Chapter 87

"You'd better come inside, Liane," A voice said.

Liane nodded and smiled as Kieran came over to her.

"I'm coming. Palomintar's sun will rise soon. I was enjoying the serenity and the silence of this wild lands just before dawn, Kieran. There are so many living things around us. I have listened to their scurrying through the underground, waking up to find food and live another day."

Suddenly Liane grabbed Kieran's arm and pulled him to the open door of the cabin. Before they entered she looked at the sky once again, then she quickly closed the door. The others looked up in wonder.

"What's wrong, Shaayla-Car?" Yarmod asked, but immediately he understood.

"A kind of probe droid is scanning this area," Liane said to Yarnick and his brothers, "It's coming our way. Keep quiet, for it might be sophisticated enough to hear our voices, even if we are indoors. Let's hope that doesn't have sensors to detect the radiation of our bodies."

Kieran looked at her, "I saw you looking at the sky, but there wasn't anything to see."

Liane hushed him, "Be quiet, Kieran. I sensed its presence. It's flying very high, so it couldn't be detected with the naked eye. The Force told me this area was being watched from a high altitude."

"Let's quickly prepare some places to rest," Yarmod whispered, "During the sleep, your body temperature drops a little. Maybe that's enough to stay safe. Shaayla-Car and I will use our Force skills to find out if the intruder has detected anything and will start a more thorough surveillance."

The Grann brothers nodded. Yarnick grabbed his backpack and gave each of them a ration of nut bread. Gratefully Liane accepted her share.

"As soon as it safe again we will divide our food rations anew, Yarnick. Thank you," She said on a soft tone, "Now, find yourself a place to rest among your brothers. Yarmod and I will stay in the main room and be prepared in case some action is needed. No talking anymore from now."

Yarnick beckoned his brothers and they all retreated to one of the rooms at the rear. Liane and Yarmod took a hiding place beneath the two small windows on either side of cabin. Silently they waited for what would happen.

'I fear we've been detected, Yarmod. It's coming lower.' Liane said suddenly through the Force.

'It's lowering faster. It's must have noticed your movements outside, or maybe it detected our voices' Yarmod answered concerned.

Both young Jedi crouched lower, using their Force power to make themselves almost invisible. In total silence they waited. Every now and then one of them reached out the Force to find out the position of the probe droid. Suddenly an soft, but penetrating hum, reached their ears.

'It's circling above the cabin,' Yarmod said, 'That gives us an opportunity to destroy it. Let's wait if it's getting lower. I take position near the backdoor of the cabin. You take the front door, If it starts circling at ground level, we'll rush outside, so we might entrap it.'

Tense they both reached out to the Force.

'It's lowering at the left side of the cabin, probably probing what's inside. I'll go first and attract its attention. You follow immediately around the right corner and hit it from the back.' Yarmod pointed out, 'Ready! Let's go!'

With a formidable leap Yarmod reached the backdoor, threw it open and rushed around the left corner of the cabin, his lightsaber ablaze. Almost simultaneously Liane left the cabin through the front door and sneaked around the right corner. The device had turned its optical sensors in Yarmod's direction and activated a laser beam. The young Jedi parried the beam effortlessly. Liane crept closer, nearing the device from the rear and before it could sense her and turned around to fire at her, she rushed over with her ignited lightsaber and slashed the hovering ball in two. The two halves hissed and sparkled as its internal wiring had been cut, after which the half orbs dropped on the grass. Quickly Yarmod grabbed the two halves and took them inside.

The Grann brothers who had heard the noises entered the main room.

"You've got it," Ronan grinned, "Looks like it is broken and out of order forever."

"Let's examine it," Yarnick said and got over. He produced a pocket utensil knife and started rummaging in the spliced halves interior. The others stood around the table, watching Yarnick who carefully disassembled the inner parts. Carefully he put them in a row on the table. Finally he looked up.

"This one won't bother us anymore," He commented, and all of them laughed relieved.

"The question remains," Brion said, "Who has released this droid and what has it detected."

"Not much," Yarnick said, and pointed to the row in front of them, "It is a very old model of surveillance probe and it is heavily modified. If in good order it would have been able to send clear images of the area and this cabin to a receiver, but look at the lenses connected to the optical sensor. It looks like they have smashed into fragments. It couldn't reveal clear images anymore. There's only one functioning sensor which detects movement. That's why it started to do surveillance near the surface and began to encircled this cabin. The two of you have done a flashy job."

"What about a transmitter. It could still have send a coded message to the receiver?" Conor asked.

"There's no transmission equipment inside, nor any other sensor to send messages. This probe droid has been modified deliberately for I've found several disconnected wires which in a fully functional probe would have kept other sensors operational."

They all looked puzzled. Finally Liane said hesitant, but worried.

"So our opponent uses these kind of probe droids to secure the area around Ribana. If my assumption turns out to be true, we need to be more cautious. Yarnick, you're sure these probes don't have infrared or heat detectors? We need to be sure, because we're traveling during the night."

"No, this kind of probe droid is a very outdated model. The imperials used these probes on Kessel, when Ronan and I were hiding there. Their functionality is very limited. More sophisticated probe droids which could detect and transmit any irregularity, were used for permanent monitoring around the clock and especially meant to protect the perimeters of a prohibited areas, like a space port, or secret military base. This one, certainly, could only have been used to transmit images of an area during daytime. We can relax now. Eilidh, you and Yarmod have chosen the right moment to act, eliminating this device. I'm sure there's no more danger at the moment, but I agree with you, that we have to be more on our guard from now on. I suggest that we will discuss our next steps during a proper meal. Do you think we can prepare some canned food from the larder, for it's better if we safe our nut rations in case we need to make a detour to reach the plains, or if we have to wait for Ian and his other companions in case they are delayed."

