Chapter 90

"When did you made this?" Yarmod asked amazed, while he took the string in his hands.

"Last night. After you told me you still hadn't a good plan to fix those explosive balls at the wall I thought about the rope we used to create the rope ladders and how we fixed the different rungs of the ladder. Those connections can be used to fix the explosive ball too. How many explosives are we taking with us?"

"Leia suggested we should take some thirty explosive ball, but she had to discuss that with Han Solo and the Grann brothers," Ian said.

"I already have made four wreathed ropes. Each of them can hold five explosives balls. I can expand this example to hold five balls, then I only have to make the last one. We only have to think about how we will attach them solidly against the wall."

Ian took the string and pointed at the spaces between the balls.

"We can use duraflex tape between the explosives and at the ends of the rope. It's solid and molds every surface. Once attached, duraflex plasters won't come off anymore. We should ask Han or Yarnick if they have duraflex tape."

"Leia took the initiative for this plan. Let's find Leia so Chati can explain what she has in mind."

The three friends left the tree house of the two Jedi and went over to Leia and Han's, but no one was there.

"She probably helping Han at the outcropping. Shall we descend to the plateau."

"If we tell her while other are listening they will oppose her plan. We'd better use our way to communicate with her," Yarmod said, "Ian, she was once your master, so I think you'd better use Jedi telepathy to reach out to her."

Ian closed his eyes for a moment to become one with the Force.

'Ma... Leia. We want to discuss something with you about your plan.' He said.

'I'll meet you in your tree house in about an hour.' The answer came.

'Yes, ... Leia, we'll be there waiting for you.'

He released himself from his Force connection.

"She comes to our tree house. We have to wait for her there," He said to Chati, for he knew that Yarmod had heard Leia's answer already.

"I'll get some more rope. While we're waiting I can prepare the last string, maybe even extended the sample string. I'll see you in your tree house." Chati said and rushed over the path that descended to the storage cave down the mountain path. Ian and Yarmod watch her go.

"I thought that I was good at proposing ideas," Yarmod said, "but she has a far more better insight in finding a solid solution to some problems immediately. She must have been working on these ropes the whole night and still I didn't sense any fatigue."

"It's still a long way off, before she will be a Jedi Knight, but the Force skills she possesses will once let her succeed and reach her goal. Master Luke and I sensed her Force potential the moment we first met her."

Wedge, Liane, Doran and the two droids drove back to Ribana.

"Where is your speeder, Doran?" Wedge asked.

"At the main plaza, hidden behind the wall where I left those killer droids."

Wedge steered his speeder to the main plaza and stopped at the administration building.

"Shaayla-Car, you're going with Doran, Artoo and Threepio and Trevor's droids ahead," Wedge said questioningly

"We'll meet again at the cave where Doran has to leave his speeder. Where are you going to leave the speeder of the Astræga."

"In the vineyard building among the vines. You and Doran surely need so time to fix the inactivate droids at his speeder. Meanwhile I'll leave the vineyard building and follow the path to the cave entrance. We'll keep in touch with our infocoms."

"We'll wait for you in the lower cave where I will show you the hidden staircase."

"Very well. Let's split up now, for I want this speeder to be hidden securely."

Wedge started the engine and drove off. Liane watched him go. Now she was on her own with Artoo and Threepio and Doran Whain. Doran already had vanished around the building but within moments he appeared with the speeder around the corner. He stopped in front of the administration building and went over to the gap in the wall.

"Can you give me a hand, Ma'am," He asked.

Liane followed him and together they brought the ten droids to the speeder. Doran hoisted five of them at the last backseat. The other five he put at the seat in front of the backseat. He looked at Liane and suddenly grinned.

"A bit cramped, but they won't object I guess."

Liane looked at the remaining empty seats in the speeder.

"Can you and Artoo take the next seats while Threepio and I will take the driver's and passenger's seat," Doran said.

"How much time do we need to reach the rendez-vous point at those lower caves?" Liane asked.

"It took me about an hour to reach Ribana with the droids."

