EXT. SPACE
Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.
INT. DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.
VADER: Her resistance to the mind probe is considerable. It will be
some time before we can extract any information from her.
An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.
IMPERIAL OFFICER: The final check-out is complete. All systems are
operational. What course shall we set?
TARKIN: Perhaps she would respond to an alternative form of
persuasion.
VADER: What do you mean?
TARKIN: I think it is time we demonstrate the full power of this
station. (to soldier) Set your course for Princess Leia's home planet
of Alderaan.
TROOPER: With pleasure.
EXT. TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET
Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a
narrow slum alleyway crowed with darkly clad creatures hawking exotic goods in the dingy little stalls. Men, monsters, and
robots crouch in the waste-filled doorways, whispering and
hiding from the hot winds.
THREEPIO: Lock the door, Artoo.
One of the troopers checks a tightly locked door and moves
on down the alleyway. The door slides open a crack and
Threepio peeks out. Artoo is barely visible in the background.
TROOPER: All right, check that side of the street. It's secure. Move
on to the next door.
The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.
THREEPIO: I would much rather have gone with Master Luke than stay here with you. I don't know what all the trouble is about, but I'm
sure it must be your fault.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
THREEPIO: You watch your language!
EXT. TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET -- ALLEYWAY -- USED SPEEDER LOT
Ben and Luke are standing in a sleazy used speeder lot,
talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder
dealer. Strange exotic bodies and spindly-legged beasts pass
by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some coins.
LUKE: He says it's the best he can do. Since the XP-38 came out,
they're just not in demand.
BEN: It will be enough.
Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty
alleyway past a small robot herding a bunch of anteater-like
creatures. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his
faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad creature
moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches them as they
disappear down another alley.
BEN: If the ship's as fast as he's boasting, we ought to do well.
INT. DOCKING BAY 94 -- DAY
Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and purple
creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is the
grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is a grim
testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is a fat,
slug-like creature with eyes on extended feelers and a huge
ugly mouth.
JABBA: Come on out, Solo!
A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and
they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee,
Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight.
HAN: I've been waiting for you, Jabba.
JABBA: I expected you would be.
HAN: I'm not the type to run.
JABBA: (fatherly-smooth) Han, my boy, there are times when you
disappoint me...why haven't you paid me? And why did you have to fry poor Greedo like that...after all we've been through together.
HAN: You sent Greedo to blast me.
JABBA: (mock surprise) Han, why you're the best smuggler in the
business. You're too valuable to fry. He was only relaying my concern at your delays. He wasn't going to blast you.
HAN: I think he thought he was. Next time don't send one of those
twerps. If you've got something to say to me, come see me yourself.
JABBA: Han, Han! If only you hadn't had to dump that shipment of
spice...you understand I just can't make an exception. Where would I
be if every pilot who smuggled for me dumped their shipment at the
first sign of an Imperial starship? It's not good business.
HAN: You know, even I get boarded sometimes, Jabba. I had no choice, but I've got a charter now and I can pay you back, plus a little
extra. I just need some more time.
JABBA: (to his men) Put your blasters away. Han, my boy, I'm only
doing this because you're the best and I need you. So, for an extra,
say twenty percent I'll give you a little more time...but this is it.
If you disappoint me again, I'll put a price on your head so large you
won't be able to go near a civilized system for the rest of your short
life.
HAN: Jabba, I'll pay you because it's my pleasure.
EXT. DOCKING PORT ENTRY -- ALLEYWAY
Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay 94.
Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street. Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry. The darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder lot. He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small transmitter.
INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT -- DOCKING BAY 94
Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is Docking
Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a large,
round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that could only
loosely be called a starship.
LUKE: What a piece of junk.
The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp.
HAN: She'll make point five beyond the speed of light. She may not
look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've added some
special modifications myself.
Luke scratches his head. It's obvious he isn't sure about
all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others to
follow.
HAN: We're a little rushed, so if you'll hurry aboard we'll get out of
here.
The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han
Solo.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty
engines of the starship.
INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT -- DOCKING BAY 94
Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium
Falcon passing Solo.
THREEPIO: Hello, sir.
EXT. TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET
Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad
creature.
TROOPER: Which way?
The darkly clad creature points to the door of the docking
bay.
TROOPER: All right, men. Load your weapons!
INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT -- DOCKING BAY 94
The troops hold their guns at the ready and charge down the
docking bay entrance.
TROOPER: Stop that ship!
Han Solo looks up and sees the Imperial stormtroopers
rushing into the docking bay. Several of the troopers fire at
Han as he ducks into the spaceship.
TROOPER: Blast 'em!
Han draws his laser pistol and pops off a couple of shots
which force the stormtroopers to dive for safety. The
pirateship engines whine as Han hits the release button that
slams the overhead entry shut.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
HAN: Chewie, get us out of here!
The group straps in for take off.
THREEPIO: Oh, my. I'd forgotten how much I hate space travel.
EXT. TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREETS
The half-dozen stormtroopers at a check point hear the general
alarm and look to the sky as the huge starship rises above the
dingy slum dwellings and quickly disappears into the morning
sky.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Han climbs into the pilot's chair next to Chewbacca, who
chatters away as he points to something on the radar scope.
EXT. SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE
The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Han frantically types information into the ship's computer.
Little Artoo appears momentarily at the cockpit doorway, makes
a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.
HAN: It looks like an Imperial cruiser. Our passengers must be hotter than I thought. Try and hold them off. Angle the deflector shield while I make the calculations for the jump to light speed.
EXT. SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE
The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow
planet, Tatooine. It is followed by two huge Imperial
stardestroyers.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Over the shoulders of Chewbacca and Han, we can see the galaxy spread before them. Luke and Ben make their way into the
cramped cockpit where Han continues his calculation.
HAN: Stay sharp! There are two more coming in; they're going to try to cut us off.
LUKE: Why don't you outrun them? I thought you said this thing was
fast.
HAN: Watch your mouth, kid, or you're going to find yourself floating
home. We'll be safe enough once we make the jump to hyperspace.
Besides, I know a few maneuvers. We'll lose them!
EXT. SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE
Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the window.
HAN: Here's where the fun begins!
BEN: How long before you can make the jump to light speed?
HAN: It'll take a few moments to get the coordinates from the
navi-computer.
The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.
LUKE: Are you kidding? At the rate they're gaining...
