Fandom Fight for Control [closed]

[cleopat]

The idea of venturing to Dathomir was unpleasant, but he didn’t dare complain. Valo took out a datapad, and composed a message explaining what exactly was going on to General Organa, as well as anyone in her immediate party that may be able to relay the message to her, in case she wasn’t able to read it soon.

He wasn’t expecting an immediate response, but he hoped it wouldn’t take someone too long to get back.

“Are you equipped to handle whatever is down there?” If Kylo Ren and his friend were there, how would they fare against them? He’s heard stories of Kylo and his power. The Force and its potential was something to be feared.

Valo leaned back in his chair, propping one foot up on the dash. “Or what do you do intend to do if you find something – or someone – down there?”

~~

Lavinia didn’t think of the potential consequences of what she was doing, either immediate or in the future. All she knew was how she felt calmer, no longer panicking about her friends or the immediate future. Of meeting with the Chiss.

Armitage used her first name, so she concluded that he wasn’t upset by her hug. “Do you want me to?” She pulled back only enough to look at him. “Do you need me to sit down?” Because she didn’t want to, but if he said so, then she would oblige.

Although unbeknownst to her, Lavinia shared the same sentiment as Armitage in the hug making her feel uncomfortable with how comfortable it was. For once, she just wanted to forget that she was on the other side of the war and was supposed to hate Armitage. She didn’t. She couldn’t hate him.

But if he ever found out her truth, all thoughts he held about her would flip instantly. She was certain of it.

~~

Of course things couldn’t be that simple for him. Of course he couldn’t simply have the trauma Snoke imposed on him wiped from his memories. Kylo wanted to argue that allowing him to continue to haunt his mind wouldn’t do him any good.

But he knew that was wrong. As Nyx said, some horrors must never be erased. It was how one grew.

“Yes, I will rise above it all.” The trees faded, the blue glow no longer visible for him. Their location back on Dathomir faded in more as they left the astral plane.

Kylo had much to process. All of his memories, and one current scene, would linger at the forefront of his mind as he trained with Nyx, with hopes she can help him seek the closure he desired.

With a blink he found himself sitting back on the ground, in his physical body. He gasped in a huge breath of air while he attempted to absorb everything he just saw. “I never knew such things were possible.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Reveille could only pass a disgusted look to Valo as he set his foot up on the dash. She wanted to shove it off, but that was too much effort right then, for too little gain. But she made a note that she probably wanted to deep clean her ship. She hadn’t done so since sometime before Kylo wrecked a chair. It was in need of it.

And it’d be a useful distraction.

“No, I’m not,” Reveille answered, “so I’m hoping your friends are able to pull through for you,” he had found one of the datapads in the ship, which she realized she should have locked up better, but no one got into her ship anyways.

She’d have to destroy that datapad later, too.

“But if we end up that way, I suppose we’ll be playing it by ear. I presume your General would be interested in knowing if someone was down there.” That could mean back-up. Perhaps not soon enough, but nonetheless.

~***~

‘No, but….’

Armitage wasn’t sure how he’d elaborate from there. No, but your closeness is sending off alarms in my head? No, but this is too comfortable?

He didn’t need her to sit down. He didn’t want her to sit down, and yet he did, and he didn’t have an explanation for it. ‘You don’t need to explain yourself, you’re her superior.’ Except she tended to ask questions, and he wanted to have answers.

A sigh escaped him, “It’s uncomfortable,” he concluded, without the addition of why it was uncomfortable. “If it’s helping you, I…suppose there’s no need to end it. I am unaccustomed to such…long embraces.” Hells, he was unused to short embraces, for that matter, and it left him floundering a bit internally.

Should he try to talk?

Should he just hold her?

And when his mind started to run like that, questions on social norms, it all became a mess.

~***~

There was no gasp from Nyx as she returned to her own body, blinking open her eyes and seeming to relax as she looked over at Kylo Ren, who was gathering his bearings. “It is not something, I believe, either Snoke or Luke knew,” Nyx answered that statement, “Darth Vader was barely aware,” aware of something, through his venture to Mortis, but not so much as she became aware of after him.

She had always known there was more to learn, more to discover.

“Do you think it has helped you to understand things better, Kylo?” She inquired, shifting her posture a bit as she leaned towards him, seeking to catch his gaze and seeking to see what he needed now that he was back in his body.

To see if he needed time to meditate further, or if action was going to help him more than anything else right then. It always varied.

 

[cleopat]

Valo hoped that his friends were able to pull through too, but he didn’t voice that desire. He didn’t want to give Reveille any idea that they were disorganized or fractured in any form.

But luck was on his side. The datapad sounded with the alert of a new message. Moving his foot back on the floor, Valo read the message, and with each passing word, the corner of his lips tilted upward.

I don’t know if this is something we should risk right now, Captain, but I’ll be there in about an hour with a backup team.

“She’s coming.” He put the datapad back down, but his foot didn’t return to its elevated rest. “In about an hour, she’ll be there.” Valo wouldn’t add the fact that she’s bringing a few other Resistance fighters with her unless Reveille asked.

She will be outnumbered. If they wanted to try something against her, they would hold that power.

~~

Lavinia’s face crumbled for a split second before she masked it with stoicism. Of course he would be uncomfortable. Why wouldn’t he? You hugged him without warning, and he only thinks of you as nothing more than a competent aide.

She sighed and backed away. “No, no...I shouldn’t have acted so impulsively. I didn’t think about how you must feel.” Her gaze didn’t meet his, for embarrassment flooded through her.

“I’m sorry for doing that.” She backed up a few more steps, establishing distance between them. “It wasn’t appropriate of me.” Even if I didn’t want it to end.

~~

His breathing slowing back to normal, Kylo looked over at Nyx. “If that is indeed the truth, then I am honored you chose to show me this astral projection.” He learned something that not even his old masters knew. Something that Darth Vader never attempted or even fully aware.

“I-I think it did.” It was much to process for him. His mind kept wandering to the first memory the Force decided to show him, the memory of himself as a child in his father’s lap. Sorrow tugged at his chest, but he pushed it away.

Kylo would need distractions to help him through what happened. He didn’t want to meditate on it, or allowed his mind the opportunity to think too much on what he saw.

“I need to do something,” he admitted. His fingers dug into the fabric of his pants as they itched to do something. “But I don’t know what it is I should do next.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Reveille heard the chime as clearly as Valo, and she glanced over to him, watching, waiting. His smile was indicative enough that he’d reached someone, and gotten a message he wanted. “Good.” Leia would meet with her. “Where are we going, then?” Reveille inquired, leaning forward to pull the ship out of lightspeed and reset the coordinates.

Thankfully Valo had also kicked down his foot from the dash.

As soon as he told her where, she’d input the details to take her ship that way. She wasn’t expecting to meet Leia alone, in truth. That would have been far too stupid for General Organa, and while Reveille underestimated the Resistance threat to the First Order, she did not consider General Organa to be stupid.

Unless Kylo got all of his traits from her.

~***~

Armitage was witness to the crumble, and he knew he’d erred in stating his discomfort. Now he was more uncomfortable as Althea pulled away from him, but didn’t sit. She remained standing.

And she added more distance, and apologized.

He sighed again, his hand reaching up to his temple as he tried to figure how to rectify this, “There is no need to apologize,” he said that, first, “I am concerned for you, and I want you to feel better.” He knew the embrace had helped, and now he’d ruined that a bit. He couldn’t just go back to that.

His hand dropped, a bit of frustration at himself. “I apologize if my own response was inappropriate and inconsiderate of your needs.”

