Chapter 5
efore Luke had left, Leia and he had been discussing how Leia would approach princess Liane and how she would explain her visits. Leia wanted to be honest to Liane and tell the princess that Luke was her brother and that she was a Jedi Knight too. Luke had considered Leia's idea, but finally he pensively had shaken his head.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Leia. You probably won't achieve anything, if Liane knows you're a Jedi Knight like me. I have told you that father has warned her against the Jedi.
He has told her the Jedi are her enemies. You know what happened during the two visits I've paid her. The second time, I've tried in vain to find a way to gain her confidence, but her aggressive behavior hasn't changed. The moment she sees me, she immediately starts yelling and screaming."
He had sighed disillusioned.
"I'd wish I knew a way to reassure her, so I can convince her that I mean her no harm.
It's so clear to me, that she is afraid of me, because I am Jedi Knight."
"If I can't tell her, I know you, there isn't a good reason to explain my interest for her ... Wait a minute, if I could introduce myself as the ... no, that's impossible," Leia had commented, shaking her head.
"Tell me, Leia, what are you thinking about?"
"Even though we don't know if Liane's title of princess of Morantan is justified or not, you've asked Mon Mothma, if she could be treated according to that title.
I've been told that her guards have been ordered to follow Mon Mothma's demands. So I thought if I could visit her as a princess. I would introduce myself as princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, but I forgot I'm not entitled to bear my old title any longer."
Luke had looked at his sister with a thoughtful expression.
"Maybe the general is willing to help us another time, Leia. We'll tell him about your plan, I'm sure he knows a way to get permission from Master Tyloban."
Luke had been right. After he had explained to Madine what they had in mind, the general heartily had agreed to defend their plan to the prosecutor. Sorjon Tyloban had invited both Skywalkers and had listened to their arguments. He had agreed with Luke, that it wouldn't be wise, if princess Liane knew, that Leia was a Jedi Knight and a relative of Luke. The best chance Leia might have to win the princess' confidence, was to visit her as an interested equal. After consultation with the Supreme Chancellor and the other members of the High Council Sorjon Tyloban had given Leia permission to use her title of princess Organa of Alderaan during her visits to princess Liane.
On the day of her first visit Leia had dressed with the full insignias of the Royal House of Alderaan. Surprised, but suspicious, princess Liane looked at her unexpected visitor. However, when Leia asked her about her way of life on Morantan, she became furious and unapproachable. She yelled that Leia should never visit her again; that she didn't want any visitors, that she wanted to be set free, for she hadn't done anything illegal. For her own safety Leia left, but she neglected the princess' wish to be left alone.
After that first visit Leia waited for a couple of days, before she visited the princess again. She just greeted her and asked if the princess had any particular wishes. Liane began to laugh and replied ill-tempered, that she wanted only one thing: to be set free and to be brought back to Morantan immediately. If Leia couldn't granted her freedom, then she didn't have to come back anymore.
During Leia's next short visit, the princess became so furious and violent, that Leia had to call the guards for protection. She watched the screaming and yelling princess, while the guards brought the struggling young woman back to her cell. Like her brother Leia felt how Liane masked her fears and uncertain feelings with those aggressive outbursts, seeking a kind of protection in the use of the Dark Side of the Force. Only if she would behave less violent and aggressive, it would be possible for Leia, and later also for Luke, to show the princess a better use of her Force powers.
Nevertheless Leia didn't give up her mission how unsatisfactory those first visits were. She continued to visit the princess, in spite of the verbal abuse and the girl's yelling and screaming. Yet, Liane became more and more surprised that Leia, despite her rude behavior, continued to visit her. However, she refused to show her amazement and some willingness and cooperation. Sulking she shrouded herself in absolute muteness. During Leia's visits she sat in a corner of the visitor's room with a sullen face; often she turned her back on her visitor and refused to respond to Leia's small talk. She cast an indifferent look at Leia and shrugged her shoulders. Leia had to struggle hard with her compassionate feelings. She had never met a person like this young woman who clearly felt so lonely and uncertain.
