Chapter 87

"The message you've sent was loud and clear, my lord."

"Yes, yes, but it's ten days ago since you brought the body of her famous Jedi in here. Do you think she suspects something? That she already expected that his mission would be a failure? If that would be the case she might not send Lady Vader to me. They will held a memorial service for the hero of the Rebel Alliance and keep Lady Vader in detention on Dalmaran.

"My lord, you didn't tell lady Mon Mothma that Jedi Skywalker had died inside the escape pod."

"That's true, but what keeps her so unwilling to send me my price then? She will certainly hold lady Vader accountable for the Jedi's death."

"My lord, we only can wait until we hear something."

"I agree, colonel, but I'm worried about the decomposition of the body. I want to have a look at the Jedi's remains and decide if we can keep him in that cave, or that we have to bury him somewhere outside in one of those valleys behind that deserted city."

Darth Golluth and beckoned Doran Whain and his majordomos to follow. At a quick pace the former admiral walked through the passageways to the rear of his underground hide-out. While walking along the passageways were lit. Doran Whain observed and listened to the elated chuckling of the man who believed in his plan to revive the Empire. As they entered the cave where he had brought Luke Skywalker, Darth Golluth ordered his majordomos to lit a bright lamp and looked at the body on the improvised bed. He placed his hand against the sleeping Jedi's cheek, before he turned to Doran.

"He feels very cold, so he must be dead. Feel for yourself, colonel. He is as cold as the walls of this cavern. However, it's amazing that there are any signs of decomposition. Don't you think, that's odd, colonel."

Doran didn't answer, because it was as if Darth Golluth was more talking to himself instead of addressing to him to confirm his observations.

"We still can leave the body of this famous Jedi here for awhile, but I order you, colonel, to check every day if there are any signs of decomposition."

"As you wish, my lord," Doran answered automatically.

Darth Golluth left the cave and went back to his main audience chamber.

"Colonel, I want you to send the same threatening message to that rebel leader. Add to it that I will order the termination of the Jedi, if she doesn't agree with my wishes."

For a moment Darth Golluth was silent, but suddenly he looked straight at Doran Whain.

"I also want you to send a message to the Basilisæa and order admiral Vestor to meet me again on Palomintar Four. I have a far more better idea to get rid of the Jedi's body, colonel."

Doran looked at the man in front of him and realized what Darth Golluth had in mind. He rose obediently and bowed.

"I will send both messages immediately, my lord," He said.

Darth Golluth waved with his hand.

"Very well, colonel. I'm no longer in the mood to talk to you. You may go and do the chores I ordered you. Dismissed!"

Doran Whain left and went to the cave with the communication system. Quickly he composed two messages which he sent encrypted via a secret frequency to Coruscant and to the Tychorion.

"One of the Tychorion's transport ships is made ready to bring you and the others to Palomintar Four immediately where you will carry out the other part of the plans to have a backdoor entry to that cave network, " Mon Mothma said an looked at Leia Organa.

"What about Liane and Luke, Mon?" The former princess of Alderaan asked.

"They have to rely on the Force, Leia, like you and our new Jedi must do. Get back to your husband and the group of Quelan workers. Make sure that all the members of your company, including the brothers Grann are doing everything to work out the plan to get the river back into its original bedding."

"Chati is the only person who knows how to trigger Luke's hibernation state. How will Liane be able to undo Luke's hibernation?" Leia objected.

"I leave any solution to your ingenuity, Leia. You were talking about using a backdoor entrance; the former underground riverbed. I understand that our young Quelan lady knows how to find her way through the cave network." Leia nodded. Mon Mothma placed her hand reassuringly on her shoulders. Leia looked up.

"You're right, Mon. I'm worrying too much about Liane."

"You should trust her skills and accept that commander Antilles made her a Jedi Knight which was the right decision. I understand, that your brother fully agreed with his friends' decision, so you should do that as well. The foster daughter of your father has grown strong in her believe of the Good Side of the Force. You shouldn't forget that she has been in charge of your father's stronghold on Morantan. He would never have done that, if he hadn't been fully convinced of her Force skills. She's a natural leader, like you. Inform the others to be ready to get back to Palomintar Four's surface immediately. Your transport is standby and ready for take off. You all have to leave, before the triarchy of leader of the Provisional Coruscant Council arrives."

"Grand admiral Jerno Thai is on his way to the Tychorion?" Leia asked.

"I send him an invitation, Leia, after I've got that nasty message. I expect his arrival soon. So before his ship comes out of hyperspace I want you and the other on your way to the planet surface."

Liane sat in the co-pilot chair next to Wedge Antilles who shortly after their departure had activated the navi-computer to head for Palomintar Four again. The display showed the outlines of a city. A city similar to the one she had seen on Tyr. This had to be Ribana, the original home town of Chati, Udine and Toallin and all the other Quelans. Now she was on her way to have a closer look at it. She turned to Wedge.

"Have you been in Ribana, Wedge?"

"No, and probably you won't either."

"What do you mean. I thought we were going to the former Quelan's city."

"According to Luke's agreement with Doran I will bring you to a rendez-vous where some old friends are waiting for you: Threepio and Artoo."

Wedge smiled as he noticed her astounded face.

"Threepio and Artoo? They aren't inside the cave to protect Luke?"

"Doran Whain will protect Luke," The Gold-Squad commander said, "That's what he promised what he would do."

"What kind of guy is he, Wedge? Can I trust him?"

"Luke is convinced that Doran is our ally, so you have to rely on our friend's decision."

"You have met him, right? Wedge, I sense you have had some doubts, despite Luke has teamed up with him. Is he really reliable?"

