Fandom Fight for Control [closed]

[Lucyfer]

Kylo moved in soon enough to assist in blocking the blaster fire, but they came from plenty of directions. It was hard still to fight Schaeffer, and protect herself, without the Force – and Schaeffer was not a slouch. He was fast – faster than Nyx thought possible for a human without the Force. His weapons were thin, but strong – monomolecular blades always were, and it also made them hard to see.

He kept them from clashing with her lightsaber, preventing her from breaking it, as they moved around each other.

A bolt hit her shoulder.

His blade cut two horns off in her stumble and duck.

The pain was searing, blinding, as it always was, even if the strike was hardly fatal. It was still disconnecting bone.

Nyx jumped back, and got range enough to feel the Force again, to channel it so she could overcome the pain.

Schaeffer didn’t move after her immediately, but lashed out at Kylo Ren’s back instead.

~***~

Reveille wouldn’t argue to staying in Oola’s room. It was better than Finn, Poe, or someone she didn’t know. Valo would have been about equal with Oola at that point, if not perhaps a little more, but both of them were preferable to unknowns, or certain knowns she didn’t want to deal with.

Finn would be a nuisance.

She’d probably smother Poe in his sleep.

“Thank you, General.” Reveille rose with the dismissal and instructions, and would follow after Oola. The temptation to put her hands behind her back was ignored. She’d keep them obviously in sight.

She’d have her bag back soon. She could probably pop in a lemon drop and fall asleep again before Leia needed her. “That went better than expected,” she still couldn’t help the comment when they left Leia’s presence, and wondered if it might be terribly difficult to get red hair dye.

Probably.

~***~

Armitage Hux hadn’t taken Tanis, or Borran, for people that were in the business of helping others. Obviously, they helped Lavinia, but helping an entire world? No, he wouldn’t have thought of that, but now it made some sense they hadn’t picked sides. They were busy – and the sides weren’t picking them.

Even the job they’d just pulled hadn’t been for money…it’d been for a code.

In spite of himself, he couldn’t quite contain the sly smile and comment, “Perhaps I underestimated you two.” He was bitter towards Lavinia and Kos’tel’lanni, but this pair had never done anything to upset him. Even now, though they were keeping him hostage, that was more because of Lavinia and Kos’tel’lanni.

‘This is what he needs.’ Kos’tel’lanni accepted that thought.

It wasn’t what she needed. She felt for Taris, but…her heart wasn’t in it. Hux might be able to move through what happened, even process it, if he got back to work – meaningful work, things he and Reveille had wanted.

It would take some work to get him there, but Kos’tel’lanni certainly hoped she wasn’t the only one hearing it, or seeing it.

 

[cleopat]

The blaster fire had been hard to block at times. There was too much coming from all directions, and even a strong Force individual like himself could do so much against them.

But he did. He protected himself and Nyx. Well, he tried.

He heard the cry from Nyx. It distracted him for a second, but she regained her bearings. He knew when he could feel the Force around her again as she left Schaeffer’s bubble.

Turn around. Kylo didn’t question the voice in his head. He didn’t hesitate to turn around, blocking Schaeffer’s attempt to slash him with the blade.

Kylo sought to disarm the man with a swipe of the lightsaber. He knew he need to seek out the object that blocked the Force from him, but ensuring that he didn’t suffer any fatal blow proved more important.

~~

Oola and Valo walked out of the room first, the togruta leading the group, and Valo following behind. Neither were as surprised as Reveille that the meeting had gone well, but Oola smiled at the woman.

“Something tells me General Organa already knew this would happen. She always knows more than should be possible.” Her family heritage may play a role in that as well. No one had ever seen her use the Force, but many had suspicions that she had her own connection with it.

Leia always seem to know all.

“It makes her a great leader, but sometimes it’s downright scary when she stares at you like a disappointed mother when you’ve done something you knew she wouldn’t approve of.” Valo had been the victim of that. Not nearly as many times as Poe, but his number was up there.

Oola slowed as they approached a door, and with the punch of a code, the doors slid open, revealing a room that comfortably fit two beds, and off to the side, there was another door, leading to a bathroom she shared with another room.

~~

Lavinia hadn’t expected the compliment towards Tanis and Borran. A silent glance and nothing more? Yes. But not actual words. She looked over at Tanis who almost looked smug at Hux’s words. “Damn right.”

Borran chuckled. “We get that a lot. It’s part of the whole image. No one to suspect us of what we’re doing if we’re playing off of the scruffy image people tend to place on us.” And some of those perceptions were earned. Not every job in the past had been for honorable intentions.

But they never took from those less fortunate, like others who reminded them of the civilians on Taris from the lower levels. They had morals. Not many, but they were there.

And Lavinia had once been a part of that, until she had too much hope that aiding in the Resistance’s cause would help Taris in the long run. Now she knew better. Now she knew that while both sides wanted to help the galaxy, helping a planet like Taris and the poor on the planet weren’t a high priority for them.

“How long has the embargo been active?” Lavinia wondered out loud.

“Not that long after the Hosnian Cataclysm. The one senator who cared about us died, and unrest and fear over our futures rose amongst everyone, and the elite are now trying to squish any will to fight back before we can actually unite.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Schaeffer was able to pull back to keep his blade from locking with Kylo, but then he stepped forward and thrust the blade forward as well, knowing he’d have to stay on the offensive, and keep evading as much as possible in engaging the Force-users.

At least for the moment, Nyx seemed to still be recovering and gathering herself.

Now Kylo would be in the field, and the blaster shots would keep coming.

Nyx was now the one aiding, not with a lightsaber, but with the Force, keeping out of Schaeffer’s bubble – but Schaeffer hoped to force Kylo back closer to Nyx so they’d both be contained in it, at least for a moment.

That might serve him well.

~***~

‘Something tells me General Organa already knew….’

The words were enough to sour Reveille’s mood immediately, reminded of the Force in Leia, and in her family. She folded her arms over her chest, and tuned the rest out, not finding a chuckle for Valo’s reminiscence.

Had Leia looked into her mind?

The thought bothered her immensely, and caused her silence for the rest of the walk. She observed the code that was punched in, and walked in after Oola, noting the beds, and the other door. “Which bed is yours?” she found her voice to ask that, since both appeared to be well-made at the moment, she couldn’t tell which one was in use and which one wasn’t.

The room wasn’t heavily personalized.

~***~

Armitage Hux could admire the ruse, in a way. No one expected them to be capable of what they were doing, which did indeed play to their advantage. He knew people used to underestimate him because of his lithe build. He’d reminded many of them that strength wasn’t exactly necessary in all things.

Certainly not killing.

It seemed the embargo itself hadn’t been in place long. Armitage couldn’t help but ask, “What sorts of ships are being used to create the embargo?” He may not be his sister, but he was still familiar with a wealth of ships – and so was Kos’tel’lanni.

He didn’t realize he was already starting to think in terms of strategy. Not on a conscious level, anyways, but he was considering just how the embargo could be taken down.

 

[cleopat]

Kylo moved from the offensive into the defensive as he continued to block Schaeffer’s attacks. Schaeffer was quicker than he anticipated. How could this man shield himself against Kylo with only a monomolecular blade?

That damned Force-hindering tech on Schaeffer played a role. Without it, he and Nyx both could have easily killed him by now.

Kylo noted the strategy Schaeffer tried to move him into. He needed to stay away from Nyx, so that she would be a better defense against the blaster bolts that still came at them, although not Kylo as much with his proximity to Schaeffer.

He continued to block any swipes made at him by Schaeffer. The blonde was well trained, and left very few weak spots open for Kylo to strike at.

In a split second, when Schaeffer prepared to strike Kylo with the dagger once more, Kylo aimed low. He took a swipe at the man’s legs before taking a step backwards.

