The next few weeks were a combination of physical training, manual labor (lavatory based labor disgustingly so), and written exams on assigned course work. Keeping the troop of misfits up to late hours of the evening and early morning PT.
This new regiment began to come naturally for Saeva. In all her years of existing and surviving, she was a part of something. Even if it was supposedly a punishment for her peers.
Saeva hadn't seen Kylo Ren or General Hux since that night. Her surpise was that the Supreme Leader had not come for her to train. Leaving her anxious at points, her senses on guard. He had threatened the children, yet he had not followed up on his demands. She knew reports had filtered back to General Hux because her regiments would be altered in comparison to the group. In some areas more intense, like physical training, and in others more relaxed, like academics. To strengthen her weaknesses and steady her strong abilties.
The Lieutenant seemed to be increasingly irritated by her appearance and alterations to his orderly procedures of reconditioning. She didn't blame him. Reconditioning was a punishment, but he was training a person who's title, name, rank didn't exist. Being under the eye of the General seemed to unnerve him constantly. Every misstep she made or misstep around her would make him still and be more tense for the rest of the day.
He would slam Saeva with extra reading especially if she faltered in protocal or physical mishaps.
Thankfully, that meant that Saeva was able to read as many holopads she wanted. The written exams were the easiest part for her. FN-2556 usually consulting her on the bullet points to focus on. He seemed uninterested in the reading portion. He would return the favor in the physical training portion, from tips on form or pacing herself. Late night practice in their bunk was her favorite. She'd be able to share a real laugh or two with him. Something she never really had experienced before, who weren't her cousins.
The friendship between them was weaving within the whole troop. The band of misfits worked as a team, despite the oppression or manipulation their Lieutenant would try to place on them. Today was no different than before.
"FN-2556, Your bullet points for the Battle of Endor were exceptional."
The troop was still in their run-down, make shift conference room. Physical training had ended uneventful that day, especially for Saeva who had finally mastered hand grappling maneuvers. Thanks to FN-2556's aid. The troop followed the Lieutentant with their eyes as he paced in front of the class. Their posture perfect, a posture taught to Saeva and the others by an Officer named Fledi. The only reason she was being reconditioned was due to a faulty switchboard mistake, a switchboard that Kylo Ren had destroyed twice before Officer Fledi took the position.
"Your answers are very similar to SP0066? Are they not? And aren't you two bunkmates?"
Fn-2556 spoke within protocal to his superior, but had a smirk in his tone.
"We discuss all matters of the day and stratergy, Sir."
"So you admit to cheating?"
"No Sir, more like consulting. We discussed the entire Battle sir, but you will see how I came to the conclusion that Endor could have never been won, Sir."
The Lieutenant paused, taking in his words.
"I did note that FN-2556. Some of your wording was on line of treason."
Saeva spoke out suddenly.
"Sir, FN-2556's approach and conclusion dealt with what he knows to be facts of the failure. Involving the Jedi and even the Emperor himself as strong variables to the outcome of the battle. He puts stake in the victors of the battle, upholding the advantages they had. The Empire looked at one target the entire approach out of spite. It is not treason if there is truth to it."
The Lieutenant stared at her.
Saeva realizing she may have bought herself 50 more laps of running tomorrow for speaking out of turn.
"SP0066, please divulge your reasoning to your conclusion of the Battle of Endor. For the class, since you were the only who could write about the possibility of sucess."
Saeva swallowed slowly.
"Well, Sir, I found that the Empire had every tool and makeshift possibility of winning of the war, despite the primal opposition with the Ewoks and the guerrilla warfare nature of the Rebellion. Even the presence of Luke Skywalker on the DeathStar II. It is much easier to accept defeat if you point out all the advantages and powerful traits of the enemy. There were ways in which the Empire could have easily succeeded but there was only one factor in changing the course. Ego."
Saeva started to speak passionately. Strategy had become her favorite portion of this rigorous reconditioning program. Her mind felt at ease when presented with scenarios or historical battles. A chess match. Teaching it to her troop was thrilling her at this moment.
"The Emperor, in my readings had always been very subtle and behind the scenes of the inner workings of the Empire from the start in the Senate, all the way up to the establishment of the Empire, but when it came to the battle of Endor he had revealed himself, his plans, and his cards to the rebellion. In the last logs of the Death Star II, Skywalker was noted to have been surrendered and on the Death Star II. How is it that Skywalker survived, and the Emperor did not? The Emperor had set a trap for the rebels on Endor, but he did not think of the entire scale of what the rebellion was. How they functioned, after years of battle? The Fleet could have easily engaged the Rebel fleet, wiping them out before the sheilds could be dropped. Why draw it out? The fact that they did not take into account the settlement of Endor just showed how he was so focused on Skywalker rather than being focused on the victory of the entire war. The Emperor lost them the war."
Saeva paused, looking at her classmates. FN-2556 smirking as ever.
Officer Fledi spoke to her, breaking protocal.
"So you are saying that if the Emperor had left the management to his Generals, all the components would have been factored."
Saveva nodded.
