tchester27

[tchester27]

Chapter 8 - So, what now?

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A knock at the door caught the General’s attention.

“Yes?”

“General Hux, the translator is here.”

He put down the datapad he’d been using and ran his hands over the front of his uniform, smoothing out any creases. “Well what use is she outside? Send her in.” He said flatly, rising from behind his desk.

The door to his office slid open, and Efa walked in. She stopped before his desk, her hands crossed neatly infront of her. He took a moment to survey her, it almost felt out of place seeing her back in a work environment compared to the cell. Not many had succeeded in making such a transition.

Her striking change of appearance surprised him. She’d been a dishevelled mess of a prisoner less than an hour ago. But now…well, she was difficult to tell apart from the other workers on the ship as she sported the First Order uniform. She looked…pristine.

He was almost impressed, but it didn’t let it show.

Without saying a word, he reached forward, pressing a button. A large, holographic contract flickering to life between them.

"As you well know, Efa, you have been cleared of any allegations of misconduct. But the fact that the question had to be asked..." His eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to an icy whisper. "...this will not be easily forgiven."

She simply nodded, avoiding eye contact as he continued. "This new agreement is not punitive, it is corrective. It reflects the First Order’s trust in you. Which, as you surely understand, is a fragile commodity."

He began to read from the document with deliberate clarity. "Article Fourteen: Worker agrees to attend monitoring sessions to discuss all activities, both on and off-duty. Article Fifteen: Worker consents to random cognitive scans for signs of treasonous ideology. Article Seventeen: Worker will not question the motives or actions of the First Order or discuss the rebellion in any form."

He swiped the hologram to the side, so that nothing remained between them. Efa jumped slightly at the suddenness, her eyes flying up to his.

“You understand what this means? What is being asked of you? Allegiance is not proven with words, it is earned through obedience, consistency, and painstaking discipline." He said, his stare fixed on hers. He tapped the console, the contract distorting into a glowing blue line awaiting her imprint.

Slowly, she nodded, watching as he pulled the hologram back between them. “Yes, sir. I plan to serve the Order to the best of my abilities. I am grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate my loyalty.”

She reached forward, and the General watched as she filled in the document. Once she pulled away, it vanished in a quick jolt of blue.

“Welldone.” He said, simply, turning to retrieve the datapad to his left. “Before you are dismissed, do you have any questions?”

She shuffled her weight from one foot to another, taking a moment to reflect on it all. “Yes, sir. Regarding Article Fifteen. What is meant by a ‘cognitive scan’?”

The General smirked slightly, “for that, you must report to Commander Ren. Although it is likely he will locate you before you are informed of when a ‘scan’ is to occur.”

He placed the datapad back down, his gaze returning to hers. “Speaking of, he has requested your presence at the bridge.” Efa’s face dropped at his words, but she regained her composure as quickly as it fell. She still didn’t have access to her comms and her datapad was still confiscated. But before she could ask about them, the General gestured to the door.

“I wouldn’t keep him waiting.” He said, bluntly.

Without wasting anytime, Efa nodded. She thanked the General for his time as she left, before trying to pull herself together as she made her way to the bridge. With everything that had been going on, she’d barely had time to properly reflect on that night with the General. She’d half expected him to order her execution due to how close she’d gotten to him, especially as a suspected rebel spy. Being kept on as the primary translator was not an avenue she’d expected him to consider at all, but perhaps her fate hadn’t been his decision? She didn’t know, and it didn’t make sense.

Her whirlwind of thoughts was interrupted as she realised she’d just entered the bridge. It seemed much quieter than usual.

She swallowed quickly, a fresh wave of panic falling over her as she scanned for Commander Ren.

But he was no where to be seen.

She frowned, hurrying over to her usual post to the right of the bridge. A slight sense of comfort overtook her worry as she saw Mina standing near the long workdesk, her hands tapping lightly against her datapad.

“Officer Mina!” Efa said as she approached her.

Mina turned quickly, a smile spreading across her face, “Efa? Wow where have you been? Its been hell down here!” They gave one another a brief hug, and Efa glanced over towards the others. But, what had been seven of her co-workers was now four.

She frowned, turning to Mina, “um, where is everybody?”

Mina rolled her eyes, “Ugh, Commander Ren has taken them for some special mission. He was actually here inquiring about you for a while, but he seemed to get impatient.” She sighed, “Its been a bit of a nightmare, we have so much to go through and we barely had enough hands on deck as it was.” She continued, her light-heartedness pouring through her smile, “but now you’re here! It couldn’t be better timing!”

But Efa wasn’t so sure about that. She knew Commander Ren wasn’t really the forgiving type, and she really had kept him waiting…

Stars, had she just completely screwed up her redemption, just as she’d been handed it? Officer Mina frowned, clearly noticing her sudden change of expression.

“I’m sorry Mina, I’m here to help, but…I’m not sure what to do, if the Commander was waiting for me…”

“Just be glad he’s not here, he seems distracted at the moment, he probably won’t even remember your absence today.” She said, dropping her voice to a whisper, “I heard he was leaving for a week anyhow, he’s bound to have found something far more important in the galaxy to get pissy over.”

Efa chuckled, “you’re right, oh man those poor guys though…dealing with the Commander for a whole week?”

Mina laughed, shaking her head, “better them than us. Don’t worry, this isn’t their first rodeo. Come on, let me show you this Huttese transmission, you’re not gonna believe what they’re claiming General Pryde is up to.”

Efa slipped back into work almost as if she’d never left. It wasn’t that it was easy, but it was more that her mental state was at a point that she just fell into autopilot without even realising. Within a couple of hours, she’d managed to help clear through a weeks worth of work, with the help of Mina and the others of course.

It had barely felt like a minute had passed by the time she realised it was early morning. She turned to Mina, who was sitting opposite her. She seemed hyper-focused on the screen, but Efa could see the tiredness in her eyes.

“Mina, psst.” She said, nudging her gently. Mina looked up, squinting slightly as her eyes adjusted from the bright glare of the screen to the dreary darkness of the bridge. “I think its time to call it, if we keep going we won’t have the energy for tomorrow.”

Mina nodded, glancing at the other four at the end of the table. They were just as worn out as she was. “You’re right. Damn we’ve been on such a roll today, I haven’t actually felt good about work in a hot second.” She chuckled, her energy much lower than it had been earlier. “You head off, I’ll close everything down with the gang. I’ve really appreciated your help today, I don’t think we’d have gotten even a quarter of the way through without you.”

Efa smiled, her own tiredness tugging at her eyelids. “Are you sure? I’m happy to stay a bit.”

But Mina shook her head, “No, I don’t know where you’ve been this past week, but I really doubt it was anything like a vacation. You get some rest.”

“Thanks, Mina. I appreciate it.” Efa stood, her legs feeling much stiffer than she’d expected them to.

“See you tomorrow!” Mina said as Efa began to head back to her quarters.

She let out a sigh of relief as she exited the bridge. It was good to work with Mina, but as soon as she’d mentioned her ‘vacation’ it was difficult not to crumble under her panic. Each second she’d been in that cell had been spent thinking about Rassk. Today, she’d been free of it, focusing completely on work. But now it was all flooding back. She bit back a sob as she paused in the corridor, leaning against a wall for support. It was ok, it had just been a long day. She just needed to get back to her quarters and rest.

A new wave of worry crashed over her.

Did she even still have her own quarters? Stars, she didn’t even have her new schedule…and today…she was assigned to the Commander, but she hadn’t even been able to do that.

She pulled in a breath, trying to steady herself.

She’d go to her quarters. There was always a trooper on guard in the hallway there, if she had issues, she could speak with them.

Nodding to herself, she stood back up and began to make her way down the hall.

As expected, the trooper was there, and she nodded politely to them as she passed. On reaching her door, she entered the code and to her relief it slid open with ease.

She rushed over to her bed and collapsed into it face first. Stars, how she’d missed the feeling of comfort.

She rolled over, her face lighting up as she realised she was finally able to do what she’d been missing the most.

Heading over quickly to her desk, she picked up a small device. She fumbled about with the buttons for a bit before finally pulling up a call screen. The familiar ringing sound rang out as she sat in anticipation.

Her brother picked up immediately, his eyes squinting at her as his face was illuminated in the darkness.

“Ef, you haven’t called in days and this is the time you decide to finally get in touch?” He said, yawning for extra effect.

“Haro, you don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to speak to you.” She dropped her voice down to a whisper, “stars, its been…interesting.”

Haro sat up, his concern showing prominently. “What exactly has happened? You seem off, Ef.”

She hesitated. She’d planned to just get it all out, but now she realised that her whole ordeal was definitely too much to drop on him. He didn’t deserve to worry about her, and she was alright now anyway. She pondered for a moment. She wouldn’t lie, but she’d just summarise.

“Ah just some weird interactions here and there. Everyone seems to just want to do things their own way without much care for anyone else. My shifts have been crazy too, I worked 72 hours the week before last.”

Haro raised a brow, “is that the reason for the radio silence? All the hard work? Come on, you’re never convincing when you’re trying to hide something. What is it?” He moved to a different room, and switched on a light. It looked like the kitchen, and Efa felt a pang of homesickness as she registered the disorderly children’s drawings lining the wall. Haro looked behind him, noticing her staring, “the kids are with Aunt Mala, its certainly much quieter here without them,” he chuckled.

She smiled, pushing down her wave of sadness. She hadn’t let herself process just how much she was missing them. Maybe she could figure out some time-off soon…

“Hey, Ef what’s going on? Seriously, you seem pretty bothered.”

She swallowed, careful to lower her voice as she spoke, “Haro. It’s complicated…but its all ok now. I- they thought I was affiliated with another worker who was helping the resistance. But they’ve dropped all the allegations, they even promoted me.”

Haro’s face became very stern as he took in what she was saying. “What did they do, Ef?”

“Nothing. They just questioned me and then decided there was nothing to go on-”

“You are speaking with me on the comms I gave you right?” He interrupted, and she nodded quickly.

“Yes, of course. I-” she stopped, the contract coming to her head in a flash. “But, they- part of my new contract is extra monitoring-.” Stars how could she have been so stupid, she muted the call quickly, signalling to Haro that she needed a moment.

She clicked open the back of her comms, revealing a small detection device. She extended it carefully and began to sweep her room. Within about ten minutes, she’d checked the whole space. She returned to the call to a rather disgruntled looking Haro.

“All clear.” She said, waving the detection device, “sorry, I-”

“You have to be more careful Efa, how-” he stopped himself mid-scold. “Look, just, please take extra precautions.” he sighed, “you are certain there are no listening devices?”

“Yes.”

“Ok, you….mentioned a worker was caught as a spy” he said slowly, as if bracing for her reaction. “was it a tradoshian by any chance?”

Efa’s eyes widened in shock. “You…you, what did you do? Rassk-”

“Yes.” He sighed, “Efa, look, it was necessary. I don’t want you to worry about any of this, but what exactly did they do to you? Are you sure they trust you again?”

“Why did you think it was a good idea to interfere in any part of my job? Do you know how much of a risk that was? How close it could’ve gotten to us all being killed??!” She hissed, careful to keep her voice no louder than a whisper.

“It doesn’t matter now. I’m sorry it put you in danger, really I am. Are you sure you’re ok now?” He said.

She held her head in her hands, struggling to process everything. “Yes, yes I’m fine. They really need a translator around, I think that’s probably why I got off lightly. The most they’re doing right now is scheduling me for meeting to monitor my progress and all that.” She looked at him sternly as she continued, “Haro, you have to stop. Its not good for the kids and now your involvement is having ripple effects into my life. Take a break, the rebellion can wait.” She softened her tone slightly, “At least until the kids are older.”

He sighed, “you know I can’t do that.”

Hearing the quiet sound of voices coming through her door from where he was stationed in the corridor, LF4537 pressed his comms, speaking quietly. “Sir, the translator has returned to her quarters and is engaging in conversation as we speak, likely to a relative or friend via comms. Her uniform and datapad were returned to her room earlier this evening. Spyware has been successfully equipped and should be functional by tomorrow morning.”

“Very good. I have provided you access to the bridge’s monitoring system as per the General’s request. Please review it and send over any reports on her activities by Friday. We believe she remained there for the duration of the evening, see to it that any interactions are logged.”

“Yes, sir.”

[tchester27]

Chapter 7 - Deceptions

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Efa’s hand hovered over a tray of gruel that had just been shoved into her cell. The food, if she could even call it that, made her stomach turn. Even though she was trying, it was very hard to accept that she was a prisoner now. That meant that her family would likely be investigated…and if they found the communication devices…

Stars, she couldn’t do anything about it right now.

She pulled the tray sluggishly away from the hatch and towards her. She wasn’t sure how much longer this would go on, it couldn’t have been more than two days since she’d been sent here.

When she’d been taken back to interrogation, Commander Ren was gone. The stormtrooper had just pulled her into a nearby cell and locked her in, where she’d been since. Initially, she’d thanked the stars for the Commander’s absence, but now it just felt like she was waiting for his return.

Each agonizing second brought her more and more anxiety. Hopefully, somehow, her fate had been decided without any need for his cruelty. But she knew it was unlikely.

She picked up the spoon, stirring the sludge around mindlessly.

Each pair of footsteps set her on edge. She was expecting some kind of continued interrogation soon enough, and the General had mentioned the Commander. Was she now under his observation?

She swallowed, her hunger gnawing at her, but disappearing as soon as a waft of the sludge passed her by.

She could yell out…have a stormtrooper take her to the General and try to explain that whatever had happened with Rassk had nothing to do with her. If she made it convincing…really convincing, she might have a chance of regaining his trust.

But the Commander…

An image of Rassk’s mutilated face flashed in her mind, and she felt herself begin to fall back into panic.

No, she would stay silent. She was likely to be met with silence anyhow, even if she did try to get the troopers’ attention. She certainly wouldn’t be the first to try to get their attention.

She sighed, deciding against any action.

Her thoughts were tiring, and, even though she didn't have much space in the cell to exercise, which she hadn’t used anyway, she was utterly exhausted. She pushed away the tray and crept into the cot, pulling her knees to her chest.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been out before there was a harsh thrashing sound from the door.

Startled, she leaped to her feet, certain she was either about to face the Commander or be taken right to him. The door swept open, and standing before her was the face of a stormtrooper. Accepting her fate, Efa watched in silence, waiting for the inevitable.

But, instead of pulling her away, the trooper stood to the side, revealing the Admiral.

Efa was surprised, but a wave of relief washed over her. Surely, if they were allowing her to speak with the Admiral, then perhaps she was no longer seen with such high suspicion.

The Admiral entered the small space, standing close to the far end of the cell, near the bars. The troopers left quickly, muttering a five minute warning to them before departing.

The Admiral’s face was stern, as it always was, but as they were left alone, Efa noticed a slight change in their demeanor. They seemed relieved.

“I am glad you’re here, Admiral,” Efa began, adjusting the scratchy First Order-issued prison wear as she spoke. “I wasn’t sure we would have a chance to speak again.”

“You needn’t fret, Child.” The Admiral said quietly, their eyes glancing to the door. They were using a thick dialect Efa had only used once or twice, she struggled to adjust as they continued. “Although I doubt they can understand us, we should speak carefully.” Their eyes returned to her. “I anticipate that they will visit you soon. Whatever they tell you, appear convinced. But do not become victim to their deceptions.”

Efa nodded slowly, it was clear to her what was likely to happen.

“….they are going to kill me, aren’t they?”

The Admiral simply shook their head, dismissing her inquiry. “Simply listen.” They said, “Rassk...he…” The Admiral muttered, their eyes much sterner than before. Despite a strong facade, Efa sensed the emotion in their words. ”…his fate was the sole work of these murderers. I am certain they will use his death as a tool to manipulate you and possibly others. Do not let them succeed.” They spat, almost whispering.

Efa swallowed, her mind much more of a mess than before. Was this...a test?

But as she was about to respond, the door flew open and the troopers returned.

“Time’s up.” They announced, gesturing towards the door.

The Admiral shot a final look of warning at Efa before they disappeared through the doorway.

Sitting down shakily, she struggled to piece together exactly what she’d just been told.

She didn’t understand…none of this made any sense to her, and she was struggling to figure out the intentions of her captors. Perhaps even the Admiral was more a part of the Order than she realized, and this was just a trick. The General had, after all, stated that Rassk’s fate was the result of the Admiral’s claims.

Efa leaned back on the cot, trying to gather her thoughts. Perhaps this was the Admiral’s way of lessening their guilt, perhaps it was a true attempt at helping her…

She closed her eyes, willing the world away from her.

She had no way of telling how much time had passed since the Admiral had visited. She hadn’t bothered to get up for her meal trays- the only real markers of the day.

Her sleep was beginning to engulf her.

When she was awake, there was no reason to get up. It felt peaceful in the cot. If she kept her back to the cell, then she could imagine herself back on Lothal. It was as if she was lying in her own bed, her brother only a room away. She no longer had to think constantly about being a prisoner of the Order. Or of Rassk, Hux, or the Admiral. Here, she could just block it all out. It was an effective escape, but it was beginning to dull her mind to the threats around her.

It was only when she was beginning to feel a tug of hunger that she reluctantly faced her reality. Slowly, she turned over, her gaze falling on the untouched meal tray at the far corner of the cell.

She didn’t want to get up, so she just stared. But as she did, her eyes caught sight of movement.

From under the door, she could see the faint outline of shadows dancing. It looked as though someone had approached the cell, was moving away, and then returning. She frowned, unsure whether the owner of the shadows was about to enter the cell or not. Her mind flicked back to the conversation with the Admiral, about the impending visit she was to receive.

She wasn’t ready.

She pushed herself further back into the cot, turning back to face the wall.

Perhaps if they believed she was asleep, then they would return later? It wasn’t much of a realistic expectation, but the only escape possible for her right now was mental. She shut her eyes tightly, her ears hyper-focused on the shuffling growing louder outside her door.

The sudden, agonizing sound of the door opening crashed over her.

She remained still as the sound of footsteps filled the room.

“Wake her.”

The harsh grip of a trooper startled her out of her facade. As she was pulled up, she was somewhat relieved to see the face of a lieutenant she didn’t recognise. She wasn’t sure if that was better or worse, but the lieutenant’s presence provided some sense of distance between her and her reality.

“Efa Vas,” He said, looking her up and down, “you will follow me.”

With little choice and the steel grips of the troopers on either arm, she obliged. She was pulled along passed one empty cell after another until they reached the end of the hall. The lieutenant entered a code and the door slid open.

Efa’s breath caught in her throat as she realized with terror where she was.

It was an interrogation room. Not the same as the one she’d been in with Rassk, but strikingly similar. She began scanning the space wildly, terrified to be met with the presence of the Commander.

Before she could gather herself, she was pushed harshly into the chair in the centre of the room. With a click, she was secured, and the troopers turned to stand at her side.

The lieutenant stood in front of her, looking down at her with a sneer.

“I have been instructed to inform you of the results of the investigation against you.” He started, sounding almost bored, “You were found to be not guilty of collaboration with rebel intelligence, yet your affiliations remain...questionable.”

Efa’s breathing remained shallow as she listened closely.

“Therefore, you must demonstrate your allegiance to the First Order through an extended service. If you accept, then you will be closely monitored and will be required to submit weekly reports detailing your daily activities. These reports must be thorough and will be assessed monthly by a senior officer. If both your service and loyalty are deemed satisfactory, then the allegation will be expunged from your record.” The lieutenant looked at her more closely, a slight glimmer of interest in his eyes, “however, I am here to remove any further question of your loyalty.”

“An extended service?” Efa asked, her brow furrowing. She wasn’t expecting them to let her go, let alone keep her employed in a role that dealt with sensitive information. This was all a bit too lenient for the First Order. “I don’t understand, sir, is this a continuation of my existing contract?” she continued, her voice weaker than she’d realized. The lack of water made her throat scratchy as she spoke.

The lieutenant raised a brow, his face appearing astonished at her question. “Leave us.” He said coldly, and Efa felt her face grow pale as the troopers filed out, leaving her alone with the lieutenant. Perhaps she had been a bit too direct with her words.

“You may request more information after you accept, not before.” He said, slowing the words down as if she were stupid, “As a prisoner, you do not have the right to question such a lenient gesture. Besides…” a smirk tugged at his lips, “the usual outcome for prisoners with your allegations is execution.” His hand fell to his side, retrieving his blaster. He looked at her darkly, “perhaps you ought to receive the same fate as the rest.”

Efa instinctively tried to shuffle back in the chair, raising her hands up slightly against the restraints in surrender. “I apologize, sir, I did not mean to cause offense.” She said quickly, her heart racing as the lieutenant stepped towards her. “Forgive me for my arrogance, I do not wish to cause issues. I intend to accept the offer.”

“I’m not convinced.” He said, drawing closer. Before she could even think about a way to protect herself, the lieutenant raised the weapon and brought it down on her. Hard. She gasped as pain thundered through her scalp. She tried to control her breathing as she felt herself beginning to spiral. Gritting her teeth, she looked up at the man. A warm wetness was beginning to form in her hair.

“Attacking an officer is quite the charge, its lucky I was able to defend myself,” he smirked, “it would be a shame for me to report your alarming behavior, your offer would certainly be withdrawn.” He squatted down, just above eye-level with her.

She blinked through the pain in her head, staring at the lieutenant with a mixture of shock and disgust.

“Or, perhaps I can forget all about your violent outburst…Perhaps you demonstrated some remorse.” He reached forward, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She stared back at him in anger, her blood boiling. She knew what kind of a man this was, so she had to be careful.

But this bastard wasn’t about to get what he wanted.

The tension was shattered by the sound of footsteps. The lieutenant stood abruptly as the door swung open, the troopers returning.

Before anything could be said, General Hux strode into the room, his appearance immaculate.

“Lieutenant Walder, what is the meaning of his? Why have I been kept waiting for a prisoner I could have extracted myself?” The General shot a glance at Efa. She avoided eye contact, despite the relief she felt at no longer being alone with the lieutenant, she remained on edge at the sight of the General. It was likely he would believe the lieutenant’s word over her own, there wasn’t anything she could do to avoid having the offer snatched away from her now. She glared over at the lieutenant, who addressed the General immediately.

“I take full responsibility for any inconvenience, General. I regret to report that the prisoner demonstrated considerable aggression and had to be moved to the interrogation cell. I attempted to restrain her, however, she became violent, which caused greater delay.”

The General perked an eyebrow, “Aggression?” He turned back to look at Efa once more. She kept her eyes on the ground, refusing to play along. “Are you saying she attacked you, Lieutenant?”

“It was nothing unmanageable,” came the response, and Efa risked a glance at the General, who eyed her with suspicion. “Given the need for her skillset,” the lieutenant continued, “I don’t wish to report her behavior formally, however, I deemed it necessary to inform you, sir.”

Efa swallowed back her anger, she knew if she showed just how much this was getting to her, then it would only make the lieutenant’s story more believable. The General took a moment, clearly assessing the situation. “Pull her up,” he said finally, gesturing to the stormtroopers.

