Chapter 29
alip looked at the incoming message on his display.
"Went into hyperspace about an standard hour ago. Destination: Endor, forest moon. Connection with Quoith is instable. Connection with Basilisæa might fail."
Kalip immediately rose and hurried through the building to Jerno's office. His co-leader was just escorting a delegation of the trade union to the elevator. Kalip made a special gesture with his hand. Jerno nodded.
"I'll escort our visitors back to their ship. I'll be right back."
Kalip entered Jerno's office and walked over the large windows that looked out on the governmental and administrative area of Coruscant which had been restored to its former glory, but Kalip didn't noticed the splendor of the new architecture. His thoughts were occupied with the alarming message he had received via Quoith.
As Jerno came back he silently handed him the data pad with the message.
"Why did the Basilisæa set course to Endor? How much time is needed to reach Endor through hyperspace from the Palomintar System?" Jerno asked.
"And why did admiral Vestor leave his position in the Outer Rim?" Kalip commented.
"Probably by persuasion of the person admiral Vestor has welcomed on board the Basilisæa?" Jerno mused, reading the alarming message once again.
"If our former admiral Trevor Matrik is residing on Palomintar Four and if it is him who boarded the Basilisæa, then why has admiral Vestor neglected his duties as an officer. He is fully aware of admiral Matrik's desertion. If that person is indeed admiral Trevor Matrik, admiral Vestor should have arrested him the moment he set foot on board the Basilisæa and put him in detention." Kalip said.
"One thing is clear, these two men know that the daughter of Darth Vader has been spotted on Endor. Olon Dendicott raided the planet, but got caught. Could Rand Phylotar have set up another plan to capture the woman. Our agent on the Basilisæa has mentioned the landing of a space craft which left the planet after a few hours. If Rand Phylotar has discussed a plan with our former admiral on this first visit, then it is likely that after the failure of the second attempt to capture the woman admiral Trevor Matrik probably has held Rand Phylotar accountable. Remember that our agent on Wegoyy has reported that Rand Phylotar's space ship suddenly left Tropass space port. We have to contact Irithim and ask our New Republic contact if Rand Phylotar's ship has been intercepted after our recent warning. However it now looks like that admiral Matrik has made a bold plan to go to Endor and bring the woman to Palomintar Four himself. Question is: what did he tell admiral Vestor to persuade him to make use of the Basilisæa. When will our star destroyer enter Endor's orbit?"
While they were discussing the new situation, Kalip had done some calculations about the possible time of arrival.
"If I fed the right information in our computer system, the Basilisæa will reach Endor in about four days. That will leave us enough time to get information from Irithim about the situation on Endor. Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker and the daughter of Darth Vader haven't arrived on De'olon space port yet, otherwise we would have gotten that info from our agents at Irithim. So he still might be on Endor guarding the daughter of Darth Vader."
"We better contact Irithim immediately. They probably have some answers to our questions."
Jerno immediately ask a procon contact with the New Republic agent at Irithim. The connection activated fast and at the holo display the image of their contact appeared.
"Yes, admiral?"
Quickly Jerno explained what he has heard from the Basilisæa and the assumptions Kalip and he had made about the aim of the Basilisæa's unexpected travel to Endor."
The holo image listened carefully and nodded about Jerno's concern.
"Admiral, thank you for contacting us. After your recent warning we have intercepted a space ship as it was nearing Wegoyy. The pilot has been arrested and brought to Irithim for further questioning. The Basilisæa is the concern of the Provisional Coruscant Council. The New Republic has no jurisdiction to intercept your star destroyer and question its commander. I will inform Endor space port that your star destroyer might go into orbit around the planet. I also will inform the Supreme Chancellor about the situation. I can assure you that we won't take this lightly. Endor is a member of the New Republic as you know. I suggest that you contact your star destroyer commander immediately and require a full update on the situation. "
"We certainly will do as you suggested and we're aware the responsibility for this new situation is ours, but could you confirm if Jedi Skywalker and miss Solichor have arrived on Dalmaran yet?"
"He hasn't, sir. His sister princess Leia Organa and her padawan had gotten permission from the Supreme Chancellor to visit the Ewoks. She has gone to Endor a few days ago and probably have reached the forest moon by now."
"Can you contact the princess of Alderaan and inform her about the arrival of the Basilisæa. She is a member of the High Council and your Supreme Chancellor's personal advisor, isn't she? Maybe she could get a temporary mandate to order the commander to leave."
"I certainly would love to do that, admiral, but I can only leave the commander at the space the info I got from you. There is no possibility to transmit a message to the Ewoks village"
"We would be obliged if you could inform someone who might know how to get to her, although we aren't sure that she might be able to change to situation."
The holo graphic image nodded.
"I surely will inform Endor space port and leave a message for the princess of Alderaan. If the message will reach her in time she certainly will know what to do."
"Thank your, sir, we will do our part and contact the commander of the Basilisæa as soon as possible"
The connection broke off. Jerno and Kalip looked at each other with concerned faces.
"Valann has already remarked that admiral Vestor is a very ambitious man, as did our man when he arrived on board. Kalip, see if you can establish a connection with admiral Vestor immediately. We need to know why he has left his mission at the Urervik cluster and order him to return to the Outer Rim at once."
Using the dense undergrowth of the Endor forest to protect themselves against another confrontation with their attackers Leia, Ian and Threepio returned to the Endor space port. As they were nearing the perimeter of the Endor space port, Ian steered the speeder among the lower bushes and shrubbery, and followed the fence to reach the space port main entrance. Still cautious, they kept hidden between the dense foliage, watching the hustle and bustle of the space port for a while. They enhanced their senses, using the Force, to become more aware of their environment.
