NOTE: This teleplay is being distributed FREELY to Star Wars fans. If it entertains you, please share it FREELY with a friend. Although characters and situations herein are the property of Lucasfilm, Ltd., the author retains certain rights. This work has been duly registered with the WGAw. If you enjoyed (or hated) this episode, we would like to hear your comments. THE UNTOLD TALES OF HAN SOLO "Life Debt" Teleplay by William A. Ward (anoptimist@etsc.net) Produced for the Internet by Martin Pettersson (mnp@canit.se) WWW: http://www.canit.se/~mnp/starwars/ - TEASER - FADE IN: EXT. SPACE ANGLE DOWN to reveal Trenton IV, a small moon on the outer rim. An IMPERIAL SHUTTLE glides into view. NEW ANGLE A CORELLIAN CORVETTE skims across the face of the moon and lumbers into the path of the shuttle. The shuttle reduces speed. INT. IMPERIAL SHUTTLE - COCKPIT The SHUTTLE CAPTAIN and his COPILOT watch as the corvette moves into view outside the cockpit window. SHUTTLE CAPTAIN Prowler I, this is VLX-327 on final approach. CORVETTE CONTROLLER (filtered voice over) VLX-327, state your purpose for entry. SHUTTLE CAPTAIN Delivery of wookiee slaves for construction detail. CORVETTE CONTROLLER Confirmed. General Dodd is anticipating your arrival. Descend to east ridge platform seven. Prowler I clear. EXT. SPACE The shuttle ENGAGES ENGINES and glides past the corvette. EXT. TRENTON IV - NIGHT Lush jungle overgrowth and misty skies. In the midst of the vegetation, an IMPERIAL LANDING PLATFORM sprouts from the trees, its landing beacons glowing in the flowing blue mist. The shuttle descends from the night sky like a majestic bird. EXT. LANDING PLATFORM - NIGHT GENERAL DODD, spit and polished, watches the shuttle land before him. WHISPING STEAM rolls across the platform at his feet. The shuttle hatch yawns open and a STORMTROOPER descends. He salutes Dodd. STORMTROOPER #1 The wookiee slaves you requested from Delta Omicron, sir. Behind him, two additional STORMTROOPERS lead five bound WOOKIEES down the ramp. They are all shackled in leg irons and bound at the wrists by a single chain. There is distinct, oppressed fear in their eyes. Dodd looks them over with disgust. GENERAL DODD (all business) Very well. Take them directly to the east ridge and report to the supervisor there. I want them working on those substructures within the hour. The stormtrooper hesitates for a moment. If we could see his face beneath the helmet, his expression would be one of confusion. STORMTROOPER #1 It's been a long trip. Surely they will need to be fed and hydrated. DODD I am not concerned with the appetites of slaves, soldier. STORMTROOPER #1 My concern is for their strength. Wookiees are much more efficient when properly cared for. DODD They will do just fine as they are. The construction of this listening station is on a tight schedule. They will work until they cannot work any longer, and then they will be discarded and I will send you for more. (a smile) Consider it job security on your part, soldier. Dodd turns and marches away. The soldier watches him, pondering his wasteful logic. He turns to the others. STORMTROOPER #1 Okay, let's go. One of the troopers pulls out a "shock rod" and jabs it into the side of the lead wookiee with a BLUE SPARK. The wookiee reacts and then moves away. They lead them off screen. EXT. JUNGLE PATH - NIGHT The stormtroopers lead the frightened wookiees through the dark jungle. The poor beasts react to the SOUNDS and smells of the planet as they lumber along in their shackles. Occasionally the stormtrooper jabs them with the shock rod to keep them moving. The lead stormtrooper, obviously at ease with the imperial occupied surroundings, carries his blaster at a low-ready position. They move through the intertwining shadows ahead. Ahead of them, a SHADOW moves through the vegetation at a high rate of speed. The stormtrooper stops the group and the wookiees are forced to their knees behind him. The second stormtrooper approaches and they take aim. The shadow stops a few feet from them and GROWLS. It is CHEWBACCA. His fur is tangled and he looks like he has been through hell. He darts into the trees and disappears as a helmeted construction worker approaches, hot on his trail. The worker's face is covered by a protective welding mask. He peers into the darkness and then waves to the stormtroopers. WORKER (excited) You over there! We've got a runner! Get him! STORMTROOPER #1 Set for maximum stun. The two lead stormtroopers pursue Chewbacca into the jungle as the third stays behind with the wookiees. The construction worker looks the new arrivals over as he approaches the remaining stormtrooper. STORMTROOPER #3 (to construction worker) Rough night? HAN SOLO pulls the construction helmet off and levels his blaster at the soldier. HAN Rougher than you realize. Drop it. The trooper drops the shock stick and raises his hands. EXT. THE JUNGLE - NIGHT Chewie races through the trees. A laser BLAST zips past his head. The stormtroopers are in hot pursuit. Chewie ducks into a shadowy knoll and LANDO CALRISSIAN steps out from behind a tree and opens FIRE on the pursuing troops. He SCREAMS like a madman as he unleashes a deadly firestorm into the trees. One of the stormtroopers goes down behind a FIERY EXPLOSION against his armor. The second troop takes cover and returns FIRE. Chewie emerges near Lando and POUNDS the trooper's position with his bowcaster. EXT. JUNGLE PATH - NIGHT The helpless stormtrooper is shackled around a tree with leg irons. Han is quickly pulling the leg irons off the last wookiee when a STATIC GARBLE begins to emanate from the construction helmet on the ground. He picks it up and listens for a moment. RADIO VOICE (filtered, from helmet) Sector two! We're pinned down! Sector two! Send reenforcements! Somewhere on the path behind them, additional troops are approaching through the trees. Han drops the helmet, grabs the chain and leads the wookiees away into the jungle. EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT The stormtrooper leans out from behind cover to take a shot at Chewie. Lando BLASTS him! Chewie BARKS his appreciation, but it's all a game to Calrissian. LANDO (laughs) Yeah! In another part of the jungle, Han is running, dragging the confused wookiees haplessly along behind. Laser BLASTS rape the vegetation around them as the pursuing troops OPEN FIRE. Chewie and Lando meet them. LANDO What's that? HAN My fan club. He hands the end of the chain to Chewie. HAN Get them to the ship and get her ready. Looks like we've worn out our welcome here. Chewie BARKS something to the wookiees and they follow him eagerly into the trees. Han and Lando turn to the jungle and then smile lovingly at each other. HAN Shall we? LANDO After you... please. They spray the trees with laser FIRE and STORMTROOPER SHADOWS dive for cover. EXT. JUNGLE CLEARING - MILLENNIUM FALCON - NIGHT The ship is an oasis beneath the stars; it's landing lights glowing in the mist. The wookiees emerge from the dark jungle and Chewie sees them safely on board. He follows them up the ramp. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - NIGHT Chewie throws switches and the ship begins to SURGE. EXT. JUNGLE CLEARING - NIGHT Han and Lando race to the ship. Laser BLASTS fill the air behind them. Han runs up the ramp and Lando stays behind to return FIRE. The jungle bleeds white with stormtroopers around him. Lando waves goodbye and runs up the ramp as the ship clears ground and ROARS away. The stormtroopers FIRE after it as it disappears into the night sky. EXT. SPACE - TRENTON IV Emerging from the dark side of the planet, the Millennium Falcon skims the atmosphere and SOARS into space. Prowler I is immediately in its path. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT The corvette is closing outside the cockpit window. Chewie BARKS at Han. HAN I see it! Angle the deflector shield. We're almost clear to make the jump to lightspeed. Lando enters and lights up a cigar. LANDO Don't you go tearing up my ship. I'm still going to win her back, you know. He sees the corvette in front of them. It opens FIRE with a volley of lasers that streak past the cockpit window. His smile melts and the cigar drops out of his teeth. LANDO Whoaaaa! HAN Shut up, Lando. Han pulls on the controls and the view outside spins upside down. Lando topples onto his ass. EXT. SPACE The Falcon spins through the LASER BLASTS and skims over the nose of Prowler I as it makes an evasive turn. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Clear space ahead. HAN Punch it, Chewie! The stars outside streak into white lines. Han and Chewie are thrown back in their seats. Lando slides across the floor a strikes the cockpit door. EXT. SPACE The Millennium Falcon ZOOMS away into infinity. FADE OUT. END OF TEASER ****************** OPENING CREDITS ********************* COMMERCIAL BREAKS - ACT ONE - ----------- FADE IN: EXT. HYPERSPACE - THE MILLENNIUM FALCON CAMERA TRACKS with the ship as it ZOOMS past amidst the streaking stars. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Han looks over his controls. Chewie finishes up some final adjustments and CHATTERS something to him. Han pats him on the shoulder. HAN Sure, pal, they're probably pretty confused. He digs into his pocket and produces a key. HAN (continued) And here. Go ahead and take those chains off them. Lando enters and makes room as Chewie exits. Chewie GRUNTS something to him as he squeezes past. LANDO Yeah, good work back there, big fella. Lando drops into Chewie's seat. He takes the cigar from his teeth, exhales the smoke and looks at the controls. LANDO I like what you've done with the place. HAN Thanks. By the way, I been meaning to talk to you about that new lady you've been swooning over back in the corporate sector. She'd look real good lounging around on my new couch back there. Lando points an accusing finger. LANDO Listen here, you Sabacc hustler, she's mine and she's not for wager. They laugh. Lando lounges back in the seat and enjoys his cigar. LANDO Tell me something, Solo. What's the story with you and ol' Chewbacca back there? He seems pretty loyal to you. HAN It's called a life debt. Wookiees take it pretty seriously. Back when I was in the service I did him a favor and now he's got it in his head that he owes me. LANDO Owes you what? HAN Whatever it takes. For the rest of my life, he claims. LANDO That is pretty serious. HAN Yeah. I tried to send him on his way lots of times, but he refuses. LANDO That why you lost your career? HAN What are you, writing a book or something? LANDO No. I just like to pry. Makes the trip go by faster. HAN (a beat) Yeah, I lost my career over it. But between you and me, it was the best deal I ever made. With that said, Lando nods his agreement. CUT TO: EXT. SPACE - PLANET KASHYYYK The streaking stars SHRINK back into glimmering points of light as the Millennium Falcon drops out of hyperspace and veers toward the green planet of Kashyyyk. EXT. KASHYYYK - UPPER ATMOSPHERE - DAY A flat carpet of clouds stretches across the horizon like a layer of fresh snow. The towering tops of mile- high wroshyr trees poke randomly through the cloud layers. In the background, the Millennium Falcon BREAKS the atmosphere and skims the surface of the cloud cover, weaving through the treetops with that old Han Solo grace. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Han and Chewie. Lando is seated behind them. Han is having fun maneuvering through the trees. A filtered WOOKIEE GROWL sounds on the communication speaker. HAN Why don't you get that. Chewie activates his headset and converses with the caller. Lando leans in on Han. LANDO (almost a whisper) Nice planet. Why all the precautions? HAN Kashyyyk is an imprisoned planet. The local imperial governor has been able to capture all the cities except Rwookrrorro. Needless to say, the free wookiees are a little touchy about unannounced arrivals. LANDO Where we headed? Han points ahead and to the right. A tighter group of wroshyr treetops can be seen coming into view. HAN That's Rwookrrorro over there under the clouds, but until we get clearance, we're just going to circle. Keep our distance. Lando is quiet for a moment. Something is bothering him. He glances at Chewie and then leans back in on Han. LANDO You know, Solo. I realize ol' Chewie here is pretty mellow for the most part, but uh... (a beat) ...wookiees in the wild. Undomesticated. What are they like? Han smiles; a cheshire cat smile that Lando doesn't see. HAN They'll rip your head off, man. Lando swallows hard and eases back into his chair with a sheepish, uncertain look. Chewie switches off the communicator and BARKS an affirmative to Han. HAN All right. (to Lando) We're in, partner. LANDO I think I'll just stay in the ship. Chewie glances at Lando and then looks to Han. EXT. KASHYYYK - DAY The Falcon soars past one of the tree tops, RUSTLING the thousands of leaves and scattering a FLOCK OF STRANGE BIRDS into the sky. The ship banks right and drops out of view into the clouds. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Outside the cockpit window, a foggy white nothingness. Han pushes on the controls and they drop out of the cloud layer into a maze of gigantic tree trunks. Lando reacts! LANDO Hey! Han smiles. HAN Take it easy, Lando. Remember. We're professionals. Chewie laughs -- "urf-urf-urf" -- as Han steers maniacally through the trunks and branches. Lando sinks into his chair. LANDO You two could drive a gambler to drink. EXT. THE KASHYYYK FORREST - DAY The Falcon veers through the gargantuan tangled tree limbs and then emerges from the shadows into an area of cleared space. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando leans forward. What he sees astonishes him. LANDO Oh, my lord...! Off his expression, we REVEAL: EXT. KASHYYYK - RWOOKRRORRO CITY - DAY Gleaming with TWINKLING LIGHTS beneath the cloudy rooftop, the kilometer-wide city sits woven into the trees like a bird's nest; suspended by the ageless limbs above the vast, shadowy nothingness below. GIANT SEARCHLIGHTS probe the deep shadows in all directions. Rwookrrorro is a thriving, bustling alien metropolis surrounded by the ancient Kashyyyk forrest. The Millennium Falcon ROARS past and is quickly dwarfed by the magnificent city. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT The marvelous city scrolls beneath the ship outside the cockpit window. Symmetrical avenues and varying sized buildings, towers and branch supported suburbs can be seen now. Chewie watches it all with a smile. HAN The welcome sights of home, eh, pal? Lando stands and takes in the sight. LANDO Amazing. A city in the clouds. I want one. HAN Right. You keep dreaming. In the distance, above the city, a large sawed-off tree trunk (which serves as a landing platform) moves into view. Han steers toward it. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - LANDING PLATFORM - DAY The Falcon glides toward the trunk platform and touches down. Several WOOKIEES have gathered here. NEW ANGLE The boarding ramp lowers and Chewbacca emerges. The wookiees look at him anxiously. Chewie smiles and steps aside as the liberated slaves emerge timidly from the ship. At once, family members and friends rush to them in a welcome embrace. One of the Wookiees - a towering hunter named ROOWOKK - hugs his returned brother and BELLOWS happily into the air. Much rejoicing! INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HALLWAY Han and Lando approach the exit hatch. Han tosses Lando a headset translator. HAN Here. I needed this to understand Chewie at first. Trust me, it helps. Lando studies the unit. LANDO (unsure) Translator. Yeah. Thanks... Han exits. EXT. LANDING PLATFORM - DAY Han emerges and smiles at the sight of the rejoicing wookiees. Mothers reunited with sons; mates reunited with one another. He looks at his copilot. HAN That sight right there. That's payment in full, eh pal? Lando emerges, quite cautiously. The translator is affixed to his ear. In the crowd, Roowokk's brother converses something to him, and then turns and points to Lando. Lando sees this. He quickly adjusts the headset. LANDO Huh... what...? I don't think I got that. Roowokk gives Lando a pointed look, and starts toward him. Lando's eyes get big. He backs toward the ship, trying to escape up the boarding ramp, but the wookiee is on him too quickly. LANDO Han! Han! Chewie! Roowokk sweeps him into his arms, lifting him from the ground with a bear-hug that takes Calrissian's breath away. He gasps for air. LANDO (breathless) H-h-h-h-a-a-n-n...! Han and Chewie laugh. HAN His name's Roowokk. You gave his brother his freedom. He's just expressing his gratitude. Undomesticated wookiees are like that. Roowokk drops him, smiles and runs his paw across Lando's head as if he were a puppy. Lando recovers, catches his breath. LANDO You're welcome, big fella. You're welcome. The grateful wWookiee throws his arm around Lando and the other around his brother and leads them away toward the city. Han and the rest of the crowd follow. Lando looks around the furry arm at Han. LANDO You really tick me off sometimes, you know that, Solo? The crowd dissipates. They cross a long walkway bridge that connects the landing platform to the tree cluster that houses the city. Chewie touches a switch on the hull and the boarding ramp closes. He slings his bowcaster over his arm and turns. A small WOOKIEE CHILD stands alone on the platform. He glances behind Chewie, hopelessly anticipating one more arrival. Their eyes meet and Chewie stops in his tracks; it is as if a huge weight has struck him. The boy looks to Chewie, pleading silently for an answer. Chewie sighs and lowers his head. Tears form in the child's eyes and he turns away. Chewie walks to him, kneels down, takes him into his arms, and the child cries silently into his fur. Chewie gazes into the distance. Heartbroken. FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE ************** COMMERCIAL BREAKS ***************** - ACT TWO - ----------- FADE IN: EXT. KASHYYYK - CITY'S EDGE - NIGHT An abyss of darkness. The gargantuan forrest beyond. Large SEARCH LIGHTS ignite and cast their milky white beams into the blackness. A flock of GIANT BIRDS soar into view, attracted by the lights. Two wookiee hunters stand up from the shadows and cast spears, one of which finds its target. They pull their flapping, struggling prey down out of the sky as the rest of the flock scatters back into the night. INT. A SMOKE FILLED ROOM Sabacc cards on the table. A hand comes into view and twirls a coin gracefully through its fingers. LANDO (off screen) Okay, gentlemen, ante up. Several hairy paws throw items onto the table. Some sort of dead animal; some odd colored sticks; a bag of glowing beads. REVEAL Lando, seated at the head of the table with Roowokk and three other wild looking wookiees. Each holds an array of cards in their large paws. Lando brings a cigar to his grinning teeth and then flips the coin into the pot. LANDO You boys picked up on this game quicker than most. Now for some real excitement. One of the wookiees peeks over at Roowokk's hand and is swatted across the nose with an angry GROWL. The others are picking and shuffling through their cards, deciding on their best course of action. Han enters, sees Lando, and rushes to the table. HAN Uh, Lando, this really isn't a good idea. Lando waves him off. LANDO Quiet, Solo, this is just a friendly wager. One of the wookiees pitches two of his cards down and motions for replacements. Lando deals him two more. LANDO (wheeler dealer) And two to the blonde gentleman on starboard side. HAN Friendly? Say, Lando, there's something about wookiees that I haven't told you. Actually, you see, wookiees, they really don't like to-- LANDO (interrupting) That dark fellow there... He motions with his cigar to Roowokk. The hairy brute dwarfs the table as if he were sitting at a child's tea party. LANDO (continuing) ...says he's a hunter. Got that animal instinct, you know. He's also a real high roller. I like that in a gambler. High roller Roowokk eyes them over his cards. Han smiles sheepishly at him as Lando draws two cards for himself. HAN Yeah, important safety tip. Just this once, why don't you let the wookiees-- LANDO (astonished) Whoa! Can you believe it? (shows his cards to Solo) An Omnipotent Pact! I've never drawn an Omnipotent Pact before. The odds are astronomical! He eyes the other players. An evil grin crawls across his face. LANDO Noting beats an Omnipotent Pact. HAN Lando, no! Lando waves him away. LANDO Yes, sir, the doctor is hot tonight. He drapes the cards out onto the table and smiles at his hairy competitors. LANDO Read 'em and weep! He takes the cigar from his lips and blows a white puff of smoke across the table at them. Han turns and runs for dear life. CUT TO: EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - WALKWAY - LATER Han and Lando emerge from the building. Lando is nursing his right arm very painfully as they walk along a dimly lit path. LANDO (bitching) Well, that was a hell of a thing to leave out of the wookiee orientation class! I think that one ol' boy dislocated my arm! HAN You're lucky he didn't rip it loose all together. I tried to warn you. LANDO Oh, sure, right as I buck the sabre's odds! Great timing! HAN Well, I thought you were just going to mingle. I never figured you were going to go out and hustle four of the biggest wookiees on the block. LANDO I'm no hustler. I'm just a sporting man, that's all. HAN Well, then I guess you can consider that a sports related injury. (chuckles) They round a corner and disappear in the distance. SOMETHING DARK moves out of the shadows and crosses the path to a better point of concealment. LANDO (off screen) (distantly) You know, Solo? Sometimes you really tick me off. A quiet BEEP is heard and the stranger in the shadows ACTIVATES his communicator. RADIO VOICE (voice over) (filtered) Recon one, report. RECON ONE (into comm) I'm in. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - STREET - NIGHT Han and Lando walk through the city. Wookiees go about their business around them. LANDO Look at these people. This is one of the most morally advanced cultures I've ever encountered. HAN That's why the Empire wants this planet under its thumb. The Empire sees the Wookiees as an inferior race. A slave species. Under current imperial law, it's illegal for a wookiee to be free. This is the only city on Kashyyyk they haven't been able to capture yet. Resistance is too strong. But if you ask me, it's only a matter of time before they do. (a beat) They'll make they're move. You can set your chronometer by it. LANDO All these imperial restrictions are just bad for business. We as a galactic community need to put our foot down and say "enough" already. HAN I work for a living, pal. If there's no profit in it, I'm not interested. Why stick my neck out? EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - SUBURBS - NIGHT Han and Lando approach a small hut. Through the open window, we can see Chewie inside, comforting the wookiee child and his mother. HAN Salporin's family. Salporin and Chewie grew up together and were also enslaved together. He's promised himself that he's bringing Salporin home. LANDO Deal me in. Chewie storms out of the house and marches angrily away. HAN Let me talk to him alone. LANDO Yeah. I've had my fill of wookiee tempers for one night. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - STREET - NIGHT Chewie punches a wall as he rounds a corner. Han is close behind. HAN Chewie! Chewie keeps walking, venting his frustration. HAN Chewie! Hey, Pal! Chewie shakes his head, continues walking. Han stops. HAN Rrwathrra arrthwa grekkrr! Chewie stops and gazes silently into the darkness. HAN You remember those words? I'll never forget them. That's what you told me when I took the chains off. Chewie GRUNTS something. Han approaches him. HAN No they are not just words! My language can't even express that! Chewie BARKS, swings his arms wildly. Han stops him. HAN No! No! You haven't let anyone down. For crying out loud, do you think I like seeing you like this? It kills me! Chewie responds. HAN You know I'm with you, pal. Lando's even thrown in with us. Chewie begins to show interest. HAN You owe me, pal! You owe me big. And now it's time to pay up. I'm calling in my marker. Help me find Salporin. You, me and Calrissian. And the next time we come here, we bring that kid's dad home. What do you say? Rrwathrra arrthwa grekkrr? He puts a hand out for Chewie to shake, but the emotional wookiee grabs him up and hugs him. HAN (smothered) Aw! Gimme a break! Hey! Chewie! C'mon! Dammit, people are looking at us here! CUT TO: EXT. LANDING PLATFORM - MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY Lando walks down the boarding ramp. He now wears his arm in a sling. Han emerges from under the ship. He is conducting his pre-flight inspection. HAN Looks like we lucked out with that Corvette. Not a new scratch on her. LANDO How can you tell? HAN Oh, I can tell. Lando steps back and looks at the Falcon. He gets that old "swindling" smile. LANDO Say, Han, you wouldn't be up for another little wager--? HAN (interrupting) Not a chance, so don't even ask. (beat) About ready to lift off. Where is that wookiee, anyway? Han turns around, sees the sling on Lando's arm for the first time and rolls his eyes. HAN Oh, give me a break! Now you're just milking it. LANDO (offended) Hey, dammit, I'm really injured here! HAN Can't put a bandage on your ego, eh? Lando starts to protest, but Han steps past him. HAN I'm going to find Chewie so we can get out of here. Lando watches him go. His frustration is evident. LANDO Technically I won that hand, I'll have you know! Han turns. HAN Guess you didn't realize four wookiees beats an Omnipotent Pact! Laughing, he crosses the walkway bridge and disappears into the city. Lando is mad for a moment. But he thinks about it, and when he's sure that he is alone, he laughs. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - STREET - DAY Han spies Chewie on the street. Waves to him. Chewie walks toward him, but stops beside a building. He sniffs the air and looks at the building. HAN Hey, what's the deal? The building EXPLODES! Chewie and Han dive for the ground. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO ****************** COMMERCIAL BREAKS *************** - ACT THREE - ------------- FADE IN: EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - STREET - DAY Everyone on the street recovers from the blast as debris rains down. Han and Chewie stand up. HAN What the--? Suddenly, IMPERIAL STORMTROOPERS emerge from the smoke and dust, BLASTING randomly at the street. The wookiees that happen to be armed immediately return FIRE. Han and Chewie take cover in an alley and return FIRE. Chewie takes one down with his bowcaster. EXT. LANDING PLATFORM - MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY Lando sees the smoke rising into the sky above the city. A large group of wookiee hunters thunder past the platform and round a corner. Lando draws his blaster and runs across the bridge. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - STREET - DAY Han and Chewie exchange BLASTER FIRE with the troops as wookiee reinforcements arrive. The stormtroopers retreat into the streets and the hunters give chase. Han and Chewie move into the street and scan the area. It is a scene of mass of confusion. Injured wookiees are being dragged into the surrounding buildings as others SCREAM for family members. Another BLAST rocks the street. Everyone REACTS! More stormtroopers emerge. One appears behind Han and takes aim. LANDO (off screen) Solo! Duck! Han jumps aside and a LASER BLAST catches the stormtrooper in the helmet, glancing off, but forcing him back just the same. Lando emerges and joins them in a nearby alley. HAN Thanks, pal. LANDO Well, here's that attack you were talking about! They REACT as a nearby BLAST throws debris through the alley. HAN (recovering) It's not easy being right all the damned time! Chewie resets his bowcaster, leans out and pounds the stormtroopers' position with LASER BLASTS. Two additional wookiees emerge from behind them and join the fight. A random INCOMING SHOT takes one of the wookiees down. Han and Lando pull him back into the alley. Han angrily SPRAYS the street with his blaster. EXT. THE KASHYYYK FORREST - DAY Two IMPERIAL TIE FIGHTERS emerge from the clouds and speed toward the Wookiee city. They quickly become swallowed into the vast panorama like two mosquitos. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - DAY A stormtrooper runs along a precarious walkway and is quickly snatched up by a wookiee hunter that drops out of the sky into his path. The wookiee throws him over the side of the platform and into the clouds below. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - SKY - DAY The TIE fighters speed over the city and OPEN FIRE on the streets below. The resulting EXPLOSIONS rips buildings and bridges to shreds. EXT. ALLEY - DAY Han, Lando and the Wookiees watch as the TIE fighters SCREAM past overhead. HAN They've called in air support! Well, if they want a fight, we're going to give it to them! Chewie! Chewie looks around; deep anger in his eyes. HAN (continuing) Tell them to cover us, and then we're making a run for the ship! Chewie BARKS the orders to the others. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - SKY The TIE fighters speed into the distance and circle around for another pass. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - STREET - DAY Han, Chewie and Lando emerge and run like hell through the carnage. Laser BLASTS erupt around them. To Han's amazement, Lando quickly passes them by; he can really run when he's scared! LANDO I'll meet you there! The TIE fighters appear in the background, BLASTING away at the street behind them. Lando discards his arm-sling into the air as he runs for dear life. EXT. LANDING PLATFORM - CROSSBRIDGE - DAY Lando runs across the bridge. Han and Chewie are not far behind, but as they reach it, one of the TIE fighters BLASTS it to splinters. Han falls and slides helplessly toward the edge, but Chewie drops and catches him before he goes over. The fighter ZOOMS overhead. Lando runs to the other edge of the 25 foot gap. He holds his arms out and searches for something to say. LANDO Uh... jump! Han and Chewie look at him like he's crazy. LANDO Well...! They all look around for an alternative. A second walkway leads to the ship from the other side of the platform. LANDO (points) There's another bridge back there! HAN (to Chewie) How do we get to that part of the city? Chewie MUMBLES something and then runs off. Han stands up and follows. HAN (calling to Lando) Fire up the ship and charge the main guns! We'll be right there! Lando runs to the ship. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - EDGE PLATFORM - DAY Chewie leads Han to the edge of the city platform. Numerous thick vines stretch across a bottomless valley between the two main city platforms. Several open-cage LIFTCARS (cable cars) travel along the vines in different directions. All that can be seen below is layer upon layer of clouds and shadows. Chewie leads Han into a liftcar that is designed for cargo. This liftcar is larger, wider, and closed in by protective glass. INT. LIFTCAR Chewie activates the controls. The car sways on the vine for a moment and then begins to move. They stand in silence for a moment; both appearing to be thinking the same thing. HAN Boy, that Lando Calrissian sure can run, can't he? Chewie GRUNTS his agreement. EXT. PLATFORM EDGE - DAY The liftcar rolls slowly along the vine and over the side of the platform. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - STREET - DAY Wookiees run for cover as the TIE fighters make another attack run on the city. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando quickly throws switches and pushes buttons. The cockpit comes to life around him. LANDO (panting) C'mon, baby, that's the way. Let that power flow. Gonna kick some imperial butt now. Good ship. Wonderful ship. Fast ship. He drops into the pilot's seat and runs his hands across the controls with an almost sexual smile. LANDO My ship... EXT. CITY PLATFORMS - OPEN CHASM - DAY Numerous liftcars cross the chasm as far as the eye can see. Han and Chewie's liftcar crawls slowly into view. INT. LIFTCAR Han is like a caged animal. He runs to one of the windows and looks up at the landing platform. HAN Come on, come on. Won't this thing go any faster? EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - SKY - DAY The TIE fighters split up. One SOARS back toward the city and the other speeds toward the second platform. INT. LIFTCAR Chewie pushes the lever to the full position. Han paces restlessly. EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - SKY The TIE fighter soars away from the city, comes about and then moves in again. Its course is taking it between the two platforms. The liftcars can be seen in the distance. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - DAY Buildings drop with ease as the second TIE fighter RAPES the suburbs with laser FIRE. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando is getting a front row seat of the destruction via the cockpit window. He rubs his injured arm. LANDO Come on, Han. These people can't take much more of this. Hurry up or I'm going to have to get him without you. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - DAY The TIE fighter BLASTS a large building! Wookiees on the street run for cover as it comes crashing down! INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando punches the console angrily. He works the control panel and the ship starts to move. LANDO That does it! You want to pick on someone? Pick on me! EXT. LANDING PLATFORM - DAY The Millennium Falcon rises from the platform and retracts the landing gear. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT A large wookiee enters and takes the copilot's seat. Lando is concentrating on the controls. LANDO Well, it's about time. You guys were about to be afoot. He glances at the wookiee and is surprised to see that it is not Chewbacca. LANDO Roowokk!? REVEAL our hunters from the Sabacc game earlier all squeezed into the cramped cockpit. They smile at him. In the copilot's seat, Roowokk GRUNTS something and pats him on the shoulder. Lando smiles. LANDO Well, okay, hunters. Let's catch us some birds. INT. LIFTCAR Han and Chewie watch the ship fly away from the platform. HAN What the hell is he doing? Two large LASER BEAMS streak past the window directly outside, lighting up the car as they pass. Han and Chewie turn and look around. EXT. PLATFORM CHASM - DAY The TIE fighter drops into the chasm and begins BLASTING liftcars to oblivion on the vines! INT. TIE FIGHTER - PILOT'S POV Liftcars EXPLODE and vines separate in the distance like some deadly video game. EXT. PLATFORM CHASM - DAY A LASER BLAST BLOWS a vine apart and its liftcar drops helplessly into the clouds below. The TIE fighter zooms past. Han and Chewie's liftcar dangles in the distance. INT. LIFTCAR The TIE fighter is closing in the distance. Liftcars EXPLODING and falling in its path. Chewie grabs the control lever and pushes it frantically forward. Han pulls open a vent window and begins CRACKING OFF SHOTS at the approaching TIE fighter with his blaster. Incoming lasers FLY PAST them on all sides. EXT. PLATFORM CHASM The fighter closes in on an empty liftcar, in the distance, directly behind, is Han and Chewie's liftcar. INT. TIE FIGHTER The pilot takes aim at the empty liftcar and is about to fire, when one of Han's LASERS glances harmlessly off his forward window, momentarily drawing his attention away from his intended target. Long enough for his ship to close the distance! The empty liftcar quickly fills his view. He throws his arms up as it CRASHES through the forward window. EXT. PLATFORM CHASM - DAY The TIE fighter SLAMS into the liftcar with a FIERY IMPACT and spins, out of control, toward Han and Chewie's liftcar. INT. LIFTCAR The TIE fighter is an uncontrollable BALL OF FLAME, hurling quickly toward them. Chewie SCREAMS! HAN Get down! They dive for the floor. EXT. PLATFORM CHASM - DAY The charred remains of the burning TIE fighter CRASHES into the liftcar and BLOWS APART! INT. LIFTCAR Rocking violently as FLAMES and DEBRIS dissipate around it. The control panel EXPLODES and throws sparks onto Han and Chewie. EXT. PLATFORM CHASM - DAY The liftcar comes to a stop and rocks helplessly as the burning TIE fighter debris falls into the depths below. INT. LIFTCAR Han looks up, amazed that he is still alive. He kisses his blaster. HAN Not a bad bit of shooting if I do say so myself. They stand up carefully. Han looks at the controls. HAN The explosion took out the main unit and all the safeguards. The liftcar ROCKS VIOLENTLY! EXT. PLATFORM CHASM - DAY CLOSE UP of the liftcar vine. Numerous gashes have been cut in the vine and it is burning in several places. INT. LIFTCAR Han and Chewie stable themselves as the car SHUDDERS again! HAN I think our luck just ran out. We've got to get out of here now or otherwise-- They are thrown VIOLENTLY about the liftcar. EXT. PLATFORM CHASM - DAY The vine separates with a loud SNAP! and the liftcar drops into the shadowy unknown below. FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE **************** COMMERCIAL BREAKS **************** - ACT FOUR - ------------ FADE IN: EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - DAY Falling fast! The liftcar tumbles through the clouds and SMASHES through hundreds of intertwining limbs! INT. LIFTCAR Han and Chewie TUMBLE against the walls. EXT. FORREST - DAY The liftcar bounces off a tree and becomes lodged onto a large limb. The weight of the liftcar sags the limb, and it dangles precariously over a misty, seemingly bottomless void below. INT. LIFTCAR Han and Chewie lie quietly on the floor, panting. The liftcar sways uncertainly. HAN (quietly) Don't even breathe. I'm going to take a look. Han inches forward across the floor. EXT. FORREST The liftcar tumbles off the limb and falls into the darkness below, careening through vines and branches in a break-neck freefall. INT. LIFTCAR Han and Chewie roll like laundry in a dryer. Dark branches SLAP against the windows and the CRACKING SOUNDS of BREAKING LIMBS is deafening. EXT. KASHYYYK - PLANET SURFACE - BOG Thick fog. Dark, deep shadows. The liftcar drops out of the sky and throws a BIG WAVE OF MUCKY WATER as it comes to rest in a slimy bog. CUT TO: EXT. KASHYYYK - SKY - DAY The Millennium Falcon SOARS over the city. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando and Roowokk. Lando maneuvers the controls as he activates the intercom. LANDO (into comm) Everyone in position? INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - UPPER GUNPORT One of the wookiee hunters sits uncomfortably in the control chair. He works the cannon controls and switches on his targeting screen. He GROWLS into his headset, which barely fits around his head. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - LOWER GUNPORT This hunter BARKS angrily about his cramped conditions. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando adjusts his earpiece and waits for the translation. LANDO Yeah, Chewie's mentioned it a time or two. The last wookiee looks at the controls on the wall at the back of the cockpit. LANDO Okay, Roowokk, give me a heading. Where's that bird? Roowokk GROWLS something and Lando adjusts course accordingly. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - SKYLINE - DAY The TIE fighter SCREAMS into the picture and opens FIRE on the city below. The Millennium Falcon banks into view in the background and closes. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando steers toward the fighter. LANDO I don't think he's detected us yet. Let's go introduce ourselves. EXT. RWOOKRORRO CITY - SKYLINE - DAY The Millennium Falcon closes on the TIE fighter. INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT The PILOT maneuvers over the city. A LOUD WHINE echoes in the cramped cockpit. He looks over at a targeting screen to see a COMPUTERIZED BLIP moving toward his position from behind. He glances over his shoulder and engages his THRUSTER. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - SKY - DAY The two ships speed away into the distance, becoming mere specks over the city. EXT. KASHYYYK SURFACE - BOG The liftcar slowly sinks in the murky water. INT. LIFTCAR Black water pours into the compartment through the vent windows as the car sinks. Han and chewie recover from the impact. Han is bleeding badly from his forehead and his left leg. He labors to stand up in the swaying car. Chewie GROWLS something. HAN Yeah, we're sinking fast. He grabs the door latch and pushes, but the water pressure outside is much too heavy. HAN Gimme a hand with this, will you? Chewie and Han push on the door, but it won't budge. Chewie pounds his fists against it angrily as the water rises above knee level. Han throws himself against one of the windows and is bounced back onto the floor. He recovers angrily. Draws his blaster. Chewie pounds on the window. HAN Get back from there! Chewie jumps aside and BARKS his opposition, but Han FIRES. An EXPLOSION OF BLACK WATER fills the car! EXT. KASHYYYK BOG The liftcar bobs under with a loud rush of air. It sinks to the roof. There is no movement for several moments. Suddenly, Chewie BURSTS through the surface and GASPS for air. He HOWLS for Han as he fights with the water, but there is no response. He dives frantically back under several times, but comes up empty handed. Eventually, with a WHIMPER, he gives in and swims for the shore. Although it is daylight above, the surface is a constant twilight with only vague wisps of sunlight filtering down through the miles of vegetation in sparse milk- white shafts. The humid shoreline is a twisted mass of giant tangled tree roots beneath a covering of thick fog and moss. The SOUNDS of strange unseen ANIMALS echo in the distance. NEW ANGLE Chewie wades to the shore and pulls himself out of the water. He SNIFFS the air, throws his head up and BELLOWS loudly. A loud GURGLE OF AIR surfaces out in the bog and Chewie turns to see the last remnants of the liftcar disappear beneath the surface completely. He CALLS several more times. Each time, his undiscernible bellows sounding more and more like the word "HAN!" ANGLE - THE BOG The water ripples smooth and mist rolls back across the bog. In the distance, Chewie HOWLS into the air one last time, then plops down with an exhausted WHIMPER. Suddenly, Han surfaces! He is close to passing out. He COUGHS UP a lung of water and bobs back under. Chewie is on the move, swimming quickly toward him. Han surfaces again, fights with the water, and is about to go back under when Chewie appears and grabs him. In his terror, Han fights with him, but the wookiee pulls him back toward the shore. ANGLE - SHORELINE Chewie drags Han out of the bog and drapes him softly face down onto the ground. He chokes and coughs as water drains out of his lungs. Chewie sizes up their surroundings. He watches as some sort of giant reptilian bird soars out of the shadows and glides a few inches above the surface of the water feverishly hot on the trail of some small insect. EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - SKY - DAY The Millennium Falcon SOARS out of the sun and glides a few meters above the tallest buildings, hot on the trail of the elusive TIE fighter. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando keys the intercom. LANDO (into comm) Remember to hold your fire until we're completely clear of the city. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS The hunters are spinning in their gunchairs, getting the hang of the controls. LANDO (cont'd) (filtered, voice over) It isn't going to do your friends down there any good if we start throwing random shots as well. EXT. SKY - TIE FIGHTER/MILLENNIUM FALCON The two ships speed away from the city and spin into the clouds. The Falcon unleashes a VOLLEY OF LASER FIRE that the fighter expertly avoids. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Roowokk is cursing the fighter in wookiee speak. He and the other hunter resemble professional wrestlers, enticing their opponent. Outside the cockpit window, the fighter dips into the trees Lando turns and throws some switches on the wall and then maneuvers to follow. LANDO These new imperial fighters are good. Maneuverability is a lot better than before. EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - TREES - DAY The TIE fighter maneuvers into the mile-high trees and virtually disappears as the Falcon comes into view and veers away. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando steers clear of the tight trees. LANDO I'm good, but not that good. At least not in a ship this size. Track him. I'll jam his transmissions so he can't call for backup. EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - DAY The TIE fighter emerges from the trees and comes about. INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT The pilot switches on his transmitter and is showered by ear bursting STATIC. He switches it off and shakes his head. He activates his targeting computer and pulls on the controls. EXT. KASHYYYK - SKY - DAY The Millennium Falcon skims the top of the trees. The TIE fighter is close behind. It opens FIRE. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT The ship ROCKS VIOLENTLY from a hit. LANDO Whoa! Hey! Guess he got his second wind. (activates comm) Okay, boys, he's all yours! INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS The gunners swing into position and lay on the LASER FIRE. The cannons spit streams of FIERY DESTRUCTION. LANDO (filtered, voice over) Short bursts, guys! Short bursts! We all use the same power here! EXT. KASHYYYK - SKY - DAY The TIE fighter goes into an evasive turn as the lasers SPRAY its position. One of the blasts finds its mark on the main body of the fighter. SPARKS SHOWER the sky in its wake. INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT SPARKS and SMOKE fill the cockpit and all the targeting screens go dead. The pilot pounds on one of the units and then maneuvers out of the line of fire. EXT. KASHYYYK - SKY The fighter takes several more blind SHOTS at the Falcon as they speed away. EXT. KASHYYYK SURFACE - BOG Han stirs. He regains consciousnous and finds himself propped against a giant root. He REACTS as he is suddenly showered by DROPLETS OF WATER. ANGLE CHEWIE Shaking his body - just like a large dog - wet fur slinging water in all directions. Han waves his arms. HAN (hoarse) Aah! Chewie! Cut it out, will ya! For crying out loud! Chewie looks at him and BELLOWS happily. He steps over and hugs him. Han fights him off. HAN Oh, man. Wet wookiee fur. Get off me! Chewie pulls back with a big happy grin. Han is not amused. He really wants to be mad. HAN What is it with wookiees and hugging all the time? Chewie CHATTERS something to him about his injured forehead. HAN Ah, don't worry about it. Just a little dizzy. Let me get up. Han tries to stand up, but falls back down and grabs his leg in pain. HAN I think my leg is broken. Ah, wonderful. Now what? I hope you have a plan, pal, because I'm out of suggestions. Chewie stands up and looks around. He starts telling Han something, but Solo's head begins to sway and his eyes are distant. HAN (dreamingly) Are you feeling all right, pal? You're looking a little... fuzzy... Han passes out. Chewie sighs. It is clear that something has to be done. EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - TREE TRUNK Long sharp claws dig into the side of a giant tree trunk. Chewie pulls himself up and looks around through his tangled fur. NEW ANGLE CLOSE UP on Han. He stirs. He looks around for Chewie. Chewie is not to be seen. All sounds ECHO in this scene. HAN (calling) Chewie? Chewie? Chewie GROWLS. Han fights to look behind him, but he seems to be bound by some sort of thick vine. HAN Be quiet? What do you mean be quiet? Where are we? What are you up to now? Han looks forward and his eyes show terror. PULL BACK TO REVEAL: WIDE ANGLE - KASHYYYK FORREST - TREES Chewie is sprawled out on the side of a gigantic tree trunk, hundreds of feet off the ground. Han is tied to his back, dangling freely like a human backpack. Han SCREAMS! HAN Chewie! You've got to be kidding me? Chewie slowly, but steadily, scales the giant tree. Han throws his head back, accidently bumping it against the back of Chewie's head. Chewie BARKS. HAN Remind me not to pass out again. WIDER ANGLE - KASHYYYK FORREST - TREES The vast forrest. Somewhere out there, Han and Chewie are but a mere speck of dust against the side of one of a thousand giant trees now. HAN (off screen) (echoed) Well, Chewie, here's another fine mess you've gotten us into. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR ******************* COMMERCIAL BREAKS ***************** - ACT FIVE - ------------ FADE IN: EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - TREE - DAY Chewie slowly scales the giant tree. His thick claws stab into the bark and his muscles quiver under the stress of the weight. They are up into the cloud layers now. Han watches the jungle from his vantage point. A flock of GIANT BIRDS soar past. One of the curious beasts swings back around and treads air, hovering a few feet away. It stares at Han. Han stares back. HAN Hey, pal, what do you call this bird species? Chewie stops, braces himself and looks around. He SHOUTS FRIGHTENED BARKS at Han. HAN Poisonous?! The bird displays its evil fangs and swoops in at them. Han swats it away with his arm, but it swings around for another pass. He draws his blaster and FIRES several shots at it, the last of which catches it in center mass, dropping it from the sky like a thick leather kite. He watches it drop into the fathoms of shadows below. Chewie gives him a short GRUNT. HAN You're welcome. Chewie climbs them out of the picture. EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - VARIOUS SHOTS VARIOUS SHOTS of Chewbacca climbing steadily up the giant tree. Han dangles from his back, and from time to time, loses consciousness under the effects of his head injury. EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - GIANT TREE - DAY Han is unconscious. Chewie is tiring now. He crawls slowly toward a large limb and reaches out for it. But as he does, he loses his grip and they fall. NEW ANGLE - THE TREE He grasps desperately and his claws scrape long trenches into the bark before catching hold and stopping their fall. Chewie PANTS heavily. Han stirs in a nightmarish stupor on his back. HAN (panting) St-stormtroopers...! Blast em...! Hands off, Calrissian... I paid her good money... Chewie glances over his shoulder, shakes his head and keeps climbing. Han suddenly comes to life. He remembers where he is. Looks down. HAN Wow. We're really getting up there now. How far do you figure the city is? Chewie looks up, eyes it for a moment and then offers his best guess. HAN Tell me something, my friend. Have you ever climbed anything this big before? Chewie GRUNTS an obvious "no". Han spies something off screen that draws his complete attention. HAN Hey! I can see my ship from up here! Chewie looks around. HARD CUT TO: EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - DAY The Millennium Falcon ROARS through the trees with the TIE fighter close behind. It FIRES a couple of shots that glance off the Falcon's deflector shield. NEW ANGLE The ships scatter a large FLOCK OF BIRDS as they speed through the picture. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando works the controls with an almost lightening speed. LANDO I'm sure of it now! Imperial pilots aren't that sloppy with their shots. He's as blind as an albino mynock. His targeting array has to be out. Time to play!. He pulls on the controls. EXT. KASHYYYK - SKY - DAY The ships streak into the sky and disappear into the clouds. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Visibility is zero outside the cockpit window. A white, foggy haze. LANDO Okay. Time for a new game. This is what the high rollers call a bluff. He grabs a lever and pushes forward on it. LANDO Let's just slow down a little bit and act like a big hole in the sky. EXT. SKY - CLOUDS - TIE FIGHTER It passes mere feet over the Millennium Falcon. INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT The pilot maneuvers carefully, eyeing his surroundings cautiously. Outside the cockpit window is a sea of white mist. EXT. SKY - CLOUDS - MILLENNIUM FALCON Sitting in the mist like a predator waiting to pounce on its prey. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT All quiet. Lando watches a targeting screen and smiles. LANDO (quietly) That's the way, my curious little imperial. Come to papa. (activates intercom) All right, gunners, get ready. EXT. SKY - CLOUDS The TIE fighter reduces speed. It moves away and becomes swallowed in the distance. INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT The pilot pounds his fist on the dead targeting screen. A STATIC SIGNAL begins to BLARE! LANDO (voice over) (filtered) Rwookrrorro control, this is Lando Calrissian of the starship Millennium Falcon... The pilot anxiously adjusts his receiver. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT LANDO (cont'd) ...transmitting on emergency channel... (a guessing shrug) ...twenty-one... B. We've suffered severe damage to our engines and our vertical control is out. We've taken cover in the clouds, but the enemy ship is still in the area. Request immediate assistance if available... INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT The pilot pulls up with enthusiasm and is rewarded with blue sky outside the cockpit window. LANDO (cont'd) (filtered, voice over) ...prepare to receive our coordinates... EXT. SKY - DAY The TIE fighter comes about and skims over the surface of the clouds. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando watches the enemy blip on his targeting screen. LANDO And... now! Roowokk shoves a control and the ship is in motion. TIE FIGHTER - PILOT'S POV Moving above the cloud layer. In the distance, the Millennium Falcon rises from the mist and spins around to face the fighter. ANGLE TIE FIGHTER PILOT Reacting! He pulls the controls sharply, unable to get a shot off. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Outside the cockpit window, the TIE fighter races toward them at high speed. LANDO (into comm) Fire! INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS The hunters acquire their target and OPEN FIRE! Lasers spray the air outside their viewports. EXT. SKY - DAY The TIE fighter ZOOMS upward, just barely evading the onslaught of FIRE! INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando and Roowokk are having the time of their lives. Lando pushes forward on the controls. LANDO (laughs) Bet he filled his pants on that one! Now catch me if you can. EXT. SKY - DAY The Millennium Falcon noses down and FIRES ITS THRUSTERS. The TIE fighter loops around and gives chase FIRING all the way. They both disappear back into the clouds. TIE FIGHTER - PILOT'S POV Coming out of the clouds and into the forrest below. But no Millennium Falcon to be seen? EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - SKY - DAY The TIE fighter ZOOMS down out of the clouds. A couple of seconds later, the Millennium Falcon emerges above it, filling the air with LASERFIRE! INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT The TIE fighter can be seen heading toward the trees outside the cockpit window. Lando engages the THRUSTERS and attempts to match its speed. LANDO (into comm) That's it, boys! If you can't hit him, keep him down! We'll drive him straight into the ground if we have to! INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT LASERS race past the ship outside. The pilot looks around frantically for a place to go and inadvertently engages his THRUSTER. Outside the front window, the dense forrest quickly fills the cockpit window. EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - DAY The TIE fighter races into the trees at top speed. One of its wings clips a limb and it spins out of control, CRASHING and BOUNCING off the gigantic trees like a ball in a pinball game. It erupts into a fiery EXPLOSION! INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT Lando, Roowokk and the blonde wookiee CHEER the EXPLOSION! LANDO That one was for the people of Rwookrrorro! Lando and Roowokk "high-five". The blonde wookiee HOWLS. EXT. KASHYYYK FORREST - RWOOKRRORRO CITY - DAY The Millennium Falcon speeds toward the city and is soon just another light among many. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. RWOOKRRORRO CITY - MEDICAL CENTER - DAY Several wookiees lead a group of imperial prisoners at gunpoint past the large medical building. INT. MEDICAL CENTER - DAY Han is recovering in bed. His head is bandaged and his leg is in a cast. Chewie sits by his side. Han rubs his finger across a big "Harrison Ford" scar on his chin. HAN Look at this. Of all places, right in the middle of my chin. This thing'll never heal completely. LANDO (off screen) Yeah, so much for your rugged good looks. And your girlish figure. Han looks around to see Lando and the wookiee hunters. HAN Well, if it isn't the big hero, fresh from the battle. You're really going to be difficult to live with now. LANDO (laughs) You know, Han. It's been a long time since I actually had a good scrap in the Falcon. I'm rolling on top of the world. And I have my new friends here to thank for it. Roowokk pats him on the shoulder. His bad shoulder! Lando REACTS! HAN You know, since we're here, you really ought to get that looked at. Roowokk CHATTERS something. Lando waits for the translation. Shakes his head. LANDO No, big fella, that's all right. All is forgiven. I'll get it checked back in the corporate sector. Roowokk BARKS to his companions and they grab Lando. Roowokk takes his arm again. Lando goes pale! LANDO No! Please! Really! ("KAPOP!") He SCREAMS for a moment. The wookiees let him go and he feels of his arm. He moves it around. Tests his fingers. LANDO Hey. (smiles) Hey, that feels even better than it did before. You guys never cease to amaze me. HAN We're going to be ready to leave soon, I guess we'd better get the ship ready. LANDO Please, let me. You guys have been through a major ordeal. Sit down and take a rest. I'll make all the arrangements. He turns to leave, but comes back and points at Han. LANDO (continued) Oh, and Solo... (a beat) ...that is really milking it. He pops a cigar into his teeth and marches out with a smile. Han is speechless. He looks at Chewie. HAN Say, pal. I want to thank you. You saved my life. Now I owe you. Chewie shakes his head. CHEWIE "Rrwathrra arrthwa grekkrr" HAN No. Debt is paid. Believe me, pal, you've saved my can from the fire plenty of times. This is your home. You belong here with your people. Not with me. If you want to stay, I'll understa-- Chewie covers Han's mouth with a big hairy paw. CHEWIE "Rrwathrra arrthwa grekkrr" HAN Okay, pal. Okay. Glad to have you along. Just one thing though. Chewie cocks an ear. HAN (continued) We've really got to do something about that wet fur smell of yours. Chewie rolls his eyes. EXT. LANDING PLATFORM - MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY Lando conducts a pre-flight inspection. Han hobbles up with a cane -- a pathetic sight -- and smiles at the sight of his beloved ship. His smile fades and he shakes the cane like a grumpy old man. HAN Lando! LANDO What?! Han points to the back of the ship. HAN Look at that! Look at that! You scratched it! Lando looks at the ship. LANDO What? Where? HAN Right there! Right there! He hobbles toward the suspected damage. Lando follows. LANDO How can you tell? HAN Oh, I can tell, fella. I can tell! Chewie crosses the bridge and walks toward the ship. Han and Lando go up the boarding ramp with AD LIB arguing and bickering that ends with... LANDO (off screen) You know, Solo, sometimes you really tick me off! Chewie starts to go up the ramp, but stops as he feels eyes on him. He turns and WE SEE Salporin's son, a few feet behind him. There is a glimmer of hope in the young wookiee's eyes. He nods to Chewie, and Chewie nods back. They have an understanding, and Chewie is not going to let him down again. Chewie turns and disappears up the ramp. The ship slowly lifts off and sails into the sky. NEW ANGLE The wookiee child watches the Millennium Falcon disappear into the clouds. And he smiles. The following SUBTITLE FADES IN: Three days afterward, the Imperial 5th Fleet arrived at Kashyyyk, and the city of Rwookrrorro fell to Imperial forces... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END