Chapter 13: Beginnings
"Lost all my dignity
Living inside my own confusion"
Another six months had flown by. Jaina trained rigorously with Leia, who taught her everything she remembered from Luke. Along with the guidance provided by Revan months earlier, she felt herself becoming even more attuned to the Force. Her dueling skills had grown exponentially, a fact acknowledged by both of her mentors. However, Revan had noted how easily Jaina became distracted by her thoughts at times. Both women knew what consumed her mind—Ben and the dark deeds he had committed.
FLASHBACK
The sun was setting over Ajan Kloss, casting long shadows across the jungles of the planet. Leia stood with her lightsaber ignited, watching as Jaina faced off against Revan in a sparring match. The hum of the lightsabers filled the air, punctuated by the clash of blades as they connected, "Focus, Jaina," Revan called out, her movements fluid and precise, "Clear you mind of everything."
Jaina nodded slowly, taking a quick breather as her brow furrowed in concentration. She suddenly began to move with agility and grace, matching Revan's strikes with her own. Yet, there was a hesitation in her movements, a fleeting distraction that made her falter.
Observing from the sidelines, the Resistance General had a look of concern etched on her features, "Jaina, let go of all your worries. Trust in the Force - allow it to guide your movements."
As if a switch flipped, Jaina's movements suddenly became sharper and more decisive, as they normally were. She parried Revan's strikes with newfound confidence, her purple lightsaber a blur of motion. She was no longer merely reacting; she was anticipating, reading Revan's intentions through the Force.
Leia smiled softly, pride swelling in her chest. She remembered her own training and the challenges she had to face, and the strength she had found within herself. Seeing Jaina's progress filled her with hope.
Revan disengaged, stepping back and lowering her own lightsaber, "Well done, Jaina. It seems you have found yourself again."
"Thank you, Revan." Jaina deactivated her lightsaber, breathing heavily but smiling through it, "I am honored and very much thankful for your guidance. And as for you too, mom. Both of you are incredible woman with so much experience."
Approaching her daughter, Leia placed a gentle hand on Jaina's shoulder, "You've come a long way, sweetheart. But remember, the true battle is not just with a lightsaber. It's within. Stay vigilant against your doubts and fears."
"I will, Mom."
Revan's expression softened, "Your connection to the Force is strong. Trust in it, and trust in yourself. You have the potential to achieve great things."
"Both your father and uncle would be immensely proud of you. Even if Luke believed that the Jedi should end - you're continuing the next generation."
END OF FLASHBACK
Jaina was in the middle of a deep meditation session, allowing herself to levitate above the jungle floor. Pebbles and small boulders hover around her almost like a the sun orbiting planets. She could feel The Force flowing through her body, connecting to all life Ajan Kloss had to offer. Every tree and creature, even those deep in hiding.
And that was today's lesson - connection. "That's it, Jaina," Leia's voice came from nearby, feeling a sense of pride watching her daughter becoming stronger, "Can you feel it?"
"Yes, Mom." Jaina nodded, her tone calm yet infused with the wonder of discovery, "It's incredible, really. I feel as if I'm part of everything on the planet."
"Now, here comes the real test," Leia whispered softly, careful not to disrupt Jaina's concentration. "Reach out with a focused mind. If you succeed, you'll hear the voices of the Jedi who came before us." Her tone was gentle yet filled with an undercurrent of anticipation, encouraging Jaina to delve deeper into her connection with the Force. The jungle around them seemed to hold its breath, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves, as Jaina prepared to take this significant step on her Jedi journey.
Jaina took in a deep breath, emptying her mind of all worries occupying it, or at least trying, just as her mother had instructed and taught her to do. She cast out her awareness and opened herself to the Force, allowing it to talk with her. There'd been one person in particular she'd wanted to call for. Luke. However, she was met with pure silence. No voices in the Force spoke to her, only the one that resided within: "You're not going to reach him with a distracted mind," it whispered.
