Red Opus

Chapter 16 - Conditions

The screaming was still loud in your ears when you woke. As your brain was thrust into conscious reality, it faded until there was little left but ringing in your ears. You frantically scratched at the skin on your palms, sore and itchy from dry sweat. Shaky breath returning slowly to a normal rhythm, you gingerly rolled onto your front and buried your face in the crook of your elbow.

It had been a while since your last night terror, and they had returned with a vengeance. The tremors subsided, leaving you with nothing but a sense of dread in your chest. Today was the day you returned to the Supremacy. You'd been told of your summons yesterday, and for the first time in your life, instead of a sense of urgency you were filled with nothing but nausea.

It had been tormenting you for eight days, but you knew that you had to tell Snoke about Ren's conflict. It was the right thing to do. You'd even gone so far as to make  a small pro and con list in your mind, but eventually, you realised there was no point. You were bound by the bond between student and master. If he didn't know already, you had a duty to fulfil. As much as you cared for Ren and your time spent with him, your first priority was your Master.

Wait, did you really just think you cared for Ren? You shook your head, clearing sentiment from your mind. There was no time to linger on it now. He was waiting.

General Hux was awake on the bridge, and gave you a nod as you approached him. You came to a gentle stop next to him, observing the star system in view as your hands clasped behind your back.

"Commander."

"General."

"You're leaving today, correct?"

"Yes, Sir."

Hux flinched minutely at your choice of words. You pretended not to notice.

"Can we expect you back within the same rotation?"

"I assume so, General. Master Snoke is not one for long visits."

We? You lingered on his word choice. Ren wasn't here, off on another mission with his knights you were sure. He'd trained with you yesterday, but seemed absent and quieter than normal. Hux smiled with one corner of his mouth, looking away from you and back out onto the view before him.

"Of course."

You eyed him up. He looked well, and through your force connection you could sense his impatience for your return, even though you hadn't yet left. Smiling to yourself, you allowed a moment of peace to settle. You wished he was here too. For some reason, you felt like you wouldn't see either of them for a while. Your gut was rarely mistaken, and you swallowed, taking in the last few moments of tranquility.

A few minutes passed before Hux spoke again.

"Commander Ren has been...I believe I have you to thank for his improved attitude recently."

Whatever words you had expected out of Hux's mouth, it certainly wasn't those. Wasn't it only a few weeks ago Ren had been throwing the General around by the throat?

"...I don't think I understand, General."

He brought a hand to his face and absently stroked one of his sideburns with a long, gloved finger.

"He is difficult at the best of times, but not completely unreasonable." He turned to face you. "I believe your influence stretches beyond the educational, Commander."

A loud distant explosion caught your ear before you could respond to the General. A passing stormtrooper shuttle rattled past the window, smoke trailing from it's rear. One of the engines was on fire, and the craft slowly retreated into an emergency landing. The general let out a sound halfway between a groan and a sigh, rubbing his face with gloved hands. You patted him once on the shoulder in pity before turning to leave.