Chapter 66

"Excellent, Yarmod. You're quite a pilot as good as Luke," Liane said.

Yarmod grinned.

"Let's have a look at that durasteel door. Do you know if there a kind of key to open it." Ian said.

"I saw Luke using the Force unlocking the bolts on the inside." Liane commented.

The engine whined and died out. Yarmod Martan released the ramp of the Astræga and the three friends walked down to the plateau followed by Threepio and Artoo.

"Mistress Liane, excuse me, this indeed the place where master Kenobi lived. Artoo and I have been here after master Luke had been attacked by those horrible Sandpeople. If we can get inside master Kenobi's home we will be safe, for it has very thick walls."

"Thank you, Threepio. You may tell me that story later," Liane said looking around, "But you are right. We must get inside before sunset. Luke told me that this place can be very nasty after dark. He said that there are creatures who don't like Force-sensitive humans. I don't want to provoke those guys. We also have to cloak the Astræga, otherwise desert scavengers, known as Jawas, will strip off everything they might think useful."

"Nice place to live," Ian commented and grinned, "Did master Luke really live here?"

"No, Ben Kenobi, his first Jedi master, lived here. Luke uses this place sometimes to stay if he wants to do intensive Jedi meditation and strengthen his union with the Force. He has assembled his own lightsaber here, after he had lost the one Ben once had given him, but we need to get inside. There are three bolts; two on top and one near the middle of the door. I will see if I can find their precise location."

Liane walked over to the door and closed her eyes. She let the image of the door fill her mind and used the Force to be able to look on its inside. She managed to get an image of the bolts at the top of the door. Slowly she raised her hand, as if she wanted to remove the bolts. Yarmod and Ian looked at her in amazement and cast a quick look at each other.

'She's doing great', Ian said to his companion. Yarmod nodded.

A muffled sound was heard and Liane released herself from her Force trance and looked back at her two friends.

"One of you have to remove the third bolt." She said stepping back.

"I'll do it, " Ian said and walked over to the door.

He closed his eyes and immediately saw the spot of the third bolt in his mind. With a slight attempt the third bolt moved aside and the door swung inward.

"Well done, master Tydon," Threepio commented and Artoo bleeps a cheerful confimation, "Now we're safe from those Sandpeople."

"Thank you, Ian," Liane said, "Let's get inside and bolt it again."

"I will cloak the Astræga," Yarmod said. He turned around, raised his hand and to Liane's surprise the ramp closed and the space ship vanished.

"How did you do that, Yarmod?" She asked surprised.

"The switch to cloak the ship is on the inside of the ramp. I only had to activate it, after I had closed the ramp. I'm sure you can do it."

Liane looked a bit sceptical.

"I mean it, Liane. If you can find those hidden bolts inside this thick door, you surely can cloak the Astræga. Want to give it a try?"

Liane laughed.

"No, Yarmod. Luke taught me never to try, but do, but you may teach me how to do it. Anyway we're safe now from spying eyes."

They went inside and Liane showed her friends around. The two padawans admired the comfortable living with the couches and all the precise equipment stacked in the alcove with the workbench. Liane went outside to check the hidden vaporator and activated the device so they would have enough water. Yarmod and Ian complemented her on her technical skills and Liane told them how her foster-father had forced her to use the Force to develop those skills.

"He always showed me that I could use the Force to solve any technical problem. In the beginning I had to learn to analyse the problems, later I also had to find a solution using the Force. The more problems I could solve, the easier it became."

"Master Antilles has told me more or less the same. If I hear you're story I must say that Darth ... your foster-father hasn't taught you only nasty things. I mean, using those dark powers of the Force."

"He hasn't, Yarmod. Many things he taught me were part of his own upbringing as a Jedi." Liane said with a smile.

"So what master Antilles told me is true; Darth Vader once was a Jedi Knight," Yarmod said.

