Chapter 69

Immediately the twenty X-wing class star ships closed the formation.

"We're going to follow them at sublight speed and see what they're up to,"

"Confirmed, Gold Leader," Came the response of his team.

"Gold Leader, they are entering the system again," Gold Six commented.

Immediately preceding Gold Six's comment Wedge had already reached out to the Force to get a glimpse of the Basilisæa's intentions. Carefully he watched the star destroyer from a distance, using his skills to envision what the commander of the Basilisæa was up to.

"Gold Leader, what if they are going into hyperspace?," Gold Two commented, noticing the change in the position of the star destroyer.

"They probably will. Keep your eyes open. Use your visual scanning and see if they reappear." Wedge commented.

Almost immediately the star destroyer disappeared. Wedge and his Gold Squadron increased their speed, setting course along the trajectory the Basilisæa had followed. All Wedge's men were at the highest level of preparedness.

"There she is again at point zero-seven-zero, Gold Leader," Gold Three reported.

"Good work, Gold Three. On my mark we follow them through hyperspace; four, three, two, one." Wedge ordered.

Gold Squadron went into hyperspace as one smooth unity. Wedge looked at the synchro to keep track of their time in hyperspace.

"Sublight activation, Gold Squad; four, three, two, one," He ordered and his team came out of hyperspace near Palomintar Four. At some ten planet diameters the Basilisæa drifted in orbit around the planet.

"What kind of business do they have there, Gold Leader?" Gold Eight asked.

"Keep radio silence, Gold Eight," Wedge ordered.

He moved his X-wing in front of his team and watch the imperial star destroyer which was getting closer to the planet's surface. As it had reached four planet diameters its movement stopped. A hatch underneath opened and two small transport ship were launched.

"Increase speed to maximum power and dive. Follow me. We're going to intercept those landing transports," Wedge ordered and the ten X-wing dived. Being more maneuverable and faster they reached the two slow transport ship within minutes.

"Prevent them to land. Force them back to the star destroyer."

"Basilisæa, this is Wedge Antilles of Gold Squadron. No landing is allowed on one of the planets in this system with exception for Ktafunda on Palomintar Six by order of the Supreme Leader of the New Republic. For the other planets in the Palomintar System landing is prohibited. Call back your transport ships."

"Good work, master Antilles," He heard as an answer, "We take over from you and your men"

"We stay underneath those transport ship and keep them from landing, general," Wedge answered.

"Basilisæa, this is the New Republic Tychorion. State the necessity of landing those transports on Palomintar Four." The stern voice of Crix Madine sounded in his headset. He switched on the open hailing frequency of his ship.

"Basilisæa, call back those transport ships, or we hooked them on our tracker beam and have the crew arrested for violating the peace treaty." general Madine ordered.

Wedge craned his neck to look at the transport ships above him. The engines of the ships suddenly stopped and the ships just floated in the void of space. Slowly they seemed to turn around, but their engines weren't started. Wedge carefully watched the scene; the Basilisæa closed in and drew their landing crafts inside, then the imperial star destroyer went into hyperspace, heading for Palomintar Six.

"They've left, general," Wedge reported to the Tychorion.

"Excellent intervention, Gold leader," Madine answered.

Wedge ordered his men to resume to their former position, when he felt Leia's presence through the Force

'Wedge, I want you to come on board of the Tychorion. There's much we have to discuss. Any sight of the Astræga? Any word from my brother?' Leia asked.

'Neither of the Astræga, nor of Luke, Leia. I will ask permission to board,' Wedge answered.

Wedge opened the special frequency of the Tychorion.

"This is Gold Leader. I wish to come on board, general."

"Granted, Gold Leader. We open the hatch to the docking area."

"Gold One, take over."

"Copy, Gold Leader." Wedge's second-in-command acknowledge.

The X-wing of Gold Leader neared the Tychorion and Wedge made a perfect landing at the docking area. As soon as he had landed he saw Leia and his general walking up to him. He waited until the docking crew had fastened the landing staircase and jumped to the platform. Wedge made a formal salute to general Madine. Leia grabbed his arm, looking up at him with a relieved face.

"Good to see you, Wedge. How are you?" She said.

"I'm fine. No problems, so far, but I think it's a bit odd for the Basilisæa to set course to Palomintar Six."

"It isn't, Wedge. Probably Vestor has gotten new instructions in his search for Ian. Darth Golluth knows that my padawan got wounded in Ktafunda on Palomintar Six and brought to the medic center."

"That happened several weeks ago."

"Darth Golluth probably doesn't know what has happened in the mean time. His communication system has been cut off. There has been a successful attempt infiltrate the Quoith computer system again. Our engineers have traced the activities to a communication system on Palomintar Four. They have intercepted the downloaded data which contained among other things a lot of information about Liane's imprisonment on Wegoyy. It's very likely that Darth Golluth has found out that Ian was her guard before he became my padawan."

"Are you suggesting he assumes that Ian got befriended with her on Wegoyy and that she will help him once she learned he is wounded."

Wedge started to laugh.

