Chapter 27

Poe didn't contact Leia when he landed. There was no time for any delays. He made copies of the video files and transmitted them to multiple news organizations. The galaxy had to see the First Order for what it really was.

Poe knew it would might take several hours for the information to broadcast but the important thing was that everyone would see the First Order for what it really was. They would not be able to dispute the footage. It was too damning. He had attached a brief personal statement with the footage explaining who he was and why he did it.

Smiling to himself, Poe felt proud. He would be the one to take the First Order down and he didn't need to fire a shot to do it. Poe felt certain that General Organa would be impressed by his strategy and by how much he had grown. He finally understood that not everything needed to be by jumping into his cockpit and blowing stuff up.

Phase one complete, Poe set out to find Gala Vash. The old man would not put him off this time. He was going to hear what Poe had to say.

Storming into Gala Vash's base of operations, Poe tried to muscle by the sentries.

"Let me pass you idiots. I have important information for Gala Vash."

The sentries blocked his path and Poe felt his irritation rise. He didn't want to hurt these men, but Poe would not be stopped. This was too important. When one sentry put a hand to Poe's chest, he reacted instantly. Poe grabbed the man's wrist and twisted it harshly. The man dropped to his knees in pain.

The second sentry pulled his blaster and leveled it right next at Poe's head. Poe kept his hold on the first man but turned to address the second sentry. He kept is tone light and conversational.

"I just need to speak to Gala Vash. I have information vital to our survival."

The sentry didn't acknowledge his words and kept his gun raised. The man's gaze didn't waver. He stared back at Poe with a hard expression. Clearly, Poe was getting nowhere. He needed to think of something.

Before Poe could find a solution, Gala Vash appeared at the door.

"Commander, please release my guard."

Gala Vash appeared completely unruffled by the chaos before him. He took in the scene with little more than a raised eyebrow. Poe released his grip on the guard and smiled as the other sentry lowered his blaster.

Poe move closer to Gala Vash. However, as soon as he saw who was following the aged rebel leader, Poe stopped in his tracks. The same two First Order ambassadors were standing right behind Gala Vash. Poe's earlier irritation morphed into outright anger. What were they still doing here? Taking a deep breath, Poe forced himself to remain calm. They didn't matter. Soon these two interlopers would be out on their asses. There was no arguing with the evidence that Poe had in his possession.

The male ambassador, Poe never bothered to learn his name, glowered at Poe with no little hostility. The man practically vibrated with anger. Good, Poe thought. All of your scheming has come to an end you worthless swap rat.

Poe expected to see a similar expression of the face of the female ambassador. Instead of anger, the woman's expression radiated sadness and pity. Poe wanted to laugh in her face. Her fake sentimentality wouldn't sway anyone in a few moments. Everyone would see the First Order for what it really was.

Not waiting, Poe activated the mini holo projector on his wrist. A small image appeared about half a foot above Poe's outstretched wrist. Footage of the First Order soldiers throwing bodies onto the fire played in a loop.

"I am so glad you two are here. Why don't you explain to us why the First Order is killing Yakobas?"

Neither representative lowered their gaze. The heartless monsters didn't even have the decency to look guilty, Poe thought. He was completely unprepared for what came next.

The female ambassador was the first to speak. She was a great actress, Poe would give her that. Her expression was one of heartbreak and her voice was full of sorrow.

"The First Order didn't kill the Yakobas, Commander Dameron. You did."

….

Not for the first time, Leia wondered when her fight will be over. Her entire life seemed to be one long battle. She knows that isn't strictly true. She was a teenager when she joined her father in the fight against the Empire. She did have a few cherished years of peace. Golden years when she had been a child who was loved by her parents and thought the universe was full of goodness. She realizes now how much her parents sheltered her during those early years.

She doesn't blame them. What parent wouldn't want to hide the ugliness of the universe from their child? Leia tried to do the same for Ben. She never wanted him to find out about Vader and their family's dark history. But just like Bale couldn't shield Leia, Leia couldn't shield Ben. Now her son was lost to her.

War was horrific enough, but to know your flesh and blood was on the opposite side was an especially cruel agony. She barely knew Vader but when Luke told her of their connection everything in her had rebelled at the idea that anyone in her family could be part of something so evil. She rejected Vader and all that he stood for to this day. Luke said Vader was redeemed before the end, but she could never bring herself to forgive him. Not for the first time she considers that the reason she won't forgive Vader is because he was her biological father.

Now her son was a part of that evil. No, she scolds herself. Not just a part of it, the leader. Her son is now directly responsible for every heinous act committed by the First Order.

Instead of getting easier with time, keeping up the fight has only gotten harder. The weight of all that has come before feels suffocating. A small part of her wonders if she could finally lay this burden down. To step aside and let someone else carry on. She knows she never will. She will never stop fighting for peace. Even if means fighting against the only family she has left.

Leia thinks on all of this as she watches the news report play out. The damning footage is on nearly every channel. Political pundits levy their opinions about how these latest revelations will impact the trials as well as if planets will refuse First Order aid.

Leia barely registers what they are saying. Something about this feels off. She doesn't know why, but dread fills her. Some inkling in the Force was telling her to be wary.

The First Order has already issued a time for a press conference to discuss the footage. This by itself tells Leia that something is not right. The press conference is scheduled for an hour from now. Leia doesn't know how the First Order will address these new charges, but something tells her that it will not go the way she thinks.

For the millionth time, Leia wishes that Poe would learn patience. As a fighter pilot, instant reactions save lives. But they aren't in a dogfight right now. No, they are playing the long game and in the long game, instant reactions are rarely the right ones.

Poe should have contacted her before disseminating the footage. This is all happening way too fast. Now they have no control over the situation. Leia knows that Poe's heart is in the right place, but she can't shake this feeling of dread. Something bad was coming and Leia fears it was coming for Poe.