"Naboo is beautiful!"
"It is," Tin nodded as he watched the city came nearer and nearer to their view. Theed. A beautiful human capital city of Naboo. "This is Theed, a capital city of Naboo, young master."
"Wow," Luke smiled as he stood on his toe to watch the beautiful city through the ship's window. Tin smiled and shook his head. He turned to look at the pilot who was also smiling. Unlike the presence of his father, Luke's presence seemed to be bringing lights and happiness to everywhere he goes.
"Our first stop will be at the Imperial facility where we'll stay during our time here," Tin said. "Then we'll take a trip around Theed, exploring the city." It's his surprise that Lord Vader approved of the schedule he arranged the first time he sent it to his boss for approval and permission.
"I can't wait to visit that place." The boy replied as he pointed to a group of round beautiful buildings located near a cliff with a large waterfall. "What is that place?"
"That is Theed Royal Palace, young master." Tin replied. "I'm sorry, but we're not allowed to visit the palace in this time of the year. They rarely let anyone visit, not even their own citizens unless there is a festival or a celebration."
Luke pouted but didn't complain. The boy spent several seconds on his toes until Tin called Luke to take the seat as they're about to land.
/
A squad of elite Stormtroopers approached them after the shuttle had landed. They're Luke's bodyguards. The leader was known as Captain Coyote. Tin had been introduced to him briefly while they're on the Star Destroyer. Captain Coyote and his squad was one of the very first squads to be deployed to Naboo after the Star Destroyer reached the planet. Their job was to make sure the place was secured. And after the area was secured, the rest followed. Lord Vader leaded half of the troopers in the Star Destroyer to the Imperial facilities on Naboo before attending the meeting. Luke and Tin were in the last group to leave the cruiser.
"Sergeant,"
"Captain," Tin nodded at the head of Luke's security. "I hope that everything is as it should be?"
"It is," Captain Coyote nodded. "This way," and then he gestured for Luke and Tin to follow. Behind them were the droids that were responsible for their luggage.
Tin could tell that Luke was a little afraid of Captain Coyote and his men. The boy stayed closer to him than usual, almost clinging to his leg. Tin wasn't sure what to do, he felt sorry for the boy but at the same time he was proud that his young master could hold himself together.
/
Luke's quarter was on the East side of the highest floor. It featured a large balcony with a nice view on Theed Royal Palace and the city itself. Tin's room was in Luke's quarter too, right beside Luke's bedroom.
Captain Coyote and his men stood guard as Luke, Tin, and the droids went inside the quarter. By Tin's standard, this quarter was better than in Darim. It might be too plain, but Tin was sure that he and Luke would manage.
Tin directed the droids to load the boy's clothes and stuffs in as quickly as they could, before turning to Luke who was already at the balcony.
"Will we be…alone?" Luke asked. "I just don't like…Captain Coyote and his friends…"
"Master Luke," Tin shook his head, a soft smile on his face. "It's okay to be scared."
"I…" Luke gulped. The boy was hesitated; Tin could tell. "…I…but…Father said that I must not be scared, it's a feeling for the weak…"
Shit, I hope Lord Vader will spare me; now it's time for Tin to gulp. He hoped he would not cross the line here. "Well, but you cannot stop being scared by something unless you accept that you're scared. So, to not be scared is to accept that you can be scared."
"I…" Luke seemed confused. "I've to be scared first…to be able to stop being scared?"
"Yes, that's right." Tin nodded. "So, back to your question. I'm sorry to say that we won't be alone, but Captain Coyote and his crews won't be too close."
"Okay," Luke nodded and didn't say anything else. The boy seemed to have making up his mind and Tin sighed, hoping that Lord Vader wouldn't mind him telling Luke that it's okay to be scared sometimes.
-/-
They started the trip around the city after Luke had his lunch. Tin described each important places they had passed as the speeders made its way around the peaceful city. Luke listened with interest and always asked Tin questions after questions about the place he was interested in.
