Chapter 48
a'am, I'm really sorry I wasn't here," Liane said as she hurried over to Mon Mothma who was sitting leisurely on one of the couches on the terrace.
"You don't have to apologize, Liane. I'm all too glad you seemed to have found your way around here," The Supreme Chancellor said, while she rose and embraced the girl, "Threepio told me you're exploring surrounding caves and caverns. You're from - what I should call 'home' - most of the day."
"It's a gigantic network of caves, madam, and the further I go the longer I need to reach the point where I left off, and the longer it takes me to get back here. Do you mind, if I take a moment to change my clothes and refresh. I'll be back within a minute," Liane said still panting for breath.
"Take your time, Liane. It seems that you've been running all the way back," Mon Mothma said with a smile.
Liane nodded.
"Go and come back after you've refreshed yourself, and take some time to relax."
Liane left the room. On her way to her private quarter she met Threepio.
"Have you offered the Supreme Chancellor any refreshments, Threepio," She asked.
"Yes, mistress Liane, but she said she wanted to wait until you had come back,"
"Threepio, that's almost two hours ago. Go, and serve her a drink, and, please, make me a hot herbal tea."
Threepio shuffled away to find Artoo. Liane rushed on to her dressing room. Quickly she took out the white dress Leia had given; she took a shower, and dressed herself. After having done her hair she cast a glance in the mirror. Behind her reflection she saw Luke's hologram image, the one which Luke had taken from Leia's quarter on the Astræga. She turned around and for a moment she smiled at the image.
"How do I look?" She whispered.
To her surprise she heard his familiar voice saying: 'You look great, my precious pixie.'
Her smile broadened.
"Thank you, Luke."
'Any time, my dearest comrade.'
Still looking at the hologram she blew the image a kiss and walked over to the door. Through the connecting corridor she reached the living and walked over to the terrace, where Mon Mothma was quietly waiting.
The Supreme Chancellor clasped her hand and laughed.
"That dress suits you, Liane."
"I'm still glad that Leia left me some of her exquisite dresses, madam. But I have to be honest. They are outfits I can't wear during my chores."
... or explorations." Mon Mothma laughed. "I understand, Liane. But I appreciate your choice to wear one of them while I'm here."
Mon Mothma invite Liane to set next to her on the couch.
"I didn't expect you, Madam," Liane said.
"Of course, you didn't. I haven't announced my visit deliberately. I wanted to know if you would be busy when I visited you unexpectedly. You didn't disappoint me, I must say, although I had to wait quite a while before you turned up. You did well to take an infocom with you so Threepio could call you."
Liane chuckled.
"The first times I left the residence this far on my own I didn't tell the droids. I even put a restraining bolt on Artoo. He is my guardian when Luke or one of the others aren't here. He became quite furious at me, and for a while he even didn't want to follow my orders. I had to make sincere apologies, before his mood changed."
"So, when Luke is here, Artoo is free of duty. Which is exactly the point why I'm visiting you, Liane. Do you know, what Luke, Leia and Han are doing and where they are at the moment? Do you know if I can expect them back soon? Are they still in the Palomintar System?"
Liane heard a worried tone in Mon Mothma's voice.
"As far as I know they are fine, but they won't be back on Dalmaran soon", Liane said.
"Did they find Ian Tydon? Is he alright?"
Again Liane heard the tension in the chancellor's voice.
"Yes, they have found Ian. He is fine. His wounds have healed. He had a fast recovery, because two Quelan brothers took care of him."
"Are you still communicating with Luke in that special Force way?"
"I am, every now and then, ma'am. Although Luke wants me to use the Jedi pendant every day I don't do that, for I don't want to meddle in his affairs too much. He has told me that they are planning to go Palomintar Four. It seems that my adversary has made himself a kind of refuge there. Luke also has told me that a great injustice has been done to the original Quelan inhabitants of a town called Ribana.
