Chapter 74

"CChewie rushed through the cantina, tumbling tables and chair, breaking drinks and plates, creating a complete havoc among the guests and lifted Luke from his seat. Luke was so thrilled to see the Wookiee again. He had told me much about Han's opposition against the Force and the fact that he had trained Leia as a Jedi Knight. That had been the cause of the estrangement between Han and Leia. Luke and I managed to convince Han to return to Dalmaran and after we had arrived in Irithim Han made it up with Leia and they got married."

Ian and Yarmod looked at their companion.

'I've heard a different story, Shaalya-Car,' Ian said, using their secret way to communicate.

'Leave it the way I told it, Tama-Hinn. It's of no use to get into details about what happened on board the Falcon and afterwards on Na'ctaMagh'Ba,' Liane argued with her brother.

On the third day after their arrival in Mos Eisley, Liane went back to the shop owner to pick up her boots. The new boots fitted perfectly and were very comfortable. She was delighted with the result and looked at herself from all sides in a mirror.

When Ian and Yarmod who had accompanied her, were standing behind her, she saw three friends in a Jedi outfit: she was now a padawan apprentice. They praised the shopkeeper about his work and paid the agreed price. Outside the shop, the three padawans discussed the next step of their plans.

"Ian and I want to see, if the Astræga has been checked, Liane, and how the droids are doing," Yarmod said, "If we want to leave, we have to make sure that the ship is ready. We will bring you back to the Granns now."

Liane looked at him with a questioning look. Ian and Yarmod laughed.

"We still have an obligation to protect you, remember, and we will stick to our duty," Ian commented.

Liane started to laugh too.

"I've almost forgotten," She said, "but do you think it's really risky, if I go back alone to Yarnick and his brothers."

"Darth Golluth's spies can be everywhere, Liane. Even here on Tatooine. He might not expect, that you will show up here, but I think, that I am not far from the truth, if I say that he might have hired some bounty hunters to track you. So, it's out of the question that we leave you unprotected. Come on, we'll bring you to the Granns. Their ship is a good safe haven for you. While we're checking the Astræga, I'm sure Yarnick and the others will defend you against any bounty hunter that might show up, if necessary," Ian said.

Liane who shook her head in disbelieve, still laughed, but inside she appreciated the true commitment of her two padawan friends.

At the docking bay where the Corellian freighter of the Grann was docked Yarmod and Ian told Yarnick and his brother what they expected of them for a short time.

Kieran started to laughed at their seriousness.

"I'm sure, Liane can defend herself, guys," He said.

"She probably might, Kieran," Yarnick said, "but it's wise of these guys to stick to their duty. Liane, while you were on board with us, you always relied on our protection. I expect you will do now, even if you're able to defend yourself with your Jedi powers," the eldest Grann said.

Liane roared with laughter and hugged him.

"I will behave as a member of your crew, Yarnick, as I once did while I was your sister Eilidh. Yarmod, Ian, I'm safe with these guys, I always have been, for more than a year."

The two padawans left and walked the short way to the docking bay where they had secured the Astræga. They requested access and entered the ship. While Threepio and Artoo were aiding them, they went through all the vital check up points thoroughly. To their reassurance everything checked out perfectly well, and within three hours they went back to the Granns. The Astræga was ready to set course to Palomintar Four, but the moment of their departure was also depending on the final check up and repairs of the Grann brother's ship.

While they were walking back Yarmod commented on Yarnick's plan to get to Palomintar Four with them.

"Do you know, why Yarnick has decided to come with us, without consulting with his brothers. Even Liane was surprised with his decision?"

"Can't you imagine?" Ian grinned, "Yarnick has a good reason. The same reason I had, before I knew I was Liane's brother."

"You mean, he's in love with her?" Yarmod asked surprised and started laughing, and continued, "It seems that Liane has attracted many fine guys, master Luke, you, and now you affirm that also Yarnick has a crush on her."

"What about you, my friend," Ian said and grinned, as he saw how Yarmod's cheeks colored, "You can add your name to that list too. You fancy her, like I do. But seriously, I'm glad that Yarnick and his brothers are coming with us. I even think, that my master and master Luke will agree with their plan."

