Hux stepped forward and leaned towards the holocron. "Hm, durasteel alloy around the edges. But the metal is slightly corroded; it's at least three hundred years old."

"It's from the Great Galactic War."

Hux glanced over his shoulder at Ren. "Then it's in very good condition."

"It is." He hesitated for a moment. "It belonged to the Head of the Sphere of Military Strategy. I'm trying to open it, but… so far I have failed."

Hux straightened his back and crooked an eyebrow. Kylo gulped. Damn it, why did he have to look so handsome when he wore this arrogant expression? Kylo licked his lips. "I meditated on this thing for ages and I have performed every ritual I know of but it still won't open."

"I fail to understand why I am here," said Hux. "Obviously I can't help you with this mystical nonsense."

"I know, but there is something about it… I feel like I have all the puzzle pieces, but I can't put them together. I'm not…" 'Not the sharpest vibroknife in the weapon racket'. He clenched his left hand to a fist.

"Well, what is the holocron about?" asked Hux in a clipped voice, all business-like.

Ren exhaled, and smiled a little. Hux would help him. "Uh, I don't know. Darth Azamin made it and I need to know what wisdom she left behind."

"I have never heard of this Darth Azamin. Is she famous among Sith?"

Ren shook his head. "No, some say it's because she was a twi'lek slave who rose to the Dark Council but the truth may be that she simply didn't record anything."

"And you think that she poured all her knowledge into this holocron?" inquired Hux further.

"No, it's… how shall I put it? I get the feeling that something is off. Master Snoke tasked me to open the holocron and it resonates when I focus on it but it feels different."

Hux frowned. "How so?"

Ren started to pace. "Usually the Force resonates within me, giving me insights. Allowing me to manipulate it, redirect, even shaping it. But with this relic, it's different. I can feel that there is something inside, pulsating, moving. It feels… tastes like sticky tar, old leaves and copper."

Hux pulled the glove from his right hand and took the holocron into his hand, caressing the exterior of the relic with his fingertips.

"Don't touch it," said Ren alarmed.

"Why not?"

"It's- it's not meant to be handled like that."

Hux ignored him and held it against the light. "Are holocrons usually made from hardened steel?"

Ren squinted and stared at the holocron. "No, they are mostly made from noble metals or even glass. At least the walls."

"Then this one is different. Odd, hardened steel is usually used for storage of volatile materials."

Hearing Hux say these words triggered something in Ren's mind. The feeling he had when he focussed on the holocron… it was familiar. It was on the tip of his tongue. He grunted in frustration. He was close to the solution, he knew it!

"Want me to analyse it in the lab?" asked Hux suddenly.

Ren blinked. "What?"

"We could scan it in the lab."

"I- I don't know." That was unheard of. Ren had never thought of using technological means to uncover Force secrets. It felt wrong. "You can't scan the Force," he finally said.

"Why not? It can't hurt to try." There was a gleam in Hux's eyes; he was curious too.

Kylo realised that this was the perfect way to keep Hux interested. He could just tag along and spend time with him to- to learn about his tactical prowess. That's what he was after… right?

He silenced the tiny voice in his head which asked how he was supposed to learn military tactic by staring at a certain General scanning a relic.

"Alright."

Hux casually put the Holocron in the pocket of his greatcoat and put his leather glove back on. "Shouldn't take long. I have the necessary equipment in my quarters."

Ren wasn't sure because of the dim light but for a moment he thought that Hux blushed.

-o-

Hux put the holocron on a blueish pad in the middle of his table and started to type commands into his pad. Kylo frowned. "This is new."

"Yes, they finally installed it. I requested it quite a while ago so that I can work on blueprints should I find the time," said Hux without lifting his gaze.

"What blueprints?" asked Ren lamely. Stars! He sounded like some Tatooinian hillbilly. He just should have kept quiet.

"If you would pay any attention at the meetings you would know - it's of course about Starkiller."

"I pay attention! I just didn't know that you worked on the blueprints too." Kriff, Hux must think he was dim-witted. Ren started to pick his nails as he watched Hux set up the scan. The blueish light pronounced his sharp cheekbones and made his ginger hair glow. Stars, he looked good even in this harsh light. And he was very smart too. No wonder that he was such a successful military leader.

A small probe rose from the table and began to scan the holocron. Hux exhaled. "That's going to take a few minutes. Tea?"

"Yes, please, do you have something to eat as well?"

Hux pulled the corners of his mouth down. "Tsk, not really. Only ration bars."

"Pity, then I'll just take the tea."

"Herbal or green?"

"Uh, herbal?" It had been some time when he had last been offered tea. He couldn't really remember if he even liked herbal or green tea more.

Hux went into the kitchenette and Kylo sauntered to the couch in the middle of the room and sat down. Hm, he hadn't offered Hux tea when they had been in his quarters. And he couldn't have offered him a place to sit either come to think of it.

Moments later Hux put a steaming cup in front of him and sat down across from him. Kylo took the mug and blew in it. The smell was nice, the scent reminded him of Hux's lips.

"I can't quite place your accent, Ren. Where are you from?" asked Hux as he took a sip of his tea.

The question surprised him. "I grew up in the Core Worlds. That's why my basic is a mash-up from all different kinds of places. What about you?"

"Arkanis. I got rid of the accent in the academy though. The old Dromund Kaas accent is still expected of officers." He scoffed. "Stars know why."

"Ah, that's why all the officers sound the same."

Hux chuckled. "Same to you perhaps. There are quite a few differences."