Subject: [FFML] [Xover] [Pokemon/SW] Team Rocket Strikes Back, part 2
From: "Damien Hailey" <samas_1@hotmail.com>
Date: 9/10/1999, 4:31 PM
To: ffml@fanfic.com, Pokefanfic@onelist.com

Continuing with the story, I now present, the Battle of Hoth.

Poke'Wars:  Team Rocket Strikes Back.

EXTERIOR: SPACE -- Rocket FLEET

           Rock Vader's Star Destroyer, larger and more awesome than
        the five Rocket Star Destroyers that surround it, sits in
        the vastness of space. The six huge ships are surrounded by a
        convoy of smaller spacecraft. BAT fighters dart to and fro.

INTERIOR: DARTH VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE -- MAIN CONTROL DECK

           Controllers working the vast complex of electronic controls
        hear ominous approaching footsteps and look up from their
        controls. The squat, evil-looking Admiral Ozzel and the young,
        powerfully built General Veers, who have been conferring near
        the front, also feel the approaching presence and turn toward
        it. Rock Vader, Lord of the Sith, enters like a chill wind.
        As Vader moves across the wide bridge, Captain Piett hurries
        up to Ozzel.

PIETT: Admiral.

OZZEL: Yes, Captain

PIETT: I think we've got something, sir. The report is only a fragment
from a probe droid in the Hoth system, but it's the best lead we've
had.

OZZEL: (irritated) We have thousands of probe droids searching the
galaxy. I want proof, not leads!

PIETT: The visuals indicate life readings.

OZZEL: It could mean anything. If we followed every lead...

PIETT: But, sir, the Hoth system is supposed to be devoid of human
forms.

           Vader moves to a large screen showing an image of the Rebel
        snow base. Rebel speeders can be seen approaching the base in
        the distance.

VADER: You found something?

PIETT: Yes, my lord.

VADER: (studying the image on the console screen) That's it. The
Rebels are there.

OZZEL: My lord, there are so many uncharted settlements. It could be
smugglers, it could be...

VADER: That is the system. And I'm sure Stonewalker is with them. Set
your course for the Hoth system. General Veers, prepare you men.

INTERIOR: HOTH -- REBEL BASE -- TRANSPORT BAY

           A captain issues instructions to two of his men at the
        entrance to the main transport bay. Several Rebel transports
        behind them are being loaded by men carrying heavy boxes and
        moving quickly, but not in panic.

REBEL CAPTAIN: Groups seven and ten will stay behind to fly the
speeders. As soon as each transport is loaded, evacuation control will
give clearance for immediate launch.

REBEL FIGHTER: Right, sir.

INTERIOR: HOTH -- REBEL BASE -- MAIN HANGAR DECK

           Alarms sound. Troops, ground crews, and droids rush to
        their alert stations. Armored snowspeeders are lined up in
        attack formation near the main entrance.
           In the midst of all this activity, Ash does some frantic
        welding on the lifters of the Millennium Pidgeot.
           Ash finishes his work and hops down to the hangar floor. He
        pulls out his comlink, all the while eyeing problematic
        lifters.

ASH: (into comlink, to Chuie) Okay, that's it. Try it...Off! Turn it
off! Turn it off! Off!

           Smoke rises from a minor explosion on the lifter.
        Exasperated, Ash surveys the new damage.

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- MEDICAL CENTER

           Brock dresses in readiness for the evacuation as
        Nurse Joy stands by.

JOY: Sir, it will take quite awhile to evacuate the T-forty-
sevens.

Brock: Well, forget the heavy equipment. There's plenty of time to get
the smaller modules on the transports.

JOY: Take care, sir.

Brock: Thanks.

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- MAIN HANGAR DECK

           Pilots, gunners, and R2 units scurry about. Brock, pulling
        on his heavy-weather jacket, is headed toward a row of armored
        speeders. He stops at the rear of the Millennium Pidgeot, where
        Ash and Chuie are trying to repair the right lifter with even
        more haste than before.

Brock: Chuie, take care of yourself, okay?

           As Brock pats Chuie on the arm, Chuie puts his arms around
        Brock and gives him a tight hug. Ash is discussing the lifter
        with a repair droid when he sees Brock.

