Chapter Text
Sometimes in the late nights, Orson lay awake wondering what Galen must think of him. If he was being honest, he got little sleep anyways thanks to the combination of nightmares, paranoia, hiding from the empire, and the fact that he was now raising a child. But when those issues weren’t bombarding his thoughts then Galen remained.
What had he done wrong? Had there been some path that would have ended in the preservation of his friend’s soul? Or had Galen’s fall been inevitable the moment he’d chosen military backing rather than the private sector?
Orson could admit that his choice had not been holy pure either. Yes, remaining neutral had been appealing but his original plan had been to get rich and famous in a way that the rigid, rule structured military wouldn’t allow. For Galen, the military had been perfect what with his plans to go into research and thanks to how his mind worked.
Only later when Orson was dragged into the war and from the private sector to the military did he truly begin seeing that Galen’s path hadn’t been so pure either. In the early days, any discontent could easily be traced to Lyra and Galen’s child. Orson concluded that all hatred was due to the jealousy he felt in general over other’s interests in his-only-friend. The fact that Galen had chosen to settle down with someone like Lyra-to have a child with her!-it had felt like the worst betrayal possible.
The sentiment was a ridiculous one. After all, he had never made his intentions known to Galen. Yet for some time, he had blamed that inability to move on or to speak to Galen on Lyra and the child. For some time, he hadn’t even referred to Galen’s daughter by her name.
Now he knew it though. Jyn. The girl asleep in the other room with her mother. The girl who always retained such a serious look to her face and whose rare smiles were breathtaking. He no longer thought of Lyra as a rival but something more akin to a sister and her daughter wasn’t ‘that child’ but ‘sweetheart’ and ‘Jyn’. For a great deal of time, Orson had practically no family, the closest thing being Galen. Now, it was ironically Galen’s family that Orson found comfort in and found himself fighting for.
Of course, Galen was not absent from his thoughts and, though Orson had never put much faith in the Force, he couldn’t help but wish his friend luck. He had failed in rescuing Galen as well. Though doubtful, he hoped that something like the Force could succeed where he had failed.
And oh how Orson wished he hadn’t been so blind.
When Galen had gradually turned his attention from his family to Orson, Orson had turned a blind eye. Again, jealousy had played him for a fool, believing deep down that Galen had realized his folly and had chosen him instead of Lyra. Yet as Orson slowly believed he had what he’d wished for, he began to understand that the Galen he now possessed was not his Galen. Neither was he Lyra’s Galen.
Finally, Orson began to properly watch Galen, examine his movements and words. He began to realize that it wasn’t Orson who he wished to spend more time with but the project, the one that would bring peace to the galaxy. With that realization, Orson turned his attention to the project, wondering what could be bringing him in and turning him away from his family and from Orson.
Now, years later and stuck on some backwater planet, Orson wondered when it had occurred. He wondered if a singular moment could be placed at all or if his obsession in general had been what had twisted Galen, changed him into this…thing that was barely recognizable.
Thoughts like that were what truly kept Orson up at night after all other issues had passed though his mind. He was an engineer. Just about everything else he could pick apart and understand, logic it out and make a plan if needed. But Galen was not one of those things and it brought forth a feeling Orson had pushed aside in his early years.
Guilt.
Believing that it only undermined himself if he felt guilt over his actions, especially if he really was right, Orson had decided the emotion was pointless and chose to never feel it again. But Galen’s fall did lead to guilt and regret and pain and cluelessness. All of it had been unfamiliar to him yet now the emotions were practically constant companions. After understanding what the Empire was doing, that it wasn’t the savior that people believed after the fall of the Republic, he had to get out of there. He would have taken Galen with him, had wanted to protect him. Yet when that clearly wasn’t an option, he’d chosen Galen’s family instead.
Now Orson was stuck farming-farming! Some days were utter hell and he hated the lack of proper clothes and the unkempt hair that had grown over the months. But any want to return to his former ways of life were overshadowed by Jyn and Lyra.
That became all the clearer when they were finally found.
Though they had acted like they could live life on that little farm for forever, no one had truly thought it possible. Hence, when Jyn had ran in, telling of what she had seen, Orson and Lyra had already known. Saw Gerrera had already begun his part of the escape and once Orson knew Jyn and Lyra had headed off, he made his way to the field that he knew Galen would be waiting for him in.
From afar, Galen was unrecognizable, just another Imperial out of a million. But as he finally came into view, Orson could see the unique features that were Galen. All were far harder than Orson was still used to seeing but it was his friend.
“Orson. It is good to see you.”
Despite the words, the tone was clipped and straight to the point. Now Galen sounded less human than some of the droids. It made Orson’s skin crawl but he remained still and murmured, “Erso. I’m not sure I can say the same.”
“Hmm, well if we won’t do any pleasantries, I’ll get to the point. I need you back.”
“What for? Everyone knows you’re the true mastermind behind the weapon.”
“Maybe so but you kept the project running. After all, your words were what convinced Tarkin to allow the project to continue.”
