"I'm sorry general. I can't tell you much else. This is a huge risk. I wish I could do more to help, but…" You turned to face the window of your small office. Among the backdrop of distant stars stood a bold, indigo sphere. Mazes of green danced across its surface, while spectacular popcorn clouds dotted the troposphere. "Those guerrillas you've been after? They chose a fantastic hiding spot."
"They're not on the planet, Doctor. Surprisingly, they hadn't been foolish enough to stay for too long," Hux remarked, his icy narrowed eyes finally catching your own.
And they were so very right to do so! Unlike our very own First Order, the AIF gives a second thought to the welfare of—
"The difference, Doctor, between the AIF and the First Order…" Hux must have recognized your perturbation. "...Is that we have resources readily available that they happen to lack. Or so I had thought."
With that, he shot you a particularly nasty scowl, as if you somehow had control over the matter. You knew you were simply the bearer of bad news, but what use would it be to attempt to argue with General Hux?
"Sir, I assure you, we are definitely capable. And really, we could do this, but success would come at a great price." You took a moment to articulate yourself. "I know you understand— I'm sure you do, sir. There's a point when you've succeeded, and you've lost so much in the process… is it really success anymore, then?"
For a second, Hux seemed genuinely taken aback. His stare still ever-judgemental, his lips still twisted into a scowl, but there was now something new: a spark of interest. "Yes. I understand, Doctor. Nevertheless, you've been rather vague in your reports. Care to indulge me?"
Though his tone was not entirely sincere, Hux's inquiry was perhaps as "chivalrous" as you'd likely ever hear out of him for a while, especially towards a lowly scientist such as yourself.
I'll indulge you, alright.
"First of all, the rumors about Garatira are mostly true. Don't let her beauty deceive you; she's a rancor in varactyl's clothing. It's hot— horribly hot. Humid too. Essentially, the whole planet is a giant jungle, and you're going to need a good navigator and a hardy team to get through it all." You shuffled through the notes spread across your desk. Hux seemed to eye your mess with an air of repulsion.
Oh dear. I hope General Hux isn't too disturbed by my, uh, organized chaos?
The general's expression failed to falter in the slightest.
Whatever. He'll have to deal with my crap if he wants his answers.
"An issue besides thick vegetation is the huge potential of a run in with non-Newtonian clay. The topsoil usually gets soaked through with moisture, so the clay layers beneath it give away pretty easily. If you want to read more, feel free to look through these." You patted the hastily stacked papers you had placed on the desk between the both of you. "But the terrain is just the start of our worries, sir."
Hux inhaled sharply, taking the stack underneath his arm. "Of course. I was beginning to believe you mean to say patches of measly quicksand would impede my men."
He never misses the chance. Disappointing, but I'm not surprised...
"Mhmm. Getting stuck in the ground isn't the problem. It might take a few minutes to get out, especially with all that clunky armor weighing you down, but typically that's not a death sentence. But in this case, those few minutes are crucial to whether you're going to live to see another day."
"And what is this enigmatic danger exactly? Get to the point, Doctor. I haven't all day to discuss this," the general snapped.
"I'm sorry, sir. I'm referring to the indigenous wildlife. Limotherium rhyncocruenta, it lives in the deep areas of the less viscous mud. The adults are a major reason why the nearby planets haven't considered colonizing. About fifteen feet, nose to tail, and typically a ton in weight," you remarked, holding your hands out a yard apart. "And absolutely massive jaws. It'll wait and wait, until suddenly— a disturbance in the mud. Thrashing."
Hux sighed at your dramatics. It was a stark contrast. You were nearly grateful for the man's presence, rather than annoyed as you had been before. It wasn't often you had the pleasure of passionately rambling off on somebody, and you couldn't take for granted an opportunity like this. Even if they weren't necessarily appreciative of your rambling. Even if that person happened to be General Hux.
"...And when you disturb a hungry L. rhyncocruenta, you become destined for, well… being mauled and digested!"
Maybe that'll knock some sense into him!
Hux was certainly less than enthusiastic, unlike yourself. Nonetheless, he seemed unfazed. "How avoidable is this situation?"
