Delusions of Grandeur

8

For the tenth time Lowie adjusted his crash webbing and rearranged his limbs in the Rising Star’s cramped copilot area—but his fidgeting was due more to nervousness than discomfort. In contrast, Raaba’s movements were spare and confident, like a well-rehearsed dance. Her deft fingers punched in coordinates and flicked switches, preparing for the skimmer’s jump to hyperspace.

Away from Yavin 4, away from his friends at the Jedi academy.

Lowie’s fingers tapped restlessly against one hairy knee, until Raaba told him to relax. He tried folding his hands and leaning back in the seat, but that felt too stiff and awkward. He reached down to check Em Teedee, only to remember that he had left the little droid behind with Jaina on the jungle moon. The tension inside Lowie just had to get out. He jiggled one leg but decided it might irritate Raaba, and so he stopped. He settled for simply crossing his arms over his chest.

It was ironic that Lowie should feel so self-conscious alone with Raaba. She had been his sister Sirra’s friend, but Raaba had always admired him when they were growing up—had even attempted her rite of passage alone because that was the way Lowie had done it.

But now … the chocolate-furred Wookiee seemed different. Poised, independent, self-assured. He was not sure what to make of her anymore. Even the freshly washed strip of red cloth she wore cinched above her ears as a headband made him wonder how well he knew her—or had ever known her. She carried an energy and a sense of direction that he couldn’t help but admire. Lowie supposed anyone would find those qualities attractive.

A tunnel lined with star streaks dilated in front of them as Raaba launched the Rising Star into hyperspace. Lowie shifted his weight and began to assess his agitation and restlessness with detached interest. He had always been confident, too, priding himself on being a deep thinker; he knew he could figure this out. Reason and logic came naturally to him— and he had no rational cause to be nervous, just because Raaba had changed.

In the past, however, deep thought and discussion had not really been something that he and Raaba had shared. Lowie wondered if she had changed in that respect, too. Well, they were going to be in hyperspace for quite a while, so there was no better time to find out. He started the conversation by telling Raaba that it seemed she had done a lot of growing up since they’d known each other on Kashyyyk.

The Wookiee woman found grim amusement in his observation and answered with a bitter growl of laughter. It would have been hard not to grow up after the atrocities she had heard of and witnessed firsthand. She and Lowie had both led sheltered lives in their beautiful tree city on Kashyyyk, she explained. Even the dangers of the lowest forest levels were nothing compared to the barbarous cruelties the alien species of the galaxy had suffered. This was what the Diversity Alliance had taught her. And most of those atrocities had been committed by humans.

That was why the Diversity Alliance was so important as a political force for change, Raaba went on, the passion in her voice rising. The Alliance accepted and championed the rights of all the species who had suffered indignities at human hands. For example, the Empire had never been punished for its enslavement of Wookiees. The Diversity Alliance vowed never to allow such a thing to happen again. All species had been affected by the human-loving Empire’s repression and prejudice, in fact.

Raaba spoke with fire in her voice. Her eyes flashed, and Lowie couldn’t help but realize how large and beautiful those eyes were—or how the shaved patches at her wrists, elbows, and neck contrasted with her luxurious dark fur.

Clearly, Raaba had given some thought to the Diversity Alliance and what it stood for. Lowie was impressed by her spirit and enthusiasm … but also disturbed by the conclusions she drew. Humans were not the only species that had ever mistreated another, he pointed out. Surely she couldn’t believe that all of the ills of the galaxy were the sole responsibility of human beings?

Raaba pondered for a moment. No, she admitted that other species had also mistreated one another. The Diversity Alliance abhorred any abuse of alien species—even by each other.

Lowie rumbled thoughtfully, then asked if the Diversity Alliance also abhorred the mistreatment of humans by other species.

Raaba looked uncomfortable at the turnabout. For now, the Diversity Alliance did not have the resources to concern itself with the treatment humans received. The subject simply did not come up. Raaba shrugged. Besides, such situations were anomalies, a minor swing of the pendulum. It was the alien species who needed protection from abuse: humans could take care of themselves. With the Diversity Alliance, Nolaa Tarkona was searching for the answer to all of their problems, and as soon as they found the long-awaited solution, the galaxy would be free again.

In a consoling tone, Raaba asked Lowie not to make up his mind in advance. She wanted him to meet her friends and listen to what they had to say. The Diversity Alliance was a place where she felt she belonged. If Lowie kept an open mind, he might find that he belonged there, too. It would be so nice to have him with her.

The Diversity Alliance could very much use the help of someone special like a Force-talented Wookiee. Perhaps his sister Sirra would want to join, as well. Even if Sirra wasn’t interested, though, Raaba asked Lowie to think about how much time the two of them could spend together if they were both part of the Diversity Alliance….

Lowie thought about it. A lot.