The Three Ages of Woman

The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
Venus and Cupid
"Fagh! You just said it yourself, Vader: we'll get nothing more out of her. I'llfind that hidden fortress if I have to destroy every star system in this sector. I'll—" a quiet yet demanding beep interrupted him. "Yes, what is it?" he inquiredirritably. A voice reported over an unseen speaker. "Sirs, we've captured a smallfreighter that was entering the remains of Alderaan. A standard check indicates thatits markings apparently match that of the ship which blasted its way out of thequarantine at Mos Eisley, Tatooine system, and went hyper before the Imperialblockade craft there could close on it." Tarkin looked puzzled. "Mos Eisley? Tatooine? What is this? What's thisall about, Vader?" "It means, Tarkin, that the last of our unresolved difficulties is about to beeliminated. Someone apparently received the missing data tapes, learned whotranscribed them, and was trying to return them to her. We may be able to facilitatetheir meeting with the Senator." Tarkin started to say something, hesitated, then nodded in understanding. "Howconvenient. I leave this matter in your hands, Vader." The Dark Lord bowed slightly, a gesture, which Tarkin acknowledged withperfunctory salute. Then he spun and strode from the room, leaving Motti lookingfrom man to man in confusion. The freighter sat listlessly in the docking hangar of the huge bay. Thirty armedImperial troopers stood before the lowered man ramp leading into the ship. Theysnapped to attention when Vader and a Commander approached. Vader halted at thebase of the ramp, studying the vessel as an officer and several soldiers came forward. "There was no reply to our repeated signals, sir, so we activated the ramp fromoutside. We've made no contact with anyone aboard either by communicator or inperson," the officer reported. "Send your men in," Vader ordered. Turning, the officer relayed to command to a noncom, who barked orders. Anumber of the heavily armored soldiers made their way up the ramp and entered theouter hold. They advanced with appreciable caution.