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Chapter Text

Carlac, 1 BBY

Night was settling and while outside the temperatures of the planet would drop even further into freezing. Inside the small home however it was warm and cozy. A rather plainly dressed woman held a small child in her arms, rocking her daughter gently. It was nearly a year to the day she’d met the father of her child, and in nine months her child would be two. A handsome, smooth talking man who’d only been stopping through, not that it stopped them from sharing a brief moment together. She hadn’t expected anything to come from a single night of passion but… here she was. 

Questions ran through her mind on nights like this. What would she say when her daughter noticed her missing parent and started asking questions? The idea of lying and saying her father was away fighting in the Rebellion was tempting, an honorable reason to have vanished. In time, she could even claim her father died in battle and pretend to mourn the loss. The truth, that her father was just somewhere in the galaxy without a clue of her existence, seemed a poor explanation in comparison.

“You look so much like him…” A quiet whisper to avoid waking her daughter. She gently brushed some of the dark brown strands from her face. Her hair had darkened to match her fathers since her birth, though the child’s eyes had changed closer to her own. Yes, eventually she might ask questions. It was just a matter of when she’d be made aware of the missing family member. 

The girl stirred under her caress, face distorting slightly as if having a nightmare. The mother tried to soothe her daughter without waking her, once more speaking quietly although she didn’t know if her daughter could hear. “It’s alright, I’m here.” 

A knock at the door made her jump. The house was near the small town, a village really with its size, but more secluded. Whoever was out there had specifically sought this place out. Silently, the woman rose and left her child safely in the other room as she went to check. Was it a neighbor in need of help? A friend of hers had been sickly lately, perhaps it was her son coming to request help caring for her. 

She opened the door, eyes immediately focusing on a humanoid figure with large black eyes, green skin, and tendrils in place of hair: a Nautolan. Then, next to her, a human man with a less than friendly look and a blaster drawn. Fear spiked through her as she caught a glimpse of his shoulder armor in the lighting; it was faint and scratched from time, but the Death Watch symbol still marked it.

A gasp as the pair advanced and stepped into her home. The Nautolan had her blaster drawn now too, though seemed more focused on observing the home than firing it. Unlike the man accompanying her. He stood menacingly, blaster unwavering from where it aimed at her chest. 

“Where is it hidden?” He questioned.

Confusion swept through her, what was he talking about? She had nothing to hide, certainly nothing they should want. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The fear for her daughter increased and she silently willed her child to keep sleeping in the other room. Surely they couldn’t be after her, right? How would two strangers even know?

Black eyes bore into her before the Nautolan leaned and whispered something into the man’s ear, then spoke louder for her to hear. “Apologies, wrong house. It’s nothing you should worry about.” 

A moment of relief and then the sound of a blaster fired, killing her instantly. She dropped to the floor with a thud. 

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“She was scared and knew nothing. You didn’t have to kill her!” The Nautolan stared at her companion, fourteen head tails sensing as the fear died out with the victim. 

It wasn’t all she’d sensed though during this brief intrusion. This house had another inhabitant, a rather helpless one. “...Her child will die now.” 

“No witnesses.” A shrug as he nudged the body with his boot, then glanced up to the bedroom. “Go back to the ship, Das. I’ll take care of the kid.” 

“Wait.” Das stayed his hand, alarmed by how he could be so heartless. “She’s young, she won’t remember any of this. Besides, doesn’t your Mandalorian code say something about foundlings?”

“This isn’t how foundlings work and you know I don’t care about the old ways.” 

“We could raise her to be loyal to the Empire and pass her onto them when she’s older.” A last desperate attempt. “They always want more soldiers with the Rebels after them.” 

A grudging look but Nathale holstered his blaster, watching as Das walked into the room and returned a moment later with the child still resting in her arms. The kid was young, between one and two if he had to guess. 

The girl stirred, dark eyes opening as the movement woke her to look up at the Nautolan curiously. Das smiled reassuringly, keeping the toddler’s attention from the body on the floor. 

They made it outside without incident and only then did Nathale speak again after an audible huff, vapor clouding around his face. “Fine. But you’re taking care of it.” 

Das gave him a warm smile, holding the child close to protect her from the cold. He’d warm up to their new addition soon enough, and she had an idea of how to do it. “Alright, I’ll name her Zheth.” 

“Just Zheth?” Nathale shook his head. Of course this was a trick to get him invested yet he couldn’t help but fall for it. “If you’re going to give her a name that sounds Mandalorian at least do it right… Give her to me, I’ll see what she looks like.” 

A full on grin as she handed the still confused child over to the bounty hunter. He was Mandalorian, so of course he’d still take pride in it—even if he claimed to put his people’s ways behind him. “That’s the spirit.” 

He gave the kid a once over, holding her at arms length as they kept walking. One syllable names were common and he ran through some ideas quickly on a suitable surname, hesitant to use his former one on this foundling he was now stuck with. “Zheth Crogh, happy?”

Nathale gave a tsk as the kid began to squirm unhappily in his grip. He shoved her back into Das’ arms. “If I were you, I’d just give it a simple name. Something unusual like Zheth could stick out like a Rebel in the Empire, and you know how that turns out.” 

“We can’t just use her real name. We don’t even know what it was.” She could feel eyes on them as they walked through the quiet village. Not many people were out at this hour but the few still heading home gave them passing looks, ignoring them for the most part. Good, no one was questioning them. “I wonder where her father was.” 

Clearly if he was one of the locals they saw he’d recognize his own daughter being stolen away. Das kept her senses alert for any aggression that might be directed their way—not that the symbol on Nathale’s shoulder guards would help. Death Watch had not been kind to another village on Carlac and surely word had spread over the passing years. 

“Dead probably.” Nathale glanced over as he watched two figures scuffle over some scraps. He’d do the same or worse if he was in a place like this, a place so easy to starve in. Maybe the kid’s father had met a fate like those two soon would. “Look at this place, no wonder the Rebellion hid a location here. Worst place in the galaxy with all the snow and mountains, I’m surprised they don’t have a base on the planet.”

“Shh. These people are kind but we killed one of their own and are stealing another.” Das’ whisper hissed out in disapproval at his words; a couple of locals had paused to stare, though had thankfully headed into their home.

A cry of discomfort as Zheth squirmed further, gazing around and arm stretched out back the way they’d come in want of her mother. A pang of pity went through Das. Between all the evils, leaving her to starve, killing her to prevent it, and stealing her to at least give her a chance, the latter was the kindest.

“Take care of it.” Nathale snapped. “I’m not going to be stuck in a ship with a crying baby.” 

Das hushed Zheth, sensing the child’s distress slowly fading at the soothing pats on the head and gentle words. “It’s alright. I’ll make sure you survive now. You’ll be a great smuggler one day and have so many stories of your adventures. Then, perhaps one day you’ll meet your own companion to travel the stars with. All of us need someone watching their back.”

Black eyes landed on the back of Nathale’s head. He was rather cold and grumpy but after their own adventures together the two balanced each other well. She trusted the man with her life and he trusted his with her as well.

By the time they got to the ship, Zheth had fallen asleep once more. Das left her somewhere safe before rejoining Nathale as he prepared to take off and jump to hyperspace. Storm-gray eyes looked over as she sat, greed flashing through them. “Let’s go find our friend and get that map delivered.” 

A nod as she sensed his former frustrations over their new passenger fade away. His relaxation allowed her to feel more relaxed as well. “Maybe then we’ll be able to pay back the Hutts.” 

“Greedy fat slug.” A venomous mutter under his breath. “One day he’s going to get what he deserves and if I don’t do it, someone else will.” 

A hum of agreement as hyperspace made the stars warp and blur before her.

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Chapter Text

The Devastator , 1 ABY

Excitement raced through her as Nathale landed the ship in the Star Destroyer. She could finally attend one of these meetings instead of lingering back on the ship. 

