And now, we're back to the real trouble.

"General Hux? Lord Ren?" One of the sergeants approached them. "We have caught an intruder sneaking aboard, Sir. A Resistance fighter disguised as a stormtrooper." Kylo Ren's helmet ever slightly lowered to his chin.

"Bring it to me." Hux said. "Well this ought to prove interesting."

The stormtroopers marched from down the hall, leading a small, limping stranger among them. They halted abruptly as they stood before Kylo Ren and General Hux. They shoved the stranger forward. "Hey," She grunted in irritation. She was young, quite young. She had long, wavy, reddish hair that just came passed her shoulders. They'd stripped her of the stormtrooper armor. She had a girlish look about her, yet her green eyes where flaring with indignation. The left side of her head was bloody, courtesy of the blunt side of a stormtrooper blaster. She looked slightly dazed, but nevertheless, she glared defiantly up at the Dark Lord and the smirking redheaded general.

"How considerate." She huffed up at the stormtroopers. "No waiting around, huh? Just served me right up to the head honcho himself. Pity the cantinas aren't this efficient in hospitality." They pointed their blasters at her. "Hey, hey, easy there, Trigger." Tania chuckled nervously, holding up her hands defensively."We all know you aren't going to kill me...yet." She grinned weakly.

"You, young one, just keep your mouth shut." Captain Phasma seethed under her helmet close to Tania's face. Tania shrugged, hoping nobody noticed how much her limbs really were shaking. Captain Phasma stepped forward. "Sir, this Rebel spy was caught trying to sneak into one of the lower cargo bays. A Resistance X-wing fighter is sitting in the hanger there."

"Any devices found on the saboteur?" Hux asked.

"She was searched. No devices of any kind were found on her."

Thank God I destroyed that chip before they found me! Tania thought with dread.

"Several bodies were discovered inside the cargo bay." Phasma continued.

"We've got an assassin on our hands. The spy will be taken to the detention room and thoroughly interrogated." Hux said. Tania's stomach clenched at his emphasis on the word thoroughly. If Poe was here with her, she wouldn't be half as scared right now! But she couldn't let them see that. The First Order thrived on fear, preying on people's phobias and living on the terror they managed to instill in their victims.

Hux spoke of her like she wasn't even standing there! As if I was a machine! "Ahem. The spy is standing right here, carrots." Tania spoke up. The troopers, including Captain Phasma gaped at their captive.

"Clever one, aren't you?" Hux sneered. He walked over and slapped her across the face. She flinched and then just glared at him. Kylo just stood there, observing. He hadn't said anything yet."Only Rebel stupidity would be clever enough to attempt a suicide mission on this ship. But you are now in our hands." Hux gloated. "Let me assure you, we will obliterate you and your gnat-sized operation of Rebels once and for all!"

Tania arched her eyebrows. "Pfft. I suppose you think you're scaring me. Just who are you in this grand operation? Your PR profile sounds like it's been collecting dust." Tania retorted sarcastically, fighting to keep her voice from quivering -she was terrified right now, but tried to hide it behind a facade of bravado.

"I'll have you know that we have the most powerful, impenetrable weapons in the galaxy. And no one shall be able to withstand us. The First Order shall reign and bring a new, unadulterated faction to all. Your little band of Rebels will not stop us! We are invincible." Hux boasted, rambling.

Underneath the mask, Kylo rolled his eyes. Typical Hux, a big mouth with a whiny personality, always trying to act superior where, in Kylo's opinion, he stunk at leadership. And wasting the First Order's time showing off how powerful he was or lack thereof (rather than interrogating a prisoner for information).

"It's funny. You blaster boys have been using that same old school mantra like...forever. Too bad it's losing its shine." Tania shook her head casually, looking right at Kylo. He looked like a big, black vulture with the long-nosed mask, or some kind of evil wraith. It was unsettling."So, you're the big stiff everyone is so scared of. Boy, if they could see what was really under that helmet, they'd probably think twice about running away."

Wrong answer. Kylo clenched his fists as an unchecked rage surged through him. That was a personal insult to him. How dare this...this child defy his life's work, all he'd given for the cause, everything he'd given up to serve here, where everyone thought he was too soft. Hux stood there, grinning like a cat in a birdhouse. Kylo's face heated dangerously underneath the mask. He would not be ridiculed, or cut down, least of all, not by a little Rebel who had a smart mouth. No, he was not soft! He didn't have a compassionate bone in his body. He was darkness, what every Rebel feared, like Darth Vader before him. His anger was clawing around inside him, searching for a release like a mad animal.

