Chapter 88
ehind this high wall a large, deep lake has been formed after the earthquakes. Those earthquakes happened very long ago, more than a millennium, maybe even longer. The records in our archives don't mention an exactly date or time line. There's one record which dates back to the beginning of the foundation of our community. It says that in the beginning there has been a river west of the town, which dried out after the earthquakes had happened. The lake still gets its water from the waterfalls. Over time the water level in the lake always seems to have remained ever the same The water supplied by the waterfalls seems to evaporate at the same rate from the lake's surface. We have discovered several deep fissures in the wall which we might use to create another waterfall to the pool on this plateau. The pool has to overflow in the newly digged bedding on the plateau and bring the water to the inlet of the underground riverbed." Cornell explained, pointing at the high wall where a small group of harvest men, the Grann brothers, the three Jedi and Han and Chewbacca had been gathering.
The Grann brothers looked up from the plateau at the high wall.
"Chewie and I have been up to have look above those falls," Han said, " A huge glacier plateau higher up the mountain ridge is constantly feeding the falls, so the supply of water looks guaranteed. "
"After the earthquakes the upheaval formed this wall and blocked the original path of the water and the inlet to the underground riverbed which dried up. Two decades ago my father and a group of the harvest men started to investigate the cause of the dried up river near Ribana. By accident we recently have discovered the old inlet to the underground riverbed again. With help of our new friends we almost have been able to dig out and restore the old riverbed on the plateau to the underground inlet. Shall we have a look at the lake and the waterfalls? It's quite a climb, but it will explain what we want to achieve a lot better. Follow me."
The group climbed the rope ladders to the camp site and walk to the steep narrow path. Chewbacca took Lorann and Chati close to his side. After an hour's climb they reached the surrounding area of the lake and the waterfalls. Carefully Cornell, Han and the Grann brothers followed the path that lead to the rim of the high wall. Cornell pointed at some of the deep fissures in the wall.
"Over the years we have discovered that these fissures slowly widen, so we think we might use them to create that second waterfall to the plateau, but we don't want the wall to collapse completely, for then water would wash away all our work at the plateau."
"We should use the tiny explosive balls, I told you about, Cornell, to further widen one of the bigger fissures so the water of the lake can flow to it," Han said, "If we do these explosives in a controlled way, there's good way that this fissure will create the waterfall you need."
Cornell looked hesitant, but Han continued.
"I can demonstrate the working of those explosive balls, Cornell. Here in the open there isn't any change that the explosion will be heard inside the riverbed.
Cornell nodded but doesn't seemed convinced.
"What about the use of the Jedi's weapons, master Solo. They did a good job at the outcropping and there are two other Jedi that can help us."
"Sure, Cornell. My wife and her Jedi friends will surely help with the last obstacles to level the canal near the inlet or on the plateau, but to create the overflow of water in this rocky wall the explosives are much faster."
Leia, Yarmod and Ian smiled at each other.
"My husband always relies on more drastic solutions, Cornell, but I have to agree this time with him, that tiny explosives won't been dangerous as long as they are done way up here."
"Master Grann, what do you think about master Solo's plan?" Cornell ask, still not convinced.
Bran looked at the fissures at his feet.
"If Han Solo can give a first demonstration near this fissure we can discuss the outcome afterwards and decide if we can proceed this way. I agree with the Quelan master that they have to proceed cautiously."
Ronan look at his oldest brother.
"Yarnick, don't you think we should get our equipment from the Grannd Traveler here."
"The harvest men posses enough tools and equipment to finish their work, Ronan. I don't see what our tools might add to their work."
All the time Manall and Wollin had listened to the talks between Cornell, Han Solo and the Grann brothers.
"Son," Manall said suddenly, "I suggest we must use those tiny explosives balls. Let master Solo give a demonstration and see how it works out. We need a faster progress, for we also wanted to help Shaayla-Car Kenobi and master Antilles, not to mention Jedi master Skywalker, the son of my former friend Anakin Skywalker. They still have a dangerous task to fulfill."
Leia looked at the old harvest man gratefully.
"Han, Wedge and Liane must have reached the vineyard building by now. There they have to wait until Doran Whain will bring Liane inside Trevor's underground 'imperial' palace. I suggest that we all start working and finish the work on this side of Myr as fast as we can."
Cornell and the group of his men looked at Leia and the others with enthusiasm.
"Master Jedi, I guarantee you that the work on the plateau near the inlet will be finished in a couple of days. With so many hands it must be feasible to make much quicker progress. We're also in the good season, the days are long, so we can start early and work long hours. Within days we might do some kind of trial to see if the water will reached the underground bedding. We have to make sure that the decline on the plateau will be sufficient to provide a good water flow when we finally release the water from the lake. Maybe there is way to siphon water from the lake to the bedding at the plateau."
Again the Grann brothers looked at each other, but before one of them could comment on Cornell's words, Chati stepped in front of the group.
"I have been in the underground bedding several times. At the bottom of the inlet the riverbed first has a steep sloop, but further on the bedding slopes down gradually. So the velocity of the flow will increase as soon as the water stream is released. Maybe we could make use of the hollow branches of the Kuanan trees which are growing here. The branches can be attached to each other to create a long pipe. If we could manage to let the water from the lake flow through that pipe and plunge down along this wall we could test if the water will reach the inlet easily, before we blow up part of the wall to create another waterfall which will create a water flow that will fill the riverbed. A first careful test might tell us what work still needs to be done."
Lorann rolled with his eyes.
"What does a Quelan woman know about the work of the harvest men. You're not even a harvest woman yourself. I'm glad that Cemall told me that he doesn't want to marry you any longer."
