Chapter 28

The voice of Doran Whain sounded from the audio amplifier.

"Admiral Vestor asked me to tell you that he has had holo meeting with admiral Trevor Matrik. The admiral said he will send further details later so I don't have more information about what admiral Vestor and former admiral Trevor Matrik have been discussing. A shielded message is not uncommon in serious matters, but I've got the impression that admiral Vestor had been overawed. I considered to hack the ship's log, but my mission shouldn't be thwarted. I don't want to raise any suspicion."

"Secondly. Shortly after admiral Vestor had ordered me to inform you about his contact with admiral Trevor Matrik, one of the transport ships of the Basilisæa was launched. It went to the Palomintar System which is forbidden territory. It looks like admiral Vestor has persuaded former admiral Trevor Matrik to return to Coruscant. The transport ship returned not long afterwards. After docking all the crew had been send to their quarters, even the pilot and the crew of the transport ship. After all personal had left the docking bay one other person debarked. Admiral Vestor has accompanied him to one of his private quarters personally. However the holo cams have registered the arrival of the transport ship and the debarking of the last person. There's something very odd about the clothes the person was wearing. He was dressed in a long black cloak with a cowl which shielded his face completely. It reminded me of the attire in which emperor Palpatine always has been depicted. Afterwards nobody on board has seen or met with him."

"Although we're still near the Palomintar System, I have intercepted a command that we are preparing for hyperspace jump."

"In an earlier message I have reported the arrival of another New Republic space craft on Palomintar Four which hasn't left the planet again. I have monitored the landing spot and not long after the unknown person had boarded the Basilisæa I registered movements in the direction of that ship. Zooming in, the images revealed a man wearing the uniform of the New Republic guards of the Wegoyy prison. Shortly afterwards the space ship took off and left Palomintar Four. You should warn Irithim about an illegal visit of some of the Weoyy guards to Palomintar Four."

"This concludes my report for now. I'll come back as soon as I know who has boarded the Basilisæa."

Jerno looked at Kalip and Valann.

"Are things set in motion?" Valann asked, "Will admiral Vestor bring our missing admiral to Coruscant.

"I don't think so," Kalip commented, "What's your opinion, Jerno? A shielded holographic meeting? A person dressed like emperor Palpatine? A Wegoyy guard who seems to have paid a visit to Palomintar Four? Which conclusions can we make."

"Send an intel message via Quoith, Kalip. Irithim has to be warn that Rand Phylotar probably has been seen on Palomintar Four," Jerno said, "Do it as quickly as possible. We know Rand fled the hospital detention department on Irithim and returned to Tropass. There he disappeared together with the space craft carrying the markings of the New Republic. He possibly will return to Wegoyy or Irithim."

Kalip rose and left the meeting, Valann and Jerno waited for his return. As Kalip came back he sat down and immediately asked, what they should do with the other information their undercover agent had send.

"In case admiral Vestor will come back to Coruscant with admiral Trevor Matrik we need to prepare a team to arrest the former admiral and put him in detention." he said.

"The description of the clothes the person was wearing bothers me, Kalip," Valann said, "It resembles the outfit worn by the Siths."

Kalip frowned.

"Are you suggesting that Trevor Matrik might be a Dark Lord?" He asked.

"I don't know, Kalip, but doing research as an historian I have seen many holographic images of Sith lords and they all have one thing in common. A long dark cloak with cowl that shields their face almost completely."

"Excellent, Valann. We must keep your remark in mind. It's known that Trevor Matrik has been a favorite of emperor Palpatine. It is not unlikely that he has adopted some knowledge from the emperor," Jerno said.

"Impossible, Jerno," Kalip said, "The emperor favored Darth Vader who had become a Sith Lord under his tutelage."

"Kalip, emperor Palpatine had many tricks on his sleeve. He was a suspicious man and so was his helper Darth Vader. There always have been many rumors that although Vader behaved submissively, the emperor suspected him of following his own ideas. The emperor assigned Trevor Matrik to Morantan's staff. Why? To keep an eye on Darth Vader? Had the admiral been ordered to report to Palpatine what was going on on Morantan. How did the emperor learn that Darth Vader was teaching his daughter the Sith lore? And I can name many more questions which never have been answered yet. Let's await Doran Whain's further report on board the Basilisæa. He is doing very well."

"I fully agree, Jerno," Valann said, "We certainly have sent the right man to do this job."

"We must reward him after he had made the mission a success. What about a promotion?" Kalip suggested.

Jerno laughed.

"I will think about your suggestion, Kalip. I agree that the Provisional Coruscant Council has to show her respect towards him."

"We want a separate booth and a good meal." Luke said to the man behind the bar.

The man grunted something and pointed to a booth in the far corner of the cantina. Luke nodded and took Liane with him.

"It's still the same," Liane whispered.

"It's always like this. Here come our meals. Thank you, and please let no one disturb us."

