Ignoring the two TIE fighters, Han opens the sublight drive to the maximum. The maneuver takes the Imperial pilots by surprise. Two seconds later, the Falcon reaches firing range.
The spacetrooper shuttle hangs against Mon Torri’s white disc like a stubby insect floating in a cup of Altorian milk-ale. Its black body forms an ideal target silhouette.
Han opens fire with everything the Falcon carries. He hopes to cripple the shuttle before the spacetroopers begin boarding operations. Once Imperials have actually boarded the corvette, he and Chewbacca will have no chance to rescue the crew. Spacetroopers are the best trained and most heavily armed of the Emperor’s stormtroopers. Han’s blaster pistol, or even Chewbacca’s bowcaster, will prove little use against miniature proton torpedo hurlers or suit-mounted blaster cannons.
The shuttle returns fire with two banks of laser cannons. Only the fact that the shuttle sits dead in space gives Han a chance of success. Most spacetrooper shuttles carry enough armament to battle a squadron of X-wing fighters.
Four energy bolts flash past the cockpit from the read, reminding Han of the TIE fighters behind him. “We’d better make good use of our shields,” Han observes, “or we’ll be spaceslag quicker than you can say protoplasm.” He faces a crucial decision. He can tell Chewbacca to angle the shields forward to protect them from the shuttle, backward to protect them from the pursuing TIEs, or split them to provide some protection from both enemies. Although the shuttle boasts heavier weapons than the TIEs, it does not appear to be focusing its entire attention on the Falcon. Han wonders if it is sufficiently occupied for him to land his sucker punch.
Chewbacca gasps.
“Imperial markings on the corvette?” Han responds. “Somebody must have stolen it from the Empire.”
If Han angles the shields backward, Click Here
If Han angles the shields forward, Click Here
If Han splits the shields’ protection, Click Here
If Han abandons the corvette and flees, Click Here