FOUR
Clary regrets a lot of things in her life—jumping into a garbage chute of the Imperial space station is definitely one of them. She looks around, the putrid smell of trash stinging her senses as her eyes land on the only door that appears to be an exit. Chewbacca is already banging against the hatchway as Luke clambers his way as well. He inspects it for a moment before attempting to pull it open. When he ends up stumbling backwards Clary's heart sinks as she glances around. She hears a swift noise and Han giving a quick shout before plummeting into the large room, landing in the muck beside her. He shakes his head, lifting his arms as he glances around, nose wrinkling in disgust.
"Oh," he exclaims, sarcasm dripping off his words as he rises to his feet. "The garbage chute was a really wonderful idea." He glares pointedly at Princess Leia who meets his gaze with a scoff. "What a wonderful smell you've discovered," he comments, nose still wrinkled before his gaze rests on Clary. His gaze softens as he nods towards her. "Are you all right?"
Clary sighs in response—she was fine, of course, but she really wanted to get out of the chute. A bad feeling seems to be creeping on her thoughts as she glances around nervously. She's so engrossed she doesn't notice Han pushing past her, taking out his blaster until he's aiming it at the hatch, causing both Chewbacca and Luke to jump out of the way. Before anyone can react he's firing at it. Clary's pulse accelerates as the laser bolt ricochets wildly around the small metal room. She lets out a short scream, along with Leia, as they duck their heads, trying to avoid the red beam as it bounces off the walls. The beam nearly misses Clary as Han shoves her into the garbage, hiding them from the beam. There's a loud explosion that echoes in the small confinement the group is trapped in, signaling that the laser had hit the ceiling. Slowly, Clary rises to her feet, looking at her attire in disgust as something slimy rolls of her arm. Han is standing beside her and Clary spots Leia rising to her feet as well, a rather grim expression creasing her pretty face.
"Will you forget it?" Luke questions, glaring Han's way. "I already tried it—it's magnetically sealed."
Leia eyes Han's blaster warily. "Put that thing away, you're going to get us killed!"
"Absolutely, Your Worship," Han mutters sarcastically, yet hooks his blaster to the belt of the Stormtrooper uniform as he glances around the room. "Look, I had everything under control until you led us down here."
Clary tries not to argue with her brother—they definitely did not have everything under control before Leia blasted at the vent, providing them an escape route. She weighs the possibilities, though, knowing no matter what they may do, the Stormtroopers would find out where they are sooner or later.
Han seems to know what she's thinking as he voices her opinion out loud: "It's not going to take long for them to figure out what happened to us."
"It could have been worse," Leia points out. Clary glances the Princess' way, but doesn't say anything as she looks back at her brother. He's opening his mouth to retort but something cuts him off. A loud, horrible inhuman moan echoes through the murky depths of the garbage chute, causing Clary's spine to shudder. She exchanges confused and frightened looks with the others and is nearly startled by Chewbacca's terrified howl. She glances the Wookie's way as he stumbles backwards, running towards the hatch. He bangs against it, whining loudly. Han and Luke stand straighter as they draw their blasters. Clary holds onto hers tightly as she scans the area.
"It's worse," Han says, giving Leia a redundant look. Clary's gaze travels down to the murky water Han, Luke and herself are standing in. She blinks, staring with wide eyes, as something seems to slither in the dirty water. Her heart pounds loudly in her chest as she jumps suddenly as the thing swims past her leg, a sick, chilling feeling running up and down her spine.
"There's something alive in here," Luke exclaims. Han looks at him.
"It's just your imagination."
"It just moved past my leg!" Luke objects. He points with his blaster at the water as he adds, "Look, did you see that?"
"What?" Han squints at the water, unable to see a thing. Before Clary has the chance to breathe, the creature hiding within the dark depths of the water manages to latch onto her foot. She jumps up in alarm, colliding into Luke, causing them both to stumble backwards. Clary manages to regain her balance, however, as she and the young blond grip onto each other, steadying themselves. An almost eerie silence follows the loud skirmish and Luke glances at Clary, his sincere blue eyes meeting hers. Clary finds herself unable to say anything until Luke lets out a short cry, being pulled from underneath the garbage and water.
