Ozzel and the young, powerfully built General Veers, who have been conferring near the front, also feel the approaching presence and turn toward it. Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith, enters like a chill wind. As Vader moves across the wide bridge, Captain Piett hurries up to Ozzel.
PIETT
Admiral.
OZZEL
Yes, Captain
PIETT
I think we've got something, sir.
The report is only a fragment from
a probe droid in the Hoth system,
but it's the best lead we've had.
OZZEL
(irritated)
We have thousands of probe droids
searching the galaxy. I want proof,
not leads!
PIETT
The visuals indicate life readings.
OZZEL
It could mean anything. If we
followed every lead...
PIETT
But, sir, the Hoth system is supposed
to be devoid of human forms.
Vader moves to a large screen showing an image of the Rebel snow base. Rebel speeders can be seen approaching the base in the distance.
VADER
You found something?
PIETT
Yes, my lord.
VADER
(studying the image
on the console screen)
That's it. The Rebels are there.
OZZEL
My lord, there are so many uncharted
settlements. It could be smugglers,
it could be...
VADER
That is the system. And I'm sure
Skywalker is with them. Set your
course for the Hoth system. General
Veers, prepare you men.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - TRANSPORT BAY
A captain issues instructions to two of his men at the entrance to the main transport bay. Several Rebel transports behind them are being loaded by men carrying heavy boxes and moving quickly, but not in panic.
REBEL CAPTAIN
Groups seven and ten will stay
behind to fly the speeders. As
soon as each transport is loaded,
evacuation control will give
clearance for immediate launch.
REBEL FIGHTER
Right, sir.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
Alarms sound. Troops, ground crews, and droids rush to their alert stations. Armored snowspeeders are lined up in attack formation near the main entrance.
In the midst of all this activity, Han does some frantic welding on the lifters of the Millennium Falcon.
Han finishes his work and hops down to the hangar floor. He pulls out his comlink, all the while eyeing problematic lifters.
HAN
(into comlink, to
Chewie)
Okay, that's it. Try it... Off!
Turn it off! Turn it off! Off!
Smoke rises from a minor explosion on the lifter. Exasperated, Han surveys the new damage.
INT. REBEL BASE - MEDICAL CENTER
Luke dresses in readiness for the evacuation as his attending medical droid stands by.
MEDICAL DROID
Sir, it will take quite a while
to evacuate the T-forty- sevens.
LUKE
Well, forget the heavy equipment.
There's plenty of time to get the
smaller modules on the transports.
MEDICAL DROID
Take care, sir.
LUKE
Thanks.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
Pilots, gunners, and R2 units scurry about. Luke, pulling on his heavy-weather jacket, is headed toward a row of armored speeders. He stops at the rear of the Millennium Falcon, where Han and Chewie are trying to repair the right lifter with even more haste than before.
LUKE
Chewie, take care of yourself,
okay?
As Luke pats Chewie on the arm, Chewie puts his arms around Luke and gives him a tight hug. Han is discussing the lifter with a repair droid when he sees Luke.
HAN
Hi, kid.
(to droid)
There's got to be a reason for
it. Check it at the other end.
Wait a second.
(to Luke)
You all right?
LUKE
Yeah.
HAN
Be careful.
LUKE
You, too.
Luke smiles, then waves at his friend and walks on. After a few steps, he stops and looks back. Han glances up and the two exchange a silent communication, each wishing the other safety, happiness - many things, all difficult to verbalize.
INT. REBEL BASE - CONTROL ROOM.
Alarms sound throughout the hidden Rebel base. In the control room, a controller urgently gestures for General Rieekan to check a computer scan.
CONTROLLER
General, there's a fleet of Star
Destroyers coming out of hyperspace
in sector four.
RIEEKAN
Reroute all power to the energy
shield. We've got to hold them till
all transports are away. Prepare
for ground assault.
Rieekan exits hurriedly.
INT. VADER'S STAR DESTROYER - VADER'S CHAMBER - MEDITATION CUBICLE
The dark cubicle is illuminated by a single shaft of light which falls on the brooding Dark Lord as he sits on a raised meditation cube. General Veers enters the room and approaches the silent, unmoving Vader. Although seemingly very sure of himself, Veers is still not bold enough to interrupt the meditating lord. The younger general stands quietly at attention until the evil presence speaks.
VADER
What is it, General?
