Chapter 4

The prosecutor nodded, but turned his attention to Madine.

" Crix, I'll take this extra material to the High Council and the Supreme Leader. Let's hope they will start the procedure to reopen the case."

" How long will that take?"

" Can't tell you exactly, but two to three years is normal."

" You're joking, Sorjon! Three years?!" Madine asked annoyed.

Luke too felt disappointed. Two years at the earliest.

" Your honor, is it possible to get a quicker rehabilitation for my sister?" He asked hiding his regrets.

Sorjon Tyloban shook his head.

" No, colonel, I'm sorry. The High Court sentenced you both."

Luke sighed deeply. Another three years of waiting. It sounded so unfair.

" Colonel, may I ask you a question?"

Tyloban had sensed his visitors' disappointment and sought a way to change the subject of their conversation.

" Certainly, your honor," Luke answered politely, regaining his composure.

" I hope, colonel, you will forgive me for my inquisitiveness, but you told the member of the High Court that our former enemy, Darth Vader, hasn't left his remains after he died? Excuse me for inquiring after that, but it's hard to believe you didn't bury him.

"My father Anakin Skywalker, your honor, was raised as a Jedi Knight. He once was the padawan learner of my own master, general Obi-Wan Kenobi. After he was knighted for his sacrifies and strife during the battle on Geonosis he fought as a general during the Clone Wars at the side of his former master. They were close friends. My father was very loyal to Obi-Wan Kenobi and has saved his former master's life a couple of time. It has been former emperor Palpatine, a Sith lord by the name of Darth Sidious who seduced Anakin to learn the ways of the Siths, promising my father ultimate power. He gave Anakin the Sith name Darth Vader. Your honor, I want to remember my father as Anakin Skywalker, the man who saved my life when the Emperor attacked me with Force Lighting, the most devastating power of the Dark Side. At the moment he killed the evil darkness embodied in Emperor Palpatine, he became again the Jedi Knight, he truly was. After twenty years serving the Force as a Sith Lord, my father finally remembered he once had been a part of the Good Side of the Force, a Jedi Knight. He paid with his life. He left this galaxy before I could bring him to one of our medical frigates and became on with the Force. That's the way many Jedi Knights pass on from a life in this galaxy to a life in the Force. My father only left the life support armor in which he had been trapped for more than twenty years. I burned that dark armor on a secret place to finally free his spirit, so he really could live on in the Force, as Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight and the father of Leia and me. No one in our galaxy can hold him accountable for the evil he has represented. I'm aware that the members of the High Council and the Supreme Chancellor hold me and my sister accountable for his deeds, for we are his offspring."

"None of the members of the High Council hold you and Leia accountable for what your father has done." Madine said sharply.

"Some of them do, general, to many we are the children of Darth Vader, not Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, the son and daughter of Anakin Skywalker. Now we also are Jedi Knights, like our father before us. We're servants of the Force and obliged to proof our loyalty again to the New Republic, if that's necessary to forgive our father's deeds. However, I have an urgent request to High Council and our Supreme Chancellor; don't blame my sister for what Anakin Skywalker has done in the past. She never knew the truth about our birth."

Luke stopped and watched both men. Silently Sorjan Tyloban nodded, "Thank you, colonel, for having entrusted me with your point of view."

"There's another question that's puzzling you, isn't it, your honor?" Luke said.

The prosector looked surprised.

" Yes indeed, but how do you know?"

"Often, a Jedi is aware of people's thoughts, your honor. You were thinking about our female prisoner from Morantan. You were wondering, if she is related to me and my sister, because the rumors go that she also is a close relative of Darth Vader, like we are?" Luke said and continued, "She's still a mystery for me too, your honor. Princess Liane is five maybe six years younger than we are. If she is related to Leia and me, she only can be our foster sister, for our mother died at on Polis Massa shortly after she had given birth to us. It's unlikely that our father re-married, given the circumstances after his last fight with general Kenobi on Mustafar. He was kept alive in a life supporting suit; he couldn't live a normal life anymore. In my opinion, she can't be his real daughter. Possibly Anakin has sensed her enormous Force powers and took her as his apprentice to bring her up her at the Dark Side. She is able to use Sith knowledge, but I also have sensed the many fears for the way she is using the power of the Force. During my encounter with her in the detention building I at first thought she was particularly afraid of me, because my father seemed to have warned her against me, but underneath her aggressive outbursts, I felt in her a whirling of uncertainty and anxiety about the way she's using her Force power."

" Is she a danger to the New Republic, colonel?"