Albeit Endor space port seemed a rather small port which was mainly used for for trading local products, there seemed to be some other activities too, for they noticed the landing of a very modern space shuttle which touched down in front of the space port's office buildings, in stead of using one of the docking bay that surrounded the space port.
Amazed Ian parked the space shuttle under a twisted knot of large thorny branches which grew around one of the enormous Endor trees. He ordered Threepio to stay in the speeder, before they jump on the tree's lower branches which gave a wide overview of the space port. Ian had grabbed his micro binoculars
"That shuttle has covered its identification markings, that's odd. Have a look, master," he said and handed Leia his binoculars.
Leia zoomed in on the shuttle. No movement was visible around the shuttle yet. The crew inside hadn't left the ship to report to the space port officials to give a reason for the odd landing spot, but Leia noticed that the ramp was slowly lowering, although still nobody was walking down to the platform.
"This is really odd, Ian," she said aloud, "it's normal for any space ship to ask permission to land in one of the docking bays, otherwise the space port officials may deny the landing."
All of a sudden a strange figure appeared on the ramp. The cowl of his long dark cloak had been folded backwards. Leia zoomed in again and uttered a soft cry of surprise. She looked at her padawan. Ian's facial expression had become tense.
"Who is that?" He whispered, "Master, why he isn't part of the Living Force. He is there, I see him, but I can't feel his presence through the Force. Everything else I can feel, even the shuttle, but not him."
Leia took a powerful holographic camera from her belt. She set it to maximum zoom and quickly took some images.
"That is our man, the one you have seen in your Force vision, Ian. The one who probably has attempted to kidnap Liane twice," She said.
"What do you mean?" Her padawan said nervously.
"Have a look at these images. I took several pictures of him using the highest possible magnification. Compare these with the drawing you made of the man you've seen in your Force vision."
Leia turned the display to him. Ian backed off.
"You're right, master. It is him! This is Darth Golluth. I have seen this man in that nigh... Force vision as you call it," Ian stared at the sharp outlined face.
Leia nodded and frowned, For a moment she was silent.
"Ian, if he has come to Endor himself, some one must have informed him that Liane has found a place to live on Endor." She mused.
"Commander Dendicott, or Rand Phylotar, master?" Ian suggested.
"They still are both in detention in Irithim. At least they should be, together with Rand's brother Daino," Leia answered.
"So it's this guy who has send those men we've met on our way to the Ewok village?"
"He probably has his spies who keeps him informed. Whoever has told him about Liane's whereabouts, I certainly didn't expect him to show up here personally. This very odd behavior, Ian. This could mean that he desperately is looking for the knowledge Liane has learned from my father. And you're right, my young padawan, the Force has shown us a strange phenomenon, for we can't feel his presence through the Force. It looks like he doesn't exist for the Living Force, as he isn't part of it."
"Is a Sith Lord able to make himself invisible to the Living Force?" Ian asked and shivered.
"I don't know, Ian. There aren't any tremors in the Force around him. We have to ask my brother, but I think, that Darth Golluth isn't a Sith lord at all. I remember that Luke could feel his father's presence on board the Executor while we were trying to reach Endor unnoticed. A real Sith reveals his presence through the Force too. Come on, I want to know who has been the commander of that shuttle. We'll enter the space port from the rear, before he might become aware of us."
"Can he sense our presence, master?" Ian asked
"I'm not sure. This is very odd, so we have to act very cautiously. Our ship is docked in that hidden bay to the left at the far side of the space port. I'm going to call Mon Mothma. Sorjon Tyloban surely already has informed her by now. "
They jumped down and returned to the speeder. Ian started the engine and drove to one of the entrances at the far side of the space port. While her padawan took care of the speeder and accompanied Threepio inside the ship, Leia had rushed inside and contacted the space flight tower.
"This is Leia Organa I want to speak to Raman Lengko, the commander of Endor space port?"
There was a static noise for some moments, but then the holographic image of Raman Lengko appeared.
"Your Highness, I'm very glad you're contacting us. I've got message from master Tyloban that we might expect the arrival of the Imperial Star Destroyer Basilisæa in Endor's orbit. He asked me to warn you as soon as possible. A unidentified shuttle from the Basilisæa landed without permission. The imperial destroyer went indeed into orbit around Endor some ten hours ago. The shuttle is under command of admiral Vestor who also commands that star destroyer. The commander, the pilot and an unknown passenger are the only passengers. The commander has refused to give me the name of the unknown passenger."
"What does the admiral want? Did master Tyloban send you an acknowledgement from Irithim with permission for landing?" Leia asked sharply.
"No, your highness. Master Tyloban's message was a warning, not an permit to grant a landing. Admiral Vestor has asked me permission to do some fast investigations in the Endor forest near the Ewok village."
"This planet is part of the federation of the New Republic. If Imperials set foot on it without the explicit permission of the Supreme Chancellor. The Basilisæa violates the treaty between the New Republic and the Provisionary Coruscant Council," Leia said, "Commander Lengko, I want to talk to Admiral Vestor personally. Tell him to report at your command center at once. I'll be right with there. Raman, can you record my meeting with admiral Vestor?"
"Most certainly, Your Highness," Raman Lengko said.
Leia had activated her infocom anew and made a few attempts to reach Irithim, but as there wasn't any answer forthcoming, she reached out to the Force to Wedge Antilles.
'Leia, what's wrong?'
'Where are you, Wedge?'
'Mon Mothma has sent Yarmod and me on a mission to Lumeara. Where are you'
'On Endor. I've just got a message from Sorjon Tyloban. He has informed the commander of Endor space port about the unexpected arrival of the Imperial star destroyer Basilisæa in Endor's orbit.'
'Is Luke with you?'
