'Under the Stars'
#gingerrose
#gingerrosevss
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She wanted to take a chunk out of him. He could see it in the hungry slant of her mouth; in the sharp fixation of her gaze. No doubt Commander Tico would be professionally satisfied if the Order and the Resistance could...
1/13
settle on a mutually beneficial peace agreement, but that wasn’t all she wanted. Not deep down.
No, deep down, beneath the politely-vague niceties and the crisply-pressed fatigues— no doubt scraped of mud and filth for this specific meeting—
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she fancied the notion of utterly and completely destroying him.
Burned with it, really, and Hux could hardly blame her.
She’d been right, he’d read her file. Knew all about her home planet, her sister’s enlistment, and subsequent death,
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of her startling proficiency and meteoric rise in rank.
Quick with a spanner, tactical under pressure, unwilling to pull punches— literally. No wonder Leia Organa had chosen her as the Resistance’s figurehead now that the old woman was in failing health.
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His gaze flicked toward Solo.
The question was, was Tico aware that the Senator was Organa’s estranged son?
“You’re not even paying attention,” Tico scoffed as he reluctantly reaffixed his attention onto where she sat with her arms crossed like an upstart ensign he...
5/13
would be all too eager to discipline.
“I’m listening,” he intoned darkly. They’d already covered Articles 3 and 4: Territorial Control and Humanitarian Assistance, respectively.
Both the Resistance and First Order would recognize the existing territorial boundaries in...
6/13
the Outer Rim and both would pool their resources and personnel to assist civilians affected by the conflict and rebuild infrastructure.
It caused him deep, corrosive pain to accept that this was where the war had led them, but the galaxy had equalized;
7/13
their forces were evenly matched. What he could do now, if not conquer, was mitigate the Order’s losses.
Senator Solo straightened in his chair.
“We’ve come to Article Five: Article 5: War Crimes and Accountability.”
Tico’s mouth twitched.
8/13
“This the part where General Hux agrees to deliver himself to us in stun cuffs?”
He snorted.
“If by that you mean a prisoner exchange. I’m sure the Senate would love it if you came quietly, Commander.”
Finally landing a blow, rage flickered over her pretty,
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indignant features.
“Me?! That’s rich!”
Hux could feel the rush of his own blood in his ears.
“Under /your/ command, Cobalt Squadron fired on a Destroyer carrying a segment of our Academy. Children were on that ship. The Senate certainly considers *that* a crime.”
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He watched the realization land like a blow.
Before Tico could launch herself over the table, Solo put out a hand.
“Why don’t we take a break?”
Rose was out of her chair before he’d even finished speaking, whirling around to stalk angrily out onto the apartment's terrace.
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Hux waited a moment before standing.
Solo gave him a warning look.
“Leave it, Hux.”
Ignoring the other man’s words, he followed through the terrace door.
Outside,
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the storm had broken in the hours previous, leaving the city fridged and damp under a blanket of cold, glittering stars.
~🧡🌹
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This is dedicated to the indomitable @lilithsaur, who drew this incredible artwork inspired by this series!
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