Old Man Ben...
Título do Autor: "TD9976 Journal - Old Man Ben"
Autor: Darth En Ghedi
Origem:Portugal
Língua:Inglês
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tatooine is known for its harsh bitterness... Implacable to many, home for a few, only the Tusken would dare to roam the hot sands... Only the vile scum of the Galaxy would attempt to cross it to support their hunger for illicit trade.
Only the desperate would wish to escape the iron fist of the Hutts...
If the sand didn't get you, the Sarlacc would...
I crossed the desert for years in my speeder... Now I ran in the hot sand, feeling the heat going through my boots.
The strong midday suns were also burning my flesh through the armour.
This was no place for a human to be.
I was thirsty and weak. Still I found strength to reach the rocky formations of the Jundland Wastes where, hopefully there would be some shelter and shadow...
I also knew that there would be Sandpeople or worse...
But I needed to take my chances if I wanted to survive.
I picked my small blaster from my holster to find it fully charged. A small blaster would never defend me from the massive attacks of the Sandpeople and their group strategies. Still, better have a small defense item than none...
I remembered my Academy teachings on survival. They would do me good, now. Or would they?
The Imperial drill instructors never told us what to do against the harsh suns of Tatooine... Or how to escape the deadly claws of a Krayt dragon or the hungry mouth of the Sarlacc.
As if they ever left they shiny white armors to thrive the hot desert sand after barely escaping the slaughter of their own squadron by the savage Tusken Raiders.
My own armor was my protection as well as my doom...
It kept me from dying in the middle of the desert but also attracted some non-friendly attention.
I needed to reach shadow soon and get rid of it...
Way before I reached the rocky formations of the Jundland Wastes, my batteries died after the 5 long hours it took me to leave of the Dune Sea.
My life support was now off, no filtering against the sand, no cooling, no communications, no visual magnification... no sensors... I was on my own...
I took off the heating helmet. And gathered my last strength to run to the nearest cliff formation. I finally has some shadow. I sat and time seemed to slow down and I managed to get some rest.
I was almost asleep when I heard noise coming from above the cliff.
My blaster met the origin of the sound... rocks rumbled down the cliff... Was it wind? Or someone?
My instinct told me to run, but my weak body couldn't afford it.
I waited and was ready to shoot at any threat.
Nothing...
I remained still for a few more minutes, blaster ready.
When I finally felt safe I dropped it to my holster, only to lift it again in the opposite direction when I hear a voice.
-Hello there! - An old man dressed like monk was waving at me. He apparently had come down from the cliff edge and was walking towards me.
-That's far enough! - My voice was as weak as me... still I managed some composure.
-I mean you no harm. I just wanted to help you, you seem to be in a terrible shape. - The man's voice was calm and I felt he wasn't a threat. Still I didn't take any chances.
-I don't need your help. This is Imperial business. - The hand holding my blaster was now shaking, demanding some rest. Adrenaline kicked in.
-Come now, there's no need for that anger. I am not here to hurt you. I live here and I know how implacable the desert can be... Stormtrooper or not, you need some shelter and some water. I can provide both as well as a working radio to call your friends.
-Thank you, old man. I don't need your help! I am fine. - The body was failing, the man was now but a faint blurry image. I never knew I fainted...
I woke up in a cosy little room inbuilt in a wall. It looked like a cave built into a living quarters, typical of Tatooine. The white painted walls offered some comfort.
I noticed that I was stripped from my armour and only wear the Imperial Standard Jumpsuit.
I jumped out of the bed, forget how low the small ceiling was and hit my head on it.
-Careful there! I used to do that a lot, you know. -The old man was sitting next to me - Eventually I got used to it.
I searched for my blaster, nowhere to be found.
-You can find your blaster and your armour in the living room. I took the liberty to recharge your batteries too.
I felt hopelessly defenseless. I jumped out of the bed to the central area, presumably the living room.
I found the armour and blaster intact. A power cell was feeding my batteries in the backpack.
-Thank you! I need to go now.
-There's a sandstorm approaching. These can be very dangerous, you know?
-I'll take my chances.
-I read your log, you were on drills in the far side of the Dune Sea. It's quite impressive you got here on your own.
-I don't need you praise...
-Well, I was only admiring your incredible resistance to this deadly planet. You must have skills beyond the obvious.
-I am an Imperial Officer, my training...
-No, I was talking about strength of mind... of will... of the Force. Obviously, your suit kept you alive, but this strength was what drove you here.
-I don't believe in that "almighty energy".
-To those that never saw the sun, how can you expect them to believe in it?
-I don't have time for this, old man...
-And where are you going? Your team was slaughtered. There isn't any outpost in a thousand standard miles.
-How do you know that my team was killed? - I raised my blaster to him, I felt something strange...
-Well, what's a sandtrooper doing here in the middle of the desert all by himself?
-I got lost...
-No you didn't... You were driven to escape... ran through the desert...
-You assume too much...
-I know it! The Force never lies...
-I told you I don't believe in that!
-Yet I am not lying, am I?
I picked my armour and dressed it. I could hardly keep myself standing.
