Chapter 8: Questions

He knew he was in trouble, he just did not know when such trouble would arrive. He smiled at the irony of the Resistance apprehending one of its own officers. Although, he expected it, perhaps it was because he had left one of his former lieutenants lying dead in the sand.

He was in the midst of writing in his journal when they came, interestingly enough; it was a passage about Captain Phasma and her troopers.

There was a soft knock on his door. When he opened it he found Lieutenant Rogers standing on the steps, a look of trepidation on her face. Behind her stood three unknown soldiers, two were heavily armed and armored, and a third was dressed in the uniform of a captain; a blaster holstered on his belt.

He looked past Rogers and eyed the three soldiers. He then turned his attention back to Rogers, the look of uncertainty still plastered on her face. " Yes ,Rogers?"

Rogers cleared her throat before responding. "Sir, these three soldiers are here to take you in for questioning by the High Command Council."

He knew the reason, but decided to ask anyway. "Question me over what?"

Rogers looked confused, which brought a smile to Will's face. "The… the incident, sir."

Will gave another smile, "Oh yes, the incident."

Rogers gave a small smile of understanding, "Yes ,sir." She said before stepping down from the steps and standing to the side.

The four soldiers stared at each other for a second; the two heavy troopers wore tan tunics with yellow tinted masks that obscured their faces. The officer wore the same uniform, tan tunic, and black pants, sans the helmet. The markings on the officer's tunic gave him the rank of captain.

"What can I do for you tonight, captain?" Will asked, although, once again, he knew he would be going with them.

The officer smirked. "Well Anders, the High Command Council has ordered me to retrieve you and take you back to D'Qar. They wish to question you about your killing of one of you men."

"That is Major Anders to you, captain." Will snapped, he was not bothered if his men or even other soldiers did not use his title. However, the mocking tone in which this officer spat at him made him irritated.

"Apologies, Major Anders." The man once again said with a mocking tone.

Will clenched his jaw. "I will come with you; just let me get some things."

The three soldiers began to make their way towards the hut, intending to enter. Will, however, had other ideas. As the captain got to within a couple of inches from the doorway, he slammed the door in the man's face. "Sorry, the wind blew it closed!" He said, smiling to himself, as he went about packing some of his belongings. The trip to D'Qar from Jakku would be at least a day, if not two. He packed extra clothing, extra charger packs, his ankle high boots, as well as his journal. Ensuring that his large knife was sheathed on his shoulder strap, as well as his smaller switchblade he had concealed inside his breast pocket, he opened the door.

The look on the captain's face was priceless, and it took all of Will's control not to burst out laughing. "Well are we ready to be off?"

"Yes," the man replied tersely. With that he made his way down the steps, the two soldiers following obediently behind.

Will followed behind at a distance, as he walked down the steps he turned to Lieutenant Rogers. "Rogers, you have control over the base until I return. Contact Captain Howe and inform him of this development, I am sure he will be interested."

The woman nodded. "Aye, sir. Thanks for giving me the opportunity." She gave Will a small smile.

Will smiled back at the woman who had become his trusted subordinate. "You are welcome, Rogers. Now I must be off."

Will resumed following behind the team of Resistance soldiers. He noticed that they had set their shuttle down directly in the center of the village.

Disrespectful nerfherders,Will thought as he walked up the lowered ramp.

Once inside the small space, the officer stopped as the two heavy troops continued towards the cockpit. He turned around and faced Will.

" Major Anders, he is where you will be." He pointed to a small and very uncomfortable looking seat.

Will was not thrilled to spend a day in such space, but he had fared worse many times before. The only thing he would complain about would be a sore butt. He nodded wordlessly and sat down, putting his small bag between his bent legs.

With that, the unnamed captain turned and entered the small, but far more lavish officer's quarters.

Will knew the man was making a statement, over what, Will did not know.

He soon felt the hum of the engines, and the shuttle gave a lurch as it lifted off from Jakku's sands.

Captain Phasma had occupied herself with her duties, attempting to get her mind off of her new orders from General Hux. She was soon distracted when she was called away to oversee an interrogation. She walked down to the prison bay on The Finalizer, when she entered she could already hear the screams.

It appears that they started without me. She thought with dark satisfaction. As she walked to the cell, and opened the door, the screaming continued, and had increased in volume; almost to the point of wails.

Inside, two black clad interrogators used various instruments of pain and suffering on a prisoner whose feet and hands were chained to the wall behind him. The man was bloodied and bruised, blood and sweat pooling on the floor beneath him.

Phasma walked in, her heavy steps caused both interrogators to turn around. She did not recognize the one on her left, he was tall, with youthful features, and blonde hair. However, she did recognize the one on her right.

