Fandom Fight for Control [closed]

[Lucyfer]

Kylo spoke questions of the Order, and Nyx nodded, “Some, we know. The morale has dropped,” obviously, “and as I understand it, the General is trying to convince them that it was not suicide,” that she was attacked by rebels. More than likely, he was trying to convince himself. Likely, he felt some guilt in it.

“With morale falling and doubt slipping in about his leadership, as well as two high-ranking spies in the Order, I imagine it is soon to undergo another change,” so it would not matter much what Armitage was planning. Not for long.

Nyx was already eying how to step in. Snoke had done it. She could manage it, as well. She just had to be patient, and then she could add the First Order to her collection of allies and military strength. “It seems he is planning to launch an investigation into the matter,” which made sense, even if it was utterly pointless to waste such resources.

~***~

Strange that they’d be closer to Batuu, but Reveille saw no reason to argue. She didn’t really need to know why they were out so close to this area. It wasn’t her business, and she knew that. She’d little plans to ask where General Organa was, in truth. ‘So, one day.’ Which meant she’d have to figure out what to do for a few more days on her own that didn’t involve murder, pickpocketing, or sleeping around.

She could try to get a job, she supposed.

She wasn’t pleased with this, but she knew this was a temporary reprieve. She didn’t really want them around when Eli Vanto showed up. “I see,” she wouldn’t argue that, or ask questions, “I suppose that makes sense,” if it was all true, of course it did. Why waste the fuel? Fuel could get expensive. Especially out here.

~***~

Kos’tel’lanni shrugged, “It’s not causing any permanent harm,” but it was humiliating and she knew it, but Hux could change it by just stripping off the attire. That seemed more feasible than dying his hair. Sure, he could change it, but that required significantly more effort, and stars knew how he’d react to spice.

She had taken her seat then, and arched a brow at a bounty hunter suggestion. “Do you really want to give him armor right now? Or make it more difficult to deal with him?” They wouldn’t be able to see his expression, and well…armor.

Assuming she meant a standard full set of armor, like that of Stormtroopers.

She supposed there may be other bounty hunter attire, but her thought always went to Mandalorian armor. Boba Fett had made it nearly impossible not to connect the two.

 

[cleopat]

Another change. Kylo wanted to have hope that they could swipe in and take advantage of their situation. He imagined Nyx and her allies were currently stronger than the First Order, who had suffer many losses recently.

The loss of many higher-ups, they undoubtedly needed a morale boost. Susceptible to a further change.

Would they fight against a team of Force users, or accept them as they come?

Kylo didn’t question about the potential with the First Order. He wanted to see how events would progress first. But if they could grab the First Order, he could mold it into something more attuned to his desires than attempting to hold onto what Snoke created.

“His sister was the only person he allowed himself to be attached to.” As far as Kylo could tell. So naturally Armitage would wish to throw himself into her death.

~~

The two didn’t say anything else, but the silence didn’t last for too long. After a few minutes, a small woman approached the trio. A red shawl was wrapped around her head, hiding her hair save for a few strands of black hair that escaped. The rest of her body was covered by a long, loose dress of a dark green color. Valo mentally compared the green of the woman’s eyes to the forests of Endor.

“Can we help you…?” Oola trailed off, her gaze scanning the woman. Her posture straightened, sensing threat that may not even be there.

“On contraire, I think it is I who can help you.” Their mysterious woman spoke with the crisp, distinct accent of someone from the Core. “Valo, is it?” Her eyes turned to the man in question, who didn’t answer her question. “We’ve been messaging each other concerning information of Dathomir and you-know-who.”

She didn’t dare speak his name in case anyone else wanted to eavesdrop.

Valo raised an eyebrow at their informant. “I must admit, you are not what I expected.”

She giggled. If she found insult, she did not show it. “I get that a lot.”

~~

Lavinia shrugged. “He doesn’t have to have full armor, or have any actual weapons on him. But their helmets may be able to keep him disguised for a while.” It wouldn’t be the best scenario, but, really, a hat and poncho?

But why do you care if he look ridiculous. His comfort shouldn’t be your priority.

She frowned at her thoughts. No, she didn’t care. She shouldn’t. But she did. Even as her head still pounded from his attack.

“Besides, I don’t think all bounty hunters wear that armor. I know Poe Dameron has a bounty hunter friend, Zorri, I think her name is, who doesn’t wear armor.” She had recalled seeing Zorri once or twice in the past. A short woman with a penchant for maroon bodysuits and some minor embellishments.

 

[Lucyfer]

Such was the rumor, although other rumors had reached Nyx as well. That Armitage had been attached to Lavinia, had kept her on his aide even though Kylo left, had been notable. She would not mention that; it was irrelevant. The fact that Armitage was devastated by events was clear enough, and so he would be distracted. Weakened.

She only nodded, “He will fall, soon enough,” if not by his own actions, then by his rivals. There were still Cadets in the Order, and no love existed between them.

Schaeffer, she knew, held a position as General. There were others in the wings, looking for their way up in the Order. “Either way, it appears it is one less problem we will have to deal with, soon enough. That leaves the Resistance, and Governor Tarkin,” working together, but still, separate entities in their way.

Either way, the Force was working to provide the path for them.

~***~

Reveille observed the stranger silently. There was nothing for her to contribute. A part of her even considered getting up and walking away, but neither Valo nor Oola had suggested she leave before then, or now.

The woman’s accent was Core. Definitely not what Reveille was expecting, either.

It wasn’t her place to speak or gather information, so she didn’t.

She didn’t offer an explanation, either. Just looked back down into her caf, which, she realized, she had definitely been drinking too fast. She didn’t feel any less tired, either. ‘Damn it.’ Well at least she could be certain she’d crash when she slept. Maybe that would help with the nightmares.

~***~

“Okay, but that’s expensive, and also more difficult to find than a hat, or sunglasses,” Kos’tel’lanni pointed out as their ship left lightspeed, appearing above Elgit.

Armitage groaned. Perhaps the shaking of the ship finally drew him fully out of unconsciousness, or perhaps it was just a terrible coincidence. Either way, Kos’tel’lanni sighed. One of them would have to stay on the ship with him regardless while the other went to get new clothing and spoke with Lavinia’s friends.

“Do you know where they’re at on the planet?” She asked, steering the ship towards Elgit’s atmosphere as Armitage tried to straighten up, only to find that rather impossible with the way he was bound.

He huffed in frustration and glared through the viewport at the planet coming into sight. He couldn’t so much as speak with the tape over his lips, but he could at least make sounds.

 

[cleopat]

Kylo toyed with the idea of their interfering with the First Order directly. Was it possible? He had seen a glimpse into the extent of Nyx’s allies and forces, but were they enough to take over the First Order?

He decided that it would be better to ask than to continue to question it.

“What if we helped to hasten that fall?” His arms crossed over his chest. “They will be weakened and struggling with sorting themselves out with their line of leadership. They wouldn’t expect, or be prepared for, an attack.”

Could he be able to reclaim the Order? Could they be able to grasp onto the Order?

“If we wanted the First Order for ourselves, there may not be a better time to try and take it.” And then with Nyx’s help, no one would ever doubt him again.