~***~

To Nyx, the astral projection was a point that all of them had to learn. It opened them up to further teachings, it trained them in seeing what the Force wanted to address, and once addressed, they were able to move on. Become more powerful. Better. To her, it seemed something that should be taught young, but it rarely was in the past.

Things would change in the future.

Nyx nodded, “There is something for you to do,” she said, “The First Order has moved against us. It seems they have determined our allies. We need to move to defend and reinforce them, before they can take them all down.” Nyx answered, “My latest report places the First Order at Caprioril. I would send you there to remove them with Darth Discord. I need to move our allies so we may have ships in the air and bodies on the ground to repel the First Order back.”

Perhaps it would allow him an opportunity to address one issue, or two. Reveille may be there. Or, if not, perhaps simply working against the First Order would aid him in moving past Snoke.

 

[cleopat]

“Takodana,” he answered. It was a place of neutral ground, where neither side would face an unexpected ambush.

That hadn’t stopped the battle on the planet before, but also Kylo Ren wasn’t apart of the First Order anymore. And they would be inside the cantina, in the view of witnesses with blasters if either side acts out.

“She seems very curious to meet you.” That’s what Valo surmised from her brief response to him. He couldn’t think of what other reason she would risk to meet the Grand Marshall of the First Order, unless she was just that desperate to get her son back.

~~

Warmth tugged at her heart when she realized what Armitage had said. He was concerned for her. He wanted to make her feel better. That idea would’ve been ridiculous to anyone who wasn’t close to him, and even to Lavinia, the phrase still came unexpectedly.

She dared to turn back around. “I appreciate your concern and attempt to make me feel better.” Her feet walked forwards a few steps to decrease that distance between them again.

“But I also don’t want to do anything that you don’t like.” A wrinkle in his greatcoat from her movements stood out to her. Lavinia reached on hand out to smooth over the winkle. “I’m probably just being ridiculous anyways.”

~~

Kylo listened to what Nyx had to say about what he could do. He expected something to help train him, such as more exercises with burning plates.

When she mentioned the First Order on Caprioril, he snapped to attention. “What planets have they taken from us?” he demanded. Nyx had mentioned latest report. So there had to be more.

His thoughts turned to Reveille. Was she a part of this attack? Would he see her on Caprioril, fighting against him with her navy? He hated himself as he realized he didn’t know if he would attack her or not, if given the opportunity.

“Understood.” He rose to his feet. “Is Darth Discord aware of these plans?” Although they had just gotten to Dathomir, and although it would disrupt his training, Kylo was ready to engage in battle.

And he hoped that he would encounter one of those who played a major role in his outcast.

 

[Lucyfer]

Takodana caused a slight scoff from Reveille, something between a laugh and irritation, but nonetheless, as the ship pulled out of lightspeed, she redirected it. Takodana was as good as any place, and she could likely summon Terex there in an instance. Which, she fully intended to do.

“I have been curious to meet her for years,” Reveille answered, once the ship was back on track. She took the keys she had with her and held them out to Valo. “See to your friends.” She offered him then.

Perhaps it was utterly foolish, but she imagined he was desperate to get back there – and given the location, she wasn’t expecting a deception. The Rings of Kafrene, or some other place, sure, but Takodana?

No. This wasn’t a lie.

And she wanted a moment to shoot a message off to Terex to make sure he’d be there.

~***~

Althea turned back, and closed some of the distance. Enough to reach out and straighten his coat. He resisted the thought of brushing her hand away, not certain if he wanted to brush it away to remove it, or so he could grasp it. The thought bothered him. He wanted to tell her that it wasn’t that he didn’t like it, just….

Well, he didn’t have the words.

“You are not being ridiculous. People learn things differently. I suspect that also means people recover from things differently,” despite that logic, he still considered therapy beneath him, and many others. “Though perhaps individuals such as Commander Rani or Lieutenant-Admiral Sienar would be more equipped to handle such things than I am.”

Although the consideration of Sienar made his blood boil a bit. Rani didn’t register in the same fashion, even if she was as, well, promiscuous as Sienar, and likely had just as little regard for someone’s gender. ‘Not that it should matter.’ He told himself. If it was how she found comfort…

But it did bother him. Of course, it bothered him that Reveille also found a similar comfort that way. He decided Sienar just bothered him. “Perhaps just Rani. Sienar tends to have other intentions.”

~***~

“Caprioril and Corulag so far,” Nyx answered, not sounding worried. “I have dispatched a few others to them, and I am working to organize the other planets for a push back. I will tap my pirates shortly, as well.” The push back would come. “Darth Discord has not yet been informed; she still sleeps.”

But she would wake, or be woken, and move on to the planet to help retake it.

Nyx did not rise as Kylo had done. She knew this was interrupting his training, but reclaiming the planets and proving they were trustworthy to those planets who agreed to align with them was, also, necessary. “A camp will remain here while we work. Once we have retaken the planets, you may return here to continue your training.”

She rose then, “I will wake Discord.”

She slept heavily, a downside of her former training as a Chiss. They all slept heavily, perchance to dream…to divine.

That thought caused her to pause, then, "Kos'tel'lanni...should you encounter her, I would advise not using the Force against her. The Chiss have...interesting training for their Navigators. Discord has overcome it, but I doubt the same can be said of Admiral Kos'tel'lanni."

 

[cleopat]

Valo scowled at, what he perceived, the mocking scoff. He wanted to retaliate and ask her what better ideas she had. But he didn’t. He remained silent as his dark eyes focused through the viewport at the blurred stars.

Reveille offered some keys to him, and Valo’s head snapped over in her direction. Eyes wide, he looked at the item in question. Was she actually…?

“Thank you,” he said before he could stop himself. He reached out to grab the keys before he hurried to his feet and made his way to where she kept his friends.

His footsteps echoed. Oola heard them first, having the more sensitive hearing out of the group. “Guys, someone’s coming,” she whispered. The other two hushed their voices, and they tensed with bated breathes.

But it wasn’t some stormtrooper or officer who came around the corner and into view. It was their missing friend. “Valo!” They all cried as the man in question sighed in relief. He rushed to them and began unlocking all of their binders, giving each one a tight hug.

“What’s going on?” Oola asked.

“The Grand Marshall of the First Order is the only other one on this ship. She-”

Aramis had interrupted. “Then why do we just kill her now? We outnumber her!”

“Because she had agreed to meet with General Leia on Takodana on the subject of Kylo Ren.”

“Wait, so you’re talking about working with the First Order?” This time Anesa spoke up.

Valo sighed and nodded. “Yes, for now at least. It seems to be agreed that he’s a larger threat for everyone right now, given his recent influence in the Core Worlds.

~~

Armitage’s words seemed a bit odd to Lavinia. She raised one eyebrow and bit back a smirk that threatened to form. He didn’t want her to seek comfort from Sienar, a man who was certainly famous for being quite charming.

Some part of her had entertained the thought on occasion. She wasn’t blind.

“And what are his intentions?” Oh, she knew. Lavinia knew exactly what those intentions were. “Do you not want me to seek comfort from him?”

She would go to Rani before she would ever go to Sienar for simple comfort and relief of the overwhelming emotions she felt. But she couldn’t help the question. “I’m sure he will be able to do as good of a job as Commander Rani.”

~~

Kylo was disappointed to hear of another planet, Corulag, that had fallen to the First Order. Corulag had been their first world they secured, and he would get it back for them. It would be a sweet victory for him.

Nyx listing off some of those she was contacting made him realize he still did not know the full extent of her network. She didn’t seem worry though, so he suspected that network was quite large.

