The Jewel Casket

The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
Even Threepio was silent. He sat beside Artoo, polishing his fingers for lack ofanything better to do. The others checked their watches, or their weapons, as theafternoon sunlight ticked away. Artoo sat, unmoving except for the little radar screen that stuck out the top of hisblue and silver dome, revolving, scanning the forest. He exuded the calm patienceof a utilized function, a program being run. Suddenly, he beeped. Threepio ceased his obsessive polishing and looked apprehensively into theforest. "Someone's coming," he translated. The rest of the squad faced out; weapons were raised. A twig cracked beyondthe western perimeter. No one breathed. With a weary stride, Luke stepped out of the foliage, into the clearing. Allrelaxed, lowered their guns. Luke was tired to care. He plopped down on the harddirt beside Solo and lay back with an exhausted groan. "Hard day, huh kid?" Han commented.