Captain Coyote and his squad were not far behind, but kept their distances and pretended that they're on their routine patrol not driving in a giant loose circle surrounded Tin and Luke who were on a Gian speeder. Lord Vader had mentioned before the clone sent his schedules for his boss to check that he didn't want to draw any attention to Luke during their stay on Naboo. So, the best way to do that was to pretend that Luke and Tin were also the Naboo, and that meant dressing like the locals and using the Naboo's local vehicles instead of the Imperial's.
They spent only an hour and a half to cover everything but that's not all; Tin already had a place for Luke to visit today. It's a museum, a Museum of Vehicles, located just several blocks away from the Imperial's facility.
/
"A Museum of Vehicles?" Luke read the sign above the entrance to the big white building with interest. "Do I have to remember the vehicles in side?" The boy asked with nervous voice. Tin immediately understood what Luke meant. The boy thought that this was a part of his lesson which he had to remember the vehicles and their military purposes.
"No, not all of them, just the ones that you want to tell Lord Vader about," Tin replied with a soft smile. He knew Luke was bored of one of his lesson that required him to remember Imperial ships. He hoped that by going to this place, Luke might be more interested in vehicles and found that lesson more enjoyable.
"Okay," Luke nodded and followed Tin into the museum. Half of Luke bodyguards followed not far behind, but not close enough to make the boy felt uncomfortable or drew attention toward them. Also, Captain Coyote and some of his men had gone inside first to make sure that the area was safe.
The museum was as impressive as the comments on the holonet suggested. The first floor was filled with shuttles from various eras and some part of the engines for larger ships that were too big to put in the building. Luke was very happy to see new things and the real things after he had been looking at their pictures from a holopad.
"A Republic Assault Gunship and an AT-ET walker," Luke read the sign that was in front of a familiar vehicle - familiar for Tin. This were the vehicles he would be in a lot if the Clone War wasn't over yet. "The AT-TE can hold up to as much as seven crews…" the boy started reading and Tin let him.
"There are more on the second and the third floor." The clone said after Luke finished admiring the Gunship and the AT-ET. "To that room is Naboo's original ships exhibition, and that room other vehicles from all over the galaxy. Which do you want to see first, young master?" Tin asked, pointing at two large doors that leaded to different exhibitions.
"I want to see Naboo's ship first" was the reply, and Tin took the boy to the room on the right.
The first exhibit was Naboo's Shelter Speeder, a mobile laboratory with high-tech sensors. Luke read the sign aloud and his little voice echoed slightly in this large hall.
The next display was a Naboo Royal Starship. It was used by many of Naboo's royalists to travel on diplomatic missions. Besides the Naboo Royal Starship was Naboo Star Yacht. This slim silver ship with a needle-nose was belonged to the Royal House of Naboo.
"…this was the same ship Padmé Amidala often used to travel…" Luke read the sign aloud before turning to Tin. "Who is Padmé Amidala?" The boy point at the picture of a woman near the description on the sign.
"She was a queen of Naboo who became a Republic senator shortly before the Clone War." Tin replied. He was glad that the Academy had educated the clones about the important political leaders from the Clone War eras and the present time. "She was sick and passed away at the end of the Clone War."
"…I…." Luke started and stopped midway. He then turned to look at the picture again. And if Tin wasn't mistaken, he thought the look in the boy's eyes were some kind of longing and curious. "…where is she now?" Luke asked, his small hands were placed on the bottom of her picture.
Tin wasn't sure if the boy meant her body or did Luke not understand the word 'pass away'. He wasn't sure if he should explain that she was dead, or simply said where her body was. "Her mausoleum is in this city, young master." In the end, Tin decided to conclude that Luke knew what the word 'pass away' meant.
"Can we visit that place?" Luke asked, his eyes were still on the woman's picture.
"Why do you want to visit her mausoleum, Master Luke?" Tin asked the boy out of curiosity. Padmé Amidala's mausoleum wasn't in his list of places for Luke to visit. Also, Tin wasn't sure if the place would allow people to visit without permission.
"I…I don't know." Luke shook his head. "But I have a feeling that I have to see her. I… I just feel like I need to see her."
Okay, this is new. Tin thought. The boy has never said something like this before. I have a feeling that Lord Vader will want to know about this. Oh wait, I can't keep anything from him anyway.
