Chapter 32 - Sabacc Talk

Takodana

Jedi Temple Mess Hall

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Finn asked as he walked with Poe to the general quarters, wading through a milling crowd of soldiers, Rangers and pilots getting their evening chow, "I've never played Sabacc."

"Well, Rey's gone off doing whatever Jedi do, so you're stuck with me and I say this is good time killer. Besides, what did you guys do for fun, then?" Poe asked with a smile.

"Watched our women engage in sparring," Finn replied straight faced.

"Wait, really?"

"Sometimes we joined in."

"Finn, are you being serious here, or is this some kind of innuendo?"

"Which do you think?"

"Heh, Finn buddy, I feel like I'm a bad influence on you."

"I had a sense of humor before we met, Poe. I dare say we never dishonored the Corps in any way or fashion. We were, as you might say, sticklers when it came to rules. Zeroes especially," he suddenly caught himself, but just shook his head, "though Nines was always looking to bend the limits of said rules. Half the reason for their fights, actually."

"Sounds like a fun guy."

"Not really. He probably would want to shoot you for being a Reb."

"I change my mind then."

"I hope you haven't changed your mind about losing your month's pay, Black Cat!" a heavy voice called from ahead, "I lost my wallet 'cause of you!"

That brought a smirk to Poe's lips, "Ain't my fault you bet wrong, Snap! Shame on you thinkin' I'd lost a leg in the process!"

"Poe, every time you get involved in a gamble, I always lose money! You're my regular bad luck charm!"

"It's quite simple, Snap. Don't bet against me."

"Not on your life."

Once Poe and Finn got past the waiting chow line, they found they had a table reserved for them. Waiting for them were three other pilots with their orange jumpsuits tucked under white cotton shirts, who Finn guessed were part of Poe's squadron.

"Oh, what's this?" a tall female Zeltron rose with a smile, "You brought a date, Poe? Why didn't you tell us? We could've made this a quad-night."

"You're hilarious." Poe chuckled as he beckoned Finn over, standing by his side, "Finn, meet Black Squadron. Ms. Personality over here is Deliah Blue, my second."

"Ma'am," Finn nodded, his eyes running over the Zeltron's form with a curious appreciation. Oddly, her fuscia-pink skin took on a sudden shine, like as though she were some neon sign blaring in a cold night. Every detail about her seemed to almost pop, from her blue hair to the shine of her amber eyes and the swellness of her…

Finn suddenly became aware of what was happening and he narrowed his eyes at her. Poe had told him about the powers of Zeltron hormones on the unprepared. When she met his gaze, her eyes took on an unexpectedly genuine shock.

"Sorry," she shrugged her shoulders, "let's just say I get a little defensive when the hotshot's around," her eyes slid sideways as she grinned at Poe, "and you were in the way."

"Noted," Finn replied calmly as he felt momentarily intoxicated. It felt like a strange concoction of regulation brew and morphine, and he shook his head to clear away the cobwebs, "Just don't do it again."

"Dee, leave my friend alone," Poe snorted, "and I'm staying sober tonight, thank you very much."

"Really?" she grinned slyly, "With your record, I'm a little surprised you didn't make the jump at the Jedi you bagged."

"Oh come on, you know my rule."

"Which one?"

"#9."

"Always pay in advance?"

"No! That's #8. #9 is don't steal your friend's girlfriend. The clause to that is don't sleep with married women."

"You break that rule all the time."

"Not knowingly! Besides, I ain't in the mood to getting pancaked, just ask my droid."

"Oh, so you're saying your droid has more game than you? That make sense."

"Oh for the love of everything good and holy, would you two just get a room!?" an older Duros growled from the back, the annoyance in his voice emphasized by the long jagged scar that ran from the edge of his eye to the corner of his mouth, which seemed to blaze like fire for a scan't moment.

"I swear, if we'd acted you yuppies with yer wishy-washy feelin's and ain't feelin's, we'd never have won over the Empire in the first place!"

"Oh give it a rest, old timer," Dee shook her head as she sat back in her seat, "let me guess, you're going to regale us with oh you single handedly took down that Super Star Destroyer over Jakku?"

"If it means beatin' some sense in your thick, carefree skulls, I'll do it a hundred times! What with you ungrateful brats sittin' on yer grandpappies laurels!"

