Chapter 89

Leia went over to a small speeder and drove to Cantamaga. Already near the outskirts of the town she saw a group of Quelans waiting,among them the two leaders. She stop the speeder and got over to the waiting group."

"We're leaving again, governors. The sooner we'll be back on Myr the better."

"What you've told us, fills us with hope, Leia. Hope that Ribana will soon be freed, so we can return to our way old way of living." Toallin said.

"All our hope depends on the work of Cornell and his men, Toallin. They have done a tremendous lot of work. What has been a dream for decades might become reality soon. As soon as Darth Golluth has been handed over to the leaders of Coruscant we will come to Cantamaga and help you preparing your return."

"We're looking forward welcoming all our new friends in Ribana, Leia. The Quelans of Palomintar Four will always welcome you. Send regards to all of them, when you're back on Myr. "

Leia walked back to the speeder and headed back to the plains where Yarnick and Brion were preparing for lift off. Leia boarded the speeder and went to the control room.

"There's quite a length of solid hoses and a huge pump, which we normally use to clean the Grannd Traveler so she will look decent. Leia. If we can use them to create a water flow along the wall we might not need to tear down the wall. I have also counted thirty five boxes. Each contains not twenty, but thirty liquid explosive globes," Kieran announced elated.

"Kieran, why did you have such a large amount of those globes on board of the Grannd Traveler. "

Kieran grinned.

"It's just stock, although we kept them highly secured, concerning the risk, but we're also traders, Leia. We bought this load just before we went to Mos Eisley for repairs. Isn't this a great coincidence. "

Leia started laughing.

"You're right, Kieran. Call it also a coincidence that Liane and her Jedi friends were there at the same time, although Luke and I wouldn't call it a coincidence, but the influence of the Force."

"What ever you both think it is, I don't care, Leia. But with this load of explosives we certainly can blow up the wall at the end of riverbed."

"We still have to be cautious when working in the riverbed."

"You mean that those droids could be permanently watching the wall on the other side."

"Might be, Kieran. I have to think things over and discuss with Han and Cornell how we are going to use the explosives inside the riverbed. Not only do we have to remain cautious for those droids, but we also have to prevent that the explosion will collapse the riverbed's ceiling," Leia commented.

Kieran nodded seriously.

"If you need help, Leia, I volunteer to find a way to attach the explosives at the wall in the riverbed and I'm sure that Ronann and Bran will help me. "

Leia put her hand on the youngest of the Grann brothers, before she said thoughtfully.

"Thank you for your offer, Kieran. We'll discuss any possibilities when we're back on Myr."

"Of course. That harvest leader is a very sensible person, as is the old man, his father. They both remind me of Marek, my father, who has taught us to considers any plans and our travels very seriously."

Yarnick entered the control room.

"We're ready to head back to Myr, Leia. Kieran, strap yourself in."

Kieran made a face to Leia, while he fixed he safety webbing.

"Since I met with a accident while we were fleeing from some opponents, Yarnick always checks if I'm strapped in before the Grannd Traveler leaves. I broke both my legs at that occasion. On our next stop Yarnick brought me to a clinic, where medical droids strapped me in a bacta bath for a week. Yarnick blamed me for not have strapped in in time. " He whispered.

Leia smiled, but didn't comment on his words.

Doran Whain looked at the inactive droids under the half-collapsed roof of what probably once had been a shed.

'It's getting dark. There is no use to get back to Trevor now. There's nothing to report and I can't bring him the woman Jedi. I'll leave these droids here. No one will find them here. I'll go to the clearing at the other side of the hills', He thought, 'It might be very interesting to know if those two Jedi can transcribe the content of those files. It's risky that I can't find their space ship, if it is cloaked. '

He looked at the inert droids and grinned.

"You can't do any harm at the moment, so stay where you are. I'll reactivate you when I come back with the woman Jedi and master Antilles. If by chance you would create havoc again, they'll know how to keep you in check." He said aloud.

He pushed the door which hung crookedly on the broken hinges for the opening and climbed the garden wall to the main plaza. Once outside he started the speeder and drove to the southern outskirts of Ribana which were stretching out till the foothill of the forested hills. As soon as he has reached the dense vegetation and trees he hid the speeder and began to ascend the slope for the hilltop on foot.

All the while he was thinking of the circuit boards the woman Jedi had handed him. She had already looked it him in a peculiar way when he had entered the wine cellar, and afterwards Jedi master Antilles had assured him that the secret of his true identity was safe with them.

Hadn't Luke also recognized him at their first meeting? It seems that Jedi Knights could easily see through a faked identity. It felt uncomfortable.

Before he had left Coruscant he had been convinced that he had become Doran Whain. He had thought that his real identity would be thoroughly masked behind his alias. And here on Palomintar Four three Jedi Knights immediately had addressed him with his real name, at least they almost had. He had denied their assumption immediately. He felt some uneasiness, for he knew that if his real identity would become known, it might endanger his mission.

