The Lady of Shalott

toward his own ship. Luke had a hundred questions toask him, and no time for even one. "I've got to get aboard my own boat, Luke. Listen, you'll tell me your storieswhen we come back. All right?" "All right. I told you I'd make it here someday, Biggs." "You did." His friend was moving toward a cluster of waiting fighter, adjustinghis flight suit. "It's going to be like old time, Luke. We're a couple of shootingstars that can't be stopped!" Luke laughed. They used to reassure themselves with that cry when theypiloted starships of sandhills and dead logs behind the flaking, pitted buildings ofAnchorhead…years and years ago. Once more Luke turned toward his ship, admiring its deadly lines. DespiteBlue Leader's assurances, he had to admit that it didn't look much like an Incomskyhopper. Artoo Detoo was being snuggled into the R-2 socket behind the fightercockpit. A forlorn metal figure stood below, watching the operation and shufflingnervously about. "Hold on tight," See Threepio was cautioning the smaller robot. "You've got tocome back. If you don't come back, who am I going to have to yell at?" ForThreepio, that query amounted to an overwhelming outburst of emotion. Artoo beeped confidently down at his friend, however, as Luke mounted thecockpit entry. Farther down the hangar he saw Blue Leader already set in hisacceleration chair and signaling to his ground crew. Another roar was added to themonstrous din filling the hangar area as ship after ship activated its engines. In thatenclosed rectangle of temple the steady thunder was overpowering. Slipping into the cockpit seat, Luke studied the various controls as groundattendants began wiring him via cords and umbilicals into the ship. His confidenceincreased steadily. The instrumentation was necessarily simplified and, as BlueLeader had indicated, much like his old skyhopper. Something patted his helmet, and he glanced left to see the crew chief leaningclose. He had to shout to be heard above the deafening howl of multiple engines."That R-2 unit of yours seems a little beat-up. Do you want a new one?" Luke glanced briefly back at the secured 'droid before replying. Artoo Detoolooked like a permanent piece of the fighter.