Kylo hoped that reclaiming the planets wouldn’t take too long. Too much time away from her and his training. They had only started before they were interrupted by the actions of the First Order.

“I will keep you updated with what is going on in our battles.” If she was calling in their allies, he suspected she would be appreciative to know of any major losses or wins concerning the fight against the First Order for these planets.

Now he would be able to test his leadership abilities in battle.

Kylo expected her to turn and wake the Chiss, but she paused once more to address him. An eyebrow rose. He recalled Discord mentioning something about how the Chiss had some Force sensitivity as children, and most lose it. “What do you mean? Is she Force sensitive as well?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Valo did not hesitate as soon as the keys were in his hand. ‘Fool.’ If Reveille had wanted to, she could have signaled her brother. She could have called the First Order down on Takodana once more to see an end to the Resistance.

He was lucky that she felt like keeping this quiet.

And so, the only message she sent was to Terex. A confirmation of her location, and that she was doing something stupider than usual. A request that he be there.

It didn’t take long for a complaint to break through – but there was an agreement amidst the complaints, and that was enough. Reveille deleted the messages, and then reached across to the datapad that Valo had left behind in his seat.

She smashed it against the nearest wall, and let the pieces crumble to the floor.

Effective.

Not that she’d be making anyone aware of that. ‘You may have to destroy the entire ship. Everything….’ Something she was preparing herself for. She wasn’t going to let her things fall into Resistance hands.

She sent another message to Terex, a simple request that if it came to it – burn everything.

This was still war.

~***~

Armitage’s jaw twitched at the query of Sienar’s intentions. Was she that naïve? He supposed it was entirely possible, no matter how unlikely it seemed. “Sienar’s intentions would go beyond the realm of platonic comforting. I suppose if that is what you desire, then he would be the proper one to seek out, but he’s not known for monogamy.”

Something his sister clearly didn’t care about, not that he was surprised.

Monogamy hadn’t exactly worked out for her mother. All it had earned her was a bolt to the head.

Armitage still recalled that. Still recalled how Reveille was almost carelessly taken from her mother’s arms, and shoved into a droid’s.

Relationships didn’t exactly work. “It’s merely fair warning. His…reputation is well earned, even if it is not among the reasons for his promotions through the ranks.”

~***~

Nyx doubted she would need Kylo to keep her updated, but nonetheless, she clasped her hands in front of herself and inclined her head, “The information is appreciated, Commander Ren.” She would know through the Force how things moved.

Even if some aspects of the Force eluded her, like the Chiss oddity.

As she lifted her head, she considered it, “I know that in her past, Kos’tel’lanni was capable of using the Force,” Nyx answered, “I believe that she could again, but I do not speak with certainty. What I know of the Chiss, I know from Zeme’lodi’csapla, and our early interactions spoke to how they are taught to hold their secrets tightly – almost to a level of Hutt-resistance.”

The Hutts could not be manipulated at all with the Force. It was rather impressive, in truth. “It is not so secure as that, a bit flawed; Zeme’lodi’csapla tendd to just…pass out when we tried to open her mind. I could see nothing within her mind at all. I believe it will be similar with Kos’tel’lanni. She has been taught to withhold the secrets, at all costs.”

To the point of entering a death-like state that was difficult to rouse them from. A sort of hibernation.

 

[cleopat]

“I still say we should kill her now and rid the galaxy of the Grand Marshall.” Aramis highly opposed the plan, and he didn’t hesitate to vocalize it.

“I know,” Valo stressed. “We’ll stay on our guards for any sudden attacks. In the meantime, we’ll have to wait until we meet up with the others to get some blasters we can protect ourselves with.”

Oola sighed. “Okay, fine. You better hope you know what you’re doing.”

Placing one hand on her shoulder, Valo nodded. “As much as I can given the circumstances. But right now, we shouldn’t let her out of our sights for too long, if she is planning something.”

Everyone agreed, and they all headed for the cockpit with Valo leading the group. He first noticed the pieces of the datapad on the floor.

It made sense. It seemed Reveille made the decision to meet with General Organa suddenly, and without confirmation of their Supreme Leader, so now she was hiding her tracks. Erase evidence of talking to the Resistance.

“Get into an argument with the datapad?” Valo stepped forward from the others, the pieces of the datapad crunching under his boots. Arms crossed over his chest, he leaned against the co-pilot’s chair instead of sitting in it this time.

~~

A grin slowly spread across her face as Armitage explained. Of course she knew everything he said. All of the other girls confirmed it for her.

But, she wondered, why Armitage would take the time to warn her about him?

Lavinia took a small step forward, until they were practically touching again. “Supreme Leader, you think I didn’t already know about him?” Her hands reached out to smooth the lapels of his greatcoat, even though they didn’t need it.

“But, I wonder, why you’re taking the time to warn me of his intentions? Do you not wish for me to approach him for anything of that nature?” Could Armitage actually be...jealous?

The idea was preposterous for her, but it could be a reason. Maybe one he wasn’t aware of.

~~

The Chiss did like to hold their secrets. Not much was known of their planet of Csilla nor of their society in general, and all for good reason. They rarely told outsiders anything of their people, though Kylo surmised that some select few were allowed a glimpse into their culture.

He suspected Reveille was one of those people.

“If I ever see her again, I would certainly like to ask her about it.” If, being the keyword. And then, when he did, there was no guarantee she would answer him. Or maybe Kos’tel’lanni would entertain a question or two. Kylo didn’t hold his breath over it.

The ability to pass out at will was a unique one, though Kylo didn’t know if he would want a skill that would leave his body vulnerable to attacks if near an enemy.

His mind returned to the situation at hand. “If you don’t need me for anything else, I will prepare the ship as you wake up Discord.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Valo returned with all of the others – Reveille had barely seen their faces. She certainly didn’t know their names, and found she didn’t much care as her gaze flicked across each one. It was better that way.

Valo’s question just caused her to roll her eyes. “Oh yes, the datapad thought it was clever.” He wasn’t stupid enough not to know the real reason, but nonetheless, there was no reason to say as much. A wiped datapad could still have memory to it.

A destroyed one, didn’t.

Kylo had known that, too.

“We’ll be at Takodana in thirty minutes,” a bit ahead of Leia – unless Leia was already there and just wanted the time to scope out the place and prepare.

~***~

‘You asked about him.’ Armitage wanted to say, but paused as Althea reached out for his lapels again. His breath stilled, some understanding of tone and how she drew close dawning on him, even if he wanted to shove that realization way down.

He wasn’t that daft.

This time he did reach up to take her hands, and pull them gently from his lapels, but without a step back. “I am warning you to make sure you don’t get hurt.” He stated, adding, “You asked me of his intentions. Was I supposed to presume you knew when you asked?”

Why ask if she knew? Unless to lead him on to something, as he now suspected. “I didn’t think you the sort to ask redundant queries, Lieutenant.”

~***~

Nyx would have advised Kylo against even speaking to Kos’tel’lanni, but suspected that might not be much of a problem. Discord was with him more often than not. Discord could likely render Kos’tel’lanni catatonic if necessary, though Nyx would admit she’d prefer Kos’tel’lanni dead.

She just didn’t want Kylo to go about it the wrong way. If she fell suddenly on the field, she’d likely be removed just as quickly, compared to simply being engaged in combat.

“There is nothing else. Prepare for your departure. Discord will not be long,” Nyx answered, and with that, she would indeed turn off to the tent of her apprentice to rouse her back to consciousness and prepare her for the journey ahead, and what it could mean.

