Chapter 86

After her Jedi meditation with Yarmod Liane felt quiet and at peace with herself and the surrounding wildlands. Although Luke had taught her the basic principles of Jedi meditation it turned out that Wedge Antilles had instructed Yarmod how to reach a deeper meditation level in the Force. Her Jedi friend has shared his knowledge with her and afterwards Liane had admitted that she had felt as if she had left her physical body and that her spirit had become one with the Force. She remembered that her brother had told her a similar experience while he had been in the medic unit in Ktafunda. Releasing herself from her Force connection had given her the feeling as if she found a new way to look at the task that was laying ahead. The intense experience had also reminded her of her Force connection on board the Astræga while she had been assembling her own lightsaber. Yarmod had complemented her on her submission to his instructions and afterwards they had exchanged their Force experience, talking to each other using Jedi telepathy.

Just before sunrise Yarmod had warned Yarnick and his brothers and now they were huddling together at the edge of the plains of Myr, enjoying a simple breakfast of nuts and nutbread.

"Any idea, Eilidh, when we could expect your brother and master Antilles?" Conor asked.

Liane shrugged her shoulders.

"He has arrived with master Manall at the location where the harvest men are working on their project, but I haven't the slightest idea how far the distance is between this spot and the location near the mountain ridge. He contacted me before we set off for our last walk and he has given Leia and Wedge the coordinates of our meeting point."

She kept silent for a while and thought about what she had told her brother about a possible change in her plan.

"We can easily stay here for some days, if needed," She said, "Although we have to ration our food supply, but during our walk last night I have discovered many plants in the undergrowth with tasteful roots we could use as extra rations if necessary."

She got up and took a few paces before she grabbed a nearby plant and pulled it out of the ground. A solid yellow colored root was dangling in her hand. She wiped the root clean against the sleeve of her Jedi coat, before she held out the root to Kieran.

"Take a bite, Kieran. I'm sure you'll like it. Its taste is sweet and a bit spicy."

The other Grann brothers grinned as their youngest brother hesitantly accepted the root and took a small bite. He chewed it and then he began to laugh, swallowing the first and taking another more prominent bite.

"Where did you get that knowledge, Eilidh?" He asked with his mouth full.

"On Endor. The Ewoks use these roots to prepare a delicious stew. I'm almost certain that you all have eaten that stew after we defeated commander Dendicott and his mercenaries. If roasted it's even more tasteful."

"Have you ever heard what has happened to the vicious commander after he had been taken prisoner, Eilidh?" Bran asked.

Liane shook her head.

"After I had a secret meeting with some members of the High Council where I told them about his treatment, I haven't heard anything about a trial, because I was brought to Mon Mothma's secret residence on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. You or your brothers might have gotten more news about him and the accusations against him. His trial and that of Rand Phylotar and his brother must have reached the Holonet."

Yarnick nodded.

"I didn't want to confront you with your horrible experiences with him and his minions, Eilidh, but those three adversaries aren't a threat to you any more. The commander and those Phylotar brothers have been stripped off their ranks and are sentenced to serve a lifetime in prison. Not on Wegoyy, but on a remote uninhabited island on one of the planets of the Tambrin system . It's absolutely unlikely that they will be able to escape, for the only possible access is through the air."

Astounded his five brother looked at him.

"You never told us either, Yarnick."

"It wasn't such an important item on the Holonet. It nearly escaped my attention too. I later replayed the news item, that's how I heard about it, but as it hadn't any concern with our trade business I forgot it. The only thing what I remembered was that those three officers had been in the imperial space force, before the Alliance celebrated their first main victory in the battle of Endor."

"They were former imperials and defectors," Bran said, "just like father told us. Now I understand why Eilidh had become a victim of mind drugging."

Liane had listened quietly to the conversation.

"I hope, that the Supreme Chancellor will pardon them one day," She said softly.

Astounded her companions looked at her.

"Shaayla-Car, don't you remember what you did on Endor," Yarmod asked.

"I do, and what I did was wrong. As a Jedi I will never make use of that old Sith knowledge again. Luke has told me more than once that what Anakin has taught about the Sith is forbidden knowledge for a Jedi, only seasoned Jedi Masters who have fully embraced the Good Side of the Force may study, not practise, Sith Force knowledge."

"If that commander and those two brother would be pardoned, they might seek revenge," Ronan said.

"If they would seek an encounter again, Ronan, they will meet a Jedi Knight, not an ignorant girl who only could use the evil side of the Force and that will make a big difference. No, fellows, the commander and the Phylotar brothers aren't threat to me any more. On Endor Luke was right, justice has to be done the right way and not the way I chose at that moment."

The others all laughed.

