Chapter Twelve

"My Lord, the original systems that supported the old Galactic Empire have already called for the First Order to lead the new government and over one quarter of the previously resistant systems have also requested our aid in quelling fighting that has broken out in recent weeks."

The Lieutenant that delivered the message was young and eager. He could barely contain his glee as he spoke. It amused Kylo that so many of the original detractors within the First Order were now so supportive of his strategy they were practically taking credit for it themselves.

Still, he paused. This was not the time to grow overconfident. Many systems still looked on the First Order with hate and fear. It was time to give those systems a reason to believe that the First Order had changed. It was time for the trial.

…

Poe could not believe it. Would not believe it. There was no way that this was not a trap and like all the deadliest traps, the trigger would remain hidden until it was too late.

Every screen in the cantina showed the same message. High ranking First Order leadership, including General Hux, were being but on trial for crimes against life and civilization. Damning internal documents had been leaked about the atrocities committed by the First Order. Their sins were laid bare to the universe. This should have made Poe happy. Instead, with every new revelation, he only grew more suspicious.

The truly baffling part was that the arrests and leaks had all come from within the Order itself. Whistleblowers had broken ranks and come forward with what they knew. The evidence was enough to ensure Hux and all the other monsters were condemned.

The First Order had even suspended all active operations until the trial had concluded. Again, Poe should have been happy, but he was dismayed to see how many other people in the system disagreed with that decision.

Indeed, there was even a motion within the current Galactic Senate to reinstate the First Order as a peacekeeping force. Poe snorted at the thought. As if those butchers knew anything about peace.

In the weeks and months following Snoke's death and the battle on Crait, fighting and civil unrest had broken out in nearly every system. Food shortages had soon followed and if there was one thing to incite fighting it was when people went hungry. Even former peaceful planets were succumbing.

The First Order had made a very public showing of delivering food and medical supplies to the areas most impacted by the chaos. Too public in Poe's mind. There had to be an end game here, Poe just couldn't see it.

The news of the trial had made working with Gala Vash all the more difficult. For a seasoned leader of the Rebellion, the man was entire too willing to listen to these reports with favor. Couldn't the man see propaganda for what it was?

Still, Poe had to concede. The First Order had aided systems with food and medical supplies. Everyone who set out from the Wookie home world reported the same thing. That the First Order was actually helping. It had to be a trap. Poe ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and downed the remainder of his drink.

Poe needed to get back. First Order representatives were meeting with Gala Vash shortly and he did not want to miss it. He knew that Leia had ordered no direct contact with the First Order, but he couldn't stay away. He needed to look these liars in the eye. Maybe then he could figure out what their end game was.

Paying his bar tab, Poe got up and started heading back. It would be a good idea to meet with Gala Vash before the First Order came in. He could try, once again, to convince the man that the First Order could not be trusted. That any aid they provided was fruit of the poison tree.

…

Gala Vash did not feel the same way. There were massive food shortages in this system and the rebellion was trying to do all that they could to help. However, they were ill equipped after the First Order blew up most of their ships when Starkiller base destroyed the Hosnian system.

Poe was tired of getting the run around. He reminded himself that he needed to stay calm. The rebellion couldn't afford to be divided. Divided they would not stand a chance.

It was everything that Poe could do not to react when the representatives from the First Order came into the room. Both officers were young. No more than 25 cycles, if Poe had to guess. Both had open expressions and an air of intelligence about them. They couldn't be more perfect for a peace talk if they had been cast. They probably had, Poe thought.

"Gala Vash, thank you so much for meeting with us."

The first to speak was a female commander. Her voice was humble and full of self-recrimination. It grated Poe's ears.

"Trust is difficult to rebuild after it has been broken so completely," she continued.

"Broken by the First Order," Poe cut in sharply.

Gala Vash gave Poe a scathing look. Before he could reply the female commander responded to Poe's jibe.

"You are right to feel that way. The First Order has violated the trust of the Galaxy and the people that we swore to protect. I know that my words can't make up for the atrocities committed by our organization but please know that for the majority of us, we had no idea what was really happening. I joined the First Order because my own system starved after the fall of the Empire. I lost my brother and mother to famine. I wanted to prevent anyone else from feeling my pain."

Poe could see the impact of her words on everyone in the room. They sympathized and empathized with her plight. It infuriated him. How easily they were swayed. A few carefully chosen words and everyone was willing to lay down their arms.

"I am deeply ashamed of what the First Order has done. I never would have joined if I knew. But now I know, and I cannot ignore what was done. I am here today to beg you for the opportunity to make it right. Please, let us help."

The woman radiated sincerity. Poe would almost have bought it if he had not witnessed those atrocities first hand.

"Nice words, but you can understand our skepticism," Poe replied.

Gala Vash again gave Poe a reproachful stare. "What I think my young colleague means to say, is that you are correct. Trust is hard to rebuild after so much hate. The crimes of the First Order cannot be forgiven or forgotten so quickly, if at all."

"I know that you do not know me, and that you have no reason to trust anything that I say. We will submit ourselves to every inspection and supervision you require. Just please, allow us to offer aid."

Tears actually glistened in the woman's eyes. Poe was incredulous. The audacity of this woman to come here and cry like she cared. Like she had a soul.

The last straw for Poe was when her companion reached out and placed a sympathetic hand on the woman's shoulder. Poe snapped. He would not stand here and watch as they made a mockery out of everything the galaxy had suffered.

"You can stop the act now. No one here is buying your bullshit. I give you credit, your acting skills are top notch. Even I almost wanted to believe you, but I know an act when I see one. Pity you didn't use your talents on the stage instead of working for genocidal maniacs."

Gala Vash rose sharply. His chair nearly toppling back. "That is enough! Commander Dameron, your presence is no longer needed at this assembly. You are dismissed."

Poe could only stare back for a moment before his expression hardened and turned to leave.

"Fine," he ground out. "I can't stand the stench in this room anyway."

The door closed behind him as soon as he left. Cutting him off from any further contact. Poe knew he had been played. He needed to contact Leia. Something had to be done and done soon. The rebellion couldn't afford to have their members seduced by this act. The First Order was up to something. He just didn't know what.