"There it is, Tama-Hinn. That's the clearing near the outside cave which we always use as our base camp," Manall said and pointed ahead to the grassy spot surrounded by the huge trees, "You can put the speeder behind those bushes.

Ian slowed down and rounded the bushes behind which he saw the speeder of the Millennium Falcon. He stopped. The noise of the engine died out. Manall left the vehicle. He looked around with a satisfied look in his eyes. Then he turned and beckoned Lorann and Ian to follow him.

"It's safe to leave the speeder. We have to walk a short path that leads to the entrance of the base cave. Let's go."

He didn't wait, but walked up the sloping path with firm strides, swaying his stick and humming in himself. Lorann looked at Ian and whispered, "Master Kenobi, do you know what has happened to grandfather. It looks like he doesn't feel anymore pain. It's very strange but the wound at his back is almost healed. Last night there were only some minor scratches visible."

"You should be glad, that your grandfather has recovered this fast, Lorann," Ian said with a smile and laid his arm around the boy's shoulder, "Let's follow him quickly, as he has already disappeared around the bend."

They quickened their pace and caught up with Manall.

"What took you so long, Lorann. Normally you're showing your impatience if I don't walk fast enough," The old harvest man grinned.

Lorann blushed, "That's not true, granpa. I always waited for you."

Affectionately Manall took his grandson's arm, "I'm teasing you, Lorann. You have been a fine helper on Tyr, after your father went to Myr with master Kenobi's friends."

The three of them followed the winding path upward. Manall went ahead and stepped inside the cave. Cornell and his men and Han, Leia and Wedge looked up from their meal at the unexpected visitor.

"Hello, son. I've come to see if you and the other's have made any progress," Manall said with big grin.

Cornell rose and walked over to his father.

"You should have come, father. You have to take care of your health," He said concerned.

"I'm fine. Never felt better before," Manall replied, still grinning, "Your youngest son has taken good care of me. He says that the wound at my back is almost healed."

He pointed at the brewing pot, "Is there enough left for three hungry travelers. We haven't eaten since we left the last cabin early this morning. I told, master Tama-Hinn, to drive as fast as possible, so we could share your meal."

Now the other harvest men roared with laughter. Quickly they arrange some extra seats in the circle and guided their new guests to the places.

"Welcome, master Manall," Woldrin said, "It's a great pleasure to have you and your grandson with us. Welcome young Lorann and welcome back master Tydon. It's good to see you again safe and sound."

Woldrin and Cornell scoped some of the broth on three plates and offered them to three newcomers.

"How was the ride, master Manall," Woldrin asked.

"We covered the track in less than three days, Woldrin. It's been a great advantage to have a Jedi at the wheel. I'm very proud to present to you the son of my old friend Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Meet Tama-Hinn Kenobi who will become as great a Jedi as his father. He resembles his father in so many ways," Manall answered between several bites, pointing at Ian who was silently eating the famous Quelan broth, but his cheeks slightly colored at Manall's admiring words. All the time Leia was watching her former padawan closely. She saw and senses the changes in his attitude, no longer was he the learner, no longer was she the master. They were equals now. Equals as Jedi Knights, Force users. When Wedge had told her that he had given the two padawans and Liane their Jedi initiation she had been skeptical, but now she had to admit that Wedge had been right. Her padawan had grown into a Jedi Knight.

After have finished their meal the three newcomers mingled with the group. Han went over to Ian and grabbed his arm.

"Where is Liane, Ian?" He asked.

Ian looked at him.

"My sister is on her way to Ribana to seek a confrontation with admiral Trevor Matrik," He said.

"Sister! Whose sister! Where is Liane? You were one of her guards," Han remarked.

"Liane is my sister, Han. I didn't leave her. She sent me to you and the others. Yarmod Martan is with her as are the Grann brothers," Ian said calmly and looked at Leia and Wedge who had joined them. Next to Leia he noticed a familiar face and he began to smile. In his mind he heard the words Liane had said after her help to Toallin's wife.

"Chati Fonaldris, how are you? Please to meet you again. You look like one of the harvest men. Are you helping them?"

"I insisted to do my part here, master Tydon," Chati answered, "Master Cornell is supervising my work as a harvester and master Leia takes care of me, now that Ben temporarily has left our group."

"Ben? You mean Luke Skywalker?"

Chati nodded, "He wanted to be called Ben as long as he was among us."

"I see," Ian answered.

"Ian, sorry to interrupt, but why didn't you bring Liane and the others here as well?" Leia asked.

"I'm sorry, master, but my sister insisted to go to Ribana straightaway," Ian said, "but she has asked me if you and master Antilles could come to the plains with the Astræga for a safe transport to the town. I can give you the location where you might meet her. She and the others in her company will probably reach that point the day after tomorrow, so there's enough time to reach them in time."

"You speak about Liane as your sister. How do you know you're siblings, Ian, and don't call me 'master' any more, will you?" Leia said with a laugh. She grab Ian's arm, beckoned Han, Wedge, Chati and Chewbacca to follow them and walked out of the cave.

Liane, the Grann brothers and Yarmod Martan were following the marked path through the wild lands. Liane and Yarnick walked ahead, while Yarmod and Kieran were closing up from behind. None of them spoke and they walked in a single file near the thick shrubbery at the right side. It wasn't pitch dark night for a small moon shone and cast a eerie light on the undergrowth. During the past years the path had been overgrown with the long shoots of the thorny plants which formed the main vegetation. Liane and Yarmod had taken off their coats and tied them at their backpacks. Their boots provided good protection against the thorny plants. The Grann brother wore their normal clothes, but somehow the thorns never penetrated their pants. Liane wondered what kind of fabric their clothes were made off.

