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Lucyfer · May 1, 2016

Kylo Ren was the last out of his ship, his emotions as stormy as the weather around them. He could feel Snoke, of course. Sometimes he wondered if Snoke influenced the weather. It was always stormy here. 

Of course, Kylo only ever seemed to see Snoke here when he was in a rage. 

Paquin went to check Ariel immediately. ‘I won’t tell them, either.’ 

“I’m fine,” Gnaeus confirmed. “Kylo, how is it you’re our leader and you always get hurt?” Gnaeus noticed that Kylo had fresh wounds. 

Kylo’s answer was short, sharp, “I do what is dangerous.” 

Gnaeus bit the inside of his cheek. ‘Rude.’ So it was going to be one of these days then. He hadn’t expected it, but he’d hoped that Kylo might be in a more amicable mood. “What went down with you and Hux?” He had to ask. He was dying to know, and he knew Snoke already did. 

Kylo’s head hung a bit. “We told Snoke what happened. Snoke wanted to see us to discuss new strategies. Hux…denied. He said the Supreme Leader was in the way of the First Order’s advancement,” not in those words, but that meaning. “He said it all came together on Coruscant.” 

Kylo was fire, and Gnaeus had always known it. He could practically see the air wavering above Kylo as he said that. How Kylo Ren didn’t just explode sometimes was beyond Gnaeus—and a literal explosion. Gnaeus was pretty sure that one day the Force would just make Kylo Ren explode. 

Perhaps that was why he always had to express it. 

“It does not matter now. We’ll destroy him, the Resistance, and the Jedi. Snoke shall guide us in these endeavors.” 

It was like a cue. One of the long necked and slender aliens came out, “Master Ren,” she spoke directly to Kylo as she swayed out, not at all effected by the storm, though Gnaeus was certain she should have been blown into the sea. “Supreme Leader Snoke is expecting all of you. Please, come this way.” 

~***~ 

Poe hadn’t thought this through. Mira didn’t need to read his mind to recognize that when he had to pause before answering her. It wasn’t simply because she’d made him uncomfortable. “Good, when I get a ship, I’m designing it.” Mira would have a new ship one day, more badass than Echo had been. 

Something to rival Kylo Ren in the skies. “Though I was looking forward to riding with you,” she noted as he gestured for her to follow him to meet this ‘Jessika’. Someone who liked Luke, eh? ‘Just what I need.’ Not. As much as Mira was thinking of Luke, she did not want to start talking about him. 

At least BB-8 liked her. “I’m glad,” she told BB-8. “You keep Poe safe, all right?” 

It beeped its confident response. 

Jessika was, of course, among those Poe had been speaking with. He called out to her as he saw her preparing to get into her X-Wing, “Jessika! New task for you,” if she turned, he would gesture to Mira, and then explain the situation to her.

KyloGlenn · May 2, 2016

Paquin knew that Hux was not a man of few words, but she understood there was no point in reciting the exchange word for word. Nor did he likely want to. Her attention shifted with the arrival of the slender alien. 

Ariel followed after the alien woman, Paquin following after Ariel. Albeit hesitantly. Paquin was nervous, almost tempted to jump into the sea and join whatever water monsters may lurk about, if any. Kylo had said he wouldn't tell Snoke, but what if he sensed something was off? 'Or maybe they have some sort of telepathic connection...' 

The alien said nothing to them as they were lead through a series of white hallways. It certainly didn't help Paquin's nervousness. "He's not as scary in person," Ariel whispered, the speed of her unsteady steps fell so she walked next to Paquin. It was a lie, he was still scary. But she could sense Paquin's nervousness. 

'Take it easy, Paquin.' "Thanks." She whispered back, knowing Ariel was trying to ease her. They turned down a hall, but this one was different. Along the walls were sections of glass, but what was behind them made Paquin pause. "Is this one of those strategies?" She knew what was going on behind the windows. She'd read about cloning, but had never seen the process in person before. It didn't have much to do with her profession. 

Which she was glad for. The sight before her was disturbing. 

- 

"New task?" Jessika questioned as she turned and hopped down from her X-wing. Poe gestured to Mira, to which she waved at the blonde woman. Talk about her and her First Order jacket had been circulating, not to mention Poe spoke of her minutes ago so she knew who Mira was. 

"You'll be taking Mira to the planet. She needs a ride," he wouldn't explain that he didn't trust Mira yet, but that was obvious. "And there's no room in my X-wing." 

"There's no room in mine, either. Don't take it personally, Mira." 

"And that's why you'll be taking a different ship. You'll still get to help with clearing and securing, just in a different vehicle." 

"Poe! If that's the case, why can't you take her in the ship?" She knew why. Poe had to lead. "I--" Poe shot her a look to silence her and she sighed, but nodded. "Fine." She asked no more questions. 

"Thanks, Jess. The keys are in the cruiser. You know the one. If you have any problems, communications will be open." Poe gave her a pat on the shoulder before turning. A nod was offered to Mira before he and BB-8 walked off. 

"Hi. I'm Jessika. Nice to meet you. I'm not upset that I have to fly you around, really. Well, I am. Just not because of you." She cleared that up as she threw her helmet with back into her X-wing, closing it up. "Anyway, let's get going. Before they leave without us. Don't want to get separated from the group. Not with this apparent problem with the First Order."

Lucyfer · May 2, 2016

The clones did not perturb the other Knights much anymore. It was a secret to be kept from the FO, for the obvious reasons—Hux didn’t like them, and Hux thought they would take too long to implement. If they were ever needed, though, they were available. Snoke always suspected that clones would work better. 

The clones were no longer just of Fett, though. There were clones of numerous individuals who had proven worthy in Snoke’s eyes, be it for their intelligence or their fighting prowess. That was where Darth Sidious had erred—he used just one individual for clones. 

“Yeah,” Gnaeus answered, “Because someone here has a serious Darth Vader fetish.” 

The words broke the tension for a moment, as Kylo paused and turned around. It wasn’t anger, but surprise, that came from the Knight. “Well this was your idea. So was Starkiller. Not the way it worked, but the design.” He was pretty sure it was Hux who wanted to throw literal suns at things. 

Gingers and the sun didn’t get along. Gnaeus wondered how that collaboration went. 

Kylo crossed his arms, “Snoke thought we may one day need another army. It was not in our plans to use it against the First Order, but we have it now and we will use it against them. The General should be unaware.” 

“Unless Mira tells him.” The Coruscant comment wasn’t forgotten by Gnaeus. 

Kylo opened his mouth to comment on that, then shut it. “Indeed.” It was possible she had already told him, wasn’t it? Voids, this wasn’t getting any better. He turned back around and walked on. 

Their alien leader had stopped when they did, and waited, wordless. She understood that it was best simply to do her job and make clones. Getting anymore involved with the client was a bad idea. 

“Supreme Leader Snoke is here,” she gestured to a door. She would not enter. 

Kylo nodded, and he walked in first. 

Snoke, in reality, was not the giant that he projected himself to be, but he still stood at 7’, high above the other knights. And he was standing, all in black, that distinctive scar running down his face. He fixed his blue eyes upon Kylo, and Kylo immediately took off his mask. 

Gnaeus followed suit. “Supreme Leader,” Ariel, Gnaeus, and Kylo spoke in unison. 

~***~ 

Jessika seemed nice—nicer than Poe, anyway. It was almost disappointing, but she suspected this would be better for all. Poe had to lead, and Mira had to prove she could be a team player. 

Mira gave a nod to Poe as he left, and then managed to smile to Jessika, “Mira Vallens. I’m sure you know that already,” Mira still felt the need to introduce herself, “And no worries. Dameron will let me have a ship one day,” Mira said, and followed after Jessika as they went to the ship that had saved her from Coruscant. 

She’d thrown her helmet off to lead, and Mira took her in, how casual she seemed about the entire situation. Her anger was measured, but hardly out of control. Hardly there. If she was upset, it wasn’t much. ‘Is Hux—’ 

Mira bit down on the words before they left her mouth. A breath. “What’s going on with the First Order?” Mira asked, joked, “Did Kylo Ren become general?” The familiar ship was in sight then. Mira didn’t reach out to open it with the Force. Her hands, and the Force, were kept close. ‘Anything but that. Please.’ No, she’d know that. She had convinced herself she’d know if Hux were dead.