Finally, after two months princess Liane gave up her stubborn behavior. During one of Leia's visits, she suddenly broke her silence.
"Why are you still coming here? Why are you trying to persuade me to talk? I don't want to talk, I want my freedom back, do you understand! I'm a citizen of the empire and if I've done anything wrong, I want to be on trial at an imperial court, not at a court of rebels. "
She had spoken quietly, but Leia sensed that Liane had become very uncertain about her captivity.
"Your Highness," Leia said politely, "May I explain to you what has happened to this galaxy these last two years?"
Leia felt how uncontrolled anger seemed to get the better of Liane again for a moment, yet the young woman kept looking at her inquisitively.
"Stop calling me 'Your Highness'. I am Liane, that's what my father called me. I will call you Leia," Liane said brusquely and she continued: "Tell me, Leia, my father is truly dead, isn't he? Where and how did he die? Was he defeated by that Skywalker?"
"Darth Vader died on board the second Death Star, Liane. He rebelled against emperor Palpatine. The emperor turned his wrath and aggression upon him and used his powers of the Dark Side in an attempt to kill your father."
"Do you mean to say that the emperor has killed my father ... ?"
"No, your father killed the emperor, when the emperor wanted to destroy the forest moon of Endor. That's why your father revolted against him.
However the emperor had inflicted a fatal wound on your father and shortly after he'd killed the emperor he also died."
"How do you know all this? Who told you what happened onboard the Death Star? Did you witness their fight, and my father's death?"
"I didn't, but Luke Skywalker did."
"That Jedi Knight? How did he get onboard the Death Star?"
For a moment Leia recalled Luke's words on Endor, that he had to surrender to save their father and bring him back to the Good Side of the Force.
"Darth Vader took him prisoner, and brought him before the Emperor."
Liane's eyes widened and she started laughing.
"I knew father would capture him! His use of the Force was ..."
She suddenly stopped and Leia saw a deadly fear appear in Liane's blue eyes; her face became pale and her body shuddered as if she seemed to remember something that frightened her. For some minutes she silenced, then she looked up with a pale face and terrified eyes. Leia used the Force to put Liane's mind at ease, but she wondered what had so clearly scared the young woman.
"Skywalker only witnessed the death of my father? Are you sure about that?" Liane asked with a hoarse voice.
"After the death of the emperor and your father Luke Skywalker escaped the Death Star, and he reported back to the admiral of the Alliance, Liane."
Liane silenced again.
"So he spoke the truth. I didn't want to believe his story. Now you have confirmed his story. Well then, my father is dead and the empire is gone," she muttered .
Then she looked up to Leia and jumped to her feet.
"Go away, leave me! I don't want your company any longer!" she suddenly yelled. She pulled Leia to her feet and pushed her aggressively to the door of the visitor's room.
"Is there any progress?" The dark voice rumbled from under the dark cowl.
"Everything is going, according to our plans, master. The senator was overwhelmed by your generous offer and has promised to take the girl with him.
He has bribed her guards, and has talked with the girl during a nightly visit. He has told her that if she is willing to cooperate with him, she will be brought back to Morantan after the coup."
The holographic image of the hooded figure roared with laughter.
"Really how touching. Never thought she could be persuaded so easily; she really is naive and ignorant. I wonder why her father was so devoted and protective towards her.
Never mind, he taught her a lot of powerful knowledge."
"Master, there's something we have to tell you, for it might be the cause of some trouble. Another senator, the princess Leia Organa, has been visiting the girl these last months almost every day.
One of the guards has told us the princess of Alderaan has been asking the girl a lot of questions about her life on Morantan. At first the girl refused to talk to her, but it seems that she has accepted the senator's visits recently, and even appreciates them, maybe she even sees that senator as a friend or an ally. Senator Organa has told the girl about her father's death and the downfall of the Empire. We've also heard that the only Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker has tried in vain to make contact with the girl, but she doesn't want to talk to him."