At a steady but slow pace they struggled along the overgrown path. After having walked on for at least four hours they reach a spot were the path widened a little. The thorny shoots no longer overgrew the path completely. In the middle a small stony track made it possible to increase their pace. Another two hours later they entered a clearing surrounded by groups of low trees and a different kind of shrubs without thorns. They gathered around the map and Yarnick pointed the way they had to follow before they would reach their next safe dwelling. They still didn't speak. Yarnick used his fingers to indicate how long the rest of their night walk would last. They had another five hours to go, but they stopped and sat down in the darker part of the clearing to eat some of their nut rations.

Yarmod went over to Liane and sat down next to her.

'I haven't sensed another probe droid tonight, Shaayla-Car. Did you?' He asked.

'No, I didn't. Possibly the one we captured had been the only one launched,' Liane answered 'but we have to stay alert. It's still a long way before we'll reach the last cabin. We're very fortunate that those harvest men have built this accommodations in the past. They are simple and very basic, but they meet our requirements. I'm amazed about their facilities. There's always enough places to rest and the larder is filled with cans which must have a long shelf life.'

Yarnick came over and pointed at the datapad with the map. He had activated the communication and had written a message. Liane and Yarmod read his message and nodded. They rose and joined the other five Grann brothers. All hoisted their backpacks at their shoulders. Walking in a single file they left the small clearing and followed the path. To their surprise the thorny shrubbery had disappeared and grassy undergrowth now covered both sides of the path. The wild land became dotted with small groups of the same kind of trees which had grown around the clearing.

Their progress became much easier and instead of five hours which Yarnick had marked out, they reached the next cabin in less then four hours. Tired, but relieved, they unlocked the door and entered. Before they lit one small dimmed light Kieran and Brion checked the outside shutters which covered the small windows. Quickly they made arrangements to sleep and after having another nut ration they laid down and one after another fell in a deep sleep.

For a while Liane listened to the regular breathing of her companions. She also felt tired, but somehow she couldn't sleep yet.

'Tama-Hinn, my dear brother, did you reach your destination with master Manall and Lorann.'

'We've arrived and Leia and Wedge were pleased to see me, but they also wondered why you and the others hadn't come with master Manall and me. I have explained that we had only one speeder.'

Liane grinned.

'Nice. Did Leia accept your story.'

'She hadn't a choice. Manall's speeder wasn't really equipped to hold three people. It was master Manall's idea to ask me to take the wheel. Lorann is still much smaller. For him the back seat was less cramped. Besides it was an advantage to take the wheel, for I have used the Force to show me the path, so I could drive much faster. We skipped our third overnight stay and we reached the fourth cabin near sunset on the third day.'

'We have just reached the last cabin. Tomorrow night we're going to head for the plains. There seems to grow more trees in this part of the eastern wild lands. I hope the area will have even more trees so we can make a camp at the edge of the plains, if necessary. Did you already tell Leia and Wedge to meet us on the plains with the Astræga'?

'Don't worry. They will be there when you and the others have reached the plains after your last nightly walk. You may look forward having a more comfortable sleep on board the Astræga. Leia and Wedge have agreed that I will join them.' Ian said.

'Did you tell them about my plan?'

'I had to, Shaayla-Car. Leia has objected and she said Wedge will explain to you what has happened to Luke and how they want to proceed.'

'Of course she would say that, but this time she will have to follow my lead. Trevor has been my adversary for years, not hers. Did you see or hear anything about Chati, Toallin's daughter? I hope to meet her soon. And how is master Manall. Could you do something for him?'Liane said determinedly.

'Chati will probably join Leia, Wedge and me, for Luke has ask Leia to be her master temporary. Master Manall's injury has healed almost completely. He and Lorann doesn't understand what has happened and I didn't tell them anything. I'm still amazed about the experiences I had. You were right, Shaayla-Car. I can also learn to use the Force to heal people. It takes too much time now to explain what I did, but after I managed to help master Manall using my Force skills, I remembered that while I was living among the Draga on Wegoyy I had more or less a similar experience, although I have never realized that I was using the Force. I tell you, when we meet again. Now you'd better go to sleep. After tomorrow night your walk through the wild land will come to an end. Sleep well, my dear sister. I love you.'

'I love you too, Tama-Hinn. It's one of the happiest moments in my life, as I found out that of all the people who I call my closest friends, you are my sibling. See you soon in person, my dearest brother.'

"How much time do we need to reach the plains?" Leia asked, looking at her husband and Chewie and Wedge and Ian. They were gathering under the pylons of the Millenium Falcon

"Three standard hours, I estimate, probably less," Wedge answered, "Last time, when Luke explained his plan to me, we went into orbit around the planet, but afterwards we reached our destination near the vineyard in a very short time. The plains east of the town are much closer."

Jerno held out a datapad to Valann and Kalip with a big smile.

"A formal invitation from the Supreme Chancellor to join her on board the New Republic's frigate Tychorion in the Palomintar reagion. I want your opinion, if we should accept that invitation. "

"Could that mean that the situation is running out of hand for the New Republic?" Valann asked.

"The invitation doesn't mention a reason. Her words are chosen very cordially and friendly, so I think she wants to tell us some good news."

"Is there a way to ask our contact on Palomintar, what's going on?" Valann insisted.

"Impossible. As long as our contact operates from Palomintar Four's surface it is a one-way communication only. Even if we had the possibility to contact him, it would be too risky. I've agreed with him to keep his identity secret. Also in case of emergency we have to rely on his way to contact us. I haven't heard from him recently. His last message contained the threatening holo recording of admiral Trevor Matrik addressing the Supreme Chancellor."

