Chapter Text
Poe’s first day as an unofficial member of the First Order started not quite as he expected.
He’d been brought to his new quarters, a small room that was half the size of his bunk back at the Resistance. Apparently the Order usually grouped recruits together, especially the new recruitments so Poe’s a little surprised to find himself escorted from his cell to his own personal quarters. Perhaps they were wary that he’d do something? Perhaps that he’d attempt to take out as many new recruits as possible. Poe’s not sure…
His room was secluded away at the very end of the third officer deck and the lone status made him pause but not for long when he allowed himself to look at it’s interior. It was small yet cozy with all the amenities as well as an adjoining ‘fresher. With a glance he could spot more clothes in the closet: flight suits, a dress uniform, trainers, underwear- just standard First Order dress.
“You are to report to the cargo bay 0600 sharp” Is the words from the faceless trooper who spoke to him before he was once more left to his own devices.
It was the last thing anyone had said to him for hours, so when he rose the next day at 0500 he unsurely made his way towards where he thought the cargo bay was situated. With no-one there to escort him the ex-resistance pilot was nearly late to his location and he must have had mere minutes to spare as the other troops he’d been paired with were already standing in small groups.
None paid him any mind.
No sooner does a man walk towards the group gathered, chrome black armour reflecting as he makes his way across the room. Importance is the notion that struck Poe as the recruits around him stood up straighter at the man’s approach.
The man stands tall before them, face hidden behind a helmet. “For those who do not know me, I am Lieutenant Poldin LeHuse” the man spoke. “I will be tasked with seeing you re-organised into the First Order’s aerial defence force on the Supremacy”
Vaguely Poe thinks of Starkiller, it must have been where the defence force was originally from. He’d been roped into their ranks and they were suspicious of him and why wouldn’t they be? He was the man who took down Starkiller in the first place. It’s a sobering thought- he’s been thrown into the viper’s pit.
“Simulations will not be needed with this group seeing as you all have experience flying different space-crafts” The Lieutenant paused. “Instead you will be completing drills in TIE fighters in order to determine just how good you are… who knows, whoever scores the highest could be moved up into the Special TIE forces”
With the glance Poe spares towards his squad mates, he knows that it will be a dogfight to reach that goal- it’s clear with the hungry glints in their eyes. Now, Poe himself was not one to shy away from a challenge… so this chance to leapfrog these recruits is a offer he just can’t resist.
LeHuse began to walk forwards and the squadron followed his lead from behind. “The drills will begin today” he states, footsteps echoing as he walks. “You are to enter a TIE and await further instructions once out in space”
Entering the cargo bay Poe’s eyes are drawn immediately to the row of TIE fighters LeHuse was leading them towards. It was strange to see the TIE fighters up close, for when he was with the resistance he’d ignored the ships for their dark origins but now with becoming mixed up with the First Order he could justify his interest in the crafts. It was old but it didn’t mean that the ship still wasn’t worthy of his attention.
He’s snapped out of his admiration when the squad members before him began to climb into the cockpit of the nearest TIEs. He lets his hand trail across the dark chrome of the ship, glancing over the duel engines as he passes. Without pausing he climbs in to the open cockpit of the TIE. As he slides into the dark leather of the single pilot seating he notes that the console was different to that of the X-wing. It was more clunky than what he was used too but ships always had similar functions no matter what the design and after only a little bit of thought on his part Poe started the ignition.
The rumbling of the craft coming to life beneath his hands makes him giddy in a way he hadn’t felt for weeks. All apprehension leeching away with the thought of being able to fly unheeded in the empty space near the Supremacy. The TIE fighter is far different in the air from the X-Wings he’d grown up flying but Poe Dameron was a man who could fly anything. It’s the thought he focus on as he speeds through the expanse of space with TIE fighter ships hot on his tail.
Mock dogfights had been the main tests for the aerial defence force, it’s how Poe finds himself dodging the various ships that had ganged up on him as soon as the drill started. They want to box him in, it’s clear in the rigid way the rest of the squadron aligned with one another. It is the way they follow him with ease that clues Poe in that the other’s in his squadron had done this countless times before when protecting Starkiller. They were a unit- and he was the outsider they wanted to break in.
He vaguely misses the presence of BB8, instead there is a First Order droid which beeps in binary every so often. It seems angry to have been paired with him and if Poe’s honest the feeling is mutual. His craft dips and over his coms he hears the surprised exclamation over the group coms at his move. There’s the tightest squeeze of space between the other shuttles and Poe had forced his craft into the space with seemingly no regard.
Other TIEs supported the assault from the outside trying to re-box him in, although, Poe’s lone vessel wove in and out of the targeting range of the fighters- expertly evading getting clipped on more than one occasion. It was a daring display of skill and confidence and vaguely Poe knows it would look impressive from the bridge of the ship.
The sound of beeping coming from the console breaks Poe’s musing and he forces himself to focus back on the situation at hand. Eyes dropping to the flashing on the display screen he spies warnings flashing about being locked onto by an enemy ship. There’s a TIE hot on his tail, the ship breaking formation to chase him down. In a bid to be rid of the other, Poe pulls his ship sharply to the side but the TIE follows his change without much hassle.
They’ve been slowed momentarily with the shift in direction but their sights and guns are still locked on his ship. It makes curses fall from Poe’s lips particularity when the console beeps to let him know that if this was not a drill that the TIE would have critically damaged his ship. Red fills his vision as the craft lights up with an array of alarms, the TIE chasing him down has won. The celebratory cheers of his squadron members fills the coms and Poe refrains from swearing up a storm.
