Canyon Dreams Part I (Revised version) By Bridget Keenan and Darwynn Gilman The heat of the twin suns once again gave no mercy to the citizens of Tatooine. Which was nothing new for them. Most of the people who lived on the tiny desert planet had the same life styles as other people on other worlds. But this day would change three people's lives and the relationships between them forever... * * * "Come on you stupid..." Young Luke Skywalker mumbled to the droid while searching for a wrench in the tool box. Once again the crop droid was acting up. His uncle bought the droid used, and for the past two seasons, in Luke's opinion. the droid was more touble than it was worth. "What's wrong with Treadwell this time?" Luke's aunt asked walking into the garage. "What isn't wrong with him?" Luke replied tossing the wrench aside. He had enough of it. But he knew that if he didn't get it fixed and working on the crops soon his uncle would raise hell. "Maybe you should take a break," Beru said seeing that her nephew's temper was getting worse with the droid as time went on. 'Just like his father.' "I can't. Uncle Owen wants him fixed and working on the crops as soon as possable," "You let me handle Owen. Now go out for a while," She picked up the wrench and handed it to him. "Okay, thanks," Luke put the wrench away and walked out of the garage. * * * Luke decided to go into town and see his best friend Biggs. They had been friends since they met in school when Luke was five and Biggs was seven. "Well, hello Luke. We haven't seen you around here for a long time," Huff Darklighter said opening the door. "Yeah I know. Is Biggs around?" "He's in his room working on the application for the Academy. Go on down and see him." Luke walked down the hallway and saw Biggs little sister, Katlyn, come out of the kitchen. "Hello Kat," He said, passing her. "If you are here to see Biggs I better warn you; He's not in a very good mood," "Why? What's wrong?" "I don't know. He won't answer the door, and when he did he slammed it in my face," Kat said moving some stray strands of hair out of her eyes. "I'm sure he just didn't want to be bothered," Luke assured her. "Whatever. But don't say I didn't warn you," * * * Biggs Darklighter sat in his room stairing blankly at the application on the computer. "Let's see...'Why do you want to joing the Imperial Academy?' To get off this rock, what else?" Biggs typed in. "No. If you type that in they would never let you in," He deleted the reply. "I'm never going to get this done," Biggs mumbled. "Go away!" Biggs yelled at the person knocking on the door. "It's me," A familiar voice from a friend that he hadn't seen or heard from in a long time said from the other side of the door. "I'm sorry I thought you were Kat," Biggs said sitting down at his desk. "How did you escape? I thought Owen had you working on the crops," "I got a pass of freedom," Luke replied. "From Owen? Are you sure? I usually don't see you for at least six weeks around this time," "Well it wasn't from Owen, it was Beru," Luke admitted. Biggs looked at him, "He doesn't know that you're here?" "Yeah," "You're going to get in trouble," Biggs looked back at the computer screen. "I know, but Beru said that she would take care of it," Luke agreed and wondered if Owen knew that he was gone yet. "Hey let's go to Beggar's Canyon and hunt Womprats," Luke suggested. "I can't Luke. I have to get this done," Biggs said, looking for a data card in a file box. "That application isn't due for months. It can wait a couple of hours," Luke said trying to convince him. "Not if you're applying for the up coming semester," Biggs said quietly. "What?!?" "If I get this application in the next couple of days and that accept me-I'll be leaving in less than three months," Biggs turned around to look at Luke. His friend sat there stunned. They had known each other all their lives, and while he had known that Biggs would be going to that Academy before him, he didn't think that it would be this soon. "I'm sorry Luke; I was going to tell you when I found out whether they accepted me or not," Biggs tried to explain, seeing the look on Luke's face but knew that it was useless. Of all the friends he had, Luke was the one that he could trust the most. "Oh what the hell. This can wait for a couple of hours. Let's go before it gets too dark." Biggs turned off the computer. * * * "Where are you two going?" Kat asked from her room while putting her hair in a pony tail. "We're going out," "Out where?" She asked. "None of you're busness," "You're going to Beggar's Canyon aren't you?" Kat inquired. "Kat we-" "There have been reports of Sandpeople there. Mom told you that you shouldn't go there until everything gets