If nervous people feel butterflies in their stomachs, Han is feeling bats. The walker has appeared out of nowhere, like a void spider in pursuit of warm blood. But the walker is more dangerous.
Han wastes no time targeting. He simply aims the Falcon’s twin gun wells forward and fires the laser cannons. Four blue bursts strike the walker – and bounce off its armor.
“I think I made a mistake,” he mutters, turning away and accelerating.
The walker fires again. Two red laser bolts explode in the ship’s belly. The Falcon bucks, knocking several deserters not yet strapped-in from their seats. The belly gun well damage control light flares.
Chewbacca snaps a complaint.
“I’ve been working just as hard,” Han responds. “Don’t blame me.” He pulls the Falcon into a steep climb. They are already out of range.
“Ooouugharr?”
“How about him?” Han says, jerking his thumb toward Sodarra. “He’s the one they want.”
“Eeeoogh!”
“Okay, so it was my idea to pick him up. We’ve got to make a profit on this trip somehow. You can bet Leia isn’t going to pay.”
As they reach Mon Torri’s upper atmosphere, the freighter’s cabin begins to lose pressure. Lieutenant Birdloe is the one who identifies the cause: the walker’s shots have penetrated the underbelly and burst two cells in the power core. Han circles at low altitude while Sodarra’s men seal the leaking cells and plug the breach. Five minutes later, the Falcon leaves the atmosphere.
When they pass Mon Torri’s rings, Han breathes a sigh of relief. The Eradicator is nowhere in sight. As the nav computer calculates the hyperspace course, Han and Chewbacca let Lieutenant Birdloe monitor the cockpit while they inspect the damage. There are actually two holes, each about the size of a man’s head. Chewbacca will not be able to repair them until the vessel reaches a port.
Returning to the cockpit, Han takes the Falcon into hyperspace toward the Aldo Spachian Comet.
The walker’s shot destroyed two cells from the Falcon’s power core. Keep track of the number of power cells Han and Chewbacca use (or lose) during this adventure.