Star Wars_ Episode V_ The Empire Strikes Back - Donald F. Glut [42]
Directly in front of them stood a jagged white row of stalactites and stalagmites completely surrounding the cave's entrance.
'I see it, Chewie,' Han shouted. He pulled hard on the throttle, and the Millennium Falcon surged forward. 'Hang on!'
'The cave is collapsing,' Leia screamed as she saw the entrance ahead grow smaller.
'This is no cave.'
'What?!'
Threepio began jabbering in terror. 'Oh, my, no! We're doomed. Good-bye, Mistress Leia. Good-bye, Captain.'
Leia's mouth dropped open as she stared at the rapidly approaching tunnel opening.
Han was right; they were not in a cave. As they came nearer the opening, it was apparent that the white mineral formations were giant teeth. And it was very apparent that, as they soared out of this giant mouth, those teeth were beginning to close!
Chewbacca roared.
'Bank, Chewie!'
It was an impossible maneuver, but Chewbacca responded immediately and once again accomplished the impossible. He rolled the Millennium Falcon steeply on its side, tilting the ship as he accelerated it between two of those gleaming white fangs. And not a second too soon, for just as the Falcon flew from that living tunnel, the jaws clamped shut.
The Falcon sped through the rocky crevice of the asteroid, pursued by a titanic space slug. The enormous pink bulk didn't intend to lose its tasty meal and pushed itself out of its crater to swallow the escaping ship. But the monster was too slow. Within another moment the freighter had soared out, away from the slimy pursuer and into space. As it did so, the ship plunged into yet another danger: The Millennium Falcon had re-entered the deadly asteroid field.
Luke was panting, nearly out of breath in this, the latest of his endurance tests. His Jedi taskmaster had ordered him out on a marathon run through the dense growth of his planet's jungle. Not only had Yoda sent Luke on the exhausting run, but he had invited himself along for the ride. As the Jedi-in-training puffed and sweated his way on his rugged race, the little Jedi Master observed his progress from a pouch strapped to Luke's back.
Yoda shook his head and muttered to himself disparagingly about the youth's lack of endurance.
By the time they returned to the clearing where Artoo Detoo was patiently waiting, Luke's exhaustion had nearly overcome him. As he stumbled into the clearing, Yoda had yet another test planned for him.
Before Luke had caught his breath, the little Jedi on his back tossed a metal bar in front of Luke's eyes. In an instant Luke ignited his laser sword and swung frantically at the bar. But he was not fast enough, and the bar fell - untouched - onto the ground with a thud. Luke collapsed on the wet earth in complete exhaustion. 'I can't,' he moaned,'... too tired.'
Yoda, who showed no sign of sympathy, retorted, 'It would be in seven pieces, were you a Jedi.'
But Luke knew that he was not a Jedi - not yet, anyway. And the rigorous training program devised by Yoda had left him nearly out of breath. 'I thought I was in good shape,' he gasped.
'Yes, but by what standard, ask I?' the little instructor quizzed. 'Forget your old measures. Unlearn, unlearn!'
Luke truly felt ready to unlearn all his old ways and willing to free himself to learn all this Jedi Master had to teach. It was rigorous training, but as time passed, Luke's strength and abilities increased and even his skeptical little master began to see hope. But it was not easy.
Yoda spent long hours lecturing his student about the ways of the Jedi. As they sat under the trees near Yoda's little house, Luke listened intently to all the master's tales and lessons. And as Luke listened, Yoda chewed on his Gimer Stick, a short twig with three small branches at the far end.
And there were physical tests of all kinds. In particular, Luke was working hard to perfect his leap. Once he felt ready to show Yoda his improvement. As the master sat on