Hylas and the Nymphs

computers inside his barrel-like metal body, taking only moments to juggle numeroussets of mathematical computations, and climaxing his figurings with a series oftriumphant beeps. "Ma'am," Threepio interpreted, "Artoo says the chances against survival areseven hundred twenty-five to one." Then, tilting toward the shorter robot, theprotocol droid grumbled, "Actually, I don't think we needed to know that." No one responded to Threepio's translation. For several prolonged momentsthere was a solemn silence, broken only by the echoing clang of metal slammingagainst metal: the huge doors of the Rebel base were closed for the night. It was asif some heartless deity had officially severed the assembled group from the two menout on the ice plains and had, with a metallic bang, announced their deaths. Chewbacca led out another suffering howl. And a silent prayer, often spoken on an erstwhile world called Alderaan, creptinto Leia's thoughts. The sun that was creeping over Hoth's northern horizon was relatively dim, butits light was enough to shed some warmth on the planet's icy surface. The light