Chapter 97

"Gold-One have a look at those mountains. What's going on there? It looks like there a kind of stream seeping a crack in ... doors? And another stream is finding its way to that strange overgrown steep depth to the right. Look at that! Those doors have cracked open and the water is coming through in waves. The two flows are combining, filling that steep depth, but I also see some smaller stream running downhill."

"Gold-seven and six, follow me. Let's have a closer look."

"The three X-wings banked and changed their course. They flew at low altitude and looked in disbelieve at the swirling mass of water in which many different objects were drifting or tumbling over each other."

"It's all kind of furniture," Gold-six said over his system.

"The water keeps running, Gold-One." Gold-seven remarked.

"I contact Gold-leader, guys," Gold-One said and opened the frequency on his com system.

"Gold-leader, this is Gold-One. We're seeing a huge flow of swirling water coming from the mountain ridge. It's finding its way to the right and has taken a lot of debris with it. We've seen broken furniture all over, but also things the look like metal limps. Droids?"

Gold-One heard a loud cheer.

"Keep monitoring the water flow, Gold-One. It should fill a kind of basin to the right. It's overgrown, but its a kind of deep pool. Can you see it."

"Yes, we can. It seems to me that water flow is indeed filling that basin in the landscape. Hey, overgrowing bushes are swept away and ... that's strange a kind of wall is revealed. It looks man-made, but a bit deteriorated, but it holds and keeps the water flow from choosing an easier path. Yes, it's definitely a wall running from a flat plateau where the main flow is coming out and going downhill to where a second stream merges with the main stream. "

"How fast is the water running, Gold-One?" Wedge asked.

"Extremely fast. I see many vortexes and other swirls." Gold-One said.

"Keep an eye on what's happening at the basin, Gold-One. Try to locate if there's an outlet where it will overflow, once the basin is filled, for long ago the basin was a lake. The surplus water created a river behind the western farm lands of Ribana. I want you to monitor if that riverbed will be also filled with water."

"Understood, Gold-leader. Next report later on."

Gold-One looked astounded to the still fast flowing water which was plunging from a steep rock into the basin, former a kind of waterfall. He called his men and informed them what was expected of them.

"What about that running guy, Gold-One? No longer following?" Gold-two asked.

"Let's split up, guys. Gold-two, three, four and five continue monitoring over Ribana and the surrounding area. Gold-eight, come with me and join Gold-six and seven. We're going to keep an eye on that water exiting from the mountain ridge."

The eight X-wing form two groups. One went back to Ribana, while Gold-One and the other three began to fly above the foothills of the mountain watching the swirling water that plunged into the deep basin in the landscape.

After Wedge shared Gold-One's report, the Millennium Falcon's control room was in a jubilant mood.

With busy gestures, Han explained to the joint leaders all the details of the plan and its successful outcome.

"I must say, that in the beginning their plan looked ridiculous, but after Luke and Leia convinced me that it was feasible Chewie and I put as much effort in it as the harvest men themselves.

"The harvest men?" Kalip Ru'undo asked.

"A special very sturdy group of Quelan men who mostly spend their lives in the wild or on Tyr where they harvest nuts from the nut trees.

"Do you think, general Solo we can meet them." Jerno Thai asked.

"I think you can, grand-admiral, but those harvester are a very proud bunch of men. They aren't really fond of visitors from outside."

Han turned to Chati.

"That's right, Chati, isn't it?" He asked the young padawan who sat quietly listening to the many conversation.

"You should ask master Cornell, his father master Manall and master Wollin if they are willing to tell the honorable leader from Coruscant about the project. Maybe you and Chewbacca should go along with the honorable leaders and introduce them to those Quelan masters."

"Miss Fonaldris," Valann addressed Chati, "Are you the only Quelan women. I mean did you live among that group of men. I don't want to offend you, or insult you, but I am wondering where the other Quelan women are."

"They live on Tyr at the moment, sir. When we had to leave Ribana we went to the other continent and made a living there, but I would love to live in Ribana again."

Valann looked at Chati and laughed politely.

"I see that your a padawan learner, a Jedi apprentice. Maybe you won't live again in Ribana, miss Fonaldris."

