I woke the next morning and stretched. The sheets were soft and smooth against my skin, making me smile again. I shut the alarm off on my pad and checked to see if there were any messages. I went to lay back down but shot up into a sitting position.

I had slept through the night! There were no nightmares and no screaming. My muscles were sore, but I knew it was because I had slept more than a few hours. I was shocked but incredibly relieved.

I hopped out of bed and got in the shower. I was moving much quicker than normal, but I was excited. I walked out and looked in my closet to see the new uniforms waiting for me. I ran my thumb across the Commander rank and felt a sense of pride. I pulled the uniform out and quickly put it on. It fit like a glove, of course, and I walked into the refresher to look at it.

I pulled my hair up in my normal pony tail. I wasn't sure why, but the official rank made me look different. I turned slightly to see the rank fully and bit my lip to hide my smile. I quickly put on my makeup, making sure it was perfect and walked into my bedroom. I looked at my new hand and wiggled the fingers slightly. I slipped on my gloves and grabbed my pad then walked out the door.

The moment I walked through the door, everyone moved to attention. I looked at them all with my head held high.

"Carry on."

They quickly moved back to their work and I moved towards Hux's chambers. I pressed the call button and the door opened almost immediately. I walked inside and stood in the living area. I looked over to see him walk out in most of his uniform, minus his top. He smiled at me as he appraised my new uniform.

"Good morning, Commander."

"Good morning, General."

"That uniform is absolutely perfect on you. The high rank suits you."

"Thank you."

He walked up to me and put his hands on my hips, pulling me closer to him. I set the pad down next to me on a table and placed my hands on his chest.

"Did you sleep well?"

"I'm happy to say that I had no nightmares last night."

"Excellent."

His voice was husky before he pressed his lips to mine. His grip tightened on my hips and he bit my bottom lip lightly.

"Be careful, General, it may look like you are far too involved with your subordinate."

He laughed and pulled away. He slipped his top on and brushed out any wrinkles it had, even though there were none to see. He handed me my data pad and looked me up and down again.

"Was your bed more comfortable?"

"Yes, General. Thank you very much."

He smirked again before looking at the door. He sighed and stood up straighter.

"I would much rather spend the day with you locked in here."

"Now General, we have quite the packed schedule today. I would hate to be a distraction."

I smirked up at him and he let out a breathless laugh.

"Distractions are so dangerous, Commander."

"I'm not sure you know just how dangerous I can be, General."

I saw his eyes light up. It was one of the first times I felt like I could be completely open with him. There was no point in fighting it. We were connected no matter what. It felt intoxicating to be that tied to someone.

We walked onto the bridge and officers immediately started briefing General Hux. I looked around at all the officers and technicians. They all seemed to be working diligently and keeping their focus on their work. I walked up to a younger male officer and looked at his screen. He jumped when he noticed I was standing near him and went to stand. I placed my right hand on his shoulder, stopping him from standing.

"Carry on. What is it that you do on the bridge?"

"It is my job to intercept any communication outside of the First Order, Commander. I then relay it to the intelligence department and report anything they may find."

"Excellent. Have you been finding much?"

"Not at the moment, Commander. We aren't currently near any settlements or ships though, so it isn't surprising."

"Great work, Lieutenant."

He bit back a smile and moved back to working. I continued to walk through the different stations around the bridge. I noticed Hux watching me at one point, feeling nothing but approval and pride. I walked through and noticed Lieutenant Bael pretending to organize her desk. When I reached her desk and she didn't look up I cleared my throat loudly. Two other officers near us looked over and then at Bael. She whipped her head up and looked at me. I waited for her to address me and her face turned red as I stared at her.

"G-Good morning, Commander. Is there any way I can help you?"

"Yes, Lieutenant. Please fill me in on what you are currently working on."

She started flipping through files on her screen but was so flustered that she kept hitting the wrong thing. I already knew where all her files were and which ones she needed to work on that day. I reached over her and touched the screen.

"I believe the file you are looking for is right here."

"Oh.. Oh t-thank you, Commander."

I stood back up and watched her. She opened three different assignments but none of them were the top of her list. I pulled my data pad up and started flipping through her files.

"You first assignment was to finalize the arrangements for the mission set to leave at thirteen hundred. Did you receive the list of your tasks for the day?"

"Yes, Commander."

I hummed as she scrambled to pull up her task list and I could see her quickly trying to read through it. I cleared my throat again and she looked up at me while she continued to sit.

"I would suggest that you make sure to come in early if you need to organize your desk. These tasks are given out at a certain time for a reason. If you need help organizing and prioritizing, I would be happy to assist you in that."

I felt anger and embarrassment coming off her in waves. She kept trying to keep an emotionless face like I was doing, but her lip kept twitching and her eyes were burning. She continued to hide the glare until I cleared my throat again, raising my eyebrows slightly. I smiled inwardly at myself realizing I was acting a lot like Hux.

"Thank you, Commander. I appreciate your guidance."

