Chapter 53
uke watched out over the valley where the Quelans had founded their village in exile. He had taken a walk to piece together all the information he had gathered so far. There was the information Liane had told about Trevor Matrik, there was the experience Ian and Leia had had on Endor and there was his own experience in Ribana. Was Darth Golluth indeed the Sith Lord he said he was, or was he just pretending? Liane was convinced that Trevor couldn't have gained real knowledge of the Dark Side, but was that true? Could it be that, after Trevor had left Morantan, he had found another source to learn about the Sith lore? In that case, there might be another source of the Dark Side somewhere. However it was clear that Trevor wasn't a fully skilled Dark Lord yet. There seemed to be many lacks in his knowledge. For instance, Toallin and Mugin had told him, that Darth Golluth had threatened them with a stick that emanated electric bolts. That didn't look like he knew how to use the Force to generate those electric bolts from within. And how had Trevor chosen his new name? Golluth seemed to be an ancient Sith word, meaning plentiful, abundant. Had he chosen this name to indicate how much he knew of the Dark knowledge?
Luke sighed and looked down on Cantamaga. There were still a many of uncertainties, but he had to make a plan to liberate Myr and the town of Ribana of this unwanted occupier.
"I'd wish, I also had more men like those harvesters," He said aloud.
The day before yesterday Toallin, Han and he had gone to the community building of the harvesters. The outcome of their counsel had given him a good insight of the landscape around Ribana and the mountain ridge where Darth Golluth has founded his realm. The harvesters had told him that the mountain ridge was sufficiently stable. It had been more than a century ago that volcanic activity had caused the upheaval of the landscape and had changed the flow of the river. The harvesters had shown him rough maps of the other side of mountain ridge where a field of old lava flows had been formed, but they didn't know the locations of the origin of those flows. They only had told him that inside the mountain the temperature was hotter than normal. Could there be one or more underground lava flows? Could he make use of those flows of molten rock?
Luke rose and slowly walked to the top of the hill. He looked around. This continent of Tyr was peaceful and somehow the fugitives of Ribana had made themselves a new living, but Luke clearly felt that underneath the acceptance of the unavoidable, there was a smothering yielding to return to Ribana and their former way of life.
His other concern was the aggravation of the situation on Dalmaran. Although Liane was still living relatively safe in Mon Mothma's secret residence, Darth Golluth hadn't given up his search. He seemed to use every possibility to find her whereabouts. The intercepted illegal call confirmed his ongoing actions. Probably Darth Golluth had hired bounty hunters and had put a price on her head.
Fortunately he had been able to contact his friend Wedge Antilles and had asked him to come to Cantamaga as soon as possible. Wedge had been on a mission on Lumeara with his padawan Yarmod Martan. Their mission was finished and the Jedi commander was about to return to Irithim. He immediately had changed his plan, and had promised his friend and former Jedi master to set course to Palomintar Four.
Liane had also kept her promise to their agreement. She was using the pendant every day and Luke had to admit that he enjoyed those short moments of being together through the Force. He longed to get back to her and finally start the last part of her Jedi training.
For a moment Luke sat down on a rock and turned inward to clear his mind of all disturbing thoughts in a short Jedi meditation.
'There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no chaos; there is harmony.
There is no death; there is the Force.
A Jedi has a peaceful mind and depends on knowledge.
He stays serene and in harmony with his surroundings.'
He rehearsed the old Jedi creed several times and let the Force flow through his body. The strain of his worries about Liane and the solution of retaking Ribana seemed to melt away. His mind became clear. It made him able to distinct all kinds of possibilities and look at them from all sides and different points of view, so he could find the right solution to solve the task he had undertaken. Refreshed he came out of his meditation, when he noticed a tremor in the Force.
'Luke, do you copy? Yarmod and I are nearing Palomintar Four,' Wedge's calm voice reached him through the Force.
Luke grinned, as his friend used the standard formula among pilots, now using it with the Jedi telepathy.
'You've made your way to Palomintar Four fast, Wedge. I'll be on the rendez-vous point to welcome you. You can put your ship next to the Astræa and the Falcon.' He said.
'Is there anywhere a breach in these clouds?' His friend asked.
'Concentrate on the coordinates I gave you. The Force will show you the right path. Underneath those clouds you can use visual scanning again.' Luke said.
'Roger, Luke. See you soon.' The voice of his friend answered.
Luke rose and stretched.
"Yes, Chati, what's the matter?" He asked, noticing that the daughter of Toallin was hurrying uphill.
The girl was out of breath.
"Take a few moments to catch your breath." Luke said and turned around.
"Master Jedi, I... think ... another space ... craft is ... nearing ... Cantamaga", she stammered.
Luke waited some moments to give the girl time to recover.
"That's right, Chati. Thank you for bringing me this message. Will you accompany me to the place where we landed our space ships."
"You're expecting some one?" the young woman said looking up at the clouded sky.
"Yes I am; I have asked a friend of mine to meet me here. So, let's get back to Cantamaga and join me to welcome another Jedi Knight."
"Your friend is a Jedi Knight like you, sir?"
"A very good one and a fine friend." Luke said with a smile and started to run down the slooping path, making high jumps at a fast pace. Chati tried to keep up with him, but she had to give up and watch him go. At the foot the hill Luke waited for her.
"You aren't exhausted!" she exclaimed, "How's that possible."
