Chapter 25
uke looked at the twelve men in front of him. A bunch of sturdy and heavily armed Ewoks surrounded them. Wicket chattered a long sentence at Luke who raised his hand to silence the angry Ewok.
"Let me handle this, Wicket," He said and turned to the twelve men, "You have been trespassing Ewok territory. Why are you here?" He asked.
"General Madine has sent us here, commodore Skywalker. He wants us to take you and Liane Solichor to Dalmaran."
"Show me your warrant, please." Luke said.
The leader handed him a card with the holographic image of general Madine.
Luke read the warrant and nodded.
"General Madine knows Liane Solichor is with you," The leader said, "He has given you the order to bring her to Dalmaran. Where is con... Liane Solichor at the moment?"
"She is out in the forest," Luke said not showing that he had noticed the mistake the man had made.
"She is not with you or in the village? You're not constantly guarding her?" The leader asked surprised, "OK, men let's split up and see if we can find her quickly. Be careful, you know what the general said, she knows a lot of dirty tricks. Commodore, can you ask these creatures to let us do our job, if we have to cap... look for her. If we have cap... found her, we'll come back and you have to join us to our space ship. You're ordered to come back with us to Dalmaran to explain, why you have neglected general Madine's former order."
The last sentences were enough for Luke to know that his general wasn't be involved. It was a trap to capture and kidnap Liane. He had to be cautious. He gestured to the Ewoks who stood placidly waiting. They split up and vanished among the canopy of the trees, but Luke knew that they were constantly keeping an eye on the intruders.
'You don't have to look for her yourself.' He said in his Jedi voice, making a slight gesture with his hand.
The leader made a gesture to his men.
"We don't have to look for her ourselves," He said to them.
'You can wait in the village. I'll get her for you.'
"We can wait in the village. He'll get her for us."
'I'll bring you to the village center. There you can wait.'
"He'll bring us to the village center. There we can wait."
'Follow me.'
"Follow him."
Luke turned and walked to the village entrance. Quickly, but carefully, he set up a plan in his mind. He needed to talk to Liane now, even if she still seemed outraged about what had happened between them. He had to convince her, that her safety on Endor was in danger again, but would she believe him, if he asked her to leave the village immediately and, what's more, leave Endor? Although the warrant the leader had shown him, looked authentic, his Jedi insight told him it was fabricated. General Madine would never overrule the original warrant without notifying him, for the general knew why he had asked to be the only one who would be looking for Liane. An agreement which Mon Mothma had approved. Secondly there also was the agreement with Leia and Madine that he would bring Liane to Dalmaran after she had taken care of the wounded Ewoks. Would he be able to explain to Chirpa and Logray that they had to keep these men in their village until he would safely have left Endor with Liane?
They had reached at the village entrance and Luke walked the tree crossings to the village center. The twelve men followed him closely. Several young Ewoks ducked away still scared by the onslaught Dendicott had made. Luke pointed at the circle of tree stumps at the main platform.
'You wait here. I'll explain to the chieftain why you've come here.' Luke said still using his Jedi powers.
"We wait here. You'll explain to the chieftain why we have come here," The leader answered.
The leader ordered is his men to sit down. Luke walked over to Chirpa's house. When he knocked the little chieftain came to the front door. Luke pointed to the men behind him and started to talk.
"Chirpa, these men have come to your village to bring Eilidh to Dalmaran. I need to talk to her quickly. Can you bring her to me?"
"Haddo mako dago nima Logray kita sena. Teebo diddo wano nono."
['She is still in Logray's house. Teebo and the others are much better now.']
Chirpa made a imperceptible gesture with his head in the direction of Logray's house.
"Yes, these men have a warrant from my general. I must see Eilidh," Luke pleaded whispering.
"Wicket maga dido somo nora. Haddo mako dag nima Logray kita. Teebo kano siva." Chripa answered again and grabbed Luke's sleeve.
['Wicket already has told me. Follow me to Logray's house. There you will meet Teebo and the others.']
Luke sighed relieved. Chirpa seemed to understand his plea. The chieftain grabbed a long vine and swayed to a platform higher up in the foliage of the tree canopy, looking over his shoulder if Luke was following him.
The leader grinned and commented to his men.
"That little creature seemed to be very reasonable. Commander Dendicott certainly has made clear that there couldn't be any negotiations. He is frightened enough to show that Jedi where the girl is."
They all laughed as they saw Luke disappear among the foliage. Meanwhile Chirpa swayed through the branches and the foliage of the tree canopies high above the Ewok village. After many long sways and jumps through the tree tops Luke focussed his mind on the Force to stay fully aware of the precise location of the Ewok village.
"Haddo miko namo wedo. Haka noma nido." Chirpa said softly grinning, after he had landed on a broad platform.
['We don't trust the men. Now they can't follow us.']
He pointed at a huge tree house that seemed well hidden among the foliage. Luke looked at the two storey construction in wonder, then he understood what the chieftain had been doing. Chirpa had made a large detour through the foliage to distract the unexpected group of armed men and now he had brought him to the back of Logray's tree hospital. Chirpa walked over to a door in the tree house and knocked in a special way. Immediately the door opened and Logray appeared at the entrance. The little shaman grabbed Luke's arm and pulled him inside. Chirpa followed them.
"Haddo dona simo kano middo givo," Logray said and cautiously closed the back door on the inside.
['Kom in. Je bent hier welkom.']
They took the stairs to the upper floor, where Chirpa ordered Logray to bring Liane to him.
"Haddo dokomo timo dero Jedi Luke, Aay-lee, " Chirpa said and his voice sounded stern.
['Tell Jedi Luke, how you helped wounded Ewoks, Eilidh ']
"Haddo moka tala muka fido, Chirpa?" Liane asked.
['Why do I have to do that now, Chirpa']
Now the little chieftain became really angry. Furiously he stamped his staff on the floor.
"Haddo dino woku nama. Kama nodu ima simdo." He said and grabbed Liane's arm.
['Because I order you to tell him. I'm the chieftain of this tribe. I have allowed you to stay with us as one of our special member, but you must obey me.']
Liane backed off.
"What do you want, Luke?" She said with a tired look on her face.
"Liane, twelve armed men have found their way to this village. They showed me a warrant of general Madine. They want me to escort you to Dalmaran immediately."
Liane looked puzzled.
"I thought that you would bring me to Dalmaran after I had cured Teebo and the other wounded Ewoks. Your general said I could stay here as long as my help was needed," She said.
Chirpa was walking over to the stairs.
"Haddo mido dano Jedi kimo dama, Chirpa?"She begged to the Ewok chief.
['Chirpa, please stay in case that Jedi uses his tricks again.']
"Dana kiro sita modo. Haddo kana Jedi noda. Dido miko sana! Kama sudo life miko." Chirpa answered again furious and annoyed about her uncivilized request.
