Chapter 21

"Sir, if the navi-computer starts the sublight-engines, the hyperdrive engine resets, and the ship is sent back into the hyperspace lane around Endor. The navi-computer has gone berserk, sir. We're checking all the input, but nothing is wrong. The computer program reports no errors."

"Don't tell me, that it's inexplicable. Find out who implemented that program. And let him report back to me in person."

"The program has been checked on Rasth by a maintenance droid and its check out was marked OK, sir."

"Get out!!"

The two officers hurried from the room. Dendicott started to pace up and down in the cramped cabin. His whole plan seemed to be jeopardized. He walked to the info com on his desk.

"Rand, come here immediately!" He growled.

Almost instantaneously Rand Phylotar came in.

"What the hell is going on here!" Dendicott shouted. "We should have landed on Endor four days ago. Who's responsible for this disaster!!!!!"

"No one, Olon. There seems to be a flaw in the ship's flight program, but no one on board knows how to fix the problem!!!!!

"Seems to be!!!!! Seems to be!!!!" Dendicott's fist smashed down on his desk. "This is outrageous; A negligence in my orders, do you hear!! What kind of crew is this, if they can't fix a computer flaw in a flight program!!!!!!"

"It's not that easy, Olon. The hyperdrive coordinates to Endor aren't reliable anymore. The navi computer resets the hyperdrive engine when we're nearing Endor. Then the hyperdrive activates without reason and the ship is sent back into hyperspace lane around Endor."

Dendicott gritted his teeth. Everything was running out of hand. What if the girl would escape with help of that Jedi? No, impossible! How would that Skywalker know that he was after the girl? No, the girl was his and she would never tell anything to the High Council. He would bring her to the Palomintar System personally .

"Make sure that the crew is working on this problem twenty-four hours around the clock. See to it personally, Rand. Now, dismissed!"

Rand Phylotar left and sighed relieved when he walked back to the rear of the ship. In a hurry he went to the technicians' room.

"What are you sitting here. Any luck!!" He snapped.

"No, sir! The system seems to be beaten runaway. The only thing which might help, is to switch off the engine and to reset the navi-computer flightprogram, but we're not sure that will bring us to Endor."

"Do it and do it immediately. I want results and no excuses."

"Yes, sir!!"

The three technicians quickly ducked in the engine's hold. Rand Phylotar paced up and down the room. Then he heard how the whine of the engines died out. The ship shook and then seemed to float out of control in space. He heard the technicians talking to each other. A soft hum was heard which died out again.

"What are you doing?" He yelled down.

"That's the main computer resetting itself, sir. It will take about twelve hours before we can restart the navi-computer."

"Twelve hours!!!! Are you all out of your mind!!!! Do it quicker!!!!!"

"Impossible, sir. The main computer has to check the ship's complete system. Standard procedure takes twenty hours; we're skipping the overhead checking, which will decrease the restart with some eight hours, maybe less."

"Alright, but not a minute longer than twelve hours. Do you understand!!!!"

"Yes, sir!!!"

Leia Organa looked at Artoo and Threepio who had be fitted with their normal plating again. She and her padawan were standing on the terrace of her apartment. Leia's eyes had wandered a few times at the dark sky above her. Thousands of sparkling stars dotted the dark velvet above Irithim. Somewhere out there was Endor where Luke and Liane were. She hoped that somehow her brother would be aware of the danger that was coming towards him.

Leia sighed and turned to her padawan,

"I hope Yarnick Grann and his brothers have arrived in time to join Luke, so they will be able to protect Liane."

"The governor, their father, already told me that they wanted to leave soon after you had spoken to Yarnick, master," Ian said, "Yet I have had a short talk with one of them on Bestine space port, when he took Artoo and Threepio with him back to Rawine to fulfill their mission. He told me, that one of his brothers would bring them back to Bestine. I have waited for the droids to come back on board your space shuttle at Bestine space port, although I was offered to stay at the governor's house. Some time later, a young fellow, probably the youngest of the brothers, brought Artoo and Threepio back to Bestine space port. He said goodbye and wished me a good flight, before he went over to an old model freighter. The vessel already had left before I got my clearance, so they surely must have arrived on Endor by now. On behalf of you, master, I have thanked the governor for his sons' cooperation."

Leia nodded, still looking a bit absentminded at the star above, before she turned herself to him.

"Are you sure nobody has noticed your presence?"

Ian grinned.

