THE SKYWALKERS: book two

CHAPTER FIVE - Scattered

Luke let out a breath once they'd left Naboo's atmosphere. "That wasn't so bad. Now, all we have to do is set a course for...where is it we're going?"

Leia groaned. "I have no idea! Get us to light speed. We'll get away from here and hide until we can figure something out."

"Can do." But when Luke looked at the massive console, it occurred to him that he might not be able to do it. He flipped a switch, and nothing happened.

Leia crossed her arms. "I thought you said you knew how to do this."

"I do! Just. Give me. A second," he flipped another switch, and this time, the whole ship began to shake and an ear-splitting alarm sounded.

Leia threw her hands over her ears. "Turn it off! Put it back the way it was!"

Luke fumbled hurriedly with the switch and turned it off, regaining control. Alright, so this wasn't as easy as his dad made it look.

"So we're in the middle of space and you don't even know how to work light speed?"

"I'm gonna figure it out. There must be an instruction manual or something," he muttered to himself.

"An instruction manual?" Leia groaned again. "We might as well just go home and face the horrific deaths that await us."

"No!" Luke snapped, studying the wide array of switches on the console in front of him. This ship was different from the ones he'd worked on with his dad.

"Kriff."

"Leia, I'm gonna get it! Just give me a sec—"

"No, look!" Leia shook him and pointed out the window.

There, in the distance, was a gray object that seemed to be moving closer to them. A TIE fighter. More followed.

"Holy Force. They're following us." Luke gasped.

"Luke!" Leia cried. "We have to go. Now!"

The TIE fighters opened fire, and Luke had no choice but to focus his efforts on dodging their attacks. He spun out of the way of the first round of green blasts, but more were coming.

"This is not good. This is not good!" Leia sat down in the co-pilot's chair again, holding on for dear life as Luke attempted to outmaneuver the TIE fighters. "Why don't they put guns on these ships?"

Luke closed his eyes, realizing that the only way he was going to achieve anything at this point would be through calm meditation. He tried to remember all he'd read about ships, everything his dad had told him.

"What are you doing now?" Leia said.

The whole ship shook as blaster fire found its mark.

"They're gaining on us!"

"Chart a course for the nearest inhabited planet," Luke said calmly. His mind felt clearer than it ever had before.

Leia stumbled over to the console as they were jumbled around. "I hope you know what you're doing. The shields won't hold much longer."

Sure enough, a loud explosion occurred at the rear, rattling the entire ship again.

"That's a lot of damage," she said worriedly. "Luke!"

"The nearest planet!" Luke opened his eyes.

Leia was searching for buttons just as he had been, so he shoved her out of the way and quickly charted a course for...Tatooine. Interesting. Leia had mentioned their parents talking about it...

Another explosion rocked the ship.

"We're about to get blown to bits!" Leia barked.

"Would you shut up?" Luke slammed his fist down on a button and pushed a lever forward, and they shot off into hyperspace, leaving the TIE fighters in the dust.