"What did I tell you about interrupting me?" the raspy voice of Supreme Leader Snoke rang out in the darkness of the Great Hall. One of the red-robed guards' hand seemed to move slightly under his cloak. Hux swallowed and took the next breath a little more quietly. The leader sat on his throne, eyes closed, unmoving. How the hell was Hux supposed to know he was doing anything? He couldn't imagine what he could possibly be doing to disturb him, but he had learned already, it was physically impossible to enter this room at the right moment. Or maybe Snoke was just showing his power by taking every opportunity to let it be known that he was nothing but a nuisance. Hux. Who was appointed by the First Order on the strength of his achievements, rightly and deservedly so. And not by some unseen force, mentioned in some dusty books, as the Supreme Leader himself. Or Kylo Ren - he added. Armitage Hux was not concerned with the Force, and was not in the least inclined to obey and submit to these so-called Force users, who for some inexplicable reason, however, could kill him whenever they wished without lifting a finger. Yes, he was aware of this too.

That's why he learned to keep quiet a long time ago. What he has not learned is to override his inappropriate thoughts in time. It was hard to think of anything ordinary in Snoke's presence, that much credit Hux gave himself at least.

"The rebel ship will be in firing range within hours. This Resistance will end this rotation"

The Supreme Leader did not respond, as is not his habit when he hears something he already knew. Hux therefore did not wait for a reply.

"I suspect it would be more useful to capture their leaders alive than to shoot the Raddus with them on board. With them, we can scout out the remaining rebel groups throughout the galaxy-"

"I dare hope you can do your job without any rebel help aswell"

Hux's eyebrows almost rose, but he held back in time. What followed was about everything but the subject. The Supreme Leader's first word was, of course, Kylo Ren, his second was the Jedi. Meanwhile he wanted to know only one thing: how to handle the liquidation of Raddus? With or without survivors? So from then on, he stood still, counting when he could finally get out of here and get on with his own business.

Snoke did not wish to talk to him about the Raddus leaders at all. All the more so, because he knew by now that not a word would get out of any of their mouths. Then why save their lives? He hoped Leia Organa would die for lack of medical help anyway. He felt her spirit fading. Amilyn Holdo would join her friend in the Force soon aswell if it's on Snoke. He tried to kill her just now and will finish it as soon as this man go out of the door. Otherwise, both problems are solved when the Raddus' shield is inactivated and the Supremacy's missiles tear it to shreds.

He didn't care about Hux for a moment, but sometimes he liked to think out loud, and then he preferred being listened to. Knowing that the man was absent in thought, he was perfect for the task. If he read his mind correctly, he was only concerned with one thing: where to pin his medal when the Raddus was finally shot and the last rebel rat died with it. Very well.

When Hux walked back to the bridge finally, he wasn't entirely sure he understood exactly what the Supreme Leader had been talking about for the last ten minutes. Nor did he suspect that aboard the Raddus, Amilyn Holdo owes her life to his meaningless interruption at this moment.

.

Poe made his way to the bridge at a run. Of course he was not allowed to enter, which he had already expected deep down. However, he was able to look inside and immediately noticed that Holdo was not among them. He had to find the admiral, but now. She had to stop what she was just doing. He'd just spoken to Finn and Rose. They are on their way back, they will succeed, just need a little time. That's all they need. They can't fail this close to the finish line. But the Raddus was in uproar, the canteen was empty, everyone was on the move. Poe ran faster and faster through the empty corridors., The ship could be evacuated at any moment, which meant certain death. He had to find out where the hell Holdo was.

.

Amilyn coordinated her crew in the huge hangar with endless energy. Her steps were swift, her instructions thoughtful, her words firm and clear. She was perhaps a little impatient, it occurred to her, but she had no time to pay attention to the volume at which she was directing, she had let that go long ago. There was no time for anything. Once the pods were charged, most of the fuel was used. The planet of the old rebel base would be within reach in an hour. If they're going to try to escape, they'll have to do it now.

She took a deep breath and hurried on, ordering one commander to her, after another, energetic and firm. But the truth was something completely different.

She barely felt alive. And if she was honest, she was deeply surprised that she was still alive in general. After that night in the dark, where Dameron found her - she swallowed. She had no idea how she felt about that. Should she be grateful that he saved her? That the whole crew hadn't found out what had happened there? Should she be frustrated that the captain had just had to go looking for her and had seen her like that? She didn't even know what he had actually seen, as the last thing she remembered was herself clutching the table top and screaming.

That voice was trying to kill her then. She knew. And she also knew it would not let her go ever again. She will die. As if she was no longer in control of her body, it was slowly failing her. If Holdo was lucky, she had enough time to get the crew off the Raddus before it happened. She must do it. She could die afterwards, she didn't care anymore. She did not care anything but that one goal: They needed to launch the pods.

But her thoughts drifted back to the person she had least time for. No. She was not grateful to him, nor was she frustrated. Instead, she was deadly confused. When she opened her eyes, Poe Dameron was asleep, slumped on her bed. At first, her half-conscious mind didn't even realize what she was seeing wasn't normal. That is was something unimaginable.

Of course, it would be a shame to deny, that she had imagined one thing or another with him in the last few rotations, which had raised her pulse every single time. But she needed it. It helped her keep her sanity. But, of course, these things happened all in her head.

