Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 01_ Heirs of the Force - Kevin J. Anderson [10]
"I had enough weapons," Luke said with calm conviction. "I had the Force."
"I wish I could do that, Uncle Luke," Jacen said. "That was really something."
"You will be able to do anything you want, Jacen," Luke said. "You have the potential-as long as you have the discipline."
Luke gazed off into the jungle, where they could still hear trees crashing and shrubs snapping as the monster continued to blunder its way through the forest.
"There are many mysterious things in the jungles," Luke said, then he smiled at the twins and Tenel Ka. He nodded toward Peckhum's ship, the Lightning Rod, which still sat open, filled with crates and boxes of supplies and equipment.
"I think our friend Mr. Peckhum is having a rough day," Luke said. "He's got a lot more to unload, and he's probably eager to get back up into orbit, where it's safe." He flashed a smile at the old supply runner, who nodded vigorously.
"Why don't you three consider it a Jedi training exercise to help him.
Besides, we need to get ready because tomorrow-" He looked at Jacen and Jaina, eyes sparkling. "Your father and Chewbacca are bringing us another Jedi trainee."
"Dads coming here?" Jaina said with a yelp.
"Hey, why didn't you tell us before?" Jacen added. His heart leaped at the thought of seeing his father again after a full month.
"I wanted it to be a surprise. He's flying in on the Millennium Falcon, but he had to stop at Chewbacca's planet first. They've already left Kashyyyk, and they're on their way here."
Filled with excitement, the young Jedi Knights eagerly helped unload Peckhum's supply ship. It was hard work, demanding more concentration and control of their Jedi lifting abilities than they were used to, but they finished in less than an hour. Jaina and Jacen chattered to Tenel Ka about all the adventures Han Solo had experienced. Jaina groaned about how much work it would be to clean up their quarters in time, so they could impress their father.
Finally, the battered old freighter flew off into the misty skies toward the orangish gas-giant planet of Yavin.
Jacen smiled and looked wistfully at the trampled clearing. The next ship to arrive on the landing pad would be the Millennium Falcon!
4
"There," said Jaina, mentally relaxing her hold on a large mass of tangled wires and cables. It came "to rest in a more or less contained jumble atop one of the newly tidied stacks of electronic components in her room. "That should do it," she added with a satisfied nod.
"Does that mean we can go to morning meal now?" Jacen said. "You've been at this half the night."
"I want Dad to be impressed." Jaina shrugged.
Jacen laughed. "He never stacks his tools this neatly!"
"Guess I did get a little carried away," Jaina replied, matching his grin. "We've still got a few hours before they get here."
Jacen snorted and stood up from the floor, where he'd been sitting next to his sister while they worked. He brushed the dust off his jumpsuit and ran long fingers through his dark brown curls. "Well, how do I look?"
Jaina raised a critical eyebrow at him. "Like someone who's been up all night."
He hurried over to peer anxiously into the small mirror that Jaina had hung above her cistern. She realized that her brother was just as nervous and excited about seeing their father again as she was.
"It's actually not too bad," she assured him. "I think raking the twigs and leaves from your hair really helped. Here, put this on." She pulled a fresh jumpsuit from a chest by her bed. "You'll look more presentable."
When Jacen went into the next room to change, Jaina took his place at the mirror. She wasn't vain, but, as with her room, she preferred to keep her personal appearance neat and clean.
She ran a comb through her straight brown hair and stared at her reflection. Then, with a quick peek over her shoulder to be sure her brother wasn't looking, she pulled back a handful of strands and worked them