Chapter Nine
"This isn't going to work," Solo snarled, his voice electronic as it came through the filters. He adjusted his grip on the Wookie's binders, cursing a blue streak under his breath. I secretly knew he was right, but I wasn't going to let him get the satisfaction. My ideas had worked before…okay, fine, they never worked, but I had a good feeling about this one.
"Why didn't you say so before?" I growled back, crossing my arms over my armoured chest. If there was any reason it wouldn't work, it would probably be because of me; I made a very unconvincing Stormtrooper. But hey, maybe it would work; we did pass by some Imps on the way to the turbolift. Let's just hope they'll buy it until we rescue the prince. From then on, well, we'll see what happens.
"I did say so before!" He whispered angrily, taking a step towards me. "Listen, sweetheart, I ain't in it for a friendship with the prince, or even with you! I'm in it for the money!" I held back my retort when the turbolift doors opened, an Imperial officer standing right in front of us.
"What are you doing with this…" His face twisted into a look off disgust as he took in Chewie's presence. "…thing?"
"Prisoner transfer from cell block TS-138," I improvised, saluting the officer. I could tell he was shocked by my appearance; I gave him a dirty look from underneath the helmet. I supposed this thing came in handy from time to time. The cooling unit was a nice touch, too.
"I wasn't notified," The Imp raised an eyebrow at us three. "I'll have to clear it," He turned around and walked to a nearby computer console. He tapped some keys, while Han gave me a nod and secretly unlocked Chewbacca's binders. He whispered something in Corellian, I believed, to the Wookie.
Chewie let out an ear-splitting, spine-tingling yell, and grabbed Solo's rifle. "He's loose!" Han screamed, faking terror. "Everyone, run, before he rips us to shreds!" During all the commotion, Solo and I ducked behind the computer console and started shooting wildly at all the security devices, while taking out a couple of Imps along the way. Chewie shoved everything out of his way, howling all the while. The smuggler rushed to the console in front of us, pressing random buttons. "We've got to find out what cell that prince of yours is in," He told me, pulling off his helmet. "Here he is; cell 2187. Go, Chewie an' I'll hold them off," He yelled over the sound of blaster fire.
"But-"
"Just go!"
The question was asked before I even had time to think about it, "Will you be alright?"
His expression softened, a small smile appearing on his face. "I'll be fine. Go save your prince," I nodded once, then ran for the corridor leading to cell 2187. "Good luck!" I heard him call before I turned the corner.
"You too!" I hollered over my shoulder, shifting the huge rifle in my hands. I rounded the corner, sliding to a stop in front of a metal door, with the numbers 2187 written in tiny letters on it. I key in a code I saw one the officer from earlier tap in. Hopefully it worked…The door flied up with a whoosh, revealing a small, gray cell, with only a hard metal bunk, and a pathetic excuse for a refresher. I switched my gaze to the prince, who was lounging on the bunk, twiddling his thumbs.
He turned and looked at me, obviously taken aback. He raised an eyebrow at me, an amused glint in his eyes. "Aren't you really short to be a Stormtrooper?" A snort of laughter escaped him. "Like, unbelievably short?"
"I resent that statement," I shot back, pulling the helmet off my head. "I'm Leia Skywalker, I'm here to rescue you," I explained, running a hand through my messed up hair.
"You're who?" He narrowed his eyes, confusion etched on his face. He was even more handsome than he was in the holo; his blue eyes shined in the dim light of the cell, his blond hair somehow still perfectly coiffed. His white tunic and trousers had become slightly gray, but apart from that, he looked as if he was still in the royal palace.
"Leia Skywalker; I'm here with Ben Kenobi and your two droids!" I replied, completely exasperated.
He bolted up from the bunk and dashed towards me. "Ben Kenobi?" His eyes widened in shock, suddenly becoming excited and agitated.
"You heard me!" I smiled at his reaction; it made him seem so much younger and…happier. But then again, who in their right minds would be happy when they're imprisoned by Imps?
"Where is he?"
I was already halfway down the corridor. "Follow me!"
Luke knocked me out of the way just in time, or else I would have gotten shot where my head had been. "Thanks," I said breathlessly, pulling my blaster out of my belt. I sidled up next to Solo and Chewbacca, who were blasting the Stormtroopers like crazy. I joined in on the fire, and tossed Luke my rifle. Explosions from low-power grenades rocked the corridor, the sound deafening.
"We can't go back that way!" Han shouted over all the noise, blasting like mad. His face was flushed with adrenaline and worry. Chewbacca let out a battle cry, throwing his head back.
"Looks like you managed to cut off our only escape route!" Luke screamed, looking like he'd pop a vein at any given moment. He nailed a trooper right in the chest, bringing him down.
"Maybe you'd like it back in your cell, Your Highness!" The pilot growled, shooting a Stormie in the leg. The Corellian was breathing heavily, and his face was as red as I'd ever seen it.
"Just call me Luke," The prince ordered, giving Han a dirty look. "There's got to be some other way out of here!" He muttered, focusing intently on the Imps shooting at us.
"Threepio!" I called on my comm. "Can you hear me? We need to find another way out of the detention block!" The only answer was static. I groaned and attached the device back to my comm, dodging a shot aimed for my knee.
"This is some rescue!" Organa sighed, shaking his head. "You didn't have an idea on how to get out before you got me?" Luke stared incredulously at me and Han, obviously irked.
"She's the brains, kid," Han jerked a thumb towards me, firing some shots at the walls, hoping to reveal a secret entrance or something. I was tempted to point the gun at Solo himself; he'd been nothing but a thorn in my side since the day I met him. I saw a small panel, and decided to shoot it. I supposed it had a self-destruct button; an explosion rocked the corridor. Retched smells filled the hall, making the four of us want to gag. "What're you doing?" The smuggler coughed, hitting a Stormtrooper square in the chest.
"I'm the brains, remember?" I glared, shooting once more at the panel. "Into the garbage chute, flyboy!" I commanded, one foot in the chute. Here goes nothing…
"Yeah, nice going, Skywalker," Solo snorted, lifting his feet out of the trash, taking a couple steps toward me. "What a wonderful smell you've discovered,"
"Will you stop giving her such a hard time?" Luke interjected, drawing himself up to his full height. The smuggler responded with giving him the stink eye, and shooting the door. The blaster bolt ricocheted off the metal door, bouncing off the walls, and finally, landing in the gunk at our feet.
"Put that thing away before you get us all killed!" I screamed, throwing a piece of trash at the irritating pilot. "It's magnetically sealed!"
He reholstered the blaster, his face twisting into a grimace. "I had it all under control until you led us down here," He pointed an accusing finger at me.
"Will you shut up?" I countered, taking a step towards him.
"How about you both shut up?" Luke intervened, holding his head in his hands. "Look, things could be worse, okay?" Something brushed past his leg, eliciting a small, girlish squeal from him. I held back my laughter when I realized the situation was no laughing matter. "Something just brushed past my leg!" His eyes widened in horror.
Solo shifted on his legs, putting his hands on his hips, declaring, "Its worse."