And to make note that the Grand Marshall was not to be killed.

There were things to be worked out there, after all.

 

[cleopat]

The red-headed bitch nickname still stuck in his mind. No matter what he said, she always had to respond with sarcasm or a biting remark. Though, if the tables were turned, he may not act so different. Maybe it was a defense mechanism for her. Or maybe she really was just a red-headed bitch.

Oola glared at Reveille. She easily recalled how the woman blew up their ship, stunned her, and how her companion stunned her friends. None of them were pleased with the situation. She murmured, “I’m sure someone else likes to think they’re so clever.”

But, what was the old saying? The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Ha, as if it will ever reach that point.

She hoped General Organa arrived before they did, to get a scope on the area and make sure there wouldn’t be an ambush. For the Grand Marshall to come alone? It was a risky, nearly stupid, move.

Really, why don’t they just kidnap her or kill her?

~~

Lavinia paused when Armitage didn’t let go of her hands. She was hyperaware of his grip on her, and she didn’t dare think to let go. It was nice. It almost felt right. No, it did feel right. And he still did not let go.

Swallowing, she answered, “It just seemed that you didn’t want me to seek out Sienar for the nature of his reputation, and I wanted to see why.” And Lavinia had theories now as to why he did that.

But she did prepare for him to dismiss her, either because it wasn’t true, or because he’ll be in denial about it.

“I think the idea made you jealous.” Her thumbs lightly traced over his fingers.

~~

Kylo nodded, and he turned off to make his way to the ship. He had dealt with battles before, but he felt a certain level of trepidation with this particular circumstance that left an uneasy feeling in his stomach.

Was it because he was going against the First Order in battle? Or because he may face Reveille? Don’t be such a coward. She means nothing to you. Ignore that night.

A scowl crossed his face. He refused to acknowledge the reason the Force showed him that night. It meant nothing. Kylo doubted she ever thought back to it either, unless it was to think of potential weaknesses in him. And if so, I’ll be certain to find yours.

Kylo stepped up on the ship, and he swiftly checked their supplies. They were still stocked up pretty well with provisions from their mission in the Core, so Kylo figured they had plenty for the mission to Caprioril and Corulag.

He started the ship, and after that he would wait for Discord to make her appearance and signal she was ready.

 

[Lucyfer]

Though Reveille knew the comment was directed at her thinking she was so clever. She didn’t take offense, just lifted her gaze from the viewport once again to focus on the togruta. “They should keep that to themselves when they’re unarmed and on a ship that only requires a voice command to self-destruct.”

Yes, that would kill her as well, and it was hardly something she wanted to occur, but it was a way to hold the power in this situation. She was aware she was outnumbered, but she had weapons.

They didn’t.

Unless someone was terrible at their jobs and had left a weapon on one of them, but she didn’t think that was possible. “You all get to keep your lives and your secrets.” She didn’t expect gratitude or for any of them to like her, “The least you can do is try not to make me regret that before we reach Takodana.”

~***~

In truth, Armitage had thought that Althea would draw her hands back once he removed them from his lapels. When she didn’t, he didn’t let go. Wouldn’t they just return to his lapels? It was a stupid thought compared to the truth, that even through his gloves he liked the warmth that radiated from her flesh.

Even through the gloves, he liked the caress of her thumb over him.

Enough that it seemed to spread warmth through him, painting his face a bit as she suggested he was jealous. He scoffed at that. “There’s nothing to be jealous of.” That was true – she was just his aide.

And yet he had been irritated by the thought of her with Sienar. Was it jealousy? He hadn’t liked to consider Sienar with her in the least, but he didn’t like the thought of Sienar with his sister, either. Couldn’t it just be he didn’t like Sienar? That was so much easier. Sienar was barely tolerable.

He might have elaborated, but his datapad pinged.

And so did Althea’s.

Both would be messages from Kos’tel’lanni.

Both would be different.

Reveille knows I’m hiding someone.​

That was all Kos’tel’lanni’s would say to Althea.

Grand Marshall Reveille has gone to meet with General Organa.​

That was what it would say to Armitage, as he pulled away, irked a bit by the interruption, and grabbed his datapad to see what could possibly be so important at this hour.

~***~

Discord would be a few minutes longer, and when she showed up, she looked almost haphazardly thrown together, clearly having moved in a rush once she was woken from slumber. She stumbled a bit in getting to the cockpit, and then gave Kylo a small nod and slid into the co-pilot’s seat. “Caprioril,” she said, “is where we’re going, right?”

Something about the First Order and plans falling through.

Something about Nyx handling the matter of pirates and reinforcements.

All she knew was Caprioril was the last place the First Order was spotted, and so the place they needed to go in order to push them back directly. “How are we getting through the First Order armada?” A fleet over a planet, and them without a stealth ship – Discord was good at piloting, but even that seemed like quite the task.

 

[cleopat]

Oola bristled at the threat. She was a bit more loose in her emotions than the others, which was evident in how she reacted to what Reveille said. She never hesitated in letting someone know how she felt.

“If you think...” she started, taking a step forward before Valo swept in, wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her back.

“Oola,” he hissed, not letting go, “Until the meeting with General Organa is over, we are officially on neutral territory.” Though they were technically still in space and not, in fact, on Takodana. “Don’t forget we’re also all here and unscathed.”

The togruta in question glared at the red-headed woman a moment longer, but then she released a breath of air. He was right. She hated how she knew this.

“Fine.” She wasn’t pleased. The woman was why they were there, after all. And Reveille expected them to remain behaved despite the fact she was the reason they were there to begin with?

Oola was definitely not happy.

~~

Lavinia noticed the reddening of his face.

With how pale Armitage was, it was hard to not notice.

She almost commented on his lie, one that he may not even fully recognize as a lie, but both of their datapads pinged with a new message. She frowned when he stepped away to read his message, and she did the same for hers.

A message from Kos’tel’lanni.

A message that drained her face of color.

Lavinia was fortunate she was turned away from Armitage, lest she wanted him to see her reaction to the unpleasant and unexpected message. Though, if she had watched Armitage, his face might have held a similar reaction.

Her secret and her very life were in danger now. She quickly shot a message back to Kos’tel’lanni.

How will you distract her from the truth?

She hoped there was a way to do that. If not...Lavinia didn’t want to think about how she could leave the ship before the secret spilled.

Lavinia wanted to asked Armitage what was on his datapad, but she also didn’t want him questioning what was sent to her, so she merely looked over at him, seeing if she could gauge the nature of the message by his reaction.

~~

Kylo glanced at Discord with one raised brow, silently commenting on her slight haphazard state. It was clear she was awakened unexpectedly and hurried to get there. At least she didn’t dawdle on getting ready.

“Yes, we’re headed to Caprioril.” With Discord now on the ship, Kylo prepped the ship for travel. The ramp rose from the ground, and he steadily disembarked from the planet, watching the scenery beneath them grow smaller.

He considered her next question carefully. Darth Nyx’s allies won’t be there by the time they arrived at Caprioril. “With me,” he answered, not looking at the Chiss. “I will navigate the ship through their armada. I can do it.” The addition he didn’t know if it was for his own reassertion or hers.

The ship now approached the planet’s atmosphere and nearly ready for lightspeed travel. Trepidation lingered under his skin, but he wouldn’t show it. He had to push it aside for the battle they faced.

So he momentarily changed the subject. “I trust you had a good rest?” His tone suggested amusement, even if he didn’t look at her while asking.

