STAR WARS
!! PUBLIC VERSION !!

ÒA long time ago, in a galaxy far, far
away...Ó

A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main
title. War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup
slowly crawls into infinity.

ÒIt is a period of civil war. Rebel
spaceships, striking from a hidden
base, have won their first victory
against the evil Galactic Empire.

During the battle, Rebel spies managed
to steal secret plans to the Empire's
ultimate weapon, the Death Star, an
armored space station with enough
power to destroy an entire planet.

Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents,
Princess Leia races home aboard her
starship, custodian of the stolen plans
that can save her people and restore
freedom to the galaxy...Ó

The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total
eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A
tiny silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing
lasers from the back of the ship, races through space. It
is pursed by a giant Imperial Star Destroyer. Hundreds of
deadly laserbolts streak from the Imperial Star Destroyer,
causing the main solar fin of the Rebel craft to
disintegrate.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN PASSAGEWAY

An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo
(R2-D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way
through the shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are
old and battered. Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod.
His face is a mass of computer lights surrounding a radar
eye. Threepio, on the other hand, is a tall, slender robot
of human proportions. He has a gleaming bronze-like
metallic surface of an Art Deco design.

Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their way.

THREEPIO
Did you hear that? They've shut
down the main reactor. We'll be
destroyed for sure. This is
madness!

Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions in the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.

THREEPIO
We're doomed!

The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that only another robot could understand.

THREEPIO
There'll be no escape for the
Princess this time.

Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment are heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.

THREEPIO
What's that?

EXT. SPACECRAFT IN SPACE

The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER

The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and a score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make their way into the smoke-filled corridor.

In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel soldiers who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered arms and faces.

An explosion hits near the robots.

THREEPIO
I should have known better than to
trust the logic of a half-sized
thermocapsulary dehousing assister...

Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages around the two hapless robots.

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - DAY

A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone figure, Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations who looks much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy hair and baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable lad with a prize-winning smile.

A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided by a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions. A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye and he instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his utility belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying the heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the tiny robot to follow him.

LUKE
Hurry up! Come with me! What
are you waiting for?! Get in gear!

The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his arms up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps into his Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum madly.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN HALLWAY

The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Sith makes his way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask, which stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the Imperial stormtroopers.

Everyone instinctively backs away from the imposing warrior and a deathly quiet sweeps through the Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run in a frenzied panic.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER

A woman's hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo's dome.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER

Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel soldiers can be heard in the distance.

THREEPIO
Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are
you?

A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio's attention and
he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a smoke-filled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen years old) stands in front of Artoo. Surreal and out of place, dreamlike and half hidden in the smoke, she finishes adjusting something on Artoo's computer face, then watches as the little robot joins his companion.

THREEPIO
At last! Where have you been?

Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.

THREEPIO
They're heading in this direction.
What are we going to do? We'll be
sent to the spice mines of Kessel
or smashed into who knows what!

Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the
subhallway. Threepio chases after him.

THREEPIO
Wait a minute, where are you
going?

Artoo responds with electronic beeps.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - CORRIDOR

The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted bodies of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.

IMPERIAL OFFICER
The Death Star plans are not in
the main computer.

Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
in vain.

VADER
Where are those transmissions you
intercepted?

Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.

REBEL OFFICER
We intercepted no transmissions.
Aaah... This is a consular ship.
Were on a diplomatic mission.

VADER
If this is a consular ship... where
is the Ambassador?

The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer's throat, creating a gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp. Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to his troops.

VADER
Commander, tear this ship apart
until you've found those plans
and bring me the Ambassador. I
want her alive!

The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY

The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds of the approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the troopers spots her.

TROOPER
There she is! Set for stun!

Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a
paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.

TROOPER
She'll be all right. Inform Lord
Vader we have a prisoner.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY

Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod. He snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light
begins to flash. The stubby astro-robot works his way into the cramped four-man pod.

THREEPIO
Hey, you're not permitted in there.
It's restricted. You'll be
deactivated for sure..

Artoo beeps something to him.

THREEPIO
Don't call me a mindless philosopher,
you overweight glob of grease! Now
come out before somebody sees you.

Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding
the mission he is about to perform.

THREEPIO
Secret mission? What plans? What
are you talking about? I'm not
getting in there!

Artoo isn't happy with Threepio's stubbornness, and he beeps and twangs angrily.

A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris through the narrow subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and, after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky robot jumps into the lifepod.

THREEPIO
I'm going to regret this.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER

The safety door snaps shut, and with the thunder of exploding latches the tiny lifepod ejects from the disabled ship.

INT. IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER

On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel spacecraft.

CHIEF PILOT
There goes another one.

CAPTAIN
Hold your fire. There are no
life forms. It must have been
short-circuited.

INT. LIFEPOD

Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial starship. Stars circle as the pod rotates through the galaxy.

THREEPIO
That's funny, the damage doesn't
look as bad from out here.

Artoo beeps an assuring response.

THREEPIO
Are you sure this things safe?

EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY

Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty empty street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to get out of the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist at Luke as he flies past.

WOMAN
I've told you kids to slow down!

Luke pulls up behind a low concrete service station that is all but covered by the shifting desert sands.

INT. POWER STATION - DAY

Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through the office, yelling wildly.

FIXER
Did I hear a young noise blast
through here?

CAMIE
It was just Wormie on another
rampage.

Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy city attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics of the farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the background.

LUKE
Shape it up you guys!... Biggs?

Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to
great joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.

LUKE
I didn't know you were back!
When did you get in?

BIGGS
Just now. I wanted to surprise
you, hot shot. I thought you'd be
here... certainly didn't expect
you to be out working.
(laughs)

LUKE
The Academy didn't change you
much... but you're back so soon?
Hey, what happened, didn't you get
your commission?

Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.

BIGGS
Of course I got it. Signed
aboard The Rand Ecliptic last week.
First mate Biggs Darklighter at
your service...
(he salutes)
... I just came back to say goodbye
to all you unfortunate landlocked
simpletons.

Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing
friend is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out of it.

LUKE
I almost forgot. There's a battle
going on! Right here in our system.
Come and look!

DEAK
Not again! Forget it.

EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD - SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY

The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie and The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes. Luke has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.

LUKE
There they are!

Biggs takes the electrobinoculars from Luke as the others strain to see something with the naked eye. Through the electrobinoculars Biggs sees two small silver specks.

BIGGS
That's no battle, hot shot... they're
just sitting there! Probably a
freighter-tanker refueling.

LUKE
But there was a lot of firing
earlier...

Camie grabs the electrobinoculars away banging them against the building in the process. Luke grabs them.

LUKE
Hey, easy with those...

CAMIE
Don't worry about it, Wormie.

The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy
shrugs his shoulders in resignation.

FIXER
I keep telling you, the Rebellion
is a long way from here. I doubt
if the Empire would even fight to
keep this system. Believe me Luke,
this planet is a big hunk of nothing...

Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The
group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
Luke's ineptitude.

INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - HALLWAY

Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as Darth Vader emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord stares hard at the frail young senator, but she doesn't move.

LEIA
Lord Vader, I should have known.
Only you could be so bold. The
Imperial Senate will not sit still
for this, when they hear you've
attacked a diplomatic...

VADER
Don't play games with me, Your
Highness. You weren't on any mercy
mission this time. You passed
directly through a restricted
system. Several transmissions were
beamed to this ship by Rebel spies.
I want to know what happened to the
plans they sent you.

LEIA
I don't know what you're talking
about. I'm a member of the Imperial
Senate on a diplomatic mission to
Alderaan...

VADER
You're a part of the Rebel Alliance
... and a traitor. Take her away!

Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the smoldering hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial Commander turns to Vader.

COMMANDER
Holding her is dangerous. If word
of this gets out, it could generate
sympathy for the Rebellion in the
senate.

VADER
I have traced the Rebel spies
to her. Now she is my only link
to find their secret base!

COMMANDER
She'll die before sheÕll tell
you anything.

VADER
Leave that to me. Send a distress
signal and then inform the senate
that all aboard were killed!

Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the Commander. They stop and snap to attention.

SECOND OFFICER
Lord Vader, the battle station
plans are not aboard this ship!
And no transmissions were made.
An escape pod was jettisoned during
the fighting, but no life forms
were aboard.

Vader turns to the Commander.

VADER
She must have hidden the plans in
the escape pod. Send a detachment
down to retrieve them. See to it
personally, Commander. There'll be
no one to stop us this time.

COMMANDER
Yes, sir.

EXT. SPACE

The Imperial Star Destroyer comes over the surface of the
planet Tatooine.

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT

Jundland, or "No Man's Land", where the rugged desert mesas
meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-robots kick up clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily work their way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in the distance rests half buried in the sand.

THREEPIO
How did I get into this mess?
I really don't know how. We seem
to be made to suffer. It's our
lot in life.

Artoo answers with beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
I've got to rest before I fall
apart. My joints are almost frozen.

Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
What a desolate place this is.

Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and starts off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio stops and yells at him.

THREEPIO
Where are you going?

A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small robot.

THREEPIO
Well, I'm not going that way. It's
much too rocky. This way is much
easier.

Artoo counters with a long whistle.

THREEPIO
What makes you think there are
settlements over there?

Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
Don't get technical with me.

Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
What mission? What are you talking
about? I've had just about enough
of you! Go that way! You'll be
malfunctioning within a day, you
nearsighted scrap pile!

Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in the direction of the vast dune sea.

THREEPIO
And don't let me catch you following
me begging for help, because you
won't get it.

Artoo's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
off in the direction of the towering mesas.

THREEPIO
No more adventures. I'm not
going that way.

Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the distant mountains.

EXT. TATOOINE - DUNE SEA

Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a dune: only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for endless miles. He looks back in the direction of the now distant rock mesas.

THREEPIO
That malfunctioning little twerp.
This is all his fault! He tricked
me into going this way, but he'll
do no better.