HAN: Traveling through hyperspace isn't like dusting crops, boy!
Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star or
bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick,
wouldn't it?
The ship is now constantly battered with laserfire as a red
warning light begins to flash.
LUKE: What's that flashing?
HAN: We're losing our deflector shield. Go strap yourself in, I'm
going to make the jump to light speed.
The galaxy brightens and they move faster, almost as if
crashing a barrier. Stars become streaks as the pirateship
makes the jump to hyperspace.
EXT. SPACE
The Millennium Falcon zooms into infinity in less than a
second.
EXT. DEATH STAR
Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.
INT. DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM
Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before
Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen
displaying a small green planet.
MOTTI: We've entered the Alderaan system.
Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her
hands are bound.
LEIA: Governor Tarkin, I should have expected to find you holding
Vader's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on
board.
TARKIN: Charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it
signing the order to terminate your life!
LEIA: I'm surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility
yourself!
TARKIN: Princess Leia, before your execution I would like you to be my guest at a ceremony that will make this battle station operational. No star system will dare oppose the Emperor now.
LEIA: The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems
will slip through your fingers.
TARKIN: Not after we demonstrate the power of this station. In a way, you have determined the choice of the planet that'll be destroyed first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the Rebel base, I have chosen to test this station's destructive power... on your home planet of Alderaan.
LEIA: No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have no weapons. You can't
possibly...
TARKIN: You would prefer another target? A military target? Then name the system!
Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.
TARKIN: I grow tired of asking this. So it'll be the last time. Where
is the Rebel base?
Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to
Alderaan.
LEIA: (softly) Dantooine.
Leia lowers her head.
LEIA: They're on Dantooine.
TARKIN: There. You see Lord Vader, she can be reasonable. (addressing Motti) Continue with the operation. You may fire when ready.
LEIA: What?
TARKIN: You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an
effective demonstration. But don't worry. We will deal with your Rebel friends soon enough.
LEIA: No!
INT. DEATH STAR -- BLAST CHAMBER
VADER: Commence primary ignition.
A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A
hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever.
Another lever is pulled. Vader reaches for still another lever
and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up. A huge beam
of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area and converges
into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan. The small green
planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- CENTRAL HOLD AREA
Ben watches Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker"
robot. Ben suddenly turns away and sits down. He falters,
seems almost faint.
LUKE: Are you all right? What's wrong?
BEN: I felt a great disturbance in the Force...as if millions of
voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear
something terrible has happened.
Ben rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then
he fixes his gaze on Luke.
BEN: You'd better get on with your exercises.
Han Solo enters the room.
HAN: Well, you can forget your troubles with those Imperial slugs. I
told you I'd outrun 'em.
Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.
HAN: Don't everyone thank me at once.
Threepio watches Chewbacca and Artoo who are engrossed in a
game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move along
a chess-type board.
HAN: Anyway, we should be at Alderaan about oh-two-hundred hours.
Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table
covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the
table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca
seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-
covered arms over his head.
THREEPIO: Now be careful, Artoo.
Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his
stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures to
walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's
face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny robot. Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion and begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.
THREEPIO: He made a fair move. Screaming about it won't help you.
HAN: (interrupting) Let him have it. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee.
THREEPIO: But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.
HAN: That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their socket when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that.
THREEPIO: I see your point, sir. I suggest a new strategy, Artoo. Let
the Wookiee win.
Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems
frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his
head. Ben watches him from the corner, studying his movements.
Han watches with a bit of smugness.
BEN: Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him.
LUKE: You mean it controls your actions?
BEN: Partially. But it also obeys your commands.
Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a
"seeker", a chrome baseball-like robot covered with antennae, hovers slowly in a wide arc. The ball floats to one side of the youth then the other. Suddenly it makes a lightning-swift lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke doesn't move and the ball backs off. It slowly moves behind the boy, then makes another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood red laser beam as it attacks. It hits Luke in the leg causing him to tumble over. Han lets loose with a burst of laughter.
HAN: Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good
blaster at your side, kid.
LUKE: You don't believe in the Force, do you?
HAN: Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other. I've
seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen anything to make me
believe there's one all-powerful force controlling everything. There's
no mystical energy field that controls my destiny.
Ben smiles quietly
HAN: It's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.
BEN: I suggest you try it again, Luke.
Ben places a large helmet on Luke's head which covers his
eyes.
BEN: This time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct.
LUKE: (laughing) With the blast shield down, I can't even see. How am I supposed to fight?
BEN: Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them.
Han skeptically shakes his head as Ben throws the seeker
into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then
drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around blindly
missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt which hits
Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful
yell and attempts to hit the seeker.
BEN: Stretch out with your feelings.
Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker
makes a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect
the bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original
position.
BEN: You see, you can do it.
HAN: I call it luck.
BEN: In my experience, there's no such thing as luck.
HAN: Look, going good against remotes is one thing. Going good against the living? That's something else.
Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the
control panel.
HAN: Looks like we're coming up on Alderaan.
Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.
LUKE: You know, I did feel something. I could almost see the remote.
BEN: That's good. You have taken your first step into a larger world.
INT. DEATH STAR -- CONFERENCE ROOM
Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin and the
evil Dark Lord Darth Vader.
TARKIN: Yes.
OFFICER CASS: Our scout ships have reached Dantooine. They found the remains of a Rebel base, but they estimate that it has been deserted for some time. They are now conducting an extensive search of the surrounding systems.
TARKIN: She lied! She lied to us!
VADER: I told you she would never consciously betray the Rebellion.
TARKIN: Terminate her...immediately!
EXT. HYPERSPACE
The pirateship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange
surreal light show surrounds the ship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
HAN: Stand by, Chewie, here we go. Cut in the sublight engines.
Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit
window stars begin streaking past, seem to decrease in speed,
then stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder and
violently shake about. Asteroids begin to race toward them,
battering the sides of the ship.
HAN: What the...? Aw, we've come out of hyperspace into a meteor
shower. Some kind of asteroid collision. It's not on any of the
charts.
The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very cool
in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing
cockpit.
LUKE: What's going on?
HAN: Our position is correct, except...no, Alderaan!
LUKE: What do you mean? Where is it?
HAN: Thats what I'm trying to tell you, kid. It ain't there. It's been
totally blown away.
LUKE: What? How?
Ben moves into the cockpit behind Luke as the ship begins
to settle down.
