Chapter 64

Luke, Chati and Cemall were working together on the plateau. The broad foundation of a first stretch had been solidly established, rising as a small rim at the plateau. Luke had been placing some larger boulders along the edge of plateau, after which Cemall and Chati had fixed them with smaller rocks and durasteel cement. The still irregular wall of boulders would be flattened at a later stage using a lot of slivers, smaller rocks, earth and a thick layer of durasteel cement. None of harvesters didn't notice anymore if Luke used the Force to lift a heavier rock and put it on the wall's foundation. Cemall came over from the spot where the other harvesters had been freezing another piece of rock. He was carrying a basket with slivers and small rocks. Before he emptied the basket at the foundation he grinned and looked at Luke. Chati used a kind of hack hammer to equalize the content of the basket over the foundation rim. Cemall walked away to fetch another basket. Chati watched him go and when she was sure he wouldn't return immediately she raised her hand. Several smaller slivers began to hover above the layer. With a smile she looked at Luke. He went over to her and pointed to a small rock.

"Do the same with that rock over there, Chati?" He said.

Chati frowned, but focussed on the rock and as she reached out to it, the rock began to rise. She pushed the rock to the rim of the plateau and let it drop at a specific spot.

"You've practise, haven't you?" Luke said.

"A lot, Ben, with all kind of things. It's fun, but I avoid that the others or Cemall see what I'm doing. After we have had our dinner at night I often go a bit further from the camp site among the trees where I practise on rocks and branches."

"I saw you sneak off after we finished eating. I noticed the others don't seem to care what you're doing in the evening. Would you mind if I come along with you tonight? I'd like to show you some more about using the Force."

"I would love to raise those large rocks, like you do" Chati said.

"Size matter's not. You need a full believe in the Force and commit yourself to that believe. Believe that the Force will always help you with everything," Luke said.

They saw Cemall coming back.

"Ben, I just saw a big piece of rock that broke off from the spot where we're working. Wollin asked me if you could be of any help to remove the block, so they can work underneath it." He said in a loud voice.

He emptied the basket and looked at Chati.

"We can prepare another bucket of durasteel cement, Chati. Will you measure the weight. I will get the water. We can fix those new boulders Ben has been placing near the edge. If we have done that we can prepare a next part of the foundation. "

Cemall brought a bag of durasteel cement to Chati and gave her bucket. Next he walked away to fetch water to prepare the cement.

"You're getting along with him," Luke remarked.

"I do, Ben, as long as he isn't referring to our possible marriage. He still hopes, that I will change my mind. I like him, but if I would accept his proposal, he will not be happy with me. He thinks he will, but I'm too different to make him happy."

"You must do, what you think is right, Chati." Luke said as he walked away.

"I going to see what Wollin wants of me. I'll be right back, otherwise I see you tonight."

Luke walked over to the other side of the plateau, where the harvesters still were making a lot of effort to flatten the outcropping and make a decline of the underground so the future water flow would find it's way to the inlet of the underground riverbed.

As Luke near the group the men stopped and pointed at a huge block of rock which had fallen of the outcropping.

"It dropped suddenly, Ben. We were lucky that none of us was working near, but now it's blocking the part we wanted to crumble. Can you give us a hand?" Wollin said.

"I will, Wollin, but we need to check if there are other fisure in that outcropping which could drop suddenly. First I will take this block away, so you can continue with your work."

Luke let the Force surround him. He raised both hand and the huge boulder started to hover above the surface. Effortlessly he put the boulder at a spot where it would become a part of the wall on the plateau. After he had moved the boulder Luke walked over to the outcropping. He called over to Wollin and pointed at some fisures.

"The freezing process will certainly influence those fisures in the future. Let me take this piece of rock away so it won't endanger your work. You'd better stay away."

Luke unsheathed his lighsaber, ignited the it and put the beam inside the fisures. With a loud crack the rock split, tumbled down and vanished over the edge to the other side of the mountain ridge.