"Luke—!" Clary starts off, but is cut off as Han is by her side immediately, grabbing a hold of her arm.
"Luke?" he calls out, looking around warily. He pushes Clary closer towards Leia and Chewbacca, still glancing around at the water. "Luke!"
The blond resurfaces, gasping for air, thrashing about wildly. Clary spots a membrane-like tentacle wrapped around his throat, nearly choking him. She starts forward but Han stops her, attempting to make his way towards the young boy. Clary glances back as Leia nudges her with a pipe, nodding to Han. She grips onto it, helping to extend the long pipe.
"Luke, grab a hold of this," Leia says.
Luke attempts to reach forward but the tentacle tightens around him, causing him to gasp for breath once again. "Blast it, will you?" he manages to say. "My gun's jammed."
"Where?" Han questions. Before he has the chance to even raise his weapon, Clary is already aiming hers and shoots in the water near Luke. The tentacle recoils for a moment before tightening around Luke once again, pulling him back under the murky water.
"Luke!" Han exclaims. He glances around as Clary drops the metal pipe—it clangs against the garbage but before Clary even has the chance to consider the odds, the walls of the garbage receptacle give a loud shudder, moving forward a couple of inches. Startled, Clary steps back, eyes wide as she examines the room. An almost deathly quiet follows the loud groan and Clary looks up, exchanging a worried look with her brother and Leia. Chewbacca's frightened howls gain Clary's attention and she glances towards the Wookie as he begins to bang against the hatch.
A sudden splash from the corner causes her to divert her attention. From the bubbles in the muck, Luke suddenly bobs to the surface, gasping for breath.
"Grab him!" Clary exclaims, rushing forward. Han beats her to the young boy, however, grabbing him by the shoulders as the creature releases him. Leia stares.
"What happened?"
"I don't know," Luke replies, "it just let go of me and disappeared."
Han glances back at Clary. "I've got a very bad feeling about this," he says. Clary opens her mouth to reply but she's cut off as the walls begin to rumble loudly. Instinctively, she steps closer to her brother and he grips onto her tightly. Nearly comforted by his familiarity, Clary's relief dissipates almost immediately as the walls inch forward, gaining speed rapidly.
"The walls are moving!" Luke exclaims. Clary feels her heart race as she looks around. Leia is also glimpsing around in the room, jumping from the different garbage piles as she shifts through them. She looks up when she notices the boys and Chewbacca haven't moved.
"Well, don't just stand there! Try to brace it with something."
Clary stumbles forward as she starts shifting through the trash. She retrieves two metal poles and lifts them up. The walls collide with it, and the metal barely withstands five seconds before bending them in half. They fall to the floor of the garbage chute with a loud splash. While standing in the middle of the garbage room, hope slowly dissipating, Clary wonders what she could have done differently to prevent this situation: perhaps if they didn't recklessly shoot at the Stormtroopers in the detention area the security would never have known they were present. She stares at the floor, mind racing. The only positive thing she can think of at this moment is at least the creature is gone.
"Wait a minute!" Luke's voice calls out in the metal room. Clary glances back at him as he retrieves a comlick. Pressing the button he hurriedly says: "3P0! Come in, 3P0!" When no voice answers he adds more urgently, "3P0!"
The walls continue to rumble and a heavy feeling sinks in Clary's chest. She glances towards Princess Leia, who is staring at the floor, a look of concern creasing her brow. The room continues to get smaller and smaller. Clary stands beside her brother, his presence familiar and calming. He glances her way, meeting her gaze. He doesn't have to say anything. He already knows what she's thinking.
Chewbacca is whining near one of the walls, attempting to hold it back with his giant paws. Clary glances back at the Wookie and nearly calls out to him as the room continues to grow smaller. She's pressed against one of the walls, the murky water no longer under her feet but the piles of trash as she sways uncertainly. She glances back at Luke as he's pushing against one of the walls, still attempting to contact the droids. Something about him has changed: he's assertive and determined, glittering eyes narrowed as he continues to yell into the comlick.
"3P0! Come in, 3P0!"
Leia lets out a short cry, gaining Clary's attention. She looks over just in time to see the pretty girl sink further into the trash, losing grip of the pole she had been clinging onto to brace the wall. Han glances at her.
