Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order_ Dark Tide 02_ Ruin - Michael A. Stackpole [40]
“You think I’m stupid?”
Anakin ignored the twin piping from the two droids. “If you were stupid, Master Luke wouldn’t have you along with us. I guess I think you just are like a lot of folks. You live for today and don’t think about tomorrow. That doesn’t let you get ahead.”
“Think that’s so, kid?” The question came loaded with pique, but Chalco relaxed and leaned against the bulkhead, so Anakin assumed the tone was more for show than reflective of any true upset.
The young Jedi shrugged. “I haven’t known you for very long, but I think you have the same problem as some of the Jedi. You are concerned with image and what others think of you. You trade a lot on your reputation. Does it wear on you the way it can on Jedi?”
The stocky man ran a hand over his unshaven jaw. “Maybe there are times, you know. Sure, it gets tiring. People always pushing, testing. You get a reputation and people want a piece of it.”
“Yeah, I know.” Anakin spun the copilot chair around and sat on the edge. “My father’s had to put up with that forever, and the Jedi, well, everyone pushes us to see what we have. Some folks are just afraid and stay away. Others are afraid and push just to prove they aren’t afraid. Lots of wasted effort there.”
Chalco nodded. “Your father’s Han Solo, right?”
“Yes.”
“I saw him a couple of times recently. Kinda torn up about his partner’s death.”
Anakin nodded slowly, fighting against the automatic—and now familiar—pangs of guilt over Chewbacca’s death. “It hit him very hard.”
“They must have been good friends.” Chalco let a half laugh shake him. “Never had much truck with Wookiees myself. Don’t know that I’ve ever been that close to anyone.”
“They’d been through a lot together. Chewie was a constant in my dad’s life, and in mine. He was always there and, now he’s not.” A jolt of pain ripped through Anakin, choking him. The vast gulf Chewie’s death had left in his life opened up before him.
He tried to speak, but couldn’t. He held a hand up for a second, then swiped at a tear. “Sorry,” he croaked.
Chalco shifted his shoulders stiffly. “Look, kid, I, ah, may not have had a close friend like that, you know, but I can understand the hurting. You get used to people being around. Seeing them at a spaceport, having them in the next cell, that kind of thing. And, you know, one day you wake up and they’ve been paroled or something. You never know if you’re going to see them or the credits they lost to you playing sabacc. I mean, look, I’m not good expressing myself here, but . . .”
Anakin nodded and felt relief roll off the man. “Thanks, I understand. When you get to know someone, you can be hurt if they go away suddenly. The hurt is really big and really strong. Chewie, well, he was always there, smiling, joking, never complaining when I climbed all over him or messed up something he was doing. He was just a rock, and when that goes away . . .”
“But he wasn’t the only rock in your life, kid.” Chalco nodded off toward the Cathedral of Winds. “You have your uncle and your mother and your father.”
“Well, you saw my father. He’s been, um, distant.” Anakin sighed. “My mom has had things to do. She’s been supportive, but we’ve been apart. Uncle Luke, he’s been great, but he has a lot to do. It’s okay, though, because this is an adult thing and that’s what I need to be learning to handle.”
“Don’t grow up too fast, kid.” The short man shrugged ruefully. “But you gotta grow up. You don’t, you become like me. Maybe growing up fast isn’t all that bad.”
“Well, the key is just growing up, I guess, fast or slow, no difference.” Anakin glanced at the landing ramp’s controls. “You still want to head out there?”
Chalco thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Not that I’m afraid of a little hard work.”
“Never thought that.”
“Didn’t figure you did.” The man smiled slowly. “Then again, helping Jedi track a Jedi, that’s plenty hard work,