Chapter 68

"Did he tell you, Cornell, how long he intended to stay away?" He asked turning to the Quelan harvester.

"About a week or so, general Solo. Your friend had his own plans. He didn't bother us with his intentions. Sometimes he stayed with us and helped us." Cornell answered.

"You said he often took Toallin's daughter Chati with him. Did he took the girl with him on those explorations inside this tunnel."

"He did several times, but not always, general."

"Where can I find Chati?"

"She's working with some harvesters uphill where the river plunges downward in a waterfall. You shouldn't worry about your friend, general. I'm sure he knows what he is doing."

'I'm not so sure,' Han thought, but he nodded, "I'm going to find Chati, Cornell. I'll see you later," He said and left the cave.

Reaching the spot where the group harvesters with Chati were working took some time. The path uphill was marked with loose stones and Han had to take care to avoid an avalanche of rocks. Finally he heard the voices of the Quelans discussing their progress.

"Give me a hand with these rocks, Chati," He heard a young voice yell.

Han took some last steps and hoisted himself on a small plain plateau, looking out on both sides on the surrounding mountains and valleys. He heard the noise of a waterfall and saw the riverbed where a group of four Quelans were digging a canal in the rock. The Quelans looked up as they saw him.

"General Solo, welcome. Did Cornell tell you about our progress and plan." One of them said.

Han nodded.

"He did. I'll gave him a hand clearing away the rocks which crumbled in the underground canal. It's amazing what you have achieved," He lied, "but I'm looking for the girl, Chati. Cornell said I could find her here."

"I'm here, general Solo," A voice said behind him.

Han turned and grinned.

"I remember you, young lady. So you managed to hide in the Millennium Falcon without me or Chewbacca noticing you. That's quite an achievement."

"I apologize, general," The girl said humbly.

"What for, Chati? I like individuals who take matters into their own hands, instead of waiting for someone else's order."

"You do, sir," Chati said relieved, "So, you aren't going to bring me back to Tyr?"

"Maybe I should do that, for your mother surely doesn't approve your action, I guess."

"Please, sir, I want to stay here with the harvesters. I'm learning a lot of them."

"Not only of us, Chati," One of the harvester commented, "We think, that Ben is teaching you a lot of his knowledge too."

Chati's face became red hot.

"General Solo, has Cornell told you that Chati and Ben have been often away together exploring the former riverbed under the mountain."

Han frowned.

"Ben, who is he? Did my friend and this girl team up with some else?"

"We call the Jedi Ben, general. It's his disguise. He didn't want to be known as master Skywalker," Chati explained.

"I see. Chati, what have you and Luke been doing there?"

"We've been looking if the former riverbed is a safe path to reach Ribana, sir. It's also of some advantage for the others, because if we ... "

Chati's explanation was interrupted by one of Cornell's man who had been climbing uphill out of breath.

"General Solo, Cornell wants you to come down immediately. There's something not well with Ben."

Chati stepped forward and wanted to open her mouth, but one of the harvesters pulled her back.

"Shut up, woman. Come on, we're all going down."

Once again Chati tried to interrupt, but the group had already started to descend. Chati watched them go, indecisively what to do for a moment. She knew what had happened. Some one had entered the alcove where Ben was laying in Jedi hibernation.

One of her fellow Quelans turned and made a gesture that she should follow them. Chati raised her hand to confirm she had seen him. She looked around, her eyes searching for the Millennium Falcon, but she didn't spot the space craft. Where was the ship? Where had they landed? When they had landed on Myr the Falcon had stood near the base cave. Once again Chati checked the valley in front of her and marked the spot where the Falcon had landed on their first arrival with her eyes. There was nothing, yet he felt the space craft had to be there. She decided she'd better follow the others, hide herself among the vegetation and see what was going to happen.

In the meantime Han and the four Quelans had reached the entrance of the base cave again where Cornell and the others stood.

"Quick, general. You must have look. This is not good," Cornell said worried.

He went inside and walked over to the alcove. The heavy cloth was taken down. Cornell ignited a ion-lamp and held it high so Han could see.

"We tried to wake him up, general, but he isn't responding. He feels cold, he doesn't breath and I don't like the color of his face."