"Great work, Ben. Thank you," Wollin said. He watched the fracture surface which was smooth.

"That laser beam must be extremely hot, Ben. It's dangerous weapon in wrong hands."

"It is, Wollin. I only use it with great care."

Wollin looked at the other end of the plateau.

"Behind that wall lays the lake we want to use to create an overflow." He said thoughtful

"You're thinking if I would be willing to help you to create that overflow once you're ready with your work. You're running ahead of things, Wollin, but I agree that the use of a lightsaber might be of some help."

"You could ruin it, Ben. These kind of weapon aren't made as if it's simple equipment to use. It's for fighting, so you'd better keep it in good order, if you're going to fight the intruder."

Luke laughed.

"I possibly have use my lightsaber if he would put my life or that of you and your man in danger. In that case I will absolutely use it to defend the harvesters."

"We can defend ourselves, Ben, but some special weapon might be useful."

Meanwhile Luke had sheathed the lightsaber under his harvester's outfit at the back. He greeted the harvesters who continued with their tedious work to clear away the rocky underground which blocked the path to the inlet.

Mon Mothma looked at the holo-image of the Dalmaranian leader Ma'duf'ey.

"This is very serious, Supreme Chancellor. We're going to investigate at once," The president of the Dalmaranian government said.

"I want to join your men, Ma'duf'ey. You know why I'm asking it," Mon Mothma said.

"Can you meet my men on Vor'izon, ma'am?"

"Whenever you want. I will inform my staff I'm leaving right now."

At that moment Leia Organa Skywalker Solo dashed unannounced into Mon Mothma's office. Surprised and with a frown Mon Mothma look at her unexpected visitor.

"I call you back, Ma'duf'ey, but you can be sure I will meet your men on Vor'izon."

She switched the holod isplay and turned to Leia.

"Senator, I thought you and your husband were on your way to the Palomintar System?"

"Han and Chewie are already on their way again to support Wedge and his men, Mon, they only dropped me off in Irithim. I asked my husband to bring me back to Dalmaran. I want to go to the hidden residence."

"I have already arranged that Ma'duf'ey's men will pick me up at Vor'izon. Leia, I'm very worried about Liane."

"So, are Han and me, madam, but is it wise to leave our government without a leader and bring yourself in a hazardous situation. Mon, you've always led any strife staying out of the limelight. We still don't know why this is going on."

"What do you mean, Leia?"

"So far, we have been assuming that Darth Golluth wanted to get Liane, but the presence of the Basilisæa in the Palomintar System let me think otherwise. Mon, we still need you as our strong leader. Let me go in you place."

Mon Mothma looked seriously, then she nodded.

"I understand your concern, Leia, but I would like to see for myself that Liane is alright. Those two young padawans aren't in a position to really protect her."

"Mon, I will stay with the two padawans to protect Liane, if want me to."

"What about your brother, Leia. I thought you desperately wanted to assist him." Mon Mothma said with a smile.

"I do, but Luke's first concern is Liane's safety. If I'm staying with her I am in fact assisting my brother, for he doesn't have to worry about her. Mon, we have to make a quick decision."

"I will inform the leader of the Dalmarians Ma'duf'ey, that I'll send you as my representative. The Jedi have always been highly acclaimed with the Dalmaranians, so, I will tell Ma'duf'ey my representative will be one of our trusted Jedi Knights."

Leia sight with relieve imperceptible. Mon Mothma had already activated the connection with the Dalmaranian leader and waited for his holographic image to appeared.

"Yes, madam. When can we expect you?"

"I have made a slight chance in the plans, Ma'duf'ey. I'm sending one of my Jedi Knights to assist your man. She's my most trusted advisor, you've probable already met her: I'm sending princess Leia Organa of the Royal House of Aldaraan to you."

"That's a great honor, madam. We will receive the princess with the highest regards. You said she's a Jedi Knight?"

"She is, Ma'duf'ey. I will send her immediately to Vor'izon to meet your men."

