Rila: Hello! Been a while, hasn't it? Darth Real life likes to choke me when school rolls around, plus work and now NaNo. But I'm still alive, and I enjoy what I do, so *shrugs* can't complain. :3
Disclaim: I wish I owned Star Wars. But I don't, so...
Word Count: 641
CC-3293 was grateful for his bucket. The constant, steady stream of information that scrolled down the inside, and the way it kept his breathing muffled as he rounded the corner. It offered him an odd sort of comfort, but comfort none the less.. His comlink chirped and he stifled a curse, throwing his free hand over the device and ducking into the cover of a gap between two durasteel walls.
Keying it, CC-3293's eyes narrowed behind his bucket as he hissed, "What?"
"The bombs have been set, sir." The yellow-green light flickered with the trooper's voice, and CC-3293 glanced towards the opening of the gap before answering,
"Good. Get to the ship."
"Yes sir!" The comlink fell silent and CC-3293 lowered his arm and slid away from his impromptu hiding place. The mission to blow up this forsaken Separatist ship was going smoothly, all bombs placed in their designated areas - all but one.
CC-3293 ran a hand over the inactive bomb clipped to his belt before nodding to himself and darting down the corridor, blaster gripped tightly, pace brisk. His bucket's comlink chirped this time and he didn't hesitate in answering. "What is it?"
"Where are you, sir?"
"On my way. Get ready to get out of here." He lowered his arm and rounded the corner, finger squeezing the trigger as his eyes landed upon the approaching group of droids. They were B1s - not much to them in the way of strength or intelligence. The sound of blaster fire filled the air as they spotted him, his bright blue bolts against their red ones.
Several whizzed by his head, too close for comfort. Teeth grinding together, he shifted - and then found himself sprawled on the floor, blaster falling out of his hand and skittering across the floor, just out of reach. Breathing hard, CC-3293 was all too aware of the warmth that seeped under his armor, across his chest. The smell was too familiar to be ignored, the pain too real to be faked - he was dying.
He lay there silently, his own ragged breathing played back to him by his bucket. But he couldn't die yet. Not yet. Ignoring the twinge and the flow of blood across his skin, CC-3293 forced his hand towards his belt, fingers closing around the metal of the bomb.
Pulling it away, CC-3293 keyed his comlink, ignoring the scrape of metal feet against the floor. "Detonate the bombs."
"Sir, where are you?"
He coughed, lips slick with the taste of blood and spit. "That doesn't matter. Do as you're told!"
"But sir-"
"Did I stutter?" Anger flared and he found himself glaring despite not being able to see the trooper in question. "Detonate the bombs!" Shifting, CC-3293 pressed the button on the explosive. It clicked and began a high, rhythmic beeping. A countdown, echoing the beat of footsteps nearing.
"Is he dead?"
"I don't know. He looks dead."
There was a kick to his side, a hollow sound against his plastoid covers. CC-3293 watched them through eyes that were rapidly dimming, lips curving in a triumphant smile. There was a faint, electronic whimper as the charges exploded, followed by muted rumbling. The floor beneath him trembled as his hearing began to fade to the sound of panicked droids. This is the way the world ends, he thought as he shut his eyes, not with a bang, but with a whimper.