BEN: Destroyed...by the Empire!
HAN: The entire starfleet couldn't destroy the whole planet. It'd take
a thousand ships with more fire power than I've...
A signal starts flashing on the control panel and a muffled
alarm starts humming.
HAN: There's another ship coming in.
LUKE: Maybe they know what happened.
BEN: It's an Imperial fighter.
Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts
outside the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently. A
tiny, finned Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit
window.
LUKE: It followed us!
BEN: No. It's a short range fighter.
HAN: There aren't any bases around here. Where did it come from?
EXT. SPACE
The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
LUKE: It sure is leaving in a big hurry. If they identify us, we're in
big trouble.
HAN: Not if I can help it. Chewie...jam it's transmissions.
BEN: It'd be as well to let it go. It's too far out of range.
HAN: Not for long...
EXT. SPACE
The pirateship zooms over the camera and away into the
vastness of space after the Imperial TIE fighter.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
The tension mounts as the pirateship gains on the tiny fighter.
In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter until it is
obvious that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben stands behind
Chewbacca.
BEN: A fighter that size couldn't get this deep into space on its own.
LUKE It must have gotten lost, been part of a convoy or something.
HAN: Well, he ain't going to be around long enough to tell anyone
about us.
EXT. SPACE
The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger pirateship as
they race toward camera and disappear over head.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
The distant star can be distinguished as a small moon or
planet.
LUKE: Look at him. He's headed for that small moon.
HAN: I think I can get him before he gets there...he's almost in
range.
The small moon begins to take on the appearance of a
monstrous spherical battle station.
BEN: That's no moon! It's a space station.
HAN: It's too big to be a space station.
LUKE: I have a very bad feeling about this.
BEN: Yeah, I think your right. Full reverse! Chewie, lock in the
auxiliary power.
The pirateship shudders and the TIE fighter accelerates
away toward the gargantuan battle station.
LUKE: Why are we still moving towards it?
HAN: We're caught in a tractor beam! It's pulling us in!
LUKE: But there's gotta be something you can do!
HAN: There's nothin' I can do about it, kid. I'm in full power. I'm
going to have to shut down. But they're not going to get me without a fight!
Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.
BEN: You can't win. But there are alternatives to fighting.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- DEATH STAR
As the battered pirate starship is towed closer to the awesome
metal moon, the immense size of the massive battle station
becomes staggering. Running along the equator of the gigantic
sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports into which
the helpless pirateship is dragged.
EXT. DEATH STAR -- HUGE PORT DOORS
The helpless Millennium Falcon is pulled past a docking port
control room and huge laser turret cannons.
VOICE OVER DEATH STAR INTERCOM: Clear Bay twenty-three-seven. We are opening the magnetic field.
INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- DOCKING BAY 2037.
The pirateship is pulled in through port doors of the Death
Star, coming to rest in a huge hangar. Thirty stormtroopers
stand at attention in a central assembly area.
OFFICER: To you stations!
OFFICER: (to another officer) Come with me.
INT. DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY
Stormtroopers run to their posts.
INT. DEATH STAR -- HANGAR 2037
A line of stormtroopers march toward the pirateship in
readiness to board it, while other troopers stand with weapons
ready to fire.
OFFICER: Close all outboard shields! Close all outboard shields!
INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONFERENCE ROOM.
Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz.
TARKIN: Yes.
VOICE: (over intercom) We've captured a freighter entering the remains of the Alderaan system. It's markings match those of a ship that blasted its way out of Mos Eisley.
VADER: They must be trying to return the stolen plans to the princess. She may yet be of some use to us.
INT. DEATH STAR -- DOCKING BAY 2037
Vader and a commander approach the troops as an Officer and
several heavily armed troops exit the spacecraft.
VOICE: (over intercom) Unlock one-five-seven and nine. Release
charges.
OFFICER: (to Vader) There's no one on board, sir. According to the
log, the crew abandoned ship right after takeoff. It must be a decoy,
sir. Several of the escape pods have been jettisoned.
VADER: Did you find any droids?
OFFICER: No, sir. If there were any on board, they must also have
jettisoned.
VADER: Send a scanning crew on board. I want every part of this ship checked.
OFFICER: Yes, sir.
VADER: I sense something...a presence I haven't felt since...
Vader turns quickly and exits the hangar.
OFFICER: Get me a scanning crew in here on the double. I want every
part of this ship checked!
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- HALLWAY
A trooper runs through the hallway heading for the exit. In a
few moments all is quiet. The muffled sounds of a distant
officer giving orders finally fade. Two floor panels suddenly
pop up revealing Han Solo and Luke. Ben Kenobi sticks his head
out of a third locker.
LUKE: Boy, it's lucky you had these compartments.
HAN: I use them for smuggling. I never thought I'd be smuggling myself in them. This is ridiculous. Even if I could take off, I'd never get past the tractor beam.
BEN: Leave that to me!
HAN: Damn fool. I knew that you were going to say that!
BEN: Who's the more foolish...the fool or the fool who follows him?
Han shakes his head, muttering to himself. Chewbacca
agrees.
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY.
The crewmen carry a heavy box on board the ship, past the two
stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp.
TROOPER: The ship's all yours. If the scanners pick up anything,
report it immediately. All right, let's go.
The crewmen enter the pirateship and a loud crashing sound
is followed by a voice calling to the guard below.
HAN'S VOICE: Hey down there, could you give us a hand with this?
The stormtroopers enter the ship and a quick round of
gunfire is heard.
INT. DEATH STAR -- FORWARD BAY -- COMMAND OFFICE
In a very small command office near the entrance to the pirateship, a Gantry Officer looks out his window and notices the guards are missing. He speaks into the comlink.
GANTRY OFFICER: TX-four-one-two. Why aren't you at your post?
TX-four-one-two, do you copy?
A stormtrooper comes down the ramp of the pirateship and
waves to the gantry officer, pointing to his ear indicating
his comlink is not working. The gantry officer shakes his head
in disgust and heads for the door, giving his aide an annoyed
look.
GANTRY OFFICER: Take over. We've got a bad transmitter. I'll see what I can do.
As the officer approaches the door, it slides open
revealing the towering Chewbacca. The gantry officer, in a
momentary state of shock, stumbles backward. With a bone-
chilling howl, the giant Wookiee flattens the officer with one
blow. The aide immediately reaches for his pistol, but is
blasted by Han, dressed as an Imperial stormtrooper. Ben and
the robots enter the room quickly followed by Luke, also
dressed as a stormtrooper. Luke quickly removes his helmet.