 

[Lucyfer]

‘Try me, bitch.’ Reveille held the woman’s gaze as she started to approach, knowing she shouldn’t want her to strike – but stars, did she. A good fight where she didn’t have to hold her punches would have felt good. Lothal had been too quiet, and the Baron broke too easily. She hadn’t gotten to have any fun with the Rebel base, either.

Oola stepped down, though. Reveille just cocked a smirk at that, and went back to looking at the viewport.

The time she’d given was fairly accurate. Soon enough, Takodana was appearing in front, by virtue of being on a hyperlane out of the Core. Reveille navigated the ship to a hangar, “Much as I dislike your company, Valo, you’re staying with me until the princess shows up.” The others, she’d let wander off if they desired.

Valo would remain the one card she held, the one person she could at least put a blaster bolt through if this all went to hell. Takodana was neutral…but they all knew how well that worked out in practice. “I don’t care if the rest of you want to scatter as soon as you step off the ship.” She couldn’t recognize Leia’s ship even if she tried. Leia had many, and could use many.

Reveille rose from the pilot’s seat, and gestured them all ahead.

Outside, Terex did linger. He’d seen her ship arrive, and he opted to go wait in plain sight in the hangar.

~***~

Armitage turned slightly away as he looked at the message. Like Althea, the color drained from his face, before it flared suddenly in anger. He barely recalled he was in Althea’s room as he moved to a table and set his datapad down more harshly than necessary, calling Kos’tel’lanni rather than waiting to shoot back a message.

As such, a message to Althea’s question would not be forthcoming.

“Supreme Leader,” Kos’tel’lanni’s voice entered the room, her figure hovering over the datapad.

“Why is Reveille meeting with General Organa? When did she leave? How did she find out where General Organa was?” The questions came out in a rush, both of his hands clenched tight in anger.

“The Grand Marshall took initiative to do so based on information she acquired from the resistance members we captured. She is bartering their lives for information from General Organa on Kylo Ren.” That much was the truth, a truth Reveille would have to come clean about eventually. She could try to smooth it over.

It might make things easier for her in the future, as well. “She left an hour ago.”

“You didn’t tell me before now?”

“The Grand Marshall requested I not.”

~***~

Discord caught Kylo’s look and returned a slight glare, though she wouldn’t be too bothered by it. She was there. She was ready. They’d take care of the Order.

Although, Kylo’s entire plan seemed to be hinging on his ability to get through the armada. As they moved to lightspeed, Discord decided to take a look at the power of their shields. They hadn’t faced attack…but she still wanted to make sure they were fully operational. It was likely better if he managed it. Navigating was one thing. Navigating a battlefield was a bit beyond her.

“I’ll trust you,” she allowed.

So far, she’d had no reason to mistrust him, and Nyx still had faith in him. She’d have to trust him. They’d get through this. Somehow.

She sighed at his query, though. “It’s not my fault I sleep deeply,” she knew he was mocking her for sleeping in. Usually it wasn’t a problem on their ship. She woke on her own, and he’d never bothered her, just as she never bothered him. It had seemed a silent agreement. “I’m awake enough.”

 

[cleopat]

Oola desperately wanted to wipe the smirk off of the red-head’s face. She wanted nothing more than t snap her skinny little neck, but she refrained from any attack for now. For Valo. For the Resistance. For the fate of the galaxy.

“You can deny the attraction you feel for me all you want.” Valo wasn’t serious with his words, but he couldn’t help the joke. His eyes scanned the hangar for any sight of a familiar ship, and there was one. “But we all know the attraction that is there.”

Good. She had made it.

The other three hurried off the ship, understanding in their role of the meeting. They had none, merely to stand in the background and watch things as they unfold. Once they had weapons again, they could act as guards in case there was an ambush, or in case Reveille decided to act brashly.

Valo followed behind them, but in front of Reveille. He had to wonder who General Organa brought along, if anyone. No, she did. She wouldn’t be so stupid as to come alone.

But would Reveille truly be alone?

~~

The noise of the datapad slamming on her table forced her attention to him. What was it Kos’tel’lanni told him? For a split second, Lavinia worried she told him of her own secret. No, that would be ridiculous. There would already be a blaster trained on you.

But soon the Chiss’s hologram appeared over his datapad.

And Lavinia soon understood Armitage’s reaction.

Her eyes widened. Reveille meeting with General Organa? And they both agreed to it? It seemed impossible to her. What were they discussing? Or rather, how did this happen?

Kos’tel’lanni had answered some of her questions. Lavinia walked over to stand behind Armitage, watching the Chiss.

She placed a hand on his back, out of sight of Kos’tel’lanni. An attempt at comfort. “Who did the Grand Marshall bring along with her?”

~~

In their month spent together before returning to Dathomir, they gave each other little reason to not trust one another. Everything had gone according to plan, and they each played their role well.

Now, the extent of that trust would be tested as Kylo would navigate through an enemy battlefield. “And I’ll trust you.” For whatever role she played in their getting to Caprioril.

She hadn’t given him a reason yet to not trust her. And Darth Nyx held her close.

“If you aren’t, I’m sure there’s caf somewhere on this ship.” Another joke at her expense, though he didn’t aim to insult her. He merely wanted to lighten the situation before they faced the First Order.

Soon, the blurred of stars signaled they had entered lightspeed. His heart pounded in apprehension of the oncoming storm that awaited them on the other side of their lightspeed travel. “Go ahead and alert the ruler of Caprioril of the upcoming battle, and that we’re coming.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Reveille almost laughed at Valo’s comment. She didn’t quite, but her scoff was more amused than before, “You’re too scruffy for my tastes, boy,” she denied easily enough. No one was really her type at the moment. Not even her usual tastes.

Thankfully, they all easily moved ahead. She didn’t waste time drawing a blaster or making an overt threat, there was no need of it. It seemed they all wanted this to go well – for Leia’s sake, perhaps. For their own, probably, although she was half-convinced that Oola would have punched her if Oola’s life was the only one at stake.

Alas.

“What the fuck, Reveille?”

Terex was not as subtle as she would have liked, the man pushing off of a ship he’d been leaning against and striding forward. He recognized two – Oola and Valo. Oola by virtue of being a friend of Valo, more than anything.

“Terex….” Her tone held a warning. “Didn’t I tell you to stay back and prepare for anything untoward?”

“Yeah, and then I saw General Organa, and Poe fucking Dameron,” his bitterness towards Poe had never abated, “and you said you were doing something stupid. If you want to defect – don’t go to the Resistance.”

Reveille glared at him, “I’m not defecting. I’m getting information, with a prisoner.”

Terex gave her a dull look. “You don’t know Organa. Or Dameron.”

No, no she didn’t. “That’s why you’re here.” If it all went to hell…Terex had his orders.

Terex did not look happy, at all, but he didn’t contest it further. “Fine. But I ain’t helping with talks.”

‘Somehow I think you’d ruin them.’ She didn’t say that, she didn’t want him in talks, after all. She just wanted him there. Around. Present. With any luck, Leia and Poe hadn’t even seen him yet. And so she would just give Terex a nod of confirmation and press Valo to move on towards the actual castle.

~***~

Armitage straightened up a bit more at the touch, and while Kos’tel’lanni couldn’t see the action, she did see Lavinia enter the image, and she did register the closeness. ‘Am I interrupting?’ She only wished the mood was good enough to make such a joke. Alas. It definitely was not.

“No one of the First Order. She took the four prisoners with her.”

“And went alone, in her own ship?” Armitage was growing increasingly irritated. “Where did she go?”

“I don’t know.” Kos’tel’lanni answered.

