Chapter 96

"Mon, we're ready for departure." He announced.

"Very well, Crix. We're on our way to the docking bay," The voice of Mon Mothma sounded.

Madine walked over to the elevators to escort the Supreme Chancellor and her guests to one of the two ready shuttles. Within minutes the elevator doors slit aside and Mon Mothma in the company of grand-admiral Jerno Thai followed by Sorjon Tyloban and Kalip Ru'undo and Valann Namaran entered the docking bay and walked over to the shuttles.

"Gentlemen, the shuttle to the left has been outfitted for you. You will find private quarters for each of you around a joint meeting room in case you needed to discuss or exchange ideas. Here is the special key to access the meeting room. The crew of the shuttle doesn't have access to the meeting room which is soundproof. In case to need to contact the other shuttle you can use the holo display unit which uses a special encrypted frequency."

Jerno Thai made a polite gesture.

"Thank you, Crix. It's really a pleasure to cooperate with you and your crew. We're greatly surprise with the warm welcome on the Tychorion and the useful information we have exchanged with Lady Mon Mothma and master Tyloban."

"You can board now, grand-admiral. Everything is ready to leave this command vessel and head for Palomintar Four. Our two shuttles will be escorted by the pilots of Gold Squadron who will make sure the landing of the shuttles won't encounter any opposition what so ever."

While ground personal brought the three leaders of the Provisional Coruscant Council to their shuttle, Madine turned to Mon Mothma and Sorjon Tyloban.

"My last information, Mon, is that we will meet all our Jedi, general Solo and the undercover agent at the landing site. Our shuttle is outfitted similar to the other one with the exception that our meeting room is equipped for much more people that the other shuttle and the crew has unlimited access to exchange any necessary information. "

Mon Mothma nodded.

"We can leave, Crix. Everything is ready. How long will it take us to reach the coordinates for the landing spot as master Antilles said we have to set."

"About four hours, Mon. These shuttles are slow and we need to round the planet one time to near the landing spot at the precise coordinates."

Meanwhile the three leaders of the New Republic had reached their shuttle. They boarded and prepared for lift off.

The Astræga had landed on the western plains of Ribana near the edge of the wild lands. Its cloaking had remained activated during the flight and the touch down on the plains to avoid drawing unwanted attention. Chati and Ian unstrapped and went over to the medic bay to see how Doran was doing. To their surprise and dismay the young man sat upright on the treatment bunk, leaning against the wall of the medic bay. In wonder he inspected the wound at his left side. To Chati's concern he had taken off the bandage with the leaves, with which she had covered the wound before they had left the valley on the other side of Ribana.

"Master Whain, you shouldn't have taken off those leaves. They are still necessary to protect your wound. It's still fragile," Chati exclaimed and rushed over. "You must remain still and be patient. Master Ian, can you convince Master Whain that his wound hasn't healed yet? I fear that if he moves too much, the bleeding will start again, and you'll have to use all your Force power again."

Doran started to laugh.

"If that would really be the case, Chati Fonaldris, it would give me a wonderful opportunity to see how Ian Tydon can heal deep wounds."

"You shouldn't be kidding and comment so light-hearted about what has happened to you, master Whain. Without master Ian's special help you certainly would have die. You were very severely wounded." Chati said with a worried look while she shook her head vehemently.

Doran looked at Ian.

"Ian, you said that you could let me watch while you were curing what remains of my wound. Do I have to do anything?"

"As long as you're keeping to react so excited, Doran, it's difficult for me to get the deep connection with the Force which I need to make her heal the last tissue and your skin. I need a very quietly surrounding without any disruption," Ian said and sighed.

"I'm disappointing you, right, Ian, because I'm too curious about the tremendous healing you have done. Oh, sorry, the Force have done. You shouldn't be, pal. Yes, I'm curious, for I want tell my uncle what happened to me and how you have saved me."

Ian shook his head.

"I'm not disappointed at all, Doran. It's just that I'm probably not yet experienced enough to convince you of what I need to connect to the Force. I don't blame you, you're not a Jedi. Please, lay down and relax. Maybe I'll find my connection with the Force while you're awake. Chati, can you put another pillow behind Doran's head so he can see how the Force will cure this remaining part of his wound."

