Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Page #13

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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.

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