STAR WARS
!! PUBLIC VERSION !!

ÒA long time ago, in a galaxy far, far
away...Ó

A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main
title. War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup
slowly crawls into infinity.

ÒIt is a period of civil war. Rebel
spaceships, striking from a hidden
base, have won their first victory
against the evil Galactic Empire.

During the battle, Rebel spies managed
to steal secret plans to the Empire's
ultimate weapon, the Death Star, an
armored space station with enough
power to destroy an entire planet.

Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents,
Princess Leia races home aboard her
starship, custodian of the stolen plans
that can save her people and restore
freedom to the galaxy...Ó

The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total
eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A
tiny silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing
lasers from the back of the ship, races through space. It
is pursed by a giant Imperial Star Destroyer. Hundreds of
deadly laserbolts streak from the Imperial Star Destroyer,
causing the main solar fin of the Rebel craft to
disintegrate.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN PASSAGEWAY

An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo
(R2-D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way
through the shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are
old and battered. Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod.
His face is a mass of computer lights surrounding a radar
eye. Threepio, on the other hand, is a tall, slender robot
of human proportions. He has a gleaming bronze-like
metallic surface of an Art Deco design.

Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their way.

THREEPIO
Did you hear that? They've shut
down the main reactor. We'll be
destroyed for sure. This is
madness!

Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions in the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.

THREEPIO
We're doomed!

The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that only another robot could understand.

THREEPIO
There'll be no escape for the
Princess this time.

Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment are heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.

THREEPIO
What's that?

EXT. SPACECRAFT IN SPACE

The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER

The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and a score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make their way into the smoke-filled corridor.

In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel soldiers who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered arms and faces.

An explosion hits near the robots.

THREEPIO
I should have known better than to
trust the logic of a half-sized
thermocapsulary dehousing assister...

Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages around the two hapless robots.

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - DAY

A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone figure, Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations who looks much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy hair and baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable lad with a prize-winning smile.

A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided by a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions. A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye and he instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his utility belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying the heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the tiny robot to follow him.

LUKE
Hurry up! Come with me! What
are you waiting for?! Get in gear!

The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his arms up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps into his Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum madly.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN HALLWAY

The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Sith makes his way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask, which stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the Imperial stormtroopers.

Everyone instinctively backs away from the imposing warrior and a deathly quiet sweeps through the Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run in a frenzied panic.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER

A woman's hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo's dome.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER

Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel soldiers can be heard in the distance.

THREEPIO
Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are
you?

A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio's attention and
he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a smoke-filled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen years old) stands in front of Artoo. Surreal and out of place, dreamlike and half hidden in the smoke, she finishes adjusting something on Artoo's computer face, then watches as the little robot joins his companion.

THREEPIO
At last! Where have you been?

Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.

THREEPIO
They're heading in this direction.
What are we going to do? We'll be
sent to the spice mines of Kessel
or smashed into who knows what!

Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the
subhallway. Threepio chases after him.

THREEPIO
Wait a minute, where are you
going?

Artoo responds with electronic beeps.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - CORRIDOR

The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted bodies of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.

IMPERIAL OFFICER
The Death Star plans are not in
the main computer.

Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
in vain.

VADER
Where are those transmissions you
intercepted?

Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.

REBEL OFFICER
We intercepted no transmissions.
Aaah... This is a consular ship.
Were on a diplomatic mission.

VADER
If this is a consular ship... where
is the Ambassador?

The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer's throat, creating a gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp. Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to his troops.

VADER
Commander, tear this ship apart
until you've found those plans
and bring me the Ambassador. I
want her alive!

The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY

The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds of the approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the troopers spots her.

TROOPER
There she is! Set for stun!

Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a
paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.

TROOPER
She'll be all right. Inform Lord
Vader we have a prisoner.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY

Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod. He snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light
begins to flash. The stubby astro-robot works his way into the cramped four-man pod.

THREEPIO
Hey, you're not permitted in there.
It's restricted. You'll be
deactivated for sure..

Artoo beeps something to him.

THREEPIO
Don't call me a mindless philosopher,
you overweight glob of grease! Now
come out before somebody sees you.

Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding
the mission he is about to perform.

THREEPIO
Secret mission? What plans? What
are you talking about? I'm not
getting in there!

Artoo isn't happy with Threepio's stubbornness, and he beeps and twangs angrily.

A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris through the narrow subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and, after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky robot jumps into the lifepod.

THREEPIO
I'm going to regret this.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER

The safety door snaps shut, and with the thunder of exploding latches the tiny lifepod ejects from the disabled ship.

INT. IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER

On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel spacecraft.

CHIEF PILOT
There goes another one.

CAPTAIN
Hold your fire. There are no
life forms. It must have been
short-circuited.

INT. LIFEPOD

Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial starship. Stars circle as the pod rotates through the galaxy.

THREEPIO
That's funny, the damage doesn't
look as bad from out here.

Artoo beeps an assuring response.

THREEPIO
Are you sure this things safe?

EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY

Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty empty street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to get out of the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist at Luke as he flies past.

WOMAN
I've told you kids to slow down!

Luke pulls up behind a low concrete service station that is all but covered by the shifting desert sands.

INT. POWER STATION - DAY

Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through the office, yelling wildly.

FIXER
Did I hear a young noise blast
through here?

CAMIE
It was just Wormie on another
rampage.

Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy city attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics of the farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the background.

LUKE
Shape it up you guys!... Biggs?

Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to
great joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.

LUKE
I didn't know you were back!
When did you get in?

BIGGS
Just now. I wanted to surprise
you, hot shot. I thought you'd be
here... certainly didn't expect
you to be out working.
(laughs)

LUKE
The Academy didn't change you
much... but you're back so soon?
Hey, what happened, didn't you get
your commission?

Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.

BIGGS
Of course I got it. Signed
aboard The Rand Ecliptic last week.
First mate Biggs Darklighter at
your service...
(he salutes)
... I just came back to say goodbye
to all you unfortunate landlocked
simpletons.

Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing
friend is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out of it.

LUKE
I almost forgot. There's a battle
going on! Right here in our system.
Come and look!

DEAK
Not again! Forget it.

EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD - SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY

The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie and The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes. Luke has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.

LUKE
There they are!

Biggs takes the electrobinoculars from Luke as the others strain to see something with the naked eye. Through the electrobinoculars Biggs sees two small silver specks.

BIGGS
That's no battle, hot shot... they're
just sitting there! Probably a
freighter-tanker refueling.

LUKE
But there was a lot of firing
earlier...

Camie grabs the electrobinoculars away banging them against the building in the process. Luke grabs them.

LUKE
Hey, easy with those...

CAMIE
Don't worry about it, Wormie.

The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy
shrugs his shoulders in resignation.

FIXER
I keep telling you, the Rebellion
is a long way from here. I doubt
if the Empire would even fight to
keep this system. Believe me Luke,
this planet is a big hunk of nothing...

Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The
group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
Luke's ineptitude.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - HALLWAY

Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as Darth Vader emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord stares hard at the frail young senator, but she doesn't move.

LEIA
Lord Vader, I should have known.
Only you could be so bold. The
Imperial Senate will not sit still
for this, when they hear you've
attacked a diplomatic...

VADER
Don't play games with me, Your
Highness. You weren't on any mercy
mission this time. You passed
directly through a restricted
system. Several transmissions were
beamed to this ship by Rebel spies.
I want to know what happened to the
plans they sent you.

LEIA
I don't know what you're talking
about. I'm a member of the Imperial
Senate on a diplomatic mission to
Alderaan...

VADER
You're a part of the Rebel Alliance
... and a traitor. Take her away!

Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the smoldering hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial Commander turns to Vader.

COMMANDER
Holding her is dangerous. If word
of this gets out, it could generate
sympathy for the Rebellion in the
senate.

VADER
I have traced the Rebel spies
to her. Now she is my only link
to find their secret base!

COMMANDER
She'll die before sheÕll tell
you anything.

VADER
Leave that to me. Send a distress
signal and then inform the senate
that all aboard were killed!

Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the Commander. They stop and snap to attention.

SECOND OFFICER
Lord Vader, the battle station
plans are not aboard this ship!
And no transmissions were made.
An escape pod was jettisoned during
the fighting, but no life forms
were aboard.

Vader turns to the Commander.

VADER
She must have hidden the plans in
the escape pod. Send a detachment
down to retrieve them. See to it
personally, Commander. There'll be
no one to stop us this time.

COMMANDER
Yes, sir.

EXT. SPACE

The Imperial Star Destroyer comes over the surface of the
planet Tatooine.

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT

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 sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily work their way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in the distance rests half buried in the sand.

THREEPIO
How did I get into this mess?
I really don't know how. We seem
to be made to suffer. It's our
lot in life.

Artoo answers with beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
I've got to rest before I fall
apart. My joints are almost frozen.

Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
What a desolate place this is.

Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and starts off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio stops and yells at him.

THREEPIO
Where are you going?

A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small robot.

THREEPIO
Well, I'm not going that way. It's
much too rocky. This way is much
easier.

Artoo counters with a long whistle.

THREEPIO
What makes you think there are
settlements over there?

Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
Don't get technical with me.

Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
What mission? What are you talking
about? I've had just about enough
of you! Go that way! You'll be
malfunctioning within a day, you
nearsighted scrap pile!

Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in the direction of the vast dune sea.

THREEPIO
And don't let me catch you following
me begging for help, because you
won't get it.

Artoo's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
off in the direction of the towering mesas.

THREEPIO
No more adventures. I'm not
going that way.

Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the distant mountains.

EXT. TATOOINE - DUNE SEA

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 of the now distant rock mesas.

THREEPIO
That malfunctioning little twerp.
This is all his fault! He tricked
me into going this way, but he'll
do no better.

In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the sand from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint of reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving towards him.

THREEPIO
Wait, what's that? A transport!
I'm saved!

The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the approaching transport.

THREEPIO
Over here! Help! Please, help!

EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY

Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer and the others can be heard working inside.

LUKE
(Very animated)
... so I cut off my power, shut down
the afterburners and came in low on
Deak's trail. I was so close I
thought I was going to fry my
instruments. As it was I busted up
the Skyhopper pretty bad. Uncle
Owen was pretty upset. He grounded
me for the rest of the season. You
should have been there... it was
fantastic.

BIGGS
You ought to take it a little easy
Luke. You may be the hottest
bushpilot this side of Mos Eisley,
but those little Skyhoppers are
dangerous. Keep it up, and one day,
whammo, you're going to be nothing
more than a dark spot on the down
side of a canyon wall.

LUKE
Look who's talking. Now that
you've been around those giant
starships you're beginning to sound
like my uncle. You've gotten soft
in the city...

BIGGS
I've missed you kid.

LUKE
Well, things haven't been the same
since you left, Biggs. It's been
so...quiet.

Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.

BIGGS
Luke, I didn't come back just to
say goodbye... I shouldn't tell
you this, but you're the only one
I can trust... and if I don't come
back, I want somebody to know.

Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.

LUKE
What are you talking about?

BIGGS
I made some friends at the Academy.
(he whispers)
... when our frigate goes to one
of the central systems, we're going
to jump ship and join the Alliance...

Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.

LUKE
Join the Rebellion?! Are you
kidding! How?

BIGGS
Quiet down will ya! You got a
mouth bigger than a meteor crater!

LUKE
I'm sorry. I'm quiet.
(he whispers)
Listen how quiet I am. You can
barely hear me...

Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.

BIGGS
My friend has a friend on Bestine
who might help us make contact.

LUKE
YouÕre crazy! You could wander
around forever trying to find them.

BIGGS
I know it's a long shot, but if
I don't find them I'll do what I
can on my own... It's what we
always talked about. Luke, I'm
not going to wait for the Empire to
draft me into service. The Rebellion
is spreading and I want to be on the
right side - the side I believe in.

LUKE
And I'm stuck here...

BIGGS
I thought you were going to the
Academy next term. You'll get your
chance to get off this rock.

LUKE
Not likely! I had to cancel my
application. There has been a lot
of unrest among the Sand People since
you left... they've even raided
the outskirts of Anchorhead.

BIGGS
Your uncle could hold off a whole
colony of Sand People with one blaster.

LUKE
I know, but he's got enough vaporators
going to make the place pay off. He
needs me for just one more season.
I can't leave him now.

BIGGS
I feel for you, Luke, you're going
to have to learn what seems to be
important or what really is important.
What good is all your uncle's work if
it's taken over by the Empire?... You
know they're starting to nationalize
commerce in the central systems...
it won't be long before your uncle
is merely a tenant, slaving for the
greater glory of the Empire.

LUKE
It couldn't happen here. You said
it yourself. The Empire won't bother
with this rock.

BIGGS
Things always change.

LUKE
I wish I was going... Are you
going to be around long?

BIGGS
No, I'm leaving in the morning...

LUKE
Then I guess I won't see you.

BIGGS
Maybe someday... I'll keep a
lookout.

LUKE
Well, I'll be at the Academy next
season... after that who knows. I
won't be drafted into the Imperial
Starfleet that's for sure... Take
care of yourself, you'll always be
the best friend I've got.

BIGGS
So long, Luke.

Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads back towards the power station.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SUNSET

The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
foreboding mist and the ominous sounds of unearthly creatures fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the creepy rock canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking noise as he goes. He hears a distant, hard, metallic sound and stops for a moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues on his way.

In the distance, a pebble tumbles down the steep canyon wall and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A little further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a pair of eyes in the dark recesses only a few feet from the narrow path.

The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow.

He manages one short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his back. His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then off again. Out of the rocks scurry three Jawas, no taller than Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks and their faces are shrouded so that only their glowing yellow eyes can be seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave the heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down the trail.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET

The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge tank-like vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a large tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot is sucked into the giant machine.

The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.

INT. SANDCRAWLER - HOLD AREA

It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. Artoo switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic whimper and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at the end of the chamber.

INT. SANDCRAWLER - PRISON AREA

Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic conversation, while others simply mill about. A voice of recognition calls out from the gloom.

THREEPIO
Artoo-Detoo! It's you! It's you!

A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET

The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain ridge.

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - DAY

Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the half buried lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine. A trooper yells to an officer some distance away.

FIRST TROOPER
Someone was in the pod. The
tracks go off in this direction.

A second trooper picks up a small bit of metal out of the sand and gives it to the first trooper.

SECOND TROOPER
Look, sir - droids.

EXT. TATOOINE - DUNES

The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.

INT. SANDCRAWLER

Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.

THREEPIO
Wake up! Wake up!

Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops, creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men. Threepio's fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer lights pop on as he begins beeping. At the far end of the long chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with blinding white light. a dozen or so Jawas make their way through the odd assortment of robots.

THREEPIO
We're doomed.

A Jawa starts moving toward them.

THREEPIO
Do you think they'll melt us down?

Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Will
this never end?

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - LARS HOMESTEAD - AFTERNOON

The Jawas mutter gibberish as they busily line up their battered captives, including Artoo and Threepio, in front of the enormous Sandcrawler, which is parked beside a small homestead consisting of three large holes in the ground surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small adobe block house.

The Jawas scurry around fussing over the robots, straightening them up or brushing some dust from a dented metallic elbow. The shrouded little creatures smell horribly, attracting small insects to the dark areas when their mouths and nostrils should be.

Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limps Owen Lars, a large burly man in his mid-fifties. His reddish eyes are sunken in a dust-covered face. As the farmer carefully inspects each of the robots, he is closely followed by his slump-shouldered nephew, Luke Skywalker. One of the vile little Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales pitch in a queer, unintelligible language.

A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form the homestead. Luke goes over to the edge and sees his Aunt Beru standing in the main courtyard.

BERU
Luke, tell Owen that if he gets
a translator to be sure it speaks
Bocce.

LUKE
It looks like we don't have much
of a choice but I'll remind him.

Luke returns to his uncle as they look over the equipment for sale with the Jawa leader.

OWEN
I have no need for a protocol droid.

THREEPIO
(quickly)
Sir - not in an environment such
as this - that's why I've also
been programmed for over thirty
secondary functions that...

OWEN
What I really need is a droid
that understands the binary
languages of moisture vaporators.

THREEPIO
Vaporators! Sir - My first job
was programming binary load lifters
... very similar to your vaporators.
You could say...

OWEN
Do you speak Bocce?

THREEPIO
Of course I can, sir. It's like
a second language for me... I'm
as fluent in Bocce...

OWEN
All right; shut up!
(turning to Jawa)
I'll take this one.

THREEPIO
Shutting up, sir.

OWEN
Luke, take these two over to
the garage, will you? I want
you to have both of them cleaned
up before dinner.

LUKE
But I was going into Toshi Station
to pick up some power converters...

OWEN
You can waste time with your
friends when your chores are
done. Now, come on, get to it!

LUKE
All right, come on! And the
red one, come on. Well, come on,
Red, let's go.

As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots back into the Sandcrawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little beep and starts after his old friend Threepio. He is restrained by a slimy Jawa, who zaps him with a control box.

Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa. Luke and the two robots start for the garage when a plate pops off the head of the red astro-droid, throwing parts all over the ground. He adjusts the astro-droid's head plate and it sparks wildly.

LUKE
Uncle Owen...

OWEN
Yeah?

LUKE
This R2 unit has a bad motivator.
Look!

OWEN
(to the head Jawa)
Hey, what're you trying to push
on us?

The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Artoo has sneaked out of line and is moving up and down trying to attract attention. He lets out with a low whistle. Threepio taps Luke on the shoulder.

THREEPIO
(pointing to Artoo)
Excuse me, sir, but that R2 unit
is in prime condition. A real
bargain.

LUKE
Uncle Owen...

OWEN
Yeah?

LUKE
What about that one?

OWEN
(to Jawa)
What about that blue one? We'll
take that one.

With a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the damaged astro-droid for Artoo.

LUKE
Yeah, take it away.

THREEPIO
Uh, I'm quite sure you'll be very
pleased with that one, sir. He
really is in first-class condition.
I've worked with him before. Here
he comes.

Owen pays off the whining Jawa and the two robots trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.

LUKE
Okay, let's go.

THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Now, don't forget this! Why I
should stick my neck out for you
is quite beyond my capacity!

INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - GARAGE AREA - LATE AFTERNOON

The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly peaceful atmosphere permeates the low gray chamber. Threepio lowers himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the battered Landspeeder little Artoo rests on a large battery with a cord to his face.

THREEPIO
Thank the maker! This oil bath
is going to feel so good. I've
got such a bad case of dust
contamination, I can barely move!

Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke seems to be lost in thought as he runs his hand over the damaged fin of a small two-man skyhopper spaceship resting in a low hangar off the garage. Finally Luke's frustrations get the better of him and he slams a wrench across the workbench.

LUKE
It just isn't fair. Oh, Biggs is
right. I'm never gonna get out
of here!

THREEPIO
Is there anything I might do to
help?

Luke glances at the battered robot. A bit of his anger drains and a tiny smile creeps across his face.

LUKE
Well, not unless you can alter
time, speed up the harvest, or
teleport me off this rock!

THREEPIO
I don't think so, sir. I'm only
a droid and not very knowledgeable
about such things. Not on this
planet, anyways. As a matter of
fact, I'm not even sure which
planet I'm on.

LUKE
Well, if there's a bright center
to the universe, you're on the
planet that it's farthest from.