Liane's infocom buzzed. She activate the device and Wedge's image popped.

"I've reach the vineyard building. I've found a good spot to leave the speeder."

"We're still in Ribana, but we're about to leave. We put the droids in the back seat rows of his grand speeder. We'll meet you in about an hour, Wedge."

"Master Antilles, take care and stay out of sight of the main entrance." Doran remarked.

"I'll get to that lower cave unseen, don't worry, Doran," Wedge answered.

The connection vanished. Liane walked over to the speeder, looked at the inactivate droids and started to laugh. Doran looked at her uncomprehendingly. Liane turned to him.

"Must have been very scaring, driving to Ribana with those active killing droids behind your back, wasn't it?" She asked him.

"I didn't really feel at ease. Especially when I noticed I couldn't control these ten killer droids with the device I assembled, Ma'am."

He took a small device from his pocket.

"With this I can control all the droids I have reprogrammed so far. I didn't expect that Trevor had more killer droids. Well, at least these ten won't be under his command any longer."

"Have you taken this device with you when you were asked to look at Trevor's damaged comsystem."

"No, I assembled it secretly while I was held hostage. When I went inside the cave system all my personal belongings were confiscated, including my original infocom. It's lucky that I met with Luke. He gave me his infocom, so I could get in touch with him when needed. I still wonder where he has been staying on this planet without being noticed. I once saw a recording from some probe droids that were busted with the blow of a lightsaber. I altered those images so it looked that the probe droids were attacked by some predator birds."

"And you managed to do all this under Trevor's nose?" Liane said with admiration.

"Most of the time I had nothing to do and after I pledge loyalty to Trevor he seldom came to the comsystem cave. Besides I did a lot of alteration at his comsystem and his droids during night hours. Now we'd better go, otherwise master Antilles might be detected some how."

Liane nodded and jumped at the seat next to Artoo. Doran helped Threepio on the passenger's seat, jumped behind the wheel and started the engine. Once outside Ribana he activated the autopilot and turned to Liane.

"Excuse me, Ma'am, but where did you learn to program or re-program droids on the right circuit board.?"

Liane started to laugh.

"Stop addressing me so officially, master Whain. Just call me Liane or Shaayla-Car, but to answer your question. I once studied the textbook you have written on droid programming. I could use that knowledge when I was sentence to an eight year detention on Wegoyy."

Doran nodded.

"Please call me, Doran, Shaayla-Car. I know you have been on Wegoyy and what happened to you there. It must have been a very difficult time for you, not knowing who you were and where you came from."

"It's all in the past, Doran. A lot has happened to me afterwards, before I finally was convinced I had to use my skills as a Jedi Knight. That reminds me, don't let Trevor know what we have discovered reading the transcriptions of those files."

"Do you think, he might have noticed what I'm thinking, like you and Wedge could."

"I don't think he can, Doran, but any suggestion about what we know about him, might still be dangerous. We don't know how many other of those killer droids he has at hand."

Doran looked at the display of the autopilot.

"We're nearing our rendez-vous point with master Antilles. I have to make a slight detour to avoid that any of the guard droids near the entrance of the cave system will be aware of our approach."

Doran left the road and steered through shrubs on the plains to a lower hill cover with dense vegetation of shrubbery and overgrown bushes. Through a narrow thoroughfare he reached a path that lead uphill to the right. Slowing down he turned left and stopped the engine in front of a cave entrance.

"I guess, we have to wait for a while to meet with master Antilles, but once inside this cave no one will notice us." He said and made a sweeping gesture to the cave, "This is Trevor's speeder parking lot. To right the path leads to the main entrance, where we will go inside and where you will meet Darth Golluth. Are you nervous?"

"A bit, Doran, but I can handle my feelings. This quite some time since I met Trevor the last time. Look, there's Wedge," She said and pointing to her Jedi companion who walked over to them from the cave.

Wedge joined them.

"I have already done some investigation inside, Doran. I've found the stairwell you mentioned. Looks all very straight forward. As you said I have to follow some caves to get to the main system."

