His candles will be out in a short while. It is foolish really, but he carries on looking at his maps, analysing, strategizing. His eyes are getting tired and he must blink a few times to see things clear in the dim of light. He wants to stop working for the night, but he finds that sleep has become rather his enemy than his friend these nights.
Speaking of enemies; he knew how to engage in a fight with them, and he had done plenty in his lifetime. And here he was again; far from home, far from his beloved sister but he had gotten used to it. He was still determined as ever to bring things to a rightful conclusion. HE BELIEVED that yes even this war would eventually work out in their favour but...
He isn't sure. This time he questions things, more than anything, he has doubts about himself and doesn't feel up to the task. While he was still fit and in good condition, he too the effect of the years going by on his body AND he questioned his own leadership.
You see while he was military trained, he had NEVER overseen an army before. He had always performed under the command of someone whether it be his father of his brother-in-law, Han.
Thinking of Han had brought a sudden wave of nostalgia over him. 'Han, 'he thinks, and a smile comes over his face, then the realization and his face drops again. When he had heard of what happened to Han and who the culprit responsible for his death the shock did not leave him for a week. He knew all too well that his nephew was going a path he might not return from, but he never would have expected him to...
His thoughts are interrupted by someone walking into the tent at a rapid pace. He blinks a few times again to see who it is, but he can't identify his visitor at first. He had guards outside, so he knows that whoever this is, he has the clearance to enter and then he makes out who it is.
'Lieutenant General Dameron. To what do I owe the pleasure of this nightly visit?'.
Dameron says nothing, just paces up and down, all the while running his hands through his hair a couple of times. As if to hold on, grasp on to something. Whatever it is that is bothering his Lieutenant general it seems to be of grave concern. But Lucas decides to stay silent until Dameron feels secure enough to speak to him. Then out of the blue Poe decides to speak, no yell is more like it.
'YOU NEED TO TELL ME WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON".
"I beg your pardon?", Lucas replies. He is annoyed with Dameron's insolence and the use of 'hell', but he is willing to let it go, for now.
"You HEARD me. You need to tell me what is going on and I am not leaving this tent without a goddamn answer".
This statement does infuriate him, and he feels it is time to assert himself and remind Dameron just who he is talking to, so it is in a stern manner he speaks next.
"DAMERON. I will not allow you to use the name of God in vain. Not here. See yourself out, at once".
Poe doesn't leave, instead he takes two steps towards Lucas and stands in front of him.
"I will not go before you give me a satisfactory explanation. You can ask your guards that are MY friends, to drag me out at this very moment but it will not matter. You can kick me out of your army right now, but it won't matter. I shall return because I need to know what… what all this is FOR and you need to tell me".
Finding that his initial anger is fading away and sensing Dameron's desperation, Lucas is willing to hear him out.
"Alright then, tell me what your concerns are". His question is met with a scoff from Poe.
Poe knows he is overstepping boundaries but once again he feels that all sense of propriety and decorum have gone out the window.
"My concerns your Highness are the following. Our men are getting slaughtered by the dozens every day. To add serious insult to serious injury. YOUR nephew (and he points into the nearest direction, as if the First Order's camp is based minutes away) is actively killing our soldiers which seems right you know. I mean if he can murder his own father; who is to stop him at doing the same to his former friends?".
Poe continues and Lucas doesn't interrupt, just listens.
"Our inventory is decreasing. Our moral is below freezing point. Speaking of FREEZING, we are freezing to DEATH. Not only are we dying in the battlefield; we are dying WHILE WE SLEEP!".
Unknown to him Poe screams out the last sentence out of pure frustration. Lucas is getting agitated again even if he can't help it.
'Well Dameron, you know exactly what to do if you are not happy with your current vocation".
Poe stares at him with disbelief than in anger at least that is what Lucas seemed to think. A candle had just gone out, yet Lucas could see Poe getting angrier by the minute.
"How f…. How DARE you? I have been in this army since for as long as I can remember. I have fought in many a war or crusade without even once complaining, well till now at least. But I have never giving you any reason not to trust me, or to question my motives. I would have gladly laid down my life for Han. I would lay down my life for Queen Leia and for YOU, within seconds if you'd ask me to. So, don't you even DARE to suggest I should be a deserter because you could NOT POSSIBLY insult me more. "
Lucas understands the error of his ways, but he is a bit too proud to apologize. An awkward silence enters in which they just stare at each other for a little while before Poe's eyes break away and look down.
"Have you heard about what The First Order is doing in the counties?", Poe asks.
Lucas sighs. He had heard rumours, but he had hoped they weren't true. Rumours of horrible, unspeakable things happening.
When Poe speaks again, he speaks softly, almost inaudible to Lucas but he still gets the message.
"They go from one village to another. Sedgwick was first I believe. Henbury was next, Langham is, was the most recent one. They start by separating the women, children and elderly from the men. Under these 'men' also teenage boys, barely 14 so I've heard. After separation is complete the villagers are asked to renounce loyalty to Queen Leia and join them. Most men refuse to of course and state their loyalty to our Queen. Snoke's army then decides then to put their loyalty to the test by gathering the wives, sisters and children. If the men do not give Snoke's army threatens to execute their loved ones in front of their very eyes. At that point everyone gives up and gives in and they go away willingly. The wives scream for their husbands and boys as they are carried away, some by force.".
Poe swallows before continuing.
"When the men are at some considerable distance from their homes, the remaining First Officer soldiers set fire to each building… while people are still inside, making sure no one survives".
Lucas is rendered speechless for a minute. The horrifying account of what was happening to his countrymen had brought shivers all down his spine. As a way of composing himself he takes a deep breath and then he decides.
"Alright, Poe. I will tell you" and he motions Poe to sit.
He tells Poe all about who Snoke is and what his motives are. After Lucas is done with his story Poe doesn't immediately reply to all the things he just heard.
"This is sheer madness but there is something that puzzles me… I don't understand how a Baron can muster enough money, manpower and equipment to against the King's military?".
"Easy, Poe. Snoke is backed by the French, our distant cousins from our mothers' side. They are wearing The First Order's uniform so that is why you haven't likely noticed. Apparently, our former ally has not haven't gotten over Leia's refusal of marriage to one of their kind. Also, I am pretty sure that Snoke will offer some of our lands to them; hence the burning of the villages".
"Can't you mediate with Snoke?" Poe shakes his head. "No Poe, Lucius is out for vengeance and unfortunately our countrymen and Kingdom must also suffer the consequences".
"Then what do you propose we do?".
"For the last couple of days, I have been trying to find the answer, but I can't seem the find one so far. But Poe. One thing I can do is make sure our soldiers will have more provisions and will be warmer at night. AS for the rest, maybe we could discuss this further in the morning if you'd like".
Poe nods. He stands up, says goodbye and turns his back. As he about to leave Lucas is reminded of something he should have said sooner.
"Oh! I have been meaning to say, do forgive me for not talking to you earlier. I would like to offer you my heartfelt condolences regarding Richard. I know he was one of your dearest friends.".
Poe turns around to look at Lucas. Two candles have gone out by now, but Lucas can still the Lieutenant General's eyes tearing up.
"He wasn't just a friend" Poe says with a crack in his voice. Then he exits the tent.