At that moment hurried footsteps were heard on the ramp of the Astræga. Chati and Ian turned around and looked at Liane who approached quickly through the passageway from the control room, but as she stepped inside the medic bay she regain her composure. She nodded at her brother, smiled at Chati and turned to Doran.

"What happened to you, after I urged you to leave Trevor's abode."

With a calming gesture, she pushed Doran back onto the bunk bed and forced him to lie down..

'Tell me, Doran. What caused that wound in your left side.' She said using her Jedi voice to calm him.

Enthralled by her voice Doran looked up while he seemed to relax.

"Shaayla-Car, I did what you expected, but once I reached the lower cavern, I missed the speeder. I turned right to descend the slope unnoticed. When I reached the downward path, I heard the sound of the speeder and saw Wedge. He stopped, but suddenly we heard the metallic clatter of footsteps. The guard droids were patrolling the path and were coming towards us. They opened fire. We managed to take out three of them, but when I tried to hide behind the speeder, the fourth droid aimed its weapon at me, and I was hit in the side. Shaayla-Car, I thought I was going to die. I saw how much blood was pouring from the wound, and I fainted. When I came to, I was here, where Chati Fonaldris and Wedge were trying to stop the bleeding. I was in so much pain. I didn't know how to..."

Suddenly tears began to stream down Doran's face.

"I wanted ... to get ... up, ... for I ... wanted ... to do ... what you had ... asked me, but ... I felt ... so much pain." He sobbed, trying to wipe the tears away.

"I know what you've been through, Doran. I felt it as you told me. I have also sensed your other deep fears about what has happened since you landed on Palomintar Four and became Trevor's hostage. In your eyes you have failed your mission. That's not true, your mission, your secret intention to enter Trevor's abode voluntarily is a success. Thanks to your bravory Luke could get inside those caves. Something the Force has shown me several times, so Luke and I could plan to meet Trevor together. After you had brought me inside too I had only one aim: make sure that no further harm would be done to you. You told that Trevor is a dangerous lunatic. I fully agree with that. I've told you I have seen and met him on Morantan for more than five years. That's why I insisted that you get away unseen, after I met Luke and my other Jedi friends. I know you wanted to stay, but you're no Jedi, Doran. To face Trevor had to be the task of the Jedi Knights. It's an unlucky coincidence that you and Wedge had an encounter with those patrolling droid guards. I can reassure you now: your life is no longer in danger, because my brother who is a Jedi healer, like me, has used his Force skills to undo the damage of that laser blast."

"You have a deep insight in people, Shaayla-Car. I'm very grateful to all of you, to you, to Luke, to Wedge, to Chati, but especially to your brother, for he has done I don't understand. He told me that he had use the Force to cure the damaged tissue and organ deep inside me. He has done that during the time that I had been passed out, but when I woke up most of the pain I had felt was gone. Your brother is a very powerful Jedi, Shaayla-Car, just like you."

Liane smiled, before she looked at her brother.

'Doran, as an exception, Tama-Hin and I will show you what the Force can do when we are helping someone who is severely wounded. Now, stop talking and relax. Normally we Jedi healers call on the Force to use our own Life Force to help someone wounded, while he is still unconscious, which makes it easier to us to connect ourselves to the Force.'

While she was talking with her Jedi voice Doran relaxed and Liane gently uncovered the wound at Doran's side, then she nodded to her brother. Ian stepped at her side.

'Let's concentrate on the Force, Tama-Hin, like you have done to get help from our ally.' She said to him.

Liane watched while Ian hovered his hands about the ripped off skin and underlaying tissues. From his fingers the Force's blue light streaks began to smooth and heal the damage. Liane joined her brother and four hands summoned the Force to use their combined Life Force to mend the remaining damage. Doran watched in disbelieve what was happening. The edges of the damaged skin smoothed and when the underlaying tissue also had been healed the skin edges merged. Ian and Liane kept their hands above Doran's left side until the skin had become fully undamaged. Finally they took their hands away.

"I can believe it. I have seen it. It's incomprehensible what the Jedi can do." Doran stammered while he touched his left side.