KyloGlenn · May 2, 2016

While the clones were disturbing, they certainly intrigued Paquin. If she didn’t have anything better to do, she might try to observe them. If that was an option. ‘If there is a later.’ 

Paquin was the last to enter, the door sliding shut behind her as the other three knights all simultaneously greeted the Supreme Leader. Paquin was a little late with her greeting, but Snoke didn’t seem to care. Barely spared her a glance, eyes on Kylo. Understandably so, he was the one that screwed up in Snoke’s pale eyes. 

Paquin observed the inhuman man. He looked exactly like his hologram, apart from the size. He still looked like he could crush all of them in one go. “We’ve much to discuss.” His voice was as still as slow and gravelly as ever, just not as loud. Snoke was still as terrifying in person. 

Snoke turned, slowly ascending a set of steps behind him, leading to a throne. Paquin was not a psychologist, but she knew that Snoke didn’t have a superiority complex like she figured Kylo did. No, Snoke was certainly worthy of it, there was no compensating. And he knew it, too. 

He spoke as he turned to face them, lowering into his seat. “We have two large targets now,” the First Order and the Resistance. He grouped Luke, Rey, and Mira in with the Resistance. “And I don’t understand how this happened.” Snoke’d sensed something was off with Hux, but it was still unexpected. Mira, too. Either way, they had to be eliminated. Soon. 

- 

“Oh, Void no. At least, I don’t think so…,” that would have been obvious, she would think. She waited for a moment until they reached the unlocked ship and the ramp was down. “I’m not really sure what’s going on. None of us are, really. Finn said something big was going on.” She’d been monitoring things with him earlier that morning. 

Jessika walked into the ship and looked around for a blaster of some sort. She had a pistol, but she may need a bigger one. Like the one she left in her X-wing. “Something about the Knights leaving in a hurry. Then he left to tell Leia and that’s about as up to date I am.” 

After rifling through some cupboards, she found one. “Aha!” She left it there for then, before taking her place in the pilot’s seat. As Poe said, the keys were there. “It doesn’t seem all that strange to me, but Poe made sure to put emphasis on caution.” If Poe was concerned, then they all should be. 

Jessika started up the ship and turned on the radio. “Poe? Hey, we’re in.” 

“Good, everyone’s heading out.” He answered almost immediately. Sure enough, ships could be seen closing up and flying off. 

“We’re following.” Jessika would wait for Mira to get settled before flying off. She was excited to get some action, things had been slow since Starkiller. Apart from those raids earlier, but she hadn’t gotten in on that.

Lucyfer · May 2, 2016

Kylo could feel those pale eyes burning into him. He dared not to speak out of turn so close to Snoke, and was glad that Snoke did not seem concerned with Paquin’s presence. He had accepted her, then, as one of them. “It is my fault,” Kylo would accept some of the blame. “From the start, I should not have set the Knights apart from each other. It turned Mira and Kevan from the proper path.” 

From now on, they would have to stick together, to look out for each other, to remember they were a unit. They were the Knights of Ren. “I do not know about Hux. He did indicate he began to think of this on Coruscant, so it may all be Mira. She may have gotten into his head.” It wasn’t impossible. Unlikely, but not impossible. 

“No,” Snoke denied it, confident in that assessment. “There were no Force tricks at play,” he would have recognized it. “You may be right about Kevan and Mira, and the direction of the Knights now. You must remain in pairs or as a unit.” He laid his arms over the armrests, one hand gripping the end of it while the other gestured. “The Resistance is our greatest threat still. The Jedi our foulest foes. Yet, they are illusive.” 

Kylo shut his eyes. 

Gnaeus lowered his head further. 

“We will face the First Order first, while we may yet catch General Hux by surprise with our own armies. I will begin to prepare them. The four of you will go with a small squad to the planet in Wild Space with the kyber crystals. We will need them for weapons to face both the First Order and the Resistance. We must move before the First Order recalls that resource.” 

He would not put it past Hux to forget it—but he would also not dare to assume he would, either. Hux had many weapons at his disposal, many resources, and his doubts about the Force might be enough—but he was not stupid. Doubt as he may, Hux had still seen the power. He still knew what the crystals were capable of. He would go to gather them. 

Resources were key to war. Snoke wanted to be there first. 

~***~ 

The knights left. ‘In a hurry. The Knights left in a hurry.’ 

The words seemed to echo in her head as she followed Jessika. Why? Had Kylo figured out where Luke was? Where she was? ‘Or….’ 

Mira dared not to hope. Would Hux just let them leave, no casualties? Certainly there would have been one—Mira would have felt that. “It is strange behavior,” Mira decided to confirm for Jessika, as she had shared news. “The Knights have not done much together, for years. To all leave at once means something significant.” 

Mira took a seat in the co-pilot’s chair, and situated herself as Jessika alerted Poe to their state. She stretched out, and would let Jessika handle piloting. She wasn’t about to get in trouble with Dameron. “Dameron tells me you have a crush on Luke,” she brought it up, curious as to how Jessika would respond to it. 

Curious as to how interested she truly was in the Force and all such things. 

A friend willing to tell her First Order secrets while Mira was here was a friend worth having. ‘Conniving—’ Mira cut the criticism off. 

She always had been, in the end, too smart for her own good.

KyloGlenn · May 3, 2016

“You will do what you need to prepare, but this needs to be done quickly. The Order doesn’t need to recover from the loss of the Knights,” they could easily jump back into action. “When the four of you return we will discuss the sith holocrons recovered by Gnaeus and Ariel.” 

Ariel felt no swell of pride, now wasn’t appropriate. Her gaze remained lowered. Paquin took notice of how all of them seemed to submit to Snoke, it was all very eerie. She was scared before, but then she realized just how much of a threat Snoke could be. She wondered how Kevan, Mira, and Hux dared to defy Snoke. 

She was thankful Kylo wasn’t going to tell the Supreme Leader anything. 

“You will return here, to Kamino,” he confirmed, even with it being unasked. In this situation, Snoke would typically relocate. But Kamino would be well enough protected with the clones and the Knights for him to feel confident in staying. His other bases would be abandoned. Either moved to Kamino until enough clones were grown or to new bases. 

The next thing burning through Paquin’s mind was a question. The medic—former medic— in her felt the need to know everyone’s blood type. For emergencies. She knew Kylo’s and her own, but Gnaeus and Ariel's were unknown. It would be a miracle if they all had the same blood type. 

“Then, after the Order,” Snoke wondered if they’d be able to adopt the troopers or the officers if they eliminated Hux. He wasn’t holding out much hope. Or want, Stormtroopers have proven to be unpredictable. “We’ll discuss the Jedi. They grow stronger every day.” The scavenger, Mira. Even Luke. They couldn’t wait too long. 

- 

With Mira confirming the strange behavior, Jessika finally let it sink in. She was convinced that it may be wise to stay alert during the mission if a former Knight said it was unusual. She didn’t let it change her demeanor, however. “I do not have a crush on Luke!” She defended herself. 

“Of course Poe would say that.” Her eyes rolled as she lifted from the ground, taking her chance to follow after the X-wings. Then the cargo ship with the equipment would fly after her. “Luke is so old. I mean, he’s nice,” she’d met him once, “but old. I just admire his piloting skills is all.” She shrugged nonchalantly. 

She’d once heard he was one of the best pilots in the galaxy and that was what spurred her intrigue. 

Or a ‘crush’ as Poe called it. ‘Idiot.’ 

“Not to mention the Force is pretty interesting. To a non-Force-sensitive, at least.” She leaned over to set the coordinates to the unnamed planet before following suit of the X-wings, who’d jumped into hyperdrive. The plan was to slow once they entered Wild Space and move slowly from there. 