"I didn't go as a padawan to Rasth, master. Before I left I changed my Jedi outfit and dressed as a common trader pilot. I used a slick bald wig to hide my hair and the padawan braid. I hope, you don't mind I did that, but I thought it would be wise to chose a more common disguise. If commander Dendicott would have been informed that a Jedi padawan had been seen around Bestine, he certainly would have known it could be me."

"Excellent decision, my padawan. You've acted with caution and care as a Jedi Knight always should do. " Leia laughed, "I'm certain I wouldn't have recognized you, having a bald head."

"How did Liane get to Endor, master?" Ian asked.

"I don't know, Ian. I haven't yet asked Luke. My first concern was to warn him against Dendicott and his men."

"Maybe master Luke has decided to leave Endor together with her, nevertheless."

"No, he hasn't; I can feel he's still there. Luke hopes that Liane will become his padawan learner."

"I'm really glad she has been able to use the Jedi-pedant, asking master Luke for help," Ian said with relief.

"Due to your excellent decision to leave her with Luke's gift, Ian," Leia said and smiled at her padawan gratefully.

"I only hoped it would give her a chance to contact master Luke after I had left her in that canyon on Wegoyy. I never imagined, that it would take so long before she would get her memories back."

"Nevertheless it was a wise decision, my young padawan," Leia said, while she looked up to the sky above her.

"Endor is somewhere out there in the galaxy. Let's hope our preparations are sufficient to intercept our opponents. Come on, Ian, we're going."

They both grabbed their Jedi-coats, turned to the two droids and beckoned them to follow her.

"You both have done a wonderful job. Thank you, Threepio, thank you, Artoo." Leia said and patted Threepio gratefully at his arm, putting her hand on Artoo's domed top.

"Our pleasure, Your Highness, but shouldn't we go after that commander and his mercenaries. I think master Luke is in grave danger'"

"We're going, Threepio. Everything has been taken care of. Now it's our turn to act."

Leia activated the info com and called general Madine.

"Threepio, Artoo have been changed to their former self, general. Dendicott and his men have left Rasth about two days ago. They must have reached Endor by now. I hope Luke still can hold them off for a while."

"Space traffic control of Endor is cooperating with us. They will deny their clearance for landing for at least for a standard day. They haven't reported any approaching ships yet."

Suddenly started Artoo to hoot a long series of binary whistles. Threepio raised his hands in disgust.

"How could you! So that's what you were doing, while I was doing that final check out of the ship, and I've told them everything was checking out normally."

Artoo hooted an indignant answer.

"Only the princess or master Luke can give you orders. You shouldn't have listened to a rogue pilot like Kieran Grann. You're lucky the princess isn't going to wipe your memory banks this time."

Leia and Ian looked at the bickering droids.

"What's the matter, Threepio?" Leia asked.

"Your Highness, Artoo just tells me, that Kieran Grann instructed him to implement something extra in the ships's navi-computer flight program. Commander Dendicott can't reach Endor, because it will take him several extra days to ask his clearance for landing. Artoo has installed a computer virus in the ship's flightprogram. It carries out a kind of loop which sends the commander's ship back into the hyperspace lane near Endor. "

General Madine's holographic image who had followed Threepio's translation started to roar with laughter and Leia and Ian Tydon also laughed gleefully.

"Excellent work, Artoo," The general said, still grinning. It took some moments, before he got his composure again, "That will surely hold them off for some days and it will give us the opportunity to reach Endor at the same time."

"Then we'd better leave, general," Leia commented.

"We have our clearance, Your Highness. Are you sure, Yarnick Grann has warned Luke by now."

"If his ship is as fast as he said, then he must have reached Endor less than two days ago."

"I'll be waiting for you at the space port, Your Highness. Let's find out what's going on on Endor? "

Leia switched off and fastened the clasp of her Jedi coat.

"Come on, Threepio, Artoo, Ian. We're going to Endor. Threepio, we might need you there to communicate with the Ewoks."

"I remember those funny furry tree bears, Your Highness. They are an intelligent tribe, using a very odd dialect, but I was treated very honorably and respectful."

Leia laughed.

"I think, Threepio, that they will remember you're no deity at all, but only our loyal assistant."

She closed the door of the apartment.

Some moments later a speeder drove to De'olon space port at high speed. After check in they entered the space port terrain and quickly found their way to the docking bay were their transport ship to the Tychorion was waiting. Leia saw Wedge Antilles and his men.

"Ready to go, Wedge?" She asked.

"We are. I have a special order to assist you and our ground forces on Endor. Look, there's the general."

Wedge, Yarmod Martan and the other pilots saluted and Leia greeted the general wholeheartedly.

"Welcome on board of our transport to the Tychorion, Your Highness. We're ready for take off."