"I have already given to order to triple the surveillance around Na'ctaMag'Ba. Our submersibles will lay a blockade near the outlet of the underground river. If by any chance a vessel has found the entrance they can't get away without being noticed. My men will take care that they are held at bay so my armed forces can capture them and bring them to Vor'izon."

"Thank you, Ma'duf'ey. It's always good to have reliable allies. I will tell princess Leia to meet your men in Vor'izon."

The connection broke off and Mon Mothma turned to Leia.

"The submersible to Vor'izon is ready for you. You can leave immediately, Leia. Tell Liane not to worry. I'm sure those blast doors have withstand the attack, and you've heard that our opponents can't get to their friends. The blockade of surveillance submersibles will prevent that."

"The leader talked about tripling the surveillance, what does that mean?" Leia asked curiously.

Mon Mothma smiled.

"Na'ctaMag'Ba is normally surrounded by some five to seven hundred small surveillance subs. I think, that Ma'duf'ey has given the order to increase that number to two and half thousand. That means that our opponents will have great difficulty to outrun that blockade."

"Good," Leia whispered. She looked up at Mon Mothma.

"Thank you for understanding my point of view, Mon. The New Republic will benefit from the continuation of your leadership. I'm going to the submersible."

"I don't know if it's safe to use the communication system in the residence, so report back to Ma'duf'ey's men. They will inform him and he can tell me the outcome of his action. Now, go, Leia, and may the Force be with you."

Luke stood under his tree house as Chati neared. She smiled.

"Ben, you still want to accompany me?"

"I want to teach you a bit more about what you can do with the Force."

Chati beamed.

"I thought I only would show you what I've practised in the woods."

"Sure, I want to see your progress. Shall we go. You lead the way."

Together they left the camp site and walked into the woods south of it. Within minutes the camp site with its tree house wasn't visible anymore. The dense forest already enclosed them on all sides, but Chati walked on until she reach a a small clearing lined with tall trees and ferns all around.

"Ben, could you wait here. They are suspicious, because you're with me."

Luke held his pace and watch how the young Quelan woman entered the clearing. To right lay a tree stem covered with moss. Chati walked over and sat herself, while she looked up to the canopies above her. Several minutes passed and all of a sudden three birds fluttered down and landed in front of the girl. Chati grabbed a small bag and emptied it in her hands. Gently she stretched out her hands and the birds flew up and sat themselves on her spread hands. She looked in Luke's direction.

"You can come nearer, Ben. They are not afraid of you."

Luke left his spot among the tree. The birds looked up, but continue to pick up the food. Chati constantly watched them and to Luke it seemed as if she had built a connection with the birds. Finally the birds flew back to ground. Chati cleaned her hands and made a gentle waved. With a soft whistling the bird flew away among the canopy.

Luke sat himself next to Chati. With sparkling eyes she looked up at him.

"From the beginning they come to see me. At first they were cautious, but I could easy their minds and now they fully trust me."

Chati looked up to the canopy again, before she looked at her companion again.

"Shall I show you how much I've practised your first lesson?"

She didn't wait for his answer, but reached out to a small branch that was laying at the other side of the clearing. The branch raised and started to drift to them. As it had almost reached them Luke took over and the branch began to tumble. Chati laughed and released herself from the branch, immediately lifting a heavy stone. For a while they both were lifting several objects that were laying inside and around the clearing. To use the Force as Chati did amused Luke and he enjoyed her playful Force use. Finally Chati stopped and dropped a series of small stones which she had been lifted one by one, holding them in the air with her Force mind. She looked around and sighed deeply, clearly happily. Luke remembered her showing her happiness when he had visited Kamalin. He looked into her shining eyes.

Ben, it's so wonderful here" She said, sighing again. "I feel as if I'm part of all that's surrounds me here. Do you feel that, too?"

"Yes, I do, Chati, and I'm amazed that you're also using your Force skills to feel the Living Force."

