STAR WARS: Rebellion
Season 1
Galacticic Civil War
Episode 17
Fire and Ice
Edited by Billy Buehler
Excerpts from The Empire Strikes Back written by Leigh Brakett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas.
Excerpts from The Empire Strikes Back: The National Public Radio Dramatization written by Brian Daley, based on a story by George Lucas.
Excerpts from The Empire Strikes Back written by Donald F. Glut, based on a story by George Lucas.
Excerpts from The Empire Strikes Back by Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson, based on a story by George Lucas.
Excerpts from Shadows of the Empire written by Steve Perry.
Excerpts from Shadows of the Empire by Lucasarts Entertainment Company.
Excerpts from Rogue Squadron by Lucasarts Entertainment Company.
Excerpts from Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader by Lucasarts Entertainment Company.
Excerpts from Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike by Lucasarts Entertainment Company.
Additional material written by Billy Buehler.
EXT. SPACE (FX)
Title Card: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away....
A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main title, followed by a roll-up, which crawls into infinity.
EPISODE 14
FIRE AND ICE
It is a dark time for the Rebellion. Pursued relentlessly by Darth Vader and the dreaded Imperial starfleet known as the DEATH SQUADRON, the Rebels have managed to establish a secret base on the frozen, remote world of Hoth.
With their resources stretched thin and desperate for resupplying, the Rebels turn to trusted outsiders and smugglers to supplement their efforts- for without them, the hostile environment of the ice planet will claim them before the Empire can.
Even now, as the Imperial starfleet scours the galaxy for the hidden base, a small convoy of Rebel transport ships seeks to bring urgently needed supplies and reinforcements to Hoth...
PAN DOWN to reveal a Rebel convoy consisting of transports of varying design being escorted by a flight of X-Wing snubfighters. A planet in the Derra system is passed by in the distance.
INT. NARRA’S X-WING - COCKPIT
Piloting the fighter is COMMANDER NARRA, a human male.
Commander Narra: Renegade Flight, this is Renegade Leader. I’m getting interference on my sensors. It just might be Imperial jamming, so maintain close visual scanning. Renegade Four, stay closer to your transport.
Renegade Four: (over comlink) I copy, boss. It’s probably just the atmospherics, cluttering the sensors.
Narra: Transports, keep close together. We go to hyperspace as soon as we’re out of Derra IV’s gravity well. Fighters stick close to the convoy and keep your eyes open, all of you.
Renegade Seven: (over comlink) Renegade Leader, this is Seven. Boss, I have a visual sighting- a number of small craft coming at high velocity, from sector four.
A look of concern appears on NARRA’s face.
Narra: Can you identify them?
INT. RENEGADE SEVEN’S X-WING - COCKPIT
Piloting the fighter is a human male.
Seven: They’re moving awfully- Imperial TIE Fighters! Must be twenty of ‘em!
Narra: (over comlink) Flight, this is Leader. Prepare to engage the TIE fighters. Transports, go to hyperspace as soon as you’re clear of-
Three: (over comlink) This is Renegade Three! Boss, there’s another bunch of ‘em dead ahead on our course! They’re breaking to attack!
Renegade Two: (over comlink) This is Two, more TIEs approaching from sector eight!
Three: (over comlink) They’re all over the place! Here they come!
EXT. SPACE- DERRA IV SYSTEM
The swarm of Imperial TIE Fighters swoop in, attacking both the fighters and the transports. The X-Wings begin to dance between the enemy ships, drawing fire away from the transports.
Narra: (over comlink) Three, Four, Five and Six: Get up and clear the way for the transports. The rest of you protect the convoy.
Enemy fire skims nearby NARRA’s fighter.
INT. NARRA’S X-WING - COCKPIT
Narra: (cont’d) And keep close to your wingmen! Transports, run for it! Maximum acceleration! Alright, Renegade Flight, hit’em!
EXT. SPACE- DERRA IV SYSTEM
The skirmish grows as the transports begin taking heavy fire.
Three: (over comlink) Watch it, Renegade Two!
Two: (over comlink) I see him!
A TIE Fighter picks up RENEGADE SEVEN.
Four: One on your tail, Seven! Cut right! Cut right!
INT. RENEGADE SEVEN’S X-WING - COCKPIT
Seven: Get him off me!
EXT. SPACE- DERRA IV SYSTEM
RENEGADE FOUR’s X-Wing blasts the TIE Fighter
Four: (over comlink) Got him!
INT. RENEGADE SEVEN’S X-WING - COCKPIT
Seven: Boss, we can’t stop them! There’s too many!
Three: (over comlink) Boss, they just got Ketku!
Narra: (over comlink) Protect the transports ! The transports have to get through! Repeat-
An explosion shine sthrough SEVEN’s cockpit.
Seven: They’re all over us! They just got transports number two! Where are they coming from?!
Three: (over comlink) I’m hit! Lost both portside engines!
INT. NARRA’S X-WING - COCKPIT
Narra: Keep going!
Four: (over comlink) Star Destroyer!!!
EXT. SPACE- DERRA IV SYSTEM
An Imperial Star Destroyer appears in the system as it exits from a microjump from hyperspace. It begins lancing green laser fire at the transports.
INT. RENEGADE THREE’S X-WING - COCKPIT
Three: This is Renegade Three; They’re four TIE Fighters on me! Help me, Somebody! I can’t shake ‘em!
RENEGADE TRHEE screams as his ship explodes.
INT. NARRA’S X-WING - COCKPIT
Narra: Three!
Two: (over comlink) He’s gone, Boss...
Four: (over comlink) They’res no way out! They’re all around us!
EXT. SPACE- DERRA IV SYSTEM
One of the convoy’s larger transports erupts in flames.
INT. NARRA’S X-WING - COCKPIT
Two: (over comlink) The lead transport just blew!
Seven: (over comlink) Boss, there’s a bunch of them heading for you!
Narra: OK, that’s it- try to make a run for it!
EXT. SPACE- DERRA IV SYSTEM
A TIE Fighter drops in behind NARRA’s X-Wing.
INT. NARRA’S X-WING - COCKPIT
Narra: (cont’d) All ships: This is Commander Narra. Break contact and escape if you can! Break contact and run for it-
NARRA lets loose a final scream as his fighter explodes.
>>COMMERCIAL BREAK 1<<
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - REBEL BRIEFING ROOM
The Command Staff of Echo Base is gathered in a conference area off to the side of the main command center. Present are: GENERAL RIEEKIAN, GENERAL MCQUARRIE, PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA, MAJOR BREN DERLIN, MAJOR PALO TORSHAN, SHAWN VALDEZ and TIGRAN JAMIRO.
Major Bren Derlin: Even though air defenses are vital to the security of this base, operating conditions here on Hoth are so severe that we simply can’t use our speeders without modifications- but Voorson and his techs have assured me that they can have the speeders adapted and ready to operate within another day at the most, Princess Leia.
Princess Leia: And the base defenses?
Derlin: Nearly complete, at least as complete a defensive and offensive system as we can manage right now. Lieutenant Commander Skywalker and the others have practically all the sensors in place for a regional warning network. As time allows, we can expand it.
Rieekan: How do we stand on cold weather clothing and other gear, Major Derlin?
Derlin: We’ve managed to procure or improvise enough for everyone in the base, General Rieekian. And so, Your Highness; gentlemen; that’s our current status.
Rieekan: We’re short of just about everything, including sleep, but we’ve almost completed drilling of the ice caverns, and the base is close to completion. And when the convoy arrives, we’ll be in far better shape. Is there anything else, gentlemen?
The staff murmurs a negative.
Rieekan: Your HIghness? You have anything to add?
Leia: Just one thing, General: I think that everyone in Echo Base is bearing up as bravely now as they ever did in battle. I hope that all of you here will pass that along for me.
The staff gives their thanks and assurances that they will.
Rieekan: Our next staff meeting will be at the same time tommorow. We all have a great deal to accomplish by then. Dismissed.
The staff breaks up as they exit- conversing in low tones as they do so.
Leia: They’re all worried, even though they’re trying to not let it show.
Rieekan: They know there’s alot to be done yet, and that this base is the Rebellion’s best chance to regroup and reorganize. Maybe it’s last.
A communications officer, ROMAS NAVANDER, approaches the edge of the conference area from the command center.
Romas Navander: General Rieekian! Urgent message for you, sir. They’re decoding it now.
Rieekan: Pardon me, Your Highness. I’ll be right back.
RIEEKIAN moves off towards ROMAS and the command center.
Leia: I’ll speak to you later, General. I have to make certain that-
LUKE approaches her.
Luke: Leia! Hey, Princess! Wait up!
Leia: Hello, Luke.
Luke: Glad I caught you. I was wondering- how you were getting along.
Leia: I-we’re trying to pull things back together. Everyone’s been so busy...
Luke: Yeah, me too. That’s why I told Threepio and Artoo to stay close to you, help out when they could.
Leia: You told them - to help me?
Luke: They’re glad to do it. I mean, they used to belong to my Uncle, but they sort of belong to both of us, now.
Leia: I guess so.
Luke: Leia, I’m not due to go back outside for a while yet.
Han Solo: (V.O., approaching) Hey, is this the staff conference?
Luke: Uh, I was thinking if you had a little time...
Leia: Luke, I really have to see about some things that just can’t-
HAN SOLO and CHEWBACCA enter the conference area.
Han: Where is everybody? Luke! Hey, kid!
Luke: Oh, h’lo Han, Chewie.
CHEWBACCA grunts a greeting.
Han: Where’d the General go?
Luke: He was headed over to-
Han: Aw, nevermind; Her Overwhelming Highnessness here’ll do.
Leia: Now what, Han?
Han: Have me ‘n Chewie been pulling out weight around here or not?
Luke: (clears his throat)
Leia: Han, what’s wrong with you? Nobody ever said you and Chewbacca weren’t-
Han: When the Millenium Falcon got shot up, that last time around, I knew I’d have to wait in line for repairs. But they’ve got the base’s defensive generators in place now, and the ion cannon.
CHEWBACCA howls a reminder at him.
Han: Huh? Oh yeah, and like Chewie says: the trenches and gun emplacements are all set up, too.
Luke: (Ahems louder)
Leia: They still have to make sure the energy field is working, and adapt the airspeeders to conditions on Hoth. Those just take priority right now, even over the Falcon.
Han: Look, I need a starship that works. I got her messed up helping you guys, is this what you get for helping a Rebel?-
Leia: Aren’t you a Rebel, Han? Or do you and Chewbacca still consider yourselves independent operators?
CHEWBACCA groans.
Han: Look, we get a little jittery when the Falcon doesn’t work right. And you need her, too. All you’ve got here in Echo Base are some X-Wing fighters and a few medium transports.
Leia: Yes, we need ships. We need provisions. We need clothing, equipment...
Luke: Han, most of the techs and engineers are dead on their feet, and they still can’t keep up with all the work that has to be finished before the base can be-
Han: Luke, me and Chewie would’ve had the Falcon fixed already, by ourselves. Except that I’ve been riding all over the snowball with you, pal, on those stupid, smelly, ornery tauntauns!
Luke: Don’t let Corman hear you talking about his tauntauns like that.
Han: He already has.
Leia: Those warning sensors have to be set in place, and you and Luke are the best riders we have.
Han: I’ve heard all this before, if you’ll remember...
Luke: Han, nobody’s twisted your arm to stay on. Aren’t you the one who always says a deal’s a deal?
CHEWBACCA snorts gruffly.
Han: Well- are you saying it was part of the deal for the Falcon to be sitting there, outta commission, when-
RIEEKIAN approaches.
Rieekan: Glad to see you’re so full of energy, Captain Solo. It can’t be much fun, being out in that freezing wind day after day.
Han: Oh, uh, hello, General, sir.
CHEWBACCA greets the General.
Rieekan: (cont’d) Hello, Chewbacca. Your Highness, it’s just as well you’re still here. They just decoded the message. In fact, you all might as well hear this.
Luke: What is it, General? What’s wrong?
Rieekan: A huge force of TIE fighters jumped Commander Narra and the convoy off Derra IV. Cut them to pieces. There were no survivors.
Leia: No...we need them so badly. We need every one of them so badly.
CHEWBACCA hoots mournfully.
Han: Quiet, Chewie.
Rieekan: Luke, this bumps you up to Commander.
Luke: I-the boss was a great man...
Han: It’s a rotten way to step into somebody’s shoes, Luke- I know. But you can handle the job. That’s why you’ve got it.
Leia: Luke, I know how much you respected Commander Narra. But he respected you, too; that’s why he put yuou in command of Rogue Flight.
Rieekan: This means no resupply, at least for a while, and no snubfighter reinforcement either. Rogue Flight’s just about all we’ve got.
Luke: Then we’re gonna need whatever else we have. General, can you spare some techs to help Chewbacca work on the Falcon? Or even some repair droids? Whatever you can manage.
Rieekan: I’ll do what I can, Luke. I’ll be in the command center, Your Highness.
Leia: I’ll join you shortly.
RIEEKIAN departs the area.
Han: Let’s go, Luke. We’re a little early, but we’ve got a lotta sensors to place today. I’ll get the tauntauns saddled and we can go work on our suntans. C’mon, Chewie.
HAN and CHEWIE depart. CHEWIE growls briefly.
Leia: Luke, I’m glad you’re here. We’ll need you more than ever, now.
Luke: The boss was one of the best- he was one of the best we had.
Leia: I know.
Luke: I’d better catch up with Han. There’s so much to do...
Leia: I’ll see you later, Luke.
LUKE smiles before heading out the door after HAN. LEIA turns slowly and heads back towards the command center.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
LEIA walks past COMMANDER REY and GENERAL MCQUARRIE.
Commander Rey: General McQuarrie?
General McQuarrie: Yes, Commander?
Commander: General, I wanted to speak to you about a security measure I’d like to suggest.
McQuarrie: Problem with your docking bay?
Rey: Not exactly, sir. But I’m concerned any further departures from the system at this point in time, while we’re still vulnerable to bombardment, is potentially dangerous. I feel we shouldn’t allow any more ships to leave the system until the shield is activated.
McQuarrie: That’s not going to go over well with our more independent pilots deliverying supplies...but you might be right, nonetheless. I’ll speak to General Rieekian about it.
