INTERIOR: MILLENNIUM FALCON -- COCKPIT.

Han, removes his gloves and smiling, is at the controls of the

ship. Chewie moves into the aft section to check the damage.

Leia is seated near Han.

HAN: Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh? You know, sometimes I even amaze

myself.

LEIA: That doesn't sound too hard. Besides, they let us go. It's the

only explanation for the ease of our escape.

HAN: Easy...you call that easy?

LEIA: Their tracking us!

HAN: Not this ship, sister.

Frustrated, Leia shakes her head.

LEIA: At least the information in Artoo is still intact.

HAN: What's so important? What's he carrying?

LEIA: The technical readouts of that battle station. I only hope that

when the data is analyzed, a weakness can be found. It's not over yet!

HAN: It is for me, sister! Look, I ain't in this for your revolution,

and I'm not in it for you, Princess. I expect to be well paid. I'm in

it for the money!

LEIA: You needn't worry about your reward. If money is all that you

love, then that's what you'll receive!

She angrily turns, and as she starts out of the cockpit,

passes Luke coming in.

LEIA: Your friend is quite a mercenary. I wonder if he really cares

about anything...or anyone.

LUKE: I care!

Luke, shaking his head, sits in the copilot seat. He and

Han stare out at the vast blackness of space.

LUKE: So...what do you think of her, Han?

HAN: I'm trying not to, kid!

LUKE: (under his breath) Good...

HAN: Still, she's got a lot of spirit. I don't know, what do you

think? Do you think a princess and a guy like me...

LUKE: No!

Luke says it with finality and looks away. Han smiles at

young Luke's jealousy.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN.

The battered pirateship drifts into orbit around the planet

Yavin and proceeds to one of its tiny green moons.

EXTERIOR: FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN.

The pirateship soars over the dense jungle.

EXTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST.

An alert guard, his laser gun in hand, scans the countryside.

He sets the gun down and looks toward the temple, barely

visible in the foliage.

EXTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- JUNGLE TEMPLE.

Rotting in a forest of gargantuan trees, an ancient temple

lies shrouded in an eerie mist. The air is heavy with the

fantastic cries of unimaginable creatures. Han, Luke and the

others are greeted by the Rebel troops.

Luke and the group ride into the massive temple on an

armored military speeder.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI -- MAIN HANGAR DECK.

The military speeder stops in a huge spaceship hangar, set up

in the interior of the crumbling temple. Willard, the

commander of the Rebel forces, rushes up to the group and

gives Leia a big hug. Every one is pleased to see her.

WILLARD: (holding Leia) You're safe! We had feared the worst.

Willard composes himself, steps back and bows formally.

WILLARD: When we heard about Alderaan, we were afraid that you were...

lost along with your father.

LEIA: We don't have time for our sorrows, Commander. The battle

station has surely tracked us here (looking pointedly to Han). It's

the only explanation for the ease of our escape. You must use the

information in this R2 unit to plan the attack. It is our only hope.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

The surface of the Death Star ominously approaches the red

planet Yavin.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.

Grand Moff Tarkin and Lord Vader are interrupted in their

discussion by the buzz of the comlink. Tarkin moves to answer

the call.

TARKIN: Yes.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: We are approaching the planet Yavin. The

Rebel base is on a moon on the far side. We are preparing to orbit the

planet.

EXTERIOR: YAVIN -- JUNGLE.

A lone guard stands in a tower high above the Yavin landscape,

surveying the countryside. A mist hangs over the jungle of

twisted green.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI -- WAR ROOM BRIEFING AREA.

Dodonna stands before a large electronic wall display. Leia

and several other senators are to one side of the giant

readout. The low-ceilinged room is filled with starpilots,

navigators, and a sprinkling of R2-type robots. Everyone is

listening intently to what Dodonna is saying. Han and

Chewbacca are standing near the back.

DODONNA: The battle station is heavily shielded and carries a

firepower greater than half the star fleet. It's defenses are designed

around a direct large-scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be

able to penetrate the outer defense.

Gold Leader, a rough looking man in his early thirties,

stands and addresses Dodonna.

