[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
local races, sociologically I'd have to side with our subsurface friends...."
As the defenders polished their strategy for the coming assault, Luke and the Princess found themselves
reduced to explaining the capabilities and limitations of the weapons all were likely to face.
At least, he mused, it wasn't to be all axes and spears. He hefted his pistol and luxuriated in its lethal
weight. It had been one of the weapons taken from Halla and the Yuzzem on their capture, now returned
to them.
Hin had promptly turned and handed his energy rifle to the Princess. He explained to Luke that he felt
more comfortable with the enormous axe the Coway had provided for him. Kee's attitude was more
civilized, and he elected to hang onto his rifle. Or perhaps "civilized" wasn't the right word.
He was helping with the emplacement of a net when a reverberating crackle echoed like a thunderbolt
down the winding approach tunnel. According to Halla, the invaders were at present about halfway
between the cavern city and the surface exit.
"E-eleven trooper rifle," the Princess commented expertly, as the last echoes of the shot died away,
"quarter-centimeter aperture, continuous fire on low-power only." She fought to shift the heavy weapon
Hin had given her to a more comfortable ready position.
While their identification of the source of that roar was somewhat less precise than the Princess', the
Coway recognized its ominousness. They embarked on a final frenzy of preparation.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
A call came from a series of spread-out forward scouts. Coway started to vanish before Luke's eyes,
moving, jumping, secreting themselves where no hiding place seemed possible. They disappeared into
crevices and cracks, into the ground, slipped into holes in the cave ceiling, froze behind false flowstone
curtains.
Luke and the Princess hurried to join up with Halla. Both Yuzzem were moving to their predetermined
positions, mingling with the less concealed Coway. The two 'droids concealed themselves out of firing
range.
Halla concluded her conversation with one of the three chiefs, turned to greet them.
"How many?" was Luke's first question.
"The scouts aren't sure," she told them. "For one thing, the Imperials have advance hunters out, too. That
was the source of the shot we all heard. Also, they're backed up through the cave. But if I have Coway
numerology figured right, they think seventy at least."
"All on foot?" the Princess inquired.
"Yes. They've no choice, which is good for us. The tunnel is too choked with rubble and too narrow in
many places for even a small personnel carrier to slip through."
"That's something," Luke observed, trying to bolster his own spirits as much as anyone else's. "We won't
have to cope with mobile armor or heavy weapons."
Halla chuckled. "Why would Grammel think they'd be needed? Not against our poor primitive Coway,
certainly. Sixty, seventy Imperial troops equipped with energy weapons and personal armor ought to be
sufficient to capture a few poorly armed fugitives."
"Sarcasm aside," Luke pointed out unarguably, "it's going to take more than bravery and courage to
keep this from turning into a massacre of our friends."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
"I'd argue with you, Luke boy," the old woman murmured pleasantly. "Give me bravery and courage
anytime."
"Just give me one clear shot at Vader," the Princess snarled, her hands tightening on the rifle stock. The
hatred that flamed in those eyes belonged on a much less fragile face. "Save that one chance, I ask
nothing of life."
Luke looked down at her, murmured with feeling, "I hope you get it, Leia."
"That brings up a distressing possibility," she said later, as they climbed to take up places behind a
bulwark of striped travertine. "What if Vader doesn't come with the attacking force?"
"He's coming," Luke assured her.
"The Force?"
He nodded slowly. "Besides, as you pointed out before, he knows you and I are here. He'll come along
to supervise the capture," he said, then added after a knotted swallow, "to make sure we're taken alive."
Sighting the heavy rifle over the edge of the wall, Leia muttered forcefully, "That's one thing he'll never
do." Then she relaxed slightly, her earnest gaze focusing unshakably on her companion. "If it _should_
come to that, Luke..."
"Come to what?"
"Being taken alive." He indicated understanding and she went on. "Promise me that out of any feeling you
have for the Rebellion, out of any feeling you might have for me, that you'll put that saber at your hip to
my throat."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Luke stared at her uncomfortably. "Leia, I..."
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]