['He will not do that. The Jedi is a good man. You are a stubborn female creature. Now tell him what I said.']
Luke heard the angry tone in Chirpa's voice. He seemed very annoyed, for he went downstairs.
"I asked Chirpa to stay nearby, in case you'll misuse your powers again," Liane said, translating her request to Chirpa, "He says, that I'm to blame for what has happened between us, because my behavior has been the cause of your wrong use the Force."
Luke sighed and shook his head.
"No you're not, Liane. I need to apologize for what I did. I'm very sorry I used Affect Mind to you."
Liane heard the apologizing tone in his voice. He really was sorry; she could feel his regret. She really has hurt him with her rude behavior and the harsh words she had spoken. She recalled, what Ben Kenobi had told her. She looked up at Luke and felt his remorse. She beckoned him to enter the hospital room. Luke followed her and saw Teebo and two of his fellow Ewoks who were laying on a soft fern tree mattresses. He looked at the little bears, who were chattering cheerfully. Liane followed his gaze.
"Four Ewoks have already gone home. Teebo and these two were the most severely wounded. They needed most of my help. Now they have almost recovered. Luke, they would have died, if I would have followed your advice a month ago, although I knew you were right. I felt exhausted and deadly tired." She said, averting her eyes to the three remaining Ewoks, before she sat down.
Luke sat down next to her near the little bears, too. They greeted him wholeheartedly.
"Logray has tried to make clear to me, that your help has been very important."
He looked up to her.
"Haddo mikko gamo Jedi Luke noga maka komala fido, done conu fiko Iano ma Yarmo," Teebo commented fiercely and Luke saw how Liane's face reddened.
['You should have told the Jedi Luke earlier about your help. He knows much more than your friends Ian and Yarmod.']
"Hakko noga mako," She answered but on the tone of her voice Luke heard, that she really felt ashamed.
['I had to be sure you wouldn't die.']
"Dido mika. Haddo minoka Chirpa ima Logray haga Jedi tomo sima, timo saba Jedi juba," Teebo continued still a bit aggressive
['You're stubborn. Chirpa and Logray have told you more than once that you not deserve the Jedi's friendship.']
"He says, that I'm stubborn, that you know much more than Ian and Yarmod. Chirpa en Logray have told me more than once that I don't deserve your friendship."
Luke hesitatingly put his hand on Liane's arm.
"I still am your friend, Liane. Will you, please, accept my friendship." He said softly.
Liane's face reddened again. She looked his hand on her arm, his gloved hand. The hand he had lost during his first encounter with Anakin.
"I'm sorry, Luke, for what I said to you," She whispered, "Of course, you're not like Anakin. You're a Jedi, not a Sith."
"It's alright, Liane. You're not to blame. I shouldn't have shown my disappointment the way I did."
For several moments they sat silently next to each other. Then Liane looked up.
"Luke, who are those men? Do I really have to leave Endor with them."
"Absolutely not. I'm the only federal officer who can bring you back to Dalmaran. I don't know where these men come from and who has issued their warrant. The document isn't real, it's a fake copy. Their leader also made some serious slips of the tongue, calling you a convict and telling his men to capture you. He also warned his men for your Force use. General Madine would never speak so disrespectful of you. He certainly hasn't issued this warrant, I'm sure of that. I know Madine's men, but these are strangers to me. They also didn't recognize me either, for they addressed me with my official title. They also ordered me to come with you. The Force is telling me, that you're in danger. Liane, if Teebo and the other have almost recovered; we'd better leave the Ewok village as soon as possible. Do you know, if there is a way to leave the village unseen."
"Leave the village? Do I have to leave alone?"
"I'm coming with you."
"Where are these men now, Luke?"
"At the village center. Near Chirpa's house."
Liane carefully checked the Ewoks wounds. Then she rose and walked to the stairs. As she wanted to descent, Luke held her back.
"Liane, don't go outside! They'll see you."
Liane smiled.
"Chirpa and Logray are waiting downstairs. I need to talk to them and ask them to help us."
Chirpa was talking to Logray in the large room downstairs. They both seemed to be very pleased when they saw Luke and Liane were coming in and talking together.
"Haddo gamo diddo nog Jedi maka?" Chirpa asked.
['You have told the Jedi you're sorry.']
"Hamma talo," Liane said and she averted her eyes to avoid Chirpa's stern look.
['I did.']
"He's been angry with me for weeks," She whispered, "He has told me over and over again, you're a good friend. He called me headstrong and unkind. Over and over Logray and he said that I didn't deserve your friendship and your help."
She blushed and said to Chirpa.
"Chirpa, kano makko diddo gimo vuno," She said, but immediately she continued, "Haddo kama tanda Luke gibo nodo. Kama dono gido suna tano. Kano imo tano".
['I told him I was wrong, Chirpa. I know I should have told him earlier. Luke says, that I have to leave the village with him. I can't stay in the village at the moment.']
"Haddo wasa nodo kano gamo?" Chirpa said.
['Use the passage to the far off ridge. Do you know where it is.']
"Hama nodo. Tono kima dino." Liane answered.
['Not precisely, I've only been there once.']
Chirpa pointed north. Luke waited patiently for Liane to translate her conversation with the sturdy Ewok leader.
"We can leave the village to the far off ridge which is laying at a distance north of village. There's a secret passage among the tree canopies of the old trees. Chirpa will order seven of his Ewoks to bring us there. We can hide in the maze of caves of the ridge until those men have gone."
Luke shook his head.
"We can hide there, Liane. These men won't leave Endor until they've found you. Does Chirpa know how far it is from the north ridge to the space port?"
"To the space port? Why?"
"Liane, Endor is no longer a safe place for you to stay. It's obvious that not only Leia and the government at Irithim know you're here. Someone else has been informed about your whereabouts. We have to leave Endor as quickly as possible."
Liane looked at Chirpa and thought about all her little Ewok friends. They had become her family, she had felt at home and happy in this village and now Luke was telling her she had to leave Endor. Was he right, was she in danger? She turned to Chirpa.
"Hako doni Luke mikko nago weba savo? Hama kama syla kembo daga." She asked.
['Luke wants to know how much time it will take to reach the space port. He says it's better if I leave Endor.']
She sighed deeply after she had finished her words.
"Jedi kano jaga. Dana dido kana wagu. Hako teno dimo," Chirpa replied.
['The Jedi is right. Evil men have traced you again. You must go and leave us, but it's a long walk through the forest for three days.']
"From the secret exit it's a three days walk for an Ewok to get to the space port." She told Luke.
"Asked Chirpa if one of his men can accompany me to show me the way to the ridge through the forest. I'll go back to the ruins where I've hidden my speeder and I'll pick you up at the north ridge."
"How will you get by those men? They will surely see you, when you leave the village."
Luke smiled.