"What do I really know about the Jedi Knights and their order. I have never met Jedi Knights before. Can I be really sure they will keep my identity secret. Will they keep that promise," He mused half aloud, "I've only heard about the Great Purge and the way the Emperor once activated a secret code that turned the clone army against their Jedi commanders.

While I grew up on Coruscant there weren't Jedi Knights anymore, although there were enough rumors that not all them had been eliminated. Those rumors must have been true, for one way or another Luke Skywalker has got his training and education to become a Jedi Knight from a Jedi Knight who escaped the Purge.

I would love to work with my new Jedi friends, for they probably are exceptionally highly intelligent people. When this mission is over I will ask Luke or master Antilles, and maybe also miss Liane Solichor who seems to be a Jedi Knight, too, if they would be willing to team up with me, working as intels for both our governments. "

Muttering his thoughts under his breath, he reached the top of the hill. Still keeping cover among the trees he looked down at the forested other side. It looked difficult to find the clearing where he had met Luke and master Antilles before. Then he suddenly recalled the coordinates Luke had once given him. He took out his infocom and scrolled through the stored data. Using those coordinates he would be able to find his way to the clearing where he, Luke and master Antilles had discussed Luke's daring plan the last time

"Let's assume that master Antilles has used the same clearing to land his space ship," He murmured.

He activated the coordinates. Immediately a small dot appeared on the holo display which pointed to the left. More at ease Doran began at descending the steep slope to the valley behind the forested hill. It was now completely dark, but the display provided enough light to help him find his way downhill.

Meanwhile Wedge, Liane and the droids had reached the clearing where the cloaked Astræga had been hidden. Liane deactivated the cloaking of the ship relying on presence of the ship she clearly felt through the Force. The Astræga became visible and Wedge lowered the ramp to lead Threepio and Artoo inside. Liane followed them and raised the ramp behind her. Once inside Wedge activated the cloaking again to avoid unwanted attention of any unexpected surveillance.

In the control room Wedge took out a box from under the couches and handed Liane a sophisticated card reader. Liane grinned.

"Luke's ship still has a lot of hidden treasures to discover," She laughed.

Wedge took a second reader. A more ancient model, but still useful for the task they needed to fulfill.

"You take the latest model to display the content of the file which is probably recorded in the Sith language. Do you really expect you can transcribe what's recorded on it?"

"It's years ago that I saw any lines written in the dreadful language, Wedge. I hated it, but I was forced to learn it. Anakin relentlessly pressed me to rehearse the content of the Book of the Sith over and over again, so I would know it by heart. Sometimes he woke me up unexpectedly and then I had to recite a chapter he wanted to hear. If it wasn't correct, he let me repeat it, until he was satisfied. Let's look at both files on the datacron. We don't know the language of the other file, yet. Artoo, please, hand us the datacron" she said.

Artoo slit the compartment in his dome aside. Liane took the tiny datacron and slit in the slot of her reader. Two files appeared on the display

"Look, Wedge. One of these files starts with a capital 'S'. That's probably the one with the recording in the Sith language. Let's copy the other file to the second reader."

"Shaayla-Car, you are postponing to look at the content with the recording in the Sith language, right?" Wedge said, looking at her.

Liane nodded and held the second reader near her device to transmit the other file.

"I feel uncomfortable with the idea that Luke expects me to use the knowledge I had gained in my past. He always took great care to avoid any references to my past as Anakin's apprentice, because he felt how upset I became if I had to remember the evil things I had seen, learned and done in the past. I feel not quite sure yet, Wedge, to confront the knowledge Anakin taught me, despite I know he regrets all the evil things he forced me to learn."

Wedge nodded and activate the reader she handed him. A blue transparent screen started to hover above the device and a list of pages were displayed. Wedge displayed the first page on the list. It only showed a title in capitals, but Liane and Wedge immediately recognized the language.

"It's a recording in Jedieese!" they both exclaimed and then they started to laugh relaxed.

"That's going to be an easy one, Wedge. You can transcribe the content of this file, right? You've practised in the Jedi Archive cave on Na'ctaMagh'Ba."

"Only a few times, Shaayla-Car, but I remember you taught me and Yarmod to use the Force to understand what's written in the language of the Jedi."

"Exactly. Let's find a place in the ship where can do a Jedi meditation before we will ask the Force to help us transcribing the content in Basic. Maybe Threepio can help you to record what you are reading, saying the sentences aloud in Standard Basic, on our infocoms. He can't read Jedieese, but is very fluent in Standard Basic."

"Do you need help to find a quiet place to meditate, Shaayla-Car?"