"That guy has to learn a lot, Leia. He doesn't seem to know that your padawan is in good health again. It's good to know that his communication lines had been cut off. His spies could have informed him while you and Ian were on Dalmaran consulting Mon Mothma about our intervention in this system."

"That's a lucky coincidence, but like I told you my padawan and yours have left Na'ctaMagh'Ba together with Liane and they haven't turned up here yet. Neither of them responded to the Jedi way of communication." Leia commented and Wedge heard a worried tone in her voice.

Madine joined the conversation.

"Your Highness, if the Astræga turns up now, the Tychorion can intercept her and bring her on board. I'm sure those three runaways will tell us their reason for their flight."

"Does Luke already know, they have gone?" Wedge asked.

Leia shook her head.

"He hasn't answer my latest calls, Wedge. Has Han contacted you? The Millennium Falcon must have entered Palomintar's orbit several days ago."

"My men and I haven't seen him, but the Falcon hasn't contacted me, Leia?"

Leia nodded with a frown.

"Then I know what has happened. Han has against Mon Mothma's order has landed the Falcon, using its cloaking facility, near the spot were we left Luke and the harvesters. General, I want to use your communication system immediately."

"Then you'd better follow me then, Leia," Madine said.

On board the Basilisæa commander Vestor was outraged.

"How can that commander of a contingent of X-wing have intercepted our plans." He grumbled at his second-in-command.

The captain of the Basilisæa wisely kept his mouth.

"We should have been notified, if he was asking for support of their fleet. Did our communications officer intercept such a call, captain?"

"No sir. I have checked that immediately when the Tychorion came out of hyperspace."

"Somehow they seemed to know exactly what our intentions were. Captain, I want you to contact Darth Golluth when we have arrived near Palomintar Six. Send a coded message and ask them information about that Tydon guy."

"Yes, sir. Anything more you wish?"

"No, not at the moment. I need to figure out a plan with that information how I have to capture that guy, otherwise I won't have reason if I want to exchange that guy for major Whain."

"We are going to take Ian Tydon as a hostage, but you told me he is wounded? What if he dies on board the Basilisæa?"

"Our staff of medical droid will keep him alive, as long as necessary, captain. What will happened afterwards with him is none of our business. As soon as we are able to get major Whain back on board, we're leaving this system. I want to get to Coruscant to discuss the situation with the Provisionary Council."

"I will contact Darth Golluth. Let's hope he will answer right away."

The captain and second-in-command of the Basilisæa left, leaving admiral Vestor with a brooding mind full of unanswered questions. His position as an admiral in the imperial fleet and the commander of one of the last full functioning star destroyers might be at stake if he didn't get the young major back on board. Normally he wouldn't bother about a subordinate, but this major was assigned to the Basilisæa by the grand admiral of the Provisional Coruscant Council. At first he had refused to take the young man on board of the Basilisæa, arguing that he wanted only experienced crew members on board a ship that operated under his command, but the grand admiral had put him under pressure. He had met the young Doran Whain shortly after he had spoken the grand admiral and he had to admit that the knowledge of the young major had impressed him.

Vestor slammed his desk.

"What a fool I've been to accept this foolish request to bring major Whain before that self-proclaimed Sith Lord, because he was the best technician on board. Darth Golluth seemed impressed and dismissed me, keeping my technical expert as his hostage. Well, I think I did well to send those files to him. I hope he will benefit from it after he has read the stuff."

Vestor had to admit that deep in his heart, he had become to like the young major who was a very intelligent and amiable person. He felt like a father to the young man. His features saddened and softened, as his thoughts dwelled for a moment on his own three sons. Dedicated young men who had paid a high price for their service on board the second Death Star and Darth Vader's super star destroyer Executor. His face became grim as he recalled the moment he had gotten the message of their death. No, this time he wouldn't fail. He had to get the grand admiral's ward safe back on board the Basilisæa and back to Coruscant.

The day after he had arrived on Myr Han Solo stood at the inlet of the dry-riverbed tunnel.

"You said he wanted to stay away for a week or so," He asked turning to Cornell.

"Yes, Ben had his own plans. He didn't bother us with his intentions. Sometimes he stayed with us and helped us." Cornell answered.

"You said he have taken Chati with him. She said she only accompanied him twice in the underground riverbed."

"You shouldn't worry about Ben, general. I'm sure he knows what he is doing."

'I'm not so sure,' Han thought, but he nodded.

"Do you want to have look inside, general. Shall I accompany you. I have been in a first stretch which descends along a sloping level. There is a rope ladder to get to the bottom.

Han followed the Quelan leader and descended along the rope ladder into the dry riverbed. Cornell ignited a ion-lamp and beckoned Han to follow. Han set a few steps inside.

"Luke!" Han called, "Luke, are you there? I..."

His voice echoed along the walls and Cornell grabbed his sleeve.

"Do not yell, general. Someone might hear. The sound of your voice echoes a long way through this tunnel. We still don't know if we're being watched." Cornell said startled, "He also might here us."

"Sorry, Cornell, but I need to find Luke. I have to talk to him in private."

""You'd better stay with me and the others, general, and wait until Ben comes back. Do you want to see our progress?"

Han tried to remain calm.

"Yes, show me, Cornell," he said after a few moments.