"No, he has left Endor some time ago'
'I can't come to Endor, Leia, there a meeting with the Lumearean leaders at hand, but I can warn general Madine. Maybe he can give you support, or contact you via procon.'
'That will take too long, Wedge. I will address the admiral as a member of the Royal House of Alderaan and a member of the High Council. I will order admiral Vestor to leave Endor's orbit at once.'
'I'll warn Irithim after the meeting.'
Their Force connection vanished.
"Did you reach master Antilles on Irithim, master? Will he come to support you?" Ian asked concerned.
"He can't. He and Yarmod are on Lumeara. He will warn the Supreme Chancellor as soon as possible. Ian, we have to avoid that that strange person starts looking for the Ewok village. If he will use some Sith power to extract information about my brother and Liane, the Ewoks won't be able to resist him. I don't know how powerful he is. Our little friends have to be protected. We're going to meet admiral Vestor of the Basilisaelig;a. I will demand him to leave Endor immediately. As soon as I have settled this matter, we will leave."
Ian looked at her.
"Master, the admiral will recognize you as a Jedi."
Leia shook her head and turned to Threepio.
"Threepio, keep the ship ready for departure. Ian, we're going to change clothes. Put on your uniform. You will escort me as my driver. "
Several moments later Leia returned from her private cabin in her official ceremonial dress, wearing the full regalia and decorations of the Royal House of Alderaan. Ian had changed his padawan outfit for his uniform of a staff sergeant
They both left the shuttle and Ian drove Leia to the command center.
"Do you expect the Basilisæa to invade Endor?"
"They wouldn't dare. That would be an act of war. "
"Be careful, master. May the Force be with you."
"Thank you, Ian. May the Force be with you. Stay with the speeder. This won't take long."
When she entered the control room the admiral of the Basilisæa whirled around. Leia sensed his confusion about her sudden arrival.
"I didn't know you where here, Your Highness."
"I wasn't, but commander Raman Lengko send me a message. I was on my way to Rasth. Your presence here, admiral, is an infringement. Endor is a member of the New Republic. I order you to leave at once," She said icily and quickly continued," Your shuttle landed without permission of the Endor officials, doesn't carry a proper identification and one of the passengers hasn't stated his name. Our forces have been warned and are underway, they can arrive any moment. I've been informed that your command ship, the star destroyer Basilisæa has illegally gone into orbit around Endor. We will open fire without warning, if you haven't left this moon on the arrival of New Republic's forces. You have no business here!""
Admiral Vestor looked at Leia a mocking, cynical grin.
"I could accuse you of overstepping your authority, your Highness," He said, "What business do you have here? You were near Rasth? As always, Your Highness, you blow your own trumpet with big words and lies. Dalmaran is more than two days away from Endor. Your ship can't bridge the gap between Endor and Dalmaran in a shorter time."
Leia stood her ground and shot back.
"Admiral, as a member of the High Council I can visit any planet which is a member of the New Republic's Senate. Commander Lengko warned me the moment the Basilisaea went into orbit, some ten hours ago. Rasth is nearly as afar away from Endor, as Dalmaran."
"You want me to believe you've have come from Rasth within ten hours. Impossible!" The admiral snarled, "Even the fastest Imperial ships can't travel at such speed through hyperspace."
"What about the technology of overdrive hyper drive traveling, admiral. I remember that Imperial scientists were trying to implement it on the second Death Star, so it could be translocate at two times light speed."
"Even if you have managed to steal that technology it wouldn't be sufficient to be here so soon."
"Maybe our scientists have improved that imperial technology. Your ship can travel with three times light speed. We're going even faster now, six to eight times and more if necessary. You'd better leave Endor, admiral, otherwise you won't have a star destroyer to command.
"Your Highness, we only want to do some minor investigation."
"We, you and the one who doesn't have stated his name. Who is he?" Leia asked haughtily.
Suddenly Commander Lengko walked into the room.
"Your Royal Highness, The New Republic frigate Tychorion is approaching Endor. General Madine want to talk to you."
"Thank you, commander Lengko," Leia answered keeping her official composure, "Could you tell the general to log the position of the imperial star destroyer Basilisæa and transmit the ship's position to Dalmaran. Could you also ask master Tyloban to inform grand admiral Jerno Thai and his co-leaders that the commander of the Basilisæa is trespassing Endor's orbit and has landed at the space port with an unidentified shuttle."
Leia turned to Admiral Vestor again.
"Admiral Vestor, I'm denying your permission to whatever business you had in mind on Endor."
"Your Highness, why are you issuing a formal complaint immediately. Couldn't we discuss this just among the two of us," Admiral Vestor said, sounding a bit nervous
"Leave, admiral, immediately. Your presence here is forbidden, you know it is. I have to report your illegal presence," Leia said with a demanding voice.
"I want to talk to my ship," Admiral Vestor snapped, "If they can't confirm the approach of the Tychorion you're bluffing."
The large screen on the opposite wall flickered and Leia saw the command center on the Basilisæa.
"Report the approach of the New Republic's Tychorion, officer," Vestor snapped.
"Nothing to report, sir, but we intercepted an official encrypted order from the ground staff on Endor that no ships are allowed to land or leave Endor. Our communication officer has cracked the code and it seems that the Tychorion indeed is approaching Endor. Could it be, sir, that the Tychorion is using the new technology of cloaked traveling. I guess, ..."
Leia chuckled imperceptibly, but kept her regal composure. Raman Lengko was supporting her action.
"I'm not interested in guesses, officer. Prepare to move the Basilisæa out of orbit the moment the shuttle has docked," Vestor snapped.
He turned to Leia.
"I will leave, just as you wanted of me, your Highness. I'm not looking for a confrontation with the New Republic."
