PAO%MIT-XX@sri-unix.UUCP (07/08/83)
Mike Bergman asks why Lando didn't leave immediately after discovering that they had stumbled into a trap. First, they were already in the trap. When they pulled up from the attack on the (still protected) Death Star, they found their path blocked by several Star Destroyers and TIE fighters, which they then engaged in battle. Second, Lando still wanted to destroy the Death star. Admiral Ackbar ordered the rebel fleet to disengage and leave, but General Calrissian replied, "We won't get another chance at this [destroying the Death Star]. We've got to give Han more time." He believed that Han and crew would eventually get that shield down. As to why the Emperor didn't use the Death Star to wipe up the rebel fleet, I also posit two reasons. Immediately upon learning that the Death Star was operational, General Calrissian ordered the fleet to engage the Star Destoyers at "point blank range." This tactic, presumably, would protect the rebels, as even the Emperor would not want to destroy his own troops (bad for morale). In any case, the destruction of the fleet was chicken feed compared to the Emperor's real objective, that of turning Luke to the Dark Side. Even the Emperor realized Luke's strength with the force, when he told Lord Vader that "only together can we turn him to the Dark Side." The use of the presumed incomplete Death Star was just one facet of the Emperor's plan. Rather than simply clean up the "rebel scum" with a few quick shots of that terrible beam, His Royal Highness preferred to drag out the affair, to cause even more pain to the young Jedi. May the force be with you, Pat O'Donnell PAO@MIT-MC