Chapter 91

"Do you have the keys to open these doors, Trevor?" She said mockingly, "or have you lost them when you were hurrying to the entrance to bid me welcome."

Darth Golluth who was holding his rod again, could hardly suppress his ire and wrath. Liane saw him grabbing the staff more tightly. She turned to the double doors, raised her hand and the doors swung open nearly crushing the two droids who seems to stand guard on the inside. Darth Golluth forgot his annoyance for a moment.

"Did your father taught you to do this. I never saw you doing did on Morantan?"

"If you mean Anakin Skywalker; no he didn't taught me this, his son taught me how the Force could help me to move heavy objects." She answered.

"So your brother took over your education after the Rebel Alliance had killed the Emperor and your father."

Darth Golluth made an slight inviting gesture. Liane nodded seemingly polite and entered the main cave. Doran Whain followed the two bickering opponents. Liane looked around at the lavish furniture that decorate the space.

"You've made yourself a comfortable living here, Trevor. Much better than the sober officers quarters on Morantan."

"I needed a more comfortable environment to work out my plans for the future of the galaxy."

"Yes, you furnished this space on expense of the Quelan people you send into exile, didn't you?" Liane remarked with some disgust in her voice.

"Just an indigenous tribe of simple people. They left as soon as I had arrived here."

"Involuntarily, Trevor. You used imperial stormtroopers to threaten them. That reminds me, what happened to those stormtroopers. I haven't seen any of them in Ribana. Your group of ten droids took me prisoner instead. Your advisor ordered them to put those binders and a blindfold on me. Very inconvenient I have to admit."

Darth Golluth turned to Doran Whain.

"So, indeed you ordered the droids to bind her," He said on an angry tone and wanted to point his staff at Doran, but again the staff flew out of his hand and crashed against the cave wall.

"I told you, Trevor, to refrain from using your Force Pike as long as you can't wield in a proper way. Master Whain ordered your droids to bind me instead they would beat and torture me," Liane said, walking over to the dais.

"I see you have made yourself a kind of throne, Trevor. So this cave is your audience chamber, your throne room, where you are going to issue your future orders to your lackeys and sycophants, but Master Whain seems the only other human being around here at the moment. The guards behind the doors are also droids."

"Droids are more obedient than humans, Lady Vader. You do remember the commander on Morantan, he refused to hand over the command to me after your father had left the domains and put you in command of all his men. I was an admiral and out-ranking the commander, but he opposed me and remained loyal to you, an eighteen old girl whose command was based on fear and control, based on the knowledge of the Sith. The Rebel Alliance had no trouble with you when they invaded the imperial domains."

Meanwhile Liane had reached the armchair on the dais and sat down, looking down on Darth Golluth who stood near the three steps.

"This suits me, Trevor. Maybe I still like to be in control."

She rose and walked down the steps, standing in front of her adversary.

"Where is Luke SkywalkerTrevor? I want to see him. Even if he has died I have to investigate what happened to him. That's what the Supreme Chancell, or asked me. She send me here because she's worried about the well-being of her favorite Jedi Master."

"What if I have buried that famous friend of yours outside these caves, Liane? Maybe I have ordered some droids to drag him up to the highest summit of the mountain ridge and throw him down at the other side."

Liane reached out to the Force while she pondered for a short moment on Darth Golluth's words. She sighed unnoticeable as she became aware of Luke through the Living Force. The tremors were vague, but she knew he was inside one of the caves and still alive.

"You haven't, Trevor. You're still hiding Luke Skywalker inside these caves, so stop telling me your phantasies and bring me to the place where Luke is," She said.

Darth Golluth looked at her.

"I want you, Liane Vader, for you possess knowledge I need to become the next Emperor. I don't have any need of a dead Jedi Knight, I need a Sith lady to tell me all she knows about the Dark Side of the Force."

Darth Golluth turned to Doran Whain.

"Colonel, show Lady Vader the caves which will be her private quarters," He ordered and walked up the steps to his chair. He sat down with a gloomy annoyed face. Doran walked over to Liane and beckoned her to follow him. Liane looked at Darth Golluth and made a slight arrogant nod.

'Wedge, where are you?' Leia asked her friend.

'I'm inside Trevor's cave system.' Wedge answered.

'And Liane?' Leia asked tense.

'Inside too. Doran Whain has brought her to the entrance where she met with Trevor Matrik. Shortly afterwards I noticed her presence inside one of the larger caves.'

'Has she managed to wake up Luke from his hibernation?'

'No, I sense Luke's presence through the Force, but those tremors are still vague, but he is doing well. I'm waiting for Doran Whain to bring me further inside the cave system to a place where I can stay out of sight of Trevor, but where I can give Shaayla-Car support immediately.'

'Thanks, Wedge. Listen I have send Chati, Ian and Yarmod inside the underground riverbed, pretending those three will place explosives balls in the fissures in the last wall after which they would return to the campsite, but Ian and Yarmod are going to widen those fissures and are going to explore the cave system behind the wall. Chati is accompanying them, for she knows most of the layout of the cave system Trevor has occupied.'

'As soon as I notice their presence, Leia, I will join them. It will be difficult for Trevor to resist a confrontation with five Jedi Knights, even he would release another bunch of killer droids. '

'I'm sure that you, Luke and Ian will protect Liane.' Leia said.

Wedge started to laugh.

