Chapter 88

Mon Mothma sighed.

"I understand, Sorjon. From the beginning they had their doubts about the way we took care and protected Liane Solichor. They still are convinced that she will help admiral Trevor Matrik to revive the empire with the knowledge she had learned from Darth Vader. Nevertheless I want them to accept my invitation no matter their misgivings. Listen, Sorjon, hand over your mandate to lead the New Republic to the next three members of the High Council and join me on board the Tychorion. They are in charge as long as you and I are on board the Tychorion. It's a temporary measure only, but I will contact admiral Jerno Thai from the Tychorion while you're on your way to join me.

"I will, Mon, you can expect me within a day." The High Council prosector and personal advisor of Mon Mothma said.

"That's settled then. Now, I have to welcome my protégé and some of our Jedi Knights. I hope to see you soon."

Mon Mothma switched off the holographic infocom and called her liaison officer to accompany her to General Madine. Together with the general she went to the landing bay to welcome her special advisor Leia Organa and her friends.

The Astræga touched down on one of the Tychorion's landing bays. Ground personnel rushed over to the former Imperial space craft before the front ramp was lowered and fixed the safety moorings to stabilize the ship.

Wedge Antilles and Yarmod Martan stopped the engines and went to the control room to warn the others about their arrival .

"The Supreme Chancellor and general Madine are awaiting us on the platform," He announced.

Leia rose and beckoned Chati to stay with her. Yarmod went over to Liane and Ian. He offered Liane his arm, but Liane grabbed his arm and that of her brother.

"Don't be so formal, Yarmod. We will meet Mon Mothma together and show her we're close friends," She said and turned to the Grann brothers, "Come on, you guys. I looking forward telling the Supreme Chancellor about our adventures."

Wedge started to laugh.

"You certainly have a very good relation with our leader, haven't you, Shaayla-Car?"

"I most certainly have, Wedge. Mon Mothma has showed her concern while I was staying in her underground residence, besides I have to apologize to her for leaving the hide-out without telling her."

The whole company walked down the ramp and went over to the Supreme Chancellor, general Madine and a group of officers.

"Good to see you, Leia," The Supreme Chancellor said, "We have to discuss several new developments, I think."

"That's true, ma'am. May I introduce to you Chati Fonaldris, the eldest daughter of the Quelan leader Toallin."

"Welcome, Chati. I have heard a lot about the injustice that has been done to your people. "

Chati made a bow.

"Thank you, ma'am, for your concern about the Quelans. It's a great honor to meet you."

"You're a fine representative of your people, young lady." Mon Mothma said, "I want to hear from you what has happened and how your people have survived, but now you have to excuse me, for I see three very familiar faces following you and Leia."

Mon Mothma beckoned general Madine to join her and together to walked over to Liane and her two friend. In silence she cast her gaze over the clothes of the three young Jedi Knights, before she turned to general Madine.

"Well, general, you finally can take these three runaways into custody," She said, but in her eyes a laugh twinkled.

"Liane Solichor, why didn't you let me know at an earlier stage, that you didn't feel safe in the underground residence. Wasn't there a way to let me know about the attack."

The three friends made a formal Jedi salute before Liane answered.

"Ma'am, there was no time to warn you about what happened, for the attack was unexpected. My guards and I decided we had to leave the beautiful place and seek refuge elsewhere."

"And so the three of you went to Tatooine, in stead of traveling to Irithim and inform me?" Mon Mothma remarked sternly, "And how did you leave the underground residence, any way?"

"We had a good reason to go the Tatooine, ma'am, but it's too long a story to tell all the details now. I apologize for not telling any one, including Luke, what I was up to, but I had no other choice."

"No other choice?" Madine asked.

"No sir, for one way or another I had to find my way to Palomintar Four, where a former very unpleasant acquaintance was likely to make an attempt to imprison Luke Skywalker. I had to prevent that any harm would be done to Luke."

