One-Shots: The Geek Collection

Poe Dameron - The Force Awakens (4)

"Black Leader, missile incoming!"

"Got it, Three."

The pilot swerved around in a sequence of evasive manuevers, successfully shaking off the homing missle.

"He's still on your tail, Dameron!"

He shook his head. "False alarm, Three, he's not-"

Suddenly, a violent shudder shook the pilot and a burst of flames and smoke erupted from the ship's left wing.

"Wha- How?" the pilot dropped his jaw in shock, but quickly regained his composure as he realized his ship had been severely damaged. The pilot cursed as the X-Wing banked sharply to the side, beginning to spiral down to the ground.

"BB-8! Crank up the shields and get this thing ready for a rough landing! Black Two and Three, cover me! I'm going down! I can't take any more damage!"

"Copy that. Assist incoming."

The pilot ripped off his communicator and his hands flew across the board controls above and below his head. "Come on, baby, don't fail me now."

After a few terrifying moments, the ship shuddered. Emergency drag flaps were lifted and slowed the fall, however, not enough for survival. The pilot grabbed the control sticks with an iron grip and with all his might tried to hold up the vessel as it fought against him. He strained and in a blur, the ground came closer and closer.

"Hold on BB!" He screamed. In slow motion the ship slammed against the landscape, knocking off both wings and scraping the bottom so hard it was surprising that the floor didn't drop out. The X-Wing shuddered and shook so hard that the pilot's head nearly slammed against the windows of the tight cockpit. There was no way to save the ship and survive at the same time.

"I gotta get outta here," he muttered. He frantically reached behind him and strapped himself into the emergency ejection straps. Just seconds before the nose of the ship crashed to the ground, the cockpit launched into the air, just barely clearing a cliff before the ship tumbled into a canyon. Just as the escape pod cockpit slammed into the ground, the pilot's vision went black.

---

I held up two fingers to his neck. I sensed a small rhythm, but I knew it wouldn't last long. If he didn't wake up, he would die. If he died, I wouldn't be able to find my droid.

I lightly slapped at his face.

"Hey, wake up!" He groaned, but didn't open his eyes. I slapped at him again. "Hey! I don't have all day!" His eyes tightened shut just before he opened them, revealing deep brown eyes. His pupils dilated and he looked at me confusedly.

"Am I... In heaven?" He asked with a dry, raspy voice. I rolled my eyes.

"No, idiot, you just passed out. I shot you down."

He sat up and shook his head. "Thats impossible," he said. "You're- you're a girl!"

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

He didnt answer, but instead took a brief few seconds to size me up then chuckle in amusement. "But me? Shot down? By you?" He chuckled again in disbelief. "Yup, I'm definitely dead."

"You're not dead, you're just not as good as you think you are, airhead," I quipped back with annoyance. "You crashed there," I told him, gesturing to the smoke billowing up from the canyon just below. "I would've gotten my money already if your squadron hadn't shot me down afterwards. I crashed a few miles from here."

"A bounty hunter? That's what you are then? For the First Order?"

"Congrats, genius, you finally got something right."

"Make that a bounty hunter with an attitude," he muttered.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah okay, whatever. What we should really be talking about is how you're going to help me find my droid and call in a ship."

"Woah, wait. Why would I help you?"

"Because, Poe Dameron, it is my understanding that you are also missing a beloved BB8 droid. I was given a radar that specifically detects BB units so I could find you and bring you to the First Order. But, I don't have any way to find my own droid. You help me, I help you."

He peered at me suspiciously. "How do you know my name?"

"I know a lot about you. I was briefed before I took on my bounty mission. I understand you were deemed the best pilot in the near galaxies..."

He smirked. "Got that righ-"

"Before I fired on your ship and you crashed nose-first into the ground," I bragged, smirking just as widely. His half-smile disappeared. "Looks like you're the second best, fly guy."

He rolled his eyes and grumbled to himself. However, he quickly let it go and sighed. "Whatever you say. We just need to start looking for our droids before it gets dark. I understand we have a deal?" I looked at him, a little surprised at how quick he was to surrender.

"Yes but..." I faltered, a little taken aback. "Why do you trust me so easily?"

"My hands are tied. I know you're smart and you know your plan is fool proof. I can't get my droid without helping you find yours."

"That's it? Not even a little resistance?"

"Hmm..." He hummed and looked up. He peered at me for a second before speaking again. "I don't think you're the kind of person to go back on your word. You're not one of them - the First Order, I mean." He told me seriously. "I think you're mysterious, and maybe you have a little but of an attitude, but you're not evil."

I shrugged and let a small smile appeared on my face. "And you know, I think you may be on to something, genius."