~~

Valo leaned forward. “So what is this information you have to offer?”

The woman took a quick glance around, and satisfied that no one appeared to be watching them, she took another step closer, closing the distance between her and the trio. “Kylo Ren is allied with the Nightsisters of Dathomir, which you may already know.”

Oola and Valo nodded. That wasn’t all she had, was it?

“Well, we didn’t know how deep their alliance truly went until recently.”

“Wait,” Oola interrupted, “Who’s ‘we’?”

The woman’s eyes flickered to Reveille for a split second. “The First Order. I was an officer stationed on the Supremacy, but I left as soon as he came back. Kylo Ren. But he didn’t come alone. In this First Order, he is working with them.”

~~

“Borran and Tanis can help with both of those issues.” They did not lack in credits since Armitage gave them the reward, and their resources combined with Lavinia’s could easily find at least a bounty hunter helmet.

Armitage’s groan shifted her focus for a second. She momentarily feared that he would strike again. But he was tied down. No way to escape. There was nothing to fear.

Lavinia pulled her datapad back out and scanned the messages she had exchanged with Borran. “They’re in the capital city. At the moment, they’re staying at an inn, where they can meet us.” She repeated the name of the inn for Kos’tel’lanni so she could pilot them towards their destination.

She had heard the huff. No, he’s not happy in the least, but until he could calm down enough to be able to listen to them, Armitage would remain like he was.

 

[Lucyfer]

It was adorable that Kylo Ren didn’t thinks he was working on it. She didn’t say that, of course, her expression never faltering to show amusement or mockery. “My spies are hastening the fall, Kylo,” she indicated, “And they will alert us to an opportunity to take over. It should be as bloodless as possible,” she noted, “we want them to follow us, and we want them to want that, as well.”

Their faith in the leadership had to be shaken.

If it served the purpose for everyone to think Reveille killed herself? That rumor would spread faster. Armitage’s competence would be called into question at every turn. He fled a battle. His sister committed suicide. His aide betrayed him. And he wasn’t focusing on the war anymore…it would not be long.

Soon, she’d be invited in. “We do not wish to do this Snoke’s way, and take it by force. That did not work for him. It will only spell our own demise.”

~***~

Reveille was listening, even if she was also staring down into her caf and wishing for more of it. She didn’t want to hear the information, she found. She didn’t want to think of Kylo Ren and the Nightsisters, who he was apparently in deep with. ‘I hope they betray you. I hope they kill you.’ That wasn’t what the woman had to say.

No, what she had to say was far worse.

What remained of Reveille’s caf spilled as she rose to her feet on hearing that last bit – that Kylo had returned to the First Order, “What about Armi—what about Supreme Leader Hux?” There was likely no real way to mask the slip. If the woman had been an officer on the Supremacy there was a chance she wouldn’t know Reveille’s face that easily.

However, with Valo picking her out? She wouldn’t be surprised at this point. But subtlety didn’t really matter so much to her. She wanted to know what became of her brother. She needed to know. Had Kylo killed him?

That would certainly change plans.

~***~

“If you want to waste money on it…,” Kos’tel’lanni shrugged. She still wasn’t a fan of giving Armitage armor. A helmet without the armor would just be weird, and highly noticeable, but she’d let Lavinia pick it out. She also knew this Boran and Tanis. Kos’tel’lanni vaguely remembered them.

That would probably get Lavinia to leave, once they reached the planet.

Kos’tel’lanni guided the ship down and nodded, “One of us will have to go out and meet them. Since you know them, you should do so,” Kos’tel’lanni advised, “You can find something to throw on Hux, and something for myself, as well,” she didn’t think the black undersuit would be a huge issue, but Kos’tel’lanni would park as close to the inn as she could.

“We can’t take Hux out of here until he looks a bit different.” Not to mention dragging him out would be a problem. She hoped she could at least convince him to behave to the inn.

 

[cleopat]

Spies are hastening the fall. Kylo didn’t know Nyx had already moved to snag control of the First Order. Should he question her about that? The First Order was once his, after all. He deserved to know these things!

Kylo didn’t voice those thoughts for now. He would watch and wait to see what happens next.

He nodded. “Of course. With how I was thrown out of the Order before, fighting our way in would be foolish.” And likely to spark the desire for a coup. Not again.

But Reveille wouldn’t be there. She wouldn’t be able to turn everyone against him.

“Agreed. People feared him.” Kylo himself included. “With how much the Order had been shaken up in the past month, the people may be more motivated to retaliate.” But they wouldn’t want to do that. Those who believed in the Order would want stability, and would seek competency for that stability.

~~

The woman flinched at the abrupt movement of Reveille – her caf dropped to the floor as she stood up. She noticed the slip, but said nothing about it. It was irrelevant.

She sighed, and she spoke with a softer register. “I do not know what happened to him. What I know is that he was last seen entering a ship with an officer who turned out to be a rebel spy, and the two traitors disguised as stormtroopers.”

Valo’s eyes were wide. “Are you suggesting that...”

“I am. What I know now is that Schaeffer, who briefly held the title of Supreme Leader, placed a bounty on Hux’s head for aiding the traitors. As far as I know, no one knows where he is now.”

~~

“It’s just a thought,” she grumbled. Lavinia still thought her idea of getting Armitage to dye his hair was their best bet. Then they would have to worry about a fucking hat falling off and revealing his distinguishable red hair.

She sighed. A part of her wished to stay behind and see if she could get Armitage to talk while they were alone. The ropes nor the binders had to come off. Just the tape.

But only if Kos’tel’lanni agreed to be the one to see her friends.

“We can’t take him out of here until he calms down.” If he was still murderous, then what good would a disguise do for any of them?

Lavinia approached the topic of who would stay behind. “I already said I would stay behind and watch him. They know you as well, or, well, they know of you, and they know what you look like.” She couldn’t recall if the three of them had exchanged words before.

“Besides, I think I do want to sit with an icepack on my head. It’s still pounding.” As she recalled how Kos’tel’lanni urged her to tend to her head earlier, the lie easily came out for Lavinia. Though part of it was true. Her head did still hurt.

 

[Lucyfer]

Nyx nodded at Kylo’s assessment. Of course, people would still fight. They would still be opposed, but that would last only a short while. The First Order would know fear again – that was inevitable. Some people would have to die for standing up to them.

Nonetheless, it would bend to them.

And Nyx would break it into a machine that wouldn’t stand opposed by anyone. The Nightsisters would lead armies the way the Jedi Generals once had; nothing would stand in the way of numbers and the Force. It was how Snoke should have used the Knights of Ren, but he had been foolish.

“We will still face resistance. You should expect that, and I will need your knowledge in knowing who to watch in the Order,” from his previous experience in it, of course. He’d know better who was a concern for motivating any coups.

~***~

Armitage had not been there when Kylo took over. He had left ‘No, he wouldn’t leave, he was taken’ by a rebel, Kos’tel’lanni, and Lavinia. Would the latter two let him live? Would he be dead? Or was he a hostage of General Organa?

