RIGHT UNDER HIS NOSE
By Tycalibur

This is a missing scene story that takes place during the years of a teenage Luke Skywalker on the Lars' farm. Luke runs into an old friend, and makes an amazing discovery that was always right in front of him.

Author's note: The story mainly takes place during the teenage years of Luke, but the beginning jumps backward in time, then forward to ANH, then back again few years.

Disclaimer: All characters, planets, dialogues, lightsabers, starships and galaxies far, far away belong to my Overlord and Master, Mr. George Lucas. I am just playing with them here strictly for my own amusement, in a non-profit manner.

Nineteen Years Before "A New Hope"

The heating element was reaching its required temperature for operation. The operator watched as the green light blinked, indicating that it was on. He stared at the hallowed ground before him, disgusted at what he was about to do.

My wife and I just made an important choice. There is no going back. This is one of the possible consequences we have to avoid, for now.

Owen Lars stood up, wearing protective clothing to shield him from the heat. His body was sore from working all night.

"Owen, are you certain you wish to do this?" Beru asked solemnly from behind him.

He turned and faced her then. Her beautiful young face looked sad.

"Beru, get back downstairs, please. I have to return this equipment to Anchorhead today. It's too dangerous for you to be around this equipment without protective clothing, much less out here at this time of night. I didn't want you to have to see this."

Beru frowned and turned around to go back downstairs. She was clutching a small, sleeping bundle in her arms.

"I wish you would reconsider," she said desperately as she walked away, "this isn't going to harm him."

I told Kenobi…I told him we would have nothing to do with his past. I have to do this. It's for the best, my darling wife.

Owen Lars opened the valve to the nozzle in his hand and bluish-green flames began flowing from its emitter, piercing the darkness of night. He began melting the sand, forming solid rock around it.