A Jedi's Fight - A Star Wars Fan Fiction Story

Chapter 64

Cap_T
Admiral Vestor of the Basilisaea walked up and down the command room of the star destroyer. He felt very worried, but avoided to show these feelings to his men. It has been already more than eight weeks since he had left lieutenant Whain with Darth Golluth. Not a sign had he heard from his subordinate. He wondered what was going on on Palomintar Four. The scrambled message they had intercepted was still a mystery. His communications officers hadn't been enable to decrypt the message, nor had they found out who had send it.
"Admiral."
Admiral Vestor turned around and looked at the officer who made a formal salute.
"Yes, officer. Anything to report about that mysterious message?"
"Eh, no, sir, but a squadron with the markings of the New Republic has come out of hyperspace and is orbiting Palomintar Twelve."
Admiral moved to the helmsman.
"Move the Basilisaea to Palomintar Twelve. I will ask their leader what they are doing in the Palomintar System."
He went over to the command consoles and observed the approach of the eight small fighters. He saw they were of the X-wing class and were part of the elite troops of the New Republic: Gold Squadron.
"We're in range, admiral," the communications officer remarked.
Admiral Vestor activated the communication switch.
"This is the imperial star destroyer Basilisaea. State your goal and destination in this system." He said on a demanding tone.
"Admiral Vestor, I'm Wedge Antilles, leader of Gold Squadron and Jedi Knight. You're presence in this system is an infringement and violation of the truce my leaders have signed with the remnants of the empire. We have the order from the Supreme Chancellor to open fire if any of your transport ships will make an attempt to land on one of the planets of Palomintar System."
Admiral Vestor gritted his teeth. Another Jedi Knight and probably a close friend of those Skywalkers. He must abide time for he needed to get lieutenant Whain back to the Basilisaea.
"Gold leader, we aren't seeking a confrontation. One of our men is missing on the fourth planet of the system. I intend to set up a search for him and transport him back to our ship. We will retreat as soon as he's back."
"Negative, admiral. I repeat I have my order to open fire if any attempt is made to land on any of the planets in this system. Do not, I repeat, do not make any challenge or provocation. Our fleet is on its way to support the Supreme Chancellor's orders."
"May I remind you, that the Palomintar System is neutral territory, master Antilles. As I said we're not seeking a confrontation with the New Republic, we're only looking for one of our men. I suggest, we should join forces. You might give us some help to find him."
"We will consider your proposal, admiral, but for the time being I have my orders: you're not allowed to send a transport ship for landing on any of the planets in the system. I'll come back to you. Over and out."
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Roxahm Polta looked surprised as the Millennium Falcon landed near the former imperial domains on Morantan.
"Your Highness, general Solo, this is very unexpectedly." He said.
"Roxahm, I'm so glad to meet you here. I heard about your promotion as the intermediate supervisor of these domains. Are you enjoying your new commission," Leia said with a warm smile.
Roxahm Polta had been one of Madine's men on the Tychorion, but recently Mon Mothma had charged him with the supervision of the finally dismantling of the former imperial domains. Leia looked around and saw that Roxahm was already dealing with his new commission efficiently. Part of the concrete main building had already been demolished, the perimeter fence around the domain had been taken down.
"Do you want to see our progress, madam?"
"No, Roxahm. I'm not on an inspection tour. I want to use your communication system for an urgent message to the Supreme Chancellor."
"Most certainly. I'll bring you there personally. If I may ask, what's so urgent, madam."
"I'm sorry, Roxahm, but I can't reveal that at the moment."
"I will order all the men to leave the communication center, so you will have full privacy."
Han, Leia and Chewbacca followed the commander to the communication center. On his command all his men left and Han and Leia were left on their own. Leia immediately activated a procon connection to Quoith. It took quite a while before the connection was established. Han suggested to his wife that they needed some refreshments and food. He left the center with Chewbacca looking for Roxahm Polta.
The holo display activated and Mon Mothma appeared.
"Leia, what's going on? Are there any troubles with admiral Vestor?"
"Not that I'm aware of, madam, but my brother contacted me. The hidden residence is under attack."
"You mean, they have found Liane's hiding place? Thank you for telling me, Leia. I'll contact the Dalmarian government immediately. The Dalmarian have to take action and I'm sure they will. The intruders are violating their rules. Any new about Liane herself."
