Chapter 27

'Proceed, Liane, concentrate on what I'm thinking, for it's better if I really share those painful losses with you,'He said, as he felt how the warm Force glow of her fingers and hands were flowing through him.

Liane immediately deepened her Force trance, and reached out to him, using Jedi telepathy to communicate in silence.

'I only will do so, Luke, if you are really sure, that my help could mean more, if I know what's troubling you.' She said.

'I do, Liane. I want to share what I feel with you, but what you will see and feel, will certainly make you feel sad too. Do you still want to go?' He answered through the Force.

'You shouldn't worry about me, Luke,' Liane answered.

Luke fully relaxed and let her penetrate his mind, showing her the many painful losses he had suffered during his struggle to become a Jedi Knight.

He recalled the vivid images of the burning homestead, looking at the distorted remains of his uncle and aunt, but this time Liane was easing his shocked emotional feelings with her Force skills as a healer. He felt how she began to feel his emotions of sadness, absorbing them in her own mind. He felt how all his painful experiences became hers too, as he allowed her to see the unexpected surrender to the Force of Ben Kenobi on the Death Star.

Through Luke's train of thoughts Liane felt his pain as the X-wing of his friend Biggs had been annihilated and Biggs had died during their only joint raid against that Death Star. She felt his great agony as she heard Darth Vader tell him, that he was his father.

Together with Luke she was on Dagobah as master Yoda became one with the Force, and she really shed tears as Luke recalled how Anakin became one with the Force on the second Death Star. Especially those last images shocked her, when she saw how Luke took away her foster father's mask and looked with compassion at the face of Anakin Skywalker. Some moments later Anakin vanished leaving behind the dark armor which had supported his life as Darth Vader.

'Now you know, Liane,' Luke's calm voice entered her mind, 'I have lost many more friends, but what I've shared with you are my most devastating and painful moments.'

'Yes, ...' Liane started to answer, but suddenly the images of all his painful memories became blurred and some other images of Luke and herself became apparent in her mind. They were standing together with a group of other Jedi Knights. Liane recognized Leia and Ian; next to Ian stood a girl about her own age with an olive green skin who was dressed as a padawan learner and next to Luke stood Wedge Antilles and Yarmod Martan. All of them were wearing their ceremonial Jedi outfit, including herself. The group had been gathered on a lawn in a park-like area, looking at a magnificent mansion.

Luke who had noticed Liane's sudden uneasiness, used his Jedi power to unite himself with her thoughts. Amazed at first, he looked at the images as they materialized his mind, but then he felt how Liane resisted his penetration of her mind.

'Why don't you share these images with me, Liane, no, don't withdraw yourself. These images are too amazing and awesome. Let me have a look at them.' He said gently.

'I didn't reach out to the Force to see images of your future. This happened all of a sudden,' She stammered.

Still in a united Force trance Luke pulled Liane to him and wrapped his arms around her.

'This is an awesome Force vision, Liane, because what the Force is showing us, is what I hope, will be my future. The founding of a new Jedi Order' He whispered through the Force.

"I.. can't... believe... it," Liane stammered, forgetting her connection with the Force to answer him in the Jedi way. The images disappeared as fast as they had become apparent and Luke looked at the startled face of Liane who struggle to free herself from his embrace.

"I didn't want to use the Force to see ... your future, Luke," She said, feeling unsure.

"You used your Force Battle Meditation skills to give me even more comfort feelings. You certainly did the same for Teebo and the other Ewoks. You have shown me some great images of my future. Liane, your Force skills tell me, that my future won't be as gloomy and bitter as my past. Thank you so much, dear friend."

"I ... saw ... Leia and ... Ian?" Liane stammered.

"Yes, and Wedge Antilles and Yarmod Martan," Luke answered with a smile.

"Ian and Yarmod didn't look as padawans," Liane said thoughtfully

"You've gotten a Force vision of the future, Liane. What you saw has not yet become reality. Your vision has shown us a moment in the future when Ian and Yarmod have passed their Jedi trials. Like you also seem ..."

Liane interrupted any further explanation quickly.

"Who is the girl with the olive green skin. Is she Ian's padawan?"

"I don't know. I haven't met her, so I can't answer that question. Her present tickles my curiosity too."

He wanted to take her in his arms again, but Liane shook her head and pushed him away.

"Please, don't, Luke," She could only whisper.

He let her go, and only brushed a strand of her hair away, before he said with a warm and grateful smile, "Without your help as a Force healer, I would have needed much more time to overcome the unexpected encounter with my past. And those future images you've shown me that it's likely that my wish to rebuild the Jedi Order might not be an illusion after all."

Liane looked at him and saw how his face had undergone a complete change. No longer his eyes expressed his sad feelings. Once again he was a Jedi Knight in full control of his emotions, relying on the Force. Still feeling uncomfortable about what the Force had shown her, she changed subject and asked him where he had been as he had left Ben's house for many days.

"I've done most of my meditations in a nearby cave, for I was aware, how worried you were, after I had seen the ruins of my former home. Although I needed some intense Force meditations I also kept an eye on you, in case you would decide to start looking for me. I've done many Force meditation sessions to control the emotional feelings about the memories of my painful losses, but those meditations became much easier after you offered me your help and I won't need another session, now that you have shown me my future."

"But you have told me that the future is always uncertain, even for a Jedi. Do you really believe what you've seen, Luke?" She asked with uneasiness in her voice.

"I do, Liane, and I will remind you of what we have seen, the moment it will become reality," He said on a teasing tone, noticing her uneasiness about what the Force had shown her about her own destination. He decided not to say anything about the subject anymore, because he did not want to confuse her any further.

"Liane, my friend and Force helper, I completely seem to have loose track of the time since we've arrived in Ben's house. I have neglected my obligations as your guard and your host too much. You deserve a better welcome on my home planet than being left alone at a strange and hostile area of it. Tomorrow I want you to help me to assemble those training lightsabers, I've talked about at our arrival."

"Admiral Matrik, what an unexpected encounter. After I've heard about the damage your destroyer sustained in that meteor shower near Avila and the fatal explosion of the twin destroyer two years later, we all thought you were among the victims."

Imperial admiral Vestor looked at the holographic image on the display in wonder. The person didn't resemble the former admiral. He was wearing a long dark cloak with a cowl which shielded most of his head. Nevertheless admiral Vestor ha recognized the face of the admiral who had gone into hyperspace together with the two last small destroyers he had been in charge off, before the Imperial Space fleet had surrendered, after the fleet had sustained terrible losses in the Battle of Jakku.

