The stormtrooper practically threw me into the large space, stumbling through the entrance behind me. The Captain stood in the center with her hands clasped behind her back. There was a wall filled with weapons, dummies that had seen better days, and some doors that led to unknown places.
"LEAVE US," her voice boomed through the space.
The stormtroopers scurried out, closing the door behind them. I turned my head back to where Captain Phasma remained unmoving and slowly started to close the distance between us. When I was within an arms reach, she removed her cloak with one hand, tossing it aside.
A moment later, she tossed a stick at me with her other hand and attacked the instant it reached mine. Without thinking, I easily blocked her attacks. She was relentless, pushing me back towards a wall. When I had nowhere left to go, I spun around, running up the wall and flipping backward over her, kicking the helmet from her face as I passed by.
I felt a strange calm when I landed in a crouch. Standing tall, I now looked into the face behind the mask. She stared at me incredulously, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth.
"Who are you?"
I couldn't help but laugh.
"You brought me here. Shouldn't you know the answer to that?"
She returned a cold laugh at my question.
"I had nothing to do with bringing you here. The Supreme Leader commanded it. Just as he commanded I train you. Though it seems I need to better prepare our sessions," she smirked.
Something in her smile hinted that she was... proud? No. Why would she have anything to be proud of.
"The Supreme Leader?" I asked, pulling myself from my thoughts.
She laughed again, this time with more kindness.
"You really remember nothing?" she asked.
I shook my head.
"I can't even remember my real name. The people who found me called me Astra."
She nodded.
"Well, Astra. The Supreme Leader, Kylo Ren, seemed to think that you were worth flying halfway across the galaxy to obtain."
I frowned, confused by her sudden kindness towards me. I needed to take advantage of it while I could.
"What else do you know about me?"
"What do you know about us? About the war? About whose side is right?" she countered.
I paused, thinking for a moment about what I had felt during my dreams.
"I think... that I don't fully follow either side. Often times when I dream, I remember how I felt, but none of the details. I remember feeling incomplete. I feel a mix of anger and curiosity whenever I see...Kylo Ren," I shuddered as his name left my lips.
"The Supreme Leader," Captain Phasma corrected.
I nodded my head but didn't correct myself.
"So wh-"
"Enough. We're here to train," she interrupted, swinging at me again.
The rest of the time was spent with her testing my abilities. Each time I struggled against her, she would hum quietly and nod as if it would help her remember. By the end, I was exhausted.
"I have what I need. I expect you to come fully prepared next time. That includes eating before we start."
My eyes went wide.
"How?"
"The Supreme Leader would be able to hear your stomach on the other side of the base," she smirked.
I grimaced.
"Was it really that loud?"
"No. I saw your untouched food when I came for you. Now go. Eat. Shower. Rest. I will report back to the Supreme Leader and send word of your expected schedule. Understood?"
I smiled gently.
"Understood, but...can you show me how to get back?"
She nodded, gliding over to her helmet and cloak. She put them on as she walked towards the exit, leaving me standing on the opposite side of the space.
"I don't have all day, Astra. Let's go."
I scurried across the room, joining Captain Phasma. When we exited, Kylo Ren was outside the door. My heart jumped, but my blood boiled.
"Supreme Leader."
"Phasma," his metallic voice replied.
He turned his head a fraction in my direction but said nothing. I resisted the urge to reach out and remove his mask.
"I was just on my way to report to you after I take Astra back-"
"No. Someone else will take her," he cut her off. "You. Take the girl back to her room."
"Of course, Supreme Leader," the stormtrooper bowed slightly.
I was unable to find my words, torn between the desire to be near him and the urge to fight him. His masked face fully pointed my direction as I internally argued. His gloved hands squeezed into fists. Had I just been talking out loud?! I quickly looked between the other two masks but could pick up on no response to my having spoken. I relaxed slightly but couldn't help the nagging feeling that Kylo Ren was fully aware of my thoughts.
"Come on, Ma'am," the stormtrooper pushed me towards where my room was.
When I complied, I heard Captain Phasma start to speak again. I chanced a glance back only to find that Kylo Ren was still watching me. He had released his fists, but I knew his gaze was boring into me. I shivered and let my feet carry me a little more quickly. The maze of hallways seemed to drag on forever as my fatigue turned to a burn.
When we finally made it to where I had woken up this morning, I remembered that I had no way to ease the ache in my body. I reached out to grab the stormtrooper's arm.
"Wait! Is there somewhere I could possibly shower?" I attempted a pleasant smile.
He sighed at me, his helmet tilting down at my hand. I yanked it back.
"Grab something to change into. I'll show you where to go."
This time, I didn't have to try to give him a real smile.
"Thank you... Um..."
"HR-3745," he replied.
"Oh. Thank you HR-3745," I frowned. "Why don't you have a real name?" I asked as I scrambled to find something to wear.
"That's just how it is for us. We are soldiers trained to follow orders, so that's what we do. We don't ask questions."
