The Legend of the Jedi Queen

69. The Last Hope

As soon as Nellith's fingers brushed against the material, she knew this was the dress she would wear. The pattern was designed after one of Queen Amidala's infamous lost dresses. She pulled it off of the hanger and tried it on.

Never had she been so nervous about her choice in dress.

The only reason she hadn't picked the red Hapan dress was because she needed someone else to help her with all the straps and zippers. Otherwise she would've worn the dress she had on the night she learned Tallis loved her. She could only hope at least her braids and keeping her promise could bring him back to the light.

She pulled at the edges to make sure the poufy skirt and sleeves hung right, and took one last look in the full length mirror. She was no Padmé, but she was beautiful in her own right. With this dress, she could at least look more confident than she felt. Beneath her dress were much more practical ankle boots that were well-worn from various adventures.

She squared her shoulders back. She could do this. At least for the sake of the galaxy. She pulled back her sleeve to reveal where she had attached her commlink on a bracelet.

"Mitaka, you said that the Millennium Falcon was put back in commission?" Nellith asked.

"It is," Mitaka replied.

"Good," Nellith said. "I'll be down to retrieve it in five."

"Copy that," Mitaka said. He hesitated a moment. "What will I tell your parents?"

"Tell them what's going on after I've leapt into hyperspace— there's nothing they can do then," Nellith assured him.

"Before then?" Mitaka asked.

"Tell them I'm on an errand for Jaina," Nellith said as she left her apartment.

"And what do I tell Jaina?" Mitaka asked.

"Tell Jaina that my parents sent me on an errand— but I'll going into hyperspace in like, ten standard minutes top, so I wouldn't worry about that," Nellith said as she continued down the hallway. "I'll be down soon."

She dropped her sleeve and picked up the hem of her skirt so she could fly down the stairs, and into the hangar. Passing by several Imperial officers, heart racing, Nellith could sense that they had not suspected a thing. She could also feel the fear, the fear that came with the possibility of dying a fiery, cataclysmic death.

Get to Tallis, and the war will be over, she reminded herself. He promised.

Even though he was the Emperor of the Second Order now, she couldn't help but still believe him. The fact that he ascended the throne for her, to try to save her from the rogue Jedi, that hadn't gone unnoticed. She knew she would do whatever she could to save him from himself and Andromeda Hux.

And right now, that meant sending herself to him and trusting that he was still the boy she met on Corellia so long ago.

She entered the hangar and felt the eyes of those questioning her fancy dress and pretty hair, but ultimately the TIE pilots and mechanics ignored it. Their princess could be strange every once in a while, but she was a good flier and an even better Jedi.

Seeing their faces was the realization all over again that she would be ruling over them. She could not let them down. Nellith may have accepted that burden during the Jedi Civil War, but that was with the Jedi.

These people were guided by the Force in much more subtle and admirable ways. They followed their consciences, and didn't let stupid preconceived notions about the balance of the world make their decisions.

They lived for today, not for tomorrow. And Nellith loved that about her future subjects.

She strode down the aisle to the ship she had missed so much. Ever since its crash-landing on Uphatu, the Millennium Falcon had been subject to severe repairs, cleans, and updates to make it safer and legal. As soon as Nellith approached it, the loading ramp opened, and a female First Order mechanic stepped out, followed by a small crew.

"Your co-pilot already made it, Your Highness," the mechanic said. She gave Nellith a small smile and clapped her on the shoulder. "You're a brave girl, being willing to end the war like this. May the Force be with you."

Nellith graciously nodded. "And also with you."

The mechanics left, and Nellith briefly wondered who her co-pilot was. She had honestly forgotten that the Falcon needed two pilots. Someone, most likely Mitaka, was looking out for her.

When she entered the cockpit, she saw Chewbacca in the co-pilot's seat.

"Chewie!" Nellith cried as she hugged the Wookiee. "I haven't seen you so much, lately!"

"I've had many missions," Chewbacca said. "Mitaka called me in, said he didn't want you going alone."

"So you're fine with the plan?" Nellith asked incredulously as she swiped at fur that had gotten caught on her dress.

"Your mother once decided that she would mail herself to your father to convince him to turn on the Supreme Leader," Chewbacca said. "I've seen worse plans."

"Thanks," Nellith said as she went back to close the loading ramp. She returned to the cockpit and buckled herself in. "We've got to get to Jakku— we're landing outside Palpatine's old observatory."

"What's there?" Chewbacca asked.

"I don't know," Nellith admitted. "But Tallis wants me to meet him there."

"We don't want to keep him waiting, then," Chewbacca said.

"You're right," Nellith said. She tapped the radio. "Mission control, this is Angel Blue, requesting permission to take off."

A technician's voice came over. "Angel Blue cleared for takeoff."

Nellith took a deep breath. Then, they launched themselves into space, and then into hyperspace.