"I'm not going by the name of Matrik anymore. I've adopted a new name which fits better with my new business: Darth Golluth. Call me Lord Golluth while we talk. I see that you've been given a promotion to admiral, Vestor," The holographic image remarks, neglecting admiral Vestor's comments, "It's good to talk to a commander of your stature, for I need your help."

"Do you need a transport to Coruscant?" Vestor asked.

"No, no, not yet. I'm doing investigations about a very serious matter, Vestor. Tell me, do you have any knowledge about Lord Vader's daughter, Liane Vader?"

"I have heard about her existence?" Admiral Vestor said cautiously, "Her father, Lord Vader seems to have taught her the knowledge he had learned from emperor Palpatine."

"Indeed, he has, Vestor. Liane Vader is a Sith lady. My business and investigation are focused on her whereabouts. She is a great danger to the galaxy."

"What do you mean, sir?" Vestor asked hesitantly, not knowing how to address the man.

"Isn't that obvious, Vestor. Now that her father Lord Vader and emperor Palpatine are dead, she is the only one who still possesses the knowledge of the Sith, the knowledge of the Dark Side of the Force."

"Are you suggesting, that that young woman could make plans to start a galactic war again. As far as I know, she's still in her early twenties, so how can she be a real threat to the galaxy at the moment."

"Not immediately, Vestor, but remember how our former emperor came to power. He was chosen in the Senate and later he became Supreme Chancellor, next he started the Clone Wars to get rid of the Jedi Order. Liane Vader might do the same, for I already have found serious evidence that she has entangled Jedi Knight Skywalker in her dark web of intentions."

Admiral Vestor nodded, while still looking at the strangely dressed image. It vaguely remembered him of another person who had worn a similar kind of attire.

"I see your point of view, Ma... Lord Golluth," He answered cautiously, "If that Liane Vader can convince a Jedi Knight, our galaxy would be drawn into a war again. Do you think there is a way to warn commander Skywalker and tell him about her intentions?"

"You're familiar with his rank, Vestor?" The cloaked image asked amazed.

"During the civil war and after the Battle of Endor the holo net issued a lot of articles on him and his relation with the princess Leia Organa of the former Royal House of Alderaan. "

"Yes, yes, of course, but let's stick to Liane Vader. I need your help to capture and arrest the woman. I have some information about her whereabouts and I want you to bring me to the planet where she has been living lastly, Vestor."

The commander of the Basilisæa couldn't help to feel some suspicion in the man's proposal.

"I'm under a strict order to do a surveillance mission in the Urervik cluster, Lo.. Lord Golluth. I have to get permission from Coruscant to leave my position. Where is the woman?"

"On Endor. That's where she has been seen lately. Vestor, if we can capture the woman and bring her to Palomintar Four, I will make sure that you will get all the credit if our mission is a success. You will be the admiral who has ensured that the peace treaty between the Provisional Coruscant Council and the New Republic wouldn't be in danger. After we have captured the woman, you bring me back to Palomintar Four where I will imprisoned her for the rest of her life and you can continue with your mission in the Urervik cluster. Vestor, this woman is very dangerous."

"If the woman is as dangerous as you say, Matr... Golluth, I feel it as my duty to cooperate with you. On Endor you want to arrest the woman yourself, so you need a transport to the Basilisæa. Would you please give me the coordinates of a nearby landing place."

"Seven-four-six-ten and five-three-seven on Palomintar Four. I'll be ready to board your ship."

"I will welcome you on board, Lo..Lo..Lord Golluth. May I suggest that I will tell my liaison officer to have an appropriate uniform ready for you."

"That won't be necessary, Vestor. I feel very comfortable in the clothes I'm wearing. On board I want a private quarter during our flight to Endor. I don't have any intentions to meet your crew, Vestor."

"You might expect the transport ship in a standard hour. I'll have a quarter ready for you, Matrik."

The holographic image immediately vanished, leaving admiral Vestor slightly confused. He wondered if he should have accepted the other man's proposal to go to Endor without consulting his superiors on Coruscant. For a moment he looked at the empty display, then he ordered his chief communication technician to come to his quarter. Within a minute a young lieutenant entered his room.

"Lieutenant Whain, sent a message to Coruscant. Tell them I had a strange unexpected holographic meeting with admiral Trevor Matrik who was supposed to have died in the explosion near this galactic system. Further information will be sent later."

The young man left and admiral Vestor gave a further order to send a transport ship to the coordinates he had been given.

The next day Luke took Liane to the lower level of Ben's house. He switched on some light tubes and amazed Liane looked at the fully equipped workplace. Luke took a holopad from a box, activated it and handed the device to Liane.

"The core of a lightsaber is a crystal that amplifies the laser beam many folds as the lightsaber is activated. In the past I've assembled training lightsabers for Leia, Wedge, Ian and Yarmod. A training lightsaber is a gift from me to a new padawan. As the padawan is ready to pass the Jedi trials he has to assemble he own Jedi lightsaber. Afterwards he can use his training saber to instruct his own padawan."

"Where do those crystals come from?" Liane asked looking at the holographic images of glittering transparent crystals above the holopad, "Are they found here, in the Jundland Wastes?"

Slowly she turned the holopad, looking at the crystals from different angles.

"No, Kyber-, Illum or Aldegan-crystals, as they are called, were originally found in the Ilum-caves on Ossus in Aldega system. A future Jedi knight has to used one of these crystals to assemble his own lightsaber.

In the Old Republic padawans who were ready to become a Jedi adepts, were sent to Ossus. In the Illum-caves they had to retrieve the crystal they wanted to use in their own lightsaber and assemble their weapon. The Illum-caves have been ripped of their crystals during the reign of the emperor, so I must use a different method. Most of these crystals are also formed inside special rough stones, which can be found on many planets outside the Ossus system," Luke said and took up two of some seven rough oval rocks about the size of his hand. "These rocks are rare and the Aldegan crystals inside are quite expensive. A future Jedi Knight has to retrieve his own crystal from one of these rocks. He has to break the stone without the use of equipment. He can only do that if he commits himself fully to the Force and unites with her power. Only the power of the Force can help the future Jedi Knight to break the stone."

Luke handed one of the stones to Liane. She took it in her hands, and turned it over and over. Carefully she handed it back to him.

"I see a lot of crystals in this basket." She said and took up a small basket filled to the brim with blue, green and a few violet crystals in different sizes, "This basket must contain a fortune, if these crystals are so rare."

Luke smiled.

"Those are synthetic crystals. Training lightsabers don't use real Illum crystals," He answered and pointed at a small piece of equipment, "The synthetic crystals are made of a liquid which slowly hardens in this mold. In about three or four days the crystals are ready."

Again Liane looked at the seven stones on the workbench. The rough surface showed no cracks or holes.

"So every Jedi Knight has to assemble his own lightsaber?"