"We can't do anything, Doran. We always have to rely on our ally. The Jedi are the Force's instruments. Through her the Jedi can carry out her will. In response the Force allows the Jedi to command her power when necessary," A voice in the passage said.

"Luke, you're awake," Doran exclaimed and jumped off the bed bunk, pushing Liane and Ian aside.

"So good to see you, my friend," He said while he grabbed Luke's hands.

"Me too, Doran, or should I say Nori Thai, for it's time to use your real name."

"I don't mind anymore, Luke. Yes, I'm Nori Thai. You Jedi have recognized me from the beginning, right. You said that when we first met and Wedge and Shaayla-Car also called me with my real name in the vineyard building."

"You've survived and fulfilled your mission, Nori."

"Possibly, Luke, for Trevor is still inside those caves, isn't he."

"No, he isn't. He's hiding himself in Ribana."

Nori Thai look puzzled, but Luke turned to Ian.

"You looked tired, Tama-Hin, just like some obstinate young woman who didn't want to share her special Force use with me a long time ago."

He cast a teasing look on Liane.

"I took regular moments of rest, Luke, but I also wanted to help Dor ... Nori Thai. I'm really glad that the Force helped me to safe his life."

Meanwhile Yarmod Martan had pushed himself through the narrow entrance of the medic bay and patted Ian on his shoulder.

"Good job, my friend. I knew you could do it. You posses the same great talent, as your sister. Surely Luke will be glad that his new Order includes two Jedi healers now. No, don't underestimate what you have done. I have seen how you and your sister did the same when curing Teebo."

For a moment they all seemed to have forgotten Chati, but when she tried to slip away, Luke grabbed her arm.

"Don't try to leave unnoticed, young padawan. It has been your help which initially saved Nori's life. Your knowledge and use of those special leaves stemmed the internal bleeding. Without your help, young padawan, we would have lost a valuable friend. Shaayla-Car and Tama-Hin may be called Jedi healers, but I could say the same of you. Thank you, Chati Fonaldris. Now come with me, I fully agree that you're my friend's new padawan learner, so I want you to be dressed as one."

Luke left with Chati. Nori Thai straightened his slightly wrinkled uniform and follow the others to the control room of the Astræga, where Wedge was talking to Leia, Han and Chewbacca. Chewbacca let a friendly grunt as a greeting when Nori entered. Nori looked at the towering humanoid and wondered where they all had come from. After he had met Leia and Han he turned to Wedge.

"I knew that Luke had found a place to stay on this planet. I met you and Shaayla-Car in Ribana, but it's probably a good guess that senator Organa and general Solo also have been here for quite some time."

Wedge grinned and looked at Leia, but it was Han who commented on Nori's words.

"You'd better wait and see, master Thai. You are certainly in for some big surprises."

Before Nori could ask what he meant, Luke came back with Chati at his side. She looked timid and kept straightening her padawan's outfit. Wedge walked over to her.

"You're now officially my padawan learner, Chati Fonaldris," He said and handed her the training lightsaber which Luke handed to him. Hesitantly, Chati took the lightsaber in both her hand.

"Master," she said in a whisper, "what should I do with it. I don't know how to use it."

"It will be my task, Chati, to teach you its use. For the time being you can hook it to your belt."

Liane looked at Luke and smiled.

'I didn't know that you had training lightsabers to spare. Well, master Luke, another of my Force visions have become reality.' She said to him using Jedi telepathy.

"Gold Squadron, we're nearing the landing coordinates. Thanks for escorting us," Madine said looking at the holo image of Gold-One.

"Do we stay in low orbit around the planet, general?" Gold-One answered. "Maybe we should survey in a circle above the mountain ridge and the southern hills, so we're stand by over the landing spot and the town of Ribana."

"Excellent, suggestion, Gold-One. I agree, carry those surveillance rounds and report any unusual to me," Madine said.

"Acknowledge, general. I'll keep you informed." Gold-One said.

"Landing coordinates will be reached in five minutes. Commence landing cycle. All passengers should strap in." The PA-system of the shuttle blared.

Madine walked over to the meeting room, took his seat and strapped in.

"Gold-Squadron will remain nearby, Mon. I have give them permission to do special survey rounds above the planet."

Mon Mothma looked pleased.