Her voice was clipped, and I didn't respond to her. I moved forward over to the next few stations. Those manning the stations whipped back to their screens, trying to cover the fact they watched the entire encounter. They were nervous but also vaguely amused. They explained their position and the work that they were completing. I felt pure anger surge behind me. I felt Hux getting closer, so I stood up and turned towards him.

"Commander, excellent job getting to know the personnel that work on the bridge."

"Thank you, General. Most of them were very proficient and ready to explain their job and tasks."

"Excellent. Walk with me."

We walked forward to the head of the bridge, looking out into the vast universe. I glanced up at him and couldn't help but think of the first time I joined him on the bridge, just barely starting to feel my connection to the force. He had looked so incredibly exhausted. His face had so much more color and his eyes were full of life.

"Absolutely beautiful, General."

I looked out the glass. I saw him glance at me and nod.

"Very much so."

"There is a mission today. Am I privy to know what it is about?"

"Ah. Yes. We think we may have found some Resistance sympathizers. We have a team going in to investigate and exterminate if needed."

"Is that something that Captain Phasma is in charge of?"

"Yes. As long as their mission is successful and without issue we will be working with her tomorrow."

"I look forward to formally meeting her."

I pulled my data pad up and started flipping through Baels work again. I faked a frown and made a disapproving sound.

"Is there an issue, Commander."

"I was wondering if the time hacks that are given at are flexible."

"No. They are not."

I moved the screen so he could look at it with me. All of that actions and words we were saying was an act. We both knew what was going to happen.

"I set up notifications to be alerted when work was done by each station. That way I could keep tabs on work being completed and reports being filed. I thought it would be helpful to know when things are completed so I could notify you if there was anything that needed to be addressed."

"That is an excellent idea, Commander. What seems to be the problem?"

"Every station is working ahead of schedule. Except one."

I pointed to Baels name and it showed that no tasks had been completed yet.

"I am very concerned by this, General. Her first report was to finish and finalize the mission for Captain Phasma. I feel like it is getting to the point that we will need to push the mission back."

Just as I finished talking, I heard metallic footsteps getting closer. I turned with Hux and looked at Captain Phasma. I could feel the amusement coming from Hux. We didn't need to speak the way that we did, but I knew he was enjoying how formal our conversations had been, especially in front of the entire bridge.

"General. Commander."

"Captain Phasma. What can we help you with?"

She turned slightly towards Hux. I was shocked by how tall she was up close. I figured that she would be intimidating even without the armor on.

"I am here to report that I have not received the final confirmation for our mission. I am unable to properly conduct my pre-mission tasks without it."

"Ah. That is quite the problem."

He looked over at me and I nodded.

"Captain Phasma."

She nodded at me as I walked away directly to Bael. I walked with a purpose and my boots clicked as I did. The officers that I passed watched me with wide eyes until I reached her desk. I noticed that she had the wrong report open.

"Lieutenant Bael."

She jumped and looked at me.

"This is where you stand at attention for a superior officer."

She scrambled to her feet and snapped to attention.

"Yes, Commander?"

"Please pull up your task list for the day. Immediately."

She froze for a second before leaning over and pulling up the list.

"Please read out loud what task was listed first and what the time hack was."

"Finalize and confirm the mission for thirteen hundred hours. Due by.."

"Continue."

"Due by eight hundred hours."

Her voice was weaker than normal as she kept her eyes averted from mine.

"Tell me, Lieutenant, what time is it currently?"

"It is ten hundred hours, Commander."

"Is it acceptable for you to miss deadlines?"

"No, Commander."

"Follow me."

I walked away before she could say anything else. I heard her following me, her pace unsteady. I stopped behind Phasma and Hux had a neutral face, but I could feel how amused he felt. Phasma turned around and looked down at me.

"Captain Phasma. This is Lieutenant Bael. She is currently in charge of the mission confirmation that you are looking for. She will be explaining to you why it is not completed in time for your mission to be successful."

The three of us looked at her and she looked up at Phasma. I could sense how terrified she was, and it honestly made me thrilled.

"Well, I don't have time to wait Lieutenant."

"I.. I.."

"General Hux."

Hux and Bael both looked at me. Phasma continued to stare at Bael.

"Are there any night shift personnel that cover her position while she is off shift?"

"Yes, there is."

"I would like to suggest that they be woken and brought here to train Lieutenant Bael on how to complete her tasks in a timely manner."

"That is an excellent idea, Commaner Aurora."

He motioned for one of the Majors to get the task done and then looked back at me.

"I do think her working throughout the night shift with Lieutenant Thomas is also needed."

He nodded in agreement and looked at Bael in disgust.

"Go back to your station. Now. Get this completed and then shadow Lieutenant Thomas for the next two shifts."

"Yes, General."

She scurried away and Phasma turned towards me.

"Thank you, Commander. I look forward to working together in the future."

"Best of luck on the mission, Captain."

