Captain Howzer Short Story

4.

Ryloth and the new Empire were still in transition. Pyxis was doing everything she could to keep Hera away from her uncle Gobi, but to no avail. So now she found herself trailing after the young girl and her droid, Chopper. "Hera! Wait up!"
"Come on! We just need to get up to the ridge and then we can take a break," Hera told her.
Pyxis huffed another time, finally gaining ground on Hera. "I swear, we better not get caught or anything. I'm supposed to be watching you!" Pyxis complained.
"Can you see me with your eyes?" Hera teased.
Pyxis just rolled her eyes as Hera found the ridge she wanted. She dug out a pair of binocs and began to scan the doonium refinery. Chopper settled down next to her and made a few noises. 
Pyxis laid next to her, crossing her arms behind her head as she looked up into the sky. "What are you thinking about?" Hera asked her after a while.
"Just the end of the war. I really hope the Empire doesn't stay here. I remember my father telling me about corrupt governments. That's why we were leaving our settlement. Things were tense," Pyxis said as her voice trailed off.
"More and more troops have been coming in. I don't think the Empire is leaving anytime soon," Hera said. "What about you and Captain Howzer?"
Pyxis shot her a look. "What about us?" she said sharply.
"Is he your boyfriend now?" Hera asked with a teasing voice.
Pyxis shrugged her shoulders and went back to scanning the refinery. "I don't know. It was only one date."
"I think he's nice," Hera said thoughtfully.
Both girls turned at the sound of approaching footsteps and Pyxis quickly hid the binocs under her skirt. A pair of clone troopers appeared, pointing their blasters at Pyxis and Hera.
"You are not authorized to be here. Come with us," the first one said.
"We were just relaxing out here," Hera said.
Pyxis gave her a warning look as they both rose to their feet. Chopper began making aggressive noises and Pyxis shushed him before he could cause any trouble.

Howzer's heart clenched in his chest when he heard the radio call. He quickly called two of his men and they hopped in a land speeder, headed toward the coordinates called in. His fists clenched and unclenched as he tried to think of how to handle the situation. As they pulled to a stop his heart sank. Pyxis and Hera were standing there, looking a little guilty. Chopper was making small circles on the ground.
"Miss Koren, Hera. What were you doing so close to the refinery?" He asked them.
Hera opened her mouth to speak but Pyxis stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. "There was a refinery near that spot? We didn't even know. We were out looking for convors." Pyxis knew it was blatant lie, but she knew what was at risk. Lying to Howzer was not on her list of ways to win his heart. Heat crept up her neck and face, making her lines faintly stand out.

Howzer coughed into his hand, disgruntled at her deception. "Well. I will escort you home." He ushered them into the land speeder taking only two more troopers with him. The ride to the Syndulla residence was tense as Pyxis looked anywhere but his face. She felt so ashamed for having to lie to him, but she knew she had to protect Hera.

After Howzer spoke with the Syndullas, he motioned Pyxis to follow him away from the speeder. Trepidation filled her heart as she watched Howzer take off his helmet. He nervously looked at the ground and then up at her.
"Pyxis... I don't know if you're involved in anything... and I don't want to know. But you need to be careful. Hera, too."
"I know. And I'm sorry I put you in a difficult position. I won't let it happen again," she said to him.
He looked over his shoulder at the troopers waiting in the speeder and then back at her.
"Will I see you tomorrow night?"
"I think so. I don't see why not." She tried to keep her emotions hidden just in case some of the troopers from the speeder were watching.
"Good night." Howzer turned and returned to the speeder.

"How could you let her get caught?" Eleni asked Pyxis.
"You know tensions are high right now and I don't want her in danger."
Hera began to interrupt. "It wasn't her fault! Chopper and I-"
Hera was silenced by a glare from her mother.
"Keep her away from Gobi, and keep her away from the Empire. Please." Eleni turned and left the room. Cham stood on the side and said, "She'll cool down in a little while. Just be careful."

Pyxis and Hera went to their respective rooms. Chopper was banished to the garage as he would not stop making noise. There was a soft knock on the door as Pyxis was sitting at her desk. "Come in," she called .
Hera came in with a guilty look on her face and her hands grasped in front of her.
"I'm sorry I got us into trouble," she said in a small voice.
"Don't worry about it," Pyxis said as she opened her arms to welcome Hera in a hug.
"You parents didn't say to stop doing what we were doing. They only said don't get caught. And to be careful." Pyxis was thinking about the Empire and Howzer. Did he believe in their new cause?
Hera pulled away and looked at Pyxis. "We need to be more careful. Uncle Gobi is gathering forces. You can't get caught because then Howzer will get in trouble."
Hera was already wise beyond her years and had a large heart. "I'll be more careful. And you need to, too."
Hera gave Pyxis a final hug before she left and went back to her room.