Quickly, two troopers rushed to her side, releasing her and pulling her to her feet. They held her firm, facing the General. Reluctantly, she met his gaze. “You have been presented with the offer of extended employment, have you not?” the General inquired, his stare just as harsh as his tone.

“Yes, sir.” She managed, her hands shaking slightly, “I wish to accept.”

The General’s voice lowered, becoming something close to a whisper, “You understand you would not be in a position to even consider this offer if Lieutenant Walder had decided to escalate his report. You ought to be grateful.”

Efa sighed softly, dragging her eyes over to the lieutenant, “I appreciate that you will not be reporting my misconduct, sir.” She managed, trying her best to sound convincing. The lieutenant simply smirked but said nothing in response.

The General nodded, accepting her gesture, “Very well, you will be taken to the showers to refresh. Then you will report immediately to my office for 17.00, is that clear?”

“Yes, sir.” Efa managed, her heart was beginning to pound wildly as she processed what had just happened.

Without warning, the troopers began to lead her away. The General watched her carefully, beginning to discuss something with the Lieutenant out of earshot. As they disappeared from view, she tried to pull herself together, the nerves of her situation beginning to take hold of her.

She just hoped the next nightmare wouldn’t be as bad as the last.

[tchester27]

thinking about her again

[tchester27]

Chapter 6 - Unsatisfactory

---

Efa entered the room, which looked similar to the office she was in on her first day on the ship.

She took a seat at the end of the table, facing the window. Maybe the sight of the stars would bring her some comfort.

She was surprised to see another trooper enter after her, but sitting opposite.

She shuffled nervously, not quite sure whether she should address him or not. But she didn’t have time to worry. Almost immediately after, the door hissed open again and in came General Hux.

Efa felt heat spreading across her cheeks, and she tried to shift her focus to something…anything else. She avoided eye contact as he approached the table, taking a seat beside the trooper.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw some shuffling, and noticed the trooper handing the General a notepad.

There was silence as the General inspected it, the trooper intermittently pointing at scribbles across the pages as he muttered to the General. Efa didn’t look up, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to. But the only alternative was thinking of Rassk back in the interrogation room, and she wasn’t sure if she could maintain composure with the image of him in her mind.

“Are you aware of the reason for this meeting?” the General began, shattering the silence. At the sound of his voice, Efa’s eyes rose to meet his. His face was cold and stern, a galaxy away from how he’d looked the last time she’d seen him.

Her mind was too much of a mess to focus on how pissed he was with her.

“Sir, I have failed to preform to an acceptable standard.” She said, her eyes dropping down to her hands. “I sincerely apologise for this.”

She didn’t quite feel like she was truly in the room with the General. It was as if a curtain had simply been drawn between them and Rassk and the Commander. Like they were still there, but just tidied away. Feeling a slight sting, she lifted her hand to her cheek gently. As she dropped it, she saw droplets of blood smudged across her fingers. She was still bleeding.

Her eyes lifted back to the General’s, whose gaze flicked between her own and her cheek. His face remained void of emotion, but there was a glimmer of something she couldn’t quite interpret. Was he…smirking?

Hux simply stared back at her, his eyes boring into hers. He almost felt impressed. It was truly remarkable that she had been able to withstand Ren’s rage, even when the Sith had decided to go off script. How typical of Ren.

Still, what mattered now was that she was here. She had persevered. Only about a week after her first experience with one of his tantrums and now, aside from the blood, there were practically no signs she’d been through anything. And on little sleep too…

He tilted his head, continuing to observe her. She lowered her gaze, a distant red spreading across her cheeks. Interesting. He allowed his lip to curl into a slight smile as he looked over to LF4537. The trooper retrieved some more notes, handing it to the General with haste. Hux glanced back at Efa as he began to flick back through the papers.

“Actually, you have demonstrated your skills during the interrogation with Ren. Your ability to maintain professionalism whilst under challenging circumstances is commendable.” Efa’s eyes shot up to his, and he watched her take in his words as he continued. “However, there is an issue that has presented itself…concerning your relationship with the inmate.” He leaned forward, his eyes never leaving hers. “Before we approach such a conversation, is there anything you wish to share?” Her carefully constructed calmness faded away in an instant. She needn’t say anything for him to sense her sudden panic.

Still, she said nothing. Hux ran a hand over his head, smoothing down any loose hairs. There were, of course, none. He released a soft sigh, glancing between her and the door. “Very well. You leave me no choice.” As her now wide eyes stared back at him, he stood, looking down at LF4537.

“Restrain her.”

The trooper simply nodded in response, rushing over to the opposite side of the table. Hux watched as Efa looked about herself helplessly, before LF4537 pulled her to her feet and cuffed her.

“I regret that we must proceed in such a way, but I have limited time in dealing with such matters.” Hux sighed, turning to LF4537.

“Take her back to Ren.”

“No!” Efa said suddenly, “Sir, I will comply with you. Please! I apologise. I will comply!” She scrambled, pulling weakly against LF4537. “Please, do not allow him to take me back to that room.”

Hux studied her with mild curiosity, supressing a smile. This was working out easier than expected.

He closed the distance between them slowly, allowing her to soak in each terrifying second. He lowered himself ever so slightly as he spoke to her, his eyes wandering her now trembling form before returning to her face.

“I will be very clear with you, Efa. You have once chance. If I suspect one more lie…just one, then I will have Ren drag you away himself.”

She nodded quickly, and Hux continued, “There will be no more leniency.” His tone was harsh, but that was his intention. She was not to mistake him for a friend, right now, she might just be the enemy.

He glanced at LF4537, who pushed Efa roughly to the ground. She grunted, wobbling as she pulled herself up into a sitting position, her hands still bound behind her back.

The trooper remained behind her, and Hux pulled a chair out from the table, turning it so that he was sat facing her directly.

“Let’s take a moment to refresh your memory.” He said, almost casually.

He reached across the table and collected the papers he had been analysing moments before. Gathering them neatly in his hands, he began to recite LF4537’s notes, “The translator spoke in Dosh with the prisoner” He began, tossing the papers one by one carelessly onto the ground before Efa. “She identified him as Rassk. The prisoner showed clear recognition of the translator and vis versa.”

He stopped, leaning forward once again. Efa swallowed quickly, her eyes on the papers below her, “Yes, he- Rassk, he worked with me for the Admiral. I believe he was present during our first conversation, sir.” Her breathing seemed to return to normal, and Hux watched as she was beginning to regain herself. Perhaps she believed it was all a misunderstanding. Perhaps she even believed she was being convincing.

“You believe this or you know it to be true?” Hux probed, his tone ice.

“It is true, sir.” She said, looking at him with more courage than before. “I know him as a co-worker. We have exchanged brief conversation during our employment. This is all.”

The General nodded, his face remaining neutral.

“Efa, perhaps you can explain why the Admiral informed me that Rassk was hired only that same day.” Hux said, watching her carefully. “They stated that the tradoshian spoke with noone during their short stay with the Admiral, in fact…” He loosened his collar slightly as he spoke, noticing Efa’s eyes glancing down to his neck as he adjusted himself, “the only time the Admiral recalls interacting with the tradoshian is after they caught him transmitting a message to the Resistance.”

It was difficult to see through her seemingly well maintained composure, but reading through people’s masks was part of the job. And Hux was very good at what he did.

Her chest rose and fell much more hurriedly than a few moments before, and the whites of her eyes began to show rather prominently. Her panic had returned…tenfold. Hux himself felt a greater wave of suspicion wash over him. Perhaps she truly was more involved than he already knew. If that was the case, then last night was much more of a mistake than he’d realised.

Momentarily distracted, he made a mental note to return to the issue later. What he needed now was very close to being placed into his hands. He just had to keep the pressure building long enough for her to crack.

His eyes returned to hers, searching more closely this time.

Efa glanced back at him. She was struggling to hold herself together. If Rassk had truly been in contact with the Resistance then it was no wonder she was being questioned. There was no way they’d allow someone with such affiliations to work for the Order, even with her skills, it would be too risky. She felt her hands trembling behind her, still clasped between the cuffs. She clasped them together the best she could to try and cool her nerves.

Stars, she had to say something.

“I was not aware of this, I assure you, General, I was not involved with this. I…” She breathed heavily, struggling to form her sentences as a fresh wave of fear washed over her. It was hard not to think about Rassk, about what Ren had done to him. Stars, had they even had proof that Rassk had actually done this? Or had they simply gone off of the Admiral’s word? When would he have had time or an opportunity for it?

She blinked rapidly, willing her mind to still. She needed to give him the facts. “I-I was involved in the hiring process. That is when I spoke with Rassk. But-but even then, it was a translation, I was simply the device between the Admiral and Rassk.” She paused again, feeling beads of sweat beginning to form on her forehead. “That is what I was referring to- the conversations. There was an initial interview, then…then the brief. The Admiral informed Rassk of the visit here. I acted as the translator for these interactions.”

She looked up at the General, whose gaze remained stern. “I am telling the truth, sir. If you ask the Admiral, they will confirm this. I-.”

“The truth?” the General asked, leaning forward once again. I was difficult maintaining eye contact, but Efa tried her best. She had to be convincing.

“Yes, sir.”

Efa watched in desperation as the General pondered in the silence.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Efa.” He said finally, picking up the notebook from the table and making his way to the door. She breathed out a sigh of relief, his tone had changed back to how it had been on the day she’d arrived. Finally, this nightmare might just be over.

She looked up at him, but his expression had not changed.

“Unfortunately, it is unsatisfactory.”

Without even a moment to process it, Efa was pulled up by the trooper and pushed out of the exit, before the General.

“Take her back.”

[tchester27]

Andor Appreciation Day 2 - Everyone Has Their Own Rebellion

@andorappreciation

[tchester27]

Chapter 5 - Condemned

---

Thankfully, there was no trooper waiting for her outside, so Efa made her way back to her quarters quickly.

Upon catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror as she came through the door, she was grateful for her lack of an escort. The usual professional air she tried to carry about her was completely gone. Her hair was in knots, her clothes creased, and she simply looked exhausted. Sighing, she threw herself face first onto the bed. It was good to finally be able to shut her eyes.

It wasn’t more than a few minutes before a violent beeping from her datapad forced her up. Muttering as many curses under the stars that she could muster, she turned on the screen to see what sadist had decided to rob her of her much needed rest.

New Message

From: Operations and Timetable Services

Regarding: SHIFT CHANGE

As per the request of Commander Ren, your schedule has been moved forward. You are to report to sector 7, room 2 at 09.30 today.

She wanted to throw the datapad across the room, but lacked both the energy and genuine will to do so. She didn’t need to enter a deeper layer of hell than she was already in.

Releasing the longest, deepest groan she could manage, she pulled herself up and towards the direction of the coffeemachine. Despite how much she desperately wanted to crawl back into bed, she forced herself to slip into fresh clothes and tidy up her appearance as her coffee brewed. Feeling a little more refreshed, she reached for the datapad, deciding to bring it with her this time. Somehow through a fog of drowsiness, she remembered a map function she could use to locate where she needed to be.

The clock read 09.15 as she passed through her door. Having thrown the coffee down her throat, and not feeling the faintest bit more awake, she set off, following the directions on the pad. Every corridor was the same as the one before.

After a short while, she entered a different part of the ship. She wasn’t sure what exactly was so different here, just that it had a distinct….coldness. Glancing down at the clock, which read 09.28, she picked up the pace. Thankfully, the room was only a few doors away.

Gathering her nerves and pushing them aside, she took a deep breath. It can’t be much worse than last time…and, besides, the whole experience will probably be numbed by her exhaustion.

Before her fist met the door, it sung open, causing her to stumble forward unexpectedly.

“Girl, come here,” crept the voice from the mask. The man was dressed the same as before, but somehow managed to be twice as intimidating.

She swallowed quickly, entering the room. She didn’t pay much attention to her new surroundings, her focus fixed on the overwhelming figure towering above her…which she was now hesitantly approaching.

But his attention was elsewhere. The door slid shut behind her as she stopped a few paces away from him.

“Sit.” He said, bluntly. Pointing to a chair in the corner of the room behind him.

“Yes, sir.” She replied, grateful to be allowed some space from the masked man. As she took her seat, she had the chance to observe her surroundings more. But he really wished she hadn’t.

The room was dark, the main source of light reflected off the Commander as he faced forward, his back to her. It was a small space, so, despite the new distance, she wasn’t very far away from him. The room couldn’t have been much larger than the en-suite in her quarters. But that wasn’t what had bothered her.

Sat in the center of the room was a trandoshan. They looked scrawny, and their head was lowered and covered with a sack. She wasn’t sure if they were awake or asleep. Her heart hammered in her chest as she registered the metallic cuffs along their arms and wrists. Taking in the scene more fully, she saw a mixture of what she assumed was sweat and bloodsplatter at their feet.

As she gawped, the mask turned to face her, and she scrambled to regain her composure.

She did not want the Commander to believe she was unfit for her task, but, in truth, she had never really dealt with interrogations before. Normally she was there for conversations. Once it escalated, her clients no longer relied on words to express their feelings or intentions.

But this was different. Not only did she have to be prepared to witness violence, but she was also in the presence of someone who wasn’t just interested in harming his enemies.

She looked up at the mask, feigning confidence.

“Our guest will not speak.” Came the low, modified voice. Efa tried not to jump at the sudden break in silence as the Commander’s voice filled the small space. “Either he refuses or he is incapable.”

His full body was turned towards her now. She maintained eye contact as best she could, without, of course, seeing his eyes. He strode forward, closing the little space between them. Her heart threatened to leap from her chest as the Commander stopped mere inches away. She couldn’t help but avert her gaze.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that the tradoshian was beginning to stir.

“You will ask him.” the Commander stated dryly. Without turning away, he raised his arm in the direction of the prisoner, and it was as if an electric current shot through them.

The tradoshian hissed and grunted as its body thrashed about, and Efa’s pulse filled her ears. Her heart pounding, she gripped the sides of the chair, trying as hard as she could to remain calm. She looked back up at the Commander, who was still facing her.

“Yes sir,” she managed, maintaining some professionalism. Quickly she cleared her throat, speaking as clearly as she could, she addressed the prisoner in Dosh.

The Commander’s hand was still raised, and the prisoner continued to pull against their restraints. She wasn’t sure if they’d even heard her over the commotion. Swallowing, she tried again, repeating herself. This time the Commander lowered his hand as she spoke, and the prisoner began to return to their original weak state.

They said nothing. But she tried again, this time speaking more softly. The prisoner’s head moved slightly, as if registering her words. The Commander had turned back towards the prisoner, watching with eerie precision. With a glance towards him, she tried again, but before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted.

“Efa...Leave,” the prisoner hissed in Dosh from beneath the sack.

Colour dropped from her face instantly.

“Rassk? Why are you here?” she said desperately in Dosh. She glanced about the room quickly, unsure what she was even looking for. As her eyes met the camera in the corner of the room, LF4537 looked back at her inquisitively.

It seemed she had registered the camera a bit quicker than expected. Still, it would appear normal in the interrogation room. It wasn’t unusual for interrogations to be monitored.

LF4537 hummed slightly, he was surprised to hear her speak Dosh, but perhaps her companions from the ship had implied it. And for her to be face to face with one of them again, but in such a predicament…well, it was certainly interesting to watch.

Pulling off his helmet, LF4537 breathed deeply, glad for the opportunity to relax a little. It wasn’t often that he was left to work alone like this, out of sight, but he was grateful for it. He placed the helmet on the table beside him and turned his attention back to the interrogation room.

He made some notes with one hand while adjusting the camera screen for a better view with the other. No one had spoken, but Commander Ren had risen and was facing Efa again.

LF4537 stiffened. Hopefully he wouldn’t take this too far. This may well become as much of a test for him as it is for her.

“I sense panic in you, what has our visitor said?” The modified voice crept through the speakers of the room, causing a shiver to run down LF4537’s spine. It couldn’t have been more than a week since his last run in with one of the Commander’s tantrums. Despite their frequency, it was difficult to get used to.

Movement on the screen caught his attention. LF4537 looked up quickly, seeing that the girl had stood.

“My apologies sir, I…am a little unadjusted to such situations.” She said, facing the Commander, seemingly unphased.

LF4537 watched curiously, she was dealing well with the Sith.

“The…prisoner did not respond to the questions.” She continued, “I can try again, sir?”

The mask tilted, “that is not what I asked, girl,” his voice slipped into something similar to a snarl. “You wish to try my patience yet again?“

LF4537 could feel the intensity through the screen, unable to peel his eyes away. He watched as the girl straightened slightly. The Commander was eerily still as she spoke.

“No Commander, I apologise. The prisoner….simply addressed me.”

The Commander stepped forward with such menace that LF4537 began to consider entering the room himself. Not that he could really do much.

“And why, exactly, did he do that?” Ren seethed. LF4537 was sure he was about to boil over.

The girl backed up quickly, bumping into the chair as she did so. “I-I believe we are acquainted…I apologise Commander, it is difficult to confirm under the sack he is wearing…but I believe this trandoshan works with me…with Admiral Endhar.”

A surprised smile swept across LF4537’s face as he hastily typed some more notes. Her honesty was…interesting.

The Commander continued to close the distance between them, and the girl only stopped retreating once her back hit the wall.

“LIAR!” he snarled, his fist pounded into the wall next to her face.

LF4537’s heart jumped. He wasn’t about to be held responsible for her death. Fumbling with his comms he watched the screen intently as he spoke, “Commander Ren, your presence is requested on the bridge.”

It was hard to gauge the Commander’s reaction. He hadn’t moved, but then, slowly, his mask turned towards the camera. Backing up, he strode towards it, his fist pointing right at LF4537.

“This better be important.” He hissed.

LF4537 grimaced, and the Commander disappeared through the doorway, his footsteps pounding against the polished floor. Quickly, LF4537 began dialing. As his call was connected, he looked back at the girl through the screen.

Efa peered up at the camera, her whole body still shaking despite the Commander’s sudden departure. She was struggling to process everything that had just happened. Her gaze dropped back to the doorway, fearing his return. Her hand rushed to her face, near her cheek. She felt a wetness, and pulled her hand away slowly.

Blood.

It didn’t feel too bad, but some pieces of the wall must’ve hit her as the Commander struck it.

She took a deep breath. She had to pull herself together, especially if she was being observed. Professionalism had to be maintained. She nodded to herself, and stood straighter.

It was a relief to see the door had been closed behind the Commander. She hoped he would be occupied for a while.

A sudden groan pulled her attention back towards the center of the room.

Rassk.

She hurried over, the sudden terror leaving her body and replacing itself with concern.

“Hey. Rassk. Are you ok?” She said, crouching as she pulled up the sack.

Despite what she had been through so far with the Commander, nothing could have prepared her for how much this was about to shake her. Her eyes widened and the sack came loose in her hand, dropping to the floor.

Rassk’s face was unrecognisable.

The burns across his face had left the right side completely barren. Across his left side, he sported a massive, ashen resistance mark across his cheek and where his eye should have been.

The marking was thick. As if done with a saber.

Efa’s hands began to tremble, and she looked away quickly. The whole room was spinning, and she struggled to make it back to the chair in time before her legs began to shake too violently. As she sat, she peered back over at Rassk.

She couldn’t tell if he was still alive or dead. She wasn’t sure what was better.

But these…markings…why?…did the Admiral know about this?

Before she could piece her thoughts together, the door was thrown open.

And the nightmare began all over again.

The dark shape of the Commander burst into the room, but he was not alone.

In his hands he held a stormtooper by their throat, and they wriggled and thrashed against him.

The Commander raised a hand, almost lazily, and the door slammed shut behind him. Efa had no time to even begin to take in what was happening.

The Commander gunted, moving further into the room and closer to her, bringing the trooper with him.

In one swift motion, the Commander reached up, yanked his mask from his face and threw it onto Rassk’s unmoving body. Efa flinched as she watched, backing right up against the wall. He was far more terrifying without the mask, now that she could see the rage pouring from his features, consuming him entirely. The mask had been a welcome barrier between her and the Commander. But now, there was nothing to hide the fury in his eyes.

“LF4537” He seethed, eyes locked on the trooper struggling beneath his grasp. “How pathetic. You truly believe you can outsmart me?”

Efa was sure she had heard the stormtrooper’s identification before, but it was hard to think clearly. She swallowed, her body still shaking as she watched the men before her. Maybe…perhaps if the Commander was focused on the trooper…then she could try to move slowly towards the door?

As she began to weigh her options, the Commander’s eyes flicked to her...and she froze.

It was like a bullet through her skull.

In an instant, the trooper was thrown across the room, landing beside her with a sickening thud.

Efa’s heart was in her throat as the Commander began to approach her. But she couldn’t move.

“Commander Ren.”

The man stopped, his dark locks bouncing as he turned towards the door. Efa’s eyes were locked on the Commander, but, somehow, she managed to glance quickly to the figure in the doorway.

It was a stormtrooper, but…different. Despite her despair, she couldn’t help but admire the sheen of the chrome armour, it was much more interesting than the average stormtrooper.

“I do hope I’m not interrupting.” The trooper said, her mask observing the scene before her. “However, I require the translator urgently.” The mask turned to face Efa. “Am I correct in assuming you are Miss Vas?”

“Yes, ma’am” she said, sitting up straighter and trying to appear as professional as possible, despite her obvious circumstances. She was avoiding as much eye contact with Commander Ren and Rassk’s limp body as possible, but she wasn’t sure if she was yet saved.

She tried to focus on the new figure, pulling her mind away from the scene around her. Based on the markings of the trooper, she assumed she held the authority of a Captain.

“I see, you must come with me. Immediately.”

Efa stood quickly, sensing the urgency that had followed the Captain into the room. Hesitantly, she headed towards the door, passing the Commander as she did so. She held her breath as she crossed the threshold, not sure if she would be condemned to remain within the Commander’s grasp.

But, thankfully, the door hissed shut behind her and she released a sigh of relief. Without a moment to think, the stormtrooper turned, and Efa followed quickly as she was lead down the corridor and away from the room. The two remained silent as they walked, their boots echoing through the hollow walkways.

Stars, what was happening?

Efa was still trying to understand everything. Rassk was her main concern. There was no clear reason as to why he was there…and why the Commander had acted the way he had.

Despite it all, she also hoped she hadn’t just gotten herself fired. She felt selfish even considering it over what she’d just seen Rassk go through, but she never stopped thinking about her family. She really hoped they wouldn’t have to starve just because she fucked up…again.

As they entered yet another corridor, the Captain stopped near a door.

“Take a seat inside and wait, the General will be with you shortly,” she said, pressing a button and watching the door open with a hiss.

Efa’s heart lurched. She was certain now that she was to be fired…and not just by anyone. Seeing the General so soon after last night was already something she was far from ready for, but that, coupled with what she’d just seen…and the fact that the General was likely to be the one firing her…

She sucked in a breath of air.

