Chapter Text
You stared out at the beams of light racing past the window of your compartment on the ship, arms folded a little too tightly over your knees. Into the belly of the beast, you thought with only a little contempt for the General. She was doing the best she could, given the circumstances.
Rumors flew through the Resistance that Kylo Ren was her son, but she'd never given any indication to the truth of the claim. Not that it mattered, anyway, you weren't particularly close to her, and you'd have no qualms worming your way into Ren's life and forcing his hand. Your mission had been laid out very clearly for you by your commanding officer: Negotiate peace with the First Order, or kill whoever you needed to topple them from the inside. You weren't exactly sure why they'd chosen you, not that you weren't an accomplished soldier, a disciplined mind, but you'd felt and heard the resentment of your male counterparts when they announced your name at that final strategy meeting. But that was all in the past now, you needed to focus on the plan, on how to get one of the most evil and violent men since Vader to agree to a ceasefire, to peace. You secretly hoped he wouldn't, though, so you could watch him sink to his knees in surrender in front of you. Perhaps you'd even use his own weapon to remove his head from his body. The hot feeling of eyes on the back of your neck brought you out of your fantasy.
"The First Order has officially approved our arrival and stay on the Finalizer." It was your partner for the mission, one of the men who worked directly beneath the General. He was a few years older than you, and someone that you'd noticed during your prior years of training, but never allowed yourself to get too close to. He was incredibly handsome at this distance, what with his rich brown skin, strong jaw, large hands at the ends of his muscular arms. Hazel eyes to pierce into your soul. Boys, dating, being noticed in a romantic way... that was far removed from your upbringing.
"Wonderful," Your voice dripped heavily with sarcasm, and you stood to assess the wardrobe that had been provided for you. Lots of black, some thick, some silky. You supposed seducing Ren wasn't out of the question. Perhaps that's why they'd chosen you, the only female soldier in your rank. You stifled a snort.
"I think it would be best if I did the talking," You shot your gaze over to your partner, your eyes narrowing to thin slits. "At least at this first meeting," He added quickly, the flush in his cheeks just slightly visible over his warm brown skin. You remembered watching him train several years prior, wishing you could fight as he did, or at the very least be able to take him on. "It's just that I know more about what the Resistance is capable of offering, the terms of any agreement that we could come to together." He rambled on, and you turned your eyes back to the closet, pulling out one of the silky ebony dresses.
"In case you've forgotten, this is my mission. You are here as my resource. If I need advice on any of those matters, rest assured I will ask." You stalked toward him, plastering a false smile over your lips. "Goodbye, now." You shut the door on his unheard argument, sighing. This hadn't been the first time a man had underestimated you, and felt pretty damn sure it wouldn't be the last. Hopefully for Kylo Ren, it would be the last thing he ever did.
You'd dressed, tweaked your appearance with just the slightest touch of kohl and rouge to appear less soldier, more woman in charge, and stood in the main cabin of the ship as you dropped out of light speed. The monstrosity that was the Finalizer and its sister ships came into full view. If the First Order wasn't such a vile organization, it would really be a marvel to look at. Nerves came over you in a flash of heat, the silky cape draped over your dress was suddenly stifling. Your weapons pressed solidly into your skin, a blade on your thigh, a blaster on your hip, a second, smaller blade hidden in your boot.
"Dane, sir," Ah, Dane; you filed your partner's name away for safekeeping. "We have been given permission to land in the main hangar." The mousy brown-haired pilot spoke with a slight accent that you couldn't place. You felt the landing gear rumble the ship as you neared the hangar, the same way that the hammering of your heart made your body seem to vibrate. You mentally kicked yourself; there was no room to be nervous, you had a feeling Ren could sense fear and you didn't want him to sense anything but blatant disinterest. The ship settled to the ground, the door opening with a sigh of exhaust, ramp lowering slowly. You could see Dane looking at you out of the corner of your eye, but you kept your head high as you sauntered down the ramp ahead of him. There was a whole company of stormtroopers, hands on their blasters at their sides, several squad leaders, a red-headed general at the front, and, finally, your eyes locked on Ren. Dressed head to toe in black, a mask keeping his face fully covered. You wondered if you would recognize some of General Organa's features underneath, or perhaps the infamous Han Solo, or if, like Vader, he was less human, more droid. You stopped in front of them, finally tearing your eyes away from Red to take in the red-headed General.
"Welcome," He spoke, voice pinched and small. "I'm-"
"General Hux," You interrupted, making his eyes widen, looking to Dane, and then back to you. "And Kylo Ren." It was impossible to tell if Ren was looking at you. "A pleasure," You didn't offer to shake either of their hands. Dane was the first to make formal introductions, his tone when he said your name seeming to apologize for your behavior. Ren said nothing. Hux's eyes roved over you disapprovingly.
