“So a swift ascent to an altitude of 10,000 lightyears will damage the TimeWarp Stability Core?”
“Yes. But to be sure we destroy the device, we’ll have to make the ascent with it twice.”
“Go up twice?! Are you sure? A single ascent like that is dangerous, two sounds like suicide!”
“Maybe, but it’s not the ascents that will be the problem, it’s the descent between. That’s where they’ll attack.”
“How do you know?”
“That’s where I would attack.”
Suicide switchbacks (photo by Lesli Cohen)
The rebels have finally discovered a way to neutralise the dreaded TimeWarp device used to such devastating effect by the Empire against them. Extensive examination of the artificial TimeWarps themselves by the Engineers working with the Rebels has revealed a potential weakness in the structure. The Engineers have theorised that a sudden shift in altitude will damage the stability core of the device, deactivating the TimeWarps.
The rebels might think they know how to destroy the device, but they have to get their hands on them first. The Empire Forces have at least one, probably protected by Darth Sagan. The Separatists have one, and the plans for others, but the rebels are still confident that they remain unsure how to operate the device to maximum effect. It is decided that the first target should be the device held by the Separatists.
The rebels send the quickest ship in the fleet, Solo’s Millennium Falcon, to the last known location of The Separatist faction holding the device. Finally, the rebels catch a lucky break, and the Falcon intercepts the Separatist vessel at the expected position. Solo sends two of his most experienced crew to board the Separatist vessel and snatch the weapon before they can react. Returning triumphant to the rebel rendezvous, the rebels decide to act immediately to try and destroy it.
Illustration by Oliver King
Van Garderen, the young Padawan to the Jedi Evans, volunteers to take the device to the height required and back again, before making the ascent for a second time. With him he takes the AG2R droid R1B70N. Behind them, the Europ’car have volunteered Voeckler and Rolland to provide covering fire in the event of an Empire attack. Solo and Skyrider with their retinues follow behind.
Disaster nearly strikes the advance party twice. The young Padawan suffers a mechanical issue with his fighter, while R1B70N veers off course and has to race to catch back up to Van Garderen. Sensing that the advance party needs assistance, the Quintana puts in a burst of energy to bridge the gap, and joins up with Skyrider, Porte and Rodriguez to offer assistance should Van Garderen need it.
Skyrider falters, and stumbles. His Padawan Porte, immediately concerned by this uncharacteristic display, drops off the group to grab some food and drink for his mentor. The pressure of command appears to finally be affecting the normally calm and controlled Jedi.
Having made the first ascent and dropped back down, Van Garderen and R1B70N are on their second pass when the Padawan begins to tire. Realising that Van Garderen might not make the distance, the droid R1B70N takes the device and makes the final push for the ascent alone, passing the fading Van Garderen and ensuring the weapon reaches the critical altitude.
To be continued…
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