Return of the Jedi

Yeah, she's comin' up.

Chewie growls a complaint...

HAN

No. I don't think the Empire had Wookiees in mind when they designed her, Chewie.

Leia comes in from the hold and takes her seat near Luke.

Chewie barks and hits some switches. Han's glance has stuck on something out the window: the Millennium Falcon. Leia nudges him gently.

LEIA

Hey, are you awake?

HAN

Yeah, I just got a funny feeling. Like I'm not gonna see her again.

Chewie, hearing this, stops his activity and looks longingly out at the Falcon, too. Leia puts a hand on Han's shoulder.

LEIA

(softly)

Come on, General, let's move.

Han snaps back to life.

HAN

Right. Chewie, let's see what this piece of junk can do. Ready, everybody?

LUKE

All set.

THREEPIO

Here we go again.

HAN

All right, hang on.

EXT. SPACE – THE REBEL FLEET

The stolen Imperial shuttle leaves the main docking bay of the Headquarters Frigate, lowers its wings into flight position, and zooms off into space.

INT. EMPEROR'S THRONE ROOM

The converted control room is dimly lit, except for a pool of light at the far end. There the Emperor sits in an elaborate control chair before a large window which looks out across the half-completed Death Star to the giant green moon of Endor.

Darth Vader, standing with other members of the Imperial council, cautiously approaches his master. The ruler's back is to Vader. After several tense moments, the Emperor's chair rotates around to face him.

VADER

What is thy bidding, my Master?

EMPEROR

Send the fleet to the far side of Endor. There it will stay until called for.

VADER

What of the reports of the Rebel fleet massing near Sullust?

EMPEROR

It is of no concern. Soon the Rebellion will be crushed and young Skywalker will be one of us! Your work here is finished, my friend. Go out to the command ship and await my orders.

VADER

Yes, my Master.

Vader bows, then turns and exits the throne room as the Emperor walks toward the waiting council members.

EXT. SPACE – DEATH STAR – MOON

There is a great deal of Imperial traffic in the area as construction proceeds on the Death Star. Transports, TIE fighters, and a few Star Destroyers move about. Now the huge Super Star Destroyer announces itself with a low roar and soon fills the frame.

INT. STOLEN IMPERIAL SHUTTLE – COCKPIT

Han looks back at Luke and Leia as Chewie flips several switches. Through the viewscreen, the Death Star and the huge Super Star Destroyer can be seen.

HAN

If they don't go for this, we're gonna have to get outta here pretty quick, Chewie.

Chewie growls his agreement.

CONTROLLER

(over radio)

We have you on our screen now. Please identify.

HAN

Shuttle Tydirium requesting deactivation of the deflector shield.

CONTROLLER

(over radio)

Shuttle Tydirium, transmit the clearance code for shield passage.

HAN

Transmission commencing.

Leia and Chewbacca listen tensely as the sound of a high speed transmission begins.

LEIA

Now we find out if that code is worth the price we paid.

HAN

It'll work. It'll work.

Chewie whines nervously. Luke stares at the Huge Super Star Destroyer that looms ever larger before them.

LUKE

Vader's on that ship.

HAN

Now don't get jittery, Luke. There are a lot of command ships. Keep your distance though, Chewie, but don't look like you're trying to keep your distance.

Chewie barks a question.

HAN

I don't know. Fly casual.

LUKE

I'm endangering the mission. I shouldn't have come.

HAN

It's your imagination, kid. Come on. Let's keep a little optimism here.

Chewie barks his worries as the Super Star Destroyer grows larger out the window.

INT. VADER'S STAR DESTROYER – BRIDGE

Lord Vader stands, back to us, staring out a window at the Death Star. Now, some vibration felt only by him causes him to turn. After a moment of stillness, he walks down the row of controllers to where ADMIRAL PIETT is leaning over the tracking screen of the controller we've seen earlier. Piett straightens at Vader's approach.

VADER

Where is that shuttle going?

PIETT

(into comlink)

Shuttle Tydirium, what is your cargo and destination?

PILOT VOICE (HAN)

(filtered)

Parts and technical crew for the forest moon.

The Bridge Commander looks to Vader for a reaction.

VADER

Do they have a code clearance?

PIETT

It's an older code, sir, but it checks out. I was about to clear them.

Vader looks upward, as he senses Luke's presence.

PIETT

Shall I hold them?

VADER

No. Leave them to me. I will deal with them myself.

PIETT

(surprised)

As you wish, my lord.

(to controller)

Carry on.

Piett nods at controller, who switches on his comlink.

INT. STOLEN IMPERIAL SHUTTLE – COCKPIT

The group waits tensely.

HAN

They're not goin' for it, Chewie.

CONTROLLER

(filtered)

Shuttle Tydirium, deactivation of the shield will commence immediately. Follow your present course.

Everyone breaths a sigh of relief. Everyone but Luke, who looks worried. Chewie barks.

HAN

Okay! I told you it was gonna work. No problem.

EXT. SPACE – STOLEN IMPERIAL SHUTTLE – ENDOR

The stolen Imperial shuttle moves off toward the green Sanctuary Moon.

EXT. FOREST LANDING SITE – ENDOR

The stolen Imperial shuttle sits in a clearing of the moon's dark, primeval forest, dwarfed by the ancient towering trees.

On an adjacent hill, the helmeted Rebel contingent makes its way up a steep trail. Leia and Han are slightly ahead of Chewie and Luke. The troops of the strike-team squad follow, with Artoo and Threepio bringing up the rear. Artoo beeps.

Up ahead, Chewie and Leia reach a crest in the hill and drop suddenly to the ground, signaling the rest of the group to stop. Han and Luke crawl up to take a look.

THREEPIO

Oh, I told you it was dangerous here.

THEIR POV: Not far below them, two IMPERIAL SCOUTS are wandering through bushes in the valley below. Their two ROCKET BIKES are parked nearby.

LEIA

Shall we try and go around?

HAN

It'll take time. This whole party'll be for nothing if they see us.

Leia motions for the squad to stay put, then she, Han, Luke and Chewie start quietly down.

EXT. FOREST CLEARING – CAMPSITE

The four friends make their way to the edge of the clearing not far from the two Imperial scouts.

HAN

Chewie and I will take care of this. You stay here.

LUKE

Quietly, there might be more of them out there.

HAN

(grins)

Hey... it's me.

Han and Chewie turn and start through the bushes toward the scouts. Luke and Leia exchange smiles.

Han sneaks up behind one of the scouts, steps on a twig and the scout whirls, knocking Han into a tree. The scout shouts for his companion.

SCOUT #1

Go for help! Go!

The second scout jumps on his speeder bike and takes off, but Chewie gets off a shot on his crossbow laser weapon, causing the scout to crash into a tree. Han and Scout #1 are in a rousing fistfight.

LUKE

(sarcastic)

Great. Come on.

Luke starts for the scuffle, followed by Leia with her laser pistol drawn. As they run through the bushes, Leia stops and points to where two more scouts are sitting on their speeder bikes, with an unoccupied bike parked nearby.

LEIA

Over there! Two more of them!

LUKE

I see them. Wait, Leia!

But Leia doesn't hear him and races for the remaining speeder bike. She starts it up and takes off as Luke jumps on the bike behind her.

LUKE

(pointing to the controls)

Quick! Jam their comlink. Center switch!

Luke and Leia speed into the dense foliage in hot pursuit, barely avoiding two huge trees.

HAN

Hey, wait! Ahhh!

He flips the remaining scout to the ground.