A Galaxy is Not Enough
Chapter 1
The Arrangement
The hall of the Ya'asidh temple on Ya'as, which they'd chosen for the meeting and for the ceremony to follow was not grand, though it was beautiful. Ornately carved wooden buttresses held Rey's full attention when they'd marched their small contingency inside nearly an hour ago. But she didn't have long to admire the architect's work before the dark forces of the First Order made their appearance.
Though unarmed they still presented a formidable front, countless officers dressed in black, dark grey and navy, and stormtroopers in their stark white armor. It was all a display of power really, a way to emphasize the dire straights in which the Resistance was now to be found.
Rey's eyes search the crowd of officers for the man she's heard so much about. The one she's never met, but who now holds her life and the life of her friends in his hands. As if on cue, the perfectly formed ranks of soldiers suddenly parted and a tall, thin man in white strides out to face General Leia Organa. It could only be the Grand Marshal. Armitage Hux. The once General and now right-hand man of the new Empire.
The one who killed Ben, Rey thinks, heart stuttering.
—
Armitage Hux dispensed with the pleasantries, they already know each other so there's no need for introductions, and no it isn't nice to see each other so, he won't deign to fake cordiality. He purses his lips, eyes scrutinizing everything before him. He accounts for the pilot, the one he'd like to have executed as a public spectacle and then there's the traitor, who he'd like to use as an example for his troops. All of them so fearful, he almost smiles.
Good. They ought to be afraid. He is a force to be reckoned with and underestimating him is foolishness.
Well, this is all foolishness really. Why the Emperor believes this to be a good plan, he can only guess. Hux wanted to bomb them, let them think they had come to an agreement and then let them all die in an explosion of fire. Who cares how many lost their lives, or the fact that they'd chosen a meeting place on sacred ground? But the Emperor has other designs, ones Hux was instrumental in fulfilling. Though he doubted the Resistance, let alone some desert rat Jedi girl would agree to follow the terms of their surrender. He wouldn't, if he were in their place, he would go down fighting.
No, you wouldn't, he thinks sourly. No, he didn't go down fighting, not like Ren. He had the chance to challenge the Emperor back then, and he hadn't. Instead, he'd bent the knee and given control of his beloved galaxy over to a new master. Too much pride, and yet not enough pride, he surmised. Or, not enough conviction. Or perhaps he just really was as useless and weak-willed as his father always believed.
Self-preservation, yes, he'd label it as such. He knew when he was beaten. And Armitage Hux was nothing if not a patient man. He'd waited out his father after all, hadn't he?
And here is a chance to prove his loyalties, show the Emperor he could be shrewd and command respect. That he's an asset to the new regime.
It's at that moment he spots the girl. Rey. She's dressed in tattered clothing and wraps, all cream colored, nearly white like his dress uniform. He notes with interest that she doesn't have her lightsaber clipped to her belt. So, she'd followed the request for an unarmed meeting. Not that she would need a lightsaber to fight anyway.
At least with the lightsaber, she might look more the part of a Jedi. He nearly chuckles to himself. All her wraps and coverings look silly. Like she'd tried to dress in her best clothes and had nothing but rags. And even the ridiculous fabric doesn't hide the fact that she is far too thin, perhaps a few months of nutritious meals will have her looking less the part of a scavenger.
Still, she looks far too young, he frowns. Far too young for you. She's in her twenties, he knows that, but he feels somewhat put out by the thought that she'll be bound to someone who was a teen when she was born. A muscle in his jaw ticks as takes in her features, not displeasing by any means, though she could use some new clothing and perhaps a day at the spa. He'll see to it that she receives that tonight. As well as a decent meal. He can't have anyone saying he isn't generous.
Though he's still unsure if any amount of luxurious lifestyle would completely erase the unrefined behavioral tendencies of a desert rat.
—
Rey freezes when the Grand Marshal's gaze lands on her. She meets his eyes fiercely. She won't back down or be cowed into fear simply because he could have them all killed. If he chooses for things to go that way, at least—at least she can take him out before she dies. He frowns at her, obviously not liking what he sees before him.
How disappointing for him, she thinks, almost rolling her eyes.
His eyes rove, giving her an appraising look over. Cold and assessing, they snap back to General Organa.
"This is her?" He asks harshly. "the last Jedi?" His tone is mocking, but his cultivated accent is regal as if he was raised in a noble house on some other planet and not Arkanis. Rey notes that he's actually somewhat attractive, or at least would be if he didn't have a permanent scowl etched onto his pale face. All of his features are pleasing by themselves, and in other circumstances, she might appreciate those thick lips. Stars, even his hair is beautiful, a bright blood-orange that would be stunning if it wasn't plastered to his head with far too much pomade.
