Chapter 101

"Almost everything, ma'am. I'm sure general Solo will have some spare parts as well."

The Supreme Chancellor nodded and looked at Luke Skywalker and Liane Solichor and smiled

"Of course I also bid welcome to two Jedi Knights: master Luke Skywalker and Shaayla-Car Kenobi. I've already thanked all of the Jedi Knights for their effort, but your plan together master Thai's support has brought the situation on Palomintar Four under control. On behalf of the government the New Republic I thank you for using your special skills, as they have been a great help for both for our governments and for the community of the Quelan people.

"Time has come for the leaders of the Coruscant Council to say goodbye to all of us. I can say that our joined stay here on board the Tychorion has been a good time and I feel that our allies on Coruscant also have become good friends. There has been a good understanding these last days between our two governments. That's very hopeful, for cooperation is the main solid base to live together in peace and bring prosperity to the many systems in this galaxy. For the present I have to say goodbye, but I hope to meet all of you again, as a token of my gratitude I have ordered a last breakfast on board the Tychorion before you will board your own ship which will also transport former admiral Trevor Matrik back to Coruscant. The former admiral has surrendered himself voluntarily which, will be a token of his cooperation and acceptance of the future trial about his case. Let compassion and empathy lead the members of the court martial to sentence him in the right way for his wrongdoings. Like us, he still is a human being with failures, like we all sometimes fail and make a wrong decision. Gentlemen, miss Kenobi, enjoy your meal."

Mon Mothma took her seat next to Jerno Thai. General Madine ordered some of his staff to start different drinks. Kalip Ru'undo turned to Liane who was sitting opposite him.

"Miss Kenobi," He said, "please don't take me wrong, but I need to say that in the end it still has been your influence as a Jedi Knight that our former admiral has surrendered himself."

"Thank you, general, for this compliment,"Liane answered. "Maybe the way I've managed to convince Trevor Matrik to surrender himself, will help you and any others on Coruscant to have a different opinion of me now."

"Master Antilles has handed me the original files and their transcription. We will add these to our file about our former admiral." Valann said, looking very content.

"Maybe it's an idea," Sorjon Tyloban suggest, "To take into account that in fact your admiral has been one of the many victims of Emperor Palpatine's reign, for it was the Emperor who decreed that Trevor should be isolated from his Force skills. Those transcriptions certainly cast another glance on what has happened to him and what he intended to fulfill."

"Miss Shaayla-Car, my nephew has shown us the transcription of the emperor's verdict," Jerno said, "Have you ever felt threatened to meet Trevor Matrik again. You knew him. He was a staff member on Morantan."

"Threatened? No, I can't recall such a feeling, grand-admiral. Luke's sister once revealed that Darth Golluth and Trevor Matrik were one and the same person. I couldn't believe her words. Later on I became more worried when I had had several Force visions in which I saw that Trevor could be a threat to master Skywalker, which became me main reason to go to Palomintar Four"

"You only wanted to save master Skywalker's life?" Valann asked somewhat surprised.

"I did, for little did I know what really had happened to him. I went to Palomintar Four to safe the life of my best friend. I have never felt any sympathy for Trevor Matrik."

Jerno and Mon Mothma laughed.

"What we understand from master Anilles' report it hasn't been you who released Luke from that special Force hibernation, right?" General Madine said.

"Although I knew from Luke's recorded message in the memory banks of Artoo how I could undo Force Jedi hibernation it has been Chati Fonaldris who did the job and I have to admit she was better equiped, because Luke has entrusted her with his own lightsaber."

Liane looked at Luke who was sitting next to general Madine and smiled at him.

"Master Skywalker, you made a plan to go into that special Jedi hibernation. Why?" Kalip asked.

"Shaayla-Car's Force visions about me, made it clear to me that I had to play a important part in our confrontation with your former admiral. When master Antilles told me that he had given Shaayla-Car her initiation to Jedi Knight I decided that our agent should take me inside those cave, as if I had died on board an escape pod. In my recorded message I also had asked her to transcribe the content of those two files which I assumed would hold important information about your former admiral. After I had read the transcription of them I knew I had been right. During our last confrontation with Trevor Matrik he confessed a lot of his own life and how he had been aware that during an audience with Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader he had been encircled in light. He told me he had paid attention to what has happened to him. It's my opinion that he always has assumed that he still could rely on his skills as a Force-user. After Shaayla-Car told him what had really happened to him that we made the decision to flee the cave system through the underground riverbed back to the campsite of the harvest men."

"How do you explain that Trevor has finally accepted the truth about what happened?" Kalip asked again, "for when he surrender himself I had the feeling that he knew and accepted that he hadn't been a Force-user since a long time."