THREEPIO
I see, sir.

LUKE
Uh, you can call me Luke.

THREEPIO
I see, sir Luke.

LUKE
(laughing)
Just Luke.

THREEPIO
And I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg
relations, and this is my counterpart,
Artoo-Detoo.

LUKE
Hello.

Artoo beeps in response. Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to scrape several connectors on the robot's head with a chrome pick. Threepio climbs out of the oil tub and begins wiping oil from his bronze body.

LUKE
You got a lot of carbon scoring
here. It looks like you boys have
seen a lot of action.

THREEPIO
With all we've been through,
sometimes I'm amazed we're in as
good condition as we are, what
with the Rebellion and all.

LUKE
You know of the Rebellion against
the Empire?

THREEPIO
That's how we came to be in your
service, if you take my meaning,
sir.

LUKE
Have you been in many battles?

THREEPIO
Several, I think. Actually,
there's not much to tell. I'm
not much more than an interpreter,
and not very good at telling stories.
Well, not at making them interesting,
anyways.

Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo's neck joint. He uses a larger pick.

LUKE
Well, my little friend, you've
got something jammed in here real
good. Were you on a starcruiser or...

The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke tumbling head over heels. He sits up and sees a twelve-inch three-dimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Rebel senator, being projected from the face of little Artoo. The image is a rainbow of colors as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly lit garage. Luke's mouth hangs open in awe.

LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're
my only hope.

LUKE
What's this?

Artoo looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for Threepio to translate.

Leia continues to repeat the sentence fragment over and over.

THREEPIO
What is what?!? He asked you a
question...
(pointing to Leia)
What is that?

Artoo whistles his surprise as he pretends to just notice the hologram. He looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the sentence fragment over and over.

LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're
my only hope. Help me, Obi-Wan
Kenobi. You're my only hope.

THREEPIO
Oh, he says it's nothing, sir.
Merely a malfunction. Old data.
Pay it no mind.

Luke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.

LUKE
Who is she? She's beautiful.

THREEPIO
I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.

LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi...

THREEPIO
I think she was a passenger on our
last voyage. A person of some
importance, sir - I believe. Our
captain was attached to...

LUKE
Is there more to this recording?

Luke reaches out for Artoo but he lets out several frantic squeaks and a whistle.

THREEPIO
Behave yourself, Artoo. You're
going to get us in trouble.
It's all right, you can trust
him. He's our new master.

Artoo whistles and beeps a long message to Threepio.

THREEPIO
He says he's the property of Obi-
Wan Kenobi, a resident of these
parts. And it's a private message
for him. Quite frankly, sir, I
don't know what he's talking
about. Our last master was Captain
Antilles, but with what we've been
through, this little R2 unit has
become a bit eccentric.

LUKE
Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he
means old Ben Kenobi?

THREEPIO
I beg your pardon, sir, but do you
know what he's talking about?

LUKE
Well, I don't know anyone named
Obi-Wan, but old Ben lives out
beyond the dune sea. He's kind
of a strange old hermit.

Luke's gazes at the beautiful young princess for a few moments.

LUKE
I wonder who she is. It sounds
like she's in trouble. I'd better
play back the whole thing.

Artoo beeps something to Threepio.

THREEPIO
He says the restraining bolt has
short circuited his recording
system. He suggests that if you
remove the bolt, he might be able
to play back the entire recording.

Luke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and hasn't really heard what Threepio has been saying.

LUKE
H'm? Oh, yeah, well, I guess
you're too small to run away on me
if I take this off! Okay.

Luke takes a wedged bar and pops the restraining bolt off Artoo's side.

LUKE
There you go.

The princess immediately disappears.

LUKE
Well, wait a minute. Where'd she
go? Bring her back! Play back the
entire message.

Artoo beeps an innocent reply as Threepio sits up in embarrassment.

THREEPIO
What message? The one youÕve just
been playing. The one you're
carrying inside your rusty innards!

A women's voice calls out from another room.

AUNT BERU
Luke? Luke! Come to dinner!

Luke stands up and shakes his head at the malfunctioning robot.

LUKE
All right, I'll be right there,
Aunt Beru.

THREEPIO
I'm sorry, sir, but he appears to
have picked up a slight flutter.

Luke tosses Artoo's restraining bolt on the workbench and hurries out of the room.

LUKE
Well, see what you can do with
him. I'll be right back.

THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Just you reconsider playing that
message for him.

Artoo beeps in response.

THREEPIO
No, I don't think he likes you
at all.

Artoo beeps.

THREEPIO
No, I don't like you either.

INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - DINING AREA

Luke's Aunt Beru, a warm, motherly woman, fills a pitcher with blue fluid from a refrigerated container in the well-used kitchen. She puts the pitcher on a tray with some bowls of food and starts for the dining area.

Luke sits with his Uncle Owen before a table covered with steaming bowls of food as Aunt Beru carries in a bowl of red grain.

LUKE
You know, I think that R2 unit
we bought might have been stolen.

OWEN
What makes you think that?

LUKE
Well, I stumbled across a recording
while I was cleaning him. He says
he belongs to someone called Obi-
Wan Kenobi.

Owen is greatly alarmed at the mention of his name, but manages to control himself.

LUKE
I thought he might have meant Ben.
Do you know what he's talking
about? Well, I wonder if he's
related to Ben.

Owen breaks loose with a fit of uncontrolled anger.

OWEN
That old man's just a crazy
wizard. Tomorrow I want you to
take that R2 unit into Anchorhead
and have its memory flushed.
That'll be the end of it. It
belongs to us now.

LUKE
But what if this Obi-Wan comes
looking for him?

OWEN
He won't, I don't think he exists
any more. He died about the same
time as your father.

LUKE
He knew my father?

OWEN
I told you to forget it. Your
only concern is to prepare the new
droids for tomorrow. In the morning
I want them on the south ridge
working out those condensers.

LUKE
Yes, sir. I think those new droids
are going to work out fine. In fact,
I, uh, was also thinking about our
agreement about my staying on another
season. And if these new droids do
work out, I want to transmit my
application to the Academy this year.

Owen's face becomes a scowl, although he tries to suppress it.

OWEN
You mean the next semester before
harvest?

LUKE
Sure, there're more than enough
droids.

OWEN
Harvest is when I need you the
most. Only one more season.
This year we'll make enough on
the harvest so I'll be able to
hire some more hands. And then
you can go to the Academy next
year.

Luke continues to toy with his food, not looking at his uncle.

OWEN
You must understand I need you
here, Luke.

LUKE
But it's a whole 'nother year.

OWEN
Look, it's only one more season.

Luke pushes his half-eaten plate of food aside and stands.

LUKE
Yeah, that's what you said last
year when Biggs and Tank left.

AUNT BERU
Where are you going?

LUKE
It looks like I'm going nowhere.
I have to finish cleaning those
droids.

Resigned to his fate, Luke paddles out of the room. Owen mechanically finishes his dinner.

AUNT BERU
Owen, he can't stay here forever.
Most of his friends have gone.
It means so much to him.

OWEN
I'll make it up to him next year.
I promise.

AUNT BERU
Luke's just not a farmer, Owen.
He has too much of his father in
him.

OWEN
That's what I'm afraid of.

EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD

The giant twin suns of Tatooine slowly disappear behind a distant dune range. Luke stands watching them for a few moments, then reluctantly enters the doomed entrance to the homestead.

INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - GARAGE

Luke enters the garage to discover the robots nowhere in sight. He takes a small control box from his utility belt similar to the one the Jawas were carrying. He activates the box, which creates a low hum, and Threepio, letting out a short yell, pops up from behind the Skyhopper spaceship.

LUKE
What are you doing hiding there?

Threepio stumbles forward, but Artoo is still nowhere in sight.

THREEPIO
It wasn't my fault, sir. Please
don't deactivate me. I told him
not to go, but he's faulty,
malfunctioning; kept babbling on
about his mission.

LUKE
Oh, no!

Luke races out of the garage followed by Threepio.

EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD

Luke rushes out of the small doomed entry to the homestead and searches the darkening horizon for the small triped astro-robot. Threepio struggles out of the homestead and on the salt flat as Luke scans the landscape with his electrobinoculars.

THREEPIO
That R2 unit has always been a
problem. These astro-droids are
getting quite out of hand. Even
I can't understand their logic at
times.

LUKE
How could I be so stupid? He's
nowhere in sight. Blast it!

THREEPIO
Pardon me, sir, but couldn't we
go after him?

LUKE
It's too dangerous with all the
Sand People around. We'll have
to wait until morning.

Owen yells up from the homestead plaza.

OWEN
Luke, I'm shutting the power down
for the night.

LUKE
All right, I'll be there in a few
minutes. Boy, am I gonna get it.

He takes one final look across the dim horizon.

LUKE
You know that little droid is
going to cause me a lot of trouble.

THREEPIO
Oh, he excels at that, sir.

INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - PLAZA

Morning slowly creeps into the sparse but sparkling oasis of the open courtyard. The idyll is broken be the yelling of Uncle Owen, his voice echoing throughout the homestead.

OWEN
Luke? Luke? Luke? Where could
he be loafing now!

INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - KITCHEN

The interior of the kitchen is a worm glow as Aunt Beru prepares the morning breakfast. Owen enters in a huff.

OWEN
Have you seen Luke this morning?

AUNT BERU
He said he had some things to
do before he started today, so
he left early.

OWEN
Uh? Did he take those two new
droids with him?

AUNT BERU
I think so.

OWEN
Well, he'd better have those units
in the south range repaired be
midday or there'll be hell to pay!

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - LUKE'S SPEEDER - DAY

The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as Threepio pilots the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast wasteland.

INT./EXT. LUKE'S SPEEDER - DESERT WASTELAND - TRAVELING - DAY

Luke leans over the back of the speeder and adjusts something in the motor compartment.

LUKE
(yelling)
How's that.

Threepio signals that is fine and Luke turns back into the wind-whipped cockpit and pops the canopy shut.

LUKE
Old Ben Kenobi lives out in this
direction somewhere, but I don't
see how that R2 unit could have
come this far. We must have
missed him. Uncle Owen isn't
going to take this very well.

THREEPIO
Sir, would it help if you told
him it was my fault.

LUKE
(brightening)
Sure. He needs you. He'd
probably only deactivate you for
a day or so...

THREEPIO
Deactivate! Well, on the other
hand if you hadn't removed his
restraining bolt...

LUKE
Wait, there's something dead ahead
on the scanner. It looks like our
droid... hit the accelerator.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK MESA - DUNE SEA - COASTLINE - DAY

From high on a rock mesa, the tiny Landspeeder can be seen gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground two weather-beaten Sand People shrouded in their grimy desert cloaks peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser rifle and points it at the speeder but the second creature grabs the gun before it can be fired.

The Sand People, or Tusken Raiders as they're sometimes called, speak in a coarse barbaric language as they get into an animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seems to get in the final word and the nomads scurry over the rocky terrain.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK MESA - CANYON

The Tusken Raiders approaches two large Banthas standing tied to a rock. The monstrous, bear-like creatures are as large as elephants, with huge red eyes, tremendous looped horns, and long, furry, dinosaur-like tails. The Tusken Raiders mount saddles strapped to the huge creatures' shaggy backs and ride off down the rugged bluff.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR

The speeder is parked on the floor of a massive canyon. Luke, with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder, stands before little Artoo.

LUKE
Hey, whoa, just where do you
think you're going?

The little droid whistles a feeble reply, as Threepio poses menacingly behind the little runaway.

THREEPIO
Master Luke here is your rightful
owner. We'll have no more of this
Obi-Wan Kenobi jibberish... and don't
talk to me of your mission, either.
You're fortunate he doesn't blast
you into a million pieces right here.

LUKE
Well, come on. It's getting late.
I only hope we can get back before
Uncle Owen really blows up.

THREEPIO
If you don't mind my saying so,
sir, I think you should deactivate
the little fugitive until you've
gotten him back to your workshop.

LUKE
No, he's not going to try anything.

Suddenly the little robot jumps to life with a mass of frantic whistles and screams.

LUKE
What's wrong with him now?

THREEPIO
Oh my... sir, he says there are
several creatures approaching from
the southeast.

Luke swings his rifle into position and looks to the south.

LUKE
Sand People! Or worse! Come on,
let's have a look. Come on.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - RIDGE - DAY

Luke carefully makes his way to the top of a rock ridge and scans the canyon with his electrobinoculars.

He spots the two riderless Banthas. Threepio struggles up behind the young adventurer.

LUKE
There are two Banthas down there
but I don't see any... wait a
second, they're Sand People all
right. I can see one of them now.

Luke watches the distant Tusken Raider through his electrobinoculars. Suddenly something huge moves in front of his field of view. Before Luke or Threepio can react, a large, gruesome Tusken Raider looms over them. Threepio is startled and backs away, right off the side if the cliff. He can be heard for several moments as he clangs, bangs and rattles down the side of the mountain.

The towering creature brings down his curved, double-pointed gaderffii - the dreaded axe blade that has struck terror in the heart of the local settlers. But Luke manages to block the blow with his laser rifle, which is smashed to pieces. The terrified farm boy scrambles backward until he is forced to the edge of a deep crevice. The sinister Raider stands over him with his weapon raised and lets out a horrible shrieking laugh.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR - DAY

Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in the rocks as the vicious Sand People walk past carrying the inert Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the speeder. The Sand People ransack the speeder, throwing parts and supplies in all directions. Suddenly they stop. Then everything is quiet for a few moments. A great howling moan is heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the Sand People fleeing in terror.

Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight swishing sound that frightened off the Sand People grows even closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and leans over Luke. His ancient leathery face, cracked and weathered by exotic climates is set off by dark, penetrating eyes and a scraggly white beard. Ben Kenobi squints his eyes as he scrutinizes the unconscious farm boy. Artoo makes a slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him.

BEN
Hello there! Come here my
little friend. Don't be afraid.

Artoo waddles over to where Luke lies crumpled in a heap and begins to whistle and beep his concern. Ben puts his hand on Luke's forehead and he begins to come around.

BEN
Don't worry, he'll be all right.

LUKE
What happened?

BEN
Rest easy, son, you've had a busy
day. You're fortunate you're
still in one piece.

LUKE
Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I
glad to see you!

BEN
The Jundland Wastes are not to be
traveled lightly. Tell me, young
Luke, what brings you out this far?

LUKE
Oh, this little droid! I think
he's searching for his former master
... I've never seen such devotion
in a droid before... there seems to
be no stopping him. He claims to
be the property of an Obi-Wan
Kenobi. Is he a relative of yours?
Do you know who he's talking about?

Ben ponders this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard.

BEN
Obi-Wan Kenobi... Obi-Wan? Now
thats a name I haven't heard in
a long time... a long time.

LUKE
I think my uncle knew him. He
said he was dead.

BEN
Oh, he's not dead, no... not yet.

LUKE
You know him!

BEN
Well of course, of course I know
him. He's me! I haven't gone
by the name Obi-Wan since oh,
before you were born.

LUKE
Then the droid does belong to you.

BEN
Don't seem to remember ever owning
a droid. Very interesting...

He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.

BEN
I think we better get indoors.
The Sand People are easily startled
but they will soon be back and in
greater numbers.

Luke sits up and rubs his head. Artoo lets out a pathetic beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.

LUKE
... Threepio!

EXT. TATOOINE - SAND PIT - ROCK MESA - DAY

Little Artoo stands at the edge of a large sand pit and begins to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke and Ben stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio lying half buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken off.

Luke tries to revive the inert robot by shaking him and then flips a hidden switch on his back several times until finally the mechanical man's systems turn on.

THREEPIO
Where am I? I must have taken
a bad step...

LUKE
Can you stand? We've got to get
out of here before the Sand People
return.

THREEPIO
I don't think I can make it. You
go on, Master Luke. There's no
sense in you risking yourself on
my account. I'm done for.

Artoo makes a beeping sound.

LUKE
No, you're not. What kind of talk
is that?

Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little Artoo watches from the top of the pit. Ben glances around suspiciously. Sensing something, he stands up and sniffs the air.

BEN
Quickly, son... they're on the
move.

INT. KENOBI'S DWELLING

The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio's arm, as old Ben sits thinking.

LUKE
No, my father didn't fight in the
wars. He was a navigator on a
spice freighter.

BEN
That's what your uncle told you.
He didn't hold with your father's
ideals. Thought he should have
stayed here and not gotten involved.

LUKE
You fought in the Clone Wars?

BEN
Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight
the same as your father.

LUKE
I wish I'd known him.

BEN
He was the best star-pilot in
the galaxy, and a cunning warrior.
I understand you've become quite
a good pilot yourself. And he was
a good friend. Which reminds me...

Ben gets up and goes to a chest where he rummages around. As Luke finishes repairing Threepio and starts to fit the restraining bolt back on, Threepio looks at him nervously. Luke thinks about the bolt for a moment then puts it on the table. Ben shuffles up and presents Luke with a short handle with several electronic gadgets attached to it.

BEN
I have something here for you.
Your father wanted you to have
this when you were old enough,
but your uncle wouldn't allow it.
He feared you might follow old
Obi-Wan on some damned-fool
idealistic crusade like your
father did.

THREEPIO
Sir, if you'll not be needing me,
I'll close down for awhile.

LUKE
Sure, go ahead.

Ben hands Luke the saber.

LUKE
What is it?

BEN
Your fathers lightsaber. This
is the weapon of a Jedi Knight.
Not as clumsy or as random as a
blaster.

Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam shoots out about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across the ceiling.

BEN
An elegant weapon for a more
civilized time. For over a
thousand generations the Jedi
Knights were the guardians of
peace and justice in the Old
Republic. Before the dark times,
before the Empire.

Luke hasn't really been listening.

LUKE
How did my father die?

BEN
A young Jedi named Darth Vader,
who was a pupil of mine until he
turned to evil, helped the Empire
hunt down and destroy the Jedi
Knights. He betrayed and murdered
your father. Now the Jedi are all
but extinct. Vader was seduced
by the dark side of the Force.

LUKE
The Force?

BEN
Well, the Force is what gives the
Jedi his power. It's an energy
field created by all living things.
It surrounds us and penetrates us.
It binds the galaxy together.

Artoo makes beeping sounds.

BEN
Now, let's see if we can't figure
out what you are, my little
friend. And where you come from.

LUKE
I saw part of the message he was...

Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face.

BEN
I seem to have found it.

Luke stops his work as the lovely girl's image flickers before his eyes.

LEIA
General Kenobi, years ago you
served my father in the Clone
Wars. Now he begs you to help
him in his struggle against the
Empire. I regret that I am unable
to present my father's request to
you in person, but my ship has
fallen under attack and I'm afraid
my mission to bring you to
Alderaan has failed. I have
placed information vital to the
survival of the Rebellion into
the memory systems of this R2
unit. My father will know how
to retrieve it. You must see this
droid safely delivered to him on
Alderaan. This is our most
desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan
Kenobi, you're my only hope.

There is a little static and the transmission is cut short. Old Ben leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs on a tarnished chrome water pipe. Luke has stars in his eyes.

BEN
You must learn the ways of the
Force if you're to come with me
to Alderaan.

LUKE
(laughing)
Alderaan? I'm not going to
Alderaan. I've got to go home.
It's late, I'm in for it as it is.