"You've been inside already," Doran asked surprised.

"I didn't enter the main cave system, yet, but I wanted to make sure I understood the information you gave me. Does Trevor knows about it."

"I guess not, but I'm not sure, especially the low cave behind the stairs might give him some difficulty. I have never seen him entering the chasm in the wall of the main corridor. Once I have accompanied Shaayla-Car inside to meet Darth Golluth, I will come to the chasm and make sure you can hide inside the cave which has been assigned as my private quarter."

"Very well, Doran. I wait inside the chasm. Take care of my Jedi friend. May the Force be with you, Shaayla-Car."

"Thanks, Wedge. May the Force be with you."

Wedge disappeared inside the cave. Liane saw him walking to a darker corner where she spotted the steps of a stairwell.

Meanwhile Doran had begun to unload the droids with help of Threepio. Liane turned around and started to lend him a hand. Once unloaded Doran took the device from a hidden pocket in his sleeve. Liane raised her hand.

"Wait, Doran, don't activate them yet! You can't take me to the cave entrance this way!" Liane said, looking at the droids, "Trevor has ordered you to capture me, if he sees you walking with me ahead of his droids, he certainly will get suspicious. Do you have handcuffs and a blindfold?"

Doran looked at her, shaking his head.

"You suggest that I should treat you as a prisoner?"

"I am your prisoner. I have a blindfold, do you have any handcuffs? After you have activate the droids, let them surround me and my droids."

"With a blindfold on you might stumbled. This path is peppered with all kinds of sharp rocks."

"Don't worry. I'll manage."

Liane put on her blindfold and held out her hands. She felt Doran's resistance to her proposal, as he fixed a pair of binders around her wrists.

"Now you can bring me inside with Trevor's getting suspicious."

"Shaayla-Car, Luke asked me to bring you inside. I am his ally."

"I know, but you're also still a loyal officer to Trevor Matrik who dreams to be the next Emperor. Once inside, you also have to treat me very distantly when Trevor is near. There will be moments when we can talk more freely."

"You, Jedi, probably know what you're doing, but I find it difficult to agree with your point of view."

Hesitantly he pressed the code on his device and ordered the ten droids formed a cordon around Liane and her droids.

"Mission complete, colonel," The main droid said, "We have captured the woman."

"Good job," Doran answered, "Escort her and those two droids to our master."

Doran started to walk uphill to the entrance of the underground cave system. Liane with Threepio and Artoo at her side followed inside the cordon of former killer droids.

On the other side of Palomintar Four Cornell, Wollin and Manall nodded at the Grann brothers.

"Let's proceed with a small trial, master Yarnick," Cornell said.

The six Grann brothers and the three Quelans stood near the top of the high wall where the brothers had connected a series of hoses at a water pump which would pump up water from the lake. The end of the hoses were hanging over the wall so the water could easily fall down in the pool on the plateau.

"We can interrupt the water flow at any moment, master Cornell," Yarnick said, pointing to the water pump at the edge of the lake, "We only have to lift that hose from the lake and the water flow will stop immediately."

"Let's proceed," Manall said, "Warn the others on the plateau and near the inlet. Let's see if everything is ready."

Bran activated his infocom and called Han Solo.

"Han, we're ready. You warn the others to stay away from the canal on the plateau."

"We already found several spots on high ground to follow the trial." Han answered.

Yarnick turned to Ronan and Kieran.

"Go over to Brion and Conor you two and slowly lower the hose into the water before you start the pump."

The four Granns rushed over to the edge of the lake. Slowly they put the hose into the lake. Next the started the ion-energy unit to start the pump. The hose filled with water, the water passed through the system inside the water pump and the two sets of hoses transported the water over the wall. The water plunged down the wall and filled the pool underneath. Next the pool overflowed into the canal and the water found its way to the other side where the outcropping had been leveled, so the water would flow into the inlet.

There were loud cheers when those looking at the water flow as the plateau filled the canal, but near the outcropping the water flow choose a different path and began to flow in the direction of the mountain ridge.

Han immediately contact Bran.

