Read Online Dark Tide 1: Onslaught by Michael A. Stackpole - Free Book Online

to save in a very bad position. You’re in charge, and he will obey you, albeit rather reluctantly.”
    Jacen smiled at Corran. “Besides, Corran, you have to admit that your lacking telekinetic abilities does put you at a bit of a disadvantage.”
    â€œSure. I can’t move a rock with my mind, but, boy, can I make that rock think it’s been moved.” He sighed. “Ganner is pretty good with TK. Makes sense to include him. And things could have been worse. You could have paired me with Kyp.”
    â€œI’d not be so cruel to either of you.”
    â€œHey, I’m not that bad.” Corran arched an eyebrow at Luke. “Or are you thinking this is one of those from-a-certain-point-of-view things?”
    â€œSee, all that training did pay off.” The Jedi Master nodded. “This is also a chance, Corran, to show Ganner that Kyp’s approach to the Force isn’t the only way to do things.”
    â€œGot it.” Corran smiled. “Well, may the Force be with all of us, I guess.”
    â€œYes, please.” Luke nodded solemnly. “You know, I like the fact that the Jedi are the galaxy’s first line of defense, but what I’m dreading here is that the Yuuzhan Vong will show us how very weak a line that is.”

CHAPTER SIX
    Corran Horn found Valin in a small clearing in the Yavin 4 jungle. The boy sat on the ground cross-legged, with his hands on his knees. He stared intently forward, concentrating on a small rock a meter in front of him. Sweat beaded up on his brow and threatened to trickle down into his hazel eyes.
    Immeasurable pride and anguish roiled around in Corran’s heart as he watched his son. The Horn-Halcyon line of Jedi Knights was notorious for its lack of telekinetic abilities. Corran still recalled his complete frustration with trying to move objects through the Force. Except under extreme circumstances, when he’d used the Force to contain energy that would have hurt others, he couldn’t so much as tickle drool from a Hutt’s lips, much less move a rock.
    That Valin would try so hard to move the rock impressed Corran. Valin already had surpassed his father’s expectations. Though only eleven years old, he already stood shoulder-height to Corran and clearly was going to take after his grandfathers in terms of size. His dark hair and hazel eyes were a compromise between his parents’ coloration, while his features were more Mirax, with hints of Corran’s own mother in there, too.
It’s good he doesn’t take after Booster Terrik in that aspect.
    Like every father everywhere, Corran’s chest tightened as he watched his son try a task he knew the boy would fail. He wanted to step in, to save Valin from the disappointment, but held himself back. Learning the lesson might hurt his son, but learning how to handle disappointment was more valuable than being able to move all the rocks in the galaxy.
    And, to Corran’s surprise, the small, ovoid rock began to move. It tottered on its base, then slowly flopped over on its side.
    Corran whooped out loud. “Valin, that’s great! You moved it.”
    â€œDad?” The boy’s head whipped around, his long brown hair flicking sweat away. One lock pasted itself under his right eye. “I didn’t see you there.”
    â€œNo, you were concentrating. That was great.” Corran advanced into the clearing and helped his son up to his feet. “I mean, what you did, I could never—”
    â€œDad, it wasn’t what you think.”
    â€œI know what I saw.”
    Valin smiled and fingered the hair off his cheek. “Remember how you’ve talked about points of view?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œIt’s a point-of-view thing.” Valin squatted down and waved his father down with him. “Look again.”
    Corran studied the rock. The ground at its base was alive with small, purple insects. They were swarming up through