STAR WARS: DARK EMPIRE II

AUDIO ADAPTATION TRANSCRIPT

by Christopher "Nightowl" McElroy 

Based on an audio adaptation of "Star Wars: Dark Empire II," a six-issue comic book miniseries published by Dark Horse Comics in 1994. Audio Adaptation produced by Highbridge Audio, Inc. 

Comic version written by Tom Veitch
Audio version adapted by John Whitman

                                          A long time ago, 
                                          in a galaxy far, far away......

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TAPE ONE/SIDE ONE
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NARRATOR: Star Wars: Dark Empire II. 

Music: Star Wars Main Theme. 

NARRATOR: Six years after the fateful battle of Endor, Luke Skywalker learned that the Emperor Palpatine had survived the battle, by transferring his mind into the body of a clone. 
Luke's bold attempts to learn the Emperor's secrets nearly ended in disaster for Luke and for the Rebel Alliance. But thanks to Luke's sister Princess Leia, her husband Han Solo, and other heroes of the Alliance, Luke was rescued. The Emperor himself was annihilated by Luke and Leia, and the Empire's terrible World Devastator weapons were destroyed. 
But the Emperor's minions continued the war. An elite corps of Dark Side warriors were authorized to put into action the Emperor's master plan to retake the galaxy: "Operation Shadow Hand." 
Led by the Dark Side Executor Sedriss, these Dark Jedi initiated a series of assaults against the worlds in proximity to the Galactic Core. Sedriss's first target is the weapons world of Balmorra. As Sedriss gathers his forces, Luke Skywalker, drawn by the Force, discovers clues to the existence of other Jedi who, like Ben Kenobi, had escaped Darth Vader's program of extermination. Near the Cron Drift, in the derelict space city known as Nespis VIII, Luke meets a fallen Jedi named Kam Solusar, in a violent confrontation.....

SCENE 1-1    INT. NESPIS VIII--HALLWAY
=====================================================
Sound: The music crashes into "Imperial Attack" as the clash of lightsabers is heard.

LUKE AND KAM: (grunting with effort) 

KAM: DIE, SKYWALKER!!!

LUKE: You cannot defeat me, Dark Jedi. 

KAM: If I do not (grunts), others will follow (slash)!! I--uhh--am one of many! The Emperor's Dark Side warriors will find you! 

LUKE: Uhh!! If you kill me-unn--I will gain powers beyond your imagination.

KAM: Your Jedi delusions mean nothing--uhn--to me!! 

LUKE: And your Dark Side powers are nothing to me, Kam Solusar. 

KAM: (lashes at Luke, who blocks) How do you know my name? 

LUKE: Through the Force. The Force brought me here, to Nespis VIII. It also brought me your name, and the knowledge that you have NOT completely gone over to the Dark Side! 

KAM: NO!!! (Keeps striking at Luke, who blocks every move.) I am a Dark Jedi. I serve the Emperor!!

LUKE: The Emperor is dead. The Dark Side is defeated. I feel the good in you!! 

KAM: NO! (Attacks again--but not as hard as before.) 

LUKE: I sense your old life. Before the Dark Side ensnared you. (Sound: Force hum begins.) When the Force flowed through you. 

KAM: NO!! NNNOOO!!! (Attacks, but his heart's not in it anymore. With visible effort, he turns off his lightsaber.) My life is forfeit, Jedi. Kill me. 

LUKE: I do not take life unless I must. Yours I give back to you. (turns off his lightsaber.) 

KAM: Why? When I lured you here....I would have made this derelict space station your grave. 
The tomb of the last Jedi Master. 

LUKE: Instead, I will make it the place of your rebirth. You were a Dark Jedi once. But only because you fell under the Emperor's spell. Now that spell is broken!! 

Sound: The Force rises, to a wail. Kam cries out. 

LUKE: Kam Solusar--I give you back your life!! I give you your freedom! I give you the power that is already yours--the power of the Jedi!! 

Sound: The Force fades. 

KAM: (with new strength in his voice) Skywalker.....I'm free. 

LUKE: The Force is strong in you. 

KAM: My old life.....I remember it now. I....my father was a Jedi. I was a Jedi. 

LUKE: You ARE a Jedi, Kam Solusar. 

KAM: I.....I owe you my life. 

LUKE: Then join me. Join the New Republic. 

KAM: The New Republic? (bitter) The New Republic is doomed. 

LUKE: But the Emperor is dead. 

KAM: Maybe. But his lieutenants are powerful Dark Side warriors. Like me, they will carry out the Emperor's last command. To destroy you, and the Rebellion. They've already begun their attacks. 

SCENE 1-2    INT. BALMORRA CAPITAL BUILDING   
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Sound: The scattering of trash, and a man's coughing.

BELTANE: (coughing) Computer....begin transmission. 

Sound: Computer comm comes on. 

BELTANE: This is Governor Beltane. Coded transmission to Mon Mothma, leader of the High Council, Alliance Headquarters. They came--(violent cough) They came like they always do--Star Destroyers flashing out of hyperspace, making threats.......

SCENE 1-3   INT. STAR DESTROYER AVENGER BRIDGE - A FEW HOURS EARLIER.......
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GOIR: The Avenger has achieved hyperspace terminus, Executor Sedriss. The fleet is assembled over the planet Balmorra, and awaits your instructions. We are ready to annihilate the planet upon your command. 

SEDRISS: (an extremely deep, smoky voice) Excellent, Goir. For years, Governor Beltane bragged that his war machines were the only reason for the Empire's success. Today, I'll make him eat his words. Screen on. 

Sound: Viewscreen is activated. 

BELTANE: (on viewscreen) Executor Sedriss. What's the meaning of this? 

SEDRISS: Governor Beltane. Surprised to see a fleet of Imperial Star Destroyers over your planet?

BELTANE: Have you Imperials gone mad?!? 

SEDRISS: Don't play innocent with me, Beltane. We know you're arming the Rebels. I'm here to give you the opportunity to save face, not to mention thousands of lives. 

BELTANE: I'm listening, Sedriss. 

SEDRISS: Surrender all your operations at once, and I'll only execute YOU. 

BELTANE: So far, I'm not intrigued. 

SEDRISS: Or, make me come down there personally and I'll destroy your planet and it's entire population.

BELTANE: I don't understand your problem, Sedriss. My factories are still supplying your most advanced armor. What does it matter if I make a little extra on the side, selling to the Alliance?

SEDRISS: The Alliance is a doomed collection of traitorous Rebels, and anyone who helps them is doomed as well. 

BELTANE: Don't threaten me, Sedriss. You can't destroy us--you NEED us.     

GOIR: Such impudence, Lord Sedriss. We should order the fleet to destroy--

SEDRISS: I know, Goir. Yet I need Beltane's weapons to smash the Rebels. That's why I simply don't wipe out Beltane and his cursed planet. Beltane--enough talk. My fleet is standing by. What is your answer? 

BELTANE: You can have my answer, Executor Sedriss--now. 

Sound: The Star Destroyer is rocked by surface-to-orbit fire. An alarm goes off. 

SEDRISS: (he can't believe it) By the Dark Side!! 

GOIR: Planetary defenses firing on the fleet. Shields are holding. Your orders, Executor Sedriss? 

SEDRISS: (grinding his teeth) Order the Star Destroyers into high orbit, out of firing range. Deploy all ground troops. 

GOIR: My Lord, assaulting the city on the ground is disasterous. We'll lose thousands of stormtroopers---

SEDRISS: I DON'T CARE!!! I WANT BELTANE'S HEAD ON A SPIT!!!  

SCENE 1-4    INT. BALMORRA CAPITAL
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Sound: The fighting is still going on, far off. 

BELTANE: (speaking from AFTER the current battle) As you know, Mon Mothma, I'd been itching for a battle with the Empire for years. I knew my people had the firepower to match theirs.

LIEUTENANT: Governor Beltane, Imperial troops are approaching the city! We estimate close to 30,000 stormtroopers, 700 AT-AT's, and 400 SD-9 war droids! 

BELTANE: SD-9's? Executor Sedriss has last year's models. Let's show the Empire what REAL firepower is all about. Activate the SD-10's.

Sound: Far away, several hangar doors open. 

SD-10: War droid SD activated. (voices of war droids overlap)

LIEUTENANT: All the SD's are operational, Governor. 

BELTANE: Just in time. The Empire has arrived. 

Sound: Turbolaser fire, close range. 

SD-9: Surrender. The city is now under Imperial control. Surrender. 

LIEUTENANT: Imperial war droids have reached the city! Imperial war droids have---(screams as a shot takes him out) 

SD-9: The city is now under Imperial control. 

BELTANE: SD-10's, target all Imperial battle droids! 

SD-10: Affirmative. Initiating combat protocol. 

Sound: Close range crossfire. 

SD-9: Surrender. The city is under Imperial control. Surre--

Sound: The SD-9 is blown apart. 

SCENE 1-5   INT. IMPERIAL TRANSPORT
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PILOT: Blast!! Captain Veers, did you see that? 

VEERS: I saw it. These Balmorrans are throwing advanced war droids at us. 

PILOT: They're blowing our SD-9's apart! 

VEERS: Those Balmorrans built all our equipment. They've got our all battle strategies stored in their memory banks. I'd better contact the fleet. (hits intercom) This is Captain Veers to flagship Avenger. Captain Veers to flagship--

SEDRISS: (over intercom) This is the Avenger. What is it, Captain Veers? 

VEERS: My men are taking heavy casualities. These new war droids are cutting us to shreds. 

SEDRISS: Stay calm, Captain---

SCENE 1-5   INT. STAR DESTROYER AVENGER BRIDGE
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SEDRISS: --I have the Balmorrans exactly where I want them, Goir. Governor Beltane has thrown his entire force at my ground troops. The trap is sprung. 

GOIR: Trap, my Lord? 

SEDRISS: Release the Shadow Droids! 

Sound: Multiple launches from the Avenger's docking bay. 

SCENE 1-6   INT. BALMORRA CAPITAL
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SD-10: Imperial ground troops are retreating. 

Sound: Cheers from the Balmorran fighters.    

BELTANE: Give pursuit! I want every last Imperial dog off my planet! 

SD-10: Alert! Alert! This unit detecting a signal! 

Sound: New, powerful ships fly by. 

BELTANE: New signals? Where? How many? 

SD-10: 8 targets at 12-0. 

BELTANE: 12-0?? But that would be--

Sound: Close turbolaser rapid fire. 

SD-10: Incoming ships! Retarget all--

Sound: SD-10--and a lot of it's twins--are blown to hell. 

BELTANE: DAMN those Imperials!! 

LIEUTENANT TWO: Governor, the Empire has some new kind of assault craft! It's making a mess of our war droids!!

BELTANE: I can SEE that, you idiot!!

LIEUTENANT TWO: But how could they build anything that powerful without our help?!? What kind of program is running those things???

BELTANE: (speaking from AFTER the battle) Mon Mothma, we didn't know at the time, the Emperor had been experimenting with cybernetic implants. These "Shadow Droids" were guided by the salvaged brains of dead Imperial fighter aces. Immersed in nutrient baths, and hardwired to tactics computers, these cyborg controllers coordinate with each other through a blizzard of digital coding. The results....are devastating. 

Sound: The crackling squeal of a binary code--like a modem when going online. 

LIEUTENANT TWO: They're coming in for another pass!! 

BELTANE: Look at them move!! I've never seen such precision. 

LIEUTENANT TWO: We'd better do something, Governor, or this battle is history! 

BELTANE: Stay calm!! The Empire may have a secret weapon, but I've got a secret or two of my own.......Begin Emergency Initiative Alpha. Release the Viper automatons. 

SCENE 1-6  INT. STAR DESTROYER AVENGER BRIDGE
======================================================
GOIR: Executor Sedriss. We're picking up a new set of signals on the outskirts of Balmorra's main city. It looks like--

Sound: The intercom beeps for attention. 

SEDRISS: This is Sedriss. Go ahead. 

VEERS: (over intercom) This is Captain Veers again. Whatever the Balmorrans just launched, it's cutting through our Shadow Droids like kholm-grass!!

SEDRISS: Describe it.

SCENE 1-7   EXT. BALMORRAN BATTLEFIELD
======================================================
Sound: It seems the battle has picked up in intensity by quite a few notches.  

VEERS: Bipedal war droids. New turbolasers-- Squad Three, lay down cover fire!! Battle droid has retracting limbs. We're pouring laser fire onto them, but--it looks like they've got molecular shielding! 

SEDRISS: (over intercom) That's IMPOSSIBLE!! No one has perfected molecular shielding!! 

VEERS: You'd better tell that to the Balmorrans! 

SCENE 1-8   INT. AVENGER BRIDGE
==============================================
VEERS: (over intercom) These new droids are absorbing our laser fire, and sending it right back at us! LOOK OUT!!!

Sound: Close explosion. Intercom goes off. 

SEDRISS: Veers?? VEERS!!! By the Dark Side!! Goir, signal the Shadow Droids to fall back! 

GOIR: (whisper) No response, Sedriss. All the Shadow Droids have been destroyed. 

SEDRISS: What ARE those new droids? Why wasn't I TOLD about them?!?! 

Sound: Intercom comes up again. 

GOIR: Governor Beltane is on the line, Executor Sedriss. 

SEDRISS: Beltane, you fool!!! I should level your planet for keeping secrets from the Empire!! 

BELTANE: (on intercom, coughing) Your Shadow Droids already did a pretty good job of that, Sedriss. It'll take weeks for us to dig out of the rubble. But it would have been worse if I hadn't released my Viper automatons. Are you impressed with my little invention, Sedriss? (Cough, hack)

SEDRISS: I want those machines, Beltane. 

BELTANE: (koff) And I'll be happy to give them to you, Executor Sedriss. In exchange for the freedom of Balmorra, that is. Then you can buy all the Viper automatons you want.

SEDRISS: Are you insane?? The Emperor won't stand for it!! He doesn't buy weapons from free planets!! 

BELTANE: From what I hear, the Emperor doesn't buy weapons from anyone--he's dead. 

SEDRISS: Yes, well...(sigh)..your point is well taken. Very well, Governor Beltane--I'll send down representatives to draw up terms between your planet and the Empire. 

SCENE 1-9   INT. BALMORRA CAPITAL--AFTER THE BATTLE
======================================================
BELTANE: And then Executor Sedriss and his Star Destroyers vanished into the flicker of hyperspace. I may have made a deal with a Sarlacc. But Mon Mothma, I don't intend to keep it. That's why I'm forwarding this communication to you and the Rebel Alliance. I want to make a deal with the New Republic. I only hope we can figure out what Sedriss is planning....

SCENE 1-10  INT. AVENGER BRIDGE - IN HYPERSPACE
======================================================
GOIR: I don't understand what you're planning, Executor Sedriss. We should vaporize the Balmorrans and be done with them!!

SEDRISS: Watch your tongue, Goir, before I watch it wriggling in my hand! I want those new droids for the Empire. I'll agree to anything Beltane wants, for now. Once those droids are in my possession, I'll use them to reduce Balmorra to space dust. Frankly, I don't intend to waste any more time with little fish like Beltane. I have a more important adversary to deal with. I must prepare for the Emperor's return. And to do that, I must first eliminate.......

SCENE 1-11  INT. LUKE'S X-WING COCKPIT
====================================================       
HAN: (over intercom) Luke Skywalker!! How are ya, kid? 

LUKE: Fine, Han. Good to hear your voice. Good to be back at Pinnacle Base, too. Do you have room for one more beat-up old X-Wing Fighter in the spacedock? 

HAN: Dock commander's cleared you for immediate touchdown, but scanners show another ship behind you!

LUKE: I've brought a friend, Han. Ready to take her in, Kam? Landing at Pinnacle Base can be pretty tricky. 

KAM: (over intercom) I'm right behind you, Luke. The Jedi Knights will rise again!!

Music: On that triumphant note, the Star Wars Fanfare plays....

SCENE 1-12  INT. PINNACLE BASE HANGAR
===========================================
Sound: The X-Wing and Kam's ship lands in the cavern hangar. 

CHEWBACCA: GRUNTS OUT A FEW WORDS. 

HAN: Yeah, Chewie, I see it. Luke's X-Wing's got some new scars on her. Looks like our Jedi Master's seen some action. 

LEIA: As long as Luke's all right. He needs to train our two children. And the one waiting to be born. 

LUKE: Han! Leia! 

HAN: Luke!

LEIA: Welcome home! 

CHEWBACCA: "HI THERE." 

LUKE: Hello, Chewie. 

LEIA: Luke, who's this? 

KAM: My name is Kam Solusar. It's an honor to meet you. 

LUKE: Leia....Kam is a Jedi. 