"Stop the inlet of the water now, guys. Great work, but we need to do some extra work near the outcropping to keep the water in the direction of the inlet."

Bran warned his brothers who immediately switch off the water pump. Cornell and Wollin looked a bit disappointed, but Manall waved to the Grann brothers.

"Excellent work," The old harvest man said, "This first trial is a success. I expected that near the outcropping we still had to do some digging. We have to extend the wall and make it higher at the other end of the canal so the water will flow in the right direction. We also have to get a steeper level in the canal near the outcropping and the inlet of the underground river. That last part of the canal has to increase the flow so the water will rush inside the inlet. Let's get all down to the plateau and fix it. Next we will do another trial."

The communication officer enter the meeting room where Mon Mothma and her guests were following the developments on Palomintar Four.

"Message from commodore Antilles, general," the officer said while he saluted, "I already passed it on to this room."

"Good work, officer," Madine said while he activated the holodisplay.

The image of Wedge Antilles popped up.

"Update on the situation near Ribana, sir" Wedge said formally. "Doran is about to bring Shaayla-Car inside the cave system to meet Trevor Matrik. Doran Whain has shown me a secret way to enter the cave system too. Once inside he will bring me to a safe spot where I can hide temporarily. Once Shaayla-Car has met Trevor she will ask him to bring her to the spot where Luke is. According to Doran Whain Trevor wants to get rid of Luke, so Shaayla-Car's first concern is to release Luke from his Jedi hibernation state. At the moment I can't tell you how the situation inside the cave system will develop, but I urge you to be stand-by, for I expect that Shaayla-Car's next action will be to convince Trevor he'd better surrender himself. I'll keep the company on board the Tychorion informed as soon as I know more."

The holo image of Wedge disappeared. Jerno, Kalip and Valann looked worried.

"Aren't the Jedi too sure that Trevor will surrender that easily," Jerno asked.

Mon Mothma shook her head.

"They are surely not underestimating the situation, grand admiral, but it's good to know that master Antilles will give Shaayla-Car and Luke his support if necessary. Your admiral will have to cope with three skilled Jedi Knights."

"He will not surrender without a fight, Ma'am. He's convinced that it's his conviction that the Empire has to be revived. Our agent has informed us in some earlier messages that Trevor makes use of an army of killer droids. Are you sure that those three Jedi will be able to withstand tens or more of those droids."

"It might not be easy for them, grand admiral, but like you I have to trust the skills the Jedi have."

"Is there any chance that Jedi Shaayla-Car will fall under the influence of Trevor Matrik and decide to take his side and join him," Kalip asked concerned.

Sorjon Tyloban shook his head.

"None of our Jedi will join your former admiral in his attempt to jeopardize our peace treaty, sir. I'm convince that the information they have gathered when transcribing the content of those files in that foreign language will be enough to make an end to the occupation on Palomintar Four."

"So far, nothing has been shared with us, Master Tyloban, and that worries me." Kalip said. "We all know that our former admiral once was one of the praetorian guards of whose it's said that they can handle to power of Force to fight an opponent, even a Jedi. The Jedi might be outnumbered and I fear for their lives."

"Gentlemen, Ma'am, shall I order a transport shuttle to stand-by, so we can make use of it any moment," General Madine.

Mon Mothma nodded and General Madine gave the order to have one the transport shuttle ready to descend to the surface of Palomintar Four.

"I like this idea," Leia said, looking approvingly at the strings which could hold the explosive ball.

"However, I have been thinking, we'd better discuss the number of explosive balls with Han and Yarnick and his brother. They are more familiar with this stuff. I'm going to call them and ask them to join us."

Leia left, but returned with Han and Chewbacca followed by Yarnick, Bran and Connor. Han looked at Chati and began to laugh.

"I'm right that you invented another great idea, young lady," He said.

Despite her olive skin color Chati blushed.

"I only did some quick thinking, master Solo," She said.

Leia looked with a smile at the Quelan young woman.

"I think, her idea is feasible, but we need to discuss with you experts how many explosive ball Chati and the two Jedi really need to fix at the wall and where."

