Finally Kyp retuned to the ship, leaving Jaina to deal with Lowbacca. As she entered the research center, all the chill and pain of the tunnels seemed to come back to her, centering in a cold lump in the pit of her stomach.
Lowbacca was still seated at the terminal, his furry face engrossed. The dark-haired tech had grown bored of her assignment and sat wearily at another workstation. A faint smile touched Jaina’s lips. The Wookiee loved computers. He probably had scant perception of the hours that had passed since his arrival. In a way, that made her task easier.
Jaina came up behind him and leaned down, resting her chin on his shoulder. Her eyes drifted shut, and she drew in a long, steadying breath. The familiar, musty scent of Wookiee fur filled her senses. She reached out through the Force and for a moment savored the solid, loyal presence that was Lowbacca. The only friend who truly trusted her, the only Jedi who looked at her and saw the Jaina she once had been.
She stealthily slipped him a holocube. The Wookiee quickly transferred the needed information and returned it to her. When he slipped it into her hand, she caught his big paw and clung to it for a moment. He tipped his head to one side and slanted a curious look back up at her. His nose wrinkled at the scent of coolant that clung to her nearly-dry flight suit.
“Long story,” she said softly. “I need you to get into the security records. I was never there. Make that happen.”
The Wookiee nodded and erased her footsteps with a few deft movements. When a satisfied grunt announced his success, Jaina reached out through the link between them and brought to mind an image of a Wookiee sun dial. Slowly, inexorably, she forced the shadows to deepen.
A few moments later, Jaina straightened up and turned toward the tech. Puzzlement and then concern swept the woman’s thin face. Suddenly Jaina was aware of the damp tracks of tears on her cheeks. She wiped them away, as she’d wiped the past few hours from Lowbacca’s memory.
Star Wars: New Jedi Order Stories: The Apprentice Page 3