BEN
I need your help, Luke. I'm getting
too old for this sort of thing.
She needs your help.

LUKE
I can't get involved! I've got
work to do! It's not that I like
the Empire. I hate it! But
there's nothing I can do about it
right now. It's such a long way
from here.

BEN
That's your uncle talking.

LUKE
(sighing)
Oh, God, my uncle. How am I ever
going to explain this?

BEN
Learn about the Force, Luke.

LUKE
Look, I can take you as far as
Anchorhead. You can get a
transport there to Mos Eisley
or wherever you're going.

BEN
You must do what you feel is
right, of course.

EXT. SPACE

An Imperial Star Destroyer heads toward the evil planet-like battle station: the Death Star!

INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM

Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general, is speaking.

TAGGE
Until this battle station is
fully operational we are vulnerable.
The Rebel Alliance is too well
equipped. They're more dangerous
than you realize.

The bitter Admiral Motti twists nervously in his chair.

MOTTI
Dangerous to your starfleet,
Commander; not to this battle
station!

TAGGE
The Rebellion will continue to
gain support in the Imperial
Senate as long as....

Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge's speech is cut short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally, The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and bow before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his place at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind him.

TARKIN
The Imperial Senate will no longer
be of any concern to us. I've
just received word that the Emperor
has dissolved the council permanently.
The last remnants of the Old Republic
have been swept away.

TAGGE
That's impossible! How will the
Emperor maintain control without
the bureaucracy?

TARKIN
The regional governors now have
direct control over territories.
Fear will keep the local systems
in line. Fear of this battle station.

TAGGE
And what of the Rebellion? If the
Rebels have obtained a complete
technical readout of this station,
it is possible, however unlikely,
that they might find a weakness and
exploit it.

VADER
The plans you refer to will soon
be back in our hands.

MOTTI
Any attack made by the Rebels
against this station would be a
useless gesture, no matter what
technical data they've obtained.
This station is now the ultimate
power in the universe. I suggest
we use it!

VADER
Don't be too proud of this
technological terror you've
constructed. The ability to
destroy a planet is insignificant
next to the power of the Force.

MOTTI
Don't try to frighten us with your
sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. Your
sad devotion to that ancient
religion has not helped you conjure
up the stolen data tapes, or given
you clairvoyance enough to find the
Rebel's hidden fort...

Suddenly Motti chokes and starts to turn blue under Vader's spell.

VADER
I find your lack of faith disturbing.

TARKIN
Enough of this! Vader, release
him!

VADER
As you wish.

TARKIN
This bickering is pointless.
Lord Vader will provide us with
the location of the Rebel fortress
by the time this station is
operational. We will then crush
the Rebellion with one swift stroke.

EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND

The speeder stops before what remains of the huge Jawas Sandcrawler. Luke and Ben walk among the smoldering rubble and scattered bodies.

LUKE
It looks like Sand People did this,
all right. Look, here are gaffi
sticks, bantha tracks. It's
just... I never heard of them
hitting anything this big before.

Ben is crouching in the sand studying the tracks.

BEN
They didn't. But we are meant to
think they did. These tracks are
side by side. Sand People always
ride single file to hide there
numbers.

LUKE
These are the same Jawas that sold
us Artoo and Threepio.

BEN
And these blast points, too
accurate for Sand People. Only
Imperial stormtroopers are so
precise.

LUKE
Why would Imperial troops want to
slaughter Jawas?

Luke looks back at the speeder where Artoo and Threepio are inspecting the dead Jawas, and put two and two together.

LUKE
If they traced the robots here,
they may have learned who they
sold them to. And that would
lead them back home!

Luke reaches a sudden horrible realization, then races for the speeder and jumps in.

BEN
Wait, Luke! It's too dangerous.

Luke races off leaving Ben and the two robots alone with the burning Sandcrawler.

EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND

Luke races across the wasteland in his battered Landspeeder.

EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD

The speeder roars up to the homestead. Luke jumps out and runs to the smoking holes that were once his home. Debris is scattered everywhere and it looks as if a great battle has taken place.

LUKE
Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru! Uncle
Owen!

Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and uncle. Suddenly he comes upon their smoldering remains. He is stunned, and cannot speak. Hate replaces fear and a new resolve comes over him.

EXT. SPACE

Imperial TIE fighter races toward the Death Star.

INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION CORRIDOR

Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow several Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia's face is filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as a giant black torture robot enters, followed by Darth Vader.

VADER
And, now Your Highness, we will
discuss the location of your
hidden Rebel base.

The torture robot gives off a steady beeping sound as it approaches Princess Leia and extends one of its mechanical arms bearing a large hypodermic needle. The door slides shut and the long cell block hallway appears peaceful. The muffled screams of the Rebel princess are barely heard.

EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND

There is a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazing in front of the sandcrawler as Ben and the robots finish burning the dead. Luke drives up in the speeder and Ben walks over to him.

BEN
There's nothing you could have
done, Luke, had you been there.
You'd have been killed, too, and
the droids would now be in the
hands of the Empire.

LUKE
I want to come with you to Alderaan.
There's nothing here for me now. I
want to learn the ways of the Force
and become a Jedi like my father.

EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND

The Landspeeder with Luke, Artoo, Threepio, and Ben in it zooms across the desert. The speeder stops on a bluff overlooking the spaceport at Mos Eisley. It is a haphazard array of low, gray, concrete structures and semi-domes. A harsh gale blows across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusts his goggles and walks to the edge of the craggy bluff where Ben is standing.

BEN
Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will
never find a more wretched hive
of scum and villainy. We must be
cautious.

Ben looks over at Luke, who gives the old Jedi a determined smile.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

The speeder is stopped on a crowded street by several combat-hardened stormtroopers who look over the two robots. A Trooper questions Luke.

TROOPER
How long have you had these droids?

LUKE
About three or four seasons.

BEN
They're for sale if you want them.

TROOPER
Let me see your identification.

Luke becomes very nervous as he fumbles to find his ID while Ben speaks to the Trooper in a very controlled voice.

BEN
You don't need to see his
identification.

TROOPER
We don't need to see his
identification.

BEN
These are not the droids youÕre
looking for.

TROOPER
These are not the droids we're
looking for.

BEN
He can go about his business.

TROOPER
You can go about your business.

BEN
(to Luke)
Move along.

TROOPER
Move along. Move along.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

The speeder pulls up in front of a rundown blockhouse cantina on the outskirts of the spaceport. Various strange forms of transport, including several unusual beasts of burden, are parked outside the bar. A Jawa runs up and begins to fondle the speeder.

THREEPIO
I can't abide these Jawas.
Disgusting creatures.

As Luke gets out of the speeder he tries to shoo the Jawa away.

LUKE
Go on, go on. I can't understand
how we got by those troopers. I
thought we were dead.

BEN
The Force can have a strong
influence on the weak-minded. You
will find it a powerful ally.

LUKE
Do you really think we're going
to find a pilot here that'll
take us to Alderaan?

BEN
Well, most of the best freighter
pilots can be found here. Only
watch your step. This place can
be a little rough.

LUKE
I'm ready for anything.

THREEPIO
Come along, Artoo.

INT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - CANTINA

The young adventurer and his two mechanical servants follow Ben Kenobi into the smoke-filled cantina. The murky, moldy den is filled with a startling array of weird and exotic alien creatures and monsters at the long metallic bar. At first the sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed, slimy, furry, scaly, tentacled, and clawed creatures huddle over drinks. Ben moves to an empty spot at the bar near a group of repulsive but human scum. A huge, rough-looking Bartender stops Luke and the robots.

BARTENDER
We don't serve their kind here!

Luke still recovering from the shock of seeing so many outlandish creatures, doesn't quite catch the bartender's drift.

LUKE
What?

BARTENDER
Your droids. They'll have to wait
outside. We don't want them here.

Luke looks at old Ben, who is busy talking to one of the Galactic pirates. He notices several of the gruesome creatures along the bar are giving him a very unfriendly glare.

Luke pats Threepio on the shoulder.

LUKE
Listen, why don't you wait out
by the speeder. We don't want any
trouble.

THREEPIO
I heartily agree with you sir.

Threepio and his stubby partner go outside and most of the creatures at the bar go back to their drinks.

Ben is standing next to Chewbacca, an eight-foot-tall-savage-looking creature resembling a huge gray bushbaby monkey with fierce baboon-like fangs. His large blue eyes dominate a fur-covered face and soften his otherwise awesome appearance. Over his matted, furry body he wears two chrome bandoliers, and little else. He is a two-hundred-year-old Wookiee and a sight to behold.

Ben speaks to the Wookiee, pointing to Luke several times during his conversation and the huge creature suddenly lets out a horrifying laugh. Luke is more than a little bit disconcerted and pretends not to hear the conversation between Ben and the giant Wookiee.

Luke is terrified but tries not to show it. He quietly sips his drink, looking over the crowd for a more sympathetic ear or whatever.

A large, multiple-eyed Creature gives Luke a rough shove.

CREATURE
Negola dewaghi wooldugger?!?

The hideous freak is obviously drunk. Luke tries to ignore the creature and turns back on his drink. A short, grubby Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the belligerent monstrosity.

HUMAN
He doesn't like you.

LUKE
I'm sorry.

HUMAN
I don't like you either

The big creature is getting agitated and yells out some unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous, young adventurer.

HUMAN
(continuing)
Don't insult us. You just watch
yourself. We're wanted men. I
have the death sentence on twelve
systems.

LUKE
I'll be careful than.

HUMAN
You'll be dead.

The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar moves away. Luke tries to remain cool but it isn't easy. His three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in behind Luke.

BEN
This little one isn't worth the
effort. Come let me buy you
something...

A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the young would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through tables and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking liquid. With a blood-curdling shriek, the monster draws a wicked chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at old Ben. The bartender panics.

BARTENDER
No blasters! No blaster!

With astounding agility old Ben's laser sword sparks to life and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is cut in two and the giant multiple-eyed creature lies doubled, cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns off his laser sword and replaces it on his utility belt. Luke, shaking and totally amazed at the old man's abilities, attempts to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter of seconds. The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is given a respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing his bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. Ben points the the Wookiee.

BEN
This is Chewbacca. He's first-
mate on a ship that might suit
our needs.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

Threepio paces in front of the cantina as Artoo carries on an electronic conversation with another little red astro-droid. A creature comes out of the cantina and approaches two stormtroopers in the street.

THREEPIO
I don't like the look of this.

INT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - CANTINA

Strange creatures play exotic big band music on odd-looking instruments as Luke, still giddy, downs a fresh drink and follows Ben and Chewbacca to a booth where Han Solo is sitting. Han is a tough, roguish starpilot about thirty years old. A mercenary on a starship, he is simple, sentimental, and cocksure.

HAN
Han Solo. I'm captain of the
Millennium Falcon. Chewie here
tells me you're looking for
passage to the Alderaan system.

BEN
Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship.

HAN
Fast ship? You've never heard
of the Millennium Falcon?

BEN
Should I have?

HAN
It's the ship that made the Kessel
run in less than twelve parsecs!

Ben reacts to Solo's stupid attempt to impress them with obvious misinformation.

HAN
(continuing)
I've outrun Imperial starships,
not the local bulk-cruisers, mind
you. I'm talking about the big
Corellian ships now. She's fast
enough for you, old man. What's
the cargo?

BEN
Only passengers. Myself, the boy,
two droids, and no questions asked.

HAN
What is it? Some kind of local
trouble?

BEN
Let's just say we'd like to avoid
any Imperial entanglements.

HAN
Well, that's the real trick,
isn't it? And it's going to cost
you something extra. Ten thousand
in advance.

LUKE
Ten thousand? We could almost
buy our own ship for that!

HAN
But who's going to fly it, kid!
You?

LUKE
You bet I could. I'm not such a
bad pilot myself! We don't have
to sit here and listen...

BEN
We haven't that much with us.
But we could pay you two thousand
now, plus fifteen when we reach
Alderaan.

HAN
Seventeen, huh!

Han ponders this for a few moments.

HAN
Okay. You guys got yourself a
ship. We'll leave as soon as you're
ready. Docking bay Ninety-four.

BEN
Ninety-four.

HAN
Looks like somebody's beginning to
take an interest in your handiwork.

Ben and Luke turn around to see four Imperial stormtroopers looking at the dead bodies and asking the bartenders some questions. The bartender points to the booth.

TROOPER
All right, we'll check it out.

The stormtroopers look over at the booth but Luke and Ben are gone. The bartender shrugs his shoulders in puzzlement.

HAN
Seventeen thousand! Those guys
must really be desperate. This
could really save my neck. Get
back to the ship and get her ready.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

BEN
You'll have to sell your speeder.

LUKE
That's okay. I'm never coming
back to this planet again.

INT. MOS EISLEY - CANTINA

As Han is about to leave, Greedo, a slimy green-faced alien with a short trunk-nose, pokes a gun in his side. The creature speaks in a foreign tongue translated into English subtitles.

GREEDO
Going somewhere, Solo?

HAN
Yes, Greedo. As a matter of fact,
I was just going to see your boss.
Tell Jabba that I've got his money.

Han sits down and the alien sits across from him holding the gun on him.

GREEDO
It's too late. You should have
paid him when you had the chance.
Jabba's put a price on your head,
so large that every bounty hunter
in the galaxy will be looking for
you. I'm lucky I found you first.

HAN
Yeah, but this time I got the money.

GREEDO
If you give it to me, I might forget
I found you.

HAN
I don't have it with me. Tell
Jabba...

GREEDO
Jabba's through with you. He has
no time for smugglers who drop
their shipments at the first sign
of an Imperial cruiser.

HAN
Even I get boarded sometimes. Do
you think I had a choice?

Han Solo slowly reaches for his gun under the table.

GREEDO
You can tell that to Jabba. He
may only take your ship.

HAN
Over my dead body.

GREEDO
That's the idea I've been looking
forward to killing you for a long
time.

HAN
Yes, I'll bet you have.

Suddenly the slimy alien disappears in a blinding flash of light. Han pulls his smoking gun from beneath the table as the other patrons look on in bemused amazement. Han gets up and starts out of the cantina, flipping the bartender some coins as he leaves.

HAN
Sorry about the mess.

EXT. SPACE

Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

VADER
Her resistance to the mind probe
is considerable. It will be some
time before we can extract any
information from her.

An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.

IMPERIAL OFFICER
The final check-out is complete.
All systems are operational.
What course shall we set?

TARKIN
Perhaps she would respond to an
alternative form of persuasion.

VADER
What do you mean?

TARKIN
I think it is time we demonstrate
the full power of this station.
(to soldier)
Set your course for Princess Leia's
home planet of Alderaan.

TROOPER
With pleasure.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a narrow slum alleyway crowed with darkly clad creatures hawking exotic goods in the dingy little stalls. Men, monsters, and robots crouch in the waste-filled doorways, whispering and hiding from the hot winds.

THREEPIO
Lock the door, Artoo.

One of the troopers checks a tightly locked door and moves on down the alleyway. The door slides open a crack and Threepio peeks out. Artoo is barely visible in the background.

TROOPER
All right, check that side of the
street. It's secure. Move on to
the next door.

The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.

THREEPIO
I would much rather have gone
with Master Luke than stay here
with you. I don't know what all
this trouble is about, but I'm
sure it must be your fault.

Artoo makes beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
You watch your language!

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET - ALLEYWAY - USED SPEEDER LOT

Ben and Luke are standing in a sleazy used speeder lot, talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder dealer. Strange exotic bodies and spindly-legged beasts pass by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some coins.

LUKE
He says it's the best he can do.
Since the XP-38 came out, they
just arenÕt in demand.

BEN
It will be enough.

Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty alleyway past a small robot herding a bunch of anteater-like creatures. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad creature moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches them as they disappear down another alley.

BEN
If the ship's as fast as he's
boasting, we ought to do well.

INT. DOCKING BAY 94 - DAY

Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and purple creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is the grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is a grim testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is a fat, slug-like creature with eyes on extended feelers and a huge ugly mouth.

JABBA
Come on out, Solo!

A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee, Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight.

HAN
I've been waiting for you, Jabba.

JABBA
I expected you would be.

HAN
I'm not the type to run.

JABBA
(fatherly-smooth)
Han, my boy, there are times when
you disappoint me... why haven't
you paid me? And why did you have
to fry poor Greedo like that...
after all we've been through together.

HAN
You sent Greedo to blast me.

JABBA
(mock surprise)
Han, why you're the best smuggler
in the business. You're too valuable
to fry. He was only relaying my
concern at your delays. He wasn't
going to blast you.

HAN
I think he thought he was. Next
time don't send one of those twerps.
If you've got something to say to
me, come see me yourself.

JABBA
Han, Han! If only you hadn't had
to dump that shipment of spice...
you understand I just can't make an
exception. Where would I be if every
pilot who smuggled for me dumped
their shipment at the first sign of
an Imperial starship? It's not good
business.

HAN
You know, even I get boarded sometimes,
Jabba. I had no choice, but I've got
a charter now and I can pay you back,
plus a little extra. I just need
some more time.

JABBA
(to his men)
Put your blasters away. Han, my
boy, I'm only doing this because
you're the best and I need you. So,
for an extra, say... twenty percent
I'll give you a little more time...
but this is it. If you disappoint
me again, I'll put a price on your
head so large you won't be able to
go near a civilized system for the
rest of your short life.

HAN
Jabba, I'll pay you because it's my
pleasure.

EXT. DOCKING PORT ENTRY - ALLEYWAY

Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay 94. Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street. Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry. The darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder lot. He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small transmitter.

INT MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94

Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is Docking Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a large, round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that could only loosely be called a starship.

LUKE
What a piece of junk.

The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp.

HAN
She'll make point five beyond the
speed of light. She may not look
like much, but she's got it where
it counts, kid. I've added some
special modifications myself.

Luke scratches his head. It's obvious he isn't sure about all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others to follow.

HAN
We're a little rushed, so if you'll
hurry aboard we'll get out of here.

The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han Solo.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON

Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty engines of the starship.

INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94

Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium Falcon passing Solo.

THREEPIO
Hello, sir.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad creature.

TROOPER
Which way?

The darkly clad creature points to the door of the docking bay.

TROOPER
All right, men. Load your weapons!

INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94

The troops hold their guns at the ready and charge down the docking bay entrance.

TROOPER
Stop that ship!

Han Solo looks up and sees the Imperial stormtroopers rushing into the docking bay. Several of the troopers fire at Han as he ducks into the spaceship.

TROOPER
Blast 'em!

Han draws his laser pistol and pops off a couple of shots which force the stormtroopers to dive for safety. The pirateship engines whine as Han hits the release button that slams the overhead entry shut.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON

HAN
Chewie, get us out of here!

The group straps in for take off.

THREEPIO
Oh, my. I'd forgotten how much I
hate space travel.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREETS

The half-dozen stormtroopers at a check point hear the general alarm and look to the sky as the huge starship rises above the dingy slum dwellings and quickly disappears into the morning sky.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Han climbs into the pilot's chair next to Chewbacca, who chatters away as he points to something on the radar scope.

EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE

The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Han frantically types information into the ship's computer. Little Artoo appears momentarily at the cockpit doorway, makes a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.

HAN
It looks like an Imperial cruiser.
Our passengers must be hotter than
I thought. Try and hold them off.
Angle the deflector shield while
I make the calculations for the
jump to light speed.

EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE

The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow planet. It is followed by two huge Imperial Star Destroyers.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Over the shoulders of Chewbacca and Han, we can see the galaxy spread before them. Luke and Ben make their way
into the cramped cockpit where Han continues his calculation.

HAN
Stay sharp! There are two more
coming in; they're going to try
to cut us off.

LUKE
Why don't you outrun them? I
thought you said this thing was
fast.

HAN
Watch your mouth, kid, or you're
going to find yourself floating
home. We'll be safe enough once
we make the jump to hyperspace.
Besides, I know a few maneuvers.
We'll lose them!

EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE

Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the window.

HAN
Here's where the fun begins!

BEN
How long before you can make the
jump to light speed?

HAN
It'll take a few moments to get
the coordinates from the navi-
computer.

The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.

LUKE
Are you kidding? At the rate
they're gaining...

HAN
Traveling through hyperspace isn't
like dusting crops, boy! Without
precise calculations we could fly
right through a star or bounce too
close to a supernova and that'd end
your trip real quick, wouldn't it?

The ship is now constantly battered with laserfire as a red warning light begins to flash.

LUKE
What's that flashing?

HAN
We're losing our deflector shield.
Go strap yourself in, I'm going to
make the jump to light speed.

The galaxy brightens and they move faster, almost as if crashing a barrier. Stars become streaks as the pirateship makes the jump to hyperspace.

EXT. SPACE

The Millennium Falcon zooms into infinity in less than a second.

EXT. DEATH STAR

Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen displaying a small green planet.

MOTTI
We've entered the Alderaan system.

Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her hands are bound.

LEIA
Governor Tarkin, I should have
expected to find you holding
Vader's leash. I recognized your
foul stench when I was brought on
board.

TARKIN
Charming to the last. You don't
know how hard I found it signing
the order to terminate your life!

LEIA
IÕm surprised you had the courage
to take the responsibility yourself!

TARKIN
Princess Leia, before your execution
I would like you to be my guest at
a ceremony that will make this
battle station operational. No star
system will dare oppose the Emperor
now.

LEIA
The more you tighten your grip,
Tarkin, the more star systems will
slip through your fingers.

TARKIN
Not after we demonstrate the power
of this station. In a way, you
have determined the choice of the
planet that'll be destroyed first.
Since you are reluctant to provide
us with the location of the Rebel
base, I have chosen to test this
station's destructive power...
on your home planet of Alderaan.

LEIA
No! Alderaan is peaceful. We
have no weapons. You can't possibly...

TARKIN
You would prefer another target?
A military target? Then name the
system!

Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.

TARKIN
I grow tired of asking this. So
it'll be the last time. Where is
the Rebel base?

Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to Alderaan.

LEIA
(softly)
Dantooine.

Leia lowers her head.

LEIA
They're on Dantooine.

TARKIN
There. You see Lord Vader, she
can be reasonable.
(addressing Motti)
Continue with the operation. You
may fire when ready.

LEIA
What?

TARKIN
You're far too trusting. Dantooine
is too remote to make an effective
demonstration. But don't worry.
We will deal with your Rebel
friends soon enough.

LEIA
No!

INT. DEATH STAR - BLAST CHAMBER

VADER
Commence primary ignition.

A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever. Another lever is pulled. Vader reaches for still another lever and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up.
A huge beam of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area and converges into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan. The small green planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON-- CENTRAL HOLD AREA

Ben watches Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker" robot. Ben suddenly turns away and sits down. He falters, seems almost faint.

LUKE
Are you all right? What's wrong?

BEN
I felt a great disturbance in
the Force... as if millions of
voices suddenly cried out in terror
and were suddenly silenced. I fear
something terrible has happened.

Ben rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then he fixes his gaze on Luke.

BEN
You'd better get on with your
exercises.

Han Solo enters the room.

HAN
Well, you can forget your troubles
with those Imperial slugs. I told
you I'd outrun 'em.

Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.

HAN
Don't everyone thank me at once.

Threepio watches Chewbacca and Artoo who are engrossed in a game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move along a chess-type board.

HAN
Anyway, we should be at Alderaan
about oh-two-hundred hours.

Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-covered arms over his head.

THREEPIO
Now be careful, Artoo.

Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures to walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny robot. Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion and begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.

THREEPIO
He made a fair move. Screaming
about it won't help you.

HAN
(interrupting)
Let him have it. It's not wise
to upset a Wookiee.

THREEPIO
But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.

HAN
That's 'cause droids don't pull
people's arms out of their socket
when they lose. Wookiees are known
to do that.

THREEPIO
I see your point, sir. I suggest
a new strategy, Artoo. Let the
Wookiee win.

Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his head. Ben watches him from the corner, studying his movements. Han watches with a bit of smugness.

BEN
Remember, a Jedi can feel the
Force flowing through him.

LUKE
You mean it controls your actions?

BEN
Partially. But it also obeys your
commands.

Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a "seeker", a chrome baseball-like robot covered with antennae, hovers slowly in a wide arc. The ball floats to one side of the youth then to the other. Suddenly it makes a lightning-swift lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke doesn't move and the ball backs off. It slowly moves behind the boy, then makes another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood red laser beam as it attacks. It hits Luke in the leg causing him to tumble over. Han lets loose with a burst of laughter.

HAN
Hokey religions and ancient
weapons are no match for a good
blaster at your side, kid.

LUKE
You don't believe in the Force,
do you?

HAN
Kid, I've flown from one side of
this galaxy to the other. I've
seen a lot of strange stuff, but
I've never seen anything to make
me believe there's one all-powerful
force controlling everything.
There's no mystical energy field
that controls my destiny.

Ben smiles quietly

HAN
It's all a lot of simple tricks
and nonsense.

BEN
I suggest you try it again, Luke.

Ben places a large helmet on Luke's head which covers his eyes.

BEN
This time, let go your conscious
self and act on instinct.

LUKE
(laughing)
With the blast shield down, I can't
even see. How am I supposed to
fight?

BEN
Your eyes can deceive you. Don't
trust them.

Han skeptically shakes his head as Ben throws the seeker into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around blindly missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt which hits Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful yell and attempts to hit the seeker.

BEN
Stretch out with your feelings.

Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker makes a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect the bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original position.

BEN
You see, you can do it.

HAN
I call it luck.

BEN
In my experience, there's no
such thing as luck.

HAN
Look, going good against remotes
is one thing. Going good against
the living? That's something else.

Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the control panel.

HAN
Looks like we're coming up on
Alderaan.

Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.

LUKE
You know, I did feel something.
I could almost see the remote.

BEN
That's good. You have taken your
first step into a larger world.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM

Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin and the evil Dark Lord Darth Vader.

TARKIN
Yes.

OFFICER CASS
Our scout ships have reached
Dantooine. They found the remains
of a Rebel base, but they estimate
that it has been deserted for some
time. They are now conducting an
extensive search of the surrounding
systems.

TARKIN
She lied! She lied to us!

VADER
I told you she would never
consciously betray the Rebellion.

TARKIN
Terminate her... immediately!

EXT. HYPERSPACE

The pirateship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange surreal light show surrounds the ship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

HAN
Stand by, Chewie, here we go.
Cut in the sublight engines.

Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit window stars begin streaking past,
seem to decrease in speed, then stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder and violently shake about.
Asteroids begin to race toward them, battering the sides of the ship.

HAN
What the...? Aw, we've come out
of hyperspace into a meteor shower.
Some kind of asteroid collision.
It's not on any of the charts.

The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very
cool in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing cockpit.

LUKE
What's going on?

HAN
Our position is correct, except...
no Alderaan!

LUKE
What do you mean? Where is it?

HAN
Thats what I'm trying to tell
you, kid. It ain't there. It's
been totally blown away.

LUKE
What? How?

Ben moves into the cockpit behind Luke as the ship begins to settle down.

BEN
Destroyed... by the Empire!

HAN
The entire starfleet couldn't
destroy the whole planet. It'd
take a thousand ships with more
fire power than I've...

A signal light starts flashing on the control panel and a muffled alarm starts humming.

HAN
There's another ship coming in.

LUKE
Maybe they know what happened.

BEN
It's an Imperial fighter.

Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts outside the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently.
A tiny, finned Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit window.

LUKE
It followed us!

BEN
No. It's a short range fighter.

HAN
There aren't any bases around
here. Where did it come from?

EXT. SPACE

The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

LUKE
It sure is leaving in a big hurry.
If they identify us, we're in big
trouble.

HAN
Not if I can help it. Chewie...
jam its transmissions.

BEN
It'd be as well to let it go.
It's too far out of range.

HAN
Not for long...

EXT. SPACE

The pirateship zooms over the camera and away into the vastness of space after the Imperial TIE fighter.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

The tension mounts as the pirateship gains on the tiny fighter.
In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter until it is obvious
that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben stands behind Chewbacca.

BEN
A fighter that size couldn't get
this deep into space on its own.

LUKE
Then he must have gotten lost,
been part of a convoy or something...

HAN
Well, he ain't going to be around
long enough to tell anyone about us.

EXT. SPACE

The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger pirateship as they race toward camera and disappear over head.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

The distant star can be distinguished as a small moon or planet.

LUKE
Look at him. He's heading for
that small moon.

HAN
I think I can get him before he
gets there... he's almost in range.

The small moon begins to take on the appearance of a monstrous spherical battle station.

BEN
That's no moon! It's a space
station.

HAN
It's too big to be a space station.

LUKE
I have a very bad feeling about
this.

BEN
Turn the ship around!

HAN
Yeah, I think you're right. Full
reverse! Chewie, lock in the
auxiliary power.

The pirateship shudders and the TIE fighter accelerates away toward the gargantuan battle station.

LUKE
Why are we still moving towards
it?

HAN
We're caught in a tractor beam!
It's pulling us in!

LUKE
But there's gotta be something you
can do!

HAN
There's nothin' I can do about it,
kid. I'm in full power. I'm going
to have to shut down. But they're
not going to get me without a fight!

Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.

BEN
You can't win. But there are
alternatives to fighting.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - DEATH STAR

As the battered pirate starship is towed closer to the awesome metal moon, the immense size of the massive battle station becomes staggering. Running along the equator of the gigantic sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports into which the helpless pirateship is dragged.

EXT. DEATH STAR - HUGE PORT DOORS

The helpless Millennium Falcon is pulled past a docking port control room and huge laser turret cannons.

VOICE OVER DEATH STAR INTERCOM
Clear Bay twenty-three-seven.
We are opening the magnetic field.

INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY 2037

The pirateship is pulled in through port doors of the Death Star, coming to rest in a huge hangar. Thirty stormtroopers stand at attention in a central assembly area.

OFFICER
To your stations!

OFFICER
(to another officer)
Come with me.

INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY

Stormtroopers run to their posts.

INT. DEATH STAR - HANGAR 2037

A line of stormtroopers march toward the pirateship in readiness to board it, while other troopers stand with weapons ready to fire.

OFFICER
Close all outboard shields!
Close all outboard shields!

INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM

Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz.

TARKIN
Yes.

VOICE
(over intercom)
We've captured a freighter entering
the remains of the Alderaan system.
It's markings match those of a ship
that blasted its way out of Mos Eisley.

VADER
They must be trying to return the
stolen plans to the princess. She
may yet be of some use to us.

INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY 2037

Vader and a commander approach the troops as an Officer and several heavily armed troops exit the spacecraft.

VOICE
(over intercom)
Unlock one-five-seven and nine.
Release charges.

OFFICER
(to Vader)
There's no one on board, sir.
According to the log, the crew
abandoned ship right after takeoff.
It must be a decoy, sir. Several
of the escape pods have been
jettisoned.

VADER
Did you find any droids?

OFFICER
No, sir. If there were any on
board, they must also have
jettisoned.

VADER
Send a scanning crew on board.
I want every part of this ship
checked.

OFFICER
Yes, sir.

VADER
I sense something... a presence I
haven't felt since...

Vader turns quickly and exits the hangar.

OFFICER
Get me a scanning crew in here
on the double. I want every part
of this ship checked!

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HALLWAY

A trooper runs through the hallway heading for the exit. In a few moments all is quiet. The muffled sounds of a distant officer giving orders finally fade. Two floor panels suddenly pop up revealing Han Solo and Luke. Ben Kenobi sticks his head out of a third locker.

LUKE
Boy, it's lucky you had these
compartments.

HAN
I use them for smuggling. I never
thought I'd be smuggling myself in
them. This is ridiculous. Even
if I could take off, I'd never get
past the tractor beam.

BEN
Leave that to me!

HAN
Damn fool. I knew that you were
going to say that!

BEN
Who's the more foolish... the
fool or the fool who follows him?

Han shakes his head, muttering to himself. Chewbacca agrees.

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY

The crewmen carry a heavy box on board the ship, past the two stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp.

TROOPER
The ship's all yours. If the
scanners pick up anything, report
it immediately. All right, let's
go.

The crewmen enter the pirateship and a loud crashing sound is followed by a voice calling to the guard below.

HAN'S VOICE
Hey down there, could you give
us a hand with this?

The stormtroopers enter the ship and a quick round of gunfire is heard.

INT. DEATH STAR - FORWARD BAY - COMMAND OFFICE

In a very small command office near the entrance to the pirateship, a Gantry Officer looks out his window and notices the guards are missing. He speaks into the comlink.

GANTRY OFFICER
TX-four-one-two. Why aren't you
at your post? TX-four-one-two,
do you copy?

A stormtrooper comes down the ramp of the pirateship and waves to the gantry officer, pointing to his ear, indicating his comlink is not working. The gantry officer shakes his head in disgust and heads for the door, giving his aide an annoyed look.

GANTRY OFFICER
Take over. We've got a bad
transmitter. I'll see what I
can do.

As the officer approaches the door, it slides open revealing the towering Chewbacca. The gantry officer, in a momentary state of shock, stumbles backward. With a bone-chilling howl, the giant Wookiee flattens the officer with one blow. The aide immediately reaches for his pistol, but is blasted by Han, dressed as an Imperial stormtrooper.

Ben and the robots enter the room quickly followed by Luke, also dressed as a stormtrooper. Luke quickly removes his helmet.

LUKE
You know, between his howling
and your blasting everything in
sight, it's a wonder the whole
station doesn't know we're here.

HAN
Bring them on! I prefer a straight
fight to all this sneaking around.

THREEPIO
We found the computer outlet, sir.

Ben feeds some information into the computer and a map of the city appears on the monitor. He begins to inspect it carefully. Threepio and Artoo look over the control panel. Artoo finds something that makes him whistle wildly.

BEN
Plug in. He should be able to
interpret the entire Imperial
computer network.

Artoo punches his claw arm into the computer socket and the vast Imperial brain network comes to life, feeding information to the little robot. After a few moments, he beeps something.

THREEPIO
He says he's found the main
control to the power beam that's
holding the ship here. He'll
try to make the precise location
appear on the monitor.

The computer monitor flashes readouts.

THREEPIO
The tractor beam is coupled to the
main reactor in seven locations.
A power loss at one of the terminals
will allow the ship to leave.

Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.

BEN
I don't think you boys can help.
I must go alone.

HAN
Whatever you say. I've done more
than I bargained for on this trip
already.

LUKE
I want to go with you.

BEN
Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch
over the droids.

LUKE
But he can...

BEN
They must be delivered safely or
other star systems will suffer the
same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny
lies along a different path from
mine. The Force will be with you
... always!

Ben adjusts the lightsaber on his belt and silently steps out of the command office, then disappears down a long gray hallway. Chewbacca barks a comment and Han shakes his head in agreement.

HAN
Boy you said it, Chewie.

Han looks at Luke.

HAN
Where did you dig up that old
fossil?

LUKE
Ben is a great man.

HAN
Yeah, great at getting us into
trouble.

LUKE
I didn't hear you give any ideas...

HAN
Well, anything would be better
than just hanging around waiting
for them to pick us up...

LUKE
Who do you think...

Suddenly Artoo begins to whistle and beep a blue streak. Luke goes over to him.

LUKE
What is it?

THREEPIO
I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.
He says "I found her," and keeps
repeating, "She's here."

LUKE
Well, who... who has he found?

Artoo whistles a frantic reply.

THREEPIO
Princess Leia.

LUKE
The princess? She's here?

HAN
Princess?

LUKE
Where... where is she?

HAN
Princess? What's going on?

THREEPIO
Level five. Detention block AA-
twenty-three. I'm afraid she's
scheduled to be terminated.

LUKE
Oh, no! We've got to do something.

HAN
What are you talking about?

LUKE
The droid belongs to her. She's
the one in the message. We've
got to help her.

HAN
Now, look, don't get any funny
ideas. The old man wants us to
wait right here.

LUKE
But he didn't know she was here.
Look, will you just find a way
back into the detention block?

HAN
I'm not going anywhere.

LUKE
They're going to execute her.
Look, a few minutes ago you said
you didn't want to just wait here
to be captured. Now all you want
to do is stay.

HAN
Marching into the detention area
is not what I had in mind.

LUKE
But they're going to kill her!

HAN
Better her than me...

LUKE
She's rich.

Chewbacca growls.

HAN
Rich?

LUKE
Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if
you were to rescue her, the reward
would be...

HAN
What?

LUKE
Well more wealth that you can
imagine.

HAN
I don't know, I can imagine quite
a bit!

LUKE
You'll get it!

HAN
I better!

LUKE
You will...

HAN
All right, kid. But you'd
better be right about this!

Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.

LUKE
All right.

HAN
What's your plan?

LUKE
Uh... Threepio, hand me those
binders there will you?

Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.

LUKE
Okay. Now, I'm going to put these
on you.

Chewie lets out a hideous growl.

LUKE
Okay. Han, you put these on.

Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.

HAN
Don't worry, Chewie. I think
I know what he has in mind.

The Wookiee has a worried and frightened look on his face as Han binds him with the electronic cuffs.

THREEPIO
Master Luke, sir! Pardon me for
asking... but, ah... what should
Artoo and I do if we're discovered
here?

LUKE
Lock the door!

HAN
And hope they don't have blasters.

THREEPIO
That isn't very reassuring.

Luke and Han put on their armored stormtrooper helmets and start off into the giant Imperial Death Star.

INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - ELEVATOR TUBE

Han and Luke try to look inconspicuous in their armored suits as they wait for a vacuum elevator to arrive. Troops, bureaucrats, and robots bustle about, ignoring the trio completely. Only a few give the giant Wookiee a curious glance.

Finally a small elevator arrives and the trio enters.

LUKE
I can't see a thing in this helmet.

A bureaucrat races to get aboard also, but is signaled away by Han. The door to the pod-like vehicle slides closed and the elevator car takes off through a vacuum tube.

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN HALLWAY

Several Imperial officers walk through the wide main passageway. They pass several stormtroopers and a robot similar to Threepio but with an insect face. At the far end of the hallway, a passing flash of Ben Kenobi appears, then disappears down a small hallway. His appearance is so fleeting that it is hard to tell if he is real or just an illusion. No one in the hallway seems to notice him.

INT. DEATH STAR - INT. ELEVATOR - DETENTION SECURITY AREA

Luke and Han step forward to exit the elevator, but the door slides open behind them. The giant Wookiee and his two guards enter the old gray security station. Guards and laser gates are everywhere. Han whispers to Luke under his breath.