"I had my doubts, but after I met him I'm convinced that Luke made the right decision. Listen, Shaayla-Car, before we go to meet Threepio and Artoo let's go into orbit around Palomintar Five. I have to tell you what I know about Doran Whain and what kind of impression I have of him."

Wedge entered the position of the fifth planet of the Palomintar system in the Astræga's navi-computer and put the level. The Astræga immediately repositions herself and after a short trip through hyperspace she reappeared in space around Palomintar Five in minutes. Wedge maneuvered into an stationary orbit, activated the cloaking device and put the ship on autopilot. Liane cast a look on the planet which had a yellow-red color and whirling clouds. She didn't notice any activity of habitation. The whole planet seemed barren. Wedge had followed her glance.

"Nobody can live on this planet without taking serious precaution against radiation, not only from Palomintar itself, but also from the rocky underground. Several investigations have be done during the reign of the Emperor, but even the imperial scientists brought a negative advice to Coruscant. The radiation of the planet itself is deadly, even exposure to the small rocks those scientist gathered. Come, Shaayla-Car, we can talk unnoticed while we're in orbit here. "

Wedge rose and together with Liane he went to the control room and took a seat. For a moment Liane remained standing near the passageway to the cockpit. In her eyes Wedge saw the familiar inquisitive look.

"Sit down, Shaayla-Car. I will explain Luke's plan in more detail to you and Doran Whain's part in it. But first I will tell you what I've heard on Dalmaran after the communication system hack on Quoith, for at that moment my suspicions against Doran Whain had been roused."

"You mean, that it was him who has hacked the Quoith system?" Liane asked and she sat herself opposite of her companion.

"Yes and no, and the unexpected result of his action in cooperation with the experts on Quoith caused severe problems for your communication with our Supreme Chancellor while you were in the underground residence. The intent was to give Trevor Matrik access to a specific part of the Quoith computer system. The technicians at Quoith had set up and shielded a unit of their system specifically for this purpose, but in their haste the technicians had overlooked instructing the main operating system not to detect any intruder. As a result, the main control system took the precaution of blocking all communications systems on Irithim, as well as Mon Mothma's way to communicate with you on Na'ctaMagh'Ba."

"I remember. Mon Mothma paid me a personal visit to explain the seriousness of the situation. Artoo also intercepted an unknown caller and disconnected my communication system too."

"You handed me the recording Artoo had made and after I returned to Dalmaran with Leia I showed the message to our intelligence forces. They told me I shouldn't worry, for the Supreme Chancellor knew what had happened on Quoith. The deliberate provided access to that specific part of the Quoith system had been done in cooperation with the leaders of both governments. Doran Whain is an uncover agent carrying out a secret mission for the Provisionary Coruscant Council. Together with the technicians on Quoith Doran set up a trap for admiral Matrik who used an outdated communication system. Doran Whain is an expert in technical communication science and had made use of a weakness in the old communication system on Palomintar Four."

"So during the Quoith hack Doran Whain was on Palomintar Four?" Liane asked.

Wedge shook his head.

"At that time Doran was on board the Basilisæa, the last remaining super star destroyer of the new government on Coruscant. He secretly led the operation from the Basilisæa where he had been assignment as first communication's officer."

"He could intercept Trevor's system from space?"

"He's an expert, Shaayla-Car. The Basilisæa was carrying out surveillance mission near the Palomintar System at that time. The commander admiral Vestor brought his ship into a new position in the orbit of Palomintar Four."

"So it was orchestrated from Coruscant." Liane said thoughtfully.

"Better call it an undercover operation. The government on Coruscant has sever doubts about admiral Matrik intentions. The admiral was lured into the trap as he accessed the special section of the computer system on Quoith and made an illegal download of the files with information about you, Luke and Leia. The information was faked, but looked very truthful. Moreover, Trevor was so arrogant to made comments and amendments to the information as a severe warning to the Supreme Chancellor, a similar kind of message he has recently sent to our Supreme Chancellor. Doran Whain had monitored Trevor's activities and provided the technicians on Quoith with the system coordinates on Palomintar Four. They could enter Trevor's system from Quoith through an unprotected gap in the system. The technicians on Quoith destroyed the downloaded files, and subsequently did a clean up of his complete system, before they disconnected his system. This action was not really part of the undercover operation, but very effective, although their action had dire consequences for Doran Whain."

"Smart guys on Quoith," Liane laughed, "Trevor must have been outraged when he found out that he had been cut off. I remember several his many tantrums while he was venturing his opinion in the staff meetings on Morantan. Especially after Anakin had left and put me in charge of the stronghold."

"What happened on Palomintar Four after Trevor's system had been erased I don't know, but somehow he managed to made contact with the Basilisæa and ordered admiral Vestor, to send his best technician down to Palomintar Four's surface to reinstall his blocked system. Admiral Vestor took Doran Whain with him when he visited Trevor."

"Wow, so that's how Doran Whain got inside Trevor's abode. Now he could spy on Trevor on the spot and report that to Coruscant. Dangerous job."

"Excellent deduction, Shaayla-Car. Doran's more or less stay on Palomintar Four wasn't planned. What he had to do was indeed dangerous, but Doran Whain is not only an expert in technical communication systems and droid programming, he also in an undercover agent with a tremendous service record. He's been a member of the intel forces on Coruscant since the collapse of the Empire. It is said that he already got his training at a young age by one of the current leaders shortly after the Battle of Yavin."

Liane frowned with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"After the Battle of Yavin! That's more than ten years ago and it took another two or three years before the Empire was destroyed. So not only the Alliance was resisting the Emperor and my foster father, but also inside the Empire there was resistance against his reign."