VEERS
My lord, the fleet has moves out
of light-speed. Com-Scan has
detected an energy field protecting
an area around the sixth planet of
the Hoth system. The field is
strong enough to deflect any
bombardment.
VADER
(angrily)
The Rebels are alerted to our
presence. Admiral Ozzel came out
of light-speed too close to the
system.
VEERS
He felt surprise was wiser...
VADER
He is as clumsy as he is stupid.
General, prepare your troops for a
surface attack.
VEERS
Yes, my lord.
Veers turns smartly and leaves as Vader activates a large viewscreen showing the bridge of his mighty ship. Admiral Ozzel appears on the viewscreen, standing slightly in front of Captain Piett.
OZZEL
Lord Vader, the fleet has moved
out of light-speed, and we're
preparing to... Aaagh!
VADER
You have failed me for the last
time, Admiral. Captain Piett.
Piett steps forward, as the admiral moves away, slightly confused, touching his throat as it begins to constrict painfully.
PIETT
Yes, my lord.
VADER
Make ready to land out troops beyond
the energy shield and deploy the
fleet so that nothing gets off that
system. You are in command now,
Admiral Piett.
PIETT
Thank you, Lord Vader.
Piett's pleasure about his unexpected promotion is not an unmixed emotion. He glances warily at the struggling Admiral Ozzel who, with a final choke, stumbles and falls in a lifeless heap before him.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
With a sense of urgency, Leia quickly briefs a group of pilots gathered in the center of the hangar.
LEIA
All troop carriers will assemble
at the north entrance. The heavy
transport ships will leave as
soon as they're loaded. Only two
fighter escorts per ship. The
energy shield can only be opened
for a short time, so you'll have
to stay very close to your transports.
HOBBIE
Two fighters against a Star Destroyer?
LEIA
The ion cannon will fire several
shots to make sure that any enemy
ships will be out of your flight
path. When you've gotten past the
energy shield, proceed directly to
the rendezvous point. Understood?
PILOTS
(in unison)
Right. Okay.
LEIA
Good luck.
DERLIN
Okay. Everyone to your stations.
Let's go!
The pilots hurry away.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH - DAY
Rebel troops carry heavy bazooka-type weapons and position them along the snow trench. Men hurriedly respond to their officers' yelled orders and brace themselves against the rhythmic gusts of bitter-cold wind.
Other troops load power packs into a gun turret and swing its guns into position.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - POWER GENERATORS
Near the base power generators, troops rush to set up their heavy battle equipment. Buzzing loudly, the generators send along, sparking fingers of energy into the bitter Hoth wind.
INT. REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
The long line of Rebel controllers is tense, as are Princess Leia and General Rieekan, who are trying very hard not to show any fear.
RIEEKAN
Their primary target will be the
power generators. Prepare to
open the shield.
EXT. ICE PLAIN
The Rebel transport and two escort fighters begin their departure from the ice planet.
EXT. SPACE - IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER
A huge Imperial Star Destroyer rest against a sea of stars, far above the white surface of the planet Hoth.
INT. IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER - BRIDGE
An Imperial controller approaches his commander.
CONTROLLER
Sir, Rebel ships are coming into
our sector.
CAPTAIN
Good. Our first catch of the day.
INT. REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
WOMAN CONTROLLER
Stand by, ion control... Fire!
EXT. REBEL BASE ICE CAVE - ION CANNON
The giant ball-shaped ion cannon rotates into position and blasts two red energy beams skyward.
EXT. SPACE - HOTH - REBEL TRANSPORT
The Rebel transport and its escort race away from the white planet, closely followed by the two red energy beams.
As the Rebel transport races toward the waiting Imperial Star Destroyer, it is overtaken by the two scarlet energy bolts. The Imperial Star Destroyer is hit in the conning tower by the powerful bolts, which set up fiery explosions on its metal hull.
The big Star Destroyer veers, then spins wildly out of control. As the Imperial ship careers into deep space, the Rebel transport races away to safety.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
Pilots, gunners, and troopers hurry to their stations and their vehicles.
ANNOUNCER
(over loudspeaker)
The first transport is away.
Everyone cheers at the announcement, which echoes through the hangar. Luke turns and walks on, heading toward his snowspeeder. His gunner, Dack, a fresh-faced, eager kid, is glad to see him. They climb in.
DACK
Feeling all right, sir?
LUKE
Just like new, Dack. How about
you?