"I used the Force to support and extend my physical abilities. It's one of the many lesson my second master taught me." Luke said
Chati accompanied Luke to the open plain outside Cantamaga where they had landed four days ago. They arrived just in time to see how another space ship passed through the narrow gap in the mountain ridge. The ship hovered above the plain to find sufficient space to land. The landing claws extended and several moments later the ship landed and the engines stopped. The ramp can down and Wedge Antilles and his padawan Yarmod Martan walked over to Luke and Chati. They both bowed before Luke, who answered their formal salutation. Chati looked in awe at the two new guests. Luke turned to Chati.
"This is Chati Fonaldris, governor Toallin Fonaldris' eldest daughter. Chati, meet master Wedge Antilles and his padawan Yarmod Martan."
"Welcome to Cantamaga, sirs," Chati said, suddenly remembering that she was the representative of her people. She turned to Luke, with a thankful look in her eyes, as she had noticed he had introduces her to his friends with the name she saw as her own.
"I'm going to tell my father that some new friends of you have arrived, master Skywalker. They need a proper welcome and a place to stay." She said, greeted the newcomers politely and walked back to the village center.
Wedge, Yarmod and Luke watched her go. Wedge turned to Luke and grinned.
"Is she a female Quelan?" Wedge asked a bit surprise
"Oh yes, she is, that's right. I agree with you, that she doesn't really look very feminine. The way she dresses herself, is her way to provoke her fellow Quelans. They don't accept her or have difficulty with her fearless behavior which is influenced by her Force potential," Luke said with a laugh.
"Will she be your new padawan, Luke?" Wedge asked.
Luke shook his head.
"No, Leia, Ian and I sensed a tremor in the Force when we did a fly-by over Palomintar Four. After we had landed here I immediately became aware of its origin. The young woman is Force-sensitive, but her Force skills are slumbering, although she imagines becoming Jedi Knight herself, after she had watched the recording of the holonet which mentioned the destruction of the first Death Star many times. My image was shown and I became her hero, her idol and a role model for her own future."
Wedge started to laugh.
"She must have been a very young girl when that happened. It's more than ten years ago you blew up that menacing weapon. You even weren't a Jedi Knight at that time, right?"
"We blew up, Wedge. You were my wingman, during that final raid. I told her I wasn't a Jedi Knight when the Rebel Alliance attacked and eliminated the Death Star."
Wedge stared pensively in the distance, before he paid attention to Luke again. The two Jedi looked at each other with an understanding glance.
"Did you tell her about the Jedi and the Force?"
"Yes, I had a nice chat with her about the Jedi Order, the day after we'd arrived here. I am amazed how strong the Force is influencing her actions. For example she precisely predicted one of Ian's mistakes during he training with Leia, but I only told her some of my own adventures. At the moment it's important to gain her full trust, before I'll show her something of her Force potential."
"Who is going to guide her and be her tutor after you have left this place."
"Her old teacher, Kamalin, a wise man, and strong with Force too. I'm almost sure that he can teach her some basic knowledge about the Force, like moving thing with Force telekinesis, but I still need to have a word with him. At a later stage, probably after we have solved the problems on the other continent, I'll will tell her how important our meeting can be for her future. If she'll accepts her Force potential I will decided who is going to take Chati Mayan Fonaldris as his or her padawan learner. For now, Wedge let's get to the center of Cantamaga. I'm sure you will like your stay here. Tomorrow we'll talk about the help I need. Leia, Han and Chewbacca are here too."
Wedge Antilles looked surprised.
Under the mountain ridge near Ribana Darth Golluth was looking with an infuriated face at the total chaos in his communication center.
"Who ordered you to take this apart completely? Are you out of your mind? What do you say; I ordered it. Now my communication center completely ruined."
He kicked several of the technical droids with his electropole stick, sending lighting bolts through their delicate machinery. Most of the droids collapsed on the floor which outraged their owner even more.
"Get up! Get back to work again and fix this mess," He screamed, but more than half of the fallen droids didn't show any sign of movement.
"These droids are entirely dysfunctional, sir," His protocol droid announced.
"I want my communication center put back in order," Darth Golluth snarled outraged.
"You shouldn't have lost your temper again, sir, "The protocol droid said.
"Don't tell me what I should do. You're no better than they are. Can they be fixed?"
The protocol droid deliberated with the four remaining tech droids.
"Sir, they can be fixed, but that means that the reassembly of your communication system will have to wait. The techs can't reassemble your communication center with only four fully functional droids. They need more hands. They also say, that we're running out of spare parts."
"Spare parts for what?" Darth Golluth snapped.
The protocol droid turned to the gibbering tech droids which were jabbering about their technical brothers.
"Almost everything, sir. Your bursts of outrage has damaged the holo display severely. We don't have a spare one. The techs had to use a display which is less sophisticated, the reparation of the blown up techs will take a lot of replacements of circuits which were intended to solve the problems of your communication system, and ...
"Enough. What about a short range communication? Can those techs get me a communication range to reach the Basilisæa?"
The tech droids beeped, shook their wobbling heads, debated with a stream of binary language, and confirmed Darth Golluth's wish.
"They say, that a communication range with the Basilisæa can be set up at short notice, sir," the protocol droid, "because that part of your system hasn't suffered that much damage. But it depends if the Basilisæa is in range of this place."