And he persists. "Well general, the likelihood is exactly what prompts me to advise you against it. To have a good chance, I'd really suggest not to bring many of your troopers or anything along, as to avoid drawing attention to yourselves out there. Search party or otherwise, safety first."
He nodded reassuringly. "That can be negotiated. I shall see to it that the squad is equipped heavily in both armor and—"
"Forgive me interrupting sir, but we'll actually want to have them dressed as light as possible. Anybody wearing layers while navigating an environment like this one is bound to get heatstroke," you insisted, giving him a small smile.
It would be unfortunate if somebody died underneath all that armor. Besides… I'm sure Hux would find a way to blame me for it somehow!
"Doctor", the general hissed. "This mission is vital. I cannot afford to compromise it. That being said, how do you expect the squad to properly defend themselves against your… mud monsters?"
"Sir," you replied, perhaps harsher than you had intended, "we'd have to make it so that they wouldn't need to defend themselves. Even if you do succeed in injuring one, the rest will flock to the scent of blood. I gathered enough data with the drone I had sent down to Garatira about a year ago to estimate their numbers— it's fair to say it's a common species. In other words, mission compromised."
It was rather surprising how long the ever-impatient Hux had endured the conversation. Yes, he was punctual and curt, but ambitious too. His orderly nature practically radiated off of him. Equally so, his need to lead, to command. Frankly, this exchange had involved much more than simple command, and you could see clearly the frustration bundling up inside of him. Even stronger than this; however, was his lust for success. He simply would never accept "no" for an answer.
"Watch your tone," Hux spat, his glare boring holes through you. "From what you've told me, you imply this planet is fairly difficult to traverse without incident," he continued, after pausing for a moment. "Is that correct?"
You nodded. "Yes. Very."
"Let us say navigation was my sole responsibility in the squad," your superior supposed, somewhat plainly. "How must I prepare?"
You imagined Hux: the tall, lanky trailblazer traveling through the thick rainforests of Garatira—cutting down the shrubland before him with a swing of a machete, then proceeding to bathe himself in bug spray to spare his poor, pasty skin. It took every ounce of self control to fight your urge to giggle at the image in your mind.
"Well to begin with, you'll need an extensive knowledge of the planet itself. And in actuality, there is very, very little information available. Not to brag, but I think I could say that I've collected the most data on Garatira than every other person combined! Considering all of the r—"
"Then it's settled. You'll be accompanying the squad on this mission," Hux snapped, looking very smug.
WHAT? No no no no, I haven't done remote field work in years! I can't, I just can't!
"What? No! Sir, I—"
"You are to accompany the squad on the mission. Clearly, you are the most qualified to take on the responsibility. As you had said."
You chewed at you nails anxiously. He was right. You were the most qualified.
"Yes, sir."
"Excellent. Luckily for you, we are not departing very soon. I suggest you take this time to prepare yourself, Doctor," he told you, very obviously proud of himself. "I must be off to a meeting. It is important that I relay this information to the Commander."
Hux returned the stack of notes from underneath his arm to your desk. He stared at you with a gaze much less threatening that before. "I believe you'll be needing these much more than I do."
"I'll see you in a week. Good luck, Doctor," he said finally, straightening his coat. He left your office, his boots clacking softly against the dark floors, and the door clicking gently behind him. He certainly didn't leave you feeling very confident in the slightest.
You collapsed backward into your chair, rubbing your eyes with your palms. You leaned back, as far as the chair allowed, and began to run your fingers through your hair.
Shit. SHIT. What the shit?! I can't do this! A week? "Not soon"? Is he out of his damn mind? I'm going to die out there. Haha, time to accept my fate. It was nice living! Adios, everyone.
You say back up again, your heart still pounding in your chest.
Okay, okay. Don't panic. I was at the top of my class. That counts for something, right? I hope. I just can't not do this. They're depending on me. I should have known something like this would happen.
You wiped your clammy palms against your pants, then rubbed them together. Your hands felt cold.
Stars, a shower sounds nice. Wait, I seriously need to prepare… Okay, shower first, then I get ready immediately after. I can do this. I'll get through. I hope.
Maybe everything will be fine.