"No, thanks for your concern, Wedge, but I will do a Jedi mediation in Leia's former quarter. Since Luke and I left Endor, her quarters have been more or less the place where I stay while on board the Astræga. Maybe you have a look at on of the guest's quarters or Luke's private cabin which has a very sober furnishings. Exactly what a fully-fledged Jedi Knight needs to become one with the Force."

Wedge started to laugh.

"I initiated you to Jedi Knight, Shaayla-Car? Are you still in doubt about my decision?"

Liane shook her head.

"I don't, Wedge, I trust your judment, but you probably know why I call you a fully-fledged Jedi Knight. Let's get going, the sooner this task is over, the better it will be. When we can read the texts in Basic, we'd can understand what Luke had in mind, charging us with the content of these files."

Wedge and Threepio left. Liane was left deep in thought, but suddenly she jumped up, grab her reader, beckoned Artoo to follow her and walked with certain steps to the niche in the middle of the ship. She sought her union with the Force to open the door to the meditation room. She helped Artoo to the platform, closed the door and pressed the button to open the protective covers of the transparisteel bulb. She sat herself in the middle of the heightened floor and beckoned Artoo to stay close to her.

"Stay with me, Artoo. I surely might need your help."

"KKDKJIWLN-DKKILSKK-DDAILMDDI-HWKKKDIS" Her astromech friend beeped.

"I know, you're not a interpreter, like Threepio, but I want you to reassure me, that I'm doing the right thing, for I still don't like this. It doesn't feel right to make use of knowledge Anakin forced me to learn. I wonder why Luke has asked me to do this. I only want to get inside Trevor's underground abode and see if everything is alright with Luke."

She grabbed the reader and activated it. The blue screen hovered above the display. Liane opened the file and the first page became visible. For a moment she looked at the words with raising disgust, then she filled her mind with the help of the Force to read the content.

"Artoo, please, record what I'm reading aloud in Basic," She said in her Force trance.

She didn't hear that her droid friend activated his recording unit and waited placidly to fulfill his task.

'Sixteenth year of the reign of Emperor Palpatine' Liane said aloud and she swapped to the next page.

'Investigation about the disaster of the Imperial Space Fleet near Solgar. This investigation will personally be overseen by Emperor Palpatine'

On the next page Liane read Trevor Matrik's name being accused of taking the wrong decisions at the Solgar planet.

For a moment Liane released herself from the Force and looked at Artoo.

"Anakin once told the commander on the domains that Trevor's actions near Solgar were a total disaster." She said to the droid, "but I've never known that the Emperor has issued an investigation on the matter. Let's see the next page. Oh, that's lot of nasty Sith text. I hope I will be able to read this whole page, so you can record it."

'You probably need some help of those who once were more familiar with this language than you have been, Liane'. A familiar voice said.

Before Liane the Force ghosts of Anakin Skywalker and another man appeared.

"Father! You will help me with this? Who is your companion?" Liane said aghast.

'Show me the page you want to transcribe in your language' The unknown Force ghost said on a gentle tone.

Liane turned the reader and in a clear voice the Force ghost translated the Sith words.

"Did you get it, Artoo," Liane asked.

"EIMNDOS-WKKDKSIL-WKKSKID-XXLLSLKE" Artoo confirmed.

'Show us the next page, Liane' Anakin ordered, looking at the hovering blue light above the reader.

Liane took back the reader, swapped the page, and put the reader again so her two Force visitors could read the text. Anakin nodded and translated the Sith text into Basic. After Artoo had recorded the text, Liane took the reader again to get the next page. Three other pages were translated with the help of her unexpected assistants. Finally Liane turned up the last page.

"This is the last page in the file, father," She said and turned the device once again.

The unknown companion of Anakin Skywalker read the text in Standard Basic. Anakin look at Liane.

'I once told you I had to go to the Solgar system to solve admiral Trevor Matrik's disastrous failure. This report of the investigation holds the evidence what went wrong under his command. His misinterpretation of the situation near Solgar must be clear to you know. On the last page you will read that Emperor Palpatine had recorded his verdict in a different language. Did you read already the Trevor's sentence and the proposed execution of the Emperor's judgment? That file is written in Jedieese.'

Liane shook her head.

"Wedge Antilles is working on that file. Why is that file written in Jedieese, father? And who is the one that helped me?, Liane asked curiously.

'Carrying out Palpatine's sentence could only be done by someone who had once been trained as a Jedi Knight, Liane.'

A long silence followed before Liane hesitatingly said.

"And it was you who had to do that, father?"

Anakin nodded

'Palpatine forced me to execute the verdict. I had to use Sever Force to separate Trevor from the Force and surround him, who was highly Force-sensitive, in the Wall of Light. Only the Jedi are able to perform this Force use as the Sith can only use Force lightning to execute. Palpatine revenged himself on Trevor for his inadequate strategy that damaged the Imperial Fleet. However, I didn't know that Palpatine had in mind to permanently remind me that I had been Trevor's executioner, for he nominated Trevor to be a staff member on the Morantan domains.'