"I swear that I will never call you 'the Dark Princess of Morantan' again, Shaayla-Car," Yarmod said with a shameful look in his eyes.

Liane laughed at him.

"At that moment, your comment, although not really flattering, was right, my friend. I was behaving as the Dark Princess of Morantan. The past can't be undone, that's what I told Han when Luke and I met him and convinced him to return to Leia and marry her. I've never met a happier couple than Han Solo and Leia Organa. Hey, look, what's that flashing over there?"

She jumped to her feet and pointed at a spot on the plains.

"It's the Astræga, using her cloaking device to signal us. Let's go!"

They all grabbed their bags and ran to the former imperial space ship which for a moment became visible at about a hundred meters from the edge of the wild lands. The ramp came down and the eight travelers rushed inside, after which Ian Tydon activated the cloaking device again.

In the control room of the ship Leia, Wedge and Ian welcomed their friends wholeheartedly.

"Excellent timing, Shaayla-Car, guys," Wedge Antilles said.

"We can offer you something better than nut bread, " Leia said pointing at center table in the control room, "Ian told me that your rations mainly contained nuts and nut bread."

"I ate my fill with the last rations master Manall gave me, but maybe the others want something. I would appreciate a warm drink," Liane answered.

"I take care of that," Ian said and vanished.

Liane stretched out her hands to Leia.

"So good, to see you again, Leia. Is everything alright with you and Han? So many things happened these last months, that I hardly know where to start."

Leia looked at the young woman dressed at a full-fledged Jedi Knight. The calm, although still determined look in Liane's eyes expressed her maturation and her growth as a follower of the Good Side of the Force. Leia took Liane's hands, feeling overwhelmed by the enormous changes in Liane's attitude. Her glance cast over Liane's Jedi outfit.

"You're one of us now, my dear foster-sister," She said.

Liane laughed.

"I confess, it's a little bit unexpected what Wedge told me on Tyr. I still can't believe I'm a Jedi Knight."

The two women hugged each other with a smiling faces.

"Where are Han and Chewie, Leia?" Liane asked.

"At work on the mountain ridge with the harvest men. After Wedge and I have explained our next steps, we'll go back to them. Han will certainly admire your new status, my dear."

Liane didn't comment on Leia's words, as her eyes had caught a young adult female Quelan wearing the outfit of a harvest man. She released herself from Leia's embrace and turned to the young Quelan.

"You must be Chati Fonaldris, Udine's and Toallin's daughter, right?" Liane said and stretched out her hand, "I'm glad we finally meet. Luke has told me about you and how you succeeded in traveling to Myr in the hold of the Millennium Falcon. You want to become a Jedi, like Luke, don't you?"

"If Ben believes, I'm worth it, miss Kenobi," Chati said.

"Worth it? What talk is that? If Luke has told you, you can become a Jedi, then you surely will, and please call me Liane, like everyone does."

"But that's not your real name, master Ian, told me," Chati said hesitantly.

"Liane Severini Solichor are the names of my mother. Solichor was the surname of my mother Severini.

"It an odd story about how master Ian and you found out that you're siblings."

"Did he told you about it?"

"Most of it I heard from master Manall, master Cornell's father. He can't stop talking about you two, because your father has been a famous Jedi friend of him. Master Manall is absolutely sure that the two of you will be as famous as your father. Are you also a Jedi Knight, .... miss.... Liane. Ben told me that you still are his apprentice and that you have much to learn more before you will be a Jedi Knight. I'm sorry, Liane, you certainly don't know that master Skywalker calls himself Ben on Myr."

Liane took Chati's arm and pulled her with her to one of the coaches.

"I see Luke still as my Jedi master, for I know I can learn a lot from him, but master Antilles has bestowed the title of Jedi Knight on my brother, our friend Yarmod and me. So to answer you question, yes, I'm a Jedi Knight, but foremost I also want to be your friend and help you to make your dream come true. "

Chati smiled.

"Ben has asked his sister, master Leia to be my master as long as he is in his Force hibernation state inside Darth Golluth underground abode."

Liane looked puzzled.

"Luke is in Force hibernation? What's that? I've never heard of that?"

A bit embarrassed Chati looked at Leia and Wedge who both shared a stern look.

"Apologies, master, I spoke to early about Ben," Chati said and cast her eyes on Liane again.

"Master Leia and master Antilles want to explain that to you too. Master Ian already has heard the story." Chati said as she took a mug with a hot drink from a tray Ian held out, and gave it to Liane.

Liane took the mug in her hands and thanked Chati and Ian with a grateful smile, before she spoke to Leia again.

"Leia, what has happened to Luke?" She asked.

"Wedge will tell you, Liane, but first I want you to know how grateful I am that Luke's efforts to bring you to the Good Side of the Force, have been successful and that the new Jedi Order now has welcomed three new members. You will all do great, I'm sure." Leia said and nodded to Wedge Antilles.