"Miss Liane, commander Skywalker is a Jedi Knight. I assume that he will be able, more than anyone else, to keep out of any dangerous situation."

"He surely can, but the Force had shown me several times some very disturbing images about Luke's wellbeing. We want to give a full account of why Ian, Yarmod and I went to Tatooine and what has happened these last months."

She turned the Supreme Chancellor.

"Ma'am, I want to introduce to you, Yarnick, Kieran, Ronan, Brion, Bran and Conor Grann. They took me on board their ship, because they thought it was reasonable to support me, after I had lost all my memories in the Wegoyy prison."

"It's a great privilege to meet the sons of Marek Grann," the Supreme Chancellor said, "I have heard about the support you provided on Endor. Welcome on board the Tychorion."

She noticed Wedge Antilles who stood placidly waiting outside the group.

"Well, commander Antilles, you finally succeeded in bringing three runaways to the Tychorion. Thank you for taking care of these three fugitives."

Wedge made a Jedi salute to the Supreme Chancellor and general Madine. Mon Mothma turned to general Madine.

"Crix, I suggest that we have an formal secret meeting, for I want to hear exactly what has happened after my underground residence came under attack."

"Let's accompany our guests to the main briefing room, ma'am. I have already ordered to ready the room for our meeting."

The company followed general Madine to the upper decks of the Tychorion where his men had prepared the main briefing room. Mon Mothma had taken Liane aside and looked at her with admiration.

"You really must tell me everything, Liane, in detail if you please, for I feel that something great has happened to you and your guards. You've changed, for you're wearing the outfit of a Jedi Knight. Has commander Skywalker been your Jedi master?"

"No,ma'am, he hasn't. I haven't met Luke again, since he had to leave your residence unexpectedly after I had that strange vision about Ian Tydon. There is so much to tell, ma'am. It's unbelievable. Yes, you're right, I'm a Jedi Knight, but I still have to get use to that new status."

"So Luke Skywalker didn't initiate you? Who else did?"

"Master Antilles, ma'am. I'm sure that Luke agrees with it. Master Antilles has also initiated my friends, Ian and Yarmod."

"So unexpectedly this whole weird situation has raised the number of Jedi Knights in commander Skywalkers New Order. With three new Jedi Knights commander Skywalker's Jedi Order, there are six Jedi Knights in the New Republic."

"I would like to talk to your leader, officer," The holographic image of Jerno Thai demanded.

"She's in a meeting at the moment, sir. Can I leave her a message?"

"Isn't it possible to disturb her. I have some urgent questions. Tell her that the leader of the Provisional Coruscant Council wants to speak to her."

"Most certainly, sir."

The communication officer nodded and left his desk. He went over to the upper decks and announced his arrival via his infocom. The lock clicked and the door slit aside. The officer steps inside.

"Madam Chancellor, I have an urgent call from grand admiral Thai on Coruscant. Do you want to take this call now, or shall ..."

Mon Mothma exchanged a quick glance with general Madine. She rose.

"Excuse me, Crix. Officer, I'll take this call at the communication center."

Together they walked back to the communication center, where the holographic image of Jerno Thai hovered above the display.

"Please, officer, I need to talk in private with the grand admiral."

"Of course, ma'am," the officer said and left. Mon Mothma addressed the holographic image.

"Greetings, admiral. What can I do for you?" She said politely.

"My apologizes, ma'am. Your advisor told me that you've already arrived at the Tychorion. I have asked him if he could give me the infocom frequency of the Tychorion's communication center. I want to let you know that we're on our way to the Palomintar System. You may expect us in less that a day. I hope that our decision doesn't mean any inconvenience, but we decided that your kind invitation to meet you in person again couldn't be neglected."

"I've heard that you and the others expressed some doubts after I sent you the invitation."

"Our doubts aren't about the invitation, ma'am. We're more concerned about the message our agent on Palomintar Four has sent to you on behave of admiral Matrik via Quoith's computer center. We assume it has reached you."