"Get to the top!"
Leia meets his gaze. "I can't."
Clary kneels forward, holding out the pole she had been gripping onto near Leia. The Princess looks up, meeting her gaze before reaching forward. She nearly grasps onto the pole but the width the two girls stand from each other is too far. Clary attempts to slide forward a few inches but lets out a quick shriek as she sinks downwards. She grunts, attempting to kick around with her feet in attempts to loosen herself but her legs are stiff, held in place from the amount of trash in the room.
"Clary," Han says. He outstretches his hand, nodding to his younger sister as he's pressed against the wall. The space in the room is only a few feet apart and Leia lets out a groan as she's pressed tightly against the opposite wall. Clary nods in her direction as she manages to press her palms against the top of the trash pile. She attempts to push herself upwards, but Han doesn't move as he gestures again with his hand.
"Go help Princess Leia," Clary grunts, feeling her body loosen in the garbage pile. As her brother nears in the Princess' direction, she manages to hoist herself full out, gasping with relief. Her moment is ruined quickly, however, as the wall presses against her back, reminding her of the impending doom that awaits the group.
"One thing's for sure," Han is saying as he makes his way closer to Leia. "We're all going to be a lot thinner!"
"Han," Clary says warningly. In another time and moment, she would have been grateful for his bitter humor. Instead she feels dreary as she glances back at Luke. Chewbacca is yelping and barking loudly and Han is yelling at Leia to try and get to the top of the pile again (despite the fact that she had already said she couldn't the first time), but all Clary sees is Luke. His side is pressed against the wall as the rising ooze of the garbage begins to grow taller. Clary feels herself sinking again, and she doesn't try to fight staying on the top as her brother grabs a hold of Leia's hand, the terrified look on the Princess' face slowly calming. Clary remains looking at Luke, however, and he turns to face her, glittering blue eyes meeting hers. He's silent, still gripping on tightly to the comlick, but he lowers his hand, as if giving up on the droids ever answering. He holds her gaze and Clary no longer feels the rush she would have felt before. He doesn't say anything but he doesn't have to; his eyes say it all.
A loud buzzing noise suddenly emits from the comlick, causing Luke to tear his gaze away from the young girl. He presses the button as he calls into it: "3P0!"
He hesitates and Clary holds her breath, waiting for the droids to answer. As the walls press against her body uncomfortably, Clary winces, trying to push away the fact that they could possibly not make it out of the garbage room as she watches Luke impatiently. She hears C-3P0's familiar voice spill from the comlink:
"We've had some problems, sir—"
"Shut up and listen to me," Luke interrupts. "Shut down all garbage mashers on the detention level, will you? Do you copy?"
Clary lets out a short scream as she feels her leg get pressed tightly against the wall. The trash piles begin to rise as she finds it harder to keep her head above surface, along with the others. She can hear Han yelling and Leia screaming and Luke shouting into the comlick and her mind is racing. It doesn't stop thinking as the walls inch closer and closer together.
Clary wonders if this is where death gets her—in the garbage chute of the Imperial Death Star. Before she has the chance to ponder the thought any further, and as the walls are a few inches a part, they creak to a stop. Clary lets out a loud gasp of relief as she looks around. She exchanges a relieved look with her brother as she looks towards Luke.
"3P0," he says, "we're all right!" As Clary manages to pull herself out of the trash again, followed by Leia, Han and Chewie, she races towards them, hugging them in joyous relief as Luke continues to report, "You did great."
Clary grips on tightly to her brother. She feels nothing but relief and it's all her mind can think of. Luke makes his way past them to the pressure-sensitive hatch, glancing around for a number. He lifts the comlink to his mouth again as he says, "Hey, open the pressure maintenance hatch on the unit number…" His voice trails off as he glances at the others. Clary spots a white number printed against one of the walls as she rushes towards the hatch. She grabs a hold of Luke's hand, holding the comlink close as she reports:
"Unit number 326827."
