The ship began to jostle and rock as it entered the atmosphere of Lianna. Saeva held onto her chair tightly with both hands, closing her eyes as the ship descended. She decided adjusting to space flight was one of her goals for the future. She did'nt fear flying, it just felt alien to her. The motions unnatural.
Choosing to sit in the Cargo area with the other Officers and Troopers may have been a poor choice as well. It seemed the motion of the ship was more intense here, but not as tense as the General and Kylo Ren were behaving. Sitting in the cockpit felt suffocating so she decided to sit here. Her stomach at this moment was regretting that choice.
The cargo area had about 20 troopers, all in white, standing. They had their balance and easily adjusted to the landing. Several officers sat like Saeva on chairs bolted to either side of the cargos wall.
Sitting across from her was Colonel Mitaka, who looked more motion sick than herself. His face turning colors.
They had become familar with one another the past week, between the meetings and lunch hall gatherings. She respected him for surviving the General and Ren for as long as he had. He wasn't overly ambitious, but he knew how to communicate with his staff.
She had once heard him warn a flight crew that the Supreme Leader was in a foul mood and avoid certain levels of the ship. He seemed to know how to protect his crew wisely, without insulting the
leadership.
He smiled at her sheepishly as the ship rocked, causing them both to groan. Saeva paused for a moment and broke the silence of the room.
"Colonel, have you been to Lianna before?"
"No, I have not had the pleasure. Yourself Officer Del?"
"No, Merely pictures in my studies."
"This will be a different form of success for the First Order."
Saeva smiled and nodded. She spoke clearly and loudly.
"A diplomatic format should always be pushed first before putting our soliders at risk."
That statment was noticed by the troopers and officers alike, at that point they had been pretending to not listen in. Now they were looking at her. Saeva had sensed their curiosity from the start of the journey, now she sensed a new feeling. Hope.
"Officer Del, will you be joining the negotiations?"
Saeva paused, unsure of the entire groups security status, but answered him anyways.
"Yes Colonel, I hope to lead the talks toward a road of diplomacy and have it re-established that the Order is always the best option."
In truth, Saeva had started to feel her statement was right. The resources of the First Order could change the course of the galaxy.
"Splendid, I must say, I marveled at the tact you've displayed in that Miskarf strategy meeting. Your numbers were precise, as were your suggestions to ambush from below."
Saeva shifted in her seat, she was not use to compliments. Between Ren and Hux, compliments were few and far between, and usually made her uncomfortable. This made her take pride in that work.
A trooper spoke out suddenly.
"I was on Miskarf. It was a nearly perfect attack. Only lost maybe 5 of our men."
Saeva looked back at the masked trooper.
"I'm sorry for the loss of your comrades."
"If we had gone with the original route and attack plan, it would have been more causalities."
The Colonel spoke up.
"Trooper, is that how you address a high ranking—"
"Colonel, if I may, I believe this trooper here is an asset. We need feedback from the ground, most Officers are out of range of the assaults and We have not had elected Captains on the ground since the days of the Empire. Maybe at the next assemble meeting, We can propose a second tier communication control? You seem to have fantastic form with your staff, would you head something like that?"
Saeva had interjected for the trooper's sake, but also the room's sake. She could sense the shifting in emotions from curiosity to disbelief to tension at the Colonel's interjection. She wanted to redirect his formality into flattery, spare the troopers any tongue lashing.
The Colonel seemed flattered and baffled by her proposal. He nodded his head, forgetting the trooper's breach in protocol.
"I would have an interest, yes. I prefer to work with troopers and staff."
Saeva opened her datapad and entered in his name to the Assemble meeting in a month.
"After Lianna, Colonel, We will have much to improve on."
She glanced at the trooper who had spoken and he nodded to her silently.
The ship had finally landed and General Hux and Kylo Ren swept to the cargo area to the blast doors quickly. They looked as if they had been screaming at one another, their faces slightly red and sweaty.
Neither one glanced at her.
Saeva stood and took position behind them to exit. The officers and then the troopers took formation after her.
The blast doors opened and they descended down on to the ground.
The air was crisp and sweet to Saeva, not humid or dry like the previous planets she had been to. Before her was a long walk way with gardens and a long fountain leading to an impressive palace. It was all white except to a light golden trim at the peak. The city lay beyond the palace and seemed to encompass most of the veiw.
The city had green gardens as well (lacking all but the color green) and white urban buildings that swept upwards on to the hillside. An ocean laid out to the right side of the palace and swept far beyond her eyesight.
Ocean salt struck Saeva nostrils and she felt a thrill pass through her. This place was special.