"Of course she doesn't want to talk to a Jedi Knight. Her father has told her how dangerous that Skywalker is. Keep an eye on him. I want to know what he's up to.
He could thwart my plan with the girl."
"Don't worry about him, master. He has left Dalmaran two months ago with unknown destination."
"Good. I don't want a Jedi Knight to show any interest in the girl. She is mine. And try to find out what the real purpose of the Princess of Alderaan is, that she visits my beautiful prize so often."
Some two standard weeks after Leia had confirmed the fall of the empire, Liane unexpectedly started to talk at Leia on a soft penetrating tone.
'You're an intelligent woman, Leia, just like me. It's a pleasure to listen and talk to you.'
Leia immediately felt the influence of Affect Mind in Liane's voice. The girl was trying to gain control over her mind using her Force powers.
Leia blanked her mind to push back Liane's influence. What would she do? If she wouldn't respond to the Force voice manipulation it was likely that Liane might find out she could block the influence of the Force.
'You will help me.' Liane's voice sounded softly but more emphasizing, while making a slight gesture with her hand.
Leia decided, that she would do as if she was under the influence of Liane's voice manipulation.
"I will help you." She replied hesitantly.
'You are a good friend.'
"I am a good friend."
'You'll promise me, you'll do everything I want.'
"I'll promise you, I'll do everything you want."
'You won't tell any one about what I'm telling you, or what I want you to do for me.'
"I won't tell any one about what you're telling me, or what you want me to do for you."
'For you're going to help me to escape.'
"For I'm going to help you to escape."
Liane smiled.
"You will visit me again in three days, then we'll discuss my further plans of my escape," Liane continued using Affect Mind, but she embraced Leia suddenly and pushed her to the door.
"I will visit you again in three days, then we'll discuss your further plans of your escape," Leia answered while she left the visitor's room.
Outside the detention building Leia immediately used her Jedi skills, and she felt how nervous and anxious Liane felt about her use of Affect Mind. For a brief moment she became one with the Force and she saw some strange frightening images of Liane; beaten up and bleeding.
"I have a bad feeling about her plan to escape," Leia murmured and she use the Force to influence Liane herself.
'Liane, it is wrong what you are going to do and you know it. You can't benefit, using your Force skills this way. You're using the power of the Force to control others, but you aren't in control of your Force skills. Your lack to control the Force, makes you vulnerable, Liane. Your use of the Force will only harm you, and it might even lead you to the Dark Side. Stop using the Force this way, please, before you get entangled in a web of conspiracies and intrigues you can't cope with. Let me help you.' She said using her Jedi telepathy skills to reach out to the girl, but her plea wasn't answered.
As fast as she could, Leia went back to her apartment and contacted general Madine using her personal secret procon communication service. A few hours later the general called her.
"Leia, what's so important, that you're using a procon connection?"
"General, I want a word with you in private, immediately!"
"What's the matter, Leia, is Luke in trouble?"
"No, my brother is fine. Something worrisome happened today during my visit to Liane. "
" What do you mean? Has she threaten you again? "
"No, general, but I won't tell more, not even via this secure connection."
"I'll come right to you!"
In less than a quarter of an hour Madine arrived at Leia's apartment and listened to the story of her visit to Liane.
"She tried to use Affect Mind to get control over me and involve me in a kind of escape plan. I have a bad feeling about it, for she also might use her Force skills to control and influence her guards. "
"She is making plans to escape? Impossible! She is under permanent surveillance of two guards."
"I watched those men closely during my visits, general, and at least one of her guards seems particularly submissive as he addresses her or brings her back to her cell."
"Impossible, Leia. All our guards are heavily trained to resist any kind of manipulation."
Slowly Leia raised her hand and said very emphasizing, 'You're underestimating the power the Force can have on many people. You have forgotten, who trained Liane.'
Madine responded immediately to Leia's soft Jedi voice.
"I'm underestimating the power the Force can have on many people. I have forgotten who trained Liane."
