A Seam Within the Galaxy • Kylo Ren

Ch.18

A few days following Captain Phasma's death, my newly appointed title was sticking for some, and for others it had proved to be more difficult. It was an odd feeling, having been referred to as 'Major' for a number of years, to only now find a way to become used to 'Commandant'. It sounded too close to 'Commander', something I'm sure was a challenge for even him to get used to. I had sat in on my second meeting as a Commandant today, while he sat directly across the table from me. I had been to meetings and debriefings in the past, but everything was different now. I had to be more vocal of my opinions, as I wasn't just training the stormtrooper divisions, I was leading them into action and fighting by their side much more often.

The Commander was to shadow me on most of the upcoming missions I was issued to lead, which made me feel a bit more at ease, knowing I still wasn't fully immersed with my skills in the force. If I had him around, I knew I would have someone to turn to if needed. Despite my worry, I did want to prove myself to The Order, after fighting my way through a rough patch all those weeks ago. The majority of my problems stemmed from Kaz, when I had thought them to be from Commander Ren. Now that she was no longer an issue in my life, maybe things could become a bit easier for me while I transition into this new period of my life.

I wanted to show the Order what I could truly do, pushing my limits, breaking through new walls that had never been ventured. These matters seemed possible to accomplish with Commander Ren at my side, also healing my slight limp along with all my other injuries he had given me when we had sparred in front of my students a month or so ago.

Today we had once again gone over the list of planets that needed to be observed for the potential assailants. I was to go to Tatooine with the DX division scouting around to see if there was any trace of the two force users, accompanied by the Commander of course.

The anger and pent up hate he had for the two was alarmingly strong, waves of resentment still blaring off of him and transferred to me. He wasn't the same since he had found out who killed our late Captain Phasma, almost like the progress we had made had been backtracked a few weeks. It was apparent even when he wasn't around, giving that I was becoming stronger in the force to reach out and feel the connection between us, or simply that the signals of hate he gave off were strong enough to reach me even in his absence.

I practiced mindfulness to block out the Commander's feelings, weighing down on me quite a bit; I had listened to General Hux drone on about protocol and exactly how long a mission needed to last, too long and we would be putting ourselves at risk, especially with only one trooper division. A good amount of the meeting I spent looking at my folded hands on the table before me, or letting my eyes stare at the space between the General's eyes as I zoned out. There wasn't a whole lot he mentioned that I didn't already know, it was mostly to fill in the First Order Counsel members. A few times the Commander would notice and probe into my mind, similar to a playful shove, snapping me back to reality.

' Bad student.' he would jab, surely grinning behind his mask, to which I would reply, ' I've only learned from the best.'

The General had concluded the meeting before I was ready to find the nearest space shoot and send myself into space, already growing tired of my new title if it meant I had to be in the company of the General this often. I had assumed to leave with the Commander to talk about what was to come of that day's training session, but the General had asked him to stay after to chat. I could feel his disdain, forcefully pleasing the General as he agreed. I had shot him a grin as I left the room, the blast doors shutting behind me and leaving the two of them be.

Since then I had been training a class of young students, between the ages of five and six, with around ten of them. It was standard First Order training to treat younger students with every intention that they could grow up and favor the enemy, so it was important to not give them any kind of slack you wouldn't give a fully grown stormtrooper. I didn't agree with this, and I definitely didn't plant my foot down purposely. I showed the students love, as many of them grew up without it, similar to how the young child from Ithor will grow to become. I am supposed to show little emotion, and remain strict around the students, but I believed love and encouragement could go a long way. They were children after all.