settled," She pointed at him. Biggs looked at Luke and rolled his eyes. "Come one Biggs," Luke smiled, trying not to laugh. It was another day at the Darklighter household. Biggs trying to do something that he knew that he really shouldn't do and his little sister getting into his busness. The funny thing was he knew that Biggs would miss her tagging a long when he left. "If you let me go I won't tell mom," she said as they walked away. "Don't you have homework or chores to do?" Biggs asked turning around. "It's all done. Please can I go with you two?" she begged. "Come on Biggs let's just go," Luke said waiting. "I'm sorry Kat, not this-" "Mom! Biggs and-" Kat shouted at the top of her lungs and triend deperately to get everything out before her brother covered her mouth. "Quiet squirt!" He hissed. "Okay. You can go with us," Biggs said relictantly. "Cool," She smiled knowing that she had won. "Biggs," Luke said slightly annoyed. "Do you want me to go with you or not? Because if we don't let her know that that I won't be able to go," * * * "Mom we're going out for a couple of hours," Biggs said waiting for Kat to finally catch up with them. "Okay," Sarah, Biggs mother, replied. "Oh and Kat is going with is too," Biggs said walking out the door. Sarah looked at ther husband with the same stunned look on her face that mirrored his. "Did he say that Katlyn was going with them?" Matthew asked. "Yes," "I wonder what they are up to this time?" Matthew said not really wanting to know. "I don't know. But I hope they are careful," * * * "Hey you two wait for me!" Kat yelled running up the path into the canyon. "Come on Kat, we only have three hours of daylight left," Luke said, turning around. Kat finally caught up to them as they reached the fork in the canyon. The path split into two sections, one leading left and the other right. The path leading left went on a down grade and wound around the outer rim of the canyon. This was the safest route to the bottom of the canyon. The path going to the right stayed on an even keel and wound around the inner part of the canyon. It had the shortest distance to be traveled to the bottom of the canyon; however, it was also the most dangerous. Luke and Biggs started to take the path on the left. Kat stopped and looked at the other direction. Luke turned around, noticing that he couldn't hear Kat's footsteps behind them. "Biggs, Kat is not moving," Luke said, turning around to see her looking at the other direction. "Come on Kat let's go," Biggs said, getting annoyed. "I want to go this way," "No," "Why not? We're always going that way, and it's boring," She complained. "It's too dangerous," "Fine, you two go ahead. I'm going this way," Kat turned aroudn and walked down the path. "Come on Kat you're-" "No Luke, let her go. She'll be back following us any minute," * * * Kat turned around to see if they were following her yet. "It's too dangerous," she mimicked her bother. "Yeah right, I'll show them," She said as she kicked a rock off the ledge of the canyon. * * * "She is so stubborn!" Biggs said angrily. "I don't know what is going to happen to her when I'm gone. Leaving her alone is like letting a minor dust devil on the loose," He turned around to see if she was there. "Kat? Minor? Try major Biggs," Luke said thinking of all the times that he and Biggs had to get her out of all the messes that she had gotten herself in. "Come on, Luke. She's not that bad. So somedays she's an accadent waiting to happen. But you have to see it from her point of view. She doesn't have many friends. In fact, I really don't know any her age. So don't be too hard on her. Oh, and by the way, don't tell her what I told you earlier because she doesn't know that I'm putting my application in early," Biggs looked behind them again to see if she was there. "Looks like the womprats are hiding today. Do you want to go back and look for her?" "Yeah. By the time we get back there she'll be so scared out of her mind she'll be begging me not to tell mom what she did," Biggs agreed. * * * "Luke!" Owen yelled from the garage. Beru sat at the kitchen table hearing her husband's echo. She looked at the clock and braced herself for another argument. "Where is he?" Oen stormed into the room. "He went out," Beru said, calmly. "That boy is going to-" "I let him go Owen," she interrupted. "Why? He had work to do." He glared at her. "He's been working so much in the last three weeks, and he needed a break," Beru watched him pacing. "He should be back here any minute," "Well then fine, the work will still be here waiting for him when he gets back," Owen said leaving the room. * * * Kat reached the narrow path of the canyon. She noticed that it curved and was