"Yes, a padawan has to choose a stone with those crystals inside that vibrates with the Force connection of his personality. A lightsaber is an extension of a Jedi's connection with the Force. It's the symbol of his union with the Unifying Force. The crystal in his lightsaber reflects the Jedi's connection with the Force through the color the crystal absorbs during the assembly. Often the crystal has the same color as the lightsaber of his master," Luke continued.

"What do you mean by saying: the color the crystal absorbs during the assembly?" Liane asked curiously.

"A Illum crystal is transparent when it is formed in the Illum-caves, or within these rocks. When the padawan chooses his own crystal; the crystal becomes part of his union with the Force. Every living being radiates his own color and the crystal takes on the color the future Jedi Knight radiates through the Force. When I made my own lightsaber the crystal took on a green color, I was not surprised, for master Yoda used a green blade. My padawans have to make their own lightsaber before I'll go with them to Dagobah for their final trials and initiation to Jedi Knighthood. If they pass both tests they may call themselves Jedi Knights."

"So you have to be a trained padawan to be able to split one of those rocks," Liane said thoughtfully.

"And only if a padawan is ready for his final trials. For then he knows how to use the Force to split the stone. After he has separated the crystal he needs to incorporate the crystal in his lightsaber, while he is assembling his Jedi's weapon. All the time he has to stay united with the Force in the Illum-meditation."

"The Illum-mediation?" Liane said raising her eye-brows, "Is that another way of meditation on the Force, like, what you called, the Force Battle Meditation?"

"There are numerous ways of Force meditation. The Illum-meditation is a very special Jedi meditation session. The Jedi has to become completely one with the Unifying Force. During this meditation the Force shows him how to retrieve the crystal and the way how to assemble his lightsaber. Only when a Jedi fully surrenders to the Unifying Force he will be able to perform that task."

"Sounds very difficult, Luke. You said that neither Ben nor master Yoda have told you how to assemble a lightsaber, isn't it?"

Luke nodded, "When I had lost my father's lightsaber on Bespin, I knew I needed to assemble my own lightsaber. I was under a great strain, because I wanted to rescue Han from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt. There was only one place where I knew I might find the knowledge I needed, here, in Ben's house. So I went back to Tatooine and used Ben's equipment and secret writings to piece together a new lightsaber. I found the right way by trial and error. Before I realized I had to surrender to the Force to help me, I had started anew several times. I want you to give me hand assembling some new training lightsabers, Liane," Luke said and put several different components on the workbench.

"Sure, what do you want me to do?"

"Weld these superconductors to these connectors and switches, will you."

Liane took the components, and took a laser welder and a pair of goggles. Luke instructed her, while he was assembling another training lightsaber.

"The most difficult part is fixing the crystal at the right position in the hilt," He instructed, "See, one side of the hilt holds the small parabolic disk, where the blade extents. The crystal must be fitted underneath the disk in the hilt. The crystal bundles and amplifies the laser energy generated when the power cell is activated. See if you can do it. Use this blue one."

"What's the difference between a training lightsaber and the lightsaber a padawan has to construct using the Illum-meditation?" Liane asked.

"With a training lightsaber a padawan learns to defend himself against attacks. He learns ward off laserblasts or stun an opponent temporarily, but he can't cut through any material or kill an opponent with it. At this moment Ian and Yarmod are practising with a training lightsaber. They defended you on Endor against Dendicott, remember."

"So a training lightsaber doesn't do real harm," Liane muttered and concentrated on her task. Luke watched her for a moment, but concentrated on the other training saber he was constructing. For more than an hour neither of them spoke; finally Liane looked up and held the assembled hilt out to Luke.

"Did I do it right, Luke?"

"Ignite it," Luke said, while finishing his own training saber.

Liane hesitated, but then she firmly pressed the button. A blue blade extended from disk. Stunned she looked at the hilt of the lightsaber in her hand and the extended blade. Several sparks emitted from the blade.

"Why should a Jedi Knight need to kill an opponent, if he can use stunning to get himself to safety?" She asked him, switching off the lightsaber.

Luke took the training saber from her hand and put it on the workbench next to his. Then he took her to the living again.

"I'll explain it to you, Liane. The missions a Jedi Knight has to carry out, aren't always easy ones. Sometimes a Jedi Knight has no other choice than to kill an opponent, but he will always make this decision using the Force. The death of a living being, even it's an opponent, always causes a stir in the Force. Luckily there are lots of other possibilities to disable or disarm an enemy without doing real harm, for instance Affect Mind, Force push, or in case of real danger Force Choke. Killing an opponent is always a last option. A Jedi Knight respects all forms of life even that of his worst enemy, because a Jedi is part of the Living Force that binds all life in this galaxy together, but the fact remains that it is sometimes inevitable for a Jedi Knight to kill."

Luke noticed Liane's skepticism.

"Let me give you an example. After I had surrendered myself to my father on Endor, I wanted to bring him back to the Good Side of the Force. I never expected I would be obliged to kill him; I even never wanted to fight him. He challenged me at the Death Star, but I managed to use the Force to defend myself against his attacks. By accident I revealed to him that Leia was his daughter, my twin sister. He used that revelation to threaten me that he would turn Leia to the Dark Side of the Force. His threat changed the situation for me, for I realized that I couldn't let that happen to Leia or the galaxy. I had to attack and fight him. The frenzy with which I attacked him, brought him off balance. I don't know for sure, if he had underestimated my skills, but I defeated him in that fight. During our fight I had only one aim; kill him, for he represented everything I hated. The anger and hatred I felt, blurred my mind. I lost control of my emotions and I forgot all master Yoda's lessons. My loss of control nearly brought me down the dark path of the Force. My wrath and feelings of revenge disappeared at once, when I cut off his arm which was holding his lightsaber. At his wrist I saw wires and metal spokes; it was a mechanical hand. Once he also must have lost his real hand, like I had lost mine in my first encounter with him on Bespin. Looking at my own artifical hand I realized how much my father and I had in common. That was the moment I decided I would oppose emperor Palpatine. I switched off my lightsaber and refused to kill the man, who was my father, because I was a Jedi and immediately I remembered Yoda's lesson that a Jedi never kills a defeated enemy."