The hatch opens immediately and Clary removes her hand from Luke's. She tries to ignore the fluttering in her chest as she leads the way out of the chute, followed closely behind by Chewbacca, Luke, Leia and Han. A dusty, unused hallway greets them and Clary takes this moment to start removing the Stormtrooper uniform. Han and Luke follow in her actions and the white armor lies in the hallway. Clary fastens the blaster belt over her waist once more and she meets the gaze of Princess Leia. She gives an awkward smile, which Clary returns unsurely before Han walks past her, messing up her hair.
"If we can just avoid any more female advice," he says, shooting Leia a pointed look, "we ought to be able to get out of here."
Leia scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest as she shoves past him. Han glances back at Luke, and the blond gives a small, scratching the back of his head as he meets Clary's gaze. She holds it for a moment before Chewbacca lets out a growl, pointing towards the hatch when Clary's gaze lands on him. She frowns, starting towards him as she peers at the hatch. Before she has the chance to inspect it, the great Wookie warrior lets out a howl, running in the opposite direction, quieting down.
"Where are you going?" Han questions after him but Clary remains peering at the hatch. She frowns, but then jumps back in alarm as the tentacle from before bangs against the doorway, reaching forward. She barely misses getting grabbed and runs into Han, who grabs her by the arm and aims his blaster. Noticing this, Clary hits it out of his hand before he can fire.
"Han, don't—they'll hear!"
Instead of listening, he grabs Clary's blaster from her belt, aiming it at the tentacle as he shoots. The noise of the blast echoes throughout the empty passageway and Clary refrains from hitting her brother harshly on the shoulder. She hears Luke sigh loudly and Leia looks at Han as if he were one of the dumbest people she had ever met.
Han ignores their exasperated stares, however, turning in the direction Chewbacca had run in. "Come back here, you big coward!"
Clary watches as Chewbacca appears from the corner, shaking his head. She sighs.
"Chewie, it's all right."
The Wookie warrior meets her gaze before shaking his head 'no' again. Han starts towards him, warningly: "Chewie, come here—"
Before he can make his way towards the Wookie, Leia has approached him, grabbing a hold of his arm. He immediately jerks from her touch, looking back at the Princess as she meets his gaze sternly.
"Listen, I don't know who you are, or where you came from, but from now on, you do as I tell you. Okay?"
Han stares at her, dumbfounded by her statement. He manages to regain himself, though, as he sneers, "Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get one thing straight. I take orders from one person—me!"
Leia scoffs. "It's a wonder you're still alive."
Clary casts the Princess a look, eyes narrowed. Despite the fact Han may be extremely reckless and stubborn, he was still her brother—it was what made him, him, and Clary was not fond of the Princess speaking so lowly to him. Leia starts down the hallway, but stops as she nears Chewbacca.
"Will somebody get this big walking carpet out of my way?"
Chewbacca gives her a look, highly offended, but moves out of her way as she starts down the hallway. Clary bends down, picking up the blaster she had knocked out of Han's grasp as she watches the Princess continue down the hall. She is definitely not fond of her in the least, but if Luke had been telling the truth back in the control room, she will deal with anyone if it means saving her brother.
Her brother seems to be having second thoughts as well as he glances back at Luke. "No reward is worth this."
Luke gives a small shrug of his shoulders, blue eyes landing on Clary. She meets his gaze before starting after Leia. She hears Han and Luke following after her, along with Chewie, as the Wookie continues whimpering under his breath. Clary speeds up her pace when she sees Leia running down the empty hallway, and stop suddenly as they approach a bay window overlooking the pirateship. Han pushes past Clary as he stares down at the Falcon, grinning at the sight of it.
"There she is," he mutters. Clary peers through the glass to see Stormtroopers milling about the ship. She prays that none of them will conveniently glance up to see them residing up above.
"C-3P0, do you copy?" Luke asks into the comlink.
"For the moment," Clary hears 3P0's voice reply faintly. "Uh, we're in the main hangar across from the ship."
Luke grins. "We're right above you. Stand by." He pockets the comlink, glancing back at the others. Clary turns to glance out the window—a dozen or so troops continue to move in and out of the pirateship. Clary tries not to worry about what they're doing as Leia brushes past her, nearing Han. She touches his arm, pointing to the Falcon.
"You came in that thing?" As Han nods proudly she smirks. "You're braver than I thought."
