The escape pod careened through space. It turned over and over, faster and faster, like a laserball tossed by an angry Wookiee.
Inside the pod, the astromech droid Artoo-Detoo beeped frantically.
“No, I can’t get to the controls, Artoo,” his fellow droid, See-Threepio, said. “As you can see, I’m on the ceiling.”
Artoo whistled.
“I’m not letting go of this handle,” Threepio answered. “I’m not built for this kind of travel, you know. My circuits will get smashed to bits! Perhaps one of our other passengers can pilot.”
“I’m not programmed for piloting,” Forbee-X, a research droid, answered.
“And I can’t seem to push away from this wall,” twelve-year-old Stuart Zissu answered. “It’s like I’m tied up with invisible rope.”
“Artoo, this is all your fault,” Threepio scolded, looking down at his friend. “You’re the one who told Princess Leia we would go on this mission.”
Artoo beeped and whirred.
“No, I did not volunteer!” Threepio insisted. “My memory circuits are in perfect working condition, despite the terrible banging they are receiving. I remember every detail of how we got into this mess...”
Lush green vines covered the hangar opening at the Rebel base on Yavin 4. It was early morning, but already the steamy air felt heavy. The space pilots hurried about their business. They tried to ignore the heat.
See-Threepio extended his finger joints and then contracted them. “There’s one good thing about having to leave Yavin 4, Artoo,” he said. “This jungle moon is simply terrible for my joint connectors.”
Artoo responded with a long whistle and a short beep.
“I am not complaining,” Threepio answered in a huff. “All this humid air could cause me to malfunction. If you had a shiny gold-plated exterior, you’d worry about your appearance, too.”
“You two had better quit arguing and get aboard,” Luke Skywalker told them with a grin as he and Han Solo approached. “It’s a long way to Delantine.”
“At last, we’ll get some peace and quiet around here,” Han remarked gruffly. But he gave Artoo a friendly pat.
Just then, Princess Leia Organa approached. “All set for takeoff?” she asked.
“Did I say peace and quiet?” Solo said, rolling his eyes. “I knew I spoke too soon.”
Leia ignored Solo. She knew that ignoring him would bother him more than anything else. She turned to the droids. “I want to thank you for volunteering for this mission,” she told them.
“Volunteering?” Threepio asked, his hand fluttering near his chest-plate. He swiveled his head. His vision sensors stared down at Artoo.
“The destruction of the Death Star hasn’t solved our problems,” Leia continued, her face grim. “Now the Imperials have to convince the galaxy that they’re still in charge. Every new mission will have its dangers. This one is no exception.”
“But we’re just escorting Trux Zissu to his new post on Delantine,” Threepio stated. “It hardly sounds dangerous. He is going to govern the planet, not attack it.”
“The Empire is determined to prevent Governor Zissu from reaching his post,” Leia warned. “We know they are plotting to overthrow the Delantine government so they can control the planet.”
“Artoo didn’t tell me this,” Threepio said. “Are you sure my diplomatic skills will be needed on this voyage? Perhaps a droid with defensive skills would be more appropriate, Princess Leia.”
Artoo gave a low whistle.
“I am not being cowardly,” Threepio insisted. “I’m simply suggesting that I might not be the best droid —”
“Threepio, there are sixteen different languages on Delantine,” Leia interrupted. “Your skills are needed to help Governor Zissu get settled. And you promised me that you’d watch over his son Stuart as well.” The princess sounded a little impatient. She didn’t have time for doubts or second-guessing.
If there was one thing that overcame Threepio’s natural timidity, it was his loyalty. “Of course, Princess Leia,” he told her. “I’m ready to board.”
“Have you seen Forbee-X?” Leia asked, scanning the hangar.
Just then, they all heard the sound of rolling wheels. Forbee-X, a science research droid, took in the group with her visual sensors. A wide screen took up most of the space in her egg-shaped head. It flashed several different colors before settling on a bright, cheerful blue.
“Greetings, humans and droids,” she told them. “I am ready to board. Leaving is always so stimulating!” Her blue screen flashed so brightly that Threepio was certain his visual sensors would blow.