"That's already some time ago," Valann said, "Do you think that the Supreme Chancellor has gone to the Tychorion to work out a plan to rescue her famous Jedi Knight."

"I don't know, Valann. We have to decide on short terms if we're going to meet the Supreme Chancellor on board the Tychorion."

"What worries me," Kalip interrupted, "is that there isn't any news about the daughter of Darth Vader. Our last information dates back months ago, when we heard about the failed attack on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. Is she still hiding there? Did they - I mean the New Republic - bring her to another safe place? The only intelligence my men received was about senator Organa. She was paying a visit to the government on Ver'izon, the capital of the Dalmaranian leaders. After her return to Irithim she boarded the Tychorion and left Dalmaran. I suggest we should ask some extra information about the woman before we accept the invitation."

"I agree with Kalip, Jerno," Valann said, "We should know more about the whereabouts of woman. Didn't our agent on Palomintar Four asked you to withdraw the order to eliminate her in case she would show up on the planet?"

"In that report he stated that he was certain that he could prevent that she would be in contact with our missing admiral," Kalip commented, "We agreed and withdraw the original mandate, but I still had my doubts."

Liane and her seven companions were sitting among the shrubbery that mark the edge of the eastern wild lands and the plains east of Ribana. Their last journey during the night had been uneventful and they had reached the plains several hours before sunrise. They had used the time before they could have a good look at the plains to take a nap, at least the six Grann brothers had slept. Liane and Yarmod had done some long intense Jedi meditation together, before they had made themselves a comfortable hide-out from where they had a good overview of the plains.

After her Jedi meditation with Yarmod Liane felt quiet and at peace with herself and the surrounding wildlands. Although Luke had taught her the basic principles of Jedi meditation it turned out that Wedge Antilles had instructed Yarmod how to reach a deeper meditation level in the Force. Her Jedi friend has shared his knowledge with her and afterwards Liane had admitted that she had felt as if she had left her physical body and that her spirit had become one with the Force. She remembered that her brother had told her a similar experience while he had been in the medic unit in Ktafunda. Releasing herself from her Force connection had given her the feeling as if she found a new way to look at the task that was laying ahead. The intense experience had also reminded her of her Force connection on board the Astræga while she had been assembling her own lightsaber. Yarmod had complemented her on her submission to his instructions and afterwards they had exchanged their Force experience, talking to each other using Jedi telepathy.

Just before sunrise Yarmod had warned Yarnick and his brothers and now they were huddling together at the edge of the plains of Tyr, enjoying a simple breakfast of nuts and nutbread.

"Any idea, Eilidh, when we could expect your brother and master Antilles?" Conor asked.

Liane shrugged her shoulders.

"He has arrived at that working spot, but I haven't the slightest idea how far the distance is between here and that working spot near the mountain ridge. He contacted me before we set off for our last walk and he has given Leia and Wedge the coordinates of our meeting point."

She kept silent for a while and thought about what she had told her brother about a possible change in her plan.

"We can easily stay here for some days, if needed," She said, "Although we have to ration our food supply, but during our walk last night I have discovered many plants in the undergrowth with tasteful roots we could use as extra rations if necessary."

She got up and took a few paces before she grabbed a nearby plant and pulled it out of the ground. A solid yellow colored root was dangling in her hand. She wiped the root clean against the sleeve of her Jedi coat, before she held out the root to Kieran.

"Take a bite, Kieran. I'm sure you'll like it. Its taste is sweet and a bit spicy."

The other Grann brothers grinned as their youngest brother hesitantly accepted the root and took a small bite. He chewed it and then he began to laugh, swallowing the first and taking another more prominent bite.

"Where did you get that knowledge, Eilidh?" He asked with his mouth full.

"On Endor. The Ewoks use these roots to prepare a delicious stew. I'm almost certain that you all have eaten that stew after we defeated commander Dendicott and his mercenaries. If roasted it's even more tasteful."

"Have you ever heard what has happened to the vicious commander after he had been taken prisoner, Eilidh?" Bran asked.

Liane shook her head.

"After I had a secret meeting with some members of the High Council where I told them about his treatment, I haven't heard anything about a trial, because I was brought to that safe haven on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. You or your brothers might have gotten more news about him and the accusations against him. His trial and that of Rand Phylotar and his brother must have reached the Holonet."

Yarnick nodded.

"I didn't want to confront you with your former horrible experiences with him and his minions, Eilidh, but those three adversaries aren't a threat to you any more. The commander and those Phylotar brothers have been stripped off their ranks and are sentenced to serve a lifetime in prison. Not on Wegoyy, but on a remote uninhabited island on Tambrin. It's absolutely unlikely that they will be able to escape, for the only possible access is through the air."

Astounded his five brother looked at him.

"You never told us either, Yarnick."

"It wasn't such an important item on the Holonet. It nearly escaped my attention too. I later replayed the news item, that's how I heard about it, but as it hadn't any concern with our trade business I forgot it. The only thing what I remembered was that those three officers had been in the imperial space force, before the Alliance celebrated their first main victory in the battle of Endor."

"They were former imperials and defectors," Bran said, "just like father told us. Now I understand why Eilidh had become a victim of mind drugging."

Liane had listened quietly to the conversation.

"I hope, that the Supreme Chancellor will pardon them one day," She said softly.

Astounded her companions looked at her.

"Shaayla-Car, don't you remember what you did on Endor," Yarmod asked.

