Hero's Trial: Agents of Chaos I by James Luceno Read Free Book Online Page B

limb horizontally pruned close to the trunk, thefire-blackened platform at the edge of Rwookrrorro was large enough to accommodate passenger liners, but the
Falcon
and the sleek shuttle had the stage to themselves. Not since Chewbacca had piloted the
Falcon
to Kashyyyk during the Yevethan crisis had the city drawn so many well-wishers, tourists, and curiosity seekers. From Karryntora, Northaykk, the Wartaki Islands, and the distant Thikkiiana Peninsula they came, most in the hope of catching a glimpse of Luke, Han, or Leia, but many to have a look at the Corellian YT-1300 freighter Chewbacca and Han had made famous.
    Like a taurill navigating a field of profligate shag ferns, Han edged his way through a throng of vociferous Wookiees intent on snapping his spine with backslapping blows or fracturing his ribs with crushing hugs. By the time he stumbled into the cordoned-off area surrounding the
Falcon
he looked as if he’d gone one too many rounds in a g-force simulator. Leia, Luke, the kids, and the droids were waiting at the foot of the extended boarding ramp.
    “Dad, I thought we weren’t leaving until tomorrow,” Jaina said as Han approached.
    “Change of plans,” he muttered. “Did you do a preflight?”
    “Yeah, but—”
    “Then let’s get everyone aboard and raise ship.”
    “Why the rush, Han?” Luke said, purposely stepping into his path. The cowl of his Jedi cloak was thrown back, and his lightsaber hung from the belt that cinched his black robes. “Are we running toward something or away from it?”
    Han stopped short. Out of the corner of his eye he sawLeia wince and turn to one side. “How’s that again?” he asked Luke.
    Luke’s expression was unreadable. “Pressing concerns on Coruscant?”
    Han worked his jaw. “Tomorrow, today, what difference does it make? But if you have to know, yeah, pressing concerns. A little matter called the Yuuzhan Vong and the fate of the galaxy.”
    “Han—”
    “Don’t!” Han interrupted. He bit back whatever he was going to say and began again in a more controlled voice. “Luke, it’s just that I’ve had my fill of sympathy. So let’s just drop it.”
    “If that’s what you want, Han.”
    Han started up the ramp, then stopped and whirled. “You know, I don’t know what’s worse, everybody’s fumbling attempts to make me feel better or your self-importance. You may think you have me figured out, pal, but you don’t. Not by a long shot. Oh, I know you’ve lost friends and family, and now, with Mara being sick and all, but Chewie gave his life for my son, and that makes it different. You can’t know about that, Luke.”
    “I don’t pretend to know about that,” Luke said calmly. “But as you say, I do know something about grief.”
    Han held up his hands. “Don’t talk to me about the Force—not now. I told you a long time ago I don’t believe in one power controlling everything, and maybe I was right, after all.”
    “After all we’ve been through?”
    “What we’ve been through,” Han said, pointing hisforefinger at Luke’s face, “had a lot more to do with blasterfire than swordplay, and you know it.”
    “It was the Force that brought down the Empire.”
    “And just how does that help me?” Han glanced around at Leia, their three children, Lowbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2, all of whom looked uncomfortable. “I don’t have the abilities of a Jedi or the delete functions of a droid. I’m just a normal guy with normal feelings and maybe more than his share of shortcomings. I don’t
see
Chewie, Luke. Not the way you claim to have seen Obi-Wan, Yoda, and your father. I don’t have the Force at my back.”
    “But you do, Han. That’s all I’m trying to tell you. Let go of your anger and bitterness and you will see Chewie.”
    Han opened his mouth and closed it. He spun on his heels and hurried up the ramp only to stop and reverse directions again. “I’m not ready to walk this plank,” he grated as he passed Luke.
    “Han!”