Shifting back and forth on her heels, Clary glances ahead at her brother, clad in the white armor of a Stormtrooper. She's amazed they managed to trick the soldiers so easily, yet her heart feels heavy at the thought of the lives that were wasted. However, Clary knows that if she voices these opinions out loud, Han will find a way to get her black to planet Corellia, or perhaps even Tatooine, and out of his sight for good. Clary swallows nervously, gripping on tighter to her blaster as she slowly peers past the ramp as the gantry officer enters the room—before he has the chance to register what is happening, Chewbacca approaches him, and with a howl that makes Clary's spine chill, and flattens the officer with a single blow to the head. He collapses to the ground in silence, and the soldiers who had followed him in his aid reach for their own weapons, but before they even have the chance to aim, Han blasts at them with ease. As Chewbacca barks something his way, Clary jogs down the ramp followed by Ben, R2-D2 and C-3P0 at the wave of Luke's hand and they enter the control room, going unnoticed.

"You know," Luke says, removing his Stormtrooper helmet, "between his howling and your blasting everything in sight, it's a wonder the whole station doesn't know we're here."

Han scoffs. "Bring them on! I prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around."

Clary remains silent, watching her brother carefully. She feels worried for him—he is reckless and ambitious, and Clary knows that will put not only him in danger, but the rest of the group as well. She immediately feels guilty for thinking such a thing about Han—he's her brother, she should only care about him and no one else (along with Chewbacca of course). She feels attached to the new strangers, though, and glancing back at Luke, who meets her gaze with those glittering blue eyes that makes her heart race, Clary worries for them as well.

"Clary?" She barely registers Luke is speaking to her until he nods at her. She blinks, out of her thoughts, yet she feels her pulse throbbing as his blue eyes look into hers. Her brow creases momentarily until she realizes what he's asking—does she agree with him, or her brother.

She tears her gaze away from Luke's, unable to look into his eyes any longer as she says, "Shoot first, think later." The response is almost mechanical, as if all her life she was trained to say such a thing. She had been (well, taught such a thing), but now, in this moment, Clary feels sympathy for the dead lying in the control room. She tries to avoid looking at them as she glances up, meeting her brother's gaze. He's watching her carefully, jaw clenched, yet he doesn't say anything or question her further. He doesn't have to. It's almost as if they share the same mind, anyway—he already knows about the dilemma that's running through Clary's head.

She's smuggled her whole life—Clary doesn't understand why she doubts her thoughts now. She blames the strangers who aren't so strange to her anymore; ever since she had set eyes on that glowing lightsaber in Mos Eisley, she feels changed. She doesn't feel the same anymore, and it frightens her. Not many things frighten Clary, but in this moment, she realizes many things frighten her—the almost familiar hum of that radiant Jedi weapon, Han's impending fate with Jabba the Hutt, standing in the control room of the Imperial Death Star with Stormtroopers that could find them any second, and Luke's eyes. She stares at her feet as she listens to C-3P0 reporting to the others that him and R2-D2 had found the computer outlet. Yes, Luke's eyes frighten her the most.

She looks up when she feels a hand resting on her shoulder. She meets Han's gaze. He doesn't say anything. He only lets his dark eyes search his younger sister's face for a moment. He doesn't have to say anything. He understands.

Ben is typing away on the computer, feeding information into the control system, gaining Clary's attention. She tears her gaze away from Han and when her eyes land on the screen of the computer, a map of the city appears on its monitor. Ben inspects it carefully, brow creased. Clary squints at it as well as C-3P0 and R2-D2 continue to look over the rest of the control panel; R2 lets out a loud, continuous whistle as he gains the attention of everyone in the control room. Ben glances at the droid before nodding, giving him permission.

"Plug in," he says, and R2 lets out his claw-like arm into the plug resting near the control panel. Glancing at the others, Ben quickly explains, "He should be able to interpret the entire Imperial computer network."