This would be fun.

[tchester27]

Chapter 4 - The Moons of Arkanis

---

She probably shouldn’t have had that bottle of wine before bed.

Groaning more than before, Efa gathered all the strength she could to push herself out of bed and towards her closet. She couldn’t help but fear the worst, but it wasn’t like the General had been very descriptive of her task.

What the fuck was she supposed to do now?

She got herself dressed and looking as job-ready as she possibly could for 4am. No doubt the escort was already outside, but she took one look at herself in the mirror before she left. She made a mental note to remain professional, no matter how good-looking the General may be.

Pressing the button to open the hatch, she saw a trooper waiting ready for her. She smiled politely, and began following as he led the way.

It was surprising how close the General’s quarters were to her own, and even more surprising that he deemed an escort necessary. She barely had any time to properly register her unease as the trooper knocked against the General's door, announcing their arrival.

The doors opened, and the trooper gestured for her to step inside, but they didn’t follow. Instead, they remained in the hallway and disappeared as the doors slid shut behind her. It was much colder here.

Turning towards the room, Efa could make out the faint outline of the General at a desk near the corner of the room. The space was, unsurprisingly, much bigger than her own, with almost all the furniture being about three times the standard size. The room was dimly lit, but the desk the General was sat at illuminated his features as he began to address her, his face not leaving the screen he was working on.

“Efa, your presence is appreciated at this hour. Please.” He pulled out a chair next to his, and she nodded, heading over towards him. As she sat down, she could see the General was still in formal dress, only the outer layers of his uniform missing. The distance between them was rather short, and she tied not to seem on edge. His attention on the screen made her feel slightly more at ease, as it seemed to genuinely be a translation matter he required her for.

But in his quarters? At 4am? It was unusual, no doubt about it.

“Good Evening General, how can I assist you?” She said politely, her eyes averted from both the screen and the man as she awaited instruction.

“Yes, I have a rather delicate matter I require your help with.” He started, turning to face her. She made eye contact respectfully as he spoke, but the strangeness of the situation made it hard to stop her mind from straying.

“You see, I have a message that is rather important and, to put it plainly, secretive. You cannot discuss this with anyone outside of this room, is that absolutely clear?”

Efa swallowed, averting her gaze for a moment as she processed the gravity of this information. She wasn’t sure what would happen if she refused...not that she would. She assumed he had requested her because she was the only one with the necessary skillset onboard.

“Of course, sir. I understand, and I will maintain absolute secrecy.”

“Very good.” His cold gaze was intimidating, but she didn't let it phase her.

After a moment, she shifted her attention to the screen, “This message is in code. I need it ready for immediate delivery.” He said, beginning to stand. “Take my seat, it will be easier.”

She rose and shifted into his desk chair, warmth still radiating from where he had been. It was oddly comforting and rather distracting. But she pulled her focus back to the task at hand. The screen displayed a cryptic message in Basic. She read through it curiously.

“What language do you require this in, General?”

“Aqualish, Huttese and Ithorese.”

She nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Efa tried to keep her composure as she registered the potential danger she was now in.

This message was definitely intended for Lothal…and it had to be connected to the Admiral. If that was the case, why the secrecy? As she began to translate the message, she felt the General’s hands on the back of her chair.

Color began to drain from her face as she realised she could roughly piece together some of the meaning. She had some experience in decryption as part of her education, but it was not anything she had excelled in. She was grateful the General remained behind her and wasn’t able to see the panicked look she was now obviously wearing.

Leader.

Trust in...enemy.

Betrayal.

Destruction.

Refusal...no mercy.

Each word became worse than the last, and she began to feel her heart pounding in her chest.

“How long do you expect this will take?” He mused, peering over her shoulder. She swallowed.

“About two hours General, I apologise for the duration, however I wish to ensure accuracy.”

He shook his head, moving away from the chair and towards the side of the desk, “Nonsense, take your time. My only requirement is that it must be completed before 9am.”

She breathed a silent sigh of relief. His distance brought her some much needed comfort as she continued the task.

She couldn’t make out the full meaning though, but she knew it wasn’t good. Not at all. “Thank you, sir. I will certainly have it ready before then.”

He hummed a response, moving towards the kitchen. She glanced at him as she worked, her mind remaining cautious. A few moments passed and he approached her again, this time with a glass in his hand.

“I suppose this is a good opportunity for me to congratulate you.” He said, placing the glass on the desk next to her. He leaned over her slightly, pushing her heartrate skyhigh. He smirked slightly as he began to pour an amber liquid from an expensive-looking bottle. “You’ve made it to your first week. I do hope it hasn’t been too…strenuous.”

Eyeing the liquid carefully, Efa smiled politely in response. “That’s very generous of you General, thank you. And no-not at all. I’ve been enjoying my time here.”

He watched her for a moment before returning to the couch next to the desk, pouring himself his own glass.

“Whisky from the moons of Arkanis.” He said, swirling it in the light. He took a sip, before turning to face her, his head cocked slightly. “We never did continue our conversation about your past.”

Efa’s blood ran cold. She carefully drew her gaze from the screen over to him, his icey blue eyes boring into her own. “I do hope I’m not distracting you.”

“No, of course not General,” she said quickly. Thankfully, she was rather capable of multitasking, especially with languages she was so used to using. She was grateful for this talent when dealing with such an uneasy situation. “What is it you wish to know?” She asked, politely.

He smiled slightly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Well, I am curious about your origin. What brought you to Lothal?” He took a sip as he waited for her response.

She frowned in thought, “In all honesty, it was the weather. Arkanis was nice, but I got tired of the rain.”

It was not a whole lie.

She took a sip, wincing slightly at the strength of the alcohol as it passed her lips. She mentally scolded herself for unintentionally predrinking earlier on. The warmth of the whisky filled her belly, but she was careful not to drink too much too fast. She needed to do work after all. “Have you been, General?"

“To Lothal? No." He said simply, watching her thoughtfully. "But, if you mean Arkanis, then...not for a while now, but yes. It too is my homeworld.”

She looked up from the screen to meet his gaze. She hadn’t expected such a revelation, and it brought her more questions than answers.

Is that perhaps why he had employed her? Or trusted her with this task? On top of her profession, of course.

“But lets move on from that,” he said, pausing for a while.

She took another sip and dared another glance at the General. He had spread himself out more on the couch, one arm resting on the back of the seat as he faced towards her. His brow raised slightly, and she realised that she had been staring at him. And he had noticed. She looked away quickly, trying to kept her composure.

“It surprises me to have found you in the company of the Admiral. May I ask how that came to be?” he continued, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. He swirled the liquid around his glass as he spoke.

Her eyes now fixed to the screen, Efa sought about formulating her response. “Well, I was previously working freelance to expand my skills. The Admiral had been visiting my client of the time, and offered me a job, much like how you did, General. That was a year ago, and now I am his personal translator.” She said, as convincingly as possible.

“Why did you accept his offer? Why the change of direction?”

“I needed an income, freelance didn’t always guarantee that.” It was, again, not a total lie. If the General suspected anything, he didn’t show it.

Instead, he stood and headed back towards the desk. Sucking in a breath, Efa braced herself as he took a seat next to her. He placed his glass on the table next to hers and leaned forward towards the screen.

“I see you are onto Ithorese already, impressive work,” he said as he examined the text. His closeness was once again a little to much for her. The alcohol was mixing with her drowsiness. It also didn’t help that the General was rather attractive, of course, and she was struggling to sit still with he warmth of his body so close to her own.

“I must warn you, Efa.” He began, his face turning to hers and pulling her back to sobriety. “You have been assigned a rather difficult task for the coming week. You are to accompany Commander Ren as his primary translator. He does not anticipate a need for you, but you must remain in his presence nonetheless, in the case he requires your expertise.” He took a rather long sip as she felt her heart begin to race. She was not ready to be in the presence of the Commander again, let alone be his primary translator.

The General sighed, continuing, “I need you to be aware that this will be particularly challenging, as he will be undertaking interrogations. This will be a gruelling task to witness. I cannot ensure you will be reassigned, but I can recommend you remain at your current post, if that is what you prefer.” He watched her carefully as she took in his words.

Why the First Order now wished to punish her so severely, she did not know. But the General was extending his hand. His offer of help seemed genuine, but she couldn’t rule out the possibility of a test. Still, between risking her life at the hands of the Commander or parting with her reputation, she would gladly sacrifice the latter.

“I appreciate your warning, General. If possible, I would greatly appreciate remaining on the bridge. However, I am prepared to assist the Commander should he insist.”

The General nodded in response, his eyes tracing her lips.

Feeling a spark deep inside of her, Efa quickly turned back to the screen.

“I apologise again for the delay, sir. I will be finished with the Ithorese within the hour.” She murmured, and the General hummed in response.

“Do not apologise. The value of your work outweighs its duration.” He said, sitting back and bringing the glass to his lips.

She couldn’t help but sneak another glance as the man finished his glass. Her eyes followed the grip of his gloved hand down his forearm towards his shoulders. His uniform, somehow still mostly pristine in the early hours, had been loosened slightly, revealing the top of his chest.

She was pulled back to the present as he set the glass down beside himself with a clink, but there was no time to react.

His arm shot around her waist, pulling both her and her chair towards him. His other hand found her hair, as her arms found their place behind his shoulders.

The General’s lips were on hers without a moment to spare, but it not a simple kind of kiss. Theirs was hungry and raw, with a hint of whisky and wine.

Efa had never felt herself quite so out of control before. She was completely and utterly a slave to her desires. Her hands reached down to his trousers, fumbling hastily with the buckle. Her lips never left his as she worked to free him. Once her hand pressed against him, she felt a slight gasp through the kiss.

“Is this o-kay, sir?” She managed.

He pulled back from her, his eyes dark. He said nothing, just nodded slightly, his hand forming a fist in her hair. Gently, but firmly, she felt him pushing her down to her knees, his other hand pushing the chair away behind her.

Her hand reached beneath his pants and he sucked in a breath as she pulled him free. She bent down to get into a better position, her lips and tongue dancing at the tip of his cock. His grip in her hair tightened as she pushed herself down to take him in fully. Working with her hands, she began building up a pace. The General began to buck to her rhythm, pushing himself deeper.

She released an involuntary moan, and his other hand clasped the other side of her head, his wild eyes watching her every move. He began building a rougher pace and she had to hold onto his hips to keep steady as he pulled her against his strides, taking him in deeper. It was hard not to choke on his size, but the alcohol certainly dimmed her gag reflex.

Between heavy panting, she felt him tense. His grip grew tighter as she felt him release. A mumbled grunt left his lips as she took him in, not allowing a drop to go to waste.

Slowly, the General pulled away. For a moment Efa simply watched him, her eyes transfixed. But then, she leaned backwards, using her hands to support herself. He rose, pulling back his trousers into their proper position.

She watched lazily as he made his way back to the kitchen and retrieved the whisky bottle. His hair was ruffled after the commotion, and fell messily across his temple, brushing his eyebrows. Propping herself up and back onto the chair, she took a minute to catch her breath and process what had just happened.

The General returned, pouring her another glass before refilling his own. Efa nodded her thanks, unwilling to be the first to break the silence. She glanced at the time at the corner of the screen.

Stars. It was 8.30am.

She pulled the chair closer to the screen as the General collapsed into the chair beside her. She didn’t know how she managed it, but, in the next fifteen minutes she typed the fasted she ever had before in her life. She had no idea how she managed to complete the full translation before the clock struck 8.45, but she had.

Valiantly, she glanced over at the General, hoping to be met with a face of gratitude, or, at the very least, relief. Instead the General was asleep, and she took a moment to herself. He was exceptionally handsome when he was at peace, his features had stood out to her from the very moment she’d seen him. She’d never have allowed herself to admit it though.

Stars, what had she just done?

She leaned back in her chair, her mind spinning. This had all gone too far, she was still new here. And now, she had no idea where she stood. Rubbing her eyes she sighed defeatedly. At this point she had finished her task here, she should just wake the General, inform him of her work and leave.

Pulling in a deep breath, she turned back to the man beside her.

“General. Sir.” She tried, placing a hand on his shoulder to give a gentle shove. “Sir?”

The General jumped slightly, turning to her quickly with wide eyes.

“I apologise sir. I do hope I haven’t bothered you.” She murmured softly, careful not to startle the man more than she already had. “Um, the translation is complete. It is ready for delivery. I apologise again for the delay.”

The General regained his composure quickly, almost making her doubt she had spooked him.

“Oh yes, the translation….Thank you. .” He said plainly, rubbing a hand against his head. “I appreciate your presence tonight. You may return to your quarters, I will not keep you any longer.”

“Yes sir,” she said, rising to her feet. Before she could turn away, he suddenly grabbed her wrist. It wasn’t painful, but his grip was firm and the leather was cold against her skin.

“I am sincere in my gratitude, Efa. But do not forgot, you must maintain absolute secrecy. Is that understood?” His blue eyes watched hers intently with a sudden alertness that put her on edge. She nodded quickly.

“Yes General, of course. I understand.”

He released her, and she turned back towards the door, not willing to risk another glance at the man.

[tchester27]

Chapter 3 - Tip of the Iceberg

---

“Miss, do you require medical assistance?”

Efa frowned. She wasn’t in pain, somehow, but she certainly wasn’t ok. “Uh, no thank you. I just- Is there a bathroom nearby I could use?”

Pulling herself up, she felt the hands of nearby troopers attempt to help her to her feet. She shakily managed to find her footing, still leaning on one of them for support.

One of the troopers pointed to a door a few feet away towards the entrance of the bridge. Whispering a faint “Thanks” she broke off from them and began making her way over. Thankfully she didn’t have much difficulty walking now that her head had stopped spinning, but it still felt like an eternity before she managed to pull the door shut behind her.

LF4537 sighed as he watched her disappear. It certainly wasn’t the first time the Supreme Commander would throw a tantrum today, but he truthfully hadn’t expected so much death already. It was barely 9am. He turned back to the guards lying on the floor, and mentioned to his fellow trooper about ordering a clean up team. As they began making the call, LF4537 went about finding a way to update the General on the translator’s first task. He held the datapad in his hand as he pressed open the communication feature.

Draft Message

To: General Armitage Hux.

Regarding: Translator Efa Vas

General Hux, the translator performed her initial task well. Supreme Commander Ren’s messages were communicated with ease. There were no issues regarding interpretation, however…

For a moment felt a bit lost for words and he turned back towards the bathroom door. He hoped she wasn’t too rattled, but at least the Commander had gone easy on her.

…the Commander expressed some frustration. This seems to have been a challenge for her. It may be best to proceed with more distanced tasks.

I await further instruction.

Hux smoothed a hand over his head, careful not to damage his pristinely gelled-back hair. As he read over the message, he sat back in his desk chair. It was no surprise to see Ren making this difficult, but at least he had the decency not to kill off the poor girl on her first day. A knock at the door caught his attention.

“Enter.”

“General,” an officer pushed open the door, he didn’t recognise her, but it didn’t really matter to him. He looked over at her curiously.

“Your meeting” she stated, “the Admiral has requested it is delayed”.

Hux sighed. It was unsurprising that the Admiral was trying to milk their stay here as much as possible. Buying time just meant more freebies…and more taunting.

He raised his brow, “What is the reason for this?”

The officer shifted uncomfortably on her feet. “The exact wording was: we wish to look over our findings once more, to be sure.” Hux’s face twitched, but the officer continued. “I apologise sir, I do not understand their exact meaning, so it is difficult for me to convey.”

Hux leaned his head forward into his hands, lost in thought.

Slowly, a slight smirk spread across his face. “I see. Please inform the Admiral that, if they require more time, then I must regrettably reduce the offer by half. However, if they are willing to begin our discussions today, then I am prepared to triple the price.”

“Yes General, I will deliver your message right away.” The officer replied, stepping quickly out of the room. Hux watched as the door slowly closed behind her.

It wasn’t long before he drew his attention back to the datapad. After skimming the message once more, he began to form his response.

Draft Message

To: ST ID LF4537

Regarding: RE Translator Efa Vas

LF4537, your update is appreciated.

She is still alive, I regard this as a success. She will remain on the bridge for the foreseeable future. Continue to monitor her progress.

The message lit up the datapad in LF4537’s hand as he watched Efa emerging from the bathroom. He was positioned in a way that made it seem he was observing the cleaning crew, who had mostly completed their task. She hadn’t been in there for a while, just about the normal amount that new recruits need to de-stress after experiencing the Commander’s temper.

Efa wasn’t too sure where she needed to go. Her hands had finally stopped shaking, and she could see the room was beginning to recover too. It was as if nothing had happened. As she was making her way out, she suddenly found herself facing a women. She smiled politely at Efa and offered her hand, which was accepted.

“Officer Mina, please to meet you.”

Efa shook her hand, thankful to finally find someone who may just know what she was here to do. “Efa Vas, nice to meet you Officer.” The officer nodded, gesturing for her to follow.

“I am glad I spotted you, after such…instances it can be hard to track everyone down.” She chuckled, “you handled the situation far better than most, I hope it was not too much of a scare so early in the day.”

Cringing at the realisation that the whole bridge must’ve been watching everything unfold, Efa tried her best not to return to her feelings of panic. “Yeah aha, its certainly a way to wake me up.”

Officer Mina simply chuckled. They were standing in front of one of the bigger desks along the right side of the bridge. Along it sat about 7 others, all quickly typing away at the screens before them.

“This is where you will be most needed each day. We receive communications here before they are sent to the necessary recipient. Often, we will have messages that need to be put into Basic, which is your job.” She switched on the screen closest to them, and pointed to the message system’s functions. “Between each of us, we have about 20 languages we are able to interpret. You, of course, have far more. Therefore you will kind of be an overseer of sorts. When messages require extra attention for complex phrasing, editing or, if we are simply unfamiliar with the language, that’s where you’ll come in.” She stepped back a bit, allowing Efa some space to look at the screen more closely.

“I see, I think I have worked with this messaging system before.”

“I don’t doubt it. I must admit, I am relieved you are finally here. Given your experience, operations here will run much more smoothly.”

Efa frowned slightly, but masked it quickly. “Oh, may I ask, how is it you know of my work? Were you expecting me?” She tried to keep her meaning light, but alarm bells ringing in her head made it difficult to focus.

“Yes, of course. We were briefed on your resume last week to prepare for your arrival. Actually, let me introduce you to the team here.” The Officer smiled. As they each took some time to introduce themselves, Efa began to fall back into the comfort of her work. It was the one thing she could rely on to remain consistent. Her new team mates all seemed genuine and skilled in their own ways, Officer Mina included, but the introduction had thrown her a bit. But right now, she forced herself to get lost in the world of translation. It was easy, it was her passion after all.

The next few days were the same as the last, minus the Supreme Commander, thankfully.

Efa was in a routine. Sure, in the evenings her mind returned to her family, but on her second day she had received a message from the Admiral that her latest paycheck had been deposited in her account. That meant her brother had access to enough credit to get them through the next month or so. It was a weight off her shoulders. Not all of it, but now things felt at least a bit lighter. Maybe this internship will work out well after all.

As she settled into bed on the final day of her first week, she gazed out at the stars. She had never had the luxury of a floor to ceiling window, much less a fully stocked studio living space all to herself. Hell, she didn’t even have to clean here. She had everything she needed. If it wasn’t for how dreadful the Order was, she might’ve allowed herself to enjoy being here. The job was simple. The messages were mostly the same; something about trade deals, alliances, intel on the resistance. Nothing had been a real issue so far…apart from the incident with the Supreme Commander on the first day, of course.

And then there was the overtime. It wasn’t so bad, but it had become jarringly clear to her that she had the widest skill set among the translators on board. And that meant being woken some nights to deal with messages deemed too vital to wait until morning. Turning away from the stars she stretched out comfortably, hoping tonight wouldn’t be one of those nights.

It was, however, one of those nights.

Just as her eyelids had shut, the familiar dinging began from her datapad. She groaned as dramatically as she could, as if that would put off the caller from disturbing her peace. But the sound continued. She stretched out an arm without bothering to lift her head from the pillow. Slowly, she brought the pad to her ear.

“Yes?”

“Efa, this is General Hux. You are needed.”

This guy…the three other times she’d been woken this week turned out to be for the General. As she’d been back at the bridge with Officer Mina, she’d mentioned the General’s preference for late night work. “Its more productive at night, dealing with fewer morons.” Mina had said, with a rather convincing impression of the General. He hadn’t been there in person, thankfully. She doubted neither her nor Mina would still be employed had the General heard them.

But now, after a whole week of this, she expected perhaps a bit of peace. She stopped herself groaning at the thought of getting back up just for this. The temptation to just end the call and fall back to sleep was very strong. But she pulled herself together.

“Yes General, no problem. Where should I report to? Shall I contact Officer Mina to assist in this task?”

“No need, come to my quarters. I have sent a trooper to escort you.”

Efa’s eyes shot open and she sat up, her heart in her hands. His quarters? Was that even allowed?

“Oh, ok. No problem. I will be there shortly.”

The General didn’t bother to respond, and she heard the call cut off almost before she’d finished her sentence.

[tchester27]

Chapter 2 - Dangerzone

---

As the doors closed behind her, Efa pressed her back against them and slid down onto the polished marble floor. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away. She felt a mixture of emptiness and despair. When the General had delivered the news, when he had uttered her name, and shown her the contract, she had erupted into panic. She hadn’t shown it of course, she had been trained to remain calm and collected, but inside she had been a storm. She was certain it only contained formal employment information, but she couldn’t help but fear the worst. She had just managed to secure a position with the Admiral back on Lothal. It wasn’t a dream, the Admiral wasn’t kind or patient, but working there meant she could see her brother and help with her nieces. After the death of his wife the family had fallen apart, there was barely an income when she was alive but her brother couldn’t work. The salary from the Admiral hadn’t been generous, but it had been enough for them to survive. But now, being here with the order…she wasn’t sure if she could send them the credits they needed, or even contact them? But worst of all, the family had been working with the resistance before her sister in laws death. Before she was killed by the First Order for collaborating.

She shouldn’t have come here, she knew she could very easily fall into danger. But she was foolish. She hadn’t anticipated that the Admiral would be meeting with such a high ranking official of the Order, or that they’d be coming to one of the main ships to do so. Not that the Admiral shared much anyway.

Sighing, she pulled herself to her feet, trying to draw her attention to her new surroundings. At least she could relax for a moment and bask in some privacy. She would get through a day at a time.

Slowly exploring her newfound space, she marvelled at the king-sized bed that engulfed the room. Everything was pristine, from the marble en-suite bathroom to the fully-loaded kitchenette, complete with a small desk and couch at the end of the bed. Upon opening the closet, she was surprised to be met with her baggage from their shuttle.

So, this really was all premeditated. She cursed the Admiral under her breath. Some communication…even a smidge…would’ve been nice.

After hanging up some of her clothes and arranging her toiletries in their new places, she collapsed gratefully onto the bed. Despite it all, the comfort of the First Order didn’t disappoint.