She slid back down into her seat on the bench, barely registering that Schaeffer had held the title, that he was probably dead, and now Kylo Ren was back in the Order. She stared ahead, the sensation that the world had flipped onto its side pressing against her.

This was her fault.

If she had stayed to see Lavinia and Kos’tel’lanni dead, Armitage wouldn’t be in this situation – dead or alive. He’d still be the Supreme Leader, and the Order, though terrible, wouldn’t be…this. Taken by Force sensitives again. Taken over by Kylo Ren, again. ‘Rani. Jinah.’ A thousand other names spilled into her mind.

What had she done?

~***~

‘Yes, you did, and it was a stupid idea.’ Kos’tel’lanni didn’t say that as she landed the ship, but the look she gave Lavinia held plenty of judgment for her continued pressure to stay behind. She didn’t know Lavinia’s friends. They didn’t know her. They would probably be able to pick her out of a crowd, but she didn’t think she could pick either of them out of a crowd of humans.

Features started to blur together.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” she wouldn’t make any secret of it this time, but she rose, “Let your friends know that I’ll be going out to meet them, then.” She wouldn’t stay to argue or any other lies that Lavinia had to offer.

If she came back to Hux gone and Lavinia dead, it would, technically, resolve two of her problems. It was a terrible way to think of it – Reveille’s lingering influence no doubt – but it was certainly true.

Death solved a lot of problems. ‘Did you think that, Reveille?’ Or would she find her somewhere else, one day?

 

[cleopat]

Kylo nodded. “Of course. It will be foolish to think there won’t be any resistance.” And any who attempted to fight back would be severely punished, or killed. Made an example of.

Nyx would aid him better than Snoke ever did. This he could feel. She would utilize every resource and force they had to control powerful armies and feared navies that would bring them control over the entire galaxy.

She asked of him to tell her of anyone who could be a threat. That he could do. “I will need to see who’s still there, but I have a few individuals in mind.”

Namely older officers of some power who felt they were superior than others, and more capable than others, merely based on their age and roles in the Empire.

But the Empire fell. They failed. And they wouldn’t be able to silently challenge Kylo anymore.

~~

Valo frowned, noting the reactions, or lack thereof, of Reveille. He couldn’t imagine the thoughts that must have raced through her mind, even though he felt some joy in the chaos that the First Order was dealing with.

But was it worth it with Kylo Ren back as Supreme Leader?

That he didn’t know. But he did know that the First Order had to be stopped more than ever before.

The woman spoke up again. “He works closely with another. I believe she calls herself Darth Nyx. There’s a third. I can’t remember her name nor her role, but I do know she’s a Chiss.”

Neither one knew how to react. This was big news. Game-changing news. “We need to go to General Organa with this,” she commented.

But the Resistance still didn’t have a capable army to fight the First Order, even if they had been in negotiations with Governor Tarkin.

This just may be the push both sides needed.

~~

Lavinia felt the judgement Kos’tel’lanni passed her way, and she couldn’t look the Chiss in the eyes. She didn’t need to further inflame the spark of doubt flickering within her. “I know,” she whispered as the Chiss rose to her feet.

She took her datapad out and sent a quick message to Borran about the situation.

Long story short, Kos’tel’lanni, the Chiss you may remember from the Exigency hangar, will be meeting you two.

The message sent. “It is done. They will approach you.” That much she felt obvious. Kos’tel’lanni didn’t really recall them, yet it would be easy enough to find her. Not many Chiss were found in this part of the galaxy.

Once the message was sent, Lavinia rose to her feet, careful to not agitate her head any further with the blood rush, and moved over to the first aide kit, where she searched for any cooling packs she may be able to use on her head.

Success.

She placed the found cooling pack carefully on her head, hissing at the brief flare of pain from contact. Oh yes, there will be a giant lump there the next day.

 

[Lucyfer]

Nyx knew she could count on Kylo to make her aware of those who may be a danger, but she would keep other officers on the lookout, as well. She would make sure there was never a chance for them to act, and with so many petty positions in so-called high command soon to open up, she could make them vie for those positions, instead.

The Empire had survived for so long because of all the petty in-fighting that distracted people from the real issues.

Nyx did not intend to let that last too long, but at the outset, it would be a useful tool to keep the masses under control. Once she had a better idea of what she was working with, that mindset could be phased out for more beneficial ones. “Then begin to prepare yourself for a return to the First Order. I suspect it will be soon.”

It would all begin to unravel soon.

~***~

“Zeme’lodi’csapla,” Reveille said, voice distant, “Apprentice to Darth Nyx, outcast of the Chiss Ascendency.” Who would likely end up targeting Csilla at some point, now that they had a feasible army. She should warn them. She knew that she should, if Kos’tel’lanni hadn’t already done so.

They needed to warn Leia.

Of course they did. And waiting for a message to get sent from here, would take too long. Reveille understood that. She couldn’t get in the way of that. ‘You’ll be stranded.’

Yes, yes she would. And she would find a way to Csilla.

‘Or.’

“I don’t suppose General Organa needs more recruits, does she?” Reveille could hardly believe what she was saying, but there was no risk in killing Armitage, and she was almost certain she could make an entire destroyer defect.

The Exigency was hers. Kylo wouldn’t have enough time to remove all her officers. Yet.

~***~

Kos’tel’lanni left, and Armitage was left to stew in the newfound silence of the cockpit.

Well, not quite silence. Lavinia still moved around, and she did go to fetch an ice pack. Armitage passed her a dull look when she returned, annoyed as she let out that hiss when the pack was placed on her head.

At least he knew he’d caused harm. Just not enough to get his own freedom, or much of anything, except more bindings. Bindings he couldn’t release himself from without being obvious about it. His hands were now in front, wrists coated in blood, and the rope kept him from getting a decent position in the chair.

His back was going to hate him, later.

If there was a later.

 

[cleopat]

The corners of Kylo’s lips curled into a smirk. Prepare yourself for a return to the First Order. They thought they could get rid of him so easily, and now the tide had shifted once again.

The Hux siblings were no longer a threat. Several top officers were gone or dead. Everything was in chaos for them. And they would take advantage of that.

“Of course.” He is always prepared for a return to the First Order, but he would use this time to strategize what they could first do to subjugate the officers.

His eyes flickered to where Thenn studied her maths. Surely she wouldn’t be coming along, right? She was so young...”Will all of the Nightsisters join us?”

~~

So Reveille knew who the Chiss was. Given her relationship with Kos’tel’lanni, that wasn’t so surprising. If this Zeme’lodi’scapla had been a threat before, the two of them may have discussed the outcast Chiss to one another.

What was surprising was what Reveille said next.

Both Oola and Valo snapped their heads in her direction, eyes wide as if she had grown two more arms. Did she just…? Even the strange woman looked at Reveille with a questioning glance. She had concluded that the red head was a fellow officer in the First Order, but she didn’t realize she had been the Grand Marshall, as their paths never crossed.

Valo stammered. “I...uh...sure, yes, yes she is.” He didn’t know how General Organa would react to this news, after their initial, and last, encounter didn’t end so well.

Slightly more recovered than Valo, Oola turned back to the woman. “We can’t thank you enough for this information. What can we give you in return?”