"They're not responding. I can't reach them," Jaina said, frustration creeping into her voice as she struggled to hear the voices of past Jedi Masters. "Be with me... be with me..." she murmured, trying to focus. The pebbles orbiting around her began to shake, mirroring her mood. They soon tumbled to the jungle floor, and she fell with them. "Ugh, they weren't with me there," she groaned, her frustration evident while getting back up on her feet.
"Jaina..." Leia sighed gently, sensing the evident frustration and the thoughts that distracted her daughter. "You're doing it again—getting upset at not doing something right the first time. Be patient."
Jaina sighed in turn, brushing away the dirt that had spotted her clothing. "I know, I know. There's just too much on my mind that I can't exactly clear. They're overpowering me, especially at night, which is why I can't sleep very well."
"Anything you'd like to talk about? I'm all ears."
Upon returning from Naboo, Jaina had planned on asking Leia about the secret that she, Ben, and Luke had always refused to speak about—just as she had promised Poe. However, every time she thought about it, fear would creep in, and she would back out. Maybe now would be as good a time as any. "Mom," she began, her voice steady but laced with uncertainty, "there's something I've been meaning to ask you. It's about me and please, don't lie. I just want the truth. Uncle Luke didn't want to talk, and Ben, he only told me something that confused me about the matter."
"Well, okay then. Ask away," Leia said, her brow furrowed in curiosity. She wasn't entirely prepared for what Jaina would inquire about, but she knew had a gut feeling.
Taking a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest, Jaina gazed deeply into her mother's eyes. "Am I two people?"
Leia's curiosity turned into confusion. "Sorry? I'm not quite understanding you, dear."
"That's what Ben said just shortly after killing Snoke. He wanted me to join him in exchange for telling me the truth. I was..." Jaina's voice trailed off as the memory came back in a quick flash, as vivid as if it were happening all over again. She recalled the desperation in Ben's eyes, begging for her to join him on his path. "I almost gave in to his offer, but then I thought of you, and Poe, and Finn. It gave me the power to resist. But his words, they haunt me."
Leia reached out and took Jaina's hand, holding it tightly. "There's something I've kept from you, something I thought might spare you pain. Jaina," The look in her eyes seemed almost apologetic, "You were supposed to have a twin. A twin brother. But he died at birth due to him being strangled by the cord. It was too late for him to be saved."
Hearing this confession elicited a gasp of surprise from Jaina. She could never have imagined that this was the secret everyone had kept from her. Suddenly, a past vision began to make more sense, as did Ben's cryptic words: The answer has been right in front of you this entire time. You've just been blind to it, Jaina. "I've known but I didn't know."
Leia furrowed her brow in confusion. "What do you mean you've known but didn't know?"
"Mom, when I found Uncle Luke's lightsaber at Maz Kanata's castle, it showed me memories that I didn't quite understand then. Now that you've revealed this, those visions make sense." Jaina squeezed her mother's hand, using the Force to connect their minds. She allowed Leia to see what she remembered from that moment.
"How did this happen?!" The voice had been distorted before, but now it became clear that it was Han, screaming at the medic droid.
"The twin boy... he strangled on the umbilical cord! There was nothing we could do. It was too late," the droid responded.
"You cannot tell me that everything seemed fine on the ultrasound earlier, and all of a sudden the baby is strangled by the—!" Han held himself back from saying something he'd regret later on. Instead, he turned back to Leia, who was in tears while holding the minutes-old Jaina in her arms.
This revelation was all new to Jaina. She realized that this was the missing piece, as if Leia had just completed the puzzle.
Han's heart ached as he watched his wife's tears fall onto their newborn daughter. He approached her, wrapping his arms around both her and Jaina, trying to offer whatever comfort he could despite his own overwhelming pain, "Leia, I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking, "We'll get through this together. We have to be strong for her, and for Ben."