"I've left him a copy of the transcription, general," Shaayla-Car answered as she had seen that Luke had nodded imperceptible at her, "Reading the real truth has broken his believe in his plans, although he has thrown the datapad with the copy against the wall of the cave. It was that broken man that hid himself in the shed where I had my last talk with him and took care that he would have some food and drink. In that shed, general, I met a broken disillusioned human being which deserved my pity, not for what he has done, but for what had become of him after he had to face his new truth."

They all kept silent for a long while after Liane's last words. When they resumed their conversation they changed the subject and talked about the return of the Quelans to their former town of Ribana. Jerno asked Nori about the comsystem he intended to assemble and gave his approval to include access to Coruscant. Kalip Ru'undo and Sorjon Tyloban exchanged information about several different points of view about the ways to held people accountable for their deeds. Mon Mothma who was sitting next to Liane asked her she could reveal who she had left the underground residence, as she wondered if those caves still were as safe as her technicians had assumed.

"There are people who know about it, Shaayla-Car." She said.

Liane agreed, but didn't say anything about the hidden Jedi Archive.

"Shaayla-Car, I think that we should talk about the future of that underground residence at a later stage. It's not really a safe place to stay in case of emergency or crisis. I want to take about it's future use with all the Jedi, for I think that you can make good use of the place. As soon as you're back on Irithim I want to discuss this matter. Tell Luke about my idea and ask him his opinion."

"I certainly will do so, ma'am, although it will take some time before all the Jedi will gather at Irithim soon."

Jerno looked around the party members and looked at Mon Mothma. She understood his glance and gave him a friendly nod.

"The time to end this pleasant party has come," Jerno said, and everyone paid attention to him.

"Like the Supreme Chancellor has remarked our two governments have become more closer in understanding each other and that's promising for the future of this galaxy. My two leaders and I have had a lot of positive conversations many of you. Many events have happened down on Palomintar Four without we were involved, but a group of very skills Jedi Knights have taken care that the problems the galaxy was facing, have been resolved. I want to thank the two Jedi Knight present here for their commitment together with the other of their order. We're also in debt to the local people of the Quelan tribe. Their long lasting work to re-direct water to Ribana, have not only served their task, but also ours. Our government will help them to restore Ribana to its former wealth and beauty. I want to be personally involved in this matter and have nominated my nephew as my liaison officer to ensure that all necessary equipment will be come available. Next I have to address to one of the Jedi Knights specially. Miss Shaayla-Car Kenobi as the leaders of the Provisional Coruscant Council we often have misjudge your intentions and your actions. We humbly admit that our visions weren't right. The Supreme Chancellor and her advisor have often spoken to us about you, But just as often, we had to overcome many wrong prejudices to realize who you really are and what you have achieved with great difficulty. Miss Shaayla-Car Kenobi the leaders on Coruscant have done you wrong, and I humbly apologize, for what has been thought and said. We hope that one day there will be an opportunity for you to visit Coruscant and meet again under different circumstances."

Jerno looked at Liane with an expectant look. Liane made a polite nod.

"I will gladly accept your invitation, grand-admiral. In my youth I have heard many stories about Coruscant and I'm eager to see the planet myself."

Jerno rose and beckoned his co-leaders to walk over to Liane and shake hand with her. Back at his seat he looked at Mon Mothma and her advisors.

"Ma'am Chancellor, thank you for your hospitality on board the Tychorion. We came as the leaders of the Coruscant Council, but we leave as friends. Gentlemen, my ladies, it's time to leave. We have to head back to Coruscant, where a lot of work is waiting for us."

Mon Mothma and all the other rose.

"Goodbye for now, gentlemen. May the Force be with you. Your prisoner has been brought on board of your ship, after he also has been served a good meal. We will accompany you to the docking bay for a last farewell."

All of them left the room and walked through the corridor to the elevators which brought them down to the docking bay. Jerno, Kalip and Valann walked over to their ship. Once they had boarded the others went over to the control room to watch the ship to leave. On the control panel they saw the ship gather speed and vanish into hyperspace.

After the Coruscant space ship had disappeared into space Mon Mothma turned to Liane.

"Well, Shaayla-Car, finally their opinion about you has been changed, although I wonder why they have changed their point of view so fast. I still feel uncomfortable when I recall the harsh words general Ru'undo said."

"It doesn't really matter anymore, ma'am." Liane said with a smile.

Mon Mothma laughed.

"You're right, Shaayla-Car, for we all now better, especially master Luke Skywalker."

"Yes," Liane nodded, "Luke always have kept his believe in me and in, what he knew, would be my destiny."

General Madine and Luke joined them.

"The Astræga is nearing the Tychorion and ready to dock. As soon as she has landed my men will load master Thai's equipment and prepare for your return flight to the planet surface." He said.