Cornell grabbed the rope ladder and beckoned Han to follow him to the surface. Together they walked over to the outcropping were some fifty harvesters were working with the transpira foil freezing. Cornell proudly explained to Han the working of the transpari foil freezing method and showed Han how the process worked. His men were just freezing a large layer of rock and Han looked astounded how the solid rock crumbled under the layer of fiber foil. Han complemented the men with their invention, but he almost started to laugh mockingly when Cornell told him they had been cleared some ten meters so far.

"Ten meters?" He asked surprised.

"Yes, general. Much more than we expected," Cornell said proudly, "We made some improvements and now we can clear away half a meter a day."

Han was astounded, but remembered in time Luke's words on Tyr about the pride of these men.

"Can I give you hand?" He asked politely.

"Of course, general. We were just going to clear away these crumbled rocks. We fill these baskets, and bring them over to the wall we're building along the plateau. In the past, long ago, the plateau was part of the original river to Ribana."

Once again Han was astounded about the primitive way Cornell and his men used to work. Working this way their task would indeed take years as he had remarked during their meeting with Mon Mothma. He took the shovel one of the Quelans handed him and started to fill one of the baskets. He took the full basket to the plateau were Chati was working again to level another stretch of the foundation. Han watched the Quelan woman and had to admit that he admired her endurance, for the work she had to do was heavy. He walked over with his basket of crumbled rocks.

"Shall I give you a hand with the heavier pieces, young lady?" He asked.

Chati looked and gave him a thankful smile.

"If you can help me to put that heavy block to the edge of the foundation we made, then I can fill the gaps underneath with smaller pieces of rock."

Han grabbed the rock and put it where Chati pointed. Thoroughly the girl began to stabilize the rock with some rocks and filled the remaining holes with every tinier slivers. As she had finished she looked at Han.

"You can empty your basket in front of this rock. That will keep it from tumbling on the foundation before I have leveled it."

"Are you doing this every day?"

"Yes, but Cornell's son Cemall often helps me. Today he had to work somewhere else, he said. I'm glad you could give me a hand with that heavier block."

"Hasn't my brother never given you a hand with this work. A Jedi can very easily move those heavier pieces for you."

"Oh, yes, general, he often gives me a hand. He even taught me how I can lift stones myself using my Force skills."

"He does?"

"Yes, after I was discovered in your ship Cornell disguised me as another harvester Quelan. He even shaved of my hair, but it's growing already."

Chati took off the hat she was wearing. On top and at the back of her pointed head Han saw a dark brown stroke of hair. Chati put on her hat again.

"I remember that when I met you Tyr you had three buns at the back of your head, but your mother and other Quelan woman wore their hair in two pony tails."

"That's the traditional hairstyle of a Quelan woman." Chati said a bit stiff.

Han started to laugh.

"And you're against traditional rules, right." He said still laughing.

Chati began to laugh too.

"All of them, general. Can you get me another basket with rocks. I want to finish this part before we'll finish the work for today and get to the camp site."

"My pleasure, young lady. I'll gladly give you a hand with this work as long as Luke isn't around to help you."

He walked back to the outcropping where the harvesters had filled several other baskets. Han took one in each hand and walked back to Chati. Together they work until they saw that the harvesters started climbing the rope ladders to the camp site. Chati picked up the empty baskets and put them against the opposite wall.

"I'll bring them back to the others tomorrow. General, we'd better hurry otherwise we might miss our evening meal," She said with a laugh, grabbing one of the rope ladder and started to climb, "Thank you for your help. It was also nice to chat with you. I would like to hear some of your stories, for you probably have seen a lot of other planets in the galaxy. Ben also has told me of his adventures on his home planet. I already knew by the way that he was the fighter pilot who blew up the first Death Star."

Han had climb one of the other rope ladder and reached the top just before Chati. He politely extended his hand to help her step off the ladder. Chati accepted his gesture with a thankful smile. Together they walked over to the community tree house where the harvesters' cooking group had been busy preparing the evening meal. All the harvesters found a place along the walls of the community tree house after they had scoped a portion of meal on their plate. Chati took Han with her to an empty place near the wall. They had hardly taken their first bit when Cemall stumbled through the entrance with the deadly pale face. Chati looked at him and immediately knew what had happened.

"Father, ...you ... must ...come ...down ...with ...me. There ... is ... something ... not ... good ... with ... Ben!" He stammered exhausted, because he seemed to have run up the narrow path from the base cave.

Cornell looked up.

"What do you mean, Cemall? Has Ben returned from his underground investigation unexpectedly."

"No... No... father ... It's .... looks ... worse.... I ....have .... found .... Ben ... in... the .... base .... cave... in ... that ... deep ... niche .... near .... the ... back... wall. I thought... he was ... asleep... I tried to .... wake ... him up, but he didn't ... react. Father ... he also feels cold .... very cold."

Cornell, Han and quite a number of the harvesters put down their plates and rushed outside. Chati watched them go. She rose and jumped to the ground.

One of the Quelans who was hurrying to the path turned and made a gesture that she should follow them.

