Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
by: James Fehrenbacher

Cenas 21 a 30:

Begin Scene 21.

[INT. The Rogues’ moon base.  Luke is talking to Dash, with Wedge standing off to the side.]

Luke Skywalker. You just *left* them there?

Dash Rendar. Kid, I was hired as a guide.  So I guided.  End of story.

[Dash turns and walks off.  A few seconds later, one of the ground crew rushes over.]

Crew member. We’ve got a ship coming in!  No communications, but it’s definitely a Corellian freighter!

Luke Skywalker. Corellian?  The Millennium Falcon!

Wedge Antilles. They’re alive.  Let’s go check out that R2 unit before they come in, Luke.

Luke Skywalker. Good idea, Wedge.

[He and Wedge walk across the floor, and into an adjacent room, where they’re keeping Wes’ R2 unit.  As they enter the room, however, they find the unit lying in a pile of rubble, obviously blasted apart.  As they look around for the perpetrator, they spot the crew chief standing off to the side, with a blaster pointed right at them.  She sees Wedge move for his blaster, and shoots a blaster bolt at them, missing Luke by centimeters.  Wedge brings his blaster up, and his bolt knocks her down.  Luke and Wedge run over to her.]

Wedge Antilles. Well, she’s certainly not going to be answering any questions again.

Luke Skywalker. It looks we know who rascaled Wes’ R2 unit.  I would have liked to find out why she did it.

Wedge Antilles. I’ll see what the operations computer has on her.  Maybe we can find out.

Luke Skywalker. Good.  While you’re doing that, I need to go talk with Leia and Lando.

[Luke walks over to where the Falcon is docked.  As Leia gets off, she and Luke embrace, Luke telling her it’s the best they could have done.  He then tells the group about the malfunctioning R2 unit.  Leia’s interest is piqued, and Lando goes off with Wedge to check on the crew chief.  They return several minutes later.]

Luke Skywalker. What did you find out?

Wedge Antilles. Well, there was a transfer of ten thousand credits into the chief’s account a few days ago, just after Rogue Squad arrived.  Lando managed to access the account using a…borrowed override command code.

Leia. And?

Lando Calrissian. The money came from a dummy corporation called Saber Enterprises.  The last I heard, Saber was a front organization for the Empire’s secret undercover anti-espionage operations.

Leia. You think someone bribed the chief to rig that droid to shoot at Luke?

Lando Calrissian. Seems like too much of a coincidence any other way.

Leia. That’s got Vader’s glove prints all over it.

Luke Skywalker. No, that doesn’t make any sense.  Vader wants me alive, to join the Empire.

Lando Calrissian. He may have changed his mind.

Luke Skywalker. I don’t think so.  This just doesn’t add up.

Lando Calrissian. I also found something else.  If that R2 unit had succeeded and Luke had been killed, there would have been another large payment ending up in the chief’s account.  I think the ten thousand was just a down payment.

Wedge Antilles. She was going to shoot Luke.  The second rule of defense is shoot first and ask questions later.

Leia. And what’s the first rule?

Lando Calrissian. Be somewhere else when the shooting starts.

End Scene 21.

Begin Scene 22.

[INT. The Rogues’ moon base.  Luke and Leia are standing next to the Millennium Falcon, talking.]

Luke Skywalker. Why me, Leia?

Leia. Because Tatooine is your homeworld and you’re the most familiar with it.  It’s a logical choice, Luke.

Luke Skywalker. Can’t your business with the Alliance wait?

Leia. No.  Just go back to Tatooine with R2 and wait at Ben’s house.  Chewie, Lando, 3PO and I will meet you there.

Luke Skywalker. All right, fine.  But you be careful.

[Luke walks off.  Leia watches him climb into his X-Wing with R2, and raise ship.  As his X-Wing disappears, Leia calls Dash over to her.]

Leia. Are you available for a job?

Dash Rendar. Sweetie, I’m always available.  If the money is right, of course.

Leia. I need you to go to Tatooine to keep an eye on Luke.

Dash Rendar. A bodyguard?  Sure, I can do that.  The kid won’t like it if he finds out, though.