'Liane doesn't need so much protection, Leia. We had a fight with ten killer droids in Ribana and Liane showed herself a more than excellent fighter, believing in her skills as a Jedi Knight. You shouldn't worry about her, but I will stay with her as long as we haven't eliminated Trevor Matrik one way or the other.'

'Hide Chati, Wedge. She is vulnerable. Trevor might sense her connection with the Force and exploit her instead of Liane.'

'He won't, Leia. Shaayla-Car and I found out that Trevor isn't a threat to any Jedi, Quelan or other human anylonger. You will hear more details when I meet you again. His killer droids are of more concern to me, because Doran couldn't be sure that he had been able to re-program all of them.'

Wedge sensed Leia's wonder about his words, but she asked him anything more.

'May the Force with you, Wedge.'She said and their Force connection vanished.

Wedge Antilles hurried back along the unused hidden cave system and rushed down the steps to the lower cave. He went outside and used the Force to stay out of sight of the main entrance. Quickly he recorded a message for general Madine and connected his infocom with the Tychorion. He transmitted his message and went back inside the cave system.

'This it it, Ian,' Yarmod said through the Force to his friend and hooked his lightsaber from his belt. Ian has already ignited his Jedi's weapon and stepped to the walk. He pointed at some cracks near the bottom, before he looked up to Yarmod and Chati. Chati nodded.

'Let's see if we can widen these cracks without raising an alert,' He answered his friend.

The two friends stepped close to the fissures and held their lightsabers at the edge of the cracks. The rock started to glow and small wisps of smoke rose, then the glowing rock began to meld and the fissure widened. Ian and Yarmod stepped aside and switched of their lightsabers. They looked at each other.

'Looks good. Let's get on with it.' Ian said.

They ignited their lightsabers again and let the laser beam slide along the fissure's edge, but Chati tapped Yarmod on his shoulder.

'I saw master Luke push this weapon against the rock before he switched it on. He did that e few times and then the rock started to grumble. Chati said, while seeking connection through the Force with Yarmod. The young Jedi turned around and grinned.

'You're getting better and better talking this way, Chati. So Luke pressed the lightsaber at the rock and then he switch it on. Like this.'

Yarmod had switched off his weapon and now pressed the disk again the edge of the fissure, than he pressed the button to ignite the lightsaber. Immediately the rock around his lightsaber began to meld. He switched off again and pressed it at another spot. After having done so at some five different places the rock began to crack and crumbled. The fissure had changed to a hole in the wall. Yarmod nodded at Ian and both Jedi started to work the same way deeper inside the hole. They steadily worked through the whole fissure and suddenly a last part of the rock gave way.

'We're through. If we widen it a bit further it will be larger enough to let us pass. Now we'd better fix those explosives at the other cracks in the wall.'Ian said.

Chati took the strings of rope and carefully the two Jedi fitted the explosives balls inside the nets. Taking care not to touch the balls they fixed the strings with the duraflex tape at the wall. After they had attached three strings Yarmod held back Chati's next rope.

'That's fifteen explosive ball. I guess that's enough to have the wall collapse without endangering the ceiling. We'll put some extra holes near each of the strings to weaken the rock around them.' He said.

'What will we do with the remaining explosives?' Chati asked.

'We'll attach them inside the cave behind the wall. The first strings will cause the explosives to break the wall. The second set at the other side will exploded shortly after the wall gave way and strengthen the power of the water flow.' Ian said.

They resumed to work to widen the fissure further so they could pass it to the other side. The work took some time, for they stopped a few times to avoid that the crumbling rock might attract unwanted attention. Finally Ian crawled through the hole to the other side.

'This will do, Yarmod. Chati is much smaller than we are. Tell her to follow me.'

Yarmod grabbed Chati's arm and pointed to the hole. Chati nodded and crawled through the hole on her hands and knees. Yarmod followed her. When they were on the other side they looked at each other with a big grin.

'We did it.' Chati said and activated a datapad. She tapped at the screen and a rough kind of map appeared. Chati pointed at a spot and looked up at her two friends.

'We're here.' She said and moved with her finger over the screen. 'We have to get over there. That's the large cave which leads to the entrance above Ribana. I have to find out if we safely can move onward. While I'm away you two stay where I left you. I'll come back to guide you further inside without trouble.'

Amazed the two Jedi had heard Chati's explanation through the Force. Chati pointed to a dark spot at the other end of the cave. She walked over and suddenly seemed to vanished. Yarmod and Ian looked at each other.

'While she's away let's fix the other ropes with explosives somewhere inside this cave.' Yarmod said.

'We also need to tell Leia that we've entered Trevor's cave system.' Ian commented.

Yarmod nodded and they started to fix the remaining ropes with the explosives balls at the bottom of the cave leading them to the dark spot where Chati had vanished. When they had finished they walked to the dark spot which turned out to be a passageway to an adjacent cave. Yarmod and Ian leaned at the wall and started to wait for Chati. They didn't seem to notice that the young Quelan woman passed them unseen, but suddenly Ian looked back to cave and saw Chati looking for them. Immediately he pulled Yarmod with him.

'We're here, Chati.' He said.

Chati turned around and beckoned them.

'I know where we've entered the cave system. Follow me. This part is safe to proceed. Did you warn master Leia that we've finished our work.'