"It's reassuring, Crix to have them at hand in case something unexpected would happen."

"I don't expect anything unusual, Mon. It's just an extra precaution."

"Landing cycle commencing. We'll land in two minutes." The PA voice announced.

The three passengers heard the muffled noises of the landing pylons extracting and several moments later the shuttle touched down on the surface. Mon Mothma immediately took of her safety webbing and walked over to the exit. Sorjon Tyloban followed her, while Madine sought contact with the second shuttle.

"The other shuttle has also landed, Mon," He said and rose.

The three leaders waited until they could leave the shuttle using the ramp in front of the shuttle.

'Excellent timing,' Mon Mothma thought, as she saw a familiar group of Jedi Knights, Han Solo and his friend. She also saw an unknown young man and the young Quelan woman she had met before on the Tychorion. To her surprise the young woman was clad as a Jedi padawan.

The three leaders of the second shuttle had already set foot on the planet and to Mon Mothma's surprise and admiration Chati Fonaldris was walking over to the three men and bowed.

"Honorable leaders of the Provisional Council, I'm Chati Fonaldris. I'm a member of the Quelan people and as their representative I welcome you on Palomintar Four." Mon Mothma heard her say, while she made another deep bow.

Jerno Thai addressed Chati immediately.

"My co-leaders and I are honored to meet some one from the Quelan people, miss Fonaldris. You've already told us a lot about what happened to the Quelan. I'm very pleased to meet you in person. May I introduce to you my co-leaders lieutenant-general Ru'undo and commodore Namaran and I'm grand-admiral Thai."

"Your surname is Thai, sir, just like master Nori Thai who had been so severely wounded." Chati exclaimed completely forgetting her official welcome status.

Jerno got a worried.

"You know Nori Thai, miss Fonaldris, and he is wounded. Where is he?"

Chati turned and pointed to Nori Thai.

"He's over there, sir, and you shouldn't look that worried. Shaayla-Car and her brother Tama-Han have heal his terrible wound with the Force. They are Jedi healers."

Meanwhile Nori Thai came walking over and made an official salute.

"Grand-admiral, welcome on Palomintar Four." He said.

Jerno Thai looked at the young man who seemed in very good health.

"You have been wounded and your wound is bad, Nori."

"Was, uncle. You shouldn't worry. I have had amazing an amazing experience. Two Jedi healers were able to use their Force skills to heal me. If they hadn't been around I wouldn't have met you here. May I introduce to you to my new friends." Nori said and beckoned Luke, Liane and Ian to come over to him.

"Uncle, this is Jedi master Luke Skywalker. He was the first one who save from an unexpected encounter of Trevor Matrik's killer droids. Luke, meet my uncle grand-admiral Thai, one of the leaders of the Provisional Coruscant Council."

"Please to meet you, sir," Luke said and made formal Jedi salute.

"And these other two who have been saving my life, are Shaayla-Car Kenobi and her brother Tama-Hin Kenobi. You probably recognize Shaayla-Car as Liane Solichor. Tama-Hin, her brother is also known as Ian Tydon. They are the Jedi healers who healed my wound with their amazing use of the Force. I have witnessed what they did and how the Force healed the last damaged muscles and my skin."

Liane and Ian both brought the Jedi salutation to the three leaders.

Jerno Thai shook his head and looked the two Jedi in front of him.

"Well, all I could say," He finally said, "is thank you for saving the life of my nephew Nori. If there will be any time somehow we would like to hear more of his unbelievable story. So you're Liane Solichor, miss, and ... "

Embarrassed Jerno Thai stopped. Liane smiled serenely, before she said.

"But you better know me under my other nickname, sir. I appreciate that you didn't want to address me with it. Yes, I'm the Daughter of Darth Vader."

She heard Kalip Ru'undo gasp, but it was commodore Namaran's exclamation that surprised her.

"Severini, do you remember me. I'm Valann, Valann Namaran, the boy who had been so severely wounded, that everyone sought he was dead." Valann Namaran said, while he took her hand. "Finally I can personally thank you for saving my life. I remember your kindness, after I had fallen from that high-rising tower. My parents sought I was dead, but you took me inside the Jedi temple and nursed me in a special way. I have never forgotten. I was still a young boy and glad to be alive and I went home without giving you all the credit for my healing. Later when my parents had told what had happened I have been looking for you, but you were gone and no one knew what has happened to you. I've heard much strange stories and I fear that you also had been killed, because in those turmoil days all the Jedi were wiped out. Now I finally can thank you for what you have done for me."