Darth Golluth turned around, looked at the messy heap of droids and shrugged his shoulders.
"Get them to work at it right now. I need to reach the admiral of the Basilisæa as soon as possible," He grumbled and continued under his breath, "I will tell him ... no, I won't tell him, I'll just order him to bring me plenty of stock of new parts, and one of his best technicians."
He left the control room. His protocol droid followed at a safe distance.
The four remaining tech droids immediately started to work on their dysfunctional buddies and started to replace the parts that had been disrupted by the lighting bolts. They softly beeped their concern, but they succeeded to bring their broken fellows back to life again. Beeping on a wailing tone they withdrew all to restart their programming and charge their batteries, before they started to work on the short range communication system.
Toallin and Mugin welcomed Wedge and Yarmod cordially and ensured that their guests were housed in the same wing as the others. Han, Leia and Chewbacca greeted their old friends wholeheartedly.
After Wedge and Yarmod had refresh themselves the group mingled with the people of Cantamaga. Still the unexpected return of their old governors had heightened the spirit of the former inhabitants of Ribana. They all started to believe that a return to their old town would be possible in the near future. Wedge listened attentively to all the stories about the arrival of Darth Golluth and his troops and the flight into exile. Leia and Luke briefed Wedge and Yarmod about their own expeditions, missions and journeys and the knowledge they had gained about Darth Golluth. Wedge expressed his delight to see Han again and congratulated Han and Leia with their marriage.
"I really have been away too long, I guess. Our mission on Lumeara took more time than I expected. We had to maneuver very carefully, but Yarmod and I succeeded in offering the Lumearanian government the credentials of the New Republic. The next step will be for Mon Mothma to send a real diplomatic mission to Lumaera. I think, that's more your speciality, Leia."
"What took you so long, Wedge. It's more than nine standard months ago since you left Irithim. Were there any particular problems?" Leia asked.
"The Lumearanian government and the people of Lumeara aren't very fond of the members of the Jedi Order, and the Rebel Alliance. Yarmod and I didn't reveal ourselves as member of the new Jedi Order. It seems that during the Clone Wars a group of Jedi Knights has wreaked havoc in their capital, resulting in a massacre of several thousand indigenous Lumeranians. I wonder if there are any reports in the Jedi archives which can tell us more about what happened. As a result the Lumearanian government has long been a strong supporter of emperor Palpatine and the empire. After the fall of the empire the planet's loyal support has been completely forgotten and the inhabitants were left to their fate. They managed to keep up their way of living for five or six years, but then decline set in and finally the government had to ask the New Republic to run for help. Before I left, Mon Mothma told me that their request had come in very reluctantly. There's a lot of mistrust among the Lumearanian people and their leaders against the New Republic. Anyway, Leia, if you're going on a diplomatic mission avoid mentioning you're a Jedi Knight."
Wedge turned to Luke.
"By the way, Luke, what has happened to Liane Solichor, the girl we've defended against commander Dendicott? Has she been send back to Wegoyy?"
"We'll discuss Liane's whereabouts later, Wedge?" Luke said, looking a bit worried about Wedge's story about the Jedi and the Lumearanians.
Wedge nodded and didn't ask anything further.
The group went back to their guest rooms in the government building, opposite the private apartments of the families of Toallin and Mugin, to join the governors and their families for dinner.
Chati was sitting in the garden of the left wing of the administration building, holding the holographic image of Luke Skywalker in her hand. She sighed happily.
"I still can't believe I really met him," She whispered, "He has been so kind and friendly, and he told me about the Jedi temple, his adventure with the destruction of the Death Star and about how the Force seems to give him his magical power."
A shadow fell over hands with the image. Immediately Chati put the image in one of the pockets of her jacket.
"Daydreaming again, Mayan," a voice said.
Chati looked and shrugged her shoulders.
"Who are you looking for, Cemall?" She snapped angrily.
"Oh, again you won't talk, because I used your real name," Cemall, Cornell's eldest son snapped, as angrily as Chati had done.
"My real name is Chati Fonaldris. I won't listen to you if you're calling me Mayan," She retorted.
"We're you looking at that old holographic image of that Death Star hero again."
"That's not of your concern," The young woman said raising her voice, "Mind your own business, Cemall."
"You're behaving foolish, very foolish. When will you ever realize that you won't have the skills your Death Star hero has. He was a Jedi Knight, you aren't." 'Cemall argued.
"He wasn't a Jedi Knight, when he blew up that menacing imperial weapon."
"What are you talking about. Are you imagining now that that silly image is talking to you."
"It's not a silly image. I have been talking to the real Luke Skywalker and he told me all about his adventures and what he has done before he became a fighter pilot and managed to blew up the Death Star. And later he will tell me how he met his second teacher and became a Jedi Knight. Cemall, your mind is poisoned by the gasses under the nut trees, that you haven't recognized one of our guests. Luke Skywalker is a very friendly person, who took all my stories seriously."
"Mayan Fonaldris, again you're making a laughing stock of yourself. Do you really think that our guests are interested in your foolish daydreams. Mayan Fonaldris, a future Jedi Knight," Cemall sneered and started laughing mockingly.
Chati jumped to her feet and walked to backdoor of her home, but Cemall got up with her and grabbed her arm.
"Mayan, I have been talking to my father again. I told him that I love you and it's very likely that he finally has accepted that I only want to marry you."
