Part X

Hux woke up.

It was simple yet so profound. His life had been in danger many times before, but as he awakened with only the sound of the ocean and wind in his ears, the stillness of the morning spoke as loudly as that simple fact; it was peaceful. There had been no incidents during the night — no covert approaches discovered and not a single shot fired. That sense of unfamiliar serenity was also in his tent. With nowhere to rush to, with no one's demise to plan, it was a taste of what could be if they reached an agreement.

Of course, one's nature wasn't easily shed, so Hux reached out and checked the chrono for the date — exactly how long had he been asleep? But nothing was out of the ordinary, and the date on his datapad corresponded with the chrono.

Still, as he got ready for the day, the uneventfulness threatened to rouse his suspicions — trust developed could be exploited at a later date. Yet he held those thoughts at bay with the memory of Rose's hand over his heart.

When he exited his tent, Hux halted and nodded as Ren walked out of his own.

Ren's gaze traveled over him as though he was searching for some missing detail. "You seem optimistic this morning. What have you heard since we last spoke?"

"Nothing, Supreme Leader." Hux glanced at the ground as he drew his thoughts behind a mask of neutrality. "It's just a wonder to wake up without any reports during the night of attempted attacks. I hope it's not too soon to say so, but we are truly on our way to peace."

Ren stared at him for a moment longer before he resumed the walk to wherever he was headed, assuming Hux would follow as he spoke. "We still have a long day ahead of us, and not everyone on the council is accepting of this path."

Hux sped up to keep up with Ren's stride. "Right you are, Supreme Leader. And that is why you were very wise to order your knights to keep an eye on them."

"They've departed Kef Bir," Ren responded curtly.

What?! Hux tripped over a tent stake as he tried to process this development, but fortunately, he managed to right himself before ending up with a dirt mask.

Ren glanced at him but kept going, though only speaking when Hux returned to his side. "A report has reached me of an uprising on one of the occupied planets."

Hux frowned. "That is news to me, Supreme Leader. Is the report worth verifying to such an extent? Your personal guard will be out of reach."

Ren stopped so suddenly that Hux had to retrace a few steps. "Are you suggesting I'm in danger and can't protect myself?"

Swallowing slowly, Hux thought carefully about his response. "You'll always be in some measure of danger, as we all have enemies. And I did not mean to imply you're incapable, Supreme Leader. I'm only concerned about the timing of this report."

"That is why I want you to keep an eye on Pryde." Ren resumed his walk. "Rey didn't know anything about it when we spoke last night."

That's what they spoke about? And he couldn't tell me?! All that worrying … For a moment, Hux's temper got the better of him, and the embarrassment of almost falling didn't help. Thus, the words shot out before he could prevent them from escaping his thoughts. "And you didn't think to inform me of this development last night?! Were you too busy staring longingly at Lady Rey in the torchlight?"

Ren froze and with his still stature came the halting of unrestricted air flow to Hux's lungs — mercifully, due to panic and not the Force.

With a rapidly beating heart, Hux tried to fix his negligence in showing respect. "My apologies, Supreme Leader," he rasped. "I must confess that the strain of these times is wearing on me. It is as though one doesn't know where to set a foot, and with news of a potential conflict, my mind is already racing to the catastrophic consequences. You know as well as I do that major conflict between the two sides would ruin the talks."

Ren turned around, but he didn't speak immediately, closing his eyes instead. While Hux hoped he was calming himself, the General felt every quiet moment as though oxygen was being sucked out the air around him. However, then Ren opened his eyes and took Hux by surprise when he spoke. "There are too many ears nearby. Come with me."

He led Hux down to the beach, and although the latter was grateful to see the strip of sand was a bit larger with the lower tide, he couldn't help but wonder if this was a one way trip. "I truly am sorry for my thoughtless words, Supreme Leader."

"I'm not going to kill you, General Hux," Ren informed him without looking back.

Hux barely heard him over the waves and the wind, but he heard enough to be uncomfortable with Ren knowing — or guessing — what was on his mind. "As pleased as I am to hear that, Supreme Leader, this path is still treacherous."

"Then watch your step!" Ren called over his shoulder.

