The Legend of the Jedi Queen

61. The New Emperor

Nellith embraced Miri once inside and en route in hyperspace to the safe haven of Chandrila.

"Thank you for coming to get me," Nellith sobbed.

"I'd do anything for you," Miri confessed. "You're the one who inspired me to do what was right."

"You're our friend," Amilyn said, nodding towards Sam. "You don't deserve what they did to you."

Nellith's cheeks turned pink and she shifted her head forward so her messy blonde hair swished forward to hide her face from the view of others. "You saw the clip, didn't you."

Jaina placed a reassuring hand on Nellith's shoulder. "Most world leaders saw it, and a good portion of the New Republic citizens. Kiernan put it on the holonet."

"What?" Nellith cried.

"There's more," Kyp said. Jaina glared at him, as if to tell him to shut up.

"What?" Nellith asked, looking from Kyp to Jaina. "What happened?"

"There's a lot," Amilyn admitted. "The War has completely changed."

"How?" Nellith asked, as her heard began to hammer against her ribs.

"The Second Order withdrew completely from Corellia," Jaina said evenly. "The fighting is still going on in the Outer Rim, but they've made a statement that Corellia will be spared from now on, due to the damage done."

"That doesn't sound like Andromeda Hux or Abeloth," Nellith said, raising her eyebrows.

"That's because—" Sam began, but Jaina cut him off.

"It doesn't matter," Jaina said. "Rey and Ben disappeared. The Knights of the Ren and General Mitaka are running things on Uphatu under a strict code of orders from them. No one knows where they are or what they're doing."

"There's also Kiernan's Jedi taking over settlements from the Church of the Force and the Church of the Crescent Moon and all of the others from the Jedhan diaspora," Kyp added.

"There's something you're not telling me," Nellith accused.

All of the members of the crew exchanged a look that confirmed Nellith's suspicions.

"Tell me," Nellith ordered.

"You're going to need to sit down," Jaina said.

Nellith took Miri's seat at the gunning panel. "What's wrong?"

"About two days ago, right before the transmission sent by Kiernan's Jedi, the Second Order made an announcement," Jaina said. She crossed her arms over her chest, standing next to where Kyp was sitting. "They showed Tallis."

"Is he okay?" Nellith asked, thinking to the last time she saw him, covered in his own blood.

"He had a few bruises and his hair was whiter, but he otherwise looked fine," Kyp assured her.

"He announced he would be taking his role as the leader of the Second Order, and would begin reclaiming his position as ruler of the galaxy," Jaina said.

"We think he's going to go after the Core Worlds instead," Amilyn said.

"Oh no," Nellith said, as the final piece of the puzzle slid into face. "No, no, no! This is all my fault!"

"There's no way this could be—"

"I saw him that day," Nellith sobbed. "I saw his face, he was some sort of projection, I don't know, but he was there and he was determined to come and get me. I bet you anything he gave into the Second Order's demands so he could have the resources to find me!"

She burst into uncontrollable, ugly tears. Everyone stood around in silence, unsure of what do say or do. Then Jaina approached, kneeling before her apprentice. She placed her hands gently on Nellith's.

"Listen to me," Jaina said, her voice gentle, yet commanding. "It is not your fault. Tallis wanted to help you, but you didn't know then that this would be the result. You are not responsible for others' actions, do you hear me?"

Nellith nodded through her tears.

"And I hate to ask this of you, but we need to find Ben and Rey, at least to let them see you're alright," Jaina said. "Do you have any idea where they might be?"

Nellith blinked. There was always one place she associated with her parents and their love. She knew it as well as she did breathing, that they were there.

"Anch-To."

Jaina looked to Kyp. "Change our route. We're going to Ben and Rey."