"Aren't you a little..." His eyes narrowed slightly as he searched for the right words. "Ah... young, to be running point on such an important meeting?"
"Is it that I'm young, or is it my gender, General?" The words had slipped out of your mouth without thinking. You didn't look at Dane for his reaction, but noted Ren's head tilting to the side. He was definitely looking at you now. Hux's face turned a delicate shade of red, nearly purple, his jaw twitching in irritation.
"Shall we, then?" Hux turned on his heel rather stiffly, hands clasped too tightly behind his back. The stormtroopers made way for us in unison, hands still trained on their blasters. Dane fell into step beside you.
"Are you trying to get us killed?" He hissed at you, softly, so that Hux and Ren wouldn't hear.
"If I was given a simple baseline of respect, perhaps I wouldn't have to put every man I meet in his place." You took great pleasure in the way he clamped his jaw shut, fuming. A small, satisfied smile played on your lips as Hux and Ren led you down a hallway, into a large meeting room. A long metal table took up most of the space, Ren taking a seat at the western head, Hux just beside him. You took the eastern head, and not just to spite Dane. You were, in fact, running point on this meeting, so you may as well act like it, even if nobody would treat you as such. Lieutenants and colonels filled the seats between you and Ren, Dane immediately to your left. An armed stormtrooper took their place in each corner of the rectangular room. Several droids entered the room from a hidden panel door, serving small appetizers and wine in silver chalices. You eyed it with distaste. Hux took a long dreg from his cup, eyes on you.
"We haven't poisoned it, you know." He folded his hands on the table. Dane took a sip from his, a bite of the food, if only to be polite.
"We did not come here for frivolity." Ren tapped a gloved finger on the table slowly as you spoke, also not eating, though if for no other reason than his mask. "Let's just get to the point, General. It's no secret that the Resistance wants peace. We would like to know what your terms would be to achieve that."
"Perhaps if you examined what your group has named themselves, you would see why we are hesitant to negotiate." Hux began, his brows knitting together. "You resist the frankly positive changes we wish to implement in the galaxy."
"Do you deny that your organization runs on the basic principles of the Galactic Empire?" You particularly fixed your eyes upon Grand Admiral Sloane, whose prior presence in the Empire was undeniable.
"The only thing we want is to unify the galaxy, to improve the processes already set in place by the New Republic." Hux continued, the speech so rehearsed you nearly laughed.
"If that were the case, then why build up an army? Why build secret armories and research labs?"
"You have no proof." Hux was right, there was no concrete proof, but his reaction told you all you needed to know.
"General Organa has many credible sources." You kept your calm, Hux's anger was laughable. You trained your gaze on Ren, to see any reaction to the General's mention. Nothing.
"I'm curious, as to why she sent you two in her stead. Could she not spare a few days to make these negotiations herself?" Hux smirked. "Perhaps she does not deem them quite important enough for her personally." Dane raced to speak before you could dig a deeper hole for yourself.
"General Organa has many matters that need her direct attention, and has many around her that she trusts implicitly to speak in her stead." All eyes in the room fixed on Dane, except for yours. Ren's head was turned slightly to the left, but you felt his eyes on you under the mask. "So, General Hux, Commander Ren, what can we do to assure that we will have peace?" Dane was a talented diplomat, that was for sure. You ought to take a page out of his book and learn something. But riling them up was so much more fun.
"I suppose asking to disband the Resistance is out of the question?" You rolled your eyes, sitting back in your chair and folding your arms over your chest.
"As long as the First Order exists, the Resistance will as well." Dane countered, shooting you a warning look that clearly said, behave.
"Very well, then I suppose we," He looked to Ren and swallowed audibly. "We would like representation in the Galactic Senate."
"Alright," It took everything in you not to let your mouth drop open. The First Order having a voice in the Senate? How could the Resistance possibly be okay with this? "We ask that you disband your armies and shut down your research labs, until which time you have a majority vote from the Senate to open them."
"We could, perhaps, send the soldiers we have already acquired to train with the New Republic's. Join forces, as they say." Hux smiled, a wolf in sheep's clothing. You nearly snorted, that was ridiculous.
"I'm sure that would be appreciated." You shot an alarmed glance at Dane, surely he couldn't be that stupid.
"Wonderful. I must admit, I was under the impression that this meeting would compare more to pulling teeth, but, Dane, you have been quite pleasant." It was no longer possible for you to remain quiet.
"And how will we ensure that the soldiers you so generously provide to the New Republic won't run home with military secrets the first chance they get?" You ground your teeth together, nostrils flaring as you slammed your hand on the table. Dane shot you yet another warning look, but did not interrupt.
