Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Page #10

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OZZEL:

Lord Vader, the fleet has moved

out of light-speed, and we're

preparing to... Aaagh!

VADER:

You have failed me for the last

time, Admiral. Captain Piett.

Piett steps forward, as the admiral moves away, slightly confused,

touching his throat as it begins to constrict painfully.

PIETT:

Yes, my lord.

VADER:

Make ready to land out troops beyond

the energy shield and deploy the

fleet so that nothing gets off that

system. You are in command now,

Admiral Piett.

PIETT:

Thank you, Lord Vader.

Piett's pleasure about his unexpected promotion is not an unmixed

emotion. He glances warily at the struggling Admiral Ozzel who, with a

final choke, stumbles and falls in a lifeless heap before him.

INT. REBEL BASE - MAIN HANGAR DECK

With a sense of urgency, Leia quickly briefs a group of pilots gathered

in the center of the hangar.

LEIA:

All troop carriers will assemble

at the north entrance. The heavy

transport ships will leave as

soon as they're loaded. Only two

fighter escorts per ship. The

energy shield can only be opened

for a short time, so you'll have

to stay very close to your transports.

HOBBIE:

Two fighters against a Star Destroyer?

LEIA:

The ion cannon will fire several

shots to make sure that any enemy

ships will be out of your flight

path. When you've gotten past the

energy shield, proceed directly to

the rendezvous point. Understood?

PILOTS:

(in unison)

Right. Okay.

LEIA:

Good luck.

DERLIN:

Okay. Everyone to your stations.

Let's go!

The pilots hurry away.

EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - SNOW TRENCH - DAY

Rebel troops carry heavy bazooka-type weapons and position them along

the snow trench. Men hurriedly respond to their officers' yelled

orders and brace themselves against the rhythmic gusts of bitter-cold

wind.

Other troops load power packs into a gun turret and swing its guns into

position.

EXT. HOTH - ICE PLAIN - POWER GENERATORS

Near the base power generators, troops rush to set up their heavy

battle equipment. Buzzing loudly, the generators send along, sparking

fingers of energy into the bitter Hoth wind.

INT. REBEL BASE - COMMAND CENTER

The long line of Rebel controllers is tense, as are Princess Leia and

General Rieekan, who are trying very hard not to show any fear.

RIEEKAN:

Their primary target will be the

power generators. Prepare to

open the shield.

EXT. ICE PLAIN

The Rebel transport and two escort fighters begin their departure from

the ice planet.

EXT. SPACE - IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER

A huge Imperial Star Destroyer rest against a sea of stars, far above

the white surface of the planet Hoth.

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