Ginger Gears

Logical Axiom

Hux stood in front of a panorama window on the Supremacy and scrolled through his pad and checked his presentation for the last time. He wasn't nervous because of it, he was anxious to get back to work. His father had never understood that his unrest wasn't a result of weak nerves, but because he didn't like to waste time on something as trivial as parading around in front of laymen in an attempt to impress them. He knew what he was doing and that he was good at it.

For a brief moment his thoughts returned to Specialist Phan. A pity that she wouldn't be here. She would understand the elegance of his design. He smirked. She would probably find a flaw somewhere.

"A rare sight."

Hux looked up from the pad and saw Kylo Ren standing next to him. Even now he was wearing his helmet. "Cryptic as ever, Lord Ren. Am I supposed to ask what you're referring to?"

Ren make a coughing noise, it could've been a scoff. It was hard to tell with the vocoder. "I was referring to your smile. One can only assume that you're quite certain about the presentation."

"Of course I am. There is a reason why the Supreme Leader appointed me to head the WDD."

"Hm, I can feel your excitement, General. You're quite sure of yourself."

Hux crooked an eyebrow. "Not everybody is conflicted about their skills."

Ren exhaled sharply. "What are you implying?"

Hux smirked. "Nothing of course. It was merely a general observation."

"You would do well to refrain from 'general observations'."

"Indeed?"

"You misunderstand the difference in the nature of our power, General. Your power come from the system and your adherence to it ... mine comes from within. Your power can be taken away. My power can never be taken from me."

Hux clasped his hands behind his back. "You really think your mystical powers are more important than the First Order military?"

Ren tilted his head. "I'm afraid you don't understand my meaning, General. You'll see eventually." With these words he turned on his heel and strode to his chair in the conference room.

Hux frowned. He wanted to ignore what Ren had said, but he rarely spoke and whenever he decided to share cryptic statement Hux couldn't shake the feeling that there was a deeper meaning behind it. Like when he talked about 'letting the past die'.

He was Snoke's apprentice, and presumably his heir. He knew things Hux didn't. And he had his own agenda, his own assignments – like finding Luke Skywalkers lightsaber. Hux straightened himself and checked his chrono. He walked to his chair at the conference table.

It didn't matter. It wasn't his job to understand the ways of the Force or to question the Supreme Leaders wisdom. His job was to give him the means to restore order in the galaxy.

About two minutes later all officers were seated and waited for the Supreme Leader. The projection of his face appeared right on time in front of the place of honour at the head of the table.

The officers rose and bowed.

"Sit," Snoke growled.

They sat back on their chairs and waited for him to continue.

"The galaxy is a disgusting chaos, like a wild forest that is full of useless plants and rotten trees. We have to slash-and-burn it down to cultivate the land. The First Order is the cleansing fire, the useless and the weak will perish. Only the worthy shall remain."