“And oh how I wish I hadn’t said a word to begin with.”
“Don’t be like that my friend. Tell me, where is my wife? My child?” asked Galen. Orson remembered how at one point, the mention of them would have filled Galen with mirth. His stoic face would have broken into a smile and Orson could still remember him swinging his child around. Now that was gone though.
Hopefully, Lyra and Jyn would never have to see Galen like this. They were long gone. “We parted ways at Mos Eisley spaceport. I haven’t kept in contact with them since.”
“Really? I’m sure you’re as shocked as I to see her running towards us then.”
Orson spun around. Damn her! He knew why she had come. If their positions were reversed, he would have done the same. Yet at least Jyn wasn’t with her. As long as Jyn remained safe—
“Lyra don’t!” he yelled just as she pulled out a gun. At the same time, Galen flicked a hand and the black stormtroopers had raised their guns as well.
“I’m here to help you Lyra. I would have thought you’d understand that,” Galen responded. “Tell me, where is my Stardust?”
“She’s not yours,” hissed Lyra. It was clear she wished to cry, that seeing her husband like this was taking a toll on her, yet she stood strong and her grip on the gun didn’t shake. “You’re not my daughter’s father.”
Orson could see the confusion that passed Galen’s face. He was to literal to really understand the meaning behind it. Yet he didn’t have time to respond as Lyra added, “And you’re not taking him.”
Galen glanced in the direction Lyra had gestured, at Orson. He looked back to Lyra and murmured, “I only wish for the best for my family and friend. Why would you not have me take him?”
“You’re only going to use him, all of us. All you care about now is that damn project,” growled Lyra.
“I care about peace,” Galen replied.
“You’re confusing peace with terror,” Orson spit back.
That confused look again passed Galen’s face. It was a look that had once made Orson laugh as some normal interaction befuddled Galen’s to math based mind. Now it only pained him as it was clear Galen didn’t understand Orson’s words. Had all good and sanity disappeared from him?
“Well, we have to start somewhere,” Galen murmured, voice cold and devoid of emotion.
Something about those words showed that there was no bargaining to be had. They had known that would never happen anyways. Orson could see Lyra’s resolve tighten as the truth of what she had to do cleared in her eyes.
“Fire!”
The shot went wide but still hit Galen in the shoulder as Lyra fell to the ground. Orson knew he shouted something, though whether it was a clear word or just a pained noise, he didn’t know. He fell down and cradled Lyra in his arms, the light already gone in her eyes. Then, as if to make matters worse, another word was shouted out across the field that had Orson’s blood running cold. He shouted for her to leave, to run the opposite way, but it was to late. He didn’t know what she had seen, what she understood. But her father was there, arms open and smiling and she ran to him without a second thought.
“No! No no no no!” yelled Orson as his head fell against Lyra’s already cooling shoulder. He had thought that at the very least Jyn would be safe. Saw would find her and protect her.
But with nothing to lose now, Orson reached for Lyra’s gun only to have it kicked out of the way by one of the stormtroopers. If he had actually succeeded in grabbing the weapon, he wondered if he could have shot Galen. He wondered if he could have been as strong as Lyra. Now he would never know.
Jyn’s cries then pierced the cold, empty plain as Galen handed her off to one of the stormtroopers. Orson knew how confused she had to be, how alone she felt as her eyes fell on her dead mother and her father simply pushed her away. Now Orson knew he couldn’t simply go on a suicide mission and hope Galen was taken out as well. He had to at least protect Jyn, to save her.
Still, he mustered up the small amount of energy that still resided in his bones as he murmured, “You’re a monster Erso.”
Galen knelt near him. His eyes turned to his wife and for a moment, Orson did see some emotion there. Yet it was fleeting and seemed more akin to mild regret than true sorrow. He gingerly touched his shoulder, wincing at the pain before finally turning to Orson.
“I wished for my entire family to be here,” Galen admitted softly. “But at least this mission was not a complete loss. We can finally complete it Orson.”
“It’s your project,” hissed Orson. “Don’t try and—”
“But it isn’t,” murmured Galen, suddenly grabbing Orson’s shoulder, hard. Jyn’s cries were still clear but Galen completely ignored them, focusing on Orson instead. “We were both necessary to keep it alive. You with your words, your planning, me with my research. It wouldn’t have survived as long as it did without us both and now it’s dying again. I need you Orson.”
Oh what he would have given to hear words like that from Galen’s mouth. Now it only brought more pain to his already broken heart as they kneeled above Galen’s dead wife. Yet Jyn’s continued cries kept him from doing anything rash. Looking at Galen’s face, a face he had once loved so dearly, still loved in some twisted way, he knew that there was no other choice. He still had to save Galen. It was the only thing that mattered. He’d simply have to do that by preserving what good was left of Galen. He would do it for Jyn.
“Join me again Orson.”
Looking at the outstretched hand, Orson slowly took it and they both pulled each other up. A smile appeared on Galen’s face but Orson knew it wasn’t for him. Not really.
“Thank you my friend. Together, I know we can change the galaxy.”