Cornell grab his son's arm.
"You will apologize for your impolite behavior, Lorann. Chati's idea about those hollow branches might be a good test to see if we're ready to create a real waterfall to the plateau. Chati knows a lot of our work here. She has done good job building the wall at the edge of the plateau and she has indeed been in the underground riverbed several times with Ben. Moreover she has a excellent insight in our way of working. By the way it also has been Chati herself who has told your brother that she wouldn't make him a good wife."
Lorann made a face and muttered under his breath.
"I'm glad that I'll never have to welcome her as my sister."
Cemall looked at his youngest brother.
"That's very impolite again, Lorann. We all know that Chati has been different from us other Quelans. For a long time I didn't her ideas and opinions seriously, but she has indeed special skills not many Quelans possess. Ben has spoken to Chati and told her that she has to developed the special skills she has. If she commits herself to learn to make use her skills, she might become a Jedi Knight like Ben. I have always admired and loved Chati for what she was and did, but I understand that Chati wants a different life. She told me that I surely would regret it if I would still insist to marry her. You seems happy she won't become your sister, however, what ever happens Chati will always my best friend who will be welcome in my house and in the future she surely will be an honored member of our whole community of Quelans and harvest men."
Lorann looked at Chati, but shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, be happy with that odd future you want," He said reluctantly.
Chati laughed.
"As your brother said, it was Ben who told me that I probably posses the skills to become a Jedi Knight, but that doesn't mean I will succeed. He told me that to become a Jedi is very difficult and requires my full commitment. Not only do I have to learn a new way of perception, but I also have to adept to the ways the Jedi live. For the time being I have to stay in our community and learn from master Kamalin," Chati turned to Leia and continued, "Master Leia, will you give me your permission to show Lorann more of the work his father and the others have done already. Maybe I should take him inside the underground riverbed, so he can see for himself where the river once has flown."
Leia laughed
"Good idea, Chati, but I insist that you take Cemall and Yarmod Martan with you. Neither of them have been inside the underground riverbed too. Take an infocom with you, in case you to contact me."
'Yarmod, you know our way to contact me, right?' Leia said.
'Yes, ma... Leia, of course' The young Jedi stammered a bit overwhelmed by Leia's proposal.
Cornell looked at Han.
"Can you show me the working of the liquid explosives, master Solo?"
"Any time, Cornell. What about this afternoon? Does that suit you? I have to get one of the boxes from the Falcon."
"I'll see you in the community tree house, master Solo."
"Master Cornell," Yarnick said, "I suggest, that my brothers and me, will have a look at the young lady's idea to use those hollow branches to transport water from the lake to the wall. We also want to do our share to contribute to the success of this project. Perhaps someone can show us that particular Kuanan trees she talked about. "
Cornell, Manall and Wollin nodded in agreement with Yarnick's words. The group left the area around the lake and descended to the camp site. Leia and the other two Jedi joined the group of harvest men to continue with the work near the outcropping, Manall took the Grann brothers with him inside the forest where he knew the Kuanan trees were growing in abundance, while Chewbacca continued to help Chati, Cemall and Lorann on the plateau to make the wall near the ridge more solid and stable.
Doran Whain found his way to Ribana, while the ten droids were silently sitting behind him in the speeder. Once in the middle of the town he stopped and ordered the droids to get out, then he turned to the main droid.
"I can't investigate this whole town on my own, so I order you to spread in groups of two and do thorough surveillance in every corner of the buildings, street, gardens and what ever in the center. If you or one of the others find something unusually you immediately report to me. Set your weapons for stun, for I will give the order to do any killing, understood. While you check the center I while seek out the outskirt of this town."
"Our master ordered us to kill all intruders we encounter immediately." the droid answered on a defiant tone.
"Listen you mechanical wise guy, I'm your master's first and most important advisor and assistant and I order you to inform me first. We certainly will kill any intruder, but not after I have given you the order to do the killing. If you encounter intruders stun them and take them into custody in one of these deserted houses. Guard them, but no killing without my consent. Understood. Now, get to your chores."
Doran watched the five groups of droids disappear among the deteriorated buildings. As soon as the last group has vanished, he hurried back to the speeder, drove to the outskirts of the town, crossed the plains east of Ribana and drove uphill through the wild lands to reach the the vineyard building. In a hurry he jumped off and exhaled deeply, before he entered the building. Once inside he walked over to the entrance of the wine cellar and jumped down the stairs. To his relief the two droids stood waiting in the cellar and next to them stood two Jedi Knights their hands resting on the hilt of their lightsabers. One of the them was a woman in her twenties, the other he recognized as Jedi master Wedge Antilles.
Wedge stepped in front of the woman.
"You seemed to be in a hurry, Doran," He said, "What the matter?"
"You have to seek a hiding place away from Ribana. Darth Golluth has sent a group of ten killer droids which aren't under my control to investigate the town and the surrounding area."
"Where are they now?" Liane asked.
"I ordered them to do surveillance in the town's center. They obeyed very reluctantly, but I fear they will neglect the order I have given. Those killer droids are dangerous. If they would have an encounter with you, master Antilles, they will certainly kill you, despite I counter ordered Trevor's demand.
Threepio raised his arms in despair.
"I told you, Artoo, that our mission wouldn't be as easy as master Luke said. What will happen if those droids also would kill mistress Liane."
Wedge Antilles silenced the droid and looked at Doran with a slight smile.
"Doran, have you ever met a Jedi Knight who wasn't able to settle an encounter with unfriendly or dangerous opponents?" he asked.
For a moment Doran was taken aback, then he recalled his first encounter with Luke Skywalker and how the Jedi had eliminated the four killer droids which had been following him into the vineyard building. He started laughing.