LEIA: A Jedi?! But I thought the others were all killed by the Emperor! 

KAM: I was apprenticed to the great Jedi Master Rannik Solusar--my father. Now I've begun my service under Luke Skywalker.

LEIA: (sighs, giddy) What a strange feeling! Luke, this means we're no longer alone! 

LUKE: You wouldn't know it from the small reception we've received. Where is everybody? 

HAN: Mon Mothma and the High Council are in session. Even some of the military types like Wedge Antilles are there. It's a big meeting, Luke, and you're just in time.

SCENE 1-13  INT. PINNACLE BASE MEETING HALL
====================================================
Sound: The Hall is filled to bursting as the meeting goes on. The heroes quietly enter. 

BELTANE: (over intercom) And then Executor Sedriss and his Star Destroyers vanished into the flicker of hyperspace. I may have made a deal.....

MON MOTHMA: As you've just heard, Governor Beltane has defeated the Empire's forces in open battle. Beltane's a practical man. He's still dealing with the Empire, but his planet suffered serious damage, and he wants revenge. 

KAM: Excuse me, but.....everyone in this room has a grudge against the Empire. What makes this guy any different? 

LEIA: The difference is, Beltane can supply us with the cargo of the new X1 Viper automaton war droids he's just sold to the Empire. 

HAN: As well as the itinerary and registry numbers for the Frigates that are hauling them to the Imperial command center on Byss.

LEIA: We know exactly where we're going to intercept that shipment. Once we have those droids, we'll target the six top Imperial command posts.   

WEDGE: I've got a better idea. 

MON MOTHMA: Yes, General Antilles?

WEDGE: We should let the shipment go through to Byss---but we'll pack it with a cargo of our Rebel troops. When we reach Byss, we'll wheel out the new droids and make a dash for the Citadel!!    

MON MOTHMA: That's a daring plan, General Antilles. I like it!! A quick thrust to the Citadel, and the war would be OVER!!!

LUKE: I disagree, Mon Mothma. This IS the moment to press our advantage. But I've been on Byss. I know their security. You'll never reach the Citadel.

LEIA: But Luke, aren't you forgetting? I flew the Millenium Falcon right up to the Emperor's front door! 

HAN: Yeah, security on Byss is like a sieve! 

LUKE: Because I WAS THERE to pave the way, Han. You only saw a fraction of the Emperor's power. There are forces on Byss--creatures of unspeakable horror--as well as weapons....that you can't imagine. 

WEDGE: But don't forget, Luke, we'll have surprise on our side. In an odds-down fight, that counts for a lot. 

HAN: I agree with Wedge. With the Emperor gone, there's a good chance the Imperial big shots are at each other's throats! Their response to a direct attack would be sluggish at best. 

MON MOTHMA: I agree. (gently) Commander Skywalker....Luke.....we certainly respect your concerns. Do what you have to do to re-establish the Jedi. And we will do what WE have to do, to fufill our responsibilities to the Alliance. We can't afford to wait. We must strike NOW--at the heart of the Empire! 

LUKE: But--

MON MOTHMA: Meeting adjourned. 

SCENE 1-14    INT. PINNACLE BASE HALLWAY
================================================
LUKE: Walk with me, Kam. 

KAM: It's quite a strong-willed bunch of people, Luke. I can't believe they won't listen to the advice of a Jedi Master. 

LEIA: (coming up) Luke? 

LUKE: They've survived for years without much help from the Jedi. They know they need us, Kam. It's just going to take them a while to remember that we're here. 

LEIA: Luke?

LUKE: Leia? What is it? 

LEIA: Luke, I just wanted to say....I hope there's not going to be a conflict between you and the Alliance. 

LUKE: I don't see a problem, Leia. I suppose the Alliance must think in terms of immediate gains. We Jedi will do what we must. 

KAM: I know I'm the new guy here, but.....I-I don't think Mon Mothma knows what she's getting into. The Emperor has a new elite corps of Dark Side warriors. They're very powerful. I know. I was one of them. 

LUKE: We'll have to wait and see, Kam. Here we are. 

COMPUTER: (beeps an alarm) Caution. Access to Holocron chamber is restricted. Please identify. 

LUKE: Recognize: Luke Skywalker. 

LEIA: Recognize: Leia Organa-Solo. 

KAM: Uh....recognize: Kam Solusar. 

COMPUTER: Luke Skywalker--recognized. Leia Organa-Solo--recognized. Warning--(alarm goes off) Kam Solusar--not recognized. Conflict in Alliance Security. 

LEIA: Cancel that order. Security override by command of Leia Organa-Solo. 

COMPUTER: Security override engaged. (alarm shuts down) You may enter the Holocron Chamber. 

Sound: Double doors open......

SCENE 1-15  INT. HOLOCRON CHAMBER
==============================================
Sound: Luke, Leia, and Kam walk in. Hum of the Holocron, from far away.

KAM: By my father's spirit, you people take your security seriously around here.

LEIA: We have to, Kam. The Empire is constantly working spies into the lower echelons.

LUKE: And the Jedi Holocron is the only link we have to our history. 

KAM: The Holocron. I heard rumors that the Emperor had a Holocron on Byss. It's hard to believe this little cube holds such ancient secrets. 

LEIA: Luke, I spent a lot of time studying the Holocron while you were gone. It told me--I think Vima-Da-Boda can help us. 

KAM: Hmm. Not really much to look at..... 

LUKE: That ancient Jedi you met on Nar Shaddaa?  

KAM: No access panels....

LEIA: I need to find her, Luke. Before she dies. 

LUKE: You need to go into hiding, Leia. Until your child is born. It will be a very great Jedi. 

KAM: No holographic projectors.....

LEIA: I will, Luke. As soon as I find Vima. Then Han and I are going to New Alderaan to spend time with the twins. 

LUKE: Well, Vima WAS a Jedi. And right now, we could use-- (all the help we can get.) 

KAM: (interrupts) It's just a--hey!!

Sound: Holocron hum becomes louder. 

BODO: Greetings, Jedi. 

KAM: I, uh....

BODO: (echoing from the Holocron) I am Bodo Baas, Gatekeeper of the Holocron. Do you have a question for me? 

KAM: Q-Question? 

LUKE: Go ahead, Kam. That's what the Holocron is for. 

KAM: Uh.....uh....Master Baas, I, uh....I'd be grateful for any advice you could give us in this struggle against the Dark Side. 

BODO: Many great battles are yet to come. Many trials and many tests. Yes, and many Jedi Knights may someday be. But above all, patience is needed. Patience is the way of the Jedi. Go to Ossus. To the sources. Things that were lost can now be found. The dead may return to life. Although men may forget it's name, the Force can never die. 

Sound: The Holocron shuts itself off.

KAM: THAT....was very strange. 

LUKE: (you can hear the grin) Welcome to my world. 

Music: Luke's theme plays for a moment.

SCENE 1-16       EXT. PINNACLE BASE HANGAR
=============================================  
HAN: Hey, Salla. You about ready?

SALLA: (growls) Always ready for you, Solo. 

HAN: Cut it out, Salla. You may be an old girlfriend, but you know I'm a married man. And a father. 

SALLA: Mmm. There are planets in this galaxy where that's a recommendation, Solo. 

HAN: Salla......

SALLA: Don't worry, Solo. I'm not nearly as interested in you as I am in getting off this rock. I need to get back to Nar Shaddaa. The minute I'm home, I'm jumping a frieghter to Byss, since you were kind enough to abandon my ship there.

HAN: Well, you'll get your wish. Leia's on her way. She's got her heart set on finding some old Jedi woman. Come on, let's lock everything down. 

SALLA: I'm ready, Solo. But the Wookiee decided this is the time to rip out the repulsor compensator. 

HAN: CHEWIE!!

CHEWBACCA: PROTESTS LAMELY. 

HAN: I don't care what kind of a noise it's making, we're in a hurry! Here come Luke and Leia!

Sound: A land transport brings Luke and Leia to Han and Salla. 

SALLA: I told him to forget it. The Falcon's been flying with a broken compensator for as long as I can remember. 

LEIA: Han, is the Falcon ready? 

HAN: Ready as she'll ever be. Hey, furball, get down from there, unless you want to ride all the way to Nar Shaddaa on the deflector shield dish! 

SCENE 1-17   INT. PINNACLE BASE HANGAR--A SHORT TIME LATER
============================================================
LUKE: Millennium Falcon, you are cleared to launch. 

LEIA: (over commlink) Thanks for seeing us off, Luke. 

LUKE: Kam and I will see you when you get back, Leia. Good luck. And may the Force be with you. 

Sound: The Falcon's engines warm up....

LEIA: And you. Millennium Falcon--launch. 

Sound: And awayyyyy it goes.......

KAM: Your sister is a strong Jedi, Luke. 

LUKE: She was raised to be a leader, Kam. A great destiny awaits her. 

KAM: So what kind of destiny awaits us? We heading for this planet called Ossus? 

LUKE: Yes. I've already prepped the new ship--the "Jedi Explorer." And on the way, you can tell me about this Dark Side character you call......

SCENE 1-18   INT. BYSS--EMPEROR'S CITADEL--THRONE ROOM
==============================================================
SA-DI: SEDRISS!! You've failed at Balmorra. You have the gall to return here, to the Emperor's throneworld? 

SEDRISS: Yes, Sa-Di. I'm the Imperial Executor. I rule Byss until the Emperor returns. 

SA-DI: The Emperor is dead. 

SEDRISS: That's never stopped him before. 

SA-DI: He cannot return this time. He will be lost in the netherworlds for a thousand years. 

SEDRISS: Because Skywalker thinks he destroyed all the cloning tanks? You know as well as I the secret dungeons below the Citadel--

SA-DI: Yesss, Sedriss. I am a Dark Jedi too. I've seen the cages of the Chrysalis Beasts, and read the Book of Anger. 

SEDRISS: Then you know that there is secret tanks below the Citadel that no Jedi could ever touch. 

SA-DI: NO--the Emperor will NOT return!! I am in command now!!

SEDRISS: Sa-Di, you command nothing!! You're nothing but a second-rate councilor with delusions of grandeur and--

Sound: Sa-Di lights up-- 

SA-DI:--and a lightsaber, Sedriss. I have touched the Dark Side. I have the power now. 

SEDRISS: (he can't help it--he's laughing his butt off) Oh, Sa-Di.....if you really knew the power of the Dark Side, you would know that the Emperor WILL return. That his arrival is imminent. All around us, the Dark Side gathers it's presence. 

SA-DI: You are insane, Sedriss. And you are dead. 

Sound: Sedriss lights up his own 'saber. 

SEDRISS: I have a lightsaber of my own, Sa-Di. But I also have the power of the Dark Side. Power given to me by the Emperor himself. 

Sound: The two Dark Jedi duke it out, swinging and grunting. 

SA-DI: No.....NO!! HE'S DEAD!!

SEDRISS: He is here. 

SA-DI: The Emperor's time has passed! I WILL RULE!!!

SEDRISS: You will--

Sound: Sa-Di's death scream, as his lightsaber hits the floor. 

SEDRISS: die. There. That's the last of the Dark Siders who lost their faith. I have culled the weakest of the herd. 
 
A FAMILIAR VOICE: Excellent, my friend. 

SEDRISS: My master!

Sound: Sedriss turns off his lightsaber. Rustling of cloth, as Sedriss kneels before.....

EMPEROR: I see at least one of my chargemen has been faithful during my absence. 

SEDRISS: I'd hoped you would return, your Majesty. But--

EMPEROR: (laughs) Fear not, Executor Sedriss. The cursed Skywalker did not destroy ALL my precious clones. And so, the Emperor lives....AGAIN. 

Music: Imperial Theme.   

SCENE 1-19     INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
==============================================
CHEWBACCA: GRUMBLES. 

HAN: Okay, Chewie, we're approaching Nar Shaddaa. Get ready to cut in the sublight drive. 

SALLA: I live on this smuggler's rock. But you? You're a respectable man these days.

CHEWBACCA: GIGGLES. 

HAN: Laugh it up, fuzzball. Anyway, this isn't MY idea. 

LEIA: (entering) It's mine.

HAN: Leia! I thought you were resting. 

LEIA: (sighs) I WAS, but the baby's kicking. I think he's a little worried about us. 

SALLA: Yeah, well he oughta be. After what you and Han did last time you were on Nar Shaddaa, you've got every bounty hunter and his mother's mate after you. And most of them live here. 

HAN: Okay, Chewie, I'm dropping out of hyperspace in 5....

LEIA: I don't have any choice, Salla. I've got to find that old Jedi woman--Vima-Da-Boda.

HAN: 4....

CHEWBACCA:GRUNTS. 

Sound: Proximity alarm. 

SALLA: I just hope you don't run into trouble down there. 

HAN: Not to worry, Salla. To me, Nar Shaddaa's like coming home. Cutting in the sublight engines now. 

Sound: The Falcon roars out of hyperspace. Every alarm goes off. 

CHEWBACCA: "OH #@$%!!!" 

LEIA: Imperial Star Destroyer dead ahead!!!

Sound: The Destroyer opens fire on the Falcon. 

HAN: Chewie, evasive action!!

SALLA: Just like coming home, huh Solo? Lucky you dropped out of hyperspace with your shields up, hotshot.

HAN: Are you kidding? I wouldn't drop in on my mother without my shields up!! Chewie, angle the deflectors!!

LEIA: They're gaining on us. (suddenly distant) Han....there are Dark Side warriors on that ship. I can feel them. 

HAN: Don't worry, Leia, I'll think of something. I hope. 

SALLA: Han, you see that guidance tower? 

HAN: The one at point four two? 

SALLA: No, the really big one, over there at---oh, give me the controls, Solo! 

HAN: WHAT?!?

SALLA: I know a secret route through the old Duros Sector! Give me the controls!!!

HAN: Aw...OK, Salla, but go easy on her. Her acceleration equalizer just started acting up. 

SALLA: Just get out of the way!! 

SCENE 1-20   INT. STAR DESTROYER BRIDGE
=================================================
FASS: Lord Katth, scanners report that is definitely the Millennium Falcon. 

KATTH: Yes, Baddon Fass. I can sense the presence of the Jedi woman. Sedriss will be pleased with us. Lock on tractor beams. 

FASS: The ship just dropped off our screens! 

KATTH: Impossible! It couldn't have gone into hyperspace this close to the planet! 

FASS: It didn't go up. It's going down. 

KATTH: Oh, they must have cut their engines. They're dropping toward the planet's surface like a meteorite. 

FASS: And they're heading toward the abandoned Duros Sector. The pilot must be a madman. 

KATTH: Or a genius. There's no way we'll track them through all those ruins. 

SCENE 1-21  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
=================================================
Sound: The Falcon races through the Duros ruins. 

HAN: Salla, you're crazy! You'll never make it through all these ruins!  

SALLA: C'mon Solo, this is the best way to loosen up a sticky stabilizer.

LEIA: Thrusters are off-line! We're in freefall!

SALLA: Just close your eyes, Solo. It'll be over in a second. 

CHEWBACCA: "I CAN'T LOOK!!" 

Sound: The Falcon suddenly levels out.

HAN: Thrusters are firing. We're leveling off. 

LEIA: Salla, you did it! 

SALLA: It's tough tracking any ship through the old Duros spaceport, Han. Especially when they've cut their power sources. 

HAN: Scanners show a tunnel leading to the sub-levels. Set her down in there, Salla. 

SCENE 1-22   INT. STAR DESTROYER BRIDGE
============================================
FASS: We've lost them, my Lord. 

KATTH: By the darkness....Last location?

FASS: Rocketing into the ruins of the old Duros spaceport. 

KATTH: Well, they can't hide in that old slime pit forever. Order the Destroyer to continue orbital scanning. The minute that ship re-emerges, I want it tractored into our cargo bay. 

FASS: And if they remain planetside? 

KATTH: I know just the man to go in and find them. 

SCENE 1-23  EXT. NAR SHADDAA TUNNEL
============================================
SALLA: Okay, Solo. Thanks for the lift, but this is where I get off. 

HAN: Huh? Aren't you gonna help us? 

SALLA: Listen, Solo. All I want is my ship, the Starlight Intruder. That ship YOU left on Byss. First thing I'm doing is hitching a ride. I hear Salvager Three's gonna make a Deep Core run soon. 

LEIA: Salla....the Alliance can use you. 

SALLA: No way, Princess. I'm a smuggler in a holler. I get paid to stay neutral. 

LEIA: But you can't stay neutral forever. Eventually, everyone will be forced to take sides. 

SALLA: Nice try, Princess Solo. The couple of fights were okay. But your husband here lost me my best ship. And right now, all I'm thinking about is me. Now, if you just head up this tunnel, you'll find the main entrance to the surface of Nar Shaddaa. The other way leads down into the sublevels. DON'T go there. Good luck, and goodbye. 
               