"Shaayla-Car," the commander of the Gold Squadron said, "you do remember the Force vision you shared with me on Tyr, don't you?"

"I do, Wedge. My vision has become reality, hasn't it? What exactly has happened to Luke? Chati just said that he is some kind of special Jedi meditation, called Force hibernation. Where is Luke at the moment?"

"Luke has been brought inside the underground abode of Darth Golluth, but let me tell you what he has done. He is safe, Shaayla-Car. I'm sure no harm will be done to him."

Liane nodded, but murmured.

"I'm not so sure", before she looked straight at Wedge, "Tell me, Wedge, what is Jedi hibernation?"

"It's a very special state of controlled unconsciousness. You are familiar with Force healing meditation, aren't you? You've practised that Jedi meditation when you took care of some wounded Ewoks on Endor. It's similar to that, but much more intense and it has much impact on the metabolism of a Jedi's body. Using Force hibernation meditation a Jedi is able to consciously influence his breathing, the frequency of his heartbeat and his body temperature. Luke has explained it to me and taught me what a Jedi has to do to gain this knowledge, while I accompanied him to his rendez-vous with Doran Whain."

Liane frowned.

"Who's that? Is he an ally of Trevor? If that's the case I'm not so sure that no harm will be done to Luke."

"Doran Whain is keeping an eye on admiral Trevor Matrik, and is carrying out a special secret mission on behalf of the Provisional Coruscant Council, as far as Luke has told me. Luke is convinced he is a reliable partner to us and especially to you. Not only has Doran brought Luke inside the underground hiding of your adversary, but he also will help you to get inside in a safe way. At least if you agree to follow Luke's plan. Luke wants to be with you, if you're facing Trevor, Shaayla-Car."

Liane didn't respond, but Kieran couldn't resist to ask.

"How can Luke be any help to Eilidh, if he is unconscious?"

"Shut up, Kieran," Yarnick said, "These are matters beyond our knowledge."

Kieran looked defiant at his oldest brother, but Wedge laughed.

"Good thinking, Kieran. There are several ways a Jedi can be released from Jedi hibernation. He can do it himself, after a certain period, minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months, or he can instruct someone to call him, using a trigger word or sentence. Luke has told me that he will end his hibernation after a month standard time, or so much earlier as necessary with the help of Chati Fonaldris. She knows how to wake him up."

"If she must wake him up, she has to be inside Trevor's underground hiding place. Who will let her in? Doran Whain?" Liane remarked thoughtfully.

"Chati can enter using a kind of backdoor to get inside, Liane," Leia said reassuringly, "Luke and Chati have done investigations in the former underground riverbed which leads to the caves where Trevor's lives. The caves were formerly part of the underground riverbed. Chati knows the way through those caves. I fully understand that you want to confront Trevor yourself, but I want you to consider the possibility of using that backdoor and find your way inside with Chati's help."

"Sneak in," Liane said, shaking her head, "I wonder if that's right idea. Trevor will probably get suspicious if I turn up inside his hide-out unexpectedly. That might also bring the harvest men and Han and Chewbacca in danger. It's also not the way to confront Trevor I had in mind. I want to face him, walking in through the front door. That might be possibly if I accept the help of the imperial agent: Doran Whain, although I wonder what kind of explanation that guy has in mind to bring me inside. Wedge, where can I meet Doran Whain?"

Leia looked at Liane and realized that her foster-sister was no longer the ignorant and reckless girl she had once defended against the threats of senator Zolgathrii.

"Doran Whain can meet you in the old vineyard building, Chati's old home, near Ribana," Wedge said, neglecting Leia's frowned face.

At that moment Leia's infocom beeped. She activated the holo display and the image of Han showed up.

"Darling, I've gotten an alert message from the Tychorion on my wrist infocom, but I can't make contact with them, for neither Chewie, nor I, can deactivate the Falcon's cloaking from outside. Maybe you should teach me that Force ability. " Han said grinning.

"We'll come back immediately, Han. We can be back in no time."

"You should take that call from the Astræga first, and come back afterwards?"

"If we leave now, we also can discuss the way we can rescue Luke," Leia answered.

"Call the Tychorion first, sweetheart, for it seems very important as the alert message has one of the highest levels. I fear it means that Madine has gotten the order to head back to Dalmaran."

"In that case I'll contact the general right away. I'll be back to you as soon as I know what's going on."

"Speak to you later, sweetheart. By the way did you find Liane and her seven followers," Han asked.

"We did. They are all on board with us."