"Thank you for telling me your story, sir. I understand that once you've met my mother Severini Solichor who was the principal Jedi healer in the temple of the Jedi on Coruscant. I'm her daughter."

"You are Severini's daughter, miss," Valann said, "Well, you resemble her. Can you tell me where I can find your mother?"

"I appreciate that you want thank her personally, sir, but that's impossible, for my mother died many years ago. I even can't remember her, because I was only a toddler."

Valann Namaran looked devastated.

"I'm sorry, miss Kenobi, for a moment I though that I saw Severini Solichor. the honored Jedi healer of the Jedi temple."

The three leaders of the Provisional Council had formed a group around Liane, Ian, Luke, Chati and Nori Thai. From some distance Mon Mothma and her advisor were watching the many revelations with a smile, before they walked over to Leia, Han, Wedge, Yarmod and Chewbacca who stood near the ramp of the Falcon.

"Well Leia, how's the backdoor plan developing," Mon Mothma asked.

"As planned, Mon. Everything is ready to proceed and we can activate the last step."

General Madine's infocom buzzed and the image of Gold-One popped up.

General, we see movement on the eastern hills of ruined buildings. It's not an animal or a droid. My men are going to go into a lower orbit to get a better view. It's look like it's moving towards those buildings."

Wedge and Yarmod looked at each other.

"Trevor! Luke and I we both thought we sensed his presence outside the caves. General may I have word with Gold-One?"

Madine handed his infocom to Wedge.

"Gold-One, your men should continue monitoring the movement, but I want you to deviate from the group, fly over the landing coordinates and tell me what you see. Use your visual scanning instead of watching your scopes."

Almost immediately the whole group noticed the approach of an X-wing fighter jet. Jerno Thai looked up, as did general Madine and Luke Skywalker. The X-wing flew in a wide circle above the landing spot.

"Gold-leader, two shuttle are visible at the landing site." Gold-One replied.

"Thank you, Gold-One. join the others and continue monitoring. Keep our standard communication frequency open and report every change the movement is making," Wedge ordered.

"Understood, Gold-leader. I have a open frequency at seven, four, zero, zero."

Seven, four, zero, zero. We can track you. General, will you ask all the leaders to get into the Falcon. The landing of the shuttles have been noticed as they aren't equipped with a cloaking device."

"Trevor probably has noticed the landing of the shuttles and see it as an opportunity to leave Palomintar Four," Luke said, looking for Chati.

"Wedge take Chati inside the Astræga and have her ready for take off." He said to his friend. Wedge immediately took Chati's arm and gently pulled her outside the group. He took her to the spot where the Astræga stood and de-activated the ship's cloaking. The ramp came down and Wedge took Chati inside.

"What's the matter, master," She stammered.

"Nothing serious, Chati, but a master should never left his padawan unguarded. I'm responsible for your protection."

"Oh, master, just like Ben became responsible for me, after Cornell had discovered me in the storage room of the Falcon," She said while her face got a shameful look.

"The same reason, Chati. Now come with me and take one of the back seats in the cockpit."

Wedge walked over to the cockpit and started the engine. He heard how Luke hurried up the ramp and closed it. Wedge activated the cloaking again. He left the pilot's seat and installed himself in the co-pilot seat.

"Madine has gathered all the leaders and brought them to the Falcon. Han and Chewbacca will keep the Falcon cloaked. Leia, Shaayla-Car, Tama-Hin and Yarmod are staying with the crew of the shuttles and defend them." Luke said, "Let's see if we can trace Trevor Matrik. He seemed to have followed the advice he has been given, left those caves and went to Ribana, but he probably has seen the shuttles landing on Palomintar Four."

Luke pressed some buttons on the console in front of him.

"Han, ask Kieran to activate the freezing unit immediately."

"My idea, kid. The former riverbed will be filled in no time. Let's hope the impact will be strong enough to fill that dried riverbed west of Ribana."