"Hold her." Kylo commanded too calmly then ignited his lightsaber and suddenly dug the flaming tip of it on her torso. Tania gasped, shrieking but Captain Phasma and another stormtrooper grabbed her arms back and firmly held her standing upright in place, forcing her to be a canvas for this unthinkable torture.

Tania screamed bloody murder, writhing in agony. The white hot heat licked at her skin, making it sizzle through her shirt. Kylo waved the fire brand back and forth across her upper body. "Stop! SSSTTTTOOOOPPPP!" She wailed in desperation. It burned! Oh, g-, it burned! But Kylo only kept slashing at her with it. Why didn't he just kill her already? Oh, g-, when would it stop?!

Hux suppressed an inward wince as he watched. He may hate the Resistance, but he was grateful it wasn't him! It looked unbearably painful. Even he thought Kylo was being a bit too cruel this time. After drawing the iron hot lasersword across her waist and then grazing it closely against her right side, and singing her fair skin, the cruel Dark Lord finally withdrew his torture device. As if that really provided any relief!

"Release her." Kylo shrugged. Tania crumpled to the floor on her back writhing, her pain too great to even shed tears. Her body blistered horrifically, sucking her breath away. She lay there, whimpering and gasping like a breathless fish out of water...a grilled fish.

"I will not be mocked, by anyone." Kylo growled down at her. "Especially not some nit-wit Rebel brat." Typical Kylo. He was in charge. He was in charge! And everybody knew it. No one would dare question him after this demonstration. He darkly looked down at the young woman panting raggedly, and wringing her hands from the anguish he'd just branded on her.

"Tend the wounds." He said dismissively, sounding bored. "Make sure she is conscious for interrogation." With a sweep of his wicked black cape, he casually marched away, as if he hadn't just nearly tortured someone to death.

Tania shuddered with ragged breathing as stormtrooper gloves grabbed her wrists and she was dragged on the floor from behind. "You're coming with us, Rebel scum." One of them cackled.

Scorched, raw.

Those were the best words that could describe how Tania Dameron felt as she half stood, half laid in a dark room by herself. She jolted her head up fearfully to take in her surroundings. Her fried middle was bandaged all the way across, but she could feel her stomach and rib cage still bleeding. The left side of her head throbbed. She shivered with fear and from pain. Obviously, that's what they wanted her to feel. They may have 'treated' her burns, but not thoroughly, and it was clear that pain medication was not a luxury for First Order prisoners. They'd bandaged her just enough that it wouldn't leave a literally bloody mess on their precious, shiny marble floors. Why should I expect any less? Tania scolded herself inwardly. I've been hanging around Poe and his cocky stupidity too long. Why did I open my big mouth?

Tania thought back painfully on what had transpired. After Kylo had branded her, she'd been dragged to a medical wing, if one could call it that. It was more like a torture chamber, their idea of "treatment". They'd put her on a flat table and strapped her down with binders on her wrists and ankles. Then the medical droids had delightfully poked at her wounds with cruel needles, earning screeches of agony from her. They hadn't applied any salve of any kind to her burns, but had roughly bandaged them up, not being gentle at all as the white fabric made contact with her raw, bleeding skin. If she didn't get proper medical attention soon, the bandages would stick to her raw flesh and have to be peeled away! Every poke, every twitch, every breath had been excruciating. Tania had wished she could pass out from all of it, but they'd injected her with something when she was brought in, and she had been unable to succumb to unconsciousness.

And now, she was in here!

Tania could barely wiggle her limbs as she realized she was locked to an interrogation chair! Her bandages were wound too tightly, pressing against her burns, making her eyes tear up.

And the room, was pretty dark save for the spotlight bearing down on her and some smaller lights shining through the wall. Panic seized her by the throat. Oh, how she wanted out! This whole room felt like a finalized prelude to death, and more endless pain to come.This place is hell. I want to go home! She cried in her mind.