He deigned to admit to himself that fighting was somewhat easier without a cape.

~~

Valo didn’t notice Reveille’s mood swing, but Oola did. She didn’t make a comment concerning the matter, for she couldn’t be sure what was the cause. She still didn’t know Reveille. They were still technically enemies, even if the woman had left the First Order.

Any number of issues could be pressing at her mind.

The woman did speak eventually, when they came into her temporary shared quarters. Oola nodded in the direction of the bed on the far left wall. “That one’s mine.”

She walked over to her bed, where she ungracefully flopped down on it, mussing the once wrinkle-free sheets. “If there’s anything you need, such as toiletries or clothes, let us know, and we can get some for you.” Valo remained near the door, casually leaning against the wall.

~~

Lavinia looked over at Armitage after she realized he had asked a question. And it wasn’t sarcastic or scathing in any way. To her, he almost seemed to be carefully thinking something out, something that didn’t involve inflicting pain on her or Kos’tel’lanni.

“Their main ship is a Providence-class dreadnought. For ships that manage to sneak past their dreadnought, they have their own fleet of interceptors.” Tanis knew much of the weapons the elite were utilizing against their own people, though knowing how to fight against them was another matter.

Borran cleared his throat before continuing. “Not only that, but they have also increased security throughout the Lower City. If we can get through the embargo checkpoint with no issue and don’t look suspicious at all,” he through a glance in Armitage’s direction, aware of the bounties on him, “their ground forces shouldn’t be an issue at all.”

“They’re only Tarisian police officers, right?” Lavinia inquired.

Tanis nodded. “That they are, and we’ve managed to best them a few times before. I’m not worried about them. It’s just getting past that dreadnought that is a little worrisome.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Things were easier for Schaeffer when he had the advantage of surprise. That element was gone with Force item being recognized. He saw Kylo’s downward sweep and jumped back, as Kylo stepped back. As soon as his feet hit the floor again, he darted forward, this time not to swipe Kylo, but to ram him backwards.

Closer to Nyx.

Into Nyx, if he was lucky.

He could keep the pressure on them and let a hail of blasters hopefully start to impact the pair of them, or at least Kylo. Kylo had yet to take injury, and he knew the man had more endurance than most. He’d lose if he tried to play this on the defensive, or took his time.

~***~

Reveille moved to the one the right as Oola took to the left. She sat down on it. It was certainly better than the past few beds she’d slept on. Better than the chair, even if she’d fallen asleep so easily.

She didn’t want to do much more than sleep, really.

She was back in this damned war when she had wanted to leave it behind. She didn’t know if her brother was alive, or dead. But she knew Kylo was in charge of the Order, and she knew what that would mean for the galaxy.

She had to do the right thing.

She shook her head. Perhaps she needed to eat something, or even drink something, besides caf, but, “Just my bag, if I can have that back, yet.” They might not want to. They were aware it had weapons inside it.

~***~

‘Dreadnaught.’ Taken out easily enough with bombers, Hux now knew. Though, bombers may be difficult to acquire, and they still required an escort or they’d never make it to the dreadnaught. Of course, if the dreadnaught didn’t have many single-fighters, that wouldn’t be an issue.

It seemed they did have a fleet of interceptors, and Hux nodded. That did make taking down the dreadnaught problematic.

As the gaze came to him, he noted, “I’d look less suspicious without this hat, poncho, and cuffs.”

“We can’t take you out of the cuffs,” Kos’tel’lanni stated, “You’ll try to kill us.” He’d probably try to kill them with the cuffs, if he thought he stood a chance, or caught one of them alone. “Though I imagine I don’t look less suspicious,” she doubted many Chiss, or Pantorans, were on Taris.

“Maybe you should have gotten a poncho and hat.”

Kos’tel’lanni just sighed. Sunglasses would have at least helped with the glowing eye issue. "I suppose Hux and myself could stay back on the ship."

 

[cleopat]

With the help of the Force, Kylo couldn’t predict Schaeffer’s move. He expected a swipe, but instead the man rammed into him. Kylo stumbled backwards, but he steadied himself before take a few steps to the side, away from Nyx.

He knew what Schaeffer wanted. He couldn’t allow that.

As Kylo steadied himself, a blaster caught him by the edge of his upper arm. He hissed at the sudden pain that radiated near the wound site.

Fortunately it hadn’t been his right arm, but it would still slow him down some, nonetheless. “You’re persistent, aren’t you?” His teeth gritted, and he rushed forward to take another swipe at Schaeffer, aiming for a quick strike on the upper body before an immediate subsequent strike on his upper legs.

~~

At the request, Oola and Valo exchanged a glance. Valo sighed and shifted his stance so that he no longer leaned against the wall. “Yeah, I’ll go get it. Don’t expect your weapons to be in it, but everything else will be left alone.”

With that, he left the two women alone. Oola folded her legs underneath her, allowing herself to relax for a few minutes. She suspected the transmission with Governor Tarkin would start fairly soon. No use in getting too comfortable on the beds.

“You’re an interesting one,” she said without warning. Her orange eyes focused on Reveille, and her lekkus were readjusted to lay over her shoulders. “Obviously, I still can’t fully trust you, but there’s something in you I can see in ourselves.”

She leaned back on her hands, and a light smile graced her face. “Despite, well, the war, I think we have more in common than any of us wished to believe.”

~~

“There are many non-humans on Taris,” Tanis commented. “And a sizable Pantoran community, although I think they tend to stay near the Middle City.” But a simple pair of sunglasses could still help her blend into the environment.

Taris was a city-planet, which meant many species immigrated there over the millennia. Kos’tel’lanni’s eyes would definitely stick out, as Chiss were still unheard of, but the rest of her should be fine.

Though she had left Hux behind with Lavinia alone, Lavinia felt unease in doing the same for her. Hux wasn’t tied down this time, and his cuffs were hidden by his poncho. What if he gained the upper hand?

“The mission could be just like old times.” Borran grinned and turned back around in his chair to bring the ship out of hyperspace. Taris loomed ahead, with the faint haze of yellow from pollution staining its surface. As predicted, the dreadnought was there, waiting for anyone who flew in the planet’s atmosphere.

 

[Lucyfer]

Schaeffer wasn’t exactly a conversationalist, and he’d hate to die like Sienar – with something stupid as his last words. Kylo, at least, finally took a hit, and again, came forward.

Nyx moved as Kylo came too close to her for comfort, stepping further from her ship, and almost around to flank Schaeffer.

Schaeffer jolted backwards again, both strikes cutting air with Schaeffer being just out of range. He could feel the heat of the saber as it came so close, and again, he bolted forward, intending to jam his blade down into Kylo’s wrist and send a kick at the man’s chest to stagger him.

But he heard the sizzle of another blade, and rolled.

Nyx’s saber struck her own ship as Schaeffer rolled back up onto his feet, at Kylo’s side, and just made an upwards slash to cut his arm.

‘Cadet training, bitch.’

He had heard that Reveille nearly beat Kylo in a fight once without the Force.

And he could beat Reveille in a fight – sometimes.

He could beat Kylo.

~***~

Reveille nodded. She was willing to accept that condition. There was only one thing she wanted in there, anyways. Not that it would help, but the lie of it helped her mental state. It was something that once seemed true. Something that at least seemed to promise a better day.

She was left with Oola, who drew her feet up onto her own bed – shoes on and all. Reveille wanted to lay down, but she wasn’t sure yet if she wanted to commit to taking off her boots. So, she remained sitting, and just folded her arms over her knees and leaned forward.

Breathed.