"Don't worry. Now, go quickly with the others, we'll meet at the north ridge."
Liane explained to Chirpa what Luke wanted. They all went outside through the back door where Chirpa ordered six sturdy Ewoks to accompany Liane. Before she left, she rushed back inside Logray's house. A few moments later she was back with tears in her eyes.
"I had to say goodbye to Teebo," She whispered.
"I know what you feel, Liane, but it's too dangerous for you to stay here."
"I know, you're right. I see you at the north ridge."
She left with six of heavily armed Ewoks. Luke watched her go.
"Take care of her," He said softly.
He turned around and went inside. Logray showed him Liane's private room. In the corner Luke saw an old backpack. Quickly he checked its content, and put Liane's ID-card in a pocket at his belt. For a moment he held the green box in hand and opened it. Inside he saw a little polished figurine. With a smile he closed the box, put it back and hoisted the bag on his shoulder. Next he said goodbye to Logray and Chirpa. As he stepped outside Wicket handed him his Jedi cloak. Surprised Luke thanked the little bear who grabbed a nearby vine and swung high up into the tree canopy. Immediately Luke followed. Quickly his furry companion and he found their way to the ruins of the bunker where he had hidden his speeder. Without making any noise Luke and his Ewok companion pushed the speeder out of hearing range, before starting the engines. Making a detour through the forest the Ewok led him at a great distance around the village. Once at a safe distance Luke drove at high speed in the direction of the north ridge. The Ewok brought him to the end of the secret path, where Liane and her six guards already were waiting. Luke saw a frightened look on her face.
"Did anything happen?"
Liane shook her head but she looked very unsure.
"Luke, Wangret has described the men and their uniforms. Only the special guards of Wegoyy prison wear them. These men were feared by all the inmates. They have no mercy. Can it be that Dendicott or the other captain have send them? "
"Not likely, Dendicott and Rand Phylotar are in detention on Dalmaran. We'll find out later, but first I'll have to bring you to safety. Don't worry, Liane. They won't get you. We will be at the space port in no time, but I have to drive fast."
"Luke, I don't want to go back to Wegoyy!" Liane's voice sounded frightened.
Luke put his hands gently at her shoulders.
"Liane, relax; Chirpa and his men will deal with these men. I'll get you away safely, I'll promise."
Using his Jedi skills he managed to tell the seven Ewoks his suspicions about the real intentions of the twelve men. They looked angry and held their spears up. Luke thanked them and turned to Liane.
"Let's go now. Get behind me on the speeder, hold on. Concentrate on the Force and follow the movements I make."
Liane hugged the Ewoks and said goodbye. Then she stepped behind Luke at the back seat of the speeder.
With high speed Luke drove through the forest, ducking fallen trees and slipping between small paths. Within an hour they reached the space port. After the check at the entrance Luke drove the speeder over to docking bay where his space ship stood. He put the speeder in the cargo hold and walked to the cockpit followed by a nervous Liane. Suddenly she grabbed his arm.
"Luke, I forgot my old bag. The green box with the statue Muguro gave me and my ID-c..."
"... here," Luke answered and gave her few belongings. She grabbed them and clung to the backpack, still looking unsure.
"Thank you," She whispered, looking up at him.
"Are you sure we will escape in time. I mean before these guards turn up here."
"The Ewoks will take care of them. You're safe. Sit down in the co-pilot's seat and strap yourself in. We're almost away."
Without problems Luke got his clearance to take off at once. The engines of the Astræga ignited and the space craft took off immediately and vanished into space, leaving Endor behind.
Jerno Thai was listening to the audio report of the undercover agent on the Basilisæa.
"I have found a possible way to communicate with you and the others. I've talked with some techs on Quoith. They are willing to set up a three way communication line. You will not send any messages directly to the Basilisæa from Coruscant, but via Quoith, in the same way as the New Republic intels and techs are cooperating with our intel force on Coruscant, while both sides are monitoring any messages aimed at a source in the Outer Rim. I am already exchanging messages with Quoith, so the new way won't draw much suspicion, besides most of the communication is encrypted. All you have to do is getting permission from the New Republic's government to use the Quoith system as intermediate. Once a secure connection has been established, the technicians on Quoith will automatically transfer any messages from Coruscant concerning my mission to the Basilisæa. Quoith has already prepared a separate and shielded partition in their system. It can be made operational as soon as they receive permission from the government of the New Republic in Irithim. This way of cooperation also might serve necessary teamwork in the future. I'm not going into details yet, but I have several new options in mind to infiltrate in the communication system of our former admiral which might provide me with more technical info about the system he's using. So I leave it up to you and the others to work out some further alliance with the New Republc."
The message ended with a cheerful "Have faith." Jerno leaned back. The cheerful sound in the voice brought some relief to him. He nodded.
"What you're suggesting, Doran Whain, might be feasible, provided that our allies will team up with your suggestions."
He called the communication operator and ordered a shielded connection via procon with Irithim. The secured connection already was created in minutes and the holographic image of the New Republic's official agent became visible on the display.
"Greetings, grand admiral."
"Greetings to you and please bring my respect to your leader," Jerno answered.
"Anything urgent to discuss, sir?"
"I have informed you about our undercover agent on the Basilisæa last time."
"Yes, I remember. It's a great action on your part. We both will certainly profit from the guy's discovery about those sinister messages coming from the Outer Rim. We're grateful you're sharing the info he sends you with us as well."
"Thank you, for your kind words," Jerno said, "I have just received a new message from him with an exceptional interesting proposal which I want to discuss with you. I will send you the transmission of his message now. If you have listen to it and discussed the consequence on your side I hope your reaction will be positive and extent our further mutual support."
Jerno pressed a button on his console. The holo image of the New Republic's agent reach aside to activate the incoming file. He nodded as the transmission had been completed.
"Transmission received in good order, admiral. We will listen to it and give it a good thought. Does it suit you if I contact you later today about our vision."
"That would be fast. Do you really expect a decision at such a short notice?"
"The seriousness of the situation in the Outer Rim requires quick actions. We don't want to loose precious time discussing any necessary measures in a committee. So you might expect me to call you back later today. I'll will discuss the info you send us immediately."
"We're obliged to you and we hope to establish an even stronger relation with the New Republic."
The holo image of the agent bowed, before he discarded the connection. Jerno switched off the holo display.
Once again he considered the possibilities Doran Whain's plans could have. Jerno nodded approvingly. He had made the right decision to send their most qualified undercover agent to the Basilisæa. As he expected Doran Whain kept the initiative of the mission in his own hand. He knew he was the communication's expert. He certainly would have considered all the complications of their agreement to work on a one way report base. If the New Republic would be willing to give him access to a shielded part on the Quoith communication system, it would be much easier to exchange information. It also would make it easier to inform the New Republic intelligence force. Maybe it would be an idea to extent the access to those two bodies on Coruscant and Dalmaran too.