ASH: Hi, kid. (to droid) There's got to be a reason for it. Check it
at the other end. Wait a second. (to Brock) You all right?

Brock: Yeah.

ASH: Be careful.

Brock: You, too.

           Brock smiles, then waves at his friend and walks on. After a
        few steps, he stops and looks back. Ash glances up and the two
        exchange a silent communication, each wishing the other
        safety, happiness -- many things, all difficult to verbalize.

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- CONTROL ROOM.

           Alarms sound throughout the hidden Rebel base. In the
        control room, a controller urgently gestures for General
        Anthony to check a computer scan.

CONTROLLER: General, there's a fleet of Star Destroyers coming out of
hyperspace in sector four.

ANTHONY: Reroute all power to the energy shield. We've got to hold
them till all transports are away. Prepare for ground assault.

           Anthony exits hurriedly.

INTERIOR: VADER'S STAR DESTROYER -- VADER'S CHAMBER -- MEDITATION CUBICLE

           The dark cubicle is illuminated by a single shaft of light
        which falls on the brooding Dark Lord as he sits on a raised
        meditation cube. General Veers enters the room and approaches
        the silent, unmoving Vader. Although seemingly very sure of
        himself, Veers is still not bold enough to interrupt the
        meditating lord. The younger general stands quietly at
        attention until the evil presence speaks.

VADER: What is it, General?

VEERS: My lord, the fleet has moves out of light-speed. Com-Scan has
detected an energy field protecting an area around the sixth planet of
the Hoth system. The field is strong enough to deflect any
bombardment.

VADER: (angrily) The Rebels are alerted to our presence. Admiral Ozzel
came out of light-speed too close to the system.

VEERS: He felt surprise was wiser...

VADER: He is as clumsy as he is stupid. General, prepare your troops
for a surface attack.

VEERS: Yes, my lord.

           Veers turns smartly and leaves as Vader activates a large
        viewscreen showing the bridge of his mighty ship. Admiral
        Ozzel appears on the viewscreen, standing slightly in front of
        Captain Piett.

OZZEL: Lord Vader, the fleet has moved out of light-speed, and we're
preparing to...Aaagh!

VADER: You have failed me for the last time, Admiral. Captain Piett.

           Piett steps forward, as the admiral moves away, slightly
        confused, touching his throat as it begins to constrict
        painfully.

PIETT: Yes, my lord.

VADER: Make ready to land out troops beyond the energy shield and
deploy the fleet so that nothing gets off that system. You are in
command now, Admiral Piett.

PIETT: Thank you, Lord Vader.

           Piett's pleasure about his unexpected promotion is not an
        unmixed emotion. He glances warily at the struggling Admiral
        Ozzel who, with a final choke, stumbles and falls in a
        lifeless heap before him.

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- MAIN HANGAR DECK

           With a sense of urgency, Misty quickly briefs a group of
        pilots gathered in the center of the hangar.

MISTY: All troop carriers will assemble at the north entrance. The
heavy transport ships will leave as soon as they're loaded. Only two
fighter escorts per ship. The energy shield can only be opened for a
short time, so you'll have to stay very close to your transports.

HOBBIE: Two fighters against a Star Destroyer?

MISTY: The ion cannon will fire several shots to make sure that any
enemy ships will be out of your flight path. When you've gotten past
the energy shield, proceed directly to the rendezvous point.
Understood?

PILOTS: (in unison) Right. Okay.

MISTY: Good luck.

DERLIN: Okay. Everyone to your stations. Let's go!

           The pilots hurry away.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- SNOW TRENCH -- DAY

           Rebel troops carry heavy bazooka-type weapons and position
        them along the snow trench. Men hurriedly respond to their
        officers' yelled orders and brace themselves against the
        rhythmic gusts of bitter-cold wind.
           Other troops help a Lapras, loaded with missles and laser
        cannons, get into position.  A targeting sight slides down
        from the Pokemon's helmet, and begins scanning the horizon.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- POWER GENERATORS

           Near the base power generators, troops rush to set up their
        heavy battle equipment. Buzzing loudly, the generators send
        along, sparking fingers of energy into the bitter Hoth wind.