Leia lowered her hand and watched her visitor. General Madine look at her completely stunned.
"Those weren't my own thoughts. It was like my thoughts were overruled, like my mind was ...manipulated..."
He looked puzzled and suspicious.
"Did you..? "
"My apologies. I meant no harm, general." Leia said reassuringly. "I only let you experience the influence of Affect Mind, or Jedi Mind Control, as it's been called in a negative way. What I did, isn't meant personally. Most people can't withstand the influence of Affect Mind. Again my apologies.
The Jedi are able to influence those less Force sensitive. It's an ability a Jedi Knight shouldn't use lightly, and only for defence or to avoid a conflict. My father has probably taught Liane how to use Affect Mind to control people. It's likely that she is using those skills to control her guards. Her guards probably have made contact or are in touch with some one or maybe with even a group of people outside the detention building who are planning her escape. Why else would she ask me to help her? Who is behind this escape plan and what their real intentions are, I can't tell, but I suggest we replace her guards with Threepio and Artoo or a similar type of cyborg droids."
"That would be very uncommon. If what you suggest might be true, replacing her guards with droids would alert those who are trying to help her.
Besides it might put you in a dangerous position."
"I understand your point of view, but if Liane gets a chance to escape, and I know she desperately wants her freedom back, there might be a real danger for the future of the New Republic as well."
"In what way, Leia?"
"There might live someone with knowledge of the Dark Side in this galaxy, another Sith Lord.
We assume that after the deaths of my father and the Emperor, the Siths are extinct, but during my training on Dagobah, Luke made clear to me, that the Dark Side of the Force can loom everywhere. If Liane would meet a real Sith Lord, we'll have some new powerful enemies. My brother and I have sensed how strongly the Force is influencing her. So will a Sith Lord."
Leia silenced to give General Madine the opportunity to think. After a couple of minutes he looked up. He nodded and he looked very serious.
"Luke has used similar words, when we were visiting SorjonTyloban. It's better if we inform Mon Mothma right now. Will you to accompany me, and explain all this to our Supreme Chancellor?"
"Of course, general."
Leia rose and left for her private room. Rapidly she changed clothes, choosing her ceremonial Jedi clothes. With a certain pride she clipped her own lightsaber at her belt.
With a smile she looked at her brother's holograph and blew a kiss in the direction of his laughing face. The bond between them was so strong, that for a single moment, she clearly heard his voice.
'Are you OK, Leia?'
'Don't worry, Luke, I'm fine.' She answered.
She heard a faint sigh of relief and smiled. Those brief moments of contact with him made her feel very happy and less lonely. She left the room and joined general Madine who was waiting in the hall of the apartment.
While Leia was telling General Madine about her visit and expressing her concern about Liane's use of the Force, Liane was pacing up and down in her cell with an elated smile on her face. A much brighter future was laying ahead. No longer in detention, but free again and brought back to Morantan! She looked around and laughed.
What coincidence it was, that the leader of a small group of displeased rebels had sought contact with her. The man was a senator in the New Republic, he had paid her a secret visit in the middle of the night a couple of weeks ago. He said that he had always admired the emperor and her father. He and his followers intended to plan a coup against the New Republic and he had asked if she could help him with the knowledge her father had taught her to control some influential members of the Senate, so he could easily take over the leadership of the New Republic.
In exchange for her help he would bring her back to Morantan. The only problem was her escape from the detention building. She had to find a way to leave the building unnoticed. After her escape he would bring her to a safe place.
Well, she could tell him she had found a way to leave the detention building unnoticed. Leia Organa, the princess of Alderaan would be her way to freedom. Leia Organa would help her to escape. They had the same lean figure; they were about the same height, and their hair had almost the same color. To make sure that princess Organa would cooperate in her plan she had used that special Force power her father had taught her, and Leia Organa of the Royal House of Alderaan had proven to be an easy victim of Mind Control. That friendly princess would think that she helped her with this escape plan voluntarily. Voluntarily! Liane started laughing again.