“I don’t agree at all,” Threepio protested. “I find leaving terribly distressing. Who knows what perils we will be exposed to on this mission?”
“Look on the bright side.” Forbee-X’s screen flashed again. “Risks equal opportunity. Experiments! Analysis! Conclusions! Fun!”
“Yes, it must be thrilling for you,” Threepio said politely. Now he was especially glad that this would be a short mission. Forbee-X seemed nice enough, but too much enthusiasm made his nerve sensors twitch.
“I saw Zissu talking with Commander Willard,” Solo reported. “He should be here soon.”
“And Stuart?” Leia asked, turning to Threepio. “You were supposed to keep an eye on him, Threepio.”
“I know, Princess Leia,” Threepio fretted. “But he always manages to slip away from me. The last time I found him playing space poker with the X-wing pilots.”
“How’d he do?” Luke asked, amused.
“He cleaned them out, I’m afraid,” Threepio said. “They showed a remarkable lack of skill.”
“Hey! He got lucky,” Solo protested.
Leia’s glance turned frosty. “You were playing space poker with Governor Zissu’s twelve-year-old son?” she asked.
“Listen, sister,” Solo said, “that kid is twelve going on thirty. He doesn’t need protection from me. Did you know he dumped a whole box of Bassel sea salt into the chow yesterday?”
Luke nodded. “I’ve never seen pilots drink up their weekly ration of water so fast!”
Everyone quieted down when Trux Zissu entered the hangar. Although his hair was silver, he was muscular and fit. He looked more like a fighter than a governor as he strode up to the other Rebels.
“I’m ready to board,” he told them.
“I’m afraid the Timespan is the only ship we can spare, Governor Zissu,” Leia reported. “She’s old, but she’s spaceworthy.”
“I checked her over myself,” Han told him. “And just in case of trouble, we tweaked your escape pod to maximum performance.”
“Trouble?” Threepio asked.
“I am grateful for all your assistance,” Trux Zissu offered warmly. “Are the droids ready, Princess Leia?”
“Excuse me, Captain Solo,” Threepio interrupted politely. “When you say trouble, do you have something specific in mind?”
But Threepio was drowned out by Leia, who spoke to Governor Zissu. “Everything is ready. We just can’t seem to locate your son.”
Trux Zissu grimaced. “Stuart never manages to be on time. But if you look for trouble, my son will be somewhere nearby.”
“Speaking of trouble,” Threepio interjected, “I —”
But Threepio was interrupted by a shout from the direction of the Timespan.
“Aha!” Leia said. “It looks like you’ve found him.”
The group hurried over to the transport ship. Rennie Gallou, a supply officer, was firmly gripping Stuart’s collar while the slender dark-haired boy tried to wriggle a
way.
“I found him trying to steal a few pieces of azurite,” Rennie reported. She opened her palm. A sizable chunk of the blue mineral winked in the hangar floodlights.
“I thought we might need it to trade with,” Stuart told his father. His wide green eyes were tilted at the corners, giving him a mischievous look. He blinked innocently, but no one was fooled. “I was just borrowing them.”
“Just in case you find some poker players on Delantine?” Trux Zissu asked sternly.
“Sorry, Father,” Stuart muttered.
They all headed toward the Timespan. Governor Zissu walked ahead with Princess Leia. Threepio was right behind them, and heard part of their quiet conversation.
“I’m afraid Stuart has been a handful since his mother died,” Zissu told the princess. “I apologize for any trouble he may have caused.”
“It’s all right, Trux,” Leia said. “Look around you. Many of us here were mischievous children once ourselves. And that includes me. Perhaps troublemakers make the best Rebels.”
Zissu smiled. “Thank you, Princess Leia. I’ll remember that in the future. Well, we’d better get aboard, before Stuart ‘borrows’ an X-wing.”
Everyone stopped at the ramp for the last goodbyes. Leia embraced Trux.
“I wish you a safe journey,” she said. “May the Force be with you.”
“And with you,” Trux replied steadily. “I won’t fail you, Princess Leia.”