Liane looked at her hands that lay in her lap, then her eyes wandered to Luke who seemed to be contemplating on his last words. She thought about the anger, that he had felt when Anakin had challenged him to seduce Leia, but he hadn't succumbed to the temptation of the Dark Side of the Force. He had refused to kill his father. His refusal had angered the emperor who had attacked Luke with his Sith knowledge and nearly had killed him. She shuddered, pondering on the thought what would have become of the galaxy if the last Jedi would have been killed. Darth Vader, her foster-father, had remembered his true self in time. He became Anakin Skywalker again, as he renounced the Dark Side of the Force and hurtled Darth Sidious in the abyss of the Death Star, saving the life of his son. He had sacrificed his life to save Luke and the future of the galaxy, as Luke had carved on that stone on Endor, but if he hadn't died, he certainly would have helped Luke to rebuild the Jedi Order. Now Luke was on his own, the last Jedi Knight. Master Yoda had put a heavy burden on his shoulders. It wouldn't be easy to establish the Order of the Jedi Knights again. A padawan had to practise for a long time, before he was ready for his final trials. Luke needed help as much help as he could get to realize this seemingly impossible goal.

"Luke, I want to help you as much as I can," she softly said, "You can't revive the Jedi Order on your own. You need more people to help you. Maybe I won't be a great help, but I want to do as much as I can. Perhaps I could stay here in Ben's house for a while and assemble those training lightsabers. If you would need one the begin the training of a new padawan, you only have to come to Tatooine and pick it up, so you won't loose time. If I stay here it would also solve my own problem. I'm still sentenced for eight years in exile. Would it make any difference if I pass that time on Tatooine or on Wegoyy?"

Startled Luke looked up and took Liane's hands in his.

"That's a great offer, Liane. I'll gladly accept your help, but your support would be of much greater value, if we stay together."

"If you find that more enjoyable, I will to stay with you, Luke. I will find another way to help you," Liane said, as she remembered her own secret wish to stay with Luke forever.

"You already have, for you've shown me a new future," Luke said and pressed her hand, "Your company is of a great value to me. Besides we must stay together, as long as we don't know who is looking for you."

Luke rose and pulled Liane with him. With her hand firmly in his, he descended again to the work alcove and picked up the two training lightsabers.

"Do you want the blue one or the green one." He said and held out the lightsabers to her.

Liane shook her head and started laughing.

"You'll never give up, won't you, master Luke? You always will try to convince me to become your padawan learner, even if I have made myself clear I don't want to become a Jedi Knight. Tell me, what should I do with a training lightsaber?"

"Consider it another gift, like the Jedi pendant. You never know when you have to defend yourself against any opponent."

Liane looked at the lightsabers in his outstretched hand. For a moment the image of her Force vision flashed through her mind.

"If it's a gift, I accept your offer, Luke. I want the green blade, for that's the one you've assembled."

Luke put the lightsaber in her hand.

"Then this one is yours from now one." He said and gently put his hand on her shoulder, "Liane, I hope that one day you will learn how to use it. No, don't object. I give this to you to be more assured. A blaster is a fine weapon and you're an excellent fighter, but a lightsaber gives a better defence for a Force user."

Liane hooked the lightsaber at her belt. It felt strange, but also reassuring. Maybe Luke was right, maybe it also would be a better defence against that unknown person that seemed to be after her. She looked at him and suddenly a mischievous look appeared in her eyes.

"Master Luke," She said suspiciously, but her eyes laughed, "Why did we assemble two training sabers. Did you had in mind to teach me how to use it?"

For a moment Luke was speechless, then he nodded. Liane now laughed wholeheartedly.

"A gift, but a gift with a special purpose, isn't it?" She said and gave him a teasing push, "Don't try to seduce me, Jedi master Skywalker."

"Yes, Liane, I let you create a second training saber. I hoped I could convince you to practise and learn to use it."

Liane shook her head, but still her face was all laugh.

"Why don't you give up, Luke. Really, I can't be a Jedi Knight, not with that old knowledge Anakin taught me. Please, accept my choice, that I do not want to become a Jedi Knight."

"I will respect your choice, Liane." Luke said with compassion, but Liane felt his disappointment. She put her hands on his arm.

"Luke, don't blame yourself, because you can't keep your promise to Anakin. With all the knowledge your father has taught me I would be a danger to you, to Leia and to all the ones who are my friends, and for whom I care. It's me, who is making this choice, not you, and I think I'm making the right decision. If I would be sure I could learn to use the ways of the Force as you do and could become a Jedi Knight; I would gladly become your padawan learner. Being your friend and help you the best I can, is a far more better choice."

Luke silenced and looked at the other lightsaber. He turned it around, then he hooked it at his belt.

"I think I take this blue one with me as a gift from you, Liane," He said calmly. He started laughing when he saw her questioning look.

"I know what you're thinking, Liane: what should a Jedi Knight do with a training saber? I'll take this with me as a keep sake, as a reminder of the great time we've had here together, as a reminder of the promise you made me to stay with me and help me as best as you can, and most important of all to constantly remind me of the wonderful image you showed me through the Force."

Liane blushed shyly. In her mind she heard the mysterious voice again, speaking the puzzling words, 'You know, who he is and that you belong to him, like he belongs to you.' Yet after she had seen the image of herself in the Force vision, those words had made her feel more uncomfortable and uneasy than before.

"No, Your Highness, commodore Skywalker has left Endor more than a month ago." The holographic image contained a lot of static noise.

"I'll have to check that, Your Highness. Hold on, I'll be right back."

The image vanished.

"What do we do, if Liane hasn't left with him?" Ian asked her.

"We should rely on the Force to tell us what our next action must be, but most of all, we have to be patient, my young padawan, only then can we make the right decision." Leia said calmly, but sternly.

She knew how difficult it was for him to trust the Force to make the right decision at the moment. His strong feelings for Liane seemed to blur his concentration with Force. Over and over he had been asking her to leave Dalmaran at short notice and go to Endor together to check out what had happened, and even so many times she had told him to be patient and rely on the Force.

The holographic image of the commanding officer of Endor space port returned.

"Your Highness, as far as we can check, commodore Skywalker has taken nobody with him. "

Leia heard Ian hold his breath.

"He asked clearance to leave immediately. He left in a hurry and didn't mention his destination, nor did he tell us about any passengers," the holographic image of the officer continued.

"Thank you, officer," Leia said and switched off, looking up to Ian.

"We're going to Endor ourselves and pay the Ewoks a visit, Ian. They know for sure what has happened. Get to the space port and prepare my shuttle. We're leaving as soon as we're ready. I will inform Mon Mothma. Threepio, you're coming with us. I need you to talk to the Ewoks."

With a serene smile she noticed the expression of relief on her padawan's face, as he quickly left the office.

"I'm sorry, sir. It's impossible at the moment to leave Tatooine. Space traveling control has reported severe galactic turbulences and storms of space dust in many entries to the hyperspace lanes around the planet. We can't estimate when it's safe leave."

"I'll find some accommodation in Mos Eisley; please, keep me informed. I want to leave as soon as the situation has been normalized." Luke said calmly.

