legged CHAPTER ONE Sitting cross on an old starfighter pilot seat Ram Jomaram closed his eyes and tried to block out all the clatter and commotion outside There was plenty to block out dignitaries and visitors from across the known galaxy were converging on the scenic mountains and forests of Valo for the first Republic Fair in ages Most of Lonisa City’s residents were putting final touches on banners cooking scrumptious food and preparing guest quarters Pretty soon they’d be gathered at the almost fully constructed Jedi temple to welcome the Chancellor herself to Valo
Lonisa City where Ram had grown up was a small place People knew and looked out for each other it seemed light-years away from the ongoing grind and rumble of the rest of the galaxy But over the past few weeks Ram had felt the rising tide of all that sudden attention the hubbub and fuss seeming to get louder and louder as the many eyes of the Republic turned to Valo So much prep had gone into this gigantic event and there was still so much to do But None of that mattered All that mattered was this very moment Ram had slyly mentioned to Master Kunpar that one of the security team’s speeder bikes was out of commission commission with a faulty gasket hub and all the state mechanics were busy setting up the light show so Master Kunpar had grumbled and fussed with his chin tentacles some before finally relenting but he had and that was why Ram got to be here in his favorite place on the planet a dingy dim garage full of rusty mechanical parts and tools The team of repair Bonbraks scurried back and forth on the shelves around him chattering at each other and futzing with various smaller projects but otherwise Jedi 4 RACE TO CRASHPOINT TOWER
CHAPTER ONE Padawan Ram Jomaram was in the most peaceful state he knew all alone in the garage a small shed in the back grotto of the Jedi living quarters No complicated rules or protocols to follow no ancient wise Masters to show the correct deference to Just metal and bolts and plastoid and some big-eared long-tailed fur balls who made plenty of squeaky fuss but mostly minded their own business Ram was one with the Force and the Force was with Ram he reminded himself Here in this peaceful grease stained hideaway he could give over fully to the quiet powerful place inside All around him a small constellation constellation of speeder parts hovered There were the leather seat and metal casing over the main hub he could swing those out of the way for the moment Here was the engine with its grill and gaskets and piping Here was the fuse box that would fit in alongside the retrovaporizer and connect into the rest of the machinery And here was the repulsorlift hub still shiny with residue from when it had spluttered fission oil earlier during a routine patrol You must see the whole for the whole Master Kunpar had told Ram so so many times and each part for the role 5
