A week passed quickly as I fell into a routine. Since I was finished with my supplemental education, I focused on my required exercise and range time, which I soon realized was a continuous expectation. I was not called back to the intel team at all—even though Vegas was absent from the shooting range two days in a row.

When he returned, I asked him about it during our shared time block.

"Pretty ordinary mission," was his elaborate response.

The next day, it finally happened: my second assignment with the intel team. I leaped off the floor in excitement as soon as Phasma closed the com. The order was identical to before—muster at the command shuttle at 0700. I thought I would lose my mind waiting all day and all night.

As I got ready, I was torn between wearing my uniform versus my armor. It seemed to be protocol to start in the uniform, but I wanted to keep my face hidden. I bumped into Vegas on my way to the speed lift, and he joked that I was modeling myself after Phasma. I didn't deny it.

All three of us waited for Ren at the bottom of the ramp this time, with Bach looking even more dejected than before. I felt the usual twist in my gut when he approached. He straightened to his full height and greeted us individually. After a round of salutes, we boarded in silence.

There was only a skeleton crew onboard—not even a full unit of Stormtroopers. The pilots reported to Ren that the jump would take two hours, and then he vanished without briefing the crew. I sat at the table in the common room as we took off. Rather than feeling queasy with fear like last time, I felt eager to gain more experience.

"Hey, Caltrel."

I reflexively caught the clip that was tossed at my head. Vegas smirked at me.

"Let's go get briefed."

Bach hummed irritably.

Our trip up to the officer's deck was quiet. I was excited to explore my quarters a bit more this time. Once again, Vegas lingered outside of Ren's door.

"How do you feel? After last time."

"I feel fine," I answered.

I narrowed my eyes when his eyes fell. Unusual.

He cleared his throat.

The sitting room in Ren's quarters was a lot less terrifying than I remembered, but its occupant still made me feel a hundred emotions all at once. I tried to emulate Vegas' self-assured posture as we stood to receive our mission briefing.

"The intel from Csilla was...enlightening," Ren began, sounding pleased. "I tracked a lead to a planet named Agridorn in the Colonies. Since this region is under New Republic jurisdiction, we must avoid causing major disturbances. Only the two of you will accompany me on the planet, with the Troopers on standby."

I stiffened at the thought of stepping foot onto Republican soil.

"Could this be a Resistance base, sir?" Vegas asked.

Ren seemed skeptical. "A small one, perhaps, since there are no defensive ships in the area. If so, they may have rooted themselves among the locals to provoke collateral damage."

I pictured myself back in the Chiss village, imagining the scene if there had been "collateral damage." My combat training was very clear about self-defense: shoot first and ask questions later.

"We will begin by interrogating our known targets. Kes Odell, a merchant, and a local government representative named Lador. Questions?"

"No, sir," Vegas answered, throwing a salute.

My mind teemed with questions. Considering that virtually all of Coruscant's supply chains flowed through the Colonies, it seemed likely that New Republic Rangers would be stationed there. I only realized that Vegas had left my side when I heard the door open.

"Corporal," Ren said expectantly.

"Sir," I said, turning to leave.

"You may stay. Vegas, you're dismissed."

I wondered if he could see the look of sheer panic through my helmet as the door slid shut between us. My stomach fluttered with nerves as I turned and faced Ren. His silent scrutiny was almost too much for me to handle.

"Sir?" I croaked.

"You lack confidence," he stated.

His tone was not harsh, but it rubbed me to the bone regardless. I didn't know what to say, so I focused on remembering how to breathe. Then—

"Look at me."

My eyes shot up. "S—Sorry, sir."

I stared at the harrowing mask, trying to stop my whole body from trembling. Just seeing a human expression would help put my mind at ease. I wouldn't care if he was angry or annoyed with me. I just wanted to know.

Was he old? Did he show his emotions on his face? Was he even human?

"There are no Rangers on Agridorn," he said at length. "Snoke has foreseen it."

Foreseen it? I nodded hesitantly.

"Dismissed."

I nearly hit my own chin when I saluted and left in a hurry. I rushed to my quarters, moving so erratically that I almost tripped on the floor. The two-hour flight was not nearly as peaceful as I hoped it would be, and I mustered in the common room very early.

Soon, I was watching the surface of a planet come into view. We landed on the outskirts of a town just like before, but I could already tell the area was more densely populated. The planet's sun was setting on the orange horizon, and the frigid air made me feel grateful for my thick leather undersuit for once. Leaving a restless group of Stormtroopers behind, we entered the city at dusk.

Heads turned. The human citizens did not gather around us but murmured to each other, some shouting words that I couldn't quite discern. Someone threw a rock that clipped Vegas' helmet. The people feared us on Csilla, but they hated us here.

We kept our pace until we reached a cramped merchant district. Judging by the fastened shutters and doors, most of the shops were closed. People stared at us from windows, benches, and doorways as others scurried to their homes.

"Spread out," Ren ordered. "Find Kes Odell."

"Sir," Vegas chirped, stalking off to follow the order.

I kept Ren in my peripheral vision as I complied. He only watched and waited, head tilted as if he was listening intently. Focusing on the task at hand, I cleared my throat as I approached a group of civilians.

"Where is the merchant Kes Odell?" I asked with a bit of a bite.

The three women reacted with both awe and fear. I waited for a couple of heartbeats, holding my breath. Their gaze fell when I looked down at them, and I only then realized how much taller my boots made me appear.

"We aren't from the city. We—We don't know anyone," one of them said.