Luke Skywalker and Han Solo both shook Trux’s hand, and said a short good-bye to Threepio, Artoo, and Forbee-X. No one wanted to linger. Every Rebel knew that any good-bye could be forever.
The droids boarded first. Threepio settled himself into a seat next to Artoo. Forbee-X situated herself behind them. Governor Zissu took his place at the controls, and Stuart sat in the copilot’s seat. Soon enough, the blast of the ion rockets filled the air, and the ship trembled as it rose and glided from the hangar. Within seconds, the surface of the Yavin moon became a blur of green and blue as the ship headed toward the upper atmosphere.
They were off!
As soon as Governor Zissu made the jump into hyperspace, everyone began to move around the cabin. Artoo jacked into the navicomputer to monitor the ship’s progress. Forbee-X glided over to double-check the equipment she used to collect specimens. She would be doing research for the Rebels on Delantine, which was rich in minerals that could be used in the battle against the Empire.
Threepio stared out the spaceport, wondering about all the star systems they were rushing past. Most of them were probably filled with Imperials. He was glad to be passing them by.
Stuart slid into a seat next to Threepio. “That Forbee-X is hypergalactic,” he remarked. “She’s the latest in astrodroid design. Did you know she’s adaptable to any terrain? She can retract those wheels and use feet if she wants to. Now that’s a droid!”
“I’m sure she will be helpful to your father on Delantine,” Threepio agreed.
“She must make you feel pretty useless,” Stuart continued.
Threepio’s head swiveled toward Stuart. “Excuse me?”
“She’s this fully loaded droid, and what are your programmed skills?” Stuart asked with a shrug. “Making a cup of ti’il tea?”
“I beg your pardon?” Threepio asked frostily.
“Aw, c’mon,” Stuart said. “You know you’re already an outdated droid.”
Threepio reared back. “Outdated? I speak six million languages, for your information, and —”
“Wow,” Stuart interrupted. “You can make tea in six million languages?”
Threepio was afraid his circuits would explode. But luckily, Artoo interrupted with a series of chirps and whistles.
“Oh,” Threepio said. “You’re teasing me, Master Stuart.”
Stuart grinned. “Space travel can get awfully boring,” he said. “I like to spice things up. No offense, right?”
“No offense,” Threepio said grudgingly.
Stuart wandered off to explore the ship. Artoo chirped at Threepio. “No, Artoo,” Threepio said firmly. “It was not funny.”
Artoo chirped again.
“Not in the least!” Threepio sputtered.
The journey to Delantine went quickly. Artoo spent his time jacked into the ship’s library, learning all he could about the Delantine system. Trux Zissu tried to educate himself as well. Forbee-X prepared her lab kit to test minerals. Threepio didn’t have much to do, and he certainly wasn’t about to make tea for Stuart!
“I know I promised Princess Leia that I would watch over Stuart,” Threepio told Artoo. “I don’t take that lightly. But it isn’t as though she ordered me. It was a request. Exactly how far does my responsibility go? I can’t watch him every minute.”
Forbee could not help but interrupt. “You did not ask my advice, Threepio, but you must understand that Stuart is a young human life-form. Misbehavior is a normal function. Patience is required, and frustration only interferes with your duties. Besides, we are not programmed for it.”
“I know,” Threepio fretted. “But why do I feel it? There is something beyond circuits and connectors, Forbee.”
“That is illogical,” Forbee-X said, her screen turning murky green. “If you’re not programmed for feelings, you shouldn’t feel them.”
Forbee-X glided away. Artoo gave a low whistle. “Yes, Artoo,” Threepio whispered. “Our latest astrodroid model may have an advanced data system, but she has rather a lot to learn.”
“We’re coming out of hyperspace,” Governor Zissu called.
Stuart slid into the copilot’s seat, and everyone else took up secure positions on the bridge.
The ship shuddered as it slowed. The stars seemed to tremble as the Timespan rushed toward them. Then the ship eased into realspace, and Zissu checked its coordinates.
“Perfect,” he said. “It won’t be long now.” Suddenly, he leaned forward, straining at the monitor. “There’s trouble approaching. An Imperial warship.”