Cold gray eyes looked back at her as Nathale walked by. “Do not mess this up, do you understand? This is a very important meeting with very important people who won’t tolerate a child being a distraction.” 

Zheth heard but found it difficult to pay attention. She’d seen glimpses of these ‘important people’ before as Nathale returned from meetings but getting to explore this place was a bit too distracting at the moment to think of consequences. Nathale barely spared a glance at her, neglecting to notice her lack of response to his instructions. 

“Wait, slow down.” She called, scurrying to catch up as he began walking out of the ship without her. 

“I can’t be late because a child can’t keep up.” 

“Why couldn’t I have gone with Das?” As thrilled as she was to be here, she much preferred Das’ company. 

The whine in her tone irritated him, she caught the way he clenched his jaw and how his hands twitched as if about to curl into fists at his side. A sigh however, seemed to relax all but his growled tone. “Das is busy with a mission and can’t have you messing it up, unless you want to get her killed.” 

A flinch and she fell silent. Of course she didn’t want Das to be killed because of her!

They two paused at the bottom of the exit ramp to the ship and waited as an escort of stormtroopers arrived. Two in front, two in back and they walked with the discipline of experienced soldiers in their shiny white and black armor. They seemed to ignore her but Zheth couldn’t help but stare at them, admiring how shiny the armor was. 

She looked away, observing the halls of the ship as they continued walking deeper into the maze of paths. Each one was pristine and well-lit. Considering how huge the ship had been from the outside, it amazed her how clean it was kept— Nathale’s ship certainly wasn’t as well kept as this and it was a speck compared to the star destroyer. 

“If you don’t behave, maybe I’ll see if I can’t sell you off to the Corps.” Nathale glared down at her before scowling. “As if they’d want a scrap like you, I’d probably have to pay them. ” 

Zheth stared up at him in fear, had he been serious? He’d threatened such things before— even attempting to toss her to Jabba for some credits off his debt, though the Hutt had laughed his offer off, suggesting he try again when she was older. She wasn’t sure what she’d been too young for, but it had made her uneasy and the memory made her shudder. 

“I’ll grow stronger. I’d be a great stormtrooper.” Defiance and the urge to bite back swept through her. A stormtrooper sounded much better than being stuck on Tatooine in Jabba’s Palace. Wouldn’t it be an honor to serve the Empire? That’s what they’d always said about their own jobs as bounty hunters and smugglers contracted by the Empire.

“Quiet.” His sharp tone suggested she shouldn’t speak again. “You’re here to observe. One day you’ll be doing the same if you’re lucky.” 

If the stormtroopers had any opinions on the exchange they kept their thoughts to themselves. Zheth continued to follow in silence, her pace slowing until the patrol was ahead of her. So unimportant that her absence wasn’t even picked up by the soldiers. She looked around, deciding to explore a bit while following. A loose vent cover piqued her interest and a mischievous smile tugged at the corners of her lips— she’d be in so much trouble for this… later. For now, she forgot everything Nathale had warned and was focused on having some fun. 

She grunted as she crawled through, soon she’d be too big for climbing through vents. Zheth followed the sounds of the group’s footsteps, deciding this could be considered a test to her tracking stills while navigating an unknown location… Yeah, that’d be her excuse. A few twists and turns as she continued to follow them from above, catching glimpses through vent shafts. No one noticed her, least of all Nathale who always seemed to be facing strictly forward without care to check why it’d been quiet for so long. 

Eventually, they entered a meeting room, a relief considering how tired she was becoming from crawling around. Zheth settled down on the cold metal, scooting to the vent to look at the scene below. As Nathale had said, an important man in uniform was standing in wait next to another figure in black. That second figure drew her attention. It was as if there was a physical aura of power radiating off of him. The officer next to him seemed inconsequential as he dismissed the stormtroopers from the room. The modulator in his helmet interested her as well, though the loud breathing it seemed to cause amused her. Zheth had to force herself not to laugh at how odd it sounded— the vibe she got from him suggested it would be a bad idea to show her amusement. 

