The double sets of wings on Luke Skywalker's X-wing fighter were pulled together to

form one wing as the small, sleek craft streaked away from the planet of snow and ice.

During his flight, the young commander had time to reflect on the events of the

past few days. He now had time to ponder the enigmatic words of the ghostly Ben

Kenobi and think about his friendship with Han Solo, and also consider his tenuous

relationship with Leia Organa. As he thought of the people he cared most about, he

arrived at a sudden decision. Gazing back one last time at the small icy planet, he

told himself there was no longer any turning back.

Luke flipped a number of switches on his control board and took the X-wing into

a steep turn. He watched the heavens shift as he rocketed off in a new direction,

flying at top velocity. He was bringing his craft back onto an even course when

Artoo, still snug in his specially designed socket, began to whistle and beep.

The miniature computer installed in Luke's ship for translating the droid's

language flashed the small droid's message onto a control panel viewscreen.

"There's nothing wrong, Artoo," Luke replied after reading the translation.

"I'm just setting a new course."

The small droid beeped excitedly, and Luke turned to read the updated printout

on the viewscreen.

"No," Luke replied, "we're not going to regroup with the others."

This news startled Artoo, who immediately emitted a series of galvanic noises.

"We're going to the Dagobah system," answered Luke.

Again the robot beeped, calculating the amount of fuel carried by the X-wing.

"We have enough power."

Artoo gave vent to a longer, singsong series of toots and whistles.

"They don't need us there," said Luke to the droid's question about the planned

Rebel rendezvous.

Artoo then gently beeped a reminder about Princess Leia's order. Exasperated,

the young pilot exclaimed, "I'm countermanding that order! Now, be still."

The little droid fell silent. Luke was, after all, a commander in the Rebel

Alliance and, as such, could countermand orders. He was making a few minor

adjustments on the controls when Artoo chirped up again.

"Yes, Artoo," sighed Luke.

This time the droid made a series of soft noises, selecting each beep and whistle

carefully. He did not want to annoy Luke, but the findings on his computer were

important enough to report.

"Yes, Artoo, I know the Dagobah system doesn't appear on any of our

navigational charts. But don't worry. It's there."

Another worried beep from the R2 unit.

"I'm very sure," the youth said, trying to reassure his mechanical companion.

"Trust me."

Whether or not Artoo did trust the human being at the X-wing's controls, he only

vented a meek little sigh. For a moment he was completely silent, as if thinking.

Then he beeped again.

"Yes, Artoo?"

This communication from the robot was even more carefully put forth than

before—one might even call the whistle-sentences tactful. It seemed Artoo had no

intention of offending the human to whom he had entrusted himself. But wasn't it

possible, the robot calculated, that the human's brain was slightly malfunctioning?

After all, he had lain a long time in the snowdrifts of Hoth. Or, another possibility

computed by Artoo, perhaps the Wampa Ice Creature had struck him more seriously

than Too-Onebee had diagnosed?…

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