Han went inside the alcove and kneeled near the couch.

"Luke, kid, wake up," He called and shook his friend at his shoulders.

Nothing happened. Han felt Luke's pulse and looked very worried.

"There's no pulse either, Cornell."

"You mean, he's dead, general."

Han shook his head.

"I don't know, Cornell, I don't know, but I have to get him on a life-support system real quick. Maybe I'm already too late. Luke, kid, what happened to you?"

Han activated his infocom.

"Chewie, deactivate the cloaking. Something is wrong with Luke. Prepare our life support system."

He listened to the answer of this co-pilot.

"No, I'm coming to the Falcon with Luke now."

He switched off, got over to the couch and lifted the inert body of Luke in his arms. He had touched the young Jedi's face. It felt cold. What had happened to the boy?

"I'm taking him to the Falcon, Cornell. My ship has a provisional life support system."

With the body of Luke in his arms Han walked outside the cave. In the bright daylight he was shocked as he looked at the ashen-grey face of his brother-in-law. Again he started to shook the young Jedi.

"Wake up, Luke, you can't leave us this way? Think about your sister, think about Liane, think about our friendship."

He walked over to the Falcon, where Chewbacca was rushing down the ramp. He took the burden from Han's arms and let out a loud wailing howl.

Near one of the landing claws of the space ship a slight movement was seen among the vegetation, but no one noticed it. Chati tried to crawl closer to the ramp of the Falcon. She took enough time to make sure that the color of her skin was adapting to her surrounding so she wouldn't be noticed. Carefully she hid himself underneath the ramp and listened. She heard that Cornell and two other Quelans were following Han Solo and Chewbacca with the body of Luke Skywalker. As she looked around the safety pylons of the ramp she saw the other Quelans discussing the situation. She felt their worries and anxieties. Again she hid herself underneath the Falcon, listened and waited. One of the harvesters finally took the lead and told the others to get inside the base cave to avoid unwanted attentions of spying eyes. Chati waited for several moments then crawled from underneath the ramp, looked if her fellow Quelans had disappeared and then jumped on the ramp. Once inside the side she hid herself in a shallow alcove and listened. She knew what she had to do, but she first had to find out where they had taken the hibernated body of Ben. She closed her eyes and sought her union with the Force as Luke had taught her. Now she clearly heard the separate voices of the general, the Wookiee and Cornell and the two others. Stealthy she came out of her hiding place, looked at her skin color and grinned. He was almost as grey as the paneling of the passageway of the space ship. Without making any noise she found her way to the central control room. Now the voice were clearly audibly.

"Chewie," He heard Han Solo say, "attach him to those life support vials."

The Wookiee grunted.

"No pal, I don't get any reading of a heart beat on the monitor. I fear we're too late, I fear our friend has left us without a warning."

The Wookiee let out a earsplitting howl. Chati heard how they all started to talk together, expressing their grief. For a second Chati reached out through the Force and felt the slow heart beat of Ben. She took a deep breath and walked over to where she heard the voices. As she stepped inside the alcove where they all stood she said in a clear voice "Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale."

Cornell whirled around, walked over the young female Quelan, grabbed her firmly at her shoulders and shook her.

"What are you doing here? This is no time for jokes, Chati. We've lost the most important member of our company and you're disturbing us with one of your silly fantasies. General Solo just said that master Skywalker was the last living Jedi master in this galaxy." He snarled.

Chati looked over Cornell's shoulder and started to smile. She saw how Ben's chest had started to raise and fall as his normal breathing returned. Cornell who stood with his back towards the berth on which Luke laid, became furious when he saw the smile around the young girl's mouth.

"Why are you laughing? You know what happened, don't you? You know who did this, don't you? Was it that wierdo who took our city? Tell us," He suddenly screamed and slapped her face with his hand. Chati didn't flinch, but kept looking at Luke Skywalker and the monitor above the berth.

"Look," she said, pointing at the display, "His heart beat is almost normal. He will wake up any moment now."

She hadn't finished her words, as Luke opened his eyes and looked around. Immediately his glance intercepted the red cheek on Chati's where Cornell had hit her.

"I've heard your greeting, Chati,Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale." He said and slowly sat upright.