"I will see if the mausoleum will let us visit or will we need to ask for a permission first." Tin replied, deciding that he should get Luke going if they wanted to cover the museum in time.
They covered the Naboo's vehicle exhibition in half an hour later before moving on to the other room. This room stored exhibits of ships and their engines from all over the galaxy of the time before the Galactic Empire.
On the second floor was the exhibition of the Separatist ships. And on the third floor was the Galactic Empire's vehicles. They went through everything within an hour and a half. Tin was glad that they're on time, as same as Captain Coyote and his squads.
/
Luke was asleep as they made their way back to the facility. The boy also climbed onto Tin's lap and used the clone as a pillow before he fall asleep.
"He's all tuckered out," Captain Coyote commented as he drove the speeder closer to check on Tin and Luke. Tin nodded, smiling as he softly caressed Luke's hair. It might start off as his duty to take care of the boy, but right now it's not all about duty. Tin did care deeply for the child.
They reached the facility quickly and Tin gently held the boy up. Luke stirred but didn't wake up. He did turn and throw his arms around Tin's neck, resting his head on the clone's shoulder and continued to sleep. Tin sighed and carried the boy to the elevator, Captain Coyote was in front of him while the rested surround Tin and Luke.
"Lord Vader is here?" Captain Coyote, who was in front of Tin, mused as he exited the elevator. Tin frowned and understood as he followed the Captain out. There were elite troopers in red armours in front of the door to Luke's quarter; Lord Vader's Security Force.
Tin found Lord Vader in Luke's bedroom, staring out of the window. His boss turned to them as Tin entered with Luke still asleep in his arms.
"Lord Vader," Tin bowed slightly, wasn't sure what he should do. He had never met his boss while holding Luke before. He hoped that Lord Vader wouldn't mind him holding the boy liked this.
"How is my son, sergeant?" Lord Vader spoke, it's a command for a report not a question.
"He's very happy with today's schedule, sir," Tin answered, slowly walking toward Luke's bed. He hoped that Lord Vader wouldn't mind him putting Luke on his bed while giving the report. He had no problem reporting the events of today, until it came to the part about the late queen of Naboo. This had he hesitated." Tin wasn't sure how should he talk about Luke wanting to visit Padmé Amidala's mausoleum and what the boy felt about the late queen of Naboo.
Lord Vader didn't say anything but walked closed to the bed. Tin stepped back and watched as his boss gently caressed Luke's hair, before looking up.
"Is there something more?" was also a command for him to continue, not a question.
"Master Luke wished to visit Padmé Amidala's mausoleum, my Lord," Tin replied. "He said that he had a feeling that he need to see her."
Lord Vader was silent after that, even his hand stopped moving. Tin hoped that this wouldn't be something Luke must not feel. He feared for the boy. Luke had never met his father's anger before, and Tin had prayed that such day would never come.
"Leave us" was all Lord Vader said. His voice offered no emotion despite his usual coldness. Tin bowed and left the room on autopilot. He hoped that this wouldn't be something serious, and that Lord Vader wouldn't punish his son for wanting to visit the mausoleum.
/
Tin just finished arranging the dinner for Luke when Lord Vader walked out of the room. His boss didn't offer any guesses as he turned toward Tin. His voice was his usual cold and slight mechanical.
"Tomorrow morning, I will take Luke to visit the mausoleum," his boss said. "Arrange the lunch to be served at Lake Country, we will visit Varykino and the Naberrie family in the afternoon."
"As you wish, Lord Vader," Tin bowed and waited until his boss left that he immediately checked on Luke. Lord Vader's son was still in his bed as Tin entered. The boy seemed fine, unharmed and still sleeping. And the clone sergeant released the breath he didn't know he was holding.
Tin then proceeded to make sure that dinner would be ready by the time Luke had woken up. Actually, Tin was surprised that Lord Vader would take Luke with him on his visit to the Naberrie family. And he's even more surprised that Lord Vader would go to the mausoleum with Luke tomorrow morning. By schedule, his boss wouldn't be free to take Luke around until the third day of their visit, but Tin wasn't the one to question his boss. He wasn't that stupid.
