The Enhanced Trooper

Chapter XVIII

EVEN THOUGH it has been 3 years since I was last allowed out of my area I have become better with the commotion. I trained myself to go numb to my surroundings and focus on what I need to.
     Phasma walks with purpose as I tag behind her with equal confidence. Some people stop and stare at me with confusion and a hint of fear. This boost my confidence as I stand taller.
  We turn the corner and walk in to what looks like a huge hanger. Row after row of troopers dressed in black and white stand in square blocks. Instead of joining the ranks Phasma veers to the right and heads towards a platform that rises a little above the ground.
     She stops and my trooper instincts kick in as I come up close to her shoulder keep my legs in a wide stance and hold my blaster close to my chest.
   "Ah General Hux." Phasma addresses a skinny man with red hair. His pale complexions give him an almost sickly look. His hands are clasps behind his back as he turns to look in our direction.
Instantly his eyes lock on me. I am glad that I have a helmet on because the look he gives me makes me shrink back and it makes me feel Like I am a kid in dress up clothes.
"Captain Phasma. And who might this be?" He nods in my direction.
"This," Phasma motions with her hand, "is SN2198. She is the special project I have been working on."
One of his eye Browns raises as he looks at me with curiosity. I feel like a caged animal being observed and scrutinized by visitors in a zoo. "What does it do?"
"She is enhanced. If you take 10 of your best troopers she will be able to beat them in any subject. Intellect, strength, speed, and combat. She is the first out of 66 trails to be successful. So we are very proud of our achievement. Today she will be joining your troopers and we will see how she fairs in battle."
Phasma steps aside as Hux walks closer to me. He stand inches away from my face as his eyes flicker over my helmet. "Nice choice of armor. If I am not mistaken this once belonged to belong to the Cardinal?"
"Yes sir. He was your fathers most loyal guard and now she will be yours." Phasma reply's.
"Oh you must be forgetting," he turns around to face Phasma, "that he was loyal until he betrayed my father and threw you under the bus." I am confused at what Hux says. None of it makes sense. Why would this so called Cardinal what to throw Phasma under the bus. Before I can think of anything else Hux turns back to me and asks, "So there's a human under that armor right? It's not just mechanics?"
"She is as real as you can get." Phasma says a little annoyed.
"Wells lets have it then. Take that helmet off. I would like to see what your experiment is." He flicks up his hand expecting me to comply straight away.
I brake my statue like stance as I turn my head towards Phasma looking for approval. She gives me a nod and I clip my blaster on my belt. Then lifting up my helmet I put it off.
My braid tumbles out as my hair has already come lose. I stare straight ahead stone face. My sensitive ears pick up Huxs breath hitch for a second. But I don't pay much attention. He walks around to face me. "Impressive. I will be excited to see how it does during battle." And with that Hux walks towards the center of the platform. By now all the troopers and officers are still and stare up towards their General expecting his speech.
Phasma comes to stand near me as I slip the helmet back on. "Nice job. You have gotten pass the hardest part."
I don't respond knowing Phasma doesn't want one.
General Hux talks about the mission and brief detail that I already knew. With a salute the speech ends and each block moves towards a trooper cargo ship. Phasma walks over to a different one then the rest. The ship we walk up the ramp is black. The body is small compared to the wings that touch at the tips and form a triangle.
The ship is small but not many people are stationed in this craft. I stand in the back behind Phasma. A couple more storm troopers pile in including my two best friends. I grimace in annoyance as I watch them stare in my direction the turn to face forward. We stay like this for a while and just as I think we are about to take off I spot the late comer.
The figure strides into the craft like he owns this place. I roll my eyes as I think. So this is the loser who kept us so long. And what is with his dress? Suddenly the figure's head snaps in my direction. I am surprised when I see that there is no face on the person. Only a mask of black and silver. A black hood covers his head and even though he wears a black dress like thing his aura his powerful and threatening. I assume it is a man because he has a strong muscular frame that is to big to be a girl. I shrink back thinking that he some how was listening to my thoughts.
His fist ball up but then he faces forward and the doors shut.
Wow it's hasn't even been 2 hours out of confinement and I have already made so many friends.