"That's what I've thinking. It might stop Trevor from reaching the plains."

Trevor Matrik had found a place to hide on the eastern hills outside Ribana. He had avoided the town itself as he disgusted its deteriorated state. The eastern hills also gave him a good view on the entrance of the cave system. His temporary hide-out consisted of a former homestead which hadn't suffered much from the decay that had happened to the town itself. The homestead was dry inside and at the loft several small windows gave a full view at the surrounding area. He had pulled some empty crates to one of the windows to watch the cave entrance. Every now and then he walked over to the other windows to cast a quick glance outside. The longer he was watching the entrance of his abode, the more he became convinced that he could safely return.

"I must have been imagining those voices that told me to leave. Maybe I should return now." He murmured angrily, looking through the window again.

"Nothing has happened since I left. I've already been here for more than half a day. I'm getting hungry too. I'll wait for another hour. If nothing has happened by that time I'm going back."

Trevor walked over to the other windows and watched the town of Ribana and the far off plains.

"I should have erased the town the moment those simple-minded tribe had been send to starve themselves in the west."

Again he cast a glance outside and suddenly he started to listen.

'Do I hear the sound of space ships?' He thought and tried to crane his neck to look at the sky. He shook his head and went back to the window that gave him an uneclipsed view at the cave entrance.

"Maybe I should go outside and walk up this hill to get an even better look of those western plains. I should have taken ... There it is again. There's a space ship nearing the planet. I need to know where it will land, if it does. This could be a one time opportunity to vanish and seek another planet to were I can a new plan to revive the empire. In fact this planet is too far away from the core planets. It's a mistake to think that my plans could become real here on an insignificant Outer Rim planet, where hardly any imperial loyalists can be found."

Trevor descended to the ground floor and went outside. He climbed up the hill to reach the top. Standing on top he looked to the plains and saw how a group of X-wing fighter jets were circling around two descending shuttles.

"An oncoming invasion of those rebels. They are probably sending a surveillance group before occupying the planet. I should watch their descend closely, for I might get away with one of those shuttles."

He began to walk down the hill to reach the eastern plains around Ribana. As soon as he had reached the plains he started to run, stopping every now and then, looking at the sky above the western plains. He hurried along and reach the outskirts of Ribana. He began to run crisscross through the streets of the town, rounding corners to find his way. More than once he found himself again on the center square of the town, after having lost his way through the narrow streets. He cursed out loud and tried again to find his way to the western plains, but in his haste he didn't notice the circling X-wings anymore, although their engines could be clearly heard flying over head. Exhausted he rounded another corner and found himself on the road which would lead to the mountains. He cursed again loudly, blaming the voices who had forced him to leave his abode. For a moment he considered if he should go back, but then he thought again of the wonderful of the descending shuttle.

"No," He screamed, "I must reach those shuttles and take one to leave. I have to fight my way inside one."

He began running again and found a path just outside Ribana through the former farm lands around the town. The overgrown fields hindered his progress and he became tired and exhausted. He also felt dizzy, due the lack of food. At one of the deserted farms he sat down in the shadow of the building.

"I need a rest. Not too long, for those shuttle might take off again unexpectedly."

Palomintar, the planet's sun, stood high in the sky and he began to feel dizzy again. He tried to get to his feet again, but when he tried to take some steps he buckled and fell on his knees. He crawled inside a one of the sheds near the farm house and stretch at a layer the dried manure. The rotten smell made him nauseous, but he couldn't find the strength to leave.

"I have to stay here until the heat of the day has gone. I can't go any further now." He murmured. He crawled into a corner and huddled against the wall of the shed.

"Gold-One, report." Wedge said over the communication of the Astræga

"Gold-leader, no vision of the man at the moment. He appeared more than once on the market square of the town. It looked like he was running around in circles, not knowing how to find the right direction to leave the town. Last vision on the road to the mountains."

"Keep monitoring the area, Gold-One, Report immediately if you see him."

Wedge turned to Luke.

"Do you think he will go back to his underground caves?"

"No, he wants to reach the landing spot. He has seen how the shuttles descended to the planet. He intends to reach them. We still feel his presence, but he halted. I sensed no movement through the Force at this moment. He seems to have found a place to rest. Let's have a look along the road that lead to the mountain ridge."