General Madine lead Leia to the ramp. Ian Tydon followed with the two droids. Through the windows Leia saw the X-wings of the Gold-squadron already leaving the docking bay. Immediately she heard Wedge's voice over the info com.

"Meet you at the rendezvous point near the Tychorion, general. Over and out."

The hatch of the transport ship closed and the engines were started.

"Strap yourself in, Ian," Leia said to her young padawan. "I feel you're a bit worried about your Jedi training. Patience, my young padawan, even if there's a delay. A Jedi learns from every situation."

"I'm sorry, master, you are right. It's selfish to be concerned about my Jedi training, now that master Luke and Liane are facing problems with commander Dendicott," Ian said subservient.

"You're too eager to learn more, but don't concentrate on your training only. Experience is also a way of learning. I'm sure that you can use many of your new skills on Endor. I'll use our time on board the Tychorion to tell you more of the Jedi philosophies behind the use of the Force," She reassured him.

She took a seat and grabbed the safety harness behind her. Together they waited for the ship's take off.

"So that's how you became a Jedi Knight, Luke?" Kieran asked.

Luke nodded.

Luke, Liane and the six Grann brothers were standing in the thick undergrowth of the Endor jungle at some distance of the Ewok village.

"Did you fight in the Civil War?" Conor asked.

"Yes, but only in the Battle of Endor I could use my full knowledge as a Jedi Knight. In the years after the destruction of the first Death Star I mainly was a fighter pilot using the Force by trial and error, several years later I went to Dagobah to get my Jedi training from Grand Master Yoda."

"Our father fought in the Civil War," Bran said, "Did you know him?"

"No, Marek was involved in the undercover intelligence operations. We, fighter pilots, had nothing to do with them. Your father was the one who contacted the Bothans and brought the technical read-out of the second Death Star to our fleet near Sullust."

"Wow, he's never told us that," Yarnick said.

"Marek Grann is a modest person, Yarnick. He would never boast on his achievements. Our Supreme Chancellor was right, when she made him lieutenant-general and told the people of Bestine to have your father elected as their governor and the mayor of Bestine."

"How do you know all this, Luke?" Liane asked. "I can't imagine that the Supreme Chancellor is keeping you up to date on all her decisions."

They all laughed, but suddenly Luke made a slight gesture.

"Hush guys, I thought I heard shooting."

Liane grabbed Brion's arm. Reassuringly he placed his hand over hers. For several minutes they stood together in silence, but nothing seem to stir the environment.

"Must be mistaken," Luke said, but Liane heard the unmistakable tone of the Jedi alertness in his voice. Could it be, that Dendicott had already landed on Endor? Her hand grabbed the Jedi-pendant under her tunics. Immediately she felt Luke's reassuring influence.

'Don't let your anxieties overtake you, Liane, stay mindful of the moment. You've learned much these last months. Use your new knowledge. No harm will happen to you if you remain calm and placid. I'm with you and so are Yarnick and his brothers. You're not alone anymore.' she heard him say.

She relaxed. Luke was right. Yarnick and the others would defend her.

"Let's get to the ruins of the shield generator control center." She said, "I want to hear more about the Battle of Endor."

"Leia could tell you a lot more. She was here with Han Solo and Chewbacca and ..."

Before Luke could finish his sentence Liane exclaimed, "Han Solo! You and Leia have been looking for him, haven't you?"

Luke looked at her.

"Yes, but we haven't found him. Han was a general in the Alliance Space Force and in command on the Endor mission to wipe out the protection shield."

"Is he a tall, lean man with piercing eyes?" Liane asked nearly out of breath.

"Yes, why... have ... you. Have you met Han while you have been traveling with Yarnick and his brothers?"

Luke had grabbed her arm and looked at the Grann brothers.

"Do you know where I can find him, Yarnick?"

"We met Han Solo in Mos Eisley. Eilidh, you asked him if he knew where Leia Organa was. His reaction was very odd. He seemed annoyed about that question and gave you a very rudely answer."

"How long ago was that?" Luke asked and they all heard a strange tension in his voice.

"More than a year ago, I guess, Luke, just before we introduced Eilidh to our parents," Yarnick said.

Luke sighed and looked in the far distance. Liane felt his disappointment after Yarnick's words.

"So Han Solo really was Leia's friend and you went looking for him, Luke?" She asked.

Luke looked down.

"Yes, he was engaged to Leia, Liane. He left her, because I completed her training as a Jedi Knight."

"I don't ..."

All of a sudden the sound of a distant explosion burst through the air. Luke turned on his heels and looked in the direction of the Ewok village.