Rey: Thank you, General.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - HANGAR BAY - SIDE CORRIDOR
Utility carts rove by as repair machinery echoes in the docking bay area. PRINCESS LEIA walks by as she is approached by MAJOR PALO TORSHAN.
Palo Torshan: Princess Leia! Your Highness!
Princess Lea: Yes, what is it?
Torshan: Princess, General Rieekan would like to see you in the command center as soon as possible.
Leia: I’ll be right there. Threepio! Artoo!
The protocol and astromech droids approach her.
See-Threepio: Yes, Your Highness?
Leia: Do either of you know if Luke or Han have gotten back yet?
Threepio: They haven’t returned as yet, but they are due at any moment.
Leia: Would you tell them I’d like to speak to them?
Threepio: Most certainly, Your Highness. Oh, and Artoo and I have moved your new communication unit into your quarters
Artoo: (beeps)
Threepio: Artoo says it is functioning perfectly.
Leia: Thank you both. You’ve been a great help.
Artoo: (whistles a “you’re welcome”)
Threepio: A pleasure to be of service. Is there anything else we can do?
LEIA begins to move off.
Leia: Not just now, but please see that Luke and Han get my message.
Threepio: (calls after her) You may rely on us!
Artoo: (tweedles a warning)
Threepio: What did you say, Artoo? Who’s coming?
Artoo: (beeps a reply)
Threepio: Oh, yes, it’s that bothersome coordinating droid again. Honestly, Artoo, it’s so degrading that a droid with speech capability should be such a dullard!
The COORDINATOR DROID approaches the two and speaks to them in a lustless voice.
Coordinator Droid: Unit Artoo-Detoo, Unit See-Threepio.
Artoo: (bridles)
Threepio: Quite right, Artoo! (to Coordinator) You know perfectly well who we are!
Coordinator Droid: Confirm. Unit Artoo-Detoo, unit-
Threepio: Very well, very well! Confirmed! And top referring to us as “units”!
Coordinator Droid: Unit Artoo-Detoo reassigned to cavern-drilling operations. Unit See-Threepio reassigned to communications center.
Artoo: (shocked and angry beeping)
Threepio: I’ll deal with this, Artoo! Now, just you see here! Artoo and I are personal aides to Commander Skywalker and Princess Organa!
Coordinator Droid: Irrelevant. Reassignment is ordered.
Threepio: Do you have any idea to whom you are speaking, you object? Why, my counterpart and I were the ones who saved the Death Star plans! And we helped rescue the princess.
Artoo: (burbles a reminder)
Threepio: What? Oh yes. And I’ll have you know that Artoo here was in that X-Wing fighter when our master blew up the Death Star! Confirm that, you rusting bureaucrat!
Coordinator Droid: Data not relevant.
Threepio: Not relevant, is it? Then allow me to tell you what is relevant. We have been given an assignment by Princess Leia Organa herself. If you want to countermand her order, go and argue with her!
Coordinator Droid: Princess Leia Organa?
Threepio: Confirmed! So, go bother her. She’ll probably have you deactivated.
Artoo: (gives the droid a raspberry)
Coordinator Droid: Reassignment rescinded.
Threepio: Hah! That’s more like it! Bad enough that we have to live in these ice caverns, without having to contend with the likes of you. Why, just now we found the princess’s room freezingly cold. If we hadn’t turned up the heating system, she might have caught-
Coordinator Droid: Confirm: heat increased?
Threepio: (cont’d) -her death of- eh? That’s what I said isn’t it? If she and our master didn’t have us to look after them, there’s no telling-
Coordinator Droid: Error. Error. Increased heat causes melting of cavern walls. Malfunction possible. Damage possible.
Threepio: What? Oh! oh, dear! Come along, Artoo! I hope it’s not too late! What have you done?
Artoo: (makes a protesting noise)
The two droids head off away from the COORDINATOR DROID.
Threepio: What do you mean, my fault? You’re the one who adjusted the system. Oh, this is dreadful!
EXT. HOTH - SNOW PLAIN - DAY
A meteorite-like object plummets from the sky and impacts upon the snow-covered ground in a explosive crash. A strange, mechanical noise rises out of the smoking crater as a PROBE DROID floats up into the air and hovers a couple feet off the ground. It begins to glide across the terrain as two sensor antennas extend from it’s top dome.
Fragments of a transmission are intercepted by it:
Han: (transmission over static) -are placed- going back.
Luke: (transmission over static) -see y- short- meteorite th- it- ground near here-check it ou- wo- take lon-
The PROBE DROID stops momentarily as it changes course and speeds off in that direction.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
Rebel troopers rush about unloading supplies and otherwise securing their new base. Deck Officer TAMIZANDER REY walks around a T-47 snowspeeder being serviced and modfifed by several techs as his personal comlink beeps for his attention.
Cal Alder: (over comlink) Outpost four to Deck Officer. Alder to Deck Officer.
Tamizander Rey: (into comlink) Deck Officer here.
Cal: (over comlink) Rey, we have a positive ID on that tauntaun rider, it’s Captain Solo. We passed him through the defensive zone. He’ll be at your location any time now.
Tamizander: (into comlink) Right. I’ll pass the word. (calling off) Sentry!
A trooper turns to face TAMIZANDER.
Jess Allashane: Yes, sir!
Tamizander: You can let that tauntain rider in right away, Jess.
Jess: Right, sir!
Tamizander: (into his comlink again) Command center, this is Deck Officer Rey.
A female voice answers.
Toryn Farr: (over comlink) Command center here.
Tamizander: (into comlink) Captain Solo’s back, Ma’am. No sign of Commander Skywalker yet.
Toryn: (over comlink) Right. Have Solo report here at once.
Tamizander: (into comlink) Will do. Tamizander out.
TAMIZANDER turns off his comlink as HAN SOLO arrives on his tauntaun. The tauntaun comes to a stop as it whines and snorts.
Tamizander: One of you men take his reins!
A tauntaun handler approaches SOLO’s mount.
Corman Quien: Here, I’ll take ‘em. Steady, girl!
CORMAN grabs the reins as HAN swings off his lizard and pulls off his goggles.
Han: Thanks, Corman.
Tamizander: (approaching) Captain Solo.
Han: Yeah?
Tamizander: They want you and Commander Skywalker in the command center, Captain.
Han: Tell ‘em I’ll be along in a bit. Luke’ll be back any minute. Is my ship fixed yet?
Tamizander: I don’t think so, sir. They had to pull the techs off her for some problems they’re having with the snowspeeders.
Han: Oh, swell. That really takes the prize.
Tamizander: Your first mate is working on her, though.
Han: Thanks. Tell command I’ll be right there after I check on my ship.
HAN walks off into the main hangar deck toward the Millennium Falcon, which is parked among several fighters. Mechanics, R2 units, and various other droids hurry about.
Tamizander: But the General said he wanted-
He gives up and returns to his other duties.
EXT. ICE PLAIN OF HOTH - DAY
The sinister-looking PROBE DROID moves across the vast frozen wilderness. One of its extended sensors detects something and the robot stops, turns and heads off in another direction, at high speed. The robot stops before a large mound of snow about twenty feet long and six feet high. It circles the mound, then shoots a thin laser bolt at the snowdrift. The mound shakes a little bit and two large eyes appear at one end, staring directly at the robot. A primeval bellow issues forth from the mound.
The robot backs off a few feet, then blasts the mound with several heavy laser bolts that vaporizes the snow covering the creature before dropping the creature to the ground in a field of smoke and flame. The PROBE DROID moves off toward the horizon, continuing it’s mission.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
A makeshift command center has been set up in a blasted area of thick ice. The low-ceilinged room is a beehive of activity. Controllers, troops, and droids move about setting up electronic equipment and monitoring radar signals. GENERAL RIEEKAN looks over the command consoles. PRINCESS LEIA, standing at a console nearby, is dressed in a short white combat jacket and pants. Her hair is braided across her head in a Nordic fashion.
Leia: Yes, what is it, General?
Rieekan: We had a signal on the sensors a few minutes ago, but it’s gone now- reception’s getting worse as that storm approaches.
Leia: Could it have been distortion? Or equipment malfunction?
Rieekan: The monitors only had it on their scopes for a moment, then they lost it. They could have been wrong.
Leia: Perhaps we should send out patrols.
Rieekan: Our Snowspeeders still aren’t ready, and sending people out in that storm on tauntauns would cost us lives. Solo and Skywalker are the last men we have out there. When they return, we’ll seal the shield doors and keep a close watch on the sensors, to see if whatever it was shows up again.
Leia: If it does?
Rieekan: Depends on when and where it does. There’s not a great deal we can do with night coming on.
Commander Beryl Chiffanage: Princess Organa?
LEIA walks over to CHIFFANAGE’s console as HAN enters the room.
Leia: Commander Chiffanage, what is it?
Chiffanage: I’ve got a few more snowspeeder offensives we might be able to use in conjunction with that Attack Pattern Delta I mentioned to you before and I wanted to review a few things with you.
RIEEKAN straightens up from a console as HAN approaches.
Riekeen: Solo?
Han: No sign of life out there, General. The sensors are in place. You'll know if anything comes around.
Rieekan: Commander Skywalker reported in yet?
Han: No. He's checking out a meteorite that hit near him.
Rieekan: (indicates radar screen) With all the meteor activity in this system, it's going to be difficult to spot approaching ships.
Taking a deep breath, HAN blurts out what is on his mind.
Han: General, I've got to leave. I can't stay anymore.
LEIA overhears their conversation and seems somewhat distressed.
Rieekan: I'm sorry to hear that.
Han: Well, there's a price on my head. If I don't pay off Jabba the Hutt, I'm a dead man.
Rieekan: A death mark's not an easy thing to live with.
RIEEKAN smirks as he shakes SOLO's hand.
Rieekan: You're a good fighter, Solo. I hate to lose you.
Han: Thank you, General.
HAN turns to LEIA as RIEEKAN moves away.
Han: Well, Your Highness, I guess this is it.
Leia: That's right.
Leia is angry. Han sees she has no warmth to offer him. He shakes his head and adopts a sarcastic tone.
Han: Well, don't get all mushy on me. So long, Princess.
Han walks away into the quiet corridor adjoining the command center. Leia stews a moment, then hurries after him. She calls after him, which carries back into the command center.
Leia: Han!
A senior logistics officer approaches GENERAL RIEEKAN.
Tigran Jamiro: General.
Rieekan: (nods) Jamiro.
Tigran: Sir, I just recieved word from the tauntaun pens- there was another tauntaun killed earlier today.
Rieekan: Another one? How?
Tigran: Same as the others- a broken neck. We think it might be some kind of predator, but we’ve got a medical droid looking at the body to see if we can find out anything more specific.
Rieekan: And here I thought we only were supposed to worrying about the Imperials. Double security patrols in that area and have Torshan or Derlin set up a couple anti-personnel cannons in the corridors outside the holding pen- in case whatever this is tries to get further into the base.
Tigran: Yes, sir.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - ICE CORRIDOR
LEIA and HAN stand in the corridor, in mid-argument. LEIA stares at him, suddenly understanding something, then laughs.
Leia: You're imagining things.
Han: Am I? Then why are you following me? Afraid I was going to leave without giving you a goodbye kiss?
Leia: I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee!
Han has had it with this broad. He stands face to face with her, yelling.
Han: I can arrange that!
Angrily, HAN strides down the corridor as LEIA stares after him. HAN yells back to her.
Han: You could use a good kiss!
HAN continues to walk away as LEIA heads back to the command center, agitated. Behind both of them, unnoticed, an arm of a WAMPA Ice Monster suddenly breaks through s seemingly solid section of ice wall.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
The hangar is full of activity as HAN approaches CHEWBACCA, who is working on repairing part of the Falcon.
Han: Hey, Chewie! You got her fixed yet?
CHEWBACCA replies in a short howl.
Han: I want out of this place . We’re getting off this snowball right now, before they close the shield door for the night.
CHEWBACCA woofs a question.
Han: Because I’m sick of this planet, that’s why! Because Jabba’s hunting for our heads! And because I’m an expert at saying good-bye! Now warm her up and let’s raise ship!
CHEWBACCA barks.
Han: What?
CHEWBACCA barks again as SEE-THREEPIO and ARTOO-DETOO approach.
Threepio: (distant) Oh, switch off!
Han: The hyperdrive?! Why'd you take this apart now?!? I'm trying to get us out of here and you pull both of these!!
CHEWIE grumbles in irritation.
Threepio: Excuse me, sir--
Han: (to Chewie) Put them back together right now!!
Threepio: Might I have a word with you, please?
Han: What do you want?
Threepio: Well, it's Princess Leia, sir. She's been trying to get you on the communicator.
Han: I turned it off. I don't want to talk to her.
Threepio: Oh. Well, Princess Leia is wondering about Master Luke. He hasn't come back yet. She doesn't know where he is.
Han: I don't know where he is.
Threepio: Nobody knows where he is.
Han: What do you mean, "nobody knows"?
Threepio: Well, uh, you see...
Han: Deck Officer. Deck Officer!
Threepio: Excuse me, sir. Might I inqu--
Han abruptly puts his hand over Threepio's mouth as TAMIZANDER approaches.
Tamizander: Yes, sir?
Han: Do you know where Commander Skywalker is?
Tamizander: I haven't seen him. It's possible he came in through the south entrance.
Han: It's possible? Why don't you go find out? It's getting dark out there.
Tamizander: Yes, sir.
TAMIZANDER leaves hurriedly, as Han takes his hand off Threepio's mouth. Artoo lets out a confused whistle.
Threepio: Excuse me, sir. Might I inquire what's going on?
Han: Why not?
HAN walks off.
Threepio: Impossible man. Come along, Artoo, let's find Princess Leia. Between ourselves, I think Master Luke is in considerable danger.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - TAUNTAUN PEN
TIGRAN, JEROEN WEBB and several TROOPERS inspect the mangled remains of a dead Tauntaun. Some of the hardware nearby has also been brutally pulled out of shape. Several surviving Tauntauns shuffle nervously nearby. Outside the light is slowly fading. CORMAN QUIEN tries to steady some of the tauntauns.
Jeroen: ...I can't imagine, sir. It’s neck is broken.
