The Mechanic

IV

IV The First Order

I docked my ship in the large docking bay of the Finaliser. It was really big. Disembarking via the ramp at the back of the ship I jogged over to where Ben was standing. I was about to make a comment on his impressive ship when an orange man hurried over. Wait sorry, an orange haired man hurried over.

"Supreme Leader, an orange and black bat-shaped ship was spotted following you we-"

Ben cut him off "I know. I brought her here." He jerked his head towards me. The man's eyes looked me up and down. He took a breath to say something, but again Ben cut him off again. "General Hux, this is my sister Aelin Solo. Aelin this is General Hux." I stuck out my grubby hand, the loose ends of the bandages across my palm beginning to fall away. He looked at it distastefully before lightly and quickly shaking it. I felt suddenly self-conscious- my grubby hands, the oily brown dungarees and the white shirt smudged all over with dirt and oil. My greasy hair and the oil smeared across my left eye. I shook my head, why should I care what he thinks of me? But, I still did.

"You're the girl he's been searching for?" He said, disgust clear in his voice. "And what exactly do you do?"

"Hacker, town mechanic, many things, but I'm primarily an assassin." I smirked- he had been surprised by the last one.

"Sir, she may be working with the resistance..." Hux directed his attention back at Ben.

"No, she's not."

"You can't be certain-"

"I just watch her turn down an offer to join the resistance from her mother. Nobody has seen her in 5 years- if they had do you think I would have bothered to waste time scanning all the camera footage we have?"

"I apologise Supreme Leader, I was merely stating that-"

"It doesn't matter. You made a foolish suggestion and I proved you wrong- now get back to your job, whatever that is..." General Hux walked away.

"Bye, General Nuts! Nice meeting you!" I called after him. He turned and looked at me fury in his eyes, I smiled and waved. He stomped away. "I don't think your General appreciates nicknames."

"General Nuts...funny. Come on let me show you the ship."

"Yeah, your fancy Finaliser. Sweet."

"You know your ships."

I shrugged. "Hurry up then. I've been dying to see the inside of this."

Ben laughed. "Come on."

"It's all very grey," I told him- an hour after arrival.

"Well- it would take an age to paint and paint would be impractical."

"I suppose so." A minute of silence. "I have a question,"

"Fire away,"

"Where do stormtroopers go to the toilet?"

Ben burst out laughing.

"What? I'm curious,"

He took a minute to calm down. "In the living quarters when they're off shift."

"Really? But what if they need it when they're on shift?"

"Too bad. Any other serious questions?" He put air speech marks at the word serious.

"Don't mock me! And yes actually- do you ever sleep or..."

Ben chuckled. "Infrequently and lightly. Do you?"

I shook my head "Only when I'm about to pass out."

"So we still have something in common" He gave me an amused look.

"I'll be going. Mum will be mad if I don't go see her."

"Come back tomorrow? I've missed having a sister."

"Course."

Once on my ship I tapped in the co-ordinates and gave Ben a wave. I shot out into space.

Another chapter woooh! That's all for today but I'll start again tomorrow. Remember to leave your thoughts so far.