Again a grunt and the waiter grabbed the few coins Luke placed on the table.

"Here I met Han Solo," Liane whispered, "It's really a pity I didn't know anything about his relation with Leia that first time.

"But even if I had known about it, I wouldn't have remembered it," She added mockingly.

"It also wouldn't have changed much, I guess," Luke said, "Yarnick told me that your question clearly annoyed Han."

"He was blunt, impolite and he scared me off, when I asked him about Leia. I didn't dare to say another word after his rude outburst. It's difficult to understand that Leia loves a guy like him, that much."

"Han is a great guy, a real pal," Luke said, defending his old friend, "He saved my life several times. You must try to see past his rude manners. He is not what he pretends to be: selfish, arrogant and rude."

They were silent for awhile. Again Liane had to admit that Wuher's cantina was a rough place, where you had to be on your guard almost every minute, but his meals were of excellent quality, sober but nutritious.

"What kind of meat is this, Luke?"

"Womprat. A rodent."

"Tastes good," Liane said picking another piece from her plate.

"It's probably a young one. Wuher must have good relations to get the young ones."

"Why?"

"The elder animals are fierce fighters and defend their nests against poachers. You can't shoot the young, for the nests are hidden deep in the mountain. You have to track ...

Before he could finish his sentence; loud utter shouts, grunts and howls interrupted his last sentence, followed by the stumbling noise of fallen chairs, tables and bodies.

Although Luke had been on his guard; he hadn't noticed the two-meter tall hairy creature that had been watching them from the shadows in one of the opposite booths. The enormous beast was now running in their direction, swaying with his long hairy arms, while making scaring wild gestures and terrible noises. When the creature had reached their table it wrapped his huge arms around Luke and lifted him from his seat. Liane let out a scream, and tumbled of her seat as the creature pushed her aside. She tried to get hold of the blaster Luke had given her, but suddenly she heard Luke call out delighted and joyful.

"Chewbacca! Oh boy, old pal, it's you. What a surprise? My goodness, pal, it's such a long time ago. Is Han here too?"

Liane scrambled to her feet and sat down again, watching the gestures, grunts and growls of the enormous Wookiee Chewbacca. She patiently waited for Luke to introduce her and explain to her what Chewbacca was telling him. She felt a strange curiosity to know what the two old friends were talking about. Suddenly she caught a glimpse of Luke's face. He didn't seem to feel his former delight anymore. Instead he looked very serious now and he seemed impressed by the long story of his old friend. Finally he turned to Liane. He quickly introduced her to Chewbacca.

"Chewbacca is Han's co-pilot and life long friend. He has told me that he has just arrived with the Millennium Falcon. Han is laying in the medic bay of the ship. He was wounded four months ago in a fight with some of their rivals. It wasn't a severe wound and it has already healed, but Han is still unconscious. The past months Chewie has been looking for medical care on all known planets in the Outer Rim, but so far no medic droid could achieve some kind of recovery. Those droids have tried everything. Even a Bacta treatment hasn't worked. Liane, I'm going to the Falcon with Chewie. Maybe I can help Han."

"I'm coming with you," Liane said and put her plate aside. Her hunger and appetite had vanished. Luke went over to the bar and paid for their meals.

A speeder rushed through the Endor forest. Ian Tydon drove at high speed following Leia's directions.

"We're almost there, slow down, Ian," she shouted above the roar of the engine.

Ian hit the brake and lowered the speed.

"That's much better, master Tydon," Threepio said from the back.

Leia smiled. She knew the droid's aversion against high speed driving.

"Turn left behind that big tree in front of us," She said and watched the navi display of the vehicle, "Now turn off the engine. From here we go further on foot."

Ian stopped the vehicle and was about to jump out of it, when a harsh voice said, "SURRENDER, YOU TWO, AND HAND ME THAT SPEEDER!"

Ian somersaulted and landed next to Leia who had already ignited her lightsaber. He also ignited his lightsaber and looked at their opponents. There were four of them. One of them had drawn a blaster and fired, but the weapon backfired.

"GET THAT SPEEDER!" the first speaker yelled to his companions and the four men closed in. Leia made a slight gesture to her padawan and at the right moment they jumped to the lower branches of one of the trees.

"GET BACK INTO THE SPEEDER, IAN, AND SAVE THREEPIO. ENTRANCE TO THE VILLAGE IS RIGHT IN FRONT."

Ian jumped, landed on the speeder's driver seat, regained his balance and ignited the speeder's engine in one flawless movement. He immediately hit the accelerator.

"AFTER HIM, GET THAT SPEEDER," the harsh voice shouted, but Ian was already out of reach. He looked in front of him and saw a dark tunnel of branches and bushes.

'I seem to have found the entrance, master, he said.

Almost immediately he heard Leia voice.

'Slow down a bit. I'm already right above you. Keep on driving. They are still following us. Fly a bit higher. Steady.' Leia answered the same way as his

Ian looked aside and saw Leia jump from the branch he just passed.