They had reached the docking bay and walked up the ramp. As they entered the flight control room they heard the many voices of the brothers and the laughing voice of Liane. They exhaled. Nothing had happened during their absence. Liane looked at them as they entered and felt their relief. Even if they had been away for just a very short time, they were worried about her.

"Join us," She said, "we were just talking about the travels I made with these guys. It was always great fun. I really enjoyed it, being part of their crew, so I love the idea to travel with them again to Palomintar Four. On Endor they also came to support Luke and me against Dendicott and his mercenaries."

"We know, Liane, we were there too, remember," Ian laughed.

"The Astræga is ready, Liane. She can set course to Palomintar Four any moment," Yarmod said.

"That's good news. Yarnick and his brother have been discussing their trip with us. Their ship will be ready in two days. I suggest we wait until it's ready too, and leave together," Liane said.

"That's no problem. It's only a slight delay," Yarmod commented, "it won't change our plan. It's even better, if you, guys, come with us. We don't know what the situation on Palomintar Four is. My master and I landed on the other continent, where those refugees live at the moment. You, Ian, you went to Myr, didn't you?"

"Yes, with those harvesters, but the Millennium Falcon had to outrun an former imperial star destroyer which had gone into orbit around the Palomintar System," Ian said.

Conor watched the two padawans.

"How did you guys end up with our former crew member?" He asked.

'Don't say anything yet about Na'ctaMagh'Ba and our secret escape,' Liane said, looking at her two protectors.

"Our master told us it was our duty to protect, defend, and accompany Liane, while they were helping master Luke on Palomintar Four," Yarmod said elusive.

"You stayed with her all the time on Dalmaran?" Bran asked.

"Yes. Liane has become the protégé of our Supreme Chancellor, after she and master Luke returned to Dalmaran with the Millennium Falcon. The lady Mon Mothma granted amnesty and pardoned Liane, and she is now officially a citizen of Irithim and the New Republic, but as my master and I had found out that Darth Golluth was behind the Endor attack, the Supreme Chancellor decided that Liane needed some Force-sensitive guards."

"But you took her with you to Tatooine. Why did you decide to come here?" Ronan suddenly asked, "On Dalmaran you could have carry out your duty much easier, I think."

For a moment the two padawans were silent, then Liane stepped up.

"They didn't took me with them, Ronan, I suggested we should go to Tatooine, because I want to assist Luke and his sister. As a padawan Yarmod and Ian had only practiced with a training lightsaber the many different Jedi defense forms and learned to shatter blaster attacks. Luke told me how a real lightsaber had to be assembled. Yarmod is a great pilot and brought us to the Jundland Waste with the Astræga. While we stayed in the house of Luke's former master, Ian and Yarmod have assembled their own lightsabers, and before we came to Mos Eisley I managed to assemble my own lightsaber. A real lightsaber has a much more sophisticated use in combat. We don't know what to expect on Palomintar Four."

"So it was your plan to go to Palomintar Four and join commodore Skywalker?" Yarnick asked.

Liane nodded.

"Did Yarmod and Ian agree with your plans, Liane?" Kieran asked.

"They did. Maybe one day you will hear the whole story, but not at the moment?" Liane said, "There is a lot more to tell, but later, guys. Now we want to join our masters on Palomintar Four as soon as possible, for that's what a padawan has to do."

There was some silence after Liane's short comment.

Finally Brion spoke, "We would like to hear more of what happened to you after we left Endor, Eilidh. Of course you're in a hurry. Your masters certainly are awaiting you, so you were right to take your friends to Tatooine, so they could assemble a real lightsaber. I'm told, that a lightsaber is a fine weapon in the hands of those who are able to wield it with precision. You, guys, will be two great Jedi Knights, and you too, Eilidh."