"Reading the data, there was a lack of oversight to all details. His Ego bested him."
"That is a treasonous tone. The Empire is the origins to this establishment, to the First Order. Our ideas stem from the Emperor. Supreme Leader Snoke embraced those ideals, only to improve upon them. Supreme Leader Kylo Ren is an embodiment of order."
"He is the direct embodiment of what he wants to be, for his own personal goals. Just like the Emperor."
The Lieutenant was nearly shaking with anger at the front of the class. He reached over Saeva's table pulling her and over. He smashed her to the ground. His boot on the side of her face. Saeva tried to adjust her jaw underneath the pressure.
The troop stood as he did this. Some holding back others from intervening. Saeva wouldn't want them to have more time in reconditioning just because her. Or for something worse. Realizing the fondness she had for theband of misfits as the Lieutenant pushed harder on her face.
"Lieutenant, that absolutely necessary?"
Saeva knew that voice and a chill went up her back.~Speaking of Ego~was all she could think to herself.
General Hux strolled in. Crisp, black uniform, sleek hair. He had more color to his face and less bags underneath his eyes. Saeva took that as a sign that whatever progress the First Order has made has been positive. He had a smug look on his face.
The troop stood at attention, the Lieutenant especially. He faltered pushing off of Saeva.
General Hux remained cool and calm, he did not seem upset by the Lieutenant's actions. Saeva stood slowly, straighting her uniform, before lazyily standing at attention. She could feel FN-2556's eyes on her, she could sense his fear. His fear for her.
General Hux acknowledged the room and the troops. He passed by Saeva, working his way around the troops behind her. He walked around the make shift room, running his finger along a table, inspecting it for dirt. He seemed unsatisfied by the condition. He head towards the door.
He spun back around, staring at Saeva. Blocking the door, blocking her escape she realized.
"You are all dismissed except for you, SP0066."
He ordered it without breaking his stare with her. Saeva held it, feeling the emotions of her group flexing into fear and concern. A pause in motion pushed the General to reenforce the order.
"Lieuntatent, you are dismissed as well."
The Lieuntatent stared at Saeva as he left, his trooper mask hiding his expression, but she could sense a distastful emotion being shot her way.
The troop ushered out quickly, a few stealing worried glances at Saeva behind the General's back. FN-2556 being the last to leave, even pausing at the door.
Saeva broke her stare with Hux to plead with FN-2556 to keep moving. He registered her look and simply nodded. His signature smirk no where in sight.
She returned her gaze to Hux, who seemed to be inspecting her more fiercely. The look making her feel very aware of her appearance. Her past few weeks had taught her how to pull her blonde hair in a tight formal bun, her face clear of blemishes, and her uniform was in crisp form as well.
The muscles in her arms, legs, and stomach from the exstensive work outs gave her a shape that didn't resemble the skeleton she was before. The consistent nourishment and regiment had put her on track to peak performance. She had even caught FN-2556 stealing glances at her during work outs that seemed more about her body than her form or technique. Saeva felt a blush form to her cheeks at that thought, something she wanted to shake away in front of Hux.
"Reconditioning seems to suit you."
Saeva said nothing, but merely relaxed her stance, crossing her arms. No audience in the room made her feel less obligated to protocal. Especially to the person who forced her into protocals.
General Hux watched her break protocal, grinding his teeth and choosing to ignore her movements.
"I came to report to you that your comfortable setting will be ending soon. Kyl—The Supreme Leader will be returning within the next few days."
Saeva furrowed her brow. He thought she was comfortable? A prisoner comfortable in her prison. She decided to respond to him.
"That is why you look so rested, General."
"Pardon?"
"When I first met you, I thought I was encountering a ghoul. Pale, skeleton didn't have to babysit the Supreme Leader. It suits you well."
The General's eyes blazed for a miliasecond before his face became relaxed again.
"Perceptive. That is a useful quality you have. It will help you with your training with Ren."
His break in formalities about speaking about the Supreme Leader made Saeva intrigued.
"You don't quite follow him do you?"
The General almost robotoical and sarcastically spoke a rehearsed line.
"The Supreme Leader will guide us to victory. Long Live the Supreme Leader."
Saeva pushed a bit more so.
"You've not only had him away, but you've succeed with the Fleet?"
He seemed amused by her efforts to question him.
"Perceptive indeed. I wil say that there has been a great deal of success in the Supreme Leader's absence. I will happy to report that to him when he arrives. But that will be the last of his concerns, he's coming straight to you once he lands."
Saeva tilted her head in confusion. The General stepping into her space a bit. Whispering gently to her, even though the words were harsh. She stood defiantly, looking up at him.
"His little mission ended quite poorly with the scavenger. He received another wound to not just his body, but his ego. He'll probably take his frustrations out on you."
Saeva's mind twirled. He had seeked out Rey, did he battle her? Did she best him? Their lines seemed connected. When she was briefly around Kylo Ren, she felt she could speak of Rey like he knew her. She could sense an aura of Rey. Something she held tightly.
"Another rejection, another potential appretience lost. He will want to break you."