Mon Mothma and the three new friends remained in the control room watching the landing of Luke's ship. The ramp came down and Wedge Antilles accompanied by Chati Fonaldris walked over to the control room. Wedge bowed for Mon Mothma and his two Jedi friends and Chati watched him and did the same. Liane and Luke answered the formal Jedi salutation. Mon Mothma smiled and beckoned her two advisors to join the group.

"Welcome on board again, Chati Fonaldris," general Madine said.

"I'm greatly honored to visit this enormous space ship again, general," Chati said and made a civil bow, "I will forever remember the great view for the control bridge of the Tychorion, sir. It was so amazing to realize how tiny Palomintar Four is."

"Shall we all have a look again from the bridge, before you are going back to the planet's surface?" Madine asked with a broad smile, while he cast a quick glance at Mon Mothma.

"Crix, that's a great idea, for as soon as the Astræga has gone back, I want you to set course to Dalmaran, for like the leaders on Coruscant there's also a lot of work to do in Irithim. We all have been away far to long."

All of them followed general Madine to the control bridge of the ship. Madine ordered the officer on duty to turn the ship so that through the windshield Palomintar Four could be clearly seen. Chati walked over as close at possible to the broad windows and look in awe at the tiny globe that drifted in the void of space. Madine joined her and pointed at the different other much smaller globes. Chati pointed at the bright spot in the middle.

"What's that bright shining light, general?" She asked.

"That's Palomintar, the white sun, that keeps her twelve planets close in a circle around her. The Palomintar System is one of the millions of systems in this galaxy, young lady."

"That's the sun I see every day?" Chati asked surprised.

Madine nodded with a smile.

"And on the other planets, general, do they also see that sun?"

"Most certainly, Chati, but not all those planets are inhabited." Wedge said who was now standing next to her.

"I heard my father and my uncle talking about Palomintar Six. They must have seen Palomintar there too, I guess." She said.

"They certainly have, Chati, and they probably have enjoyed the warmth of her."

"Oh, yeah, in Ribana it was something very hot and then we played among the vines around the vineyard building. It was much cooler there, but uncle Mugin often warned us to take care not to damage the vines while the grapes were growing."

She looked up at Wedge and he sensed her sad feelings.

"Those vines will bear the wine grapes again, Chati," He said.

Chati nodded, but still looked a bit sad.

"But by that time I will be too old to play games among those vines, master?" She said silently, "So many years have gone uneventful on Tyr, while I longed to be back in Ribana without the threat of that vicious man."

But than her eyes lit up.

"But since you came, master, and Ben and Shaayla-Car and her brother and his friends and the general with Chewbacca and those six brothers, everything changed and things have become so much better. And now that terrible man is gone. I have seen how some guards brought him to the shuttle of the honorable leaders and after he disappeared inside I knew that Ribana was free again."

All of them burst into a laughter.

"Chati, you once have told me why your father gave you that name. Wasn't that because in some ancient language of your people your name means fearless or reckless."

"Yeah, Ben, in fact my name is Chatinaro, but that was too long to call me, so he called me Chati."

Sorjon Tyloban couldn't keep his normal dignity.

"Well, your name comes from a good source, for when I listen to you, I almost was tempted to think that your name came from 'chatter', which in Standard Basic, means talking a lot."

Chati laughed even louder.

"Oh, master Tyloban, that's another great explanation for my name, because I often have been reprimanded that I talk too much. That is because I want to learn so much. I always have so many questions."

Luke and Wedge could no longer keep a straight face.

"Well, Chati, you have found yourself exact the right teacher to answer all your question." Luke said.

Chati cast him a bright look.

"I know, Ben, that's why I'm so happy, because I still can't understand that master Antilles really wanted me as his new padawan."

One of Madine's officers arrived at the bridge.

"The Astræga is ready, sir," he said saluting.

"Thank you, officer," Madine said answering the formal greeting, "Come on, back to the docking bay to board the ship."

They left the bridge and went to through the maze of the ship's corridors, back to docking bay. Before the company boarded the Jedi formally said greeted Mon Motha, general Madine and Sorjon Tyloban, after which Nori Thai shook hands with the leaders from Irithim. Wedge and Luke walked up the ramp. Liane, Chati and Nori Thai followed. Wedge closed the ramp while Luke had gone over to the cockpit and started the engines. The three passengers fixed their safety straps. The Astræga hovered above the floor and slowly maneuvered through the docking bay opening. Once outside the ship's nose turned to the planet below, her velocity increased and she vanished out of sight, back on her way to the planet surface where still a lot of work needed to be done.

As they got closer to the planet Liane unbuckled her safety strap and went over to the cockpit. Chati immediately followed her, and as the two women didn't return he also rose.

"What are you going to do, Shaayla-Car?" He asked.

Liane was watching how the Astræga neared Palomintar Four, before she turned to her new friend.

