As much as it pained him to do so, Kylo had to get back to his duties as Supreme Leader. Hux had been on his back the entire month and Kylo really didn't trust Hux to run it for long. He didn't want Hux getting used to power.
"Anything to report, General?" Kylo asked with Hux in private.
"The outer rim is putting up a fight as usual." Hux groaned. "Despite the transports dropping food and water during the blockade, the people are still relentless."
"They must be paid off by the slavers." Kylo said.
"That's what I assumed as well."
"Increase the credit reward for intel."
"Sir how are we paying for this? With our...financial operations dismantled, it will be quite impossible to continue financing this anti-slavery act."
"That's why we need to move quickly, General." Kylo explained. "As soon as we discover the top slavers in the outer rim, we take their assets as justice for their barbaric treatment of their 'workers'. We make examples of these low lives."
"I hate to admit it, but that just might work. And what of the workers?"
"I was thinking a couple options. They could either serve in our ranks for a decent wage or go to one of the refugee planets. Both help the First Order."
"More freedom than they were granted before. I doubt they'll be a revolt."
"After a certain number of years in service, they will receive a full retirement. I want these people to become loyal to the First Order above all. Provide food and clothing and treat them with respect but firmly. They won't be free from the First Order, but they won't want to be."
"I'm almost tempted to toast to that."
Hux's smile was cruel and calculated. Kylo's was twisted and monstrous. It was hard to imagine that between the two of them, they were considering something that most would agree is rather decent. Though it may have been for the wrong reasons in most ways, it was still a step towards freedom.
"I know that you don't wish to discuss this…" Hux started to say, "but I know that girl…"
"I would choose your next words wisely, Hux."
"Yes Supreme Leader," Hux held back a gulp. "I meant no disrespect. I'm just curious as to the girl's involvement going forward."
"She has surrounded herself to me for the time being." Kylo explained. "What she does here is none of your concern. If it's your job that you're worried about, I can assure you that she wants no part in politics."
"Understood sir."
"Anything else to report?"
"Some of the other officers are questioning about the political structure or rather the lack there of. Currently everything is ran by the military."
"As I have informed the Officers and the leaders of every known planet, I have no intention of setting up a senate until slavery is eradicated from the galaxy. Let the smaller planets have some breathing room. With the gangs hiding from us, they wouldn't dare attack civilian soil just yet. If they do, then I'll change my mind. I'm giving the galaxy a bit of trust for now."
"Understood sir."
"What else?"
"I believe everything is covered for now. We have to wait for something to go wrong at this point and hope we are equipped to handle it."
"We will. If that is as, you are dismissed."
"Actually, there is one more thing I wanted to discuss."
Hux looked partially terrified now. Kylo has a feeling he knew what he was about to ask and silently hoped Hux wouldn't actually be stupid enough to ask it.
"Has there been any news of the Resistance?" Hux questioned, saying each word slowly as if Kylo would freak out less if he took more time to process the question.
"As I've mentioned during the meeting which I know you attended," Kylo said, agitated, "the Resistance is none of our concern. We have their Jedi captured. Without her, they will crumble."
"Of course Sir, but don't you think we should be keeping an eye on them?"
"They're none of your concern General. All you have to know is that if your troopers come across them, they are to be taken prisoner but not killed."
"Understood."
Hux tapped the sheets of paper in front of him into a neat pile, what he always did when he was about to leave.
"Actually, General." Kylo said before Hux could stand up all the way, "there is one more thing I would like to address."
"And what would that be, Supreme Leader?"
"Public perception." Kylo said. "Something you'll understand."
"What about it? Does this have to do with the girl?"
"No. Just you."
Hux's eyebrows knitted together, wondering where he was going with this. Surely Kylo would not be arrogant enough to suggest that the way Hux presented himself wasn't professional enough. Not while the supreme Leader wore his hair well past his shoulders and had started growing a shabby beard to do with it.
"What do you mean by that, Supreme Leader?" Hux asked in his usual cruel and condescending voice.
"I mean, while the galaxy is falling in line for the most part, there is still one thing keeping them from fully trusting the First Order," Kylo said. "Star Killer base was a good idea when the objective was to rule by terror, but it doesn't work well with the new objective of controlling through the mind."
"Well we can't bloody undo that one now can we?" Hux's accent came out.
While most of the galaxy hated the Starkiller base because of the destruction it caused, Hux hated it because it appeared to be his fault it failed and no one else's. Bitter memory for all.
"The officers involved in its launch, we can just chalk up to 'they were just following orders'," Kylo explained. "So those officers don't have to face any sort of trial. The other masterminds, Snoke and Phasma, are already dead. Which leaves you."
"I was wondering how long you would keep me alive." Hux sighed, "didn't think it would be over this though."
"I'm not going to kill you," Kylo tried to refrain himself from rolling his eyes. "While you're a pain in my side, you're necessary in helping me run this Order. I don't trust you, but I trust you slightly more than the rest of my subordinates. And if you are as clever as you claim to be, you should be able to figure out my plan."
"You want the Galaxy to believe that the Starkiller tragedy has been avenged," Hux recounted, almost bored sounding. "The leaders of which are all dead except me. And you want this to be some sort of trial?"
"As a show of our new judgement portion, we put you on trial." Kylo said, staring into Hux's eyes, trying to understand what was happening within that brain. "We have you convicted for war crimes."
"So you want an executioner to kill me. I'd rather it be you. At least there's some dignity in that death."
"No. We fake your death." Kylo explained. "The galaxy thinks you're dead but we don't fall apart on the inside. It won't be a public execution-we'll say that's barbaric and then forge some paperwork. Then with the final shred of the First Order gone, we rename ourselves officially as the New Order."