"There certainly was. Those who were involved took an awful risk."

Liane nodded with an absent gaze, before she looked up at the Gold Squad commander.

"Wedge, in my last vision of Luke I saw a young man not much older than Luke, carrying Luke from that escape pod. What you're telling me about Doran Whain I have envisioned a rather older guy."

"I can imagine that, Shaayla-Car, but the guy you saw is Doran Whain."

"Luke seems to trust him. Do you know how he met him?"

"By coincidence. Doran Whain use to visit the vineyard building. Chati's former home. She was there with Chewbacca as she longed for a view of her old home. She saw Doran hiding some objects behind some lose stones in the wall of the wine cellar. She took them and handed them to Luke. Luke went to Ribana to put the objects, some datacrons, back and at that occasion he met Doran Whain. Luke was amazed that Doran was able to reprogram four droids which had been following Doran and attacked him. They exchanged some information and Luke decided to team up with Doran Whain whose name is an alias. Nevertheless Luke recognized him and addressed him with his real name, but Doran has emphasized that his real name should not be reveal until the leaders of the Provisionary Coruscant Council have taken the admiral into custody and have him brought to Coruscant."

Liane looked at Wedge.

"And Luke expect me to team up with Doran Whain?"

"I can't answer that question, Shaayla-Car. All I know is that Luke's main intention was, getting inside Trevor Matrik's hide-out before you would arrive on Palomintar Four. Luke asked me to assist you and bring you to the vineyard building where Threepio and Artoo are waiting for you. What will happen next I'm not aware off. Probably you need to judge for yourself if you will trust Doran Whain."

Liane nodded.

"Thanks for telling me all this, Wedge. Now let's get back to Palomintar Four and head for that vineyard building where Threepio and Artoo are. They probably might know more."

Welcome on board the Tychorion, grand admiral," Mon Mothma said, making a gentle gesture to the two men who were accompanying her, "May I introduce to you: General Crix Madine, commander of the Tychorion. Crix, admiral Jerno Thai and his co-leaders lieutenant-general Kalip Ru'undo and colonel Valann Namaran. Admiral, you know my main advisor: vice-president of the High Council: Sorjon Tiloban?"

"Please to meet you, general," The leader of the Provisional Coruscant Council said and shook hands with General Madine. The other two Imperial leaders also shook hands, before Jerno Thai turned to Mon Monthma again.

"Ma'am, while we were on our way to you we have received two other messages from our agent on Palomintar Four."

"Let's not discuss these matters here, admiral," Mon Mothma answered and turned to Madine. "Is the meeting room ready, Crix. Have one of your men supply our guests with some food and drinks. Admiral, may I accompany you and your co-leaders to the secured meeting room on board of this ship. There we can exchange all new and old information and form a strategy to end the danger we are facing in the person of admiral Trevor Matrik."

"It's former admiral Matrik, ma'am. I have issued a official statement on Coruscant in which I inform our military staff about his relegation and dismissal from the new Provisional Coruscant Space fleet. We should have done that years ago after he disappeared during the Battle of Jakku."

They had reached the secured meeting room.

"We will provide you with a full account about what we have discovered about the whereabouts of Trevor Matrik, his desertion, the theft of two of our smaller destroyers, his lies about the accident in the Outer Rim near the Urervik cluster and his obsession with his plan to revive the Empire. Especially this last issue worries us the most. We have provided you since our first meeting with as much information we discovered, but I'm sure there might be gaps in your knowledge."

"We will exchange information from both sides, grand admiral. That will make it easier to get a full view about what has happened and what needs to be done to end the occupation of the continent of Myr, the dwelling place of a tribe of prosperous Quelans. But first I want you to take some of the refreshments as a welcome drink."

Meanwhile the transport ship with Leia, Yarmod, Ian, Chati and the Grann brothers on board were on their way back to the surface of Palomintar Four. Leia sat in the pilot chair. Yarnick Grann and Yarmod Martan were her co-pilot and navigator. Yarmod had plotted a course that would bring the ship at their destination, keeping the planet between them and the Tychorion. It would take a large detour through the system to reach Palomintar Four via the continent of Tyr. Leia had chosen that trajectory so their approach to Myr could be seen as a flight between the two continents.

"Any sight of an space ship, coming out of hyperspace near the Tychorion?" Leia asked.

"None what so ever, Leia," Yarmod said, "We're already out of sight of the Tychorion. If any imperial space ship would approach the Tychorion they won't notice us."

"Fine, but keep your eyes open."

"We're now nearing Palomintar Four from the rear."

"OK. Engage the hyperdrive on my mark for a short trip. One, two, three!"

The transport ship disappeared, following her course to the rear side of Palomintar Four.

"Reaching the orbit of Palomintar Four in five secs. Five, four, three, two, one. Back to sublight."

In the view screen the continent of Tyr on Palomintar Four appeared.

"Good work, Yarnick. Yarmod, go into a stationary orbit above Tyr. Keep the continent in our view screen. Yarnick take over. I'm going to make contact with Han."

Leia left the cockpit and went over to the control room where she entered the code to get in touch with her husband. Within seconds the holographic image of Han Solo appeared on the display.

"What's up, Leia?"

"We're on our way back to Myr. Can you make sure that we can land near the Falcon?"

"I'll activated the ship's ID-signal." Han answered.

"Don't do that. I will sense the Falcon through the Force to detect her on the landing spot. I'll have enough eyes to detect our ship. Any signal might be detected on board the Tychorion. The Coruscant leaders are on their way to meet with Mon Mothma. She sends us back to Palomintar Four immediately. The whole company which I have picked near the plains behind Ribana, is accompanying me..."

