Star Wars: Rotta's Revenge

Chapter 2

Chapter 2
Luke stared down at the comlink in his hand, pondering what Leia had just told him. So Rotta the Hutt had a price on their heads. And he wanted revenge for the death of his father. Luke wasn't sure what form that revenge would take. He wasn't sure he wanted to know.
He was on a balcony overlooking a small courtyard, where his five (there were only five so far) students were playing. He didn't feel comfortable leaving them alone, but he didn't want to bring Leia and Han here if they were all wanted by Rotta. Their combined presence might put the younglings in danger if Rotta or some bounty hunter was able to track them down.
He reactivated the comlink. "Leia, are you still there? I think I have an idea."
"Thank goodness." Leia's relief was palpable. "What is it?"
He outlined the details, then after receiving her affirmative reply, he ended the transmission. He went down to the courtyard and called his students to attention.
"I'll be leaving in a few days on important business," he said. "Chewbacca will stay here and look after you while I'm gone. You all remember him?"
The younglings nodded, eyes shining brightly. They all remembered Chewie from when he accompanied Luke and Han every time Luke went to pick up a new student. They'd all been frightened of him at first, but they had come to know and love him.
"How long will you be gone, Master Skywalker?" asked Ann, the oldest of his students.
"Shouldn't be more than a week or two," he said reassuringly. "Just don't give Chewie any trouble, all right?"
They all nodded obediently, mischief in their eyes. Luke sighed as he thought of what the Wookiee was about to endure.
"Well, I just wanted to give you a heads up," he said. "Now, back to your horseplay! Next lesson is in half an hour."
The younglings nodded and at once resumed chasing one another around the courtyard, laughing and shouting. Luke smiled as he walked away. When he first set out to rebuild the Jedi Order, it had seemed like such an onerous task. But now he found himself enjoying it. There was something about the presence of bright, young minds that invigorated him. He wondered if he was growing old.
His thoughts took him then to Han. Had he asked Leia yet? There hadn't been a hint of anything different in her face or voice during their last communication, and she hadn't mentioned anything other than Rotta's bounty on their heads. Han had probably either lost his nerve or decided to wait until their troubles were over. Luke hoped he wouldn't have to wait long. He wanted his sister and his best friend to be happy. They deserved it, especially after everything they had been through together.