Leia looked up at Han, her eyes filled with sorrow, "I know, Han," she whispered back, "But it hurts so much. We lost Jacen before we even got to know him."
"I know, sweetheart. I know," Han pressed a gentle kiss to Leia's forehead, "It's going to hurt for along time. But we have Jaina, and we have each other, and Ben. We'll keep his memory alive in our hearts."
"We will. For the children that we do have," Leia clings onto her husband while holding their daughter closer.
The vision faded, leaving Jaina with tears in her eyes, her mother's hand still held tightly in hers. Leia's expression mirrored her daughter's, filled with the same pain. "We thought we were protecting you by keeping it a secret," The General said softly, "But it seems the Force found a way to reveal it to you."
Jacen. Jacen was supposed to be her twin brother, and in a split second, he'd been taken away from her even before they had the chance to know each other. She took a moment to try and process all this new information. The weight of it settled heavily in her chest. "It makes me wonder what kind of person Jacen would have been," Jaina said softly, her voice trembling with emotion.
Leia's eyes were filled with a mixture of sorrow and love as she looked at her daughter. "I wonder the same thing every day," she admitted. "I imagine he would have been strong and brave, just like you. Maybe he would have had your father's charm or my stubbornness. He would have been a part of us, Jaina, and he would have been loved."
"I can almost imagine him and I getting into trouble together, and all those silly twin arguments," Jaina burst out into a small laugh, which caused Leia to do the same. She didn't want this to be a sad moment, but a happy one to remember the life that could have been.
Her mother's laughter blended with hers, a soft, melodious sound that filled the air with warmth, "I can see it too," she said, her eyes glistening with tears of joy, "You two would have been quite the pair. Mischief-makers, for sure. Your father and I no doubt would have had our hands full in Ben's absence."
"I bet we would have snuck out of bed past curfew to explore the Falcon. And all the pranks we'd have played on each other and on you and Dad, Ben, uncle Luke. And those twin arguments...I can almost hear them. 'Mom, Jacen's in my room again!' 'Mom, Jaina took my toy lightsaber!"
Leia chuckled, shaking her head, "Oh, the toy lightsaber squabbles. Your father definitely would have had a field day trying to mediate those. And Luke... he would have been the wise uncle, always stepping in with a lesson or two. Ben most likely joining in on the fun."
The laughter soon quieted down, and Jaina once again turned serious, "I think he would have been protective of me, like Ben used to be. Especially if any boys picked on me - although, I learned how to defend myself at a young age thanks to you and dad. But most importantly though," Her gaze focused on the illuminated morning sky. Only a few clouds decorated it, "Maybe he could have sensed Ben's struggles sooner and could've helped..."
Leia's expression softened with understanding, placing a comforting motherly hand on her daughter's shoulder, "Jacen's presence might have changed many things. But we can't dwell on the what-ifs. We can only move forward with the knowledge that his spirit is always with us. His potential, his goodness - they live on in you. And maybe, going back on Ben's words, that's what he meant by two people.
"Yeah, you're probably right, Mom. I can feel that he's a part of me," Jaina said, closing her eyes as she felt a rush of calm wind surround her. The gentle breeze seemed to carry Jacen's spirit, offering her a sense of peace and strength. "One thing is for sure," she continued, her voice filled with determination. "I'll carry Jacen's spirit with me—in every battle, every decision. I'll remember what my goal is. I won't let our family down. I'll find a way to save Ben, or stop him if I must. For all of us."
Watching her youngest and only daughter, Leia couldn't help but be filled with a sense of pride but also with sorrow as her heart ached for the burden Jaina had to bear but knowing she was more than capable of accomplishing it, "You have the strength of our entire family within you, Jaina. And remember - you're never alone in this. We're all here with you, supporting you, every step of the way."