Then he noticed Han and Chewie who were looking devastated at the young Jedi.

"Luke!" Han exclaimed. "What happened to you? We all thought you were dead."

"My apologies," Luke said a bit embarrassed, "I have been practising Jedi hibernation meditation. I didn't have the intention to frighten you."

"Jedi hibernation meditation! What's that for Jedi nonsense!"

Luke jumped off the berth and carefully freed himself of a few tubes and vials that were attached to his arms. He turned to Cornell.

"Did you find me, Cornell?" He asked politely, putting his hand on the Quelan's shoulder, "I'm really sorry, if I've frightened you all. I wanted to test your fiber foil jacket to see if it would be suitable to serve an idea I have in mind. Han, Chewie, it's good that you have returned. Where's Leia? Have you heard anything about Liane? Last time I spoke to her she mentioned that the residence was under attack."

"Luke, don't you ever do this again to me!" Han said, poking his finger on his friend's chest, on a furious, but relieved tone, then he continued: "Leia's still on Dalmaran. She wanted to convince Mon Mothma she should replace her, because Liane and those two guys you send to protect her weren't in the residence any longer. I haven't heard from her. Chewie and I came back to support you."

"Let's get inside the cave, fellows, so we can cloak the Falcon again," Luke said, "Han, Cornell, I will explain Jedi hibernation once we're inside the cave. That fiber foil jacket, Cornell, serves my needs. I feel refreshed and energetic. Chati, thank you for your help, Cornell has slapped your face, hasn't he. Does it hurt much."

Chati shook her head and Luke continued, "Without you, Chati, my friends would have probably brought me back to Dalmaran."

He grabbed the young woman's shoulder and gently pushed her to the exit ramp of the Falcon, with a laughing flicker in his eyes. The others followed still shaking their heads in disbelieve.

The Tychorion drifted in static position in orbit around Dalmaran. General Crix Madine walked over to the transport bay as a small transport ship from Irithim arrived. After the ship's landing the small figure of Leia Organa Solo immediately came down the ramp of the ship.

"Welcome on board, Your Highness," The general said with a slight bow.

"Thank you, general. I want to introduce to you Fern'all To'lo'imon, captain-general of the Dalmarian navy fleet. He want permission to come on board and accompany us on our trip to the Palomintar System."

"Welcome on board of the Tychorion, captain To'lo'imon," Madine said and brought a formal salute.

Fern'all To'lo'imon answered the salute.

"You must be the commander of the Dalmarian submarine fleet. What made you left the waters around Vor'izon." Madine said politely, while he offered Leia his arm.

"The Dalmarian leader wants to strenghen the alliance with the New Republic, sir. A couple of months ago I put in a request to be stationed as a volunteer on the space fleet of the New Republic. The unexpected visit of her Royal Highness the princess of Alderaan created an opportunity to address the Supreme Chancellor personally."

"Any experience in space flight, captain?"

"None, sir."

"Well, captain. The captain of the Tychorion will to show you around. I have already informed him of your arrival. He is expecting you. Oh, there he is. Captain Linfold, this is our expected guest, captain To'lo'imon of the Dalmarian navy fleet. Captain To'lo'imon, captain Themill Linfold, the commander of the Tychorion.

Both men shook hands and Themill Linfold made an inviting suggesture.

"Follow me, sir. I'm very honored to show you around. General, I want to leave."

General Madine salute and the two captains walked away, talking together like they were old friends.

Madine turned to Leia.

"We'll go to my quarters, Leia. I hope you can give me full update on what has happened on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. Mon Mothma only told me I had to wait, until you were on board."

They walked to the main control room of the Tychorion were the general had his private quarters. He ordered his liaison officer he didn't want to be disturbed until further notice.

"Well, general," Leia said, as she sat down on one of the couches, "it seems that Liane has succeeded to runaway once again and this time she took our Jedi padawans with her. They left Mas'onom space port with the Astræa with unknown destination, but I think she has planned to go to Palomintar Four. I have contacted Wedge Antilles. He has promissed me to warn me, if the Astræa would turn up near the Palomintar System. If necessary Wedge will ask assistance from admiral Vestor to take the Astræa on board the Basilisaea, but so far I haven't heard anything of him."