“Find her. Now.” He knew they could track Reveille’s ship, and Kos’tel’lanni opted not to argue with him or press the matter, she shifted a bit in the hologram to begin the process of tracking her ship. “What did the rebels say to convince her of this?"

Kos’tel’lanni shook her head a bit, “They determined her interest in Kylo Ren and used that. There isn’t much more to say on that matter.”

~***~

Discord rolled her eyes, but drew her legs up beneath herself and focused a bit on meditating. “I won’t pilot, but I’ll try to keep us ahead of trouble,” she offered. Going into lightspeed would be fatal, but she thought she could navigate a bit at slower speeds, or at least help to tell Kylo where a shot was going to come from, or how a ship might move so he could bring it down.

He likely had plenty good intuition with the Force himself, but she didn’t think he’d mind a touch more. Some certainty, along with intuition.

She didn’t bring up her datapad. “There is no leader of Caprioril. The First Order has already eliminated them,” Caprioril was taken, so far as Nyx had told Discord. Like Corulag. The First Order was likely preparing to move on to the next planet, but they had not yet made the jump.

Likely, some recoup was necessary before that jump.

 

[cleopat]

Valo thought up a quick response to Reveille’s quip, but he didn’t have a chance to retaliate before she motioned them off her ship, in front of her.

He didn’t risk the limits of her patience, and with the look he gave the other rebels, they didn’t risk it either.

A masculine voice interrupted their short trip to the cantina. Valo looked over, and a familiar face greeted his sight. Do I know him…?

Oh yes, he did. Oola did too. Terex. Not the most reliable person in the galaxy.

His words proved that General Organa and Poe Dameron were indeed there already. He nearly let out a sigh of relief, and the others held back the desire to do the same. Familiar faces were nearby. They could make it.

Valo gave Terex a glare, and he continued forward into the castle, where General Organa awaited them in a corner with Poe Dameron. He knew someone else was nearby, waiting and watching. General Organa would only come appropriately armed.

“Grand Marshall Hux,” Leia greeted, opting to use her title in the First Order instead of strictly by first name. “This meeting came as quite a surprise for me.”

~~

Lavinia tensed up a moment at the news Reveille held four rebel prisoners with her, but she forced herself to relax. Armitage couldn’t know.

But she wondered what was going through Reveille’s mind in taking this prisoners with her, to see General Organa. Did she have a back up plan? First Order officers or troopers waiting in the background?

“They may have determined to meet on neutral ground,” Lavinia offered. It was the only situation she could imagine General Organa doing. She would never risk her life purposely by going into First Order territory, and she hardly doubted Reveille would risk going into Resistance territory.

Her hand didn’t move from Armitage’s back.

“She’ll be okay. This is Reveille Hux we’re talking about.” Lavinia attempted to calm down Armitage, but she knew it would only work so well in this case. Reveille was meeting with General Organa. Two enemies. History didn’t favor meetings such as this one going well.

~~

Once the ship was in lightspeed, quickening their trip to Caprioril, he leaned back against the seat. “Please do so.” Even if he had a strong grasp of the Force, an extra set of eyes in Discord could prove helpful. She may be able to find something he carelessly overlooked.

The news of the ruler of Caprioril did not go over well with him. Kylo scowled, hands tightening their grip on his chair a moment before loosening. “Of course they have. Does Caprioril have a back-up leader?” Most planets did, in case of an untimely death.

Most democratic planets had a second-in-command to take over. Monarchies had their princes or princesses ready to take over.

“Darth Nyx had contacted the other planets in the Core regarding what’s going on, correct?” If anyone knew anything, he figured it would be Discord. In what he’s seen, she was the only other Nyx referred to, besides himself, with plans. “If so, we can rally them against the First order.”

 

[Lucyfer]

The Grand Marshall was prepared for the sight of both Leia Organa and Poe Dameron. Her gaze still gave the cantina a once-over, but she knew she’d likely recognize no one. No trace of the Scavenger. No trace of FN-2187.

So, her gaze focused on the woman who had saved the galaxy years ago. The mother of Kylo Ren, the daughter of Darth Vader, but not known for using the Force herself. Still, Reveille would have preferred to meet her with one of those Force-hindering things all the same.

The possibility of it unnerved her in a way she hadn’t quite prepared herself to feel when she took a seat, “Princess Organa,” she did not use her military title, even if the woman had extended as much towards her. “A situation arose that made this meeting tenable.” It wasn’t planned in advance in the least. “Let’s not mince words. We’re not going to settle the war here.”

Certainly not without her brother.

“I intend to leave here without your rebels, and leave you unharmed, if you can provide me with information on Kylo Ren. I know some of his activity in the past month, but not so much as I would like to know.”

~***~

Althea’s words weren’t working at all. If anything, they were making his mood worse, and he finally shot a glare her way as she seemed to assume his only concern was Reveille’s safety. It was one of his concerns, yes.

He had others.

That her obsession had finally taken her over the deep end.

That she was defecting.

That she’d offer more than the rebels for what she wanted.

“She has chosen to meet with General Organa without telling me. Where, in all of that, does it sound like I should trust her with this?” He snapped, and looked back to Kos’tel’lanni, stepping forward to step out of Althea’s touch without brushing her off. “Where is she?”

“Takodana,” Kos’tel’lanni answered.

“Good.” It wasn’t good. “I’m taking the Finalizer there.” They had a shot at General Organa, right? And if Reveille was trying to hide this, then that couldn’t mean anything good. “Keep the Exigency here.”

~***~

Discord gave a shrug with a shake of her head, “Maybe they did, but the First Order hasn’t been showing much mercy,” Nyx hadn’t mentioned a second-in-command, only that the First Order had taken over. “I think it’s under First Order martial law right now.” So anyone with the resources was either dead, or out of power.

She did agree with his second point, “Yes – she’s likely going to have them organize to strike back. And there may be a group we can use on Caprioril,” Discord opted to reach out to Nyx to find out what groups she worked with on Caprioril. Who they could gather.

A few moments later, she was given a name, “There’s a Swoop Gang headed by a Jax Corona that Nyx is friendly with. She’s alerted them to the situation. We should be able to meet with him in the capital square.”

 

[cleopat]

Poe Dameron straightened his posture when Reveille acknowledged General Organa without her proper title, but Leia hardly looked bothered by it. She was used to people underestimating her, despite her family name.

“War can be created in the matter of minutes, but it cannot be subdued in that same timeframe.” Leia gazed upon Reveille with a critical eye, and Valo, although not sitting in the booth Leia occupied, stood nearby, a blaster now holstered in his belt.

The topic of her son still proved to be a sore one. Earlier, she could’ve sworn she felt his presence in her office, and she still didn’t know if it was the effort of the Force or a trick of her old, fragile mind.

“If I tell you any information I may have received of my son, this may mean the Resistance and the First Order may work together to subdue him.” She didn’t want him killed. She couldn’t bare the thought of that happened, despite knowing the atrocities he created over the years.

Her son, Ben Solo, was still in there somewhere. And she wanted to get him back.

Leia paused a moment, and Poe looked over at her as she did so. He knew how much this discussion killed her on the inside. “We have reason to believe he’s on Dathomir, working with the Nightsisters”

~~

With the glare Armitage shot her way, Lavinia lowered her hand that had rested on his back. He seemed to not be in the mood for any comfort, which she could understand.

But it still bothered her.

They were on Takodana. Neutral ground. An attack there, a second attack, would be foolish. “Certainly you’re not thinking of engaging in battle there?” she asked.

