The Abduction of Psyche

The Abduction of Psyche
The British Are Coming
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The central briefing room was located deep within the bowels of the temple.The long, low-ceiling auditorium was dominated by a raised dais and huge electronicdisplay screen at its far end. Pilots, navigators, and a sprinkling of Artoo units filledthe seats. Impatient, and feeling very out of place, Han Solo and Chewbacca stoodas far away from the stage, with its assemblage of officers and Senators, as possible.Solo scanned the crowd, searching for Luke. Despite some common sense entreaties,the crazy kid had gone and joined the regular pilots. He didn't see Luke, but herecognized the Princess as she talked somberly with some bemedaled oldster. When a tall, dignified gentleman with too many deaths on his soul moved tostand by the far side of the screen, Solo turned his attention to him, as did everyoneelse in the room. As soon as an expectant silence had gripped the crowd, GeneralJan Dodonna adjusted the tiny mike on his chest and indicated the small group seatedclose to him. "You all know these people," he intoned with quiet power. "They are theSenators and Generals whose worlds have given us support, whether open or covert.They have come to be with us in what may well prove to be the decisive moment."He let his gaze touch many in the crowd, and none who were so favored remainedunmoved. "The Imperial battle station you know all have heard of is approaching from thefar side of Yavin and its sun. That gives us a little extra time, but it must bestopped—once and for all—before it can reach this moon, before it can bring itsweaponry to bear on us as it did on Alderaan." A murmur ran through the crowd atthe mention of that world, so callously obliterated. "The station," Dodonna went on, "is heavily shielded and mounts morefirepower than half the Imperial fleet. But its defenses were designed to fend offlarge-scale, capital ship assaults. A small, one- or two-man fighter should be able toslip through its defensive screens." A slim, supple man who resembled an older version of Han Solo rose.Dodonna acknowledged his presence. "What is it, Red Leader?"