Leia deactivated the connection and looked at Wedge Antilles. Wedge rose and walked over to the infocom console. He asked for access to the Tychorion and almost immediately the holo images of Mon Mothma and general Madine popped up. Leia joined Wedge, after she'd beckoned to the others to remain quiet and just listen.

"Commander Antilles, my dear Leia, good to see you," Mon Mothma said with a relieved smile.

"Han called us that you tried to contact the Falcon, ma'am," Wedge said, "We are on board the Astræga at the moment. We planned a rendezvous with Liane, our former padawans and some other friends."

"Excellent, that is more than I hoped for. We want you to come to the Tychorion without delay, commander," Mon Mothma said. "I think my protégé Liane and her guards have a lot to explain to me."

Mon Mothma voice had sounded stern, but Leia saw how the face of the Supreme Chancellor had a expression of great relief.

"How fast can you reach the Tychorion, commander Antilles ?"

"If we lift off now, we can reach the position of the Tychorion outside the Palomintar System within less than an hour. Please, ask the general to send us the coordinates to instruct the navi computer, ma'am."

Madine took over.

"The Tychorion has gone back into orbit around Palomintar Four, commander. Head for point 324890-290845. Once there you have visual contact with the Tychorion you can correct your course to enter the docking bay."

"324890-290845, sir. We're on our way. Advance request to board the Tychorion at arrival." Wedge said formally.

"Granted, commander,"

The holo images vanished and Wedge and Leia turned to the others. Leia noticed a light tension building up between the three young Jedi, Wedge and herself. Again it was Kieran Grann who broke the tension.

"Are you taking me and my brothers with you to meet the Supreme Chancellor, your Highness?" He asked and in his voice they all heard the great excitement he felt.

"Would be such a great honor for us to meet her. Don't you think, boys," He added addressing his brothers. "Remember what father told us about her and her long strife to oppose the emperor. From the beginning she has been the secret leader of the Rebellion which later became the Alliance against the empire, hasn't she, your Highness? Will we really be introduced to her?" He turned to Leia to get an answer to his questions.

"I probably don't have to, Kieran. Mon Mothma knows about the help you and your brother have given us when commander Dendicott attacked the Ewok village," Leia said with a smile.

Wedge looked at the three young Jedi who had silently listened to Kieran and Leia. The expression on their face didn't reveal anything of what they were thinking, but Wedge knew that this unexpected meeting on board the Tychorion could have implications for Liane's plan to seek her way in to Trevor Matrik's underground residence. He rose and walked over to Yarmod.

"Let's prepare for take off, Yarmod," He said.

His former padawan nodded and followed him to the cockpit of the Astræga.

Liane looked at Kieran who was still chattering in a loud voice about the upcoming meeting with the leader of the New Republic. Brion and Conor clearly shared his enthusiasm. Ronan turned to Liane.

"The Supreme Chancellor mentioned you as her protégé. Did she really mean you? Have you met the Supreme Chancellor, Eilidh?" He asked.

Now Liane began to laugh.

"Mon Mothma is the kindest lady I have ever met. If she hadn't been so generous to let me use her secret residence as a hide-out, I might have ended up on Palomintar Four in the hands of admiral Matrik much earlier and far before I learned to understand what my real destiny was. If we arrive on the Tychorion I will introduce you and your brothers to her. She already knows I have been traveling with you after you picked me up on Wegoyy."

Ian looked at his sister, as did Leia. So far they had been silent.

"What are we going to do now, Shaayla-Car? I mean, this unexpected travel to the Tychorion might interfere with your plan." Ian asked.

"We'll wait and see, my brother. I'm sure that Mon Mothma wants us to rescue Luke one way or the other, and so does Leia and Han."

Again Leia watched her foster-sister. The changes in Liane's attitude were so remarkable, that it was almost unbelievable that a few months ago, she had been very worried about Liane's reckless thoughts that it would be her task to meet Trevor Matrik again. Flashes of memories of an aggressive and obstinate young woman popped up in Leia's mind as she remember her first nerve racking visits at Irithim's detention building. She remembered Liane's unexpected attack against the late Zolgathrii when she had seen that Luke had been wounded. On their way back to Dalmaran Liane had finally accepted Luke's help. How would it be for her to return to Tychorion after so many years?"

"We're ready for take off. Please, strap in," Wedge's voice sounded over the Astræga's intercom. Leia warned Chati Fonaldris who had been listening in awe to the some tales of the Grann brothers, to fasten her safety webbing. The young Quelan girl took a seat next to Liane who helped her to fix the clasps.

"M... Liane, have you ever been on board the Tych... that huge space ship. It's amazing."

For a short moment Liane's thoughts went back to her first and only trip on board the Tychorion. Chati didn't seem to notice the unanswered response to her first question.