"It has, admiral. That's the reason why I have gone to the Tychorion and sent you an invitation to meet me here."

"I hope you understand our worries about admiral Matrik's demands to release your most important Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker, in exchange for Darth Vader daughter, Lady Vader."

"My government will never bow for these kind of blackmail, admiral. As soon as you and your co-leaders have arrived on the Tychorion I want to discuss a strategy to end admiral Matrik's occupation of Palomintar Four once and for all. It has to be a combined action of both our governments to avoid any violation of our peace treaty. "

"Your words will be a great relief for the Provisional Coruscant Council, ma'am. We heartily agree with a combined action. We're looking forward discussing our combined strategy."

We will discuss the matter in more details, after you and the others have arrived, admiral. Have a good flight. I will inform the commander of the Tychorion, general Crix Madine, and tell him to welcome you and make arrangements for your stay on board the Tychorion."

The holographic image of Jerno Thai became blurred and vanished. For a moment Mon Mothma sat back in the chair. Then she rose and went back to the briefing room. Without a word she sat down and listen to the ongoing discussions. General Madine had taken over to lead the discussion between Leia and Wedge, while Liane and the others commented sometimes on the different options. Wedge Antilles seemed to be a bit annoyed about Leia's tenacity to stick to the option to enter the underground abode of Darth Golluth through the underground riverbed.

"You said, that you understood Luke's plan, Leia, and what's more, you thought it's feasible," The Gold-Squadron commander said.

"Entering the underground caves via the backdoor we've discovered, has advantages," Leia argued, "Han thinks we need to take as many safety precautions as possible."

"And a lot of disadvantages. Liane already has mentioned that Trevor might be alerted to that backdoor entrance, if she appears unexpectedly."

Mon Mothma intervened.

"What's your brother's plan, Leia?" She asked.

"Wedge can explain Luke's plan, ma'am. Part of it has already been set in motion. An agent of the Provisionary Coruscant Council, a certain guy called Doran Whain, has brought my brother inside Darth Golluth underground hide-out."

Mon Mothma turned to Wedge Antilles.

"Bring me up-to-date, master Antilles," She said.

Wedge gave a extensive report of how Luke and he had met Doran Whain and how Luke and Doran had come to an agreement about the next step: bringing Luke inside the underground caves, so that he would be there to support Liane.

"How long ago was that, master Antilles?" Mon Mothma asked.

"Ten days ago, ma'am." Wedge answered.

"Yes," Leia intervened, "and all that time my brother is defenseless, for he has brought himself in a special state of Force unconsciousness."

Mon Mothma looked at her special advisor and then turned to general Madine.

"It's time, you all understand, why I'm here. Listen to this message. I received it some ten days ago."

She pressed the button of her console and in the middle of the table the holographic image of a dark cloaked image appeared and addressed the Supreme Chancellor.

"The life of your most precious Jedi Knight is in my hand. Send me Lady Vader and I will release him in exchange. If you refuge, the life of Luke Skywalker is forfeited. It will be your responsibility, rebel leader."

The image disappeared. Mon Mothma looked at the other attendees.

"This message brought me here to take action and it's up to me to safe the life of Luke Skywalker. I want to do that with your help, all of you. There are two plans which both has the same aim: make sure that our galaxy won't be drawn again in an endless war. Darth Golluth is threatening the peace treaty between the New Republic and the Provisionary Coruscant Council. In no way do we want to put peace on the line again. Leia, what do you know about that special Force unconsciousness of your brother."

Before Leia could answer, Liane interrupted.

"Excuse, ma'am. In the past I had several Force vision about Luke in that special state. The last time I saw him, someone dragged him out of the escape pod, master Antilles mentioned. The message Darth Golluth sent you is an indication that my Force visions were right. Luke, Wedge and that guy Doran have agreed that the latter will meet me at a certain rendez-vous point and bring me inside Trevor's hide-out. That's what I want to do."

