Author's Notes: Oh, hey again. Just delivering another chapter for y'all. Hope you guys are enjoying the story! If you are, remember to review. I love hearing from you guys.

Also, the Star Wars Celebration in Florida is this week. Anyone else super excited? I'm really excited. Hopefully we finally get a new trailer!

Anyway, enough babbling! Here's the story...

Disclaimer: I still don't own any characters from the Star Wars Universe. I humbly own my OC's and that's about it.

Kylo Ren was almost always in a grumpy mood and today was no particular exception to that rule. Granted, he was a tad bit grumpier today than he had been in a few weeks. The base wasn't nearly as close to ready as he had been made believe; that was something he blamed Hux for. Then again, what didn't he blame Hux for? It wasn't so much that he hated General Armitage Hux, in fact, some days he tolerated him. However, he needed someone to blame and unfortunately Hux was the closest thing he had to an equal.

Hux dealt with the same pressure he did (or at least an understandable pressure) when it came to Supreme Leader Snoke. The creature behind The First Order and all their doings in the Galactic Universe. The Supreme Leader whom had given Kylo his new meaning; limitless power and of course the headache that came with being somewhat in charge. Which is why he seemed to take a lot out on Hux. In all fairness, Hux did the same. Their mutual respect and occasional (a little too occasional) fighting was a necessity in running this base.

Speaking of which, the base wasn't running to full potential. The base was hardly running at all. It was a rather large project, one that he had little to no faith in the underlings to even come close to completing. A weaponized planet? Surely, they were mad. But at least today the lights were working.

That wasn't all on Commander Ren's plate today. He had had a very unique dream last night, a dream that left him feeling uneasy. For someone who had consistently vivid dreams, sometimes Force dreams detailing a potential outcome, this dream was the exact opposite. He stood in an empty blackness with nothing around. However, he didn't feel like he was alone. It left a bad taste in his mouth; so bad that today had already started off to a sour one.

None of that really mattered because right in that moment he was stuck in the worst meeting he could have possibly imagined (Although others involved would just say he was being overly dramatic, as per usual). Hux was going over his latest findings on nearby planets; their attempt to find a hidden group of Jedi sympathizers had been nicely referred to as a failure these last few weeks. Kylo Ren was sick of hearing about it, he just wanted results.

"I can send some of my scouts to other outer rim territories." Captain Phasma intervened, trying to equal the playing field. She knew both men, or rather in her eyes boys, would soon begin arguing. This was her last effort to offer a good idea before chaos broke out. She pointed to the several locations on the outer rim, highlighting the opportunities. "We can send them to these locations and report their findings."

"The sympathizers could move by then. It's too risky." Kylo Ren said, the voice distortion on his helmet resonating ugly cracks as he spoke. He knew he didn't have to wear his helmet around Phasma and Hux, however, they knew he wore it when he was in an awful mood. Two different sides of understanding yet one major issue before them still.

"So is sending Troopers in full ranks to locations hoping to interrogate. No one knows what we are after just yet, Ren." Phasma said dutifully. "It's best to take cautious action while the element of surprise is on our side."

Kylo Ren sat back in his seat, grateful is mask hiding his distaste as his face contorted to an expression resembling much like that of a pout. Phasma was right and he hated that, almost as much as he hated meetings. And he really hated meetings. It was then Hux finally spoke up after a little too much silence on his part. "Send your scouts to the Outer Rim." He said before switching to the next item on the agenda and before Kylo had another more to say on the matter. "Now in the matters of this base—"

Kylo snorted, interrupting the flow of conversation. "This dysfunctional base? Your mechanics are not even qualified to change a lightbulb."

Hux narrowed his eyes, his looks could kill, his would obliterate. "As I was saying, we recruited a new term contractor with flexibility, if we determine more time is needed. One of the best; neutral to the cause and highly recommended. I expect Sid will have use for her."

"Hopefully she'll prove somewhat useful." Ren said with annoyance, his tone hinting at accusations to Hux that he had been the reasons for this particular failure.

"She has a promising resume to back up her credentials. I have a good feeling about this one. Oh and Ren—" Hux said. "Try not to kill this one."

Phasma, the only one in the room truly to keep her cool, brushed her blonde hair back with her hand and placed her chrome helmet back on her head. "I think that's enough for today." She said, preventing any other lash outs. "Gentlemen, back to our posts." With that, she left the room swiftly. Kylo followed suit, not wanting to be in the meeting any longer than he had to be. Hux stood there somewhat dumbfounded and yet somewhat relieved at the sudden exits made by his staff before grabbing his data pad and heading out himself.

On the 200's, Ash found herself working with a stubborn generator that wasn't pulling. She lowered herself underneath the machine and began clearing out debris and noticing the broken fan belt. "That'll do it." She muttered to no one as she carefully removed the belt and checked the cogs and pull device. The rotations seemed normal and more or less fully capable of functioning properly.

