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ROTJ - Scene 53 (Mothma's Briefing) and 54 (Lando and Artoo leave together) - Fanboy Edition


I always thought that Mon Monthma’s briefing was a little strange, in that it seemed odd that the Rebel leadership would have such a gathering without all of the details of the command crew prepared.  It also seemed strange that Leia, who was known for diplomacy would not include that role as her main reason for seeking out any indigenous support.  Having the rebels deliberately seek them out made sense to me.  Also, I saw no real point of having an astromech droid in the middle of a jungle.  His place is on a ship.  Certainly, Chewbacca could have been positioned as the lead slicer.

Anyhoo…here is what I came up with. 

First Change:
Princess Leia now has a diplomatic purpose on the forest moon of Endor. This also gives Threepio a reason for being in the forest, too.

Second Change:
Han’s mission and Leia’s mission will have already been prepared prior to Mothma’s briefing. He does not build his command crew during the final briefing.

Third Change:
R2-D2 goes with Lando to destroy the Second Death Star.

You can go here is the original version of Scene 53 and 54:  http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Star-Wars-Return-of-the-Jedi.html :
Here is my Fan-fic version. (White Text is the original...Blue Text is my alterations)
********************************************************
53 INT HEADQUARTERS FRIGATE - MAIN BRIEFING ROOM 53

CUT TO...

MON MOTHMA (continues)
Many Bothans died to bring us this information. Admiral Ackbar, please.

(Admiral Ackbar steps forward and points 
to the Death Star's force field and the Moon of Endor.)

ACKBAR
You can see here the Death Star orbiting the forest moon of Endor. 
Although the weapon systems on this Death Star are not yet operational, 
the Death Star does have a strong defense mechanism. 

It is protected by an energy shield, 
which is generated from the nearby forest moon of Endor. 
The shield must be deactivated if any attack is to be attempted. 

Once the shield is down, our cruisers will create a perimeter, 
while the fighters fly into the superstructure 
and attempt to knock out the main reactor.

(There's a concerned murmur.)

ACKBAR (cont.)
General Calrissian has volunteered to lead the fighter attack

(Han turns to Lando with a look of respect.)

HAN
Good luck.

(Lando nods his thanks.)

HAN
You're gonna need it.

(Luke walks into the back of the room to watch the remainder of the briefing.)

ACKBAR
General Madine.
(Madine moves center stage.)
(NOTE: Here are a when the changes start...)

GENERAL MADINE
We have stolen a small Imperial shuttle. Disguised as a cargo ship, and using a secret Imperial code, a strike team, led by General Solo, will land on the moon. The shield generator must be deactivated before the fleet arrives for the offensive.

We have detected multiple life signs in the vicinity of the shield generator.  By all indications, they are pre-industrial, but we have detected many small clusters and primitive structures indicating a tribal level of development.  

Princess Leia will be leading our diplomatic mission to gain their support with any intelligence or military assistance available. Any advantage that we can obtain will only enhance our chances for success.   And we must not create an additional hurtle for our teams to face.  We'll only get one chance at this. There is no room for failure.

(The assembly begins to mumble among themselves.)

GENERAL MADINE
Princess Leia...General Solo, do you have anything to add?

(Leia and Han look at each other and breathe deeply. She smiles and nods to him.)

HAN
No, sir.   I can't hope to fill the loss of Major Lokmarcha,
but his team has been prepping for weeks. 
Chewbacca and I have gotten into more heavily guarded places than this.

LEIA
We know what's at stake.  My team is ready, too.

(Chewbacca gives a howl of approval indicating his eagerness to begin.)

HAN (smiles)
You said it, pal.

(Mon Mothma returns to the forefront to close the briefing.)

MON MOTHMA
Very good. 
I can not thank you both enough for your service.
For each and everyone of you here...
and all of our companions preparing throughout the fleet.

