THE STAR WARS
BY
GEORGE LUCAS
ROUGH DRAFT LUCASFILM LTD.
5/74
1. FADE IN:
SPACE
A sea of stars is broken by the vast blue surface of the planet,
Utapau. Five small moons slowly drift into view from the far
side of the planet. The main titles are followed by a rollup: Until the recent GREAT REBELLION, the JEDI
BENDU were the most feared warriors in the
universe. For one hundred thousand years,
generations of JEDI perfected their art as
the personal bodyguards of the emperor.
They were the chief architects of the invin-
cible IMPERIAL SPACE FORCE which expanded
the EMPIRE across the galaxy, from the
celestial equator to the farthest reaches
of the GREAT RIFT. Now these legendary warriors are all but
extinct. One by one they have been hunted
down and destroyed as enemies of the NEW
EMPIRE by a ferocious and sinister rival
warrior sect, THE KNIGHTS OF SITH. A small silver spacecraft emerges from behind one of the Utapau
moons. The deadly little fightercraft speeds past several of the
moons, until it finally goes into orbit around the FOURTH MOON.2. WASTELAND - FOURTH MOON - UTAPAU
A harsh gale blows across the bleak grey surface of the Fourth
Moon. The leaden sky presses down on a lone figure, ANNIKIN
STARKILLER, a tall, heavy-set boy of eighteen. He slowly makes
his way across the canyon floor. The heavy winds whip at him
and make the going extremely difficult. His face is covered by
a breath mask and goggles. He stops for a second to adjust the
shoulder strap on his chrome multiplelaser rifle. Something in
the sky catches his eye, and he instictively grabs a pair of
electrobinoculars from his belt. He stands transfixed for a
few moments, studying the heavens, then turns and rushes back
in the direction from which he came.3. SUPPLY HUT - FOURTH MOON - UTAPAU
A spacecraft, half buried in the dust, rests next to the remains
of an abandoned supply shack. Annikin makes his way across the
colorless landscape and rushes into the crumbling building. The
interior of the hut is shabby, but manages to abate the howling
winds. Seated in front of a thermoheater are Annikin's father,
KANE, and his young brother, DEAK. Kane is a large, burly man,
wearing the distinctive robes of a JEDI. Deak is ten years old,
with dusty blond hair and a large scratch on his cheek. Annikin
slams the door and removes his gear. His ruggedly handsome
face is caked with many layers of dust. ANNIKIN
Dad! Dad!... They've found us!
Deak looks up from a small cube he has been studying. His father
whacks him across the shoulder with a braided wire connector. KANE
Continue with the problem. Your concentration
is worse than your brother's. (to Annikin)
How many? ANNIKIN
Only one this time. A Banta Four.
KANE
Good. We may not have to repair this old bucket
after all. Prepare yourself. DEAK
Me too!
KANE
Do you have the answer?
DEAK
I think it's the Corbet dictum: "What is, is
without." Kane smiles. This is the correct answer. Annikin is strapping
on a utility belt with chrome lazerpistols and lazersword. Kane
rises and starts for his equipment. DEAK (Con't)
Ahhh, Pop...
KANE
Deak, do you feel you're ready?
DEAK
Yes, sir. I've outmarked Annikin in twelve disci-
plines. I'm as good... KANE
All right, son, get your gear.
Deak jumps up with the enthusiasm available only to a ten-
year old and grabs his gear. His father frowns and shakes
his head.4. WASTELAND BLUFF - FOURTH MOON - UTAPAU
Kane Starkiller and his two sons carefully make their way up
a rock bluff overlooking the parked silver SITH spacecraft.
Kane inspects the craft with his electrobinoculars. KANE
No tracks. Bi-lock hasn't been opened....Interior
systems are still on.... ANNIKIN
Are we going to wait for him to come out?
KANE
He's not in there.... He's baiting us. I'm surprised
they only sent one this time. We must be wearing
them down, or they must think this knight is something
special.... Stay on guard, and keep hidden. I'm
going to work my way across the ridge and call his
bluff. Better we meet in open combat than wait for
him to ambush us.... Keep your guard! Kane leaves his two sons and moves off along the obscured
ridge. Annikin and Deak watch him intently. Annikin throws
down his multiplelazer rifle in disgust. ANNIKIN
He should have let me go with him.... He's
getting too old to make an open challenge. DEAK
He's not too old to realize you'd just get in the
way. Annikin ignores his little brother's remark and sneaks a look
over the ridge at the SITH spacecraft. Kane moves out of the
rocks some distance away and starts toward the starship. Deak
moves to the ridge next to his brother, his chrome lazerrifle
sparkling in the reflected light of Utapau. DEAK
He's making his move....
ANNIKIN
Watch your guard... and cover that weapon.
It shines like a beacon. Deak reluctantly move away and watches the other direction.
Kane has almost reached the SITH spacecraft and still there is
no sign of its occupant. DEAK
What's happening?
ANNIKIN
Nothing. I don't like it.
Kane carefully moves to the main hatch of the starship. He
kicks a valve and the hatch drops open with a loud clank and
rushing gas. Annikin becomes more tense as his father care-
fully moves inside the spacecraft. Everything is still.
Even the continual winds seem to have died down. Moments
pass with no sign of activity inside the enemy starship.
Annikin watches the craft with his electrobinoculars. The
waiting becomes unbearable. ANNIKIN
Something's happened! He's been in there too
long. DEAK
Let me look! Stand my guard.
Deak takes the electrobinoculars from his brother and studies
the silent spacecraft. Annikin impatiently scans the opposite
horizon. DEAK
I think the power just went off. We'd better
wait here until someone comes out. ANNIKIN
What if he needs help?
DEAK
The power went back on again....
With the aid of the electrobinoculars, Deak watches the running
lights of the starship flash on and off. Suddenly, something
huge moves in front of his field of view. Before either of the
two young boys can react, a large, sinister SITH warrior in black
robes and a face mask looms over them. He carries a long lazer-
sword which cuts young Deak down before he or his brother are able
to raise their weapons. The startled Annikin backs away in horror,
then settles down and ignites his lazersword, which creates an
eerie red glow. He stumbles over rocks as he attempts to avoid
the charging SITH knight. The evil warrior swings his mighty
lazersword, but Annikin manages to deflect the intended death-
blow. Finally, Annikin is able to assume a defensive stance, and the
two warriors stand, sizing up each other. The black knight is
at least seven feet tall, and dwarfs the young JEDI. They stand
for a few moments, almost frozen, then in a flurry of blows,
lazerswords clash with the sound of electric snapping and popping.
Annikin is barely able to hold his own against the experienced
knight. Many blows are exchanged before the SITH warrior is able
to back Annikin up against a deep crevasse. Annikin stumbles
and almost falls over the cliff to his death. The black knight suddenly senses something behind him and whirls
around to face Annikin's father, Kane Starkiller, a Jedi Bendu
master. The Sith warrior raises his lazersword, but is cut in
two before he can bring it down again. Kane moves to the fallen
black knight, and studies him carefully. Annikin, still a little
wobbly from the whole experience, attempts to stand. Kane sees
his dead son Deak, and goes to him. He lifts him into his arms
and begins to weep. Annikin stands bewildered, watching his
father cradle his dead brother.5. INTERIOR SITH STARSHIP - WASTELAND CANYON - UTAPAU
Kane Starkiller slides into one of the four seats of the small
Sith starship. Through the front viewing canopy, he watches
Annikin drag his younger brother's body to a small crevasse.
Annikin places a small locket around his brother's neck, makes a
complicated sign with his hand, and dumps the body into the
shallow depression. The giant engines of the spacecraft begin
to whine, kicking up large clouds of dust. Annikin climbs into the seat beside his father and removes his
breath mask and goggles. There are tears in his eyes. Father
and son look out across the wasteland towards Deak's grave. The
thunderous clap of an explosion is followed by a small mushroom
cloud rising out of the depression. Annikin throws a container
down in a fit of rage. ANNIKIN
How many more of them are there? I want to
finish it, once and for all! I'm sick of
running... When will it stop? Annikin's father waits silently until his son's tirade is
finished. Annikin sits silently for a few moments. ANNIKIN (Con't)
I'm sorry.
KANE
Son, plot a course for AQUILAE.
Annikin lights up like a Bantha at feeding time.
ANNIKIN
Aquilae!! You mean we're going home?
KANE
We both need a rest.
Kane pulls back on the throttle, and the powerful spaceship
lifts off the surface of the Fourth Moon of Utapau.6. CLOUD SEA - ALDERAAN
A title card appears over a sea of billowing clouds on the
gaseous planet of Alderaan: Alderaan: Capital of the New
Galatic Empire. The towering white oxide clouds pass, revealing the Imperial
city of Alderaan. The magnificent domed and gleaming city is
perched, mushroom-like,on a tall spire, which disappears deep
into the misty surface of the planet. The peacefulness of
this nebulous idyll is broken by the increasing wail of ion
engines. Four sleek stardestroyers, from the Imperial Third
Fleet, burst from one of the huge cumulus range. The craft are
flying in a tight formation as they bank steeply, and head
toward the Imperial capital of the galaxy.7. INTERIOR OF STARDESTROYER - ALDERAAN
Stardestroyers are two-man space craft crammed with sophis-
ticated electronic weaponry. The pilot and gunnery officers
sit side-by-side, surrounded by lighted readouts and switches.
They wear the gleaming black uniforms of the Empire. PILOT
Tok-One to chicks: Shape it up. Let's
make it good. CHICK-ONE
Does that glare bother you?
PILOT
Use your face shield, Chick-One.
The pilot is cold and professional as he maneuvers his craft
closer to the others. The positions of the ships are displayed
on a readout, along with a graphic representation of the city.
The pilot gives the gunner a quick look before he flips his sun-
shield over his eyes. PILOT
Here we go. Count: three, two, one, now!
8. REVIEW STAND - PLAZA OF THE DADERS - ALDERAAN
On a huge, austere platform stands the dark COS DASHIT, Lord of
Alderaan, Consul to the Supreme Tribunal, and ruler of the
Galactic Empire. He is a thin, grey looking man, with an evil
mustache which hangs limply over his insipid lip. Standing at
rigid attention on his right are several generals, dressed in
the black and grey uniform of the realm. Five members of the
Supreme Tribunal sit off to the side. On the emperor's left
stands CRISPIN HOEDAACK, newly appointed Governor of the Aquilaean
Systems, a young, treacherous man with stone-cut, angular
features and piercing grey eyes. They all gaze skyward, as the four gleaming stardestroyers scream
low overhead in an impressive barrel-roll formation. As the
sound of the spacecraft resonates throughout the glass canyon of
the Plaza, the group of dignitaries return their attention to the
parade of Imperial shock troops, and giant air tanks (which ride
magically two to three feet above the ground). The Plaza of the Dader is filled with a hundred rows of troops
as the last brigade marches into position. The sound of a
thousand men snapping to attention is followed by a strange
silence. A light wind blows the great red banner of the Empire,
creating a subtle flapping sound. The emperor's amplified voice
startles many of the troops as it cuts through the quiet. EMPEROR
Upon this battle depends the survival of the
Galactic Empire. Upon this battle depends the life
and long continuity of our civilization. Not since
the great Jedi Rebellion has our destiny been
placed in such a balance. This is to be the most
magnificent campaign of all! You have never been
called without doing something to be remembered,
something notable and striking. The conquering of
the Aquilaean System, the last of the independent
Systems, and the last refuge of the outlawed, vile
sect of the Jedi, will have such important and
lasting consequences, that I can't but consider
it as an epoch in history. To the rear of the Plaza, watching the spectacle over the
shoulder of a curious bureaucrat, stands CLIEG WHITSUN, a tall,
blond young man about twenty years old. He seems interested
in what the emperor has to say, but keeps looking around ner-
vously as if someone were after him. His arm rests across his
head, as he carefully but coolly adjusts a glowing blue ring
on his index finger. The emperor nears the end of his speech.
Crispin Hoedaack has moved up to stand next to the sinister
monarch. The troops shout an Imperial salute in response to a
particularly partisan statement. EMPEROR (Con't)
... I have personally asked the Aquilaeans to
accept this Treaty of Alliance. During the
long period of negotiation, they have only
decided to be undecided. We will barter no
longer. Governor Hoedaack has been appointed
the First Lord of the Aquilaean System and Sur-
rounding Territories. This is the last frontier
and the final stone in the great wall of the
Galactic Empire. The troops cheer, and the emperor escorts Hoedaack inside.
Whitsun moves quickly away from the Plaza, passing through
several check stations, where he is forced to show his
identification.9. NIGHT CLUB - ALDERAAN
Whitsun walks into the glass and chrome splendor of one of the
famous nightclubs of Alderaan. He moves to the long mirrored
bar, and sits next to a rough-looking man, BAIL ANTILLES,
dressed in the distinctive gold and furs of the Galactic traders. WHITSUN
Your glass is empty.
Whitsun speaks into a small intercom on the bar front.
WHITSUN (Con't)
A dantic and...
He looks in Antilles' glass.
ANTILLES
No thanks, Whitsun. I've had enough.
WHITSUN
Just a dantic then. Bail, it's not like you
to refuse a drink. You're going to give
Galactic traders a bad name. A drink appears magically from a small elevator in the bar.
Whitsun takes it, and then places a pen-like transmitter he
has taken from his pocket, next to the intercom. It creates
a low electronic buzz.10. BAR OBSERVATION CENTER - ALDERAAN
A controller sitting in front of a row of monitors taps his
headphones, then flips a switch back and forth a couple of
times. He is obviously annoyed. CONTROLLER
Number eighteen is out again. Give me a
maintenance check. The controller yawns and puts his feet up on the control panel.
11. NIGHTCLUB - ALDERAAN
Whitsun leans in close to Antilles. He is suddenly very serious.
ANTILLES
Whitsun, we've got problems. They've just
grounded all spacecraft, including trade
frigates. Even the ships under Imperial
registry can't move. Something big is up. WHITSUN
I'm afraid they're not waiting for the Allience
Treaty. They're already moving against the
System. I've got to get word back. ANTILLES
The chrome companies are protesting the embargo,
but it's going to take some time. WHITSUN
Isn't anything moving?
ANTILLES
Military ships, but...
They are interrupted by an Imperial officer, and several storm
troopers. The officer shouts over the P.A. system, as the
troops rush to block the exits. Whitsun and the Galactic trader
are tense, but remain cool. OFFICER
Attention: all Captains and First Officers of
Guild Trade frigates will accompany me to the
Ministry of Transport immediately. Antilles gives Whitsun a hopeless look as the troops check
their papers, and then take Antilles away. A small fight
breaks out in the back of the nightclub as one of the trader
captains expresses his dislike of the Empire. Whitsun slams
his glass to the bar in a gesture of hate and frustration.12. GOVERNOR HOEDAACK'S QUARTERS - ALDERAAN
The large, white-on-white executive quarters resound with
the high-pitched laugh of the evil GOVERNOR HOEDAACK. He
slaps DARTH VADER, a tall, grim-looking general, on the
back, and the general's mouth makes the slightest gesture at
a smile. HOEDAACK
Success, I told you. We are no longer under
the control of the Great Families.... We've
gained a true advantage. VANTOS COLL, a member of the Supreme Tribunal, and a man
of the grossest dimensions, appears to be a little worried. COLL
A rather dangerous advantage. You still have
a System to conquer. HOEDAACK
But this System will bring us more scientific
wealth than that of any other House in the
Tribunal. We will easily gain control of the
directorship. COLL
Don't underestimate the armies of Aquilae. They're
lead by a JEDI. HOEDAACK
I've told you about Commissioner Lars, General.
He worries a lot. VADER
It's a myth that any Jedi still exist.
COLL
General Skywalker is no myth. When I first
arrived at court, he was the First Bodyguard
to the emperor... He lead the Jedi Rebellion. VADER
SEIG DARKLIGHTER lead the Rebellion.
COLL
So the emperor would have you think, but I
was there. VADER
Then why wasn't he hunted down like the others?
COLL
Because he is too dangerous, too clever.
Besides, his presence on Aquilae is still only
a rumor. HOEDAACK
Then why do you believe it?
COLL
Because I knew him. He's there all right. I
can sense it. Mark my words... Aquilae will
not be easily conquered.13. COURTYARD - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE
A low, sleek "landspeeder," (an auto-like transport which travels
a few feet above the ground on a magnetic field), glides into the
courtyard of the palace of Aquilae. The planet is desert wilder-
ness, but the palace is a sparkling oasis, with low concrete walls
and great turrets spilling over with foliage from rooftop gardens.
The speeder stops before an enormous shaded corridor. Fountains
line the beautiful and highly polished, tiled walkway. Two young
boys, BIGGS (7) and WINDOM (5) are helped out of the speeder by
AMBER, a one-armed bodyguard dressed in the flowing white robes
of the Aquilaean military. The two boys run through the long
corridors, yelling and screaming, their little footsteps echoing
throughout the palace.14. LIBRARY - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE
The palace library is a dim, cool room projecting an aura
of time-worn comfort and security. In the distance, the
children can be heard screaming through the corridors. KING
Kayos, silver-haired but amazingly youthful under a tanned
and leathery face, motions for one of his aidesto shut the
partially closed door. He is in the middle of an emergency
meeting of the Aquilaean High Senate. The twelve men sit in
overstuffed chairs, placed in a large circle. A large,
sallow-eyed Galatic trader named AAY ZAVOS fiddles nervously
with a small scrap of leather as he speaks. ZAVOS
My Lord, the chrome companies are with you
in spirit, but you must understand, they
can't openly support you.... Imperial trade
restrictions are very unfavorable, and we
of course, favor your independence. KAYOS
If there were to be war, would your frigates
still supply us? ZAVOS
Your bluntness is to be commended....It
could be arranged. COUNT SANDAGE, a corrupt noble of the Senate, jumps to his
feet in a rage. SANDAGE
This is nonsense! We have no choice but to
approve the Treaty. If there is war, the Empire
will destroy our entire System with a snap of the
finger. General Skywalker is a dreamer if he thinks
he can mount any meaningful resistance....And you're
dreamers if you believe him. So much trust in one
aged man. You must see... At that moment, all heads turn as someone enters the room. It
is GENERAL LUKE SKYWALKER, Commander of the Aquilaean Star-
force. He is a large man, apparently in his early sixties,
but actually much older. Everyone senses the aura of power
that radiates from this great warrior. Here is a leader: a
JEDI general. He looks weary, but is still a magnificent
looking warrior. His face, cracked and weathered by exotic
climates, is set off by a close silver beard, and dark, pene-
trating eyes. Sandage is somewhat embarrassed and quietly sits
down. GENERAL
Is there anyone here so naive he believes
the Empire would even bother negotiating
if they were contemplating destruction of
this System? Your Excellencies, this is
more than a simple raid on your resources.
You must reach a decision. MIR NASH, a thin, birdlike senator, turns to the general.
NASH
General Skywalker, war is a serious business...
a deadly business. GENERAL
Procrastination is a deadly business, Senator.
War is my business. Have you approved my defense
measures? The GRANDE MOUFF TARKIN wears the long, black robes of the
Aquilaean religion. He speaks with a high, cracking voice. TARKIN
An actual war with the Empire is still only a
remote possibility. As a military treatise,
your proposal has certain merits, but in the
harsh light of reality, an attack against the
Empire appears to be a somewhat extreme defense. NASH
You must understand, General, we are interested
in avoiding a war, not starting one. GENERAL
There are times when offense makes the best
defense. If that Allience Treaty isn't signed,
we will need all of the advantage we can get. KAYOS
Count Sandage, I want you to head the delegation
to Alderaan. You will leave tomorrow with our
answer regarding the Treaty. My decision will
be forthcoming. The senators whisper among themselves.
KAYOS (Cont.)
All right, then. May the force of others be
with you all. The senators leave in a flurry of hushed conversation. The
general is lost in thought, and remains in his chair. Biggs and
Windom (Windy), the king's two young sons, storm through the
existing senators and rush on to Kayos' lap. The king is
obviously very proud of the two young princes. He throws
Biggs into the air, and then catches him again. WINDY
Me too! Me too!
BIGGS
LEIA's leaving! Leia's leaving and you gotta say
good-bye. The king picks up Windy and swings him around, then puts him
down. KAYOS
Okay, whippersnapper, go tell your mother and
your sister that I'm on my way. The two boys run out of the room and are heard yelling and
screaming down the hallway. The king starts out, but stops
in front of the general. KAYOS
Luke, my daughter is leaving for the academy
at CHATHOS. Won't you come and wish her well?
It would mean a lot to her. She truly idolizes
you, you know. Come on, the war will wait. GENERAL
Of course. I'm sorry, My Lord. Politics always
seem to distress me. The general rises, and as they head for the door, Kayos pats
him on the back. KAYOS
I know, Luke. I feel THE FORCE also.
15. COURTYARD - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE
A large, four-seat speeder sits gleaming in the sun-soaked
courtyard. The PRINCESS LEIA, about fourteen years old,
possessing a soft beauty and iron will, is embracing her
mother, QUEEN BREHA, a warm, silver-haired matron. There
are tears in the princess' blue eyes. Biggs and Windy jump
around inside the speeder, disrupting the efforts of the one-
armed Amber to pack several plaxiform cases. Leia embraces the king as he approaches with the general.
LEIA
Oh, Daddy, I'll miss you so.
KAYOS
The semester will be over before you know it.
You'll have a grand time. There are so many
new things to learn. I wish I were going. He gives her a fatherly smile, and she hugs him again. The
general stands rather formally to one side. The princess,
her long auburn hair tied in braids, moves to the general
and he bows before her. GENERAL
May your studies do you honor.
Leia is somewhat embarrassed by the general's formality and
can only manage an awkward smile before returning to her
parents at the speeder. BREHA
Hurry Leia. You must make it to Yuell before
nightfall. The princess' maids-in-waiting, ALANA, a short, stocky girl,
and MINA, more comely (somewhat the same stature as Leia) with
long dark hair, giggle and straighten Leia's dress before she
enters the speeder. The princess and Mina hug Alana whose
giggles have turned to tears. The two boys scramble out of the
speeder as Amber helps the princess and her maid into the back
seat. The speeder is piloted by a trooper of the First Order.