"Oh, father, how awful. Know it's clear to me why you despised the presence of Trevor on Morantan," Liane said with compassion.

Anakin looked at his foster-daughter and turned to his companion.

'I told you, Ulic, that the offspring of Nomi and you, has become a real servant of the Good Side. You didn't believe my words, for you once has been a Sith, like me. Nomi punished you for the murder of your brother. She encased you in the Wall of Light, but you redeemed the Dark Side and became a Force ghost when you died in Nomi's arms. Shaayla-Car Kenobi is the offspring of you and Nomi in a long line of female Jedi.'

Liane looked at Anakin's companion with a gentle look in her eyes.

"What a surprise to meet my ancestral father?" She said with a smile, reaching out the Force ghost with compassionate feelings. "Months ago, I've met Nomi Sunrider. She told me about the love between the two of you and the love was blessed with your daughter Shaayla. My mother Severini Solichor named me Shaayla-Car after a Jedi friend of her, but maybe she knew the name you and Nomi had chosen. I feel very fortunate that my foster-father could convince you too to meet me, like I met Nomi." Liane said.

'You just heard what Nomi did after I killed my brother, Shaayla-Car.' the Force Ghost of Ulic Qel-Droma answered,

'I deserved her punishment, but I immensely regretted that I lost her love. She left me, together with her daughters Vima and Shaayla.'

"It must have been hard for both of you, my ancestral father," Liane said.

For a long moment Ulic Qel-Droma and Liane looked at each other.

'The Force is strong with you, Shaayla-Car Kenobi. You have learned and found your way to become a Jedi Knight. It has been a hard strife, but you succeeded. Support your eternal partner and, who knows, as Nomi and I hope, that one day you will pass on the long line that connects you to us.' Ulic said before he stepped back and his Force apparition disappeared.

"Tell him, father, I honor him, like Nomi honored him and forgave him his wrongdoings." Liane said.

'Go and read Palpatine's verdict after Wedge Antilles has transcribe it, Liane. You now know enough to confront Trevor Matrik who will never be a Force-user again, because Sever Force not only raises The Wall of Light to block the Force's influence; it also alters a Force-user's midichlorian count so that he is never able to experience the influence of the Force the way he once experienced. ' Anakin Skywalker's appearance said.

"Thank you, father, for your help. Not many people will understand my admiration for you as my foster-father."

The Force Ghost of Anakin disappeared and Liane looked at Artoo. She deactivated the reader and looked at the darkening sky, visible through the transparisteel dome. For a while she seemed enthralled by the vision, but then she took out her infocom and held it out to her companion.

"Please, transmit the text to my infocom, Artoo. Next we'll go back to the control room and see what Wedge and Threepio have done."

On board the Tychorion the leaders of the Provisional Coruscant Council and the New Republic looked very seriously at each other.

"Shouldn't we also descend to the planet surface, Ma'am?" Jerno Thai asked Mon Mothma, "I think that our agent has miscalculated his position among the Jedi. I don't want him to get hurt in the aftermath of all this."

"I understand your concern, grand admiral, but I have confidence in your agent's abilities and those of the Jedi. It might look now that he might have brought himself in a dangerous position, but there are six Jedi Knights on Palomintar Four, of which two are quite near your agent's last position. I guess that soon we will be in contact with one of our Jedi to get us updated on the situation. We also should heed your agent's first warning about landing with a space ship near Ribana."

Kalip Ru'undo looked not convinced after Mon Mothma's words.

"Who are those two Jedi that might help our agent, Ma'am?" He asked.

"Are you in for a surprise or a shock, lieutenant-general?" Sorjon Tyloban asked.

Kalip frowned.

"What do you mean, master Tyloban?"

"The two Jedi that landed with the Astræga near Ribana are Jedi master Wedge Antilles and our second female Jedi named Shaayla-Car Kenobi, or Liane Solichor as you better know her."

Valann looked at Mon Mothma's advisor.

"Is she related to former Jedi master general Obi-Wan Kenobi? Jerno, do you remember we talked about Liane Solichor parentage not so long ago. Master Tyloban, Liana Solichor or Shaayla-Car Kenobi also is Severini Solichor's legitimate daughter, right?"

"And she is Obi-Wan Kenobi's daughter, commodore," Mon Mothma added, "Shortly before the Great Purge of the Jedi Order, Jedi Master Obi-Wan left Coruscant with the Jedi Healer Severini Solichor. They found a temporary refuse on Morantan and got married."

"I can't believe that those Jedi have had such a close relationship. As far as we know the Jedi weren't allowed to be involved in any close attachment." Valann said amazed.

"The situation and position for the Jedi Knights had become quite different, commodore. After Severini Solichor and Obi-Wan Kenobi got married, two children were born during their short marriage: a son and a daughter."