GOLD LEADER: Pardon me for asking, sir, but what good are snub

fighters going to be against that?

DODONNA: Well, the Empire doesn't consider a small one-man fighter to

be any threat, or they'd have a tighter defense. An analysis of the

plans provided by Princess Leia has demonstrated a weakness in the

battle station.

Artoo-Detoo stands next to a similar robot, makes beeping

sounds, and turns his head from right to left.

DODONNA: The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver

straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The

target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust

port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the

reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should

destroy the station.

A murmer of disbelief runs through the room.

DODONNA: Only a precise hit will set up a chain reaction. The shaft is

ray-shielded, so you'll have to use proton torpedoes.

Luke is sitting next to Wedge Antilles, a hotshot pilot

about sixteen years old.

WEDGE: That's impossible, even for a computer.

LUKE: It's not impossible. I used to bull's-eye womp rats in my

T-sixteen back home. They're not much bigger than two meters.

DODONNA: Man your ships! And may the Force be with you!

The group rises and begins to leave.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

The Death Star begins to move around the planet toward the

tiny green moon.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.

Tarkin and Vader watch the computer projected screen with

interest, as a circle of lights intertwines around one another

on the screen showing it's position in relation to Yavin and

the forth moon.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE: Orbiting the planet at maximum velocity.

The moon with the Rebel base will be in range in thirty minutes.

VADER: This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of

Kenobi and it will soon see the end of the Rebellion.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- MAIN HANGAR DECK.

Luke, Threepio and little Artoo enter the huge spaceship

hangar and hurry along a long line of gleaming spacefighters.

Flight crews rush around loading last-minute armaments and

unlocking power couplings. In an area isolated from this

activity Luke finds Han and Chewbacca loading small boxes onto

an armored speeder.

MAN'S VOICE: (over loudspeaker) All flight trooper, man your stations.

All flight troops, man your stations.

Han is deliberately ignoring the activity of the fighter

pilots' preparation. Luke is quite saddened at the sight of

his friend's departure.

LUKE: So...you got your reward and you're just leaving then?

HAN: That's right, yeah! I got some old debts I've got to pay off with

this stuff. Even if I didn't, you don't think I'd be fool enough to

stick around here, do you? Why don't you come with us? You're pretty

good in a fight. I could use you.

LUKE: (getting angry) Come on! Why don't you take a look around? You

know what's about to happen, what they're up against. They could use a

good pilot like you. You're turning your back on them.

HAN: What good's a reward if you ain't around to use it? Besides,

attacking that battle station ain't my idea of courage. It's more like

suicide.

LUKE: All right. Well, take care of yourself, Han. I guess that's

what you're best at, isn't it?

Luke goes off and Han hesitates, then calls to him.

HAN: Hey, Luke...may the Force be with you!

Luke turns and sees Han wink at him. Luke lifts his hand in

a small wave and then goes off.

Han turns to Chewie who growls at his captain,

HAN: What're you lookin' at? I know what I'm doing.

INTERIOR: MAIN HANGAR DECK -- LUKE'S SHIP.

Luke, Leia, and Dodonna meet under a huge space fighter.

LEIA: What's wrong?

LUKE: Oh, it's Han! I don't know, I really thought he'd change his

mind.

LEIA: He's got to follow his own path. No one can choose it for him.

LUKE: I only wish Ben were here.

Leia gives Luke a little kiss, turns, and goes off. As Luke

heads for his ship, another pilot rushes up to him and grabs

his arm.

BIGGS: Luke! I don't believe it! How'd you get here...are you going

out with us?!

LUKE: Biggs! Of course, I'll be up there with you! Listen, have I got

some stories to tell...

Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, comes up

behind Luke and Biggs. He has the confident smile of a born

leader.

RED LEADER: Are you...Luke Skywalker? Have you been checked out on the

Incom T-sixty-five?

BIGGS: Sir, Luke is the best bushpilot in the outer rim territories.

Red Leader pats Luke on the back as they stop in front of

his fighter.

RED LEADER: I met your father once when I was just a boy, he was a

great pilot. You'll do all right. If you've got half of your father's

skill, you'll do better than all right.