She scoffed. “I am in no need of credits or other tangible rewards. All I ask is that you gather whoever you can and get rid of these Force bastards from the First Order.”

~~

Instead of returning to the cockpit, Lavinia sat in a seat where she could easily see Armitage. Even without the ability to speak, he still managed to send that shiver of fear down her spine with a simple look. The icy Hux glare.

But the ship was too quiet, and she didn’t know how long Kos’tel’lanni would be gone. Curiosity gnawed at her as she considered ripping the tape off his mouth. What harm would allowing him to temporarily speak do?

She sighed. With the icepack still pressed to her head, she stood and moved closer to Armitage. Careful fingers grabbed the edge of the tape, and a single yank, she ripped the tape clean off his mouth.

He may despise her for the sudden yank, but she felt it would be better than to slowly rip it off and prolong that irritating pain.

She sat back in her seat. Lavinia didn’t quite know what to say to him. She had much she wanted to say, yet nothing at all. So she allowed him the time to get in the first word before she regretted removing the tape.

 

[Lucyfer]

Kylo’s gaze gave him away. Nyx turned her own head slightly to see what he was looking at. Thenn, of course. Their connection was growing. One day, it may be something the Force showed to him. “Yes, all of the Nightsisters,” Nyx confirmed, looking away from Thenn.

He worried for her.

Cared for her, and feared for her safety. “No harm will come to Thenn,” she said, “and Thenn must learn how to tolerate cities and places without nature,” Nyx indicated, “She is relatively powerless on places such as Coruscant. Dathomir enables her, but she needs to grow beyond it.”

Thenn needed to learn how to use the Force in all environments, and all situations. A metal starship would force her to learn.

~***~

Reveille expected that her own words wouldn’t be taken lightly. The surprise was expected, and she felt the gazes burn through her, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care if she’d be meeting Leia with pink hair and colorful clothes.

Kylo had to be stopped.

She likely wouldn’t be able to honor any request to spare his life. She hadn’t wanted to before, she certainly didn’t now, but she would not let the First Order and all that it had, be taken and used by him, and Nyx, and Zeme’lodi’csapla. It was just enough to drag her back into things, even if she still considered running.

There was just nowhere left to run to.

She lifted her gaze briefly to the woman who had brought the news. She wouldn’t condemn her for leaving. She’d done much the same. “We will.” She’d had more than enough of Force users to last multiple lifetimes.

~***~

A second of lingering, and Armitage would have bitten through the fingers that tore off the tape at his mouth. It hurt, of course, but he didn’t flinch. Just glared, and watched, as Lavinia reclaimed her seat.

He didn’t know why she did that.

She didn’t ask any questions, just looked at him like some strange beast. It was agitating in its own right. He didn’t have anything to say to her. Plenty had been said in the cell. Plenty had been said moments ago to the rebel who was responsible for him being here. He knew where Lavinia stood – no where. For nothing, and for no one, but herself.

Perhaps he should be grateful he’d confused her – the Order confused her – but right then he was just angry, and focusing on the negatives. “Did you have something more you wanted to ask, now that the tables have turned?” He finally asked, his voice as chilled as his gaze.

 

[cleopat]

Kylo’s worry for Thenn grew when Nyx confirmed she would be joining them. It would be dangerous, a situation where she would quickly need to learn how to use the Force in non bio-organic places such as a starship.

“I can keep watch over her,” he offered. Then Kylo would feel he had some control over what happened to her. He could protect her. Ensure that nothing ever happened to her.

And he pitied the person who dared to harm her.

“I could help her.” He added. “Help her learn the ways of the Force on such a place like a starship.” Or on any city-planets that were long devoid of trees and other organic life.

~~

The woman nodded. No hard feelings between the two of them. “Thank you. For now, I will make my own way back home, keep my family safe in case our planet becomes a battleground.” She didn’t say which planet that was, but any Core planets that aren’t under anyone’s control was fair game for a future battlefield.

Oola nodded, and watched as the woman walked off. “Well, I guess we should go back to General Organa then, shouldn’t we?”

Their other plans could wait. Now they needed to figure out what to do about Kylo Ren and his new friends.

Valo sighed. “Unfortunately it seems so.” His head turned to Reveille. “Is there anything you need to get while we’re still on Batuu?”

~~

Lavinia didn’t answer him at first. She stared for a few more seconds, as she willed the desire to cry away. To scream. To burst into hysterics in a way he would only mock.

What, indeed, could she ask him? His chilled gaze told her enough – he wanted her gone. But she couldn’t retaliate those feelings. And she hated herself for that.

“We don’t have plans to kill you, you know.” Maybe he already did, but he simply didn’t care. “Even as you continue to try and kill us, we can’t wish the same for you.”

Which left her and Kos’tel’lanni with a huge dilemma of what to do with him next. The moment they set him free, who’s to say he won’t turn on them and fire a blaster on them?

 

[Lucyfer]

Nyx was not impressed with Kylo’s desire to stay so close to Thenn. That he needed someone was obvious. Thenn would be useful for him, in downtime, but, “Thenn is not your job, Kylo,” she reminded him, “You will have many more things to do beyond merely babysitting a child, things that I imagine you will not want her present for.”

There would be plenty of battles ahead.

Torture.

Things Thenn would, in time, learn – but things she knew Kylo wished to shield her from. And certainly, he did not wish to be a glorified babysitter. “I do not mind if you look over her, and help her, but remember that she is not your charge or your job. She is well protected and helped by the rest of us, and she will never be without eyes on her.”

That much was true, regardless of Kylo. Nyx knew the First Order wouldn’t spare a child, and Thenn was too young to allow to wander a starship all alone, particularly when her power would be almost non-existent.

~***~

Eternal exhaustion was likely going to become her new normal. Reveille just looked down at the cup of caf and then bent over to pick it up, “Not anymore,” she answered Valo. She should at least properly dispose of the cup. She doubted there’d be much sleeping between here, and Leia.

She hadn’t been able to sleep well between ports as it was, she didn’t expect that to change as they moved forward.

She would rise, “I’m ready to leave when you two are,” she wasn’t, by a longshot, but there was no point to delaying any further. She’d run. Now she had to face the consequences of that stupid, stupid action, and accept that there was no peace in the galaxy for her.

She couldn’t even fake her death and get away without it following her. But, at least she would find a way to get the satisfaction of seeing Kylo die, if it was the last thing she did. Which, it probably would be. A lightsaber wound would be worth it.

~***~

Lavinia tried to say that she didn’t want him dead. Those words meant little to him. Earlier, he hadn’t wanted her dead – but she was still going to die. Executed. Want meant little, and given all that she’d done now? It didn’t matter.

“You may as well,” he said, the ice not warming in the least. “Given everything else this little excursion of yours has taken from me.” The Order was lost to him. He knew the truth of Kos’tel’lanni’s words, and he was nothing without the Order.

He’d find a way to claw his way back in, or start anew, but he didn’t relish the thought.

The fact they wouldn’t kill just made things easier for him. He wouldn’t say that, of course. Having the knowledge they wouldn’t fight as hard as he would, was something he knew to keep to himself.

