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STAR WARS

Episode IV

A NEW HOPE

From the
JOURNAL OF THE WHILLS

by
George Lucas

Revised Fourth Draft
January 15, 1976

LUCASFILM LTD.



A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away...

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.

It 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...

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 Stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly 
laserbolts streak from the Imperial Stardestroyer, 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 mine 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.

VADER
What have you done with those plans?

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

VADER
If this is a consular ship... were 
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. IMPERIAL STARDESTROYER

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!

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.
(he 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 to say good-bye 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 binoculars from Luke as the others strain to 
see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars 
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 binoculars 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 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 she tells 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 Stardestroyer 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-droids 
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 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 
good-bye... 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
You're 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 Sandpeople since 
you left... they've even raided the 
outskirts of Anchorhead.

BIGGS
Your uncle could hold off a whole 
colony of Sandpeople 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 towards the 
power station.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SUNSET

The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange 
foreboding mist and the onimous 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 only their glowing 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 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 robot, 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 language of 
moisture vaporators.

THREEPIO
Vaporators! Sir -- My first job was 
programming binary load lifter... 
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 off for the garage when a plate pops off the 
head of the red 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 as Luke and the two robots 
trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.

LUKE
Okay, let's go.

THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Now, don't you 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 grey 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 cruiser 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 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 old 
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 old 
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 
Sandpeople 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 Sandpeople 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 Sandpeople, 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 Raider 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 about 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
Sandpeople! Or worst! 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 Sandpeople 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 Sandpeople walk past carrying the 
inert Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the 
speeder.  The Sandpeople 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 
Sandpeople fleeing in terror.

Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight 
swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople 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 were 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, not... 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 
Sandpeople 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 Sandpeople 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 a 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. She needs 
your help. I'm getting too old for 
this sort of thing.

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 Stardestroyer 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 
a 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 Sandpeople 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. Sandpeople 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 Sandpeople. 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 home!

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

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 burning 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 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, grey, 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-
hardend 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 your 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 grey 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
Don't insult us. You just watch 
yourself. We're wanted men. I have 
the death sentence in 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
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 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 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.

EXT. SPACE

Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

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

An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.

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

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

VADER
What do you mean?

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

TROOPER
With pleasure.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

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

THREEPIO
Lock the door, Artoo.

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

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

The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.

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

Artoo makes beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
You watch your language!

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

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

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

BEN
It will be enough.

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

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

INT. DOCKING BAY 94 - DAY

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

JABBA
Come on out, Solo!

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

HAN
I've been waiting for you, Jabba.

JABBA
I expected you would be.

HAN
I'm not the type to run.

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

HAN
You sent Greedo to blast me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

EXT. DOCKING PORT ENTRY - ALLEYWAY

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

INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94

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

LUKE
What a piece of junk.

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

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

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

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

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON

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

INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94

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

THREEPIO
Hello, sir.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad 
creature.

TROOPER
Which way?

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

TROOPER
All right, men. Load your weapons!

INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94]

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

TROOPER
Stop that ship!

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

TROOPER
Blast 'em!

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON

HAN
Chewie, get us out of here!

The group straps in for take off.

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

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREETS

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

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

EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE

The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

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

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

EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

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

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

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

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

EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE

Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the window.

HAN
Here's where the fun begins!

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

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

The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.

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

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

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

LUKE
What's that flashing?

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

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

EXT. SPACE

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

EXT. DEATH STAR

Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

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

MOTTI
We've entered the Alderaan system.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.

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

Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to 
Alderaan.

LEIA
(softly)
Dantooine.

Leia lowers her head.

LEIA
They're on Dantooine.

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

LEIA
What?

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

LEIA
No!

INT. DEATH STAR - BLAST CHAMBER

VADER
Commence primary ignition.

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA

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

LUKE
Are you all right? What's wrong?

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

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

BEN
You'd better get on with your 
exercises.

Han Solo enters the room.

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

Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.

HAN
Don't everyone thank me at once.

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

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

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

THREEPIO
Now be careful, Artoo.

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

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

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

THREEPIO
But sir, nobody worries about 
upsetting a droid.

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

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

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

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

LUKE
You mean it controls your actions?

BEN
Partially. But it also obeys your 
commands.

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

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

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

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

Ben smiles quietly.

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

BEN
I suggest you try it again, Luke.

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

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

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

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

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

BEN
Stretch out with your feelings.

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

BEN
You see, you can do it.

HAN
I call it luck.

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

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

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

HAN
Looks like we're coming up on 
Alderaan.

Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.

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

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

INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM

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

TARKIN
Yes.

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

TARKIN
She lied! She lied to us!

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

TARKIN
Terminate her... immediately!

EXT. HYPERSPACE

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

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

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

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

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

LUKE
What's going on?

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

LUKE
What do you mean? Where is it?

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

LUKE
What? How?

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

BEN
Destroyed... by the Empire!