LUKE: Thank you, sir. I'll try.

Red Leader hurries to his own ship.

BIGGS: I've got to get aboard. Listen, you'll tell me your stories

when we come back. All right?

LUKE: I told you I'd make it someday, Biggs.

BIGGS: (going off) You did, all right. It's going to be like old

times, Luke. We're a couple of shooting stars that'll never be

stopped!

Luke laughs and shakes his head in agreement. He heads for

his ship.

As Luke begins to climb up the ladder into his sleek,

deadly spaceship, the crew chief, who is working on the craft,

points to little Artoo, who is being hoisted into a socket on

the back of the fighter.

CHIEF: This R2 unit of your seems a bit beat up. Do you want a new

one?

LUKE: Not on your life! That little droid and I have been through a

lot together. (to Artoo) You okay, Artoo?

The crewmen lower Artoo-Detoo into the craft. Now a part of

the exterior shell of the starship, the little droid beeps

that he is fine.

Luke climbs up into the cockpit of his fighter and puts an

his helmet. Threepio looks on from the floor of the massive

hangar as the crewmen secure his little electronic partner

into Luke's X-wing. It's an emotional-filled moment as Artoo

beeps good-bye.

CHIEF: Okay, easy she goes!

THREEPIO: Hang on tight,Artoo, you've got to come back.

Artoo beeps in agreement.

THREEPIO: You wouldn't want my life to get boring, would you?

Artoo whistles his reply.

All final preparations are made for the approaching battle.

The hangar is buzzing with the last minute activity as the

pilots and crewmen alike make their final adjustments. The hum

of activity is occasionally trespassed by the distorted voice

of the loudspeaker issuing commands. Coupling hoses are

disconnected from the ships as they are fueled. Cockpit

shields roll smoothly into place over each pilot. A signalman,

holding red guiding lights, directs the ships. Luke, a trace

of a smile gracing his lips, peers about through his goggles.

BEN'S VOICE: Luke, the Force will be with you.

Luke is confused at the voice and taps his headphones.

EXTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- JUNGLE.

All that can be seen of the fortress is a lone guard standing

on a small pedestal jutting out above the dense jungle. The

muted gruesome crying sounds that naturally permeate this

eerie purgatory are overwhelmed by the thundering din of ion

rockets as four silver starships catapult from the foliage in

a tight formation and disappears into the morning cloud cover.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

The princess, Threepio, and a field commander sit quietly

before the giant display showing the planet Yavin and its four

moons. The red dot that represents the Death Star moves ever

closer to the system. A series of green dots appear around the

fourth moon. A din of indistinct chatter fills the war room.

MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE: Stand-by alert. Death Star approaching.

Estimated time to firing range, fifteen minutes.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

The Death Star slowly moves behind the massive yellow surface

of Yavin in the foreground, as many X-wing fighters flying in

formation zoom toward us and out of the frame.

EXTERIOR: SPACE -- ANOTHER ANGLE.

Light from a distant sun creates an eerie atmospheric glow

around a huge planet, Yavin. Rebel fighters flying in

formation settle ominously in the foreground and very slowly

pull away.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER STARSHIP -- COCKPIT.

Red Leader lowers his visor and adjusts his gun sights,

looking to each side at his wing men.

RED LEADER: All wings report in.

INTERIOR: ANOTHER COCKPIT.

One of the Rebel fighters checks in through his mike.

RED TEN: Red Ten standing by.

INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT.

Biggs checks his fighter's controls, alert and ready for

combat.

RED SEVEN: (over Biggs' headset) Red Seven standing by.

BIGGS: Red Three standing by.

INTERIOR: PORKINS' COCKPIT.

PORKINS: Red Six standing by.

RED NINE: (over headset) Red Nine standing by.

INTERIOR: WEDGE'S FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

WEDGE: Red Two standing by.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

RED ELEVEN: (over headset) Red Eleven standing by.

LUKE: Red Five standing by.

EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER

Artoo-Detoo, in position outside of the fighter, turns his

head from side to side and makes beeping sounds.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

RED LEADER: Lock S-foils in attack position.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

The group of X-wing fighters move in formation toward the

Death Star, unfolding the wings and locking them in the "X"

position.

INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT

READ LEADER: (over headset) We're passing through their magnetic

field.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

RED LEADER: Hold tight!

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

Luke adjusts his controls as he concentrates on the

approaching Death Star. The ship begins to be buffeted

slightly.

RED LEADER: (over headset) Switch your deflectors on.

INTERIOR: ANOTHER COCKPIT.

RED LEADER: (over headset) Double front!

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

The fighters, now X-shaped darts, move in formation. The Death

Star now appears to be a small moon growing rapidly in size as

the Rebel fighters approach. Complex patterns on the metallic

surface begin to become visible. A large dish antenna is built

into the surface on one side.

INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.

Wedge is amazed and slightly frightened at the awesome

spectacle.

WEDGE: Look at the size of that thing!

RED LEADER: (over headset) Cut the chatter, Red Two.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

RED LEADER: Accelerate to attack speed. This is it, boys!

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

As the fighters move closer to the Death Star, the awesome

size of the gargantuan Imperial fortress is revealed. Half of

the deadly space station is in shadow and this area sparkles

with thousands of small lights running in thin lines and

occasionally grouped in large clusters; somewhat like a city

at night as seen from a weather satellite.

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S COCKPIT.

GOLD LEADER: Red Leader, this is Gold Leader.

RED LEADER: (over headset) I copy, Gold Leader.

GOLD LEADER: We're starting for the target shaft now.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Red Leader looks around at his wingmen; the Death Star looming

in from behind. Two Y-wing fighters bob back and forth in the

background. He moves his computer targeting device into

position.

RED LEADER: We're in position. I'm going to cut across the axis and

try and draw their fire.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

Two squads of Rebel fighters peel off. The X-wings dive

towards the Death Star surface. A thousand lights glow across

the dark grey expanse of the huge station.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.

Alarm sirens scream as soldiers scramble to large turbo-

powered laser gun emplacements. Electronic drivers rotate the

huge guns into position as crew adjust their targeting

devices.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Laserbolts streak through the star-filled night. The Rebel

X-wing fighters move in toward the Imperial base, as the Death

Star aims its massive laser guns at the Rebel forces and

fires.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

Princess Leia listens to the battle over the intercom.

Threepio is at her side.

WEDGE: (over war room speaker system) Heavy fire, boss! Twenty-degrees.

RED LEADER: (over speaker) I see it. Stay low.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

An X-wing zooms across the surface of the Death Star.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.

Technical crews scurry here and there loading last-minute

armaments and unlocking power cables.

INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.

Wedge maneuvers his fighter toward the menacing Death Star.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

X-wings continue in their attack course on the Death Star.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

Luke nosedives radically, starting his attack on the monstrous

fortress. The Death Star surface streaks past the cockpit

window.

LUKE: This is Red Five; I'm going in!

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

Luke's X-wing races toward the Death Star. Laserbolts streak

from Luke's weapons, creating a huge fireball explosion on the

dim surface.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

Terror crosses Luke's face as he realizes he won't be able to

pull out in time to avoid the fireball.

BIGGS: (over headset) Luke, pull up!

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF DEATH STAR.

Luke's ship emerges from the fireball, with the leading edges

of his wings slightly scorched.

INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT.

BIGGS: Are you all right?

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

Luke adjusts his controls and breathes a sigh of relief. Flak

bursts outside the cockpit window.

LUKE: I got a little cooked, but I'm okay.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Rebel fighters continue to strafe the Death Star's surface

with laserbolts.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.

Walls buckle and cave in. Troops and equipment are blown in

all directions. Stormtroopers stagger out of the rubble.

Standing in the middle of the chaos, a vision of calm and

foreboding, is Darth Vader. One of his Astro-Officers rushes

up to him.

ASTRO-OFFICER: We count thirty Rebel ships, Lord Vader. But they're so

small they're evading our turbo-lasers!

VADER: We'll have to destroy them ship to ship. Get the crews to their

fighters.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.

