squad fic: prequel trilogy part 4

[splinteredstar]

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All righty. *cracks knuckles*

heyktula

Yesssssssssssss.

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Back with the jedi. All of the training is going to take place in rooms with shielding built in, for the safety of everyone

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Obi Wan continues to have dreams - of war, of silence where there should be noise, of endless sand. He does not want them to be true. But if the Jedi fell in this time they must prevent...

He dreams of sulfur, and smoke, and does not recognize the body burning in the dirt no matter how he tries

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(Above, a ghost watches. He is not as strong as anakin, unable to hold onto himself so strongly. He spent too much of his letting go of himself. But he is strong enough to distract people who should not interfere with the Jedi. He is strong enough to do this.)

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Kylo is allowed little freedom in the temple - he has to stay in the shielded areas, and usually with accompanying Knights. He, for now, spends his days explaining every scrap of sith lore he ever learned to the librarians. He explains techniques, training practices, known identities of sith Lords and ladies, and philosophies.

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He is allowed a few hours a day out of the inhibitor, only under supervision, to meditate and demonstrate techniques.

(There are a few he doesn't show off. He's capable of lightning, but they don't ask for it, and it makes his hands numb besides)

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Meanwhile Finn has been having a long and very polite argument with the healers. Eventually, he and Kylo are called up to the council.

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Kylo shoots Finn a look while they wait outside. Finn suspects it's supposed to be confused, even though it ends up closer to annoyed. Kylo isn't good with facial expressions when he doesn't have the force

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There's no time to explain his suspicions about it before they're called in

heyktula

("Kylo isn't good at facial expressions when he doesn't have the force" this is amazing.)

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(Autism spectrum kylo does not know how faces do the thing. I personally do not know what faces mean half the time and will regularly ask people if I'm not sure what their faces mean.)

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There is a pause as they enter, where greetings should go. Kylo still refuses to bow for anyone, and Finn hasn't gotten the hang of it.

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Eventually, Mace speaks. "Finn. You have been insistent about acquiring a particular chemical compound." Finn nods.

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Finn wants to bolt. He wants to be obedient and do what they want, be what they want him to be. He takes a deep breath and centers on the knowledge and experience he has gained on his own.

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"Yes sirs." He says. "It's a prescription treatment for Kylo, like I have informed the healers."

A noise from the side and Finn glances over.

"My dosage is about up, isn't it. I'd forgotten." Kylo mutters, largely to himself, but Finn nods.

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"I don't think the long acting version has been invented yet, but there is a daily version." Finn says as an aside. "Rey or I will remind you."

(Assume the future has a mood stabilizer that you only have to take every couple of months or something.)

heyktula

(best future!)

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(Also, um, slightly belated cw, but there's some ableism coming up on the part of the Jedi council)

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And why," one of the other council members says with a sneer, "should we provide for a darksider's addiction?" Finn gapes at him, and the master's expression softens just a little. "I'm sure you were trying to help, but you don't have to enable him like that."

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Kylo's hands clench. His mouth opens but he can't speak. He doesn't have any words. Finn swallows and forces himself to be polite.

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"Sir, the medication I requested is a mood stabilizer." Finn says. "It is used for bipolar disorder and had success with depression and anxiety. It was originally prescribed by a medical professional and has been used within the limitations of the prescription." A twitch of annoyance breaks through, and he can't stop himself from adding. "It also doesn't have any addictive qualities in humans, sir."

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The council members raise eyebrows and glance between themselves

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"A - mood stabilizer?" A different one asks, glancing between the two. They speak as if they aren't familiar with the concept.

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Kylo feels like he should - explain, justify himself. "My brain is - everything is - too fast, too much, I can't." He swallows. It's coming out all wrong. He pulls on a fingernail, catches himself, and pulls his hands into fists. "The medication....helps me stay in control of my emotions", he finally says.

heyktula

(Kylo and Finn, I am so proud of you both.)

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Yoda waves his cane dismissively. "Given time for meditation, you are. If refuse to give emotions to the Force you do, deal with the consequences you must."

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Kylo twitches, stiffening. Finn just stares.

heyktula

(YODA, NO)

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(THIS IS NOT A PRO JEDI COUNCIL STORY)

heyktula

(CUZ THE JEDI COUNCIL IS BROKEN AND FINN AND KYLO ARE AMAZING)

(pls continue, I'm excited!)

heyktula

(invested is probably the word I was looking for)

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"Meditation does not cure a major mood disorder!" Finn says, forgetting to be respectful and afraid. He is not a trooper addressing a superior; he is a medic arguing for the health of his patient.

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Yoda frowns. Finn has been the least concerning of the three, respectful and quiet and attentive. He narrows his eyes - the inhibitor is still on, so this cannot be the darksider's influence. "Think you know of the Force, you do?"