 

[cleopat]

Nyx may have been right. Kylo didn’t admit that, but she was. There would be many things he didn’t want her to see. Interrogating prisoners. Overseeing executions. Things that may scare little Thenn.

Things that may bring her to hate him.

“Of course,” he conceded. Kylo wanted to protect her on those starships, but he couldn’t argue the point right now. There were others that would step in to help her, and if he were to assume control of the First Order again, he would be busy.

This time he wouldn’t have anyone who dared to challenge him.

“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” If not, he would prepare himself for their leave of Dathomir for the First Order.

~~

Valo didn’t see any reason for them to not go ahead and leave. They didn’t need anything else on the planet; their ship was stocked and ready for the travel to the planet General Organa was on.

“Well, then I guess we better be on our way.” Valo stood, followed by Oola. Their ship was only a short walk away, but the travel would be further.

Oola wanted to look at Reveille. She wanted to ask her exactly what was going through her mind. Not that long ago, they had been on the other end of her blaster, thinking they would be facing execution. And now?

Now they were teaming up to overthrow Kylo Ren from the First Order.

The problem would be what would happen after that fact. Would Reveille turn on them once she had the First Order back? Would they have a sort of unspoken truce?

They would have to wait and see for that.

~~

Lavinia let out a bark of laughter. “That I took from you? You were the one who forced his way onto a ship not meant from him. If you hadn’t gotten in the way, we would be long gone, and you would still be in the First Order.”

In her little outburst, Lavinia stood from her seat, pacing in the space before him. “But regardless of what happened, you’ll now have a bounty placed on your head, and I don’t know if you know this, but you’re not exactly the most indistinguishable man out there?”

Her icepack had been abandoned, now clutched tightly in her hand, by her side. She sighed, taking her seat once more. “But go ahead and kill me if you want. I know you can get out of those bindings.”

What do I have left for me anymore?

“But do know this: if you do, you’ll be killing one of the last people willing to help you.” Who else did he have? His sister was gone. Anyone in the First Order would’ve been turned against him.

 

[Lucyfer]

Nyx shook her head. There was nothing else, at the moment, although she felt there would be many within moments of moving to take the First Order. Kylo had once been Supreme Leader. He may chafe at being something less than that. Nyx expected that, and expected to deal with it, but there was no need to make a fuss right now.

Better to safe the fuss for a starship, with Thenn as witness to defend Nyx’s role.

“We will talk more soon, I am certain, but for the moment you ought to focus on continuing your progress with understanding the Force in nature.” He had the opposite problem of Thenn. He would overcome it, of course.

He would be as good in the Force one day. Perhaps as good as Vader; if he worked through his issues, even better, but he was yet young, and stunted by his years of abuse. He needed the time to grow, and someone else at the helm.

~***~

There was a new sort of tension between them now. Reveille recognized it for what it was. Her turn was unexpected. She had been so determined to leave, and now, she was leaving – but to the Resistance.

Likely, they understood in part – she wouldn’t be hurting her brother any longer, and most in the First Order wouldn’t call each other friends. Those she would? They would join her, soon enough. Soon as they realized she was alive. Rani would mock her hair, but that was the least of her concerns.

She had a greater one, that she refrained from asking until she was certain they were near the ship of Valo and Oola. “I don’t suppose either of you know what I should expect when I arrive, do you?”

Honestly, she was expecting binders and being thrown into a cell while they debated what to do with her. She didn’t know if General Organa would be given a head’s up or not before she arrived, or if that would help matters or not.

But she wasn’t expecting anything great.

~***~

The bark of laughter caused a brief flinch, but that was the closest to a change in disposition to cross Armitage Hux’s face. His gaze remained cold, his expression some mix of anger and disappointment as he listened to her rant, trying to cast the blame on him, when they could have easily left the ship alone and gone to another. They could have tossed him out. They could have done plenty of other things, besides kidnap him.

And Lavinia certainly could have watched her tongue – given all her complaints of his sister, one would think she could have learned that.

“If you’re so eager to die, why don’t you go ahead and cut me out of these binds and hand over your blaster?” That was his response to her attempt to get him to care that they didn’t want to kill him. That she, supposedly, wanted to help him. This was hardly showing any desire to help him. “It seems everyone else is looking for death, I can at least help someone looking for it this time rather than be blindsided.”

No, he didn’t believe Reveille wanted to die, and he wouldn’t. They were both fighters. But he wanted to wound Lavinia, and to make it clear his stance on this whole ‘being helped’ situation.

She wasn’t helping him. At all. The longer he was away and out of sight of the Order, the worse things would get.

 

[cleopat]

Kylo didn’t suspect that Nyx had any desire to become the new Supreme Leader of the First Order, although he did figure that she would want some leadership role aside Kylo.

He assumed that he would reclaim his role he was unjustly thrown from.

“Of course. I will not fail you.” And he will continue to hone the skills he was taught, whether he had to burn through the other plates he still had, or practice the manipulation of the elements just like with the moisture on the grass.

There had to be a water source nearby he could attempt to freeze.

Once Nyx signaled that their conversation was over, Kylo would return to the plates, and focus on creating fire, over and over until he could accomplish it with ease. He had nothing to pack in his tent for the return. “Anything else?”

~~

They had been nearing the ship when Reveille posed her question. Oola and Valo exchanged a look, and Valo sighed. “Truthfully, we’re not sure.” It would depend on how much the Resistance already knew, and what kind of mood General Organa was in.

“You may be placed in binders and immediately questioned. I doubt everyone will be as understanding as we are, though once we explain the situation to everyone, you’ll be released.” At least Valo hoped.

Oola chimed in, “But even after that, you may still be required to have an escort to go anywhere. I know it’s not ideal, but you’ll have to see this from our point of view. If you want though, we can make sure one of us sticks by you.”

“Or maybe Poe Dameron will volunteer,” Valo chuckled.

The togruta scoffed. “If we want him still alive, we shouldn’t allow that.” She turned her head towards Reveille. “He still loves to call you and your brother Hugs.”

They came to a stop before a ship, and the ramp lowered for them.

~~

Rather than be blindsided.

His sister killed herself. She was dead. He didn’t know how to mourn properly. He reacted in the only way he knew how: through anger.

Lavinia repeated this in her mind over and over. Even as she removed her blaster and set it on the floor between them. “When you get out, then there you go.” It may be a foolish move, but she held on to some hope that Armitage didn’t truly wish her dead. “But it may be something you’ll regret later.”

He was just lashing out in his anger. It’s what she wanted to believe.

She placed the icepack in her lap. Her fingers fiddled with it, as her gaze softened on him. “I know you’re upset right now, and you’re channeling that into anger, because it’s all you know, isn’t it?”

Where are you going with this, Lavinia?

She took a moment to pause. “But lashing out with that anger won’t help anything. It won’t bring you back to the Order any faster, and it won’t bring Reveille back.” She remained calm with her words, not intending any harm or insult with them.

 

[Lucyfer]

Nyx shook her head. There was nothing else. She had given him his command, and so with that, she would indeed leave his side – but there would be tabs kept on his activity.

