Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 07_ Shards of Alderaan - Kevin J. Anderson [16]
The emotion of the moment nearly overwhelmed Zekk, but he pasted a crooked smile on his face. "I can always tell when you're lying, Peckhum," he said.
Peckhum's face broke into a broad grin.
"I never could fool you, boy. You and the Lightning Rod are two of the best friends I ever had. Take good care of each other."
Lowie woofed softly a few times. "Master Lowbacca wishes you safe travels,' Em Teedee translated.
"Live well," Tenel Ka said. "And fight only the battles worth fighting."
"We'll miss you, Zekk," Jacen said. "Don't forget to come back and visit us." 'You'll always have us as friends," Jaina said, but her voice came out in a whisper, hoarse with restrained emotion.
"I'll miss you all," Zekk said.
AS THE STORM system came through, a stiff breeze tore across the stubbly grass and weeds of the Great Temple's landing field.
The construction scaffolding jiggled, making the balance precarious for the crew of New Republic construction workers shoring up rebuilt sections of wall.
Now that the Lightning Rod had departed, the young Jedi Knights turned their efforts toward fixing Lowbacca's T-23 skyhopper, which had been damaged by the Second Imperium's battle platform.
While Jaina worked above, Lowie squatted beside the small craft, examining a rip in the engine compartment.
The wind suddenly gusted around the partially open cockpit, tearing free a sheet of transparisteel Jaina was attempting to fasten into the front windows. Her mind had been wandering-as usual of late, to thoughts of Zekk-when she lost her grip, and she could do nothing to grab the transparisteel in time.
Lowie howled in pain and surprise as the sheet thunked him on the head.
'Oh, my," Em Teedee said. "I'm certainly glad that didn't strike me! My circuits could have been irreparably damaged." Jaina leaned over the T-23s canopy, startled and abashed. "Son-y, @wie."
The young Wookiee rubbed the bump forming beneath the dark streak of fur on his head and gave a rumble of understanding. "Master Lowbacca assures me he has sustained no permanent injury," Em '&edee said.
Jacen, who was cleaning the carbon scoring off one of the skyhopper's attitude fins, popped up, grinning. 'Bet you were thinking about Zekk again-weren't you, Jaina?
I can't imagine anything else that could distract you from your favorite kind of work." Tenel Ka jumped down next to Lowie, landing with her feet spread, perfectly balanced. "I apologize. The error was mine, friend Lowbacca, " she said. The warrior girl picked up the transparisteel patch and hefted it back to the top of the skyhopper.
"Jaina requested my assistance, but I was not watching when that gust struck."
"Hey, don't tell me you were thinking about Zekk, too," Jacen teased.
Tenel Ka shook her head emphatically; her thick red-gold braids lashed and swirled in the wind. "No, not at the moment. However, I received a message from Hapes yesterday. I am anticipating... something from my parents and my grandmother."
"What're you waiting for?" Jaina asked.
Lowie added his own questioning growl.
Jaina leaned down and tossed the lanky Wookiee a tube of metal cement.
"Hey, I'll bet she's waiting for me to tell her a joke," Jacen said.
"Isn't that right, Tenel Ka?"
"This is a fact," Tenel Ka answered with a perfectly straight face. "But in addition to your joke, I have been waiting for a... delivery."
"What is it?" Jaina asked.
"Don't tell me," Jacen said. "Uncle Luke has asked for some rancors from Dathomir to help with the rebuilding project. Thatd be great, wouldn't it? I always wanted to see one up close." Then he paused, as if considering whether he really meant it.
"Well..."
"I believe," Tenel Ka said, nodding toward a pair of ships that had just appeared on the jungle horizon, "this is the delivery I have been expecting."
Lowie and Jaina scrambled to get a better look. A strong wind caught at the Wookiee's ginger fur, making it flutter in