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- COMMAND CENTER

           The long line of Rebel controllers is tense, as are
        Princess Misty and General Anthony, who are trying very hard
        not to show any fear.

ANTHONY: Their primary target will be the power generators. Prepare to
open the shield.

EXTERIOR: ICE PLAIN

           The Rebel transport and two escort fighters begin their
        departure from the ice planet.

EXTERIOR: SPACE -- Rocket STAR DESTROYER

           A huge Rocket Star Destroyer rest against a sea of stars,
        far above the white surface of the planet Hoth.

INTERIOR: Rocket STAR DESTROYER -- BRIDGE

           An Rocket controller approaches his commander.

CONTROLLER: Sir, Rebel ships are coming into our sector.

CAPTAIN: Good. Our first catch of the day.

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- COMMAND CENTER

WOMAN CONTROLLER: Stand by, ion control....Fire!

EXTERIOR: REBEL BASE ICE CAVE -- ION CANNON

           The giant ball-shaped ion cannon rotates into position and
        blasts two red energy beams skyward.

EXTERIOR: SPACE -- HOTH -- REBEL TRANSPORT

           The Rebel transport and its escort race away from the white
        planet, closely followed by the two red energy beams.
           As the Rebel transport races toward the waiting Rocket
        Star Destroyer, it is overtaken by the two scarlet energy
        bolts. The Rocket Star Destroyer is hit in the conning tower
        by the powerful bolts, which set up fiery explosions on its
        metal hull.
           The big Star Destroyer veers, then spins wildly out of
        control. As the Rocket ship careers into deep space, the
        Rebel transport races away to safety.

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- MAIN HANGAR DECK

           Pilots, gunners, and troopers hurry to their stations and
        their vehicles.

ANNOUNCER: (over loudspeaker) The first transport is away.

          Everyone cheers at the announcement, which echoes through
        the hangar. Brock turns and walks on, heading toward his
        snowspeeder. His gunner, Dack, a fresh-faced, eager kid, is
        glad to see him. They climb in.

DACK: Feeling all right, sir?

Brock: Just like new, Dack. How about you?

DACK: Right now I feel I could take on the whole Team Rocket myself.

Brock: (quietly, strapping in) I know what you mean.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN

           A thin horizon line cuts across the bleak landscape. Small
        dot-size objects begin to appear on the horizon, moving in the
        direction of the Rebel base.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- SNOW TRENCH

           A Rebel officer lifts a pair of electrobinoculars to his
        eyes. Through the lens he sees a very close view of a giant
        Rocket snow walker. He adjusts the view which then zooms
        back to reveal three more of the Venasaur-shaped battle machines.
        Small flashes of yellow fire billow from the guns of the
        lumbering snow walkers.
           The officer lowers his binoculars as the regular rhythmic
        pounding begins to make the ground vibrate. The pounding grows
        louder and is accompanied by a high-pitched, metallic
        rattling. The officer speaks into his comlink.

TRENCH OFFICER: Echo Station Three-T-Eight.

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- CORRIDOR

           Pilots and gunners race to their waiting snowspeeders. Ice
        and snow begin falling from the walls of the corridor, shaken
        by the pounding Rocket snow walkers as they draw ever nearer.

TRENCH OFFICER: (over comlink) We have spotted Rocket walkers!

CONTROLLER: Rocket walkers on the north ridge.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- SNOW TRENCH

           The Rebel troops aim their weapons at the horizon as
        explosions erupt all around them. They are nervous and their
        grip on their weapons tightens from the cold and from fear.
           Behind the troops a dozen snowspeeders race through the
        sky.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

Brock: (into comlink) Echo station Five-Seven. We're on our way.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- BATTLEFIELD

           The fleet of snowspeeders races above the ice field at full
        throttle. They accelerate away from the base and head toward
        the distant walkers.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

Brock: (into comlink) All right, boys, keep tight now.

DACK: Brock, I have no approach vector. I'm not set.

Brock: Steady, Dack. Attack pattern delta. Go now!

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- BATTLEFIELD

           The cannons mounted on the walker head fire at the
        speeders. Other walkers loom in the background. Two speeders
        race away past two of the enormous walkers and bank to the
        right.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

Brock: All right, I'm coming in.