She looked around at the others.

"You all heard what Trevor said, if I don't come to Palomintar Four he will harm Luke. It doesn't matter if I already knew what Trevor intended to do, or that he thinks you, ma'am, sent me to him. I have to meet Trevor via his front door and not sneaky via the underground riverbed, although that might be a safer way."

"Thank you, Liane. Well, I have heard all your different points of view. I will discuss these options with general Madine in private and you all will hear tomorrow in which way we are going to end Darth Golluth's reign on Palomintar Four and make sure that the inhabitants of Ribana can return to their former way of life. For now I close this meeting and I want everybody to get to the quarters which have been assigned to each of you. During our dinner I don't want to have any other discussing on this matter."

She nodded at general Madine and rose. The others rose too and several of Madine's officers brought each of them to their assigned quarters.

"I'm glad you could make it this fast, Sorjon," Mon Mothma said, while welcoming her advisor, "I feared that the members of the triarchy might arrive before you. Let's get to the general's quarters I want to discuss our next steps, but first I need to find a solution to a more pressing matter, before the triarchy arrives. The person of their concern is on board the Tychorion at the moment."

They went to general Madine's quarters and Mon Mothma informed her advisor about the discussion and the different options to get in touch with their opponent on Palomintar Four. Sorjon Tyloban listened attentively.

"There are good arguments for both options, Mon." He said.

"I agree, Sorjon. Crix, what do you think? There isn't much time left. Early tomorrow morning the triarchy will arrive. By any means we need to avoid that they have an encounter with Liane."

"Won't they accept, that she is a Jedi Knight now?" Madine asked.

Mon Mothma shook her head.

"Liane is still seen as a threat. In their eyes she still is the daughter of Darth Vader who taught her the knowledge of the Dark Side of the Force."

"The advice of Leia Organa is the safest way to get inside admiral Matrik's underground residence, but it's very likely that he would become suspicious. I suggest that if we chose that option we send a kind of invasion force and overwhelm him, before he could act himself." general Madine said.

"That doesn't solve our main problem that miss Solicor is on board the Tychorion at the moment," Sorjon Tyloban remarked.

"We could send Leia and the other back to Palomintar Four and prepare a group of ground forces to join them before our allies have arrived," Madine added to his former remark.

Sorjon shook his head.

"That would be a violation of the peace treaty. We have agreed that no space ship was allowed to land on one of the planets of the Palomintar System except for the small space port of Ktafunda at Palomintar Six."

The three leaders were silent.

"What if we put Liane in the detention area on the Tychorion?" Madine suggest, "If we explain to her the dilemma I'm sure she will cooperate.

Mon Mothma shook her head.

"Out of the question, Crix. Liane has gone through to many wrong ordeals and she has proven herself to have grown beyond those problems. No, the best way is to send the whole bunch of friend back to Palomintar Four, before the triarchy arrives."

They looked up at each other and Mon Mothma smiled serenely, before she nodded. Sorjon and Madine nodded in agreement.

"Wedge," Mon Mothma said and rose, "Crix, you talk to him as soon as possible."

'They have put us in separated quarters, Shaayla-Car,'Ian communicated with his sister, 'Nevertheless we can discuss our own plans. I thought they knew how we Jedi can communicate.'

'I want to make sure that Yarnick and his brothers are involved in whatever plan, Tama-Hinn,'Liane commented, 'We have to wait what the Supreme Chancellor has in mind. I'm sure she will make the right decision. I don't think it's up to us to force an agreement.'

'Don't you want to confront Trevor alone anymore?' Ian asked a bit surprised.

'Tama-Hinn, my dear brother, the Supreme Chancellor and the general are experienced leaders. Although I may not like the outcome of their decision I will agree, for their insight might be the right one. We have to wait until tomorrow. Whatever the plan they chose isn't up to us to discuss. We're peace keepers, Tama-Hinn, and that's why Leia wants to use that backdoor entrance. She's probably right to confront Trevor that way. '

Ian laughed.