A trip to the mausoleum was gloomy. Tin had a feeling that his boss wasn't in a mood to talk or to tolerate nonsenses, even Luke grew quiet after they entered the vehicles, so he and the other kept their mouths shut.
The mausoleum was on the outskirt of the city. It's a white building built in the middle of greenness of a park large enough to park an Imperial cruiser. Lord Vader and Luke entered the mausoleum in silence. His boss' bodyguard didn't follow them inside, so Tin guessed that they all would have to wait outside. He wished that Luke wouldn't be punished for wanting to come here, he hadn't seen his boss grew so quiet except that he had something in mind or when he was angry.
Around an hour later, Lord Vader and his son emerged. Everything looked normal, except that Luke wasn't as talkative as he used to be when he was with his father, but he didn't look like he was in pain either. The boy seemed to be…considering something.
Well, at least that better than what Lord Vader always treat other who were too curious for their own good, Tin thought as he followed both of them back to the shuttle. Now they're going to the Lake Country.
/
Tin had to admit that Lake Country was one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen. Even Luke became talkative as soon as they approached the valley full with several lakes. Tin mentally smiled as he watched Luke bouncing up and down, trying to get as much view from the window as possible, before giggling when Lord Vader held him up by the Force, so that his head was at the same level as the window.
The shuttle landed softly on the greenest field Tin had ever seen. Surrounded them were small waterfalls and beautiful streams. Tin stayed behind while his boss and Luke explored the area. His job was to make sure that lunch was ready when the two got back.
/
They travelled to Varykino after lunch. It's a lake retreat in the Lake Country own by the Naberrie family. Ruwee and Jobal Naberrie came to greet them. Tin couldn't help but notice a founding look Jobal sent to Luke. He also saw the longing in their eyes and had a feeling that he shouldn't try to understand what he saw. It's for his own sake.
"Look after my son while I attend the business here," Lord Vader said to him and Captain Coyote shortly before entering a meeting room with the oldest Naberrie who were still alive. The guards took their position around the meeting room and the balcony, leaving Luke with Tin and Captain Coyote.
"My father said that I am allowed to walk around but I must not enter the meeting room," Luke said, already grabbing Tin's hand. "Let's go. I want to see the lake."
"As you wish, young master," Tin said and let Luke dragged him toward the porch built from stone that had a view of the lake and the mountains behind it. Captain Coyote followed close behind.
/
After the meeting, Lord Vader let Luke introduced himself to Jobal and Ruwee Naberrie under his watch. Ruwee offered no expression while Jobal looked like she was about to burst into tears any minutes now. Tin had his suspicious, but he wasn't stupid. He wouldn't pry, no, he would pretend that he saw nothing and try his best to forget everything he saw today as quickly as possible. Luke had fallen asleep during their trip back and was still sleeping as the shuttle landed on the platform.
Seven days later
Tin hummed as he adjusted his shirt. Today was the last day they would spend on Naboo. They would be heading back to Darim this evening after the gala dinner at Theed Royal Palace. Luke was very happy because today he would be let into Theed Royal Palace. It's the first time he would be out in public with his father. Despite Luke's excitement, Tin dreaded today's gala. To be honest, Tin knew almost nothing about gala dinner. He was raised to be a soldier not a spy or someone who would have partying-skill. Moreover, he didn't get much information except where Luke would be sitting and which persons Lord Vader would be introducing to his son.
"Where are we going today?" Luke asked during breakfast with a huge smile on his face. The boy had been very energetic since yesterday afternoon that he knew he would have a chance to visit Theed Royal Palace this evening.
"Dee'ja Peak, Gallo Mountains, young master," Tin replied, clicking the button to make the device in his hand popped up a hologram picture of a beautiful agriculture area. "It's a farming community. The place has nice places for sightseeing and some farms also allowing visitors."
"Will I have a chance to ride a Shaak?" Luke asked. "I've seen many Gungans and humans ride them in Theed."
"I guess one of the farms might have Shaaks for tourists to ride," Tin said, connecting to the holonet to check. "We will deport as soon as you're ready, master Luke."