"Great," he said and increased the speed again.

"Thanks," Leia said and turned to Threepio, "Feeling alright, Threepio."

The golden droid held both arms high as to protect his head.

"Oh, my, oh, my," he whimpered.

"Nothing has happened to you, so relax, Threepio," Leia continued.

They rushed on through the long dark tunnel of branches.

'These bushes haven't grown in this particular shape, have they?' Ian remarked.

'No, the Ewoks created this tunnel as a secret backdoor to their village. Mind the steep turn at the end of the tunnel. There's it is,' Leia said.

"Hold on," Ian answered.

He braked, turned the wheel and wanted to increase the speed.

Leia laughed.

"You may drive much slower now, my young padawan. Those attackers won't follow us here. If you're allowed to enter the tunnel this far you have been recognized as a friend."

"Where do these guys come from? Could they have anything to do with Liane? Are they holding her hostage?"

Leia shook her head.

"Haven't you noticed something peculiar about them, Ian."

"They looked very untidy; their uniforms looked worn out."

"Good, anything else you have noticed."

Ian recalled the situation of the attack.

"They didn't carry any proper weapons. The one they used backfired, it malfunctioned."

"Excellent. These men have been roaming the forest for some time. They have lost their weapons. I think we'll get our answers from Chirpa and Logray. Now stop, but stay in the speeder, we're are being watched from above. Threepio, tell them..."

A loud cheer interrupted Leia's words. Some twenty cheering Ewoks had entered the tunnel and were dancing around the speeder. Ian looked amazed and then he started to laugh, "I didn't expect this kind of welcome, master."

"We can get out now safely, Ian. Threepio, salute them officially."

"Haddo kano suna miko. Kano diddo tama nuwa. Tena mina Leia edo maza Ian." Threepio said.

['Mistress Leia and master Ian are very glad to be with you again and appreciate your warm welcome.']

"Haddo kami kuma dodo Chirpa" a loud voice shouted from the back of the crowd.

['We will accompany you to chief Chirpa']

"Teebo! You're fully recovered." Leia exclaimed and left the speeder.

The brown grayish little bear jumped for joy and somersaulted twice.

" Aay-lee kama sua kemo. Mido kana duda sizo keno edo tala mido tama dua. Aay-lee dini halo sue ina." the little bear said.

"Mistress Leia, Teebo is saying that Eilidh has wonderful healing hands. He is better, because she took care of him and showed him he wouldn't die. His wound has healed. No more pain. Eilidh has healed his wound, " Threepio quickly translated.

Leia looked at Ian.

"That's what I have been trying to explain to you, master, on board the Tychorion. Liane let Yarmod and me enter the tree house where she was helping Teebo and several other wounded Ewoks. She used the Force to heal them. Yarmod and I saw, how she put her hands over Teebo's terrible wound, and as she did it looked, as if the damaged tissue began to repair itself. You told me once about Force Shield Healing. I think that's what I saw her doing. We also felt how she seemed to absorb his pain, and under the gentle pressure of her hands he relaxed and fell asleep. Take care in the same way of one of the other wounded bears she called up amazing imaged of the bear's future. While she penetrated its mind she showed those images to him. I wonder if all the Ewoks have recovered."

"You can ask them," Leia said, "Threepio can translate you question?"

Ian addressed Teebo.

"Teebo, I saw you after you had been so severely wounded. You have recovered, I'm so glad. But there were six others. What happened to them?"

"Teebo, miko tana kudo toma dua. Kama dido meko, miko tana. Kema tuno deno teko. Tana kama nuda?" Threepio translated Ian's question.

"Kino kana. Aay-lee kala tuno. Kama dido Chirpa kemo nido pala." Teebo said with a loud cheer and grab them both their hands.

"No one is sick anymore. Eilidh cured them all. Now we're going to Chirpa and celebrate," Threepio translated Teebo's answer.

Five little bears pulled Leia's cloak. She started to laugh and beckoned Ian to leave the speeder.

"It's always the same with these tree bears. They use every opportunity to celebrate. Let's hope we'll be able to ask their leaders what has happened here and where Liane and my brother are, but I think I already know the answer."

"You mean, Liane and master Luke aren't on Endor anymore and they have left together? Are you sure?" Ian said.

Leia nodded.

"Yes, Luke has taken Liane to another place. The question now is, where has he gone with her?"

"So our trip is in vain. We won't find them here?"

"Not in vain, my young padawan. We have discovered a lot, don't you think. It's quite reassuring to know that Luke is still protecting Liane, but what about these rogues? When did they arrive, and why? How many are roaming the forest. I'm convinced that Chirpa and his fellow Ewoks know a lot more about them."

"Don't deviate from your present course. We have you on our scopes," A commanding voice said, "Who are you and where do you come from?"