"Ben ... I mean master Skywalker took me with him. I was allowed to attend a kind of secret meeting, but afterwards one of the officers got an order from the commander to show me around. I even have been on the bridge of the ship where I could see the whole Palomintar System. All the planets of the system seemed only tiny globes drifting in a black space. It was awesome. Have you been on the bridge of it, Liane?"

"No, I haven't, but I have seen many similar visions of planets drifting in the huge black void. I saw you listening to Kieran and Brion as they referred to some of their adventures. Those six brothers are my very best friends and always traveling together. They are professional space traders and highly respected on many planets. I have been traveling with them for more than a year and, like you, I always was awestruck when we came out of hyperspace and saw our next destination planet through the windshield of the cockpit."

"Did you travel with them before you met master Skywalker? Did you stop your traveling, because master Skywalker had told that you could become a Jedi Knight? Did you accept his proposal to become his padawan?"

For a moment Liane was silent.

It didn't happen that way. When Luke and I met for the first time, I had already learned a lot about the Force from another Jedi master, so he was immediately aware of my Force skills, but that was some time before I started my traveling with the Grann brothers."

"So, you didn't want to become a Jedi Knight?" Chati insisted, "What made you change your mind?"

Yarnick, his brothers, Ian and Leia had turned to Liane and Chati to listen.

Again Liane smile.

"I've rejected Luke's proposal to become his padawan many times, Chati, because I thought I didn't deserve it to become a Jedi Knight. It took me many years to change my mind. During those years Luke always kept supporting me, showing me over and over again I could learn to use the Force the right way."

"So, despite you already knew a lot a the Force, you couldn't bring yourself to accept master Skywalker's proposal and become a Jedi Knight? You even left him and became friends with those six space traders?"

"I did, and I had a marvelous time on board the Grann Traveler. It was a very different way of life, but I have enjoyed every minute of it."

"So, afterwards, it was the right decision."

"It was, and I wouldn't have missed it."

Leia joined their talk.

"What about you, Chati. Are you willing to give up your life and follow a Jedi master who will show you your Force potential and who will teach you all you need to know to become a Jedi Knight one day?"

"It's my greatest wish, master. I don't fit in our Quelan community. The others think I'm weird, because I don't want to follow the common way of life in our community. It's dull and boring. I want to see other planets, meet other species, make friends among humans, and learn everything about our galaxy."

Yarnick turned to Chati.

"Your master said that you know the way through the maze of caves which formerly were the bedding of an underground river. How did you manage not to get lost? How did you find your way out?"

"I made drawings every time I discovered a new cave or a new passageway. I kept those drawings hidden in my room and took them with me when we had to flee. The drawings are now in my backpack in my tree house. Inside the caves and on the walls of the passageways I made all kind of different markings which I copied on the drawings. Over the years my drawings became a huge map of those underground caves and I can easily find my way once I'm inside. It's an amazing underground world, sir, but everything changed when that weirdo arrived and took shelter in those caves."

Liane interrupted Chati's answer.

"Have you met the guy once he hid himself?"

Chati grinned.

"After he took shelter inside those caves I've been there only one more time. I watched him and heard him talking to an odd transparent image, similar to those image master Leia and master Antilles were talking to a moment ago, with one difference: the image didn't answer or talked back to the guy. My father forbade me to enter the caves again, and not long afterwards all the Quelans were driven out of Ribana and we had to go into exile on Tyr and made new living in Cantamaga."

Chati's voice had become thoughtful and sounded sad, but than she looked around and her face brightened again.

"But Ribana will be freed and all my new friends will help me to reach that goal. You too, don't you, Liane? Oh, yes, you do, because you hate that weirdo as much as I do."

"Do you hate him, that much, Chati?" Liane asked as she sensed those dark emotions in the Quelan girl. Leia noticed great worries in Liane's voice.

"Don't you, Liane?" Chati asked defiant and a bit amazed, "He has ruined our community and the way we lived and I understand that he has ruined your life too. So you must hate him as much as I do?"

Liane shook her head.

"You're wrong, Chati, a Jedi never must give in to feelings of hatred. Hate is an expression of dark feelings inside yourself. I understand that you blame admiral Matrik for ruining the peaceful way of life of your people. I fully agree with that point of view. It shouldn't have happened, it shouldn't happen to any community in this galaxy. That's why we're here. Luke has promised your father and his brother to find a way to ensure that the admiral will leave Palomintar Four, so that the Quelans can return to Ribana. But his presence here also is more dangerous to the future of the whole galaxy."

Leia turned to the Quelan girl and asked.

"Do you and the Quelans of Ribana have any knowledge about the Old Republic and the rise of the empire under emperor Palpatine?"

Chati shook her head.