"Luke could easily eliminate the four droids who had been following me in here, but don't you think you might be outnumbered if you would be attacked by ten of those nasty mechanics.
Wedge looked at Liane.
"Ready for some real practice as a Jedi, Shaayla-Car?"
Liane grinned.
"Let's go to Ribana, Shaayla-Car, and turn those droids into heaps of scrap metal. Didn't your brother had a Force vision once where he saw you in a deserted town having an encounter with some droids."
"Did he tell you about that Force vision?"
"Luke and Leia did."
"Tama-Hin has told me that he also saw an imperial officer who would take me inside an underground cave where I met my adversary."
Doran looked at the woman who looked elated.
"You are Liane Solichor, right?"
"I'm Shaayla-Car Kenobi, but I have been going by many names, Master Th..?"
"I'm Doran Whain. Luke Skywalker has asked me to bring you inside that underground cave system. He told that you know how to undo the special Jedi status he is in. You should do that, before Trevor can carry out another of his lunatic plans," He said, looking at Liane with a warning glance in his eyes.
Liane nodded.
"I know what Luke expect of me, master Whain. My apologies; I must have been mistaken about your identity. You said that Trevor has another lunatic plan. Does his plan concern Luke."
"It is, Ma'am. So far I have been able to avoid that he can carry out his latest plan, but Luke isn't really safe inside Trevor abode. He explained his friends would know how to release him from that special Jedi unconsciousness. Has he really informed how you can be of any help?"
"He has, master Whain," Liane said, looking at Wedge Antilles who looked a bit surprised, "but I agree with my companion's idea to put Trevor's droids army out of order first. How fast can we reach Ribana, master Whain?"
"I have a speeder outside, Ma'am, but before you go, there is something else Luke asks me to tell you."
Doran Whain looked at Threepio.
"Did Luke leave you the datacron I give him, Threepio?" He asked.
"Master Luke hid it in one of Artoo's compartments. Artoo give that datacron inside your security lock to master Whain."
A small compartment in the dome of the barrel shaped droid slit aside and the tiny datacron came into view. Doran took out it and held it to Liane.
"The data on this device have been send to me from a Coruscant source. I had a look at it, but I couldn't decipher the content of the two files. I mentioned it to Luke, and gave the datacron in his possession, as Luke told me I'll put myself into jeopardy if I keep it with me.
"Luke has seen the content? Did he tell what it said" Liane asked surprised.
Doran shook his head.
"After he had a look at them he said the content possibly was dangerous and he added you posses the knowledge to transcribe into standard Basic. Possibly its content tells us more about Trevor Matrik."
"We have to settle your mechanical companions' unwanted presence first," Wedge said, "before Shaayla-Car and I can have look at those files. We probably need some time to make a transcription of them. What do you think, Shaayla-Car? Doran, can you explain your absence to our adversary while we're looking at those files?"
"After Threepio activated the tracker I told Trevor that some probes might have discovered the landing of a space ship."
"Did probes discover our landing?" Liane asked a bit worried, "We didn't notice their presence?"
"There aren't any probe droids, Ma'am. I made sure that all possibilities for unwanted surveillance were put out of order. Most of the devises Trevor uses are outdated and easily to modify. I can explain my absence, telling Trevor his droids and me have done a time consuming investigation in Ribana and the surrounding area."
Liane looked at Wedge.
"Those killer droids might endanger our return to the Astræga, Shaayla-Car. We need to use the equipment in the ship to read out the content of those card to make a transcription, unless Doran Whain has another possibility to read those cards."
"The only other way is inside Trevor's abode. I have seen the content using his comsystem."
Liane shook her head.
"If this content is as dangerous as Luke mentioned, it's unwise to look at it, while Trevor is nearby. We don't know how much time we need to make the transcription. Master Whain, the one who send you this information, couldn't read them either?"
Doran shook his head.
"No, all he told me, is that the content has been retrieved from the old imperial archive. Access to that archive was only allowed to the Emperor and his first advisor Darth Vader."
"So, Anakin has known what it entailed?" Liane mused, "Luke has seen the content, but couldn't make a transcription either and now it's up to me to have look at those file, because ..."
Suddenly she stopped and looked at Wedge and Doran
"... because the content of those files is probably recorded in the Sith language. I'm familiar with the Sith language for I had to learn it on Morantan," She slowly continued and nodded understandably, "Well, we know what we have to do, don't you think, Wedge. I think we first need to help master Whain to eliminate his unwanted companions. Next we go back to the Astræga and transcribe the content of those files."
Liane grabbed her coat.
"What shall Artoo and I do. Master Luke said we had to take care of you, like we did on Na'ctaMagh'Ba."
"You stay here, Threepio," Wedge said, "As soon as we have settled our encounter with those droids we come back and take you and Artoo to the Astræ:ga where you are safe."
"We can take my speeder to go back to Ribana." Doran said.
Liane and Wedge followed him as he headed for the stairs. They left the building to the front of the building and jumped in the speeder. Doran drove at high speed back to Ribana. As they were reaching the outskirts of the city Wedge stopped him and pointed to one of the deserted farm houses.
"Doran, leave us here and stay out of sight in that farm house. There's enough space to hide the speeder in one of those deteriorating sheds. It's safer, if those droids done see you with us. Shaayla-Car and I will find our way to the center and eliminate those droids. We'll come back here to pick up Threepio and Artoo. You probably have to report back to Trevor about the outcome of the loss of his droids. Meanwhile we're going back to the Astræga to have look at those files. As soon as we have a draft transcription, we will return to the vineyard building where Threepio can warn you again to escort Shaayla-Car and me inside Trevor's underground palace. Let's go, Shaayla-Car, the sooner those droids are eliminated the better."