Amber jumps into the seat beside him, and the speeder starts
with a low buzzing sound. The princess waves to her family,
and Mina waves to Alana as the speeder slowly glides out of
the courtyard.16. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The war room is a mass of glass enclosures, electronic wall
displays, monitors, and computer stations. General Skywalker enters
a control station, followed by a covey of military aides of
various ranks. As the group hurry through the crowded room,
men rise and salute the new arrivals. The general stops before
a giant display of the galaxy. Small symbols flash on and off
over various portions of the big board. The general studies it
intently. GENERAL
Montross!
CAPTAIN MONTROSS, one of the general's aides, snaps to attention.
MONTROSS
Sir!
GENERAL
What's the TQ on this?
MONTROSS
The last frigate to leave the Imperial capital
was at twenty-three forty, Sir. GENERAL
Have any ships at all left the planet? (to another
aide) Check with the Guild on Norton three. MONTROSS
At twenty-four hundred, a full battalion of
stardestroyers left for what is projected to be
ANCHORHEAD, or a nearby System. GENERAL
And no word from Whitsun. He should have reported
by now. Captain Prue! An older, academic looking aide, steps forward.
PRUE
Sir!
GENERAL
What do you make of this?
PRUE
A battalion is invasion force... but the Empire
controls that entire part of the galaxy.... A
revolution, maybe. At any rate, they're going
in the wrong direction to be any trouble for us. The general ponders this for a few moments, then speaks almost
to himself. GENERAL
I don't know... It doesn't feel good.
MONTROSS
Sir?
GENERAL
Put 'em on alert.
A loud uproar is heard on the far side of the war room.
Everyone turns to see a foreign dressed warrior pushing
his way past several guards and war-room bureaucrats.
The warrior, with his long hair tied in an odd bun on the
top of his head, is Kane Starkiller. He is followed by his
son, Annikin, who rudely pushes the pesky bureaucrats out
of the way. BUREAUCRATS
It's restricted. You'll have to wait...(etc.)
KANE
Get out of my way, boy, before I grind you
into the surface...(etc.) As the dauntless Starkiller approaches the general, the
guards stop in bewilderment as General Skywalker rushes up
to the warrior and embraces him. The two Jedi warriors
laugh jubilantly and slap one another, as the aides and
bureaucrats look on in amazement. GENERAL
Kane Starkiller - you old muscle-rat!
What a sight! We heard that you had
been executed. KANE
So the Empire would like to believe.
I've been in the KESSIL System. You
remember little Annikin. Kane puts his arm around his son, who has been making eyes
at one of the cute young female aides. He bows before the
General. GENERAL
He takes after his mother! (They laugh)
It's so good to see you. KANE
It's wonderful to be with another Jedi
again. There are so few of us left. The cute aide goes back to her duties, flirting with Annikin
as she passes. The young warrior pinches her on the ass,
which startles her, but she goes on like nothing happened. GENERAL
What a sight!
The two JEDI stand looking at one another, hardly believing
the other is real. Finally, the general realizes his aides
are standing around, gawking at the duo. GENERAL (to the aids)
Wake up, gentlemen. You're on alert. Keep
me posted on that battalion.17. CONTROL STATION - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The general, Starkiller, and his son enter a small glass
enclosed control office. They sit, and an awkward silence
passes as each man waits for the other to speak. KANE
I've come for your help.
GENERAL
Anything you ask. You're a JEDI brother. We're
one. KANE
My friend, we've been through much together...
I've been through much since we parted. I've
lost much... The Empire has chased us half way
across the galaxy... There is no refuge. One
day they will come here... Take my son as your
Padawan Learner. He would be a Jedi. I've
trained him from birth. He's reached the fifth
stage. He fought in the Kessilian civil wars
and commanded a Hubble expedition to the CONE
Systems. He's a good boy, Luke, and one hell
of a fighter. The general looks down, somewhat embarrassed. He scratches
his head, then smiles. GENERAL
Old friend, you do me too much honor.
I was never a match for you. Why don't you finish
his training yourself? KANE
I'm too old, Luke. I can't go on... You must
finish it. GENERAL
What kind of talk is this? You're not the
old Starkiller I remember. Too old?!? Starkiller suddenly ignites in a rage and swings his left
forearm down with a mighty blow across the solid chrome
desk the general is-sitting-on. The old JEDI warrior's
forearm cracks in two, spewing forth wires, and many fine
multicolored electronic components. The artificial limb
flops lifelessly to Starkiller's side. The warrior rips
open his tunic, revealing a plastic chest stuffed with
flashing electric parts. KANE (angrily)
I'm not the same. There is nothing left but
my head and right arm... I've lost too much,
Luke...I'm dying. The general bows his head in sorrow for one of the greatest
warriors in the galaxy and a dear friend. GENERAL
I'm sorry...
KANE
I'm sorry. I keep losing control. I'm very tired...
Take my son! The JEDI-BENDU must survive. We must
pass it on. Only a JEDI can stop the Empire. We're
very old, Luke. A new generation of JEDI must be
started. Take him; teach him the way of the JEDI-
BENDU... Captain Montross bursts into the office and somewhat excitedly
salutes the general. MONTROSS
Sir, we have picked up something! An asteroid, or
solid comet moving away from the Anchorhead System.18. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The general rushes out of the control station and back to the
giant Galactic display. He is followed by Montross, Starkiller
and his son. GENERAL
Are you sure it's not the battalion?
MONTROSS
A solid object. It's as big as our Third Moon.
PRUE
It's too large to be man-made, and it's too slow
to be a comet. GENERAL
Analysis?
MONTROSS
It's too far out.
GENERAL
I'll be with the king. Report as soon as you
can get a reading on it. (turning to Kane's
son) Captain Starkiller, from now on you stick
close to me. The older Starkiller smiles, and puts his good arm around his
old friend.19. DINING CHAMBER - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE
King Kayos moves his arm around BREHA's waist as they stand
on a balcony watching the giant twin suns of Aquilae disappear
behind a distant dune range. The general enters, rather in a
rush, followed by the young Starkiller, who is now dressed in
the white uniform of the Aquilaean starforce. (He still wears
the distinctive Kessilian hair knot.) They bow before the
king. KAYOS (pointing to the suns)
Aren't they beautiful, General? "Always and
never the same." You're just in time for dinner. GENERAL
I have come for other reasons. Could....
KAYOS
Relax, General. We will discuss it, but over
dinner. There are times, Luke, when I find
you a bit too rigid. Is this your new disciple? Starkiller is ill at ease and bows again.
STARKILLER
Annikin Starkiller, Sir.
KAYOS
Where's Kane?
GENERAL
He left for the spaceport at GORDON to visit
an old friend, Han Solo, the Ureallian. KAYOS
We are becoming quite a refuge.
The group sits at a large table, and food is brought in by
servants. They eat. Starkiller is nervous and watches the
general, to make sure he is being proper. GENERAL
My Lord, several events have occurred which
lead me to believe we are in imminent danger
of attack. There is no longer time for
discussion and debate... KAYOS
What events?
GENERAL
Whitsun, our best agent, has disappeared in
the Imperial capital. There is unusual military
traffic in the S-4 sectors... KAYOS
Unless you have direct, concrete proof of a
pending attack, there is nothing I can do. GENERAL
By the time we have proof, it may be too late.
KAYOS
Luke, I'm leaving tonight for AMSEL. I'm
meeting with the full assembly first thing
in the morning. I am not going to approve
the Alliance Treaty, and I will get your
defense measure approved. Just be patient.
You will have the war code. GENERAL
Tomorrow may be too late. My Lord, I need
the war code now. We must get our forces
into space. KAYOS
But it must be done legally, with everyone's
approval. Tomorrow you will have that. I
doubt the Empire would attack before receiving
our answer. The separation of war powers is
the one condition upon which you assumed
command of our forces. You're a friend, Luke, and
I trust you. But you're also an outlander who
controls a great deal of power. I can't for-
sake my oath any more than you can. Just be
patient. You will have the code tomorrow. Captain Montross enters the large chamber and bows before the
king. MONTROSS
I bring a report to General Skywalker, My Lord.
KAYOS
You may deliver it.
MONTROSS
Sir, the asteroid has disappeared from our scopes.
There is no trace of it. GENERAL
Were they able to analyze it?
MONTROSS
It never came within range, Sir.
The general rises, quickly followed by Starkiller.
GENERAL
Excuse us, My Lord. We'd better get back. I
will wait patiently for the approval. The general and Montross exit the chamber. Starkiller takes
one last bite of his dinner, then dashes after his mentor.20. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The general sits rigidly, facing the big Galactic display board.
Several aides and bureaucrats rush to and fro, ignoring the
general. He is asleep. Captain Prue approaches the general
and snaps to attention. The general's eyes open. GENERAL
What are the results?
PRUE
Negative, Sir.
GENERAL
Are you sure?
PRUE
Absolutely.
GENERAL
It's just not possible. Something that size
can't just disappear without a trace...Check
it again. PRUE
That's the tenth negative, Sir.
GENERAL
I said check it again.
Captain Prue retreats to a computer station. The general looks
around for Starkiller. GENERAL
Starkiller!
Everyone near the general turns, but Starkiller doesn't show.
GENERAL
Where is that boy? Montross!
Montross rushes to the general and snaps to attention.
GENERAL
Page Starkiller.
Montross goes back to his station and a few moments later,
Starkiller is paged over the P.A. system. The general waits,
watching the big board. Eventually, Starkiller stumbles out
of an enclosed computer closet, fastening his pants and tucking
in his tunic. A moment later, the cute female aide rather
sheepishly exits the computer closet. She is also in the
process of putting her uniform back together. Starkiller
rushes up to the general and snaps to attention. The general lets him stand there for a moment, not acknow-
ledging his presence; then, suddenly, without warning and in
one masterful flash motion, the general stands, grabs a small
baton attached to his belt (which immediately ignites into a
four-foot glowing lazersword,) and swings at the young warrior's
head. In an equally quick movement, Starkiller ignites his
lazersword and blocks the general's blow. Everyone in the war
room is surprised and startled. After a moment, they rush to
the general. Starkiller and the general stand motionless for
a few moments, with lazerswords locked in mid-air, creating a
low buzzing sound. Finally, the general grins, and Starkiller
hesitantly relaxes. They lower their swords and turn them off. GENERAL
You are trained well, but remember, a JEDI
must be single-minded, a discipline your
father obviously never learned, hence your
existence. Clean yourself up. Discipline
is essential. Your mind must follow the
way of the BENDU. STARKILLER
It won't happen again, Sir. There are many
new.... P.A.
General Skywalker, white com.
The general moves to a control station and picks up a phone.
PHONE VOICE
Sir, Captain Whitsun has just been admitted
to Med Vac. GENERAL
What's his condition?
PHONE VOICE
No data, Sir.
GENERAL
I'm on my way.
21. MED VAC EMERGENCY ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS
Captain Starkiller waits in an outer chamber as General Sky-
walker rushes into the Med Vac emergency room where several
doctors are working on the prostrate Whitsun. GENERAL
What's his condition? Is he conscious?
DOCTOR
Partially. He's be all right - a few
bruises, primary exhaustion.... Whitsun thrashes around in a semi-conscious state. He sees
the general. GENERAL
What happened, boy? What's going on?
WHITSUN (with difficulty)
The Imperial Starforce is already on its
way, not far behind me... They're going
to attack. GENERAL
Are you sure?
WHITSUN
I have tapes...A giant space fortress....
He struggles to give General Skywalker his ring.
GENERAL
As big as our Third Moon?
WHITSUN
Bigger. It's unlike anything I've ever seen.
Sophisticated deflection systems.... work in
opposition to the suns. GENERAL
They will show up on our screens at
sunrise. They'll attack before that. The general rushes into the outer chamber where Captain
Starkiller is waiting for him. GENERAL
Take the fastest landspeeder to CHATHOS. Pick
up Princess Leia... and only Princess Leia.
Return by way of the Great Reef. Most speed. Starkiller exits and the general goes to an intercom and
pushes several buttons. GENERAL
Montross.
MONTROSS
Sir!
GENERAL
Full alert....everything! Get the Royal
Family back here. MONTROSS
The princess is at CHATHOS. There are no
transports.... GENERAL
I've already sent Captain Starkiller for her!
Contact the king, first priority. He's
probably still en route to AMSEL. Use the
scan com. I'm on my way.22. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The war room is on full alert. Everyone is at attention, waiting
for the command that will put them into action. The general
enters a communication center, followed by many aides. Captain
Montross and the com aide salute. MONTROSS
We're having a problem getting through, Sir.
There is a great deal of interference. PRUE
It could be jamming.
GENERAL
Try a surface link through AMSEL.
The aides go back to the com-link system to try to get a line
through to the king. PRUE
We should be able to spot them at sunrise....
That's not too far off. GENERAL
They'll attack with sunrise. Until the king
gives us that code to start the war computers,
we'll just have to sit tight. PRUE
All units are on alert, Sir.
GENERAL (to Montross)
Have you made contact yet? (to himself) This
is one hell of a way to run a war. PRUE
Sir?
23. COURTYARD - ACADEMY OF CHATHOS - AQUILAE
A landspeeder roars into a courtyard of the Academy at Chathos.
Starkiller jumps out, and runs up to the large, heavy doors of
the academy. They are locked. He bangs madly on the carved
metallic door, until finally an old woman manages to swing it
open. Starkiller rushes past her into the main courtyard where
Princess Leia and her hand-maiden, Mina, struggle with two large
cases. They are followed by two very old matrons, dragging
several more cases. STARKILLER
Forget the cases - we've no time.
LEIA
These are my things. They must...
STARKILLER
I said forget them, and hurry...
LEIA
Just who do you think you are?
Starkiller grabs the princess by the arm, and
hauls her to the speeder. Mina and the old women run after
them. LEIA
I will not be treated like this! You bring
my things.... My father will have your head... (etc.) Leia struggles to break away from the young warrior's grasp as
he opens the door of the speeder. STARKILLER
Settle down!
When the door to the speeder is opened, Mina starts in, and
Starkiller stops her. STARKILLER
You must stay. Here, take the Crest.
Starkiller rips the royal crest from the princess' neck, and
hands it to the startled handmaiden. The old women gasp in
horror. The princess starts hitting Starkiller with little
result. PRINCESS
Mina's not staying...I'm not leaving her.
You can't.... Starkiller punches her square on the jaw and knocks her cold.
Mina is panic stricken, one of the old women faints, and another
starts for Starkiller with a large staff. STARKILLER
She'll be all right. I'm taking her to safety...
as ordered. You will wear the crest and continue
as before. The authority of Starkiller's voice stops the old lady. He
places the princess into the speeder, and maneuvers it
out of the courtyard. Mina puts on the crest as the speeder
races away from the academy.24. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Queen Breha, Biggs and Windy are escorted into a rest area of
the war room. General Skywalker sits rigidly in a chair in the
communications area, apparently asleep. MONTROSS
Sir, we've made contact!
The general opens his eyes and takes the intercom mike.
KAYOS
What is it, General?
GENERAL
The Empire will attack on the rising of the
sun. My agent made it back. I now have proof.
I need the war code... KAYOS
I'll relay it directly to the computer. Is
Breha...? GENERAL
The Royal Family is safe. Starkiller has
gone after Princess Leia... KAYOS
I'm on my way back.
25. RED PLAINS - AQUILAE
The small caravan of four speeders sits motionless on the vast
red plains of Aquilae. The king returns the intercom to the
pilot and takes a small metallic card from around his neck and
gives it to the co-pilot. KAYOS
Send this sub-land, priority one. (to the pilot)
Get us back to CALVAS immediately! The four speeders turn around and scream away in the direction
they had come. They pass a huge ultrasleek powerplow, planting
green fungus in endless furrows. Two clay-covered farmers,
riding atop the ponderous machine, watch the speeders disappear
over the horizon, and into the rising twin suns. A bright object,
twinkling in early morning heavens, catches the eye of the older
of the two farmers, and he brings the machine to a lumbering halt.
The younger farmer also notices the object, and stares skyward,
shading his eyes to get a better view. Suddenly there is a huge, bright atomic flash on the horizon.
A few moments later, a thunderous shaking, followed by high
winds, tumbles the older farmer from his perch. A second flash
on the opposite horizon brings another jolting earthquake, and
the younger farmer collapses, terror frozen on his face.26. READYROOM - SPACEPORT OUTPOST - AQUILAE
Chaos. Red scramble lights are flashing. Alert horns and attack
buzzers create an unbelievable cacophony. Air warriors, with the
distinctive circle and cross medallion on their white space suits,
scramble out of the low, concrete readyroom, grabbing helmets and
spacepacks as they race out of the door.27. ATTACK RUNWAY - SPACEPORT OUTPOST - AQUILAE
Twelve pilots and navigators dash in unison to a line of waiting
two-man starships of the destroyer class. Ground crews scurry
back and forth, loading last-minute armament, and unlocking
power couplings. PILOT LEADER, a rugged, handsome boy of twenty,
gives his ground crew a signal that his is okay. He has a winning
smile and a distinctive scar along the side of his face. His
crew chief pats him on the back. CHIEF
Knock them all the way back to Alderaan.
The canopy is closed and the powerful starship moves onto the
runway. Other crewmen say good-bye to their pilots, some grin,
some kidding - all with a great deal of hidden emotion. The din
of two dozen retrorockets cuts through the uproar, and six silver
spacecraft leave the runway, and disappear into the morning cloud
cover.28. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The general stands before a giant display of the Aquilaean solar
system. Montross signals the general. MONTROSS
They're away, Sir. Six from Gordon. All other space-
ports were hit. The king hasn't arrived yet. GENERAL
Keep checking. Put those fighters' intercom over
the P.A. The general sits at one of the intercom panels, and puts on a
headphone. A row of monitors is before him. He turns to
Montross. GENERAL
Where are they?
29. SPACE - AQUILAE IN ECLIPSE
The eerie, reddish-yellow planet of Aquilae slowly drifts into
view from total eclipse. A small, bright speck, orbiting
the planet, sparkles in the light of the twin suns. The six
deadly Aquilaean starships settle ominously into the fore-
ground, moving swiftly toward the orbiting speck. As the sleek
starships move closer, the orbiting speck is revealed to be a
gargantuan space fortress. The moon-sized satellite
fortress dwarfs the approaching fighters. Every few moments,
explosions create blinding flashes on the planet's surface,
as the fortress bombards the planet with a fusillade of lazer
bolts.30. AQUILAEAN STARSHIP - INTERIOR
Pilot Leader, in the first ship, signals to his navigator who
sits in a small, isolated glass bubble to the rear of the craft.
General Skywalker is seen on one of many monitors. A view of
the space fortress is on another. The rest are filled with
various computer readouts and displays. One of the other
starships reports to Pilot Leader. DEVIL SIX (intercom)
Look at the size of that thing! Hey, Bowman,
I hope you remembered to bring your pop gun,
'cause I think we caught us a big one this
time.... PILOT LEADER
Cut off, Devil Six....Stand by.
GENERAL (monitor)
It looks like they're still using the basic
quad-tristation configuration. Use a "ranger
defense." Concentrate on breath ports and lock
areas. PILOT LEADER
Affirmative base...Copy and transmit....
Devil Two, check your rotation plates. DEVIL TWO
Roger, Boss. We're getting a threshold dis-
turbance on gyro-three. GENERAL (monitor)
Switch over, Five, cover it! ...Devil pack,
generate a spread six formation...May the
force of others protect you. PILOT
Settle in...Devil pack, stand by. Mark five...
break off. Here we go. God save us all.31. SPACE - AQUILAEAN STARSHIP
Fuel pods are jettisoned. The half-dozen fighters break off
into a powerline attack on the huge fortress. Multiple lazer-
bolts streak from the starships, creating small explosions on
the complex surface of the fort.32. INTERIOR MAIN CORRIDOR - IMPERIAL SPACE FORTRESS
The chaos of battle echoes through the vast corridors of the
fortress. Walls buckle and cave in, sucking debris and per-
sonnel into the vacuum of outer space. Alarm sirens scream
as soldiers scramble to large turbo-powered laser gun emplace-
ments. Sergeants yell orders through the smoke and confusion.
Men and robots of various shapes and sizes run to their battle
stations.33. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The monitors with pictures from the starships suddenly go blank.
Technicians check channels as others in the war room silently
listen to the action over the intercom. The general remains
calm, but concerned. PILOT LEADER (intercom)
Tighten it up... Devil Two, tighten it up.
Watch those towers.... DEVIL TWO (CHEWIE)
Heavy fire, Boss. Twenty-three degrees.
PILOT LEADER
I see it. Pull in... we're picking up some
interference. DEVIL SIX
Wow, I've never seen such fire power.
PILOT LEADER
Pull in, Devil Two...Pull in! Chewie???!!
DEVIL TWO (CHEWIE)
I'm all right, Boss. I've got a target.
DEVIL SIX
There is too much action, Chewie. Get out!
PILOT LEADER
Break off, Chewie....Acknowledge. Devil Six,
can you see Devil Two? DEVIL SIX
I've lost him. There's a very heavy fire zone
on this side. My radar's jammed. DEVIL FIVE
He's gone....no, wait. There he is...Fin damage,
but he's all right. A sigh of relief sweeps across the war room. The monitors
flash on, then off again. DEVIL FOUR (intercom)
Watch your back, Boss! Watch your back!!
34. AQUILAEAN STARSHIP
The speedy little fighters dart back and forth across the soft
underbelly of the fortress, leaving a trail of destruction
behind them. PILOT LEADER
Converge on south axis point, point three nine four.