DACK
Right now I feel like I could take
on the whole Empire myself.
LUKE
(quietly, strapping
in)
I know what you mean.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN
A thin horizon line cuts across the bleak landscape. Small dot-size objects begin to appear on the horizon, moving in the direction of the Rebel base.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH
A Rebel officer lifts a pair of electrobinoculars to his eyes. Through the lens he sees a very close view of a giant Imperial snow walker. He adjusts the view which then zooms back to reveal three more of the ominous battle machines. Small flashes of yellow fire billow from the guns of the lumbering snow walkers.
The officer lowers his binoculars as the regular rhythmic pounding begins to make the ground vibrate. The pounding grows louder and is accompanied by a high-pitched, metallic rattling. The officer speaks into his comlink.
TRENCH OFFICER
Echo Station Three-T-Eight.
INT. REBEL BASE - CORRIDOR
Pilots and gunners race to their waiting snowspeeders. Ice and snow begin falling from the walls of the corridor, shaken by the pounding Imperial snow walker as they draw ever nearer.
TRENCH OFFICER
(over comlink)
We have spotted Imperial walkers!
CONTROLLER
Imperial walkers on the north
ridge.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH
The Rebel troops aim their weapons at the horizon as explosions erupt all around them. They are nervous and their grip on their weapons tightens from the cold and from fear.
Behind the troops a dozen snowspeeders race through the sky.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
LUKE
(into comlink)
Echo station Five-Seven. We're
on our way.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
The fleet of snowspeeders races above the ice field at full throttle. They accelerate away from the base and head toward the distant walkers.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
LUKE
(into comlink)
All right, boys, keep tight now.
DACK
Luke, I have no approach vector.
I'm not set.
LUKE
Steady, Dack. Attack pattern
delta. Go now!
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
The cannons mounted on the walker head fire at the speeders. Other walkers loom in the background. Two speeders race away past two of the enormous walkers and bank to the right.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
LUKE
All right, I'm coming in.
He turns his speeder and heads directly at one of the walkers, flying toward its towering legs. The horizon twists as the speeder banks between the legs.
LUKE
(into comlink)
Hobbie, you still with me?
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
Two speeders race directly at the head of a walker, then split and fly past it.
Three other walkers march onward, firing all cannons.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOWTRENCH
Rebel troops fire on the approaching walkers, as the snow and ice explode all around them.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
A speeder banks through and away from the legs of a walker. Two other speeders pass the first speeder from the opposite direction. Other Rebel craft race just above the icy plain.
A giant walker head swivels and fires, striking a snowspeeder and sending it crashing in a ball of flames.
INT. IMPERIAL SNOW WALKER - COCKPIT
General Veers and two walker pilots keep a careful eye on the racing Rebel snowspeeders as they maneuver their lumbering war machine forward.
Luke's speeder banks in from the side of Veers's walker and heads straight for its viewport, blasting away. An explosion hits the walker window, but dissipates, doing no harm. The speeder roars up and over the impregnable war machine.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Luke looks back at the walker as it grows smaller in the distance.
LUKE
That armor's too strong for
blasters.
On the horizon, another walker moves up past Luke's cockpit window, twisting out of sight as Luke banks and starts another run.
LUKE
(into comlink)
Rogue Group, use your harpoons
and tow cables. Go for the legs.
It might be our only chance of
stopping them.
(to Dack)
All right, stand by, Dack.
Dack is at the gunner's controls.
DACK
Luke, we've got a malfunction in
fire control. I'll have to cut in
the auxiliary.
LUKE
Just hang on. Hang on, Dack. Get
ready to fire that tow cable.
Barely keeping his seat in the tumbling ship, Dack struggles to set up his harpoon gun.
Luke swings his speeder around and heads toward an oncoming walker. Laser bolts and flak fill the air, creating a deadly obstacle course for the tiny craft.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
Rogue Leader and another snowspeeder fly in tight formation toward the walker as explosions burst all around them.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
After sustaining a heavy volley of fire, Luke turns around to see if Dack is all right.
LUKE
Dack? Dack!
Dack is lost. Blood streams down his forehead, which rests on his smoldering controls. Out the back window, an Imperial walker recedes in the distance.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH AREA
Rebel troops fire the dishlike ray gun while explosions erupt around them.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
Two walkers lumber toward the Rebel base as a speeder between them explodes in a ball of flames.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH
The dislike ray gun is hit by a laser bolt and instantly explodes.
