Star Wars_ Episode V_ The Empire Strikes Back - Donald F. Glut [45]
Han Solo glimpsed the explosion's flare through the front window of his ship's cockpit. The craft that followed them seemed absolutely invulnerable; but he had no time to reflect on the differences between the ships. It took everything in his power to maintain control of the Falcon as it was pelted by Imperial cannon fire.
Princess Leia tensely watched the asteroids and cannon fire flaring in the blackness of space outside the cockpit windows. Her fingers had tightened on the arms of her chair. Silently she hoped against hope that they would emerge from this chase alive.
Carefully following the bleeping images on a tracking scope, See Threepio turned to Han. 'I can see the edge of the asteroid field, sir,' he reported.
'Good,' Han replied. 'Soon as we're clear, we'll kick this baby into hyperdrive.' He was confident that within moments the pursuing Star Destroyer would be left light-years behind. The repairs in the freighter's light-speed systems had been completed, and there was nothing left to do now but get the ship free of the asteroid field and into space, where it could blast away to safety.
There was an excited Wookiee bark as Chewbacca, looking out a cockpit window, saw that the asteroid density was already decreasing. But their escape could not yet be completed, for the Avenger was closing in, and the bolts from its laser cannons bombarded the Falcon, making it lurch and carom to one side.
Han rapidly adjusted the controls and brought his ship back on an even keel. And in the next instant, the Falcon zoomed out of the asteroid field and entered the peaceful, star-dotted silence of deep space. Chewbacca whined, joyful that they were at last out of the deadly field - but eager to leave the Star Destroyer far behind.
'I'm with you, Chewie,' Han responded. 'Let's vacate the area. Stand by for light-speed. This time they get the surprise. Hang on...'
Everyone braced themselves as Han pulled back on the light-speed throttle. But it was the crew of the Millennium Falcon, and most of all the captain himself, that got the surprise, once again--nothing happened.
Nothing!
Han frantically pulled back the throttle again.
The ship maintained its sublight speed.
'This isn't fair!' he exclaimed, beginning to panic.
Chewbacca was furious. It was rare that he lost his temper with his friend and captain. But now he was exasperated and roared his fury in angry Wookiee growls and barks.
'Couldn't be,' Han replied defensively, as he looked at his computer screens and quickly noted their readings. 'I checked the transfer circuits.'
Chewbacca barked again.
'I tell you, this time it's not my fault. I'm sure I checked it.'
Leia sighed deeply. 'No light-speed?' in a tone that indicated she had expected this catastrophe, too.
'Sir,' See Threepio interjected, 'we've lost the rear deflector shield. One more direct hit on the back quarter and we're done for.'
'Well,' Leia said, as she glared at the captain of the Millennium Falcon, 'what now?'
Han realized he had only one choice. There was no time to plan or to check computer readouts, not with the Avenger already out of the asteroid field and rapidly gaining on them. He had to make a decision based on instinct and hope. They really had no alternative.
'Sharp bank, Chewie,' he ordered and pulled back a lever as he looked at his copilot. 'Let's turn this bucket around.'
Not even Chewbacca could fathom what Han had in mind. He barked in bewilderment - perhaps he hadn't heard the order quite right.
'You heard me!' Han yelled. 'Turn around! Full power front shield!' This time there was no mistaking his command and, though Chewbacca couldn't comprehend the suicidal maneuver, he obeyed.
The princess was flabbergasted. 'You're going to attack them!' she stammered in disbelief. There wasn't a chance of survival now, she thought. Was it possible that Han really was crazy?
Threepio, after running