The Three Ages of Woman

The binding that locked the girl's hands behind her back was primitive andeffective. The constant attention the squad of heavily armed troopers favored herwith might have been out of place for one small female, except for the fact that theirlives depended on her being delivered safely. When she deliberately slowed her pace, however, it became apparent that hercaptors did not mind mistreating her a little. One of the armored figures shoved herbrutally in the small of the back, and she nearly fell. Turning, she gave the offendingsoldier a vicious look. But she could not tell if it had any effect, since the man's facewas completely hidden by his armored helmet. The hallway they eventually emerged into was still smoking around the edges ofthe smoldering cavity blasted through the hull of the fighter. A portable accesswayhad been sealed to it and a circlet of light showed at the far end of the tunnel, bridgingspace between the rebel craft and the cruiser. A shadow moved over her as sheturned from inspecting the accessway, startling her despite her usually unshakableself-control. Above her toward the threatening bulk of Darth Vader, red eyes glaring behindthe hideous breath mask. A muscle twitched in one smooth cheek, but other thanthat the girl didn't react. Nor was there the slightest shake in her voice. "Darth Vader…I should have known. Only you would be so bold—and sostupid. Well, the Imperial Senate will not sit still for this. When they hear that youhave attacked a diplomatic miss—"