"Your captain is walking on air."
Hux jumped only slightly as Jecek came up behind him. But the general felt his eyes widen as he fully digested the statement. Hux couldn't help looking around the bridge in agitation.
His words came out in a low hiss. "Keep your voice down."
Of course Phasma was walking on air. They'd been at it for hours the night before. She might have started out hesitant and unsure but by the third time, she was on top of him and...Hux swallowed. Jecek was looking his way, his helmet tilted, and Hux knew the knight was in his mind, probably soaking in every detail, the pervert.
Jecek laughed which caused those around them to shudder, including Hux himself, who couldn't help pulling on his collar a bit. Jecek stepped closer and Hux had to resist the urge to move away like a scared rabbit.
His words were softer this time. "Don't worry, general. Your captain is stunning but not my type. Though to be honest, I hadn't thought you'd have it in you, Hux." The general glared at the man, who shrugged.
Jecek looked back out into the darkness of space. "But I do admire you. Having the fortitude to throw the rules to the wind to take what you want." The knight seemed to be thinking of something specific and Hux felt for any woman or man unlucky enough to draw the steely knight's attention.
Jecek snorted and Hux knew he'd been heard when the knight turned and said. "She's far out of my league, but perhaps I can catch up at some point."
The general wasn't sure what that was supposed to mean. Jecek seemed more powerful than even Kylo Ren. Or perhaps he simply had a better handle on his temper.
"I assure you, Kylo Ren is far more powerful than I. But he never allowed himself to truly bask within the beauty of the Force." Jecek paused and his mask moved slightly as if he was listening for something. "But that's changed, now. He will be returning to us soon."
Hux looked up sharply. "You've spoken to him?"
Jecek shook his head. "Nothing so pedestrian as that. But I can feel his intentions. Change is coming to the First Order."
"Does that change have anything to do with those reports of two jedi attacking Keshren Four? I know Kylo Ren was there. And I also know that he and his...companion killed hundreds of stormtroopers. Is that what you were talking about when you said he was more powerful than you?"
Was that man-child, Kylo Ren the person who would kill Snoke and take over? Hux shuddered at the thought.
Jecek stayed quiet for a moment. "He is not as he was. This year he has spent away from the Supreme Leader...it has… shifted him. Prepared him for what is to come."
Hux wasn't sure he believed the knight but Jecek was no fool and the general didn't see him throwing his support behind someone who was unfit. Were the other knights aware of what was going on? Was this what his mother had meant about the writing on the walls? Hux cringed when Jecek's mask sharply turned towards him. The knight had heard him, obviously. Had perhaps seen the entire conversation in his mind.
Jecek stared at him before saying, "Your mother is wise. Listen to her. Think carefully about what it is you wish to accomplish and who it is that can best assist you in your goals."
Phasma's face flashed across his mind and Hux looked out into void behind the view port. He nodded and Jecek left him to his thoughts. Hux's peace didn't last long.
A radar technician called to him. "Sir, a resistance scout ship just dropped out of hyper-space."
Hux turned around abruptly and said. "Use the tractor beam and dispatch a TIE squadron. Get that ship!"
The techs around the bridge began relaying his orders to personnel around the ship and there was a flurry of motion. Hux looked up at Jecek and the knight nodded before heading away towards the hanger. Jecek would handle the interrogation. Hux had full faith in the man's ability on that front.
He watched as the ship was brought closer to the destroyer and allowed himself a smirk. He wasn't sure what that scout was doing out here but any useful information he had would be theirs.
"Sir, the ship is on board and the pilot has been identified as FN-2187."
Hux froze. He remembered that designation. The traitor who had helped to blow up Star Killer Base. The one who had threatened Phasma.
He looked over towards on of the lieutenant. "I will be overseeing his interrogation. You have the bridge."
The man nodded and Hux left, his steps swift as he made his way towards the Detention Block. The 'troopers manning the entry way saluted before telling him which cell the traitor was in. Hux did not acknowledge them further as he kept walking and made his way to the room. He took a steadying breath before opening the door.
FN-2187 was spitting out his words at the knight. "My name is Finn. Not FN-2187!"
Hux came around to face the traitor and stood behind Jecek but the knight did not seem to notice him. The general felt his lips twist at FN-2187's gall. Only 'troopers who managed to rise above the sea of marginalism were granted names. Jecek was silent as he looked the ex-'trooper over. He hadn't raised a hand up, as Kylo did, so Hux couldn't tell if he was reading the traitor's mind.