"My master has told me that he will visit Palomintar Four at least once a year. He wants to explain to my parents what progress I make, for I still don't know very much about the Force and how to use that power. Master Skywalker taught me a little, but there so much more for me to learn."

"And, I think, you are very eager to learn to become a Jedi Knight."

"Yes, sir. It's been my dream and I will do everything to realize my dream."

"Will your parent agree, miss Fonaldris?" Kalip asked.

"My father probably will, but I have, or better my master has to convince my mother."

"Your mother is a more traditional Quelan woman, right?"

"Yes, very, sir."

The tree leaders from Coruscant laughed.

"Maybe you should come with us too, when we're paying those harvest men a visit, miss," Jerno said and turned to Han Solo.

"General Solo, can you arrange a meeting with them."

"Why should we all go and celebrate the outcome of their project," Madine suddenly proposed, "What do you think, Mon?"

"It might be the only opportunity to meet them in person," The Supreme Chancellor said, "what about the Jedi? Are they also coming with us?"

"No, ma'am, we won't," Luke said, "Our group needs to stay and defend the shuttle. There still is, although very minor, a possibility that Trevor Matrik will try to get away with one. So my group will stay on the landing site, but I certainly think it's a good idea to visit the harvesters, have a word with them and look at their long lasting project."

"Master Skywalker, I don't think you will object if your sister joins me?" Mon Mothm said.

"Not at all, ma'am." Luke answered, making a gentle nod.

"That's settle then," Jerno decided and looked at his nephew "Are you coming with us, Nori."

"Sure, uncle. It's a great opportunity to meet a group of Quelans who know how to survive in the wild. I might learn from them."

"Chati, I want you to join the group and introduce them to Cornell and his men."

Chati looked at Han Solo.

"Master Solo, can you announce us and ask the harvester to prepare our speciality: roast nagawa simmered in our famous broth."

Wedge began to laugh.

"Chati, now your tempting me to come with the group too."

Chati's face got a rosy shine.

"If I meet my mother again, master, I will ask her to hand me the recipe, so I can prepare it for you when we are on Irithim."

"Wonderful idea, young padawan, but I warn you that my men will surely join us to get a serving, and probably the other Jedi also will be there."

"That's going to be a big party, master, but I'm sure I'll manage."

The Millennium Falcon landed at the grassy clearing at the foot of the mountain ridge. Leia went over to the delegations from Coruscant and Dalmaran. Chati had immediately followed her.

"We have to climbed to the campsite higher up, but Chati will lead the way." Leia said.

"Master Leia, I saw master Cornell, master Wollin and master Manall waiting for us at the beginning of the path."

For a moment Leia looked puzzeled, but then she started to laugh. Meanwhile the ramp of the Falcon came down and the six leaders, Leia, Chati and Nori Thai left the space ship, while Han and Chewbacca would follow them later on.

The members of the delegation looked surprise when the three Quelan harvest leader walked over to them. Leia introduced them to Jerno Thai and his co-leader and to Mon Mothma and advisors. Cornell bid them welcome and invited them to follow him and his men to the campsite. For a moment Cornell looked at Chati who quickly introduce Nori Thai to him.

"Master Cornell, I want you to meet Nori Thai. He is the grand-admiral's nephew and he has fulfilled a dangerous mission inside Darth Golluth's maze of caves."

At direction of the three Quelan harvester the group starred their walk up the path to reach the campsite. Wollin accompanied Jerno, Kalip, Nori and Valann who asked some question about the way of life of the Quelan community. Quietly Wollin explained the way the harvesters use to live.

"Do you live completely separate from the other Quelans,?" Valann asked.

"No, sir. The harvest men and the Quelans of the town of Ribana form a united comminity, but the harvest men mostly take on some difficult jobs the community faces. For instance we take care of the harvest of the nut trees which is a dangerous job. We also provide material to build or repair the house in Ribana."

"But you also took this formidable project, right" Kalip asked.

"Yes, sir, we did, but master Manall, the oldest harvest man, had studied our archives and became intrigued about stories that mention a lake and a river near Ribana. He thought it would be a great achievement of us, if we would find a way to find a stream which could be lead to fill the lake and the riverbed. We will show you how we finally succeeded after we got help from many new friends."