Chati pulled back and looked at Cemall defiantly and angered.
"I won't marry you, never, do you hear. You're accusing me of daydreaming. You are daydreaming yourself. Cemall, I will never become your wife. No one's wife, for I don't want to marry and become a stupid housewife, taking care of a household and kids. That's a very boring life. I want to see more of the galaxy and I'm going to ask Luke Skywalker or one of the other to take me with them if they are going to Myr to fight that weird intruder."
Cemall looked at the angered woman and shook his head.
"Go ahead, making even a more fool of yourself, Mayan. Good day to you."
He turned around and left the garden. Chati watched him go, shrugged again and went inside the house, still angered.
Next morning Toallin brought Luke to a separate building behind the main administration building.
"I'm sure this will do, Luke. This building is intended to be used for secret consultation between the chosen government and the Council of the Eldest. In Ribana the government building had a similar separate consultation room, only larger. I hope this will match your wishes. This building is soundproof, so anything said within these walls is kept secret. Here's my personal keycard," The former governor of Ribana said and handed Luke a holographic keycard.
Luke gratefully took the keycard.
"Excellent, Toallin. This is very generous, Toallin. I will be using this building only for a minor consultation between my friend Wedge, my sister and myself, maybe to discuss some initiatives about the way I want to help you and your people to get back to Ribana."
"Take as much time as you need, master Skywalker. May I ask you, if you have already an idea, how we will get back to Ribana?"
"I'm thinking about various possibilities, Toallin. Our meeting with your men have given me a clearer insight of the mountain ridge on Myr, but I want to see those surroundings myself, before I take a definite decision. So I warn you and the people of Cantamaga to be patient. It might take some time to retake Ribana and capture Darth Golluth. Don't expect a fast return, we have to be cautious and on our guard. As soon as I have discussed my initiatives with my friends and your men, we will inform you, your brother, and the council. It's then up to you to inform the people of Cantamaga."
"We don't expect to return soon, Luke. I understand it isn't going to be easy. Mugin and I appreciate your help and that of your friends. I'll get back to my office now. There's a lot to do for us since we've got back."
Toallin wanted to leave, but Luke held his friend back.
"Before you leave, Toallin, I want to discuss another matter with you. Can we sit down for a while?"
A bit surprised Toallin closed the door again and sat down.
"What's the problem, Luke? Has my eldest daughter been bothering you too much with her fantasies." He asked smiling, "Did she ask you, how she could become a Jedi Knight, like you?.
Luke laughed.
"Not at all, Toallin. I like her. She's a very honest and open-faced young woman. You should be proud of her. Indeed I want to talk about her, for I want to ask master Kamalin to take your daughter under his wing and show her what the influence of the Force has on some one life, but I want you to give your permission to this plan."
Toallin was flabbergasted.
"Kamalin, my old friend, has to show Chati about the Force? Luke, I know for a long time that Kamalin has some special skills, but what does he know about the Force."
"A lot, Toallin. Your friend Kamalin is a very Force-sensitive Quelan. I think a lot of Quelans can feel the power of the Force. Kamalin isn't a Jedi Knight, like I am, but he uses the Force as one of the wise councilors of this community. I still need to ask him if he will undertake the task to show what he knows of the Force to Chati, but I'm certain that Chati will love Kamalin's special teachings, for your daughter is a Force-sensitive Quelan woman herself."
Chati is Force-sensitive, too?" Toallin said slowly, but then his eyes lit up, "Luke, what you're telling me would explain a lot her behavior in the past."
"She has told me about one of her adventures, Toallin, but not only her stories convinced me about her Force potential. She can predict the outcome of events, things that are going to happen, in advance."
"I know, Luke, and I've always wondered how she knew it. But tell me, are you thinking of making her a Jedi Knight some day."
Luke started to laugh.
"Now you're running ahead of things, my friend. Your daughter's Force sensitivity doesn't mean that she will become a Jedi Knight. She told me she has been dreaming of it, but becoming a Jedi Knight is a long and difficult path. At the moment I can't tell if Chati will ever gain enough Force skills to convince me that she can be trained as a Jedi Knight and even then it still isn't sure she will ever reach that goal. But Force-sensitive people, whether humans or other species, always will be a great asset to their community. You only have to look at your friend Kamalin. It is not for nothing that he is the chief advisor of you and your brother and the head of the Council of Elders.
Toallin nodded comprehensively.
"It has been Kamalin who nominated Mugin and me to become governors. He convinced the Council of the Elders, that we would be a good choice. We never expected to become the governors of our community, that's why it felt as if we forfeited our task when we had to flee. It has been Kamalin again who convinced the Council that one day we would return and he refuses to nominate some other of our community to become governors. He is a wise man, Luke, a very wise man."
Toallin shook hands with Luke.
"Talk to my friend, Luke. I'm almost sure that he will very gladly accept your proposal and I'm also sure that Chati will love it getting some special education. They both have my blessing. I will tell Udine what about your proposal and convince her that Kamalin's teaching will make our daughter happy. Just one last question, Jedi master Skywalker. Are you going to revive the Jedi Order, Luke?"
"It's my obligation, Toallin. I'm the last Jedi trained by the last Jedi master of old, master Yoda. When my master was united with the Force I promised him to pass on my knowledge to a new generation of Jedi."
Toallin looked at the young Jedi Knight in front of him.
"That's a heavy burden, young man, you're carrying on your shoulders."