He shifted somewhat uncomfortably.
"Sorry. I didn't realize..."
He visibly relaxed.
"Come on. I'll take you to the stormtrooper showers. We can talk more there."
My face lit up. It was nice to have someone to talk to again, even if it wasn't a conversation that might help me remember who I was. I was fairly confident that I'd be able to break Captain Phasma's walls down soon enough and get the answers I desired.
"It's just through these doors. I, um, probably can't leave you alone, but I promise not to look," he shifted awkwardly.
I chuckled lightly.
"I get it. Mostly. I might get it more if I knew exactly who I was to him. Them," I quickly corrected.
"So it's true that you can't remember who you are?" he asked, turning his back to me as I peeled off my clothing.
"I remember feelings mostly. Like, when I look at Kylo I feel anger and curiosity."
"You really should practice calling him Supreme Leader. He doesn't really have the best temper when someone seemingly questions him. Or gets in his way. Or is just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
I grimaced.
"Ouch!"
"Are you alright?!" HR-3745 asked, partially turning around.
I chortled.
"I'm fine. The water was too hot. Feels nice now," I moaned.
I took a moment to just let the water fall over me. I couldn't remember the last time I had been able to shower. The water pressure on my muscles felt absolutely amazing.
"So, you've had bad interactions with him then?" I asked, refusing to refer to him as Supreme Leader.
"Actually, that was the longest interaction I've ever had with the Supreme Leader directly. It's typically better to just try and lay low. I just happened to be passing by at the right time."
"So how did you know where to take me, then?" I inquired, massaging soap into my scalp.
"Word travels fast, and you learn where things are quick. If you end up in the wrong part of the ship, they usually don't wait for an explanation. There aren't many rooms for... uh... prisoners," he replied awkwardly.
"Is that what I am? A prisoner?"
"I guess? You're not really being treated as such from what I've seen in the past. I mean, aside from being locked in your room and not being allowed to go anywhere without someone escorting you."
"So the mush food just comes standard to the prisoner life?" I chuckled, lathering up the soap on my body.
"Not quite. That's just normal for what we get. I promise it doesn't taste as bad as it looks, and it really will fill you up."
"Hmm. Are you allowed to bring me another plate after this? I'm assuming I won't be able to get it myself."
"I could probably do that. I'm not sure who is assigned to your room, but dinner should be coming soon either way. I'll see if I can grab you an apple or something that resembles actual food," he laughed lightly.
"Thanks, HR! I appreciate it. One more question, then I'm probably done."
"Sure."
"How do you know all the rules about my presence here?"
There was a tense silence in the air for several moments. I almost thought that he had left me.
"The Supreme Leader called a meeting with everyone at the base. He said you were not to be hurt in any way. He placed Captain Phasma in charge of your training, and the stormtroopers were tasked with keeping you fed and comfortable. Your clothing will be replaced when you're out training, and I guess I could try to be available to make sure you get a shower."
I let out a laugh, poking my head out of the water to peak at his back.
"For someone that's so frightening to you all, he sure does seem to want to keep me happy. Why?"
I shut off the water, wrapping myself in a towel, and grabbing a second to dry my hair. He turned when he heard the patter of my feet.
"I don't know. I think he's scared about something, but to even thinkthat around him could result in death."
"What do you mean?" I asked, hoping to confirm my suspicions.
"I mean that he can listen to your thoughts. And if he really wanted to, he could search deeper inside your head to find things you've buried. I've heard that it could be so painful that it actually kills you."
"Do you think he would help me try to recover what I've lost?!" I asked excitedly.
"Did you not hear me say it could kill you? And I don't think he really does that sort of thing to help anyone else. Unless you can convince him that it will help him, you're probably out of luck."
I deflated.
"Fine. I'll get dressed so we can head back. I need to eat."
HR-3745 snapped back around, allowing me some privacy while I got dressed. Part of me wouldn't have minded if he kept looking, but I appreciated the respect he showed.
"I am appropriate," I announced, stepping next to him.
"Good. Let's get you back to your room."
I quietly focused on memorizing the path back. It was a left out of the showers and then a right down the first hallway. I noted that my door said M788. If I was going to be here a while, I might as well feel like I could find my way around.
"Thank you, HR. I've really enjoyed talking to you. I hope to see you again soon!"
"Have a good night, Astra," he said, locking the door.
In my room, I found another plate of food and another set of clothing. I quickly ate the food, not caring what it tasted like. I flopped down onto my bed, nearly asleep when there was a knock on the door. Confused by the action, I called out.
"Come in?"
A stormtrooper poked their head in.
"I brought you an apple," HR-3745 whispered.
"Thank you!"
I ran over to take it, hugging him quickly. He remained stiff in my arms but didn't pull away.
"Get some rest," he whispered again, shutting the door and locking it again.
I ate the apple in a few large bites, leaving little to be thrown away. Then I plopped back down on the bed, my eyes falling shut the moment my head hit the pillow.