"Let's hope that last option won't be necessary. We will leave any minute now and we will reach the Palomintar System within twenty-four hours. If you want, Leia, you can contact Wedge Antilles directly using the com system of the Tychorion."

Leia nodded.

"Thank you, general. That will ease our task."

"I understand, that the Tychorion won't interfere with your plans on Palomintar Four. We will only survey the Palomintar System to make sure that admiral Vestor won't transport his troops and land on the planet."

"That's right, general. It's a pity that the Tychorion will be the only space ship in the system. I fear that admiral Vestor won't be impressed."

"What are your plans, Leia?"

"I want to make contact with the Millennium Falcon as soon as possible, general. Han must have reached the Palomintar System during my stay on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. If possible I want to get on board our ship and see if we can find a way to get to my brother."

"Is there anything known about your brother's plans?"

"Luke is reluctant about a direct interference, general. We have gathered a lot of contradictory information about Trevor Matrik. Luke and I have experienced some influences of the Force during our first flights near Palomintar Four; Luke also felt his presence went we were making a secret visit to Ribana. The weird thing is, general, that Luke felt Trevor's presence, but that Trevor didn't seem to notice that two Jedi Knight and an experienced padawan were watching him. We asked Liane about him, for she has met him more than once on Morantan, but her stories doesn't give full proof that Trevor Matrik knows how to use the Dark Side of the Force. It's all very strange, general, very strange, and very alarming.

"If we have reached the Palomintar System, Leia, can you contact the Falcon. She can board the Tychorion, so you will be able to jump ship."

"I have been thinking about that possibility too, general. I would be a relief to me, if I could get on Myr again to help my brother. I haven't heard of him since Liane has told him that the residence on Na'ctaMagh'Ba was under attack."

The PA-system of the Tychorion warned that the ship was going make the jump into hyperspace within one minute. Madine and Leia fasted their safety webbing to absorb the reaction. In silence that waited, listening to the mechanical voice with the countdown.

Liane put the box with the inscription 'My life in exile' next to her on the couch and opened the lid. Inside lay a small datapad. She took it out and looked at it from all sides.

Artoo hooted a soft advice. Liane laughed.

"I should activate it, is that what you're suggesting, Artoo. That's a good advice. Ben wants me to read this with the story of his life on Tatooine. I hope he will tell me it again, using that orange holocron."

She pushed the switch and waited for the device to activate. The display showed only a few files sorted in numerical order.

"Look, Artoo, there only three files. This last file is the largest and hasn't the highest number. The third file is the smallest I will start with that one. Ben couldn't probably finish his story after he left Tatooine with Luke. I'm glad Ben told me he wrote in Standard Basic."

She positioned herself cross-legged on the couch and picked up the first sheet.

"Listen, Artoo, I will read it aloud to you, so you also hear this story. You surely don't know this. Luke told me that you and Threepio met Ben after Luke's uncle bought the two of you from the Jawas."

Artoo beeped a affirmation and continued with a long binary sentence. Liane looked at the blue domed sturdy droid.

"You saw how Ben vanished on that first Death Star. How awful, Artoo. You liked him, is that what you're telling me. I like him too. He's very kind and so understanding. Yes, he was the same to Luke on their travel to Alderaan. Shall I start reading?"

'My story is drawing to it's close. The Force has shown me that my fate is sealed. Finally I will be able to give Luke is first training, but it will also be the last thing I will do. The only thing I can hope, is that my children won't misjudge the decisions I made. I'm aware that the plan I had in mind will never come to fruition. I leave it the hands of the Force to bring them together...'

Liane stopped and raised her eyebrows. She looked at the writing and shook her head.

"This doesn't make sense, Artoo. Ben speaks of 'my children'. I know he has a son, but he never told me he had another child. I also never asked him, who was Tama-Hinn's mother? Was he married to her? Where has he lived with his family? The Jedi weren't allowed to marry according to the book Luke gave me. The members of the order only wanted to focus on their tasks as Jedi Knights and stay in full connection with Force. In fact, Artoo, I think that's an odd way of thinking. Why shouldn't a couple of Jedi Knights who feel attracted to each other not marry? Hmm, I'd better read on.