/
They took an express train from Theed to Galla Mountains instead of the Imperial shuttle as Lord Vader didn't wish to draw any attention toward his son during their stay. Tin booked himself and Luke VIP seats because there would be less people in the VIP carriages. And while Tin and Luke pretended to be just another Naboos travelling to Gallo Mountain, Captain Coyote and his men boarded the train and pretended that this was a routine check. Most of the Naboo didn't like seeing Imperial troopers here, but they could only glare as Captain Coyote and his men walked up and down the train with one pair of Stormtroopers stood guard at the entrance to the VIP carriage.
Once reached the Gallo Mountain station, they travelled to Dee'ja Peak by rented speeder bikes and a landspeeder. Luke pouted when he saw that he had to travel on a landspeeder with Tin and murmured that he wanted to ride a speeder bike just like the Stormtroopers. Tin could only mentally groaned; he honestly wanted to tell the boy that Lord Vader would kill him if he let Luke ride one of those bike.
They rode to Dee'ja Peak, following a group of local people and travellers who were heading there too. Tin had to say that Captain Coyote and his men were excellent at pretending not to be guarding anyone but actually they're in a formation that would be best to protect Luke in case anything happen.
Dee'ja Peak appeared from the horizon within three minutes after they left the station. In seven minutes, they're at the entrance to the community. The first stop was a farm that had Shaaks for tourists to ride. Luke was lucky that the farm had a baby Shaaks for children too because Tin wouldn't let the boy ride the adult one with one of the farmer. Of course these people seemed to be harmless, but one could not be too careful.
They're scheduled to go back to Theed around two hours after lunch. Luke was already half-asleep by the time they reached the train station. He clung to Tin's arm and eventually the clone had to hold him up. The boy yawned and smiled, resting his head on Tin's shoulder and ready to take a nap.
"Tin," Luke called, nuzzling his head against Tin's shoulder. "Next time we visit Naboo, I want to take my father here. I want to ride a Shaak with him."
Tin couldn't imagine Luke riding a Shaak with his boss. Actually, he could image that, but the image was too terrified and hilarious. So, Tin just smiled and stepped into the VIP carriage when the door opened. In the corner of his eyes, he saw Captain Coyote and his crew pretending to be checking the station before dividing into pairs and entering different carriages of the train.
As Tin helped Luke into his seat, he couldn't help but feel as if something was off. He subtly looked around but found nothing. There're only twelve people in the VIP carriages, most of them seating very far from one another. There're only three people seating together at the back of the carriage. A mother, a father, and a son.
Tin sat down on his seat as the driver announced that they would be heading to Theed soon. Tin and Luke's seat were at the front of the carriage, with a window that let them see the beautiful scenery of Naboo's country side. However, unlike the trip to Gallo Mountains, Luke was now half asleep.
/
Tin spent the first twenty minutes on high alert, but slowly relaxed as nothing happened. However, when they're halfway to Theed, Luke suddenly woke up with a gasp. Tin immediately turned to the boy, asking if he was feeling alright. Luke shook his head, small hands grabbing Tin's arm tightly as his shoulders tensed up.
"There are bad people in here," the boy said quickly, innocent blue eyes widened and filled with fear. "They want to take the train. They have guns."
"Young master, calm down," Tin took set one hand on Luke's shoulder and started rubbing to ease the tension in the boy's shoulder. His voice was calm and gentle despite himself being on a high alert right now. "Now, please repeat what you just said, you say there are bad people in here?" he asked calmly, another hand reaching for his comm. If Luke wasn't Lord Vader's son, Tin would probably just listen and didn't take the boy's words seriously.
"Yes," Luke nodded quickly. "I saw them. They're in another carriage. The leader wears a white scarf. They have guns."
Tin immediately commed Captain Coyote. "Captain, Master Luke suspects that there's going to be a train hijacking. Please check the area. The suspects have weapons and their leader wears a white scarf."
"Copy that Sergeant, stay where you are" was the reply. Tin then turned to Luke who still hadn't let go of his arm.
"Master Luke, I need you to listen to me," Tin said. "Please remain calm and tell me more about them. What more did you see?" He guessed that Luke must have seen them in his dream. He had heard that many Force users could see a future in their sleep.