becoming less stable. "Whoa!" she grabbed the wall and watched the rocks beginning to crumble under her feet. "Okay Darklighter-I think it's time to go back now," She mumbled. Kat closed her eyes and slowly backed up to safer ground. The sound of pebbles bouncing tot the ground below was covered by her heart pounding in her ears. She sensed something run across her arm, and she screamed. She felt herself getting off-balance and tried to grab the wall fo the canyon. As if in slow motion she felt herself falling to the ground below, faintly hearing bones cracking on the rocks, and then suddenly everything went black... * * * It had been almost two hours since Kat, left Biggs and Luke at the fork of the canyon. Biggs looked at the setting twin suns trying to hide his growing concern for his sister from in front of his friend. "I don't like this," Biggs finally said. "She's should be here by now," The thing that Biggs hated about his sister was that she was very stubborn. Once she got an idea to do something she would go and do it- and usually without thinking it all through. "Yeah I know," Luke looked down at the path that Kat had taken. "Come on let's go and see where she is." * * * Luke and Biggs followed the rocky path of the trail and wondered how Kat could make it this far. As the path got narrower the stability began to crumble under their feet. "Any sign of her?" Luke asked looking at the canyon floor below. "No. Something's wrong. If she made it this far I know that she would of turned back. She's not that stupid," Biggs turned and saw the suns slowly dimming in the sky. "We'll find her, Biggs," Luke said, trying to reassure his friend. "I know." Biggs walked over to where the canyon curved. He noticed that it was unstable and that part of the path was gone. He looked down and barely saw a figure below on the canyon floor. "Luke do you have your macro's with you?" "Yeah. Why?" "I need to use them for a minute, I think I found her," * * * Biggs raced to his sister as soon as he reached the canyon floor. He knew that her injuries would be sever and prayed that she would still be alive. "Is she okay?" Luke asked as Biggs checked on Kat. Her body was covered with scrapes and bruises. "I think so. She's still breathing which is a good sign," He touched the back of her head and found a two inch cut behind her ear still slowly oozing blood. "She might have a concussion." "What should we do?" "I don't want to move her until she is awake so we'll have to stay here." * * * Kat woke up with her head throbbing and saw two figures in front of her. "What happened?" Kat asked seeing Biggs and Luke as her vision came into focus. "You tell us, we found you here." "I lost my balance," Kat tried to get up and felt her whole body scream in pain. "How did you find me?" She asked. Biggs told her how they found her he while checkeding her injuries. She had several broken ribs, a concussion, bruses, scrapes, and her left knee was badly swollen. "I think I can make it back, but I'm afraid that if we all go together that we might get lost or run into some sandpeople so-I think you two should stay here while I'll go for help." "No Biggs," Kat protested. "Kat you are hurt and I can't risk taking you and having something else happen to you. I promise I'll get back here as soon as possable. The three friends said their good-byes and Luke and Kat watched Biggs walk into the distance. "You've really done it this time," Luke said trying to keep her warm Kat kept quiet. Luke and she had never really got along. The only thing that they had in common was that they looked up to Biggs. "Head hurt?" "Yes," "Good,"Luke said sarcastically. He knew that Kat didn't feel good because she didn't reply with her usual smart remarks. "I'm sorry," He put his arm around her. "I wasn't planning on this," "I know," Luke said quietly guilty for the remark that he made. "All I wanted to do was to go with..." Luke felt his heart skip a beat as her voice trailed off, "Kat? Kat wake up," "I'm awake. Luke I hope you have your blaster handy," She said trying to keep her voice from shaking as she saw the shadow creeping up closer to them. "Why? What's wrong?" "Don't make any sudden moves.I could be wrong but I think we're in trouble." * * * Owen Lars sat at the table eating and looking at the clock every ten minutes. "Owen, please," Beru said getting annoyed. "You knew that he was supposed to get that droid done and working on the crops. You shouldn't of let him go out." He glared at her. "Luke has been working just as hard as you. He needs some time to be with his friends," "Well, he's really in trouble this time," Owen mumbled as Beru went to the Comm Center. "What are you doing?" Owen asked. "I'm going to