TIGRAN nods, then notices Han running up and steps out of the group to meet him.
Tigran: Sir, Commander Skywalker hasn't come in through the south entrance. He might have forgotten to check in.
Han: Not likely. Are the speeders ready?
Tigran: Not yet. We're having some trouble adapting them to the cold.
Han: Then we'll have to go out on Tauntauns.
Tigran: Sir, the temperature's dropping too rapidly.
Han: That's right. And my friend's out in it.
Corman: I'll cover sector twelve.
Jeroen: Have com-control set screen alpha.
Han pushes through the troops and mounts a Tauntaun. Huge monster feet move into the shadows of one of the X-Wing bays.
Tigran: Your Tauntaun'll freeze before you reach the first marker.
Han: Then I'll see you in hell!! Ya!
HAN maneuvers his mount out of the cave and races into the dark bitter night.
>>COMMERCIAL BREAK 2<<
EXT. HOTH - SNOW PLAIN - DUSK
A small, lone figure riding a Tauntaun races through the hostile vastness of snow and cold. As it runs, the Tauntaun's legs kick up large clouds of snow and ice into the snowy air.
EXT. HOTH - SNOW PLAIN - DUSK
The dark PROBE DROID moves across the frozen floor of the Hoth plain. The wind is beginning to pick up, and snow starts to cake on the front of the robot. It stops, hovers, then drops to the ground. Several probes emerge from its metal hull and a dome shaped force field around the robot begins to glow. Eventually, the force field becomes a solid shape and is quickly covered with the blowing snow.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK - ENTRANCE - NIGHT
PRINCESS LEIA stands inside the dark entrance to the Rebel base, waiting for a sign of the two Rebel heroes. She shivers in the cold wind as, nearby, CHEWIE sits with his head in his hands. In the background, ARTOO and THREEPIO move through the doors.
CAL ALDER moves to MAJOR BREN DERLIN, an officer keeping watch with the princess.
Cal: Sir, all the patrols are in. Still no-
BREN motions with his hand to keep his voice down so that the princess won’t overhear them. THREEPIO and ARTOO approach LEIA.
Alder: (cont’d) Still no contact from Skywalker or Solo.
Threepio: Mistress Leia, Artoo says he's been quite unable to pick up any signals, although he does admit that his own range is far too weak to abandon all hope.
Derlin: Your Highness, there's nothing more we can do tonight. The shield doors must be closed.
LEIA nods an acknowledgment, but she is lost in thought. DERLIN turns to ALDER.
Derlin: Close the doors.
Alder: Yes, sir.
EXT. HOTH - SNOW DRIFT - DUSK
The wind is blowing quite strong now. HAN pulls up and leaps off his mount as he spots the unconcious body of LUKE. He hurries to his snow-covered friend, cradling him in his arms. HAN's tauntaun lets out a low, pitiful bellow. But HAN's concern is with LUKE, and he shakes him urgently.
Han: Luke! Luke! Don't do this, Luke. Come on, give me a sign here.
LUKE doesn't respond. HAN begins frantically rubbing and slapping LUKE's unconscious face. As he starts to lift the youth, HAN hears a rasping sound behind him. He turns, just in time to see his tauntaun stagger and then fall over into the snow. HAN carries Luke to the moaning beast. Then, with a final groan, the tauntaun expires.
Han: Not much time.
He pushes Luke's inert form against the belly of the dead beast.
Luke: (moaning) Ben... Ben...
Han: Hang on, kid.
Luke: Dagobah system...
HAN grabs LUKE’s lightsaber and ignites it before using the glowing blue blade of energy to cut the beast’s belly open. He deactivates the weapon, then lifts LUKE's inert form and begins to stuff him inside the carcass.
Han: (reeling from the odor) Whew...
Luke: Dagobah...
Han: This may smell bad, kid...
Luke: (moaning) Yoda...
Han: ...but it will keep you warm... 'til I get the shelter built. (struggling to get Luke inside the carcass) Ohh...and I thought....they smelled bad....on the outside!
The wind has picked up considerably, making it difficult to move. Han removes a pack from the dead creature's back, taking out a shelter container. He begins to set up what can only be a pitiful protection against a bitter Hoth night.
Han: If I don’t get this up, Jabba won’t need those bounty hunters...
INT. HOTH - SHELTER - NIGHT
A muted howling of wind can be heard from inside the shelter.
Han: (into comlink) This is Solo to base, Solo to base.
He only receives static in response.
Han: (into comlink) (cont’d) Command center, I don’t know if you can read me, but I’ve got Luke. He’s alive, but my tauntaun’s down for good. We’re in an emergency shelter. Do you copy?
More static replies.
Han: (into comlink) (cont’d) The storm’s kicking up pretty bad. I don’t know if this hut can take it. Just do your best for us, you guys.
LUKE begins to stir, the groans. HAN shuts off the comlink.
Luke: Han?
Han: Lay quiet, Luke; There’s not much room in here.
Luke: Han, I can’t see!
Han: You’re snowblind, Luke. But it’ll pass. We’ll get you taken care of soon, I promise. And keep that thermal wrap around you.
Luke: Han (laughs) It would be you. How’d you find me?
Han: Snoozing in the snow, that’s how I found you.
Luke: Nice going. You have some sense of timing. Where are we?
Han: Emergency shelter, north side of the glacier field.
Luke: You think this thing will hold up?
Han: Well, I’m sort of hoping for the best, buddy.
Luke: We picked a great time to field-test it, huh?
Han: Perfect. How you feeling?
Luke: Oh, terrific. How’d you get here?
Han: Tauntaun. Wasn’t any other way. She didn’t make it though.
Luke: So we’re here until the weather breaks?
Han: That’s about it.
Luke: Can’t feel much.
Han: Aw, you’re gonna be okay. There’s not a lot more I can do for you with the med-kit, but they’ll put you through nerve-therapy, dunk you in a bacta tank, and you’ll be as good as-
Luke: Too bad the nearest one is a couple kilometers away through a blizzard.
Han: No more talking like that! You’re gonna make it, y’hear? What happened to your face anyways? You look like you walked through a turboprop.
Luke: An ice creature of some kind. It jumped me on the ridge and killed my mount.
Han: I hope you killed it right back.
Luke: It seemed like the right thing to do at the time but- (sniffs) What smells so bad in here?
Han: You. You spent a little time inside my tauntaun while I was having a house-raising party.
Luke: I guess you can cancel all my social engagements for the evening.
Han: You were mumbling about Ben when I found you.
Luke: I went through strange dreams, or a hallucination or- something. I’m not sure exactly what happened to me, Han.
Han: Don’t let it throw you.
Luke: What’s your excuse this time?
Han: Huh? For what?
Luke: Coming out after me. I guess you can’t claim it was for money this time.
Han: I’ll figure something out.
Luke: I bet you will. Y’know, when General Rieekan told me the boss was killed off Derra IV, and told me that I’m a squadron commander now-
Han: Yeah?
Luke: It hit me kind of hard.
Han: Yeah, I noticed.
Luke: Yeah, and I walked away, to come out on this patrol, without remembering to say good-bye to Leia. I wish I’d gotten to say good-bye to her, Han.
Han: I’ve got an idea, pal: Why don’t you just settle down and relax? The shelter’s gonna hold and tommorow- you can say hello to her instead.
EXT. ICE PLAIN - HOTH - DAWN
The huge dim sun of Hoth crawls lazily over the horizon in the North as a spurt of snow shoots skyward, revealing the dark probe robot. The sinister object pulls in several of its extended arms, hovers for a few moments, then starts off across the bleak Hoth plain.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK - ENTRANCE - DAWN
LEIA approaches RIEEKAN.
Leia: What’s the status on the snowspeeders, General?
Rieekan: Deen Voorson says the last modifications have been made.
Leia: Any contact with Luke or Han?
Rieekan: I’m afraid not. But the outside temperature is beginning to rise. We’re going to open the shield door and launch as soon as we can.
Leia: What do you think their chances are?
Rieekan: Solo had survival gear with him. But if he didn’t manage to find Commander Skywalker- we can only hope for the best.
Leia: We must find them, General. We’ve all come through too much together.
Rieekan: We’re going to try, Leia. Everyone in those speeders has served with Luke and Han.
Leia: Those two saved my life, did you know that? I was in a cell on the Death Star, and they burst through a door and set me free. I thought I was about to die, and they saved me.
Rieekan: That raid is something of a legend in the Rebellion by now, Your Highness.
Leia: (quietly) What if we don’t find them?
Rieekan: With all respect, Leia, you know you answer to that.
TIGRAN JAMIRO approaches them.
Tigran: General! The techs say that the outside temperature is within operational limits for the speeders. We’re ready to open the main shield door and launch. Everybody’s itching to get out there and start looking, sir.
Rieekan: Open and launch, Jamiro. Right now.
Tigran: Yessir! (to off in the background) Commander Rey! Open main shield door!
The main door creaks and grinds as it begins to open up, revealing the rising sun in the distance.
Leia: Do you ever have doubts, Carlist? About what we are doing? The Rebellion has cost us so many lives.
Rieekan: I was a line officer for Alderaan under the Republic, Your Highness; I’m a General in the Rebel Alliance by necessity. I’ve never gotten used to losing people under my command, and I hope I never do. But I believed in the Old Republic. I will never be a subject of the Empire. Never.
Crewman: (in background) Rogue Flight, prepare to launch!
The sound of the snowspeeders firing up whines through the docking bay as the shield door finishes opening.
Rieekan: Strange to see them flying without Luke.
Crewman: Rogue Two, go!
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE TWO - COCKPIT
ZEV SENESCA looks forward as he braces for the acceleration.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK - ENTRANCE - DAWN
The first snowspeeder’s engine revs as it blasts out of the cavernous docking bay.
Crewman: Rogue Three, go!
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
WEDGE ANTILLES readies for the thrust.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK - ENTRANCE - DAWN
The second snowspeeder follows the first.
Crewman: Rogue Four, go!
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE FOUR - COCKPIT
DEREK “HOBBIE” KLIVIAN also prepares himself.
INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK - ENTRANCE - DAWN
The third launches.
INT. HOTH - SHELTER - DAWN
HAN continues to try the comlink for a response. The storm has stopped outside.
Han: (into comlink) Echo Base, this is Solo. Is everybody taking a nap back there?
Luke: Yelling into the comlink won’t help Han. Why don’t you try choking it?
Han: Give it a rest, will ya? I’m trying to hitch us a ride here.
The shelter creaks.
Luke: Right. I’ll need all my strength when this shelter caves in on us from the weight of all that ice.
Han: Look, I don’t need you to depress me. I can depress myself. At least the door is still clear. (into comlink) Solo to base. Are you guys really looking for us, or are we just kind of a hobby?
Luke: (groans)
Han: You alright?
Luke: No, I’m not. I think I’ll ask the Alliance for a raise.
Han: Well, shut up and keep still. I can’t give you another stim-shot; the med-kit says you’re at the limit right now.
Luke: You were always terrible at rescues, Han.
Han: Oh, yeah? You could do better?
Luke: Couldn’t anybody?
Zev Senesca: (over comlink) -tain Solo, do you copy? This is Rogue Two.
Han: Hey, alright!
Luke: Zev.
Zev Senesca: (over comlink) Commander Skywalker, do you copy? This is Rogue Two.
Han: (into comlink) Good morning! Nice of you guys to drop by!
Zev: (over comlink) Echo Base, this is Rogue Two. I’ve found them, repeat, I’ve found them!
Luke: Then again, Solo, maybe you’re not so bad at this rescue stuff after all.
Han: That’s more like it. Practice; the secret is practice, my friend.
Luke: Crack the door seal, Han. I want to hear.
HAN cracks the seal.
Han: I’m gonna play you-
He opens the door.
Han: (cont’d) -some of the sweetest music that you;re ever gonna hear!
Luke: (laughs)
HAN goes outside as the whine and thunder of the craft travels into the shelter.
EXT. HOTH - SNOWDRIFT - DAY
The small shelter HAN set up is covered with snow on the windward side. A makeshift antenna rests gingerly on top the snowdrift. HAN spots ZEV's snowspeeder approaching in the distance, and begins waving his arms frantically at the tiny craft.
INT. REBEL BASE - MEDICAL CENTER
A robotic surgeon named TOO-ONEBEE adjusts a mass of electronic equipment. A switch is thrown and a sudden blinding flash obscures LUKE in a bacta tank filled with a thick, gelatinous slime. He begins to thrash about.
INT. MEDICAL CENTER OBSERVATION ROOM - REBEL BASE
LEIA, THREEPIO, and CHEWBACCA are watching from a glassed-off room next door, where HAN is resting on a cushioned medical table. HAN raises himself on the table as CHEWBACCA makes him lie back down, then barks a comment in reference to LUKE.
Han: The kid ran into something mean, and it wasn't the cold.
Leia: Those creatures he keeps talking about... we'd better double the security. Han, I don't know how--
Han: Forget it.
TOO-ONEBEE, a surgeon droid, enters the room.
Onebee: He had gone into dormo-shock, almost hibernation. But he's responding to the Bacta. We'll bring him through.
LEIA breathes a sigh of relief. CHEWIE lets out a long grunt of approval.
Leia: Now all we've got to worry about is what attacked him.
Han: No kidding. If this snowball's got nasty natives, they could be anywhere.
CHEWIE whines, looks around.
Han: That's right, Chewie, inside the base.
INT. CORRIDOR - REBEL BASE
The drip, drip, drip of melting ice echoes throughout the long eerie corridor. A TROOPER walks by, followed at a short distance by ARTOO, who rolls along whistling to himself. Behind him, a WAMPA ICE MONSTER suddenly appears from out of the wall and begins following the little droid. Up ahead, Artoo sees several troopers begin to act rather strangely, pointing at him and yelling. This puzzles ARTOO, and he stops for a moment to figure it out. Far in the distance, alarms begin to go off.
ARTOO comes to a conclusion, spins his head around and sees the WAMPA staring down at him. The droid lets out a screech and races down the hall at full tilt ahead of the advancing monster.