A ding echoing through her room startled her from her sleep. She hadn’t even realised she’d been out, and, slightly panicked, she grappled around for her alarm. 3am. Ok, so she hadn’t slept through her first day at least. Sighing heavily at the slight nausea, she pushed herself up. The lights had been left on, and she wandered about aimlessly until she remembered what she was doing. Ah yes, the ding. Spinning on her heel in the direction of the datapad, she tapped the screen to activate it.

New Message

From: General Hux.

Regarding: First Day

Induction cancelled. Presence required tomorrow on the bridge, 08.00.

She frowned. Geez working late? Stars, why send this now? She grumbled to herself as she searched for the volume button for notifications. She wasn’t about to be woken every night of this damn internship just because the General wants to overwork. That was his business, but right now, she was off the clock.

Feeling a sense of tiredness wash back over her, she brought herself to the sink. Finding a glass, she poured herself some water, before dimming the lights. She headed back to her bed and set the glass down, changing into her pyjamas. She picked up a book she’d packed as she slipped into bed, this time taking the time to tuck herself in properly. The weight of the sheets were just right, and she was asleep again in no time.

At 7am Efa rolled over into slight consciousness. She awoke the same time every morning, at today was no different than the last. Glancing at her alarm, she mentally calculated how much time she had to prepare for the day.

Step one - get up.

She groaned, willing for a moment more in the warm bliss of her cocoon. The daily battle, but she would win. Willing herself up, she pushed herself to her feet, and made her way to the bathroom. She normally needed forty minutes to get ready, but today she managed it all in twenty. With some time, she decided to sort out her room code, and order some breakfast. Her mind wandered slightly back to the Admiral and the team, she wondered if they too were preparing for the day. Possibly entering into another meeting soon. They would probably have Sha replace her, he was excellent at basic, so he seemed a natural choice. Drawing her attention back to the screen, she tried to remember what she was doing.

And then she saw it.

Bottom right.

The time.

8.30am.

Stars. She hadn’t set her alarm to Imperial Time. Which meant…she was an hour late. On her first day….

She dropped the pad and sprinted to the door. Surely they had to have some leniency for her very first task? Perhaps it was simply another meeting with the General?

The bridge.

Stars, she didn’t know the way.

Trying very hard not to fall into a complete panic, Efa looked around for a trooper. Thankfully, a group had just began turning the corner, and she approached them hurriedly, asking for their help. Two broke off from the group and just as hurriedly marched her towards her destination. Still a little panicked, she tried to prepare herself and keep her composure before they arrived. Thankfully, they were there in a short amount of time.

The guards at the entrance to the bridge asked for her identification, and her heart sank when they refused to listen to her. Frustration and worry began to bubble up as she tried to explain her position, her words falling over one another as she spoke about having not yet received formal identification. The guards simply told her to return when she could prove her access, but something broke through in the seemingly hopeless situation.

The door panels slammed open, and the guards were pulled violently into the bridge with the force of a jedi. But this was no jedi.

Efa had barely any time to comprehend what had happened before she too was whisked into the room herself. She wasn’t pulled as harshly, but the force didn’t hesitate to pull her body roughly as it dragged her forward on her heels.

As she moved, she saw the bridge open up around her, but her attention was on the dark figure towering before her. The limp bodies of the guards lay at his feet, and the lights of the controls gleamed off of the figure’s mask.

“So, this is why my translator was late.” The modified voice sent a shiver down her spine as she was placed before him. “Such fools, but you are here. You are lucky, my patience was wearing thin.”

Trying to disguise her terror, she kept herself still and stood tall before who she presumed was the sith. She knew far more about him than she wanted to, but experiencing him in person was much more harrowing than listening through war stories.

“I am at your service, Commander. I apologise sincerely for the delay. It will not happen again.” She managed, as professionally as possible.

“It certainly won’t,” he stated, dryly. “We are preparing for contact with an allied ship. We are establishing contact as we speak. When we receive their signal, you must interpret their message into basic and communicate back. I will be providing the responses.”

“Yes, sir.” She forced herself to look into where she presumed his eye were, as was as was custom in addressing those in positions of power. However she was met only with the dark abyss of his mask in response. She’d had to deal with plenty of dangerous criminals before. Hell, on a planet like Lothal, everyone needs a translator. But this was nothing like she was used to. She was staring at pure evil. Usually the worst of the worst paid the best. It was certainly the case here too.

A sudden beeping filled the space, and a worker announced that they had received the signal from the ally. Without warning, a blue hologram appeared at the front of the bridge, stretching out before them. The face belonged to a human, but they spoke a language she was surprised to hear. It was very old, almost never used for common communication.

“Girl, speak.” Kylo Ren’s voice boomed her back into the room. Her intrigue had almost succeeded in transporting her away from her current predicament. Forcing herself into translator mode, she asked the face to repeat itself.

“Commander Ren, we demand an immediate update on the location of General Snoke. We urgently require contact.” She managed, it was a difficult language to translate, and her ability to concentrate was made worse by the Commander’s intimidating presence. She stood ready for a response, but instead the Supreme Leader remained silent. She glanced back at the face, which repeated its question. “Commander Ren, we require a response.” She said, careful to omit the slightly harsher choice of words.

She could hear the sound of heavy breathing coming from the figure before her, and she stepped back quickly as he ignited his saber. Other workers in the room had also drawn their attention to the commotion, and had retreated themselves.

“Tell them that General Snoke is no longer present. Tell them that, in his absence, I have assumed the role of Supreme Commander. If they seek him, they must search elsewhere.” He seethed.

A thousand questions flooded her mind as she nodded hurriedly, before translating his message.

The hologram let out a bellowing laugh that Efa felt vibrate through the floors of the ship. Listening to the response, she swallowed, piecing together a way to communicate it that wouldn’t have her head torn from her body.

“They…claim that you are not being truthful. They demand that you tell them his location, they…also do not recognise your assumed positi-” A metal grip wrapped around her throat, stopping her mid-word. He had lunged at her, holding her up to his mask. His saber blazed behind him as he tilted his head to face her. She struggled, her gasps growing desperate. There was nothing else to do but desperately stare at her own reflection looking back at her with wide, pleading eyes.

Suddenly the mask turned slightly, towards a nearby worker on a control panel. “Fire.” He spat, his modified voice full of boiling rage threatening to spill.

For a moment Efa lost all hope, believing she was about to be executed, she glanced once more at herself. But she wasn’t looking back. Instead, a blinding white light blared across the mask, engulfing the bridge. The silent explosion of the allied ship would have almost been peaceful if not for the fact the Commander had just killed the man she was speaking with moments before. The sheer terror she was feeling was like nothing she had every experienced before, held in the fist of a murderer.

Before she could realise it, she fell to her knees. Through blurred vision, she watched as the figure disappeared from view in a mix of blazing red, wisping robes and thundering footsteps.

[tchester27]

Chapter 1 - Swimming with Sharks

---

“General”

Hux’s lips formed into a sharp, slim line. Pulled from his thoughts as he gazed out at the stars, he turned slowly, leather gloves clasped tightly behind his back.

“Pardon the interruption sir, we have an arrival in bay 7.” Stormtrooper LF4537 extended a datapad out towards him.

The glare of the lights caught his sight as he looked the trooper over, before taking the datapad with a nod.

“Ah yes, see to it that they are brought to the arrival lounge. I won’t be long.”

“Yes sir!” came the modified voice through the helmet. The general watched as the trooper turned, his boots squeaking on the polished floors as he marched away.

With a sigh, he turned back to the hanger window. Drawing his attention to his reflection, he adjusted his hair and collar before staring further out into the vastness of space.

It was not long before the trooper reached his destination and he began hastily approaching the newly parked ship. It wasn’t much bigger than a command shuttle, but seemed to house a much larger crew. Evidence of this became clear as LF4537 watched as a small crowd finished disembarking. As he approached, he saw what seemed to be the leader of the group, with a few minions hovering around them. Joining the other stormtroopers, he turned to them, passing on the General’s order of their trajectory towards the arrival lounge.

Before they could respond, LF4537 turned to the group to explain the situation. He wasn’t quite sure of the species among the new arrivals, but there were a handful of humans and twi’leks. The rest he had never seen before.

“Welcome.” He announced, and the eyes of those before him turned in curiosity. “We will guide you to the lounge where you will receive a formal greeting by our lead General. Please follow us.” The eyes simply stared back before turning one by one to a human towards the back of the herd. She was whispering into the ear of the supposed leader, who nodded and spoke in a language he didn’t recognise.

“Many thanks” came the answer from the girl. “We will follow.” The eyes returned to him.

He gestured towards the other troopers, who were watching with just as much curiosity at the scene. Seeing that they were now needed, they snapped into action and began assisting the newcomers in the direction of the lounge. LF4537 followed behind as the group was led forward.

Tapping his toes slightly in frustration, the general waited impatiently in the arrival lounge. He hadn’t wasted time in preparing for his guests, but their delay was beginning to become tiresome. Two troopers entered his field of vision, and soon the rest of the group followed. *Finally*.

“Dear guests” Hux stated, watching them approach and stand before him as he delivered his speech. “I hope you have had a pleasant journey, we are delighted to welcome you to our dreadnought,” he smiled warmly, but his eyes remained bitterly cold. “Please make yourselves comfortable here. All necessities are provided for your stay.”

LF4537 watched as the leader of the group joined the General before the crowd, bringing along three minions as they did. One, the human from before, began speaking to the group, and he mused that she was translating the General’s message. As the crowd dispersed, mulling about he plates of food and offerings of drink, the leader turned to Hux. Another minion revealed a machine resembling a datapad, and placed it in the hands of the leader, who, in turn, passed it on to the general. LF4537 noticed the General’s slight change in demeanour. Intrigued, he watched as the General gestured towards a room at the back of the lounge, and the leader followed, the minions following behind hastily.

As the door behind them closed the General attempted to relieve some of his stress by turning to the drinks stand. “Can I offer you something, Admiral?”. The leader took a seat, shaking their head in response. One of the minions, a species similar to an ewok, took a seat to the left of the admiral. The other two, a human and a trandoshan, remained standing behind them. The General nodded, pouring himself a short whisky. He turned, pulling out a seat at the other side of the table, opposite his guests. “I’m greatful that you came to me with this,” Hux began, placing the datapad on the table between them. “But I must inquire, where did you locate it?”

The human spoke to the admiral, who smiled, and muttered back to her. She straightened, looking back to the general. “It was given to the Admiral personally. However, the finder reported discovering the pad in a brothel.” Hux scoffed slightly, taking a sip.

“This was on your planet?” He asked, studying the admiral before him, who held his gaze just as coldly.

“Yes, General,” came the reply.

Hux nodded, “tell me, what is your price?”

The human bent down to her leader and spoke quietly. Admiral smiled as they gave her the response, their eyes never leaving Hux’s.

After a short while, the girl stood back up and addressed Hux. “We are asking for 1,500,000 credits and an agreement between the First Order and our planet regarding the trade of vessels and dark energy conductors.”

The General took another, longer sip before nodding back at the group before him. “Very well. I can transfer you the credits by the end of the day, however an agreement will take time. We can arrange for this to be discussed within the following days, but I cannot guarantee this.”

The Admiral cocked their head slightly as the girl spoke the General’s words. They muttered softly, and the ewok lurched forward and snapped the datapad away from Hux, who raised his brows in surprise.

“We will wait then,” the girl said, watching Hux. “The Admiral is tired and requires rest. We thank you for your hospitality and hope to continue this discussion later on.”

“A moment.” Hux muttered as those seated began to rise. “You, translator, are you the sole one here or is there another?”

The girl looked back in surprise at being addressed, but spoke calmly. “No, General, but I am directly appointed to the Admiral.”

The Admiral stared at the girl and she turned to them, repeating the conversation.

“If it is convenient for the Admiral, I can have them seen to their room. But I wish to request to speak with you.”

She spoke quietly with her leader, who nodded in response, dismissing the girl with a wave of their fin.

“They agree.” She said, watching the General with both confusion and intrigue as the door shut behind them.

“Please, take a seat.” Hux gestured, as the translator obliged cautiously. “I apologise for this rather rash way of initiating an interview, however I wish to offer you a position.”

Surprise broke across the girl’s face, but she was quick to respond. “I am very honoured General, however I have a current contract with the Admiral which cannot be amended. I must decline.”

“Am I correct in assuming you’re from Arkanis?”

A little hesitant, the girl nodded in response. “Yes, General. That’s correct.”

“You have interpreted my offer incorrectly. This would be a temporary position, more of an internship. It is a part of the deal I wish to discuss with the Admiral to widen your language abilities. The role would be for a month, and we will offer you more than five times your current salary and a catered living space.”

Her eyes widened slightly in shock, but still, she remained unsure. “This is a very generous offer, General, but I recommend discussing this with the Admiral. I am not sure-”.

“Actually, they have already agreed.” He turned to his right, and pulled out a file. “This is your new contract. Temporary. With the First Order. The Admiral has already signed off for you here.” He gestured to the bottom of the page, and the girl struggled to process it all as she skimmed the information presented to her.

“I understand this is a rather unexpected change, however I expect you to be in service from tomorrow morning. There will be someone assigned to you on your first day for guidance, after that, you will be expected to work independently. If there are any issues you may raise them with me personally. Do you understand?”

Still trying to understand the situation she was now in, the girl simply smiled back politely, trying to mask her worry. “Yes, General.”

“Excellent,” he said, rising and moving over to her side of the table. Before she could react, he extended a hand, helping her to her feet. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Efa.”

A bit unsure how to respond, she simply nodded, avoiding his gaze as she took it. She got up slowly, trying to ignore the rose hint spreading across her features. He gestured to the doorway, pushing her chair in behind her.

As the door opened, LF4537 stepped back slowly, trying not to draw attention to himself as he watched the General turn right to him.

“Ah, LF4537, please see to it that the new translator is shown to her quarters.”

“Yes, General.” He replied, beginning to turn in the direction instructed. As he exited the lounge and began down one of the spacious corridors, he could hear the quiet footsteps of the girl trailing behind him. He could sense her unease, and she was right to have it, but he kept quiet and continued to lead her forwards. The stars gleamed down on them through the wide windows as they continued, he hoped they brought her some comfort.

Turning down the final stretch of corridor brought them to a line of sleek black doorways, each about four metres wide with small control pads next to them. “This one is yours.” He stated simply as they stopped infront of the second door to the left. The pin isn’t set, so simply enter and follow the instructions on your datapad to secure your quarters. All the information you need about how to navigate the ship’s services is also provided there. To call for assistance, press the red button on the desk. If you require the General, you must ask for him specifically. Do you have any questions?”

The girl had been listening with a thoughtful, but tired look. “I don’t. Thank you for your service, I will retire now.” She said, pressing a button on the control pad to slide open the doors. LF4537 nodded in response and watched as she disappeared behind the black panels.

[tchester27]

Will That be All? - GENERAL HUX

18+ Fic!

Warnings: Torture, Character Death, Violence, Gore, Past Trauma, Sexual Tension, Oral Sex, Alcohol Consumption, Lightsaber Violence.

!Please see AO3 Tags for up to date warning tags!

-

Summary

The arrival of a ship on General Hux's dreadnought brings with it more questions than answers. A new interpreter is recruited, who soon becomes acquainted with both the General and the notorious Kylo Ren. It becomes clear that the ship harbours far more dangers than she realized. Determined to return to her family unscathed, Efa Vas attempts to work well and remain under the radar until her contract expires. But, it becomes clear that this is far easier said than done.

-

Chapter 1 - Swimming with Sharks

Chapter 2 - Dangerzone

Chapter 3 - Tip of the Iceberg

Chapter 4 - The Moons of Arkanis

Chapter 5 - Condemned

Chapter 6 - Unsatisfactory

Chapter 7 - Deceptions

Chapter 8 - So, what now?

[tchester27]

[tchester27]

Chapter 3 - Too Close

-

Luna rested her hands lightly on the table, keeping her body language relaxed, like she hadn’t just walked in with nothing but a prayer and a name that wasn’t hers.

But she could feel it, the weight in the air had shifted. Heavy. Dangerous. Manny’s gaze had sharpened, just a fraction, losing that lazy amusement he always wore like a second skin. Frank? Silent as ever, but she could sense the tension radiating from him, coiled and ready to move.

And Tony? He was staring at her like a man who already had the answers, he was just waiting to see if she’d give him the right ones.

Come on, Luna. Don’t fuck this up.

“So, Val…” Manny broke the silence, his voice smooth, but there was an edge to it now. “What kinda things you like doin’ around here?”

Luna let the pause stretch, her mind scrambling to focus. The alcohol was making her thoughts sluggish, but she couldn’t afford to slip. Not now.

Don’t rush. Don’t look nervous.

Her lips curved into a slow smile, one she hoped looked effortless. “What do I like?” Her voice was steady, but she felt the slight drag behind her words. She leaned back just a little, fighting the way her body wanted to sway.

“I’m just a girl who likes good music, good company…” Her eyes flicked from Manny to Frank, then, finally, to Tony. She lingered there, just long enough. “…and good whiskey.”

The words tasted bitter in her mouth now.

Tony didn’t react, but something shifted, an almost imperceptible ripple in the air.

“Good company?” His tone was casual, but that edge was still there. Sharper now. Testing.

Luna’s smile didn’t falter. “That’s right, isn’t that what a place like this is all about?”

Manny chuckled, low and amused. But Tony didn’t. His eyes stayed locked on her, dark and unreadable.

“Funny.” Tony’s lips barely moved. “Most girls who wander in here…they don’t come all alone.”

She tilted her head, her expression playful, but inside, her mind was spinning. The whiskey had dulled her edges, made it harder to stay two steps ahead.

“You know, you don’t strike me as the type to…wander,” he murmured, his voice dipping lower. His gaze roamed over her, but it wasn’t just lust in his eyes. It was calculation. He was dissecting her. “So tell me, Valentina…” He dragged her name out just enough to make her stomach twist. “…what you here for? Somebody you looking for here?”

Shit.

Luna’s mouth went dry. She felt the heat of the whiskey curling in her belly, making her limbs feel too loose, too slow. Her pulse hammered in her ears as she fought to stay sharp.

“No,” she murmured, her voice soft but steady. “I came here because I heard-”

“The rumors, yeah.” His tone was ice now, cutting through the heat of the club. “Well, where you hear them huh? Cause I don’t know you. Manny don’t know you. Frank neither.” He pointed at them each in turn, his eyes fixed on her.

Shit. He’s not buying this. Her brain screamed at her to move, to say something…anything…but the alcohol had slowed her instincts. She could feel it now, the warmth clouding her thoughts just enough to throw her off her game.

Think, dammit.

Her eyes dropped, just for a second, her lips parting as if she was weighing her words carefully. Then she looked back up, letting a small, hesitant smile tug at her lips.

“Rico,” she murmured softly. “He’s close with one of my girlfriends, Carly…he told her if there’s ever a place to go…its here.”

The second she said the name, she felt the change in the air.

“Rico huh?” His tone was quieter now, his eyes still resting on hers.

Luna nodded slowly, fighting the wave of nausea rolling through her. “And Tito… and Luca.” She let the names roll off her tongue like she belonged, the ones she heard back at the table with Rico and the others. Like she was one of them.

Silence.

Tony didn’t move. Didn’t blink.

But then—

“Those guys talk too much,” Tony muttered, leaning back in his seat. His expression was still unreadable, but the heat? The pressure that had been threatening to crush her?

It eased.

Just a little.

Manny let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Damn, chica,” he murmured, his grin returning. “You know Rico and Luca?”

Luna’s smile was softer now, her eyes lowering just enough to sell the act. “Kinda, but them and Carly though…they’re real close.”

Tony still wasn’t smiling. But the ice in his gaze had thawed. Just a little. “Still...” His voice was quieter now, but the weight of it pressed down on her like a lead blanket. “All alone huh.” His eyes dragged over her again, slower this time. “Pretty girl like you…walking into places by herself.”

Luna’s pulse pounded in her ears. The whiskey was making it difficult to stay ahead, to read him like she needed to. But she couldn’t let it show.

“Maybe I’m not as smart as I look.”

Manny chuckled, but Tony didn’t. He was still watching her, still weighing every word she said.

“Maybe not.” His voice was almost too soft to hear. Then, without taking his eyes off her, he drained the rest of his whiskey and placed the glass down with a quiet clink. Luna’s heart hammered in her chest as Tony glanced at Frank and Manny. No words. Just a look.

Manny stretched, letting out an exaggerated yawn. “Gotta handle some business,” he murmured, pushing his chair back with a lazy grin. “See ya in a bit, cariño.”

Luna smiled, but her stomach clenched.

Frank was next, his movements precise, controlled. He didn’t say a word, but his eyes lingered on her just a beat too long before he followed Manny. Tony stood last, his movements slower, deliberate. He leaned in just enough to make her heart stop.

“Don’t go nowhere, Valentina,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Luna’s lips curved into a soft, dangerous smile. “I wouldn’t dare.”

Tony didn’t smile back.

Then they were gone.

And she needed a minute before she slipped and blew this whole thing apart.

Luna stood, her movements fluid and unhurried as she made her way to the bathroom. She didn’t rush. She couldn’t. It had to look casual. There were already enough eyes watching her, she didn’t need more reasons to draw them closer. A bathroom break wasn’t anything suspicious anyhow, especially not when she’d been drinking almost constantly.

The second the door swung shut behind her, she exhaled, her hands gripping the cool porcelain of the sink.

“Fuck,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Her pulse was still pounding, her hands trembling just enough to make her nails click against the sink. She stared at her reflection. Her eyes wide, lips slightly parted.

I’m...I’m in. But for how long?…It all got far too chose far too quickly. Fuck…I don’t know if I can handle this.

She closed her eyes and took a slow, steady breath.

When Luna opened her eyes, the woman staring back at her in the mirror looked calm. Composed. Like she had this under control.

But that’s a lie, isn’t it?

Her pulse was still thrumming beneath her skin, adrenaline humming through her veins like a live wire. She had bought herself a little time—barely—but Tony wasn’t stupid. He’d circle back. And if she didn’t have answers next time, this whole thing was going to blow up in her face.

Get it together, Luna. You didn’t come this far to fold now.

She adjusted the neckline of her dress, smoothing her hands down her sides, and tilted her chin up. The girl in the mirror wasn’t scared. She was dangerous. She was Valentina Cruz. And Valentina knew how to navigate this world. She lived it, thrived in it.

Luna let out one last breath, her shoulders squaring.

Time to get back out there.

Pushing open the bathroom door, she stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, the bass from the club pulsing through the walls like a heartbeat. She barely made it three steps before she felt someone.

Rico.

Leaning casually against the wall just out of sight of the main floor, his arms crossed, one boot propped against the wall like he had all the time in the world. But his eyes…his eyes told a different story. Dark. Possessive. And locked right on her.

“You been busy, huh?” His head tilted, his gaze narrowing. “Makin’ new friends?”