“Do you think they’re looking for us?” Threepio asked nervously.
“Our departure was top secret,” Trux Zissu answered. “Let’s just cruise at normal speed. Maybe they’ll go by.”
Just then, the ship shuddered and pitched violently to the right.
“Hang on!” Zissu cried. “That was a blast from a quad laser cannon. We’re under attack!”
Everyone staggered as the laser cannons of the Imperial warship blasted another stunning blow to the Timespan.
“Can’t you activate the deflector shields?” Threepio asked nervously, hanging onto the console.
“Thanks to that last shot, they’re no longer operational,” Governor Zissu said tersely. “And I don’t think this ship has a chance of outrunning an Imperial warship. The question is, why didn’t they broadcast that they wanted to board us? They fired before even sending a signal! They must know I’m aboard.” Zissu looked grim. “I fear we’ve been betrayed.”
Another explosion shook the ship. Stuart glanced at the monitor. “They’re docking, Dad!” he cried. “They just blasted out the boarding lock!”
Zissu looked over at the droids and his son. “Everyone to the escape pod. Now. I’ll hold them off.” He tossed a blaster to Stuart. Then he hesitated. He drew Stuart against his chest for a brief moment. “May the Force be with you, my son.”
Stuart raised his head. He locked eyes with his father. “I’m not leaving you, Father.”
Governor Zissu shook his head. “You must.”
They heard the sound of running footsteps. “The stormtroopers are aboard,” Governor Zissu said. “It’s our only chance to get word back to Princess Leia. Listen to me, Artoo — follow the coordinates already entered in the pod. Now go!”
“You must come now, Master Stuart!” Threepio urged.
Threepio herded Stuart and Forbee-X toward the passageway to the escape pod. Artoo was close behind.
Stuart turned before stepping into the passageway. The stormtroopers had entered the bridge. St
uart watched as his father blasted two to the ground. The next stormtrooper fired, but Zissu leaped onto the console and escaped the blast.
The stormtrooper leveled his blaster. “We have orders to capture or kill, Governor Zissu. Your choice.”
Zissu’s eyes flicked toward the passageway. His steely gaze told Stuart to go.
The governor threw down his blaster. “I don’t recognize your authority, but I’ll obey.”
“Father!” Stuart whispered, starting toward him.
Threepio yanked Stuart backward. He pulled him toward the escape hatch. “We have no time to lose!” he warned.
Artoo activated the hatch. Stuart and the droids sprang into the escape pod. It was crowded, but they all crammed inside. The hatch doors closed behind them.
“Okay, we’re here,” Stuart said. “Now, who’s going to fly this thing?”
“Artoo can,” Threepio said. “He piloted us to Tatooine once before in a pod.”
Artoo beeped at Threepio.
“Yes, yes, all right,” Threepio said. “I’ll activate the ship doors while you jack into the navicomputer. Just hurry!”
Stuart sat on the padded gee-couch. He looked dazed.
Suddenly they heard pounding on the hatch. A blow from a laser made the whole pod shudder. Forbee-X’s screen turned an alarming red. “May I make a suggestion?” Her calm tone changed to an urgent screech. “Launch!”
“Good idea.” Threepio listened to Artoo’s beeped instructions. He drew the launch lever back, and the escape doors of the Timespan opened. Artoo beeped at the navicomputer, which responded with a firing of thrusters. A split second later, the escape pod hurtled out into the stars.
Threepio hurried to stand next to Forbee at the dorsal viewport. They looked back at the Imperial warship.
“They aren’t turning,” Threepio noted with relief. “They’re letting us go. All they wanted was Governor Zissu. We’re safe.”
Artoo beeped and flashed his red lights.
“Yes, Artoo, I know,” Threepio agreed. “Safe for the moment, I should say. The question is, where do we go now?”
“Father said that coordinates have been entered,” Stuart said, rising from the couch. “That means we’re heading to Delantine. Lucky we’re so close. This sure is a bucket of bolts,” he observed, examining the cabin. “How old is this thing? It looks like it’ll bust apart if we bump against some space dust.”