"Dendicott has arrived at the village. It's is under attack. Yarnick, Kieran, Conor follow me. Liane, stay with the others and don't come after us. Stay were you are. Go to the ruins and stay there. You're safe as long as you stay out of sight.

Luke, Yarnick, Kieran and Conor were already running back to the village.

"Luke!!! Don't go!!!" Liane yelled, "Dendicott will kill you!!!!"

She suddenly understood, what was going on and ran after him. Luke turned.

"Stay there, Liane. Do as I told you. Dendicott will have a hard time in Endor jungle as long as you stay out of sight."

He vanished among the trees.

"Luke!!!!"

Ronan pulled at Liane's arm.

"Come, Eilidh. Luke certainly knows, what he's doing. Bring us to those ruins you were talking about. If Luke says it's safe for you to stay there then we'd better hurry."

Liane was still watching the spot where Luke and the other Granns had vanished. Her hand sought the Jedi-pendant around her neck.

'Luke, don't do this!!' She said through the Force.

Slowly she turned and looked desperately at the three brothers. Brion put his arm around her shoulder.

"Come on, Liane. Do as Luke told you. Where are those ruins?"

Liane pointed in the direction of the small ridge of hills.

"Behind those hills. It's a five hours' walk."

"On the move then. We have to hurry, before Dendicott and his men start roaming this area."

Teebo stood guard on one of the lower entrance's walk ways near the village perimeter. All his senses were alerted. He had heard strange noises. Looking around he held out his spear, when suddenly an arm grabbed him from behind and yanked the spear from his paw, while several men in uniforms were nearing the village perimeter. Their leader was holding an arm tight around his neck and pointed a blaster to his head.

"One wrong move and you're dead." Dendicott snarled.

Then he turned to his men.

"Turn this place upside down and find the girl. She probably lives with these tree bears . Suppress any resistance by shooting these creatures."

The men spread around the village and started to climb to the tree houses. The Ewoks fled in all directions. Most of them found a safe haven in the canopies of the trees. Heavy shooting was heard everywhere. Dendicott grinned at his hostage.

"You can stop this havoc, if you tell me where I can find the girl."

"Haddo gamo nanno."

['Ask our leader.']Teebo said and pointed upward in the direction of the village center.

"Good chap," Dendicott said and patted the little bear on his head. He forced Teebo to climb to a higher walkway, after which he dragged the frightened bear to the village center.

In front of his tree house stood Chirpa giving orders to the fighting and fleeing Ewoks. He looked concerned and angry. Dendicott manacled Teebo to the rail of the passageway, then he addressed Chirpa.

"Are you the leader? So, he is only one of your minions."

He pointed his blaster at Teebo and fired. Teebo screamed and the scent of burning fur and flesh filled the sky. Teebo's body twisted in pain. Dendicott gave Chirpa a mean smile.

"He will die slowly. It might take a week or so before he is dead. And if I won't get a proper answer to my question I will murder you and your whole tribe the same way. Where is the girl?" He snarled.

"Haddo lemma kano tambo do,"

['You should look over there.']

Chirpa said and pointed in the direction of the village higher platform.

"She is there?" Dendicott grunted in disbelieve.

"Haddo lemma kano tambo do,"

['You should look over there.']

Chirpa repeated and wanted to enter his tree house

"Ok, I'm going to look over there, but I'll take you with me, " Dendicott said and took the Ewok leader in a rough hold. With a quick movement he put a manacle around Chirpa's paws.

"Now you won't be able run away, little one."

Then he pushed Chirpa in the direction of the platform. He looked around.

"Where is she? Or I'll throw you of this platform." He snarled and pushed Chirpa to the railing.

"Let him go, Dendicott," came a pressing voice between the branches of a tree above him. Immediately, something or someone landed on the platform with a soft thud behind him. Dendicott turned and was face to face with Luke Skywalker.

"So you're here indeed. Well, that makes it a lot easier. We talk the same language, and I'm sure that the girl is with you. Hand her over, Skywalker."

"Let the little one go, Dendicott," Luke repeated.

Dendicott started to laugh.

"I have a better idea. I'll shoot him, like the other one."

And he pointed his blaster at Chirpa's head.

Almost immediately the blaster was pulled from his hand. With a wide arc the weapon sailed through the air beyond the railing and fell to the forest floor. Dendicott let go of Chirpa and ran to the railing, trying to catch his blaster. Immediately, Luke pointed a the manacle around Chirpa's paw. The clasps unlocked and the handcuff dropped at the platform floor. Luke immediately positioned himself between the commander and Ewok's leader, activating his lightsaber.