In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the sand from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint of reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving towards him.

THREEPIO
Wait, what's that? A transport!
I'm saved!

The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the approaching transport.

THREEPIO
Over here! Help! Please, help!

EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY

Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer and the others can be heard working inside.

LUKE
(Very animated)
... so I cut off my power, shut down
the afterburners and came in low on
Deak's trail. I was so close I
thought I was going to fry my
instruments. As it was I busted up
the Skyhopper pretty bad. Uncle
Owen was pretty upset. He grounded
me for the rest of the season. You
should have been there... it was
fantastic.

BIGGS
You ought to take it a little easy
Luke. You may be the hottest
bushpilot this side of Mos Eisley,
but those little Skyhoppers are
dangerous. Keep it up, and one day,
whammo, you're going to be nothing
more than a dark spot on the down
side of a canyon wall.

LUKE
Look who's talking. Now that
you've been around those giant
starships you're beginning to sound
like my uncle. You've gotten soft
in the city...

BIGGS
I've missed you kid.

LUKE
Well, things haven't been the same
since you left, Biggs. It's been
so...quiet.

Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.

BIGGS
Luke, I didn't come back just to
say goodbye... I shouldn't tell
you this, but you're the only one
I can trust... and if I don't come
back, I want somebody to know.

Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.

LUKE
What are you talking about?

BIGGS
I made some friends at the Academy.
(he whispers)
... when our frigate goes to one
of the central systems, we're going
to jump ship and join the Alliance...

Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.

LUKE
Join the Rebellion?! Are you
kidding! How?

BIGGS
Quiet down will ya! You got a
mouth bigger than a meteor crater!

LUKE
I'm sorry. I'm quiet.
(he whispers)
Listen how quiet I am. You can
barely hear me...

Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.

BIGGS
My friend has a friend on Bestine
who might help us make contact.

LUKE
YouÕre crazy! You could wander
around forever trying to find them.

BIGGS
I know it's a long shot, but if
I don't find them I'll do what I
can on my own... It's what we
always talked about. Luke, I'm
not going to wait for the Empire to
draft me into service. The Rebellion
is spreading and I want to be on the
right side - the side I believe in.

LUKE
And I'm stuck here...

BIGGS
I thought you were going to the
Academy next term. You'll get your
chance to get off this rock.

LUKE
Not likely! I had to cancel my
application. There has been a lot
of unrest among the Sand People since
you left... they've even raided
the outskirts of Anchorhead.

BIGGS
Your uncle could hold off a whole
colony of Sand People with one blaster.

LUKE
I know, but he's got enough vaporators
going to make the place pay off. He
needs me for just one more season.
I can't leave him now.

BIGGS
I feel for you, Luke, you're going
to have to learn what seems to be
important or what really is important.
What good is all your uncle's work if
it's taken over by the Empire?... You
know they're starting to nationalize
commerce in the central systems...
it won't be long before your uncle
is merely a tenant, slaving for the
greater glory of the Empire.

LUKE
It couldn't happen here. You said
it yourself. The Empire won't bother
with this rock.

BIGGS
Things always change.

LUKE
I wish I was going... Are you
going to be around long?

BIGGS
No, I'm leaving in the morning...

LUKE
Then I guess I won't see you.

BIGGS
Maybe someday... I'll keep a
lookout.

LUKE
Well, I'll be at the Academy next
season... after that who knows. I
won't be drafted into the Imperial
Starfleet that's for sure... Take
care of yourself, you'll always be
the best friend I've got.

BIGGS
So long, Luke.

Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads back towards the power station.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SUNSET

The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
foreboding mist and the ominous sounds of unearthly creatures fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the creepy rock canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking noise as he goes. He hears a distant, hard, metallic sound and stops for a moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues on his way.

In the distance, a pebble tumbles down the steep canyon wall and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A little further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a pair of eyes in the dark recesses only a few feet from the narrow path.

The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow.

He manages one short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his back. His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then off again. Out of the rocks scurry three Jawas, no taller than Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks and their faces are shrouded so that only their glowing yellow eyes can be seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave the heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down the trail.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET

The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge tank-like vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a large tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot is sucked into the giant machine.

The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.

INT. SANDCRAWLER - HOLD AREA

It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. Artoo switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic whimper and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at the end of the chamber.

INT. SANDCRAWLER - PRISON AREA

Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic conversation, while others simply mill about. A voice of recognition calls out from the gloom.

THREEPIO
Artoo-Detoo! It's you! It's you!

A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET

The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain ridge.

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - DAY

Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the half buried lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine. A trooper yells to an officer some distance away.

FIRST TROOPER
Someone was in the pod. The
tracks go off in this direction.

A second trooper picks up a small bit of metal out of the sand and gives it to the first trooper.

SECOND TROOPER
Look, sir - droids.

EXT. TATOOINE - DUNES

The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.

INT. SANDCRAWLER

Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.

THREEPIO
Wake up! Wake up!

Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops, creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men. Threepio's fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer lights pop on as he begins beeping. At the far end of the long chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with blinding white light. a dozen or so Jawas make their way through the odd assortment of robots.

THREEPIO
We're doomed.

A Jawa starts moving toward them.

THREEPIO
Do you think they'll melt us down?

Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Will
this never end?

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - LARS HOMESTEAD - AFTERNOON

The Jawas mutter gibberish as they busily line up their battered captives, including Artoo and Threepio, in front of the enormous Sandcrawler, which is parked beside a small homestead consisting of three large holes in the ground surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small adobe block house.

The Jawas scurry around fussing over the robots, straightening them up or brushing some dust from a dented metallic elbow. The shrouded little creatures smell horribly, attracting small insects to the dark areas when their mouths and nostrils should be.

Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limps Owen Lars, a large burly man in his mid-fifties. His reddish eyes are sunken in a dust-covered face. As the farmer carefully inspects each of the robots, he is closely followed by his slump-shouldered nephew, Luke Skywalker. One of the vile little Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales pitch in a queer, unintelligible language.

A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form the homestead. Luke goes over to the edge and sees his Aunt Beru standing in the main courtyard.

BERU
Luke, tell Owen that if he gets
a translator to be sure it speaks
Bocce.

LUKE
It looks like we don't have much
of a choice but I'll remind him.

Luke returns to his uncle as they look over the equipment for sale with the Jawa leader.

OWEN
I have no need for a protocol droid.

THREEPIO
(quickly)
Sir - not in an environment such
as this - that's why I've also
been programmed for over thirty
secondary functions that...

OWEN
What I really need is a droid
that understands the binary
languages of moisture vaporators.

THREEPIO
Vaporators! Sir - My first job
was programming binary load lifters
... very similar to your vaporators.
You could say...

OWEN
Do you speak Bocce?

THREEPIO
Of course I can, sir. It's like
a second language for me... I'm
as fluent in Bocce...

OWEN
All right; shut up!
(turning to Jawa)
I'll take this one.

THREEPIO
Shutting up, sir.

OWEN
Luke, take these two over to
the garage, will you? I want
you to have both of them cleaned
up before dinner.

LUKE
But I was going into Toshi Station
to pick up some power converters...

OWEN
You can waste time with your
friends when your chores are
done. Now, come on, get to it!

LUKE
All right, come on! And the
red one, come on. Well, come on,
Red, let's go.

As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots back into the Sandcrawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little beep and starts after his old friend Threepio. He is restrained by a slimy Jawa, who zaps him with a control box.

Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa. Luke and the two robots start for the garage when a plate pops off the head of the red astro-droid, throwing parts all over the ground. He adjusts the astro-droid's head plate and it sparks wildly.

LUKE
Uncle Owen...

OWEN
Yeah?

LUKE
This R2 unit has a bad motivator.
Look!

OWEN
(to the head Jawa)
Hey, what're you trying to push
on us?

The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Artoo has sneaked out of line and is moving up and down trying to attract attention. He lets out with a low whistle. Threepio taps Luke on the shoulder.

THREEPIO
(pointing to Artoo)
Excuse me, sir, but that R2 unit
is in prime condition. A real
bargain.

LUKE
Uncle Owen...

OWEN
Yeah?

LUKE
What about that one?

OWEN
(to Jawa)
What about that blue one? We'll
take that one.

With a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the damaged astro-droid for Artoo.

LUKE
Yeah, take it away.

THREEPIO
Uh, I'm quite sure you'll be very
pleased with that one, sir. He
really is in first-class condition.
I've worked with him before. Here
he comes.

Owen pays off the whining Jawa and the two robots trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.

LUKE
Okay, let's go.

THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Now, don't forget this! Why I
should stick my neck out for you
is quite beyond my capacity!

INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - GARAGE AREA - LATE AFTERNOON

The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly peaceful atmosphere permeates the low gray chamber. Threepio lowers himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the battered Landspeeder little Artoo rests on a large battery with a cord to his face.

THREEPIO
Thank the maker! This oil bath
is going to feel so good. I've
got such a bad case of dust
contamination, I can barely move!

Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke seems to be lost in thought as he runs his hand over the damaged fin of a small two-man skyhopper spaceship resting in a low hangar off the garage. Finally Luke's frustrations get the better of him and he slams a wrench across the workbench.

LUKE
It just isn't fair. Oh, Biggs is
right. I'm never gonna get out
of here!

THREEPIO
Is there anything I might do to
help?

Luke glances at the battered robot. A bit of his anger drains and a tiny smile creeps across his face.

LUKE
Well, not unless you can alter
time, speed up the harvest, or
teleport me off this rock!

THREEPIO
I don't think so, sir. I'm only
a droid and not very knowledgeable
about such things. Not on this
planet, anyways. As a matter of
fact, I'm not even sure which
planet I'm on.

LUKE
Well, if there's a bright center
to the universe, you're on the
planet that it's farthest from.

THREEPIO
I see, sir.

LUKE
Uh, you can call me Luke.