With a deep breath, Jaina opened her eyes, her gaze resolute and filled with newfound determination. "Thank you, Mom. Your faith in me means everything," she said, her voice steady and sincere. "I promise, I'll do everything I can to bring him home. And if it comes to it, I'll stop him to protect everyone else. Including one little boy you'd love to meet someday." Her words hung in the air. There was more she needed to say, something she had kept from her mother, something that might change everything. Jaina hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts and courage.
"You haven't mentioned any child before, Jaina. Who are you talking about?" Leia asked, her curiosity piqued. There was a gentle insistence in her tone, urging Jaina to share more.
Jaina took another deep breath, feeling the weight of her secret pressing down on her. "Mom, I haven't told you everything about my time on Naboo," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "You know Revan, the Jedi I brought back with me to assist in the training?"
Leia's eyes widened slightly, urgently wanting to know more. "Go on, Jaina. What is it?"
"Revan... she and Ben were close during their training with Uncle Luke. More than just friends," Jaina explained, carefully choosing her words. "They were in love, and before Ben turned, Revan became pregnant. She has a son, Mom. His name is Kaden. He's Ben's child."
The revelation hung heavily between them, the implications settling in. Leia's face softened with understanding and a hint of sadness. "Ben has a child," she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why didn't you tell me sooner, Jaina?"
"I didn't know how to," Jaina admitted, feeling almost guilty for not speaking upon it earlier. "I was afraid of what it might mean, for all of us. But now, with everything that's happening, I thought you should know. Kaden is a part of our family. He deserves to know his us as much as we deserve to know him."
Leia reached out, gently taking Jaina's hands in her own. "You did the right thing by telling me now," she said softly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "We'll find a way to bring Ben back, not just for us, but for Kaden too. He deserves a chance to know his father, and Ben deserves a chance at redemption."
Jaina's thoughts drifted back to an important detail: the holodisplay Revan had given her the day they ran into each other on Naboo, "I can show you what he looks like. Wait a moment." She calls for her bag feet away from the woman, and reaches into it, pulling the small holodisplay, "Revan, she uh, left this with me. Thought it'd come in handy." The holographic image sprang to life, displaying the young boy - black unruly hair and a long serious face, "This is Kaden. Ben's son and your grandson."
The blue holodisplay image illuminated in Leia's eyes, who's gaze was fixated on it. She couldn't help but find herself reaching out to touch the image but knew her hand would go right through it, "He's beautiful," Leia whispered, her voice thick with strong emotion, "He looks so much like Ben did at that age."
"He does, doesn't he?" Jaina agreed, her own emotions threatening to overwhelm her, "Every time I look at his, I see the Ben I grew up with, the one who loved us and wanted to protect us. Kaden reminds me of that side of him. How shy but brave he was. And the side that's worth fighting for."
"You're right. This boy, Kaden, is a part of our family, and we must ensure that the future is safe for him. But more than that, he represents hope - a hope that Ben can still be saved."
"After all of this is over, Mom, we can get to know him and Revan better. Be the happy family we once were." She leaned in and pressed a gentle, loving kiss to her mother's forehead, sensing the emotional storm that the revelation of a grandchild had stirred within the General. "Now, I think I'll go do some reading. Don't tell anyone, but I stole a couple of texts from Uncle Luke. There might be something in them I can find about what he meant to do before isolating himself on the island."
With a final, reassuring squeeze of her mother's hand, Jaina turned away and sought out a quiet corner within the base. The ancient texts she had retrieved from Luke's collection were safely tucked away in her belongings, and she was determined to explore their contents with the same dedication she applied to her Jedi training. Settling into a secluded spot, Jaina carefully extracted the old, weathered texts. The pages emitted a soft crackle as she gingerly opened them, revealing Luke's distinctive handwriting with its handwritten notes and annotations. Each word, each passage carried the weight of Jedi wisdom and experience, a testament to the legacy of those who had come before her uncle. One particular page caught her attention—it detailed an ancient Sith artifact known as a Wayfinder, which Luke had sought after. Intrigued, Jaina was determined to uncover its significance and what it could potentially lead to.