“You’ve already failed us twice in getting the location of the Rebel base. Why should we trust your partner to infiltrate the Rebellion and get information on their battle strategy?” The guy Zheth assumed was some sort of commander or admiral spoke.

Nathale tensed, though surprisingly his voice remained rather pleasant, sucking up to his employers no doubt. “We’ve successfully killed spies and Rebel groups before. The map incident was years ago, a simple mistake. We didn’t know it was a fake. That alone does not make us failures. In the long run, it doesn’t matter.” 

“Doesn’t matter?” The robotic voice snarled out of the obsidian as the man stepped further under Zheth’s vent. “Your failure set us back. If you’d gotten the map the Rebels would be destroyed by now.” 

Silence. Zheth watched tensely, suddenly aware of just how poorly things might turn. Nathale looked uncertain and more scared than she’d ever seen the man. His earlier instructions began to make sense, which… didn’t truly help her current situation. 

“I… realize that Lord Vader, but if it wasn’t us it would’ve been another bounty hunter or smuggler. Das and I have done everything we could for you. Think of all the ammo we so loyally steal back from Rebels or deliver to the Empire. We’d never purposefully do something to aid rebel scum.” 

“Yes, if not you, then another of your kind. Remember that you are replaceable Grewood.” The admiral spoke icily. 

Vader was quiet for a moment then in a blink was looking upward, directly at her hiding spot. “We have a spy.” 

A shudder ran through her. How had he known she was up here? Zheth backed away from the vent just in time for a red blur to tear through it. She couldn’t even get out a cry of alarm before the air was slammed from her lungs by the cold hard flooring of the conference room. Dazed she scrambled to get back to her feet, pain radiating from the arm she’d landed on oh so ungracefully . Her dark eyes locked onto the strange man in black, who was this Lord Vader guy? He loomed over her, over everyone in the room really with his height and intimidation, leaving her to cower helplessly.

“Where were you?” Nathale yanked her back roughly, composure lost as he seethed. He really hadn’t noticed she was gone. “Why were you spying from the vent?” 

Zheth flinched back, feeling trapped between the three adults. She’d royally fucked up. That was clear now. Before she could hope to respond however, the admiral spoke up. “You know this… child?”

“Das made me keep her.” Nathale shoved her forward, closer to Vader and the other man. “If you wish to punish her for this transgression however, I won’t stop you. It wouldn’t be much of a loss to me, though I suppose I’d have to get a droid to help lend a hand around the ship.” 

Zheth swallowed and stared back at the red glowing blade still humming at Lord Vader’s side. It was… mesmerizing. Dangerous, she didn’t want to know what it could do to her after seeing what it did to the ceiling and vet, but so cool. She shouldn’t feel this calmed when one flick of Vader’s wrist could make the blade slice her in two. 

“Why is she here?”

“Because I can be.” Zheth snapped out of it and huffed at the admiral. Him, she was less afraid of. He was still unarmed and had yet to lay anything but a glare of disapproval on her. “Nathale told me to learn. So that’s what I was doing.” 

“Zheth!” Her adoptive father gave her such a chilling stare she feared he might pull his blaster on her then and there. Even he’d never been so angered by her before. “This is not your place to speak, especially not when you decided to run off and spy from the vents. That’s not what I taught you.” 

“Enough.” The single command from Vader brought silence to the room. He stepped closer, Zheth struggled to stand only to feel as though an invisible grip was holding her still. Her heart pounded faster in her chest… and then Vader swept past her. “Do not fail us again, Grewood.” 

“I won’t, Lord Vader.” Nathale bowed, eyes narrowing as he glared at Zheth. Straightening, he turned to leave. 

Was he leaving her here? Zheth felt panic spark in her chest, still unable to follow with the invisible force holding her still. Vader turned to face her again, hand raised. Zheth suddenly found herself in the air, staring at him at his eye level. Was this it? Was he going to kill her?

