Revenge of the Jedi
Act I
Infiltration of Jabba's Palace – Part I
Elsewhere in the galaxy, the last known Jedi hide from imperial clutches amongst the Outer Rim territories. The swamp planet Dagobah is home to a vast array of plants, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles with lakes, bogs, and humid forests making up their home. A dense fog covered the surface of Dagobah at all times, the very air thick with moisture.
A man sat cross-legged in a clearing, surrounded by a creeping mist. This man could sense something more in the air on Dagobah, a sensation that many of the swamp life appeared ignorant of - a pulsing heartbeat, a wellspring of power, the unseen stitching of life itself - the Force.
On a stump just in front of the man sat several mechanical parts and tools. He calmed his mind. The thin cylindrical pieces of metal began to move of their own accord, condensing into a pommel, grip, and thin-necked emitter. He picked up the instrument and inspected it carefully, adjusting an activation switch with a small screwdriver.
After a few moments tinkering he stood and held the hilt at arms length, apprehensive. Nudging a panel with his thumb, a lush green blade sprang into life, bathing the clearing in emerald light. Many reptilian eyes reflected the light back through the undergrowth.
"Good" said a voice from the edge of the clearing. "Good, yesss."
Atop a large horizontal trunk, a wrinkled creature with green skin and pointed ears watched the man examine his new weapon, which hummed as he moved the shimmering blade through the air.
"Ancient knowledge to build a lightsaber, lost it was. Only through the Force could you learn."
The man deactivated the blade and turned. Luke Skywalker, Hero of the Alliance, passed the new saber to his Jedi Master – Yoda; who turned it thoughtfully in his stubby green fingers. "Since last I saw a lightsaber, twenty years it has been." He handed the hilt back to Luke and began to shuffle his way towards his hut. "You're training, complete it is."
Luke followed, attaching the hilt to his belt. "Then I am a Jedi?" he said, tentatively.
"Ohhh" chuckled Yoda, shacking his head. "Not yet. One thing remains: Vader. You must confront Vader."
They entered the hut and the elderly Jedi climbed onto his bed with great effort. Luke draped a blanket over his frail body.
"Then, only then, a Jedi will you be. And confront him you will."
The turmoil that had been bubbling in Luke rose to a lump in his throat.
"Master Yoda... is Darth Vader my father?"
Yoda's eyes filled with weariness and compassion. An odd, sad smile
creased his face. He turned painfully on his side, away from Luke.
"Mmm... rest I need. Yes... rest."
"Yoda I must know."
The Jedi Master let out a sigh, and summoned all his strength.
"Your father he is."
Luke feels his body become numb, a deep wound re-opening inside him.
"Told you, did he?"
"Yes."
A new look of concern crossed Yoda's face. He closed his eyes.
"Unexpected this is, and unfortunate…"
"Unfortunate that I know the truth?" replied Luke.
Yoda opened his eyes again and studied his apprentice.
"No… Unfortunate that you rushed to face him... that incomplete was your training."
Yoda softened his tone. "Not ready for the burden were you."
"Well, I'm sorry," said Luke, reluctantly.
Luke's distress was not lost to Yoda. "Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression-" his words were cut short but a sharp fit of coughing. Luke approached his master's side, concerned.
The ancient Jedi glimpsed Luke's expression, and managed a dry chuckle. "Look I so old to young eyes?"
Caught, Luke attempted to hide his woeful look. "No... Of course not."
Yoda only finds this more amusing. "I do, yes, I do! Sick have I become. Old and weak."
He prods a wrinkled finger into Luke's chest. "When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?"
His chuckles trail off briefly into wheezing breaths. He lays back down.
"Soon will I rest. Yes, forever sleep. Earned it, I have."
"Master Yoda, you can't die."
"Strong am I with the Force... but not that strong! Twilight is upon me and soon night must fall. That is the way of things... the way of the Force" he finished, resolutely.
"But I need your help" Luke confessed.
A smile crept across Yoda's lips. "Know you that which you need." He coughed, his voice growing weaker. "Luke...Do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor, or suffer your father's fate, you will."
The young Jedi clung on to every word his master spoke.
"Luke, when gone am I… the last of the Jedi will you be."
He took a deep breath. "Luke, pass on what you have learned."
He wheezed as the air scraped his throat. "Luke…" The brilliant green eyes met Luke's blue, and his wrinkled lips curved into a glowing smile. "Proud of you… I am."
His breath catches and a shiver runs through the ancient green creature. The brilliant eyes glaze over as the lids close. Luke stares as the tiny body of his former master starts to disappear, the blanket eventually falling away as Yoda becomes one with the Force.
. . .
Luke wanders back to where his X-Wing waits beyond two large trees. Artoo-Deetoo - Luke's loyal astromech droid - beeps a greeting, but is ignored by his depressed master. The Jedi turns to take in Yoda's deserted hut one last time. The faint glow of the fire inside goes out, and Luke's hopes also seem a little less bright. With great effort Luke turns away, shaking his head dejectedly.
"I can't do it, Artoo. I can't go on alone."
The droid emitted a somber beep, then a serious of eager whistles.
"A message from Lando?" said Luke.
Artoo whistled a longer tune, Luke managing a smile at its conclusion.
"Yes that does sound like the tenacity of a Chewbacca Artoo, looks like we've got ourselves a rescue."
Artoo beeped in agreement. Slightly more motivated, Luke gathered his possessions and climbed the steps to the X-Wing cockpit. Artoo ascended through the astromech slot and typed a question onto the cockpit computer. Luke clipped on his helmet and noticed the message.
"I'm not sure how we'll free Han Artoo, but between the pair of us I'm sure we'll think of something."
The droid beeped in agreement, and the starfighter floated gracefully from the forest floor and upwards through it's canopy. Luke took one last glimpse at the clouded atmosphere of his master's home, remembering Yoda's last tender words, then braced himself for the jump to light speed.
. . .
