General Hux flinched as a massively bright ball of yellow and orange light engulfed the viewpoint in front of him.
No matter, he thought. The Order will only come back stronger.
He couldn't deny however the small amount of sadness amidst the tide of anger he was feeling.
The Resistance scum destroyed a thing of beauty. He couldn't afford to spend his time despairing at how they did it, or finding out how to prevent such an unfortunate vulnerability. There would come a time later for that. Right now he could console himself with the knowledge that the Resistance's precious protection in the form of The New Republic was in shambles, and focus on the task the Supreme Leader had given him.
Hux turned on his boots quickly, dispelling his brief moment of emotion as he turned away from the cockpit of the Command Shuttle that was fleeing the sudden explosion. He passed the two pilots currently plotting their hyperspace coordinates without a glance, as he had given them their orders as they took off. He pressed the small console on the right side of the cockpit, opening the door in front of him. Hux entered, taking in the scene.
Kylo Ren was sitting on a low bench, surrounded by mechanical apparatus and a small medical droid. His torn cloak was tossed to the side, exposing his now treated shoulder wound. On his face, a mess of raw bright red marked his newly acquired scar, standing in stark contrast to the rest of his pale skin. His eyes were closed giving no sign that he had noticed a new body in the room, but Hux had been around Kylo long enough to know better. Hux could not deny he felt a small pleasure at seeing Kylo in such a compromising position. The lap dog of the Supreme Leader had not gained much favor with Hux or for that matter the crew of the Finalizer when he had put what seemed like his own personal goals before that of The Order. Not to mention the way his command had often put the two of them at odds, Hux with his systematic troops and beliefs against Kylo's relationship with the Force and the Supreme Leader. Hux had been willing to deal with it to gain such a powerful agent for The Order, but with the way Kylo had failed at Takodana and in dealing with the Resistance's new additions, he would have to reevaluate Kylo's usefulness.
"Our course has been set for the Finalizer. Once there we shall proceed to the Supreme Leader's location." Hux spoke over the low hum of the attending medical droid.
Kylo gave no response, eyes still closed.
"I suppose it's good that your helmet was lost, seeing as you'll have no trouble looking the part now with that on your face."
His eyes snapping open, Kylo turned them onto Hux, staying silent.
"I suppose it will serve as a suitable memento. Another failure, this time at the hands of an untrained girl."
Kylo's hands twitched, catching Hux in a tight grip pulling him close.
"Do not mock me Commander." Kylo snarled. "Not when your precious troops failed in their defense as well."
General Hux had remained perfectly calm despite being grabbed, smirking at how easy it was to get under Kylo's skin.
"I do not count the destruction of a system as a failure. Be careful Ren, the Supreme Leader would not be pleased to hear of you harming me, especially in the already unfortunate circumstances we are arriving in."
Kylo narrowed his eyes, releasing his grip on the General.
Smoothing out his uniform, Hux turned to leave as he left his final remark. "Rest up Ren. I have no doubt you will need it to complete the training the Supreme Leader has in store for you." The door slid shut behind him as he left the seething Kylo to himself. Returning to the cockpit to check the status of the ship's course one last time, he flipped his communicator on, broadcasting a message to the small number of passengers on the Command Shuttle. Staring at the almost mesmerizing scene of hyperspace for a few moments, he waited before turning to walk towards the other end of the ship. Entering the small bay of the Command Shuttle, he was pleased to see the few key officers that were saved from the base standing straight and looking forward, awaiting his command.
"Today is not a day to forget. Despite the loss of our weapon, we have dealt a crippling blow to our enemies. We shall arrive back at the Finalizer in a matter of hours. Take that time to prepare reports for debriefing, and collect yourselves. For as soon as we get on board, preparations will begin for the final assault on the Resistance and remnants of the Republic. We will strike them at every front, pressing our advantage, until they have nowhere to escape our Order's might. Every planet under The New Republic's wing now has no choice in bowing to us. The end is in sight, and we shall see a galactic order that surpasses The Empire's might."
The sound of multiple boots clicking could be heard clearly through the bay, as the officers saluted and returned to their respective posts. This was a well-oiled machine he had the fortune of orchestrating, Hux mused. One that would bring the galaxy into a new order.