"Certainly, sir. You can get updated information from every infocom. Use your personal identification and you'll have access to all the information you need. If you're looking for a temporary accommodation you should check some of the new apartment buildings which can be rented for reasonable prices. You'll find them in the new outskirts of Mos Eisley."

Luke thanked the desk officer and turned to Liane.

"Let's find a place to stay, Liane." He said.

They left the building and crossed the road. Mos Eisley's center hadn't changed much. It was still a hive of narrow streets and slums, where all kinds of dark creatures found a way of living. The only exception was the new modern extension of Mos Eisley's space port. After the end of the Civil War the availability of new technology had made it possible for colonists to earn a more proper living on Tatooine's barren surface and those new prospects had given many settlers some wealth. With the raising of the standard of living, space trading had increased too. More goods from other planets were finding their way to the homesteads of Tatooine's inhabitants.

Luke and Liane walked around in the old center streets to find a place to stay. When they turned a corner, they suddenly stood in front of an old cantina. Liane looked at the entrance.

"Here I've been with the Granns several times. On my first visit I talked to that friend of yours, what was his name again?"

"You mean Han Solo?"

Liane nodded.

"He was engaged to Leia, wasn't he? Had they already plans to marry?"

Luke grinned.

"No, although Han loved my sister dearly, he couldn't decide when he wanted get married."

Liane looked at him amazed.

"I don't understand. You say he loved Leia very much, so why couldn't he made up his mind about their marriage. Wasn't he really sure about his feelings for Leia."

"Han was devoted to Leia, he adored her, admired her and loved her and as for Leia, those feelings were mutual. But Han doesn't believe in the power of the Force. He denies that the Force influences people."

For a moment Luke silenced, then Liane said.

"So Han basically was offended and angered, because you had trained Leia as Jedi Knight without asking his opinion? Now I understand why he gave me such a rude answer, when I asked him if he knew where Leia was."

Amazed Luke watched his companion.

"Yes indeed, Liane. When Leia and I came back from Dagobah where she passed her Jedi trials, Han didn't want to talk to her anymore. He broke off their engagement and left Dalmaran soon afterwards. We haven't heard from him ever since."

"I'm sure Leia feels sorry for him, for she still loves him. "

"She does and she would do anything to get him back. Sometimes I think their break up is partially my fault. I insisted on completing Leia's training as a Jedi. My reason to train Leia as Jedi wasn't motivated by objective judgment, but by my selfishness. After I had become a Jedi Knight I felt alone, for there wasn't anybody who shared the larger world I had become part of and who felt the needs of a Jedi Knight. As my sister, Leia is as Force sensitive as I am. So after the Battle of Endor I began to teach her and instruct her in the Ways of the Jedi. I wanted Leia to be my fellow Jedi, my equal, trained to use the Force, like me. It would have been much wiser to have taken Han's opinion about the Jedi Knights and their use of the Force into account. I didn't, nor did Leia."

Liane shook her head.

"No, Luke. This isn't your fault. It's quite obvious that Leia would become a Jedi Knight sooner or later. She is your twin sister and, like you said, as sensitive to the Force as you are. She surely must have enjoyed your lessons which gave her so much more knowledge. No, it's Han who doesn't believe in the Force, because he can't feel her influence, can he?"

Luke started to laugh.

"No, he can't. Han rejects the influence of, what he calls, hokey religions and the use of ancient weapons, in other words the way the Jedi rely on the Force and their use of a lightsaber for defense. He probably has a very low midi-cholorian count."

"What do you mean by that?" Liane asked amazed and inquisitive.

"All life-forms can communicate with the Force through the midi-chlorians in their cells. The midi-chlorians tell us the ways of the Force. My first lesson with Ben was, that the Force surrounds us, penetrated us and binds the galaxy together."

"But what precisely are ... what you say ... midi-chlo ....

"They are tiny life-forms that form a symbiont circle with a life-form. Their existence has mutual advantages to both, provided a life-form can sense the will of the Force. The number of midi-chlorians defines a life-form's sensibility to the Force. Some life-forms have a high sensitiveness to the Force. In their cells the number of those tiny particles is high above an average level. All Jedi Knights for instance have a midi-chlorian count far above the average. Aeons ago the Jedi Council made a chart with the midi-chlorian count of all the living Jedi at that time. That chart became a lead for the Council to decide, if some one could be trained as a Jedi. Master Yoda and Ben Kenobi, for instance, had a midi-chlorian count at the high end of the chart. They were Jedi Masters, extremely sensitive to Force. "

"What about you?" Liane asked expressing her curiosity.

Luke looked serious.

"Master Yoda once told me that Anakin's midi-chlorian count was so high, it ran off the chart. The Force is very strong in my family. Leia and I have inherited our Jedi skills from Anakin. Our midi-chlorian count runs of the chart too."

"So Leia and you are Jedi Masters too, like master Yoda and Ben Kenobi.

Luke shook his head, and laughed about Liane's quick conclusion, "No, we aren't. We're Jedi Knights. A Jedi Knight only becomes a Jedi Master by long experience, training many padawans. Sometimes it takes a life time to reach that level."

"I see, but to me you are already a Jedi Master. You have so much knowledge ..., you have such a well-balanced... state of mind. Well, most of the time, and you're a trustworthy friend." Liane said.

Luke stopped and grabbed Liane's arm.

"That's a great compliment, Liane."

Liane shrugged her shoulders and started laughing.

"I mean it, Luke. I feel safe and protected while you're with me. You also show me respect and you trust me. Even if I fall back on my old behavior, you keep seeing me as your friend."

They walked on, but Luke cast a glance at Liane. Amazed he saw the calm and confident expression on her face. Her long stay on Endor among the Ewoks had changed her in many ways. For sure, her old habits and the many wrong lessons she had learned from his father on Morantan, were still noticeable, but already to a much lesser extent. In time she would learn to overcome that dark aggressiveness his father had taught her to use and her true self would surface and she would find her destiny as a Force healer. For a moment Luke pondered on his last conclusion. As soon as she would have accepted her destiny, she would be ready to become a Jedi Knight and he would make sure that she would accept him as her master. At the moment nothing reminded him of the young woman who had attacked him so fanatically on Morantan. Suddenly Liane looked at him.

"Do you also use the way of the Jedi Orde to check the midi-chlorian count of a new padawan?" She asked.

"I do. It's very easy. I only need a blood sample of a Force sensitive person, put that on a special chip which relays the information to the equipment, then I can compare the result with the data on the chart of the Jedi Council. Want to know yours?"

To his surprise Liane nodded.