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by someone calling her name from the distance. The voice belonged to one of the many Resistance pilots, dressed in the familiar orange flight suit. "Jaina! The Falcon has returned! But it doesn't look to be in good shape."
The urgency in the pilot's voice jolted Jaina into action. She hastily set aside the ancient texts and hurried toward the direction of the Millennium Falcon, her heart racing with worry. The Falcon wasn't just a ship; it symbolized her family, resilience, and hope. It had been entrusted to Poe, Chewbacca, and Finn for a crucial mission to gather intelligence from a Resistance contact, who had warned them about a spy within the First Order ranks and assisted in a plan to turn the tide. "You three better be alright, damn it!" Jaina muttered under her breath, her concern etched on her face. BB-8, loyal and alert as always, rolled swiftly behind her, keeping pace as they made their way to the Falcon's landing site.
As she reached The Falcon, a wave of distress washed over her at the sight before her. The iconic ship was indeed in dire condition, just as the pilot had warned. thick plumes of smoke billowed from the flames engulfing the vessel, casting a pall over the bustling scene. Resistance members scrambled with firefighting equipment, shouting urgent commands amidst the chaos.
Amongst the chaos, Poe's voice cut through the tumult, filled with urgency. "It's on fire! We need to put it out, fast!" Spotting Jaina a short distance away, he hurried over, his expression betraying the stress of the situation. "Should have come with us, Jaina. We could've used your help out there."
"Looks like it," Jaina replied, throwing her arms around Poe in a shaky embrace, relieved to see him return unharmed. However, her relief was quickly replaced by concern as she pulled away to confront him about the state of the Falcon. "What did you do to the Falcon, Poe?"
Poe sighed, knowing his explanation wouldn't satisfy her. He rubbed the back of his neck, gathering his thoughts. "You know me, Jaina. Sometimes I act before thinking things through."
Her eyebrow arched, blending frustration with a deep well of understanding, "That doesn't exactly explain why it's on fire. Sometimes you remind me so much of my dad, Poe. Tell me what happened?" The question hung heavily in the air, her gaze shifting towards Finn, silently urging him to shed light on the situation, "Finn?" Before Finn could respond, Chewbacca's roar cut through the noise, filled with irritation and annoyance. The Wookie's outburst only added to the growing tension.
"He did what?" Jaina's eyes widened in disbelief as she swung her gaze back back to Finn, who nodded in confirmation, his expression serious. The revelation was startling, "Poe, you lightspeed skipped? You can't do that while the compressor is down! That's suicide."
Poe flinched slightly at her words, the gravity of his actions weighing heavily on him, "I know, Jaina. I know," he confessed, running a hand through his disheveled hair, "But we were out of option. The First Order was right on our tail, and we had to get out of her. It was risky, but it worked. We're here, aren't we? That's what matters, doesn't it?"
Exasperation washed over Jaina, pinching the bridge of her nose. She let out a small, frustrated sigh, "You're lucky you're all in one piece," she said, her voice softening despite the gravity of the situation, "We can't afford to lose you, Finn, Chewie, or The Falcon. Next time, think before you act, yeah?"
"I promise, Jaina. I'll be more careful. We got the intel, though. It was worth it in the end." The Resistance pilot pulled her into his arms, holding her close. He knew his rash action nearly got him and the crew killed, yet it was the only way to escape the First Order. "I'm sorry, alright? I didn't mean to scare you there."
Feeling the warmth and reassurance of his embrace, she took a deep breath, her tension easing slightly. Glancing back at the Falcon as the flames were finally extinguished, another sigh escaped her lips. The ship, though battered and bruised, still stood as a testament to their resilience. "Look, let's just get the Falcon fixed up and report your findings back to my mom," she said, her tone a blend of determination and weariness. "We need every bit of information we can get if we're going to stop the First Order."