Before the two Jedi started their walk into Ribana, Liane extended a hand to Doran.
"I want to thank you for the care you provided for Luke, master Whain. We'll be back soon, for I'm eager to meet Luke Skywalker again, and settle the matter with Trevor Matrik," she said, sensing that he agreed with their plan to eliminate his droid companions, albeit with some reluctance.
Doran watched the two Jedi go, before he drove the speeder to the backside of one the bigger farm houses. There he jumped out, hid the speeder and entered the house through the back door. Once inside he activated his infocom and looked for the access code to Luke's messaging system at the Tychorion. He wrote a short warning message and send it with the required code. An acknowledgement appeared on the display within minutes. Doran switched off the device, still looking very concerned.
"These balls should do the trick, Cornell." Han Solo said and handed the harvest men a tiny liquid globe the size of small ball.
Cornell took the transparent globe in his hand.
"You can hold it safely, Cornell. Shall I give you a demonstration of it's working?"
Cornell nodded, although with some skepticism and handed the liquid globe back to Han
"I'll show you its working in the fissures up there in the wall," Han said and pointed up.
"We have to be careful, master Solo. Just the two of us should go up to the lake."
"Fine with me, Cornell. Leia, darling, Cornell and I are going to the lake for a demonstration of the liquid globes."
Han took the box with the liquid globes and together with Cornell he started to walk up the steep path to the lake. Once up at the lake Han put the box on a rock and took one tiny globe out of the box. He started to walk over to the wall and wanted to put the ball in the largest fissure, but Cornell held him back.
"Not inside the fissure, yet, master Solo. Put it at the edge of it. If the demonstration goes well I'll check if the fissure has widened a bit. If you demonstrate it inside the fissure the water may already begin to seep through I want to avoid that. Creating a real flow has to wait until the whole project is ready."
Han nodded.
"I understand, Cornell," He said and put the tiny liquid ball at the edge of the fissure. Next he scooped water from the lake in a bowl and pour the water at the globe
"Stay back, Cornell."
Han looked at the globe and then joined Cornell. Cornell looked at Han in amazement. Han grinned.
"This is why these little explosives globes will do the job so well here, Cornell, for the water will dissolve the thin shell around the globe and the content will make contact with the water. That will start a chain reaction of the chemical and ignite the explosion. Look, the reaction is starting already.
Immediately the sound of an explosion was heard. Small whirls of smoke rose from the spot where the ball had been. Han walked over to the spot and beckoned Cornell who reluctantly followed him.
Han pointed at the fissure where close to the edge a large piece of rock had been blown away and a smooth hole was visible now. Cornell touched the edge of the hole, looked up at Han and nodded.
"Very good, master Solo. I must say I didn't believe you, but the sound of this type of explosive can't be a threat up here. I will discuss this with my men and show them the result of your demonstration. What I have seen convinced me that we should make use of these liquid balls, for it very easy to use. What do you think, how many balls are needed to make this fissure large enough to create the overflow from the lake."
"The more balls are put together the better the result of the explosives will be. I have seen results of their use on several occasions where these globes created complete caves and passageways in a rock formation."
"Do we have enough of these liquid explosives, master Solo."
"I have another box in hold in my ship. Each box contains some twenty balls. I assume that putting some five globes together must be enough to create the overflow from the lake into the pool and the canal on the plateau to the inlet of the riverbed. You should ask Chati to tell us more about the wall which blocks the underground riverbed. My wife has also been there with her brother. We should compare their findings and decide if we should use those liquid explosives to force the water flow to enter the main cave system."
"We needed to proceed carefully, master Solo, and be absolutely sure that everything that is needed is in place. I mean, the amount of globes to open the fissure wide enough to make the lake overflow with enough water down the wall to increase its speed inside the riverbed. If we will use those explosives at the end of the riverbed it is important is that similar precautions have to be taken to ensure that the water can pour into the cave system with enough power. Once the water submerged again behind Ribana it will form the old lake and the river to the southern hills."
"We will work this out together, Cornell and make sure that with the water that weirdo who sent your people into exile will be washed away too."
Cornell started to laugh.
"That would be a wonderful extra reward, master Solo, but having the lake and the river near Ribana back always has been our main priority when my father started this project. I'm sure that after all the decades of tedious work we finally will see the end of our efforts, thanks to all the unexpected help we have gotten from the Jedi and you. Let's get back to the camp site where I will tell the others that we will proceed as you proposed."
Chati, Lorann, Ronall and Yarmod Martan had entered the underground riverbed. Ian Tydon had requested to join them too. They were all wearing a small band with a tiny headlight which caused an eerie glance in the darkness. Chati was leading the group. Before they started their walk, she had told her companions that they shouldn't talk during the walk. Any questions should have to wait until they were back in the community tree house at the camp site. Lorann wanted to know why Chati wanted them to be silent. Cemall explained it to him, feeling that his youngest brother still had some prejudices, because Chati was a female Quelan and what's more important not a harvest woman.
"The water of underground river once formed the cave system under the mountain north of Ribana, before it found an outlet and created a lake and a river west of our town. Now the riverbed is dry, but its still connected to the cave system. That cave system is now used by the guy who has driven us out of Ribana. If we talk inside the riverbed our voices might reverberate against the walls and might resonate all through the passage and the cave system. We don't want that guy to be alerted to our presence. So, don't talk as long as we're in the dried riverbed."