Clary looks up and sees Luke standing farther from the group, leaning against the wall of the control room. He isn't looking at her (much to Clary's relief, she doesn't know if she can handle another glimpse of his deep blue eyes), but instead, at the control panel. His brow is creased and he appears concerned as he watches the small droid obtain Imperial information. He runs a hand through his hair subconsciously and he stands a little straighter. He is confident and sincere, Clary realizes. She suddenly remembers the conversation they shared hiding in the smuggling lockers of the Falcon and her heart feels heavy one again. She's barely known him for a day, yet she feels as if she knows who he is. The empathy they had shared in that tiny, confined spot, from the emptiness of lack of parents' affection rushes through her, flushing her face and her heart doesn't stop racing. Luke looks up, as if noticing she is staring at him, and holds her gaze momentarily—Clary feels her body tense and her chest stings, as if her heart has stopped pounding altogether, yet her mind doesn't stop thinking. He takes a moment to look at her as R2 continues beeping, but despite the company of Han, Ben and C-3P0, Clary feels as if she and Luke are the only ones in the room. His eyes are gentle, glittering and sincere and a rush of relief rushes through Clary when he finally looks away. She doesn't, however, and can't help but watch him a little longer—her mind doesn't stop racing and she feels her pulse accelerate once again; he is different from the others, Clary realizes, from the way he stands. It isn't like Han, or even Ben. He is different and sincere and detached, as if he is having his own battle in his mind.

Clary feels sad looking at him. She's never felt sad looking at another person—with Han she is laughing, with Chewbacca she is content, with old Ben she is interested, and with the two droids she is happy, but with Luke? She is sad and the feelings race through her mind, confusing her. Her mind is never empty—Clary never stops thinking, and with Luke near her—with Luke's eyes boring into her—she feels as if she'll never stop thinking again. Only a few moments have passed but it feels like forever; a century.

Han shakes Clary's shoulder, disrupting her thoughts and she tears her gaze away from Luke. She knows it's Han from his touch—strong and protective, just like he is. He meets her gaze evenly. Before he has the chance to say anything, R2-D2 lets out a beep, a sharp noise in the heavy silence that had weighed down in the room.

"He says he's found the main computer to power the tractor beam that's holding the ship here," C-3P0 translates. "He'll try to make the precise location appear on the monitor."

Clary glances at the monitor, along with everyone else, but before she even has the chance to read the information running across the screen, C-3P0 is reading everything out loud:

"The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations," he says. "A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave."

Ben nods slowly, studying the data on the monitor. He finally stands straighter, looking back at the rest of the group.

"I don't think you boys can help," he says, nodding to the group. His gaze flickers to Clary who opens her mouth to say something as he adds with a warm smile, "Nor you, Clary, though if I did need assistance, you would have been my first choice."

Clary is confused by his words—they seem to hold more meaning than he intends. He holds her gaze for a moment, the same look on his face that has always been there when he meets the young girl's gaze, before he turns, looking at the group as a whole, now. "I must go alone."

Clary hears Han sigh from beside her, nearly sounding relieved that he doesn't have to inspect the Death Star any further. "Whatever you say," he mutters. Clary doesn't realize he still has his hand on her shoulder until he removes it, adding, "I've done more than I bargained for on this trip already."

Luke, however, doesn't share his thoughts as he steps forward, nodding to Ben. "I want to go with you."

"Be patient, Luke," Ben replies, meeting the young boy's eager eyes. "Stay and watch over the droids."

Luke's expression falters as his gaze lands on Han. "But he can—"

"They must be delivered safely or other star systems will suffer the same fate as Alderaan," Ben interrupts. Although his eyes remain kind his voice is stern as he continues, not meeting Luke's gaze, "Your destiny lies along a different path than mine."

There is a strain of sadness in his voice at those words—Clary can hear it. It's faint but there. She watches the old man carefully as he makes his way to the button on the side of the wall near the door they had come through, pressing it. The doors open with ease as Ben adjusts the lightsaber hanging on his belt, then silently steps out of the command office, still not meeting the gazes of the group watching his departure. Chewbacca barks a comment Clary would have agreed with if she didn't feel concerned for the sadness residing in the old man.