A small troop of soldiers has gathered at the end of the hallway with weapons. ARTOO races through the armed gathering as the creature screams and charges the troopers, laser bolts exploding around him. ARTOO peeks from around a corner in time to see several troopers hurled against the walls like rag dolls. Two soldiers fire a mounted cannon at the monster, and it is obscured by an enormous explosion.
The smoke clears. The silence is spooky. The WAMPA stands seemingly dumbstruck. ARTOO gives a short, worried beep. The ICE MONSTER topples over in a dead heap. A cheer goes up from ARTOO and the troopers as they converge to inspect the fallen creature. A SERGEANT pulls his com-link off his belt and speaks into it.
Sergeant Hollis: Bervin’s down. We got it, sir, but there may be more.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Alarms buzz softly in the background. The entire command center is on full alert. GENERAL RIEEKAN is conferring with the head controller as HAN and LEIA enter the room. THREEPIO and CHEWIE follow.
Leia: Have they analyzed the one that was killed?
Rieekan: Not yet. They're working on it now. We’ve had to adjust the base’s sensors to detect them.
Another alarm goes off at a console behind them, and the sensor controller at that spot calls across the room.
Wyron Serper: General!
RIEEKAN leaves the group as they continue talking.
Toryn Farr: It won't be long before our sensors will be able to track them.
Threepio: It figures Artoo would be in the middle of this.
Han: It's going to be a little tricky around here until we know where they're coming from.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - ICE CORRIDOR
ARTOO and THREEPIO are moving by a steel door on which an X sticker had been placed. From behind it come intermittent thumps and roars.
Threepio: It seems the snow creatures are attracted to a high-pitched whistle. That's how they're being drawn to this trap.
ARTOO whistles his understanding as he stands before the door. Immediately the thumping on the door picks up. ARTOO beeps a question.
Threepio: See? Your whistles upset them. No, I told you they can't get out! Now will you hurry up? I don't know why I bother...
THREEPIO moves around a corner. ARTOO stares at the door another moment, then proceeds to tell the Ice Monsters off in a burst of beeps and whistles. The thumping picks up as ARTOO moves casually away.
INT. HOTH- ECHO BASE - MEDICAL CENTER - RECOVERY ROOM
LUKE is out of the tank, lying on the bed previously occupied by HAN. LEIA is at his side. TOO-ONEBEE performs some scans and tests on LUKE, who wear a partial mask over his face, as they converse.
Luke: And it was Tiree who rescued you from the Empire?
Too-Onebee: Yes. The Lieutenant was posing as an aide to Lord Cuvir. When he was discovered, he killed the Governor and offered to take me with him as he escaped. Not enjoying the work the Empire tasked me to do, I agreed.
Luke: I didn’t know- I didn’t have much time to get to know him before the Death Star arrived at Yavin.
Leia: He was a great pilot and an even better operative. He died trying to save the lives of others.
Too-Onebee: Something quite commendable, in my opinion, though I do miss his presence.
A quiet moment passes as they reflect.
Leia: How is the bacta treatment doing, Onebee?
Onebee: Let us see- hold still for one moment, Commander Skywalker.
TOO-ONEBEE removes the mask off of LUKE’s face.
Too-Onebee: There- yes...the bacta are growing well. The scars should be gone in a day or so.
Leia: Does it still hurt?
Luke: I'm fine. Really.
The door opens and THREEPIO enters with ARTOO, who beeps a cheerful greeting.
Threepio: Master Luke, sir, it's so good to see you fully functional again.
ARTOO beeps his good wishes.
Threepio: Artoo expresses his relief, also.
Leia: (about to leave) You rest now.
Threepio: So much has happened during the period of your indisposition, sir.
Leia: I'll be back later.
Luke: (anxious to keep her) Leia...what would you think if I went away for a while?
Leia: What did you say?!?
LEIA's reaction is so much bigger and more vociferous than LUKE expected, it starts what is to become a growing snowball of confusion for him.
Leia: Where are you going?
Luke: I have this...feeling. I'm not sure, really...
Leia: Great. That's just great. Why doesn't everyone just take off?
Luke: What are you talking about?
Leia: First Han, now you. When am I going to learn not to count on anyone but myself?...
Luke: Han's leaving?
Leia: ...I was getting along just fine before I met you two moon jockeys.
Luke: Calm down, will ya? Tell me about Han.
Leia: He wants to pay off that criminal he's in hock to.
Luke: Jabba the Hutt?
Leia: (back to her tirade) I could get more loyalty if I went down the hall and recruited some of those snow creatures.
Luke: Snow creatures...they're here?!
Threepio: Yes, sir. But they're being trapped quite cleverly.
ARTOO beeps and whistles proudly.
Threepio: (to Artoo) What do you mean, you took care of that? I would hardly call your part in that matter great...
HAN and CHEWIE make their entrance. The Wookiee growls a greeting.
Han: How are you feeling, kid? You don't look so bad to me. In fact, you look strong enough to pull the ears off a Gundark.
Luke: Thanks to you.
Han: That's two you owe me, junior.
HAN turns and looks at LEIA with a big, devilish grin.
Han: Well your Worship, looks like you managed to keep me around for a little while longer.
Leia: (haughtily) I had nothing to do with it. General Rieekan thinks it's dangerous for any ships to leave the system until we've activated the energy shield.
Han: That's a good story. I think you just can't bear to let a gorgeous guy like me out of your sight.
Leia: I don't know where you get your delusions, laser brain.
CHEWIE is amused; he laughs in his manner.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - CORRIDOR
LEIA strides down the hallway at a quick pace as HAN and CHEWBACCA trail her at a distance, followed by THREEPIO and ARTOO. A voice plays out on overhead loudspeakers.
Announcer: (over loudspeaker) Headquarters personnel, report to command center.
LEIA, HAN, CHEWIE and the droids turn midway down the corridor into the command center.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
RIEEKAN, standing behind WYRON SERPER’s station, looks up grimly from the console screen. He calls over to LEIA and HAN.
Rieekan: Princess... we have a visitor.
The group hurries over to RIEEKAN.
Rieekan: We've picked up something outside the base in zone twelve, moving east.
Wyron Serper: It's metal.
Leia: Then it couldn't be one of those creatures.
Han: It could be a speeder, one of ours.
Wyron: No. Wait- there's something very weak coming through.
THREEPIO steps up to the control panel and listens intently to the strange signal.
Threepio: Sir, I am fluent in six million forms of communication. This signal is not used by the Alliance. It could be an Imperial code.
Han: It isn't friendly, whatever it is. Come on, Chewie, let's check it out.
Rieekan: Send Rogues Ten and Eleven to station three-eight.
EXT. HOTH - SNOW PLAIN - DAY
The dark PROBE DROID moves down a ridge toward the Rebel base. It retracts it’s antennas after it finishes sending it’s transmisison, the main power generators visible in the distance.
EXT. HOTH - SNOW PLAIN - DAY
The PROBE DROID glides between two banks of snow as CHEWBACCA pops his head over one of the snow banks, not thirty feet away, and growls outloud to attract the PROBE DROID’s attention. The droid spots the Wookiee and begins to send out a piercing signal as it instantly swings around, its deadly blaster ready to fire. But before it can get a shot off, it is hit from behind by a laser bolt, and explodes in a million pieces. HAN replaces his blaster in its holster and peers intently at the smoldering remains of the Imperial probe.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
LEIA and RIEEKAN listen to HAN on the comlink.
Han: (over comlink) Afraid there's not much left.
Leia: (into comlink) What was it?
Han: (over comlink) Droid of some kind. I didn't hit it that hard. It must have had a self-destruct.
Leia: (into comlink) An Imperial probe droid.
Han: (over comlink) It's a good bet the Empire knows we're here.
Rieekan: We'd better start the evacuation. Captain Valdez?
The head Evacuation Officer, SHAWN VALDEZ steps away from a console he was overlooking to address the General.
Shawn: Yes, sir?
Rieekan: Start the evacuation procedures.
Shawn: Right away, sir.
SHAWN turns to his side to address the white protocol droid, Kay-Threepio
Shawn: (cont’d) K-3PO, I want all labor droids pulled off mining duties and reassigned to transport loading and starship repair right away.
K-3PO: As you wish, sir.
SHAWN then turns to his own astromech droid with a black, drum-shaped head, ARFIVE-EMTOO.
Shawn: Emtoo, begin uplinking evacuation routes to all other astromechs and starship navicomputers. Full encryption on the rendezvous point’s coordinates.
R5-M2: (beeps an affirmative)
Leia: How much time do you think we have, General?
Rieekan: Enough, I hope.
Romas Navander: General! There’s a ship on approach!
>>COMMERCIAL BREAK 3<<
EXT. SPACE - HOTH
A light freighter, the Outrider, flies toward Hoth.
Leebo: Outrider to Echo Base, please respond.
INT. OUTRIDER - COCKPIT
LE-BO2D9, a repair droid known as LEEBO, and DASH RENDAR, a red haired man of lean build, are sitting in front of the controls.
Leebo: Captain, I've established contact with the Rebel outpost on Hoth.
Dash: This is Dash Rendar. Tell the Princess I've got that shipment of supplies she's been waiting for.
Toryn Farr: (over comlink) Copy Outrider. We've been expecting you. You're cleared to land at bay 3.
Dash: (into comlink) Copy.
DASH looks off away from the planet as something catches his attention. He points towards it for LEEBO.
Dash: Fleet element.
EXT. SPACE
2 Corellian Corvettes and a Nebulon-B Frigate escort several transports away from Hoth.
INT. OUTRIDER - COCKPIT
Leebo: Looks like their escorting some supply freighters. Though it seems a little overkill.
Dash: Hundred to one they’ve got VIP’s onboard, and not just supplies.
Leebo: Then the question becomes- why are they leaving?
Dash: Heh. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
EXT. SPACE
Closer to the planet, the camera pans as the Outrider descends toward the planet surface.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - TRANSPORT BAY
SHAWN issues instructions to two of his men at the entrance to the main transport bay. Several Rebel transports behind them are being loaded by men carrying heavy boxes and moving quickly, but not in panic.
Shawn: Groups seven and ten will stay behind to fly the speeders. As soon as each transport is loaded, evacuation control will give clearance for immediate launch.
Rebel Fighter: Right, sir.
INT. ECHO BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
The boarding ramp of the Outrider lowers as DASH exits the ship, followed by LEEBO, who carries a medium-sized crate in his arms. DERLIN, ALDER and two other men, ANTAN AZZAMEEN and TOMAAS AZZAMEEN, approach.
Bren Derlin: You’ve got good timing, Rendar. Another couple hours and you’d be getting paid in Imperial credits.
Dash: That right, huh? Must be my lucky day.
Derlin: You have the whole shipment, I presume?
Dash: Wouldn’t even think of shortchanging ya.
DASH grabs the crate from LEEBO’s hands.
Dash: (cont’d) Consumables, tech gear...
DASH pivots with the crate and drops it atop another stack of supply crates.
Dash: (cont’d) ...and the daily specials.
He slides off the crate’s top lid to reveal it to be packed with assault rifles. CAL gives BREN a smile.
Dash: (cont’d) (smiles) Don’t forget to tip your server.
Derlin: Wouldn’t think of short changing you. The Azzameens here will help you offload those.
Cal: (motions to the two others) Antan, Tomass, start getting these aboard the transports.
Dash: (to Leebo) Make sure we get paid. I’m gonna pay Solo a visit.
DASH heads across the bay to where the MIllenium Falcon is berthed at. As he approaches, he overhears HAN, atop the Falcon, speak to LUKE as he walks away.
Han: Be careful.
Luke: (stops and turns) You too.
LUKE heads off as DASH calls out to HAN.
Dash: You’re not going soft on me, are you, Solo?
Han: Dash. This day just keeps getting better.
INT. ECHO BASE - CONTROL ROOM
Alarms sound throughout the hidden base. In the control room, ROMAS NAVANDER urgently gestures for GENERAL RIEEKAN to check a computer scan.
Romas: General, there's a fleet of Star Destroyers coming out of hyperspace in sector four.
Rieekan: Reroute all power to the energy shield. We've got to hold them till all transports are away. Prepare for ground assault.
RIEEKAN exits hurriedly.
INT. ECHO BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
HAN walks up to greet DASH.
Dash: Well, Han, last I heard you were still on Ord Mantell. Bounty hunter trouble bring you this way?
Han: Yeah. Something like that. I see you still fly the Outrider. I hear she’s almost as fast as the Falcon now.
Dash: The last time we raced, Solo, I let you win. You and that pile of bolts wouldn’t stand a chance now.
Han: Right...well, you’ll get your chance to show off, Ace, if you’re up for it. The Empire’s headed this way and we’re low on pilots for the snowspeeders. If i put in a good word for you, Luke may let you fly with Rogue Squadron. See how you hold up to the best.
Dash: Hey, I am the best, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure other people know it, so I might just take you up on that.
Han: Right, as for me, I’ve gotta get off this ice cube and pay off Jabba. Maybe i’ll take you up on that race someday.
Dash: Try not to step on any tails this time and you might get some work again one day.
DASH starts to walk away after LUKE.
Han: Try not to crash into any museums out there.
Dash: Why? Planning on putting the Falcon where she deserves?
Chewie: (yells after Dash for insulting the ship)
DASH continues away from the Falcon and catches up to LUKE, who is talking to HOBBIE and WES.
Dash: Hey, you’re Skywalker, right?
Luke: Yup, and you are?
Dash: Dash Rendar. Solo tells me you could use another pilot out there.
Luke: Yeah, we could actually. You know Han?
Dash: Enough for him to know how good of a pilot I am.
Luke: Well, Han usually knows what he’s talking about in cases like these. Why are you offering, anyways? Han’s usual acquaintances aren’t normally up for risking their own necks for other people.
Dash: Hey, I don’t get paid until the supplies I got here get loaded off my ship. I’m just buying time so that happens.
Luke: That’s more like what I was expecting. In any case I can’t afford to be picky right now. Long as you can follow my orders out there, you’re in.
Dash: Fair enough, kid.
Luke: Right. You’re designation will be Rogue 12. I don’t have a gunner for you, so you’ll have to operate those systems by computer control. Not as accurate, but it’ll get the job done usually.
Dash: Hey, I don’t mind earning challenge points. Makes things so much more interesting.