It appears accessible. I'm going to map the
surface. Devil Four, cover me! Pilot Leader and Devil Four dive in unison through a forest of
radar domes, antennae, and gun towers. Devil Four fires into the
protrusions as the two starships criss-cross the surface of the
fortress. Suddenly, a dense barrage of lazerfire erupts from a
tower, catching Devil Four broadside. The spacecraft bursts
into a million flaming pieces. Pilot Leader reacts to the loss
of his wing man, but continues on his mission.35. SUB-HALLWAY - IMPERIAL SPACE FORTRESS
Constant explosions rock the interior of the fortress. Civilians,
including women and children, scurry for safety in the panic-
ridden hallways. Two construction robots, ARTWO DETWO (R2D2)
and See Threepio (C3P0), are blown, slipping and sliding across
the hallway floor into some freight canisters. Both robots are
rather old and battered. ARTWO is a short, (three feet) claw-
armed tri-pod. His face is a mass of computer lights, surrounding
a radar eye. THREEPIO is a tall, gleaming android of human pro-
portions. He is thin, with a totally metallic surface of an Art
Deco design. The robots attempt to get out from under the cani-
sters, but rushing gas from a broken pipe keeps knocking them
over. THREEPIO
This is madness; we're going to be destroyed.
I'm still not accustomed to space travel. ARTWO
The external bombardment does appear to be
concentrated in this area. The structure
has exceeded the normal stress quotient by
point four, although there appears to be no
immediate danger. THREEPIO
No immediate danger! You're faulty. This
is madness! Artwo gives Threepio a sheepish look and clings to a side-
rail for dear life, as debris flies through the hallway.36. AQUILAEAN STARSHIP
Devil Two (Chewie), a young hotshot of about sixteen years,
miraculously dives his ship through a virtual wall of lazer
fire, and blasts a huge radar disc into dust. Chewie signals
his navigator, who lets out a whooping cheer, as the craft
veers into a victory roll. PILOT LEADER
Great moves, Chewie. Regroup at point two, zero
one. Coincide, Devil Six. GENERAL
Mace, your map projection shows a weak point
at south portal: niner point six. Concentrate
the attack on that point. Coordinate. PILOT LEADER
I see it... It looks good.
Devil Five and Devil Three bob and weave in formation toward
a giant transformer jutting from the fort's surface. DEVIL THREE
I've got a... We're hit. We're hit.
PILOT LEADER
Eject...Eject. Babs, Babs, do you read?
DEVIL THREE
I'm okay. I can hold it. Clear me a little,
Devil Five... Watch it! Watch it! Devil Three wobbles a little, then drops away sharply, plowing
into a lazergun emplacement, causing a hideous series of chain
reaction explosions.37. SUB-HALLWAY - IMPERIAL SPACE FORTRESS
A huge explosion rips a large hole in the ceiling of a sub-
hallway. Artwo and Threepio are in a state of shock as they
scramble through the rubble. There is a constant sound of
creaking and snapping as the sections of the hallway resettle
in the fortress superstructure. ARTWO
You're a mindless, useless philosopher... Come on!
Let's go back to work; the system is all right. THREEPIO
You overweight glob of grease. Quit following me.
Get away. Get away. Suddenly, the hallway lurches, and a dead trooper falls through
a gaping hole in the ceiling. The foot of the carcass is caught
in the rubble and it hangs upside down, staring at the two
robots. Artwo grabs Threepio, and they cling to each other in
terror. ARTWO
We're lost. We're destroyed.
Three sharp blasts from an airhorn send the two androids running
for cover in a burned-out doorway. Five grim-faced troopers
riding small rocket platforms pass the two mechanical men.38. GOVERNOR'S QUARTERS - IMPERIAL SPACE FORTRESS
The five troopers race through several hallways, and finally stop
in front of an important looking office complex. Two officers
dismount and enter the complex. They pass through several heavily
guarded doorways until they reach the main chamber. Seated be-
hind a large, cluttered desk surrounded by generals and attaches
is Governor Hoedaack. General Vader paces in front of a row of
blank monitors. The two officers salute General Vader. FIRST OFFICER
All com-link power is out. Twenty-two transformer
sections have been destroyed. The situation is grave
on all southern levels. Com-link communication
should be repaired shortly. The officers salute, turn and leave the chamber. The general
turns to Governor Hoedaack, who looks a little worried. VADER
Don't look so worried. Not even a JEDI
could penetrate this fortress...We've
already wiped out most of their forces. HOEDAACK
If it goes on too long, we'll run over
budget. When do the landings begin? VADER
As soon as the attack has been broken:
not long. A short, stocky attache salutes the general.
ATTACHE
Contamination has set in on quadrants B-5
and R-4. All sections are sealed. We've
lost two major power stations in the
southern quadrants. That puts section 5-1
in serious trouble. The general turns away in controlled anger and embarrassment.
39. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The general sits in a glass enclosed computer station, watching
the battle progress on several monitors. An officer enters and
salutes the general. OFFICER
Analysis reports those ZQ configurations are
definitely power transformers...Everything in
the southern sectors of the fortress is out. GENERAL SKYWALKER
I'm surprised they are still using external
power units. It's a definite weak point.
Concentrate on searching for the main cross-
link transformer. The officer exits as Montross rushes in.
MONTROSS
The senate has voted to end the war.
GENERAL
They can't do anything without the king's
approval; which gives us a little time...
Have you been able to regain contact with
the king? MONTROSS
No, Sir. All ground communications are
jammed. GENERAL
Send four men..from third squad, to meet the
king, and escort him back. Let me know before
he arrives. Is Starkiller back with the
princess? MONTROSS
No, Sir. They're long overdue.
Pilot Leader checks in over the intercom.
PILOT LEADER
All right, base one, we're in position.
An officer with headphones looks to the general. He signals
to attack.40. AQUILAEAN STARSHIPS
All four starships dive in formation toward a main transformer
area, flanked by several solar towers. PILOT LEADER
Hold your fire until we're within point zero
five four... Make it count. Several ack-ack lazers begin to open fire on the approaching
spacecraft. The starships direct their fire at a large black
transformer, which when hit, spurts bright blue and white elec-
trical arcs. One of the starships (Devil Five) explodes and
careens out of formation, leaving an erratic trail of smoke,
before eventually crashing into a solar panel.41. SUB-HALLWAYS - IMPERIAL SPACE FORTRESS
The impact of the exploding starship can be felt throughout
the giant fortress. The tall, gleaming Threepio races through
several corridors, yelling at Artwo, who struggles vainly to
keep pace with his stubby mechanical feet. THREEPIO
....I don't care what you do, but I'm getting
out. All the power's out. Those explosions
are coming from the reactor section. This is
the end. Abandon ship. ARTWO
Our work - we can't leave! It's desertion.
It's not possible. It's not possible. THREEPIO
Your programming is so limited. My first
order is preservation. You stay. I'm
going to eject before the whole thing goes
up. Threepio breaks open the seal on an emergency lifepod. A
red warning light begins to flash, and a low hum is heard.
The lanky chrome android works his way into the cramped
four-man craft. ARTWO
These lifepods aren't for us! It's not right!
A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris
through the narrow passageway. Flames lick at the two robots.
The runt-sized Artwo jumps into the lifepod. ARTWO
It's the end. Eject. Eject.
The safety door snaps shut, and the pod ejects from the
fortress.42. AQUILAEAN STARSHIPS
The terrified androids in the lifepod speed away from the
fortress, and pass the attacking starships. DEVIL TWO
Object approaching. Attack bearing...
DEVIL FOUR
It's a lifepod. Forget it. We've got...
Devil Four is hit by lazer fire, and disintegrates, leaving a
trail of flaming particles. The two remaining craft continue
the assault. Chewie and Pilot Leader watch the remains of
Devil Four disappear. The general appears over one of the
monitors. GENERAL
Analysis indicates transformer code zero three
is the main relay. Hit it, and the whole thing
goes dead. PILOT LEADER
We're on our way.
43. GOVERNOR'S QUARTERS - IMPERIAL SPACE FORTRESS
A row of monitors and the main overhead lights go on, and a
trooper appears on one of the screens. TROOPER
Internal relays operative. All power
restored. All contaminated areas sealed. An officer appears on another monitor.
OFFICER
Only two enemy craft remain operative.
We calculate victory by zero three hundred. General Vader switches to another monitor.
VADER
Alert the invasion forces. (turning to the
governor). The planet is ours. A three
hour war. You expected longer. JEDI or not,
we've beaten him, and the culture is intact. HOEDAACK
A truly great prize for the Empire. They have
a treasure of biotic science. Genetics, cloning -
they've added two-hundred years to a lifespan.
Remember, you must capture at least one member
of the Royal Family alive. The Aquilae family
has ruled this system for ten thousand years. The
people will follow no other. If the royal line
is broken, there is a good chance the entire
population will destroy themselves and their know-
ledge before submitting to our rule. The general is interrupted by a call on one of the monitors.
OFFICER (on monitor)
We've received a message from the planet....
44. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
General Skywalker watches a giant computer display of the space
fortress mapped by the starships. An aide approaches. AIDE
Sir! The king's convoy has destroyed at
CALDIN. All the bodies were contaminated. GENERAL
I will audience with the queen.... Who knows
of this? AIDE
Many. It came through civilian sources.
GENERAL
Confine Senator Sandage to his quarters.
Use any pretext. Where is the senator now? Sandage and several other senators enter the computer station.
SANDAGE
Right here, General...It's over. We've already
relayed peace terms to the Empire, and they've
been accepted. Your war has ended. The general is angry and stands pointing at the senators.
They jump back, as if the general were pointing a gun at them. GENERAL
Senator, this war isn't over. It's just begun.
I take my commands from the Royal Family. SANDAGE
The queen concurs. I have her written decree.
It is to be implemented immediately..... I order
you to cease the attack. GENERAL
Not likely...
SANDAGE
Treason? Revolution? The people won't follow
you, General...nor will your troops. I suggest
you follow your orders. General Skywalker stands angrily pondering the situation.
Sandage and the other senators are tense, a little afraid
that he might cut them down on the spot. SANDAGE
Well, General?
45. LIFEPOD - SKY OVER AQUILAE
The reddish-yellow mass of Aquilae seems to engulf the tiny
lifepod containing the two fleeing androids. ARTWO
It's desertion. They'll destroy us. How
could this happen? THREEPIO
That's funny. The damage doesn't look as
bad from out here.46. AQUILAEAN STARSHIPS
Pilot Leader and Devil Two make a second dive on the now
smoldering transformer area. All firing from the fortress
suddenly stops. Pilot Leader looks back to his navigator,
who is equally puzzled. The two fighters continue to
attack the now silent fortress. CHEWIE (Devil Two)
I don't get it. What do you think, Boss?
General Skywalker appears on the monitors.
GENERAL (with difficulty)
Base one to Devil Leader...Scramble code niner.
Break your attack, and return to base. Repeat,
break your attack. Confirm. PILOT LEADER
They're hurt, Sir, but they still have power.
We should finish.... GENERAL
Break off. The war is over. Run on white lights.
Get back here, Mace. We're going to need you. PILOT LEADER
Confirmed, base one. We're on our way. Did
you copy, Chewie? DEVIL TWO
Roger, Boss.
The two starfighters break off the attack and start back
toward the planet. Without warning, the fort directs con-
centrated fire at the two starfighters. Devil Two instantly
bursts into flames, then disintegrates. Pilot Leader's tail
section is hit, and the ship pinwheels toward the planet.
Blood covers Pilot Leader's immobile face. PILOT LEADER'S NAVIGATOR
We're under fire...They're still shooting.
I thought it was over. We're hit! We're
hit! Pilot is dead....Ejecting. The dead "Pilot Leader" is jettisoned free of the craft, but
the navigator's eject panel is dead. He struggles with it,
then bangs on the canopy to no avail. The navigator is still
trapped in the craft when it explodes, leaving only a puff of
pink smoke reflected in the rim light of the planet.47. DESERT NEAR OUTPOST - AQUILAE
Pilot Leader's dead body drifts toward his arid mother-planet.
Automatic rockets kick-in occasionally, to direct and soften
the landing. Two grey-clad troopers stand next to a military
"landspeeder;" watching the descending airwarrior through
electrobinoculars. Mace's corpse hits the ground rather hard,
creating a whirlwind of dust, and the two troopers rush over
to the pilot. The younger of the two troopers, a young boy in
his teens, cradles the dead starpilot in his arms and begins to
cry.48. WAR ROOM - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
General Skywalker sits alone, meditating in the deserted war
room. Montross approaches the contemplative general. MONTROSS
No sign of Starkiller or the princess.
There was much damage in that area...
The queen will see you at ten hundred. The general doesn't reply.
49. ASSEMBLY - DEPARTURE AREA - IMPERIAL SPACE FORTRESS
General Vader stands behind a row of men at computer control
panels. A commander reports to the general. COMMANDER
All enemy craft destroyed. First and fifth
division, troops and equipment standing by. The general gives a sly smile of approval and takes a micro-
phone from one of the computer technicians. He speaks to the
troops and pilots waiting in their huge war machines for the
invasion order. VADER
The war is won. With the conquering of this
System we have ushered in a new millenium for
the Empire; which will echo throughout the
universe. Our reward is the knowledge this
system possesses. This planet must be con-
trolled with a minimum of force, but you must
not think lightly of this enemy. They have
exacted a heavy toll. Today you will make the
Empire complete. Do so with pride and care. Vader puts down the mike, and turns to his commander.
GENERAL
Let the invasion begin.
50. EDGE OF THE DUNE SEA - AQUILAE
JUNDLAND, or "no man's land," where the rugged desert mesas
meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro robots
kick up clouds of dust as they clumsily work their way across
the desert coastline. The short Artwo struggles desperately
to keep up with the long-legged Threepio. ARTWO
It's not possible. We're not built for this.
You're nothing more than a dim-witted, emotion-
brained intellectual. Why you were created is
beyond my logic systems. Thanks to you, we're
deserters, and will probably be destroyed on
sight. And on top of that, you're going the
wrong way! All this filth is getting.... The towering Threepio stops short and turns on the blabbering
mechanical runt. THREEPIO
I've had enough of you, you pragmatic, near-
sighted scrap pile. You go your own way. He picks up the tiny robot and tosses him several feet into a
large sand dune. Threepio starts off in the direction of the
dune sea. Artwo struggles to his feet, and shakes a metallic
claw arm at his disappearing ex-partner. ARTWO
You'll be malfunctioning within a day.
You're going the wrong way, but your way
is always the wrong way. Threepio stops and yells to the smaller android.
THREEPIO
And don't let me catch you following me,
begging for help, because you won't get it
from me. Artwo's reply is a rather rude sound, which only an electronic
person could make. He turns and trudges off in the opposite
direction into the rocky desert mesas.51. DUNE SEA - AQUILAE
Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a dune,
only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for endless miles.
He looks back in the direction he came. THREEPIO
You little malfunctioning twerp. This is all
your fault. You tricked me into going this
way, but you'll do no better! He sits in a huff of anger and frustration, knocking the sand
from his joints.52. DESERT MESA - AQUILAE
Artwo stumbles through a narrow canyon until he climbs over a
small boulder and sees before him a sight he first thinks is a
mirage. Nestled in a rock formation is a deserted land-
speeder. Once the little robot is convinced that he is alone,
he approaches the battered speeder and begins to analyze it.
He climbs into the pilot's seat, and attempts to start the
unfamiliar transport. He hears a sound, and stops for a moment.
He sees nothing, so he continues to fiddle with the control
panel until the speeder lurches forward with a start, banging
into a large rock. The stubby android is shaken, but neither
he, nor the speeder, seems to be damaged. Shivers run down Artwo's metal spine, and again he has an
eerie feeling that he is being watched. He slowly looks around,
and sees a large man, Captain Starkiller, standing directly
behind him. He is startled, then terrified. STARKILLER
Where is your master?
The little robot clicks and rattles, but doesn't speak.
STARKILLER (Con't)
Can't you speak? How do you relate your
data? You're of Karollian manufacture...
You should be able to talk. Are you
damaged? Starkiller pokes at the machine, but doesn't see any damage.
Artwo eyes him suspiciously. The robot turns with a start and
discovers a young girl, Princess Leia, has been standing next
to him for some time. PRINCESS (sarcastic)
Well, General, who's your friend?
STARKILLER
I don't know. He doesn't seem to be able to
talk. Damaged, probably....Jettisoned from a
damaged ship... PRINCESS
What do you intend to do with it?
STARKILLER
We'll take it with us. Could be a storehouse
of valuable information. Starkiller guides the android into the small luggage area
behind the front seat, then hops into the driver's seat. PRINCESS
I don't want to ride with that hing. I
order you to destroy it immediately. STARKILLER
Get in! We've got to hurry if we're going
to get across the "dunehedge" by nightfall...
You're coming, one way or the other. Will you
join us peaceably? The princess reluctantly gets into the speeder, and it starts
with a jolt.53. LANDSPEEDER - DESERT MESAS - AQUILAE
The speeder flies along, a foot or so above the landscape.
PRINCESS
You are such a barbarian. I'll have my
father cut you into little pieces when
we get back...and I'll take pleasure in
feeding you to the GONTHAS....a little
bit each day. I may save your eyes though.
I'll have them petrified and made into a
necklace. STARKILLER
Your sweetness is only surpassed by your
beauty. Just try to remember, I'm only
following orders. PRINCESS
... to beat me and abuse me?
STARKILLER
I'm afraid I've only learned one way
to treat wild animals. Artwo thrashes about, trying to relieve the pressure on his
crumped legs. PRINCESS
You stay out of this.
54. DUNE SEA
Threepio struggles to the top of a large dune. He is dirty and
hot. His plight seems hopeless. He searches the horizon for
any sign of life. A glint of reflected light in the distance,
reveals an object speeding toward him. The chrome android waves
frantically, and yells at the approaching speeder. The sleek
landspeeder races past him about a hundred yards away. He runs
after it, screaming in desperation, until he stumbles and falls
head over heels down an enormous sand dune. Silently, the
speeder sweeps around in a circle and stops behind the immobile
robot. Starkiller jumps out of the landspeeder and is quickly
followed by Artwo. PRINCESS
We're in a hurry, remember! If you're going
to stop for every unfortunate along the way,
we'll never get back. We're lucky you got the
speeder running as it is. Artwo waddles up to his fallen partner and starts pulling on
his leg, then runs up and starts pulling on his arm. ARTWO
Function! Function! It's me. Come on,
function. STARKILLER
Well, my little friend, you've found your
tongue. ARTWO
We must help him... We've been lost.
STARKILLER
Where did you come from?
The little robot runs around his fallen partner giving him
small electric charges from his claw hand. Threepio shudders
from head to toe, then regains consciousness. THREEPIO
What happened?
ARTWO
You're overheated.
STARKILLER
Where did you come from?
ARTWO
We were jettisoned from six twenty-nine, P.R. one.
STARKILLER
I'm unfamiliar with that ship. What type is it?
THREEPIO
It's a class M station, not a conventional craft.
Threepio then stands and shakes the young JEDI's hand.
THREEPIO (Con't)
I'm Seethreepio, Human-Cyborg Relations.
Your kindness is greatly appreciated. Starkiller and the two robots walk back to the speeder.
55. LANDSPEEDER - DESERT CANYON - AQUILAE
Both Artwo and Threepio are stuffed into the tiny luggage
compartment. It is late in the day when the speeder rumbles
to a stop in a small desert canyon surrounded by steep cliffs
and broken boulders. STARKILLER
We'll rest here.
THREEPIO
At last. The transport is welcome but my joints
are frozen. Everyone climbs out of the low-slung speeder. Starkiller
watches the two androids as they stretch their mechanical limbs. ARTWO
I've got a bad case of dust contamination. I
can barely move. THREEPIO
What a foresaken place this is. We seem to
be made to suffer. It's our lot in life. Sir,
could you tell.... Threepio turns and notices that Starkiller and the princess have
disappeared. He looks all around. THREEPIO
Where did they go? They've disappeared.
ARTWO
Maybe they were attacked! I sense danger!
55. HIDDEN FORTRESS ENTRANCE - DESERT CANYON - AQUILAE
Captain Starkiller and Princess Leia hurry through a maze of
large boulders, until they reach a sheer rock face. Starkiller
looks around to see if they were followed. Suddenly, a large
section of the rock slides away, revealing a well-lit corridor
carved out of the rock. They enter, and are greeted by two
jubilant guards. Starkiller gives them some orders and points
in the direction of the speeder. The secret rock door silently
slides closed.57. MAIN HALLWAY - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Starkiller and the princess are greeted by General Skywalker
and Montross. They bow before the princess. PRINCESS (angrily pointing at Starkiller)
General, I want you to do something with this..
this barbarian. Where's my father? GENERAL
The king is dead, Your Highness.
All anger suddenly drains from the princess. She almost timidly
asks the next question. PRINCESS
My mother?... and brothers?
GENERAL
She's here. She's safe...so are your brothers.
They're in the main chamber. Leia, now looking more like a frightened young girl than a
vindictive princess, runs down the hallway toward the main chamber.
She vainly attempts to hold back the tears.58. DESERT CANYON - AQUILAE
The two puzzled androids sit on the landspeeder, pondering the
disappearance of their saviour. THREEPIO
Do you suppose we're in danger?
ARTWO
The logic of this environment escapes me.
As night begins to fall, and the shadows begin to lengthen, the
two robots begin to get a little edgy. The sound of approaching
feet startles Artwo, and he ducks behind his taller friend. Two
guards approach the robots. GUARD
You will remain calm, and you will remain here.
THREEPIO
Certainly. I'm Seethreepio, Human Cyborg
Relations. Your kindness is gratefully
appreciated. Artwo sits rather suspiciously behind his extroverted friend.
59. ROYAL CHAMBER - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
General Skywalker bows low before Princess Leia. She sits on
a raised platform, dressed in the royal robes of a planetary
ruler. The queen sits off to one side on a smaller platform.
The princess waits for a few moments before she allows the
general to rise. QUEEN
The senate has been corrupted.
GENERAL
They cannot rule without your wish...
QUEEN
I rule by marriage. With the king dead, I am
not strong enough to stop them... Leia is now the
true queen... She must be protected. The line
must be preserved. I am placing the future of our
people in your hands. You must deliver Leia and
her brothers to the OPHUCHI System. They will be
safe there. General, you must understand, I had no
alternative but to condone an end to the hostilities.
I deeply believe your campaign could have been suc-
cessful, but there are things that... GENERAL
I understand, Your Highness...
QUEEN
The chrome companies on Ophuchi have offered to
supply you with the men and ships necessary to
return Leia to the throne. GENERAL
Can the chrome companies be trusted?
