Chapter One : It is crashing now.
Disclaimer
I do not own Star Wars.
A/N
Hey all! Yeahhhh, I know its been a long time... Sorry. I first started this fic during a really bad time in my life, so, I wasn't really in the right mindset to be writing anything unfortunately... However! Recently I joined a Reyux Facebook group that inspired me to write again and finally finish this fic!
I've done a bunch of work on the first chapter, and while its not totally different, I've polished it up quite a bit.
This fic will be pretty dark ( mostly just the 2nd chapter) but not as dark as I was originally intending it to be. I'm still not 100% sure how I want to end it and if I want things to turn out optimistically or not... So, I guess you, dear reader, will have to bear with me!
Enjoy!
It is crashing now.
Ripped, torn from the grasp,
stifle a hollow promise
Sirens blare in the Starkiller Base's control room. Everyone inhabiting it darts about - moving like ants scurrying away from a fire - a pandemonium of frantic activity. Run, yell, type- repeat.
General Armitage Hux gazes out the window - his brow furrowed with a mixture of concern, terror and acceptance .The Starkiller Base is nearing its catastrophic end. Its blazing innards devouring all else lying on its surface, birthing something new, fiery and volatile. That which it was meant to kill - a star.
Hux swivels around.
"Dispatch all squadrons," he orders the first Officer he spots. The Officer acknowledges General Hux's order and carries on - onward to attend to an order which Hux fears may have been made in vain.
Due to the present chaos and utter disorganization of the control room, few notice their General bolting out the door.
Hux races to speak with Supreme leader Snoke. He needs to know what to do. He needs to know if there is anything that can be done to salvage the situation. "Supreme Leader!" The desperate General begins as he enters the holoprojector room. "The fuel cells have ruptured, the collapse of the planet has begun!"
Despite the disastrous news reported to him, Snoke's monstrous, pale visage remains calm. "Leave the base at once and come to me with Kylo Ren. It is time to complete his training." And with that being said, Hux dashes out of the hall to find Kylo Ren and escape the Starkiller Base-once a symbol of his pride, an artifact affirming his power - now merely a massive chunk of rock awaiting its impending destruction, and ultimately, its transformation.
"You there!" He shouts at one of his Stormtroopers leading four others of their kind through the base's walkways. "You will follow me," Hux orders. "And bring the others as well."
The Stormtroopers salute their General and follow his lead - marching behind him in an orderly manner. The frigid, howling winds that meet them upon exiting the base's interior are treacherous. The cold bites through Hux with its sharp teeth, tearing into him mercilessly as he advances towards his objective- the outdoor emergency hangar bay.
The snowstorm slows Hux and his group of Stormtrooper's pace, and the embittered General curses the Starkiller Base for its miserable weather. Finally, the group boards a Upsillon-class shuttle -already prepared for escape with a crew and rations - and Hux immediately sets out to locate Kylo Ren, this task proves rather simple due to the tiny position sensor in his belt.
That pompous, over-emotional fool, Hux thinks to himself. What trouble has he gotten himself into this time?
He finds out the answer to his question soon enough. Standing at the top of a snow-covered, rocky ledge, Hux surveys the scene spread out below him.
Kylo Ren and that irritating Resistance member - the girl -- that he'd heard about are locked in combat, red lightsaber clashing with blue. The girl manages to parry each one of Kylo Ren's powerful blows, neither of the pair notice Hux or his Stormtroopers- both force-sensitives pouring every ounce of their concentration into their battle. Hux smirks as he observes that his rival's skill appears to match that of their opponent's. However, he also feels a slight pang of concern at this observation. A mere vagabond shouldn't possess such power. Hux also comes to the disturbing realization that the fight seems to be going south for Kylo Ren.
This foolishness has gone on long enough, he decides.
Hux pulls out his blaster pistol and carefully aims it at the girl's left leg. His Stormtroopers draw their blaster pistols as well, but when they see their General raise his hand to halt their movements, they sheath their weapons and resume standing at attention.
It takes him a moment to aim properly at his moving target, but Hux manages to get a fix on it quick enough. He doesn't want to kill the girl, merely injure and demobilise her. He knows full well that Supreme Leader Snoke expressed a keen interest in her. While Hux can't quite grasp why, he knows it wouldn't be wise of him to dispose of her.
The first shot hits her squarely in her left thigh.
She predictably falls to the ground. Kylo Ren halts his attacks and whips his head around to see who or what could have shot his opponent. When his eyes glance upward they fix themselves on Hux and the Stormtroopers' forms. A scowl crosses Kylo Ren's countenance. No doubt he had wanted to be the one to defeat the girl. Hux feels the beginnings of a grin playing at the corners of his mouth, but he suppresses the urge.