Leia saw Han let out a sigh of relief.

"... except for Liane and Wedge," She continued.

"Liane is not on board with you? Where is she?" Han said on a worrying tone.

"On her way to carry out her plan to save my brother. Wedge is with her. He will accompanying her to the rendez-vous point with Doran Whain and then he will get back to us with the Astræga."

Han's face showed his frustration, but then he looked at Leia with some relief.

"Leia, can you contact Wedge and remind him of his agreement with me to keep an eye on Liane? He promised me he would do so."

"You asked him to keep an eye on her. Does that mean that you want him to stay with her and not join us again?"

"Exactly. Wedge is a trustworthy guy and I still have my doubts about that guy your brother put his trust in. It's reassuring for all of us if Wedge stays with Liane and help her in case she runs into a trap set by that guy Doran and our admiral."

"I understand, Han. I will contact Wedge immediately and remind him. We'll discuss any further plans after we have landed."

"We're going to land on a clearing in a deep forested valley behind the southern hills of Ribana, but we have to reach the vineyard building on foot. It's probably quite a walk, but I don't want any probe droids to notice our landing. Luke and I went their last time when Luke explained his plan to Doran," Wedge said.

Liane nodded.

"Suits me," she commented and looked through the transparisteel screen as they near Palomintar Four.

"There's lot of dense forest here. Are you sure we can land here?"

"Yes. There it is! After we have touched down I'll will reactivate the cloaking of the Astræga immediately."

Wedge hovered the former imperial shuttle above a wide clearing and slowly lowered the ship in position.

"Stop the forward ignition!" He ordered.

Liane flipped some switches on the co-pilot's console.

"Forward ignition stopped!" She answered.

The Astræga's horizontal wings raised in vertical position and the ship touched down gently. Wedge stopped all engines and rose. He looked at the chrono on his wrist.

"If we want to reach the vineyard building before it's getting dark, we have to leave immediately."

Liane followed her companion to the lowering ramp. Wedge jumped on the forest floor and after Liane had stepped beside him, he raised the ramp and activated the cloaking switch. The contour of the ship vanished as it took the reflection of its surrounding. For a moment Liane looked at the spot where the Astræga had been visible and she noticed how she still could feel the presence of the ship.

"I remember that when Luke and I had reached Ben's old home on Tatooine I was astonished that the ship had vanished," She said and looked at Wedge with a grin, "but I still can feel the ship's existence and so will you, if you're going to join Leia and the others."

Wedge took her arm and together they started to walk uphill to cross to the other side of forested steep ridge.

"I'm not joining Leia, Shaayla-Car. I'll stay with you and will help you to rescue Luke for Trevor's clutches."

Delighted Liane turned to him.

"We're going to free Luke together. I thought, you would leave me as soon as I had managed to get inside Trevor's underground abode and join Leia and Han to help them with the backdoor plan."

"I never intended to do so. Han asked me to stay with you and support your plan and I made a promise I wouldn't leave you alone in your attempt to save our mutual friend. First we need to find Threepio and Artoo. They are the connection between us and Doran. Threepio will warn Doran you have come to the vineyard."

"Doran surely isn't expecting to take two Jedi with him into Trevor's hide-out, I think."

"He certainly isn't expecting that and I will explain to him, that I will enter those caves without giving him any trouble. Doran knows that we Jedi can use the Force for a lot of different things, but he is no Force-user himself. Anyway, Shaayla-Car, we will stay together to carry out your plan to save Luke. Do you know how to lift him from that Force-hibernation state. Luke has explained to me that he will wake up if he hears a certain trigger word, or sentence."

Liane shook her head.

"I don't know yet, Wedge. I even don't understand much about Force-hibernation."

"Luke let me practise on board the Astræ:ga once, but I released myself from Force-hibernation."

Liane grinned.

"Then at least I have companion who is familiar with this kind of Force use."

They had reach the top of the ridge and for several minutes they paused, looking down on the valley below, before they started their descend. Wedge pointed at a very small spot in the distance.

"There's the vineyard. It's completely overgrown, so the building is hardly visible from here."

Liane looked in the direction.

"Let's get on, Wedge. I have the feeling I need to have to do some talk with the two droids, before Threepio warns Doran Whain."

Their descend took them several hours as they have to find their way through the dense forest. There wasn't a clear path and the many moss patches were slippery. Finally they reached the edge of the forested vegetation and had a clear view of the surroundings that once must have been a cultivated area. Wedge sat down on a fallen tree stem, while Liane gazed around.

"He ruined their way of live," She murmured and turn to Wedge, "Not only do we have to set free Luke, but Trevor definitely has to leave this planet and leave the Quelans at peace again. What a mess he has made. I wonder what Ribana looks like."

"Probably as deserted and overgrown as their agricultural lands," Wedge answered, "I told you, I haven't seen the town, but Leia, Luke and your brother were here for a first visit. They told me about that visit, but I agree with you, that this view looks devastating."

"Why can't prosperous civilizations be left alone, undisturbed and live their lives in peace?" Liane whispered and sat herself next to Wedge.

"Why has there been a Civil War and an oppressive Empire which brought so many misery in this galaxy?"

"I don't have a good answer to your questions, Shaayla-Car. I fought in the Civil War and I have seen much, very much injustice and onslaughts."

