Holding the pristine white tea cup in my hand I blew on it softly before taking a long sip of the peppermint tea I had ordered. This blend was rather delicious as the hot liquid poured down my throat and warmed up my entire body. Glancing at General Hux before flicking my gaze towards Kylo, I let out an irritated sigh.

Children.

They were children.

For the last twenty minutes they glared at each other from opposite ends of the table, it was amusing at first but now it was downright annoying. They had yet to drop the unofficial staring contest as they were both determined to win it. I thought of intervening but then that would mean I would have to deal with both of their pettiness after.

"Would you like anything else Commander?" An older looking woman in her forties asked me quietly as she was scared to face the wrath of both the General and the Commander.

"No, but thank you" She flashed me an appreciative smile as she finished collecting the rest of my empty dishes and quickly left the room

Several more minutes of silence went by, the tense atmosphere in the room was becoming stifling as I could feel my eyebrow twitch slightly. Both of their aura's were screaming at one another and Kylo knew that I could feel it. He didn't care as his competitive nature was manifesting itself, I still didn't quite understand when their unspoken rivalry had developed. I just knew that they both wanted to win the Supreme Leader's attention.

Children.

Setting my teacup down onto the white saucer, I suppressed an irritated sigh. Clearing my throat I glanced at both men who had yet to acknowledge the fact that I was still here. "Gentlemen," They never moved or even acknowledged me. Raising my hands towards both of them and pushing them both back, their chairs skidding against the floor and hitting opposite sides of the wall. This snapped them out of their stupor as they both focused on me "Now that I have gained your attention I would like to proceed with this meeting. You can have your "my dick is bigger" fight later when I am training as you are both wasting precious time"

General Hux coughed into his fist as he cleared his throat "My sincerest apologies Commander" Picking up the teapot I poured myself another glass of peppermint tea as I knew that I was going to need it

"I was the one to cut his tongue off as he had disrespected me by thinking I would lay in bed with him" Taking a long sip of my tea I watched as the General's eyes grew wide as he had a look of shock on his face

"C-commander Mari…"

"I'll explain to the Supreme Leader about what had transpired between him and I"

"The Supreme Leader doesn't know yet but I shall inform him of what happened once this meeting is over"

"Then let's proceed" I ignored Kylo's stare as well at the fact that he was poking me with his signature as it was his lame way of trying to get my attention. If he was going to ignore me then I would ignore him. Taking another sip of my tea, the General had fixed his chair and then straightened up before he started speaking

"During yesterday's celebration I had spoken with every single guest trying to gather intel on this organization and I have only came up with the fact that they have been trying hard to recruit small planets into joining them"

"Have they tried approaching our allies?"

He shook his head "No, they are sticking to the smaller planets as I'm assuming to make sure they don't get caught by the Order or the Republic"

"It's a smart strategic move" Standing from my seat I set my empty teacup down as I walked towards the large windows "I admit the plan is genius" Chewing on my bottom lip, my thoughts wandered

Grabbing a piece of toast off a plate on the kitchen counter, I walked into the dining room where Mom was reading a boom and drinking coffee. Finishing off the toast, I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek before walking into the living room where my Dad was.

"Ready for training?" He glanced at me as he was finishing packing up his bag, "where are you going?"

"A meeting is being held with all of the leaders and I have to go"

I merely nodded as this had been recurring more and more often. Something was happening. What? I didn't know. All I knew was that I had found myself having premonitions of a danger but I had pushed it aside as I didn't know a lot about the force.

"Is this about that group?" My Father nodded as he finished packing his bag "when will you be back?"

"I'll be back in three days time, until then you will protect the town until my return" He brought me into a tight hug, hugging him back he placed a kiss on my forehead

"Be careful" Ruffling my hair he picked up his bag with a bright smile and walked towards the door

"Aren't I always kiddo?"