The admiral left the building and Leia saw him walking over to shuttle.
"Can you open the frequency of the Basilisæa, Raman. I want to hear what is being said on board that ship, " She said.
Together with some of commander Lengko's trusted men they tracked the conversation between the shuttle and the officer in command on board of the Basilisæa. Leia saw the shuttle hover and vanish into space. Some minutes later they heard the confirmation of the shuttle's arrival in one of the Basilisæa's docking bays.
"The Basilisæa has started her sublight engines, commander," the officer on duty reported. He looked at the screen, "One, two, ... yes, she's gone into hyperspace."
Leia walked over to commander Lengko.
"Thank you for your excellent support, Raman," She said, sighing relieved, but also grinning.
"You're also still excellent in showing your strength and prerogatives, Your Highness. This time he left, but what about if he will come back?" Raman Lengko answered.
"He won't, Raman. If I'm right, then the message you got from master Tyloban has been communicated with him via Coruscant. I'll warn Irithim about the group of twelve men who had arrived on Endor while commodore Skywalker was carrying out a mission here? "
"I can't recall the arrival of another group of men, Your Highness. Do you know what kind of business they had?"
"They have trespassed the entrance of the Ewok village, Raman. The Ewok leader told me that they have captured the twelve men. When my staff officer and me visited the Ewoks, we were attacked by a group of four."
"They must have landed somewhere in the forest area. Traffic control can't cover all incoming and outgoing ships yet, Your Highness. We're working on it and the system has already improved much, but there are glitches and dark patches. For instance the forest around the Ewok-villages is difficult to spot."
"Those reinforcements I have asked for, Raman, have to help your men to capture the remaining rogues and put them on transport to Dalmaran."
"We certainly will do. Thank you, Your Highness."
"I want to leave immediately."
"You're all clear. You can take off whenever you want."
Leia wanted to leave, but she turned back.
"Raman, can I have a look at your logs? I want to check the readouts of the ID-cards on the day my brother left."
Raman Lengko went to a console and typed his entrance code.
"Go ahead, Your Highness. If I may ask, what are you looking for?"
"I want to make sure, if my brother really has left Endor alone, as you told me. I'm almost certain that he has taken some one with him."
"I know commodore Skywalker had a special warrant to escort a person by the name of Solichor. He has to bring her to Dalmaran, but when he left, he didn't report to me that he was taking some one with that name with him. I would have known, for he would have needed permission to take some one without an ID-card on board his space ship."
"That's right, Raman. Let me see. Yes, here's my brother entering the platform and here... Thank you, Raman, that's what I need to know," She looked up. "My brother has indeed left Endor, and he has taken my foster-sister with him."
Raman Lengko looked puzzled, but he was so wise not to ask any further questions.
Leia left the command center, went over to her padawan who drove her to the shuttle
"Make her ready for take off,Ian," she said, when they entered the ship. "We're going back to Dalmaran ."
Some twenty minutes later the shuttle with crescent of Alderaan went into hyperspace and headed back to Irithim.
Sir, we're sorry, it's impossible to transmit any messages at the moment. The galactic turbulence is blocking all our off world data traffic too," The officer on the holographic display said.
"Thank you, officer. Tell me, is it safe to leave Tatooine and set course to Rasth?" Luke asked, "I need to reach Dalmaran as fast as possible; I thought about going via Rasth."
"Difficult to say, sir. You're right, if you say that Rasth isn't in the direct flight path of the heart of the galactic turbulence, but you might still feel its influence on your ship."
"I'll have to leave. I'm going back to the space port now and report back to you as soon as I've arrived."
"Good, sir."
Luke switched off the infocom and grabbed the traveling bags on his way out. Quickly he checked out, telling the caretaker that a personal matter had prevented him from staying any longer. He left him the four days rent, he had payed in advance.
On one of the Falcon's speeders he went back to the docking bay. He put the speeder in the rear hold and walked up the ramp.
"Chewie, where are you?" He called.
The hairy Wookiee put his head around the passage to the cockpit.
"Hi, pal. Get the Falcon ready for take off. We're going to Rasth and from there to Dalmaran. I want the best possible treatment for Han, therefore I want to bring him to Dalmaran. Once in Irithim Leia also will be able to visit him, and her presence might help him to wake up. Where's Liane?"
Chewbacca grunted a long sentence.
"Fine, you'll get the ship ready and I'll first see Liane and then I will contact the tower."
Luke walked to the sick bay of the Falcon; he held his pace and stepped inside without any noise. Liane was sitting on the stool again. Her head was bowed. Luke couldn't see her face, but he felt how she was one with the Force. He reached out to her and carefully touched her mind.
'We're leaving within ten minutes. I want you to get yourself strapped in in the flight control room.'
'I'll be right with you.'
Luke left and walked back to the cockpit. There he contacted the space port tower.
"Commander Skywalker speaking."
"Go ahead, commander. We've heard you want to leave. Our ground staff can have your ship ready in half hour."
"I'm leaving with the Millennium Falcon, officer. I'll come back to Tatooine to pick up my ship. Could you ensure that my ship will be taken care off."
"Certainly, sir, no problem. When can we expect you back?"
"I'll let you know, when I have reached Dalmaran. I'm ready for take off now, can I get my clearance to leave?"
"There's no traffic at the moment, sir. You can leave any moment."
"Thank you, officer. I'll come back to you shortly."
Luke put his conversation on hold. He looked at Chewbacca.
"Ready to go, pal?"
The Wookiee let out a howl.
"I'll check on Liane. Oh, there she is. Strap yourself in, Liane. We're leaving now."
He looked concerned at Liane's tired face, but returned to the control panel and switched back to the tower.