"I just love to watch the view when I'm nearing a planet. It's an old habit, Nori. While I traveled the galaxy with the Grann brother I always have been watching these kind of views. It always amazed me to see a planet from afar and the more closer the ship came the more details came into view."

Wedge looked over his shoulder and saw how Chati was looking with big, bright eyes through the windscreen. He unbuckled himself and beckoning Chati to sit in the co-pilot seat. Hesitant she sat down, still looking in wonder at the expanding image of Palomintar Four's surface. With a smile she looked up at Wedge.

"It's so amazing, master, that this is the only world I know."

She turned around in the co-pilot's seat and looked at Liane.

"I just heard you say that also love these kinds of views when nearing a planet. Have you been on many of them."

"Lot of them, Chati. I can recall all of them, but I've always watched these views in awe."

"And you, master Thai, have you also seen a lot of planets from above." Chati asked.

"I have, young lady. My work always have brought me to many unknown places. Not of all them were pleasant, but of most of them I have good memories."

"I don't think that you have good memories of my planet, master Thai." She remarked, "Given the manner in which you were injured."

"I have good memories of your planet, young lady, for the way that injury had been cared for, so that I wouldn't have to fear the worse." Nori answered.

"That was master Ian's doing, sir, and later on also Shaayla-Car's."

"But it was you who tended and stemmed the bleeding of the injury with those leaves, didn't you."

"That's ancient knowledge, sir. I have only applied what my mother taught me. It's nothing at all, but I'm glad you survived that nasty wound."

All the time Luke had only listened to the conversation.

"Chati, tell me, how did you know the plant with those leaves were growing in that deep valley?"

Startled Chati looked aside.

"I didn't, Ben. I said to master Antilles that I would have look in the undergrowth, but I couldn't find it at first. I felt desperate and then I remembered that maybe the Force could tell me where it grew."

"And she guided you to the spot?" Luke asked.

"Yes, Ben, and I felt very relieved. There was a huge bunch of those plants. I gathered as much as I could carry and later I send Threepio and Artoo with one of the cabinet drawers to collect them."

Luke looked at Wedge Antilles.

"You have found yourself an amazing new padawan learner, my friend. Probably all of us will gain a lot of new knowledge from her." Luke said, and looked at Liane. "My dear comrade, tell us, where you familiar with the us of those leaves."

"I have seen the remnants Chati had put on the injury. I remember that Logray used a similar plant to stem bleeding, but it certainly isn't same and Eremian once told me that there are many plants to cure vicious injuries. Chati, it's remarkable that the Force has let you to the right spot. Luke is right, we all can learn a lot from you."

"When we're back on Tyr I can show the plant, Shaayla-Car, for they grow in abundance on Tyr and there are a lot more plants my mother has taught to use for different purposes."

During their chat Chati had still been watching the expanding view of Palomintar Four. Suddenly she pointed at the surface.

"Look, there's our landing spot. I see the general's space ship and another one."

"That's the Grannd Traveler. The space ship that's been my home for more than a year," Liane said.

Luke looked aside at Chati.

"Help me to put the Astræga down, Chati. See those three switches above your head. Put them in the opposite position."

Immediately Chati concentrated on what Luke asked her to do. After she had adjusted the switches she looked at him.

"Now pull the level to your left. Yes, that right. Put those switches back in their original position and slide the bar in front of you to the middle."

Chati followed Luke's instruction very meticulously and waited for further instructions. A soft grinding sound was heard. Startled Chati looked at Luke.

"You've just activated the landing pylons of the Astræga. Thank you, Chati. Hold on all of you. I'll put her down."

With a gentle springy thud the Astræga landed next to the two Corellian freighters. Luke stopped the engines and rose.

"You're back home, Chati. Let's see the others and coordinate our flights to Tyr to tell your people that they are free to return to Ribana."

Luke turned to Nori Thai.

"Nori, I suggest that when we're going to Tyr, you should join us, for I don't know how fast we will return to Myr. You can't stay on Myr without a proper accommodation."

"I could try the cave system, Luke," Nori said with a grin.

"Too wet, I assume," Luke answered and grinned too.

"I gladly will join you all, Luke and meet the Quelan community on the other continent."

"Ian, can you fly the Grannd Traveler again, when we're going to the other continent?" Yarnick asked.

"Of course, Yarnick. Probably Yarmod can also join your brothers and me. He's an even better pilot than I am." Ian said.

"I've seen your skills when we had to pass through those cloud layers," Yarnick comment, "but your friend can be your co-pilot if he wants. Brion and I will watch Tyr from the passengers' seats for a change."

"What about master Manall and his grandson?"

"They're also traveling with the Grannd Traveler. Master Cornell insisted that his father and his youngest son would join us."

"I heard you say that Cornell and his men are reaching the western harbor on foot."

