Выбрать главу
OZZEL
—Your best, belike, Shall bested be, for thousands of these probes We have a’wandering the galaxy And looking for the rebels. I want proof, Piett, not leads. Proof—only that—is best.
PIETT
But Sir, this best is better yet, for it Hath found some forms of life upon the ground.
OZZEL
How better yet? How best? It could be but An error or some useless reading. If We were to follow ev’ry lead, our best Would soon turn worst.
PIETT
—And yet I do maintain My best is better yet for this: ’tis said That Hoth is all devoid of human forms. It seems, good Sir, the rebels have been found. Why else would sign of life appear on Hoth? I’ll warrant, Sir, my forecast shall prevail.

Enter DARTH VADER.

VADER
You have found something good?
PIETT
—My Lord, we have. A probe that late hath made descent on Hoth Hath made discovery of both life forms And the appearance of a power source.

[Piett shows Vader the screen.

VADER
Thy judgment hath prov’d best, Piett: ’tis them. Forsooth, the rebels may be found therein.
OZZEL
My Lord, there are throughout the galaxy So many settlements we have not mapp’d. This could be smugglers, maybe even—
VADER
—Nay, That is the system, certain am I of’t, And Skywalker is with them there. Now set Thy course t’ward Hoth, and Gen’ral Veers, prepare Your men for combat.

[Exeunt Admiral Ozzel, General Veers, and Captain Piett.

—Hath not a Sith eyes? Hath not a Sith such feelings, heart, and soul, As any Jedi Knight did e’er possess? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you Blast us, shall we not injur’d be? If you Assault with lightsaber, do we not die? I have a body as do other men, Though made, in part, of wires and steel. And aye, I vari’us passions feel, as all men do. So I, a Sith, shall not distracted be Till I attain the thing for which I seek. Therefore I shall pursue this Skywalker Unto the limit of the galaxy. For true, he hath the Death Star quite destroy’d, And true, he hath the Force with him as well. But truly, more than that the boy doth have— For truth be told, his name doth stir my soul. The boy’s connection to myself I do Not understand as yet. This Skywalker Must have some link to my life past, but what? So shall this Sith pursue this rebel lad, And find the missing truth of Vader’s life.

Enter GENERAL VEERS.

VADER
What news dost thou have, Gen’ral Veers?
VEERS
—My Lord, Our noble fleet hath flown to Hoth in haste With hopes to catch the rebels by surprise. The fleet has movèd out of lightspeed now, But com-scan hath detected a sharp shield Of energy surrounding planet six Within the system. It is strong enough To hinder what bombardment we can make. This grim news I report with sadden’d mien: It seems, my Lord, our fleet is all too close.
VADER
The rebels are aware of our attack, For Adm’ral Ozzel left lightspeed too near To the Hoth system.
VEERS
—He believ’d surprise Was wiser…
VADER
—Say no more. Speak not to his Defense. He is as clumsy as he is Replete with ignorance. Prepare your troops Now, Veers, to lead a ground attack. We shall Still win the day, despite the blunder.
VEERS
—Aye.

[Exit General Veers.

VADER hails ADMIRAL OZZEL and CAPTAIN PIETT, who enter by balcony.

OZZEL
Lord Vader, I am happy to report The fleet has come out of lightspeed and is Prepar’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 throat That thou, in thy last breath, shalt know my pow’r. Captain Piett?
PIETT
—My Lord?
VADER
—Prepare to land Our troops beyond the shield of energy, And then deploy our fleet so naught can ’scape The 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.

Enter HAN SOLO and CHEWBACCA, 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 touch I 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 these Compatriots of mine, ’twas ere the Death Star battle when it seem’d as though they were Deserting 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 be Why this malfunction hath occur’d. But now, I prithee, get thee hence.

[Exit maintenance droid.

Art thou yet well?
LUKE
Aye, verily. [Aside:] O what words would I say To this man here, if words were loud enough! But hath a word e’er been created, which Could tell the comrade’s love I feel for him, Articulate the good I sense in him, Express the debt of life I owe to him? At times ’tis true that words betray us all— The mighty pow’r of language fails to speak, And neither tongue nor rhetoric gives aid. This Han hath found a life among our band That did transform his former, solo self, But now he takes his leave to pay the price Of former indiscretions come to call. I would explain how much he means to me, I would disclose my deep respect for him, I would unveil my brotherlike regard, I would reveal the workings of my soul— But at this moment words are render’d weak. Thus, he must see the story in my eyes, Peruse the tale that’s told within my heart, And there read more than ever can be penn’d.