Before Darth Golluth established an underground lair on the planet, he invaded and pillaged Ribana. He forced its inhabitants into exile. He also took prisoners from the Quelan people of Ribana. They had to prepare and adapt his lair, which consisted of a series of caves deep under a mountain range behind the city. The people of Ribana fled to another continent on the planet. The two Quelans who saved Ian's life were able to escape their forced labor and went to Palomintar Six. They were the elected leaders of the Quelans. On Palomintar Six, they tried to find help, but I understand that the Palomintar system is on the edge of the Outer Rim Territories, like Tatooine and Morantan. Ma'am, would you like to send a message to Luke? Do you need his help elsewhere?"
Mon Mothma had listened to Liane explanation with increasing astonishment.
"Thank you, Liane. Although you are very secluded here, your friend keeps you informed of everything he is doing. No, I do not need Luke's presence anywhere else. I understand that they are busy, but three of our five Jedi Knights are in the Palomintar system on a mission without informing me directly. It is clear that I am a little concerned for their well-being. If anything were to happen to them, the New Republic would have a big problem. Your friend Luke is the one who is supposed to found the new Jedi Order. I do not want him to put his life in danger."
"Luke's a Jedi Knight, madam." Liane said. She wanted to laugh, but refrained when she saw Mon Mothma's serious look.
"Even a Jedi can be killed if he is set off guard. History has proven that more than once, Liane. I have been told that Darth Golluth is a wielder of the Dark Side of the Force. He could be a serious enemy for all of us.
In a flash Liane remembered what master Thon had told her about Nomi Sunrider's husband Andur. He had been a Jedi Knight and he had been killed.
"I'm sure Luke won't take any unnecessary risks, ma'am, but I will remind him and tell him you're worried."
"Also tell him that if he needs any help, he should let me know. The Palomintar system is not yet part of the New Republic, but there is always a possibility of sending help. Do you know if he plans to land on the planet to do some more investigations."
"Yes, he said that he wants to have a look at Ribana from above. If it turns out that further investigation is necessary, he wants to visit Ribana himself. I will tell him that you might send some extra support. Luke certainly will be appreciate some extra help. Ma'am, you could have asked me this also during your normal calls."
Mon Mothma shook her head.
"No, I couldn't, Liane, and that's the second reason why I came personally. Our secret connection via Quoith has been shutdown for an indefinite time. Our intelligence force at Irithim and the technicians on Quoith have warned master Tyloban and me and told us that it might be no longer safe to use the connection to the underground residence. They fear that the regular calls we had, have been monitored. If that's the case then the coordinates of the system might have fallen into some wrong hands. Liane, I must warn you, don't take any incoming calls from now on, don't send any calls. Those who might have obtained information about this system also might be able to circumvent the shutdown. They might find out you're hiding here. I know I have promised I would call you every other day, but that has become to risky for you. In stead of calling you I will try to find time to visit you once every two months. I understand that this must be disappointing, but I still have to make sure that nobody finds out where you're hiding."
"You think, madam, they might invade this place, like they tried on Endor." Liane asked, because Mon Mothma's revelations made her feel worried.
Mon Mothma shook her head.
"No, I don't think they'd dare to send another invasion force, because the Ver'izon government keeps a constant eye on the waters around this continent. But a single spy could easily escape the surveillance groups and find his way in here. Can you defend yourself? I know from the past that Luke called you an excellent shot."
"I am, ma'am. It's not a talent I'm very proud of, but during my youth on Morantan I have learned to handle all kinds of weapons."
Suddenly she felt a little nervous and she laughed somewhat awkwardly, remembering her first meeting with Luke..
"Ma'am, as long as that intruder isn't a Jedi Knight I'm sure I can deal with him." She answered, trying to mask the uncertainty she felt.
"Don't take my warning lightly, Liane. You have enemies."