The General and the Supreme Leader seemed to be bored or even unimpressed by the experience. Merely marching forward to Lianna's Ambassador at the foot of the fountain.
Saeva cursed them, and their privilieges to have seen most of the galaxy, silently in her mind. But noticed Kylo Ren peeking back at her when she thought her harshest thought. She cursed his mind reading ability as well.
When they had reached the Ambassador and his four guards, he bowed to them. The man had a long gray beard, braided in Lianna fashion, and obnoxiously loud eyebrows (also dyed grey). He was short, of stocky build, but a kind face that did not falter at such an imposing showing of the First Order. He seemed to glance down Ren and Hux's dark outfits quickly, but wisely showed no disappointment on his face. He wore a plain, yet exspensive gray robe with white stripes. His guards wore plainer gray garb as well and their faces blocked by gray roman looking helmets.
"We are so humbled by the presences of not just the General Hux of the First Order, but the Supreme Leader. My Lord, We are truly flattered."
He bowed even lower to Kylo Ren, who made no move to acknowledge the act. General Hux simply tilted his head slightly and thanked the Ambassador. It seemed to be enough for the Ambassador.
"My name is Ambassador Grindhald Husk. My friends call me Husky, hopefully We'll be on the same terms soon. Welcome to Lianna, our relationship has gone long and far for our goals. Maybe We can be the start to a new friendship and legacy."
The statement caused Hux to shift uncomfortably, probably due to the Ambassador's casual nature, but it gave the Ambassador a better glance at Saeva, who stood a mere foot behind the two figures. His eyes nearly bulged.
The Ambassador nearly pushed past the two to reach her, taking her hand to plant a kiss on it.
"Gentlemen, who is this natural creature? My, she is what the chic or Fashionistas would call the future. The Hair. The Outfit. Classic nature. My dear, please tell me you'll be joining me for most of your visit."
Saeva sensed no threat from the man, he was not attempting to seduced her, for she sensed no lust or manipulation. He generally was blown away by her appearance in contrast to the First Order's. He was a man who admired Lianna's traditions to the T.
General Hux interjected the Ambassador's fawning over her with a strong tone.
"This Ambassador Husk, this is our head negotiator, Officer Del. She will be handling most of our agreements and representing the First Order. If that suits you."
The Ambassador practically ignored Hux.
"What a magnificent creature. Darling, is your hair naturally blonde?"
Saeva finally found the courage to break protocol a bit and smile at the Ambassador.
"Yes, this is my hair color."
"Wait till the Duchess sees your hair, its rare on our planet to see such hair. Dying of the hair has done damage to generations, even the men too!"
"Well, You all have Hergth Oblviaye to thank for that, he created the trend."
"You sly girl, you know of him?"
"He created a trend that has lasted for over two hundred years...how could I not?"
The Ambassador glowed at her.
"The Duke and Duchess must meet you as soon as possible."
Saeva found herself reveling in the knowledge and research leading up to Lianna. If everyone was as friendly and shallow as the Ambassador in conversation, she was golden.
Kylo Ren cleared his throat loudly to stop the Ambassador's giggling and fawning over Saeva. This caused the Ambassador to glance at the dangerous man cautiously, unsure of how to react. Ren didn't help by staring at him in annoyance, and General Hux seemingly at a stand still to interject. He seemed a bit like a fish out of water with such an informal man.
Saeva quickly swerved her arm into the Ambassador's in the Lianna fashion, placing her hand over stomach as if to link them.
"Ambassador, The Supreme Leader is anxious to begin his visit to Lianna, as am I. With such limited time, and so many events to attend to, The Supreme leader would like to begin negotiations, so the members present could properly attend most events...say the Yule of Credence?"
The Ambassador gripped her tightly, and a sense of friendly warmth washed over Saeva. They began to saunter towards the palace. The Supreme Leader motioned to walk side by side with the Ambassador, a sign of respect for both.
Kylo walked patiently, but seemed lost in his own thoughts. Not that the Ambassador noticed. He seemed to be taken with Saeva's appreciation of her surroundings.
"My dear, you will be the star of the Yule, I am sure of did you come to know of our traditions?"
"My grandfather lead them to me."
Saeva said it cryptically, but truthfully to the man. This was a path she was on due to him.
It seemed to sastify the man, and he directed his guards to direct most of the group away to their quarters. Colonel Mitaka smirked at Saeva as he departed from them, his confidence for her shining through his emotions.