"Feeling better, are we?" The grotesque mask asked in a mocking voice. Tania glanced more closely in front of her, icy fear pouring down her spine. It was much darker across from her at the end of the room. Kylo Ren's black wardrobe had completely camouflaged him in the shadows. But as her eyes grew accustomed to the dark, she saw his intimidating form, calmly standing there with his hands behind his back, just watching her. Like a steel-pecker, Tania glowered at him through bloodshot eyes, trying to appear stronger than she felt. She trembled, feeling cold, feeling like dread itself had taken bodily form and was going to swallow her up like a deadly serpent.

"I'm gonna be sick." She muttered icily. It was meant as an insult, but nothing could be closer to the truth. She did feel really, really sick, emotionally, mentally, and physically.

"Funny, I have heard many different greetings when my prisoners wake up on my ship, but this is a first." Kylo Ren said with amusement.

"With your cronies' m-m-methods of h-h-h-hospitality, I'm surprised." Tania hissed weakly. As much as she wanted to appear brave and unbreakable, her body was adamantly reminding her that it was not. Her shirt was shredded and burnt at the edges, exposing her drilling wounds. She ached and her burns pulsed and stung, oozing from being compressed too tightly. Her head pricked at her inside, and having to lie flat but upright, shackled to a metal chair only added to her list of hospitable discrepancies.

"I suppose you think you are real cute, sneaking in here without backup, intending to take on the First Order all by yourself." Kylo Ren taunted, starting to approach her.

"S-somebody's got to do the job." Tania shrugged feebly. "And who says I d-d-don't have b-b-backup?" She hoped to make him feel vulnerable, placing doubt in his mind. She should've known better. Her heart rate shot up as he slowly, nonchalantly stepped next to her. This dude in his stupid scrap metal mask was stormy weather for all in the galaxy who defied him. He'd made that very clear. It was impossible not to shudder under his penetrating gaze after what he'd put her through. She was unable to control her body from shaking profusely.

"You obviously do not appreciate who you've really put yourself up against." Kylo smirked. "Your precious friends are not on board. I would've sensed them."

"Maybe your...senses need...some brushing up." Tania tried to sound snarky, like her brother.

"So feisty. I am surprised you have any more fight in your wretched body." Kylo Ren chuckled. He could sense her fear. He could feel her heart racing at break-neck speed. He could hear the shudders wracking her body in his ears. "Let's just see how much fight you have left after I'm through with you." Kylo reached out his hand toward her face, invading her mind.

Suddenly, Tania's head felt like it was being crushed from the inside. She wriggled helplessly, fighting to get some relief.

"Don't forget so quickly the demonstration I thrust out when they brought you to me." Kylo warned her, moving his large, gloved hand in front of her face. "For your sake, complying would be for the best, or...a refresher course might be required." He patted his lightsaber resting on his hip, to illustrate his point.

Tania's eyes widened and she went three shades more pale, her small form shaking so hard it made the metal chair rattle and blood rushing through her head. "Noo! No, please! Don't!" Tania begged. She didn't want to appear weak, but he was pressing together the memories of the hellish pain he'd put her through an hour ago, as if she didn't have enough already to remind her! She could take a few punches from punks, but she was purely terrified at the thought of being singed with that lightsaber again.

"That's a good girl." Kylo purred creepily, pressing more deeply into her mind.

Get away from me, you snake! Stay away from me! Tania's thoughts yelled at him.

"You're afraid of me." He stated nonchalantly.

"Only a monster goes around frying people." Tania cringed, unable to hold back tears.

"You see me as a killing machine."

"And why not? That's what you are." Tania's breathing was coming rapidly in shuddering breaths.

"Hardly. I am cleansing the galaxy of those who pervert it." Kylo said.

"It's...b-butchers like you are the perversion." Tania said, cringing.

"You know nothing of the Dark Side. It's power, what it is capable of..." Kylo said quietly.

"I've seen enough...s-s-sickening." Tania growled, grimacing.

"Only those who are weak, are afraid of the Dark Side."

Leia Organa is NOT weak! She's the strongest person I know, you creep! Tania's thoughts screamed. "Get away from me!"

Kylo slightly flinched. His mother. He tried pushing it to the back of his head. But the mere mention of her flooded his gut with nausea. His mother. That was one ray of light in the entire galaxy that would haunt him all his life, no matter how many times he denied it or tried to run away from it.