Her gaze lifted as Oola spoke to her. “You’re just realizing that?” Perhaps Reveille shouldn’t be surprised, and she didn’t sound it. Both sides in war dehumanized, and stripped their enemies down. “We all want a galaxy that works for all of its citizens. We all want peace, prosperity, and life, for all of its citizens. Well. I did.” Perhaps she would, but she didn’t want that, strangely enough.

She didn’t want to think she had some responsibility to it. It’d done nothing for her. But she was at least going to get rid of Kylo Ren. It was her fault. She had let him live, when she had evidence against him. She had hoped he could be something…else. Something better. And he wasn’t.

He was worse than Snoke.

~***~

A Pantoran community would at least help Kos’tel’lanni blend in, if she could get sunglasses. That was the major issue. It was a matter to be considered if she needed to leave the ship. Which, with any luck, perhaps she wouldn’t. Tanis, Borran, and Lavinia would deliver their package. She and Hux could discuss…whatever was ahead.

He couldn’t come to Csilla.

But perhaps she could talk him into helping on Taris, or something else.

They reached the planet, and Kos’tel’lanni would stay silent.

Hux quietly observed the planet. The pollution was obvious, even from so far away, and his nose wrinkled in disgust. So many planets had ways of handling such pollution, but the wealthy refused to pay for it here, it seemed. Did they not realize it would eventually poison them, too?

Disgusting.

 

[cleopat]

Kylo couldn’t move out of the way fast enough before Schaeffer grazed his arm with the blade. His hissed at the pain, but it wasn’t intolerable. Just an annoyance.

Not as much of an annoyance as the blonde bastard they fought.

For the moment, Kylo switched his lightsaber off. He lifted his knee to deliver a swift kick to Schaeffer’s stomach. Regardless of the outcome, he would immediately move out of the way of Schaeffer’s arms and towards his side.

Then, he would switch his lightsaber back on. If Schaeffer struggled to follow Kylo’s maneuvers, then he would find himself with a lightsaber blade pierced through his side.

~~

Oola studied Reveille’s face. Her pale skin. Her light freckles. The curls of her short, pale pink hair. The ice blue of her eyes. She looked the part of the First Order officer, and now, if her intentions were true, she was with them, to aide them against the First Order.

Just a few days ago, Oola would’ve laughed at that thought.

“Maybe not, but maybe I am in a way.” Oola tiled her head, bringing her arms back around to lean on her legs. “But I’m guessing you’ve knowing this, while everyone around you have ignored you?” Reveille had let them go in exchange to meet with General Organa, and she had been the first one in the Order to even dare suggest this tactic.

Any other officer would’ve killed them at first sight. But not Reveille. She spared them, and that was the reason she and Valo sought to help her. “We just had different beliefs of how to get to that peace and prosperity.” Fear wouldn’t be the way. Fear didn’t create peace. It only created terror and desire to quell whatever fueled that terror.

“But I suspect you’ll be leaving us after all of this is over, won’t you? Leave everything behind for a different life?” Oola wouldn’t blame her. The First Order was all she ever knew. It would be difficult to create a new life after that. “But you’ll always be welcomed to stay with us, that is, Valo and myself, if so wanted to.”

~~

They crew didn’t have to wait long before the ship sent them a message relayed through their system. “Tarisian Forces, please state your business.”

Borran straightened in his seat. “I’m with the Tarisian military base, bringing a weaponry supply delivery to the military base D-21.” Coordinates of a base that would bring them close to their intended destination. “I am sending the clearance codes your way.”

His fingers moved across the dash to send the codes that Hutt gave him to the Tarisian ship. Silence lingered over them for a few seconds, but the static of their communication picking up back sounded. “You are clear for landing on Base D-21 in Hangar 8.”

Borran shot the others on his ship a smirk before proceeding towards the planet. “Easy enough. Now we just need to make sure we don’t do anything stupid while on the planet.”

Both Lavinia and Tanis avoided his gaze. Of course they wouldn’t do anything stupid. Again.

 

[Lucyfer]

Nyx pulled her blade back into her hand.

Schaeffer wasn’t quite so quick with dodging the kick. It was unexpected. He staggered back, momentarily winded, before he heard the sound of the lightsaber igniting once more.

He feinted, not as quick as he’d like, but enough to spare him grievous injury. The lightsaber missed impaling him, but it grazed his side, and the pain was certainly exquisite. He pushed that down, though.

He couldn’t let pain get the best of him.

Kylo was wounded in both arms now. He had to keep focus, and so, he stepped forward, ducked into a roll, and kicked out at Kylo’s own legs to try and bring the other man down.

~***~

Reveille arched a brow at Oola’s deduction. She’d known plenty of things and been ignored. Starkiller. The need not to be xenophobic. Both were tied, in their ways, to wanting tactics besides fear. For acknowledging that fear wouldn’t win the day. Even her turn on Kylo was based on actions that he chose, that only served to inspire fear.

She’d warned him….

And so many others.

“It’s not something uncommon in the First Order. My opinions were rarely the norm; I’d dubbed Starkiller the ‘Fail Ball’ long before your Resistance destroyed it.”

She knew these things didn’t work.

Oola seemed to be inviting her to stay. Reveille smirked. “Don’t worry. You’ll take that invitation back.” But regardless, she shook her head, “I have a better place than this.” The one parting gift Kos’tel’lanni could offer, in spite of it all. The one bit of evidence she had that Kos’tel’lanni had, once, trusted her.

Liked her.

Before she decided she liked a rebel more. “I’m sure you and Valo will find plenty of trouble without me, and third-wheeling isn’t any fun.”

~***~

The clearance codes worked. Hux let out a breath he hadn’t quite realized he had been holding. He didn’t want to die in some random smuggler’s ship off the planet Taris. At least he’d at least make it to the ground. In theory.

“We aren’t going to that hangar, are we?” Kos’tel’lanni inquired, hesitantly.

That could mean any plan to stay behind with the ship was a bad one, if it was tracked to the surface and found. She assumed the pair had done this before, but she would feel better knowing just how they usually did. “What is standard protocol for getting to the surface and making sure the ship is not later found?”

Hux was also interested in how they were all not going to die. Millicent just finally started to bathe herself, as if everything was fine.

 

[cleopat]

Finally. They had injured Schaeffer. Rather, Kylo had. An injury in the side could cripple him if they exploited it enough.

Once Schaeffer ducked into a roll, Kylo anticipated his moves. He dodged the kick with a twirl to the side, and with his still-ignited lightsaber, he swung to attack the legs that had just kicked at him.

They needed the march to end soon. He grew tired. He imagined Nyx grew tired with her own injuries to her horns. The Nightsisters that joined them could only hold back most of the blasters for so long.

With those thoughts, Kylo scowled and raised his lightsaber, bringing it back down on the man, this time aiming for a slash across his torso.

~~

Oola cocked her head. ‘Fail Ball’ had been a particularly interesting admission, and she couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her. “So even in the First Order, you were the odd one.” In her eyes, that should have been proof that the First Order couldn’t succeeded.

They needed to accept differences. Ignoring advice from such a high-ranking officer like Reveille Hux convinced Oola that they only wanted to rule the galaxy in one particular way, without bringing forth any further plans or risks that may have helped them rather than hinder them.

Like Starkiller Base. Or their xenophobia.

She wanted to inquire further of the better place Reveille had lined up. Was it where she was going before Oola and Valo found her and subsequently got her kicked out of the cantina?

“Wait, third-wheeling?” She scoffed. “Do you think Valo and I are a thing? Stars, no.” Oola knew where the woman was coming from though. “Just know the offer is there, though, if you find yourself in need of a temporary place to stay.”

~~

Tanis scoffed at their questions. To doubt them so, when she and Borran, and Lavinia, in the past, had done this plenty of times before. The nerve! “Of course we’re not going to the hangar. Not unless you want to be arrested.” Lavinia did not want that again.