QUEEN
The price for their cooperation is high. It
is waiting for you in Med Center blue. Guard
it as you would the princess herself. No-one
must know of this mission. There are those QUEEN
among the trusted who would wish us ill.
Take only two of your best officers with
you, the most loyal. May the force of
others be with you. LEIA
Mother, you must not stay.
QUEEN
I am too old for such a journey. The
Empire already controls the spaceport
cities. You have a long way to travel.
It won't be easy. GENERAL
We will have to travel in disguise. I
must have full command. No-one can sus-
pect wealth or royal training. I fear
the new queen will not stand for this. LEIA (angry)
Do not put words into my mouth. I will
stand for what is necessary. The general simply smiles.
60. SUB-HALLWAY - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The general walks briskly through an isolated hallway, closely
followed by Montross. GENERAL
How is Captain Whitsun's recovery?
MONTROSS
Very good; he's up and around.
GENERAL
Fine! Have Whitsun and ...ah, Starkiller
report at zero three hundred. I want two
converted transports: agricultural type,
two days' provisions, travel papers, weapons.
Contact HAN SOLO at the Gordon spaceport...
I'll talk to him... with speed! Montross turns and rushes down another hallway.
61. MEDICAL CENTER BLUE - UNDERGROUND FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The general enters a stark white waiting area filled with
scholarly looking gentlemen. An attendant greets General
Skywalker and takes him into a small observation chamber
overlooking a large operating theatre. An elderly doctor
greets him. DOCTOR
Good to see you, General. I'm afraid we're
not quite ready yet. Thank God you'll be
the one taking them, though. An attendant brings in one of the scholars from the waiting
area and places him on a large operating table surrounded
by strange looking equipment. An ominous looking clamp is
placed on the man's head. GENERAL
How many are going?
DOCTOR
Thirty-three of the greatest scientific minds
in our System...A high price for freedom. GENERAL
Thirty-three scientists! Transporting a
group that size, undetected... I don't... DOCTOR
Don't worry, General. All you'll be taking
are their minds. The doctor moves over to a safe-like cabinet guarded by two
attendants. The doctor gingerly picks up a small clear vial
filled with grey fluid. It has a label which reads: Faubun,
Astro-dynamics...In the background the scholar on the operating
table is undergoing a form of mechanized brain surgery. GENERAL
"Bloodory's distillation?"
DOCTOR
Yes. It has been greatly perfected. The
brain is condensed into five ounces of
fluid. Cloning cell samples are included
so that a structural duplicate of the
scientist can be reproduced. When the
duplicate child reaches the age of six, he or
she begins a series of injections of the brain
fluid. By the age of ten years, they have
received all the knowledge and memory of an
experienced scientist: an old mind in a young
body. We have prepared a special shock-belt to
carry the vials. In the background, the limp body of the scholar on the operating
table is removed and another scientist is escorted into the
operating threatre. Dr. Bloodory, a portly doctor in his forties,
enters the room and shakes hands with the general. DOCTOR
General, this is Doctor Bloodory. He'll be
making the trip with you. BLOODORY
It's an honor to meet you, General. I'm
sure I couldn't be in safer hands. GENERAL
The chrome companies are exacting a high
price indeed. Politics will be the ruin
of us all. BLOODORY
Careful. If we could rid ourselves of the
politicians, generals would no longer be
necessary. DOCTOR
We should be ready by zero three hundred.
The doctors exit, leaving the general alone to watch the
huge machine extract another brain.62. SPACEPORT - OBSERVATION DECK - AQUILAE
Governor Hoedaack, General Vader walk down a boarding ramp to
an observation deck overlooking the conquered city of Gordon.
They are followed by a number of aides and officers from the
Imperial fleet. Below them air tanks and other military equip-
ment and supplies are being unloaded. VADER
Not much of a planet.
HOEDAACK
Darth, you've done well. Do you think you
will have the Royal Family by nightfall? VADER
An advance expedition is already on its way
to their underground hideaway. They should
reach it by nightfall... but only if this
Count Sandage can be trusted. HOEDAACK
A man hungry for power can always be trusted...
to betray those in power. I'm sure his
information is correct.63. HIDDEN FORTRESS CANYON
The huge rock face of the canyon opens, and two shabby agricul-
tural landspeeders are pushed into the late afternoon sun.
Artwo and Threepio stand on the far side of the canyon with
their guards, watching in amazement. The general and Captain
Starkiller walk behind the men pushing the landspeeders. GENERAL
We'll take them with us. They know more about
that fortress than any ten men. They will be
very useful. STARKILLER
Can they be trusted?
GENERAL
Loyalty can't be programmed. They can be trusted
never to harm a living creature, and to always
give accurate information...as they know it, to
anyone who asks. You just have to remember not
to tell them anything that you don't want to fall
into the wrong hands. The general approaches the two robots. Artwo shyly moves around
his taller companion. GENERAL
Greetings. I'm Luke: Agricultural Engineering.
We're going to be travelling together. You're
going with us to help set up a hortastation on
BANTH. Threepio shakes hands with the general.
THREEPIO
I'm Seethreepio: Human Cyborg relations.
Your kindness is greatly appreciated. Threepio and the general both look down at Artwo. Threepio
gives the smaller android a little kick. ARTWO
Artwo Detwo: Fusion Repair.
GENERAL (to Starkiller)
Load them into one of the speeders.
Captain Whitsun, walking with a slight limp, emerges from the
underground fortress with the Royal Family. A small group
of guards and aides are lined up, standing at attention. The
two young princes, Biggs and Windy, hug and kiss their mother
good-bye, then jump into the back of the larger four-man
speeder. The princess bows before her mother, then embraces
her. Tears roll down her cheeks. Her mother wipes them away. QUEEN
You must learn strength.
The princess turns and moves to the larger speeder where she
is helped aboard by Captain Starkiller. PRINCESS (fuming)
I don't need your help, thank you.
She gives the general an angry look.
GENERAL
I'm afraid he's necessary.
A commotion erupts at the mouth of the underground fortress.
Count Sandage, several senators and ten to twelve troopers
rush into the canyon and block the speeders. SANDAGE
Where are you going? What is this?
In one quick movement the general moves between Sandage and
the queen. Whitsun and Starkiller assume defensive positions
in front of the princess and her brothers. QUEEN
Leia and the boys are being taken to safety.
It is my wish. SANDAGE
The Empire has assured their safety. They must
stay. QUEEN
It is not my wish....
SANDAGE
General, you've gone too far this time.
(to the troops) Arrest him. Five troops start to move on the general, as Sandage draws
his lazerpistol. Before anyone can complete his action,
the general ignites his lazersword and cuts the senator in
two. He drops to the ground in a heap, and the approaching
troops stop in their tracks. QUEEN
Stop this!
The general, Starkiller, and Whitsun replace their swords,
and bow low to the queen. All of the troops, senators, and
aides do the same. The formalness of the occasion is broken
when the queen embraces the general. She then turns and
embraces each of the captains. They are both flustered, and
somewhat embarrassed. QUEEN
May the force of others be with you.
The general and his captains head for the speeders, while the
queen and all the others return to the underground fortress.64. DESERT BLUFF - AQUILAE
The two speeders edge their way onto a bluff overlooking
the hidden fortress canyon. They stop for one last reflective
moment. Forced to leave their closest friends and relatives,
the group is deeply moved. The two robots, for the most part,
are puzzled. Suddenly, there is a huge atomic flash, followed
by a loud rumble, and the entire canyon collapses into a large
crater. The group quietly watches the dust settle. The hidden
fortress and all its inhabitants have been destroyed. The
general watches the princess, who appears to take it well. GENERAL
It was the only way we could be safe from treachery.
65. DUNE SEA - AQUILAE
The two sleek landspeeders glide effortlessly through the vast
hills and valleys of the dune sea. At the base of the towering
dune ridge, the four-man speeder stops. The smaller speeder,
with Starkiller and the two robots, makes its way to the top of
the ridge. Captain Starkiller stops the speeder just short of
the top of the ridge. He gets out and continues the rest of
the way on foot. The young captain peeks over the dune ridge
into the canyon below. Muted sounds and large dust clouds
rise from the canyon floor. Starkiller immediately ducks back
behind the ridge with an amazed look on his face. He quickly
returns to the speeder, and picks up the intercom. STARKILLER
Sir, you'd better take a look at this. But
come easy. The four-man speeder starts with a crack, and slowly moves up
the side of the imposing dune. It stops next to the smaller
speeder. The general and Whitsun get out and make their way
to the top of the ridge, where they join Starkiller. Far in
the distance, crossing the endless dune sea, is the Imperial
invasion army. It is immense. A convoy of giant tanks,
troop carriers, and supply ships stretch from horizon to
horizon. Cavalry, mounted on giant dune birds, ride the line
from one end of the convoy to the other. Hundreds of troops
ride one-man jet-sticks in precision formation. Their lances
form a giant pin-cushion. It is an awesome sight. GENERAL SKYWALKER
They're heading toward the fortress.
WHITSUN
What will they do when they find it destroyed?
GENERAL
They won't stop looking for us...They're coming
from the spaceport at Anchorhead, which means
they control everything between here and the
spaceport at Gordon. STARKILLER
Can we go around them?
GENERAL
No. We'll have to wait for them to pass.
Starkiller, see if you can monitor any of
their communications on the com-link in the
big speeder. Starkiller returns to the speeder. He collapses in the large
speeder next to the princess, and flips on the com-link radio,
moving back and forth across the dial. PRINCESS
Must you do that?
Starkiller smiles rather sarcastically.
STARKILLER
Orders...The invasion force has cut us off.
We'll probably be here for some time. You
ought to stretch a bit. PRINCESS
Is that a command, General? Maybe I feel
like watching after my brothers. Starkiller looks back at the two sleeping boys.
STARKILLER
They're not going anywhere. They're asleep.
PRINCESS
I want to stay with them.
STARKILLER
What's the matter? You afraid I might eat them?
66. LIBRARY - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE
The king's old library has been converted into an office for
General Vader. He is sitting behind his desk as Prince Valorum,
the black knight of Sith, enters and salutes. The black knight
is dressed in the fascist black and chrome uniform of the
legendary Sith One Hundred. The general returns his salute. VADER
Welcome, Prince Valorum. Your exploits are
legendary. I have long waited to meet a
Knight of the Sith. If there is any way I
can assist you, my entire command is at your
bidding. VALORUM
I want a tie-in to your computer network, a
control center, and communication access. VADER
Right away! I'll also transfer all information
we have on the general. His command post was
self-destroyed, but we believe he is still alive.
.... Do you really believe he's a Jedi? VALORUM
If he was not a Jedi, I wouldn't be here.
67. WASTELAND - AQUILAE
The speeders make their way across the grey desert. It is
dawn. The twin suns have yet to rise over the distant hills.
The speeders are coated with dust and grime, indicating that
they have travelled far. The two captains drive through the
night as everyone else sleeps. Starkiller calls Whitsun on
the intercom. STARKILLER
How are your fuel packs? I'm reading minus
four. WHITSUN
I'm too low to transfer any.
The general, who appeared to be asleep, opens his eyes, and
takes the microphone from Whitsun. GENERAL
There is a fuel station fourteen degrees
by two meters. The occupation force should
have control of it by now, so hide your
weapons...but keep them within reach.68. FUEL STATION - AQUILAE
A series of low concrete structures rise out of the desert.
The speeders stop in front of an old weather-beaten block
house. The rusted hulk of a landspeeder lies half-buried
to one side of the building. Starkiller and Whitsun jump
out of the speeder and go into the block house.69. INTERIOR - FUEL STATION - AQUILAE
The two young captains, dressed as farmers, enter the dingy
little fuel station. It is quiet. A few power packs line
the walls and a dismantled speeder rests in the repair bay.
There is a sharp dripping sound coming from the speeder. It
appears that no-one is there. STARKILLER
Greetings! ... Who's in charge here?
They look around the deserted station, but find no attendant.
An eerie quiet pervades the building. WHITSUN
I don't get it...
STARKILLER
You don't have to. It's abandoned.
Whitsun opens a door leading to a storage area, and stops short.
WHITSUN
Not quite abandoned...
Starkiller moves to the doorway and sees the attendant, his wife,
and small daughter hanging upside down, tortured to death. Whit-
sun cuts them down. WHITSUN
They shouldn't have resisted.
Starkiller grabs two power packs from the shelf.
STARKILLER
Help me with these power packs. We'd
better move out of here. Whitsun covers the family with an old work tarp. He bows to the
dead, then reluctantly grabs a couple of power packs and they
start for the door. Whitsun stops for a moment. WHITSUN
Hear that? Someone's here. (yelling)
We're friends. Show yourself. Silence. Whitsun shrugs his shoulders and they start out the
door, only to run straight into a burly stormtrooper. STORMTROOPER
Get out of here!
70. FUEL STATION - AQUILAE
Whitsun and Starkiller are pulled out of the doorway and
shoved into the center of a group of fifteen or twenty
Imperial stormtroopers who have surrounded the two speeders.
Several troops have pulled General Skywalker out of the
speeder. He acts senile, like a man twice his age. GENERAL SKYWALKER
I'm all right. I can still move about by
myself. A rough looking sergeant grabs Whitsun.
SERGEANT
What are you doing here?
WHITSUN
We're out of power, sir.
SERGEANT
Let me see your travel passes!
WHITSUN
I have it here, somewhere. We've been
relocated...to a Bantha hortastation, by
Imperial order... Whitsun fumbles to retrieve something from his pocket, and
eventually pulls out a small, round disc. The sergeant puts
the disc in a small portable reader. Various computer read-
outs are displayed on the monitor. Starkiller starts to put
a power pack into one of the speeders. SERGEANT
What are you doing there? All power has
been restricted. GENERAL SKYWALKER
We've run out. We must have power, or be
forced to stay here....and become your
responsibilities. The sergeant thinks about this for a moment, as the old, wise
general watches him. Tension fills the air. Starkiller
shuffles around to a position where he can reach his weapon.
A trooper hands the sergeant a message. SERGEANT (to Whitsun)
Take only two of those power packs, and then
move out quickly. The sergeant hurries to a military craft, where he takes a call
on an intercom. General Skywalker and his two young captains
load the remaining power packs into the speeder, and roar away
from the station.71. WASTELAND - AQUILAE
The speeders race along through the rocky desert wasteland.
The general speaks into the intercom to Starkiller. GENERAL
Keep a close watch. If that sergeant
runs an analysis on those passes, we might
be seeing him again...We should be safely
inside Gordon within the day. Everyone is in good spirits. The princess and her young brothers
sing an Aquilaean melody, which is transmitted to Starkiller in
the smaller speeder. The general takes little Windy, and lets
him sit on his lap in the forward compartment of the speeder.
Artwo flexes Threepio's arm back and forth, attempting to discover
the cause of a loud squeak. ARTWO
Z-2 doesn't seem to help at all.
THREEPIO
It's all this filth and dust. This environment
is murderous. Starkiller notices a small speck on the horizon.
STARKILLER (into intercom)
Object approaching, bearing three point two.
The general looks through an electrotelescope mounted in the
speeder. He spots a distant row of troopers riding strange dune
birds. GENERAL (to Starkiller)
It's a patrol. It could mean trouble. We'd
better split up. You stay on a direct course.
We'll meet you at the western edge of ravine
23-64. Stay in contact. The larger speeder makes a sharp left turn, speeding off across
a deep ravine. Starkiller can begin to distinguish the approaching
troopers. STARKILLER
It looks like there's ten of them. They're
heading right for me.... Wait a second.
They've disappeared! I've lost them. GENERAL
Continue on.
73. WASTELAND LAKEBED - AQUILAE
Whitsun deftly maneuvers the bulky speeder through a narrow,
boulder strewn ravine. They eventually come out on a dry
lake bed, where they stop. Standing not more than a hundred
feet away, apparantly waiting for the speeder, are five
Imperial troops on their dune birds. GENERAL
We've found them, five of them, anyway...
Watch yourself. The troops slowly ride their huge birds over to the speeder,
and dismount. The officer in charge is a vicious looking
warrior, with a large scar across his face. OFFICER
Let me see your passes.
Whitsun hands him the small pass disc, and he places it in his
reader. He studies the computer readout for a few moments, and
then returns the disc to Whitsun. OFFICER
Have you seen any other transports in this area?
GENERAL SKYWALKER
We saw two heading south. Goin' toward ANSEL, look
like to me. OFFICER
All right. Be on your way.
The officer mounts his dune bird, and the patrol moves away.
Whitsun winks at the princess, and smiles at the general, as
the speeder starts off across the dry lake. The general
fiddles with the intercom. GENERAL
S-2, are you clear?
STARKILLER
I have five troopers approaching. Any problems
on your end? GENERAL
We came through all right. You shouldn't have
any trouble, but stay alert. STARKILLER
Best wishes....Here they come.
Everyone rides along in silence, a little worried about Starkiller,
especially the princess. PRINCESS
..Do you think he'll be all right?
GENERAL
He can take care of himself.
Biggs is looking out the back window of the speeder.
BIGGS
Hey look! They're coming back.
Everyone looks to see the patrol quickly gaining on them.
GENERAL
Stop! They're faster. Get your weapon.
The speeder screeches to a halt in a cloud of dust. The general
and his captain jump from the transport with lazerpistols drawn.
The patrol bears down on them, swords drawn, at full charge. Both
the general and Whitsun fire. Two of the troopers and their Dune
birds explode in a cloud of smoke. The remaining three troopers
are upon the duo in a matter of seconds. The general ignites his
lazersword and cuts down two of the troops as they pass. The
last turns his bird around before reaching the speeder, and
hightails it back toward the ravine. The general jumps onto one
of the riderless dune birds and takes off in pursuit. Whitsun
checks the dead troopers.73. WASTELAND RAVINE - AQUILAE
The general rides at breakneck speed after the fleeing trooper.
His lazersword is raised high over his head, ready to deal a
death blow. The lumbering birds race through the winding ravine.74. WASTELAND RAVINE - AQUILAE
The intercom warning buzzer begins to scream. Whitsun rushes
for it, but the princess gets there first. PRINCESS
Are you all right?
STARKILLER
Two riders heading your way. I got three, but
two got away. Watch yourselves!75. WASTELAND RAVINE - AQUILAE
The general is riding neck and neck with the trooper. He swiftly
brings his sword down and the trooper drops from his saddle. The
momentum of his charge carries the general around a bend in the
ravine, and right into the path of two more troops charging down
on him. The two troopers are taken by surprise. They stop
their birds, and so does the general. They stand there, about
fifty yards apart, sizing up each other. Suddenly, the two
troopers start for the Jedi at full speed. The general raises
his sword, and starts for them. The troopers are no match for
the general, who kills them both before they are even able to
swing their swords.76. WASTELAND LAKEBED - AQUILAE
Starkiller stops near the larger landspeeder and gets out.
He is wounded. Blood streams from his left arm. Whitsun rushes
to help him. The princess shows a great deal of concern. WHITSUN
It looks worse than it is. You'll be all
right. Whitsun motions to the princess, who looks a little relieved.
WHITSUN
Bring me the med aid pack.
PRINCESS
It he was clumsy enough to get hurt, maybe
we ought to let him bleed to death. She hands Whitsun the kit, as the general rides up and dismounts.
He moves to Starkiller. GENERAL
You missed two.
STARKILLER
I know, I couldn't...
GENERAL
Don't let it happen again. We'd better move
out. They might have reported in.77. CONTROL ROOM - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE
The dark and sinister Valorum moves several markers on a large
map readout to form a line from the destroyed underground
fortress to the spaceport at Gordon. An aide enters with
General Vader. AIDE
The patrol was lost, Sir. All ten of them.
VALORUM
It's to be expected.
VADER
Have you found them?
VALORUM
They're heading for the spaceport at Gordon.
I'm going there. Have all security doubled.
Make it an alert.78. THE OUTSKIRTS OF GORDON - AQUILAE
The speeders stop on a bluff overlooking a small cantina on the
outskirts of Gordon. The spaceport can be seen in the distance.
The general and Captain Whitsun walk over to the smaller speeder.
Starkiller helps the two androids out of their cramped quarters. THREEPIO
Your kindness is greatly appreciated.
STARKILLER (to general)
I'm fit enough to...
The general gives him a hard look and he shuts up. Whitsun
and the general climb into the speeder. GENERAL
We'll make contact at zero four hundred.
If we're not back by fifty-five forty,
get worried. The speeder starts off toward the cantina.
79. SPACEPORT CANTINA - AQUILAE
The speeder pulls up in front of the low, blockhouse style
cantina. Various strange forms of transport are parked out-
side the bar. GENERAL
Take care here. If there is any trouble,
get back to the others. The general and Whitsun enter the shabby cantina. The murky
little den is filled with a startling array of weird and
exotic alien creatures, laughing at the bar. At first, the
sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed, slimy, furry,
scaling arms, tentacles, and claws huddle over drinks. The
general looks over the patrons, but does not see the contact,
Han Solo. A large multiple eyed creature shoves the general. CREATURE
Assha dughi wouldugga?
The general tries to ignore the creature, and turns back to
his drink. A short, grubby looking human, and an even smaller
rodent-like creature join the first creature. HUMAN
He doesn't like you.
GENERAL
I understood him.
HUMAN
I don't like you either.
GENERAL
I'm sorry.
The big creature is getting agitated, and yells at the general.
HUMAN
Don't insult us. You just watch yourself.
We're wanted men. I have the death sentence
on twelve Systems. GENERAL
I'll be careful then.
HUMAN
You'll be dead.
The short rodent yells something, and everything at the bar moves
away. The general assumes a defensive position. His three
adversaries ready their weapons. GENERAL
You insist on a fight then.
HUMAN
Just try and kill us.
GENERAL
It will hurt a little.
HUMAN
We aren't cowards.
GENERAL
Then it can't be helped.
The general's lazersword sparks to life. An arm lies on the floor.
The rodent is cut in two, and the large, multiple-eyed creature
lies doubled, cut from chin to groin. The general, with quiet
dignity, replaces his sword in its sheath. The entire fight has
lasted only a matter of seconds. A figure stands in the doorway
watching the general. As soon as the general notices him, he
leaves. The cantina goes back to normal, as if nothing had
happened, although the general is given a respectable amount of
room at the bar. The Jedi finishes his drink, and then leaves.
