Chapter 46

Ian woke up with a smile on his face. He stretched and yawned. To his surprise he didn't feel any pain. He sat up and looked at his arms and legs. His skin looked completely normal; no scars or blisters were seen. Carefully he stood up and looked down at his chest. The bacta patch Toallin had applied fell off; the skin underneath had a normal pink color. Ian put his hands at his back and touch his skin. He felt no pain at all.

'This is amazing. It seems that all my wounds have healed during my sleep.'

'Remember what I've showed you, Ian. The Jedi Garden of Force Healing is always at your disposal.'

'Thank you, Severini, thank you for you're help.'

It looked like he heard a soft laugh; the same laugh he had heard in his sleep.

Slowly he rose and stretched again.

'What a great experience I had,' He thought. 'I have overcome my injuries.'

'You've learn to trust your Jedi skills to recover from injuries, like Luke has told you.'

'Yes, Severini, Luke told me about it, but thanks to you I've had this wonderful experience.'

'Don't forget my daughter's help, Ian. Tell her about it, when you meet her again.'

'I will, Severini, and I will remember what I promised you. I promise I will help her to find her way along the Jedi Path.'

He heard a soft woman's voice laughing again. Then his thoughts went to Luke and Leia.

'Master Luke, master Leia, don't worry about me. I'm alright; I'm fine.' He thought, but there wasn't a response from any of the Jedi twins.

Ian smiled.

"I will reach them shortly. I wonder where I am." He murmured and walked over to the door of the cabin.

He opened the door and stepped outside. Slowly he inhaled the fresh air and looked around.

"Wow, what a place. If this is the cabin, Toallin told me about, I can easily live here. This is a hundred times, what do I say, a thousand times better than where I stayed in the Wegoyy desert. What a funny building this is with it domed roof. I've never seen this kind of architecture before. Maybe it's typical for the Quelans."

It was a beautiful morning. The scent of the forest, the herbs in the undergrowth pleased his nose. Slowly he walked around the cabin, then he went inside again and looked for his clothes. He found his pants, his tunic and his belt with his lightsaber in a closet near the couch where he had slept. Quickly he put on his garments and went out again. This time he walked along a small path into the forest. He looked around and enjoyed his union with the trees and the forest that surrounded him. Elated he reached out to the Living Force for a moment. For a while he followed the small path until he came at a stream that crossed his path. The path continued at the other side of the water. There were some huge stepping stones to cross the stream, but Ian remembered the Jedi training Luke had given him. He reached out to the Force again and leaped high in the air. With a somersault he landed on the other bank. There the path followed the brook again. Ian walked on until he reached a spot were the stream expanded into a small lake. He sat down on a fallen trunk and looked at the surface. With a big smile he recalled his experience in the Jedi garden of healing. He bent and let the water touch his hand. The water felt cool, but not cold.

"Why not have the experience again. This time in reality."

He took off his tunic and pants and stepped into the water. Slowly he lowered himself underwater. Then he rose again and started laughing. Immediately he heard a voice calling

"Ian, son, is that you? Where are you?"

"Over here, Toallin, in the lake." Ian called and looked around.

He didn't notice his protector, until Toallin stepped out of the undergrowth. Surprised Ian looked at the leave-green skin of his friend.

"What happened to you?" He asked, "Your skin has changed it's color. Are you alright?"

"It's a Quelan's adjustment to my surrounding. Our skins adapts to the colors that surrounds us. What are you doing in the water, son. You should stay indoors as long as your wounds aren't healed."

"I'm fine, Toallin. You can change your skin color. Can all Quelans do that?"

"Yes, they can. It's useful sometimes, but you'd better walk back to the ford. You can't cross the lake."

"Can't I?" Ian called defiantly. "You wait and see. I'm a Jedi, Toallin. Well, almost. You should tell me more about your people, Toallin. I didn't notice you. Have you been watching me all that time. Wait, I'm come to your side of the lake."

Ian swam back to the shore and put on his clothes. With a big grin on his face he jumped on the fallen trunk and looked at the opposite side of the lake. Taken aback Toallin was watching the young man. Ian look up to the tree above him. He jumped and landed on a lower branch. Without hesitation he walked to the end of the branch and somersaulted to one of the branches of the next tree. With tree jumps he reached the other side of the lake and jumped down.