INT. IMPERIAL SNOW WALKER - COCKPIT
Through the cockpit window, Veers and his pilot can see the Rebel power generators in the distance.
A hologram of Darth Vader appears on a control panel screen.
VEERS
Yes, Lord Vader. I've reached the
main power generator. The shield
will be down in moments. You may
start your landing.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
LUKE
(into comlink)
Rogue Three.
INT. WEDGE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
WEDGE
(into comlink)
Copy, Rogue Leader
LUKE
(over comlink)
Wedge, I've lost my gunner. You'll
have to make this shot. I'll cover
for you. Set your harpoon. Follow
me on the next pass.
WEDGE
(into comlink)
Coming around, Rogue Leader.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
LUKE
(into comlink)
Steady, Rogue Two
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
Wedge's speeder races through the legs of one of the monstrous walkers.
INT. WEDGE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
WEDGE
(to gunner)
Activate harpoon.
Wedge's gunner reaches for a firing switch to activate the harpoon. The harpoon flashes out, and speeds toward the receding legs of the walker.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
The harpoon hurtles toward the walker, In an instant it is embedded in one of the walker's legs.
INT. WEDGE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
WEDGE
(to gunner)
Good shot, Janson.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
The speeder Rogue Three races around one of the giant walker's feet, trailing the cable behind it. Continuing around the back foot, Rogue Three then circles the walker around the tail end.
INT. WEDGE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
Wedge checks his controls and banks around the front of the walker.
WEDGE
One more pass.
JANSON
Coming around. Once more.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
The speeder sweeps left to right in front of the giant legs, towing the cable behind it.
INT. WEDGE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
JANSON
Once more.
Wedge swings the speeder between the legs of the giant walker.
JANSON
Cable out! Let her go!
WEDGE
Detach cable.
EXT. WEDGE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE
The cable release on the back of the speeder snaps loose and the cable drops away.
INT. WEDGE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
JANSON
Cable detached.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
The speeder zooms away into the distance. The tangled legs of the enormous war machine attempt a step, but as they do the giant Imperial walker begins to topple. It teeters for a moment, and then crashes onto the icy ground, sending snow and metal pieces flying.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH
The troops in the trenches cheer at the sight of the crashing walker.
An officer gives a signal to his men and Rebel troops charge the fallen war machine.
TRENCH OFFICER
Come on!
The troops run toward the downed walker, followed by two Rebel speeders flying overhead. Just as they reach the walker, it explodes, the impact throwing some of the men onto the frozen ground.
INT. WEDGE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
Wedge lets out a triumphant yell, banking his speeder away from the fallen walker.
WEDGE
(into comlink)
Whooha! That got him!
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
LUKE
(into comlink)
I see it, Wedge. Good work.
INT. REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Large chunks of ice tumble into the command center as Leia and General Rieekan monitor computer screens.
RIEEKAN
I don't think we can protect two
transports at a time.
LEIA
It's risky, but we can't hold out
much longer. We have no choice.
RIEEKAN
(into comlink)
Launch patrols.
LEIA
(to an aide)
Evacuate remaining ground staff.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR
Muffled distant explosions create widening cracks in the ice roof of the hangar. Trying to ignore the noise and falling bits of snow, Han works on one of the Falcon's lifters while Chewie works on one of the wings. Noticing Chewie attach a wrong part, Han grows impatient.
HAN
No, no! No! This one goes there,
that one goes there. Right?
In another area of the hangar, Threepio watches as Artoo is raised up into Luke's X-wing fighter.
THREEPIO
Artoo, you take good care of
Master Luke now, understand? And
... do take good care of yourself.
Oh, dear, oh, dear.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
The fierce battle on the vast snow plains of Hoth rages on. The Imperial walkers continue their slow, steady assault on the Rebel base, firing lasers as they lumber ever onward. In the snow trench, Rebel troops fire large bazookalike guns and dishlike ray guns as explosions erupt around them. A gun tower is hit by a laser bolt and instantly explodes. Another blast destroys a ray gun.
INT. IMPERIAL SNOW WALKER - COCKPIT
General Veers studies various readouts on his control panel.
VEERS
All troops will debark for ground
assault. Prepare to target the
main generator.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
Luke's speeder and Rogue Two fly in formation, banking from right to left and flying above the erupting battlefield. Flak bursts all around them.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Luke, glancing over, sees Rogue Two on his left. His ship shudders as flak bursts nearby.