THREEPIO
I see, sir Luke.

LUKE
(laughing)
Just Luke.

THREEPIO
And I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg
relations, and this is my counterpart,
Artoo-Detoo.

LUKE
Hello.

Artoo beeps in response. Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to scrape several connectors on the robot's head with a chrome pick. Threepio climbs out of the oil tub and begins wiping oil from his bronze body.

LUKE
You got a lot of carbon scoring
here. It looks like you boys have
seen a lot of action.

THREEPIO
With all we've been through,
sometimes I'm amazed we're in as
good condition as we are, what
with the Rebellion and all.

LUKE
You know of the Rebellion against
the Empire?

THREEPIO
That's how we came to be in your
service, if you take my meaning,
sir.

LUKE
Have you been in many battles?

THREEPIO
Several, I think. Actually,
there's not much to tell. I'm
not much more than an interpreter,
and not very good at telling stories.
Well, not at making them interesting,
anyways.

Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo's neck joint. He uses a larger pick.

LUKE
Well, my little friend, you've
got something jammed in here real
good. Were you on a starcruiser or...

The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke tumbling head over heels. He sits up and sees a twelve-inch three-dimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Rebel senator, being projected from the face of little Artoo. The image is a rainbow of colors as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly lit garage. Luke's mouth hangs open in awe.

LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're
my only hope.

LUKE
What's this?

Artoo looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for Threepio to translate.

Leia continues to repeat the sentence fragment over and over.

THREEPIO
What is what?!? He asked you a
question...
(pointing to Leia)
What is that?

Artoo whistles his surprise as he pretends to just notice the hologram. He looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the sentence fragment over and over.

LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're
my only hope. Help me, Obi-Wan
Kenobi. You're my only hope.

THREEPIO
Oh, he says it's nothing, sir.
Merely a malfunction. Old data.
Pay it no mind.

Luke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.

LUKE
Who is she? She's beautiful.

THREEPIO
I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.

LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi...

THREEPIO
I think she was a passenger on our
last voyage. A person of some
importance, sir - I believe. Our
captain was attached to...

LUKE
Is there more to this recording?

Luke reaches out for Artoo but he lets out several frantic squeaks and a whistle.

THREEPIO
Behave yourself, Artoo. You're
going to get us in trouble.
It's all right, you can trust
him. He's our new master.

Artoo whistles and beeps a long message to Threepio.

THREEPIO
He says he's the property of Obi-
Wan Kenobi, a resident of these
parts. And it's a private message
for him. Quite frankly, sir, I
don't know what he's talking
about. Our last master was Captain
Antilles, but with what we've been
through, this little R2 unit has
become a bit eccentric.

LUKE
Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he
means old Ben Kenobi?

THREEPIO
I beg your pardon, sir, but do you
know what he's talking about?

LUKE
Well, I don't know anyone named
Obi-Wan, but old Ben lives out
beyond the dune sea. He's kind
of a strange old hermit.

Luke's gazes at the beautiful young princess for a few moments.

LUKE
I wonder who she is. It sounds
like she's in trouble. I'd better
play back the whole thing.

Artoo beeps something to Threepio.

THREEPIO
He says the restraining bolt has
short circuited his recording
system. He suggests that if you
remove the bolt, he might be able
to play back the entire recording.

Luke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and hasn't really heard what Threepio has been saying.

LUKE
H'm? Oh, yeah, well, I guess
you're too small to run away on me
if I take this off! Okay.

Luke takes a wedged bar and pops the restraining bolt off Artoo's side.

LUKE
There you go.

The princess immediately disappears.

LUKE
Well, wait a minute. Where'd she
go? Bring her back! Play back the
entire message.

Artoo beeps an innocent reply as Threepio sits up in embarrassment.

THREEPIO
What message? The one youÕve just
been playing. The one you're
carrying inside your rusty innards!

A women's voice calls out from another room.

AUNT BERU
Luke? Luke! Come to dinner!

Luke stands up and shakes his head at the malfunctioning robot.

LUKE
All right, I'll be right there,
Aunt Beru.

THREEPIO
I'm sorry, sir, but he appears to
have picked up a slight flutter.

Luke tosses Artoo's restraining bolt on the workbench and hurries out of the room.

LUKE
Well, see what you can do with
him. I'll be right back.

THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Just you reconsider playing that
message for him.

Artoo beeps in response.

THREEPIO
No, I don't think he likes you
at all.

Artoo beeps.

THREEPIO
No, I don't like you either.

INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - DINING AREA

Luke's Aunt Beru, a warm, motherly woman, fills a pitcher with blue fluid from a refrigerated container in the well-used kitchen. She puts the pitcher on a tray with some bowls of food and starts for the dining area.

Luke sits with his Uncle Owen before a table covered with steaming bowls of food as Aunt Beru carries in a bowl of red grain.

LUKE
You know, I think that R2 unit
we bought might have been stolen.

OWEN
What makes you think that?

LUKE
Well, I stumbled across a recording
while I was cleaning him. He says
he belongs to someone called Obi-
Wan Kenobi.

Owen is greatly alarmed at the mention of his name, but manages to control himself.

LUKE
I thought he might have meant Ben.
Do you know what he's talking
about? Well, I wonder if he's
related to Ben.

Owen breaks loose with a fit of uncontrolled anger.

OWEN
That old man's just a crazy
wizard. Tomorrow I want you to
take that R2 unit into Anchorhead
and have its memory flushed.
That'll be the end of it. It
belongs to us now.

LUKE
But what if this Obi-Wan comes
looking for him?

OWEN
He won't, I don't think he exists
any more. He died about the same
time as your father.

LUKE
He knew my father?

OWEN
I told you to forget it. Your
only concern is to prepare the new
droids for tomorrow. In the morning
I want them on the south ridge
working out those condensers.

LUKE
Yes, sir. I think those new droids
are going to work out fine. In fact,
I, uh, was also thinking about our
agreement about my staying on another
season. And if these new droids do
work out, I want to transmit my
application to the Academy this year.

Owen's face becomes a scowl, although he tries to suppress it.

OWEN
You mean the next semester before
harvest?

LUKE
Sure, there're more than enough
droids.

OWEN
Harvest is when I need you the
most. Only one more season.
This year we'll make enough on
the harvest so I'll be able to
hire some more hands. And then
you can go to the Academy next
year.

Luke continues to toy with his food, not looking at his uncle.

OWEN
You must understand I need you
here, Luke.

LUKE
But it's a whole 'nother year.

OWEN
Look, it's only one more season.

Luke pushes his half-eaten plate of food aside and stands.

LUKE
Yeah, that's what you said last
year when Biggs and Tank left.

AUNT BERU
Where are you going?

LUKE
It looks like I'm going nowhere.
I have to finish cleaning those
droids.

Resigned to his fate, Luke paddles out of the room. Owen mechanically finishes his dinner.

AUNT BERU
Owen, he can't stay here forever.
Most of his friends have gone.
It means so much to him.

OWEN
I'll make it up to him next year.
I promise.

AUNT BERU
Luke's just not a farmer, Owen.
He has too much of his father in
him.

OWEN
That's what I'm afraid of.

EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD

The giant twin suns of Tatooine slowly disappear behind a distant dune range. Luke stands watching them for a few moments, then reluctantly enters the doomed entrance to the homestead.

INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - GARAGE

Luke enters the garage to discover the robots nowhere in sight. He takes a small control box from his utility belt similar to the one the Jawas were carrying. He activates the box, which creates a low hum, and Threepio, letting out a short yell, pops up from behind the Skyhopper spaceship.

LUKE
What are you doing hiding there?

Threepio stumbles forward, but Artoo is still nowhere in sight.

THREEPIO
It wasn't my fault, sir. Please
don't deactivate me. I told him
not to go, but he's faulty,
malfunctioning; kept babbling on
about his mission.

LUKE
Oh, no!

Luke races out of the garage followed by Threepio.

EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD

Luke rushes out of the small doomed entry to the homestead and searches the darkening horizon for the small triped astro-robot. Threepio struggles out of the homestead and on the salt flat as Luke scans the landscape with his electrobinoculars.

THREEPIO
That R2 unit has always been a
problem. These astro-droids are
getting quite out of hand. Even
I can't understand their logic at
times.

LUKE
How could I be so stupid? He's
nowhere in sight. Blast it!

THREEPIO
Pardon me, sir, but couldn't we
go after him?

LUKE
It's too dangerous with all the
Sand People around. We'll have
to wait until morning.

Owen yells up from the homestead plaza.

OWEN
Luke, I'm shutting the power down
for the night.

LUKE
All right, I'll be there in a few
minutes. Boy, am I gonna get it.

He takes one final look across the dim horizon.

LUKE
You know that little droid is
going to cause me a lot of trouble.

THREEPIO
Oh, he excels at that, sir.

INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - PLAZA

Morning slowly creeps into the sparse but sparkling oasis of the open courtyard. The idyll is broken be the yelling of Uncle Owen, his voice echoing throughout the homestead.

OWEN
Luke? Luke? Luke? Where could
he be loafing now!

INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - KITCHEN

The interior of the kitchen is a worm glow as Aunt Beru prepares the morning breakfast. Owen enters in a huff.

OWEN
Have you seen Luke this morning?

AUNT BERU
He said he had some things to
do before he started today, so
he left early.

OWEN
Uh? Did he take those two new
droids with him?

AUNT BERU
I think so.

OWEN
Well, he'd better have those units
in the south range repaired be
midday or there'll be hell to pay!

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - LUKE'S SPEEDER - DAY

The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as Threepio pilots the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast wasteland.

INT./EXT. LUKE'S SPEEDER - DESERT WASTELAND - TRAVELING - DAY

Luke leans over the back of the speeder and adjusts something in the motor compartment.

LUKE
(yelling)
How's that.

Threepio signals that is fine and Luke turns back into the wind-whipped cockpit and pops the canopy shut.