Luke banked his ship and began to follow the long road from Ribana to the foothills of the mountain ridge. He constantly focussed on the Force to tell him the presence of their opponent. Luke sensed that Wedge was doing the same and looked sideway to his friend. Suddenly Chati spoke.

"Master, Trevor Matrik has taken refuge in one of those sheds over there. It's the old farm of Parann Telgismer and his family. They had the largest herd of nagawas. He also bred nagawas. At dawn he always lead them inside the sheds. I feel him, Ben, as clearly as I felt Cornell and the others when you taught me how I could feel through the Living Force."

"Thank you, Chati," Wedge said, "You're always are providing us with information which gives us a fine impression of what's going on down below."

"Should we go down and arrest him. I heard you're saying that he wants to take one of those shuttles."

"We'll wait patiently, Chati. Never hurry when you want to trap an opponent. I understand you want the guy to be arrested and handed over to the leaders of the Council, but he still isn't desperate enough. He still thinks he can escape his destiny by taking one of those shuttles." Luke said.

"But what will happened, Ben, if he does? What if he will find new courage and reach the landing spot."

"He will never reach the western plains, Chati. I want you to take a moment and visualize the landscape between Ribana, the western farm lands and the western plains." Luke said.

Chati became silent, but all of sudden she gave a yell.

"The dried riverbed. It's overgrown with tangled bushes. The same kind of bushes which are growing far behind the southern hills. Those bushes have thorns. If he reaches that spot and tries to cross it those bushes not only will slowdown his flight, but the thorns will rip on his clothes. If he tries to free him he will become more and more entangled. Those bushes will take him prisoner, is that what you meant, Ben, when you said we will wait patiently."

Wedge and Luke burst out laughing.

"You will become a great Jedi one day, Chati" Wedge said.

"Maybe we should wait until those bushes entangle him," Luke grinned. "I have to make you a compliment, Chati, for you know the environment around Ribana very well, even better than we do. I have another question for you: what would Trevor do when he would found out that the former dry riverbed would be flooded?"

"Easy, Ben," Chati answered immediately, "The entangled thorny bushes would keep him under water and he would drown."

"Most certainly he would, Chati, but do you think that Trevor would cross the riverbed when he sees that a river is obstructing his progress to the western plains. Do you think that Trevor would try to cross the river, seeing the entangled bushes in the water?"

Chati looked puzzled, but not for long.

"If he does, master, he really is stupid. I already thought so when I saw he talking to that holographic statue."

Meanwhile the Astræga had reached the foothills that lead to the mountain ridge. Luke turned the ship and flew back to Ribana while reaching out the Force to sense Trevor's presence. When they passed the old farm again Wedge and Luke nodded.

"He is here somewhere," Wedge said, "What are the coordinates of this spot, Luke?"

"390878-600002," Luke answered immediately.

"I'll pass them on to Gold-Squadron, "Wedge said and activate the special communications frequency.

"Gold-One, monitor the following coordinates closely the coming hours, especially during the night hours. Report any movement you guy notice."

"Roger, Gold-leader," came the answer.

Luke looked over his shoulder to Chati.

"I'll keep your description of the entangled thorny bushes in mind, young padawan. You gave us a great indication. Now we can go back and inform the others. Tomorrow will bring the final solution."

"Are you going to see how he's trying to free himself, Ben?"

Luke smiled.

"Could be, Chati, but I hope for something else."

He turned the nose of the Astræga to the western plains and landed the ship at the landing spot.

Kieran Grann grinned as he heard the call from the Millenium Falcon.

"Are you ready, Bran. Here we go! Han, we're ready!"

"Is everybody at the campsite, Kieran?" Han's voice sounded over the infocom.

"Yes, they said they want to see the water flowing inside the canal from the edge of the wall were the rope ladders have been. They even chopped some bushes to be able to see the water disappear in the inlet."

"Ok, Kieran, hit the button. Let's hope we've figured it out right. Keep me informed."

"Sure, Han. Bran, here we go."

The two brother pressed several button simultaneously, looking at a small screen which showed the view at the lake and the high wall. Kieran pushed his brother.