           He turns his speeder and heads directly at one of the
        walkers, flying toward its towering legs. The horizon twists
        as the speeder banks between the legs.

Brock: (into comlink) Hobbie, you still with me?

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- BATTLEFIELD

           Two speeders race directly at the head of a walker, then
        split and fly past it.
           Three other walkers march onward, firing all cannons.

INTERIOR: ROCKET ARMORED WALKER -- COCKPIT

           Jessie, James, and Meowth are commanding one of the massive
        AT-VT walkers.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- SNOWTRENCH

           Rebel troops fire on the approaching walkers, as the snow
        and ice explode all around them.

INTERIOR: ROCKET ARMORED WALKER -- COCKPIT

JESSIE: Those poor rebels!

JAMES: Now we'll show these fools what it means to mess with Team Rocket!

MEOWTH(hits a button on the control panel): Let's see 'em deal with dis!

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- BATTLEFIELD

           Three mortar-like shots erupt from the walker, streaking towards
        the rebel troops.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- SNOW TRENCH AREA

           Two the shells each hit in the midst of a group of soldiers and
        burst into a tangle of metal tentacles that wrap up the rebels.  A
        third hits a Snowspeeder, shutting down it's engines and sending it
        crashing into the snow.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- BATTLEFIELD

           A speeder banks through and away from the legs of a walker.
        Two other speeders pass the first speeder from the opposite
        direction. Other Rebel craft race just above the icy plain.
           A huge metal tentacle lashes out, striking a snowspeeder and
        sending it crashing in a ball of flames.

INTERIOR: ROCKET ARMORED WALKER -- COCKPIT

           General Veers and two walker pilots keep a careful eye on
        the racing Rebel snowspeeders as they maneuver their lumbering
        war machine forward.
           Brock's speeder banks in from the side of Veers's walker and
        heads straight for its viewport, blasting away. An explosion
        hits the walker window, but dissipates, doing no harm. The
        speeder roars up and over the impregnable war machine.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

           Brock looks back at the walker as it grows smaller in the
        distance.

Brock: That armor's too strong for blasters.

           On the horizon, another walker moves up past Brock's cockpit
        window, twisting out of sight as Brock banks and starts another
        run.

Brock: (into comlink) Rouge Group, use your harpoons and tow cables. Go
for the legs. It might be our only chance of stopping them. (to Dack)
All right, stand by, Dack.

           Dack is at the gunner's controls.

DACK: Brock, we've got a malfunction in fire control. I'll have to cut
in the auxiliary.

Brock: Just hang on. hang on, Dack. Get ready to fire that tow cable.

           Barely keeping his seat in the tumbling ship, Dack struggles
        to set up his harpoon gun.
           Brock swings his speeder around and heads toward an oncoming
        walker. Laser bolts and metal vines fill the air, creating a deadly
        obstacle course for the tiny craft.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- BATTLEFIELD

           Rouge Leader and another snowspeeder fly in tight formation
        toward the walker as explosions burst all around them.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

           After sustaining a heavy volley of fire, Brock turns around
        to see if Dack is all right.

Brock: Dack? Dack!

           Dack is lost. Blood streams down his forehead, which
        rests on his smoldering controls. Out the back window, a
        Rocket walker recedes in the distance.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- SNOW TRENCH AREA

           A Rebel Lapras stands its ground, firing while explosions
        erupt around it.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- BATTLEFIELD

           Two walkers lumber toward the Rebel base as a speeder
        between them explodes in a ball of flames.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- SNOW TRENCH

           A series of blaster bolts stike on and around the Lapras.
        When the smoke clears, the Lapras is lying still on the ice.

INTERIOR: ROCKET ARMORED WALKER -- COCKPIT

           Through the cockpit window, Veers and his pilot can see the
        Rebel power generators in the distance.
           A hologram of Rock Vader appears on a control panel
        screen.

VEERS: Yes, Lord Vader. I've reached the main power generator. The
shield will be down in moments. You may start your landing.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

Brock: (into comlink) Rouge Three.