" No, she's not a real danger, not yet, your honor. At the moment she is mainly using her dark knowledge to mask her fears and uncertainty about the use of her powers, but her insufficient knowledge makes her vulnerable and an easy victim to be seduced to the Dark Side of the Force. Her uncertainty about her Force use, also makes her pliable. If she would fall in the hands of a Sith lord, like emperor Palpatine he certainly would sense her powers and he could exploit the knowledge she has gained and turn her into a Dark Lady! On the other hand I might bring her to the Good Side of the Force, if I could win her confidence."

In a flash the Force showed him the young woman in her cell. She was upset, angry and crying. With deep compassion Luke used his skills as Jedi Knight, to give her comfort through the Force. He pitied her and wished she would trust him.

" Colonel Skywalker, I will do my utmost to get your case reopened. Your own story and your awards in these files proof enough. You and your sister have to be patient, but you both will get your rehabilitation in the future. For the time being I give you permission to visit our prisoner from Morantan and support her your way. I will inform the commander of the detention building about your assignment. At the moment, I can't reinstate you in your rank as commodore of Gold Squadron, or allow you to make use of the special mandate you had to look for and train new Jedi Knights, but I hope you are convinced of my good will. You have my explicit permission to use your private space shuttle; I'll lift you flight ban. I will seek a similar kind of temporary reinstatement possibility for your sister. I'll let you know, what can be done for her."

Luke's eyes brightened happily.

"Thank you, your honor. This is quite unexpected. Thank you for your permission to visit princess Liane and for lifting my flight ban. I will tell my sister you will seek a way to find some reinstatement for her too," He said with cheerful smile, " If you don't need me any longer I would like to leave and tell Leia this good news."

"You may leave, colonel." Sorjon Tyloban said with a smile.

" Can I pay you a visit tonight, Luke? I want to discuss what can be done to find Han Solo," Madine asked suddenly.

" Sure, we're home and you're always welcome."

Luke saluted and left the room. He felt a great relief, but also disappointment. He had gotten a permission to fly again, but he hadn't got his rank and special mandate back. He could visit Liane and help her, but he couldn't continue with the training of new Jedi Knights. This was a hard time and it remembered him of his youth at his uncle's farm. Suddenly Luke felt a tremor in the Force and he heard Ben's reassuring voice.

Luke drove home, calmed by Ben's advice. He knew he had to accept the situation, but it was difficult, because he felt his sister was involved unnecessarily.

When he entered his apartment Leia was standing on the terrace. Although she looked great, wearing her Jedi clothes, she also looked sad. Luke took in his arms and kissed her.

" You're alright?" he asked concerned.

Leia nodded.

" Did Madine achieve anything?" she asked eagerly.

"Not much, at least not what I hoped for. The prosecutor will study our files, but the reopening of our case may take two to three years. This is all so unfair, Leia."

"Did Sorjon Tyloban say anything else?"

Luke looked in Leia's eyes and he started smiling.

" Yes, he asked me about father's funeral and about our relationship with Liane. He has granted me full permission to help her. Oh, and I may fly again. He has lifted my flight ban. And he also promised he would do his utmost to find a temporary rehabilitation for you."

" And you said, nothing has happened. " Leia said and pulled her brother to the couches. Briefly her face showed a happy smile. "This is good news, my dear brother. Now you can go back to Dagobah."

"To Dagobah, Leia? I'm not allowed to train new Jedi Knights, I haven't got that special mandate back," Luke said and looked at her excited face.

"Not to train another Jedi Knight, but to study master Yoda's writings! You've told me that master Yoda has left them to you. You've been already to Dagobah several times to study them, haven't you?"

"Yes, I would love to find enough time to read and study his archive. I want to learn the rules of our old language: Jediese. If I could master the language I could revive it."

"Exactly! Now that your flight ban has been lifted, you can go to Dagobah to resume your studies. Maybe it's an even better idea to bring master Yoda's archive to the temporary Jedi Archive on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. Go to Dagobah, Luke, collect all those valuable writings before they deteriorate and perish due to the moist conditions on Dagobah. Take them with you and bring them to Dalmaran. It is a better place to safe ancient Jedi writings."

Surprised Luke had listened to his sister's exuberant talking. Suddenly he started laughing.

"My dear sister, how long have you been thinking about this plan?"

"Ever since you've have shown me master Yoda's ancient scrolls. I think, master Yoda would be pleased, if you bring his writings to a safer place."

Luke grabbed Leia's hands and held them tight.

"You're marvelous. It's a splendid idea. Moreover the accommodation on Na'ctaMagh'Ba is a much more comfortable place to study, but I need the general's permission to leave the elite ground forces for awhile; I'm still on active duty. You're coming with me, aren't you."

Leia shook her head.

"No, I want to stay in Irithim. If Lando would find Han and could persuade him to return to Irithim, I want to be here, Luke."