"The Living Force, what's that, Ben?"

"The Living Force is the connection between all life forms; those birds, you, me, Cemall and the other harvesters. Even very tiny life forms like mots, beetles, worms are part of the Living Force."

"Such small animals, Ben? Do you feel them among us?"

"I'm constantly aware of everything that surrounds me, for also the trees, the ferns and the bushes are sending their connections with the Force to me," Luke answered.

"Can I learn that, Ben? Can I learn to be part of the Living Force?"

"You already are, Chati. You only need to commit yourself to it. Want to experience what I meant?"

Chati nodded with gleaming eyes.

"Close your eyes then and slowly breath in and breath out. Let the Force take over your thoughts. Don't think, just listen and sense. Feel what the Force is telling you."

Luke's gently Jedi voice deepened Chati's connection with the Force. Her Force trance began to engulf her and she became part of the forest, its trees, its scrubs, ferns, tiny flowers, but also the myriad living creatures that that were around her everywhere. Chati's face became sparkling as she realized she was part of all this. As she opened her eyes again she looked around as if she wanted to see all the creatures which presence she had felt.

"Wow, Ben. This feels so great. I felt all the living beings around us."

For a moment she looks thoughtful.

"Ben, did I also feel your presence and that of Cemall, master Cornell and master Wollin."

"All species sent their connection through the Force, so don't be surprised if you sense your fellow Quelans through the Force, or me."

"Ben, on Tyr I often went to the nut forest. It's forbidden, for up in the trees live the Urams. The harvesters always scared us kids with stories about those bird of prey. When we had to find a new way life in Cantamaga I remembered those stories and ..."

Luke laughed

"... let me guess, you wanted to see for yourself what kind of threat those birds were?"

Chati nodded.

"They weren't that scary. I often walked under those nut trees and I saw their nests. The nuts the harvesters used to bring to Myr, are their main food. They probably attacked the harvesters because they wanted to protect her food. They never have attacked me, Ben. I could walk in the nut forest without being afraid. Two or three times one of the younger Urams came down to look at me. They are beautiful birds with beautiful feather in black and silver grey. I once found a long black tail feather. I still it have in my possession."

"You're very lucky girl, Chati, and a great Force-user. Your Force skills are even stronger than I at first thought, and your awareness of your Force skills is growing faster than I could fathom. I'm glad I've met you."

"Do you really mean that, Ben?" Chati asked.

Luke nodded.

"Ben, may I ask you something?"

"Sure"

"When do you expect that your sister and her husband will come back to help you?"

"I don't know, Chati. Why are you asking this?"

"I had been thinking, that if they come back here. Will you asked them to bring me back to Tyr?"

Luke sensed the tension in the girl's question.

"No, I won't, Chati. You're staying here on Myr, even if my friends come back."

"Really, Ben. You will let me stay with you and the harvesters."

"Yes, for I need your help again, Chati, and this time I going to ask you something that might scare you again."

"You mean, I have to wake you up again from that Jedi hibernation? That's no longer scary, Ben. I know how you look. What do you want me to do more?"

"I will explain later to you, for we have to practise together." Luke said

"Where, when, what do you mean? Inside your tree house?"

"No, I think we will use this spot here. Chati, what I'm going to ask you won't be easy, but I sense that your the right person to help me, for you already have seen what I look like when I'm in that deep Force mediation. I want you to think about what I'm asking you."

"I don't have to, Ben. I will help you," Chati said.

"Think about it, Chati, and let me know what your decision is. I won't blame if you don't want to."

Chati looked at him.

"When do you want to practise, Ben?"

Luke looked thoughtful.

"You're coming here every evening, right?"

"Yes, and I often stay here until it's getting dark."

"Then we will meet here again, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and every evening, until I sense that you're ready to do, what I want to ask you?"

Luke rose and held out his hand. Chati jumped to her feet and took his hand.

"Agreed, Ben. We'll meet tomorrow after we've finished our meal." She said.

To be continued...