we all fall down

The Falcon surged ahead, closing the distance between them and the enemy craft. Ivy watched in tense silence, something gnawing at the back of her mind. Ben's voice was calm, but edged with certainty. "A fighter that size couldn't get this deep into space on its own."

Luke nodded. "It must have gotten lost, been part of a convoy or something."

Han narrowed his eyes. "Well, he ain't gonna be around long enough to tell anyone about us." Ivy squinted at the horizon beyond the TIE fighter. Something ahead caught her attention. One of the distant stars seemed... wrong. It wasn't twinkling like the others. It was growing.

Luke noticed it too. His breath hitched. "Look at him! He's headed for that small moon."

Han smirked, lining up the shot. "I think I can get him before he gets there... he's almost in range."

Ben's eyes narrowed. "That's no moon." The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Ivy's stomach dropped. As the distant object grew clearer, its sleek metal surface came into view, reflecting distant starlight.

Her voice came out in a whisper. "It's a space station."

Han stiffened, his fingers tightening over the controls. "It's too big to be a space station."

Luke's throat tightened. "I have a very bad feeling about this." The Death Star loomed ahead, monstrous in scale. The tiny TIE fighter slipped into its orbit with ease.

Han didn't wait. His fingers flew over the controls. "Yeah, I think you're right. Full reverse! Chewie, lock in the auxiliary power!" The Falcon shuddered as the engines strained against an unseen force. But instead of retreating, they were still moving forward.

Luke spun toward Han. "Why are we still moving towards it?"

Han's expression hardened. "We're caught in a tractor beam! It's pulling us in!"

Ivy's hands clenched into fists. "There's gotta be a way to break free."

Han gritted his teeth, desperately flipping switches. "There's nothin' I can do about it, kid. I'm at full power. I'm gonna have to shut down... but they're not gonna get me without a fight!" Ben placed a firm hand on Han's shoulder. His voice was calm, but unyielding.

"You can't win. But there are alternatives to fighting." Ivy swallowed hard, watching as the Death Star grew larger, swallowing the Falcon in its shadow. There was no escaping it now.