Star Wars: Fall of an Empire - Part II

IV - Hux

Poe's X-Wing entered the atmosphere of Arkanis. Behind him were the rest of the star fighters in formation. Last came Dreadnought One for good measure. It was imposing over the Ashante sky. A reminder for Hux and his militia that they couldn't overpower them.

Hux looked on as the X-Wings landed in the port. His eyes focused on Poe who was walking seemingly unarmed with the rest of the pilots towards them. It was a rare day where no rain fell, but none of them removed their helmets till they were an earshot away from Hux. He didn't feel threatened as behind him were his stormtroopers, who he motioned to lead the rebels inside.

"We're not coming inside," Poe said.

"Do you not trust us?"

"It's not that," Poe said. "We simply don't have the time to sit over a table and make negotiations."

"Why did you come then?" Hux asked offended.

"You asked for an audience. Well here it is. Make your proposal and we'll be on our way."

Hux looked at Ap'lek by his side and at the few members of the Arkanis council. Then at the stormtroopers behind him and the gathering of rebels in front of him. He looked uncomfortable as this wasn't quite the setting he was used to.

"My offer is simple," he said turning to Poe. "You need our help."

"Not really. More systems side with us each day."

Hux looked pensive for a moment. "If we side with each other, with your army and our resources we will overpower them."

"You've failed in your coup. Now, you're trying to make a deal with your enemies. What guarantees us that once everything's over you won't betray us as well?"

"I was always against Ren. Since the beginning," Hux said thinking of how Snoke pinned them against each other to control them. It was the way of the Sith to make you rise through conflict. "Together we can establish a new Empire."

"Rey is not like you, Hux," Poe said with venom in his voice as he spoke his name.

"Of course she is not," Hux scoffed. "She is a nobody from Jakku," he suddenly stopped looking at Poe who looked upwards towards Dreadnought One and the starfighters of the Resistance over them.

"Choose your next words carefully, General," Poe intoned.

"What I'm trying to say is that we're not usurpers, but the rightful leaders."

Poe looked at him in disgust. "What you're is no different to Ren. You believe the strong exist to cull the weak. But the strong exist to protect them," Poe looked at the members of the Arkanis Council, but could tell no one shared his sentiment. "I will let you join our fight."

"I knew you'd see reason," Hux said.

Poe raised his finger. "From this moment on we'll take control of your army."

General Hux looked shocked. "There is no way the Council will agree to this!"

"Does anyone object?" Poe said addressing the few members of the council next to Hux.

They all looked silently at him and shook their heads.

"Good," Poe said and begun to walk away. "Send all your star destroyers to join our fleet."

"I heard you destroyed Coruscant," Hux said.

Poe stopped and turned to him. "You might engage in war with backstabbing, threats and petty fights, but unlike you we want to end this war fast. This attack was necessary to accomplish that."

Hux said nothing as Poe turned and walked away. He looked on at him and his entourage of rebels who he felt disgust towards. He was even more repulsed with himself. He never imagined he would ever partner with them in his lifetime.