-Look, I need to get back to somewhere I can contact the Garrison to pick me up.
-You do know Sandpeople will be trailing you too. It's only a matter of time.
-Are you delivering me to them?
-No! I want to help you! I have a radio. But I can't help you if you wish to go away alone. That's your choice, of course... - He looked deeply at me, I couldn't help but look back to him - You should learn about the Force...
-I don't know how that could help me escape the Tuskens...
-That would help you... You wouldn't need to run from anyone. You can use this power to make good to others... and to yourself!
I stopped dressing my armour. There was something in those words...
I shrugged those thoughts and continued. I was dizzy and felt weak, still I continued with my task, only to feel the man staring at me.
-I truly don't have time for this. The sooner I leave the better. If you are right and those Tusken are on my trail, not even the Force will help me, old man.
-Ben...
-What?
-You can call me Ben... I am an old man, I guess, but I do have a name...
-Well, "Ben", you said you had a radio. I need it.
The man picked an old Republic comm-link. It looked old and outdated.
-Oh! It's working. I can assure you...
I picked it and dialed the universal codes. I began my communication.
-To all Imperial Forces, this is TD9976, request rescue at the Jundland Wastes, I am turning on my locator beacon... over!
All that was heard in response, was static. I waited a few more seconds and repeated my request several times.
I got weaker and weaker. Dressing up the armour wasn't helping. And the dizziness I felt was taking over to the point of exhaustion.
-You shouldn't dress up the armour. You need to rest. - The old man approached.
As he came closer to me, I pointed my blaster again. He used some kind of a move that grabbed my hand, but not offensively, he just took the weapon from my weak hand and used his other arm to hold me while I dropped hopelessly...
Although I wanted to fight to escape, I was surrendered to my weakness... again...
Autor: Darth En Ghedi
Origem:Portugal
Língua:Inglês
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tatooine is known for its harsh bitterness... Implacable to many, home for a few, only the Tusken would dare to roam the hot sands... Only the vile scum of the Galaxy would attempt to cross it to support their hunger for illicit trade.
Only the desperate would wish to escape the iron fist of the Hutts...
If the sand didn't get you, the Sarlacc would...
I crossed the desert for years in my speeder... Now I ran in the hot sand, feeling the heat going through my boots.
The strong midday suns were also burning my flesh through the armour.
This was no place for a human to be.
I was thirsty and weak. Still I found strength to reach the rocky formations of the Jundland Wastes where, hopefully there would be some shelter and shadow...
I also knew that there would be Sandpeople or worse...
But I needed to take my chances if I wanted to survive.
I picked my small blaster from my holster to find it fully charged. A small blaster would never defend me from the massive attacks of the Sandpeople and their group strategies. Still, better have a small defense item than none...
I remembered my Academy teachings on survival. They would do me good, now. Or would they?
The Imperial drill instructors never told us what to do against the harsh suns of Tatooine... Or how to escape the deadly claws of a Krayt dragon or the hungry mouth of the Sarlacc.
As if they ever left they shiny white armors to thrive the hot desert sand after barely escaping the slaughter of their own squadron by the savage Tusken Raiders.
My own armor was my protection as well as my doom...
It kept me from dying in the middle of the desert but also attracted some non-friendly attention.
I needed to reach shadow soon and get rid of it...
Way before I reached the rocky formations of the Jundland Wastes, my batteries died after the 5 long hours it took me to leave of the Dune Sea.
My life support was now off, no filtering against the sand, no cooling, no communications, no visual magnification... no sensors... I was on my own...
I took off the heating helmet. And gathered my last strength to run to the nearest cliff formation. I finally has some shadow. I sat and time seemed to slow down and I managed to get some rest.
I was almost asleep when I heard noise coming from above the cliff.
My blaster met the origin of the sound... rocks rumbled down the cliff... Was it wind? Or someone?
My instinct told me to run, but my weak body couldn't afford it.
I waited and was ready to shoot at any threat.
Nothing...
I remained still for a few more minutes, blaster ready.
When I finally felt safe I dropped it to my holster, only to lift it again in the opposite direction when I hear a voice.
-Hello there! - An old man dressed like monk was waving at me. He apparently had come down from the cliff edge and was walking towards me.
-That's far enough! - My voice was as weak as me... still I managed some composure.
-I mean you no harm. I just wanted to help you, you seem to be in a terrible shape. - The man's voice was calm and I felt he wasn't a threat. Still I didn't take any chances.
-I don't need your help. This is Imperial business. - The hand holding my blaster was now shaking, demanding some rest. Adrenaline kicked in.
-Come now, there's no need for that anger. I am not here to hurt you. I live here and I know how implacable the desert can be... Stormtrooper or not, you need some shelter and some water. I can provide both as well as a working radio to call your friends.
-Thank you, old man. I don't need your help! I am fine. - The body was failing, the man was now but a faint blurry image. I never knew I fainted...
I woke up in a cosy little room inbuilt in a wall. It looked like a cave built into a living quarters, typical of Tatooine. The white painted walls offered some comfort.
