The assembly hall grew fuller with various leaders of the outer rim systems by the minute. Just like most architecture, the round waste hall was lined with golden columns and open to the sky. The roof consisted of an invisible shield, lending view of the orange sky above them. Leather seats seamed the large round platform, forming a circle. Some members of the ORA were only available via hologram, blue schemes appearing on the seats.
The board of the ORA was already on the platform, absorbed in heated discussions. They would take seat right in the center stage, while the one in the middle was reserved for the president, Countess Athena.
Kylo Ren dreaded every second of what was to come. This was Athena's and Hux's work. As soon as he stepped into the assembly hall, every conversation ended abruptly. General Hux would himself attend per hologram. The members of the crowd reacted differently to him. Some stared at him, others looked away in fear. Some showed disdain, some fumbled around nervously, but a large part of them bowed their head.
No one spoke a single word as Kylo marched to the platform. His black cape swirled around his black heavy boots, while his mask hid his face. Everything about his body language irradiated raw power. Without a word, Kylo Ren walked next the middle seat, feeling everyone in the room completely frozen. Even the eloquent Duke Wheelo, who was part of the board, stayed silent and stared at Kylo Ren anxiously.
Then, someone else stepped into the hall.
Kylo Ren couldn't help but to stare at her.
Athena walked in. Her dress consisted of a black bodice, cut simply and elegantly, revealing her shoulders. At her waist, it flowed down around her legs, revealing a long slit on the right side. The color graduated into a deep violet shade. A black cape was draped around her shoulders, held together by silver clasps. Her hair was braided into a long side braid, falling over her shoulder. Bold violet winged eyeliner and dramatic makeup contoured her face.
At her waist, her lightsaber was attached visible to all.
The woman walked in with such natural confidence, that the crowed turned its attention to her. She was followed by a few board members and guards as she walked up the steps to the platform.
At first, she bowed her head to the fellow board members. "My dear friends and colleagues, it is a pleasure to see you," she greeted, her voice sultry and smooth. Then, she turned to Kylo Ren. To him, she bowed her head the same way as to the ORA-members, but her words were loud and clear to hear for everyone in the room.
"Master."
Everyone in the crowd seemed to hold its breath. No one knew what the proper etiquette instructed. Kylo Ren looked into Athena's stern violet eyes, who could not see his eyes in return. He knew her well enough to see right through her motives. Defiance wasn't the reason she hadn't kneeled before him, it was strategy. Showing to much submissiveness would only weaken her position. Yet her authority was key to negotiating the future of the Outer Rim. Kylo Ren could punish her right in front of everyone, even if that would be considered a breach of the truce agreement.
"Serenno," he answered. Athena blinked, as if to thank him. Elegantly, she took her seat in the middle. Kylo Ren walked a few steps to the side, towering right behind the young woman. The girl would have to tolerate this display of power, as he had been accommodating enough.
"My friends. I thank you all for coming here today. We are here to discuss the future of the Outer Rim Systems. The Galaxy is at the brink of war again. It is up to us to decide where we will stand during this war," Athena started the meeting, her voice clear and determined.
The discussion started, with voices from all over the Outer Rim voicing their concerns. With Kylo Ren in the room, there were few who critiqued the First Order directly. Most had one interest: Their safety and autonomy. Republic and Order seemed to be a secondary question.
After everyone shared their argument, General Hux made his stance.
"Outer Rim Association. There is only one question that matters," again, the crowd seemed to freeze, staring at the blue hologram in anticipation.
"Will you live? Or will you die?" Even with the slight distortion through the transfer, the threat in his voice was more than clear. Hux summarized their greatest fear. Kylo could feel Athena grow uneasy.
"The Republic will fall. All those who help her, will fall. Join the Order with your forces and build something new together. There is hope for you yet."
The tension and fear were tangible.
"Why would we accept another regime?" a geonosian chimed in.
Athena answered before Hux could.
"You shouldn't. All of us here have been pawns in the games of others. Our planets have been conquered, colonized, exploited, and attacked again and again for the interest of foreign forces. Maybe we do not share the same positions, but there is one thing we do share: The best interest of our own people. But tell me, when has the Republic cared about any of us? Did they protect us? Did they fight the horrendous poverty of some of our systems or did they ever listen to the voice of our senators? Some of you are part of the Republic. I respect that. But are you not tolerating their restricting laws, while the Republic barely ever shows up for you?"
Kylo spotted members of the alliance nodding in agreement.
"What about the Empire? They protected us while stripping us completely of any say in our own affairs, trading safety for enslavement. Palpatine used the Separatists for his advantage and send his apprentice Darth Vader to kill them all when they no longer served. They were enslaved, wiped out, oppressed by corporations, played by the Republic and the Sith. Let us follow what they started so many years ago. Let us remain neutral and have both: Freedom and safety."
A woman interrupted her. "How will you stop the First Order to do all those things again? You're obviously serving them now."
Kylo's hand wandered to his saber, but Athena stopped him with a light wink of her hand, invisible to anyone.
"I do serve Commander Ren, indeed. I agreed to become his apprentice in exchange for a truce and the possibility of peace negotiations. As I would gladly sacrifice anything to protect the ORA," she said carefully.
"Commander Ren and I have one thing in common. We want to let go of the past. We want to build something knew. All I ask of you is to give it a chance. Let the Outer Rim voice its conditions and demands. If the negotiations fail, everything remains the same and we will find new solutions. The First Order would be mistaken to underestimate the combined power of the Outer Rim."
Kylo felt anger rise in him. This was more than strategy; this was an open threat. His emotions were contradicting to those of the ORA members, who started clapping and cheering. Snoke had been right – Athena's honeyed words were the most dangerous thing about her. He had been generous to her, to her people, more than he had been to anyone else. Athena felt his anger, turning towards him under the loud cheering and chanting of the ORA, frowning in confusion.
Wheelo concluded the meeting, establishing the next steps with Hux.
Kylo felt betrayed from Hux and Athena, both playing their dangerous game only humiliate him. She would suffer for this, he decided.
Kylo's not a fan of politics, haha :D I'm excited for you to read the next chapter. Thank you so much for reviewing, that means a lot to me! The story is not completed yet, so I'm open to suggestions. ;)