“This ship has a cloaking device, which will temporarily allow us to go undetected on Taris. There’s also a signal scrambler, that will confuse the Tarisian forces of where our location is for about twenty minutes. So that’s our window if getting in, delivering the package, and getting out.” Lavinia offered the explanation.

“If you manage not to get into a fight with a Mandalorian again.” Tanis stood from her seat as she noticed the ship was descending further into the atmosphere.

She scoffed, likewise standing. “Just don’t steal from one again, and I won’t have to protect your ass.”

They were on level with the skyscrapers now. Instead of landing at the promised military base, the ship headed for an abandoned warehouse about half a mile away.

 

[Lucyfer]

Schaeffer drew his leg back quick enough, and drew it under himself, before Kylo could cut them with his lightsaber. He kicked off from the ground, intending a rush at Kylo – but it was detrimental.

He got caught in Kylo’s slash, the blade cutting down his torso before he could get terribly far. He fell back; it hadn’t cut deep enough to kill, but it would if untreated.

The force of it, and the pain of it, however, kept him from managing to move immediately, or quickly. The sight of him on the ground killed most of the blaster fire, as well, finally clearing that up enough.

Nyx didn’t keel forward as she wanted to, but held together. Her head was in agony, but it was nothing that wouldn’t heal in time.

Still.

~***~

Valo and Oola had seemed fairly close, though Reveille wasn’t certain if she thought them together or not. At Oola’s query, she simply shrugged her shoulders, before the answer came. Apparently, the pair of them were not at all together, and from Oola’s answer, never would be.

Reveille just gave a nod to that, and ignored the invitation again. ‘You’ll take it back.’ Of that, she was certain.

What she wasn’t certain of was, “Why are you offering?” She knew Oola and Valo weren’t stupid enough to trust her just yet. She couldn’t imagine either one of them truly wanting to deal with her for long after, at that.

She wouldn’t be good company, for one, without anything to do.

Two, there was always that question of when she’d stab them in the back, literally or figuratively.

~***~

Twenty minutes. “No point in getting sunglasses, then,” or anything for Hux to look less suspicious. Twenty minutes, the pair of them could survive hanging back in the ship until Borran and Tanis returned. Lav, as well, if she went with them. She wasn’t sure if someone else would stay, to make sure the ship didn’t go anywhere without them.

Kos’tel’lanni and Armitage weren’t known to either Borran or Tanis.

Hux seemed to at least accept his fate as the ship started to land. He took a seat in one of the empty chairs at last, and Millicent jumped up into his lap.

Kos’tel’lanni thought they’d have more time to consider things. Alas. Though at least Borran and Tanis’s mission would be quick. In and out. Then it was likely on to the next one.

 

[cleopat]

A surge of triumph rushed through Kylo’s veins as he managed the damaging blow to Schaeffer. He staggered back, and his body hit the ground.

The second he hit the ground, the majority of the blaster fire ceased. Good. One less distraction from the sweet victory Kylo was about to experience.

He considered getting a last word in, but as he pointed his saber down at Schaeffer’s prone form, he determined that he didn’t deserve a last word. He possessed a Force-hindering piece of tech. He sliced through several of Nyx’s horns.

Kylo smirked, lifted his saber, and struck it down. Should nothing else distract him, he would land a strike straight through Schaeffer’s chest.

~~

Oola shrugged. “Maybe because-”

Their door opening distracted her from what she was about to say. Valo walked through the door, carrying a bag slung over his shoulder. He was accompanied by a spherical droid whirling behind him.

The droid saw Reveille sitting on her new bed, and it quickly made its displeasure known. I have a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling.

Valo sighed. “We know, we know.” He handed off the bag to Reveille, which was no devoid of all of her weapons. “General Organa said to meet back with her in fifteen minutes to discuss the situation with Governor Tarkin.”

~~

The ship landed, and the trio sprung into immediate action. Tanis held a datapad in her hand, and Lavinia lowered the ramp. “Where are we dropping the shipment?”

Borran secured his blaster into his belt. “Less than a block from our current location. If my initial scans of the perimeter are correct, we should be in the clear of any surveillance.”

“Alright, so we gotta hurry.” Tanis was first off the ship, followed by Borran.

Lavinia started after them, but she paused at the top of the ramp. Her head angled to look back at Hux and Kos’tel’lanni, and she addressed the Chiss. “Will you be okay in here for a few minutes?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Schaeffer’s life was extinguished in an instance, but the Force device remained active. Nyx made note of that, and would seek it out later, but for the moment, she had to get a grip on her pain. Which, she was now able to focus on, as the others remained hesitant to fire.

She spoke, but there remained a variance in tone as she did so, a shake and a gasp now and then, as she addressed the First Order, “We do not mean anyone here harm,” she began, “As you can see, it is only Schaeffer we have fought, only Schaeffer we have killed – though you fired on us, we deflected your fire.”

And there, her gaze narrowed, “No more. If you act now, you act independently of higher command and will be labored traitors to the Order.”

Blasters lowered at the implied threat. They had just witnessed two, and two only, take down Schaeffer in a hail of blaster fire distracting them. Perhaps they were wounded, but none doubted that the pair of them could clear the hangar.

Blasters dropped.

The feeling was not one of joy, but rather, despair. Hopelessness. Surrender. Once again, the Order was under the reign of a Force-sensitive tyrant, and they knew it.

She gave her first command, “There is one group that must perish with the others – the Cadets. Bring any that remain alive, to me, or execute them yourselves.”

If they fought like Schaeffer, they had to die. They were all too well trained, and would lie through their teeth about their loyalties, waiting until they could strike, “I know how they were trained. Like your previous Supreme Leader and Grand Marshall, they care for nothing and no one, just their own power, and they are the true threat to the Order, as Schaeffer was,” she gestured coldly down to his corpse.

That would be the first of the mass executions, even if not many Cadets remained.

~***~

Reveille probably didn’t want to hear Oola’s answer. It was probably some comment on how pathetic she was at this point. She ought to be grateful that Valo interrupted, as she reached up for her bag, and was told in fifteen minutes they would go to discuss Tarkin.

Good thing she hadn’t gotten comfortable.

She pulled the bag of lemon drops out, noting how many there were, before popping one in her mouth. No, it wasn’t going to fix anything, or make her better, but there was still that momentary relief. That brief hope that came with the sugary taste.

Foolish.

And yet if she could have bottled that feeling she would.

She set the bag on the bed. “Just enough time to do absolutely nothing.”

~***~

Kos’tel’lanni gave Lavinia a smile, “Yes, we will be fine,” she answered. “Should anything happen, I am good at stalling and distracting – and he is good at murder.”

Hux scoffed at that, even if it was true. He wasn’t so good at murder in cuffs, and Kos’tel’lanni didn’t have the key. Not that it would stop him, but his wrists hurt already from the first time he’d made them bleed to get out of the cuffs. “Go on, we’ll be here when you return,” Kos’tel’lanni promised, folding her hands in her lap.

Hux wouldn’t say anything. They were just there to drop things and go, and certainly they’d be back.

If not, he was in a ship with a former Admiral.

They’d be fine.

Probably.

 

[cleopat]

The feeling of determination swiftly shifted into despair. Good. A smug, satisfied grin crossed his face. He would finally have the First Order again, and Kylo vowed to himself that he would not mess it up again. It would require a better grip on his emotions, but with Nyx’s help, he knew it could be done.

Now many witnessed the raw power of Kylo and Nyx without the help of the Force. None could easily fight them.

But one group did stand a chance, as Schaeffer proved it. The Cadets were a ruthless and cunning group. The Hux siblings had proved that. Schaeffer proved that.