"They estimated it would take them about seven or eight standard days. Master Cornell promised to contact me when they have reached their destination. He was looking forward to enjoy the walk through the woods without any heavy equipment. Four of his men already went ahead with the two small speeders to prepare the two hoverboats."

"We have to checked with Han and Luke to coordinate the departure of their ship, don't you think."

"Sure, Luke will surely travel with your sister and master Thai, I assume. They have become close friends after he has recovered from his injury. I've heard that Wedge and Chati will join the crew of Han's ship together with the two droids."

Ian grinned.

"Maybe Han will ask Luke to take care of the droids. Will Leia fly the Millennium Falcon to Tyr?"

"I guess, she will. Perhaps Han doesn't like that, but he trusts her Force skills as a Jedi, Yarnick."

"There are enough Jedi Knights to land all three ships safely on Tyr. Even Wedge could fly the Falcon if Han would allow him." Yarnick said.

"What ever the others decide, Yarnick. I will join you and your brothers. I even think that master Manall will find it reassuring that I'm on board of the Grannd Traveler."

"Let's join the others. They are already on board the Falcon, I assume." Yarnick said.

They left the Grannd Traveler and walked up the ramp of the Millennium Falcon. Already they heard the voices of Lorann and Chati who were loudly chatting about their different experiences. Chewbacca grunted amiably while listening to them. The others just were listening or just silent. Finally Manall intervened.

"That's enough talking we've heard, Lorann. No, Chati, I want you also to be silent." The old harvest man said while slapping his hand on the worktop in the middle of the control room. Lorann wanted to say more, but Chati shook her head and silenced. Leia laughed.

"You still have the authority, master Manall," She said.

"Those young Quelan have to obey to what we elders say, Jedi Leia. I guess, that it hasn't been different where you grew up, right." The old harvest man answered.

"My parents were devoted to me, master Manall, but, yes, I had to obey them." Leia said.

Manall looked at the two Quelans.

"You see, even princess Organa had to obey her parents when she was a young girl. Master Skywalker, what about you?"

Luke burst out in a loud laughter.

"My uncle was not happy with a retort, Master Manall, but my Jedi Master Yoda was even more demanding."

Manall nodded approvingly, while looking with a stern face to Lorann and Chati, who had resumed their chats on a whispering tone.

Han looked around.

"Let's discuss our further plans. Yarnick has told me, that Cornell would contact him if he and men have reached the hoverboats. Master Manall, how much time does the harvest men need to cross the ocean between Myr and Tyr."

"Some fourteen standard hours, master Solo, but do you want to wait until they will have reached Tyr."

Han and Luke nodded.

"Master Manall, I think, it's their prerogative to be the first to inform your governors that the Quelan community can return to Ribana. It has been their work which has brought back the water near Ribana which also had been the end of the illegal occupation of the cave system." Luke said.

Manall nodded.

"But without your help the harvest men wouldn't have succeeded, master Skywalker."

"The Jedi Knights have done what was needed to undo the injustice that had been done, master Manall. It's has been the determination of your people who made the project successful."

"Thank you, master Skywalker, but that means that we have to stay here for, I guess, seven or more days."

"There's enough to be done, master Manall. My friend just told, that he needed to go to the vineyard to pick up the speeder of the Astræga. Han, Nori and Chewbacca have already been discussing how to set up the newly build communication center. There some work to be done at the exit of the caves, as the water has also washed away the furniture the admiral has been using. There enough to be done to keep us from becoming a lazy bunch." Luke said with a grin.

"I will check the rations of nuts that my men have stacked in the ship of the six brothers," Manall said, "I don't want my friends to become hungry. There also must be some dried nagawa meat for the Wookiee."

Chewbacca looked up and grunted with pleasure.

"There also are extra food rations in the Falcon and the Astræga, and probably also in the Grannd Traveler," Luke answered, "We'll manage."

"Chati and I can look for roots and berries in the wildlands, grandpa." Lorann said.

Liane nodded.

"I have found edible roots when we were crossing those wildlands. Lorann, I will join you and Chati and help you."

"See, master Manall, we all will find necessary chores to be done in the spare time." Han said.

Manall looked at the gathered company with a pleased look in his eyes.

"You're all fine people to work with. If Lorann can find enough roots I will make the stew with nagawa meat for all of us." He announced.

"Master Manall, please, make sure you'll make enough of it,"Chati said elated, "for my master loved the stew."

She looked at Wedge Antilles.

"Well, Chati, so I don't have to wait until you know how to make it." He said.

"I can make it, master, but my mother's recipe is better than mine. Probably the stew master Manall wants to make will be the best, for the recipe stems from the harvest men."

"You may help me, Chati Fonaldris," Manall said, "I will teach you how make a perfect stew for you Jedi master."

"Excellent idea, master Manall," Wedge commented.