We have anticipated this day for a generation. 
We have all lost family and friends. 
Countless sacrifices led us to this moment. 
And the tyranny ends now. 
Today. 
May the Force be with us all.

The group begins to disassemble.
Leia sees Luke and approaches him.

LEIA
Luke, I could really use a Jedi Knight by my side down there. 
We don’t know who or what is down there.

LUKE
Leia...I'm with you. I always have been.

Leia moves to Luke and embraces him warmly. She senses a change in him and looks into his eyes questioningly.

LEIA
What is it?

LUKE (hesitant)
Ask me again sometime.

Han, Chewie, and Lando crowd around Luke as the assembly breaks up.

HAN
Luke.

LUKE
Hi, Han... Chewie.

Artoo beeps a singsong observation to a worried Threepio.

THREEPIO
"Exciting" is hardly the word I would use.

54 INT HEADQUARTERS FRIGATE - MAIN DOCKING BAY 54

The Millennium Falcon rests beyond the stolen IMPERIAL SHUTTLE, which looks anomalous among all the Rebel ships in the vast docking bay. In the background, the Rebel strike team is loading weapons and supplies onto the shuttle.  Lando, Artoo, Han, Chewie, Luke, Leia and Threepio are walking into the bay.  They stop between the ships.  Lando stands with Artoo at his side facing Han, Chewie, Luke, Leia and Threepio.  Chewie barks a final farewell to Lando.  

Han continues their conversation.

HAN
Look. I want you to take her. I mean it. Take her.
You need all the help you can get.
She's the fastest ship in the fleet.

LANDO
All right, old buddy. You know, I know what she means to you.
I'll take good care of her.
She-she won't get a scratch. All right?

HAN (looks at him warmly)
Right. I got your promise now. Not a scratch.

LANDO
Look, would you get going, you pirate!

Han and Lando pause, then exchange salutes.

LANDO
Good luck.

HAN
You, too.

Lando turns to walk towards the Falcon.  Han, Chewie and Liea turn and walk towards the shuttle.  Artoo whistles hesitantly.  Artoo, Threepio and Luke remain behind facing each other.  The others stop and turn back when they notice the three remaining.

LANDO:
You coming Artoo?

THREEPIO:
[To Lando] He...will be with you in a moment, sir.   

Artoo whistles (as if to say: I’m scared)  

[To Artoo] Of course you’re scared.  
But no one knows the Millennium Falcon or that Death Star better than you.  
The Rebellion needs us.  Our masters need us.  

Artoo whistles (as if to say: But who will take care of you?)

THREEPIO:
Well, I will just have to take care of myself.
I must be with Mistress Leia.  She needs me.  

Artoo turns to Luke and whistles (as if to say: I should be at your side.)

Luke takes a knee and places his hand on Artoo’s “shoulder”.

LUKE:
Of course, I would treasure it if you were at my side.  
But today, we all must play our parts.

LEIA 
(stepping forward to stand besides Luke):
Our destiny lies on that forest moon.  

(She glances over to Han.  
Their eye meet and they share a hopeful smile.  
She returns her gaze to Artoo.)
But your place is out here among the stars.  
Don’t worry about Threepio.  He’ll be in good hands.
Artoo...you have been with me since I was an infant.
I know you can do this.  

Luke rises. He and Leia step back.

Artoo whistles (as if to say: OK.  May the Force Be With You.)

THREEPIO:
And may the Force be with you, too.  

All turn and head to their ships.  Threepio turns one last time to watch Artoo roll up the ramp.  As the ramp of the Falcon begins to close, Threepio stands alone watching.

THREEPIO:
I know the Maker will watch over us both.  
Goodbye, old friend.
I know will see you again soon.

He turns and disappears up the Shuttle Ramp and it closes behind him.
******************************
The next set of changes continue with Scene 76 to the end: http://rosie-verses.blogspot.com/p/httpwww.html. Scene 76 is the scene in the Ewok village where Luke tells Leia that Vader is his father and that she is his twin sister.


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