The pills that the medical team discharged me with tasted bitter. The doctor told me to take them for ten days to prevent infection. He also said that I would experience light bleeding and cramping for the next several days. It was a painful reminder of what had happened.

I reflected on our middle-of-the-night conversation that was cut short by Ren himself. "You're tired," he'd told me in an emotionally exhausted voice, "get some rest." But I wasn't tired. In fact, I didn't sleep a wink after he left. I suspected that he didn't sleep either.

As 9-E and I made our way back to my cell, I spotted a Stormtrooper standing outside the door. He straightened up when he spotted me approaching.

"Corporal," said a familiar voice. "We just finished moving all your stuff to your new room."

It took me a moment to process the unusual statement. "Is that you, Private?" I asked.

"Yeah," he laughed, "it's me."

"They're moving me?" I asked.

"Yep. I think you'll like it. It's way bigger than my quarters." He turned on his heel and waved his hand casually. "Follow me."

I hesitated, lifting my hand toward the door. "I just want to make sure you got—"

"Wait!" The Trooper blocked the door controls with his arm. "You can't go in there. There's another prisoner in there now," he explained. Quietly, he added, "It's your friend."

I let out a sigh of relief. Thank the stars.

After following the Private through various corridors and lifts, I realized we were on the same deck as the throne room. We walked down a narrow hallway with three sets of doors and stopped at the last.

"Here we are," he said. "You'll probably have to reprogram this bioreader for yourself." He waved his hand over the device to open the door. An error message popped up.

I stepped forward and waved my hand. The door opened with a soft swoosh.

"Oh...never mind."

Two other Stormtroopers were already inside, moving some storage lockers around the room. They straightened when they saw us.

"All finished?" the Private asked.

"Yes, sir," they said in unison. I was impressed that such a young Trooper already had people serving under him.

"Alrighty, our work here is done." He nodded to me in farewell. "Ma'am."

"Trooper," I said, giving him a nod and a wave.

All three of them departed, leaving me completely alone in the hallway. Alone? I somewhat frantically looked around for 9-E, who had just been following me a moment ago. The droid was nowhere to be seen. Does that mean I'm...free?

I entered my new quarters with guilt-ridden excitement. The first room, a lounge area, was decorated elaborately. There were even several antique books stacked on a shelf. It opened up into a bedroom area with a large, fully stocked refresher attached. The spacious bed looked inviting, but I continued my exploration. Returning to the lounge, I opened one of the storage lockers and found new clothing in an array of...blacks and grays. I immediately stripped off my orange clothing and slipped into a better-fitting gray outfit.

There was a second door in the lounge, which opened automatically when I approached. Stepping through with trepidation, I found myself in some kind of briefing room. A large holographic starchart filled the center of the room, encased by an elevated catwalk. I recognized the planets of the Western Reaches immediately. The floor matched the dark, reflective flooring of the throne room. Two unmarked doors, identical to mine, lined the rear wall.

A computerized voice spoke when I tried to access the first door. "Erroruser not recognized. Access restricted to Supreme Leader Kylo Ren." When I tried the other door, it said, "Erroruser not recognized. Access restricted to General Armitage Hux."

The final door in the room, the largest one, stood at the front. I maneuvered around the railing, gazing at the dozens of red dots representing planets. It was more elaborate than any holomap I had ever seen before.

When the set of doors slid open, I realized with a jolt that I was standing behind the throne. The room was silent and cold. As I stepped backward to make my retreat, I was startled by a voice.

"Well, well, well."

Holding the doorframe for stability, I looked to my right. General Hux stood there in full uniform, wearing an impatient frown on his face. "We meet again," he said drolly.

I stepped forward and glanced at the empty throne, realizing that he was waiting for Ren. I lifted my chin with bravado. "So it would seem," I said tersely.

"You missed quite a show during your little excursion," he said with a sneer.

"I heard," I hedged, crossing my arms for warmth.

His icy green eyes studied me, and not just my face. "Though I don't relish the vindication of a traitor"—he spat the word—"I hope that Ren will behave better with a pet."

I felt my pride rise with the smirk on his face. I raised an eyebrow. "Anotherpet, you mean?"

A moment passed before utter contempt spilled onto his face. He stepped forward aggressively. "You will quickly learn to be seen and not heard, stupid girl."

I stared him down brazenly. "I will do as I please, Armitage."

He gasped in outrage. "How dare you—"

The doors of the speed lift opened at that moment, and both of us schooled our combative demeanors. An unmasked Kylo Ren entered, bringing the memory of last night's encounter to my mind. His steely facial expression was a thousand parsecs away from what it had been.

"Supreme Leader," Hux greeted with a stiff nod. "How was Lieutenant-General Graves?"

"He fares well," he replied, his tired eyes fixed on Hux. "His push into the Western Reaches continues as planned. Local support for the Resistance is dwindling."

"Excellent," he chimed.

"Lucia," Ren said without looking at me, "return to your quarters."

Hux quickly interjected. "If I may, I believe now is an excellent time to discuss this...situation."

The word made my heart race, and we simultaneously looked at each other. I was certain my anxiety showed on my face. Ren's vacant eyes swept over the room before returning to Hux. "She remains no concern of yours," he said grimly.

Unsatisfied, he turned directly to me. "Tell me, where do your loyalties lie?"

When I opened my mouth to respond, Ren ordered, "Do not address her."

With firey reluctance, Hux's eyes returned to his superior. "Where do her loyalties lie?"

"With me."

This immediate and supremely confident reply made my stomach clench. It also seemed to be the answer Hux was looking for, as he stepped forward and lowered the volume of his voice. "Have you considered her for 'that' role?"

"No," he said flatly. "'That' is your notion and a foolish one."

Hux's eyes darted to me. "Perhaps—"

Ren moved extremely close to Hux, who fell back a step. His eyes were violent, and he spoke in a voice that was half-speech and half-growl. "If you have nothing to report, leave."

The deflated General bowed at the waist nervously. "My Lord."

When the two men stormed away in opposite directions, I hesitantly followed Ren into the briefing room. He stood in front of the starchart and clasped his hands behind his back. On my way to join him, I stopped and looked at a familiar pedestal. His old helmet stared back at me. Upon close inspection, I saw jagged red fissures running through it. Damaged in battle?

"Do you like your quarters?" his voice asked.

"Yes," I said, drifting a bit closer.

Then, silence. I stared at the back of his head, not quite knowing what to say to him. My heart didn't stir with anger like it had before. A bittersweet emotion, perhaps regret for what could have been, dominated me. I didn't know how to put it into words or if I should speak at all. My lips moved of their own accord.

"Ren..." His gloved hand tightened at the name he hated me using. "What exactly..."

I trailed off when he started walking to my door, feeling a rush of nerves suddenly come over me. He waved his hand over the bioreader, and a computer voice said, "Erroruser not recognized. Access restricted to Lucia Caltrel."

I balked in surprise. Waving the door open myself, I waited for him to lead the way inside. He simply stared at the door as it slid shut again. My eyes searched his face in confusion.

"I know I failed you, Lucia. In many ways," he said solemnly. He looked over at me with a guarded expression. "Even now, I sense your distrust."

In spite of myself, my eyes flickered away.

His voice took on a determined edge. "I will not fail you again."

He turned and left. I watched him cross the room in the direction of his quarters and wondered if I would ever be able to forgive him. Something told me that he was going to do everything in his power to earn it. But...

"Ren," I called, taking a step forward. He froze. "What exactly am I supposed to do here?"

"Rest," he said, glancing back at me with a tired expression. For the briefest of moments, a smirk appeared. "Don't leave again."