In reality, Poe Dameron grabbed her arm as she walked down the hall and pulled her back. However, it was only in her mind that he then pinned her against the wall. It was only in her mind that he brushed his thumb across Amilyn's lower lip, causing her to catch her breath before slowly pressed his lips over hers. It was only in her mind that their hips met and Dameron's hand slowly moved to the back of her head, pulling her closer. She opened her mouth slightly before his tongue found hers. Instantly, a hot spark burst into flame in her lap. Right where his head rested, when she woke up.

His eyes were closed, his dark eyelashes still and calm. The man was soundly asleep. As she listened to his steady breathing, she almost drifted back to sleep. It felt like just another dream. She watched him for a long, long time. His thick hair, his features, the curve of his mouth. Her hand unconsciously rose and gently stroked along his cheek. Her finger ran along the line of his eyebrow, then where his stubble began. Finally, across his lips. Then he stirred suddenly, and Holdo almost jumped in fright. Only then did it occur to her: what the hell was he doing there? Poe's eyes, however, had just shot open for then.

"We have entered the values into the system. All according to plan," interrupted D'Acy, who was already hurrying on. Holdo shook herself quickly and turned to follow, but a hand suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her back. As always. She turned around in surprise and found herself face to face with Dameron. And the plump lips that had kissed her only a moment before - strictly theoretical.

Poe froze for a moment. He was in such a hurry to find her that when he jumped over, he just didn't care how. But now they were much closer than he had planned. Their noses were almost touching. She glared at him almost frightened. Suddenly he saw nothing but that huge sky-blue gaze, sometimes hard, curious, analytical, but other times, very rarely, Poe saw the woman in it who... might be crying out for help.

He felt his face flush. Felt the air vibrating. It filled with something warm, something intoxicating. Holdo's lips parted slightly. Poe's gaze immediately slid to it. It was shapely, with two elegant peaks in the middle, from where it continued in a beautiful curve down to the dimple at the corner of her mouth. The distance between them seemed to disappear slowly, of its own accord.

"Captain" said Holdo, surprisingly hoarse.

Poe took a step back. He ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. Every second counted. Suddenly he saw the pilots around him, packing heavy boxes. The crew, running with holopads and Holdo, who was now looking at him impatiently, her gaze focused and hard again. Perhaps, not as hard as before.

"You need to listen now" he stated.

"Happening already, Dameron, what do you want"

"Indeed. Okay. Because this is important. Admiral..." he started and although he hadn't planned to, he told her everything. Finn and Rose's plan, the attempt to take out the Imperial ship's tracker, the code-breaker on Canto Bight, and the fact that this was their only chance. Because it was. And Holdo also had only one chance: if she waited. If she understood him.

If not... well, he had a plan for that eventuality. But he really didn't want to do that. A few rotations ago, he would have done it without a qualm. Maybe even gladly. But not now.

"So a stormtrooper and a who now are doing what?" Holdo asked back with complete incomprehension and looked around nervously. She really didn't have time for this.

"They are trying to save us" Poe explained once more, slowly. "This is our best chance for escape. You have to give Finn and Rose all the time that you can"

The emotion that crossed Holdo's face was not exactly what he had expected. Her features hardened, anger flashing in her eyes. Her voice was sharp as lightning as she spoke.

"You have bet the survival of the Resistance on bad odds and put us all at risk" her every word was like a slap across Poe's face. She turned back to her crew. "There's no time now. We have to get clear of the cruiser. Load the transports!"

Poe took a deep breath. Okay.

"I was afraid you'd say that"

It was not that easy now. Only moments ago he had almost kissed this woman. It was very unlike him - he shook his head inwardly as he slowly pulled his blaster from under his jacket and signaled to his mates.

"Vice Admiral Holdo, I am relieving you of your command for the survival of this ship, its crew… and the Resistance"

Holdo turned back to him with a face as if she had been doused with ice water. Her jaw dropped. Poe saw her staring down the barrel of his gun. She didn't realize what was happening for a moment, then slowly raised her eyes to Poe. It was dark with rage. A storm that Dameron hoped he would never meet in this life. What struck him even harder, however, was the desperation behind her gaze. She needed only a moment to hide it all, and her lips slowly tightened into a stubborn line.

"I hope you understand what you're doing"

"Yeah," he said confidently, but tore his gaze away from hers. When he looked at her actually, he was never sure of anything anymore.

"I'm going to the bridge" he said to his friend, and then headed for the exit. "If they move, stun them" he added.

Amilyn closed her eyes in endless nervousness. She refused to believe what was happening. She just couldn't. Something touched her shoulder, opening her eyes again. It was Dameron's shoulder, barely perceptibly brushing hers. He stopped for a moment beside her. Amilyn was looking ahead and he wasn't looking at her either.

His voice was no more than a whisper.

"You need to trust me"

"Something you've never done" Amilyn responded bitterly. She heard him swallow. His hand then gripped hers in the cover of their clothes. Amilyn missed a breath at his touch.

"I just don't want you to make yourself knocked out" he said softly. "I know you"

Amilyn turned to him and looked straight into his eyes. "No you don't"

A moment later his fingers released hers and he hurried out of the hangar.