"He was and he still is. He lives on in the Force now, like one of the Jedi of old, for he renounced the Dark Side. On Endor Luke has told me everything he knew about Anakin. Partially his stories were based on what Ben en master Yoda wanted to tell him, partially also Anakin himself revealed parts of his life to his son. Recently his apparition appeared to me. He asked me forgiveness for what he has done to me. To Luke, Leia and me, he always will be Anakin Skywalker, the good and compassionate person who cared a lot for others." Liane said.

Artoo whistled a long comment on Liane's words. The three friends looked at the barrel-shaped droid. Threepio translated Artoo's binary words.

"He says, mistress Liane, that Anakin Skywalker was a great Jedi. I agree with him, mistress Liane. I have known him as a boy. He was very intelligent and also very kind and helpful. It's a pity and a shame what has become of him after Chancellor Palpatine deceived him, telling him lies about Obi-Wan and Padmé. Chancellor Palpatine was a deceitful person. He was a Sith Lord and called himself Darth Sidious.

"I would love to hear more about him, Threepio," Ian said

"Me too," Yarmod said, "I only know the stories about his cruel regime as the emperor's second-in-command. You just said he was a Jedi Knight. Who was his master?"

Liane pointed to the couches in the main living room.

"Let's sit down and I will tell you the story of Anakin's sad life. Threepio, Artoo will you correct if I'm wrong?"

"Certainly, mistress Liane. Artoo and I have met at master Anakin's home on Tatooine. We've been in a lot of adventures together, but we don't know much about what happened to Anakin after he became Darth Vader and we absolutely don't know anything about you living with him on Morantan as master Luke has told his sister."

Liane smiled at the confession of the protocol droid. Despite his annoying formal manners she liked him and his counterpart.

"When I found out that my real relationship with Anakin was so completely different from what I thought, I asked Luke to tell me his side of story with all the facts I didn't know. Anakin himself has told him about his love for Padmé Naberrie, the mother of Luke and Leia. She was the emotional replacement for the loss of his mother.

Anakin's life as a Jedi started here on Tatooine, more than forty years ago. He and his mother were slaves to Wattoo, a Toydarian dealer of technical spare parts. By accident Anakin met Padmé and Ben Kenobi's master Qui-Gon Jinn after their space ship had made an emergency landing and visited Mos Espa to find spare parts to repair their ship. Master Qui-Gon sensed Anakin's strong bond with the Force and could free the boy from slavery. He took Anakin with him to Coruscant, but Anakin's mother Shmi had to stay behind and that was the beginning of Anakin's emotional struggle. A struggle he lost, when emperor Palpatine seduced him to the Dark Side of the Force. Qui-Gon could have filled the emotional gap, but he died in a battle with the Sith apprentice of Darth Sidious, Darth Maul. After Qui-Gon's death, Ben Kenobi, then still Obi-Wan Kenobi, became Anakin's master. Ben has admitted to Luke that he overrated himself, thinking he was as good a Jedi master as master Yoda. He was wrong. During Anakin training as a padawan Ben lost his control about him as a master. Ben was not stern enough, too friendly and too forgiving. I still feel sad, when I recall this part of the story as Luke has told me."

"Did he marry Padmé Naberrie? I thought, that a Jedi mustn't get involved in a emotional relationship. I find that very difficult to accept, for one of a Jedi's main task is to help and support other living beings and show his compassion for them. Master Leia says, that her brother doesn't agree with that old Jedi rule. She is a Jedi Knight and married. I have seen how much she loves general Solo. Her love for her husband doesn't distract her from her task as a Jedi." Ian commented.

"Anakin and Padmé had to keep their marriage secret for more than one reason. Not only was Anakin a Jedi Knight, but Padmé had a seat in the Senate of the Republic.

An emotional relationship between a defender of peace and justice and a politician wasn't easily accepted, but when Padmé became pregnant Anakin started to worry about the child's birth. He has told Luke he had several nasty Force visions about Padmé dying in childbirth.