contact the Darklighter's. Maybe they know where he is," "They don't even care where their children are what makes you think that they know where he is?" Beru ignored Owen's remark as the Comm Center beeped a reply and Sarah Darklighter appeared on the screen. "Hello?" "Sarah, I was wondering is Luke there?" "No, he went out with Biggs and Kat a couple of hours ago," "Oh. Have you heard from them?" "Not since they left. Is something wrong?" "Well no, it's just that it's almost dark and we were expecting Luke to be home by now," "I don't think you have anything to worry about, Beru. They probably just lost track of time." "Yes. Can you please contact me if you hear anything." "Sure." "Thanks, Sarah." "See, what did I tell you," Owen mumbled as the signal went out. "Please have them be alright," Beru whispered softly. * * * "What is it Kat?" Luke_felt her fingers grab his shirt tightly. "It's a large womprat...and it looks hungry," She watched as the animal slwoly climbed on a bolder making a low guttural noise. "How hungry?" "Well, he's looking at you like dinner and me like a midnight snack," "So much for them hiding," Luke mumbled trying to reach his blaster. He didn't want to risk the animal noticing them or hurting Kat. "My blaster is by your right hand, do you think you can get it for me?" "I think so." Kat tried to keep her hand from shaking as she reached for the blaster. "Got it," She whispered. Luke took the blaster from her hand and tried to get aim on the animal. Everytime he moved to get a clear shot he heard Kat wince in a pain. "Kat, I need you to aim the blaster at the womprat. I can't get a clear shot without hurting you," "I'll try," She moved the strands of hair that had blown in her eyes and aimed the blaster at the animal. "How is that?" She asked. "We'll find out soon." Luke shot at it as it leaped at them. She heard it shriek and fall to the ground with a 'thud'. "Good aiming," Luke watched the animal shaking on the ground trying unsucessfully to get up. "Is it dead?" "No," Luke said shooting at it again and killing it. "It's okay Kat," he put his arm around her feeling her shaking. "I want to go home," She said trying to hold back her tears. "I know. We will," * * * Biggs walked through the canyon. He tried to keep his mind off his sister and his best friend that he left behind but couldn't. Her injuries were worse than he had thought and he had to get help soon. He also wondered if he was really ready to leave for the Academy or not. Even though his parents were all for it he still wondered how Kat would feel when he told her. Biggs found the path that lead the way out of the canyon and felt relieve that this whole ordeal was almost over. * * * Luke and Kat huddled for warmth. Kat was shivering from the cold of the night wind and her weakened condition. Silence and fears were pushed aside as they tried to talk about other matters besides who was at fault and of her injuries. Kat broke the silence first, "He's leaving for the academy early isn't he?" Kat said in a quiet sad voice. Luke was taken aback by the question and managed to say "What makes you say that?" without being surpised. "I may be eight years old, but I'm not stupid. I know when something is going on with him. Expecially when he doesn't want me to know about it," "I didn't know about it until today," Luke admitted. He decided not to play coy or dumb with her. Even if he tried to persuade her into believing that Biggs wasn't going Kat would know that he was lying to her. "How did you find out? You couldn't just know becuase he locked himself in his room," But Luke did know that Kat had a very strong intuition and could usually guess when Biggs and he him were upto no good so she had to find out somehouw about this. "I heard him talk to Mom and Dad about it the other night. They thought I was asleep," Luke looked at her, "You? Sleep at night? Yeah right." Kat smiled. "Pretty funny, huh?" Silence took over again. "He's worried about me," She said in a serious tone. "Your his sister, he's afriad that you would get in trouble and that no one would be there for you in case you got hurt," Kat looked up at him and started to laugh, which made her ribs hurt even more. "Are you alright?" "Yeah I think so. If this can happen while he is here I wouldn't want to even think what could happen to me when he's gone," She said trying to shift her weight. "It's just that when he's gone I will be alone," "No you won't," Came Luke's quick reply reply quickly. Which suprised him more than her. He didn't expect that type of answer to come out of him. "I won't have anyone to look after me," She looked up at the stars as if she hadn't heard him. "Yes you will," Came Luke's voice sharper, quicker