Chati raised her hand to confirm she had seen him. She looked around and started to hurry down a faster path through the woods. She stumbled a few times, but managed to reached a path that went down into the hollow with the grassy plain where she and Cornell had met Han. She didn't spot the Millennium Falcon, but intuitively knew the ship must be near. She decided she would not follow the others to the base cave, for she expected that Han would take Ben to the Falcon. She hid herself among the vegetation.

In the meantime Cornell,Han and the main group of the Quelans had reached the entrance of the base cave.

Cornell dashed inside and rushed over to back wall. Han followed him closely and looked over Cornell shoulder.

"General, my son is right. Have a look. This is not good," Cornell said concerned.

He ignited a ion-lamp and held it high so Han could see.

Han went inside the niche and kneeled near the stack of fleeces where Luke laid on his back.

"Luke, kid, wake up," He called and shook his friend at his shoulders.

Nothing happened. Han felt Luke's pulse and looked very worried.

"There's no pulse, no heartbeat, Cornell."

"You mean, he's dead, general."

Han shook his head.

"I don't know, Cornell, I don't know, but I have to get him on a life-support system real quick. Maybe I'm already too late. Luke, kid, what happened to you?"

Han activated his infocom.

"Chewie, deactivate the cloaking. Something is wrong with Luke. Prepare our life support system."

He listened to the answer of this co-pilot.

"No, I'm coming to the Falcon with Luke right now."

He switched off, got over to the stack of fleeces and lifted the inert body of Luke in his arms. He touched the young Jedi's face. It felt cold. What had happened to the boy?

"I'm taking him to the Falcon, Cornell. My ship has a provisional life support system."

With the body of Luke in his arms Han walked outside the cave. In the bright daylight he was shocked as he looked at the ashen face of his brother-in-law. Again he started to shook the young Jedi.

"Wake up, Luke, you can't leave us this way? Think of Leia, think of Liane, think of our friendship."

He rushed down the path to reach to the Falcon, where Chewbacca came hurrying down the ramp. He took the burden from Han's arms and let out a loud wailing howl.

No one noticed the slight movement near one of the landing claws. Chati tried to crawl closer to the ramp of the Falcon. She took time to make sure that the color of her skin was adapting to her surrounding. Carefully she hid himself underneath the ramp and listened. She heard that Cornell and four or five Quelans had been following Han Solo and Chewbacca with the body of Luke Skywalker. As she looked around the safety pylons of the ramp she saw many other Quelans discussing the situation near the path to the base cave. She felt their worries and anxieties.

Again she hid herself underneath the Falcon, listened and waited. One of the harvesters finally took the lead and told the others to get inside the base cave to avoid unwanted attentions of spying eyes. Chati waited for several moments then crawled from underneath the ramp, looked if her fellow Quelans had disappeared and then jumped on the ramp.

Once inside the side she hid herself in a shallow alcove against the wall and listened. She knew what she had to do, but she first had to find out where they had taken the hibernated body of Ben. She closed her eyes and sought her union with the Force to find the presence of the others. Now she clearly heard the separate voices of Han Solo, the Wookiee and Cornell and the others. Stealthy she came out of her hiding place, looked at her skin color and grinned. He was almost as grey as the paneling of the passageway of the space ship. Without making any noise she found her way to the central control room. Now the voice were clearly audibly.

"Chewie," He heard Han Solo say, "did you attach him to those life support vials."

The Wookiee grunted.

"No pal, I don't get any reading of a heart beat on the monitor. I fear we're too late, I fear our friend has left us without a warning."

The Wookiee let out a earsplitting howl. Chati heard how they all started to talk together, expressing their grief. For a second Chati reached out further through the Force and felt the slow heart beat of Ben. She took a deep breath and walked over to where she heard the voices.

As she stepped inside the alcove where they all stood she said in a clear voice "Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale."

Cornell whirled around, walked over the young female Quelan, grabbed her roughly at her shoulders and shook her.

"What are you doing here? This is no time for jokes, Mayan Fonaldris. We seemed to have lost the most important member of our company. General Solo just said that master Skywalker was the last living Jedi master in this galaxy." He snarled.

Chati looked over Cornell's shoulder and started to smile. She saw how Luke's chest had started to raise and fall as his normal breathing returned. Cornell, who stood with his back towards the berth on which Luke laid, became furious when he saw the smile around the young girl's mouth.

"Why are you laughing? You know what happened, don't you? You know who did this, don't you? Was it that wierdo who took our city? Tell us!" He suddenly yelled and slapped her face with his hand. Chati didn't flinch, but kept looking at Luke Skywalker and the monitor above the berth.

"Look," she said calmly, pointing at the display, "His heart beat is almost normal. He will wake up any moment now."

She hadn't finished her sentence, when Luke opened his eyes and looked around. Immediately his glance intercepted the violent color on Chati's cheek where Cornell had hit her.

"Mezorahim dejan Forca tusale., Chati. I've heard our Jedi greeting," He said and slowly sat upright.

Then he noticed Han and Chewie who were looking devastated at the young Jedi.

"Luke!" Han exclaimed. "What happened to you? We all thought you were dead."

"My apologies," Luke said embarrassed, "I have been practising Jedi Force hibernation meditation. I didn't have the intention to frighten you."

