Tasha gulped slightly as they walked down the metallic steps. Stormtroopers filled the space that, although it was very larger, seemed smaller due to being packed with piping and the little workers common in Cloud City. It was filled with an eerie fog seeping through breaks in the pipes, made more ominous by the red glow, the only light in the space. Tasha gulped. She stood herself in front of Han as he negotiated the steps, still not completely steady after his ordeal and with binders firmly fastened around his wrists. Tasha glared at anyone who came close to them. The stormtroopers kept their distance. Her breath hitched in her throat as she saw Vader stood there beside the bounty hunter and the traitor. Lando walked over to them; Han, Tasha, Leia, Chewie and 3PO all clustered together, each one as uncertain as the next about what is going on. Tasha glared at Lando as he approached, her green eyes even more visible than usual in the dark room, standing out against the bloody colour that surrounded her.
"What's goin' on . . . buddy?" Han spat, his last word particularly vindictive. Lando had his back turned to them, trying not to interact; scared the guilt would eat him apart if he did. Surely they of all people should understand: if something dreadful is going to happen, you choose the smallest amount of people to get hurt, even if that means sacrificing your best friend. If you're a leader you make the best choice for your people, you don't let them suffer and die while other people walk in with their destruction and then walk out again just as easily. He pondered his response before speaking quietly, afraid that the stormtroopers would hear and that he'd be in a worse position than he was in now.
"You're being put into carbon freeze." Vader was talking to the bounty hunter, his heavy breathing carrying his words. Tasha didn't want to listen; instead she leant towards Lando, her lips parted in a snarl.
"You put him in there it'll kill him," Lando turned to look at her, and somehow her glare intensified, "just letting you know." the heavy sound of Vader's voice drifted to her.
"The empire will compensate you if he dies, and you will still have Tasha Ryann."
Han and Tasha looked at each other, something unspoken being tossed back and forth between them, her green eyes reaching into his soul in a way that was different from her usual glare. Vader gestured to the stormtroopers stood on either side of them.
"Put him in." Chewbacca let out an almighty roar shoving the guards that tried to approach, throwing them to the floor. Tasha joined him, pulling guards to the ground in the scuffle, noise echoing off of the lifeless shiny metal surfaces that surrounded them.
"Chewie!" said Han loudly, and he grabbed Tasha's wrist in his hands. The Wookiee continued to growl and the girl looked at him, the fire in her eyes smouldering. "Save your strength," Han said quietly, seriously, looking straight into her eyes. "There'll be another time." The tension seemed to leave her muscles and he let her go, nodding his head as though to silently reassure her. Tasha nodded too, her head barely moving. Chewie continued to growl as Han looked up at him.
"The princesses," said Han, "you have to take care of them." the two sisters exchanged a look. "You hear me?" the Wookiee hung his head slightly, nodding along. Tasha's eye caught Han's again, and something seemed to pull her towards him, their lips connecting in a kiss filled with conflicting emotions: with goodbyes and I'll-see-you-agains; with hope and despair; with desperation and certainty. The troopers pulled him away roughly, and Tasha's eyes opened, staring into his as they were pulled in opposite directions. Han stood very still as the workers busied around him on the platform. Tasha tried to speak. Her brain seemed to be ripping her apart. Her mouth opened and nothing came out but a splutter.
"I...." her voice trailed off. Her eyes were full of internal conflict; of horror and determination looking into Han's who seemed to want her to say it as much as she needed to. "i...." she cleared her throat, trying to unblock whatever it was from stopping her speaking as Han's strong expression faltered slightly, "I love you." The words came out in a rush as she broke through the wall of her own making, more terrified of not saying for once. Her look seemed empty, desperate as she stared back at him, stormtroopers holding her back by the arms, scared she was going to try something again. Han just looked at her, his expression strong again, giving her his strength.
"I know."
The platform began to lower, and Tasha felt her heart drop with it. A searing sound came up through the chamber, freezing gas shooting up around the now invisible figure of Han, and Tasha closed her eyes, praying and hoping and praying and hoping he'd be okay. She knew she'd done dreadful stuff in her life but please, please don't take it out on her like this.
She didn't know how long her eyes were closed for until she was startled by the loud bang of something very heavy and very solid landing on the metal floor, shaking her bones.
Please please please. Not him.
"Well Calrissian, is he alive?" Vader's voice made Tasha feel sick. The apathy in it.
Please please please.
Lando paused and Tasha held her breath.
Please please please.
"Yes he's alive," said Lando, "and in perfect hibernation."
Tasha wasn't sure if it was relief that she felt. There was something else in it that she couldn't quite place.
"They're all yours," said Vader to the bounty hunter, and Tasha felt herself being tugged along at the elbows. She didn't resist.
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Nebulous - Han Solo [2]
FanfictionNebulous - (adj.) not clear; difficult to see The Rebellion have won a major victory against the evil Galactic Empire with their destruction of the Death Star, however the war of freedom is hardly won yet.