Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Page #4

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EXT. HOTH - SNOW PLAIN - DUSK

A small, lone figure riding a Tauntaun races through the hostile

vastness of snow and cold. As it runs, the Tauntaun's legs kick up

large clouds of snow and ice into the snowy air.

EXT. HOTH - OUTSIDE ICE HANGAR - DUSK

Artoo stands in the falling snow, beeping worriedly. Threepio moves

stiffly over to him.

THREEPIO:

You must come along now, Artoo.

There's really nothing more we can

do. And my joints are freezing up.

Artoo beeps, long and low.

THREEPIO:

Don't say thing like that! Of

course we'll see Master Luke again.

He'll be quite all right, you'll see.

(to himself)

Stupid little short-circuit. He'll

be quite all right.

Threepio turns to go back inside the main hangar as Artoo mournfully

keeps his vigil.

EXT. HOTH - SNOW DRIFT - DUSK

The wind is blowing quite strong now. Luke struggles to stay upright,

but a blast of freezing snow knocks him over. He struggles to get up,

but he can't. The young warrior from Tatooine drags himself a couple

of feet and then collapses.

INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK - ENTRANCE - NIGHT

Princess Leia stands inside the dark entrance to the Rebel base,

waiting for a sign of the two Rebel heroes. She shivers in the cold

wind as, nearby, Chewie sits with his head in his hands. In the

background, Artoo and Threepio move through the doors.

A Rebel lieutenant moves to Major Derlin, an officer keeping watch with

the princess.

LIEUTENANT:

Sir, all the patrols are in.

There's still no contact from

Skywalker or Solo.

THREEPIO:

Mistress Leia, Artoo says he's been

quite unable to pick up any signals,

although he does admit that his own

range is far too weak to abandon

all hope.

Leia nods an acknowledgment, but she is lost in thought.

DERLIN:

Your Highness, there's nothing

more we can do tonight. The shield

doors must be closed.

He turns to the lieutenant.

DERLIN:

Close the doors.

LIEUTENANT:

Yes, sir.

The lieutenant walks away. Chewie lets out a long, mournful howl,

somewhat like a coyote. At the same moment, Artoo begins a complex

series of efficient beeps.

THREEPIO:

Artoo says the chances of survival

are seven hundred seventy-five...

to one.

Leia stands praying to herself as the huge metal doors slam across the

entrance of the ice cave. The loud booms echo throughout the huge

cavern. Chewie lets out another suffering howl.

THREEPIO:

Actually, Artoo has been known to

make mistakes... from time to time.

Oh, dear, oh, dear. Don't worry

about Master Luke. I'm sure he'll

be all right. He's quite clever,

you know... for a human being.

EXT. HOTH - SNOW DRIFT - DUSK

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