Chapter Fifty-Five
For the next two days North issued frantic orders, and he never let the
droid out of his sight as he drained it of every bit of information it
possessed. If a freighter on full shields could plunge through the nova
wall and out again, his warships could, in leap. It had never been
done, but North was sure it would work. But there was only one way to
find out for sure.
2 The Morning Star left orbit and travelled to the closest system The
Republic occupied. There North sat in position looking at the
incredibly bright star on the screen. "Well, now we'll find out how
well your system works, I.S.!" North commented to the droid securely
anchored to the floor beside him. "If we don't punch through that nova
wall fast enough, you'll be one of the first to know!"
3 North could swear the droid looked worried, but he knew that was
impossible. "Alright, Helm!" ordered North, "Fire her up! At
appropriate speed and trajectory, inject crystal!"
4 "Yes, sir!" the Navigator snapped. Moments later The Morning Star
blinked out of existence, and reappeared light years away. North felt a
little bit more shaky than usual, but quickly looked at the screen. It
was like they were inside a great, glowing ball that was expanding at
the speed of light.
5 Ahead of them they could see nothing but empty darkness. Their
instruments, however, detected a white dwarf and the black hole it
orbited.
6 "We have a fix, sir," announced Helm.
7 "Good!" snapped North, "take us in-system. I'm going to make several
random course changes. Then, I want you to calculate our leap point
from those bearings alone."
8 Three hours later the Navigations Officer and Helm announced they
were ready. "Fire 'em up!" ordered North,