While the girl is sprawled across the ground-clutching her thigh in agony- Hux fires his blaster pistol once more into her other leg- just under the knee- and the Resistance member yowls in pain.
Satisfied with himself, Hux puts away his weapon and makes his way down to the two bewildered force-sensitives.
" I am here to collect you, Kylo Ren. Supreme Leader Snoke has commanded me to bring you to him immediately," Hux states plainly.
He then turns his gaze down to the now livid Resistance member - defiance written across her face. Hux scoffs, what good will her pride do her in this crippled state?
She is a rather unremarkable girl, really, Hux observed. Her plain, brown hair is pulled back in what must have once been three neat buns. Now there is many a strand of wayward hair framing her face. Her ears stick out a little bit more than they ought to, and her cheeks have a fullness that make her appear younger than she must be.
Yet, her eyes - expressive and hazel - are perhaps her only feature truly worth of note.
"It seems that despite our significant losses, there was some gain to be had today," Hux declares, still watching the girl intently. She glowers at him- her hazel eyes filled with malice."Bringing along this Resistance member will please the Supreme Leader greatly," he continues.
" This Resistance member has a name," the girl angrily interjects.
Her voice's confident tone unnerves Hux. He regards her icily- such audacity to interrupt her betters he thinks to himself. He is beside himself with indignance as he crouches down to her level and grasps her chin roughly, forcing her to look him directly in the eye. The girl emits a small yelp in surprise, but quickly collects herself and glares defiantly back at him.
"Pray tell, girl, what is your name then?" He snarls .
"I am Rey, and I will not be intimidated by you," she scathingly remarks.
The General's grip tightens, but the impudent girl's intense gaze does not falter. Although she is physically lower than him, Hux feels as if she is trying to stare him down - he who in every respect is superior.
Their silent battle of wills is cut short by an intrusive voice.
"General Hux, I didn't realize you were the Supreme Leader's errand boy," Kylo Ren states plainly - his face now emotionless - yet his voice betraying the spite he feels towards Hux. "I had the situation under control," he continues, his eyes flicking over to rest on the girl. And Hux almost thinks he sees something akin to worry cross his countenance. How pathetic.
Hux roughly releases his grip on Rey - her head whipping to the side.
"Now, let's not be calling anyone names. We aren't children," Hux retorts with a sneer, while mentally adding, at least I know one of us isn't .
And then he notices the diminished state that Kylo Ren happens to be in. He appears to have sustained several not-so-superficial wounds on his shoulder and arm. An angry, diagonal slash across his face stands out like an obscenity - the wound is raw and fresh, and blood seeps down his angular countenance. Hux's eyes pann over to Rey and sees that her wounds appear minor in comparison. His eyes narrow, how could this be possible? In fact, it was unfathomable. But the hardened General knows full well that this is not the time to ponder such things. They are running out of time. So instead, he signals to one of the Stormtroopers - who steps forward and stands at attention awaiting orders.
" Carry the girl," he barks at him. The Stormtrooper swiftly acquiesces to his leader's request. "We must make haste and leave this wretched planet. It becomes more unstable by the minute."
The Stormtrooper hoists a discontented Rey up into his arms. She struggles fervently, and shouts a name- Finn or something similar- but isn't successful in either freeing herself or getting a response from the one she calls out to.
And so, the group begins to make their way swiftly towards the shuttle.
Just as they reach it, the ground cracks behind them - creating a massive gorge in the planet's surface. They hastily board the shuttle and depart from the Starkiller Base's surface, climbing higher and higher into its stratosphere.
Just as Hux settles himself into his seat, Kylo Ren enters the room and seats himself next to him. Hux observes to his contentment that Kylo Ren's freshly scarred face is now covered by his helmet. Good, he'd seen quite enough of the man's moody countenance to last him a lifetime. Nothing is said between the two, the General merely electing to nod in acknowledgment of his rival's presence. The silence is deafening. However, Kylo Ren seems to have something weighing heavily on his conscience.
"What's on your mind?" Hux questions, mildly interested in what the answer might be.
"I have killed Han Solo. My bridges are burned. There is nothing left tying me to the light. Supreme Leader Snoke won't be able to question my loyalty ever again," Kylo Ren blurts out, as if he'd been bursting at the seams waiting to tell somebody.
