8 Chapter 008

DREAMSCAPE

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"Huh, where am I?", he was...in his old gear? How is this possible, what the fuck is going on?

Frank looked around, and instantly recognized the terrain and operation. It was one of his final deployments. He was on contract for 4 more months.

The night enveloped the dense jungle with its cloak of darkness, broken only by the intermittent flashes of distant lightning. Amidst the cacophony of raindrops pounding the thick canopy above, a few figures crouched low, their silhouette barely discernible against the shadowy backdrop.

'I can't do anything, it's like I'm watching a movie.' Frank claimed as he wondered if this was a form of punishment to balance out his chance at being Han Solo and existing in such a fictional galaxy.

The mission was clear: infiltrate enemy lines, extract crucial intelligence, and unleash chaos upon their meticulously fortified stronghold. Frank's heart, despite not being in control of his body, pounded like a war drum as the former Frank checked his gear, ensuring each piece was in perfect condition. With a nod to his squad, they melted into the darkness like phantoms, their movements swift and silent.

The jungle seemed to hold its breath as they neared the enemy encampment, the air thick with tension. Suddenly, a blinding explosion shattered the stillness, sending shockwaves rippling through the dense foliage. Chaos erupted as gunfire erupted from all directions, illuminating the night with fiery flashes.

"Johnson, cover our flank! Ramirez, lay down suppressing fire! We're moving in!"

His squadmates nodded, their faces grim but determined as they followed his lead into the heart of the enemy stronghold.

Bullets whizzed past them as they advanced, the air thick with the stench of gunpowder, burnt flesh, and sweat. The old Frank glanced back at his team, a fierce determination burning in his eyes. Whilst the spectating Frank, could only feel sadness.

"Stay low, stay focused! We're almost there!"

Ramirez let loose a volley of gunfire, forcing the enemy to duck for cover as Johnson and his squad pushed forward. But the enemy, who took advantage of their familiarity with the terrain, wasn't going down without a fight.

"We've got hostiles on the left! Grenades incoming!" shouted Jones, his voice tense with urgency.

Frank could only watch in horror, as he knew what was coming. His freinds, no his brothers were going to die....

"Keep pushing! We can't let them-arghhh" he shouted, but his message dissolved into nothingness as a bullet pierced his throat.

"GARRY!!!!" Ramirez shouted in anger, as he continued laying down suppressing fire.

"Frank, help him, what the fuck are yo-", and just like that a bullet pierced through his skull. Frank did nothing and said nothing, slowly the scene around him changed. He was, somewhere else now?

The atmosphere was fresh, refreshing, and flat-out breathtaking. If you were to tell Frank this was the Garden of Eden, he would believe you. But once again, the atmosphere changed into something more....sinister.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, her form shrouded in darkness as she approached with otherworldly grace. She displayed unremarkable beauty.

"Oh, my, eyes up here husband." Frank, taken by surprise by the usage of husband, realized that he had control of his body and responded accordingly. He quickly backed away, making distance between the two. Abeloth, it was only a matter of time. He had read only bits about her back on Earth, but his interest broadly, was elsewhere when it came to the Star Wars universe.

"Listen chick, I know who you are, and you know who I am. Get to the point." Frank said with a tempered demand. It was almost certainly, as he said, Abeloth. Who else has white hair, pale skin, and the power to enter dreams? Well, maybe Palpatine. But you get the point.

At that request, Abeloth morphed her previous angelically beautiful form into a ghoulish creature that would push the average person toward the point of insanity "You belong to me," she declared, her voice echoing with a haunting resonance that sent shivers down his spine. "I will find you, boy. You're my chance at true freedom, we could rule the galaxy, no...THE UNIVERSE!"

This bitch is crazy, Jesus Christ. "I'm flattered Abeloth, really. But there's something you haven't considered." Frank stated, Abeloth had basically confirmed that she wouldn't hurt him, at least not to the point of death. He was her proclaimed, "husband" so this was smooth sailing.

Abeloth said nothing and her figure went still, a chilling silence enveloped the atmosphere. Frank, who was still relatively confident, started to get nervous. It was like one of those scenes in horror films where the tension reached its pinnacle before the worst came true.

In a flash, Abeloth sped in front of Frank, gripping his jaw, and screamed manically into his face. "AARGGGGGGGGGGHHHHH". 

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Millennium Falcon

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"AHHH-what the kriff, where am I?", Han jolted upwards in a panic. He was shirtless, with bacta fluids pinned into his veins. Leia, who was attending to him, jolted back in shock.

"Calm down, Han. You're okay.", Leia said with concern obvious in her tone. She placed her hand on his chest, which caused him to twitch due to the chilling sensation.

Chewie entered the room in a panic, and sighed with relief at the now calm setting. He went into panic mode after hearing Han scream out in terror.

He asked Han if everything was alright, and Han stated "Yeah, I should be alright buddy. I think I just need some sleep, there's something...something more dangerous than any of you could possibly imagine out there. It's coming for me, and if I'm-.... no, if we're not prepared. The galaxy is going to be even more royally kriffed than it is now."

Leia and Chewie were shocked, to say the least, but they also couldn't comprehend the validity of his claim. The empire is already the top threat to the galaxy, they can destroy planets on a whim. Alderaan being an example. Who and what is Han referring to?

"What seems to be bothering you, captain?" Ben Kenobi, who was thankfully, up on both feet and walking. But his knee had a skintight mechanical strap holding it in place. He sensed a great darkness within Han Solo. What made it more unsettling was its presence felt detached, as if it wasn't coming from the young captain.

"Well, that's a long story. But maybe for another time. I need some shut-eye guys. I really would appreciate some alone time and Leia, thank you." Han said, he was exhausted. 

They all nodded and exited the room. However, Leia stayed behind. She smiled and told Han, "What you did back there, it was brave. I just want to thank you. I already did so with everyone else, but, we would be dead without you." and before Han could respond, she kissed him on the cheek. 

Han, being the Princess Leia simp in his youthful days back on Earth sunk into his bed like a shy teenage boy. "No problem, If that's my reward, I think being the hero is totally worth it," he claimed sheepishly.

Leia smirked, and exited the room, swaying her hips in motion. Almost as if it was done on purpose. Han sat back, and smiled. "Well, this is either going to be a fun life or a demonstrably shit one." Abeloth, what a freak. Crazy is not always attractive, I guess.