I should really try and do a different Disney Au, other than Cinderella or Hunchback of Notre Dame, but meh…. This is a Stormpilot HBOND AU :)
I hope you like it and please read and review :)
….
The General sighed wearily as the sun rose over the horizon, painting the clouds different shades of pink and red. Hosnian Prime was beautiful in the sunrise… shame the beauty was marred by the presence of the First Order.
The Galactic Senate had made the bold decision to try and negotiate with the successor of the Empire, and surprisingly, they had accepted. Due to the threat that the First Order presented, the Senate also invited the Resistance over, in case of any trouble.
It had been several months, and so far, everything had been relatively peaceful… relatively. Every so often, a member of the Resistance would go missing from off the streets, and although she couldn't prove it, the General knew that Hux was responsible.
Him and his Stormtroopers.
Whilst it could be argued that Hux didn't bring his entire armada of brainwashed soldiers, he certainly brought enough to keep everyone on edge. Taking control of an abandoned warehouse, Hux's Troopers were kept locked away from the rest of the city, only coming out for patrols and to guard Hux during negotiations.
The General couldn't help but feel slightly sorry for them.
As people began to file into the streets, eager to start their trading and buying before the Trooper patrols became more frequent, the General's thoughts turned to a leaked report on one of the Troopers.
Members of the Resistance were able to hack into a secure First Order line briefly and copy one Troopers' file.
FN-2187.
The file detailed the horrific treatment that Troopers would go through in order to make them loyal to the First Order. Brainwashing techniques that were made illegal several years ago, when the circumstances of how the original clone troopers were made to be loyal to the Empire after Order 66, were first made public knowledge.
What was more horrific, was how Hux and the First Order 'recruited' their Stormtroopers, specifically FN-2187.
Child abduction.
Per the report, Fn-2187's parents tried to hide their child from the recruitment team, choosing to escape from their village in the dead of night via the river…. But they were caught. Hux himself shot the Troopers' Father and other male members, before pursuing the Mother all the way to the steps of an old Temple.
There, he pushed her down the steps where she broke her neck, giving him the chance to steal the baby from her arms.
Other babies were stolen that day, however, none were taken with the violence that FN-2187 was.
FN-2187.
A number.
These Troopers didn't even have proper names…. They were just one of many, cannon fodder for the First Order.
"General?"
The General turned around to smile at the visitor, silently prompting the young man to continue.
"…You've been up here all night. Have you slept? It is a big day after all."
"… I know. I'm sure I'll be able to manage."
The young man frowned, "You seemed… deep in thought. Is there anything I can help with?"
"I was just…" The General sighed, "… I have a riddle for you, if you're willing?"
"If you want?"
"Who are the true monsters in this scenario… the brainwashed Troopers who have no choice, or us who kill them knowing what we know."
The young man seemed conflicted at this, remaining silent until finally, he shrugged. "Well…. The Troopers do have a choice, don't they? They could choose to leave if they wanted, once they've seen how cruel the First Order really is?"
"Many of these Troopers have been raised this way since birth… this is all that they've ever known. Simply leaving it must be difficult."
The young man shook his head, "I've always believed that people are born good… they have the choice whether or not to do bad things."
"So, even though we retaliate against their attacks, it is what they deserve?"
The young man clearly struggled with this, so the General took pity on him. "If one of the Troopers decided to betray the First Order, would your position on them change?"
"…Maybe. But it's never happened before. Why should it happen today or any other day?"
General Leia Organa glanced up to the sky and smiled gently. "I just have a feeling…."