"They dress just like other people," Luke replied, the boy's brow furrowed as he tried to picture his latest dream. "They…one of them have a bomb. They…" Luke's eyes widened. "They kill Dex!"
Dex was one of Luke's bodyguard. Tin remembered seeing Dex and his partner entering the carriage in the middle when they boarded the train.
Tin was about to call Captain Coyote when he heard a sound of faint gunfire. He immediately shot up from his seat, one hand on the comm while the other on a blaster which was hidden under his long shirt.
"Captain Coyote, what happened?" Tin asked as he looked around the carriage in time to see one of the Stormtrooper guarding the entrance running out of the door to another carriage, a blaster ready to shoot. The other one was on high alert too. And the people in the VIP carriage started to notice that something was wrong.
"They've started hijacking the train. They're trying to get to the driver. Dex and Somber are down. I'm sending White and Bob to you, we're going to cut your carriage from the rest."
There were sounds of gunfire coming through the comm. They had planned that if something happened, they're going to detach the rest of the carriages from the VIP carriages which connected to the engine. Tin had hoped that it wouldn't come to this, but it seemed like they had no choice.
"Roger that Captain," Tin replied, eyes trained on the entry to the VIP carriage. The sound of gunfire was coming nearer and nearer and the passengers in the same carriages as them was even more panicked. Luke had stood up. The boy's hands were now grabbing on Tin's shirt. Tin still had one hand on his blaster, the other on his comm.
Two Stormtroopers ran into the carriage. "Get down! Get down!" They shouted as they ran toward Luke and Tin. The first Stormtrooper who had been there since the first time ran toward them too.
Tin pushed Luke down and got down in time before the bomb planned on the passage between two carriages went off. The passengers in the carriage screamed and the other boy in the carriage started crying.
"Tin…" Luke pulled his shirt and Tin kneeled down. He didn't need to be the mind-reader to know that Luke was scared; the boy was on the edge of crying, so Tin pulled him close.
"Don't worry Master Luke, everything will be alright," he said. Besides him, White was talking to the officer at the Imperial facility in Theed, reporting the situation.
"Tin, they're here," Luke whispered, hands clutching his shirt. "They're in the carriage."
Tin looked up in time to see Bob and the other Stormtrooper got shot by one of the passengers that were screaming in panic a moment earlier. It turned out that only the family whose seats were at the back of the carriage that were not one of these criminals. White immediately shot back, no need to continue reporting since the troopers on the other end of the line now knew what happened. Bob got up while the other Stormtrooper stayed down. They shot at all seven of the passengers while Tin kneeled down behind them, covering Luke with his body.
Bob and White got all seven passengers down, but then the door toward the locomotive opened and Bob was blasted. The shot was so powerful that it sent the Stormtrooper flying and knocking hard against the wall behind. White shot at the newcomers, and got shot back. He staggered backward, the shot did injure him but didn't kill him yet. More people ran in, leading by a man wearing a white scarf.
"Hold your fire! Hold your fire!" The man in a white scarf shouted as he entered. White grunted and kept himself in front of Tin, blaster rifle ready to shoot if prompted. Tin stood up now, a blaster in his hand, the other hand was on Luke who was clinging to his leg.
"Hello, fellow soldiers!" The man with a white scarf then turned to them. "Hi, I will keep this short. You handover the boy and we will make your dead painless. This will also guarantee that the boy will not be injure. What do you think?"
No kriffing way that's going to happen; Tin thought, his hold on Luke tightened. But they had to work fast, these criminals were not going to patiently wait for them to decide. Tin and White immediately changed to plan B. Outnumbered and without an escape, White abruptly turned back to the criminal and shot at the window behind Tin while the clone picked looked up and jumped backward, sending his body out of the window and the train, White followed closed.
Those criminals started firing as soon as they knew what happened, but it's too late, White, Tin and Luke were already out.