Sound: Salla walks away. 

CHEWBACCA: GRUMBLES AT SALLA'S ATTITUDE. 

HAN: Yeah, Chewie. Sometimes you can't even count on your friends. 

LEIA: Don't worry, Han. This isn't the first time a smuggler thought they'd given up the fight. Now....where are we? There's something strange about this place.....

HAN: We're on the edge of the deepest levels of Nar Shaddaa, Leia. This is an old abandoned section of the city. Mostly underground corridors and rotting steel crate. This place hasn't seen the light of day in years. 

LEIA: Why did Salla warn us to stay away from the lower levels? I sense something down there.....

HAN: It's not safe. It's full of scavengers and vermin. Not to mention a few things that would eat a Wookiee. 

CHEWBACCA: BALKS. 

HAN: My sentiments exactly, pal. Only idiots would go down into these tunnels. 

LEIA: Han--that's where we must go. 

HAN: How did I know you were going to say that? 

LEIA: Han, Vima is here. I can feel her presence. 

HAN: Here?! Nobody lives down here!!

LEIA: Maybe that's why she does. She's been hiding from the Empire for years. She'd want someplace private. And what's good for her is good for us. Should be safe down here for a while....

HAN: Sure. Now all we have to worry about are all the sub-intelligent predators that haunt these old ruins. And any stormtroopers that decide to chase us. 

CHEWBACCA: ADDS A LITTLE SOMETHING TO THAT LIST. 

HAN: Right. And bounty hunters, particularly one bounty hunter by the name of---

SCENE 1-24    EXT. NAR SHADDAA SPACEPORT
=================================================
KATTH:---Boba Fett. 

BOBA: You called? 

KATTH: I am Zasm Katth. This is Baddon Fass. We are members of the Emperor's Dark Side elite. 

BOBA: And? 

FASS: We have a job for you. The Millennium Falcon dropped off our screens near the abandoned Duros Sector. But it's somewhere on this planet. We want you to find it. 

BOBA: I'm....at your service. For a price. 

FASS: In the past, the Empire hired your services, Fett. This time, we'll make a different arrangement. 

KATTH: You will work for nothing. 

BOBA: No thanks. My price has gone up. 

KATTH: Listen, LITTLE MAN. What we're paying has gone down. We know everything about you, Fett. 

FASS: We know you were an Imperial stormtrooper. We know you murdered your superior officer. We OWN you. 

Sound: Boba's blaster shoots up, armed and cocked. 

BOBA: Back off or taste laser. Vader and me had an understanding. He paid me well, and I got the job done. 

Sound: The Dark Force rises. Boba suddenly starts choking, and drops his blaster. 

KATTH: Vader's authority has passed to us, bounty hunter. And that blaster won't help you at all. 

BOBA: Should've guessed....Dark Side power....choking me.....

FASS: Shall I kill him? 

KATTH: No. We need his underworld connections. But remove his helmet--I want to see his FACE. 

BOBA: Imperial scum......won't work for YOU!!

Sound: Boba fires his wrist rockets.

KATTH: Look out!! 

FASS: (groans and hits the floor) 

Sound: Boba bolts out of the area. 

BOBA: (shouting over his shoulder) Even Dark Siders should know better than to mess with Boba Fett!! Now, to find Solo......

Music: Suspenseful climax, then fade to silence. 

END OF SIDE ONE

====================================================================   
TAPE ONE / SIDE TWO 
====================================================================

SCENE 2-1        EXT. NAR SHADDAA - GHETTO STREET                        
=====================================================
Music: The creepy piece again. 

Sound: The sloshing of water as Han and Leia walk knee-deep through a VERY dirty street. 

HAN: (gags in disgust) Shoulda known it Leia, first time you made me jump down that garbage chute that this relationship was gonna drag me through the mud.

LEIA: Oh, quit complaining, Han. At least YOU'RE not trying to climb through this slimepit pregnant. 

HAN: I'm happy to turn around any time you want. 

CHEWBACCA: "ME TOO!" 

LEIA: I CAN'T. I've got to find Vima. 

Sound: An ugly growl. 

LEIA: Uhn! What was that? 

HAN: Where? 

LEIA: Over there! Something moved over there in the shadows!

HAN: Was it big? 

LEIA: Yes. 

HAN: Then it's trouble. I knew it was a bad idea to come down here. 

LEIA: But Vima's up ahead somewhere. I can sense her. 

Sound: A louder, uglier growl. 

HAN: Yeah, and Chewie can smell trouble! 

Sound: A sudden rushing sound as the creature (make that creatures) leaps at the three. Chewie growls as he fights the critter. 

HAN: (fires blaster) Look out!!

LEIA: What ARE they??   

HAN: (fires again) Chewie, watch it!! 

Sound: Han fires yet again, and we hear one of the creatures crunch down on Chewie. 

HAN: CHEWIE!! 

Sound: Chewie kills the final critter. 

HAN: So much for that monster. Look at the teeth on that thing. 

CHEWBACCA: WAILING IN PAIN. 

LEIA: Chewbacca, you're hurt! 

HAN: Oh, no. One of his teeth broke off in your shoulder. 

CHEWBACCA: MOANING. 

HAN: Uh, hold steady.....hold steady....

CHEWBACCA: SCREAMS. 

HAN: You'd better clean out that wound, Chewie. You never know WHAT diseases these creatures are carrying. 

CHEWBACCA: "WHAT ABOUT YOU?"

HAN: We can take care of ourselves, pal! Besides, I need someone to guard the Falcon with all this wildlife hanging around. Go on, you stubborn pile of fur!

CHEWBACCA: "ALL RIGHT..." 

LEIA: Will he be okay, Han? 

HAN: Sure. His pride's hurt more than anything. Wookiee's take their life debt seriously. And he hates leaving us. Come on, let's go. 

SCENE 2-2    EXT. NAR SHADDAA GHETTO STREET - A SHORT TIME LATER....
===============================================================
LEIA: Here! She's through here! 

HAN: Blecch. What kind of Jedi lives under all this garbage? 

LEIA: One who was hunted by Darth Vader for years. Come on--I can feel the Force in her. She's down this tunnel. 

HAN: Okay, but watch out. I thought I heard something moving behind us. Probably another one of those creatures. 

VIMA: (surprised and happy) Jedi! Jedi!! 

LEIA: Vima!! 

HAN: Whoo--she smells worse than the garbage. 

LEIA: Han, Vima is a Jedi. A descendant of great masters. 

VIMA: Jedi must leave. There is danger here. Great danger for Jedi. 

LEIA: Vima, we came for you. We want you to leave this place. Will you come with us? 

VIMA: Mmm. You carry great one in your womb. A great Jedi. Vima is not worthy to serve great Jedi. 

Sound: Moving of garbage as someone else appears. 

BOBA: You won't have long enough to have the chance. 

HAN: Boba Fett!

BOBA: I heard you were back, Solo. Good to see you. Your skin's going to make me a rich man. 

Sound: Boba fires at Han. 

HAN: Get down!!

Sound: Everybody ducks for cover as Fett fires again. 

LEIA: He's got us pinned down! 

HAN: Yeah, and he's blocking the only exit. Got your blaster with you? 

LEIA: Just my lightsaber. 

HAN: Last thing I want is my (ducks a shot) Yeow, that was close--is my VERY pregnant wife getting into a lightsaber duel with Boba Fett! Looks like it's one on one. 

Sound: Han fires. 

BOBA: Nice shot, Solo. But I've got the advantage on you. If you let me take you alive, you'll still have a chance to escape before the Hutts will have you back in a carbon freeze. 

LEIA: You have to come and get us first, bounty hunter! 

BOBA: If you resist, I'll kill you AND your pregnant wife. 

Sound: Han stops firing. 

LEIA: Han! Don't stop firing!!

HAN: He's right, Leia. 

LEIA: What? 

HAN: He's got us pinned down. It's only a matter of time before he picks us off. Maybe if I give myself up, he'll let you go free. 
 
LEIA: Han, don't--

HAN: Leia, you and the baby mean more to me than anything. I've GOT to. ALL RIGHT  FETT, I'M COMING OUT!!

Sound: Han steps out of hiding. 

BOBA: Drop the blaster, Solo. 

HAN: I won't make trouble, Fett. Just leave my wife alone. 

Sound: A growl....

BOBA: I'm making no promises, Solo. The Hutts want your wife as much as they want you. 

Sound: The growl becomes a howl--Chewbacca's howl!! He jumps at Fett--

HAN: Chewie!

BOBA: Where'd the Wookiee come from?!

Sound: Chewie slugs Fett. Fett hits the ground Biff Tannen style.  

HAN: Way to go, Chewie! 

BOBA: That was your LAST mistake!!

CHEWBACCA: YELPS AS FETT LEAPS BACK UP AND TACKLES HIM. 

HAN: Chewie, wait! 

BOBA: Eat laser. 

Sound: Boba Fett shoots Chewbacca, at point blank range. 

CHEWBACCA: SCREAMS.

Sound: Chewie hits the ground hard. 

LEIA: Chewbacca--!

HAN: Chewie! Chewie, get up...

BOBA: Don't move, Solo, or you'll join the Wookiee. 

HAN: If Chewie's hurt, you can start kissing your mother's picture goodbye Fett!!

BOBA: The Wook's dead, Solo. I always wondered how much it would take to kill one of these monsters. 

LEIA: (hopeless) Boba Fett killed Chewbacca....

VIMA: No, daughter. Can you not feel it in the Force? The Wookiee is alive. 

BOBA: Tell your wife to step into the open, Solo. 

HAN: Over my dead body, you scum!

BOBA: I can arrange that. It's been a fun chase, Solo. But...wha--what's that?

Sound: Chewie whimpers, as he climbs up behind Fett, covering his visor with one hand and tinkering with Boba Fett's backpack with the other...

BOBA: Hey!! Get your hands off me, you hairball!! I can't SEE!! 

CHEWBACCA: "HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?!"

HAN: Attaboy, Chewie! 

BOBA: Leave my jetpack alone, you--

Sound: Fett's backpack lights up, and Fett flies screaming upward.

HAN: Igniting Boba Fett's jetpack--Chewie, that was quick thinking! 

CHEWBACCA: "I KNOW." 

HAN: What you got there, pal? 

CHEWBACCA: "A TROPHY." 

HAN: Boba Fett's helmet? I always wondered what that womprat looked like, but he's too far away to see now. And he'll probably keep going until--

Sound: Fett crashes through the roof of the level--and keeps on going. 

HAN: --he hits the roof. 

CHEWBACCA: "OOPS. SORRY ABOUT THAT." 

HAN: Sorry? What are you sorry about? 

CHEWBACCA: "SORRY I DISOBEYED YOU." 

HAN: Because you followed us? Chewie, you saved my life! 

LEIA: (splashes up) Han! Chewie, are you all right? 

HAN: I'm fine, Leia. Chewie's hurt pretty bad, but that didn't stop him from tearing Boba Fett's helmet off his fat head! (laughs) . 

LEIA: Maybe that's the last we'll see of that scum. Let's go. 

Sound: As they walk away, from far above....

BOBA: (without his helmet amp) Run, Solo. Run. Wherever you go....wherever you hide....I'll find you. 

SCENE 2-3  INT. IMPERIAL TIE FIGHTER
=================================================
SQUAD LEADER: Attention, Freighter Hyperspace Roamer. This is Imperial Escort Squadron Beta on approach vector. 

ROAMER CAPTAIN: (on comm) You're on our scopes, Squad Leader. But does the Empire really need so many ships? 

SQUAD LEADER: Do we make you nervous, Hyperspace Roamer? 

ROAMER CAPTAIN: I'm just not used to seeing so many TIE Fighters floating around my ship. 

SQUAD LEADER: Don't worry. We're just here to protect that cargo of Viper automaton war droids. You never know when those damn Rebels are going to--

Sound: Proximity alarm. Speak of the Devil....

SQUAD LEADER: Wait a minute--all ships alert!! I've got a full squad of X-Wing Fighters at 2 kilometers! Why didn't my scopes pick them up before?! 

ROAMER CAPTAIN: Perhaps because I was jamming your transmissions. 

SQUAD LEADER: WHAT?!? IT'S A TRAP!!! 

ROAMER CAPTAIN: Good luck...

SCENE 2-4  INT. HYPERSPACE ROAMER BRIDGE
================================================   
ROAMER CAPTAIN:....Hyperspace Roamer, out. 

SQUAD LEADER: (on comm now) All ships, execute evasive plan 21! Execute--AGGHH!!

Sound: The Squad Leader blows up REAL good. And so do all his friends. 

WEDGE: (on comm) This is Rogue Squadron to Hyperspace Roamer. Do you copy? 

ROAMER CAPTAIN: We copy, Rogue Squadron. Good work. 

WEDGE: We couldn't have done it without your help! Thanks!

ROAMER CAPTAIN: You can thank me by taking this freighter full of war droids and cramming it down the Empire's throat! 

SCENE 2-5  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT 
================================================
HAN: I'm glad Wookiees heal fast, Chewie. I need you to help me calculate the hyperspace jump while I fly out of this city. 

VIMA: Vima is frightened! Vima senses danger. 

HAN: Leia, tell that old woman to relax, will ya? Boba Fett's long gone. We're almost out of these ruins, and in a few minutes, Nar Shaddaa will be history. 

VIMA: (insistently) Vima senses danger!!

LEIA: Careful, Han. 

HAN: Leia, please. I know Nar Shaddaa like the back of my hand--

LEIA: (laughs) That's what you said last time we were here. As I recall, you led us right into a trap. 

HAN: Yeah, well that was then. Look, there's the city landing tower up ahead. All I gotta do is swing around the guidance beacon and--

Sound: Alarm goes off--

HAN: ---AND EVADE THAT STAR DESTROYER!!! DEAD AHEAD!!

SCENE 2-6  INT. STAR DESTROYER BRIDGE
=============================================
FASS: Millenium Falcon on screens, Katth. They are almost in tractor range.

KATTH: Excellent. In moments, they'll be safely aboard our ship. 

FASS: And then we go after Boba Fett!

KATTH: Patience, Baddon, patience. 

FASS: That bounty hunter almost killed me!

KATTH: We'll have time for him afterward. Executor Sedriss is sure to promote us for this! Engage tractor beam!

SCENE 2-7  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
===============================================
Sound: The ship begins shaking as the tractor takes hold. 

LEIA: We're slowing down. 

HAN: Chewie, load up the engines. 

CHEWBACCA: GROWLS. 

LEIA: Still slowing. 

VIMA: Danger! Danger! 

CHEWBACCA: GROWLS LOUDER. 

HAN: We're locked in a tractor beam. 

LEIA: Can you pull away? 

HAN: That beam's pulling the rivets out of the walls as it is. 

CHEWBACCA: GRUMBLES. 

HAN: Don't worry, pal. I've got a plan. 

SCENE 2-8  INT. STAR DESTROYER BRIDGE
================================================
FASS: Tractor beam locked on. Looks like they're heading for the guidance tower...trying to make a run for it. 

KATTH: They'll never make it. Increase tractor beam to full strength. 

FASS: But my Lord, the book says that a full strength beam may draw another--

KATTH: We are Dark Side warriors! We don't go by the book! Increase to full strength!! 

SCENE 2-9  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
===================================================
Sound: The shaking gets worse. 

LEIA: Tractor strength increasing. We'll be going backward any minute. 

HAN: Just need a few more seconds....

CHEWBACCA: OFFERS UP A PRAYER. 

LEIA: Han, you're heading straight for the conning tower! 

HAN: That's the idea, Leia. Almost there......almost......THERE!

SCENE 2-10 INT. STAR DESTROYER BRIDGE
====================================================
Sound: Alarm goes off. 

FASS: Katth, they've flown too close to that guidance tower below!! We're losing the tractor lock!!

KATTH: Reengage!! NOW!!!

FASS: Tightening the beam.....Reengaging.....We've got a lock!!

Sound: Distant explosion. 

KATTH: NO--you FOOL!! You've locked onto the guidance tower!! You're pulling it out of the ground!! 
DISENGAGE! DISENGAGE~~!!!!

FASS: TOO L--

Sound: The guidance tower crashes into the Destroyer. 

SCENE 2-11  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
===============================================
LEIA: Look at that! 

HAN: That Star Destroyer's speared like a lungfish. 

Sound: Proximity alarm. 

LEIA: Don't celebrate too soon. Scanners show more ships are headed our way. Multiple configurations. 

HAN: Bounty hunters. 

LEIA: We'd better get out of here. 