"I actually wouldn't mind hearing about that," Finn admitted.

"No please, don't get him started," the third pilot built like a barrel with a 5 o'clock shave snorted, "he'll go on till we're about ready to hop into a grave. I damn near had the temptation to ram you that one time. Good thing BB-8 did it for me."

"Bah," the Duros snorted, "you youngin's will be the death of me. Perhaps Lady Fate gets a kick out of seeing you torture me with your imbecility."

"Now now, don't put your brain into overdrive with your sophisticated vocabulary, grandpa. You might get aneurysm."

"Snap, go exactly 50 yards out and stop. I want to use that fat head of yours for target practice."

"You couldn't hit the broadside of an Executor-Class, Lu'lu. Believe me, I know. I was there on Jakku."

"Wanna bet, you six-foot piece of lard?"

"I bet 50 you miss and he dies anyway!" Dee laughed before Poe shook his head.

"And this is what happens when I'm gone for like five minutes. The misfits are all out to kill each other."

"Sounds familiar," Finn nodded, his eyes dimming for a moment.

"Anyhow, grandpa over here is Lu'lu, our resident grumpy hardass."

"And proud," the Duros smirked, "someone has to keep you yokkel jokers from doin' something stupid, like surfing a Destroyer's deck plate like you were on some fool beach. And yes, that did happen."

"Uh huh. And fathead over there-"

"Hey!"

"What, it's true. This is Temmin Wexley. We call him Snap."

"Why do you call him that?" Finn asked.

"Cause over Bilbringi when we were fighting some two-bit pirates, he went into a space-rage and started chasing them around the system!" Dee grinned from ear to ear as Snap grew red in the face.

"I did not chase them around the system. I chased them around the planet."

"And chased is the wrong word," Lu'lu smirked wolfishly, "more like you rammed everything that wasn't X-shaped and you used our comms as your own personal vent machine. I think you invented an entire dictionary of insults that day."

"They insulted my mother," Snap glowered, his face on the verge of exploding as he forced himself to sit down, "would you have not done the same?"

"Probably, but I wouldn't have threatened to have ripped their bollocks off, cook them gently with your ships engines, stuff them right back where the sun doesn't shine until they vomit them out of their mouths again."

Finn chuckled to himself, "So, you're Snap because you snapped? Nines might've actually like you."

"Nines?" Snap asked, "What's his story? He got nine shots every trip to the bar?"

"No, nothing like that. His designation was FN-2199."

"Oh, that's just boring," Dee snorted.

"Ma'am, be glad he's not here. He may not kill you, but he would make Snap blush with his insults, and believe me, they come in paragraphs. Then he'd probably kill you and everyone else, probably while laughing."

"Well, surely not me?" Dee said with mock innocence.

"You're a Reb, aren't you?"

"Reb?" Lu'lu laughed, "Is that what they call us?"

"Yes," Finn nodded, "they don't consider the New Republic as legitimate and just see you as a continuation of the Rebel Alliance."

"Well then to answer your question," Dee replied certainty, "I am and proud."

"Then yes, you would die too."

"Charming," Dee nodded "But I guess that depends on whether or not he'd join you in your betrayal. I mean, if one of you could do it..."

Finn's eyes hardened at the suggestion but then he just shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know about Nines, he liked killing Rebs too much. Zeroes never would in a million years, but maybe Slip. Maybe," he sighed, slumping into the nearest available chair with a face awash with raw pain.

"I'm guess his nickname has a bit of a hilarious backstory," Snap gestured, hoping to change the conversation, "Slip, I mean."

That actually did the trick, and he smiled softly. "He was enemies with all wet surfaces, and I mean all wet surfaces. He would even slip on wet sand if put to it."

"Hold on," Lu'lu grunted, "how does a guy as clumsy as that become a Stormtrooper? I mean, if you're the standard to go off of…"

"Slip was not that clumsy," Finn suddenly snorted, his tone sharp as he glared at the older Duros, "he was a perfectly capable soldier, one of the bravest I ever met," he then broke into a smirk, "besides that's the story we tell everyone. The real reason is because Nines messed with his boots and by the time he figured it out, nobody believed him."