"I do, and what I did was wrong. As a Jedi I will never make use of that old Sith knowledge again. Luke has told me more than once that what Anakin has taught about the Sith is forbidden knowledge for a Jedi, only weathered Jedi masters who are part of the Force are allowed to study, not practise, Sith Force knowledge."

"If that commander and those two brother would be pardoned, they might seek revenge," Ronan said.

"If they would seek an encounter again, Ronan, they will meet with a Jedi Knight, not with an ignorant girl who only could use the evil side of the Force and that will make a big difference. No, fellows, the commander and the Phylotar brothers aren't threat to me any more. On Endor Luke was right, justice has to be done the right way and not the way I chose at that moment."

The others all laughed.

"I swear that I will never call you 'the Dark Princess of Morantan' again, Shaayla-Car," Yarmod said with a shameful look in his eyes.

Liane took his hand in hers and gently squeezed it.

"At that moment, your comment, although not really flattering, was right, my friend. I was behaving as the Dark Princess of Morantan. And now we have to focus on what's next. The past can't be undone, that's what I told Han when Luke and I met him and convinced him to return to Leia and marry her. Fellows, I've never met a happier couple than Han Solo and Leia Organa. Hey, look, what's that flashing over there?"

She jumped to her feet and pointed at a nearby spot on the plains.

"It's the Astræga, using her cloaking device to signal us. Let's go!"

They all grabbed their bags and ran to the former imperial space ship which for a moment became visible at about a hundred meters from the edge of the wild lands. The ramp came down and the eight travelers rushed inside, after which Ian Tydon activated the cloaking device again. In the control room of the ship Leia, Wedge and Ian welcomed their friends wholeheartedly.

"Excellent timing, Shaayla-Car, guys," Wedge Antilles said.

"We can offer you something better than nut bread, Liane," Leia said pointing at center table in the control room, "Ian told me that your rations mainly contained nuts and nut bread."

"I ate my fill with the last rations master Manall gave me, but maybe the others want something. I would appreciate a warm drink."

"I take care of that," Ian said and vanished.

Liane stretched out her hands to Leia.

"So good, to see you again, Leia. Is everything alright with you and Han? So many things happened these last months, that I hardly know where to start."

Leia looked at the young woman dressed at a full-fledged Jedi Knight. The calm, although still determined look in Liane's eyes expressed her maturation and her growth as a follower of the Good Side of the Force. Leia took Liane's hands, feeling overwhelmed by the enormous changes in Liane's attitude. Her glance cast over Liane's Jedi outfit.

"You're one of us now, my dear foster-sister," She said.

Liane laughed, "I agree, it's a little bit unexpected what Wedge told me on Tyr. I still can't believe I'm a Jedi Knight."

The two women hugged wholeheartedly. Both were smiling at each other.

"Where are Han and Chewie, Leia?" Liane asked.

"At work on the mountain ridge with the harvest men. After Wedge and I have explained our next steps, we'll go back to them. Han will certainly admire your new status, my dear."

Liane didn't comment on Leia's words, as her eyes had caught a young adult female Quelan wearing the outfit of a harvest man. She released herself from Leia's embrace and turned to the young Quelan.

"You are Chati, Udin's daughter, aren't you?" Liane said and stretched out her hand, "I'm glad we finally meet. Luke has told me about you and how you succeeded in traveling to Tyr in the hold of the Millennium Falcon. You want to become a Jedi, like Luke, don't you?"

"If Ben believes, I'm worth it, miss Kenobi," Chati said.

"Worth it? What talk is that? If Luke has told you, you can be a Jedi, then you surely will be, and please call me Liane, like everyone does."

"But that's not your real name, master Ian told me," Chati said with some hesitant in her voice.

"Liane Severini Solichor are the names of my mother. Solichor was the surname of my mother Severini.

"It an odd story about how master Ian and you found out that you're siblings."

"Did Ian told you about it?"

"Most of it master Manall, master Cornell's father, told us. He can't stop talking about you two, because your father has been a famous Jedi friend of him. Master Manall is absolutely sure that the two of you will be as famous as your father. Are you also a Jedi Knight, .... miss.... Liane. Ben told me that you are his apprentice and that you have much to learn more before you will be a Jedi Knight. I'm sorry, Liane, you certainly don't know that master Skywalker calls himself Ben on Tyr."

Liane took Chati's arm and pulled her with her to one of the coaches.

"I see Luke still as my Jedi master, for I know I can learn a lot from him, but master Antilles has bestowed the title of Jedi Knight on my brother, our friend Yarmod and me. So to answer you question, yes, I'm a Jedi Knight, but foremost I also want to be your friend and help you to make your dream come true. "

Chati smiled, "Ben has asked his sister, master Leia to be my master as long as he is in his Force hibernation state inside Darth Golluth underground abode."

Liane looked puzzled, "Luke is in Force hibernation? What's that? I've never heard of that?"

A bit embarrassed Chati looked at Leia and Wedge who both shared a stern look.

"Apologies, master, I spoke to early about Ben," Chati said and cast her eyes on Liane again.

"Master Leia and master Antilles want to explain that to you too. Master Ian already has heard the story." Chati said as she took a mug with a hot drink from a tray Ian held out, and gave it to Liane.

Liane took the mug in her hands and thanked Chati and Ian with a grateful smile, before she spoke to Leia again.

"Leia, what has happened to Luke?" She asked.

"Wedge will tell you, Liane, but first I want you to know how grateful I am that Luke's efforts to bring you to the Good Side of the Force, have been successful that the new Jedi Order now has welcomed three new members. You will all do great, I'm sure." Leia said and nodded to Wedge Antilles.

"Shaayla-Car," the commander of the Gold Squadron said, "you do remember the Force vision you shared with me on Tyr, don't you?"