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"No, but I do know /human neurochemistry/." Even his posture has shifted, Kylo notices. Less like a trooper and more like the man he knows. It's reassuring. When Finn sets his feet there's no shifting him.

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Yoda glares. Finn glares back.

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"Look." Finn says, addressing the council. "This is a necessary part of him staying stable. If you want us to help you, then this is not up for negotiation."

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Mace holds up a hand to forestall Yoda's reply. Finn's words rang with truth and determination. "We will discuss this. Either this... stabilizeror another alternative will be provided."

*stabilizer.

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Finn crosses his arms. "This is the one with the least side effects that didn't cause him to lose control of his Force sensitivity." He glances around the room, and then relaxes a little. They'll go for it, he thinks. Yoda doesn't want to, but Mace out ranks him.

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Mace narrows his eyes. "The healers will contact you with our decision. You are dismissed."

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Finn nods, once, and he and kylo walk out.

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They head back to the shielded areas. Finn glances over at kylo- he's stiff, eyes too wide and darting too quick.

"I think they'll do it," he says as they pass into the less inhabited area they're staying in. Kylo looks over. "And if they don't, we'll figure something out."

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Kylo breathes out, once, nods. "Yeah, I." He swallows again. "-thanks, for." He waves a hand. "Thanks."

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Finn shrugs. "You're my patient." And it's basic decency, but he knows better than to argue that angle with Kylo.

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Kylo smirks, one side of his mouth hitching up. "Still." He stretches out his shoulders. "There's a gym somewhere down here, right? I need to punch things."

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They go to the gym. Rey is already there, half way through a friendly spar with one of the Knights in the group. She is as of yet undefeated, and pauses long enough to wave. Anakin and obi Wan are going through a kata nearby

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Kylo strips off his shirt, finds a punching bag, and starts working

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The punching bag bursts, so he rolls his shoulders out and goes to the next one.

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The entire gym stares. Rey finishes her spar and joins Finn by the wall.

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"...guess I don't have to ask how the council meeting went."

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Anakin watches from the next mat as kylo, on pure physical strength, ruins another punching bag.

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"They didn't want to get kylo's meds." Kylo continues to punch. Rey stares. "I had to fight them on it."

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"/what/".

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"Apparently," Kylo starts, slightly breathless, still punching, "I don't have a major psychological disorder, I just haven't /meditated/ properly." Another furious blow, and kylo shakes out his hand. "Who knows, maybe if I meditate long enough, I'll be able to regrow my hand!"

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"....you did convince them, right?" Rey turns to Finn.

"I think so." Finn is still furious that he had to, but still.

"Good." She narrows her eyes. She is perfectly ready to fight the entire council if necessary.

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Kylo finally pulls back, a final punching bag ruined. He flops against the wall, his knuckles bruised.

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"Fuck." He nods to Rey, who settles next to him. "I'm - I'm okay, just."

Rey leans against him. "They're jerks."

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"Seriously. I seriously understand why grandad left the order now, fuck...

heyktula

(right? Like, wow... Being unwilling to bend or change or learn is so damaging to the council.)

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Obi Wan frowns. He hadn't understood the rest, but... "your grandfather was a jedi?"

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Kylo and Rey glance at each other. They very deliberately do not look at Anakin.

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"Yeah, for a while. Didn't suit him, though."

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Anakin is very quiet, for different reasons

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*scene break*

heyktula

Eeeeeeeeee

That was so enjoyable.

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There are a few scenes in any plot that are like "yes, this why I have this story". Finn shouting at the council is one of them

heyktula

It's so good, and your characterization of him is great.

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I hope so!

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And yes. He goes along until he Doesn't.

 

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That night, obi Wan and Anakin are in their rooms. Anakin is quiet.

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Obi Wan sends a message to the council that Kylo's grandfather was a Jedi. It is assumed that it is not the same grandfather who was a slave.

heyktula

(.... of course it is assumed.)

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Because the only Jedi who was a slave is Anakin, and he would never leave the order.

Anakin is very quiet. So is Mace.

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Mace quietly tells the healers to hurry on the sequencing of kylo's genetics

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After, Anakin pushes food around on his plate. Obi Wan can tell he's thinking something.

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"....is it possible to leave the Order?" Anakin finally says, not looking up.

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Obi Wan blinks. Of all the things to focus on... "yes, it is. It does not happen often, however it is possible." He sips his tea. "Yan Dooku, Qui Gon's master, left the order after his death." He adds by way of example

Thinking of his master's death still stings. He has returned to the force, and that should be enough.