LUKE: You know, between his howling and your blasting everything in sight, it's a wonder the whole station doesn't know we're here.
HAN: Bring them on! I prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking
around.
THREEPIO: We found the computer outlet, sir.
Ben feeds some information into the computer and a map of the city appears on the monitor. He begins to inspect it carefully. Threepio and Artoo look over the control panel. Artoo finds something that makes him whistle wildly.
BEN: Plug in. He should be able to interpret the entire Imperial
computer network.
Artoo punches his claw arm into the computer socket and the
vast Imperial brain network comes to life, feeding information
to the little robot. After a few moments, he beeps something.
THREEPIO: He says he's found the main computer to power the tractor beam that's holding the ship here. He'll try to make the precise location appear on the monitor.
The computer monitor flashes readouts.
THREEPIO: The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven
locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to
leave.
Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.
BEN: I don't think you boys can help. I must go alone.
HAN: Whatever you say. I've done more that I bargained for on this
trip already.
LUKE I want to go with you.
BEN: Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch over the droids.
LUKE: But he can...
BEN: They must be delivered safely or other star systems will suffer
the same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny lies along a different path
than mine. The Force will be with you...always!
Ben adjusts the lightsaber on his belt and silently steps
out of the command office, then disappears down a long grey
hallway. Chewbacca barks a comment and Han shakes his head in
agreement.
HAN: Boy you said it, Chewie.
Han looks at Luke.
HAN: Where did you dig up that old fossil?
LUKE: Ben is a great man.
HAN: Yeah, great at getting us into trouble.
LUKE: I didn't hear you give any ideas...
HAN: Well, anything would be better than just hanging around waiting for him to pick us up...
LUKE: Who do you think...
Suddenly Artoo begins to whistle and beep a blue streak.
Luke goes over to him.
LUKE: What is it?
THREEPIO: I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir. He says "I found her",
and keeps repeating, "She's here."
LUKE: Well, who...who has he found?
Artoo whistles a frantic reply.
THREEPIO: Princess Leia.
LUKE: The princess? She's here?
HAN: Princess? What's going on?
THREEPIO: Level five. Detention block A A-twenty-three. I'm afraid
she's scheduled to be terminated.
LUKE: Oh, no! We've got to do something.
HAN: What are you talking about?
LUKE: The droid belongs to her. She's the one in the message.. We've got to help her.
HAN: Now, look, don't get any funny ideas. The old man wants us to
wait right here.
LUKE: But he didn't know she was here. Look, will you just find a way
back into the detention block?
HAN: I'm not going anywhere.
LUKE: They're going to execute her. Look, a few minutes ago you said you didn't want to just wait here to be captured. Now all you want to do is stay.
HAN: Marching into the detention area is not what I had in mind.
LUKE: But they're going to kill her!
HAN: Better her than me...
LUKE: She's rich.
Chewbacca growls.
HAN: Rich?
LUKE: Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if you were to rescue her, the
reward would be...
HAN: What?
LUKE: Well more wealth that you can imagine.
HAN: I don't know, I can imagine quite a bit!
LUKE: You'll get it!
HAN: I better!
LUKE: You will...
HAN: All right, kid. But you'd better be right about this.
Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.
LUKE: All right.
HAN: What's your plan?
LUKE: Uh...Threepio, hand me those binders there will you?
Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.
LUKE: Okay. Now, I'm going to put these on you.
Chewie lets out a hideous growl.
LUKE: Okay. Han, you put these on.
Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.
HAN: Don't worry, Chewie. I think I know what he has in mind.
The Wookiee has a worried and frightened look on his face
as Han binds him with the electronic cuffs.
THREEPIO: Master Luke, sir! Pardon me for asking...but, ah...what
should Artoo and I do if we're discovered here?
LUKE: Lock the door!
HAN: And hope they don't have blasters.
THREEPIO: That isn't very reassuring.
Luke and Han put on their armored stormtrooper helmets and
start off into the giant Imperial Death Star.
INT. DEATH STAR -- DETENTION AREA -- ELEVATOR TUBE
Han and Luke try to look inconspicuous in their armored suits as they wait for a vacuum elevator to arrive. Troops, bureaucrats, and robots bustle about, ignoring the trio completely. Only a few give the giant Wookiee a curious glance. Finally a small elevator arrives and the trio enters.
LUKE: I can't see a thing in this helmet.
A bureaucrat races to get aboard also, but is signaled away by
Han. The door to the pod-like vehicle slides closed and the
elevator car takes off through a vacuum tube.
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN HALLWAY
Several Imperial officers walk through the wide main passageway. They pass several stormtroopers and a robot similar to Threepio but with an insect face. At the far end of the hallway, a passing flash of Ben Kenobi appears, then disappears down a small hallway. His appearance is so fleeting that it is hard to tell if he is real or just an illusion. No one in the hallway seems to notice him.
INT. DEATH STAR -- INTERIOR ELEVATOR -- DETENTION SECURITY AREA
Luke and Han step forward to exit the elevator, but the door
slides open behind them. The giant Wookiee and his two guards
enter the old grey security station. Guards and laser gates
are everywhere. Han whispers to Luke under his breath.
HAN: This is not going to work.
LUKE: Why didn't you say so before?
HAN: I did say so before!
INTERIOR: DETENTION AREA.
Elevator doors open. A tall, grim looking Officer approaches
the trio.
OFFICER: Where are you taking this...thing?
Chewie growls a bit at the remark but Han nudges him to
shut up.
LUKE: Prisoner transfer from Block one-one-three-eight.
OFFICER: I wasn't notified. I'll have to clear it.
The officer goes back to his console and begins to punch in the information. There are only three other troopers in the area. Luke and Han survey the situation, checking all of the alarms, laser gates, and camera eyes. Han unfastens one of Chewbacca's electronic cuffs and shrugs to Luke. Suddenly Chewbacca throws up his hands and lets out with one of his ear-piercing howls. He grabs Han's laser rifle.
HAN: Look out! He's loose!
LUKE: He's going to pull us all apart.
HAN: Go get him!