'We will do that on our next hiding place.'Yarmod said.

Chati walked over to the passageway and beckoned them to follow her.

Han Solo climbed out of the inlet of the underground riverbed. His shirt was soaking wet, but at his face was a big grin.

"The second trial is a complete success the short water flow we've released has found it's way halfway the riverbed I presumed, for there the flow became shallow and stopped. It didn't reach the wall at the end. I've checked the wall and the explosives are thoroughly attached to the wall."

He looked at Cornell, Wollin and Manall who were standing near the outcropping where the new short canal lead the water to the inlet. All the harvest men cheers.

"Have you seen anything of the two Jedi and Chati?" Cornell asked.

"There's a hole near the bottom of the wall, so they have reached the other side and are on there way through the cave system to meet Luke, Liane and Wedge, as they have told my wife."

"The two Jedi will protected Chati, won't they?" Cornell asked concerned.

"Son, stop worrying about our female harvester. She knows what she's doing." Manall said.

"I understand, son, but you can't protect a woman, and certainly not Chati, who has made up her mind since we had to go into exile, to free our hometown. She's in good company. The son of my friend Obi-Wan Kenobi and the other young Jedi Yarmod. I'm sure those three people will succeed and will find their way inside those underground caves where once the river flowed that formed the lake and ran along Ribana long ago. Son, we should now concentrate on the high wall and how we can force a huge flow of water inside the underground riverbed which will make the wall at the end exploded and flood the cave system behind it."

All the harvest men cheered after Manall's words, but Han and Yarnick looked at each other.

"Master Manall," Yarnick remarked, "We certainly need to get the work done at the high wall, but before we can released the huge flow you're referring to, we have to be sure that the ones who are now defending your people against Trevor Matrik also known as Darth Golluth have safely left the cave system. We should not do anything rash which might endanger their lives."

"What are your plans, son?" Manall asked.

Yarnick grinned.

"It's still master Cornell's project. We're only here to help and support his ideas, master Manall."

"You're right. Cornell, son, what did you have in mind to create a permanent water flow from the lake into the riverbed?" Manall asked and turned to his son.

Cornell looked at Wollin.

"Cornell and I have been looking at the way our friends helped to make those two trials possible, but using the hoses and the pump isn't reliable enough to create a water flow that will continue to pour into the canal at the plateau to find its way to the inlet and the underground riverbed," Wollin said, "We need to lower the top of the high wall, for at the moment it's a kind of threshold which prevents the lake to overflow along the wall. We must lower some part of that threshold let the water from the lake flow down the high wall in a controlled way without draining the lake. Master Solo, you've demonstrated the working of those explosives globes to widen one of the main fissures in the wall. Is it possible to widen several fissures first, before the water from the lake will be released?"

"Of course that's possible, master Wollin," Han answered.

Wollin looked at Cornell and Manall.

"I suggest that we first proceed widening several fissures in such a way that they let the water flow easily along the high wall into the shallow pool we created. We can test our work using the pump and the hose and let a small amount of water flow through those fissures. If we're satisfied, we can use our freezing mathod to break away the upper part of the high wall so the water from the lake will flow into the fissures and further to the riverbed inlet."

All the harvest men nodded enthusiastically.

Yarnick looked at his brothers.

"Master Wollin, we should divided the work that needs to be done. To widen the fissure I think that Han, master Cornell and my brothers and me are going to work with those explosives. The others still can work on your project at the plateau, for the canal walls still needs to be strengthened at some spots. Also the wall near the edge of the plateau has to made very solid. You all have done a great job, but I have to warn you that this project needs to be maintained carefully in the future. You have to check the water level in the lake, the high wall, the canal regularly. This is a man made construction which needs to be watched closely and maintained.

"Wise words, master Grann," Manall said and turned to Cornell and Wollin.

"Son, Wollin, you both have to reorganize the work. I leave that up to you and I want to do my share."

Chewbacca grumbled a long sentence to Han.

"Cornell, you've got yourself a first volunteer. My mate wants to control the wall. He says he has been working on it with Chati, Cemall and Lorann. As Chati is accompanying Ian and Yarmod, maybe those two brothers can assist the Wookie. Chewie suggest that the three of them will carefully check the wall along the edge of the plateau for weak spots and strengthened them. He even suggest to make the wall higher if possible."

"I can help the harvesters as soon as they are going to lower the wall's threshold, using my lightsaber," Leia commented, "In the meantime I will help the others near the inlet to smooth the rock."

"Ma'am Jedi I would like you to keep in touch with the other Jedi and warn them when we will release the water flow into the riverbed. We need to be sure that all our Jedi friends are safely outside the underground cave system before the explosives break the wall at the end of the riverbed," Cornell said with concern.

"Of course I will, Cornell. I've already warned Master Antilles to take care of Chati once the other Jedi are confronting Trevor's army of killer droids."

"Shh," Yarmod whispered, "I sense movements coming our way. Chati stay behind Ian and me."

He and Ian unhooked their lightsabers and stood against the wall of the cave they had just entered. Ian took a quick look behind to see where Chati was, but the Quelan woman seemed to have vanished. Nevertheless he sensed her presence nearby. He grinned.

'Whatever is nearing Chati won't be discovered'He said to Yarmod. 'Let's move forward.'

'Let's use Altus S;upor, Ian.'Yarmod answered.