'...to bring them together. I hope it will be possible for my son to find his sister. I will ask Luke to go to Corellia and team up with him. My daughter is alive, I still feel her presence through the Force, but I can't tell where she is. My son has to find out. I say goodbye now. May the Force be with you.'

Astounded Liane read the last paragraph again.

"Ben had a daughter! She was his other child. What has happened to her? He brought his son to Corellia. To the Tydon family. Probably he wasn't able to bring his daughter to safety too. Oh, Artoo, it's such a sad end. I feel so sorry for him. His intentions were so good, but nothing went the way he hoped. The message he recorded never reached Luke, Ian still doesn't know Ben is his real father and now a mysterious daughter turns up. How will I be able to tell Ian all this? I think Ben is overestimating my skills."

She closed the file and looked downhearted at Artoo.

"Any suggestion, Artoo?" She said with a deep sigh.

"KDIKWII3-U7EKKODM-QSUKDN09-MMHDSIE8", The droid answered.

"Yes, I know Ben asked me to read this."

"KHSMKDKI-NNWA873K-BVZJJSKO," Artoo whistled.

"What! Read his story from the beginning. Starting with the first file." Liane said and looked at the display of the datapad. She sighed again.

"YJNCKJDK-MXM52KDI-KKLLSIEN0-XMZWEKDJD-NNNIIEK8," Artoo bleeped and pushed her leg.

"Maybe, you're right. Maybe I should read Ben's story from the beginning, but I will read it in silence. I will tell you, if there is something in it I want to tell with you."

Artoo's blue dome whirled around. Liane sat cross-legged on the couch again. Hesitatingly she opened the first file. There were only a few lines on it.

"I will read this one to you, Artoo. Listen."

"On this datapad I will write down the story of my life after what has happened on Mustafar and the death of Padmé Skywalker. I dedicate this story to her, to her children Luke and Leia and to my children Tama-Hinn Kenobi and Shaayla-Car Kenobi, but most of all I dedicate this to my beloved wife...

Liane's voice stopped.

"I don't believe this," She whispered, "Is this true. Was Ben married to my mother?"

Once again she read the lines and slowly she became aware of the truth behind them. Aghast she read the lines over and over again. Her thoughts began to tumble over each other. This was unbelievable. Severini, her mother, had been Ben's wife. She took a deep breath and looked around the main living without really noticing her surrounding. Finally she found her composure again.

"I'm Shaayla-Car Kenobi," She whispered, "I'm Ben's daughter. Ben is my father, my real father."

Then she recalled what Luke and master Yoda had told her. She was the daughter of two Jedi Knights. What had master Yoda said about her father? He had become one with the Force during the Civil War. Luke had told her he had witnessed how Ben seemed surrender himself to Darth Vader, but vanished before could Darth Vader strike him down. That first experience with the power of the Force had left Luke devastated. Never had she brought these two statements together.

Once again she looked around and then she started to smile. She was sitting in her father's house. Here he had lived, taking care of Luke as he had told her. She remembered her strange feelings when she had first visited this place with Luke. She had felt familiar with it, it had felt like coming home. Now she understood her feelings.

"I'm going to read his whole story. I want to know what happened to him and Severini." She murmured, closed the first file and opened the largest.

"Anakin is death," She read, "and Padmé also has died. I don't understand her death. After she had given birth to the twins and calling their names, she simply passed away. Yoda has urged me to keep the birth of Anakin's children secret. We had to bring Padmé's remains to Naboo, but make sure she still seemed pregnant. Bail Organa has taken the girl Leia with him and I have to bring the boy to his step-family on Tatooine. Yoda thinks he will be safe there, but I have to disagree. I want to raise the boy myself, together with Severini Solichor. I want to train him from the beginning on the Good Side of the Force. I have found a great spot were we can live in exile and safety: Morantan, a planet in the Outer Rim. There's a large archipelago with thousands of islets which will provide a thorough protection against discovery. I have brought the boy to an old friend, Eremian, a priest of the Baroontarian clan. His girls and Severini will take care of the boy as long as I'm building an accommodation on one of the islets....