The startled guards are momentarily dumbfounded. Luke and Han have already pulled out their laser pistols and are blasting away at the terrifying Wookiee. Their barrage of laserfire misses Chewbacca, but hits the camera eyes, laser gate controls, and the Imperial guards. The officer is the last of the guards to fall under the laserfire just as he is about to push the alarm system. Han rushes to the comlink system, which is screeching questions about what is going on. He quickly checks the computer readout.
HAN: We've got to find out which cell this princess of yours is in.
Here it is...cell twenty-one-eight-seven. You go get her. I'll hold
them here.
Luke races down one of the cell corridors. Han speaks into the
buzzing comlink.
HAN: (sounding official) Everything is under control. Situation
normal.
INTERCOM VOICE: What happened?
HAN: (getting nervous) Uh...had a slight weapons malfunction. But, uh, everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you?
INTERCOM VOICE: We're sending a squad up.
HAN: Uh, uh, negative. We had a reactor leak here now. Give us a few minutes to lock it down. Large leak...very dangerous.
INTERCOM VOICE: Who is this? What's your operating number?
Han blasts the comlink and it explodes.
HAN: Boring conversation anyway. (yelling down the hall) Luke! We're going to have company!
INT. DEATH STAR -- CELL ROW
Luke stops in front of one of the cells and blasts the door away with a laser pistol. When the smoke clears, Luke sees the dazzling young princess-senator. She had been sleeping and is now looking at him with an uncomprehending look on her face. Luke is stunned by her incredible beauty and stands staring at her with his mouth hanging open.
LEIA: (finally) Aren't you a little short to be a stormtrooper?
Luke takes off his helmet, coming out of it.
LUKE: What? Oh...the uniform. I'm Luke Skywalker. I'm here to rescue you.
LEIA: You're who?
LUKE: I'm here to rescue you. I've got your R2 unit. I'm here with Ben
Kenobi.
LEIA: Ben Kenobi is here! Where is he?
LUKE: Come on!
INT. DEATH STAR -- CONFERENCE ROOM
Darth Vader paces the room as Governor Tarkin sits at the far
end of the conference table.
VADER: He is here...
TARKIN: Obi-Wan Kenobi! What makes you think so?
VADER: A tremor in the Force. The last time I felt it was in the
presence of my old master.
TARKIN: Surely he must be dead by now.
VADER: Don't underestimate the power of the Force.
TARKIN: The Jedi are extinct, their fire has gone out of the universe.
You, my friend, are all that's left of their religion.
There is a quiet buzz on the comlink.
TARKIN: Yes.
INTERCOM VOICE: Governor Tarkin, we have an emergency alert in
detention block A A-twenty-three.
TARKIN: The princess! Put all sections on alert!
VADER: Obi-Wan is here. The Force is with him.
TARKIN: If you're right, he must not be allowed to escape.
VADER: Escape is not his plan. I must face him alone.
INT. DEATH STAR -- DETENTION AREA -- HALLWAY
An ominous buzzing sound is heard on the other side of the
elevator door.
HAN: Chewie!
Chewbacca responds with a growling noise.
HAN: Get behind me! Get behind me!
A series of explosions knock a hole in the elevator door through which several Imperial troops begin to emerge. Han and Chewie fire laser pistols at them through the smoke and flame. They turn and run down the cell hallway, meeting up with Luke and Leia rushing toward them.
HAN: Can't get out that way.
LEIA: Looks like you managed to cut off our only escape route.
HAN: (sarcastically) Maybe you'd like it back in your cell, Your
Highness.
Luke takes a small comlink transmitter from his belt as
they continue to exchange fire with stormtroopers making their
way down the corridor.
LUKE: See-Threepio! See-Threepio!
THREEPIO: (over comlink) Yes sir?
LUKE: We've been cut off! Are there any other ways out of the cell
bay?...What was that? I didn't copy!
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN BAY GANTRY -- CONTROL TOWER
Threepio paces the control center as little Artoo beeps and
whistles a blue streak. Threepio yells into the small comlink
transmitter.
THREEPIO: I said, all systems have been alerted to your presence, sir. The main entrance seems to be the only way in or out; all other
information on your level is restricted.
Someone begins banging on the door.
TROOPER VOICE: Open up in there!
THREEPIO: Oh, no!
INT. DEATH STAR -- DETENTION CORRIDOR
Luke and Leia crouch together in an alcove for protection as they continue to exchange fire with troops. Han and Chewbacca are barely able to keep the stormtroopers at bay at the far and of the hallway. The laserfire is very intense, and smoke fills the narrow cell corridor.
LUKE: There isn't any other way out.
HAN: I can't hold them off forever! Now what?
LEIA: This is some rescue. When you came in here, didn't you have a
plan for getting out?
HAN: (pointing to Luke) He's the brains, sweetheart.
Luke manages a sheepish grin and shrugs his shoulders.
LUKE: Well, I didn't...
The princess grabs Luke's gun and fires at a small grate in
the wall next to Han, almost frying him.
HAN: What the hell are you doing?
LEIA: Somebody has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute, wise
guy.
She jumps through the narrow opening as Han and Chewbacca
look on in amazement. Chewbacca sniffs the garbage chute and
says something.
HAN: Get in there you big furry oaf! I don't care what you smell! Get
in there and don't worry about it.
Han gives him a kick and the Wookiee disappears into the
tiny opening. Luke and Han continue firing as they work their
way toward the opening.
HAN: Wonderful girl! Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to
like her. Get in there!
Luke ducks laserfire as he jumps into the darkness. Han
fires off a couple of quick blasts creating a smokey cover,
then slides into the chute himself and is gone.
INT. DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM
Han tumbles into the large room filled with garbage and muck.
Luke is already stumbling around looking for an exit. He finds
a small hatchway and struggles to get it open. It won't budge.
HAN: (sarcastically) Oh! The garbage chute was a really wonderful
idea. What an incredible smell you've discovered! Let's get out of
here! Get away from there...
LUKE: No! wait!
Han draws his laser pistol and fires at the hatch. The laserbolt ricochets wildly around the small metal room. Everyone dives for cover in the garbage as the bolt explodes almost on top of them. Leia climbs out of the garbage with a rather grim look on her face.
LUKE: Will you forget it? I already tried it. It's magnetically
sealed!
LEIA: Put that thing away! You're going to get us all killed.
HAN: Absolutely, Your Worship. Look, I had everything under control
until you led us down here. You know, it's not going to take them long to figure out what happened to us.
LEIA: It could be worst...