LUKE
(into comlink)
Rogue Two, are you all right?
INT. ZEV'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE TWO - COCKPIT
ZEV
(into comlink)
Yeah. I'm with you, Rogue Leader.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
LUKE
(into comlink)
We'll set harpoon. I'll cover for you.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
The two speeders race across the horizon toward the giant walkers.
INT. ZEV'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE TWO - COCKPIT
ZEV
(into comlink)
Coming around.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
LUKE
(into comlink)
Watch that cross fire, boys.
INT. ZEV'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE TWO - COCKPIT
ZEV
(into comlink)
Set for position three.
(to gunner)
Steady.
LUKE
(over comlink)
Stay tight and low.
EXT. ZEV'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE TWO
Luke's speeder moves in formation with Rogue Two, when suddenly Zev's speeder is hit by a laser bolt. His ship bucks violently under the impact and the cockpit explodes in a ball of flame.
Spewing smoke, the speeder hurtles toward a looming walker. Before they collide. Rogue Two explodes in a million flaming pieces.
INT. LUKE'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Desperately, Luke works the controls of his flak-buffeted ship. Suddenly, the speeder is rocked by a huge explosion. Luke struggles with the controls with a look of terror on his face. The speeder fills with smoke, and electrical sparks jump about the cockpit.
LUKE
(into comlink)
Hobbie, I've been hit!
INT. REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Apart from the distant thunder of laser blasts, the corridor is strangely quiet and empty. Running footsteps echo through the freezing hallway, then Han appears. Cracks have appeared in some of the walls and some pipes have broken, sending hot steam billowing into the underground hallways. Han hurries into the command center. It is a shambles, but some people are still at their posts. As he enters, a gigantic cave-in almost obliterates the room. He finds Leia and Threepio near one of the control boards.
HAN
You all right?
Leia nods. She is surprised to see him.
LEIA
Why are you still here?
HAN
I heard the command center had
been hit.
LEIA
You got your clearance to leave.
HAN
Don't worry. I'll leave. First
I'm going to get you to your ship.
THREEPIO
Your Highness, we must take this
last transport. It's our only hope.
LEIA
(to controller)
Send all troops in sector twelve
to the south slope to protect the
fighters.
A blast rocks the command center, throwing Threepio backward into Han's arms.
ANNOUNCER
(over loudspeaker)
Imperial troops have entered the
base.
HAN
Come on... that's it.
LEIA
(to head controller)
Give the evacuation code signal.
And get to your transports!
Leia looks exhausted. Han grabs her and starts to lead her out.
As Han, Leia, and Threepio run out of the command center, the code signal can be heard echoing off the corridor walls.
HEAD CONTROLLER
K-one-zero... all troops disengage.
THREEPIO
(to Han and Leia)
Oh! Wait for me!
EXT. BATTLEFIELD - SNOW TRENCH
Rebel troops retreat under the awesome Imperial onslaught.
OFFICER
Begin retreat!
SECOND OFFICER
Fall back!
Troops flee from the battle, the ground exploding around them.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
Three of the giant walkers, firing lasers, advance toward the Rebel headquarters.
EXT. HOTH - SNOW TRENCH
Continuing their retreat, the Rebels see the walkers looming ever nearer.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD - ICE PLAIN
On the battlefield, Luke watches as a walker foot rises and moves over him. He looks up at the underbelly of the huge walker, passing overhead.
Running beneath the monstrous machine, Luke fires his harpoon gun at the walker's underside. A thin cable follows the projectile from the gun. The magnetic head and cable attach firmly to the metal hull.
Still running under the walker, Luke attaches the cable drum to his belt buckle. Soon he is pulled up the cable and hangs dangling underneath the walker.
The walker's giant feet continue to pound onward across the frozen snow. Stray laser bolts whistle by Luke as he climbs up the cable to the walker's hull, reaching a small hatch. Hanging precariously, Luke cuts the solid metal hatch with his laser sword.
He takes a landmine from around his neck and throws it inside the Imperial machine. Quickly, Luke starts down the cable and crashes onto the icy ground far below. He lies unconscious as a giant rear leg passes by - and just misses him.
The giant walker stops in mid-step. A muffled explosion comes from within - and then the walker's mechanical insides are spewed out every conceivable opening. The machine sits dead in its tracks, smoking like a locomotive on stilts.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
Veers's walker continues to advance toward the Rebel base. The smoldering walker that Luke exploded stands smoking just to the right of Veers's path.
