Hunted

Chapter 5: Assignment

Your alarm shrieked and the lights suddenly chased away the darkness of your room. You stretched your arms out and felt the previously damp towel, a reminder of the night before. You smiled to yourself and clasped your hands over your mouth, stifling a laugh. As you peeled yourself out of bed to get ready for whatever the day had waiting for you, you couldn't help but think about Em. There was a pang of fear intermingled with the reckless fun and pleasure. You lost control. No, you surrendered control. That was completely foreign, letting go to let someone have their way with you. Even in previous sexual encounters, you were in charge. Last night, you did not want to be. You just wanted to feel. Feel something, anything. You weren't sure if Em was anything other than last night but it didn't matter, it was what you had needed in the moment. You slipped into more of the usual attire; black compression pants, a utility belt, a long-sleeved compression top (black, of course), knee-high boots. You pulled your hair into a high ponytail and added a bit of mascara to your tired eyes. Once satisfied, you clipped your blaster to your belt and stepped into the long, sterile hallway of Starkiller Base.

"Good morning, boss." Em's voice cut through the swirling chaos in your head.

"Good morning, Em." You said, as nonchalantly as you could.

"Commander Ren and General Hux have requested your presence." She said.

"Great." You sighed. "Lead the way."

The walk to one of the many conference rooms was quiet, not a single word uttered between the two of you. You left Em in the hallway as the doors hissed open to reveal Hux and Ren. Hux was seated at the end of the table closest to you and Ren was standing at the opposite end of the room. He was brooding, rather than standing, really. Can he ever just sit down and have a civil conversation? You thought to yourself before pulling out a chair next to the General.

"No." The mechanical voice hissed. You furrowed your brow at him in frustration and surprise. Before you could protest the intrusion of your private thoughts, General Hux began to speak.

"There are several systems that are crucial to our trade routes and military operations that have been overtaken by the Crymorah Syndicate and Black Sun. We need you to discreetly remove them so we may resume operations." Hux said.

"If our previous conversation is any indication, this also means there is some level of Resistance presence, correct?" You asked the room.

"Yes, we believe they have worked out a deal with the Syndicates, allowing them to travel freely and even seek refuge. Our intelligence tells us that the Resistance still believes they have the means to destroy us and when that happens," Hux scoffed before continuing, "they will allow the syndicates to maintain control and turn their eyes away from those systems in the Outer Rim."

You nodded in understanding. "So, I need to take them out quietly to maintain the illusion that First Order power was never lost."

Hux cut his eyes at you, as though he was insulted. "The coordinates have been sent to your Comlink and your ship has been readied. You will directly report to Commander Ren and your squad will accompany you. You may lead this mission as you see fit, as long as your squad is not detected as First Order. To emphasize again, this must be discreet. The surrounding systems have not yet been infiltrated and we can show no sign of weakness. Taking it back must be swift and quiet. Common clothing only, no signs of First Order regalia."

"I expect reports twice per day. Once at 0600 and again at 2300." Kylo Ren's modulated voice said as he stood as still as a monument.

"Yes, sir." You said, averting your gaze away from his general direction. With that, the Commander strode out of the room, cowl fluttering behind him as the echoes of his boots faded.

"Please be careful, miss. Your loss would be a personal tragedy to me." Hux said, giving you a satisfied smile with slightly raised eyebrows.

"Yes, General." You replied, with as much apathy as you could communicate in your voice. You stood up and vacated the conference room, again finding yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with Em.

"You hear about our assignment?" You asked her.

"We're already packed and ready to go, miss." She said.