She didn’t care if someone else was watching. She didn’t care if Armitage was annoyed by her questioning his orders.

Lavinia wanted answers.

“It would be foolish to attack again on neutral territory.”

~~

Kylo frowned. Naturally the First Order would quash any potential for a new government to form while under their control. This meant that they had to erase any influence the First Order held over Caprioril.

A swoop gang didn’t hold any appeal for Kylo, but they didn’t have much choice in the matter. They had to deal with whoever was willing to ally with them. Even if it was rambunctious gangs like the Swoop Gang.

“If you can, send them a message we’re coming.” He needed to make sure everything was in order.

Kylo punched in the coordinates for the capital square, but he anticipated trouble before then. They would have to navigate through the First Order armada before getting through to the planet’s atmosphere, which may be a pain in of itself.

If the First Order had many ships in the Core, Kylo would have to be careful.

“Once we exit lightspeed, I will need you to serve as my backup, in case I miss something.” He held confident that he wouldn’t let his guard slip, but it was still welcomed to feel at ease against anyone attacking them.

 

[Lucyfer]

‘Easy flyboy.’ Reveille was aware of the blaster that Valo had found in all of this. Aware of the threats that were now numerous around her. She only had Terex to fall back on, but generally speaking – that was a fairly good fallback plan. If it was needed.

Her gaze never truly left Leia in all of this, though. The woman did not bristle with the lack of title. She spoke evenly, spoke of Dathomir and Kylo Ren working with the Nightsisters there. No wonder he hadn’t been apprehended. “They’re headed by Darth Nyx. She has an apprentice, Darth Discord, named Zeme’lodi’csapla. Chiss.” Reveille offered to her, “From what I hear, Kylo Ren is working directly with Zeme’lodi’csapla. I know little else of their numbers.”

Or anything besides that, in truth. She had thought the Nightsisters to be gone, and Nyx just a Sith, but now? Well, this was a problem. “They have a scientist that can make Force-hindering jewelry, as I’m sure you’re aware from working with Matja Tarkin.”

Terex would have loved an audience with him.

She wouldn’t speak to subduing him, though. Let Leia assume she agreed to such a thing. “Do you know how many Nightsisters there are? Or do you have any leads on Count Demici?” The scientist could be critical to any success.

~***~

Armitage laughed at the question thrown his way by Althea, “Why not? They have no defenses. This is the second time they’ve harbored rebels, as well.”

Kos’tel’lanni wouldn’t dare to speak against it. She knew there was no arguing. “Any planet that declares neutrality is really just choosing inaction. In the end, all systems will be a part of the First Order. That includes Takodana, and perhaps it is time they realized this.”

Maz Kanata may have avoided truly annoying him, but right now? He was angry. And Takodana did provide a safe spot for the Rebels to meet with others and group up. He needed to take that away from them. Away from others. “The galaxy needs to learn there is no such thing as neutrality.”

And he reached for his datapad to shut it off and walk off to head for the Bridge.

~***~

Zeme’lodi’csapla got the contact information for Jax and shot the message over to the stranger, offering a brief introduction of herself as Darth Discord, apprentice to Nyx, so he’d know how she got his contact information and who she was.

She gave a nod to Kylo’s statement, “I will,” she agreed.

That was the plan from the start.

No message was returned from Jax, but somehow, that didn’t surprise her. He’d already been messaged by Nyx. A follow-up from Discord likely just annoyed him. No matter. He’d deal with them and be cordial about it, or he’d be replaced.

 

[cleopat]

None of the Resistance fighters around Leia attacked Reveille. They held a code of honor, and they would hold onto that honor until she did something that betrayed it.

So far, she hadn’t done anything.

General Organa knew how to hide reactions from those she didn’t want to have easy access to her thoughts. The names were familiar to her, but she couldn’t recall why. Leia knew they didn’t spell good news though. Not with the Sith titles.

“Oh yes, I’m aware of Matja Tarkin.” She she was aware of the Force-hindering technology he briefly boasted about. She thought he was bluffing, or had only came upon a theory that didn’t pan out.

Apparently it did.

Leia didn’t have any definite answers to Reveille’s questions, which where questions she wanted answered herself. “I know the Nightsisters work in larger groups, but specifics? I’m afraid I don’t know.”

It killed her. She wanted to know what her son was up to. She wanted to know what he was doing and what he planned to do. “I haven’t heard anything on the Count, but I also haven’t heard if he had died, if that’s what you wanted.”

~~

Lavinia threw a glance in Kos’tel’lanni’s direction before the connection was severed. She had to talk Armitage out of whatever he planned on doing next, and soon.

“And they also harbor our officers!” She closely followed behind him, her strides maintaining their pace beside his. “To destroy the planet would be a foolish plan.”

She knew she had to back up her beliefs with evidence. “What if they could actually learn the location and true motives of Kylo Ren from this meeting? Isn’t that worth finding out what is going on?”

They needed Takodana to stand. The full definition of neutrality could be dealt with later. “Isn’t that enough to leave the planet along to see what happens?”

She couldn’t see General Organa killed. “We have a bigger issue at stake other than the Resistance, which you have mentioned yourself.”

~~

Kylo merely nodded to Discord’s agreement with his command. He didn’t expect an answer for some time, if Caprioril was truly under attack.

He likely had more important things to worry about, with the First Order hovering over the planet.

Soon they left lightspeed, and Kylo could see the First Order armada in the distance. He needed to remain focused, or else it could prove their end.

“If you see an easier way to the planet, let me know,” was all he warned before he allowed the ship to speed forward, through the TIEs and other First Order ships.

He would almost be disappointed if no one followed behind him.

 

[Lucyfer]

No numbers. Nothing about the Count. ‘Gods damn you, Kos’tel’lanni.’ Reveille couldn’t help but feel this was a pointless endeavor. Leia had nothing, except the little detail that Kylo was working with more than two others. Useful, but not what she needed. She’d just have to harass Tarkin more, then.

And deal with why Kos’tel’lanni wanted her out of there so swiftly, before Kos’tel’lanni could cover her tracks.

“No, I’m afraid I wanted significantly more than you seem to have.” Which meant, at that point, Leia’s use was exhausted. She had a base of operations, though. She could work from there, try to probe Dathomir further. If it was Nightsisters, “I would suggest you use droids in any further examination of Dathomir. Force-sensitives aren’t so attuned to them,” she placed her hands on the table and rose, “If you’ll excuse me, Princess Organa, it seems you do not know so much as I was led to believe.” And she didn’t imagine they would be continuing communications, or forging an actual alliance to deal with Kylo Ren.

She was going to fucking wring Kos’tel’lanni’s neck.

No, probably not.

But there was nothing for her here, and she was just embittered by that.

~***~

Althea hadn’t irritated Armitage in a while. As they walked down the hall, she began to, trying to tell him not to attack Takodana. She knew he didn’t have the capability to destroy an entire planet. He would, of course, attack the castle. If Reveille wasn’t smart enough to get out of there before the blast, well, he’d deal with that later.

“No, it isn’t.” He stated, but he was more angry at Reveille for her actions than anything. More angry that she was hiding them.

“We may have larger issues than the Resistance, which is why we don’t seek them out – but a clear lead on their location is one we must take, Lieutenant.” He paused, briefly, “As I recall, you are sick,” he said, deadly calm, “You should return to your quarters.”

He didn’t need her arguing and fussing on the Bridge.

Nor did he actually wait for her response, as he turned back around, unaware the Bridge was going to have an entirely new issue for him to deal with.

