Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 09_ Edge of Victory 02_ Rebirth - J. Gregory Keyes [84]
“The Force, Admiral, is a powerful ally. I’ve had some experience with using the Force to read gravitic fields. We awaited our opportunity, and we got it when they tested their weapon. The size of the gravitic anomaly shifted the gravitic profile of the asteroid belt enough for us to risk a jump.”
“And we may now assume they have countered that possibility.”
“It seems likely.”
“What I propose, then, is this. I know where I can procure an old Immobilizer-class Interdictor. She’s not much to look at. She was hulled in battle and left adrift, where she was largely gutted by scavengers. Two of her mass-shadow generators are intact, however. I’d begun restoring her, but it’s a dauntingly expensive task. She’s got no life support, half her armor is gone, and she lacks engines. However, I could fit her with a hyperdrive and shields quite easily. We could then tow her where we need her.”
“Oh, I like this,” Wedge said, rubbing his hands together. “It’s crazy—begging the Admiral’s pardon—but—”
“You’re going too fast for me, Admiral, General,” Jaina said.
“We jump the Interdictor into one of the blockaded coordinates,” Kre’fey explained. “No crew, with rudimentary automation. The instant it arrives, its shields go up and the gravity wells go on.”
“And it lasts about half a minute, if that,” Jaina replied.
“Which is plenty,” Wedge explained. “The gravitic fluctuation will shift things enough to move the safe entry point. We should be able to calculate where to. Two seconds after we send the Interdictor, we start piling star-fighters through. Hopefully the difference in location will be great enough that we’ll miss whatever nasty surprise they have waiting for the next ship to attempt a deep-space jump.”
“Exactly, General,” Kre’fey said.
“That’ll work,” Gavin said. “At least, I think it will.”
“It will get us in where they aren’t expecting us,” Wedge said. “More, we can’t ask for.”
“It will be enough,” Kyp said excitedly. “It will do.” The rogue Jedi stood. “I am prepared to place my people under your command, Admiral, for the duration of this mission. I’m sure you’ll put us to good use.”
“I’m sure I will, Master Durron. We should begin coordinating now. In two days’ time, the Yuuzhan Vong will discover that someone in this galaxy still has teeth. Strong, sharp ones. Let’s reconvene in three hours’ time to discuss the specifics. For now we’re adjourned.”
THIRTY-THREE
“I really wasn’t designed for this,” C-3PO said, for something to the power of a hundredth time. “The waiting is really the worst of all.”
Han checked the console, saw nothing again, laced his hands behind his head, and leaned back. “That so, Goldenrod,” he said. “Personally, I think it would be worse to have our hull blown open by proton torpedoes.”
“Well, yes,” C-3PO admitted, “that might be—”
“Or lose power and life support and drift forever in the cold dark of space.”
“Oh, how horribly vivid. That certainly doesn’t appeal—”
“Or worse yet, what if we’re captured? They’ll give us to the Yuuzhan Vong for sacrifice. Just think what the Vong would do to you, Threepio. They wouldn’t do it fast, not given how much they hate droids. They’d do it slow, keep you aware for every second of the terrible—”
“Captain Solo?” C-3PO interrupted plaintively.
“Yeah, Threepio?”
“I’ve reconsidered. Waiting isn’t so bad after all. Why, for all I care, we can wait forever.”
“Don’t let him get to you,” Leia said from the copilot’s chair, her eyes closed. “Everything will be fine.”
“Oh, thank you, Princess,” C-3PO said. “It is nice to be reassured, from time to time.”
“You’re welcome, Threepio. It’s the least I can do, considering we’ll probably be vaporized in this next exchange. I’d rather you went comfortably.”
“Vaporized?” C-3PO gasped. “I—I believe I’ll see if Master Jacen needs some help with—with whatever he’s doing.”
“You do that, Goldenrod,” Han replied. C-3PO