Poe pulled away from their embrace, gazing deeply into Jaina's blue eyes. He reached out with a hand to brush a few strands of her loose hair and tucked it behind her ear. "Listen, Jaina, you're the best fighter we have. We need you out there on the battlefield, not here. I have so much confidence that you're already at your highest potential as a Jedi." His voice was earnest, filled with the weight of their shared experiences and the hope they carried for the future.
Finn, standing beside them, nodded in agreement. "It's true. Having had you with us on this run could've resulted in escaping without a scratch. However, the fact that we even managed to get the intel we did is a miracle." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small device and handing it to her. The device, though small, held the weight of their mission's success and the potential for their future plans. "A mole in The First Order."
"Excellent," Jaina said, her tone resolute. "We should gather everyone in the command center. You two do that while I go inform my mother. See you in a few." She gave them a confident nod, her mind already shifting to the next steps they needed to take.
As Poe and Finn moved to rally the Resistance members, Jaina turned and headed back to the training grounds where she had left Leia. Her thoughts raced, considering the implications of the intel and the strategies they would need to employ. Each step she took was filled with purpose, the weight of their mission pressing on her shoulders, yet she remained steadfast. Reaching the training grounds, she found Leia still deep in thought, her gaze distant as if she too were contemplating the enormity of their task. Jaina approached her mother, her heart filled with a mix of determination and love. "Mom," she called softly, breaking Leia from her reverie. "We've got the intel. It's time to gather everyone and hear what the secret spy has provided us with."
All members of the Resistance gathered in the command center, their faces contorting into anxiety. The room buzzed with low murmurs, the anticipation almost palpable. When Jaina and Leia joined them, the crowd quieted, all eyes turning to Poe as he stepped forward. He took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts, the weight of the news evident in his expression. "The intel we've received has been decrypted," Poe began, his voice steady but laced with gravity. "And I'm afraid it's not good news. It confirms one of our biggest fears." The room fell into a tense silence, anxious eyes fixed on him. He scanned the crowd, feeling the pressure of their expectations and hopes. He took a hard swallow, bracing himself to deliver the devastating news. "Emperor Palpatine has somehow returned."
A collective gasp rippled through the room, followed by a heavy silence. The name itself carried a weight of dread, memories of past horrors flashing through the minds of the older members, and stories of fear filling the minds of the younger ones. Poe let the silence settle for a moment, allowing the gravity of the revelation to sink in. Jaina and Leia exchanged glances, their expressions revealing a shared, steely resolve amidst the brewing storm of panic. The room buzzed with unease, each new voice adding to the cacophony of fear and confusion. "How can this even be?" Rose Tico's voice broke through, her features etched with fear. "Can we truly believe this to be true?"
"Impossible," Aftab Ackbar, son of the late Admiral Ackbar, exclaimed, his wide eyes filled with disbelief. "The Emperor has been dead for more than 30 years!"
The tension in the room was palpable, the murmurs growing louder, threatening to spiral into chaos. Suddenly, a calm, authoritative voice cut through the din. "There's only one possible explanation for how he could have returned," Beaumont Kin, one of the Resistance's historians, stepped forward. His young face was serious, eyes reflecting the weight of his knowledge. "Cloning," Beaumont continued, his voice steady despite the unsettling revelation. "Through dark science. These are secrets only a Sith would know." A hushed silence fell over the room as everyone processed this information. Cloning was a concept known but seldom discussed, especially in the context of Sith lore. The implications were horrifying.
"There is no doubt he's been planning his revenge for the past 30 years," Poe began, his voice heavy with the weight of the revelation. "What remains of his followers, both new and old, have been building something during that time. A large fleet, possibly the biggest one to ever exist. He calls it..." Poe took a brief pause, almost as if he were afraid to utter the name, "The Final Order. In 16 hours, a series of attacks will be unleashed on all three systems. He's been hiding in the Unknown Regions on a system called Exegol."