LUKE
Old Ben Kenobi lives out in this
direction somewhere, but I don't
see how that R2 unit could have
come this far. We must have
missed him. Uncle Owen isn't
going to take this very well.

THREEPIO
Sir, would it help if you told
him it was my fault.

LUKE
(brightening)
Sure. He needs you. He'd
probably only deactivate you for
a day or so...

THREEPIO
Deactivate! Well, on the other
hand if you hadn't removed his
restraining bolt...

LUKE
Wait, there's something dead ahead
on the scanner. It looks like our
droid... hit the accelerator.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK MESA - DUNE SEA - COASTLINE - DAY

From high on a rock mesa, the tiny Landspeeder can be seen gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground two weather-beaten Sand People shrouded in their grimy desert cloaks peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser rifle and points it at the speeder but the second creature grabs the gun before it can be fired.

The Sand People, or Tusken Raiders as they're sometimes called, speak in a coarse barbaric language as they get into an animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seems to get in the final word and the nomads scurry over the rocky terrain.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK MESA - CANYON

The Tusken Raiders approaches two large Banthas standing tied to a rock. The monstrous, bear-like creatures are as large as elephants, with huge red eyes, tremendous looped horns, and long, furry, dinosaur-like tails. The Tusken Raiders mount saddles strapped to the huge creatures' shaggy backs and ride off down the rugged bluff.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR

The speeder is parked on the floor of a massive canyon. Luke, with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder, stands before little Artoo.

LUKE
Hey, whoa, just where do you
think you're going?

The little droid whistles a feeble reply, as Threepio poses menacingly behind the little runaway.

THREEPIO
Master Luke here is your rightful
owner. We'll have no more of this
Obi-Wan Kenobi jibberish... and don't
talk to me of your mission, either.
You're fortunate he doesn't blast
you into a million pieces right here.

LUKE
Well, come on. It's getting late.
I only hope we can get back before
Uncle Owen really blows up.

THREEPIO
If you don't mind my saying so,
sir, I think you should deactivate
the little fugitive until you've
gotten him back to your workshop.

LUKE
No, he's not going to try anything.

Suddenly the little robot jumps to life with a mass of frantic whistles and screams.

LUKE
What's wrong with him now?

THREEPIO
Oh my... sir, he says there are
several creatures approaching from
the southeast.

Luke swings his rifle into position and looks to the south.

LUKE
Sand People! Or worse! Come on,
let's have a look. Come on.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - RIDGE - DAY

Luke carefully makes his way to the top of a rock ridge and scans the canyon with his electrobinoculars.

He spots the two riderless Banthas. Threepio struggles up behind the young adventurer.

LUKE
There are two Banthas down there
but I don't see any... wait a
second, they're Sand People all
right. I can see one of them now.

Luke watches the distant Tusken Raider through his electrobinoculars. Suddenly something huge moves in front of his field of view. Before Luke or Threepio can react, a large, gruesome Tusken Raider looms over them. Threepio is startled and backs away, right off the side if the cliff. He can be heard for several moments as he clangs, bangs and rattles down the side of the mountain.

The towering creature brings down his curved, double-pointed gaderffii - the dreaded axe blade that has struck terror in the heart of the local settlers. But Luke manages to block the blow with his laser rifle, which is smashed to pieces. The terrified farm boy scrambles backward until he is forced to the edge of a deep crevice. The sinister Raider stands over him with his weapon raised and lets out a horrible shrieking laugh.

EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR - DAY

Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in the rocks as the vicious Sand People walk past carrying the inert Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the speeder. The Sand People ransack the speeder, throwing parts and supplies in all directions. Suddenly they stop. Then everything is quiet for a few moments. A great howling moan is heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the Sand People fleeing in terror.

Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight swishing sound that frightened off the Sand People grows even closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and leans over Luke. His ancient leathery face, cracked and weathered by exotic climates is set off by dark, penetrating eyes and a scraggly white beard. Ben Kenobi squints his eyes as he scrutinizes the unconscious farm boy. Artoo makes a slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him.

BEN
Hello there! Come here my
little friend. Don't be afraid.

Artoo waddles over to where Luke lies crumpled in a heap and begins to whistle and beep his concern. Ben puts his hand on Luke's forehead and he begins to come around.

BEN
Don't worry, he'll be all right.

LUKE
What happened?

BEN
Rest easy, son, you've had a busy
day. You're fortunate you're
still in one piece.

LUKE
Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I
glad to see you!

BEN
The Jundland Wastes are not to be
traveled lightly. Tell me, young
Luke, what brings you out this far?

LUKE
Oh, this little droid! I think
he's searching for his former master
... I've never seen such devotion
in a droid before... there seems to
be no stopping him. He claims to
be the property of an Obi-Wan
Kenobi. Is he a relative of yours?
Do you know who he's talking about?

Ben ponders this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard.

BEN
Obi-Wan Kenobi... Obi-Wan? Now
thats a name I haven't heard in
a long time... a long time.

LUKE
I think my uncle knew him. He
said he was dead.

BEN
Oh, he's not dead, no... not yet.

LUKE
You know him!

BEN
Well of course, of course I know
him. He's me! I haven't gone
by the name Obi-Wan since oh,
before you were born.

LUKE
Then the droid does belong to you.

BEN
Don't seem to remember ever owning
a droid. Very interesting...

He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.

BEN
I think we better get indoors.
The Sand People are easily startled
but they will soon be back and in
greater numbers.

Luke sits up and rubs his head. Artoo lets out a pathetic beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.

LUKE
... Threepio!

EXT. TATOOINE - SAND PIT - ROCK MESA - DAY

Little Artoo stands at the edge of a large sand pit and begins to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke and Ben stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio lying half buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken off.

Luke tries to revive the inert robot by shaking him and then flips a hidden switch on his back several times until finally the mechanical man's systems turn on.

THREEPIO
Where am I? I must have taken
a bad step...

LUKE
Can you stand? We've got to get
out of here before the Sand People
return.

THREEPIO
I don't think I can make it. You
go on, Master Luke. There's no
sense in you risking yourself on
my account. I'm done for.

Artoo makes a beeping sound.

LUKE
No, you're not. What kind of talk
is that?

Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little Artoo watches from the top of the pit. Ben glances around suspiciously. Sensing something, he stands up and sniffs the air.

BEN
Quickly, son... they're on the
move.

INT. KENOBI'S DWELLING

The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio's arm, as old Ben sits thinking.

LUKE
No, my father didn't fight in the
wars. He was a navigator on a
spice freighter.

BEN
That's what your uncle told you.
He didn't hold with your father's
ideals. Thought he should have
stayed here and not gotten involved.

LUKE
You fought in the Clone Wars?

BEN
Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight
the same as your father.

LUKE
I wish I'd known him.

BEN
He was the best star-pilot in
the galaxy, and a cunning warrior.
I understand you've become quite
a good pilot yourself. And he was
a good friend. Which reminds me...

Ben gets up and goes to a chest where he rummages around. As Luke finishes repairing Threepio and starts to fit the restraining bolt back on, Threepio looks at him nervously. Luke thinks about the bolt for a moment then puts it on the table. Ben shuffles up and presents Luke with a short handle with several electronic gadgets attached to it.

BEN
I have something here for you.
Your father wanted you to have
this when you were old enough,
but your uncle wouldn't allow it.
He feared you might follow old
Obi-Wan on some damned-fool
idealistic crusade like your
father did.

THREEPIO
Sir, if you'll not be needing me,
I'll close down for awhile.

LUKE
Sure, go ahead.

Ben hands Luke the saber.

LUKE
What is it?

BEN
Your fathers lightsaber. This
is the weapon of a Jedi Knight.
Not as clumsy or as random as a
blaster.

Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam shoots out about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across the ceiling.

BEN
An elegant weapon for a more
civilized time. For over a
thousand generations the Jedi
Knights were the guardians of
peace and justice in the Old
Republic. Before the dark times,
before the Empire.

Luke hasn't really been listening.

LUKE
How did my father die?

BEN
A young Jedi named Darth Vader,
who was a pupil of mine until he
turned to evil, helped the Empire
hunt down and destroy the Jedi
Knights. He betrayed and murdered
your father. Now the Jedi are all
but extinct. Vader was seduced
by the dark side of the Force.

LUKE
The Force?

BEN
Well, the Force is what gives the
Jedi his power. It's an energy
field created by all living things.
It surrounds us and penetrates us.
It binds the galaxy together.

Artoo makes beeping sounds.

BEN
Now, let's see if we can't figure
out what you are, my little
friend. And where you come from.

LUKE
I saw part of the message he was...

Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face.

BEN
I seem to have found it.

Luke stops his work as the lovely girl's image flickers before his eyes.

LEIA
General Kenobi, years ago you
served my father in the Clone
Wars. Now he begs you to help
him in his struggle against the
Empire. I regret that I am unable
to present my father's request to
you in person, but my ship has
fallen under attack and I'm afraid
my mission to bring you to
Alderaan has failed. I have
placed information vital to the
survival of the Rebellion into
the memory systems of this R2
unit. My father will know how
to retrieve it. You must see this
droid safely delivered to him on
Alderaan. This is our most
desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan
Kenobi, you're my only hope.

There is a little static and the transmission is cut short. Old Ben leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs on a tarnished chrome water pipe. Luke has stars in his eyes.

BEN
You must learn the ways of the
Force if you're to come with me
to Alderaan.

LUKE
(laughing)
Alderaan? I'm not going to
Alderaan. I've got to go home.
It's late, I'm in for it as it is.

BEN
I need your help, Luke. I'm getting
too old for this sort of thing.
She needs your help.

LUKE
I can't get involved! I've got
work to do! It's not that I like
the Empire. I hate it! But
there's nothing I can do about it
right now. It's such a long way
from here.

BEN
That's your uncle talking.

LUKE
(sighing)
Oh, God, my uncle. How am I ever
going to explain this?