A loud, horrible, inhuman moan works its way up from the murky depths. Chewbacca lets out a terrified howl and begins to back away. Han and Luke stand fast with their laser pistols drawn. The Wookiee is cowering near one of the walls.
HAN: It's worst.
LUKE: There's something alive in here!
HAN: That's your imagination.
LUKE: Something just moves past my leg! Look! Did you see that?
HAN: What?
LUKE: Help!
Suddenly Luke is yanked under the garbage.
HAN: Luke! Luke! Luke!
Solo tries to get to Luke. Luke surfaces with a gasp of air and thrashing of limbs. A membrane tentacle is wrapped around his throat.
LEIA: Luke!
Leia extends a long pipe toward him.
LEIA: Luke, Luke, grab a hold of this.
LUKE: Blast it, will you! My gun's jammed.
HAN: Where?
LUKE: Anywhere! Oh!!
Solo fires his gun downward. Luke is pulled back into the
muck by the slimy tentacle.
HAN: Luke! Luke!
Suddenly the walls of the garbage receptacle shudder and
move in a couple of inches. Then everything is deathly quiet.
Han and Leia give each other a worried look as Chewbacca howls
in the corner. With a rush of bubbles and muck Luke suddenly
bobs to the surface.
LEIA: Grab him!
Luke seems to be released by the thing.
LEIA: What happened?
LUKE: I don't know, it just let go of me and disappeared...
HAN: I've got a very bad feeling about this.
Before anyone can say anything the walls begin to rumble
and edge toward the Rebels.
LUKE: The walls are moving!
LEIA: Don't just stand there. Try to brace it with something.
They place poles and long metal beams between the closing walls, but they are simply snapped and bent as the giant trashmasher rumbles on. The situation doesn't look too good.
LUKE: Wait a minute!
Luke pulls out his comlink.
LUKE: Threepio! Come in Threepio! Threepio! Where could he be?
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN GANTRY -- COMMAND OFFICE
A soft buzzer and the muted voice of Luke calling out for See-Threepio can be heard on Threepio's hand comlink, which is sitting on the deserted computer console. Artoo and Threepio are nowhere in sight. Suddenly there is a great explosion and the door of the control tower flies across the floor. Four armed stormtroopers enter the chamber.
FIRST TROOPER: Take over! (pointing to the dead officer) See to him!
Look there!
A trooper pushes a button and the supply cabinet door
slides open. See-Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are inside. Artoo
follows his bronze companion out into the office.
THREEPIO: They're madmen! They're heading for the prison level. If you hurry, you might catch them.
FIRST OFFICER: (to his troops) Follow me! You stand guard.
The troops hustle off down the hallway, leaving a guard to
watch over the command office.
THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Come on!
The guard aims a blaster at them.
THREEPIO: Oh! All this excitement has overrun the circuits of my
counterpart here. If you don't mind, I'd like to take him down to
maintenance.
TROOPER: All right.
The guard nods and Threepio, with little Artoo in tow,
hurries out the door.
INT. DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM
As the walls rumble closed, the room gets smaller and smaller. Chewie is whining and trying to hold a wall back with his giant paws. Han is leaning back against the other wall. Garbage is snapping and popping. Luke is trying to reach Threepio.
LUKE: Threepio! Come in, Threepio! Threepio!
Han and Leia try to brace the contracting walls with a pole. Leia begins to sink into the trash.
HAN: Get to the top!
LEIA: I can't
LUKE: Where could he be? Threepio! Threepio, will you come in?
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL
THREEPIO: They aren't here! Something must have happened to them. See if they've been captured.
Little Artoo carefully plugs his claw arm into a new wall
socket and a complex array of electronic sounds spew from the
tiny robot.
THREEPIO: Hurry!
INT. DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM
The walls are only feet apart. Leia and Han are braced against the walls. The princess is frightened. They look at each other. Leia reaches out and takes Han's hand and she holds it tightly. She's terrified and suddenly groans as she feels the first crushing pressure against her body.
HAN: One thing's for sure. We're all going to be a lot thinner! (to
Leia) Get on top of it!
LEIA: I'm trying!
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL
THREEPIO: (to Artoo) Thank goodness, they haven't found them! Where could they be?
Artoo frantically beeps something to See-Threepio.
THREEPIO: Use the comlink? Oh, my! I forgot I turned it off!
INT. DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM
Meanwhile, Luke is lying on his side, trying to keep his head above the rising ooze. Luke's comlink begins to buzz and he rips it off his belt.
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL
Muffled sounds of Luke's voice over the comlink can be heard,
but not distinctly.
THREEPIO: Are you there, sir?
INT. DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM
LUKE: Threepio!
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL
THREEPIO: We've had some problems...
LUKE: (over comlink) Will you shut up and listen to me? Shut down all garbage mashers on the detention level, will you? Do you copy?
INT. DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM
LUKE: Shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level.
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL
LUKE: (over comlink) Shut down all the garbage mashers on the
detention level.
THREEPIO: (to Artoo) No. Shut them all down! Hurry!
Threepio holds his head in agony as he hears the incredible
screaming and hollering from Luke's comlink.
THREEPIO: Listen to them! They're dying, Artoo! Curse my metal body! I wasn't fast enough. It's all my fault! My poor master!
LUKE: (over comlink) Threepio, we're all right!
INT. DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM
The screaming and hollering is the sound of joyous relief. The walls have stopped moving. Han, Chewie and Leia embrace in the
background.
LUKE: We're all right. You did great.
Luke moves to the pressure sensitive hatch, looking for a
number.
LUKE: Hey...hey, open the pressure maintenance hatch on unit number... where are we?
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY -- SERVICE PANEL.
HAN: (over comlink) Three-two-six-eight-two-seven.
INT. DEATH STAR -- TRACTOR BEAM -- POWER GENERATOR TRENCH.
Ben enters a humming service trench that powers the huge
tractor beam. The trench seems to be a hundred miles deep. The
clacking sound of huge switching devices can be heard. The old
Jedi edges his his way along a narrow ledge leading to a
control panel that connects two large cables. He carefully
makes several adjustments in the computer terminal, and
several lights on the board go from red to blue.
INT. DEATH STAR -- UNUSED HALLWAY
The group exits the garbage room into a dusty, unused hallway.
Han and Luke remove the trooper suits and strap on the blaster
belts.
HAN: If we can just avoid any more female advice, we ought to be able to get out of here.