During their walk Chati had pointed at some crystal formations on the walls and the ceiling so her companions would get an impression of how high the water level once had been. Yarmod Martan put his hand on the wall and scratch some of the crystals in his hand. He showed them to Lorann and Cemall and wrote 'calcite' on the floor. Lorann wanted to say something, put Yarmod put his finger to his lips and shook his head. Lorann nodded, but Yarmod felt how excited the boy was. He put his hand on the boy's shoulder to influence those feelings. Lorann looked up at the young Jedi and quieted.
Ian was silently following the group, staying alert at what the Force was telling him, but during the their long walk he became more and more amazed about the power that had been building this riverbed in the past.
For a long time they walked on until they came to the end of the underground riverbed where a wall blocked further progress. Chati produced a data pad and in the eerie light of their headlights she showed them the map of the underground riverbed. Her finger pointed to the end of the passage and she pointed at the wall, then she took a step aside, adjusted her headlight so it illuminated the small crevasse in the rocky wall. Suddenly Ian sensed the Force was warning him.
Chati had barely lit up the crack when vague metallic sounds echoed behind the rock wall. A distorted laser beam shot through the crack. Ian and Yarmod immediately pulled Chati aside and pressed her and the others against the opposite wall. They held their lightsabers in their hands, but didn't activated their weapons. Then they heard the vague sound of a metallic voice.
"Who's there? Show yourself, or we shoot."
Yarmod shook his head to the three Quelans who stood against the wall and made a gesture they slowly had to retreat. Ian and he stayed in front of them while they walked backwards step by step. The metallic voice repeated its demands several times, but finally it stopped.
Now feeling the necessity to be very silent the five companions walked all the way back in the underground riverbed. When they were half way Yarmod stopped to give the group a moment of rest. Lorann and Ronall slumped down on the floor, exhausted by the fast retreat. Chati took care of her fellow Quelan and made sure that they used their rest to eat some nuts and have a drink. Ian and Yarmod walked some steps away from the others and Ian reached out through the Force to Leia.
'Leia, we're already on our way back. We had an encounter at the end of the tunnel with some droids. They probably have heard us and shoot through the crevasse.'
'Is one of you hurt?' Leia asked.
No, but Lorann and Ronall got frightened. We have taken a few moments to rest, as we retreated in a hurry. Especially Lorann needed some rest.' Ian said.
'Carry on quietly, don't start running. Your footsteps might echo along the walls. Keep a steady pace but remain dead silent. I'll warn Cornell and Manall to pick you up near the tunnel entrance.'
'We will.' Ian said and released himself from his Force connection. Quietly the two Jedi walked back to the others. Chati looked up at them. She nodded unwitnessed. Both went over to Lorann and Cemall who still looked uneasy. Yarmod sat in front Cemall, while Ian took care of Lorann. They put their hands on the shoulders of the two frightened Quelans. They reassured them and gently pulled them to their feet, constantly keeping in touch with their feelings of fright.
At a quiet pace they continued their walked. Ian and Chati stayed near Lorann and refrained him from running back along the passageway. Cemall stepped up with Yarmod and grabbed the young Jedi's arm to thank him. Yarmod nodded at him. Still they didn't speak. Finally they reach the beginning of the underground passage where Manall had let down an extra rope ladder to get them out.
"We're safe now, Lorann, Cemall," the two Jedi said reassuringly."
"Won't they follow us?" Lorann asked, looking back inside the pit.
"Not likely, Lorann. The rocky wall at the end won't give away easily."
"What were those?"
"Droids, nasty ones, very unfriendly." Yarmod said
"They shoot through the crack in the wall."
"They did, but they couldn't see us. Probably they have noticed our footsteps, or Chati's small light beam when she showed us the crevasse." Ian commented.
"But now they might know that we were there."
"Could be, and none of us should do any further investigations in the riverbed for some time."
Lorann still looked uneasy, but gradually he relaxed. Finally he looked at Yarmod with a smile.
"It was a great, but frightening adventure with you Jedi. I wouldn't have missed it, but thank you for bringing my brother and me safely back to camp site."
Aboard the Tychorion, the Supreme Chancellor, Sorjon Tyloban, Crix Madine, and the three leaders of the Provisional Coruscant Council awaited further developments on Palomintar Four. They had spent some time on the bridge of Tychorion, where they observed Palomintar Four drifting a few planetary diameters away. After a while, they returned to the secure conference room, where they exchanged information about their shared interest in solving the problem surrounding former Admiral Trevor Matrik. Jerno told Mon Mothma about the disappearance of the two star destroyers at the end of the battle near Jakku.
"The commander on one of those destroyer was our admiral," Jerno said.
Mon Mothma heard some regret in the grand admiral's voice, while he continued.
"The Imperial Fleet had lost many high-ranking officers during the battle of Endor, when the Executor plunged into the second Death Star, after one of the Alliance's pilot crashed into the bridge. The Executor was the flag ship of our fleet and under command of Darth Vader. In fact our remaining junior officers weren't competent enough to fight another battle, so we decided to deploy anyone who was even slightly familiar with the command structure on board what was left of the Imperial Fleet. That's why we had to decide that admiral Matrik should get an assignment as commander on one of the star destroyers, despite he once had failed an important assignment and never was in command of a star destroyer again."
"He even insisted that we should give him the command in our whole fleet," Kalip remarked.
Jerno nodded.
"But you felt reluctant to assign him," general Madine said.
"The command staff which took control on Coruscant after the death of the Emperor was reluctant, general, including the three of us," Valann said, "We hadn't confidence in the admiral's skills as a commander, for Admiral Matrik also was one of a group of former imperial commanders who strongly opposed any rapprochement between the Provisional Council and the Alliance."