Han gives her a dirty look as he turns, leading the way down the hallway. Clary follows after with Chewbacca and Luke trailing behind as they round a corner. Clary feels her heart beat loudly as they're suddenly greeted by twenty Imperial Stormtroopers heading towards them. Both groups stop in their tracks, taken by surprise as they stare at one another. Clary grips her blaster tightly as the head Stormtrooper nods back to the others.
"It's them!" he exclaims. "Blast them!"
Before even giving himself the chance to think, Han is drawing his own blaster and charges to the troops, firing carelessly. Clary is too stunned to speak or even move as she watches her brother knock a Stormtrooper into the air. Chewbacca follows his lead down the corridor, stepping over the fallen trooper as he roars loudly. Han glances back over his shoulder as Chewbacca helps hold off the group of Stormtroopers.
"Get back to the ship!"
"Where are you going?" Clary exclaims. "Han!"
"Come back!" Luke adds but Han has already rounded the corner, following after Chewbacca—either he didn't hear or didn't bother to listen. Clary lets out a loud sigh, worry spiking for her brother. She's tempted to follow after them, but knows it'd be best to get back to the ship; Han can take care of himself, after all.
"He certainly has courage," Leia comments.
"He's a Solo," Clary says, turning to face her. "Of course he does."
Leia holds her gaze for a moment, a look of consideration on her face as Luke shakes his head.
"What good will it do to us if he gets himself killed?" At the thought, Clary feels her heart sink but is pulled out of her thoughts as Luke nods in the opposite direction. "Come on!"
As she and Leia follow after the blond, Clary can tell he's furious. It's obvious by the way he tightly grips onto his weapon and walks with a swift, determined edge. Flashing emits from the bay window, signaling that alarms had gone off in the hangar deck, giving the group a chance to make it to the ship without being caught by any Stormtroopers. As Luke takes the lead, Clary and Leia follow after him quickly. Almost as if she has contradicted her thoughts, a Stormtrooper rounds the corner. Before he can even raise his weapon, Clary has already aimed at his abdomen and he falls to the floor. Leia looks at her.
"Good shot," she comments.
"I know," Clary smirks, stepping over the trooper as she jogs quickly down the hall. She can feel Luke and Leia's gazes on her but she doesn't have the time to think as more Stormtroopers approach. She and Luke fire their blasters wildly, leading the way down the narrow sub-hallway. Several of the troopers manage to not get hit as they race after the three. Clary allows Luke and Leia to pull ahead as she turns, shooting at the enemies—two of them fall to the floor as she runs backwards, glancing over her shoulder ever now and then as she avoids the lasers being shot her way.
Facing forward, Clary follows through the open hatchway only to skid to a halt as Luke grabs a hold of her arm, preventing her from falling over the ledge. Leia is already scanning the area as Luke glances over his shoulder.
"Looks like we took a wrong turn."
Clary tries to refrain from snapping at him as the blasts from the Stormtrooper's guns can be heard echoing down the hallway. Both Clary and Luke aim their blasters, shooting down the advancing troops. Spotting a switch, Clary reaches forward, slamming down on it, causing the hatch door to shut with a loud boom, leaving them barely standing on a small section of the bridge. Laser fire hits the steel door and dread fills the young girl.
"There's no lock," Leia states.
Without giving either Leia or Clary the time to think, Luke raises his weapon, blasting the controls. Smoke emits from the switch and he turns, facing the two.
"That'll hold it for a while," he says. Clary glances back at Leia as she nods.
"Quickly, we've got to get across. Find the control that extends the bridge."
Clary gives her a look as she glances at Luke, who reddens slightly.
"I think I just blasted it."
"You've got to be kidding me," Clary breathes as the Stormtroopers pound against the opposite side of the door. A drilling noise echoes from the other side and it'll only be a few more moments before they're through.
Before Clary has the chance to glance at any possible way of escape, a laser barely misses her shoulder. She looks up, spotting a Stormtrooper perched on a higher bridge and she lifts her blaster, hitting him square on the arm. He lets out a cry before stumbling forward, plummeting into the abyss. Two other lasers fire near the group and Luke is immediately shooting at the other Stormtroopers. Luke manages to blast one of them and he clutches his chest, backing farther from where he had came. Other troopers move back off the bridge and Luke shoves his blaster to Leia.