"How did I do it?" He asked Toallin.

His older friend looked at him bewildered.

"What happened to you? Let me check those bacta patches." he said.

"They're no longer attached to my wounds, Toallin. I have no wounds anymore. I'm cured, I'm recovered, I'm healed. Thanks to the Force and the help of a real Jedi healer." Ian said laughing and patted his friend on his shoulder, "Come on, I want to know more about that skin color changing the Quelans can do. I'm very interested in the way other species have found a way of living. Are you using that skill to defend yourselves?"

Toallin shook his head.

"First let me check you, son. Strip off your tunic."

With a loud laugh Ian Tydon undid his tunic and turned around. Amazed Toallin watched the skin of Ian's back and chest.

"I don't believe it. I'm not a medic, but there's nothing left of your wounds. What happened, Ian? You find our skin color changing skills extraordinary, but this is a real wonder. Is it a Jedi's habit?"

"I told you about that dream of Liane yesterday, didn't I. She helped me to start my recovery. A Jedi has the knowledge to find the spot inside himself from where he can start his recovery in case he is wounded. Because I panicked I forgot how I could use the knowledge my master taught me. With Liane's help I could use the Force again and could start my recovery. I never thought I could do it, but I did. Now I can call my masters to pick me up, but first I hope you have some breakfast. I'm starving again, Toallin."

"Well, son, if someone would have told me what I just saw, I wouldn't have believed him. I'm amazed, but it's undeniable: your wounds are healed. Let's go back to the cabin. I want to inform Mugin and ask him to come back. It's no longer necessary to seek for help."

Luke landed the Astræa near the space port office buildings and asked the duty officer about Mugin. The duty officer brought him to his superior.

"Welcome, sir, what can I do for you," the high-ranking officer said. "You're request is a bit unusual. We put the man, a Quelan, and a respectable citizen of Ktafunda, in detention, because he attacked the droid in charge of an investigation group. He keeps on screaming he is looking for the Jedi friends of a former employee. His statements doesn't make sense. The bar is owned by two Kayvoks. My droid squad had the man stunned and brought to our detention building, where he will await a further treatment to get calm. As long as the investigation is going on about this guy's whereabouts the procedures forbid any visitors."

"The man is speaking the truth," Luke said calmly. "The Kayvoks have recently bought his former property. That former employee he was talking about is my missing friend. Two days ago my friends and i arrived here to find out what happened to him."

The officer rose and held out a welcoming hand.

"You must be Jedi master Skywalker. I heard about your arrival. Weren't your sister and general Solo accompanying you?"

Luke nodded.

"That's right, sir. We've got word that our friend was in trouble. In fact he was missing. So my sister, her husband general Solo, his co-pilot Wookiee and I came to Palomintar Six to find out what happened. Several weeks ago my friend and I have stayed in Ktafunda at the lodging house of two Quelans Toallin and Mugin Fonaldris. My friend stayed behind, when my presence was urgently needed on Dalmaran. After our arrival three days ago my sister and and I went back to the tavern to find out what happened. To our surprise it's now owned, as you mentioned, by two Kayvoks. During our visit the bar was raided..."

"Sorry, to interrupt you, commander. You said you were in Toallin's bar during the raid. Can you tell me what happened."

Politely Luke told the officer about the events in the Ktafunda bar. The officer listened attentively. When Luke had finished his story the officer seemed very relieved.

"Thank you, commander. Now I can close this file. There weren't any severe casualties and so this case is closed. Your story saves us a lot of work. I'll order my men to release the guy. You can wait here for him."

Immediately the officer called his liaison officer and ordered him to bring Mugin before him.

A couple of minutes later Mugin was brought into the office.

"You're Skywalker, and you came back to look for Ian. I know where he is?" He said immediately addressing Luke, neglecting the space port official.

Subsequently Mugin looked at the officer.

"Your subordinate told me I'm released. Is that right?" He asked.

"You are. You may thank Jedi master Skywalker for giving us enough background information to confirm your story." The officer said.