Rand Phylotar stiffened when he recognized the voice. Commander Antilles, Jedi Knight and friend of those Skywalkers. How had they recognized this ship?

"Who are you and where do you from?" The voice repeated and continued, "Tell us your destination?"

No they hadn't recognized him. They really didn't know who he was. He could exploit that.

"I'm on my way to Tropass," Rand said using a voice transformer.

For a moment the infocom was silent. Then the commanding voice of Wedge Antilles returned.

"Welcome back in Wegoyy's orbit, captain Phylotar. We have you on our scopes. One wrong move and my men may fire. Follow us. You're under surveillance of my squadron."

"I don't need any escort nor surveillance, commander, I'm familiar with the landing procedures of this planet." Rand Phylotar answered, frantically searching the ship's log for a possibility to get back into hyperspace. Suddenly his ship shuddered. A tracking beam! What was going on?

Then Rand Phylotar saw the shape of the New Republic frigate Tychorion. He was trapped!

"Captain Phylotar, we're pulling you in. Turn down your engines, or you will blow up the engines of your ship."

"Shutting down," Rand answered, as he realized that at the moment he had been defeated. He did some quick thinking. If he would tell that Jedi Antilles, what had happened to him on Palomintar Four, perhaps he could persuaded him and general Madine to invaded the planet and capture the weird dark person.

Quickly the Tychorion pulled Rand Phylotar's ship in their transport bay. The bay door shut and some twenty armed soldiers ran over to the ship.

"Open up, captain," a stern voice said.

Rand Phylotar rose, straightened his uniform and walked over to the ramp. He pressed the controls and the ramp went down, but even before the ramp had stopped, twelve soldiers jumped up the ramp and ran into the ship with their weapons on standby. They aimed them at Rand Phylotar.

"You're under arrest, captain," a stern voice said again.

The ramp had hit the floor and a high ranking officer walked up the ramp.

"Welcome on board the Tychorion, captain. You will be brought to our cell bay. You have escaped from our federal prison on Dalmaran, stolen a federal fighter and you have contacted our enemies."

"I deny the accusations. I was kidnapped, general. I was taken prisoner," Rand Phylotar said haughty, "I was brought against my will to the shelter of a new common enemy. "

"You can tell that to the Supreme Chancellor and our High Court, captain. We'll bring you back to Dalmaran. Will you please, hand over your distinctions. You're degraded, you're no longer an officer in the New Republic's force. "

Rand Phylotar tried to break free, but the twelve armed federal soldiers their weapons at the former officer and pushed him away.

Luke and Liane, with Chewbacca in the lead, had left the cantina in a hurry and were running now through the old center of Mos Eisley to one of the older docking bays. The Wookiee was constantly grunting loud howls, expressing the hope he felt, now that he had found his old friend back. The entrance door of the old docking bay was open and through the dark entrance Liane saw a worn out disk shaped space ship. Its shape resembled the Grannd Traveler with which she had traveled with Yarnick and his brothers. The ramp was down and Luke and Chewbacca hurried inside the ship. Liane followed but slowed down her pace. She suddenly felt how strange feelings of enormous weariness, sadness and remorse began to surround her. Those feelings seemed to penetrate her body and her eyesight became blurry and out of focus. She had to steady herself against one of the ramp's pylons. The feelings seemed to ceased, but she still felt surrounded by an enormous wave of regret. She looked around and stretched out to the Force. Then she heard a whispering voice, "Leia, my sweetheart, please forgive me. Leia were are you?"

Slowly she walked up the ramp and entered the space ship. The weariness returned, as did the feelings of sadness and remorse. It was as if those feelings were engulfing her. She nearly stumbled and covered her face with her hands. Again she heard the whispering voice, "Leia, my sweetheart, please forgive me. Leia were are you?"

Again the feelings ceased. She got back on her feet and heard Luke's voice and Chewbacca's howls and grunts. She walked in the direction of their voices, and got herself in the doorway of a narrow alcove, where on a couch the body of Han Solo lay stretched. She immediately recognized the lean figure of the space captain. Slowly she stepped inside the alcove, watching the series of tubes and small vials that connected the deadly pale figure to the life support system of the Millennium Falcon. Immediately she noticed the helpless expression on Luke's face.

"I can't be help him," She heard him whisper inaudible, "I can't reach him through the Force. I have not enough knowledge to wake him up."

Chewbacca was grunting and howling softer. The big Wookiee had sunk on his knees near the almost motionless body of his friend. Silently Liane stood between Luke and the big Wookiee. The howls and the grunt of the Wookiee were no more than a soft whimper, expressing the pain the big humanoid felt for his lifelong friend.

Luke was watching at the seemingly lifeless body of his old pal and friend. He felt desperate. This pale, almost transparent face didn't resemble Han's cynical features. How could he possibly tell Leia what had become of Han? Helplessly he clenched his fists and looked down at Han once again. He felt dismay and an overwhelming helplessness, despite all his Force knowledge as a Jedi. Suddenly he felt how Liane grabbed his arm. He turned and saw her face had gotten the same pale expression as Han's.