"Major Vlosh." She said in a steady tone. The prisoner's moaning drowned out by her electronic voice.

"Captain Phasma, Hux ordered you to oversee the interrogation of this Resistance scum. Stand at order and watch how professionals do it." The major said with a tone of superiority.

Phasma was angry; no doubt she had been called to this interrogation because of her failure on Jakku. Hux was displeased with her, so he made her a lapdog to one of his subordinates. He ground her teeth together under the helmet, she hated Vlosh. The man spent every waking minute throwing his superior rank in her face, ordering her around like a servant, and she could not do a damn thing about it.

So she stood there, watching in both anger and pleasure, as the prisoner was tortured for hours on end. However, like most loyal soldiers, he refused to give up any information.

With the interrogation over, and the prisoner's broken body returned to his cage, one could not call it anything but, the two interrogators marched out. Vlosh even dared to shove Phasma on his way out.

Phasma stood there steaming in anger and rage. She turned her head and looked at the bloodied chains and walls. The sight made her anger turn to sadistic pleasure, she enjoyed killing and torturing. She had been so efficient at it that Hux promoted her to the rank she was now. The anger at Vlosh at almost all but disappeared, being replaced with burning need.

She needed to fufill her duties as a captain, as a soldier of the First Order. As she walked back to her quarters, she was deep in self reflection. She was unflinchingly loyal to the First Order, she would lay down her life for the organization, and nothing would change that. As a loyal soldier, it was her responsibility to carry out every order to the exact lettering. And so, she firmed up her resolve.

Even though this major had surprised, and even enthralled her, he would not distract her from her mission; her mission that would end in his young life being cut short. He was a Resistance officer, an enemy, a threat to her and her men, and a threat to the First Order. Despite all the respect she had for him, her orders were clear. And as a soldier she followed her orders.

William Anders would die, and she would be the one to kill him.

Anders passed the time writing. He wrote about the incident for which he was now headed to speak to the High Command Council.

" 12.5.33ABY

I am now headed on a magnificent journey! Oh how I have waited for this day; the day when the bosses decide to talk to me. Apparently, killing a man who is about to kill you means trouble in the Resistance. Heck, they are making a big fuss over me killing one of my lieutenant's who aimed his blaster at me, it was me or him, I chose the latter. Still am in a little confusion at the whole Phasma and stormtrooper incident that concurrently occurred. It is very odd that they did not once aim their blasters and shoot me down, other than our little rough introduction. Instead, they seemed to accept my presence, and some, dare I say it, respect me. It takes a whole lot of guts to do what we did, for I know that every Resistance soldier they had encountered, or every First Order soldier I have encountered did not have think twice about pulling their blasters and firing. I know it makes me sound like I have a huge stuck up ego, but hell, we all need to give ourselves some credit sometimes.

Until next time (hopefully),

"

In addition to writing, he also thought, thinking of his time during the civil war, his youth, his military career, and the stunt he had pulled a couple days ago. He did so much thinking that time seemed to fly by, it did not register that he had been sitting in the uncomfortable chair for over twenty nine hours straight. He felt the ship thump, and moved to sit up.

His hand caught the wall and he almost fainted. Having your legs bent continuously for thirty hours did wonders for your consciousness, and your ability to walk. The ramp soon lowered, and the three troops who were his unwanted companions walked past, the officer with a small smile on his face.

Will followed behind them, his knees and joints aching after sitting for so long. He walked down the ramp and took in the view around him. The base was on the forested, almost tropical planet of D'Qar. All around, tall trees stood in silent vigilance, and in the distance, mountains loomed ominously high. The air here was moist, virtually water compared to Jakku's arid climate. He and his trio of watchers entered a large building set into the side of a mountain. After wandering through various paths and hallways, they arrived at a large set of doors.

Will knew what lay beyond.

Guarding the doors was a number of Resistance troopers, all armed. It was apparent that some very high level officials were in the room that stood beyond the doors.

One of them walked over and banged on the door with the butt of his blaster rifle. The sound echoed through the halls, increasing into a loud roar, as if thunder had struck nearby, before dissipating.

The doors slowly opened, and the four were shepherded inside. Once inside the doors closed behind them.

Will took his time to survey the room and its occupants. It was large to say the least. A large table stood in the center, with a large window at the rear giving a panoramic view of the surrounding planet. Standing around the tables were officers, many of them generals, some he recognized, some he did not.

Among those he did recognize were Major Caluan Ematt, the chief of staff of General Leia Organa, a general who had fought against him in the Semian Civil War,and once his eyes did a double take, the general herself.

" Major William Anders, Jakku Garrison." The captain said, before falling silent.