Luke: Alright, stop yer bragging and grab your flight gear over at that station. (points) Then get back here- Leia’s about to start the briefing; We’ll fill you in when you get back.
LUKE heads off. DASH turns to the remaining pilots.
Dash: Hey- are things really as bad as they’re saying?
Hobbie: Oh, it’s probably worse than that
Wes: It could be worse, Rendar. You could be flying gunner for the pessimist here.
Dash: You haven’t met my co-pilot yet.
Announcer: (over loudspeaker) Ground troops to the perimeter. All ground troops to the perimeter. Stand clear of the ion cannon; stand clear of the ion cannon.
Dash: See you boys in the air.
DASH heads over to the gear station as HOBBIE turns to his right and speaks to another REBEL in a flight suit walking by.
Hobbie: Kesin! You’re gunning with me!
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
With a sense of urgency, LEIA quickly briefs the group of pilots gathered in the center of the hangar as others join the briefing.
Wedge: Things are gonna get pretty grim toward the end. How are the last ships gonna get out?
Leia: We’ll set the ion cannon to fire on automatic, and run for it. For what it’s worth, that’s the ship I’m riding. Our mission today is not to defeat the Empire. What we must do is keep the Rebel Alliance alive.
Hobbie: What about the ground troops?
Leia: They’ll pull back as we evacuate.
We follow two rebel pilots- including RELHEUB LIB- jogging across the hangar deck until they duck into the briefing.
Leia: All troop carriers will assemble at the north entrance. The heavy transport ships will leave as soon as they're loaded. Only two fighter escorts per ship. The energy shield can only be opened for a short time, so you'll have to stay very close to your transports.
Hobbie: Two fighters against a Star Destroyer?
Leia: The ion cannon will fire several shots to make sure that any enemy ships will be out of your flight path. When you've gotten past the energy shield, proceed directly to the rendezvous point. Understood?
Pilots: (in unison) Right. Okay.
Leia: Good luck.
Derlin: Okay. Everyone to your stations. Let's go!
The pilots hurry away.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH - DAY
Rebel troops carry heavy bazooka-type weapons and position them along the snow trench. Men hurriedly respond to their officers' yelled orders and brace themselves against the rhythmic gusts of bitter-cold wind. Other troops load power packs into a gun turret and swing its guns into position. TREY CALLUM, one of those officers, keeps an eye on the horizon.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - POWER GENERATORS
Near the base power generators, troops rush to set up their heavy battle equipment. Buzzing loudly, the generators grind along, sparking fingers of energy into the bitter Hoth wind.
INT. ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
The long line of Rebel controllers is tense, as are PRINCESS LEIA and GENERAL RIEEKAN, who are trying very hard not to show any fear.
Leia: What’s waiting for us up there?
Romas: ImpStars Avenger, Devastator, Stalker, Tyrant, Vengeance and the Super Star Destroyer Executor. I’m also reading numerous support craft including at least one VicStar, the Firewind.
Rieekan: The entire Death Squadron.
Wyron: Imperial landing craft have landed on the far side of the North Ridge, Zone Twelve.
Rieekan: Their primary target will be the power generators. Prepare to open the shield.
EXT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - ICE PLAIN
A medium transport and it’s two X-wing fighter escorts slowly exit out of the south docking bay entrance to the base. Upon clearing the entrance, their engines groan as power is shifted to them and the starship noses raise skyward.
INT. ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Toryn Farr: Stand by, ion control... Fire!
EXT. ECHO BASE ICE CAVE - ION CANNON
The giant ball-shaped ion cannon rotates into position and blasts two red energy beams skyward.
INT. ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
RIEEKAN, LEIA and the various techs manning the consoles watch the tactical display as the information representing the transport and starfighters approach the data representing the Imperial Star Destroyer attempting to block their escape. Red bolts representing the ion cannon fire collide with the Star Destroyer.
Romas: Confirm two direct hits. Star Destroyer Tyrant disabled. Quantum Storm Echo One-Three-Zero is clear!
ROMAS hits a PA button.
Romas: The first transport-
INT. ECHO BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
Pilots, gunners, and troopers hurry to their stations and their vehicles.
Romas: (cont’d) (over loudspeaker) -is away.
Everyone cheers at the announcement, which echoes through the hangar.
Romas: (over loudspeaker) (repeats) The first transport is away.
DASH passes by the Falcon as he heads back to the Outrider, carrying a pilot helmet in his arms. HAN yells out to him from atop his ship.
Solo: Dash! Just got word of landings spotted on the North Ridge. It’s a good bet they’ll be using walkers, so watch yourself, Ace.
Dash: (points at Solo as he continues walking) I knew you were going soft!
DASH continues advancing past the Millenium Falcon, toward the Outrider, in another bay. Between the two bays are parked snowspeeders. One takes off
slowly. DASH nears his ship, and LEEBO approches him in a small crates transport.
Dash: Leebo, get this stuff off-loaded and into those transports before they take off. I just found out the Empire is about to ruin our day. Solo told me that Imperial walkers are probably on the north ridge. I'm gonna jump into a speeder and help Rogue Group slow them down.
Leebo: You'll pardon me for saying so, Captain, but it's been quite some time since you've flown an airspeeder in combat and...
A speeder takes off behind Dash.
Dash: Don't get your servos on a twist, pal. Just make sure you collect the money for this load by the time I get back. And be sure to count it this time, will you ?
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
ROMAS takes off his headset as he stands up from his terminal.
Romas: General. Permission to assist in escorting the transports to the jump point.
Rieekan: Lieutenant, I need you here.
Romas: They need me more up there. There’s a Y-wing in Bay Two that’s unassigned.
Rieekan: (hestitates) Alright, go ahead.
Romas: Thank you, General.
ROMAS starts to leave.
Rieekan: And Romas?
ROMAS pauses and turns to RIEEKAN.
Rieekan: Good luck.
ROMAS smiles and nods, then departs the command center.
INT. ECHO BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK
Rogue Flight climbs into their craft as DASH arrives. A woman approaches DASH before he gets into his speeder.
Samocc Farr: Rendar! You’ll be my wingman, so stick close. I’m flying under Rogue 6. Just got word from Outpost Beta that a speeder of ours, Rogue 10, has been downed out in Sector Lambda. We’re going to try and fly some cover for him if we can once we get out there. Just follow my lead out there.
Dash: Got it.
Samocc: Good, get going. I’ll give you a rosterdown once we’re airborne.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN
A thin horizon line cuts across the bleak landscape. Five, small dot-size objects begin to appear on the horizon, moving in the direction of the Rebel base.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH
Echo Rider 5: (over comlink) Point Rider Five to Echo Station Three-Eight- Enemy contact! Enemy contact!
Rebel Officer: (over comlink) Echo Station Three-Eight to Echo Station Five-tee-Seven, we have Echo Rider reports of Imperial contact, can you confirm?
TREY CALLUM lifts a pair of electrobinoculars to his eyes. Through the lens he sees a very close view of a giant Imperial AT-AT walker. He adjusts the view which then zooms back to reveal four more of the ominous battle machines.
TREY lowers his binoculars as the regular rhythmic pounding begins to make the ground vibrate. The pounding grows louder and is accompanied by a high-pitched, metallic rattling. TREY speaks into his comlink.
Trey: Echo Station Three-T-Eight --
INT. ECHO BASE - CORRIDOR
R2-D2 rolls down a corridor as ice and snow begin falling from the walls of the corridor, shaken by the pounding Imperial walkers as they draw ever nearer.
Trey: (over comlink, through loudspeaker) -- we have spotted Imperial walkers!
Announcer: (over loudspeaker) Imperial walkers on the north ridge.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH
The Rebel troops aim their weapons at the horizon as explosions erupt all around them from enemy fire. They are nervous and their grip on their weapons tightens from the cold and from fear. Behind the troops a dozen snowspeeders race through the sky.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 3 - COCKPIT
Luke: (over comlink) Rogue three, do you copy?
Wedge: (into comlink) Roger, Luke- looks like no trouble finding our targets
Luke: (over comlink) Split your squad into pairs, Wedge.
Wedge: (into comlink) Copy. If the Death Star couldn’t stop you and me- what can these things do, right?
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Samoc: (over comlink) Antilles is our lead- Celchu’s in Rogue 5, Moor’s in 9 and 11 is Tank. The others will be flying with Skywalker’s group so don’t worry about them for now.
Dash: (Into comlink) Got it.
Trey Callum: (over comlink) Echo Station Five-Seven to Rogue Squadron, we could use you guys now.
Luke: (over comlink) Echo station Five-Seven. We're on our way.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - DOCKING BAY
ROMAS reaches his Y-wing starfighter and grabs a passing TECH.
Romas: She ready to fly?
Tech: (glances at the Y-wing) That one? Yeah she’s prepped.
Romas: Any ordiance? A couple warheads could help against those walkers on my way up.
Tech: I wish- the Derra convoy woulda brought us more but what we had was loaded into a handful of X-wings for escort defense.
Romas: Figures. OK. Thanks.
The TECH moves on as ROMAS gets into the starfighter.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
The fleet of snowspeeders races above the ice field at full throttle. They accelerate away from the base and head toward the distant walkers.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Luke: (over comlink) All right, boys, keep tight now.
Samoc: (over comlink) Dash, get ready to break with me after the initial attack run.
Dash: Ladies first.
With four other snowspeeders in front of his view- Rogue 3, Rogue 4, Rogue Leader and Rogue 6, the walkers on the horizon grow closer very quickly until the snowspeeder group is almost upon them.
Luke: (over comlink) Attack pattern delta. Go now!
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
The cannons mounted on the walker head fire at the speeders. Other walkers loom in the background. LUKE’s speeder, followed by HOBBIE’s and SAMOC’S line up in front of DASH’s speeder as the group make their attack run in a single file formation.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 6 - COCKPIT
Samoc: Ok, 12, break now.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
The two snowspeeders bank off to the left towards the mountains, a tower outpost- Outpost Beta- is visible off to the right.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 4 - COCKPIT
Luke: (over comlink) Hobbie, you still with me?
Hobbie: (into comlink) Right on your elbow, boss!
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
DASH and SAMOC’s speeders race towards the mountains.
EXT. HOTH - NORTH RIDGE
Four AT-AA walkers, their rigid slab of a body relatively low to the ground on four sprawled legs, stand in the distance. They try to correct their flak-pod’s angle by lowering them closer to the ground as they unleash a volley of projectiles at the two snowspeeders.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Dash: Woah!
EXT. HOTH - NORTH RIDGE
The speeders dodge the projectiles and arc back towards the mountains.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Dash: (into comlink) You ok?
Samoc: (over comlink) I’m still here.
Dash: (into comlink) Rendar to Rogue Leader, I’ve got a visual sighting on four anti-air walkers parked out on the north ridge. They seem to be calibrated for anti-starfighter angles but I would suggest keeping your boys from going too far out.
Luke: (over comlink) Roger that.
EXT. HOTH - MOUNTAINS
A crashed snowspeeder lays in the snow, smoking, as an Imperial scout walker continues to open fire into the craft. The pilot of the downed vehicle, TARRIN DATCH, dashes across the snow as the scout walker turns it’s attention towards him.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 6 - COCKPIT
Samoc: (into comlink) Tarrin! Break for Outpost Beta, there’s a ride back to base waiting for you. We’ll give you some cover.
EXT. HOTH - MOUNTAINS
Tarrin: (into comlink) On my way!
TARRIN sprints off at a new angle as the two snowspeeders swoop down on the scout walker.
The scout walker turns it’s head to open fire on the speeders, but the diving fire from them strike it’s left knee joint, shattering metal and sending the walker toppling over into the snow.
Tarrin: (into comlink) Thanks!
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Samoc: (over comlink) See you at the rendezvous, Tarrin. Good luck. Nice shooting, Rendar.
Dash: (into comlink) Don’t sweat it.
Samoc: (over comlink) Head back to the walkers and help the others.
EXT. HOTH - MOUNTAINS
The two snowspeeders curve around a mountain top and dive back to a head-on approach to the walkers.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
Two speeders race directly at the head of a walker, then split and fly past it. One of the speeders takes a snap shot at another walker’s neck. Sparks go flying from damaged armor plating on the walker’s neck. Three other walkers march onward, firing all cannons.
EXT. SPACE - REBEL TRANSPORT
A TIE Fighter begins to harrass the transport with it’s laser cannons as a Y-wing swoops in behind it.
INT. Y-WING - COCKPIT
ROMAS concentrates as he manuevers behind the enemy fighter.
EXT. SPACE - REBEL TRANSPORT
The TIE Fighter hugs the transport as the Y-wing rolls in behind it, snapping off a shot from his fighter’s ion cannon. The blue energy strikes the Imperial starfighter, sending tendrils of electrical energy surging over the surface of the fighter, disabling it. The TIE careens off course and out of control.
INT. Y-WING - COCKPIT
Romas: (into comlink) That’s the last one- you’re clear for the jump to hyperspace.
Transport Captain: (over comlink) Thanks, Lock 1.
EXT. SPACE
ROMAS’s Y-wing arcs back towards Hoth.
EXT. SPACE
The transport jumps to hyperspace as the Y-wing continues back towards the planet.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOWTRENCH
Rebel troops fire on the approaching walkers, as the snow and ice explode all around them. We can see small squads of Imperial Snowtroopers returning fire.
From within the deep trench walls an erie pulsing noise can be heard, though it is almost outdrowned by the sounds of the battle. A PROBE DROID suddenly jolts out froma round a trench corner, opening fire rapidly with it’s mounted blaster, taking down several Rebel troops who were taken by surprise.
TREY CALLUM grabs a mounted blaster cannon and swivels it to open fire on the droid . Though it absorbs the few few moments of the barage, the robot is finally damaged enough that it crashes to the ground and self-destructs. Shrapnel flies in all directs, wounding several more troopers. TREY then turns his attention and the mounted cannon back to the Snowtroopers.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Dash: (into comlink) Samoc, their necks aren’t as heavily plated at the rest of the walker is.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 6 - COCKPIT
Dash: (over comlink, cont’d) If we aim for their necks, we might be able to do some damage.
Samoc: (into comlink) They have a lot of crossfire covering those attack approaches. That won’t be an easy shot.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Dash: (grins) I didn’t say it was gonna be easy, I just said it might do some damage. Just follow me and I’ll get you through there.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 6 - COCKPIT
Samoc: (into comlink) Ok, I’m coming around.