Completely absorbed by what she was reading, Liane forgot everything around her. The hours passed and still she scrolled through the pages with the story of her father's life in exile. He had taken Severini, the Jedi healer of the Jedi temple with him when he had gone to Morantan. Ben wrote how he always had admired Severini from a distance, always keeping in mind the strict rules of the Jedi Order. He had been able to build a good home on a small islet of Ferlusa and he had brought Severini and Luke to it. It had been Severini who had propose to him to get married. At first Ben had refused, feeling bound by the rules of the Jedi Order, but Severini had told him that the Jedi Order didn't exist anymore. For their own safety it would be better if they would marry. She had persuaded him and they had asked Eremian to marry them. Their first months as a married couple had passed without troubles, but then Yoda had turned up and he had reprimanded Ben for neglecting their agreement about bringing Luke to his family on Tatooine. Yoda had insisted that Ben would bring the boy to Tatooine. Reluctantly Ben had agreed and had left Severini on Morantan. He had carried out the heavy task, but had immediately returned to Morantan, because Severini had told him she was pregnant.

"We've a son. A beautiful boy. Severini says he has my eyes. Tama-Hinn, we've called him." Liane read and unwittingly she smiled; for a moments her thoughts dwelled on Ian. Those simple words expressed so clearly Ben's happiness. Liane flipped the page and read on.

The happiness of her parents lasted for three years, then Ben discovered that imperial forces were building a huge complex on the mainland of Morantan. The empire had occupied the planet. This meant a severe threat to Severini, their son and Ben. Severini had urged him to bring the boy to a safe place, like Ben had done with Luke. Ben had managed to reach the space port on the Morantan mainland and had brought Tama-Hinn to his friend Lucian Tydon, an former officer during the Clone Wars, who had gone back to Corellia after the war. Amazed Liane read how Ben and Severini had kept in touch using Jedi telepathy. The situation on Morantan worsened as the imperials had started exploration on the mainland continent, but it became too dangerous for Ben to return to Morantan, when Severini told him she had felt Darth Vader's presence. Ben had decided he would abide his time and went to Tatooine. There he had build another accommodation in the Jundland Waste, behind the Dune Sea. He wanted to go back to Morantan one last time to pick up Severini who had told him she was pregnant again.

"He never made it," Liane said and put the datapad she had been reading, "He never made it. Probably it was too dangerous. He had to leave her there on her own. No, Liane, no guessing. Read Ben's story."

She turned to datapad and flipped to the next page.

Severini had kept Ben informed about the situation on Morantan. Ben had urged her to seek refuge with Eremian and the Baroontarian priestess as a disguise. Reluctantly Severini had agreed. Their second child, a daughter, had been born on the island of the Baroontarians. Severini had suggested to call the girl, Shaayla-Car, after an old friend of her who had died during the elimination of the Jedi Order. Ben had heartily agreed, but had insisted that Severini with their child should stay with Eremian.

"Why, why, didn't you listen, my love. Why did you have to go back to Ferlusa. You should have stayed with Eremian. I know you weren't happy among them, but it was a safe place. Yes, I understand you feared that they would raise our girl with their rules which you despise, but now you're gone from this galaxy, taken up in the Force, lost for me. Severini, my love, I haven't been a good husband. I should have taken you with me when I fled with Tama-Hinn. You would have been safe on Corellia for a while. You're gone, you're gone!"

Liane looked up from the datapad with tears in her eyes. She had just read how Ben had felt how Severini had become one with the Force and how he blamed himself. She could almost hear the tears in his voice while he had been writing down these words. For a moment she wondered if she should read the rest of the story. She knew what had happened to her. How Anakin had found her and taken her with him. How he had raised her at the Dark Side of the Force. Had Anakin known she was the daughter of his former master, his enemy?

"No, I don't think Anakin has never known I was Obi-Wan's daughter. Oh, father, what happened to you, after you had lost Severini. Did you know that Anakin took me with him?"

Determined she turned her attention to the datapad again.

"I want to read it all. He knew I was alive. At the last page he says he has always felt my presence through the Force."

