As soon as she had done it, Allana regretted it. She looked to her twin, distraught, before diving to the ground to try and pick up the shards.
"What have I done?" Allana whispered.
Then, for just a moment, Echo Base was silent. The computers stopped chirping. The wind quit howling. And the shards of the holocron in her hands reformed in a burst of red light.
Then the vision of her mother appeared.
"Connect the pieces, and you'll have your answer."
The holo disappeared— it was cryptic and concise. While Rey wasn't always like that, she certainly had her moments.
"We need to take this back to the Falcon, then," Nellith said, placing a hand on Allana's shoulder. "I bet the pieces connect, and they'll tell us where Mum is."
"I hope they will." Allana pocketed the holocron, taking far more care after her episode of anger. She had almost lost her mother entirely because of her impatience.
But still, a part of her wondered how much longer she would have to wait as she picked herself up off the floor. She sighed and followed her sister out of Echo Base.
She could only hope the end of the chase would come somewhere.
Everyone, including Valin, sat and stood around the dejarik table. Jysella darted into the room, arms filled with the other holocrons.
"Jakku, Endor, Korriban, and now Hoth," Jysella said. "This is everything Master Skywalker gave us."
"This is everything we need," Allana said, even though she wasn't entirely convinced, herself. "I guess we just. . . Meld them together?"
Kyp nodded. "One of us for each holocron."
He then placed his hand over the one they took from Korriban. "I'll help open this."
"I've got the one from Jakku," Jacen added.
"I'll take Endor."
"I guess that leaves me with Hoth," Allana said.
They then closed their eyes, reaching out with open hands and feelings. Their focus went to opening the holocrons— up in general, and towards the others.
To reconnect, to become one.
Just like the Force.
Allana opened her eyes to see the holocrons bonding together. Red and blue light stretched out in forked lightning, embracing the golden pieces and forcing it all together.
In the center, hovering about a foot above the table, was a holocron in a shape that Allana had not seen used for a holocron before.
It was a large polygon that glowed violet as it locked together and set itself back down onto the dejarik table.
All eyes were on her now.
With an elegant flick of her wrist, she opened the holocron.
The purple transparent holo of her mother appeared.
"Mum— where are you?"
"The time has finally come, my daughter," Rey said, her face stoic— ominous, even. "It is time for the Jedi Queen to take her throne and end her sister's betrayal of the Force."
Valin frowned, but Allana decided to ignore it.
"We can't stop Darth Keera without you, Mum," Nellith insisted. "Where can we find you?"
Rey smiled— but it was a different one than the sunny joy their mother usually wore on her face. It was more coy, more reminiscent of her Palpatine lineage.
She then held up a map that enlarged, a beautiful blue-green that complimented the reddish violet glow Rey was cast in.
"These are the coordinates, a system in the farthest explored edge of the galaxy, in the Outer Rim," Rey explained.
Tash was quick to scribble them down.
"Find me, and we'll make quick work of your sister."
With that, the holocron closed.
Valin shook his head. "That's not Rey."
Allana felt like her stomach had fallen into a bottomless pit.
"We've gotta move fast," Kyp said. "This is how it starts— he'll believe we're all imposters—"
"This isn't a delusion— can't you see it?" Valin cried as Kyp wrenched his arms behind his back. "Allana, Master Skywalker doesn't speak like that, her expression—"
Allana had noticed those things. But was it a coincidence that Valin, most likely entering whatever dark state he went into, noticed them too? Or was it a warning to look closer—
"Allana, you have to believe me," Valin panted. "It's a trap, something's got Master Skywalker, and it's after us now—"
Allana froze, and then shook her head. "Put him in the smuggling compartment. There's ventilation there, but he won't be able to get out until we drop him somewhere safe."
"You have to believe me, please, Allana, please!"
Allana forced herself to turn around, moving gracefully as the Chume'da should. She imitated Tenel Ka's stoic expression. She would have to make difficult decisions like these once she ascended.
She had to be strong, for the crew of the two ships on the mission.
Still, she let herself shed a single tear as she heard the fighting and screaming ensue, only to be silenced by Jacen knocking him out through the Force.
Nellith was the first to return to her side.
"I'm sorry," she said. "It had to be done."
"I know." Allana swiped a tear away. "Tash has the coordinates?"
"She'll punch them in, and Jacen and Tahiri will stay here," Nellith promised. "Jysella's coming back to my ship. She doesn't want to hear him when he wakes up."
"Thank you."
Nellith nodded. "It's no problem." She then leaned in. "We'll find her this time. You'll see."
Allana swallowed. "I hope so."
Nellith smiled sadly and swaggered back into the cold. Tash darted past her exiting captain.
"I'll get the hyperspace coordinates punched in, don't you worry a bit!" Tash sat in the first mate's seat. "Ooh, this is such a clever ship. Your sister might like Serenity, but it's not the Falcon."
"I understand what you mean." Allana was more listlessly responding with what she thought would appease Tash more than anything else.
Within a few pushes of buttons and turning of dials, Tash was done.
"You should be ready to go for the uncharted planet," Tash promised. "Good luck— and may the Force be with you, Your Highness."
"May the Force be with us all," Allana replied.
She then took her place at the captain's seat. After the others had disembarked and returned to Serenity, Jacen and Tahiri joined her in the cockpit of the Falcon.
"I'll send a transmission to Dad once we're in hyperspace," Jacen promised as he took the first mate's seat.
"And I'll make sure that Valin stays incapacitated once we land," Tahiri added. "I'm sorry, Allana. You made the right choice— he was starting to not recognize us, the way he fought."
Allana winced at a bruise on her brother's forehead. "I'm more sorry for you— he was your friend."
"And he still is," Jacen assured her. "He just needs some help, when this is all over."
"I agree." That didn't stop Allana from doubting her decision, whether or not Valin saw something that the rest of them couldn't. . .
But this was not the time. Allana had made her decision, and now the goal that she'd sought after for so long was in reach.
Soon, the entire family— or what remained of it— would be back together again.
"Let's go." And Allana hit the button confirming the route. Then all she saw were stars.