"My dear Leia," Liane whispered. "Your cooperation will be the most important part of my plan, but I'm certain now, that I can control you. You will help me and you won't realize what you're doing. It was so easy to get you under control.
It's a pity father can no longer help me, but I hope I know enough to find and eliminate that Luke Skywalker once I am free. Maybe that senator Zolgathrii can help me to capture him."
She gritted her teeth as she remembered her humiliating fight with Luke Skywalker on Morantan.
She sat down and leaned back against the wall. For a moment she closed her eyes. After Leia had confirmed the death of her father she had accepted the fact that he had died during the Civil War, but she still hated Luke for telling her.
A soft knock at the door interrupted her train of thoughts.
"Your Highness, do you want your dinner to be served now or later." A humble voice whispered.
"You may enter, Redo." She answered supercilious.
Redo, one of her guards, entered the cell, carrying a heavy tray. With a bow he placed it on the table. Liane stood up.
'When you're off duty you will go and tell senator Zolgathrii that I have found a way to escape. I want another secret meeting with him as soon as possible,' Liane said using Force Mind Control.
Redo looked up reverent.
"When I'm off duty I will go and tell senator Zolgathrii that you have found a way to escape. You want another secret meeting as soon as possible," He said and bowed.
"Is there any other news, Redo?" Liane asked in her normal voice.
"One of the senator's men told me this morning, that you will accompany senator Zolgathrii to his private realm on Ortel in the Roghvi cluster."
"Ortel? We had agreed, that he would bring me back to Morantan."
"Your Highness, Ortel is a planet in the Roghvi cluster. It is a strategic star system near Coruscant. Its strategic position makes it a good spot to lead the attack on the new Republic.
The senator has already made all the arrangements to make your stay on Ortel comfortable. It's a very safe place for you. At a later stage he will make sure that you will be brought back to Morantan."
Liane made a gesture to the door.
'Now leave me, Redo. Thank you for your message. You will get your reward after I've escaped successfully."
"I leave now, Your Highness. I'm glad to bring you the messsage. I will get a reward after you have escaped. It's an honor to serve Lord Vader's daughter, your Highness." Redo bowed deep and left the cell.
"Obedient fool!" Liane muttered annoyed. "I hope, that Zolgathrii's men aren't only suckers and fools, like you, Redo. Otherwise it'll be very difficult for the senator to overthrow this New Republic rapidly.
But why Ortel, I thought Zolgathrii said he would bring me to Morantan."
With a frown she sat down and started to eat slowly. The food tasted excellent, but she lacked real appetite. She shuddered as she remembered the submissive behavior that Zolgathrii had shown at their first meeting; his slimy manners and his so-called friendly facial expression and gestures. She had clearly felt that he had a mean and depraved character. His eyes had shown her how malicious and evil he was. Actually he had scared her to death, but she had committed herself to cooperate with his plans to get her freedom back and to take revenge on Luke Skywalker.
Meanwhile general Madine and Leia were giving a full report to Mon Mothma. The three of them were discussing if they would prevent Liane's escape.
"Maybe we could find out the intentions behind this escape plan, if we would let her carry on with it. I wonder who's behind all this." Mon Mothma suggested.
"How can we stay informed about her plan or plans. Is there a way to trace her contacts?" Madine commented.
Leia watched the two leaders, when all of a sudden the Force gave her a clear vision about what would happen after Liane's escape; Liane would involve her in the escape plan. For another moment she remained silent, pretending she was deep in thoughts. Then she looked up.
"I will take part in her escape plan. I can pretend I'm under the influence of her voice. Maybe I can get the names of those who are behind all this and what they are up to," She suddenly said.
Mon Mothma and Madine looked up. The general shook his head.
"No, Leia, that's too dangerous. I promised your brother to keep an eye on you."
"If I cooperate with Liane, it would also give me the chance to stay with her as I promised Luke."