"Well, I see you inherited yer grandpappies needless cruelty. Why'd we take in the buckethead, again?"

"Should we apply that logic to you, considering Snap over there?"

"Hey, keep me out of this," Snap raised his hands defensively, "I just came her to lose my months pay to the poster boy over there."

"You damn yellow-belly," Lu'lu growled, "runnin' away when the fire gets hot? What are you, Admiral Jonston?"

"I would suggest you tread carefully, sir," Finn grunted, "only us 'bucketheads' get to use that joke."

"Oh, so now yer claimin' history, huh? Sounds familiar."

"Not at all, we just want the rights to make fun of him and his Bravely-Running-Away strategy."

"Except we're the ones who made him bravely run away," Lu'lu grinned, "so I have equal claim to that joke."

"I do not see Admiral Ackbar or his forces here. I just see a washed up leather jacket two days from retirement."

"At least I don't have a convenient conscience."

"Alright, if mothers start getting mentioned, I'm outta here," Snap cut in, "y'all know how I-"

"Your mother," Dee grinned from ear to ear, and that instantaneously Snap's head redden like a tomato.

"Take that back, Dee."

"I didn't even say anything."

"I know, but you were thinking something. This is a preemptive take it back before I flip this table over."

"Guys, c'mon," Poe cut in, "I brought my friend here to show him the ropes with Sabacc. Don't have much else to do till he gets the a-okay to move around, and I'm allowed back in the cockpit. So, could we please not flip tables or pull blasters or anything else like that?"

That made Finn smirk, "Poe, you boasted that after we escaped the First Order, you would take a long vacation that involved beaches, women and drink. Yet here you are, given mandatory leave, and yet you're complaining about not getting back into the cockpit after just getting out of it."

"Buddy, does this look like a beach planet to you?" Poe grinned sardonically as he took his seat, "And no offense, but the booze here kinda… sucks? I mean, it ain't bad, but it aint vacation rated, either."

"And what about the women?" Dee asked with a sly grin.

"That's a no-go either. Every single gal here breaks at least one of my rules, so I'm kinda stuck."

"Rules-asmancy," Lu'lu snorted, "you make things needlessly complicated. Problem with you youngins. You-"

"Never learned when to stow it?" someone said behind them in a thick drawl. The pilots and one Stormtrooper turned to find a Ranger bearing down on them, accustomed more like some backwater sheriff especially as he wiggled his grayed handlebar at them, "if y'all are chattin' like a storm, then you Mr. Lu'lu are the eye of it."

"And just who the hell are you?" Poe demanded.

"I'm the guy the Boss had tail you for the past," he held up his watch, "2 hours and 34 minutes since you left that interrogation room. I'd gladly like my time back, but since that ain't gonna happen, I'll take y'all's money instead."

"Challenge accepted," Poe grinned, "pull up a seat, we were about to get started."

"Your funeral," Snap muttered, "just glad it ain't gonna be you I'm losing my pay to."

"Sure sure," Poe leered as he turned back to the Ranger, "so, what's your name, Mr. Tailer?"

"Wyatt," the Ranger grumbled as he took a seat. Dee started laughing out of nowhere.

"Wyatt? That's your name? Flippin' Wyatt?"

"Why the Nine Hells is that so funny, Pink-skin?"

"C'mon, a cattlepoke like yourself going by the name of Wyatt? That's a little stereotypical, isn't it?"

"Bit funny considerin' your last name is Blue. You don't look too blue to me, and your hair don't count. That's just a shade of black."

"What can I say? My parents were funny. Plus, one of my great-grandparents was apparently a Twi'lek."

"That's actually kinda funny, missy. You wouldn't happen to have tentacles somewhere, would you?"

"I'm not telling. Alright, shall we deal in?"

"Deal in?" Finn asked.

"Dee is gonna be our card handler while playing," Poe explained, "every round, she'll deal us a set of cards. Remember what values you needed?"

"23 and -23, or 0 if I get an Idiot's Array."

"Don't count on the Array, kiddo," Wyatt replied, "only one of us is gettin' it tonight, and it ain't gonna be you."

"He's right, it won't be you. It'll be me."

The crack of the Caridian's parade ground voice caused everyone to stir in their seats to face the speaker… all except for one. Poe's face visibly paled like a ghost as he slumped into his seat.