Luna’s stomach dropped.

Shit, has he been watching me too?

Her smile didn’t falter. “Just being friendly.” She shrugged, her tone light, casual.

Rico chuckled, but the sound was low, dangerous. “Friendly?” He stepped closer, so close now that she could feel the heat radiating off him. His fingers brushed her jaw, tilting her chin up just enough to make her breath catch. Oh man, oh fuck…too close.

Luna’s skin prickled, but she didn’t move. She was frozen.

“Tony.” His voice was barely above a whisper now, but it was sharp, cutting through the noise around them like a blade. “You cosying up to him now?”

Luna’s pulse pounded so loud she was sure he could hear it. Don’t make it worse, don’t make him angry.

“No.” The word slipped out, soft, barely above a breath, but it was steady. “It’s not like that, he just wanted a chat. Didn’t really give room for a no.”

Rico’s eyes searched hers, his expression unreadable. But she felt it. The heat rolling off him wasn’t just anger anymore. It was something worse.

“Good,” he murmured, his thumb tracing her jaw, lingering for just a second too long before he let go. “Cause I’d hate to think…” His smile was slow, dangerous. “…you were tryna avoid me.”

Luna swallowed, her throat tight.

“No, of course not,” she whispered.

Rico’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Good.” His tone was softer now, almost soothing, but it made her skin crawl. “Cause if I did think you were…” He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. “well,…I’d have to show you why that’d be a bad idea.”

Luna’s breath caught, her heart pounding so loud it echoed in her ears. Rico’s hand lingered on her jaw for a beat longer than necessary before he finally pulled back, his smile still in place, but his eyes?

They were all warning.

He stepped back, giving her just enough space to breathe. But not enough to relax. “Now… let’s get back out there.”

Luna nodded, her body moving before her brain could catch up. But as she turned toward the main floor, her mind was racing.

Rico is a much bigger problem than she’d anticipated. If he’s getting possessive…she won’t be able to get back to table with Tony. And then he might come asking questions. Asking Rico….

Her stomach clenched.

I might not have a chance to walk away anymore.

…

Luna’s heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she followed Rico back toward the main floor, her steps measured, but her mind was spinning. Just play along, keep it cool.

Her pulse thrummed in her ears, but she kept her expression smooth. She had no choice but to follow Rico’s lead, for now at least. But her thoughts were flicking back to Tony…to her now dire situation.

Shit, how the hell did I let it get this far?

Rico didn’t speak as they weaved through the crowd, his grip light on her wrist but firm enough that she knew it wasn’t a request. He was steering her back towards his table, where the bass wasn’t as loud but the electric in the air pulsed just as feverishly.

As she approached, she saw Rico’s crew was still sprawled around a low, glass-topped table. Their conversation seemed light as she slid back into her seat next to Rico and opposite Luca. But the atmosphere was different somehow. There were more empty glasses on the table, their movements were more skittish. She eyed them cautiously.

They aren’t as friendly as before. This isn’t good.

Luca leaned back in his chair, a toothpick dangling lazily from his lips, but his eyes tracked her like a predator sizing up prey. Another man she recognised, but whose name she didn’t recall, seemed more subtle, but his gaze wasn’t any warmer.

“Look who decided to come back,” Rico drawled, his grip loosening as he guided her down onto the leather couch beside him. Too close…far too close.

Luna forced a smile at the group, but she angled her body slightly away from him. His arm draped casually over the back of the couch, caging her in just enough to remind her that leaving wasn’t an option.

“Hey, relax, mami,” he murmured, his lips brushing too close to her ear. “I won’t bite.”

Luca smirked, pushing a glass over in her direction. It looked like a whisky, but she wasn’t about to trust these men. Not when all this seemed so…off. She was wasted enough as it was, she couldn’t afford to dull her senses more than they already were.

“Thanks” Luna smiled in response, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Rico’s arm didn’t move. If anything, it rested a little heavier against her shoulders. “You always this uptight, Val?” he murmured, his voice low and smooth, but there was an edge underneath that made her skin crawl.

“Depends I guess,” she muttered, keeping her tone light even as her pulse kicked up another notch. Rico chuckled, but there was something darker in his eyes now. Something she couldn’t quite make out through the neon lights of the dancefloor reflecting off him.

“Relax,” he murmured again, this time softer. But it wasn’t a suggestion. His body was close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him, his scent, thick cologne and smoke, filling her senses.

“Don’t tell me you’re getting bored on me, chica.”

Luna’s pulse kicked up, but she kept her expression neutral.

“Never,” she murmured, her lips curving into a soft smile. But Rico wasn’t smiling.

“Nah,” he murmured, his gaze darkening as it swept over her. “I don’t believe that.”

Luna’s stomach tightened, her eyes darted to him, eyeing his proximity to her. Ugh, too close.

“Rico…” She shifted slightly, trying to put some space between them, but his arm was already there, his fingers brushing against her shoulder.

“Ay, chill,” he murmured, his voice softer now, almost coaxing. His fingers trailed down her arm now, brushing against her skin in a way that made her stomach twist.

Oh hell nah. Luna shifted again, this time more deliberately, putting space between them as she leaned slightly away. But Rico didn’t take the hint.

“You know…” His voice was softer now, almost intimate, but there was something sharper beneath it. His hand slid lower, brushing against her thigh, just a little too high. “You don’t gotta play so hard to get.”

Luna’s breath caught, her pulse pounding in her ears.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

Her smile faltered for just a second.

“Rico, stop.” Her tone was still soft, but there was an edge to it now. A warning.

But Rico didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe he didn’t care.

“C’mon, mami.” His fingers lingered, the heat of his touch searing through the thin fabric of her dress. “Why you playin’?”

Luna’s stomach twisted, her throat tightening as her body went rigid. “I’m not,” she murmured, her voice softer now, but her body was screaming for her to move. But Rico was still too close.

“Rico.” Her voice was sharper now, her body tensing. “Stop it.”

Rico’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. But he pulled back.

Barely.

“Damn, mami.” His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile, but there was an edge to it now. “No need to get all worked up.”

Luna’s stomach flipped, her body still too tense, but she forced her expression to smooth out.

Breathe. Stay calm.

“I’m not worked up,” she murmured, her voice softer now, but her heart was pounding so hard she was sure he could hear it.

Rico’s eyes lingered on her for a beat too long before he finally leaned back, his arm sliding off the couch, giving her just enough space to breathe.

“Good,” he murmured, his lips curling into a lazy smile. But there was nothing lazy about the way he was looking at her now. “Don’t be forgetting that you here with me, mami.”

Luna’s stomach twisted tighter, but she tried to force herself to focus. The panic coursing through her veins wasn’t enough to keep her on her toes. The encounter with Tony had kept her adrenaline high, but right now everything was becoming a lot duller again.

You’re losing control. Fuck, why did I drink this much? Why didn’t I pace it out?

Her eyes flicked toward the main floor, scanning the crowd. Looking away made her seem more relaxed, and it took her attention away from Rico, at least for a moment. She watched the crowd prance and spin to the beat of the music. The colorful lighting bouncing off of the moving figures below her. But then—

There.

Across the room, Tony.

He was back at his table, a fresh drink in his hand, but his eyes?

They were locked on her.

Luna’s breath hitched, her pulse pounding harder. Tony wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t laughing. He was watching. Watching with a look that sent a shiver down her spine.

Fuck.

As her face dropped she noticed him mutter something inaudible, and Manny appeared at his side, peering over to where he was pointing…directly at her.

Oh fuck I need to get back there.., this-

“Somethin’ catch your eye, mami?” Rico’s voice cut through her thoughts, his tone smooth, but there was an edge beneath it now.

Luna forced herself to blink, to look away before he followed her gaze.

“Oh uh just…thinking,” she murmured, her voice soft. Rico’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he let it go. His gaze returned to the table before them, but hers didn’t

Luna risked another glance across the room…and that’s when she saw it.

Tony’s jaw was tight, his lips pressed into a thin line, but it was the gesture he gave her that made her stomach clench.

Come here.

It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t obvious. But the message was clear.

Her pulse quickened, her mind racing.

If I go… Rico’s gonna know something’s up.

But if she didn’t go? Tony wouldn’t just sit back and let this play out.

…that could get messy.

“Ay.” Rico’s voice pulled her back, his hand brushing her knee now, just enough to make her skin crawl. “Where you at, chica?”

Her lips curved into a soft, distracted smile, but her mind was already made up.

I have to get out of here. Now.

“I think I gotta get back to the bathroom,” she murmured, her voice softer now. “I’m sorry Rico, I’m just not feein so good right now”

Rico’s brow lifted, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

“Yeah?” His tone was light, but the grip on her knee tightened just enough to make her stomach flip. “You sure, mami? We’re just getting started.”

Luna’s heart pounded. She could feel Tony watching.

Move now.

“I…” she murmured, her voice smooth, her smile in place. “I just need a minute.”

Rico’s eyes lingered on her, his expression unreadable, but after a beat, he nodded.

“Don’t be too long,” he murmured, his thumb brushing over her skin, making her breath catch. “Wouldn’t want anyone to think you’re…lost.”

Luna’s stomach twisted.

Jesus.

She just smiled softly in response, but her body was already moving.

She stood, her movements smooth and casual, giving Rico no reason to suspect a thing. But the second her feet hit the main floor her pulse kicked into overdrive. She didn’t look back. She couldn’t.

Just get to Tony.

But she felt Rico’s eyes on her. But there wasn’t anything she could do except move right now. Luna’s breath came faster as she slipped through the crowd, her body moving with practiced ease.

…

Luna’s pulse was still pounding in her ears as she slid beside Tony, her body moving on autopilot.

Breathe. Just breathe.

But it wasn’t that easy. Not after what had just happened.

She could still feel the ghost of Rico’s touch on her skin, the way his hand had lingered on her thigh.

Too high, too close.

Her stomach twisted at the memory, her skin crawling even though he was nowhere near her now.

The distance between her and Tony was shrinking, but her mind was already spinning through the possibilities of what might happen when she got there. Tony’s pissed. Really pissed. And if Rico saw where she was headed…fuck.

As she drew closer, Tony’s expression sharpened. His eyes locked onto her, his jaw clenched tight enough to crack. He didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Luna’s stomach dropped.

She slid past a group of people blocking her path, and then, finally, she was there.

“Val.”

Tony’s voice was low, but the weight of it hit her like a slap.

Luna’s heart slammed against her ribs, her breath catching in her throat. She felt Manny’s eyes on her too, his lazy grin gone now, replaced by something more serious. Tony leaned back in his chair, his body deceptively relaxed, but his eyes were razor-sharp.

“Where the fuck you been?” His tone was quiet, but no less unnerving.

Luna’s pulse thudded in her ears. She opened her mouth, trying to steady her breathing, but her mind was racing. Don’t fuck this up.

“I…” Her voice was softer than she intended, her throat dry. She licked her lips, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “I went to the bathroom,” she murmured, her words barely audible over the pounding music.

Tony didn’t speak. He just waited.

Luna swallowed hard, her mind flashing back to Rico’s touch, his voice, the suffocating heat of him.

“But, he was waiting for me when I came out,” she whispered, her eyes flicking toward the floor for a second before meeting Tony’s again. Her voice trembled, but she didn’t try to hide it this time. “Rico.”

Tony’s expression didn’t shift, but something cold flickered in his eyes.

“He saw me with you, sitting here. He got angry.” Her voice was barely above a breath, but she forced the words out. “Told me to come back with him. I tried to—” She shook her head, her throat tightening. “He pulled me back to the table. And then he…he got too close…I said no, but...I only just managed to get back.”

Silence.

Luna’s heart pounded so hard she was sure they could both hear it. Her eyes stayed on Tony’s, watching…waiting for his reaction. For a moment, he didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Her gaze flickered over to Many, who was watching him too.

Then…

“Rico.”

Just one word.

But laced with pure venom.

He wasn’t looking at her anymore. Luna took a breath as she followed his gaze—straight across the club.

And there he was.

Rico.

He’d moved from his table. Now, he was standing near the corner, leaning against the wall like he owned the place, a glass in his hand, talking to some guys she didn’t recognize. He hadn’t noticed, but Tony’s gaze was fixed on him.

Luna felt as if the temperature was dropping around her. Tony’s posture shifted, his movements slow, his gaze locked.

“Fucking Rico,” Tony murmured, more to himself than anyone else. His fingers drummed once, twice against the glass in front of him, but his eyes never left the man in the corner.

Manny leaned in slightly, his eyes flicking between Tony and Luna, sensing the shift in the air. “You want me to—”

“Nah nah nah,” Tony murmured, his voice like ice. His grip on his glass tightened, knuckles whitening, but his expression was calm. Luna swallowed hard, her pulse pounding as she watched Tony’s expression shift. It was like watching something darker, more dangerous settle over him.

Eventually, he tore his gaze away from Rico, his eyes snapping back to Luna.

“Sit,” he said, his tone softer now but laced with something she couldn’t quite register.

Luna nodded, sliding into the chair beside him, her body still tense. But Tony’s attention was already back on Rico, his gaze sharp.

“When you first said you knew Rico I weren't too sure about you chica,” He muttered. “Been gettin’ a bad vibe from that prick for a while now,” Tony murmured, almost to himself. His lips pressed into a thin line, his fingers tapping against the table again, slower this time. “But now?”

Tony’s smile was slow. Dangerous. Luna couldn’t tear her eyes away from him, her stomach dropping as she watched the shift in his expression.

“Now I got a fuckin reason.”

Luna’s pulse pounded so hard it felt like her ribs might crack under the pressure.

Shit. What the fuck have I done?

The weight of her own words hit her like a freight train. She’d been so focused on staying ahead of Rico’s games and Tony’s suspicions that she hadn’t stopped to think about where this was all heading.

Manny leaned in closer to Tony, his voice low, but the weight in his tone sliced through her spiraling thoughts. “You want me to handle it?”

Luna’s stomach flipped. Handle it. Those two words tin a world like this? She knew exactly what they meant. Her throat tightened as her eyes flicked to Tony, but he was still staring across the room.

His gaze still locked on Rico.

“Nah,” Tony murmured, almost too soft for her to hear. But the threat in his tone was loud enough to echo right through her. “I wanna see how this plays out.”

No.

Luna’s pulse thundered as panic coiled tight in her chest, her mind spinning through the possibilities, each one worse than the last. This—this—was what she’d been pushing for, wasn’t it? To get close enough to Tony, to see the man beneath the charm and the power. And now, she was seeing him.

But the price of that glimpse might be Rico’s life.

Her stomach twisted violently, a sickening knot forming in her gut. Rico was an asshole…but he didn’t deserve to die for it.

…Did he?

Oh fuck.

Luna barely noticed the bass pounding through the club or the blur of movement around her. The world was closing in, her vision narrowing until all she could see was Tony, and the lethal calm radiating off him.

“Don’t worry, Valentina.” Tony’s voice sliced through her panic, pulling her back like a hook in her ribs. His tone was softer now…almost soothing. But that only made her heart race faster.

Her eyes darted to his, but he wasn’t even looking at her as he spoke.

“I’ll take care o’ this,” he murmured.

No… no, no, no.

Her stomach twisted tighter, her throat dry as sandpaper. She wanted to say something, to stop this before it spiraled any further. But her lips felt glued shut, her mind still trying to catch up.

This isn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want this.

Luna’s eyes flicked back toward Rico. He was still standing there, still laughing like he didn’t have a care in the world.

He has no idea what’s coming.

Her chest tightened painfully.

But the truth was…

Neither did she.

[tchester27]

Chapter 9 - Empty

---

Liora had been staring at the wall for what felt like days.

There was nothing in the cell that indicated how much time had passed since Kylo had left her here, but the growing hunger in her stomach allowed for her to guess. But her mind remained on him. He hadn’t spoken when he left, hadn’t even looked at her. He had taken what he wanted, and then discarded her like she was nothing.

The realization struck harder than she expected.

Liora swallowed, the sound too loud in the silence. The air in the room was thick, clinging to her skin like something inescapable. Her limbs were weak and she felt sluggish, the energy gone from her. Slowly, with trembling hands, she pushed herself upright.

Her throat was tight.

*I…let him…*Her nails bit into her palms, the sting grounding her.

"No." She whispered.

She hadn’t let him. He had manipulated her. He had broken her down, piece by piece, backed her into a corner until she had nothing left to fight with. Her chest rose and fell in sharp, uneven bursts. Her hands curled against her thighs, nails digging in harder.

*No, I did let him…I…begged.*

The shame that came with that realization was suffocating. Liora squeezed her eyes shut, her fingers pressing harder into her skin until it hurt. *All those people, all that suffering, and I just…with that monster…*A ragged sound left her lips—half a breath, half a sob.

She sucked in a breath and forced herself to stand. Her legs were unsteady as she moved toward the sink in the corner, gripping the edge with white-knuckled fingers. She turned on the water, splashing the icy cold against her face, taking a few gulps while she was at it.

She gazed up in the cracked mirror, her reflection a ghost of who she once was. She barely recognized herself. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push it all down, trying to bury the shame, the rage-

*Stop it! Just- the only thing I can do now is to try and get away, inconvenience them…or something. But staying locked up is only helping the order…* Liora pushed herself off the sink and began to pace the room, the quiet shuffle of her feet the only sound echoing in the oppressive silence. Her mind was a storm, thoughts clashing like lightning against the walls she had built to protect herself.

*I should check the room.* The thought was barely more than a whisper, but it gave her purpose. Her eyes swept over the space, taking in every detail. The cell wasn’t large, but now, in her search, the emptiness made the space feel cavernous. *Slim chance I’ll find anything useful…but at least I’ll know where I stand.*

Her fingers trailed along the seams where the walls met, pressing lightly, hoping to feel a shift, a loose panel, anything. She crouched low, inspecting the corners where dust gathered, then rose and scanned the ceiling, searching for vents or weak points. *Nothing.*

A frustrated sigh escaped her lips, her body sagging slightly as her search came up empty. “Of course,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. This part of the ship was hidden, secluded. Kylo had made sure of that. He hadn’t just wanted her locked away, he had wanted her his and his alone.

Her jaw clenched at the thought, her nails digging into her palms. But as she straightened, her thoughts shifted. There had to be another way. She backed toward the center of the room, her pulse pounding in her ears as her mind raced. *Escape. That had always been the goal. Escape, get back to the Resistance, and make this suffering mean something. But…was that even possible anymore?*

Her throat tightened. *What am I to them now?* The Resistance wouldn’t know where she was. And if they did, would they risk coming for her? Not after all this time. Liora’s hands clenched into fists as the weight of her uselessness pressed down on her. *If I’m not useful to the Resistance… then what?* She sucked in a shaky breath, her mind twisting through scenarios, searching for an answer.

And then it hit her. *Manipulate them.*

Hux and Ren. Two volatile forces held together by fragile threads of shared ambition and mistrust. A rivalry. Ren’s possessiveness. Hux’s quiet ambition. She’d been too consumed by her own survival to pay it any real attention before, but now… now it was clear. *I…could use that?*

Her pulse quickened. It was dangerous, far more dangerous than anything she had ever attempted. But if she could push them toward distraction, tension… destruction…then maybe, just maybe, she could slip through the cracks they created. Liora’s brow furrowed, her mind churning with possibilities. But the thought of it made her stomach twist. She would have to get closer, but she was already far too close.

But, if she did nothing, she would rot in this cell. Forgotten. Broken. And that was something she couldn’t allow…not after everything she had endured.

Liora sank down onto the cold floor, her back pressing against the wall as her mind spiraled down this new, dangerous path. Kylo and Hux were not pawns. They were dangerous, and one wrong move, one miscalculation, and she would be finished.

But she also knew something they didn’t.

*They underestimate me.*

Her lips pressed into a thin line. If they thought she was broken, if they thought she was weak and vulnerable, then that was a weapon in itself. She could use that. Let them see what they wanted to see, let them believe they had stripped her of her will. And while they circled each other like wolves, she would strike when they least expected it.

*But…how far will I be able to go?…How far do I even want to go?* Liora’s stomach clenched at the thought. To manipulate them, she would have to let them in, play the game so well they wouldn’t see the betrayal coming. But how much of herself would she lose in the process? Her throat felt tight, the weight of her decision pressing down on her. But deep inside, she already knew the answer.

*I have to.*

Her eyes drifted toward the door, her mind already mapping out the first delicate steps. She would have to be careful. Subtle. Plant the seeds of doubt between them, feed their insecurities, play them against one another until their focus was on each other—and not on her.

The sound of the door opening echoed through the room.

Liora whirled, heart slamming into her ribs. For a split second, she thought it was him.

But, to her relief, it was the doctor. Liora swallowed hard, trying to mask the wild panic still raging in her chest. "Why—" Her voice cracked. She cleared her throat. "Why are you back?"

The doctor held up a small packet. "I didn’t leave these for you earlier. Painkillers."

Liora’s pulse pounded, her mind sharpened. *Could this be…a chance? The doctor is the only person I’ve seen since I’ve been taken to this corner of the ship.* Thoughts rushed through her head as she tried to capitalize on a potential opportunity. The doctor took a step closer, setting the painkillers down on the edge of the metal table. She didn’t meet Liora’s eyes. But, before she could turn to leave, Liora stumbled forward, her wound screaming in protest. She grabbed the doctor’s wrist before she could turn away.

The woman stiffened instantly. "You shouldn't—"

"General Hux must be told that I’m here, in this place." Liora said the words with careful urgency, she didn’t want her plan to slip out into the open. Playing the desperate prisoner was her best bet. The doctor’s expression didn’t change, but Liora sensed some hesitation, just barely, before she gently pulled her arm free.

"You’re injured," she said flatly. "You need to rest."

She moved towards the door, and Liora’s heart pounded in desperation. "Please."

The doctor exhaled softly, "I can’t help you."

And with that, she turned toward the door. Liora’s stomach twisted. "You don’t have to help me," she said quickly, her voice sharpening. "Just tell him. That’s it. You don’t even have to see me again—just let him know where I am."

The doctor paused. But she didn’t turn back around. She didn’t give anything away. But the moment stretched, long and uncertain. And, just as quickly as she’d appeared, the doctor was gone.

Liora stood there, her breath coming fast, her body still trembling from everything she had just done.

She had no idea if the woman would listen.

…

The air was cooler now, an unrelenting chill that seemed to seep into her skin, as if the ship itself conspired to remind her of her vulnerability. The stale, recycled air carried a faint metallic tang that coated her tongue and left her feeling more trapped than ever.

*Come on, think.* She pressed her fingertips to her temples, trying to steady the erratic rhythm of her thoughts. The doctor…maybe, just maybe, she would relay the message. *If she tells Hux…* A slim chance, but it was the only card Liora had to play.

But the uncertainty gnawed at her.

*And if Kylo finds out…*

Her stomach clenched painfully. She could already imagine the fury that would follow. Kylo was not a man who tolerated defiance. Not from her. The memory of his rage, the suffocating weight of his power invading her mind, tore through her. Liora squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block it out, but the phantom sensation of his grip, on her thoughts, on her body, still lingered.