"You don't know who's behind this, Leia." Mon Mothma said concerned. "There might be a serious danger for your safety."
"I'm a Jedi Knight, Chancellor. I won't be in danger so easily." Leia said reassuringly.
"Are you absolutely sure, Leia, that Liane doesn't know you're a Jedi Knight?" Mon Mothma said.
"Absolutely. Luke is the only Jedi Knight she knows. I am Leia Organa, princess of Alderaan for her."
"Does your brother agree, if he would know of your plan?"
"I'll ask him, but I'm sure, he will agree with my plan. " Leia laughed.
"Your brother is on Dagobah or on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. You won't be able to reach him,"Madine asked with a puzzled look.
"For a Jedi there are different ways to communicate with one another, general.
Wherever Luke is in this galaxy, I always can contact him."
"All right than, but you must keep us informed. Don't send any infocom messages, make use of Threepio, or better send Artoo. The general and I will prepare any other necessary actions at a later stage. Be careful, Leia."
"I will, Chancellor, I will."
"Out of the question, your Highness. It's too dangerous to involve the princess Organa in our plans. She is a confidante of the Supreme Chancellor, she might tell Mon Mothma of our plans.
If the Supreme Chancellor suspects, that you want to escape they will put you under heavier supervision. It is too risky to take her with us to Ortel. I've send a cordial invitations to three of the most influential senators to meet me on Ortel. They will be our hostages, not senator Organa," Zolgathrii said angrily.
"The princess of Alderaan has been and still is an important person in the Rebel Alliance, or should I say in the New Republic.
She is worth a lot, I guess. Besides I need princess Leia's official Alderaan attire to change clothes with, so I can leave this building pretending I am her. I already made sure, she will cooperate with this plan. She won't know any details of our plans, senator, " Liane snapped surly, looking, furiously at her visitor. The anger rose in her. Would she? Why not. It had worked before. She locked her eyes in to Zolgathrii's.
'You won't object any longer to this plan. Leia Organa is no real danger to our plans. It's an excellent idea to take her with us to Ortel.'" She said on a soft low dark tone.
"I won't object any longer to this plan. Leia Organa is no real danger to our plans. It's an excellent idea take her with us to Ortel," Zolgathrii answered.
Liane nodded relieved, but kept restrained.
'I will change clothes here in Leia Organa's official attire. When I leave the detention building wearing her clothes your men will escort me to the space port. You will take care of Leia Organa. You will take her with you and bring her onboard your space craft,' Liane continued using the same dark voice.
"You will change clothes here in Leia Organa's official attire. When you leave the detention building wearing Leia Organa's clothes my men will escort me to the space port. I will take care of Leia Organa.
I will take her with me and bring her onboard my space craft," Zolgathrii said.
'My guard Redo will let you know, when I am ready.'
"Your guard Redo will let me know, when you are ready."
Liane continued to instruct Zolgathrii about the details of her plan using her voice manipulation skills. Zolgathrii turned out to be an even easier victim, than Redo or Leia Organa. He followed all her instructions without any objections, and he wasn't aware it were her plans. He would carry out the plans as if they were his own.
'You go back now and await my further instructions. Nice evening, senator' Liane said and called her guard.
"I go back now and await your further instructions. Nice evening, your Highness," Zolgathrii said and got up.
Redo entered Liane's cell.
'You'll bring the senator safely and unseen outside the building, Redo.'Liane ordered.
"I'll bring the senator safely and unseen outside the building, your Highness." her guard said.
Liane made a slight greeting nod with her head and Zolgathrii and Redo left. The door of her cell closed. Bewildered she sat down on her edge of her bed.
"I can't believe it; he completely followed my voice. I could let him say and demand everything I want.
Father never told me it was that easy. I must verify, if he will do what I told him. I will send Redo tomorrow to check if all my plans will be carried out as I instructed." she whispered, while a feeling of elated joy rose inside her. She jumped to her feet.
She would master everyone who would stand in her way. She even would be able to master Luke Skywalker with this knowledge!