Smoke belches from the giant laser guns as they wind up their

turbine generators to create sufficient power. The crew rushes

about preparing for another blast. Even the troopers head gear

is not adequate to protect them from the overwhelming noise of

the monstrous weapon. One troopers bangs his helmet with his

hand in an attempt to stop the ringing.

INTERIOR: READ LEADER'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

Red Leader flies through a heavy hail of flak.

RED LEADER: Luke, let me know when you're going in.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

The Red Leader's X-wing flies past Luke as he puts his nose

down and starts his attack dive.

LUKE: I'm on my way in now...

RED LEADER: Watch yourself! There's a lot of fire coming from the

right side of that deflection tower.

LUKE: I'm on it.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Luke flings his X-wing into a twisting dive across the horizon

and down onto the dim grey surface.

EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING TRAVELING.

A shot hurls from Luke's guns. Laserbolts streak toward the

onrushing Death Star surface. Several small radar emplacements

erupt in flame. Laserfire erupts from a protruding tower on

the surface.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

The blurry Death Star surface races past the cockpit window as

a big smile sweeps across Luke's face at the success of his

run. Flak thunders on all sides of him.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

The Death Star superstructure races past Luke as he maneuvers

his craft through a wall of laserfire and peels away from the

surface towards the heavens.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.

The thunder and smoke of the big guns reverberate throughout

the massive structure. Many soldiers rush about in the smoke

and chaos, silhouetted by the almost continual flash of

explosions.

INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

Biggs dives through a forest of radar domes, antennae, and gun

towers as he shoots low across the Death Star surface. A dense

barrage of laserfire streaks by on all sides.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.

Imperial star pilots dash in unison to a line of small

auxiliary hatches that lead to Imperial TIE fighters.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

Princess Leia, surrounded by her generals and aides, paces

nervously before a lighted computer table. On all sides

technicians work in front of many lighted glass walls. Dodonna

watches quietly from one corner. One of the officers working

over a screen speaks into his headset.

CONTROL OFFICER: Squad leaders, we've picked up a new group of

signals. Enemy fighters coming your way.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

Luke looks around to see if he can spot the approaching

Imperial fighters.

LUKE: My scope's negative. I don't see anything.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S X-WING -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

The Death Star's surface sweeps past as Red Leader searches

the sky for the Imperial fighters. Flak pounds at his ship.

RED LEADER: Keep up your visual scanning. With all this jamming,

they'll be on top of you before your scope can pick them up.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Silhouetted against the rim lights of the Death Star horizon,

four ferocious Imperial TIE ships dive on the Rebel fighters.

Two of the TIE fighters peel off and drop out of frame. Pan

with the remaining two TIE ships.

INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

Biggs panics when he discovers a TIE ship on his tail. The

horizon in the background twists around as he peels off,

hoping to lose the Imperial fighter.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

RED LEADER: Biggs! You've picked one up...watch it!

BIGGS: I can't see it! Where is he?!

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Biggs zooms off the surface and into space, closely followed

by an Imperial TIE fighter. The TIE ship fires several

laserbolts at Biggs, but misses.

INTERIOR: BIGGS' COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

Biggs see the TIE ship behind him and swings around, trying to

avoid him.

BIGGS: He's on me tight, I can't shake him...I can't shake him.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Biggs, flying at high altitude, peels off and dives toward the

Death Star surface, but he is unable to lose the TIE fighter,

who sticks close to his tail.

INTERIOR: X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

Luke is flying upside down. He rotates his ship around to

normal attitude as he comes out of his dive.

LUKE: Hang on, Biggs, I'm coming in.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Biggs and the tailing TIE ship dive for the surface, now

followed by a fast-gaining Luke. After Biggs dives out of

sight, Luke chases the Imperial fighter.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

In the foreground, the Imperial fighter races across the Death

Star's surface, closely followed by Luke in the background.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

There is a shot from Luke's X-wing of the TIE ship exploding

in a mass of flames.

LUKE: Got him!

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.

Darth Vader strides purposefully down a Death Star corridor,

flanked by Imperial stormtroopers.

VADER: Several fighters have broken off from the main group. Come with

me!

