Missing and Presumed Dead

Reunion

Gripping the blaster hurt. Who knew that a broken shoulder would affect the use of his hand so much? He could hold it, but actually lifting it to shoot would be a problem. Whenever he turned a corner he always brought it up, ready for whoever tried to attack him. Each time was an effort, and soon his whole arm was shaking.

Less than an hour. Less than an hour. He'd heard it straight from his father, and that was enough to keep him going.

He was so close. So, damn close.

There was blaster fire and screams in the distance behind him, and the pained, furious roars of the Creature. It made it hard to not panic and run (or hop) blindly.

It was an effort to follow the turns he thought he'd mapped out in his head earlier--especially when he quickly realized he'd gotten it wrong. He'd known he was taking a gamble before, but to be faced with the very real potential consequences of his choice...

No. He'd make it out. The pirates were busy with the Creature. One would take care of the other, and whoever was left...well, by then his father would likely be there.

The memory of what Vader did to the Rebels at Vrogas Vas replayed in his mind. Rebels whose only crime had been getting in his way to finding Luke. What would Vader do to pirates who'd harmed him?

An uneasy feeling settled in his gut. He was pretty sure he didn't want to know.

He didn't know how long he'd been moving before he finally turned a corner and found a lone door. Through its window, the outside world was enough to make Luke let out a shaky, painful breath of relief. He was almost there--just beyond those doors was fresh, open air, which meant he could find an exit from the town, which meant he could escape while everyone was preoccupied...

He began to hop faster, using the wall to keep him from stumbling. Then--

Footsteps.

Shit.

There was no cover. He could use the Force, but the Creature was too close now, so he'd only trade one enemy for another. And he was so damn close maybe he could get out the door, then use that as cover while he took out whoever was following.

Yeah. That was his best bet.

He gritted his teeth, pushing faster, even as his entire body seemed to go numb from the strained effort on his exhausted muscles.

The footsteps were closer.

Almost there.

Almost--

"Lars!"

Rayner.

He reached the door, whirling, forcing the blaster up even as he slammed his inoperable mechanical hand into the door switch--

He barely saw Rayner's enraged face. He barely had time to aim--he shot on instinct, even as the pirate's blaster aimed at him. His bolt hit him in the shoulder just as he shot at Luke, throwing him off with a shout of pain...

Then a massive force slammed into his abdomen, throwing him backwards through the newly opened door and onto his back, head thunking against permacrete.

His vision darkened. Ringing drowned out the rest of the world. Thoughts were a scrambled mess.

There were other sensations-- bad sensations-- but he couldn't think long enough to register them...

Then his vision cleared. He was staring up at the darkened sky. The lights of the town weren't enough to drown out the flood of stars above.

Beautiful. And yet...wrong.