"Jedi hibernation meditation! What's that for Force nonsense!"

Luke jumped off the berth and carefully freed himself of a few tubes and vials that were attached to his arms. He turned to Cornell.

"Did you find me, Cornell?" He asked politely, putting his hand on the Quelan's shoulder, "I'm really sorry, if I've frightened you all. I wanted to test your fiber foil jacket to see if it would be suitable to serve an idea I have in mind. Han, Chewie, it's good that you have returned. Where's Leia? Have you heard anything about Liane? Last time I spoke to her she mentioned that the residence was under attack."

"Luke, don't you ever do this again to me!" Han said, poking his finger on his friend's chest, on a furious, but relieved tone, then he continued: "Leia's still on Dalmaran. She wanted to convince Mon Mothma she should replace her, because Liane and those two padawans you send to protect her weren't in the residence any longer, but hiding in the Jedi Archive cave, or something. I haven't heard from her. Chewie and I came back to support you."

"Let's get inside the base cave, fellows, so we can cloak the Falcon again," Luke said, "Han, Cornell, I will explain Jedi hibernation a bit once we're inside. That fiber foil jacket, Cornell, serves my needs. I feel refreshed and energetic. Chati, thank you for your help, Cornell has slapped your face, hasn't he. Does it hurt much."

Chati shook her head and Luke continued,

"Without you, Chati, my friends would have probably brought me back to Dalmaran."

He grabbed the young Quelan woman's shoulder and gently pushed her to the ramp of the Falcon, with a laughing flicker in his eyes. The others followed still shaking their heads in disbelieve. Chewbacca grunted a long sentence, but Luke shook his head.

"You too can come with us, Chewie. I will cloak the Falcon, once every one is outside."

They all left and after Chewbacca had raised the ramp, Luke used the Force to active the cloaking of the ship. Together with Chati he followed the others inside the cave entrance where some sixty Quelans were gathered and cheered when Luke came in. More Quelans were still coming in. Chati had stayed near Luke and the young Jedi took her to a place next to him. He pointed to his left side to Han and Chewbacca, before he looked around the circles of men and still saw and felt the agony and fear his Jedi hibernation meditation had caused, mingled with relief and cheerfulness. Even Han and Chewie who knew him better seemed still anxious.

"First of all I want to apologize for the anguish I have unwittingly caused. I realize now that as a Jedi I possess skills and abilities other species and even other humans find weird and even frightening. I never had the intentions to frighten any of you with this Jedi meditation. I owe you an explanation. Cornell was it you, who found me?" Luke asked politely.

The Quelan harvester still looked suspicious, but finally he shook his head.

"No, master Skywalker. It was Cemall, my son, who went inside that niche. He thought he heard something and wanted to check out."

Luke looked at Cemall who was still looking very uncomfortable.

"I apologize for what you have witnessed, Cemall. I know it has horrified you." Luke said with compassion.

"I thought you were dead, master Skywalker," Cemall whispered, "You didn't breath. I felt your pulse and felt nothing. I though I'd better warn Cornell."

"You did well, Cemall. I should have informed your father about my hibernation sessions."

"What's the use of it, kid?" Han interrupted.

"There are a lot of reasons why a Jedi should go into hibernation, Han. Mostly it's used when wounded. Jedi hibernation slows down all important physical functions. That give a Jedi the opportunity to reach a place where he can get proper medical treatment. It can also be used during long space travels."

"What if there's no one to wake you up?" Han asked. "I think you're lucky that Chati used those words."

"I instructed Chati, Han. She had to use the Jedi greeting to wake me up immediately, but I would have woke up by myself in two days."

Han grunted, not convinced or satisfied with Luke's answer. He looked at Chewbacca and shrugged his shoulders.

"Master Skywalker, sorry to ask, but would Chati always have awaken you, if some one of us would have found you earlier. I mean before the general had returned?" Cemall asked.

"Yes, Cemall. It was unfortunate that I was brought to the Falcon..."

Chewbacca grunted a very angry comment.

"Yes, Chewie, it was unfortunate, because Chati had to find a way to enter the Falcon without being noticed. She is the youngest among us, who is not always taken seriously. Chati has shown her Force skills when she realized I had to be awakened, before you and Han would have taken me back to Dalmaran."

Luke had put his hand on Chati's shoulder.

"Most of you don't realize that Chati possesses the same skills and abilities as I do. She is a strong Force user and in the future she will be trained as a Jedi Knight. I have already taught Chati how to act when she had to wake me up from Jedi hibernation. The first time she did that she was as frightened as you, Ronan, but she controlled her fear and did what I told her she must do."

The harvesters looked at Chati, who sat with a embarrassed face next to Luke.

"Never knew, Chati, you're a Jedi Knight too." Cemall said and started laughing, "We all treated you as troublemaker, an stubborn Quelan woman, and now it turns out you're of more use to Ben than we are."

"I'm not a Jedi Knight, Cemall, I'm even not a padawan. I hope to become one. One day," Chati said in a whisper, "I only want to help all of you and not only Ben. I want to do useful things here and learn from you. I want to help everywhere I can."

