Chapter 85

"You'd better come inside, Liane," A voice said.

Liane nodded and smiled as Kieran came over to her.

"I'm coming. Palomintar's sun will rise soon. I was enjoying the serenity and the silence of this wild lands just before daybreak, Kieran. There are so many living things around us. I have listened to their scurrying through the underground, waking up to find food and enjoy day," She said, suddenly frowning and looking up at the sky. She had felt a tremor in the Force which disturbed her. Worried, she grabbed Kieran's arm and pulled him to the open door of the cabin. Before they entered she looked at the sky once again, then she quickly closed the door. The others looked at her in wonder.

"What's wrong, Shaayla-Car?" Yarmod asked, but immediately he understood.

"A kind of probe droid is scanning this area," Liane said, speaking in a low voice to Yarnick and his brothers, "It's coming this way. Keep quiet, for it might be sophisticated enough to hear our voices, even if we are indoors. Let's hope that doesn't have sensors to detect our body temperature."

Kieran looked at her.

"I saw you looking at the sky, but there wasn't anything to see."

Liane hushed him.

"Be quiet, Kieran. I still sense its presence. It's flying very high, so it couldn't be detected with the naked eye. The Force told me this area was being watched from a high altitude."

"Let's quickly prepare some places to rest," Yarmod whispered, "Even sleep, for the body temperature drops during sleep. Maybe that's enough to stay safe. Shaayla-Car and I will use our Force skills to find out if the probe droid has detected anything and will start a more thorough surveillance."

The Grann brothers nodded. Yarnick grabbed his backpack and gave each of them a ration of nut bread. Gratefully Liane accepted her share.

"As soon as it safe again we will divide our food rations anew, Yarnick. Thank you," She said, still whispering, "Now, find yourself a place to rest among your brothers. Yarmod and I will stay in the main room and be prepared in case some action is needed. No talking anymore from now."

Yarnick retreated among his brothers who had already gone to one of the rooms at the rear. Liane and Yarmod took a hiding place beneath the two small windows on either side of cabin. Silently they waited for what would happen.

'I fear we've been detected, Yarmod. It's coming lower.' Liane said suddenly through the Force.

'It's lowering faster. It's must have noticed your movements outside, or maybe it detected our voices' Yarmod answered concerned.

Both young Jedi crouched lower, using their Force power to make themselves almost invisible. In total silence they waited. Every now and then one of them reached out the Force to find out the position of the probe droid. Suddenly an soft, but penetrating hum, reached their ears.

'It's circling above the cabin,' Yarmod said, 'That gives us an opportunity to destroy it. Let's wait if it's getting lower. I take position near the backdoor of the cabin. You take the front door, If it starts circling at ground level, we'll rush outside, so we might entrap it.'

Tense they both reached out to the Force.

'It's lowering at the left side of the cabin, probably probing what's inside. I'll go first and attract its attention. You follow immediately around the right corner and hit it from the back.' Yarmod pointed out, 'Ready! Let's go!'

With a formidable leap Yarmod reached the backdoor, threw it open and rushed around the left corner of the cabin, his lightsaber ablaze. Almost simultaneously Liane left the cabin through the front door and sneaked around the right corner. The device had turned its optical sensor in Yarmod's direction and activated a laser beam. The young Jedi parried the beam effortlessly. Liane crept closer, nearing the device from the rear and before it could sense her and turned around to fire at her, she leaped in the air with her ignited lightsaber and slashed the hovering ball in two. The two halves hissed and sparkled as its internal wiring had been cut, after which the half orbs dropped on the grass. Quickly Yarmod grabbed the two halves and took them inside.

The Grann brothers who had heard the noises entered the main room.

"You've got it," Ronan grinned, "Looks like it is broken and out of order forever."

"Let's examine it," Yarnick said and got over. He produced a pocket utensil knife and started rummaging in the spliced halves' interior. The others stood around the table, watching Yarnick who carefully disassembled the inner parts. Carefully he put them in a row on the table. Finally he looked up.

"This one won't bother us anymore," He commented, and all of them laughed relieved.

"The question remains," Brion said, "What has it detected and transmitted to any receiving equipment?"