"Luke told me about the Rebel Alliance and their strife against the Empire and during my stay in Mon Mothma's hide-out I've read a lot about what has happened, especially the many slaughter of indigenous tribes for the benefit of the Empire, mainly done by my foster-father. However, looking at what has happened here, which only is a small event probably, but which has had an enormous impact on the lives of many who lived here in peace, I now have a better understanding now what the Rebel Alliance fought for. I also understand now the greater task of the Jedi. We have to maintain and bring peace and justice to the many civilizations in this galaxy. I never wanted to become a Jedi Knight, because I hate violence, but it is the task of the Jedi to defend any civilization against unnecessary violence done in the name of domination and suppression. Now I understand what Ben ... Obi-Wan fought for."

Wedge put his hand on Liane's arm.

"Your father's deeds already have become legendary, but remember, that every Jedi has to find his own special connection with the Force. It's good that you see the bigger picture now, but you have a special skill yourself. You're a healer and you can bring comfort, peace and justice in a different way."

"That's indeed what I see as my task, Wedge. I'm not a real fighter although I learned to wield a lightsaber which I never expected I would do."

"You will find the right way to serve, Shaayla-Car" He said and looked at the sky, "It will take some hours before it will be dark enough to cross the plains and head for the vineyard building. We'd better take that time to rest and refresh ourselves. It's been a short night's rest for both of us."

Liane nodded, raised and stretched herself. Suddenly she felt tired and longed for some quiet moment to consider all her companion had told her. She took off her coat and folded it, before she put it on the forest floor, then she sat down and leaned against the tree stem. She cast a glance over the plains and the far off tangled green of the vines around the vineyard building. She looked further to the horizon and wondered if she could get a view of the entrance of Trevor's underground hide-out, but the distance was too far away. She felt how her eyelids became heavy and she allowed herself to fall into a slumber.

Wedge hadn't expressed any further comments, but took off his coat and put it around the sleeping girl. Next he wanted to slip into a slight Jedi meditation stance, but suddenly he became aware of Leia's existence through the Force.

'You have arrive on Myr as well, Leia?' he asked.

'Are you still with Liane, Wedge?'

'Yes, and I will stay with her. We're on our way to meet Threepio and Artoo at the vineyard building. Tell Han he shouldn't worry about Liane. She is safe with me.'

He heard a relieved sigh. Wedge laughed.

'Surely Han has asked you to remind me of the promise I made, hasn't he?'

'He did. I will tell him your answer,' Leia said sounding a bit embarrassed.

'I'll keep you informed, Leia. May the Force be with you.'

'May the Force be with you and Liane, Wedge.' Leia said in return.

Their connection through the Force disappeared. Wedge look at Liane who was still fast asleep. He looked at his chrono and nodded. Time enough to get a quick nap himself. He closed his eyes and let himself drift into a Force slumber.

Mon Mothma looked at the three leaders of the Provisional Coruscant Council.

"I am aware that our Jedi have acted against our agreement about the prohibition of landing on one of the planets in the Palomintar System, but you have to understand that the skills our Jedi posses go well beyond our understanding."

"So all the Jedi are down on Palomintar Four," Valann said, "Jedi master Skywalker, his sister, the princess Leia Organa, and Jedi master's friend commander Wedge Antilles."

Mon Mothma smiled.

"... and lieutenant Yarmod Martan, who was the padawan of master Antilles, ... and the children of former Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi Tama-Hinn and Shaayla-Car Kenobi."

"Three other Jedi?" Valann and Kalip exclaimed.

"What about Liane Solichor, ma'am?" Jerno asked, "Will the Jedi prevent that she will meet our admiral?"

Crix Madine and Sorjon Tyloban smiled. Mon Mothma looked at them.

"You will hear what has happened these last months after our former admiral will be safely in custody and sent to Coruscant for his trial, but I'm convinced that Shaayla-Car Kenobi and her friends will carry out the plans our Jedi have discussed and developed."

"What do they expect of us, ma'am?" Kalip asked.

"Full cooperation, lieutenant-general," Mon Mothma answered with a smile, "As soon as their plans are working out properly, they will warn us and you and your co-leaders together with general Madine, my advisor Tyloban and myself with go to the planet surface, where you will be able to arrest our adversary and have a personal meeting with our Jedi."

"So we have to wait here, so the Jedi can carry out their plan?" Valann remark.

"Yes, unless you want to be in their way and possible to thwart their plan and warn our adversary of a upcoming danger for him. In that case your secret agent Doran Whain and our Jedi Master Skywalker might be in considerable danger too, for our adversary might seek to revenge himself on them."

"How long do you think we have to stay in the background and are we all to stay together on board the Tychorion?" Jerno asked.

"The Jedi will warn us, if they are ready to proceed, as will your secret agent," Sorjon Tyloban remarked.

"You mean that our man can contact the Tychorion?" Jerno asked in wonder.

"Yes. Jedi master Skywalker has teamed up with Doran Whain and has allowed him to make use of his communication with the Tychorion. That is why I have invited you here. At your arrival you said that you received two new messages from your agent on the planet. He also sent them to the Tychorion as well. " Mon Mothma said.

Flabbergasted the three leader looked at the Supreme Chancellor and her advisors. Jerno was the first of the three who look relieved.

"This is an unexpected development, ma'am, but a very welcome one. Being very close to the planet were all the difficulties have occurred, it will be possible to act fast and take our former admiral into custody. Have you already read the messages which were aimed at Coruscant. "

Mon Mothma shook her head.

"We haven't, as your agent was so considerable to inform us, that he left the message with us in case the message wouldn't have reached you in time. Does he know you have joined us on the Tychorion."

"Problem, ma'am, is that we agreed that we couldn't leave him any message. We took precautions in our space ship to make sure that his encrypted messages still would reach us while we're on our way. Shall we listen to what he has to report. I have to tell you that his message always are audio only."

