by James Kahn
arm. A large explosion hits near Artoo, knocking him head over
heels, finally landing on his feet. The stubby astrodroid's
head is spinning and smoldering. Suddenly there is a loud
SPROOING and Han and Leia turn around to see Artoo with all his
compartment doors open, and all of his appendages sticking out;
water and smoke spurt out of the nozzles in his body. Han rushes
to the terminal, as Threepio rushes to his wounded companion.
THREEPIO
My goodness! Artoo, why did you have to be so
brave?
HAN
Well, I suppose I could hotwire this thing.
LEIA
I'll cover you.
Ewoks in handmade, primitive hanggliders drop rocks onto the
stormtroopers, dive-bombing their deadly adversaries. One is hit
in the wing with laser fire and crashes. A walker lumbers
forward, shooting laser blasts at frantic Ewoks running in all
directions. Two Ewoks are struck down by laser blasts. One
tries to awaken his friend, then realizes that he is dead.
112 EXT SPACE - DEATH STAR 112
The Rebel fleet continues to be picked off, from one side by the
Death Star's deadly beam, from the other by the rampaging
Imperial Star Destroyers.
113 INT MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT 113
Lando steers the Falcon wildly through an obstacle course of
floating giants. He's been yelling into the comlink.
LANDO (desperately)
Yes! I said closer! Move as close as you can
and engage those Star Destroyers at point-
blank range.
ACKBAR
At that close range, we won't last long
against those Star Destroyers.
LANDO
We'll last longer then we will against that
Death Star...and we might just take a few of
them with us.
The Rebel cruisers move very close to the Imperial Star
Destroyers and begin to blast away at point-blank range. Tiny
fighters race across the giant surfaces, against a backdrop of
laser fire.
The control tower of a Star Destroyer is under attack.
REBEL PILOT
She's gonna blow!
Y-WING PILOT
I'm hit!
The damaged Y-wing plummets toward the Star Destroyer, and
crashes into the control tower, exploding.
114 INT EMPEROR'S TOWER - THRONE ROOM 114
Out of the window and on the view screens, the Rebel fleet is
being decimated in blinding explosions of light and debris. But
in here there is no sound of battle. The Emperor turns to Luke.
EMPEROR
Your fleet has lost. And your friends on the
Endor moon will not survive. There is no
escape, my young apprentice. The Alliance
will die...as will your friends.
Luke's eyes are full of rage. Vader watches him.
EMPEROR
Good. I can feel your anger. I am
defenseless. Take your weapon! Strike me
down with all your hatred, and your journey
towards the dark side will be complete.
Luke can resist no longer. The lightsaber flies into his hand. He
ignites it in an instant and swings at the Emperor. Vader's
lightsaber flashes into view, blocking Luke's blow before it can
reach the Emperor. The two blades spark at contact. Luke turns to
fight his father.
115 EXT FOREST 115
The battle rages on. Stormtroopers fire on Ewoks with
sophisticated weapons while their furry little adversaries sneak
up behind the Imperial troopers and bash them over the head with
large clubs.
A walker marches through the undergrowth blasting Ewoks as it
goes. An Ewok warrior gives the signal, and a pile of logs is cut
loose. The logs tumble under the walker's feet, causing it to
slip and slide until it finally topples over with a great crash.
A scout bike races past and is lassoed with a heavy vine. The
other end of the vine is tied to a tree, and the bike swings
around in ever-tightening circles until it runs out of rope and
crashes into the trees with a huge explosion.
Chewie swings on a vine to the roof of one of the walkers. Two
Ewoks cling to him. They land with a thud on the top of the
lurching machine, then hang on for dear life. One of the Ewoks
peeks through the window.
WALKER PILOT 1
Look!
PILOT 2
Get him off of there!
The walker pilot opens the hatch to see what's going on. He is
yanked out and tossed overboard before he can scream. The two
Ewoks jump into the cockpit and knock the second pilot
unconscious. The Ewoks are thrown violently as the mighty machine
careens out of control. Out side, Chewie is almost knocked
overboard; he sticks his head into the hatch with a series of
angry barks. The Ewoks are too busy and frightened to listen to
the Wookiee's complaint. Chewie slips inside the walker.
Chewbacca's walker moves through the forest, firing laser blasts
at unsuspecting stormtroopers, and destroying other Imperial
walkers. The Ewoks shout and cheer as the giant machine helps
turn the tide of the battle in their favor.
116 EXT FOREST - GENERATOR BUNKER 116
Han works furiously at the control panel; wires spark as he
attempts to hotwire the door. He motions to Leia, who is blasting
away at some stormtroopers.
HAN
I think I got it. I got it!
The three wires spark as the connection is made. With a LOUD
WHOOSH, a second blast door crashes down in front of the first.
Han frowns and turns back to the wires again. Leia exchanges
shots with stormtroopers in the bushes, then suddenly cries out
in pain, her shoulder hit by a laser blast.
THREEPIO
Oh, Princess Leia, are you all right?
HAN
Let's see.
LEIA
It's not bad.
STORMTROOPER (OS)
Freeze!
They freeze.
THREEPIO
Oh, dear.
STORMTROOPER
Don't move!
Leia holds her laser gun ready, behind Han, out of view of the
two stormtroopers moving toward them. Han and Leia's eyes lock;
the moment seems suspended in time.
HAN
I love you.
Another shared look between them, as she smiles up at Han.
LEIA
I know.
STORMTROOPER
Hands up! Stand up!
Han stands up slowly and turns, revealing the gun in Leia's hand.
She disposes of the stormtroopers in a flash. As Han turns back
toward Leia, he looks up to see a giant walker approach and stand
before him, its deadly weapons aimed right at him.
HAN (to Leia)
Stay back.
The hatch on top of the walker opens and Chewie sticks his head
out and barks triumphantly.
HAN
Chewie! Get down here! She's wounded! No,
wait.... I got an idea.
117 INT EMPEROR'S TOWER - THRONE ROOM 117
Luke and Vader are engaged in a man-to-man duel of lightsabers
even more vicious then the battle on Bespin. But the young Jedi
has gr
own stronger in the interim, and now the advantage shifts
to him. Vader is forced back, losing his balance, and is knocked
down the stairs. Luke stands at the top of the stairs, ready to
attack.
EMPEROR (laughing)
Good. Use your aggressive feelings, boy! Let
the hate flow through you.
Luke looks momentarily toward the Emperor, then back to Vader,
and realizes he is using the dark side. He steps back, turns off
his lightsaber, and relaxes, driving the hate from his being.
VADER
Obi-Wan has taught you well.
LUKE
I will not fight you, father.
Vader walks back up the stairs to Luke.
VADER
You are unwise to lower your defenses.
Vader attacks, forcing Luke on the defensive. The young Jedi
leaps in an amazing reverse flip up to the safety of the catwalk
overhead. Vader stands below him.
LUKE
Your thoughts betray you, father. I feel the
good in you...the conflict.
VADER
There is no conflict.
LUKE
You couldn't bring yourself to kill me
before, and I don't believe you'll destroy me
now.
VADER
You underestimate the power of the dark side.
If you will not fight, then you will meet
your destiny.
Vader throws the laser sword and it cuts through the supports
holding the catwalk, then returns to Vader's hand. Luke tumbles
to the ground in a shower of sparks and rolls out of sight under
the Emperor's platform. Vader moves to find him.
EMPEROR (laughs)
Good. Good.
118 EXT SPACE - AIR BATTLE 118
The two armadas, like their sea-bound ancestors, blast away at
each other in individual point-blank confrontations. A Star
Destroyer explodes. The Rebel victor limps away, its back half
alive with a series of minor explosions. The Rebel cruiser
manages to move in next to a second Star Destroyer before it
explodes completely, taking the Imperial Star Destroyer with it.
The Falcon and several fighters attack one of the larger Imperial
ships.
LANDO
Watch out. Squad at .06.
REBEL PILOT
I'm on it, Gold Leader.
WEDGE
Good shot, Red Two.
LANDO
Now...come on, Han, old buddy. Don't let me
down.
119 INT BUNKER - CONTROL ROOM 119
Controllers watch the main viewscreen on which a vague figure of
an Imperial walker pilot can be seen. There is a great deal of
static and interference.
HAN/PILOT (VO)
It's over, Commander. The Rebels have been
routed. They're fleeing into the woods. We
need reinforcements to continue the pursuit.
The controllers cheer.
CONTROL ROOM COMMANDER
Send three squads to help. Open the back
door.
SECOND COMMANDER
Yes, sir.