"You're a fine young woman, Ma ... Chati," Cornell complimented the girl, "After all we're very glad to have you with us."

Chati looked up with a smile and looked at her fellow Quelans with more confident.

"We accept your apologies, Ben, but you haven't explained what the purpose is of that hibernation state." Cornell said.

"Yeah, that's what I also want to know," Han said still looking skeptical, "You weren't wounded and you're not traveling in space. So what's the use of it here on Palomintar Four."

"You're right, Han, there is no use of Jedi hibernation at this moment and I can't see a useful appliance here yet, but the Force has shown Liane, my padawan to be, some possible future developments where this knowledge might become useful."

"Will you be practising this again here, Ben?" One of Cornell's men asked.

Luke shook his head.

"I don't think it will be necessary. I know what consequences this Jedi meditation would have on me."

"Fine with me, kid. Don't do this again to me. I still feel shaken." Han commented.

They all started to laugh. The tension of the event quenched and Cornell's men started to get to back to the path to the second camp site, when Han's infocom bleeped.

"Han, where are you?" The voice of Leia sounded.

Han left the cave.

"I'm with the harvesters, darling. I went down to Palomintar Four to assist your brother."

"You've neglected Mon Mothma's orders. You should have stayed in orbit," Leia snapped.

"Glad I didn't, your brother has learned himself some idiotic new Jedi Force feature. He scared me to death. You should ask him yourself and tell him that he'll never uses this again," Han bickered.

"Is Luke alright?" Leia asked concerned.

"Better than ever. What about me?"

Leia started to laugh.

"As I hear you, you're still in a fine shape, darling. Nothing seems to be wrong with you. Listen, Han, can you lift off unseen and come to the Tychorion. Maybe Luke should join you. There are some serious new developments."

Han heard a worried tone in his wife's voice.

"What's wrong, Leia? Are Liane and those padawans alright?"

"That the main point of my concern."

"We leave immediately. I will ask Luke to join Chewie and me. See you on the Tychorion."

Doran Whain put two tiny datacrons between the lining layers of the collar of his uniform jacket and sewed the split. Then he put his infocom in his pocket and left his room.

Looking calm he walked to the main entrance of the underground dwelling, greeted the droid guards and went down the sloping steps. He knew the droids were watching him, so at the end of the path he turn left in stead of going to the lower cave to get the speeder to visit Ribana. He had already figured out that the left path first went up on the mountain ridge, but out of sight of the cave entrance it sloped down into an overgrown valley behind the hills east of Ribana. Using the way through the valley he could reach the deserted city much easier from the rear side without being noticed.

He walked firmly along the rocky path, carefully observing the surrounding landscape. The plains and the valley around Ribana must have been a very fertile area. He still could see the outlines of agricultural land. The fields itself were overgrown with weeds.

At an intersection just before the road ahead ascended to the higher plateaus of the mountain ridge Whain turn right and vanished among the bushes and scrubs of an overgrown path. After some ten meters with thick high growing bushes he descended further into the valley along some stepping stones a small stream of water was flown down over those stones into the valley below.

Doran laughed grimly at himself. Even if Darth Golluth would use a sniffer droid it wouldn't find his footprints on these wet stones.

He had prepared today's walk very thoroughly. On prior walks he had set up some false and fake tracks around the entrance of Darth Golluth' underground dwelling.

By accident he had discovered the overgrown path with the stream with the stepping stones which came from the hillside that surrounded the arable land east of Ribana into the valley.

Quickly Whain jumped further down the steps, taking care to keep his feet in the water flow.

In the distance he could already see the goal of his walk: a deserted domed estate in the middle of a former vineyard. The entangled vines completely withdrew the house from view. He had visited the estate once. It was still intact. Even the main wine cellar could be reached. It would be a perfect place that could serve his goal: reading the classified information admiral Vestor had send him.

Whenever he had left the underground dwelling he made sure to take the two datacrons with him, hidden somewhere among his clothes. He was aware that if Darth Golluth would find these tiny chips, everything would be lost and he might be in jeopardy. That's why he had decided to hide the datacrons somewhere in the cellar of the vineyard estate building.

Leia watched as the Millennium Falcon boarded the Tychorion. Han had indeed managed to leave Myr unseen after their short conversation. She hoped that Luke was with him.

"Millennium Falcon has landed," A PA-system blared through the huge docking hall. Leia look through the window of the control room and saw over to the familiar shape of the Corellian freighter. She hurried down stairs. The ramp came down as she neared the ship. She waited patiently, but suddenly her face brightened as she felt the presence of her brother and of another Force user. Luke had come, but he had also taken the young Quelan woman Chati with him. Why? She looked up and saw Han and a young Quelan woman walking down the ramp, followed by Chewbacca and Luke. Han hurried over to her and hugged her.

"Missed you, darling," He said and gave her another passionate kiss, "Glad to take you back on board the Falcon again. I suppose you're coming with me, if we're going back to Myr?"

"I will, my love," Leia said and turned to the young female Quelan who stood waiting with her eyes cast down. Han pushed the girl in Leia's direction.

"This is a stowaway who secretly hid herself on board when we left Tyr. This time I put her in one of the passengers seat next to your brother to keep an eye on her," Han said with a mocking laughter.

