A/N: Join me as I plunge face first into a Kylo Ren/OC trash compactor.

Set a couple years before the events of The Force Awakens.

Warning: I have no idea how the galactic government is supposed to work. Fortunately, no one else does either. The moral of this note is don't think too hard when you're reading my garbage.

Over the last half century the galaxy has known endless political violence and unrest. The administration has seen so much upheaval that many galactic residents can't remember whether they're now a republic or an empire. While only one ideology can maintain dominance at a time the opposing faction will always continue to organize itself in shadows. Not every sector of space identifies with this dichotomy however. Historically there have been many seats held by neutral parties on the Republic and even Imperial Senates. Many such planets are forgotten in the midst of the romantic wars between the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire. Due to these wars many injustices were allowed to thrive against less affluent and unaffiliated planets. Local governments were unable or unwilling to protect its citizens against slavery, famine, epidemics, and countless other horrors.

Kylo Ren, along with a small entourage of Stormtroopers and political representatives, traveled to the New Republic capital, Hosnian Prime. Today, on the eve of an important diplomatic summit, the First Order planned to meet with a coalition of neutral yet high-resource planets historically ignored by the Galactic Republic. Included in the First Order's party is Coruscant Senator Vand Breiner, who serves as chief diplomatic advisor. Through his guidance the Order will achieve great political gains by the end of tomorrow.

The entourage moved purposefully through the hall of the senate building. "I trust you've reviewed the dossiers," Breiner remarked cautiously to Kylo Ren.

Kylo Ren, mask cold and void of emotion, continued straight ahead. Unknowable to the world he grimaced. He didn't embark on a lifelong, harrowing journey to master the dark side of the force so this worm could insult him with a menial task. But, yes, he skimmed them.

The helmet distorted his voice into something sinister, "I trust this will be brief, Senator." Despite Vand Breiner's cool exterior Kylo Ren could sense the anxiety pooling in the senator's gut.

When they arrived at the modest conference hall there was a diverse group of about a dozen senators already waiting for them. Earlier Vand Breiner provided information on all of them, but there were three more significant than the rest. One of the three, a tall Togruta male, greeted them upon arrival. Kylo Ren recognized him as Senator Gautam Basu of Kiros.

"Warm salutations, Senator Breiner and members of the First Order."

Breiner nodded to him. "Senator Basu, shall we begin?"

Gautam Basu gestured towards a grand, circular table. The other senators sitting there murmured quietly amongst themselves. Already they disapproved of the Stormtroopers and the ominous presence of Kylo Ren. His untraceable gaze shifted to the second of the three, Senator Nebula Starstrand of Hapes. Hapans, though private, were notorious for their abnormal beauty and disdain for men. After suspiciously eyeing the hooded knight, she leaned close to whisper to the young woman towards her left. This woman, the last of the three, was Senator Chell Niobe of Parnassus. The contrast between the two diplomats was striking. For all of Starstrand's fineries Niobe was as equally unassuming. Her understated, soft gray robes were out of place in a sea of garish regalia. Kylo Ren found it curious that this modesty betrayed a tangible energy about her. It was almost hard to ignore.

As all the politicians ambled to their places Kylo Ren simply stood off to the side behind Vand Breiner, continuing to unnerve the coalition. Senator Basu sat between Senators Starstrand and Niobe in the center. As a whole, Ren found the meeting to be an infuriatingly dull affair. At least Breiner heeded his warning and kept the exchange brief. Empty words filled the chamber for about a half an hour. Full disclosure: It wasn't the intention of the First Order to arrange an agreement of any kind. As commanded by the Supreme Leader, this whole pointless exercise was for Kylo Ren to sniff out any senators that may be a threat or an ally. If no allies were found then one must be persuaded. Apparently Snoke found Vand Breiner too incompetent to do his one job.

This façade of a meeting was coming to a close and Breiner extended his final offer. "As you can see, an alliance would be mutually beneficial. Have we an arrangement, senators?"

At a glance one would assume that the tranquil yet imposing Togruta was the de facto leader of this neutral party, but that would be misleading. Basu gave a sideways glance to Chell Niobe. She hardly spoke a word the entire ordeal, but remained present in skeptical contemplation. With a subtle shake of her head Basu turned back to Breiner and stood.

"We thank the First Order for their consideration of our industrious coalition. While it's regrettable we must decline your offer at this time, we urge Senator Breiner to reconsider negotiations after tomorrow's summit." Basu motioned for all the other senators to stand. This meeting was over.

With a tight smile Vand Breiner stood as well. "I look forward to your cooperation."

The Stormtroopers filed out of the room followed by Breiner and his fellow colleagues. Senators meandered out into the main hall. Breiner turned to speak with Kylo Ren, but something had already caught the knight's interest. He strode off to pursue it.

Turning a corner Kylo Ren saw Senators Basu, Starstrand, and Niobe. The three were speaking discreetly while half-concealed beneath the shadow of a large, marble column. They were having a hushed argument that the much shorter Niobe appeared to be winning. When she stopped talking a heavy silence fell between the three of them. Finally conceding, Gautam placed his hand on her shoulder before striding off with great purpose. Nebula, looking as though her heart ached, swept down to kiss the top of Chell's plaited auburn hair. She whispered something before pulling away to follow Gautam.

Chell took one melancholy moment to watch her friends go. Unlike the other two, she took off in the other direction right towards where Kylo Ren had been secretly observing the scene. Preoccupied with her thoughts, she wasn't paying much attention when she turned the corner. As a result she was startled when she nearly strode into a towering obstacle.

"Oh," Chell gasped. Bright brown eyes trailed all the way up the solid, dark figure. She stopped as she met the metal gaze boring down at her. The moment lingered. Suddenly aware of how close she was standing, the senator composed herself and looked away. "Excuse me." Not entirely certain he was going to let her, Chell continued past him with haste.

It was obvious to him that she was hiding something. But, to detain a senator in broad daylight in the Republic's capital is treasonous at best. Chancellor Lanever Villecham seemed conveniently blind to the fact that the First Order was a threat to the New Republic; such an action would be a glaring red flag. It would make it far more difficult to operate in the public eye. Instead he simply watched her go. As much as he'd prefer to do something reckless, he must first speak with Vand Breiner to solidify a plan.

Kylo Ren marched towards their base of operations and Vand Breiner appeared next to him with a matching pace.

"That you could tell, were any of the senators sympathetic to the First Order?" Breiner inquired.

"No."

"I see," Breiner grimaced. He turned to a Stormtrooper with a red shoulder guard that just caught up to them. "Bring the three. Kill the rest."