Online Read Free Novel
  • Home
  • Romance & Love
  • Fantasy
  • Science Fiction
  • Mystery & Detective
  • Thrillers & Crime
  • Actions & Adventure
  • History & Fiction
  • Horror
  • Western
  • Humor

    Star Wars - The Empire Strikes Back

    Prev Next


      LANDO Lord Vader.

      VADER (to Fett) You may take Captain Solo to Jabba the Hut after I

      have Skywalker.

      Han's screams filter through the torture room door.

      BOBA FETT He's no good to me dead.

      VADER He will not be permanently damaged.

      LANDO Lord Vader, what about Leia and the Wookiee?

      VADER They must never again leave this city.

      LANDO That was never a condition of our agreement, nor was giving Han

      to this bounty hunter!

      VADER Perhaps you think you're being treated unfairly.

      LANDO No.

      VADER Good. It would be unfortunate if I had to leave a garrison

      here.

      Vader turns and sweeps into the elevator with Boba Fett.

      Lando walks swiftly down another corridor, muttering to

      himself.

      LANDO This deal's getting worse all the time.

      INTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- LARGE CELL

      Chewie now has a little more of Threepio back together. One

      arm i s connected, but the legs are yet to be attached. There

      is one small problem, however. It seems the Wookiee has

      managed to put the droid's head on backwards.

      THREEPIO Oh, yes, that's very good. I like that. Oh! Something's not

      right because now I can't see. Wait. Wait! Oh, my! what have you done?

      I'm backwards, you stupid furball. Only an overgrown mophead like you

      would be stupid enough...

      Threepio is cut off in mid-sentence as Chewie angrily

      deactivates a circuit and the droid shuts down. The Wookiee

      smells something and sits up. The door to the chamber slides

      open and a ragged Han Solo is shoved into the room by two

      stormtroopers. Barking his concern, the huge Wookiee gives Han

      a big hug. Han is very pale, with dark circles under his eyes.

      HAN I feel terrible.

      Chewie helps Han to a platform and then turns as the door

      slides open revealing Leia. She, too, looks a little worse for

      wear. The troopers push her into the cell, and the door slides

      closed. She moves to Han, who is lying on the platform, and

      kneels next to him, gently stroking his head.

      LEIA Why are they doing this?

      HAN They never even asked me any questions.

      The cell door slides open. Lando and two of his guards

      enter.

      LEIA Lando.

      HAN Get out of here, Lando!

      LANDO Shut up and listen! Vader has agreed to turn Leia and Chewie

      over to me.

      HAN Over to you?

      LANDO They'll have to stay here, but at least they'll be safe.

      LEIA What about Han?

      LANDO Vader's giving him to the bounty hunter.

      LEIA Vader wants us all dead.

      LANDO He doesn't want you at all. He's after somebody called

      Skywalker.

      HAN Luke?

      LANDO Lord Vader has set a trap for him.

      Leia's mind is racing.

      LEIA And we're the bait.

      LANDO Well, he's on his way.

      Han's rage peaks.

      HAN Perfect. You fixed us all pretty good, didn't you? (spits it out)

      My friend!

      Han hauls off and punches Lando. The two friends are

      instantly engaged in a frantic close-quarters fight. The

      guards hit Han with their rifle butts and he flies across the

      room. Chewie growls and starts for the guards. They point

      their laser weapons at the giant Wookiee, but Lando stops

      them.

      LANDO Stop! I've done all I can do. I'm sorry I couldn't do better,

      but I have my own problems.

      HAN Yeah, you're a real hero.

      Lando and the guards leave. Han wipes the blood from his

      chin as Leia and Chewie help him up.

      LEIA (dabs at his wound) You certainly have a way with people.

      INTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- CARBON-FREEZING CHAMBER

      Four armor-suited stormtroopers stand at the ready in the

      large chamber, which is filled with pipes and chemical tanks.

      In the middle of the room is a round pit housing a hydraulic

      platform. Darth Vader and Lando stand near the platform.

      VADER This facility is crude, but it should be adequate to freeze

      Skywalker for his journey to the Emperor.

      An Imperial soldier appears.

      IMPERIAL SOLDIER Lord Vader, ship approaching. X-wing class.

      VADER Good. Monitor Skywalker and allow him to land.

      The soldier bows and leaves the chamber.

      LANDO Lord Vader, we only use this facility for carbon freezing. If

      you put him in there, it might kill him.

      VADER I do not want the Emperor's prize damaged. We will test it...on

      Captain Solo.

      Lando's face registers dismay.

      EXTERIOR SPACE -- BESPIN SYSTEM -- LUKE'S X-WING

      Luke's X-wing moves through the clouds as it nears the

      city.

      INTERIOR LUKE'S X-WING -- COCKPIT

      Encountering no city guards, Luke scans the display panel

      with concern.

      INTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- CARBON-FREEZING CHAMBER

      There is a great activity on the carbon-freezing platform.

      Six Ugnaughts frantically prepare the chamber for use. A

      special coffinlike container is put in place. With Boba Fett

      in the lead, a squad of six stormtroopers brings in Han, Leia

      and Chewie. Strapped to Chewie's back, with only his head,

      torso, and one arm assembled, is Threepio. Threepio's head

      faces the opposite direction from Chewie's and the droid is

      constantly twisting around in a vain effort to see what is

      happening. His one attached arm is animate and expressive,

      intermittently pointing, gesturing, and covering his eyes. The

      remaining pieces of his body are randomly bundled to the

      Wookiee's back so that his legs and other arm stick out at odd

      angles from the pack.

      THREEPIO If only you had attached my legs, I wouldn't be in this

      ridiculous position. Now, remember, Chewbacca, you have a

      responsibility to me, so don't do anything foolish.

      HAN (to Lando) What's going on...buddy?

      LANDO You're being put into carbon freeze.

      Boba Fett moves away from the group to Darth Vader.

      BOBA FETT What if he doesn't survive? He's worth a lot to me.

      VADER The Empire will compensate you if he dies. Put him in!

      Realizing what is about to happen, Chewie lets out a wild

      howl and attacks the stormtroopers surrounding Han. Within

      seconds, other Imperial reinforcements join the scuffle,

      clubbing the giant Wookiee with their laser weapons. From the

      instant of Chewie's first move, Threepio begins to scream in

      panic while he tries to protect himself with his one arm.

      THREEPIO Oh, no! No, no, no! Stop, Chewbacca, stop...!

      The stormtroopers are about to bash Chewie in the face.

      HAN Stop, Chewie, stop! Do you hear me? Stop!

      THREEPIO Yes, stop, please! I'm not ready to die.

      Han breaks away from his captors. Vader nods to the guards

      to let him go and the pirate breaks up the fight.

      HAN Chewie! Chewie, this won't help me. Hey!

      Han gives the Wookiee a stern look.

      HAN Save your strength. There'll be another time. The princess -- you

      have to take care of her. You hear me?

      Han winks at the Wookiee, who wails a doleful farewell.

      In a flash the guards have slipped binders on Chewbacca,


      who is too distraught to protest. Han turns to Princess Leia.

      They look sorrowfully at one another, then Han moves toward

      her and gives her a final, passionate kiss.

      LEIA I love you!

      HAN I know.

      Tears roll down Leia's face as she watches the dashing

      pirate walk to the hydraulic platform. Han looks one final

      time at his friends -- and then, suddenly, the platform drops.

      Chewie howls. Leia turns away in agony. Lando winces in

      sorrow; it makes a life-changing impression on him.

      Instantly, fiery liquid begins to pour down in a shower of

      sparks and fluid as great as any steel furnace. Holding Leia,

      Chewie half-turns away from the sight, giving Threepio a view

      of the procedure.

      THREEPIO What...what's going on? Turn around, Chewbacca, I can't see.

      Oh...they've encased him in carbonite. He should be quite

      well-protected -- if he survives the freezing process, that is.

      Chewie is in no mood for technical discussion; he gives the

      droid an angry glance and barks.

      A huge mechanical tong lifts the steaming metal-encased

      space pirate out of the vat and stands him on the platform.

      Some Ugnaughts rush over and push the block over onto the

      platform. They slide the coffinlike structure to the block and

      lift the metal block, placing it inside. They then attach an

      electronic box onto the structure and step away.

      Lando kneels and adjusts some knobs, measuring the heat. He

      shakes his head in relief.

      VADER Well, Calrissian, did he survive?

      LANDO Yes, he's alive. And in perfect hibernation.

      Vader turns to Boba Fett.

      VADER He's all yours bounty hunter. Reset the chamber for Skywalker.

      IMPERIAL OFFICER Skywalker has just landed, my lord.

      VADER Good. See to it that he finds his way here. Calrissian, take

      the princess and the Wookiee to my ship.

      LANDO You said they'd be left in the city under my supervision.

      VADER I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.

      Lando's hand instinctively goes to his throat as he turns

      to Leia, Chewie, and Threepio.

      INTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- CORRIDOR -- DAY

      As Luke and Artoo move carefully down a deserted corridor,

      they hear a group of people coming down a side hallway. Artoo

      lets out an excited series of beeps and whistles. Luke glares

      at the tiny droid, who stops in his tracks with a feeble

      squeak.

      Boba Fett enters from a side hallway followed by two guards

      pushing the floating, encased body of Han Solo. Two

      stormtroopers, who follow, immediately spot Luke and open fire

      on him. The youth draws his weapon and blasts the two

      troopers before they can get off a second shot. The two guards

      whisk Han into another hallway as Fett lowers his arm and

      fires a deadly laser at Luke, which explodes to one side and

      tears up a huge chunk of wall.