"Here, hold this." He then grabs a thin nylon cable from his trooper utility belt, holding onto the grappler hook. Another trooper appears on the bridge overhang and fires in the direction of the trio. Luke dodges the red lasers and Leia steps in front of him, attempting to shoot at the trooper. She misses several times, yet manages to dodge the lasers being shot her way. Clary's jaw clenches as she raises her blaster—her fire barely misses the trooper, grazing him on the shoulder. Before she has the chance to take deadly aim, the hatch gives a loud hiss, signaling that it was opening. Turning, Clary shoots at the feet of the Stormtroopers about to enter from behind. They cry out and step back and she continues to fire at them. Turning, she notices Luke had finished tying the rope, and grabbing his blaster from Leia, shoots at the Stormtrooper on the bridge above. He lets out a short yell as he falls down the shaft and Luke tosses the rope across the gorge—the grappling hook ties around one of the outcropped pipes and Luke tugs on it, to make sure it remains secure. More lasers shoot from the corner of Clary's eyes and she turns, aiming her blaster at the Stormtroopers aiming from up above, preventing them from frying the rope. She looks back at Luke, who has his arm outstretched towards her. Leia is already holding onto his other side and Clary gives him a blatant look.
"What?"
"We have to cross to the other side," Luke says as if it's obvious. "Come on!"
Clary scoffs. "You can carry us both?"
Luke meets her gaze evenly. "I can do a lot of things."
A laser being shot from one of the Stormtroopers from one of the overhanging bridges barely misses the rope and Clary tears her gaze from Luke's glittering eyes. She manages to hit the trooper squarely in the chest and he falls forward with a loud cry, causing his fellow soldiers to back up, not wanting to face his same fate. Clary looks back at Luke.
"Take her and go now while they're gone."
"Clary—"
"Now!" Clary turns, aiming her blaster at the bottom of the hatch as lasers shoot from the opening of it. When she glances over her shoulder she sees Luke about to start forward, but is stopped as Leia quickly presses her lips against his. Clary feels her heart drop as Leia gives him a quick smile.
"For luck," she says. Luke is stunned but manages to regain his train of thought as he pushes off the bridge and they swing across the treacherous abyss to the corresponding hatchway on the opposite side.
Clary feels anger spike deep within in her but she tries to ignore it as she turns, blasting at the Stormtroopers as the hatch rises. She hears Leia call out to her from the other side of the bridge but she ignores her as she continues to shoot at the troopers—she thanks the stars for her good aim as she backs up as the hatch rises completely, revealing the troopers. She sways, reaching the edge of the bridge before meeting the gazes of the troopers. They hesitate, as if considering whether or not to kill her.
"Clary, hold on!" Luke shouts from the opposite side of the room. Clary glances back at him and when she turns forward, the troopers take aim at her again. She jumps to the side, avoiding their firearm and runs forward, causing them to cease-fire. She pushes past them, running to the other end of the hallway before saluting them. The head trooper exchanges a look with his fellow soldiers before she races forward, pushing past them as she jumps off the edge of the bridge.
Clary's mind is racing but the one thought that stands out clearly is make it to the other side. Clary feels as if she's flying, with some sort of force pushing her upwards. She is confused but doesn't doubt her feelings as she feels herself soaring through the air. She turns at the sound of lasers shooting in her direction. She aims her blaster, hitting several of the troopers before grabbing onto the edge of the bridge. Her hand slips and she gasps, eyes widening as she stares down at the abyss below her, almost as if she's been slapped back into reality. Immediately, gentle but strong hands grab onto her and Clary turns, meeting the sincere blue eyes of Luke. He's staring at her with wide eyes as he helps her up. The blasting from other troopers has stopped, as if everyone—including Clary herself—is stunned by what had just occurred.
"How did you do that?" Luke breathes. Clary helps pull herself forward as Leia grabs onto her other side. She feels herself shaking, overwhelmed from what had just done.
"I…" She's lost for words, for once. Clary is usually never lost for words—her mind is always racing and she always has something to say (even if she usually doesn't say it)—but in this moment she feels distraught. What had just happened? She looks over her shoulder again and the Stormtroopers have raised their blasters again, aiming at the group. As Luke helps Clary to her feet and pushes her forward next to Leia, running down the hallway, Clary's mind is racing. There was no way it was possible for her to make the jump. She should have plummeted to her impending doom.