"She relatively safe, madam. The tech droids showed her months ago how to activate the blast doors. Wedge and I have convinced her, she should keep them closed and as far as I understand from my brother she did. So there isn't any direct danger."
"Yes, there is, Leia. The attack must have frightened her. Did your brother tell you more about her."
"No, madam. He asked me to inform you. I'm on Morantan now, that was the closest planet after the Falcon came out of hyperspace."
"You've done well. I will take immediate acting. I think I'm going to the residence myself to see if Liane is alright. Are Yarmod Martan and Ian Tydon still with her?"
"Yes, madam," Leia said thinking about the hiding place of the three refugees.
"Those blast doors will hold for a while, but if our opponents are going to use heavier weaponry I'm not sure if they will last. What are your further plans?"
"We're leaving Morantan and go to the Palomintar System. Wedge Antilles is waiting for us. He and his men went into orbit around Palomintar Two and Three, the innermost planets of the system."
For a moment Mon Mothma silenced.
"Yes, you should continue with your mission. Problem is that there's no way for us to communicate once you are in the Palomintar System."
"We're staying in orbit waiting for the Tychorion, madam. As soon as she has arrived, I can contact you again. The Tychorion's communication center can reach Quoith." Leia said.
"Yes, I will urge general Madine to make haste. We need to keep in contact about our female protégé."
The holographic image of Mon Mothma vanished leaving Leia with many thoughts behind. Han came in followed by one of Roxahm's man pushing a trolley with an exquisite meal. Han grinned.
"No simple refreshments available, darling, only this. Chewie doesn't object, if you don't want to eat anything. Roxahm will join us within a few minutes. Did you tell Mon Mothma about her residence."
"I did, but I couldn't tell her that Liane has fled to the Jedi library. Luke and I don't want to disclose the secret connection between the residence and our temporary Jedi library."
"Maybe your brother can warn Liane that she and those padawans can return as soon as the Dalmarian government has dealt with the intruders."
"I will ask Luke, but if the Dalamarian investigate the residence they will not find them which will alarm Mon Mothma even more. She told me she wants to participate in the action of the Dalmarian government and see for herself if Liane is alright. I have to think about it. Maybe we should go back to Dalmaran so I can join the Dalmarians instead of Mon Mothma."
"That will leave Wedge and Luke on their own against an imperial star destroyer." Han said.
"We talk about it later. Here comes Roxahm." Leia said.
Roxahm Polta entered and looked at the serious faces of his unexpected guests. However he was too mannerly to show his curiosity. The duty officer had laid the table in the middle of the communiciation center and Roxahm joined his guests for a meal. He informed if they would stay on the domains, but Leia told him that they were on a mission for the Supreme Chancellor and had to leave soon afterwards.
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'Tell me, son, do you see the advantages of Jedi hybernation?'Anakin Skywalker's apparition asked his son Luke who was meditating in his private alcove.
'Difficult to say, father. I see some possibilities. It can be very useful during space travel for instance. Especially when your space craft is a bit cramped. You said it might be a possible solution for the problems of the Quelans, but I have to look further into that matter. As for the hibernation sessions where I need to be recalled with a kind of trigger word or sentence, it is a bit scary, because the time period a Jedi can survive without water or liquid food is limited. You also explained to me that a Jedi who has brought himself into Jedi hibernation has the looks of some one who has died. Only a Force-sensitive person or another Jedi can sense the slow heartbeat and the breathing. It could cause a dangerous situation for a Jedi in hibernation if this isn't noticed in time.'
'You did some serious thinking about the consequences of using Jedi hibernation. I'm sure you will use your insight in the matter at the right moment. I'm proud of you, son. I want you to continue practising the different ways of Jedi hibernation, so it become a kind of second nature to you. That young padawan Chati is a fine assistant.'Anakin said.
'Chati isn't a padawan yet, father. She is Force-sensitive, but I'm not yet starting with her Jedi training. As you said it, she is a fine assistant at the moment.'Luke remarked cautiously.
'Having an assistant like Chati is very advantages, even if you don't want her to be your padawan learner. You're appreciating her company, aren't you.'
'Yes, sure father, I do. She is eager to learn and a devoted pupil.'
'So, in fact, you're glad that some one who has the same skills as yourself is accompanying you. You don't blame her for his reckless action to hide herself on board the Millennium Falcon.'
