Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 10_ Jedi Bounty - Kevin J. Anderson [37]
When the four companions were dragged before him, Lowie's heart turned to ice. A cold fury built inside him as he observed their bedraggled condition, their bloodied hands, their dirty skin and haunted eyes.
Jacen looked up as if in fear of another beating, but then recognized his friend. "Lowie!" he cried, but the Wookiee snarled at him to cut off any further outburst and told the miserable prisoner to be silent.
Jaina tossed her long straight hair out of her eyes and looked at him with a stony, unreadable scowl. This meant either that she understood his plan and was playing along--or that she was convinced Lowbacca had been brainwashed by the Diversity Alliance....
He gestured for the four humans to follow him.
The Rodian offered additional guards, but Lowie roared and bared his fangs at the mere suggestion that these weaklings could pose any threat to him.
The four weary and aching companions staggered down the corridor, following the Wookiee "guard" out of the mines. Lowie ushered them into a turbolift, closed the dooruand then, finally away from prying eyes, gathered them all into a huge bear hug, slapping their backs and howling his joy at the reunion.
He had decided to leave the Diversity Alliance, he told them. He knew what the insidious group was up to now, and he could no longer tolerate being here, no matter how much his friend Raaba wanted him to stay.
"It's not that easy, Lowie. The Diversity Alli I ance may not let you go," Jacen said. They described Lusa's adventure and how she had discovered that no one resigned from the Diversity Alliance.
Attempting to leave could mean a death sentence. That was what they had come to tell Lowie in the first place.
Lowie just growled. He would find another way out, then, and he vowed to help them all escape from Ryloth. He had a plan to get them out of the tunnels and into the mountains, where he could rescue them.
The turbolift shot upward silently, taking them toward freedom at last.
From the observation gallery above the mine chambers from which he had spied on the captives, Corrsk watched as the Wookiee bluffed the stupid guards and led the prisoners away. Corrsk could have sounded an alarm at any time, because he knew for certain Nolaa Tarkona had given no such orders. Hovrak himself had no idea that Lowbacca had turned traitor and meant to free his human friends. Such news would cause considerable turmoil in the Diversity Alliance, Corrsk knew.
But he had other plans. "Kill humans!" he said under his breath. He let out a long, venomous hiss. "And Wookiees."
He watched, then crept forward. He had anticipated this moment for a long time, but the cold blood of his predator ancestors had taught him patience.
He knew how to wait for his prey.
Bloodlust sang in his veins, the scent of Wookiee taunted his nostrils, and nerves tingled beneath his scales. He could be a hero to the Diversity Alliance. He could prevent the escape of the human captives--and if one or two of the prisoners were killed during the recapture...
surely Nolaa Tarkona would forgive him.
But best of all, Corrsk thought as his vision reddened, he would have his trophy: a fine Wookiee pelt. No one could protect Lowbacca from his claws and his skinning knives now. The Wookiee had turned against the Diversity Alliance, and the Trandoshan would make certain he paid the ultimate price for it.
Corrsk moyed quickly out into the tunnels, happy to be on the hunt at last.
EXACTLY ON TIME, Lowie's preprogrammed distraction echoed through the tunnels of the Diversity Alliance. Computers triggered alarms everywhere.
Sirens blared and lights flashed; a recorded voice requested emergency assistance.
Jacen ducked. "Uh-oh! They know we've escaped!"
But Lowie chuffed with laughter and shook his shaggy head. "Ah, yes.
I see!" Em Teedee piped up.. "Tery clever