Not one of them had explored Wild Space even the slightest bit. It wouldn’t be good to get lost or separated, so they’d take their time. Especially with the threat of the Knights and the Order. Jessika was lucky, she had Mira with her. But the others didn’t have a Mira of their own. 

She hadn't been planning to bring Luke up. But now that he had been mentioned. "I go around asking about his adventures. It's not weird, I swear."

Lucyfer · May 3, 2016

Directions were offered. First to the resources, then to return to Kamino. “We understand, Supreme Leader,” Kylo spoke for them all, and Gnaeus had no intention of correcting him. 

First order of business was the First Order, after the kyber crystals. “Shall we radio for you once we have secured the planet?” 

“Yes,” Snoke confirmed. “I will send my Clonetroopers to secure and mine the planet, once you have eliminated all resistance upon it.” 

“It will be done soon,” Kylo said. He would say immediately, but if nothing else, Ariel needed to rest to be in peak condition to confront whatever lay on that icy hell hole of a planet Mira found. Force sensitive worms, if he recalled right. 

“Good. Go.” Snoke clearly had no interest in delaying them, or chatting. His concerns were elsewhere, and the Knights didn’t question it, exiting the room immediately. Kylo gestured, and they followed after him as he walked to the aliens who ran this area, and asked about room and board. They were led to an area where they could rest and prepare. 

“We leave first thing in the morning. Rest, eat, do what you need,” Kylo explained to the trio before him. “Any questions on our mission?” He didn’t expect them. 

Kevan and Mira hadn’t asked any questions about the ewoks. 

Perhaps that was the problem…perhaps not. 

~***~ 

All right, Mira wasn’t so disappointed anymore to be with Jessika. She wasn’t sure what it was, but watching the shifting emotions of others did intrigue her. It seemed speaking of Luke was, indeed, a touchy subject. It couldn’t just be Poe’s teasing. 

“The Force is interesting to us Force sensitives, as well,” Mira noted, “You’re not talking to someone who is going to find your fascinations odd. Luke is…,” should she use present tense? “was, rather…when I knew him…an interesting man.” His adventures, his life, how he ended up where he was after being a mere moisture farmer. It was all quite interesting. “He wasn’t the best pilot, though. That was Anakin.” 

Even she couldn’t deny it, from the stories she’d heard. “But Luke was pretty good.” 

Mira somehow doubted that Luke was still as good as he once had been. 

They entered Wild Space, and Mira smiled, just a bit, at the familiarity of it. Here, outside of the known universe, she had felt comfortable. Safe. ‘And now you’ve gone and shown it to them.’ Well, it was necessary. They had to get these resources. 

This was war.

KyloGlenn · May 4, 2016

Paquin took the chance to free herself of her uniform, or at least the shirt that identified her as a member of the Order. Once they were left by the aliens it was pulled off. Thankfully she wore a shirt underneath. 

"We go in, secure the planet. Sounds pretty straight forward to me." Ariel shrugged. She was ready to eat and then go right back to bed. Maybe, this time, her slumber will go completely uninterrupted. There was a stronger possibility. 

"I have a question unrelated to the mission. Sort of." It could be useful during the mission. "Do you guys know your blood types?" A strange question. To Ariel, at least. Paquin could tell by her face. 

"Our blood types? I don't know. It might have an A in it. Or a B. Maybe an O." Ariel had no clue. If she did ever know, she didn't remember. 

"Hopefully you're not put in a situation in which you need a blood transfusion." Paquin wondered if they had that sort of equipment there on Kamino. Or if they just had what they needed for cloning. She'd investigate. Maybe Paquin would be able to test Ariel's blood. 

"Gnaeus?" Paquin hoped he'd know. "Kylo, do you know yours?" She knew it but wondered if he had any clue. She'd be thoroughly disappointed if neither of them knew. "Blood is one of the most important aspects of the body. And with what you guys do, how easily you guys can lose blood, it's pretty important to know." 

- 

Anakin. 

Jessika wondered how hard it would be to scrounge up some information on him. Darth Vader, not so hard. But Anakin. She'd focus on Luke for now. After all, she was with someone who knew him. "Are there any stories you'd be okay with sharing?" Jessika was dying to know what she could. 

"I've asked 3PO and R2, but something always seems to come up before anything can be finished." That was frustrating. 

"Touching down, everybody spread out upon landing. These worms are drawn to life." Poe's voice came over the radio as they neared the planet, him obviously landing first. There was some nervousness with Jessika, but mostly excitement. It would be even more thrilling if she were in her X-wing. 

One after the other, ships entered the planet's icy atmosphere. Jessika would have to land carefully, so not to slip and slide. "Jessika, stay in the air. You've got Mira. They like her apparently. I'll call you when a cave is picked." 

"Of course." Jessika wasn't upset with Mira, just that she of all people had to do it. At least it was a sign the Poe trusted her. So, to pass the time, Jessika circled around. They probably wouldn't have time to exchange stories, though. 'Typical.' 

But Poe would be glad that Jessika stayed in the air. As in the distance, she could've sworn she spotted something dark. It wasn't showing on her radar. "Hey, Mira? Do you see that?"

Lucyfer · May 4, 2016

Gnaeus was the only one of the knights to facepalm at Ariel’s answer, and Kylo’s blank stare. “I’m B-.” Gnaeus informed. Considering he was traveling a lot, he tried to keep it in mind in case he needed to tell the local medics. Fortunately, he didn’t have any allergies to tell them of. At least, none he knew about. “Kylo?” 

“I…don’t know.” It was never something he considered. He just considered midichlorian counts. “It’s one of the ABs, I’m sure….” 

“How are you even alive?” 

“I don’t need to know this,” Kylo stated, “It isn’t that difficult for medics to figure it out.” Then he realized, “Don’t you know my bloodtype?” He asked Paquin, turning to her and canting his head. Gnaeus threw his hands up and walked off. 

He wanted sleep. He already ate, thankfully, on the ship with the FO so now he just wanted to sleep the entire day away. He walked towards one of the rooms, and immediately waved the door shut with the Force once he was inside, only to plop down on the bed, face first into the pillow. 

~***~ 

Mira canted her head at the question, finding it odd. Luke's past wasn't much of a secret. The stories of them, though...that was a bit different, “Plenty,” she offered. “He was a moisture farmer who grew up knowing Obi-Wan as Ben Kenobi...and thought he was a crazy hermit. He got his piloting skills shooting womp rats, targets so small, he was able to destroy the Death Star,” but didn't everyone know that story? 

Mira sighed. “The worms don’t like me,” she told Jessika. “They try to kill me. Like the rest of the universe.” She pushed her fingers back through her hair, catching them on the braids and then quickly disentangling it. ‘Still need beads.’ Perhaps she’d just snag a few crystals and work them into beads. 

“I’ll tell you more some other time,” she noted as Jessika started circling, only for something dark to come into sight. ‘Not good.’ 

“Yes, I see it,” Mira leaned forward in her seat. “And that would be the First Order.” Mira bit down on her cheek. This was not what she was expecting. Not so soon. Priorities must have been straightened out, which was not good for the Resistance. “You should alert Poe.” 

She didn’t want a fight, but what else would happen? The FO would start shooting without questions, no doubt. The Resistance was where Mira was, and she’d rather not die above an icy planet, in a damn ship, of all things. “Off the record, I’d say you should have Poe hail them first, but on the record that’s a terrible idea.” 

And Poe wouldn’t do it.

KyloGlenn · May 4, 2016

Gnaeus was her favorite. 

"Yes, I know your blood type. You got the antigens right, I'll give you that. It's AB negative, you can receive blood from all negative blood types." He said he didn't need to know it, but he did. Ariel as well. She'd wander around at some point, see what she could find. Hopefully she wouldn't get in trouble. 

"I can give blood to all of you if need be." Paquin’s blood type had always been convenient. "But I just want you guys to know that it can take as little as twenty seconds for a human to bleed out and a couple minutes for medics to figure out your blood type." Gnaeus was already gone, but he was the good one. He didn’t need to be warned. 

"Okay, I get it. I'll figure out my blood type as soon as I can," Ariel held her hands up in defense. "I'm going to eat now. Anyone want to join me and not talk about blood while doing so?" She questioned. 