Reaching down towards her utility pack, she fumbled around blindly before pulling out a new expanding band and placed one end around the first cog. With a little force she pulled the band and wound it tightly around the final cog. Satisfied with her work, Ash removed herself from underneath the generator. With a deep breath, she pressed up on the on switch. The generator fan belt began to putter before finally the generator itself powered on. A knowing smile formed on her lips as she reveled in her small success. Then again, this was an easy job to begin with.

Ash was immediately brought out of her celebration by a new presence in the room as a man cleared his throat behind her. Jumping slightly, Ashlyn turned around to see a uniformed ginger with a smug and satisfied expression that he started her. "I didn't mean to frighten you." He said, receiving a look from Ash as he continued speaking. "I came to introduce myself. I am General Armitage Hux; I requested your presence on StarKiller."

Ashlyn realized who she was talking to then, the one somewhat in charge of this whole operation. The man who seemingly forced her immediate presence on this barely functioning rock. Ash nodded her head, knowing his rank was definitely above hers. Granted, he wasn't her General. "Pleased to meet you, General." She faked her best hospitable greeting. "I'm Ashlyn, thank you for the opportunity." Laynor did say she had to be professional.

Hux never lost his smug expression as he examined the new recruit. "While I do not question one of the most renowned mechanics of this sector of the galaxy, I do, however, have to question your loyalty to this cause." His smirk widened. "It's part of my job to make sure this base remains safe for all my staff. I'm sure you understand."

"You're asking my standing on this war?" Ash asked, knowing that was exactly what he was asking. She also didn't blame him for his inquisitions. Anyone in command would be curious and untrusting to handing the keys to their rather large project to an outsider. Even if that project was unfinished and falling apart. "You have nothing to worry about, General. I have no position or standing on anything going on outside my own bubble. I was contracted by you to get the job done, that's it."

He was somewhat satisfied with that answer as his smirk faded and he nodded. His demeanor still commanding as Hux looked passed Ashlyn now and to the running generator. "I see you've wasted no time in fixing some of our more recent problems." He listened to the hum of the room as the generator was completely fired up now. "This is a rather large project, Ms. Novafall." He said. "A lot is at stake here but, your qualifications are invaluable."

"Your base is in good hands." Ash assured him.

Hux's smirk returned. "So it would seem." He turned on his heel and headed for the exit. "Welcome to StarKiller. Should you need anything Ms. Novafall, I can always be found in the 100's."

Before Ash could reply, he was out the door completely. Something about Hux left her uneasy, however; she kind-of understood his purpose finding her. This base really was a powerful piece of machinery. One wrong move and it could blow up in their faces, literally. That still didn't change the fact that she found Hux to be quite the smug asshole. However, she'd bite her tongue for now; per Laynor's request.

Ash completed a few more tasks given by Sid via data pad before eventually making her way to the cafeteria for dinner (also per Sid's request). She wandered in, not truly sure what to expect, only to find Sid waving manically for her attention. She smiled slightly before heading passed the mass of Troopers and ranking officers alike and towards the table of those in the similar jumpsuits. "There she is!" Sid said as Ash walked closer to the table. "Guys, this is Ash." He explained with little to no detail. "Ash, this is everyone. You'll get to know them better later on, especially at our crew meetings."

"We have crew meetings?" Ash asked as she took a seat beside a rather scrawny looking guy with glasses and shaggy brown hair.

"Yeah but, they're usually about us getting yelled at for something else breaking." The man next to her said with a grin. "I'm Taka."

"Ash." She said, smiling. "So why are we getting yelled at?" She asked as Sid promptly left the group and headed towards the food line.

"There's a lot expected of us here." Taka said honestly. "A lot of ambitious projects that the General wants us to complete and not enough manpower or time to complete them."

Ash grimaced. "I met the General today, he seems… fun."

Taka laughed. "Yeah, most of the higher-ups are just better left alone. Except Sid, he's more approachable than the rest."

"Sid said he gained his position due to an accident?" Ash asked.

The rest of the group just so happened to have paid attention at that exact moment, the table growing silent and averting their gaze to their food trays as Taka cleared his throat. He blinked a few times before talking. "Did Sid happen to mention anything about what kind of accident?" Ash simply shook her head as she tried to establish the exact tone of the table, her nerves acting up slightly as she waited for an answer. "When you're on the higher level floors, mostly anywhere in the 100's—"

"He said to be cautious about the higher-ups and to keep my head down."

Taka nodded once. "You really only have to worry about one."

It was then Sid returned with two trays in his hand, he was frowning slightly as he placed one tray in front of Ash. "She knows all she needs to know. Ash is here for six months, maybe a little longer. She was warned." He forced a smile as he sat down across from Ashlyn now and began eating. "Besides, it's dinner time, you know my rule. No work talk here."