"I know, ma'am," Liane said thoughtfully
Mon Mothma saw a expression of doubt and uneasiness appear on Liane's face.
"Let's forget this matter for the moment. I'm glad to be back here. Have you been doing a lot of explorations?"
"Yes, ma'am, I have. I can show you what I have done. I have logged all my discoveries."
"Great idea, let's say we have a look at the new map after dinner. Perhaps you can show me some of your exploration tomorrow before I go back to Irithim."
"I will show you the waterfall cave, Ma'am. You certainly will love that spot. I now will order Threepio and Artoo to prepare one of the guests room and they also need to tell the cooking droids to prepare our dinner."
Where is Cantamaga, Toallin?" Han asked, looking at the holographic projection of Palomintar Four.
Toallin pointed at the landmass on the other side of Palomintar Four. Han shook his head in disbelief.
"We did a fly-by with the Millennium Falcon. We didn't scan any cities on that continent. It's covered with a thick dense clouds."
"Those clouds cover the nut-trees. They are special, general. Their canopies release an opaque gas that shields off all the undergrowth. Those gas clouds cover a large area of Tyr. That's why we choose Cantamaga. In the old days, before Ribana had been occupied, only the harvest men lived at Cantamaga during the months they were gathering the special nuts which are very nutritious. Twice every year they use to live there before they returned to Ribana with the yield of their harvest. The rest of the year Tyr was uninhabited, until our fellow Quelans had been brought to Cantamaga."
Luke watched the holographic projection intently.
"How did you manage to reach the other continent?" He asked.
"After Darth Golluth's invasion army drove the inhabitants of Ribana into the wild forest area west of Ribana. They needed to cross those wild lands to get to the west coast harbor of Myr. Behind the western plains the area is wild and inhabitable and covered with forest and dense bushes. Only the harvest men know their way there.
Before the group started their flight into exile Manall, the leader of the harvest men ,his son Cornell, and some ten other harvest men managed to smuggle lots of food and water from Ribana.
After a long journey through those wild regions we reached the western port. There the harvesters took over and organized the crossing to bring the Quelans across the wide sea to Tyr and Cantamaga. First they brought the women and children in their two enormous hovercrafts across the water between Myr and Tyr. About two hundred Quelans could be transported at a time, so the harvesters had to make the journey to Cantamaga several times before all the surviving Quelans arrived safely on Tyr."
"The journey through those wild lands must have taken weeks," Leia commented, looking at the map.
"Six standard weeks, according to the galaxy time reckoning, ma'am. Manall and Cornell hoped we could reach the western harbor within twenty days, but the progress of the refuges was very slow, for we had to take care of our woman and children and the elder. Several of the elder Quelans died during the exhausting journey. Mugin and me have stayed with our fellow inhabitants, until we were sure that also the eldest Quelans had reached Cantamaga safely. About two thirds of the inhabitants of Ribana has made it to Cantamaga. There they are still living in exile until it's safe to get back to Myr.
My brother and I returned to Ribana with the idea that we could negotiate about the fate of the group of younger Quelans who were doing force labor for the intruder. That decision was a big mistake. In stead of negotiating we were captured as soon as we returned to Ribana and set to work under the mountain ridge as well. Darth Golluth' droids and his ground forces imprisoned Mugin and me because our initiative was illegal in their eyes."
"But you and your brother have escaped and fled to Palomintar Six," Han commented. "How did you get off planet?"
"We were among a group of ten Quelans who succeeded to steal a small imperial transport ship which Darth Golluth' army used to travel between Ribana and the big imperial space ship which orbited Palomintar Four. It was risky, for only two of us had ever flown a space ship, but we managed to stay out of reach of the imperials and made our way to Palomintar Six."
"A big imperial space ship? You mean a star destroyer? We haven't seen any." Leia said.
