CHAPTER I :: 6 MONTHS AFTER THE BATTLE OF STARKILLER BASE ::

:: FIRST ORDER CENTRAL COMMAND MILITARY GALA :: FARRIGLIA PRIME

The grand ballroom of the Central Command Center at Farriglia Prime was packed to the brim with important First Order generals and their wives, their sons and daughters too if they were old and lucky enough to still be single in a crowd like this. Whether they knew it or not, marriage was an idea on the mind of every mother present that evening, and with such a fine selection of officers to pick from, there was no reason to keep their thoughts from straying from the intention. Young ladies of all shapes and sizes were floating about the ballroom like white dandelion puffs, their gowns specially crafted for the right kind of attention, and the battle hardened men of the First Order were more than willing to give it to them.

After their return from the annihilated Starkiller Base, every man was tired and afraid of what was to come for their militaristic regime. In the beginning it was of the impression that it was every man for himself in ways of finding a job to do and keeping it, what with the biggest superweapon in the galaxy destroyed under their watch and the watch of others still too hesitant to show their faces here. The survivors from the event were ashamed of the fact that they were alive, especially when examined by their superiors and fellow citizens. The only thing that saved them was that which was the least likely; the return of the strange knight, Kylo Ren.

Following Kylo Ren's training from the mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke, the man rejoined his men on their star destroyer, the noble Finalizer high above the planets of the Trans-Hydian Borderlands. Upon his approach to the command deck he made an order direct from Snoke himself to take control of every system in the neutral zone below. With these ensuing battles the men of Starkiller Base were redeemed, as every system swiftly fell to the scarred commander Kylo Ren and his General Hux, who watched on smiling.

Now their captains and commanders were celebrating their victories on the newly captured First Order homeworld, Farriglia Prime. The First Order had witnessed nothing short of a miracle of military strategy, and for that they were grateful. In return for Kylo Ren's first career-lead victory and General Hux's brilliant lead on the assault, the two men were being honored tonight at this very Gala by Snoke's top generals and military juggernauts.

While General Hux seemed at home with the situation, and familiar for that matter, he viewed the event as just another evening with the big dogs of his darling Order. He knew every man that was here this evening; he knew exactly what they had done with their position, their wealth, and their command, as well as the possible dirt on each and every one of them. He knew about their children, too. Being the son of General Brendol Hux himself, Hux was more than used to what the military lifestyle can produce in people and their offspring. Most of the children here were young ladies- the boys had gone off to fight- leaving behind the women who were good for one thing: a step up.

Hux had met his own wife Careolein at a gala much like this one, and because of it became not only the son of the infamous Stormtrooper Master Builder Brendol Hux, but the son-in-law to Maximilian Veers himself, the legendary major general at the battle of Hoth. With this massive amount of connection and noticeability, Hux quickly rose to the rank of General onboard the powerful new Resurgent-class destroyer Finalizer with the help of his fathers and even the Supreme Leader Snoke himself. Hux was definitely more than comfortably close to his end goal- to be Supreme Leader in his own right.

His friend Kylo Ren however was less than willing to make an appearance tonight, an hour and a half late already. Hux did not doubt his arrival though, seeing as how his master Snoke encouraged that he attend the party. Certainly the loner type, Hux suspected that he would arrive as late as possible to stay for as short a time as possible. Hux knew that he did not care much for the company of his First Order "friends", but when one becomes a war hero, one feels obligated to entertain them and their wishes.

As General Hux leaned into his chair with his cigar gripped tight between his lips, he let out a sudden puff of lingering grey smoke to blend in with the other little clouds across the length of the massive ballroom. After they took this place from the Farriglian natives, the officers seemed to agree with the people's taste of gold and orange colored furnishings, and didn't even bother to update the decadent building but for a few blood banners hung here and there to remind you of who was in charge. The chandeliers that hung above the caramel colored lacquered floor were massive in design; giant gold web-like things that were dripping in Farriglian Yellow Crystal, letting out a warm, fiery glow onto the ornate wall and people below.