"Too soon… too soon," he spoke so softly that only Finn heard him.

"Merrick," Lu'lu chuckled as he rose to his feat with a hearty smile, extending his hand, "why aren't you dead yet, ya ugly shine-head?"

"Why aren't you, you snot-faced son of a mynok?" Merrick grinned back, shaking the man's hand.

"You see this face? Death's not interested in it."

"Well, for once we agree on something. Might if I hop on? I realize this is an officer's table, but-"

"I'm not an officer," Wyatt cut in with a wry grin, "but it wouldn't be the first time you Republic boys break your own rules."

"Will that be before or after I break you and take your money? I'll gladly do it on principle after that little slight."

Wyatt nodded as he chuckled to himself, "I like you, Sergeant. Now I see where the poster boy's sass comes from. Sins of the father an' all that."

"Now that's two slights I need to put you down for, Ranger," Merrick grinned nastily, "and you just made this personal."

"Oooh, scary!" the Ranger waved his hand mockingly as Poe groaned in his seat.

"Look, can we cut the chatter and get to playin'? I'm tired of just sitting here."

The senior non-com nodded simply, taking his seat between Snap and Lu'lu, "Of course, Poe. Deliah, if you may?"

She nodded, and started passing out the hands. Finn looked sideways; the resemblance was unmistakable. Of course, there were differences. His nose and chin were a little wider, his skin a bit fairer and his hair cropped down to almost nothing. But the rest of the features were there.

Merrick met Finn's eyes for a moment, the steely intensity of them instantly reminding him of Phasma and even the Admiral. It was the kind of venerable, seen-everything and killed-everything glace that drew both respect and fear in equal measures. This wasn't just the look of a veteran, Finn realized, but instead a lifer. Soldiering was his life, not just his profession.

Is that why Poe was averting his eyes, avoiding the older Dameron's gaze? The question occupied his mind and made the next several minutes of card shuffling and sabacc-faces pass like a blur. He didn't even notice the value of his cards changed until Merrick pointed it out to him.

"Gotta watch out for that, son. Sabacc cards are treacherous if you hold 'em too long. If you wanna hold the value, gotta put 'em flush on the table."

Finn nodded, not really paying attention. "Sir, may I ask a question?"

"I'm not an officer, Trooper," he replied gruffly, "but go ahead."

"What are you doing here?"

That question raised a few eyebrows. "I like Sabacc," Merrick replied, "does that answer your question?"

"Not what I meant," Finn replied, "Poe informs me you're supposed to be on Hosnia. Is that correct?"

The Sergeant Major's eyes went to Poe, who looked back and shrugged, "It's a reasonable question."

"Aye, it is. Officially I am, at least."

"And unofficially?" Finn probed.

"Well, let's just say the Colonel owed Antilles a favor, who in turn owed your boss," he pointed over at Wyatt, "so, here we are. A platoon of lifers sent here for babysitting duty."

"Careful," Wyatt grunted, "I'm about to steal your money. How much is still up in the air."

"It's still babysitting duty," Merrick grinned wryly.

"Why?" Finn asked, "Why all this secrecy and backdoor favors? Why exactly isn't the Republic helping around here in a more official capacity? Why do you have to falsify transfer orders to be here?"

"Blame the suits on Chandrila," Lu'lu snorted, "buncha spineless moneybags that can be bought fer the right price."

"It's more than that, Lu'lu, and you know it," Snap countered darkly, "it ain't the galaxy's fault that they're tired of fighting. I mean, two galactic shattering conflicts happening within a generation of each other? You may like fighting, but some people just wanna live their lives."

"Well I'd say they need to stop being squeamish," Lu'lu shot back, "sometimes, you gotta bloody a few noses to keep what ya earned, lest ye get put back under heel."

"Spoken like a man who's never known peace," Merrick shook his head, "or the effect it has on people. I lived through the Clone Wars and believe me, the galaxy rejoiced when it finally ended."

"I fight so me little ones and their little ones don't have to. That's my peace."

"So did we, Lu'lu. That was why people were willing to accept the Empire in first place, and why they fought for it after. To many, it was a better alternative than being trampled by clankers or being abandoned by their government."