'I can't believe I hear you say those words, Shaayla-Car,'He said, 'Have you become that cautious?'

Liane laughed as well.

'Maybe I have, my dear brother. My goal is to rescue Luke, before Trevor might hurt him. If I can reach that goal entering through the backdoor than I will proceed that way. And now, my dear brother I want to do some Jedi meditation before I'm going to rest and I suggest you should do the same.'

Liane released herself from her Force connection with her brother. She understood his concern about the possible outcome of the discussion the group had had that day with Mon Mothma and general Madine. She turned inward and reached out to the planet surface of Palomintar Four, seeking the presence of the other Jedi Knight who had shown her the right way to use the great power she could wield now. She became one with the Force and let her spirit travel down to the place where she began to feel the presence of Luke. In a deep Force trance her spirit entered the cave where she now clearly saw her friend, laying on a kind of bier. Someone has put a pillow behind his head and covered his body with a blanket. Has that unknown guy, Doran Whain, taken care of that. How considerate of him. Her spirit neared the bier and she carefully touched Luke's face, covering his closed eyes with her hand. She began to smile, when she noticed the soft, almost undetectable, heartbeat and small whisps of breath. He was alive, she shouldn't worry about his wellbeing. Probably that guy Doran would also take care that Trevor wouldn't do any harm to Luke. Luke had trusted Doran, although he was an imperial officer. She must accept Luke's trust in the guy, for there wasn't anything else she could do. Calmly she released herself from her Force spirit travel and took a deep breath, before she laid down to get some sleep.

'Tomorrow we will meet again, my dear eternal partner', She mused, before she close her eyes.

She had hardly fallen asleep when a soft knock on her door, woke her up again.

"Miss Solichor, are you awake," A voice whispered.

Liane recognized the voice of general Madine. Quickly she stepped of her bunk and opened the door.

"General?"

"Get your boots and your gear, miss and follow me. No questions, please," Madine said at a whispered tone.

She quickly put on her boots and took her Jedi cloak. General Madine closed the door and took her arm. At a fast pace they walked through several corridors and took an elevator to the bowels of the Tychorion. Surprised Liane noticed that they were walking to the docking bay where the Astræga had landed. They entered the platform of the bay and Liane saw that the Astræga seemed to be ready for take off. Down the ramp came Wedge Antilles and beckoned her to come over. Out of one of the corner two other persons appeared. Liane recognized Sorjon Tyloban the High Court prosecutor. Next to him Mon Mothma walked over to her and general Madine. Wedge had joined them. A bit confused Liane waited until Mon Mothma and Sorjon Tyloban had come over.

"My dear Liane, I want you to carry on with Luke's plan. Go with Wedge Antilles and proceed with what you had in mind," Mon Mothma said.

"Safe the life of one of our Jedi, miss Solichor, and my best friend," the general said.

Sorjon Tyloban had cast his glance over Liane's outfit.

"I'm told you're a Jedi Knight, miss Solichor. So I'm sure that you know what you have to do." He said.

"Now go, Liane, and carry on with your plan. What you want to achieve might not be easy, but we fully trust your Jedi skills. Master Antilles will support you as far as you need it. May the Force be with you," Mon Mothma said.

"One question, ma'am, before I leave. What about Yarnick and his brothers?" Liane asked.

"Wedge will tell you, what we have decided. Let's say, that we have found a combination of the two proposed plans."

Liane nodded.

"I understand, ma'am. Thank you for trusting Luke's original plan, so I can participate in it the way I wanted and tell Trevor Matrik he won't succeed."

She turned around and followed Wedge Antilles up the ramp. The ramp closed and the Astræga slowly slid out of the docking bay in to the vastness of space. Once outside Wedge lowered the upturned wings and the space craft began his flight back to the surface of Palomintar Four.