"I do, Wedge. My vision has become reality, hasn't it? What exactly has happened to Luke? Chati just said that he is some kind of special Jedi meditation, called Force hibernation. Where is Luke at the moment?"

"Luke has been brought inside the underground abode of Darth Golluth, but let me tell you what he has done. He is safe, Shaayla-Car. I'm sure no harm will be done to him."

Liane nodded, but murmured, "I'm not so sure", before she looked straight at Wedge, "Tell me, Wedge, what is Jedi hibernation?"

"It's a very special state of controlled unconsciousness. You are familiar with Force healing meditation, aren't you? You've practised that Jedi meditation when you took care of some wounded Ewoks on Endor. It's similar to that, but much deeper and it has much impact on the metabolism of a Jedi's body. Using Force hibernation meditation a Jedi is able to consciously influence his breathing, the frequency of his heartbeat and his body temperature. Luke has explained it to me and I did a short practise on board the Astræga as I accompanied him to his rendez-vous with Doran Whain."

Liane frowned, "Who's that? Is he an ally of Trevor? If that's the case I'm not so sure that no harm will be done to Luke."

"Doran Whain is keeping an eye on admiral Trevor Matrik, and is carrying out a special secret mission on behalf of the Provisional Coruscant Council, as far as Luke has told me. Luke is convinced he is a reliable partner to us and especially to you. Not only has Doran brought Luke inside the underground hiding of your adversary, but he also will help you to get inside in a safe way. At least if you agree to follow Luke's plan. Luke wants to be with you, if you're facing Trevor, Shaayla-Car."

Liane didn't respond, but Kieran couldn't resist to ask, "How can Luke be any help to Eilidh, if he is unconscious?"

"Shut up, Kieran," Yarnick said, "These are matters beyond our knowledge."

Kieran looked defiant at his oldest brother, but Wedge laughed, "Good thinking, Kieran. There are several ways a Jedi can release himself from Jedi hibernation. He can do it himself, after a certain period, minutes, hours, days, weeks, or month, or he can instruct someone to call him, using a trigger word or sentence. Luke has told me that he will end his hibernation after a month standard time, or so much earlier as necessary with the help of Chati Fonaldris. She knows how to wake him up."

"If she must wake him up, she has to be inside Trevor's underground hiding place. Who will let her in? Doran Whain?" Liane remarked thoughtfully.

"Chati can enter using a kind of backdoor to get inside, Liane," Leia said reassuringly, "Luke and Chati have done investigations in the former underground riverbed which leads to the caves where Trevor's lives. The caves were formerly part of the underground riverbed. Chati knows the way through those caves. I fully understand that you want to confront Trevor yourself, but I want you to consider the possibility of using the backdoor and find your way inside with Chati's help."

"Sneak in," Liane said, shaking her head, "I wonder if that's right idea. Trevor will probably get suspicious if I turn up inside his hide-out unexpectedly. It's also not the way to confront Trevor I had in mind. I want to face , walking in through the front door. That might be possibly if I accept the help of the imperial agent: Doran Whain, although I wonder what kind of explanation that guy has in mind to bring me inside. Wedge, where can I meet the guy?"

Leia looked at Liane and realized that her foster-sister was no longer the ignorant and reckless girl she had once defended against the threats of senator Zolgathrii.

"Doran Whain can meet you in the old vineyard building, Chati's old home, near Ribana," Wedge said, neglecting Leia's frowned face.

At that moment Leia's infocom beeped. She activated the holo display and the image of Han showed up.

"Darling, I've gotten an alert message from the Tychorion on my wrist infocom, but I can't make contact with them, for neither Chewie, nor I, can deactivate the Falcon's cloaking from outside. Maybe you should teach me that Force ability. " Han said grinning.

"We'll come back immediately, Han. We can be back in half an hour."

"You should take that call from the Astræga first, and come back afterwards?"

"If we leave now, we also can discuss the way we can rescue Luke," Leia answered.

"Call the Tychorion first, sweetheart, for it seems important as the alert message has one of the highest levels. I fear it means that Madine has gotten the order to head back to Dalmaran"

"In that case I'll contact the general right away. I'll be back to you as soon as I know what's going on."

"Speak to you later, sweetheart. By the way did you find Liane and her seven followers," Han asked.

"We did. They are all on board with us."

Leia deactivated the connection and looked at Wedge Antilles. Wedge rose and walked over to the infocom console. He asked for access to the Tychorion and almost immediately the holo images of Mon Mothma and general Madine popped up. Leia joined Wedge, after she'd beckoned to the others to remain quiet and just listen

"Commander Antilles, my dear Leia, good to see you," Mon Mothma said with a charming and relieved smile.

"Han called us that you tried to contact the Falcon, ma'am," Wedge said, "We are on board the Astreaga at the moment. We planned a rendezvous with Liane, our former padawans and some other friends."

"Excellent, that is more than I hoped for. We want you to come to the Tychorion without delay, Leia," Mon Mothma said. "I think my protégé Liane and her guards have a lot to explain to me."

Mon Mothma voice had sounded stern, but Leia saw how the face of the Supreme Chancellor had a expression of great relief.

"How fast can you reach the Tychorion, Leia?"

"If we lift off now, we can reach the region outside the Palomintar System within less than an hour. Please, ask the general to send us the coordinates to instruct the navi computer, ma'am."

Madine took over, "Head for point 324890-290845. Once there you have visual contact with the Tychorion and you can correct your course to enter the docking bay."

"324890-290845, sir. We're on our way. Advance request to board the Tychorion at arrival." Wedge said formally.

