driftfleet | (no subject)

[ Charles raises his eyebrow, skeptical. ]

They don't have libraries in your galaxy? Shame. We have one in the Fleet.

Of course- most governing bodies and organizations kept libraries and archives.

Accessing them is another matter entirely, however.

[ He frowns. ]

They're not public access?

No, they usually weren't open to the public. There might have been some public libraries on various planets but the Republic and Empire restricted access to their largest repositories and research data.

. . . But why?

The public had access to maps, trade routes, news broadcasts and announcements, census information and some basic historical records but not much else.

Well, it depended on whose library it was as to why it wouldn't be open to the public. The Jedi kept their library which was no doubt filled with many secrets of their powers and such. Other times it was because there were galactic wars and civil wars- some information did have to be restricted. You didn't want the enemy knowing where you were building your star destroyers or major galactic travel routes through hyperspace moving troops and supplies.

I suppose.

[ Though the idea of wars is disheartening. ]

I would be surprised if your government doesn't do the same with information.

[Hux doesn't like the idea of prolonged galactic wars but he won't shy away from it either.]

My government certainly has its problems. But it tries to evade war as much as it can, these days.

And you think our galactic governments are looking for wars and conflict?

There will always be those who do seek war and will further conflicts however they can such as the Jedi and Rebels but for the most part, we all want peace and stability.

Reality often doesn't make our lofty ideals practical though.

[ . . . Who actually calls their ideals "lofty"? ]

No. But if reality defeats your lofty ideals, then I can't see much progress.

[Welcome to the galaxy far far away.]

Does your government always succeed in evading war?

I like to think we've learned a few things over the last 50 years from the times of the Old Republic but, it's too soon to tell at the moment.

[ Charles waves it off. ]

Of course not. But if you plan to be different, I'm still waiting to see how. Comparing yourself to other governments seems, again, like a way of saying reality has beaten you.

I don't see it like that. The Old Republic and the Empire serve as examples as to what traditions and customs we should hold to as a galaxy but also as to what we can revise and improve upon when it comes to governing the galaxy.

The problem is when governments just try to reincarnate themselves by just going back to the way things were without learning any lessons from the past. That's why the New Republic had to be swept away, we would have just had a repeat of history.

[ "Swept away" is a troubling turn of phrase. ]

To some extent. But again, I've yet to hear anything about how your government will be different. A lot of those people had the same ideals.

[ Charles refuses to use the word lofty. ]

So what prevents you from repeating history?

[Lofty is a great word.]

A willingness to examine history and admit mistakes. Mistakes such as the cesspool which was the Galactic Senate and, I will even admit it, the complacency of the Emperor towards the end of the Imperial era.

Is it perfect? Perhaps not as of yet but the First Order will bring much needed stability back to the galaxy as a whole once more. We put an end to yet another potential galactic war though.

And what of your history? I'm sure there are mistakes involved in there as well.

My personal history or the history of the First Order?

Both.

[ Since, he suspects, they're indistinguishable to Hux. ]

There have been mistakes and failures, certainly but we take steps to prevent making the same mistake again in the future. Despite those missteps we are still strong and the Order still endures and will continue to do so.

That's a nice speech, but you haven't given any examples. If someone told you that about a different government, would you believe them?

Would you like a list?

[He raised his eyebrows, idly tapping the surface of his datapad.]

It depends on what kind of government it is and their history but I'm more inclined to believe in tangible results.

Precisely. Which is why I'm asking for something concrete rather than spiels. Surely, that's not unreasonable.

Of course not but what kind of examples do you want which would mean anything to you? I could tell you about one of my first assignments where we got ambushed by Resistance forces because I made a mistake with the intel I received.

I could tell you about the first days of the Order where most of senior command were aging Imperial officers who still thought they were living in the glory days of the Empire until it was strongly suggested they retire after several unfortunate incidents.

[Or they were taken out by the younger officers, such as Hux himself.]

I'm still here though, and the Order has only become stronger despite all of that.

Oh, getting context isn't that hard for me. But I don't mean failed missions or assignments. I'm speaking more of internal failings of the system. No system is perfect after all.

[ But as Hux keeps talking, it's clear to Charles that he wouldn't know how to do that. And he's not interested in looking for himself. ]

Perhaps a better question instead. Once this is achieved, what will you do? It's quite clear you have no life outside the Order.