And she would continue to gather information on the Order.

It would be only hours from that moment that she learned that Armitage Hux was gone – with Kos’tel’lanni and Lavinia. This would spread through the Nightsister encampment. Aksel Schaeffer moved up in the ranks, and that was the weakness that Nyx was looking for.

He hated non-humans.

They knew this.

It would not be long before a desperate alien gave them an entrance – Rani Amersu.

~***~

Valo and Oola did not offer her a pleasant lie. She was actually relieved by that. They were just as aware as she suspected, that she might just be placed in binders and taken for questioning. She could deal with that. Valo and Oola also suggested they’d try to speak on her behalf.

They didn’t have much to say.

She wouldn’t mention that, though. “I understand completely. I’m sure I would do much the same in their situation,” Kos’tel’lanni had taken a while to be trusted, as well. And then….

Well, she didn’t want to think of that, and she had a distraction in the flush of anger that rose at the mention of Poe’s nickname. “If he tries to touch me, I’m slitting his throat.” There was no joke in her tone. She certainly meant it, even if in reality she knew better than to slit his throat.

Perhaps she’d just make sure he couldn’t spawn anymore children by putting a knee into his groin. She’d endure his stupid nickname, but not an actual hug.

She’d move to enter the ship, wondering if she could just drop off to sleep in one of the seats in the cockpit. She didn’t know if her own nerves would allow that at this point.

Well, she could sleep in a cell while they figured out what to do.

~***~

Armitage’s gaze went to the blaster. Obviously, he wasn’t struggling to get out right then. He didn’t start the attempt, either. It was, to be quite frank, humiliating. He may have been able to pull it off, but he rather preferred it when no one noticed, or was looking.

His gaze lifted from the blaster as Lavinia continued to speak.

‘What psychoanalysis do you think is going to help you?’ He wondered as she suggested all he knew was anger, gaze dulling, but not losing much of its distaste.

No, the anger wouldn’t bring Reveille back.

It wouldn’t bring the Order back.

But was he just supposed to sit in a corner and cry? No. “But it does keep a person focused.” Focused on escape. On what he wanted, to fix things as best he could – to try and make it better, when everything at the moment was utterly terrible. “Anger is a tool. It’s the only thing Snoke had right.” Snoke, and Brendol. Anger sharpened plenty of knives and kept them sharp.

 

[cleopat]

Once Nyx left, Kylo resumed setting fire on the plates. Most of the attempts were a success, as he finally understood how to speak to the Force. How to reach out and mold it to his command.

Of course there were some failure. But they grew further in between his successes.

With every success, he grew more confident in his abilities. That may attributed to his successes, but either way, the plate burned with fire for longer and longer each attempt, until Kylo felt like he could control the flames for however long he desired.

Soon Kylo was approached with news concerning the First Order. Armitage Hux was gone, along with Kos’tel’lanni and Lavinia. He smirked. The fool. Aksel Schaeffer was the new Supreme Leader. He would easily be overthrown by them. By him.

He heard of an alien within the Exigency who sought help. Kylo didn’t remember her name from before, but he would now, and he would be sure she was granted mercy if need be.

It wasn’t long after when Kylo approached Nyx. “Was it is this twi’lek offer us? Are we to simply swoop in and attack?”

~~

They didn’t doubt that Reveille would do the same with them. After their initial encounter, they didn’t doubt much from her. But she spared them. And so they wanted to repay the favor, knowing how much she acted against protocol in releasing four rebel fighters.

Oola snorted. “I’ll be sure to tell him that.” Poe sometimes didn’t know when to shut his pretty mouth. “But he’s usually good about not touching people when they don’t want it. His mouth will probably annoy you more than anything else.”

She almost chuckled again at the implications of her words. Reveille could take them whatever way she wished to.

As they boarded the ship, a BB unit rolled up to them with hurried beeps. Grand Marshall Hux of the First Order! Do I need to send out a distress signal?

Valo immediately responded. “No, no. That won’t be necessary. Look, it’s a long story, but she’s coming with us. Both sides are willing.” Or, well, willing enough.

BB-S5 whirled angrily, as if frustrated that it would have to be on the same ship as a First Order officer.

~~

Lavinia placed the icepack back on her head, the throbbing now reduced to a dull pain. But it was still there, and she suspected she would need the aid of some medicine to get to sleep that night.

“I won’t deny that. Anger motivated me in the past. Some choices I’ve grown to regret, some not so much.” She didn’t extrapolate on which choices have done which. Lavinia was still deciding that for herself.

“But it doesn’t have to be your only tool. Too much anger will only lead to bitterness and regret.” As that is all that remained of her for her family. “Some compassion and sympathy may do well to aid you, especially in helping the galaxy.”

She still didn’t agree as to which side held a greater desire to help the galaxy, but both sides could do well in adapting more compassion for those they overlook. Many still suffered, whether it was the First Order or the Senate.

And many may suffer despite what happened in the future.

 

[Lucyfer]

An amused grin flicked onto the lips of Nyx, as the Nightsisters began to pack up the camp, “Not at all,” she shook her head, “We are to meet the Exigency above Lothal. We will simply be allowed into the hangar. I have the clearance codes. We will take it over from within, and use it to return to the Core, and from there, infiltrate the other ships.”

Using First Order clearance codes, and First Order officers from the Exigency.

They already had a reason set to return to the Core – a supposed attack that would run them off. A lie, of course – but it would be enough to work with. They would take damaged ships onto the other destroyers and dreadnaughts for repairs.

“Rani has assured us that the Exigency will not put up a fight, but if it does, it will not be substantial,” Nyx noted, before asking, “Do you know Rani?” She, of course, didn’t, although she knew of Clan Amersu.

~***~

Reveille was anticipating being annoyed by most of the rebels, so her thoughts didn’t track in any particular direction beyond irksome lectures or smug boasting. FN-2187…Finn…was likely to be the most annoying, moreso than Poe and his stupid nicknames.

“Well at least the droid recognizes me immediately,” she muttered under her breath. Stars, she was going to see them all with pink hair, wasn’t she? She made a mental note to murder Terex later. She wouldn’t go through with it, but damn him. Damn him to all the hells.

The droid wasn’t happy. “I don’t like you either, ball,” she said to its whirring frustration, before looking to Valo, “What is its name?” As if she really needed to know, but apparently she was going to be dealing with angry ball droid as well, so she might as well know its name.

She’d be learning a lot of names.

And trying to remember to call FN-2187, Finn. Calling him FN-2187 would just make a lot of unnecessary enemies at that point.

~***~

Armitage’s gaze just became duller, more exasperation and irritation with her as she chose to lecture him about feelings. As if he needed a damn lecture right then, or as if he cared what she had to say. “Do you really think I want to listen to someone who can’t decide what’s right for the galaxy, or hold a steady opinion, about how I should feel or what I should do?”

She had been with the Resistance – and now she wasn’t.

Perhaps he would have applauded her ability to think outside of the box, but he was not willing to accept that she knew more than him right now, or how he should react. He’d held steady for decades. Sure, he wasn’t faced with a situation like this before, but he had always been told that the anger which did not come from his father, the savagery he had, would win the day.