"If you think that your Jedi tricks are impressing me then you're wrong." Dendicott snarled, drawing another smaller side arm. He pointed it at Luke and fired a barrage of shots at the Jedi. Effortlessly Luke repelled the blasts with the blade of his lightsaber. Dendicott, outraged because he felt overruled, started yelling in his info com.

"Rand, call your men. I have Skywalker trapped at the center of the village."

For a split second Luke gave the little chieftain a slight push.

"Run, Chirpa!!!!" He shouted.

Chirpa understood his gesture, picked up a vine and disappeared into the canopy above. Luke quickly turned his attention back to Dendicott. The infuriated commander looked at the entry of the platform with a victorious grin.

"You're outnumbered, Skywalker. My men can be here any moment. We're going to capture the girl and take her with us to Palomintar Four. I've defeated you. Be grateful to me, for I will let you live. "

"Aren't you a bit too overconfident, Dendicott. I'm not alone. Look behind you at the other entrance." Luke said patiently.

Dendicott looked behind him and saw Yarnick, Kieran and Conor Grann standing on the planking walkway that connected the tree houses. All three of them had drawn their blaster. Dendicott started to laugh.

"If that's all the support you're relying on, then my men will have an easy task." He boasted.

He grabbed the info com again.

"Where are you, Rand. On the double. I have four prisoners here!"

Some ten of his men came running up the planking, but they had to withdraw due to the heavy fire of the three Grann brothers who had each drawn an extra blaster. They fired with a great precision and four of Dendicott's men were severely wounded, before they could reach the platform. Dendicott had started firing again at Luke, but the young Jedi had jumped to the canopy of he tree above him and swayed to the other side of the platform near the exit planking. There he somersaulted next to the Granns.

"To the village center before more of Dendicott's men turn up here. The center is easier to defend."

The four friends quickly ran back to the center, where they found the moaning and mortally wounded Teebo. Luke freed the little bear and searched the wound, then he carefully lifted the wounded Ewok and walked away to Logray's hospital house. Teebo was unconscious. At Logray's he looked for the shaman and when he couldn't find him, he brought Teebo inside. For a short moment he laid his hand on Teebo's forehead and turned inside to the Force. The little bear was severely wounded, but he couldn't do anything at the moment. With a heavy heart he returned to the center square where Yarnick and his brother were firing at any Wegoyy soldier they saw.

"We killed another three, Luke." Yarnick shouted, "and at least seven are wounded. One of them is laying over there."

He pointed at a young sergeant who was laying with his back against a tree. Blood was running from a wound in his arm. Luke walked over and knelt near him.

'You tell me with how many men you came to Endor,' Luke said with his soft Jedi voice.

The sergeant looked in his eyes and moaned. Luke repeated his question.

"I'll tell you with how many men we came to Endor," The man then whispered.

"How many," Luke insisted.

"Thirty five," The men whispered and his head dropped. He was unconscious.

Luke joined the three brothers again who were still firing in all directions.

"Hold your fire, guys. I think they are withdrawing." Luke said listening to the sounds of the shooting. The shooting sounds resonated among the trees, but no laser blasts were seen around the village center.

"They are hunting down the fleeing Ewoks," Luke said with a sigh.

"Let's get after them," Kieran yelled and wanted to run in the direction the sounds were heard.

"Stop, Kieran! Don't! Stay put! Dendicott expects us to run after his men, so he can return to the center and captured Chirpa again. We have to defend this place."

"But they are killing them all!" Conor said

"The Ewoks are tough fighters. I'm sure they are already regrouping and planning a counter attack. They have fought a more difficult battle once and won. My main goal is to keep Dendicott away from Eilidh."

"The others will take care of her, Luke. I'm sure she is safe."

"I'm not that sure, Yarnick. She a fighter herself and when she is aware that Dendicott has made havoc here, she will be outraged. That little bear I brought away is her special friend. In fact the whole tribe is her family. They respect her for the help she gives the little shaman Logray."

In the mean time the shooting had completely stopped and the silence of the forest returned, but Luke sensed the danger that was still lurking around the Ewok village.

Leia was pacing up and down the control room of the Tychorion. She felt ill at ease, when she was thinking about her brother and Liane. In vain she tried to contact her brother, but Luke hadn't responded as he always did. The only short answer she had heard was: "I will contact you later, Leia!" , and after that she had lost contact with him.

"How long before we reach Endor, general?" She asked worried as general Madine entered.

"Some three hours to go, Your Highness. We're flying at maximum velocity."