"Before or after they betrayed their greatest defenders?" Wyatt replied from over his hand, "People so hellbent on peace, they willin' to betray their own for it, and sacrifice their liberty likewise."

"No disrespect to Luke and his Order, Wyatt, the man was a good friend. My wife bloody well flew him and his posse halfway around the galaxy in those early days. But the old Order didn't exactly make it easy for people to mourn them."

"That's 'cause folk couldn't be bothered get off their laurels to learn about 'em. Instead, they were all too willin' to follow the word an' testament of a man who'd been in office for far too long and broke the Force-damn constitution to do it."

"Hindsight is Twenty/Twenty," Finn interjected, "I may not have lived through the war or even the one after, but I've seen the power of fear and what it can do."

"I take it from all the people you've killed in the name of an Empire you don't even know?" Lu'lu deadpanned.

Finn let the backhanded comment roll off his back, though Poe glowered at Lu'lu. "Back the hell off, old man. I wouldn't be here without him."

"It's fine, Poe," Finn told him, "I was actually talking about my time on Parnassos, fighting against and learning from the tribes there."

"I take it they ain't friendly folk?" Wyatt commented.

"Imagine tribes of cannibals and scavengers with the capacity to make any technology, no matter how crude, work. Heh, one time, me and my team were cut off from our company and were being hunted by the Bloodguzler tribe-"

"What?"

"They quite literally found out a way to turn human plasma into fuel for their war machines. Imagine our surprise when we stole a truck and found out what we had in the tibanna tank."

The group stared at the trooper for a moment in disbelief, "How in the nine bloody hells did they do that?" Merrick asked for them.

"The power of fear can make one go to whatever lengths to ensure they don't end up on the chopping block… and they practiced some sort of Shamanism."

"Hmm, sounds like some kind backwater application of the Force to me." Wyatt nodded.

"Or they could've been a bunch of daft savages," Merrick snorted, "reminds me of Endor."

"You fought for the Rebellion at Endor," Deliah reminded him.

"Aye, I did. But I never forgave what those little furry bastards did to my former comrades. Those helmets they were using for drums? Why do you think I didn't try the stew?"

"The Princess stopped 'em from doin' all that, Merrick," Lu'lu chuckled, "I should know, I was there. The little wookie-cousins were beggin' hard."

"It's not just that," Merrick sighed, "I still remember what happened at Bunker-41. All those poor sods strung up like trophies just to torture the last trooper barricaded in that bunker. Lad was so stirken he practically begged us to take him away from there."

"Heh, I guess ya have somewhat of a point," Lu'lu muttered, "but considering what the Empire did to them and the galaxy, can you blame them?"

"Two wrongs don't make a right," Wyatt countered, "at some point, the line in the sand needs to be drawn or else folks will get it in their minds to keep on doin' worse. Cycle of violence is never pretty."

"Not to mention the fact the New Republic," Finn refrained from saying 'you', "tried, convicted and executed Grand Admiral Osvald Teshik for crimes against civilization, despite doing nothing of the sort."

"C'mon, the man was a grand admiral," Snap shot back, "you don't get that high up without getting dirty, especially under Palpatine. Only problem was the man was careful."

"He was one of the first of twelve appointed to the position when the Empire started," Finn deadpanned, "he did nothing to the galactic citizenry like you claim he did."

"Except that's the problem. Palpatine appointed the man to the job."

"I have to disagree with that logic, Snap," Merrick put in, "just because the dead Emperor appointed a man to a job like that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want to him, including executing him on trumped up charges. There's a reason that entire trial was controversial."

"The Jedi opposed it from day one," Wyatt replied, "but the Senate wanted a piece of meat, an' the guy happened to be in our custody. All it did was provide the Remnants even more reason to come after us."

"I can see why the warlords defied you for so long, if that's the reward for surrender," Finn pointed out, but Lu'lu scoffed.

"Tell that to Bail Organa and the people of Alderaan. They didn't even get a trial."

Finn shook his head, "You executed the worst possible person, and last I checked, Tarkin paid for his in full."

"And what about Thrawn?" Dee replied evenly, "He's a grand admiral, and he was appointed the rank after effectively driving the Mon Calamari into exile. Yet, we let him go and build his own Empire."