Anakin couldn't cope with a possible loss of his beloved wife. He told chancellor Palpatine about his worries and the future emperor and Sith lord Darth Sidious promised him he would help Padmé to survive. It was a lie, guys. Sharing his doubts about Padmé's pregnancy and his worries about his Force visions gave Darth Sidious the clues to corrupt and seduce Anakin to accept the power of the Dark Side of the Force. Palpatine made it sound like the Dark Side of the Force could control everything better than the Good Side.

He also told the young Jedi lie after lie about his former master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and later also about Padmé. Although Anakin didn't want to believe that Padmé could betray him, he began to see Obi-Wan, his former master, as his enemy.

It all ended on Mustafar, where Padmé and Obi-Wan had gone to seek out Anakin in a last desperate attempt to save him from the Dark Side. Anakin became furious when he thought that his wife had turned against him. In his outrage he knocked her unconscious. Obi-Wan became outraged and the two former friends fought a fierce lightsaber duel. Ben defeated Anakin who became mortally wounded, but Darth Sidious kept the fallen Jedi alive in a life-support system. He also told Anakin he had killed Padmé and her unborn child. With that deed Anakin had become a Sith lord and Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader."

"But Padmé wasn't dead, was she?"

"No, she wasn't, but her heart was broken, because the man she loved had fallen into darkness. After given birth to Luke and Leia, she died, and so Anakin's Force vision became true, only he didn't know his children were alive. He has told Luke that he has lived with the lie of their death, Darth Sidious had told him. For nearly twenty years then he found out Luke's surname for the first time after Luke had destroyed the first Death Star.

"What about you, Liane? How do you fit in in Anakin's story?" Ian asked curiously.

For a moment Liane stare around the sober decoration of Ben's former home. Ian and Yarmod respect those moments of silences.

"Somewhere deep inside the life-support system of Darth Vader a spark of the good Anakin Skywalker had remained," Liane continued softly, "That spark saved my life, when Anakin as Darth Vader met my mother Severini Solichor on Morantan. Anakin recognized her as the Jedi healer who had lived and worked in the Jedi temple on Coruscant. My mother defended herself, and her one year old daughter, in a lightsaber duel with Anakin. When she knew she was losing her battle with him, she became incorporeal, a Force ghost, someone who is still aware of his or her conscious as a living person, but no longer part of the real world. Anakin found a baby girl in the nearby house. He brought her to Eremian, the priest-head of the Baroontarian clan on Morantan and called her Liane Severini Solichor after the Jedi who had been protecting her. "

Again Liane was silent, rearranging her thoughts.

"The first years of my life I grew up among Erimian's priestessess, but Anakin took me to the imperial domains on the other side of Morantan when I was nearly six years old. If Anakin was staying at the domains he personally oversaw my education and upbringing. To me, he was my father, and he accepted I called him so. He taught me wrong things, many wrong things, but he also took care of me in a way only a compassionate person would do. He brought excellent teachers to Morantan and I learned a lot of very useful knowledge. Without the little spark of goodness in Anakin's heart I wouldn't have survived, guys, and that's why I'm still grateful to my foster-father."

"Weren't you never afraid of him?" Yarmod asked, "Did he tell you what he did to his opponents."

"Of course he frightened me. I've witnessed him, killing men who had failed him, more than once, but what he told me about the Rebel Alliance I accepted as the truth. To me his point of view was right. I now know that his point of view was the opposite from the point of view of the Rebel Alliance. The emperor ruled this galaxy with a reign of terror, but during my upbringing on the imperial domains I wasn't aware of what was going on in the galaxy. My ignorance and innocence was shattered when the armed forces of the New Republic invaded Morantan and Luke Skywalker defeated me. It took me a long time before I could accept I had been on the wrong side. Only after Luke had saved Leia and me on Ortel and we had a first talk on the Tychorion I understood how wrong my life had been."

"What a great story, mistress Liane," Threepio commented, "And you told it all so well. Everything you said was true, don't you agree, Artoo?"

The little droid beeped an affirmation. Yarmod and Ian laughed and Liane smiled at her droid friends.

"Thank you, Threepio. Thank you, Artoo." She said.

"You have found your way to the Good Side of the Force, Liane," Ian said.