"Dendicott must have reached Endor now. I hope Yarnick Grann and his brothers have found the Ewok village, so my brother will have some extra help, but it might not be enough."

"Leia, why are you worrying about your brother?" Madine asked surprised and wanted to continue, but Leia cut him short.

"I'm not worrying about Luke, general, I'm worried about Liane. If Dendicott captures her he certainly isn't too good to murder her, or for giving her in the hands of the obscure friends of the Phylotars."

Madine looked at the young senator.

"You once said that if Liane would fall in the hands of ..."

"Exactly, general. I fear those so-called 'friend or friends' of the Phylotars. Daino Phylotar has acknowledged that he still had contacts with some people who still support the ideas of the former Emperor. Are those 'friends' some of them, or worse?"

"You mean that some mysterious guy is trying to obtain ..."

Leia nodded.

"The Dark Side is never far away and very tempting, general. We must protect Liane. The only hope we have is that one day she will distance herself from her old knowledge and become Luke's padawan."

"Do you really think there is a chance she will do so, Leia?" Madine asked.

Leia stopped pacing and looked at the general. Could she trust him? Could she tell him what Luke had told her about his promise to Anakin and the Jedi-pendant he had given to Liane.

"General, Luke will do everything to convince Liane, that her future lays at the Good Side of the Force. Furthermore my brother feels bound by a promise to our father Anakin Skywalker. He has asked Luke to train Liane as a Jedi Knight"

"I understood your brother's reason when he requested a special mandate to be the only federal officer to transport Liane Solichor back to Wegoyy. His warrant is still valid."

Leia raised her hand in an explaining gesture.

"There's more to tell, general. When Luke visited Liane on Wegoyy, he has given her a special Force gift, a Jedi-pendant. It's a very unique present which only a Jedi Knight can make and give to a person he wants to stay in close contact. The Jedi-pendant enables Liane, who, as we know, is a strong Force user, to contact my brother through the Force."

"So your brother's present gives him a way to control her?"

"The Jedi-pendant can't be used that way, general. Luke's present to Liane is a token of unimaginable friendship. He hoped that during her exile in the Wegoyy prison, Liane would learn to trust him. The Jedi-pendant had to build a close friendship between Liane and Luke, so she would see him as the one who would help her anytime, anywhere, anyhow. Special Force powers are enclosed in the Jedi-pendant during its manufacturing. Shortly after Luke had given Liane the pendant, she has already used his gift to contact him. I know that in the short period Liane was on Wegoyy, she has been in touch with Luke several times. During those contacts my brother has already told her a lot about the Jedi Knights and the use of the Force at the Good Side. However, when Dendicott drugged her with the mind-drug Luke's gift became useless, because Liane couldn't remember what the Jedi-pendant was for, for she wasn't able to make use of her Force powers. After the mind drug lost its influence, she got back her memories and remembered that she could use the Jedi-pendant to contact Luke again and seek his ..."

"... help. She told him she had found a new life on Endor. Luke has gone to Endor immediately and now you're both hoping that Liane will become a Jedi Knight, because she already knows a lot of the Force, but that's only possible if she can distance herself from what your father she has taught her about the Sith lore."

Leia nodded.

"I've asked my brother more than once to return with Liane to Dalmaran, but Luke wanted to use this location to convince Liane to become his padawan. Probably my brother has put some pressure on her to become his apprentice, but it's more likely that she has a long way to go, general, before she will accept Luke as her Jedi master. Only if she decides to follow Luke out of free will as his padawan learner, she can become a Jedi Knight in the future, but as long as Liane isn't a fully-fledged Jedi Knight, she might also be a possible threat to the New Republic."

"So it would be a wise decision of Mon Mothma, if Liane could stay on Dalmaran after her testimony, because it would be easier for your brother to carry out his to make her a Jedi Knight. A seemingly impossible task for now, if you ask me."

Leia laughed.

"If Liane could live on Dalmaran, it would certainly be a relief for him, general."

"Liane Solichor has been convicted for her share in Zolgathrii's coup, remember, Leia."

"I know. but if Liane has changed her behavior, it would make it easier to convince Mon Mothma to let her stay on Dalmaran."

In the passageway to the control room one of the door slid aside and Ian Tydon was walking up to them.

"We have reached Endor, general," He said.

"Thank you, young Jedi padawan." Madine answered. Leia smiled when she noticed the slight blush on Ian's face. He still felt discomfort if some one addressed him in his new status.

"We must discuss Liane's future at Dalmaran later, Leia. First of all we have to prevent that commander Dendicott will do any harm to her."

Leia looked at Madine and gave him a grateful smile.