INTERIOR: SABRINA'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE THREE -- COCKPIT

SABRINA: (into comlink) Copy, Rouge Leader

Brock: (over comlink) Sabrina, I've lost my gunner. You'll have to make
this shot. I'll cover for you. Set your harpoon. Follow me on the next
pass.

SABRINA: (into comlink) Coming around, Rouge Leader.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

Brock: (into comlink) Steady, Rouge Two

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- BATTLEFIELD

           Sabrina's speeder races through the legs of one of the
        monstrous walkers.

INTERIOR: SABRINA'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE THREE -- COCKPIT

SABRINA: (to gunner) Activate harpoon.

           Abra, Sabrina's gunner, telekinetically activates the
        harpoon. The harpoon flashes out, and speeds toward the
        receding legs of the walker.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- BATTLEFIELD

           The harpoon hurtles toward the walker, In an instant it is
        embedded in one of the walker's legs.

INTERIOR: SABRINA'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE THREE -- COCKPIT

SABRINA: (to gunner) Good shot, Abra.

ABRA(still asleep): Aaabraaa...

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- BATTLEFIELD

           The speeder Rouge Three races around one of the giant
        walker's feet, trailing the cable behind it. Continuing around
        the back foot, Rouge Three then circles the walker around the
        tail end.

INTERIOR: SABRINA'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE THREE -- COCKPIT

           Sabrina checks his controls and banks around the front of the
        walker.

SABRINA: One more pass.

ABRA: Abraa...

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- BATTLEFIELD

           The speeder sweeps left to right in front of the giant
        legs, towing the cable behind it.

INTERIOR: SABRINA'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE THREE -- COCKPIT

ABRA: ...

           Sabrina swings the speeder between the legs of the giant
        walker.

ABRA: ...

SABRINA: Detaching cable.

EXTERIOR: SABRINA'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE THREE

           The cable release on the back of the speeder snaps loose
        and the cable drops away.

INTERIOR: SABRINA'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE THREE -- COCKPIT

ABRA: Abraaa...

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- BATTLEFIELD

           The speeder zooms away into the distance. The tangled legs
        of the enormous war machine attempt a step, but as they do the
        giant Rocket walker begins to topple. It teeters for a
        moment, and then crashes onto the icy ground, sending snow and
        metal pieces flying.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- ICE PLAIN -- SNOW TRENCH

           The troops in the trenches cheer at the sight of the
        crashing walker.
           An officer gives a signal to his men and Rebel troops
        charge the fallen war machine.

TRENCH OFFICER: Come on!

           The troops run toward the downed walker, followed by two
        Rebel speeders flying overhead. Just as they reach the walker,
        it explodes, the impact throwing some of the men onto the
        frozen ground.

INTERIOR: SABRINA'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE THREE -- COCKPIT

           Sabrina smiles, banking her speeder away from the fallen
           walker.

SABRINA: (into comlink) Got him.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

Brock: (into comlink) I see it, Sabrina. Good work.

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- COMMAND CENTER

           Large chunks of ice tumble into the command center as Misty
        and General Anthony monitor computer screens.

ANTHONY: I don't think we can protect two transports at a time.

MISTY: It's risky, but we can't hold out much longer. We have no
choice.

ANTHONY: (into comlink) Launch patrols.

MISTY: (to an aide) Evacuate remaining ground staff.

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- MAIN HANGAR

           Muffled distant explosions create widening cracks in the
        ice roof of the hangar. Trying to ignore the noise and falling
        bits of snow, Ash works on one of the Pidgeot's lifters while
        Chuie works on one of the wings. Noticing Chuie attach a
        wrong part, Ash grows impatient.

ASH: No, no! No! This one goes there, that one goes there. right?

           In another area of the hangar, Togepio watches as Vultoo is
        raised up into Brock's Z-wing fighter.

TOGEPIO: Vultoo, you take good care of Master Brock now, understand?
And...do take care of yourself. Oh, dear, oh, dear.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- BATTLEFIELD

           The fierce battle on the vast snow plains of Hoth rages on.
        The Rocket walkers continue their slow, steady assault on
        the Rebel base, firing lasers as they lumber ever onward. In
        the snow trench, Rebel troops and their Pokemon fire at the
        oncoming Rockets as explosions erupt around them. A gun tower
        is hit by a laser bolt and instantly explodes. Another blast
        destroys a ray gun.