Liane sat in the co-pilot chair next to Wedge Antilles who shortly after their departure had set the coordinates for their destination. The map that had popped up on the display had shown her the outline of a city. A city similar to the one she had seen on Tyr. This had to be Ribana, the original home town of Chati, Ulin, Toallin and Mugin and the other Quelans and she was on her way to have a close look at it. She turned to Wedge.

"Have you seen Ribana, Wedge?"

"No, and probably you won't either."

"What do you mean. I thought we were going to the former Quelan's city."

"I will bring you to a rendez-vous to meet some old friends: Threepio and Artoo."

Wedge smiled as he noticed her astounded face.

"Threepio and Artoo? They aren't inside the cave to protect Luke?"

"Doran Whain protects Luke," The Gold-Squad commander said, "That's what he promised what he would do."

"What kind of guy is he, Wedge? Can I trust him?"

"Luke is convinced that Doran is our ally, so you have to rely on our friend's decision."

"You have met him, haven't you? Wedge, I sense you have some doubts, despite Luke has teamed up with him. Is he really reliable?"

"I had my doubts, but after I met him I'm convinced that Luke made the right decision. Listen, Shaayla-Car, let's get into orbit around Palomintar Four, before we land on Palomintar Four. I need to tell you what I know about Doran Whain and what kind of impression I have of him."

Wedge navigated the Astræga in an orbit around Palomintar Four, activated the cloaking device and put the ship on autopilot. Together with Liane he went to the control room and took a seat. Liane remained standing near the passageway to the cockpit. In her eyes Wedge saw the familiar inquisitive look.

"Sit down, Shaayla-Car. I will explain Luke's plan in more detail to you and Doran Whain's part in that plan. But first I will tell you what I heard on Dalmaran after the communication system hack on Quoith, that's where my suspicions against Doran Whain had been roused."

"You mean, that he has hacked the Quoith system?" Liane asked and she sat herself opposite of her companion.

"Yes, he has. And by accident his hack also caused severe problems for your communication with our Supreme Chancellor while you were in the underground residence."

"I remember. Mon Mothma visited me personally to explain the seriousness of the situation. Artoo intercepted an unknown call and disconnected my only way to communicate with her."

"Indeed. You handed me the recording and after I had returned to Dalmaran with Leia I showed the message to our intelligence forces. They told me I shouldn't worry, for the Supreme Chancellor knew what had happened on Quoith. Her personal visit to you was part of an undercover operation between the intel forces of the New Republic and the Provisionary Coruscant Council. Mon Mothma has fully cooperated and consented with a secret agreement between the intelligence forces of the New Republic and the leading council on Coruscant. The hacking of the Quoith system has been done in cooperation with Doran Whain. He is carrying out a secret mission on Coruscant. Together with the techs on Quioth the hack was a trap for admiral Matrik. In his underground abode he uses an outdated communication system. Doran Whain is an expert in technical communication science and had made use of a weakness in the old communication system."

"So during the Quoith hack he was on Palomintar Four?" Liane asked.

Wedge shook his head.

"At that time Doran was on board the Basilisaea, the last remaining super star destroyer of the new government on Coruscant. He led the hack operation from the Basilisaea where he had been assignment as first communication's officer."

"He could intercept Trevor's system from space?"

"He's an expert, Shaayla-Car. On request of the Coruscant government the Basilisaea which was orbiting the Palomintar System at that time, took a new position in the orbit of Palomintar Four."

"So it was orchestrated from Coruscant." Liane said thoughfully.

"Better call it an undercover operation. The government on Coruscant has sever doubts about admiral Matrik intentions and plans. He walked into the trap and accessed the New Republic's communication system on Quoith. On request of Doran Whain our techs had allocated a separate isolated section of the system. Several files with information about you, Luke, Leia and Ian had been copied to the section and the admiral accessed those files. He even added a message for the Supreme Chancellor, similar to the message he has sent recently to our Supreme Chancellor. Next he made an illegal download of the files with the information about you and the others. As he did that the trap closed, for Doran Whain had allowed our techs to enter the admiral's system through a gap in the system. He gave them the system coordinates of the communication system on Palomintar Four. Our techs on Quoith could easily access the admiral's system; destroyed the downloaded files, even cleaned his complete system and disconnected it. This action was all part of the undercover operation."