From his seat above the dance floor and over the marble railings Hux could see his lovely young wife. Careolein was chatting it up with the other women, her yellow curls tucked up into a charming copper-colored pin that seemed to shimmer with every movement of her little head. Careolein was a tall girl with very boyish, slim features, even after having their two boys Brendol and Max. She hardly ever ate much of anything, and was always trying the newest diet that her fellow wives would recommend her. Hux couldn't imagine being that bored, and decided as he propped his booted feet on the railing in front of him that he would treat her to a good fuck later. It would give her something to talk about at least.

Suddenly the giant doors behind him and the other officers opened to reveal an obviously flustered Kylo Ren, pulling against the buttons on his newly gifted uniform anxiously. The sight of him in such a dark, well-fitting uniform made Hux's heart flip over in his chest. However much he might have been stirred by him he did not show on his face, and he quickly reminded himself to act natural around the other men. Hux stood up from his surprisingly comfortable marble chair to greet Kylo as he entered.

"Where's the mask, Knight of Ren? I'm glad that you decided to leave it on the ship." said Hux upon his approach. "It is good to know that you are only human."

The tall, gloomy man stopped in front of his general and glared, but did not engage him further. "That I can understand, but why must I dress like one of your idiot followers. I'm not even a member of the military." He pulled at his jacket, properly buttoned up to his adam's apple and evenly spread over his wide shoulders.

"Of course you're a member of the military." began Hux, who began adjusting his collar out of desperation to touch him with a purpose. "Or, at least it seems like it. We've been taking orders from you like you were a general for a long while now."

Kylo Ren slapped his hand away and adjusted the collar himself. He pointed to the table where Hux had been sitting. "Is this where we'll be for the evening? I don't know any of those men." he asked, sounding a bit stressed.

"And what's the problem with that?" asked Hux. "There's nothing wrong with getting friendly with your superiors."

"I hate all of this superfluous conversation." replied Kylo a bit too loudly. After he noticed the other generals had started to look, he quickly quieted himself to a whisper. "This whole night is pointless!"

Hux shook his head and laughed, putting a hand on his back to guide him to the table. Kylo seemed to drag his feet as he went, but upon arriving to the group of commandants and captains, Kylo immediately straightened up somewhat comically. His unblinking dark eyes widened at the thought of possibly having to communicate with these people.

"Ah! Kylo Ren!" announced General Denon excitedly at his arrival. "I have been anxious to meet you, my friend. The stories do not compare to the real thing, I am sure." The white-haired man rose from his chair to shake his hand, which after a few moments of awkward consideration Kylo surprisingly complied with. After shaking every old man's hand at the table, Kylo Ren was finally able to find his seat over by the excellently carved marble railing, which was captured especially for this party, it seemed. As he looked out at the dance floor and all of the people below, Kylo Ren suddenly remembered that he had helped these people to own it. The whole planet.

All of it.

"Please forgive my friend's lateness, gentlemen," exclaimed Hux from beside him. "He has a tendency to neglect his manners in that way. Not that he has any to begin with, being the proud warrior of an ancient religion and all."

The other officers laughed as Kylo Ren turned back around to glare at his friend. Instead of arguing however, he simply grabbed the flute of champagne that had been reserved for him and downed it, earning even more applause from the men. He did not dare acknowledge them, though, and he speedily repositioned his head and eyes away from his table and onto the floor beneath him.

To Kylo Ren's dismay General Denon, the white-headed man from earlier, spoke up again. "Tell me, Kylo Ren. With enough of those do you think that you might go for a round of dancing later this evening?" he asked, motioning to his empty glass as a nearby waiter came to fill it. "My daughter loves the dark and mysterious types, I must say, and I don't believe she has yet to fill her dance card for the evening. Yours shall be the first on the list if you so desire, sir. It shall be my treat for the lovely planet you've given me."

The other men raised a glass to that, each of them owning an estate somewhere nearby, Hux was certain. He remembered hearing about General Denon's successful harvests and substantial profits, and couldn't help but think that his infamous daughter's dowry would have nearly doubled by now, if not tripled in size. It's a pity that no one should have it though, thought Hux to himself resentfully.

Before Kylo Ren had the chance to reply to Denon, Hux interrupted with a snort, "Your daughter would surely reject my smouldering friend here as well as the others, I am assured. I have never met a pickier person." This got a laugh from a few of the other officers, but General Denon only grinned.

