the Night Watch

the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
Luke turned away. He returned to cleaning the last particles of sand fromThreepio's healing armature. "I wish I'd known him," he finally whispered. "He was the best pilot I ever knew," Kenobi went on, "and a smart fighter. Theforce…the instinct was strong in him." For a brief second Kenobi actually appearedold. "He was also a good friend." Suddenly the boyish twinkle returned to those piercing eyes along with the oldman's natural humor. "I understand you're quite a pilot yourself. Piloting andnavigation aren't hereditary, but a number of the things that can combine to make agood small-ship pilot are. Those you may have inherited. Still, even a duck has tobe taught to swim." "What's a duck?" Luke asked curiously. "Never mind. In many ways, you know, you are much like your father."Kenobi's unabashed look of evaluation made Luke nervous. "You've grown upquite a bit since the last time I saw you." Having no reply for that, Luke waited silently as Kenobi sank back into deepcontemplation. After a while the old man stirred, evidently having reached animportant decision. "All this reminds me," he declared with deceptive casualness, "I have somethinghere for you." He rose and walked over to a bulky, old-fashioned chest and startedrummaging through it. All sorts of intriguing items were removed and shovedaround, only to be placed back in the bin. A few of them Luke recognized. AsKenobi was obviously intent on something important, he forbore inquiring about anyof the other tantalizing flotsam. "When you were old enough," Kenobi was saying, "your father want you to havethis…if I can ever find the blasted device. I tried to give it to you once before, butyour uncle wouldn't allow it. He believed you might get some crazy ideas from itand end up following old Obi-wan on some idealistic crusade.