~***~

The Fleet was relatively inactive. Caprioril was already well under control, but the defenses were around it. Ships that Zeme’lodi’csapla couldn’t have possibly named were there, and she shut her eyes and focused ahead.

Seconds ahead. “Someone will hail us.” That was expected, “There won’t be any lying – they know your voice.” A vision of if he answered – if he didn’t – “Combat will engage before we move through their ranks.”

And the ping of the hailing did come through.



A TIE Defender was the one – Lieutenant-Admiral Valles Sienar taking note of the ship and intending to warn them off approaching Caprioril, and find out their business in the area.

“Hey, Admiral, we might have a problem,” he sent that back to Kos’tel’lanni about the oncoming ship, before he’d ever hear a response from it – if he was even going to get one.

 

[cleopat]

Reveille seemed impatient to stick around for Leia to talk any further, yet she had more to offer than the Grand Marshall though.

Even Poe knew this. He glanced at Leia, and glanced back at the woman who started to retreat. “But I’m sure you would like to know what he may have planned for the immediate future.”

Leia didn’t take her gaze off of Reveille. It was as if her gaze, a similar hue as Kylo’s bore right into her soul and could read her every thought.

Maybe they could.

“I know him more than anyone else does.” This she was certain of. Not even Snoke knew of his vulnerable side as well as she did, even if he did attempt to exploit it. “I’m sure you would like to know what he may have planned next.” And how we can bring him back to me.

She left that part unspoken, but she did so desire to speak to Kylo Ren once more. To see how much of her son remained.

~~

Lavinia took great offense at his attempt to wave her off back to her room. She may not have been in the best mental health, but she would not wordlessly return to her room in a moment like that.

“And I will not,” she hissed as she continued to follow him. “Send a team to Takodana if you must, but to fire upon them would be a foolish move.”

She would worry about retribution to her actions later.

They both remained blissfully unaware of the battle beginning in their airspace.

“They may have information we need, which is most likely why the Grand Marshall met with them to begin with.” She had to hope Armitage would see her view, even if she did much to contradict him and piss him off.

But fortunately the Bridge would provide that distraction for them.

~~

Kylo memorized what Discord warned him of. It all seemed plausible. “I guess we’ll just have to welcome them then, won’t we?”

The shuttle grew closer, and the ping of the hailing sounded through. A smirk crossed his face. “And who do I owe this pleasure?”

He had a few guesses as to whom could be hailing him, but he also knew the ranks shifted in his absence. Or that the TIE fights may be split amongst different planets.

But he did wish it was someone of Reveille’s inner circle.

“I am just simply trying to get to Caprioril, if you don’t mind.” The ships were approaching shooting distance. Kylo’s thumbs hovered over the buttons to shoot at them, just as he listened out for anything Discord had to warn him of.

 

[Lucyfer]

Reveille didn’t get to move away. It was strange that Leia would want to keep the discussion going, unless she suspected that Reveille was holding back information to help her. And Leia’s gaze didn’t help matters. It was unnerving.

It reminded her, again, of Kylo.

Of the Force.

She didn’t want to linger, but she paused all the same, “I’ve already spoken with the late Baron Danthe,” Reveille noted, wondering if Leia could offer anything he hadn’t. “Kylo Ren intends to unite multiple Core Worlds into an army against the First Order and others. He has the assistance of criminal factions that Darth Nyx works with, some of which Danthe was able to name.”

It didn’t seem like there would be much else Kylo had planned. “He was Supreme Leader of the First Order, Princess Organa. I doubt his intention of conquest has changed all that much since I ousted him from that position.”

But she was welcome to speak.

~***~

Armitage ignored her, determining that if she kept speaking when they entered the Bridge, he’d have her removed to a cell. It wouldn’t be that difficult. As it was, the Bridge had another issue in store for them, one he became immediately aware of upon entering, “Supreme Leader – Kylo Ren has entered Caprioril airspace!”

It was Lieutenant Mitaka who spoke, and he looked like he’d just been about to rush out of the room to tell someone – in spite of the datapad he clutched.

“What?” Armitage’s eyes widened in alarm, and he moved onto the catwalk to see in the viewport that multiple ships had engaged a single freighter. He clenched his fists. “Every laser, on that freighter, NOW!” He shouted, then, “Who’s in charge of the squadron out there now?”

“Lieutenant-Admiral Sienar, sir.”

“Pull him up.”

“…sir he’s already shut down communications.”

~***~

The voice that came over the line was familiar, and Valles keyed up Kos’tel’lanni once more, to deliver the message, “So, Kylo Ren is in that ship. I’m taking mine off-line for a bit.”

“Sienar, no—” but, too late, he flicked off communications with the main ship, and then spoke to the other TIEs.

“That’s Kylo Ren in the freighter. Let’s make sure he doesn’t make it to Caprioril, eh?” Perhaps on the ground he was a match, but in the air? Sienar thought he could take him, and he flicked back to the hailing frequency, “If it isn’t Crylo Ben,” he greeted, “Been looking forward to seeing you hit the ground – though you’re gonna have to get a little bit closer to the planet for that. Let’s see if you can do it.”

The challenge put, his TIE immediately zipped forward.

A tactic Zeme’lodi’csapla informed him of, as well as how he’d break off to the left, and several other TIEs would be behind him and break off in all directions to fire upon Kylo.

How the turbolasers were soon to be primed from both the Finalizer and the Exigency for his ship, but it was possible to use the multiplicity of TIEs as shields in the event of that – the defenders did have their own shielding apparatuses. It’d destroy them, but it should take the bulk of most of that laser.

 

[cleopat]

Leia nodded along to Reveille’s words. “Just as I suspected,” she murmured. “Someone else has replaced the role Snoke played in his life,” and given her title, Leia knew she meant no good for Kylo’s future.

“Already she had managed to persuade him to go by his birth name, something he hadn’t done in years.” When Leia first heard that Kylo was using the name Ben Solo, she thought she misheard. Or their informant was wrong.

But it had been true. And she didn’t know what she should feel.

“We both know of the planets he visited recently, but I know of his weaknesses.” The words hurt Leia to say, but if they inspired Reveille to strike an agreement with the Resistance, they were worth exploring.

As long as Ben Solo returned to them alive.

~~

Lavinia didn’t appreciate how he just simply ignored her, after what had happened in her room, but she didn’t have much of a chance to think on it.

The Bridge brimmed with life as a battle was underway before their very eyes.

Her own eyes widened at the news, and her gaze followed Armitage as he marched to the viewpoint to see the battle. Was it just one freighter against their ships?

No, Kylo wasn’t that stupid.

“He can’t be alone,” she whispered, largely thinking to herself. “That would be a suicide mission, if he intends to reclaim Caprioril. He has to have others behind him.”

Or maybe Kylo Ren was indeed that stupid.

~~

Kylo scowled at the nickname, but he wouldn’t let it affect his concentration. That’s what Sienar would want, and he was better than their lieutenant-admiral.

“Let’s see if your actions can match your words.” Kylo dodged any attempts at their fire with ease. Between his Force sensitivity and Discord’s own help through her use of the Force, they didn’t pose much of a threat for him.

He nearly laughed.

His ship dodged their attacks, and as directed, he guided the ship into a path where most of the TIEs would act as a shield against the Finalizer’s and Exigency’s turbolasers on him.

“Really, I would’ve expected better from you,” he chastised. “Or did you truly only earn your position from engaging in an illicit affair with your dear Grand Marshall?”

By mentioning Reveille, Kylo hoped to gain some information on what she was doing, or where she was at the moment. For his own sanity.