Kijani felt as if everything was slowing, and yet happening too fast for her to control. Adam was going to die, Eskel was going to die... for what? For what? Power? Status?

For nothing.

Nothing at all.

Something deep in Kijani's spirit closed. Like a flower without the touch of the sun. She stood up, straight and tall.

As Eskel tried to shield her, she lifted a hand and deflected the blaster bolts into the solid wall. "I have something the Emperor wants. You will not hurt me or kill them, until I have my audience with him." There was authority in her voice, not of a princess, but a queen. That, and the Force behind it. Her words were law, her will was the correct path.

"Bring us to the Emperor, unharmed." It was as if she was possessed, somehow. None of the fear, none of the anguish was visible in her anymore.

She knew exactly what to do.