Paquin needed to shower and sleep. She had already eaten back at the base. ‘Former base,’ her mind corrected her. ‘Ouch.’ She wondered if that’s what all her training and studying would be used for, ranting off random facts to the Knights. She could cry about it later. “I’m fine.” She turned to Kylo. She certainly hadn’t seen him eat. It may have been time for more vaguely threatening facts. 

- 

"What?" Jessika almost laughed at Mira. Have Poe hail it? He wouldn't do that. It was, like she said, a terrible idea. She leaned forward and pressed the radio button. "Hey, Black Leader. We've got company, the First Order. You should try hailing them first." Maybe Mira had some sort of insight? Jessika didn't know, but she still offered it. 

Poe didn't respond for a few moments and Jessika grew anxious, the ships growing nearer. She reached forward again, mouth opening to say something when she was cut off. "Hail them? Yeah right!" Poe was suspicious, it was clear in his voice. "Listen, I need you to stay in the air. I'm not sure how much these worms want Mira.” 

"We'll get shot down, Poe!" 

“Have Mira talk to them. They're friends, no?" Poe mocked Mira, knowing she'd hear. It couldn't have been a coincidence that the First Order showed up exactly when they did. She had to have called them, right? "How many ships are there? Do they look like Knights?" If it were the Knights, Poe wasn't sure how much of a chance they'd have. 

"I see...," Jessika looked back at the ships. "At least two TIE fighters and a cargo." She looked to Mira after that. Jessika wasn't sure what a Knight's ship would look like, other than Kylo Ren's. They all had similar looks, dark and made of strange angles. 

They enemy had to have been able to see them now. That was confirmed when the TIE fighters started to move faster. "The universe must really want you dead." Jessika remembered Mira's earlier words.

Lucyfer · May 4, 2016

Kylo Ren wasn’t sure of the medic’s facts, but he suspected she wasn’t taking the Force into consideration. Kylo Ren most definitely should have died on Starkiller, after all, and blood loss probably should have been one of the reasons. “Fine. We’ll have Ariel learn her bloodtype at some point.” 

Ariel spoke her agreement almost immediately. She spoke of eating, and Paquin fixed him with such an odd look then, that he laughed, “I plan to eat. I’ll join you, Ariel.” And they wouldn’t discuss blood. 

Kylo gestured to the medic, though. “Paquin, you can tell me the details of your clothing, sizes,” he gestured to her current lack of attire, “And I will also see about having some of the Knight’s armor made for you.” 

She was now with them, like it or not. She would need to wear their armor, not so much for appearances, but for protection. The Universe was going to be out to kill them all. She needed that armor, and she’d soon need a crystal. That was going to be difficult as well, not because of the Wild Space planet, but because making a synthetic crystal was always difficult. Given these tense situations, it might even be best to leave her to a normal crystal for a while. 

~***~ 

The fact that Jessika even suggested Poe hail it endeared her further to Mira. Mira smiled as Poe shot back at them that he wouldn’t. Mira rolled her eyes. ‘And this is part of the problem with the Resistance.’ 

She would have spoken that she could keep the Force near her. She would have spoken that she was always the best at hiding—as Kylo Ren would grudgingly agree. Jedi training. But she didn’t, and pushed the idea away when Poe suggested she hail them. ‘Maybe.’ Mira truly wasn’t sure how good of ‘friends’ she and the General were, or if it would matter with the orders he likely had from Snoke. ‘If.’ 

There were many, many possibilities. 

Staying in the air would lead to them getting shot down if they didn’t do something. “No Knights,” Mira indicated to Jessika. “You’d know,” she offered without explaining. “You can hail them,” she offered to Jessika, “I’ll speak.” Poe had suggested it, as a joke, but he had suggested it. 

Jessika took her ‘off the record’ advice. Perhaps she’d take Poe’s joke. ‘I don’t know how well it will work.’ 

“Or I’ll be silent if you prefer.” Mira still wasn’t in the position to truly negotiate anything. She was aware of that.

KyloGlenn · May 5, 2016

Paquin took it as a good sign. He was committing her to the Knights and she was definitely okay with that. It’s not like she had anything else. She hoped she’d be able to commit herself wholly to the Knights like she had with her job as a medic. She’d try. 

“Um, well,” she held up her old uniform and read what it said inside. It was mostly really detailed washing instructions, but she found the size. “This is a medium,” she didn’t think armor came in smalls, mediums, or larges. She was just lecturing them on knowing their blood types, but she didn’t even know her clothing sizes. ‘But blood’s actually important.’ 

“And my legs are really short,” she offered. She waved her hand, “I’ll figure it out. You two need to eat. Especially you, Ariel.” Paquin was considering making diet plans for all of them. She was already feeling the effects of not having her job. She hoped it wouldn’t last. That would make everything difficult. 

Paquin was best at taking care of people. In fact, the medical practice was all she was good at as it was the only thing she wanted to do. And after so many years of doing it, it would certainly be difficult for her to adjust to life without it. And there came that ache again. At least she’d be kept busy. 'Maybe I'll become the next Darth Plagueis.' She remembered what Kylo told her about him. That was a funny thought. 

“I’m not objecting.” Ariel was already leaving the conversation. Paquin’s clothing sizes didn’t matter much to her, food did. 

- 

“No Knights.” Jess echoed Mira, confirming it for Poe. 

“Alright, if you can keep alive for a few minutes, we’re gearing back up.” 

Jessika was hesitant to attempt to hail them, especially since she’d have to break communications with Poe. ‘Only for a second.’ Poe had suggested it as a joke, but maybe Mira really could get through to them. Jess didn’t know a thing about Mira and her relationship with the Order, but it was worth a shot. To keep them alive for a few more minutes at least. 

She continuously flew the ship backwards as she reached forward to switch communications. She waited for a moment, waiting for someone of the Order to talk or something. When that wasn’t going to happen, she spoke. “Hello, can you please not shoot us?” She wasn’t sure what to say. 

It was obvious that they’d heard her, but ignored her asking them not to shoot. They shot at them, even when they weren’t in range. “Wait, wait. I have a woman named Mira with me.” She hoped that would halt them, but she wasn’t counting on it. She was wary of mentioning Mira’s name, in case her association with the FO wasn’t as she thought. 

After all, she’d switched over to the Resistance. 

She shot Mira an apologetic look, just in case, before pulling away from the radio. That was her giving Mira permission to take over.

Lucyfer · May 5, 2016

Armor did not, in fact, come in mediums. Kylo sighed as it seemed Paquin didn’t know, and offered his own miniature lecture, “Knowing your measurements is important in this business,” Hux could probably rattle off his own without even blinking. 

Though, Hux also probably knew his bloodtype. 

“I will send someone here to have you measured shortly. The armor has to fit for it to protect you, Paquin.” Kylo noted, then stepped back as Ariel started to turn away for food. He was hungry, as his stomach chose then to make that known to the world with a growl. “I will see you tomorrow, at least.” When everyone was rested. 

Kylo then turned to follow after Ariel. Like the starship, Kamino had dining halls for all its clones, but the other aliens also ate there, and Kylo found one of them to pass on word about having Paquin’s measurements taken so that armor could be made. 

“And this needs to happen today.” Kylo insisted, “We’re leaving in a few hours, she needs the armor.” 

“It will be done, Commander Ren,” the alien assured him in that breathy voice of hers, before swaying away, and letting Kylo go to raid the buffet lines. 

~***~ 

Mira liked to think that she was good at diplomacy. There were many tactics for it, and she nearly facepalmed as Jessika attempted, and they got shot at it, although the ships were too far out to truly be a threat. They were doing it to mock them. 

When Jessika mentioned her, she just sighed. ‘Wrong.’ Not because she’d done it, because she’d done it the wrong way. They knew Mira—they knew her as a traitor. Mira doubted Hux had told his Order much, and certainly not that the Mira Ren who went to the Resistance was a ‘friend’. 

Force forbid. 