Nyx finished her speech to those in the hangar. Kylo shifted to look at her, taking in her severed horns. He hadn’t felt the cry of pain through the Force when Schaeffer severed them, due to his tech in proximity to both he and Nyx, but now he could tell she felt some pain.

“Does it hurt much?” He couldn’t help but to inquire. If something could be done to alleviate the pain, he would wave over a Nightsister to fetch medical supplies, as he and Nyx took care of the hangar.

~~

Both Valo and Oola observed Reveille pull out her bag of lemon drops, the candy she had nearly threatened them over earlier. She popped one in her mouth. Valo smiled at the act of innocence. Who knew a ruthless leader in the First Order had one quirk that was so endearing?

“Well, do you know what you are going to say to Governor Tarkin?” They knew each other. Tarkin’s unpredictability was one uncertainty the Resistance faced, but they hoped Reveille’s presence would skew luck in their favor.

Sven beeped at Valo’s side. We are working with the galaxy’s most unreliable people. I hope everyone knows this.

Oola sighed. “Behave or you’ll find yourself in a scrapyard far from here.” Sven beeped with the insult it felt. But it added nothing else.

~~

Lavinia shot Armitage a glance at Kos’tel’lanni’s casual mention of his talent for murder. “That’s what I’m afraid of.” She hesitated a moment longer as her gaze lingered on Armitage, and she then turned to continue down the ramp and join her friends.

They removed the shipment from their cargo hold, and it levitated in front of them as they walked behind it. The trip to the meeting location only took a few minutes. At the spot, they were greeted by an aged man in tattered clothing and a scar crossing over his left eye, leaving it blind.

A few words were exchanged between them, but the threat of their time limit loomed over their heads. The old man offered his thanks. “We have many kids sick in this sector. Because of you, many of them will live another day.”

They bid their goodbyes, when Tanis hugged the man, and the trio hurried back to the ship before their luck ran out. Before Taris sent starfighters to search for their ship.

“Should we start taking bets now on the state of the ship when we return?” Borran had asked, once they turned a corner and saw the ship still sitting there.

“I bet blood has been shed.” Lavinia chuckled at Tanis’ addition, but she offered nothing in return. She remained silent as they ascended the ramp, with Borran and Tanis still chatting about nonsensical matters.

 

[Lucyfer]

Does it hurt much?

‘Imagine being castrated, and multiply it by five.’ Nyx did not say that. Before, this sort of pain would have her passed out. She had gotten better. Vader had taught her how to manage that sort of pain, if nothing else.

She took a deep breath, “Do not worry yourself over it. I will heal. It is like the salamanders who lose their tails.” She would not offer a weakness, no matter how terrible it felt, or the fact she’d had to step out of her fight with Schaeffer. She was, perhaps, lucky he had turned to Kylo.

Not that she imagined she would have lost to him, but it made things easier all the same. “You know the other Cadets, do you not? You should assist in removing them, and making sure they do not escape.”

It would give him something to do as she met with some of the other leaders and started to consolidate power. As she brought in her other groups and began to reorganize the Order. “We can speak again this evening once I have been briefed on the Order as it is now, and briefed them on their new leadership and expectations.”

~***~

“I have ideas,” Reveille answered Valo. “A few of them involve threats to send Terex after everything he holds dear, like his children.” She shrugged. Terex probably wouldn’t succeed at that, and she didn’t want to resort to threats, but the thought was tempting if Tarkin decided to be an asshole.

She set the lemon drops back in her bag. “He’ll join us.” She had to remain confident. “We’ve all united to get rid of Kylo Ren.” He went to the Resistance because of an inability to reason with Kylo Ren after the Lothal incident.

He’d worked with her and Schaeffer to hunt down Kylo Ren.

He was at least of the same interest and the same focus. It might take convincing to get him to share the technology between more than himself, but she’d figure it out. She didn’t know how much he had left.

To Sven’s comment, and Valo’s, she shrugged, “I don’t take offense to his statement. Unpredictability is a legitimate strategy.”

~***~

The trio left, old friends, old allies, of no side. Kos’tel’lanni waited for the sound of their steps to fade, before she looked over to Hux. “I’m going to take off the poncho, and shoot your cuffs loose.” She said.

He looked at her, baffled. “Why?” Mistrust immediately entered his tone.

“Reveille Hux did much the same for me when she had no reason to.” Invoking his sister wouldn’t save her, but it would keep him tame a moment longer, and Kos’tel’lanni used that. She moved, and he rose, Millicent jumping off his lap and letting out a disgruntled sound. She lifted the poncho and hat off of him, and he held his hands out.

Off went the cuffs with a single shot through the center.

She stepped back. “You can run.”

“But aren’t you both oh so afraid of what will happen to me if I do?”

“I am,” Kos’tel’lanni confessed, “but I heard you inquiring on Taris. You think you can do something here to change things, don’t you?”

“Of course I could, but—”

“Do it.”

He stopped mid-sentence, startled. She repeated, “Do it. You wanted a place to rebuild, this is perfect for you, isn’t it? There are people here, desperate people. You can help them. You can show them what your true goals are, without your father’s shadow over you. Without the Empire. Without anything at all, but yourself, and all that you wanted to be.”

There was a chance they may be aware of the Hosnian Cataclysm, of course. There was a chance he wouldn’t make it far, and Kos’tel’lanni knew that. “We can’t continue on together for long, but you have a chance here.”

“And what will you do?” He asked.

“I’m…going home.”

“So you’re just going to run away from all of this?”

“This isn’t my fight. I was just here to get information, to determine if it was time for the Chiss to join the galaxy, that—”

“The Chiss are cowards.”

Kos’tel’lanni’s eyes blazed at that, a rush of hot anger she didn’t expect tinting her cheeks. “Oh so superior to all of us, right? Beyond where we can’t find them, unwilling to engage, unwilling to share – there is never going to be a time to join the galaxy, there is always going to be something wrong with it! I’m surprised,” he shook his head, “I would have thought Reveille would have at least made that clear.” She, more than anyone, seemed to have understood it would never, really, end.

Perhaps that was why….

“It’s hopeless.”

Kos’tel’lanni’s anger waned at that.

She could run back to Csilla. Report on the situation here. Indicate how she had failed. To what end? “Maybe,” she did agree. “I suppose…I don’t need to go back so soon. What I have to tell Csilla is nothing they do not already know.”

Armitage looked up and arched a brow.

“If you’d have me, I will stay and assist.”

“So you can betray me like you did my sister? No.” He denied.

 

[cleopat]

Kylo did not press on the matters of her wound. He knew it was bad. Horns were bone. But she insisted she was fine, and so he would not continue to bother her over something she could manage herself.

“I do know them,” he confirmed. One in particular stuck out in his mind. He couldn’t remember her name, but she had accompanied himself, Reveille, and Schaeffer to Corellia. “I know of at least one who will be on the Exigency, and I imagine most would be split between there and the Finalizer.” Where the Hux siblings were, and the Supreme Leader was not.

The Cadets were smart enough to know their chances against a Force user. Smart enough to acquire a Force-hindering tech.

He paused, brows scrunching. “Don’t you think I should be at the briefing as well?” He lowered his voice as he questioned her. They didn’t need anyone of the First Order to already start guessing that there may be strife between the two who had just claimed the First Order.

~~

Oola gave a look to Reveille at her promise of a threat to Terex. She wanted to think that Reveille had been joking about the threat, but she couldn’t be sure.

As long as the threat wasn’t directed at her. Or Valo.