"Liane Solichor has a brother?" Valann and Kalip exclaimed.

Mon Mothma started to laugh.

"She has and she's very happy with the renewed relationship with her former guard and now Jedi Knight Ian Tydon, or Tama-Hin Kenobi."

"They met during her detention on Wegoyy?"

"Yes, but many years passed before they found out, by coincidence I should say, that they were siblings."

The three leaders of the Provisional Council looked at their opponents.

"Why has Liane Solichor gone to Ribana, Ma'am? Did you send her there, as our former admiral requested in the message he send you. You know our fears if Liane Solichor would meet our admiral," Kalip said.

For a moment Mon Mothma's face got a stern look.

"I still don't understand why the three leaders of our alliance still stick to their believe that Liane Solichor or Shaayla-Car Kenobi will team up with your renegade admiral, who is obsessed with the idea to revive the Empire and who wants to plunge this galaxy in another devastating war. Shaayla-Car Kenobi has completed the initiation to Jedi Knight. She has become a very trustworthy companion of Luke Skywalker and a dear friend of the other Jedi Knights. On her initiative and determination I have send her and Jedi master Wedge Antilles to land near Ribana. She convinced me that it's her task, a difficult and dangerous task gentlemen, to confront Trevor Matrik. She will team up with Jedi Masters Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles to make sure that your admiral will never plunge our galaxy into a new war."

"Ma'am, the situation on Palominator Four seems to have changed as some time ago master Whain send us a recorded message that he wouldn't carry out our mandate to take Liane Solichor into custody. Jedi master Luke Skywalker has given him information, very reliable information as our agent stated, that Liane Solichor hadn't the intention to team up with Trevor Matrik all. In the recorded message our agent said, that he was going to support and team up with master Skywalker and Liane Solichor to put an end to the occupation of the Ribana area on Palomintar Four. We couldn't send our reaction with our objections on this recorded message, because before he left Coruscant on this mission he insisted that there wouldn't be any direct communication between him and Coruscant." Jerno remarked.

"And so you kept serious doubts about his decision, grand admiral. Despite all the information you have got from your agent and my government you stuck to the believe that Liane Solichor could jeopardize the peace treaty and to the future of the galaxy," Mon Mothma said still looking concerned and disappointed.

"I have to apologize, Ma'am," Jerno Thai said.

"Ma'am, our original advice to master Whain was inspired by the sincere wish of the whole Coruscant Council, that after decades of war our galaxy needed a period of rest. A period of peace an prosperity for both our governments. We were convinced that the knowledge Darth Vader has taught Liane Solichor would be a serious threat to establish a long lasting peace." Kalip said, and Mon Mothma looked upon his words as an indirect apology.

She nodded friendly.

"I share the concern the Council has felt, master Ru'undo. Even I once felt unsure about Liane Solichor's behavior. When master Skywalker and his sister met Liane Solichor after our forces had brought her to Irithim she opposed every attempt to be cooperative, but master Skywalker kept a great trust in her. He believed that she wasn't a real Sith lady, despite what his father has taught her. Master Skywalker was right, gentlemen. Liane Solichor has become a follower of the Good Side of the Force, a Jedi Knight like master Skywalker and his sister."

All the time Valann Namaran still had listened to Mon Mothma's explanation.

"Ma'am, do you know if Darth Vader also has taught Liane Solichor the language of the Siths?"

Some what surprised Mon Mothma looked at polite third leader, also his other co-leaders looked surprised.

"I don't know, commodore Namaran," Mon Mothma answered, "Why are you asking this?"

"Next to my rank as commodore I am a historian. Using my old prerogatives I recently have been doing a secret research about the relationship between Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader and admiral Trevor Matrik. My research included Palpatine's personal archive. Most of those files were encrypted, but I managed to find the codes to decrypt their content which contained Palpatine's many decrees, specifically those to thighten his grip on all systems, but I also found two files which were recorded in unknown languages which our translator droids could neither decrypt nor transcribe. I separated those files, hoping I would find a way to uncover their content, but to no avail. However, just before we left Coruscant to meet you on the Tychorion, I did a last check on the log files of the archive and to my surprise I saw that someone secretly had transmitted information about Trevor Matrik including those two files to admiral Vestor on the Basilisæa. Possibly admiral Vestor has send them to our agent, or in the worsed case even to former admiral Matrik. If our agent has been in possession of those files, could he have asked Shaayla-Car Kenobi to transcribe their content? My theory is highly hypothetical, but I know that in the past there have been Jedi masters who studied the evil lore of the Siths, just to be prepared if the Sith would turn up in our galaxy again.."

"Valann, do you believe that those two files could have something to do with Trevor Matrik?" Kalip asked.