Brion and Liane were hiding behind one of the remaining walls of the ruins of the Imperial shield control building. Ronan and Bran were on the look out at the other side of the ruins. The shooting was still going on, but the sounds were muffled and far off.

"They're chasing the Ewoks who have fled the village." She said with an uneasy tone in her voice.

"Luke will be alright, Eilidh, don't worry. His skills as a Jedi will prevent that the commander's men can do any harm to him, besides Yarnick and the others are with him."

"I'm not worrying about Luke, Brion, I'm worried about the Ewoks. I feel that something terrible is happening to several of them. Dendicott's men are slaughtering them. I wished I had gone with Luke."

"And be captured by that madman Dendicott. He is no match for you, Eilidh. He's heavily armed and would probably kill you the moment he sees you. You're his enemy, you can ruin his career. If you tell the Supreme Chancellor what he has done to you he is disgraced and will be sentenced."

They silenced again. Liane readjusted her side arm. Brion was right, but the uneasy feeling wouldn't leave her. Her new Ewok friends out there were in danger. She had to do something to help them. Her first reaction was to run to village and help fighting, but that would probably make matters worse. She sat down with her back against a fragment of the remaining wall. The concrete felt warm. What would Luke do if he would be in the same circumstances? Would he run for help or would he wait until there was a good opportunity? What would a Jedi Knight do? Luke had told her to be patient. Was that the way a Jedi Knight was winning a fight?

Liane shook her head.

"No, I guess not." She murmured.

Luke had run for help with the other three Grann brothers. A Jedi Knight was never afraid to fight.

"What did you say, Eilidh." Brion asked.

"Nothing, I was just thinking, Brion. I still have a bad feeling about Luke's decision. We wait until nightfall. If by then Luke and the others haven't returned we're going to village too. I want to know what's going on."

All of a sudden she jumped to her feet and pointed at the trees.

"I saw someone moving over there." She whispered and ducked deeper behind the walls.

"Stay low. I cover you."

Brion whistled a strange series of tones. Almost immediately Bran and Ronan showed up.

"What's wrong?" They whispered.

"We have a visitor, maybe more than one. Something or someone is moving in our direction. Don't shoot before we know how many of them are out there. Eilidh, get a better hiding place. There's a ruined trench behind that wall. Get in there and don't move."

Brion pushed Liane deeper into the ruins. Reluctantly she followed his advice. She jumped into the trench and sat down on a large piece of fallen concrete. She cupped her head in her hands and stared to the opposite wall. Her thoughts wandered again to Luke and to the habits of the Jedi Knights. Patience was one of a Jedi's important virtues, but to be patient was so difficult especially if you didn't know what consequences it would have if you didn't act now. Luke had told her that he was constantly aware of what was going on around him. Observation brought knowledge, little details you otherwise might overlook. Luke was always more aware of his surroundings than she. He used his knowledge as a Jedi Knight to make his plans. He had told her that she always acted first without she knew what she wanted to achieve. She was reckless and ignorant. Patience and knowledge. She lacked both. Yes, she knew a lot of strange and evil things, but years ago, when she was still living on Morantan she had found out that what she wanted to help, to rescue and to cure people, but she had learned to ignore, to neglect, to destroy many good things with what she had learned. She had learned how to use the Dark Side of the Force. Liane sighed. The uneasiness was still haunting her.

"Haddo daddo tando ma sonna,"

['I need your help. Come to the village.']A soft voice whispered.

Liane whirled around and looked in the face of Logray. The little shaman's leather tunic was covered with blood.

"Logray, haddo nano wikka nessa ronna?" She whispered, looking around to see if Brion or Ronan hadn't heard anything

['Logray, what happened to you. Are you wounded?']

She saw his concerned look and pointed to the village.

"Mikka nona wakka?"

['What's going on in the village?']

"Haddo kona mikka sino Teebo. Kikko sino tando makko." Logray said.

"Teebo is badly wounded! How bad? " Liane whispered with tension and jumped to her feet.

"Haddo nokko makko dedda." Logray said with a sad look at his face

"What did you say: he will probably die. Let's get back to the village immediately, Logray. We can reach the village via the tree canopy. From the village center it is a short run to your house. Once inside I'll contact Luke where I am and ask him to defend your house against Dendicott. I must save Teebo! No matter the risks," she answered, expressing her worries mostly in Standard Basic.

She helped the little bear out of the trench, before she climbed out herself. He pulled at her sleeve, when she hesitated for a short moment.

"I'm coming, Logray."