"Liane, What's wrong with you? Liane!"

He grabbed her shoulders to prevent she would pass out. Liane placed her hands around his wrists.

"He is asking Leia to forgive him. He asking where she is," She gasped.

"Liane, what are you talking about? What's the matter with you?"

Worried Luke pulled her tighter to him, but she regained her strength and looked at him.

"Han is looking for Leia. He is calling her name over and over again. He asks her to forgive him. Haven't you heard his pleas, Luke?"

Luke shook his head.

"I didn't hear anything. What happened to you, Liane? You nearly passed out. Are you feeling ill?"

"I feel his pain. He is suffering. I heard him calling out Leia's name, begging her forgiveness. He is looking for her. He wants to get back to her, but he doesn't seem to know anymore where he has to look for her. He feels lost. There's so much sadness and remorse inside his mind. I have to help him, Luke, I can't let him suffer. Let me talk to him, like I did with Teebo."

"Han's a human being. The Ewoks are a much simpler life-form, Liane. I wonder if your Force powers will be sufficient to help him."

"I have to help him, Luke," She said determinedly, "I need to help him my way. I know I can do that. I have helped you, when you didn't know how to cope with the painful losses of your past."

"I allowed you to help me," Luke objected.

"I know, you did, but I can't leave your friend suffering. I felt his pain almost immediately when I entered this ship."

Liane walked over to the top of the couch. Her gaze looked around the room and she saw a high stool in the corner near the entrance.

"Could you bring me that high stool, please. I need something to sit."

Luke brought her the stool. Liane sat down and placed her hands around Han's head in a soft gesture.

The Wookiee looked up and started to howl in protest.

"Please, Luke, will you ask him to be quiet and tell him I won't do any harm to Han. Maybe it's better if you both leave me alone for a while," She said, and bowed her head to Han's face.

Luke beckoned Chewbacca and whispered in a low voice what Liane had requested. The Wookiee looked in Liane's direction and howled again.

"Come with me, Chewbacca. You can trust her. She can use the Force's healing powers in a much greater way than me. Maybe there is a chance that she can help Han."

With a last look at Han Chewbacca followed Luke to the flight control room of the Millennium Falcon. There the Wookiee told his Jedi friend the complete story of the fight and his search for help as Han's recovery didn't show any progress.

"So, they have left together," Leia said, after a long story of chief Chirpa and Threepio's translation.

The three days after their arrival had been filled with all kind of celebration festivities with huge bonfires and many stories of the recovered Ewoks. Especially those stories piqued Ian's interest, while Leia concentrated on the second raid at the village. Chirpa and Logray had explained how Liane had left the village unseen and how Luke had join her at the north ridge where they both had said goodbye and went back to the space port. Leia and Ian felt a great relief that Luke had left Endor, taking Liane with him, but Leia also expressed her worries about the twelve armed men who had found the location of the Ewok village.

"Hado kano gizo dana, kuno sino figo Aay-lee?" Threepio said.

The golden droid listened carefully to the story of Wingret. Then he turned to Leia and Ian.

"Wingret and his fellow Ewoks have brought those men deep into the forest at a great distance from the village. Each man separately. Chirpa had disarmed them first and they were blindfolded, so they shouldn't be able to find the village again."

"They seem to have found your hidden entrance and it's worse," Leia said a bit worried, "They have regrouped. Threepio, asked them if they aren't worried that the men will attack the village again."

Threepio addressed Chirpa and the other members of the Ewok council. Again Wingret answered.

"Kano tana moko. Sodi lana kama miko, tune sudo kewi. Lada tima noa. Kiko!"

"Not all the men are still alive, he says. They have found the remains of four of the men. They've fallen victim to the condor dragon."

"What's a condor dragon?" Ian asked.

"A flying lizard about the size of a small space ship, master Ian," Threepio answered immediately, "They are very dangerous predators."

"You seem to have met them, Threepio," Ian said, when he heard the disgust and the fear in the droid's voice.

"Oh, no, master Ian, not me. Good heavens, no. I only heard the Ewoks talk about them. They fear them."

"What about the other men. How many were there?" Leia asked.

Threepio translated.

"Wingret said, there were twelve men."

"So there are eight men left, and four of them are roaming the forest together. Threepio, asked Wingret and Chirpa, if they could recapture those eight men and hold them in captivity." Leia said.

Leia's request released a lot of talking among the council of the wisest. Some of the members were clearly upset.

"Threepio, tell them it will be only for a short time. I will send a detachment to pick them up and bring them to Irithim. Tell them, that I fear for the safety of this village as long as those men are free."

"Haddo kano sano miko. Tedo mika Leia dida lizu edo jino Yeura. Leia miko dano kyno tano!" Threepio said.