His patience, that his father lacked, as well.

“Sympathy and compassion led to me trusting you,” he spat the last word. “Sympathy and compassion led to my sister trusting Kos’tel’lanni. It seems to have led only to poor decisions, for everyone.”

 

[cleopat]

Both eyebrows rose. They were simply allowed in the hangar? Did they know they had Kylo Ren with them? They probably didn’t, if the Nightsisters would so easily be allowed onto the Exigency. “That is certainly surprising.”

Who had gave them the clearance codes so easily?

His question was soon answered. “I can’t say the name rings a bell.” It didn’t. He didn’t get to know many names onboard Reveille’s ship, aside from her own, Kos’tel’lanni’, and the now deceased Sienar. He may have known Rani from a distance, but he didn’t know the name.

“I’m assuming she’s the one who offered the clearance codes? Why?” He next assumed she was an alien, if Schaeffer was the Supreme Leader. The man was very predictable in his moves, including expressing dislike in non-humans.

~~

Valo raised an eyebrow at the maroon droid whirling around Reveille. It didn’t cease its beeping at first, reminding them of who they brought on board. Its annoyance only grew when the woman insulted him, calling him a ball.

“We gave him the nickname Sven, though technically it’s known as BB-S5.” The maroon BB unit moved from Reveille up to Valo and Oola, rolling around both of them. Repeating what it had beeped earlier.

“We’re bringing her to General Organa,” Oola spoke. The droid only seem to grow more annoyed by the news, but Oola shrugged. “We don’t have much of a choice right now. We’re outnumbered, and she offered her services.”

Sven let out a beep of defeat. I hope you’re ready for betrayal.

Valo sighed. “Unfortunately, we don’t seem to have much choice. There’s a much bigger enemy at stake right now.” Kylo Ren.

~~

Lavinia lowered her gaze. “Of course not. I hardly want to listen to myself right now.” She knew of her betrayals, of how she seemed to not be able to pick sides at all. How could she? She knew of what both sides offered, and it only led to more confusion than she ever thought possible.

Her hand lowered her icepack back into her lap. Lavinia felt as if she deserved the headache still pounding at her head. Armitage spoke poison, but he may have been right to do so. She didn’t blame him for thinking so poorly of her character.

“I know it might not make a difference, but Kos’tel’lanni hadn’t once divulge First Order secrets. And after Lothal? I stopped my own communications with them, except to let them know I’m alive. For one month, I fed them lies of what the First Order was doing.”

She didn’t expect it to make a difference. She didn’t expect Armitage to even believe her. He had every right to not do so. But in the end, she hadn’t told the Resistance anything that the man divulged to her as a result of their close working connection.

 

[Lucyfer]

Nyx offered a nod, gesturing Kylo to follow her to a ship so they could move inside. A ship that Thenn would be on, though not Zeme’lodi’csapla. Her apprentice could manage her own vessel, and they needed things divided a bit, at least. “Rani Amersu is a twi’lek – notable family on Ryloth. As I understand it, she had been trying to talk the Syndulla clan into supporting the Order, before….” Well, Nyx trailed.

Before the changes. “She was a Commander of the naval side for a while. I believe that she still technically holds that rank, perhaps only due to current oversight as Schaeffer gets things under control,” she would move to the cockpit, but also to the co-pilot’s seat. Thenn was already there, setting in a seat behind hers.

She’d let Kylo pilot.

“It seems she’s rather dissatisfied with the politics that Schaeffer wants to put in play, and hearing of an outsider who was with the Empire…,” a wry smile curved her lips, “that was non-human, she decided to risk it.”

~***~

Ball—Sven, rather, was relentless in its dislike of her. Reveille couldn’t blame the small thing. She assumed they got Sven after the issue at the rebel base, where their previous ship and equipment were blown up. Sven was likely told nothing good about her.

She wanted to promise to betray the droid first. Kick it out an airlock or something.

She refrained. “You’ll appreciate me later, Sven.”

After she reprogrammed it. Maybe. She didn’t say that, either. “I promise my hatred for the current leadership of the Order is greater than my desire to destroy your Resistance.” Afterwards, she considered leaving.

She’d see how things went, but going to Csilla still seemed like a good idea.

~***~

‘And yet you keep talking.’ Armitage did not point out the obvious to Lavinia as she continued to speak, despite not wanting to listen to herself.

It didn’t make things any better that Kos’tel’lanni hadn’t divulged anything. She hadn’t needed to. Lavinia was his aide. She knew his plans, sometimes even before Reveille or others. Perhaps it was good that Lavinia stopped her communications, but, “You can’t prove that.”

All Lavinia had was words.

And right now, her actions weren’t making her look much better. “Kos’tel’lanni didn’t need to tell you anything, either. You were already getting information from me, and she was aware of that.” So she was aware she allowed a spy to continue to gather information. It was still a betrayal.

 

[cleopat]

Kylo didn’t know the Amersu clan of Ryloth, but he did know of the Syndulla clan. He had met Hera numerous times growing up, the only other creature that had impressed Han with her piloting skills.

They were legendary in the Resistance. Even to Kylo.

“So Schaeffer is taking up the ideals of the Galactic Empire,” he surmised. “What a fool to be so blinded by prejudice. Wasn’t that the way of the Cadet program though? No, he figured. Reveille didn’t hold that same prejudice, and he didn’t think Armitage did either. Or if he did, it wasn’t as obivous.

Kylo ruffled the hair on Thenn as he passed by her to the pilot’s seat. He was more than happy to guide them back to the Resistance.

“Many officers on the Exigency are non-humans. If we can work with that angle, we can easily claim their division in no time.” He started up the ship, and closed the ramp once he knew everyone was on board who would b joining them on that shuttle.

~~

Oola snorted, as Valo sat in the pilot’s seat. “Sven, lay low buddy, alright? We know who she is, but there are bigger enemies to worry about.” The droid whirled around her legs, beeping its displeasure. “Come on, give her just one chance.”

Sven looked at Reveille, and then it looked back at Oola. It responded to her request. Only one, but the moment she betrays you, I will never let you live it down.

Valo started the ship. He flip a few switches, and the ship came to life, lifting the into the air. “When have you ever done that?”

The droid beeped its response. No, the droid never let them live anything down.

“He’ll warm up to you, eventually,” Oola promised. Sven only silently looked up at the togruta, and even if it didn’t have a face, she could gather it was not impressed with her false promises.

~~

“No, I can’t prove that.” Her arms wrapped around her torso in a self-comforting hug, even if it did nothing for her. “All there is is my word, which I know means nothing anymore.”

Stars, her word practically meant nothing to herself anymore. What was she to believe?

“All Kos’tel’lanni tried to do for me was to humanize everyone in the First Order. Make me see your side, and why things were done the way they were.” All of that started with the Girls’ Night. She somehow managed to humanize Reveille, even if they never did become friends.

Lavinia did see Reveille as less of a robot after that.

“And she did. She helped me see many of the officers as more than officers of the First Order. Rani, Sienar, Reveille, you.” There was a small stab of pain in her chest as she recalled how Rani was left behind, and how Sienar met his untimely end.