"My dear admiral, we're going to keep a close watch on you and monitor your actions. We know who you are and we know what you're up to. We will do everything to prevent you will be able to accomplish what you have in mind. The empire is over. Emperor Palpatine is dead, and we don't want some else to take his place."
Once in hyperspace and light years away from the forest moon Luke brought Liane to the flight control room of the Astræga.
"You're safe," He said.
Liane nodded absentmindedly. Luke felt her sadness about this unexpected goodbye of her Ewok friends.
"One day you'll return to them, Liane."
"Are you sure, I will," she murmured.
"Of course, you will. The Ewoks will forever see you as a member of their tribe."
Liane was silent again. Luke sat down next to her.
"Liane, will you please forgive me, for what I have done. It was wrong. I shouldn't have use Affect Mind to find out how you give your help to Teebo. I should have waited patiently, until you would have shown me."
Liane looked up. Again she felt how much he regretted the misuse of his powers.
"You really were jealous, Luke, weren't you? I felt your rising emotional feelings," She said, "You deliberately used your Jedi skills in the wrong way, because I refused your help while I had accepted Yarmod and Ian's? "
"Yes, I have. I felt disappointed, because you allowed Ian and Yarmod to help you."
"Ian is a friend, Luke, like you and the Grann brothers are. I'm still grateful to him, because he took such a great risk, neglecting the rules of the Wegoyy prison regime."
"I understand that you and Ian have build up a close friendship on Wegoyy. Ian is a good guy, he certainly is worth your friendship. But I hope you also will see me as a friend again. I can't undo what I did, but I really regret what happened."
"What you did is my own fault, Luke," Liane whispered, "Before Yarmod and Ian left Endor, they urged me more than once, that I should tell you and show you how I helped Teebo and the others. Your former master ... Ben Kenobi has sternly reprimanded me for what I have said to you, for I've called you a Dark Side user, a Sith-lord and I've compared your behavior with that of Anakin. Even Logray and Chirpa called me stubborn and unkind. From the beginning they, more than once, were very angry me and they said I wasn't worth your loyalty."
Luke put his hand over Liane's and felt how her fingers trembled. He didn't say anything about what Liane had said about Ben's comments on her behavior, for he sensed she regretted those words.
"Chirpa and Logray are wrong. I'm still your loyal friend. I'm sure that one day you will show me how you are able to absorb some else's pains and sorrows and help him to start his recovery."
Astonished Liane looked at him.
"You know, what I did? Who told you?" She asked.
"Logray demonstrated what you were doing and I know that's the way a Jedi can help to reduce suffering and pain. I can use the Force in the same way, only not as strong and intense as you can. Only Jedi healers can use the Force like you have done."
Amazed Liane listened to his words.
"Only Jedi healers can? Luke, Yarmod also said that he was sure, that I was using the Force as a healer, as I was helping the wounded Ewoks. He felt I did, he said. And Ben Kenobi also said I was using the Force as a healer."
For a moment Liane silenced, then she looked up at Luke.
"If I had known that you understood my help, I wouldn't have quarreled with you, Luke, for Yarmod has said something else. Something I don't understand. He said that I was using Jedi Battle Meditation or something like that, because I can visualize images of the recovery of the wounded Ewoks and I can pass those images to their minds.
After the Ewoks had captured me and brought me to their village Logray summoned me to help him as he took care of wounded Ewoks. He showed me what a predator had done, after it had attacked one of the Ewoks. I already had felt the pain and anguish of those injured Ewoks, but when I began to hold my hands around their heads I also felt the pain they suffered, as if the predator had attack me too. However the pain I felt ceased and then I began to see images of those Ewoks. They were laughing and happy and they are healthy again. At first I thought I was seeing their past, but when I tried to pass those images in their minds they became aware of those images, too. Immediately they no longer seemed to fear their severe injuries, for they stopped moaning and relaxed. After the tension in their bodies ceased, it was possible for me to heal their injuries.
I sat myself near the injury and I felt a strange need to hold my hands above the wound. As I did, I felt that some power was guiding me. A wondrous bluish light began to emanate from my fingers and those streaks of light touched the damaged tissue. Where the light enclosed the damage, blood vessels stopped bleeding. The streaks of light penetrated deep inside the wound and I saw how the damaged tissue began to heal. After the bleeding had stopped the muscle tissue began to heal and the edges of the wound became smooth. It was so odd, Luke, and so frightening at first. It felt so strange, but I always felt, that it was right what I did. If Logray and I nursed their wounds a next time I saw that the healing process still was continuing. Because of my way of help Chirpa made me a member of the Ewok tribe. He gave the beautiful necklace I've showed you. I always wore it as I was helping wounded Ewoks. It must be still in my bag, I hope. It's really beautiful. "
Liane picked up her old bag which she had clung to as they left Endor. She rummaged inside and took out the necklace. With a happy face she held it in her hands.
"It's wonderful, don't you think," She said as she handed it to Luke.
"The Ewoks have bestowed a great honor on you, Liane. They understood the way you helped their wounded friends. Ewoks live in peace with their surrounding. They respect their environment and are part of it. Probably they are aware of the influence of the Living Force that surround their trees, their houses, and all the animals living in the forest, even the ferocious ones. Their awareness of the Living Force is unconscious, but it makes them to take great care about their way of living."
Liane had listened to Luke explanation of the Ewoks' way of life. Luke handed the necklace back to her.
"Take good care of it, Liane, for it is a special clue as to how the Force can help you care, to heal and to cure those who are in need. Liane, you posses some very special talents to use the Force, " Luke said, and Liane heard an undisguised admiration in his voice, "Visualizing the future is a great Force skill. Even master Yoda couldn't predict what the future would bring. In the past only a few Jedi masters possessed this extraordinary Force skill. The Jedi masters who could use this skill could intervene and influence the outcome of a battle, a struggle or a fight. Their use of Jedi Battle Meditation have encouraged whole armies with images of victory, for those Jedi Masters have passed positive images to those who needed extra encouragement against fearsome enemies."
"Influence the outcome of a fight, or a battle? Encouragement against enemies? I don't understand, Luke. Against what did the Ewoks fight? They absolutely were no match against the weapons the Dendicott's men used."
"I'm not talking about the way they got wounded, but about the way they have overcome their fear to die. You don't have to fight with weapons to win a fight?" Luke said with a calm smile. "You have visualized the outcome of their fight against death. Using your Force Meditation powers you've influenced their recovery in a positive way. Teebo needed your encouragement to overcome his fear, for Dendicott had shot him deliberately at point blank range to set an example for his intentions. You've done a great job, Liane.