INTERIOR: Rocket SNOW WALKER -- COCKPIT

           General Veers studies various readouts on his control
        panel.

VEERS: All troops will debark for ground assault. Prepare to target
the main generator.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- BATTLEFIELD

           Brock's speeder and Rouge Two fly in formation, banking from
        right to left and flying above the erupting battlefield. Flak
        bursts all around them.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

           Brock, glancing over, sees Rouge Two on his left. His ship
        shudders as flak bursts nearby.

Brock: (into comlink) Rouge Two, are you all right?

INTERIOR: SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE TWO -- COCKPIT

ROCKER: (into comlink) Yeah. I'm with ya, Rouge Leader.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

Brock: (into comlink) We'll set harpoon. I'll cover for you.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- BATTLEFIELD

           The two speeders race across the horizon toward the giant
        walkers.

INTERIOR: SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE TWO -- COCKPIT

ROCKER: (into comlink) Comin' around.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

Brock: (into comlink) Watch that cross fire, boys.

INTERIOR: ZEV'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE TWO -- COCKPIT

ROCKER: (into comlink) Set for position three. (to gunner) Steady.

Brock: (over comlink) Stay tight and low.

EXTERIOR: SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE TWO

           Brock's speeder moves in formation with Rouge Two, when
        suddenly Rouge Two is hit by a laser bolt. His ship bucks
        violently under the impact and the cockpit explodes in a ball
        of flame.
           Spewing smoke, the speeder hurtles toward a looming walker.
        Before they collide. Rouge Two explodes in a million flaming
        pieces.

INTERIOR: Brock'S SNOWSPEEDER, ROUGE LEADER -- COCKPIT

           Desperately, Brock works the controls of his flak-buffeted
        ship. Suddenly, the speeder is rocked by a huge explosion.
        Brock struggles with the controls with a look of terror on his
        face. The speeder fills with smoke, and electrical sparks jump
        about the cockpit.  Metal vines begin to close around the speeder.

Brock: (into comlink) Great, I've been hit!

INTERIOR: REBEL BASE -- COMMAND CENTER

           Apart from the distant thunder of laser blasts, the
        corridor is strangely quiet and empty. Running footsteps echo
        through the freezing hallway, then Ash appears. Cracks have
        appeared in some of the walls and some pipes have broken,
        sending hot steam billowing into the underground hallways. Ash
        hurries into the command center. It is a shambles, but some
        people are still at their posts. As he enters, a gigantic
        cave-in almost obliterates the room. He finds Misty and
        Togepio near one of the control boards.

ASH: You all right?

           Misty nods. She is surprised to see him.

MISTY: Why are you still here?

ASH: I heard the command center had been hit.

MISTY: You got your clearance to leave.

ASH: Don't worry. I'll leave. First I'm going to get you to your ship.

TOGEPIO: Your Highness, we must take this last transport. It's our
only hope.

MISTY: (to controller) Send all troops in sector twelve to the south
slope to protect the fighters.

           A blast rocks the command center, throwing Togepio
        backward into Ash's arms.

ANNOUNCER: (over loudspeaker) Rocket troops have entered the base.

ASH: Come on...that's it.

MISTY: (to head controller) Give the evacuation code signal. And get to
your transports!

           Misty looks exhausted. Ash grabs her and starts to lead her
        out.
           As Ash, Misty, and Togepio run out of the command center,
        the code signal can be heard echoing off the corridor walls.

HEAD CONTROLLER: K-one-zero...all troops disengage.

TOGEPIO: (to Ash and Misty) Oh! Wait for me!

EXTERIOR: BATTLEFIELD -- SNOW TRENCH

           Rebel troops retreat under the awesome Rocket onslaught.

OFFICER: Begin retreat!

SECOND OFFICER: Fall back!

           Troops flee from the battle, the ground exploding around
        them.

EXTERIOR: HOTH -- BATTLEFIELD

           Three of the giant walkers, firing lasers, advance toward
        the Rebel headquarters.


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