"It won't be easy to fulfill my promise, Toallin. So every time when I sense some one is being influenced by the Force I take the opportunity to start that person's training. By the way Chati told that you've met some Jedi Knight before, some friends of Manall, Cornell's father.
"That's a very long time ago, Luke. Let me guess, I think it must be more than thirty years ago. I was a young Quelan myself, and Manall too. There were two of them who sometimes visited Palomintar Four for some days, sometimes only for a few hours. There was a war going on in the galaxy. The Palomintar System wasn't involved and afterwards we never heard what the outcome of the war was. We only heard over the holonet that the Republic had ceased to exist and that the galaxy now was ruled by an emperor and had become and Empire. I only remember that those two Jedi never visited Manall again after the war. If you want to know more about them, you should talk to Manall."
"I certainly will have a word with Cornell's father, Toallin, but I heard that he has met with an accident is wounded."
"That's right. I went to see him. The Urums attacked him, while he wanted to gather some nuts in the woods. Cornell found him and brought him home. He has some severe wounds at his back, but the old harvester is a tough guy. He certainly will recover. Thank you for talking to me and explaining your plan, Luke."
"I'll leave it up to you, Toallin, to tell your wife. I have promised Chati that I will tell her how I became a Jedi Knight, without telling her what I have in mind. But first I need master Kamalin's cooperation."
"He will accept, Luke, and it will make him proud to take on what you will ask him. He is very fond of my daughter."
They rose and walked over to the door. Once again they shook hands. Luke felt how overwhelmed Toallin was. The door slid aside. Outside Leia and Wedge were waiting. Toallin passed, greeting them cordially, smiling happily. Leia raised her eyebrows.
'What's wrong with Toallin, Luke?' She asked.
'I'll tell you. Come in.' Luke said with a broad smile.
The two Jedi sat down and Luke closed the door.
"This room is soundproof, so we can talk freely here, but I suggest we use our own way of communication to discuss things." Luke said.
"That's fine by me, Luke," Wedge answered.
'Don't worry about Toallin, Leia. I just talk to him about my chat with his daughter Chati. I want master Kamalin to teach her some basic Force knowledge. We had a fine chat and Toallin has given me permission to proceed,' Luke continued, 'Now I want to update Wedge on what happened to Liane after he has helped us on Endor, and where she is now.'
Luke gave a short summary of his wanderings with Liane. Wedge listened attentively. The more he heard the more amazed he became.
'You've achieved a lot, Luke.' He said with admiration.
'No, Wedge, Liane achieved a lot, but she still isn't fully convinced she can become a Jedi Knight.'
'Did you really tell her she will be your next padawan?' Leia asked.
'We discussed the possibility, Leia, but Liane is wondering how she can proceed without me, being her master. She used one of the Jedi holocrons. An old Jedi master, Master Odan-Urr, told her she had to become padawan learner. She was still reluctant if I was willing to become her Jedi master. For the time being, however, it's out of the question that I can take on that task. We've agreed, that she should carry on with the things I've taught her so far. I have given her access to a very special place, Wedge, and I want you to go there as well and keep her company for as long as Leia and I need to solved the problem here on Palomintar Four'
'Did you gave her those holocrons, Luke? I know you've told me that you and Leia have recovered several on Coruscant. So Liane has been brought to a very special place and there she has talked to a Jedi master who has been united with the Force for millennia, using his holocron. I would like to consult one of those ancient Jedi Masters myself. Where do you want me to go, Luke?' Wedge asked.
'To Dalmaran,'Luke answered teasingly and started laughing.
'Liane is on Dalmaran!' Wedge said surprise.
'Do you remember that Mon Mothma got permission from the Dalmaranian government to set up a place where she and the members of High Council could hide in case Irithim would be under attack of remnants of the Imperial forces?' Leia interrupted.
Wedge nodded.
'I've heard about it, but I've never heard the outcome of the consultation between our government and the Dalmaranian leaders.'
'You know the continent of Na'ctaMagh'Ba?' Leia asked.
'You mean the prohibited continent opposite Mas'onom?'
'Yes, the underground of this continent is a huge maze of natural caves and caverns. Our technicians have installed a sophisticated residence for our government in case of emergency. That's were we brought Liane after she returned with Luke and Han to Dalmaran. The spot can only be reached through the outlet of an underground waterway. A special submersible has been build to bring Mon Mothma to this place. Liane is living there for some five months now.' Leia told Wedge.
'And that secret residence is also the place where you two secured the Jedi holocrons?' Wedge asked.
'No, but there is a secret connection between, what Liane calls the Jedi archive cavern and Mon Mothma's residence where she is staying. Mon Mothma doesn't know about this connection. I want you and Yarmod to go to Dalmaran. Staying with Liane gives you and Yarmod also the opportunity to gain some more knowledge about the old Jedi lore, for not only did Leia and I recover some hundred Jedi holocrons, we also saved nearly the complete Jedi library from the ruins of the Jedi temple on Coruscant. You also could support Liane, answering her questions she has about being a Jedi Knight and you have to protect her in case spies of Darth Golluth try to invade the underground residence. They once have been trying to make contact with her already. Luckily Artoo and Threepio have intercepted that call. I would be more assured if I know you will be there to protect her.'
'Will she see me as a friend?'