The other way you have used to heal damage tissue inside a wound is called Force Shield healing. You have been using your own Force energy to stop the bleeding and heal damaged tissue, but Force Shield healing takes a lot of a user's own Force energy. That's why you felt so exhausted after you helped your friends that way. I'd wished I would have known it, for then I would have use other words after you said you needed sleep and rest. "
Liane tried to comprehend Luke's words. She could use the Force in some ways only some great Jedi masters had used in the past. How was that possible?
"How do I know all this? Ian mentioned that other use of the Force, too. When he said, that I was using Force Shield Healing I absolutely didn't understand what he meant. He couldn't explain it. Leia seemed to have told him about it, but he didn't full comprehend her teachings. He told me, after he helped me to recover and heal damaged tissue in Teebo's terrible wound. Ben Kenobi also told me that I had been using Force Shield healing. He said that I was using the Good Side of the Force, when I was helping the wounded Ewoks. I believed him, for he also said that my way to help the Ewoks had nothing to do with what Anakin has taught me, for the Dark Side only focuses on power and destruction, not on healing. Luke, no one taught me to use the Force this way. I just felt that I had to heal and cure my friends this way. Ben said it was good what I did. He is right, isn't he?"
"Absolutely. You fully can trust Ben's words. Liane, you're very sensitive to the influence of the Force. I already felt that when I first met you on Morantan. You're using the Force in almost everything you do, but you're using the Force intuitively. You're not yet controlling the Force. You allow her to show you what is needed. Let me give you some examples: when I asked you to tune in on the Living Force you easily surrendered yourself; you surpass your physical endurance allowing the Force to guide you. If you run, jump, or somersault through an unknown environment, like in the Endor forest, you are surrounded by the Force to make the right decision for every movement; you are learning to surround objects with the Force to move them; you easily are using Force telepathy to communicate with me as if it's a natural habit and you have seen and even met the Force ghosts of some Jedi Knights who passed away. Ben and Anakin visited you on Endor, when you had recalled your past. And just now you mentioned that Ben Kenobi talked with you about your use of Force Shield healing. You have met my old master again in Logray's tree house, haven't you? It absolutely must have been Ben who has urged you to give this back to me, for next to Leia Ben is the only one I made it, didn't he?"
Luke held out his gloved hand. Liane saw the Jedi-pendant. He face reddened. She stretched out her hand, but didn't dare to touch it.
"I nearly threw it out of the window, Luke," She whispered, "Ben reprimanded me. He said that a Jedi-pendant deserves more respect. He was sure that I would wear it again. Has he told you about the conversation we had?"
Luke shook his head.
"No, Logray gave me the pendant and with a lot of gestures and chattering in the Ewok language he made clear, that he had heard you talking to some one and you wanted me to keep the pendant for you, as long as you were helping the wounded Ewoks. May I give it back to you? Shall I fastened the chain?"
Liane bowed her head and Luke fastened the chain at the back of her neck.
"I'm feeling foolish, Luke. During my talk with ... Ben Kenobi I felt annoyed and irritated. Even to him I behaved like the stubborn girl from Morantan," Liane whispered almost inaudibly and suddenly she understood how tactless, disrespectful and impulsive her behavior had been to both of them. I treated you and Ben ... in the same way... as I treated father... if we were quarreling... "
"Don't get upset about what happened, Liane. Anakin has told me, that you sometimes refuses to speak to him for months," Luke said grinning a bit.
Liane nodded with a shameful look in her eyes.
"I've often argued with Anakin, if he made me obey him his demands without reason, or if I found his use of the Force shocking, or frightening, but that was before .....
Luke silently followed the train of old memories that suddenly flashed through Liane's mind. Her thoughts dwelled on many memories from her youth for a while.
Her fath... had made her ... no, her foster father had made her .... No don't recall that terrible .... Anakin always had dominated her and she had hated him for his behavior and the ways he had made her obey him. She always had desperately tried to earn her fa ... Anakin's respect, because she often vented her own independent opinion about the obligations he had always imposed on her. She often had yearned to make him understand she had different ideas. He never had listened to her or understood her.
On Dalmaran and Wegoyy she had felt trapped, just like she had felt on Morantan.
She had experienced a real form of freedom, while she had been traveling with Yarnick and his brothers. Those travels had given her a feeling of independence, although on Rasth she had left them very ungratefully to find out what had happened to her.
However, since she had gotten her memories back on Endor, she had realized, that she wasn't leading a real free life among the Ewoks. In her past she had made several wrong choices. The consequences of those choices had brought her to Wegoyy as a prisoner. The guards of the Wegoyy prison still seemed to be chasing her. Their arrival on Endor had forced her to flee and leave a nice life she had gotten use to; a life she had loved. She understood the reason why she had to leave Endor in hurry, but it had caused a great sadness. It felt as a slight relief that this time Luke Skywalker, the Jedi Knight who had offered her his friendship, was accompanying her. Would he help her until she had found a way to live in freedom, or would it be her destiny to flee every time again?
"One day you'll will be a free person, Liane," Luke said calmly, giving her hands a gentle press.
Startled Liane looked up at him, then she realized that he knew what she had been thinking.
"You still know what I am thinking of, don't you, Luke?"
"I've told you before, that for me as a Jedi it's easy to follow your train of thoughts. Does it bother you?"
Liane gave his words a thought, then she began to chuckle.
"Maybe it's better if you know. You could warn me before I do anything foolish. Apparently I need someone to protect me against wrong decisions or behavior. That reminds me, I asked your former master if he was on Endor to prevent you from doing anything foolish again."
Luke looked puzzled.
"I told ... Ben... that you told me that you broke off your Jedi training to rescue your friends. I wondered if ... Ben ... was on Endor to help you, but he said that Anakin and he were there to help me, so maybe not only you, but also your former master and my foster-father will prevent me from doing foolish things."
She looked at Luke with a broad smile.
"Not all your decisions are wrong, Liane, but your behavior is often impulsive and reckless."
Still laughing, Liane shrugged her shoulders.
"I always have been a reckless youth on Morantan. I always had to compete with Anakin's men and he demanded that I should do better than them. I always should run faster and be quicker than the Anakin's best trained officers."
"Anakin knew you would outwit them. You're a Force user and your competitors were just low-Force ordinary humans, I guess. So it wasn't a fair competition," Luke said.