HAN: You're right, Leia. Chewie--punch it!! 

Sound: The Falcon roars into full speed. 

SCENE 2-12   INT. IMPERIAL CHECKING STATION - BYSS
====================================================
LANDING CONTROL: Hyperspace Roamer, your docking code has passed. Go directly to Port tower Tarkin 12, Bay 327. Landing Control out. 

Sound: Beeping. 

LANDING CONTROL: Hmm. Attention, unauthorized ship on approach vector. This is planet Byss Security. Identify yourself. 

SALLA: (over comm) Umm......this is the freighter Salvager Three, bound planetside out of Nar Shaddaa. 

LANDING CONTROL: Copy, Salvager Three. Transmit your security codes now. 

Sound: The computer hums and clicks as it receives the code. 

SALLA: I'm sending. I hope you're receiving. 

LANDING CONTROL: Affirmative. Hmm. It checks out, Salvager Three, but it's an older code. What is your business on the planet Byss? 

SCENE 2-13  INT. SALVAGER THREE - BRIDGE
=======================================================
LANDING CONTROL: (on comm) I repeat, this is Byss Security to Salvager Three. What is your business on the planet Byss??

SALLA: Uh, this is Salvager Three, service tech Salla speaking. I'm here to do specialized repairs on one of the old Corellian Corvettes. (whisper) I hope the Imps buy my story. I know I wouldn't. 

LANDING CONTROL: Salvager Three, you know the regulations. All repairs on Byss are performed by the Imperial maintenance corps. 

SALLA: Listen, Security. A hauler named Lo Khan commed in for these parts. I'm the only supplier in a hundred systems. But if you want me to turn around, I guess I'll just have to sell them to someone else. (whispers to herself) I don't think they're going for it. Maybe I can try to jump out of here before--

LANDING CONTROL: Salvager Three, you are cleared to land. Welcome to Byss. 

SALLA: Yes!! Affirmative, Security. Any time I can do you a favor--

Sound: Beeping noise. 

SALLA: Hey, what's that thing in high orbit? 

LANDING CONTROL: Classified information, Salvager Three.  Move along. 

SALLA: Come on, you can tell a nice girl like me a secret, can't you? That thing must be the size of five Star Destroyers. It looks like some kind of gigantic....gun. 

LANDING CONTROL: NEGATIVE, Salvager Three. Further questions will result in your IMMEDIATE destruction. NOW---

SALLA: "Move along." I know, I know. 

Sound: Comm goes off. 

SALLA: Imperial stiffs. Sheesh. Still, that hardware makes all the ships around it look like toys. Bound to be a weapon of some sort.....maybe I should contact the Alliance and tell---(chuckles) No. Those aren't my coordinates anymore. I've got to think about me. Still, whatever that weapon is, it looks devastating. The Emperor is gone, but his jackboots are going on with business like nothing happened. Hmm. Sometimes I wonder if he's really.....

SCENE 2-14  INT. BYSS PALACE - THRONE ROOM 
========================================================
EMPEROR: Dead? How can they be dead?!?!

SEDRISS: Forgive me, my Lord. Zasm and Baddon Fass were Dark Side warriors! I assumed they could surely capture the Millenium Falcon--

EMPEROR: Executor Sedriss, you SERIOUSLY misjudge your enemies. And now two of my Dark Side warriors, not to mention a precious Star Destroyer, have been lost. What am I to do except kill you, Sedriss? 

SEDRISS: Your Majesty, Katth and Fass are gone, but their deaths hardly matter. You have other warriors, such as Tedwin Shar, and Zakkar Nist, who you can easily promote. Besides, Skywalker is what matters, and I HAVE him, as well as the other Jedi I told you about--Kam Solusar.

EMPEROR: Don't dare to speak in riddles to me, Sedriss. You have NOT captured Skywalker.

SEDRISS: Only a detail, my Lord. One of our probes has tracked Skywalker to the planet Ossus. 

EMPEROR: (shocked whisper) Ossus? Of course. The Holocron he stole from me must have led him there. Skywalker wants to revive the Jedi Knights. What better place to begin, than at the source of the ancient Jedi's power. 

SEDRISS: The probe is still tracking Skywalker. Allow me the honor of bringing him to you, my Lord. 

EMPEROR: Yes, Sedriss. I will. Bring me these Jedi alive, and I will make you very wealthy and powerful, my friend. Fail me.....and you will envy Katth and Fass the quick death they enjoyed. 

SEDRISS: By your command, my Lord. I leave for Ossus.

SCENE 2-15   INT. JEDI EXPLORER BRIDGE
====================================================
COMPUTER: Ossus. Fourth planet in the Adegan system. Current technology: Early Industrial. Previous technology: 4,000 years ago, Ossus was the center of great civilization composed mainly of Jedi, including Nomi Sunrider, Ulic Qel-Droma--

KAM: Computer off. 

Sound: Computer switches off. 

KAM: The Jedi Explorer's historical files has some good information on this planet, Luke. We review them some more. 

LUKE: Download the incoming sensor data into those files, Kam. Scanners show lots of debris. We'll want to study the information. The ruins must be thousands of years old. Left over from the Sith War that devastated this place millenia ago. 

KAM: There's a good spot, Luke. Set her down over there. 

Sound: The Jedi Explorer soars over the debris and comes to a landing. 

SCENE 2-16   EXT. OSSUS
=======================================================
Sound: The Jedi Explorer's hatch opens. 

KAM: By the spirits of all the Jedi. 

LUKE: An appropriate oath, Kam. Ossus was the home of the Jedi. They were prosperous and great. Once. 

Sound: The far-off gobbling of an Imperial Probe Droid. 

KAM: What's all this old equipment for? 

LUKE: I don't know. Secrets lost long ago. But what did the Holocron tell us? "Things that were lost can now be found..." 

Sound: The Probe Droid is closer---

KAM: It looks like something's found us!! Luke, get down!!

Sound: The Probe Droid opens fire on Luke and Kam. 

LUKE: What is it? Did you get a look? 

KAM: Probe droid. Stinkin' Imperial scum!!

LUKE: Kam, consider this your first lesson on the Light Side of the Force. Anger is NOT the way of the Jedi. 

Sound: Luke lights up his 'saber. 

LUKE: A Jedi is always at peace. 

Sound: Luke steps out to face the droid. 

KAM: Luke!! Come back here!!

LUKE: This--uhn--droid is fast! But not fast--uhh--enough!!

Sound: Luke beheads the droid with his lightsaber. 

KAM: Luke! You did it! 

LUKE: Of course. The Force is more powerful than any machine. I wasn't worried about the droid. I AM worried about what happens next. Did the Imperials know we were coming here? 

KAM: It could have been a random sighting. The Empire has probes in almost every system. 

LUKE: Let's not take any chances. Break the T-77 airspeeder out of the Jedi Explorer's cargo bay. We'll put as much distance between us and this droid as we can. 

SCENE 2-17  INT. AIRSPEEDER
==============================================
Sound: The distinctive hum of the airspeeder, as Luke pilots. 

KAM: Computer on. 

Sound: Computer reactivates. 

KAM: Continue overview of planet Ossus. 

COMPUTER: Ossus. Number of existing cities: Zero. Number of former city locations: 12,006. Topography: Mountainous, rich in minerals. Sentient Life: Ossus is inhabited by pre-technology humanoids. Surface Structure: Tribal. 

KAM: Hey Luke, computer says we got people around here somewhere. 

LUKE: I can feel them through the Force, Kam. Head down to that canyon over there. 

Sound: Airspeeder dips into the canyon. 

LUKE: The Force is very concentrated here, Kam. This place might still be inhabited by Jedi! 

KAM: You're right, Luke. This place is inhabited, but I'm not sure they're Jedi. Look. 

SCENE 2-18  EXT. YSANNA TRIBE
==========================================
Sound: The airspeeder comes to a landing in the center of a tribal area. 

RAYF: (a young teenage boy speaking with a strange accent) Jem! Jem!! Who are they??

JEM: (a slightly older woman with the same accent) I don't know, Rayf! And I don't want to find out! Can you free yourself? 

Sound: Luke and Kam start walking toward the two. 

RAYF: No. These ropes are too tight. 

KAM: Well, well. What do we have here? 

LUKE: Don't tease them, Kam. 

KAM: Sorry, Luke. It's not every day you land on a strange planet and find a boy and a girl tied to a tree. And a strange-looking tree at that. 

JEM: I am not a GIRL! I'm a woman!

LUKE: The Force is strong in these two. In fact, the Force is very strong in this place. It's strange....

KAM: If they're Jedi, what are they doing tied to a--

LUKE: I don't know. The files said these people were tribal. Maybe this is some sort of ritual. Whatever it is, I'm cutting them loose. 

KAM: Careful, Luke. We don't want to mess with any local taboos. 

LUKE: The return of the Jedi Knights takes precedence over EVERYTHING. 

Sound: Luke lights up his 'saber.

RAYF: Jem! He's going to kill us! 

JEM: No--!

Sound: Luke cuts the rope holding the two to the tree. 

JEM: We--we're alive! 

LUKE: You're free. 

RAYF: Jem, run! 

Sound: Rayf and Jem run off. 

JEM: Okko, save us!

KAM: (laughs) Some Jedi! They're running like rats!

LUKE: Well, they're not quite Jedi. They need a teacher. We'll take them with us. 

OKKO: You'll take no one, outlanders!! 

KAM: Uh oh, Luke. Looks like we got company!! 

Sound: Tribal drums. 

OKKO: You should not have interrupted the ritual of ascent!!

KAM: Must be 15 or 20 of them. Where'd they come from? 

LUKE: I don't know, Kam. There's something different about them. (louder) We meant you no harm! We thought they were in trouble! They were tied to this tree! 

OKKO: That is no mere tree. It is the place of Ascension. For 4,000 years, it has been the source of my people's great magic. 

KAM: "Great Magic?" From trees? Luke, this is getting weird--

OKKO: Blasphemers!! This ground has been sacred to the Ysanna people for generations! Ysanna warriors, prepare your concussion arrows! 

KAM: Fairly primitive weaponry. 

LUKE: WAIT! We have no wish to harm you! 

OKKO: FIRE!!

Sound: Luke and Kam light up their 'sabers. The Ysanna fire their weapons, which the Jedi easily block. 

KAM: (they both block arrows throughout) Whoa! For primitives using concussion arrows, these guys have pretty good aim! 

LUKE: It's--uhn--the Force, Kam! I can feel it! They use the Force to guide their missles! Every one of these people could be a potential Jedi!! 

KAM: They're the source of the Force you felt earlier!!

LUKE: Maybe. But there's still something else. Something about that strange tree....

OKKO: Cease fire! They are....they are unharmed!

Sound: The lightsabers go off. 

OKKO: Impressive, outlanders. But your trick swords will not help you. I am Okko, the greatest magician my people have ever known. Now, feel the force of MY power!! 

Sound: The Force rises--weakly. The tribesmen begin to chant. 

KAM: Do you feel that, Luke? 

LUKE: Yes. Tiny movements in the Force. Very easy to block. This guy needs some training.

OKKO: You resist! But NO one can resist the magic of the Ysanna~! 

LUKE: What you call "the magic of the Ysanna," I call "The Force." The power of the Jedi. 

OKKO: (gasps) You DARE speak the sacred words?! You know of the Jedi???

LUKE: I AM a Jedi. 

KAM: Jedi Master is more like it. 

TRIBESMEN: Jedi! Jedi! He said he was a Jedi....(etc.) 

OKKO: Jedi. Jedi! Then the legends of my people are true!! The Jedi have RETURNED!!!

Sound: At that moment, a ship roars overhead, and turbolaser fire opens on the people. The tribespeople scream and run for cover. 

LUKE: EVERYONE DOWN!!

KAM: Luke!! I know that ship!! That's a long-range Imperial hunter!!

SCENE 2-19  INT. SCOURGE ONE BRIDGE
==================================================
GOIR: Scourge One has begun landing procedures, Lord Sedriss. 

SEDRISS: Excellent, Goir. Set the ship down next to that gnarled tree. 

GOIR: Scanners show a large group of humanoids armed with primitive weaponry, my Lord. As well as the two Jedi. 

Sound: The Scourge One lands. 

SEDRISS: Our Dark Troopers will make short work of those savages, Goir. 

GOIR: Touchdown, my Lord. 

SEDRISS: Release the Dark Troopers. 

SCENE 2-20  EXT. YSANNA TRIBE
=================================================
Sound: The door of the Scourge One opens. 

TROOPER: All squads, mark your targets! 

KAM: Stormtroopers. This is about to get nasty, Luke. 

LUKE: Not if the Ysanna have anything to say about it. 

OKKO: Ysanna warriors--ATTACK!!! 

Sound: The Ysanna and the stormtroopers start duking it out. 

KAM: This won't be easy, Luke. Those are Dark Troopers. The elite of the Imperial stormtroopers. Those Ysanna tribesmen don't stand a chance. 

LUKE: Then come on, Kam! Let's even the odds! 

Sound: Lightsabers on and ready, the two Jedi wade into the struggle. 

SCENE 2-21   INT. SCOURGE ONE BRIDGE
=================================================
TROOPER: (on comm) Assault Team Three to Scourge One. We're encountering a minor problem from the primitives. 

SEDRISS: Remove the problem, Team Leader. I want those Jedi. 

TROOPER: Affirmative, sir. The Jedi are just ahead of us, closing in now--(sound of lightsaber slash) AAAGGGHHH!!! 

SEDRISS: Team Leader!! Team Leader, what's going on?!?

LUKE: (having taken the trooper's comm) Your Dark Trooper won't be answering you. 

SCENE 2-22 EXT. YSANNA TRIBE
================================================
LUKE: If you want to know what's going on, you'll have to come out and see for yourself. 

KAM: Luke--watch it! 

TROOPER TWO: Die, Jedi!

Sound: A blaster shot. Luke deflects it. The trooper is killed. 

KAM: Luke, are you--

LUKE: I'm fine, Kam. How are the Ysanna? 

JEM: We are fine, Jedi. My people can take care of themselves. 

LUKE: You ARE quite a brave young woman. 

SEDRISS: (now outside) Courage will be of no use to you, Jedi! 

LUKE: You must be Sedriss. Kam Solusar told me about you. 

GOIR: Imperial Executor Sedriss, Jedi scum. Now you'll die. 

Sound: The Dark Force rises. 

KAM: (choking) My throat!! I can feel the cartilage snapping...

LUKE: That's an old Sith trick. It's deadly, but I know how to block it. 

KAM: Hurry--please--(can suddenly breathe again) Ah...that's better. 

LUKE: Is throat-crushing the best you can do, Sedriss? 

SEDRISS: Son of Vader. You'll pay for murdering the Emperor!!! 

Sound: Sedriss and Goir light up their own lightsabers. 

SEDRISS: Slice off their fighting arms, Goir. We'll take them alive!! 

GOIR: As you command, Sedriss! 

LUKE: Sedriss is mine, Kam! You take the other one!!

KAM: Come on, Goir. Care to dance? 

Sound: Two lightsaber duels begin. 

GOIR: Kam Solusar, you betrayed the Dark Side. Your life is forfeit. 

KAM: Careful, Goir. Don't forget you showed me all your moves when I was a slave of the Dark Side!

GOIR: (screams as he dies) 

KAM: And I recognized that one all too well. 

SEDRISS: Your meager skills with the lightsaber will not protect you from me, Skywalker. 

LUKE: It's not just the lightsaber, Sedriss. It's the Force that wields it!! The Dark Side is narrow, Sedriss. You know nothing of the Force, just as the dead Emperor knew nothing of the true power. And so, I've already won! 

SEDRISS: You've won NOTHING, Skywalker!! The Emperor is NOT DEAD!! You haven't killed him! You can NEVER kill him!!! 

LUKE: (shocked) What?!? What do you mean!?!

KAM: Luke--watch out!! He's going for the girl!!

JEM: (screams as Sedriss grabs her, and puts the lightsaber to her neck) 

SEDRISS: If you're smart, you'll join the Emperor, Skywalker. He can make you as powerful as he's made me. 

LUKE: Powerful enough to use a woman as a shield? 

SEDRISS: I do what I must. One step closer, and I will annihilate this woman with the Dark Side! 

Sound: Luke and Kam turn off their lightsabers. 

JEM: Let go of me, outlander!!!

SEDRISS: What's this? Ah, the Force is active in her. She's trying to use it against me. I see your plan, Skywalker. You want to make a Jedi of her. But I will take her to the Emperor. She will serve him as a Dark Jedi! 

LUKE: Never. 

A BOOMING, ECHOING VOICE: NEVER!!!!!

SEDRISS: Who said that? 

KAM: Luke, is that some Jedi trick you haven't shown me? 