"The power of combined explosive will strengthen the explosives power," Connor said. "How many explosives are they going to take with them. "

"I suggested some thirty ball, but that might be too much. What do you think, Bran?" Yarnick said looking at his brother.

"When we needed to blow up the rock where we would find our goods, Connor and I used five sets of two balls. We used a bucket of water to start the reaction which was enough to blow a hole in the wall. Big enough so we could crawl through it and look at our goods those rogues had stolen from us."

"We need a bigger part of that wall blown away if we want to flood the cave system behind it," Han commented.

"But we need to take care that the ceiling of the underground riverbed won't collapse and block the water flow," Leia said.

"Those fissures, are they at the top of the wall?" Yarnick asked.

"They run from the lower part to the wall to half way up," Yarmod said and looked at Ian who nodded.

Chewbacca grunted a comment and Chati laughed.

"You're right, Chewbacca. It's certainly is an advantage that those fissure are at the lower part of the wall, for that might prevent the upper part from blowing away. Master Solo I'm right that those explosives balls cause the breaking of rock very precisely and that no damage will be done further away. I haven't seen the outcome of your demonstration, but master Cornell said that only the fissure in the high wall had been widen."

All the companions looked at Chati in amazement.

"I have to complement you, Chati Fonaldris," Ian said, "You're a very good listener."

"She certainly is and she has made an excellent deduction afterwards," Leia said affectionately, "but what do you guys suggest. How many explosives ball should be attached to the wall in the underground riverbed."

"As we know now the impact of those balls, I think, we should still take all thirty of them with us and decided how much we will fix on that wall," Ian said, "How many days are needed before the water flow from the lake will be forced to the inlet, for as soon as the water runs inside nobody can enter the underground bedding any longer."

"Master Cornell wants to do a next trail early tomorrow. If that's successful we will make a big steep hollow in the high wall widening the fissure in it. That might take a day maybe two as we will use quite an amount of explosives balls and if necessary the use of those Jedi lightsabers," Han said. "I expect that after that explosion the water from the lake will rush down the high wall straight into the canal on the plateau to the underground inlet. If you guys are going to fix to explosive ball at that wall inside you have to be back before that."

Leia looked at the two other Jedi.

'Don't reveal our plan'she said to them through the Force.

Ian and Yarmod didn't show their agreement.

'We'll discuss our plan later,'Leia continued and looked at her husband and the others.

"Chati, show Han and the other how you want to fix those balls at the wall."

Chati pull on of the string she had fabricated and explain what she though might be a solution.

"Ian and Yarmod said that we can plaster these strings with duraflex tape."

Yarnick and Bran nodded.

"Good idea. The tape will keep the strings in place. Han, do you have duraflex tape in store, if not I'm sure we have enough on board the Grannd Traveller. It also might be an idea to use similar strings to blow that steep hollow in the high wall."

He looked at the two Jedi."

"When are you going to fix those strings, guys."

"Tonight," Yarmod said and looked at Leia.

"The sooner the better," Bran commented. "I understand that it's quite a walk to the end of the underground riverbed. You guys also need to come back. I'll hand you that duraflex tape before you leave. Miss Chati can you give me one of those strings, so we can make a copy of them."

Chati handed the string she had use as an example to Bran.

"I can make another one easily. Take this one and let's hope it will serve the purpose and release the water flow from the lake with enough force."

"Thank you for you comments, guys. Discussing this matter has been fruitful. The Jedi will now take the necessary steps inside the riverbed. We all know what to do. Han, Yarnick will you discuss this with Cornell, Manall and the other harvesters, for I will discuss our plan with Ian and Yarmod."

Han, Chewbacca and the three Grann brothers left. Leia looked at Chati, Ian and Yarmod.