So Mira leaned forward and lowered her voice an octave as she addressed the First Order. “This is Knight Vallens,” they wouldn’t know that name. They wouldn’t know that rank. She had been tempted to say Admiral, if only for the reaction, but that wasn’t important right now. “Patch me through to General Hux. Now.” She considered asking for Phasma, but she wasn't sure how useful that would be, except to get her to Hux. 

There was a level of authority in her voice that would allow for no questions. Mira was banking on that working, on that putting doubt into the hearts of the FO pilots. They wouldn’t want to kill someone who could speak with Hux directly. 

And, fortunately, one of the two pilots broke rank to swerve up. The other would continue until it got the word from the first, no doubt, whether to destroy the ship for its arrogant passenger or to leave it alone. 

Mira glanced to Jessika, and shrugged. ‘Go ahead and tell Poe if you need to.’ This was already going to look terrible for her.

KyloGlenn · May 5, 2016

Paquin almost rolled her eyes at measurements being important in the business, but she didn’t object to being measured. Ariel and Kylo left her to go eat and Paquin was left to her own devices. Without knowing how long this someone would take to come and measure her, she went on an adventure to shower. 

It didn’t take long, there were showers close to their rest area. Paquin didn’t take long in the shower, spending just enough time to wash the blood, sweat, and tears from herself. She alternated from cold water and hot water, a habit of hers to ensure all possible germs were killed. That didn’t matter much, as she put the same clothes back on. 

When she returned to the area given to the Knights, one of the aliens were there. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” She apologized. Just because she lost her job doesn’t mean she lost her manners. 

“I wasn’t waiting long at all.” The alien dismissed in an almost whimsical voice. Then she jumped right into measuring Paquin. It was rather in depth, much more so than when she was fitted for her FO uniform all those years ago. The alien woman was rattling off numbers as she measured and Paquin did her best to remember them for herself. Apparently sizes were important. 

- 

“General Hux.” A Stormtrooper greeted the redheaded man, “We’ve run into an issue on the kyber crystal planet. There’s a Knight Vallens demanding to speak with you.” 

“The Knights no longer—“ At the word ‘knight’ Hux was more than prepared to order their death, but then it was followed by Vallens. ‘Mira.’ She was with the Resistance, which meant she’d given them the information on the kyber crystals to them. Obviously. Hux was only slightly irritated that that had to be the thing she shared, but he’d expected her to give away something. 

“Don’t shoot them. Patch me through.” He ordered, almost excited to reconnect with Mira. Maybe he’d tell her of his departure from Snoke. There was a changing of static noises and he knew he’d been put through. 

Jessika was almost through with waiting to be connected, ready to tell Poe to hurry up. But then a voice came over the radio. “Knight Vallens?” A raised eyebrow could practically be heard in his voice. “You’ve been busy.” 

Jessika’s eyes widened at the accented voice. Mira’d actually gotten them to contact Hux. She’d have to start taking notes. “I’d avoid using the term Knight from now on,” he hinted at the split. He wasn’t sure if there were other Resistance members with her, but he wasn’t too concerned. They’d learn of the Knights’ explosion at some point. 

“That’s Hux!” Jessika whispered excitedly, still not believing that had worked. Oh, but Poe wouldn’t be too happy. Jess wouldn't tell Poe to go back yet, in case the First Order's General would order them to be killed.

Lucyfer · May 5, 2016

The meal was silent. Ariel was still recovering, and Kylo could see that as she started to relax, started to eat, exhaustion wanted to take its toll on her. He brought up nothing, but just sat with her, sharing the silence and food while clones and aliens milled about them. 

They were allowed the solitude. 

Ariel finished first and left him to go to sleep. Kylo did not return to the rooms immediately, but went to get his own armor repaired first. He sat with the alien as he watched the armor getting repaired, and that was when his own exhaustion struck him. He nodded off several times, but the alien was smart enough to never point it out. 

Each time, he was jarred awake because of a sudden flash of nightmarish images. ‘Not good.’ It could be the future. He was almost certain each one was, though they were too quick to pin down. Here, the Force ran strong, and here he knew was the center of everything—Snoke was here, after all. 

The future could be seen with all of this power gathered here. 

As soon as his armor was repaired, he grabbed it up and walked on back towards the room, his feet not keeping to a straight line as his body and mind desperately craved sleep. He needed to be ready for this…future. 

~***~ 

The excitement in Jessika’s voice was tangible, despite the whisper, and Mira couldn’t help but smirk. She was pleased and she let it show as she stretched out in her seat, “I was going to say Admiral, but I was pretty certain the pilot would have destroyed our ship for the insult,” a pilot should know the name of their admiral, after all, and it definitely wasn’t Vallens. “I also think my companion would shoot me if I suggested I held rank with the First Order,” which she didn’t, but the idea of it would have been offensive. 

It was also her way of letting Hux know she wasn’t alone, in case he needed to measure his words. 

“Why should I avoid that term, Knight?” Mira was hopeful. She couldn’t hide it, “Does it have something to do with the rumor I’ve been hearing about the Knights departing from you rather…quickly?” 

Hope beyond hope. Could it be, could it truly be? If so, that meant Leia would talk. That meant a major shift could occur, and Snoke might be able to actually be destroyed through the combined efforts of the First Order and the Resistance. 

She tried to keep that hope suppressed, even if it couldn’t be hidden.

KyloGlenn · May 6, 2016

The alien was finished around the time Ariel returned with word of returning early in the morning with armor. Paquin had taken to jotting down the numbers that the alien had spoken on the nearest device, in no particular order. She could figure it out later. She’d paused, mouth opening to ask how Ariel was feeling, but the redhead just walked into a room and shut the door. Paquin didn’t take any offense to it. 

Once she was alone and had absolutely nothing to do, sleepiness began to take over. She wasn’t going to fight it, that would probably result in her thinking on the day. Paquin managed to keep it together thus far, she wanted to keep it that way. So, she stood and dragged herself into an empty room. 

She kicked off her boots before lowering herself onto the bed. ‘The next thing I’m investing in will be sleepwear.’ Well, she knew her measurements now and all of her belongings were left on the First Order base. 

One thing that always annoyed Paquin was how much of a light sleeper she was. It had always been that way and she didn’t really know why. The littlest noises could wake her up, which actually came in handy at some points. She dozed off, but was frequently startled awake. It was nothing new, but each time she’d get up to investigate, forgetting where she was. It happened until Kylo returned, and then she finally felt as though she wouldn’t have to investigate every little noise. 

- 

An Admiral was pretty much equivalent to General, there was no way they wouldn’t have been shot down. Hux was almost disappointed that they hadn’t been shot down with Mira claiming to be a Knight. But it was a new change, he wouldn’t fault them. 

And not to mention he wouldn’t have been very happy with Mira dead. 

“Do rumors truly travel that quickly?” Hux would have to be more careful of that. Of course, he knew things could reach the Resistance, but not mere hours afterwards. 

Jessika didn’t say anything, but she did nod to Hux’s question. He wouldn’t know. 

The General heard the hope in the familiar woman’s voice and didn’t delay the news any longer. And apparently the Resistance already knew quite a bit, so that didn’t stop him. “But, if you must know, it does. The Knights have been expelled from the Order. Snoke no longer leads.” There was annoyance with the ordeal that went down and it was expressed in his voice. But he was glad to be free of Snoke and the Ren’s. 

“I figure I have you to thank for that.” If she hadn’t explained how to go ‘full traitor’, he never would have dreamed of leaving Snoke. 

Jessika looked to Mira with a questioning look at that. She was really curious what Mira’d been up to previously. Either way, maybe now was the time to tell Poe that everything was fine.

Lucyfer · May 6, 2016

Sleep took Kylo into its depths once his head hit the pillow of his new bed. He had slept here before, but it was still ‘new’ to him. He did not truly have a room here. His room—his life—had been tied up with the First Order for so many years that he had not kept much on the bases with Snoke. 

He’d have to try and start a life here again. These quarters were too minimal. Too bright, as well. Though sleep came easy, it would not on other nights. 