"Not much," Yarnick said, and pointed to the row in front of them, "It is a very old model of a surveillance probe, but it's heavily modified. If in good order it would have been able to send clear images of the area and this cabin to a receiver, but look at these lenses connected to the optical sensor. They have been fragmented. It surely couldn't transmit clear images. There's only one other functioning sensor which detects movement. That's why it started to do surveillance near the surface and began to encircled this cabin. The two of you have done a flashy job."

"What about a transmitter. It could still have send a coded message to the receiver?" Conor asked.

"There's no transmission equipment inside, nor any other sensor to send messages. This probe droid has been modified deliberately for I've found several disconnected wires which in a fully functional probe would have kept other sensors operational."

They all looked puzzled. Finally Liane said hesitant, but worried.

"I guess that our opponent uses these kind of probe droids to secure the area around Ribana. If my assumption turns out to be true, we need to be more cautious. Yarnick, you're sure these probes don't have infrared or heat detectors? We need to be sure, because we're traveling during the night."

"No, thess kind of probe droids are outdated models. The imperials used these probes on Kessel, when Ronan and I were hiding there. Their functionality is very limited. More sophisticated probe droids which could detect and transmit any irregularity, were used for permanent monitoring around the clock and especially meant to protect the perimeters of prohibited areas, like a space port, or secret military base. This one, certainly, could only have been used to transmit images of an area during daytime. We can relax now. Eilidh, you and Yarmod have chosen the right moment to act, eliminating this device. I'm sure there's no more danger at the moment, but I agree with you, that we have to be more on our guard from now on. I suggest that we will discuss our next steps during a proper meal. Do you think we can use some canned food from the larder to prepare a meal, for it's better if we safe our nut rations in case we need to make a detour to reach the plains more safely, or if we have to wait for Ian and his other companions in case they are delayed."

"There it is, Tama-Hinn. That's the deep clearing between those forest walls which leads to the base cave." Manall said and pointed ahead to the grassy spot surrounded by the huge trees, "You can put the speeder here. It won't be detected easily.".

Ian slowed down as he also sensed the existence two cloaked space ship. Carefully he found his way to hide the speeder at the rim of the grassy spot where he had detected the speeder of the Millennium Falcon. The noise of the engine died out. Manall left the vehicle. He looked around with a satisfied look in his eyes. Then he turned and beckoned Lorann and Ian to follow him.

"It's safe to leave the speeder, next to the other one which is probably of one of your friends, Tama-Hinn. We have to walk the steep path that leads to the real camp site up on the mountain ridge. Let's go."

He didn't wait, but walked up the steep sloping path with firm strides, swaying his stick and humming in himself.

Lorann looked at Ian and whispered.

"Master Kenobi, do you know what has happened to grandfather. It looks like he doesn't feel anymore pain. It's very strange but the wounds at his back are almost healed. Last night when I changed the bandages there were only some minor scratches visible."

"You should be glad, that your grandfather has recovered this fast, Lorann," Ian said with a smile and laid his arm around the boy's shoulder, "Let's follow him quickly, as he has already disappeared around the next bend on the path."

They quickened their pace and caught up with Manall.

"What took you so long, Lorann. Normally you're showing your impatience if I don't walk fast enough," The old harvest man commented with a grin.

Lorann blushed.

"That's not true, Grandpa. I always waited for you."

Affectionately Manall took his grandson's arm.

"I'm teasing you, Lorann. You have been a fine helper on Tyr, after your father went to Myr with master Kenobi's friends."

The three of them followed the winding steep path upward. Manall went ahead and was the first to step on the flat rock of camp site. He went over to the community tree house and climbed the rope ladder. Cornell and his men and Han, Leia and Wedge looked up from their meal at the unexpected visitors.

"Hello, son. I've come to see if you and the other's have made any good progress," Manall said with big grin.

Cornell rose and walked over to his father.

"You should have come, father. You have to take care of your health," He said concerned.

"I'm fine. Never felt better before," Manall replied, still grinning, "Your youngest son has taken good care of me. He says that the wounds at my back have almost healed."

He pointed at the brewing pot.