"Just because she rejected your proposal does not necessarily mean that she wasn't warranted in making that decision, sir." replied Denon. All of the others laughed, but Denon quickly corrected himself. "I mean, you got what you wanted with Careolein Veers, didn't you? I'm sure that you're very happy being the son-in-law of the one in charge of the battle of Hoth rather than the one that just helped him out." He winked, sipping his drink.

Although Kylo Ren knew that Hux was incredibly embarrassed, he was surprised that he remained silent at the old man's remark. Kylo looked at Denon, impressed that he could silence his yippy dog. This girl must be a touchy subject for him, he suspected.

"Speaking of marriage, Kylo Ren," began another general from across the table. "This is a possibility for yourself, isn't it? I don't recall the Knights of Ren being too entirely celibate."

Kylo looked at him intently for a moment before shifting in his seat. "I have no time or patience for a wife, sir. And if I ever wanted a woman I could find one. That's the way I see it." The awkward creature cupped his hands in his lap after the remark, but instead of just being able to look at them for the rest of the evening the people around him kept talking and talking. He quickly decided to hate everyone here.

The man smiled. "I like the way you think, boy. Maybe you deserve a medal, after all."

As the men continued their conversations, dinner was served, and everyone began to dig into the delicious, fresh caught Lobster Bisellian from the lake nearby. Hux watched his friend eat his dinner eagerly, as he had never witnessed him performing the function aboard Finalizer. Something about the way his jaw moved with his forceful chewing made him want to kiss him across the line of it. With every bite that Kylo Ren took from the lobster Hux was desperate to take its place on the plate. Before he knew it, he was completely aroused and finished eating early to cover himself with his napkin. He thanked his lucky stars that the Master of Ceremonies below had began to speak, and before anyone would notice he quickly ran to the restroom to straighten himself out.

Walking in stride to the toilet he shut the door behind him nervously as he stroked himself, hoping that this would be enough to leave the man alone for the evening. He tried to stifle his noises, but anyone who had listened to him long enough would know exactly what he was doing. A pink spread through his cheeks that matched the color of the dead fish on his plate in its bewilderment and cripplingly embarrassing fear. Upon exiting the stall Hux would have sooner rather been dead than to see what awaited him next.

His father-in-law, the old Maximilian Veers himself stood there with his steel-tipped cane, eyes mad in his ancient skull. A look of sheer disgust was molded on his face. What made Hux nervous was that it was of a more intense nature than usual.

"Hux," he shouted, sending the world spinning around him. "Are you truly so quick to shame my daughter with your heinous actions?"

"-Sir, I don't-"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about, you pansy." he spat. "The way you cling to that archaic devil makes me wonder how a man like you has made it so far in our fine Order."

General Hux had broken out into a sweat. "I don't know what you're talking about, sir." he managed, barely. "Forgive me."

The old man shook in his ancient uniform to the point where his medals clanked together on his chest. "There is no tolerance of homosexuals in the hierarchy of the grand First Order! Do you not know this? How dare you to think that this could not slip by me when my beloved daughter is at the other end of this... this lying existence!"

"My love for Careolein is not a lie!" snapped Hux as a bead of sweat dripped down his nose. If this secret got out, he could be executed. "I swear to you, sir, I love my wife! Kylo Ren may be my friend, but he is-"

"But he is what?" interrupted General Veers as he moved in for the kill. After the slap of his ring across his son-in-law's face, the man added. "Is he also your lover? Your dream lover? Do you fantasize about him in that way, Hux? You damn woman!"

As he was being backed up against the restroom wall Hux was searching his mind for any kind of explanation or excuse for his behavior. Finally he said, "-But he's getting married, sir. I-I was the one who suggested it to him."

"Liar!"

"It's true," pleaded Hux. "He is marrying General Denon's daughter, Kattran. I was the one who suggested it! I swear!"

Major General Veers paused for a moment to look the shivering puddle in the eye, but seemed too sick with idea of him to look for more than a few seconds. Suddenly the old veteran stopped his assault on his son-in-law and backed off a few steps from him, giving him room to breathe.