"It's calculated." Hux said, mulling it over, "the galaxy won't take too kindly to finding out I'm still alive though."
"They won't find out."
"How can you assure that?"
"New name. New wardrobe. Some facial surgery if needed." Kylo listed off. "And an assured spot of power for the man involved."
Hux didn't say anything. He was still unsure about this plan and what it would mean going forward.
"I know what you really want, Hux." Kylo said, all knowing. "I can read your mind and even if I couldn't I would know that you secretly long to be Supreme Leader."
Hux still didn't say anything.
"You want power." Kylo continued. "You want to control the galaxy. I have plenty of matters to attend to in private soon and I will need someone to keep the galaxy under control. I propose another triumvirate: three people with equal power and opposing opinions controlling the galaxy. I'll be the figure head who keeps you under control and you'll be the hidden adviser keeping me under control. You'll have the most power of any one else in the Galaxy."
Kylo watched Hux think about this for a while before adding in this.
"As Supreme Leader," Kylo said, almost teasing, "I've been almost assassinated 17 times in the last 30 rotations. If you become the official Supreme Leader, that will happen to you. Rule from the sidelines: same power, but less danger."
"There's one problem in your plan," Hux pointed out. "You said three. I only see two. Who would be the third?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"You want it to be the girl."
"I told you, she wants nothing to do with politics."
"Doesn't change what you want."
"I will find someone who can go toe to toe with us."
"Any ideas."
"A few."
"You have no one."
"I'm looking."
Hux let out a sigh.
"At least I know you won't actually kill me," Hux said, holding his hand out for Kylo to shake, "you'd lose control of this place within a rotation."
Kylo shook Hux's hand and the shaky truce was cemented.
"We'll discuss more later." Kylo said. "And if I hear any word of this amongst the troopers, I know who to blame. You're dismissed."
"Supreme Leader."
Hux bowed his head a little before exiting the meeting room.
…
After a week of Rey being unconscious, Kylo decided to pay his child a visit. He had put it off since the first time he saw his son, but with the medic, Kareth, assuring him that Rey was doing better, he finally felt up to seeing him.
"Oh, Supreme Leader," Kareth said as Kylo entered the med room. "What a surprise. You'll be happy to hear that the infant is doing remarkably well and will be able to be taken off the machines in three weeks. And Rey is doing better as well. Her system is finally healing now."
Kylo gave a small understanding nod to the medic as he approached the box in the middle of the room. This one was different than the one before, slightly smaller and it had a compartment on the side that was open.
The boy looked different too. He had put on more weight and his head didn't look as disproportionate to the rest of him. He was still so tiny, but he wasn't the same size as Kylo's hand as before. The most comforting part was that there was a hint of color in his cheeks now.
"I would never tell you what to do," Kareth said, looking over the infant just as Kylo was doing, "but it helps infants grow and heal if they get some sort of physical contact."
"What sort?"
"Just gently put your forefinger on his hand." Kareth explained. "Let him know you're here and that he'll be ok."
Kylo slowly removed his leather glove and even slower he reached out his finger to touch his son's mitten covered hand. He saw the infant flinch a little bit when he made contact, but he calmed down when Kylo began to stroke the top on his hand.
Kylo felt the infants little fingers fan out a bit beneath his touch. Carefully, Kylo placed his finger in his son's hand. The infant tried his best to grip it.
Kylo stood there in silence for the longest time, just watching his son breath as he slept calmly.
It was weird that his little infant didn't have a name yet, but Kylo felt as if he had known his identity his entire life. He didn't know if this infant would be shy or outgoing, angelic or a demon, book smart or street smart. He didn't know a thing about this infant. But in his soul, he knew him.
It was a weird feeling.
Kylo took his finger away and the infant reached out again. Kylo then put two fingers on the boys back and gently rubbed his back.
"It would help him speak sooner if you talk to him." Kareth said.
"Talk about what?"
"Anything. I wouldn't recommend curse words though."
"Alright."
"Do you want me to leave the room?"
"I would appreciate it."
Kareth gave a slight nod and left the medroom.
It took Kylo a few minutes before he started talking. He wasn't sure what to say. It's not like it would be a conversation. He would just be talking to himself but not really.
What should he talk about.
"Hey little one." Kylo started, nervously. "I'm your dad. If you get large ears in the future, that's my fault."
Silence. Of course there was silence. He was talking to an infant who hadn't opened his eyes yet.
"I'm still getting used to being a father." Kylo admitted, still rubbing his back. "I didn't know your mother was pregnant. And you came early. It was my fault. Everything was my fault. I love you. So so much, but I can't deny the truth. Your mother is so young...she wasn't ready for a baby. I feel like I took advantage of her… And now she's in the medbay. And it's all my fault."
Kylo took a shaky breath.
"You'll love her." Kylo continued. "She's so amazing. And powerful. And beautiful. She's my other half. She loved me when everyone else wanted me dead. We had each other when we had no one else. We spent so many nights holding each other. Your mother is so tiny in my arms. Not as tiny as you are though."
Kylo talked until his voice was hoarse and dry. It was nice to get things off his chest. And if the medic said it would help his son, then he will gladly do it.
He'd be back tomorrow. Probably not as long as he was today. But he could spare an hour.
…
Visiting Rey wasn't as uplifting or therapeutic. She still looked so close to death. He mainly came down here to try once more to heal her.
He placed his hand on her stomach. He tried digging deeper into his soul, singling his mind only on her. He tried calling on the force again. He tried imagining his life transferring into hers.
It did nothing.
He glanced at the books on her bedside table. Someone, probably the medic, had organized them so they were sitting in neat stacks. He carefully took two of the novels and tucked them into his coat.
He left the room with a heavy sigh, hoping that she would wake soon.
It was hard to keep moving forward without her by his side.