The speeder with Luke and Chewbacca reached the Ribana area at dawn. They passed the town itself and carefully sought their ways through the dense woods of the forested hills to get as close as possible near Toallin's former vineyard. Still under the protection of the morning twilight they entered the house and went down to wine cellar. Chewbacca took out the loose stone. Luke took the datacrons from a leather bag at his belt and wanted to put them in the hole.

"Chewie, what time did this guy show up yesterday?" He asked, turning to his companion.

The Wookiee grunted an answer. Luke nodded and put three of the datacrons in the hole.

"Put those stones in place, Chewie," He said, "I have something in mind."

Chewbacca put the stones back in the wall and Luke pulled the Wookiee with him outside among the entangled bushes of vines. Chewbacca grunted several questions at the young Jedi.

"There's enough time to get back to the spot where we hid our speeder. We're going to make a detour around the vineyard's low hills and see if we can discover from which direction the guy comes. Probably from the mountain ridge. So we're not going back to the others. We will come back here later. I will hide in the storage room. You must stand guard near the speeder at the backdoor. If nothing happens, we'll seek a place for the night and see what will happen tomorrow," Luke said.

Chewbacca commented reluctantly on Luke's words.

"Indeed, Chewie, my first intention was to put back all the datacrons, and return, but I want to see what kind of guy that mystery visitor is and how he reacts, if he finds out that some of the datacrons are missing. Will he panic, will he take the three we put back with him and leave? Will he be cautious now that someone has knowledge about his secret visits. If he is the one I think, I want to meet him and talk to him.. You're right, he might be armed and dangerous, but that can't be a reason not to wait for him."

Chewbacca continued to grunt.

"No, Chewie, I won't take unnecessary risks. If I'll feel the slightest mistrust, I won't reveal my presence, but I want to know if he is a spy from Coruscant or Darth Golluth's ally. Let's get back to the speeder and follow those hills on the east side until they reach the mountain ridge."

During their investigation tour they stopped every now and then and Luke watched the valley with the house and vineyard through his binocs. Finally they reached the spot where the hills went up along the more rocky slopes to the ridge.

They hid the speeder among some dense bushes and continued on foot, seeking hiding places behind rocky boulders. Luke carefully observed those first lower mountain ridges which enclosed the vineyard on the north side. The vines had found their way nearly to the top of the rocky hills as well, and formed an not to disentangle heaps of branches and leaves. They used these dense vegetation to hide themselves. Their progress was slow, and they had to pause several times, and seek coverage when Luke sensed the presence of surveillance drones. Finally they reached the opposite western hill side which lead to Ribana. They briefly discussed how to proceed and decided to get back to the speeder using the dense growth of the vines at a lower level on the north hill. They were about to dive deeper into the vineyard, when Luke pointed to some odd stepping stones amidst a trickling stream that descended into the valley. Carefully he investigated the stones, and nodded.

"Someone recently walked on these stones. I assume our man used them to reach the building. They're probably going straight to the house. Chewie, get back on the speeder, go to the back door of the building, and stay there. I'm going to follow this path. If my assumptions are correct, it will lead me to the house. I'll use our secret intel frequency to contact you."

They split up. Staying under cover of the vines Luke jumped down along the stepping stones and followed a paved track to the domain building. To his surprise the front door stood ajar. He remembered from his first visit that Mugin had warned them not use the front door, because the front side of the house had a direct view at the northern slope of the hill and the mountain ridge. He was about to move along the outside of the house to reach the back door, when he noticed the presence of someone else.

"Chewie," he whispered into his infocom, "someone's coming. I'm going to find shelter. I can't reach the storage facility in time."

A confirming grunt was the answer. Quickly Luke entered the house and rushed through the corridor to find a hiding place as near as possible to the wine cellar stairs. Quickly he observed the spot, and saw a closet opposite the stairs to the open cellar. The door of the closet was partly broken and Luke squeezed himself inside. He had hardly taken his position as he heard soft footsteps at the front door of the house. He became one with the Force to hide his presence. The footsteps neared and Luke noticed a young man dressed as an imperial officer. The guy cast a quick glance over his shoulder, before he descended into the wine-cellar. Luke left his hiding place and looked down at the wine-cellar. The young man stood near the wall and was taking away the loose stones.