A shiver ran down her spine, and her arms instinctively wrapped around herself. Cold. The room felt colder now, as if the temperature had dropped in anticipation of what was coming.

She sank back onto the floor, her back pressing into the unforgiving wall. The durasteel was icy against her skin, grounding her in the present as her mind raced through possibilities. *I have to be ready. If the doctor doesn’t say anything, I’m back where I started. But if she does…*

A shadow flickered across her thoughts. Kylo. His anger. His control.

*He’ll know.*

The mere thought of facing him again after this sent a jolt of terror through her veins. She hated how her body reacted, how her pulse spiked, how her breath quickened. Fear had become a part of her now, sinking into her bones, making her feel small even when her mind screamed to fight.

*No.* She clenched her jaw. She couldn’t let that fear control her. Not now. She had a plan, a dangerous, reckless plan, but it was the only thing standing between her and oblivion. But just as she was trying to calm her racing heart, the door hissed open again.

Liora’s head snapped up, and her blood ran cold.

Kylo’s presence was suffocating. The air grew heavier, thick with an unseen pressure that pressed down on her chest. His robes swept across the floor as he stepped inside, each measured movement sending a wave of dread coursing through her veins. The hum of the ship’s engine seemed to grow louder, vibrating through the walls, but it was nothing compared to the pounding of her own heartbeat.

Liora’s body tensed, instinct driving her to push herself back, pressing her spine harder into the cold wall. As if distance would make a difference. As if there was anywhere to hide from him. His head tilted slightly, his unreadable mask of calm barely concealing the simmering anger beneath. “You’re afraid,” he murmured, his voice a low vibration that crawled over her skin. It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

Liora’s throat was dry, her breathing shallow. She tried to will herself to stay still, to not shrink beneath his gaze. But his presence was overwhelming, a gravitational force that pulled her down, making her feel like she was suffocating under the weight of his power.

“Why?” The word was soft, almost curious, but there was a sharp edge beneath it that made her stomach twist. Liora’s mind screamed for her to lie, to deflect, to keep her secrets buried. But her voice refused to come. Her pulse thrummed wildly, her nails biting into her palms as she struggled to maintain the illusion of control.

Kylo took a step closer, and the temperature seemed to drop further. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, even as the cold air pressed against her skin.

“Speak,” he ordered softly, but there was nothing soft about the threat laced beneath the word.

Liora swallowed hard, forcing the words out before her fear strangled them. “I thought the doctor told you…”

A flicker of something, suspicion, crossed his expression, but it vanished as quickly as it came. “The doctor?”

Her pulse pounded in her ears. *Lie. Lie. Lie.*

“She…brought the painkillers.” It wasn’t a lie, not exactly. But the way her voice wavered gave too much away.

Kylo’s eyes narrowed. “And?”

Liora’s heart slammed into her ribs. He was too close now. His shadow stretched over her, swallowing her in darkness. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. *He knows. He always knows.*

“I—I asked her to tell Hux where I am.”

The confession spilled out before she could stop it, her voice barely a whisper.

Kylo went still.

*Shit, Fuck.*

For a terrifying heartbeat, silence filled the space between them. But the air was no longer cold, it was mixing with something far more dangerous. Heat. A suffocating, simmering heat that seemed to pulse with his restrained fury.

Kylo’s eye twitched. “You…asked the doctor to tell Hux,” he repeated

Liora’s body locked up, her throat tightening as the sheer weight of his anger crashed down on her. His presence was suffocating now, pressing in on her mind, and she felt the first tentative brush of his power against her thoughts, gentle, almost curious, but it was a warning. A reminder of how easily he could take everything all over again. *Say something. Anything.* But her voice was gone, strangled by the weight of his presence.

Kylo took a slow step forward, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop. The heat of his rage was gone, replaced by something colder, more dangerous. Suspicion.

*Think, Liora. Think.*

“I…” Her voice was barely above a whisper, her mind scrambling for an answer that wouldn’t seal her fate. “I didn’t know if you would come back,” she murmured, lowering her eyes, letting her body sag just enough to appear defeated. “I was…afraid.”

Kylo’s expression didn’t change, but she could feel the way the air shifted around him. Liora’s mind raced. She needed to tread carefully. One wrong step, one wrong thought, and he would see right through her.

“I…” She swallowed hard, forcing her voice to tremble. “I thought…if Hux knew where I was, maybe…” Her voice faltered, and she let her gaze drop to the floor, her shoulders curling inward. “Maybe he’d keep me alive.”

*Yes, that should work. It’s enough to plant doubt without giving him a reason to dig deeper.*

Kylo remained silent, but Liora could feel his eyes on her, piercing, searching. She held her breath, forcing herself to stay still, to look vulnerable.

He took another step forward, the air shifting with his movement. The hum of the ship’s engine buzzed faintly in the background, a distant, steady rhythm that seemed out of place against the tension suffocating the room.

“You’re lying to me.”

The words sent a jolt of panic through her veins, but Liora didn’t react. “I…don’t know what you mean,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Kylo’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, the pressure in the room thickened, as if his anger was curling just beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.

But then…

The tension…shifted.

Kylo’s head tilted, his expression unreadable, but the fury she had been bracing for never came. His gaze flickered over her, and Liora’s stomach twisted as she realized…he was thinking. Calculating. His gaze lingered on her, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to peel away the layers she had carefully constructed. But something was off. He wasn’t looking at her…not in the way he usually did.

Kylo’s jaw clenched as his eyes drifted toward the door, his expression darkening. “Hux…” he muttered under his breath, the name laced with disdain.

*Oh yeah, that stuck a nerve.*

For a long moment, the room was deathly quiet, save for the faint hum of the ship vibrating through the walls. Kylo’s gaze lingered on her, his expression distant, his mind clearly turning over something she couldn’t quite grasp.

“You will wait here,” Kylo murmured finally, his voice low and dangerous.

Liora barely nodded. *Ah, like I have a choice.* Kylo stepped back, his presence still heavy, but the storm had passed—for now. The air was cooler, less suffocating, but the tension remained, crackling just beneath the surface. Liora’s heart thudded painfully as she watched him turn toward the door, his movements slow, deliberate, as if he was already plotting something far worse than anything he had done to her so far.

As soon as the door sealed shut behind him, Liora’s body sagged against the wall, her limbs trembling with exhaustion. Her lungs burned as she sucked in shaky breaths, her heart still pounding in her ears.

…

It had barely been ten minutes before the door hissed open again.

*No… not yet.* Liora’s body froze, she’d barely just registered the last encounter. Her eyes remained locked on the floor, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it. *Don’t move. Don’t react.*

A wet, heavy thud echoed in the oppressive silence.

Her blood ran cold. Slowly, her eyes flickered toward the source of the sound.

Sat just feet away from her, the lifeless face of the doctor stared up at nothing, her mouth slightly open in a frozen expression of terror. The blood had long since stopped flowing, but the sight of it, the sheer brutality, made Liora’s stomach churn violently.

Her body instinctively recoiled, and she held a hand over her mouth as she herself gagging. The world tilted beneath her as a wave of nausea hit her hard. Her pulse thundered in her ears, drowning out everything but the sickening realization of what she was looking at. *He brought her here. He…murdered her.* Liora’s eyes burned as her vision blurred, her mind screaming at her to look away, but she couldn’t.

“This is your fault, Liora.” Kylo’s voice was soft, almost gentle. It was worse than any scream.

Liora’s body trembled as her eyes finally managed to lift to his. He was standing just inside the room, his mask tilted slightly as if he was studying her reaction. The black void of his mask gave away nothing, but she didn’t need to see his face to know that he was enjoying this. Her stomach twisted painfully, bile rising in her throat. *Sick bastard.*

“She-” Her voice was barely a whisper, her throat dry and raw. “She didn’t do anything wrong. This is-”

“You asked for Hux’s help,” Kylo interrupted, his tone almost gentle. “And she…” His gaze drifted to the doctor. “...allowed it.”

The words were spoken with such chilling finality that they seemed to echo in the small space, suffocating the air between them. His tone was devoid of emotion, as if he was discussing something as trivial as disposing of waste.

Liora’s throat tightened, trying desperately to process what was happening. *This isn’t real. This can’t be real.* But the gruesome sight in front of her was all too real. Liora’s breath came in shallow, uneven bursts as she tried to keep the panic clawing at her throat from spilling over. Her body felt like it was shutting down, her limbs heavy and unresponsive. Her nails dug into her palms, grounding her in the pain as she forced herself to look away from the gruesome sight. Her eyes flickered back to Kylo, and for a moment, just a moment, her fear was eclipsed by rage. It burned beneath the surface, but she shoved it down, burying it deep where Kylo couldn’t see. *Not yet. The time will come for this sick fuck.*

Kylo’s head tilted slightly, as if he sensed the shift in her emotions, but he said nothing. Instead, he crouched down beside her. She forced herself to remain calm as his gloved hand brushed against her cheek with sickening gentleness.

“Such a shame.” His voice was a low, dangerous murmur as his fingers ghosted over her jawline. “She was a good doctor.”

Liora’s body trembled, her skin crawling beneath his touch. Kylo’s fingers lingered for a moment longer before he finally stood, towering over her once more. But he didn’t move. Instead, he gestured toward the severed head lying just a few feet away. “Keep it.”

Liora’s stomach twisted violently, her entire body going cold. *What?*

Kylo’s head tilted slightly, his tone almost… amused. “Let it serve as a reminder.”

Liora’s mind began spiralling as she stared at the gruesome sight in front of her.

“A reminder,” Kylo murmured, his voice barely above a whisper now, “of what happens… when you try to cross me.”

The weight of his words settled over her like a shroud, suffocating. Without another word, Kylo turned and left the cell, the hiss of the door sealing shut behind him.

But Liora felt far from alone.

Her gaze shot back to the doctor’s pale, lifeless face. She was dead, killed because of her. *Even if she hadn’t delivered the message to Hux, I still told Kylo…Why the fuck did I tell him? WHY?* Liora’s mind was slipping from her, her thoughts a flurry of guilt and panic. She had lived and seen violence and death…but to have the head of someone brought right to her. Left with her, it felt like a whole new level. Her control of herself was diminishing, she could feel it, but she couldn’t stop it or understand why. She had given up the doctor so easily to Kylo…risking her own life and costing the doctor her own.

*This place is changing me…it must be him…*She finally tore her eyes away, scrambling up towards the sink. To see her reflection felt grounding, as sunken and less of herself as she now was, it was still a reminder that she was here, alive and surviving. She stared at herself, her hands shaking violently against the sink. *I-I don’t know what to do…*

Her head turned back to the direction of the doctor’s, but she looked away just as quickly. She let out a deep breath, but she felt no different. *There’s no way out, no chance to escape. I’m dead to the resistance, I should be dead here…*She frowned, her mind steadying ever so slightly. *Why hasn’t he killed me yet?* Her eyes wandered back to the mirror, gazing along the outline of the cracks. The pattern looked beautiful, like a spiderweb in the sun. *Would he keep me alive? If I tried…really tried?* She pressed a finger to the edge of one of the cracks.

*”Liora”*

She stumbled back, his voice in her mind like an infestation. *”You want to find out what happens if you try? Be my guest. I will stop you before you even come close to succeeding.”* She shuddered looking instinctively towards the door. With a heartdropping hiss, it opened. But it wasn’t Kylo.

Liora was already backing up before she could register her latest visitor. Hux’s gloved hands were clasped behind his back, his expression carefully schooled into something neutral. And then his gaze flickered, just once, toward the doctor’s lifeless head on the floor. A muscle in his jaw twitched. He inhaled sharply through his nose and turned his gaze back to her, his lips curling in distaste.

"So," he drawled, his voice as sharp as durasteel. "I was informed that you requested my attention."

Liora didn’t speak. Couldn’t. Her throat felt tight, constricted, as if Kylo’s invisible grip still lingered there. *Say something. Anything.* But she was drowning under the weight of what had just happened.

Hux exhaled sharply, stepping further into the room. His boots echoed against the floor, the sound sent an involuntary jolt through her. She swallowed, finally forcing herself to speak.

"I-" Her voice was hoarse, weak. She hated how small she sounded. She straightened, pushing her shoulders back. "I thought you should know I was here."

Hux scoffed, glancing around the cell with something akin to disdain. "Oh, I know you're here, girl," he said coldly. "What I fail to understand is why I should care."

Liora’s mind went momentarily blank as she tried to comprehend his audacity. Her nails dug into her palms, her thoughts slowly returning to her. "You should care," she said, forcing steel into her voice, "because he killed her."

Her chin jerked toward the doctor’s head on the floor. For a fraction of a second, Hux hesitated. His gaze flickered back to the doctor, to the mess Kylo had so callously left behind. *Did he know her name? Did he even care?* He inhaled sharply through his nose again, exhaling in a controlled breath as he returned his gaze to Liora. "Ren does as he pleases," he said stiffly, though there was something clipped in his tone now. "He does not require my approval."

Liora’s lips parted, her heart hammering. *That hesitation. That moment of unease. He did care then.*

Maybe not about the doctor herself, but about what this represented. About the recklessness. The sheer, brutal arrogance of Kylo’s actions. She had seen it before, the way Hux and Kylo warred behind the scenes, their alliance a fragile, seething thing held together by power and necessity. If there was one truth about the General, it was that he hated to be reminded of his lack of control.

*And I just served it to him.* "But...," Liora pressed, watching him carefully. "...she didn’t deserve this."

Hux’s jaw locked. He didn’t like being manipulated, she could tell. But he also wasn’t a fool. His sharp eyes flickered over her, studying, calculating. "You seem to be under the impression that I take issue with what Ren does to his… possessions," Hux said coolly. His voice was sharp, but she wasn’t phased. Liora’s mind spun through the possibilities. She had to be careful. If she pushed too hard, he would see right through her. But if she said nothing, she would lose him entirely.

"I thought you took issue with waste." she said, watching him carefully.

For the first time, his expression shifted. Just a flicker of something,…*maybe interest, scepticism, intrigue?*…but it was there. She knew she'd hit him where it hurt. Because of Kylo’s indulgence, the doctor was dead, and if Ren was willing to dispose of loyal officers so carelessly then who would be next?

Liora said nothing.

But she had already won something. A single, subtle step forward.

[tchester27]

Chapter 8- Heat

---

Pain dragged Liora from the depths of unconsciousness.

It was a slow, creeping agony, blooming from her side and radiating through her body in pulses. Each breath stung, each movement sent sharp tendrils of heat through her ribs. The scent of burned fabric and cauterized flesh still clung to the air. The cold press of metal met her back. Her fingers twitched, brushing against the smooth surface beneath her. A table.

Liora forced her heavy eyelids open. The room swam in and out of focus, shifting between harsh light and shadow. She hadn’t moved, not far at least. She could make out the gray dullness of the walls around her. And then, a shape, tall and draped in white, came into view.

A doctor.

Not a droid. Not a soldier. A real person.

Liora swallowed, her throat raw. "I-Where—?"

"Don’t move." The voice was calm, professional. A woman. Liora's gaze flickered up, taking her in. She had short-cropped black hair, a stark medical uniform, with a face set into careful neutrality. She stood beside her, a small case of instruments next to her at the foot of the table. She was finishing the last of the bandaging, her gloved hands working quickly but gently.

"Who-how-?" Liora croaked.

The doctor didn’t answer. Liora blinked slowly, her mind sluggish. Then she remembered—Kylo’s saber. The pain. The way she had collapsed. She stiffened. "How long—?"

"You should avoid speaking too much," the doctor interrupted. "Your body is still in shock."

Liora let out a slow breath through her nose, forcing herself to stay calm. "My wound—"

"It’s not deep," the doctor said, still focused on her work. "You’re lucky. The cut cauterized on impact. But—" Her lips pressed together. "It will scar."

Liora swallowed. "…Lucky?"

The doctor’s hands stilled for a fraction of a second. Then she packed away the last of the medical supplies, straightening. Liora continued to study her, heart thudding. The woman’s face remained neutral, her voice detached, but there was something else there. A flicker of something behind her eyes.

Pity.

It lasted only a second before she smoothed her expression. Liora’s fingers curled against the metal beneath her. "Who are you?"

The doctor snapped her case shut. "You are stable now. If the wound reopens, use the dermal patches I’ve left beside you. Do not strain yourself." Hurridly, the doctor turned toward the exit.

"Wait—" Liora forced herself up, pain lancing through her side. "Please—can you stay?"

A pause.

Then, without turning back, the doctor said:

"I’m sorry, but I am required back at the med-bay."

She stepped out of the room before Liora could protest, the door shutting with a hiss behind her.

The pain in her side was sharp and hot, drawing her attention back to her wound. The bandages were tight, holding her together when she barely felt whole*.* She could still hear the hum of his saber in her ears, still see the red glow burning through the darkness, the exact moment he had swung. The instant she had broken.

Kylo Ren had left his mark on her—a scar she would carry forever. **Her fingers curled into fists against the metal. The room was silent, except for the dull hum of the ship.

She had to think.

This place, wherever it was, was meant to keep her away from everyone. Not just from Hux. Which meant escape was going to be near impossible. Yes, but not impossible. I’ve made it this far, somehow, there’s gotta be something, I can use- someway out of this hell.

She turned her head toward the small tray the doctor had left beside her. A few medical supplies. Bandages. Dermal patches. A small instrument that looked like a scalpel. *I can’t really use these, at least not for a weapon. But maybe…*She reached out, slowly, wincing as pain jolted through her ribs. The doctor had said not to strain herself. Well. That wasn’t an option. She grabbed the scalpel. It was small. Fragile. Not enough to take on him, not even close.

But maybe she wouldn’t need to.

Liora’s mind turned over possibilities. Kylo had been testing her, breaking her down piece by piece. He thought he understood her now. Thought she was too afraid to fight back. If she managed to find the strength to stay calm before him, then she could use that.

But her first priority was simple: get out of this room.

She forced herself to sit up fully, biting back a groan as her wound throbbed in protest. The metal table was cold against her legs as she swung them over the edge. Her bare feet touched the floor.

She let out a slow breath. Step one, I’ve got this.

She turned her attention to the door, walking carefully towards it. The pain was there, it was unavoidable, but it wasn’t too severe. Escape was more important than comfort right now anyhow. But she knew she wouldn’t be able to break out—not with force, not with her body already weakened.

But maybe she wouldn’t have to.

Kylo wasn’t keeping her here with guards. He was keeping her here because he thought she had nowhere to go. Maybe…just maybe, I could have him let me out himself?

Liora clenched her jaw. Is this stupid? It feels stupid. She sighed. But it’s my only option…and it might just work.

She turned the scalpel over in her hand. It was small, but sharp enough.

Not enough to kill, but enough to hurt.

Her pulse quickened. One shot. That’s all I’ll get. She moved back onto the table, forcing herself to lie down again, careful to hide the scalpel beneath her palm. If Kylo Ren thought she was weak…thought she had finally broken, then maybe, just maybe, she could get close enough to do something. She closed her eyes. Forced her breathing to slow.

And she waited.

…

It hadn’t been long, but it had felt like an eternity.

The only way to catch him off guard is to try and build up my mental boundaries again. They’ve worked before…but I need to focus now. Liora tried to recall how he was able to overpower her, what steps he took to break through, but her mind was still fuzzy. Sighing in frustration, she closed her eyes, trying to concentrate harder.

But then it all came crashing down again.

The realization that had hit her right at her lowest.

He had been there.

Liora tried to slow her breathing. She focused on the cold press of the metal beneath her, the weight of the bandages around her ribs, the quiet hum of the ship. Anything real. Anything now. But the past refused to stay buried. She saw it now, with horrifying clarity, how had she not realized before?

The red glow of his saber. The wails of the dying. The acrid scent of smoke, of bodies burned to the bone. And at the center of it all, him. He wasn’t some distant figure in the war. He wasn’t just a name whispered in fear. He had stood right there, among the blood and ruin, cutting down people whose names she had known. People she had loved.

Her chest was heaving. Her fingers curled tighter around the scalpel hidden beneath her palm.

She had been so close to him, these past days. Had been in his arms. Had felt his heat, had let him invade her mind. And he had been there, killing everyone she’d ever loved. And she had done nothing.

A tremor shot through her. Her chest felt too tight. The air too thin.

Her mind spiraled, back to the burning homes, the screaming, the suffocating fear.

She tried to breathe, but she couldn’t.

The room around her disappeared. The cold stone walls became blackened wood, charred and crumbling. The scent of blood filled her lungs. Kylo Ren’s saber arced through the air, a flash of red, and—

A hand on her wrist.

Her eyes snapped open, but no one was there. Her pulse thundered in her ears. She could barely focus, barely breathe, but she forced herself to stay here. She pressed her free hand flat against the table, grounding herself.

The village was gone…and she was here.

But so was he.

Liora forced herself to take a breath.

Then another.

Slow. Controlled.

A shudder still ran through her limbs, her skin prickling, her head light from the force of it, but she swallowed it down. Forced the panic into a box. Her hands had stopped shaking.

She exhaled, controlled this time.

Kylo Ren had taken everything from her.

But she was still here.

And she would make him regret that mistake.

The sound of the door startled her from her thoughts. The air in the room shifted instantly, thickening like the space itself had bent under the weight of his presence. Kylo Ren stepped inside.

Liora didn’t move. She forced herself to keep her body loose, her breathing even. She let her eyelids flutter slightly, as if she were still dazed from the pain, from the wound he had left on her. If she looked weak, he would drop his guard. Let him think I’m broken.

Kylo strode toward her, slow, deliberate.

His mask was gone.

It always unsettled her when he appeared without it. The rawness of his face. The lack of a barrier. Like he wanted her to see him—to see that the monster wasn’t hiding behind durasteel.

That he wasn’t hiding at all.

He came to a stop at the side of the table.

She could feel his eyes on her.

"You’re quiet," Kylo murmured. His voice was deep, measured. His arms stayed at his sides, but his presence filled every inch of the space, pressing in on her.

Liora didn’t answer. She needed to be careful, needed to sell this. But she couldn’t afford for him to hear her plan before she had time to execute it. She had to focus. She swallowed, shifting just slightly, like the pain was still weighing her down. Kylo tilted his head slightly. "What is it? Have I beaten the fight out of you?"

The smug undercurrent in his tone made her stomach burn*.* She exhaled slowly, forced her fingers to relax around the scalpel. She couldn’t let the rage show. Instead, she let her gaze flicker to him, just for a moment, before she turned her head away. Let her shoulders drop just slightly. "I have nothing to say."

“Mhm.”

A pause.

She knew he was watching her, studying her.

Then he reached forward without warning. Liora forced herself not to recoil as his gloved fingers brushed against her bandages, against the wound he had given her. Her body went rigid, every nerve screaming at her to move, fight, stab, but she didn’t. Not yet.

His touch wasn’t gentle. Not exactly. It was testing.

