Solo was busily checking readouts from gauges and dials in the hold area.
Occasionally he would pass a small box across various sensors, study the result, and cluck with pleasure.
"You can stop worrying about your Imperial friends," he told Luke and Ben.
"They’ll never be able to track us now. Told you I’d lose them." Kenobi might have nodded briefly in response, but he was engaged in explaining something to Luke.
"Don’t everybody thank me at once," Solo grunted, slightly miffed. "Anyway, navigation computer calculates our arrival in Alderaan orbit at oh-two-hundred. I’m afraid after this little adventure I’ll have to forge a new registration." He returned to his checking, passing in front of a small circular table. The top was covered with small squares lit from beneath, while computer monitors were set into each side. Tiny three-dimensional figures were projected above the tabletop from various squares.
Chewbacca sat hunched over on side of the table, his chin resting in massive hands. His great eyes glowing and facial whiskers wrinkled upward, he gave every sign of being well pleased with himself.
At least, he did until Artoo Detoo reached up with a stubby clawed limb across from him and tapped his own computer monitor. One of the figures walked abruptly across the board to a new square and stopped there.
An expression of puzzlement, then anger crossed the Wookie’s face as he studied the new configuration. Glaring up and over the table, he vented a stream of abusive gibberish on the inoffensive machine. Artoo could only beep in reply, but Threepio soon interceded on behalf of his less eloquent companion and began arguing with the hulking anthropoid.
"He executed a fair move. Screaming about it won’t help you." Attracted by the commotion, Solo looked back over his shoulder, frowning slightly. "Let him have it. Your friend’s way ahead anyhow. It’s not wise to upset a Wookie." "I can sympathize with that opinion, sir," Threepio countered, "but there is principle at stake here. There are certain standards any sentient creature must hold to. If one compromises them for any reason, including intimidation, then one is abrogating his right to be called intelligent." "I hope you’ll both remember that," Solo advised him, "when Chewbacca is pulling the arms off you and your little friend." "Besides that, however," Threepio continued without missing a beat, "being greedy or taking advantage of someone in a weakened position is a clear sign of poor sportsmanship." That elicited a beep of outrage from Artoo, and the two robots were soon engaged in violent electronic argument while Chewbacca continued jabbering at each in turn, occasionally waving at them though the translucent pieces waiting patiently on the board.
责任编辑：mman
