Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter seven of "Not So Far." This chapter introduces Captain Phasma. The next chapter will feature the first action sequence. Stay tuned for chapter eight.
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Chapter 7: Getting Dangerous
The Finalizer was going through hyperspace. Vari stood at the control room's front window with her hands behind her back. She looked up, her breathing soft and steady. Hux was close to her. He had his hands in front of him. Captain Phasma happened to be beside him. She held her blaster in her hands. He flared his nostrils before clearing his throat. He breathed deeply three times.
Hux glanced at Phasma. He remembered when she requested to be in the control room after he alerted her about plotting a course for Plint as she wanted to have a look at it once they exited hyperspace. He contacted Vari to see if it would be all right with her. He was relieved when she told him she had no problem with it. He turned to the dark side adept, who glanced at him.
"Hyperspace does have its advantages, doesn't it?" Vari asked, her eyes showing much curiosity.
"It sure does, Commander," Hux agreed. "You have to be very careful with it. You can find yourself in an asteroid field or end up too close to a supernova if the coordinates are not correct."
"No denying that, General," Phasma said and clicked her tongue three times. "Many space pilots fucked around with hyperspace too much and ended up getting themselves killed and their starships destroyed."
"Arrogance is a flaw recognized in all sentient species with the concept of morality, especially humans. Han was cocky enough to say the Millennium Falcon made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs according to Luke," Hux said, rolling his eyes.
"Luke told me about his first flight on that piece of space junk. He drove Han crazy with his twenty questions," Vari commented, a snicker leaving her mouth.
Phasma hissed annoyingly. "He was a fool for idealizing the Jedi of the past. At the height of their powers, they failed to prevent the rise of Darth Sidious and the Empire."
"It was a Jedi who was responsible for the training and creation of Darth Vader," Hux added. "That was Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Of course, Luke told me Anakin reassured Obi-Wan that he was responsible for his own choices after he passed into the Force. It doesn't matter. He still did many terrible things as Vader. Not too many people have forgiven him for it," Vari explained with a hiss.
"He will be a controversial figure in the decades to come," Hux whispered truthfully. "I admire him myself. He did well in enforcing the Emperor's rule over the galaxy."
"I will be Snoke's enforcer once we take over the galaxy," Vari said, laughing in much evilness. She flared her nostrils three times. "I can hardly wait to carry out the enforcement of his rule."
"I find it funny that people assume you and Captain Phasma are not dangerous because you are women," Hux grumbled, shaking his head in disbelief.
"It is a lie that women are completely harmless," Phasma said and scoffed irritatingly. "We can be just as cunning and vicious as men."
Vari curled her hand into a fist. "Sometimes, women are more dangerous than men are. Many female Sith and dark side adepts were among the most powerful Force users the galaxy had ever seen."
"It is always fun showing people how dangerous you and I are capable of being, Commander," Phasma said joyfully.
"It sure is," Vari agreed. "Women often have a deeper intuition than men do. We can detect lies more easily."
Phasma smirked. "We might as well be called human lie detectors."
Phasma slipped her blaster over her shoulder. She took off her helmet and ran her fingers through her hair. She rubbed the back of her neck, followed by her throat. Vari chuckled, causing her to look toward her.
"You were wise to cut your hair short, Phasma," Vari said, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly. "It would be really messy every time you took off your helmet after a long period of time, even if it was in a bun."
"Long hair is such a bitch to handle. It gets in your face through no fault of your own," Phasma hissed in much annoyance. "Sometimes, it finds its way into your mouth."
"Talk about swallowing hairballs," Hux joked with a snicker.
"Very funny, Hux," Phasma retorted with a snort. "Anyway, you would look good with short hair, Vari."
"No, thank you. I prefer my hair being long. I enjoy having it braided or pulled up into a bun," Vari commented.
"Suit yourself," Phasma whispered and cleared her throat. She patted her helmet three times. "At least I can see most things in this helmet."
"I remember seeing how long Luke's hair was when I encountered him for the first time in four-and-a-half years on Oliss," Vari murmured and closed her eyes. She opened them after ten seconds.
"Oliss is a rather swampy world. Only a few villages and towns exist there," Phasma pointed out matter-of-factly. "In fact, many Outer Rim worlds don't have very large populations." She emitted a soft snort. "They are excellent planets for fugitives to hide on."
"It is likely Ben is hiding on a world where Force-sensitive individuals can't be sensed easily," Hux suggested.
"I told Luke I was not surprised he managed to survive the temple disaster. He said the darkness in me was much worse than it ever was in his nephew. I revealed I was extending my hunt to him in order to end the Jedi once and for all. We battled with our lightsabers. He defeated me, but I didn't care. We have clashed several times since then," Vari said and clenched her teeth.
"I do hope we can get information on Luke's whereabouts from those we capture, Commander," Phasma commented. "Torture would be the best way to do it."
"That does not always work, Captain," Hux responded in an annoyed voice. "You and I both know that."
"If ordinary torture doesn't work, then I will use a mind probe. That will force them to give up the information," Vari growled tensely. "I have used it many times since I joined the First Order."
"There is a chance it won't work this time, Vari," Phasma warned sternly.
"I know that, Captain," Vari snapped in a bit of irritation. She looked out the window and gritted her teeth. "I'm not stupid, you know!"
"I was just making a comment. You didn't have to jump my ass," Phasma responded with a loud huff. "You can be—"
A clearing throat caught the trio's attention. They looked over their shoulders to see Dopheld standing a short distance away. They could see he had his hands in front of him.
"What is it, Lieutenant?" Vari asked.
"I just wanted to let you know that our spy has reported the Resistance workers are enjoying an afternoon celebration in Tovi. A few are even playing with the children," Dopheld explained.
Vari smiled. "Excellent. That means they are completely distracted. They won't know we are coming until it is too late."
"I like that," Phasma whispered sinisterly.
"Lieutenant, you may return to your post," Vari said. She watched Dopheld leave. She glanced at Hux. "General, go ask the pilots if we are getting closer to Plint."
Hux nodded at her. "Of course."
Hux walked off while balling his hands into fists. Phasma placed her helmet back on her head. She adjusted it a little bit. Vari rubbed her hands together, eagerness showing on her face.
"It is going to be a hot time in that little village this afternoon," Vari commented, a loud cackle coming from her.
"If there is one thing I love seeing, it is villages being set on fire by my best troops," Phasma said, an evil smirk crossing her lips.
"Who gives a fuck if anyone burns to death in those fires, even if they are children?" Vari wondered.
"We indoctrinate our troops from early childhood onward," Phasma replied in much proudness. "Perhaps we can find some children to turn into stormtroopers."
"That would be a good idea," Vari whispered with a soft chuckle. "That will—"
Approaching footsteps diverted the women's attention. They turned to see Hux coming their way. He stopped before them.
"I just got word from the pilots that we are very close to Plint. They are preparing to exit hyperspace," Hux announced.
"Good," Vari said, nodding slowly. "Good."
Suddenly, the Star Destroyer came out of hyperspace. It slowed down considerably as Plint came into full view. Phasma tried not to chuckle, but she couldn't help herself.
"I have to admit the planet is rather nice-looking from this distance," Phasma said, snorting.
"Let's go, Captain. It's time to kick some rebel ass," Vari commanded firmly. She and her friend walked away from the window.