SYNOPSIS
As rebel troops ready themselves for an eminent invasion, Artoo and Threepio pass by a sealed door that holds a number of Wampa ice creatures, as they travel onto the medical center.

Luke is receiving the final steps in his medical treatment from 2-1B, as Leia expresses the concern she felt for Luke when he was lost. They are just about to kiss when the droids interrupt. Leia becomes flustered when Luke tells her he is planning on going to Dagobah. Han and Chewie arrive to see how their friend is healing. Solo chides Leia for being stuck on the frozen planet, but Leia says that it has nothing to do with her. He informs Luke that she just can't stand to let a good lookin' guy, like himself get away. Frustrated by Han's remarks, Leia kisses Luke and storms out.

At the edge of the Hoth system five Imperial Star Destroyers, and one Super Star Destroyer emerge from hyperspace. General Veers informs Lord Vader that there is an energy field surrounding the sixth planet. Vader blames Admiral Ozzel for alerting the rebels to their presence, with his sloppy tactics, and order Veers to prepare for a ground assault. Vader contacts Ozzel, and as the Imperial is giving his report he gasps for air and collapses on the deck. Vader makes a point to hurry his newly appointed fleet commander, Admiral Piett.

Back on the sixth planet, Leia informs the rebel pilots of the escape procedure for getting the large transports out, along with help from the ion cannon. She passes by the Millennium Falcon just as part of Han and Chewie's repairs go up in smoke. An alliance tactician let's General Rieekan that Echo C-130 is about to pass through the planetary shield. Rieekan orders the ion cannon to fire, which manages to strike a Star Destroyer in orbit.

Luke wishes Han good luck as he is called to his speeder, where his gunner Dack and he prepare to depart. Outside a rebel soldier spots giant Imperial walkers advancing towards the base. Their laser fire devastates the ground forces defending the base. Amid the chaos, Luke leads Rogue Squadron against the walkers with their snowspeeders. They soon discover that their blasters cannot penetrate the massive behemoths armor. Many speeders do not make it through, and even Luke suffers a hit that kills his gunner.

The hangar ceiling continues raining snow and ice, which convinces Han that they have made enough repairs at the moment and need to depart. Leia believes the same thing as she orders the remaining ground staff to clear out.

Luke recommends to Wedge that he try his tow cable and take out the walker's legs. The plan works, as the first walker gets tripped up by the magnetic harpoon cable. But Luke is shot down and crashes right in the path of an oncoming walker.