Wollin looked over his shoulder and nodded at Manall and Cornell. The old harvest man was accompanying Mon Mothma, Sorjon Tyloban and general Madine. He was explaining their project almost similar as Wollin had done. Cornell had stayed a bit behind the group and looked at Chati.

"Have you seen the water coming out from caves, Chati."

"I have seen the holo vid the men of master had made. The water is now filling that great basin halfway down the mountain ridge, you know, that overgrown deep shaft nobody real could explain what it's use was."

"You just said that the men of your master made those image. Who is your master? It's not master Leia I assume."

"No, master Cornell. Master Wedge Antilles has taken me as his padawan learner and Ben has agreed with his choice. He is really a great master, master Cornell. He thinks I'm doing very well as his Jedi apprentice. He wants me to take me with him to Irithim, the capital of the New Republic. He is the leader of Gold Squadron and flies a special space ship, an X-wing fighter jet. He promised me that he will teach to fly too."

Cornell shook his head and cast a glance over Chati's Jedi outfit."

"Did he also gave you a lightsaber, like the other Jedi are using and what has happened to the harvesters' clothes I gave you?"

"Master Antilles will teach how I can learn to use a lightsaber. It's training lightsaver. After Ben had given me these Jedi clothes, he handed my master the lightsaber. I was very surprised when master Antilles handed it to me. Ben has stored the harvester's clothes in the Astræga, his space ship. He has promised me that he will give it back to you, master Cornell."

"Chati, I don't want to spoil your dream, but I think master Antilles has to convince Toallin and Udine to get their permission to take you to an unknown planet."

"I will convince them to let me go, master Cornell. I want to follow my master and learn from him the ways of the Jedi." Chati said determinedly.

Cornell looked at the young Quelan famale and shook his head.

"Do you know what has happened to the guy who has caused our community so much trouble. You said that water is pouring out the cave system, filling that deep basin. Has he drowned?"

"No, he has fled those cave. Master Antilles told me to stay with him when he and Ben did some investigation with the Astræga. They sensed Trevor's presence through the Force and when we flew over Parann Telgismer's former farm I sensed him too. Ben assumes that Trevor wants to reach the shuttles with which the leaders had landed on the western plains."

"They won't let him to get away with one, will they?"

"No, master Cornell, that's why you and the others activated the water flow through the underground riverbed. Tell me, master Cornell, did the wall on the plateau held?"

Now Cornell began to laugh.

"It did, Chati Fonaldris. It did. The work you have done with my sons and that Wookiee still stand firm. You can be proud of what you have achieved."

Chati sighed relieved.

"Shall we catch up with the others, master Cornell, and will the harvesters serve their special recipe to all these high-ranking people."

"Do you expect they will like it?" Cornell asked

"I do, Ben, Ian and master Antilles also love it. I want to learn how to make it, for I've promised my master I will make it for all of them once we are in Irithim."

"My clothes smell terrible," Trevor Matrik murmured as he brushed some dried manure from his cloak. "I must get back to the caves to refresh myself and get a clean coat. I also need some food before I have to find my way to those western plains."

He stepped outside and looked around. The heat of the day has subsided and the mountain ridge already cast a shadow at the surrounding lands. Trevor started to walk slowly back to reach the main road that would lead him to the cave entrance. He curse inwardly as he looked at the load road he had to follow. Disillusioned he started to walk when all of a sudden he stopped and listened.

"I hear water flowing," He thought "Where does this sound come from? Would be good to quench my thirst."

He began to walk faster, listening the loud noise of streaming gurgling water. He halted again. Suspicious now.

"There must be a huge stream for the noise is getting louder," He murmured. "I have never known there was such a river near this deteriorated town. I have never seen it."

He took of his dirty coat and threw it away. Next he started to run in the direction where he thought he heard the water noise, but he couldn't detect where the noise really was coming from. Several times he stopped, listening attentively. Finally he reach the foothills which lead upward to the mountain ridge. He looked at the entrance of the cave system and gave a loud scream.

"My hiding-place! The water is coming from my hiding place! What happened! Who did this? Those Jedi?"