"Granted, commander,"

The holo images vanished and Wedge and Leia turned to the others. Leia noticed a light tension building up between the three young Jedi, Wedge and herself. Again it was Kieran Grann who broke the tension.

"Are you taking me and my brothers with you to meet the Supreme Chancellor, your Highness?" He asked and in his voice they all heard the great excitement he felt, "Would be such a great honor for us to meet her. Don't you think, boys," He added addressing his brothers. "Remember what father told us about her and her long strife to oppose the emperor. From the beginning she has been the secret leader of the rebellion which later became the Alliance against the empire, hasn't she, your Highness? Will we really be introduced to her?" He turned to Leia to get an answer to his questions.

"I probably don't have to, Kieran. Mon Mothma knows about the help you and your brother have given us when commander Dendicott attacked the Ewok village," Leia said with a smile.

Wedge looked at the three young Jedi who had silently listened to Kieran and Leia. The expression on their face didn't reveal anything of what they were thinking, but Wedge knew that this unexpected meeting on board the Tychorion could have implications for Liane's plan to seek her way in to Trevor Matrik's underground residence. He rose and walked over to Yarmod.

"Let's prepare for take off, Yarmod," He said.

His former padawan nodded and followed him to the cockpit of the Astreaga.

Liane looked at Kieran who was still chattering in a loud voice about the upcoming meeting with the leader of the New Republic. Brion and Conor clearly shared his enthusiasm. Ronan turned to Liane.

"The Supreme Chancellor mentioned you as her protégé. Did she really mean you? Have you met the Supreme Chancellor, Eilidh?" He asked.

Now Liane began to laugh.

"Let me tell, Ronan. Mon Mothma is the kindest lady I have ever met. If she hadn't been so generous to let me use her secret residence as a hide-out, I might have ended up on Palomintar Four in the hands of admiral Matrik much earlier and far before I learned to understand what my real destiny was. If we arrive on the Tychorion I will introduce you and your brothers to her. She already knows I have been traveling with you after you picked me up on Wegoyy."

Ian looked at his sister, as did Leia. So far they had been silent.

"What are we going to do now, Shaayla-Car? I mean, this unexpected travel to the Tychorion might interfere with your own plan." Ian asked.

"We'll wait and see, my brother. I'm sure that Mon Mothma wants us to rescue Luke one way or the other, and so does Leia and Han."

Again Leia watched her foster-sister. The changes in Liane's attitude were so remarkable, that it was almost unbelievable that a few months ago, she had been very worried about Liane's reckless thought that it would be her task to meet Trevor Matrik again. Flashes of memories of an aggressive and obstinate young woman popped up in Leia's mind as she remember her first nerve racking visits at Irithim's detention building. She remembered Liane's unexpected attack against the late Zolgathrii when she had seen that Luke had been wounded. On their way back to Dalmaran Liane had finally accepted Luke's help. How would it be for her to return to Tychorion after so many years?"

"We're ready for take off. Please, strap in," Wedge's voice sounded over the Astræga's intercom. Leia warned Chati Fonaldris who had been listening in awe to the some tales of the Grann brothers, to fasten her safety webbing. The young Quelan girl took a seat next to Liane who helped to fix the clasps.

"M... Liane, have you ever been on board the Tych... that huge space ship. It's amazing."

For a short moment Liane's thoughts went back to her first and only trip on board the Tychorion. Chati didn't seem to notice the unanswered response to her first question.

"Ben ... I mean master Skywalker took me with him and his other friends. I was allowed to attend a kind of secret meeting, but afterwards one of the officers got an order from the commander to show me around. I even have been on the bridge of the ship where I could see the whole Palomintar System. All the planets of the system seemed only tiny globes drifting in a black space. It was awesome. Have you been on the bridge of it, Liane?"

"No, I haven't, but I have seen many similar visions of planets drifting in the huge black void. I saw you listening to Kieran and Brion as they referred to some of their adventures. Those six brothers are my very best friends and always traveling together. They are professional space traders and highly respected on many planets. I have been traveling with them for more than a year and, like you, I always was awestruck when we came out of hyperspace and saw our next destination planet through the windshield of the cockpit."

"Did you travel with them before you met master Skywalker? Did you stop your traveling, because master Skywalker had told that you could become a Jedi Knight? Did you accept his proposal to become his padawan?"

For a moment Liane was silent, "No, Chati, it didn't happen that way. When Luke and I met for the first time, I had already learned a lot about the Force from another Jedi master, so when I met him he was immediately aware of my Force skills, but that was some time before I started my traveling with the Grann brothers."

"So, you didn't want to become a Jedi Knight?" Chati insisted, "What made you change your mind?"

Yarnick, his brothers, Ian and Leia had turned to Liane and Chati to listen.

Again Liane smile, "I rejected Luke's proposal to become his padawan many times, Chati, because I didn't think deserve to become a Jedi Knight. It took me many years to change my mind. During those years Luke always kept supporting me, showing me over and over again I could learn to use the Force the right way."

"So, despite you already knew a lot a the Force, you couldn't bring yourself to accept master Skywalker's proposal and become a Jedi Knight? You even left him and became friends with those six space traders?"

"I did, and I had a marvelous time on board the Grann Traveler. It was a very different way of life, but I have enjoyed every minute of it."

"So, afterwards, it was the right decision."

"It was, and I wouldn't have missed it."

Leia joined their talk. "What about you, Chati. Are you willing to give up your life and follow a Jedi master who will show you your Force potential and who will teach you all you need to know to become a Jedi Knight one day?"

"It's my greatest wish, master. I don't fit in our Quelan community. The others think I'm weird, because I don't want to follow the common way of life in our community. It's dull and boring. I want to see other planets, meet other species, make friends among humans, and learn everything about our galaxy."