Leia nods uncomfortably, eyes darting between Rey and the Grand Marshal in silent apology for his tone. "We would like to review the terms you've set again before the ceremony takes place."
"Do you really think you're in a position to bargain?" He asks, smirking. That damned smirk makes Rey want to wipe the floor with his face.
"We still have allies—" Leia begins.
"You don't even have a cent to your name," he replies, voice menacing. "You might have some residual income from Naboo, but it wouldn't be enough to change the terms of our agreement. Of the Emperor's agreement."
They know it's true, what is left of the Resistance is small with barely any funding, let alone allies that might support them. In the past four years, the First Order has only grown in strength, while the Resistance has dwindled. That's why they had to make this stupid bargain in the first place.
Albeit, if Grand Marshal Armitage Hux hadn't been the first to agree to this particular term, they would all be dead. Her, Finn, Poe, Leia, Connix, Rose, and the small Resistance contingency that had survived the battle of Crait and the subsequent battles on Kayt'olis, Aldavi, and a plethora of other outer rim planets.
In the year following the devastating battle on Crait, the Resistance had become weak. In hiding, with barely fifty members and no supporters outside their own fleet. Leia had sent out some of the pilots, Jessika Pava for one to garner support, but they returned with nothing to show for their efforts. And with Kylo Ren hailing as the new Supreme Leader the First Order had become something else entirely, more than a regime. It had become a poison, seeping into the galaxy and leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.
But then Kylo Ren. . .Ben. . . Rey's heart starts to pound wildly in her chest again. Here she is anxious over Ben when she's about to give herself over to the First Order, to the Grand Marshal, for whatever perverse designs he might have for her. She licks her lips. It doesn't matter, she'll do it. But she's going to make that arrogant ginger man pay for what he did to Ben.
It had been the singularly most painful event of Rey's life, the day she'd felt the Force bond break. It was there one moment, and then suddenly it wasn't. A sharp and blazing agony, followed by an endless emptiness. She was alone. And just like her Force bond, her heart had also shattered.
She realizes suddenly that Leia and the Grand Marshal have been speaking all this time and her thoughts have drifted away. Focusing back on their conversation, she hears Leia reply with clipped frustration.
—
"Don't think you can scare me, General," Leia replies tightly.
"Grand Marshal," Hux interjects. Of course she'd pretend to forget his hard-earned title.
Leia Organa rolls her eyes and sniffs proudly, "I know how important she is to the First Order.—"
Hux struggles to maintain his composure, "Important if you'd like for all your people to stay alive. We can negate this contract right now, and it will only be a matter of time before my troops reign down fire upon you!"
His face is burning red with anger and his voice nearly hoarse, he hasn't made a speech in over a week, and his voice was only just beginning to return to normal.
"I won't hesitate to—" He barks.
"Excuse me," a voice breaks in, cutting him off.
"What?!" He snaps, looking from General Organa to the source of the voice.
It's the girl. The Jedi girl. She's stepped out of the row of Resistance members to stand next to General Organa.
Hux swallows, trying to let his temper settle. The girl blinks up at him, large hazel eyes that make him feel slightly uneasy.
"I already told the General that I've accepted the terms," she says quietly, meeting Hux's gaze with a burning determination.
"And you—you understand, the -ummm the terms?" Hux asks sharply, annoyed at the heat that rises in his cheeks. She's caught him off guard, and he suddenly can't find the right words.
The girl nods, pressing her lips together in a firm line before she answers, "I do."
The Grand Marshal relaxes if only a little, "I—I good. Then, shall we proceed?"
She continues to look up at him with her wide dark eyes, and he feels unexpectedly self-conscious. Like she's probing his mind, even though he knows she can't, his mental defenses are too strong. Years of living under the power of Force Users have made him a cautious man.
"The ceremony, then?" General Organa interjects, protectively pulling the girl beside her tightly.
He'd expected them to balk, to change their minds and argue, to fight him for this. And they had. At least the General had. But he'd never expected the girl to be willing, truly willing to go along with this term. Or perhaps she was up to something. He'd have to remain cautious then.
"We'll return to our prospective camps," He says finally, giving the girl one more burning look. "The ceremony will be held tomorrow morning.
With that, the Grand Marshal turns abruptly, leaving Rey and Leia to stare after him. Rey barely hears what he says over his shoulder as he departs. "After all, it isn't good luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding."