The Legend of the Jedi Queen

48. Violent Delights and Violent Ends

"I can do it," Sam said when Nellith explained the situation in whispers. He looked to a sleepy Amilyn. "We can work together on the deactivation process. Helps to have two hands."

"Agreed," Nellith said.

"I can protect the rest of you, since I'm not as good with the fancy stuff," Tallis said.

"And Miri and I can make sure we keep the Second Order off of us," Amilyn finished. "It sounds like we've got a plan."

"Then we should execute it," Sam said, looking to Miri. "Lead the way."

After a few corridors and stairwells, Miri revealed a secret passageway into the boiler and computer rooms hidden within the prisms. The metal and durosteel that was typical in places such as the Imperial Palace looked strange how, after three days in the Rainbow Palace, with no other place to really go.

"Come on," Miri whispered as they continued into the durosteel labyrinth beneath the palace.

They winded through the glimmering control boards until they entered a complex with gridded exits showing the meadow as the sun began to show the faintest sign of life over the meadow's horizon.

"We need to hurry," Miri said. "Once morning comes, and the conference has assembled, we're out of time, and if we're close when these things go off. . ."

"We know," Amilyn said, her voice hollow.

"How many bombs are we dealing with?" Nellith asked.

Miri bit her lip. "Two centers, one under the New Republic table, one under the First Order. There are big bombs, and several land mines guarding those, and some small bombs too, to help exaggerate the firepower."

"Good thing we've got two mechanics," Nellith said. "And a third one, if things get dicey."

Tallis looked at her, blinking in surprise.

"You built your own speeder out of junk, and tons of lightsabers— you clearly have the know-how," Nellith said. "And we need that."

"How do we start?" Sam asked.

"Let me show you to the New Republic section," Miri said. "It would be more devastating if the galaxy lost them."

Nellith nodded, swallowing back her own panic at the possibilities of the loss of her parents, aunt, and everyone she'd truly known. Miri led them to a large room, with several land mines laid out, with very little room to step. . .

"Follow me," Nellith said to Sam. "Some of these aren't activated. I can sense it."

She reached out in the Force, searching for the signature of electricity in the Force. Trusting in the Force, and in her own ability, she stepped forward, eyes closed. One step. Then two. Then three.

The Force was a map, truer than her own eyes would have told her. Seeing everything like this wasn't overwhelming like it usually was. It was in fact, soothing, and she felt alert and alive like she did when she had just awakened in the morning, and not from nightmares.

When she opened her eyes, she was standing in front of the bombs, and Sam was right behind her.

"We'd better get to work," Nellith said. "Do you recognize the type?"

"I know the schematics," Sam said, kneeling beside her and opening up the panel on one. "We want to cut the blue wires. It'll cut all the power without making it blow us up."

"Good," Nellith said, as she watched his demonstration. "We've got this."

As the sun rose over the meadow, they worked on taking out all of the bombs. They also began to hear a ticking down when the sun had risen high enough to be seen, an eerie technological chant that reminded them of how close their deaths were.