The days went along slowly and with the carrying out the remaining chores around Ribana and the cave exit. The company members who were awaiting Cornell's confirmation that the harvest men had arrived at the western harbors. Lorann, Chati and Liane had gathered quite an amount of roots and berries and Manall had found several boxes of dried nagawa meat among the cargo the harvest men had store in the holds of the Grannd Traveler. The Grann brothers drove with their speeder to the low foothills and gathered wood to build a fire. Manall only needed a cooking pot and some large spoons to stir the famous Quelan broth. He searched the cargo hold of the Grannd Traveler more than once, for he was convinced that the necessary tools must have been loaded in the space ship. It was Lorann who found the box with the cooking wares which he pulled out a far corner in the main cargo hold. Once again Conor helped him to lift the heavy box and bring the content to his grandfather who complimented his grandson for his determination. Manall gathered the two Quelans and Liane around him and showed them how to chop the roots and prepare the dried nagawa meat. It was just a matter of lightning a fire and put the cooking pot with the ingredients to boil and simmer until all became soft and tasty. The smell of the simmering broth filled the air around the space ships and made the remaining three Quelans and the humans in the company feeling hungry, but Manall took it upon himself to be the only one to taste the broth, before he would allow anyone to snap a scoop of it secretly.

Meanwhile Luke and Wedge had gone to Ribana where Luke landed on the main plaza. The two friends crossed the eastern low hills on foot. When they reached the vineyard building Wedge went over to the spot where he had hidden the Astræga's speeder. Before they went back to Ribana they quickly inspected the building, but didn't find anything that would concern them. Wedge cut a small branch of a lower vine and grinned when Luke looked questionable at him.

"Nothing special, Luke. I just want to please Chati. She has seen these entangled vines and it made her feel sad. I don't know anything about growing grapes to make wine, but she does, for she grew up here."

Luke looked at the vine in Wedge's hand and pointed to a small bunch of green grapes growing in an axil of the leaves."

"You picked a good one, Wedge. Look there are still grapes growing on these vines. During all these years these vines still have produced the grapes even if nobody with tending them. There a good chance that Toallin and Mugin will be able to produce the famous Palomintar wine again. When they visited the building the first time they were very happy to find all their necessary equipment still in tact. Of course, there's a lot of work to be done, but, like the harvest men, all the Quelans are a tough community. Their determination to set up a living on Tyr has amazed me. Yes, I have sensed they weren't really content, but they had accepted their new way of life. I'm sure that once they have come back to Ribana that the old town will be thriving like before."

"There's a lot to be done. I honestly wouldn't know where to start, Luke," Wedge remarked, "but I have to admit that I've live a privileged life on Corellia. My parents once belonged to the ruling class, before the Empire took control. They never have accepted the imperial occupation of the planet and that's why they accepted that I joined the Rebellion, although I was their only son," Wedge sighed, "I have survived the Civil War, they haven't and many other among them. After the war I laid a claim on their property which had been granted. I haven't been there for years."

"You intend to go there to give Chati her first training using the Force, won't you?"

"Yes, for I assume that the hussle and bussle of Irithim will give her too much excitement. She is used to the calm and quiet live here in Ribana and too eager to absorb all that is new to her. Her curiosity could obstruct the concentration and commitment she needs to learn to rely on the Force. The property of my parents is situated in a quiet part of the Corellian mountains. It's been their home during the warm season, as the capital became too hot to live comfortably. I hope I took the right decision to ask general Madine and Lady Mon Mothma to grant me a leave from my task as Gold-leader."

"Don't worry too much, Wedge. I'm sure you will do fine and so will Chati." Luke said optimistically, "You have gone through this before with Yarmod. He has become a fine Jedi Knight. I'm really glad you made the decision to initiated to three runaways, to knighthood. It has made them more aware of their task as Jedi Knights and their commitment to the Force. They have matured fast here during the troubles with Trevor Matrik, but in a great way."

Wedge looked calm and with a smile at his friend.

"Thanks, Luke, for these encouraging talk. What are your plans for the future?"

"I've just got a tremendous proposal from the Supreme Chancellor. Better say, Shaayla-Car, got the proposal. Mon Mothma wants to abandon her underground residency and has offered it to the Jedi Knights. After those three runaways as you called them left the residency through the hidden backyard, I think, that Mon Mothma has realized that her residency is much bigger than she has ever assumed. She has asked anything about it and Shaayla-Car and I need to talk to her about her idea. Staying in the underground residence area would enable a Jedi easy access the Jedi Archive. It is a tempting idea."

"Would be great, Luke. You're right the residency would be a very nice accommodation for some us who want to retreat for some time and study the ancient Jedi lore. Maybe I even will consider my own plan and stay with Chati there for a while."