HAN
This is not going to work.

LUKE
Why didn't you say so before?

HAN
I did say so before!

INT. DETENTION AREA

Elevator doors open. A tall, grim looking Officer approaches the trio.

OFFICER
Where are you taking this... thing?

Chewie growls a bit at the remark but Han nudges him to shut up.

LUKE
Prisoner transfer from Block one-
one-three-eight.

OFFICER
I wasn't notified. I'll have to
clear it.

The officer goes back to his console and begins to punch in the information. There are only three other troopers in the area. Luke and Han survey the situation, checking all of the alarms, laser gates, and camera eyes. Han unfastens one of Chewbacca's electronic cuffs and shrugs to Luke.

Suddenly Chewbacca throws up his hands and lets out with one of his ear-piercing howls. He grabs Han's laser rifle.

HAN
Look out! He's loose!

LUKE
He's going to pull us all apart.

HAN
Go get him!

The startled guards are momentarily dumbfounded. Luke and Han have already pulled out their laser pistols and are blasting away at the terrifying Wookiee. Their barrage of laserfire misses Chewbacca, but hits the camera eyes, laser gate controls, and the Imperial guards. The officer is the last of the guards to fall under the laserfire just as he is about to push the alarm system. Han rushes to the comlink system, which is screeching questions about what is going on. He quickly checks the computer readout.

HAN
We've got to find out which cell
this princess of yours is in.
Here it is... cell twenty-one-
eight-seven. You go get her. I'll
hold them here.

Luke races down one of the cell corridors. Han speaks into the buzzing comlink.

HAN
(sounding official)
Everything is under control.
Situation normal.

INTERCOM VOICE
What happened?

HAN
(getting nervous)
Uh... had a slight weapons
malfunction. But, uh, everything's
perfectly all right now. We're
fine. We're all fine here, now,
thank you. How are you?

INTERCOM VOICE
We're sending a squad up.

HAN
Uh, uh, negative, negative. We
had a reactor leak here now. Give
us a few minutes to lock it down.
Large leak... very dangerous.

INTERCOM VOICE
Who is this? What's your
operating number?

Han blasts the comlink and it explodes.

HAN
Boring conversation anyway.
(yelling down the hall)
Luke! We're going to have company!

INT. DEATH STAR - CELL ROW

Luke stops in front of one of the cells and blasts the door away with his laser pistol. When the smoke clears, Luke sees the dazzling young princess-senator. She had been sleeping and is now looking at him with an uncomprehending look on her face. Luke is stunned by her incredible beauty and stands staring at her with his mouth hanging open.

LEIA
(finally)
Aren't you a little short for a
stormtrooper?

Luke takes off his helmet, coming out of it.

LUKE
What? Oh... the uniform. I'm
Luke Skywalker. I'm here to
rescue you.

LEIA
You're who?

LUKE
I'm here to rescue you. I've got
your R2 unit. I'm here with Ben
Kenobi.

LEIA
Ben Kenobi is here! Where is he?

LUKE
Come on!

INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM

Darth Vader paces the room as Governor Tarkin sits at the far end of the conference table.

VADER
He is here...

TARKIN
Obi-Wan Kenobi! What makes you
think so?

VADER
A tremor in the Force. The last
time I felt it was in the presence
of my old master.

TARKIN
Surely he must be dead by now.

VADER
Don't underestimate the Force.

TARKIN
The Jedi are extinct, their fire
has gone out of the universe.
You, my friend, are all that's
left of their religion.

There is a quiet buzz on the comlink.

TARKIN
Yes.

INTERCOM VOICE
Governor Tarkin, we have an
emergency alert in detention block
AA-twenty-three.

TARKIN
The princess! Put all sections
on alert!

VADER
Obi-Wan is here. The Force is
with him.

TARKIN
If you're right, he must not be
allowed to escape.

VADER
Escape may not his plan. I
must face him alone.

INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - HALLWAY

An ominous buzzing sound is heard on the other side of the elevator door.

HAN
Chewie!

Chewbacca responds with a growling noise.

HAN
Get behind me! Get behind me!

A series of explosions knock a hole in the elevator door through which several Imperial troops begin to emerge.

Han and Chewie fire their laser pistols at them through the smoke and flames. They turn and run down the cell hallway, meeting up with Luke and Leia rushing toward them.

HAN
Can't get out that way.

LEIA
Looks like you managed to cut off
our only escape route.

HAN
(sarcastically)
Maybe you'd like it back in your
cell, Your Highness.

Luke takes a small comlink transmitter from his belt as they continue to exchange fire with stormtroopers making their way down the corridor.

LUKE
See-Threepio! See-Threepio!

THREEPIO
(over comlink)
Yes sir?

LUKE
We've been cut off! Are there any
other ways out of the cell bay?...
What was that? I didn't copy!

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN BAY GANTRY - CONTROL TOWER

Threepio paces the control center as little Artoo beeps and whistles a blue streak. Threepio yells into the small comlink transmitter.

THREEPIO
I said, all systems have been
alerted to your presence, sir.
The main entrance seems to be the
only way out; all other information
on your level is restricted.

Someone begins banging on the door.

TROOPER VOICE
Open up in there!

THREEPIO
Oh, no!

INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION CORRIDOR

Luke and Leia crouch together in an alcove for protection as they continue to exchange fire with troops. Han and Chewbacca are barely able to keep the stormtroopers at bay at the far and of the hallway. The laserfire is very intense, and smoke fills the narrow cell corridor.

LUKE
There isn't any other way out.

HAN
I can't hold them off forever!
Now what?

LEIA
This is some rescue. When you
came in here, didn't you have a
plan for getting out?

HAN
(pointing to Luke)
He's the brains, sweetheart.

Luke manages a sheepish grin and shrugs his shoulders.

LUKE
Well, I didn't...

The princess grabs Luke's gun and fires at a small grate in the wall next to Han, almost frying him.

HAN
What the hell are you doing?

LEIA
Somebody has to save our skins.
Into the garbage chute, wise guy.

She jumps through the narrow opening as Han and Chewbacca look on in amazement. Chewbacca sniffs the garbage chute and says something.

HAN
Get in there you big furry oaf!
I don't care what you smell! Get
in there and don't worry about it.

Han gives him a big kick and the Wookiee disappears into the tiny opening. Luke and Han continue firing as they work their way toward the opening.

HAN
Wonderful girl! Either I'm going
to kill her or I'm beginning to
like her. Get in there!

Luke ducks laserfire as he jumps into the darkness. Han fires off a couple of quick blasts creating a smoky cover, then slides into the chute himself and is gone.

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

Han tumbles into a large room filled with garbage and muck. Luke is already stumbling around looking for an exit. He finds a small hatchway and struggles to get it open. It won't budge.

HAN
(sarcastically)
Oh! The garbage chute was a really
wonderful idea. What an incredible
smell you've discovered! Let's
get out of here! Get away from
there...

LUKE
No! wait!

Han draws his laser pistol and fires at the hatch. The laserbolt ricochets wildly around the small metal room. Everyone dives for cover in the garbage as the bolt explodes almost on top of them. Leia climbs out of the garbage with a rather grim look on her face.

LUKE
Will you forget it? I already
tried it. It's magnetically sealed!

LEIA
Put that thing away! You're going
to get us all killed.

HAN
Absolutely, Your Worship. Look,
I had everything under control
until you led us down here. You
know, it's not going to take them
long to figure out what happened
to us.

LEIA
It could be worse...

A loud, horrible, inhuman moan works its way up from the murky depths. Chewbacca lets out a terrified howl and begins to back away. Han and Luke stand fast with their laser pistols drawn. The Wookiee is cowering near one of the walls.

HAN
It's worse.

LUKE
There's something alive in here!

HAN
That's your imagination.

LUKE
Something just moves past my leg!
Look! Did you see that?

HAN
What?

LUKE
Help!

Suddenly Luke is yanked under the garbage.

HAN
Luke! Luke! Luke!

Solo tries to get to Luke. Luke surfaces with a gasp of air and thrashing of limbs. A membrane tentacle is wrapped around his throat.

LEIA
Luke!

Leia extends a long pipe toward him.

LEIA
Luke, Luke, grab a hold of this.

LUKE
Blast it, will you! My gun's
jammed.

HAN
Where?

LUKE
Anywhere! Oh!!

Solo fires his gun downward. Luke is pulled back into the muck by the slimy tentacle.

HAN
Luke! Luke!

Suddenly the walls of the garbage receptacle shudder and move in a couple of inches. Then everything is deathly quiet. Han and Leia give each other a worried look as Chewbacca howls in the corner. With a rush of bubbles and muck Luke suddenly bobs to the surface.

LEIA
Grab him!

Luke seems to be released by the thing.

LEIA
What happened?

LUKE
I don't know, it just let go of
me and disappeared...

HAN
I've got a very bad feeling about
this.

Before anyone can say anything the walls begin to rumble and edge toward the Rebels.

LUKE
The walls are moving!

LEIA
Don't just stand there. Try and
brace it with something.

They place poles and long metal beams between the closing walls, but they are simply snapped and bent as the giant trashmasher rumbles on. The situation doesn't look too good.

LUKE
Wait a minute!

Luke pulls out his comlink.

LUKE
Threepio! Come in Threepio!
Threepio! Where could he be?

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN GANTRY - COMMAND OFFICE

A soft buzzer and the muted voice of Luke calling out for See-Threepio can be heard on Threepio's hand comlink, which is sitting on the deserted computer console. Artoo and Threepio are nowhere in sight. Suddenly there is a great explosion and the door of the control tower flies across the floor. Four armed stormtroopers enter the chamber.

FIRST TROOPER
Take over!
(pointing to the dead
officer)
See to him! Look there!

A trooper pushes a button and the supply cabinet door slides open. See-Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are inside. Artoo follows his bronze companion out into the office.

THREEPIO
They're madmen! They're heading
for the prison level. If you
hurry, you might catch them.

FIRST OFFICER
(to his troops)
Follow me! You stand guard.

The troops hustle off down the hallway, leaving a guard to watch over the command office.

THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Come on!

The guard aims a blaster at them.

THREEPIO
Oh! All this excitement has
overrun the circuits of my
counterpart here. If you don't
mind, I'd like to take him down
to maintenance.

TROOPER
All right.

The guard nods and Threepio, with little Artoo in tow, hurries out the door.

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

As the walls rumble closed, the room gets smaller and smaller. Chewie is whining and trying to hold a wall back with his giant paws. Han is leaning back against the other wall. Garbage is snapping and popping. Luke is trying to reach Threepio.

LUKE
Threepio! Come in, Threepio!
Threepio!

Han and Leia try to brace the contracting walls with a pole. Leia begins to sink into the trash.

HAN
Get to the top!

LEIA
I can't

LUKE
Where could he be? Threepio!
Threepio, will you come in?

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

THREEPIO
They aren't here! Something
must have happened to them. See
if they've been captured.

Little Artoo carefully plugs his claw arm into a new wall socket and a complex array of electronic sounds spew from the tiny robot.

THREEPIO
Hurry!

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

The walls are only feet apart. Leia and Han are braced against the walls. The princess is frightened. They look at each other. Leia reaches out and takes Han's hand and holds it tightly. She's terrified and suddenly groans as she feels the first crushing pressure against her body.

HAN
One thing's for sure. We're all
going to be a lot thinner!
(to Leia)
Get on top of it!

LEIA
I'm trying!

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Thank goodness, they haven't found
them! Where could they be?

Artoo frantically beeps something to See-Threepio.

THREEPIO
Use the comlink? Oh, my! I
forgot I turned it off!

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

Meanwhile, Luke is lying on his side, trying to keep his head above the rising ooze. Luke's comlink begins to buzz and he rips it off his belt.

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

Muffled sounds of Luke's voice over the comlink can be heard, but not distinctly.

THREEPIO
Are you there, sir?

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

LUKE
Threepio!

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

THREEPIO
We've had some problems...

LUKE
(over comlink)
Shut down all the garbage mashers
on the detention level, will you?
Do you copy?

INT. DEATH STAR -- GARBAGE ROOM.

LUKE
Shut down all the garbage mashers
on the detention level.

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

LUKE
(over comlink)
Shut down all the garbage mashers
on the detention level.

THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
No. Shut them all down! Hurry!

Threepio holds his head in agony as he hears the incredible screaming and hollering from Luke's comlink.

THREEPIO
Listen to them! They're dying,
Artoo! Curse my metal body! I
wasn't fast enough. It's all my
fault! My poor master!

LUKE
(over comlink)
Threepio, we're all right!

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

The screaming and hollering is the sound of joyous relief. The walls have stopped moving. Han, Chewie and Leia embrace in the background.

LUKE
We're all right. You did great.

Luke moves to the pressure sensitive hatch, looking for a number.

LUKE
Hey... hey, open the pressure
maintenance hatch on unit number
... where are we?

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

Threepio looks at the computer panel as Han reads the number.

HAN
(over comlink)
Three-two-six-eight-two-seven.

INT. DEATH STAR - TRACTOR BEAM - POWER GENERATOR TRENCH

Ben enters a humming service trench that powers the huge tractor beam. The trench seems to be a hundred miles deep. The clacking sound of a huge switching devices can be heard. The old Jedi edges his his way along a narrow ledge leading to a control panel that connects two large cables. He carefully makes several adjustments in the computer terminal, and several lights on the board go from red to blue.

INT. DEATH STAR - UNUSED HALLWAY

The group exits the garbage room into a dusty, unused hallway. Han and Luke remove the trooper suits and strap on the blaster belts.

HAN
If we can just avoid any more
female advice, we ought to be
able to get out of here.

Luke smiles and scratches his head as he takes a blaster from Solo.

LUKE
Well, let's get moving!

Chewie begins growling and points to the hatch to the garbage room, as he runs away and then stops howling.

HAN
(to Chewie)
Where are you going?

The dianoga bangs against the hatch and a long, slimy tentacle works its way out of the doorway searching for a victim. Han aims his pistol.

LEIA
No, wait. They'll hear!

Han fires at the doorway. The noise of the blast echoes relentlessly throughout the empty passageway. Luke simply shakes his head in disgust.

HAN
(to Chewie)
Come here, you big coward!

Chewie shakes his head "no."

HAN
Chewie! Come here!

LEIA
Listen. I don't know who you are,
or where you came from, but from
now on, you do as I tell you. Okay?

Han is stunned at the command of the petite young girl.

HAN
Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's
get one thing straight! I take
orders from one person! Me!

LEIA
It's a wonder you're still alive.
(looking at Chewie)
Will somebody get this big walking
carpet out of my way?

Han watches her start away. He looks at Luke.

HAN
No reward is worth this.

They follow her, moving swiftly down the deserted corridor.

INT. DEATH STAR - POWER TRENCH

Suddenly a door behind Ben slides open and a detachment of stormtroopers marches to the power trench. Ben instantly slips into the shadows as an Officer moves to within a few feet of him.

OFFICER
Secure this area until
the alert is canceled.

FIRST TROOPER
Give me regular reports.

All but two of the stormtroopers leave.

FIRST TROOPER
Do you know what's going on?

SECOND TROOPER
Maybe it's another drill.

Ben moves around the tractor beam, watching the stormtroopers as they turn their backs to him. Ben gestures with his hand toward them, as the troops think they hear something in the other hallway. With the help of the Force, Ben deftly slips past the troopers and into the main hallway.

SECOND TROOPER
What was that?

FIRST TROOPER
Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it.

INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY

Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and Leia run down an empty hallway and stop before a bay window overlooking the pirateship. Troopers are milling about the ship. Luke takes out his pocket comlink.

HAN
(looking at his ship)
There she is.

LUKE
See-Threepio, do you copy?

THREEPIO
(voice)
For the moment. Uh, we're in the
main hangar across from the ship.

LUKE
We're right above you. Stand by.

Han is watching the dozen or so troops moving in and out of the pirateship. Leia moves towards Han, touches his arm and points out the window to the ship.

LEIA
You came in that thing? You're
braver that I thought.

HAN
Nice! Come on!

Han gives her a dirty look, and they start off down the hallway. They round a corner and run right into twenty Imperial stormtroopers heading toward them. Both groups are taken by surprise and stop in their tracks.

FIRST TROOPER
It's them! Blast them!

Before even thinking, Han draws his laser pistol and charges the troops, firing. His blaster knocks one of the stormtroopers into the air. Chewie follows his captain down the corridor, stepping over the fallen trooper on the floor.

HAN
(to Luke and Leia)
Get back to the ship!

LUKE
Where are you going? Come back!

Han has already rounded a corner and does not hear.

LEIA
He certainly has courage.

LUKE
What good will it do us if he
gets himself killed? Come on!

Luke is furious but doesn't have time to think about it for muted alarms begin to go off down on the hangar deck. Luke and Leia start off toward the starship hangar.

INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY

Han chases the stormtroopers down a long subhallway. He is yelling and brandishing his laser pistol. The troops reach a dead end and are forced to turn and fight. Han stops a few feet from them and assumes a defensive position. The troops begin to raise their laser guns. Soon all ten troopers are moving into an attack position in front of the lone starpirate. Han's determined look begins to fade as the troops begin to advance. Solo jumps backward as they fire at him.

INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY

Chewbacca runs down the subhallway in a last-ditch attempt to save his bold captain. Suddenly he hears the firing of laser guns and yelling. Around the corner shoots Han, pirate extraordinaire, running for his life, followed by a host of furious stormtroopers. Chewbacca turns and starts running the other way also.

INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY

Luke fires his laser pistol wildly as he and Leia rush down a narrow subhallway, chased by several stormtroopers. They quickly reach the end of the subhallway and race through an open hatchway.

INT. DEATH STAR - CENTRAL CORE SHAFT

Luke and Leia race through the hatch onto a narrow bridge that spans a huge, deep shaft that seems to go into infinity. The bridge has been retracted into the wall of the shaft, and Luke almost rushes into the abyss. He loses his balance off the end of the bridge as Leia, behind him, takes hold of his arm and pulls him back.

LUKE
(gasping)
I think we took a wrong turn.

Blasts from the stormtroopers' laser guns explode nearby reminding them of the oncoming danger. Luke fires back at the advancing troops. Leia reaches over and hits a switch that pops the hatch door shut with a resounding boom, leaving them precariously perched on a short piece of bridge overhang. Laserfire from the troopers continues to hit the steel door.

LEIA
There's no lock!

Luke blasts the controls with his laser pistol.

LUKE
That oughta hold it for a while.

LEIA
Quick, we've got to get across.
Find the control that extends the
bridge.

LUKE
Oh, I think I just blasted it.

Luke looks at the blasted bridge control while the stormtroopers on the opposite side of the door begin making ominous drilling and pounding sounds.

LEIA
They're coming through!

Luke notices something on his stormtrooper belt, when laserfire hits the wall behind him. Luke aims his laser pistol at a stormtrooper perched on a higher bridge overhang across the abyss from them. They exchange fire. Two more troopers appear on another overhang, also firing. A trooper is hit, and grabs at his chest.

Another trooper standing on the bridge overhang is hit by Luke's laserfire, and plummets down the shaft. Troopers move back off the bridge; Luke hands the gun to Leia.

LUKE
Here, hold this.

Luke pulls a thin nylon cable from his trooper utility belt. It has a grappler hook on it.