“I think he’ll join as well.” Valo stepped away from the wall. “I think I’m just more concerned of what will happen after we’ve defeated Kylo Ren.” He didn’t specify killing him, or capturing him. With General Organa in charge, he couldn’t say with confidence what would happen to him, though he wanted the same fate as Reveille did.

Valo also didn’t have confidence in what Tarkin would do after everything was over. That they would have to merely wait and see.

Oola shrugged. “It is a legitimate strategy, but it’s also something you don’t really want on your own side, even if the alliance is just temporary.” Like Reveille with them. Or soon-to-be Tarkin.

She stood up. “We can go ahead and make our way to the conference room. They’ll be ready to start as soon as we get there.”

~~

Borran and Tanis stopped their chatter once they reached the top of the ramp. Lavinia didn’t question why, until she saw the scene that welcomed them.

Her heart skipped a beat. Armitage was out of his cuffs, and from what she could gather, he didn’t do it this time. He and Kos’tel’lanni had been talking.

“What’s going on?” Lavinia demanded, and her eyes moved to Kos’tel’lanni. Borran and Tanis both had a hand ready on their blasters, but she didn’t move to do the same. The questions were clear in her gaze.

She still held every reason to believe that Hux would attack and kill them, kill her. So why would Kos’tel’lanni free him so easily? Her only thought, despite knowing it couldn’t be true, focused on the possibility that they were working together.

 

[Lucyfer]

The Exigency made this easy. Nyx nodded to his statement, and waited for the expected question as well. “Yes, I do,” she agreed, “however, your skills are better put to use. Time is an issue with the Cadets, is it not?” As soon as they found out what was going on, and that there had been a command to kill them, they would scatter and hide. “If one is on the Exigency, they may consider Thenn a perfect target, as well….a negotiation tool, or a hostage, to escape.”

Kylo wouldn’t remain on the Exigency, of course. She would prefer to keep him within sight on the ship she chose for herself, but at the moment, it seemed the easiest way to make sure he was not there for that first meeting.

The others, he would be at, but first she had to get everything under control, and calm everyone into accepting it – and make sure they knew he was not, in fact, Supreme Leader. He would have a position equivalent to Discord, in a way.

She would still make use of his advice and his knowledge. She needed it.

But first things first: morale.

~***~

Reveille rose as it was suggested they move on to the conference room. She was tempted to remind Oola that it was yet another reason she needed to stay on her toes, but she figured Sven could do that for them.

Tarkin would be their future concern. “I imagine he’ll return to whatever he was doing pre-war with the Order,” Reveille had no real idea, nor did she care much. It wouldn’t concern her, in the end.

“Is Tarkin arriving in person, or by hologram?” Reveille asked. She doubted, given the time parameters, that Tarkin would be there in person, but she could hope. It would make things easier if he was.

~***~

The question was a sound one. Armitage considered answering with another question as he kept his gaze on the Chiss, now that his way to the door was blocked. What did she intend to do about those in his way?

Finally, he looked away, and looked to Borran, Tanis, and Lavinia. “I will be staying on Taris. It is a place where my particular skills of warfare are useful,” not to mention it fell in line with his own sense of morality, and his ambition to get started again.

When all the rich were dead, he’d have access to their wealth. He could requisition it, begin fixing up the world, while funding a military. Any ships not destroyed would also be useful.

“He can’t continue with us,” Kos’tel’lanni reminded gently. They needed a place to let him go, “The First Order and the New Republic aren’t invested in Taris.” This would be, perhaps, as safe as it got.

Not that Hux had any plans on remaining safe.

 

[cleopat]

Nyx offered a point Kylo neglected to consider. Nightsisters watched her, but as Schaeffer had just proved, Cadets were tricky. Crafty. Dangerous. They could stand up against Force users. If there were enough of them, the Nightsisters could easily be overpowered.

He wasn’t happy with the situation. He was aware Nyx was also attempting to get him out of the way, temporarily, as she consolidated power.

Kylo didn’t know how to challenge her on that issue at the moment. After the Cadets were dead and some order was established, he could then approach her. In private. Then question her on the true leadership of the First Order.

The title wouldn’t be given up so easily.

“Fine.” His tone was slightly biting. “I will return soon enough.” And if everyone complied with their directions, he would return even sooner.

If Nyx said nothing more, he would stalk to the shuttle to make his way to the Exigency.

~~

If he returned to the Order, then he would be an enemy to them as soon as their mission was completed. The strike of betrayal could fall before they had a chance to part.

But what choice did the Resistance have? What choice did anyone have? They were all now working with those who once tried to kill them, all for a common enemy.

“Unless Tarkin was already on Cloud City and we didn’t know it, it will be a hologram.” Valo seemed amused by her question, even if it was a perfectly innocent question. He led them out of the room, and Sven rolled beside him.

“Since you know him, is there anything we should know about Governor Tarkin?” Really, Oola wanted to know if he was like his family, especially the infamous Grand Moff Tarkin.

~~

Armitage explained to them that he would stay behind on Taris, to help clean up the planet. None of them masked their surprise. Lavinia had begun to wonder when he started inquiring about the ships, but she then figured it was nothing. Just a simple curiosity.

But Lavinia felt some disappointment when it was mentioned that he wouldn’t be able to continue with them. She knew that. But after they had spent so much of their time working together over the last few weeks, it almost seemed unnatural to know he wouldn’t be nearby.

You’re being a foolish dreamer. He’s still beyond pissed.

“How would you start? You’re without credits, extra clothes, food, shelter, or any resources, really.” Maybe Kos’tel’lanni had planned on sending Hux off with some help.

 

[Lucyfer]

A meeting was held swiftly enough on the Finalizer. Rani of the Exigency crew joined, as did Colonel Garmuth, among other faces. It was Garmuth who would confirm the identity of all of the cadets and verify that, besides the fact Armitage was still alive, only two had escaped. That meant three cadets, total.

Or four, if Reveille was alive, but Nyx knew better than to indicate that in the meeting.

Instead, she made a point to learn of projects, and she introduced them to her own set of leaders – politicians and pirates alike. Those who stood against the First Order, would now stand with it, adding a significant number of Core planets to Nyx’s army.

As well as Sienar Fleets, and Lothal.

Things would quickly move underway to begin production of Black Saber dreadnaughts, among other small tasks. The Supremacy would be the first ship turned into a Black Saber.

And it would remain not the home of Nyx. She would occupy the Finalizer. She found the room that had once belonged to Hux, and then Schaeffer, and began to take time to redecorate it.

The other Nightsisters were spread throughout the ships. Zeme’lodi’csapla would also be on the Finalizer, and Kylo would, as well. Thenn would remain on the Exigency, which would resume its post at Lothal soon enough.

~***~

Reveille followed along, nodding at the comment that Tarkin wasn’t likely to be there. A shame, but they would work with it all the same. It would just mean more of a delay to getting the Exigency back to account for travel time.

“I hardly know him well,” Reveille noted, “however we share an interest in handling Force sensitives, and stealth technology.” Beyond that, she couldn’t say much. Despite turning on Ren, he had ruined any hope of having anything beyond a business relationship with Tarkin. Even an alliance was ruined.

“I don’t imagine either of you intend to do any talking in this conference, do you?” She didn’t know how Leia handled these things, so she thought to add, “It’s no offense meant, but Tarkin has a way of…not caring to speak to anyone he doesn’t have to.”

She hadn’t forgotten the ways he’d wholly shut her down to speak to Kylo instead.

~***~

Armitage gave Lavinia a dull stare, “Step one is not sharing my plans with traitors.” It was none of her business how he planned to go about it. She and the others would be leaving. He’d likely see Borran and Tanis again. Perhaps Lavinia if she remained with them, but for the moment, they were mostly supply runners.