"There hasn't been many contacts with, what the elders of our community called, off-world foreigners. The only outside world contacts came from traders who bought part of our harvest, the nuts the harvest men gathered on Tyr, and the casks with wine my family produced in the vineyard. Oh, and master Manall had two friends who sometimes visited him secretly. They never mingled with the inhabitants of Ribana and they never visited Palomintar Four again after I was born. Even my father and my uncle have never met them, I think. But what kind of plans does that weirdo made for the future of the galaxy and why is that dangerous to you and maybe also us Quelans, master?"

Leia looked at the others before she answered Chati's question.

"Admiral Matrik, once served under emperor Palpatine. He has been a great admirer of the Empire and he has set himself as a goal, to revive the Empire again, so he could become the next Emperor. That could mean, Chati, that our galaxy would be plunged again into a war. That's what my brother and I, and the Supreme Chancellor of the New Republic want to avoid."

Chati nodded, but than she frowned.

"Thank you, master, for explaining this to me, but I still don't understand why that weirdo has ruined Liane's life in a way that she couldn't be here to assist master Skywalker."

Ian looked at Liane who slightly nodded, after she had exchanged some imperceptible looks with Leia.

"My sister has just told you that she has learned to use the Force from another Jedi, remember?"

Chati nodded.

"At the time her teacher wasn't a real Jedi anymore. Emperor Palpatine had told him many lies and intrigues and he began to believe in what is called the Dark Side of the Force," Ian said.

"Oh, then I have to learn not to hate that intruder any longer, because those emotions are driven by ... what did you say, the Dark Side of the Force," Chati said thoughtful.

"That's right, Chati," Ian answered, "Fear, anger, hate are emotions that live inside all of us, but a Jedi has to be aware of those dark feelings and learns to control them. My sister's teacher lost control of his emotional feelings, due to the machinations of the emperor. He taught my sister how to use the Force at the Dark Side."

"Which is wrong, I guess."

"Absolutely. Admiral Trevor Matrik, the intruder of your town has met my sister while she was the apprentice of that former Jedi. He knows what he has taught her, and he wants to gain that knowledge, for he needs it if he wants to revive the empire, that's why Trevor has made many attempts to kidnap my sister and bring her to Palomintar Four."

"Before master Skywalker had taught her how to become a Jedi Knight. So, his attempt has failed, master Ian. Your sister is a Jedi Knight, like you, and I'm sure that she will never make use of knowledge which is the wrong use of the Force."

They all laughed and Liane smiled gratefully the young Quelan woman.

"Thank you, for defending me, Chati. No, I won't make use of the knowledge I once had to practise as a Dark Side apprentice. I'm a Jedi, like my brother, like Luke and Leia, but Trevor Matrik doesn't know I have made up my mind and won't follow the Dark Side. I will not carry out his ridiculous plan. That is why I want to get inside his underground cave and tell him personally I will never tell him what I know about the Sith lore."

Kieran grinned.

"Let's hope, Eilidh, that he will listen."

Wedge entered the control room.

"We're nearing our destination. We're leaving hyperspace in five minutes. Make sure that your safety webbin are fixed."

Everybody checked and took the necessary safety precautions to get back to sublight velocity. Over the intercom Wedge did the count down.

"Enter sublight velocity in six seconds ... four... three... two ... one. We can start our sublight approach at the Tychorion. She is right in front of us. Leia, will you hail the frigate and asked them which docking station is open to us."

General Madine had taken over to lead the discussion between Leia and Wedge, while Liane and the others commented sometimes on the different options. Wedge Antilles seemed to be a bit annoyed about Leia's tenacity to stick to the option to enter the underground abode of Darth Golluth through the underground riverbed.

"You said, that you understood Luke's plan, Leia, and what's more, you thought it's feasible," The Gold-Squadron commander said.

"Entering the underground caves via the underground riverbed has advantages," Leia argued, "Han thinks we need to take as many safety precautions as possible."

"And a lot of disadvantages. Liane already has mentioned that Trevor might be alerted to that backdoor entrance, if she appears unexpectedly."

Mon Mothma who had taken her seat again, intervened.

"What's your brother's plan, Leia?" She asked.

"Wedge can explain Luke's plan, Mon. Part of it has already been set in motion. Doran Whain, the agent of the Provisionary Coruscant Council, has brought my brother inside Darth Golluth underground hide-out."

Mon Mothma turned to Wedge Antilles.

"Bring me up-to-date, commander," She said.

Wedge gave a extensive report of how Luke and he had met Doran Whain and how Luke and Doran had come to an agreement about the next step: bringing Luke inside the underground caves, so that he would be there to support Liane.

"How long ago was that,commander?" Mon Mothma asked.

"Ten days ago, ma'am." Wedge answered.