The raging storm helped, though sleep was about as peaceful as that. The visions that came to him were violent and full of death. Knights, traitors, the First Order…he dreamt of so many deaths it was impossible to remember whose, and why, when he finally woke. 

The sea was calm. 

Kylo could hear birds even from where he lay, staring at the ceiling. ‘Wake up. You have places to go.’ He threw his legs over his bed, and grabbed a towel. First he’d clean up and dress. Then he’d wake everyone. They could grab breakfast before heading out to Wild Space. As Kylo Ren left his room, he smiled as he saw the nicely folded armor outside Paquin’s room. 

More would be made for her in the future, but right now she needed a set of it. 

~***~ 

“There are spies on both side, General,” Mira reminded. So, yes, large news like that traveled quite quickly. Perhaps the Resistance spies were better than the FO ones. Fortunately, Mira had no idea who the spies on the FO were. 

Yet the news he had to share had Mira straightening in her seat, and a smile came across her face that she was sure she hadn’t felt since the day she’d first met Luke. Happiness quite glittered in her green eyes and her fingers pressed into the cuffs of the General’s coat. A burst of laughter of escaped her, unbidden and immediately muffled with her hand. 

She could feel the Force dancing around her, and she tried to pull it back in before the worms woke. They would certainly feel this, despite how high up Jessika had the ship. “Are you trying to ensure Kylo gives me a slow death?” Though Mira asked it, it was evident she also didn’t care. 

Hux had left Snoke! “Never mind. General Organa said she would be willing to negotiate with you, if you were severed from Snoke,” Mira said, “I could work to arrange it. Ah, hold on,” she realized then, from the way that Jessika was looking at her, that she was forgetting something important. “I think Black Leader needs to be called off your pilots.” She looked to Jessika, hoping she understood the need. 

There was a chance for peace here. There was a chance that no one had to die today.

KyloGlenn · May 6, 2016

Paquin had slept a lot easier during the night, once everyone was settled. But then the damn demon birds woke her. Where did the birds even live? Underwater? People were her thing. With a groan, she rolled off of the bed. She had business to do and sadly it didn’t have anything to do with her chosen profession. 

That put a slight damper on her mood, but her train of thought was quickly swayed as she stumbled over the armor outside of her door. Whatever down feelings she’d been having were temporarily replaced with excitement as she gathered the armor and backed into the room. 

She stripped before attempting to work the armor on. There were many layers and she wasn’t positive on what went where. But she figured it out, piece by piece. The sight of her reflection in the mirror was a humorous one. Her hair a frizzy mess of curls while the rest of her seemed put together. The armor was heavy, dark, and fit rather snug. But she could move in it, and hopefully, it would keep her alive. 

It was time to move on to checking on Ariel. Making sure she was still alive and that her liver hadn’t failed. And luckily the redhead was snoring away like she had in the medbay. 

- 

A small grin snuck it’s way onto Hux’s face as he heard the laugh from Mira. She was certainly happy, wasn’t she? But that grin quickly slipped off at the mention of ‘negotiate’. What was he negotiating? And with the Resistance? “I don’t remember signing up for—“ 

“Hold that thought,” Jessika interrupted. Poe was likely in the air now, coming to shoot down Hux’s boys. Which usually Jessika wouldn’t be opposed to, but Mira seemed to be really getting on well the General of the First Order. No one needed to die in that moment. 

Poe was not going to be happy. Oh, no he wasn’t. 

Jessika shifted radio stations, “Black Leader?” she called to make sure she’d gotten through to Poe. 

“Where’ve you been? Are you alright, kid?” Poe didn’t ask about Mira. 

“Don’t shoot or do anything! Everything…everything’s fine. Just a little misunderstanding. We’re all good here. How are you?” 

“You’re all…good here?” 

“It’s hard to explain, Mira would be better at it.” Poe’s questioning and annoyance could practically be heard through the quiet radio. “Just, don’t shoot. Alright?” Jessika really hoped Mira wasn’t planning some sort of attack. She had many opportunities, so that wasn’t a real concern to Jess. 

“I—,” Poe paused as be began to speak. “Saw movement in the caves.” Maybe it was time for Mira to come down and be used as live bait. Or do more of whatever she was doing in the air.

Lucyfer · May 6, 2016

Gnaeus heard the movement from the other rooms. ‘No.’ He heard the birds. He’d wondered the same thing as Paquin before. He never even saw the birds, but apparently they existed. Somewhere. ‘Please no.’ 

He had no desire to leave his bed. 

He had no desire to do what had to be done. 

He had slept in darkness and woke to light. Dreamless. Force Sensitive though Gnaeus was, he didn’t have visions. 

Then he heard more steps in the hall. Then heavier steps. ‘Damn it.’ That would be Kylo. Kylo was going to yell to wake them up. He’d best get up then, and try to face the day. ‘Just kyber crystals. That won’t be so bad. It can’t be so bad.’ 

Then why did he feel so…sad? 

Kylo Ren had finished his shower, and he covered his lower-half with the towel, hair in utter disarray. He wasn’t expecting anyone to be awake, though. He was only used to Kevan as the early riser, and Kevan was dead. 

So he was a bit surprised to see Paquin lingering outside of Ariel’s door, in all black. Fortunately, he wasn’t the only one with messed up hair. “I see the armor fits,” he noted, appraising the fit as he looked her over, “That will protect you better than anything Phasma could have offered.” Despite how frequently he got injured. 

He pushed some of the still-wet strands of hair out of his face to ask, “Are you…all right this morning?” 

Yesterday had been chaos. Yesterday had been bad for all of them, and though Kylo was still torn over the loss of the First Order, he knew it was likely much harder for Paquin. He wasn’t entirely convinced this was where she wanted to be. This was just where she was stuck. 

~***~ ‘No, you didn’t. Leia didn’t, either.’ 

Mira didn’t care much about that, she was going to force the two of them to talk like civil adults, because in all honesty, the both of them were that. They’d let Kylo Ren stand between them, as well as old grudges. Leia saw any organization with a rigid structure as terrible for the Universe, and Hux saw any that required groups agreeing on any single thing as utter chaos. 

Both had history to back them up on it. The Republic Senate had notoriously failed. Their first Emperor had ended up being a menace. ‘We can find the middle ground.’ 

Hux was cut off. “He’s not going to like that,” Mira mused, and then chuckled as she realized Jessika was probably thinking the same about Poe. 

Jessika didn’t explain. Not well. Mira wouldn’t be better—just blunt. “My fault,” Mira sighed, reeling in that happiness, expecting the worms weren’t supposed to try and come out of hiding just yet. “Sorry, Black Leader,” she offered, “Emotions don’t work with me. Not the point. The First Order isn't going to shoot us if we don’t strike at them. I spoke with Hux.” 

“You—how did you even get through to him?” 

“We’re friends, remember?” Mira hissed it, “He split from Snoke. Tell Leia. I have to shift radios now, we’ll come back to you.” 

“Are you—” 

And as with Hux, she cut Poe off mid-sentence, “General?” She didn’t wait, though. “I know the idea of negotiating with the Resistance does not appeal. It doesn’t appeal to them, either. However, you and General Organa are both civil beings—even if she is the mother of Kylo Ren—and you both want to see peace and unity in this universe.” She couldn’t tell Hux he needed them, much as she couldn’t tell Leia that she needed the First Order. 

Force forbid she harm their egos. “Supreme Leader Snoke never let you speak with her before, and you do not know the true goals of the Resistance, much as they do not know your goals. I’m asking you to consider one, true, diplomatic meeting with General Organa.” ‘Please.’ He likely knew Organa’s reputation. She was a skilled military leader, like himself, and she’d also played at politics, though not as well. Amusingly enough, neither her nor Hux had really gotten far in that area. “You can answer later if you need time to think.”

KyloGlenn · May 7, 2016

She hadn’t heard him wake up. Not over those stupid birds. Paquin, like Kylo, was surprised anyone was up so early. And before her, at that. She’d been an early riser if she even slept through the night. Even before most of the officers, she was awake. She had the medbay to take care of. 

Paquin hadn’t noticed before or counted, but now she could confirm that Kylo Ren had an eight pack. That Kylo Ren was shredded. ‘Impressive.’ 