"I never realized, Luke. I thought it was great fun and those excercises also were my only distractions during Anakin's training sessions which I hated. I wasn't aware of what was going on in the rest of the galaxy. Anakin never told me why he went away and what he was doing. I took my life for granted as it was. Ian once said, that I've lived very sheltered life on Morantan, that I had been completely ignorant about what was going on in the galaxy, and he was right," Liane commented now looking very serious, "Anakin taught me a lot about the Force and the way he used it, but he never told me about the Alliance and their war against the Empire. He also never told me about other ways to use the Force - the way the Jedi use the Force; a way of use he despised. For me there existed only one way of Force use; a way that frightened me. That's why I became scared when I had to use the Force. On Endor I thought that my use of the Force always was influenced by the Force's Dark Side. It's a great relief that ... Ben ... said that I was the Good Side of the Force, when I took care of the wounded Ewoks. Your former master also has explained that if I don't want to become a Jedi Knight you would respect my choice. He said that there are many other ways to use the Force. If I really possess the Force skills to heal living being I want to learn more about that. I want to learn, how I can use Force Shield healing, for that's part of the Good Side of the Force. I don't have to become a Jedi Knight who dedicates his life to peace and justice, settling disputes as a warrior if needed. I want to learn to be a Jedi healer, Luke."
"You've had a very serious talk with Ben, Liane. It's good to know that Ben has explained the many different tasks a Jedi Knight can fulfill. His words will help you to feel more assured about your Force power. If you really want to learn more about the Good Side of the Force I'll explained to you as much as I can about the ways of the Jedi, Liane and their use of the Force. I will leave it up to you if you want to use the Force as a Jedi Knight, the way I do, or help you to expand your Force healing skills as much as I can. I have promised you that some years ago and I will keep my promise."
"I remember our chat on the Tychorion, Luke. "
They both laughed. Liane felt a great relieve that their friendship was as strong as before.
"Are we going to Dalmaran now, so I can tell the Supreme Chancellor what has happened to me?" Liane asked.
"In time we will, but first we're going to Tatooine."
"To Tatooine? That's great! You've told me about your home planet and I've been there several times with the Granns, but only at Mos Eisley's space port. Are we going there?"
"No. I want to take you to some other parts of the planet. Therefore we're going to the former home of Ben Kenobi. It's behind the Dune Sea, the Tatooine desert."
"Ben has lived on Tatooine for a long time, hasn't he? Was he already an old man when you met him, wasn't he? Will we meet him there? I mean, ...."
She searched for words.
"I mean... as I talked to him on Endor, he was so friendly and so wise. He didn't got angry with me, because I had been so unreasonable to you. He just stayed calm and good-natured. Wise and understanding. He must have been a very wise Jedi Knight during his life. Actually it's strange that I can see and talk to him? You also can meet him, can't you? He said that you sometimes consult him and your other master, master Yoda. How is that possible?"
She looked puzzled. Luke laughed about her inquisitiveness.
"After Ben surrendered himself to the Force, he became, what the Jedi call, a Force ghost. That means that after he had passed away he was able to keep the consciousness of his corporeal life. During his long and lonely stay on Tatooine his former Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn taught him the old Force knowledge about how a Jedi Knight becomes united with Force, but remains the person he has been. Ben mastered that old Force knowledge. After Ben was united with the Force he had the opportunity to guide and help me as a Force ghost, but in the beginning I desperately missed his actual presence. I felt lost without his guidance. During the first years after the destruction of the first Death Star, I had to learn to become more aware the Force had on my life and how I could make a first use of its power. During those years I heard Ben's voice many times, always encouraging me. During my stay on Hoth with the Alliance's forces I saw him as a Force ghost for the first time. There Ben told me I had to seek master Yoda on Dagobah to complete my training."
"What happened when Ben disappeared? Did he become a Force Ghost immediately?" Liane asked suddenly.
For a moment Luke silenced and a Force flash from the past brought back the terrifying images of his former master's sudden disappearance. Liane felt the almost unnoticeable pain in Luke's mind and put her hand on the sleeve of his Jedi cloak.
"Don't tell me. Those memories are hurting you too much, Luke," She said on a soft tone, trying to comfort him with a soothing tone in her voice.
Luke felt her concern and wondered if she was aware that she was using the Force to comfort him. For a moment he let the soothing words comfort his mind and ease the pain he had felt.
"During his lightsaber duel with Anakin on the first Death Star Ben suddenly vanished," He said on a calm tone, "I witnessed their fight. I didn't understand what happened to him. When he looked at me, and saw I was looking at him, he surrendered himself. When Anakin swung his lightsaber for a fatal blow, Ben vanished before Anakin's lightsaber hit him, leaving only his clothes and his lightsaber on the deck. During my Jedi training on Dagobah master Yoda explained me, that when a Jedi's life has come full circle, he can decide to surrender himself to the Force without leaving his corporeal remains. The same happened to Master Yoda after I returned to Dagobah to complete my training and on the second Death Star Anakin only left his life support suit, after he had renounced the Dark Side and joined the Force. I've burned that life support suit in which he had been trapped more than twenty long years on the clearing on Endor. Burning his dark harness finally freed his Force spirit from the Dark Side, so he could be the Jedi Knight again he truly was, and live on as a Force ghost."
"So because they surrendered themselves to Force, is the reason, why we still can see them?" Liane asked.
"Yes, but Ben's sudden disappearance devastated me. That's why those images live so vividly in my mind, Liane."
"I shouldn't have asked you, Luke," Liane said softly, again using her soft soothing voice.
Luke looked in her eyes and placed his hand over hers which was still resting on his sleeve.
"During my training on Dagobah I learned that a Jedi Knight gains knowledge from events that have happened in the past or even longer ago. It's a way to learn, Liane. He also can meet the many Jedi Knight of old, although they are long gone."
"That must be really painful sometimes," Liane said.
"It is, but it's a great source of old knowledge. Ben, master Yoda and also Anakin have taught me a lot, after they had become one with the Force, and knowledge is invaluable for a Jedi. It gives a Jedi Knight a deeper insight which he needs to make a decision in difficult situations"
"I hope I will meet Ben again. I want to know, how it's possible, that I can use the Good Side of the Force, although nobody has ever taught me."
"Don't think too much about the Force skills you possess. Accept the Force's influence, Liane?"
Liane shrugged her shoulders.
"Using the Force the way I did on Endor always gave me a happy feeling."
Luke thought about Anakin's words about Liane's ancestry, but he remembered the promise he had made.
"Your help also have made those Ewoks happy," He said.
Liane nodded and they both were silently for some moments, then Liane looked at him.
"When will we reach Tatooine?"
Luke watched the display of the navi computer.
"Within five hours. You'd better use these hours to take a long rest, after all the excitement of our hurried flight. You're still looking very tired. I'll bring you to Leia's cabin."
Liane put her hand to her mouth.
"Oh, my! Leia's clothes! They are still on Endor!"
"Don't worry about those clothes. We can tell her, you had to leave them on Endor," Luke said with a humorous twinkle in his eyes, "She might get them when she needs them. There are enough of her clothes left in her closet in her cabin."
Neither Luke nor Liane were aware of the outcome of Luke's request to keep the twelve men in village for some time.
Back in the center the twelve men were still waiting.
"What takes him so long?" One asked the leader.
He shrugged his shoulder.
