Dawn of a new Force

Chapter 32 - Coup.

Poe found Rey early in the morning, talking to a group of resistant young men who had recently joined the Resistance. Around a field canteen, the mechanics, the pilots, the ground staff joined themselves indifferently.

She saw him arrive, and apologized to the young people. She left them smiling, then joined Poe who had stopped a few meters before. She was going to open her mouth to start talking to him again, but he opened his arms and they squeezed each other. Anger had passed, and the future was before them. Their embrace lasted a little while. Rey liked that big fellow, the safety that his arms gave her, and the smell of grease and amber spices. The smell of Poe. They looked at each other, Poe's smile meant everything, hers back too. They forgave each other, Poe agreed.

They went back to the hangar, laughing, arm in arm.

- Do you want to tell me? He asked.

- No, not really, she said, blushing.

- Really, I do not understand you. He stopped to look at her in the face. But Rose understands, and she understands these things better than me, I must confess!

Rey looked at him, amused, in return. She remembered everything that had attracted her to Poe. Everything was there again, it's just that Ben surpassed everything.

- You're happy? he went on. Otherwise, I kill him with my own hands.

- I'm happy, Poe. I would have wanted to tell Leïa so much, she murmured.

Poe took her by the shoulders and hugged her as Rey's tears pointed.

- She would have been happier, that's for sure. I hope ... I just hope you're not mistaken.

- No, I'm sure. But I still feel cut in half ...

Poe patted her back gently.

- Oh how I understand you ... but we have to discuss what you have told us. Maybe we can try, what do we have to lose?

Poe wanted to reassure Rey. He looked up at the radiant sky above them. Here. In a few words, they had told each other everything, and there was so much to do now.

- I'll go find General Tyder. Accompany me, I think you are best able to explain all that to him.

Rey detached herself from Poe, wiping from the back of her hand the few tears that had beaded in her eyes. She now had a determined look.

- Of course, let's go.

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Hux came out of the meeting room with a satisfied smile. He took a deep breath, then took a decided step towards the throne room. In passing, a first and a second commando of stormtroopers followed suit. The path was long in the destroyer. He did not blink for a moment, even when they all entered the room where Ben had finished his hearings. A departing man watched the convoy arrive, and left quickly after Hux's glance at him.

- Hux? What does it mean ... said Ben getting up.

- Kylo Ren, by order of the unanimous generals of the First Order, I dismiss you of your duties as Supreme Leader, loudly proclaimed Hux.

Ben went down the few steps to the throne. His Praetorian guard spearheaded around him, activating its weapons.

- And for what motive? Ben spat.

- High treason, Ren. Or should I say Ben Solo, said Hux, pressing this last word.

Ben activated his lightsaber and positioned himself for a possible fight. He stared at Hux and read in his eyes the determination to go all the way. That day he had dreaded it so much. There was. He knew he could not contain all the troops he saw before him, yet he was not resigned to giving up. And strangely, he realized that he felt almost ... relief. He was relieved not to have to pretend anymore, relieved that Rey was not there. At least for the moment she would be safe. Yes, just as death seemed to be looming on the horizon, he was thinking about Rey.

- I would not go Hux, I will not give you that pleasure. If you want to overthrow me, you have to come and pick me up.

- It will be a pleasure, Ben ... said Hux with a smile.

Ben aimed towards Hux his Force, and he saw this one strangling instantly. Hux did nothing to try to counter it, he raised his hand and gurgled a "now".

Immediately a flood of fire poured out to the guard and Ben, assailed, without means of retirement. Ben saw, helpless, his guards fall one by one. They parried fast and well, but not enough to send everything away. Cornered like a wounded beast, Ben parried shot by shot, but soon was hit by a shot of blaster in the thigh. He got up, and resumed his position immediately, pushing back his pain.

The shots stopped and Hux stepped forward, triumphant, towards him, with four stormtroopers.

- Ah, Ben Solo ... all your Jedi stuff, or Sith, whatever I know, will not help you ...

- Maybe, said Ben breathless and sweating in big drops. But I will take you with me.

He heard a laugh rising from Hux, and it was a new sound. Hux, laugh? He had never heard it before. But it was a bad laugh, mocking.

- Tell me, was not that what you had already said about so many things? Like the rebels, the Jedi, and so many others? Solo, you're no match. Surrender, stop acting like a stupid teenager.

Ben closed his eyes and drew in his anger, but Rey's Light was still coming back to haunt him. Not now, he thought. He raised his sword to bring it down on Hux and settle this problem once and for all. Cut off his head, he thought, the body will follow. Hux recoiled in front of the feline flame rushing over him, and Ben opened his eyes. In slow motion, with flawless concentration, he guided the glowing blade to Hux, he felt his fear and his own strength strengthen his attack.

Then ... a pain ... first soft, then big ... and he collapsed, his lightsaber disarming a few inches from Hux. He did not understand immediately, then the burn was too unbearable and he finally identified it. He looked hard at his body but saw a burn there, on his chest, where the blaster shots had reached him while his sword was up. Too distracted by his attack, he let them pass.

On the ground at Hux's feet, he collapsed, sinking into unconsciousness. While his eyes were closing without him being able to restrain them, he regretted having been so stupidly surprised. Hux had taken it fast. And he thought of Rey, his desire to see her again, at least one last time. This was his last thought.

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The throne room was now empty, long streaks of blood marked the dead who had been moved to the morgue.

Hux was walking in the empty room, except medical and mortuary staff. His footsteps echoed on the metal floor. He had asked that Ben Solo be left until the last moment on the floor. A man in medical suit approached him.

- General? We must take him now. We have little time left, and I'm not sure we can save him yet ...

Hux raised his hand to silence the man. He placed himself above Ben. He dipped the tip of his immaculate shoe into the blood around him. His hard gaze stared at the inert body, like a predator watching prey before swallowing it. He clenched his jaw. No, he was not going to let him die like that. He would hurt him and his rebellious friend before. They would all suffer, and he would bring glory to it.

- Go ahead, he said simply after a few seconds of silence.

The man gestured to two others who brought a stretcher. They lifted the body and began to take him away.

Hux grabbed the sleeve of the man who had spoken to him.

- Remember the safety rules to follow. The same as for the girl. When you have treated it, entrust it to droids.

- But sir ... the droids can not take the same initiatives that we ... it would be safer ...

- No. Let him die, whatever. But I do not want him to handle you. Just put him on his feet so he can see the end of the Resistance.

- Well sir.

The three men in white walked away, while Hux stomped on the pool of blood to sit on the throne. He touched the armrests fervently, took the time to adjust to the seat. There was. Finally, this long-awaited day had arrived. They voted for his takeover. He had convinced them, and those who he had not, had been too afraid of reprisals. He was the Supreme Leader now. And the galaxy would soon know it.