She pushes away her thoughts as she follows after Luke and Leia, as they finally arrive at the main forward bay. She spots Han and Chewbacca, weapons in hand, leaning against the wall as they watch the Stormtroopers make their rounds of the hangar. She hears Chewbacca growl a reply to something Han had said before they both glance back at the sound of their arrival.
"What kept you?" Han asks but is cut off as Clary runs into him, hugging him tightly. She's still shaking and can't push aside her overwhelmed thoughts as they threaten to seep into her head again. She holds on tightly to her brother and he pushes her back, looking her in the eye. "What happened? What's wrong—"
"We ran into some old friends," Leia replies. Clary heaves a heavy breath as she meets Han's gaze once again. He looks into her eyes, searching her expression, as if one little thing were wrong he'd be able to spot it; he does. He opens his mouth, about to press further, but Luke steps forward.
"Is the ship all right?"
Han stands a little straighter, meeting his gaze. "Seems okay, if we can get to it." He shoots Clary a look that basically says 'tell me everything later' before nodding in the direction of the Falcon. "Just hope the old man got the tractor beam out of commission."
Clary nods slowly, her overwhelmed state slowly residing as she remembers Ben. She hopes that he's all right and did manage to get rid of the tractor beam before she meets Luke's gaze. He stares at her, as if still amazed by the stunt she had pulled back on the bridge. Clary's gaze flickers towards Leia, who is also watching her curiously, and she turns away, the all-familiar sting aching in her chest. She's distracted from her bitter thoughts as Luke nods to the doors on the opposite side of the hangar.
"Look!"
Clary's eyes widen slightly at the sight: Ben dueling against Darth Vader, old Jedi versus Dark Lord of the Sith. Clary feels her heart race for the safety of Ben, but the older man fights well—he deflects Vader's hits, and she watches with wide eyes. The battle is brilliant to her, the tactics swift and smooth, interesting Clary even further. She's entranced by the glow of the lightsabers, red and blue clashing against one another, the loud hum echoing throughout the hangar. Other Stormtroopers rush towards the battling knights and Clary is pulled out of her trance as Han grabs her arm, nodding towards the ship.
"Now's our chance," he exclaims. "Go!"
Reluctantly, Clary tears her gaze from the battle as she races after Leia towards the Millennium Falcon. Han has already made it towards the ramp, followed by the droids who had managed to appear from their hiding spot, with Chewbacca racing past him. Leia is just about to board as Clary looks over her shoulder in time to see Darth Vader bring his lightsaber down on the old man. Ben reflects it with ease, however, and glances back. He meets Clary's gaze before it flickers towards Luke, resting on him. He then looks back at Vader, a serene look on his face as the Sith Lord brings his weapon down on Ben, cutting him in half. Clary feels her heart drop as chills race down her spine. Ben's cloak falls to the floor, sliced in half, but his body has disappeared. Darth Vader stares at the remains of his clothes, obviously confused.
"No!" Luke screams, gaining Clary's attention, along with Vader and the Stormtroopers. They turn at the sound and Clary immediately grabs a hold of his arm, pushing him towards the Falcon. They dodge the lasers being blasted in their direction.
Clary can hear heavy footsteps start towards them and she turns, spotting Darth Vader advancing towards them. He stops as a trooper is shot to the ground. Clary lowers her blaster as Han shouts towards them:
"Come on!"
Luke still seems hesitant as he stares blankly ahead. Clary nudges him forward and Leia reaches forward, grabbing his arm as she tugs him closer to the starship.
"Blast the door!" Han yells. Clary turns, about to fire, but Luke beats her to it. The door control panel bursts and the door slides shut, preventing the last of the troopers and Darth Vader from following. Clary turns, ducking as she races across the ramp, Han following close behind her. He squeezes her shoulder tightly as he makes his way to the cockpit, pulling back the controls. The ship rumbles, a familiar sound, and Clary glances back as Luke finally boards, looking distraught. Clary opens her mouth to say something, but can find no words.