Using the Force's technic of altus sopor Luke quickly descended the stairs and stepped back in the shadows next to the stairs, covering his head with the cowl of his Jedi coat. Not for a moment did he lose sight of the young man. The young officer had put the stones aside, had taken an infocom from the pocket of his jacket. Then he reached inside the hole to get the datacrons. Luke saw how he put the infocom on a casket and used his two hands to reach inside the hole. He took out the three datacrons Chewie and he had put back, but then he felt again to search for the other datacrons. Luke noticed a slight surprise in the young man, who started to look at the floor of the wine-cellar. He stepped out of the shadow and walked up to the man.

"You haven't dropped them," He said with his Jedi voice.

The young man turned around, but didn't move a muscle when he saw his unexpected visitor.

"Who are you?" He said calmly, looking at the two datacrons Luke held out to him.

"Someone who has come to warn you," Luke said with Jedi voice again.

The young man took the two datacrons from Luke's hand.

Luke lowered his cowl. The young man still looked at him, but didn't show any fear.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" He asked determinedly.

Before Luke could answer, the sound of heavy metallic footsteps which were stomping through the corridor on the floor above, were heard. Quickly Luke threw off his Jedi cloak.

"Get those datacrons and your infocom and hide," Luke said in a whisper, while using the Force to replace the stones. He took his lightsaber in his hand, and cast a glance over his shoulder to see what the man was doing. The young officer had retreated behind a huge wooden fermenting basin near the rear wall of the wine-cellar.

The heavy metallic footsteps had reached the wine-cellar and descended down the stairs. Four heavy armed droids were entering the wine-cellar and pointing their weapons at the first one they saw.

"You're spying on our master. We have to kill you," One of them said in a metallic voice. The four droids adjusted their blasters and fired, but Luke activated his lightsaber and repelled blasts. He raised his hand and slammed the droids against the stairs, against the cellar wall and the rail of the stairs. All four went down, laying in a disorderly heap at the bottom of the stairs. Luke reached out to their weapons which floated in his direction. He dropped them in a far corner. Next he walked over the droids and attached a restraining bolt at the back of each droid's head.

Then he turned to the young man who slowly walked over.

"Do you have a sophisticated infocom?" The young officer asked, rather bluntly.

"I do," Luke said being on his guard, "Why? What do you mean?"

"Give it to me," The officer ordered on a commanding tone and stretched out his hand, "I need your infocom to unblock the encrypted code in their program unit, so they can't act as killer droids any longer. Give me a hand with it, will you?"

Luke kneeled aside the young man, who already had opened the back plate of one of the droids and took out a small circuit board. He pointed to a small connector at board.

"Plug in the cable and give me the infocom?" The young man said, not looking up at Luke.

Still cautious Luke took the infocom from his wrist, unrolled the internal thin connection wire and attached it to the connector, before he handed the young man his infocom. To his surprise the young man immediately activated a small holographic keyboard hovering above the infocom's display. He rapidly switched to one of the many access modes and typed a long series of characters. After a few seconds another holographic display popped up. The young man scrolled through a list of coding, before he selected several coded lines. He erased the coding and quickly replaced them with several other lines. Then he secured the program code, unplugged Luke's infocom and put the circuit board in place. He looked up at Luke with some relief in his eyes.

"That's one. I'll have to do the same with the other three, but I'll keep them all deactivated until I go back inside those cave dwellings."

Working the same sequence on the other droids the young man managed to change their programming. Luke had watched him with admiration. The young man rose and handed Luke his infocom.

"You save my life. Thank you," he said, "for if you hadn't been here, master Skywalker, I would have been dead. I didn't expect them to follow me, neither did I know that you had found the datacrons I had hidden in this building."

"This isn't indeed what I'd expected from someone with your reputation, master Nori Thai", Luke said.

The officer looked at him astounded.

"I don't know anyone going by the name of Nori Thai, master Skywalker. You must be mistaken."

Luke looked at the young officer attentively.