"Thank you, sir, for your cooperation," Luke said and rose. "Come on, Mugin, I want to see Ian as soon as possible."

After some formalities Mugin got back his possessions and followed Luke to the exit of the building. Outside Mugin grabbed Luke's sleeve and pointed to the exit of the space port, but Luke held him back.

"What happened to Ian? Can you bring me to him. He needs help desperately I fear," Luke said.

"He tried to safe the lives of my brother Toallin and me when our lodging house and private quarters were blown up by some villains. The building was on fire, and Ian was so stupid to ran back into the building to look for us. He's badly burned."

"Where is he now?" Luke asked with tension in his voice.

"My brother brought him to our cabin in the forest some eighteen hours from Ktafunda. If we leave now," Mugin looked at the chrono, "We can reach the spot by midnight. My speeder is parked at the far side of the space port, where is yours?" He asked.

"We leave it there, if you don't mind, Mugin. My space ship is over there. We can reach your brother's cabin much faster using my shuttle; I only hope there is a proper place to land."

"So much better. Can I contact Toallin and tell him I'm on my way with you?" Mugin asked.

"You can use the infocom on board. Perhaps you also know the coordinates of the place, so I can tell my friend, where he has to land the Falcon."

"You mean that Han Solo and his ship are waiting for you. Wow, that's really great news. He probably has a medic bay, where Ian can get a proper treatment. Toallin and I will be delighted to shake hands with the general."

Luke started laughing.

"Come on then, Mugin. The sooner we are at your home the better." He said.

Luke brought his new companion to the docking bay where he had left the Astræa. Astounded and in full admiration Mugin boarded the ship. Luke asked for clearance and half a standard hour later the Astræa left the space port of Ktafunda and turned her nose to the northern area of Palomintar Six.

In the meantime Leia, Han and Chewbacca made their way through the dense forest. Using her lightsaber Leia worked a passage through the vegetation. Their progress, however, was slow, due to the many fallen branches and protruding roots in their path.

After four hours they decided to take a break and rest for a while. The temperature had risen and the damp from the trees had tired them.

"Are you sure, darling, we should go on like this?" Han asked.

"I still sense some vibrations in the Force, Han, and I think they are getting stronger. Let's rest for half an hour. Can you contact Luke and ask him if he found Mugin?"

Han switched on the infocom and hailed his brother-in-law, but there wasn't any response.

"No luck. I think Luke's at the space port finding that Mugin guy. At least I hope he is."

Chewbacca growled some sounds. Leia grinned.

"Yes, Chewie, those flying insects are a nuisance." She said, while she brushed her hand over her hair. "They annoy me too. Come over here, I take them out of your fur."

The big Wookiee kneeled before and Leia carefully took out the large flying insects that had sought a resting place among the Wookiee's dense coat, trying to suck his blood. During their struggle through the forest Leia had frequently heard the Wookiee's moans and growls.

"I took them off, Chewie. They won't bother you for some time."

Suddenly she look up.

"There it is again. There's absolutely some life form which radiates a lot of vibrations through the Force." She jumped to her feet and beckoned Han to follow her.

At the same moment Han's infocom bleeped.

"Han, do you copy," Luke's voice sounded on the speaker.

"Yeah, kid, glad to hear from you." Han said. "What's up?"

"I'm on my way to the place where Ian is. Mugin has given me the coordinates. I've transmitted them to your infocom. Compare the coordinates I have send you with your position. Are you still in the forest?"

"Wait a moment, kid. Your sister has started to run off. I have to follow her. Leia, wait!"

"Han, come over here. There's a much broader trial here." Leia shouted. "It's leading straight in the direction where I sensed those Force vibrations."

She had halted and waited for her husband and the Wookiee to catch up with her.

"Look" She said pointing at a track running ahead.

"Luke, I have to shut down. Your sister has found something. I'll contact you later," Han said in the infocom and switched off.

"Those Force vibrations come from that direction," Leia said and pointed to the track.

She turned inward and tuned in on the Force.

'Ian, is that you. Answer me.' She said.

Almost immediately her thoughts were answered.

