A/N: There is a planet in Star Wars called Iego. It's in the Outer Rim with a very low population. Mostly hostile to human life and no longer producing anything economically viable. The First Order has made recruitment runs by it. Captain Iegoh joined the First Order as an adult and took a slightly altered version of the name of his homeworld as his last name. Not that this really matters, but hey – even my throwaway background characters have backstories!

There are two chapters in Knights of Ren that relate the day of events from Kylo's point of view. Like so many things in Kylo's life, it did not go the way he wanted it to. The chapters are General Problems and General Obstinacy.

From the Happily Ever After chapter 'Unblocked':

I don't understand why you and Kylo never got together, Poe thought idly. He was still reflecting on his feelings of jealousy. He's a fantastic guy.

Hux projected to him an image of Ren from a year earlier, helmeted, all in black, stalking around trying to be intimidating (and succeeding at it), along with Hux's simmering wrath at having to put up with this undisciplined 'person' of limited military background whom Snoke had assigned to share command of Hux's ship.

It didn't make an impression on Poe. Okay, so he was scary. But you're both fantastic guys. There was nothing there? Ever?

Why would there be? You might as well as me why I didn't fall in love with my chair, which at least has the redeeming features of being supportive and there for me at the end of a long day. Hux sent him a second impression, which was a reminder that he didn't feel sexual attraction the way Poe did. Or at all, really. He liked his chair. Had more of a love/hate relationship with the bed, though. He missed them both. He especially missed that big wall screen.

Poe shrugged mentally. Maybe I'm too hung up on Kylo being a good catch. I'm starting to think you're the one who should be jealous.

Of Kylo? Ha. No. If you leave me for him, you get what you deserve.

Hux downed the drink he'd poured for himself. It was low quality but high strength with a nasty burn that made him shiver and grimace. Hopefully it would serve its purpose and help him with oblivion. He was considering if he needed a second pour when he had a stab of unwarranted paranoia. Someone was watching him. Instead of reaching for the bottle, he touched at the handle of his knife, looking around carefully.

There was not much reason to be paranoid alone in his own quarters, off shift, about taking a drink. This stuff wasn't even contraband, although usage was regulated. Basically, you couldn't use it during emergency or combat protocols, nor could you imbibe more than a certain number of hours before on-shift. He wasn't in contravention of that, nor was he prone to unexplained anxiety. Unless the Force was involved. Snoke?

Yes.

Ah. Then the headache began. He grimaced. Maybe it was the liquor (or maybe it was their last, less-than-oppressive conversation), but Hux actually expressed something about the discomfort. Is there a way for this to happen that doesn't … impair me? He was certain this did not enhance his performance. Anything that made him averse about doing his duty was a problem waiting to be fixed. It was difficult not to flinch from this, no matter how stalwart he attempted to be.

Think on the events since you left on the shuttle. Recount them in your mind.

So that was what Snoke wanted to know? I boarded the shuttle this morning. I ordered it to depart. Kylo Ren used the Force to destroy my datapad. We docked. I reported to the bridge. I-

No. Snoke's tone was patient. Not a recitation such as you would put in a report. Think on it detail, as though you were going through it for clues.

As though it were my father's words? Snoke didn't respond. Maybe not that detailed, then, Hux decided. I boarded the shuttle. Ren was there. I ordered departure. I sat. Hux remembered the moment – small jump seat folded down from the wall, his legs crossed to balance the datapad on his thigh, Kylo staring at him from the other side of the shuttle.

I reviewed messages on my datapad. I believed he was reading my mind. I told him not to … in a rude fashion. He destroyed my datapad. I confronted him. He demanded respect and told me to keep my thoughts to myself. I did know how to do this. He went to the forward compartment and we stayed separate for the remainder of the flight.

Snoke said nothing. The pain had faded from Hux's head, but he still had the sensation of being watched. He supposed he was being listened to, so he continued, visualizing the day as best he could.

We debarked. Ren accompanied me to the bridge, where I took Iegoh's report. The ship was at ready. I went to Ren. We argued again, this time about the Force. I escorted him to security and made sure he was set up properly in the system.

While they did processing, I went to my quarters, unpacked, and poured a cup of tea since I intended to work through the next shift with Peavey as we got underway. It would match up with my day shift. I went by security to pick Ren up. I found him the quartermaster's office requisitioning things. He and I went to the bridge. We argued yet again, this time over the contraband nature of my beverage and his continued complaint that he could not prevent himself from reading my thoughts.

We were on the bridge through shift change. I asked him our destination. He attempted to bypass me and told navigation to take us to the shipyard. They ignored him, as was their duty. I told Peavey to get us underway and he did. Ren informed Peavey and I of the mission in the ready room. We requisitioned appropriate ships upon reaching the shipyards and had a preliminary planning meeting with the commanders thereof. We are still at the shipyards. Tomorrow we will settle on final fleet composition before moving on ISR-458. I completed my shift. I am in my quarters now.

Snoke asked, This is a longer than necessary method of communication. I can show you a more succinct one.

Thank you?

See. Hux shut his eyes, because what Snoke did overpowered his senses. Remember. Instead of a recitation of events, the memory itself unfolded through his mind. He'd put forward a few pieces of his day that way in the course of his monologue, but Snoke wanted it all that way, as a continuous, complex stream.

He wanted Hux to go back through the events as though seeking to memorize them or searching for some missed piece of information. Snoke had taken in his perceptions directly when he'd toured the Supremacy, this time he was doing the same but through memory. He showed this to Hux in some mental way that conveyed the idea and actions required without using words. Hux had the impression Snoke didn't know Basic words for it.

I … Hux hesitated because he was being asked to do a difficult thing, requiring concentration and focus he wasn't sure he had, I think I can do that. In future, as you request.

That would be an improvement. Thinking along more than one portion of your timeline is a critical skill for self-discovery and reflection. Living in the moment is for Jedi. Mentally, Snoke made an amused scoff.

Thank you, Hux thought, not sure what to make of the Jedi bit. May I ask another thing of you in the interest of improving performance and productivity?

What? Snoke's mental voice turned tense. Hux had asked for too many things. That was discouraging, but impossible to take back. He pressed on.

How do I guard my thoughts so they do not offend your apprentice? Hux had concern that he might think something and get himself inadvertently killed or injured. The words that left his mouth were often bad enough, but he kept his worst snark internal. It worried him that both Ren and Snoke seemed to think he could achieve this level of mental discipline.

Like this. Snoke showed him directly how to still the surface of his mind. This, too, would require considerable mental strictness. Hux hoped it would become easier with practice, but even if it didn't, it would be worth the work not to be so transparent. At the conclusion of the demonstration, Snoke's presence cut off abruptly. He was alone again.

Hux poured himself another drink and spent the evening thinking back over the meeting they'd had with the other ship commanders and ground force leaders. What Snoke was asking wasn't far different from the rote memorization of Brendol's words – something Hux had learned early and practiced rigorously most of his life. It had been demanded of him – repeat back words until they were stuck in his head as much as any earworm song lyrics. This was a broader application, but it was like being asked to run when he had already mastered walking. It wasn't impossible.