Yarnick turned to Chati, "Your master said that you know the way through the maze of caves which formerly were the bedding of an underground river. How did you manage not to get lost? How did you find your way out?"

"I made drawings every time I discovered a new cave or a new passageway. I kept those drawing hidden in my room. Inside the caves and on the wall of the passageway I made all kind of different markings which I copied on my drawings. Over the years my drawings became a huge map of those underground caves and I can easily find my way once I'm inside. It's an amazing underground world, sir, but everything changed when that weirdo arrived and took shelter in those caves."

Liane interrupted Chati's answer, "Have you met the guy once he hid himself?"

Chati grinned, "After he made himself a living inside those caves I've been there only one more time. I watched him and saw him talking to an odd transparent image, similar to those image master Leia and master Antilles were talking to a moment ago, with one difference: the image didn't answer or talked back to that weird guy. My father forbade me to enter the caves again, and not long afterwards all the Quelans were driven out of Ribana and we had to go into exile on Tyr and made new living in Cantamaga."

Chati's voice had become thoughtful and sounded sad, but than she looked around and her face brightened again, "But Ribana will be freed and all my new friends will help me to reach that goal. You too, don't you, Liane? Oh, yes, you do, because you hate that weirdo as much as I do."

"Do you hate him, that much, Chati?" Liane asked and Leia noticed some worries in Liane's voice

"Don't you, Liane?" Chati asked defiant and a bit amazed, "He has ruined our community and the way we lived and I understand that he has ruined your life too. So you must hate him as much as I do?"

Liane shook her head, "You're wrong, Chati, as a Jedi I never must give in to feelings of hatred. Hate is an expression of dark feelings inside yourself. I understand that you blame admiral Matrik for ruining the peaceful way of life of your people. I fully agree with that point of view. It shouldn't have happened, it shouldn't happen to any community in this galaxy. That's why we're here. Luke has promised your father and his brother to find a way to ensure that the admiral will leave Palomintar Four, so that the Quelans can return to Ribana. But his presence here is more dangerous to the future of the whole galaxy."

Leia turned to the Quelan girl and asked, "Do you and the Quelans of Ribana have any knowledge about the Old Republic and the rise of the empire under emperor Palpatine?"

Chati shook her head, "There hasn't been many contacts with, what the elders of our community called, off-world foreigners. The only outside world contacts came from traders who bought part of our harvest, the nuts the harvest men gathered on Tyr, and the casks with wine my family produced in the vineyard. Oh, and master Manall had two friends who sometimes visited him secretly. I understand, that one of them has been the father of Liane and master Ian. The other one was his younger brother, but they never mingled with the inhabitants of Ribana and they never visited Palomintar Four again after I was born. Even my father and my uncle have never met them, I think. But what kind of plans does that weirdo made for the future of the galaxy and why is that dangerous to you and maybe also us Quelans, master?"

Leia looked at the others before she answered Chati's question.

"Admiral Matrik, once served under emperor Palpatine. He has been a great admirer of the empire and he has set himself as a goal, to revive the empire again. That could mean, Chati, that our galaxy would be plunged again into a war. That's what my brother and I, and the Supreme Chancellor of the New Republic want to avoid."

Chati nodded, but than she frowned, "Thank you, master, for explaining this to me, but I still don't understand why that weirdo has ruined Liane's life in a way that she couldn't be here to assist Ben."

Ian looked at Liane who slightly nodded, after she had exchanged some imperceptible looks with Leia.

"My sister has just told you that she has learned to use the Force from another Jedi, remember?"

Chati nodded.

"At the time her teacher wasn't a real Jedi anymore. Emperor Palpatine had seduced him with many lies and intrigues to what is called the Dark Side of the Force," Ian said.

"Ben said, I had to become aware of my emotional feelings, because some of them are driven by ... what did you say, the Dark Side of the Force," Chati said thoughtful.

"That's right, Chati," Ian answered, "Fear, anger, hate are emotions that live inside all of us, but a Jedi has to be aware of the dark feelings and control them. My sister's teacher lost control of his dark emotional feelings, due to the machinations of the emperor. He taught my sister how to use the Force at the Dark Side."

"Which was wrong, I guess."

"Absolutely. Admiral Trevor Matrik, your weirdo under the mountain, has met my sister while she was the apprentice of that former Jedi. He knows what he has taught her, and he needs to gain that knowledge, if he wants to revive the empire, that's why Trevor has made many attempts to kidnap my sister and bring her to Palomintar Four."

"Before master Skywalker had taught her how to become a Jedi. So, that weirdo's attempt has failed, master Ian. Your sister is a Jedi Knight, like you, and I'm sure that she will never make use of knowledge which is the wrong use of the Force."

They all laughed and Liane hugged the young Quelan woman.

"Thank you, for defending me, Chati. No, I won't make use of the knowledge I once had to practise as a Dark Side apprentice. I'm a Jedi, like my brother, like Luke and Leia, but Trevor Matrik doesn't know I have made up my mind and won't follow he lead, or carry out his ridiculous plan. That is why I want to get inside his underground realm and tell him personally I will never tell him what I know about the Sith lore."

Kieran grinned, "Let's hope, Eilidh, that he will listen."

Wedge entered the control room.

"We're nearing our destination. We're leaving hyperspace in five minutes. Make sure that your safety webs are fixed."

Everybody checked and took the necessary safety precautions to get back to sublight velocity. Over the intercom Wedge did the count down.

"Enter sublight velocity in six seconds ... four... three... two ... one. We can start our sublight approach at the Tychorion. She is right in front of us. Leia, will you hail the frigate and asked them which docking station is open to us."