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Author	Topic: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
lazykbys Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 12/14/04 1:40am Subject: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	Title: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away Author: lazykbys Timeframe: ANH Characters: Luke, Owen, Beru, and me Genre: self-insertion Summary: lazykbys finds himself on Tatooine Note: an entry for the Gentlemen's Writing Guild December challenge A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away The first thing I noticed when I woke up was how warm - correction, how hot it was. No matter how warm Japan's winters are compared to Iowa, there was no way it could be this hot in mid-December. The second thing I noticed was that I was lying on a rough, hard surface. The third was that I wasn't alone. "Hey," a male voice said. "You're up. How are you feeling?" I opened my eyes and saw a big blur, which is the best my eyes can do without corrective lenses. "I found you by the southern ridge," the voice continued. "What were you doing there, anyway?" Southern ridge. Unconscious. I checked the words against last night's memory and didn't have the faintest idea what he was talking about. And why was he talking in English, anyway? Was he an American or something? "Thank you," I said. "Um, do you have my glasses? I can't see much without them." "'Glasses'?" he said. It was as if he'd never heard the term before. "Oh, you mean these goggles?" I accepted them with a nod, wondering if I was dealing with an idiot. There was something about the voice that seemed familiar, though. Then I put my glasses on and found out why. I was looking at Luke Skywalker! It couldn't have been Mark Hamil because the original Star Wars trilogy had been made over twenty years ago. And it couldn't have been a fan in a costume because even the most rabid cos-players do not have plastic surgery to get the look right. This is a dream. This has got to be a dream. "Where're you from?" he asked. "Japan. It's - well, it's far from here." "Tell me about it. This planet is about as far from civilization as you can get." There was the frustration in his voice that I recognized from the first movie. I almost blurted out right then and there the adventures he was going to have. "What's your name? Mine's Luke Skywalker." "Pleased to meet you. I'm Koba -" Two people chose this time to come in, making me pause in mid-introduction. It was Owen and Beru Lars, as large as life and twice as surreal. Neither of them looked delighted to see me. "- yashi." "You're up, I see," Owen said stiffly. "I'm Owen Lars. What's your name, son?" "He's Koba Yashi," Luke said. "He's from Japan," Owen gave Luke a stern look that obviously meant keep quiet. "My nephew says he found you unconscious without desert gear. Or any ID." Translation: he wanted to know who I was and if I meant trouble. It wasn't an unreasonable question, but I knew that no matter what I told him, he wouldn't believe me. "My name is Koba Yashi," I began, not bothering to correct Luke's misunderstanding. "I'm from Japan, a small colony in the Middle Rim. I don't suppose you've heard of it. Anyway, I got tired of being stuck there and bought a ticket out of the system. But instead of taking me to Coruscant, they brought me here and threw me out. They must have emptied my pockets when they did." For something I came up with on the spot, it was pretty good. It explained my lack of proper desert clothing, my lack of identification, and, I realized with a sinking feeling, my lack of money. I wasn't exactly overflowing with cash back on Earth, but I hadn't been starving, either. In this galaxy far, far away I had absolutely nothing. Plus, the few marketable skills I had picked up over the years now meant zilch. I gave them a weak smile. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to let me work for you?" Owen obviously wasn't, but Luke spoke up before his uncle could say no. "Uncle Owen? You're always saying we could use more hands on the farm." "Luke, that's not -" Owen began, then looked at me and said, "Excuse us for a while." They went out of the room to discuss matters. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but it was probably about Owen's perennial objection to Luke's wanting to enter the Academy. When they returned, Luke had a hopeful smile on his face and Owen looked grumpier than before. "Do you know anything about vaporators?" Owen asked me. "No. But I'm a quick learner." "I'll teach him," Luke offered before his uncle could use my ignorance as an excuse to kick me out. Owen looked like he was fighting an inner conflict, then finally relented. "All right, then. But you'll have to sleep in the shed. Try anything funny and you're out of here. Do you understand me?" "Yes, sir." As if I'd do anything to jeopardize my chance to live with Luke Skywalker in the flesh! ----- The days passed by quickly. Most of the time I spent getting used to life on Tatooine and learning the fine points of machine maintenance in a desert environment. Luke was too impatient to be a good teacher, but my staying here as a hired hand meant his eventual release from the life of a moisture farmer on Tatooine, so he did his best while I did mine. Also, with Luke's help I managed to put together a small repulsorcraft vehicle out of spare and salvaged parts. Compared to the landspeeder it was slow and had very little lifting power, but it was enough to carry me around. I called it the Contraption, and spent a lot of my spare time taking care of it. I told the Larses that the Contraption was my way of getting around the farm when Luke was using the landspeeder. The truth was that it was my way of getting out of here. I knew what the future held, and wanted to make sure I stayed out of the dangerous bits. A few weeks after my unexplained appearance in this