"Commander Mari?" Blinking I returned to the present as I found myself staring out of the window. Blankets of snow as far as the eye could see with thin but very tall trees littered the grounds. I've never been outside of the base and into the cold, as the base was the only thing occupying this planet. Everything else was just vegetation.

"Sorry General, I got lost in thought" Clearing my throat, I turned back to both men who stared intently on me

"The meeting will have to readjourn as I have other matters to attend to. We'll meet back tonight at 2300 hours to discuss further action regarding this organization" General Hux bowed his head to both of us before he followed the lower ranking lieutenant out of the room.

Huh. Didn't even notice her.

"I have training with the Knights" Quickly making my way towards the door I had almost escaped before I found myself rooted to the spot "Let go of me Kylo"

"You disobeyed me"

I did not have time for this

"Stop being a prick, I have training today and am in no mood to deal with your childish antics" My comment pissed him off as I could feel the anger in his body channel into mine through our bond

"Watch your mouth"

"Not this shit again"

Memories of Gryle flooded my head as the weeks of petty anger had washed over us. Which resulted in our little duel in the training room that night which resulted in avoiding one another and spouting off witty jabs every chance we got. Maker, I hated fighting with people. Verbally that is. It was too much work that I didn't see a reason to deal with unless it benefited me in some way.

"Marinet-"

"I have a lot to deal with as it is Kylo, please don't complicate things further"

"I saw your memories," He let go of me, I was tempted to run but I wouldn't get far as he was faster than me and there would be no use against him "Why haven't you said anything?"

"Because I don't see any reason to drag my parents into this war, I made a deal to spare their life, remember?"

"We need to speak with your Father" Pivoting on my foot I flew to him and jabbed him in the chest with my finger

"We aren't doing anything," He peered down at me amused "Kriff, you're like Poe" I mumbled as I saw that he wasn't taking me seriously

"Did you just compare me to your boyfriend?" Throwing my hands up in the air I let out out a frustrated scream

If I was to be heavily wounded, dropped off on an abandoned planet and had to find my own way home? That would be more easier than dealing with Kylo kriffing Ren's arrogant behavior.

"I'm going to train with the Knights so don't bother summoning them for any reason" Turning on my heel he let me go this time without any struggle

Another step in our relationship but two steps back. I don't think it's possible to ever find some common ground with him. He is impossible. Kylo makes me want to choke the life out of him with that cowl of his. A laugh escaped my lips as I imagined actually doing said act. It was amusing.

"Stop going easy on me Vicrul"

Since I stepped foot in the training room, all six men immediately knew that I was not in a good mood. Only one person could put me in such a foul mood and said person was being a pain in the ass.

"You're angry" he merely stated as he lazily held his weapon

"Of course I am! Kylo is a pain in my ass and I want to work out my frustrations and you're not helping!" I must have sounded like a whiny child in that moment because the other five men all snapped their heads toward me as shock radiated off of them

"Has Master finally broken you?"

I snorted "No, I would rather stab myself with my lightsaber then let him have the satisfaction of breaking me" Wincing I wish I didn't use that example as my death vision crept back into my mind once more

"Then don't let yourself become so angry to where your attacks are leaving you open, giving your enemy a chance to kill you" Vicrul leaned lazily on his large scythe

"What do you suggest then?"

"I suggest that you channel your anger into your attacks, don't attack your opponent recklessly as you are smaller and more nimble." Vicrul stated as he walked over to me and started adjusting my body

"Careful or he'll have your head for touching his women" Cardo called out tauntingly as the other men snickered like children. Or maybe like hyenas. Yes, they were more like a mix of hyenas and wolves.

