Long before they have closed to maximum range, the TIEs begin firing with rapidity and no regard for targeting. Their lack of aim creates a maze of energy bolts between them and the Falcon. Han shakes his head in bewilderment. What are they doing?
Finally, he thinks he understands. “Rookies!” he shouts gleefully.
The rapid-fire maneuver is a panic defense. Young pilots instinctively use it to keep experienced opponents at a safe distance. The tactic seldom works.
Han reverses the Falcon’s direction and flees. The inexperienced Imperial pilots will surely think they have intimidated him with their wild fire. When he judges he has brought enough time, Han turns to face the TIEs. He targets on the center fighter, ignoring the on-rushing barrage. He does not fire. Instead, he plots the courses of the second and third fighters, then feeds the data to the targeting computer.
By the time Han presses the trigger, TIE laser cannon streaks blossom all around the cokpit. Han does not worry. The TIEs are firing blindly.
The Falcon’s laser cannons flare and four streams of blue energy converge on the first fighter. It dissolves into a streak of glittering refuse. The laser cannons flash again and the second fighter erupts in a ball of orange flame. The cannons blaze a third time – and find nothing.
After witnessing the fate of his companions, the remaining Imperial pilot has changed tactics. He drops the TIE into a spinning dive and flees for safety. His guns remain idle as he streaks past the Falcon. Perhaps he hopes Han will not bother him if he does not fire.
He is wrong. Han loops the Falcon and follows. It might be safe to let the fighter go, but it is safer to pursue. TIE fighters move faster than the Falcon; Han does not want this one to come back on his tail.
The Falcon’s laser cannons blaze. The laser bursts flash so frequently they merge into a single beam. Still the TIE, weaving and darting like a panicked insect, avoids the deadly touch of the blue light. The range increases and Han cannot push the Falcon any faster.
Then the TIE pilot cuts to the left, hoping to shake his pursuer. That is a mistake; the Falcon trails so far behind that Han has plenty of time to react. He cuts the corner and closes the distance in the blink of an eye. A moment later, the Falcon’s laser cannons strike. A 500 meter strip of flame lights the vast blackness.
Han grins and drops his glance to check on the destroyer. What he sees changes his smile to a frown. The Eradicator has accelerated and now closes fast. Within seconds, it will reach effective firing range.
“Star Destroyers can’t move that fast!” he exclaims.
Chewbacca groans.
“I know how far back I followed the last TIE,” Han responds, “and it wasn’t this far.” He turns the Falconaway and begins plotting a hyperdrive course to the Aldo Spachian System.
The next instant, a storm of light erupts ahead. The Star Destroyer has opened up a maximum range. Like the TIE fighters, it fires blindly.
“Look what Leia’s gotten us into now!” Han exclaims, shocked by the premature shot. “What’s wrong with those guys, anyway?”
Chewbacca groans a tentative theory.
“Yeah, it’s almost like they just want to scare us -” Han’s expression turns to one of sudden insight. “That’s it, Chewbacca! That’s why the TIEs attacked like rookies – they wanted to keep us from breaking away! But what’s important enough to lose three TIEfighters over?”
Chewbacca activates the visual enhances. He focuses it on the corvette the Imperials are boarding. “Aeoough,” he reports.
“An Imperial courier corvett?” Han responds. “Why would a Star Destroyer board and Imperial courier?”
The destroyer fires again and another storm of light flashes ahead. “Whatever the reason,” Han observes, “they don’t want any witnesses.”
Han estimates they have thirty seconds to wait before the nav computer completes hyperdrive calculations.
If Han tries to escape into hyperspace, Click Here
If Han tries to escape into Mon Torri’s rings, Click Here