"All that matters is that we get the girl and that Jedi and take them both to the Outer Rim."
"To the Outer Rim? Then why did you tell the guy, he has to escort the girl to Dalmaran, commander?"
"That's all nonsense, someone else desperately wants these two. I have my orders from Rand Phylotar personally. We will bring them to Palomintar Four."
The commander laughed unpleasantly. Then he rose and stretched. Almost immediately fifteen sturdy looking Ewoks dropped down from the canopy with their spears in front of them. The commander started to laugh and drew his blaster.
"Hey, little furry ones, get your leader or we might start making havoc in this place."
Almost immediately Chirpa and Logray both turned up.
"Haddo kano wita soni deny tanda," Logray said angrily and made a gesture to the armed Ewoks.
['These men are our enemies.']
"Hana kano wita tanda mokka," One of them answered.
['We capture our enemies.']
The twelve men looked stunned when all of a sudden a heavy net fell from the trees covering them completely and making it impossible for them to move or use their weapons.
"Hey, we mean no harm, we only want the girl and her guard," The leader yelled, but one of the armed Ewoks clubbed him on the head.
That was the start for the other Ewoks to attack. Furiously they beat the men and knocked them unconscious. Chirpa ordered to disarm them. Blasters, durasteel manacles, ropes and blindfolds were put in front of him.
"Hano mikko nato mido koode." He said and raised his large spear.
['Take them far into the forest separately.']
The Ewoks tied the arms and legs of the men. They used leather caps to blindfold them. Long stack poles were brought up and the twelve men were carried outside the Ewok village into the forest. If one of them seemed to wake up he was clubbed on the head before he could realize what was happening to him. Heavily armed Ewoks were escorting their fellow tribe's men while they carried their prisoners in different directions. Long after nightfall the men were left at different location in the Endor jungle, unarmed and with no possibility to find a quick way back to the space port.
Jerno, Kalip and Valann watched the holographic image of the Supreme Chancellor of the New Republic.
"My advisor and I have discussed the message you have transmitted to us, grand admiral," She said, "We have made contact with our technicians on Quoith to discuss the consequences and possible dangers, but they will take all the necessary safety precautions to shield off the special partition your agent and you will be using in our communication system. Our technicians will connect the partition to the procon system which will give you the assurance that your messages and that of your undercover agent on board of the Basilisæa will be encrypted in the same way as the messaging system between Coruscant and Irithim is working. There's only one condition my advisor suggests; we want that our intel forces should have admission to monitor the messages that will be exchanged between Coruscant and the Basilisæa."
"Why are you asking this, ma'am?" Kalip asked with a frown.
The Supreme Chancellor smiled.
"We're not setting up another spying procedure. My advisor thought it a good idea to allow our intels the exchanged messages, for it would save our governments to contact each other in case some important info needed to be exchanged."
Kalip want to comment, but Jerno raised his hand to silence him.
"Ma'am, I have been thinking the same. The Coruscant intel forces are already cooperating with yours on Dalmaran with good results on both sides. We're obliged that your intels have made it possible to intercept audio in the messages that have been sent from different location to the Outer Rim. Thanks to the efforts of our combined efforts we now have a better understanding of what is going on in the Outer Rim."
"So do we, grand admiral. The information your men have exchanged with us alerted me and the members of the High Council. The cooperation between our intelligence forces is crucial for the future peace in the galaxy. The technicians on Quoith are impressed with the plan our undercover agent on board the Basilisæa. You have chosen a highly competent expert to carry out a mission like this. I would like express my respect to him. Tell him that the plan he proposed will be operational the way he is suggesting, provided that both the Coruscant and the New Republic intelligences forces will be able to make use of the same facility which would be in our mutual advantage. The situation in the Outer Rim requires direct and close cooperation between the governments of Coruscant and the New Republic. Neither of us wants some one to become a next emperor with the knowledge of the Sith."
"We're very obliged that you agree with the plan our uncover agent has proposed. We also express our gratitude, that you share our point of view that a possible revival of the empire has to be prevented by all means," Jerno said, looking at Kalip and Valann who both expressed their agreement.
"Ma'am," Valann asked, "may we conclude that your government will prevent that the daughter of Darth Vader will share her knowledge of the Darth Side, the Sith lore, with the person in the Outer Rim?"
The three leader on Coruscant saw how the face of the Supreme Chancellor got a stern expression.
"Our Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker is staying with miss Solichor on Endor at the moment. I don't have to explain to you, what has happened to her in the Wegoyy prison. Commodore Skywalker will bring miss Solichor to Irithim to tell us what has happened to her and I already can tell you that my government will do everything to compensate her for the terrible long loss of her memories. I also understand that due to certain recent events that the person, who lives on a planet in the Outer Rim, continues to make serious attempts to kidnap her. That means that when miss Solichor comes to Irithim we will take any measures necessary to find a safe place for her to live. If you see that as a measure to detain her again, I must tell you that I don't share your vision."
"Ma'am, the daugh...." Kalip started to say, but the image of the Supreme Chancellor immediately interrupted him.
"Sir, miss Solichor has been raised by Darth Vader, but you're referring over and over again to her the daughter of. She has a name: Liane Solichor. You should better use that name when we are talking about her."
Jerno silenced Kalip again.
"Ma'am, we don't want to raise a question about the name of the woman. If you prefer to use her real name we will accept that, but I hope that you share our opinion about her. She has been taught and is familiar with knowledge that has plunged the galaxy into long years of oppression and disaster. I hope that you agree that that knowledge should never be passed on again."
"Admiral, it's not up to me and my government to prevent the spread of the Sith lore. That's the duty and task of the Jedi Knights we have. They have to take care that the knowledge of the Dark Side, won't be spread again. It will be their duty to support and teach Liane Solichor that what she has learned during the reign of emperor Palpatine never has to be passed on to any person in this galaxy. Especially Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker has committed himself to this task and I am convinced that Liane Solichor will keep his teaching at heart. Jedi Knight Skywalker certainly will prevent that Liane Solichor will be brought to the Outer Rim."
"We're apologizing for bringing up the question about miss Solichor, ma'am. We highly respect what you're doing to guarantee peace in the galaxy," Jerno said, "When do you expect that plan our undercover agent has proposed will be operational."
For a moment the image of the Supreme Chancellor watched the three leaders. Then she smiled.
"My advisor has made contact with Quoith and all necessary actions have been taken. Our technicians will send your under cover agent the necessary access codes and encryption keys to the shielded partition. My government guarantees that only you, your agent and our two intelligence forces will have access to this shielded partition on Quoith. We hope that these measures will enable a better cooperation between Coruscant and Irithim."
Jerno looked relieved.
"Thank you ma'am for this decision. We will guarantee that any necessary information will be shared with your intelligence force. Thank you for contacting us personally. It's always good to share the opinion which live among those who lead our government."