"Yes," Leia commented, "and all that time my brother is defenseless, for he has brought himself in a special state of Force unconsciousness."

Mon Mothma looked at her special advisor and then turned to general Madine.

"It's time, you all understand, why I'm here. Listen to this message. I received it some ten days ago."

She pressed the button on her console and in the middle of the table the holographic image of a dark cloaked image appeared and addressed the Supreme Chancellor.

'Rebel leader send Liane Vader immediately to Palomintar Four. I have captured your most import Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker. ... I will spare Luke Skywalker's life once I have forced Liane Vader to give me all the knowledge of the Dark Side ... If she does not cooperate, I will kill her and Luke Skywalker. Rebel leader, you are responsible for their lives. '

The image disappeared. Mon Mothma looked at the other attendees.

"This message brought me here to take action for it's up to me to safe the life of Luke Skywalker. I want to do that with your help, all of you. There are two plans which both has the same aim: make sure that Luke Skywalker will be rescued and secondly that our galaxy won't be drawn again in an endless war. Trevor Matrik is threatening the peace treaty between the New Republic and the Provisionary Coruscant Council. In no way do we want to put peace on the line again. Leia, what do you know about that special Force unconsciousness of your brother."

Before Leia could answer, Liane interrupted.

"Excuse, ma'am. In the past I had several Force vision about Luke in that special condition. The last time I saw him, was when someone dragged him out of the escape pod. The message Trevor sent you is an indication that my Force visions are our new reality. Luke, Wedge and that guy Doran have agreed that the latter will meet me at a certain rendez-vous point and bring me inside Trevor's hide-out. That's what I want to do, for of all I want to see how I can rescue Luke."

She looked around at the others.

"You all heard what Trevor said, if I don't come to Palomintar Four he will harm Luke. It doesn't matter if I already knew what Trevor intended to do, or that he thinks you, ma'am, sent me to him. I have to meet Trevor via his front door and not sneak in via the underground riverbed, although that might be a safer way."

"Thank you, Liane. Well, I have heard all your different points of view. I will discuss these options further with general Madine in private and you all will hear tomorrow in which way we are going to end Trevor Matrik's reign on Palomintar Four and make sure that the inhabitants of Ribana can return to their former way of life. For now I close this meeting and I want everybody to get to the quarters which have been assigned to each of you. During our dinner I don't want to have any other discussing on this matter."

She nodded at general Madine and rose. The others rose too and several of Madine's officers brought each of them to their assigned quarters.

"I'm glad you could make it this fast, Sorjon," Mon Mothma said, while welcoming her advisor, "I feared that the members of the triarchy might arrive before you. Let's get to the general's quarters I want to discuss our next steps, but first I need to find a solution to a more pressing matter, before the triarchy arrives. The person of their concern is on board the Tychorion at the moment."

They went to general Madine's quarters and Mon Mothma informed her advisor about the discussion and the different options to get in touch with their opponent on Palomintar Four. Sorjon Tyloban listened attentively.

"There are good arguments for both options, Mon." He said.

"I agree, Sorjon. Crix, what do you think? There isn't much time left. Early tomorrow morning the triarchy might arrive. By all means we need to avoid that they will meet Liane."

"Won't they accept, that she is a Jedi Knight now?" Madine asked.

Mon Mothma shook her head.

"Liane is still seen as a threat. In their eyes she still is the daughter of Darth Vader who taught her the knowledge of the Dark Side of the Force."

"The advice of Leia Organa is the safest way to get inside admiral Matrik's underground residence, but it's very likely that he would become suspicious. I suggest that if we chose that option we send a kind of invasion force and overwhelm him, before he could act himself." general Madine said.

"That doesn't solve our main problem that miss Solicor is on board the Tychorion at the moment," Sorjon Tyloban remarked.

"We could send Leia and the other back to Palomintar Four and prepare a group of ground forces to join them before our allies have arrived," Madine added to his former remark.

Sorjon shook his head.

"That would be a violation of the peace treaty. We have agreed that no space ship is allowed to land on one of the planets of the Palomintar System except for the small space port of Ktafunda at Palomintar Six."

The three leaders were silent.

"What if we put Liane in the detention area on the Tychorion?" Madine suggest, "If we explain to her the dilemma I'm sure she will cooperate.

Mon Mothma shook her head.

"Out of the question, Crix. Liane has gone through to many wrong ordeals and she has proven herself to have grown beyond those problems. No, the best way is to send the whole bunch of friends back to Palomintar Four, before the triarchy from Coruscant arrives."

They looked up at each other and Mon Mothma smiled serenely, before she nodded. Sorjon and Madine nodded in agreement.

"Wedge," Mon Mothma said and rose, "Crix, you talk to him immediately."