"Hey, those plans are just in a very premature state. A lot of talking is needed, not only with Mon Mothma and her advisors, but also with the Dalmaranian government, for if the Jedi want to make use of the underground residence we need their permission too." Luke said with a big grin. "So stick to your original plan and head for Corellia with Chati. Maybe we can arrange something that Shaayla-Car and I will visit the two of you there."

"Would be great, Luke, to have you and Shaayla-Car as my guests."

Luke looked at the vine Wedge held in his hand.

"We'd better get back to the group, Wedge if you want to give this wine vine to Chati, before those leaves will wilt."

Luke jumped at the wheel, while Wedge took the passenger's seat. They crossed the hill much easier and reached the plaza in Ribana. Luke put the speeder in the cargo hold, while Wedge went over to the cockpit and started the engine. They lift off and flew to the western plains, where they landed next to the two Corellian freighters. Immediately when Luke and Wedge left the Astræga Chati came running over.

"Master, Ben, you're just in time. Master Manall just said that the broth is almost ready. It's smell is delicious. You've been away much longer than I thought. Did you meet with trouble." She said elated.

Wedge handed her the wine vine and for a moment Chati looked at it in silence.

"Look, master, there are the first fruits of the grapes already. They are still green and small, but if these vines still bear fruits, it means that my father and my uncle will produce our famous wine again one day. Thank you, master, for giving me this."

She held the small vine with the tiny bunch of grapes caring in her hands, before she looked up at Wedge again. He sensed her emotions and gentle put his hand on her shoulder.

"You will see the vineyard flourish again, Chati, maybe even sooner than you expect."

Chati caressed the vine in her hand and nodded.

"I'm sure I will, master, and when the first harvest is bottled again I will pour you and the others a glass of our famous wine. Our stock is gone, but we will have new stock, maybe of even better quality."

"Cheers to that, Chati, together with you, me, Luke and all the others." Wedge said and pulled her with him to the other who had already gathered around the cooking pot with broth. Chati looked up at him.

"Maybe, my parents will allow me to also taste the wine."

Wedge laughed.

"They didn't allow you to taste their own product?"

Chati shook her head.

"No, my father always said that the wine wasn't meant for young Quelan children," Chati answered, but suddenly she began to laugh too. "But I'm no longer one of the younger Quelans. I'm an adult Quelan woman after all these years."

"You are, but that doesn't mean that you should taste too much of the wine. A Jedi must be very mindful and moderate of what he eats and drinks." Wedge said, winking at Luke who sat beside him.

"Oh, master, I don't want to get drunk. I will only sip a little bit, like I did when they were bottling the wine. Tiny drops, not much."

Chati saw how the company were filling the bowls. Wedge also intended to rise but Chati put her hand on the sleeve of his cassock.

"I'll get you a serving, master, and I will also bring one for Ben." She said and got over to the cooking pot where she scooped three bowls with broth. Carefully she handed Wedge and Luke one and went back to get her own. She sat herself next to Wedge Antilles and start to eat, but from the corner of her eye she noticed how slowly Wedge and Luke were eating. She looked around the group and saw that all the Jedi Knights were paying much attention to their meal. She took another spoon of broth and tried to eat as slowly as she had seen the others how the others enjoyed their meal. Wedge looked at her and winked at Luke.

'Nothing seems to escape her attention, Wedge. That's a good start.' Luke said using Jedi telepathy.

Wedge nodded and saw Chati looking at him.

"It's delicious, don't you think, Chati," He said.

Chati nodded, but she didn't comment and paid serious attention to her bowl.

Nori Thai stood in the control room of the Millennium Falcon and looked at the different components which lay spread out on the seat of the bench in a special order. He nodded in agreement.

"Excellent stuff. This will become a state of the art comsystem once I have assembled it. All I need is getting permission from the Quelan community to use one of their houses to set up the system." He thought while he took up the different component and started assembling them.

Han Solo came in.

"Looks good to me, Nori. Here are the missing parts. I found them in abandoned corner of my secret cargo holds. You needed these one, you said, right?"

Han displayed various small components on the game table. Nori looked at them and inspected some of them.

"Good stuff, Han. What where you supposed to do with these?"

"I don't know, Nori. Just as I said, I found in a far corner of my secret cargo holds. Probably they has been part of some goods I once used to smuggle." Han said with a broad grin.

"I guess, your life is more boring, isn't it, being married to one of the Supreme Chancellor's special adviser and getting your rank back as a general in the New Republic's Space Fleet." Nori commented.

They looked at each other and both started to laugh.

"You did some research, didn't you, professor Thai?" Han commented.

"Your status doesn't require much research, general Solo. Your marriage to senator Organa was on the holonet several months ago." Nori said.

"On the holo net. We've been married in secret on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. Only Mon Mothma, Chewie and some other Jedi and Liane has witnessed our marriage. Who has leaked the info about our marriage?"