"Darth Golluth seems to have ordered the space ship to leave the planet's orbit when he finally had settled himself. There are rumors that his droids have killed many of the remaining ground troops. We have heard these rumors years after we had come to Palomintar Six, for there was another successful escape several years later. Most of those refugees first traveled to Palomintar Six which is the nearest planet. My brother and I decided to stay in the Palomintar System, but most of the Quelans traveled on, looking for a new life elsewhere."
"What about your leaders? Hadn't they been able to set up a kind of defense system in the past, didn't the Quelans have an army or so?" Han asked.
"The small administration of Ribana consisted of two elected leaders and a council of the eldest Quelans. Palomintar Four isn't a place of interest, general Solo. Quelans choose to live separate and secluded from the inhabited worlds in the galaxy. Our way of life doesn't require much contact with other planets elsewhere in the galaxy. From time to time traders sometimes visited Ribana and we sold them our wine, the surplus of the nut harvest and the woven fabric we made during the colder season in exchange for sophisticate tools, utensils and fabrics, we couldn't make ourselves. We have no need for extreme luxury. Ribana is a galactic outpost which had grown from a small colony of about a hundred Quelans in the hey days of the Old Republic to a small town of about some fifteen hundred Quelans who were making a living Ribana. We were happy with our way of life. Their elected leaders could flee and are still hoping to find a way to liberate Ribana again," Toallin said and his cheeks colored.
"You couldn't have done anything else, Toallin, right?" Luke asked.
"I don't think so, master Skywalker. Mugin and I stayed in Ribana as long as possible and made sure that many of our fellow Quelans were brought safely to Cantamaga."
"You did, what you thought was right. You and your brother made a wise decision, Toallin. You both have showed yourself responsible leaders," Luke said.
The others looked astonished at the young Jedi Knight. Toallin sat down at the table with his face covered in his hands. Mugin stood with his back to the group looking out of a window, his shoulders shook. Toallin looked up.
"How did you find out who we are, master Skywalker?" He asked with a lump in his throat.
"I did some research on Darth Golluth and his whereabouts on Palomintar Four before I left Irithim. By accident I consulted the intelligence force at Irithim where I met five Quelans, who are employed in our special service as uncover agents. They told me about the occupation of Ribana after Darth Golluth settled himself on the planet. Your story confirms their words. They have told me that the occupation happened about six years ago in a period when the New Republic was still at war with the remnants of the empire near Jakku. Our leaders were undoubtedly aware of what seemed to be happening in the Palomintar System, but were unable to provide any support, for the Palomintar system never was a member of the Alliance and, as was with many system in the Outer Rim, strategically insignificant at that time. When Ian and I met you in Ktafunda we heard your names I knew that your fellow Quelans had given me the right information, for they told me that you and Mugin were probably still staying on Palomintar Six. It was my intention to get better acquainted with you, before I wanted to bring up the issue on Palomintar Four,but unfortunately I had to leave Ktafunda unexpectedly and left Ian with the mission to get to know you both better."
Ian wanted to comment, but Luke shook his head and the young padawan kept silent.
"We feel ashamed, master Skywalker, about our flight. The Quelans had elected my brother and me to represent their interests. When those troopers raided Ribana, the only thing we could do was avoid as many casualties as possible among the inhabitants of Ribana.
When we could escape and leave Palomintar Four, it felt as if we forfeited the mandate the Quelans had given to us. At first we wanted to stay on Palomintar Four and look for a hide-out in the western mountain or at some other place south of Ribana, but our fellow Quelans urged us to take the chance and seek for help elsewhere."
"You did the right thing. It has taken some time to get help, but we will help you and the other Quelans. We will seek a way to get Ribana out of Darth Golluth' clutches, so the Quelans can return to Myr," Luke said calmly "Do you think some of the Quelans will be willing to help us with a strategy."
Mugin turned to the group.
"Probably the harvest men, Toallin, they all made it to Cantamaga. I'm sure they will help our new friends. Many of our younger males have perished during their force labor for Darth Golluth." Mugin said and came over to the table.
