Gambler's Choice

A carbonite block encasing Han Solo is hoisted out of Cloud City's freezing facility. While Chewbacca and Leia express their rage towards Darth Vader, Lando examines his friend, confirming his survival. Vader, satisfied with this, instructs that the pit be prepared for Luke Skywalker. He then hands Solo over to the bounty hunter, Boba Fett. Vader alters his plans for the other captured Rebels once more: instead of leaving them behind in Cloud City, he decides to bring them along. Lando voices his objections, but Vader dismisses them. Leia, Chewbacca, and See-Threepio are escorted by Lando under the watch of stormtroopers. Lando contacts Lobot, instructing him to gather his own guards and await further instructions.

Luke Skywalker and Artoo-Detoo navigate through Cloud City, growing suspicious due to the lack of resistance or civilian encounters. Luke conceals himself as Imperial troops approach, accompanied by Boba Fett and the frozen Han (whom Luke fails to recognize). Fett fires at Luke, after which the entire group quickly departs. Subsequently, Luke and Artoo encounter the troopers guarding Leia, Chewbacca, and Threepio. A firefight erupts, but Luke is unable to return fire because Leia is being used as a shield. Luke feels the need to continue alone, so he instructs Artoo to follow their friends in the opposite direction.

Soon after, Luke confronts Darth Vader face-to-face. Vader informs him that a blaster will prove ineffective against him; thus, they both ignite their lightsabers instead. Their duel commences, and while Luke demonstrates his training, Vader quickly gains the upper hand. He disarms Luke and forces him into the freezing pit. Luke manages to escape, blasting Vader with carbonite from a hose, and telekinetically retrieves his lightsaber. Vader asserts that Luke is wasting his potential by rejecting the Dark Side of the Force; he then vanishes into the shadows.

While Luke is in pursuit of Vader, Lobot and a squad of Cloud City guards apprehend the stormtroopers guarding Leia, Chewbacca, and Threepio. Lando declares that he can no longer abide by Vader's terms. His intention is to flee the city and bring the rebels along. Their first objective is to reach the East Platform to rescue Han before Boba Fett can escape. At this moment, Artoo rejoins them. However, they arrive too late: Han has already been taken aboard. Lando leads the way to the Millennium Falcon, hoping they can utilize it to pursue Fett.

Lando's security clearance is no longer valid for accessing the blast door protecting the landing platform. Artoo attempts to override the code while Lando utilizes Cloud City's P.A. system. He urges the citizens to evacuate the city due to the Empire's impending control. Artoo realizes that what he initially believed to be a computer terminal was merely a power socket; the actual terminal is located closer to the blast door in a more exposed position. More stormtroopers arrive; the humans and Chewbacca must fend them off while Artoo continues his efforts to open the door.

In "Gambler's Choice," the circumstances of Luke's separation from Artoo differ from those in the film. In the original movie, a closing door separates Luke from Artoo, propelling Luke towards Vader in the freezing chamber and leaving Artoo to locate his friends independently. Conversely, in the radio episode, Luke, driven by the Force, makes a conscious decision to pursue Vader rather than his friends. He instructs Artoo to follow Leia while he proceeds alone.