In the middle of the main passageway, angry flames raged around a stubby

cylindrical shape. A fine white powdery spray issued from Artoo Detoo's head.

Wherever it touched, the fire retreated sharply.

Luke tried to relax, to become part of the weapon. Almost without being aware

of it, he was firing at a retreating Imperial. When he blinked, it was to see the

flaming fragments of the enemy craft forming a perfect ball of light outside the turret.

It was his turn to spin and flash the Corellian a grin of triumph.

In the cockpit, Leia paid close attention to scattered readouts as well as searching

the sky for additional ships. She directed her voice toward an open mike.

"There are still two more of them out there. Looks like we've lost the lateral

monitors and the starboard deflector shield."

"Don't worry," Solo told her, with as much hope as confidence, "she'll hold

together." He gave the walls a pleading stare. "You hear me, ship?" hold

together! Chewie, try to keep them on our port side. If we-"

He was forced to break off as a Tie fighter seemed to materialize out of nowhere,

energy bolts reaching out from it toward him. Its companion craft came up on the

freighter's other side and Luke found himself firing steadily at it, ignoring the

immensely powerful energy it threw at him. At the last possible instant before it

passed out of range, he swung the weapon's nozzle minutely, his finger tightening

convulsively on the fire control. The Imperial fighter turned into a rapidly

expanding cloud of phosphorescing dust. The other fighterapparently considered

the shrunken odds, turned, and retreated at top speed.

"We've made it!" Leia shouted, turning to give the startled Wookie an

unexpected hug. He growled at her-very softly.

Darth Vader strode into the control room where Governor Tarkin stood staring at

a huge, brilliantly lit screen. It displayed a sea of stars, but it was not the spectacular

view, which absorbed the Governor's thoughts at the moment. He barely glanced

around as Vader entered.

"Are they away?" the Dark Lord demanded.

"They've just completed the jump to hyperspace. No doubt they are at this very

moment congratulating themselves at their daring and success." Now Tarkin turned

to face Vader, a hint of warning in his tone.

"I'm taking an awful chance, on your insistence, Vader. This had better work.

Are you certain the homing beacon is secure aboard their ship?"

Vader exuded confidence beneath the reflective black mask. "There is nothing

to fear. This will be a day long remembered. It already has been witness to the

final extinction of the Jedi. Soon it will see the end of the Alliance and the

rebellion."
关键字:星球大战
生词表: