Chapter 52

Her voice sounded elated.

'There's a good chance we were, my eternal comrade. It's also likely we've lost our lives in that battle. Haven't you asked, master Odan-Urr, Luke said.

"No, I didn't, it was all too frightening. He had told me a lot about the dangers of the Dark Side for the Jedi. Master Odan-Urr told me that in the past there also have been Jedi Knights who have fallen victim to the Dark Side. I asked him if that could happen to you, as well."

Her cheeks flushed at her confession. Luke started to laugh.

'Did he answer that question?' He asked teasingly.

"He told me that you've learned to control your emotions, relying on the will of Force. But as a Jedi is overwhelmed too much by his emotional feelings, like anger, hatred, frustration among other, he can easily fall victim to the Dark Side. You've told me more or less the same that that happened to father, ... I mean Anakin. But because Anakin redeemed the Dark Side, he lives on as a Force ghost, and has become the Jedi Knight again he once was. You've always felt that good side in him."

Luke Skywalker smiled serenely.

'You have felt those conflicts in him too, Liane, after Anakin had told you about me, but Master Odan-Urr has spoken wise words. It's reassuring to know, that a Jedi master of old also knows who I am.'

"He also said, Luke, that I must learn to control my worries and anxieties of you, because those emotional feelings obscure a strong connection with the Force. I understand what he meant, Luke. I'm worried about you, because I care for you. Master Odan-Urr is so wise, Luke. He said, that I have to learn to rely much more on the Force, if I really care of you."

She blushed and Luke felt a warm flow of affection for the girl that was sitting next to him.

'Thank you, my precious pixie, for your kind and lovely words. I care of you too, Liane, you're such a fine companion.' He said with a smile.

Liane chuckled.

"I haven't been always nice to you, if I recall what happened on Morantan." She said with a restrained chuckling smile. Luke felt that her old memories of their first encounter on Morantan weren't really bothering her anymore.

"Oh, Luke, there was something very odd, when master Odan-Urr ended his teachings. During our conversation, he always called me: young Force learner. He never called me Liane, or Severini daughter, like master Yoda did. However, I still had the feeling, he knew exactly who I was. When I asked him, he said something odd, 'I can't call you by the name that does belong to you, because you haven't yet mastered the skills you need.' I was so intrigued by those words, that I forgot to ask him what he meant, for subsequently he said that I must become someone's padawan learner."

Now her face has become red hot. She shook her head and laughed cheerful.

"He couldn't mean, that you must be my Jedi master, for you already have a padawan."

'I don't have a padawan learner at the moment, my dearest friend. I have been Ian's master only temporarily. Leia is now completing his training, until he ready to pass his final trials. ' Luke said.

Astounded Liane looked at his apparition.

"You mean, I could be your padawan, and you would accept me? But how would you be able to tell and explain to me what I need to know, if I have to stay here. Didn't you tell me that a padawan always accompanies his master during his missions and act with his master in unison?"

'That's right, my little pixie, but sometimes a padawan has to accomplish a mission on his or her own. A Jedi master doesn't constantly control or instruct a padawan, many time he observes a padawan's a progress. That's what I've been doing while we were together.'

Liane looked at him. Luke grinned as he noticed her unspoken questions.

'Ever since we returned from Ortel, I have been showing you the ways of the Jedi. During our first talk on board the Tychorion, I taught you the most important basic skills a Jedi has to develop: patience and commitment. You have remembered that first lessons very well, and even too serious in most respect. You've also developed these basic skills further, during that long period when you couldn't recall your past, while you couldn't rely on any help or support. On Endor I taught you how had to feel the connection with the Good side of the Force and how you should rely on her influential power on you. You weren't always easy to convince, but the huge progress you've made is incredible. Think about the way you have developed your healing skills using the Force. You've saved the lives of your Ewok friends, Han and Ian using your Force healing skills. Think about how you brought yourself in that deep Force trance to recall, what really had happened on Morantan when father condemned your friend Tijan. You also can seek your connection with the Force to get access to the hidden library, not to mention the Force vision you've shared with me on Tatooine. You have learned to use the power of the Force so well, my dearest comrade, that at this moment I can't come up with how I could teach you something new.'

Liane started laughing, but she also blushed, because Luke referred again to the Force vision which was still given him so much happy feelings.

"Luke, I'm not a Jedi yet, I'm even not a real padawan learner. There's so much I still don't know."

'You're not a fully trained Jedi yet, but you have the abilities to become a powerful one, as our father once told me.'

Liane shook her head and wanted to deny his words, but Luke quietly continued,'We've been discussing a lot of knowledge about the Force together. You're absolutely right, that at the moment I can't be your Jedi master, but you can carry on the way you are doing. You don't need my support all the time, Liane, for you have had a skilled teacher on Morantan. Remember the many good things he taught you, especially your growing awareness of the Living Force. His lessons have made you aware of your Force abilities. Carry on with those exercises with those training remotes. It will certainly help you to learn how to wield your lightsaber; go on with your visits to the Jedi archive and the use of the holocrons. I'm sure that the Jedi masters of old will show you a lot of interesting knowledge. As soon as I can, I will come back to Mon Mothma's residence, then I will ask you again to become my padawan learner. In the mean time I can only tell you're doing fine, so carry on.' He said, and Liane heard a relieved tone in his voice.

"Well, master Luke, you finally have convinced me to become ...."

Luke shook his head.

'No, my beautiful pixie, you have found your own way along the Jedi path. A completely different path from the one I have taken. I will teach you to piece together all the knowledge you have gained and to help you to see your knowledge in a greater perspective. That's what I see as my most important task, if you're my padawan, for you already know so much about the Force.'

They looked at each other with smiling faces, when suddenly Liane frowned.

"Luke, there's something else on your mind, isn't it?"

'What made you think so, my dearest friend?'

"You didn't want to interrupt my story, but you want to tell me something of great importance, isn't it? You're worrying about me, aren't you?"

'Well, it seems that, you are developing some new Force awareness which allows you to attune on my thoughts and feelings,' Luke said laughing reassuringly 'Indeed I want to discuss your stay in Mon Mothma's residence, more precisely your safety in the hidden residence. My lovely comrade, I'm still worrying about what you've told me in our last chat, in particular that some intruder has tried to find out about your whereabouts. Artoo and Threepio did well to intercept that call and record the data of that call. Artoo has even disconnected the communication system completely, but that means that no one can reach you, and you're cut off from Leia, Mon Mothma and me, who feel responsible for your safety.'

"I'm not completely cut off, Luke. I have the Jedi-pendant, and I'm using it now every day, as I promised," Liane protested.

'You do, and I'm really glad you have kept your promise this time, for I want to hear how your doing as often as possible, because I miss you, my lovely pixie. Our contact via the Jedi-pendant is the only way at the moment we can keep in touch, but that might not be sufficient in the future. I'm facing a number of difficulties and I want to be sure that you're absolutely safe. My dearest friend, please listen and do not object. I'm going to ask Wedge Antilles and Yarmod Martan to stay with you for the time being. You know my friend Wedge from Endor. He is my best friend and a fully trained Jedi Knight. You also know Yarmod Martan, his padawan.'

"I do, Yarmod was the first one who said that I was using the Force as a healer. I didn't want to believe him, but he was so sincere in his believe. Luke, are you sure, that your friend and his padawan are willing to undertake the boring task of being my guardians. They certainly live a more active life in the outside world."

'I'm absolutely certain they will. Wedge also can be the intermediary between you and Mon Mothma as long as the Supreme Chancellor can't use the communication system. Hand Wedge the data chip with the recording of the intruder so he can provide Mon Mothma and our intelligence force with information about what's going on.'

"That would mean that he had to come and go between Irithim and this residence. Isn't that dangerous, Luke? Someone might notice his visits." Liane protested.

'Wedge will only leave if necessary, and he won't make use of Mon Mothma's submersible.'

"Will he use the entrance which you have been using, when you paid me a visit, which you used to leave me, after I had that Force vision of Ian."

Luke laughed again.

'Indeed. Listen, my dearest comrade, I'm going to contact Wedge and I'll let you know when he will enter the Jedi archive cave which also has a special connection with the secret Jedi entrance. But Wedge and his padawan don't know the secret connections between Mon Mothma's residence and the Jedi archive, so I want you to go to the archive caver and take them with you to the residential area.'

Liane imperceptibly shook her head.

'Liane, I know, that you're not really convinced, but it's the best I can do at the moment. You will find a good friend in Wedge, I promise, don't see him as some one who's going to tell what you have to do. He's a good guy. He won't meddle in what you're doing. You can continue to do what you are used to' Luke said on a convincing tone.

"Can't Wedge take over your task, so you can come to me?" Liane asked reluctantly.

'I would love to, my dearest, but I have told you what has happened to Ribana and its inhabitant. You agreed that I had to help the guys who took care for Ian when he was in trouble. They have sacrificed their way of life and had to abandon their property on Palomintar Six to save our friend Ian. Darth Golluth has overthrown and occupied their city on Palomintar Four. I want that injustice to be undone.'

Liane frowned thoughtfully and her eyes got the familiar gloomy dark expression. Finally she nodded in agreement.

"You certainly have to help this people who have lost their city, and had to flee and live in exile. I understand your point of view, but your promise means that we won't see each other for a long time. I also want you to be very careful. Remember what I told you about Trevor; he is an imposter, but a dangerous one, with a treacherous behavior and malignant intentions. As soon as I hear from that your friend and his padawan have found their way to the Jedi archive I will take them to the residence. After all, your friend is a Jedi Knight, like you. I'm sure that I can asked about the skills a Jedi has to learn, even if he bring a padawan learner with him. And now, my dear friend, I want to do my exercises. May the Force be with you."

'That's a fine idea, my dearest. May the Force be with you.'

Talking about their options after their short gathering with Cornell and his harvest men Luke, Han and Chewbacca reached the center of Cantamaga where Toallin and Mugin had once again taken their position as governors of their fellow Quelans.

The administration building had been built around the central plaza. Toallin, Mugin and their families were living in the left wing of the building, the Council of the Elder with Kamalin and Wildon as provisionary leaders had used the right wing during the governors absence. Part of that wing had immediately been rearranged into a guest house for the Jedi and their friends. The large middle section was the community center and also functioned as the central administration.

On the large plaza they saw Ian and Leia. Luke's sister was using their stay to continue Ian's training. She was practising with her padawan the several different stances of Jedi lightsaber battle. She constantly challenged him to ward of her attacks with her lightsaber, using the right lightsaber defense position. There was a large group of spectators who watched Ian's training session. Among the spectators, Luke noticed Chati. She seemed to be completely mesmerized by the spectacle. Luke left Han and Chewbacca and walked around the crowd and positioned himself at some distance behind the young woman.

"Won't she harm him, master Jedi," The girl asked without turning her head.

"No, she won't. My sister is using a training lightsaber", Luke answered and walked over to her, "In case he doesn't react fast enough, he only feels a paralyzing stab. How did you know, I was near? You seemed to be fully absorbed in Ian's training, so you probably haven't seen me coming?

""I felt your presence, master Jedi, you walked deliberately around the crowd, so I wouldn't notice you," the young Quelan woman said, "I also felt that my father and my uncle were onboard your ships, when they were nearing Cantamaga. Mum always says I'm imagining things. Look, sir, what does he have to do with those spherical remotes?"

"He has to repel the tiny laser beams those remotes generate before they hit him. Those beams don't hurt, they are just sending an itching pain for a short moment. With his training lightsaber he has to learn to fend off those laser blasts."

Leia held the seven remote practising balls in her hand.

"This time, Ian, you have to avoid and repel all the beams. Remember what you've learned, commit yourself fully to the Force, because this time I'll set these remotes to maximum fire power."

"Yes, master, I'm ready," Ian Tydon said and took a defensive stance. Leia released the remotes one by one. The seven balls hovered in the air and then shot in Ian's direction continuously firing their small laser beams. Ian easily repelled some forty of the blasts, but didn't notice that one of remotes had taken position out of sight. Chati pointed at the small ball high above Ian's head.

"The next beam will hit his right hand and he will have to drop his lightsaber," she commented.

Almost immediately the ball fired and hit Ian's right hand. His lightsaber slipped off his hand.

"You must concentrate, padawan. Stretch out with your feelings around you, " Leia said quietly and raised her hand. The seven remotes hovered in her direction. Ian stretched out his hand and his lightsaber jumped to life again. Again Leia released the remote balls. This time Ian showed his audience that he could defend himself against the nasty paralyzing beams. Effortless he repelled all the blasts and the little balls dropped to the ground one by one. The audience cheered and Ian thanked them with a bow.

"He really is doing very well," Chati commented not to someone in particular.

"Indeed, he is," Luke said, "but, tell me, Chati, how did you know that he wouldn't succeed the first time. You predicted the position of the laser beam perfectly and you also knew that he would drop his lightsaber."

"I saw what would happen, master Jedi," Chati said and turned to Luke.

Ian's training had ended and Leia walked over to her husband and Chewbacca. Ian followed her. Luke put his hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Do you often know in advance the outcome of what's going to happen?" He asked.

"Most of the times I do, sir, but, please, don't tell my mother I've told you, for she will certainly reprimand me again."

Calmly Luke led the young female Quelan outside of the group of spectators.

"Do you have any chores to do, Chati?" Luke asked gently.

"Not at this moment, sir. Why are you asking?" Chati answered, looking at Luke with some curiosity in her eyes.

"I wondered, if you can to show me around in Cantamaga. Yesterday there was so much excitement of the reunion of your father and your uncle, that I hardly had time to look around. I want to see more of this village and its surroundings."

"I will gladly be your guide, sir. Are your other friends coming with us?" Chati asked.

"I don't think so," Luke said and looked at Han and Leia who were laughing with Chewbacca and Ian, "Let's take a walk together. Tell me all about the different buildings here and meanwhile I want to hear what happened when your family had to flee Ribana. How old were you?"

"Nearly fifteen, master Jedi, according to standard time reckoning. I remember the day as if it happened yesterday. I had to carry Radin, my youngest brother all the way to the harbour. He was only a three year old toddler at that time," Chati said, while she pointed at the main administration building.

"Immediately after our arrival in Cantamaga master Kamalin and master Woldin, the two old men, who addressed my father and my uncle Mugin as governors, ordered all the men and women to mend and renovate this building which normally served as accommodation for the harvest if they were staying at Cantamaga. For my mother, my brothers and her sister, my aunt and their children had to have a new home. It wasn't really fair to the others who had fled with us, but nobody objected. Afterwards I have tried to help building some other houses, but I was wasn't taken seriously. More than once the males sent me off, or were ridiculing my support. Over there, sir, is our school building. Master Kamalin has been my teacher until last year. Now I have to help my mother. Master Kamalin is a wise man who knows a lot. Oh, look, he is just leaving the building.

"Master Kamalin, over here, I was just telling our Jedi guest about you!"

The old teacher and the most important leader of the Council of Elder looked up when he heard his name and his face brightened. He walked over and shook hands with Luke.

"I hadn't time to bit you really welcome, master Jedi, and I must apologize for my uncivil and blunt question. Of course, you didn't bring an army with you. We must all be thankful that you and your friends have brought back our governors safe and sound. What has this lady "daredevil" been telling you about me?" The old man said, as he put his hand affectionately on Chati's shoulder.

"Chati told me you have been her teacher. I asked her to show me around in Cantamaga, for I might be staying here for a while," Luke said.

"Well, master Jedi, you've chosen yourself an excellent guide. Did she tell you she has been such a great help and inspiration to all of us when we had to establish a new living here, after we had to leave Ribana so unexpectedly."

"Master Kamalin, you were the only one who accepted my help and listened to what I said. My ideas were always cast aside or ridiculed. I even was the laughing stock of the others when I proposed my ideas in public. Nobody else listened to me." Chati protested.

"You are a girl, and a very young girl when we arrived here, Chati, and youth have to learn they must listen to the elders in the community." Kamalin reprimanded her, but his eyes laughed.

"From the beginning, master Jedi, this young lady continued to argue with me and Woldin, and the other member of the council about the plans and the building of this community in exile. I must admit that in most cases she was right. One day, Chati, you will be our first female governor and the successor to your father as our leader. But I warn you, you must stop with your new idea to retake Ribana. You must leave that to others.

Enjoy your stay with us, master Skywalker, and now I'm going home I still have a lot of work to do in my garden, and Woldin and I also have a meeting with our governors."

"When I've finished, showing our guest around, master Kamalin, I'll come over to your house and give you a hand, so you can rest, before you go to that meeting."

"You're a good girl, Chati, but this time you should accompany our guest." Kamalin said and winked at Luke with a meaningful smile. They watched him walk away. Luke smiled.

"What did I tell you, sir, he is a very wise and friendly man. He also said that my father and my uncle would come back one day. I always believed him, even if most of my people believed they were dead," Chati said and looked warmly after the old man.

"You're very fond of him, don't you?" Luke asked.

"I certainly am, sir. If master Kamalin hadn't been around, Mom would have kept me home immediately after our arrival here. She wanted an extra pair of hands in our household, for she had to raise my two brothers on her own, for my father and my uncle went back to Ribana, after they had brought us to Tyr. They wanted to discuss the release of the young males who had been taken prisoner, but Father and uncle Mugin didn't return. Until yesterday. Mom told me over and over again, I had to help her in the care of my brothers as long as my father and his brother hadn't returned. It was master Kamalin who persuaded her that I should follow his lessons as long as it seemed necessary to him and I'm still going to see him one day every week. I hope I will have more time to listen to his lessons, now that my father has returned. Shall we continue our walk, sir?"

They passed the school building and Luke deliberately took Chati to the outskirts of Cantamaga. Soon they were walking uphill along a small mountain path. Luke didn't have to ask much, for Chati was constantly talking, telling him in detail what had happened when Darth Golluth and his army had invaded, and occupied Ribana. When they had reached a wide plateau half way up the mountain they stopped and Chati pointed to the the small town in the valley below then.

"Great view, don't you think so, sir," Chati said, "I love to come here and look down on our new town, although it's much smaller than Ribana. We've lost quite a number of the inhabitants of Ribana, some fifty young male Quelans who were imprisoned and had to work at the intruder's lair, some tens of elder who were shot because they didn't or couldn't want to leave Ribana in time and some two hundred of my people who perished during the difficult journey to the western harbor. I estimate that we've lost some three hundred inhabitants of Ribana. Of course I didn't know all of those casualties, but some of them were acquaintances of my family. Two of them were good friends of mine, and master Kamalin lost his wife during the journey through the western wilderness. "

"Your father also mentioned there have been casualties, but he also told me that some of the young males who had been forced to do force labor, have managed to escape, as your father and your uncle did. I have met some of them in Dalmaran," Luke said and turned to the young female.

They both were silent for a while. Finally Luke looked at his Quelan companion.

"Tell me, Chati, why did master Kamalin call you a lady daredevil?"

Chati laughed

"Because everybody calls me Chati, sir. My mother always calls me Mayan, for my official name is Mayan Fonaldris, but my father started calling me Chati, because I always do what I want to do, and what I feel I should do, even if other think it's dangerous. Chati comes from chatinaro and means fearless or reckless in some ancient Quelan language. I love that nickname, sir, because it means what I am," the girl said, "I hope you understand what I want to say, sir."

"I do," Luke said and looked the young female Quelan with great interest, "But tell me, are you really a fearless and reckless girl, Chati?"

"My mother always says I am, because when I grew up in Ribana, I did things most of the other young male Quelans didn't dare, but I didn't really do any real dangerous things. I always knew if what I want to do wouldn't be was really dangerous. I'm sorry, sir, but it's difficult for me to tell you exactly what I mean. What I did wasn't dangerous to me. Maybe, you'd better understand me, if I tell you about one of my adventures, if you have time to listen to me."

"Go on, Chati," Luke said encouraging the girl, feeling her uncertainty about how to express herself.

"It happened while we're still living in Ribana just after that stranger had arrived. It was a few months, maybe half a year, before he occupied our city and send us into exile. I had seen how he had entered the old exit of the riverbed in the mountain ridge, and I wanted to know what he was doing there.

One evening I slipped out of bed and went to the dry riverbed myself. I had asked my cousin, Dolan, to come with me. Dolan is the eldest son of uncle Mugin, and two years older than I am," Chati explained. "We found our way in the darkness to the cave stealthily and entered it. It was very dark inside and Dolan wanted to use a flashlight, but I had a feeling we had to stay in the dark. Crawling along the wall we walked on. All of a sudden we rounded a corner and stood near the mouth of the huge cave, where a huge bonfire was burning in the middle of the floor. On a chair near the flames sat the stranger and he seems to be talking to himself, mumbling to a statue in front of his chair. I wanted to know what he was talking about, and if he was making any plans to threaten us. I crawled closer, hiding myself behind one of the natural pillars that supported the ceiling of the cave. As I was standing behind that pillar it felt as if I had crawled immediately behind his chair and could hear his words. He was talking to the holographic statue and he was saying that he would be a better leader than the emperor. He seemed to scold and scoff the statue, for I heard him say, "I'm more powerful, than you have ever been, Lord Vader."

Civil War had ended and that the empire had been overthrown. The emperor and Darth Vader, his menacing advisor were both dead. So I didn't understand why that stranger was talking to Darth Vader, was he talking to a dead guy? Then he probably was a lunatic, completely weird, and we - the citizens of Ribana - wouldn't have to fear him. I crawled back to Dolan, who had waited in the dark and we went back to Ribana. The next day I told my father what I had heard. Father became very angry with me. He forbade me to seek out the guy again. He told me the man was dangerous; he had attack him and my uncle with a stick that generated very painful electric bolts. I had to promise, that I would stay in Ribana and avoid the mountain ridge. I felt very clearly that my father was scared, so I stayed near our house at the vineyard, or in Ribana, where I went to school. Shortly afterwards our town was swarmed with heavily armed soldiers in white armor. Where they had come from I don't know. They ordered everyone to leave the town immediately. I've never seen the weird stranger again, sir, but master Kamalin later told me, that many of our younger males had been taken prisoner and had been forced to do force labor for the guy. That is why my father and his brother went back to Ribana after they had brought us to Tyr."

"Weren't you afraid you would be discovered when you overheard the stranger's talking?" Luke asked.

"No, sir, for he was sitting with his back to me, and he was in a kind of trance while he was talking. I knew he wouldn't notice me. Are you really going to help us to attack the guy and free our town?"

"That's what I promised your father and your uncle," Luke said and he saw the elated glance in the girl's eyes,

"Chati, yesterday, you said that if you would have been a Jedi Knight you would attack the guy and drive him away."

"I certainly would do so, sir. He has done injustice to our community. I want to put things right and get us back to Ribana, but I am no Jedi, and master Kamalin is right. The guy is probably really dangerous and we need a grand army to drive him away. I fear we will spent the rest of our lives in Cantamaga."

Luke nodded approvingly.

"You maybe called a fearless girl and a daredevil, but you're also a very sensible young woman, using your common sense, Chati. A Jedi Knight never attacks an opponent, or an enemy, unless his own life is in danger. A Jedi Knight uses his knowledge and power to find the right way to undo injustice. Mostly it take a long path of diplomacy and requires a lot of commitment and patience."

"I understand, sir, but what if an opponent won't cooperate, or doesn't surrender himself?"

Luke smiled.

"You're a good thinker, Chati. A Jedi can use many different Force skills to convince an opponent without using violence. He has learned that during his training, being the padawan learner of a Jedi master. You asked Ian, if there is a school where you can learn to be a Jedi. Your mother interrupted our chat, but what she said is true. Once there has been an institute where youngsters of all species were raised to become Jedi Knights."

"There really was? Were there also Quelans who learned to be a Jedi Knight? Were there also girls and women who learned to be a Jedi Knight? Did you and your sister got your Jedi training there, master Jedi?" Chati exclaimed curiously.

"It's very likely that there have been Jedi Knights among your people. And there certainly have been a lot of female Jedi Knights. I can't confirm that, because that institute, the Jedi Temple, was destroyed before my sister and I were born. I've only seen the ruins of it."

"But how did you become a Jedi Knight? Mom says that all the Jedi Knights have vanished, probably have been killed, because the emperor hated them?" Chati asked.

"Two Jedi Knights who had gone into exile, survived, and became my teachers. They trained me."

"How did they know you could be a Jedi Knight?"

"My father had been their friend and had been a Jedi Knight too, so they knew who I was. My first master made me aware of my Force-sensitivity, for I also could predict the outcome of events, and on the planet where I grew up I had some very daring and dangerous adventures," Luke said.

Chati looked at him and started laughing.

"You could do the same things, as me, and that is why your teachers thought they could make you a Jedi Knight, just like your father. What did you say when you heard that they wanted to train you to become a Jedi Knight."

Luke laughed.

"I didn't believe my first master, but I decided to accompany him when he left the planet where I grew up and help him bring two droids to some friends of him."

"And he taught everything about the Jedi Knights and the magic power they posses."

Luke shook his head.

"It didn't went exactly that way. During my travel with him he died. He only had told me some small things about the Jedi Knights, but after he had gone it felt that I had a very good friend."

"But those two droids, did you managed to bring them the friends of your first master, sir."

"You love me story, don't you?" Luke commented looking at a pair of eyes full of curiosity.

"I do, sir. Will you please tell me more. I love to hear these kind of stories. Sometimes I visit Manall, the old leader of the harvest men. You've met Cornell, his son. He is now the leader. Manall knows a lot about the Jedi Knights. He has known some of them. They have visited him sometimes here on Palomintar Four and they told him what was going on on other planets. My father once told me that he has met them too, but only once. They certainly were good friends with Manall, for he's still cherishing the old friendship with them, although it's years ago when they last have visited Palomintar Four. I'm sorry, sir. I talk too much, I know. Please tell me more about what happened after you had delivered those droids. Did you go back to your home planet? How did you meet the other Jedi who became your next teacher?"

Luke laughed about the young Quelan's curiosity.

"I did deliver those droids, Chati, and I became involved in the war between the Empire and a group of fighters who opposed the emperor."

"Sir, sorry, to interrupt you. You became a warrior?"

"A fighter pilot, Chati. That's what I always had dreamt off."

"Sir, have you ever seen a colossal sphere, a kind of planet, but smaller, more like one of the moons around Palomintar Four."

Luke looked on guard.

"Have you ever seen such a sphere, Chati?

Chati nodded.

"I was a very young girl. My brother weren't yet born. One evening when I couldn't sleep I looked out of the window and I saw a colossal grey sphere hovering about Ribana. I became afraid and called for my parents. My father took me and my mother with him and the three of us took shelter in the cellar where they prepared and bottled our wine. Also uncle Mugin and my aunt Camona and Dolan join us. Later gather told me that the sphere was dangerous. It was called the Death St..."

Chati stopped in the middle of her story and looked at Luke.

"..ar!," she said hesitatingly, "Much later there was some news on the holonet. That looming huge sphere had been destroyed. On the holonet, sir, I saw the image of the one who had blown up the Death Star which was a weapon of the Empire."

Chati was silent and looked away to the town in the valley. Luke watched her

"Chati, go on. I know what you want to ask me."

"Sir, was it really you who blew up the Death Star?"

"I fired the torpedoes that caused a chain reaction in the space station. It exploded from the inside. Did you suddenly recognize me, Chati?"

"I feel embarrassed ,sir. I was ten when we heard about the blowing up. I watched the holonet recording over and over again. You became my hero. I wanted to become like you, I wanted to become a Jedi Knight, like you, and now you're sitting next to me, telling me the story about how you as a Jedi Knight blew up that looming imperial artificial moon."

Luke started to laugh.

"By that time I wasn't a Jedi Knight yet, Chati. But that I could aim those torpedoes wasn't a coincidence. Before my first master died, he has taught me the very basic knowledge of the Force. I managed to use that basic knowledge to make a precise hit."

"The Force? What do you mean?"

"The Force is what gives the Jedi his power. It's an energy field that surrounds all living things. It surrounds and penetrates everything around us. A Jedi can use the power of the Force if he learns to listen to her demands and advices."

"Is it difficult to learn to use that magical power?"

"It is, Chati. After the destruction of the Death Star, it took me years before I completed my training and became a Jedi Knight."

"Wow, sir. What a great story. Thank you for telling me all this. Although you are a hero, you're a very kind person and you don't ridicule a too curious Quelan girl. Wow, when I would now have a look at that image of yours I always will remember what you have told me."

"You still have that image, Chati?"

"Of course, I have, for I still dream to become a Jedi Knight myself, but I probably will end up have my own family, for my mother wants me to marry."

Chati's voice had taken on a bitter tone. Luke looked at her. He sensed an enormous resistance to her fate in the young Quelan woman.

"Would you love to hear more, Chati. Would you like to hear how I finally became a Jedi Knight?"

The girl looked up eagerly.

"Will you tell me,sir? I would love to hear more."

"Well, that's promise, Chati. I will gladly tell you how I met my other master and how demanding his teachings were, before he granted me the title of Jedi Knight. Shall we head back to the village now. You wanted to give master Kamalin a hand in his garden. That's very kind of you, he certainly will appreciate some extra support."

Luke stood up and straightened his Jedi robe. Chati look at him with a look full of admiration. Together they descended along the path back to the outskirts of Cantamage, back to the center. Near the school building Chati said goodbye and once again thanked Luke for their talk. Luke watched her go and smiled. 'I pique her curiosity and I gained her trust. That's good beginning, for she certainly will be some one's padawan in the future.' He thought.

To be continued...