Immediately the two Jedi became one with the Force and seemed to be dissolve against the cave wall. They carefully proceed, keeping their lightsabers ready for use. As they reached a passage which seemed to lead to another cave they stopped. Inside the passageway the metallic steps of some droids could be heard. Ian and Yarmod waited until the droids had entered the cave. They quickly stepped inside the passageway entrance, turned around and ignited their lightsabers. The beams illuminated the four droids which turned around and got their rifles ready to open fire, but the two Jedi used Force push and slapped the droids against the cave wall. They released from the Force and walked over to the heap of metallic limbs. Quickly they severed the limbs and the headpieces of the droids with their lightsabers. In the meantime Chati had approached and stood near her two friends.

"That was close," She commented and pointed at the dissembled droids. "What do we have to do with the scrap."

"We leave them here," Ian said, "These are guarding droids, not killer droids, but we must proceed very carefully. Do you know where we are?"

"Still at the far end of the cave's system," Chati said and activated the datapad. "We need to proceed to that passageway to reach the next cave. As far as I have noticed there haven't been made any changes in this part of the cave system, but behind the next cave we might reach areas which might have been changed."

"It's luckily that you can disappear so good again the walls," Ian said.

Chati chuckled.

"I could say the same of the two of you. I saw you nearing the passage and suddenly you both seemed to be gone. I even couldn't sense your presence through the Force clearly anymore. Did you use a kind of special Force technic."

"Yes, it's called Altus Supor. We became encapsulated in the Force so our presence couldn't be noticed or seen by others. That's why even you didn't sense our presence anymore." Yarmod said.

Chati nodded.

"The Quelan use of skin coloring change is useful, but I guess that when I use it, you both can still notice my presence, right?"

"Yes, but droids, or non-Force users still won't notice you, so you're still safe if you use it. You don't have to worry, Chati."

"I won't, but the use of the Force that way, might be more useful. Can I learn it?"

The two Jedi began to laugh.

"Chati, whenever to will become someone's Jedi apprentice, we're sure that he or she will teach you how to become one with the Force using Altus Supor. Shall we go on and see if we can cross the passageway?" Yarmod said.

They walked on, carefully reaching out to the Force to sense anything alarming.

Doran Whain had taken Liane to the caves which he used as his quarters. After they had entered he had switched on the light and closed the door. Liane looked around.

"Is this cave supposed to be my private abode?" She asked surprised, looking at the different furniture.

"Shaayla-Car, I don't know what our friend meant with your private quarters. I have done a lot of investigations during my involuntary stay in this system, but I haven't found any other cave or caves which had been furnished and meant as a special place. In the beginning I have been locked up in here, even chained to the wall over there."

"Then I guess, Doran, that we have to share this cave. Well, it's big enough to support two people, probably even three, after Luke will join us."

Liane looked at Doran

"Before you tell me where I can find Luke. Can you take care of my two droids. Maybe you can bring them to that lower cave. Once Wedge is here I will ask him to take them back to the Astræga." She said determinedly.

"I didn't expect Trevor to refuse them to join you."

"Maybe my droids will be of better use if they stay outside. Don't underestimate them. They are a very useful and inventive pair," Liane said with a smile, but immediately she asked her next question.

"Where is Luke Skywalker, Doran?"

"In a small cave at the far end of the underground cave system."

"Can you bring me there? I need to see him."

"We'd better wait until Trevor had retreated to his own quarter later on, Shaayla-Car. I understand you want to release Luke from hibernation, but once inside this cave system you need to do everything very cautiously to avoid any unnecessary troubles with his droids or himself. I learn that the hard way in the beginning." Doran said, before he hesitantly continued, showing he feel highly uncomfortable.

"Shaayla-Car, surely I will take care of Threepio and Artoo, but I also have to warn you about something Trevor proposed to me, because I think that it's his deliberate intention that we share this cave. It's quite embarrassing, but ..."

Liane looked at the imperial officer and started to laugh.

"Don't tell me, Doran, that Trevor has suggested that you should marry me?"

Some what amazed Doran looked at Liane.

"How do you know?"

"You were thinking of it ever since you and I met at the vineyard building. It made you feel uncomfortable, right."

"You have read my mind?"

"A Jedi's habit, Doran. Once I knew how you felt, I didn't pay anymore attention to it, but now that you mentioned it to me I felt your embarrassment again."

"Trevor will certainly also make a similar suggestion, Shaayla-Car?"

"Sure, he will. Has he told you that I refused to marry him? He probably still seeks to revenge himself for my refusal," Liane said laughing.

"Aren't you afraid that he will force a marriage between you and me."

"I could ask you the same question, Doran, and I know the answer. You are, aren't you, for you don't want to marry someone you don't know, besides your work probably doesn't allow you to be attached in a close relation."

Doran started to laugh.

"You seem to know me better than I can imagine, Shaayla-Car?"

"My friends have told me about you and your work for the Provisional Coruscant Council. Doran, stop worrying about a forced marriage. If Trevor will make a suggestion I will tell him that a Jedi isn't allowed to become involved in emotional attachment. In other words, for a Jedi marriage is forbidden. That is a strict Jedi rule."

Doran grinned.

"That rule was valid in the past, Shaayla-Car, before the Great Purge. Will this also be the rule for the New Jedi Order. I know, for instance, that Luke's sister who is a Jedi Knight like you, is married to general Solo."

