Filmens canon romanisering visar att Luke hörde ljud av strid efter den slutliga transporten (och X-Wings som bär de återstående piloterna) lämnade planeten.
Eftersom Luks skepp var det sista att lämna och eftersom soldaterna inte hade någon möjlighet att lämna planet och inget incitament att överge, tror jag att vi med rimlighet kan anta att någon som var kvar efter att ha kämpat med död varje skott avfyrade var ett hammarslag mot det hatade riket.
Then, overhead, you see it: Han’s rickety old ship, still supposedly “the fastest in the galaxy,” shoots out of the south hangar and climbs up through the atmosphere. You smile. At least Han got out. Hopefully the princess, too. Yes. She’s in that ship. You can tell.
And then an explosion presses you into the ground. A wave of heat courses over your body. You are lying on your back, the snow rapidly melting around you, fire licking your chest. Then it subsides. You raise the blackened visor of your helmet. The snow walker is dangling from its own legs, a blackened husk. You get up and run.
On a remote part of the ice field, far away from the battle and the now-ruined rebel base, you trudge through the snow. A short distance farther sits your X-wing, a spaceship outfitted for one pilot and one droid. R2 is in his place. He’s the one who piloted it out here to the muster site, to wait for you. The last of the other pilots are taking off, leaving a strange sight: a spaceship, small and lonesome, sitting on the edge of a frozen wilderness. The sounds of battle seem very distant out here.
Den äldre juniorraven nämner soldaterna som beordras att överge sina positioner och fly för resterande transport / s. Det är säkert möjligt att några lyckades.
Back in the trenches, the situation had become dire.
“Begin retreat!” shouted the Rebel trench officer.
A second officer commanded, “Fall back! Fall back!”
The troops responded, fleeing from the battle as the snow-covered ground exploded around them. The Imperial walkers fired their lasers at the running Rebels, continuing their advance toward Echo Base.Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (junior novelization)
Den ursprungliga novelleringen bekräftar truppernas återkallande (från sina positioner) men nämner inte deras framgång.
He tried to stand, but fell back against the snow, hoping he would not be spotted by any of the walker pilots. His comlink whistled, and somehow he found the strength to flick on its receiver.
“Forward units” withdrawal complete,” the broadcast voice reported. Withdrawal? Luke thought a moment. Then Leia and the others must have escaped! Luke suddenly felt that all the fighting and the deaths of loyal Rebel personnel had not been for nothing. A warmth rushed through his body, and he gathered his strength to rise and begin making the long trek back toward a distant formation of ice.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - Official Novelisation
Intressant, Radio Drama sätter en ganska mer hoppfull spin på saker. Evac-grupperna lyckades dra tillbaka och förstörelsen av huvudtunneln saktade ned imperialerna så att den slutliga transporten kunde lämna med alla kvarstående (t ex levande) rebeller på den.
WEDGE: This is the last evacuation group.
LUKE: You should be gone already. How come you're still hanging around?
WEDGE: Well, we sort of got delayed—a little of this, a little of that, while we were, uh—
LUKE: While you were waiting for me. Thanks, boys. What about the base?
WEDGE: The stormtroopers are already inside. Everybody who still could, got clear.