General Hux continued to speak, inching himself closer to her.
"I wanted to offer my support, because your future is about to become very diffcult. You know how he can be."
The memory of being choked in her old quarters pelted her mind. She tried not to shutter at the thought. She blinked at Hux.
He slowly lifted his hand to her face, grazing it softly. He seemed a bit softer than the last time he touched her face. The aggression gone, but the burning in his eyes there.
"Ren sees the potential in you, your legacy, but he wants to wield it for himself. Shroud himself in you, claim you as his. His apprentice."
Saeva stepped back from the General, bumping into the table, he pushed forward right after her, unwavering. Saeva trying to move over the table, but the General grasped her hips sitting her onto of the table. He stepped in between her legs. She tried to push him off, but the General sealed her hands to her chest. He surprised her by his strength, his chest much harder than expected.
He seemed more thrilled by her fight. Chuckling at her struggle against him.
"You proved today, in this classroom, that you are no one's apprentice. You think like a General, speak like a diplomat, and soon you'll fight like a Sith. You embody the makings of a great ruler. Your lineage dictates it."
Saeva stilled during his speech to her. Searching her face for some sort of recognition in his words.
"You want the power. You want to be the Supreme Leader. Why would you want me alive? I am a threat to that."
The General released her arms, but didn't move from his spot.
"I want all of it. To show this galaxy how truly great it can, But like Ren, I see the potential. I can't ignore it."
"You'd rather shape me into what you want, mold me into a leader. You want to manipulate me into what you want. If you are the ruler, you are constantly on guard, why not have a ruler you control."
Saeva stood up and managed to push the General up against the wall. Her arm pressed against his neck. Her new strength pulsating through her.
The General looked shocked by the movement. But did not lose his whimsy in his tone.
"You have already improved three-fold since starting my program. Scores in IQ and strategy that even I myself took years to master. You in a matter of weeks. Can you feel the pull to your potential? Even your own fellow peers in reconditioning gravitate to your words."
Saeva growled and released the General. She placed distance between them.
"I want power. I crave it, but this all started with your lineage."
Hux's disheleved hair made her falter a bit, his uniform needing fixing. He was confessing his emotions to her, she could feel a mixture of darkness, rage, jealousy, and an ounce of lust.
"I desire your lineage."
Saeva stood defensively at the statement. He smoothed his hair back easily, adjusting his uniform as if he hadn't stated what he stated. Ignoring her discomfort.
"I saw you pull yourself out of a pit of lava, with damage done to your body. Your face sealed my feelings about saving you. This determination you held. This will to live. It attracts me. You could be my greatest weapon."
Saeva scoffed.
"Something that you can weild against Kylo Ren and the Rebellion."
"The Galaxy."
He was telling the truth. Saeva could sense it. He had no regard for her desires or feelings, or that she was a person of her own right.
"What is it you truly want from me, Hux? Allegiance? My full conmitment to the First Order? Or to just you?"
Hux pondered her questions for a moment.
"I want you to have allegiance to your lineage. Your destiny. I find that the path that Ren will have you under will stifle your potential."
"I have an accordance with Ren. I can not disobey him."
Saeva did agree to Kylo Ren's demand to train. But she did Not want to mention the children to Hux. Just another string to pull against her.
"Ah, Yes. Your young cousins. Kylo Ren must have pulled that from his pocket rather quickly to force you into a corner. You fear for their safety, Saeva?"
Her eyes went wide at the knowledge of her cousins and true name.
"I researched you, like all my work that I do. No stone unturned."
"If you touched them!"
The General raised his hand quiet her. She shut her mouth quickly.
"They will be safe. I can send a squad to retrieve them and bring them to the ship as soon as you say the word."
Saeva's heart exploded. To see the children again and to know they are safe would be simple for her. She tried to slow her mind. Not overthink or react too quickly.
"What is the catch? What would I have to give or pledge to?"
"I want to work in a mutual partnership. Rid ourselves of extra weight that holds this regime back. Wipe out the resistance for good."
Saeva read between the lines.
"You want me to kill him."
General Hux's eyes flared up, an exiciment and hate burning through his tone.
"I want you to annihilate him."
Saeva bite her lip, looking away from Hux. She had to contemplate this choice. Her heart screamed for the children, but her mind was racing.
"I need to think about this."
Her determined tone told him that her decision would not be today. He accepted it. He crossed the room, stopping right infront of her.
"I wouldn't dwell too long on your choice. The Supreme Leader will return soon. The closer he'll push himself to you, the harder you may find it to make your choice. Plus, your Uncle's temper is much like Ren's. Unpredictable."
Saeva stared back at him. Her heart pounding. He pulled closer to her face, almost to kiss her, but pulled back. He straightned his collar and left the room without another word.
Saeva began to breath normally. Her heart racing. The thought of working for Hux bothered her to her core. The idea of Kylo Ren training her dropped a pit in her stomach. Her mind jostled thoughts back and forth. Her mind finally settled, a defiant voice ringing out.
Get rid of them. Both of them.