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

INTERCOM VOICE: Rebel base, one minute and closing.

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. That ought to keep those fighters off our backs.

WEDGE: Right with you, boss.

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

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

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

The three X-wings move in, unleashing a barrage of laserfire. Laserbolts are returned from the Death Star. Luke's lifelong friend struggles with his controls.

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

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?

GUN EMPLACEMENTS: The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotates as it shoots laserbolts. 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!

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

WEDGE: What about the tower?

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

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

Artoo works to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushes by in the background, making his delicate task seem even more precarious. Two laser cannons are firing on the Rebel fighters.

Wedge looks up and sees the TIE ships.

WEDGE: Fighters coming in, point three!

Luke's targeting device marks off the distance to the target. Vader and his wingmen zoom closer.

A TIE Fighter pilot adjusts his controls and fires laserbolts at two X-wings flying down the trench. He scores a direct hit on Wedge. In the 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: Get clear, Wedge. You can't do any more good back there!

WEDGE: Sorry!

Wedge pulls his crippled X-wing back away from the battle. Vader watches the escape but issues a command to his wingmen.

VADER: Let him go! Stay on the leader!

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