"Hmm, the famous broth with nagawa meat. Is there enough left for three hungry travelers. We haven't eaten since we left the last cabin early this morning. I told, master Tama-Hinn, to drive as fast as possible, so we could share your meal."

Now the other harvest men roared with laughter. Quickly they arrange some extra seats in the circle and guided their new guests to the places.

"Welcome, master Manall," Wollinn said, "It's a great pleasure to have you and your grandson with us. Welcome young Lorann and welcome back master Tydon. It's good to see you again."

Wollin and Cornell scoped some of the broth in three bowls and offered them to three newcomers.

"How was the ride, master Manall," Wollin asked.

"We covered the track in less than three days, Wollin. It's been a great advantage to have a Jedi at the wheel. I'm very proud to present to you the son of my old friend Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Meet Tama-Hinn Kenobi who will become as great a Jedi as his father. He resembles his father in so many ways," Manall answered between several bites, pointing at Ian who was silently enjoying the fine taste of the famous Quelan broth, but his cheeks slightly colored at Manall's admiring words.

All the time Leia was watching her former padawan closely. She saw and sensed the great changes in his attitude, no longer was he her padawan, no longer was she his master. They were equals now. Equals as Jedi Knights, Force users. When Wedge had told her that he had given the two padawans and Liane their Jedi initiation she had been skeptical, but now she had to admit that Wedge had been right. Her padawan had grown into a full-fledged Jedi Knight.

After have finished their meal the three newcomers mingled with the group. Han went over to Ian and grabbed his arm.

"Where is Liane, Ian?" He asked.

Ian looked at him.

"My sister is on her way to Ribana to seek a confrontation with admiral Trevor Matrik," He said.

"Sister! Whose sister! Where is Liane? You were one of her guards," Han remarked.

"Liane is my sister, Han. She asked me to accompany Manall and Lorann. Yarmod Martan is with her as are the Grann brothers," Ian said calmly and looked at Leia and Wedge who had joined them. Next to Leia he noticed a familiar face and he began to smile.

"Chati Fonaldris, how are you? You look like one of the harvest men. Are you helping them?"

"I insisted to do my part here, master Tydon," Chati answered, "Master Cornell is supervising my work as a harvester and I am master Leia's padawan, now that Ben temporarily has left our group."

"Ben? Oh, you mean Luke?"

Chati nodded.

"He wanted to be called Ben as long as he was among us."

"I see," Ian answered.

"Ian, sorry to interrupt, but why didn't you bring Liane and the others here as well?" Leia asked.

"I'm sorry, master, but my sister insisted to go to Ribana straightaway," Ian said, "but she has asked me if you and master Antilles could come to the plains with the Astræga for a safe transport to the town. I can give you the coordinates of the location where you might meet her. She and the others will probably reach that point the day after tomorrow, so there's enough time to get there in time."

"You speak about Liane as your sister, Ian, and don't call me 'master' any more, will you?" Leia said with a laugh, "We want to hear how you and Liane have discovered that you're siblings. It must be a wonderful story, but so far neither Luke, nor Wedge could tells us more."

"There still hasn't been time enough to tell all our friends all the details, ma ... Leia. It's such a great story. I hardly can believe myself that I have been Liane's guard on Wegoyy and that that encounter would end with such a wonderful discovery. You certainly won't believe it, ... Leia. I even wonder if master Luke has ever been aware of the relationship between Liane and me."

Leia laughed and looked at Wedge.

"Maybe, Ian, but the Force can reveal a lot of unknown things as you should know by now. "

"Sure, ... Leia, but even if you and Luke both already knew that I was Liane brother you couldn't predict the way how we found out we were siblings."

The group had walked inside the forest around the camp site. Chati has lead them to the small clearing where they all sat down in the tree stumps. All the while Ian had told them many details about how he had read Obi-Wan's story on Tatooine and how his father's words had revealed the truth about his birth and his relationship with Liane.

"At first I felt devastated, because I realized that I would never be united with my father and mother, but Liane reminded me of one of the most important of the Jedi creeds that there is no death. Wedge, after you initiated me to Jedi Knight, I have met the Force ghosts of Obi-Wan and Severini while I was at Cantamaga. It really felt great to speak to them and I could feel how proud they were that their son and daughter had become Jedi Knights, like them. It's so unbelievable that we have two Jedi Knights as parents."