"I understand."

"Besides one of us has to help Liane to find her way to Good Side of the Force,"Leia continued, "Maybe, Sorjan Tyloban would allow me to fulfill that task as the temporary reinstatement he had in mind. It could be even better if another woman seeks a way to win the princess' confidence. She still sees you as her enemy."

" That will be a difficult task, Leia."

" My dear Jedi brother." Leia said teasingly. "I'm a Jedi Knight, like you. Don't worry about Liane, I will take care of her. You'd better stick to your study, now you have the opportunity. Will you take Artoo with if you go?"

" I don't think so. The access path to the underground Jedi Archive isn't fit for him. I should have to leave him at Mas'onom space port all the time. No, the droids stay with you, Leia. We'll discuss the way you can help princess Liane, after I'm sure I have the general's permission."

The door alarm interrupted their conversation. Leia opened the door and came back with general Madine. He put a large container with Corellian wine and other delicacies on the table.

"I brought some Correlian specialties because I wanted to make a contribution to your invitation, Luke. "

"You didn't tell me, dear brother, we were expecting a visitor," Leia said with a teasing smile.

Luke looked embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, Leia. I forgot to tell you, I invited the general. General, I apologize. You will join us for dinner, won't you?."

"My fault as well, general, " Leia interrupted, " I was so eager to hear what has been decided. I'll instruct Threepio and Artoo to make dinner for three. Threepio will be delighted, to show his skills as a butler. "

Surprised Madine raised his eyebrows.

" Your droids can cook? That's a great advantage, saves you a lot of work."

" It does indeed, general. I only have to do some minor preparations. Luke has added some additional programming at Threepio and Artoo to prepare our complete meals," Leia said, looking at her brother with a smile.

" Sometimes it's very advantageous that I learned to program moisture vaporators as a farm boy on Tatooine," Luke commented.

Leia looked at the container on the table.

" Can I use some of these ingredients, general."

" Most certainly, your Highness."

Luke invited Madine to take a seat on the couches on the broad terrace which had a splendid view on nightly Irithim.

" Can I get you a drink, sir."

" Open one of those bottles, Luke. I'm sure you'll like this wine."

Luke filled three glasses and offered one to general Madine. After a few minutes Leia joined them.

" Dinner time is delayed, but Threepio assured me he will be ready within an hour." She said while she took her seat.

"Your Highness, did Luke tell you that Lando Calrissian has visited me? He has resigned and is leaving Dalmaran to become a wealthy casino owner on Tambrin. At least that's what he told me. Perhaps we can ask him, if he could get information about the whereabouts of our mutual friend Han Solo," Madine asked cautiously.

For a moment Leia's face got a grave expression, but then she regained her composure and answered politely, "He has paid us an unexpected visit, general. Not to say goodbye, and he didn't mention he resignation, nor did he tell us about his new profession, but he has promised me to seek the Millennium Falcon and tell Han I want him to come back to Irithim. "

Madine looked at Leia with a frown, "He didn't tell you about his real plans?"

"His real plans? He told me that he has fallen in love with me and he has asked me to marry him. I've rejected his indecent proposal."

The general shook his head, "I feared that there was more behind his plans and his unexpected return. He must have gotten information somewhere that Han Solo wasn't on Irithim any more. Luke, didn't you tell me that during your trial Han told you that Lando probably was the source of the gossip about your ancestry to the members of the High Council?."

"Before he left, he denied being involved, sir. I sensed his denial was meant honestly."

"Of course he could deny being involved, for his words reach the members of the High Council indirectly."

Luke and Leia put down their drinks and looked astonished at their visitor.

"What do you mean, sir? If Lando didn't tell ..." Leia asked in wonder.

"Your Highness, next to my effort to find the whereabouts of the Millennium Falcon, I see it as my obligation to find out how Mon Mothma and her advisors got the information about your ancestry. Indeed it wasn't Lando Calrissian who told her, but some officers overheard him in the officer's mess at the base, while he and his crew were celebrating the victory near Leathan, where Lando, Han Solo and the Wookiee supported our space force. I'm sorry to say it, but there are officers who envy you, Leia, and especially your brother who had gotten a special mandate to use his time to rebuild the Jedi Order. After the end of the Civil War you and your brother are honored as the heroes of the Civil war, and you both also belong or have direct access to the high echelons of new administration of the New Republic, despite your very young age: you as a senator and your brother as a Jedi Master. Those officers are jealous about the prerogatives you both have. They have brought Lando's words higher up in the New Republic's administration, until the members of the High Council heard the rumors and asked Mon Mothma to start an investigation to find out the truth about your descent."

To be continued...