For a moment Luke turned inward and then he slowly nodded with a grin.
'You're absolutely right, father. To be honest, I enjoy having Chati as a kind of apprentice, now that Liane or Leia aren't around. It's good to be with some one who can see beyond the real world, one who is part of a larger world.'
Anakin nodded approvingly.
'Luke, we've done a lot of talking together. However I wonder, why you've never asked me about Trevor Matrik.'
Surprised Luke looked at the apparition of his father.
'Liane told me about him and about your opinion of him. She said you detested him. Did you know, father, that he has proposed to her after you died?'
'The fool, Liane would never accept him as her husband.'
'No, she won't, but maybe he still has the idea that he can change her mind on this matter.'Luke said concerned.
'Luke, listen. I will tell you now everything about your opponent Trevor Matrik, who calls himself Darth Golluth who thinks he will be a greater dark lord that I was. He even thinks himself a greater Sith Lord than Darth Sidious, the emperor. After he'd finished this education at the Imperial Academy, he was drafted as a junior guard on Coruscant. He managed to get a position at the imperial court and slowly worked himself up in the hierarchy. The emperor noticed his ambition and rewarded him with the rank of admiral of the imperial fleet at the age of twenty-two, although Trevor had never seen the inside of a star ship or a star destroyer.'
Luke listened to his father with growing interest. This was some new knowledge which Liane had told him, simply because she didn't know these facts. Anakin took his time to tell him all about Trevor Matrik's growing ambition to become the most important advisor of the emperor. He was a smart and intelligent man, but his ambitious character was also the cause of his lack of insight and real knowledge. After the emperor had become annoyed by Trevor's devotion he had send the ambitious man to Morantan, not as the admiral of the imperial space fleet, but as a kind of liaison officer. He had to keep an eye on the construction of the domains on Morantan, but Trevor had expanded this order and had begun to report about Anakin's leadership on the planet.
'He spied on me and Liane. He reported to the emperor about her use of the Dark Side of the Force. When I found out I was outraged, especially when the emperor asked me about Liane. I got the emperor's permission to continue with her education after I told him whose daughter she was. There was one condition the emperor wanted to oversee her final trial as a Sith lady himself. Luke, I'm sure you understand that I held Trevor accountable for the reprimand the emperor had given me.'
'Father?' Luke asked hesitatingly, ' Is Trevor Matrik, or as we know him as Darth Golluth, a real Force user?'
'Luke, that's something you have to find out for yourself. You know enough about him to draw your own conclusion. One thing, be careful, Trevor is a cunning man full of tricks, mischief and evil. As Darth Golluth his ambitions have become even greater. So be aware if you will ever meet him.'
'Thank you, father, for telling me all this.'Luke said nodding,'I will keep your warnings in mind.'
'I will keep an eye on him and find a way to trigger his downfall, for as long as he is around my dear foster-daughter isn't really free to follow you as your padawan learner and later as your partner and companion in the Force.'
'Father, one last question. Does Trevor really believes Liane will be his chance to become a Sith Lord.'
'Luke, you know how the Dark Side seduces people and what's the final initiation to become a Sith Lord. It's your task to avoid he will get that chance, for not only will Trevor become a Sith Lord, you might also loose the one you love. Don't let happen to you what happened to me, Luke, when I lost my love, Padmé, your mother.'
The apparition of Anakin Skywalker vanished. Luke released himself from his Force trance. The conversation with his father has brought him much new insight, but also a lot of new worries.
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"How long wil it takes us to get back to Dalmaran?" Leia asked.
"Twenty-one hours, darling. I suggest I bring you back to Irithim, if you want to convince Mon Mothma to send you to the hidden residence, while I continue with our mission. I can land on Myr unseen, remember." Han said.
Leia considered her husband's proposal and nodded.
"You're right, Han, but don't land on Myr. Get to Palomintar Two and Three and see that you contact Wedge without being noticed by the Basilisaea."
"Why shouldn't I land and get to your brother? You're worried about him; with Chewie and me around he has at least some help."
Leia started to laugh and kiss Han on his cheek.
"You're a wonderful friend. I love you, darling. But do as I ask you."
"Fine with me, but how will you get to the Palomintar System, once you have brought Liane and the others back to the residence, or wherever they are safe."
