Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 04_ Agents of Chaos 01_ Hero's Trial - James Luceno [32]
“Somehow I expected you to say that,” he said at last.
Roa put his hands on Han’s shoulders. “What do you say we go someplace where we can talk?”
Han nodded. “There’s a restaurant in the transport center.”
They rode the beltway indoors, talking about old friends—Vonzel, Tregga, Sonniod, the Briil twins—and familiar places, though Han was clearly preoccupied. All these years later he could still recite Roa’s Rules—never ignore a call for help; take only from those who are richer than yourself; don’t play sabacc unless you’re prepared to lose; don’t pilot a ship under the influence; and always be prepared to make a quick getaway—but that didn’t mean he trusted Roa unconditionally.
At the Spacer’s Lounge, a courtesy droid showed them to a table on the patio, where a group of Duros and Gotals were watching a shock-ball match on the HoloNet. Bland renditions of twenty-year-old jizz classics wafted from unseen emitters. For old times’ sake Han and Roa ordered flagons of ebla beer—a Bonadan export. Halfway through their first, Han asked to know the purpose of Roa’s seeking him out.
“Fair enough,” Roa said, setting the flagon down on the table and patting his mouth dry. “Do you remember a smuggler from the old days named Reck Desh?”
Han thought for a moment and grinned. “Tall, sinewy guy. Fond of body markings, piercings, electrum jewelry. Chewbacca and I partnered with him on a small job for you, running R’alla mineral water into Rampa.” His grin broadened. “The Falcon was being worked on by Doc Vandangante, so you loaned us your ship—the Wayfarer. Reck claimed she was faster than the Falcon, and after the Rampa Rapids run, we raced for fifty cases of Gizer ale.”
“Which you and the Wook won, hands down.”
Han nodded. “Reck was a decent navigator, but he never impressed me as a pilot.”
Roa took a drink and licked his lips. “Sometimes you only know a soldier when he becomes an officer.”
“Meaning what?”
“Reck’s gone over.”
“Gone over to who?”
“To the enemy, Han,” Roa said, leaning forward. “Or at least to a group of mercenaries working for the Yuuzhan Vong.”
“That can’t be right. Reck wasn’t the traitor type. Besides, he and Chewie got along great. No way Reck would have anything to do with the Vong after what they did to Chewie.”
“Maybe he didn’t hear about Chewie. Or maybe the credits are too good.” Roa paused briefly. “The group Reck’s fallen in with call themselves the Peace Brigade. Word is they’re stirring up anti-Jedi sentiment and scouting out worlds where the Yuuzhan Vong can repeat what they did at Sernpidal.”
Han’s eyes narrowed in irritation. “Why are you telling me this, Roa?”
Roa lowered his gaze. “Because Lwyll died on one of the worlds the Peace Brigade softened up for the kill.”
Han’s voice deserted him. He stared at his old friend.
“If we had left a day sooner,” Roa went on, without looking at Han. “But I had to take care of some business.” He laughed shortly and ruefully, then looked at Han, his eyes moist. “Always business. Lwyll died in the first Yuuzhan Vong wave. I was one of a handful who made it out alive.”
Han squeezed his eyes shut and struck the table with the edge of his hand. But when he raised his eyes to Roa, his anger was muted by realization. “So your coming here—this is as much between you and Reck as it is between you and me.”
Roa held Han’s polar gaze. “I don’t want anyone else to suffer because of what Reck and his cohorts are doing. The Yuuzhan Vong are masterful enough at causing tragedies without the Peace Brigade’s help. If I could deal with Reck on my own, I would, but I’m more frail than I look, Han.”
“Yeah, and who better to help you than me, huh? A guy who just lost his partner.”
“To put it bluntly: yes.”
Han snorted. “Never ignore a call for help, right, Roa?” He got to his feet and walked to the tall windows that