Leia looked at the happy face of her former padawan learner and she felt that the discovery of his connectedness with Liane which he already must have felt the moment he met her on Wegoy, had had a profound influence on his final growth to become a Jedi Knight.

"I would love to read what Ben Kenobi has recorded, Ian," Leia said, "Did you leave Ben's datapad on Tatooine."

Ian nodded.

"Before we left Ben's former home we decided we would hide everything in the secret cave where he had stored it. There's also a datapad which is explicitly addresses to Luke. We haven't read that of course. Liane wants to show the secret cave personally to Luke, so after we have solved the problems here, Yarmod, Liane and I want to go back to Tatooine together with Luke."

Wedge nodded.

"Great idea, Ian. That would also give Luke the opportunity to ask you and Yarmod to take your last step in your initiation."

"What do you mean, ... Wedge? Am I not a full-fledged Jedi Knight, yet?"

"Don't worry, Ian. There's only one thing Liane hasn't and couldn't tell you about the Illum-meditation. Tell me, what did you and Yarmod do with the stones you've broken to retrieve the kyber crystal that has become part of your lightsaber."

"Those broken stones? We have locked it in a box and hidden it in the secret cave, because Liane wanted to ask Luke what has to be done with the remaining crystals. I remember that there are several crystals still inside the stone I broke. But, Wedge, that also counts for the stone Liane used. She wanted to get back to Ben's house to secure the two halves she broke, but Yarmod advised her to lock them in the vault of the Astræga, as Liane wanted to head for Palomintar Four as soon as possible. The two halves of her stone must still be there."

Han, Chati and Chewbacca had listened to the conversation between the Jedi Knight.

"If those new Jedi Knights go Tatooine I guess our present isn't included, right."

"That's up to Luke to decide, darling," Leia said, "Important now is how we're going to proceed here on Palomintar Four. We need to discuss the options we have to free Ribana of the illegal occupation from a former imperial admiral who's still an admirer of Emperor Palpatine."

Liane, the Grann brothers and Yarmod were following the marked path through the wild lands. Liane and Yarnick walked ahead, while Yarmod and Kieran were closing up from behind. None of them spoke and they walked in a single file near the thick shrubbery at the right side. It wasn't pitch dark night for a small moon shone and cast a eerie light on the undergrowth. During the past years the path had been overgrown with the long shoots of the thorny plants which formed the main vegetation. Liane and Yarmod had taken off their coats and tied them at their backpacks. Their boots provided good protection against the thorny plants. The Grann brother wore their normal clothes, but somehow the thorns never penetrated their pants. Liane wondered what kind of fabric their clothes were made off.

At a steady but slow pace they struggled along the overgrown path. After having walked on for at least four hours they reach a spot were the path widened a little. The thorny shoots no longer over grew the path completely. In the middle a small stony track made it possible to increase their pace. Another two hours later they entered a clearing surrounded by groups of low trees and a different kind of shrubs without thorns. They gathered around the map and Yarnick pointed the way they had to follow before they would reach their next safe dwelling. They still didn't speak. Yarnick used his fingers to indicate how long the rest of their night walk would last. They had another five hours to go, but they stopped and sat down in the darker part of the clearing to eat some of their nut rations.

Yarmod went over to Liane and sat down next to her.

'I haven't sensed another probe droid tonight, Shaayla-Car. Did you?' He asked.

'No, I didn't. Possibly the one we captured had been the only one launched,' Liane answered 'but we have to stay alert. It's still a long way before we'll reach the last cabin. We're very fortunate that those harvest men have built these accommodations in the past. They are simple and very basic, but they meet our requirements. I'm amazed about their facilities. There's always enough places to rest and the larder is filled with cans which must have a long shelf life.'

Yarnick came over and pointed at the datapad with the map. He had activated the communication and had written a message. Liane and Yarmod read his message and nodded. They rose and joined the other five Grann brothers. All hoisted their backpacks at their shoulders. Walking in a single file they left the small clearing and followed the path. To their surprise the thorny shrubbery had disappeared and grassy undergrowth now covered both sides of the path. The wild land became dotted with small groups of the same kind of trees which had grown around the clearing.