"Kano miko sino Leia modo. Kano haddo kana miko." Chirpa answered.

"They thank you, mistress Leia, for your concern and your offer, but they keep a constant watch on those men. They are sure, that they can deal with those men themselves."

"I will warn the government anyway, when I'm back in Irithim," Leia said.

She turned to Ian.

"We know enough, don't you think so, my young padawan."

"Yes, master, I'm glad master Luke and Liane have left together. It's a pity that master Luke hasn't mentioned his destination. Can't you reach him and ask him where he is?"

Leia shook her head

"It's better if I leave it up to Luke to contact me. I think my brother deliberately is keeping his destination secret, my young padawan, or maybe he hasn't made up his mind when he left Endor with Liane. In that case he has chosen his destination after their departure. We must find out who is behind this second attempt to kidnap Liane. Commander Dendicott and his men are in detention, so there is another person who is interested in her. It could be that person you've seen in your Force vision. We need a closer look at this matter and do some more investigation. Let's get back to the space port. I also need to warn Mon Mothma about the situation here. "

While Luke was listening to Chewbacca's story, Liane surrounded Han with her Force healing powers. Gently she used the Force to ease the turmoil of the desperate thoughts that whirled through his mind. Those whirling thoughts began to fill her mind. Images of strange worlds and events flashed along at an incredible speed. the Force showed her many of Han's dangerous adventures and she met some women who had been his companions every now and then. Among this jumble of images she began to hear a loud moaning voice, a voice full of sadness, remorse, weariness and despair. At last the moaning voice completely filled her mind. She began to hear every word of the sentence, she had picked up partially, after she entered the Millennium Falcon.

"Leia, my love! Leia, where are you! Please, forgive me, my love. I was wrong. Leia, please come back! Help me! Help me, Leia, please, I want to have you with me! Help me! Forgive me what I said to you! I didn't want to hurt your feelings. Please, forgive me."

Gently Liane pressed Han's forehead with her thumbs and placed her fingers at his temples She now fully concentrated on the Force and like she had done to help Teebo and the other Ewoks some new images entered her mind. She saw Han carrying a young girl on his arm. The little girl had put her arms around his neck and giggled as he kissed on her nose. The little girl pointed at another person and Liane saw Leia. She was pregnant again, and Han put his free arm around her and drew her close to him. For some minutes Liane watched the images of a happy Han and Leia with their family, then she bowed her head to his face.

"Han Solo, if you can hear me, you should listen to me," She whispered in her soft, low Force voice, "Han, please, listen to me? I have heard the sad words you're constantly moaning and I understand their meaning. I also have felt the pain those words cause. Listen Han, listen to what I'm going to tell you. Leia is waiting for you at Irithim on Dalmaran. She still loves you. She has forgiven you. She wants you to return to her, so she will be reunited with you. Stop blaming yourself for what went wrong, stop seeking the answers for your pain in what has happened in the past. Stop this endless circle of despair."

She felt a tremor in his mind and for a short moment the whirl of painful memories stopped. Han seemed to have noticed her soft message.

"Han Solo, you need help to find Leia Organa, don't you? I can help you to find her again."

Once more Han's body trembled, he was definitely listening.

"Leia, is that you? Leia, my love, hear me, darling, forgive me, please. Help me to get out of this dark maze! I have been looking for you everywhere, Leia, where are you? Sometimes I think I see you, but as I reach out to you, your apparition vanishes. Don't go away this time, Leia! Stay with me! I need you, my love, I need you so much!"

Liane tightened the pressure of her fingers around his head. Her body started to ached again as she now clearly became one with the his great pain: his desperate search for Leia Organa, his remorse about what had separated them, and his desperate screams for her love.

Her eyesight became out of focus again. A gulf of nauseating pain made it very difficult to keep her balance on the high stool, but she managed to keep her hands firmly around Han's head. The pain ceased again.

"I want to help you, Han, so you can find Leia again."

She felt Han's pain again, but the Force began to help her to ease his mind with soft penetrating feelings of comfort and compassion which she easily could pass on to him.

"Who are you?" Han suspiciously asked suddenly.

She almost let out a joyful scream. Han was responding to her presence in his mind. Now she could help him to find rest and start his healing process.

"I'm a friend," She whispered, still using her soft Force voice, "I want you to relax and ease your mind. I will support your attempts to relax and help you to ease your mind. I will help you to find Leia."

"Who you are? Go away! All I want is Leia, my only love. Leia, my darling, where are you?" Han moaned half aloud.

Because Han began to resist her soft penetration of his mind, Liane withdrew and only wrapped him in a comforting and relaxing feeling, like she had done while helping Luke. She still saw the images of Han's happy family through the Force, but intuitively she knew that it would be too early to pass these image to him. Han wasn't yet ready to accept a new future, as long as he was wrestling with the dark memories of his past, so she only concentrated on putting his mind at ease.