Captain Whitsun follows.80. SPACEPORT ALLEYWAY - GORDON - AQUILAE
General Skywalker embraces Han Solo, the underground contact.
Han is a huge, green skinned monster with no nose and large gills. HAN
You old stardog. Took a war to get you
out here... Whitsun arrives with Starkiller, the princess and her brothers,
and the two puzzled androids. GENERAL
It's been too long. We've been through much
together. It will be good to have you out of
retirement and back at my side. How is
Starkiller? (putting his arm around the
young Captain Starkiller) This is his son. HAN
You're all the old boy will talk about. He's
still holding up. Come, let's get off the
street. The group enters a small doorway at the far end of the alleyway.
On the main street, within view of the doorway, giant Imperial
air tanks and other military hardware rumble through the city.
Starving refugees sit in the gutters watching the immense dis-
play of force with a mixture of awe and terror. The princess
stops for a moment, and stares at her people, watching the
might of the Empire. The general escorts her through the door-
way with the others.81. SLUM DWELLING - LIVING AREA - AQUILAE
The seedy dwelling is dark and dingy. The group is greeted
by three underground leaders, and the old Jedi, Kane Starkiller.
Captain Starkiller embraces his father as the underground
leaders bow before the princess.82. SLUM DWELLING - DINING AREA - AQUILAE
The princess walks through the dining area followed by Whitsun
and Starkiller, who carry the two sleeping princes. The
general sits at a large table finishing dinner with Han, Kane
and the three underground leaders. Whitsun returns from the
bedroom. GENERAL (to Whitsun)
Captain, why don't you take the androids into
the other room for a game of chess? ... I'm
sure they'd enjoy it. THREEPIO
A wonderful idea. Your kindness is greatly
appreciated. Whitsun escorts the two robots into the next room. DATOS,
a thin, wizened old man, seems greatly relieved. DATOS
You're taking a great risk travelling with
them. This whole operation sounds bad to
me. I don't trust the chrome companies.
Time is growing short. The Empire's
attempts at control have already caused a
great deal of suffering to our people. OCCO, a brash young rebel, about the same age as Captain
Starkiller, slams his fist on the table. OCCO
It must happen now! We are ready! Each day
the Imperial S.B.T. finds and destroys a few
more in the organization. We cannot wait any
longer. GENERAL
Any uprising without a coordinated attack on
the death star is out of the question. HAN
He's right. As long as it's operational,
any action down here would be meaningless.
We must proceed as planned. Are the arrange-
ments secure? QUIST, the third member of the underground, sparks to life,
and places several discs and badges on the table. QUIST
All passenger transport has been suspended,
so we've arranged for you to travel as the
crew of a BALTARIAN freighter. The boys will
have to be placed in suspended animation and
hidden in shielded micro-packs. It's the only
way we will be able to get them past the
scanners. DATOS
Were you able to acquire the necessary power
packs? QUIST
It's become a serious problem. All power
supplies have been restricted. S-4 units
are impossible to come by. HAN
I know an agent who might be able to acquire
them for us. I'll check with him. It will
be risky, but we've no other choice.83. SPACEPORT OBSERVATION DECK - AQUILAE
The dark figure of Valorum stands overlooking a group of
Aquilaean partisans who are being tortured in the plaza below.
Two Imperial officers are finishing a report to the black
knight. They salute smartly, then leave the observation
balcony, passing KURO, one of General Vader's aides,
who approaches Valorum, and bows low before him. Kuro and
the black knight carry on an animated conversation; it is
inaudible over the screams of the tortured partisans.84. SLUM DWELLING - ALLEYWAY - AQUILAE
Residents glance fearfully from their windows as six Imperial
stormtroopers make their way through the crowded slum alley-
way. Han Solo and Captain Starkiller move cautiously past
the Imperial patrol, and disappear into the shabby hideout of
the partisan underground.85. SLUM DWELLING - MAIN AREA - AQUILAE
The two men enter the dingy main room of the slum dwelling,
and are immediately attacked by Biggs, wielding a toy sword.
Starkiller good-naturedly fends off the young prince, as Han
in a more serious mood, goes into the other room. Artwo and
Threepio are helping Windy put together a block-like puzzle.
Princess Leia comes in to see what all the commotion is about,
just as the young captain grabs Biggs by the foot and holds
him upside-down. Starkiller and Biggs are laughing uproariously.
Leia gives the captain a stern, disapproving look, then returns
to the other room.86. SLUM DWELLING - DINING AREA - AQUILAE
General Skywalker, Captain Whitsun, and Datos are in the
process of assembling two micro-packs on the kitchen table.
Han pulls a small silver powerpack from his pocket, and
places it on the table. The old Jedi, Kane Starkiller, reaches
over with his one good arm and takes it. He inspects it care-
fully. Princess Leia sits quietly behind the general. HAN
We could only get one unit. The Empire's
methods are proving to be very effective. Kane places the power-pack back on the table. The pain from
those simple movements shows on his face. KANE
This will work fine.
HAN
One of the boys will have to stay.
DATOS
We can't hide him for very long....The risk
is too great! Whichever boy doesn't go must
be destroyed. The princess is alarmed, and looks to the general for support.
He gives her an understanding look. GENERAL
Not while they're in my charge.
Find another way to get him through. DATOS
There's no other way. We've analyzed
every possible alternative. You can't
jeopardize the enitre... Captain Starkiller enters the room.
HAN
We have no time for discussion. The freighters
leave at zero three hundred. We must get
started. Through a break in the door, Whitsun watches Artwo and
Threepio play with the two young princes. WHITSUN
What about Artwo? Could we lobotomize him,
and use his energy pack? GENERAL
They're not compatible. We'd have to com-
pletely change the system... HAN
It could work.
DATOS
There isn't enough time. You can't do it...
KANE
You won't have to. My power unit has more
than half life.... Use it. The withered Jedi opens his tunic revealing a metallic chest
covered with electrodes. With his one good arm, he grabs
his chest and rips loose and miniature power unit similar to
the one on the table. Everyone is taken by surprise. The
general and the young Starkiller both rush to the side of
the dying Jedi. The old man turns to his son. KANE
Trust my judgment, Son. Serve your new
teacher well. The Jedi's breathing becomes more difficult as he turns to
the general. KANE (cont.)
An honorable death, my friend. May the
force of others be with you.... Kane Starkiller passes on to the other world. Everyone is
stunned. The general breaks the moment of silence. GENERAL
May he be welcomed as a man above men. Take
him downstairs. Starkiller takes his father in his arms and is followed out of
the room by Han and Datos. GENERAL
Prepare the boys! We have little time.
Princess Leia and Captain Whitsun rush out of the room, as the
general places the power units in the micro-packs.87. SLUM DWELLING - MAIN AREA - AQUILAE
Biggs and Windy are not happy about being dragged away from
their puzzle. Whitsun takes the robots into the sleep area. LEIA
Now straighten up, Biggs. Remember, father
LEIA (Cont.)
expects you to follow his ways. We are
going on a trip. There will be great
danger. You must go to sleep. When you
wake, you will be in a strange land, so
don't be alarmed. BIGGS
Are you going to sleep too?
LEIA
I will be looking after you. Now be
good boys and stand still. Lift your
sleeve. Windy lifts his sleeze and Leia injects him with a sleep serum.
Whitsun enters just as the little prince collapses into a deep
sleep. Quick as lightning, he catches the boy before he can
hit the floor. The princess injects her other brother, and he
collapses into her arms.88. SLUM DWELLING - DINING AREA - AQUILAE
The limp bodies of the two young princes are carried in by
Leia and Captain Whitsun. They are carefully squeezed into
the hollowed out micro-cases. Leia pensively watches as the
general expertly attaches electrodes to her brother's skull.
Han and Datos return from the burial of Kane. The general
looks up from his operation. HAN
He is at rest. The Empire will never
find him. Are the systems working all
right? GENERAL
Full power...Is everything ready?
Datos nods yes, as the general closes the case holding Biggs.
The strain of watching her brothers placed in suspended anima-
tion is too great for Leia, and she retreats into the main
room.89. SLUM DWELLING - MAIN ROOM - AQUILAE
Captain Starkiller stands brooding near a window overlooking
the crowded alleyway. He does not acknowledge Leia's entrance.
She walks over to the window, and stands next to the young
captain. They are very close, but do not touch. LEIA
I'm sorry.
He does not respond. She is moved by his sorrow, and starts
to touch the side of his face, but can't bring herself to do
it. Her royal training is too strong to let her show her true
affection for Starkiller. She breaks down and runs from the
room. The young Jedi continues his meditation.90. SPACEPORT AT GORDON - SECURITY RAMP - AQUILAE
The spaceport is very crowded. People rush about in a
panicked rush as loudspeakers blurt out indiscernible
announcements. The Empire is in the process of changing
the boarding procedures and the result is chaos. Many
flights are delayed, and people are running to and fro,
switching boarding ramps. Han guides the rebel group,
dressed as a Baltarian crew, through the crowded terminal.
Whitsun and Starkiller carry the large micro-packs strapped
to their backs. The robots follow a few paces behind. HAN
They're changing the boarding procedures.
I don't like it. They are swept into a boarding gate and finally reach a
security ramp scan station. There are a great number of
troops and guards standing around the security area. An
officer demands to see their passes and orders. The tension
builds as the officer confers with an aide about the passes.
The aide speaks quietly into a phone. OFFICER
Where are your component receipts?
Starkiller and Whitsun hand the officer two additional discs
which are placed in the computer. A few moments later, the
readout appears, and the group is motioned through the
electron scanners. On the other side of the scanner, new
computer discs are issued to the group. Everyone seems
slightly relieved as they walk through several hallways
leading to where the freighter is docked. Starkiller moves
next to the general. STARKILLER
I don't like the feel of this.
GENERAL
Your senses are strong. It's a very small
disruption. STARKILLER
It's a Knight of the Sith.
GENERAL
Possibly. Stay alert...Warn the others.
The group walks through the docking links and into the
Baltarian spacecraft. Several Imperial guards pass them,
and everyone is ready for the suspected trap, but nothing
happens..91. INTERIOR - BALTARIAN FREIGHTER - AQUILAE
The group stops in a narrow electronics passageway near the
bridge of the ship. Starkiller and Whitsun unstrap the
micro-packs containing the two young princes, and check
the voltage packs. WHITSUN
Little Biggs is losing power faster than
normal. I'd better check it out. GENERAL
Wait until the situation is secure.
Stay here, and keep on your guard....Han! The two young captains grow suspicious of several workmen
gathering around the main exit hatch. Han and the general
enter the bridge area. Several crewmen sit at elaborate
controls and computer stations. GENERAL
Where is your captain?
One of the crewmen directs him to a small chamber above
the bridge. Starkiller and Whitsun strap on their micro-
packs as more workmen converge at the main hatch and begin
to close it. The two robots, Artwo and Threepio are
confused about what is going on, and wear their gear in
anticipation of moving.92. PILOT CHAMBER - BALTARIAN FREIGHTER - AQUILAE
Han and the general enter the small pilot's chamber and
greet the captain, whose face is hidden in the shadows of
a computer bank. CAPTAIN
Welcome, gentlemen. You must have had
a difficult journey. We'll be departing
shortly.... Four armed troopers silently enter the room behind the two
old Jedi; their lazerswords are drawn. CAPTAIN (cont.)
I have been authorized to accept payment
for the chrome company cooperation. I
assume you've brought it with you. The captain moves out of the shadows, and is revealed to
be Valorum, First Knight of the Sith. Instantly, both Han and
the general understand the situation. They turn, drawing their
lazerswords in the move, and cut down the four Imperial troopers.
The door to the chamber instantly seals shut. Valorum hasn't
made any moves, and remains unusually calm. The two Jedi turn
to face him. VALORUM
It's over, gentlemen. The chamber is sealed.
Don't force me to release the Jai gas... A tone sounds, and the black knight turns to an intercom.
INTERCOM
Situation secure. Prisoners taken to hold "B,"...
Twelve casualties.... gas was necessary. Han and the general relax and drop their weapons. The door
silently opens behind them and six guards enter wearing face-
masks. They bind the two Jedi with chrome microcuffs. A
satisfied smile creeps across Valorum's face. General
Skywalker seems unimpressed with the knightly trap. VALORUM
At last, it's ended. (to guard) Take them
to hold "G." I don't want them with the others.
Prepare for departure. The troopers escort Han and the general out of the chamber
and down several hallways.93. INTERIOR - BALTA]RIAN FREIGHTERS - AQUILAE
Eight troops march Han and the general into the hold of the
ship. They pass near the main exit where Artwo and Threepio
stand deserted, looking lost. Threepio sees the general pass
in a nearby hallway. THREEPIO
Well, there he is. Come on.
The robots waddle off after the Jedi prisoners. As the small
procession passes detention cell B where the princess and the
others are being held, Han and the general let out a horrifying
Jedi scream, and leap to the corridor ceiling, thrusting their
bound wrists into the lighting fixtures. They land on top of the
troops, instantly breaking the necks of four guards, with
expertly placed Jedi blows. The eight surviving guards are
momentarily dumbfounded. Han and the general grab lazerswords
from their victims, and swiftly cut down the remaining troops.
Han grabs a small card from one of the dead guards, and starts
for detention cell B. GENERAL
Watch it! Those are cutters.
The general grabs one of the dead troopers and tosses him
against the cell door. Red rays engulf the body, and holds
it there. Han then places the card in a slot, and the door
silently slides open. Starkiller and Whitsun leap for the
dead guard, then notice the death ray surrounding him. General
Skywalker grabs another body and throws it into the doorway. GENERAL
Pass between them!
Starkiller squeezes between the slain guards, and is untouched
by the rays. Whitsun and the princess quickly follow, picking
up weapons as they leave. STARKILLER
They've taken the cases.
GENERAL
Are they aware of the boys?
WHITSUN
I don't think so.
GENERAL
Find them! Use your seeker. We'll meet you
at the main hatch. Watch yourselves. If an
alarm is given, they'll gas the entire ship. WHITSUN
Yes, Sir.
Whitsun and Starkiller each take a small humming device from
their utility belts and head down a narrow hallway. The
general, Han and the princess continue toward the main hatch.
Artwo and Threepio have been completely confused by the turn
of events. They eventually follow the general toward the exit
hatch.94. ELECTROCLOSET HALLWAY - BALTARIAN FREIGHTER - AQUILAE
The two young captains reach a storage area of the huge
spacecraft. They watch their seekers as they move along a
row of electroclosets. They quietly sneak past a group of
workmen assembling a large gyro-housing. A second row of
micro-packs is searched to no avail. WHITSUN
If they were discovered, they would have
been sent to a medical station. STARKILLER
There are more storage areas on the far
side.95. MAIN HATCH AREA - BALTARIAN FREIGHTER - AQUILAE
Han and the general reach the main hatch, closely followed by
Leia and the two robots. Several lights over the hatch flash
on and off. The general cuts a camera off the wall with his
lazersword. HAN
They're going to take off....It's too late.
GENERAL
Threepio! Come over here.
The lanky chrome man approaches the general, who is studying a
complex computer control panel next to the hatch. THREEPIO
Yes Sir. May I be of service?
GENERAL
Get this hatch open. Counterlock the
departure pattern. The robot immediately starts pushing buttons on the panel.
96. ELECTROCLOSET HALLWAY - BALTARIAN FREIGHTER - AQUILAE
Starkiller and Whitsun reach a second series of electroclosets.
A signal appears on the seekers, and Starkiller cuts down the
door of one of the small cabinets. Whitsun stands guard.
Approaching troops are heard in the distance. Starkiller quickly
rummages through the electropacks until he spots the familiar
cases containing the two boys. WHITSUN
Troops!
Starkiller straps on one of the back packs, and hands the
other to Whitsun, as they duck into a narrow passageway.
Four troops march through a nearby hallway. After they
have passed, the young captain checks to make sure the way
is clear, then runs down a hallway toward the main hatch.97. BRIDGE - BALTARIAN FREIGHTER - AQUILAE
As the crew makes the final preparations for the blast off,
the main hatch light blinks on. One of the pilots notices
the light and begins to check it out. PILOT (into intercom)
Is the main hatch secure?
98. MAIN HATCH - BALTARIAN FREIGHTER - AQUILAE
The intercom sparks to life, and the general answers it.
GENERAL
Everything looks secure, but give me a
minute to check it out. PILOT
All right... Stand by.
The general gives a wink to Han, as Threepio continues his
attempt to override the hatch computer.99. HALLWAYS - BALTARIAN FREIGHTER - AQUILAE
Starkiller and Whitsun cautiously move down a long hallway,
ever watchful of Imperial troops. They reach an intersection,
carefully check in all directions, then rush down a main hall-
way. They are about half way down the hallway, when a squad
of Imperial guards appears at the end of the hallway, facing
them. The troops start toward the two captains with lowered
lazerrifles. STARKILLER
Here's where it gets tricky.
Starkiller, then Whitsun, quickly and smoothly draw their
lazerpistols and fire at the troops. A giant explosion
destroys the far end of the hallway. A few lazerbolts are
returned, but streak harmlessly overhead, and explode out of
range. The exchange of gunfire lasts only a few moments.
When the smoke clears, the troops have been destroyed.100. MAIN HATCH - BALTARIAN FREIGHTER - AQUILAE
The main hatch slowly begins to slide open, when the rumbling
explosion of lazerfire echoes through the hallways. Han looks
to the general, and they both instantly realize what has
happened. Han draws his weapons. The hatch is now fully open.
Everyone stands silently, watching for the two captains. Alarms
start screaming throughout the ship, and the giant hatch slowly
begins to close. GENERAL
Come on. We can't wait.
The group reluctantly exits the spacecraft, giving one last
look back to their lost friends. The hatch continues to
close slowly as the alarm sirens wail. Suddenly, Starkiller
and Whitsun round a corner and head for the ever-closing hatch;
battling several Imperial stormtroopers as they go. Han and
the general move up to the hatch and give cover fire. Whitsun
slips through the shrinking opening, and yells to Starkiller to
hurry. Many more troops bear down on the young Jedi as he
squeezes through the very slim opening. One of the troops dives
after him, but is caught, and crushed by the emergency hatch.101. BOARDING RAMPS - GORDON SPACEPORT - AQUILAE
The general leads the group through various corridors.
HAN
Once the alarm sounds, the entire spaceport
will shut down. They stop at a junction. At the far end of one hallway, several
troops guard a restricted passageway. GENERAL
That's the military section.
STARKILLER
Fighter craft!
HAN
But it's very heavily guarded. We can't
take it with subtlety. Before the general can answer, the acute scream of the space-
port alarm reverberates through the corridors. The general,
followed by his two young captains, charge toward the heavily
guarded military passageway. Han, with the princess and two
robots, follow a safe distance behind. A guard sees them
coming, and orders them to stop. Starkiller andthe general
fire their lazerpistols at the passageway entrance and the
troops disappear in a huge explosion. The group jumps over the dead guards and smoking rubble, then
runs through a series of hallways leading to a starship. They
stop just short of an intersection leading to a boarding ramp.
Starkiller peeks around a corner at two guards standing in
front of the boarding ramp. STARKILLER
Cutters! We'll have to draw them out...
A blast might alert the crew. GENERAL
Artwo! Come here.
The little robot waddles over to the old Jedi.
GENERAL (Cont.)
Move to that intersection and sound the
alarm. The mechanical dwarf dutifully marches into the intersection
and lets out a high, electronic scream. The guards shut off
the deadly lazer "cutters," and cautiously approach the wailing
robot. GUARD
What is it? What's wrong?
With incredible speed, both guards are dropped by a few pre-
cision blows from the two young captains. They immediately
drag the unconscious guards into the starship. GENERAL
Starkiller! Whitsun! Stand guard.
I'll signal at take-off minus thirty...
And reverse that cutter!102. INTERIOR - IMPERIAL STARSHIP - AQUILAE
Han and the general, followed by Leia and the robots, enter
the Imperial starship. They rush through several narrow hall-
ways leading to the bridge. Two crew members leaving a control
station, stumble into the group and are quickly dispatched by
Han. The princess waits with the robots, as the general and
Han enter the bridge. The two pilots and navigator are taken
by surprise and promptly are subdued. Han switches on the inter-
com and listens. HAN
How are we going to get them to open the
silo cover? GENERAL
Send Threepio in here. Dispose of any crew-
men left on board.103. BOARDING RAMP - SPACEPORT - AQUILAE
Starkiller and Whitsun now wear the uniform of the Imperial
guard. Whitsun has removed a plate from the "cutter" machinism
and is crossing a few wires. He replaces the "cutter" plate
just as a squad of stormtroopers rushes toward the door. An
officer salutes them. OFFICER
Have you seen them?
STARKILLER
No, Sir.
OFFICER
They're in this section somewhere. I'm
doubling all the guards. Stay alert. Two guards take up positions just outside the "cutter" areas,
and the squad moves on to another starship. Starkiller gives
his partner a philosophical look.104. INTERIOR - IMPERIAL STARSHIP - AQUILAE
The gleaming chrome Threepio sits in the pilot's seat,
talking on the intercom to a controller. He breaks off his
continual drone of take-off instructions to the controller,
and turns to the general, shaking his head. THREEPIO
They won't buy it. I think they're getting
suspicious. Han enters.
HAN
The crew is taken care of.
GENERAL
Well, they're not going to open the silo cover,
so I'm afraid we'll have to take it with us. HAN
We're going to sustain considerable
damage if we blast off through that cover. GENERAL
It's a thin shell. There is no choice.
(to Threepio) Signal the boys.105. BOARDING RAMPS - SPACEPORT - AQUILAE
Warning lights flash and the main hatch to the starfighter
slowly begins to close. The two Imperial stormtroopers
yell at Starkiller and Whitsun. STORMTROOPER
Watch it! Don't fire into those cutters!
(to Starkiller) Shut down the cutters! The two captains pretend to be confused, and not understand.