"The Alliance strongly insisted on a cease fire. Both sides were exhausted," Mon Mothma commented.
At that moment a young liaison officer requested to enter the secured meeting room. He entered in a hurry.
"We've intercepted an incoming message with a high alert marking requested to access the procon partition of commander Skywalker, general. It is coming from Palomintar Four. Recently commander Skywalker informed our technicians to hold all incoming messages. Our communication staff wants you to have a look at the message, sir?"
"Thank you, officer, let them pass it through to this room. I'll let communication staff know what to do with the message," general Madine said, looking at his guests.
He activated the holo display device and waited. The others were looking silently and highly alerted.
A blurred written message popped up.
'Urgent Warning! Avoid any space ship to land in the vicinity of Ribana.'
Madine called the communication staff.
"There hasn't been more?" He asked.
"No, sir. What do we have to do with the message?" The duty officer asked.
"Put it on hold with the other messages for commander Skywalker, officer." Madine said.
"Yes, sir,"
Jerno beckoned at Madine.
"Is this message safe, Crix, normally our undercover agent uses a spacial seldom used encryption."
"Officer, trace the source and the position of this message."
"Most certainly, sir. We'll be back to you shortly."
The display went blank. Jerno, Kalip and Valann looked concerned at Madine, Sorjon Tyloban and Mon Mothma.
"Can you make sure that it has been our agent who has send this message, Crix?"
"My technical communication staff is working on it now, grand admiral," Madine answered, "Let's resume our talk, while we wait for their answer. Mon, you just said that the Alliance insisted on a cease fire. I remember we discussed that matter."
"Both sides were, general, but there was a large opposition against possible peace talks with the Alliance," Valann said, "Unfortunately, the group that had formed the Provisional Council lost their mandate. They had to back down and the opposition formed a fleet of imperial space ships which were left after the Battle of Endor. However, Jerno insisted that he should use his authority as grand-admiral, to nominate and assign the commanders of the different space ships. "
"The opposing officers were convinced that the Alliance wouldn't be able to gather enough space ships to encounter those remnants of the Imperial Fleet. They were wrong and again we lost the battle after our main super star destroyer crashed on the planet surface." Kalip added.
"It was a disaster, grand admiral, on both sides. We both were lucky we used our common sense and finally could sign a treaty which has become a firm base for an alliance between the Provisional Coruscant Council and the New Republic," Mon Motha said, "I sincerely hope that the problem on Palomintar Four will be solved quickly and peace could be restored to the inhabitants of the city of Ribana. So far, the great commitment of master Whain has provided both our administrations with relevant information. His cooperation and planning with our technicians on Quoith has been of great value. It would be a great honor for the members of the High Council and me to meet him personally and thank him for the dangerous efforts he has taken."
Jerno looked at Kalip and Valann.
"Master Whain is known he wants to stay out of the limelight, ma'am, so we will have to leave that decision to master Whain himself, but as soon as his commission has ended, I shall convey your invitation to him. We, on our side, would like to honor the group of Jedi Knights, for their determined efforts in this matter."
"We'll have to wait to honor all of them, master Whain and our Jedi Knights, after they are able to put an end to the illegal occupation of Palomintar Four and hand over admiral Matrik to the Provisional Coruscant Council triarchy," Sorjon Tyloban said.
"I still sense your inquietude about the message we just received, grand admiral," Sorjon Tyloban continued, "I understand that this isn't the way you normally received updates from your man, but we told you that master Skywalker has met your man and teamed up with him. To me is quite clear the our Jedi trusted master Whain, otherwise he never would have passed him his secret access code on the Tychorion."
"You're right, master Tyloban, but we need to remain cautious. Trevor Matrik isn't trustworthy as our stories must have made clear to you." Valann answered.
"I think, colonel, that your former admiral would never send a message of this kind, for your undercover agent mentioned in an other message that Trevor Matrik had the vicious idea to dump the corpse of master Skywalker while he's in the Jedi hibernation state through the airlock of the Basilisæa into space. The Basilisæa has left the Palomintar System recently. When Trevor Matrik can't make use of the Basilisæa, he probably wants to make use of any space ship that will land on Palomintar Four."
"You're saying that Trevor Matrik can't have sent this message, master Tyloban," Kalip said.
"That's right, so there's only one option left. As the message was send using the access code master Skywalker is using, it must have been your man who has left us this warning. Crix, can we safely send a response to the device which has been used?"
Madine checked with the communication desk and nodded.
"Thank you, officer."
He turned to the group.
"The message has been send from a new model infocom that once belonged to master Skywalker himself. He must have handed his infocom to your man, grand admiral."
"In that chase. Send the following, Crix: 'JKV-MTM understood'," Jerno said. "Doran Whain will know it's us who sends this answer."
"Splendid, grand admiral." Madine said and informed his communication officer.
Darth Golluth looked at the two droids which stood in front of him.
"What did you say?" He snarled.
"We heard footsteps behind the wall of a cave, master," the droid said.
"Footsteps? Of an intruder? Behind the wall of an unused cave, that gloomy low dark cave which is of no use."
"There is a crack in the rear wall, master, and we thought we heard footsteps and for a moment we also thought a dimmed light shining through the crack."
"Did you hear talking, a voice or voices?" Darth Golluth asked.
"No, master, only footsteps and a short flash of dimmed light."
"Show me, if it's a serious crack, I want to know what's behind it."
Darth Golluth took a torch light and beckoned the two droids to bring him to the cave they had been surveying."
The ceiling of the cave was low and the cave looked gloomy. Darth Golluth had to bent to avoid he would get hurt."
"What were you doing here?" He asked when they had reached the rear wall.
