Part VIII

Hux watched Ren surreptitiously the following morning. He and Rose had agreed to keep their suspicions to themselves, knowing that the mere possibility could jeopardize everything, even if their thoughts turned out to be unfounded. Many of the leadership, on both sides, would not be open to the idea that Ren and Rey could somehow communicate and transfer objects across an immense distance. People like General Quinn would have even more reservations, since he was more inclined to technology than anything regarding the Force. Then there was also Pryde who would use it as an excuse to rally others against Ren. Thus, he and Rose were in agreement.

Still, that didn't make Hux any less curious. If Ren could see the scavenger, did they control when it happened? How much could he see? Considering the squadron assigned to finding Rey, Hux suspected that Ren couldn't find her that way. And considering that the scavenger wasn't onboard the Steadfast, he obviously couldn't pull her through the connection, either. Now that would have simplified things were it possible.

However, that was when the revelation began to irritate Hux like an undershirt of inferior quality. If Ren could speak to her, why hadn't they sorted out that disaster of a proposal? Or rather, the failed proposal with disastrous results. He knew Rey's cryptic words were an important clue, but were they so stubborn that they had chosen to give each other the silent treatment all this time? Hux felt as though there was an asteroid field they should avoid and he didn't know its location.

Accomplishing peace shouldn't be this hard, he thought petulantly.

And so he watched Ren, though nothing seemed out of place. Of course, he had never suspected that Ren was somehow communicating with her, so there obviously weren't many visual cues.

Nonetheless, Hux wondered if she could hear them and whether or not she was there at that moment. Suddenly, the image of a jealous Jedi — if Rey would still be considered a Jedi in that case — entered Hux's thoughts as he pictured what could've happened had he found another companion for Ren. He could see the war escalading in his imagination, and a strange sound escaped his throat at the idea of his work conditions actually worsening.

Everyone around the table turned to him, General Engell breaking off in the middle of her report of what she envisioned for their army.

"Do you have a problem with that, General Hux?" Pryde asked snidely.

Hux honestly couldn't say, since he hadn't been paying attention. As far as he was concerned, the Stormtrooper program was on its last breath, thus making it pointless to listen to how she wanted to expand it.

Clearing his throat, Hux glanced at Ren before addressing Engell and Pryde. "I believe it is premature to plan the expansion of our forces when we have that other meeting this afternoon. When our Supreme Leader marries, our Empress will have a say in these things."

Engell turned to Ren. "Supreme Leader, as you said yesterday, we stand by our mandate. Surely increasing our presence is wise for the future?"

Ren glared at Hux, no doubt for choosing that moment to bring up the inevitable changes. "Our presence will not diminish," Ren began, looking at Engell. "But how that presence will look will change. I will look over your proposal, and after the first few talks with the Resistance, we'll see where we are on this subject."

Pryde, who had preferred to remain in his armor for the meeting — perhaps a wise choice after the previous morning — made a scoffing noise. However, when Ren turned to him, he covered it with a cough and by flicking something off his gold-plated forearm.

"If that is all, we'll reconvene this afternoon." Ren looked around the room, his voice lowering dangerously as he spoke. "Don't be late."

~SW~

Of course, Pryde interfered again. When they gathered for the meeting, he imprudently suggested that they should stand — he thought they would appear weak sitting, like they were submitting. Thus, since it was protocol that no one was to stand ahead of Ren, they were squashed in to fit the hologram, especially with everyone doing their best not to bump into Ren who was standing in the middle. It didn't help that the man was so tall.

When the hologram appeared in front of them, those in leadership positions in the Resistance were life-size. Awkward could not begin to describe the moment when the two sides saw each other. Hux was standing to Ren's right, and it felt as if the atmosphere around the man thickened when he noticed the scavenger's absence.

Where is she?! Hux nervously glanced at Ren, keeping his chin raised to appear confident. I gave her the speech about leading her people now!