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

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

HAN
There's another ship coming in.

LUKE
Maybe they know what happened.

BEN
It's an Imperial fighter.

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

LUKE
It followed us!

BEN
No. It's a short range fighter.

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

EXT. SPACE

The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

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

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

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

HAN
Not for long...

EXT. SPACE

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

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

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

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

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

EXT. SPACE

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

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

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

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

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

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

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

LUKE
I have a very bad feeling about this.

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

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

LUKE
Why are we still moving towards it?

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

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

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

Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - DEATH STAR

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

EXT. DEATH STAR - HUGE PORT DOORS

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

VOICE OVER DEATH STAR INTERCOM

Clear Bay twenty-three-seven. We are opening the magnetic 
field.

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 you stations!
(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 computer 
to power the tractor beam that's 
holding the ship here. He'll try to 
make the precise location appear on 
the monitor.

The computer monitor flashes readouts.

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

Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.

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

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

LUKE
I want to go with you.

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

LUKE
But he can...

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

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

HAN
Boy you said it, Chewie.

Han looks at Luke.

HAN
Where did you dig up that old fossil?

LUKE
Ben is a great man.

HAN
Yeah, great at getting us into 
trouble.

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

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

LUKE
Who do you think...

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

LUKE
What is it?

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

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

Artoo whistles a frantic reply.

THREEPIO
Princess Leia.

LUKE
The princess? She's here?

HAN
Princess? What's going on?

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

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

HAN
What are you talking about?

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

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

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

HAN
I'm not going anywhere.

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

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

LUKE
But they're going to kill her!

HAN
Better her than me...

LUKE
She's rich.

Chewbacca growls.

HAN
Rich?

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

HAN
What?

LUKE
Well more wealth that you can imagine.

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

LUKE
You'll get it!

HAN
I better!

LUKE
You will...

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

Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.

LUKE
All right.

HAN
What's your plan?

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

Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.

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

Chewie lets out a hideous growl.

LUKE
Okay. Han, you put these on.

Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.

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

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

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

LUKE
Lock the door!

HAN
And hope they don't have blasters.

THREEPIO
That isn't very reassuring.

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

INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - ELEVATOR TUBE

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

Finally a small elevator arrives and the trio enters.

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

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

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN HALLWAY

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

INT. DEATH STAR - INTERIOR ELEVATOR - DETENTION SECURITY 
AREA

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

HAN
This is not going to work.

LUKE
Why didn't you say so before?

HAN
I did say so before!

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. We had a reactor 
leak here now. Give us a few minutes 
to lock it down. Large leak... very 
dangerous.

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

Han blasts the comlink and it explodes.

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

INT. DEATH STAR - CELL ROW

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

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

Luke takes off his helmet, coming out of it.

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

LEIA
You're who?

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

LEIA
Ben Kenobi is here! Where is he?

LUKE
Come on!

INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM

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

VADER
He is here...

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

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

TARKIN
Surely he must be dead by now.

VADER
Don't underestimate the power of the 
Force.

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

There is a quiet buzz on the comlink.

TARKIN
Yes.

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

TARKIN
The princess! Put all sections on 
alert!

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

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

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

INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - HALLWAY

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

HAN
Chewie!

Chewbacca responds with a growling noise.

HAN
Get behind me! Get behind me!

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

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

HAN
Can't get out that way.

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

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

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

LUKE
See-Threepio! See-Threepio!

THREEPIO
(over comlink)
Yes sir?

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

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN BAY GANTRY - CONTROL TOWER

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

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

Someone begins banging on the door.

TROOPER VOICE
Open up in there!

THREEPIO
Oh, no!

INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION CORRIDOR

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

LUKE
There isn't any other way out.

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

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

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

Luke manages a sheepish grin and shrugs his shoulders.

LUKE
Well, I didn't...

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

HAN
What the hell are you doing?

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

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

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

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

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

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

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

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

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

LUKE
No! wait!

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

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

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

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

LEIA
It could be 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 to brace 
it with something.

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

LUKE
Wait a minute!

Luke pulls out his comlink.

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

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN GANTRY - COMMAND OFFICE

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

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

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

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

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

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

THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Come on!

The guard aims a blaster at them.

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

TROOPER
All right.

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

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

As the walls rumble closed, the room gets smaller and smaller.  
Chewie is whining and trying to hold a wall back with his 
giant paws.

Han is leaning back against the other wall. Garbage is 
snapping and popping. Luke is trying to reach Threepio.

LUKE
Threepio! Come in, Threepio! Threepio!

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

HAN
Get to the top!

LEIA
I can't

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

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

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

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

THREEPIO
Hurry!

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

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

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

LEIA
I'm trying!

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

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

Artoo frantically beeps something to See-Threepio.

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

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

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

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

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

THREEPIO
Are you there, sir?

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

LUKE
Threepio!

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

THREEPIO
We've had some problems...