"Surveillance, master. You has told us we should make surveillance rounds through all the caves, even those which you don't use."
"Where is that crack behind which you saw a flash of dimmed light."
"Over there, master, in that low left corner."
Darth Golluth stooped and ignited the torch light. He saw the crack and held the torch light so that is shone inside the crack. However, the beam was to broad to pierce through the other side. He turned to the droids.
"Hand me your pike, so I can investigate the crack."
He snatched the pike from the droid's metal claw and stabbed the point inside the crack. The point of the pike bumped into the irregular breach. Darth Golluth released the pike and tried to insert it under a different hook. Again the point bumped. Angrily Darth Golluth rose after he had tried another attempt.
"You've been imagining things. It's only a crack in the wall, but it isn't through and through. There's nothing behind it, than solid rock. You've wasted my time, but it's good you warned me, that's what you droids are for."
He turned around and left the low dark cave, uttering under his breath about the stupidity of droids. The two droids followed him humbly. Darth Golluth went straight back to his main cave and sat down. He had left the obedient humble droids outside.
Although he had not found evidence that they had indeed seen light through the crack in the wall and had discarded their words, he pondered on the possibility that behind that wall there could be another series of caves or natural passageways. Maybe he should ask his loyal colonel to do more investigation. The guy was an expert investigating strange occurrences. Perhaps the colonel could send a probe through that crack to look what was behind it, if there was something. But further investigation had to wait, until the colonel would bring him the daughter of Darth Vader.
Cornell, Wollin and the other harvest men were sitting in a circle in the community tree house. Leia, Ian and Yarmod stood aside next to Han and Chewbacca and the Grann brothers. All of them looked at Chati, Cemall and Lorann who were standing in the middle.
"You took the right precautions, Chati Fonaldris. Nevertheless it seems that the guy who has driven us out of Ribana now might know that he is no longer alone on Myr."
"We only heard a droid's voice, master Cornell," Chati answered, "It happened after I shone my headlight over the wall at the end of the tunnel. It must have hit one of the crevasses in the wall. Probably on of the crevasses is a crack through the whole wall, as the droid fired a laser blast which we all saw. The beam was distorted, possibly because inside the crack irregularities in the rock interrupted the direction."
"Would the water go through the crevasses, what do you think?" Manall asked.
"The crevasses are small, master Manall. Probably it would seep through and follow its course, but it would lose a lot of its momentum to flood the complete cave system were Darth Golluth lives."
Han Solo grinned.
"That would mean he only would get his feet wet."
Cornell nodded.
"We have to widen those crevasses to give the water enough space to flood the cave system behind it and make sure that the water will find the original outlet."
"If the crevasses are through and through we have to be very careful that work on it won't attract attention," Leia remarked, "If Darth Golluth suspect intruders he might revenge himself on Doran Whain and my brother. Shouldn't we first make use of our lightsabers to smooth irregularities on the wall near the crevasse. The surface doesn't have to be completely smooth, only the edges of the crevasse and its surrounding area. The thinner the wall, the easier the wall will collapse. "
"That's right, master Jedi, but we have to find a way to widen the gap, so the water flow will flood the cave system behind the wall."
"We shouldn't put the life of some of us in danger."
"We won't," Cornell said and looked at the Han Solo.
"Master Solo, you told me that it's possible to use those explosive balls to create an overflow from the lake. I have seen the result of your demonstration and we discussed the possibility to use those balls to break away the wall at the end of the riverbed. After what Chati has told us, do you still think we can use the explosives there as well."
"The explosive can be use anywhere, Cornell. The only problems is that we lack supply. I have two boxes with each twenty liquid globes that might be just enough to create the overflow from the lake."
Yarnick looked at Han.
"Are you talking about the tiny liquid explosive globes to do the job, Han?"
"Yes, for those globes react will water to cause an explosion."
"If there aren't enough of those explosive balls, we have to find another way to blow up that wall," Wollin said.
Yarnick looked around the group.
"Surely, Han is talking about the same kind of explosives as I have in mind. I suggest that he and I will have a look in the hold of the Grannd Traveler. We have possibly stored some thirty odd boxes maybe even more of these explosives. If they are the same as Han is referring too you can use whereever is needed."
Yarnick looked at his brothers who silently nodded in agreement.
"That's very generous, master Grann," Cornell said, "but your space ship is on Tyr. How will we get those boxes to Myr."
"Leia, darling, could you take Yarnick and some of his brothers to the other continent and come back with the Grannd Traveler? You and Chewie can take the Falcon and leave my ship on Myr where its safer than here. Take one of my boxes with you and compare its content with those in the hold of the Grannd Traveler," Han said looking at his wife.
Leia rose, and she beckoned Yarnick to join her. Ronan and Kieran followed their eldest brother.
"Better leave the Falcon on Myr, Han. You stay with Yarmod and Ian. If Yarnick is sure that the supply from his ship is the same we'll come back with them immediately. Let's leave right away. I will make use of the transport ship from the Tychorion. If detected, the general or Mon Mothma will explain it to their visitors from Coruscant. Come on, let's go. We need to act fast in case Darth Golluth has detected he is being watched."
"We have to enforce a quick encounter with those droids, Shaayla-Car. Ready for an experience in Force fighting as I have taught Yarmod?"
"I have no experience what so ever, Wedge. What does a padawan has to do?"
"They always stay together and if a fight starts two Jedi always fight back to back to cover each other."
"What use of the Force is allowed?" Liane asked.
Wedge grinned.
"The Force will show you, Shaayla-Car. Trust your feelings. You will know, I'm sure of it."
They were carefully observing the domed houses of the town, as was the devastating deterioration. Liane grabbed the hilt of her lightsaber.