Jerno connected his infocom to the main console in the middle of the table and activated the device.

'Trevor orders me to send his message for the Supreme Chancellor again. He becomes more and more frustrated and irrational as there's hasn't been any response. I haven't send the message to Irithim directly, but aimed it at the Tychorion. You should contact the New Republic's frigate if they have received it.'

Kalip looked at general Madine who nodded.

"We have received the original message again with an addition from your agent that the message shouldn't be transmitted to Irithim again."

"We've already heard what Trevor has in mind," Mon Mothma commented, "so it isn't necessary to listen to his threatening words again."

"Our agent send it to Coruscant as well. We have added the file to the other evidence we have gathered on former admiral Trevor Matrik." Valann said.

"His second message also is disturbing, ma'am, as Trevor has come up with another of his dangerous ideas"

'Trevor also orders me to make contact again with the Basilisæa. He didn't tell me why, but he said he had a good idea to get rid of the corpse of the Jedi. You have to know this. I haven't contacted the Basilisæa of course. Surely Trevor will ask me if there's answer of admiral Vestor, but I will come up with a reasonable answer of coure. "

Jerno looked at Mon Mothma.

"This second message is even more serious than the first one, ma'am, for this might imply that Trevor wants to throw master Skywalker out of an airlock into space. We urge you to warn any of the other Jedi to be on their guard concerning their space ships."

Mon Mothma looked at general Madine.

"Crix, send messages to Wedge Antilles and Han Solo and urge them to take care of their space ships or any other space ship that needs to land on Myr. Attach this second message of the uncover agent to the messages. Master Antilles and Han Solo and Leia Organa will surely understand what I mean and take necessary precautions."

Mon Mothma looked at her three guests.

"Gentlemen, thank you for sharing this information with me. I agree it is disturbing, but I'm convinced that all the Jedi on Palomintar Four will take care that no harm will be done to Jedi Skywalker. I want you to enjoy your stay on board the Tychorion. See it as a welcoming break in our governmental duties. For some time, and I hope it will be short, we can refrain from our tasks as leaders and leave the solution of this all to a group of people are far more advance then we are. "

"Ma'am, will the Jedi help us in the future as well. I mean are they willing to carry out any difficult task the Provisional Imperial Council will encounter? "

"I can't speak for them, master Valann, but in the past the Jedi served all over the galaxy. It wouldn't surprise me if they see it as their task to be of any support to you as well. "

"But the Jedi hold titles and ranks in the space fleet of the New Republic. They fall under your jurisdiction."

"That's true, but it is my sincere wish that in the future the Jedi will act independently and report to those bodies who have requested their support and help. The old Jedi Council was also carrying out their missions without the full admission of the Senate. Of course our new Jedi will be asked to keep us informed about the tasks and mission they see as their duty."

The alarm on the closed door chimed. Madine pressed the button in front of him on table and a duty officer entered.

"Sir," the officer said, after having bringing a formal salute, "The dinner you requested is ready in the commander's dining room. It's ready to be served."

"Thank you. May I invite you all to join me to enjoy this dinner as a welcoming salute to our cooperation," Madine said and rose.

Jerno rose and offered Mon Mothma his arm. Kalip walked over to Sorjon Tyloban and started a hushed conversation with him, while Valann joined general Madine.

Leia with the two Jedi Ian and Yarmod, Han, Chewbacca, the Grann brothers, Manall and the other Quelan harvest men were gathering on the grassy forest floor under the community tree house .

"Wedge stays with Liane and will find a way to get inside Trevor's abode without being noticed," She said.

"Will they speak to that Whain guy," Han asked.

"That's up to them, darling. What Cornell and I want to discuss is whether the work on diverting the water flow can be accelerated. There are quiet a number of extra hands now to give support to Cornell's men. Some new ideas may come up to speed up to work."

"All the new help we've gotten from all of you has been a great improvement," Cornell said with authority, "The pool at the bottom of the wall as deep as necessary to have enough flow to fill the canal on the plateau and lead the water to the inlet. Also the connection between the canal and the inlet is nearing it's final preparation. However, my men and I, want to follow the advice of my old father to find out is the water course in the canal is sufficient enough to create a wave strong enough to pass through the underground bedding up to the cave system and the outlet near Ribana. Manall thinks it's wise to do a kind of test. He suggests to make a small opening in the wall to allow the water in the lake to fill the pool so we can check if the power of the water flow will be enough to reach the outlet."

"How will we be able to control the water flow once it has vanishes in the underground bedding?" Ian asked.

"Could you tells us more about the water mass in the lake behind that hight wall," Yarnick ask politely, "Could we perhaps have a closer look at your project, master Cornell. Although we're certainly not engineers, we could discuss other possibility that might help us. For instance, where is the water coming from and is the lake overflowing at another point. My brothers and I would gladly give you a hand to make sure that the plan you have in mind will be successful."

Cornell rose.

"Wise words, master Grann. Let us all go to the plateau and have a look at our progress."

The whole group left the camp site and descended to plateau.

"Colonel," suspiciously Darth Golluth looked at Doran Whain, "have those probe droids scanned any intruders? I have the impressions that we have lost several probes."

"You can have a look at the records the droids have send recently, my lord."

"Have you noticed anything irregular in those recordings?"

"No, but I could show you."

Darth Golluth rose and beckoned Doran to follow him to the communication cave. Doran activated the recorder system and several holographic images of Myr were projected in virtual screen. Darth Golluth sat in front of the screen, watching the records. Doran remained standing behind him. Several records past, but then the amended record with the images of bird wings and claws appeared.

