Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 10_ Jedi Bounty - Kevin J. Anderson [33]
He drew a bright arc in the air. He did not need 'friendswho couldn't accept the friendships he already had. He swung the lightsaber again.
He did not need to blame one group for all the misfortunes Wookiees had suffered through the centuries. His species was flexible, strong, capable.
They had done well for themselves.
Lowie whirled, sweeping the glowing bronze blade low to the floor. He did not need to hope that others would accept him so that he could find a place where he belonged. He had a place.
He had friends who accepted him.
Whoosh! Humm! He did not need to find a cause" to believe in or a direction for his life. He had all those things. He was a Jedi Knight!
Lowie's lips peeled back in a feral grin. He felt more like himself now than he had since the day he had met Raaba again on Kuar and found out that she was still alive.
A door signal flashed on the wall. Allowing himself one final sweep of the glowing blade, Lowie switched his lightsaber off, clipped it to his belt, and unsealed the door. It was Sirra, her face alight with enthusiasm. Grasping his arm, she dragged him out into the corridor, telling him that she had something to show him, a magnificent ship.
Giving his sister a quizzical look, Lowie good-naturedly allowed himself to be led along to the small-craft bay. The labyrinth of corridors and tunnels wound steadily upward, and Sirra chattered happily. She had always been a bit jealous that Lowie and his friends had ships they could tinker with together. Now, the Diversity Alliance would make it up to Sinca.
Lowie wondered if Hovrak had finally made good on his offer of procuring a ship for Sinca to fly. If so, perhaps they could soon come and go as they pleased. He was also glad to note that his sister referred to Jaina and the rest of his friends with a sense of fondness, rather than as his
"so-called friends" or his "former friends," as Raaba called them.
Sirra explained that Raaba had hinted she shouldn't tell her brother, but there was no way she was going to keep this a secret from Lowie.
Besides, Sirra could use his experience if she was going to talk Hovrak into letting her keep the craft. After all, Lowie was familiar with at least one Hapan ship already.
Sinca finally stopped at the entrance to the small-craft docking bay, then keyed in her access code. The hangar-bay door slid open, and with a jolt of shock, Lowie recognized the Rock Dragon!
Through a haze of surprise, Lowie heard Sinca ask him if the ship was like the one his friend Tenel Ka owned. She hoped so, since that would make it easier for him to teach her the controls.
She was sure Lowie could help her figure it out.
But when the dazed look on her brother's face registered with Sirra, she stopped talking. Had she been wrong to show him the ship?
No, he was very interested, he told her. But this ship was not just similar to the one his friend owned--it was the ship. The Rock Dragon, here on Ryloth.
He asked Sirra if she was certain that Raaba knew this ship was here.
Sirra shrugged. Of course; she was absolutely sure. In fact, Raaba had taken her to see the Rock Dragon in the first place.
With a feeling of dread, Lowie thanked Sirra for showing him the ship.
Struggling to control his anger and uneasiness, he assured her that they would discuss the ship soon. Meanwhile, it was high time he had a heart-to-heart talk with Raaba.
Alone.
Raaba was by herself in her quarters when Lowie burst in without signaling. The young Wookiee woman leaped to her feet when he entered, a guarded look on her face. She ran her fingers through her chocolate-brown fur.
He was surprised when, instead of objecting to his barging in, she asked him if Sirra was with him. He answered bluntly that his sister was still down admiring the Rock Dragon--the ship that belonged to his human friends.
Raaba flinched and looked at him defensively, but there was no surprise on her face. This confirmed what Sirra had