The Legend of the Jedi Queen

45. Project Suncrusher

The next day of the conference, Nellith woke up late. She nearly missed it, and stumbled in at the last minute, her hair pulled back and unbrushed and her boots in her hands and not on her feet. She sat down next to Tallis, who smiled at her as she slipped her boots on under the table. Miri looked at her reproachfully.

Not understanding her new friend's ire, Nellith looked away. She didn't see, but felt Tallis place his hand on hers and she smiled. But then she quickly sobered as King Ambrose rose to his feet.

"I see that after a night of merriment and celebration, we are ready to begin negotiations," Ambrose said. "I would suggest we start with the First Order's rather weighty claims."

"Yes," Rey agreed as she stood up. "As the Empress and Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, I would like to voice our concerns about a need for a new, united government."

"We recognize Empress Rey Qel-Droma Solo as the First Order's representative," King Ambrose said. "Please, elaborate."

"Ever since the Trade Federation's attack on Naboo during Padmé Amidala's first reign on Naboo, the galaxy has been split," Rey began. "We have had several wars over the past three generations, and the same conflicts are spilling into the fourth. We have to do something. And I know what we need to do."

Everyone in the room seemed to be hanging onto Rey's every word. Even Andromeda Hux looked interested.

"We need a united government— we need to bring the First and Second Orders together, and then the New Republic," Rey said. "And we need a leader who can adjust the galaxy to it, a leader who can then pass the torch down to a new unified senate, to a new leader of the senate with the combined power of the chancellor and the supreme leader. We can offer one, one who will be ready in three years that is of the bloodline of two of the greatest leaders the galaxy has ever known— Princess Leia Organa and Padmé Amidala."

Nellith's heart rate picked up as dread built in her stomach.

No.

"Nellith Solo will be trained to be a leader of their caliber," Rey vowed. "And she will help re-establish the galaxy into something new."

The room exploded into whispers as Rey sat down. King Ambrose banged his scepter against the table.

"Quiet!" King Ambrose ordered. "We can do this civilly, can we not?"

Andromeda Hux rose, her eyes as red as her hair, and the room went silent and both Tallis and Nellith froze.

"This is the sort of nepotism that runs rampant in the First Order and the New Jedi Order now that the Solo dynasty is in charge!" Andromeda shouted, jabbing her finger at the First Order side. "You will not recognize true Emperor, and it is an offense to the entire galaxy that you keep him brainwashed and aligned to you and instead promote your own spawn—"

"Andromeda, if you would please," King Ambrose begged. Nellith looked into the crowd, and to her surprise saw Kiernan Solsaur nodding.

"Furthermore, I will not cooperate with the New Republic, not any longer," Andromeda continued. "New evidence has come to light that they truly have aligned themselves with the First Order's immoral code they now keep!"

Kaydel's face turned white, and with trembling hands she pushed off of the table to get to her feet. She wobbled slightly. "What are you talking about?"

Andromeda turned to look at Kaydel with an arrogant sneer reminiscent of Armitage.

"Why don't you ask your military engineer?" Andromeda asked, looking straight at Rose Tico. "Ask her what she's been building with the New Republic's money."

Kaydel and Rose looked at each other confused, before Kaydel looked back to Andromeda.

"I don't understand," Kaydel said.

"Does the name Project Suncrusher sound familiar?" Andromeda's voice sounded like a triumphant laugh.

"I've. . . Never. . . Heard. . . Of it. . . " Kaydel said slowly as she sat down. Rose looked to her with horror.

"What do you mean? You sent me the order directly with your personal code," Rose hissed.

"Your Highness, if I may use the terminal?" Andromeda pointed to the small circular table in the center of the room.

"Permission granted," Ambrose said.

Andromeda leapt over the table and approached the terminal looking as posh as her own father as she plugged in the data container. Instantly, pale turquoise schematics for a ship appeared.

Nellith couldn't believe her eyes, she ran them over the schematics again and again but all she could do was watch them with wide eyes and a jaw dropped, clutching Tallis's hand as he clutched hers, both deathly afraid.

Rose, Aunt Rose. . . She created this?

Project Suncrusher was a triangular golden-looking ship that was made of some rare metal in the Outer Rim that was indestructible. But that wasn't what made the ship terrifying— or at least, as terrifying as it could have been.

Peppered with small vents that were covered by shields that were on 24/7, it distracted from the small, but still biggest hole. The notes only confirmed what it was. It was a cannon capable of the same damage as Starkiller Base, but smaller and more mobile, and nearly invincible, having learned from the mistakes of Galen Erso at long last.

"Oh my gods," Tallis murmured.

"No," Finn said in horror, looking from the schematics to his wife. "You made this?"

"I was ordered to, to make it because it would help develop technology. . . " Rose said, shaking her head. "Kaydel told me personally to make it, and I would never question her."

"But I never gave the order," Kaydel murmured, confused.

"From my intelligence's reports, the New Republic has completed this monstrosity and could use it on the galaxy," Andromeda said. "And I refuse to listen to a government that is willing to commit war crimes and genocide to get its way."

With that, Andromeda stormed out, along with the rest of the Second Order.

"I believe the conference has been dismissed for the day," Ambrose said, shifting uncomfortably.