"As much as I know that you're lying to me, I know how much you mean to my darling Careolein. She is my only daughter, Hux!" he exclaimed, pointing at him with his boney finger. "And for this reason I will not hurt her with the truth of your disgusting sexual pursuits. You are the father of her children. I could not have you killed. It would ruin her."

"Of course, sir, but I assure you that there is no need to-"

His angry eyes flashed back up at him. "This doesn't mean that you're off the hook, boy. All that I can say is that if your lovely Kylo Ren is not married within the year I will have you tried in the Imperial Courts! Nothing gets past the Supreme Leader and his aides; you know this most of all."

"Yes sir, I do." he choked. "And I know how well he thinks of you, General Veers. You could have me killed in the blink of an eye if you truly wished it."

"Aye!" shouted the miser. He shook his cane at Hux and cried, "And don't think that just because you're teacher's pet that you can make a clean escape out of this one. Kylo Ren will be married, or else this little white lie will come back to bite you in the end, boy. You just wait and see!"

General Veers flipped around and walked out of the restroom, leaving his quivering son-in-law behind on the marble floor. He left as quickly as he came, and for this Hux was left terror stricken. He had been watching me, he thought, standing back up again. He leaned against the sink and examined himself in the mirror, noticing how pale he was after the scare. After a few moments Hux splashed some water in his face and grabbed a towel from nearby, clearing his face of sweat and waking his mind up to the task at hand. I must return to the party.

The dances had begun by the time he had returned, and his wife was standing by his table chatting, almost like she knew what had happened. He straightened his uniform and slicked back his hair with a nervous hand. Every move was make or break.

"Ah!" exclaimed Careolein. "Here is my husband." The lady turned to face and embrace him, but even as he did so his eyes glanced around the room for signs of his father-in-law.

"They will be handing out your medals soon. I've come to fetch you both before you become too drunk like last year," laughed Careolein forcefully. "Oh, Kylo Ren, if only you had been here."

The shadowy man showed no stir of emotion in his face, but merely nodded his head as if he understood. He was too busy examining his wild comrade Hux, who seemed to be sweating through his jacket. Kylo had only seen him look like this when he thought that he was about to die.

"What's wrong with you, Hux?" spoke up General Denon with the question that was on everyone's mind. "You look as if you've seen a ghost. Stage fright, perhaps?"

"N-no," he stuttered, clinging to Careolein. "I just think that there was something wrong with my lobster bisellian. It had an odd flavor about it, did it not?"

"Mine was delicious," spoke Careolein. She suddenly moved her head to face General Denon and her golden curls bounced every which way. "It must be the lobster, General. My dear Hux is excellent at giving those rousing speeches. He is an amazing speaker!" She proclaimed with a voice sickeningly sweet. Kylo Ren cringed at her.

Suddenly the announcer for the evening came back on again and asked that the men of honor that evening to please make their way to stage at the back of the ballroom. Careolein shrieked with excitement for her superstar husband and kissed him on the cheek. The other men at their table took this as a cue to leave, too, and each man began to stand and push in their seats. Kylo Ren was aware of the tiniest bit of joy resonating inside of him, but identifying it only as the joy at the party coming closer and closer to an end. He rose from his seat and joined the march to the ballroom.

As the men and their wives moved down the tremendous staircase two red banners were raised on either side of the stage ahead. The sea of people parted as Hux and Kylo Ren made their way to the reception, being met with smiles and congratulations every way they turned. Retired General Maximilian Veers himself, second in command to Kylo Ren's Grandfather, Darth Vader, made his way to center stage to greet the men as they approached. He would be awarding them their medals this evening. Hux shook in his boots at the sight of him again, but said nothing as the two stood beside him.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the First Order," announced General Veers heroically. "Please rise for the singing of our anthem by Kattran Denon, daughter of General Bogdan Denon, veteran of the Galactic Civil War and the Battle of Hoth."

A young woman stepped onto the stage; a spotlight welcomed her arrival as two more focused on the blood red banners floating above her, illuminating the giant black seal of the Order. Unlike every other woman here she wore her black hair down, flowing all the way to her waist in length. She was thick in the hips, and the white silk dress she wore accentuated her curvaceous body beautifully. However, she did not seem comfortable in it, despite how flattering it was.