"She'll become Lady Ren soon," Vicrul stated as he didn't even bat an eyelash at Cardo's comment "Once she becomes Lady Ren, we'll be following her as well as our Master to take orders from so I'd be careful if I were you"

"Does somebody have a soft spot for our Commander's plaything?" Trudgen spoke up this time as he swung his vibroclever in the air

"I'd watch my mouth if I were you before Lord Ren heard you" Usher voiced out as he looked over at Cardo and Trudgen who merely shrugged at him

In the almost ten months being here I had never seen their faces, I held conversations with them every now and then. Their teasing about Kylo was founded as Kylo wasn't too fond of the idea that they interacted with me. He had made it very clear after my first training session with them that I was off limits. Which I found the little warning to be ridiculous just like his petty behavior. Yet, once I finished my training and became Lady Ren that would mean that these six children would have to listen to my orders.

"Vicrul hands off now" Letting out a sigh the telltale sign of loud footsteps told me it was Kylo that walked into the training room

All five knights scrambled to attention, Vicrul let go of me as he collected his weapon and took his place with the other knights. Dropping my defensive stance, I swiveled in my foot to find Kylo making his way towards me. Stopping he loomed over me as he glanced at the group before resting his gaze on me, it was unreadable as that mask of indifference had settled in once more leaving me unable to figure out just what he was thinking.

"Can I do something for you Commander?" He looked irritated as his left eye twitched at my use of his formal title

"I came to check on your progress with training"

"How nice of you," Picking up my lightsaber again I pointed it at him "Unless you plan on joining me in the circle I ask that you keep your space"

"Is this another one of your silly little challenges?"

"Is it?"

"Commander Mari, the Supreme Leader wishes to speak with you immediately" Officer Lyon entered as he bowed his head, his entire body was shaking as his eyes swept over the Knights, Kylo before finally landing on me. His shaking had reduced but he still trembled as he kept his gaze on me, scared that he would somehow offend the seven men cloaked in black.

"Thank you, you're dismissed" He quickly hightailed it out of the room as the Knights snickered behind me, they found deep pleasure in scaring people

"We'll have to finish training for the day" Was all I said before I left Kylo with his brethren

"Supreme Leader Snoke, what may I do for you?"

"General Hux has informed me that you cut off one of our allies's tongue, is this true?"

"Yes, Supreme Leader" He stared at me silently before he let out a booming laugh as he hit his hand on the armchair of the throne he sat on "He disrespected me for asking me to partake in act-"

"I don't care why you did it," He waved his hand in the air silencing me from speaking any further before he continued "I'm not surprised that you had done such a thing as in reality it pleases me that you had done something so twisted"

"Pleases you?"

"There's a darkness blooming inside you that has been dormant in you for so long. You hear the whispers don't you? Every time you take a life you can hear the whispers grow louder and louder."

How did he know about it? About the whispers? Does he know about the prophecy as well? Maybe I should speak with Kylo and tell him everything.

"The darkness is slowly consuming you, it has its sharp claws in you as you sink further and further into the darkness that is the dark side of the force"

"This brings you happiness"

"Very," Snoke eyed me as he leaned towards me as if to get a better look at me "When you first came aboard this ship and I had dug into your mind, I didn't believe that I would get my hands on another strong bloodline of Jedi"

Strong bloodline? Jedi? What is he talking about? My parents weren't force sensitive as they were normal, I was the anomaly in the family. My entire life I had kept the secret of being force sensitive at my parent's request.

"You don't know?" He hummed before leaning back lazily in his seat as he eyed me with maliciousness in those beady eyes "It seems like you parents kept secrets from you"

"Supreme Leader, is it too bold to ask to return to my home planet and see my parents?" This was a dangerous request that would most likely have strings attached but I didn't care as I needed to know what he was talking about. If what he had said was true then that meant that there was a possibility that I had family somewhere in the galaxy, that I wasn't some creature with rare abilities.

"Ren will accompany you on this mission" Was all he said "I could care less if a man lost his tongue, all I ask is that you try to be more discrete next time."

"Yes, Supreme Leader" Bowing my head the projection flickered out leaving me in the communication chamber by myself before I left as I searched for Kylo's whereabouts