She looked in the direction where the three Grann brothers stood, shook her head and turned to Logray. The little shaman was climbing the ruined walls in the direction of the forest. She ran after him and moments later she vanished with Logray over the ridge at the rear end of the ruins

The Tychorion was orbiting Endor at some three planet diameters. Leia stood amidst the ground troop forces, waiting for their transport to the planet's surface. She look out of a small window and saw the X-wings of the Gold Squadron starting their dive. Over the info com she heard Wedge Antilles' calm and reassuring voice.

"Gold leader to Gold Squadron. Take your positions, guys. We land one by one at the three markers. Gather at the rendezvous point in the middle. Understood."

"Understood, Gold leader" Wedge's men confirmed one by one.

"Master, are we going to board the next transport together with General Madine."

"Yes, my young padawan." She smiled.

Ever since her kidnapping general Madine was still very concerned about her wellbeing. Ian had also looked out the small window and looked up at her a bit startled.

"Master, have you seen the steep dive Gold leader took to reach the surface."

"Wedge Antilles certainly will pull out in time, for he's not only relying on the Force, but he also is a more than excellent pilot."

"Yarmod told me that officially master Skywalker is the commander of the Gold Squadron."

"That's true, but at the moment my brother's first task is to find and train future Jedi Knights."

Ian Tydon took her arm as he noticed general Madine who was waving at them.

"This way, master. The general is expecting us."

Together they walked over to the waiting transport ship. Both wore the Jedi attire; Ian in his padawan outfit and Leia as a Jedi Knight. They walked up the ramp and Leia strapped herself in one of the passenger's seats. The young padawan sat down in the co-pilot's chair and started the engines. The pilot entered. A weathered veteran from the Alliance. He bowed and saluted to Leia and sat down in his chair. General Madine walked in, followed by Artoo and Threepio.

"Are you ready, Your Highness?" He asked.

"Yes, general."

"Captain Vinof, let's go then, we're going to give that Imperial collaborators a lesson."

The engines whined and the ship left the docking bay. Once in space it turned its nose to Endor, gathered speed and dived down to the planet surface. Through the window the planet dimensions grew until it covered the whole window screen.

"Tonight our transport will leave to reach the Basilisæa within three days," The holographic image said.

"I've got confirmation from your instructors that you were ready," Jerno Thai said.

The holographic image laughed.

"I hardly can remember my old self. I'm Doran Whain."

"You've worked hard. My complements. I didn't expect that you would achieve this in such a short time. I've underestimated your qualities."

"I loved the challenge. It was tough, but rewarding. Thank you, for the promotion. Major Doran Whain sounds impressive."

"Did you get the insignias belonging to your new rank?"

"Yes. They handed me a complete new uniform before last night's ceremony."

"You've gotten this promotion due to your dedication to your new task. I needed to give you some authority. Lieutenant Doran Whain sounded not really convincing for the head of the new technical staff of the Basilisæa"

"That's not what has been said at the ceremony. I was praised for my commitment during the Battle of Jakku, where I saved the lives of quite a number of our ground forces. Risking my own life, I landed in the midst of the battle with a transport ship, near a group of ground forces surrounded by rebels. I've gotten safely away with all of them. A late promotion after six years."

"Your promotion came a bit late, due to the chaotic circumstances after the Battle of Jakku. In the official announcement that is stated as the reason for the delay."

The holographic image laughed again, but became suddenly serious.

"I've been thinking about our agreement and the way we're intended to exchange information. To keep this mission secret I suggest that the exchange of communication will be one way only. I will inform you, using that special frequency, but I urge you never to send any message to me."

"How will you know what's going on?"

"If you need to give me new information you should use the special encryption code the emperor used to communicate with his right-hand man. That code isn't known to anyone except me. Tonight, before I leave, I will send you the keys you have to use to compose any necessary message. Stay cautious, but if you need to let me know something important, compose a message as if it looks of something technical. I will be able to extract your real message. You understand what I mean, don't you."

"That would make you and your position vulnerable."

"Leave that to me. As soon as I'm on board the Basilisæa I will work out a safer way to communicate with you and the others. This is not my first undercover mission, as you know."

Jerno Thai nodded.

"I know, but this mission might be a very dangerous one."

"Don't worry, for the time being I'm only chief technical staff on board the Basilisæa."

"Allright. I won't answer to your messages, but if I fear that your life might be in danger I will take any necessary steps to get you safely back to Coruscant."

"Agreed. I have to leave now and get my belongings before I'm ordered to board."

The holographic image flickered and vanished. Jerno Thai looks at the empty display and sighed. A worried frown had appeared on his forehead.

To be continued...