He began to run up the path to the entrance, but halfway he stopped and sank on his knees.

"Ruined! They ruined everything! My lair, my hiding-place, my plans!"

Suddenly he remembered the voices he had heard.

"They knew!" He screamed, "They knew, those Jedi have ruined my future."

He looked at the swirling water flow that exited the cave entrance, streaming down to the right before plunging as a waterfall among the undergrowth and bushes. Trevor sat upright and managed to stand up, then he began to laugh.

"Yet, I'm alive, I haven't drowned. I can start somewhere else to realize my plan, my empire!"

'You still don't heed any of the warnings you're given, Trevor. Don't be a fool.' The voice of Darth Vader sounded.

Trevor Matrik looked up and in front of him stood the Force ghost of Anakin Skywalker, clad as a Jedi Knight.

"Who are you? Are you Darth Vader, my nemesis, the one who condemned me and locked me in the Force Wall of Light?" He asked.

'I'm Anakin Skywalker. My son redeemed me and forgave me, so I could renounce the Dark Side. You also can do that, Trevor, and if you do you one day will be allowed to join the Force again as a Force ghost as her servant and ally. Accept Trevor, that your old ambitions are a failure. My son and foster-daughter warned you to leave your lair in those cave. Shaayla-Car Kenobi feels compassion for you. She sees more of you than the man you pretend to be. She wanted that you stayed alive instead of drowning in this water flow your watching. You also listening to her mother's warning and did what she said you should do'.

"If I could reach those shuttles I could flee," Trevor objected, clinging to his old ideas.

'Sure, you can, but where will you go? You won't be able hide somewhere, Trevor, for Jedi Knights are fully aware of what you are, and so does the leaders on Coruscant. Neither of them will help you. The Civil War is over, Trevor. The Empire is gone. The Sith no longer rule and the leaders of the New Republic and the Council on Coruscant will work together to bring peace and prosperity in this galaxy and the Jedi Knights will help them.'

"Thanks for all the warnings, but I will take my chance with one of the shuttles. Goodbye, Lord Vader. You'd better don't bother me any longer. I'm going back to Ribana. I will cross those deserted farm lands and find a way to reach those shuttles. All I have to do is walk west. Somehow I will set foot on those western plains."

Trevor turned his back on the Force ghost of Anakin Skywalker who watched him walking the road back to Ribana, before his image vanished.

The visitors from Coruscant and Irithim looked down at the whirling water flow that passed through the manmade canal on the lower plateau. Kalip and Valann nodded, while Cornell and Wollin explained how they had figured out what needed to be done to succeed. Together with Jerno and Nori they also had walked up the steep hill to watch the water flow tumbling down the high wall.

"How did you find the underground riverbed, sir?" Nori asked.

"By accident, while we were flattening those rocks at the other end. I discovered a large deep hole in the rocks. I did some careful investigations and discovered that it wasn't just a deep hole. As I lowered myself inside I discovered a steep path which seems to lead under the mountain."

"How long have you and your men been working here?" Kalip wanted to know.

"Many decades, sir. The work was tedious and we only could work here in the good season. If the weather gets worse it's impossible to do anything."

"So in the cold season your new riverbed probably will freeze, as will the lake and the waterfall which feeds your river."

"It might, but the good season always returns and the water will flow again; maybe even with more power. We only hope that not only the deep basin halfway down the mountain ridge near Ribana will continue to fill itself to the rim, after which it might hopefully overflow and fill the dried riverbed west of the town. If that happens then the farmlands around Ribana will prospers and will give us good harvests will the season is good. If during the bad season the water flow won't flow or even will stop it's not bad at all. During the bad season our people have other ways to spend their days with other chores."

"We would like to visit your town as it now, master Cornell," Jerno said. "We want to see ourselves what one of our officers has done to it. I hereby offer you my personal apologies and those of the Provisional Coruscant Council for what happened. The Council on Coruscant will generously compensate the Quelans community for the damage in and around Ribana."

Cornell and Wollin looked at Jerno Thai.