"Luke's ship the Astræa is still on Mas'onom space port. I can use his ship, or if the Tychorion is ready I will join Crix Madine."
Han nodded.
"OK, we heading for Irithim. Chewie, standby, I'll feed the navi-computer with the coordinate of Dalmaran. Let's hope we're in time and that Mon Mothma isn't already on her way to the hidden residence."
Several minutes afterwards the Falcon disappeared into hyperspace.
Yarmod was steering the amphibious speeder along the narrow path between the two mountain ridges. Ian had taken the passengers seat and Liane with the droids had found a cramped place at the back seats. Liane watched Yarmod and admired his skills to drive at high speed through the narrow canyon.
"We're almost there," Yarmod yelled above the noise of the engine and pointed at the navigator screen on the desk, "We will reach the Dalmarian office near the jetty within a couple of minutes. Don't forget to put on our hoods before we getting off. The droids can stay in the back seat."
The speeder rushed forward and suddenly the canyon widened. There was a grassy plain which soon passed into and a small sandy beach with a jetty and the admission office. Yarmod parked the speeder next to the office building. The three friends got off the vehicle, put on the hoods of their cloaks, ordered Threepio and Artoo to stay at the speeder and walked over to the door.
"Let us do the talking, Liane," Yarmod whispered to Liane.
She nodded. A strange tension grab her. For a moment she doubted her decision to leave the Jedi library and head for an unknown adventure on Tatooine. What if... She shook her head. There were no what ifs any more. She wanted to join Luke and help him to defeat Trevor Matrik who was ruining her future.
The door slid aside and they entered the small office. The officer on duty looked up and smiled at them.
"You're leaving Na'ctaMagh'Ba again, young masters," He said politely.
"Yes, sir. We have finished the part of our studies our master ordered us to work out," Ian said, "We need your permission to get back to Mas'onom, where we will get further instructions to meet our masters again."
"Are you passing a kind of exam, masters?" the officer asked curiously.
"Our whole training is a constant exam, sir. Everything we do is noticed by our masters."
"Even if they aren't accompanying you?"
"Even without them being around," Yarmod said. "Our masters know about our progress through the Force."
Under her hood Liane smiled. 'I hope, they don't know what we're up too, Yarmod.' She said telepathic. 'Hush, Liane. He didn't have to know the truth.'Ian answered having intercepted her words.
"I wish you a good crossing to Mas'onom," The officer said and reached out his hand.
They shook hands and walked outside. Yarmod started the speeder and drove at low speed to the jetty. Threepio looked doubtful and expressed his concern to his counterpart. Artoo didn't respond and Liane told Threepio to be quiet.
Once in the water Yarmod activated the amphibious engine and the speeder became a kind of vessel that would easily cross the sea straight on a cushion of air and whirling water. Again Yarmod sped forward with full throttle and within in minutes the shore of Na'ctaMagh'Ba became hazy and finally disappeared. The water level was calm and Yarmod had no problem keeping the speeder at full speed. After an hour he pointed to the opposite horizon.
"Mas'onom. We will arrive in half an hour."
"What do we do with the speeder?" Ian asked.
"Bring it back to the owner who lent it to master Antilles and me. It's near the space port."
"What will you do with us, master Martan," Threepio interrupted Yarmod's words.
"You're coming with us to Tatooine, Threepio. We're going to Ben Kenobi's house at the Dune Sea. That is to say if the Astræa is still on this space port, " Liane said.
"Don't worry, she is. We only need to convince the space port officials to let us lift off." Yarmod said confidently.
After Liane's comments Threepio and Artoo got engaged in a busy binary conversation.
"Mistress Liane, Artoo and I think it's not a wise decision to go to the Dune Sea on Tatooine. We've been there. There are dangerous creatures living in that area. In fact the whole planet isn't worth a visit. Did I ever tell you that my maker ... "
"Shut up, Threepio. I don't want to hear your objections at the moment. I'd wish I would have left you two to the mercy of those intruders," Liane snapped, "We're going to Tatooine and you and Artoo are coming with us. Understood!"
The two droids kept an indignant silence after Liane's snappy comment.
Liane looked at the quickly growing landmass of Mas'onom. Again she felt a twist in her stomach. Would these officials also believe their story that they have been doing a study in the Jedi library and were now heading for Irithim. What if the Astræa had been picked up by Wedge himself or one of his men. Also Leia knew about it. She could have asked Chewbacca or Han to pick it up.
