Forum:KB:Looking for a book...

Ok, I'm sorry if I'm a bit vague on the descriptions, but I'm looking for a specific book that I read a long time ago, and can't for the life of me find now. Here is what I remember: Han (And possibly Leia?) were sent to a planet who's species had developed an advanced turbolift technology to try and negotiate and speak to them. One line I remember very well is one of the planet's natives saying to Han, "You're just after our turbolift technology." I also remember Luke befriending a young soldier (May have been an officer on a starship?), who ended up dying in the end. The book concluded with the young man's body being launched into space, or toward a planet. So, can anybody help me decipher which book this may be? I apologize again for being vague, but it's probably been 6 or 7 years since I read this mystery book. thanks in advance for any effort to help, Kaytin