BEN
Learn about the Force, Luke.

LUKE
Look, I can take you as far as
Anchorhead. You can get a
transport there to Mos Eisley
or wherever you're going.

BEN
You must do what you feel is
right, of course.

EXT. SPACE

An Imperial Star Destroyer heads toward the evil planet-like battle station: the Death Star!

INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM

Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general, is speaking.

TAGGE
Until this battle station is
fully operational we are vulnerable.
The Rebel Alliance is too well
equipped. They're more dangerous
than you realize.

The bitter Admiral Motti twists nervously in his chair.

MOTTI
Dangerous to your starfleet,
Commander; not to this battle
station!

TAGGE
The Rebellion will continue to
gain support in the Imperial
Senate as long as....

Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge's speech is cut short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally, The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and bow before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his place at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind him.

TARKIN
The Imperial Senate will no longer
be of any concern to us. I've
just received word that the Emperor
has dissolved the council permanently.
The last remnants of the Old Republic
have been swept away.

TAGGE
That's impossible! How will the
Emperor maintain control without
the bureaucracy?

TARKIN
The regional governors now have
direct control over territories.
Fear will keep the local systems
in line. Fear of this battle station.

TAGGE
And what of the Rebellion? If the
Rebels have obtained a complete
technical readout of this station,
it is possible, however unlikely,
that they might find a weakness and
exploit it.

VADER
The plans you refer to will soon
be back in our hands.

MOTTI
Any attack made by the Rebels
against this station would be a
useless gesture, no matter what
technical data they've obtained.
This station is now the ultimate
power in the universe. I suggest
we use it!

VADER
Don't be too proud of this
technological terror you've
constructed. The ability to
destroy a planet is insignificant
next to the power of the Force.

MOTTI
Don't try to frighten us with your
sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. Your
sad devotion to that ancient
religion has not helped you conjure
up the stolen data tapes, or given
you clairvoyance enough to find the
Rebel's hidden fort...

Suddenly Motti chokes and starts to turn blue under Vader's spell.

VADER
I find your lack of faith disturbing.

TARKIN
Enough of this! Vader, release
him!

VADER
As you wish.

TARKIN
This bickering is pointless.
Lord Vader will provide us with
the location of the Rebel fortress
by the time this station is
operational. We will then crush
the Rebellion with one swift stroke.

EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND

The speeder stops before what remains of the huge Jawas Sandcrawler. Luke and Ben walk among the smoldering rubble and scattered bodies.

LUKE
It looks like Sand People did this,
all right. Look, here are gaffi
sticks, bantha tracks. It's
just... I never heard of them
hitting anything this big before.

Ben is crouching in the sand studying the tracks.

BEN
They didn't. But we are meant to
think they did. These tracks are
side by side. Sand People always
ride single file to hide there
numbers.

LUKE
These are the same Jawas that sold
us Artoo and Threepio.

BEN
And these blast points, too
accurate for Sand People. Only
Imperial stormtroopers are so
precise.

LUKE
Why would Imperial troops want to
slaughter Jawas?

Luke looks back at the speeder where Artoo and Threepio are inspecting the dead Jawas, and put two and two together.

LUKE
If they traced the robots here,
they may have learned who they
sold them to. And that would
lead them back home!

Luke reaches a sudden horrible realization, then races for the speeder and jumps in.

BEN
Wait, Luke! It's too dangerous.

Luke races off leaving Ben and the two robots alone with the burning Sandcrawler.

EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND

Luke races across the wasteland in his battered Landspeeder.

EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD

The speeder roars up to the homestead. Luke jumps out and runs to the smoking holes that were once his home. Debris is scattered everywhere and it looks as if a great battle has taken place.

LUKE
Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru! Uncle
Owen!

Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and uncle. Suddenly he comes upon their smoldering remains. He is stunned, and cannot speak. Hate replaces fear and a new resolve comes over him.

EXT. SPACE

Imperial TIE fighter races toward the Death Star.

INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION CORRIDOR

Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow several Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia's face is filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as a giant black torture robot enters, followed by Darth Vader.

VADER
And, now Your Highness, we will
discuss the location of your
hidden Rebel base.

The torture robot gives off a steady beeping sound as it approaches Princess Leia and extends one of its mechanical arms bearing a large hypodermic needle. The door slides shut and the long cell block hallway appears peaceful. The muffled screams of the Rebel princess are barely heard.

EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND

There is a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazing in front of the sandcrawler as Ben and the robots finish burning the dead. Luke drives up in the speeder and Ben walks over to him.

BEN
There's nothing you could have
done, Luke, had you been there.
You'd have been killed, too, and
the droids would now be in the
hands of the Empire.

LUKE
I want to come with you to Alderaan.
There's nothing here for me now. I
want to learn the ways of the Force
and become a Jedi like my father.

EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND

The Landspeeder with Luke, Artoo, Threepio, and Ben in it zooms across the desert. The speeder stops on a bluff overlooking the spaceport at Mos Eisley. It is a haphazard array of low, gray, concrete structures and semi-domes. A harsh gale blows across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusts his goggles and walks to the edge of the craggy bluff where Ben is standing.

BEN
Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will
never find a more wretched hive
of scum and villainy. We must be
cautious.

Ben looks over at Luke, who gives the old Jedi a determined smile.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

The speeder is stopped on a crowded street by several combat-hardened stormtroopers who look over the two robots. A Trooper questions Luke.

TROOPER
How long have you had these droids?

LUKE
About three or four seasons.

BEN
They're for sale if you want them.

TROOPER
Let me see your identification.

Luke becomes very nervous as he fumbles to find his ID while Ben speaks to the Trooper in a very controlled voice.

BEN
You don't need to see his
identification.

TROOPER
We don't need to see his
identification.

BEN
These are not the droids youÕre
looking for.

TROOPER
These are not the droids we're
looking for.

BEN
He can go about his business.

TROOPER
You can go about your business.

BEN
(to Luke)
Move along.

TROOPER
Move along. Move along.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

The speeder pulls up in front of a rundown blockhouse cantina on the outskirts of the spaceport. Various strange forms of transport, including several unusual beasts of burden, are parked outside the bar. A Jawa runs up and begins to fondle the speeder.

THREEPIO
I can't abide these Jawas.
Disgusting creatures.

As Luke gets out of the speeder he tries to shoo the Jawa away.

LUKE
Go on, go on. I can't understand
how we got by those troopers. I
thought we were dead.

BEN
The Force can have a strong
influence on the weak-minded. You
will find it a powerful ally.

LUKE
Do you really think we're going
to find a pilot here that'll
take us to Alderaan?

BEN
Well, most of the best freighter
pilots can be found here. Only
watch your step. This place can
be a little rough.

LUKE
I'm ready for anything.

THREEPIO
Come along, Artoo.

INT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - CANTINA

The young adventurer and his two mechanical servants follow Ben Kenobi into the smoke-filled cantina. The murky, moldy den is filled with a startling array of weird and exotic alien creatures and monsters at the long metallic bar. At first the sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed, slimy, furry, scaly, tentacled, and clawed creatures huddle over drinks. Ben moves to an empty spot at the bar near a group of repulsive but human scum. A huge, rough-looking Bartender stops Luke and the robots.

BARTENDER
We don't serve their kind here!

Luke still recovering from the shock of seeing so many outlandish creatures, doesn't quite catch the bartender's drift.

LUKE
What?

BARTENDER
Your droids. They'll have to wait
outside. We don't want them here.

Luke looks at old Ben, who is busy talking to one of the Galactic pirates. He notices several of the gruesome creatures along the bar are giving him a very unfriendly glare.

Luke pats Threepio on the shoulder.

LUKE
Listen, why don't you wait out
by the speeder. We don't want any
trouble.

THREEPIO
I heartily agree with you sir.

Threepio and his stubby partner go outside and most of the creatures at the bar go back to their drinks.

Ben is standing next to Chewbacca, an eight-foot-tall-savage-looking creature resembling a huge gray bushbaby monkey with fierce baboon-like fangs. His large blue eyes dominate a fur-covered face and soften his otherwise awesome appearance. Over his matted, furry body he wears two chrome bandoliers, and little else. He is a two-hundred-year-old Wookiee and a sight to behold.

Ben speaks to the Wookiee, pointing to Luke several times during his conversation and the huge creature suddenly lets out a horrifying laugh. Luke is more than a little bit disconcerted and pretends not to hear the conversation between Ben and the giant Wookiee.

Luke is terrified but tries not to show it. He quietly sips his drink, looking over the crowd for a more sympathetic ear or whatever.

A large, multiple-eyed Creature gives Luke a rough shove.

CREATURE
Negola dewaghi wooldugger?!?

The hideous freak is obviously drunk. Luke tries to ignore the creature and turns back on his drink. A short, grubby Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the belligerent monstrosity.

HUMAN
He doesn't like you.

LUKE
I'm sorry.

HUMAN
I don't like you either

The big creature is getting agitated and yells out some unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous, young adventurer.

HUMAN
(continuing)
Don't insult us. You just watch
yourself. We're wanted men. I
have the death sentence on twelve
systems.

LUKE
I'll be careful than.

HUMAN
You'll be dead.

The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar moves away. Luke tries to remain cool but it isn't easy. His three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in behind Luke.

BEN
This little one isn't worth the
effort. Come let me buy you
something...

A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the young would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through tables and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking liquid. With a blood-curdling shriek, the monster draws a wicked chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at old Ben. The bartender panics.

BARTENDER
No blasters! No blaster!

With astounding agility old Ben's laser sword sparks to life and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is cut in two and the giant multiple-eyed creature lies doubled, cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns off his laser sword and replaces it on his utility belt. Luke, shaking and totally amazed at the old man's abilities, attempts to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter of seconds. The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is given a respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing his bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. Ben points the the Wookiee.

