Chapter Three

The accommodations on Mustafar were sparse and utilitarian to say the least. His Grandfather did not indulge in many creature comforts and despised any outsiders' incursion into his sanctuary. The room where the meeting was to take place was devoid of any decoration. Just stark stone walls and floor. The room was round with only two entrances. As the leadership entered from the south, each took their place at the imposing round table located in the middle of the room.

The men and women gathered around the table represented the highest echelon of the First Order. All had dedicated their lives to the belief that a firm order must be reinstated to keep the galaxy from falling into chaos.

Three Knights of Ren stood at against the wall at equidistant points behind the seated delegates. Their posture so still and so unchanging it would have been easy to think that they were just statues.

The Knights that he had chosen were the most adept at reading emotions. None could hold a candle to Snoke's ability, but that mattered little to Kylo. Each was proficient enough to pick up on any responses that were not in line with Kylo's vision for the future.

Entering the room from the north entrance, Kylo did not sit at the table. The place where his chair would have stood was empty. The officers gathered before him were not his equals. He was their leader. The sooner they recognized this, the sooner the real work could begin.

"Supreme Leader Snoke is dead. He and all his praetorian guards were murdered aboard the Supremacy. A small rebel group infiltrated the ship with the help of traitors to the First Order. I have assumed command and have already rooted out the traitors. They are being dealt with as we speak."

Kylo paused after this statement, giving his words time to sink in. A ripple passed through the assembled officers. Low murmuring began, and several members turned away from him to look at each other. Clearly trying to read how everyone else was taking the news.

Commander Retan of the Nemesis was the first to speak.

"The loss of our Supreme Leader is a devastating blow to the Order and cannot be overstated. It was Snoke who showed us the path when the Empire fell. It was Snoke that lead us out of chaos and showed us how to restore order to this system of anarchy. I agree that any rebel sympathizers and traitor should be rooted out and made an example of, but where is Hux? As commander aboard the Supremacy, he should be here to present the evidence. Any conversation without Hux present is moot."

Before, Kylo would have been enraged that someone so far beneath him would seek to challenge his authority. Now he could only feel a cold amusement. Like when a small rodent dared to show its fangs to a Rathtar. Let the man bluster, he would soon know the error of his ways.

"The evidence will be made available to anyone in this room that wishes to see it. However, as part of the traitors, Hux's role is not to review it. He will stand trial for his actions."

A storm of reactions erupted from the group at Kylo's words. Some officers stood up in outrage and began bellowing to see the evidence now. Others began arguing with Hux's defenders. Only three, possessed the self-discipline to not react at all.

Everyone at the table knew Hux's ambitions. It had long been rumored that Hux had his own father murdered in order to advance. It was also no secret that Hux chaffed at his rank stalling at General. Long had the man desired the Rank of Grand Moff. Hux's ill feeling about Snoke's constant denial of that rank was known throughout the Order.

Not inclined to tolerate the tantrums of subordinates, Kylo raised his hand and excreted enough of the Force on the party to still everyone's movements. The action had the desired effect. Silence descended on the room. Kylo let the silence stretch out until it was almost painful with anticipation for what was to come next. When all eyes were revited upon his, and filled with a healthy dose of fear, did he speak.

"Arrangements for the trial are already underway. Hux and the rest of the traitors will be tried before the First Order. The evidence will either damn them or exonerate them. For now, rest and restore yourselves. In six hours, we will reconvene here to discuss the future of the First Order."

While there was no hostility in his words, there was no mistaking them for anything other than an order. He slowly released his grip on everyone, letting them regain possession of their limbs with a deliberate languor. No one would doubt that the only reason they could move again was because he willed it.

Kylo turned and left the room without sparing anyone a backwards glance. Going directly to the training hall, Kylo only had to wait a few minutes for the three Knights to join him. They filed silently into the room and waited for his next order.

"You were able to gather the information." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes, Supreme leader." All three answered in unison.

"Good. Kill anyone that opposes my will. Do it now."

The three left the room to carry out his order. Kylo shrugged out of his shirt and began loosening up his muscles. He intended to push himself during this training session. He would leave his enemies within the First Order to his Knights. Kylo would handle the threat from the remaining Jedi himself.