"I don't know what to say, sir. It's a very generous offer. I will tell this to our governors Toallin and Mugin Fonaldris. I'm sure that they will find a way to thank you, for I understand that there has a lot to be done to rebuild our city."

"Tell your governors that we will provide you with what ever material or equipment you will need. My co-leader and I will see to it that everything will be delivered to Palomintar Four immediately. Nori, I want you to take on this task. You're familiar with the situation here by now, so I think it would be a good idea for you to stay here and act as a liaison between us and the Quelans. "

Nori Thai started to laugh.

"At least this is a less dangerous assignment than my previous mission. I hope that the Jedi will also remain here for a while so they can introduce me to the rest of the community who lives on Tyr at the moment, right."

"We gladly would introduce you to our governors, master Thai. General Solo and his wife are already figuring out how and when some of us will go back to Tyr to tell them the good news. It won't be a problem if you will join us on the general's space ship." Cornell said.

"That's settle then. Nori, I expect a full report about what's needed, after we've returned to Coruscant with Trevor Matrik." Jerno decided.

"I suggest, sirs," Wollin said, "that we return to our community tree house where our other men have prepared a meal. Chati Fonaldris has asked us to serve you our specialty; roasted nagawa gently cooked in our famous broth.

The five Jedi Knights looked at each other sitting in the control room of the Astræga. Luke had positioned the ship in such a way that they could keep an eye on the two shuttles.

"What are we going to do next, Luke," Liane asked.

"We have to await reports from Wedge's Gold Squadron, for I want know if the water flow will reach the dried riverbed."

"Grand-admiral Thai has asked me to be present at Trevor's arrest, Luke," Liane said.

"Four of us will join you and the Coruscant leaders, Shaayla-Car. Leia has arranged a private meeting with Mon Mothma, general Madine and Sorjon Tyloban in their shuttle. Han has informed me that he will return to this spot tommorrow. That means that we have to consider what to do next."

"Is Trevor still hiding in that shed?" Ian asked.

"No, he left, as far as the four men of Gold Squadron have report they have noticed movement near the coordinates. They have followed Trevor from high altitude and Gold-Two reported that Trevor wanted to go back to the cave's entrance, but halfway the foothill he didn't go on and stayed there for some time. Then he went back in the direction of Ribana. Gold-One will report when he and the other three X-wing fighters will are sure that the water flow is following in the direction of the dried riverbed." Wedge reported .

"What an inglorious end for a man with so much ambition." Yarmod remarked.

"Who's going to inform Toallin and Mugin that their home town has been liberated and that Trevor Matrik and his droids have gone. Are we sure that they want to come back immediately," Ian asked.

"Han told me that he and Leia will take some harvesters back to Tyr. Chati and I will join them, for I need to have a talk with her parents. Two harvesters will head for the western harbor, using Manall's speeder to reach Tyr with one of the hover boats. The other harvesters will close off the campsite and head for the western harbor on foot. That sounded ridiculous, but those guys really seem to enjoy a walk for days," Wedge said.

"The Granns also want to go to Tyr. Master Manall has promised them they will have unlimited access to buy the surplus of the nut tree harvest." Ian said and laughed, "Those guys have already arranged a trading deal which could be very profitable for the Quelans in the future, I think.

"It will be a good thing if they have some solid traders to buy some of the harvest surplus," Luke said, "I hope, that this deal will prevent that they will again live isolated here. There's a lot of credits needed to rebuild Ribana and the surrounding farmhouses, not to speak of the vineyard of Toallin and Mugin. Maybe the Granns might also be interested in the Palomintar wine.

"What are we going to do after the Quelans have returned to Ribana. I mean, are we going to help them to restore the town, or are we going back to Irithim?" Luke continue on another subject.

"Ian and I have already decided we want to stay, Luke. The Quelan surely can need helping hand. Leaving them on their own in a town in ruined, feels like I'm turning my back on them and so feel my friend." Yarmod said.

"What will you do, Wedge?" Luke asked and looked at his long time friend."

"I haven't decided yet, Luke. I have been considering to transfer the command of Gold Squadron to Gold-One, temporarily of course, for I sensed that Chati wants to see what she can do in Ribana. I have to discuss this matter with the general and the Supreme Chancellor."