Suddenly, SAMOC’s ship erupts in flames and she yells out.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
Rogue 6’s rear erupts into a ball of flame and the speeder goes crashing to the ground.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Dash: Damn!
Hobbie: (over comlink) They got Rogue Six!!
DASH looks around quickly.
Dash: (into comlink) Rogue 11! Tank, you’re with me.
INT. BLIZZARD WALKER 1 - COCKPIT
GENERAL VEERS and two walker pilots keep a careful eye on the racing Rebel snowspeeders as they maneuver their lumbering war machine forward.
LUKE's speeder banks in from the side of VEERS's walker and heads straight for its viewport, blasting away. An explosion hits the walker window, but dissipates, doing no harm. The speeder roars up and over the impregnable war machine.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Luke: That armor's too strong for blasters.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Luke: (over comlink) Rogue Group, use your harpoons and tow cables. Go for the legs. It might be our only chance of stopping them.
Dash: This I gotta see.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH AREA
Rebel troops fire the Atgar laser cannon while explosions erupt around them. SERGEANT HOLLIS drags two injured comrades into the relative safety of the trench before hopping back out into the battle. TREY walks down the trench and briefly looks through his electro-binoculars. He then turns slightly to JESS ALLASHANE at his side and points where he was looking.
Trey: Get your men over there and try to outflank those snowtroopers. Also, get some scouts over to Colonel Firest in trench four.
Jess: Which ones?
Trey: Take Vildar Blin and Topher Godin. Bring Delevar as your medic.
Jess: Right away.
JESS heads off down the trench as another explosion strikes near the trench and another wounded Rebel is dragged into it. CALLUM turns the other way and yells at another officer.
Trey: Page! I want you and your men over in trench six!
An explosion rips up the trench near TREY, blasting him against the trench wall. He, limply, collapes to the ground, dead.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - BATTLEFIELD
Two walkers lumber toward the Rebel base as a speeder between them explodes in a ball of flames.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH
An atgar cannon is hit by a walker’s laser bolt and instantly explodes.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
DASH watches out his side window as Rogue Leader and Rogue 3 approach Blizzard 4.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
WEDGE's speeder races through the legs of one of the monstrous walkers.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
Wedge: (to gunner) Activate harpoon.
JANSON reaches for a firing switch to activate the harpoon. The harpoon flashes out, and speeds toward the receding legs of the walker.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
The harpoon hurtles toward the walker. In an instant it is embedded in one of the walker's legs.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
Wedge: (to gunner) Good shot, Janson.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Dash: I’ll be, he made it. (into comlink) Ok, 11. Time to show them what those of us with double digit call signs can do.
Tank: (over comlink) Roger that.
Dash: (into comlink) Head for walker Blizzard 2.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
Rogues 11 and 12 bank to their right and dive into the firefight.
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH AREA
JESS and his men rush across the snow and slide into the trench, landing on their feet. They pass by a TRENCH OFFICER with a mustache and crouch down as they rush down a connecting trench before rolling onto the battlefield, staying down low as six snowtroopers make their way towards the trench, their sides now exposed to Jess and his men. The snowtroopers open fire on the trench with their blaster rifles.
Jess: (into comlink) Now!
JESS’s men open fire at the snowtrooper’s exposed side as both the TRENCH OFFICER’S men and TREY’s men also return fire. The snowtroopers are caught in the crossfire and drop quickly from injuries.
JESS’s attention then turns to the Blizzard 4 walker, whose legs are now wrapped in a tow cable attached to the snowspeeder of Rogue 3. The cable release on the back of the speeder snaps loose and the cable drops away as the speeder zooms away into the distance. The tangled legs of the enormous war machine attempt a step, but as they do the giant Imperial walker begins to topple. It teeters for a moment, and then crashes onto the icy ground, sending snow and metal pieces flying.
Jess: Woah!
EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH
The troops in the trenches cheer at the sight of the crashing walker.
The trench officer, Colonel Firest, gives a signal to two of his men.
Firest: Scouts! Blin! Godin! Go!
He checks his macrobinoculars again.
Firest: Come on!
The two SCOUTS charge the fallen war machine. Two Rebel speeders fly overhead, firing laser blasts as they reach the walker, hitting it’s vulnerable neck joint. It explodes, throwing debris all over and flinging the two SCOUTS to the ground as they are caught in it..
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
WEDGE lets out a triumphant yell, banking his speeder away from the fallen walker.
Wedge: (into comlink) Wow! That got him!
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Luke: (into comlink) I see it, Wedge. Good work.
INT. ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Wyron: Walker Blizzard 4 destroyed. Outpost Beta reports full evacuation, two casualties. Rogues 10 and 6 have been recovered. They report Ten is fine but Six is in shock.
TORYN pauses a moment and glances at WYRON briefly with a look of concern on her face before returning her focus to her console.
Rieekan: Wyron- has Lieutenant Navander gotten clear yet?
Wyron: No, sir- he just escorted his third transport to their jump. (he pauses, bringing a hand to his earpiece) Freighter group Onece reports they are also clear. Officers on the south slopes are saying they are getting backed up with ready transports.
Leia: Then start sending them up two at a time.
Large chunks of ice tumble into the command center as LEIA and RIEEKAN monitor computer screens.
Rieekan: I don't think we can protect two transports at a time.
Leia: It's risky, but we can't hold out much longer. We have no choice.
Rieekan: (into comlink) Launch patrols.
Leia: (to Chiffonage) Evacuate remaining ground staff.
INT. ECHO BASE - MAIN HANGAR - MILLENIUM FALCON
Muffled distant explosions create widening cracks in the ice roof of the hangar. HAN and CHEWBACCA stand atop one of the Falcon’s mandibles, performing last minute repairs.
Chewbacca: (growls a “Is this good enough?”)
Han: First chance we get, we’re giving her a complete overhaul, but under the circumstances, Pal- that weld’s tight enough.
The hangar shakes a bit as some snow falls from the ceiling. HAN rushes over to another open panel.
Han: In fact, I’d bet it’s gonna hold a lot longer than this joint’s ceiling!
Chewbacca: (howls another question)
Han: (stopping his work, shaking his head and turning back to Chewie) No! No...
INT. ECHO BASE - MAIN HANGAR - X-WING
THREEPIO watches as ARTOO is raised up into LUKE's X-wing fighter.
Han: (cont’d, offscreen in the distance) ...this one goes here and that one goes there, right?
Threepio: Artoo, you take good care of Master Luke now, understand? And... do take good care of yourself. Oh, dear, oh, dear....
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
The fierce battle on the vast snow plains of Hoth rages on. The Imperial walkers continue their slow, steady assault on the Rebel base, firing lasers as they lumber ever onward. In the snow trench, Rebel troops fire large bazookalike guns and dishlike ray guns as explosions erupt around them. A gun tower is hit by a laser bolt and instantly explodes. Another blast destroys a ray gun.
Dozens of SNOWTROOPERS begin dropping down on cables from under the walkers.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
DASH and TANK fly in formation, banking from right to left and flying above the erupting battlefield. Flak bursts all around them.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Dash: (into comlink) Alright, Tank, we’re going for a one-two punch. Scout walker first.
Tank: (over comlink) Got your back.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
Blizzard Scout 1 marches forward as it begisn to aim it’s chin mounted weapons towards the sky where the two snowspeeders diving towards it are. The scout walker opens fire, but the diving barage of laser fire from the two speeders damages the walker in that single pass. Blizzard Scout 1 begins to smoke, and stops it’s forward motion, just standing there. The snowspeeders continue their momentum forward towards Blizzard 2.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Dash: (into comlink) Break low, have your gunner take his shot, I’m gonna try for an auto-target lock.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD - BLIZZARD 2
The two speeders charge the walker. They begin to break to different sides of the combat vehicle, but Rogue 11 is caught by the walker’s weaponfire and erupts in flame. DASH continues his course and heads directly away from the walker’s rear.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
DASH’s fingers pull the firing trigger.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD - BLIZZARD 2
A tow cable fires from behind DASH’s speeder and attaches itself to the rear of the walker. Rogue 12 then sharply pulls about back towards Blizzard 2, looping around towards it’s legs.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
DASH concentrates on his flying as he begins circling the Imperial machine.
Luke: (over comlink) Watch that cross fire, boys.
DASH begins his second pass around the walker’s legs.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD - BLIZZARD 2
DASH’s speeder makes it’s final pass around the walker. It’s tow cable is released and Rogue 12 pulls up and away from the walker. Blizzard 2 swivels it’s head toward’s it’s left side to fire at the buzzing speeder while it’s front left leg attempts to move forward. Unable to do so, and thrown by the momentum of the head’s motion, the walker loses it’s balance and collapses forward and to it’s left side, crashing into the deep snow below it.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Dash: Ha-hah!
Luke: (over comlink) Hobbie, I've been hit!
DASH looks out his cockpit at the smoking snowspeeder of LUKE’s crashing to the ground- in the path of Blizzard Walker 5.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
Wedge: (into comlink) Echo Base, Commander Skywalker is down.
INT. ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
The command center is in shambles, but some people are still at their posts.
Wyron: Rogue 2, Zev Senesca, and Rogue 11, Tank Lenso are gone. Walker Blizzard 2 has been taken down. Troops responding.
Toryn Farr: General, Rogue Leader has gone down.
Threepio: Master Luke! It mustn’t be!
Leia: Is he alright? Did he get out?
Rieekan: (into comlink) Rogue Three, this is Rieekan.
Wedge: (over comlink) I copy, General
Rieekan: (into comlink) You’re in charge now, Wedge. Can you see Luke?
Wedge: (over comlink) No, I-wait! I see him, I’m gonna try for a pickup.
Rieekan: (into comlink) Negative, Wedge. I can’t spare you. Luke can make it out of the area on his own. Just buy us as much time as you can.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
LUKE hurls himself away from his downed vehicle just as a massive walker foot comes stomping down on it: crushing it in a squeal of twisting metal, sparking electronics and smoking mechanics. He pulls out his comlink.
Luke: (into comlink) Wedge, I’m alright. You’re in command now, I’m gonna try to do what I can down here.
Wedge: (over comlink) Roger, we’ll try to give you some cover.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE THREE
Wedge: (into comlink) Ok, Rogue Flight, form up with me and stay on these walkers. Time to earn your pay!
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - DOCKING BAY
TAMIZANDER gives his orders to a nearby TECH as he hunches over a console.
Tamizander: Get that supply tube freed from Transport five! I want the Bright Hope prepped to handle the final evacs! (into console comlink) Echo One-Four-Nine, move your transport into launch position three on escape vector twenty seven. Echo Two-One-One, follow them to position three on ecsape vector thirty eight. Echo One-Seven-Fou-
TAMIZANDER is cut off as a large explosion erupts nearby- throwing debris and ice all over the place and tossing TAMIZANDER away from his console.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
The same explosion rocks the command center- throwing K-3PO, among others, against debris and walls. K-3PO’s eyes dim as the droid is disabled.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - TAUNTAUN PEN
The same explosion also shakes the tauntaun holding pen area quite violently, breaking a fence restraint and spooking the tauntauns, causing them to flee fast- trampling over CORPORAL QUIEN and four other REBELS.
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - DOCKING BAY
Once the smoke clears, TAMIZANDER blinks a few times as he shakes off his disorientation. He places his hand on his side to find himself bleeding severely. He brushes the ice off himself and then, wincing in great pain, gets to his feet and limps back to his console. He hits a button to reopen the comm channel.
Tamizander: Echo (takes a breath) One-Seven-Four come about to launch position (winces) two on escape vector fourteen. (grits his teeth) Echo Three-Two-Six move to standby three at launch position four...
INT. HOTH - ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
JEROEN WEBB and a female Lieutenant, LORSCA, climb over a chunk of ice dislodged in the explosion, making their way towards K-3PO.
Lieutenant Lorsca: (as they reach him) This doesn’t look good.
Jeroen: We might just have to rip out the memory and tactical programming and save them while we can. (starts to open an access panel on the back of the droid’s head) That verbo-brain brokering chip upgrade you were hoping for will have to wait till later.
Lorsca: Right- a commodities scrounger won’t do us any good if we’re dead. Do it.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD - TRENCHES
HOBBIE’s snowspeeder comes into a hover near a trench closer to the entrance to Echo Base. Visible amounts of smoke rise from one of the rear sides. The cockpit canopy opens as HOBBIE begins to drag his gunner, KESIN OMMIS, out from behind his seat. He calls over to a REBEL TROOPER and CAL ALDER, who have rushed to the airspeeder’s side. A smear of blood runs down the right side of HOBBIE’s face.
Hobbie: Took stray flak! Ommis got hit! Get him to a med facility on an evac transport right away!
The two REBELS take hold of KESIN and lower him to the ground.
Cal: What about you?
HOBBIE begins to reseat himself in his speeder.
Hobbie: Nevermind me, get going!
Cal: When they call final evac, form up with Five and try to buy our boys some time to pull back! All other Rogues should cover your retreat!
Hobbie: Yes, sir!
The cockpit closes as the speeder starts to speeder forward and lift into the air, returning to battle. Cal and the REBEL carry KESIN away, towards the base.
INT. ECHO BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Rieekan: Who do we have left in the air?
Wyron: Besides Antilles, Lieutenant Alder reports we have Rogues 4, 5, 8 and 12 still airborne.
Leia: And the ground troops?
Toryn Farr: We’re taking massive casualties in all zones, our ground troops are pulling back from the second defensive ring.
Leia: Get the wounded aboard the transports. Consolidate all remaining units in the central defensive arc. Can we bring the ion cannon to bear on the walkers?
Toryn: It won’t fire at that low an angle, Princess Leia. And, we’re still using it to cover the transports’ escape.
Leia: Tell the ground officers to hurry, we haven’t much time!
Rieekan: Shift all command channels over to my transport! Then get your team over there, right away!
Toryn: Yes, General!
RIEEKAN exits the command center.
Leia: Threepio, maybe you’d better start for the evacuation ship now.
Threepio: With all due respect, Your Highness, Master Luke was quite definite in ordering me to remain with you.