Tin hugged Luke closed and curled into a ball with the boy inside. The railway was on top of a rocky hill, so all of them were forced to roll downhill for several seconds before coming to a stop. White was protected by the armour, but Tin was not. He grunted as his body hit many sharp rocks during his way down. Most of them torn his shirt opened and scratched his back with their sharp edges. Nevertheless, Luke was safe, protected by Tin's body.
"Tin! Are you alright?" Luke asked as soon as he untangle himself from Tin. Tin tried to answer and then hissed as he felt pain shot through his body. It appeared that the rock had got him not only on his back, but his arms, his legs, and also the back of his neck. He was mildly bleeding, mostly from the wounds on his back.
"I'm okay, no need to worry about me," Tin replied as gently as he could and tried not to curse as he got up. It has to be this place of all the places we will pass! Tin cursed his luck as this was the only part of the railway that was built on rocky hills. If those criminals decided to start their operation several minutes before or after this, he could have landed on grasses not rocks.
"We need to move," White spoke up, he was looking at the horizon with his visor down on his eyes' level. "I doubt they will give up just because we've escaped from the train."
"We cannot outrun them," Tin spoke, now fully stood up. Pain shot through his body but the clone did his best to ignore it.
"There're two speeders coming up," White said, a visor on his helmet was down to eyes level, hands snapping his normal E-11 blaster rifle to his back and grabbed a sniper rifle instead. "I'll get us the speeders, go hide behind that rock, don't come out until I tell you so," the elite Stormtrooper pointed toward the large rock several meters away.
Tin immediately grabbed Luke and held the boy up before running toward said rock. Luke clung to him and wouldn't let go even when they're behind the rock.
"I'm scared," once behind the cover, the boy let his tears fell. He buried his face with Tin's shoulder as he cried.
"Shh, it will be over soon. I promise," Tin whispered hugging the boy as Luke threw both arms over his shoulders. "Don't worry young master, I'll protect you."
Luke pulled away from his shoulder to stare at him for several seconds. Tin wasn't sure what this meant, but then the boy smiled and hugged him. "Thank you Tin," Luke said snuggled close.
Why do I feel like something important just happen? Tin thought, frowning before mentally kicked himself. This is not the time! You've to focus on the present!
Tin kept himself and Luke well-hidden behind the rock. Luke did nothing but hugged him and stared into the view of green field ahead the rocky area. Several minutes after that they heard four gunshot. There was a shout between each shots and then nothing. Luke pressed himself against Tin as the clone tensed up, ready to run if needed to.
"I've got the speeders, let's move,"
White called through the comm and Tin released the breath he didn't know he was holding. Tin quickly got up, ignoring his pain as he jogged toward two speeder bikes. White had managed to shot the speeders with stunt setting to make them stop working before shooting the riders with killing mode. The elite Stormtrooper was already on one of the bike.
"I've contacted the facility that we now have speeder bikes, they've sent a shuttle to pick us up," White said. "It's not far from here."
"Hey, looks like you've got to ride a bike like you've wished," Tin teased Luke as he got on the other bike after placing Luke on the area in front of the driver seat. The boy did smile. "Hold on tight," Tin said before getting on the speeder bike, half worried that the boy would fall off during their way to the rendezvous which were several kilometers away.
The criminals didn't give up so easily, just liked White had predicted. After they left the rocky area, crossed the field, and made their way into the woods, White alerted Tin of the criminals waiting for them.
"They're several speeders after us from the North and the South," the Stormtrooper said. "My guess is they're planning on cornering us. I'll be the decoy, you take young master to the rendezvous."
"Got it," Tin grunted and speeded up the bike. Luke's hold on him tightened as he speeded through the forest. Gunfire was heard as White did his job. Now it's just Tin and Luke now.
/
"Almost there, almost there," Tin whispered to himself, one hand reached for his blaster as he heard speeders closing in. In the corner of his eyes, Tin saw one of the criminal emerged from the lines of trees. Tin wasn't hesitate to blast him. He got that scumbag in the chest and sent the man falling off the speeder. The vehicle without its rider then crashed into a tree and exploded.
More speeders coming up and trying to box him in. Tin blasted another two as he raced to the rendezvous point. He's lucky these criminals wanted Luke alive, or they would be more confident to shoot him.