'Master, where are you? I'm doing fine. I'm staying in the cabin of some friends.' Ian's voice vibrated to Leia through the Force.

'We're near, I hope, Ian. Don't loose contact with me. Are you wounded?' Liane asked concerned.

'I was, master, but I'm fine now. I had an amazing experience.' She heard Ian say.

Han tapped her on her shoulder.

"What's going on, darling?" He asked.

For a moment Leia released herself from her Force trance and looked at her husband with a relieved laugh.

"Ian seems to be alright. I think we're near the place where he is. Let's follow this path." She said.

"Can you ask him, if there a communication system where he is. Maybe we can use that to track him." Han said.

'Ian, are you still there. Can you contact Han on his infocom? That's easier for all of us.' Leia asked.

'I'll ask Toallin. He has an infocom set here. What's your frequency?' Ian said.

'Six-five-three-four-nine.' Leia answered. 'You sound alright, Ian'

'I am, master. Contact Toallin and we'll meet soon.' Ian said cheerfully.

Almost immediately Han's infocom began to bleep.

"General Solo, do you copy," A dark warm voice sounded over the speaker.

"Go ahead," Han said.

"General, is your infocom equipped with a tracking beacon."

"Sure, I'll put it on now."

"I have your infocom on my monitor. Follow the path eastward. It's quite a walk, but but this path leads straight to our cabin. Keep the tracking sound at maximum volume."

"Confirmed."

Han held the infocom in front of him and swayed it to and fro. A red dot began flashing and a beeping sound indicated their direction.

"Come on, Leia. Ian is over there."

Han pointed to the broad track running eastward through the forest.

"He sounded so cheerful, Han. I hardly can't believe what Luke told us about Liane's Force vision." Leia said. "It seems that his injuries weren't that bad at all. What do you think, Han?"

"I can't tell, darling. While we're following that beacon I'll check those coordinates Luke send me, then I'll contact him and tell him your experience, or maybe you'd better tell him yourself." He said with a grin.

Leia pushed him and laughed.

"Let's get to Ian first. I want to know what happened." She said.

In a fast pace they followed the path

"You have been very concerned about that guy, darling, haven't you?" Han said.

"I have and so has my brother. We both expect him to be a great Jedi Knight, for Ian has something very peculiar."

"What do you mean? Ian is a Corellian. Corellians are known to have something peculair. Look at me, darling. Beside you Jedi have very peculiar powers too," Han said with a laughing twinkle in his eyes, "but I must confess I'm getting more and more used to that strange powers."

They both laughed and Chewbacca let out a growling roar.

"You know, that Luke and I have inherited our Force potential from Anakin, our father," Leia explained, "Anakin had a fabulous midi-chlorian count. Higher even, than master Yoda's. Our midi-chlorian counts are just as high."

"What are midi-chlorians. I've never heard about them."

"Midi-chlorians are tiny life forms in our blood. Every one has them. We form a symbiont circle with them. The amount of midi-chlorians indicates a person's Force potential or Force-sensitivity. The higher the amount the more likely it is that a person can learn to use the power of the Force, and learn to become a Jedi."

"Then I must have the lowest count possible, I don't think my midi-chlorians are influencing me," Han said with a lopsided grin. "But you still haven't explained why Ian is so peculiar."

"Luke has tested Ian's midi-chlorian count immediately after Ian arrived on Dalmaran. He did the test thrice, but the outcome was always the same: Ian Tydon has a midi-chlorian count almost as high as ours."

"Which means he's very Force sensitive. So Luke decided to train him as a Jedi."

"Yes, but neither Ian's parents, nor his brothers and sisters have any Force potential, Luke has told me,"

"That's indeed odd. Does your brother have a clue?"

"None. It's a riddle. But Ian will be a great Jedi Knight, that's for sure." Leia ended her story. "Are we still going in the right direction, darling?"

"Yeah. The coordinates Luke passed on, match perfectly with the tracking beacon. I think we'll reach our goal with an hour, maybe an hour and a half."

Mon Mothma looked up from her datapad and pressed the button to allow her visitor to enter.

"General Madine," she said and rose from behind her desk. "What can I do for you."