Leia. So stay out of sight.  Someone has already tried to kill Luke, and I think they’re going to try again.  Now how much?

[After Dash names his price, Lando lets out a whistle.]

Lando Calrissian. You are a bandit, Rendar.  Has anyone ever told you that?

Dash Rendar. Calrissian, you should know that the best don’t come cheap.  I expect that payment in advance, Your Highness.

Leia. Do you really think I’m that stupid, Dash?  One third now, two-thirds when - or should I say “if”? - we arrive.  If Luke is still alive, of course.

Dash Rendar. I can’t guarantee that, Your Highness.

Leia. I thought you were the best.

Dash Rendar. I am.  All right, half up front, half when you arrive.

Leia. Deal.

[Leia pays Dash, and he leaves.  After the Outrider disappears into space, Leia pulls Lando aside.]

Leia. Let me pose a hypothetical question.

Lando Calrissian. Well, as long as you don’t mind a hypothetical answer, shoot.

Leia. What would be the best way to get in touch with a high-ranking member of Black Sun?

Lando Calrissian. The *best* way?  Don’t.

Leia. Lando, this is important.

Lando Calrissian. Princess, trust me.  Black Sun is bad news.  You don’t want to get into bed with them.

Leia. I’m not planning on “getting into bed” with them.  I just want to rummage around their chest of drawers.

Lando Calrissian. What?

Leia. Look, someone just tried to kill Luke.  It may have been Vader, and it may not.  Black Sun’s got a vast spynet, they can find out who’s responsible.

Lando Calrissian. So can the Bothans, Leia.

Leia. But the Bothans don’t have some of the same techniques that Black Sun has.  You have the right connections, don’t you?

Lando Calrissian. [Defeated] Yeah, I know a few people.

End Scene 22.

Begin Scene 23.

[INT. The Emperor’s skyhook.  Xizor is waiting for Darth Vader.  Vader enters the room after several seconds.]

Darth Vader. Prince Xizor.  You had something to discuss with me?

Xizor. Yes.  The location of a secret Rebel base in the Baji Sector has recently come to my attention.  I assumed you would want to know this.  Surely the destruction of such a base would no doubt cripple the Alliance greatly.

Darth Vader. I will have my agents check it out.  If what you’re saying is true, then the Empire shall be…indebted to you.

Xizor. No thanks are necessary, Lord Vader.  I am merely performing my required duties.

[Vader says nothing, turns, and leaves.]

End Scene 23.

Begin Scene 24.

[INT. The Millennium Falcon’s cockpit.  Leia and Lando are talking]

Lando Calrissian. My contact is on Rodia.

Leia. Rodia?  But that’s halfway to Imperial Center!

Lando Calrissian. I know, but that’s where he is.  His name is Avaro.  He owns a casino in the gambling complex in Equator City.  The whole complex is run by Black Sun, so Avaro will know who to contact.  But it might be a little tricky, though.

Leia. Why?

Lando Calrissian. Well, before Vader froze him, there were a large number of bounty hunters looking for Han and Chewie.  I found out there was one hunter in Mos Eisley on Tatooine, a Rodian named Greedo, who caught up with Han in one of the cantinas there.  There was a small shoot-out.  Han walked away, and Greedo didn’t.

Leia. So?

Lando Calrissian. Greedo was Avaro’s nephew.

Leia. And you think he’ll hold that against us.

Lando Calrissian. Who can say?  He may, and he may not.  But from what I know about Rodian customs, they’re big on bounty hunting.  If my nephew had been shot, I wouldn’t be too pleased.

Leia. But we didn’t shoot him.  Han did.

Lando Calrissian. True, but we are Han’s friends.

Leia. Always more obstacles.

End Scene 24.

Begin Scene 25.

[INT. The Emperor’s chamber.  The Emperor and Darth Vader are talking.]

The Emperor. Our agents have verified this report, Lord Vader?

Darth Vader. Yes, my master.  A hundred Rebel ships, plus all the pilots and officers.

The Emperor. Very well.  Take a part of the fleet and go there immediately.  Destroy that base.

Darth Vader. I thought, perhaps, Admiral Okins might command this mission.