They’d be useful, but first he had to get a better sense of things. “Now, unless you intend to force me to stay here any longer, I believe you should get out of my way. Or we can all wait here until the authorities arrive and ensure that none of us can leave.”

Or else, make it difficult to leave.

Either way, Armitage’s mind was made up. He’d be starting over, here, on Taris.

 

[cleopat]

Expected issues greeted him on the Exigency. People weren’t so willing to reveal the name and locations of the Cadets. “Where is the Cadet Minka Tser? Surely you aren’t willing to protect the woman who would so easily betray you for her own life.

After his threat, one officer brought him to where one Cadet had been hiding. The man had actually begged for his life. How weak. The swipe of his lgihtsaber silenced his pleads. Regret rolled off of the officer who brought Kylo to the Cadet.

The officer couldn’t bring him to the other Cadets, for he did not know where they were. Kylo wanted to strike out, accusing him of hiding the others, but Nyx’s words echoed in his mind. They were to be as merciful as possible to ensure more loyal officers. Would that even be possible at this point?

A panel did suffer when he learned of how two Cadets, Minka and Karn Kellar, snuck off in a small shuttle while Kylo was preoccupied. He couldn’t prove who helped them, but he vowed action when he did.

After he did all he could on the Exigency, Kylo sent an update to Nyx on the Cadet situation on Reveille’s old ship before he embarked on the shuttle to return. Although he wasn’t happy that two Cadets managed to escape, he could hardly see them being a threat to the First Order and his ruling in the future. What were the two of them against Kylo and the Nightsisters?

~~

Valo glanced at Reveille with a curious gaze as she asked if either of them would be speaking. Neither one exactly had any written notes they wanted to vocalize in the meeting. “We didn’t plan for it.”

It sounded like this Tarkin was very similar to his Empire relative.

“General Organa will be more than capable to handle Governor Tarkin on his own. Although, Commander Dameron will be there as well. Do you think he’ll be able to not say something inappropriate for once?” Oola looked at Valo as she asked her question.

He only shrugged. “I’m sure the General can shut him up for the duration of this meeting, but it also sounds like Tarkin may be able to shut him up.”

They slowed down after turning down a corridor, before coming to a full stop in front of a closed door leading to the conference room. It slid open to reveal no one else had arrived yet. “Looks like we still have a few minutes to kill,” Oola noted.

~~

Lavinia clenched her teeth, and her gaze hardened. Armitage’s words affected her more than she should’ve let them, but they still felt like a slap in the face. She had to accept that he would continue to be cruel to her, as she continued to deny to herself that she deserved it.

She gave a terse smile. “Fine.” She started over to the cockpit. “You can leave and learn how to survive on Taris. I’m sure you’ll find it can be a quite crueler world than any of the city-planets of the Core.”

Neither Borran nor Tanis took their hands off their blasters, but they, too, backed away from the exit. Their window for escaping was narrowing. They wanted to leave without any incident that could land them in a cell or in the Undercity.

Lavinia had her back turned to Armitage. Her unfocused stare gazed out of the viewport. “Get out before we decide to hit up one of those bounties ourselves. After all, I’m nothing more than a traitor.” Tanis’ snapped her gaze to Lavinia as she heard the bitter tone in her friend’s words.

This didn’t sound like her friend.

But she remaiend silent. Borran remained silent. And they would until Armitage did take his leave, if he was serious about remaining on Taris.

 

[Lucyfer]

Two cadets, from the Exigency, together. Nyx knew that ship was going to cause trouble, and she was already making plans of who she would trust on it. She needed those closest to her, here, but there were other Nightsisters who Thenn worked well with, that Nyx would trust to keep things in line.

Kylo would return soon, and Nyx could feel his presence when he reached the Finalizer.

It was only a matter of time before he came to see her, and Nyx had already spent some time in meditation on that.

Well, meditation, and speaking with Thenn through holomessages to learn what had transpired with Qui-Gon.

He was a meddler. Always had been. Always would be.

~***~

It seemed the main threat to any of this was Poe Dameron, and Reveille was amused with the thought. “I’m sure his nicknames for Tarkin would be quite entertaining.” Though she didn’t appreciate his nicknames for her brother. Hugs. That was atrocious, even if it was far more PG than other nicknames they’d suffered.

It turned out Hux rhymed with a lot if you were creative. Or bored.

The truth was Tarkin knew his power, better than anyone, and he could smell desperation. Reveille still regretted not taking the opportunity to screw Kylo over sooner, right when she met Tarkin. It had been there. She hadn’t been blind.

The room was empty when they arrived. She was tempted to ask if she was sure they had the right one, but didn’t bother. She just walked in and glanced around. It wasn’t like the conference rooms back on her ships. It was darker, for one. Even with lights on, it didn’t have the same silver walls that reflected light all around, nor the same illumination scheme.

It felt almost claustrophobically small because of that.

She didn’t like it, but she distracted herself by tracing a finger along the central table. “So, 21 questions, then?” Reveille wasn’t actually being serious, but she still followed up, “Favorite foods?” Time to kill and nothing to do but talk.

Why couldn’t she just sleep through consciousness when it wasn’t important to be awake?

~***~

‘I doubt that.’ Armitage didn’t say it, cutting his gaze to watch Lavinia stalk away, fuming over his words. He wasn’t even bothered, and he wasn’t sure if he should find that good, or strange. He considered it, in the moment, good. She may have had feelings for him. He may have humored it for her.

Things had changed.

She was angry, and so, too, was he. But she was hurt, more than he was.

Perhaps she had hoped he would stay longer. Come around to her side of things. She was a fool to believe that. He had never been confused, and he wasn’t, even here. He knew he could make a difference on Taris and show everyone just what he’d wanted. Taris would be more of a statement than the Hosnian System ever could be, of what he really wanted.

More vitriol spilled from her lips, and even Kos’tel’lanni gave her a sympathetic look. Hux didn’t, though his gaze softened in the realization that it didn’t hurt. That it didn’t bother him at all. “Good bye.”

He moved between Borran and Tanis, and as soon as he was off the ship, and out of sight, Kos’tel’lanni moved over to Lavinia and set a hand on her shoulder, “I’m sorry.”

 

[cleopat]

As Nyx had predicted, Kylo immediately searched for her the moment his feet stepped on the hangar. It hadn’t been obvious at first where she was. Not even an officer couldn’t tell him where she went.

The officer feared them all. Good. Nyx hadn’t wanted that fear, but Kylo did. At least at first, he wanted that fear from them. Fear that they shouldn’t ever try to oust him again.

In the corridors, he paused for a minute. Releasing a deep breath, Kylo closed his eyes and sought out Nyx. Where are you.

Maybe a message on a datapad would’ve been easier, but he hadn’t thought of it in the moment.

She was in the old quarters of Armitage Hux. Interesting. The symbolism behind claiming the room of the previous Supreme Leader, and the previous leader of the Finalizer, did not escape him.

It only fueled his desire to question her.

When Kylo stopped in front of her door, he buzzed to be let in. Forcing his way inside would not do him any favors right then.

~~

Valo snorted with the child’s game suggestion by Reveille. “Seriously? I didn’t peg you as the 21 questions type.”

“Why not? It’s a simple enough game, and requires nothing more than another person and an imagination.” Oola sat down in a chair, and she placed her feet on top of the table, which allowed herself to lean back in her chair some. “For me, you may have already guess it, but I enjoy anything sweet. Cakes, pastries, cookies.”

Valo sat in a seat next to Oola. His dark eyes twinkled with mischief as they focused on Reveille. “I, too, enjoy eating something sweet.”

Oola gasped and swatted his shoulder. “Behave!”

He didn’t look like he regretted his words, but he shrugged sheepishly.

She rolled her eyes before returning her attention to Reveille. “And what about you?”

