driftfleet | Let's all hold hands and sing Kumbaya

Trust must go both ways. I'm sure you would agree.

[He prefers the term realistic. It's all a matter of perspective.]

I do. But you tried to kill the man. So technically, whatever trust there was has been effectively violated. Especially since I gave him strict orders not to harm you and find that you've decided to take initiative.

You're on your own in regards to your blaster.

I can't say I'm surprised by your answer.

[He didn't trust a Jedi and a Resistance pilot to adhere to any such promises in the least. He could find another weapon easily enough but he had preferred his own weapon.

There was nothing to be done about it now though.]

Would your answer be different if the roles were reversed?

[Hux's lips twitched upwards for a moment, a brief, cold smirk. Kylo Ren really should have just executed the pilot the first time as Hux had asked. Would have saved everyone so much trouble.]

We both know the answer to that.

Then let's not insult each other's intelligence with rhetorical debates.

Then unless you are going to execute me I would appreciate it if you would lower your lightsaber.

[He's confident that Obi-Wan isn't going to strike out at him though. It's not the Jedi way as far as he knew.]

As you know I am unarmed.

[ He chuckles, turning off his lightsaber. ]

This blade couldn't execute anything. I just like having it around.

[Hux is less than amused. What is it about Jedi and wannabe Sith Lords that make his eye twitch. It took every effort not to let this show however.]

This is the first time I've met a Jedi in person and I can't say I'm very impressed so far, Obi-Wan.

That would imply that I'm trying to. Jedi don't exist to impress the populace of their skills. Why would I try to impress one general?

I merely am starting to understand better why the Jedi were so easily wiped out during the Purge.

[The remark is said casually but the expression in his gaze is cold.]

And why there are none of you left in my time.

[At least, once they got rid of Skywalker but that was a matter of time really.]

[ Obi-Wan is vaguely bemused. Perhaps a few months ago, that would have gotten a rise out of him but Obi-Wan is still a Jedi Master. ]

Really? Then let's hope the pattern doesn't repeat itself. After all, the Empire also fell, didn't it? Interesting how a single Jedi made that possible.

And then that Jedi ran and hid from the world. He hasn't done anything to stop anything.

[Hopefully Kylo Ren can manage at least this much, otherwise things could become even more complicated.]

Though my father used to admire the Jedi Order once, how you recruited and trained from such a young age to inspire greater loyalty and dedication.

A pity it didn't save the Jedi in the end.

I can't speak for Luke Skywalker. After all, I knew him briefly.

[ The change of topic surprises him. ]

No, loyalty was our downfall in the end. Or so I hear. How much do you actually know about the Jedi?

[He may not think much of the Jedi but he can acknowledge that once they were a force to be reckoned with even if they are outdated now. He made sure of that.]

My father served in the Clone Wars under the command of a Jedi before his promotion by the Emperor. And I studied the history of the Jedi Order available through the Imperial archives since I was a cadet.

I doubt those records are as . . . complete as you'd like them to be. I don't suppose you know which Jedi your father served under?

If he mentioned a name, I couldn't recall it. [Hux took a moment to adjust the cuff of his uniform, appearance was always important even in moments like these.]

Then tell me what what the records might have omitted concerning the Jedi.

[It was always wise to learn about one's enemy after all.]

[ The history of the Jedi is buried. There's nothing there that could lead to Luke or this new power - this Rey that Finn talks about. ]

Certainly. But are you willing to believe it? You do have a very fixed view on what took place.

I am willing to listen.

I know what took place, I know the legacy of the Empire in the galaxy. That will not change.

That remains to be seen.

[ Still. . . ] What most people don't know about the Clone Wars is that it was orchestrated to reduce the Republic along with the Separatists. And to slowly erode away the Jedi's reputation.

And who would do that? [The Emperor had only wanted what was best for the galaxy, Hux doubted that he would be the one to set such a plot in place.]

You make it sound like a master plot in order to destroy the Republic.

Only the enemy of the Jedi. Someone with the ability to manipulate both the Separatists and the Republic. The Separatists were heralded by Dooku, a known Sith Lord. So was the Republic.

And the First Order as well, from what I hear.

So your claim is that the Sith caused the war instead of it being a consequence of the weak state of the Republic and the Senate? You cannot deny what the Emperor accomplished though.

[He didn't learn this in the Academy and he's not sure he really believes it now.

Hux managed to keep his reaction contained, forcing himself to hide any surprise at the mention of the Supreme Leader. Not many had met Snoke outside of the senior leadership.

Even Hux was in the dark about who Snoke really was or his abilities despite the fact his father was a founding member of the Order.]

Our leader is similar to the Emperor- someone who is willing to do what is necessary to bring the galaxy under a stable government once more. It doesn't matter if he is a Sith or not.

No. It was certainly a consequence of the state the Senate and the Republic was in. But even that doesn't result in the collapse of an entire galactic democracy.

Doesn't it? [ His voice is bland. ] He may do what is necessary but can he accomplish it? Or does it not matter as long as you're not the one in the line of fire?

The Republic waned but it had four thousand years of peace. So clearly something worked. Is the First Order working?

If the Emperor put the Republic out of it's misery in it's death throes then perhaps it was a mercy killing.

Just because something worked before doesn't mean it's meant to be held onto when it no longer functions.

[Hux raised an eyebrow at that.]

I've served the Order for almost 20 years and yes, I've been in the line of fire. My troops serve on the front lines so I can say with certainty that yes, something is working for the First Order.

And it's only matter of time before we are able to reinstate order once more through the galaxy.

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