The Emperor. Really?

Darth Vader. But if it is your wish, I shall lead the attack.

The Emperor. It is my wish, Lord Vader.  Take Okins, if you like, but you yourself must ensure the assault.

Darth Vader. Yes, my master.

[Vader gets up, and leaves.]  

End Scene 25.

Begin Scene 26.

[EXT. Ben Kenobi’s house on Tatooine.]

Luke Skywalker. Okay, this should work.  I’ve followed the instructions to the letter.

[R2 whistles something.]

Luke Skywalker. Go back inside, R2.  If anything happens, I need you to tell Leia.

[R2 leaves, whistling his protests as he goes.  When R2 is safely inside, Luke flips the switch of his lightsaber.  The saber’s blade arcs a full meter long, glowing green in the evening twilight.]

Luke Skywalker. Okay, you can come out, R2.  It works.

[R2 rolls out of Ben’s house.]

End Scene 26.

Begin Scene 27.

[INT. Avaro’s office on Rodia.  Avaro speaks Basic, but with a lisp.]

Avaro. I see no problems.  Solo is frozen, and Kenobi is dead.  Your money is as good as anybody’s.

Leia. So you’ll put us it in touch with the proper people?

Avaro. Yes.  It will take a few days, however.  Local contacts won’t do you any good.  You need an off-planet representative

Leia. Fine.

Avaro. Meanwhile, feel free to enjoy the casino.  Rooms will be made available for you.

[Leia nods.  She, Lando, and Chewie stand up and leave.  As they enter the casino, Lando looks around excitedly.]

Leia. See anything you like, Lando?

Lando Calrissian. Well, a couple card games over there look pretty honest, but I can’t be too sure.  But I am sure that the credit disk machines are rigged, so stay clear of those.

Leia. Don’t worry.  I don’t gamble.

[Lando laughs.]

Leia. What’s so funny?

Lando Calrissian. Princess, you’re the biggest gambler I’ve ever seen.  But you don’t bet with money, only your life.

[3PO then walks up to them.]

C-3PO. I hope your meeting went well, Princess Leia.

Lando Calrissian. Yeah, it did.  But we might need you to translate, 3PO.  Avaro had a little trouble with his Basic.

C-3PO. Always happy to be of service, Master Lando.

Lando Calrissian. Come on, let’s go get checked in.  Then we can come back and see how honest this operation really is.

[They exit.]

End Scene 27.

Begin Scene 28.

[INT. Avaro’s casino.  Lando sits at a table with five other players.]

Dealer. The bet is fifteen.  The sum is minimum and the color is open.

Bald Man. Match, in green.

Rodian. Match, in blue.

Lando Calrissian. Double in red.

[The other plays groan.]

C-3PO. I can’t understand how Master Lando keeps winning.  The odds of winning that last round are 806:1.

Leia. [Whispering.] He bluffed, 3PO.

C-3PO. But that doesn’t seem like a very wise move.

[Three players fold.]

Leia. Sure it is.  They’re intimidated that Lando keeps winning.  Rather than risk losing more money, they decide to fold.

C-3PO. But what if someone else has a superior hand?

Leia. Just watch, 3PO.

Bald Man. Match.

Rodian. Plus a tenth.

Lando Calrissian. Redouble in red, maximum count.

Bald Man. Too steep for me.

[The bald man folds.  After several minutes, the Rodian curses, and folds.]

Dealer. The round goes to player number three.

[The group surrounding the table applauds.  Leia notices Chewie looking over at a hologame board.]

Leia. Come on.  If you want to play, play.  I’ll watch, and 3PO can stand behind us and offer bad advice.

[The three stand up and walk off, leaving Lando in his pile of winnings.]

End Scene 28.

Begin Scene 29.

[EXT. Ben Kenobi’s house on Tatooine.  Luke is trying out his new lightsaber skills with R2-D2.  R2 fires a lightening bolt at Luke, which he blocks easily with his lightsaber.]

Luke Skywalker. Too easy, R2.

[R2 whistles something.]

Luke Skywalker. I know it’s not your fault you’re no Darth Vader.