"I have made my first steps on the Jedi Path on Endor, Ian, but I still feel, I need Luke's support and full understanding of the Force before I will learn to rely the good that can be done with the power of the Force. I have seen such a lot of evil things being done with her power."

She jumped to her feet.

"That's all for tonight. We need to make arrangements for the night. When I was here with Luke I used that small alcove behind the water supply for sleeping. Ben's former sleeping room is next to the work place in the basement. There's a couch and a cabinet for some clothes."

"I'll sleep here in the living. Yarmod can take the sleeping room and you take the alcove you use before," Ian decided and Yarmod nodded. Tomorrow you must tell us what you know about assembling a light saber. You said you made one while you were staying here with master Luke."

Liane grabbed her old backpack and rummaged inside until she had found the silvery grey book. She handed it to her friends.

"You'll find a lot of information about the Illum meditation in this book. These books were given to young Force users when they were old enough to start with their Jedi training to become a padawan learner. This is Ben's copy. Luke took it with him and brought it to the Jedi Archive. On Morantan I had found Anakin's copy, but he destroyed after he heard that I had been reading it. In the Jedi Archive Luke gave Ben's copy to me, because he thought its content might be useful to me." Liane said with a smile.

Leia looked at Fern'all To'lo'imon. After her return to the main caves of Mon Mothma's residence she had discussed a possible investigation at Mas'onom space port with the commander of the Dalmaranian surveillance sub. To her surprise the surveillance subs were very sophisticated. The commander had called Mas'onom space port and asked information about the Astræga. The space port officer had confirmed her worst suspicions. The space craft had left five days ago without stating her destination.

"This is a serious matter, Your Highness?" Fern'all said looking concerned.

"Partially, captain. The young woman who my leader has granted a temporary shelter here is accompanied by two Jedi padawans. They will prevent her from doing anything foolish," Leia said, but she thought: 'At least I hope they will prevent Liane from doing anything foolish.'

"I hope you and the Supreme Chancellor won't blame the Dalmaranian leaders, your Highness," Fern'all commented very formally.

"Not at all, captain. I will come with you to Vor'izon and explain to governor Ma'duf'ey what has happened, but I will assure him and his staff this is not their fault."

"We will interrogate those four intruders thoroughly." Fern'all said, "They will not escape their punishment. They violated the strict rules on accessing the prohibited continent of Na'ctaMag'Ba, and their action has caused great fear and resulted in the flight of the young woman our main ally thought would be protected here. Their punishment will be severe, our judges won't take these violations lightly."

He bowed and left her. In thought Leia sat down in one of the chairs. She concentrated on the Force to reach Wedge Antilles, but her friend hadn't any news. To her relieve, the Astræga hadn't shown up in the Palomintar System yet. Next she once again tried to contact her brother and her padawan, but neither of them responded.

Now that the Astræga had left Mas'onom space port it was impossible for her to reach the Palomintar System and inform her husband.

For a moment she thought things over and concluded that the best way she could do was going back to Vor'izon where she had left Mon Mothma's submersible and get back to Irithim as soon as possible.

Calm she rose and nodded. There was no other action possible. Once in Irithim she might be able to get on board the Tychorion before Crix Madine would leave to the Palomintar System.

Meanwhile the submarine of the Dalmaranian fleet had set course to the capital. Leia noticed the slight movements of the vessel and she felt the soft humming of the ion-engines. She put on her Jedi coat and went over to the command bridge where Fern'all To'lo'imon was checking their return. Leia sensed that the friendly captain was very unhappy with the unexpected outcome of his mission.

"We'll be in Vor'izon in a few hours, master Jedi," He said stifly.

Leia shook her head and turned to him with an inviting smile.

"Please, Fern'all, don't act so formal. We must ask your governor to make contact with the Supreme Chancellor. There are several solution to this unexpected developments. I assure you, my foster-sister Liane isn't really a helpless woman." She said kindly.

The captain looked at her surprisingly.

"Are you saying, Leia, that the missing woman is a relative of yours? You called her your foster-sister?"