An unknown general standing at the far end of the table nodded. "Thank you Captain Tillfillal, you may take your leave."

The captain, Tillfillal, nodded and he and his two men walked away and out of the heavy doors. Soon, Will was left standing by himself, clad in his tan uniform, in front of the Resistance's highest ranking officers.

He made eye contact with Leia, and she gave him a small smile. Not many people in the galaxy knew, only one- Captain Howe- that Will was a personal acquaintance of Organa's. His friendship with Han Solo, however recent it may be- having started a little over two years previously, when the smuggler's ship came to Semia during his time off duty- the man who was a former romantic partner to General Organa, made the woman communicate with him often; most of the times it was with updates on her wayward smuggler, other times it was for simple conversation. Either way, the two had developed a good working relationship, and even, dare he say it, a friendship.

Now here he was, standing in front of the graying general for the killing of one of his own officers.

"Major William Anders, you hail from the planet of Semia, is that correct?" An officer with the rank of general asked him.

"Yes sir, that is correct." Anders replied in a respectful tone.

"You fought in the Semian Civil War, reaching the rank of colonel; is that correct?" The same man asked again.

"Yes sir, that is correct." Will again replied, sounding more like a droid than a man.

"You stand here today to answer questions in regards to the killing of Lieutenant Farlon Jaxes; a killing that you committed." Major Caluan Ematt spoke, his voice colored with disgust.

"It is true, I did kill the lieutenant; well, former lieutenant." Will could not resist the quip. In tense situations, he reverted to joking and name calling. The sentence got a few scowls from the assembled officers.

"Why did you kill your own officer?" An unknown general asked him, the woman was frail and her hair way graying, it looked like she belonged more on a farm rather than in an army.

"Well general, he threatened my life. He pointed a blaster straight at my back as I walked away from our confrontation. I had no choice but to defend myself." Will said honestly, speaking slowly so none of his words would be confused.

"I think you lie." A general said from the head of the table. He recognized the man as having been a general in the Semian Unity Forces, and one that he had fought in battle.

He was going to reply, but a stern voice stopped him. "General Donhue, while you may generalize Major Anders for his actions against you in the Semian Civil War, I know him personally. He is one of the most trustworthy people I have ever known, more so than some in this room." Leia Organa made her presence known, eyeing the room of high level officers before her. Her gaze settled on Will, and she smiled slightly.

General Donhue quieted down, although his suspicious and hateful gazed remained on Will.

Organa was next to ask a question. "Major Anders, can you explain why you are a major in the Resistance, while you rose to the rank of colonel in the Semian Equality Army?"

Will smiled at the question, which had nothing to do with the matter being discussed; he knew it was Organa trying to satisfy her curiosity. He smiled at stared directly at general Donhue as he spoke. "Pure politics, General Organa; some members of this high command would rather base their decisions on past experiences, rather than the individuals themselves."

Donhue was turning red in the face, but he did not speak.

Organa nodded but remained silent, her curiosity satisfied.

"What were the circumstances surrounding the death of Lieutenant Jaxes?" An official, who Will recognized as a colonel said.

" Jaxes ordered the men to fire on the enemy, although I had given no such order. That is what led to the confrontation."

"When you say enemy, you mean the platoon of stormtroopers who were there to investigate the defection of one of their own?" The colonel continued his questioning.

"Aye, sir. That is correct. The stormtroopers, led by a Captain Phasma, entered our base." Will told the colonel, mental images of the chrome armored trooper appearing in his mind.

"Did you take any precautions against the enemy?" A short a slim general- who sat closest to him- said.

"I ordered my men up into the surrounding dunes. I wanted to have the advantage of terrain." Will told the general.

"Good man." He said, Will smiling in response. It appeared that it was not just General Organa who liked him at this meeting.

"What happened after that?" General Donhue asked, no doubt attempting to pin blame on him.

"Well, we had a confrontation. It was bloodless, Captain Phasma, and I agreed to hold off the blasting. I would give her the information she wanted, and in exchange she would leave the village alone." Will remembered the tense confrontation as if it were yesterday. In fact, it almost was.

"What information was this captain out to find?" General Organa asked, her voice again filled with curiosity.

"She wanted to know what happened to her rouge comrade. He had escaped a couple days previously, and had ended up on Jakku, it was there he escaped on board the Millennium Falcon." Will saw Organa's eyes light up in recognition.

" Did you give her the information?" Organa asked, and Will thought he heard the woman's intense need to know.

"No, after what subsequently happened, I believe her questions were lost in her mind." He told the general, knowing that she could read his thoughts.

"What happened after that?" The small general who liked him asked once again.

Will breathed deeply, recalling the exact details. "Well Jaxes ordered the men to fire, although I had issued no such command. A single shot was fired, and it struck a stormtrooper in the abdomen."

" What did you do in response to this…. shooting." Major Ematt said, his voice cool and collected.

"I ordered, no pleaded, for no fighting to occur. I yelled at Jaxes, I then asked permission from Captain Phasma to give aid to the wounded soldier, which she granted." Will remember the way Trix moaned in pain, and the way his armored body shook.

" So you not only did not attempt to defend yourself from the enemy, you asked permission from an enemy officer to give aid to a wounded enemy soldier? You forsake the rank you carry and the army you represent!" General Donhue all but lost it, his boiling anger overflowing. "You should not even be here! Go back to your little farm!"

"SILENCE!" A voice roared, shocking everything, including General Donhue, who went silent. It took Will a moment until he realized the unnatural sound had come from Leia. "General Donhue," she began, he voice filled with anger, "I will not have you talk to an honorable officer like that."

"Honorable? You call this scum honorable!?" Donhue said incredulously, his finger pointed at Anders.

"Silence!" Leia boomed, and once more the general fell silent. "This man perhaps has more honor that you will ever have. Helping a wounded enemy soldier requires much more courage that sitting at a comfortable desk here at base." Leia said, her insult hitting its home.

"Major Anders, what did you do for the injured stormtrooper?" Leia asked, her voice frighteningly calm.

"Well I asked my medic, Sergeant Jabal Tali, to assist me with the caring for the injured trooper. We took him to my quarters, along with the rest of the stormtrooper platoon, and gave him aid throughout the night. Without us, he would have died."

"Commendable," the short general sitting near him said, "we need more like you in this galaxy; on both sides of this war."

He gave a smile and nodded.

"What happened with Jaxes?" Organa asked.

"Well, as I treated the injured trooper, Jaxes came down and decided to unleash his pent up rage against me." Will sighed as he remembered the anger in the lieutenant's voice.

"You fought against Jaxes during the Semian Civil War?" Major Ematt questioned.

"Yes, I believe it was a combination of that anger, coupled with the anger of me disciplining him in front of his troops which made him irate." Will told the major.

"What happened next?" Organa asked.

"Well I walked out from the hut, and by this point Jaxes began personally insulting me. He pulled a blaster from his belt and held it at his side. I did not want such a confrontation so I turned my back on him and began to walk back to my quarters. It was then he aimed his blaster at my back, and I did what I had to defend myself." Will remembered the feeling, the warning that blared through his mind. He had his jedi father to thank for such senses.

"How did you know he was aiming at you?" Donhue asked, still angry with him.

"I sensed it." He said, looking at Leia, he saw the complete understanding in those hazel eyes.

"I fully believe that Major Anders was defending himself. I feel the truth in the Force. He is not guilty of committing any crime. Major William Anders, I hereby find you not guilty. This meeting is adjourned." With that the meeting was over, and the generals began to shuffle out.

Donhue and Ematt gave him glares as they passed by him. He did not move from his spot, until it was only Leia and him left in the room, alone. He relaxed his stance, and pinched his forehead with his hand.

"Will, can you tell me something?" Leia asked as she walked over to him.

"Anything, General Organa." Will replied.

Organa laughed, "Please, Leia. You know me well enough. So tell me, how is Han?"

Will cleared his throat. "Han is…. is good."

Organa laughed. " Thanks for the vague answer."

Will sighed. "Apologies. Han is well, you know, still the stuck up nerfherder who left you. He smuggles still, it is what keeps him afloat."

"Of course it does, which is why we separated." Leia said in slight annoyance. "Did he say anything about me?"

"He just asked if you were okay, and to tell you not to worry." Will smiled, knowing the reaction that would cause.

Leia scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Not to worry? I worry about him constantly, ever since the trash compactor, and carbonite."

"We all do, trust me." Will said, earning a small chuckle from Leia.

" How is your force intuition coming along?" She asked him with complete sincerity.

"It is getting there. I am to the point of where I can sense things, which is how I knew about Jaxes' intentions. It is odd though." Will said his face turning into a frown.

Leia noticed his reaction. "What is odd?"

Will thought for a few moments. "Well, I thought I felt a presence from Captain Phasma, as if she were probing my mind."

"She very well could be force sensitive." Leia explained with a nod of her head. She then looked down at her comm, right before it beeped. "I am afraid I must get back to business."

Will nodded but a small hand on his shoulder caught him before he turned around.

Leia smiled at him. And the next words out of her mouth stunned him into both silence and stillness.

"Until next time, Colonel Anders."

YAY! We finally see a major player. Hopefully Han will make an appearance soon, and possibly Kylo Ren. Until next time!

-LittleP