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

A concerned Princess Leia, Threepio, Dodonna, and other

officers of the Rebellion stand around the huge round readout

screen, listening to the ship-to-ship communication on the

room's loudspeaker.

BIGGS: (over speaker) Pull in! Luke...pull in!

WEDGE: (over speaker) Watch your back, Luke!

INTERIOR LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

WEDGE: (over headset) Watch your back! Fighter's above you, coming in!

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

Luke's ship soars away from the Death Star's surface as he

spots the tailing TIE fighter.

INTERIOR: TIE FIGHTER'S COCKPIT.

The TIE pilot takes aim at Luke's X-wing.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

The Imperial TIE fighter pilot scores a hit on Luke's ship.

Fire breaks out on the right side of the X-wing.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

Luke looks out of his cockpit at the flames on his ship.

LUKE: I'm hit, but not bad.

EXTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.

Smoke pours out from behind Artoo-Detoo.

LUKE'S VOICE: Artoo, see what you can do with it. Hang on back there.

Green laserfire moves past the beeping little robot as his

head turns.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.

Luke nervously works his controls.

RED LEADER: (over headset) Red Six...

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

In the war room, Leia stands frozen as she listens and worries

about Luke.

RED LEADER: (over speaker) Can you see Red Five?

RED TEN: (over speaker) There's a heavy fire zone on this side. Red

Five, where are you?

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.

Luke spots the TIE fighter behind him and soars away from the

Death Star surface.

LUKE: I can't shake him!

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Luke's ship soars closer to the surface of the Death Star, an

Imperial TIE fighter closing in on him in hot pursuit.

INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.

The Death Star whips below Wedge.

WEDGE: I'm on him, Luke!

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.

WEDGE: (over headset) Hold on!

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Wedge dives across the horizon toward Luke and the TIE

fighter.

INTERIOR: WEDGE'S COCKPIT.

Wedge moves his X-wing in rapidly.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.

Luke reacts frantically.

LUKE: Blast it! Wedge where are you?

INTERIOR: TIE FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

The fighter pilot watches Wedge's X-wing approach. Another

X-wing joins him, and both unleash a volley of laserfire on

the Imperial fighter.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

The TIE fighter explodes, filling the screen with white light.

Luke's ship can be seen far in the distance.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT.

Luke looks about in relief.

LUKE: Thanks, Wedge.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

Leia, Threepio, Dodonna and other Rebel officers are listening

to the Rebel Fighter's radio transmissions over the war room

intercom.

BIGGS: (over speaker) Good shooting, Wedge!

GOLD LEADER: (over speaker) Red Leader...

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

Gold Leader peels off and starts toward the long trenches at

the Death Star surface pole.

GOLD LEADER: This is Gold Leader. We're starting out attack run.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Three Y-wing fighters of the Gold group dive out of the stars

toward the Death Star surface.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

Leia and the others are grouped around the screen, as

technicians move about attending to their duties.

RED LEADER: (over speaker) I copy, Gold Leader. Move into position.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Three Imperial TIE ships in precise formation dive toward the

Death Star surface.

INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars whip

past in the window above his head.

VADER: Stay in attack formation!

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

Technicians are seated at the computer readout table.

GOLD LEADER: (over speaker) The exhaust post is...

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

GOLD LEADER: ...marked and locked in!

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Gold Leader approaches the surface and pulls out to skim the

surface of the huge station. The ship moves into a deep

trench, firing laserbolts. The surface streaks past as

laserfire is returned by the Death Star.

INTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT -- TRAVELING.

Gold Five is a pilot in his early fifties with a very battered

helmet that looks like it's been through many battles. He

looks around to see if enemy ships are near. His fighter is

buffeted by Imperial flak.

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

Gold Leader races down the enormous trench that leads to the

exhaust port. Laserbolts blast toward him in increasing

numbers, occasionally exploding near the ship causing it to

bounce about.

GOLD LEADER: Switch power to front deflector screens.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Three Y-wing skim the Death Star surface deep in the trench,

as laserbolts streak past on all sides.

EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR SURFACE -- GUN EMPLACEMENTS.

An exterior surface gun blazes away at the oncoming Rebel

fighters.