'She will. It will do her good have some real people around her in stead of Threepio and Artoo.' Leia said, and Wedge heard the concern in her voice.
'How will I get to that special place you mentioned, Luke? Can I make use of Mon Mothma's submersible?' He asked.
Luke shook his head.
'You don't have to. You take the Astræga and go to Mas'onom space port. There you need to hire a amphibian car vessel to cross the straight between the two continents. You won't be using the underwater entrance, but a secret path that will lead you straight to the place where Leia and I have stored all the old Jedi books. I will tell you the details before you leave.' Luke said. Wedge nodded.
'Yarmod and I can leave any time, if you want us to? With the Astræga it'll take some fourteen hours to reach Dalmaran, I guess.'
'Thanks, Wedge. I will warn Liane and tell her that she will meet you in the Jedi Archive cavern. She will bring you to Mon Mothma's secret residence.' Luke said.
'Don't think it will be uncomfortable,' Leia grinned, 'Mon Mothma's secret residence meets very high standards of comfort.'
'Can I reach you using our common way to communicate?' Wedge wondered.
'No problem, for Liane can reach me, using the Jedi-pendant I gave her, but also using Jedi telepathy, ' Luke said, 'Do we agree on this?'
He looked at his sister and his friend. They nodded. Luke rose.
"I will accompany you to the Astræga, Wedge. Where's your padawan?"
"I told Yarmod to stay and wait outside for me. I already expected, you would want me to leave again as soon as possible." Wedge with a smile, "You wouldn't have asked me to get to Palomintar Four immediately, if it hadn't been urgent."
Luke unlocked the door and stepped in outside.
"Leia, will you make sure, that Han, Chewbacca and Ian will meet me here, after Wedge and Yarmod have left. I want to discuss a few possible strategies to free Ribana."
The holographic display on Jerno Thai's desk buzzed. The three leaders looked up from their consultation meeting with some of the other members of Provisional Coruscant Council. Jerno excuses himself and cast a quick look at the origin of the message. He quickly type a code and turned to Kalip and Valann
"Kalip, you take over. I take this message in your office," He said, "I'll be back soon."
Kalip Ru'undo nodded and turned to the other attendees. Jerno left the meeting and hurried through the hall to the office of the head of the intelligence department. He entered, closed and secured the door and activated the buzzing holographic display.
"Yes, what's up?"
A blurred image of their uncover agent on the Basilisæa appeared.
"I'm in," a familiar voice said, "so you probably won't hear of me soon."
"What happened?"
"He has ask admiral Vestor to bring spare parts for his communication system. He also has ordered to bring the Basilisæa's best technician. Vestor has ordered me to accompany him. I will seek an opportunity to stay at Trevor Matrik's underground hide-out as long as possible."
"Be careful. You're on your own and Trevor can't be trusted."
"I know, don't worry. Once inside Trevor's abode I will make myself indispensable. I expect he wants me to reassemble his comsystem. Once he trusts me and my knowledge I will set up a secret connection with Coruscant via Quoith in the same way as I did on board the Basilisæa"
"Keep your identity well hidden," Jerno warned.
"I'm Doran Whain, technical and communications Major Whain. You'll hear from me as soon as it's safe to establish a secret connection with you. Maybe you also should inform your contact with the New Republic of this development. I have left a message to the technical operators on Quoith."
"I'll wait for your messages. Once more, be extremely careful."
The holographic image disappeared. Jerno deactivated the device and went back to his office, where the meeting with the Provisional Council was drawing to an end. One of the members asked about the message, but Jerno reassured the members that the message wasn't that important. He and the other two of the triarchy led the others to the exit; wished them a pleasant night and reminded them to attend their next meeting which was scheduled for a fortnight. Together with Kalip and Valann he got back to his office. They all sat down and Jerno told he co-leaders about the message. Both other leaders shared Jerno's worries about the new development, but Jerno reminded them that their agent was an expert in undercover operations.
"Activate your infocom, Wedge. Yes, you too, Yarmod, and connect with mine. I'm going to transmit the access permission for Na'ctaMagh'Ba to your devices, and the map you need to reach the Jedi archive cavern," Luke said and activated his infocom.
A holographic map of Na'ctaMagh'Ba popped up and a dotted line marked the hidden path Wedge and Yarmod had to follow.
"You take the Astræga to Mas'onom. There you need to rent a amphibious transport that can cross the strait between the Mas'onom mainland and Na'ctaMagh'Ba. At the harbour of Wa'Magha on Na'ctaMagh'Ba you must identify yourself as Jedi Knights, using the access permission I gave you. So wear your ceremonial Jedi clothes. There won't be any problem to continue your trip. Follow the dotted line to this point." Luke pointed to a spot on the holographic map, "It looks like a dead end path at the end of this gorge. Hide the speeder in the cave to the left. Your path continues through a large crevasse in the rear wall. Follow the path under the mountain, until it suddenly drops. You see an underground river to your left. Follow river, until it disappears through a gap. To your right there's niche that leads to a secret door. That's the entrance to the cave where Leia and I have stored the items of the Jedi library. I don't have to explain how to open the door, do I? Don't forget to close it immediately after you've entered. Once in the Jedi archive cave lights strips will light up on a Force command."
Wedge grinned and nodded understandingly.
"We'll manage, don't we, Yarmod?"
Yarmod nodded, but was still looking in wonder at the holographic map.
