Chapter 13 - Dark Schemes (2/2)

- ”I do, Supreme Leader”- he said and he could notice Kylo Ren looking at him and he could imagine his surprised expression behind the mask- due to my efforts, the weapon is finally ready. I think the time has come to use it. We must destroy the government that supports the Resistance.”

- ”Have you considered the consequences of such act, General?”- questioned the Supreme Leader and Hux could detect that his voice was not the same as before- ”Once we attack, we will be branded a enemy of all the Republic.”

- ”I think it is too late to mind that in this moment, Supreme Leader”- said Hux feeling more empowered every second- ”It's a fact thay they will pass the veto on us, so we will be branded as an enemy anyway. So, if it is going to happen anyway, I say we let it happen in our terms before they have the chance to vote.”

The Supreme Leader did not say anything and he seemed to be analyzing his words with care. Hux could see his line of thinking and he knew tha he had surprised him with his words. Hux felt extremely pleased with himself and he decided to expand his reasoning further.

- ”Without their heads, the goverments in the galaxy will collapse and will enter in turmoil for a time”- explained Hux with a confident voice as if he could already see how the things would develop- ”The resistance will lose their major backer and will be vulnerable. Even Skywalker will be unable to turn the tables by then.”

- ”Go!”- said finally the Supreme Leader after some moments of indecision- ”Oversee preparations.”

- ”Yes, Supreme Leader”- said Hux feeling the delicious taste of victory and he gave Kylo Ren a look full of mockery and ċȯċkiness before going out of the communications room.

However, this feeling just lasted for a few moments before he returned to his normal self. He knew he had to prepare the next phase carefully. It was time to end the Republic and put the First Order in its rightful place.

(...)

Meanwhile, in the communications room the Supreme Leader waited until Hux had gone completely before laughing at what had happened.

- ”I suppose he must be feeling very pleased with himself for having given me such magnificent plan”- mentioned the Supreme Leader in a very relaxed way- ”you may stand, Lord Ren.”

- ”Yes, Master”- said Ren whose tone had changed to one that showed more intimacy- ”You knew he was going to take that path. You just let him believe it was his own idea.”

The Supreme Leader had obviously known that the weapon was ready even before Hux had been informed and he had already planned to use it immediately but he just let Hux ”propose” the idea.

- ”If you want to control people you have to make them believe they had the idea that you already have in mind.”- explained the Supreme Leader with a smile in his lips- ”If you do that, they will work harder thinking they are the responsible for the glory it will represent... Remember that.”

- ”Yes Master.”- said Kylo Ren with a respectful tone.

- ”There's been an awakening”- said the Supreme Leader who seemed to be havinga nice moment- ”Have you felt it?”

- ”Yes!”- said Ren thinking back to Tuanul- ”it will come to us in the end, I sense it.”

- ”That person is with the droid we seek in the millenium falcon under the protection of Han Solo.”

- ”It won't be a problem”- said Ren who used a detached tone as if his victory was ȧssured.

- ”Don't underestimate Han Solo!”- warned the Supreme Leader who had not mentioned this to General Hux previously- ”He is still alive due to skill, and he will be one of your greatest rivals now.... are you up to the test?”

- ”He may have some skill but he's nothing in comparison with the dark side.”- said Kylo Ren with absolute certainty.

- ”Even you, master of the knights of Ren, may never faced such a test.”- said the Supreme Leader trying to make Ren understand how dangerous Han Solo was.

Ren knew the danger Solo represented, especially for him but he decided to be strong. If he let Solo to stop him now, then all his efforts would be for naught.

- ”By the grace of your training, I'll be victorious and bring you his head”- Ren said with a tone that showed his absolute resolution- ”He'll be another stepstone in my ascension to true power... Another breakthrough to the mastery of the dark side.”

- ”We shall see...”- said the Supreme Leader with a very satisfied voice after seeing the conviction of his apprentice- ”you and me know that Skywalker will return and in this moment, he is out of your league by far...”

Kylo Ren felt anger at the mention of that name but he could not refute the words of his master. Even though, Ren had advanced incredibly fast and he had reached a stuning level in the Dark Side of the Force, it was stillinsufficient to defeat Luke Skywalker.

- ”If you really want to get revenge and defeat him then your training in the dark side must take you into a deeper level”- said the Supreme Leader who seemed to be enjoying the reactions of his apprentice- ”Normsally, you would need many years to reach that level, but fortunately tyhe Dark Side gives you shortcuts that you can use. That's why you must eliminate all the previous heroes of the Rebel Alliance, especially the ones closer to him... You must destroy Han solo, Leia Organa and Chewacca before facing Luke Skywalker... only then, you'll be strong enough to confront him and end him for good.”

- ”I understand”- said Kylo Ren but his voice seemed to be doubtful.

- ”No, you don't”- refuted the Supreme Leader detecting the doubt in Kylo Ren- ”you will not understand until you complete the task... only then, you will feel the absolute power that the Dark Side gives you and you will find it so mesmerizing that I fear for you to become addict.”

The Supreme Leader let a very satisfied sigh and smiled as if savoring something and Ren thought that maybe he was remembering a time when he felt what he was saying.

- ”All your previous deeds and tests have just given you a small sip of all the power you will be able to obtain when you kill these people.”- explained the Supreme Leader- ”The droid is already meaningless, your target now is Han Solo... find him and eliminate him but remember... it must be done by your own hands, don't let ohers kill him.”

- ”Yes, master. It will be done.”

(...)

On the other side of the galaxy, Leia Organa and Mon Mothma were traveling to the Hosnian system to attend the Meeting of the Galactic Senate. Fort some reason, Leia was having a terrible premonition.

- ”Are you Ok, Leia?”- asked Mon Mothma- ”it's been a while since you have that worried expression. Do you feel ill.”

- ”It's not that, Mon”- said Leia giving a warm smile at the corcern of her friend- ”it's just... I have a the feeling that something terrible will happen at the voting.”

- ”We know that the First Order will not just sit down”- said Mon Mothma placing her hand on Leia's- ”but we have already made preparations. We are ready.”

- ”I know...”- said Leia who had personally oversaw the contingency plans but she still had this feeling and she knew that it was not just the typical nervousness before a political battle, the Force was warning her.

After the Battle of Endor, Luke had given her basic training in the Force and even though she was never a very competent user of the battle skills of the Force, Luke had told her that her connection with the Force was very strong in premonitions and detecting danger. He had told her that maybe it was the reason she was so good in politics and negotiations.

- ”If you feel insecure...”- said Mon Mothma who had many times seen the accuracy of Leia's premonitions- ”maybe it would be better that you stay... I'll go and inform you of anything.”

- ”No!”- said Leia firmly- ”we have prepared everything and I have to be there and see the political end of the First Order...”

And afer saying that, the ship entered light speed and the two women dashed to the Hosnian system where they would face another battle.