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

GOLD LEADER: How many guns do you think, Gold Five.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

GOLD FIVE: (over speaker) I'd say about twenty guns. Some on the

surface, some on the towers.

Leia, Threepio, and the technicians view the projected

target screen, as red and blue target lights glow. The red

target near the center blinks on and off.

MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE: (over speaker) Death Star will be in range in

five minutes.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

The three Y-wing fighters race toward camera and zoom

overhead through a hail of laserfire.

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

Gold Leader pulls his computer targeting device down in

front of his eye. Laserbolts continue to batter the Rebel

craft.

GOLD LEADER: Switching to targeting computer.

INTERIOR: GOLD TWO'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

Gold Two, a younger pilot about Luke's age, pulls down his

targeting eye viewer and adjusts it. His ship shudders under

intense laser barrage.

GOLD TWO: Computer's locked. Getting a signal.

As the fighters begin to approach the target area, suddenly

all the laserfire stops. An eerie clam clings over the trench

as the surface whips past in a blur.

GOLD TWO: The guns...they've stopped!

EXTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S COCKPIT.

Gold Five looks behind him.

GOLD FIVE: Stabilize your read deflectors. Watch for enemy fighters.

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

GOLD LEADER: They've coming in! Three marks at two ten.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Three Imperial TIE ships, Darth Vader in the center flanked by

two wingmen, dive in precise formation almost vertically

toward the Death Star surface.

INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars zoom

by.

VADER: I'll take them myself! Cover me!

WINGMAN'S VOICE: (over speaker) Yes, sir.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Three TIE fighters zoom across the surface of the Death Star.

INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader lines up Gold Two in his targeting computer. Vader's

hands grip the control stick as he presses the button.

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT

The cockpit explodes around Gold Two. His head falls forward.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

As Gold Two's ship explodes, debris is flung out into space.

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

Gold Leader looks over his shoulder at the scene.

EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR TRENCH.

The three TIE fighters race along in the trench in a tight

formation.

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

Gold Leader panics.

GOLD LEADER: (into mike) I can't maneuver!

INTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

Gold Five, the old veteran, trys to calm Gold Leader.

GOLD FIVE: Stay on target.

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

The Death Star races by outside the cockpit window as he

adjusts his targeting device.

GOLD LEADER: We're too close.

INTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

The older pilot remains calm.

GOLD FIVE: Stay on target!

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

Now he's really panicked.

GOLD LEADER: Loosen up!

INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader calmly adjusts his targeting computer and pushes the

fire button.

INTERIOR: GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

Gold Leader's ship is hit by Vader's laser.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Gold Leader explodes in a ball of flames, throwing debris in

all directions.

INTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

Gold Five moves in on the exhaust port.

GOLD FIVE: Gold Five to Red Leader...

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

Luke looks over his shoulder at the action outside of his

cockpit.

GOLD FIVE: (over headset) Lost Tiree, lost Dutch.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

RED LEADER: I copy, Gold Five.

INTERIOR: GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING -- COCKPIT.

GOLD FIVE: They came from behind....

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

One of the engines explodes on Gold Five's Y-wing fighter,

blazing out of control. He dives past the horizon toward the

Death Star's surface, passing a TIE fighter during his

descent. Gold Five, a veteran of countless campaigns, spins

toward his death.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

Luke looks nervously about him at the explosive battle.

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR -- CONTROL ROOM.

Grant Moff Tarkin and a Chief Officer stand in the Death

Star's control room.

OFFICER: We've analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger.

Should I have your ship standing by?

TARKIN: Evacuate? In out moment of triumph? I think you overestimate

their chances!

Tarkin turns to the computer readout screen. Flames move

around the green disk at the center of the screen, as numbers

read across the bottom.

VOICE: (over speaker) Rebel base, three minutes and closing.

INTERIOR: READ LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Red Leader looks over at his wingmen.

RED LEADER: Red Group, this is Red Leader.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

Dodonna moves to the intercom as he fiddles with the computer

keys.

RED LEADER: (over speaker) Rendezvous at mark six point one.

WEDGE: (over speaker) This is Red Two. Flying toward you.