Now it was Liane's turn to laugh.

"Well played, Doran, you've done your homework. Yes, Luke's sister, Leia, is married and she is a Jedi Knight."

"Her brother didn't object against her marriage?"

"Not at all. Luke loves his sister."

"But he has to build a new Jedi Order?"

"Yes, he has, but that doesn't mean that he will incorporate the rules of the former Jedi Order."

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

Doran grabbed his infocom.

"Yes?"

"Colonel, our master orders you and our new guest to have dinner with him in about an hour," The voice of the major domus droid sounded.

Doran looked at Liane who nodded.

"Tell him, we will be in time!" Doran answered.

"Don't you mind to stay here for a while. Before we join Trevor for dinner I will look after your droids."

He walked over to the doors.

"Press that button after I have gone. It will secure the door's lock, so no one can enter."

Liane grinned.

"I guess, that this secured lock is one of the many items you've installed since your involuntary stay here,"

"I did, I needed privacy to work on my secret mission."

Doran opened the door and left. After he had closed the doors Liane pressed the button. She heard a series of soft clicks and smiled.

While Liane had her first encounter with Trevor Matrik in his main cave Wedge Antilles had left the chasm and began to roam the underground cave system to catch up with Yarmod, Ian and Chati. He already had sensed their presence, but the interconnection between the different caves made it difficult to reach them in the cave maze, especially as he needed to avoid an encounter with any guarding or surveillance droids. Carefully he proceeded, staying in the darkness of a passageway or using his Force abilities to stay out of sight. Rounding a corner and stepping inside a small dark cave he suddenly stood still. On the sideboard in front of him he senses Luke's presence. He activated his infocom and registered the coordinates of the cave compared to his previous position. The holographic display lit up and showed Wedge the different caves he already had passed through. Suddenly he heard metallic steps thumping in his direction. Quickly he became one with the Force and vanished from sight. Two droids entered the cave, carrying a few torches. They fastened the torches at the wall of the cave and lit them. The light cast long shadows along the ceiling, but Wedge could now clearly see his friend. The two droids disappeared and Wedge stepped closer to have a look at Luke. Once again he became on with the Force and placed his hand over Luke's face. Several moments he stood still and listened, then he nodded and smiled.

"You're doing well, my friend. Now I will seek out Liane and tell her where you are. She seems to know how to release you from Jedi Force hibernation."

Wedge left the cave and retraced on his steps, looking for another passageway to some other caves. After passing through several caves he entered a small cave when the presence of Ian and Yarmod became stronger. Wedge stopped

'Yarmod, what is your exact location?' He asked through the Force.

'We're heading for the center cave, ma... Wedge.' The answer came, 'We're following Chati's old map. There are differences, but we are steadily proceeding.'

Wedge pressed a button on his infocom

'Do you see my location on Chati's datapad?'He asked.

'I have to check, Wedge.'

Within some moment a cheerful noise reached Wedge through the Force.

'We see you. Chati just said that there are only two passageways and caves between your position and ours.'

'You can find your way to my position easily?'

'According to Chati yes. Can you stay there without being detected.'

'Sure I can, Yarmod. Be careful I'll wait for the three of you on this location.'

Wedge sat himself on a protruding rock and used Altus Supor to became undetectable. Through the Force he sensed the progress of the others. Finally their presence became clear and Ian, Yarmod and Chati entered the cave where Wedge was waiting. He released himself from his Force disguise and nodded at the two Jedi and the Quelan girl.

"Good to meet you. Leia asked me to be on the look out for you. Did you encounter any difficulties." He asked.

"Not much. We met some surveillance droids and had to eliminate them. Chati's map has been a good guidance.

"Master Antilles, is Liane somewhere inside this network of cave? Has she found Ben?" Chati asked.

Wedge noticed the tension in her voice.

"Doran Whain has brought Shaayla-Car inside. I haven't seen her, but I sensed her presence somewhere. She hasn't yet been in the cave where Ben is. While I roamed this network I found that cave ..."

"Master Antilles, you should bring me there fast. I know how to wake up Ben. I have his lightsaber here. Master Leia asked me to give it to him again, so he can defend himself when Darth Golluth should attack him."

Wedge laughed and put his hand on Chati's shoulder.

"Sounds great, young lady. Follow me, but be silent again from now on. Do talk again, for sounds may resonate through these caves and passageway and attract unwanted attention.

Wedge lead the three friends back through the different cave and the four of them entered the cave where Luke was laying on the sideboard.

Chati looked at him.

'Oh, look, master Antilles. Someone took good care for Ben. He put a pillow behind his head and covered him with a blanket.' Chati said through the Force.

Wedge raised his eyebrows

'Who taught Jedi Thought talk, Chati.'He asked.

'Yarmod and Ian practised with me. At first I found it difficult, but it's great fun to talk in the Jedi way. Do you mind?'

'Absolutely not, Chati.'Wedge said, 'Now wake up our friend.'

Chati stepped in front of the side board, looking a Luke Skywalker. She felt the tension between her and the three Jedi who were closely watching her.

"Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale." She said, although her voice quivered a bit.

Almost immediately Wedge sensed many changes in Luke's body. His heartbeat became clearer and he began to breath in a normal rhythm. Luke moved his head and opened his eyes.

"Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale, Chati." He said, "Once again it's you who woke me up."

