[Hux]
"Stay here," Hux said to H-482 as he went down the ramp. He'd finished both unit reports, presided over the situation report, and then heard H-482's account of Finn's conduct the day before. His next task was better done now than endlessly postponed until it was too late. He went to Finn, where he was watching the Resistance move the wing into position by carefully adjusting the repulsors.
"Finn." Finn turned to face him, suitably at attention. It remained insulting that the Resistance had stolen such an exemplary officer and then not even bothered to give him a proper rank. "Interrupt your repairs and redeploy your people for perimeter guard. I will be withdrawing all troopers inside for a short meeting."
Commander Tico, who was only a few meters from him, came over and asked, "All troopers? Only the troopers? For what?"
"A short meeting," Hux repeated, while still looking at Finn. He didn't understand why the Resistance could not grasp that he was in charge, he was going to talk to who he wanted to talk to, and to no one else. Square peg. Round hole. Wrong battery cartridge.
"Yes sir," Finn said.
Getting no answer from Hux, Tico asked Finn, "What are they meeting about? Is this normal?"
As Hux began to turn away, Finn said, "Can we attend, sir?" That told him Finn knew what was going on.
"This isn't about you." He hadn't made up his mind about Finn's request yet. That was one that might be better off endlessly postponed. There was a lot to think about with that one.
"I know, sir."
Hux looked around at the Resistance. Everyone had stopped working and were watching. Excluding them, even if he gave the reason, would leave them suspicious and resentful. Including them meant there would be a larger audience. He always liked an audience. And CL-0745 deserved one. "Stay in the back and keep quiet."
"Thank you, sir."