Leia nodded.

"In fact I'm not really surprised about what has happened."

"You expected her and her friends to take this action?" Fern'all wondered.

"Liane is a very independent person. She is used to make her own decisions and rely on her skills and abillities."

"In other words, Leia, she doesn't easily follow orders." Fern'all commented and started to laugh.

"Exactly, but she isn't always considering the consequences of her actions thoroughly. She has gotten into trouble a few times in the past."

"Then we shouldn't worry too much about her wellbeing?" Fern'all concluded.

"Not immediately,but it's important that I find out where she and her friends have gone and what they are up to."

"Hm, maybe we should make some changes for the Jedi protocol on the access of Na'ctaMagh'Ba. I will discuss this with our governor. He made those secret arrangements with Jedi master Skywalker, your brother, I assume. If these protocol rules would have been stricter these runaways would have held before they could get to Mas'onom."

Now Leia started to laugh too.

"Well said, Fern'all, they are runaways and as they took my brother's space ship without stating their destination it won't be easy to find out where they are."

Luke had accompanied Chati to the clearing again. He was wondering why he sensed some inquietude in her mind. She also had a very thoughtful frown on her forehead.

"Are you sure, Ben, you want to test the jacket for a week, maybe even longer, while you're in a Jedi hibernation meditation?" She asked concerned when they sat down on the fallen tree stem, after had fed her friends.

"Yes, Chati, don't be too alarmed about what I have in mind. I can survive in Jedi hibernation for a week without food or drink without this jacket. I've tested it for almost a week without eating or drinking anything and I really feel fine." Luke explained.

"You didn't eat anything during our meals indeed, Ben."

"I followed Cornell's advice to test the jacket first. I told him I might need it to stay away for some days while I'm following the dry riverbed, and that I had to make sure that the nutri-liquid based on the sugar-solution would work the same way as the dropper bottle would do."

"You didn't tell him about Jedi Force hibernation, Ben?"

Luke shook his head.

"That would be too difficult to explain to Cornell, Chati. He probably wouldn't understand it. Tonight I will leave the camp site and go down to the base cave at the foot of this mountain ridge. It is used to store all the extra equipment the second group of harvesters have brought with them. It's stacked with many crates and boxes now.

When we arrived there Cornell has showed me the cave while it was empty. At the rear wall of the cave is a very deep separated niche which is almost undetectable when someone enters the main space to collect some spare equipment. I will use that niche to stay in hibernation for a week or so.

These last days, during some nightly trips, I have already prepared the place. I found a stack of nagawa fleeces in one of the crates which I could use to make a comfortable spot to lay on. I have done some rearrangements of the crates and boxes in such a way that none of the harvesters would need to come near the rear wall, if they need something stored in the boxes."

Chati wanted to interrupt him, but Luke raised his hand.

"Let me tell you my whole plan first. When I'm finished you may give your comments and I will listen to you."

Chati nodded, but still looked more concerned.

"If tomorrow someone will ask where I am, Cornell will tell them I've already gone into the underground riverbed for some days."

Chati nodded again, but didn't comment.

"This time I won't ask you to wake me up, for I will release myself from hibernation. However, I have a task for you, Chati. You have to prevent that Cornell or Wollin will go to the base cave, for they probably know there's an niche at the rear wall. If they would find me while I'm in hibernation they would be alarmed by what they would see. If anyone accidentally discovers me, you must tell the others that nothing serious has happened to me and that I am still alive, and you always can wake me up immediately with the following words: "Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale.". Remember those words, Chati."

"What's the meaning of those words, Ben. I've never heard anyone speaking that language." Chati asked curiously.

"It's greeting in the language of the Jedi: May the Force be with you." Luke said with a smile.

"Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale."Chati repeated slowly, trying to speak the strange words as Luke had done.

"Very well, Chati. It's good to have some one with me who is part my world and those of the other Jedi." Luke complemented her.

Chati's cheek colored.