She bowed forward slightly and walked past us. I looked at Hux and he was desperately trying to hide his smirk. While he went back to work overseeing the bridge, I walked around it observing everyone's work. After a while, I pulled my data pad out and started going through what work was completed and what needed to be done. I noticed that one of the stations was no longer ahead of work, but barely keeping up with what they were doing. I walked over to them and waved them off from standing at attention.

"I've noticed that you are no longer ahead of schedule for your work."

"Uh- y-yes ma'am."

"Don't be nervous, lieutenant. What seems to be the issue?"

"We had part of the work done already but we didn't receive the reports from the fleet in time for us to keep up with it."

"Do you have everything that you need now?"

"Yes, Commander."

"While you were waiting, did you need to just sit here? I'm not asking to punish you; I need to know."

"No, Commander. We double checked all of our work and ensured that everything was perfect."

"That is excellent. I'll be making note of your initiative and motivation."

"Thank you, ma'am."

I flipped back through the work and saw that Bael was on time for her work. I walked to the station and saw the night shift worker doing all the work. I stopped in front of the station and continued to flip through the work. Not a single report had been done in Baels name.

"Good afternoon, Commander. How may I help you?"

I looked up and smiled at the young woman sitting at the screen. She couldn't have been much older than I was, not that I knew that number anyway. She had red hair that was much paler than Huxs. Her skin was pale, and she had light freckles across her cheeks and nose. She had a pleasant smile and soft voice.

"Good afternoon, Lieutenant. I haven't had the pleasure to meet you."

She stood up and stuck her hand out.

"Lieutenant Pond, ma'am. It is very nice to meet you."

I looked over at Bael and back at Pond.

"Bael, I need you to go down to outfitting. It seems like your uniform isn't within regulation. They need to re-size you and outfit you with new uniforms."

Her face turned a deep red as she stood.

"Yes, Commander."

She never looked at me as she walked by. The pure hatred I could feel from her only made me have to force back a smirk.

"How is her training going, Lieutenant Pond?"

She frowned and looked around.

"I don't want to speak poorly of someone who technically outranks me, ma'am."

"Well, I outrank her, and I am asking."

My voice wasn't harsh, and I made sure to keep a smile on my face. She let out a small nervous laugh and nodded.

"Yes, ma'am. I don't feel like she is proficient in her job. I have needed to do all of her work to make sure that everything is done in a timely manner. I also had to go back and fix almost everything she has done in the past few cycles."

"Did you make note of the mistakes?"

"I kept all of her work intact and just changed and saved under my own workstation."

"Excellent. Just to let you know, I will be getting access to your workstation as well. It isn't punishment nor is it that I don't trust you. I just want to compare her work to yours."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'm incredibly sorry that you had to be woken up for this shift. I would love to say I will have her cover yours, but I need you."

"I understand, ma'am."

"Are you close to any leave?"

"No, ma'am. I haven't logged in enough hours."

You're so beautiful when you take charge.

I had to force my face to not smile when his thoughts filtered into my head.

"Thank you for your help and opinion, Pond."

"My pleasure, Commander."

Are you trying to distract me, General?

I turned and walked to him noticing the slight smirk on his lips. He was standing with two Majors when I walked up but his attention was absolutely on me.

I wouldn't have been as soft with Pond, but I think you made your point.

You're getting a hang of this bond talking. I had a reason for how I acted.

And what is your reason?

Even through the bond I could hear how lighthearted his voice was.

Now only is she going to be clocking a lot of hours once Bael acts out against me, I need her to train me.

You think Bael will do something?

Soon.

"Commander, do you have anything to report on the work schedules?"

"Yes, sir."

Both Majors standing near him turned to look at me as well. I could sense how interested they were to see how much I had learned. I was a shot in the dark and they needed to see that I could prove myself just as much to them as to Snoke.

"Everything is ahead of schedule, sir. Station three is on time but not as ahead as they once were. It seems the fleet reports were late enough to affect their work. However, in their down time they were able to go over their past work and ensure that it was perfect."

"Excellent. What about the fleet reports?"

"Lieutenant Pond has reported to help train Lieutenant Bael."

He looked over at the station and noticed that Bael wasn't there.

"I sent her to outfitting, sir. Her uniform was outside of regulations, so I instructed her to be measured and issued new uniforms that fir properly."

One of the majors coughed out a laugh and quickly held it back. It made him sound like he was choking. I ignored him but internally wanted to laugh with him.

"Lieutenant Pond is incredibly proficient in her job, sir. She caught up enough that she was able to go back and check through Baels past work and fix it."

"Is there a record of this?"

"Yes, sir. She kept the original records within Bael's profile and then edited them through hers. I would like permission to look through her files so I can compare the two."

"I'll get you the access codes."

"Thank you, sir."

"Is there anything else, Commander?"

"Nothing to report, sir."

"Go work on your physical training then. I want you in top shape before you start going on missions."

"Yes, sir."

Such a good girl.

I stopped myself from blushing as I walked away. I enjoyed feeling him through our bond, but it was going to make things difficult if he was going to be that forward with me through it. It was something I was going to need to get used to.