A trooper appears on a bridge overhang and fires at Luke and Leia. As Luke works with the rope, Leia returns the laser volley. Another trooper appears and fires at them, as Leia returns his fire as well. Suddenly, the hatch door begins to open, revealing the feet of more troops.

LEIA
Here they come!

Leia hits one of the stormtroopers on the bridge above, and he falls into the abyss. Luke tosses the rope across the gorge and it wraps itself around an outcropping of pipes. He tugs on the rope to make sure it is secure, then grabs the princess in his arms. Leia looks at Luke, then kisses him quickly on the lips. Luke is very surprised.

LEIA
For luck!

Luke pushes off and they swing across the treacherous abyss to the corresponding hatchway on the opposite side. Just as Luke and Leia reach the far side of the canyon, the stormtroopers break through the hatch and begin to fire at the escaping duo. Luke returns the fire before ducking into the tiny subhallway.

INT. DEATH STAR - NARROW PASSAGEWAY

Ben hides in the shadows of a narrow passageway as several stormtroopers rush past him in the main hallway. He checks to make sure they're gone, then runs down the hallway in the opposite direction. Darth Vader appears at the far end of the hallway and starts after the old Jedi.

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY

Threepio looks around at the troops milling about the pirateship entry ramp.

THREEPIO
Where could they be?

Artoo, plugged into the computer socket, turns his dome left and right, beeping a response.

INT. DEATH STAR - CORRIDOR - BLAST SHIELDS DOOR

Han and Chewbacca run down a long corridor with several troopers hot on their trail.

TROOPER
Close the blast doors!

At the end of the hallway, blast doors begin to close in front of them. The young starpilot and his furry companion race past the huge doors just as they are closing, and manage to get off a couple off laserblasts at the pursuing troops before the doors slam shut.

TROOPER
Open the blast doors! Open the blast doors!

INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY LEADING TO MAIN FORWARD BAY

Ben hurries along one of the tunnels leading to the hangar where the pirateship waits. Just before he reaches the hangar, Darth Vader steps into view at the end of the tunnel, not ten feet away. Vader lights his saber. Ben also ignites his and steps slowly forward.

VADER
I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan.
We meet again, at last. The circle
is now complete.

Ben Kenobi moves with elegant ease into a classical offensive position. The fearsome Dark Knight takes a defensive stance.

VADER
When I left you, I was but the
learner; now I am the master.

BEN
Only a master of evil, Darth.

The two Galactic warriors stand perfectly still for a few moments, sizing each other up and waiting for the right moment. Ben seems to be under increasing pressure and strain, as if an invisible weight were being placed upon him. He shakes his head and, blinking, tries to clear his head.

Ben makes a sudden lunge at the huge warrior but is checked by a lightning movement of The Sith. A masterful slash stroke by Vader is blocked by the old Jedi. Another of the Jedi's blows is blocked, then countered. Ben moves around the Dark Lord and starts backing into the massive starship hangar. The two powerful warriors stand motionless for a few moments with laser swords locked in mid-air, creating a low buzzing sound.

VADER
Your powers are weak, old man.

BEN
You can't win, Darth. If you
strike me down, I shall become more
powerful than you can possibly
imagine.

Their lightsabers continue to meet in combat.

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY

Han Solo and Chewbacca, their weapons in hand, lean back against the wall surveying the forward bay, watching the Imperial stormtroopers make their rounds of the hangar.

HAN
Didn't we just leave this party?

Chewbacca growls a reply, as Luke and the princess join them.

HAN
What kept you?

LEIA
We ran into some old friends.

LUKE
Is the ship all right?

HAN
Seems okay, if we can get to it.
Just hope the old man got the
tractor beam out of commission.

INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY

Vader and Ben Kenobi continue their powerful duel. As they hit their lightsabers together, lightning flashes on impact. Troopers look on in interest as the old Jedi and Dark Lord of The Sith fight. Suddenly Luke spots the battle from his group's vantage point.

LUKE
Look!

Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie look up and see Ben and Vader emerging from the hallways on the far side of the docking bay.

INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY

Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are in the center of the Death Star's Imperial docking bay.

THREEPIO
Come on, Artoo, we're going!

Threepio ducks out of sight as the seven stormtroopers who were guarding the starship rush past them heading towards Ben and the Sith Knight. He pulls on Artoo.

INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY

Solo, Chewie, Luke, and Leia tensely watch the duel. The troops rush toward the battling knights.

HAN
Now's our chance! Go!

They start for the Millennium Falcon.

Ben sees the troops charging toward him and realizes that he is trapped. Vader takes advantage of Ben's momentary distraction and brings his mighty lightsaber down on the old man. Ben manages to deflect the blow and swiftly turns around.

The old Jedi Knight looks over his shoulder at Luke, lifts his sword from Vader's then watches his opponent with a serene look on his face.

Vader brings his sword down, cutting old Ben in half. Ben's cloak falls to the floor in two parts, but Ben is not in it. Vader is puzzled at Ben's disappearance and pokes at the empty cloak. As the guards are distracted, the adventurers and the robots reach the starship.

Luke sees Ben cut in two and starts for him. Aghast, he yells out.

LUKE
No!

The stormtroopers turn toward Luke and begin firing at him. The robots are already moving up the ramp into the Millennium Falcon, while Luke, transfixed by anger and awe, returns their fire. Solo joins in the laserfire. Vader looks up and advances toward them, as one of his troopers is struck down.

HAN
(to Luke)
Come on!

LEIA
Come on! Luke, its too late!

HAN
Blast the door! Kid!

Luke fires his laser pistol at the door control panel, and it explodes. The door begins to slide shut. Three troopers charge forward firing laser bolts, as the door slides to a close behind them... shutting Vader and the other troops out of the docking bay. A stormtrooper lies dead at the feet of his onrushing compatriots. Luke starts for the advancing troops, as Solo and Leia move up the ramp into the pirateship. He fires, hitting a stormtrooper, who crumples to the floor.

BEN'S VOICE
Run, Luke! Run!

Luke looks around to see where the voice came from. He turns toward the pirateship, ducking Imperial gunfire from the troopers and races into the ship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Han pulls back on the controls and the ship begins to move. The dull thud of laserbolts can be heard bouncing off the outside of the ship as Chewie adjusts his controls.

HAN
I hope the old man got that tractor
beam out if commission, or this is
going to be a real short trip.
Okay, hit it!

Chewbacca growls in agreement.

EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON

The Millennium Falcon powers away from the Death Star docking bay, makes a spectacular turn and disappears into the vastness of space.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA

Luke, saddened by the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi, stares off blankly as the robots look on. Leia puts a blanket around him protectively, and Luke turns and looks up at her. She sits down beside him.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Solo spots approaching enemy ships.

HAN
(to Chewie)
We're coming up on the sentry
ships. Hold 'em off! Angle the
deflector shields while I charge
up the main guns!

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA

Luke looks downward sadly, shaking his head back and forth, as the princess smiles comfortingly at him.

LUKE
I can't believe he's gone.

Artoo-Detoo beeps a reply.

LEIA
There wasn't anything you could
have done.

Han rushes into the hold area where Luke is sitting with the princess.

HAN
(to Luke)
Come on, buddy, we're not out
of this yet!

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT

Solo climbs into his attack position in the topside gunport.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HOLD AREA

Luke gets up and moves out toward the gunports as Leia heads for the cockpit.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT

Luke climbs down the ladder into the gunport cockpit, settling into one of the two main laser cannons mounted in large rotating turrets on either side of the ship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - SOLO'S GUNPORT

Han adjusts his headset as he sits before the controls of his laser cannon, then speaks into the attached microphone.

HAN
(to Luke)
You in, kid? Okay, stay sharp!

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT

Chewbacca and Princess Leia search the heavens for attacking TIE fighters. The Wookiee pulls back on the speed controls as the ship bounces slightly.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - SOLO'S GUNPORT - COCKPIT

Computer graphic readouts form on Solo's target screen, as Han reaches for controls.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT - COCKPIT

Luke sits in readiness for the attack, his hand on the laser cannon's control button.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Chewbacca spots the enemy ships and barks.

LEIA
(into intercom)
Here they come!

INT. COCKPIT - POV SPACE

The Imperial TIE fighters move towards the Millennium Falcon, one each veering off to the left and right of the pirateship.

INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT

The stars whip past behind the Imperial pilot as he adjusts his maneuvering joy stick.

EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - IN SPACE

The TIE fighter races past the Falcon, firing laser beams as it passes.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HOLD AREA

Threepio is seated in the hold area, next to Artoo-Detoo. The pirateship bounces and vibrates as the power goes out in the room and then comes back on.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - GUNPORTS

A TIE fighter maneuvers in front of Han, who follows it and fires at it with the laser cannon. Luke does likewise, as the fighter streaks into view. The ship has suffered a minor hit, and bounces slightly.

EXT. SPACE

Two TIE fighters dive down toward the pirateship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS

Luke fires at an unseen fighter.

LUKE
They're coming in too fast!

EXT. SPACE - MILLENNIUM FALCON, TIE FIGHTERS

Pan with pirateship as two TIE fighters charge through the background. Laserbolts streak from all the craft.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CHEWBACCA

The ship shudders as a laserbolt hits very close to the cockpit. The Wookiee chatters something to Leia.

EXT. TIE FIGHTER - SPACE

Full shot of a TIE fighter as it moves fast through the frame, firing on the pirate starship.

EXT. SPACE - TIE FIGHTERS

The two TIE fighters fire a barrage of laserbeams at the pirateship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - MAIN PASSAGEWAY

A laserbolt streaks into the side of the pirateship. The ship lurches violently, throwing poor Threepio into a cabinet fill of small computer chips.

THREEPIO
Oooh!

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - GUNPORTS

Leia watches the computer readout as Chewbacca manipulates the ship's controls.

LEIA
We've lost lateral controls.

HAN
Don't worry, she'll hold together.

An enemy laserbolt hits the pirateship's control panel, causing it to blow out in a shower of sparks.

HAN
(to ship)
You hear me, baby? Hold together!

Artoo-Detoo advances toward the smoking sparking control panel, dousing the inferno by spraying it with fire retardant beeping all the while.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT

Luke swivels in his gun mount, following the TIE fighter with his laser cannon.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT

Solo aims his laser cannon at the enemy fighters.

EXT. SPACE

A TIE fighter streaks in front of the starship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Leia watches the TIE fighter ship fly over.

EXT. SPACE

A TIE fighter heads right for the pirateship, then zooms overhead.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS

Luke follows the TIE fighter across his field of view, firing laser beams from his cannon.

EXT. TIE FIGHTER

A TIE fighter dives past the pirateship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS

Luke fires at a TIE fighter. At his port, Han follows a fighter in his sights, releasing a blast of laserfire. He connects, and the fighter explodes into fiery dust. Han laughs victoriously.

EXT. SPACE

Two TIE fighters move toward and over the Millennium Falcon, unleashing a barrage of laserbolts at the ship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS

Another TIE fighter moves in on the pirateship and Luke, smiling, fires the laser cannon at it, scoring a spectacular direct hit.

LUKE
Got him! I got him!

Han turns and gives Luke a victory wave which Luke gleefully returns.

HAN
Great kid! Don't get cocky.

Han turns back to his laser cannon.

EXT. SPACE

Two more TIE fighters cross in front of the pirateship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

While Chewbacca manipulates the controls, Leia turns, looking over her shoulder out the ports.

LEIA
There are still two more of
them out there!

EXT. SPACE
A TIE fighter moves up over the pirateship, firing laserblasts at it.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS

Luke and Han look into their respective projected target screens. An Imperial fighter crosses Solo's port, and Han swivels in his chair, following it with blasts from his laser cannon. Another fighter crosses Luke's port, and he reacts in a like manner, the glow of his target screen lighting his face.

EXT. SPACE

The TIE fighter zooms toward the pirateship, firing destructive blasts at it.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS

Luke fires a laserblast at the approaching enemy fighter, and it bursts into a spectacular explosion. Luke's projected screen gives a readout of the hit. The pirateship bounces slightly as it is struck by enemy fire.

EXT. SPACE - TIE FIGHTER

The last of the attacking Imperial TIE fighters looms in, firing upon the Falcon.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT

Solo swivels behind his laser cannon, his aim describing the arc of the TIE fighter. The fighter comes closer, firing at the pirateship, but a well-aimed blast from Solo's laser cannon hits the attacker, which blows up in a small atomic shower of burning fragments.

LUKE
(laughing)
That's it! We did it!

The princess jumps up and gives Chewie a congratulatory hug.

LEIA
We did it!

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - PASSAGEWAY

Threepio lies on the floor of the ship, completely tangled in the smoking, sparking wires.

THREEPIO
Help! I think I'm melting!
(to Artoo)
This is all your fault.

Artoo turns his dome from side to side, beeping in response.

EXT. SPACE - MILLENNIUM FALCON

The victorious Millennium Falcon moves off majestically through space.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

Darth Vader strides into the control room, where Tarkin is watching the huge view screen. A sea of stars is before him.

TARKIN
Are they away?

VADER
They have just made the jump into
hyperspace.

TARKIN
You're sure the homing beacon is
secure aboard their ship? I'm
taking an awful risk, Vader. This
had better work.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Han, removes his gloves and smiling, is at the controls of the ship. Chewie moves into the aft section to check the damage. Leia is seated near Han.

HAN
Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh?
You know, sometimes I even amaze
myself.

LEIA
That doesn't sound too hard.
Besides, they let us go. It's
the only explanation for the ease
of our escape.

HAN
Easy... you call that easy?

LEIA
Their tracking us!

HAN
Not this ship, sister.

Frustrated, Leia shakes her head.

LEIA
At least the information in Artoo
is still intact.

HAN
What's so important? What's he
carrying?

LEIA
The technical readouts of that
battle station. I only hope that
when the data is analyzed, a
weakness can be found. It's not
over yet!

HAN
It is for me, sister! Look, I ain't
in this for your revolution, and
I'm not in it for you, Princess. I
expect to be well paid. I'm in it
for the money!

LEIA
You needn't worry about your reward.
If money is all that you love, then
that's what you'll receive!

She angrily turns, and as she starts out of the cockpit, passes Luke coming in.

LEIA
Your friend is quite a mercenary.
I wonder if he really cares about
anything... or anyone.

LUKE
I care!

Luke, shaking his head, sits in the copilot seat. He and Han stare out at the vast blackness of space.

LUKE
So... what do you think of her,
Han?

HAN
I'm trying not to, kid!

LUKE
(under his breath)
Good...

HAN
Still, she's got a lot of spirit.
I don't know, what do you think?
Do you think a princess and a
guy like me...

LUKE
No!

Luke says it with finality and looks away. Han smiles at young Luke's jealousy.

EXT. SPACE AROUND FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN

The battered pirateship drifts into orbit around the planet Yavin and proceeds to one of its tiny green moons.

EXT. FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN

The pirateship soars over the dense jungle.

EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST

An alert guard, his laser gun in hand, scans the countryside. He sets the gun down and looks toward the temple, barely visible in the foliage.

EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - JUNGLE TEMPLE

Rotting in a forest of gargantuan trees, an ancient temple lies shrouded in an eerie mist. The air is heavy with the fantastic cries of unimaginable creatures. Han, Luke and the others are greeted by the Rebel troops.

Luke and the group ride into the massive temple on an armored military speeder.

INT. MASSASSI - MAIN HANGAR DECK

The military speeder stops in a huge spaceship hangar, set up in the interior of the crumbling temple. Willard, the commander of the Rebel forces, rushes up to the group and gives Leia a big hug. Every one is pleased to see her.

WILLARD
(holding Leia)
You're safe! We had feared the
worst.

Willard composes himself, steps back and bows formally.

WILLARD
When we heard about Alderaan,
we were afraid that you were...
lost along with your father.

LEIA
We don't have time for our sorrows,
commander. The battle station has
surely tracked us here.
(looking pointedly
at Han)
It's the only explanation for the
ease of our escape. You must use
the information in this R2 unit to
plan the attack. It is our only
hope.

EXT. SPACE

The surface of the Death Star ominously approaches the red planet Yavin.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

Grand Moff Tarkin and Lord Darth Vader are interrupted in their discussion by the buzz of the comlink. Tarkin moves to answer the call.

TARKIN
Yes.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
We are approaching the planet
Yavin. The Rebel base is on a
moon on the far side. We are
preparing to orbit the planet.

EXT. YAVIN - JUNGLE

A lone guard stands in a tower high above the Yavin landscape, surveying the countryside. A mist hangs over the jungle of twisted green.

INT. MASSASSI - WAR ROOM BRIEFING AREA

Dodonna stands before a large electronic wall display. Leia and several other senators are to one side of the giant readout. The low-ceilinged room is filled with starpilots, navigators, and a sprinkling of R2-type robots. Everyone is listening intently to what Dodonna is saying. Han and Chewbacca are standing near the back.

DODONNA
The battle station is heavily
shielded and carries a firepower
greater than half the star fleet.
Its defenses are designed around
a direct large-scale assault. A
small one-man fighter should be
able to penetrate the outer defense.

Gold Leader, a rough looking man in his early thirties, stands and addresses Dodonna.

GOLD LEADER
Pardon me for asking, sir, but
what good are snub fighters going
to be against that?

DODONNA
Well, the Empire doesn't consider
a small one-man fighter to be any
threat, or they'd have a tighter
defense. An analysis of the plans
provided by Princess Leia has
demonstrated a weakness in the
battle station.

Artoo-Detoo stands next to a similar robot, makes beeping sounds, and turns his head from right to left.

DODONNA
The approach will not be easy.
You are required to maneuver
straight down this trench and skim
the surface to this point. The
target area is only two meters
wide. It's a small thermal
exhaust port, right below the main
port. The shaft leads directly to
the reactor system. A precise hit
will start a chain reaction which
should destroy the station.

A murmur of disbelief runs through the room.

DODONNA
Only a precise hit will set up a
chain reaction. The shaft is ray-
shielded, so you'll have to use
proton torpedoes.

Luke is sitting next to Wedge Antilles, a hotshot pilot about sixteen years old.

WEDGE
That's impossible, even for a
computer.

LUKE
It's not impossible. I used to
bullseye womp rats in my T-sixteen
back home. They're not much bigger
than two meters.

DODONNA
Man your ships! And may the Force
be with you!

The group rises and begins to leave.

EXT. SPACE.

The Death Star begins to move around the planet toward the tiny green moon.

INT. DEATH STAR

Tarkin and Vader watch the computer projected screen with interest, as a circle of lights intertwines around one another on the screen showing it's position in relation to Yavin and the forth moon.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Orbiting the planet at maximum
velocity. The moon with the
Rebel base will be in range in
thirty minutes.

VADER
This will be a day long remembered.
It has seen the end of Kenobi and
it will soon see the end of the Rebellion.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN HANGAR DECK

Luke, Threepio and little Artoo enter the huge spaceship hangar and hurry along a long line of gleaming spacefighters. Flight crews rush around loading last-minute armaments and unlocking power couplings. In an area isolated from this activity Luke finds Han and Chewbacca loading small boxes onto an armored speeder.

MAN'S VOICE
(over loudspeaker)
All flight troops, man your stations.
All flight troops, man your stations.

