Ren left and Hux exhaled with relief. He threw his datapad on the desk and his eyes shifted to the window, looking out over the snowy hills of Starkiller.

Why did Kylo Ren have to be here? For what reason had Snoke sent his apprentice? Probably only to piss him off because that's what the Supreme Leader's sole interest seemed to be. He didn't know what the purpose of an apprentice to a being like Snoke was, probably had something to do with those strange powers. They were wielders of the Force, but the Force was a mystery to Hux. Some kind of invisible and intangible energy floating around didn't mean a thing to him.

Oh yes, he had heard about those legends of Jedi and Sith, but they were no more. The former Empire and it's ruler wiped them out almost completely decades ago. The Emperor was killed when the Deathstar got destroyed, his right hand man, Darth Vader, also. Since then no Sith was ever seen alive.

Snoke wasn't a Sith, but just as powerful as Darth Sidious had been. He'd seen him in action before, crushing the bones and snapping the neck of some poor soldier with only one move of his hand, just because the man had failed him.

Snoke had fire in his eyes and ice in his veins, he was sadistic, manipulative and pure evil. Hux would do everything to stay alive and never fail Snoke. That was his sole pursuit.

Now the First Order had risen and it would become even greater than the former Empire. Hux was there from the beginning, knew it's ways and goals from inside out. He had given everything and more. As a result he'd made it to General and one day he would be Grand Marshall. And perhaps, once, within some more time, he would rule over this galaxy.

But, here was Kylo Ren now. This mask he always wore was ridiculous, that black cloak with the hood just the same. He looked almost like a Sith, or a dark Jedi, comparing his appearance with pictures of old holo reports Hux had studied. Ren was tall and massive, quite intimidating - as long as he didn't take off his helmet. When he had done just that, a couple of days ago in the Casino, Hux really had been taken by surprise. Kylo Ren wasn't what he'd expected. His face wasn't distorted or deformed in any way, no scars on it, nothing. He wasn't ugly at all, quite the contrary. Kylo looked flawless, young, boyish, maybe even innocent, not at all like the big bad evil his reputation as Jedi-killer suggested. Ren definitely wasn't a classical beauty but handsome. His nose was a bit too long, his lips a little too luscious and his hair … black, shoulder length and wavy. To Hux he was very attractive, which confused him even more.

Snokes apprentice was someone he loathed for all of this: Having more power than him just because he was the Supreme Leader's puppy and therefore got everything shoved up his butt. And for being so handsome that it had an effect on him, one Hux didn't like at all because it was completely distracting.

"You must be out of your mind," Phasma roared and paced back and forth in Hux's dayroom. "Dead drunk, in public and in front of the Supreme Leaders lapdog! Seriously Armitage? You're a General of the First Order, you should know about proper behavior!"

"And who gives you the right to come here and lecture me about it, now of all times? I have to leave soon." Hux rummaged through a drawer of his desk looking for his private datapad and found it.

"I would've come much earlier, but you sent me on a mission, probably on purpose to get me out of the way. I'm back now, so you'll just have to deal with me."

"You have no right -"

"I have every right, and you know it," Phasma fired back, interrupting him. "Or have you forgotten why you are the youngest man in the First Order ever to hold the position of General?"

When he heard these words Hux glared at Phasma with fierce eyes. "What, are you really trying to blackmail me?"

"No. Just a reminder, because you seem to forget who made your swift rise in the First Order possible." She stopped in front of Hux, who was now sitting in an armchair, concentrated looking at the screen of his pad. Meaningful she gazed down at him. "You're not the only one with ambitions, you know. I just make sure that only those who are worthy get what they deserve."

"And that includes you too, I take it?"

"Yes. Or do you really think, I want to stay Captain forever?"

"You will, though," Hux scowled through clenched teeth. "If you don't stop nagging and let me do my work."

"Don't forget who's doing most of your dirty work, Armitage. I killed your own father at your behest."

"If not you, I would've found someone else to do it. Now leave, I'm busy." Hux didn't even bother to look at her saying this.

"You really are a cold hearted bastard, just like your father was," Phasma furiously hissed and stormed off.

A smug little smile curled on Hux's lips. "Thanks for the compliment, my girl."

An hour later they were at the Finalizer, going through hyperspace, on the way to this little planet with the nice name of Soliss Prim. Kylo Ren was on the ship somewhere, probably in his chambers. Hux hadn't seen him anymore since their meeting, and to be true, he was kind of glad about it since he was still very much ashamed about the incident at the Casino. However, he also knew he had to encounter Ren soon again, they had to work together after all and there was no way around it. Now Hux had about four hours of time to kill until they arrived at the system. Commander Pius and Captain Peavey could take over in the meantime.

Finally Hux had some spare time and he knew exactly how to spend it: In his tub, taking a hot and relaxing bath, thereupon he would cuddle up in his bed and take some well deserved rest. He smiled in anticipation, quickly gave over his command and hurried to his rooms at the ships officer's quarters.

When he arrived there he took off his coat, then noticed the green blinking light of his datapad. Annoyed he let out a breath, went over to his desk and picked it up. It was a message from Kylo Ren:

I want to meet you in private. Notify me as soon as you get this message. K.R.

So, that was it with a few relaxed hours before meeting the Government of Soliss Prim. Kylo Ren already took the last of his nerves.