Toallin looked up and nodded, then he looked at Luke.
"Thank you, master Skywalker, for your understanding, but what can a three Jedi and perhaps several hundred Quelans do against a Dark Lord of the Sith?"
"Let's go to Palomintar Four. First we will look at Ribana from above; if it's safe, we land and visit the town. Then we will set course to Cantamaga and talk to your fellow men, if they are willing to help us," Luke said.
"Luke, visiting Ribana is forbidden according the peace treaty between the New Republic and Coruscant. It also might be risky, for Darth Golluth might sense our presence, or use probe droids to scan the area for intruders," Leia said mindfully.
"I agree it's risky and forbidden to land on the planet, Leia, but after what I've heard I take that risk. How fast can we leave this place?"
"Any moment, master Skywalker," Toallin said with a hopeful smile. He looked at Ian, who had been quietly listening to the discussion.
"Well, son, my brother and I could never have thought that hiring you would bring such luck, although I understand that your master knew a lot about us and what has happened in Ribana."
"I promised, I would help you, Toallin. I'm glad my masters agreed to that."
"I spoke to the Supreme Chancellor herself, Doran. She asked for details about the temporary monitoring of the Irithim connections. She clearly was fully aware of what my team and I had done. She expressed her appreciation for the cooperation with you. Furthermore, she gave permission in advance for all measures necessary to realize our plans," The holographic image of Haym Nefloren said.
"Excellent. How did you manage to contact her, Haym?" Doran Whain asked.
"She contacted Quoith herself. Mainly, because she was concerned about the precautions we took in cooperation with the intelligence force at Irithim. She really is a wise woman, for she agreed on all the measures we had taken. She even asked to leave some measures intact, even if we decide that the Quoith communication system is safe again."
"What could you about those downloaded files, Haym? Could you use the code I've sent you?"
Haym Nefloren grinned.
"Doran, he won't be able to make a download again. We shutdown the shielded partition he had access to. The access code you provide worked perfect. We have erased the downloads, but we found some more interesting data on the system which also shouldn't remain in that guy's hands. So we have made the decision, and sorry, without consulting you as we were inside the system, to erase all the data in his system, his main data storage and some minor storage. Next we thought that this guy should never get the possibility to communication with other planet, so we have completely blocked his system. He won't be able to send or receive any more messages."
For a moment Doran Whain looked dumbfounded at the holographic image of his technical friend. Next he started to laugh.
"You did, what I had been thinking about, Haym. I couldn't do it, because any action from the Basilisæga could endanger my position on board. Thanks, pal. Great work. I wonder, what our target will do next. I already mentioned my superiors on Coruscant about the downloads. They would contact the New Republic's contact. I understand that permission had been granted to erase those downloads."
"Correct. We waited until the Supreme Chancellor's first advisor contacted and granted permission to proceed. That we completely blocked his system also had another reason, Doran. The guy didn't make an illegal download, but he added some nasty text to those forgeries he could read. The content was downright very threatening. That's why we blocked his access to the shielded partition in the first place. In consultation with the Supreme Chancellor's advisor we decided to shut down his system from the outside world after we removed the illegal downloads. We've stretched that mandate a bit and, as I already told you, we have cleaned up all of his data storage."
"I must say that I didn't expect a drastic action like this. Well done, my friend. Your action saves me a lot of risky work. Please, keep continue the monitoring you're doing, for you never know if our target will be able to reconnect his system. Thank you, for bringing me up to date. I will contact Coruscant and tell them this result."
Doran Whain grinned.
"Before you disconnect, Haym. Could you sent me the text he has added to those forgeries? It's necessary that Coruscant knows about it. You said the text was threatening. I want to read for myself what the guy is up to."
"I will send you the content via our standard procon connection, Doran."
The holographic image disappeared. Doran leaned back on his bunk and recalled what Haym Nefloren had told him.
