Jump To The Past

Falling

Ezra felt like a abused rag doll as he and Garen were thrown to the back of the ship on the outside. The sudden embrace of cool, empty air relived Ezra a little. Free falling into a sinkhole was better than getting rolled across a cargo ship. Ra'Lu's ship was easy to track in the dark pit due to the flames licking wildly at one wing. Ezra hoped they could find a way to stop their rapid descent before it was too late.
Below, and falling fast, in Ra'Lu's ship, the pilot and Qui-Gonn fought the forces of gravity to regain control of the cargo ship. Behind them Obi-Wan gripped the edge of his seat, fearing he would be joining his friends outside. The ship rocked side to side, scraping the rock wall, sending up sparks. Alarms still trilled loudly above the howling wind coming through the broken view port. Ra'Lu's wild cursing was lost in the jumbled noise. Obi-Wan closed his eyes tightly, praying Ezra and Garen were at the very least alive.

R4 warbled weakly as he struggled to free his cylindrical body from the wrecked starfighter. Behind the shattered plexiglass that was once the dome of the cockpit, was the pilot. He was slumped over, his face pressed against the control board. Blood clumped his golden brown hair together, worrying the little astromech droid. R4 whistled triumphantly as he freed himself. Using his boosters the droid flew around the starfighter. After the steering had gone completely, the ship spun closer to the walls until it slammed into a crevice, wedging itself solidly in the tight space. The astromech perched himself atop the starfighter in front of the cockpit. Extending his mechanical arm, R4 tapped the unconscious pilot's shoulder lightly. Momentarily the pilot stirred, opening his sky blue eyes slightly.

"Blast!" He exclaimed softly as he sat up.
R4 whistled and chirped loudly, waving his mechanical arm around for emphasis.

"Yes, I remember my name is Kenobi." He replied, rubbing his forehead gingerly.
R4 didn't seem very convinced and made an unhappy warble.

"I'm fine, R4." Kenobi said as he looked around. "Just a little sore."

The astromech appeared satisfied with Kenobi's response. Igniting his boosters once again, R4 helped Kenobi out of the cockpit to the rock wall. Finding a small ledge above the wrecked starfighter, Kenobi sat down to observe the mess he was in. And quite the mess it was. Leaning back much as he could, Kenobi stared up at the distant light which was the sky. Kenobi lowered his head with a sigh; it was going to be a very, very long climb to the surface.

Ra'Lu's ship came to a lurching halt in mid air, throwing its passengers forward. Ra'Lu smacked her head hard on the control board despite her efforts to catch herself. Qui-Gonn had braced himself using the co-pilot's steering stick. Unfortunately for the youngest passenger he didn't have time to prepare for the sudden stop. The straps securing him to his seat groaned as they were pushed to their limits. For several agonizingly long seconds Obi- Wan was unable to breath. Instinctive self preservation kicked in forcing Obi-Wan to inhale; jump starting his breathing again. His gasps for air were lost in the howls of the wind as the ship began to free fall. Pilot and co-pilot gripped the steering sticks in front of them as they tried to bring the cargo ship up. Their efforts were not in vain however. Moments before they crashed into the dark waters below, the ship powered up. The repulsors stopped their fall, levelling them off just above the water. The dark liquid sprayed across the bottom of the ship, having been disturbed by the repulsors force. Ra'Lu didn't mind the water as it came through the broken view port seeing as it doused the wings.
Suddenly two objects from above hit the top of the ship, rolling across. Obi-Wan thought he heard a few groans over the sound of the ship. Not long after Ezra and Garen limped into the cockpit, having entered the ship via the top hatch.

"Well, that was quite the ride." Ra'Lu said dryly, breaking the quiet tension.

Ezra snorted as he flopped down into his seat. Aside from a few scrapes and scratches, he and Garen were alright. Though that was certainly a experience neither wanted to have again. The battered cargo ship rose noisily at a creeping pace as its occupants settled down. Every time something groaned under pressure Ezra tensed up, expecting the worse. Luck or the Force was with them and nothing else burst into flame or broke; though the wings were still smoldering. It would be fine for now, more importantly they were alright.

Kenobi clung to the slight outcropping as he desperately tried to find a good foot hold. His feet dangled in the open air, threatening to pull the rest of him with them. Groaning, Kenobi looked down at the smooth surface level with his feet. It had been relatively easy for him to get hand holds below and above the smooth patch. Now, however, he couldn't seem to find a place for his feet in order to push himself upward. Kenobi could just hear Anakin mocking him for being so careless. As if his former Padawan hadn't done the same before - on many occasions. R4 had already departed for the surface upon Kenobi's orders. The little astromech wouldn't have been able to hover for long.
Another groan escaped Kenobi's mouth as he watched his fingers slip a fraction off the edge. He really hoped the other ship which had gone down would come back up. Before he completely lost his grip on the outcropping.