Their progress became much easier and instead of five hours which Yarnick had marked out, they reached the next cabin in less then four hours. Tired, but relieved, they unlocked the door and entered. Before they lit one small dimmed light Kieran and Brion checked the outside shutters which covered the small windows. Quickly they made arrangements to sleep and after having eaten another nut ration they laid down and one after another fell in a deep sleep.

For a while Liane listened to the regular breathing of her companions. She also felt tired, but somehow she couldn't sleep yet.

'Tama-Hinn, my dear brother, did you reach your destination with master Manall and Lorann.'

'We've arrived and Leia and Wedge were pleased to see me, but they also wondered why you and the others hadn't come with master Manall and me. I have explained that we had only one speeder.'

Liane grinned.

'Nice. Did Leia accept your story.'

'She hadn't a choice. Manall's speeder wasn't even really equipped to hold three people. It was master Manall's idea to ask me to take the wheel. Lorann is still much smaller. For him the back seat was less cramped. Besides it was an advantage to take the wheel, for I have used the Force to show me the path, so I could drive much faster. We skipped our third overnight stay and we reached the fourth cabin near sunset on the third day.'

'We have just reached the last cabin. Tomorrow night we're going to head for the plains. There seems to grow more trees in this part of the eastern wild lands. I hope the area will have even more trees so we can make a camp at the edge of the plains, if necessary. Did you already tell Leia and Wedge to meet us on the plains with the Astræga'?

'Don't worry. They will be there when you and the others have reached the plains after your last nightly walk. You may look forward having a more comfortable sleep on board the Astræga. Leia and Wedge have agreed that I will join them.' Ian said.

'Did you tell them about my plan?'

'I had to, Shaayla-Car. Leia has objected and she said Wedge will explain to you what has happened to Luke and how they want to proceed.'

'Of course she would say that, but this time she will have to follow my lead. Trevor has been my adversary for years, not hers. Did you see or hear anything about Chati, Toallin's daughter? I hope to meet her soon. And how is master Manall. Could you do something for him?'Liane said determinedly.

'Chati will probably join Leia, Wedge and me, for Luke has ask Leia to be her master temporary. Master Manall's injury has healed almost completely. He and Lorann doesn't understand what has happened and I didn't tell them anything. I'm still amazed about the experiences I had. You were right, Shaayla-Car. I can also learn to use the Force to heal people. It takes too much time now to explain what I did, but after I managed to help master Manall using my Force skills, I remembered that while I was living among the Draga on Wegoyy I once had more or less a similar experience, although I realized that I was using the Force. I tell you, when we meet again. Now you'd better go to sleep. After tomorrow night your walk through the wild land will come to an end. Sleep well, my dear sister. I love you.'

'I love you too, Tama-Hinn. It's one of the happiest moments in my life, as I found out that of all the people who I call my closest friends, you are my sibling. See you soon in person, my dearest brother.'

Jerno held out a datapad to Valann and Kalip with a big smile.

"A formal invitation from the Supreme Chancellor to join her on board the New Republic's frigate Tychorion in the Palomintar region. I want your opinion, if we should accept that invitation. "

"Could that mean that the situation is running out of hand for the New Republic?" Valann asked.

"The invitation doesn't mention a reason. Her words are chosen very cordially and friendly, so I think she wants to tell us some good news."

"Is there a way to ask our contact on Palomintar, what's going on?" Valann insisted.

"Impossible. As long as our contact operates from Palomintar Four's surface it is a one-way communication only. Even if we had the possibility to contact him, it would be too risky. Even in case of emergency we have to rely on his way to contact us. I haven't heard from him recently. His last message contained the threatening holo recording of admiral Trevor Matrik addressing the Supreme Chancellor."

"That's already some days ago," Valann said, "Do you think that the Supreme Chancellor has gone to the Tychorion to work out a plan to rescue her famous Jedi Knight."

"I don't know, Valann. We have to decide on short terms if we're going to meet the Supreme Chancellor on board the Tychorion."

