Preoccupied, Lowbacca didn’t even scold the translating droid. Slowly, haltingly at first, the Wookiee began to speak, and Em Teedee translated. “Master Lowbacca knows that his recent … distress has been apparent to all of you, causing you no small measure of concern—a concern shared by myself, I might add.”
Jaina put a hand on Lowbacca’s shoulder. “Well, you did have us worried. We wanted you to be able to talk to us.”
“We’re your friends,” Jacen added.
Tenel Ka merely nodded and waited for Lowbacca to continue.
He squared his shoulders and went on with his explanation. “In recent months a family matter has arisen that has caused Master Lowbacca no end of worry over his sister Sirrakuk’s safety.
“As you may recall, young Wookiees occasionally take it upon themselves to perform a feat of great danger and difficulty, either alone or accompanied by friends. This gains them much respect, especially at a time when they are choosing their life path.
“Master Lowbacca decided to prove himself with such an act of bravery, since he knew that it would be difficult for many Wookiees to accept his decision to train at the Jedi academy rather than follow a more traditional calling. He was so proud of his intellectual skills that he chose to rely only on his wits; he descended to the deep forest levels on Kashyyyk without telling a single friend. Alone, he harvested these fibers from the dangerous syren plant. Though Master Lowbacca emerged unharmed with the trophy he had sought, he now admits that his solo expedition was foolhardy and ill-advised. And he fears that Sirrakuk is considerably more impulsive, more impetuous than he.”
Here Lowbacca paused to finger the glossy fiber of his webbed belt. Its intricate braiding reminded Tenel Ka of Anakin’s message to her, his technique of one-handed braiding.
Jaina gave Lowie a measuring look. “Ah, so now you’re afraid that your sister might try to go it alone just because you did?”
Lowbacca looked down at the floor and gave a series of low rumbles and growls. Resting both elbows on his furry knees, he held his head in his hands as he spoke.
“I’m afraid the situation is rather more serious than that, and Lowbacca believes that the responsibility is largely his,” Em Teedee said. “You see, since childhood Sirra’s best friend was Raabakyysh—or Raaba, as Master Lowbacca’s family referred to her—intelligent, strong-willed, beautiful, and adventurous. In fact, Master Lowbacca had always felt that … Well, go on,” the little droid prompted. “You thought that what? You can’t simply stop in the middle of a sentence.”
Lowie gave a low groan and began to speak again. The dark streak of fur over his eyebrow fluffed up, slowing his agitation.
“Approximately one month ago, Raaba prepared to show her own skills in the face of danger, since she wanted to join a difficult and exclusive pilots’ school, hoping one day to become the captain of her own ship. Sirra and Raaba had agreed to accompany one another—but the night before they had planned to go, Raaba impulsively decided to go alone.
“In secret, she descended to the lower jungles at night, leaving behind nothing but a brief message to explain to Sirra what she had done and why. According to her note, Raaba had hoped that by duplicating Lowbacca’s feat of bravery she might impress him enough that he would someday consider her a worthy mate for a Jedi—when they were old enough. However …”
Lowbacca paused and heaved a deep sigh before continuing. “However—oh dear!—I’m afraid Raaba never returned from her ordeal,” Em Teedee continued. “When her family searched for her they found only her bloodstained toolpack. Nothing more. Raaba was gone.”
“Oh, Lowie.” Jaina leaned her head against the Wookiee’s shoulder.
Tenel Ka looked at her friend, sensing his pain. “Ah. This is why you feel responsible.”
Lowie spoke again, this time in strangled tones. “Since Raaba’s … loss, Sirra has become increasingly reckless, as if she hardly cares whether she lives or dies. Sirra has refused all offers from other friends to accompany her on her rite of passage, insisting that Raaba was the only one she trusted enough to take along. A while ago, in desperation, Master Lowbacca sent Sirra a message asking if she would accept him as a suitable substitute. Chewbacca has just brought word of her answer.” Em Teedee paused for a moment. “Oh, thank goodness—she’s accepted!”
“Hey, that’s great,” Jacen said in a relieved voice.
“Oh, indeed,” Em Teedee chirped.
Lowbacca didn’t respond immediately. He seemed to be intently studying a chip in the flagstoned floor.
“Something’s still bothering you, Lowie,” Jaina said.
Tenel Ka glanced down at the stump of her severed left arm, then gave Lowie an understanding look. “You fear to face your loss. The loss of Raaba.”
“That’s it, isn’t it?” Jaina said. “It’s going to hurt to go back to Kashyyyk, because your friend Raaba won’t be there. And you feel responsible that she died trying to copy something you did.”
After Lowie’s response, Em Teedee said, “Master Lowbacca is also concerned that his grief over the loss of Raabakyysh will render him less capable of supporting his sister at this critical time. He realizes that it may not be feasible, but he was hoping to impose on one of you to accompany him to his home-world.”
Tenel Ka answered immediately. “You came when I needed you, after my accident. I can do no less, my friend.” She reached out her hand to touch Lowbacca’s.
“Hey, I’ll come too,” Jacen said, placing his hand over both of theirs. “We’re stronger together. All of us.”
Jaina placed her hand over the others. “I guess we all go then,” she said. “Stronger together.”
Lowbacca hung back, standing near the disguised Millennium Falcon while the Solo twins said goodbye to their father.
Han Solo gave his kids a lopsided grin. “Yeah, I kinda had a hunch that all of you were gonna volunteer to go with Lowbacca,” he said. “As soon as Chewie told me the situation, I cleared it with your mom. Should be a good opportunity for you kids to brush up on Wookiee language comprehension, too.”
Just then Luke Skywalker, wearing his tattered jumpsuit, emerged from the hangar bay with Chewbacca. Lowie could smell the grease stains and solvents on the old fabric. “Everything ready?” Master Skywalker asked.
“Ready as it’ll ever be,” Han Solo replied with another grin. “You and Chewie finished prepping the Shadow Chaser?”
Luke turned to Chewbacca, who had come up beside him, and said, “The Chaser’s a good ship; don’t let anything happen to her.” The big Wookiee shrugged and gave a bark of agreement.
Han Solo thumped Chewie on the back. “Take care of yourself. I’m trusting you with my kids, you know. Keep ’em all in one piece, okay? We’ll see you in a couple of weeks.” With that, Han gave the twins one last hug and went aboard the Millennium Falcon.
Before walking up the ramp, Master Skywalker looked around at the young Jedi Knights with calm confidence. “Don’t forget that you’re stronger together,” he said. “May the Force be with you.”
When the departing Falcon was just a speck in the distance, its bank of sublight engines glowing white, Lowbacca heaved a sigh and growled questioningly at Jaina.
She chuckled. “Right. What are we waiting for?”
3
The sleek Shadow Chaser, with its Imperial design and oily-looking quantum armor, glistened in the early-morning sun as Chewbacca piloted it slowly out of the sheltered hangar bay beneath the Great Temple.