"I hope that old man got the tractor beam out of commission, or this is going to be a real short trip!" Han shouts from his pilot seat. Clary looks up, watching as Leia shoots Luke a concerned look before turning, ducking into the cockpit. The Falcon takes off with a shudder and the droids take a seat. C-3P0 doesn't say anything, for once, and Clary glances back at Luke. He stares ahead, expression blank. Clary feels sad watching him and finds the courage within her to approach him. He doesn't glance up when she sits down beside him and she doesn't expect him to. She stares at the floor, silent for a moment, before lifting her hand, holding onto Luke's tightly. He looks at her now, expression unreadable and Clary meets his gaze. She doesn't say anything and he doesn't either—they don't need to. His touch is gentle yet strong as he grips onto her hand tighter, looking down sadly.
"I can't believe he's gone," he finally mutters after a few moments of silence. R2-D2 beeps a reply and Clary glances the droid's direction.
"There wasn't anything you could have done," Leia says. Clary glances up to see the princess approach them. She smiles, looking at Luke with kind eyes. He meets her gaze evenly and Clary immediately lets go of his hand. The emptiness without his hand pressed against hers feels cold but Clary tries to push away those feelings. She feels Luke glance her way but she ignores that as well as she stares at the floor.
"Clary!" Han exclaims, nodding to his younger sister. She glances up, meeting his gaze as he adds, "We need your help." He nods back to the cockpit. His gaze rests on Luke, noticing his sorrowful expression and adds, "We're not out of this yet."
Rising to her feet, Clary is the first to make it the cockpit. Leia follows behind her as Luke, along with Han, climb into the topside gun ports. Clary pushes past Leia, taking a seat at the pilot's chair as she nods to Chewie. He greets her with a quick bark as he flips a switch nearby.
Clary doesn't say anything as she reaches forward, fastening a headset on. She presses a button, calling into it: "Han, can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, lil' sis," Han replies, slightly muffled. She hears him adjust his gear once more before he adds, "Glad these things still work."
Clary doesn't say anything as she glances down at the control panel. She rests her hands on the lever that controls the speed as she glances back up, scanning the universe for any TIE fighters. She can hear their lasers blasting against the Falcon but she can't spot any of their ships. She glances back at Chewbacca as he barks something. Clary lets out a sigh, pulling against the lever and the ship bounces. Chewbacca says something again, this time with a much more defiant yelp and Clary glances back at him.
"What? I don't have an attitude." She frowns as the Wookie gives her a look. "I'm fine, Chewie."
Chewbacca mutters something and Clary scoffs. She can feel Leia watching her carefully but she ignores the princess' stares as she glances at the navi-computer.
Clary glances up at the sound of Chewbacca's warning bark. "Here they come, Han," Clary says into her microphone. She watches as the TIE fighters move closer to the Millennium Falcon, one veering to the left and one to the right. The ship bounces from the lasers being blasted against its sides and Clary struggles to keep it steady. The lights flicker from above the cockpit.
"They're coming in too fast!" Luke reports. Clary exchanges a look with Chewbacca before the Wookie flips a switch. Clary glances up just in time to see a laser bolt hit extremely close to the cockpit. Chewbacca chatters loudly as Clary pulls the lever again, steadying the ship.
"You're pretty good at this," Leia comments. Clary glances back at her before looking forward.
"What? You thought I wouldn't be?"
"No," Leia says, "you can take care of yourself. You're strong."
Clary remains silent, staring blankly ahead. She flips another switch, eyes flickering towards the navi-computer, but for once in her life, her mind nearly feels empty. Almost as quickly as it remained, thoughts are racing through her once again. She can't help but feel upset—she doesn't feel strong in this moment. In fact, she feels extremely vulnerable. She hates the anger that threatens to course through her veins and she slams on one of the buttons of the control panel as another laser beam is fired against the pirateship. The Falcon gives a loud shudder as the lights flicker off altogether.
Clary hates her thoughts. She hates the distraught she feels and she hates the anger, but she doubts it will ever stop. Staring ahead, Clary feels herself thrust forward as a laser bolt streaks into the side of the Falcon, lurching the ship violently. Leia slams against the back of her chair with a grunt and Chewbacca yells, flipping another switch.
Clary knows her feelings won't ever stop.