INT. IMPERIAL SNOW WALKER - COCKPIT
Inside his walker, General Veers prepares to fire on the Rebel power generators.
VEERS
Distance to power generators?
PILOT
One-seven, decimal two-eight.
Veers reaches for the electrorangefinder and lines up the main generator.
VEERS
Target. Maximum fire power.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
The Rebel troops continue their desperate retreat, pushed back by the relentless Imperial assault.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - ICE CORRIDORS
With Threepio lagging behind, Han and Leia race through the crumbling ice corridors. Suddenly, there is an explosion. Han turns, grabs the princess, and pulls her to the wall as a tremendous cave-in blacks their path.
He takes the comlink from his pocket.
HAN
(into comlink)
Transport, this is Solo. Better
take off - I can't get to you.
I'll get the princess out on the
Falcon.
Han and Leia turn and race down the corridor.
THREEPIO
But... but... but... where are
you going? Uh... come back!!
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Imperial troops have reached the base. As they push through the blocked passageway, Darth Vader strides behind them.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - ICE CORRIDOR
Han and Leia run toward the entrance of the main hangar where the Millennium Falcon is docked. Threepio still lags behind.
THREEPIO
Wait! Wait for me! Wait! Stop!
The door to the hangar closes in his face.
THREEPIO
(exasperated)
How typical.
Quickly, the door reopens as Han reaches out and pulls the golden droid through.
HAN
Come on.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR
Chewie paces under the shelter of the Millennium Falcon's landing gear. The giant Wookiee pats the underbelly of his beloved ship and barks a few reassuring words. As he searches worriedly for his captain, something at last catches his eye.
Chewie lets out a relieved shriek at seeing Han and Leia running toward the ship. The Wookiee runs out into the falling ice, lets out a howl, then runs up the ship's ramp. Han and Leia run up the ramp after him, closely followed by Threepio.
HAN
Hurry up, goldenrod, or you're
going to be a permanent resident!
THREEPIO
Wait! Wait!
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - ICE CORRIDOR
Imperial troops run through the base corridors. Vader surveys the place. A huge chunk falls, almost hitting him, but he calmly, purposefully, continues around it.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGER - MILLENNIUM FALCON
A distant, huge, explosion rocks the hangar deck. Ice cakes come crashing down on the Millennium Falcon.
INT. MAIN HANGAR - MILLENNIUM FALCON - MAIN HOLD
Han, standing before a control panel, is busy flipping switches as Chewie watches a troublesome gauge. A worried Leia observes their efforts.
HAN
(to Chewie)
How's this?
The Wookiee barks a negative reply.
LEIA
Would it helped if I got out and
pushed?
HAN
It might.
Threepio clanks into the hold.
THREEPIO
Captain Solo, Captain Solo... sir,
might I suggest that you...
Han gives the gold robot a devastating look.
THREEPIO
It can wait.
INT. MAIN HANGAR - MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
They move to the cockpit where Han flips some more switches. Leia watches him, impatient, disbelieving.
LEIA
This bucket of bolts is never going
to get us past that blockade.
HAN
This baby's got a few surprises
left in her, sweetheart.
Han and Leia look out the cockpit window and see a squad of stormtroopers rushing into the far side of the hangar.
Quickly, Han straps himself into the pilot's seat and Leia into the navigator's chair.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR
Stormtroopers hurriedly set up a large bazookalike weapon. Behind them the giant hangar doors open slowly.
EXT. MAIN HANGAR - MILLENNIUM FALCON
A laser gun appears on the Falcon and swings around to aim at the Imperial troops.
The stormtroopers, preparing to fire their bazooka cannon, are hit by the Falcon's fire and are thrown about in all directions.
INT. MAIN HANGAR - MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Chewie rushes into the cockpit.
HAN
Come on! Come on! Switch over.
Let's hope we don't have a burnout.
A laser hits the window near Chewie as he is settling into his chair. Letting out a loud whelp, Chewie quickly pulls back on the controls and the first stage of engine fire can be heard. Han flashes a big grin at Leia.
HAN
See?
LEIA
Someday you're going to be wrong,
and I hope I'm there to see it.
Han looks at Chewie.
HAN
Punch it!