"Wait for the duraflex tape and leave as soon as Bran has given it to you. I'll explain to Cornell and his men that you are going to fix those explosives, but I won't tell then the three of you won't come back. Proceed as we have discuss and keep in touch with me using the Force. Chati, you have to guide Ian and Yarmod through the cave system once you're on the other side of the wall. I'll will make sure that the final release of the water flow will not happen too early. Once inside the cave system start looking for any of the other Jedi and stay with them. I'm sure that Luke, Liane and Wedge will be at the main caves Trevor is using, so there will be an escape from the cave system before it is flooded. Once the cave system will be flooded I hope Trevor will surrender. I will seek contact with Wedge and tell him you're on your way, so he knows he will expect you sooner or later."

"We know what you expect from us, Master Leia," Chati said.

Doran ordered the group of droid which were escorting Liane and the two droids to stop as they had reached the main entrance. Next to the four droids which guarded the entrance stood Darth Golluth who was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Liane. Immediately he step forward as she neared.

"Who put on those binders and that blindfold, you fools. Colonel, did you order the droids to bring my guest to my abode like this. Release her, immediately."

Doran unlocked the binders around Liane's wrists, after which Liane took off the blindfold herself and looked at Darth Golluth.

Her future host made a dismissal gesture to the droids which vanished inside.

"Welcome, Liane Vader. Welcome to the new future of our beloved galaxy. Did my assistant treat you well?"

"Where is Luke Skywalker?" Liane asked.

Darth Golluth started to laugh.

"You haven't changed much, Lady Vader. As always you immediately come to the point. Unfortunately I have devastating new for you. Your Jedi friend Jedi master Luke Skywalker is dead. His space ship was blown out of the sky by the imperial star destroyer Basilisæa. Probably the Jedi has gotten mortally wounded in the attack, for he died inside an escape pod he launch."

Liane didn't flinch.

"In your message to the Supreme Chancellor you mentioned that you would release Luke Skywalker on my arrival on Palomintar Four. Like in the past you have been lying again, admiral Matrik. If it's true that Jedi master Luke Skywalker has died, then you are probably hiding his corpse somewhere inside these caves, right."

"Lady Vader, I'm Darth Golluth, admiral Trevor Matrik no longer exists. I, Darth Golluth will become the new Emperor. So I order you address me as Lord Golluth."

Almost imperceptible Liane shrugged and looked at the man in front of her.

"Are we going to remain outside here. You said to those droids I am your guest, but it looks like you lack a lot of hospitality. I can't find this is a warm welcome."

Doran who stood aside, held his breath, but to his surprise Trevor started to laugh.

"What did I tell you, Colonel. Isn't this great. No, she hasn't changed her behavior. She still has a snappy character. Follow me inside, Lady Vader. Perhaps I'd better call you Liane. That would make it much easier to communicate with each other."

"What ever you call me, Trevor, I don't mind, but if you insist to address me with that first name I'm entitled to use your first name as well, the one you use while you were assigned to the staff on Morantan. Do you remember."

Darth Golluth raised the staff and pointed it at Liane. Immediately Doran acted and intended to pull Liane aside, but she only raised her hand. The staff hurdled through the air and bounced down the path which led to the lower cave.

"A Force Pike is a dangerous weapon in the hand of some one who can't wield it properly, Trevor. Don't you ever dare to use this weapon on me while I'm here, for I know how to handle any attack you have in mind. I'm no longer the woman you left on Morantan, I'm a Jedi Knight, like my friend Luke Skywalker. "

She turned to the cave's main entrance and started to walk. Doran noticed that Darth Golluth gritted his teeth as he ordered one the droids which stood guard to get the staff. Meanwhile Liane had reached the double doors. A guard droid stepped in front of her.

"Hand me all your weapons and personal belongings." It said, while he stepped closer to her.

"Step aside, mechanical, or you will be turned into a heap of trash," Liane snarled.

She used Force push and the droid crashed against the rock aside the entrance.

"Enough!" Darth Golluth screamed and hurried over to Liane.

"What do you mean, Trevor, with that yell. Indeed, it's enough. You're occupation of this part of Palomintar Four has taken long enough, if that's what you mean. Now, bring to Luke Skywalker."