"Han has already announced that he and Chewbacca will stay on Palomintar Four as long as help is needed," Luke said, "I assume that my sister will agree with Han's decision."

Liane looked at him with a smile.

"So we all want to stay here for a while, as we all feel the need to continue to support Toallin and Mugin and the Quelan community."

Luke laughed teasingly at her.

"I didn't expect another outcome of this discussion, my dearest, although it meant that you and I won't be able to pay the Ewoks a visit."

Liane frowned.

"That wasn't what I mean. I'm happy that we've come to unanimous decision." She answered a bit snappy.

Yarmod, Ian and Wedge started to laugh too.

"For a servant of the Good Side now, Shaayla-Car, you still haven't forgotten your past," Wedge laughed.

Liane also began to laugh.

"Yes, I have, master Antilles, I'm still a naughty pixy, I certainly haven't become more docile, because you initiated me. Oh, that reminds me, here is your brooch back. Luke handed me my own. Thank you for your understanding back on Tyr."

She handed Wedge his brooch. Wedge looked at the clasp of her coat.

"Luke has given you a very special one, I see." He said a looked at Luke, "When did you manage to create hers. Probably not while in Jedi hibernation, my friend.

Luke smiled serenely.

"This one I've made a long time ago. I hardly can't remember when," He answered while he looked at Liane, "Let's say the Force once inspired me, although it wasn't obvious when the time would come that I could hand to someone."

"Liar!" Liane said. "You made this brooch during the time you also made the Jedi pendant."

"I'm not lying, my naughty pixy. How could I be sure of what would happen in the future when I made the Jedi pendant?"

Yarmod and Ian rose.

"We're going to do a surveillance around the shuttles. We probably will stay with the shuttle crews for the rest of the night. So you all tomorrow. Are you coming too, Wedge," Yarmod asked.

"Yes, might be a good idea to stay with those guys inside the shuttle. It'll make it easier to stay in touch with my men."

The three Jedi left. Luke looked at Liane.

"Together again, naughty pixy. It's been along time ago, when there were just the two of us. All the time we were separated I have thinking a lot of you, Liane. "

"Am I still Liane for you, Luke?" Liane asked.

"Yes, although the Force had already shown me a long time how probably could have been your real father. It was, when I consulted master Yoda in the Jedi Archive, that the Force told me the truth, but master Yoda warned me that I shouldn't reveal what the Force had shown me."

"The Force showed me the relation between Ben and Ian," Liane softly said, "I promised him that I wouldn't tell Ian. Ben looked so sad when he confirmed what I had seen. On Tatooine he urged me that I would tell Ian. After I had read the content of the file Ben had left behind I understood that he was right. Only I could tell Ian that I was his sister and show him the truth. Unfortunately I feel asleep and Ian discovered the truth of his birth himself. He felt hurt that he would never meet our parents. I had to remember him of the Jedi creed that there is no death. After Wedge had initiated us both to knighthood Ian met the Force ghosts of Severini and Ben. I felt his relief and acceptance."

She leaned her head against his shoulder.

"We're Force dyad, I was once told, and I think that's the reason why so much what happened in our lives look so similar. Don't you agree, Luke."

Luke hold pulled her to him.

"That's right, little pixy. Not only have both been raised among strangers, but we also discovered that the one who had become most dear to us was our sibling. I once had to tell Leia, she was my sister and I had to tell Ian your relation with him. There have been too many coincidences in our lives, although I believe that it has been the Force who brought us together again."

For a long time they both remained silent. Finally Liane sat up and looked at Luke.

"Can we lift off with the Astræga, Luke and have fly above Ribana and its surrounding area.?"

"Sure, we can."

They went over to the cockpit and Luke started the engine of his ship. He looked at Liane who was looking through the windscreen.

"Don't fly too high, Luke. I want to see as much details of the town as possible. There are two full moons so we might see a lot."

The Astræga began the set course to Ribana and Liane noticed the deteriorated houses and the neglected farm lands.

"It must have so beautiful went it thrived. We need to make sure that their lives will become prosperous again," She mused, but suddenly she sat up right.

"Trevor is down there I clearly sense his presence." She said.