He spoke of the armor and how it was better than what Phasma could have provided. To that she could agree, despite the returning sadness at the thought of Phasma and the troopers. Stormtrooper armor, while effective, was certainly not as sturdy as the Knights’. If Kylo’s armor was anything less, he would have been dead a long time ago, based on how injured he always seemed to be. 

He asked her if she was alright, to which she was surprised. She then felt more vulnerable fully clothed and in armor than Kylo did in a towel. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” She brushed off. Although Kylo asked, she didn’t think hearing how upset and how badly she longed for her job would please him. “Are you?” Kylo seemed a lot calmer than he was the day before. 

Paquin heard Ariel’s snoring stop, which either meant she was dying or waking up. Paquin was pretty sure the redhead was waking up, though. “Gnaeus should be woken up.” They rest of them were, he might as well join the three. 

- 

Hux was tempted to shoot Mira and her companion when he was interrupted. And a little bit more so with Mira’s suggestion. “True goals? They want to restore peace with a failed system.” The Senate hadn’t worked, then and now. Hux wouldn’t exactly call the last thirty years peaceful with the New Republic. 

Though Hux could admit that Emperor Palpatine hadn’t worked out, but that was because the man was a Sith lord after power and not peace and unity. There was a way for a dictatorship to work. If only the Resistance could see that. 

“I never had a desire to speak with her before, nor do I have one now.” Not to mention there was no reason to, in Hux’s mind. The General knew it wasn’t the last time he’d see the Knights or Snoke, but they wouldn’t be a big enough problem for him to negotiate with the Resistance, would they? 

Maybe to assassinate the Resistance’s General would be a good reason. But Hux had this thing called pride. He wouldn’t let his reputation be harmed by news of having a diplomatic meeting with Leia. Even if she did wind up dead. 

And by the way Mira spoke of civility and true diplomatic meetings, that wasn’t the intention in mind when she suggested it. 

And then it struck Hux, what he’d thought only moments ago. He suddenly felt very stupid ‘If only the Resistance could see that.’ It was silly, and if Kylo’s mother was anything like him, it would be near impossible. But it may be worth a shot. “Maybe.” That would be what he’d offer. “Only under strict environmental circumstances.” No way would he risk his safety for a ridiculous meeting. 

Down below, on the ground, Leia was about as enthused about a meeting as Hux. Poe called, ranting about Mira and the Order. How Snoke and Hux ‘broke up’, as Poe put it. Leia was reminded of how she’d said she would consider a meeting with Hux, only if he was split from Snoke. Which he decided to do a day later. 

Now Leia suspected that Mira would just force them into a meeting. 

“—I say we just shoot the fighters down and carry on with the mission,” Poe concluded. 

“No. Leave them if they’ll leave you. Secure the planet, gather crystals if you can.” She still didn’t want Snoke to gather it, or the Order. “And have Mira contact me when she can.” Obviously to discuss the meeting.

Lucyfer · May 7, 2016

Kylo knew that Paquin’s words were not completely sincere, but at least now she was able to lie. She was able to try and recover, and to pretend, and that was a start. She might come to like this, one day. He still had high hopes she could be as Darth Plagueis. 

“No,” Kylo was honest in his answer. “Years were wasted with the First Order, with Mira, and with Kevan. It is a hard blow to recover from, but I am grateful we are not left scrambling, that Snoke has a plan for all contingencies, so I will become well.” 

It was then that Paquin mentioned Gnaeus, and as Kylo turned to his door, he heard an, “I’m awake, damn it,” come from the room. Gnaeus then opened the door, half-dressed—fortunately the bottom half, “Breakfast and leaving, right?” 

“Yes,” Kylo confirmed, as Gnaeus looked him over, eyes pausing briefly on the scar. 

He was smart enough to say nothing as he then looked to Paquin, “Thank the Force we got her in something sane.” He then looked to Kylo, “Going to go be a pest exterminator in that?” 

“No.” 

“Then get fucking dressed, or we’ll leave you.” And Gnaeus slammed the door with surprising force, leaving Kylo stricken with an amused and shocked expression on his face. 

Gnaeus put a hand over his lips to muffle his own laughter. 

~***~ 

“Mid-Rim planet,” Mira said when he suggested controlled environment. “Further from the Core,” it was the way the Core ruled things that Hux had issue with. Leia also needed to truly see how the Senate’s ignoring of the planets outside of the Core were devastating to them. “I’ll be present. I have to be a Jedi and serve as peacekeeper.” It was both a joke, and it was serious. “Since Luke doesn’t seem up for the task.” He ran. Like the other Jedi when it all fell apart—Yoda, and Obi-Wan. 

They had failed, and perhaps this was where Mira could finally help. She knew the failed systems, personally. All of them. 

The failed systems could combine to a single good one. 

The Jedis had failed as peacekeepers. 

The Senate failed to do well by all—only by the Core. 

And the Empire had failed in its power lust, which was inevitable with one ignorant ruler. 

A mix could work. One strong leader, who could listen and had an army, could solve many problems. It was going to take all of her diplomatic skills, but she was up for the challenge. She had a lot to fix—they all did. An entire universe was depending on their ability to fix it, and Hux and Leia were two of the greatest minds in the universe. “Now, I have to get back to Black Leader, but I’ll return and we can get to the matter of these…crystals.” 

For that was inevitable. Hux had people here. So did the Resistance. One group was going to get them—for now. They might be able to share later. 

Mira then turned the dial, and gestured to Jessika. ‘By your leave.’ She could do the speaking to Poe, to start with.

KyloGlenn · May 7, 2016

Paquin couldn't help the laugh that escaped her after Gnaeus slammed his door shut. She was thankful for Gnaeus, as he removed the tension from Paquin. He was quite the character. "He's right, get fucking dressed, or we'll leave you." Paquin's laughing died down. 

Paquin didn't slam a door, but Ariel did fling one open. There was a less than happy expression on her face as she stumbled out, towel in hand. "Mornings were so much nicer when I was alone," she grumbled. "You guys can start breakfast without me. I'm going to wash the blood out of my hair." Ariel hadn't had a chance to. 

That reminded Paquin of her own mess of hair. Her outfit may have been sane, but her hair wasn't. "I'm going to see what I can do about mine." She'd probably just pull it up, as much as she liked to keep it down. 

Ariel briefly glanced at the brunette's hair, "Good." And with that, she dragged her feet as she left. 

Ariel was definitely a morning person. Not. Paquin simply blinked, unaffected. She'd dealt with way worse. Like belligerent, drugged men. Her career had been interesting. She turned to Kylo, "I'll see you in a minute." She needed someone to guide her to the cafeteria. She wanted to explore, but she wouldn't have the time. 

- 

"Black Leader?" Jessika spoke when the dial was turned. She imagined Hux wouldn't be happy about Mira leaving the crystals up for discussion. They hadn't gotten shot down yet, so she took that as a good sign. "Mira seemed to gain control of the situation," not really control. "Hux agreed to a meeting." Pretty much. "The crystals are still up in the air." 

It didn't take Poe long to respond. "Yeah, Leia wants to talk to Mira," he'd get it out before he was cut off again. "But she's not giving up the crystals." And Poe wouldn't have allowed it if she did. "So, Mira can tell her friends to go home." Poe wasn't really sure what to think of the situation. 

The Order came, but Mira had convinced the General to somehow not try to kill them. Even got Hux to agree to a meeting. Unless this was some elaborate plan, she wasn't trying to bring down the Resistance. But there was still this meeting, which would be a true test of trustworthiness. 

If Leia agreed to it, that is. 

Poe wasn't sure how good of an idea this meeting would be. It could put Leia and the Resistance in danger. 'But the First Order equally so,' depending on the details. 

"Do you want us to stay in the air?" Jessika broke him out of his thoughts. 

"If Mira can reel in her emotions or whatever," if that's what caused the worms to stir, which seemed likely. There'd been no sighting of them since. "Then you two can come on down." Poe wanted to be able to hear Mira and Leia's conversation, maybe add some commentary.