Leia: Thank you Threepio. I’m very grateful.
Wyron: We’ve just lost two more snowspeeders, Your Highness: Nala Hetsime, Rogue 7 and Zev Kabir, Rogue 8.
Leia: Begin phase three evacuations now!
Toryn: (into comlink) Code One Five.
HAN enters the command center just as the room shakes, with some snow briefly pouring like sand down from the ceiling. He finds LEIA and THREEPIO near one of the control boards.
Han: You all right?
LEIA’s expression becomes critical. She is surprised to see him.
Leia: Why are you still here?
Han: I heard the command center had been hit.
Leia: You've got your clearance to leave!
Han: Don't worry, I'll leave. First I'm going to get you to your ship.
Threepio: Your Highness, we must take this last transport. It's our only hope.
Leia: (to Toryn) Send all troops in sector twelve to the south slope to protect the fighters!
A blast rocks the command center, throwing THREEPIO backward into HAN's arms.
Announcer: (over loudspeaker) Imperial troops have entered the base. Imperial troops have entered -- (suddenly cuts to static)
Han: Come on... that's it.
Leia: (beat, then to Toryn) Give the evacuation code signal. And get to your transports!
LEIA looks exhausted. HAN grabs her and starts to lead her out.
Threepio: (to Han and Leia) Oh! Wait for me!
As HAN, LEIA, and THREEPIO run out of the command center, the code signal can be heard echoing off the corridor walls.
Toryn: (into comlink) K-one-zero... all troops disengage! Disengage!! Final evacuation now!! Move everybody!! MOVE!!!
EXT. BATTLEFIELD - SNOW TRENCH
Rebel troops retreat under the awesome Imperial onslaught.
Officer: Begin retreat!
Second Officer: Fall back!
Troops flee from the battle, the ground exploding around them.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
Three of the giant walkers, firing lasers, advance toward the Rebel headquarters.
EXT. HOTH - SNOW TRENCH
Continuing their retreat, the Rebels see the walkers looming ever nearer.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD - ICE PLAIN
On the battlefield, LUKE watches as a walker foot rises and moves over him. He looks up at the underbelly of the huge walker, passing overhead. Running beneath the monstrous machine, LUKE fires his harpoon gun at the walker's underside. A thin cable follows the projectile from the gun. The magnetic head and cable attach firmly to the metal hull.
Still running under the walker, LUKE attaches the cable drum to his belt buckle. Soon he is pulled up the cable and hangs dangling underneath the walker.The walker's giant feet continue to pound onward across the frozen snow. Stray laser bolts whistle by LUKE as he climbs up the cable to the walker's hull, reaching a small hatch. Hanging precariously, LUKE cuts the solid metal hatch with his laser sword. He takes a landmine from around his neck and throws it inside the Imperial machine. Quickly, LUKE starts down the cable and crashes onto the icy ground far below. He lies unconscious as a giant rear leg passes by - and just misses him.
The giant walker stops in mid-step. A muffled explosion comes from within - and then the walker's mechanical insides are spewed out every conceivable opening as the head shatters in all directions. The machine sits dead in its tracks, smoking like a locomotive on stilts, as it slowly begins to sway to it’s right side, before finally crashing to the ground.
Sergeant Hollis: (over comlink) Over here, Commander Skywalker!
LUKE shakes off his shock and sees a small outpost near a trench the walkers have already passed, still intact, it’s Golan laser cannon still firing at the passed walkers. LUKE gets to his feet and runs across the snowfield towards the outpost.
Luke: (into comlink) Sergeant Hollis? What are you still doing here? They’ve given the evacuation signal!
Hollis: (over comlink) I stayed behind to cover my men’s retreat, then I saw that little trick you just pulled.
Luke: (into comlink) Got a transport?
As LUKE approaches, HOLLIS yells down to him.
Hollis: Got your ride, Commander!
HOLLIS points to the side of the golan tower, where two tauntauns are tied up. He slides down the rails of the ladder running down the side of the tower.
LUKE motions to HOLLIS’s bloody arm.
Luke: You ok?
Hollis: Doesn’t matter- time to go, a scout walker just spotted us.
HOLLIS tosses LUKE a blaster rifle as he mounts up onto his tauntaun, LUKE catches the weapon and climbs aboard his own tauntaun.
Hollis: I’ve left the golan here on auto-fire, but let’s not stick around to see how well it does. Try to keep up! Yah!
HOLLIS takes off on his tauntaun, LUKE trailing him closely behind. Blizzard Scout 2 moves it’s way in as the tower opens fire on the two-legged machine. The scout walker returns fire with it’s chin-mounted lasers on the golan tower, which subsequently erupts in fire.
A snowspeeder buzzes overhead and straffes the scout walker with laser fire. The servos at the walker’s primary joint explode, destroying the walker.
Wedge: (over comlink) Got him!
Hollis: (to Luke) Imperial troops have been spotted by the south entrance, keep your eyes open!
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
Blizzard 1 continues to advance toward the Rebel base, with Blizzard 3 behind it, the sole remaining Imperial AT-AT Walkers.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
As LUKE and HOLLIS come up on the remaining walkers, Blizzard 1 pivots and takes a crack shot at a passing snowspeeder- sending it hurling into the horizon where it impacts upon the ground like a missle. LUKE follows it’s trajectory and grimaces as he witnesses the explosion.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
The Rebel troops continue their desperate retreat, pushed back by the relentless Imperial assault. Blizzard 1 fires with maximum power at the power generators, creating a tremendous explosion that rises up into the air, folling the horizon.
LUKE & HOLLIS shield their eyes from the bright light of the explosion.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE FOUR - COCKPIT
Smoke fills the canopy as we see that HOBBIE is bleeding, both from his face and his chest. He looks out his cockpit to see men in the trenches, retreating, still under attack by the Imperial war machines. He thinks for a moment as a grim expression comes over his face.
Hobbie: (gritting, to himself) Buy them some time... (coughs)
He pulls about and lines up the lead walker in his sights. He hits the throttle to full speed.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
LUKE, on his tauntaun, looks up and sees HOBBIE’s smoking snowspeeder heading right for Blizzard 1.
Luke: Hobbie!
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE FOUR - COCKPIT
HOBBIE yanks a lever that ejects the speeder’s canopy off the vehicle, ventilating the smoke. The cold wind hits his face at high speeds. The rebel unbuckles his restraints.
INT. BLIZZARD WALKER 1 - COCKPIT
Pilot: Look out!
VEERS looks out of the cockpit window as Rogue 4 snowspeeder races directly at the walker’s cockpit. The speeder does a sudden roll, flinging the unrestrained pilot into the air.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
HOBBIE’s body flails around wildly in the air from his momentum colliding with the air currents.
INT. BLIZZARD WALKER 1 - COCKPIT
Pilot: He’s going to-
VEERS makes a dash behind him towards the neck and body of the walker, diving as the speeder crashes into the front viewscreen and the cockpit explodes.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
Blizzard 1’s fried head shatters into a million pieces. Smoke pours out of the walker’s neck as the machine just stands there, dead in it’s tracks, immobilized and smoking like a locomotive.
HOBBIE’s body lands ungracefully and painfully in a snow bank. As LUKE and HOLLIS approach on their tauntauns, we can see that HOBBIE is not moving.
EXT. HOTH - MOUNTAINS
A snowspeeder, Rogue 12, flies over the terrain, curving back towards Echo Base.
INT. SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE 12 - COCKPIT
Dash: (into comlink) Leebo, I'm through messin' around out here. Fire up the ship, I'm coming in.
EXT. HOTH - BATTLEFIELD
LUKE hops off his tauntaun and rushes over to HOBBIE, the smoking hulk of Blizzard 1 towers over them.
Luke: Hobbie! Hobbie!
HOBBIE stirs as LUKE turns him over.
Hobbie: That seemed like a much better idea before I hit the ground.
Luke: You’re lucky you landed in the snow and not on the ice.
LUKE looks overhead and sees DASH’s snowspeeder heading towards them.
Luke: (into comlink) Dash! Come in!
Dash: (over comlink) I’m finished here, Skywalker.
Luke: (into comlink) Rogue 4 is injured, we have to get him to the transports. I need you to swing down for a pickup- you don’t have a gunner so I know you have the room.
Dash: (over comlink) Fine, fine, but I can only take him as far as the south entrance, I got my own ship to catch, ya know.
Hobbie: I don’t think I’ll make it that far. I think the ground and I got along a little too well.
Luke: It’s not that bad. A few bacta patches will get you to a tank.
LUKE takes out some bacta patches from his belt and slaps a few on some of HOBBIE’s wounds as Rogue 12’s snowspeeder comes in for a landing.
HOLLIS and LUKE lift HOBBIE up and carry him over to DASH. They get him into the back gunner seat of the vehicle.
Dash: Ok, I got him- now, get out of here.
Luke: Thanks, Dash. Good luck.
Dash: You’re gonna need it more than me, kid.
The cockpit lowers as the airspeeder lifts off. LUKE and HOLLIS mount their tauntauns again and head back towards Echo Base. Their rides leap over a trench towards a group of snowstroopers setting up an E-web mounted blaster.
LUKE fires his blaster rifle at the snowtroopers around the weapon before they can bear it on him, dropping them to the snow. A group of Rebel troopers approach them. The two officers get off of their tauntauns.
Hollis: Those are my men. This is as far as I go, Commander.
Suddenly, a Sentinel-class landing craft swoops down from the sky, carrying a large deployment barge under it’s belly. It sets down, releasing it’s cargo before taking to the sky again.
The barge gate lowers and an AT-ST walker exits from it, surroudned by several snowtroopers. LUKE tosses aside his blaster rifle and grabs the E-web cannon and turns it on the walker.
Though the AT-ST attempts to return fire, the constant fire of the artillery weapon is enough to damage the walker’s balancing mechanisms, sending it crashing to the ground. The Rebel troopers finish off the snowtroopers, though two of them are killed by the enemy.
Hollis: That’s the last of them. We're getting out of here
INT. ICE CORRIDOR - REBEL BASE - HOTH
HAN and LEIA race down the corridor, followed by THREEPIO. HAN gives a serious look at a door with a warning sticker on it. On a sudden impulse, THREEPIO tears the sticker from the door, then follows them.
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - ICE CORRIDORS
With THREEPIO lagging behind, HAN and LEIA race through the crumbling ice corridors. Suddenly, there is an explosion. Han turns, grabs the princess, and pulls her to the wall as a tremendous cave-in blocks their path. He takes the comlink from his pocket.
Han: (into comlink) Transport, this is Solo. Better take off - I can't get to you. I'll get her out on the Falcon. C’mon.
HAN and LEIA turn and race down the corridor.
Threepio: But... but... but... where are you going? Uh... come back!!
INT. HOTH - REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER
Imperial troops have reached the base. As they push through the blocked passageway, DARTH VADER strides behind them. Several snowtroopers enter the door THREEPIO just removed the sign from. Roars, screams, and blaster fire are heard from inside as VADER walks up to the door. A very disheveled stormtrooper steps out of the door.
Vader: Major Bursk- Rebel troops?
Major Bursk: (very shaken) I don’t think so, sir.
VADER continues on, more snowtroopers following behind him. VADER points down a corridor he passes by.
Vader: RGA-972, secure this corridor.
RGA-972: Yes, sir.
The snowtrooper motions to two others to follow him down the corridor.
>>COMMERCIAL BREAK 4<<
EXT. ECHO BASE - SECONDARY HANGAR
DASH’s snowspeeder enters the hangar as the doors behind him shut themsleves closed. He hops out of the vehicle before it comes to a complete stop. DASH looks down at his wrist as it beeps. An image of LEEBO appears on it.
Leebo: (over comlink) What took you so long?
Dash: I had to drop something off.
DASH heads down to the other end of the hangar bay, towards the left.
Leebo: (over comlink) I’ve been trying to reach you, but the Imperials begun low-level jamming. We have a problem.
Dash: What is it?
Leebo: (over comlink) The main power generators have been destroyed.
Dash: I know that, I had a pretty good view of the fireworks.
Leebo: (over comlink) Bay 3’s hangar doors were powered by the main generators. And the doors are closed.
Dash: Great, what else can go wrong now?
DASH rounds the corner to his left into the main hangar where the Millenium Falcon is docked as stormtroopers approach the Falcon from another entranceway, closely followed by DARTH VADER. Hearing the loud roar of the Millennium Falcon's engines, VADER and DASH witness the Falcon lift up and disappear outside the cave.
DASH then turns his attention towards the Imperials and spots VADER. VADER also spots DASH. DASH reacts quickly by whips out his blaster pistol and unleashing random cover fire as he darts down a connecting corridor.
EXT. HOTH - ICE SLOPE - DAY
LUKE looks up as the Millennium Falcon races above them, flying very close to the ground.
INT. ECHO BASE - CORRIDOR
DASH makes his way through the corridors, firing upon the Imperial troops that stand in his path.
Leebo: (over comlink) You need to go one level down and activate the bay’s secondary generator.
DASH shoots one more snowtrooper as he reaches a lift door. Entering the lift, he begins to descend.
EXT. HOTH - SOUTH SLOPE - DAY
LUKE approaches WEDGE, WES and TARRIN as he walks towards his X-Wing fighter in the near distance.
Wes: Hey, will you look at what’s coming?
Wedge: Phew! He made it! Luke!
Luke: Glad you guys are still here.
Tarrin: You’re just in time. We tried to get you, but we couldn’t.
Wedge: This is the last evacuation group.
Luke: You should be gone already. How come you’re still hanging around?
Wes: Well, we sort of got delayed- a little of this, a little of that, while we were, uh...
Luke: While you were waiting for me. Thanks, boys. What about the base?
Wedge: The Imperials are already inside. Everybody who still could, got clear.
Luke: What about the princess?
Wedge: She got out with Solo.
Luke: Then they’re safe. Good.
Wedge: There’s no time left, Luke. The Alliance is gonna regroup out beyond the galactic rim.
Luke: Then let’s get upstairs.
An explosion sounds in the distance.
Luke: Tarrin, get that transport up, now!
The four pilots turn then, and trudge onward toward their own ships. LUKE waves farewell, then heads toward his own fighter.