That left only two storm troopers for General Hux and the Supreme Leader to have guarding them. The two leaders were very capable of handling themselves if something were to occur, but Saeva had faith in Lianna. Their traditions dictated certain ettiequte that they always followed. A Ambush was not known to their history. A concept she had to stress to Hux two days before, he still seemed alarmed by the lack of allowance trooper presence.
They entered the Palace, which was vast with its marble colums and high ceilings. The white marble shined like a lily pound on the floor, especially from the incoming sun rays. The paintings and statues that decorated the halls were covered with white and gray sheets.
The Ambassador glanced back at the General, who was quirking his eyebrows at the sheets, and becoming increasingly confused. Kylo Ren was still indifferent to his surroundings, as he seemed to be sensing something Saeva could not.
Saeva spoke to Hux, without looking back at him as they continued.
"General Hux, Art and Color are rarely used the month leading up to the Festivial of Lights. New pieces are ordered and covered until the Yule of Credence. A magnificent ball that ends with guests removing the sheets and coverings of the new pieces of the palace."
The Ambassador squeezed her as he lead them up to their quarters.
"My dear, We have much to discuss and relish toghether, I believe not even the supposed Jedi will grip the Duke as you will."
Saeva paused, stopping the Ambassador from leading them down a long hallway.
Kylo Ren's face changing instantly to intensity, his eyes flashing. General Hux tightened his jaw, and seemed to be holding back his tongue.
"I'm sorry, Forgive me, Ambassador. Jedi?"
"Yes, that Jedi Commander arrived today with her Resistance negotiators. She didn't impress me as much as you. Flat sense of style."
Saeva glanced at Kylo, who seemed awash with a mixture of confusion, longing, and rage.
The Ambassador seemed to finally notice the change in all of them.
"Will that be a problem?"
Saeva swiftly smiled and pulled the Ambassador onward.
"Not at all, The First Order will respect Lianna's terms of peace and follow it to maintain our establishment. Regardless if there is a Jedi or no Jedi, We are here to see Lianna and its people."
That seemed to relax him, and he contiuned to chatter on about the festivals of the upcoming days.
Saeva's mind jumped to Rey. The fact that Rey was here complicated this event. Kylo Ren's emotions were still burning and Saeva could not ignore him. He emoted so heavily. The General seemed concerned as well, more so in the direction of Ren. Rey had complicated many plans for Hux and he certainly seemed unable to keep his composure as well hidden as well.
The walk finally ended at large door, with beautifully engraved birds and flowers of white on the door and handles.
The Ambassador opened the doors wide in a dramatic form. The two troopers stationing themseleves at the door, not entering.
The circular open room before them was enormous with large windows looking out to the sea directly in front of them. To the right of the circular room was a large king sized bed with bland white coverings and to the left side of the room were two Queen sized beds with similar bland colorings, a fireplace between them.
"This is OUR room?"
Kylo Ren nearly snarled it out. The idea of being in the same room as Hux and herself must have been awful.
Saeva moved quickly to defuse his tension.
"Ambassador, there are extendable walls correct?
The Ambassador nodded and motioned to the circular table in the middle of the room with a button panel.
"These create barriers for each area for privacy, but We have found it easier for factions who negotiate together to need these spaces to work together. We saw an increase in communication and more peaceful agreement with—"
"The Deflu Treaty. I did not know that the room was such an important component, Ambassador."
"My dear, If you do not start calling me Husky by the end of this visit, I will throw myself into the sea."
The Ambassador again was taken with her well placed knowledge. He looked around the room and then at the two figures who seemed to have vanished from his mind. He bowed graciously to Kylo Ren and General Hux.
"Supreme Leader, General and My lady, I will allow you to settle. I will come to retrieve you for your first meeting Officer Del in an hour or so. I will let the Duke and Duchess know how I will look forward to speaking with you again."
He turned away from them and exited the doors in dramatic fashion.
Saeva turned back to the room, noticing a bag with her datapad on it placed on the Queen bed by the window. Ignoring the other two, she opened the bag to see her grey uniforms and items from her quarters.
Looking up she noticed that Kylo Ren had already turned the barrier on to his King Sized part of the room and was no longer was visible.
General Hux was pacing at the middle Ocean window. His mind whirling.
She approached him, datapad in hand. General Hux glanced at Kylo Ren's room.
"He will destory everything we are trying to do here. All over some Scavenger."
Saeva placed the pad on the table to her right and continued to listen to Hux.
"Starkiller Base. Supreme Leader Snoke. Countless times she has bested him. There is more to this he leads on."
Saeva studied Hux's concerned face as he looked out at the ocean now. A tiredness in his eyes.
"They have a connection. A force connection."