BEN
This is Chewbacca. He's first-
mate on a ship that might suit
our needs.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

Threepio paces in front of the cantina as Artoo carries on an electronic conversation with another little red astro-droid. A creature comes out of the cantina and approaches two stormtroopers in the street.

THREEPIO
I don't like the look of this.

INT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - CANTINA

Strange creatures play exotic big band music on odd-looking instruments as Luke, still giddy, downs a fresh drink and follows Ben and Chewbacca to a booth where Han Solo is sitting. Han is a tough, roguish starpilot about thirty years old. A mercenary on a starship, he is simple, sentimental, and cocksure.

HAN
Han Solo. I'm captain of the
Millennium Falcon. Chewie here
tells me you're looking for
passage to the Alderaan system.

BEN
Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship.

HAN
Fast ship? You've never heard
of the Millennium Falcon?

BEN
Should I have?

HAN
It's the ship that made the Kessel
run in less than twelve parsecs!

Ben reacts to Solo's stupid attempt to impress them with obvious misinformation.

HAN
(continuing)
I've outrun Imperial starships,
not the local bulk-cruisers, mind
you. I'm talking about the big
Corellian ships now. She's fast
enough for you, old man. What's
the cargo?

BEN
Only passengers. Myself, the boy,
two droids, and no questions asked.

HAN
What is it? Some kind of local
trouble?

BEN
Let's just say we'd like to avoid
any Imperial entanglements.

HAN
Well, that's the real trick,
isn't it? And it's going to cost
you something extra. Ten thousand
in advance.

LUKE
Ten thousand? We could almost
buy our own ship for that!

HAN
But who's going to fly it, kid!
You?

LUKE
You bet I could. I'm not such a
bad pilot myself! We don't have
to sit here and listen...

BEN
We haven't that much with us.
But we could pay you two thousand
now, plus fifteen when we reach
Alderaan.

HAN
Seventeen, huh!

Han ponders this for a few moments.

HAN
Okay. You guys got yourself a
ship. We'll leave as soon as you're
ready. Docking bay Ninety-four.

BEN
Ninety-four.

HAN
Looks like somebody's beginning to
take an interest in your handiwork.

Ben and Luke turn around to see four Imperial stormtroopers looking at the dead bodies and asking the bartenders some questions. The bartender points to the booth.

TROOPER
All right, we'll check it out.

The stormtroopers look over at the booth but Luke and Ben are gone. The bartender shrugs his shoulders in puzzlement.

HAN
Seventeen thousand! Those guys
must really be desperate. This
could really save my neck. Get
back to the ship and get her ready.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

BEN
You'll have to sell your speeder.

LUKE
That's okay. I'm never coming
back to this planet again.

INT. MOS EISLEY - CANTINA

As Han is about to leave, Greedo, a slimy green-faced alien with a short trunk-nose, pokes a gun in his side. The creature speaks in a foreign tongue translated into English subtitles.

GREEDO
Going somewhere, Solo?

HAN
Yes, Greedo. As a matter of fact,
I was just going to see your boss.
Tell Jabba that I've got his money.

Han sits down and the alien sits across from him holding the gun on him.

GREEDO
It's too late. You should have
paid him when you had the chance.
Jabba's put a price on your head,
so large that every bounty hunter
in the galaxy will be looking for
you. I'm lucky I found you first.

HAN
Yeah, but this time I got the money.

GREEDO
If you give it to me, I might forget
I found you.

HAN
I don't have it with me. Tell
Jabba...

GREEDO
Jabba's through with you. He has
no time for smugglers who drop
their shipments at the first sign
of an Imperial cruiser.

HAN
Even I get boarded sometimes. Do
you think I had a choice?

Han Solo slowly reaches for his gun under the table.

GREEDO
You can tell that to Jabba. He
may only take your ship.

HAN
Over my dead body.

GREEDO
That's the idea I've been looking
forward to killing you for a long
time.

HAN
Yes, I'll bet you have.

Suddenly the slimy alien disappears in a blinding flash of light. Han pulls his smoking gun from beneath the table as the other patrons look on in bemused amazement. Han gets up and starts out of the cantina, flipping the bartender some coins as he leaves.

HAN
Sorry about the mess.

EXT. SPACE

Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

VADER
Her resistance to the mind probe
is considerable. It will be some
time before we can extract any
information from her.

An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.

IMPERIAL OFFICER
The final check-out is complete.
All systems are operational.
What course shall we set?

TARKIN
Perhaps she would respond to an
alternative form of persuasion.

VADER
What do you mean?

TARKIN
I think it is time we demonstrate
the full power of this station.
(to soldier)
Set your course for Princess Leia's
home planet of Alderaan.

TROOPER
With pleasure.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a narrow slum alleyway crowed with darkly clad creatures hawking exotic goods in the dingy little stalls. Men, monsters, and robots crouch in the waste-filled doorways, whispering and hiding from the hot winds.

THREEPIO
Lock the door, Artoo.

One of the troopers checks a tightly locked door and moves on down the alleyway. The door slides open a crack and Threepio peeks out. Artoo is barely visible in the background.

TROOPER
All right, check that side of the
street. It's secure. Move on to
the next door.

The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.

THREEPIO
I would much rather have gone
with Master Luke than stay here
with you. I don't know what all
this trouble is about, but I'm
sure it must be your fault.

Artoo makes beeping sounds.

THREEPIO
You watch your language!

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET - ALLEYWAY - USED SPEEDER LOT

Ben and Luke are standing in a sleazy used speeder lot, talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder dealer. Strange exotic bodies and spindly-legged beasts pass by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some coins.

LUKE
He says it's the best he can do.
Since the XP-38 came out, they
just arenÕt in demand.

BEN
It will be enough.

Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty alleyway past a small robot herding a bunch of anteater-like creatures. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad creature moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches them as they disappear down another alley.

BEN
If the ship's as fast as he's
boasting, we ought to do well.

INT. DOCKING BAY 94 - DAY

Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and purple creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is the grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is a grim testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is a fat, slug-like creature with eyes on extended feelers and a huge ugly mouth.

JABBA
Come on out, Solo!

A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee, Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight.

HAN
I've been waiting for you, Jabba.

JABBA
I expected you would be.

HAN
I'm not the type to run.

JABBA
(fatherly-smooth)
Han, my boy, there are times when
you disappoint me... why haven't
you paid me? And why did you have
to fry poor Greedo like that...
after all we've been through together.

HAN
You sent Greedo to blast me.

JABBA
(mock surprise)
Han, why you're the best smuggler
in the business. You're too valuable
to fry. He was only relaying my
concern at your delays. He wasn't
going to blast you.

HAN
I think he thought he was. Next
time don't send one of those twerps.
If you've got something to say to
me, come see me yourself.

JABBA
Han, Han! If only you hadn't had
to dump that shipment of spice...
you understand I just can't make an
exception. Where would I be if every
pilot who smuggled for me dumped
their shipment at the first sign of
an Imperial starship? It's not good
business.

HAN
You know, even I get boarded sometimes,
Jabba. I had no choice, but I've got
a charter now and I can pay you back,
plus a little extra. I just need
some more time.

JABBA
(to his men)
Put your blasters away. Han, my
boy, I'm only doing this because
you're the best and I need you. So,
for an extra, say... twenty percent
I'll give you a little more time...
but this is it. If you disappoint
me again, I'll put a price on your
head so large you won't be able to
go near a civilized system for the
rest of your short life.

HAN
Jabba, I'll pay you because it's my
pleasure.

EXT. DOCKING PORT ENTRY - ALLEYWAY

Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay 94. Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street. Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry. The darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder lot. He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small transmitter.

INT MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94

Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is Docking Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a large, round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that could only loosely be called a starship.

LUKE
What a piece of junk.

The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp.

HAN
She'll make point five beyond the
speed of light. She may not look
like much, but she's got it where
it counts, kid. I've added some
special modifications myself.

Luke scratches his head. It's obvious he isn't sure about all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others to follow.

HAN
We're a little rushed, so if you'll
hurry aboard we'll get out of here.

The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han Solo.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON

Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty engines of the starship.

INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94

Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium Falcon passing Solo.

THREEPIO
Hello, sir.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET

Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad creature.

TROOPER
Which way?

The darkly clad creature points to the door of the docking bay.

TROOPER
All right, men. Load your weapons!

INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94

The troops hold their guns at the ready and charge down the docking bay entrance.

TROOPER
Stop that ship!

Han Solo looks up and sees the Imperial stormtroopers rushing into the docking bay. Several of the troopers fire at Han as he ducks into the spaceship.

TROOPER
Blast 'em!

Han draws his laser pistol and pops off a couple of shots which force the stormtroopers to dive for safety. The pirateship engines whine as Han hits the release button that slams the overhead entry shut.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON

HAN
Chewie, get us out of here!

The group straps in for take off.

THREEPIO
Oh, my. I'd forgotten how much I
hate space travel.

EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREETS

The half-dozen stormtroopers at a check point hear the general alarm and look to the sky as the huge starship rises above the dingy slum dwellings and quickly disappears into the morning sky.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Han climbs into the pilot's chair next to Chewbacca, who chatters away as he points to something on the radar scope.

EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE

The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Han frantically types information into the ship's computer. Little Artoo appears momentarily at the cockpit doorway, makes a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.

HAN
It looks like an Imperial cruiser.
Our passengers must be hotter than
I thought. Try and hold them off.
Angle the deflector shield while
I make the calculations for the
jump to light speed.

EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE

The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow planet. It is followed by two huge Imperial Star Destroyers.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

Over the shoulders of Chewbacca and Han, we can see the galaxy spread before them. Luke and Ben make their way
into the cramped cockpit where Han continues his calculation.

HAN
Stay sharp! There are two more
coming in; they're going to try
to cut us off.

LUKE
Why don't you outrun them? I
thought you said this thing was
fast.

