desolate.

07. rescue missions.

Walking down the dark halls, Beau took the lead of the group with his uniform. He kept his eyes forward, barely moving as he continued forward. He hoped it gave off fake confidence; that he was the person he was pretending to be. A mouse droid skitted past as it whistled, and Chewbacca howled at it, scaring the droid in the opposite direction. Beau turned to cast a look at the wookie, who grumbled lowly back.

A voice echoed on the intercom and they passed by dozens of other Imperials and droids. Beau kept his head low as they stopped at an elevator, glancing anxiously at the other men as they passed by.

The elevator door slides open and Chewbacca and Han walk in. Luke turns to Beau, murmuring slightly, "I can't see a thing in this helmet!" Beau put his hand on Luke's shoulder and pushed him along into the elevator, closing the door behind him.

He tugged anxiously at his collar once they were alone in the elevator, and Beau grimaced as he messed with his cuffs. Luke unfastened the restraints on Chewbacca as Han leaned into them. "This is not gonna work!"

"Why didn't you say so before?" Luke demanded.

"I did!" Han hissed, and the elevator door swung open to a command room, where many soldiers stood in front of them. The lead one turned as the door opened and eyed the group, specifically Beau. "Where are you taking this. . . thing?"

"Prisoner transfer from cell block 1138." Beau stated, hoping he didn't notice how anxious he was.

"I wasn't notified. I'll have to clear it." He waved a hand to his men, and one moved forward for Chewbacca. He swung at him, knocking the man backwards as Chewbacca howled. Han, Luke, and Beau swung into action, acting like they had no idea that Chewbacca's restraints were off.

Luke shot the blaster he had, poorly missing Chewbacca, as the wookie pretended to grab Luke and fling him. They cried out as they tried to protest, and in the confusion of the scene, Han shot at the command centers staff. Beau grabbed one of the dead men's blasters as Han ran for the control center.

"We gotta find out which cell this princess of yours is in; here it is, 2187. You go and get her." Han tapped at the buttons before revealing another number. He pointed at Beau. "And you - go get Kenobi, she's in 2190."

"Got it." Beau nodded firmly, following after Luke as they made their way down the detention block.

"You've met Leia before?" Luke asked, glancing at Beau.

Beau nodded. "At Vienna's induction. Her family was there."

"What's she like?" Luke asked, glancing up at him.

Beau shook his head. "You'll see."

From behind them, Han shouted out. "We're gonna have company!"

Spinning to face Luke, Beau's hand brushed against his arm, both of them locking eye contact. "I'll see you in a second."

"Yeah, you too." Luke swallowed nervously, nodding.

Beau followed down the hall as he and Luke had stopped at 2187. 2188 - 2189 . . . and 2190. He shot at the door and it shot upwards. The cell was bland, only a bench. On the bench sat a woman, she looked to be about his mothers' age if he could guess. She wore a deep brown gown, her hair was a flaming red as it went down waves past her shoulders, barely touching her elbows.

She sat cross legged, palms flat on her knees, eyes closed. Beau didn't know what to say for her to acknowledge him. But her eyes snapped open, the deep blues staring upon him, and she smiled, lifting her skirt and stepping up.

"You must be here to rescue me." She grinned.

"Uh, yeah - erm, your brother, he's with me." Beau began, staring wide eyed at her.