The music began in the orchestra pit in an explosion of powerful sound. The piece was intimidating and moving, and had been played every night in every one of the audience's homes, as per First Order regulation. Everyone knew the song the girl was singing, but only she could sing along. That was a rule, too.

"Wake up people from the sleep of death

our battle is not yet won

Now or never, make a new name for yourself

To which even your cruel enemies will bow.

With an Order of ancient sufferings

Let us remind them of our blood

That in our chests we hold a name with pride

Which is the First Order."

As her haunting voice left the ballroom, the anthem ended, resulting in claps and cheers from all who were present. Even Kylo Ren made an effort to acknowledge the woman's talent as he clapped for her with Hux. Suddenly the young woman turned around to face them and shake their hands, and she walked across the stage for a brief interaction.

Her smiling green eyes pleasantly widened at the sight of them, putting on a charming grin as well. First she came to Hux, who shook her hand spastically and did not maintain eye contact with her for very long.

"Thank you for your service, Hux." she said to him, dropping his hand. Noticing how sweaty he was, she swiftly wiped her palm on the side of her gown before meeting Kylo Ren.

So this girl is the troublemaker, thought Kylo to himself. When he examined her with his brown eyes he could not see what was the matter with her. She wasn't an ugly girl, and she seemed to possess some talent. Just because she's strong willed shouldn't make her undesirable, he thought.

As he took her slender hand in his own he felt her soft skin almost glow with warmth against him and his cold outer layer. Kylo Ren could have sworn he felt something familiar in the feelings that radiated from the girl, but it was as if the dark side were hiding that memory from him, for as much as he searched his mind nothing seemed to resurface within him. Whatever the feeling was, Kylo Ren was not against its presence, but knew that it was too happy an idea for him to indulge in it for long. He dropped her hand before she did, but did not part from her eyes.

Green eyes like a cat's sat in the girls skull like two gemstones, and if one were not careful you could be hypnotised by them quite quickly. They were surrounded by long black lashes, but were untainted by makeup like the other girls. Her lips had no color to them much, but they did draw a charming line of a grin across her round face. All of this was surrounded by thick black curls that fell all the way down her back, which were slightly unkempt and of every shape and size imaginable. She had no jewelry of any kind, except for the gemstones on her gown. Kylo Ren came to the conclusion that he was not the only one who did not want to be here.

"Thank you for your service, Kylo Ren. You are greatly appreciated for the acquisition of my new home here on Farriglia Prime, and I hope that you enjoy yourself this evening." said Kattran with her odd features. With every word she smiled at him, but he did not acknowledge it.

"Indeed." he said, flatly. With that he ceased to look at her, dismissing her in this way off of the stage. Sweetly she left him and walked through the crowd to her father, who, for some reason, seemed to be the only one who would look at the lady.

General Veers cleared his throat as he approached his podium, and everyone went silent. "Tonight we honor two men who have awarded the First Order lands invaluable to its existence. The expansion of the Order Homeworld is remarkable for its citizens and military regime. With hundreds of thousands of new recruits, the memory of the Empire is rising from the ashes of the Galactic Civil War to become the phoenix now known as the army of the First Order! With this, our grand army, we come closer and closer to a galactic harmony that has never been known. With this army we shall bring stability to the galaxy, and bring peace to every system and its people!"

With this Kylo Ren and Hux watched as every person in the ballroom gave the General a generous round of applause. After they had finished the old man continued. "And now we reward these two men with the Cross of Honor, the highest medal awarded to any First Order soldier, captain, or commander. With this, General Brendol Hux and Kylo Ren, Captain of the Knights of Ren, we thank you."

Another round of applause ensued as another officer brought out the medals for the two men. On a black pillow sat two silver crosses on lanyards made of red ribbon. The officer followed the ancient General Veers as he made his way across the stage towards Hux and Kylo Ren. When he stopped in front of his son-in-law, Kylo could have sworn he saw him tremble. After he placed the cross over his head the old veteran whispered something into his ear that made Hux sweat. Soon Veers was next to Kylo and preparing his medallion. He was so much taller than the little man before him that he had to lean down greatly for him to reach his head. With the bright silver cross strung across his neck, General Veers looked him in the eye and smiled.

"Congratulations on your marriage." he said.