"You’re healing," he mused. His fingers curled just slightly, pressing just enough to make the wound throb. "Good."

Liora clenched her jaw, forcing her breath to stay steady. Carefully, she let out a small, tired laugh. It was dry, humorless. "I’m glad you approve."

Kylo exhaled through his nose, something close to amusement flickering across his expression.

She risked a glance up at him.

And that was her mistake. Because for a split second, she forgot about the plan.

Forgot about the scalpel in her hand. Forgot about everything except the way he was looking at her.

It wasn’t rage.

It wasn’t cruelty.

It was something else.

Kylo tilted his head, studying her, his dark eyes searching her face like he was trying to identify something. The corner of his mouth twitched.

And then, faster than she could react, he moved.

His hand shot forward, seizing her wrist, the one holding the scalpel.

Liora’s breath caught. Shit-

Pain exploded through her arm as he twisted it, hard, wrenching the scalpel from her fingers. The small blade clattered onto the metal table, useless.

Kylo’s breathing changed. It wasn’t curiosity anymore. It was rage.

His grip tightened, his fingers pressing into the bruises already forming from his last encounter with her. The air in the room shifted, thickening, darkening, suffocating.

"You thought you could stab me?" His voice was low, but dangerous.

Liora clenched her jaw, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "Would have been nice."

His nostrils flared.

Then, without warning, he slammed her arm down against the table. A sharp cry ripped from her throat as pain flared from her wrist to her elbow. Kylo loomed over her, eyes burning with something seething. His free hand lifted, and suddenly, the room cracked with invisible force, her body was yanked forward, her legs nearly giving out as she stumbled toward him, her ribs screaming in protest.

"I’ve been holding back too much," he growled, “that’s finished now, Liora.”

Liora barely sucked in a breath before he threw her. The impact against the cold stone wall sent a shockwave of pain through her already battered body. She gasped, collapsing to her knees, the fresh wound on her side flaring with white-hot agony.

Kylo was on her before she could recover. His gloved hand fisted into her hair, yanking her head back, forcing her to meet his gaze. His breath was heavy, deep, furious.

"You don’t learn," he snarled. “You think I wouldn’t sense your pathetic little attempt?"

Liora’s fingers twitched against the stone floor, curling into fists.

"Fuck you," she spat.

"You think you still belong to yourself," Kylo murmured, his grip on her hair tightening.

Liora clenched her jaw. "I do."

Suddenly, his thumb barely traced over the edge of her cheekbone, the softest touch he had ever given her. She flinched.

"No," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. "You don’t,” he murmured. “I wonder if, after this, you will finally learn that you will never win.”

Before she could process his words, he pushed her backwards, following atop her.

It wasn’t gentle. It was possession.

Liora gasped against him. Her fingers curled against the fabric of his robes, either to push away or to hold on. She wasn’t entirely sure.

His face hovered over hers, searching her eyes. Just as quickly as she found herself on the floor, his lips crashed onto hers. He growled against her mouth, deep and satisfied, pressing harder, taking more. His grip on her tightened, as if daring her to pull away, daring her to fight.

She wrenched her head to the side, her breath ragged. "No—"

Kylo’s hand shot out, seizing her jaw, pulling her face back to his. His grip wasn’t painful, but it left no room for defiance. His dark eyes burned into hers.

"You still think you have a choice," he murmured.

She could spit in his face. She could slap him, fight him, tell him that no matter what he did—no matter how deep he tried to bury himself inside her mind, her body, her soul, she would never belong to him.

But when he leaned in again, when his breath ghosted over her lips, his fingers flexing at her waist, she didn’t try to stop him. She let herself be taken.

A shuddered breath left his lips, as if feeling her surrender, as if savoring it. His grip tightened, his mouth claiming hers again, deeper this time, owning her in a way she never wanted to admit she craved.

This was wrong. But, it felt like falling into something inevitable.

Her body burned, her pulse hammering against her skin, against his. She barely registered the way his hands moved, sliding over her waist, her ribs, gripping and pulling her body against his.

…

With a thud Kylo set her down on the table, his lips never leaving hers.

She could feel the desperation in his body as he removed her prisonwear, the cold air nipping at her bare skin. It felt like a twisted dream. Like she was a witness to the scene rather than actually being a part of it. The worst thing wasn’t even what was about to happen, it was how much she’d yearned for it. How much effort she’d spent trying to suppress these feelings, only to find herself aching for him to remove his robes faster.

With the last of his robes falling to his feet, Liora basked in his body as it was illuminated by the orange light. There was no way to control her thoughts anymore as he leaned into her, his large hands gripping her thighs as he stood before her.

Slowly, his lips descended on her again, this time trailing down her neck. She shuddered as she felt one of his hands begin to wander down to her opening. Heat rushed to her face as he began to trace her, his finger beginning a circling motion at her clit. At the same time, he slowly pushed in two digits. Liora gasped and he pressed his teeth into the kiss. Her mind was a blur, too caught up with the pleasure she was losing herself in.

“Mhm, so wet already” He whispered, removing the digits and turning his head to inspect them. Liora gripped his arms, breathing heavily. He smirked at her, “You want me so bad, little rebel?” he growled, returning one finger to circle her again. She gasped again, and he watched her with dark eyes.

“N-no.” She managed, still griping him as he continued.

“Your mind betrays you” he muttered, removing his hand altogether. “But that’s not what I want. I want to hear you.”

She looked up at him with desperate eyes. A smirk crept across his face as he watched her. “Yes, Liora, you know what I want.” He traced a finger over her clit, and she shuddered. “Beg for me.”

Liora’s blood ran cold. What he was demanding was against everything she stood for, had fought for. This, here, with him, it was all wrong. It was wrong, she needed to stop this. “I-Ren-” Another ghosting of her clit and all thoughts of defiance left her. The burning for him was all consuming. But she couldn’t let him win. “N-no” she managed.

His head tilted, as if listening to her warring mind. “Very well.” With a dark smile, he released her from his grip. Her mind raced as she felt him retreat from her. She was panicking, but why? He was leaving…this should be what she wanted. But her body ached for him, pleading with her to give in to him.

“Ren.” She said, her words betraying her. “Wait, I-I...” Embarrassment flooded her very being, but her rational mind was no longer in control. Her desires too strong. Kylo turned back to her, but he didn’t move, just watched. “Please, Ren I want you to…keep going.” She managed, cursing herself to the very core. He watched her, tilting his head yet again.

“Tell me what you want.” He murmured, eyes on hers.

She swallowed, cursing herself more for what she was about to say, “I want you-to hold me down, and-take me.”

She barely took a breath before he was on her again, this time twisting her around so she was laying with her body bent over the table, her arms pressed forward against the hard surface. The pain of her wound barely registered to her through her desire. She could feel him against her ass, as he ran his fingers along her sides. She shuddered, trying not to shake in anticipation. His hands moved to her waist, aligning her up with him. “Shit” she whispered, what am I about to do?

His tip brushed against her lips, and she let out a gasp. He lowered himself over her slightly, pulling her torso up to his. One of his hands rested on her throat, holding her in place as the other trailed down to her breast. Slowly, he pushed himself into her, his grip on her tightening as he pushed further and further in. She stifled a moan as he pulled out, then back in, beginning a pace. Liora clenched around him, and he grunted in response. This was nothing like what she’d experienced before. He was much…bigger, and stronger than the others she’d laid with. She could barely think through the pleasure coursing through her as he began to quicken his strides.

Kylo was relentless. Through clenched teeth, he pushed her head forward onto the table, not violently, but still forcefully. Pain from her wound shot through her, but the sensation was deafened by Kylo inside of her. She let out a moan at the feeling of him through this new angle, and he pushed himself even further into her. She had to cover her mouth to stop herself making more noise. His hand remained on her head as he pounded into her, the sound of their bodies colliding and their ragged breaths filling the room around them.

She felt herself clenching again and he gripped her tighter, the table rocking in response to their movement. Her hand left her mouth as she felt herself approaching a climax. She knew the feeling as it approached her, the way she felt like a coiled spring ready to release. She moaned as he quickened his pace even more, pushing himself further into her.

“Cum for me, little rebel,” he whispered, and she felt herself unravel around him. It was the most powerful climax she’d ever felt before, and she moaned more as he came with her.

Panting, she twisted herself around carefully, trying not to anger her wound further. Her vision had blurred from the pleasure, but it was slowly returning to her. As her surroundings became clearer to her she could see Kylo beside her, still panting slightly, but his eyes were locked on hers.

“Clean me.” he growled, watching her with an intensity stronger than it had been before.

“T-there’s uh nothing really to use-.” Liora began, but realisation stopped her.

Kylo’s gaze didn’t falter. “Clean me, or I’ll use the force to have you do it.”

Liora shuddered, the punishment and submission not yet over. Her legs still shaking from her release, she pushed herself off the table onto the floor, kneeling before him. He watched her with a dark gaze as she wrapped her lips around his cock, taking him in as much as she could. His breath hitched as she wrapped her tongue around him, sliding up and down before releasing.

“Good girl,” he said, and Liora’s blood ran cold. What have I done?

Before she could gather her thoughts, Kylo had pulled on his robes and turned in the direction of the door. Without another glance in her direction, he opened the door and left.

[tchester27]

Chapter 7 - Bloodlight

---

Liora’s head was spinning.

Nothing in her resistance training had prepared her for this. Not the battles, not the interrogations. How could she now be a tool in some kind of psychological game between two manchildren? And worse still, she was now left with an empty cell- completely bare aside from a mattress on the floor and a toilet. Nice She exhaled sharply, raking a hand through her hair. Why did Kylo lose his mind just because Hux visited? I need a way out… She forced herself to think. Planning, gathering weapons…no, it won’t work. I need an opportunity. And when it comes, I’ll take it.

She lay back on the hard mattress, staring at the blank white ceiling, her thoughts shifting. Hux. Maybe she could use him? If she could get to his quarters again, take him by surprise, steal his weapon? Too Risky. He’s stronger. She’d need to catch him off guard. Trick him. If I can even get back there.

But at least, for now, she was alone. No mind games. No cruel power plays. Just her and the silence of the cell. Her body eased slightly as she closed her eyes, the dull hum of the ship’s engines lulling her into a fragile sense of calm.

Kylo’s voice impaled her mind like a saber.

“You’re not entitled to the luxury of sleep.”

Her eyes flew open just as his heavy footsteps thundered down the corridor. Her breath caught. Her pulse hammered. The air in the cell thickened, suffocating. Fear crashed into her with the force of a tidal wave, it was much stronger than before. It used to be different. She used to have some semblance of control. Some hope that she could resist him. Now, that was gone.

The cell’s lights flickered.

Then she was rising. Her feet leaving the ground, invisible fingers clamping around her throat. Kylo didn’t even step inside. He simply stood beyond the bars, one hand extended, lifting her with the force like she weighed nothing. His dark eyes burned through her as she clawed at her throat, her body convulsing.

"How did you escape?” His voice was a lethal growl. “How did you get back here?”

Liora fought against the crushing pressure, barely managing to rasp out a single word.

“H-Hux.”

Kylo’s eye twitched, but he didn’t loosen his grip. A growl curled from his throat. “I expected as much.” His tone dripped with malice. “Very well. If he continues to insist on interfering…then I must move you somewhere unreachable.”

Her vision blurred. Black spots crowded her sight, her head light from the lack of air. Then, suddenly, he released her. She collapsed. Hard. The impact sent pain splintering through her knees, her palms scraping against the cold floor as she gasped violently for breath.

It was barely a moment before he moved. He stepped into the cell with terrifying ease, and before she could react, he scooped her up into his arms.

Liora stiffened. Her hands flew up, instinctively grabbing at his shoulders for balance before she caught herself. No. No, no, no. She let go, body rigid, her mind warring with itself. Because, for all the fear pounding through her, something else was there, too….The heat of him. The solid weight of his arms, strong and, she hated herself for even thinking it, protective. His scent, deep and electric, surrounding her like an inescapable force. She clenched her jaw. No, Liora. He’s a monster. A manipulator. This is nothing but another tactic to break you.

Kylo carried her through the ship’s corridors, his grip unrelenting, his pace unwavering. At first, she tried to track their path, but soon, the halls grew unfamiliar. Dimmer. The cold, sterile lighting of the Finalizer gave way to something else. A faint, eerie orange glow.

And silence.

They had passed no one. No officers. No droids.

Liora’s breathing quickened.

Unreachable. That word echoed in her head. What did he mean? What part of the ship could be beyond the reach of even a general?

They reached the end of a corridor. The air here was much heavier. If she hadn’t been here herself, she would never have believed this place existed on the ship.

Kylo lifted a hand, and the door before them wrenched open with the Force. A gust of cold air swept over them. The room beyond was unlike anything she had seen aboard the Finalizer. Its walls looked like stone, jagged and cold, as if carved from something ancient. A single, long metal table stood in the center. A sink in the corner.

No windows. No doors but the one they had entered. No escape.

A pit of dread yawned open in Liora’s stomach. But before she could do anything, Kylo released her. She found herself stumbling as her feet hit the hard stone floor, her legs still weak from the choking. She tried to stand, but the moment she looked up at him, her breath hitched.

He hadn’t moved. He simply watched her.

Kylo tilted his head, speaking after a few moments. "How did you block me out?"

She blinked, crawling away from him slightly. "What?"

"You resisted me." His voice was low, slow…each word measured, as if he were restraining something far more violent beneath. "Time and time again, you were able to resist. How?"

Liora stiffened. Sure, yeah, she had been able to build mental barriers against him, and it had worked for a time. But she had barely understood it herself. And now, standing here, trapped in this nightmare, she couldn’t imagine finding that strength again. "I don’t—" Her voice broke, and she swallowed. "I don’t know."

Kylo stepped forward, and she pushed herself back further in response. Oh man, I don’t like this one bit. This time, I may actually be fucked. She looked around quickly, trying to assess her surroundings as best she could. The shift in distance did nothing to help. The room was too small, the walls too close. And he was too big, too powerful. His presence filled the space, suffocating.

"No. You do know."

The air around her thickened. She felt it like a phantom pressure curling around her throat, not quite touching, but reminding her it could. For the first time since she got here, she really felt a wave of terror creep over her. She shook her head, panic spilling into her voice. "I don’t know—"

"Enough."

The single word lashed through the space like a whip. She flinched, retreating until her back hit the cold stone wall. Kylo exhaled sharply, but it wasn’t relief. It was frustration. The kind that seethed just under the surface, ready to crack open at any second.

"You do know, Liora. You may well have forgotten, but now that your defences are shattered I can hear you loud and clear.” Her eyes widened and he took another step, “but I cannot find it…the source of whatever it is that allowed you to force me out. You are still resisting.” He moved forward even more, eyes boring into hers.

Without a moments thought, she bolted.

It wasn’t a plan. It wasn’t even rational. There was nowhere to go. But instinct roared to life, screaming at her to MOVE MOVE MOVE! Her bare feet slapped against the stone as she darted toward the only other exit, the metal door. But the moment she reached for it, pain exploded in her skull.

A scream tore from her throat as she was yanked backward, her entire body wrenched through the air like a ragdoll. She slammed into the opposite wall, gasping as the impact knocked the wind from her lungs. The pain was nothing compared to the fear. She sucked in a breath, her chest heaving, but before she could recover, Kylo was there. Standing over her. FUCK.

She scrambled back, and pressed herself against the wall, trembling. But he just watched her, staring. And that terrified her more. She had seen him lash out before, raging, destructive, violent. But she didn’t know what this was. Shit, what- She couldn’t think.

"Where did you learn it?" he asked again, softer this time, but no less threatening.

Liora shook her head frantically. "I didn’t learn—"

"Who taught you?"

"No one!"

"Liar."

Her stomach twisted. She could feel his presence pressing in, brushing against the edges of her mind. She clenched her jaw, squeezing her eyes shut. But, she was too weak. She couldn’t block him out now, not after everything.

He could take what he wanted. But he didn’t.

Instead, he crouched in front of her, leveling their height. Liora’s entire body went rigid. She could feel the heat of him. Could see the way his gloved fingers flexed at his sides, like he was holding himself back. And then, in a voice too quiet, too calm. "You’re afraid, truly afraid."

Her breath hitched. His head tilted, studying her. "Not like before, have I succeeded in breaking you, little rebel?"

She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. But it was useless. She was shaking. She could feel it in her hands, in her chest, in every muscle that refused to obey her. Kylo’s voice dipped even lower. "Mhm yes, this time…you truly are afraid."

The way he said it, like he was pleased, made something in her stomach lurch. Her fingers curled into fists. She forced herself to glare at him, to muster even a shred of defiance. But her body betrayed her, trembling beneath his gaze. Kylo leaned in just slightly, close enough that she could see the flicker of red in his dark irises.

He was toying with her. Watching her break, savoring it.

No. No, don’t give him that.

Liora forced her gaze away from him, her mind racing for something, anything, that could get her out of this. But what was left? Running had failed. Fighting was impossible. She had lost whatever strength she once had. He leaned in and she braced herself, looking away. His breath was warm against her face, and she could feel the heat of his body, standing close enough that if she moved even slightly, she’d brush against him.

His gloved hand held her chin and moved her head, forcing her to meet his gaze. Her throat went dry. The way he was looking at her…it wasn’t the detached, cold calculation of an interrogator. It wasn’t even the cruel amusement she’d seen in him before. It was hunger. His grip on her jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened just slightly.

Liora swallowed hard, trying to force herself to look away. "I—I don’t know how I did it," she managed. "The mind stuff…I swear, Kylo—"

His hand dropped from her face, only to slam against the wall beside her head. She flinched.

"Don’t call me that," he growled.

Her heart was a wild thing in her chest. Uh right, Ren, then. She’d heard officers call him that before, but she never had. Never cared to. Now, though…she wondered if she could use it against him. But before she could speak, his fingers ghosted over her temple, and a sudden, crushing pressure seized her mind.

She gasped, arching slightly against the wall as raw power ripped through her thoughts. Her nails dug into the stone beneath her. "Stop—"

"You stopped me once," Kylo murmured, his voice eerily calm, but his breathing had deepened, ragged with impatience. "Do it again."

"I-Can’t," she gasped, her whole body trembling now.

"We’ll see."

His grip slid to her throat. Not squeezing. Just holding.

Liora stilled, barely daring to breathe. His gloved fingers pressed just slightly against her pulse, feeling the frantic rhythm beneath them.

"You're afraid," he murmured, almost in fascination. A cold smile tugged at his lips. "But not just of me."

Her blood ran ice-cold. He knew. Her fear wasn’t just terror. It wasn’t just the knowledge that she was completely at his mercy. It was him. It was this. The heat of his body, the way he had her trapped, the way his voice curled around her like dark silk, pressing in, consuming. He let out a slow breath, and she felt it against her lips. "You hate yourself for it, don’t you?" he whispered.

She hated the way her skin burned under his touch. The way her pulse betrayed her, hammering not just from fear but something else, something she refused to name.

His grip on her throat tightened just slightly, just enough to make her gasp.

But then, a violent snap tore through the air.

The pressure in her mind broke and he staggered back a step, his breath sharp, his grip falling away as if something had physically shoved him. Liora collapsed against the wall, sucking in air, her hands flying to her head.

What the fuck—

Kylo didn’t speak. When she forced herself to look at him, she expected fury. But what she saw instead sent a deeper chill through her bones.

Shock. Not anger. Not frustration. Shock.

He was staring at her, his chest rising and falling as if he had just been struck. His fingers flexed at his sides, as if reaching for something unseen. His lips parted. "You…" His voice was quiet, but no less dangerous. "You pushed me out, again."

Liora’s pulse roared in her ears. The fear clawing at her gut coiled tighter. I-Had I really just thrown him out? But she hadn’t meant to. Hadn’t even tried. Something inside her had done it. Something instinctual. And now he knew.

His hand twitched, like he was considering reaching for her again. But then, he stilled. His head tilted slightly, like he was… listening. A slow, unreadable smirk curled at the edges of his mouth. Without warning, he stepped back.

Kylo exhaled sharply and stood, looking down at her, calculating. "This... ability you have," he mused, almost to himself. "It isn’t trained. It’s raw. Unrefined. Yet somehow, you’ve done what others could not."

A muscle twitched in his jaw, and Liora could feel the way his control was fraying at the edges. He’s unraveling. But why? Then, something shifted in his expression. His gaze flickered downward, sweeping over her as if seeing her for the first time…not just as a captive, not just as an obstacle, but something else.

"You shouldn’t be able to do this," Kylo murmured. His hand twitched again, as if resisting the urge to reach for her. His breathing deepened, his fingers curling into fists. "So how can you?" For the first time, Liora saw it. Doubt. It was small, almost imperceptible, but it was there, a crack in his otherwise unshakable certainty.

And that terrified him. The realization emboldened her, if only slightly. "So what now?" she managed, forcing herself to sit up, her back pressing against the cold wall for support. "Keep poking around in my head until you figure it out?"

Kylo’s eyes darkened. "I don’t need to poke around." His voice was low, but tight. "I’ll tear through your mind if I have to."

Any courage Liora managed to muster up fell away. The air between them grew unbearably heavy. His presence pressed in again, less like an attack and more like an inevitability.

And with a sudden snap, his lightsaber ignited. The crimson blade roared to life, unstable and jagged, casting violent red shadows against the cold stone walls. The hum filled the space, a wild, hungry sound that sent a visceral chill down Liora’s spine.

She couldn’t breathe.

"Show me the extent of your powers."

Liora’s blood ran ice-cold. Her lips parted, her voice barely a whisper. "W-What?!"

Kylo took a step forward, the heat of his saber radiating between them. His dark eyes burned through her, unwavering. "You heard me." His voice was slow, deliberate, laced with something dangerous. "I know there’s something inside you. And you’re going to show it to me."

He took another step.

Liora backed up, but she couldn’t retreat any further, her body reacting before her mind could even process. "Kylo—"

"Ren," he corrected sharply, eyes flashing.

Liora’s hands were scrambling against the floor, desperately trying to push herself away. "Ren-yes I-I can’t-please-" Her eyes on the blade. Images of her village flashed through her mind, just at the sight of it. Emotions flooded over her and her panic felt overwhelming. She knew for certain now. He was there when it happened…

"I felt it. When you pushed me out. When you broke my hold on you without even knowing how." He continued. The saber’s glow flickered across his face, highlighting the sharp angles, the raw intensity in his expression.

Liora’s breath came too fast, and she pressed her eyes shut. "No no no no no. You’re insane."

"Maybe." He smiled. "But I’m not wrong."

She could hear it in his voice, the near-manic edge, the hunger for understanding, for control. But what scared her more was the certainty. He knew she had something buried deep inside her. And he wasn’t going to stop until he dragged it out. Liora’s hands curled into fists, her entire body wound tight with fear. "I-please I’ll speak with you. I’ll try and figure this out. But-I…I can’t-I don’t know what to do. What you want me to do!"

