Lowie sighed. He had been hoping to persuade Raaba to take the two of them back to Kashyyyk the next day. He was anxious to continue his Jedi training under Master Skywalker, but somehow he didn’t think there was much chance of convincing either of them now….
Without saying anything, Lowie followed after the two young Wookiee women.
He had a very bad feeling about this.
4
The grassy landing clearing near the rebuilt Great Temple was damp from an evening shower. Water droplets clung to the lush jungle underbrush that had been pressed down by the frequent shuttles returning from orbit.
The unseasonable rain had been as warm and as brief as a farewell embrace from a friend, but its moisture had brought out all the fragrant exotic scents from the thick forest around them.
Everything was quiet, hushed.
The companions worked with quiet speed to make the Rock Dragon ready for their unscheduled journey.
Standing outside the Rock Dragon, Raynar performed the preflight checks Jaina had assigned him. When Lusa approached, he could sense the centaur girl’s presence immediately, as if there were a change in the air temperature. He tried to hurry through his tasks so he could spend a few more minutes with Lusa before they left. At the sound of a hoof impatiently stamping on the soft ground, though, he turned to her with a smile.
In a way, Raynar was glad Lusa wouldn’t be coming with them to Ryloth.
For one thing, she would be safer on Yavin 4; if the Diversity Alliance captured the centaur girl, it would mean certain death. But also, he couldn’t afford to be distracted at a time when he would need all his wits about him to help rescue Lowie. And he found Lusa very distracting indeed.
“I still think you should wait to discuss this with Master Skywalker. He’ll be back in a few days,” she said, resuming the conversation that had begun hours earlier. “Or at least let Tionne know what you plan to do.”
Raynar shook his head. “You know what Jacen and Jaina think. Tionne or Master Skywalker would feel obligated to alert Chief of State Organa Solo. Then it would become a diplomatic incident, and Lowie would become a pawn for the Diversity Alliance. It’s better if we slip in ourselves and take care of it quietly, before anyone can get too alarmed.”
Lusa tossed back her cinnamon mane. “Well, their mother should be told this newest information as soon as possible. Even I didn’t know how dangerous the Diversity Alliance was becoming. And I was a loyal member for more than two years.” Lusa stamped a hoof again to emphasize her point. “Maybe the New Republic should take some action.”
Faced with her unaccustomed anger, Raynar was at a loss for words. To his surprise, he sensed that her turmoil was born of concern—and fear—for him.
“If I cannot tell Tionne the truth, what shall I tell her once you are gone? A Jedi would know if I lied,” Lusa continued, a storm of deep cinnamon color rising in her face. “And I will not lie, even for you.”
Raynar felt a pang of guilt for putting his friend in such a position.
He grimaced and rubbed a hand along his aching thigh. At seeing his twinge of pain, Lusa’s eyes instantly filled with distress, though they held no less anger. “And you are still wounded!” she accused. “You have no business going on such a dangerous mission. You should stay here and recuperate.”
Raynar’s thoughts churned. The reasons for going to Ryloth had seemed so clear and compelling just a couple of hours ago. How could he stay behind in safety when Lowie’s life might be in danger? Then again, if Lusa was correct about the Diversity Alliance, her life could be in danger here, too,. no matter what protection the Jedi academy offered.
But what about Raynar’s own father? All threats to Bornan Thul’s safety had begun on Ryloth. If he could learn anything or find any way to help his father, the key lay in Nolaa Tarkona’s headquarters.
But if he tried to explain all this to Lusa, she would protest that being the son of Bornan Thul would only put him in greater peril.
Fortunately, Raynar was spared the need to explain any further when Jacen, Jaina, and Tenel Ka emerged from the Rock Dragon.
“Our ship appears to be in excellent condition, Captain,” Tenel Ka said.
Jaina grinned. “Checks out perfectly.”
“And there are no unexpected creatures as passengers either,” Jacen added. “I checked.” He looked at the centaur girl. “You’re sure you can take care of Nicta and my other pets while we’re gone? A hatchling gort needs a lot of attention, you know.”
Lusa nodded. “Yes. That will be the easiest part of my duties while you are away.”
Raynar cleared his throat. “Um, Lusa wants to know what she should tell Tionne after we leave.”
Jaina frowned. “We’ll need a few days, at least. You have to stall her that long.”
Jacen spoke up. “Hey, I’ve got a pretty good joke you could tell her.”
Jaina rolled her eyes. “Not now, Jacen.” She looked seriously at Lusa. “I can’t ask you to lie, but we do need some time. Once More finds out the whole story about the Diversity Alliance—well, as much of it as we know, anyway—she’ll do everything she can to protect the New Republic. She might even want to take immediate action.”
“And if she did that,” Jacen said, “she probably wouldn’t be able to protect Lowie. But he’s our friend, and we have to do everything we can to get him out first. After that, we’ll tell my mother. I promise.”
Lusa shook her head, and her diamond horns glinted in the dim light. “I will have to tell Tionne something in the meantime.”
“Ah. Aha,” Tenel Ka said. “you may tell Tionne this: my grandmother arrived with disturbing news of a conspiracy. The four of us have gone to investigate. This is a fact.”
Lusa nodded. “Yes, I can tell her that … and she will probably assume that you are on Hapes. I don’t like it, though. Are you certain you understand the plan we discussed?”
Relief flooded through Raynar. “Thanks for understanding, Lusa. We’ve got the codes you provided—I think this is going to work.”
“Already input the coordinates you gave us,” Jaina added.
“Em Teedee’s hooked up to the navigational panel and ready to go,” Jacen said.
Raynar smiled with more confidence than he felt. “We’ll be there and back before you know it.”
Lusa shook her cinnamon mane and crossed her arms over her bare midriff. “I doubt that. Do not underestimate the Diversity Alliance.”
“Promise me you won’t start to worry for at least three days,” Raynar said.
Lusa made a noise that was somewhere between a whinny and a snort.
“You ask the impossible,” she said. “I won’t lie. But I will not betray your trust, and I will help you in any way I can.”
Raynar reached out impulsively and gave Lusa’s hand a grateful squeeze. “I knew we could count on you.”
For a moment, Raynar thought the centaur girl would give him a farewell hug; instead, she squeezed his hand in return. Then she reared up, tossing her mane wildly and looking around at the companions. “The plan is a dangerous one,” Lusa said. “May the Force protect you.” With a swish of her tail, she turned and galloped back toward the Great Temple.
By the time the Rock Dragon rose and launched itself into the misty night sky, the landing field was completely deserted.
5
Zekk traveled alone in the Lightning Rod—as usual—searching half the galaxy for Bornan Thul. As usual.
Through a subspace announcement, the Diversity Alliance had recently increased the bounty offered for the human merchant, who had been on the run for months now. Despite the efforts of the best trackers in the galaxy, Bornan Thul still eluded capture.