At the last minute, they leap aboard the starship. The hatch
slides closed, and the boarding ramp drops away. Several more
guards arrive, and give the troopers a special card, which
turns the small cutter warning lights from red to green. The
guards rush onto the boarding ramp and are wiped out by the
reversed "cutters."106. INTERIOR - STARSHIPS - AQUILAE
Everyone straps himself into the lifepods. Threepio and the
general troddle forward, and the giant ship shudders as it
starts to lift off the launch pad. With tense expressions,
everyone braces for the impact of the silo cover.107. STARSHIP - SPACEPORT SILO - AQUILAE
The mighty starship thunders out of the silo, crashing through
the cover plate, sending shrapnel in all directions. The
ship leaps toward the heavens.108. BOARDING CAMPS - SPACEPORT - AQUILAE
Imperial flight crews rush to their starships. Pilots receive
their clearances, and several giant silo covers swing away,
revealing deadly hunter-destroyer spaceships.109. INTERIOR - BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE
Han and the general watch as five hunter-destroyers leave the
spaceport at Gordon. GENERAL
We suffered light damage to a deflector fin.
It will take them quite a while to catch up
with us now. Tell the boys to get some rest.110. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE
Han retreats to the aft section of the ship, where the two
captains are checking out the two main lazercannons mounted
in large rotating bubble turrets. HAN
The old boy says you two should get some
rest... You've got some time before they
catch up to us. Han notices the packs containing the young princes.
HAN (cont.)
Better store the boys in a lifepod. Secure
them well. He heads back toward the bridge, followed by Whitsun. Star-
killer carries the two micro-packs to a lifepod, and straps
them in. He checks Biggs' energy supply. It is low. Leia
approaches him. LEIA
Couldn't we let them out now?
STARKILLER
It's better this way. Things are going to
get rough... LEIA
Will we make it? Is there any hope? Stay
with me. ... I love
you. Starkiller is slightly shocked at this outburst. The princess
starts to cry and clings to him for support. STARKILLER
No-one is going to die...so stop acting like
a child, and start behaving like a queen. What
is this silly talk of love? You belong to the
people of Aquilae, and my job is to return you
to them, nothing more. Now straighten up and
get into a lifepod. She's deeply hurt by his callousness. She breaks away from him
and runs down a hallway into a lifepod. He is tired, and angry
at the whole incident.111. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE
Threepio guides the starship toward the Ophuchi system. The
general watches the computer readout estimate the position of
the Imperial hunter destroyers. THREEPIO
Hostile craft will intercept at thirty plus.
GENERAL
What's the nearest star System?
THREEPIO
YAVIN.
GENERAL
Set a course... Maybe we can lose them among
the Systems.112. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE
Starkiller rests in one of the lasercannon pod bays. He is
thinking about Leia. Slowly a smile creeps across his face.
He makes a decision, jumps up, and hurries down a hallway.
He taps on the lifepod bulkhead, and Whitsun opens the door.
Starkiller is surprised. WHITSUN
What is it?
STARKILLER
Where is Leia?
WHITSUN
She went forward.... What's going on with
you two? STARKILLER
We're in love. She loves me, and I just
realized,... I love her. WHITSUN
You're asking for
trouble... She's a queen...
You're a warrior....Do you know what you're
saying? STARKILLER
I don't care... I've got to talk...
Whitsun just shakes his head, but before Starkiller can finish
his sentence, the ship is rocked by a bombardment of proton
torpedoes. The intercom squawks to life. GENERAL (over intercom)
Get to those guns!
Starkiller and Whitsun rush to the lasercannons, and jump into
the protective suits and helmets.113. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE
Han enters the bridge and sits before a fire control center.
The general sits in a chair, slightly behind and above Three-
pio , directing the robot pilot. GENERAL
Turn around! Let's face them.
Artwo, sitting quietly in a corner, watches as Threepio punches
new information into the computer and the giant starship swings
around in a sharp circle. Several torpedoes explode near the
ship. The general switches on the intercom. GENERAL
Your boys ready?
114. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE
The captains adjust the lazercannon controls in front of them
and check in with the general. GENERAL
They should be within range in twelve seconds...
Starkiller adjusts his giant lazer ack-ack cannon, searching
his electronic tracking screen for the hunter destroyer.
Whitsun is having a problem with one of the rotating mechanisms
on the huge gun. He curses, climbs out of the chair, and
attempts to fix it. WHITSUN
My vertical rotating circuits are out...
The princess straps herself into a small lifepod.
Only the slightest hint of concern or
worry shows in her face. She listens to her protectors relay
instructions as the enemy approaches.115. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE
The starship shudders as the hunter-destroyers open fire.
Han relays the ship's status to the general, as Threepio
struggles to keep up with the barrage of orders. HAN
We're losing deflectors three thirty one and
ten forty two... GENERAL (to Threepio)
Cut hard to maridian nine zero six.
Level to three degrees...(into the
intercom) We're coming under one.
Wait for my signal!116. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE
The constant flashing of deflected laser bolts reflect in
the interior of the lazercannon bubble. Starkiller re-
checks his firing switches..Whitsun adjusts his headphones,
and lowers a glare reflector. He raps on the power rotation
circuits, and gives them a little test burst. The pod
instantly rotates a few degrees. The large starship heads
directly toward the three enemy ships and at the last moment
dives under the attacking craft. Starkiller watches the
smaller crafts pass overhead, aching to open fire. He calls
Whitsun on the intercom. STARKILLER
I've got no signal. I'm on target. What's
wrong? What are they waiting for? I've
got an open shield! The three Imperial craft are firing incessantly at point blank
range. WHITSUN
Wait for the signal.
But Starkiller has a perfect shot, and he can't wait. He
squeezes the trigger and the giant lazercannon, with a burst
of smoke and electrical charge, opens up on the enemy craft.
Moments later, the signal lights flash on and Whitsun commences
firing on the receeding hunter-destroyers. Two of the Imperial
craft break off, and prepare for another attack run. The third
is hit by a concentrated barrage from the two captains, and be-
gins spinning out of control, until it finally explodes.
Whitsun gives Starkiller a victory wave, which Starkiller glee-
fully returns. These moments of triumph are broken by the
intercom. GENERAL
Annikin, next run you wait for my signal.
We haven't much power to spare on your
inaccurate grandstanding! Starkiller's pride is wounded. He resets his accelerators,
as the two remaining hunter-destroyers begin a second run.117. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE
Han turns to the general.
HAN
We have a weakened shield on the port turret...
GENERAL
Warn Starkiller. Get him out of there.
(to Threepio) Change your heading by
point five.118. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE
Princess Leia listens to Han warn Starkiller.
HAN
Your shield power is down. Abandon that
position, and seal that section. Report!
Captain, do you hear me? Captain?!!! Leia becomes worried that something has happened to Annikin.
The young captain switches off the intercom system and signals
to Whitsun that the system has gone dead. Before Whitsun
can answer, the two hunter-destroyer spacecraft are upon them
once again. Lazer bolts flash all around them. The general's
signal flashes on, and the captain starts to return the fire.
One of the Imperial fighters concentrates its fire on Star-
killer's weakened gunport. A direct hit blows open a hole in
the turret, and everything that isn't bolted down is sucked
into outer space, including Starkiller. He bangs against the
side of the starship, held only by a weakened lifeline. The princess hears Whitsun explain Starkiller's predicament,
and rushes back to help him. She is stopped by a pressure
locked door leading to the gun emplacement.119. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE
The general orders Threepio to swing the spacecraft around
and start a new attack. He turns to Artwo. GENERAL
Use the aft port...See what you can do
for Starkiller. Artwo hurriedly waddles out of the bridge. Threepio and Han
simultaneously turn to the general. THREEPIO
More craft approaching!
HAN
It looks like at least six or seven.
The general studies the radar scopes and then checks a Galactic
map displayed on one of the monitors. GENERAL
Change course to three point one.
THREEPIO
That will head us directly into the path
of the Norton Asteroid Belt. HAN
That Asteroid Belt is too dense to pass
through...The ship won't make it! GENERAL
We'll never defeat them in combat. It's
our only chance to lose them. Threepio punches in new coordinates, and the starship veers
away toward the treacherous asteroid belt.120. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE
Whitsun fires on one ofthe two hunter-destroyers which is
pacing the rebel starship. Starkiller unsuccessfully tries
to pull himself back inside the spacecraft. The enemy
craft maneuvers wildly in an attempt to get into a better
position, to fire on Starkiller. Whitsun blasts away, until
the Imperial spacecraft spews forth equipment and personnel,
careens off, and eventually explodes. Artwo wobbles along the exterior of the ship, until he reaches
the stranded captain. He attaches a new lifeline to the young
Jedi's spacesuit, and makes his way back inside the wounded
craft. Starkiller is pulled to safety just as the starship
enters the asteroid belt. A barrage of small and large
asteroids begins to pelt the ship, causing a great deal of
damage. GENERAL (over intercom)
Secure yourselves. We may have to eject.
Abandon the turrets. The princess rushes back to her lifepod and straps herself
in. Whitsun and Artwo help Starkiller make his way out of
the lazercannon turrets and through a series of locks, to
the lifepod area.121. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE
The asteroids hit hard. The ship is buffeted to and fro as
the general, Han, and Threepio struggle into their space-
suit-like lifepods. The Imperial hunter-destroyer closest
to the rebel ship explodes in the onrush of deadly asteroids.
The new reinforcement hunter-destroyers turn back and give
up the pursuit. They disappear from the tracking monitors.
The asteroid bombardment becomes almost unbearable. Warning
lights begin to flash. Extending foils, antennae, and
armament pods are scraped away from the starship hull. A
baseball-sized hole is punched through the midsection, and
hundreds of objects are sucked into space. A large locker
eventually plugs the opening. The starship and her passengers
shudder and sway under the punishment of the asteroid storm. THREEPIO
The ship is breaking up.
HAN
We're almost clear of the storm.
THREEPIO
We'll never make it. Eject, we must eject.
The general watches the computer monitor as the starship emerges
from the far side of the Asteroid Belt. HAN
We're approaching one of the Forbidden Systems....
GENERAL
We've got to achieve orbit.
THREEPIO
We'll never make it.
The starship heads for a small blue-green planet in the distance.
122. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE
Starkiller was considerably shaken in the destruction of his
lazerturret. He is slightly dazed as Whitsun straps him into
a lifepod with Artwo. WHITSUN (to Artwo)
You watch him. Make sure this pod gets off
all right. Artwo nods, and Whitsun moves to the second lifepod and straps
himself in next to the princess. LEIA
Will he be all right?
WHITSUN
I think so.. His feelings for you are
dangerous. You should discourage him. She is surprised that Starkiller has any feeling for her, but
keeps her emotions to herself.123. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - YAVIN ORBIT
The general is strapped into the lifepod with the two micro-
packs containing the young princes. Han and Threepio are in
the second lifepod. HAN
We're in orbit.
THREEPIO
We've got to eject now! Those reactors won't
hold much longer. This ship's going to end
up in a million little pieces,... and I don't
want to be one of them. HAN
All lifepod systems are operative.
GENERAL (into intercom)
If you boys are ready back there, we'll get
off this bucket. WHITSUN
All systems operative...I have the signal.
ARTWO
All systems operative...We have the signal.
Han salutes the general, and his lifepod jettisons away from
the crippled starship. He is quickly followed by the general.124. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - YAVIN ORBIT
Artwo pushes the jettison switch, but nothing happens.
Starkiller slowly and with some difficulty, pushes the
switch two or three times. Nothing happens. He begins
to look a little worried. STARKILLER (into intercom)
We've got a problem...Wait a second...
Artwo pushes the switch again, and the lifepod blasts off
in a cloud of smoke and debris. Whitsun also seems to be
having a problem. Half the lights on his control panel
have gone dead. He struggles to reactivate them. WHITSUN
My power's out!
GENERAL (over intercom)
Is it a faulty switch?
WHITSUN
No. The whole bank is out.
Whitsun gives the princess a reassuring look, then punches
some information into the computer. The monitor flashes:
"Income line main power." He looks outside the lifepod and
sees a damaged cable. WHITSUN
I've found it...
GENERAL
You haven't much time...The auxiliary units
have already blown.... Whitsun scrambles out of the lifepod and rushes over to the
severed connector. He works on it for a few moments, then
stops with a rather defeated look. The princess watches him
as he tries to think of a solution. A great explosion is
heard in the forward part of the ship.125. LIFEPODS - SPACE - YAVIN ORBIT
The two lifepods containing the general, and Han and Threepio
drift away from the disabled starship. GENERAL
Where's Starkiller?
HAN
I can't see him either.
Starkiller uses the small rockets on his lifepod to maneuver
back toward the burning starship. He can hear the general
over the intercom. GENERAL
Starkiller, where are you? Report in.
Starkiller reaches down and switches off the intercom.
126. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - YAVIN ORBIT
Whitsun appears to have found a solution to his situation
and rushes back to the princess. He reaches in and locks
on the power switch. WHITSUN
There is only one possible solution, and
we must use it. Lock the hitch and make
sure it is sealed. PRINCESS
But what of...
Another explosion creates a large bulge in the wall of the
aft section. WHITSUN
We've no time!
He slams the hatch shut and runs to the power connector. Smoke
begins to fill the chamber, as Whitsun slams a large metallic
dampening tool across the damaged connector terminals, and
the lifepod jettisons away.127. LIFEPODS - SPACE - YAVIN ORBIT
The princess jettisons free, as Starkiller moves toward the
crippled ship. Leia calls the general on the intercom. LEIA
I'm all right, but Clieg is still on board.
GENERAL
Starkiller, stay out of there.
With a rumble, the starship disappears in a spectacular explosion,
sending debris in all directions. Starkiller stops his lifepod
and it starts to drift. He is weeping. Han and the general
helplessly watch the remains of the explosion drift away. GENERAL
Starkiller, stay near Leia. Use your
beacon. Coordinate with us. Starkiller's intercom is weak, and there is a great deal of
static. The lifepods drift toward the awesome blue-green Yavin
surface. The general loses sight of the other lifepods as they
descend through the cloud cover. GENERAL
Captain, I'm losing your beacon. Send me a
new signal. All he gets is static. The planet surface rushes toward the fall-
ing lifepods. Retrorockets automatically kick in and slow the
pods. Two of the small craft break through the clouds and land
in the dense, steaming jungles.128. VINE JUNGLE - YAVIN
The general's lifepod crashes through the foliage until it
comes to rest in the middle of a large vine-covered tree. He
grabs the two micro-packs and climbs out of the lifepod, and
onto a large moss-covered limb. Han and Threepio run to the
base of the huge tree. HAN
Are you all right?
GENERAL
Fine...Any signal from Annikin?
HAN
Nothing yet. I think they landed further south.
The general attaches a thin cable from his utility belt to the
tree trunk, and slides to the ground. Han takes the micro-
packs from him. The general looks around at the jungle. GENERAL
This is dangerous country...We'd better stay
together. THREEPIO
The wildlife in the forbidden system is
extremely hostile...Perhaps we should seek
shelter? Han inspects the power units of the micro packs.
HAN
Windy's unit is very low. I can't tell if
the unit is still functioning. GENERAL
We have to find a place to revive them.
We'll start moving south. We should find
protection along that ridge. The general grabs one of the micro-packs and starts off into
the murky jungle. Han and Threepio quickly follow. The jungle
is a strange and eerie, fog-laden purgatory. Gruesome and
unnatural sounds permeate this ghostly wasteland. Everyone
is cautious, and on the alert for an unseen danger.129. FOREST OF THE GARGANTUANS - YAVIN
Starkiller's lifepod is also caught in the limbs of a
gargantuan tree. The lifepod has been ripped in half by the
crash landing. The unconscious Jedi hangs half out of the
damaged craft. A two foot high insect-like creature scoots
down a branch and onto the back of the dormant warrior. The
insect lets out a chilling hissing sound, and a slimy tube
emerges from its hairy mouth, waking Starkiller. He is
immediately aware of the insect. His eyes are open, but he
doesn't move. Suddenly, with one quick blow, he knocks the
creature against the side of the spacecraft, and it is
squashed lifeless. Starkiller is a little groggy, but he manages to climb out
of the wreckage. He looks around for Artwo. STARKILLER
Artwo! Artwo Detwo!
ARTWO
Help!
Starkiller turns and sees the little robot hanging upside down,
one of his three feet caught in a vine. He lifts Artwo out of
his predicament and places him securely on a wide limb. STARKILLER
Did you see Leia?
ARTWO
She landed on the other side of those trees,
approximately eight hundred meters. STARKILLER
Well, come on, old buddy. Let's get our-
selves out of this tree.130. VINE JUNGLE RIDGE - YAVIN
The general, Han and Threepio reach a shallow cave near the
top of a steep ridge. They quickly pull off the micro-packs
and place them on a clear piece of ground at the mouth of
the cave. GENERAL (to Han)
Check out the inside. Threepio, stand guard.
Keep your eyes on the countryside. He looks at the power units on the micro-packs and shakes
his head with a worried look. Han returns from a survey of
the inside of the cave. HAN
It doesn't go very far. There's nothing back
there. GENERAL
Help me with this.
Han helps the general lift the top from the case containing
Windy, the younger of the two princes. The small boy appears
lifeless as the general pulls him from his encasement, and
rests him on the cave floor. Han pulls a small resperation
out of the micro-packs and places it over the boy's nose. The
general attaches two electrodes over his heart. HAN
He doesn't look good.
The little prince begins to turn blue. The general grows
tense. Windy starts to regain consciousness, but begins
coughing and choking, then goes limp again. The general
quickly props Windy's mouth open with a small plastic rod
and checks the reading on his power pack. GENERAL
We need more power...tap off Biggs' unit...
Quickly! He then places Windy's arms behind his back and starts
pressing on his chest with sharp, rhythemic movements.
Han attaches new electrodes to the boy's heart. Windy
again comes to, choking and coughing. Finally, he begins
to cry. The general takes the plastic tube from his
mouth and tenderly pats him on the back. GENERAL
Let's get Biggs out of there. He
shouldn't be a problem.131. FOREST OF THE GARGANTUANS - YAVIN
Starkiller slams closed the hatch of Princess Leia's
lifepod. In the distance, the subhuman cries of lone-
some tree beasts cut through the forest murmur. ARTWO
Perhaps she went in search of us.
Starkiller studies the ground around the capsule. There are
a great many footprints, and much broken foliage. STARKILLER
Someone's got her. She put up quite a fight...
It's an easy trail to follow.132. VINE JUNGLE RIDGE - YAVIN
Both Biggs and Windy are sleeping restlessly on the floor
of the cave. Han watches over them as the general scans
the valley below with a pair of electrobinoculars. THREEPIO
It's about fourteen degrees below the
horizon... a little to the left. The electrobinoculars sweep the rich green landscape until
they come to rest on a bright reflection, revealing some
type of structure. GENERAL
It's too small to be a military base...
Could belong to a trapper. THREEPIO
Highly unusual...
GENERAL
..It's on the way. Perhaps we should
investigate. Little Biggs wakes up with a giant yawn.
BIGGS
Hey! Where are we?
133. FOREST OF THE GARGANTUANS - YAVIN
The gargantuan trees are shrouded in mist, and the ominous
sounds of unearthly creatures fill the air. Starkiller
moves quietly and cautiously, followed by Artwo, who inad-
vertently makes a loud clicking sound. The young warrior
stops, and motions to the stubby little robot. STARKILLER
Wait here. If I don't return by zero two
hundred, come looking for me. The mechanical dwarf acknowledges with his computer light.
Starkiller moves swiftly and silently forward, until he hears
laughing and voices. He climbs up the bankside of a huge
tree, and inches his way out onto one of the huge overhanging
branches. Below him, he can see a group of scruffy, alien
trappers sitting around a nutron stove joking and telling
stories. Parked on either side of the group are two large,
tank-like "jungle crawlers." Behind the crawlers, five
Wookees, (huge grey and furry beasts) hang upside down in
a tree. Occasionally, they thrash about in great anger and
frustration. The trappers speak in a strange language, and although they
appear slightly human, they are slimy, deformed, hideous
looking creatures. Two of the trappers yell at one another
in a friendly argument. One shirtless creature goes into
a "crawler," and the remaining eight laugh hysterically.
Starkiller moves further out on the limb to get a better
view. A couple of pieces of bark break loose, and float a
hundred feet to the ground. The trappers fail to notice.
Moments later, the shirtless trapper emerges from the
crawler with Princess Leia held unconscious and half naked
over his head. Starkiller's rage knows no bounds. With
a terrifying Jedi war cry, the young captain jumps from
the tree, sails over a hundred feet, and with great agility,
lands in the middle of the startled trappers. In one
continuous rapid motion, he ignites his lazersword and cuts
down three of the vile creatures. The shirtless trapper
swings the princess over his shoulder, and runs back into
the huge "jungle crawler." Two other trappers reach for
their pistols, but the Jedi has killed them before their
weapons can clear leather. The three remaining creatures
have their pistols out and start firing. Explosions erupt
all around Starkiller. One blast hits the branch holding
the Wookees, and they collapse with a loud screech in a heap.
One of the trappers is caught in the crossfire and is blown
apart. When the smoke clears, Starkiller lies unconscious amid the
burning rubble. The jungle crawler begins to move out of
the camp. The last two trappers run after it. One is able to
jump on board, but the second trapper runs too close to the
now freed Wookees. CHEWBACCA, one of the furry giants, grabs
him and snaps him in two, like a stick of wood. The jungle
crawler disappears in the forest mist. The eight foot
Chewbacca, who resembles a huge, grey bushbaby with fierce
baboon-like fangs, struggles to free his companions. Starkiller regains semiconsciousness, and attempts to get up,
only to groan and collapse back into unconsciousness. The
Wookees gather around him and poke him a couple of times to
see if he is still alive. They squawk and jabber, apparently
in some kind of argument. Finally, DEWANNA, the largest of
the Wookees, picks up Starkiller and puts him over his shoulder.
The group disappears into the jungle foliage.134. TREE HOUSE - FOREST OF THE GARGANTUANS - YAVIN
Han and Threepio carry the two little boys on their shoulders.