"I give you my word, as will everyone on this council, that once the soldiers join the New Republic's ranks, they have cut all ties with the First Order." Hux stared directly at you as he spoke again, "After all, what is an alliance without trust?" Dane kicked you under the table before you could tell Hux exactly how much faith you put in him.
"We will, of course, have to confer with our General. She has the final say." Dane said as you shook your head at him. This was supposed to have been your meeting.
"Of course, I'm sure you are tired after your long journey. We have rooms prepared for you."
"We will be retiring to our ship, thank you." You needed to discuss this with Dane and the General in private. You couldn't be sure that the prepared rooms hadn't been bugged.
"We will gladly accept the rooms you have prepared for us, General Hux. Please let us convene in our ship and discuss the terms of our agreement with General Organa, and then we will be shown to our rooms. Thank you." One last furious look around the room, all of the men at the table on their feet.
"Of course." General Hux pointed to the door, seeming to give us permission to leave the table. You followed after Dane, fury building with each stride. As soon as the door to the ship shut, you exploded.
"Are you out of your mind?" The crew of the ship melted into the shadows. "Representation in the Senate, joining the Republic's forces with the brainwashed First Order troopers?"
"We are lucky they didn't ask for more." Dane turned his serene brown eyes on you and sighed. "We have credible word that the First Order has been planning an attack on D'Qar." He fell into one of the chairs, his shoulders collapsing inward with defeat.
"General Organa will do almost anything to prevent the destruction of our base. Imagine what they would do if left unchecked."
"And how does giving them more power help?"
"Leia will appreciate working closely with General Hux, perhaps she could gather more intel than we ever thought possible."
"This is madness. General Organa will never stand for this." You pressed a button on the side of the ship, shades lowering over the windows, the room dimming as the translucent shape of General Organa appeared in the middle of the table.
"Dane," She said your name in an all-knowing way that made you slightly uncomfortable. "What do they want?" Dane explained the meeting, the terms of the agreement we had come to. To your immense surprise, General Organa looked pleased.
"This is the best-case scenario. You assume General Hux will take the position? Not, perhaps, Kylo Ren?" Even through the hologram, you saw a darkness wash over her expression that intrigued you.
"Ren seemed to barely understand what was going on, all intimidation under that mask of his. If the First Order sends him as their representative, they would be more foolish than I thought."
"Very well. I will contact the Chancellor and get the details ironed out. Expect a virtual meeting with him during negotiations tomorrow. As for the army, that will be difficult. But, I'm sure the Chancellor would approve. The Republic is short on soldiers as it is. Captain Phasma especially would be a welcome addition to the special forces."
"General!" You exclaimed, nearly leaping out of your seat. "Don't you see that this is a trap? Those soldiers will be loyal to the First Order alone! They will bring us down from the inside!"
"Yes, that is likely the plot. But have you considered that we may be able to do the very same to them? It's likely many of their soldiers don't even know what they're fighting for, just blindly following orders."
"It seems foolish to risk the alternative." Dane shot you a furious glance.
"I appreciate your honesty. But I fear we don't have a choice." She looked back at Dane. "Thank you, both of you," She added, "for your hard work and negotiation skills. I have not sent you on an easy mission." She turned to you, gaze intense. "I have a proposition for you." You turned in your seat, seeing if anyone stood behind you. No, she was definitely speaking to you.
"Of course, General, what can I do?" It was obvious from Dane's blank stare that this had not been pre-discussed.
"I need someone to stay behind on the Finalizer, to be, well, to be frank, I'd like a spy, a direct line to the First Order. Formally, a liaison." You couldn't keep your jaw from dropping.
"Leia, please! She is untrained, untested, a diplomatic disaster at best! I would be happy to stay behind myself-" The general cut him off.
"I don't want a diplomat, I want a spy. I am confident she is perfect for the role. Besides, I need you here, Dane."
"You should've seen her behavior at the meeting today, ruffling feathers, trampling over people, this meeting would not have been successful had I not saved it!"
"Dane, please," He turned a deep red as she reprimanded him. "I saw flashes of your arrival through the force. Kylo Ren is quite intrigued with you." You felt yourself flush despite yourself, unsure if it was the recognition from the General or that Kylo Ren had been thinking of you. The latter was unacceptable, so you pushed the thought away.
"I would be honored to serve the Resistance in any way I can, General." Dane scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Thank you. Dane, I trust that you will set this up for us. It is invaluable information that could ultimately bring us victory. I will speak with you both tomorrow." The hologram blinked out of existence and Dane immediately stormed out. You walked to the window after the shades retracted, looking out over the TIE fighters and other ships assembled in the hangar, the engineers, troopers, and admirals running around. Your new home.