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Anakin pushes a vegetable around on the plate. It is unusual for his teenaged student to hesitate with his dinner

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"No, I mean." Anakin still looks down. "How would I -" he shakes his head. "Never mind"

heyktula

(aaaaaaahhhhhhhh)

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Obi Wan straightens in his seat, struck by concern. "Anakin, do - do you /want/ to?" His padawan, leaving the order - the chosen one leaving - his student - he does not know which is causing the tangle of emotion in his throat. He will meditate on it later.

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"I don't know!" Anakin blurts, finally looking up. He looks miserable. "I don't - I don't think so, but I - can I? Do I even legally exist outside of the Order? Could I leave if I wanted to?"

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Obi Wan half reaches for Anakin. He - "yes, of course -why wouldn't you be able to?"

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Anakin half rises, spitting out: "Qui Gon /bought me/."

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Obi Wan does not know what his expression does in that moment. Whatever it is, it makes Anakin shrink back, eyes wide and guilty. "I. I'm sorry master, I'll-" he shuffles as if moving to leave

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This time, obi Wan reaches forward, gently touching his arm. "No, you - you're right. I...did not think of it that way, at the time, but, yes." From a certain point of view, he thinks.

(Meeting, brb)

heyktula

(aaaaaaahhhhhhhh this is so intense and good)

Today at 12:45 PM

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Anakin sits down again. "I wanted to go with him. I wanted to be a jedi. I - I want to be a jedi. I think. I'm - not sure. I'm not sure /enough/." He bites his lips, tugs on his robe sleeves. "Or if it's just - the only choice I have."

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Obi Wan nods. "I..." he takes a deep breath. He should - reassure anakin of his place here, tell him he belongs here. But the thought of - forcing him into a life he doesn't want makes his throat close up.

He is not the master his brilliant student deserves, he knows

He breathes, and remembers like a touch of the force Alya, nervous and then reassured. He swallows.

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"If it would help, tomorrow I can show you how to access your legal documents, and - what would happen if you chose to leave the order."

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Anakin nodded, and offered a watery smile.

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Obi Wan returned it. "I...I would be honored to have you as my student, but, I... will not force you into a path you do not want."

Anakin nods. "I - yeah.... thank you."

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Obi Wan squeezes anakin's arm once. "Good. Now..." he huffs a laugh. "I...I need to meditate for a while."

He has a lot to think about.

*scene break*

heyktula

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh this is so intense.

I am so proud of Obi Wan for stepping up and supporting Anakin!

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If this were a real fic it wouldn't be quite so compressed but ya know

heyktula

Yeah, for sure.

heyktula

Also, Anakin! I teared up.

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"Qui gon bought me" is another one of those lines

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Because I mean. He did.

heyktula

He definitely did.

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The fact that anakin was up for being bought doesn't actually help much

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And the EU is.... ambiguous on whether or not the parents of a child have any right to refuse the jedi.

Some places say that the jedi get any child over a certain midicholorian count. Some people say it's only with permission

heyktula

I feel like that would be permission under duress too.

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Def dodgy at least

heyktula

It would be so scary, as a parent. Two dudes show up, "hey, we're here to take your kid because of a blood test"

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Yep.

 

 

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Bail sends a message to Hux by the encrypted channel he was given.

"I believe you. When can we speak?"

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At the meeting - on his schedule as a perfectly normal meeting about some shipping routes - Hux enters with another man, dressed just a little too casually and clearly excited

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The door closes and there is a shift in the air and the - ghost of the future Skywalker settles against the wall.

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The new man offers his hand. "Poe Dameron, it's an honor to meet you sir." His accent has something besides core standard in it, though it's hard to place.

heyktula

(omg Poe)

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Bail takes it. "Bail Organa, though you clearly already know that." He's not sure what to do with the man's open admiration.

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Hux frowns, his already severe expression getting more so."Please try to remain professional, Dameron."

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Dameron rolls his eyes. "Like you didn't have to stop yourself from fanboying all over Tarkin last week."

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"The difference being that I did so." Against the wall, Anakin smirks. "Senator Organa." Hux nods in greeting.

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"That's gonna take some getting used to." Poe mutters, taking a seat. He adds by way of explanation, "I work for your daughter. Also Senator Organa. Or General Organa. Occasionally Auntie Leia, but not at work."

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Hux's frown tightens another few degrees as he takes the other seat. Oddly, bail thinks, it actually makes him more approachable - these tiny expressions of emotion soften the icy persona he presents. There is a person under there, Bail thinks, if a severe and particular one

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Dameron's complete lack of concern for Hux's annoyance also helps. They are, if not friends, familiar with each other

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"Auntie Leia?" Hux mutters, incredulous, and then shakes his head as if to clear it.

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"....I was gonna say you could call her mom but."

"I would almost certainly be shot for that."

Poe nods, inclining his head to indicate agreement.

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Bail glances over at Anakin, who gestures to hux. "Married to my grandson. Er, our grandson.'

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"Did you not mention that before?" Poe says, eyebrows raised.