The general stops on the edge of a clearing, and motions for
the others to be still. Biggs turns around, and signals his
little brother to be quiet. On the opposite side of the clear-
ing, a small metal structure is attached to one of the huge
trees. It is a small, weatherbeaten hut of futuristic design.
It appears deserted. The general cautiously approaches the
structure. VOICE
Howdy stranger...What can I offer you?
The general spins around and sees OWEN LARS, an aged and
scruffy looking anthropologist. LARS (Cont.)
I'm Owen Lars of Bastine.
The general takes the old man's extended hand.
GENERAL
I'm Luke Skywalker of Aquilae.
He signals for the others to join him in the clearing.
135. WOOKEE CAMP - YAVIN
The small caravan of Wookees, led by Chewbacca, enters a
small clearing surrounded by many bark and mud hovels. Young
Wookees race ahead of the group yelling, and running in and
out of the grubby little dwellings. Giant, bushbaby-like
Wookees of all ages and sizes, make their way into the clearing.
Many stand dumbfounded, but others let out a joyful scream and
rush up to members of the group, hugging and kissing them. Dewanna dumps the unconscious Starkiller on a raised area in
the middle of the clearing. Armed Wookees immediately surround
the helpless human. Chewbacca enters the largest of the
lodges. He is greeted by his father, AUZITUCK, Chief of the
KAAPAUKU tribe; an old and feeble Wookee dressed in royal skins
and headdress.136. INTERIOR - ANTHROPOLOGIST HUT - YAVIN
Anthropologist Lars, the general, Han and the children sit
around a large table eating. Lars yells into the kitchen. LARS
Beru! Where's the thanta sauce?
BERU LARS, Owen's warm, plump wife, enters, carrying a small
pitcher. She smiles at Owen. BERU
I swan! I put it right here in front, so
you'd see it...(to Han) Here's some Bum
Bum extract. It's very mild... LARS (to general)
There are no settlers to the south since the
Dau family was wiped out... I'm afraid I
couldn't even get in there to bury them...
Those Wookees are the fiercest critters I've
ever run across. A new tribe moved in down
there about a year ago...and it's been hell
ever since. Only Yourellian trappers venture
in there now, and many of them don't even come back. GENERAL
Where's the nearest city?
LARS
No cities at all...only a few scattered
settlers and -- one Imperial outpost...
But the troops are of no help. They kill
and plunder rather than protect...Enough...
If your friends landed father south, I'd
fear for them. HAN
How far is the outpost from here?
LARS
Five leagues...an oppressive blight.
GENERAL
What class is it? How many support craft?
LARS
It's very small, a class two....Only ten or
twelve starraiders, I think. Beru fusses over the boys, who refuse to eat their vegetables.
She makes up a game, which tricks them into eating. The
general ponders the situation. Han eats, like he hasn't
eaten in years.137. WOOKEE CAMP - AQUILAE
Starkiller is surrounded by Wookees. Young ones push through
to get a better look, as the adults jabber and argue about the
human. Starkiller regains consciousness with a groan, and a
sudden hush sweeps over the gathering. Starkiller staggers to
his feet, and the group of Wookees back away in mass. The
young Jedi surveys the situation for a few moments. The
Wookees appear to be frightened of this brave warrior. He
reaches for his weapons, but they are gone. Three guards
with long spears attempt to contain Starkiller. With a loud
shout, he lunges at them, and they give him a little room. JOMMILLIA, a large, ferocious Wookee, steps forward. He
says something to the guards, and they quickly move away.
He struts before Starkiller, boasting and taunting him with
his spear and battle ax. The captain studies the Wookee
warrior as he paces back and forth, his helmet plumes
dancing and chest armor jangling. Without warning, Star-
killer lets out another loud yell, startling Jommillia into
backing off. Starkiller continues his verbal assault,
calling the uncomprehending Wookee all manner of vile and
degrading things. Jommillia continues to back into the
surrounding crowd, momentarily confused by this odd be-
haviour. Slowly, Jommillia begins to grin. He takes a
defensive stance, then begins to laugh hysterically. This
stops Starkiller. The giant Wookee swings his deadly,
double-bladed battle ax over his head and expertly throws
it directly at the young captain's head. To the amazement
of Jommillia and the other Wookees, Starkiller, with Jedi
skill and concentration, catches the ax in mid-air, then
charges his furry opponent. Jommillia is caught off-guard, but manages to block Star-
killer's attack with his spear. The two warriors engage
in a savage and fantastic duel. Starkiller cuts the Wookee's
spear in half, but is hit along the side of the head by the
shaft and is momentarily dazed. The battle ax is knocked
from his hands. He grabs the spear shaft and rams the giant
creature in the belly. A loud command from outside the
crowd stops the fight. The Wookees part, revealing Chew-
bacca and his father, who approach the two warriors. Jom-
millia bows before his chief, and is commanded to move away.
Chewbacca speaks to Starkiller. He doesn't understand, but
welcomes the chance to catch his breath. Chewbacca then
presents his father, who steps forward and bows before the
mighty Jedi. Chewbacca bows also, as the crowd of Wookees
chatter in disbelief. When the chief and his son rise,
Starkiller bows down before them. This pleases the Wookees,
and they screech and cheer.138. TREE HOUSE - FOREST OF THE GARGANTUANS - YAVIN
Mr. and Mrs. Lars stand on the balcony of their tree house
with Threepio and the two little princes, Biggs, and Windy.
Han and the general emerge with large survival backpacks
and multiplelaZer weapons. GENERAL (to Threepio)
We'll call for you when we've found them.
THREEPIO
Your orders are quite clear. The boys will
be quite safe. LARS
Don't worry. The patrols never come out this far.
We'll take good care of the boys. GENERAL
Lars, your kindness will surely be rewarded.
LARS
Just be careful out there...
He pats Skywalker on the back as the old Jedi and the ever
faithful Han descend from the tree house. At the
base of the huge tree, the warriors climb aboard two small
rocket powered platforms. LARS (yelling down to them)
They're pretty old. I hope they'll be
all right! GENERAL
Out here, they're a wonderment.
Threepio and the kids wave as the jelsticks start with a
whine. They idle about five feet above the ground. LARS
Good hunting. May the force of others be
with you. Han and the general wave as they ride off into the foreboding
Yavin sunset.139. WOOKEE CAMP - YAVIN - NIGHT
A beautiful, but frenzied fire festival is underway.
Wookees perform the WAITA TAR dance, and yodel in a barking
fashion around a large fire. The female Wookees arrive,
carrying torches, and move in a circle around the males. The
giant creatures are too involved to notice that little Artwo
makes his way around the dancers. The stubby robot stops
near one of the mud huts, and looks around. He then wobbles
off toward the large chief's quarters, and enters.140. WOOKEE CAMP - YAVIN - MORNING
Artwo exits the chief's hut and looks around. It is a quiet,
grey morning. A low mist hangs over the now deserted clearing.
He turns and signals back into the hut. Starkiller cautiously
emerges from the mud house. he wears a crude backpack, and
carries a large battle ax. They start across the clearing.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Chewbacca is standing before them.
He says nothing, but scratches his head and then circles
around Starkiller. STARKILLER
We are leaving...We must go. Stand away!
The huge Wookee kneels and bows down in front of the young
Jedi. Starkiller looks down and smiles. STARKILLER
Rise my friend. We will meet again.
Starkiller walks toward the jungle and Chewbacca scurries
ahead of him and bows down once more. ARTWO
What does he want?
Starkiller shakes his head, and rubs his several days growth
of beard. He leans down toward Chewbacca. STARKILLER
Stand up so we can talk properly.
Chewbacca jabbers in a questioning fashion.
STARKILLER
I am grateful to you and your people, but I
must go. I wish you understood me. It would
make things so much easier. Go! Go! Starkiller turns away, and begins to walk toward the jungle
again. Chewbacca gets to his feet, and runs after the Jedi,
following a few paces behind. Starkiller notices the
Wookee following them, and shakes his head.141. FOREST OF THE GARGANTUANS - TRAPPER SIGHT - YAVIN
The bodies of the killed trappers are covered with rat-sized
insects. A lazer explosion erupts in the middle of the
slimy creatures and they scatter into the underbrush. Han
and the general turn over one of the dead trappers. HAN
They ran into something.
GENERAL
It's strange they left their dead. Something...
The constant cacophony of jungle creatures suddenly stops.
The two warriors scan the jungle for possible danger. Han
draws his lazerpistol. The cacophony starts again, as the
general ignites his lazersword. HAN
Two or three moving this way, from the east.
He listens more closely for a few moments.
HAN (Cont.)
It's Artwo!
Starkiller and Artwo break out of the dark foliage into the
clearing. He waves to Han and the general. Artwo waddles a
few paces behind. Chewbacca sees the humans and stops at
the edge of the jungle. He watches as Starkiller and the
general carry on an animated conversation. Han sees the
Wookee lurking in the shadows. HAN
You were followed.
STARKILLER
He wouldn't stay. He's one of the ones I
saved... Han calls out to Chewbacca in the Wookee's own language,
and the huge, lumbering creature approaches the group. Han
and the Wookee talk for a few moments, then embrace as if
they were old friends. Starkiller is surprised. HAN (to Starkiller)
This is Chewbacca, son of Auzituck,
Prince of the Sawas, a very powerful tribe.
It seems they've made you a god. The general smiles. Starkiller is embarrassed.
142. VINE JUNGLE RIDGE - YAVIN
Starkiller joins the general on a ridge overlooking the
Imperial outpost of MAVASSI. All that can be seen of the
fortress is a lone guard standing on a small pedastal,
jutting out above the dense jungle. GENERAL
Their trail leads directly to the outpost.
Patrols are probably out looking for us by now. STARKILLER
Finding her in there isn't going to be easy.
GENERAL
Getting in there is going to be impossible.
We could sure use one of those starships. Starkiller spots something moving in the jungle. He scans
the area with his electrobinoculars. STARKILLER
Something's going on down there...Han!
Han moves up next to Starkiller, followed closely by Chew-
bacca. STARKILLER
Your eyes are better than mine....
What do you make of that? HAN
They look like Wookees...hundreds of them.
Han turns and speaks to Chewbacca, gesturing toward the
movement far below in the jungle. HAN
Apparently, it's a siege. They've been
harassing the outpost for almost two years. GENERAL
Have they ever tried to take the fortress?
Han relays this to Chewbacca.
HAN
He says they've made several assaults, but
they are no match for the weapons. GENERAL
It's only a class three fortress. Maybe
they just need a little help. Starkiller grins, and Han says something to Chewbacca, who
becomes excited and screeches loudly.143. INTERIOR - TREEHOUSE - YAVIN
The incoming signal alarm on the anthropologist's radio system
wails through the calm of the tree house. Biggs, dragging an
eight-legged, furry rodent, rushes up to the old radio and flips
the receiver. BIGGS
I'm reading yah. Go ahead.
GENERAL
Biggs, how are you getting along?
BIGGS
Great! I caught a thumper...a really
big one. Its name is "Amber." He yanks on the leash, and the furry beast lets out a strained
yelp. GENERAL
Good, Biggs. How's your brother? Are
you taking good care of him? BIGGS
Oh, sure. He's out collecting "Abas" with
Owen and Beru. I'm in charge here. Did
you find Leia? GENERAL
Not yet. We'll be away for a while. You
mind Lars until we return. May the force
of others be with you. BIGGS
All right. Take care.
Threepio enters the room, carrying a plate of steaming food.
Biggs turns the radio off, and puts the receiver away. A
crashing sound and voices are heard in the clearing below. THREEPIO
Come and eat your dinner.
BIGGS
They're back! They're back! Come Amber!
The furry rodent jumps up onto its eight stubby legs and
rushes over to the door, but stops short, and begins to growl.
Biggs stops behind the creature. BIGGS
What is it, Amber?
Biggs peeks out the window, and sees a patrol of six Imperial
stormtroopers climbing out of an airtank. He ducks back, and
tugs Amber away from the door. BIGGS
Quiet, Amber. Come here. Come on.
THREEPIO
What's wrong?
BIGGS
Troopers. We must hide! Stay quiet.
Biggs and the robot scramble for a trap door near a large shelf.
The troops begin to climb the ladder to the tree house. The
trap door is heavy, and the robot and the little boy struggle
to get it open. The troops break in the door, just as Threepio
closes the trap door. The stormtroopers are led by a
rough looking sergeant. They poke around, tearing everything
apart. Biggs struggles to keep Amber quiet. Suddenly he
realizes something. BIGGS
The food!
The sergeant takes the bowl of food from the table and studies
it. He then takes a small chrome ball from his pocket, and
tosses it into the air. Antennae shoot from its surface
as it floats around the room. Eventually, it hovers over the
trap door. A sinister grin sweeps across the sergeant's face
as he moves over to the trap door and puts the chrome ball back
into his pocket. Threepio puts his arm around Biggs who is desperately clutching
the struggling thumper. All the movement above them stops,
and Biggs looks to the robot. THREEPIO (quietly)
They're still up there. Stay still.
The silence continues, then suddenly the trap door swings
open with a loud bang. Amber breaks away from Biggs, and
attacks the sergeant. One of the other troopers cuts the
thumper in half with his lazersword. The sergeant pulls Biggs
out of his hiding place. Biggs stares at the dead thumper. SERGEANT
Well, well, here's one of them, anyway.
Send seekers in all directions. Find
the others!144. VINE JUNGLE RIDGE - YAVIN
The general sits at the head of the large stone table,
pushing small markers around. Han explains what the
general is doing, to ten or fifteen Wookee chiefs gathered
around the table. Occasionally, Chewbacca puts in a word
of further explanation or answers a question. Starkiller
sits back silently watching the Wookee warriors and listens
to the general's plan. GENERAL
.... then they pull back to here. That's
where the trap will be set. No-one must
advance. An assault on the perimeter is
useless. Our only hope is to use their
weapons against them. The general pauses, while Han and Chewbacca translate.
GENERAL (to Starkiller)
Once we acquire those tanks, our prime object
must be to secure the starship. No-one must
escape.145. IMPERIAL OUTPOST - VINE JUNGLE - YAVIN
Three officers run along a row of giant air tnaks to a
perimeter bunker. There, two stormtroopers are watching
the jungle. When the officers arrive, the troopers let them
look through the powerful, mounted electrobinoculars. One of
the troopers points out several areas in the dense jungle.146. INTERIOR - CONTROL ROOM - IMPERIAL OUTPOST - YAVIN
A trooper sitting at an elaborate control panel, turns to
an officer watching a monitor system. TROOPER
A large concentration of trestuals at
point E-2. OFFICER
Alert squads one through six!
147. VINE JUNGLES - OUTPOST PERIMETER - YAVIN
The general stands in a small clearing surrounded, by many
armed Wookees carrying large shiny shields. Han moves back
and forth, barking orders to the assembled creatures. GENERAL (to Han)
We're ready. Give them the signal.
Han motions to a young Wookee, who takes off, running through
the jungle.148. IMPERIAL OUTPOST - VINE JUNGLE - YAVIN
Three large air tanks slowly move toward the outpost peri-
meter. The tank pilots sit on the hatch rims of the ponderous
weapons, studying the movements of the Wookees. The tank
personnel talk to one another on an intercom system. TANK PILOT
There is a large concentration....red two by
C-3. Let's break them up. The pilots slip into the tanks and close the hatches. The
tanks open up with a barrage of lazer bolts which create a
wall of explosions. The Wookies retreat, and the tanks follow.
The tank crews track the feeling creatures with various elec-
tronic scopes, and laugh at the fleeing creatures.149. VINE JUNGLE - OUTPOST PERIMETER - YAVIN
The general stands on a limb of a jungle tree, watching the
advancing tanks. Starkiller is on another branch a few feet
away. GENERAL
They've grown sloppy fighting Wookees. The
intra-fazer systems aren't on. They're in
for a little surprise. Starkiller flashes a signal mirror, which is received by a
Wookee near the tanks. The Wookees are in pairs, and they
hold heavy stone wedges attached to woven vines; which in
turn, are fastened high in the trees. When the tanks pass
directly under the Wookees, they let loose with the heavy
stone pendulums. The wedges fly through the air, neatly
clipping off the antenna groupings protruding from the tops
of the air tanks.150. INTERIOR - AIR TANK - VINE JUNGLE - YAVIN
Several of the lights and monitors go dark on the main control
panel. The pilot flips several switches in a panic. PILOT
All high phasing units are out. We've
lost all contact.... SERGEANT
Send out a ground signal!
Suddenly, all of the monitors go white, and static fills the
crowded tank interior. An alarm signal sounds. SERGEANT
What is it?!!!
PILOT
All signals...sensers....everything is coming
right back to us. Some kind of deflection
screen. It's a total blackout. SERGEANT
Get out there and see if you can see anything.
The pilot pushes a button and the main hatch slowly slides
away.151. VINE JUNGLE - OUTPOST PERIMETER - YAVIN
The pilot pops out of the hatch and sses two rows of Wookee
warriors holding reflective shields. They form a circle
that totally encompasses the massive air tank. Han shouts
a signal to a group of Wookees in another tree, and they cut
loose a bent limb which is attached to a noose around the
tank's hatch. The noose instantly tightens around the pilot,
and he is plucked from the tank and suspended fifty feet in
the air. In an equally swift move, Starkiller drops a small
gas grenade into the open hatch. It explodes and engulfs the
tank in a grey mist. The Wookees let out a joyful yell, and charge the tank.
Han yells at them to stop, but several make it to the con-
quered craft before the gas cloud dissipates and they are
felled by the fumes. Starkiller shakes his head, then after the
smoke clears, jumps on the back of the immobile tank. Several signal mirrors flash their messages to Han and the
general. HAN
That makes four captured.
GENERAL
Have them camouflaged. I'm going with
Starkiller.152. INTERIOR - AIR-TANK - VINE JUNGLE - YAVIN
Wookees are removing the tank crew as Starkiller checks out
the power controls. The general slides through the main hatch. GENERAL
Any damage?
STARKILLER
She's fine...We're ready to move.
GENERAL
Then let's go...
The general yells for the Wookees to clear the tanks, and
they scramble out of the hatch.153. VINE JUNGLE - OUTPOST PERIMETER - YAVIN
The tank starts up with a loud roar, startling the many
Wookees resting on the mighty vehicle. Chewbacca yells at
the warriors and they fall a few feet behind the tank, their
shields forming a shiny protective wall.154. IMPERIAL OUTPOST - VINE JUNGLE - YAVIN
Several officers stand on a parked air-tank trying to get a
better view of the operation. A light landspeeder pulls up
next to the group, and a general gets out. The officers snap
to attention. GENERAL
Can you see anything?
OFFICER
No Sir, but they've stopped firing.
AID
Communications still can't reach them, Sir.
GENERAL
Nobody seems to know what's going on.
OFFICER
I'm sure they've got them on the run, Sir.
A lazerbolt flashes out of the jungle and knocks out a guard
tower about a quarter of a mile from where the men are standing.
Seconds later, the air-tank on which they are standing explodes
into a million pieces. Out of the jungle, rumbles the captured
air-tank, driven by Starkiller and followed by a column of
Wookee warriors. Alarms sound, troops rush from the low block houses, and a
battle rages inside the outpost. Wookees with spears, axes,
and arrows, manage to hold their own against the lazer weapons
of the stormtroopers. Explosions erupt everywhere, as the
Wookees begin to use captured lazerrifles. They are much
fiercer fighters than the soft Imperial troops.155. INTERIOR - AIR-TANK - OUTPOST - YAVIN
Starkiller works the controls of the air-tank as the general
watches the monitors, and works the lazerguns. GENERAL
Swing left. They're trying to cut us off.
156. STARSHIP RUNWAY - IMPERIAL OUTPOST - YAVIN
Starkiller maneuvers the air-tank in front of a line of ten
starships, cutting off a platoon of stormtroopers. The troops
open fire on the tank, but are cut down by a group of Wookees
who have moved in behind them. Han and Artwo run up to the
tank as Starkiller and the general climb out of the hatch. HAN
We've taken the main control center. All
power units have been shut down. They're
helpless. STARKILLER
Have they found Leia?
HAN
They've taken her back to Aquilae. The
ship left not more than ten hours ago. GENERAL (to Han)
Set up a perimeter around these starships...Use
as many men as you need.157. STAFF OFFICE - IMPERIAL OUTPOST - YAVIN
Starkiller and the general sit at a large table in the deserted
office of the Imperial Chief of Staff. The room is in a state of
disarray; papers are scattered everywhere. Artwo stands on a
chair, projecting an image of the "death star" fortress orbiting
Aquilae, on the table top. ARTWO
....And are connected to the central system
by a series of crossing networks similar to
section TB4 or F687. The projection switches to a close-up view of the transformer.
The general studies it carefully, then leans back in his chair.
Artwo turns off the projector. GENERAL
I'm not going to stop you, but I think it's a
reckless move. Even if you could get in, you'd
never be able to get out... Just be patient.
We now have enough ships to attack in force. STARKILLER
But no pilots...
Han and Chewbacca enter the office.
HAN
Still no contact with Owen Lars or the kids...
I'm afraid something's happened. GENERAL
Have Chewbacca send two of his best warriors
out there to get them. Han relates this to Chewbacca. The general turns back to Star-
killer, who watches Chewbacca leave the room. STARKILLER (mocking)
They're fierce warriors, but you'll never
teach them to fly. The general gives him a stern look.
GENERAL
They'll fly, and Aquilae will be free.
STARKILLER
May the force of others be with you.
The general embraces the young Jedi.
GENERAL
Bring her back safely.
158. OUTPOST RUNWAY - STARSHIP - YAVIN
Starkiller, dressed as an Imperial skyraider, and Artwo climb
aboard one of the giant four-man starships. A crowd of Wookees,
lead by Chewbacca, give a rousing cheer for the departing Jedi.
Starkiller breaks into a smile and waves to the joyous warriors.
The general watches the proceedings from a bunker turret. He is
lost in thought.159. SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Three Imperial space transports dock inside the huge artificial
moon. Two smaller convoy starships circle the larger craft
until the three ships are safely inside the vast fortress.160. CONFERENCE ROOM - INTERIOR SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
General Vader of the Imperial Space Fleet, hurries down a hall-
way, followed by a group of officers. They enter the large
conference room where Leia is held under heavy squad. She
appears well, but saddened. Vader approaches her and bows before
her. VADER
I pray you have been treated honorably? I
am your servant, Darth Vader. It won't be
long before we will be able to return you
to your people. (to an aide) Are the
chambers ready? AIDE
They are working on it, Sir.