and even a bit angry. "Who? My parents? They hardly know that I'm around. It is Biggs who always looked after me," She looked at him. Her eyes filled with anger and neglect. She knew that her parents loved her but she was sometimes more than they could deal with. They were older parents for her and by the time she came around they were too worn out to look after her. So Biggs took the resposibility. Luke could relate to Kat's situation. He knew that Owen loved him, but sometimes he didn't seem to be put up to the challange of looking after Luke. Maybe they both had more in common than Luke had thought. they did. When they both needed someone to talk to they went to Biggs, not their parents or gardians. "I'll do it," The answer seemed to tumble out of him before he could even think about it. "You would want to looked after me? A girl who would rather die than listen to common sense and got the safe way into the canyon?" He smiled at her and knew that she was feeling a little bit better for her to admit that to him. "Yes, I would rather look after someone who would rather die that listen to common sense and than go the safe way. Besides, Biggs mentioned how worried he will be was about you when he goes and since I've been looking after you with him since before you could walk I figured why stop now," "You'll regret it," She said smiling knowing that she would be safe without her bother around. "I know." * * * Biggs felt his feet move faster as the welcome sight of the Lars' farm just fifty meters away come into view. He had now been walking for acouple of hours, since getting out of the canyon, follwoing the stars as his guide. He just hoped that he would be able to get back to Luke and Kat in time. Something caught the corner of his eye that forced him to look back. He saw two large Banthas with two Sandpeople on each of them charging down on him. Biggs was taken aback for a second but then instinct took over and he did what any other human would do on Tatooine. He ran. Straight for the Lars' farm screaming at the top of his lungs, "Sandpeople! Sandpeople!" He saw out of the corner of his eye some activity. moving. Maybe a sensor droid saw him. Before he had time to register what the movement was, laser bolts flew past him. "Whoa! Wait!" Yeah right. They were going to wait with Sandpeople coming behind him. He quickly hit the ground, rolled and decided that his best line of attact was to wait and see if any of the laser beams could find their mark. One of the Banthas came extremely closed to him and a Sandperson jumped off and landed on Biggs. They started to wrestle and he realized that this was not a full grown Sandperson. In fact, this person was about his age. The Sandperson hit Biggs in the face with his gaffy stick. Biggs grabbed the Sandperson's blaster from its the loose belt that it was on and not even thinking shot the Sandperson in the chest before he struck him again. It was over in a flash, the Sandperson landed on top of him with a hollow thud. Biggs laid here stunned. He always wondered what he would do if he were faced with the situation of life or death and now he knew. "Get off my land you-" "Wait! Owen, it's me!" "Biggs? What are you doing here?" He helped the boy to his feet and saw the Sandperson fall to his side. "There is nothing we can do for him, he's already dead," Biggs said in a hollow voice. "Where is your sister, and where is Luke?" Biggs quickly heard the concerned tone of Owen's voice. It seemed to him that whenever he asked 'where's Luke' it was always angry but this time was worried and concerned. "They're at Beggar's Canyon. Kat is hurt and Luke is with her," * * * The medical center was nearly empty when they entered. Huff went and filled out the paperwork on getting Kat admitted as Biggs and Luke stood by her, as she lay on the gurney. "We have to take her now, Sir," The medical droid said coming in between Luke and Biggs. "Come one you two we need to_talk," Owen put his hands on both of their shoulders and walked away with from them. Kat looked up at her father and saw an the same angry look on his face. But it was different from what Owen had. It was more disappointment than anger. "Dad?" "Don't worry about it Katlyn. Everything isgoing to be alright," He said, not looking at her. "I know but, Dad." "Biggs told me what happened. He shouldn't of let you go by yourself," Huff said sternly. So that was it. Biggs told there father and Owen that they let her go that way. She couldn't let them take the blame for her stupid mistake. If she wasn't being a spoiled brat she wouldn't of gotten them in this mess. "But he-" "Katlyn, we're not going to talk about this now." "How could you let her go by herself! Don't you