LUKE: Not from me, Kam. I think that tree just spoke!!

Sound: The ground begins shaking. 

THE TREE: (moaning and groaning as it shakes loose of the ground) 

JEM: (amazed) The tree.....the source of my people's power......it has come to life!!

KAM: It's going for Sedriss with it's roots! 

SEDRISS: (gasps as he is pulled skyward by the tree.) 

TREE: I AM MASTER OOD BNAR, A JEDI. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I HAVE SENSED THE PRESENCE OF ANOTHER JEDI.

LUKE: Ood? I am Luke Skywalker. The Jedi Holocron contains the words of an ancient Jedi Master named Ood. 

OOD: THOSE WERE MY WORDS. THOUGH I RECORDED THEM NEARLY 5,000 YEARS AGO. 

SEDRISS: Curse you, Jedi!! I don't care if you're a MILLION years old!! Nobody imprisons a Dark Jedi!!

Sound: The Force--and Dark Force--rises, competing in loudness. 

OOD: (groans) GET BACK, SKYWALKER. THIS EVIL ONE IS TRYING TO KILL ME. BUT I AM A GREATER MASTER OF THE FORCE THAN HE. 

KAM: Luke, can you feel that? 

LUKE: Sedriss is drawing dark power out of the atmosphere. But Master Ood is drawing energy from the ground beneath. The strain is tearing this place apart!!

KAM: Then let's get out of here!

JEM: Jedi, help me!! 

LUKE: Sedriss still has the Ysanna woman! Jem, take my hand!!

SEDRISS: (straining) The woman--dies--with me--Skywalker! 

KAM: Luke, come ON! It's too late to save her!! 

LUKE: Then it's too late to save the Jedi. I won't leave without her!!! 

OOD: SKYWALKER, I CANNOT HOLD HIM MUCH LONGER.....

JEM: Jedi--!

SEDRISS: DIE, SKYWALKER!!!

Sound: A tremendous explosion. Luke, Kam, and Jem scream as they are flung several feet into the air, and crash to the ground. 

JEM: Alive! I'm alive. How--? 

LUKE: The Force. I used it to shield us. 

KAM: Luke...thank the Force. 

LUKE: Ood--is he--

KAM: (sadly) He's gone, Luke. Disintegrated. And Sedriss with him. 

JEM: (shocked and grief-stricken) The ancient tree....the source of my people's power....gone.

LUKE: That tree wasn't the source of your power, Jem. The Force was. And I can teach you how to use it. 

JEM: I...would like that....Luke. But I am sorry for my people. 

KAM: (surprised) Don't be too sorry, Jem. Look!

Sound: The Force is rising again....as is something else....from the ground......

JEM: A tiny sapling! Pushing it's way out of the ground! 

KAM: Looks like Master Ood left a descendant behind. 

LUKE: What was it the Holocron said? "Someone who was dead may yet live. Although men may forget it's name, the Force can never die."  Now Master Ood has left someone to carry on his Jedi power. 

Music: Star Wars End Theme comes up....

LUKE: This is a sign, Kam. The Jedi Knights WILL rise again.

Music: End Theme plays to its triumphant conclusion.   

END OF TAPE ONE

 =============================================================
TAPE TWO / SIDE ONE
=============================================================
Music: Star Wars Main Theme. 

NARRATOR: Six years after the Battle of Endor, Luke Skywalker was forced to face the Emperor once again. With the aid of his sister, Princess Leia, Luke was able to defeat the Emperor once and for all. 
Or so he thought. 
As Luke sought to revive the ancient order of Jedi Knights, the Emperor reappeared. With the help of his Dark Side Executor, the evil Sedriss, the Emperor renewed his efforts to defeat the Alliance, and to capture Luke Skywalker. 
As the Alliance planned a secret attack against the Empire, Luke Skywalker journeyed to the planet Ossus, with the Jedi Kam Solusar. In a battle on the planet Ossus, Luke Skywalker defeated Executor Sedriss with the aid of the ancient Jedi Master Ood, who sacrificed himself to protect Skywalker and his friends. 
In the aftermath of the battle, Skywalker began to study the ancient Jedi ruins that cover Ossus. 
Meanwhile, Han and Leia have rescued the ancient Jedi Vima-Da-Boda from the ruins beneath Nar Shaddaa. Having beaten a Star Destroyer's commander in a battle of wits, Han and Leia flee Nar Shaddaa in the Millenium Falcon. But bounty hunters are close behind....

SCENE 3-1   INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
====================================================
Sound: Proximity alarms going off, the Falcon being fired on. 

CHEWBACCA: WAILS. 

HAN: I see it, Chewie, I see it! 

LEIA: (on comm from the Falcon's gun turret) What's wrong? 

HAN: We've got two more bounty hunters coming over the nightside of the planet. 

LEIA: I see them now. Visibility's not so great in this turret gun. 

VIMA: Jedi should not have come to rescue Vima. Jedi must live!!

HAN: Yeah. Well, thanks for the advice, lady. (to Leia and her baby) Can you two shoot a little straighter!?    

SCENE 3-2  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON GUN TURRET
=================================================
LEIA: I'll shoot straight if you'll fly straight. 

HAN: (on comm) If I fly straight, they'll pick us out of the sky! WATCH it! Got two ships trying to outflank us. 

LEIA: We're on them. 

HAN: Better hurry. 

LEIA: I've got one in my sights. Chewie, take that Howlrunner on your left! 

CHEWBACCA: (on comm) ROARS AS HE FIRES.

HAN: Here they come!! 

Sound: The Howlrunners fire. The Falcon shakes. 

HAN: We're hit!! You'd better hurry!

LEIA: Got 'em--NOW!!

Sound: Leia fires. The ships are blown up.

LEIA: Got 'em!

HAN: Good shot, Leia! 

CHEWBACCA: CRY OF VICTORY. 

SCENE 3-3  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
===============================================
HAN: Yeah, yeah, you too, Chewie. All right, I think we're clear. I'm punching up the hyperspace coordinates for---

Sound: Weapons fire from outta nowhere, and a tremendous explosion--on the Falcon, as the end of one of the ship's two front boarding arms is blown clear off. 

LEIA: (on comm) What was THAT?!?

HAN: We're hit. BAD. But who--?!

BOBA: (on comm, apparently with a spare helmet on) I've got you NOW, Solo. 

HAN: Boba Fett. What does it take to kill you?! 

BOBA: More than you've got, Solo. A few more seconds, and--

HAN: Aw, shut up. Chewie, get down below and lock up the reactor lines. I'm leaking like crazy. 

LEIA: Can I help? 

HAN: Not unless you wanna get out and push. We've got ten minutes of reserve power. And that's not gonna help with Fett pounding on our tail. 

CHEWBACCA: (on comm) HOWLS HIS HEAD OFF. 

HAN: No way to stop the leak, huh? Then get back up here and help me steer.

VIMA: (completely panicked) Jedi must not perish!!! 

HAN: Don't worry old lady, Han Solo's always got a trick Sabacc card up his sleeve. 

LEIA: You'd better do something fast. 

HAN: Already on it. Our charts show a gas cloud, a few light-years from Nar Shaddaa. It's dangerous, but it's our only chance. 

Sound: Another hit on the Falcon. Another siren goes off. 

COMPUTER: Proximity alert. Entering interstellar gas cloud. Radiation levels rising. Proximity Aler--

HAN: (turns it off) Tell me something I DON'T know.  

BOBA: Neat trick, Solo. That cloud's disrupting my scanners. But you can't hide in there forever. And when you come out, I'll be waiting.

CHEWBACCA: MOANS WITH WORRY. 

HAN: Yeah, I'd like to see you rip his arms off too, Chewie. Take the helm. I'm gonna try and get our bearings. 

LEIA: (rushing up to him) Han, are you crazy?!? The radiation in the space cloud will eat through the hull in seconds! 

HAN: Maybe you'd rather try to reason with Boba Fett. Anyway, I'm gonna swing the Falcon around, and---wait a minute.....

Sound: The ship flies through the other end of the cloud. 

LEIA: Is the static clearing? 

HAN: We're through!!

CHEWBACCA: GROWLS IN SURPRISE. 

HAN: What in the world is THAT??? Chewie, bring her around fast!

LEIA: What IS that thing??

HAN: I dunno. Some kind of antique ship. Came outta nowhere. 

LEIA: I must be dreaming.....

HAN: I know. There aren't supposed to be any spaceports in this area. 

LEIA: I-I don't mean that. I mean that spaceship. Am I dreaming, or is it powered by.....STEAM??? 

SCENE 3-4  INT. VIPER AUTOMATON, INSIDE THE IMPERIAL HAULER RELIANCE
==========================================================================
WEDGE: Ow! What is that? 

ZEV (not the killed officer from Hoth, but Zev Veers): It's my blaster. Sorry. 

WEDGE: It's sticking in my back! 

ZEV: Sorry! There's not a whole lot of room in here, you know. 

WEDGE: Yeah, well these Viper automaton war droids weren't designed to carry passengers. You should feel lucky. 

ZEV: Lucky? Sure. I always wanted to crawl into the guts of a war droid, stow away on an Imperial freighter, and sneak onto the Emperor's homeworld. Yippee. 

Sound: Footsteps, coming closer. 

WEDGE: Shush. Be quiet. Someone's coming.

NIST: Tetryn Sha, we achieve docking orbit over Byss in 12 minutes. Are these war droids ready? 

Sound: The man taps on the side of the droid. 

ZEV: Ow!

WEDGE: Shhh!

SHAR: Affirmative, my Lord. 

SCENE 3-5 INT. RELIANCE--JUST OUTSIDE THE DROID 
===============================================
NIST: Excellent. We must take a shuttle over to report to the Emperor immediately. 

SHA: Is.....my Lord, is....he really alive? 

NIST: He is the Emperor. He cannot BE killed. Now, have your men ready to supervise the transfer of the Viper automatons to the cargo shuttles. 

SHA: Yes, my Lord! We'll unbolt the droids as soon as we achieve orbit! 

SCENE 3-6  INT. DROID
==============================================
SHA: (from outside) My men are ready!

WEDGE: Huh. Not as ready as you think. 

SCENE 3-7  INT. GALAXY GUN CORRIDOR
===============================================
NIST: My Lord, Xecr Nist and Tetryn Sha, reporting as ordered.
 
EMPEROR: Ah. Xecr Nist. How goes the delivery of my new war droids? 

NIST: Um...On schedule, my Lord. And may I say...it is good to see you so.....

EMPEROR: Alive? Yes. It IS good. Especially on such a glorious day. Now, tell me about my new weapon--the Galaxy Gun. 

NIST: Not just A weapon, my Lord. THE weapon. The Galaxy Gun launches intelligent projectiles into hyperspace. Each projectile can exit hyperspace at precise coordinates, find it's target, and destroy it. It's threat is absolute. 

EMPEROR: Marvelous. It's a wonder we didn't think of it decades ago. My galaxy weapon is sure to inspire obedience, and it means the end of the Rebel Alliance. 

NIST: My Lord, this weapon can destroy a city, or a land mass--

EMPEROR:-- or even an PLANET! ANYWHERE in the Galaxy. Everything is falling into place, exactly as I have---

Sound: A comm signals for attention.

EMPEROR: Eh? 

OFFICER: (on comm) My Lord, Intelligence reports that Executor Sedriss and his assistant Goir have been murdered!!! 

EMPEROR: MURDERED?!?! SKYWALKER!!!! He is turning my Dark Side secrets against me! I taught him TOO well....first Katth and Fass, now Sedriss and Goir. Without my Dark Side warriors, Skywalker may well triumph. You! Tetyrn-Sha and Xecr Nist!! Kneel before me!!

NIST: M-My Lord? 

EMPEROR: KNEEL!!!

NIST AND SHA: Yes, My Lord. 

Sound: The two kneel before the Emperor. The Dark Force begins to rise up....

EMPEROR: I have watched you. You have advanced in submission to my will. I will make you Dark Jedi, extensions of my own power. Xecr Nist, you will replace Sedriss as my military commander. 

NIST: (sounding darker) Yes, my Lord.

EMPEROR: Tedryn-Sha, you will be second in command.  

SHA: (also darker and more evil-sounding) My Lord. 

EMPEROR: I now vest you both with the full rank of Dark Jedi. Let this power enter you, and fill you with the knowledge and strength of the Dark Side of the Force, that is mine to give you!!!

Sound: The Dark Force rises to a wail. 

NIST AND SHA: (moan and cry out in pleasure as the Dark Side envelopes them) 

EMPEROR: (laughs) Can you fathom this mysterious power? In my hands, the Dark Side can bestow the most malevolent gift!

NIST: I FEEL the power!! 

EMPEROR: Or it can cause the most delicious pain......

SCENE 3-8  EXT. OSSUS PLAIN
============================================
LUKE: (screams in agony) 

KAM: Luke!! What's wrong? 

LUKE: (still hurting) I.....I don't know. Something......a great disturbance in the Force......terrible.....and all too familiar....!

KAM: What do you mean? 

LUKE: Sedriss wasn't lying. Emperor Palpatine is ALIVE!! Somehow, he's alive again! 

KAM: Take it easy, Luke. You-you want to sit for a minute? 

LUKE: (suddenly free of pain) No. The pain is passed. Come on. Let's find the Jedi library the Ysanna mentioned. 

Sound: The party sets off again. 

JEM: It's just ahead. My great-grandfather found it years ago. But he made us swear to keep it secret, so that no one would defile the sacred places. Here. 

KAM: Great. We'd need three construction droids to move this boulder. 

LUKE: That is not a problem. 

Sound: The Force rises...and the boulder moves. 

LUKE: Stand back. 

Sound: The boulder is lifted free, and put aside. 

JEM: By the gods! Even Okko cannot move such a large boulder with his magic! 

LUKE: Size means nothing. There. 

SCENE 3-9   INT. JEDI LIBRARY
============================================
Sound: Hollow footsteps. 

KAM: (awed) Luke.....all these artifacts!

JEM: And they are so well preserved! 

LUKE: It's the dry air. Like Tatooine. Things last forever. 

KAM: Eww. Including this guy. Check out the mummified body. Even the orchids he was holding were preserved. 

JEM: His death must have been sudden. 

LUKE: Hmm. I wonder if he was the caretaker of this place? 

KAM: Luke, look at this book! Can you read what it says? 

LUKE: A little. Something about...."Jedi Battle Meditation." I should study this book. I should study ALL these books. 

JEM: (stammering out the words) Luke....I want to be with you when you study. I want to be a Jedi.

LUKE: Jem....I......you WILL be a Jedi. 

SCENE 3-10   INT. YSANNA VILLAGE - NIGHT
============================================
Sound: A campfire is burning.

OKKO: Jedi, you bring the evil warriors to my people. And now you ask to take our people from us!?!

LUKE: Chief Okko, I believe your ancestors were Jedi. YOU can be a Jedi. 

OKKO: We are not Jedi! We are Ysanna! We do not NEED you to teach us anything. Ysanna magic is strong.   

JEM: Okko, I want to go with them. I want to become a Jedi Knight.

OKKO: Jem, I wish I could forbid you. The Ysanna gods are not pleased with your choice. But they told us not to stop you.  

LUKE: Good. Chief Okko, I will return, I promise. In the meantime, I ask you to guard this place as best you can. These Jedi secrets must not fall into the wrong hands. 

OKKO: We are Ysanna! We do not need you to tell us to guard our land! 

LUKE: Very well, then. Kam, let's go. We're bringing a future Jedi back to Pinnacle Base. 

Music: Star Wars fanfare. 

SCENE 3-11  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
==================================================
Sound: Beeping of the Falcon's alarm. 

HAN: If I wasn't seeing it with my own eyes Leia, I'd say you were crazy. But I think you're right...that spaceship runs on steam!

Sound: A far-off (cannon?!?) shot from the mystery ship. An siren goes off. 

CHEWBACCA: GRUNTS IN SURPRISE. 

HAN: Incoming projectile, course 109er!

LEIA: Shields up!

HAN: No power, no shields--bring her around, Chewie! Get out of it's path! That'll buy us some time until it homes in on us. 

CHEWBACCA: MOANS. 

Sound: The cannonball blows past the Falcon. 

LEIA: That projectile just flew past us! It never even changed course! 

HAN: Get a reading on it, Leia. 

LEIA: 15 centimeters in diameter, composed mainly of lead. No internal circuitry, it......Han, is it a cannonball??

BRAND: (metallic voice, on comm) Attention alien spacecraft! This is His Majesty's battleship the Robida Colossus hailing. That shot was just a warning. You are intruding on Ganathan space. You will accompany us to port, or you will be destroyed. 

