Free Star Wars Journal - Hero for Hire by Han Solo by Donna Tauscher Page A

big deal.
    Suddenly the door zoomed open and there we were. Rebels were lined up in formation like they were the leaders of the entire Galactic Empire. There was an aisle for us to walk down. So off we went, Luke and I in the front, followed by Chewbacca, who was so excited he was howling his best Wookiee howl.
    Luke and I were a little more contained. At least on the outside.
    I have to tell you, though, once I got over how stupid I felt, it was a thrill parading down that tarmac to the stage with all those troops lined up in respect for us.
    It was a thrill, wasn’t it, buddy? A big-time deal.
    Chewbacca: Arrorrkkk!
    Han: We looked out at all these Rebels standing tall and we were a part of them. Being respected by honorable men and women is not something I’d experienced a lot of in my life.
    Okay. It got to me, all right? I was happy for a while there.
    The princess was in a charming mood, too. She slipped the medal over my head and smiled. No wise comments. I winked at her so she’d know I understood she was crazy about me. No, I was just feeling good. Not much you can actually say at a time like that.
    And Luke, the kid looked so happy and proud I was about ready to adopt him.
    Even the droids seemed happy. Artoo was beeping away and Threepio was patting him on the head. I’m thinking they actually do have more emotion than we give them credit for. Heck, I’m thinking I have more emotion than I give myself credit for.
    That ceremony was one time we were all in agreement. No arguing over what to do or who was right or where the money was or who was giving orders. Just all of us feeling good that things had turned out right. We’d each done our job in the way we knew how. Life’s usually a little more complicated than that, trust me.
    Once the ceremony was over we were back to making decisions about the rest of our lives. Back to being just ordinary human beings. For better or worse.
    Sai’da: But didn’t the ceremony change you in some way?
    Han: I don’t know. Maybe it did. Once I was treated with that kind of respect, I started looking at myself in a different way. Wondering who I could be, not just how I could make the next cash transaction.
    Not that I figured it all out right then and there. I still haven’t, actually. I mean, look where all that reflection got me, Sai’da—sitting blind in this damp, cold cell waiting for that filthy, oozing creature that’s got Leia to come kill me.
    It always comes back to that, doesn’t it?

DATA PAD ENTRY 17
    Han: I’m still worried about Leia. I need to stretch instead of sitting on this cold, wet bench. That’s better. Don’t let me walk into a wall, Chewie.
    Do they ever feed you in this nightmare? I mean, I haven’t had a meal in a year now. I’m starting to think I might be hungry.
    Sai’da: I’m not aware of their meal schedule for prisoners. But I don’t think they are terribly concerned about your well-being.
    Han: No kidding. Have you ever considered they might not let you out of here? Of course, how different can this be from the monk’s life?
    Sai’da: Oh, very different. To be deprived of my books would be unthinkable.
    Han: You know, I understand your interest in history. I really do. I’m not without a certain interest myself. But sometimes don’t you want to actually be out and living life, making some history of your own?
    Sai’da: It is a desire I try to contain. It is not considered a proper concern in my order.
    Han: Sure, but that doesn’t change the desire, does it? I mean, let’s say I get out of here with a little assistance from you. Wouldn’t you like to take a look at some of those places you read about? Maybe see a few ancient scrolls? Walk through a temple of unknown origin?
    Sai’da: You do those things?
    Han: You’d be surprised at the interesting situations you get into as a smuggler. It’s not all a matter of life or death. Tell me you wouldn’t like to take a cruise around the galaxy on the Millennium Falcon