"As far as I know, no one has, but the many travels of Leia and you during your honeymoon travels have drawn attention of some holo net reporters. Does 'Tambrin' spike a memory, Han. You and Leia have been guests in one of the more expensive hotels in the capital." Nori said grinning. "You have also visited a casino island in the archipelago of Tambrin, right?"

"Lando Calrissian," Han said, "Yes, Nori, we told him we were married."

"Well, Han Solo, then you know who probably has passed the information of your marriage to holo net reporters. Although the galaxy is enormous, there are always ways to find information about certain people. For instance, I know that you have met Shaayla-Car at an earlier stage at the canteen in Mos Eisly. She was traveling with the Grann brothers under the name of Eilidh Grann, the boys younger sister, while she was suffering from amnesia, caused by the mind drug the commandant of the Wegoyy prison had given her."

Han sat on an edge of the couch and looked at Nori Thai.

"Why have you been interested in me, Leia, Luke and Liane, Nori?" Ha asked.

"It's my job as intelligence officer to provide as many information to my superiors as I can find. Shaayla-Car, or Liane Solichor as was her name after the New Republic invaded Morantan, was seen as a threat to the fragile peace treaty between the New Republic and my superiors, the leaders of the Provisional Coruscant Council. It was my duty to gather as much information I could find about the whereabouts of her, especially after it became obvious that a former imperial admiral wanted to kidnap her and brought to Palomintar Four. I had to prevent that she would meet him."

"Have you got doubts about that order?" Han asked and silenced Chewbacca who also had started to listen.

"No, I greatly cherish the value of the peace treaty, but after I was send to Basilisæa as Doran Whain my mandate had been extended. Not only had I to prevent that she would come to Palomintar Four, I also have to find ways to end Trevor Matrik's illegal occupation of the planet. It is due to my several encounters with Luke, that I have changed my mind about Liane Solichor. He convinced me to look at my mission otherwise."

"But your superiors didn't, given the behavior of one of the leaders of the Council."

"I was accused of exceeding my authority."

"You were, as you have been supporting both Luke's plan and Liane's."

"I was given card blanche, so I could interpret my mission as I saw fit, and I'm very strict on that matter. They send me on this mission, but I had to do the dirty and dangerous work. They know I'm the expert, but that doesn't mean I have to rely on the points of view of men who never had actually met Liane Solichor, or Shaayla-Car Kenobi. When she told me her real name and realized she was a Jedi Knight as her father has d been before, I understood that my superiors had relied on wrong information and that's part of a lack of research and investigations of the intelligence of Coruscant and partly of my fault. Had I done more in depth research about Liane Solichor I'm sure I would have discovered her parentage with general Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi healer Severini Solichor."

"Even Shaayla-Car herself didn't know about the relationship between those two Jedi, who became her parents and those of her brother Tama-Hin."

"That's right, but I might have discovered that the two of them had fled Coruscant in secret and went into exile on Morantan. I might have discovered that they had a son. I might have discovered that Darth Vader fought with her mother and found her one year old daughter. It certainly would have taken months, maybe years of research, but one way or the other I would have gathered that information."

Chewbacca grunted a long sentence to Han.

"Chewie says, that during the Civil War things weren't easy to discover and not all events were recorded. So, it's obvious that even an in depth research as you suggest would have revealed the necessary information. Nori, you said it yourself, the galaxy is enormous. Intel-service might be able to track information, but there are many systems which doesn't want their obscure activities being discovered and shared among others. I've been a smuggler most part of my life and always have been hiding my contacts and resources, and so have done many of them. Shaayla-Car and Tama-Hin have told Luke, Leia, Chewie and me how they have found they were siblings. Also Luke and Leia never knew that Darth Vader was their father until Luke met with that Dark Lord who told him that truth. Nevertheless, you have convinced the leaders on Coruscant that Shaayla-Car isn't a threat to peace treaty, in the contrary, she and the other Jedi Knight will always defend the treaty."

Nori started to laugh.

"I showed them the transcription of the emperor's verdict of Trevor and I accused them of being uncompromising, not able to accept a different opinion or change their beliefs. The grand-admiral might be my uncle, but that doesn't mean that I have to accept his sometimes stubborn point of view. The same counts for the other leaders."

Han grinned.

"And you and Luke discussed how it would be possible to make sure that that renegade admiral would get a fair trial. I don't how you did it, using the comsystem of the Falcon, but it worked you and Luke intended."

"I did nothing to the comsystem of the Falcon, Han. I only contact a good friend on Quoith. Explained what I wanted and he did the rest. Nobody will ever know who send the message about the arrest of Trevor to the joined members of the Council on Coruscant, at least not until there has been a fair trial for Trevor Matrik."