"I've got an message from Quoith, madam," Madine said, "It seems that an unknown source has accessed to a secured partition of our communication system and the files in the partition have been downloaded to a unknown communication system in Outer Rim. Our adversary seems to have gained access. He also has added some comments to the files as the Quoith technicians report that some new content has been added the files, and the scope of these additions is worrisome. Especially the additions in the file of the trial against Liane Solichor. He threatens that he will find her and turn her to the Dark Side. Next he has made amendments to the file of the trial against commander Skywalker and the princess of Alderaan. Our opponent added a similar threat; he wants the children of Darth Vader will become his apprentices and will aid him to revive the Empire. This is a dangerous development, madam. I suggest that we warn Luke and Leia about these new developments."

"So our adversary is after our Jedi Knights too," Mon Mothma said. "I see your point of view, general. I will ask our protégé on Na'ctaMagh'Ba to warn commander Skywalker. He can inform his sister and general Solo." =============================================

"We certainly should warn them as soon as possible, madam. Quoith has taken already some extra precautions. They have shut down the whole communication system temporarily to avoid any more illegal downloads. Their technicians and our intelligence force are checking the whole system on hazardous programs and viruses. This also means that all the ingoing and outgoing connections from Irithim are blocked for at least three standard days. Our special connection with the residence under Na'ctaMagh'Ba is blocked too, for our adversary might have been able to figure out the coordinates of that particular connection." ============================================= Deze alinea opnieuw samenstellen. Alleen de verbinding met Liane is tijdelijk verbroken. Niet publiceren, voordat de veranderingen kloppen met de rest van het verhaal. ==============

'Liane!' Mon Mothma thought, 'I have to find a way to warn her immediately. I didn't expect a general shut down.'

"This is quite inconvenient, general, for commander Skywalker and his sister are in the Palomintar System, looking for Ian Tydon. I will leave for Na'ctaMagh'Ba immediately and inform our protégé personally about this new situation. We'll meet again when I'm back. Let's hope that Quoith finds no further damage to their system and have our communication up and running again very soon."

General Madine left. For some moments Mon Mothma sat in thoughts behind her desk, then she activated her infocom and ordered to have the submersible ready as soon as possible. Thereafter she walked over to the wall of her office, pressed a code on a small console and waited. After a couple of minutes the holographic image of the Dalmaranian general governor popped up.

"You want to go to Na'ctaMagh'Ba, madam?" The Dalmaranian asked politely.

"Yes governor, I want to go there as soon as possible. Our communication center on Quoith has shutdown all of activities with Irithim. Some files of the High Court seemed to have been hacked and corrupted. The shutdown is provisionary measure to make sure that the intruder can't do any more damage to the Quoith communication system, but they have also blocked the secured connection with Na'ctaMagh'Ba."

"We will inform our surveillance subs around the continent about your arrival at the underground residence, madam. Will someone accompany you?"

"Only the droids which are responsible for submersible."

"Have a quiet trip, Chancellor, and if you need urgent exchange of information you can make us of our communication system on Ver'izon."

"Thank you for your help and cooperation, governor. I will keep your offer in mind," Mon Mothma said cordially and switched off the display, then she went back to her desk and made a call to one of the members of the High Council. The holo display image of one of her special advisors popped up immediately.

"I have heard about the situation on Quoith, madam. I didn't expect them to take these kind of precautions. Only an isolated partition has been given access with the special code. We agreed that the code would be given to Coruscant. They would handle the use of it with care. I will asked them what happened as soon as communication via the special procon system will be possible."

"You can make contact with Coruscant using the communication system on Ver'izon. The Dalmaranian governor have expressed his concern and offered his help. Indeed you should ask Coruscant what happened. I hope they will have more details of this hack. I'm leaving Irithim for Na'ctaMagh'Ba now. During my absence you're in charge. We'll discuss the situation with the others after I have returned."

"I will inform the High Council about your absence, madam."

The holo image disappeared. Mon Mothma locked her desk and took her private elevator to the underground river where her submersible was waiting for her.

"We're nearing the coordinates you gave, Mugin" Luke said. "Are you sure I can land close to the cabin?"