"Easy for you to say. The Force is probably guiding you," Hux mumbled, grumbling inwardly about every steep step he would have to climb on the way back.

He was so preoccupied that his face nearly met Ren's back when the man suddenly stopped — they had reached a small landing before the path descended the last three feet to the sand.

"I know what a battle would lead to," Ren said, the wind and the roaring ocean nearly drowning him out. He kept his gaze on the Death Star II as he spoke. "General Engell ignored the order I gave to cease all further actions this week, and the knight assigned to her told me that more children were taken yesterday from Kijimi. When the transport ship attempted to leave, they were attacked and the commander and a few of his troopers were taken hostage. This resulted in other Stormtroopers locking down another sector, with no one coming in or out. As of last night, they were in a standoff."

Hux's military mind flashed through the possible outcomes. "What exactly are their demands?"

A muscle over Ren's jaw moved. "The embargo will be lifted when the others let the transport ship leave. The group on the transport ship demands that all of the children are returned."

"And they won't let their children go." Hux placed his hands behind his back, the scene in front of him lost as he contemplated the problem. "This can go on for quite some time."

The man's expression darkened. "Tell me, with your experience, how will it affect other colonies as news spreads?"

"More will rise up and do the same, while violent clashes will also bring these talks to an end," Hux responded, though he could see Ren already knew that. The gravity of the situation settled on him like a heavy cloak, and Hux knew they were on the edge of all being lost. "And so you sent the knights. If I may ask, what are their orders?"

"First, I have a question for you." Ren turned fully to him, the wind tossing his black hair over his eyes. "I suspect Engell and Pryde are behind this to dissolve these talks, and I won't allow interference, Hux. So I ask you this … You came to me with this plan, but are you with me?"

In other words, What are you working on, Hux? He could see the question in Ren's eyes.

"We competed under Snoke's reign, Ren, but that time is over," Hux replied solemnly, meeting his gaze. "We are fighting on the same side for the same future."

Ren stared at his second-in-command for some time before turning back to the sight of the wreckage. "Rey said she would try to assure them that this didn't happen by my order, and she'd remind them that we've pardoned the Stormtroopers living here on Kef Bir. But that means she's revealing division among us."

Hux grimaced. "And so some people will think that, even if you agree to this proposed future, a new regime will just rise in the place of the First Order."

Ren's silence was answer enough.

Hux watched the violent waves crashing and clashing, their strength and unstoppable nature making him question if they would ever seem peaceful. "What are your orders to the knights, Ren?"

"They will deliver my order for the Stormtroopers to stand down." He paused for a moment, and then he said, "If they are no longer under my command, the knights will fight on the side of the protestors."

Hux's eyes widened and he turned slowly to stare at Ren's profile. "That would make us. …"

The muscle moved over Ren's tight jaw again. "Closer to the side of the Resistance, yes."

Closer? Merely closer? Hux turned to look out over the ocean again. The wind cooled his face, but all he could focus on was removing the obstacles in front of them. He hadn't done all of this only to land on whatever poor insurance coverage the Resistance had. Not to mention, running and hiding from a regime that had Pryde as its leader, for there was no doubt that he was behind this, even if Engell out ranked him.

This new perspective scratched his conscience for some reason, but Hux didn't have time to ponder the meaning behind this niggling of guilt. It also made him uncomfortable, thus making it easier to tell himself that the problem at hand required his attention first.

"Arrest Engell for mutiny," Hux began, his mind examining the new pieces to take into consideration. There were many possibilities, but Ren had to show his strength as leader. "She disobeyed a direct order, and this way we can remove her from the equation. As for Pryde … I have an idea."

"See that it's done," Ren replied, turning back up the path.

Hux hesitated for only a second before he called out, "I'm going to need you to talk to Rey."

Ren froze, though nothing had truly revealed that Hux was referring to trans-galactic conversation — or whatever they called it — aside from the emphasis. And as far as the two powerful Force users knew, no one knew. Nonetheless, when the Supreme Leader turned around, his stare was enough to pin Hux in place as he looked searchingly at him.

Then, Ren spoke one word. "How?"

Hux swallowed. "It was the necklace. I put it all together after you knew the details of the meeting."