"Look that last block already is showing cracks on the site! Wow, there it goes and there comes the water from the lake." He yelled.

"Han, you should have seen..."

A deafening series of explosions were heard, followed by even louder cheers from the group of harvesters.

"We did it, Bran. Let's have look ourselves. Oh, there's Yarnick. What happened, brother?"

"It went exceptionally well, guys. Not only did the top of the high wall vanish, but the explosions have removed more than half of the high wall. The water is pouring in a new water fall along the remaining part. The pool underneath is already overflowing and the huge water mass is rushing through the canal. Come on, guys, let's see if it already has reach the inlet."

Kieran and Bran rushed outside the tree house, following Yarnick. At the edge of the campsite they joined the others who were looking down at the whirling water mass. Kieran saw Cornell and his men and ran over to them. The harvesters cheered and pointed at the spot were the inlet to the underground riverbed was.

"Look at it, guys. It's already flowing through the inlet. Look, how the water is whirling inside in that huge vortex. Now we have to wait and hope that those explosives at the end will do the job," Wollin said.

"Does anyone know if that Darth Golluth guy is still inside those caves." One of the harvesters asked.

"If he is, the water will drown him, or the explosive will blow him up." Another commented.

"How long will it take until ... "

At that moment a huge explosion was heard. The vibrations were felt on the campsite. Another explosion followed. Cornell and Manall looked at the canal on the plateau.

"We're through, the water keep flowing. Look at those whirl. We succeeded, men. How many decades have I dreamt about this moment. This is the reward of our hard work. I wish I could fly to Ribana and see the water exiting those long dried caves." Manall said and wipe some emotional tears from his eyes.

"Are some of our friends near Ribana?" Wollin asked, "They could tells us what's happening and if the water fill the old lake again and that dried riverbed to the west of the town. If all will go well, then our town will thrive even better than it had been before. Think about the possibilities to use water to irrigate the farmlands around Ribana." The Grann brothers had listened to the cheers and enthusiasm among the harvesters. Kieran took the infocom.

"Han, do you copy."

"Yes, kid. What's going on. We felt two huge tremors at the place where the Falcon is. That probably mean that the explosives have done their work. Wait at minute, guys, we're feeling more tremors. I hope that doesn't mean that those caves are collapsing."

Han looked up and saw a grin on Nori Thai's face.

"You seem to know what's happening inside, don't you." Han asked suspiciously.

"I do, general Solo. Those tremors are caused by the ion-system that provided the heating and lighting inside the cave system. Trevor had made himself a very sophisticated realm. It wasn't dark and gloomy inside. I was amazed about the ingenuity he had set up. I figured it out and made some slight amendments. The tremors you just felt have caused the series of short-circuits that cause small but frequent explosions. Several different units of the ion-system need to be taken permanently out of order."

Han looked at Nori Thai in disbelieve.

"You managed to do this, while you were held captive inside."

Nori Thai nodded and shrugged his shoulders.

"You probably know my expertise, general Solo."

"You're known for being the most sophisticated communication expert and droid programmer. I have used the manual on droid programming you have written until all the pages have fallen out, but I didn't expect you to be able to undermine Trevor's abode the way you have done."

"I have worked more than once in undercover operations, general. I admit that this time things have run a bit out of hand, but I had tremendous help of my new Jedi friends. I understand that your wife is a Jedi Knight too."

"She is, Nori. She has surprised me more than once with her Force skills, but in this case she had a more coordinating role. She acted as the Supreme Chancellor envoy. She's her special advisor and member of the High Council. Most of the decisions she took here were right,although I wasn't always convinced she was."

They both started to laugh.

"May I call you Han, general. I will send you a new manual about droid programming. An updated version which I wrote while lecturing at the Academy on Coruscant. It has the newest developments explained in it. You will definitely benefit from it, as you will be doing the maintenance of the Millennium Falcon yourself."

Han was completely overwhelmed, but finally he grinned and stretch out his hand.

"Very generous, professor Thai."

Meanwhile the tremors had continued. Nori looked at the infocom at his wrist.

"This will continue for some time. When these quakes finally stop, there will be nothing left inside the caves where Trevor Matrik lived."