Free Dark Tide 1: Onslaught by Michael A. Stackpole

their fear against them to break down their confederation. I made those who deserved to fear someone bringing justice, actually fear justice having arrived. You all come into a situation and hold yourselves back, aloof, judging always. No one can feel safe around you—they always have to wonder when you will come to judge them.”
    â€œWe deter them from turning to the dark side that way.”
    â€œYeah, I’ve heard that argument before, from guys at CorSec and in every security service on any planet I’ve ever visited. Fear, regardless of what good it might accomplish, is a stepping-stone on the path to the dark side.” Corran held his hands up. “None of that matters, though. You don’t want me interfering with you on this mission of ours, fine. Don’t give me cause to interfere with you. We’re to go, find some academics, and bring them home. It’s very simple.”
    Ganner Rhysode snorted at his description of the mission, and Corran felt just a glimmer of respect for the man’s rejection of that description.
Perhaps you are a little bit sharper than I am willing to grant.
    â€œI do hope it will be simple, but these things never are.” Ganner waved a hand back toward the Great Temple. “Though some are taking refuge in the idea that the hyperspace disturbance around the galaxy will keep out all but the few Yuuzhan Vong who squirted through, I think the analogy that it’s like a storm, a storm that may be abating, is more likely true. If so, we will likely find Yuuzhan Vong on that world and many others. I’ll be ready.”
    Ganner dropped a hand to his lightsaber. “I’ll do whatever it takes to show these invaders why they never should have come here.”
    â€œAren’t you forgetting something?”
    â€œWhat?” Ganner snarled a bit as he slapped at a garnant on his neck. “The Yuuzhan Vong are invaders. We need to drive them back.”
    â€œOur mission is to save the academics.” Corran smiled carefully as the larger man slapped at more insects. “It’s a little detail, but you can see how painful missing the little things can be.”
    Ganner growled again and brushed garnants from his clothes. “You did this to me.”
    â€œNot me. Perhaps you stepped on a colony’s main tunnel.” Corran kept his mirth in check.
I
will
have to speak to Valin about this.
He admired his son’s sense of family, but the Force wasn’t a tool for playing practical jokes.
I think he knows that. I just have to remind him of it and make sure he doesn’t make that mistake again.
    Ganner angrily scratched at his clothes and slapped at garnants. “They’re everywhere.”
    A shiver ran down Corran’s spine as he caught a mental image of the Yuuzhan Vong swarming over Ganner the way the insects were. “Head back to the temple and hit a refresher station. They’ve painted you with a scent that will draw more to you. We’ll go as soon as you are rid of them.”
    â€œYou may think this is funny, Horn, but I’m serious about what I’ve said. Don’t get in my way.” The taller man tore his tunic off and started running toward the Great Temple.
    Corran watched him go until he could no longer see the red bite bumps all over Ganner’s back. “I have no intention of being in your way, Ganner, unless you force me to be there,” he muttered at the retreating figure. “If you do, I guess we’ll find out just who really
is
the stronger Jedi.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Through the doorway to the bedroom they shared, Luke Skywalker caught a glimpse of his wife reclining on the bed. She lay there very comfortably, her red-gold hair spread around her head like a halo. Her chest rose and fell regularly and gently—peacefully, really—prompting him to realize how little peace they had known in their life together.
    Beside her, on the bed, lay a few folded