Blood means nothing

Severed Ties

I knew what I had to do but I did not know if I had the strength to do it. Maybe, Snoke was right about me. Maybe I was a disgrace to my grandfather's name. My head had been clouded with doubt and uncertainty for weeks. I wondered if Snoke could sense the dull drag of my boots against the floor and the hesitant beat of my heart, ever since he told me the way how I must prove myself to be a worthy apprentice. Similarly to a Jedi, a Sith is better off not having any emotional bond with anyone that could compromise their judgment, be the crack in their armor. While I have cut all contact with my former family, apart from a few close calls on the battlefield, Snoke was now asking more of me. I knew I would have to prove myself or his words from our last meeting would be correct.

You are just a child in a mask.

That phrase had struck me with such indignation that I could feel my lungs stop contracting. I knew he felt I was failing to meet his expectations but hearing it from the Supreme Leader was a whole other thing entirely.

Perhaps, I was only pretending. I needed to concentrate if I were to follow in Grandfather's footsteps. A man I had never met and yet he was the one I wanted to prove myself to the most. The only person in my entire existence who had done me no wrong. I would finish what he started.

My thoughts were quickly interrupted when I came upon General Hux and Captain Phasma in the hall near my quarters. Their faces contorted in what appeared to be worry or perhaps anxiety. In a few quick strides, I was standing across from them. Hux's face was flushed and I noticed sweat forming at the corner of his hairline which he quickly used a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe away. He seemed nervous.

"What seems to be the problem, General?" I said.

General Hux and Phasma looked taken aback by my sudden inquiry, perhaps just now noticing my sudden arrival but I doubted that. Maybe they were dreading a interruption. Hux quickly swallowed his nerves and approached me, holding his hands tightly behind his back like a soldier.

"Nothing to worry about, sir. We just had an issue with a communications officer."

Wanting to get my mind off Snoke I feigned interest in his plight, I encouraged him to continue. He gave a quick nod before briefly running a hand through his red hair,

"It would seem that they have been sticking their nose where it doesn't belong, sir," the words quickly tumbling out of Hux's mouth while Phasma nodded along in agreement.

This briefly confounded me. Communication officers usually had to do some digging to find connections for the First Order and doing so is usually a hallmark of a good officer.
"Is that such a horrible thing? We need officers to do so in order to find out what the Resistance is planning."

Hux began to look more concerned, "I fear they are interfering with more imperative First Order business. It is my opinion that they should be moved to a less central post."

"This ship does not run solely on your opinions, General Hux, you would be good to remember such" the voice synthesizer giving the words a harsher edge than intended. However, It was true, how I ran the ship was part of my training, determining whether or not I have the faculties of a great leader. I need to call the shots; the ship running smoothly would be crucial to our overall mission; we would end the Resistance and the First Order would begin to rule the galaxy under Snoke's watchful gaze.

Hux stammered, "Yes sir, It was merely a suggestion."

It had become painfully clear that Hux was always trying to undermine my authority. For the last few months, it had seemed as if the General had been reporting my every decision to Snoke at almost every turn. It was cumbersome.

I knew I had to give the General some control to keep his ego in check. Without any feeling of superiority over others, I was aware that he would begin interfering in my affairs even more. I needed to allow him this.

"Demote them if you must," I spat out while walking passed the two of them and down the hallway toward my quarters.