"What is this, colonel? Did that monstrous bird attacked one of my sophisticated probe droids? Where were these images taken?"

"I investigated the images, my lord and have tried to retrieve the probe droids, but the main droid of the three was seriously damaged and did respond. What really happened I can't tell as the images seems to have been taken at a spot near the northern part of this continent."

"The northern part is a barren country. Could it be that predator birds have settled there? In that case I shouldn't send my precious droids to the northern country again, otherwise many more would be lost. Let's have a look at some other images. "

Doran silently breath a sigh of relief. Darth Colluth scrolled through some other records as again some scrambled images of a probe appeared. The first images were taken from high altitude, but the probe had taken a sudden dive and had started circling above what seemed to be a square block. Darth Golluth turned to Doran.

"Those images are very bad. It looks like the lens was broken. Show me this recording again," He said.

The images re-appeared and again the droid took a steep dive. The square block appeared but then suddenly the recording broke off.

Darth Golluth frowned.

"Which probe made this recording, colonel?"

Doran checked the recording information.

"PHT-3092, my Lord. Also this probe didn't return after his mission. It's missing. It probably crashed again that square block."

"Unlikely, those probes are able to keep a safe distance to solid objects. No, colonel, this droid has been destroyed deliberately to avoid that the images of some intruders might come to my knowledge. Can you trace the position from the moment it send the first images from altitude and track the course of the dive to the square block. As soon as I have that information I will send another probe to find out what's there and if it can detect any intruders."

"If there might have been any intruders, my Lord, they might have left already."

"They might, or might not. Find the tracks and trace of that probe, colonel. No one should set a foot on the planet as long as I haven't developed the exact plans to establish a new Empire. Did you also contact the Basilisæa?"

"Admiral Vestor hasn't answered yet, my lord. It could be that his ship is out of range."

"Out of range? I ordered him to stay near Palomintar Four. Send him another call, make it urgent. Tell him he has to meet me at once. I want to get rid of the corpse of that Jedi. It begins to give me the creeps."

"I will, my lord."

Darth Golluth rose and went back to his main audience cave. Doran switched off the recording system and secretly activated his contact with Quoith. Quickly he recorded a message with immediate delivery to Jerno Thai.

"Luke is in danger," he mused, while he put the required call to the Basilisæa on hold. "how can I make sure no harm will be done to him."

"What an entangled mess are these vines," Liane remarked, pushing aside some of the long vines which were blocking her way. Wedge went in front of her, but he was cautious and didn't want make use of his lightsaber to cut a path through the former vineyard bushes to reach the building. Liane stretched out her hand and pull down a long vine where a bunch of grapes were dangling.

"Look, Wedge, although those vines haven't been cut and maintained properly the grapes are still growing."

"They won't been fit to make a good wine any more, Liane. Toallin will have a lot of work to do, before this vineyard will produce the famous strong Palomintar wine."

"Were they trading their harvest?"

"They did, but rarely. That's why this wine became expensive on other planets."

"Did you ever taste it, Wedge?"

The Gold Squadron Commander started to laugh.

"I can't afford Palomintar wine, Liane. Maybe Mon Mothma can, or Crix Madine, but enough about the Palomintar wine. We have reach the backside of the vineyard building. Luke has told me that this is the safest way to enter the building unseen. Doran Whain would hide Threepio and Artoo in one of wine caves until you would join them.

"Let's find those droids, Wedge. I would love to see them again. They are such a team of loyal servants. On Na'ctaMagh'Ba I learned to enjoy their company. "

They pushed forward through the last dense entanglements of vines and found the backdoor of the building. Carefully they made their way inside along the ground floor, searching for the entrance that would lead through the basement and the cellars that extended under the whole building. Having found the entrance to the lower level they descended the stairs cautiously. Once in the basement they were greeted by Artoo whose elated beeps triggered loud exclamation of Threepio who came hurrying after his counterpart.

"Master Antilles, so good to see you again, and you brought miss Liane with you, just as master Luke asked you, you should do. Now I can inform Master Whain you have arrived," the golden droid exclaimed.

He turned to Artoo.

"Get me that special infolink, so I can activate it and warn master Whain," he ordered, but Artoo hooted a long series of binary language in protest. Liane started to laugh.

"Artoo doesn't agree with you, Threepio, and we also don't want you to warn the one you called master Whain yet. First of all, I want to know what has happened after master Whain dragged the body of Luke from the pod. Keep calm and tell us what happened."

Threepio looked at Artoo who hooted a long sentence of binary language.

"That's what happened afterwards, Artoo, but mistress Liane surely also wants to know what master Luke told us to do, before he switched himself off."

Liane looked at Wedge and both started to laugh.

"Luke hasn't switched himself off, Threepio," Wedge laughed, "He put himself in a deep Force sleep and with our help he will surely wake up again."

"That might be true, master Antilles, but I monitored the life support system inside the pod and all his circuits were switched off. He stopped breathing, I could monitor his heart beats and he became really cold. I suppose that's what happened when humans switch off their lives, but I trust your words, master Antilles, for Artoo and I don't want to loose our master."

"Neither do we, Threepio," Liane said, "but tell us what happened after the pod landed on the surface."

"Artoo has navigated the pod to specific coordinates and we landed in a valley overgrown with huge bushes. When the pod exit opened a man carefully took out master Luke and put him on a hover stretcher, then he ordered us to get inside the back of a speeder which was attached to the hover stretcher. He brought us here and told us to wait for you, mistress Liane. He left taking the hover stretcher with master Luke with him. I don't know where he took our master."