galaxy far, far away the Jawas came, and with them the two droids I knew so well. I stayed out of the picture while Luke and Owen inspected the Jawas' merchandise. The scene filled me with a strange sense of deja vu, only it wasn't because I had seen it before. Later I helped Luke give the droids an oil bath. It was all I could do not to laugh when Artoo showed Leia's hologram. I also found myself mouthing the words "help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi - you're my only hope" as she said them. Luckily, Luke was too entranced by her beauty to notice. I kept my mouth shut as the dialogue between Luke and the droids continued. One reason was because I wanted to burn the details into my brain. The other was my Prime Directive of Noninterference; I did not want my actions to change the course of the story. If something I said made Luke reconsider taking off the restraining bolt, Artoo would never run off to find Obi-Wan. Luke would never be saved from the Tusken Raider by Obi-Wan, they would never meet Han and Chewie, and Princess Leia would be executed. The Rebel Alliance would never get the Death Star's plans, and Luke would never fly down that trench . . . I shivered. No, that alternate future I wanted to avoid at all costs. Later that evening, I excused myself from the dinner table before Luke started pitching his Academy application to his uncle. I looked outside and thought I saw Artoo's domed shape disappearing into the desert. I smiled, satisfied that everything was happening like it should. ----- The next morning, Luke was nowhere in sight. I knew where he had gone, of course, but kept the information to myself as I ate breakfast. "Luke!" I heard Owen call. "Where could he be loafing now?" He came into the kitchen and asked Beru and me if we had seen Luke. "He said he had some things to do before he started today," Beru replied. "So he left early." "Did he take those two new droids with him?" "I think so." "Well, he'd better have those units in the south range repaired be midday or there'll be hell to pay!" I finished eating and gave the Larses a nod. "I'll go and see if he needs my help, then." Of course, I had other plans in mind. I took the Contraption and went south, but only until I could no longer see the Lars homestead. Then I turned and headed for Anchorhead. Originally I had planned on going to Mos Eisley to see Obi-Wan's lightsaber in action, but common sense had intervened, reminding me that I wouldn't last five minutes in the Cantina. It was disappointing, to say the least. Here I was, in the Star Wars universe just as the adventure was beginning, and all I could hope for was being a hired hand on a moisture farm. Oh well. At least I got to see Luke and the droids up close. Besides, I knew myself too well to even imagine myself as a Rebel. I couldn't shoot, I couldn't fly, and I had no money or skills. The only way I could make myself useful was as living armor, and even then I would only last a few seconds. "Best to stay out of it," I told myself. "A boring life beats being killed by stormtroopers any day." It was at this point that my conscience finally kicked in, telling me that I had abandoned the Larses. In a few hours, they would be nothing more than blackened corpses and I would be responsible because I hadn't warned them. I brought the Contraption to a halt. "No way," I said. "It's not my fault. It's the stormtroopers who are going to kill them, not me." You didn't even try to warn them, my conscience said. "Yes, so? They wouldn't believe me, anyway." Then lie to them. Make up something so they won't be around when the stormtroopers come. I didn't want to, but I had to admit my conscience had a point. I turned the Contraption around and headed back. I didn't know what I was going to do, only that I had to do it. Because this wasn't a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It was happening here and it was happening now. And no matter how I tried to distance myself from events, it didn't change the fact that I had become a part of it. I thought I could see smoke in the distance. I could only hope it was just the sand in my eyes. -----signature----- I would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism you can give me. Please feel free to PM me with your comments. . by the same author (click and scroll dowwwn): http://boards.theforce.net/m/b1/17609715/r17736763
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SkalenFehl Registered: Jan '03	Date Posted: 12/14/04 5:41am Subject: RE: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	Great story! Seamlessly written and good dialogue. I shudder at Owen's callousness. I admire that Luke was so genuine. I think he got a bad rap by the fans, but I give him credit where credit is due. Too bad about the Owens. I guess some things were just meant to be. I enjoyed reading it all the way through. I presume that it was a dream? -----signature----- Founder of The Gentlemen's Writing Guild New Christmas Fic--http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/27837048/p1/?0
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BrokenNoseOfQui-Gon Registered: Nov '04	Date Posted: 12/14/04 5:41am Subject: RE: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	Very original idea! I liked it very much. -----signature----- My Name is Boba Fett http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/18371227/?0 Broken Nose of Qui-Gon http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=16981717& Luminous Beings http://boards.theforce.net/Before_the_Saga/b10475/17766838
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CodyMonKenobi Registered: Jan '01	Date Posted: 12/14/04 7:01am Subject: RE: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	Good job. I really enjoyed reading this. The part where you mimiced Leia behind Luke as she was speaking, I could see myself doing the same thing. Good job. -----signature----- We rednecks like to stay with-in the four main food groups. Steak, potatoes, gravy, and beer, with hard liquor in moderation. U.S. Army Field Artillery The Blood of Patriots http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/24316253/p
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Imperial_Hammer Title: Manager: • SWRPF • NSWRPF • RPR Registered: Sep '04	Date Posted: 12/14/04 3:54pm Subject: RE: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	Read and Considered... A little unbrupt in the beginning, I would have liked some continuity... even if it was like, a bright flash, or walking down the street and something hits me, or whatever.... the whole waking up thing is pretty "boom, here it is..." I liked that you integrated the fact that you were a Star Wars fan... although you seem to forget it at the end with the homestead point. The happyness at seeing th Lars' and Luke was a very well put point, and one I think everyone can relate to.... There wasn't really a plot, but then again, 5000 words is a not much wiggle room for one.... and you managed to fill you time well doinc charatcer analysis on the narrator instead. Your weaving in with the plot of ANH was very nice as well -----signature----- Guildmaster of the GDG Now looking for a new RPF Adoptee The Jedi Way is something found within, not in the dead walls of any Order
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Jedi_BMK Registered: Sep '04	Date Posted: 12/14/04 7:46pm Subject: RE: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	Nice work. I thought you did a good job realistically putting yourself into the SW universe. Most people would immediately jump to something flashy instead of life as a moisture farmer. -----signature----- Destiny of the Skywalkers II: Splintered Paths OT AU (L/M H/L A/P) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28042042/
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SarkaVrae Title: PR Emeritus Chattanooga Registered: Jun '04	Date Posted: 12/16/04 9:32am Subject: RE: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	great storyline, lazykbys!! I liked that you turned around at the end but that you struggled to do so. Very cool idea. -----signature----- http://www.connooga.com TEH BESTEST CON EVAR! are you crazy? it's a very dangerous thing to do exactly what you want TwiLekJedi is so silly "I will sin my own sins, with my eyes open"
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VaderLVR64 Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 12/16/04 11:18am Subject: RE: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	Great story! I'm impressed. -----signature----- Someone who loves me carries an M16. My baby boy wears combat boots.
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lazykbys Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 12/17/04 12:56am Subject: RE: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	SkalenFehl: I presume that it was a dream? I haven't the slightest idea Story-wise, all that matters is that "Koba Yashi" thought it was real enough that he had to try and save the Larses. And the smoke at the end might be nothing more than the burning Jawa crawler. . . . dang, I let them die, too. BrokenNoseOfQui-Gon: Very original idea! I liked it very much. Thank you! CodyMonKenobi: The part where you mimiced Leia behind Luke as she was speaking, I could see myself doing the same thing. I also tend to sing along with musical numbers Thanks for reading! Imperial_Hammer: A little unbrupt in the beginning, I would have liked some continuity... even if it was like, a bright flash, or walking down the street and something hits me, or whatever.... the whole waking up thing is pretty "boom, here it is..." Wellll . . . This is just a knee-jerk defense of my story, mind you, but I think that anything other than a detailed pseudo-scientific explanation is "boom, here it is". And since the whole point of the story is Koba's eventual realization that he's not just an observer, I felt that trying to explain would be a distraction. Jedi_BMK: I thought you did a good job realistically putting yourself into the SW universe. Thank you! Although I have to say, realizing that I have no useful GFFA talents sucked SarkaVrae: I liked that you turned around at the end but that you struggled to do so. In real life, I would take even longer to turn around. (I'm a cold calculating line of asterisks. So sue me.) VaderLVR64: Great story! I'm impressed. Thank you! -----signature----- I would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism you can give me. Please feel free to PM me with your comments. . by the same author (click and scroll dowwwn): http://boards.theforce.net/m/b1/17609715/r17736763
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SarkaVrae Title: PR Emeritus Chattanooga Registered: Jun '04	Date Posted: 12/29/04 3:52pm Subject: RE: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	ok, lazykbys, your responses were so humorous, i had to respond to them as well--i was quite literally laughing out loud at your dry humor! an author who can respond well to readers' comments is always nice to have around. -----signature----- http://www.connooga.com TEH BESTEST CON EVAR! are you crazy? it's a very dangerous thing to do exactly what you want TwiLekJedi is so silly "I will sin my own sins, with my eyes open"
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SkalenFehl Registered: Jan '03	Date Posted: 1/1/05 9:54am Subject: RE: A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (ANH self-insertion; GWG challenge)
	Congratulations to the second place winner of the Gentlemen's Writing Guild Creativity Challenge for December 2004, lazykbs. Here is your blue ribbon: -----signature----- Founder of The Gentlemen's Writing Guild New Christmas Fic--http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/27837048/p1/?0
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