'Excellent work, Haym', He thought again, 'This might be the opportunity to see the system on Palomintar Four myself, for I don't expect that Trevor will be able to fully reconnect his system himself.'
He sat up again and typed the access code to the Palomintar system. Nothing happened.
'As I thought. No response. I need to monitor his system the oncoming days to see if he managed to reconnect.'
"Master?"
"Yes, Ian, what's the matter?" Luke looked up from the control panel of the Millennium Falcon.
He had just come out of a long Force contact with Liane using Jedi telepathy. She had responded easily when he had sought contact with her. She had told him how very concerned she was about Ian. He had reassured her, and said that they had found Ian in good health. He also had given her a detailed story about what had happened on Palomintar Four and what he and his friends had decided. She had listened with great interest and immediately had encouraged him to help Toallin and Mugin. Her unconditional support for the new developments he had give him a warm feeling of happiness, because she accepted the consequences of his decision to give the Quelans his support. Not for a moment had she brought up the issue that he wouldn't be able to visit her again very soon. However he had made her promise that she would make use of the Jedi-pendant to contact him whenever she felt the need. With a laugh she had promised she would.
Now he focussed his mind on his friend who had entered the control room. He felt a great uneasiness and disappointment in the young man.
"Master, why do I have to join general Solo and master Leia again; I thought ... Why can't I remain your padawan? Is it because you know about my affection for Liane?"
Ian Tydon looked straight in Luke's eyes.
"Master, I can't put the feeling out of my head, that you blame me, because I like Liane so much."
He sounded unhappy and Luke felt the turmoil in the young man's mind. He walked over to the young padawan and placed his hand on Ian's shoulder.
"Let's take a seat on those couches, Ian. You and I need to talk together, for ever since Toallin has revealed, rather bluntly I must say, that you're in love with Liane, you're avoiding me. Let me tell you frankly; I blame neither you nor Liane for the feelings you have for each other. That you're in love with Liane didn't come as a surprise to me. I have seen your concern and undisguised affection for her when we brought her to Mon Mothma's secret residence."
Ian blushed and didn't know how to answer. Finally he began to stammer.
"Master, ... Severini ... I mean ... Liane's mother...told that there ...is a special relationship ... between you and Liane. What's ... the meaning ... her words?"
"Has she, Ian?" Luke said and started laughing.
Luke's good humored response encouraged the young padawan.
"Yes, master. At first I didn't want to accept her words, for I really had in mind to win Liane's affection. I wanted to propose to her after she would have been really free, but Severini has told me that I have to look at my relationship with Liane from a different point of view. She asked me to help Liane along the Jedi Path and show her the ways of the Jedi."
"You're very honest, young padawan," Luke said with a warm smile of friendship. "But what Severini has asked you, isn't easy. Don't think you can convince Liane easily to follow the Jedi Path, just by telling she should do so. I've tried that several times and the outcome was rebellious and stubborn behavior on her side."
"Severini said that, although I'm still a padawan learner I must behave as a trained Jedi Knight should do, so Liane might see the influence of the Good Side of Force in my actions. She has to see my way of life as a padawan as an example for herself. Master, am I too inquisitive or offending you, if I'm asking you to tell me more about what Severini meant about your special relationship with Liane. Master Leia said that it's unbelievable."
Luke laughed.
"If my sister has confirmed Severini's words too, I understand you have become real curious about what's the matter between Liane and me?
Ian nodded. Luke leaned back against the cushions of the couch.
"My relationship with Liane goes back for many generations. We're two luminous beings in the Force that have shared many lives together. We become one with the Force we pass away, but in another life we meet again and we always recognize each other sooner or later. Liane is my twin soul, my twin spirit. I know this sounds odd, for I have a twin sister, your Jedi master. However, Liane is the only one with whom I'm connected in soul and spirit. I share my deepest thoughts and feelings with her unconditionally, for I know she understands what's in my mind without explaining or questioning and for Liane it's likewise. We're a Force dyad." Luke said without any reluctance in his voice.