HAN: You're gonna have to tow us, pal. We're flying on fumes. 

SCENE 3-12  INT. ROBIDA COLOSSUS HANGAR 
=======================================================
Sound: The inside of the Colossus sounds like a machine shop at full operation. 

LEIA: Han, this is incredible! This entire spaceport is run by steam power. 

HAN: Look at all these relics! I bet no one's seen designs like this for....10,000 years! 

LEIA: I'm surprised you never heard of this place. 

HAN: Spacers tell a lot of stories, I heard things, but nobody who tried to breaching that cloud ever came back. Oh, Chewie, check out that freighter!! It's fitted with brass portholes! Just like outta a history book. 

BRAND: They may be antiques to you, but to these people, they are miracles of science. 

Sound: The legless droid body of Brand hovers close to the heroes. 

LEIA: By the Force....

BRAND: As am I.

LEIA: A-a...who are you? How did you get so....

BRAND: How did I become a half-man encased in all this machinery? That....is a long story. As for my name, it's not much shorter. I am Empatajayos Brand of Ganand. 

HAN: Empato.....

BRAND: Call me Brand. I rule these people. And like you, Leia Organa-Solo, and like the old lady beside you.....I am a Jedi. 

HAN: YOU? A Jedi? 

VIMA: (amazed herself) Yes! Vima knows. A Jedi!

BRAND: It's been many, many years since I fell through the gas cloud. Many years since I last saw a Jedi. I had thought Vader would have killed us all by now. 

LEIA: It's true.....The Force IS bright in you. 

BRAND: But little is left of me. 

LEIA: How? 

BRAND: Vader. He hunted me. I fled into the gas cloud, but my ship was destroyed. My ruined body encased in this pressure suit, I floated in empty space, until I was rescued by the Ganathans. 

HAN: Who are these people? 

BRAND: A whole civilization, cut off from the rest of the galaxy by that cloud. They cannot get out, and very few people ever get in. Left to their own resources, they have developed this technology. It's bizarre, but functional. 

LEIA: And you? 

BRAND: They say a Jedi can rule those less powerful than himself. This I have done here. I hope with justice. But come, we have much to discuss. Vader must be a VERY great warlord by now. He must rule many systems.....

HAN:  You HAVE been out of touch.

SCENE 3-13   INT. SPACER'S BISTRO - BYSS
==================================================
Sound: The bar is full and jumping, as an electronic tune plays. 

SALLA: (growl) Lo Khan, it's been a long time. 

LO: Not long enough, Salla. Last time I saw you here, you nearly got me arrested by the Imperials. 

SALLA: Let's let bygones be bygones, Lo Khan. All I want now is to get my ship, the Starlight Intruder. 

LO: Good luck. Last I heard, the Imps had melted her to slag.

SALLA: (crushed) What a waste. I spent six years building that ship. 

LO: Yeah, well the Imps wasted little time stripping anything they could get their hands on. 

SALLA: Maybe they need it for that big orbital weapon they're building. 

LO: I dunno. But they're stockpiling like there's no tomorrow. Check out the cargo bay across the way. They're unloading some new kind of war droids right now.

SCENE 3-14  INT. VIPER WAR DROID
===============================================
Sound: The Viper is picked up and hoisted out of the ship. 

ZEV: (grunts and yells as he's banged around) You'd think these Imperials would treat their war droids a little more uhh--oof--gently!

WEDGE: Zev, activate the coded subspace channel.

Sound: The comm comes on. 

WEDGE: This is General Wedge Antilles to all units. We're on the docks. Energize the power as soon as the last droid has been offloaded and turn 'em loose!  

SCENE 3-13  EXT. IMPERIAL LOADING DOCK - OUTSIDE THE DROID
===============================================
SHA: (sounding darker and far more self-confident) Be careful with that war droid! If it's damaged, you'll all be Rancor food! Okay, that's the last one. Now--

Sound: The war droids all come to life!! 

COMPUTER: X-1 Viper Automaton CPU online. 

SHA: WHAT THE--!?!?

COMPUTER: Combat protocols initiated. 

SHA: This must be a malfunction or---

COMPUTER: Main progam. 

SHA: RUN!!!

Sound: The droids start blasting and tearing up everything in sight. The scene is total pandemonium. 

SCENE 3-14  INT. VIPER WAR DROID
=======================================
ZEV: YAHOO!! We're doing it! 

WEDGE: All war droids are up and running. Order all the pilots to guide their war droids towards the Citadel. THIS IS IT!!

SCENE 3-15  EXT. IMPERIAL LOADING DOCK
=========================================
SHA: ALERT!! ALERT!!! We've got a droid revolt on our hands!!! Planetside Security, we need gunships!! And TANK droids!! (suddenly takes several shots and chokes to the ground) 

SCENE 3-16 INT. SPACER'S BISTRO
========================================
Sound: All talk has stopped. Everyone in the bar is watching the fight in progress. 

SALLA: Did you see what I see? Those war droids are going berserk. 

LO: What's going on? 

SALLA: Before I left, I heard rumors that the Rebels were planning a surprise attack. I never thought they'd have the guts. Look--they're busting through the terminal gates. They're heading for the Emperor's Citadel. 

Sound: An Imperial Gunship roars over the bar and starts blasting at the raging droids. 

SCENE 3-17  INT. WAR DROID
=========================================
ZEV: The Imperials are fighting back hard, but they're no match for these droids. 

WEDGE: Scanners show 20 Gunships heading our way. Lock in the air defense procedures. 

ZEV: Got it, boss. Hold on to your hat--

Sound: The droid cranes its head skyward. 

ZEV AND WEDGE: (yell as they're thrown down inside the droid's "stomach") 

Sound: The droid fires, and takes out the first Gunship. 

ZEV: We're doing it! We've reached the Citadel!! All units, repeat, WE'VE---

SCENE 3-18  INT. CITADEL THRONE ROOM
=============================================
NIST: --reached the Citadel!! I repeat, Rebel forces have reached the Citadel!! Inform the Emperor immediately! 

EMPEROR: (on comm) This is the Emperor, Executor Nist. You have my attention. 

NIST: My Lord, Rebel forces have infiltrated our new war droids. They're using them to attack this Citadel!! Tetryn-Sha has been wounded. We need your help!!

EMPEROR: Nonsense!! Can't you see I'm inspecting my new Galaxy Gun? YOU are my military commander now. YOU must deal with them yourself!! 

NIST: But your Majesty--

EMPEROR: I DON'T NEED THOSE WAR DROIDS!!! Destroy them. Release the Chrysalis Beasts. 

NIST: The Chrysa.....but your Majesty!! They cannot be controlled! 

EMPEROR: (screaming) DO IT!!!!!!!!

NIST: (terrified whisper) Yes, my Lord. As you command. The war droids WILL be destroyed.  

SCENE 3-19      INT. WAR DROID
=====================================================
ZEV: Wedge, we've got three Imperial Walkers trying to outflank us. 

WEDGE: Order Units Six and Eight to engage and destroy. I can't believe the power of these Viper automatons. 

Sound: Machine gun blaster fire. 

ZEV: We're taking blaster fire from a turret gun. Unbelievable. These molecular shields eat laser fire like candy! 

WEDGE: Returning fire! 

ZEV: Direct hit--another Imperial Walker bites the dust. Wedge, we're doing it! We're going to bring down the Empire!! 

WEDGE: Don't get cocky, Zev. We still have to cross that service bridge to reach the Emperor's Citadel. And it's heavily guarded. 

ZEV: Affirmative, Wedge. All units, make for that bridge!! 

SCENE 3-20   INT. CITADEL - THRONE ROOM
==================================================
Sound: The Citadel rocks from the Viper's attack. 

GUARD: We're taking direct fire!! The Rebels are here!! We---we should retreat!!

NIST: And face the Emperor's wrath? Don't be a fool. Besides.....the Chrysalis Beasts have arrived. 

SCENE 3-21  INT. WAR DROID/ EXT. CITADEL GATES
==================================================
WEDGE: All right, Zev. Let's evacuate!

Sound: War droid's door opens, and Wedge and Zev pile out into the raging battlefield. 

ZEV: Right behind you, Wedge. The war droids are programmed to blast their way into the Citadel. They won't stop until their power cells drain or---

Sound: An ungodly roar bellows before them, something not like any known animal. The creature begins to stomp their way. 

WEDGE:....or until they get eaten by that.

ZEV: What is it??

WEDGE: I don't know! But it's got company! RUNNNN!!!!

Sound: The two retreat from the Beast's approach. 

WEDGE: Keep firing, keep firing!! How many are there?!

ZEV: I count eight. Make that nine. They're bigger than Rancors. 

WEDGE: Meaner, too. Blasters only seem to make them mad! All personnel, take cover!! Let the automatons fight it out with these devils! 

Sound: The automatons are taking the worst of it. The Beasts eat into armor never intended for animal fangs. 

SCENE 3-22  INT. SPACER'S BISTRO
===========================================
LO: Looks like the tables have turned on the Rebs, Salla. 

SALLA: (growls) Whatever those monsters are, they're cutting the Alliance into grazer hash. We've got to do something. 

LO: Salla, what--

SALLA: (speaking up) Listen to me, everybody! Some friends of ours need us. I'm going to check it out. Anybody who wants to come along is more than welcome. 

LUWINGO: My brother's in that Rebellion, Salla. Count me in. 

SMUGGLER: You crazy?! I'm not messing with the Imps, Salla. They pay us to haul freight, not take sides! 

SALLA: Yeah. But someone once told me--eventually, you got to choose sides anyway. Now who's with me? 

CROWD: Yeah! Let's go!! (etc.) 

SCENE 3-23   EXT. CITADEL GATES/ INT. SMUGGLER SHIP
========================================
Sound: The unequal battle continues. Now soldiers are being eaten too. 

ZEV: (tired-sounding) We can't hold them off much longer, Wedge. 

WEDGE: Keep firing. Call back the war droids. 

ZEV: They've all been destroyed. Every last one of them. 

WEDGE: LOOK OUT!! 

Sound: The Creature's right on top of Wedge and Zev.....and then a large smuggler ship flies overhead. The Creature is pelted with turbolaser fire. 

WEDGE: Wha....what happened? 

Sound: The ship lands, and the hatch opens. 

SALLA: Need a lift? 

WEDGE: Where'd you come from??

SALLA: Doesn't matter. But I think you'll like where we're going. Hurry!

WEDGE: Come on, Zev! 

ZEV: (hurt in the battle) Ooh....help me up....

WEDGE: Come on, pal! 

SALLA: Move it!! 

WEDGE: What about the rest of our team? 

SALLA: They're being taken care of. Okay, Lo Khan, we're in. Blast out of here! 

Sound: The hatch shuts, and the ship lifts skyward.....or tries to..... 

LO:  Engines at full throttle, Salla. But something's holding us back!!

Sound: The bellow of the Creature, from outside. 

WEDGE: It's got hold of the ship. 

SALLA: (p.o.'d) I'm getting TIRED of losing ships to the Empire!!! (opens the hatch) Hey ugly--you wanna eat something?? EAT THIS!!!

Sound: She fires her blaster right into the Creature's open mouth. Screaming, the Creature lets go and falls. The ship lifts back into the sky. The hatch closes. 

SCENE 3-24   INT. CITADEL - THRONE ROOM
=======================================================
SHA: They're escaping!!!

NIST: I'll inform the Emperor. (activates comm) My Lord.

EMPEROR: (over comm, impatient) YES?? What is it NOW?!? 

NIST: We've defeated the Rebels, my Lord. But.....(braces himself)... they've escaped, with the help of some smugglers. They're heading straight for your Galaxy Gun. Shall I order the fleet to pursue them?   

SCENE 3-25   INT. GALAXY GUN
========================================================
EMPEROR: Let them go. Don't waste any more firepower on these scum. 

NIST: (on comm, shocked) Let them....GO, Excellency? 

EMPEROR: Yes. Let them brag to their friends. They will have only a few hours to celebrate---before they all die. It is time to show the Rebel Alliance their day is ended. (louder) PREPARE THE GALAXY WEAPON!!

Music: Yup, you guess it, the Imperial Theme again. 

SCENE 3-26   INT. ROBIDA COLOSSUS HANGAR
===================================================
HAN: Hey, watch what you're doing there! 

CHEWBACCA: SHOUTS BACK AT HAN. 

HAN: Careful with that stabilizer! You can't just toss it like an old brass plumbing fixture! No, no, no, not there, THERE!!! Under the aft thrusters! And watch that power cable--you wanna flood the whole docking bay? 

BRAND: Princess Leia, your husband worries over his ship like a grandmother. 

LEIA: I know, Brand. But Boba Fett's attack did it a lot of damage. And the Falcon's gotten us through more dangers than I can remember. Han's a little....

HAN:....crazy. This whole thing is crazy. This technology is primitive!

LEIA: Han, without the help of the Ganathans, we'll never get off this planet. 

CHEWBACCA: AGREES. 

HAN: I know. But this equipment's the dumbest-looking stuff I've ever seen. 

BRAND: I realize our steam-powered technology looks barbaric to your eyes, Solo. But it's quite servicable, and very solid. 

HAN: Yeah, like that walking droid suit you're wearing? 

BRAND: This "droid suit" is a sophisticated survival system. It can keep me alive on the hottest--or the coldest--planet in the galaxy. I could live for a year in the vacuum of space. Without eating. 

HAN: Very impressive. But all I want to do is get home in one piece. And to do that, I think I'll need my Arakyd missiles. 

LEIA: "Arakyd missiles?" 

BRAND: The Falcon's missiles were slightly damaged during your battle with the bounty hunter. My people had to remove them, but we've replaced the missiles with--

HAN: Some kind of antique contraption made of ceramic coils and brass rings. 

BRAND: The Arakyd missiles were antiques when I was a boy, Solo. 

HAN: "Antiques"?! Look who's talking!

BRAND: My Lightning Gun is a far superior weapon. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll see to the final repairs. Hertro, adjust the ceramic coils to optimum current. This ship's power plant will double the usual charge......

LEIA: He's quite the inventor, isn't he? 

HAN: Yeah. Let's just hope his inventions get us back to civilization. Come on, we'd better get ready to launch. 

SCENE 3-27  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT - A SHORT TIME LATER
=================================================================
CHEWBACCA: RUMBLES. 

HAN: I know, Chewie. These instruments are all going crazy with this new equipment. Give me a reading on the thruster output. 

CHEWBACCA: GROWLS OUT THE READING. 

HAN: All right. (hits intercom) Everybody sit back. Ready for a test flight. 

LEIA: (over intercom) Vima and I are strapped in. Brand, if you would just have a seat--

BRAND: (over intercom) I'm afraid I do not "sit", Princess Leia. My prosthetic suit is not that flexible. I'll just attach myself to the Falcon's bulkhead and--(sound: Magnet clamps on) ready. 

LEIA: Oh--of course. We're set, Han. 

HAN: All right Chewie, punch it!

Sound: The Falcon's engines cough and sputter. 

HAN: That's not what I call a punch. 

CHEWBACCA: "AIN'T MY FAULT!!" 

HAN: I got it. The Lightning Gun the Ganathans installed is draining power off the main reactor lines. Power it down for right now. 

CHEWBACCA: "GOT IT." 

Sound: The Falcon's engines fire up as the power leaves the Lightning Gun. 

HAN: That sounds better. Now--punch it!!

Sound: The Falcon does just that. 

SCENE 3-28   INT. CITADEL - THRONE ROOM
================================================
NIST: I'm afraid we've failed to locate the Rebels who escaped from Byss. We suspect that, with the help of those smugglers, they've gone into hiding. 

EMPEROR: (now back in the Citadel) Enough of them, Executor Nist. I told you.....they do not concern me. 

NIST: But my Lord, they dared to attack your HOMEWORLD!! 

EMPEROR: And in return, I shall destroy THEIRS. Is my Galaxy Gun ready? 

NIST: The hyperspace launcher is nearly at full power, my Lord. We await only a target. 

EMPEROR: My first blow shall mark the beginning of a new era. Target the Galaxy Gun......at Pinnacle Base. 

Music: The Imperial Theme. 

SCENE 3-29      INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
==================================================
CHEWBACCA: MENTIONS SOMETHING TO HAN. 

HAN: You said it, Chewie. She's got plenty of power, but she handles like a slug. 

Sound: Proximity alarm goes off. 

CHEWBACCA: "HERE WE GO AGAIN." 

HAN: Gyroscope's going crazy. We're gonna roll!

Sound: The Falcon starts barrel rolling. 

SCENE 3-30  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON LIVING AREA
==================================================
LEIA: Hold on!

BRAND: We're upside down! 

LEIA: Brand, can you reach the intercom? 