The mention of Exegol caused a ripple of shock through the room, but none more so than in Jaina. Her eyes widened in recognition, her mind racing back to the ancient texts she'd retrieved and studied from. She had read about Exegol, sensing its dark significance even then. Now, everything made sense. Luke's search for the planet wasn't just an academic pursuit; it was a crucial part of understanding the threat they now faced. Jaina stepped forward, her voice steady but filled with urgency. "I've read about Exegol in the texts I took from my uncle's island. It's a place of deep, ancient evil, a hidden world of the Sith. Luke was searching for it because he knew it held answers. Now I understand why."
R2-D2 began to beep frantically, his metal parts clanking loudly against the jungle floor. His beeps and whistles grew more insistent, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. C-3PO, always the dutiful companion, placed a reassuring hand on R2-D2's dome before turning to translate for the curious onlookers. "According to R2-D2," C-3PO began, his voice tinged with urgency, "Exegol does not appear on any known star chart. It is described in ancient legends as the hidden world of the Sith. A place shrouded in darkness and mystery."
Jaina found her mother again, "Mom," she said, her voice steady but urgent, "I need to show you what I've learned." She gestured for Leia to follow her, leading the way to a small corner of the command center where her collection of ancient texts remained neatly stored away in her knapsack. With careful hands, Jaina retrieved the book in question, its weathered cover a testament to its age and significance. She opened it to a specific page, filled with Luke's handwritten notes and annotations. "I know the way to Exegol," she said, her voice filled with conviction. Leia leaned in, her eyes scanning the page as Jaina explained.
"Tell me, Jaina," Leia said, her voice steady yet filled with curiosity. She was eager to learn about Jaina's discoveries regarding the mysterious Sith planet.
"As I mentioned before, Uncle Luke was searching for it for many, many years. And he nearly succeeded." Jaina flipped through a couple more pages of the ancient text, her finger pointing to a specific section. "There are some cyphers I can't quite make out. However, the most interesting clue he's left is in order to get to Exegol, we need one of these. It's called a... how did he put it? Oh! A Sith Wayfinder. It's a compass that leads the way. And I need to find it." Her blue eyes locked onto Leia's brown ones, already noticing the look of fear in them. "To find it will help us stop Palpatine's plans before he can execute them. I need to continue where Uncle Luke left off. Find Exegol, kill the Emperor." The weight of her words hung in the air, the enormity of the task ahead settling in.
Leia shook her head, "No. Jaina, I will not have it. Let us prepare - we'll gather all the help we can get from other systems, fight The First Order and the Emperor together." The fear of losing her only daughter, whether to the dark side or worse, to death, was evident in her eyes. She couldn't bear the thought of Jaina facing such immense danger alone, especially when it concerned the evil and powerful Palpatine.
But Jaina stood her ground, her resolve unshaken. "Mom, I've already made up my mind. Whether I have your blessing or not, I am going to do this." Her voice was steady, filled with conviction. "I promised you that I will bring Ben back home so that we can be a family again. And I won't back down, no matter what dangerous obstacles stand in my way until I fulfill that promise to you."
"I don't like this. Not one bit," Leia's voice trembled slightly, her concern weighing her down. Despite her reservations, she could see the determination in Jaina's eyes, a resolve that nothing she said would change. The thought of the peril ahead in her daughters path made her heart ache, yet she had to consider the possibility that Jaina might succeed in three critical objectives: bringing down The First Order, redeeming Ben back to the light side, and defeating Palpatine once and for all. Jaina's months of rigorous training were a testament to her capability and strength. She had grown immensely, both in her connection to the Force and her skill in combat, "Please. Please, Jaina. Be careful - do not underestimate the Emperor. He's a very dangerous man with immense power."
Jaina nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of her mother's words, "I know, Mom. I know. And I promise I'll come back to you in the end. This is something you and I both know I have to do. Because I know that if you were in my shoes, you'd do the exact same thing if it involved your brother." She said, her voice soft while enveloping her mother in a loving embrace, "I love you."