Kylo’s gaze flickered, down her body, up to her hands, then back to her eyes. Calculating. Assessing. Waiting. Then, without warning, he swung.

The blade sliced through the air, too fast, too close. Liora barely had time to move, instinct screaming as she threw herself sideways just as the saber’s heat seared past her. Her pulse thundered, her breath ragged. "FUCK. FUCK OFF! STOP!”

Kylo didn’t stop.

He turned, gaze dark with something unreadable, and swung again. Liora rolled, panic clawing at her chest. "SHIT—!"

"Fight me." His voice was low, vibrating with barely-contained energy.

Liora scrambled back, her palms scraping against the cold floor. "REN, I CAN’T!"

Kylo’s saber crackled, the red glow bathing them both in bloodlight. "You can."

He lifted his free hand and the air tightened. Liora’s breath caught, her body seizing as invisible pressure wrapped around her limbs, locking her in place. Her chest constricted, her vision tunneling as she fought against the overwhelming force pressing in.

"No no, Ren—"

"Stop saying my name like that." His voice was sharper now, strained, as if the mere sound of it unnerved him. He stepped closer, his saber humming beside him. "You want me to stop? Make me."

Liora couldn’t move. The heat of the saber was unbearable, humming inches from her skin. The air between them burned, but her body refused to obey her. She had faced death before. Had been tortured, had been captured, had endured everything the First Order threw at her.

But this...it was all different.

Because now she remembered. The blade. The screams. The fire swallowing everything in its path. The faceless soldiers. The way the air had smelled like burning flesh, like metal cooling over bodies that would never rise again. The way the red had seared through the darkness, carving through the people she had known. Her neighbors, friends, family.

Liora’s breath hitched, her chest heaving.

Kylo Ren had been there. Not just as a distant force of destruction. Not just as a figurehead of the First Order. He had been there, in her village. He had stood among the flames, had cut them down himself.

And now, here he was again, his crimson blade humming, waiting.

Her entire body locked up. She couldn’t fight. She couldn’t move. The fear burned into her, as hot as the saber.

Kylo took a step forward. "I won't stop until you show me."

Liora choked on a breath, eyes wide, fingers twitching at her sides. She wanted to speak, wanted to force words past her lips, anything...but nothing came.

She could hear the echo of it. The roar of fire. The crackle of a saber splitting flesh. The memory was so strong, she swore she could smell the blood.

Kylo sensed it. Something in his posture shifted, like he understood exactly what was happening in her head.

But still, he didn’t stop. His saber swung.

Like lightening striking, pain ripped through her side. Liora’s scream tore through the air.

The world tilted as she collapsed onto the cold floor. A jagged, searing pain ripped through her side, white-hot and blinding. The smell of scorched fabric filled her nose, followed by the sickening scent of her own burned flesh.

Her vision blurred.

Kylo stood over her. His saber burned bright, casting his shadow long against the walls. Liora clutched her side, fingers pressing against the wound, her pulse roaring in her ears. She still couldn’t move. She could barely breathe.

Kylo exhaled slowly, his breath deep, measured. The anger, the hunger, the need to understand her...it was still there. But now, something else had settled into his expression. Satisfaction.

"You remember." Kylo murmured, his voice low, smooth.

Liora shuddered, her body curling in on itself as she fell into unconsciousness.

[tchester27]

Chapter 6 - Cracks

---

Liora barely had time to brace herself.

The door to her cell hissed open with such force she thought it might be torn from the hinges.

Kylo Ren stood in the threshold, his form dark and overwhelming. His helmet was in a cold, raging grip at his side.

Her heart lurched into her throat.

Something’s different this time.

Her instincts screamed at her. Something about the air, about the way he carried himself…it was final. Decided. He wasn’t here to waste time.

“Get up,” he ordered, voice low and unwavering.

Liora didn’t move. She kept her seat on the cot, spine rigid, jaw set. Her fingers twitched slightly, itching toward the hidden datapad beneath the mattress. She forced them still. Kylo’s eyes flicked to her hands. Had he noticed? Had he sensed it?

If he had, he didn’t address it. He simply stepped further into the room, and when she still didn’t move, he exhaled sharply through his nose.

Without warning, the Force slammed into her like a wall. Invisible hands seized her limbs, yanking her upright so fast the breath left her lungs. She was weightless, suspended, her boots scraping uselessly against the floor. Her hands clenched into fists. “Fuck you,” she spat.

Kylo’s fingers curled at his sides, knuckles flexing. “You will not waste any more of my time.”

She yelped as the Force tightened around her, dragging her forward. Her heart pounded as her body obeyed him against her will, her muscles straining against the unseen grip. The moment they passed through the cell door, she knew exactly where they were going.

The interrogation room.

Liora’s chest tightened, her breath growing uneven. Her mind raced. She had been bracing for this, had known it was inevitable. But actually going back there, after she’d just gotten the datapad…it felt like hope was slipping right through her fingers.

They moved through the corridors in tense, suffocating silence, flanked by two stormtroopers who barely spared her a glance. Kylo walked just ahead of her, his steps purposeful, commanding. She could see the muscles in his back tense beneath his robes, as if barely holding something in.

Then, all too soon, they arrived.

The doors hissed open.

The interrogation chamber loomed before her like a waiting beast, sleek restraints gleaming in the low light. Kylo barely broke stride. With a flick of his wrist, Liora was hurled forward, her back slamming against the cold interrogation chair. The metal restraints snapped closed around her wrists and ankles in an instant. “Fucker” she muttered. Her breathing quickened, pulse hammering in her ears. But she refused to let her anxiety show.

Kylo turned, stepping in front of her, tilting his head just slightly. “This is where you stay now,” he said, voice eerily calm. “Until you let me in.”

Liora narrowed her eyes. He was serious. He wasn’t just bringing her here for another session. He was keeping her here. The thought sent a sharp, primal dread through her. The cell wasn’t anything luxurious, but there were some small comforts, and there were opportunities to gather tools and weapons there. But here….

No, he can’t keep me here forever.

Kylo leaned down slightly, enough that the low lighting cast deep shadows across his face. “Don’t be foolish enough to think you have time. That I’ll keep giving you chances. That certainly isn’t the case here.”

Liora swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze, refusing to shrink. “Then I guess I’ll be here for a while,” she said, voice unwavering.

Kylo’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Without another word, he reached up and pressed his gloved fingertips against her temple. She flinched at his touch, and a sharp inhale left her as his presence surged forward.

…

The battle began immediately.

The moment Kylo breached the edges of her mind, Liora slammed her barriers into place. Thick walls reinforced and unyielding. He pushed forwards, and she pushed right back.

Kylo Ren was relentless. His presence bore down like a storm, a hurricane seeking to rip through her defences. But she had blocked him before. She would block him again. Kylo growled softly, pressing harder. His voice slid through her consciousness, dark and insistent. You’re weak, you will fail, Liora.

“No,” she ground out. His presence in her mind was much stronger than before, like he’d been practising. Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead as she strained against him. He was stronger this time, definitely, but not strong enough.

She felt him shift, his frustration bleeding into the Force. He adjusted his approach, seeking a new angle of attack. His presence thinned, slipping through the cracks like smoke, trying to slither past her defences rather than breaking them outright. She focused, slamming the doors of her mind shut.

Kylo inhaled sharply.

Then the pressure multiplied. A sudden, violent push.

Liora gasped, shaking hard as she strained herself further than ever before. The force of his ambush nearly shattered through, splintering the edges of her defences.

No. No, no, no….

She clenched her teeth, digging her nails into the armrests, pouring every ounce of focus into rebuilding. For a moment her barriers flickered, just barely, and he seized the opening.

Like a tidal wave crashing through glass, Kylo broke in.

Liora yelled out in pain.

Memories. Flashes. Distant echoes.

And then…

Cold. Sharp. Now.

Hux.

Kylo stilled.

“No!” She protested, but he didn’t relent.

Images swept through her mind.

The food, the blade.

Then, the stormtrooper

…and the datapad.

The atmosphere in the room shifted violently.

His fingers twitched against her temple. His presence in her mind turned razor-sharp, honing in.

He saw it all.

Hux’s visit. The way he had touched her hair. Her breaking apart the tray and stashing the blade. Her careful taking of the datapad, storing it under the cot for later.

Kylo’s mind reeled.

His presence snapped back from hers, retreating like a recoiling predator.

And then—

His hand was gone.

Liora gasped as reality snapped back into place. Her body trembled, her breaths coming sharp and uneven. She barely had time to register what had happened before Kylo’s rage flooded the room. The lights overhead flickered violently. Objects trembled on their fixtures. A harsh, suffocating pressure filled the air, thick with anger.

Liora barely managed to lift her head.

Kylo’s face was murderous. His hands clenched at his sides, his breath ragged, shoulders heaving. She could feel the storm brewing within him, and for the first time being here, she genuinely felt fear so strong it froze her solid.

Then, without even a glance in her direction, he spun on his heel.

The door slammed open.

Liora flinched at the sound.

Kylo stormed out.

The door sealed shut behind him with a deafening hiss.

Silence crashed down.

Liora sagged against the restraints, heart pounding wildly, her mind still reeling from the invasion. She swallowed hard, her throat tight, lungs burning.

Her vision blurred slightly.

…

The sound of boots echoed sharply against the polished durasteel floors. Each step was purposeful, heavy with unchecked fury.

Kylo Ren stormed through the corridors of the Finalizer, his cloak billowing in his wake, hands clenched into fists so tightly his gloves groaned against the pressure. The crew members who passed him on his warpath knew better than to speak, better than to even look in his direction.

His mind seethed.

Hux.

The name burned like acid. The nerve of that pompous, insufferable bastard.

Liora was his prisoner. His to interrogate. His to break. And yet, Hux had the audacity to step in, to interfere, to— What? Manipulate her in ways Kylo himself wouldn’t—or couldn’t?

A fresh surge of anger pulsed through him.

Hux thought himself so clever, playing his slow, insidious little games. But Ren knew—Hux wasn’t just interested in breaking Liora for the Resistance’s sake. He had seen it, felt it in the way the General looked at her. The way he circled her like a vulture, too controlled, too precise.

That wasn’t just about interrogation.

The thought of it made Kylo’s stomach churn with something violent. Something ugly. Something that felt too much like—

No.

He shoved the thought aside just as he reached the command bridge doors. The metal hissed open, revealing Hux standing at the main console, barking orders to an officer. The General was immaculate, as always—hands clasped behind his back, his posture effortlessly straight, as if he hadn’t just crossed a line.

Kylo’s presence sent a shockwave through the room. The air thickened, and the tension was immediate. Officers stiffened. A few stepped back. Even Hux must have sensed it—his voice trailed off mid-sentence, but when he turned, his expression remained infuriatingly smug.

“Ah, Ren,” Hux mused, tilting his head slightly. “To what do I owe this... dramatic entrance?”

Kylo didn’t stop walking until he was right there, towering over the other man, the black of his mask a void against Hux’s pale face.

“You had no right,” Kylo seethed, his voice a deadly whisper.

Hux arched a brow. “Oh? Do enlighten me. What precisely did I do that has you stomping about like a wounded animal?”

Kylo’s hand twitched at his side. He wants me to lose control. He wants me to lash out. But Hux wasn’t Snoke. Hux wasn’t a Master. He was a fucking nuisance.

“You went to her.” Kylo’s voice was barely above a growl.

Hux exhaled, shaking his head as if bored. “Oh, this again.”

“You think you can manipulate her?” Kylo pressed, voice edged with something dangerous. “You think she’ll just fold because you bring her food, a blanket, whisper your empty promises in her ear?”

Hux’s lips quirked, something knowing in his expression. “Why, Ren… you almost sound jealous.”

Something snapped.

Before Hux could react, Kylo seized him by the front of his pristine uniform and slammed him backward into the nearest console. Officers gasped, some stumbling back as the equipment behind them sparked from the impact. The weight of the Force pressed against Hux’s chest, making his breath stutter for just a second.

Kylo leaned in, close enough that the modulated hiss of his breath was the only thing between them.

Hux’s smirk returned, thin and sharp. “Temper, temper.”

Kylo’s grip tightened. “Stay away from her.”

Hux scoffed. “Or what? You’ll kill me?” A beat. Then, quieter. “How unprofessional.”

The words slithered into Kylo’s ears, wrapping around something raw inside him. Because the truth was…he wasn’t sure what he’d do.

Hux saw it. And he knew.

With excruciating slowness, the General lifted a hand and deliberately pried Kylo’s gloved fingers from his uniform, smoothing out the wrinkles where he’d been grabbed. Then, with a smirk that made Kylo burn, he leaned in just enough and whispered:

“You’re losing control over one prisoner, Ren. Pathetic.”

Kylo barely registered his own movement. The Force roared through him, sending Hux flying back into the console with a violent crash. Sparks erupted from the impact, the entire bridge shuddering under the sheer power behind the throw. Gasps rippled through the officers. Hux coughed, slowly pulling himself back to his feet, but still, still he smirked.

Kylo turned on his heel, storming from the room before he did something that would actually get him court-martialed.

…

Liora sat in the interrogation chair, wrists aching against the metal restraints, trying to catch her breath. The room was still humming with residual energy from Kylo’s outburst, as if the walls themselves had absorbed his fury. The overhead lights flickered weakly, and the silence felt suffocating.

She stared at the door, her mind spinning.

He hadn’t lashed out at her.

Not for the stolen blade. Not for the datapad.

I- I don’t get it. What does that mean? Has he left to take them away before coming back to kill me? Or has he just gone somewhere to lash out before he comes back to deal with me properly?

Either way, it wasn’t good. But the datapad was still in her cell. It was hidden well, but for how long? Kylo had seen it. If he calmed down enough, if he remembered that she had stolen it, would he send troopers to search her things?

A spike of panic shot through her.

She couldn’t afford to lose that datapad. It was the first real advantage she had.

She needed to get out of this chair.

Liora inhaled deeply, steadying her thoughts. First, she had to gauge her situation. Kylo had left in a rage, but was he coming back? Had he just gone to throw things in his quarters? She should have a bit of time…

She flexed her fingers against the restraints, testing their give. Not much. But she knew how these chairs worked. The wrist locks weren’t invincible. Given enough time, enough patience, she might be able to—

The door hissed open.

Her body stiffened as a stormtrooper stepped inside. He was alone. No Kylo. No commanding officer. Just him.

Huh, unexpected.

He hesitated for half a second before stepping forward, and that was all she needed to see.

He’s nervous. Not typical behavior for a trooper. These men were conditioned to be emotionless, obedient, unflinching. Which meant…either he’d just been face to face with a raging sith, or he wasn’t supposed to be here. Or both. Liora straightened, keeping her face unreadable. “Let me guess. New orders?”

The stormtrooper didn’t answer. He only reached out, pressing a control panel on the side of the chair. The restraints clicked. Her wrists and ankles were suddenly free. Liora stared, heart pounding. She didn’t move immediately, didn’t lunge or run. She wasn’t stupid. This wasn’t a gift. This was a test.

Slowly, carefully, she lifted her hands from the armrests. The trooper stepped back, nodding toward the door.

“You’re being relocated.”

Liora’s stomach turned.

Again? Why again? Is there some new horror awaiting me?

Her instincts screamed at her not to go, not to trust whatever this was. But she didn’t have a choice. So, she forced herself to move.

As they made their way down the corridor, Liora kept her steps measured, her posture stiff but not defensive. The stormtrooper’s presence beside her was unnervingly quiet, his armor gleaming under the sterile corridor lights.

Her mind raced.

Why had Kylo ordered this before storming off? It didn’t make sense. If he was furious, why would he suddenly decide to move her? Wouldn’t he want to keep her here where she was vulnerable?

Unless…

Unless this wasn’t his order at all.

A sharp chill crawled up her spine. The thought of Hux made her stomach twist. If Kylo was off somewhere throwing a fit, that meant he wasn’t paying attention. The only other person tormenting her so frequently was that ginger-haired ass. Liora clenched her jaw. Nah, surely not that guy again.

She couldn’t be sure. Not yet.

But whoever had given the order, it wasn’t good news for her.

They turned a corner, the ship’s hallways stretching endlessly in cold, mechanical precision. No signs of life beyond the occasional passing trooper, no hints as to where she was being taken. She focused on memorizing the path, marking turns, exits, anything that might be useful later.

After several minutes of silence, she decided to risk it.

“So,” she said, her voice casual, like they weren’t in the middle of a fucking nightmare. “Mind telling me where we’re going? Or am I supposed to enjoy the suspense?”

The stormtrooper didn’t answer.

Liora exhaled sharply through her nose. “Yeah, didn’t think so.”

Still, she watched him closely. His body language was different from the others…something about the way he walked, the way he hesitated ever so slightly before each turn. Nervous…or uncertain? This was very weird.

She let a few more steps pass in silence before trying again. This time, her voice was quieter, more calculated. “I don’t suppose you want to tell me who gave the order?”

The stormtrooper’s helmet turned slightly toward her, just for a second, before snapping forward again.

She wasn’t sure why, but that was all she needed to know this wasn’t Kylo’s doing. Her mind snapped into action. Think. If this was Hux’s doing, she needed to figure out why. Was he trying to move her out of Kylo’s reach? Was he planning another round of his manipulative bullshit? Did he know about the datapad?

Her fingers twitched at her sides, itching for a weapon she didn’t have. The stormtrooper led her down another long corridor, and for the first time, she recognized where they were.

Not another cell block.

Not the interrogation rooms.

Her pulse kicked up.

Oh hell nah…officers’ territory.

Liora’s stomach dropped. This was bad.

A door loomed at the end of the hallway, sleek and ominous in the dim lighting. A private room.

Fuck no.

The trooper stopped in front of it, inputting a code into the panel. Liora barely had time to react before the door slid open.

And there he was.

Hux stood near a polished black desk, posture sharp, hands neatly folded behind his back. His uniform was crisp, pristine, as if he hadn’t just spent the last hour getting thrown into consoles by a raging Sith. His gaze flicked over her, slow and deliberate, before settling with something that almost resembled satisfaction.

Liora’s hands curled into fists.

The stormtrooper nudged her forward. She dug her heels in just slightly, enough to show resistance but not enough to be forced inside. Hux arched a brow, amusement flickering in his icy blue eyes.

“Ah,” he drawled. “So he did bring you here.”

Liora didn’t move, she was too busy trying to assess her situation. Whatever this was, it wasn’t good.

Hux stepped closer, his boots clicking against the floor with practiced precision. He stopped just short of being too close, just enough to invade her space, to remind her who held the power here. Liora held his gaze, refusing to shrink back.

“What is this? Kylo was just-” she asked, forcing her voice to stay steady.

Hux’s lips twitched, as if the very mention of Kylo amused him. “Oh, I imagine he’s busy seething somewhere. Throwing one of his delightful little tantrums.” He interrupted, tilting his head. “You certainly managed to strike a nerve.”

Liora’s stomach somehow dropped further. So he was furious…furious enough for Hux to notice. Yeah that really wasn’t great.

But…she had expected Hux to gloat about the datapad. To sneer at her for being caught. But he wasn’t even mentioning it.

“You seem surprised,” Hux observed, his gaze flicking over her like he was dissecting her thoughts. “What did you think he’d be more upset about? The fact that I visited you?” A pause. Then, a smirk. “Or the fact that you stole from him?”

Liora’s blood ran cold. So Hux does know about the datapad. But, no threats? And Kylo’s reaction…was about the visit? Why? Why does suddenly nothing make sense?

He took a slow step back, like he was granting her space…but they both knew it was an illusion. She was still standing in his room, under his authority, with no real power beyond what she could manipulate. Liora exhaled through her nose, relaxing her posture just slightly, just enough to make it seem natural. She was here, so she might as well try and get some answers to all these questions.

She lifted an eyebrow. “I assume you and Ren had a… productive conversation?”

Hux let out a quiet chuckle, stepping toward a sleek black cabinet near the desk. “Oh, I’d hardly call it a conversation,” he said idly, opening it to retrieve a glass. He moved with deliberate ease, as if nothing had happened, like Kylo Ren hadn’t stormed in and thrown him across the room less than an hour ago.

Liora narrowed her eyes, watching his movements carefully. No visible injuries. Not even a wrinkle in his uniform. Either Kylo had held back—unlikely, given the rage in him—or Hux had cleaned himself up in record time.

Neither possibility sat well with her. Hux poured himself a drink, swirling the amber liquid in the glass before taking a slow sip. “Ren,” he continued, “is rather… predictable, wouldn’t you say?”

Liora’s pulse kicked up.

He was testing her. Again.

She tilted her head, feigning mild disinterest. “Sure.”

Hux gave a soft, knowing hum. “Oh, don’t be coy, Liora.” He took another sip, his gaze cutting to her over the rim of the glass. “I saw the way you smiled when he stormed out of that interrogation room.”

Liora forced herself to remain still.

Had she? Had she actually smiled? And…why was he watching her in there?

The thought unsettled her. She hadn’t felt happy, but there had been satisfaction. A sense of victory, even in the smallest sense. She clenched her jaw. “If I did, it was only because he lost control,” she said evenly.

Hux’s lips curled slightly. “As he often does.”

She studied him carefully. He was enjoying this. Not just the frustration I feel, but Kylo’s failure.

“You…you want him to act out.” Liora said slowly, “This whole thing, you’re using me like some pawn to get at him?”

Hux took a slow sip of his drink before setting it down on the desk beside him. His gaze lingered on her, unreadable for a moment. “Hmm I didn’t expect someone like you to get there so quickly. But yes, you are correct.” He smirked, “This situation may seem somewhat…foolish to you, but you have an opportunity here.”

Someone like me? Where’s this asshole getting all this audacity coming from around here? She raised an eyebrow in irritation, but she let him continue. His tone was laced with malice, and she unsure of what sort of an opportunity he was hinting at.

Hux smiled, “serving as a…pawn, as you call it…has its benefits. You have a purpose here, a need to keep you alive.”

Her eyes met his for a moment as she tried to read him, surely playing this childish game wasn’t the reason the first order was keeping her here. There was no way it could be because of a fighting match between such an immature duo.

Hux turned slightly, looking down at something on his desk, “you are more valuable to the resistance alive than dead, are you not?” He pressed his palm to a datapad on the desk, before tapping a few keys. A moment later, the door behind her slid open. The same stormtrooper from before stepped inside.

“Take her back to her cell,” Hux ordered smoothly, without sparing her another glance.

Liora blinked. That’s it? No more forced conversation. Just…back to the cell?

She hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping toward the trooper, masking her confusion. As she passed Hux, he finally spoke again, just loud enough for only her to hear.

“Think carefully, Liora.”

She stopped. Hux turned his head slightly, his gaze flicking to hers, something unreadable in his expression.

“You won’t like what happens next.”

A sharp chill crawled up her spine.

The stormtrooper nudged her forward, and Liora forced herself to move.

As she stepped out into the hallway, her mind raced.

This wasn’t over.

Not by a long shot.