Star Wars_ Darksaber - Kevin J. Anderson [149]
Wedge nodded. “We’ll do our best.”
“He’s going into the densest part of the asteroid field, General Antilles,” the navigator said, her face pasty white with tension.
“Then we’re going in after him,” Wedge said.
The Assault Frigate fired its turbolasers and splintered a jagged asteroid careening toward them. The Yavaris flew through the debris cloud, sustaining little damage. “Thanks, Dodonna,” Wedge said.
When they got close enough to the Hutt superweapon, he ordered all ships to open fire.
Asteroids whirled around them, as the field became denser and denser, and Sulamar worked frantically to keep the Darksaber moving forward and in line. It was an impossible task, and Durga spent altogether too much time with his stubby finger poised over the “execution” button linked to Sulamar’s chair.
“I won’t be able to navigate much longer, Lord Durga,” Sulamar said. “This is the most deadly part of the asteroid belt. None of our scout ships even dare to enter here.”
“Then the Rebels will be too frightened to follow us,” Durga said.
“Just look out there, Durga!” Sulamar cried, pointing toward the moon-size rocks grinding together like the molars of a beast as large as a planet.
“Do I need to choose another pilot?” Durga said.
“No, Lord Durga,” Sulamar mumbled in exasperation.
The Hutt nodded. “Our superlaser is powered up. We have nothing to worry about.”
Sulamar swallowed—he could think of plenty to worry about.
The Rebel fleet came in, firing with their full complement of weapons. Each blast was insignificant in itself, but hundreds of turbolaser bolts struck home, peeling loose plates from the Darksaber’s hull, rattling components loose. The unnerving noises grew louder deep within the engine core.
The Darksaber had no outer hull defenses, no turbolaser turrets of its own, and no squadrons of TIE fighters to drive off Rebel pests. Several of the larger asteroids plunged in from the side, denting and battering the weapon’s hull—but Sulamar continued flying with grave trepidation. Durga would severely punish any mistakes … if they managed to survive.
The impostor general looked along their flight path and saw a nightmare. The Darksaber plunged along much too fast to maneuver effectively. Deep inside, the vessel groaned again, startling him.
Up ahead a pair of the largest rocks he had yet seen spun about, grinding together, like granite jaws waiting for new prey. Sulamar knew they could never avoid the hurtling planetoids at the velocity they were cruising. He squeezed his eyes shut.
Durga raised his hand in defiance. “Get those asteroids out of our way,” he said arrogantly. “Fire the superlaser!”
Sulamar’s finger trembled on the FIRE button, but he could not hesitate. They hurtled toward the asteroids. He punched down and covered his eyes to block the blinding glare of the deadly energy beam. “Firing now, sir!”
But instead of a scream of destruction and a pulse of power through the superweapon, Sulamar heard only a loud pffffftt! A fizzle of sparks splattered out the front end of the Darksaber, but nothing more.
“Oh no,” Sulamar cried. He punched the button again and again—but the Darksaber refused to fire.
The two broken planetoids smashed together with the Hutt superweapon between them. The Darksaber was crushed in an instant, becoming yet another hunk of space debris that would float forever in the Hoth Asteroid Field.
YAVIN 4
CHAPTER 54
Luke Skywalker’s voice echoed through the thick jungle and the sounds of battle. Callista froze when she heard him calling her name, and her resolve began to melt. She shouldn’t be leaving him—but she had to. There was only one way … if Callista had the courage to follow through.
“Callista!” Luke called again, but she plunged on through the underbrush, not looking back.
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