The knight moved closer, his mask tilting. "Who gave you that name?" The traitor said nothing so Jecek continued. "Someone important, I think. Important to you. Are they waiting for you to return?" At this, FN-2187's eyes twitched and Hux can almost imagine the smile that Jecek must be wearing as he said, "Yes... This person. This... pilot. He's everything to you. But...only because of…" Jecek paused. "You're acquainted with my master and with..."
Jecek trailed off but the words had gotten Hux's attention and apparently it was also enough to have Jecek Ren take off the kid gloves. His hand came up so his fingers hovered over FN-2187's face. Seconds later, the ex-'trooper's face was engulfed in pain. Hux wondered if FN-2187 would suffer the same fate as the assassin. His lips curled into a smile of deep satisfaction at the idea. But seconds later Jecek dropped the connection and FN-2187 fell back, apparently passed out.
The knight finally turned to him. "I did not expect to see you here."
Hux allowed a snippet of what he'd heard over the comm back at Star Killer Base filter through his mind and Jecek's mask tilted in understanding.
"Ah… You wish revenge on this man."
Hux raised a brow but said, "He is a traitor to the Order. A deserter who will be made an example of."
"No."
Hux looked up sharply. "No? What do you mean, 'no'? His crimes are punishable by death."
But Jecek was looking back at the 'trooper. "He will serve a different purpose."
Hux sneered. "What exactly did you see in his mind?"
The knight's voice was contemplative. "Far more than I had thought. It is not he specifically who is of value but the connections he has."
The general eyed Jecek, a brow raised. "To Kylo Ren or with... her?"
He'd guessed right because Jecek turned towards him as if he'd been caught doing something he should not have been.
Hux could not stop his next words. "Do not let this personal obsession you have with this girl cloud your judgement. There are bigger things at stake, here."
Jecek drew himself up but did not attack him. "The end of this war is drawing closer. Another may begin in its place but we must know all the pieces on the board if we are to win this round."
"And is she an important piece, this girl?" Hux would never have contemplated the idea before but after what he'd seen from Jecek... If she were more powerful than he and Kylo...
The knight nodded as he read Hux's thoughts. "There are many important pieces but in this game we are playing, she is the queen."
Hux eyed the knight suspiciously. "How can you know that? She is but a scavenger from a backwater planet."
Jecek tilted his head. "She uses the Dark and Light side of the Force. She is the first of her kind in a millenia and through her, others will rise."
Hux grimaced. "Like your master."
"Kylo Ren will be but the first."
Jecek had been interested in this girl for almost a year. The general voiced his thoughts. "And you, the second? Will you abandon the Order when you find her?"
But the knight shook his head. "No. I am needed here. She will break from Kylo Ren and he will need assistance in gaining control of the Order."
Kylo Ren was a selfish brat in Hux's mind and he didn't see the dark-haired knight letting the scavenger leave him. Kylo tended to obsess over and jealously guard things he believed were his. Be they people or objects. And if she somehow made the master of the knights stronger…
His eyes narrowed. "Kylo Ren isn't one to give up his toys. What makes you think he would allow her to leave?"
Jecek snorted. "He will have no choice in the matter."
Was the girl really strong enough to put Ren off? It was a rather off-putting thought.
The knight shook his head. "Not alone. She will need support which she will get from this stormtrooper. He is her friend and he will help her." The knight paused. "And you will support me from now on, won't you general?" Hux raised a brow, unsure if Jecek was using some kind of mind trick.
The mask tilted and Hux imagined the man smiling preditorially. "I assure you, were I to do such a thing, you would not have the capacity to ask if I was. What I offer you is a way to get what you want. To get who you want."
Hux didn't like letting the 'trooper off. He hated it, in fact. But the First Order was about to change drastically and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He had little doubt Jecek would murder him if he sensed that Hux would betray the cause of Kylo Ren. And Phasma… If Jecek had as much influence over Kylo as it seemed, perhaps his relationship with his captain could change. His mother hoped for a grandchild but that would only happen if things within the Order changed. Hux looked towards FN-2187. He'd allow the trooper to be unharmed. Phasma was worth that.
The knight chuckled. "Do not worry, Hux. I said we couldn't kill him. I said nothing about not damaging him. Just make sure he can still walk. Mostly. Anyway, I must report to the Supreme Leader."
He nodded and Jecek walked out while Hux looked at the still unconscious 'trooper. He was going to enjoy this.
One more chapter after this and I'll also post the sex scene if you want. I'll need to up the rating if I do.