“Your father is lucky I’m in a forgiving mood. I was contemplating killing him.” A loud breath. “Do not do this again or I will not be so merciful, youngling.” 

A twitch of his hand and she was flung past him. Zheth gave a yelp of surprise as she tumbled into the hall after Nathale. For a moment she laid stunned on the ground, then quickly remembered she needed to get to her feet and follow. She wasn’t sure what the hell just happened but was certain that Vader had indeed shown mercy… this time. If mercy included bruising half her body within the span of five seconds. That power holding her still felt as though it could’ve easily crushed her instead. 

Nathale didn’t acknowledge her until their ship was out of the hangar. She watched him type in the coordinates that would take them to their rendezvous point with Das and set it on autopilot. 

The moment he turned to face her she instinctively felt the need to bolt. He was faster and stronger, and with little places to hide easily caught her. His grip was bruising on her wrist and he wrenched her arm sharply as he tossed her to the ground. Zheth’s cry was cut short as a sharp kick slammed into her diaphragm. She coughed, helpless as he sent another harsh kick to her back, then her stomach. 

“What were you thinking?” Rage consumed his voice. “You weren’t, not at all! We should’ve dumped you in the furthest corner of the galaxy and left you to rot.” 

A whimper escaped as she tried to curl up protectively, shouting as his boot crushed down on her back. She was pinned to the floor, unable to escape. Zheth squirmed and cried out, tears running down her cheeks. There was a click and she felt sick; that was the sound of the blaster’s safety switching off. 

“Please…” Zheth sniffed, body trembling even more as she felt the barrel placed against her head.

“I could kill you right now and Das couldn’t do anything to save you.” The fury had died down to cold detachment. “Toss your body out the garbage shoot, all that’d be left for her to find would be a smear of brains on the floor.” 

The metal was removed, then the boot. Nathale’s footsteps walked away and she heard him take a seat at the controls. “If you pull something like that again, I will pull the trigger next time… Now go clean yourself up.” 

Zheth winced as she moved but quietly slunk off to her quarters to do as he ordered, unwilling to find out what might happen if she lingered.

Das returned that evening. The Nautolan instantly sensed something wrong as she boarded the ship. Zheth found herself curled up against her side as her adoptive mother helped patch up places on her back she couldn’t reach. She didn’t say what happened and it didn’t seem like she had to. 

“Actions have consequences.” Das spoke gently as she checked her over. “Nathale’s methods were harsh, I would not have allowed them, but things could’ve been much worse. You could’ve been killed. You got off light with Nathale’s punishment instead of the Empire’s.” 

A nod of acknowledgement. 

“This experience will help you learn and grow, just like the others. I can’t always protect you and even Nathale is preparing you in his own way. He just has different methods, preferring an unfiltered hands-on experience. I would have left you on the ship for a few more years. Yet, you would have learned nothing of the employers you’d be dealing with. Only that they hold great power.” 

“Is he going to leave me somewhere?” 

“No, of course not. He was upset. These meetings stress him out, especially when we have bad news.” Finished checking the injuries, Das stood and left Zheth to her thoughts.

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Chapter Text

The Executor, 3 ABY

This ship was much bigger than any she'd ever been on before; a dreadnaut. The stormtroopers had walked her to the conference room as always however. Once more, Zheth had taken note of how sleek the ship was. Unlike her first experience though, these observations were more to help calm her nerves than to appreciate the ship itself— although the sterile-esque environment was soothing for her.

“Come alone have you?” The admiral looked down at her with disinterest. “Have they sent you to deliver the news of their latest failure?” 

Zheth scowled back, head raised high toward the man; he was much younger looking than Admiral Ozzel. Despite that, it was best to keep on guard. She’d learned a lot since her first time meeting the high ranks and younger or not, this man held power. Yet, Zheth still couldn’t help but allow some snide comment slipping out. “Funny. It seems our failings are less common than your predecessors. Each time we’re here we see a replacement.” 