Han is deliberately ignoring the activity of the fighter pilots' preparation. Luke is quite saddened at the sight of his friend's departure.

LUKE
So... you got your reward and
you're just leaving then?

HAN
That's right, yeah! I got some
old debts I've got to pay off
with this stuff. Even if I didn't,
you don't think I'd be fool enough
to stick around here, do you? Why
don't you come with us? You're
pretty good in a fight. I could
use you.

LUKE
(getting angry)
Come on! Why don't you take a look
around? You know what's about to
happen, what they're up against.
They could use a good pilot like you.
You're turning your back on them.

HAN
What good's a reward if you ain't
around to use it? Besides,
attacking that battle station ain't
my idea of courage. It's more like
suicide.

LUKE
All right. Well, take care of
yourself, Han... guess that's what
you're best at, isn't it?

Luke goes off and Han hesitates, then calls to him.

HAN
Hey, Luke... may the Force be with
you!

Luke turns and sees Han wink at him. Luke lifts his hand in a small wave and then goes off.

Han turns to Chewie who growls at his captain,

HAN
What're you lookin' at? I know
what I'm doing.

INT. MAIN HANGAR DECK - LUKE'S SHIP

Luke, Leia, and Dodonna meet under a huge space fighter.

LEIA
What's wrong?

LUKE
Oh, it's Han! I don't know, I
really thought he'd change his
mind.

LEIA
He's got to follow his own path.
No one can choose it for him.

LUKE
I only wish Ben were here.

Leia gives Luke a little kiss, turns, and goes off.

As Luke heads for his ship, another pilot rushes up to him and grabs his arm.

BIGGS
Luke! I don't believe it! How'd
you get here... are you going out
with us?!

LUKE
Biggs! Of course, I'll be up there
with you! Listen, have I got some
stories to tell...

Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, comes up behind Luke and Biggs. He has the confident smile of a born leader.

RED LEADER
Are you... Luke Skywalker? Have
you been checked out on the Incom
T-sixty-five?

BIGGS
Sir, Luke is the best bushpilot in
the outer rim territories.

Red Leader pats Luke on the back as they stop in front of his fighter.

RED LEADER
I met your father once when I was
just a boy. He was a great pilot.
You'll do all right. If you've
got half of your father's skill,
you'll do better than all right.

LUKE
Thank you, sir. I'll try.

Red Leader hurries to his own ship.

BIGGS
I've got to get aboard. Listen,
you'll tell me your stories when we
come back. All right?

LUKE
I told you I'd make it someday, Biggs.

BIGGS
(going off)
You did, all right. It's going
to be like old times Luke.
We're a couple of shooting stars
that'll never be stopped!

Luke laughs and shakes his head in agreement. He heads for his ship.

As Luke begins to climb up the ladder into his sleek, deadly spaceship, the crew chief, who is working on the craft, points to little Artoo, who is being hoisted into a socket on the back of the fighter.

CHIEF
This R2 unit of your seems a bit
beat up. Do you want a new one?

LUKE
Not on your life! That little
droid and I have been through a
lot together.
(to Artoo)
You okay, Artoo?

The crewmen lower Artoo-Detoo into the craft. Now a part of the exterior shell of the starship, the little droid beeps that he is fine.

Luke climbs up into the cockpit of his fighter and puts an his helmet. Threepio looks on from the floor of the massive hangar as the crewmen secure his little electronic partner into Luke's X-wing. It's an emotion-filled moment as Artoo beeps good-bye.

CHIEF
Okay, easy she goes!

THREEPIO
Hang on tight, Artoo, you've
got to come back.

Artoo beeps in agreement.

THREEPIO
You wouldn't want my life to get
boring, would you?

Artoo whistles his reply.

All final preparations are made for the approaching battle. The hangar is buzzing with the last minute activity as the pilots and crewmen alike make their final adjustments.

The hum of activity is occasionally trespassed by the distorted voice of the loudspeaker issuing commands. Coupling hoses are disconnected from the ships as they are fueled. Cockpit shields roll smoothly into place over each pilot. A signalman, holding red guiding lights, directs the ships. Luke, a trace of a smile gracing his lips, peers about through his goggles.

BEN'S VOICE
Luke, the Force will be with you.

Luke is confused at the voice and taps his headphones.

EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - JUNGLE

All that can be seen of the fortress is a lone guard standing on a small pedestal jutting out above the dense jungle. The muted gruesome crying sounds that naturally permeate this eerie purgatory are overwhelmed by the thundering din of ion rockets as four silver starships catapult from the foliage in a tight formation and disappear into the morning cloud cover.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

The princess, Threepio, and a field commander sit quietly before the giant display showing the planet Yavin and its four moons. The red dot that represents the Death Star moves ever closer to the system. A series of green dots appears around the fourth moon. A din of indistinct chatter fills the war room.

MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
Stand-by alert. Death Star
approaching. Estimated time to
firing range, fifteen minutes.

EXT. SPACE

The Death Star slowly moves behind the massive yellow surface of Yavin in the foreground, as many X-wing fighters flying in formation zoom toward us and out of the frame.

EXT. SPACE - ANOTHER ANGLE

Light from a distant sun creates an eerie atmospheric glow around a huge planet, Yavin. Rebel fighters flying in formation settle ominously in the foreground and very slowly pull away.

INT. RED LEADER STARSHIP - COCKPIT

Red Leader lowers his visor and adjusts his gun sights, looking to each side at his wing men.

RED LEADER
All wings report in.

INT. ANOTHER COCKPIT

One of the Rebel fighters checks in through his mike.

RED TEN
Red Ten standing by.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT

Biggs checks his fighter's controls, alert and ready for combat.

RED SEVEN
(over Biggs' headset)
Red Seven standing by.

BIGGS
Red Three standing by.

INT. PORKINS' COCKPIT

PORKINS
Red Six standing by.

RED NINE
(over headset)
Red Nine standing by.

INT. WEDGE'S FIGHTER - COCKPIT

WEDGE
Red Two standing by.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

RED ELEVEN
(over headset)
Red Eleven standing by.

LUKE
Red Five standing by.

EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER

Artoo-Detoo, in position outside of the fighter, turns his head from side to side and makes beeping sounds.

INT. RED LEADER'S FIGHTER - COCKPIT

RED LEADER
Lock S-foils in attack position.

EXT. SPACE

The group of X-wing fighters move in formation toward the Death Star, unfolding the wings and locking them into the "X" position.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT

RED LEADER
(over headset)
We're passing through their
magnetic field.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

RED LEADER
Hold tight!

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke adjusts his controls as he concentrates on the approaching Death Star. The ship begins to be buffeted slightly.

RED LEADER
(over headset)
Switch your deflectors on.

INT. ANOTHER COCKPIT

RED LEADER
(over headset)
Double front!

EXT. SPACE

The fighters, now X-shaped darts, move in formation. The Death Star now appears to be a small moon growing rapidly in size as the Rebel fighters approach. Complex patterns on the metallic surface begin to become visible. A large dish antenna is built into the surface on one side.

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT

Wedge is amazed and slightly frightened at the awesome spectacle.

WEDGE
Look at the size of that thing!

RED LEADER
(over headset)
Cut the chatter, Red Two.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

RED LEADER
Accelerate to attack speed. This
is it, boys!

EXT. SPACE

As the fighters move closer to the Death Star, the awesome size of the gargantuan Imperial fortress is revealed. Half of the deadly space station is in shadow and this area sparkles with thousands of small lights running in thin lines and occasionally grouped in large clusters; somewhat like a city at night as seen from a weather satellite.

INT. GOLD LEADER'S COCKPIT

GOLD LEADER
Red Leader, this is Gold Leader.

RED LEADER
(over headset)
I copy, Gold Leader.

GOLD LEADER
We're starting for the target
shaft now.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

Red Leader looks around at his wingmen; the Death Star looming in from behind. Two Y-wing fighters bob back and forth in the background. He moves his computer targeting device into position.

RED LEADER
We're in position. I'm going to
cut across the axis and try and
draw their fire.

EXT. SPACE

Two squads of Rebel fighters peel off. The X-wings dive towards the Death Star surface. A thousand lights glow across the dark gray expanse of the huge station.

INT. DEATH STAR

Alarm sirens scream as soldiers scramble to large turbo- powered laser gun emplacements. Electronic drivers rotate the huge guns into position as the crew adjust their targeting devices.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Laserbolts streak through the star-filled night. The Rebel X-wing fighters move in toward the Imperial base, as the Death Star aims its massive laser guns at the Rebel forces and fires.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Princess Leia listens to the battle over the intercom. Threepio is at her side.

WEDGE
(over war room speaker system)
Heavy fire, boss! Twenty-three
degrees.

RED LEADER
(over speaker)
I see it. Stay low.

EXT. SPACE

An X-wing zooms across the surface of the Death Star.

INT. DEATH STAR

Technical crews scurry here and there loading last-minute armaments and unlocking power cables.

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT

Wedge maneuvers his fighter toward the menacing Death Star.

EXT. SPACE

X-wings continue in their attack course on the Death Star.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke nosedives radically, starting his attack on the monstrous fortress. The Death Star surface streaks past the cockpit window.

LUKE
This is Red Five! I'm going in!

EXT. SPACE

Luke's X-wing races toward the Death Star. Laserbolts streak from Luke's weapons, creating a huge fireball explosion on the dim surface.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Terror crosses Luke's face as he realizes he won't be able to pull out in time to avoid the fireball.

BIGGS
(over headset)
Luke, pull up!

EXT. SURFACE OF DEATH STAR

Luke's ship emerges from the fireball, with the leading edges of his wings slightly scorched.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT

BIGGS
Are you all right?

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke adjusts his controls and breathes a sigh of relief. Flak bursts outside the cockpit window.

LUKE
I got a little cooked, but I'm
okay.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Rebel fighters continue to strafe the Death Star's surface with laserbolts.

INT. DEATH STAR

Walls buckle and cave in. Troops and equipment are blown in all directions. Stormtroopers stagger out of the rubble. Standing in the middle of the chaos, a vision of calm and foreboding, is Darth Vader. One of his Astro-Officers rushes up to him.

ASTRO-OFFICER
We count thirty Rebel ships, Lord
Vader. But they're so small
they're evading our turbo-lasers!

VADER
We'll have to destroy them ship
to ship. Get the crews to their
fighters.

INT. DEATH STAR

Smoke belches from the giant laser guns as they wind up their turbine generators to create sufficient power. The crew rushes about preparing for another blast. Even the troopersÕ head gear is not adequate to protect them from the overwhelming noise of the monstrous weapon. One trooper bangs his helmet with his hand in an attempt to stop the ringing.

INT. READ LEADER'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING

Red Leader flies through a heavy hail of flak.

RED LEADER
Luke, let me know when you're
going in.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING

The Red Leader's X-wing flies past Luke as he puts his nose down and starts his attack dive.

LUKE
I'm on my way in now...

RED LEADER
Watch yourself! There's a lot of
fire coming from the right side of
that deflection tower.

LUKE
I'm on it.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Luke flings his X-wing into a twisting dive across the horizon and down onto the dim gray surface.

EXT. LUKE'S X-WING TRAVELING

A shot hurls from Luke's guns. Laserbolts streak toward the onrushing Death Star surface. Several small radar emplacements erupt in flame. Laserfire erupts from a protruding tower on the surface.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING

The blurry Death Star surface races past the cockpit windows as a big smile sweeps across Luke's face at the success of his run. Flak thunders on all sides of him.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

The Death Star superstructure races past Luke as he maneuvers his craft through a wall of laserfire and peels away from the surface towards the heavens.

INT. DEATH STAR

The thunder and smoke of the big guns reverberate throughout the massive structure. Many soldiers rush about in the smoke and chaos, silhouetted by the almost continual flash of explosions.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING

Biggs dives through a forest of radar domes, antennae, and gun towers as he shoots low across the Death Star surface. A dense barrage of laserfire streaks by on all sides.

INT. DEATH STAR

Imperial star pilots dash in unison to a line of small auxiliary hatches that lead to Imperial TIE fighters.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Princess Leia, surrounded by her generals and aides, paces nervously before a lighted computer table. On all sides technicians work in front of many lighted glass walls. Dodonna watches quietly from one corner. One of the officers working over a screen speaks into his headset.

CONTROL OFFICER
Squad leaders, we've picked up a
new group of signals. Enemy
fighters coming your way.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING

Luke looks around to see if he can spot the approaching Imperial fighters.

LUKE
My scope's negative. I don't see
anything.

INT. RED LEADER'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING

The Death Star's surface sweeps past as Red Leader searches the sky for the Imperial fighter. Flak pounds at his ship.

RED LEADER
Keep up your visual scanning.
With all this jamming, they'll
be on top of you before your
scope can pick them up.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Silhouetted against the rim lights of the Death Star horizon, four ferocious Imperial TIE ships dive on the Rebel fighters. Two of the TIE fighters peel off and drop out of frame. Pan with the remaining two TIE ships.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING

Biggs panics when he discovers a TIE ship on his tail. The horizon in the background twists around as he peels off, hoping to lose the Imperial fighter.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

RED LEADER
Biggs! You've picked one up...
watch it!

BIGGS
I can't see it! Where is he?!

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Biggs zooms off the surface and into space, closely followed by an Imperial TIE fighter. The TIE ship fires several laserbolts at Biggs, but misses.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING

Biggs see the TIE ship behind him and swings around, trying to avoid him.

BIGGS
He's on me tight, I can't shake
him... I can't shake him.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Biggs, flying at high altitude, peels off and dives toward the Death Star surface, but he is unable to lose the TIE fighter, who sticks close to his tail.

INT. X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING

Luke is flying upside down. He rotates his ship around to normal attitude as he comes out of his dive.

LUKE
Hang on, Biggs, I'm coming in.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Biggs and the tailing TIE ship dive for the surface, now followed by a fast-gaining Luke. After Biggs dives out of sight, Luke chases the Imperial fighter.

EXT. SURFACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

In the foreground, the Imperial fighter races across the Death Star's surface, closely followed by Luke in the background.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING

There is a shot from Luke's X-wing of the TIE ship exploding in a mass of flames.

LUKE
Got him!

INT. DEATH STAR

Darth Vader strides purposefully down a Death Star corridor, flanked by Imperial stormtroopers.

VADER
Several fighters have broken
off from the main group. Come
with me!

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

A concerned Princess Leia, Threepio, Dodonna, and other officers of the Rebellion stand around the huge round readout screen, listening to the ship-to-ship communication on the room's loudspeaker.

BIGGS
(over speaker)
Pull in! Luke... pull in!

WEDGE
(over speaker)
Watch your back, Luke!

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

WEDGE
(over headset)
Watch your back! Fighter's above
you, coming in!

EXT. SPACE

Luke's ship soars away from the Death Star's surface as he spots the tailing TIE fighter.

INT. TIE FIGHTER'S COCKPIT

The TIE pilot takes aim at Luke's X-wing.

EXT. SPACE

The Imperial TIE fighter pilot scores a hit on Luke's ship. Fire breaks out on the right side of the X-wing.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks out of his cockpit at the flames on his ship.

LUKE
I'm hit, but not bad.

EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER

Smoke pours out from behind Artoo-Detoo.

LUKE'S VOICE
Artoo, see what you can do with
it. Hang on back there.

Green laserfire moves past the beeping little robot as his head turns.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke nervously works his controls.

RED LEADER
(over headset)
Red Six...

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

In the war room, Leia stands frozen as she listens and worries about Luke.

RED LEADER
(over speaker)
Can you see Red Five?

RED TEN
(over speaker)
There's a heavy fire zone on this
side. Red Five, where are you?

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke spots the TIE fighter behind him and soars away from the Death Star surface.

LUKE
I can't shake him!

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Luke's ship soars closer to the surface of the Death Star, an Imperial TIE fighter closing in on him in hot pursuit.

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT

The Death Star whips below Wedge.

WEDGE
I'm on him, Luke!

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

WEDGE
(over headset)
Hold on!

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Wedge dives across the horizon toward Luke and the TIE fighter.

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT

Wedge moves his X-wing in rapidly.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke reacts frantically.

LUKE
Blast it! Wedge where are you?

INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT

The fighter pilot watches Wedge's X-wing approach. Another X-wing joins him, and both unleash a volley of laserfire on the Imperial fighter.

EXT. SPACE

The TIE fighter explodes, filling the screen with white light. Luke's ship can be seen far in the distance.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke looks about in relief.

LUKE
Thanks, Wedge.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Leia, Threepio, Dodonna and other Rebel officers are listening to the Rebel Fighter's radio transmissions over the war room intercom.

BIGGS
(over speaker)
Good shooting, Wedge!

GOLD LEADER
(over speaker)
Red Leader...

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

Gold Leader peels off and starts toward the long trenches at the Death Star surface pole.

GOLD LEADER
... This is Gold Leader. We're
starting out attack run.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Three Y-wing fighters of the Gold group dive out of the stars toward the Death Star surface.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Leia and the others are grouped around the screen, as technicians move about attending to their duties.

RED LEADER
(over speaker)
I copy, Gold Leader. Move into
position.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Three Imperial TIE ships in precise formation dive toward the Death Star surface.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars whip past in the window above his head.

VADER
Stay in attack formation!

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Technicians are seated at the computer readout table.

GOLD LEADER
(over speaker)
The exhaust post is...

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

GOLD LEADER
... marked and locked in!

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Gold Leader approaches the surface and pulls out to skim the surface of the huge station. The ship moves into a deep trench, firing laserbolts. The surface streaks past as laserfire is returned by the Death Star.

INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING

Gold Five is a pilot in his early fifties with a very battered helmet that looks like it's been through many battles. He looks around to see if enemy ships are near. His fighter is buffeted by Imperial flak.

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

Gold Leader races down the enormous trench that leads to the exhaust port. Laserbolts blast toward him in increasing numbers, occasionally exploding near the ship causing it to bounce about.

GOLD LEADER
Switch power to front deflection
screens.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Three Y-wing skim the Death Star surface deep in the trench, as laserbolts streak past on all sides.

EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE - GUN EMPLACEMENTS

An exterior surface gun blazes away at the oncoming Rebel fighters.

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

GOLD LEADER
How many guns do you think, Gold
Five?

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

GOLD FIVE
(over speaker)
I'd say about twenty guns. Some
on the surface, some on the towers.

Leia, Threepio, and the technicians view the projected target screen, as red and blue target lights glow. The red target near the center blinks on and off.

MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
(over speaker)
Death Star will be in range in
five minutes.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

The three Y-wing fighters race toward camera and zoom overhead through a hail of laserfire.

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

Gold Leader pulls his computer targeting device down in front of his eye. Laserbolts continue to batter the Rebel craft.

GOLD LEADER
Switch to targeting computer.

INT. GOLD TWO'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

Gold Two, a younger pilot about Luke's age, pulls down his targeting eye viewer and adjusts it. His ship shudders under intense laser barrage.

GOLD TWO
Computer's locked. Getting a
signal.

As the fighters begin to approach the target area, suddenly all the laserfire stops. An eerie clam clings over the trench as the surface whips past in a blur.

GOLD TWO
The guns... they've stopped!

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Two Y-wings zoom down the Death Star trench.

EXT. GOLD FIVE'S COCKPIT

Gold Five looks behind him.

GOLD FIVE
Stabilize your rear deflectors.
Watch for enemy fighters.