Ashlyn realized then that Sid was hiding something from her, or rather he was hiding someone. The group clearly feared one of the higher-ups enough to not give her a clear story on what happened to the original maintenance head. However, Ash figured it was best not to press the matter. Sid made that perfectly clear he wouldn't be talking anymore about it.

Instead, she learned the names of the rest of the small crew. There was Taka, Grim (a rather stoutly fellow who seemed really interested in gossip and starting drama than maintenance), the twins, Micah and Marvin. They were identical and looked no older than seventeen. Finally, there was a very nervous and twitchy fellow at the end, Conner. He said nothing and remained silent as he ate his dinner. That was their group, the seven of them were in charge of running this entire base. It seemed somewhat hopeless to Ashlyn, especially since Sid explained their capabilities were lacking in what needed to get done. It only seemed to reinforce the idea that the next six months would feel like the longest six months of her life.

That night, Ashlyn had found herself once again entangled in that crazy dream. The darkness surrounding her at every turn. However, that didn't stop her from pressing forward. And so she did. The sound of her footsteps on the absent floor echoed into the void as she walked towards nothing with the idea that nothing would ever really appear.

"This dream just keeps getting weirder and weirder." She muttered to herself. At least she was aware of her current state. Normally, when one was aware they were dreaming, they'd awaken. Not this time. Ash was aware and still marching around and endless void.

Granted, there was some sort of ground below her, even if she couldn't really see its dimensions. There was nothing before or behind her; no horizon line, nothing. It also wasn't like she was traveling blindly. For a dream engulfed in complete and total emptiness, it was very easy to see.

However, unlike the previous night's dream, something had changed. She could feel something heavy in her chest as she kept walking. Finally, she had to stop, she couldn't keep going. She felt it; that feeling of being watched. She turned around, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the figure stand before her. It immediately turned to face her, sensing her presence as well. It was a person, a man, towering at almost six feet tall, his dark coal eyes narrowing at her as he snarled. "Who the hell are you?" He began to walk towards her, his black cloak billowing behind him. She backed up, her primal instinct kicking in to get away from this man.

Ash stumbled background, falling down on her behind as she looked up. Before the man reached her, she felt herself jolting out of sleep altogether.

She sat upright in bed, her breathing labored as she frantically looked around her studio apartment. The room silent say for the buzzing of the air vent; everything was well lit and above all safe. She inhaled deeply in an attempt to catch her breath, only to realize there was a faint beeping to her right. Ash looked to see the data pad was flashing, she had a new message. Reaching for the pad, she grabbed it and opened the message from Sid.

'Meeting at 09:00. Don't be late' – Sid

She sighed, inhaling once more as she closed her eyes. Her latest dream truly got into her head that time. Granted, Ash accepted it was just a dream and nothing more. The data pad buzzed again.

'You're late, where are you?' – Sid

With an exaggerated groan, Ash quickly removed herself from her bed dressed as quickly as possible. She'd have time to think about what had happened later. For now, she had a meeting to attend. A meeting she was very late to.

Upon arriving to the main launch bay, Ashlyn wandered into the maintenance meeting area (which conveniently resided near Sid's office). The door slid open automatically as she walked into the meeting area only to see her team walking out. She made quick eye contact with Taka; whom gave her only a small and sympathetic smile as he left. She walked over to where Sid had been sitting, the room clearing out as she spoke. "I'm sorry, I overslept."

Sid had his attention on his data pad, dismissively waving his hand at Ashlyn and her excuse before talking. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't do it again." He said. "Listen, I have an important assignment I need you to work on today."

Ash looked at him curiously. "Go on."

"I need a new control panel up on the 100's and unfortunately for you, you're the only one who has the capability for making one." Sid said, interrupting Ash before she could accept. "And I need you to do it as quickly as possible without uttering a single word to anyone. Got it?" Ash nodded, getting a very weird vibe from Sid. She had a feeling that if Sid didn't need this control panel up and running so quickly, he would have never sent her there in the first place.

However, Ashlyn was now curious and that was a bad thing. Why had everyone been so reluctant to even mention the 100's? It seemed almost taboo to venture up there, what were they hiding? She was determined to take in as much as she could, who knew when the next time she'd head up there would be. "What supplies will I need?"

Sid snorted. "There's a utility closet in the room, stocked it last week with most of the wiring needed. The actual console is setup for you, it just needs hardwire. Connect it to the main motherboards and have communications up and running to reach all floors."

To anyone else, that would have sounded like gibberish. To Ash, it was basic. "I'll get started." She turned on her heels and headed for the door, only to feel like Sid still had something more to say. However, he never said it. Instead, that feeling lingered as Ashlyn headed to the dreaded top floor of StarKiller.

Final Thoughts: Thanks for reading, guys! Remember to review!