"Politics, dear," Wyatt grumbled, "Thrawn offered to leave the conflict, and we were at our lowest point in the war. By the time of Endor, the ol' blue skin was too entrenched to go anywhere, and we got enough enemies as it is."

"I just hope he stays that way," Merrick sighed, "I fought under the man once or twice. If we have to face him, it'll be a tough bout we're not walking well away from."

"I thought the New Republic had an alliance with the Empire of the Hand," Finn pointed out, "especially since the Ssi-Rook Wars."

"The key word is had," Lu'lu pointed out, "and that was 'cause of some crazy redblade clone who started up some droid foundry in the Unknown Regions, not just 'cause of lizard men. No, it's always been a matter of convenience, and a non-aggression pact is about the biggest convenience you can get."

"Besides that, the blue skin is the type who will side with the best party for his own goals." Snap muttered.

"He has his reasons," Merrick reasoned, "his loyalty is to his people first, so he'll damn well choose the best side."

"And you gotta admit," Wyatt added, "the New Republic's political climate leaves a lot to be desired. Especially since we can't damn well learn the lesson."

"What lesson?" Finn asked.

"That the Republic only lasted as long as it did 'cause of the Jedi. That we were and are the things that keep back the big bad darkness. Every Force-damn time. An' what do we get for it? A knife in the back when it's convenient."

"Now wait just a sodding moment," Merrick growled, "it's not quite as simple as you say, and if you're trying to argue it otherwise-"

"It really is, soldier boy," Wyatt smiled wryly, "a society don't last 25,000 years against the big bad darkness without help. And yet the Jedi are constantly kicked to the curb regardless."

"First, it was 24,000 years. You can take a thousand off due to another of your Jedi's great schisms."

"The dark age was mired in misinformation. We're not even sure what the blazes happened."

"That's beside the point, Ranger."

"I don't see how 24,000 years is nothing to shake your nose at. The point is the Republic still lasted that long. Look at it now, It can barely tell which way is up. It's mired in as much corruption as the Old Republic before the Empire, and it happened in 10 years as opposed to the 1,000 years for the old Republic."

"I would suggest you retract that last statement if I were you. Unlike the Old Republic, we actually have a standing army loyal to the constitution and not some glorified coppers who can't even enforce a bloody trade law. At least there are some of us still loyal."

"And what happened when they refused to come to the Jedi's aid during the Chimera Crisis, back when we were part of the Republic?"

The Sergeant Major slammed his fist in the table, his face hardening, "You bloody take that back, Ranger. Who do you think allowed your little coup to happen in the first place? And unlike you, our duty is to the Republic."

"Yeah? What happens when the Republic stops givin' a damn 'bout folk like you? When they're to turn on their own for the right price or for some hogwash ideology? Or, even better, for some hollow promise for peace from warmongers that make the Hutts look honest… no offense, Finn."

"If there's proof," Merrick shook his head tiredly, "we'll act on it."

"What are you talking about?" Finn asked.

"He's talking about the First Order ambassador who has the Chancellor's ear," Dee replied.

"Ambassador Hux, you mean?"

"...any relation to Ramius?" Poe asked, his eyes perked up.

"Of course, he's his son."

Wyatt scoffed, "Well, that settles it."

"No it doesn't," Merrick snapped back, "unless there's proof, you can't just go and kick down the man's door. If we cannot abide by the rule of law, then the New Republic's got no purpose to it anymore."

"And it doesn't already?" Wyatt shook his head, "The Chimera managed to snake its way into the government under your damn nose. Just be glad the head of it all is paste on the sidewalk."

"Right. And that was a 'suicide'?"

"It's what the coroner report says. Jumped out a window."

"Sure. Still, without proof, we cannot move."

"Finn?" Poe asked.

"I wouldn't know, I was just a Stormtrooper. Nothing above hearsay." Finn shrugged apologetically, "I wasn't privy to that sort of thing."

"It don't matter," Wyatt scoffed again, "everyone knows it an' everyone's thinkin' it. Borealis damn well sold out the Jedi."

"Again, proof," Merrick sighed, "without it, any action might as well be seen as an invasion from a rogue nation. You relinquished your official status, remember?"