"Boy, you said it Chewie," Han mutters, agreeing with the Wookie warrior. Clary refrains from rolling her eyes as she turns her gaze away from the doors as they close as quickly as they had opened. Han is watching Luke as he says, "Where did you dig up that old fossil?"

His reference to Ben agitates Clary in a way. She doesn't understand the respect she shares for the man she doesn't even know (and probably never will), as Luke is quick to his defense.

"Ben is a great man."

Han scoffs, shaking his head. "Yeah, great at getting us into trouble."

"Han..." Clary sighs, not knowing what else to say. He glances up, meeting her gaze. Luke doesn't look her way, however, as he leans against the control panel.

"I didn't hear you give any ideas," he mutters.

"Well, anything would be better than just hanging around waiting for him to pick us up," Han retorts, taking a seat at one of the chairs in front of the monitor of the control panel. He kicks his feet up, resting them on the edge as Luke stands taller, eyes narrowed as he glares angrily.

"Who do you think—" He's interrupted as R2-D2 lets out a loud whistle, beeping loudly as he rolls back and forth, bumping into the wall, claw still inputted in the outlet, creating a clamor. Gaining everyone's attention, Han lowers his feet, watching the droid with an unreadable expression as Luke makes his way towards the small robot. "Hey, what is it?"

C-3P0 stands beside Clary, glancing at R2. "I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir. He says 'I found her', and keeps repeating 'she's here'."

Clary's brow creases as Luke glances at the bronze droid.

"Well...who has he found?"

R2 whistles frantically in reply. Clary glances back at C-3P0 as he translates:

"Princess Leia."

The name sounds vaguely familiar to Clary, but she doesn't have time to remember who exactly Princess Leia is as Luke steps away from the small droid.

"The princess?" he repeats. "She's here?"

"Princess?" Han frowns, rising to his feet as he gives Luke a pointed look. "What's going on?"

"Level five," C-3P0 says, translating what R2 is beeping. "Detention block A A-twenty three. I'm afraid she's scheduled to be terminated."

A chill rushes down Clary's spine at the mention of someone being terminated (innocent or not, Clary knows she won't be able to live with herself if she lets the princess die, knowing that she could have done something to prevent it; she still blames Ben and Luke for her sudden sympathy for strangers). Luke shares her concern, however, as his blue gaze looks to the group standing around him.

"We've got to do something," he exclaims. Han stares at him, baffled.

"What are you talking about?"

"The droid belongs to her," Luke explains quickly, gesturing to R2-D2. "She's the one in the message...we've got to help her."

Han scoffs, interrupting Luke's hurried frenzy. Clary wonders what message Luke is talking about as he is stopped from his attempts to run to the door, meeting Han's gaze. The older man sighs, "Now, look, don't get any funny ideas. The old man wants us to wait right here."

"But he didn't know she was here," Luke insists. Han opens his mouth to retort, but Luke interrupts him before he has the chance: "Look, will you just find a way back into the detention block?"

"I'm not going anywhere," Han says defiantly. "And neither is Clary," he adds when he sees Luke's blue gaze flicker towards her. "You're not putting my baby sister in danger just for some Princess."

"They're going to execute her," Luke presses. "Look, a few minutes ago you said you didn't want to just wait here to be captured. Now all you want to do is stay?"

Clary finds a small smile tugging at the ends of her lips as she glances at her brother. He's lost for words for once as he meets Luke's gaze evenly. He finally finds his voice as he rolls his eyes, looking away from the young boy's glittering eyes.

"Marching into the detention area is not what I had in mind."

"But they're going to kill her!"

Luke's compassion to save a girl he doesn't even know moves Clary, needless to say. He is as sincere as she's always seen him, yet Han doesn't share his passion as he meets his gaze evenly.

"Better her than me," he replies. Before Luke can protest, he adds sharply, "Better her than my sister."