"Nevertheless you're a technical genius on droid programming, but you seem to know me. Yes, I'm Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight and the former commander of Gold-Squadron. As an New Republic's high-ranking officer it's one of my prerogatives to question any one who seems to be violating the agreements of the peace treaty between our two governments."

After Luke's words, the two young men looked at each other in silence.

"I could accuse you of the same offense, master Skywalker, for you have landed on a forbidden planet," The young man on a calm tone.

Luke realized it wouldn't be advantageous to continue the way their conversation seemed to be developing. His opponent was known as the most skilled undercover agent. He certainly wouldn't reveal the reason for his presence if Luke maintained his position. He took a different stance.

"You certainly know what has been done to the community of Quelans who lived in Ribana in a peaceful way," He said.

"I'm not really interested in what has happened in that town, although I'm told that Ribana has been occupied by a large group of storm troopers who raided the town and has driven out its inhabitants." Was the defiant answer.

"Than you probably know that the one I am referring to and who calls himself Darth Golluth was in command during the occupation. Those storm troopers carried out his orders." Luke commented, "It's that same Darth Golluth who has created himself a hidden way of life, until he will be able to bring some secret plans into fruition which will bring war again to the galaxy."

There was a long silence again.

"What do you know about Darth Golluth, master Skywalker?" The young man finally asked.

Immediately Luke decided to reveal some information Leia had found about their adversary who could be a threat to the peaceful co-existence between the New Republic and the Provisional Coruscant Council.

"Darth Golluth is a former imperial admiral called Trevor Matrik and his presence here is not only a violation of the peace treaty between our two governments, but also a threat to the future of this galaxy, for admiral Trevor Matrik is a admirer of emperor Palpatine and his Empire which he seeks to revive."

Luke sensed that the information he has revealed had surprised the young man.

"Alright, master Skywalker, I owe you my life, but I won't tell you why I'm here. My presence here is secret. I only will tell you my name: Doran Whain."

Luke nodded.

"I understand you have to keep your true identity secret for more than one reason. You don't have to tell me anything more. Are there more of those droids?" Luke asked pointing at the heap of entangled droids.

Doran Whain started to grin.

"There certainly are, master Skywalker, but inside the cave network I was able to give many of them a similar treatment like these four. As soon as I'll re-activate these they won't bother me on my visits outside those caves. Thank you for allowing me to use your infocom. Mine was confiscated after I was sent here to serve Darth Golluth as his communications officer."

Luke raised his eyebrows.

Doran continued.

"I'm not what you might think I am, but as I said; my presence here is secret. I'm sorry I can't be more cooperative. Nevertheless I'm surprised to meet you here."

"My mission, master Whain, isn't classified. I'm fulfilling an obligation to the Quelan leaders of Ribana. Darth Golluth has established himself a living at the expense of the inhabitants of Ribana. He send them in to exile to the western wild lands. He killed a number of the elders and forced several other male Quelans to do hard labour in the underground cave network where, afterwards, he settled himself. I'm here to hold Darth Golluth accountable for destroying a community of peaceful human beings, master Whain. You don't seem to be interested in the Quelan community, but I think that your goal and mine aren't that much different. You're here to keep an eye on Darth Golluth, before he might be able to realize his plan to revive the Empire, I'm here to defend the Quelan's rights to return to Ribana. In other words we both want Darth Golluth, one way or another, to leave Palomintar Four. Master Whain, you can keep the truth about your presence here secret, but you're not fooling a Jedi Knight. You're an undercover agent for the Provisional Council on Coruscant who has been commissioned by grand admiral Jerno Thai himself, who is a relative of yours."

Doran Whain looked at Luke and for the first time Luke felt some inquietude in the young man who stood in front of him with a defiant look in his eyes.

"Rest assured, master Whain, I won't reveal your true identity. To me you will remain master Doran Whain who has been ordered to work as Darth Golluth's communication officer."

"What are your further actions, master Skywalker?" Doran Whain finally managed to ask.

"I came here to warn you, after I found out that you were hiding here some very dangerous items you had in you possession, " Luke answered and pointed at the datacrons Doran Whain still held in his fist."