Leia stares defiantly at him. She starts to speak, but a power-
ful electric shock engulfs her body, and she whines in extreme
pain. VADER
Just relax, and everything will be fine.
(to guards) Take her to section twenty-
five. Leia is forcibly taken from the room.
VADER (to officer)
What time do the doctors from Alderaan
arrive? OFFICER
Sixty-five hours, Sir.
VADER
Put all security stations on alert until
they arrive. The officer salutes smartly, and exits.
161. IMPERIAL OUTPOST - VINE JUNGLE - YAVIN
A huge air tank rumbles along the approach to the Imperial out-
post. The pilot sits on the main hatch of the tank, talking to
his crew, by headphones. PILOT
Any contact yet?... It appears deserted...
I don't like it. The tank enters the outpost perimeter and smoking rubble from
the recent battle comes into view. The pilot becomes alarmed. PILOT
There has been an attack! Reverse direction.
The tank comes to a grinding halt, but before it can start up
again, it is surrounded by the Wookee army. From out of no-where
a Wookee is on the back of the air-tank and has the pilot in a
powerful armlock. A Wookee chieftain rushes from a bunker, followed by an excited,
jabbering warrior. They reach the captured air-tank just as the
last crewman is hauled out, and little Biggs pokes his head out
of the hatch. He is frightened. His younger brother, Windy,
follows him out of the tank. Below them, the Wookees bully the
captured crewmen. WINDY
What will they do to us?
BIGGS
I don't know, but it don't look good.
Threepio pulls himself out of the air-tank, followed by Owen
Lars and his wife. The Wookee chieftan climbs on board, and
starts to jabber at the group. The Wookee carries on for some
time, gesturing wildly, and continually pointing at the sky.
The two boys are too scared to say anything. Finally, the
Wookee kneels before them. Threepio politely returns a short
bow. BIGGS
I don't get it.
The Wookee rises and again gestures skyward, just then a star-
ship wildly buzzes the field, upsidedown. All the Wookees run
for cover. The chief Wookee points to the crafts, and jabbers
incessantly.162. INTERIOR - IMPERIAL STARSHIP - SKY OVER YAVIN
Chewbacca sits at the controls of a four-man starship. His
face is a twisted combination of complete panic and an awesome
religious experience. The general, sitting next to him, calmly
switches a few buttons on the control panel, as Han watches
from the seat directly behind the Wookee. GENERAL
You'll get the hang of it.
Han also gives the Wookee a few words of encouragement.
GENERAL
Now, let's see if we can get into orbit...
Push this, then ease her up. Chewbacca follows the instructions, but pulls back on the lever
too fast and the ships begins to vibrate and bounce violently.
Chewbacca thinks it's funny, and begins to laugh hysterically.
Han becomes nervous and quiet. GENERAL
Not so fast - Back off! Back off!
Han yells at the Wookee, who can't respond because he is laughing
so hard. The general pulls back on the lever. Han shakes his
head, and gives the general a worried look. GENERAL
Don't worry. Ignorance is on their side.
Han is beginning to look a little sick. He gets up and rushes to
the back of the ship.163. IMPERIAL SPACE FORTRESS - DOCKING AREA - AQUILAE
The canopy on the starship pops open, and Artwo and the young Jedi,
disguised as a starraider, climb out onto the docking platform.
An officer and two groundcrew approach him and salute. Starkiller
hands him his papers. STARKILLER
I'm here to check the vent ports in the rim
tracks. OFFICER
Your ship is from Yavin... We've lost all
contact with them. What's going on out
there? STARKILLER
There is a fierce inversion just east of Bull
Pup station... It's really a mess out there. The officer smiles and the ground crew starts to check out the
starship. Starkiller heads for the main docking exit, followed
by Artwo. He remembers something as he passes the control station,
and calls out to the officer. STARKILLER
Do you mind if I use your com-link?
OFFICER
No. Go ahead.
Starkiller walks into the small control area and pretends to talk
on an intercom system. STARKILLER (to Artwo)
Find the highest security area.
Artwo punches his claw arm into a computer socket, and the brain
comes to life, feeding information to the little robot. Starkiller watches the officer as he directs the crewmen in the
securing of the starship. Artwo removes his arm from the com-
puter, and the duo leave the control station. ARTWO
Station 325 is the highest security area
on board. It's a detention area. They disappear into a chamber lock hallway.
164. ELEVATOR TUBE - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Starkiller, trying to look inconspicuous, waits for a horizontal
elevator. Troops and fortress personnel come and go, but no-one
seems to pay any attention to the pair. Finally a small car
arrives, and Starkiller follows Artwo into the podlike vehicle,
and it takes off through a vacuum tunnel.165. DETENTION AREA - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Starkiller and Artwo enter a security station. Guards and elec-
tronic cutters are everywhere. An officer approaches Starkiller,
and checks his papers. OFFICER
The B-23 can't enter this station.
STARKILLER
But I need him.
OFFICER
Sorry. No mechanical personnel. It's res-
tricted. Starkiller watches helplessly, as Artwo is led into a waiting
area. OFFICER
You may proceed, but you'll have to be
escorted. A trooper joins Starkiller and leads him through a series of
hallways. Starkiller carefully surveys the area as he follows
the guard. TROOPER
Mathusians just beat the PDR's again. They
should be in another league. Do you follow
the ecometrics? The guard turns to discover that Starkiller has disappeared. He
is stunned, then manages to pull out a small ring radio. TROOPER
Code six - Alert.
166. STARSHIP RUNWAY - IMPERIAL OUTPOST - YAVIN
Six Wookees sit before Han and the general, listening to Han explain
something about space fighting. Owen Lars approaches the general. LARS
We've made contact with the underground on
Aquilae. Things are tighter. They can only
get one man out. Datos is on his way. GENERAL
We should be ready by the time he arrives.
Han turns to the general.
HAN
They're ready to go up.
The general makes a short statement to the Wookes in their own
language. They let out a loud cheer, and run for the row of
starships.167. STARSHIP - SPACE - YAVIN
The general sits next to Chewbacca, as he leads two other Wookee
piloted starships in a tight formation. They head for a small
cluster of asteroids orbiting near the planet's surface. The
general quietly gives Chewbacca some reassuring instructions. Han
leads a second formation of three ships, following Chewbacca's
group. The two formations of starships make an attack run on the
asteroids. The general watches as Chewbacca lines up and fires
at an asteroid blowing it into a million pieces. The general
smiles, and slaps Chewbacca on the back. The Wookees excitedly
chatter among themselves over the intercom system.168. DETENTION AREA HALLWAY - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
A patrol of ten men marches through one of the long hallways in
the detention area. They stop at an intersection. The officer
in charge reports on the intercom. OFFICER
Ben Five to Moma. All clear.
The troops relax, some stand in groups, others wander a distance
away, poking into the various small alleyways running off the main
hallway. One trooper notices a small reflected light in one of
the narrow corridors, and carefully moves down the dark passage-
way to check it out. Out of no-where, a fist knocks the trooper
unconscious and drags him into a small alcove. The officer finishes his report on the intercom and yells for the
troops to fall-in. Men scurry in all directions and out of a narrow
corridor emerges Starkiller, dressed in the uniform of an Imperial
startrooper. He joins the platoon, and they march away.169. GENERAL'S QUARTERS - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
General Vader and several officers watch the progress of the search
on TV monitors. The general speaks into an intercom. VADER
Have them clear the area. Bring in the seekers.
On the monitors, the troops are assembled in the main entry-way
and several small chrome balls are thrown into the hallway. Small
antennae pop from the chrome surface, and the small balls float
down the hallways. Valorum, once a proud Knight of the Sith,
enters wearing the uniform of a stormtrooper. He snaps to atten-
tion before the general, and hands him a report. Vader gives
Valorum a sly grin. VALORUM
Contact has been lost with the ship carrying
the doctors from Alderaan. The princess'
treatment will have to be delayed. VADER
We've just trapped your own friend Starkiller.
Watch us accomplish what you found to be
impossible. Valorum is humiliated, but stays at attention. Valorum gets an
emergency call on the intercom. VADER
Yes...Yes... Put it on the view screen.
One of the TV monitors switches to an image of the unconscious
trooper Starkiller stripped. VADER
Get me the Captain of the Guard.
170. DETENTION AREA - MAIN ENTRY - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Three squads of troops including Starkiller, stand at attention
in the main entrance to the detention center, while the Captain
of the Guard gets new orders over his headphones. Starkiller
studies the situation carefully, looking for a way out of his
predicament. The Captain of the Guard calls up the platoon
sergeants and gives them a series of orders. They return to
their squads and begin to inspect the troops. Starkiller begins
to get worried. The sergeant works his way down the line until he gets to the
trooper next to Starkiller. He sees no chance of escape, but
surprise. Suddenly, he bolts from the ranks and races down the
hallway. CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD
Squad leaders!
Ten troopers break out of the ranks and take up the chase. Star-
killer runs down a corridor and rounds a corner, reaching a dead
end. The troops round the corner and confront the trapped Jedi.
The sound of igniting lazerswords fills the hallway. Starkiller
takes a defensive stance, his huge lazersword buzzing loudly.
The troops attack. They fight with skill and bravery, but are
eventually all cut down by the invincible Jedi warrior. Starkiller breaks away from the troops and runs down a long
hallway. A safety door slides shut, closing off his escape. He
turns around in time to see another door seal off the opposite
end of the hallway. Before he can make any attempt to pry open
the door, gas fills the sealed corridor. Starkiller collapses
in a heap on the floor.171. GENERAL'S QUARTERS - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Vader laughs as he watches the unconscious Starkiller on the TV
monitors. All of the other officers in the room are laughing
and joking, except Valorum, who remains grimly at attention. GENERAL (to Valorum)
Take him to the special section.
Valorum salutes, and exits the offices. Vader laughs again.
172. STARSHIP RUNWAY - IMPERIAL OUTPOST - YAVIN
Nine gleaming starships sit in a row along the edge of the vast
jungle runway. Bizarre and colorful Wookee designs have been
painted across the large deflector fins of the spacecraft. Some
designs transform the ships into huge and grotesque animals,
while others create unique mosaic patterns. The four-man Wookee
crews stand proudly at attention in front of their ships. The
general, along with Han and the underground leader, Datos,
review the assembled Wookees. In one of the Wookee crews, a pilot is picking fleas off the back
of his tail gunner. When the general passes, he snaps to atten-
tion. There is a gleam in the general's eye as he shows off his
strike force to the crusty old underground leader. When they've
inspected the last starship, Datos turns to the general. DATOS
I'm speechless. It's amazing. A most
impressive display. For the first time
since the take-over, I feel real hope. GENERAL
Will your people be ready?
DATOS
Our forces have already started sabotaging
their com-link set ups. A refugee camp on
MANANYO has been conducting raids on shipping
from Alderaan. That's how we intercepted
those doctors... GENERAL (to Han)
Get them in the ships... We're on our way.
(to Datos) Send the code signal.173. DETENTION CELL - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
General Vader and Valorum watch as a medic revives Starkiller,
who has been strapped to an upright slab, protected by cutter-
rays. MEDIC
He's coming round.
The medic backs away, and throws the switch which activates the
cutters. A blue glow surrounds Starkiller as he wakes up and
sees Vader and Valorum. VADER
For all the myths and the trouble, you don't
seem like much... He laughs and leaves Valorum alone in the room with the young
Jedi. Valorum appears sad and frustrated at the capture of the
noble warrior. They stare at one another for a few moments. VALORUM
You were insane to come here. The security on
this... this thing is impossible. Why?....For
her? I can't believe your loyalty is that
strong. You're a great warrior... but you're
a greater fool. This is a place for androids,
no codes, no honor. Our ways are useless here.
Why couldn't you have stayed away? He storms out of the cell. Starkiller struggles to free himself.
174. SLUM DWELLING - GORDON SPACEPORT - AQUILAE
The young partisan, Occo, listens to a small transmitter in a
secret closet behind the main room in a slum dwelling. He
jumps up and runs into the main room, where Quist and several
other men are sitting around a table covered with maps and
plans. OCCO
It's Datos. We've got the go ahead.
Everyone cheers and starts hugging and slapping each other on
the back. Finally, they settle down. QUIST
Go to your organizations. (to Occo)
What's the code time? OCCO
Zero three thirty...
QUIST
May the force of others be with you.
The men solemnly shake hands and leave the room.
175. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Starkiller stands on a small platform before Governor Hoedaack
and the High Consul. His hands are held behind his back by
electric bonds. GOVERNOR
.... And I'm sure the emperor will enjoy
your execution. I only regret I won't be
there myself. This should end the Jedi
myth once and for all. Take him to Alderaan. Valorum steps forward with a squad of stormtroopers and escorts
the prisoner away. Vader and the governor seem very pleased
with themselves. Valorum looks back in disgust.176. CONTROL CENTER - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
In the large central control room, two officers sit above a row
of monitors and giant read-outs. FIRST OFFICER
Look! That whole sector just went dead.
We're losing contact with the surface.
Use the IF link and find out what's going
on.177. DOCKING AREA - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Valorum halts the squad guarding Starkiller on an observation
deck overlooking a starship docking port. Valorum reports to the
officer in charge. VALORUM
Where is the ship?
OFFICER
It's on its way in. It will just be a
few minutes. Valorum returns to his squad and watches the large starship
slowly move into the docking area. He glances at Starkiller, who
stands defiant, ready to meet his fate. Valorum continues to study Starkiller. The young Jedi returns
his gaze. Slowly, the spacecraft locks onto the docking port
with a loud jolt. The troops snap to attention, but Valorum
grabs two lazerswords and in one swift move, switches off
Starkiller's bonds and tosses him one of the lazerswords.
Starkiller assumes a defensive stance, as the troops realize
what has happened and draw their swords. VALORUM
This way!
The two warriors fight their way through a side exit. The door
slides closed behind them, and Valorum throws the lock, trapping
the troops on the observation platform. They race down the hall-
way and stop at an intersection. VALORUM
This way! We can get a starship and be out of
here before they've discovered... STARKILLER
I'm not leaving without the princess.
VALORUM
It's impossible; there are traps every-
where... You're mad! Starkiller just grins and runs down the passageway leading to
the detention area. Valorum rushes and catches up. An alarm
signal wails through the hallways.178. WOOKEE STARSHIPS - SPACE
The general leads three squads, of three starships each toward
the glowing planet of Aquilae. GENERAL
There she is. Activate your deflection shields.
179. DETENTION AREA - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Valorum talks with the Captain of the Guard. He gestures wildly,
like something important had happened. Four troops run into the
central detention area leading the bound Princess Leia. The
Captain of the Guard salutes Valorum, and the Sith knight, fol-
lowed by the four troops and Leia, leave the main area.180. DETENTION HALLWAY - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Starkiller appears boldly at the end of the hallway, facing
Valorum and the troops. VALORUM
Get him!
The troops rush for Starkiller, swords drawn. They are no match
for the skilled Jedi. He makes short work of them, as Valorum
frees the princess. The trio then run into another hallway. The
princess embraces Starkiller. VALORUM
We only have a few seconds before they find us.
All of these hallways are sealable... Starkiller spots a small garbage chute on the corridor wall. He
goes and looks into it. STARKILLER
Is this pressurized?
Valorum nods yes, and they lift the princess into the chute and
quickly follow.181. GARBAGE CHUTE - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The trio slides through a series of chutes, until they end up in
a large room full of garbage. Starkiller spots a doorway and
struggles to get it open. VALORUM
They're power sealed...We'll have to find
another way, or some way to shut the power
off... They search the smooth-walled room for another exit.
182. GOVERNOR'S QUARTERS - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Governor Hoedaack watches General Vader as he supervises the hunt
for Starkiller and Valorum. They watch troops move through the
detention area via TV monitors. Seekers buzz through the hall-
ways. The general gets a report from an officer on another
monitor. OFFICER
We've lost contact with the surface. There
is a good probability of an uprising. Even
the IF links are out. GENERAL
Use a substandard relay and put all units on
alert. The officer disappears from the monitor and is replaced with the
Captain of the Guard. CAPTAIN
All sections D through P-12 are clear. We
have reason to suspect they escaped through
the disposal system. We are checking....
(he is interrupted by an excited trooper
who tells him something)....We've found them
in Receptacle B-29. You should.... A red light flashes on one of the other monitors.
GENERAL
Hold on...
A controller appears on the second monitor.
CONTROLLER
Starships approaching, three squads.
Imperial design, but no clearance... GENERAL
Full alert. Battle stations....
The general turns back to the Captain of the Guards.
CAPTAIN
You should have them on your screen.
Alarms sound throughout the fortress. Lights flash a warning.
182. GARBAGE RECEPTACLE - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
A floodlight switches on, revealing Valorum and Starkiller attempt-
ing to cut open the door. The princess stands up and stares into
the floodlight. Vader's voice comes over an intercom. VADER
I'm afraid I have no more time to deal
with you. A senseless and futile attack
by your friends has forced me to take a
rather unpleasant course of action. Your
execution will have to be expedited. The intercom clicks off, and a loud rumbling begins to shake the
room. With a loud shriek, the princess points to the far wall;
which starts to move toward the trio. The situation looks des-
perate.183. SPACE - WOOKEE STARSHIPS - AQUILAE
Lazerfire from the space fortress creates a wall of death, which
the three squadrons of Wookee starships miraculously emerge through
undamaged. The general barks orders to the Wookee craft, and
Chewbacca and his squadron break off and start an attack dive.
Lazer fire from Chewbacca's brightly colored ship hits one of the
prime power terminals on the fortress surface. It explodes,
creating weird electric arcs, as it goes. Han and the general also concentrate fire on the distinctive black
power terminals. Two more are destroyed in an arcing spectacle.
A chain reaction is set off, creating a series of explosions
leaping across the surface of the fortress from power terminal to
power terminal.184. GARBAGE RECEPTACLE - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The shock of the explosion can be felt over the rumbling of the
trash masher. The wall has moved within a few yards of squashing
Valorum, Starkiller and the princess. They are still frantically
trying to somehow stop the relentless wall, to no avail. The
lights blink off, then on again, and the moving wall rumbles to
a halt. Leia breathes a sigh of relief. STARKILLER
They must have knocked the power out.
Valorum runs over to the door, and kicks it open. They rush
out of the would-be death trap.185. SPACE - WOOKEE STARSHIPS - AQUILAE
One of the Wookee starships is caught in a crossfire and dis-
appears in a cloud of smoke. Another ship for some unknown
reason dives headlong into the surface of the fortress, creating
a huge explosion.186. MAIN HALLWAY - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Starkiller, Valorum, and the princess are thrown to a hallway
floor by the explosion. They get up and start down the hallway
again. A voice calls out from a connecting corridor. ARTWO
Hey! Over here.
The trio turns and see little Artwo standing at the other end of
the corridor. He waves his claw arm at them, and wobbles toward
them. ARTWO
The power core has exceeded the normal
stress quotient by point eight. The
magnetic fusion pods have evaporated.
There appears to be an immediate danger. VALORUM
There is a lifepod station at the other
end of this sector... Hurry. The group, followed by Artwo, make a dash for the lifepod, but are
knocked to the ground by another explosion, which rocks the hallway.
A hole is ripped in one wall, sucking debris into space. Every-
one holds on to wall fixtures for dear life.187. GOVERNOR'S QUARTERS - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
Aides and officers rush through the office, as Vader tries to
keep things under control. Governor Hoedaack remains calm,
watching the progress of the battle. Vader turns to the gover-
nor. VADER
They've pinpointed every terminal. It's
impossible. What are they? Where did they
come from? An electromagnetic transfer
has started....There's no stopping it... GOVERNOR
Continue the fight...
VADER
We've already lost control of the planet.
We must abandon ship while there is still
time...Conditions are much worse than... GOVERNOR
Continue the fight...This fortress is
invincible. I will not give up. A giant explosion sweeps through the office.
188. SPACE - WOOKEE STARSHIPS
The tiny starships race the chain reaction explosions across
the surface of the fortress. Laserfire is everywhere. one of
the starships skimming across the surface, lags behind and is
caught in an explosion and disappears. GENERAL
Han! Get everyone out of there. The
whole thing's going to go....Return to
Gordon... Get them out. Han relays the order to the Wookees, and then starships pull away
from the crippled fortress.189. MAIN HALLWAY - SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE
The group has made its way past the hole in the wall and is
climbing into the lifepods. Starkiller helps the princess into
one, while Valorum and Artwo get into the other. Warning sirens
scream throughout the hallways. Three troops run toward the
lifepods, firing laserpistols. Valorum returns the fire, stopping
the oncoming troops. Hatches are closed, and the lifepods eject
into space.190. LIFEPODS - SPACE - YAVIN ORBIT
The two lifepods drift toward the calm of the planet's surface.
Starkiller and the princess embrace, and he kisses her tenderly.
They watch the ominous fortress grow smaller and smaller as they
drift away. Suddenly, a great flash replaces the fortress and
rubble streaks past the lifepods. Several giant explosions follow,
then there is only a smoke cloud where the mighty fortress once
orbited Aquilae.191. THRONE ROOM - PALACE OF LITE - AQUILAE
Queen Leia, in all her grandeur, sits on the magnificent throne
of Aquilae. Starkiller and the general stand to her right.
Several old advisors stand to her left. Han presents Chewbacca
and a delegation of Wookees with a treaty, gifts, and a medal
of honor. They bow and exit. Han moves to one side of the crowded
court. Valorum stands next to him. They watch as the two robots,
Artwo and Threepio, approach the queen, and bow. QUEEN
Your service to Aquilae is greatly appreciated.
You are designated class A-4, and will serve
Annikin Starkiller, the new Lord Protector of
Aquilae. Rise! The robots rise and exit through the long entrance hall to the
throne. The queen turns and smiles at Starkiller and the general.
The general and Starkiller salute their new queen. FADE OUT
END CREDITS