Leia held her daughter close, as if this was the last time they would see each other and share such a beautiful moment, "May the Force be with you, Jaina. Always."
"May the Force be with you." Jaina pulled back from their embrace, giving her mother one last reassuring smile before turning towards the direction of The Falcon. She knew the road ahead would be perilous, but with the support and love from everyone here along with the guidance in the Force, she felt ready to face whatever challenges awaited her on Exegol. The fate of the galaxy depended on it, and she was determined to succeed.
By this time, the flames that once engulfed the Falcon were completely extinguished, and the ship had undergone repairs to return to functionality. Jaina disconnected the fuel hose from the ship, thankful that the compressor was back online thanks to Rose's tinkering. Her gaze fell upon the scorch marks marring the ship's hull. "Sorry, Dad," she murmured to herself, a small chuckle escaping her lips. "I know how much you've worked to keep the Falcon spotless all these years."
She turned to load a few crates onto the ship when the sound of Poe's voice made her pause. "So, you got her up and running again, huh?" Poe said, taking the heavy crate from her to help. Behind him walked both Finn and Chewbacca, as well as droids, 3PO and BB-8.
A look of confusion crossed Jaina's face as she took in their presence. "What are you all doing here?"
Poe smiled and gave her a light peck on the cheek. "We're coming with you, Jaina." He turned to Chewbacca. "Chewie, were you the one who fixed that compressor?" The Wookiee responded with a moan, indicating that it was a teamwork effort between him and Rose. "Great job. And sorry about that, by the way."
"No, absolutely not," Jaina warned them with a serious and stern tone, her concerned expression shifting between each individual, "This is something I need to do alone."
Finn nodded, his calm demeanor unshaken, "Yeah. Alone with friends," he said, pressing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Jaina shook her head, frustration and worry evident in her voice, "It's too dangerous, Finn. I'd rather not put anyone's life on the line besides my own. Please, I ask that you all remain here and-"
"It's already decided, Jaina. We stick together, through thick and thin. No matter what danger stands in our way." Finn interjected, his tone leaving no room for argument. Chewbacca roared his agreement, pounding his chest in a show of readiness, "See?" Finn gestured towards the Wookie, "Chewie is all for it. You can't say no to a Wookie now, can you?"
Poe stepped closer, wrapping a single arm around Jaina's shoulders, "We've faced impossible odds before and come out on top because we've had each other. This mission is no different. We're stronger together, and we won't let you face this alone."
Jaina felt the warmth of their support, her earlier resolve to go alone beginning to waver. She sighed heavily, giving into their pressure, "Alright, alright. Let's get going. I'll tell you everything inside," She led the way, boarding the Falcon with her companions following close behind. Jaina settled into the pilots seat, with Chewbacca taking his familiar place as co-pilot. Poe and Finn sat behind them, while the droids remained in the lounge area. She initiated the pre-flight checks, her fingers dancing over the controls with practiced ease, "According to my Uncle's notes, his trail left off on the forbidden desert world of Pasaana. We start there."
"Pasaana," Poe mused, leaning back in his seat. "I've never heard of it. But if Luke believed what he was looking for is there, then Pasaana it is."
Jaina input the coordinates, her mind racing with the possibilities and dangers that lay ahead, "Pasaana might hold the key to finding Exegol and stopping Palpatine's plans." The engines roared to life, the ship vibrating with energy. Her grip on the controls tightened as she guided The Falcon into the sky, "Everyone, hold on. We're about to jump to lightspeed. Punch it, Chewie." With a pull of the lever, the stars elongated into streaks of light, and The Falcon shot forward into the vastness of space. The journey to Pasaana began, and with it, the next step in their fight against the darkness threatening the galaxy. As they settled into the flight, Jaina couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The stakes were higher than ever, but with her loved ones by her side, she knew they stood a chance. They would find the Wayfinder and put an end to both The First Order and Palpatine. Most importantly - bringing Ben home.