𝐍𝐄𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 ↬ poe dameron

SEVEN.

—& ❛CHAPTER SEVEN.
  the       first      order     ❜

     THE JEDI KILLER arrived first, his rarely taken off helmet, now missing from his head. The scavenger frustrated him, leaving him in complete shock, never believing there to be someone who could resist his mind tricks.

     "She's strong with the Force," the young man, declared to the tall figure. "Untrained, but stronger than she knows."

     "And the droid?" the Supreme Leader worried for the map. The girl could do little without a teacher. Only if they could get rid of the old Skywalker Jedi.

     "Ren believed it was no longer valuable to us," announced Hux approaching the two with Pandora by his side after Kylo hesitated with his answer.

     Pandora had no say in it, barely even thinking of it. The young Resistance pilot kept her mind busy. He had been reckless before, she couldn't imagine what he would dare to do.

     "That girl was all we needed. As a result, the droid has most likely been returned to the hands of the enemy. They may have the map already."

     Snoke glares his tiny eyes at the three, furious with them. Kylo's wish to get the girl made him forget about the importance of the map, Hux was all in his destruction plans and Pandora failed to be the voice of reason for both of them. He was surrounded by the uselessness of his leading officers.

     "Then the Resistance must be destroyed before they get to Skywalker," demanded Snoke.

     Pandora's face visibly didn't shift, nor did her eyes show a different look, through her worry increased. She would have put her money on Snoke's decision to come in months, but this shock her to her core.

     "We have their location. We tracked their reconnaissance ship to the Ileenium system," informed Hux, proud of his discovery.

     "Good. Then we will crush them once and for all. Prepare the weapon."

     Kylo shared a look with Pandora. He might have been as stunned as she was. The poor boy, unlike Hux, never sought the destruction of the Resistance. For God's sake, it'll endanger his mother.  But then again he wasn't Hux, the man who killed his own father in cold blood.

     "Supreme Leader!" Kylo was quick to reply. "I can get the map from the girl. I just need your guidance."

     Pandora hadn't expected for Ren to be so opposed to Snoke's plans. She could never find it in him to say no to the one person who guided him through life for so long. She admired his courage.

     "If what you say about this girl is true, bring her to me."

     Snoke's words echoed through the empty space. The three generals headed back their way, one having the task of bringing the girl back and the other two going forward with the attack on the Resistance.

     "General Pandora,"

     The voice sends chills down her spine. It wasn't something you'd be happy to hear. She turned, facing Snoke's bony figure. At times you could sense your life was coming to an end. Clearly Pandora had come to one. It was either going to be by the hands of the Supreme Leader or a Resistance member.  However, she felt it was going to be soon.

     "Yes, sir?"

     "I can sense a conflict in you."

     "I assure you it'll not come between me and the First Order. The destruction of the Resistance is my main priority." she dared to explain, fearing little the consequences that were to follow.  "My loyalty stands with the First Order, sir."

     "Why am I not seeing it then, general?"

     She was left speechless. Her mind couldn't make an explanation. If Snoke only knew, who knows what he'd force her to do. She was nothing like Kylo nor Hux. She didn't have that strength in her. 

     "You will." pledged Pandora, her eyes narrowing, giving it as a promise not to fail him again.

     It was a do or die situation. Snoke never asked for it, but instead forced upon it.

     "Good. I'm counting on your general."

• • •

     The air inside the base was cold. Pandora felt it against the thin skin on her cheekbones. Normally they wouldn't change colour, upon leaving the freezing breeze of the outside, but then her puffy cheeks turned a soft colour of red. Her uniform wasn't the best with cold weather.

     With a stern face, she moved down the base, choosing to clear her mind. It had been quite a bit since she had a minute to think about what surrounded her. Her big decision could change everything for worse. She'd be risking her life, for what? A cause she didn't believe in. Neither did she believe in the First Order.

     She didn't seek peace in the Galaxy, knowing very well it was impossible, nor did she want power. She was just a girl from Kijimi who lost everything. She only received a title and military support. She was still that same girl left alone.

     The question was clear. To die by Snoke's fury or live long enough to see yourself die a traitor.

     She made her decision, only the realization when took some time to figure out.

—& published on fab. 23. 2020.