Liane didn't turn to look at Trevor Matrik and stepped inside the cave system. With a face that showed his outrage Darth Golluth followed. Doran Whain entered the cave system hardly compressing a slight grin. He felt admiration for the way Liane had encountered Trevor who clearly didn't know how to respond to her.

Leia beckoned Ian, Yarmod and Chati to follow her. It was in the middle of the night and the group harvesters were all asleep in the various tree house. The four walked stealthily away from the campsite and descended along the rope ladders to the plateau. They quickly walked over to the outcropping, jumped into the canal that lead to the inlet of the underground riverbed.

"Get going," Leia said, "Inform me when you have passed the wall. While you on your way the wall I will inform Wedge he might expect you. May the Force be with you."

Ian jumped first in the inlet and held to the rope ladder to let Chati descend safely, but to his surprise, she also jumped. He grabbed her and they both grinned.

"I don't need that ladder anymore, Ian. I've been here many times, so I know how to jump safely.

Ian took her aside as Yarmod jumped down and joined them.

'We're in, Leia.' Ian said informing his former master.

'Hope to meet you all in Ribana,' Came her response.

"Let's go, for it's quite a walk to end and the wall," Yarmod said.

"We have to remain very quiet, for we don't know if those droid guards are watching," Ian said in a hushed voice.

Chati looked at her companions.

"The two of you have a way to communicate without speaking. I'd wished I knew how you can do that."

The two Jedi looked at the Quelan woman.

"Chati, as you're a Force-sensitive person, it must be possible for you to learn to communicate with us using the Force too," Yarmod said.

"You can teach me?" She asked.

"We can, can't we, Ian. We're Jedi Knights, so it's not prohibited for us to teach a Force-user some skills the Jedi use," Yarmod said.

"We don't have time to practise, Yarmod, but I agree with you that it would be an advantage if Chati could use the Force to communicate the way we do."

"We don't really have to hurry to reach the wall. Chati, do you want to learn the Jedi way to communicate?"

"Sure, I do. Is it difficult to learn? How did the two of you learned it."

"Our masters, practise with us, so let's do some practise together. You need to feel the Force and concentrate on what I'm thinking," Yarmod said.

In the darkness of the inlet Chati tried to see the faces of her companions. Yarmod grinned.

'You can't see us, Chati. Rely on the Force. I'm sure you can hear me now.'

"Do I need the same when Ben ... I mean master Skywalker taught how to move little stones, or how to unravel ropes."

Yes, it is, but you have to concentrate on us more intensely.' Ian said.

Chati became very silent and sought her connection with the Force, as Luke has taught her. Next she tried to concentrate on her two friends.

'Hi Chati'Ian said, but she didn't seem to hear him.

"Did you say something, Ian. There was a tremor, but I didn't hear anything."

"First good step, Chati," Yarmod said, "Say something to us, for example a simple greeting. Don't speak, only think of what you want to say."

'Hi Ian, hi Yarmod' Chati said in her Force trance.

'Hi Chati,' Ian said again and this time Chati began to laugh muffledly"

'I heard your voice, Ian. Were you talking to me? I heard words in my mind.' She answered through the Force.

'Well done, Chati. Let's practise some simple sentences while we walk on' Ian said.

'Yarmod, do you hear me too,' Chati asked

'I did,'

'Can I only talk to one of you at the time?' She asked.

'You will learn to distinct the voices to hear through the Force. The more you practise to easier it will become to talk with us.'

Chati laughed.

"You're already great teachers, masters" She said on a whispering tone.

Yarmod and Ian grinned. The three of them began to descend along the first steep slope of the underground riverbed. Within minutes they had reach the deeper layer of the underground riverbed. Without speaking they started the long walk to the other end of the riverbed. Chati noticed that Ian and Yarmod sometimes were exchanging some words, but her connection with the Force wasn't strong enough to hear what they were saying. She forced herself to get a deeper connection, but her attempts were in vain.

'Stop trying to force your connection with us, Chati' She suddenly heard Yarmod say.