      Luke rushes to a side hallway, but by the time he reaches

      it, Fett, Han, and the guards are gone. A think metal door

      blocks the passage. Luke turns to see Leia, Chewie, Threepio,

      and Lando being herded down a second hallway by several other

      stormtroopers. Leia turns just in time to see Luke.

      LEIA Luke! Luke, don't -- it's a trap! It's a trap!

      Before she can finish, she is pulled through a doorw ay and

      disappears from sight. Luke races after the group, leaving

      little Artoo trailing behind.

      INTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- ANTEROOM

      Luke runs into an anteroom and stops to get his bearings.

      Leia and the others are nowhere to be seen. Behind Luke, Artoo

      scoots down the corridor toward the anteroom when suddenly a

      giant metal door comes slamming down, cutting off Luke's exit.

      Several more doors clang shut, echoing through the chamber.

      INTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- HALLWAY LEADING TO ANTEROOM

      Artoo stands with his nose pressed against the giant metal

      door. He whistles a long sigh of relief and, a little dazed,

      wanders off in the other direction.

      INTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- CARBON-FREEZING CHAMBER -- ANTEROOM

      Luke cautiously walks forward among hissing pipes and

      steam. Seeing an opening above him, he stops to look up. As he

      does, the platform he stands on begins to move.

      INTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- CARBON-FREEZING CHAMBER

      Luke rises into the chamber, borne by the platform. The

      room is deathly quiet. Very little steam escapes the pipes and

      no one else seems to be in the large room. Warily, Luke walks

      toward the stairway.

      Steam begins to build up in the chamber. Looking up through

      the steam, Luke sees a dark figure standing on a walkway above

      him. Luke holsters his gun and moves up the stairs to face

      Vader. He feels confident, eager to engage his enemy.

      VADER The Force is with you, young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi

      yet.

      Luke ignites his sword in answer. In an instant, Vader's

      own sword is lit. Luke lunges, but Vader repels the blow.

      Again Luke attacks, and the swords of the two combatants clash

      in battle.

      INTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- CORRIDOR

      Leia, Lando, and Chewie, with Threepio on his back, march

      along, guarded by six stormtroopers. The group reaches an

      intersection where Lobot and a dozen of Lando's guards stand

      at attention.

      The guards immediately aim their weapons at the startled

      stormtroopers. Taking the stormtroopers' weapons from them,

      Lobot hands one to Leia and one to Lando.

      LANDO Well done. Hold them in the security tower -- and keep it

      quiet. Move.

      As Lando's guards quickly march the stormtroopers away,

      Lando begins to undo Chewie's binding.

      LEIA What do you think you're doing?

      LANDO We're getting out of here.

      THREEPIO I knew all along it had to be a mistake.

      Chewie turns on Lando and starts to choke him.

      LEIA Do you think that after what you did to Han we're going to trust

      you?

      Lando tries to free himself from Chewie.

      LANDO (choking) I had no choice...

      Chewie barks ferociously.

      THREEPIO (to Chewie) What are you doing? Trust him, trust him!

      LEIA Oh, so we understand, don't we, Chewie? He had no choice.

      LANDO I'm just trying to help...

      LEIA We don't need any of your help.

      LANDO (choking) H-a-a-a...

      LEIA What?

      THREEPIO It sounds like Han.

      LANDO There's still a chance to save Han...I mean, at the East

      Platform...

      LEIA Chewie.

      Chewie finally releases Lando, who fights to get his breath

      back.

      THREEPIO (to Lando) I'm terribly sorry about all this. After all,

      he's only a Wookiee.

      EXTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- EAST LANDING PLATFORM -- BOBA FETT'S SHIP

      The two guards slide Han's encased body into an opening in

      the side of the bounty hunter's ship. Boba Fett climb aboard

      on a ladder next to the cargo hold.

      BOBA FETT Put Captain Solo in the cargo hold.

      And with that, the door slams shut.

      INTERIOR CLOUD CITY -- CORRIDOR

      Lando, Leia, and Chewie run down a Cloud
    City corridor when

      suddenly they spot Artoo who rushes toward them, beeping

      wildly.

      THREEPIO Artoo! Artoo! Where have you been?

      Chewie turns around to see the stubby droid, causing

      Threepio to be spun out of sight of his friend.

      THREEPIO Turn around, you wooly...! (to Artoo) Hurry, hurry! We're

      trying to save Han from the bounty hunter!

      Whistling frantically to Threepio, Artoo scoots along with

      the racing group.

      THREEPIO Well, at least your still in one piece! Look what happened

      to me!

      EXTERIOR EAST LANDING PLATFORM -- SIDE BAY

      An elevator door slides open and Lando, Leia, and Chewbacca

      race for a large bay overlooking the East Landing Platform.

     


    Prev Next
Online Read Free Novel Copyright 2016 - 2025