Return of the Jedi

HAN

I don't know. All I can see is a lot of blowing sand!

LEIA

That's all any of us can see.

HAN

(blinking)

Then I guess I'm getting better.

As soon as the group huddles under the bulk of the Falcon, the wind dies down to something more describable as a severe weather condition. Threepio hits a switch, and the gang-plank lowers with a HUM.

HAN

(turning to Luke)

I've got to hand it to you, kid, you were pretty good out there.

LUKE
(shrugging it off)

I had a lot of help. Think nothing of it.

HAN

No, I'm thinking a lot about it. That carbon freeze was the closest thing to dead there is. And it wasn't just sleepin'. It was a big wide awake nothing!

Luke nods, as Chewie growls affectionately at the young Jedi warrior, mussing his hair like a proud uncle. And Leia warmly hugs him.

LUKE
(moving to his ship)

I'll see you back at the fleet.

HAN

Why don't you leave that crate and come with us?

LUKE

I have a promise I have to keep first... to an old friend.

Luke and Artoo take off in their spacecraft.

HAN

(looking dubiously at Lando, obviously remembering his friend's betrayal and subsequent aide)

Guess I owe you some thanks, too, Lando.

LANDO

Figured if I left you frozen like that you'd just give me bad luck the rest of my life, so I might as well get you unfrozen sooner or later.

LEIA

He means "You're welcome."

LANDO

Come on, let's get off this miserable dust ball.

EXT. SPACE ABOVE TATOOINE

The desolate yellow planet fills the screen, Luke's X-wing appears and peels off to the left. A moment later, the FALCON appears as a dot and grows huge, to roar directly over the CAMERA.

INT. X-WING – COCKPIT

Luke is at the controls, with Artoo attached behind him outside the canopy. Luke speaks into his comlink to the others, in the MILLENNIUM FALCON.

LUKE

I'll meet you back at the fleet.

LEIA

(over comlink)

Hurry. The Alliance should be assembled by now.

LUKE

I will.

HAN

(over comlink)

Hey, Luke, thanks. Thanks for comin' after me. Now I owe you one.

A message from Artoo appears on the small monitor screen in front of Luke. He smiles at the monitor and speaks to Artoo, as he pulls a black glove on to cover his wounded mechanical hand.

LUKE

That's right, Artoo. We're going to the Dagobah system. I have a promise to keep... to an old friend.

EXT. SPACE – DEATH STAR AND ENDOR

A Super Star Destroyer and several ships of the Imperial Fleet rest in space above the half-completed Death Star and its green neighbor, Endor. Four squads of TIE fighters escort an Imperial shuttle toward the Death Star.

INT. DEATH STAR – CORRIDOR TO DOCKING BAY

Lord Vader strides down the hallway, accompanied by a very nervous Death Star commander.

INT. DOCKING BAY – DEATH STAR

Thousands of Imperial troops in tight formation fill the mammoth docking bay. Vader and the officer walk to the landing platform, where the shuttle is coming to rest.

The shuttle's ramp lowers and the Emperor's Royal Guards come out and create a lethal perimeter. The assembled troops move to rigid attention with a momentous SNAP.

Then, in the huge SILENCE which follows, the EMPEROR appears. He is a rather small, shriveled old man. His bent frame slowly makes its way down the ramp with the aid of a gnarled cane. He wears a hooded cloak similar to the one Ben wears, except that it is black. The Emperor's face is shrouded and difficult to see, except for his piercing yellow eyes. Commander Jerjerrod and Darth Vader kneel to him. The Supreme Ruler of the galaxy beckons to the Dark Lord.

EMPEROR

(to Vader)

Rise, my friend.

Vader rises and falls in next. to the Emperor as he slowly makes his way along the rows of troops. Jerjerrod and the other commanders stay kneeling until the Supreme Ruler and Vader, followed by several Imperial dignitaries, pass by; only then do they join in the procession.

VADER

The Death Star will be completed on schedule.

EMPEROR

You have done well, Lord Vader. And now I sense you wish to continue your search for young Skywalker.

VADER

Yes, my Master.

EMPEROR

Patience, my friend. In time he will seek you out. And when he does, you must bring him before me. He has grown strong. Only together can we turn him to the dark side of the Force.

VADER

As you wish.

EMPEROR

Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.

He laughs to himself as they pass along the vast line of Imperial troops.

EXT. YODA'S HOUSE – DAGOBAH

Once again, Artoo finds himself waiting around in the damp environs of the swamp planet, and he's none too happy about it. He beeps disconsolately to himself and turns to look at Yoda's cottage. Warm yellow light escapes the oddly shaped windows to fight the gloom.