"Thank you, Ben, for trusting me. I will do as you want, but it will be a relief, when you will wake up from this hibernation session safe and sound. Do you really think that the niche is safe enough?"

"Yes. I have been watching your fellow harvesters to see how often some of them went down to the base cave. Cornell has only been there to meet the second group, but he immediately took them to this camp site, for that's where they all have been working before. Wollin never descended to the cave, but two times he send one of his group of harvesters to get some extra transpari foils."

"You don't use your tree house, Ben?"

"I gave that a thought, Chati, but there would be a chance that some of the harvesters would have a look there. The base camp cave isn't visited frequently, so the chance of being discovered is much smaller than if I were to use my tree house."

"While you're in hibernation, Ben, can I go to the cave and see if everything is alright with you?" Chati asked concerned.

"What I said about Cornell and the others, doesn't count for you, Chati. You can use your Living Force skills to detect my presence through the Force while I am in hibernation. If it is reassuring, you may have look, of course, although it will be difficult for you to sneak away to the cave."

"I can do that after we have had our evening meal, Ben. In stead of going to the clearing I can go the cave and have a look at you. I won't do that every evening, of course."

"You're a very thoughtful assistant, Chati." Luke said.

"Ben, you already tried to explain you're doing this as part of a plan to free Ribana and give us our former lives back, but I still don't comprehend what's really behind all this."

For a moment Luke was silent. In his mind he recalled Liane's scream after her frightening Force vision on board the Millennium Falcon.

"I don't have to know, Ben," Chati said noticing Luke's absent mind.

"Let's put it this way, Chati. The possibility for me to go into hibernation might become very useful in the future. How, when, and where, I still don't know precisely, but I have to be prepared."

"But your promise to my father to free Ribana if the intruder isn't the only reason, why you're doing this." Chati said.

"What I promise your father and your uncle is part of an earlier plan, for the intruder who ruined the way of life of the Quelans also is a threat to my padawan, Chati."

"Is that the reason why she isn't here with you?"

Luke nodded.

"It's too long a story, Chati, to tell you now, but I also have to protect my padawan against him. The difficulty is that I can't see yet how things will really will evolve. The future is always unsure and in motion, even for me as a Jedi. That is an important lesson my old master taught me."

"You can't influence the future as a Jedi?"

Luke shook his head.

"No, but there are Jedi who can get Force visions about the future and have the skills to alter a the future the Force is revealing to them. They are skilled in Jedi Battle meditation. My padawan is one of those Force skilled people. She has seen me in hibernation in several of her Force visions. I take her visions seriously, Chati, but I can't explain what consequences her Force visions have for me."

"She has seen your future?" Chati asked.

"Yes, I sense that she also isn't yet sure how to interpret those visions, so she might alter what's going to happen. Perhaps those visions have to do with the fate of the intruder and that of the Quelans. As her master I need to help her, but even for me the future has many ways to become real."

"You're always so very cautious, Ben. I think, that's because you know everything about the Force, don't you.?" Chati said in admiration.

Luke laughed.

"I'd wish that was true, Chati, no I certainly don't know everything. I still have much to learn before I will have gain the great knowledge and understanding of the Force my old master Yoda had," Luke added while he rose.

"You can count on me, Ben. I will do what you asked me. If by chance Cornell or Wollin would need some equipment from the base cave I will suggest that I will get the stuff. I will enter the cave and get the things which are needed. Maybe Cemall can accompany me, but I will order him to wait for me outside the cave."

Han Solo yawned. He longed for some sleep, but as long as they hadn't reached Palomintar Four from the rear side he had to be alert. So far they had crossed the orbits of the two outermost planets of the Palomintar System and were on their way to the third one: Palomintar Ten.

Chewbacca had convinced him they would go in orbit around each planet, take a few orbital flight before hopping to the next planet. It was a safety matter. Circling the planet at high altitude gave them the opportunity to check if the Basilisæa was in range. The only disadvantage was the loss of time, for orbiting a planet could only be performed using the sublight engines. So they had to deactivate and activate the hyperdrive every time.