When Ren only stared at him, Hux nervously continued. "It doesn't bother me. If anything, your communication ability will improve your capacity to rule side by side. You will never accidentally undermine the other in front of an audience."

Ren ignored his comment. "Did you tell anyone?"

Hux was reluctant to reveal the truth, but he knew what Ren could do if he didn't believe him. "Rose knows. But, Ren, we both agreed not to tell anyone. We didn't want to make anyone paranoid."

Ren didn't speak immediately, but then he said tentatively, "It's not … something we control."

Hearing verbal confirmation unsettled Hux more than he thought it would, though the idea of what was happening was truly mindboggling. Rubbing along his chin, Hux put that aside and focused on finding a solution. "Is it due to distance? Perhaps you can control it now because of your close proximity."

Seconds passed before Ren spoke. "I haven't tried, but there is a possibility if I touched her hand."

Surprised, Hux nearly sidestepped off the small landing. Is that why he held out his hand? Did he want to show her how he feels?

Glancing at the pebbles tumbling down, he moved away from the edge. "If you can find a way to speak to her before this morning's meeting starts, tell her we need the Resistance not to mention Kijimi at all. Ignore it. We'll frustrate Pryde into overplaying his hand."

Scorn appeared on Ren's face. "That's your plan?"

Hux threw up his hands. "It's an idea that buys us time. I would prefer for the meeting not to implode this morning, and Pryde is strategic."

"Fine." Ren's jaw clenched. "I'll find a way to talk to her. In the meantime, I suggest you come up with plan in case Pryde manages to succeed. I'm not walking away now."

Perhaps it was a little ironic that Ren turned around and began the return journey then. Or perhaps their exchange signified a greater shift.

However, Hux was more focused on the backup plan they might need. Like it's that easy! Must I do everything?

He watched Ren ascending the incline with strength, and it appeared as though his muscles made no complaint about repeating the journey of the previous night. With a heavy sigh, Hux began to follow him and soon regretted wasting a precious breath on an exhalation to express his emotions.

By the time they were two thirds of the way, with Ren setting a relentless pace, Hux felt like he was about to start crawling — he probably would've were it not for other eyes in the vicinity. His legs were quivering, his lungs were burning, and Ren was the biggest black spot in front of his eyes — it was very difficult to catch his breath.

When Ren glanced back again, with an actual expression of amusement, Hux admitted to himself that he hadn't been exercising enough. However, there was a very good chance that the steep climb would've still been brutal.

He probably has the Force supporting his backside up this cliff, he thought, gasping for air while glaring at the rocky surface in front of him. If ever there had been a time for Kylo Ren to move him by way of the Force, this would've been it. But he was not about to ask for that favor.

With three more big steps up before him, Hux considered angering Ren so that the man would throw him with a Force push. However, there was the chance of being tossed in the wrong direction. If he survived — which was doubtful — he was not climbing the path again.

As Ren reached the top, he turned and held a hand out to Hux. The latter stared at the black glove, never having seen it held out in a friendly gesture.

Then he heard Rose: You seem … unfamiliar with the concept. Haven't friends ever done something for you?

He had just told Ren that he was on his side. He had just advised him, and the man had accepted his suggestion. He had revealed that he knew about the Force connection. He could take his hand. He just hadn't thought it would feel so daunting to stare at that glove that could cause pain so easily.

So maybe this is why Rey declined, Hux thought. Swallowing, while still breathing with difficulty, Hux acknowledged that he did not have the strength to climb up the last two rocks — they felt more like boulders at that moment.

He placed his hand around Ren's wrist, the latter's hand wrapping around his own, and Ren pulled as he climbed. He let go as soon as he was next to the Supreme Leader, only nodding with gratitude since his lungs had zero capacity to support speech. Doing his best not to lean over as he attempted to catch his breath, Hux watched Ren leave and wondered if the two of them could actually get along.

When a few Stormtroopers looked Hux's way, he pretended not to notice and rubbed his throat. He would rather have them think Ren was the cause of his breathing issues than for them to know the truth.

Author's Note: I loved writing this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it, and please let me know what you think. It's wonderful hearing from you. :) Thank you for every follow, favorite and review! Until Part XI …