From: ss@realsoon (Scott N Streeter)
Subject: The Script (3/7)
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1992 18:16:45 GMT





        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 patron 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.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

        Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.

INTERIOR: 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.

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET.

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

THREEPIO: Lock the door, Artoo.

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

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

           The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.

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

           Artoo makes beeping sounds.

THREEPIO: You watch your language!

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- MOS EISLEY -- STREET -- ALLEYWAY -- USED SPEEDER LOT.

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

LUKE: He says it's the best he can do. Since the XP-38 came out,
they're just not in demand.

BEN: It will be enough.

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

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

INTERIOR: 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.

EXTERIOR: 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.

INTERIOR: 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.

INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON.

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

INTERIOR: MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT -- DOCKING BAY 94.

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

THREEPIO: Hello, sir.

EXTERIOR: 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!

INTERIOR: 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.

INTERIOR: 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.

EXTERIOR: 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.

INTERIOR: 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.

EXTERIOR: SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE.

        The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.

INTERIOR: 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.

EXTERIOR: SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE.

        The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow
        planet, Tatooine. It is followed by two huge Imperial
        stardestroyers.

INTERIOR: 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!

EXTERIOR: SPACE -- PLANET TATOOINE.

        Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.

INTERIOR: 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.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

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

EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR.

        Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.

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

MOTTI: We've entered the Alderaan system.

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

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

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

LEIA: I 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!

INTERIOR: 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.

INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- CENTRAL HOLD AREA.

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

LUKE: Are you all right? What's wrong?

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

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

BEN: You'd better get on with your exercises.

           Han Solo enters the room.

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

           Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.

HAN: Don't everyone thank me at once.

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

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

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

THREEPIO: Now be careful, Artoo.

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

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

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

THREEPIO: But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.

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

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

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

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

LUKE: You mean it controls your actions?

BEN: Partially. But it also obeys your commands.

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

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

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

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

           Ben smiles quietly

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

BEN: I suggest you try it again, Luke.

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

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

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

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

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

BEN: Stretch out with your feelings.

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

BEN: You see, you can do it.

HAN: I call it luck. 

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

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

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

HAN: Looks like we're coming up on Alderaan.

           Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.

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

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

INTERIOR: 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!

EXTERIOR: HYPERSPACE.

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

INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.

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

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

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

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

LUKE: What's going on?

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

LUKE: What do you mean? Where is it?

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

LUKE: What? How?

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

BEN: Destroyed...by the Empire!

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

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

HAN: There's another ship coming in.

LUKE: Maybe they know what happened.

BEN: It's an Imperial fighter.

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

LUKE: It followed us!

BEN: No. It's a short range fighter.

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

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

        The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.

INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.

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

HAN: Not if I can help it. Chewie...jam it's transmissions.

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

HAN: Not for long...

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

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

INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.

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

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

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

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

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

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

INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

LUKE: I have a very bad feeling about this.

BEN: Yeah, I think your right. Full reverse! Chewie, lock in the
auxiliary power.

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

LUKE: Why are we still moving towards it?

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

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

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

           Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.

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

INTERIOR: 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.

EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- HUGE PORT DOORS.

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

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

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- DOCKING BAY 2037.

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

OFFICER: To you stations!

OFFICER: (to another officer) Come with me.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- HALLWAY.

        Stormtroopers run to their posts.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- HANGAR 2037.

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

OFFICER: Close all outboard shields! Close all outboard shields!

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONFERENCE ROOM.
 
        Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz.

TARKIN: Yes.

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

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

INTERIOR: 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!

INTERIOR: 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.

INTERIOR: 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.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- FORWARD BAY -- COMMAND OFFICE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THREEPIO: We found the computer outlet, sir.

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

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

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

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

           The computer monitor flashes readouts.

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

           Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.

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

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

LUKE I want to go with you.

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

LUKE: But he can...

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

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

HAN: Boy you said it, Chewie.

           Han looks at Luke.

HAN: Where did you dig up that old fossil?

LUKE: Ben is a great man.

HAN: Yeah, great at getting us into trouble.

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

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

LUKE: Who do you think...

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

LUKE: What is it?

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

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

           Artoo whistles a frantic reply.

THREEPIO: Princess Leia.

LUKE: The princess? She's here?

HAN: Princess? What's going on?

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

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

HAN: What are you talking about?

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

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

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

HAN: I'm not going anywhere.

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

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

LUKE: But they're going to kill her!

HAN: Better her than me...

LUKE: She's rich.

           Chewbacca growls.

HAN: Rich?

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

HAN: What?

LUKE: Well more wealth that you can imagine.

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

-- 
                        Scott Streeter
                        ss@wpi.wpi.edu