She started to read the story of his life after Severini had gone. He had made himself a living on Tatooine, observing Anakin's son Luke from a distance. The style slightly changed, for Ben was now telling about his life in exile as if he was telling it to Severini. The years had gone by slowly and uneventful. Luke's uncle, Owen Lars, hadn't become friends with her father. He had opposed and quarrelled with him, telling Ben, he should stay away from the moisture farm and don't meddle in Luke's affairs. It had been a difficult time as well, because Liane understood that Ben, some how, wanted to be reunited with his son on Corellia one way or the other, but the burden master Yoda had laid on his shoulders, had prevented he could realized any of his ideas and plans. Finally she turned up the last page and read again Ben's last words, a kind of farewell, but also a sincere wish to seek the reunion of his children. With a sigh Liane closed the file. Deep in thoughts she switch off the device. She looked at Artoo who had kept her company during her long reading. Occasionally she had read parts aloud, especially about Luke. Artoo had told her, he and Threepio had been on the moisture farm of Owen Lars with Anakin and Padmé. Surprised she had asked if the little droid remembered that first visit after Owen Lars had bought him and Threepio from the Jawas, but Artoo had denied. He didn't remember.

"Well, Artoo, I always wanted to know who my real parents are. Now I know and I also know what I have to do. I can't let them down, I can't let Ben down. I don't know yet, how I will tell Ian he is my brother, but I will find a way. That's the first thing I will do and secondly I will asked Luke to become my Jedi master. I hope he still will accept me as his padawan learner."

Yawning she stretched her arms above her head.

"I feel tired, Artoo, but I also feel more alive than ever. It's such a great feeling that I have a father and a mother. Maybe I should asked Mon Mothma to change the name of Liane Solichor into Shaayla-Car Kenobi. Shaayla-Car, hmm, this name seems to fit like fine clothing, like the white dress Leia gave me, Luke's favorite dress. I will also ask Mon Mothma if it's possible to have Ben's name, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on my ID-card too. That will give me the feeling he and my mother are always with me. "

'We are, Shaayla-Car' A soft voice responded.

Surprised, but with a welcoming smile, Liane looked up. In the middle of the living stood two bluish Force apparitions.

"Ben! Mother?" Liane exclaimed with a face brightly shining.

'It's time you meet your mother, Shaayla-Car,' Ben said, stepping aside and gently pushing the woman next him, 'This is Severini Solichor Kenobi, your mother and my dearest wife.'

Liane looked at the woman who stretched out her hands.

'We've met, my daughter, when you rescued your brother. I'm still grateful for your tremendous effort.'

"You were the one who really cured him, mother," Liane said, "Ian has told me how you brought him to that Force garden of Healing. He knows it was you, but it will be a real surprise to him when he realizes that it was his mother who helped him to find the right way for this Jedi meditation. I'm really happy we meet at last."

Ben looked at the young woman who was his grown up daughter and he smiled relieved and happy. Liane remembered the sad face on the brink of tears when he had asked, almost begged her, to tell Ian who he was.

'You will tell your brother, won't you, Shaayla-Car?'

Liane nodded with sparkling eyes.

"I will, father, and I know he will be as happy as I am. I will tell him, what you wrote, and he can read the story for himself if he wants. Father, if I have told him, will you and mother come to meet him. I sure he wants to see you both. Don't tell me, that has to wait, until he has become a Jedi, for I can meet you, and I am not a Jedi," She said, "....Yet!"

The two apparition laughed.

'There is one big difference between you and Tama-Hinn, Shaayla-Car,' Severini said, 'You have been trained to use the Force from a young age. Your brother has only recently started to discover his Force abilities, but we will see, if the Force is strong enough in him.'

'Now, you must rest, Shaayla-Car. It's been a long eventful day and night. Get some sleep and take your time to think about all you've read. We're going back now, but we'll meet again soon.'Ben said.

"I could talk to you the whole night," Liane said, but all of a sudden she felt really tired, "... Almost. I take your advice, father. Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale, mother. Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale, father.". She yawned.

"Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale, Shaayla-Car." The two apparitions disappeared. Liane looked with a smile at Artoo who was again making his humming soothing sound. She laid down on the couch and stretched arms behind her head.

"Go on for a while, Artoo, this sound makes me feel drowsy. Good night, my little friend," She mused while her eyes closed. The little droid waiting until he noticed Liane's regular breathing, then he switched off and positioned himself in the corner of the living.