Luke nodded.

"He has been wandering around the town and now is looking for a way to cross the dried riverbed. He has been there a couple of times."

"Hasn't the water reached the riverbed, yet."

"No, that overgrown basin halfway the mountain ridge is probably deeper than we expected. Liane, I'm going to land on the other side of the dried riverbed near the spot where I have sensed Trevor. We need to stop him if he manages to cross the riverbed."

Liane pointed at a spot to the left.

"He is running to those hills over there, Luke."

Luke turned his ship and flew in the direction of the foothills and landed the Astræga behind the low hills that formed the western edge of the riverbed. Liane had already jumped to her feet and walked over to the exit. The ramp came down and they both left the ship. Immediately Luke raised the ramp.

'He standing on the other side, Luke. He is listening. Could he have heard the Astræga'

'Very likely. Let's watch what he wants to do. Follow me up these riverbank.'

Silently they climb the low hill to the top of riverbank. Luke laid flat and took his micro binoculars from his belt. With full attention he focussed on the opposite riverbank. For some moments he watch the figure who stood there.

'He's hesitating. He doesn't seem sure to find his way through the shrubbery.' Liane said.

'Chati told Wedge and me that those bushes have large thorns. He is leaving again.'

'Can I use those binoculars for a moment, Luke.'

Luke handed her the instrument and Liane focussed on the movement on the other side.

'There's a kind of building just behind the other riverbank. It's a kind of shack. Not much, just three walls and a roof.'

'Probably a kind of stable for the herds of nagawas to find shelter.'Luke added.

Liane handed the binoculars back and Luke hooked it at his belt.

'We should stay here, Liane, and keep watch. Trevor mustn't reach this side of the former river. I wonder why the water hasn't gotten here right now. Let's get back to the ship and see if some rocks are blocking the stream.'

Luke raised the Astræga and flew in the direction of the foothills. Slowly he followed the rising of the hills and neared the basin where the water was bubbling and gurgling.

"Over there, Luke. Those overgrown fallen trees. Look the water is flowing downhill already. The basin is full and overflowing, but those trees block the stream to find its way to the riverbed."

Quickly Luke sought a spot to land his ship safely. Already before the engines had stopped Liane had already lowered the ramp and rushed over to the huge piles of overgrown fallen trees. As she reach for her lightsaber Luke grabbed her hand.

'Don't use our lightsabers. He might notice the beam. We should use our combined Force skills to remove those trees. This won't be easy, Liane, but together we manage.''

He walked over with her to stand in front of the blockade and grabbed her hands.

"We're one with the Force. We did this when you want to warn Trevor. Now we have to do the same to remove those trees."

Liane placed her hands on Luke's shoulders and bowed her head to his. Their combined Force use began to whirl around them. Through the veil they focussed on the trees and slowly the huge pile began to tremor. Their union with the Force intensified and made it possible to lift the pile. Almost immediately water began to seep from under the trees. Now the tremors higher up in the pile increased and the fallen stems began to shove. Several stems suddenly plunged along the hill downward. Now the pile became more maneuverable and they could lift the blockade higher. The seeping water became a stream and then with a thunderous noise the water behind the trees pushed the trees aside. Luke and Liane quickly sought a safe spot aside, looking at the water flow that began gulping through a kind of chasm in the low hills. Luke and Liane ran back to the Astræga and lift off. Following the huge waves of churning water they followed it from above. The water wave pulled out bushes and vegetation it found on its way down to the dried riverbed where it whirled in many vortexes soaking the dry ground.

There was another one who had heard the noise the water made. He came running to the riverbed and let out a cry of frustration and despair. Through the window screen of the Astræga Luke and Liane saw who the figure fell on his knees, got up again and stumbled down the high riverbank to the shack. In the darkness of the night they couldn't follow him. Luke turned the nose of his ship to the western wild lands and flew back to the landing spot.

"In the end, water will be his undoing." Luke said as he and Liane walked back to the control room.

"You're right, my dear friend, but he has survived the flood."

"And that's what you wanted, right. You're a very compassionate Jedi Knight, Shaayla-Car Kenobi, just like I remember your father was." Luke said, while he gently kissed her.