"Hello Chati, welcome on board the New Republic's Tychorion," Leia said friendly and stretched out her hand.

"It so huge," Chati said in awe looking around her, expressing her feelings about the impact the size of the Tychorion had made on her.

She still kept looking around the main landing hangar, before she realized she was neglecting Leia's outstretched hand. She formally bowed, as she had seen when Wedge Antilles had saluted Jedi master Skywalker.

"I'm honored to meet you again, master Jedi Organa," She said on a very formal tone.

Leia started to laugh.

"My brother seems to have instructed you well in our formal salutation, Chati," She said and returned the formal greeting.

Meanwhile Chewbacca and Luke had joined them and Leia hugged the Wookiee and her brother.

"Are you alright, Luke?" She asked.

"Why are you asking, Leia?" Luke returned the question.

"Han said you have been using some frightening Jedi meditation. What is it?"

"I'll explain later, Leia. Tell me, how is Liane doing? Is she alright again?"

"Let's go to Madine's quarters. He's waiting for us. I will give an update on the situation that has arisen," She said and Luke heard a concerned tone in her voice.

The company boarded a small transport speeder that brought them to the commander's quarters. There they met with Wedge Antilles and general Madine. The general greeted his friends friendly and affable. Luke introduced Chati and Madine welcomed the young Quelan female on board.

"Will Chati attend this meeting too, Luke?" Leia asked a bit surprised.

"Yes, Leia. She is my assistant at the moment. I want her to be informed about what's going on."

Chati had looked up at Luke words and the others saw how the young woman's self-esteem seemed to grow. Even general Madine couldn't suppress a smile. He told his duty officer to serve drinks and ordered the subordinate that he didn't want to be disturbed. After the officer had left they all took a seat around the conference table. Chati looked at Luke.

"A padawan always supports his master, Chati. As my assistant you do as a padawan. Your place is behind my seat. Listen carefully and never reveal what's being discussed." Luke said whispering to the girl who was standing near him.

"Yes, M..Ben," Chati whispered.

Luke patted her gently on her shoulder.

Leia looked at general Madine who nodded.

"Luke, I first will give you an update on Mon Mothma's effort to convince the Senate to send more support to the Palomintar System. The Senate couldn't consent with her wish to send a part of our fleet. The members fear that the mission would be an infringement of the peace treaty we have signed with the Provisional Council on Coruscant. She only gave Han and Wedge permission to go to the Palomintar System with the strict order that neither of them should land on Palomintar Four."

She looked at her husband with a frown. Chewbacca grunted a long sentence in Han's direction. Han shrugged his shoulders.

"But, as the Falcon can land and depart unseen, it might be a useful opportunity to help the Quelans getting their home town back," Leia continued.

"You're overruling the Supreme Chancellor's order?" Wedge asked.

"I don't. Mon Mothma's order was explicit as long as the Tychorion hadn't arrived. From now on the Falcon can land on Myr, but I think it's wise to use it's cloaking facility every time. We don't want to give the admiral of the Basilisæa a reason to land on the planet as well."

"The Tychorion will take care of that, Leia," The general said.

Leia nodded.

"The second item of this meeting concerns Liane and our padawans Yarmod and Ian."

"What do you mean, Leia?" Luke asked strained.

"Our three friends have taken the Astræga and left Na'ctaMagh'Ba without telling the space port official of Mas'onom their destination."

Flabbergasted Luke, Han and Chewbacca looked at each other.

"Why didn't you tell me, Leia?" Luke asked.

"I couldn't reach you, Luke. I've tried several times this last week, but you didn't answer my Jedi telepathy," Leia said with some reproach in her voice.

For a moment Luke leaned back in his chair.

"You probably were in Jedi hibernation, Ben," Chati whispered.

Luke nodded.

"My fault, Leia. I'm sorry. I have been practising a new Jedi meditation: Jedi Force hibernation. Anakin instructed me and I must admit that it might be useful. In which way I don't know, but I'm glad I thoroughly have obtained this knowledge. I will pass on this knowledge to you and Wedge after we have fin..."

"No, I protest, I don't want my wife to lay like a corpse next to me. I forbid you to tell her how you did it. Leia, I've found this guy nearly dead in a cave." Han protested.

"Master Solo," Chati said quietly, "If this knowledge belongs to the Jedi, you shouldn't refrain master Organa to obtain that knowledge, for I think, that she will learn it somehow. I have seen master Skywalker doing it and I'm sure it's safe to use."

"Shut up Chati," Han snapped, "Master Organa, as you called her, is my wife and I'm telling her brother I don't like it she will obtain this dark side knowledge of Darth Vader. I can't speak for Luke; he can decided for himself if wants to follow the instruction of his father."

Leia raised her hand.

"Han, darling, let's stop this useless discussion."

"Useless discussion," Han said surly, "You didn't see your brother, I did. No breathing, no heart beat, cold as ice and a skin color as a dead body laying in a snowstorm on Hoth."

Leia heaved a sigh. She knew her husband's objections against Force use.