"Oh gimme a break," Wyatt snarled, "we all know the truth, don't we? This frickin' Borealis came outta nowhere, snatched up the Centrists candidacy from folk who should've won, and managed to beat out Lando Calrissian himself in the election."

"They had a Feylia," Lu'lu countered, "the Bothan could charm and pull enough strings to get a Death Star built if he wanted to."

"I'm sorry, but no. Lando should've won, he had all the cards in his favor. He ran the better campaign, had the better constituents and was a frickin' war hero… and yet this guy does it. And no sooner is he elected then the First Order make their appearance."

"No offense, but that sounds like tinfoil talk," Snap replied.

"It's tinfoil till it's genuine. Beside, there ain't no such thing as coincidence. I mean, there weren't even a damn investigation about what happened here, and Leia's attempts to do so got quagmired at every turn."

"The Counselor isn't exactly making the best case," Merrick countered neutrally, "like I said, people are tired of war and Leia is proposing exactly that."

"No, what she's proposin' is that we see the First Order as it is. A buncha hard-ass loyalists that've been hidin' for thirty years and now decided to come out. Also, why stop this investigation? It makes no frickin' sense."

"Well, you're no longer part of the Republic government proper," Deliah shrugged.

"Sure, but we're a sovereign nation that's still an ally. For cryin' out loud, we've had similar cases happen with Aquillans and the Hapes before. They were investigated."

"I agree with you," Merrick sighed exasperated, "but until there's actuable intelligence, getting the whole of the military to move is not going to happen. Not legally anyway. Besides, Borealis may not be the plant you say he is. For all we know, he's just dirty without the strings attached."

"Mebbe, mebbe not. But that needs to be found out, don't?" Wyatt snorted.

"Or worse, he's a peace activist willing to cow tail to the demands of the ambassador," Poe replied.

"You mean like one of those Don Fancy spy-books?" Lu'lu asked, "Man was just an insurance investigator."

"Oh gimme a break, Lu'lu. Wyatt's right about one thing: there ain't no such thing as coincidences. I mean, the ambassador that's got the ear of the Chancellor is the son of the admiral who stood up to Ackbar and didn't die?"

"Not for lack of tryin'," Wyatt grinned, "Rey's daddy took the man's arm 'fore he jumped into an escape pod."

"Wait… you mean to tell me that Rey is the daughter of the Jedi battlemaster?" Finn asked.

"Yup. Same guy who stole the plans of the first Death Star," Wyatt nodded. Poe's face did a double take.

"Wait, her dad is that guy!? Why the hell didn't anybody say anything? And don't say because I didn't ask."

"Well, we didn't," Finn shrugged, "still, Councilor Organa-Solo is actually being the most reasonable person in your government. The very fact we're after the Star Forge should clearly state our intentions. It doesn't matter if you don't want war, it's coming to your door regardless."

"Here's a thought," Snap interrupted, "why don't we actually play the damn game?"

"And that right there is the general attitude you people have," Wyatt shook his head tiredly, "you're kickin' the can down the road. That is going to cost lives if your suits in the capital don't get their house in order."

"The New Republic has a better chance than you think," Finn began, "you have a unique balance of decentralized and centralized power, a galaxy's worth of production and a powerful centralized military supplemented by sector defense forces. Even we Troopers know it's going to be a hard fight."

"There's just one problem with that, son," Merrick replied, "the NRA needs to be mobilized into full fighting condition, and that will take a long while even on the best of days. It might even take months. That logic applies doubly so for the SDF's. Hit 'em at once, by surprise? You'll have a good enough chance to blitz us before we give you the boot."

"But how much are we gonna lose before we do give them the boot?" Snap asked, a note of despair in his voice, "Force-damnit. I fought a frickin' war to put down the Empire, and now their frickin' grandkids are gonna kick our teeth. Sith frickin' spit."

"I think you underestimate your SDF's," Finn told them, "If the rumors about Leia Organa-Solo are true, then she's surely up to something."

"She is," Wyatt replied quietly, "real question is whether it's gonna be enough."

"We'll find that out in a couple days," Poe replied, "now can we get on with our game already? I got bills to pay."

"What bills?" Merrick growled.

"Um, I lost an X-Wing, remember? I gotta pay for that!"