Suddenly they stop. Then everything is quiet for a moment. A great howling moan is heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the Sandpeople fleeing in terror.

Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as a shabby desert-robed-man appears and leans over Luke. He puts his hand on Luke's forehead

Artoo makes a slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him. He removes his hood revealing an ancient leathery face, cracked and weathered by exotic climates, set off by dark, penetrating eyes and a scraggly white beard.

BEN: Hello there! Come here my little friend. Don't be afraid.

Artoo begins to whistle and beep his concern.

BEN: Oh don't worry, he'll be all right.

Luke starts to come to.

BEN: Rest easy, son, you've had a busy day. You're fortunate to be all in one piece.

LUKE: Ben? Ben Kenobi? Boy, am I glad to see you!

BEN: The Jundland wastes are not to be traveled lightly. . . . Tell me young Luke, what brings you out this far?

LUKE: Oh, this little droid! I think he's searching for his former master, but I've never seen such devotion in a droid before. He claims to be the property of an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Is he a relative of yours? Do you know who he's talking about?

Ben ponders this for a moment.

BEN: Obi-Wan Kenobi . . . Obi-Wan? Now thats a name I've not heard in a long time . . . a long time.

LUKE: I think my uncle knows him. He said he was dead.

BEN: Oh, he's not dead, not . . . not yet.

LUKE: You know him!

BEN: Well of course I know him. He's me! I haven't gone by the name of Obi-Wan since oh, before you were born.

LUKE: Well, then the droid does belong to you.

BEN: Don't seem to remember ever owning a droid. . . . Very interesting.

He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.

BEN: I think we better get indoors. The Sandpeople are easily startled but they will soon be back and in greater numbers.

Luke and Ben start heading for the Landspeeder when Artoo lets out a pathetic beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.

LUKE: Threepio!

SAND PIT: Luke and Ben stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio lying half buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken off.

THREEPIO: Where am I? I must have taken a bad step. . .

LUKE: Can you stand? We've got to get out of here before the Sandpeople return.

THREEPIO: I don't think I can make it. You go on, Master Luke. There's no sense in you risking yourself on my account. I'm done for.

Artoo makes a beeping sound.

LUKE: No, you're not. What kind of talk is that?

Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little Artoo watches from the top of the pit.

BEN: Quickly, they're on the move.

KENOBI'S DWELLING: The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio's arm, as old Ben sits thinking.

LUKE: No, my father didn't fight in the wars. He was a navigator on a spice freighter.

BEN: That's what your uncle told you. He didn't hold with your father's ideals. Thought he should have stayed here and not gotten involved.

LUKE: You fought in the Clone Wars?

BEN: Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the same as your father.

LUKE: I wish I'd known him.

BEN: He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior. I understand you've become quite a good pilot yourself. . . And he was a good friend. Which reminds me . . .

Ben gets up and goes to a chest where he rummages around. As Luke finishes repairing Threepio as Ben shuffles up and presents Luke with a short handle with several electronic gadgets attached to it.

BEN: I have something here for you. Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn't allow it. He feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damned-fool idealistic crusade like your father did.

THREEPIO: Sir, if you'll not be needing me, I'll close down for awhile.

LUKE: Sure, go ahead.

Ben hands Luke the saber.

LUKE: What is it?

BEN: Your fathers lightsaber. This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or as random as a blaster.

Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam shoots out about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across the ceiling.

BEN: An elegant weapon for a more civilized time. For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire.

Luke hasn't really been listening.

LUKE: How did my father die?

BEN: A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father. Now the Jedi are all but extinct. Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force.

LUKE: The Force?

BEN: Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.

Artoo makes beeping sounds.

BEN: Now, let's see if we can't figure out what you are, my little friend. And where you come from.

LUKE: I saw part of the message he was . . .

Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face.

BEN: I seem to have found it.

Luke stops his work as the lovely girl's image flickers before his eyes.