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

GOLD LEADER
They've coming in! Three marks at
two ten.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Three Imperial TIE ships, Darth Vader in the center flanked by two wingmen, dive in precise formation almost vertically toward the Death Star surface.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars zoom by.

VADER
I'll take them myself! Cover me!

WINGMAN'S VOICE
(over speaker)
Yes, sir.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR SURFACE

Three TIE fighters zoom across the surface of the Death Star.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader lines up Gold Two in his targeting computer. Vader's hands grip the control stick as he presses the button.

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

The cockpit explodes around Gold Two. His head falls forward.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

As Gold Two's ship explodes, debris is flung out into space.

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

Gold Leader looks over his shoulder at the scene.

INT. DEATH STAR TRENCH

The three TIE fighters race along in the trench in a tight formation.

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

Gold Leader panics.

GOLD LEADER
(into mike)
I can't maneuver!

INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

Gold Five, the old veteran, tries to calm Gold Leader.

GOLD FIVE
Stay on target.

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

The Death Star races by outside the cockpit window as he adjusts his targeting device.

GOLD LEADER
We're too close.

INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

The older pilot remains calm.

GOLD FIVE
Stay on target!

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

Now he's really panicked.

GOLD LEADER
Loosen up!

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader calmly adjusts his targeting computer and pushes the fire button.

INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

Gold Leader's ship is hit by Vader's lasers.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Gold Leader explodes in a ball of flames, throwing debris in all directions.

INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

Gold Five moves in on the exhaust port.

GOLD FIVE
Gold Five to Red Leader...

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks over his shoulder at the action outside of his cockpit.

GOLD FIVE
(over headset)
Lost Tiree, lost Dutch.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

RED LEADER
I copy, Gold Five.

INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT

GOLD FIVE
They came from behind....

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

One of the engines explodes on Gold Five's Y-wing fighter, blazing out of control. He dives past the horizon toward the Death Star's surface, passing a TIE fighter during his descent. Gold Five, a veteran of countless campaigns, spins toward his death.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks nervously about him at the explosive battle.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

Grant Moff Tarkin and a Chief Officer stand in the Death Star's control room.

OFFICER
We've analyzed their attack, sir,
and there is a danger. Should I
have your ship standing by?

TARKIN
Evacuate? In out moment of
triumph? I think you overestimate
their chances!

Tarkin turns to the computer readout screen. Flames move around the green disk at the center of the screen, as numbers read across the bottom.

VOICE
(over speaker)
Rebel base, three minutes and
closing.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

Red Leader looks over at his wingmen.

RED LEADER
Red Group, this is Red Leader.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Dodonna moves to the intercom as he fiddles with the computer keys.

RED LEADER
(over speaker)
Rendezvous at mark six point one.

WEDGE
(over speaker)
This is Red Two. Flying towards you.

BIGGS
(over speaker)
Red Three, standing by.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

DODONNA
(over headset)
Red Leader, this is Base One.
Keep half your group out of range
for the next run.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

RED LEADER'S VOICE
(over headset)
Copy, Base One. Luke, take Red
Two and Three. Hold up here and
wait for my signal... to start
your run.

Luke nods his head.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge fly in formation high above the Death Star's surface.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke peers out from his cockpit.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Two X-wings move across the surface of the Death Star. Red Leader's X-wing drops down to the surface leading to the exhaust port.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

Red Leader looks around to watch for the TIE fighters. He begins to perspire.

RED LEADER
This is it!

EXT. SPACE

Red Leader roams down the trench of the Death Star as lasers streak across the black heavens.

EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE - GUN EMPLACEMENTS

A huge remote-control laser cannon fires at the approaching Rebel fighters.

EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH

The Rebel fighters evade the Imperial laser blasts.

INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT

Red Ten looks around for the Imperial fighters.

RED TEN
We should be able to see it by
now.

EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH

From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the Death Star streaks by, with Imperial laserfire shooting toward them.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

RED LEADER
Keep your eyes open for those
fighters!

INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT

RED TEN
There's too much interference!

EXT. SPACE - DEATH STAR TRENCH

Three X-wing fighters move in formation down the Death Star trench.

RED TEN'S VOICE
Red Five, can you see them from
where you are?

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below.

LUKE
No sign of any... wait!

INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT

Red Ten looks up and sees the Imperial fighters.

LUKE
(over headset)
Coming in point three five.

RED TEN
I see them.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Three TIE fighters, Vader flanked by two wingmen, dive in a tight formation. The sun reflects off their dominate solar fins as they loop toward the Death Star's surface.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

Red Leader pulls his targeting device in front of his eyes and makes several adjustments.

RED LEADER
I'm in range.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Red Leader's X-wing moves up the Death Star trench.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

RED LEADER
Target's coming up!

Red Leader looks at his computer target readout screen. He then looks into his targeting device.

RED LEADER
Just hold them off for a few
seconds.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader adjusts his control lever and dives on the X-wing fighters.

VADER
Close up formation.

EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH

The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death Star surface.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

RED LEADER
Almost there!

Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device cross hairs.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader rapidly approaches the two X-wings of Red Ten and Red Twelve. Vader's laser cannon flashes below the view of the front porthole. The X-wings show in the center of Vader's computer screen.

EXT. SPACE

Red Twelve's X-wing fighter is hit by Vader's laserfire, and it explodes into flames against the trench.

INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT

Red Ten works at his controls furiously, trying to avoid Vader's fighter behind him.

RED TEN
You'd better let her loose.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device.

RED LEADER
Almost there!

INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT

Red Ten panics.

RED TEN
I can't hold them!

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of the Rebel fighters.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader coolly pushes the fire button on his control stick.

INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT

Darth Vader's well-aimed laserfire proves to be unavoidable, and strikes Red Ten's ship. Red Ten screams in anguish and pain.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Red Ten's ship explodes and bursts into flames.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

Grimly, Red Leader takes careful aim and watches his computer targeting device, which shows the target lined up in the cross hairs, and fires.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

RED LEADER
It's away!

EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE

Red LeaderÕs X-wing pulls up just before a huge explosion billows out of the trench.

INT. DEATH STAR

An armed Imperial stormtrooper is knocked to the floor from the attack explosion. Other troopers scurrying about the corridors are knocked against the wall and lose their balance.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Leia and the others stare at the computer screen.

RED NINE'S VOICE
(over speaker)
It's a hit!

RED LEADER
(over speaker)
Negative.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

Red Leader looks back at the receding Death Star. Tiny explosions are visible in the distance.

RED LEADER
Negative! It didn't go in, it
just impacted on the surface.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR - TIE FIGHTER

Darth Vader peels off in pursuit as Red Leader's X-wing passes the Death Star horizon.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader swings his ship around for the next kill.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

LUKE
(over headset)
Red Leader, we're right above
you. Turn to point...

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke tries to spot Red Leader. He looks down at the Death Star surface.

LUKE
... oh-five; we'll cover for you.

RED LEADER
(over headset)
Stay there...

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

A wary Red Leader looks about nervously.

RED LEADER
... I just lost my starboard engine.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks excitedly toward Red Leader's X-wing.

RED LEADER
(over headset)
Get set up for your attack run.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader's gloved hands make contact with the control sticks, and he presses their firing buttons.

INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT

Red Leader fights to gain control of his ship.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Laserbolts are flung from Vader's TIE fighter, connecting with Red Leader's Rebel X-wing fighter. Red Leader buys it, creating a tremendous explosion far below. He screams and is destroyed.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks out the window of his X-wing at the explosion far below. For the first time, he feels the helplessness of his situation.

INT. DEATH STAR

Grand Moff Tarkin casts a sinister eye at the computer screen.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, one minute and
closing.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Dodonna and Princess Leia, with Threepio beside them, listen intently to the talk between the pilots. The room is grim after Red Leader's death. Princess Leia nervously paces the room.

LUKE
(over speaker)
Biggs, Wedge, let's close it up.
We're going in. We're going in
full throttle.

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT

The horizon twists as Wedge begins to pull out.

WEDGE
Right with you, boss.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

The two X-wings peel off against a background of stars and dive toward the Death Star.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT

BIGGS
Luke, at that speed will you be
able to pull out in time?

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

LUKE
It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon
back home.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

The three X-wings move in, unleashing a barrage of laserfire. Laserbolts are returned from the Death Star.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT

Luke's lifelong friend struggles with his controls.

BIGGS
We'll stay back far enough to
cover you.

INT. LUKE'S COCKPIT

Flak and laserbolts flash outside Luke's cockpit window.

WEDGE
(over headset)
My scope shows the tower, but I
can't see the exhaust port! Are
you sure the computer can hit it?

EXT. DEATH STAR - GUN EMPLACEMENT

The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotates as it shoots laserbolts.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks around for the Imperial TIE fighters. He thinks for a moment and then moves his targeting device into position.

LUKE
Watch yourself! Increase speed
full throttle!

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT

Wedge looks excitedly about for any sign of the TIE fighters.

WEDGE
What about that tower?

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

LUKE
You worry about those fighters!
I'll worry about the tower!

EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE

Luke's X-wing streaks through the trench, firing lasers.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke breaks into a nervous sweat as the laserfire is returned, nicking one of his wings close to the engine.

LUKE
(to Artoo)
Artoo... that, that stabilizer's
broken loose again! See if you
can't lock it down!

EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER

Artoo works to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushes by in the background, making his delicate task seem even more precarious.

EXT. DEATH STAR

Two laser cannons are firing on the Rebel fighters.

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT

Wedge looks up and sees the TIE ships.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke's targeting device marks off the distance to the target.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Vader and his wingmen zoom closer.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader adjusts his controls and fires laserbolts at two X-wings flying down the trench. He scores a direct hit on Wedge.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Leia and the others are grouped around the computer board.

WEDGE
(over speaker)
I'm hit! I can't stay with you.

LUKE
(over speaker)
Get clear, Wedge.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

LUKE
You can't do any more good back
there!

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT

WEDGE
Sorry!

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Wedge pulls his crippled X-wing back away from the battle.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader watches the escape but issues a command to his wingmen.

VADER
Let him go! Stay on the leader!

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Luke's X-wing speeds down the trench; the three TIE fighters, still in perfect unbroken formation, tail close behind.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT

Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters. He is worried.

BIGGS
Hurry, Luke, they're coming in
much faster this time. I can't
hold them!

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

The three TIE fighters move ever closer, closing in on Luke and Biggs.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks back anxiously at little Artoo.

LUKE
Artoo, try and increase the power!

EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER

Ignoring the bumpy ride, flak, and lasers, a beeping Artoo-Detoo struggles to increase the power, his dome turning from side to side.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Stealthily, the TIE formation creeps closer.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader adjusts his control stick.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT

Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER

Luke looks into his targeting device. He moves it away for a moment and ponders its use. He looks back into the computer targeter.

BIGGS
(over headset)
Hurry up, Luke!

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Vader and his wingmen race through the Death Star trench. Biggs moves in to cover for Luke, but Vader gains on him.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT

Biggs sees the TIE fighter aiming at him.

BIGGS
Wait!

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader squeezes the fire button on his controls.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT

Biggs' cockpit explodes around him, lighting him in red.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Biggs' ship bursts into a million flaming bits and scatters across the surface.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Leia and the others stare at the computer board.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke is stunned by Biggs' death. His eyes are watering, but his anger is also growing.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

Grand Moff Tarkin watches the projected target screen with satisfaction.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, thirty seconds and
closing.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader takes aim on Luke and talks to the wingmen.

VADER
I'm on the leader.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR - LUKE'S SHIP

Luke's ship streaks through the trench of the Death Star.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Princess Leia returns her general's worried and doubtful glances with solid, grim determination. Threepio seems nervous.

THREEPIO
Hang on, Artoo!

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke concentrates on his targeting device.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Three TIE fighters charge away down the trench toward Luke.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader's finger's curls around the control stick.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke adjusts the lens of his targeting device.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Luke's ship charges down the trench.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke lines up the yellow cross-hair lines of the targeting device's screen. He looks into the targeting device, then starts at a voice he hears.

BEN'S VOICE
Use the Force, Luke.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

The Death Star trench zooms by.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke looks up, then starts to look back into the targeting device. He has second thoughts.

BEN'S VOICE
Let go, Luke.

A grim determination sweeps across Luke's face as he closes his eyes and starts to mumble Ben's training to himself.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Luke's fighter streaks through the trench.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

VADER
The Force is strong with this one!

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Vader follows Luke's X-wing down the trench.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke looks to the targeting device, then away as he hears Ben's voice.

BEN'S VOICE
Luke, trust me.

Luke's hand reaches for the control panel and presses the button. The targeting device moves away.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Leia and the others stand watching the projected screen.

BASE VOICE
(over speaker)
His computer's off. Luke, you
switched off your targeting
computer. What's wrong?

LUKE
(over speaker)
Nothing. I'm all right.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Luke's ship streaks ever close to the exhaust port.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT

Luke looks at the Death Star surface streaking by.

EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER

Artoo-Detoo turns his head from side to side, beeping in anticipation.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

The three TIE fighters, manned by Vader and his two wingmen, follow Luke's X-wing down the trench.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader maneuvers his controls as he looks at his doomed target. He presses the fire buttons on his control sticks. Laserfire shoots toward Luke's X-wing fighter.

EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER

A large burst of Vader's laserfire engulfs Artoo. The arms go limp on the smoking little droid as he makes a high-pitched sound.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks frantically back over his shoulder at Artoo.

EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER

Smoke billows out around little Artoo and sparks begin to fly.

LUKE
I've lost Artoo!

Artoo's beeping sounds die out.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Leia and the others stare intently at the projected screen, while Threepio watches the Princess. Lights representing the Death Star and targets glow brightly.

MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
The Death Star has cleared the
planet. The Death Star has
cleared the planet.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

Tarkin glares at the projected target screen.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, in range.

TARKIN
You may fire when ready.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Commence primary ignition.

An officer reaches up and pushes buttons on the control panel, as green lighted buttons turn to red.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

The three TIE fighters zoom down the Death Star trench in pursuit of Luke, never breaking formation.

INT. LUKE'S COCKPIT

Luke looks anxiously at the exhaust port.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader adjusts his control sticks, checking his projected targeting screen.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Luke's ship barrels down the trench.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader's targeting computer swings around into position. Vader takes careful aim on Luke's X-wing fighter.

VADER
I have you now.

He pushes the fire buttons.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

The three TIE fighters move in on Luke. As Vader's center fighter unleashes a volley of laserfire, one of the TIE ships at his side is hit and explodes into flame. The two remaining ships continue to move in.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks about, wondering whose laserfire destroyed Vader's wingman.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader is taken by surprise, and looks out from his cockpit.

VADER
What?

INT. DARTH VADER'S WINGMAN - COCKPIT

Vader's wingman searches around him trying to locate the unknown attacker.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Han and Chewbacca grin from ear to ear.

HAN
(yelling)
Yahoo!

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

The Millennium Falcon heads right at the two TIE fighters. It's a collision course.

INT. WINGMAN'S COCKPIT

The wingman spots the pirateship coming at him and warns the Dark Lord.

WINGMAN
Look out!

EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH

Vader's wingman panics at the sight of the oncoming pirate starship and veers radically to one side, colliding with Vader's TIE fighter in the process. Vader's wingman crashes into the side wall of the trench and explodes. Vader's damaged ship spins out of the trench with a damaged wing.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Vader's ship spins out of control with a bent solar fin, heading for deep space.

INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT

Vader turns round and round in circles as his ship spins into space.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Solo's ship moves in toward the Death Star trench.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Solo, smiling, speaks to Luke over his headset mike.

HAN
(into mike)
You're all clear, kid.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM

Leia and the others listen to Solo's transmission.

HAN
(over speaker)
Now let's blow this thing and
go home!

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke looks up and smiles. He concentrates on the exhaust port, then fires his laser torpedoes.

EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR

Luke's torpedoes shoot toward the port and seems to simply disappear into the surface and not explode. But the shots do find their mark and have gone into the exhaust port and are heading for the main reactor.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke throws his head back in relief.

INT. DEATH STAR

An Imperial soldier runs to the control panel board and pulls the attack lever as the board behind him lights up.

INTERCOM VOICE
Stand by to fire at Rebel base.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

Two X-wings, a Y-wing, and the pirateship race toward Yavin in the distance.

INT. DEATH STAR

Several Imperial soldiers, flanking a pensive Grand Moff Tarkin, busily push control levers and buttons.

INTERCOM VOICE
Standing by.

The rumble of a distant explosion begins.

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR

The Rebel ships race out of sight, leaving the moon-like Death Star alone against a blanket of stars. Several small flashes appear on the surface. The Death Star bursts into a supernova, creating a spectacular heavenly display.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

HAN
Great shot, kid. That was one
in a million.

INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT

Luke is at ease, and his eyes are closed.

BEN'S VOICE
Remember, the Force will be with
you... always.

The ship rocks back and forth.

EXT. DARTH VADER'S TIE FIGHTER

Vader's ship spins off into space.

EXT. SPACE

The Rebel ships race toward the fourth moon of Yavin.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN HANGAR

Luke climbs out of his starship fighter and is cheered by a throng of ground crew and pilots. Luke climbs down the ladder as they all welcome him with laughter, cheers, and shouting.

Princess Leia rushes toward him.

LEIA
Luke! Luke! Luke!

She throws her arms around Luke and hugs him as they dance around a circle. Solo runs in toward Luke and they embrace one another, slapping each other on the back.

HAN
(laughing)
Hey! Hey!

LUKE
(laughing)
I knew you'd come back! I just
knew it!

HAN
Well, I wasn't gonna let you get
all the credit and take all the
reward.

Luke and Han look at one another, as Solo playfully shoves at Luke's face. Leia moves in between them.

LEIA
(laughing)
Hey, I knew there was more to
you than money.

Luke looks toward the ship.

LUKE
Oh, no!

The fried little Artoo-Detoo is lifted off the back of the fighter and carried off under the worried eyes of Threepio.

THREEPIO
Oh, my! Artoo! Can you hear me?
Say something!
(to mechanic)
You can repair him, can't you?

TECHNICIAN
We'll get to work on him right
away.

THREEPIO
You must repair him! Sir, if any
of my circuits or gears will help,
I'll gladly donate them.

LUKE
He'll be all right.

INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN THRONE ROOM

Luke, Han, and Chewbacca enter the huge ruins of the main temple. Hundreds of troops are lined up in neat rows. Banners are flying and at the far end stands a vision in white, the beautiful young Senator Leia. Luke and the others solemnly march up the long aisle and kneel before Senator Leia. From one side of the temple marches a shined-up and fully repaired Artoo-Detoo. He waddles up to the group and stands next to an equally pristine Threepio, who is rather awestruck by the whole event. Chewbacca is confused. Dodonna and several other dignitaries sit on the left of the Princess Leia. Leia is dressed in a long white dress and is staggeringly beautiful. She rises and places a gold medallion around Han's neck. He winks at her. She then repeats the ceremony with Luke, who is moved by the event. They turn and face the assembled troops, who all bow before them. Chewbacca growls and Artoo beeps with happiness.

FADE OUT.

END CREDITS OVER STARS.

THE END