It went downhill from there. This was also the first face to face meeting between mother and son in years, and no one said a word — General Organa clearly needed a moment to process how much her son had changed since she last saw him. When the lengthy silence became unbearable, Hux took it upon himself to break the ice.

"We of the First Order welcome you to this meeting." He reminded himself to keep his hands behind his back lest he accidentally signaled that they were being tracked — they were not. "It is indeed a great day that we can come together for the sake of the galaxy. This day will be marked in history as the beginning of the end of our long standing opposition."

"Don't be presumptuous, Hux. We're not together yet," Dameron said with folded arms, standing next to General Organa. "This is simply to see if it's possible to meet in person. How will you guarantee that we won't be attacked?"

Hux nearly grunted in indignation as the tone was set on a decline.

"We can ask the same of you," Captain Pryde interjected, wearing his uniform this time. He moved to step ahead of Ren, but then his self-preservation skills kicked in and he remained where he was. "This is why I advise against this foolish attempt. You Resistance scum will only attempt to take us out."

"Yeah, I'd rather not foot that bill," Poe replied, smiling sarcastically. "You look like a man with a deep appreciation for the drinks menu."

While Pryde spluttered in response, Ren finally spoke up. His voice silenced the Captain as he spoke over his outraged gasp. "Where's Rey?"

"She's here," General Organa said softly, yet with strength in her voice. "She's listening. Her further involvement with these meetings depends on the outcome of this one."

No, no, no! She needs to appear as their leader, not their puppet. Hux would have taken the Resistance and shook them if he could.

It almost sounded as though they were forcing Ren's hand by using her, which, of course, did not help matters. The tightness around Ren's jaw was the only thing that revealed to the Resistance that he was not pleased, but everyone on his side of the hologram felt as though an explosive device was in their midst.

Hux had to do something. "So where do you suggest we meet?"

Unfortunately, that only set them off and the quibbling began. Time ticked on and the meeting continued to deteriorate. Every moment and every sharp comment increased the tension, and a while later, he got the feeling that everyone was fast approaching giving up. General Organa looked greatly disappointed by how the meeting was going, especially about the fact that they couldn't even get past the first issue — where to meet. They still had a list of preset terms to discuss after that!

Hux felt his ire rose with every moment that the talks worsened; he had not come so far only for others to ruin his plans. Clearly, the in person meetings were never going to take place if he didn't intervene. He had to take matters into his own hands. Again.

Must I do everything?! He grimaced, but then — oddly thanks to his conversation with the traitor — he got an idea.

Hux took a small step forward, but not so much that he was ahead of Ren. He nearly stopped breathing when his sleeve accidentally brushed against Ren's — who knew what would set him off. Clearing his throat when nothing happened, he stood as straight as though he had swallowed a lightsaber. "I believe I have a solution!" he said loudly to be heard over the arguing.

When all eyes turned to him, he felt like yelling at them, but he managed to restrain himself. "I believe the neutral territory should be where the Death Star II crashed. Where history was made, we will forge a better future for all."

Oh my, that was brilliant. I would vote for myself if I could, he thought, suppressing the haughty look that had surely sparked in his eyes.

"As a sign of good faith," he continued, briefly meeting Finn's gaze where he stood just behind General Organa. "We will officially pardon the individuals who reportedly reside there. They … left our service."

Finn leaned forward and whispered in the General's ear. Her eyes met Ren's briefly before they muted their side and had a quick discussion. When the sound came back, she looked at Ren. "Is that amenable to you?"

"It is," he replied tersely, placing his hands behind his back and raising his chin.

She nodded and covered her hand on top of a cane with the other. "Then we'll see you on Kef Bir."

Poe glanced between General Organa and the Supreme Leader before focusing on the datapad in his hand. "Now, on to the preset terms."

~SW~

Kef Bir

The first meeting of the summit almost ended before it even began.

