The Star Wars Page #25

GENERAL:

Can you see anything?

OFFICER:

No Sir, but they've stopped firing.

AID [sic]

Communications still can't reach them, Sir.

GENERAL:

Nobody seems to know what's going on.

OFFICER:

I'm sure they've got them on the run, Sir.

A laserbolt flashes out of the jungle and knocks out a guard tower about a

quarter of a mile from where the men are standing. Seconds later, the air-

tank on which they are standing explodes into a million pieces. Out of the

jungle, rumbles the captured air-tank, driven by Starkiller and followed by a

column of Wookee warriors.

Alarms sound, troops rush from the low block houses, and a battle rages inside

the outpost. Wookees with spears, axes, and arrows, manage to hold their own

against the laser weapons of the stormtroopers. Explosions erupt everywhere,

as the Wookees begin to use captured laserrifles. They are much fiercer

fighters than the soft Imperial troops.

155. INTERIOR - AIR-TANK - OUTPOST - YAVIN

Starkiller works the controls of the air-tank as the general watches the

monitors, and works the laserguns.

GENERAL:

Swing left. They're trying to cut us off.

156. STARSHIP RUNWAY - IMPERIAL OUTPOST - YAVIN

Starkiller maneuvers the air-tank in front of a line of ten starships, cutting

off a platoon of stormtroopers. The troops open fire on the tank, but are cut

down by a group of Wookees who have moved in behind them. Han and Artwo run

up to the tank as Starkiller and the general climb out of the hatch.

HAN:

We've taken the main control center. All power units have been shut down.

They're helpless.

STARKILLER:

Have they found Leia?

HAN:

They've taken her back to Aquilae. The ship left not more than ten hours ago.

GENERAL (to Han)

Set up a perimeter around these starships...Use as many men as you need.

157. STAFF OFFICE - IMPERIAL OUTPOST - YAVIN

Starkiller and the general sit at a large table in the deserted office of the

Imperial Chief of Staff. The room is in a state of disarray; papers are

scattered everywhere. Artwo stands on a chair, projecting an image of the

"death star" fortress orbiting Aquilae, on the table top.

ARTWO:

....And are connected to the central system by a series of crossing networks

similar to section TB4 or F687.

The projection switches to a close-up view of the transformer. The general

studies it carefully, then leans back in his chair. Artwo turns off the

projector.

GENERAL:

I'm not going to stop you, but I think it's a reckless move. Even if you

could get in, you'd never be able to get out... Just be patient. We now have

enough ships to attack in force.

STARKILLER:

But no pilots...

Han and Chewbacca enter the office.

HAN:

Still no contact with Owen Lars or the kids...I'm afraid something's happened.

GENERAL:

Have Chewbacca send two of his best warriors out there to get them.

Han relates this to Chewbacca. The general turns back to Starkiller, who

watches Chewbacca leave the room.

STARKILLER (mocking)

They're fierce warriors, but you'll never teach them to fly.

The general gives him a stern look.

GENERAL:

They'll fly, and Aquilae will be free.

STARKILLER:

May the force of others be with you.

The general embraces the young Jedi.

GENERAL:

Bring her back safely.

158. OUTPOST RUNWAY - STARSHIP - YAVIN

Starkiller, dressed as an Imperial skyraider, and Artwo climb aboard one of

the giant four-man starships. A crowd of Wookees, lead by Chewbacca, give a

rousing cheer for the departing Jedi. Starkiller breaks into a smile and

waves to the joyous warriors. The general watches the proceedings from a

bunker turret. He is lost in thought.

159. SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE

Three Imperial space transports dock inside the huge artificial moon. Two

smaller convoy starships circle the larger craft until the three ships are

safely inside the vast fortress.

160. CONFERENCE ROOM - INTERIOR SPACE FORTRESS - AQUILAE

General Vader of the Imperial Space Fleet, hurries down a hallway, followed by

a group of officers. They enter the large conference room where Leia is held

under heavy squad. She appears well, but saddened. Vader approaches her and

bows before her.

VADER:

I pray you have been treated honorably? I am your servant, Darth Vader. It

won't be long before we will be able to return you to your people. (to an

aide) Are the chambers ready?

AIDE:

They are working on it, Sir.

Leia stares defiantly at him. She starts to speak, but a powerful electric

shock engulfs her body, and she whines in extreme pain.

VADER:

Just relax, and everything will be fine. (to guards) Take her to section

twenty-five.

Leia is forcibly taken from the room.

VADER (to officer)

What time do the doctors from Alderaan arrive?

OFFICER:

Sixty-five hours, Sir.

VADER:

Put all security stations on alert until they arrive.

The officer salutes smartly, and exits.

161. IMPERIAL OUTPOST - VINE JUNGLE - YAVIN

A huge air tank rumbles along the approach to the Imperial outpost. The pilot

sits on the main hatch of the tank, talking to his crew, by headphones.

PILOT:

Any contact yet?... It appears deserted...I don't like it.

The tank enters the outpost perimeter and smoking rubble from the recent

battle comes into view. The pilot becomes alarmed.

PILOT:

There has been an attack! Reverse direction.

The tank comes to a grinding halt, but before it can start up again, it is

surrounded by the Wookee army. From out of nowhere, a Wookee is on the back

of the air-tank and has the pilot in a powerful armlock.

A Wookee chieftain rushes from a bunker, followed by an excited, jabbering

warrior. They reach the captured air-tank just as the last crewman is hauled

out, and little Biggs pokes his head out of the hatch. He is frightened. His

younger brother, Windy, follows him out of the tank. Below them, the Wookees

bully the captured crewmen.

WINDY:

What will they do to us?

BIGGS:

I don't know, but it don't look good.

Threepio pulls himself out of the air-tank, followed by Owen Lars and his

wife. The Wookee chieftain climbs on board, and starts to jabber at the

group. The Wookee carries on for some time, gesturing wildly, and continually

pointing at the sky. The two boys are too scared to say anything. Finally,

the Wookee kneels before them. Threepio politely returns a short bow.

BIGGS:

I don't get it.

The Wookee rises and again gestures skyward, just then a starship wildly

buzzes the field, upsidedown. All the Wookees run for cover. The chief

Wookee points to the crafts, and jabbers incessantly.

162. INTERIOR - IMPERIAL STARSHIP - SKY OVER YAVIN

Chewbacca sits at the controls of a four-man starship. His face is a twisted

combination of complete panic and an awesome religious experience. The

general, sitting next to him, calmly switches a few buttons on the control

panel, as Han watches from the seat directly behind the Wookee.

GENERAL:

You'll get the hang of it.

Han also gives the Wookee a few words of encouragement.

GENERAL:

Now, let's see if we can get into orbit...Push this, then ease her up.

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