[Off in the distance, a large dust cloud is forming.  Luke hears the roar of a number of engines heading towards him.]

Luke Skywalker. Now who could that be?  No one knows I’m here.  Hide inside, R2.  I’ll go check this out.

[R2 whistles, and heads into Ben’s house.  Luke runs over to a nearby sand dune, and checks out his unexpected visitors.  There are about a dozen of them, wearing mismatched flight suits and goggles, riding a number of swoops.  The swoopers circle around Ben’s house.  After several minutes, one of the bikers, spotting Luke, pulls his blaster up, and fires.  The bolt misses Luke, but turns a nearby pile of sand into muddy glass.  Luke, realizing he’s been spotted, gets up and bolts away.  The bikers follow.]

Biker. Blast the little runt to Bespin, boys!

[The biker fires another bolt, again missing Luke.  Luke runs behind a large boulder, and ignites his lightsaber.  Standing up, Luke deflects a number of bolts very quickly, and then ducks down as more fly at him.  Seeing another swoop zoom in, Luke gets an idea.  Very carefully, he sneaks over the swoop and, as the biker turns around on the bike, Luke kicks him off.  Luke then turns off his saber, climbs onto the swoop, and twists the start ring.  Luke then aims the swoop at a group of bikers, and opens the throttles.  The acceleration nearly outseats him, but he manages to stay on the bike.  Luke’s flyby forces the group of bikers to scatter.  They regroup and tear after Luke, who turns his bike and heads off towards Beggar’s Canyon.]

[EXT. Beggar’s Canyon.  Luke’s swoop zooms in.  As Luke enters the canyon, he looks back, and sees the group of swoops still after him.]

Luke Skywalker. Try to beat me in my own backyard.

[Luke goes straight for about two kilometers, then makes a sharp right around Dead Man’s Turn.]

Luke Skywalker. Dead Man’s Turn.  Easy as sneezing.

[A large explosion behind Luke symbolizes one of the swoopers took the turn too fast.  Luke then zigzags to the left, then the right, then the left again.  After these turns, he passes through a hole in the middle of a stretched-out “Z,” which narrows at the end.]

Luke Skywalker. Four down, eight to go.

[Luke then looks into his rearview mirror, to see another swooper fly in.]

Luke Skywalker. Okay, time to thread the Stone Needle.

[Luke takes an abrupt left turn, guns his turbojets, and heads towards the Stone Needle.  Luke flies through a narrow slot of rock with jagged rock teeth lining it, a piece of his jacket catching one of the jags.  The swooper behind Luke doesn’t gun his swoop enough, and crashes into the Needle.  The other swoopers are luckier, and continue to follow Luke.  After several more minutes, Luke hears one of them yell to the others.]

Biker #2. He’s got help, Spiker!  We’re not going to win this one; let’s burn!

[Luke gets an amazed look on his face, asking himself who would be helping him.  Luke slows down his swoop, and looks behind him.  He sees a swooper wearing all blue, and haphazardly firing a blaster at the swoopers.  After they disappear, the swooper ignites his engines, and lowers the bike to the ground.  Shutting off the engine, he pulls off his helmet, revealing Dash Rendar.]

Luke Skywalker. What are you doing here?

Dash Rendar. Saving your butt from swoop scum, it looks like.  Did you see those guys’ tattoos?  They work for Jabba the Hutt.  Looks like Darth Vader is no longer your secret admirer.

End Scene 29.

Begin Scene 30.

[INT. The Emperor’s chambers on Imperial Center.  The Emperor is talking with Prince Xizor.]

The Emperor. Prince Xizor.  What a pleasant surprise.

Xizor. The pleasure is all mine.

The Emperor. Please, sit down.  What brings you down here?

Xizor. I was just wondering about Lord Vader’s attack on the Rebel shipyard.

The Emperor. How do you know of this attack?

Xizor. I’m surprised Lord Vader didn’t mention it to you.  It was my spies who gave me the location of the base.  I, of course, relayed that information to Lord Vader.

The Emperor. I see.  I am expecting a report from Lord Vader soon.  Won’t you join me for some refreshments while we wait?

Xizor. It would be an honor, my Emperor.

End Scene 30.

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