BRAND: Of course. 

Sound: Intercom goes on. 

CHEWBACCA: (over intercom) HOWLS. 

HAN: (over intercom) Get your hairy foot outta my face! Ow! What's that--Boba Fett's helmet? Chewie!!

LEIA: Han, what's going on? 

HAN: Just a little problem with the new equipment, dear. We'll be fine as soon as I can--Chewie, move your foot--as soon as I recalibrate the flux stablizer. 

Sound: The Falcon goes right side up again. Han and Chewie both kiss floor. 

HAN: There. Happy? 

LEIA: Thanks, Han. 

HAN: No problem. We'll let you know when we're ready to jump to hyperspace. 

LEIA: Brand, are you okay? 

BRAND: I'm fine, Princess Leia. There's nothing can harm me these days. 

LEIA: Your battle with Darth Vader must have been awful. 

BRAND: Yes. I had given up hope, but now---you say the Jedi have been resurrected. Such a wonder. Vader murdered so many, I can't believe the Alliance defeated him. 

LEIA: Yes. But we're still locked in a struggle with the Empire. My brother Luke is a Jedi Master. He has vowed to restore the Jedi to their former glory. 

BRAND: That will be difficult. 

LEIA: Brand, we'll be ready to enter hyperspace soon. We should return you to the planet. 

BRAND: You will need help. I have many ideas, many inventions. And I am STILL a Jedi. I will join you in this fight. 

LEIA: Are you sure? 

BRAND: I have no other choice. If you will have me, I will leave the Ganathans. The Jedi Knights MUST rise again! 

Music: SW Fanfare. 

SCENE 3-31  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
===================================================================
HAN: Sublight systems check out? 

CHEWBACCA: "CHECK." 

HAN: Okay, did you run diagnostics on the hyperdrive? 

CHEWBACCA: "YES, AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES...." 

HAN: Just checking. All right, let's head for the cloud. (hits intercom) Hold on back there. We're entering the gas cloud. It's gonna be a rough ride--

Sound: Alarm goes off. 

CHEWBACCA: "OH NO." 

HAN: INCOMING SHIP!! 

Sound: The Slave I tears past the Falcon, unloading with everything it's got. 

HAN: It's Boba Fett--

BOBA: (over comm) I told you you couldn't hide from me, Solo. 

HAN: I can't believe you waited for us all this time, Fett. No bounty is worth all that much time. 

BOBA: It's not about the money anymore, Solo. This time......it's personal. 

CHEWBACCA: "I JUST HAD TO GRAB THAT HELMET, DIDN'T I......" 

HAN: Aft shields failing. I'm sick of this. We're gonna take him out. Chewie, arm the Arakyd missiles. 

CHEWBACCA: "WHAT ARAKYD MISSILES??" 

HAN: DAMN! I forgot. Brand replaced the Arakyds with his Lightning Gun. 

SCENE 3-32   INT. SLAVE I COCKPIT
===========================================
BOBA: (to himself, in thought) The Falcon hasn't fired a single blaster. Not even those antique missiles Solo carries. I must have damaged him more than I thought. Well, that makes this all the easier. (hits comm) Just wanted to say goodbye, Solo. 

HAN: (over comm) I should say the same to you. 

BOBA: The chase HAS been fun. But now it's over. 

HAN: You said it. Chewie--fire the Lightning Gun!!

BOBA: Wha....? 

Sound: The Slave I gets FRIED by Brand's new weapon. Every console shorts out. 
 
BOBA: (reacts in pain) 

SCENE 3-33  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
=====================================================
HAN: YEEHAH!! 

CHEWBACCA: "YAHHOOOO!!!!" 

HAN: Whatever this Lightning Gun does, it sure packs a wallop!

LEIA: (over intercom) Han, are we--

HAN: Fine, Leia. Just a little run-in with Boba Fett. 

LEIA: Boba Fett? Do you need me to help? 

HAN: Don't worry, Leia. We just blasted his ship into the gas cloud. He's halfway to Ganath by now. We'll let THEM deal with that viper. Okay, Leia, we're clear. Where to? 

LEIA: You know, Han. The children. 

HAN: Sounds good to me. Coordinates locked in......punch it, Chewie. We're going to New Alderaan. 

Sound: Falcon roars into hyperspace. 

Music: A short segue from "TESB", then fade out. 

END OF TAPE TWO/ SIDE ONE

====================================================================== 
TAPE TWO/ SIDE TWO 
======================================================================

4-1   INT. JEDI EXPLORER CARGO BAY
========================================================
Music: The short creepy piece again.

Sound: Somebody's got a lightsaber running. 

KAM: Luke, we're approaching Pinnacle Base. We should exit hyperspace in less than---

LUKE: Quiet, Kam. Jem is practicing her lightsaber. 

KAM: With that blast helmet on? (laughs) You're one tough teacher!

LUKE: I learned from the best. Ready, Jem? 

JEM: (voice muffled by helmet) Ready, Luke. 

LUKE: Activate the remote. 

Sound: One of those pesky "seeker" balls lifts skyward, starts darting around. 

JEM: I.....I can hear it. 

LUKE: Don't listen. Just feel it with the Force. 

JEM: I......I think I understand. 

Sound: The seeker zaps Jem with a light bolt. 

KAM: Luke, that remote's set too high! If she's not careful, she'll---

Sound: The seeker fires several more shots, all hitting Jem. Grunting, she slashes out--and cuts the seeker in half. She turns off the lightsaber and removes the helmet. 

LUKE: Good work, Jem. 

KAM: I don't believe it. 

JEM: I did it! 

KAM: She cut that remote in half. It'll never work again. 

LUKE: I knew you could do it, Jem. 

JEM: I can fight. I am a trained Ysanna warrior. But this....(turns the saber on again) it's like an extension... of myself....

LUKE: You're a natural with a lightsaber. You will make a beautif---(audibly catches himself) a wonderful Jedi. But you should be careful. I felt a flash of anger when you hit the remote. 

JEM: (turns off the saber again) Yes. My anger. I am...like you, in that way. 

KAM: Is it me, or is the air getting a little too sweet in here? 

LUKE: How did you know that? I never told you about my past. 

JEM: It is the Force. It..... shows me things. When I look there.....I see you. 

KAM: (to himself, amused) Yeah, maybe I'll just go....(opens door) check the enviromental controls....(walks out, closes door) 

LUKE: Yes. I sense it too. I feel like I know you.....like I've known you for a thousand years.

JEM: (haltingly) I have....the same feeling.....

LUKE: (voice shaking) Jem, I.....

JEM: (suddenly sweeps Luke into a passionate embrace) 

Music: Tastefully sweeps into the SW End Theme for a moment. 

SCENE 4-2  INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT
===============================================
LEIA: Okay, Han. That's the settlement, just below us. 

BRAND: I don't understand. No energy readings, no heat sources....no power output at all. All I see is a thick forest and a few scattered huts. 

HAN: Brand, you're looking at the most carefully-disguised colony in the galaxy. New Alderaan. Shielding hides the energy output, generators and launch pads....even the defensive weaponry. It's all hidden. 

CHEWBACCA: ASKS SOMETHING. 

HAN: Chewie wants to know if we should contact landing control. 

LEIA: No. Maintain Comm-net silence. 

BRAND: Won't they be tracking us? 

LEIA: We can't risk it. We don't want ANY stray signals picked up by Imperial probe droids. 

BRAND: But....that leaves you open to a surprise attack---

LEIA: And off-planet transmissions leave us open to discovery. And an Imperial blockade. Our safest defense is for the Empire to think this planet is nothing but one big forest-covered hunk of rock. 

VIMA: Jedi, uh....Vima senses more Jedi. 

LEIA: Yes, Vima. You sense the presence of our children, Jacen and Jaina. 

BRAND: (surprised) Your children? 

LEIA: We had to hide them from the Emperor. They WILL be Jedi. Just like the child I carry now.  

SCENE 4-3  INT. JEDI EXPLORER COCKPIT....LET'S SAY ABOUT AN HOUR LATER......  ;^D
======================================================= 
KAM: Luke!! LUKE!!!

LUKE: I'm here, Kam.

KAM: Oh. You disappeared on me for a while there. Thought I was gonna have to pilot the Jedi Explorer into Pinnacle Base myself. 

LUKE: Sorry, Kam. Jem and I were, uh....

KAM: (chuckles) Yeah, spare me the details, Luke. You're not the type to kiss and tell anyway. 

LUKE: (audibly red-faced) Thanks. Disengaging hyperdrive now. 

Sound: Hyperdrive goes down. 

KAM: Sublight engines kicking in. Right on target. Fifth moon of Da Sootcha system, just ahead. We'll arrive in Pinnacle Base in....53 seconds. 

(From the comic only--Luke and Kam suddenly see Pinnacle Base's only indigenous lifeform--the large, bat-like Ixylls--flying off into space. One can imagine one of them crying out in it's tongue, "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish." "What's going on?" Kam asks. "It's like they're abandoning the moon!") 

Sound: Alarm goes off. 

KAM: What the...?!?

LUKE: Something's coming out of hyperspace!! 

KAM: It's heading for the same coordinates as we are. At HIGH speed. 

LUKE: Cut to point two and switch coordinates. Whatever it is, we don't want a collision. 

KAM: Copy that. Changing course. Should pass underneath---

Sound: The mystery object thunders over them--something like sounds suspiciously like a missile at full throttle.......

KAM: What was that? 

LUKE: Did we get a reading on it?!?

KAM: Confirming.....Length, 20 meters. Payload---100 megaton thermal detonator?!?! 

LUKE: THERMAL detonator??? 

KAM: Luke, that thing's a gigantic bomb!! 

LUKE: And it's heading right for Pinnacle Base!! 

KAM: Setting intercept course--

LUKE: (hits comm) Pinnacle Base, this is Luke Skywalker. Pinnacle Base, do you copy? 

KAM: I'm gaining on it.....by the Force, it's FAST......

LUKE: PINNACLE BASE!!! No answer!! 

KAM: Why wouldn't they answer?! 

LUKE: Kam, we'll have to do this ourselves. 

KAM: I'm on it, Luke. 

LUKE: 20 seconds to impact! 

KAM: Targeting lasers.....

LUKE: 15 seconds to impact!!! 

KAM: FIRING!!

Sound: The Jedi Explorer's weapons hit the missile dead on----and bounce right off. 

KAM: Direct hit! 

LUKE: (whisper) No effect...! That device is using full shields!!!

KAM: It's gonna hit the Rebel base. 

LUKE: PULL UP!!! PULL UPP!!!!!

Sound: The Jedi Explorer barely gets out of the way in time. The missile hits Pinnacle Base. And Pinnacle Base, just like a planet called Alderaan 10 years before......SHATTERS......  

SCENE 4-4    EXT. NEW ALDERAAN - LAKESIDE
===============================================
Sound: Tranquil. Quiet. The splashing of water. The laughing of two children. The complete opposite of before. 

HAN: Leia! Leia!!

LEIA: (she sounds happy, for the first time in a LONG time.) Jacen, Jaina--Chewie, don't let them play too near the water. 

HAN: Leia??

LEIA: Over here, Han.

CHEWBACCA: "HEY, LEGGO MY FUR!" 

HAN: (big belly-laugh) You'd better get used to having your fur pulled, Chewie. Kids love big furry uncles. 

LEIA: Han, you're just in time to eat. 

HAN: Ah, the party may be over, Leia. We've got a slight problem. 

LEIA: (snaps to attention) Imperials? 

HAN: Nothing that firm, but our supply ship is overdue. That ship was piloted by Captain Ntthan. And Nthhan is ALWAYS on time. 

LEIA: (weary sigh) Oh, Han. All I wanted was some time alone with you and the children....

HAN: It may be nothing, Leia. Maybe Captain Ntthan is just a little behind schedule. 

SCENE 4-5  INT. BAST CASTLE - PLANET VJUN - DUNGEON
==============================================================
Sound: This is Darth Vader's old private refuge, now headquarters for the Emperor's Dark-siders. And one man is in the dungeon, screaming his head off. Captain Ntthan. 

NIST: (over the sound of the torture droid) I'm sorry, your Excellency. We are just a little behind schedule. 

EMPEROR: Never mind your excuses. Report.

NIST: My Lord, as you know, one of our Star Destroyers encountered a convoy traveling in a deserted sector. They claim they are smugglers, but the captain is a man named Ntthan. A KNOWN Rebel. We are questioning him now. 

NTTHAN: NNNAARGGGHGHHHHHH!!!!!!!

EMPEROR: What has he told you? 

NIST: His....resistance.....is most impressive, my Lord. Eventually, we had to resort to the miniature "Scarab" droids. 

EMPEROR: Scarab Droids. My favorite little toys. Tell me....have they burrowed into his flesh yet?

NIST: Yes, my Lord. And their poison has done it's work. He is finally revealing to us the location of the Princess Leia. AND her children. 

EMPEROR: The Jedi Children!! Where are they??

NIST: (excited himself) My Lord.....on a planet called New Alderaan. 

SCENE 4-6   EXT. NEW ALDERAAN - PLAIN
==============================================================
Sound: Brand is hovering nearby. 

LEIA: Han, what is it? 

HAN: Could be trouble. Brand had a visual sighting of an incoming ship. 

LEIA: What kind? 

BRAND: I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with your ship's markings. 

HAN: I showed him models of X and Y-Wings. 

BRAND: It was neither of those. 

LEIA: TIE Bombers? 

HAN: That's what I'm afraid of. 

Sound: The mystery ship arrives in the sky. 

HAN: Here it comes! Order the gunners to target and--

LEIA: HAN, WAIT!! 

HAN: Leia, that may be the enemy that shot down the supply ship!

LEIA: No, Han. I can sense the pilot. It's Luke!

SCENE 4-7  SAME PLACE, SHORTLY THEREAFTER
=================================================
Sound: The Jedi Explorer's hatch opens, and the Jedi trio step out. 

LUKE: (coming in at a run) Han, Leia. Thank the Force you're all right....

LEIA: Luke, what's the mat--

LUKE: The children--are they--

HAN: Fine, Luke. What's wrong? 

LUKE: We've just come from Pinnacle Base. The moon has been completely destroyed. 

LEIA: Oh, my g.....

LUKE: I think......I think all the leaders of the Alliance.....are dead. 

SCENE 4-8   EXT. BAST PALACE - LANDING HANGAR
===================================================
NIST: Emperor Palpatine, your Dark Jedi are assembled. 

DARK JEDI: My Lord. (etc.) 

EMPEROR: Excellent. Xecr Nist, you and my other Dark Jedi will be the instruments of a glorious moment for the Empire. My Galaxy Gun has destroyed the Rebel base. And now, we have the location of the LAST of the Jedi. You, my Dark Side warriors, will capture the Jedi alive. Then, my armored forces will destroy their final base. 

DARK JEDI: (as one) With pleasure, my Lord.

Sound: The hangar doors open. 

EMPEROR: At last.....AT LAST!!!! The end of the Jedi Knights is at hand!!!!  

SCENE 4-9   INT. NEW ALDERAAN BASE - CHAMBER
===================================================
Sound: The Force is at work. 

BRAND: Easy, Jem.....easy......

JEM: I.....I think I've got it, Brand. 

BRAND: Good. Feel the Force connecting you to the boulder. Now.....will it to rise. 

Sound: The boulder rises, unsteadily. 

JEM: (with effort) I......it's working!

BRAND: Excellent! 

LEIA: (speaking low) Luke, that young woman is very open to the Force. 

LUKE: (also speaking low) She's a natural Jedi. 

LEIA: And....(you can hear the smile) I sense something else. Something between you two? 

LUKE: (amused) Your powers are growing, Leia. Yes, I think Jem---she's very special to me. 

VIMA: "Special?" All Jedi are special! 

LEIA: Vima....

LUKE: Who's this? 

VIMA: This one is a powerful Jedi. POWERFUL. 

LEIA: Luke, this is Vima. The old Jedi we found on Nar Shaddaa. 

LUKE: I feel your power, Vima. It burns in you like a flame. Faint, but steady. 

LEIA: The Force drew me to her, Luke. I don't know why. I think she'll play an important role before this is all over. 

VIMA: (quiet) Vima is not worthy. She hid in the dark times. Vima betrayed the Force. Vima fell from the Force--

LUKE: No, Vima. Leia is right. We need you. 

LEIA: We need all the Jedi, if what you said is true. Luke, are you sure the Alliance is--

LUKE: Pinnacle Base is gone, Leia. That's for sure. Kam and I saw it blown apart by some new weapon. And yet....

LEIA: What? 

LUKE: (to himself as much as Leia) When that missile came out of hyperspace, I tried to contact Pinnacle Base. And no one answered. Strange, but maybe--

HAN: Maybe nothing. We need to know for sure. 