"Han, leave it until later. I'm sure Luke can reassure us all. I want us to concentrate on our three fugitives. I've told you, Luke, that Liane had a Force vision while Wedge and I were visiting her in Mon Mothma's residence. We've heard her talking to Trevor. Later I talked to her in her quarters, urging her to stay on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. She told me that she felt she had to go to Palomintar Four. Because I couldn't reach you, Luke, I've asked Wedge to look out for the Astræga." Leia summarized her part of the story.

"So far, my men and I haven't found any trace or spot your ship, Luke," Wedge said.

Luke was silent. The others watched him.

"The Astræga can land unseen too. Like the Falcon, my ship also has a cloaking facility. Liane know and probably one of the padawan too. It wouldn't be easy to spot her. Leia, Wedge, did you contact your padawans?"

The two Jedi Knights nodded.

"Yarmod didn't respond," Wedge said.

"Ian either," Leia said.

"So we don't know anything about their whereabouts. They can be everywhere in this galaxy, but their most logical goal would be Palomintar Four. How long are they away now?" Luke asked.

"About a standard fortnight, Luke," Leia answered.

"I will see if I can reach one of our padawans, or Liane, using Jedi telepathy tonight, when I'm back on Myr," Luke said, "If not, there's only one option left: we have to be on our guard and notify each other if we notice something unusual on Myr. Wedge, can you and Gold Squadron set up surveillance flight over Myr?"

"We can, but what about the Basilisæa? Vestor will probably notice our actions," Wedge commented.

"Ben, may I suggest another option," Chati said shyly.

"Go ahead, Chati," Luke said, raising his hand to silence the others.

"Ben, this big ship, can't it go into orbit above Myr at such a height that it can keep an eye in one glace of the mountain ridge, the plains and the valley where the Quelans once lived with Ribana. Only that part of Myr has been inhabited. The rest of the continent is rural uninhabited area. Nobody lives there, even the Quelans avoid it. Behind the mountain ridge the land is barren because the radiant heat of several lava flows have wiped out nearly all vegetation. The southern part of Myr is forested at first, but when you go further south the trees disappear and the landscape turns into a deserted plain with bushes and weeds Sometimes the nagawa's stray and wander that far and we had to drive them back. You can ask Cornell and the others, if you don't believe my story. "

Chati's face had turned read during her story.

"I can show you what I mean, if it's view at the area from above. It must be possible to spot those friends of master Skywalker long before they can land with their space ship, " She added.

General Madine pressed several buttons in front of him. In the middle of the table a holographic image of the Palomintar system popped up. Madine amplified Palomintar Four, the forth planet of the system.

"You're a good listener and you've done a fast way of problem solving, young lady," He said, "My compliments. Here is your view from above. Now show us the areas you mentioned. Come over here. It's easier to point the locations from this side of the table."

Chati walked over to Madine's seat. She pointed at some spots. Automatically the area she pointed out amplified and the attendees got a clear view of the area she meant. While Chati pointed at the areas, Wedge quickly added some caption to the amplified view.

"This the mountain ridge to the north of my home town. Behind it is the barren wasteland of the lava flows. Ribana, where the Quelans lived, is over there in the middle. Around Ribana we used to grow our crops and vegetables on the plans. East of Ribana behind these hills is the vineyard of my family. Further east are many forested hills which merge with those south of Ribana. Tot the south the hills are higher separated with many valleys. The trees grow in a large part of that area, but further south they become smaller until they are no longer trees, but just small bushes. Finally these bushes disappear too and the deserted plains behind the hills is covered with a weed which can be dangerous. It entangles any traveler who tries to cross it, leading to a certain death. We have lost several of our men as they were looking for our herds of nagawas. To the west behind the plains around Ribana lay what we called the wildlands. We've crossed those land to reach the western habor."

Again Chati's face had turned red. General Madine put his hand on the young girl's arm.

"Thank you, Chati, for this excellent explanation. We will move the Tychorion go in static orbit above Palomintar Four at some hundred hundred planet diameters. There the Tychorion will stay. At that height we can keep a close look at the area you have pointed out to us. Wedge, you and your men can do some surveillance flights at a lower height, while watching the activities of the Basilisæa which will keep her at bay. We'll keep in touch with the Falcon, using a shielded pro-con communication frequency. If any other space ship is approaching Palomintar Four or nearing the surface in this area, it is noticed, we can alert you, Luke, and give you the exact location."

Madine turned to Chati.

"Young lady, I think you should instruct the surveillance droids where to look. You will provide them with the coordinates of that area you pointed out."

He called the duty officer.

"Take this young assistant of master Skywalker to our observation deck. Several droids have to be reprogrammed to set up a visual and audio surveillance in an specific area on the continent of Myr. She knows the exact coordinates. She has to confirm the images the droids are plotting, are matching the area precisely. Oh, lieutenant Nordean, after she has finished, show her around at the Tychorion," Madine said and laughed at Chati, "I feel, that you're curious about my ship."

"Wow, thank you, sir! I didn't dare to ask, but I would really like to see a bit more of this ship. Ben, may I leave with the general's lieutenant?" Chati asked.

"Alright then," Madine ordered, "Off you go, young Jedi assistant. Come back when you've finished your round."

To be continued...