Luke put the blanket aside and sat upright. Then he noticed Wedge and the other two of his Jedi friends.

"Well, Chati, you brought quite a fine group of friends with you to greet me," He laughed and jumped of the sideboard. Then he turned to Wedge.

"Do you know where Liane is, Wedge?" He asked concerned while accepting his lightsaber Chati was handing out. He nodded at her.

"Thank you, Chati."

He hooked his lightsaber at his belt and looked at the others.

"Liane is somewhere in this cave system. Doran Whain brought her to the entrance. I have noticed her presence here." Wedge said.

"She might be in that huge cave where I once watched Darth Golluth talking to a statue." Chati said and pulled out her datapad. "It's here!"

She pointed at a location at some distance of the cave they were standing.

"We need to cross this passageway. At the end once was a corner to the left, but I have already noticed that there have been made several passageways which aren't on my old map." Chati said, looking at Luke.

"We'll manage. The cave system itself probably hasn't changed that much. Several new passageways will only help us to reach that huge main cave faster. You lead the way, Chati, let's go," Luke said and took the Quelan woman at her arm. He smiled at her.

"I sense that you glad that you see me again, don't you?" He asked.

Chati nodded.

"I can't wait to tell Darth Golluth to leave this planet, so we can go back to Ribana." She commented.

"I don't know if it's wise idea, young lady, if you confront admiral Trevor Matrik yourself. You'd better stay out of sight and leave the confrontation with admiral Matrik to the Jedi," Wedge suddenly commented. "As soon as we are nearing that huge cave I'll have to bring you to a safe place."

Chati looked at Wedge and shook her head.

"That man is my enemy, master Antilles. I want to tell him he has to leave immediately."

Wedge also shook his head.

"Chati Fonaldris, the first lesson a padawan needs to learn is obedience to his master and the discipline to follow his master's order. That means that you have to obey the order you just have been given and follow me to bring you outside this underground cave system to Ribana."

Chati opened her mouth to protest again, but then she looked at Wedge in amazement. Wedge nodded and smiled. He put his hand on her shoulder.

"Chati Fonaldris, I take you as my padawan learner."

Flabbergasted Chati nodded in silence. Finally she said in a whispering voice.

"Will you follow me, master? I know how to get outside again."

Wedge nodded and looked at Luke who smiled imperceptibly. Ian and Yarmod had followed the conversation between Wedge and Chati in silence.

The group proceeded carefully and reached the main corridor without encountering droids. Wedge walked over to the chasm in the wall.

"This chasm leads to the outside. I'll take Chati with me and bring her to safety and I will inform general Madine on the Tychorion. Stay here, I'll be back soon. Come on, Chati, follow me."

For a moment Chati looked disappointed, but then she turned to Luke and handed him her datapad.

"Here, Ben. I'm sure you will succeed to free Ribana, so my people can return to their way of life. Ian, Yarmod thank you for trusting me after we entered the cave system."

She looked at Wedge who stood waiting inside the chasm

"I'm coming, master," She said and walked over to him.

Wedge stepped aside to let her pass, waved to the three Jedi and vanished further inside. Luke, Ian and Yarmod looked at each other.

"That chasm is a good spot to hide temporarily, so we can figure out where Shaayla-Car is," Luke said and walked over to the chasm. Ian and Yarmod followed him.

While Luke, Ian and Yarmod sought a hide-out in the chasm, Wedge Antilles and Chati were hurrying through the long hidden passageway to the lower cave. At first Wedge guided Chati as they crossed the different caves and passageways, but soon her obedience reassured him. She followed his lead without asking questions. Finally they reached the cave at which end where the stairs which lead to the lower cave.

"We need to crawl through this last cave, Chati. Be mindful, the ceiling is very low."

"Yes, master. I know where we are. Before my friends and I had to leave Ribana we use these different caves and passageways to play hide and seek. At the end of this cave there are some stairs that lead outside."

"That's right. I still have to be better aware that you know these caves better than I do." Wedge said with a grin.

Chati crawled through the low cave and descended the stairs. Amazed she stared at the landspeeder that stood in the lower cave and the two droids which were placidly waiting next to the vehicle. Wedge also looked at the two droids.

"Threepio, Artoo, what are you doing here. You're supposed to be inside and take care of Shaayla-Car," He said.

"That man with the cloak and the hood refused us to stay with her, master Antilles. Master Whain has brought us here and told us he has to leave us here and we needed to stay out of sight in this cave. Can you bring us inside, master Antilles, for master Luke has ordered us to do the same for mistress Liane as we have done in the Supreme Chancellor's residence."

Wedge pondered on Threepio's answer, then he turned to Chati.

"Chati, have you met Threepio and Artoo on Tyr, I guess not, for they came with Yarmod and me to Tyr with the Astræga."

"No, I haven't, master. Are they Shaayla-Car's droids?"

"No, they are Luke and Leia's assistants already for a very long time. Threepio, Artoo, meet Chati Fonaldris."

"We have heard her name on Tyr, master Antilles. We've been told that governor Toallin and his wife were very worried about their daughter's disappearance, but after mistress Liane told them she had gone to Myr with master Luke and master Solo, they were reassured."

Chati had got an ashamed blush through the olive skin of her face.

"I'd wish, master, that I could tell them myself, that I'm alright," she whispered.

