With Ren and I ignoring the very existence of one another, Vegas' positive energy carried the team as we rode the speed lift to Snoke's chamber.
"Lord Ren. I have a new assignment for you."
"I'm ready, Master."
I glanced over my shoulder when I heard the speed lift take off as though someone had summoned it. When the Supreme Leader spoke, I planted my gloved hands back on the floor.
"I have ordered the fleet to begin the push into the Western Reaches of the Outer Rim." His voice dropped in pitch. "I have trained you well, my apprentice. It is time for you to join them."
The Western Reaches was a region that sliced through all three Rims, providing vital supply chains to the wealthy Core Worlds. It was also under the jurisdiction of the New Republic. The First Order fleet pushing into the region would mean...
"But what about Luke Skywalker?" Ren asked urgently.
Snoke leaned forward on his throne, leering over Ren like a giant. "Patience, Lord Ren. I have foreseen that you will find the map there."
"...Yes, Master."
The speed lift returned. I caught a glimpse of red hair in my peripheral before General Hux appeared, striding forward confidently. Ren shot to his feet and turned his face as Hux joined him, his jaw clenching in annoyance.
"Supreme Leader," he began in a loud yet shrill voice. "General Graves expressed no reservations with Lord Ren stationed on Finalizer. However, he made it clear that he will not tolerate any deviations from his assigned duties."
Snoke nodded and threaded his fingers together. "As I would expect of all my Generals," he rumbled.
I could see the tension in Ren's shoulders and the vice grip on his helmet. When Hux began reporting on another matter, he interrupted him.
"Supreme Leader, I believe I would be more effective detached from the fleet."
Hux fell silent and glanced at Ren warily. Snoke leaned forward again, this time his eyes like daggers. His voice became low and lethal.
"Are you questioning my guidance, my young pupil?"
"No," came the swift reply. And then a hitch of breath as if silencing himself from speaking further.
Snoke slowly reclined on his throne. "Leave us," he ordered.
Vegas and I scrambled to our feet. Ren stood alone in the chamber as we fell in behind Hux. On the speed lift, he whirled around with a pinched expression on his face. His icy blue eyes were fixed on Ren's back as the doors slid shut. The Supreme Leader's voice could be heard until the lift gained momentum.
"One Jedi is not enough to challenge the might of the First Order..."
I shrugged one shoulder, desperate to work out the tension building there. Hux released a smug scoff.
"I hope you rubes understand what this means," he lashed out. "Starting tomorrow, Ren's little games are over."
A chill settled over me as I wondered what would change after joining the fleet. Vegas and I stood behind him like silent statues, not engaging in his petty spat with Ren. His gloved hands were balled into fists behind his back. When he suddenly glanced over his shoulder, my eyes snapped to his face. His gaze lingered on me.
"Remove your helmet, Trooper," he ordered, quieter.
I schooled my expression into an unreadable mask as I reached for my helmet. I pulled it off and made eye contact with him, standing at exactly the same height. His eyes narrowed, and I got the sinking feeling that he recognized me. Raising his chin, he appraised me with a spiteful glint in his eye.
Then he made a noise.
"Hmph."
Vegas' excitement burst out of him as soon as we were alone in the hallway. "This is fantastic," he breathed. "Finally free of Phasma and Hux."
I nodded, trying not to show my uneasiness. I was troubled by what Snoke had said, but it was clear that Vegas didn't understand the politics of the situation. I could only hope that the Resistance had a strong presence in the Western Reaches to justify the First Order's aggressive action.
When Vegas suddenly wasn't by my side, I stopped completely.
He was shaking his head as he walked unusually slowly. I came alongside him.
"You alright?"
"I think I've been up for too long," he said, sounding winded. "I'm gonna go lay down and review the schematics."
I smiled sadly. "Good idea."
After walking Vegas to his quarters, I was torn between dropping by Phasma's office to say goodbye and working off some steam at the range. The latter won out, and I found that my anxiety actually heightened my ability to aim. The prospect that I was improving over time was a smaller possibility.
My afternoon was consumed with research, driven by my curiosity about the Finalizer. It was a Resurgent-class Star Destroyer with a crew of over seventy thousand. I scrolled through the battlecruiser's compliment, which included thirty Stormtrooper battalions and three TIE Fighter wings. General Titus Graves, a veteran of the Imperial Navy, was the commanding officer.
I panned over the schematics. The ship was impossibly large—essentially a Starkiller Base in space. The doubled personnel would also mean half the room. I searched the ship's manifest to see if I already had quarters assigned. My name popped up on "Deck EE, Section 12, Quarters A."
My quarters were huge. Searching Vegas' name, I was disappointed to see that he was on an entirely different deck. I searched Ren's name.
"Deck EE, Section 12, Quarters A."
I squinted at the screen. There must be some kind of mistake.
I left it open on my computer terminal for the rest of the day as I packed my things. The more times I glanced at it, the deeper my realization became. There was no mistake. There was only intent.
That evening, I nearly jumped out of my skin when my communicator went off. I cleared my throat before answering it. "Caltrel."
When the person on the other end didn't start speaking right away, I immediately knew who it was. His voice was raw and unfiltered.
"Come speak to me."
My heart skipped a beat. "Yes, sir."
He knew I knew.
And he knew I knew he knew.
I smoothed my uniform as I made the familiar walk to his quarters. I rehearsed what to say in my mind, remaining as objective as possible to avoid offending him. My own personal desire was a sweeping undercurrent in the opposite direction.
As I reached for the door signal, the door slid open of its own accord. Ren sat on the couch with his back facing the door, his head turning when I stepped through. With my heart hammering, I took the armchair beside him. He wore his full battle garb minus his helmet, implying that he had just returned to his quarters. His expression was unreadable.
"Sir, you wanted to see—"
"Spare me the introduction," he interrupted, his voice severe and unwavering. "Your conflict is screaming out to me."
I wet my lips nervously. "Sir, I...I don't think it's a good idea."
"Why?"
"You are my superior," I said as planned. "I am an officer under your command. It's fraternization."
His eyebrows came together, and his intense gaze morphed into an incredulous glare. "Are you mocking me, Caltrel?" he asked with a sharp edge.
I shrank back. "No, no. I would never."
His eyes stayed glued to my face as he stood up. I blinked rapidly and held his gaze, unsure if he wanted me to leave. Then he stepped forward and crouched in front of me, gripping the armrests on either side of me. His eyes, closer than ever before, studied my face, and his knee pressed into my shin.
My breath hitched as the heat of arousal swept through me. I clenched my fists.
"You want to be with me," he murmured, sending sparks of electricity through my limbs. "Right?"
I nodded breathlessly, unable to utter the words myself. Star's end, I want him. I clenched my fists tighter as my body began to tremble.
He drew in a breath. "Then..."
He raised two fingers and moved them in a distinct line in front of my face. My eyes followed them automatically.
"You will quarter with me on Finalizer," he stated.
I was suddenly nodding, feeling my inhibitions slip away. I found it strange that I had questioned him in the first place.
"I will quarter with you on Finalizer," I said.
A gratified smile played on his lips as his eyes danced across my face. "Mm," he hummed quietly. "I'm glad we agree."