Both sides had agreed to no weapons in the tent, which was pitched on a hill overlooking the wreckage of the Death Star II. It had been a good idea considering the tempers when they couldn't agree on a location during the Holo conference. However, the most volatile of them all, Kylo Ren, thought that didn't apply to his lightsaber, and the idiot the Resistance had stationed outside the entrance noticed when the strong wind lifted Ren's cape. Some might have considered him brave for stepping in front of the Supreme Leader, breaking the latter's intimidating stride, but Hux just thought it was idiotic — of course Ren wouldn't handle it well.

So, before the meeting could even start, the spine tingling crackle of an unstable red lightsaber filled the air, and the idiot mumbled, "Let me get my superiors."

He disappeared into the tent immediately, and the likelihood of Ren patiently waiting outside never existed. Thankfully, he at least deactivated the red glow of imminent death. Still, all the occupants of the tent froze when Kylo Ren and those accompanying him entered.

Then, the little tattletale broke the silence while pointing at the Supreme Leader. "His lightsaber is with him, G-General Organa. He refused to surrender it."

General Organa visibly tensed. Suddenly, blasters were aimed at the newly arrived party, and Hux only had a knife in his boot. Before he could even consider reaching for it, Ren turned his hand toward Hux and those dreaded, invisible ties twisted around the general. Ren didn't look away from his adversaries as he pulled Hux to stand beside him.

"I give you my word, Supreme Leader. This is not a trap," he rasped out. Hux clenched his jaw at being treated in this manner in front of everyone — and it only worsened the tension — but he was determined to remain focused. He tried to catch his breath before speaking again. "We can all agree that there is clearly no trust. That is why specific terms have been preset for this ceasefire."

The marriage, Hux thought, hoping that the emphasis reminded Ren.

"He's right," a female voice broke through the tension. Hux felt the bonds loosening as the scavenger stepped around Poe Dameron and the traitor, Finn.

As her and Ren's eyes connected across the space, the atmosphere felt charged for another reason. Their connection was so tangible that Force sensitivity was not required to detect it. Most, if not all, of the tent's occupants glanced between the two, and Hux saw General Organa's expression softening at the sight of her son and the look he shared with Rey. This was their hope. The scavenger truly was the answer to all this — the one with insignificant origins intertwining with the legacy.

The bonds loosened completely around Hux as he observed the two, neither of them looking away from the other.

"Give me your word that you won't use your lightsaber against us for the duration of all of the meetings," the scavenger said, taking another step forward. "In return, I'll keep mine as well, but the rest of the weapons will be taken outside."

Hux lifted an eyebrow, wondering if the scavenger realized how many loopholes she had just created for Ren. The man had just displayed that his abilities were not limited to the fiery sword.

"No Force choke, Force push, mind reading, mind trick, or knockout, including the use of a physical fist, against any of the Resistance," she added, never looking away from Ren.

Aside from the fact that the scavenger had just said that to her betrothed — they really were a strange couple — Hux could almost say that he was impressed; he was beginning to see a leader in her. The Resistance, on the other hand, clearly felt uncomfortable at the reminder of how powerful the man was.

Poe stepped forward and glanced at those of the Resistance. "I agree. If he will not do any of those things, we will have no other weapons in here apart from Rey."

This time, though, those of the First Order tensed.

"I meant her lightsaber, of course," Poe hurriedly explained.

"And no rocks of any size will be thrown at you," Finn added. When a few of the First Order smirked at the strange remark, he continued. "Trust me. She can do a lot with rocks."

~SW~

The first meeting almost didn't progress beyond the first point of discussion. The Resistance refused to pardon Ren for his crimes, and so they were at an impasse.

Personally, Hux thought this should have been covered under "unite under their rule," but they insisted it had to be discussed at length. Thus, at yet another obstacle to overcome, Hux began to doubt if it was even worth it.

However, General Quinn accidentally assisted the cause. He gave Rey a scathing look and said, "At least our leader was raised for this position. You are expecting us to submit to a desert rat with no qualifications other being randomly chosen by the Force."