120 EXT FOREST - GENERATOR BUNKER 120
As the door to the bunker opens and the Imperial troops rush out,
they're surprised to find themselves surrounded by Rebels, their
weapons pointed at them. Ewoks holding bows and arrows appear on
the roof of the bunker. The Imperial troops throw down their guns
as Han and Chewie rush inside the bunker with explosive charges.
121 INT BUNKER - CONTROL ROOM 121
Han, Chewie, and several troops rush into the control room and
plant explosive charges on the control panels and rush out.
HAN
Throw me another charge.
122 INT EMPEROR'S TOWER - THRONE ROOM 122
Vader stalks the low-ceilinged area on the level below the
throne, searching for Luke in the semi-darkness, his lightsaber
held ready.
VADER
You cannot hide forever, Luke.
LUKE
I will not fight you.
VADER
Give yourself to the dark side. It is the
only way you can save your friends. Yes, your
thoughts betray you. Your feelings for them
are strong. Especially for...
Vader stops and senses something. Luke shuts his eyes tightly, in
anguish.
VADER
Sister! So...you have a twin sister. Your
feelings have now betrayed her, too. Obi-Wan
was wise to hide her from me. Now his failure
is complete. If you will not turn to the dark
side, then perhaps she will.
LUKE
Never-r-r!
Luke ignites his lightsaber and screams in anger, rushing at his
father with a frenzy we have not seen before. Sparks fly as Luke
and Vader fight in the cramped area. Luke's hatred forces Vader
to retreat out of the low area and across a bridge overlooking a
vast elevator shaft. Each stroke of Luke's sword drives his
father further toward defeat.
The Dark Lord is knocked to his knees, and as he raises his sword
to block another onslaught, Luke slashes Vader's right hand off
at the wrist, causing metal and electronic parts to fly from the
mechanical stump. Vader's sword clatters uselessly away, over the
edge of the platform and into the bottomless shaft below. Luke
moves over Vader and holds the blade of his sword to the Dark
Lord's throat. The Emperor watches with uncontrollable, pleased
agitation.
EMPEROR
Good! Your hate has made you powerful. Now,
fulfill your destiny and take your father's
place at my side!
Luke looks at his father's mechanical hand, then to his own
mechanical, black-gloved hand, and realizes how much he is
becoming like his father. He makes the decision for which he
has spent a lifetime in preparation. Luke steps back and hurls
his lightsaber away.
LUKE
Never! I'll never turn to the dark side.
You've failed, Your Highness. I am a Jedi,
like my father before me.
The Emperor 's glee turns to rage.
EMPEROR
So be it...Jedi.
123 EXT FOREST - GENERATOR BUNKER 123
Han and several of the fighters run out of the bunker and race
across the clearing.
HAN
Move! Move!
A shock wave knocks them flat as the bunker explodes, followed by
a spectacular display as the huge shield-generator radar dish
explodes along with the bunker.
124 INT REBEL STAR CRUISER - BRIDGE 124
Ackbar, sitting in his control chair, speaks into the radio.
ACKBAR
The shield is down! Commence attack on the
Death Star's main reactor.
LANDO
We're on our way. Red Group, Gold Group, all
fighters follow me. (laughs) Told you they'd
do it!
The Falcon, followed by several smaller Rebel fighters, heads
toward the unfinished superstructure of the Death Star.
125 INT EMPEROR'S TOWER - THRONE ROOM 125
Luke stands still, as the Emperor reaches the bottom of the
stairs. The Emperor's laughter has turned to anger. He raises his
arms toward Luke.
EMPEROR
If you will no
t be turned, you will be
destroyed.
Blinding bolts of energy, evil lightning, shoot from the
Emperor's hands at Luke. Even in his surprise, the young Jedi
tries to use the Force to deflect them. At first he is half
successful, but after a moment the bolts of energy are coming
with such speed and power the young Jedi shrinks before them, his
knees buckling. The wounded Vader struggles to his feet, and
moves to stand at his master's side.
EMPEROR
Young fool...only now, at the end, do you
understand.
Luke is almost unconscious beneath the continuing assault of the
Emperor's lightning. He clutches a canister to keep from falling
into the bottomless shaft as the bolts tear through him.
EMPEROR
Your feeble skills are no match for the power
of the dark side. You have paid the price for
your lack of vision.
Luke writhes on the floor in unbearable pain, reaching weakly up
toward where Vader stands watching.
LUKE (groans)
Father, please. Help me.
Again Vader stands, watching Luke. He looks at his master, the