Star Wars Fanfic - The Clone Jedi

(XV) Hopeless

"We walked for days through the dense vegetation without finding any sign of civilization. My body felt heavier, not only from exhaustion, but because I later discovered that the air of Kiros contains less oxygen than my body needed, pushing me even further to the limit.

In all that time, Hina had given no sign of getting up, except to make a few involuntary contractions. But my problems were just beginning.

Kilo: - Mr. Rage. We have a problem. -

Rage: - For the last time, Kilo. It's just another rat. Stop talking and keep moving forward! - I yelled, exhausted.

Kilo: - I'm afraid that will be impossible, sir. My power cells are at the limit. It's only a matter of time before... - He could barely finish the sentence and collapsed on the ground.

Rage: - Hey, Kilo. Hey! We can't stay here! Kilo! - I yelled at him with all my strength, but it was in vain.

At that moment I found myself at a difficult crossroads. I had to choose between saving them, or surviving. Food rations were running out, my legs were beginning to give out. Still, I mounted Kilo's heavy metal body on the side of the metal plate where Hina was on, and dragged them until my body collapsed.

The nights were endless. Occasionally an animal would stalk us from the shadows. It was some kind of feline. I couldn't see it in its entirety. Most striking were his glowing eyes that reflected the crimson light from the lightsaber, which I activated at the slightest sign of danger. Fortunately, the beast stopped following us once the morning sun arrived.

Despite everything, I kept going without thinking much about things. I was just focused on finding something that could get us out of the endless jungle, but luck didn't smile on me at all. And finally, when I couldn't even count how many nights had passed, I fell wearily on the muddy ground at my feet. I only remember that I could barely look behind and at Hina and Kilo on the metal plate while muttering "forgive me."

I can't say how long it took, or even how it was possible. But I remember a strange smell that took me out of the dream I was in. My head ached intensely and my vision was quite blurry, but I managed to catch a glimpse of what looked like a makeshift shelter. Where was I? How did I get there? I was wondering at the time.

I remember that I could barely move, and I had a strange device covering my mouth on my nose. I didn't know what it was exactly, but at least it let me breathe with some difficulty. When I was able to recover a little, I could see the interior calmly, and I realized that it was a kind of metal igloo and I could see the jungle through a glass panel on the roof. I felt somewhat relieved, but my peace of mind would not last long.

The piece of cloth that served as the shelter's door swung aside, and a six-legged creature entered the shelter. The same feline creature that was following us. Its size was somewhat impressive, and it looked directly at me with its yellow eyes and slitted pupils. In truth, I was terrified of fear in his presence. I was desperately looking for the lightsaber, but it wasn't there, it had vanished.

The creature began to approach me slowly, and I remember looking directly into its eyes. However, the creature did not show any signs of aggression or hostility. If I had to describe her, it could be said that it was curious about me.

At that time, my impression of the creature had changed. In fact. Without the fear that I felt. I could appreciate his beautiful bright green fur with the blue locks that came out of his head like a kind of wavy mane. Its muzzle was somewhat thin to make it look like a predator, but its two lower fangs protruded from its mouth. Something a little strange... and tender, I could say.

I still can't understand what prompted me to do such nonsense. But I gently raised my hand and tried to touch the creature's head. At first, it stepped back slightly and I stopped, but then it came back, sniffed at my hand, and let me stroke her forehead.

I remember that I let out a smile when I realized that what I was so afraid of turned out to be a cute and purring giant cat. He began to come closer to me while I scratched his neck, back and sides. And without notice. It collapsed on me. The scene was enchanting, if we don't take into account that it was a three hundred kilogram animal that crushed me with all its weight. And then listen:

????: - Princess! Get down! -

Hearing those words, my first thought was: "Princess, are you serious?", but then the huge cat immediately got up and walked away from me, allowing me to see a much older Togruta standing at the door of the shelter."