Over and over again she repeated her words, speaking slower, softer and with more emphasis each time, until her voice was almost inaudible.

"Relax, Han, Feel how my voice is putting your mind at ease, don't linger on old memories. You still love Leia, I can feel that, and you feel remorse about what happened. What has happened between Leia and you, has become a burden of shame. Those feelings of shame, regret, and remorse are blocking the way out of the endless spiral of disturbing thoughts. Stop feeling ashamed about what happened, Han, imagine how happy you would feel if you would be united again with Leia. If you let go of the burden which is troubling you, you will find Leia again. You can make that happen, but only, if you put your mind at ease, if you surrender yourself to my voice, and accept the help I want to give you."

More and more she felt how her strong Force use influenced Han's tenacious and stubborn resistance to her influence on his mind, and it took her quite a while before she felt that he surrendered a little bit to the growing feelings of comfort, compassion and relaxation she passed to his mind. After having repeated her soft message again and again, she opened her eyes, carefully withdrawing her hands, and looking at the face of Luke's friend. Gingerly she brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. The color of Han's face had changed dramatically. The bleak transparent glow had vanished. His breathing was more regularly, quieter, and less superficial. She had been able to bring him in a deep Force healing sleep. He had listen to her voice, and, if she could reach him again, he probably would accept her way of help. She was now certain, that she could help him to wake up, and recover.

"Sleep well, Han, and may the Force be with you," She whispered, before she left the alcove.

For a moment she contemplated on what she had done, then she heard voices; Luke's calm voice and the grunts and howls of the Wookiee. She left the medic bay and walked in the direction of those voices. Suddenly she found herself in the flight control center of the Millennium Falcon. Abruptly the voices stopped and Liane noticed a worried look in Luke's eyes. He rose, took her arm, and carefully brought her to one of the couches.

"Feeling alright, Liane. Sit down."

Thankfully she sank down on the couch. She looked around.

"Can I have a drink?" she asked in a whisper.

"Certainly. Chewbacca, are the fresh water tanks filled? "

Chewbacca grunted an affirmative and jumped to his feet, filling the control room with his enormous body. He hurried away and returned with glasses and carafe filled with crystal clear water. Luke poured a drink and handed it to Liane. With a grateful smile she took the glass in both hands and slowly sipped the drink. Luke and Chewbacca watched her in silence. At last Liane noticed their gazes. She put the glass on the round table and sat upright.

"Han has fallen asleep. At last. He must have been completely exhausted. He probably hasn't slept since he got wounded in that fight. He constantly has been seeking help from the only one he loves: your sister, Luke. Why he is feeling so disillusioned and ashamed, isn't clear to me yet. I want to ask him to tell me more the next time. You can have a look, but be silent and don't disturb him."

"You really have spoken to him?" Luke asked and looked at her in amazement.

Liane nodded.

"Almost from the moment I entered this space craft his remorseful moans filled my mind. I have listened for awhile to those pleas, and I have seen many images of his turbulent adventurous past. I also have seen some beautiful images of his future, but I haven't passed those images to him yet, for he wouldn't believe that those images the Force has shown me, are what he's dreaming of. For the time being I only will help him to ease his mind and feel more comfortable, like I did when I helped you. Luke, I'm absolutely certain that the images the Force has shown me are Han's future. He will be reunited with Leia, but it will take some time to convince him that there is a future with her for him, so I might show him what I have seen. I have offered him my help, and although I felt his skepticism and resistance, I could bring him in a deep healing sleep influenced by the Force. He sleeps now, and that will be a first beginning of his recovery."

Chewbacca, who had impatiently listened to Liane's explanation, jumped to his feet again and rushed over to the medic bay.

"Be quiet, please," Liane sighed. Luke watched her in admiration, recalling his own moment when she had used the Force to ease the painful memories of his past, like once her mother must have been doing in the Jedi temple on Coruscant to ease the mind of wounded men and women from all over the galaxy.

"You'd better take some rest now, Liane. You've been busy for hours. I'll be right back."

He rose and left the flight control room. He went over to the medic bay, where Chewbacca stood near the couch, watching Han's calm regular breathing. The Wookiee released some soft joyful grunts when he saw Luke. Luke looked at Han's face and saw the tremendous change. Liane was right; Han was asleep! Fast asleep it seemed. What would happen next? Would he wake up after this sleep? Luke placed his fingers over Han's face and turned inward. He felt the strong healing influence of the Force which penetrated his friend's body, helping him to start his recovery. For some moments Luke listened to the unheard and unseen messages that reached him through the Force.

"What do you think, Master Luke?" The soft voice of Liane asked him.

Luke took his hand away and turned around.

"Liane, shouldn't you rest?"

She shook her head.

"I will do that later. What do you think, Luke? You're so much stronger with the Force than I am."

All of a sudden Chewbacca wrapped his hairy arms around Liane. He hugged her, lifting her from the ground in his arms, while he grunted his loud gratitude.