"You will see, what I mean, Yarmod," Luke said and winked at Wedge, "I'll tell Liane to bit your welcome. I'll leave it up to you to protect Liane the way you want."
"Stop worrying about Liane, Luke. Pay attention to the situation here. Do you have a plan to get access to Darth Golluth's hide out?"
"I have thought of several options, but I'm not sure of everything yet. We're going back to Myr with a number of harvesters. Han will get us there with the Falcon. Once back on Myr I will make some further plan. The harvesters have promised me they will help us to investigate the former bedding of an underground water flow. We will set up a hidden camp at a safe distance from Ribana. I'm thinking about it, if I will ask Han and Leia to go back to Dalmaran and discuss the situation with general Madine and Mon Mothma. I hope the Supreme Chancellor will help the inhabitants of Ribana and support our request to send some reinforcements, but consulting the Supreme Chancellor and her staff will take time."
"What will you do when Han and Leia are gone? Are you going to keep Ian with you?" Wedge suggested.
"Maybe I will. I also need to check out on Darth Golluth and find out what he really knows about the Dark Side."
"Be careful, he might be more dangerous than you assume."
"Remember what I've taught you, Wedge. Sometimes offense is the best defence in case you're outnumbered. I'm going back now to the others. Contact me as soon as you have reached Mas'onom."
They shook hands.
"Wedge, you know I would have gone back to Dalmaran myself, if I hadn't promised Toallin and Mugin to help them. May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you, Luke. Come on, Yarmod, we'll have work to do."
Wedge and Yarmod walked over to the cockpit of the Astræga, while Luke left his space craft. Wedge closed the ramp and started the engines. Slowly the Astræga started to hover above the plain. The engines roared and the former imperial space ship vanished into the cloud layer. Luke Skywalker watched his ship until he could no longer spot it.
Amazed and surprised Liane saw how this time a human female figure emerged from a cloud of blue smoke. Focusing on the Force she found herself looking at a young and beautiful woman with long amber hair and shining blue eyes. For a moment Liane got the startling impression she was looking at her own reflection in a mirror. The woman smiled serenely.
'You seem very surprised, Liane Solichor,' She said with a warm voice.
Liane nodded still speechless.
Finally she stammered: 'You look like me.'
'Do I?' The woman laughed, 'Thank you.'
Again Liane nodded not knowing what to say.
'Are you also one of the Jedi of old?' Liane asked, 'I mean are you one of the ancient Jedi Knights like Master Thon and master Master Odan-Urr? Are you a Jedi master too?'
'I am. I've trained many Jedi during my life. I understand, you have met my old masters already, Liane, haven't you?'
'They were your masters? Then you ... must be Nomi Sunrider?' Liane said incredulously.
'I am and I am very glad to be allowed to meet you. My masters have told you about me, haven't they?'
'Yes, they did. Your story intrigued me ... ma'am, because ... ' Liane stammered not knowing how to address the female Jedi.
'Because what, Liane. Tell me, what's so special about the story of my life for you.'
'I ... eh... see some similarities with myself ... ma'am.'
'Please call me Nomi, Liane. What are those similarities between you and me?"
'You also didn't want to become a Jedi Knight and wield a lightsaber, but later you followed the Jedi Path of your own free will and you became a very famous Jedi Master. Master Thon even called me as stubborn as you.'
Nomi Sunrider laughed heartily.
'Master Thon is a wise Jedi master. He knows who you are, Liane, and so does Master Odan-Urr. You just said I look a lot like you, didn't you?'
'Yes, ma... I mean Nomi. I don't want to offend you, but for a short moment I thought I was looking at my own reflection, like I saw myself in a mirror,' Liane said softly.
Again Nomi Sunrider laughed.
'I like your honesty, Liane, but it's the other way round. You look a lot like me. You're a relative of mine.'
'A relative?'
Nomi Sunrider nodded and smiled at the uncertain look in Liane's eyes.
'I am your ancestress, your ancestral mother.'
'I don't ... understand, ... ma ... eh ... Nomi.' Liane hesitated.
'Hasn't master Odan-Urr told you that you have inherited your Force power from a bloodline that goes back thousands of generations?'
'Yes, he did, but I didn't understand the meaning of those words and I forgot to ask him.'
'Liane, my dear daughter, let me explain it to you.'
'Nomi, sorry to interrupt,' Liane said still hesitatingly, 'I can't be your daughter. Severini Solichor is my mother.'
Nomi Sunrider laughed merrily.
'Severini has been my daughter too and before her Severini's mother Raimieri. '
For a moment Liane looked away from the shining apparition, feeling completely confused and didn't know how to respond to Nomi's words.
'Don't try to seek the explanation of my words yourself, Liane. I understand my words confuse you.' Nomi said on a soothing tone, 'Severini Solichor is of course your real mother, and Raimieri Solichor was the name of your grandmother who died many years before you were born. Ramieri's mother was the great-grand-daughter of another great female Jedi: Yomicanthe Cifun.'
Now Liane paid more attention to Nomi's words.
'Are you telling me, that my lineage goes back through the ages to you?' She asked.
Nomi nodded.
'But that must be ... hundreds of generations,' Liane said holding her breath, while trying to comprehend the impact of Nomi's words.
'You're right, Liane. So let me tell you some parts of my life. You already know that I was married to Andur Sunrider.'
