AN: A few things:
1) I might change the rating to M because of Mondays chapter, so if you can't find the story make sure to check your filters. I'm a coward who can't right smut, so it's not that. I will be getting into some heavy talk about Hux's childhood and I haven't decided how detailed its going to be so i might bump the rating for themes/violence.
2) Looking at the comments, I'm glad to see that I've got some of ya'll invested. Feedback helps and I'm always curious to know how readers think a story is going
3) I hate to leave y'all with a sort of cliff hanger on a Friday but, welp, here you go. (P.S. Thanks for reading & sorry for the long AN)
.***.***.***.***.
Two days had passed since her meeting with the rest of the conspiracy, and Lori hadn't gotten any of them to let her see the report. She had got the answer to both the questions Hux asked of her, at least.
A dedicated group of rebels calling themselves the Resistance had grown out of a few true believers in the New Republic. Lori wasn't quite sure what they thought they were resisting, the First Order hadn't actually ventured into New Republic territory. Not yet, at least.
Lori wasn't exactly sure when or how the report had leaked, but apparently a big time Resistance agent had gotten her hands on it and then alerted the cell hidden on the Finalizer. How they got their hands on a physical copy, and why Hux was so concerned over it, she still wasn't sure.
The fact that the information was still bound for Captain Cardinal was another odd detail. It was no secret that he and the general butted heads, but the captain had been a lifelong member of the First Order. Recruited right off Jekku at the fall of the Empire, if the records were correct.
More importantly, she knew the plan for the next attempt at moving the data chip. The idea was for her to nominate Vaylor for a transfer to the Absolution, so that he could physically carry the report with him, and then hand deliver it to the agents they had there. Lori had protested slightly, with the reason that Vaylor getting caught would bring her down as well. She let herself be talked into it with just enough worry to make her co-conspirators thank her for taking a risk for the cause.
Now Lori was sitting at her desk, drafting a summary of what she had learned for Hux.
When she heard approaching footsteps, she quickly closed her notes and opened a series of supply request forms instead. The information was long gone by the time she looked up. When she did, she found sergeant Vaylor.
"Captain Gallus, do you have a minute?"
She looked up and down the supply area, none of the other workers were in.
"Of course," she gestured at a seat to on the opposite side of the table.
Vaylor was quick to sit, "long story, but I need you to just listen for a minute. Ok?"
The look on the man's face told her that this visit concerned the conspiracy. She nodded wordlessly for him to go on.
"Look, I think it's bantha shit that Cray hasn't filled you in on all the details, but you didn't get this from me? We clear?"
"What is it?"
Lori would have been suspicious if anyone else tried offering information like this. But, for as much of a true believer that Hank was, he hated the captain's leadership style. More than once he had complained about her keeping secrets, and it sounded to Lori like that philosophy was about to be his undoing.
The sergeant slid a data coin across the desk.
"That's a copy of the report. They've been doubling security between here and the Absolution and I don't like my odds."
She almost hadn't recovered enough from her surprise to keep up the concerned friend act.
"Hank, you shouldn't be-"
"I know. I know I shouldn't worry, but I'll sleep better knowing we got more backup copies. Keep it safe for me."
Lori let some of the genuine shock she had over the situation bleed into her features. The sergeant took a different meaning from it.
"I will."
Vaylor smiled and nodded slightly, "Thanks. When it comes in handy, do me a favor and tell Cray I told her so."
She quickly tucked the coin into an interior pocket and well out of view, "I'd be glad to."
The sergeant stood from his seat just as some footsteps grew from down the hall. Without another word, he was back at work like nothing had ever happened.
Lori finished drafting her report. For a moment she considered the weight of the coin in her pocket.
Then she decided that it didn't need mentioning.
Her shift was over in three hours. The transfer was in four. That was just enough time for the general to put an interception together.
Worried that this might be the end of her work for a while, and eager to see what was on the report, Lori hit send.
.***.***.***.***.
General Hux was in his office when a message appeared in his inbox.
Still listed without a sender, he knew who it was from.
This one had more information than they usually did. The data hadn't been leaked, rather it had been stolen from the outside. It was bound for Captain Cardinal.
He would have his chance to capture the original data disk at 1900 in hangar bay seven. He would find it taped to the stomach of sergeant Hank Vaylor.
Hux shuddered to think what Cardinal would do if he were to ever learn what was on that report, but he quickly suppressed it with the knowledge that he need not worry. Vaylor worked directly under Lori. Hux wasn't sure if signaling the man out would put suspicion on his double agent, but he was sure she would be clever enough to find a way out from under scrutiny the traitors put on her.
The names of last remaining members of the conspiracy that remained aboard the Finalizer were also attached to the message.
He had to hand it to her, she had done a better job than he could have expected.
A little pang of worry twisted at the general. With the conspiracy unearthed and soon to be done away with, he wouldn't have a reason to keep Lori around. Not until the next crop of renegades appeared, he told himself. The two of them had talked about it earlier, they would never truly be free of traitors and turn coats.
It was only wise for him to keep her close at hand.
Or at least, that's what Hux told himself.
Being cruel to a petty degree always made the general feel like he had a little more control over the world than he really did. Giving in to himself, Hux decided to schedule a hanger walk through at the time of the transfer.
He would be the one to do the final personnel inspection.
.***.***.***.***.
Lori didn't rush out of her office when her shift was over. She never did, and there was no reason for her to let anyone think this day was any special. Taking the same winding route at the same leisurely pace as always, she went to her suite. Like most days she passed Sydney in the hall, they exchanged polite nods but never stopped to chat.
When she stepped into the suite, it was empty. Vanya was home, but asleep as she usually was this time of day.
Leaving the still too exposed living room behind, Lori went to her room and locked the door behind her. Nervous, despite knowing that no one was watching, she popped the data disk into the reader of her data pad.
A few seconds that seemed to last years passed before the file could be accessed. Lori clicked over it, curiosity swelling at the title alone.
It read, 'Concerning the Death of Brendol Hux'.
