Commander's New Clothes

Chapter Three: A Quick Fix

The first ray of sunlight had barely pierced the sky when three stormtroopers filled the hut. I jumped awake to the sounds of their loud footsteps encircling me.

    I wanted to ask why three of them had come to get me. Was I a threat? Did Kylo Ren think that I could do some damage? Was Kylo Ren....afraid of me?

    But I knew that asking would bring no good, so I got to my feet as quickly as I could.

    "You are to come to the base near the Command Shuttle," said one of the stormtroopers.

    Another stormtrooper continued, "You will meet Commander Ren there to repair his garments."

    "You have 15 minutes," the third one said.

    I wondered what the tight schedule was for. Maybe that's just how things worked around the First Order. Everyone always hurrying up to wait. To hunt. To attack.

    The stormtroopers began to file out of the hut. The last one turned back to me as they were halfway out the door.

    "You have been bestowed a great honor. One you certainly don't deserve."

    They slammed the flimsy door shut behind them.

    I took a moment to consider what they said and then let out a wheezing laugh. It was the first time I had laughed in a long time. A great honor? These stormtroopers acted like Kylo Ren was their savior. Like he belonged with the Gods or something.

    I was surprised any of the stormtroopers even liked him.

    Also, how great is Kylo Ren that no one in his fancy First Order world could do something as simple as repair a torn robe?

    I took a bucket from inside and ran to fill it with cold water. I splashed it on my face, hoping the coolness of it would wake me up. Or temporarily distract me from the panic bubbling in my chest.

    By the time I made it to the makeshift base, my face was dirty again, the dirt stuck to my face with sweat. I only let myself worry about this for a moment though. It didn't matter what I looked like. I wasn't trying to impress Kylo Ren anyway. At least not with my appearance.

    I stood outside a large tent for what seemed like an eternity. I wasn't sure what to do or where to go. Was I just supposed to walk in? What if I did and I got in trouble? There's no handbook that comes with being occupied by the First Order. No guide on how to not piss off Kylo Ren.

    I finally decided that I should just walk in. I was on a tight schedule apparently, his schedule, and I didn't want to anger him by being late. I slowly pulled back the flap to the tent. I peered through the gap with one eye and found Kylo Ren standing alone in the middle, facing directly at me. Without thinking, I pulled the flap back in place, as if he hadn't already seen me. I should have just walked in, but something about seeing him stand there like that sent ice through my veins.

    "Come in," I heard the modulated voice say from inside.

    I pushed open the flap again and walked inside, my head bowed and my eyes glued to the ground. I was more scared than I would have liked to admit.

    "You're late," he said, accusatorially.

    My head snapped up.

    "I was here," I said, in a tone I meant to be defensive, but came across as slightly whiny.

    He took a step toward me.

    "I must have eyes on you," he said. "If I didn't see you, you weren't here."