"Kalip, although I couldn't decrypt to read them those files they have been recorded in the archive very shortly after the disaster in the Solgar system, where a large part of the Imperial fleet was heavily damaged and almost all the ground forces that had been deployed on the planet, were killed. The responsible admiral of the fleet at that time was no other that admiral Trevor Matrik. The news about the battle near Solgar was made public over the holonet."

Jerno Thai nodded.

"I remember the news about what happened near Solgar, Valann. Afterwards the Emperor send Darth Vader to suppress the insurrection on Solgar. Palpatine was extremely outraged and furious at what had happened, but I never heard if he had blamed the admiral for the heavy loss and dammage of the imperial fleet. As far as I know admiral Matrik kept his rank, but was relieve as the commanding admiral of the imperial fleet. Afterwards Palpatine accepted him again as a member of his Praetorian Guard."

General Madine looked thoughtfully at the grand admiral.

"An interesting story, grand admiral. Thank you, commodore Namaran, for sharing your thoughts on this matter. What do you think, Sorjon, could be the content of those files."

"We shouldn't speculate too much, gentlemen. We need to focus on what's happening on Palomintar Four at the moment. As soon as we could lay our hand on admiral Matrik we will hear the details of the Jedi's actions and what information master Whain has shared with them," Sorjon Tyloban said.

"Leia Organa had informed me that we need to be very cautious regarding admiral Matrik, "Mon Mothma added, "As he has set his mind to become a Sith Lord like Palpatine, he might be a Dark Force user and a hug threat to the peace and prosperity we want to bring to the systems in our galaxy.."

Jerno, Kalip and Valann nodded in agreement.

"It is a relief to all of us, Ma'am, that the Jedi will help us to handle the Admiral's potentially dangerous skills." Kalip commented.

Yarmod, Ian and Chati were sitting on the tree stumps at the clearing.

"That's what Leia want us to do, Chati," Yarmod said and looked at the Quelan woman, "We need your help once we're inside the cave system behind the wall, but we assure you that we will protect you. Before we pass through the gap Ian and I will create with our lightsaber we have to attach those liquid explosives on the wall, probably in several other fissure or chasm. We have to fix them securely because when the water will be led back into its former bedding the explosives have to do their work."

Chati nodded.

"Of course I will come with you. I have a rough map of the cave system on my datapad. I only hope that the intruder hasn't made too many changes. I suggest that as soon as we're inside we'll seek places to hide. I will take nut rations with me enough for a day or two. If we need to stay out of sight longer, because your sister hasn't been brought inside, Ian, I can found out where food and drinks are stored and I can steal what is necessary. You said that you will deal with any droids we might encounter. When do you want to go?"

"Leia wants us to go as soon as possible. Tonight or tomorrow night for instance."

"Tomorrow night will be fine, that gives me the opportunity to get those nut rations. I also have to ask master Leia to hand me Ben's lightsaber. He entrusted me with his weapon and he asked me to hand it to him once I had woke him up again."

Ian grabbed inside his coat and unhooked a lightsaber from his belt.

"Leia asked me to give Luke's lightsaber to you, Chati. We're in your debt for your help. Although we could widen one of those gaps ourselves our mission will be safer if you can lead us through that cave system."

Chati grinned.

"I'm glad master Leia wants me to accompany you two. I feel that as an honor, Ian. It also will be a great possibility to meet Ben again, maybe even your sister and master Antilles, for I understand that he is staying with her."

"We need to carefully work out any further plan without anyone of the harvest men, especially Cemall or Lorann, will suspect anything," Yarmod said.

Chati looked at the lightsaber Ian was still holding out to her.

"Hand me Ben's lightsaber once we're inside the underground riverbed, Ian. A Jedi with a lightsaber won't draw suspicion, but a Quelan woman with a lightsaber, like me, will."

Ian hooked the lightsaber at his belt again.

"I'm sure, Chati, that one day you will be a Quelan woman with a lightsaber and no one will look suspicious at you,"

They all laughed.

Liane and Wedge looked at Doran Whain.

"I owe an explanation," He said.

Both Jedi nodded, but remained silent.

"I'm just had become curious to know if you have managed to read the content of those two files."

"We told you that we would contact you as soon as we would be ready," Wedge said.

"What have you done with those killer droids?" Liane asked.

"They are still inside the shed. Inactivated."

"We thought that you were about to report back to Trevor, before we would contact you again?" Liane said.

Her voice sounded stern and curtly.

"I had nothing to report, ma'am," Doran answered, "After I refitted those cards I decided to stay in Ribana."

"We would have come back to Ribana. That's what we agreed upon," Wedge said.