Saeva said it clearly and surprisingly. Unsure of how she truly knew it, for she was never told.
Hux looked down at her, his body still turned towards the ocean window, but his face on her. He seemed to take in the information, slowly.
"The way I view it is that they are polar opposites of one another or stand on opposite side. But one does not exist without the other."
"How do you know this?"
"I don't...know how, I can just feel it."
Hux seemed reluctant to absorb anything about the force.
"They'll just spin around us, destroying everything until they destory one another."
"Or they don't. But mend together."
Saeva said it softly looking out at the ocean.
She was envious of the connection in a way. To have someone connected to you through fate or a higher power. No choice to never be alone, then again she missed her privacy. She could still feel General Hux's eyes on her.
She looked up at him.
"I'll speak with Ren. I'll try to balance him. Center him, not to do anything rash." She began to move past Hux.
He stepped in her way.
"You were marvelous, by the way. A true figure of what the First Order could be."
He started softly but by the end of his compliment to her it was more General-esq. Stoic. Cold even. He seemed more reserved then he usually is with her. Respecting her space to an extent, nothing like the elevator earlier.
"Yes, Sir."
Saeva mustered out her response as she opened a door to Kylo Ren's barrier door.
General Hux opened his mouth to say something more, but Saeva moved past him quickly and into Kylo's room.
She stepped into his darkened room, the curtains all closed, and minimal light soaking in. Her eyes adjusted and she could see the furniture had been tossed around. Some pieces broken. The bed was still intact, thankfully. Saeva didn't know she could talk her way out of a totally destroyed room.
A movement caught her eye.
His shaking form was standing in the right corner. His rage rippling through the room.
"Master?"
"Not now."
"Kylo."
Saeva said it in a soft tone, because she was actually trying to reach him. Her true emotions of sympathy coming off her in waves. She knew he could feel it. He turned on her.
"How dare you pity me!"
She ignored him yelling at her. Her tone still soft.
"She's here. What are you going to do? Kill her? Put this all at risk?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Then explain to me. I am your apprentice."
He moved erratically in the room, pacing. He spoke harshly.
"I knew when We landed. I could feel her. I could sense her, and she shut me out. Again. Its like a hunger, and just when I can nearly taste it, I'm left starving. It physically hurts when she shuts me out. She pushed and prodded into me for months. To turn. And now its nothing. Like I'm nothing."
He began punching the wall viciously.
Saeva interjected holding his arm down, gripping tightly as he strained himself against her hold. He sunk to his knees, her with him.
"Why does this concern you? I hear your thoughts, how you feel imprisoned...Just like her."
Saeva paused at his statement. She was a prisoner in a sense, forced into this role. In less than a month, and now everyday that feeling was melting away. Into what... she didn't know. But there was still a looming feeling of a prison. A consequence to escaping. The children flashed in her mind.
"We are all imprisoned in our lives in some way. To our emotions. Our legacys. Our fates. How we handle those prisons define us."
Saeva felt Ren relax, the tension semi-leaving his body. Her small frame barely able to encircle his broad shoulders were still tense. He leaned forward out of her grasp and pushed himself up. Leaving her on the floor, but turned to help her up.
"It doesn't matter now. She can't matter."
Saeva took his hand and pulled up. Sensing his distress still, she pushed him further.
"What is your plan?"
Kylo hissed at the question.
"I will cut her off, ignore her like she does me. She can ignore me with the distance, but she will try to find me. Try to Turn me. I will Distract myself."
Saeva nodded, stretching her neck a bit. Her body aching from the rush of adrenaline all day. She failed to notice him taking her in, like he was seeing her for the first time. The minimal light shining just right on her.
She proposed a distraction. Her eyes elsewhere, remembering her research.
"There are temples built here by Palpatine. Maybe you can distract yourself there?"
Kylo Ren said nothing, but watched her think of solutions.
"Or the remote waterfalls, outside the city. The risk is she could follow you."
"Saeva."
Hearing her name startled her and she met his eyes.
Before she could speak, Kylo closed the distance between them, kissing her hard. Saeva stilled for a moment, shocked. Her hands frozen at her side as he held her face to his with both hands.
He felt her hesitation. He pulled away, shaking his head. He looked disgusted with himself.
"I have no control..."
Saeva nodded and touched her hand to her lips, noticing how they tingled. Unsure of what to say, She moved towards the door and glanced back at him. Her emotions unclear to him. He stared at her with lost eyes.
"Find another distraction or leave the planet. Do not jeopardize this. Supreme Leader."
She turned and left the room, hearing the bed break in half.
