acts_of_gord | (no subject)

One thing for sure about the Bar: wherever it's teleporting things in from, the warehouse is top-notch. When Gordon went up to inquire about a movie, it produced not only a DVD of Star Wars, but an appropriate player and television to go with it. Rentals, of course, clearly marked as such, but still.

"I probably should've asked for some popcorn too," Gordon notes as he gets the last few cables plugged in. "Then again, I think we're both full at the moment. Are you ready?"

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From:

acts_of_gord

"He's decisive, I'll give him that," Gordon murmurs. Hey, for a movie like this he's got a pretty strict no spoilers policy.

When the first projection of the Death Star schematics comes up Gordon notes, "This was an editing mistake on the director's part. The main gun isn't located anywhere near the Death Star's equator, but they didn't have the budget to fix the computer graphics before patching it into the movie. I don't even remember how they tried to justify the discrepancy."

From:

vance_prime

"...The approach will not be easy. You're required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust port right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station."

Alyx rolls her eyes. "It's always the ventilation system, isn't it? You'd think somebody would figure out how to secure the vents by now."

From:

acts_of_gord

"In their defense, the station is covered in guns," Gordon points out. "And there's the fighter fleet. But yes, they could've done better." A moment's thought and he adds, "Black Mesa did a better job of securing access to their reactor system. I still want to find whoever designed it and make him run his own gauntlet."

"So...you got your reward and you're just leaving, then?"

"That's right, yeah! I got some old debts I've got to pay off with this stuff. Even if I didn't, you don't think I'd be fool enough to stick around here, do you? Why don't you come with us? You're pretty good in a fight. I could use you."

"Come on! Why don't you take a look around? You know what's about to happen, what they're up against. They could use a good pilot like you. You're turning your back on them."

"What good's a reward if you ain't around to use it? Besides, attacking that battle station ain't my idea of courage. It's more like suicide."

From:

vance_prime

"Same old song and dance," mutters Alyx darkly.

"All wings, report in."
"Red 10, standing by."
"Red 7, standing by."
"Red 3, standing by."
"Red 6, standing by."
"Red 9, standing by."
"Red 2, standing by."
"Red 11, standing by."
"Red 5, standing by."
"Lock S-foils in attack position..."

From:

acts_of_gord

Gordon doesn't smile. No spoilers, after all.

The squadrons draw closer to the vast fortress; the pilots exclaim in surprise, and then the defenses kick in. Lasers everywhere, and explosions on both sides-

"This is Red Five; I'm going in!"

From:

vance_prime

Alyx leans toward the screen, watching the unfolding battle with rapt fascination. The rebel pilots are dodging lasers, firing lasers of their own, and then the TIE fighters begin their pursuit.

"I'm hit, but not bad. R2, see what you can do with it. Hang on back there..."

"That is one brave little robot."

From:

acts_of_gord

"No kidding," Gordon agrees. He always did like R2.

Gold Leader and his Y-wings move in for their run amongst the chaos of battle. Too bad they've attracted Vader's attention.

"I'll take them myself! Cover me!"

From:

vance_prime

"A little cocky, are we?" murmurs Alyx.

For good reason, apparently. Vader is gunning down the rebels one by one. Only one of the first wave of X-Wing pilots survives long enough to fire on the weak point.

"It's a hit!"

"Negative... negative. It didn't go in. Just impacted on the surface."

From:

acts_of_gord

Vader's scything through the rebel fighters, one after another after another. Wedge gets off light, scrambling free barely in time; Biggs, not so much. And Artoo is scrambling with everything the little droid has in him to keep Luke's fighter operational. With Vader's fingers tightening on the fighter's controls, Luke goes for his trench run and switches on the targeting system-

Use the Force, Luke!

From:

vance_prime

"Luke, you switched off your targeting computer. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm all right."

He might be, but R2D2 isn't. Alyx gasps sharply as Vader scores a direct hit on the droid.

From:

acts_of_gord

Gordon squeezes Alyx's hand reassuringly.

"Rebel base, in range."

"You may fire when ready."

"Commence primary ignition."

The TIE fighters are closing in on Luke's fighter; closer, closer...

"I have you now!" says Vader, making ready to fire.

From:

vance_prime

But someone else fires first, taking out one of his escorts.

"Yee-hoo!" whoops Han Solo as the Millennium Falcon comes charging in, taking out the other escort and sending Vader's ship careening into space. "You're all clear, kid, now let's blow this thing and go home!"

Luke doesn't hesitate. His aim is true.

BWABOOOOOM.

From:

acts_of_gord

"Great shot, kid. That was one in a million."

Luke settles back in the cockpit with a smile and closed eyes.

Remember, the Force will be with you...always.

Our heroes return to the sound of cheering and the greetings of their comrades- although Gordon has a feeling he knows exactly where Alyx's eyes are at the moment. After all, Luke got off scot-free, but that doesn't mean everyone did.

From:

vance_prime

And Gordon would be right.

"Oh my! Artoo, can you hear me? Say something! You can repair him, can't you??"

"We'll get to work on him right away."

"You must repair him! Sir, if any of my circuits or gears will help, I'll gladly donate them--"

"He'll be alright."

"Don't just walk away!" cries Alyx. "Help him! He's the only reason you got this far!"

Edited Date: 2008-10-09 03:13 am (UTC)

From:

acts_of_gord

"They will," Gordon murmurs. "They will, you'll see."

She's going to have to take his word for it, because the camera then cuts to the assembled Rebel troops in the temple as the music swells for the final awards ceremony. (Aren't we lucky that Artoo makes his presence known as soon as he's capable?)

That last rendition of the march is, in Gordon's estimation, one of John Williams' finer works.

From:

vance_prime

Annnd roll credits.

"...Well. That was fun."

From:

acts_of_gord

"I always enjoyed it," Gordon says. "There's not a lot of movies where I"m willing to put up with the bad science for the sake of the entertainment. This was one of them."

From:

vance_prime

Alyx nods. "And there's two more movies, right?"

From:

acts_of_gord

"Yeah. I didn't get them, though. One movie at a time sort of seemed like enough."

From:

vance_prime

"Yeah, I think I'm about ready to call it a night," says Alyx, lifting herself away from the pillow-backrest so she can stretch properly. "Thanks, Gordon."

From:

acts_of_gord

Gordon leans over and switches off the television with the remote; he's not fond of leaving things running in the background. "You're welcome," he says quietly, and then, "Want me to stay?"

From:

vance_prime

"Um. Sure, if you want..."

From:

acts_of_gord

... okay, was that a good um or a bad um? Now he's all nervous.

"Wouldn't've asked if I didn't," he finally says. "But if you don't want- I mean..."

Okay. Shutting up now.

From:

vance_prime

She gently puts her hands on his shoulders. "No, no, Gordon, it's okay. I do want you to stay, I just..." She bites her lip, unsure of how to continue.