I noticed that I was stripped from my armour and only wear the Imperial Standard Jumpsuit.
I jumped out of the bed, forget how low the small ceiling was and hit my head on it.
-Careful there! I used to do that a lot, you know. -The old man was sitting next to me - Eventually I got used to it.
I searched for my blaster, nowhere to be found.
-You can find your blaster and your armour in the living room. I took the liberty to recharge your batteries too.
I felt hopelessly defenseless. I jumped out of the bed to the central area, presumably the living room.
I found the armour and blaster intact. A power cell was feeding my batteries in the backpack.
-Thank you! I need to go now.
-There's a sandstorm approaching. These can be very dangerous, you know?
-I'll take my chances.
-I read your log, you were on drills in the far side of the Dune Sea. It's quite impressive you got here on your own.
-I don't need you praise...
-Well, I was only admiring your incredible resistance to this deadly planet. You must have skills beyond the obvious.
-I am an Imperial Officer, my training...
-No, I was talking about strength of mind... of will... of the Force. Obviously, your suit kept you alive, but this strength was what drove you here.
-I don't believe in that "almighty energy".
-To those that never saw the sun, how can you expect them to believe in it?
-I don't have time for this, old man...
-And where are you going? Your team was slaughtered. There isn't any outpost in a thousand standard miles.
-How do you know that my team was killed? - I raised my blaster to him, I felt something strange...
-Well, what's a sandtrooper doing here in the middle of the desert all by himself?
-I got lost...
-No you didn't... You were driven to escape... ran through the desert...
-You assume too much...
-I know it! The Force never lies...
-I told you I don't believe in that!
-Yet I am not lying, am I?
I picked my armour and dressed it. I could hardly keep myself standing.
-Look, I need to get back to somewhere I can contact the Garrison to pick me up.
-You do know Sandpeople will be trailing you too. It's only a matter of time.
-Are you delivering me to them?
-No! I want to help you! I have a radio. But I can't help you if you wish to go away alone. That's your choice, of course... - He looked deeply at me, I couldn't help but look back to him - You should learn about the Force...
-I don't know how that could help me escape the Tuskens...
-That would help you... You wouldn't need to run from anyone. You can use this power to make good to others... and to yourself!
I stopped dressing my armour. There was something in those words...
I shrugged those thoughts and continued. I was dizzy and felt weak, still I continued with my task, only to feel the man staring at me.
-I truly don't have time for this. The sooner I leave the better. If you are right and those Tusken are on my trail, not even the Force will help me, old man.
-Ben...
-What?
-You can call me Ben... I am an old man, I guess, but I do have a name...
-Well, "Ben", you said you had a radio. I need it.
The man picked an old Republic comm-link. It looked old and outdated.
-Oh! It's working. I can assure you...
I picked it and dialed the universal codes. I began my communication.
-To all Imperial Forces, this is TD9976, request rescue at the Jundland Wastes, I am turning on my locator beacon... over!
All that was heard in response, was static. I waited a few more seconds and repeated my request several times.
I got weaker and weaker. Dressing up the armour wasn't helping. And the dizziness I felt was taking over to the point of exhaustion.
-You shouldn't dress up the armour. You need to rest. - The old man approached.
As he came closer to me, I pointed my blaster again. He used some kind of a move that grabbed my hand, but not offensively, he just took the weapon from my weak hand and used his other arm to hold me while I dropped hopelessly...
Although I wanted to fight to escape, I was surrendered to my weakness... again...
When I woke up again I was laying the same rocky cliff I had sat earlier, exhausted from walking the desert...
It was hard to see, so tired I was.
Suddenly there were some big white blurs in front of me.
Instinctively, I picked my blaster again but I didn't find it in the holster.
-He's alive, sir! - A mechanical voice was heard. While I recovered my sight I could recognize the familiar traces of a Stormtrooper's helmet...
-TD9976, can you hear me? - An Imperial officer in his olive green uniform was crouched beside me.
I could hardly speak but I nodded in reply.
-We received your request for rescue. We are taking you into our medical facilities in Anchorhead. You've done well, officer! The Emperor will be pleased!
I found some strength to speak...
-My team...
-Yes! Unfortunate! You were truly strong to cross the desert like that, soldier. Your training was precious!
Not just my training.
While I was carried to the Shuttle, I remembered that old man Ben...
Whoever he was, he had helped me.
I felt a mix of frustration for my weakness and gratitude for his hospitality.
Either weakness or madness, I could pick one to explain this episode I had with that old man.
I wonder who that old man was... A product of my imagination?
I turned to the officer again while boarding the ship.
-There was an old man here. Did you find him? Name's Ben...
-Sorry, soldier. Our scanner only found you. Your beacon was found on the top of a cliff, great thinking, by the way, but we only found your tracks. Who was he? What's his last location?
The answer was as elusive to me. I never tried an answer. I didn't have it.
When I was laid down on the bed of the ship, I could swear I heard his voice again... "Remember the Force will be with you... Always!"
Still, I wasn't exactly a believer, but my perception of that so called "Force" was now different.
0 Messages:
Post a Comment