Trapped Read Online Free PDF Page B

real meaning: I serve the Emperor, not you.
    â€œThe Emperor cannot be troubled to concern himself with the fate of a single Rebel pilot—or a single Imperial commander,” Vader replied.
    The meaning behind his words was equally clear: The Emperor won’t protect you, not from me.
    â€œReturn your attention to your own affairs,” Vader said. “Leave Skywalker to me. ”
    The transmission cut off abruptly. Soresh opened his desk drawer and pulled out his flask of Dorian Quill. He took a long swig.
    His hands were shaking.
    But amid the terror, his mind was spinning. Vader knew the pilot’s name—perhaps had known all along? And yet instead of hunting him down, as the Emperor desired, Vader was letting the man live free. At least for now. And he was warning Soresh to stay away. Because he wanted the glory of the kill all to himself?
    Maybe, Soresh thought.
    But maybe it was something else. Something Vader didn’t want anyone to know about.
    Something that could destroy him.

T he digits flashed on the screen, waiting for Luke to make a decision. Or rather, a series of decisions, each of which could get them killed.
    Input the Imperial docking codes—and, if the codes were false, risk being blown to bits by a fleet of TIE fighters. Or ignore the Imperial docking codes—and risk being blown to bits by a fleet of TIE fighters.
    Even if he did transmit the docking codes and they worked, then what? Attempt to board the Star Destroyer and find out exactly what the Empire wanted from Lune Divinian? Buy themselves enough time to follow their mysterious helper’s instructions and take a hyperspace jump to who-knew-where? Or flee back to Yavin 4, without answers—but with their lives?
    â€œI think we should go for it,” Div said suddenly. “I...I just have a good feeling about this.”
    â€œYou want to make a decision based on a hunch ?” Luke asked, knowing exactly what Han would have to say about that. And yet Div had put his finger on exactly what Luke was feeling. Was that the Force, telling him that the mysterious TIE fighter was trustworthy?
    Or was it just wishful thinking?
    Aware that time was running out, Luke closed his eyes, trying to connect with his instincts. But when he did, all he saw was X-7’s sneering face—a cold reminder of what happened when you trusted the wrong person. There were always consequences.
    â€œTrust your instincts,” Div said, and at the sound of his voice, the image of X-7 fell away. “And in the meantime, get ready to fire.”
    Trust your feelings, echoed a voice in his head. Ben’s voice.
    His feelings were telling him that an ally was nearby. A friend. But was that friend in the TIE fighter, helping him escape—or was the friend a prisoner desperate to be rescued from the Star Destroyer? What if the TIE fighter was just trying to send Luke on a wild-goose chase so he wouldn’t discover the truth?
    The seconds were ticking by, and the TIE fighters were powering up their weapons. But Luke had learned something else from Ben: Hasty action could often be more dangerous than inaction. Sometimes it was best to wait until you were sure.
    â€œLuke, make a drokking decision or—”
    A spurt of laserfire burst out of the nearest TIE fighter and slammed into the ship, which bucked beneath them. Luke was thrown off his feet. He flew backward, slamming into the rear bulkhead. A sharp pain radiated through his head and down his spine. Div was saying something, but Luke couldn’t take it in. His ears were ringing. Red spots swam across his field of vision. The ship shuddered as Div fired toward the TIE fighters. Smoke billowed from the sensor array. Luke shook his head, trying to clear it. Unsteady but determined, he pulled himself to his feet.
    Div was frantically trying to keep them alive. But they were wildly outnumbered, and they’d already used most of their missiles. As for evasive