Ian Doescher - William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return

Now all the players and the scenes are set
To bring about our greatest triumph yet.

Now if the Empire is not by our ruse
Deceiv’d, we must fly quickly, Chewie.

—Auugh.

We have you on our screens; identify
Yourselves.

—The shuttle of Tydirium
Requests deactivation of the shield
Of energy.

— Tydirium , transmit
Your clearance code for passage through the shield.

Transmission doth commence.

—Now shall we learn
If all these codes were worth the price we paid
For them—the loss of friends, the loss of life.

Aye, it shall work, ’twas sacrifice well made.

Egh!

—Vader is aboard that giant ship.

Be not afear’d, good Luke, let not thy nerves
Thy better judgment mar. Full many ships
There are that do command the Empire’s fleet.
Keep thou thy distance, though, Chewbacca, but
Do not appear as though thou keepest it.

Auugh?

—Let me make it plain: fly casual.

Egh!

—Tell me now: where is that shuttle bound?

Small shuttle of Tydirium , what is
Thy destination and thy cargo? Speak!

We come to bring both parts and crew, which shall
Deliver technical assistance to
Our comrades on the forest moon.

—Have they
The code that clearance would ensure?

—They do.
It is an older code, but hits the mark.
I was about to grant them passage, Lord.

[ aside: ] My father, how I sense him clearly now!
His thoughts, his aspect, e’en his very mood.
[ To Han Solo: ] I have endangerèd the mission here,
And should not hither have accomp’nied you.

’Tis thine imagination, Luke. Pray, be
More optimistic; let thy heart be still.

[ aside: ] What stillness can there be when moves the Force?
It shall move mountains if it so desires.
No inner strength or outer brawn can match
The movement of the Force that now ’twixt me
And Vader passeth. Han hath no idea,
Yet all, belike, shall know quite soon enough,
For Ben and Yoda both were right: I must
My father yet confront ere I—or he—
Shall ever freedom know.

[ to Vader: ] —Shall they be held?

Nay, Admiral, thou mayst let them proceed.
They shall be mine—mere cards that I shall play,
And I shall serve as dealer for their deck.

Then shall I wager that the house shall win.
Thy wish is mine, my Lord, and it shall be.
[ To controller: ] Thou canst now carry on, and let them pass.

This hesitation pregnant is with doubt:
Mayhap they are not taken in, Chewbacca.

Good shuttle of Tydirium , the swift
Deactivation of the shield begins.
Hold fast unto thy present course.

—’Tis well!
Did I not tell ye all that it would work?
No problems here, when Han is at the helm.

My scoundrel-love, thou ever hast a boast—
Yet often there’s a reason to thy rhyme.

Now have we landed on the forest moon,
And our good company has disembark’d.
We make our way through trees and bushes here.
But what is that, a sound—pray all, alert!

You see, R2, I told thee this would be
Quite dangerous. Alack, be calm, my core!

I see a building with Imperial
Motifs and markings. There, beside it, are
Two scouts. This shall require some care, methinks.

Then shall we try and go around the side?

It will take time.

—And all shall be for naught
If we are seen. Yet I do have a plan:
Chewbacca and myself shall handle this.
Ye both stay here.

—But prithee, soft, good Han.
Be quiet, for there may be others near.

Thy words unnecessary are—’tis me!

Now shall I move in stealth to take them in,
Then take them out. With catlike tread I step,
Ne’er to be notic’d till my prey is mine,
Then I—alack! A twig snaps underfoot!

What is that sound? Alas, ’tis rebels, go!
And warn our comrades quickly.

—Let us fly!

Behold the two scouts speed from out our grasp!
Upon the instant I shall give them chase.

Pray, Leia, patience—straight I come with thee!