'You have to relax and let the Force flow through you. Concentrate on were you are and stretch out with your feelings. The Force will only obey you if you stop forcing your will'

'Now I hear you, Yarmod. I noticed that you and Ian were talking together, but as you weren't talking to me directly I didn't hear what you were saying.'

'Ian and I will talk to you separately and explain what we were talking about. You certainly will learn to communicate with us through the Force.'

'We don't have to hurry. Let's take a short break and discuss what we will do once we're at the wall. We certainly need to be aware of those droids. They are our main concern, before we can start widening those fissures.'Chati heard Ian say.

"Do we have to wait with the second trial until the Jedi and Chati have returned?" Manall asked.

Han Solo grinned.

"If the second trial will be successful those three will only get their feet wet, I presume."

The group harvesters and their new friends were gathered in the main tree house. Leia had just told them that Ian, Yarmod and Chati were on their way to fix the explosives on the wall at the end of the riverbed. Cornell look worried.

"Ma'am Jedi, why is Chati also accompanying them. She's my responsibly. I need to bring her safely back to her parents." He said.

"Chati will help our two Jedi to fix the explosive at the right position, Cornell." Leia said reassuring, "I allowed her to join Ian and Yarmod after she showed me how those explosives could be safely attached to the wall."

"You should have asked me permission as well, Ma'am Jedi," Cornell grunted.

"My apologies, master Cornell," Leia said, "I certainly didn't want to bypass your authority."

"Son, the governor's daughter is in the company of the son my old friend Obi-Wan. That's enough guarantee, I think," Manall said.

"That might be so, father." Cornell grunted, "but next time I want to be informed before she undertakes another task. Ma'am, can't you contact those Jedi and ask them to send her back immediately. I'm sure those Jedi are capable enough to decide for themselves where to fix those explosive balls."

For a moment Leia looked somewhat guilty, but then she spoke again, clearly now as a Jedi Knight.

"Master Cornell, you shared the responsibility with my brother. After he left us, he asked me to look after Chati Fonaldris. He told her that she should obey me in the same way as she had obeyed him. Chati answered him that she would gladly see me as her Jedi master. Since my brother has gone I have observed Chati's behavior and commitment closely. Like my brother I have shown her how she could develop her slumbering Force skills. The way she has committed herself as my apprentice have convinced me that this young Quelan woman will be one day a Jedi Knight herself. Master Cornell, Chati knows you're still responsible for her. She regrets her decision to secretly leave Tyr and join our group on Myr, but she's still dedicated to her goal..."

Manall started to laugh.

"Son, you have made Chati Fonaldris the one and only harvester woman. I have observed the young lady after I've got here. She has been working with us and I have never heard any complain, what's more she showed enthusiasm for our work. Master Jedi Solo is right. Chati has a very good attitude to become a Jedi Knight one day and the way she has been doing her work among us harvesters has convinced me that she knows what she wants to achieve. With the help of those young Jedi friends it will probably be her who will tell us that we can go back to Ribana, because the disgraced, imperial admiral will be arrested or might be dead. Son, leave Chati to the her own responsibility and we will profit from her longtime dedication to free Ribana and bring back our former way of life. The more you meddle in her affairs, the more opposition you will met."

Cornell still looked skeptical for a while, but then he nodded.

"You probably know more, father, don't you?" he said.

"I don't know anything. I only watch and make conclusions after what I have seen. We will wait until we're convinced that we can safely do our next trial, won't we, Ma'am Jedi."

"There will be no danger for those two Jedi and Chati," Leia answered.

"Then we'd better keep on working on the overflow at the high wall, for after a successful second trial I expect that flooding of the underground riverbed won't be delayed much longer. However we need to make sure that once the water flow has started it will continue indefinitely to fill the lake and the river near our hometown."

The group split up and went to work at the spot which still needed their action. Han and Chewbacca joined Leia and waited until the Grann brothers and the harvester had gone. Han looked at his wife.

"They won't come back, will they?" He asked.

Leia smiled.

"They won't, Han. We will meet them again in Ribana. I'll talk to Wedge and tell him to expect Chati and her friends."

To be continued...