Hux's eyes widen in genuine surprise. But before he is able to feel the gravity of Kylo Ren's statement, the man in question stands abruptly from his seat, and Hux watches his helmeted form shuffling out of the room.
And thus, Hux is left alone with his thoughts.
He is left to ponder what Kylo Ren's divulgence could mean - how it will affect him and his standing in the eyes of the Supreme Leader.
Kylo Ren would certainly rise in Snoke's esteem despite his repeated failings with the now recaptured resistance member ... Hux lets out a sigh and massages his temples. He was going to have to find yet another way to distinguish himself to the Supreme Leader. And after his recent stalemate - the utter decimation of the Starkiller Base which he was entrusted charge of- it wouldn't be easy.
Just as they prepared to enter hyperspace, Hux gives his pride and joy one last poignant look as it begins to collapse in upon itself- imploding from stored stellar energy.
He then settles himself into his comfortable seat and looks wistfully into space.
What Intensity,
these eyes gazing upon light.
The world is spinning.
The journey to their destination is long, and Hux grows restless - his mind swimming with every worry he had been trying so hard to suppress.
The tragedy of it all was the - very real - impending doom that he knew he could no longer ignore. The end of his dream was nigh.
General Armitage Hux had always believed he would rule the galaxy one day. Ever since he was just a boy he has had this one, singular dream.
On long walks in the rain, he had fantasized about what he would become.
Growing up on Arkanis, he was accustomed to the rain. In fact, he loved it. It was calming to the senses, and as a boy he would spend many hours lying on his back in an open field near his home - allowing himself to get drenched in a heavy downpour. The rain, he felt, was cathartic. It allowed him to muse upon the things that mattered most to him. He dreamt of obtaining success- unlimited success and power.
And now he was the youngest General in the First Order. That, he believes, is something worth being lauded for.
All those long nights had paid off in the end. Not to say that getting little sleep was unnatural for him - an insomniac, surviving on only a few hours of restless sleep a night. If anything, the drudgery he put himself through in the dead of night was welcome. It was an escape from the long hours spent unproductively otherwise.
Hux swallows a lump in his throat when he realizes how close they are now to their destination.
In mere minutes, everything Hux had worked towards could disappear.
With a groan, he stretches and resituates himself in his seat, trying in vain to get comfortable. The anticipation is killing him. He wishes sleep was an option. He wishes for even a moment's reprieve from the torture of this anxiety.
He tries to distract himself by gazing into space and attempting to identify any star systems or constellations he might be familiar with. But instead, after a few moments, he cannot help but notice his reflection in the glass window staring glumly back at him.
He immediately drops his gaze to his hands. He doesn't want to see that - doesn't want to be reminded of how he must look.
The lack of sleep is taxing on his body. He knows that if he were to gaze in a mirror his skin would have a waxen pallor and his eyes - frequently bloodshot - would have dark circles adorning them. His copper hair, however, would narrowly avoid appearing lifeless because he made a point to slick it back into place every morning.
If someone were to look closely enough he would appear weak. And he despises that.
He despises that because when he was in control of Starkiller Base he had felt invincible. But his state of invincibility was cut short. And it was all due to the meddling of a singular traitor and a vagabond girl.
Wonderful.
He has to do something about this mess - and quick.
"General Hux," a Stormtrooper calling for his attention enters the room and salutes him. "We have arrived."
And indeed they have. Deep within the Unknown Regions of the galaxy, located on one of two moons orbiting a gas giant is the First Order's base of base's structure is reminiscent of the towering edifices on Coruscant. Bathed in a cold light, it looms ominously over the smaller buildings on the lunar surface. After the shuttle docks itself in the hangar bay, several Stormtroopers file out, followed by Hux and Kylo Ren. The prisoner is brought out last - dragged by a Stormtrooper on either side of her. Her hands are tightly bound behind her back, her wounded legs had been crudely bandaged and her mouth is gagged. Despite being supported by the Stormtroopers, each hobble she manages on unsteady feet seems to cause her immense pain.
Hux turns to Kylo Ren, who while still donning his helmet, manages to appear as emotionally volatile as always.
" We must report to the Supreme Leader at once. He will surely want to hear what you had earlier disclosed to me." He then gives the girl a sideways glance, his bottom lip curling in disgust and adds, " I suppose he will also be pleased that we have yet again sequestered her." Hux still finds it difficult to comprehend why the Supreme Leader and Kylo Ren found her so valuable.
They all make their way through a labyrinth of hallways bustling with activity. There, Stormtroopers and First Order officers of all ranks are going about their business, creating an atmosphere of organized chaos.