"Hush, don't do this. Put me down, please. Let your friend sleep for as long as possible. I understand you want to thank me, but Han needs a lot more of help. Luke, can we come back here, as long as we have to stay on Tatooine due to those galactic storms, maybe even longer?"

"That's no problem, Liane. Chewie has told me, that he intents to find one of their old trading pals here. The guy's family runs a medic center on one of the planets in the core system of Nosanian, but like us Chewie can't lift off at the moment."

Liane frowned and said a bit snappy, "Tell your friend, that Han's problem can't be cured in any medic center as long as Han hasn't find a way to cope with his overpowering feelings of shame, regret and remorse about what has happened between Leia and him. Those all-dominating emotions are blocking the way to his recovery. I can help Han to relax, put his mind at ease, and if he is willing to trust me I can show him the images of his future which the Force has shown me already. It won't do Han any good, if your friend leaves Tatooine after those galactic storms have ceased, as long as Han hasn't regained his consciousness."

Chewbacca grunted a long sentence and wrapped his arm around Liane's shoulder. A bit annoyed she look up.

"What is he saying, Luke?" She asked still frowning.

"Chewie says, that he will stay on Tatooine as long as you are helping Han, Liane. He says, that he feels that your help will do good to Han. He trust you, and agrees with your way of help," Luke answered.

Liane relaxed and looked at the hairy humanoid who seemed to have strong gentle feelings for his friend.

"Luke, maybe we should take Han to our apartment. It would be much easier for me help him there. It's a beautiful place which probably will help Han's recovery."

For a moment Luke considered Liane's proposal, then he shook his head.

"I agree that it's a wonderful place, but I have to object, Liane."

Again Liane looked annoyed, "What's the problem, Luke? Will that humanoid at the office desk object."

"He might, but that's a minor problem. No, I'm objecting against your plan, because Han is connected now to the life support system of the Falcon. Those tubes and vials you have seen, are supporting his metabolism and condition. Besides I also was thinking of you, Liane. Maybe we should reconsider Chewie's original plan, for that isn't as odd as it seems. If we could transport Han to a medical center the medic droids could take better care of his physical condition. I mean, they also could gives better nourishment of some kind."

"But those medic droids won't accept my way of help," Liane protested.

"They can and they will, Liane, with the use of the Force," Luke said smiling, "It's also advantages that those droids will keep an eye on your health too."

"I can take care of myself," Liane snapped.

"You certainly can, but I have seen on Endor that your way to use the Force as a healer is exhausting you. You need food and drinks at regular interval, and you need to take long moments to rest. Those medic droids take care of Han while you take a nap or having a meal."

Again Liane wanted to make a snappy remark, but Luke raised his hand, before she could say anything more.

"Liane, helping the Ewoks nearly put you on the brink of exhaustion. After we landed on Tatooine you almost needed a standard week to recover. Han is a human being. You've never used the Force as a healer before this way. You've just told us, that Han is resisting your way of help. Be reasonable. You know I'm worried about you and the way you are using the Force as a healer."

Liane made an slight attempt to protest, but she considered his words and nodded in agreement.

"I agree, but only if you can convince those medic droids that I only need proper meals and drinks. I don't want to be under any medic surveillance and be controlled by droids day in, day out."

Luke laughed and Chewbacca let out a loud series of howls. Luke laughed louder.

"Chewbacca says, he will handle those medic droids."

Liane gave the Wookiee a slight smile. Luke had been constantly watching Liane during their discussion. He was aware that she was constantly using her Force skills to know if Han was still asleep.

"So I'd better help Han here in this ship and you and your friend are going to inquiry if there is a way to take Han to the Mos Eisley medical center."

"Liane..." Luke hesitated, "There is no medic center in Mos Eisley."

"No medic center. And what about Tatooine's inhabitants, don't they ever need some kind of medical treatment!"

"Of course they do sometimes, but most inhabitants can treat injuries themselves. We are looking for a special equipped medic center with sophisticated medic droids. The nearest planet with the medic center in the Outer Rim region is in Ktafunda in the Palomintar System and you and I certainly shouldn't show up in that system, if you take my meaning."

Luke took Liane back to control room. Chewbacca followed them. After some moments Luke rose and grabbed his cloak.

"Listen. You and Chewbacca stay here in the Falcon with Han. I'm going back to our apartment and get information about all the planets with a well equipped medic center in this part of the galaxy. I'll also check the information about the path of the galactic turbulence and see which of those planets we can reach safely."

Liane nodded. Luke fastened his Jedi cloak and went over to exit of the Millennium Falcon, but he returned, sat himself next to Liane and put his hands on her shoulders. He looked into her eyes.

"Are you sure you want to help Han your way?" He asked seriously.

"Luke, I've promised Han my help," Liane said determined.

"I understand. May the Force be with you, Liane. I'll be back as soon as possible."