Luke smiles and scratches his head as he takes a blaster
from Solo.
LUKE: Well, let's get moving!
Chewie begins growling and points to the hatch to the garbage room, as he runs away and then stops howling.
HAN: (to Chewie) Where are you going?
The Dia Nogu bangs against the hatch and a long, slimy tentacle works its way out of the doorway searching for a victim. Han aims his pistol.
LEIA: No, wait. They'll hear!
Han fires at the doorway. The noise of the blast echoes relentlessly throughout the empty passageway. Luke simply shakes his head in disgust.
HAN: (to Chewie) Come here, you big coward!
Chewie shakes his head "no."
HAN: Chewie! Come here!
LEIA: Listen. I don't know who you are, or where you came from, but
from now on, you do as I tell you. Okay?
Han is stunned at the command of the petite young girl.
HAN: Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get one thing straight! I take
orders from one person! Me!
LEIA: It's a wonder you're still alive. (looking at Chewie) Will
somebody get this big walking carpet out of my way?
Han watches her start away. He looks at Luke.
HAN: No reward is worth this.
They follow her, moving swiftly down the deserted corridor.
INT. DEATH STAR -- POWER TRENCH
Suddenly a door behind Ben slides open and a detachment of stormtroopers marches to the power trench. Ben instantly slips into the shadows as an Officer moves to within a few feet of him.
OFFICER: Secure this area until the alert is canceled.
FIRST TROOPER: Give me regular reports.
All but two of the stormtroopers leave.
FIRST TROOPER: Do you know what's going on?
SECOND TROOPER: Maybe it's another drill.
Ben moves around the tractor beam, watching the stormtroopers as they turn their backs to him. Ben gestures with his hand toward them, as the troops think they hear something in the other hallway. With the help of the Force, Ben deftly slips past the troopers and into the main hallway.
SECOND TROOPER: What was that?
FIRST TROOPER: Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it.
INT. DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY
Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and Leia run down an empty hallway and
stop before a bay window overlooking the pirateship. Troopers are milling about the ship. Luke takes out his pocket comlink.
HAN: (looking at his ship) There she is.
LUKE: See-Threepio, do you copy?
THREEPIO: (voice) For the moment. Uh, we're in the main hangar across from the ship.
LUKE: We're right above you. Stand by.
Han is watching the dozen or so troops moving in and out of
the pirateship. Leia moves towards Han, touches his arm and
points out the window to the ship.
LEIA: You came in that thing? You're braver that I thought.
HAN: Nice! Come on!
Han gives her a dirty look, and they start off down the
hallway. They round a corner and run right into twenty
Imperial stormtroopers heading toward them. Both groups are
taken by surprise and stop in their tracks.
FIRST TROOPER: It's them! Blast them!
Before even thinking, Han draws his laser pistol and
charges the troops, firing. His blaster knocks one of the
stormtroopers into the air. Chewie follows his captain down
the corridor, stepping over the fallen trooper on the floor.
HAN: (to Luke and Leia) Get back to the ship!
LUKE: Where are you going? Come back!
Han has already rounded a corner and does not hear.
LEIA: He certainly has courage.
LUKE: What good will it do us if he gets himself killed? Come on!
Luke is furious but doesn't have time to think about it for
muted alarms begin to go off down on the hangar deck. Luke and
Leia start off toward the starship hangar.
INT. DEATH STAR -- SUBHALLWAY
Han chases the stormtroopers down a long subhallway. He is yelling and brandishing his laser pistol. The troops reach a dead end and are forced to turn and fight. Han stops a few feet from them and assumes a defensive position. The troops begin to raise their laser guns. Soon all ten troopers are moving into an attack position in front of the lone starpirate. Han's determined look begins to fade as the troops begin to advance. Solo jumps backward as they fire at him.
INT. DEATH STAR -- SUBHALLWAY
Chewbacca runs down the subhallway in a last-ditch attempt to save his bold captain. Suddenly he hears the firing of laser guns and yelling. Around the corner shoots Han, pirate extraordinaire, running for his life, followed by a host of furious stormtroopers. Chewbacca turns and starts running the other way also.
INT. DEATH STAR -- SUBHALLWAY
Luke fires his laser pistol wildly as he and Leia rush down a narrow subhallway, chased by several stormtroopers. They quickly reach the end of the subhallway and race through an open hatchway.
INT. DEATH STAR -- CENTRAL CORE SHAFT
Luke and Leia race through the hatch onto a narrow bridge that spans a huge, deep shaft that seems to go into infinity. The bridge has been retracted into the wall of the shaft, and Luke almost rushes into the abyss. He loses his balance off the end of the bridge as Leia, behind him, takes hold of his arm and pulls him back.
LUKE: (gasping) I think we took a wrong turn.
Blasts from the stormtroopers' laser guns explode nearby reminding them of the oncoming danger. Luke fires back at the advancing troops. Leia reaches over and hits a switch that pops the hatch door shut with a resounding boom, leaving them precariously perched on a short piece of bridge overhang. Laserfire from the troopers continues to hit the steel door.
LEIA: There's no lock!
Luke blasts the controls with his laser pistol.
LUKE: That oughta hold it for a while.
LEIA: Quick, we've got to get across. Find the control that extends
the bridge.
LUKE: Oh, I think I just blasted it.
Luke looks at the blasted bridge control while the
stormtroopers on the opposite side of the door begin making
ominous drilling and pounding sounds.
LEIA: They're coming through!
Luke notices something on his stormtrooper belt, when laserfire hits the wall behind him. Luke aims his laser pistol at a stormtrooper perched on a higher bridge overhang across the abyss from them. They exchange fire. Two more troops appear on another overhang, also firing. A trooper is hit, and grabs at his chest. Another trooper standing on the bridge overhang is hit by Luke's laserfire, and plummets down the shaft. Troopers move back off the bridge; Luke hands the gun to Leia.
LUKE: Here, hold this.
Luke pulls a thin nylon cable from his trooper utility belt. It has a grappler hook on it. A trooper appears on a bridge overhang and fires at Luke and Leia. As Luke works with the rope, Leia returns the laser volley. Another trooper appears and fires at them, as Leia returns his fire as well. Suddenly, the hatch door begins to open, revealing the feet of more troops.
LEIA: Here they come!