"The pleasure is all mine, admiral. Working together indeed will make it possible to learn for both of us. We wish you well."
"We express our gratitude towards you, ma'am," Jerno said and made a formal salut.
The image of the Supreme Chancellor answered with a courtesy nod and her image vanished.
The three leaders of the Provisional Coruscant Council looked at each other.
"For the time being," Jerno said, "it's better if we don't bring up the matter concerning the daughter of Darth Vader again. If necessary we ourselves will prevent the woman from teaming up with our former admiral."
As the alarm signal of the navi-computer of the Astræga sounded Luke woke up. He warned Liane and got over to the cockpit to bring his shuttle out of hyperspace. The Astræga drifted some fifty planet diameters from Tatooine in the void of space. The planet itself was a big yellow glowing sphere, like a tiny sun, that dominated this part of the galaxy.
Liane who had followed Luke to the cockpit, looked out of the front screen.
"The planets always look so wonderful and full of mysteries from a distance, don't you think, Luke. As I was traveling with Yarnick and his brothers, I've enjoyed every time the moments, when we arrived near our next destination planet."
Luke rose from the pilot's seat.
"The Astræga has a special space were we can have an even much better view. Come, I'll show you."
Luke grabbed her hand and took her midships to a shallow niche. He put his hand on a panel at the wall, and a door slid aside. Behind the door four stair steps led down to a circular room with dim lit walls near the floor. Downstairs Luke adjusted several switches on a control panel, before he took Liane to the middle of a circular floor. The soft glowing light dimmed and Liane saw how some eight panels at the ceiling opened up. The floor of the room slowly started to rise. As it stopped they were standing in a large bulb of transparisteel, looking out on the vastness of the galaxy. Liane pivoted several times, trying to absorb the overwhelming view. She walked around the edges near the transparisteel wall to look at the yellow glowing sphere right in front of her: the planet of Tatooine, drifting like a golden ball in the infinite black void. Around the planet the galaxy was with covered with tiny glowing dots.
"Unbelievable! Absolutely awesome!" She whispered, "What a splendid view. There seems to be no end to the galaxy. This ship is only a tiny dot in space. No one will be noticing it among these millions of stars, yet this ship and we are part of all this."
Astonished Luke felt how Liane had tuned in to invisible powers of the Unifying Force. While she threw him a look over her shoulders, her eyes reflected her strong bond with the Force which began to whirl through the bulb.
"You're a part of this, like I am, Liane," Luke answered. He thought about Anakin's revelation's about Liane's possible ancestry and decided to reveal part of the truth to her.
"And ... like your mother once was," He said hesitantly.
Liane whirled around and looked at him. Luke walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Yes, Liane, that's why the Force is influencing you so strongly. You've inherited your Force powers from your mother."
"I have... from my mother! You mean ... she could ... use the Force too. Like I do! How do you know? Who told you that?"
"Anakin and Ben. Liane, when I realized how much I had hurt you with my uncontrolled action, I asked Anakin how I could make it up with you again. He told me that you've inherited your Force power from your mother and Ben confirmed his words."
"Ben and Anakin have known my mother? What did they tell you? I can't believe it... my real mother is a Force user," She whispered.
Luke looked at Liane and saw how her blue eyes sparkled.
"She was a Force user, Liane. She died during the Civil War. You were a toddler when she died; at least that's what Anakin told me."
"Then she has lived on Morantan?"
"That's likely, for Anakin has found you on Morantan."
"Has Anakin told you more about her? Has he met her before she died? Was she ill, or wounded? Has she asked Anakin to take care of me?"
"Anakin and Ben are very reluctant when I ask any details about your youth on Morantan. We have to be patient, but in time we find out." Luke said softly.
"We?"
"Of course. Didn't I promise you to help you. That promise includes, that I will help you to find out who your real parents have been."
He looked into her eyes, but suddenly her face seemed to fade and instead of Liane's face Luke saw the face of his old master, Obi-Wan 'Ben' Kenobi.
'Ben? What... Ben, I had to tell her! She has the right to know a small part of the truth ... It makes her happy. ... She was ready to know that her mother has been a Force user,' He apologized through the Jedi way of communication.
But Ben's face disappeared and Luke looked again into Liane's eyes. She still radiated the glowing power of the Force.
Once again her face faded and Luke saw the beautiful, but a defiant, young woman he had seen in his Force vision on Endor. This time she was wielding a lightsaber as her defence. A group of imperial stormtroopers was surrounding her. Rebelliously and defiantly she was fighting a familiar dark enemy, his father Anakin as Darth Vader. The images caused him pain, because he realized, that he witnessed how Severini Solichor became one with Force, before his father could strike her down.
Suddenly he became aware of a soft hand which was grabbing his.
"Luke, stop looking back to the past. Don't hurt yourself," A soft voice said.
The image of Severini vanished. Liane held his hand in hers, and Luke felt a warm caressing Force flow emanated from her fingers. This young woman certainly was the daughter of the woman the Force had shown him. If she was as powerful as her mother, she must have the powers of a Jedi healer too. How could he convince her to follow in the footsteps of her mother and extend her Force powers as a Jedi Knight?
"I'm alright, Liane, don't worry." He said, as he saw how her eyes expressed her concern.
"You shouldn't use your Jedi skills this way," Liane said, "Those images hurt you. I feel they do."
"They do. Don't let my behavior bother you, Liane. Thank you, for your concern, my ... friend."
He didn't reveal to her, that he had seen images of her mother, but turned his head and looked through the transparisteel bulb to Tatooine.
"Shall we start our landing? We need to set course to the other side of Tatooine to reach the Dune Sea?"
Luke walked to the control panel and adjusted the switches. After the wall panels were covering the transparisteel bulb again, Luke ascended the stairs and took Liane with him to the cockpit. Liane sat down in the co-pilots seat and watched Luke as he started preparing their landing. The glowing sphere slowly started to fill the whole windscreen and Liane watched as the Astræga flew nearer, showing more and more details.
"Isn't there any vegetation, trees, ferns, flowers, forests, other plants on Tatooine?" She asked surprised.
"None. There's no surface water. But the planet's soil has an abundance of rich minerals. Tatooine is a very fertile planet. The first pioneers brought water to some places. Those outcrops flourished and they built moisture farms with numerous plants and vegetation. Now fasten your safety belts. Can you give me hand, when I start the landing cycle?"
Liane threw a inquisitive look at the console in front of her. Rapidly Luke explained her the working of the most important switches. Liane nodded and repeated his instructions.
"I'm sure that one day you'll be a good pilot yourself," Luke smiled.
Liane shrugged her shoulders.
"You're overestimating my talents, master Luke!" She said dismissible
"I don't think so; most Force users are good pilots."
He softly grinned, when he saw her frown, but then he focussed his attention on the landing of the shuttle.