The Stormtroopers push the girl along closely behind Hux and Kylo Ren. Hux notices that her eyes keep darting about the place. Is she trying, perhaps, to memorize where they had come from? He smirks to himself at the absurdity of the idea. She would be sorely disappointed then. It would be next to impossible for any outsider to navigate the place properly.
Yes, it would do the resistance scum a world of good to discard any notions she may have about attempting an escape. And Hux knows exactly what misfortunes would befall her if she tried...
Upon reaching the center of the building, the group finds themselves in front of an imposing, black, arched door. Kylo Ren opens it, allowing everyone else to follow him inside.
It feels like it has been a very long time since Hux had actually seen Supreme Leader Snoke in person. When in fact, it had most likely been less than a year. Snoke sits in the same chair that he does over the holoprojector at the end of a grand, dimly lit room.
" At last, you have all arrived ," Snoke observes in his low growl. His eyes then fall on Rey.
Instead of seeing the same sort of defiance across her face as before, Hux notices that she now wears a blank expression. Yet, her eyes betray her, she is afraid- or intimidated at least. But before he can enjoy her discomfort, Snoke speaks again.
"And so we finally meet, girl. You have been the cause of many of my current woes, for this you have earned a certain... distinguished reputation." The Supreme Leader's voice echoes imposingly. Then he turns to one of the Stormtroopers propping Rey up. " Ungag her, I would like to hear the girl speak," he commands.
Once the gag is removed, Rey wastes no time in voicing her opinions on her current predicament.
" If any of you here think I will be revealing anything about the Resistance, you'd be better off just killing me now," she proclaims- feigning confidence. "Questioning me will be a waste of your precious time. Time that could be spent harassing Republic cities... or making a mess of your carefully laid out plans." A weak smirk crosses her face, and Hux finds himself irritated by her futile defiance. Does this girl have no sense of self preservation?
"Such spirit," Snoke observes in an even, foreboding tone. "Such a waste. How unfortunate that her allegiances lie with the Resistance."
"Supreme leader," Kylo Ren begins. " Perhaps it would be prudent to consider certain options... She's intelligent, and I'm certain that with the right guidance she could learn to accept the truth in your teachings."
Rey scoffs, while Snoke's visage morphs into a scowl.
"No. I have every reason to believe that she is a liability. The girl will have other uses." Snoke then turns to Rey and gives her a calculating gaze. " No mind is impenetrable. And certainly not one that has been weakened by ... trying circumstances..."
"-Supreme Leader," Kylo Ren interjects - recapturing Snoke's attention. " There is something pressing that I must inform you of."
"Speak, Kylo Ren," Snoke allows - his tone irritated.
"I have defeated Han Solo. He is no more."
As the declaration sinks in, Snoke appears both pensive and pleased. " Very well done, I had my doubts about you, but you have proven yourself. I do not regret deciding that it is time for you to complete your training."
" Thank you, Supreme leader, " Kylo Ren says with a low bow of his head.
"But now, back to the matter of the girl." With Snoke's pronouncement, all eyes are trained upon the vagabond . " Someone must take charge of the her, interrogate her and make sure she does not get herself into trouble as was the case previously." The Supreme Leader's eyes narrow and drift back over to Kylo Ren.
Abruptly, a heavy silence falls upon all present in the echoey room.
"General!"
Hux looks to the Supreme Leader-startled, dreading whatever he has to say.
"I will place this task upon you," Snoke edicts.
"Supreme Leader if I may-"
"-No! You may not, General!"
" But Supreme Leader, this task is below my station," Hux argues- exasperated and feeling the tell-tale throbbing of a headache coming on . "I have far too many matters to attend to, and now that the Starkiller Base has been destroyed-"
" -Precisely, General. Under your command the Starkiller Base was destroyed. You have failed me. You have no say in this matter, and will take this burden upon yourself," Snoke orders sharply- gesticulating at Rey. "Once you have proven to me that you are capable of executing a duty properly, I will consider assigning you to something more befitting of your station"
Snoke is right, Hux accepts. And he knows he can't put forth any convincing argument to plead his case. Hux is a disappointment, and he needs to redeem himself in this manner - no matter how shameful it may be. He now turns his attention to the girl, the prisoner who is now his burden to bear, and notices that she too is peering at him with the same sort of attentiveness. Their eyes meet for a split second and he finds himself wondering yet again-for what feels like the millionth time-what exactly is so special about this young girl?
And thus, he makes up his mind. He will find out.
In this empty glass
Behold, to have and to hold
Fearful paradigm