"It isn't relevant." Hux says. Bail disgrees, but keeps his mouth shut. "We do have an /agenda/ tonight, so if everyone is quite ready?"

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Everyone nods, Poe with an exaggerated gesture that makes Hux glare at him.

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"Right." Hux makes a show of adjusting his

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His coat

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"This is Poe Dameron, who I had intended to be your liaison, though hopefully with a bit more professionalism."

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"Developing a good repport with the contact is vital to the success of a mission." Dameron says, clearly unintimidated and somewhat amused

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Hux's lips twitch, but he does not respond

heyktula

(I fucking love the dynamic between them. I love it so much, Poe takes absolutely zero of Hux's shit, and it's glorious.)

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"Regardless, since you have agreed to this, it is necessary for you to know the events we intend to prevent."

(There's a reason headfic is like. 25% banter)

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Anakin steps foward. His expression is serious.

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"In the next five years, a number of sectors will declare that the Republic is not serving their best interests, and secede from it." Bail sits up in his chair, alarmed. "This will erupt into civil war. The Separatists will fight with droids, and the Republic will use cloned soldiers that the Sith has prepared under the name of the Jedi." He smirks, and the expression does not look amused. "Long story."

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poe leans over in his chair mutters to hux, "speaking of," and hux mutters back "Phasma's working on it." Poe gives him a thumbs up and settles back in his chair.

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"The sith will use the chaos and fear of the war - which he himself orchestrates, with his apprentice leading the other side - to seize more and more power in government, until the Senate votes to give him a lifetime appointment, and declares him emperor."

Bail feels very cold. He draws a breath, but it doesn't help

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"He then uses the clone army to wipe out the Jedi. There are a few survivors, but they are hunted down until there are only two." Anakin's voice is cold, even, emotionless. Recounting a history lesson instead of a tragedy the likes of which the galaxy had never seen. The room is going dark, and bail doesn't think it's just him.

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"There was a rebellion movement, which where you come in. You, as well as Mon Montha, and the surviving Jedi, organized cells and helped fund rebellion movements." Here, Anakin's expression cracks, slides like an avalanche into sympathy and grief and guilt. "The emperor found out. Alderaan was - destroyed. Completely."

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"That's not-" bail draws a harsh breath, almost laughs in hysteria. "Saying it's impossible is probably ridiculous, isn't it?"

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"I could explain the physics involved if it would help." Hux says. Poe elbows him, looking exasperated and disbelieving. "What? I was trying to establish a rapport."

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"Hux, stop talking." Anakin says without looking back. Hux throws up one hand and rolls his eyes.

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"You did not survive. Your daughter did, and led the rebellion to victory. My son and I - we killed the emperor, and they - were able to rebuild the Republic." Anakin runs a hand through his hair. "We'd - really like to skip that middle bit."

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"Hah." Bail takes a few breaths, as little as they help. He sorts through the mountain of questions in his mind, but there's only one that really matters, isn't there? "The emperor. The sith lord. It's Palpatine, isn't it?"

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"Got it in one."

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Bail nods, his head in his hand. It's the only thing that makes sense.

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Eventually he looks up again. "So. What's the plan, then? I assume simply proving collusion won't be enough against a sith lord."

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"We've got our own assets on the force side of things. We've got someone working on the clone troopers. As far as the politics...."

(Assume political scheming happens here, it's a pain to write)

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Eventually they leave, and Bail is left with questions and emotions he doesn't have a name for.

*scene break*

heyktula

Yessssss I love this so much.

The Poe/Hux dynamic is great!!!

I feel really badly for Bail, that's a lot of information to process, and to know you can try to prevent it?

splinteredstar

I love their dynamic, it is the most fun.

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And yeah, bail kinda has. A lot to deal with

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"Hux, stop talking" kind of makes me snicker

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Was hux trying to help? Was he being an ass? Who knows!

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Hux.... probably should not be involved in any discussion involving Alderaan.

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Just. In general

heyktula

Yeah that's, uh, not a great topic for him.

He should not provide the math of planets exploding.

Because he's gonna want to talk about how he did it better.

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Later, bail is going to think about the bit including the phrase "married to your grandson" and.... have a few concerns

heyktula

... Yup, that seems like a three am realization.

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Elsewhere....

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Phasma walks passageways on a planet where it never stops raining, and looks down on millions of teens training for war. It is not unfamiliar to her, though her feelings have changed

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She has been introduced to their studies and their minders. They will be fine warriors, and good soldiers.

They deserve a leader worthy of them

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(There's /definitely/ like. An entire plot line just of Phasma and the clone troopers tbh)

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(I just don't have it in my head)

heyktula

(yeah, that's, like... That's going to be heavy, and complex.)

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(That would be a full story of its own)

heyktula (definitely.)