The pills that Duval prescribed me tasted bitter. One was to prevent infection and one was for "mood instability." He had stopped short of calling it depression, but I knew better. I felt like a stranger had taken control of my body.
Seeing 9E after my thirty-six-hour ordeal was bizarre. It sat in the doorway of my room in the medbay as I dressed and collected my things to leave. Instead of rolling to the right in the direction of my cell, it rolled to the left. It let out a string of annoyed Droidspeak when I didn't follow.
It led me through the main corridors of Supremacy. The few Stormtroopers that we passed turned their heads to stare at me. I didn't have the energy to feel self-conscious. When I began to suspect our destination, we entered a different speed lift. 9E used an access panel to bring us to the same level as the throne room.
We soon entered a side hallway of unmarked doors. The droid stopped at the third one on the right with a terse beep. I stepped forward and waved my hand over the bioreader, and the panel turned green. A well-furnished room greeted me. Oh, no.
Ren's quarters…?
"What is this, 9E?" I asked, turning around.
The little droid was nowhere to be seen.
I hurried down the hallway and glanced around the corner. The corridor was empty, save for a squad of Stormtroopers passing through.
Am I…free?
Before the door shut behind me, I held my arm out to keep it open. A full minute of metal debate ran through my mind. I finally stepped back, staring hard at the access screen. It slid shut, without locking.
I released the breath I was holding.
The quarters were even larger than my apartment back in the Fleet. The first room was a dining area with a spotless kitchenette and a long table. A bowl of fresh fruit was sitting there, and the kitchen was stocked with prepackaged food and drinks. Beyond this laid a lounge area with shelves of holonovels lining the walls and a circular couch in the middle. One shelf was even dedicated to antique books, securely held in place by their magnetic spines. My fingers traced some of the titles.
Lords of the Sith.
The Force.
Book of the Whills.
Venturing deeper, I found the bedroom. It had the largest, softest bed I had ever seen. A computer terminal with a comfortable chair sat in the corner, notably lacking a holonet connection. A wide mirror covered much of the eastern wall, making the room look double its size. At my approach, the mirror split down the middle and revealed a huge closet. I walked inside and ran my hand along the hundreds of hanging garments. They ranged from casual outfits to formal dresses, all made of fine expensive materials. The only thing missing was color—all were shades of black, gray, and white.
The attached refresher was the final room. It was nearly as large as the bedroom and featured a chrome soaking tub in the center and a massage table in the back. The tub was supplied with various perfumes and oils in scents like rose, ivy, and honey. A wide counter with twin sinks covered one wall, and a large open shower covered the other. Controls by the door indicated that the entire fresher could function as a steam room or a sauna.
I returned to the lounge in awe. I had never known such fineries in my life.
There, I found an unexplored door with a bioreader. When it responded to me, I stepped through with trepidation.
I found myself in some kind of briefing room with a strangely tall ceiling. A large holographic star chart filled the center of the room, encased by an elevated catwalk for in-depth interaction. I recognized the map of the Western Reaches immediately. Two other unmarked doors lined the rear wall. When I tried to access the middle one, a computerized voice responded.
"Error: user not recognized. Access restricted to Supreme Leader Ren."
I glanced back at the first door in confusion. The third door was also locked.
"Error: user not recognized. Access restricted to General Hux."
The final door in the room was the largest. I walked past the star chart, gazing up at the dozens of red dots that represented planets and the thousands of blue dots representing stars. It was the same as the holomap on the bridge of the Finalizer, but the extra space made it appear more impressive.
I only glanced inside when the set of doors slid open. It was strangely dark and cold, with a large object obscuring most of the room from view. Driven by my curiosity, I stepped forward. As I came around the object, I spotted a Praetorian Guard standing across the room. I began my retreat immediately.
"Well, well, well."
I froze.
Reluctantly turning around, I found General Hux in full uniform. He wore an impatient frown as he stood before the empty throne. I lifted my chin, more than aware of my unkempt appearance.
"We meet again," he said drolly.
"Unfortunately."
A smug smile tugged at his lips. "Tell me. How did you manage to run so directly into the arms of the First Order?"
I didn't feel the rush of anxiety that I was expecting. After all, the worst thing he could do to me was strangle me to death, and that didn't sound so bad. I crossed my arms and took a half step forward.
"How did the Resistance manage to infiltrate your base and destroy it?"
His lip curled back. He lowered his brow, issuing a stern warning. "Hold your tongue, girl," he murmured.
"You know nothing about me," I said flippantly.
"I know everything I need to know about you, daughter of Theo Caltrel."
I balked, completely thrown off balance. How does he…? Sensing weakness, he took a step forward.
"I know you walked away from a life of wealth and prestige to become the pet of a homicidal maniac."
I gritted my teeth in anger. "How dare you—"
We both froze when all of the Guards suddenly snapped to attention. They saluted as Kylo stepped off the speed lift. I worked to school my expression as he approached with broad steps, but he wasn't looking at me. He walked directly up to Hux, leering over him like a giant.
"Never address her," he ordered sharply.
Hux wore a deadpan expression. "Supreme Leader, if I may—"
"Never."
"…Yes, sir. My apologies. I've come to report—"
Kylo abruptly walked away, and Hux shot me a spiteful glare. Before turning away, I tried to murder him with my eyes. I hesitantly followed Kylo to the door behind the throne, which was labeled "Command Suite."
As the door slid shut behind me, my mind filled with the scene from the night before last. My anger felt distant, inaccessible behind a wall of regret. I stood just inside the door, and Kylo stood in the middle of the room with his hands behind his back. One of them was clenched into a fist with the other clutching his wrist.
"Do you like your room?" he asked.
"It's nice," I hedged.
"Just tell the droids, whatever else you need. Or want. Nothing will be withheld from you."
"I want holonet access."
He turned his head halfway. "Done."
I fell back on my heel, shocked.
After a moment, he began approaching the door to my quarters, triggering an irrational rush of fear. He waved his hand over the bioreader.
"Error: user not recognized. Access restricted to Lucia Caltrel."
My mouth fell open.
"I know I failed you, Lucia," he said, monotone. "I see that clearly now."
I could only see his profile, but his gaze was fixed downward. I moved closer, trying to discern the expression on his face. Once I got close enough, I recognized it. Pain.
He turned to face me, keeping his eyes low.
"Don't use this door, and you'll never see me. The choice is yours."
I dipped my head briefly, not quite knowing what to say. "Thank you."
He pulled his shoulders back and nodded. When our eyes locked, his expression morphed into that of determination.
"I will not fail you again."