Rey paled at his words. Before anyone could speak, however, those of the First Order heard an all too familiar choking noise. They turned in General Quinn's direction, along with the members of the Resistance, and saw the man clawing futilely at his neck.

"Apologize," Ren said darkly, his hand barely moving. "You heard me tell Pryde that she will be your empress. You will respect her."

He gave his word not to use the Force against the Resistance, not against his subordinates, Hux realized, swallowing with some difficulty. There always seemed to be a loophole waiting to be exploited.

"Please, no one has to die today. We are here to prevent further deaths," Ren's mother pleaded, leaning forward over the table where she stood at the other end.

It was times like these that Hux found it hard to imagine that Ren ever was a child. The poor woman …

"Apologize," Ren repeated with a clenched jaw. He kept his hold for two more seconds before releasing his grip just enough so that the man could speak.

"My … apologies … Lady Rey," Quinn rasped, resentment flickering in his gaze. Ren let him go but with a look that said it wasn't over.

As awkwardness descended with heaviness around the table, with the members of the Resistance nervously glancing at each other, Finn cleared his throat and spoke up. "I have to ask. If all of this works out, do we have to answer to both of them? I think we'd prefer just Rey, and you guys can keep your leader. You know … been there, don't want to go back."

The tension in the tent reached new heights as glances were exchanged, the sentiment clearly shared among the group. Then the looks moved to shifting between Ren and Rey, and it was obvious that everyone was pondering the possible future. What would a marriage between two powerful Force users look like? Two users on different sides of the Force, no less. More than one glance at Rey suggested that those of the First Order thought Ren was going to have to sleep with his lightsaber under his pillow, while those of the Resistance obviously had similar thoughts about her sleeping accessories. Hux just hoped that the annual maintenance budget wasn't about to increase.

"That would defeat the purpose of coming together if we remain separate," General Organa finally responded, though even she appeared a bit uncertain. However, Hux caught her sharing a look with the scavenger, who seemed to be the only calm person in the room.

Well, if she isn't nervous, then why should I be? Hux thought, attempting to encourage himself.

"I may not have the formal education, General," Rey began, her voice unwavering. "But I know suffering and will do everything in my power to make things better. You may know the logistics, but I know the heart. There will never be peace without both. That is what Ren and I bring to this agreement."

I believe this war will be won by saving what we love, Hux remembered Rose saying in a message back before they had met. He had probed her about her political views. After her response, he had suspected whom she supported, but he had thought a position by the Supreme Leader's side could be persuasive. Now he could hear that passion in Rey's own words. He was about to praise the scavenger for being surprisingly insightful when the gold commentator spoke again — yes, he had come in his armor.

"Heart? This can never work!" Captain Pryde exclaimed scornfully. "We cannot serve under the one who killed our esteemed leader, Supreme Leader Snoke!"

I should've hit the ejection button on your seat when we approached the planet, Hux thought, anger and impatience beginning to form a tumultuous storm within him. His hand formed a fist as he suddenly wished he could use the Force to render the man mute. He'd had enough of this squabbling.

Hux stood and shouted, "Enough! For the good of the galaxy, you'll pardon Supreme Leader Ren and we'll pardon Lady Rey. Agreed?"

There was grumbling, but between Ren's refusal to tolerate disrespect towards Rey, her understanding of what she was signing up for, and Hux's clear support, General Organa managed to persuade those of the Resistance. And the First Order council didn't feel like they could object. Thus, point one was settled.

With a silent groan, Hux sat down and observed as they moved on to point two. Oh, how he wished he could just make everyone agree to the plan. There was no end in sight if every point of discussion was going to be argued over.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading! I wanted to get this update out sooner, but unfortunately, it has been one of those weeks. Thank you very much for every follow and favorite, especially the reviews. I love hearing from you. :) Until Part IX …