Her response angered him. She'd hit a sore spot, a spot that would...make him soft! He was not soft! He shoved it to the back of his brain. "Give me the droid!" He demanded impatiently.

"W-w-what droid?" Tania asked.

"Don't play games with me! You know of what I speak. Your Captain Poe Dameron hid the map to Luke Skywalker in there. You were traveling with him. I want to know where the droid is. Where did Dameron tell him to go?"

"I d-d-don't know." Tania whimpered honestly. "I was knocked out. I didn't see him flee." He's alive? He has the map? Run, BB-8! Run!

Kylo pressed harder into her mind. She moaned and breathed heavily. How could she possibly stand up against him? She didn't know how to use the Force! She wasn't keen to it as Leia and others were. "You're afraid." Kylo whispered.

She was afraid, for Poe, for the Resistance, but especially Poe. She'd come here to save him! As Kylo dug harder into her mind and she cried, he found a flood of memories: their mother's death, fighting, Poe getting badly hurt numerous times trying to keep her safe, their friends and comrades slaughtered or horrifically maimed for life thanks to the First Order.

"You're afraid, for him." Kylo taunted. "Poe Dameron. He cares for you...deeply." Kylo breathed near her ear. "Interesting. That is very interesting."

"Please..." She winced.

"He'll do anything to protect you." Kylo said, sounding almost sympathetic. Almost.

"He's my brother..." Tania wept. "Of course he cares! Just stop!" D- you, Ren! She'd just given him a loophole he could use against her! Now he knew her connection to Poe.

"You went to Jakku for the map. You know about it." Kylo said. She couldn't deny it. She had no Force fight to push him back with from her mind. The only thing she could do was keep swearing at him profusely inside her brain. "I can make you tell me. It will be easy." Kylo reminded her.

"I hate you!" Tania whispered more weakly and with less malice than her trembling voice could muster.

"The feeling is mutual. Where is the droid? Where was he sent? Answer me!" Kylo snarled.

"I t-t-told you, I-I don't know! I swear...I DON'T KNOW!" Tania fought with everything she had, but her willpower and strength were slipping from her fingers. She struggled with one last urge to block him out, but that only made him prod deeper.

"Give me...the droid."

Tania couldn't see straight. She was fading from consciousness. Kylo expected her to give him what he wanted. She had nothing and she would never, if she could help it! But, could she? She was no Force sensitive person. And her fear was starting to get the better of her the harder he delved into her head. He couldn't break her! No! She was stronger than this! She believed in the Resistance, in a free galaxy. This snake had already taken so much, she couldn't let him take more.

Kylo Ren released his hold on her mind. Her head dropped to her chest and she panted. He tsked in amusement. He had a better idea. He drew his cross-guard saber and lit it! Tania couldn't hold back a cry of fear. He was slowly bringing the saber toward her.

Not again, not again, not again! Please, not again! Her mind and body screeched. She wagged her head back and forth, convulsing from pure fright. "DON'T! Please...please don't!" She sobbed, bracing herself against the back of the chair she was shackled to, as if it could make her smaller. "No. Nooo! Please, please don't..." She whimpered.

"I tried to go easy on you." Kylo Ren said slowly, stepping closer and leaning over her with the saber inches from her neck. "You've only made things more difficult for yourself."

"Please, please..." Tania cried, flinching.

"Tell me now." Kylo hissed.

Tania felt her resolve slipping. No! She couldn't give into his intimidation. But, oh, she was so scared, so afraid of becoming a fried goose a second time. The flames on his lightsaber cast hot breath on her face and flickered loudly, as if licking their lips at the chance to taste her skin. If he asked a different question, if she spilled the beans, all would be lost. But...her body was still hurting from her last encounter with this monster. She couldn't go through that again!

"You know what will have to be done if you do not cooperate." Kylo Ren whispered.

Tania winced, squeezing her eyes shut and turning her face from him.

I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die...She always knew that was highly possible, fighting with the Resistance. That didn't frighten her so much. But how she was going to die, now...it wasn't going to be a quick death, her ship blasted out of the sky, and instant demise into eternity. No, it was going to be slow, and unbelievably painful! She refused to look at the creature in the mask, bracing herself but unable to control her breathing.

"Just kill me already!" She cried.

"I'm asking you again. Where is it?" Kylo demanded.

Tania didn't answer him. She screamed in desperation, "POE! POE...HELP ME!"