INT. YODA'S HOUSE

The tip of a walking stick taps hesitantly across the earthen floor of the cottage. Our view travels up the stick to the small green hand that clutches it, and then to the familiar face of YODA, THE JEDI MASTER. His manner is frail, and his voice, though cheerful, seems weaker.

YODA

Hmm. That face you make. Look I so old to young eyes?

Luke is sitting in a corner of the cramped space and, indeed, his look has been woeful. Caught, he tries to hide it.

LUKE

No... of course not.

YODA

(tickled, chuckles)

I do, yes, I do! Sick have I become. Old and weak.

(points a crooked finger)

When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?

Yoda chuckles at this, coughs, and hobbles over toward his bed.

YODA

Soon will I rest. Yes, forever sleep. Earned it, I have.

Yoda sits himself on his bed, with great effort.

LUKE

Master Yoda, you can't die.

YODA

Strong am I with the Force... but not that strong! Twilight is upon me and soon night must fall. That is the way of things ... the way of the Force.

LUKE

But I need your help. I've come back to complete the training.

YODA

No more training do you require. Already know you that which you need.

Yoda sighs, and lies back on his bed.

LUKE

Then I am a Jedi?

YODA

(shakes his head)

Ohhh. Not yet. One thing remains: Vader. You must confront Vader. Then, only then, a Jedi will you be. And confront him you will.

Luke is in agony. He is silent for a long moment, screwing up his courage. Finally he is able to ask.

LUKE

Master Yoda... is Darth Vader my father?

Yoda's eyes are full of weariness and compassion. An odd, sad smile creases his face. He turns painfully on his side, away from Luke.

YODA

Mmm... rest I need. Yes... rest.

Luke watches him, each moment an eternity.

LUKE

Yoda, I must know.

YODA

Your father he is.

Luke reacts as if cut.

YODA

Told you, did he?

LUKE

Yes.

A new look of concern crosses Yoda's face. He closes his eyes.

YODA

Unexpected this is, and unfortunate...

LUKE

Unfortunate that I know the truth?

Yoda opens his eyes again and studies the youth.

YODA

(gathering all his strength)

No. Unfortunate that you rushed to face him... that incomplete was your training. Not ready for the burden were you.

LUKE

Well, I'm sorry.

YODA

Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.

He beckons the young Jedi closer to him.

YODA

Luke... Luke... do not... do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor, or suffer your father's fate, you will. Luke, when gone am I,

(cough)

the last of the Jedi will you be. Luke, the Force runs strong in your family. Pass on what you have learned, Luke...

(with great effort)

There is... another... Sky... Sky... walker.

He catches his breath. A shiver runs through the ancient green creature, and he dies. Luke stares at his dead master as he disappears in front of his eyes.

EXT. DAGOBAH SWAMP – X-WING

Luke wanders back to where his ship is sitting. Artoo beeps a greeting, but is ignored by his depressed master. Luke kneels down, begins to help Artoo with the ship, then stops and shakes his head dejectedly.

LUKE

I can't do it, Artoo. I can't go on alone.

BEN (O.S.)

Yoda will always be with you.

Luke looks up to see the shimmering image of BEN KENOBI.

LUKE

Obi-Wan! Why didn't you tell me?

The ghost of Ben Kenobi approaches him through the swamp.

LUKE

You told me Vader betrayed and murdered my father.

BEN

You father was seduced by the dark side of the Force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. When that happened, the good man who was your father was destroyed. So what I have told you was true... from a certain point of view.

LUKE

(turning away, derisive)

A certain point of view!

BEN

Luke, you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.

Luke is unresponsive. Ben studies him in silence for a moment.

BEN

I don't blame you for being angry. If I was wrong in what I did, it certainly wouldn't have been for the first time. You see, what happened to your father was my fault.

Ben pauses sadly.

BEN

Anakin was a good friend.

Luke turns with interest at this. As Ben speaks, Luke settles on a stump, mesmerized. Artoo comes over to offer his comforting presence.

BEN

When I first knew him, your father was already a great pilot. But I was amazed how strongly the Force was with him. I took it upon myself to train him as a Jedi. I thought that I could instruct him just as well as Yoda. I was wrong. My pride has had terrible consequences for the galaxy.

Luke is entranced.

LUKE

There's still good in him.

BEN

I also thought he could be turned back to the good side. It couldn't be done. He is more machine now than man. Twisted and evil.