Read The Crystal Star for Free Online Page B

transmitter!" "Don't engage your vocal unit, either." "very well,
    Master Luke," See-Threepio said, "if that's as you prefer it." The droid walked on, body language as
    expressive as ^ws that he had expected to be met at the landing field.
    In the humidity and the heat, sweat ran down Han's back and sides and beaded on his forehead without
    evaporating. He wiped his face and rolled up his sleeves, for once not worrying whether he looked
    proper.
    Over the years, Leia and his own advisers had made him more aware of his clothing. Instead of putting
    on whatever came to hand out of his closet, in whatever combination the cleaner droid deposited it, he
    had begun to dress according to his day's duties. Usually he could get away without wearing a formal
    uniform, unless his schedule included addressing or inspecting regular troops, or a diplomatic reception.
    Han Solo hated uniforms. He was not particularly keen on speeches or receptions, either.
    On this trip, he had not even brought a uniform. And though his frayed pants and comfortable old shirt
    were too heavy for the climate of Crseih Station, he felt as if he were expanding with freedom.
    No uniforms, no speeches, no receptions.
    He laughed out loud.
    "This is going to be fun," he said.
    They rounded a curve of the steamy airlink. It stretched on empty before them.
    "Where's Threepio?" Luke said.
    "I don't know," Han said. "You probably hurt his feelings by telling him to shut up." "I just told him to
    keep our plans to himself." "Don't you know where he is?" "I could find him," Luke said, "but I'd better
    not. I'd better not do anything long-range. I don't want to give us away." "Why not send up a signal flare?
    Let the Jedi Masters find us." "Let's get the lay of the land first," Luke said. "After all, we don't know
    much about the people I'm looking for. Only the rumors, and the strange stories--" "You're right, kid,"
    Han said. The longer Luke takes, the longer before I have to put on another uniform. "Absolutely right.
    Take all the time you want." "And if they are Jedi--I want to be certain they aren't on the dark side."
    "Wouldn't you know it--wdn't you sense it--if someone using the dark side was near?" "Sure I would,"
    Luke said.
    "Good." "I think I would." Luke stared through the translucent side of the tunnel. In the distance, domes
    perched on flat rock between craters. He said in a soft voice, "I hope I would." Exasperated, Han strode
    on ahead.
    "What do I always say?" he muttered.
    "They're more trouble than they're worth." He burst through the exit of the airlink and entered the first
    dome of Crseih Station. Noise and light surrounded him, as thick and exciting as the hot, steamy air.
    Luke followed more cautiously, poised at Han's right shoulder, keeping watch.
    Han wondered how far Luke could project his illusion of disguise. Did the inhabitants of the station see
    him as he really was, when they were at a distance, and then think they had mistaken what he looked like
    when they got nearer? Or did his local effect of disguise surround him like a cloak, and project his image
    to anyone who glanced at him?
    Han could not tell, for Luke had kept his promise to leave his partner unaffected. As far as Han was
    concerned, the young man beside him was Luke Skywalker, pilot, brother-in-law, and, incidentally, Jedi
    Knight. He wore his robes, which fortunately were not much different from the everyday garb of many
    humanoid beings. They did not mark him as Jedi, and they did conceal his lightsaber.
    Han stroked his beard, a habit he had picked up while it was still growing. Those last few weeks before
    he and Luke began this trip, he had been eager and anxious to be on their way.
    Stroking his beard surely had not made it grow any faster, but the motion was a talisman, a reminder that
    in two more weeks--if he could just get through this review, then in one more week--if he could just get
    through this speech--he would be away and on his own again.
    The enormous