Star Wars_ The Adventures of Lando Calrissia - L. Neil Smith [208]
“What will you do now, Lando?”
“Well, I think it’s time I gave up this wandering life, if only for a while. I need to do something responsible, own something, have some obligations. I’ll think about it. I’ve learned a lot, and I have plenty to get started on. The Falcon’s holds are full of gigantic gemstones—every variety I’ve ever seen or heard of, and a few I’m going to have to consult experts on. I could buy an entire city.”
“And Vuffi Raa?”
“I don’t know, old manta, I don’t know.”
The Millennium Falcon’s engines thrummed with pent up energy. She was eager to go back into intergalactic space, eager for another adventure. In her cockpit, Vuffi Raa was finishing up a lecture: “And be sure to back the engines off at least three percent when initiating the deflector shields, otherwise the surge will overload her, and—”
“I know, I know, I know,” her captain replied patiently while trying to suppress tears. “The only thing I don’t understand is why you’re going back this very minute. Why can’t you—”
“Master, it is a bargain I have made. I would much prefer, like you and Lehesu, to continue exploring the universe, to have adventure and savor life. I will again, someday. But I was constructed for the purpose of recording those experiences and relaying them to my people. I feel the need to do this, as you feel the need to breathe. Do you understand, Master?”
“I understand.” He patted the little droid’s shiny torso. The rest of the blast damage had healed, and the robot looked as new and perfect as the day they’d met. “Well, if you ever get back to this arm of the galaxy, you know how to find me, don’t you? I haven’t much in the way of a permanent address.”
There was an electronic chuckle. “I’ll just go where there’s the most trouble and noise, and there’ll you be, Master.”
“Not on your life! I’m going to settle down, be responsible. And Vuffi Raa?”
“Yes, Master?”
“Don’t you think, now that you know exactly who and what you are, that you could stop calling me master?”
“Why, I suppose so, Lando. Why didn’t you ask me before?”
STAR WARS—The Expanded Universe
You saw the movies. You watched the cartoon series, or maybe played some of the video games. But did you know …
In The Empire Strikes Back, Princess Leia Organa said to Han Solo, “I love you.” Han said, “I know.” But did you know that they actually got married? And had three Jedi children: the twins, Jacen and Jaina, and a younger son, Anakin?
Luke Skywalker was trained as a Jedi by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. But did you know that, years later, he went on to revive the Jedi Order and its commitment to defending the galaxy from evil and injustice?
Obi-Wan said to Luke, “For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times. Before the Empire.” Did you know that over those millennia, legendary Jedi and infamous Sith Lords were adding their names to the annals of Republic history?
Yoda explained that the dreaded Sith tend to come in twos: “Always two, there are. No more, no less. A Master, and an apprentice.” But did you know that the Sith didn’t always exist in pairs? That at one time in the ancient Republic there were as many Sith as Jedi, until a Sith Lord named Darth Bane was the lone survivor of a great Sith war and created the “Rule of Two”?
All this and much, much more is brought to life in the many novels and comics of the Star Wars expanded universe. You’ve seen the movies and watched the cartoon. Now venture out into the wider worlds of Star Wars!
Turn the page or jump to the timeline of Star Wars novels to learn more.
1
“IT’S a warship all right. Damn!”
Instrument panels in the Millennium Falcon’s cockpit were alive with trouble lights, warning flashers, and the beeps and hoots of the sensor package. Readout screens