William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back

The rebels are aware of our attack,For Adm’ral Ozzel left lightspeed too nearTo the Hoth system.

VEERS

—He believ’d surpriseWas wiser…

VADER

—Say no more. Speak not to hisDefense. He is as clumsy as he isReplete with ignorance. Prepare your troopsNow, Veers, to lead a ground attack. We shallStill win the day, despite the blunder.

VEERS

—Aye.

[Exit General Veers.

VADERhails

ADMIRAL OZZELandCAPTAIN PIETT, who enter by balcony.

OZZEL

Lord Vader, I am happy to reportThe fleet has come out of lightspeed and isPrepar’d to—

[Darth Vader begins to choke Admiral Ozzel using the Force.

VADER

—Thou hast fail’d me once again,But nevermore shalt thou have chance to fail.I bring the Force to bear upon thy throatThat thou, in thy last breath, shalt know my pow’r.Captain Piett?

PIETT

—My Lord?

VADER

—Prepare to landOur troops beyond the shield of energy,And then deploy our fleet so naught can ’scapeThe system. Do it, Admiral Piett.And be thou sure to rise to thy new rank.

[Admiral Ozzel dies. Exit Darth Vader.

PIETT

Alas, with this promotion comes some dread,For Vader hath no rev’rence for the head.

[Exit.

Act II

Scene 1.

The rebel base on Hoth.

EnterHAN SOLOandCHEWBACCA,

working on the Millennium Falcon with a MAINTENANCE DROID.

HAN

A pilot must respect his ship with care,And play physician to her ev’ry need.With patience and with tender healing touchI caringly embrace each bolt and wire.Now, ’tis repair’d. [To Chewbacca:] Good Chewie, try it now!

CHEWBAC.

Egh.

[The ship begins to smoke and spark.

HAN

—Nay! Act thou with speed, and turn it off![Aside:] Physician, heal thyself from too much haste.

Enter LUKE SKYWALKER.

LUKE

[aside:

] The last time I said my farewell to theseCompatriots of mine, ’twas ere the DeathStar battle when it seem’d as though they wereDeserting us. But now, their valor prov’d,Their hearts align’d with good Rebellion’s cause,I’ll wish them on their merry way with joy.[To Chewbacca:] Chewbacca, brave, ’tis now my time to leave,For soon to Dagobah my path is bound.

CHEWBAC.

[embracing Luke:] Egh!

LUKE

—How your tight embrace doth warm my heart—But also strains my bones, thou jolly brute.

HAN

Well met, young lad. [To droid:] There must a reason beWhy this malfunction hath occur’d. But now,I prithee, get thee hence.

[Exit maintenance droid.

Art thou yet well?

LUKE