Chapter II
Snokes Threat
Silence can be one of the most soothing experiences. It can calm the nerves, bring peace to a wandering mind. On the other hand, it can cause the wandering mind to trail off more, bring visions that you would prefer not to see in your vision.
The dark side of the Force was that silence; a mask that covered every ounce of light that shed its way. For Kylo Ren, he held that mask. It was a mask that he hid behind for many reasons. It expressed everything he had become and what he still wanted to live up to. Behind that mask he became another person, his identity became that of someone else, and his voice matched the identity he chose to portray.
While this identity brought him to amazing highs, it also brought him to disastrous lows, which is where he found himself at that moment. He sat alone in the silence of his quarters in deep thought. He felt as though the walls were closing in on him and was not given enough room to breathe.
"I have failed," he thought to himself. He had sworn to his leader, the Supreme Leader of the First Order, Snoke, that he would not fail his orders. He had failed miserably and against a person who had not even half of the experience as himself.
He had fought Rey in a duel that should have easily been one of his many victories, but he was left defeated and humiliated. He now had to answer for his embarrassment and hope that Snoke had mercy on him.
His moment of reflection was suddenly interrupted by his door, which opened without his permission. Angered by this interruption, he got up ready to scold whomever disturbed him at this very crucial moment.
Before he could utter anything, he saw the man that dared to intrude on him. That man was his leading general, Armitage Hux. Hux walked through the doorway without permission and stood in front of Kylo. The air of arrogance reeking from his very presence.
"Very bold of you general," Kylo said shortly. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"
"A message from Lord Snoke," Hux said.
Kylo felt his nerves shift suddenly but he did everything within his power to refrain from showing it to Hux.
"And that message is?" Kylo asked.
"Maybe you should ask him yourself," Hux replied defiantly. "He's here."
Kylo gave a look of both anger and shock at Hux. "Why wasn't I notified?"
"None of us were notified," Hux said. "He showed unexpectedly. He is sitting in his suite, and wishes to speak with you immediately."
Kylo put his head down, trying his best to keep his nerves at bay. It was a battle he knew he had already lost.
"Please inform him that I am on my way," he said.
"Yes, sir," Hux said, quickly turning out of the room to deliver the message.
Not wishing for Snoke to see him in his present emotional state, he placed his mask back on, changed his posture to one far more intimidating and walked his way to Snoke's suite. As he walked he couldn't help but feel that there were many eyes upon him. He looked around and while he thought them to merely be figures of his imagination, his fears turned out to be very true.
As he approached the suite, he could clearly see every eye he passed directly on him. It was as if the many members of the crew already knew what this meeting with Snoke was all about.
Two stormtroopers guarded the door leading to Snoke's suite. Both parted as Kylo approached, allowing him entrance. He did everything he could to exude confidence as he entered.
Kylo walked into Snoke's suite, which was an all glass walled and roofed octagon shaped room. A red carpet led its way to Snoke's thrown, which sat on its own pedestal. His chair faced the glass, staring out into the stars.
Kylo stood at the entrance way, waiting for a response. He did not have to wait long as Snoke's chair turned around, revealing his deformed Master. His appearance always sent a slight shiver down the spine of Kylo. His burned and scarred face stared down at him. He sat in silence for several seconds before even showing any signs of movement.
"Come closer my young apprentice," he said in his deep gravelly voice.
Kylo approached slowly, but tried to keep a confident appearance. When he reached the pedestal, he immediately took a knee, bowing to his Master.
"My orders were very clear," Snoke said.
"I know, my Master," Kylo said in a low tone. "May I have the opportunity to explain myself?"
"You may," Snoke replied rather hotly.
"Our initial assumption of the girls power was quite inadequate," Kylo said. "Her power was far more along than anticipated, I was not ready for it."
"Are you saying I was wrong?" Snoke asked with an edge in his voice.
"Not at all, Master," Kylo responded quickly. "I'm just stating that I was not ready for the challenge. Though I will admit that I should have been."
"Yes you should have," Snoke said. "This should have been an easy task to play out. She has received no training up until this point, and yet, she managed to outmatch you, someone who has received a lifetime of training."
"I agree, Master, and I apologize," Kylo said, ashamed.
"Your apologies are worthless to me," Snoke retorted. "I have made your mission very clear, and I will not be satisfied until it is complete. I do not want to start thinking that I have over-estimated your abilities."
"I will not fail, Master," Kylo said, he could actually hear the pathetic tone he gave.
"We will see," Snoke said. "Bring her to me, and all may be forgiven. Now, get out of my sight."
Kylo did not hesitate. He rose and quickly walked out of the room. He felt as though his feet could not get him out of there fast enough.
Once out of the room, his posture changed, one to a man in charge. An image that everyone else but Snoke saw of him.
"Prepare my ship," he shouted at one of the stormtroopers, who ran ahead of him to complete his orders. "I will prove to him that I will succeed," he thought to himself as he approached his ship, ready to complete his mission as ordered.