“But I think more than anything, you made me realize the errors I was making during our night on Lothal.”

 

[Lucyfer]

“Indeed, he is unfortunately doing so,” Nyx agreed with Kylo’s statement, letting him set up the ship to leave after Thenn giggled a bit under the ruffling of her hair.

She was aware that the Exigency was more welcoming to non-humans. It had been Reveille Hux’s flagship, and she had tried to encourage and cultivate that. “Without the presence of Reveille Hux, many were already afraid of what may happen. Now without Armitage Hux, they know their time is limited.” Thus the haste of Rani.

Even if she may soon have regrets. She would eventually come around. Nyx would have to trust that.

If not, Rani could be among the first to die.

It was no matter. It wouldn’t be because she was a twi’lek, but because she had chosen to defy them. They would build a world that would be better, for all – humans and non-humans alike. After all, Nyx wasn’t human.

~***~

Reveille doubted the droid would ever warm up to her, but that wasn’t really her concern. Oola and Valo probably needed a vigilant droid. They were rather trusting. She certainly wouldn’t have been quite so trusting in their situation. Nonetheless, she took a seat, and realized she hadn’t found a place to discard her cup.

‘Oh well.’ She held it between her knees.

“Don’t worry, Sven. I know they’re lying about you warming up.” Droids found ways to be expressive, even without facial features. Somehow, Sven had conveyed its displeasure quite effectively. “You shouldn’t. Stay vigilant. They need it.” She didn’t care that they could hear, the droid shouldn’t trust her.

She didn’t think she’d ever convince the Resistance to trust her, not fully, but someone should be double-checking her steps, for their sake.

~***~

Kos’tel’lanni had apparently succeeded in altering the mindset of Lavinia. She had made that her goal. A turned spy was useful – but that wasn’t what Lavinia was. She was turned from both Order and Resistance. That wasn’t useful, except for taking someone off the board.

Sienar was dead. Reveille was dead. Rani was lost. Himself? He may as well be dead and he knew it, but he was hardly going to accept that. He was going to get back to the Order and reclaim it from Schaeffer.

“Did I now?” He didn’t sound impressed. At this point, all of Lavinia’s words were just used to try and temper him. He was aware of that. She was trying too damn hard at it, after all. “And how did that come about?” Not that he cared, but she was going to keep talking anyways.

May as well continue to give her something until Kos’tel’lanni returned and he had a better chance at escape since they’d have to get him in a ridiculous disguise. Even if Kos’tel’lanni was likely to be more vigilant than Lavinia was.

 

[cleopat]

Kylo hadn’t met Schaeffer too many times, but he always had a bad feeling about the blonde. Now his suspicions were only confirmed with the latest news.

“And if we come in, our own army of non-humans behind us, they may be more accepting to our help.” If they weren’t fools, they would be. Their only alternative is to leave Schaeffer’s leadership up to chance.

Many may not be willing to accept their help at first, once they see that Kylo Ren was with them. No doubt Reveille had poison their minds with lies of him, or over-exaggerations.

They will all soon learn that he is trying to help them and bring stability back to the First Order.

The ship left the planet, and once it was outside of the planet’s atmosphere, he sent it into hyperdrive. “Do they know that I’m with you?”

~~

The droid beeped an agreement to Reveille’s words. One of the few times Sven may ever agree with her. The droid rolled up to where she sat, and expended a metal appendage to grab the empty cup from between her leg. It rolled over to a spot next to the wall, where it pressed a button that opened a small hole in the wall.

Sven dropped the cup in the hole, and it closed back up. The droid beeped and rolled back to the front of the ship, where Oola and Valo prepared the ship.

“Sven is a bit of a neat freak,” Oola explained. “We don’t know why, but we don’t complain about it often, unless one of us tracks mud into the ship.” She shot a look Valo’s way.

“That was once, and I still don’t live it down.” He brought the ship into the upper atmosphere of the planet. Soon they could enter hyperspace, and be on their way to General Organa.

Neither were oblivious to the brief conversation held between Reveille and Sven. They weren’t as trusting of her as they led on, and they would continue to have one eye on her, but given the new information, they didn’t have much of a choice.

Reveille knew about the ins and outs of the First Order. If she stayed true to her word, she would be a valuable asset for the Resistance into First Order territory.

~~

Lavinia picked up that Armitage was hardly interested in hearing what she had to say. He was still infuriated, and so she wouldn’t let her guard down.

She reached down to grab the blaster and attach it back to her belt.

“Our conversations led me to see the multifaceted individual beneath that steely general exterior. I saw your ambitions, your dreams, your hopes and desires. Not only that, but I learned about your likes and dislikes, as we discussed food and music.”

Her arms loosely wrapped around her torso. “But I guess I’m a bit of a romantic, if you remember.” How could she forget their conversations over music and opera, how she favored an opera about two lovers on opposite sides of the war?

It all left a bitter taste in her mouth, seeing how things ended up.

Some part of her had wished to maintain her Althea Storax identity, rather than returning to her Lavinia reality.

 

[Lucyfer]

“Mmm, they may,” actually, Nyx expected resistance as soon as Kylo showed his face, but once they were on the ship, there would not be much they could do against so many Nightsisters.

So many Nightbrothers.

Nyx shook her head at Kylo Ren’s question, “Unfortunately, the First Order does not appear to have much love for you,” she indicated, “I thought it would be wise not to mention that you were returning to it. It would have made things more difficult, but they will see.”

And they would have no choice but to accept him back into the fold, along with the Knights of Ren. She had not asked Kylo if he had reached out to them, she imagined he hadn’t. Otherwise, he would have wanted information on how to make sure his Knights got in, long before now.

“Why doesn’t the First Order like you, Kylo?” Thenn asked.

~***~

Reveille arched a brow as the droid took the cup. She didn’t have an issue with it, so she didn’t stop it, but it seemed strange all the same. “No complaints from me.” She said as some explanation was offered. Apparently, one of the droid’s oddities was being a neat freak.

That seemed like a good flaw.

Apparently mud-tracking was bad, though. “Hm.” As the ship moved, she set her bag down besides her chair and drew her knees up.

The caf wasn’t really working. “What’s this mud-tracking story?”

Though, Reveille really wouldn’t manage to stay awake that much longer. She was already fighting off nodding off, the exhaustion kicking in after the adrenaline left. She hadn’t even realized it had flooded her during the conversation on Batuu…the panic, the news of Kylo….

She’d likely fall asleep in the chair, head pressed to her knees.

~***~

Lavinia expressed what she had seen that made her change. Apparently, it wasn’t enough seeing it from Kos’tel’lanni, but she had learned more from him. Food and music. Petty things, though he knew they were things he kept to himself for a reason. Like lemon drops. Like so many other things he should not have shared with her.

He scoffed at the reminder of her romanticism, “Stars, were you trying to live that?” He asked aloud.

He knew he had started to wonder about their relationship, and in the moment he was grateful he had not found Lavinia in her quarters that day, before it became common knowledge that she was a spy. The thought of Sienar’s demise had bothered him enough for him to want to consider something foolish.

He was hardly going to admit that now.