Chapter 1

"Come on, come on, come on!" My foot tapped hurriedly against the floor as I stared at the flashing red light on the monitor, blinking again and again. As soon as it turned green I could get out of here, and hopefully no one I pass will notice the sheen of sweat covering my face. There couldn't be much time left before someone realized I was in here. One glance from a passing official or soldier at who I was talking to would have me pulverized before I could blink. I'd studied the guard rotation well enough, so the chance of one walking in was slim – but anything could happen.

The icon next to the message turned green. I blew out a breath and leaned back in the chair, eyes closed for a brief moment. It worked.

I took a risk in sending that message, after all, all it would take is one technician checking the destination of where that message was being sent. I was almost one hundred percent sure that the people here would not take kindly to finding out that there was a resistance spy in their midst.

The important thing was that the information had been sent across. As far as I could tell my job was done, now all I had to worry about was not being found out in the days before they arrived. It shouldn't be too hard, I'd been here almost two months without anyone suspecting a thing…well, almost.

I heard the gentle whoosh of the door opening and jolted upright just as the door to the communications room slid open. I hurried to shut off the monitor before whoever it was saw it. I was sure nothing had ever looked more suspicious. I would just have to hope whoever it was would be senseless enough not to think anything of it.

I turned to see General Hux walk in - scratch that, strutted in would seem more appropriate.

Looks like I'm in the clear.

"Isla, I am surprised to see you in here, I thought you were taking rounds today." He exclaimed, his face lighting up as though he had found out an enemy ship had been destroyed. Fortunately for my sake, it sounded less like suspicion and more like vague interest.

"Oh, I was supposed to meet Matt in here to discuss the state of our communications system but...looks like he's a no-show." I lied, already knowing that he would take the bait. He always did.

"Ah of course, well, I'll let you go about your business then." It was a wonder how this man had managed to become the general.

"Yes, thank you General, and might I add that your hair is looking particularly dashing today, not overly-greased at all." I gave him a coy smile as I left the room, looking back to see him smirking to himself. A little flattery never hurt, especially when they have absolutely zero awareness of sarcasm.

I walked out into the hallway and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that it was empty, most all of the troopers likely down in the training hall. Damn. I completely forgot that I was supposed to be doing rounds on training today and instructing the new recruits. This is not going to look good.

I hurried down to the training hall as fast as I could without looking too suspicious, though the clunking of my boots on the metal wasn't any help.

I reached the entrance at the end of the hall, locked. Wonderful, now my entrance will be doubly obvious. I quickly inserted my keycard, the doors sliding open without a sound. Damn, the technology in this place must have cost a fortune. I guess that's what happens when you murder and pillage across the galaxy.

I stepped through to the sounds of guns being fired and armour sizzling, the grunts and yells echoing throughout the cavernous chamber. I was lucky there was such commotion, hopefully I could simply get to work without anyone noticing. I could only pray that the Supreme Leader – Kylo Ren – was otherwise occupied and not keeping an eye on training today. If anyone was going to suspect me of being a spy…it was him.

In my months of being here, not one person had suspected me of being anything other than a faithful servant to the First Order, except for him. I could feel it every time I saw him…every time he saw me. Seeing how quickly he goes through staff – literally, I swear that lightsaber of his has killed more of his own troops than his enemies – it was a wonder to me how I was still here and not impaled.

I managed to get halfway across the room before I was stopped by a hand on my shoulder. A passing soldier, armour dented and scorched from a day's training.

"Supreme Leader Ren would like a word, ma'am." It looked like my luck had run out. As if he didn't already have enough reason to suspect me, this'll really tip him over the edge.

I nodded and looked over to where he stood, gazing out across the railing at his little army - the infamous Kylo Ren, champion of the First Order and a tyrant across the galaxy. And convinced that I didn't belong, that I was a spy working against them. The worst part is that he wasn't wrong, and with his influence could have me executed before I could blink.

My heart throbbed in my chest, a new layer of sweat forming on my forehead. He'd never asked to speak with me alone, if ever. This situation did not bode well for me.