Star Wars - Changing Seasons - Part 2 - People of the Guardian by Timothy Zahn

Author:Timothy Zahn [Zahn, Timothy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2004-09-19T03:01:03+00:00

“They’re called crawl-carriers,” Anakin told Kirian and Trissa when they were once again sitting around the kitchen table. “It’s an experimental weapons-delivery system designed for anticity or antibase intrusion.”

“So how is it better than a normal armored carrier?” Kirlan asked.

“Mainly because it can get its package a lot closer before it’s spotted,” Anakin said. “They travel very slowly when they detect sensor probes or nearby observers, and only pick up the pace when no one’s looking. Throw in some camouflage, and they can be on your doorstep before you know it.”

“It’s not something you’d use in the middle of a battle,” Obi-Wan added. “It’s a long-term weapon you’d set moving days or even weeks before you plan to attack.”

“Or you’d use it without any official attack at all,” Kirlan growled. “Look at what it’s carrying; antipersonnel explosives, building-collapsing acids, power-grid-wrecking capacitors. It strikes me more as a terror weapon.”

“You could be right,” Obi-Wan conceded. “We haven’t really seen that sort of thing from the Separatists, but they may be starting to think in new directions.”

“It seems so incredible,” Trissa murmured. “You think something like this couid actually work?”

“It already has,” Obi-Wan told her grimly. “One of these has to be what brought down my scout ship.” He looked sideways at Anakin. “Which brings us to the bad news. According to the base’s records, that particular carrier is still on the loose.”

Trissa caught her breath. “You mean it’s in our fields?”

“Yours or someone else’s,” Anakin said. “The carriers are autonomous, which means that the fact that their base is gone hasn’t bothered it any. If it was fully charged, it could keep going for a longtime.”

“But you can find it, can’t you?” Trissa asked anxiously.

“We’ll certainly try,” Obi-Wan said. “I’ll take the scout ship up first thing in the morning and do a scan. But with all its shielding and camouflage, it’s going to be pretty hard to spot.”

“Plus the fact that all our motion sensors are designed to locate and react to things coming in at high speed,” Anakin added. “Probably why they were experimenting with something this slow in the first place.”

“It has to be making for Vale City,” Kirlan rumbled. “That’s the only population center nearby big enough to bother with.”

“I agree,” Obi-Wan said. “We need to find it before it gets there.” He hesitated. “And then figure out how to stop it.”

“Can’t you call in reinforcements?” Trissa asked.

“We can call, but they may not answer,” Anakin said, “There’s a lot of action going on in this sector right now, and we’re spread pretty thin. Sector Command may not be able to free up anyone.”

“Especially when all that’s at stake is a minor city on an even more minor planet?” Kirlan asked bluntly.

Obi-Wan grimaced but nodded. “Yes.”

Kirlan nodded back. “Thanks for being honest. Okay, then. Can you destroy it?”

“I don’t know,” Obi-Wan had to admit. “They’re programmed for threat analysis and response, which is why the one at the base opened when I approached it. Out there, with

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