"Artoo, can you recall those landing coordinates?" Wedge asked.

Artoo hooted a series of binary.

"I need to recover the pod and bring it back on board the Astræ:a," Wedge answered, "Any damage to it has to be repaired."

Again Artoo hooted a series of binary stream. To the two Jedi it sounded a bit indignantly. Wedge grinned.

"Yes, Luke told you to navigate the pod and I'm sure you did well and landed it undamaged. Nevertheless, if the pod can be retrieved it can service again on board the Astræ:a. I'm not going to look for it immediately, Artoo. First of all mistress Liane and I need to get to Luke again."

"What do you think, Shaayla-Car, should Threepio trigger the call and alert Doran Whain. We still have to await his arrival here in the building."

Liane nodded.

"Let's proceed, Wedge. Threepio, you know how to alert our rendez-vous with Doran Whain?"

Threepio turned to Artoo and held out his hand.

"Give me that infolink, Artoo."

Artoo's dome swivelled from left to right and hooted an angry series of binary to his counterpart. Liane raised her eyebrows and looked at Wedge.

"I first have to listen to a message from Luke? What message, Artoo?" she asked.

Artoo turned his dome and projected a holographic image of Luke.

"My dear naughty pixie. When Artoo is displaying this message you have arrived on Palomintar Four to fulfill your quest to confront your adversary, Trevor Matrik who calls himself Darth Golluth now. You have seen him in those frightening Force visions you have had when Darth Golluth told you I was dead. You had that vision several times. I can reassure you. I'm not dead, but in a deep Force hibernation state. This state gives the impression that I'm dead, and Doran Whain will bring me inside Trevor's underground residence. Doran will also bring you there. I've chosen this way to bring us together again, for I didn't want my eternal companion to confront our adversary alone. The only thing you have to do is wake me up and as you have become a Jedi Knight yourself, you certainly will fulfill that task. My dear pixie, the Force is and has united our eternal lives for aeons. I'm waiting for you, Liane, and I'm looking forward teaming up with the daughter of my beloved former master."

Wedge looked at Liane.

"I hoped, that Luke would mention the trigger words with which we could release him from that Force hibernation."

Liane smiled and looks at her companion with a laugh in her eyes.

"Listen to the message again, Wedge, and you will hear what Luke expects me to do. Threepio, call Doran Whain, so he knows that I have arrived."

Artoo handed Threepio the special infocom and Threepio transmitted the agreed message.

Inside the underground hide-out of Darth Golluth Doran Whain felt the soft buzzing signal of the tracker hidden in the collar of his uniform. For a moment he carefully considered the next step, than he walked over to the main chamber where Darth Golluth was sitting on the dais.

"My lord, I'm getting an audio signal from one of those less sophisticated probes that a space vessel probably has landed in the vicinity of Ribana. I assume that the lady Mon Mothma finally has sent the young woman you've been expecting to Palomintar Four."

Darth Golluth who had been sitting gloomy in his chair, jumped to his feet.

"She has arrived! At last, now I can extend my knowledge of the Dark Side, become a real Sith Lord and proceed with my plans. Colonel, go outside and see who has landed near Ribana, and if it's the girl bring her immediately before me . Go, go, go, I can wait to tell her that her Jedi friend is dead. Oh, she will be devastated, but I will console her and in exchange she will tell me all I need to know."

Doran bowed and wanted to leave the main chamber, but Darth Golluth followed him.

"Maybe, I should welcome her personally, don't you think."

"No you shouldn't, my lord. We don't know if she's alone. Maybe the lady Mon Mothma has sent with some armed forces to protect her," Doran objected.

"My message to that Rebel leader was clear: No one should accompanied the girl."

"Can you be sure, that the lady Mon Mothma has agreed to your words? You said, she is a Rebel leader, so she can't trusted, can she? You should be careful, my lord. Let me go alone."

Darth Golluth pondered on the young major's advice.

"Take some of my killer droids with you, colonel. If indeed some armed forces are accompanying the girl, make sure the droids eliminate them all. I'm not interested in rebel intruders, I only want the girl. Oh, and make sure that their vessel is ... no, confiscate the vessel. Can you fly a space ship, colonel. After I have the girl, I want you to dump the corpse of that Jedi in space. Yes, yes, that will be a good plan. The girl is mine, and I get rid of that dead Jedi. Now go, colonel, and bring the girl inside her future home."

Doran Whain bowed deep, covering his face to express his disdain to the words of Trevor Matrik. The former imperial admiral turned on his heels and went back to the main chamber.

"Wait, colonel, I will activated the droids that must accompany you," He said.

Suspiciously Doran waited, but after several minutes a group of ten droids joined him in the long passageway to the cave exit. Doran looked at the group, carefully hiding his bewilderment. Darth Golluth hurried after them.

"These are my special droids, colonel. I have ordered them to shoot any intruders, but they won't harm the girl and you. That the speeder from the lower cave to reach Ribana quickly. "

"As you wish, my lord," Doran said and beckoned the droids to follow him. Darth Golluth watched them go, before he returned to his main chamber with a gleeful face.

Doran left the cave exit. Once outside he secretly pressed the code in his pocket, but the ten droids didn't respond.

"These are droids, which I haven't been able reprogrammed yet," He thought, "I need a diversion for these killer droids. They shouldn't accompany me to the vineyard building."

Instead of following the path on the ridge Doran indeed went to the lower cave and activated the speeder. He ordered the droids to get inside and jumped at the driver's seat. At high speed he drove down to the plains to follow the path to the deserted town. Behind him the ten drois sat in deactivated position, but still holding their weapons in front of their torso, ready to shoot.