"Have you read their content?"

"No, they are encrypted with an imperial code. I could have send them to Quoith, for I'm sure that our intel techs are able to crack the encryption, but I've decided to hand them back to you and warn you. Darth Golluth might posses many more dangerous skills then you probably realize. If you have read the content of these datacrons you do a wise thing to obliterate them immediately. You've heard what those droids yelled. Probably your behavior has already raised Darth Golluth's suspicion. You'd better trust my advice, get rid of those objects and never visit this building again during daytime."

Luke put the cowl of his cloak on his head and walked over to the stairs.

"Don't worry, master Whain. Nobody will hear a word of our encounter. You'll have my word on that."

Luke was ascending the stairs, when Doran Whain stepped up to him.

"Wait a minute, master Skywalker. Are you staying somewhere on Palomintar Four?"

"I do, master Whain, but the location of my stay is my secret." Luke answered.

"Master Skywalker, you just said that our aims are more or less the same. You're right. Darth Golluth has to leave this planet. He has to be brought back to Coruscant and court-martialed about his desertion during the Battle of Jakku and for confiscating imperial property. You want him to leave to give that indigenous tribe of Quelans their way of living back."

"That's right, master Whain. What are you suggesting."

Doran Whain looked at the still deactivated droids, then he turned to Luke again.

"I need to escort them back to those caves, otherwise that former admiral will be alerted of my long absence. Master Skywalker, I'm a skilled expert on communication technology and, as you have figured out, an undercover agent of the Provisional Coruscant Council, but I don't have your skills as a Jedi. My task, and probably yours as well, might become easier, if we join forces. Can we meet again, exchange information and discuss any plans."

Luke descended again and held out his hand.

"I accept your proposal master Whain. Let's discard with formal names. I'm Luke Skywalker."

"Call me Doran, Luke."

They shook hands and for the first time Luke noticed relief in Doran and also in himself.

"You said, that you owned an infocom which has been confiscated when you start working for Darth Golluth."

Doran produced an outdated infocom model and showed it.

"As a token of trust Darth Golluth gave me this old model instead of the infocom I possessed. With this one I won't be able to contact you. It's range is very limited.

Luke took two small devices from a bag at his belt and handed one to Doran.

"On our next meeting I will give you a similar infocom as mine, so we can keep in touch."

Doran looked at the tracker.

"This is a very sophisticated tracker, Luke. I didn't know that the New Republic forces are using these ones too," He said.

"As you're familiar with it, you know it's useful for a secret form of communication? All you have to do is press it once, if you're able to meet me. I will hear a buzz and feel a short electric pulse through my infocom. I will reach out to you the same way. You also can set the buzzer to mute and receive a short electric pulse only. Can you put it somewhere in your uniform, where it won't be detected?"

"I will hide it in the collar of my uniform. Where will we meet, if needed, not in this building anymore as you said."

"There's a deep valley behind the southern forested hills behind Ribana. It's covered with thick entangled bushes and dense trees. I suggest that we will meet there at nighttime for our next meeting? What about two days from now?"

Doran looked thoughtful.

"I'm not immediately sure if I can manage, Luke, but I will find a way to meet you there. If I do not have the opportunity to come to the agreed place, I will press this tracker three times."

"I hope to meet you again, Doran," Luke answered, "for there's a lot more to discuss about the situation on Palomintar Four."

Luke climbed the stairs and vanished. Walking through the long corridor to leave the building through the backdoor he use the Force to keep his concentration on Doran Whain, but the guy had turned to the droids and was reactivating them. Luke left the building and told Chewbacca what has happened. The Wookiee grunted a long answer.

"No, Chewie, it's not dangerous to have another meeting with him. Next time you're also coming with me. Doran Whain still has a lot to reveal to me. Although he was very elusive about the incentives of his mission, I think he might be a trustworthy ally."

Luke and Chewbacca left the vineyard, staying undercover of the entangle vines to reach their speeder. They drove up the southern hill. Once on top they looked back and saw how Doran Whain left the vineyard building on the other side in the company the four reactivated and re-programmed droids.