"We've chopped down some trees around the cabin to get more light inside. There's enough space to land your ship, master Skywalker," Mugin answered.

"Call me Luke, Mugin," Luke said. He looked through the cockpit window of the Astræga.

"You said, you're originally from Palomintar Four."

"We were the landowners of a vineyard outside Ribana, my brother and me. We made a living, producing the famous Palomintar wine. Did you ever taste it? We hope to go back one day, although I fear there's not much left of our vineyards."

"You fled the planet after Darth Golluth has occupied the planet."

"He hasn't occupied the whole planet only Ribana, our hometown, where the Quelans lived, and its surrounding mountains. He has installed himself in the network of caverns under those mountains. It's a hug complex of caves. A long time ago an underground river has carved those caves."

"I would like to hear more about what happened to the Quelans of Ribana, but we're near those coordinates. Would you mind to do some visual scanning." Luke asked.

Mugin looked out of the cockpit window.

"There it is, Luke. I see the cabin," He said and pointed to a spot among the trees.

Luke checked the place on his monitor.

"Fine spot to land. Here we go."

He dived to the tree top and slowed down the engines. Hovering above the trees he lowered the Astræga. The spot wasn't wide enough to land with the outstretched wings, so Luke raised them, and steadied the ship with the Force. Then he set her down next to the cabin.

Almost immediately the door of the cabin opened and Toallin came running out. He waved frantically, but with great enthusiasm. Luke shut down the engines and released the ramp.

"Let's see your brother, Mugin."

"You'd better take care of the boy, Luke. He needs medical treatment real quick. I told you, my brother did what he could, but when I left the boy was in a very bad shape. I hope he's still alive."

Luke cast a look out of the cockpit window and grabbed Mugin's arm.

"He is, Mugin, for there comes your patient," He said.

"Impossible, Luke. As I said he was in a terrible shape when I left."

Luke walked down the ramp, followed by Mugin. At the foot they met Toallin accompanied by Ian Tydon.

"Pleased to meet again, master Skywalker, and welcome to our small, but cosy forest homestead. " Toallin said and stretched out his hand.

"The pleasure is all mine, Toallin," Luke said with a broad smile. "I see, that my padawan has joined you. Hey, Ian, how are you doing?"

"Master Luke, what a great surprise. Do you know that your sister is on her way to this place too? They are somewhere is this surrounding forest. I've already spoken to master Leia."

"That's good, Ian."

"I've set up a tracking beacon, master Skywalker. Your friend, general Solo, and his company are guided to the cabin. I expect them," Toallin looked at his chrono, "let's say in less than a standard hour. Please, come inside, we, I'd better say, this guy, has a lot to tell you."

While Luke and Ian walked over to the door Mugin grabbed his brother's arm.

"What happened to him. How can he be alright? When I left we feared he might die before I've got some proper help."

"I can't explain, brother, but it seems that those Jedi have special powers to heal themselves. He told me about being in a kind of garden, but I don't understand what he means. Well, it's all for the best, all his wounds are healed. I couldn't believe it either, but it's the simple truth. Let's get inside I want to check where those other friends of him are."

"They're in the forest."

"Yes, and on foot. I picked up their signal two hours ago. They can reach us before it's dark. What's the matter, Ian?"

Ian came running back to the two brothers.

"There they are," He yelled, and pointed to the edge of the forest. Running along the path were Leia, Han and Chewbacca.

"Ian!" Leia yelled and rushed forward. She wrapped her arms around and hugged him.

"You're alright?" She said. "I thought you were badly wounded."

"I was, master. I had an amazing experience. Thanks to Liane and her mother I could use my Jedi healing power again." He said out of breath. "I'll tell you all about it. Toallin, Mugin, this is my master, Leia Organa Solo, her husband, general Han Solo and the Wookiee is Chewbacca, general Solo's friend."

Leia, Han and Chewbacca shook hands with the Quelan brothers.

"Master, your brother is here too. He'd just arrived before you with Mugin."

"Shall we go inside," Toallin said and made an inviting gesture.

Laughing and talking they all walked over to the door where Luke was waiting to join them.