HAN
Watch your mouth, kid, or you're
going to find yourself floating
home. We'll be safe enough once
we make the jump to hyperspace.
Besides, I know a few maneuvers.
We'll lose them!

EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE

Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the window.

HAN
Here's where the fun begins!

BEN
How long before you can make the
jump to light speed?

HAN
It'll take a few moments to get
the coordinates from the navi-
computer.

The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.

LUKE
Are you kidding? At the rate
they're gaining...

HAN
Traveling through hyperspace isn't
like dusting crops, boy! Without
precise calculations we could fly
right through a star or bounce too
close to a supernova and that'd end
your trip real quick, wouldn't it?

The ship is now constantly battered with laserfire as a red warning light begins to flash.

LUKE
What's that flashing?

HAN
We're losing our deflector shield.
Go strap yourself in, I'm going to
make the jump to light speed.

The galaxy brightens and they move faster, almost as if crashing a barrier. Stars become streaks as the pirateship makes the jump to hyperspace.

EXT. SPACE

The Millennium Falcon zooms into infinity in less than a second.

EXT. DEATH STAR

Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM

Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen displaying a small green planet.

MOTTI
We've entered the Alderaan system.

Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her hands are bound.

LEIA
Governor Tarkin, I should have
expected to find you holding
Vader's leash. I recognized your
foul stench when I was brought on
board.

TARKIN
Charming to the last. You don't
know how hard I found it signing
the order to terminate your life!

LEIA
IÕm surprised you had the courage
to take the responsibility yourself!

TARKIN
Princess Leia, before your execution
I would like you to be my guest at
a ceremony that will make this
battle station operational. No star
system will dare oppose the Emperor
now.

LEIA
The more you tighten your grip,
Tarkin, the more star systems will
slip through your fingers.

TARKIN
Not after we demonstrate the power
of this station. In a way, you
have determined the choice of the
planet that'll be destroyed first.
Since you are reluctant to provide
us with the location of the Rebel
base, I have chosen to test this
station's destructive power...
on your home planet of Alderaan.

LEIA
No! Alderaan is peaceful. We
have no weapons. You can't possibly...

TARKIN
You would prefer another target?
A military target? Then name the
system!

Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.

TARKIN
I grow tired of asking this. So
it'll be the last time. Where is
the Rebel base?

Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to Alderaan.

LEIA
(softly)
Dantooine.

Leia lowers her head.

LEIA
They're on Dantooine.

TARKIN
There. You see Lord Vader, she
can be reasonable.
(addressing Motti)
Continue with the operation. You
may fire when ready.

LEIA
What?

TARKIN
You're far too trusting. Dantooine
is too remote to make an effective
demonstration. But don't worry.
We will deal with your Rebel
friends soon enough.

LEIA
No!

INT. DEATH STAR - BLAST CHAMBER

VADER
Commence primary ignition.

A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever. Another lever is pulled. Vader reaches for still another lever and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up.
A huge beam of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area and converges into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan. The small green planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON-- CENTRAL HOLD AREA

Ben watches Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker" robot. Ben suddenly turns away and sits down. He falters, seems almost faint.

LUKE
Are you all right? What's wrong?

BEN
I felt a great disturbance in
the Force... as if millions of
voices suddenly cried out in terror
and were suddenly silenced. I fear
something terrible has happened.

Ben rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then he fixes his gaze on Luke.

BEN
You'd better get on with your
exercises.

Han Solo enters the room.

HAN
Well, you can forget your troubles
with those Imperial slugs. I told
you I'd outrun 'em.

Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.

HAN
Don't everyone thank me at once.

Threepio watches Chewbacca and Artoo who are engrossed in a game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move along a chess-type board.

HAN
Anyway, we should be at Alderaan
about oh-two-hundred hours.

Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-covered arms over his head.

THREEPIO
Now be careful, Artoo.

Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures to walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny robot. Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion and begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.

THREEPIO
He made a fair move. Screaming
about it won't help you.

HAN
(interrupting)
Let him have it. It's not wise
to upset a Wookiee.

THREEPIO
But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.

HAN
That's 'cause droids don't pull
people's arms out of their socket
when they lose. Wookiees are known
to do that.

THREEPIO
I see your point, sir. I suggest
a new strategy, Artoo. Let the
Wookiee win.

Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his head. Ben watches him from the corner, studying his movements. Han watches with a bit of smugness.

BEN
Remember, a Jedi can feel the
Force flowing through him.

LUKE
You mean it controls your actions?

BEN
Partially. But it also obeys your
commands.

Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a "seeker", a chrome baseball-like robot covered with antennae, hovers slowly in a wide arc. The ball floats to one side of the youth then to the other. Suddenly it makes a lightning-swift lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke doesn't move and the ball backs off. It slowly moves behind the boy, then makes another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood red laser beam as it attacks. It hits Luke in the leg causing him to tumble over. Han lets loose with a burst of laughter.

HAN
Hokey religions and ancient
weapons are no match for a good
blaster at your side, kid.

LUKE
You don't believe in the Force,
do you?

HAN
Kid, I've flown from one side of
this galaxy to the other. I've
seen a lot of strange stuff, but
I've never seen anything to make
me believe there's one all-powerful
force controlling everything.
There's no mystical energy field
that controls my destiny.

Ben smiles quietly

HAN
It's all a lot of simple tricks
and nonsense.

BEN
I suggest you try it again, Luke.

Ben places a large helmet on Luke's head which covers his eyes.

BEN
This time, let go your conscious
self and act on instinct.

LUKE
(laughing)
With the blast shield down, I can't
even see. How am I supposed to
fight?

BEN
Your eyes can deceive you. Don't
trust them.

Han skeptically shakes his head as Ben throws the seeker into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around blindly missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt which hits Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful yell and attempts to hit the seeker.

BEN
Stretch out with your feelings.

Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker makes a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect the bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original position.

BEN
You see, you can do it.

HAN
I call it luck.

BEN
In my experience, there's no
such thing as luck.

HAN
Look, going good against remotes
is one thing. Going good against
the living? That's something else.

Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the control panel.

HAN
Looks like we're coming up on
Alderaan.

Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.

LUKE
You know, I did feel something.
I could almost see the remote.

BEN
That's good. You have taken your
first step into a larger world.

INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM

Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin and the evil Dark Lord Darth Vader.

TARKIN
Yes.

OFFICER CASS
Our scout ships have reached
Dantooine. They found the remains
of a Rebel base, but they estimate
that it has been deserted for some
time. They are now conducting an
extensive search of the surrounding
systems.

TARKIN
She lied! She lied to us!

VADER
I told you she would never
consciously betray the Rebellion.

TARKIN
Terminate her... immediately!

EXT. HYPERSPACE

The pirateship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange surreal light show surrounds the ship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

HAN
Stand by, Chewie, here we go.
Cut in the sublight engines.

Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit window stars begin streaking past, seem to decrease in speed, then stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder and violently shake about. Asteroids begin to race toward them, battering the sides of the ship.

HAN
What the...? Aw, we've come out
of hyperspace into a meteor shower.
Some kind of asteroid collision.
It's not on any of the charts.

The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very
cool in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing cockpit.

LUKE
What's going on?

HAN
Our position is correct, except...
no, Alderaan!

LUKE
What do you mean? Where is it?

HAN
Thats what I'm trying to tell
you, kid. It ain't there. It's
been totally blown away.

LUKE
What? How?

Ben moves into the cockpit behind Luke as the ship begins to settle down.

BEN
Destroyed... by the Empire!

HAN
The entire starfleet couldn't
destroy the whole planet. It'd
take a thousand ships with more
fire power than I've...

A signal light starts flashing on the control panel and a muffled alarm starts humming.

HAN
There's another ship coming in.

LUKE
Maybe they know what happened.

BEN
It's an Imperial fighter.

Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts outside the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently. A tiny, finned Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit window.

LUKE
It followed us!

BEN
No. It's a short range fighter.

HAN
There aren't any bases around
here. Where did it come from?

EXT. SPACE

The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

LUKE
It sure is leaving in a big hurry.
If they identify us, we're in big
trouble.

HAN
Not if I can help it. Chewie...
jam it's transmissions.

BEN
It'd be as well to let it go.
It's too far out of range.

HAN
Not for long...

EXT. SPACE

The pirateship zooms over the camera and away into the vastness of space after the Imperial TIE fighter.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

The tension mounts as the pirateship gains on the tiny fighter. In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter until it is obvious that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben stands behind Chewbacca.

BEN
A fighter that size couldn't get
this deep into space on its own.

LUKE
Then he must have gotten lost,
been part of a convoy or something...

HAN
Well, he ain't going to be around
long enough to tell anyone about us.

EXT. SPACE

The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger pirateship as they race toward camera and disappear over head.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT

The distant star can be distinguished as a small moon or planet.

LUKE
Look at him. He's heading for
that small moon.

HAN
I think I can get him before he
gets there... he's almost in range.

The small moon begins to take on the appearance of a monstrous spherical battle station.

BEN
That's no moon! It's a space
station.

HAN
It's too big to be a space station.

LUKE
I have a very bad feeling about
this.

BEN
Turn the ship around!

HAN
Yeah, I think your right. Full
reverse! Chewie, lock in the
auxiliary power.

The pirateship shudders and the TIE fighter accelerates away toward the gargantuan battle station.

LUKE
Why are we still moving towards
it?

HAN
We're caught in a tractor beam!
It's pulling us in!

LUKE
But there's gotta be something you
can do!

HAN
There's nothin' I can do about it,
kid. I'm in full power. I'm going
to have to shut down. But they're
not going to get me without a fight!

Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.

BEN
You can't win. But there are
alternatives to fighting.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - DEATH STAR

As the battered pirate starship is towed closer to the awesome metal moon, the immense size of the massive battle station becomes staggering. Running along the equator of the gigantic sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports into which the helpless pirateship is dragged.

EXT. DEATH STAR - HUGE PORT DOORS

The helpless Millennium Falcon is pulled past a docking port control room and huge laser turret cannons.