"Yes. You told me that my mother is ... was Force-sensitive. I want to know if I really have inherited my use of the Force from her. Darth ... Anakin knew that I was sensitive to the Force and he taught me how to use my Force skills in the wrong way. You, on the other hand, let me experience, that I can use my Force power to do good with it. Ian and Yarmod told me that I used the Force when I was curing the Ewoks, and so did Ben, your old master. Maybe one day ... "

She stopped in her sentence, but Luke had picked up her last unspoken thoughts. For the first time she had been thinking about learning to use the Good Side of the Force as a healer just like her mother has done.

"If you still want to know your midi-chlorian count when we're back on Dalmaran, I will check yours."

Liane nodded decisively.

"I want to know," She said, then she looked at him again, surprised.

"You can do those midi-chlorian test on Dalmaran? Are you often checking someone's midi-chlorian count?"

"I have taken all Ben's old equipment with me to Dalmaran. I do not often use it, but if I feel there is a strong Force flow between me and a Force sensitive person I will ask if I can do that test. Most of the time I rely on what the Force is telling me. The midi-chlorian test is a kind of confirmation to convince a Force-sensitive person to start his training.

That was the case with Yarmod Martan, Wedge Antilles' padawan. I met him on the Tychorion while he had an assignment as young liaison officer.

Your former guard Ian Tydon already amazed me from the moment I met him, for when I visited you on Wegoyy, he resisted my use of Affect Mind. I had to repeat and emphasize my words that he had to wait outside the cell, and I felt his strong reluctance against my influence. When I met him again at the rendez-vous in the Wegoyy desert, I became convinced about the influence of the Force on him, so I took him with me to Irithim, not only because I needed him to tell our Supreme Chancellor what had happened to you, but also because I wanted to develop his slumbering Force skills.

During our travels through the Outer Rim Territories, looking for you and the Grann brothers, I've told him about the Jedi Order, the Jedi Knights and their commitment to the Force. On our last trips I've asked him, if he had ever thought about becoming a Jedi Knight himself. My question didn't seem to surprise him, Liane, and he accepted my proposal immediately, after I'd shown him his Force potential during some simple Force practises, like moving objects using Jedi telekinesis.

After those first lessons he has dedicated himself fully to his new perspective. He is showing a great commitment to his future task as a Jedi Knight. Because I had sensed his strong Force ability, I asked him if I could check his midi-chlorian count. Without questioning my request he agreed, and the outcome of the test amazed me, for his midi-chlorian count nearly runs off the chart too. It is almost as high as mine. The outcome still makes me wonder, because neither his parents nor his siblings are sensitive to the Force, but I know that it's not unlikely that the Force only influences one family member."

"Is there a reason why Ian is Leia's padawan learner, Luke? Did she ask you to train some one? Leia is a powerful Jedi Knight too, I have seen her skills as a Jedi on Ortel, but you could have taken Ian as a padawan yourself, couldn't you?"

"I certainly could have done that, and probably it would have given me a lot of new knowledge, but I asked my sister to accept Ian as her padawan learner. It's important for every Jedi Knight to expand his growth in the Force. Training a padawan makes a Jedi master more aware of his own connectedness and unity with the Force, as he, or she, has to share and explain the knowledge of the Force."

"I'm glad for Ian that he has found a new future and such a splendid destiny. He is a good friend, after you. You're the best friend I ever had."

Luke felt a warm emotion flowing through his body. For a moment he cherished the feeling, but then he controlled himself again. He remembered what had happened on Endor, when his emotions had been the cause of their quarrel.

"I'm still grateful to Ian too, Liane, because he decided to leave you the Jedi-pendant on Wegoyy."

Liane nodded, but didn't give any further comment on his words.

They had reached the newly build quarter of Mos Eisley. Here several new apartment buildings and an underground shopping mall had been built. Luke pointed to a larger building at the left.

"That might be the kind of building we're looking for. Come on, Liane. I need a drink and if possible a proper meal."

When they reached the entrance Liane saw that the building was a five storey block divide into small apartments which could be rented for an indefinite time. Luke entered the central hall and rented one of the largest apartments with four bedrooms.

"Welcome, master Jedi," the humanoid behind the desk said, "we're honored, that you've chosen our company to stay."

"Welcome, young padawan," he addressed Liane.

Luke shook his head.

"She's my sister, not my padawan learner."

"How clumsy of me, forgive miss. Of course, I should have noticed. Your apartment is on the top floor, master Jedi. Here are your access cards, one for you and one for the lady. Do you intent to stay for a long time."

"We'll stay until it's safe to leave Tatooine again," Luke said aloof.

"Yes, yes, I understand. We have several guests who have to stay, because the galactic storm keeps them on Tatooine. It's quite inconvenient. Well, you have a great opportunity to visit some interesting places here, like the former residence of Jabba the Hutt which has been transformed into a interactive playground, where you can fight with the holographic image of a Rancor," the humanoid said, "If you want I can make very personal arrangements along different sites, including a visit to an abandoned community of the sandpeople or Tusken Raiders. I can also recommend the guided speeder tour to the Pit of Carkoon. If you're lucky you might get a glimpse of the Sarlacc, a ferocious predator with an enormous lifespan."

Luke nodded and gave one of the access cards to Liane.

"We'll let you know, if we want any further information."

"Any time, master Jedi. You can have a look on the infocom in your apartment. You'll find all the details of any of our tours. If you stay long enough I also recommend the podraces which are starting next month."

"Thank you," Luke said friendly.

He took Liane's arm and walked over with her to the panoramic elevator in the huge atrium. Liane looked at him and saw a hardly concealed laugh around his mouth and in his eyes.

The elevator brought them quickly to the top floor. Luke opened the door and let Liane pass.

"Wow, this is awesome," she exclaimed and looked around before she stepped inside.

The size of their apartment spanned the whole top floor of the building with large windows on all sides and surrounded with large sun shades covered terraces. The terraces were decorated with a large number of flower pots in which several different exotic plants provided extra shadow to guarantee comfortable reclining places out of the hot suns of Tatooine.

Liane turned to Luke who was looking at her with a big smile, "This must be really expensive, Luke."

"It is, that's why the humanoid at the desk gave us all this information about Tatooine. I had to struggle to keep my laughter. Never expected that this big, wide, endless sand bowl would attract space tourism. Maybe I should have told him I once fought Jabba's pet-rancor and won," Luke said in a roar of laughter, "And a second encounter with a sarlacc is not something I'm looking forward to, neither am I interested in an encounter with some Tusken Raider. Most of their abandoned camp sites are sacred places to them. Have a look around, Liane, I thought that after our stay on Endor in the Ewok village and at Ben's sober dwelling you might love some real comfort for awhile. I'll call the space port to bring us the bag with your clothes."

"What about yours? Aren't you taking some belongings with you?"

"Just a small bag. A Jedi's needs are modest, but this time I will enjoy some luxury."