Leia hits one of the stormtroopers on the bridge above, and
he falls into the abyss. Luke tosses the rope across the gorge
and it wraps itself around an outcropping of pipes. He tugs on
the rope to make sure it is secure, then grabs the princess in
his arms. Leia looks at Luke, then kisses him quickly on the
lips. Luke is very surprised.
LEIA: For luck!
Luke pushes off and they swing across the treacherous abyss to the corresponding hatchway on the opposite side. Just as Luke and Leia reach the far side of the canyon, the stormtroopers break through the hatch and begin to fire at the escaping duo. Luke returns the fire before ducking into the tiny subhallway.
INT. DEATH STAR -- NARROW PASSAGEWAY
Ben hides in the shadows of the narrow passageway as several stormtroopers rush past him in the main hallway. He checks to make sure they're gone, then runs down the hallway in the opposite direction. Darth Vader appears at the far end of the hallway and starts after the old Jedi.
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY
Threepio looks around at the troops milling about the pirateship entry ramp.
THREEPIO: Where could they be?
Artoo, plugged into the computer socket, turns his dome left and right, beeping a response.
INT. DEATH STAR -- CORRIDOR -- BLAST SHIELDS DOOR
Han and Chewbacca run down a long corridor with several
troopers hot on their trail.
TROOPER: Close the blast doors!
At the end of the hallway, blast doors begin to close in
front of them. The young starpilot and his furry companion
race past the huge doors just as they are closing, and manage
to get off a couple off laserblasts at the pursuing troops
before the doors slam shut.
TROOPER: Open the blast doors! Open the blast doors!
INT. DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY LEADING TO MAIN FORWARD BAY
Ben hurries along one of the tunnels leading to the hangar
where the pirateship waits. Just before he reaches the hangar,
Darth Vader steps into view at the end of the tunnel, not ten
feet away. Vader lights his saber. Ben also ignites his and
steps slowly forward.
VADER: I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete.
Ben Kenobi moves with elegant ease into a classical
offensive position. The fearsome Dark Knight takes a defensive
stance.
VADER: When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the master.
BEN: Only a master of evil, Darth.
The two Galactic warriors stand perfectly still for a few moments, sizing each other up and waiting for the right moment. Ben seems to be under increasing pressure and strain, as if an invisible weight were being placed upon him. He shakes his head and, blinking, tries to clear his eyes. Ben makes a sudden lunge at the huge warrior but is checked by a lightning movement of The Sith. A masterful slash stroke by Vader is blocked by the old Jedi. Another of the Jedi's blows is blocked, then countered. Ben moves around the Dark Lord and starts backing into the massive starship hangar. The two powerful warriors stand motionless for a few moments with laser swords locked in mid-air, creating a low buzzing sound.
VADER: Your powers are weak, old man.
BEN: You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
Their lightsabers continue to meet in combat.
INT. DEATH STAR -- MAIN FORWARD BAY
Han Solo and Chewbacca, their weapons in hand, lean back against the wall surveying the forward bay, watching the Imperial stormtroopers make their rounds of the hangar.
HAN: Didn't we just leave this party?
Chewbacca growls a reply, as Luke and the princess join
them.
HAN: What kept you?
LEIA: We ran into some old friends.
LUKE: Is the ship all right?
HAN: Seems okay, if we can get to it. Just hope the old man got the
tractor beam out of commission.
INT. DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY
Vader and Ben Kenobi continue their powerful duel. As they hit their lightsabers together, lightning flashes on impact. Troopers look on in interest as the old Jedi and Dark Lord of The Sith fight. Suddenly Luke spots the battle from his group's vantage point.
LUKE: Look!
Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie look up and see Ben and Vader
emerging from the hallways on the far side of the docking bay.
INT. DEATH STAR -- DOCKING BAY
Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are in the center of the Death Star's
Imperial docking bay.
THREEPIO: Come on, Artoo, we're going!
Threepio ducks out of sight as the seven stormtroopers who were guarding the starship rush past them heading towards Ben and The Sith Knight. He pulls on Artoo.
INT. DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY
Solo, Chewie, Luke, and Leia tensely watch the duel. The troops rush toward the battling knights.
HAN: Now's our chance! Go!
They start for the Millennium Falcon. Ben sees the troops charging toward him and realizes that he is trapped. Vader takes advantage of Ben's momentary distraction and brings his mighty lightsaber down on the old man. Ben manages to deflect the blow and swiftly turns around. The old Jedi Knight looks over his shoulder at Luke, lifts his sword from Vader's then watches his opponent with a serene look on his face. Vader brings his sword down, cutting old Ben in half. Ben's cloak falls to the floor in two parts, but Ben is not in it. Vader is puzzled at Ben's disappearance and pokes at the empty cloak. As the guards are distracted, the adventurers and the robots reach the starship. Luke sees Ben cut in two and starts for him. Aghast, he yells out.
LUKE: No!
The stormtroopers turn toward Luke and begin firing at him.
The robots are already moving up the ramp into the Millennium
Falcon, while Luke, transfixed by anger and awe, returns their
fire. Solo joins in the laserfire. Vader looks up and advances
toward them, as one of his troopers is struck down.
HAN: (to Luke) Come on!
LEIA: Come on! Luke, its too late!
HAN: Blast the door! Kid!
Luke fires his pistol at the door control panel, and it explodes. The door begins to slide shut. Three troopers charge forward firing laser bolts, as the door slides to a close behind them, shutting Vader and the other troops out of the docking bay. A stormtrooper lies dead at the feet of his onrushing compatriots. Luke starts for the advancing troops, as Solo and Leia move up the ramp into the pirateship. He fires, hitting a stormtrooper, who crumbles to the floor.
BEN'S VOICE: Run, Luke! Run!
Luke looks around to see where the voice came from. He
turns toward the pirateship, ducking Imperial gunfire from the
troopers and races into the ship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT
Han pulls back on the controls and the ship begins to move. The
dull thud of laser bolts bouncing off the outside of the ship as Chewie adjusts his controls.
HAN: I hope the old man got that tractor beam out if commission, or
this is going to be a real short trip. Okay, hit it!
Chewbacca growls in agreement.
EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
The Millennium Falcon powers away from the Death Star docking
bay, makes a spectacular turn and disappears into the vastness of space.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON -- CENTRAL HOLD AREA
Luke, saddened by the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi, stares off blankly as the robots look on. Leia puts a blanket around him protectively, and Luke turns and looks up at her. She sits down beside him.