"Yarmod, are you sure, we can convince the officials. We're only padawans?" She asked.
"We're skilled pilots too, Liane, at least Ian and I are. You and the droids are our passengers. Stop worrying, your plan will work out fine. I'm looking forward getting to Tatooine and assemble my own lightsaber. There is the harbor and to left is the space port. Leave it to Ian and me again, Liane. Don't forget we're around to protect you."
He grinned and Liane couldn't help smiling. Yarmod Martan was an unimaginable optimist and cheerfully unconcerned about what was coming next, clearly relying on the Force to show him the path he had to follow. He was the opposite of Ian, who was far more serious and a dutiful officer who carefully kept his orders and followed the given rules. She loved them both, each of them for their own character which complemented so wonderful.
Yarmod carefully brought the speeder to the moorings. The magnetic clamps activated, they jumped on the wall and help the droids. The owner of the speeder came to meet them. Yarmod talked to him and the owner thanked him for bringing the speeder back. He wished them a good flight. They left the harbor area and found their way to the space port.
Mas'onom space port used a large area of the continent and it took them some time, before they found to the briefing officers and put in a request to have the Astræa ready, because they wanted to leave as soon as possible. The officer needed some time to find information about the Astræa and then he looked at the two young Jedi padawans in front of him.
"The Astræa was given in custody by Jedi master Wedge Antilles. I need his permission to cancel the Astræa's custody request."
Ian bowed to the officer and slightly raised his hand.
'You don't need his permission to cancel the custody request.'
"I don't need his permission to cancel the custody request," The officer repeated.
'You will give us permission to leave Mas'onom immediately.'
"I will give you permission to leave Mas'onom immediately."
'We will be allowed to take off within half an hour.'
"You will be allowed to take off within half an hour."
'We can board the Astræa at once. You will hand us the entrance keys and datapad now.'
"You can board the Astræa at once. I will hand you the entrance keys and datapad now."
"Thank you, sir," Ian said in his normal voice, "for your cooperation. Will hand me the entrance key.
He stretched out his hand and the officer gave him the required access codes. Ian nodded and took the datapad and the small entrance key.
"Which way to the launch pit?" He asked. The officer pointed to the corridor.
"You walk straight to that corridor, at the end turn left and you will find a locked door. Use the entrance key. The Astræa is at your disposal, masters."
Ian grabbed Liane's arm and beckoned Yarmod to follow him with the droids. They quickly passed the long corridor, turn left and found the door. Ian deactivated the lock with the key and the door slid aside. In the dark launch pit stood the former imperial shuttle. The lights in the pit activated and Yarmod walked over to the front of the space ship. He pushed a series of buttons and the ramp came down. They entered the shuttle. Liane took care of Threepio and Artoo, while Ian and Yarmod went over to the cockpit and ignited the engine to have the shuttle ready for take off. They did a quick safety check and when the results of the ship's computer were affirmed, Yarmod turned on the communication with the launch tower.
"Tower, this is the Astræa. We want to get clear for take off."
"Astræa, this is the tower. You're clear to go. Have a good flight."
Yarmod fired up the ion-drive and slowly the shuttle started to hover. He slowly increased the power. The ion-drive came to full power and the Astræa shot out of the launch pit into space. Mas'onom space port rapidly became smaller, they went into orbit around Dalmaran and Yarmod unfolded the upturned wings of the Astræa. Ian and Liane had search the log and found the coordinates of Ben Kenobi's former home on Tatooine. Ian fed the navi-computer with the coordinates. It started to calculate their course and within a couple of minutes Yarmod activated the hyperdrive. The stars became streaks of light and the Astræa shot away.
Mon Mothma looked at the holo-image of the Dalmarian leader Ma'duf'ey.
"This is very serious, Supreme Chancellor. We're going to investigate at once," The president of the Dalmarian government said.
"I want to join your men, Ma'duf'ey. You know why I'm asking it," Mon Mothma said.
"Can you meet my men on Vor'izon, madam?"
"Whenever you want. I will inform my staff I'm leaving right now."
At that moment Leia Organa Skywalker Solo dashed unannounced into Mon Mothma's office. Surprised and with a frown Mon Mothma look at her unexpected visitor.