VOICE OVER DEATH STAR INTERCOM
Clear Bay twenty-three-seven.
We are opening the magnetic field.

INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY 2037

The pirateship is pulled in through port doors of the Death Star, coming to rest in a huge hangar. Thirty stormtroopers stand at attention in a central assembly area.

OFFICER
To your stations!

OFFICER
(to another officer)
Come with me.

INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY

Stormtroopers run to their posts.

INT. DEATH STAR - HANGAR 2037

A line of stormtroopers march toward the pirateship in readiness to board it, while other troopers stand with weapons ready to fire.

OFFICER
Close all outboard shields!
Close all outboard shields!

INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM

Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz.

TARKIN
Yes.

VOICE
(over intercom)
We've captured a freighter entering
the remains of the Alderaan system.
It's markings match those of a ship
that blasted its way out of Mos Eisley.

VADER
They must be trying to return the
stolen plans to the princess. She
may yet be of some use to us.

INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY 2037

Vader and a commander approach the troops as an Officer and several heavily armed troops exit the spacecraft.

VOICE
(over intercom)
Unlock one-five-seven and nine.
Release charges.

OFFICER
(to Vader)
There's no one on board, sir.
According to the log, the crew
abandoned ship right after takeoff.
It must be a decoy, sir. Several
of the escape pods have been
jettisoned.

VADER
Did you find any droids?

OFFICER
No, sir. If there were any on
board, they must also have
jettisoned.

VADER
Send a scanning crew on board.
I want every part of this ship
checked.

OFFICER
Yes, sir.

VADER
I sense something... a presence I
haven't felt since...

Vader turns quickly and exits the hangar.

OFFICER
Get me a scanning crew in here
on the double. I want every part
of this ship checked!

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HALLWAY

A trooper runs through the hallway heading for the exit. In a few moments all is quiet. The muffled sounds of a distant officer giving orders finally fade. Two floor panels suddenly pop up revealing Han Solo and Luke. Ben Kenobi sticks his head out of a third locker.

LUKE
Boy, it's lucky you had these
compartments.

HAN
I use them for smuggling. I never
thought I'd be smuggling myself in
them. This is ridiculous. Even
if I could take off, I'd never get
past the tractor beam.

BEN
Leave that to me!

HAN
Damn fool. I knew that you were
going to say that!

BEN
Who's the more foolish... the
fool or the fool who follows him?

Han shakes his head, muttering to himself. Chewbacca agrees.

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY

The crewmen carry a heavy box on board the ship, past the two stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp.

TROOPER
The ship's all yours. If the
scanners pick up anything, report
it immediately. All right, let's
go.

The crewmen enter the pirateship and a loud crashing sound is followed by a voice calling to the guard below.

HAN'S VOICE
Hey down there, could you give
us a hand with this?

The stormtroopers enter the ship and a quick round of gunfire is heard.

INT. DEATH STAR - FORWARD BAY - COMMAND OFFICE

In a very small command office near the entrance to the pirateship, a Gantry Officer looks out his window and notices the guards are missing. He speaks into the comlink.

GANTRY OFFICER
TX-four-one-two. Why aren't you
at your post? TX-four-one-two,
do you copy?

A stormtrooper comes down the ramp of the pirateship and waves to the gantry officer, pointing to his ear, indicating his comlink is not working. The gantry officer shakes his head in disgust and heads for the door, giving his aide an annoyed look.

GANTRY OFFICER
Take over. We've got a bad
transmitter. I'll see what I
can do.

As the officer approaches the door, it slides open revealing the towering Chewbacca. The gantry officer, in a momentary state of shock, stumbles backward. With a bone-chilling howl, the giant Wookiee flattens the officer with one blow. The aide immediately reaches for his pistol, but is blasted by Han, dressed as an Imperial stormtrooper.

Ben and the robots enter the room quickly followed by Luke, also dressed as a stormtrooper. Luke quickly removes his helmet.

LUKE
You know, between his howling
and your blasting everything in
sight, it's a wonder the whole
station doesn't know we're here.

HAN
Bring them on! I prefer a straight
fight to all this sneaking around.

THREEPIO
We found the computer outlet, sir.

Ben feeds some information into the computer and a map of the city appears on the monitor. He begins to inspect it carefully. Threepio and Artoo look over the control panel. Artoo finds something that makes him whistle wildly.

BEN
Plug in. He should be able to
interpret the entire Imperial
computer network.

Artoo punches his claw arm into the computer socket and the vast Imperial brain network comes to life, feeding information to the little robot. After a few moments, he beeps something.

THREEPIO
He says he's found the main
control to the power beam that's
holding the ship here. He'll
try to make the precise location
appear on the monitor.

The computer monitor flashes readouts.

THREEPIO
The tractor beam is coupled to the
main reactor in seven locations.
A power loss at one of the terminals
will allow the ship to leave.

Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.

BEN
I don't think you boys can help.
I must go alone.

HAN
Whatever you say. I've done more
than I bargained for on this trip
already.

LUKE
I want to go with you.

BEN
Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch
over the droids.

LUKE
But he can...

BEN
They must be delivered safely or
other star systems will suffer the
same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny
lies along a different path from
mine. The Force will be with you
... always!

Ben adjusts the lightsaber on his belt and silently steps out of the command office, then disappears down a long gray hallway. Chewbacca barks a comment and Han shakes his head in agreement.

HAN
Boy you said it, Chewie.

Han looks at Luke.

HAN
Where did you dig up that old
fossil?

LUKE
Ben is a great man.

HAN
Yeah, great at getting us into
trouble.

LUKE
I didn't hear you give any ideas...

HAN
Well, anything would be better
than just hanging around waiting
for them to pick us up...

LUKE
Who do you think...

Suddenly Artoo begins to whistle and beep a blue streak. Luke goes over to him.

LUKE
What is it?

THREEPIO
I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.
He says "I found her," and keeps
repeating, "She's here."

LUKE
Well, who... who has he found?

Artoo whistles a frantic reply.

THREEPIO
Princess Leia.

LUKE
The princess? She's here?

HAN
Princess?

LUKE
Where... where is she?

HAN
Princess? What's going on?

THREEPIO
Level five. Detention block AA-
twenty-three. I'm afraid she's
scheduled to be terminated.

LUKE
Oh, no! We've got to do something.

HAN
What are you talking about?

LUKE
The droid belongs to her. She's
the one in the message. We've
got to help her.

HAN
Now, look, don't get any funny
ideas. The old man wants us to
wait right here.

LUKE
But he didn't know she was here.
Look, will you just find a way
back into the detention block?

HAN
I'm not going anywhere.

LUKE
They're going to execute her.
Look, a few minutes ago you said
you didn't want to just wait here
to be captured. Now all you want
to do is stay.

HAN
Marching into the detention area
is not what I had in mind.

LUKE
But they're going to kill her!

HAN
Better her than me...

LUKE
She's rich.

Chewbacca growls.

HAN
Rich?

LUKE
Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if
you were to rescue her, the reward
would be...

HAN
What?

LUKE
Well more wealth that you can
imagine.

HAN
I don't know, I can imagine quite
a bit!

LUKE
You'll get it!

HAN
I better!

LUKE
You will...

HAN
All right, kid. But you'd
better be right about this!

Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.

LUKE
All right.

HAN
What's your plan?

LUKE
Uh... Threepio, hand me those
binders there will you?

Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.

LUKE
Okay. Now, I'm going to put these
on you.

Chewie lets out a hideous growl.

LUKE
Okay. Han, you put these on.

Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.

HAN
Don't worry, Chewie. I think
I know what he has in mind.

The Wookiee has a worried and frightened look on his face as Han binds him with the electronic cuffs.

THREEPIO
Master Luke, sir! Pardon me for
asking... but, ah... what should
Artoo and I do if we're discovered
here?

LUKE
Lock the door!

HAN
And hope they don't have blasters.

THREEPIO
That isn't very reassuring.

Luke and Han put on their armored stormtrooper helmets and start off into the giant Imperial Death Star.

INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - ELEVATOR TUBE

Han and Luke try to look inconspicuous in their armored suits as they wait for a vacuum elevator to arrive. Troops, bureaucrats, and robots bustle about, ignoring the trio completely. Only a few give the giant Wookiee a curious glance.

Finally a small elevator arrives and the trio enters.

LUKE
I can't see a thing in this helmet.

A bureaucrat races to get aboard also, but is signaled away by Han. The door to the pod-like vehicle slides closed and the elevator car takes off through a vacuum tube.

INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN HALLWAY

Several Imperial officers walk through the wide main passageway. They pass several stormtroopers and a robot similar to Threepio but with an insect face. At the far end of the hallway, a passing flash of Ben Kenobi appears, then disappears down a small hallway. His appearance is so fleeting that it is hard to tell if he is real or just an illusion. No one in the hallway seems to notice him.

INT. DEATH STAR - INT. ELEVATOR - DETENTION SECURITY AREA

Luke and Han step forward to exit the elevator, but the door slides open behind them. The giant Wookiee and his two guards enter the old gray security station. Guards and laser gates are everywhere. Han whispers to Luke under his breath.

HAN
This is not going to work.

LUKE
Why didn't you say so before?

HAN
I did say so before!

INT. DETENTION AREA

Elevator doors open. A tall, grim looking Officer approaches the trio.

OFFICER
Where are you taking this... thing?

Chewie growls a bit at the remark but Han nudges him to shut up.

LUKE
Prisoner transfer from Block one-
one-three-eight.

OFFICER
I wasn't notified. I'll have to
clear it.

The officer goes back to his console and begins to punch in the information. There are only three other troopers in the area. Luke and Han survey the situation, checking all of the alarms, laser gates, and camera eyes. Han unfastens one of Chewbacca's electronic cuffs and shrugs to Luke.

Suddenly Chewbacca throws up his hands and lets out wit