LUKE: Han. I thought you were repairing the Falcon. 

HAN: There's no time. I don't like Brand's antique modifications, but I'm heading off-planet. 

LEIA: Off-planet? I-I thought you were going to stay with the children for a while. 

HAN: I want to, Leia, but look--we need to find out what's going on. Pinnacle Base has been destroyed. Wedge led a commando raid against Byss and we haven't heard from them either.      

VIMA: This place must remain secret! The Jedi must be safe!

HAN: Yeah, thanks for the tip, Vima. That's why Chewie and I are taking the Falcon into deep space. We'll try to signal the Alliance bases within shouting distance and see what's happening. We're leaving now. 

LEIA: Han, I.....

HAN: Leia, we just can't sit here deaf and dumb until some Imperial probe droids stumble onto the planet! 

LEIA: Be careful, Han. 

HAN: We'll be fine. I just hope things are as peaceful when I get back. 

Music: Another segue from TESB. 

SCENE 4-10   INT. HOWLRUNNER
==============================================================
Sound: A Howlrunner is flying through hyperspace, followed by a whole fleet of it's brothers. 

NIST: This is Dark Side One to Dark Side Squadron. Approaching attack coordinates. Prepare to exit hyperspace.  

SHA: (over comm) I'm getting nothing on my scanners. No energy readings, no communication signals. 

NIST: They may be shielded. Don't trust your scanners. Trust the Dark Side. The Dark Side will lead us right to the Rebels......and to Skywalker. 

SCENE 4-11  EXT. NEW ALDERAAN - PLAIN - SUNSET 
===============================================================
JEM: Luke, I feel sadness in you. 

LUKE: I'm just thinking about Han and Leia. They spend so little time together, and now Han has left again. 

JEM: Don't feel sad for him. 

LUKE: Maybe you're right. At least he HAS a family.  I've been fighting the Empire half my life. I've had no time for ordinary friendships, no time for--

JEM: Luke....my people, the Ysanna, say that in war, as in peace, the wise man celebrates life. If he does not....he loses balance. 

LUKE: Hmm......your people are wise. 

JEM: Han and Leia are Rebels too. That didn't stop them from finding each other. 

LUKE: That's true, Jem. During this war, I've learned many things. I've found many things. But the greatest thing I've found so far........is you. 

Sound: Unnoticed by the two lovers, a group of ships flies in the distance.......

JEM: Luke, the day you appeared on Ossus, I knew.....

LUKE: Wait. 

JEM: What? 

LUKE: Did you feel.....no, nothing. For a moment, I thought I felt the Dark Side. 

JEM: I felt nothing. 

LUKE: It was subtle. Something I haven't felt since.....(sighs) well, it's gone. But we should get indoors. Good night, Jem. 

SCENE 4-12  INT. HOWLRUNNER
=====================================================
Sound: The Howlrunner is now on the ground, engines off. 

NIST: You fool. Skywalker almost sensed your presence--

SHA: Forgive me, my Lord, I had no idea he would be so sensitive. 

NIST: He is a Jedi Master. We must careful. 

SHA: How can we take him alive?? Even in his sleep, he may sense our approach! 

NIST: WE will not make the first attack. I intend to use.....these. 

Sound: Nist opens a case. Several insectile clicks, and skitterings. 

SHA: Scarab droids! 

NIST: Yes. Lovely creations, aren't they? A dozen of them will burrow into Skywalker's flesh, filling him with poison and pain. Then you and one other Dark Jedi will capture Skywalker. I will take the others to steal the children. 

SHA: But.....what if Skywalker detects the Scarab droids? 

NIST: He will not. The Emperor himself has promised.....a distraction.

SCENE 4-13  INT. LUKE'S QUARTERS - LATE THAT NIGHT.........
============================================================
Sound: Luke is asleep. His mind is filled with the roar of the Dark Side. 

EMPEROR: (echoing in the dream) Skywalker......

LUKE: no.....no, not the Emperor.....

EMPEROR: Skywalker.....

LUKE: No.....I destroyed you!! You're DEAD! 

EMPEROR: Twice you killed me. Twice have I returned. I cannot be destroyed. I am with you in your waking hours.....

LUKE: NO!!!

Sound: The skittering Scarab droids crawl all over the still out-cold Luke. 

EMPEROR: I am with you in your dreams.......

LUKE: NO!!!!!

Sound: The Scarabs are now audibly chewing into Luke's flesh.

EMPEROR: You belong to me. 

MORDI: That helpless figure is the dreaded Jedi Master Luke Skywalker?   

SHA: Quiet. Let the Emperor's poison do it's work. 

LUKE: Palpatine, I will fight you......

EMPEROR: Fight me? Skywalker.......I have already won. Even now, my Scarab droids fill you with Dark Side poison. 

LUKE: Scarabs......

EMPEROR: And you will once again be mine!!!

LUKE: Nnoo......no......NNAAGHH!!!

MORDI: He is awake! 

SHA: His cry will bring others! Hurry! Take him quickly! 

Sound: The door opens. 

LEIA: What's going on--

JEM: Luke!

SHA: BY THE EMPEROR!!!

LEIA: Jem, these are Dark Siders!! What have they done to Luke? 

Sound: Jem and Leia ignite their lightsabers. 

JEM: I don't know. But I know what I'm going to do to THEM!! 

MORDI: This little creature is mine. 

SHA: Do not kill the pregnant one. The Emperor wants her children alive. 

MORDI: Come, little Jedi. Show me what you have learned. 

Sound: Jem slices Mordi in half. 

JEM: I have learned a great deal, Dark Sider. Now for the other one--

LEIA: Jem, be careful--

SHA: Have you learned to block a blaster shot, little one--

LEIA: JEM---

Sound: Sha shoots Jem in the chest, at point blank range. Jem barely has time for one weak scream.....before crashing to the ground, lifeless. Her lightsaber lands as well, extinguishing itself.

LEIA: (voice thick with tears) Dark Side scum!!!

Sound: Leia lunges at him (well, as well as a full-term pregnant woman CAN lunge) and cuts him down. Sha screams as he is disemboweled. 

VIMA: Master Skywalker....? 

LEIA: Vima, see if he's all right! Jem is hurt! 

VIMA: The Jedi Master must live!!

LEIA: Pull those scarab droids off him, quickly!! Ohh, Jem, the blood....

JEM: (slow, raspy breaths. She's clearly not going to make it.) 

LEIA: Jem, can you.....

JEM: I can.....feel.........the force.............

LEIA: Jem? 

VIMA: Daughter.......she is gone. Already, her spirit passes into the night. But the Jedi Master MUST survive. 

LEIA: Luke--is he---

VIMA: A Dark Side poison. Runs deep. But the Force can heal him. Vima can heal him. 

LEIA: You? But--I thought--

VIMA: Vima was healer once. Vima was JEDI once. For this one....Vima must be Jedi again. 

LEIA: I trust you, Vima. Heal my brother. (re-ignites her 'saber) I'm going to find my children. 

SCENE 4-14  EXT. NEW ALDERAAN BASE - OUTSKIRTS
========================================================
Sound: Door opens. 

NIST: Hurry, you fools. Bring the children quickly. 

GTHULL: We have them, my Lord. 

NIST: Hurry, before those accursed Jedi find us. 

Sound: A lightsaber ignites.

KAM: You've already been found. 

NIST: Kam Solusar. The fallen Dark Side warrior. YOU are no match for five Dark Jedi. 

Sound: A SECOND lightsaber ignites!!

BRAND: He is not alone. 

NIST: (laughs coldly) A traitor and a machine-man? Even two lightsabers are no match for us! 

BRAND: The advantage to being a machine--

Sound: A THIRD!!!!

BRAND:--is that I get to use---

Sound: A FOURTH!!!!

BRAND: ADDITIONAL arms!! 

NIST:  I will guard the children. Dark Siders--destroy them!! 

Sound: A mass scuffle begins, but the Dark Jedi might as well be walking into a spinning set of Ginsu knives. 

KAM: So much for your Dark Jedi! 

NIST: You have not won yet. (bolts) 

KAM: He's getting away!

NIST: (grunting under the weight of Jacen and Jaina) The children are MINE!! 

BRAND: We'll never catch him in time!! 

NIST: And with them, the Emperor will create NEW Dark Jedi. There's my ship, just ahead. I've done it!! I've taken the children!! 

Sound: Two blaster bolts stop Nist dead in his tracks. He crashes to the dirt. 

LEIA: (wielding the blaster, steel in her voice) NO ONE takes my children. 

KAM: (runs up, panting) Leia...are the kids....

LEIA: Come here, darlings. They'll be all right, Kam. 

KAM: Let's get moving. There's a squad of Imperial walkers heading this way. The Emperor's not kidding around. 

LEIA: The automatic defenses will hold them off for a while. Let's find Luke. 

SCENE 4-15  INT. LUKE'S QUARTERS
=============================================
Sound: The Force is rising.....but not very well. Vima is straining to maintain her concentration. 

VIMA: Luke......Luke Skywalker......

LUKE: (groans weakly) 

VIMA: Skywalker, I call you back from the darkness.......

LUKE: (groans louder, stronger....)

VIMA: (effort) Poison is nothing to the Force.......in the Force, no poison can harm you.....hear me......I, Vima-Da-Boda, last descendant of the great Jedi Nomi Sunrider........I CALL YOU BACK!!!! 

LUKE: (gives one more moan) v.....vima......

VIMA: Yes, Skywalker. You have returned. 

LUKE: You.....you saved me. 

VIMA: Vima was Jedi once. Vima was Je--

LUKE: Vima.....IS Jedi NOW. 

Sound: Imperial AT-AT Walkers can now be heard in the far distance. 

LEIA: (comes up) Luke, you're alive!

LUKE: Yes. Thanks to Vima. Where's Jem? 

LEIA: Luke.....she......the Dark Siders....

LUKE: (figures it out) no......oh NO!!!

KAM: Luke, I'm sorry. But we'd better move now, or the same will happen to us. Those Walkers are getting close. 

Sound: The Walkers tear into the camp. Turbolaser fire, screams, etc. 

LEIA: Everyone down!!

KAM: They're here!!

BRAND: RUN!!!

LEIA: Too late. 

Sound: Just as the AT-AT levels on the Jedi----a laser shot from above blows it's head off!!

HAN: (over comm) YEEEHAHH!!!!! 

LUKE: It's the Millenium Falcon! 

Sound: The Falcon goes to town on those Walkers. 

LEIA: And those look like smuggler ships!

SALLA: (over comm) We thought you people could use some help. 

LEIA: Salla....looks like you finally picked a side. 

SALLA: Maybe, Princess Solo. Or maybe I just couldn't pass up a good fight. 

HAN: Leia, get our people together. We've got a cargo shuttle standing by to evacuate.

LEIA: We're ready. 

HAN: Come on, Salla, let's wreck some Imperial Walkers!!

Music: SW Theme plays for a moment. 

SCENE 4-16   INT. MILLENIUM FALCON LIVING AREA, THE FOLLOWING DAY
=================================================================
HAN: So there Chewie and I are, drifting in deep space, broadcasting to every Alliance outpost we know, and what do we hear? 

SALLA: He hears me and other smugglers talking back on a coded Alliance channel!

LEIA: Wedge, you did the right thing giving Salla our comm codes after she rescued your people from Byss. 

WEDGE: It seemed like the right thing to do. But now what?? Aside from the Falcon and three smuggler ships, there's not much left of the Alliance. Where do we go? 

LUKE: I think I can answer that. 

LEIA: Luke, you should be resting. 

LUKE: I'm fine, Leia. Thanks to Vima. Besides, there's no time to rest. We have to establish a new Rebel base. 

LEIA: (a startled gulp) Uh oh.

WEDGE: A new base? What's left of the Rebellion could fit in my garage back on Corellia! 

KAM: Perhaps, but I've got an idea. We should--

LEIA: (grunts, gasping) 

HAN: Leia, are you okay?

LEIA: (effort) I....I think my time is near. 

HAN: It's okay. Luke, give us some coordinates to follow. Chewie's taking us out of hyperspace now. 

Sound: The Falcon leaves hyperspace. 

SCENE 4-17   INT. MILLENIUM FALCON COCKPIT, NOT LONG AFTER
==============================================================
LEIA: (groans) Are we landing soon?  

HAN: We're almost there. 

WEDGE: Where? 

LUKE: Check the viewports. 

WEDGE: It's a city in space! Luke, I've never seen anything like it! 

SALLA: Must be the size of a small moon. 

HAN: Luke, scanners show activity inside. Generators, ion engine output......is this place---

LUKE: (hopeful) I think we'll find someone waiting for us. 

KAM: Luke, that place looks awfully familiar. 

LUKE: Yes, Kam. It's where you and I first fought. It's the abandoned space city--Nespis VIII. 

SCENE 4-18  INT. NESPIS VIII - HANGAR
===============================================
Sound: The Falcon lands, and the hatch opens, with our heroes coming out. Leia's really hurting now. 

HAN: Okay Luke, we're here. 

LEIA: Whoever's waiting better know how to deliver babies......

MON MOTHMA: General Solo!!! Take Princess Leia to the infirmary!!

HAN: Wha--!!

CHEWBACCA: "WELL, WHATTA YA KNOW!!" 

HAN: Mon Mothma!! 

MON MOTHMA: Yes, General Solo? 

HAN: B--Luke, you said they were all dead!

MON MOTHMA: (laughs) We did lose a great deal of equipment, but we were able evacuate Pinnacle Base before it's destruction. Fortunately, we received a warning about the Emperor's new Galaxy Gun from the most surprising source.....

HAN: Who? 

SALLA: (purrs contentedly) Solo. You should KNOW I'm full of surprises. 

HAN: Good ol' Salla. 

LEIA: Um....can we talk about this later?? 

HAN: MAKE WAY!! WE'VE GOT A BABY TO DELIVER!!!

SCENE 4-18  INT. NESPIS VIII - MATERNITY WARD - WAITING ROOM
=============================================================
KAM: (pacing) What could be TAKING them so long? 

LUKE: Patience, Kam. Leia is strong. Besides, they have Vima with them. And I think that old woman can handle anything. 

KAM: Still, I wish a word....(sigh)

Sound: Door opens. 

HAN: It's over. I'm a father again!!! It's a boy!!! 

Sound: From inside, a baby's first wail. 

SCENE 4-19  INT. DELIVERY ROOM
=======================================================
Sound: Our heroes walk in. 

LUKE: Leia.....he's beautiful! 

HAN: Yep. "Han Solo Jr." Isn't he handsome? 

LEIA: (chuckles) Han. His name is Anakin. He will be a great Jedi....like his grandfather. 

HAN: Ooohhh.......okay. "Anakin Solo." I like the sound of that. 

Music: End Theme starts to build.....

HAN: I'd like to hold him. 

LEIA: There you go. 

Sound: The baby gurgles in Han's arms. 

HAN: Luke, I just spoke with Mon Mothma. The Alliance has established docking bays in the lower levels of the space city. 

KAM: Luke--that means we can start transporting Jedi artifacts from Ossus anytime!! 

LUKE: That's good news, Kam. Nespis VIII will mean a new life for the Rebellion. Just like this young boy will mean a new life for the Jedi. 

LEIA: New life, new generations....that's the hope of the future, Luke. 

HAN: I've got a good feeling about this.......By the Force, WE'RE GONNA WIN!!! 

THE END

CAST OF CHARACTERS
=================================================
Luke Skywalker
Wedge Antilles---------------------------------John Cygan
Princess Leia Organa-Solo
Mon Mothma----------------------------------Ann Patricio
Han Solo
King Empatajayos Brand---------------------Joe Hacker
Kam Solusar
Executor Sedriss---------------------------------Jim Ward
Chewbacca--------------------------------------Himself
Emperor Palpatine
Governor Beltane-----------------------------Nick Jameson
Captain Maximillian Veers
Baddon Fass----------------------------------Andy Cowen
Salla Zend
Jem Brogan
Vima Da-Boda-------------------------------Glynnis Talken

Published by Dark Horse Comics, Inc. 

Original comic story by Tom Veitch

Audio adaptation written by John Whitman

Internet transcript by Christopher G. McElroy (mcelroyh@internettport.net) 

Produced and directed by Arthur G. Insana

Executive Producer Maja Thomas

Production Coordinator Sheila Moreland

Creative Director  John Whitman

Sound design by Russel Burt

Engineered by John Kovarek

Sound effects by Ben Burtt

Music composed by John Williams. Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.

Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered at West Valley Studios, Chatsworth, California. 

Copyright 1994, 1997 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. 

Presented by Highbridge Audio.