"You will, Chati. As soon as we have solved our mission here, I will take you to Tyr again and tell your parents, that I will be your master."

"Do you think, master, that they will accept your proposal, after I had been so reckless."

"As far as I know, Luke already has convinced your father that you could become someone Jedi apprentice. Threepio, listen. I have to bring my Quelan padawan to a safe place. Can you stay hidden here in this cave. I'll come back and I will bring you unseen inside the caves so you can take care of Shaayla-Car?"

"We will stay here, won't we Artoo."

The barrelshape droid hooted a series of binary language. Threepio nodded.

Artoo wants to know if you will be away a long time, master Antilles?"

"No, I'll take this speeder to bring Chati to a safe place and I will return immediately."

"Alright then, Chati, were are you."

The Quelan girl had walked to the cave exit and stared in the distance. Wedge joined her. Chati looked up at him and pointed to the domed house that were visible in the distance.

"There's Ribana, master. I never thought that I would see it again from this side."

"I've heard you've been back to Ribana before with Han Solo's co-pilot Chewbacca."

"Yes, Chewbacca understood why I wanted to see Ribana myself. We went to the vineyard building, where I saw the man in the uniform hiding something. Chewbacca and I took what he hid and I gave them to Ben. I guess it's been important, for I've heard that Ben went back and met the man in the uniform. Master, was that man one of our enemies?"

"No, Major Doran Whain is an imperial officer who is carrying out a very daring and dangerous mission."

"Is he spying on Darth Golluth, master?"

"He's doing more than that, Chati. Now come on I'll bring you to Astræga where you can hide."

"Why couldn't I stay inside and help Ben and the others, master. They are my friends I wanted to help them."

"I understand that, but this last part of Luke and Liane's mission might be too dangerous to you. Remember that master Cornell wants to bring you safe and sound back to your parents. He's responsible for you and Leia, Luke's sister, has asked me to bring you to a place where you will be safe. So, I expect that you will stay inside the Astræga and do something unexpected again, like you've done in the past as I've heard from Luke."

They walked over to the landspeeder and Wedge began to push the vehicle outside and to the right. Chati looked at the two droids and waved a goodbye.

"I hope to meet the two of you again, Threepio. I've never met with droids. You both seem very kind and helpful."

She rushed after Wedge Antilles and wanted to help him, but she became aware that her master used the Force to push the vehicle along the overgrown path silently. For a moment she called on the Force to help him, but Wedge shook his head.

'Leave it to me, Chati, but I certainly appreciate what you wanted to do. Now get at the passenger's seat.'

Wedge had pushed the speeder to the end of the path which lead downhill. He jumped on the driver's seat and started the engine. Making a large detour through the scrubs and bushes he reached the riverbed west of Ribana. He drove the speeder through the overgrown vegetation until he reached the lower hillside. There he stopped and took out his infocom.

"I have to send a message to the Tychorion, Chati, for my general and the Supreme Chancellor are waiting for my reports. It'll take a few minutes to record and send."

Chati nodded in silence. She heard how Wedge in a calm voice gave an update of the situation, but her thoughts started to dwell on the moment when he had said that he took her as his padawan learner. Could that be really true? Would he really teach her how she could become a Jedi Knight? Had he talked about it with Ben - master Skywalker, for master Skywalker seems to be the most important person among the Jedi. When Wedge started the engine again, she woke from her reveries. She noticed that Wedge looked at her with a smile.

"You were wondering about what I said to you before we left the caves, weren't you?"

"Yes, master. I wondered if you really want to take me as your apprentice? I'm still not so good in using the Force. You probably need someone to know much more already."

"I don't, Chati. I love to work and teach Force-users who just have become aware of their unexpected skills. My former padawan knew more or less the same of the Force as you do. Yarmod Martan was rookie pilot in the New Republic's Space force. When I met him I sensed that he had the same skills I had. At that moment I was a padawan learner myself. Luke was my master and I needed to fully commit myself to my own Jedi training. Luke had made me aware of my Force potential some time before I became his padawan. He had taught me the basic principles a Jedi has to fulfill before he took me as his apprentice. Luke and I have been friends ever since the Rebel Alliance had an encounter with the first Death Star. Luke has closely monitored my progress developing my Force skills. I practise everything over and over again what he taught me and helped me to become more aware and mindful of what I was doing. He took me as his padawan learner and intensified my training which was really tough. Luke isn't an easy master, but he became satisfied with me progress and initiated me as a Jedi Knight. During my Force training I also was the commander of the Gold Squadron on which Yarmod Martan was one of the other pilots. Most of the times he was my wingman and trusted him fully. Yarmod is a great pilot, also because he was strongly influence by the Force. After my initiation to Jedi Knight I took Yarmod as my padawan and I never regretted my choice. I must confess, that I regretted it that he would no longer be my apprentice after I initiated him as a Jedi Knight. Yarmod Martan now has to find his own way to fulfill the dedication that is expected of a Jedi Knight."

Chati had listened to Wedge's story.

"I hope I won't disappoint you, master. Before I went to Myr Luke had asked master Kamalin to teach me some first Force skills, but I made a wrong decision as I only wanted to get my people back to Ribana and when Master Solo, master Luke and master Cornell and his men went to Myr I hid myself in a store room of master Solo's space ship. Master Cornell found out what I had done and disguised me as a harvester, but master Luke saw through the disguise and reprimanded me. Nevertheless he taught some things about the Force, but as he needed to keep his promise to my father he hadn't enough time to teach me more. Master Antilles, I really don't know much about what I can do with the Force. Moreover you just told me that you're the commander of a group of pilots. How can I ever your right apprentice?"