The Palomintar System consisted of twelve planets. The six outer planet were inhabitable. Their surface was extremely cold with huge frozen water masses.

"I'm glad that weirdo took one of the inner planets as his goal," Han commented while he watched the synchro. "Standby to orbit Palomintar Ten. Sublight engines on standby, Chewie. Deactivate the hyperdrive. Here we go: Palomintar Ten. Let's make three rounds and check the whereabouts of the Basilisæa."

Chewbacca grunted a long sentence and pointed at the amplified display, where the Basilisæa still was no bigger than a small dot among the stars. Han nodded and grinned.

"They still don't know we're around again. Let's head for the next planet: Palomintar Nine. What's her position?"

He checked his own display of the system and murmured some very unfriendly words, before he entered the coordinates of their next destination.

"Standby Chewie, we have to cross the system to the other side. Palomintar Nine is in opposite position. We can reach her in four hours. Five, four, three, two, one. Hyperdrive activation. Cut sublights."

The Millennium Falcon shot away to her next rendez-vous. Han leaned back in the pilot's chair and yawned again.

"As soon as we have reached Palomintar Four I'm going to sleep for the next three days," He commented to his co-pilot who was still wide awake and alert. Han envied his friend. Wookiees were known for their endurance. Where humans needed some rest every standard day, Wookiees could do without sleep for more than a standard week and even longer. He had heard stories about Wookiee travellers who stayed awake for more than a month.

Once again he cast a glance on the synchro.

"Take over, Chewie. I take a short nap. I need one, before I fall asleep while we're landing on Palomintar Four. Wake me up when we're going in orbit around Palomintar Nine."

He closed his eyes and almost immediately fell asleep.

On Palomintar Four in the underground realm of Darth Golluth lieutenant Whain looked concerned at the self-proclaimed Sith lord.

"The Dalmaranian surveillance squads have intercepted them, master. They waited too long after they found the spot indicated by the coordinates," He said cautiously.

"Another failure of some incompetent thugs." Darth Golluth grumbled.

"I could trace the coordinates of their call. I might have the exact location where the New Republic is hiding lady Vader, my lord. Maybe you should send a invasion squad to Na'ctaMagh'Ba to capture her and bring her here. I'm sure my admiral can carry out that task," Whain suggested.

"You suggest we should get her by force," Darth Golluth pondered, but Whain heard some mistrust in his voice. "No, we shouldn't do it that way, colonel. Don't think I'm giving up my plan to get her to Palomintar Four, but the Dalmaranian officials and that leader of the New Republic shouldn't get suspicious about what's going. There are other ways to get that lady to Palomintar Four you know."

"You're still aiming at capturing her friends or at least one of them?" Whain asked, "you said, my lord, that admiral Vestor was looking for them. Have you heard about his progress?"

"I haven't, maybe you can make contact with the Basilisæa and ask for an update."

Doran's heart made a jump for joy. He's gotten permission to contact his admiral. Now he could leave him a message without using any encryption method.

'Careful, Whain, this guy mustn't get suspicious about your loyalty. You must play your role as his loyal servant.'

"If you're not needing me, my lord, I would like carry out your order immediately. I'll come back to you after I have received an answer from the Basilisæa," Whain said dutifully.

Darth Golluth made a dismissive gesture and Doran rose. He walked to the door, when Darth Golluth called him back.

"Tell admiral Vestor, that I expect he will lay his hands on one of those Skywalkers quickly. They might be on Dalmaran keeping an eye on the girl. As for that other friend of her, her former guard Ian Tydon. He must be on Palomintar Six somewhere. Maybe the admiral could do some investigation there first. I'm told that the guy has been severely wounded. If so he will be a fine bait."

"I will suggest admiral Vestor your last option, my lord, those Skywalkers can be anywhere. You told me they are Jedi Knights. Probably the Supreme Chancellor has send them on missions to extend the New Republic's influence. If Lady Vader is staying in those underground caverns on Na'ctaMagh'Ba there is no need for them to stay on Dalmaran as her protectors."