"I call you back, Ma'duf'ey, but you can be sure I will meet your men on Vor'izon."
She switched the holodisplay and turned to Leia.
"Senator, I thought you and your husband were on their way to the Palomintar System?"
"Han and Chewie are already on their way again to support Wedge and his men, chancellor, they only dropped me off in Irithim. I asked my husband to bring me back to Dalmaran. I want to go to the hidden residence."
"I have already arranged that Ma'duf'ey's men will pick me up at Vor'izon. Leia, I'm very worried about Liane."
"So, are Han and me, madam, but is it wise to leave our government without a leader and bring yourself in a hazardous situation. Madam, you've always led any strife staying out of the limelight. We still don't know why this is going on."
"What do you mean, Leia?"
"So far, we have been assuming that Darth Golluth wanted to get Liane, but the presence of the Basilisaea in the Palomintar System let me think otherwise. Can't it be that the imperials are planning a secret mission against the New Republic too. Madam, we need you as our strong leader. Let me go in your place."
"Are you telling me, that the imperials are breaking the truce? Do you have any proof of your accusation."
"If the Falcon hadn't been equipped with a cloaking device it might be that Han and I would have been in custody on the Basilisaea now. Admiral Vestor chased the Falcon and seemed very eager to get the ship and its crew."
Mon Mothma looked seriously, then she nodded.
"I understand your concern, Leia, but I would like to see for myself that Liane is alright. Those two young padawans aren't in a position to really protect her."
"Madam, I will stay with the two padawans to protect Liane, if want me to."
"What about your brother, Leia. I thought you desperately wanted to assist him." Mon Mothma said with a smile.
"I do, madam, but Luke's first concern is Liane's safety. If I'm staying with her I am in fact assisting my brother, for he doesn't have to worry about her safety. Madam, we have to make a quick desicion."
"I will report these new developments to the senate and tell them your suspicions about possible secret plans of the remnants of the imperial fleet to start the Civil War again. I will inform the leader of the Dalmarians Ma'duf'ey, that I'll send you as my representative. The Jedi have always been highly acclaimed with the Dalmarians, so, I will tell Ma'duf'ey my representative will be one of our trusted Jedi Knights."
Leia sight with relieve imperceptible. Mon Mothma had already activated the connection with the Dalmarian leader and waited for his holographic image to appeared.
"Yes, madam. When can we expect you?"
"I have made a slight chance in the plans, Ma'duf'ey. I'm sending one of my Jedi Knights to assist your man. She's my most trusted advisor, you've probable already met her: I'm sending princess Leia Organa of the Royal House of Aldaraan to you."
"That's a great honor, madam. We will receive the princess with the highest regards. You said she's a Jedi Knight?"
"She is, Ma'duf'ey. I will send her immediately to Vor'izon to meet your men."
"I have already given to order to triple the surveillance around Na'ctaMag'Ba. Our submersibles will lay a blockade near the entrance of your hidden residence. If by any chance a vessel has found the entrance they can't get away without being noticed. My men will take care that they are held at bay so my armed forces can capture them and bring them to Vor'izon."
"Thank you, Ma'duf'ey. It's always good to have reliable allies. I will tell princess Leia to meet your men in Vor'izon."
The connection was discontiuned and Mon Mothma turned to Leia.
"The submersible to Vor'izon is ready for you. You can leave immediately, Leia. Tell Liane not to worry. I'm sure those blast doors will withstand the attack, and you've heard that our opponents can't get to their friends. The blockade of surveillance submersibles will prevent that."
"The leader talked about trippling the surveillance, what does that mean?" Leia asked curiously.
Mon Mothma smiled.
"Na'ctaMag'Ba is normally surrounded by some five to seven hundred small surveillance subs. I think, that Ma'duf'ey will give the order to increase that number to two and half thousand. That means that our opponents will have great difficulty to outrun that blockade."
"Good," Leia whispered. She looked up at Mon Mothma.
"Thank you for understanding my point of view, chancellor. The New Republic will benefit from the continuation of your leadership. I'm going to the submersible."
"I don't know if it's safe to use the communciation system in the residence, so report back to Ma'duf'ey's men. They will inform him and he can tell me the outcome of his action. Now, go, Leia, and may the Force be with you."

To be continued...