The Falcon races through space followed very closely by the TIE fighters and the huge Imperial Star Destroyer.

Luke enters the cockpit and looks out the window. He is almost unconscious with pain and depression.

LUKE: It's Vader.

VADER: Luke... it is your destiny.

LUKE: Ben, why didn't you tell me?

PIETT: Alert all commands. Ready for the tractor beam.

HOLD: Artoo races to a control panel and starts working on a circuit board. Furious, Threepio stands on one leg, yelling.

THREEPIO: Artoo, come back at once! You haven't finished with me yet! You don't know how to fix the hyperdrive. Chewbacca can do it. I'm standing here in pieces, and you're having delusions of grandeur!

Artoo moves a circuit on a control panel.

Suddenly, the control panel lights up. Leia and Lando are thrown into their seats as the Millennium Falcon unexpectedly shoot into hyperspace.

The ship tilts up and Artoo topples into the pit on top of Chewie.

THREEPIO: Oh, you did it!

The Falcon soars into infinity and away from the huge Star Destroyer which seems, by contrast, to stand still.

VADER'S STAR DESTROYER - BRIDGE: Admiral Piett and another captain glance at Vader in terror.

Vader turns slowly and walks off the bridge, his hands held behind his back in a contemplative gesture.

Rebel fighters move about a giant Rebel cruiser, and a Rebel transport ship hovers near the fleet.

The Millennium Falcon is attached to the huge Rebel cruiser by a docking tube.

Lando sits in the pilot's seat as he talks into the comlink. Chewie busily throws a variety of switches in preparation for takeoff.

LANDO (into comlink): Luke, we're ready for takeoff.

LUKE (over comlink): Good luck, Lando

LANDO (into comlink): When we find Jabba the Hut and that bounty hunter, we'll contact you.

STAR CRUISER - MEDICAL CENTER: Luke speaking into the comlink as a medical droid works on his hand. Leia stands near him while Threepio and Artoo look out the window.

LUKE (into comlink): I'll meet you at the rendezvous point on Tatooine.

LANDO (into comlink): Princess, we'll find Han. I promise.

LUKE (into comlink): Chewie, I'll be waiting for your signal.

Chewie's wail comes over the comlink.

LUKE (into comlink): Take care, you two. May the Force be with you.

Luke looks down at his hand. A metalized type of bandage has been wrapped around his wrist. The medical droid makes some adjustments in a tiny electronic unit, then pricks each one of Luke's fingers.

LUKE: Ow!

Luke wriggles his fingers, makes a fist, and relaxes it. His hand is completely functional.

He gets up and walks over to Leia. There is a new bond between them, a new understanding. Leia is thinking about Han; Luke is thinking about his uncertain and newly complicated future.

Together they stand at the large window of the medical center looking out on the Rebel Star Cruiser and a dense, luminous galaxy swirling in space. Luke puts his arm around Leia. The droids stand next to them, and Threepio moves closer to Artoo putting his arm on him.

The group watches as the Millennium Falcon moves into view, makes a turn, and zooms away into space.

REBEL STAR CRUISER: While Luke, Leia, and the droids stand, looking out the window of the star cruiser, two escort fighters join the large ship.

Slowly, the cruiser turns and moves away into space.


THE END