</p> "Impossible for a fighter that small to be this deep in space on its own," Solo observed.
5 S6 G% c, ]* Q) G, Z$ n "It must have gotten lost, been part of a convoy or something," Luke hypothesized.
- Y3 K4 V+ G7 U) V5 { Solo’s comment was gleeful. "Well, he won’t be around long enough to tell anyone about us. We’ll be on top of him in a minute or two." The star ahead continued to brighten, its glow evidently coming from within. It assumed a circular outline., e6 X+ c+ e% D. |6 p
"He’s heading for that small moon," Luke murmured." G' ~ a8 `2 n$ _
"The Empire must have an outpost there," Solo admitted. "Although, according to the atlas, Alderaan had no moons." He shrugged it off. "Galactic topography was never one of my best subjects. I’m only interested in worlds and moons with customers on them. But I think I can get him before he gets there; he’s almost in range." They drew steadily nearer. Gradually craters and mountains on the moon became visible. Yet there was something extremely odd about them. The craters were far too regular in outline, the mountains far too vertical, canyons and valley impossibly straight and regularized. Nothing as capricious as volcanic action had formed those features. g/ t1 L9 i ~) F0 y: L5 r. K
"That’s no moon," Kenobi breathed softly. "That’s a space station." "But it’s too big to be a space station," Solo objected. "The size of it! It can’t be artificial—it can’t!" "I have a very strange feeling about this," was Luke’s comment.
, Y5 ]" @4 K( H5 s g$ h Abruptly the usually calm Kenobi was shouting. "Turn the ship around! Let’s get out of here!" "Yes, I think you’re right, old man. Full reverse, Chewie." The Wookie started adjusting controls, and the freighter seemed to slow, arcing around in a broad curve. The tiny fighter leaped instantly toward the monstrous station until it was swallowed up by its overpowering bulk.5 K6 i& u, b3 W$ l! f2 w1 V
Chewbacca chattered something at Solo as the ship shook and strained against unseen forces.
+ [0 ?& J/ A. T "Lock in auxiliary power!" Solo ordered. |