"You're absolutely right, colonel. Ask Vestor to go after Ian Tydon first. Tell him, I want him to give all his attention to the whereabouts of that guy. If he is still wounded he will be a much easier target to lay our hands on."

"I will do as you've ordered, my lord." Whain said and left the cave he had dubbed 'the throne room'. He quickly crossed through the corridors to the communication center. The tech droids were greeting him with a choir of welcoming beeps.

For a moment Whain looked at them. These mechanics shouldn't be around if he was transmitting a message to his superior. For a moment he stood in deep thoughts, then he grinned and walked over to the holographic display. He was granted access to the system and started rummaging in the system's inner files. After several he grinned again. Working rapidly he forced access to a hidden file. He scanned its content and started to change some code. He finished his work and saved the new coding. Almost immediately the beeping sounds of the tech droids stopped. Whain turned around and looked at the motionless droids.

"I'm sorry, folks," He said apologetically, "I will activate you again, after I have done my chores. I wish you all sweet dreams."

He turned back to the console and started to look for the communication frequency of the Basilisæa. To his surprise he found out that the imperial star destroyer was in range of the system. He typed the access code of the ship and waited.

On board the Basilisæa the communication officer immediately intercepted the incoming call-up and warned admiral Vestor.

"Admiral, there's request coming in from Major Whain." the officer reported.

"Put it on the secret frequency to my quarters, officer, and see to it that no one will disturb me." the admiral said.

"Yes, sir," the officer said and salute formally.

Admiral Vestor left the communication area and walked to his private quarters. He entered his secret access code and looked at the holographic display where the image of this missing technician popped up.

"Major Whain, what kept you so long," the admiral said brusquely.

"Darth Golluth is still holding me hostage, sir, he won't let me go until he has the girl is after and at least one of the other Jedi. I couldn't get to you earlier. I also can't speak freely. He wants you go after a guy named Ian Tydon. The guy seems to be severely wounded. You must kidnap him and bring him here."

"Where is that guy? What about those Skywalker Jedi?" Vestor said gruffly.

"Ian Tydon is hiding somewhere on Palomintar Six." Doran said.

"Somewhere on Palomintar Six. Has he ever been on Palomintar Six? That planet is covered for ninety-nine percent with thick jungle and swamps. There's one small town with a kind of space port Ktafunda. It's not more than an outpost for rogues and criminals. What does he want him for?"

"Ian Tydon seems to be a close friend of Lady Vader. Darth Golluth want to use him as a kind of bait to get her to Palomintar Four voluntarily."

"Ridiculous plan." The admiral snarled.

"I agree, sir, but I have to be cautious. One wrong word and I'm back in chains again."

"What did he do, major. Give me an update. It sounds you're not treated well."

Quickly Doran Whain told Vestor how he had been treated the first weeks of his involuntarily stay in the underground cavern. Vestor fumed inside. However he maintained his professional dignity.

"Stay were you are, major, keep your eyes open, carry on with your task. I'll do what I can to get you back on board the Basilisæa as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir," Whain said and brought a formal salute.

"Any more information, major?" Vestor asked.

"Sir, can you tell me more about the Darth Golluth. What is he up to?"

Vestor grunted.

"He is ... no, I'll send you some encrypted files on him and the decryption code. I've read the content of several files, but there are a couple files which are recorded in languages I'm not familiar with. Maybe you are able to access their content. But beware, major, the content might be dangerous in your situation."

Vestor pressed some buttons on his console and retrieved the map. He entered the code to upload the content to the encryptor and waited.

"Here they come. Remember, be extremely careful with the content. This information is classified."

"Got it, sir."

"Good. I'll contact you ..."

Doran Whain shook his head.

"If necessary I'll contact the Basilisæa, sir. I need to be very cautious."

He switched off the display, loaded the encrypted files on a shielded part of his infocom. Subsequently he changed back the code in the hidden file which activated the tech droids. Their beeping was a sound signal for Doran that the communication was back to normal. He deactivated the whole system, greeted the techs and left the room.

To be continued...