Han's War: A Short Story

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There was something admirable about K’s measure of control, Han admitted to himself. However, summoning to mind their last conference with Lieutenant Joshi, he suffered another stir of indignation. Because all she regarded in K was a proficient soldier, a token of discipline and restraint that his generation of replicants should follow. And K had simply sat there, a small smile present on his lips as Han’s blood boiled. Less than what he'd earned. Helluva lot less. K’s a good man, better than most life forms he had the pleasure of crossing paths with. Maybe Lieutenant Joshi would come to understand that—once they’d left. Except, there was no trace of a concession, much as he wanted to read it on pale stolid features, perhaps, …show more content…

After a lapse, Han’s chin picked up, and he toned his voice down when he spoke again. ❝I ... didn’t mean that. You’re thinkin’ I didn’t consider the consequences—that I’m selfish.❞ Maybe I am. I am. But that could never be spoken. It would lead to a hypocritical apology with sincerity nowhere in sight. Han held his eyes, looked straight into the shadows at the bottom of a stormy-blue gaze, the harshly controlled thoughts and fears burning there. Wondered, not for the first time, if he could've made a difference—if he’d been here, at the outset, if he would've dared reach out before the crude edge of cynicism had made its mark on the kid. K was only a …show more content…

Wasn’t his own flesh and yet Han swiveled to his feet in one fluid motion, went towards K in a smearing blur, like some high-speed shot out of a holo shot, allowing just enough time for Han to add in ‘m sorry—before his hands caught on K’s shoulders and yanked. Strong arms banded around the lithe form, hauling the replicant man against a hard tremor, an upheaval not from K. But not for involving you, but ‘cause I — ❝Could’ve prepared this better.❞ Han muttered in K’s ear, straining for a solace that could shelter them both. Things were moving ahead too fast―and not in the right direction, which claimed the plummeting feeling in his gut. They were running out of time. Han’s voice squeezed it into a tight, hoarse whisper. ❝You know how I feel ‘bout this—everything. About Earth and what they’re doing to you an’ how they treat you.❞ Don’t you get it? I ain’t gonna fly without you, K. Can’t leave you now. All the same, frustration assailed Han, never mind that it was misdirected since he’d known what the upshot would be all along. Or he thought he’d known. Perhaps this would be his sole outlet, his last-ditch attempt to sway K’s loyalties. But even Han knew that wasn’t feasible. Even if the odds were against him, there was no anticipating the

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