It’s a pattern that continues for weeks, as Poe and the old Starkiller aerial defence force run through drills with Lieutenant LeHuse speaking in their ears reminding them of just what they should be fighting for. As Poe’s TIE flies through the expanse of space, nearly a month after first being captured by the First Order he finds himself finally used to the bulky TIE ships. It makes a grin tug at his lips as he goes into a barrel roll- dropping sharply as a few of his squadron members decide to pick him off.
He lets himself dream for a moment that Hux is watching the formation from the bridge. He hadn’t seen the general for weeks after that fateful first meeting not even a glimpse of familiar red hair. The troops he mingled with left him alone, nothing more than mistrustful glances thrown his way when he found himself with them outside of training. It made him homesick for the company of others, for the familiarity of the Resistance base.
Although it seemed the Force or whatever other kind of otherworldly energy had listened to his thoughts. For when Poe landed one afternoon after evading his squad’s fire during the drills, he had a fellow pilot call to him.
“That was good flying back there” a voice called.
Turning Poe caught sight of a human male, he’d just taken his helmet off so his blond hair was messy as he approached.
“Thanks” Poe says warily. “You weren’t so bad yourself” He hardly has to hides his surprise when the man extends a palm towards him.
“Marcelv Reamig” the newcomer says.
The pilot clasps the other’s outstretched hand in greeting. “Poe Dameron”
Marcelv smiles faintly. “I thought you looked familiar”
“I get that a lot” Poe jokes letting go of the other’s hand.
Marcelv laughs, gesturing Poe to following him with a tilt of his head. He leads Poe towards a woman with tanned skin and light brown hair, she’s tall- imposing, as she turns her eye towards them. “This is my companion, Katali Easwych” Macelv introduces.
“So this is the pilot you talked so much about? It was an impressive show you both put on out there” Katali says, familiarity in the way she speaks to the other pilot. “I must admit he’s handsome… he’s got a lot going for him now that he almost beat your record”
“Don't remind me” Macelv sighed, folding his arms across his chest at the other’s words.
Poe let’s a charming grin tug as his lips as he turns to the newly introduced woman bringing Katali’s gloved palm to his lips. “A pleasure to meet you” he murmurs against her palm.
Her head is thrown back in a laugh and Poe drops her hand as he steps back out from her space. “I like him” Katali states and there’s a teasing edge to her next words. “Interesting to see you are the heartthrob the holo-net made you out to be”
“You flatter me” Poe says. “I’m told i’m impulsive, arrogant and a difficult man to deal with”
“What pilot isn’t?” There’s the barest hint of fondness as Katali glances at Marcelv. “The best pilots always are I’ve found”
Marcelv scoffs. “Speak for yourself… I wouldn’t say i’m a difficult man to deal with”
“Who said it had to be a man?”
The trio are broken from their laughter as silences sudden falls over the troops gathered. It’s not hard to figure out why the attention of the troops is turned towards the entrance of the room. Lieutenant Poldin LeHuse enters the room, confidence in his stride and the pilots gathered snap to attention all eyes on their commanding officer.
“Well done troops, more so for some of you then all” The Lieutenant begins. “I was intrigued by the result of today’s mock fights, particularly so with the newest recruit’s involvement” There’s an lull in his words and the Lieutenant’s eyes scan the room only to land on Poe. “Poe Dameron” He states. “I request your presence to meet me immediately after the end of training”
“Yes sir” Poe acknowledges keeping his eyes forward even though the weight of the combined aerial defence force’s gaze feels crushing.
LeHuse nods. “I look forward to team drills tomorrow at 06:00 sharp… dismissed”
The murmuring of the gathered squadron resumes and at Poe’s side Marcelv and Katali are giving him thoughtful looks.
“I doubt you’re in trouble… you’re the one who beat my record for the fastest flying in the squadron after all” Marcelv pipes up in the silence that’s befallen the trio. “If anything, Lieutenant LeHuse only brings people to speak privately if they have beat something big or if they’ve breached conduct”
Poe sighs a wry grin tugging at his lips regardless. “Let’s hope it’s the former than the latter”
Casting his attention away from his newly formed companions Poe spies Poldin LeHuse waiting from him near the exit of the cargo-bay. Nodding in farewell, Poe nearly jogs away from them to make his way towards his superior officer.
“Lieutenant” Poe says snapping to attention, arm thrown up in a hasty salute.
“At ease” LeHuse says, turning a cool gaze towards the pilot. “An interesting approach to your drills today”
“I felt daring, sir”
Poldin LeHuse lets out the barest of laughs. “If daring is your approach to beating the record then you’ve won by a landslide, Dameron, so congratulations on the potential for climbing the ranks”
“Thank you, sir” Poe says, fighting the smug expression from his face.
It must still show through if LeHuse’s expression is anything to go by. “There is much you need to learn about flying First Order ships but for a new recruit you’re flying is more than adequate” There’s a serious air to the lieutenant as he pauses. “Although a word of advice, Dameron, if you wish to climb the ranks of the special forces you will need to drop your attitude… the officers there will not be lenient like they have been with you here”
Poe nods, mulling over Poldin LeHuse’s words. “Thank you sir, I will take your advice to heart”
His superior nods. “Dismissed, Dameron”
It seems that he does have allies in the First Order with LeHuse’s guidance and his fellow pilots Marcelv Reamig and Katali Easwych having his back, maybe defecting wouldn’t be as bad as he thought.