"What worries me," Kalip interrupted, "is that there isn't any news about the daughter of Darth Vader. Our last information dates back months ago, when we heard about the failed attack on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. Is she still hiding there? Did they - I mean the New Republic - bring her to another safe place? The only intelligence my men received was about senator Organa. She was paying a visit to the government on Ver'izon, the capital of the Dalmaranian leaders. After her return to Irithim she boarded the Tychorion and left Dalmaran. I suggest we should ask some extra information about the woman before we accept the invitation."

"I agree with Kalip, Jerno," Valann said, "We should know more about the whereabouts of woman. Didn't our agent on Palomintar Four asked you to withdraw the order to eliminate her in case she would show up on the planet?"

"In that report he stated that he was certain that he would prevent that she would be in contact with our missing admiral," Kalip commented, "We agreed and withdraw the original mandate, but I still had my doubts."

"How much time do we need to reach the plains?" Leia asked, looking at her husband and Chewie and Wedge and Ian. They were gathering under the pylons of the Millenium Falcon

"Three standard hours, I estimate, probably less," Wedge answered, "Last time, when Luke explained his plan to me, we went into orbit around the planet, but afterwards we reached our destination in that deep valley behind the southern hills in a very short time. The plains west of the town are much closer."

"Welcome on board the Tychorion, ma'am," general Madine said and offered Mon Mothma his arm to accompany her to the new installed quarters which would be her private quarters during her stay. Mon Mothma nodded with dignity, but friendly to the two squads of Madine's men who stood placidly waiting to give her arrival some importance. Together with the general she walked to the private deck where Madine and his first officers were having their private quarters. A young officer opened the door of the quarters which had been assigned to her and let her pass.

"Welcome, ma'am," the young man said and brought a formal salute, "If you need anything, you press the button on your desk and I will serve you the best I can. Perhaps, you want some refreshments now, after your travel?"

"Some refreshments and something to eat, would be a good suggestion, .... young man, What's your name and rank?" Mon Mothma asked interested.

"I'm sergeant Joachim Nubak, ma'am, at your service," the young man said and made again a formal salute.

"Nice to meet you, sergeant. I will call you Joachim, official ranks doesn't really matter for me," Mon Mothma said, "I love to address my men in a more personal way. Please, be so kind, to bring some refreshment and a light meal, and perhaps you also can arrange that my crew will get a similar service."

"We've taken care of that, ma'am. Your crew will be housed with our other men, according to their rank," Madine said.

The young sergeant left and Madine brought the Supreme Leader to the comfortable seat near a broad panoramic windscreen which had a full view on Palomintar Four and the planet's surrounded space. Talking about Mon Mothma's journey they waited for the duty officer to serve the required meal. Mon Mothma watched the planet with great interest.

"Well, Crix, how has been the surveillance task so far?" She asks, after she had taken several bits of the served plates.

"It has been a quiet watch, Mon. After the Basilisæa suddenly left and went into hyperspace, nothing has happened, as I mentioned in my last report," Madine answered.

"I guess, you expected that I would have given you the order to return to Dalmaran, didn't you?"

"Indeed, I did. After the imperial Star Destroyer left, the main reason for surveillance was over. It's a standard protocol that ..." Madine hastily said.

"I never sent that order, for I wanted you to be, let's say, my spying eyes, around this system. There is something disturbing going on on this planet."

"I'm fully aware of the situation, Mon. Did you receive the intercepted message my intelligence officer sent you?"

"I have, and I thank you for your comment on this matter, because your words have alerted me, before I received a similar disturbing message via Quoith. I want you to listen to it."

She activated her info com and the image of a person dressed in a black cloak popped. He uttered a threatening message about Luke and demanded that Liane would be send to Palomintar Four, otherwise he would kill Liane and the Jedi Knight. The words were interrupted with roars of laughter as if the speaker was enjoying himself during the recording.

Mon Mothma switched off and looked at her general with concern.

"I want you to contact any of our Jedi down there on Palomintar Four immediately. We need to know what exactly is going on. Is the threat real, has that guy captured Luke Skywalker and where is Liane Solichor? When was the last time you've heard something from our friends down there."

"We can contact the Millennium Falcon. General Solo can tell us if Luke Skywalker has been trapped."