"Master, but when and how did you recognize her as your twin soul this time?" Ian asked astounded.
"During my first encounter with her on Morantan the Force showed me who she was. To be honest, Ian, at that moment those Force visions frightened me. I felt devastated. We were opponents. I was her enemy and our enmity blinded her."
"So she didn't recognize you, master?" Ian remarked amazed.
"No, she didn't. I have asked her once, on Ortel, but she didn't show any sign of recognition. All in all it took nearly four years before Liane told me that she had heard my question on Ortel. During those four years she had had many Force visions about the two of us. Step by step she learned to accept the truth and meaning of those images the Force had been showing her about our many lives together. That's how we've found each other back again, this time."
"Four years, and all time you knew who she was, and she showed no sign of recognition! Master, you must have felt very frustrated. Why haven't you told her about your eternal relationship with her earlier? I mean, before she was imprisoned on Wegoyy."
"In the beginning Liane wasn't a very cooperative and friendly person, Ian. Don't forget that her foster-father had portrayed me as her enemy. I was lucky that our relationship had become at a friendlier level before she was brought to Wegoyy. She had accepted me as a friend, but I would have possibly destroyed that fragile friendship, if I would have told her about our eternal union. Instead I gave her the Jedi-pendant which would allow her to contact me through the Force. I'm still in your debt, Ian, for if you wouldn't have left her the Jedi-pendant when you had to leave her in the Wegoyy desert, I might never have found her again."
"Are you sure about that, master?" Ian asked.
"It certainly would had complicated our reunion, if Liane wouldn't have had the pendant with her, when she had to face the truth that she wasn't Eilidh Grann, but Liane Solichor, she probably wouldn't have know how to get in touch with me again. So I'm still very glad she has been wearing the Jedi-pendant during those years she was suffering of amnesia."
"I think, master, that somehow Liane would have gone looking for you."
Luke grinned.
"You think, she would have gone looking for me?"
"She had her ID-card the one the Grann brothers had given her, master, and she had earned enough credits to pay for a trip on a regular space liner. Maybe she would have gone back to the Granns on Rasth. She knew, Marek Grann would help her. You told me that he had promised to warn you, if she would turn up in Bestine again. But these are simple speculations. It didn't happen that way. It's a pity that after all she has been through, she still doesn't want to be your padawan. I'd wish I knew a way to convince her. You know so much."
"Thank you, Ian, for that compliment, but Liane has to find her own way along the Jedi path. I can only give her my support."
"There must be a way to persuade her, master." Ian said very determined.
Luke laughed and shook his head.
"You're forgetting that Liane is a self-willed young lady, a little headstrong pixie in her own words. She will not change her point of view easily. I'm afraid, Ian, that it will take some time before Liane decides that her future lays with the Good Side of the Force. The only thing I can do is wait and be patient, but Severini couldn't have find a better person to support me, Ian. I appreciate your help." Luke reached out his hand, then he continued.
"But you asked me why you can't remain my padawan. Ian, my sister was your master before she married Han. We've agreed that I would take over your training for the time they were on their honeymoon. I want you to complete your training as her apprentice. She has started your training on my request, and she has done very well so far. My sister is a trained Jedi Knight. I want her to finish what she has begun and I'm sure you will benefit greatly of her instructions. Besides Leia is very fond of you. In fact she took the initiative to start looking for you when she got disturbing visions through the Force about what had happened to you. She told me that you both had short moments of contact using the Jedi telepathy I taught you."
Ian's cheeks slightly colored.
"What about the general, master? I'm not sure if he will welcome me on board his ship."
"You mean Han."
"He leaves the impression, that he's difficult to please. Won't he feel jealous about my apprenticeship with master Leia?"
