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Suspended high among the pastel clouds of Bespin, held aloft by huge repulsorlifts built into its curved frame, is a floating metropolis of sophisticated beauty and political freedom. Cloud City exists not only as a mining colony, extracting valuable Tibanna gas from the depths of the giant planet, but also as a sanctuary for those trying to escape the turmoil gripping the galaxy.

Though profitable, Cloud City is small enough not to be noticed by larger authorities such as the Mining Guild. It prospered under the capable stewardship of Baron-Administrator Lando Calrissian. Calrissian, assisted by his aide Lobot, contended with self-sufficiency issues and labor difficulties throughout his brief term.

The city is disk-shaped, with the upper concourse covered in circular landing platforms and towering spires. Beneath the city's belly is an immense spire that ends in a bulbous unipod. The interior corridors and plazas of the city are spotless white and chrome, providing an airy feel even when indoors.

These pristine malls conceal the industrial heart of Cloud City. The gas processing facilities, smelting rooms and carbon-freezing chambers of the airborne city aren't as aesthetically pleasing, but they are modern and efficient. In the heart of the outpost is an immense chasm filled with whipping winds that helps power and support Cloud City.

Shortly after the Battle of Hoth, the fugitive crew of the Millennium Falcon sought sanctuary on Cloud City. Sadly, the nefarious bounty hunter Boba Fett tracked the Falcon to Bespin. Fett contacted his Imperial clients, and was able to arrive on Cloud City before Han Solo, Leia Organa and the others. What was to be a haven instead became a trap. The Rebels were captured, and Han Solo was frozen in carbonite for delivery to the gangster Jabba the Hutt.

These terrible acts were but a prelude to an incredible confrontation between Jedi and Sith. Darth Vader used the suffering of the Rebels to lure young Luke Skywalker to Cloud City. Within the industrial innards of the cosmopolitan outpost, Skywalker and Vader dueled with lightsabers. Though Vader bested Luke in combat, he was unable to sway Skywalker to the dark side of the Force. Luke was maimed in the encounter, and his spirit broken by the horrific revelation that Vader was indeed his father.

Luke tumbled down Cloud City's central chasm, being swept by the winds into an open chute. The curving tunnel dropped Luke into the open air, but young Skywalker was able to grab onto a protruding weather vane on Cloud City's underbelly. There, Leia and Chewbacca -- liberated by Lando -- were able to rescue the young Jedi aboard the Millennium Falcon.

It was during these events that the Empire took control of Cloud City. Calrissian was barely able to warn the startled population about the occupation. Many fled the city before it was too late.

Life eventually returned to normal on Cloud City. Following the death of Emperor Palpatine at the Battle of Endor, Cloud City's populace was able to celebrate the return of freedom in the galaxy.