Two deck officers stood before the Astræga and looked at it in admiration.

"This is a imperial shuttle Lambda-class, for it carries the markings of the New Republic. Who's the pilot?" One of the guys asked as he looked at his companion.

"I don't know. Two droids are permanently guarding the vessel; an astromech and protocol droid. I've seen them rummaging around the ramp and the landing gear. The day before yesterday I saw two guys enter it. The protocol droid welcomed them and seemed to be pleased to see them. They had asked permission at the briefing desk to carry out some final checks. In the log I've read that they want to leave soon. There was something very funny about those two guys. They were dressed similar and were wearing their hair in a tied knot at the back of their heads. At the right of their heads a long strand of hair was braided. They looked like a pair of twin brothers, but when I had a closer look they were quite different." The second officer commented.

"It's a beautiful space craft. Must have been the shuttle of one of the imperial elite? I wonder how it had ended up with the New Republic markings?" The first one said again with admiration in his voice, "Let's have a look at our data banks. Perhaps we will meet some famous guy who fought against the emperor and his clan. It gives a good story if you can tell later that you've met a hero of the Rebel Alliance."

They both laughed and went back to their office. The first officer activated the infocom and started a search using the markings of the Astræga. To their surprise an alert activated. They read the message and warned their superior. The space port commander came over, read the message and turned to his men.

"I'm going to inform Irithim. Ground this ship. It has been taken without permission. If those two guys who have done the check, turn up again, put them in custody and warn me. See to it that the ship stays in the docking bay."

The commander left and the two deck officers took the necessary precautions to ground the space ship.

Meanwhile the commander contacted Irithim space port. The deck officer who took his message, told him to hold the connection and warned his commander.

The holographic image of Irithim's space port commander popped up.

"What can I do for you, commander," He said.

"A former imperial shuttle carrying the markings of the New Republic has landed about some days ago in Mos Eisley. As all the necessary checks for a clear landing were found in order, we haven't paid real attention to it. After we did a second check we've found out that the ship is called the Astræga and her pilot is no one less than the famous Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker. However our surveillance cams haven't found his image. There are two droids on board the ship, and two strange dressed young men have been doing some checks recently. We think they're intending to leave soon. As our data banks gave an alert, I have order my men to ground the ship, until Irithim will confirm the ship is cleared for take off. "

"Thank you, for warning us. The Astræga has left Mas'onom space port more than a month ago without stating her destination, those guys managed to leave Mas'onom space port without getting permission to leave. You did well to ground the ship. I will warn the Supreme Chancellor. She knows who has to be alerted, and she will probably warn Jedi master Skywalker. So you can expect him soon to pick up his ship."

"We will see to it, that the ship won't leave again without permission, commander. Please, keep us informed," The commander of Mos Eisley said and switched off.

On Irithim the space port commander called the Supreme Chancellor immediately.

Mon Mothma's image appeared on his console.

"Ma'am, the Astræga has been found. She's in a docking bay at Mos Eisley's space port on Tatooine. The space commander reported that two young men have recently done some final check ups. Those guys must be the two missing padawans."

"Did he mention a young woman as well?"

"No, madam, he was talking about two guys and two droids."

Mon Mothma sighed.

"Thank you, commander. I will take the necessary steps to inform master Skywalker to pick up the ship and our two missing padawans. I will let the commander of Mos Eisley space port know when master Skywalker will arrive as soon as possible."

Mon Mothma switched off and activated her connection with the Tychorion. It took some time before the holographic image of general Madine popped up.

"Crix, can you warn Luke Skywalker and tell him that the Astræga has been grounded on Tatooine. I want him to pick up his ship together with two runaway padawans, his two droids, and asked them what happened to Liane Solichor," Mon Mothma said sternly.

"I will contact the Millennium Falcon immediately, Mon," Madine said, "I'll will inform you what our Jedi will decide."

"No, general, I want him to pick up his ship and asked those padawan where Liane is," the Supreme Chancellor said, "I am worried, general. I fear the worst."