He went over to the infocom and contacted the space port.

"Certainly, sir. We'll get your luggage there as soon as possible."

In the mean time Liane had opened the terrace doors of the the central living. She stepped outside and looked around.

"Luke, come over here and have a look. What a terrific view! I think you can see from here as far as the Jundland Waste, where Ben's home is."

Luke burst into a roar with laughter and entered the terrace behind her.

"It was almost a three quarters' flight to Mos Eisley from the Jundland Waste, Liane. But I agree with you, this view is wonderful. I've never seen Mos Eisley from above. Look over there; there's the space port," He said, pointing to the town center.

Liane saw a freighter makes its descend to the space port. It reminded her of her space travel with the Grannd Traveler. The ship vanished into one of the docking bays. She turned to Luke who was staring at the horizon.

"Why did you tell that desk official, I'm your sister? That's not true," She asked.

"Really, isn't it? Who has been your father, Liane?"

"He wasn't my father. He was yours, he only adopted me."

"So he was your foster father and that makes you my foster sister, and me your foster brother," Luke said teasingly, and laughed again as he noticed that she didn't know how to respond.

"What are those podraces, that man in the hall was talking about?" She asked feeling uncomfortable with Luke's teasing and laughing about their eventual family relation.

"Podracing is done on many planets in this galaxy. A pod has a compartment for the driver and two or more strong rocket engines which are loosely attached to the driver's compartment by the power sources and tubes that lead to driver's dashboard. They are very maneuverable vehicles. Those rocket engines produce an enormous speed and the driver needs all his skills to stay in control, " Luke said.

"Have you done it? It sounds like you would have enjoyed it," Liane said teasing him with a cheerful laugh.

"Oh, I certainly would have, but when I grew up here pod racing was forbidden. Too many deadly casualties. My friend Biggs and I simulated these races while we drove our T-16 skyhoppers at top speed through Beggar's Canyon." Luke said.

He kept silent some moments, before he continued softly, "Jolly optimistic Biggs. He left Tatooine after he had finished his education at the Academy, and became a first mate on the Rand Ecliptic. He was the only friend I ever had on Tatooine. Our reunion on Yavin was a very short. You have seen what happened to him. I will never forget him."

He was silent again and remained in thoughts for a long time, staring at the distance horizon without really seeing. Once again Liane felt the pain that the loss of this friend and comrade of his youth still caused in his mind. For several moments she stood silently close to him. Finally Luke looked at her and smiled.

"After I had lost Biggs, I've found many other good friends, but he will always have a special place in my memories."

He took her hand and laughed again.

"I've met Leia, Han, Wedge... and I've met an intelligent and very nice young woman in this galaxy, who has promised me to support my task as a Jedi Knight and who wants to help me as best as she can. Just a moment ago you said, that I'm your best friend, but you're also my best friend, Liane Solichor!"

Liane blushed vehemently. She shook her head and her eyes got a skeptical expression.

"You're lying again, Luke Skywalker, I'm not a nice girl. I have been very unkind to you on Morantan, at Irithim and on Endor, while you only wanted to ..."

Luke shook his head. He put his fingers on her lips so that she could say no more.

"On Endor your reaction at my words was my fault, Liane. I was too worried about you. As for our other ..."

Now Liane shook her head and covered his mouth with her hand.

"Stop blaming yourself, Luke. It was me who misunderstood your concern," She said, blushing again.

Before she walked over to the balustrade that surrounded the terraces at all sides, she gave him a slight laughing push, "We shouldn't talk about what happened on Endor or in the past ever again, Luke. It was all my fault."

Luke saw how their good-natured banter was covering her cheeks with a warm blush again. Once again it gave him a warm cheerful feeling. He walked over to her and put his arm around her.

'Even though you see the arguments we have had as some misunderstanding, for me you have become the nicest young woman in this galaxy, and a fine friend,' He said still teasingly, using Jedi telepathy.

Liane felt the pressure of his fingers on her arm, he had pulled close and her head rested against his shoulder; his head was very close to hers as turn his face. For a very short moment she looked into his eyes and enjoyed the overwhelming feeling of the growing intimacy of their friendship.

'I can't recall if I have ever met a kinder person than you, Liane,' He whispered tenderly through the Force, 'Especially after you have shown me the wonderful future that's laying ahead of me.'

Although his soft whispered words raised again the dubious feelings about what the Force has shown her, Liane managed to control her unsure emotions. Hesitantly she answered him, using Jedi telepathy, 'Luke, those images of all those Jedi gathered together I saw ... you saw'

'We saw, Liane'

'We saw; They can't be true. I mean ... they probably aren't showing ... your ... my ... real future.'She stammered.

'Why don't you think so, Liane?' He asked gently, feeling her doubts and anxieties.

'Luke, those images ... I mean I saw you and me and the others... Do you really believe you I saw the future?'

'I do. You have a great talent to use Force Battle Meditation, Liane. Those skills have allowed you to share with me those images of the future, my future, so that I could overcome the sadness I felt, after I unexpectedly had been confronted with one of the most devastating events of my past. Therefore it's very likely, that what you've shown me will be come true one day.'

Liane sighed deeply, looking up at him clearly showing the uncertainty she felt.

'Luke, I saw us... I saw myself... did you notice what I was wearing?' She whispered.

'You were wearing the ceremonial clothes of a Jedi Knight, if that's what you mean. In your Force vision you were a Jedi Knight, like Ian and Yarmod,' Luke answered and tightened his grip around her shoulders.

'Then those images can't be true, Luke, for I don't want to become a Jedi Knight, I've told you,'Liane said, and wanted to avert her eyes, but Luke held her gaze.

'Liane, I... have... We have ... I want to ... Do you... I mean ... Let me tell you...' Luke's voice suddenly became hesitant, 'Liane, you must ... Don't you reco...'

The penetrating sound of the info com interrupted his stammered words. Luke slowly released her, but still held her gaze. He remained looking at her, while he went back to the living and pressed the button.

"Your luggage have been delivered from space port, master Jedi," the voice of humanoid said, "I'll have them brought to your apartment."

"Thank you," Luke said.

Immediately a knock on the door was heard.

"Your luggage,sir," a voice said.

Luke opened the door of the apartment and Liane saw a multi-eyed creature carrying the two bags. Luke gave the creature some credits, closed the door and put the bags in the living. Liane had followed him inside. She looked at him questioningly.

"Luke, you wanted to tell me more about those images, didn't you? You wanted to explain something, isn't it?" She asked in a soft voice.

Luke smiled, noticing her hardly suppressed uncertainty.

"We'll talk about those images at another time, Liane. Don't feel worried, because you have seen yourself as a Jedi Knight. The future is always in motion. Things or situations change, they always do. Possibly this also counts for Force Battle Meditation visions. Where do you want to sleep? I'm taking that room."

He pointed to the bedroom door on the other side of the living.

"Where can I see the suns of Tatooine rise in the morning?" Liane asked.

"On that side."

"Then I take one of those rooms."

She walked over to the door and opened it. Again the enormous luxury of the apartment startled hers. The room she had chosen had its own sun shaded terrace, a very comfortable looking sleeping couch, a large dressing room and an even larger bathroom. On the terrace stood such a wild bunch of different flowerpots filled with plants, flowers and shadow-giving trees, which gave her the feeling she was back on her home planet again.

"Satisfied," Luke grinned and put her bag inside, "Please hurry, Liane, I'm getting hungry."

Liane noticed the small sack in his hand and remember what he had said. A Jedi's needs were modest. His outfit held almost everything he needed.

"I'll be right with you, Luke. To be honest I'm hungry too."

Luke left and Liane took some tunics from her bag. She choose a simple beige one and found a dark brown pair of pants. Quickly she took a shower and brushed her hair. For a moment she looked at her reflection in a large mirror.

Pondering on Luke's strange behavior after he had confirmed, that she had indeed seen herself as a Jedi Knight in that Force vision, she took a small strand of hair at the right side of her head, braided it and looked at her reflection again. He had wanted to tell her something about the meaning of those images. Something that seemed to be important, but he had hesitated. All of a sudden a kind of uncertainty had surrounded him, a kind of embarrassment and vulnerability, as if he hadn't known how to put it, as if he hoped that she would speak the words he couldn't find. After he had confirmed that he had seen them both as Jedi Knights, she had felt so intense and deeply united with him, so close, closer than she ever had felt before, as if they had become an inseparable unity. Could her Force vision have something to do with the strange words she had heard near Ben's house, or with the confusing images she sometimes saw as she had been using the Jedi-pendant.

Slowly she tied the rest of her hair together making a pony-tail of it.

"Now I look as if I'm a padawan learner, Luke's padawan learner and a future Jedi Knight as in my vision," she whispered to her image in the mirror. Her cheeks started to glow red and she looked down at her lightsaber. The training lightsaber Luke had given her as a gift. She hooked the saber from her belt, pushed the button and held the activated weapon in front of her in a Jedi salutation. She smiled.

"Are you ready, Liane?" Luke's voice sounded from the living.

Quickly she switched off the lightsaber, hooked it at her belt, untied the braid and brushed her hair backwards, then she rushed over to the door and opened it.

"What took you so long?" Luke asked, noticing the warm red glow of her face.

"Couldn't find my hair brush. Thought I had forgotten to put it in my bag, when we left Ben's house," she murmured quickly as an excuse and grabbed her coat.

"You seem to have found it," Luke concluded, looking at the brush she still held in her hand.

"Are you expecting trouble? I have never seen you wearing those Jedi clothes," Liane asked, averting his questioning look, while she pointed to his ceremonial Jedi outfit.

"Sometimes it's advantages to be recognized as a Jedi Knight. Come on, I'm starving."

Rand Phylotar sighed relieved, when at last he found himself safely away in hyperspace. He still wondered, how he had managed to escape from that dreadful planet in Palomintar System, with its dark underground cold rocky caves under a mountain and that strange fearsome dark-cloaked guy.

His outstanding knowledge of droids had allowed him to short circuit and eliminate his droid guards. He secretly had left that prison cave. It had amazed him, that no one seemed to notice what he was doing outside his cell. No alarm had been setting off and no other guards had rushed over to investigate, what had happened. Cautiously he had sneaked through the dark corridors to find a way out of the underground maze of caves. He had met no one, all corridors and caves he had passed had appeared to be deserted, even that disgusting person with his dark cloak didn't seem to have been alerted. Yet it had taken him several long hours to find main door.

Once outside he had hidden himself in a deep dell with dense growing thorny scrubs just outside the cave entrance. Constantly he had checked, if any patrol had started to look for him, but everything had remained quiet. The survival rations in his belt had kept him alive and with some shallow water puddles at the bottom of the dell he had quenched his thirst. As the night fell he had left his hiding place and had ran down an uneven rocky path into a valley as fast as he could. The ease of his escape had made him bolder and also annoyed and angry, and he had risked a possible discovery as he had crossed the streets of the deserted town, where he had landed on his first visit. To his surprise he had found his space ship in which his so-called 'friends' from Tropass had taken him to Palomintar Four. Those 'friends' had fooled him; it had been a trap; they told him, that their master wanted to discuss a new plan to capture the girl and her Jedi friend. What a fool he had been, to agree with these villains to go to Palomintar Four and apologize for that mishap on Endor. He nearly has lost his life.

Rand Phylotar shivered, as he recalled the feeling of those painful electric jolts that had engulfed and had penetrated his whole body. One thing was for sure, he would quit. He didn't want to become involved in another plan to find the girl. Bounty hunters would surely find her and bring her and that Jedi brother of her to that a vile creature, that dark-cloaked person. Well, if that creature would ever get hold of them, they would all form a good team. They possessed a scary way to frighten people, especially the girl and that dark cloaked creature. The girl knew even more scaring methods to revenge herself.

He relaxed and look at the synchron of the navi-computer. He would arrive on Wegoyy in about sixteen hours. Enough time get a good sleep and recover from this terrifying adventure.

He set the alarm louder and went to the small flight control room. There he stretched on one of the couches and closed his eyes.

'Where would the girl be now?'

"Stop," he said to himself, "it's over. She is no longer of any concern."

'Yes, but what if she reaches Irithim with her Jedi brother and tells ...'

"She isn't going to reach Dalmaran before Dendicott's trial."

'Olon Dendicott, what he fool had been, thinking that he could win from a Jedi Knight. What's more four Jedi Knights, for it seemed that that deserter Ian Tydon had been welcomed in their midst. If Tydon hadn't deserted and informed that Jedi Skywalker, nobody would have known what had happened on Wegoyy. Clumsy decision of Dendicott to have that traitor bring the girl to the desert. But Dendicott would be acquitted for sure, because Tydon's testimony wouldn't be enough to have him degraded and sentenced and the girl wasn't a real threat, because one million credits was enough money to have all the bounty hunters in the whole galaxy on the look out. No, in the end everything would be as usual. Maybe Dendicott would get a new assignment, but that would clear the way for his own promotion.'

"It would be a wise decision of Mon Mothma. I'm Dendicott's second in command. I'm holding the oldest rights for a promotion. Luckily I have still have enough ..."

He fell asleep, ascertained by his last thought, that he would be able to eliminate his involvement in this case and bribe some officials to ensure his promotion.