.

And I can fight only for something that I love,

love only what I respect,

and respect only what I at least know.


The communications centre was more like a temple than a reasonable room for leaders of the Order to discuss. It was an enormous, empty hall with a podium in the middle, in which the Supreme Leader projected himself like a giant deity for them to worship. Kylo Ren himself had asked for its construction, and the general was certain the bizarre structure had something to do with their cult.

Hux felt small as he strode forward to the platform to receive the Supreme Leader's call. A familiar, slender figure stood there already, and as always, did not turn to greet him.

The general clinched his fist, now covered in black leather, to hide any annoyance from his voice.

"Ren."

"General."

The knight's voice was deep and monotone.

The men did not change looks. Kylo Ren had his helmet on and stood wide with his hands locked behind his back, yet his posture was off. The contrast between the knight and the composed general was striking. Where Hux was respectful and military, Ren seemed arrogant and tense.

After a few moments of silence, the hologram activated and the giant projection of Supreme Leader Snoke evaluated them from above. Both men kneeled, and Hux waited for the appropriate three seconds before he lift himself up to face his master. Ren, intentionally or not, seemed to rise only once Hux had - which annoyed him greatly. What annoyed him more was that Ren could surely sense this petty emotion.

"Evening, my apprentice. Evening, general", Snoke spoke with a loud, soft voice.

"What is it, Supreme Leader?" Hux asked a little too hastily, as if he was a little too eager to prove himself in front of this grotesque altar. Snoke did not seem to mind the general's lack of courtly words.

"I've received word there's been a disturbance on the Starkiller. Should I expect our plans to divert, general?" he asked so softly Hux had difficulties to read his tone.

Nevertheless, the general felt at ease. It was not in his nature to guess, but based on the most recent orders from the Supreme Leader, Hux had suspected he wanted to alter their plans. Plans, that took him months to mold, mapping out every outcome and possible scheme.

"I would have notified you if there was anything to worry about. It's under control, sir", Hux assured.

Ren shifted restlessly beside him.

"Yes, my apprentice?" Snoke addressed him.

"Master, with all due respect -"

Which you have none, Hux smirked faintly.

"- with all due respect, we cannot delay our plans any more. This station must be fully functional at all times, and-"

Snoke raised his enormous hand to silence Ren. Hux nervously enhanced his posture and tucked his arms firmly behind his back, but on his freckled face there was no sign of distress.

"You are suggesting the general has made errors in his proceedings, my apprentice?" Snoke tilted his head in apparent leisure, yet his eyes darted towards Hux, who kept his posture, but had to clench his clad hands to reassure himself.

There was a silent click as Kylo Ren removed his mask. His dark hair was messy and his face seemed tired, as if he had not slept for days. However, what bothered Hux the most in the knight's undraped face was his eyes; pitch black, full of anger and passion, free of any sense. Like an animal.

The general had wondered what could have possibly happened to the knight, what could have warped his mind so badly it was nothing more than a bloodhound for their shared cause. Yet he had always arrived at the same conclusion: they, Hux and Ren, had gone through the same for the most part. Whatever difference there was between them it was due to their nature. Where Ren had a master he yielded blindly to, Hux served only those whom he saw fit.

"Yes, master", Ren clinched his jaw and glanced at Hux, who tilted his head upward, stately as always.

"I don't want to hear any more of your delays or mistakes, general", Snoke spoke smoothly, dangerously.

"Sir, I can-" Hux began, but Snoke silenced him like he had silenced Ren before.

"Leave, both of you." he ordered.

The two men bowed as the hologram disappeared, leaving the hall bare and solemn again. Ren promptly hid his tired face under the sloppy, predictable facade his mask offered. They walked without speaking a word. Hux's anger toward the knight was silent, yet he knew the boy could feel it like he was screaming it to his face.

Captain Phasma was dutifully waiting for them in the main corridor, her stance so straight and unwavering she looked like a proud, metallic statue.

"General. Commander." her firm voice addressed them.

"I'll be having a word with the commander, captain. No need to escort us", Hux thought as he spoke, fueled only by his own frustration. Although Ren's tall figure fidgeted next to the general, he did not seem to object.

"Of course, Sir. Sir", Phasma saluted them both respectively and dashed away in the direction of the main battery.