ARTOO, seated on his cubbyhole, chirps an excited greeting as LUKE climbs aboard the spacecraft.
Luke: Artoo! Get her ready for takeoff.
From his ship, LUKE sees WEDGE in his own X-wing, preparing for takeoff.
Wedge: Good luck, Luke. See you at the rendezvous.
LUKE smiles and nods at WEDGE as he begins doing a final inspection of his fighter.
INT. ECHO BASE - LOWER LEVEL
DASH blasts another snowtrooper who attempts to ambush him as he runs up stairs onto a metal catwalk that goes over a large canyon in the ice walls. He glances at his wrist device for directions before he makes his way to another lift, which takes him up a short level.
INT. ECHO BASE - LOWER LEVEL - GENERATOR CONTROL ROOM
DASH exits the lift and rushes over to a control panel. He takes a quick glance over it and then begins flipping switches before pressing a final button on the console.
A large moan echos throughout the caverns as the backup generators outside the control room window begin rotating and start humming to life.
Dash: (into comlink) How’s that?
Leebo: (over comlink) That did it! The door is opening! Get going!
Before LEEBO is even done speaking, DASH is in the lift once more.
EXT. SPACE
ROMAS’s Y-wing swoops back towards Hoth as yet another transport he has escorted makes the jump to hyperspace.
INT. Y-WING - COCKPIT
Romas: (into comlink) Echo Three-Two-Six, I’m moving in on your position for escort support.
An alarm buzzes from his displayboard.
EXT. SPACE
Two TIE Fighters home in on the lone Y-wing as the Rebel fighter goes into an evasive manuever.
INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT
The TIE pilot adjusts a setting on his console as the Y-wing starts to fall within his targeting sights.
EXT. SPACE
The Y-wing dives “down”, attempting to lose his pursuers, but the manueverable TIE’s follow easily. One TIE begins opening fire on the Rebel, steering him into his wingmate’s sights.
INT. Y-WING - COCKPIT
ROMAS looks behind him left and right, trying to see where his pursuers are.
INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT
The Y-Wing falls into the center targeting reticle and the pilot fires. Green lasers lance out at the Y-wing.
EXT. SPACE
The enemy fire blasts off the starfighter’s left engine strut, sending the fighter into a wild spin.
INT. Y-WING - COCKPIT
As space disorientingly swirls around him, ROMAS pulls his ejection lever. His flight suit’s magseal blinks on around him as the cockpit canopy rockets off and his seat ejects him into space.
EXT. SPACE
ROMAS jets off away from the fighter, which zooms off into the distance before finally exploding. ROMAS looks around to see an Imperial Star Destroyer nearby- as an Imperial shuttle looms towards him.
Imperial pilot: (over comlink) Rebel pilot, this is Imperial shuttle DV-327, we are bringing you aboard. Any acts of resistance will result in your termination. Consider yourself a prisoner of war.
ROMAS closes his eyes in surrender.
EXT. HOTH - SOUTH SLOPE - DAY
LUKE lowers himself into the cockpit of his X-wing while ARTOO waits in the cubbyhole, beeping impatiently.
Luke: Don't worry, Artoo. We're going, we're going.
The canopy over the X-wing lowers and snaps shut.
INT. X-WING, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
Wedge: Transports prepare for departure- we're leaving now.
EXT. HOTH - SOUTH SLOPE
The last three Rebel transports take to the air, alongside their X-Wing fighter escorts.
Tarrin: (over comlink) TIE Bombers, on their way
INT. X-WING, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Luke: Roger that. With the shield gone, they’re all coming down.
Wedge: (over comlink) Here they come!
EXT. HOTH - CLOUDS
A cloud of what seems like hundreds of TIE Fighters, Bombers & Interceptors rain down from above.
INT. X-WING, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Luke: Most of the fighters are continuing towards the base. Keep after those bombers!
EXT. HOTH - CLOUDS
TIE Bombers fire concussion missles and proton bombs at the transports, who can only attempt to outrun them.
Tarrin: (over comlink) We're getting hit pretty badly, Luke.
Rebel Transport Captain: (over comlink) We’ve got a hull breach!
A transport erupts into flames as it’s structure collapses in on itself.
Wes: (over comlink) We’ve lost transport one!
Wedge: (over comlink) Captain Bell, pull the Dutyfree to starboard, it’ll bring those bombers right to us.
Areta: Hope you brought a flyswatter.
Wedge: I brought four of ‘em.
WEDGE’s X-Wing fighter slides in behind a TIE Bomber, piercing it’s hull with four linked laserblasts, shredding the enemy cockpit.
INT. ECHO BASE - CORRIDOR
DASH rounds another corner on his way back to Bay 3.
Dash: (into comlink) I want the Outrider to be ready to blast off the moment I’m aboard!
Leebo: (over comlink) What do you think I’ve been doing? Oh, um. We have a vistor.
Dash: (into comlink) What kind of vistor?
He sprints through a final doorway into Bay 3.
INT. ECHO BASE - BAY THREE
DASH comes to a stop as he sees the AT-ST that has entered the hangar bay and now stands between him and his ship. A second AT-ST struts it’s way in near the entrance outside.
EXT. HOTH - UPPER ATMOSPHERE
The X-Wings guide the last two surviving transports into orbit.
INT. X-WING, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Luke: I think we can outrun those bombers from here. Everything okay back there, Artoo?
ARTOO beeps an answer.
Luke: (cont’d) Good. Give me all the power you can. The Death Squadron is probably still scattered from all the fighting. We can still probably slip through the blockade
Wedge: (over comlink) No such luck, Boss.
INT. X-WING, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
Wedge: I’ve got an Victory-class Star Destroyer on my scope. The Firewind.
INT. X-WING, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Luke: I see it, Wedge.
INT. ECHO BASE - BAY THREE
The AT-ST begins to train it’s chin-mounted guns on DASH.
Dash: (into comlink) Leebo...
Leebo: (over comlink) You might want to find some cover.
DASH dives back into the corridor as the Outrider’s dorsal quad laser cannons rotate forward to lock onto the AT-ST before then opening fire on the walker. The walker’s head turns slightly under the force of the barrage before large holes are ripped through the armor ahe precariously balanced machine topples over to the ground while still being pounded by the heavy weaponry. The Outrider unleashes a warhead at the second chicken walker, popping it’s cockpit in an explosion.
DASH quickly sprints around the debris field to the boarding ramp lowering below the Outrider.
INT. OUTRIDER - BOARDING RAMP
DASH runs up the ramp and, upon reaching the top, punches the button that raises the ramp and seals the door.
Dash: (yells) Ok, let’s go!
INT. ECHO BASE - BAY THREE
The Outrider lifts up off the ground on it’s repulsorlifts as it spins around 180 degrees to face the open hangar bay doors. The ship’s main engines blast into action, rocketing the ship out of the cavern and into the Hoth day.
EXT. HOTH - SNOWFIELD
The Outrider blasts away from Echo Base towards space.
INT. ECHO BASE- MAIN HANGAR DECK
DARTH VADER strides through the remains of the rebel fortress. Two stormtroopers struggle to keep up with the giant presence. Another stormtrooper, SERGEANT NARTHAX, approaches the Dark Lord.
Vader: Sergeant Narthax, report.
Narthax: Lord Vader, seventeen ships destroyed, we don't know how many got away.
Vader: The Millennium Falcon?
Narthax: We’ve been informed that the fleet’s scanners are tracking it now. It won't get through the blockade.
Vader: Send additional Star Destroyers to intercept them. I want that ship.
INT. X-WING, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Luke: Areta, I want your ship to break off, we’ll distract the Firewind for ya.
Areta: (over comlink) I copy.
Luke: Tarrin, stick around. Everyone pull in close to me and stay up tight underneath the transport.
Wedge: (over comlink) Gotcha, Luke.
Luke: This close together, we’ll all make one blip on their long range sensors. They’ll think they’ve got an unarmed transport coming, We’re gonna give ‘em a little surprise.
Wes: (over comlink) How about we just blow them up instead?
Luke: That’s what I had in mind, Wes. Switch to torpedoes.
EXT. SPACE - HOTH
The Dutyfree breaks off and away from the flight path into space. The remaining transport and it’s three fighter escorts continue to race ahead as the Firewind converges on their flight path in the distance.
INT. X-WING, ROGUE THREE - COCKPIT
Luke: (over comlink) Get ready to let go everything you’ve got.
Tarrin: (over comlink) The destroyer is closing fast. They are reducing their shields and trying to get a tractor beam lock.
Luke: (over comlink) Now!
WEDGE pulls his flight stick sharply to the side.
EXT. SPACE - HOTH
Three X-Wing fighters bank quickly out from underneath the transport and swoop towards the nearby Imperial capital ship. The fighters unleash a volley of 12 proton torpedoes that smash the ship’s command tower, which shatters into a fireball. The Transport flies past it triumphantly, as do the X-Wings. LUKE’s X-Wing pulls away from the others.
INT. X-WING, ROGUE LEADER - COCKPIT
Luke: You guys make the jump the lightspeed. I’ll stay back to screen you and follow when you’re clear.
Wedge: (over comlink) Luke, are you sure? I don’t think that Destroyer can catch us now.
Luke: Just get going! And good luck!
Wedge: If you say so, Rogue Leader!
From LUKE’s POV, the Transport and the other X-Wings go to hyperspace.
EXT. SPACE - LUKE'S X-WING
LUKE's fighter, its wings closed, speeds away from the icy planet. Soon it disappears into the stars.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
LUKE, looking thoughtful, suddenly makes a decision. He flips several switches. The stars shift as he takes his fighter into a steep turn. The X-wing banks sharply and flies away in a new direction. The monitor screen on LUKE's control panel prints out a question from the concerned ARTOO.
Luke: (into comlink) There's nothing wrong, Artoo. I'm just setting a new course.
ARTOO beeps once again.
Luke: (into comlink) We're not going to regroup with the others.
ARTOO begins a protest, whistling an unbelieving, "What?!" LUKE reads Artoo's exclamation on his control panel.
Luke: (into comlink) We're going to the Dagobah system.
LUKE checks his readouts and makes a few adjustments. He rides along with only the soft hum of the instruments to break the silence. Finally, ARTOO chirps up.
Luke: (into comlink) Yes, Artoo?
ARTOO utters a soft, carefully phrased steam of whistles.
Luke: (into comlink, chuckling) That's all right. I'd like to keep it on manual control for a while.
ARTOO lets out a limp little sigh. The little droid is silent for a moment, as though thinking. Then another beep.
Luke: I know there’s no system called Dagobah on our navigational charts. But it’s there, trust me. I have to go there. It has to do with Ben Kenobi and...I just have to do it, that’s all.
The little droid lets out a defeated whimper. LUKE smiles, and continues on his course.
EXT. SPACE
The Outrider skims the edge of an asteroid field near Hoth.
INT. OUTRIDER - COCKPIT
Dash: Hey, at least we got out in one piece, with our payment, so stop complaining. (pauses) We did get all of our payment, right?
Leebo: We did. However, our profit margain will be greatly reduced after we factor in the cost of a replacement warhead.
Dash: Well, I think not getting splattered by a scout walker was a fine trade.
Leebo: Are we to rendezvous with the Rebels?
Dash: Nah, people might start to question our independent status. We should keep a low profile in case one of the Star Destroyers manage to crack our transponder and get an ID on us.
Leebo: What course shall I set, then?
Dash: Head for the Cadavine sector. Someone there owes me a favor or two.
EXT. SPACE
The Outrider’s engines flare as it jumps to hyperspace, streaking away into infinity.
EXT. SPACE - SUPER STAR DESTROYER, EXECUTOR
The massive Imperial flagship emerges from a nearby asteroid field.
INT. SUPER STAR DESTROYER, EXECUTOR - VADER'S CHAMBER
DARTH VADER stands before a shimmering, life-sized holographic image which slowly comes into focus. The image is that of SATE PESTAGE, Grand Vizier to His Eminence, Emperor Palpatine.
Vader: Sate Pestage, I would see the Emperor. He commands it.
Pestage: Lord Vader, he bids you wait. Have you any progress to report?
Vader: The rebel base on Hoth has been destroyed. I am tracking down the survivors.
Pestage: The Emperor will be with you in time.
Vader: I wait at his convenience.
EXT. SPACE - CORUSCANT
The Imperial capital planet glimmers in the dark- the lights of the planet-covering city visible from orbit.
EXT. CORUSCANT - IMPERIAL PALACE
The towering building rises above all others, it’s many spires reaching into the sky and it’s pyramid-like shape casting a large shadow across the city.
INT. IMPERIAL PALACE - PALPATINE’S PRIVATE CHAMBER
EMPEROR PALPATINE, wrapped in his black robes, walks from his throne towards a holocam field in the dimly lit room. The large doors flanked by two masked crimson Royal Guards. A green skinned reptillian humanoid, a Falleen, stands still as the Emperor passes him by. He wears an elaborate purple and black robe. PRINCE XIZOR.
Emperor Palpatine: I have something I must attend to. Wait there.
The old man steps inside the holocam field, which alters his voice slightly.
Palpatine: (cont’d) We shall continue this matter in a moment.
Prince Xizor: As you wish, my Emperor.
XIZOR stops four meters away from PALPATINE. The holocam begins it’s transmission, and the holographic image of DARTH VADER, kneeling, appears before PALPATINE.
Darth Vader: What is thy bidding, my Master?
Palpatine: There is a great disturbance in the Force.
Vader: I have felt it.
Palpatine: We have a new enemy. Luke Skywalker.
A subdued expression of interest momentarily shows on XIZOR’s face.
Vader: Yes, my Master.
Palpatine: He could destroy us.
XIZOR continues watching with great interest.
Vader: He’s just a boy, Obi-Wan can no longer help him.
Palpatine: The Force is strong with him. The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi.
Vader: If he could be turned, he would become a powerful ally.
Palpatine: Yes...yes. He would be a great asset. Can it be done?
Vader: He will join us or die, Master.
XIZOR smiles very slightly as the hologram of VADER vanishes.
Palpatine: Now...
PALPATINE steps out from the holocam field, his voice returning to normal.
Palpatine: (cont’d) ...where were we, Prince Xizor?
XIZOR smiles openly.
IRIS OUT:
End Titles.