Luke started laughing aloud. He thought about the rivalry between Han and himself for Leia's affection during their fights against the Empire.
"Han is devoted to my sister and the feeling is mutual. There is no force in the galaxy that can separate them. You will learn to appreciate his cocky behavior and the same goes for Leia's behavior as a diplomat. They complement each other in a great way. Stop worrying about your position. Look at Chewbacca who is a member of their union too."
Luke felt much relief in the mind of his padawan.
"Are you feeling better, young padawan."
"Yes, master. Are we really going to Palomintar Four?"
"We do. We leave tomorrow evening. Toallin and his brother want to shut up the cabin in a proper way. If needed they want to come back here." Luke said. "When we leave, Ian, I want you to join Leia and Han on the Falcon."
"That's fine with me, master." Ian said and looked relieved. He rose and left the control room. In the passageway he met Han Solo.
"Hey, Ian. Can you give Chewie and me hand with those boxes outside? And have you seen Luke?" Han asked.
"He's in the control room, general. Where ..." Ian started.
"Hey, kid, stop calling me general. I don't want to have you around in the Falcon, if you're constantly referring to my rank. It's Han, do you understand."
Ian grinned.
"I'll remember that, ge.... eh... Han. Where do you want me to store those boxes?"
"In the cargo hold, Chewie knows where. Make sure they are secured. It seems to me that those Quelan friends of yours have taken with them most of their belongings when they left Ktafunda. Never seen such a well-intentioned mess before. Well, I hope they can use it when we have routed that guy who's causing all that trouble in their home town. Luke, where are you?"
"Over here, Han. I'm planning the safest trajectory for our journey to Palomintar Four."
Han stepped inside the control room of the Falcon, watching over his shoulder at Ian who was walking down the ramp.
"Luke, don't you think, that young padawan of Leia isn't behaving a bit jittery and nervous."
"He'll be alright, Han, and he will do fine. I'm sure of it. He might still feel tense, but he has to cope with a formidable experience that not all young padawans experience."
Han shrugged his shoulders.
"You're referring to that funny dream of him. Nice story, Luke, but don't you think it's time for him to mature and stop daydreaming. Shouldn't he be more focussed on what Leia is expected of him."
"That's what he is doing, Han. What you see as a 'funny' dream, was a great Force experience. It has brought a new balance and perspective in his Jedi training."
"It will be a great experience to have two Jedi Knights in my crew, " Han grumbled.
"Ian has a great sense of loyalty and servitude, Han. Please, give him a chance." Luke said.
Han grinned.
"Don't worry, kid. I'll accept his presence, because Leia is fond of him. It will do her good to continue with his training. You don't know how concerned she has been about his well being. She had nightmares almost every night, although she said it were visions through the Force."
"She was right, Han. I should have listened to her earlier. It was lucky that Liane had a similar kind of Force vision during my stay in Mon Mothma's residence."
"You told me, you left Liane quite unexpectedly. Don't you think you should go back and tell her about these new developments?"
"Liane understands my decision. I don't have to go to Dalmaran right now, Han. First of all I want to see if we can restore or at least improve the situation on Palomintar Four. That won't be easy, pal."
Han sat down on the couch.
"Is the weirdo some one like emperor Palpatine, Luke?" He asked.
"I'm not sure. You know what Liane has told us. To be honest, I think Trevor is still trying to find his path to the Dark Side of the Force, but Liane is convinced he will never freely renounce his goal."
"And that means only one thing: termination. I'm right?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so. It's not my intention, but I can't allow the Dark Side to take over the galaxy again."
"I see, kid. Well, I'm with you, don't forget that, and so are Chewie and Leia, and ... maybe that young padawan. What do you think; Toallin and Mugin will they be able to fight for their freedom."
"Their problem matches ours, Han, but I can't solve all those problems alone. Our first aim is to go to Palomintar Four and defend the New Republic against a possible growing influence of Dark Side of the Force."