'Master Odan-Urr told me there are datacrons where I can read more about you. You and Andur had a daughter Vima. Your husband was killed and you went to Ambria to master Thon. I have read parts of your story, for Luke has been busy translating the first chip of those datacrons into Basic.'
'Luke?' Nomi asked.
'Luke Skywalker, he is my friend. He is the last Jedi. Haven't you heard about him?' Liane explained.
'Oh, yes, I do. Of course I have, but I didn't know he has been trying to translate those datacrons into Basic. I wonder why he has been wasting his time.'
'Wasting his time. Nomi, Luke wants future Jedi to learn everything about the old Jedi history, but the old data images are written in Jedieese. It's a difficult language, for the rules and grammar are unknown.'
'They are indeed, Liane, but every Jedi can read Jedieese using the Force. You could do that yourself for instance, but we'll discuss this later, for I'm here to tell you who I am and why you are my relative.'
Liane relaxed and looked at Nomi inquisitively.
'After I've got my basic Jedi training with master Thon on Ambria I took Vima with me to Ossus, the old center of the Jedi Order. There I became the padawan learner of Vodo-Siosk Baas. Under his leadership I learned to assemble my own lightsaber. At that time the galaxy was in great turmoil and uproar. I became involved in several missions to settle the galactic wars which were influenced by Dark Side powers. On Onderon I met master Arca Jeth. He taught me how to use my great gift of Jedi Battle Meditation, but more important was my meeting with Ulic Qel-Droma and his brother Cay during one of my earlier missions. I hadn't forgotten Andur who I had loved deeply, but time also heals the deepest wounds. Ulic and I became lovers.'
'You mean, that you and Ulic marry.'
'Not officially. Our love was blessed with a daughter: Shaayla Sunrider. With her the bloodline of female Jedi Knights still continues up till this day. At the moment you're the last descendant of the Sunrider bloodline, so that's why I may call you my daughter even if there are eras between us. You're a Sunrider, Liane, and there's only one thing I wish for. I hope that you will pass on the Force power you've inherited to your own daughter one day.'
'I'm a Sunrider? I'm the heiress of your power?' Liane said slowly, once again trying to grasped the meaning of Nomi's story.
Nomi watched her, smiling and with a caring look in her eyes. At last Liane looked up with shining eyes.
'Unbelievable! This is so incredible, Nomi!' She cheered. 'You are my ancestral mother. You and I are relatives. Now I am really someone daughter. Oh, Nomi, let me tell you how I felt after I found out that Anakin Skywalker wasn't my real father. I felt completely lost. I didn't know anything of my real parents. I didn't know where I came from, and now, now I know who I am. This is incredible. It was already a wonderful revelation when I learned that Severini Solichor was the name of my real mother, but it's mind boggling to know that I am related to the greatest female Jedi ever.'
'That's a bit too much credit for me, Liane.'
'Nomi, where can I find the rest of those datacrons with your story. They must be here somewhere, otherwise Luke couldn't have transcribed the first one. I want to read them in Jediese. You said I need to use the Force to be able to understand that old language. Oh, my, if I tell this to Luke, he will be so excited, and relieved. He told me that transcribing Jediese into Standard Basic was a very time consuming task.'
'You will find my story in a small yellowbrown box, Liane. That box must be here somewhere. In it you will find everything about me in more detail, for instance the sad part about how I lost Ulic and what I did when he killed his brother Cay. You also will learn how he died. Ulic was seduced by the Dark Side of the Force. For a certain period in his life he was Sith lord. I have been afraid that those dark Force powers Ulic possessed, could have been passed on in our daughter Shaayla and that she might fall victim to the Dark Side too. It never happened.'
'Ulic, my ancestral father, went over to the Dark Side. He became a Sith?'
'Unfortunately he did, and a lot of other devasting things happened to me. Read about it, Liane. I know you will understand Ulic and me. I now have to return to my place in the Force, but I will always be there to assist and teach you to find your way in the Jedi lore. You're special, Liane, special to me and to Ulic.'
The apparition of Nomi Sunrider faded and finally vanished, leaving Liane with a mind full of unanswered questions. Finally she looked up and saw the blue triangular holocron in her hand.
"I'm the heiress of Nomi Sunrider. Unbelievable." She whispered.
Carefully she put the holocron in its secured place. Before she closed the transparisteel doors her fingers caressed the holocron one more time.
"I hope I won't fail you, Nomi. I will do everything to be your worthy descendant and the heiress of your great powers."
Liane looked around and started rummaging through all the stacked boxes and crates. On a high rack with colored crates she found the yellowbrown box her ancestral mother had mentioned hidden between a number of still sealed boxes. She took the durasteel box from the rack and put it on the table. The safety seal had been broken. On the lid a small tag was fixed written in Jediese.
"Every Jedi can read Jediese using the Force," she murmured and automatically she tuned in on her powerful unseen ally. Once again she looked at the small tag and all of a sudden the meaning of the Jediese symbols became clear.
"It says: The life of Nomi Sunrider," she murmured half aloud.
She released herself from her Jedi trance.
'Luke has to know this. It will make his task so much easier.' She thought, 'I will take this box with me and translate and transcribe this story. I'd better get back now to Threepio and Artoo. Tonight I will tell Luke all about this. He surely will be as surprised as I am.'
She took her backpack; emptied it; stuffed the box at the bottom, put the rest of the content back on top and left the cave with the Jedi treasures.