Mon Mothma broke the connection and Madine walked to his communication center.

"Contact the Millennium Falcon at our secret frequency," He order, "and put her captain at my office."

He went back to his office and sat in his chair. After several minutes he informed if they had contacted the Corellian freighter.

"No, sir, there seems to be nobody on board, we also tried general Solo's infocom, but his device is out of range, but we'll keep trying. We'll pass on general Solo as soon as we can reach him."

Madine leaned back in his chair and waited. More than an hour passed, but the image of Han Solo didn't pop up. Madine started to walk to and fro through his office, when the image of Wedge Antilles suddenly appeared on the holo display.

"Wedge," The general said relieved, "I want you to come back to the Tychorion immediately. Tell your wingman to take over the command of Gold Squadron for an indefinite time. We talk after your arrival on board."

"Roger, sir, I'm on my way. You can expect me within an hour."

Wedge's image vanished. Madine sat down in his chair again, but jumped to his feet again and started walking restlessly through his office again. Why didn't the Millennium Falcon answer his calls? The buzz on his desk blinked.

"Yes, officer?"

"Commander Antilles asks permission to see you, sir?"

"Bring him in," Madine said and walked over to the door.

The door slid aside and Wedge Antilles entered.

"Wedge, I want you to leave and go to Mos Eisley on Tatooine. Report to the commander of the space port and take over the command of the Astræga, her crew and their droids. Bring them to the Tychorion for further interrogation."

"The Astræga is on Tatooine? Does Luke know? Is Liane there too?"

Quickly Madine informed the commander of Gold Squadron about what Mon Mothma had ordered him.

"I can't reach the Millennium Falcon. I fear that it will take some time before any one will board that ship. They are all very busy down there, so I want you to go to Tatooine immediately. How long will it take you to get there?"

"Tatooine is on the other side of the Outer Rim. With an X-wing it will take about thirty hours and more to get there, general." Wedge answered.

"What about one of our newest transport ships? It's said they are faster than the older ones, and you also can take some of our men with you to escort you on your flight back to the Tychorion. If you go with the X-wing you have to leave the ship on Tatooine" Madine suggested.

Wedge's face brightened.

"If you mean I can take the new V8-57, I can reach Tatooine in eighteen hours."

"Very well. I will order the techs to prepare one of those ships ready immediately. As soon as it's ready you will leave. I will assign one of the pilots and a technical guy to assist you. By the way, why did you call me, Wedge?"

"To inform you that the Basilisæa has shifted her position and has gone into a low orbit around Palomintar Six. It still seems that admiral Vestor wants to do some investigation on the surface of the planet. You can pass on your decision about the needed action of Gold Squadron to Riley Winter. He has taken over my command."

"As long as Vestor focuses on Palomintar Six he can do as he pleases. I will inform your wingman, Wedge."

Wedge turned to his superior.

"Can I make use of one of the guest rooms, general. I need to dress as a Jedi Knight. I want to leave a firm impression on my padawan, his runaway friend Ian, and Liane Solichor."

"In the message I've got from Mon Mothma she said that the space port commander hasn't mentioned the girl. Ask Ian and Yarmod about Liane's whereabouts, Wedge?"

"Leave that to me, general. I'll be back with the Astræga and our runaway friends in less than two standard days."

Wedge Antilles left.

An hour later Madine met his squadron commander again at the foot of the ramp of a V8-57. The squadron pilot had changed his piloting gear for his Jedi outfit. Madine looked at him and brought an official salute.

"I have informed Mon Mothma, Wedge. She will personally contact the commander of Mos Eisley space port about your arrival. May the Force be with you, master Antilles. Good luck!" He said impressed.

Wedge boarded the transport ship where the pilot had already started the engine. Slowly the ship hovered about the platform and found her way to the open hatch at the bottom of the Tychorion. Madine followed the movements of the ship on a nearby monitor. As soon as the ship drifted into space the pilot ignited the ion-drive and accelerated the speed. Within minutes the ship vanished into hyperspace.