"Um...thank you," I muttered, moving on to the next group.

After a few more failed attempts, I heard my communicator beep in my ear. Vegas' voice filtered through my helmet. "He's over here, sir."

I glanced across the courtyard to find Vegas standing by an elderly man, with Ren striding toward them. Jogging to catch up, I joined them just as they were following the man inside a shop. I was completely winded.

Weapons of unfamiliar designs were strewn about shelves and mounted to the walls. It was a modest place considering how expensive the merchandise must be. The lights were off, but I had a feeling that Ren preferred it that way.

"Lock it," he ordered the man.

He complied immediately. This is going to be easy.

"Sit down," he said in a honeyed voice.

The shopkeeper sat down on a chair behind the counter, keeping a wary eye trained on Ren's masked face. He seemed more apprehensive than afraid.

"I don't do business with the First Order," Odell said in a wavering voice.

Ren stood before him like a hooded statue, hands folded behind his back. I watched intently, but Vegas motioned for me to keep watch through the windows. I stole glances at them while standing guard by the door, hand resting on my holstered sidearm.

"That's not why I'm here," Ren said. "Are you aware that your supplier on Csilla is a Resistance sympathizer?"

There was a pause before the old man sighed in exasperation. "Yes, but," he said in a rush, "he's the only one who has the design I need."

"What design?"

"Ion-infused plasma blasters."

"For New Republic Rangers," Ren concluded.

"Y—Yes."

I turned my head when I heard him take a few thumping steps—he towered over Odell, forcing the man to crane his neck uncomfortably. It reminded me of my own interrogation.

"I...I don't know what you want from me," the man babbled. "I have no other clients."

Ren's voice became as sharp as a knife. "To make it abundantly clear, merchant, I am accusing you of supporting the Resistance."

The man immediately shook his head. "I don't! I would never."

Vegas gently tapped my shoulder, and I turned to see him jerk his head toward the window. A large crowd was forming outside. I reached for the blaster rifle on my back and looked at him inquisitively. He shook his head.

"Corporal," Ren called. Unsure of who he was calling for, I was grateful when Vegas responded immediately. "Remain here until I call for you. No one enters, no one leaves."

Vegas saluted, and Ren motioned for me to follow as he left. I sucked in a sharp breath as I followed him back into the cold night. The crowd parted automatically with scattered exclamations, some of reproach and some of fear. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. This could get ugly fast.

Ren opened a com to the command shuttle. "Send three Troopers to Vegas' location."

"Copy, sir," came the reply.

Once we broke free of the crowd, I felt like I could breathe again. I had to nearly jog to keep up with Ren's broad strides.

"Lador, sir?"

"Yes," he said with an edge of frustration. "You may walk beside me."

I sprinted and fell into step with him, feeling my heart race a little faster. "We have to hurry."

I heard the breath of a laugh through the helmet. "No need to state the obvious."

A smile tugged at my lips.

I didn't notice that he received a com until he lifted his wrist with a jerk. "Ren."

"Sir, this is the bridge. We were scanning the area and found three spacecraft to the northeast..."

"And?" he snapped.

"Sir...they're X-Wings."

Ren froze, his shock evident. My stomach clenched. The Resistance.

"We have a target lock, sir. What are your orders...?"

"Hold your fire," he ordered immediately. "Prepare for egress."

As we retraced our steps to the shop, my adrenaline swiftly carried my feet. Between the unruly civilians and the presence of the Resistance, the situation could explode at any moment. Cutting our losses seemed to be the only solution.

At Ren's approach, the pair of armed Stormtroopers guarding the shop threw open the doors. The crowd had been corralled back by local law enforcement and were shouting in angry protest. Without hesitation, Ren lunged for the shopkeeper and ripped him out of his chair. He threw him down to his hands and knees and leered over him.

"You lied," he growled.

"I—I told you—"

"Tell me again," Ren barked, raising his hand over the cowering man. He glared down at him.

When he cried out, I knew that Ren was invading his mind. The confused Stormtrooper next to Vegas gasped as he watched the silent, almost bizarre interrogation. It was different from before—the man struggled, keeping his eyes open as his body tensed from head to toe. Tears gathered in his eyes as he strained and panted.

"You cannot resist me, old man," Ren murmured, deadly. "Submit to the power of the Dark Side."

He sputtered, and then his teeth came together in a determined grimace. He lifted his head and stared straight into Kylo Ren's eyes. Ren didn't flinch a muscle.

"I don't fear you," he strained out.

"You should."

Odell's face suddenly contorted in pain. He convulsed on the ground as Ren took the information he wanted, and then, he fell limp as though he was dead. His ragged breathing revealed otherwise. A few beats of silence passed.

"Corporal," Ren called in a different voice.

Vegas' hand on my shoulder was not gentle this time. I stumbled forward and recovered by standing at attention. "Sir?" I chirped.

Ren crouched almost tiredly in front of the man. His gaze remained fixed on him. He then issued an order, his voice was low and dangerous, sending a chill deep into my skin.

"Kill him."

A cold sweat immediately broke out all over my body. Be ready to follow orders without question. Adrenaline surged through me as my hand reached for my holster. I unsnapped it and pulled out my blaster.

I towered over the shivering man. His face was blank and void of fear as I leveled the barrel of my blaster with his temple. Ren rose to his full height, looming like a shadow in my peripheral vision. My finger shook on the trigger. I shut my eyes before I squeezed it.

The man shouted his final words at the top of his lungs.

"Long live Luke Skywalker!"

Ptchew!