Lucyfer · May 7, 2016

Kylo Ren was just as surprised when Paquin said it, as when Gnaeus did, but even more confused. Then a door slammed against a wall as it opened and Kylo looked to the very unhappy, but not hungover, Ariel. He knew this behavior from her, though, and kept the smirk on his lips as she dismissed herself. 

“We may be leaving Ariel and not me.” She’d take longer to pull herself together. 

He nodded to Paquin and walked into his room to finish pulling himself together, getting back into his fixed armor and grabbing his helmet to bring along. He wasn’t planning on stopping at his room before heading out. 

Gnaeus was already in the hall, waiting for him and Paquin to go to breakfast, “I don’t know where the cafeteria is, either,” he pointed out. He didn’t go to Kamino much. “You don’t seem all right, Commander,” he added, blunt. 

“We’ve lost a lot in a short period of time,” Kylo said. 

“Yeah. Why?” 

“I don’t—” 

“Snoke won’t order that,” Gnaeus said, “But we need to find out before we kill Mira, or Hux.” 

Snoke would simply order them dead at this point, but Gnaeus was hungry for answers. Especially in the case of Mira—she had been family, though, and answers were denied him for Kevan. 

“We cannot risk the universe for answers.” 

“We risk the universe without them.” 

“I hate morning you,” Kylo pointed out, and Gnaeus laughed again. Gnaeus was always more philosophical and questioning in the mornings. It was like his mind only truly focused when most other minds didn’t. 

Or perhaps, it was because he was always still dwelling on the things of the day before. 

~***~ 

Leia wanted to talk. Mira was not surprised at this. “I can keep it under control,” Mira understood Poe’s need to listen in. He was basically Leia’s right-hand. When they went to meet with Hux, he would be there. ‘And Phasma with Hux.’ The dynamic would be an interesting one, to say the least. 

“We’ll come down soon, Black Leader. We may be joined,” information needed to be relayed to Hux, and since he wasn’t here physically, that complicated matters. “We’re going to switch back now.” 

“All right. I’ll land my ship, I’m not far from your coordinates.” He was staying relatively calm, for which Mira was grateful for. 

Again, the dial was turned, “General Hux, General Organa would like to request that you allow us to hold the planet for the time being,” it wasn’t a request and they both knew it. “As it stands, what you’ve sent won’t last in combat with the Resistance here,” he had not sent a force to be prepared for aerial battle, though likely for ground combat with the worms. 

Practical. He could always try again later if negotiations went south, but Mira wouldn’t dare to say that aloud. “However, I am going to speak with General Organa now. Is there an individual among those you’ve sent that you trust to speak on your behalf to get this meeting arranged, or would you like us to merely discuss options and have me return to you with some to choose from?”

KyloGlenn · May 7, 2016

Paquin did her damnedest to tame her hair. After combing her fingers through the mess many times, she eventually decided on half-up-half-down. She still maintained the safety blanket that was the lower fluff of her hair, while the top remained braided back and out of her way. 

She took the chance to remake the bed she’d slept in and fold her old uniform. She had no idea what to do with it. Throw it in the trash, maybe? For now, she let it rest on the bed. When she returned she’d decide if she wanted it as a reminder or if she wanted it gone. 

Paquin returned to Kylo and Gnaeus. It felt weird, not being able to do her usual routine. Usually, at this point, she’d be taking inventory or talking to her colleagues. Well, Kylo and Gnaeus were her colleagues now, so that wasn’t much different. “Is the food here any better than the First Order food?” If there was anything she wouldn’t miss, it was the food. 

Paquin wasn’t picky with food. As long as it wasn’t meat—Paquin knew too much of innards to enjoy it—and she knew what was in it, she was fine. Safe to say she ate salads most of the time, paired with some supplements. 

She expected the situation here to be rather similar. Except she wasn’t sure if she’d have access to supplements here. “Do you know what’s in the food? Even where it came from?” The simplest details would help, but she doubted either of them knew. 

- 

Hux’s jaw clenched at the news of General Organa wanting to hold the planet. He had not wanted that. He had seen blueprints of weapons, even had a few copies. He wanted to put them to use “I could always send more fighters.” He wouldn’t, though. He didn’t even need weapons, not until the fate of this meeting was decided. 

He just liked having them. 

As far as an individual went, “No. But, to make it easier, I’ll send Lieutenant Mitaka. He’s on the cargo ship.” Hux had sent him to oversee things. Mitaka was bright, took orders well and could dish them out appropriately. A little skittish, but not easily swayed. “I’ll fill him in on my will and you can have him meet you when you’re ready.” 

Jessika, while the spoke, landed the ship. It was smooth and easy, though she was wary on where to land. She stayed as far as she could from caves and holes in the ground. And then they’d wait for Poe. 

“If it’s fine with you, I’ll have someone accompany him. For his own safety.” It would ease Mitaka as well, even if the Lieutenant wouldn’t admit his worry. “You can always feel free to will him away, as long as you promise nothing will happen to my Lieutenant.” He trusted Mira with that. It’s not like Mitaka would do anything for himself to be harmed, nor would Mira do it with her meeting being discussed. But Hux trusted no one but her. 

Poe landed near them, at that moment. Jessika could see him pulling his helmet off and hopping out of his X-wing. He was heading their way, it would be easier to talk in the cruiser than the three of them crowded around the X-wing’s radio.

Lucyfer · May 8, 2016

Kylo and Gnaeus exchanged a glance at Paquin’s question. Gnaeus shrugged, and then Kylo shook his head, “Not really,” he answered, so far as the quality of food went. 

“No idea what’s in it, either,” not that Gnaeus cared. Traveling so much, he learned not to ask many questions. He just ate. Survival required it. “Meat and plants?” 

Even Kylo gave Gnaeus a look that said ‘really?’ when he stated what was in the food. “Well I’m pretty sure plastic and metal aren’t in it.” Gnaeus defended. 

Kylo let out a sigh and shook his head, “Either way, we need to eat to maintain our strength, now that our enemies have doubled,” Kylo indicated, “We also do not completely know what we will be facing on the planet in wild space. We know there are Force-sensitive worms, and cold weather, but there could be more.” 

Or it could all be a lie. 

Mira lied about everything else. “This way to the cafeteria.” Kylo pushed away from the wall, leaving his conversation with Gnaeus off to let the distraction of something as petty as food be the topic. 

~***~ ‘It’s working.’ 

Mira was almost certain she was dreaming as Hux managed to consent to all of this, even sending Mitaka down to aid matters. “Thank you,” it came out barely above a whisper. Mira wasn’t even sure Hux would hear it. “We won’t begin the meeting until Lieutenant Mitaka joins us,” Mira stated. 

All parties would know what was going on. 

“He’ll return unharmed by the Resistance,” she couldn’t make promises for the worms, but she’d certainly try to keep everyone unharmed by those things if they thought to rear their ugly head. “But he may come with protection. That is no issue.” There should be no need for protection from the Resistance. “The planet is not safe,” that was a given. “We have landed now,” she indicated, “So I will leave you here, and will look for your lieutenant.” 

Mira could see Poe getting out of the X-Wing. She waited just a few seconds, in case Hux had last words, before turning the radio off. Poe Dameron could adjust it himself to get in touch with Leia. Mira rose from her seat, anxiety calmed under the stoic veneer of the Jedi she was now trying to be. 

Neutral, they had been—except in matters of peace. ‘But you aren’t a Jedi.’ Was Luke? 

Mira walked to the door of the ship, opening it for Poe as the pilot strode towards them. He wasn’t running, but his strides were long, angry, and BB-8 tooled after him, hurrying as much as it could. 

He fixed her with a cold gaze. “I’m not sorry.” Mira stated, said, “We’re going to be joined by Lieutenant Mitaka and one Trooper.” 

“Great,” Poe didn’t sound enthused, and looked back as he saw another ship landing, a scowl etched on this face. “I didn’t mean it when I told you to have Mira hail them!” Poe noted upon sighting Jessika.

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either born in hell or heaven sent

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I made something that'll love me even when I won't

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