"Young lady, you know enough to start your training to become a Jedi Knight. Don't worry about my assignment as the commander of Gold Squadron. Don't you think you can't learn to fly along side my X-wing as my wing man. There are several other women in the New Republic's Space Force. They all are superb pilots. Your Force skills will surely make a good pilot in the same way as Yarmod Martan did."

"You also will teach me how to fly a space ship?" She said aghast.

"I surely will, just as I will teach you all the things you need to know about the Force to become a Jedi, for that's what you have been dreaming off, right."

Wedge looked at the shining eyes of the young Quelan woman. He sensed how happy his words had made her.

"Thank you, master Antilles. I will do my best not to disappoint you. I never expected to become a Jedi Knight and certainly not that I can become a pilot as well."

Wedge grinned and started the engine.

"And now I bring you to the Astræga and I want you to stay inside, for I need to go back to Luke and the others and help them to give support to Shaayla-Car and Major Doran Whain in their defeat of Darth Golluth."

"And you have bring Threepio and Artoo inside," Chati said.

"It's reassuring that both the Jedi who landed near Ribana are now inside the caves, where our former admiral lives, but what do you expect they can do, Ma'am," Kalip asked and looked at Mon Mothma.

"Difficult to predict, master Ru'undo. Master Antilles didn't provide us we minimal information. Possibly because also for him the situation isn't clear yet." Mon Mothma answer.

"Is there still a chance that the woman will succumb to the machinations of our former admiral. Ma'am, he is a dangerous man." Kalip continued.

"You don't have to convince me. I fully agree with your point of view, but I have to rely on the skills of the Jedi. I know that's difficult for you, because Jedi Shaayla-Car Kenobi hasn't always been the Jedi Knight she is now. I won't convince you, you have to decide for yourself if she's reliable and if you should trust her and her abilities. "

Kalip Ru'undo nodded thoughtfully.

"I would like to go and land on Palomintar Four and see for myself what's going on."

"We all want that, general," Sorjon Tyloban remarked.

"I still wonder, what could possibly have been in those two files that made Jedi Master Antilles sound so strangely optimistic, " Valann said. "I noticed a kind of relief in his voice when he told us that the transcription had been successful."

"That's right, Valann," Jerno commented, "I sensed that too. I assume that the transcription of those files will give them an opportunity to convince Trevor Matrik to surrender."

The door of the meeting room slit aside and the communication officer entered.

"Jedi master Wedge Antilles has send a next message, general,"

"Pass it on," General Madine said and activated the holodisplay.

The holo image of Wedge Antilles appeared.

"Short update on the situation, your excellencies. I have found the two Jedi and the Quelan woman Leia send inside the cave system. The Quelan woman has been able to wake up Luke Skywalker from Jedi hibernation. Three of us are now looking for a way to team up with Shaayla-Car Kenobi. Once they have found her there will be four Jedi Knight admiral Trevor Matrik has to deal with. I'm on my way to Ribana to bring the Quelan woman Chati Fonaldris to safety as Leia Organa has ask me. Next I will go back to join Luke Skywalker and the others."

Wedge's image disappeared. Mon Mothma, Sorjon Tyloban and General Madine looked relief.

"Who is Chati Fonaldris?" Jerno asked, "and why are some Jedi concerned about her?"

General Madine started to laugh.

"I hope, grand admiral, that you will have an opportunity to meet that young Quelan woman. I've met her here on board the Tychorion and although she never has left Palomintar Four before she could instruct my intel officers exactly how to monitor the area around her former hometown Ribana. I've never met someone before - with exception of our Jedi - who showed such a great insight in the situation on the planet."

Mon Mothma looked at her trusted general and nodded in agreement.

"Gentlemen," She began, "not only the Jedi are playing a role in the situation on Palomintar Four, but there is also a group of Quelan men who are working on a daring project. I don't know if they will succeed, but if what they have in mind will work out, your former admiral doesn't have another option than to leave his underground hide-out and surrender. I don't know the details of their plan, nor have I seen what they want to achieve, but what I've heard about it I certainly support their efforts."

"And that Quelan woman has been part of those workers, for you talked about Quelan men?" Valann asked, "Is she the only Quelan woman of the group?"

"She is. My personal advisor Leia Organa and Jedi master Skywalker are protecting her and we've just heard that master Wedge Antilles is bringing her to a safe place outside Trevor Matrik's illegal abode. I understand that Chati Fonaldris has guided the Jedi Ian Tydon and Yarmod Martan through the maze of the cave system where they met with master Wedge Antilles."

Jerno Thai nodded and smiled.

"It's good to realize, that the Quelan people have someone in their midst who hasn't taken the occupation of their hometown for granted. She must have attracted the Jedi attention somehow and they allowed her to team up with them. Probably because that Quelan woman possesses the skills master Skywalker is looking for. It's good to know that in the future the Jedi Order will prosper and thrive again like in the old days of the Republic."

"Well deducted, grand admiral," general Madine said, "We certainly will hear why master Antilles took care of that Quelan woman."