345. INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT.

RED TEN
There's too much interference!

346. EXT. 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?

347. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below.

LUKE
No sign of any...wait!

348. INT. 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.

349. EXT. 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.

350. INT. 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.

351. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

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

352. INT. 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.

353. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

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

VADER
Close up formation.

354. EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH.

The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death Star surface.

355. INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device cross hairs.

356. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.

357. INT. 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.

358. EXT. SPACE.

Red Twelve's X-wing fighter is hit by Vader's laserfire, and it explodes into flames against the trench.

359. INT. 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.

360. INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device.

RED LEADER
Almost there!

361. INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT.

Red Ten panics.

RED TEN
I can't hold them!

362. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of the Rebel fighters.

363. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader cooly pushes the fire button on his control stick.

364. INT. 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.

365. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Red Ten's ship explodes and bursts into flames.

366. INT. 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.

367. INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

RED LEADER
It's away!

368. INT. 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.

369. INT. 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.

370. INT. 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.

371. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR - TIE FIGHTER.

Darth Vader peels off in pursuit as Red Leader's X-wing passes the Death Star horizon.

372. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader swings his ship around for the next kill.

373. INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

LUKE
(over headset)
Red Leader, we're right above you. Turn to point...

374. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke tries to spot Red Leader. He looks down at the Death Star surface.

LUKE
...oh-five; we'll cover for you.

RED LEADER
(over headset)
Stay there...

375. INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

A wary Red Leader looks about nervously.

RED LEADER
...I just lost my starboard engine.

376. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke looks excitedly toward Red Leader's X-wing.

RED LEADER
(over headset)
Get set to make your attack run.

377. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader's gloved hands make contact with the control sticks, and he presses their firing buttons.

378. INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT.

Red Leader fights to gain control of his ship.

379. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Laserbolts are flung from Vader's TIE fighter, connecting with Red Leader's Rebel X-wing fighter. Red Leader buys it, creating a tremendous explosion far below. He screams and is destroyed.

380. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke looks out the window of his X-wing at the explosion far below. For the first time, he feels the helplessness of his situation.

381. INT. DEATH STAR.

Grand Moff Tarkin casts a sinister eye at the computer screen.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, one minute and closing.

382. INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM.

Dodonna and Princess Leia, with Threepio beside them, listen intently to the talk between the pilots. The room is grim after Red Leader's death. Princess Leia nervously paces the room.

LUKE
(over speaker)
Biggs, Wedge, let's close it up. We're going in. We're going in full throttle.

383. INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT.

The horizon twists as Wedge begins to pull out.

WEDGE
Right with you, boss.

384. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

The two X-wings peel off against a background of stars and dive toward the Death Star.

385. INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT.

BIGGS
Luke, at that speed will you be able to pull out in time?

386. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

LUKE
It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon back home.

387. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

The three X-wings move in, unleashing a barrage of laserfire. Laserbolts are returned from the Death Star.

388. INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT.

Luke's lifelong friend struggles with his controls.

BIGGS
We'll stay back far enough to cover you.

389. INT. LUKE'S COCKPIT.

Flak and laserbolts flash outside Luke's cockpit window.

WEDGE
(over headset)
My scope shows the tower, but I can't see the exhaust port! Are you sure the computer can hit it?

390. EXT. DEATH STAR - GUN EMPLACEMENTS.

The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotates as it shoots laserbolts.

391. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke looks around for the Imperial TIE fighters. He thinks for a moment and then moves his targeting device into position.

LUKE
Watch yourself! Increase speed full throttle!

392. INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT.

Wedge looks excitedly about for any sign of the TIE fighters.

WEDGE
What about the tower?

393. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

LUKE
You worry about those fighters! I'll worry about the tower!

394. EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE.

Luke's X-wing streaks through the trench, firing lasers.

395. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke breaks into a nervous sweat as the laserfire is returned, knicking one of his wings close to the engine.

LUKE
(to Artoo)
Artoo...that, that stabilizer's broken loose again! See if you can't lock it down!

396. EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.

Artoo works to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushes by in the background, making his delicate task seem even more precarious.

397. EXT. DEATH STAR.

Two laser cannons are firing on the Rebel fighters.

398. INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT.

Wedge looks up and sees the TIE ships.

399. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke's targeting device marks off the distance to the target.

400. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Vader and his wingmen zoom closer.

401. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader adjusts his controls and fires laserbolts at two X-wings flying down the trench. He scores a direct hit on Wedge.

402. INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM.

Leia and the others are grouped around the computer board.

WEDGE
(over speaker)
I'm hit! I can't stay with you.

LUKE
(over speaker)
Get clear, Wedge.

403. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

LUKE
You can't do any more good back there!

404. INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT.

WEDGE
Sorry!

EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Wedge pulls his crippled X-wing back away from the battle.

405. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader watches the escape but issues a command to his wingmen.

VADER
Let him go! Stay on the leader!

406. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Luke's X-wing speeds down the trench; the three TIE fighters, still in perfect unbroken formation, tail close behind.

407. INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT.

Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters. He is worried.

BIGGS
Hurry, Luke, they're coming in much faster this time. I can't hold them!

408. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

The three TIE fighters move ever closer, closing in on Luke and Biggs.

409. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke looks back anxiously at little Artoo.

LUKE
Artoo, try and increase the power!

410. EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.

Ignoring the bumpy ride, flak, and lasers, a beeping Artoo-Detoo struggles to increase the power, his dome turning from side to side.

411. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Stealthily, the TIE formation creeps closer.

412. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader adjusts his control stick.

413. INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT.

Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters.

414. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.

Luke looks into his targeting device. He moves it away for a moment and ponders its use. He looks back into the computer targeter.

BIGGS
(over headset)
Hurry up, Luke!

415. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Vader and his wingmen race through the Death Star trench. Biggs moves in to cover for Luke, but Vader gains on him.

416. INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT.

Biggs sees the TIE fighter aiming at him.

BIGGS
Wait!

417. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader squeezes the fire button on his controls.

418. INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT.

Biggs' cockpit explodes around him, lighting him in red.

419. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Biggs' ship bursts into a million flaming bits and scatters across the surface.

420. INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM.

Leia and the others stare at the computer board.

421. INT. LUKE'S X-WING COCKPIT.

Luke is stunned by Biggs' death. His eyes are watering, but his anger is also growing.

422. INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM.

Grand Moff Tarkin watches the projected target screen with satisfaction.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, thirty seconds and closing.

423. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader takes aim on Luke and talks to the wingmen.

VADER
I'm on the leader.

424. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR - LUKE'S SHIP.

Luke's ship streaks through the trench of the Death Star.

425. INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM.

Princess Leia returns her general's worried and doubtful glances with solid, grim determination. Threepio seems nervous.

THREEPIO
Hang on, Artoo!

426. INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT.

Luke concentrates on his targeting device.

427. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Three TIE fighters charge away down the trench toward Luke.

428. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader's finger's curls around the control stick.

429. INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT.

Luke adjusts the lens of his targeting device.

430. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Luke's ship charges down the trench.

431. INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT.

Luke lines up the yellow cross-hair lines of the targeting device's screen. He looks into the targeting device, then starts at a voice he hears.

BEN'S VOICE
Use the Force, Luke.

432. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

The Death Star trench zooms by.

433. INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT.

Luke looks up, then starts to look back into the targeting device. He has second thoughts.

BEN'S VOICE
Let go, Luke.

A grim determination sweeps across Luke's face as he closes his eyes and starts to mumble Ben's training to himself.

434. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Luke's fighter streaks through the trench.

435. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

VADER
The Force is strong with this one!

436. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Vader follows Luke's X-wing down the trench.

437. INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT.

Luke looks to the targeting device, then away as he hears Ben's voice.

BEN'S VOICE
Luke, trust me.

Luke's hand reaches for the control panel and presses the button. The targeting device moves away.

438. INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM.

Leia and the others stand watching the projected screen.

BASE VOICE
(over speaker)
His computer's off. Luke, you switched off your targeting computer. What's wrong?

LUKE
(over speaker)
Nothing. I'm all right.

439. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Luke's ship streaks ever close to the exhaust port.

440. INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT.

Luke looks at the Death Star surface streaking by.

441. EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.

Artoo-Detoo turns his head from side to side, beeping in anticipation.

442. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

The three TIE fighters, manned by Vader and his two wingmen, follow Luke's X-wing down the trench.

443. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader maneuvers his controls as he looks at his doomed target. He presses the fire buttons on his control sticks. Laserfire shoots toward Luke's X-wing fighter.

444. EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.

A large burst of Vader's laserfire engulfs Artoo. The arms go limp on the smoking little droid as he makes a high-pitched sound.

445. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke looks frantically back over his shoulder at Artoo.

446. EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER.

Smoke billows out around little Artoo and sparks begin to fly.

LUKE
I've lost Artoo!

Artoo's beeping sounds die out.

447. INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM.

Leia and the others stare intently at the projected screen, while Threepio watches the Princess. Lights representing the Death Star and targets glow brightly.

MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
The Death Star has cleared the planet. The Death Star has cleared the planet.

448. INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM.

Tarkin glares at the projected target screen.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, in range.

TARKIN
You may fire when ready.

DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Commence primary ignition.

An officer reaches up and pushes buttons on the control panel, as green lighted buttons turn to red.

449. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

The three TIE fighters zoom down the Death Star trench in pursuit of Luke, never breaking formation.

450. INT. LUKE'S COCKPIT.

Luke looks anxiously at the exhaust port.

451. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader adjusts his control sticks, checking his projected targeting screen.

452. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Luke's ship barrels down the trench.

453. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader's targeting computer swings around into position. Vader takes careful aim on Luke's X-wing fighter.

VADER
I have you now.

He pushes the fire buttons.

454. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

The three TIE fighters move in on Luke. As Vader's center fighter unleashes a volley of laserfire, one of the TIE ships at his side is hit and explodes into flame. The two remaining ships continue to move in.

455. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke looks about, wondering whose laserfire destroyed Vader's wingman.

456. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader is taken by surprise, and looks out from his cockpit.

VADER
What?

457. INT. DARTH VADER'S WINGMAN - COCKPIT.

Vader's wingman searches around him trying to locate the unknown attacker.

458. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT.

Han and Chewbacca grin from ear to ear.

HAN
(yelling)
Yahoo!

459. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

The Millennium Falcon heads right at the two TIE fighters. It's a collision course.

460. INT. WINGMAN'S COCKPIT.

The wingman spots the pirateship coming at him and warns the Dark Lord.

WINGMAN
Look out!

461. EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH.

Vader's wingman panics at the sight of the oncoming pirate starship and veers radically to one side, colliding with Vader's TIE fighter in the process. Vader's wingman crashes into the side wall of the trench and explodes. Vader's damaged ship spins out of the trench with a damaged wing.

462. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Vader's ship spins out of control with a bent solar fin, heading for deep space.

463. INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT.

Vader turns round and round in circles as his ship spins into space.

464. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Solo's ship moves in toward the Death Star trench.

465. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT.

Solo, smiling, speaks to Luke over his headset mike.

HAN
(into mike)
You're all clear, kid.

466. INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM.

Leia and the others listen to Solo's transmission.

HAN
(over speaker)
Now let's blow this thing and go home!

467. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke looks up and smiles. He concentrates on the exhaust port, then fires his laser torpedoes.

468. EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR.

Luke's torpedoes shoot toward the port and seems to simply disappear into the surface and not explode. But the shots do find their mark and have gone into the exhaust port and are heading for the main reactor.

469. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke throws his head back in relief.

470. INT. DEATH STAR.

An Imperial soldier runs to the control panel board and pulls the attack lever as the board behind him lights up.

INTERCOM VOICE
Stand by to fire at Rebel base.

471. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

Two X-wings, a Y-wing, and the pirateship race toward Yavin in the distance.

472. INT. DEATH STAR.

Several Imperial soldiers, flanking a pensive Grand Moff Tarkin, busily push control levers and buttons.

INTERCOM VOICE
Standing by.

The rumble of a distant explosion begins.

473. EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR.

The Rebel ships race out of sight, leaving the moon-like Death Star alone against a blanket of stars. Several small flashes appear on the surface. The Death Star bursts into a supernova, creating a spectacular heavenly display.

474. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT.

HAN
Great shot, kid. That was one in a million.

475. INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT.

Luke is at ease, and his eyes are closed.

BEN'S VOICE
Remember, the Force will be with you...always.

The ship rocks back and forth.

476. EXT. DARTH VADER'S TIE FIGHTER.

Vader's ship spins off into space.

477. EXT. SPACE.

The Rebel ships race toward the fourth moon of Yavin.

478. INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN HANGAR.

Luke climbs out of his starship fighter and is cheered by a throng of ground crew and pilots. Luke climbs down the ladder as they all welcome him with laughter, cheers, and shouting. Princess Leia rushes toward him.

LEIA
Luke! Luke! Luke!

She throws her arms around Luke and hugs him as they dance around in a circle. Solo runs in toward Luke and they embrace one another, slapping each other on the back.

HAN
(laughing)
Hey! Hey!

LUKE
(laughing)
I knew you'd come back! I just knew it!

HAN
Well, I wasn't gonna let you get all the credit and take all the reward.

Luke and Han look at one another, as Solo playfully shoves at Luke's face. Leia moves in between them.

LEIA
(laughing)
Hey, I knew there was more to you than money.

Luke looks toward the ship.

LUKE
Oh, no!

The fried little Artoo-Detoo is lifted off the back of the fighter and carried off under the worried eyes of Threepio.

THREEPIO
Oh, my! Artoo! Can you hear me? Say something!
(to mechanic)
You can repair him, can't you?

TECHNICIAN
We'll get to work on him right away.

THREEPIO
You must repair him! Sir, if any of my circuits or gears will help, I'll gladly donate them.

LUKE
He'll be all right.

479. INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN THRONE ROOM.

Luke, Han, and Chewbacca enter the huge ruins of the main temple. Hundreds of troops are lined up in neat rows. Banners are flying and at the far end stands a vision in white, the beautiful young Senator Leia. Luke and the others solemnly march up the long aisle and kneel before Senator Leia. From one side of the temple marches a shined-up and fully repaired Artoo-Detoo. He waddles up to the group and stands next to an equally pristine Threepio, who is rather awe-struck by the whole event. Chewbacca is confused. Dodonna and several other dignitaries sit on the left of the Princess Leia. Leia is dressed in a long white dress and is staggeringly beautiful. She rises and places a gold medallion around Han's neck. He winks at her. She then repeats the ceremony with Luke, who is moved by the event. They turn and face the assembled troops, who all bow before them. Chewbacca growls and Artoo beeps with happiness.
 
FADE OUT

END CREDITS OVER STARS
                                        
THE END