~~

The final goodbye twisted like a hot knife in her gut, but she held back the emotions that threatened to spill.

Even as Borran closed the door to the ship behind Armitage. Even as Kos’tel’lanni placed a hand on her shoulder.

She sucked in a deep breath. Tears threatened to spill, but she wouldn’t allow them. Not this time. Keep your chin up. Nothing is worth tears. Her mother was in her head again.

Maybe Delinia Aburius was actually right about something. Emotions only led to pain.

“I had heard about the cruelty of Armitage Hux since the moment I stepped into the First Order. Then I was reassigned to work with him. I thought that maybe these rumors were exaggerations, but I guess I ended up the fool.” Her voice wavered, but she continued to bite back the tears.

Borran gave her a sympathetic look as he sat in the pilot’s seat. As much as he wanted to comfort his friend, they needed to get their ship off the planet soon.

 

[Lucyfer]

Nyx was already dressed down for the evening, relaxed, intending to meditate and rest once she was finished with Kylo. There was also no need for false airs around him, and she did not want him to walk in to an immediately intimidating situation with her.

She had tea.

She was dressed plainly in a dark robe and flowing attire, her hair down, covering the horns that were yet missing. The door would open for him, and he would find her with a cup of ichor. Relaxed, and calm, but standing.

She nodded to him and welcomed him in with a smile, and a simple statement, “You are displeased with how things have proceeded.” The door would shut when he entered.

~***~

Oola’s obsession with sweets was obvious – apparently she didn’t discriminate much in that realm. It was something placed into the back of Reveille’s mind. That Valo was surprised was, if anything, the surprising part. She hardly got a reputation as the Spymaster for lacking curiosity.

Her gaze flicked from Oola to Valo, to see if he’d play along. He did – in a way that momentarily went over Reveille’s head before Oola demanded he behave. Reveille laughed but rolled her eyes. Of course the scruffy rebel would still try to flirt.

She could easily say lemondrops, but that wasn’t really something she considered food. “Biscottis,” a food. A treat. A decadence she happily snapped pieces off of in front of her brother with her caf, while he glowered over his tea, with no food.

Because he kept to his stupid nutritional bars.

She wouldn’t ask a follow-up immediately; she’d allow a moment for either of them to consider if they actually wanted to continue the game.

~***~

Kos’tel’lanni would not deny Armitage’s cruelty. She had never denied Reveille’s, and she was not going to deny Armitage’s. She had known that Armitage ran colder than Reveille, and this was confirmation of it, in a way.

Still, Kos’tel’lanni squeezed her shoulder. There was no point reminding her of Armitage’s past; that didn’t matter. What mattered was the present hurt it inflicted on her. She could process the reasons and understandings later.

“You aren’t a fool for being kind and believing in people, Lavinia,” Kos’tel’lanni said, “Armitage has his defense mechanisms…as we all do.” And his was cold. Chilly. Dismissive. “It doesn’t change what you liked of him, either.”

That he was passionate still, ambitious still, and would find himself again on Taris, if he lived. “You shouldn’t be upset with yourself for finding the good in the bad.” For liking the good, in the bad.

Perhaps she should be upset for ignoring the bad, or being blind to it…but not for liking it. For believing in it.

Kos’tel’lanni had believed in Reveille…and ended up here.

 

[cleopat]

Kylo took in the casual appearance of Nyx as he stepped through the threshold. He hoped that was a good sign for things to come.

“I am.” There was no point in stepping around the subject. That was why he was there to begin with. To question why she felt she deserved to immediately take over the role of the Supreme Leader.

“As you may be well aware of, I held the title of Supreme Leader before I was unjustly tossed out from the First Order.” He had begun to pace, maintaining some distance from Nyx.

As if it would do some good.

“I was just curious as to why you immediately decided to take over the leadership roles when we came here.” His steps paused. Kylo knew if he hoped to get anywhere in their conversation, he needed to continue to be careful where he stepped. Of what he said and of his tone.

~~

Biscottis seemed like a completely innocent food to enjoy, but also one appropriate of anyone from a wealthier family. Oola nodded in agreement. “Those are also something I enjoy with a nice cup of tea.” If a biscotti was in her line of sight though, she focused more on the biscotti than the tea.

Valo chuckled and shook his head. He always wondered how Oola stayed so thin. Maybe it was a togruta thing. Maybe she was blessed with genetics.

He took up Reveille’s silent offer for the continuation of the game. “Favorite pastime?”

“I’m sure I can name yours,” Oola mumbled. He through her a glare, but there was no hint of malice.

And she wasn’t wrong. Oola knew this more than most others in the Resistance.

~~

Tanis moved to stand near Lavinia, but she allowed Kos’tel’lanni to try and calm down their friend. She offered logic and rationality that Tanis knew she would never be able to do. She could be just as passionate as her friend, driven by emotions.

Lavinia sucked in another breath when Kos’tel’lanni squeezed her shoulder. Tears leaked out, but she still refused to give in to her desire to break down and release the pain.

The ship started, and Borran took them away from the warehouse.

“But maybe I am a fool for believing in people like him. Or for believing in something more.” Her words weighed heavily in the air. She wouldn’t go as far as to say love, but strong affection on her end was obvious. “It never brings anything other than pain.”

Tanis took a step forward to place her hand on Lavinia’s other shoulder. Hearing her friend talk so bitterly of something she once strongly believed in was painful. The Resistance and the First Order had changed her, and Tanis sought for nothing more than to bring her old friend back.

 

[Lucyfer]

Nyx was aware of Kylo’s former position. That he thought to reclaim it was foolish, but she wouldn’t state that outright. That wouldn’t help. His question was asinine, though.
She arranged this.

Of course she would take over leadership. She had the resources to get this done. “If I did not claim the role in name, Kylo, I would have claimed it in fact. Would it satisfy you to have the name when it would be a lie?” She spoke gently, “I will accept and appreciate your direction with the Order, but it will do no one any good for the Order to be confused about the actual leadership through false titles.”

Kylo Ren served her. He had said it himself in calling her master. “You retain rank and sway among the Order, and you will be present at our next meetings, now that the Cadets are at least out of the Order.”

They would be hunted down. Nyx already had bounties on them, “And I am grateful for the time you took to make sure some were dealt with.” But…he had still failed.

~***~

‘I’m not sure I have a favorite pastime any longer.’ Reveille couldn’t say that, of course, but the thought of anything that would bring her much joy was difficult. She knew things that used to bring her joy. Flying, fighting, fucking – and every single one of those made her think of Sienar.

She gave a one-shouldered shrug, “There wasn’t much downtime in the Order, but I used to enjoy stupid datapad games.” That brought up no memories, and she’d spent time in ports and hangars waiting on ships, playing stupid games, to distract herself from the time that was passing and stay awake. “I’m gaining a new appreciation for naps, though.”

She liked this – questioning, talking. Such a simple thing, but in the Order it was fraught with its own set of consequences. She had liked speaking to Kos’tel’lanni, and learning of her culture, her language. She had learned of the Goddess that Rani worshipped. Only she didn’t know how to say that she liked that.

“You two – besides the apparent obvious for you, Valo.” She’d take Oola’s comment to mean a continuation of his implications from before.

~***~

Kos’tel’lanni shook her head at that, “You’re not a fool,” she denied, “This situation was bad, all around.”

Reveille was dead.

They were both outed as traitors.

Hux was in binders.

There was no way this particular set of circumstances had a happy ending. “We’ll see what he does for Taris,” she said, “Who he is, without the Order…and who you are, without the Resistance.” And she’d figure out who she was, without the Order, without Csilla.

For once, she would be acting without command, as well, in order to confirm what Hux said about the galaxy.

About the Chiss.