The Star Wars Page #19

WHITSUN:

What is it?

STARKILLER:

Where is Leia?

WHITSUN:

She went forward.... What's going on with you two?

STARKILLER:

We're in love. She loves me, and I just realized,... I love her.

WHITSUN:

[something whited out] You're asking for trouble... She's a queen... You're a

warrior....Do you know what you're saying?

STARKILLER:

I don't care... I've got to talk...

Whitsun just shakes his head, but before Starkiller can finish his sentence,

the ship is rocked by a bombardment of proton torpedoes. The intercom squawks

to life.

GENERAL (over intercom)

Get to those guns!

Starkiller and Whitsun rush to the lasercannons, and jump into the protective

suits and helmets.

113. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE

Han enters the bridge and sits before a fire control center. The general sits

in a chair, slightly behind and above Threepio, directing the robot pilot.

GENERAL:

Turn around! Let's face them.

Artwo, sitting quietly in a corner, watches as Threepio punches new

information into the computer and the giant starship swings around in a sharp

circle. Several torpedoes explode near the ship. The general switches on the

intercom.

GENERAL:

Your boys ready?

114. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE

The captains adjust the lasercannon controls in front of them and check in

with the general.

GENERAL:

They should be within range in twelve seconds...

Starkiller adjusts his giant laser ack-ack cannon, searching his electronic

tracking screen for the hunter destroyer. Whitsun is having a problem with

one of the rotating mechanisms on the huge gun. He curses, climbs out of the

chair, and attempts to fix it.

WHITSUN:

My vertical rotating circuits are out...

The princess straps herself into a small lifepod. [something whited out]

Only the slightest hint of concern or worry shows in her face. She listens to

her protectors relay instructions as the enemy approaches.

115. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE

The starship shudders as the hunter-destroyers open fire. Han relays the

ship's status to the general, as Threepio struggles to keep up with the

barrage of orders.

HAN:

We're losing deflectors three thirty one and ten forty two...

GENERAL (to Threepio)

Cut hard to maridian nine zero six. Level to three degrees...(into the

intercom) We're coming under one. Wait for my signal!

116. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE

The constant flashing of deflected laser bolts reflect in the interior of the

lasercannon bubble. Starkiller rechecks his firing swithces..Whitsun adjusts

his headphones, and lowers a glare reflector. He raps on the power rotation

circuits, and gives them a little test burst. The pod instantly rotates a few

degrees. The large starship heads directly toward the three enemy ships and

at the last moment dives under the attacking craft. Starkiller watches the

smaller crafts pass overhead, aching to open fire. He calls Whitsun on the

intercom.

STARKILLER:

I've got no signal. I'm on target. What's wrong? What are they waiting for?

I've got an open shield!

The three Imperial craft are firing incessantly at point blank range.

WHITSUN:

Wait for the signal.

But Starkiller has a perfect shot, and he can't wait. He squeezes the trigger

and the giant lasercannon, with a burst of smoke and electrical charge, opens

up on the enemy craft. Moments later, the signal lights flash on and Whitsun

commences firing on the receeding hunter-destroyers. Two of the Imperial

craft break off, and prepare for another attack run. The third is hit by a

concentrated barrage from the two captains, and begins spinning out of

control, until it finally explodes. Whitsun gives Starkiller a victory wave,

which Starkiller gleefully returns. These moments of triumph are broken by

the intercom.

GENERAL:

Annikin, next run you wait for my signal. We haven't much power to spare on

your inaccurate grandstanding!

Starkiller's pride is wounded. He resets his accelerators, as the two

remaining hunter-destroyers begin a second run.

117. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE

Han turns to the general.

HAN:

We have a weakened shield on the port turret...

GENERAL:

Warn Starkiller. Get him out of there. (to Threepio) Change your heading by

point five.

118. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE

Princess Leia listens to Han warn Starkiller.

HAN:

Your shield power is down. Abandon that positions, and seal that section.

Report! Captain, do you hear me? Captain?!!!

Leia becomes worried that something has happened to Annikin. The young

captain switches off the intercom system and signals to Whitsun that the

system has gone dead. Before Whitsun can answer, the two hunter-destroyer

spacecraft are upon them once again. Laser bolts flash all around them. The

general's signal flashes on, and the captain starts to return the fire. One

of the Imperial fighters concentrates its fire on Starkiller's weakened

gunport. A direct hit blows open a hole in the turret, and everything that

isn't bolted down is sucked into outer space, including Starkiller. He bangs

against the side of the starship, held only by a weakened lifeline.

The princess hears Whitsun explain Starkiller's predicament, and rushes back

to help him. She is stopped by a pressure locked door leading to the gun

emplacement.

119. BRIDGE - STARSHIP - SPACE

The general orders Threepio to swing the spacecraft around and start a new

attack. He turns to Artwo.

GENERAL:

Use the aft port...See what you can do for Starkiller.

Artwo hurriedly waddles out of the bridge. Threepio and Han simultaneously

turn to the general.

THREEPIO:

More craft approaching!

HAN:

It looks like at least six or seven.

The general studies the radar scopes and then checks a Galactic map displayed

on one of the monitors.

GENERAL:

Change course to three point one.

THREEPIO:

That will head us directly into the path of the Norton Asteroid Belt.

HAN:

That Asteroid Belt is too dense to pass through...The ship won't make it!

GENERAL:

We'll never defeat them in combat. It's our only chance to lose them.

Threepio punches in new coordinates, and the starship veers away toward the

treacherous asteroid belt.

120. AFT SECTION - STARSHIP - SPACE

Whitsun fires on one ofthe two hunter-destroyers which is pacing the rebel

starship. Starkiller unsuccessfully tries to pull himself back inside the

spacecraft. The enemy craft maneuvers wildly in an attempt to get into a

better position, to fire on Starkiller. Whitsun blasts away, until the

Imperial spacecraft spews forth equipment and personnel, careens off, and

eventually explodes.

Artwo wobbles along the exterior of the ship, until he reaches the stranded

captain. He attaches a new lifeline to the young Jedi's spacesuit, and makes

his way back inside the wounded craft. Starkiller is pulled to safety just as

the starship enters the asteroid belt. A barrage of small and large asteroids

begins to pelt the ship, causing a great deal of damage.

GENERAL (over intercom)

Secure yourselves. We may have to eject. Abandon the turrets.

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