The roar of the Falcon's main engines blasts out everything as the ice-cave wall rushes by outside the cockpit window.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR
More stormtroopers run into the hangar, closely followed by Vader. Hearing the loud roar of the Millennium Falcon's engines, Vader looks toward the main hangar doors just in time to see the Falcon lift up and disappear outside the cave.
EXT. HOTH - ICE SLOPE - DAY
Luke and two other pilots look up as the Millennium Falcon races above them, flying very close to the ground.
The three pilots turn then, and trudge onward toward their X-wing fighters, each going to his own ship. Luke waves farewell, then heads toward his own fighter.
Artoo, seated on his cubbyhole, chirps an excited greeting as Luke climbs aboard the spacecraft.
LUKE
Artoo! Get her ready for takeoff.
From his ship, Luke sees Wedge in his own X-wing, preparing for takeoff.
WEDGE
Good luck, Luke. See you at
the rendezvous.
Luke smiles and nods at Wedge, then lowers himself into the cockpit of his X-wing while Artoo waits in the cubbyhole, beeping impatiently.
LUKE
Don't worry, Artoo. We're going,
we're going.
The canopy over the X-wing lowers and snaps shut.
EXT. SPACE - LUKE'S X-WING
Luke's fighter, its wings closed, speeds away from the icy planet. Soon it disappears into the stars.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke, looking thoughtful, suddenly makes a decision. He flips several switches. The stars shift as he takes his fighter into a steep turn. The X-wing banks sharply and flies away in a new direction.
The monitor screen on Luke's control panel prints out a question from the concerned Artoo.
LUKE
(into comlink)
There's nothing wrong, Artoo.
I'm just setting a new course.
Artoo beeps once again.
LUKE
(into comlink)
We're not going to regroup with
the others.
Artoo begins a protest, whistling an unbelieving, "What?!"
Luke reads Artoo's exclamation on his control panel.
LUKE
(into comlink)
We're going to the Dagobah system.
Luke checks his readouts and makes a few adjustments. He rides along with only the soft hum of the instruments to break the silence. Finally, Artoo chirps up.
LUKE
(into comlink)
Yes, Artoo?
Artoo utters a soft, carefully phrased steam of whistles.
LUKE
(into comlink, chuckling)
That's all right. I'd like to
keep it on manual control for a
while.
The little droid lets out a defeated whimper. Luke smiles, and continues on his course.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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 that the hyperdrive
motivator has been damaged. It's
impossible to go to light-speed!
HAN
We're in trouble!
The explosions become heavier.
EXT. 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.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Stars race by as flak bursts outside the Falcon's window.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HOLD
Han works furiously at some control panels while giving various orders to Chewie.
HAN
Horizontal boosters...!
(Chewie barks)
Alluvial dampers...! Well that's
not it.
(Chewie barks)
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.
INT. 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!
EXT. 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.
EXT. SPACE - STAR DESTROYER - ASTEROID BELT
The massive Star Destroyer blasts oncoming asteroids as it follows the Falcon. Smaller asteroids explode across its vast surface.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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
those big ones.
LEIA
Closer?
THREEPIO
Closer?!
Chewbacca barks the same word, only louder.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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.
EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GIANT ASTEROID CRATER
The Millennium Falcon dives into the huge crater and disappears.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
LEIA
I hope you know what you're doing.
HAN
Yeah, me too.
INT. 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.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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.
EXT. SPACE - DAGOBAH - LUKE'S X-WING
The X-wing continues its flight through the twilight above the cloud-covered planet.
INT. 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.
EXT. 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.
EXT. 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.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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
(continuing)
... 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)
... 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.
EXT. SPACE - ASTEROID FIELD
The Imperial fleet moves through the asteroid-filled void, intently seeking its prey.
INT. 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.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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 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.
All his life has he looked away...
to the future, to the horizon.
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.
EXT. 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.
INT. 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.
INT. 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.
EXT. 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
little 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.
INT. 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 in
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!
INT. 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.
INT. 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.
EXT. 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.
EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GIANT ASTEROID
The Falcon races out of the asteroid crater and into the deadly rain of the asteroid storm.
EXT. 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. Mmmmmmmm.
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.
INT. 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.
EXT. DAGOBAH - CAVE - DUSK
Meanwhile, Yoda sits on the root, calmly leaning on his Gimer Stick.
EXT. SPACE - VADER'S STAR DESTROYER
Vader's Imperial Star Destroyer moves through space, guarded by its convoy of TI