"Millennium Falcon's asking clearance to leave."
"Falcon you've got your clearance. Have a good flight."
"Thank you. Out!"
Luke looked to his right.
"Get her out, Chewie, and set course for 576-431."
The engines of the Millennium Falcon roared and slowly the ship rose from the landing pit. The power increased and Mos Eisley fell back quickly, then the ship made a turn and headed for her new destination.
On board the Basilisæa Darth Golluth was pacing up and down the private quarters of admiral Vestor. He looked outraged.
"Vestor, why did you retreat. You had yourself be intimidated by a rebel princess." He snarled.
"This special star destroyer is the only remaining fully operational destroyer of the Imperial fleet, Matrik."
"I told you, you mustn't address me with that name, Vestor. I am Darth Golluth, or Lord Golluth if you're addressing me, and you're going to help me to get that woman, that Lady Vader, to Palomintar Four. If you quit, Vestor, I will ensure you that the Provisional Coruscant Council will be informed about your cowardice during the Battle of Jakku. Don't look surprised, Vestor, it was you who gave the order to deploy the fleet. You're responsible for the disaster that happened after the imperial fleet broke the formation. You gave the rebels the opportunity to start their attack run and destroy our ships one by one. "
Admiral Vestor looked at the enraged person in the dark cloak. The words of the man raises some fearful threatening memories.
"What is your answer, Vestor? Do you want to stay on board the Basilisæa, or do you want to be known as the traitor who has caused the devastation of the imperial fleet. It's your choice. Help me to get that woman, or risk a degradation if I inform Coruscant about what has happened under you command."
The sound of Darth Golluth's voice has become threatening.
"I have been acquitted. The Provisional Council knows exactly what happened near Jakku," admiral Vestor said. He watched his opponent with some caution and some vague ideas crossed his mind.
'So, you're calling yourself Darth Golluth, Matrik. What are you up to? Did you really do those investigations about the daughter of Darth Vader? You have adopted the first name of her father. Are you a Sith yourself, or are you seeking that knowledge? Do you want to lay your hands on Vader's daughter to make her your apprentice. Are you cheating threatening and trying to blackmail me.'
Darth Golluth raged on.
"Who told the Provisional Council, Vestor? You? Those guys weren't there when the battle became a disaster. I was, and I can tell them exactly what happened and why?"
Admiral Vestor took a deep breath, before he answered.
"Lord Golluth, it will be, if that pleases you, Matrik," he said with a haughty voice, "But let me tell you one thing straight. The Basilisæa is my ship. She is under my command and I'm not looking for a confrontation with the New Republic. While you have been hiding yourself in the Outer Rim, things have changed in many ways. The treaty between the Provisional Council and the New Republic has brought peace and changed the relation between us and our former opponent. We're no longer seeing the forces of the New Republic as our enemies. We're cooperating with them and exchange intel info."
"So that's how that senator knew the Basilisæa set course to Endor," Darth Golluth snarled.
"I told you I have been assigned to a mission near the Palomintar System and the Urervik cluster. It is not unlikely that the intelligence force on Coruscant is monitoring the position of the Basilisæa. Coruscant could have warned the intelligence force of the New Republic about the unexpected departure of this ship. "
"Are you telling me, that Coruscant is cooperating with the Rebel Alliance?"
"The New Republic government, Lord Golluth. The Rebel Alliance has established a new administration on Dalmaran. The Supreme Chancellor lady Mon Mothma is their leader."
Darth Golluth became furious.
"That traitorous rebel has made herself the leader of an illegal administration!" He almost screamed outraged.
Admiral Vestor walked over to the former admiral. His face showed a stern expression.
"The New Republic's Senate has chosen lady Mon Mothma as Supreme Chancellor, Mat... Lord Golluth! Her efforts and that of the Provisional Coruscant Council have brought peace, Lord Golluth!" He said in a loud voice, "That's what this galaxy needed. A peaceful co-existence of two former enemies who have become allies. After the Battle of Jakku, it was lady Mon Mothma who ordered the Alliance forces under her command to allow our defeated fleet to return to Coruscant. After the truce and cease fire it was her who has announced that there wouldn't be any retribution against the defeated imperial commanders and our fleet!"
After admiral Vestor's determined words Darth Golluth suddenly took another stance.
"I understand, Vestor, but nevertheless I want that Sith woman to be held in captivity on Palomintar Four for the rest of her life. I need to go back Endor and find her."
Admiral Vestor shook his head.
'I need to reassure him and tell him that I will do the searching.'
"Not at the moment, sir. We're going back to the Urervik cluster and Palomintar systen. I will give you a transport back to Palomintar Four. I will give you my word that I will put some efforts in finding the daughter of Darth Vader."
Darth Golluth grumbled under his breath.
"How can I be sure of your loyalty to the difficult task I have set myself?"
"My word of trust as an imperial officer, Lord Golluth. You're right about the danger Darth Vader's daughter poses. The Provisional Coruscant Council is of the same opinion. We should join forces."
Darth Golluth looked at admiral Vestor with some suspicion.
"Bring me back, Vestor, but I'm warning you, if you betray me I will revenge myself. So, no word to those cowards on Coruscant who think they are the new leaders, about this secret agreement."
"Your goal is mutual to them, Lord Golluth. I'm sure they will be obliged to you if your mission succeeds."
"You indeed should do the searching for me. You have a space ship. I'm only standing in the way during your investigations. It's much easier for you to let me know where she is. Maybe you can warn the re... New Republic and ask their support to capture the girl for me. You certainly can convince them that my plan to give her a life time sentence on Palomintar Four will be well accepted. Bring me back to Palomintar Four, Vestor!"
Darth Golluth turned around and withdraw to the admiral's rear quarter. Admiral Vestor watched him go.