“Watch your tongue or you may find it removed .” 

Zheth huffed and turned at the familiar footsteps and loud breathing. "Admiral Ozzel learned the cost of failure. Pray that Admiral Piett and I don’t need to show you the same."

A shudder at the man’s voice. She gave a polite greeting despite the warning tone. “Lord Vader.” 

“Were you successful?” He stood, still towering over her despite how much she’d grown in the past few years. Unlike his admiral, Vader didn’t question where Das or Nathale were. She wondered if he’d read her mind or just didn’t care to waste time— she’d always found it surprising enough that such high ranks even bothered meeting with them.

“Yes. I found the cadet traitors and made sure they were executed as they were trying to flee the academy. Das’ supply run was also successful. She and Nathale are in the hangar unloading supplies now.” 

“ You killed the cadets?” Admiral Piett’s voice was doubtful. 

He had plenty of reason to doubt. She was half the age of the youngest recruits the junior academies brought in. She’d had to push herself to her physical limits to keep up in the training to avoid falling behind.

“I may be young, but I do know how to use a blaster. Can your stormtroopers say the same? I do hope the scum I disposed of doesn't represent the average skill level.” 

“I can assure you, they don’t.” A warning tone edged Admiral Piett's voice.

Zheth’s entrance into the academy had been approved by the administrators there who were made aware of this mission. Although, she still had to be crafty about integrating herself with the students on top of keeping up with them. Luckily her background as an orphan wasn’t too uncommon, many it seemed, shared similar histories there and were on track to join the Empire’s military. Most fell for the lie that she was just… small for her age. A falsified ID helped. It gave her a taste of what life had almost been had Nathale succeeded in ditching her there. 

The targets hadn’t suspected a fellow student to know of their pending betrayal and to stab them in the back. It wasn’t easy when she was a foot shorter and half their weight— had they been any taller she might’ve had a much harder time with it. Luck had to have something to do with her success. Zheth knew she probably should’ve felt more disturbed by how, without a moment of hesitation, she’d snuffed out several lives. It could’ve been her but… it wasn’t. The four had dug their own grave, she just pushed them in.

“They went so still.” She’d seen bodies killed by others, she’d helped shoot down enemy spacecraft that blew any corpses to space dust as if the pilot never existed, but the cadets had been her first up close kills. Zheth had been able to see life leave their eyes at her own hand. After they’d all fallen she’d stayed a moment, observing their glazed eyes and how their bodies went cold before collecting the evidence of their betrayal and turning it in for the commandant to review. “It made me feel… powerful?” 

Yes, a rare moment of power. She’d enjoyed being the one doing the hunting, rather than running or hiding as Nathale made her feel the need to do. Craved more of the attention and praise given by the administration for a job well done. As her experience grew, perhaps she’d get to feel that more often. No, not perhaps. She would. Zheth would become an apex predator, feared by the prey and lesser hunters she was sent after. 

Vader remained silent, his ever present mask making him impossible to read. Was he pleased? Zheth settled for staring between the two men at the wall behind them, unable to hold their stares and she anticipated a response.

"And what of the Rebels who turned them?" Vader questioned.

Her heart sank. Fear sent a shudder down her spine. She'd been hoping to gloss over that. "... They got away. Nathale lost them."

At least it wasn't her own fault. Still she cringed beneath the masked gaze, waiting to feel an invisible hand wrap around her throat and choke her as she'd witnessed him do with Nathale in a prior meeting. Would she be left barely conscious for his mistake? Would she die for it?

“You’re showing great promise.” Vader finally spoke again. “Should your attitude not get in the way, I expect you’ll do great things for the Empire.” 

Surprise struck and the breath she’d been holding was released. Had that been a compliment? Had she even heard him right? Zheth’s brain scrambled to respond. “Thank you, Lord Vader.” 

“If that’s all… The credits will be transferred for what your group did succeed in doing. You may go on your way.” Admiral Piett was already walking off, pausing one last time before dismissing himself. “Oh and tell Grewood next time he should join us. Hiding from his failures behind a child won’t save him.”