know that she could have of gotten killed? I thought you two..." Kat struggled to keep her eyes open to see what was going on. She noticed that Owen was the one who was doing all the screaming instead of her father. In a way it didn't suprise her. "Just close your eyes Katlyn and everything will be alright," The medical droid said checking her vital signs. * * * Kat woke up with her head throbbing in pain. "Mom?" "Katlyn Ann Darklighter, how could_you go and do this to yourself," her mother scolded her. "I'm sorry. Where's Biggs and Luke?" She tried to sit up and Beru touched her shoulder. "Lay down, Kat. You have to let yourself heal. Biggs and Luke are outside. They haven't left since you got here," Kat looked at Beru and smiled. "I want to see them," * * * Biggs and Luke walked in after her parents and the Lars' left. "So how long are you two grounded?" She asked. "The whole season," Luke replied. "How are you feeling?" Biggs asked sitting down in the chair next to the bed. "Like a Bantha ran over me," They talked for hours about the whole situation and other things. Luke told Biggs that he agreed to watch over Kat if and when he planned on leaving for the Academy and Kat promised that she wouldn't do anything that stupid again. "You better go, Biggs. I think you have something important to work on," "It can wait," Biggs replied. "But you have to get the application in now or they won't accept you," Kat closed her eyes knowing what she just said. "Luke, I told you-" "I knew already, Biggs," "How?" Biggs asked. "I was up when you were talking about it to Mom and Dad," He took Kat's hand, "I was going to tell you," "I know." "I'm not going. I decided that it can wait," "Are you sure about this Biggs?" Luke asked. "Mom and Dad will be mad," "I'm sure about this and I know they will be mad. But right now the Academy needs one less hot shot pilot." Epilogue It had been almost a year since the incident at Beggar's Canyon. Kat's knee had been competely healed and she had been walking without a brace for almost three months. Kat followed Luke and Biggs into the canyon wondering if she should go or not . "Come on, Kat, hurry up!" That did it. She was sick of trying to catch up with them all the time. Kat stopped where she was grabbed her knee and screamed in pain Biggs and Luke turned around to see her almost on the ground holding her knee. "What is it?" Biggs asked running up to her. "My knee!" She cried. "Oh great. Let me see Kat," Biggs went to touch her and she slapped his hand. "Don't touch it!" "My parents are going to kill me." "What should we do?" Kat stood up and smiled,"Fooled ya," she bolted off running. Biggs and Luke looked at her run away from them and then looked at eachother. "I'm going to kill her," Biggs said angrily but relieved that she wasn't hurt. "I'll help," Biggs caught up with her and grabbed her arm. "Let me go!" She struggled as Luke took her arms and Biggs took her feet. "Oh no. You caused us too much trouble. Come on Luke it's time to teach her a lesson," "Biggs!" "So where should we take her?" Luke asked causually. "Jundland Wastes?" "Boring!" "Hey!" Kat glared at Luke. "How about the Dune Sea?" Biggs suggested. "Now that's not a bad idea. I heard that there is something called the Pit of Carcoon. Let's put here in there," "Wait! I didn't mean to trick you!" Biggs and Luke put her down on the ground. "Trick us? You scared us half to death!" "I'm sorry." "Come one Kat let's go before it gets too dark," Biggs put his arm around his sister and they all walked into the canyon together. The End Copyright 1995 by BAK & DLG I would like to thank Darwynn Gilman my best friend and co-author for not thinking that I was insane for writing again after ten years and for agreeing to help me write this story and our ever changing book. Jeff Pierce, Kelly Wood, and Jill Handy for their editing, comments and ideas about the story. Amy Brandt for her "writers opinions" and being a great friend. Mike Brandt for putting up with me reading Star Wars books at work during lunch. Chris Ball for being technical about my writing and listening to me complain on e-mail and during our happy hour about the story. My mother who puts up with Dar and I talking for three hours at a time and the large long distance bills. And finally George Lucas who opened a whole new world for us in 1977. Please send all comments, suggestions, flames to U_keenan@venus.twu.edu "Canyon Dreams" is based on the characters and concepts created by George Lucas. All other elements are the author's creation. Any resemblance to real or fiction persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental. This story cannot be copied or motified without written concent of the authors.