LUKE
(over comlink)
Will you shut up and listen to me? 
Shut down all garbage mashers on the 
detention level, will you? Do you 
copy?

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

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

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

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

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

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

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

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

INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM

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

LUKE
We're all right. You did great.

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

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

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL

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

INT. DEATH STAR - TRACTOR BEAM - POWER GENERATOR TRENCH

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

INT. DEATH STAR - UNUSED HALLWAY

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

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

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

LUKE
Well, let's get moving!

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

HAN
(to Chewie)
Where are you going?

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

LEIA
No, wait. They'll hear!

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

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

Chewie shakes his head "no."

HAN
Chewie! Come here!

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

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

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

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

Han watches her start away. He looks at Luke.

HAN
No reward is worth this.

They follow her, moving swiftly down the deserted corridor.

INT. DEATH STAR - POWER TRENCH

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

OFFICER
Secure this area until the alert is 
canceled.

FIRST TROOPER
Give me regular reports.

All but two of the stormtroopers leave.

FIRST TROOPER
Do you know what's going on?

SECOND TROOPER
Maybe it's another drill.

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

SECOND TROOPER
What was that?

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

INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY

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

HAN
(looking at his ship)
There she is.

LUKE
See-Threepio, do you copy?

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

LUKE
We're right above you. Stand by.

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

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

HAN
Nice! Come on!

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

FIRST TROOPER
It's them! Blast them!

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

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

LUKE
Where are you going? Come back!

Han has already rounded a corner and does not hear.

LEIA
He certainly has courage.

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

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

INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY

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

INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY

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

INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY

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

INT. DEATH STAR - CENTRAL CORE SHAFT

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

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

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

LEIA
There's no lock!

Luke blasts the controls with his laser pistol.

LUKE
That oughta hold it for a while.

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

LUKE
Oh, I think I just blasted it.

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

LEIA
They're coming through!

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

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

LUKE
Here, hold this.

Luke pulls a thin nylon cable from his trooper utility belt. 
It has a grappler hook on it. A trooper appears on a bridge 
overhang and fires at Luke and Leia. As Luke works with the 
rope, Leia returns the laser volley. Another trooper appears 
and fires at them, as Leia returns his fire as well.  
Suddenly, the hatch door begins to open, revealing the feet 
of more troops.

LEIA
Here they come!

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

LEIA
For luck!

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

INT. DEATH STAR - NARROW PASSAGEWAY

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

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY

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

THREEPIO
Where could they be?

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

INT. DEATH STAR - CORRIDOR - BLAST SHIELDS DOOR

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

TROOPER
Close the blast doors!

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

TROOPER
Open the blast doors! Open the blast 
doors!

INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY LEADING TO MAIN FORWARD BAY

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

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

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

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

BEN
Only a master of evil, Darth.

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

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

VADER
Your powers are weak, old man.

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

Their lightsabers continue to meet in combat.

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY

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

HAN
Didn't we just leave this party?

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

HAN
What kept you?

LEIA
We ran into some old friends.

LUKE
Is the ship all right?

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

INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY

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

LUKE
Look!

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

INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY

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

THREEPIO
Come on, Artoo, we're going!

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

INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY

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

HAN
Now's our chance! Go!

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

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

Vader brings his sword down, cutting old Ben in half. Ben's 
cloak falls to the floor in two parts, but Ben is not in it.  
Vader is puzzled at Ben's disappearance and pokes at the 
empty cloak. As the guards are distracted, the adventurers 
and the robots reach the starship. Luke sees Ben cut in two 
and starts for him. Aghast, he yells out.

LUKE
No!

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

HAN
(to Luke)
Come on!

LEIA
Come on! Luke, its too late!

HAN
Blast the door! Kid!

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

BEN'S VOICE
Run, Luke! Run!

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Han pulls back on the controls and the ship begins to move. 
The dull thud of laser bolts bouncing off the outside of the 
ship as Chewie adjusts his controls.

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

Chewbacca growls in agreement.

EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON

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

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA

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

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. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - POV (POINT OF VIEW) - 
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 fighter.

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 
laserbeams 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 the 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 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 to 
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 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. It's 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 murmer 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 bull's-
eye 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 trooper, 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. I 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 emotional-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 disappears 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 appear 
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 in the "X" 
position.

INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT

READ 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 grey 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 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-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 troopers head 
gear is not adequate to protect them from the overwhelming 
noise of the monstrous weapon. One troopers 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 grey 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 window 
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 fighters. 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 deflector 
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
Switching 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. GOLD FIVE'S COCKPIT

Gold Five looks behind him.

GOLD FIVE
Stabilize your read 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

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.

EXT. 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, trys 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 laser.

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. READ 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 toward 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 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 cooly 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!

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 to make 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 EMPLACEMENTS

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 the 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, 
knicking 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 in 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