'I shouldn't have accepted your request, Matrik, although you might be right that the woman might be dangerous to the peaceful co-existence of the Provisional Coruscant Council and the New Republic. I will send a report to Coruscant about what you have told me about her as soon as I have brought you back to Palomintar Four. That also will a good explanation why I went to Endor. ' He thought, while walking to to the command bridge, ordering his helmsman to set course for the Palomintar system.
Luke watched Liane while she was in a deep Force meditation. He was worrying about her. Since their departure from Tatooine - three day ago, she had dedicated most of her hours to wake up Han.
'Liane?'
Almost immediately Liane responded.
'Luke, don't disturb my concentration, please.'
'You look so tired, I'm getting worried.'
'I'm alright. Please, leave me.'
He got up and left. Deep in thoughts he went over to the cockpit and sat in the co-pilot's seat. Chewbacca growled a few sentences. Luke shook his head.
"No, it's so difficult to convince her, Chewie. When did she have a last proper meal? This task really takes too much of her."
The Wookiee had listen carefully to Luke words and got up. With long strides he passed the flight control room and went to the sick bay. There he uttered a long monologue of howls and grunts. Immediately Liane woke up from her Jedi trance and looked up to him. When Chewbacca noticed she was looking at him, he simply lifted her and carried her to the flight control room.
"Hey, What Are You Doing, Chewbacca. Put Me Down, You Fool. You're Disturbing My Help To Your Friend."
The Wookiee put her on the couch and covered the passageway to the medic bay with his huge body. Luke, who had heard the Wookie's comments and Liane's loud protests, entered the flight control room.
"Liane, don't get angry with Chewie. I told him, that I was concerned about you. You haven't gotten a proper meal for days. I've tried to convince you to take a long rest , and the only thing Chewie now has done, is protecting Han... and you. Chewbacca feels you're doing good to Han, but he doesn't want you to exhaust yourself. Neither do I."
Liane took a deep breath.
"You both have to understand that your friend's recovery is my only concern."
"I do understand, Liane, and so does Chewbacca. We both know that there's a good chance that Han might wake up with your help, but the way of your help is undermining your own health. You must take some moments to sleep and eat something. You may go back to Han now, but consider our words and don't be so stubborn."
Liane got to her feet and walked over to Chewbacca.
"Let me pass," She said annoyed, "I don't want to start all over again."
The Wookiee shook his huge head and grunted dangerously.
"You have promised Chewie, that you will have supper with us tonight and afterwards get some sleep."
Liane looked at Chewbacca, who looked very determined to block her return. She felt annoyed and highly irritated; she wanted to help Han and Luke and Han's friend were holding her back.
"We don't, Liane. Chewie, let her pass," Luke said, answering her thoughts, and noticing her growing irritation. He followed Liane to the sick bay.
"Liane, promise me, that you will take a meal tonight."
Liane looked at him with weary eyes.
"Luke, I have no appetite, while I'm using my Force skills to help Han."
"Don't you think, this task is too much for you. Although you can use the Force this way, you're not a fully trained Jedi, Liane."
At that moment the Millennium Falcon took an unexpected steep dive and started to roll over. Liane tried to keep her balance, but fell against the couch and bounced her head against the ceiling. Luke tried to get hold of her, but both fell on top of each other against the frame of the passage. Liane frantically started to get to her feet again. Luke got his infocom. They were still tumbling.
"Chewie, What's The Matter? What's Going On?",
A long howl came through the amplifier of the device.
"Liane, To Get To Flight Control Room. Strap On A Safety Webbing. The Falcon Is Spinning Out Of Control. We're In A Vortex! I'll Try To Get To The Cockpit."
Liane cast a last look at Han, but Luke's firm grip pushed her through the passage. Stumbling and trying to hold their balance they managed to reach the flight control room.
The Falcon was still rolling over and over and Chewbacca was grunting and growling in the cockpit. Somehow Luke managed to help Liane to get on one of the seats and strap her in. Hand over hand bracing himself against the flight console he reached the passage to the cockpit. Chewbacca grunted something.
"We'll must come out of hyperspace real quick, Chewie! Emergency stop the hyperdrive!"
The large Wookie's hands were pulling the lever. Luke managed to reach his seat and strap himself in. He reached out through the Force, looked aside to his old friend and nodded. The plasma streaks round the Falcon stopped.
"Now start the ion-engines at sublight! Full power and break away to the right."
The Millenium Falcon's ion-drive whined in a high pitched sound. The ship's plating cracked and streaks of fire from exploding circuits were scoring her hull, then the whining slowly died out.
"We're out of the vortex, but we're losing power!" Luke called out.
Chewbacca howled.
Suddenly the complete ship became pitch black and the whining of the ion-engines stopped.
"Luke, what's happening!"Liane yelled from the flight control room. She unbuckled her straps and stumbled the cockpit.
"Stay put, Liane!" Luke shouted. However, Liane had managed to reach the cockpit.
"What's happening! I don't see the stars any more. What's going on? Where are we?" Liane asked, looking through the windscreen.
"We came out of hyperspace in the middle of a cloud of space dust whirling through space in a vortex. The tiny particles are blocking the exhaust ports of the ion-drive and shut down the power," Luke commented.
Chewie jumped out of his seat.
"Get in the pilot seat, Liane, and hold her steady. I'm gonna help Chewie to get the power back on. take over. Keep the joystick straight in position."
Liane grabbed the joystick.
Luke followed Chewbacca midships of the Falcon where the Wookiee was frantically trying to push his body through a grate to reach the engine's compartment. Quickly Luke jumped after him. Chewbacca crawled through the narrow space and pushed several valves. Luke heard how the exhaust ports of the Falcon shut. He looked at the Wookiee.
"Ready!"
The Wookie nodded and grunted and went to the backup operation console.
"Let's Push Her!"
At the same moment Luke and Chewbacce pushed the four buttons on the console to start the engines. A whining was heard and died out again.
"Again! Get Her Back On, Chewie!" Luke shouted.
Again they pushed the button, but the whining of the engines didn't start.
"I'm going to shut down those rear exhaust ports too, Chewie. Let's see if we can start her anti-gravity engine to get the ion-drive up and running again!"
The Wookiee let Luke pass, while grunting an answer.
"I know it's risky, but we have to get out of this dust storm."
Luke crawled through narrow space between the pipes and outlet vents to the rear exhaust ports. He used the Force to close the first two shutters at the right side. Then he crawled to left side. One shutter closed, but the last one was broken. Luke managed to push the shutter against the exhaust port and braced it with a strip of duraflex tape. Then he crawled back.
"Let's try to start those anti-gravity engines, Chewie."
They left the engine compartment and rushed back to the cockpit. Liane quickly left the pilot seat and Luke and Chewie looked at each other.
"Ready, pal. Now punch it."
A soft roar at rear was heard, it became louder and then the lights of the consoles came back with a soft glow. The roar of the engines now was deafening.
Chewie growled.
"I know, Chewie. We must have the ion-drive back on in less then thirty seconds. Can you reset the Ion-drive?"
Chewbacca left his seat. He rushed back to the engine compartment. Some moments later a long howl sounded through the cockpit.
"Hang on, Chewie," Luke shouted, "I'll have her started."
He pushed several buttons and the deafening roar of the anti-gravity engines died out, now the soft whining of the ion-drive filled the cockpit. Luke leaned back and left out a deep sigh.
"Come back, Chewie. The Falcon is back in business, pal. Thanks for your help, Liane. Don't worry, we're safe now. "
Quickly Liane got up and went back to the medic bay. The small room was a mess. Luke who had followed her, saw the look of despair in her eyes.
"I'll give you hand, Liane. Luckily the straps have hold Han in place."
He put his hands over Han's face and turned inward.
"He hasn't noticed anything. Here's your stool, get on with your help. Let me clean this mess."
He saw a thankful glance in her eyes. She looked around.
"Nearly all the vials of the life support system are damaged, Luke. Look they've got cracks all over. We need new ones before they will break."
"Relax, Liane. Help Han. I'll ask Chewie about those vials."
Liane grabbed her stool. She pressed herself between the wall at the top of the couch. When she had taken her seat, she looked down on Han's face. Luke watched her. With a gentle gesture she placed her hands in a caring ritual around Han's head; her thumbs on his forehead between his eyebrows; three fingers of each hand over his eyes and the little fingers pressing his temples, then she turned inward, forgetting everything around her.
'Han, how are you feeling?'
'Where were you? I thought you'd disappeared too, like Leia.'
'Leia hasn't disappeared. You know she is on Dalmaran. She is waiting for you. Don't you think it's time to get back to her.'
There was a long silence.
'What's making you feel so ashamed, Han? ' Liane softly whispered, 'Is there a reason to feel the way you do.'
'I left her and ran away; I told you I did, didn't I.'
'Yes, but you didn't tell the reason? Why did you leave Leia? Why did you ran away? Can you tell me what happened?'
There was another long silence and Liane noticed how hard Han was fighting his emotions.
'I don't want to think about it,' He murmured, 'I don't want to recall it. Leia, please, help me. Why can't I find you?'
Liane tightened her grip on Han's forehead.
'You still don't trust me, do you?' She asked.
'What's the use. I have said terrible things to her. You'd better leave me alone.'
'You want me to go.'
Again a long silence.
'You will come back, won't you? You always come back. Do you have a name?'
'Call me Eilidh,' Liane said, using her old alias.
'Strange name; Eilidh. I'm sure I have heard that name before. Are you sure you can help me to find Leia again?'
'Yes, I am, and I want to accompany you, as long as you can't go on alone.'
'Leia, Leia my dearest. What have I done to you? Will you ever forgive me?'
Han moaned. Liane concentrated on the Force to visualize the happy images the Force had shown her before. But instead of getting images of Han and Leia as a happy family the Force showed her some different images. Now she was looking at Leia who was wearing a beautiful dress covered with tiny feathers and sequins. She stood next to Han who looked so splendid in his uniform of a space fleet general. They had given each other their right hand. Han looked down at Leia's face while Leia looked up to him radiating her great happiness. In front of them stood a distinguished lady who held out her right hand and nodded. Han leaned to Leia's face and kissed her. Liane felt how a great happiness began to surround her. These images show Han and Leia at their wedding day. Would Han accept these images of his future?
'I want to share some images with you, Han. Some images of you and Leia. Please, have a look at these images. These images show your secret desire. Look at them and enjoy these images for as long as you want, then you should go to sleep again, Han. This is what you want, Han, and it will come true if you wake up from your long struggle.'
To her surprise Han began to smile.
'She is lovely, don't you think, Eilidh? She is the most beautiful woman I know.' He commented, 'Yes, I would love to look at these images, before I fall asleep. They are reassuring, although I don't think they will ever become true.'
'Why not, Han? This is your future, believe me. Don't bother yourself with those feelings of shame, regret, and remorse. They aren't of any use. Believe what you see, Han, and let these future images become reality. Your reality. Leia's reality. It will make her the happiest woman in the galaxy. Believe what you see, Han. Take these images with you while you fall asleep again, for this is what you want.'
Liane whispered her last words over and over again, until she felt how Han was drifting away again in a deep Force sleep. She took her hands away and woke up from her trance. Feeling exhausted she looked around. The alcove had been cleaned, some cracked vials had already been changed. Then she noticed Luke who was standing in the entrance of the sick bay.
"He still doesn't want to show me, what has happened between Leia and him," She said, taking his hand he had reached out to help her get to her feet.
"You know. I told you."
Liane nodded.
"That's not it. Han needs to relive and share that scene with as if it's happening again, for that's what's making him so ashamed, otherwise his recovery won't start. Thank you cleaning the mess."
"I've replace the most important vials too. There are no spares left now."
"When will we reach Dalmaran, Luke?"
"Difficult to say. Our dive in that vortex has partially damaged the navi-computer's program. It's gone berserk. I've checked all the ship's back up systems, but I couldn't find the backup files to do a recovery run. We need to reprogram it completely, before we can use the hyperdrive again."
"Are we going back to Tatooine?"
"That's not possible. While you were helping Han, Chewie and I have set course to Myydkr. We can reach that small moon in a day or two on sublight velocity. It's small smuggler's outpost. Chewie has good hope that we will find an old pal of him there who might be able to help us."
Luke placed his hands on Liane's shoulders.
"If Chewie and I are going to look for that old friend, you have to stay in the Falcon alone with Han. I don't like it that way, but I don't have another choice."
"I'll manage, Luke," Liane said.
"Yes, Your Highness, this must be the person you're looking for, Trevor Matrik, former admiral of the Imperial fleet. After the Battle of Endor and the collapse of the empire admiral Matrik has left Coruscant unexpectedly, although he had been assigned to the group of high-ranking officials who would negotiate with the Alliance about the cease fire and the truce. After the Battle of Jakku nothing has been heard of him. Read the data, we've collected, and look at the picture, Your Highness. We can't be mistaken."
"Thank you, officer. Your research has been a great help. I'll will activate a download to my info system." Leia answered politely.
"You're welcome, Your Highness," the Quoith computer scientist said.
Leia connected a datapad to the info system at her desk and downloaded the different files the Quoith computer expert was transmitting. As she quickly scanned a few files, she handed the datapad to Ian Tydon.
"Look at this picture, Ian. It's not a recent one, but we can be sure now, that admiral Trevor Matrik and Darth Golluth are one and the same person. Yet, we have to do further investigation and collect as many evidence about him and his whereabouts after he has left Coruscant."
Ian looked at the image of a high-ranking officer in an spotless imperial uniform. The haughty and arrogant gaze of the admiral's face showed his deep-rooted aversion to subordinates and ordinary soldiers. It showed the face of an ambitious man who would not shy away from eliminating opponents. His face clearly reminded Ian of commander Dendicott and his rigid regime in the Wegoyy prison.
"Surprised, my young padawan?" Leia asked, looking at her companion, "You were comparing him with commander Dendicott, weren't you?"
"I see similarities, master," Ian said, "but I need more knowledge to be sure if my judgment is correct."
Leia smiled, "You are, my young padawan. Commander Olon Dendicott and the Phylotar brothers once served under admiral Matrik. Please, read on. This data provides us with a lot more information about Liane's adversary.
"This is really incredible, master. Here is some evidence about his assignment on the Coruscantæa. Darth Golluth was once the admiral and commander of that ship, but the Alliance has destroyed it one of the battles after the empire had collapsed."
"His assignment came to late. He probably never served on that destroyer, Ian, because the Coruscantæa was destroyed six months after the Battle of Endor, "Leia said.
"Look here, master," Ian said, looking more and more amazed. "The admiral got his rank from the emperor personally, after a secret meeting him. Isn't that strange? During my education at the Academy, I was told, that the assignment of a promotion is the privilege of the group of highest officers in the space fleet, after consultation with the government."
"During the empire, there wasn't any government, Ian. The emperor's reign was based on oppression and fear. The Senate had been dissolved, and the military staff showed only loyalty to the emperor."
"Could it be possible, master, that the emperor has initiated the admiral as a Sith Lord? You told me it takes years to master the dark side."
"That's right, Ian, but Trevor Matrik started his career at the Imperial Academy at the age of fourteen. He was a brilliant, but very ambitious, young cadet. Already at the beginning of his education at the Imperial Academy he was selected to fulfill a place in a selected group of talented young officers. They got a very special training on Coruscant where the Emperor has personally overseen their progress and training."
"The Emperor was building a special force of Sith Lords, but I've read that there could only be two Siths at the time: a master and an apprentice. By that time emperor Palpatine was master and Darth Vader was his apprentice."
"That's right, but the group of young officers didn't get any knowledge of the Sith. They were trained to be the emperor's guards. They got a special name: the praetorian guards, and were dressed in long crimson robes and masks. They were trained to protect the emperor against assassination, and could wield any weapon needed. Most of the praetorian guards had developed some sensitivity to the Force at a young age and made use that power.
"So, admiral Matrik is sensitive to the Force, too?"
"He is, Ian, and we have to find out the extent of his Force sensitivity, and his possible knowledge of the Dark Side."
"Listen, master. This record says the admiral got his promotion at the age of twenty-two. That's hardly unbelievable."
"Yes, and it all happened shortly after he had been selected to join the emperor's praetorian guards. Let's go to Coruscant. We have to check his complete records which are stored in the imperial archive at Coruscant."
"Isn't that data classified, or inaccessible, master?"
"Not for members of the New Republic's government or members of the High Council. We go back to De'olon space port now. The sooner we have a full record of admiral Trevor Matrik the better we will be able to see through his plans with Liane."
Not long after their conversation the senatorial space ship Alderaan, bearing the crescent of the former Royal House of Alderaan, took off from Dalmaran and made the jump into hyperspace, setting course to Coruscant.