Doran looked at the two Jedi in front of him. How could he convince them that he wasn't deceiving them? Maybe he'd better told them he had send a urgent report to the Tychorion. A warning about Trevor's plan to endanger Luke's life. However, would they believe him? Did the women Jedi know that it has been him who once send those spies to her hide-out on Na'ctaMagh'Ba? The thoughtless action of those thugs had caused her flight from a place where she had been safe from Darth Golluth's minions. It wasn't likely that she would trust him if she knew his role in the attack on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. What did she know about him? What did Luke and Wedge tell her about him? Should it be better if he revealed the truth to these Jedi too, like he had done to Luke?

All the time Liane and Wedge had watched Doran.

"Master Thai, you quite unfamiliar with a Jedi's skills, right," Liane said. "Don't try to fool a Jedi Knight. We can see through you and know what you have been thinking. Yes, I know, it was you who send those guys to Na'ctaMagh'Ba to find the place the Supreme Chancellor had allowed me to stay, so I would be safe against Trevor's machinations. I can't understand that someone with your abilities would lend a hand to a deserted imperial officer who wants to plunge the galaxy into a devastating war again."

For a moment Liane cast a glance at Wedge Antilles. The older Jedi nodded and smiled.

'Go on, Shaayla-Car. This guy has to know what powers the Force can give us Jedi.'

Liane fixed her eyes on Doran again.

"I know the truth, master Thai, I know why you are on Palomintar Four. The leaders on Coruscant send you here, but not to the planet's surface, for that was your own initiative and it has brought you a lot of trouble. You had to adjust your original mission: keep an eye on Trevor Matrik, for you underestimated Trevor Matrik and his army of killer droids. Although you seemed to have managed to reprogram many of those droids, you need to act as Trevor's loyal assistant for your own safety, not of the one Trevor asked you to find. If Luke Skywalker wouldn't be inside Trevor's underground cave system I would ask master Antilles to lift off now and escort you to the Tychorion for further questioning. Am I right, that the Coruscant leaders are on board the Tychorion at the moment?"

"They are, ma'am, and I suggest that you talk to them about my mission. I admit that I had been too confident when I took the initiative to assist Trevor Matrik to fix the damage to his comsystem. However, before I made the wrong decision to follow you to the Astræga, I have send several urgent messages to my superiors, using the messaging system on the Tychorion. Your friend Luke allowed me to use his entry code. Any message to his messaging partition on the Tychorionn which would be aimed at Coruscant would be send immediately to my superiors. I wasn't aware that my last messages have reached them on board the Tychorion."

"Shaayla-Car, we can contact the Tychorion and ask for confirmation about any messages Doran Whain has sent recently," Wedge suggested, feeling that Liane's concern for Luke began to stir her feelings.

"We'd better do that, Wedge. I want to know what's going on and how we can keep Luke's life safe."

Wedge activated the comsystem of the Astræga to reach the Tychorion. Almost immediately Mon Mothma's holographic image popped up.

"Shaayla-Car, are you and Wedge safe?"

"Yes, Ma'am, so far we only had an encounter with some ten of Trevor's killer droids, but Wedge and I have settled that matter."

"Did Wedge get in touch with that Coruscant agent, if you know?" Mon Mothma asked.

"He has, Ma'am, master Nori Thai is on board the Astræga at the moment."

The holographic image of Jerno Thai popped up.

"Miss Solichor, you are endangering our agent's mission mentioning his real name. Why are you revealing his true identity?"

"Sir, master Wedge Antilles and I are Jedi Knights, as is Luke Skywalker. From the beginning we have known your agent's true identity, but that will not endanger his mission as you suggest. Master Antilles and I only want to know what messages your agent have recently sent to the Tychorion using Luke Skywalker's entry code for his shielded messaging system. It feels odd that your agent suddenly asked master Antilles to pick him up as he got stuck on a ridge near the valley where the Astræga has landed."

"Are you accusing him of spying, miss Solichor?"

"Yes, we are, sir" Liane answered rather bluntly, "After we first met your agent he promised that he would wait until we would contact him again after we had done our task on board the Astræga. We know that your agent has played a double role and has put my security on Na'ctaMagh'Ba in danger by sending Trevor's minions to find the place where the Supreme Chancellor has brought me to be safe as long as Luke Skywalker and his sister were handling the situation on Palomintar Four."

For a moment the holographic images became disturbed as several other persons wanted to comment on Liane's words. Finally the friendly image of general Madine popped up.

"Shaayla-Car Kenobi, I understand that the actions of the undercover agent sounds very confusing, if not doubtful, but I can guarantee you that he is trustworthy. Why did master Antilles and you go back to the Astræga after you met with the undercover agent."

Liane looked at Wedge.

"General, I'm not familiar with all the details, but in the past Doran Whain has got some information about Trevor Matrik. Among the information were two datasets in unknown languages. Doran Whain has shared that information with Luke Skywalker after had the two became friends and decided to join forces. Doran Whain participated in Luke's plan to get him inside Trevor's underground system. Luke hid the two datasets in the compartment of Artoo. In a recorded message he asked Shaayla-Car and me to have a look at the datasets and transcribe the content into Standard Basic. That's the reason why we went back to the Astræga. After I picked up Doran Whain and brought him on board the Astræga he told us that he was just curious to know if we succeeded."

