Free Star Wars Journal - The Fight for Justice by Luke Skywalker by John Peel

loyal like that.
    I have to admit I’m disappointed in Han. I really thought there was more to him than just plain old greed. No, I still think there is. The greed is just drowning out the rest of him. I don’t understand it really, but I’m not in Han’s shoes. Maybe if I’d grown up like he did, hand to mouth all the time, I’d value money more. I don’t know Han’s background—he doesn’t talk much about it—but I’m pretty sure he’s lived a dangerous and unsettled life. Maybe for him, bowing out now is the logical course of action. I’d like to believe so. I’d like even more to believe that he could fight for something more worthwhile than money, though.
    He says we’re all chumps for wanting to take on the Empire. That we don’t stand a chance. That we’re just throwing our lives away for nothing.
    And maybe he’s right—in part. We could all die in this fight. The Empire, after all, has a lot more resources than the Rebellion. And they’ve got their ultimate weapon, the Death Star. So, yes, it’s going to be tough, and maybe we’ll all die. But, even if we do, is it all for nothing, as Han claims?
    I don’t think so. I know exactly what I’m fighting for. I’m fighting for Ben, and Uncle Owen, and Aunt Beru, and all the people of Alderaan. For my parents. For those murdered Jawas, and for everyone else that the Imperials have ground underfoot, as if their lives were worth nothing. Because that’s not true. Their lives were all worth living. And, if you ask me, it’s worth fighting to make sure there aren’t any more Alderaans, or Bens, or Jawas who are going to die just because the Empire says so.
    So, I don’t think that’s nothing. I think it’s a fight worth living for. And, if need be, dying for.
    I don’t like the idea of dying, of course. Especially not now, when some of my dreams have started to come true. I’m out here at last, on a distant planet, under alien stars. I’m making a difference, fighting for a cause I believe in. And I think Leia really likes me.
    Maybe I’m not the sort of guy who grows up to marry a princess. But I know now that I’m lucky enough to be friends with one. Despite her noble background, Leia doesn’t have airs and graces. She’s ready to fight and die with everyone else.
    I even heard one of the doctors say she was tortured on the Death Star. She never breathed a word of that to us, nor did she let it slow her down. She’s really remarkable, and I’m glad just to be her friend. And the nice thing is that she feels the same way about me.
    It’s really odd. Despite all of our differences, I feel like I’ve known her all my life. Or should have known her. Maybe it’s the Force, or maybe just wishful thinking, but I’ve never felt as close to anyone as I do to Ben… Han… and Leia. Now Ben’s dead, and Han’s running while he can. It’s just Leia and me against the Empire now.
    But, somehow, those seem like pretty good odds to me.
    It’s not just the two of us, of course. There are lots of other Rebels, and one of them is Biggs!
    I could hardly believe it when we ran into each other again. It was so great to see him. But such a complete shock. I mean, I knew he wanted to join the Rebellion, but I had no idea he’d succeeded and ended up here. It almost makes up for Han leaving.
    Of course, Biggs was the one who was really surprised. He expected me to be back on Tatooine, still shooting womp rats and imagining space battles. Well, have I got some stories to tell him! After this battle, we are going to celebrate our reunion and catch up on each other’s adventures. Big time! I can’t believe I actually have my own stories to tell. Stories that won’t put him to sleep.
    Ah, this is great. Biggs and Luke—together again!
    I had already volunteered for action, but I had to pass a flight simulator test before they’d let me fly one of their snub fighters. And Biggs was in charge of the test. I think he made it extra difficult, to help