BIGGS: (over speaker) Red Three, standing by.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT:

DODONNA: (over headset) Red Leader, this is Base One. Keep half your

group out of range for the next run.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

RED LEADER'S VOICE: (over headset) Copy, Base One. Luke, take Red Two

and Three. Hold up here and wait for my signal...to start your run.

Luke nods his head.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge fly in formation

high above the Death Star's surface.

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

Luke peers out from his cockpit.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Two X-wings move across the surface of the Death Star. Red

Leader's X-wing drops down to the surface leading to the

exhaust port.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Red Leader looks around to watch for the TIE fighters. He

begins to perspire.

RED LEADER: This is it!

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

Red Leader roams down the trench of the Death Star as lasers

streak across the black heavens.

EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR SURFACE -- GUN EMPLACEMENTS.

A huge remote-control laser cannon fires at the approaching

Rebel fighters.

EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR TRENCH.

The Rebel fighters evade the Imperial laser blasts.

INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.

Red Ten looks around for the Imperial fighters.

RED TEN: We should be able to see it by now.

EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR TRENCH.

From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the

Death Star streaks by, with Imperial laserfire shooting toward

them.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

RED LEADER: Keep your eyes open for those fighters!

INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.

RED TEN: There's too much interference!

EXTERIOR: SPACE -- DEATH STAR TRENCH.

Three X-wing fighters move in formation down the Death Star

trench.

RED TEN'S VOICE: Red Five, can you see them from where you are?

INTERIOR: LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER -- COCKPIT.

Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below.

LUKE: No sign of any...wait!

INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.

Red Ten looks up and sees the Imperial fighters.

LUKE: (over headset) Coming in point three five.

RED TEN: I see them.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Three TIE fighters, Vader flanked by two wingmen, dive in a

tight formation. The sun reflects off their dominate solar

fins as they loop toward the Death Star's surface.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Red Leader pulls his targeting device in front of his eyes and

makes several adjustments.

RED LEADER: I'm in range.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Red Leader's X-wing moves up the Death Star trench.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

RED LEADER: Target's coming up!

Red Leader looks at his computer target readout screen. He

then looks into his targeting device.

RED LEADER: Just hold them off for a few seconds.

INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader adjusts his control lever and dives on the X-wing

fighters.

VADER: Close up formation.

EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR TRENCH.

The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death Star

surface.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device

cross hairs.

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.

INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader rapidly approaches the two X-wings of Red Ten and Red

Twelve. Vader's laser cannon flashes below the view of the

front porthole. the X-wings show in the center of Vader's

computer screen.

EXTERIOR: SPACE.

Red Twelve's X-wing fighter is hit by Vader's laserfire, and

it explodes into flames against the trench.

INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.

Red Ten works at his controls furiously, trying to avoid

Vader's fighter behind him.

RED TEN: You'd better let her loose.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device.

RED LEADER: Almost there!

INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.

Red Ten panics.

RED TEN: I can't hold them!

EXTERIOR: SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of

the Rebel fighters.

INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader cooly pushes the fire button on his control stick.

INTERIOR: RED TEN'S COCKPIT.

Darth Vader's well-aimed laserfire proves to be unavoidable,

and strikes Red Ten's ship. Red Ten screams in anguish and

pain.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Red Ten's ship explodes and bursts into flames.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Grimly, Red Leader takes careful aim and watches his computer

targeting device, which shows the target lined up in the cross

hairs, and fires.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

RED LEADER: It's away!

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR.

An armed Imperial stormtrooper is knocked to the floor from

the attack explosion. Other troopers scurrying about the

corridors are knocked against the wall and lose their balance.

INTERIOR: MASSASSI OUTPOST -- WAR ROOM.

Leia and the others stare at the computer screen.

RED NINE'S VOICE: (over speaker) It's a hit!

RED LEADER: (over speaker) Negative.

INTERIOR: RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Red Leader looks back at the receding Death Star. Tiny

explosions are visible in the distance.

RED LEADER: Negative! It didn't go in. It just impacted on the

surface.

EXTERIOR: SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR -- TIE FIGHTER.