"You're Luke Skywalker, aren't you?"
Luke stopped his conversation with Han. The one interrupting it was an old, but not unhealthy, human. He looked world weary, and reminded Luke a bit of Ben. Han was in the middle of telling a joke at the time, and was understandably angry.
This will not be continued. If you want to run with it, send me a PM or mention it in a review (hint hint) so I can keep up with it.
"If you wanna give the kid your thanks, you can go to a New Republic office and make a digital letter. He'll get it later."
"Shut it."
This surprised the two friends; not many people willingly told a hero of the New Republic office to shut up. Most either thanked them, or used much more colorful language. The old man looked at Luke.
"My name is Ventic. I ran a nice farm outside the city. It was recently destroyed. Now, I ain't asking for your help fixing it or getting the ones who did it. It was your fault that happened anyway."
Luke was, for lack of a better word, shocked. He'd been told many things; he'd bring chaos to the empire, he couldn't do anything, but no matter what, he was never accused of being responsible for such acts of destruction. Han spoke up in his defense.
"Hey, now, watch your mouth. There's no way the kid could do something like that. Sure, he may not think things through, but st-"
"Exactly my point! The idiot didn't think! Oh sure, you may think toppling the empire makes everything nice and dandy. But you gotta think of the consequences. What happens when a government is destroyed? Chaos! Always chaos! The stronger the government, the stronger the chaos! Across the galaxy, people are being killed or having their lives destroyed because you had the fool thought to kill the Emperor.
"Did you know that the Imperial Army would come by once a month, and get rid of all the bandits and outlaws on this planet? They do that everywhere! What did the old republic ever do? Nothing! The old republic never did anything, and the new one is doing even less! You don't even have Jedi to come and save us. You have half trained militia to deal with bandits, dozens of former imperial Admirals who want control, and hundreds of worlds which declare independence and become dictatorships!"
Ventic was practically shouting at Luke. Han was still brushed off but wouldn't give us so easily.
"If you don't like it, then go to another world controlled by the empire!"
His words were intended to shut Ventic up. They didn't work.
"My intention exactly! I have relatives on Dalaan, who could use my help! They're under the command of one of the nicer Admirals; he still offers protection to his people!
"I had a wife, and five children! Two of my children have already left home. One of them was prepared to leave and enlist with the Empire!"
Ventic was crying. The old man was genuinely angry at Luke, and would probably have tried to kill him if he could.
"So thanks a lot! Thanks for this freedom you gave me! Thank you for making me bury my children and my wife!"
Ventic stormed off, tears in his eyes, angry at the entire rebellion and the galaxy.
Luke was still speechless. He knew times would be a bit difficult for civilians during the switch, but he figured it could only get better. He had no idea that it would get so bad for some, and probably was worse for many; not all had the dubious fortune to survive such things.
For the first time, Luke wondered if he had made the right decision destroying the empire, instead of trying to change it.
