Chapter 6: Hux I

'I have Tekka in custody, as well as a pilot from the resistance.' Ren said over the com.

Hux nodded. 'So do you have the map?'

'No. The map was held inside a droid – a BB-unit which was destroyed in your bombardment of the settlement. The bombardment I specifically warned against.'

Hux paused, breathing the cold air of the bridge and understanding that if the bombardment – that he had indeed insisted upon – had resulted in the loss of the map, and if the prisoners were incapable of providing it, then this could cost him dearly.

'The Supreme Leader insisted that you were not to put yourself in undue danger on this mission, Ren. You know that as well as I. Regulation demanded a pre-embarkation bombardment.' He could work this in his favour. In any case, the troopers had needed a workout. So few of their ground forces had seen combat.

'And your overcautious approach may have cost us dearly. But I have Tekka: I'll make sure he lives long enough for me to break his mind.' Ren said. 'And I think he might have something almost as important for us.'

Overconfident moron. Hux thought. Ren's appointment as joint commander of the Finalizer had felt like a personal slight. He didn't need this wizard adventurer or his crew of barbarians to track down Luke Skywalker, but the supreme leader hadn't been interested in listening.

'Very good. We are ready to depart as soon as the drop pods are back aboard. Seventy-three troopers dead, it seems resistance was rather more substantial than you believed.'

'There were many defenders here, including several that were on the list that have been removed forever.'

'As it has cost taken such a substantial toll on our forces, it seems that a bombardment was indeed prudent after all.'

Ren didn't respond.

'Just get back to the ship. There is much to do. Hux out.'

He always preferred to have the last word in any communications wherever possible. It demonstrated one's authority.

'I'll be in the audience chamber, number one. Urgent contact only.'

The first officer, an enterprising young woman newly promoted to her role from the Sojourner, stood to attention. 'Yes, General Hux.' She said, her spine looking painfully erect.

Hux found her powerfully alluring. That, combined with her reputation for her orthodoxy and rampant rise through the ranks only made him want her more. He briefly wondered whether her presence on the Finalizer was a test for his own orthodoxy and loyalty to the cause, but the supreme leader and fleet admiral were above such things. His loyalty was beyond reproach.

Though perhaps after the war?

He left the bridge and walked to the audience chamber entertaining ideas of further promotion and – following the war – a glorious retirement of honours, on Coruscant, perhaps, with all it's vast history.

There were two First Guard barring the entrance to the audience chamber as always. The red-armoured elite guard were always unsettling, hand-chosen by the supreme leader and his secretive Hands from the ranks of both troopers and naval staff, then removed and trained in secret.

He screwed up his nerve against the tall and unnerving figures and their enormous force-glaives. 'I am here to speak to the supreme leader.'

Without a word, the guardsmen stepped aside and the door to the audience chamber slid open silently.

He swallowed hard as icy-cold fingers of air reached out, seeming to coil around his legs.