'They have put us in separated quarters, Shaayla-Car,'Ian communicated with his sister, 'Nevertheless we can discuss our own plans. I thought they knew how we Jedi can communicate.'

'I want to be sure that Yarnick and his brothers are involved in whatever plan, Tama-Hinn. Yarnick has promised me to help us. I don't want their presence to be neglected,'Liane commented, 'but we have to wait what the Supreme Chancellor has in mind. I'm sure she will make the right decision. I don't think it's up to us to force an agreement.'

'Don't you want to confront Trevor alone anymore?' Ian asked a bit surprised.

'Tama-Hinn, my dear brother, the Supreme Chancellor and the general are experienced leaders. Although I may not like the outcome of their decision I will agree, for their insight might be the right one. We have to wait until tomorrow. Whatever the plan they chose isn't up to us to discuss. We're peace keepers, Tama-Hinn, and that's why Leia wants to use that backdoor entrance. She's probably right to confront Trevor that way. '

Ian laughed.

'I can't believe I hear you say those words, Shaayla-Car,'He said, 'Have you become that cautious?'

Liane laughed as well.

'Maybe I have, my dear brother. My goal is to rescue Luke, before Trevor might hurt him. If I can reach that goal entering through that backdoor dry riverbed than I will proceed that way. And now, my dear brother I want to do some Jedi meditation before I'm going to rest and I suggest you should do the same.'

Liane released herself from her Force connection with her brother. She understood his concern about the possible outcome of the discussion the group had had with Mon Mothma and general Madine. She turned inward and reached out to the planet surface of Palomintar Four, seeking the presence of the other Jedi Knight who had shown her the right way to use the great power she could wield now. She became one with the Force and let her spirit travel down to the place where she began to feel the presence of Luke. In a deep Force trance her spirit entered the cave where she now clearly saw her friend, laying on a piece of furniture. Someone has put a pillow behind his head and covered his body with a blanket. Has that guy, Doran Whain, taken care of that. How considerate of him. Her spirit neared the table and she carefully touched Luke's face, covering his closed eyes with her hand. She began to smile, when she noticed the soft, almost undetectable, heartbeat and small wisps of breath. He was alive, she shouldn't worry about his wellbeing. Probably Doran Whain would also take care that Trevor wouldn't do any harm to Luke. Luke had trusted Doran, although he was an imperial officer. She must accept Luke's trust in the guy, for there wasn't anything else she could do. Calmly she released herself from her Force spirit travel and took a deep breath, before she laid down to get some sleep.

'Tomorrow we will meet hopefully again, my dear eternal partner', She mused, before she close her eyes.

She had hardly fallen asleep when a soft knock on her door, woke her up again.

"Miss Solichor, are you awake," A voice whispered.

Liane recognized the voice of general Madine. Quickly she stepped of her bunk and opened the door.

"General?"

"Get your boots and other belongings, miss and follow me. No questions, please," Madine said at a whispered tone.

She quickly put on her boots, put on her belt and her Jedi cloak. General Madine closed the door and took her arm. At a fast pace they walked through several corridors and took an elevator to the bowels of the Tychorion. Surprised Liane noticed that they were walking to the docking bay where the Astræga had landed. They entered the platform of the bay and Liane saw that the Astræga seemed to be ready for take off. Down the ramp came Wedge Antilles and beckoned her to come over. Out of one of the corners two other persons appeared. Liane recognized Sorjon Tyloban the High Court prosecutor. Next to him Mon Mothma walked over to her and general Madine. Wedge had joined them. A bit confused Liane waited until Mon Mothma and Sorjon Tyloban had come over.

"Liane, I want you to carry on with Luke's plan. Go with Wedge Antilles and proceed with what you had in mind," Mon Mothma said.

"Save the life of one of our Jedi, miss Solichor, and my best friend," the general said.

Sorjon Tyloban had cast his glance over Liane's outfit.

"I'm told you're a Jedi Knight, miss Solichor. So I'm sure that you know what you have to do." He said.

"Now go, Liane. What you want to achieve might not be easy, but we fully trust your Jedi skills. Master Antilles will support you as far as you need it. May the Force be with you," Mon Mothma said.

"One question, ma'am, before I leave. What about Yarnick and his brothers? They have committed themselves to support me." Liane asked.

"Wedge will tell you, what we have decided. Let's say, that we have found a combination of the two proposed plans."

Liane nodded.

"I understand, ma'am. Thank you for trusting Luke's original plan, so I can participate in it the way I wanted. I will tell Trevor Matrik he won't succeed."

She turned around and followed Wedge Antilles up the ramp. The ramp closed and the Astræga slowly slid out of the docking bay in to the vastness of space. Once outside Wedge lowered the upturned wings and the space craft began his flight back to the surface of Palomintar Four.