Pilot Dreams (Star Wars)

Part 12 - Stars that Lie Ahead

I'm soooo sorry for not updating in forever!!! I won't be able to update in a long time, and I may consider an Epilogue if I feel inspired enough. Sorry this is a little short..

 In the days leading up to his birthday Luke worked extra hard—at least what he thought was extra hard. He could already picture the landspeeder and all the fun he was going to have swooping around Tatooine on it with Biggs.

When the already-blazing morning rays filtered into his room and woke him up with a wave of heat, he opened his eyes groggily and glanced at the ceiling. His eyes flicked towards the chrono and he vaguely registered the date in his brain as being special. Of course! It was his birthday.

He grinned with excitement and shuffled out of bed. This was the day his, admittedly rather insignificant self, had been brought into the galaxy.

What he didn't know was that, on this very same day, his mother died, his father went to the dark side, thousands of Jedi were killed, and the Sith rose out of hiding and the Empire took over the galaxy.

But all those troubles would come to him at a later day some seven years later, and now it is time to celebrate the passing of a dozen years without Darth Vader finding him out...yet.

All that was on Luke's mind now was the landspeeder when he skipped to the dining room and greeted his uncle and aunt extra loudly. "Good morning Uncle, good morning Aunt!"

Breakfast was pretty normal—bread and some weird green gloop on it. Luke didn't know what it was, and wasn't too eager to find out. Not that he was expecting much, anyway. He sat down and ate quickly.

After moments of silent consumption, Luke raised his head, his mouth still smeared around the edges with gloop. "So, where is it?"

"First, I think you need some flying lessons." Uncle smiled. "Although, I'm sure you'll learn really quick."

~~~~~~~~

Luke listened as Uncle ran over the basics of handling a landspeeder—which he already knew, but he listened anyway, just in case Uncle admonished him for not paying attention.

The brown open-cockpit X-34 landspeeder was not new, but other than the sun-faded exterior and some bits coming off the seats, it looked in perfect working condition. It had three thrust turbines at the back of the speeder, looking ready to fire up and race down the terrain any day. Luke's face was already turning red from heat, excitement, and impatience.

"Want to give it a try?" Uncle finally said. Finally! Luke got in and buckled up. Uncle slid into the seat next to him. It wasn't very hard to tell that he was nervous. Of course. Trust Luke to crash the landspeeder on the very first day he got it.

Luke turned on the engines and they came to life, whirring wonderfully and sending a vibration as well as a sense of thrill up his spine. The speeder began to hover slightly above the ground and he stepped down carefully on the acceleration pedal. The vehicle set off at a steady speed and soon a gentle breeze picked up, relieving them of the sweltering heat.

"Not bad, young man." Uncle commented. "Now where are we heading?"

Luke felt the corners of his lips edge upwards. "Tosche Station."

~~~~~~~~

"Hey, Luke!" Biggs ran over and they pulled together in a tight embrace. "I haven't seen you in a week!" He looked over to the landspeeder. "Your birthday, huh?"

"Yep." Luke beamed proudly. All that work in the past few days was really starting to pay off.

Uncle was looking rather displeased, not to mention awkward, standing by the side of the speeder. Then he disappeared into the power station, presumably to spend time while Luke went off doing random bantha dung.

"If you don't mind," Biggs called out after Uncle. "We're taking our vehicles out for a spin."

They exchanged a mischievous glance, and got into their landspeeders. Then they roared off into the distance...and to the future.

THE END!!!!

*weeping sounds in background*

 Thanks for all the comments and votes (if you haven't, do so now!!). This story was actually quite an aimless story--no climax, not much action, no message to convey, but it was fun writing. :) Hope you enjoyed this book! :D