"Smart guys," Liane laughed, "Trevor must have been outraged when he found out that he had been cut off. I remember several his many tantrums while he was venturing his opinion in the staff meetings on Morantan. Especially after Anakin had left and put me in charge of the stronghold."

"What happened on Palomintar Four after the system had been erased I don't know, but somehow the admiral managed to made contact with the Basilisaea and ordered admiral Vestor, commander of the Basilisaea to send his best technican down to Palomintar Four's surface to reinstall his blocked system."

"Wow, smart, so that's how Doran Whain got inside Trevor's abode. Now he could spy on Trevor on the spot and report that to Coruscant. Dangerous job."

"Excellent deduction, Shaayla-Car. Indeed dangerous, but Doran Whain is not only an expert in technical communication systems and droid programming, he also in an undercover agent with a tremendous service record. He's been a member of the intel forces on Coruscant since the collapse of the Empire. There are rumors that he was trained by one of the current leaders shortly after the Battle of Yavin."

Liane frowned with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"After the Battle of Yavin it took another two or three years before the Empire was destroyed. So not only the Alliance was resisting the emperor and my foster father, but also inside the empire there was resistance against them."

"There certainly was. Those who must have been involved took an awful risk."

Liane nodded with an absent gaze, before she looked up at the Gold Squad commander.

"Wedge, in my last vision of Luke I saw a young man, about Luke's age, carrying Luke from that escape pod. What you're telling me about Doran Whain I have envisioned a rather older guy."

"I can imagine that, Shaayla-Car, but the guy you saw is Doran Whain."

"Luke seems to trust him. Do you know how he met him?"

"By coincidence. Doran Whain used the vineyard building of Chati's former home. She saw him hiding some datacards behind some lose stones in the wall. She took the datacards and handed them to Luke. Luke went to Ribana to put the cards back and at that occasion he met Doran Whain. Luke was amazed that Doran was able to reprogramm four droids which had been following him. They exchanged some information and Luke decided to team up with Doran Whain which is not his real name. Luke had recognized him, but Doran has emphasized that his real name should not be reveal until the leaders of the Provisionary Coruscant Council have taken the admiral into custody and have him brought to Coruscant."

Liane looked at Wedge.

"Does Luke expect me to team up with Doran Whain too?"

"I can't answer that question, Shaayla-Car. All I know is that Luke's main intention was, getting inside Trevor Matrik's hide-out before you would arrive on Palomintar Four. Luke asked me to assist you and bring you to the vineyard building where Threepio and Artoo are waiting for you. What will happen next I not really aware off. Probably you need to judge for yourself if you will trust Doran Whain."

"Has that rebel leader sent any response, yet?" Darth Golluth snarled.

"She hasn't, mylord," Doran Whain answered, "I checked the incoming messages half an hour ago."

"Why hasn't she responded yet?" The cloaked person grumbled, "Is she up to something. What do you think, colonel?"

"The message you've sent was loud and clear, mylord."

"Yes, yes, but it's ten days ago since you brought the body of her famous Jedi in here. Do you think she suspects something? That she already expected that his mission would be a failure? If that would be the case she might not sent Lady Vader to me. They will held a memorial service of the hero of the Rebel Alliance and keep Lady Vader in detention on Dalmaran.

"My lord, you didn't tell lady Mon Mothma that Jedi Skywalker has died inside the escape pod."

"That's true, but what keeps her so unwilling to send me my price then? She will certainly held lady Vader accountable for the Jedi's death."

"My lord, we only can wait until we hear something."

