46 EXT SPACE - DEATH STAR AND ENDOR 46

A Super Star Destroyer and several ships of the Imperial Fleet

rest in space above the half-completed Death Star and its green

neighbor, Endor. Four squads of TIE fighters escort an Imperial

shuttle toward the Death Star.

47 INT DEATH STAR - CORRIDOR TO DOCKING BAY 47

Lord Vader strides down the hallway, accompanied by a very

nervous Death Star commander.

48 INT DOCKING BAY - DEATH STAR 48

Thousands of Imperial troops in tight formation fill the mammoth

docking bay. Vader and the officer walk to the landing platform,

where the shuttle is coming to rest.

The shuttle's ramp lowers and the Emperor's Royal Guards come out

and create a lethal perimeter. The assembled troops move to rigid

attention with a momentous SNAP.

Then, in the huge SILENCE which follows, the EMPEROR appears. He

is a rather small, shriveled old man. His bent frame slowly makes

its way down the ramp with the aid of a gnarled cane. He wears a

hooded cloak similar to the one Ben wears, except that it is

black. The Emperor's face is shrouded and difficult to see,

except for his piercing yellow eyes. Commander Jerjerrod and

Darth Vader kneel to him. The Supreme Ruler of the galaxy beckons

to the Dark Lord.

EMPEROR (to Vader)

Rise, my friend.

Vader rises and falls in next to the Emperor as he slowly makes

his way along the rows of troops. Jerjerrod and the other

commanders stay kneeling until the Supreme Ruler and Vader,

followed by several Imperial dignitaries, pass by; only then do

they join in the procession.

VADER

The Death Star will be completed on schedule.

EMPEROR

You have done well, Lord Vader. And now I

sense you wish to continue your search for

young Skywalker.

VADER

Yes, my Master.

EMPEROR

Patience, my friend. In time he will seek you

out. And when he does, you must bring him

before me. He has grown strong. Only together

can we turn him to the dark side of the

Force.

VADER

As you wish.

EMPEROR

Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.

He laughs to himself as they pass along the vast line of Imperial

troops.

49 EXT YODA'S HOUSE - DAGOBAH 49

Once again, Artoo finds himself waiting around in the damp

environs of the swamp planet, and he's none too happy about it.

He beeps disconsolately to himself and turns to look at Yoda's

cottage. Warm yellow light escapes the oddly shaped windows to

fight the gloom.

50 INT YODA'S HOUSE 50

The tip of a walking stick taps hesitantly across the earthen

floor of the cottage. Our view travels up the stick to the small

green hand that clutches it, and then to the familiar face of

YODA, THE JEDI MASTER. His manner is frail, and his voice, though

cheerful, seems weaker.

YODA

Hmm. That face you make. Look I so old to

young eyes?

Luke is sitting in a corner of the cramped space and, indeed, his

look has been woeful. Caught, he tries to hide it.

LUKE

No... of course not.

YODA (tickled, chuckles)

I do, yes, I do! Sick have I become. Old and

weak. (Points a crooked finger) When nine

hundred years old you reach, look as good you

will not. Hmm?

Yoda chuckles at this, coughs, and hobbles over toward his bed.

YODA

Soon will I rest. Yes, forever sleep. Earned

it, I have.

Yoda sits himself on his bed, with great effort.

LUKE

Master Yoda, you can't die.

YODA

Strong am I with the Force... but not that

strong! Twilight is upon me and soon night

must fall. That is the way of things ... the

way of the Force.

LUKE

But I need your help. I've come back to

complete the training.

YODA

No more training do you require. Already know

you that which you need.

Yoda sighs, and lies back on his bed.

LUKE

Then I am a Jedi?

YODA (shakes his head)

Ohhh. Not yet. One thing remains: Vader. You

must confront Vader. Then, only then, a Jedi

will you be. And confront him you will.

Luke is in agony. He is silent for a long moment, screwing up his

courage. Finally he is able to ask.

LUKE

Master Yoda... is Darth Vader my father?

Yoda's eyes are full of weariness and compassion. An odd, sad

smile creases his face. He turns painfully on his side, away from

Luke.

YODA

Mmm... rest I need. Yes... rest.

Luke watches him, each moment an eternity.

LUKE

Yoda, I must know.

YODA

Your father he is.

Luke reacts as if cut.

YODA

Told you, did he?

LUKE

Yes.

A new look of concern crosses Yoda's face. He closes his eyes.

YODA

Unexpected this is, and unfortunate...

LUKE

Unfortunate that I know the truth?

Yoda opens his eyes again and studies the youth.

YODA (gathering all his strength)

No. Unfortunate that you rushed to face

him... that incomplete was your training. Not

ready for the burden were you.

LUKE

Well, I'm sorry.

YODA

Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the

Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression.

The dark side are they. Once you start down

the dark path, forever will it dominate your

destiny.

He beckons the young Jedi closer to him.

YODA

Luke...Luke...Do not...Do not underestimate

the powers of the Emperor, or suffer your

father's fate, you will. Luke, when gone am I

(cough), the last of the Jedi will you be.

Luke, the Force runs strong in your family.

Pass on what you have learned, Luke... (with

great effort) There is...

another...Sky...Sky...walker.

He catches his breath. A shiver runs through the ancient green

creature, and he dies. Luke stares at his dead master as he

disappears in front of his eyes.

51 EXT DAGOBAH SWAMP - X-WING 51

Luke wanders back to where his ship is sitting. Artoo beeps a

greeting, but is ignored by his depressed master. Luke kneels

down, begins to help Artoo with the ship, then stops and shakes

his head dejectedly.

LUKE

I can't do it, Artoo. I can't go on alone.

BEN (OS)

Yoda will always be with you.

Luke looks up to see the shimmering image of BEN KENOBI.

LUKE

Obi-Wan! Why didn't you tell me?

The ghost of Ben Kenobi approaches him through the swamp.

LUKE

You told me Vader betrayed and murdered my

father.

BEN

You father was seduced by the dark side of

the Force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker

and became Darth Vader. When that happened,

the good man who was your father was

destroyed. So what I have told you was

true... from a certain point of view.

LUKE (turning away, derisive)

A certain point of view!

BEN

Luke, you're going to find that many of the

truths we cling to depend greatly on our own

point of view.

Luke is unresponsive. Ben studies him in silence for a moment.

BEN

I don't blame you for being angry. If I was

wrong in what I did, it certainly wouldn't

have been for the first time. You see, what

happened t