"I'm ready, Wedge."
Together they passed through the outskirts to the center of Ribana. Nothing was heard. The houses looked eerie and forlorn. Liane reached out through the Force and felt how her unseen ally began to completely envelop her as she became one with the Force. She also felt Wedge's presence through the Force as if they weren't a couple of Jedi, but one body acting the will of the Force. She experienced a incredible high alertness of her surroundings. They walked on and rounded a corner to enter one of the main streets of the town. Still nothing stirred, but Liane felt how the Force determined their joint action. Without any encounter they reached the main square where a large building looking similar to the administration building she had seen on Cantamaga.
'This must be the city center.' She said.
'Stay alert, Shaayla-Car. I sense movement in the surrounding streets' Wedge warned her.
Tense Liane intensified the grip on her lightsaber, when suddenly a barrage of laser beams were aimed at them. In a split second both Jedi activated their lightsabers and repelled the blasts. From different corners ten droids were entering the main square. Liane whirled around, stretched out her hand and used Force Push to hold the most nearby droid. The droid crashed against a wall and went down. Flashing Force pulses and wielding her lightsaber she managed to strike down another two droids. In the meantime Wedge had eliminated three other droids. With their backs to each other they scanned their surrounding and repelled the laser blasts the remaining four droids released. Liane noticed that Wedge began to run to a corner of the main square where the last droids had sought a spot to attack them from behind a wall. She followed her companion without thinking, holding her lightsaber activated in front of her. The Force showed her where the blasts were coming from and she repelled them accurately. Getting near the wall they both made a high leap and somersaulted behind the droids which were eliminated in the blink of an eye. Wedge deactivated his lightsaber and looked at Liane who already had hooked her lightsaber at her belt. She looked a bit flushed and exhaled a few times to regain her composure.
"Well, Shaayla-Car," He said with a broad smile, "for a first fight you did extremely well. We acted as one, defending each other. I would love to have you as my companion on what ever mission we have to fulfill. You're a very trustworthy fighter, always one with the Force."
"I never thought I would wield a lightsaber in a battle. I always rejected the idea of becoming a fighter."
"Fight is a last option for a Jedi. Shall we head back to Doran Whain."
Liane looked four droids which were laying a tangled heap of mechanical legs and arms. She looked at Wedge, walking over to the entangled metal parts.
"Wait, Wedge, I have an idea."
She kneeled at the nearest droid; turned it around and opened a covering in the droid's back. Looking inside for a moment she took out a small circuit board. Carefully she put the covering in place.
"What are you doing?" Wedge asked.
Liane looked at him with a grin.
"I guess that master Whain will be very pleased if we hand them these circuit boards."
"What for?"
"Wedge, on Wegoyy I had to maintain and reprogram similar droids. I got my knowledge from a textbook written by a young, but very famous, computer expert named Nori Thai. I think that master Whain certainly knows how to make some alteration to these programming modules."
"You've have recognized our imperial ally."
"From the moment he entered the wine cellar. At the frontage page of the textbook I just mentioned was a small holographic image of professor Thai. Doran corrected me when I mentioned his real name. Let's retrieve these circuit boards from all droids."
They went back to the main square and brought the other six droids behind the wall. After having taken out the circuit boards from all of them, they stacked the inert droid bodies inside a half deteriorated shed in the corner. Then they head back to the farm house building where Doran was waiting for them. He looked relieved when he saw them coming back. Wedge and Liane greeted him with a smile.
"It was a good practise for us, Doran," Wedge said.
"I didn't have the equipment to check the programming and make some amendments myself, Doran, to ensure that these guys won't represent any danger to visitors again in the future," She said and her eyes laughed.
Tongue-tied Doran Whain took the cards Liane handed over and looked at her.
"Thank you," He said, "I will take care of them. Did you leave the droids somewhere in Ribana?"
"Behind a wall next to the administration building at the main square. Are you going to put those cards inside again?"
"I have to. I can't return without those droids, but first I will changed their programming."
Doran took out his infocom and took one of the cards.
"I'm going to change the programming now, if you don't mind," he said and attached the card with a short cable at a slot of his infocom. Immediately a holographic image began to hover above the infocom. Doran scanned the data, tapped some lines and made some alterations. Then he took the next card. Within minutes the content of all cards had been changed. Doran put the ten cards in the pocket of his jacket, and looked at Liane.
"Ma'am, I understand that you know who I am. I can't talk about that now, but you did a tremendous job. As soon as the situation has been settled I would gladly know how you knew what had to be done."
"Your real identity is safe with us, Jedi, master Whain," Wedge said,
"I will bring you to the vineyard."
Doran got the speeder and they hurried back to the vineyard building where Threepio was anxiously waiting.
"Master Antilles, is everything alright with you, " Threepio asked concerned.
Artoo hooted a long sentence of binary flow.
"Yes, Artoo, I know we have seen what she could do with those remote balls, but fighting real enemies has to be very dangerous "
"I'm fine, Threepio and our opponents aren't dangerous never again," Liane said and looked with a smile at Doran Whain.
"We're leaving now with the droids to the Astræga where Shaayla-Car and I will transcribe the content of the files your contact has provided." Wedge said
Doran tapped the pocket of his uniform.
"I'm going back to Ribana to re-activate Trevor's droids and bring them back inside the caves I will keep our encounter secret, but I guess that you will contact me again when miss Shaayla-Car wants to confront her adversary."
Together they cleaned up the wine cellar and with Threepio and Artoo Wedge and Liane left the vineyard building through the back door and headed for the southern forested hills. Doran took the speeder and went back to Ribana, where he started working to re-activate the droids.