by George Lucas
Wedge moves his X-wing in rapidly.
INTERIOR LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
Luke reacts frantically.
LUKE Blast it! Wedge where are you?
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR SPACE.
The TIE fighter explodes, filling the screen with white light.
Luke's ship can be seen far in the distance.
INTERIOR LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.
Luke looks about in relief.
LUKE Thanks, Wedge.
INTERIOR 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...
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
Three Y-wing fighters of the Gold group dive out of the stars
toward the Death Star surface.
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
Three Imperial TIE ships in precise formation dive toward the
Death Star surface.
INTERIOR 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!
INTERIOR MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.
Technicians are seated at the computer readout table.
GOLD LEADER (over speaker) The exhaust post is...
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
GOLD LEADER ...marked and locked in!
EXTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Three Y-wing skim the Death Star surface deep in the trench,
as laserbolts streak past on all sides.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR SURFACE -- GUN EMPLACEMENTS.
An exterior surface gun blazes away at the oncoming Rebel
fighters.
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
GOLD LEADER How many guns do you think, Gold Five.
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
The three Y-wing fighters race toward camera and zoom
overhead through a hail of laserfire.
INTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR 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!
EXTERIOR GOLD FIVE'S COCKPIT.
Gold Five looks behind him.
GOLD FIVE Stabilize your read deflectors. Watch for enemy fighters.
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
GOLD LEADER They've coming in! Three marks at two ten.
EXTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
Three TIE fighters zoom across the surface of the Death Star.
INTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT
The cockpit explodes around Gold Two. His head falls forward.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
As Gold Two's sh ip explodes, debris is flung out into space.
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
Gold Leader looks over his shoulder at the scene.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR TRENCH.
The three TIE fighters race along in the trench in a tight
formation.
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
Gold Leader panics.
GOLD LEADER (into mike) I can't maneuver!
INTERIOR GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
Gold Five, the old veteran, trys to calm Gold Leader.
GOLD FIVE Stay on target.
INTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
The older pilot remains calm.
GOLD FIVE Stay on target!
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
Now he's really panicked.
GOLD LEADER Loosen up!
INTERIOR DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
Vader calmly adjusts his targeting computer and pushes the
fire button.
INTERIOR GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
Gold Leader's ship is hit by Vader's laser.
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Gold Leader explodes in a ball of flames, throwing debris in
all directions.
INTERIOR GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
Gold Five moves
in on the exhaust port.
GOLD FIVE Gold Five to Red Leader...
INTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
RED LEADER I copy, Gold Five.
INTERIOR GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.
GOLD FIVE They came from behind....
EXTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
Luke looks nervously about him at the explosive battle.
INTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR READ LEADER'S COCKPIT.
Red Leader looks over at his wingmen.
RED LEADER Red Group, this is Red Leader.
INTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
DODONNA (over headset) Red Leader, this is Base One. Keep half your
group out of range for the next run.
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge fly in formation
high above the Death Star's surface.
INTERIOR LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
Luke peers out from his cockpit.
EXTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
Red Leader looks around to watch for the TIE fighters. He
begins to perspire.
RED LEADER This is it!
EXTERIOR SPACE.
Red Leader roams down the trench of the Death Star as lasers
streak across the black heavens.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR SURFACE -- GUN EMPLACEMENTS.
A huge remote-control laser cannon fires at the approaching
Rebel fighters.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR TRENCH.
The Rebel fighters evade the Imperial laser blasts.
INTERIOR RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
Red Ten looks around for the Imperial fighters.
RED TEN We should be able to see it by now.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR TRENCH.
From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the
Death Star streaks by, with Imperial laserfire shooting toward
them.
INTERIOR RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
RED LEADER Keep your eyes open for those fighters!
INTERIOR RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
RED TEN There's too much interference!
EXTERIOR 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?
INTERIOR LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.
Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below.
LUKE No sign of any...wait!
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Red Leader's X-wing moves up the Death Star trench.
INTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
Vader adjusts his control lever and dives on the X-wing
fighters.
VADER Close up formation.
EXTERIOR DEATH STAR TRENCH.
The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death Star
surface.
INTERIOR RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device
cross hairs.
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR SPACE.
Red Twelve's X-wing fighter is hit by Vader's laserfire, and
it explodes into flames against the trench.
INTERIOR 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.
INTERIOR RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.
Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device.
RED LEADER Almost there!
INTERIOR RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
Red Ten panics.
RED TEN I can't hold them!
EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.
Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of
the Rebel fighters.
INTERIOR DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.
Vader cooly pushes the fire button on his control stick.
INTERIOR 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.
EXTERIOR SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.
Red Ten's ship explodes and bursts into flames.
INTERIOR 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