General Madine nodded.

"Thank, commander Antilles. Did you indeed succeed to transcribe the content of those files?"

"We did, and I have to admit that what we found was very amazing, but also troublesome. However it surely will help us to bring this mission on Palomintar Four to an end."

"I understand that you don't want to reveal the content of these datasets yet, commander, but one of the leaders still has a question about them. Would you mind to answer it?"

"We won't go into details yet, but I will gladly explain the value of these datasets," Wedge said.

The holo-image of Valann Namaran appeared.

"Master Antilles, I'm Valann Namaran, commordore of the Provisional Coruscant Council and by profession a historian. Could you please tell me if those files were written in languages only the Jedi can read?"

"They are, sir. One of them is written in the old Sith language. The other one is in Jedieese."

"And you made a transcription of both files?"

"We did, but for the time being the content will remain secret, otherwise the mission of your agent would be jeopardized. If Trevor Matrik will find out that his so-called loyal assistant has got secret content, and especially the content of these dataset, he surely will revenge himself. "

"So you will not only protect and safe master Skywalker who is inside Trevor's caves, but also our agent."

"That correct, sir."

"One last question, master Antilles. When our problems on Palomintar Four will be solved, one way or the other, and the indigenous population has been restored to their territory, would you share the transcription of both files to the Provisional Coruscant Council?"

"We will, sir, no doubt about that. We will hand out the transcription to the triarchy and will ensure that any other copy will be destroyed."

"Master Antilles, thank you. You're help on this matter is of immeasurable value. Not only for me as an historian, but also for the upcoming trial of Trevor Matrik."

Jerno Thai and Kalip Ru'undo appeared next to the holo-image of Valann Namaran.

"We have listened to your explanation, master Antilles and we agree with your point of view," Jerno said, "Doran Whain send us several warnings. In his first urgent message he warned us that no ship must be allowed to land near Ribana. He later explained what our renegade admiral has in mind concerning Jedi master Luke Skywalker. We confirmed his message and you can see the confirmation on his infocom. He contacted us again, using the initials of his real name and those of his alias and asked us to contact you as he seems to be on his way to your space ship and got lost. We can send you copies of both his messages. Master Antilles the triarchy fully vouches for the reliability and integrity of Doran Whain. As your general just said he is trustworthy and has done a tremendous job so far. Without him it might have been taken much more time to bring the illegal occupation of Palomintar Four to an end."

"We will heed your words, sir, and will warn you when your assistance will be needed to arrest admiral Trevor Matrik," Wedge said.

"We rely on your skills and those of Shaayla-Car Kenobi, master Antilles. May the Force be with you."

The connection vanished, but almost immediately, the copies of all Doran's messages appeared on the screen. After reading Wedge secured the messages and looked at Doran with a forgiving grin.

"You've highly alerted those guys, Doran, sending your last message five time. Possibly they have been thinking you were under attack."

"Whatever they have been thinking, Wedge, I'm glad you've picked me up. I admit that I haven't considered my action very thoroughfully which alway has to be the normal habit of an undercover agent."'

Also Liane began to smile.

"It certainly isn't, Doran. Maybe you should ask Wedge or Luke to give you some Jedi training to learn how to stay in control."

They sat down on the couches in the control room

"We promised you, Doran, that we will not reveal your true identity. We know who you really are and we're honored to cooperate with you and bring your mission to an end." Wedge said.

Doran Whain sighed relieved.

"For a moment I really believed that you intended to bring me to the Tychorion, master Antilles."

"That wouldn't has solved anything, Doran. On board we would have got the same information we've just heard. Let's discuss what Shaayla-Car and I have found in those datasets Luke asked us to transcribe. Here is my datapad with the full transcription of both files. Take your time to read them. Their content will not immediately make our combined mission easier, but this knowledge will give us a head-start on Trevor Matrik."

Doran Whain took the dataset and started reading. After he finished he looked up at Wedge and Liane.

"Unbelievable. Thank you," He said, as handed back the datapad to Wedge.

Wedge and Liane smiled.

"You're welcome, Doran. Now we proceed. Next step will be that you will bring Shaayla-Car inside Trevor's cave so she can release our friend from his Jedi hibernation status." Wedge said

"What about you, master Antilles?"

"I will find a way to enter the cave system as well."

"Maybe I can be of some help. Let me explain."

Doran sketched the location near the entrance of Trevor's hide-out and the existence of the lower cave with the hidden stairwell. Wedge nodded.

"Good point, Doran. That lower cave will surely make it possible to enter the cave system unseen, so I still support Shaayla-Car, my friend Luke and you."