Luke pauses for a moment, as if Han's words have stunned him. He glances back at Clary, watching her for a moment, before he says, "She's rich."

Chewbacca lets out a growl. Clary glances the Wookie's way before meeting Luke's gaze once more. His expression is unreadable as he stares into Clary's eyes. She finds herself lost for words as her mind races: she knows it's selfish, but all she can think about is how if the Princess is as rich as she thinks she is, she could save her brother's life.

Han also seems enticed by this newfound information as he watches Luke carefully. "Rich?"

Luke tears his gaze away from Clary as he nods. "Yes. Rich, powerful!" Before Han has the chance to question any further he adds quickly, "If you were to rescue her, the reward would be..." His voice trails off and Han looks at him expectantly.

"What?"

Luke shrugs. Clary wonders if he's exaggerating, but she pushes the thought aside—the hunger she feels to save her brother is the one prominent thought in her mind as she watches the blond. "Well, more wealth than you can imagine."

"I don't know," Han replies, "I can imagine quite a bit!"

"Han," Clary says. It's the second time she's spoken this entire time they've been in the command room. Luke glances back at the sound of her voice but she ignores him as she steps forward, facing her brother. "We have to save her."

"Clary—"

"Han, please." She looks at him with desperate, pleading eyes. "Saving her life will save yours. We have to help her."

Han meets her gaze for a moment. She knows he knows what she's thinking. His silence is almost an impending doom, and for once, Clary wishes he weren't as stubborn as he always is. After what seems like an eternity, he looks back at Luke, sighing exasperatedly. "All right, kid. But you'd better be right about this."

Luke nods quickly as Chewbacca grunts his opinion. Clary ignores his discomfort at the thought as she grabs Han's hands, squeezing them tightly, her blaster dangling from her waist.

"I'm coming with you."

Han is baffled. "What? No way."

"Han—"

"I said no, Clary. You're staying here, where you'll be safe."

Clary narrows her eyes. "What makes you think staying here will be any safer? More soldiers will realize what's happened sooner or later and I doubt that this door doesn't only open from the inside—"

"Oh dear!" C-3P0 exclaims, becoming overwhelmed from worry. R2-D2 beeps his concerns as well but Clary ignores them as she squeezes Han's hands even tighter, causing him to tear his gaze away from the droids and meet Clary's determined eyes once more.

"Please, Han, I'm not going to be separated from you again." She tries to push away the memories that threaten to wash over her as she adds with a small smile, "Besides, you know what a great shot I am."

Han hesitates and Clary knows he'll agree eventually. His gaze flickers to Luke, but the young blond doesn't say anything as he watches the two siblings in silence. He finally lets out a sigh that expresses his agreement and the smile that is on Clary's face deepens into a grin and she lets go of his hands, looking at Luke once again.

"What's your plan?"

Luke hesitates, as if he didn't expect Han to agree so quickly, before he glances at the control panel. He nods to C-3P0, who was standing the closest to it. "3P0, hand me those binders there, will you?"

The robot obeys his command and tosses the cuffs to the boy. He starts towards Chewbacca with the electronic binders. "Okay," he says, getting closer to the Wookie, "I'm just going to put these on you—"

Before he even has the chance to get any closer, Chewbacca lets out a horrified snarl, startling the boy. Before Luke has the chance to move, Clary rushes to the scene, taking the electronic cuffs out of his hands.

"I'll do it." Her hands brush against his and Clary tries to ignore her racing pulse as she turns to face the Wookie. He lets out a concerned yelp and Clary gives him a look. "C'mon, Chewie, I think I know what he has in mind."

Chewbacca gives her a worried, frightened look, yet holds out his paws, allowing the young girl to bind him with the cuffs. She feels upset at the thought of using Chewie like this, and fears that the plan could go haywire, but she pushes away her negative thoughts as she turns to face Han. She nods at him and starts to the door, but is stopped as Luke states:

"You're not wearing a uniform."