As he started to see where the woods ended, Tin saw the same man with a white scarf on a speeder bike not far behind. The leader seemed to be participating in this chase too.
"Hand the boy over!" One of the criminal shouted. "Hand him over or we will start…"
Tin blasted the scumbag before he could finish. The man fell off the bike with a painful scream. One of them shouted something very appropriate in anger and shot Tin's bike. The speeder bike swayed and Tin knew that he and Luke would be dead if they stayed on this vehicle any longer. By instinct, Tin grabbed Luke and sprang both of them away from the speeder. He curved himself around Luke as they landed, luckily that this time he landed on grasses.
I made it out, Tin thought as pain shot through him. This time it's worse. It seemed like one of those bastards had got his left shoulder and stomach. Also, he might have broken his right leg. The burn from the blasted wounds and the pain in his right legs were immensurable but Tin bit the screamed down as he uncurled himself. At least Luke wasn't injured, the clone tried to be optimism as he bit his bottom lip to stop himself from screaming.
Luke shouted something and there were sounds of speeder engines. Tin tried to sit up but his body was too injured to move as he wanted. His senses were half blinded by the pain that erupted all over his body. Still, Tin managed to get to a half sitting position with his back to the woods. He craned his neck and saw several speeders appeared, also the criminals and their leader.
Come on! Move! Tin screamed at his body as his hand slowly reached for his blaster. He knew he couldn't do much, but at least he might be able to buy time for the Imperial. Almost there! Tin grinded his teeth as his hand finally grabbed the blaster's handle.
The pain was too great for Tin to make out the words the criminals were talking as they got off their speeders, but he knew from Luke's reaction that it frightened the boy.
"…kill him" Tin managed to make out the last two words of the leader as the man pointed at him. Kill me? Tin thought, and understood as one of the criminal point his blaster at him. But then Luke, who didn't run away and stay at his side all the time, screamed and pushed the air in front of him with his hands. Then the criminal who just pointed his blaster at Tin was thrown away as if there was an invisible hand pulling him back.
That's impossible…no…that's possible… He is Lord Vader's son. Tin almost smiled if not because the threat was still there. The criminals might be surprised, but they would recover soon. He had to think of something, something to distract them until the Imperial arrived. Or maybe I should tell Luke to run, no, Luke won't be able to outrun them…
Then, he heard a hummed of a ship. Tin looked up and saw an Imperial Dropship Transport approaching. The Imperial, finally! He thought as the ship got closer and closer. Then there was a familiar black figure jumping out of the ship with a red lightsaber in his hand.
Lord Vader! Tin felt relief washed over him as he watched his boss landed down between him and the criminal. Now Luke is safe, but this is going to be too violent for the boy his age, Tin thought. Despite his pain and the need to just close his eyes and let himself passed out, Tin dropped the blaster and grabbed Luke's arm, drawing the boy's attention to him.
"Young master," Tin called, doing his best to ignore the scream of those criminals and the sounded of a lightsaber moving through the air. "Are you hurt?"
"No," Luke shook his head, holding his arms up for Tin to see. "Just a scratch. It didn't hurt anymore." Then the boy gasped when he noticed how red Tin's shirt had become. "You're bleeding! Father!..."
"No, no…" Tin immediately grabbed Luke's hand. "I'm okay. Your father is busy. The doctor will be here soon. I'm okay."
"You're not okay." The boy looked like he was about to cry. "You're bleeding. And you're hurt. You're very hurt."
Is Luke able to read his mind just like his father? Tin thought, still trying to keep the smile on his face. Well, he's able to use the Force, maybe now he has an ability to read other's mind too.
"Don't worry, I'm going to be okay," nevertheless, Tin desperately tried to keep Luke's attention toward him instead of the slaughtering behind. But now he had a new problem. After the adrenaline was gone since Tin's body knew now that Luke was safe, pain was overthrowing his conscious. He was going to pass out soon.
Luke was saying something but Tin was no longer able to make out the boy's words. His consciousness was slipping, but at least he could make out the white figures of the Stormtrooper running toward them.
The last things Tin saw before he passed out were the medic kneeling down beside Luke and the boy's worried face.