"I agree, colonel, but I'm worried about the decomposition of the body. I want to have a look at the Jedi's remains and decide if we can keep him in that cave, or that we have to bury him somewhere outside in one of those valleys behind that deserted city."

Darth Golluth and beckoned Doran Whain and his majordomos to follow. At a quick pace the former admiral walked through the passageways to the rear of his underground hide-out. While walking along the passageways were lit. Doran Whain observed and listened to the elated chuckling of the man who still believe in his plan to revive the Empire. As they entered the cave where he had brought Luke Skywalker, Darth Golluth ordered his majordomos to lit a bright lamp and looked at the body on the improvised bier. He placed his hand against the sleeping Jedi's cheek, before he turned to Doran.

"He feels very cold, so he must be dead. Feel for yourself, colonel. He is as cold as the walls of this cavern. However, it's amazing that there are any signs of decomposition. Don't you think, that's odd, colonel."

Doran didn't answer, as it was as if Darth Golluth was more talking to himself instead of addressing him to confirm his observations.

"We still can leave the body of this famous Jedi here for awhile, but I order you, colonel, to check every day if there are any signs of decomposition."

"As you wish, my lord," Doran answered automatically.

Darth Golluth left the cave and went back to his main audience chamber.

"Colonel, I want you to send another threatening message to that rebel leader. Tell her that I will order the termination of the Jedi, if she doesn't agree with my wishes."

For a moment Darth Golluth was silent, but suddenly he looked straight at Doran Whain.

"I also want you to send a message to the Basilisaea and order admiral Vestor to meet me again on Palomintar Four. I have a far more better idea to get rid of the Jedi's body, colonel."

Doran looked at the man in front of him and realized what Darth Golluth had in mind. He rose obediently and bowed.

"I will send both messages immediately, mylord," He said.

Darth Golluth waved with his hand.

"Very well, colonel. I'm no longer in the mood to talk to you. You may go and do the chores I ordered you. Dismissed."

Doran Whain left and went to the cave with the communication system. Quickly he composed a message, sent it encrypted via a secret frequency to a location on Coruscant.

"One of the Tychorion's transport ships has been made ready to bring you and the others to Palomintar Four immediately, where you will carry out the other part of your plans to have a backdoor entry to that cave network, " Mon Mothma said and looked at Leia Organa.

"What about Liane and Luke, ma'am?" The former princess of Alderaan asked.

"They have to rely on the Force, Leia, like you, commander Antilles and our new Jedi must do. Get back to your husband and the group of Quelan workers. Make sure that all the members of your company, including the brothers Grann are doing everything to work out the plan to get the river back into its original bedding."

"Chati is the only person who knows how to trigger Luke's hibernation state. How will Liane be able to undo Luke's hibernation?"

"I leave any solution to your ingenuity, Leia. You were talking about using a backdoor entrance, using the former underground riverbed. I understand that our young Quelan lady knows how to find her way through the cave network." Leia nodded. Mon Mothma placed her hand reassuringly on her shoulders. Leia looked up.

"You're right, ma'am. I'm worrying too much about Liane."

"You should trust her skills and accept that commander Antilles gave her her initiation. I understand, that your brother fully agreed with his friends' decision, so you should do that as well. The foster daughter of your father has grown strong in her believe of the Good Side of the Force. You shouldn't forget that she has been in charge of your father's stronghold on Morantan. He would never have done that, if he hadn't been fully convinced of her Force skills. She's a natural leader, like you. Inform the others to be ready to get back to Palomintar Four's surface immediately. Your transport is standby and ready for take off. You all have to leave, before the triarchy leader of the Provisional Coruscant Council arrives."

"Admiral Jerno Thai is on his way to the Tychorion?" Leia asked.

"I send him an invitation, Leia, after I've got that nasty message. I expect his arrival soon. So before the approach of his ship is detected I want you and the other are on your way to the planet surface."

To be continued...