Chapter Text
There was something wrong with the stormtrooper’s armor. Leia studied him with narrowed eyes as he stepped into her cell. The armor’s plates clanked and rubbed awkwardly at their joints. The Empire liked all their stormtroopers the same height, possibly as a reminder of the clone troopers they replaced, or maybe just to save a few credits on one-size-fits-all armor. Everyone the wrong height was shunted into another branch of the service. This ‘trooper’ was, Leia realized, just slightly too short for his armor. Hope leapt in her breast. She pushed it ruthlessly down.
Leia sat up slowly. This man was either here to rescue her or lead her to her execution. Either way, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of losing her composure. Alderaan might be gone, but Leia was still a princess. Dignity always. “Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper,” she drawled.
“Hu? Oh, the uniform.” He pulled his helmet off to reveal a sandy-haired stranger. “I’m Luke Skywalker. I’m here to rescue you.”
“You’re who?” Leia stood, but held herself back. This Luke Skywalker had an open and slightly gormless face, but this could still be a trap. The only person who knew Leia of her capture General Kenobi. She’d never heard of this Skywalker person.
“I’m here to rescue you,” Skywalker said again, urgent and impatient. “I’ve got your R2 unit. I’m here with Ben Kenobi.”
“Ben Kenobi! Where is he?” Leia pushed passed Skywalker into the hallway where a wookiee and another man in stolen armor were exchanging fire with actual stormtroopers. Clearly, this rescue could be going better, but, for the first time since her capture, Leia allowed herself to hope.