Zheth returned to the ship, quite pleased with how it’d gone. It was clear they didn’t hold respect for her due to her age but in time surely her actions, her successes, would speak louder than her time alive in the galaxy. Tremors ran through her as the nerves and excitement hit all at once. That had been her first time alone and she hadn’t screwed it up! Even Nathale couldn’t find fault with her now, right? 

“Although… I sometimes wonder if he hoped I wouldn't return from these meetings.” If she was killed for annoying them he certainly couldn’t be the one to blame. Das, however, was the one who suggested it this time and Zheth trusted she wouldn’t do so if she didn’t feel it safe. Her first solo meeting with, mostly, good news was much easier than delivering news of failure. 

“Das, Das I did it!” Her serious composure crumbled the moment she was on the ship. “They were super happy.” 

“That’s wonderful.” Das’s black eyes seemed to sparkle in shared delight. 

From the pilot’s seat, Nathale glanced back to give a grudging nod of approval. “Keep it up. One good day doesn’t mean anything. If you can survive disappointing them, then I’ll be impressed.” 

“Of course.” Zheth kept her tone neutral, disguising the superior feeling she currently had. Of course she’d survive. Nathale’s presence always seemed to stir tension. Vader thought she had promise ! Clearly, they’d soon hold more respect for her than him… once she proved herself more. 

“We’ll stop by Tatoonine and pick up any jobs Jabba may have, then how about you pick a planet you’d like to visit and we’ll do some training there before we get back to work?” Das suggested, still beaming as her head tails picked up on Zheth’s excitement.

“Okay!” Zheth nodded. It was a usual reward but one she always liked nonetheless. 

She watched Das walk off before cautiously approaching Nathale, lingering out of his reach. “They… did say they wanted to see you give reports still.” 

It was probably best to leave out any mention of it being due to Nathale’s past failures. Zheth didn’t know how swiftly his temper might flare. Cringing in preparation for a stinging retort, she was surprised to find he didn’t seem to mind. 

“Suppose I’ll have to.” He mused. “So long as the paychecks keep coming… You won’t be here by next year. The Commandant from the Arkanis academy was visiting and saw your work. He wants you to relocate to his academy as a real cadet, says you have potential or whatever. Das convinced him to wait until a new semester, allow things to calm down, let you grow a little more… tch. I don’t see any difference in the matter. Today, a year, just get it over with, I say.” 

Zheth stared, stomach churning suddenly with more nerves. He’d finally found a way to get rid of her then, though this had been her own doing. Hearing someone actually wanted her around was nice. “I’ll be far from where he can hurt me at least, and the training exercises were fun!”

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Chapter Text

Trask, late 3 ABY

Zheth grinned despite the downpour and crept around another crate, watching their surroundings as Das got the cargo they’d be smuggling for Jabba onto their ship. Brown eyes landed on a nosey intruder, the same one who had been tailing them since meeting up with their contact. She could only assume it was someone sent by a rival of Jabba’s; a rebel wouldn’t make sense when this job in particular wasn’t for the Empire— Nathale was currently meeting with them for a new assignment.

In the end though, it didn’t really matter who this intruder was. Zheth stalked around crates filled with what she could only guess was fish or other sea life; it was difficult to say when the whole place seemed to reek of it. Her blaster raised, aimed at their exposed back. Steadying her aim, she fired once and watched them fall with a startled cry. Das’ gaze shot in her direction along with the contact’s and another witness who happened to be walking by. Zheth fired another shot and watched the Quarren civilian drop. Wrong place at the wrong time for them. 

She turned and walked over to Das, looking up expectantly for praise at a job well done. The Nautolan looked past her at the bodies, lips pressing together, before patting her on the shoulder. “That was good aiming… but the Quarren wasn’t a threat.” 

“No witnesses.” A parroted phrase from Nathale.

Once more her adoptive mother stilled before turning and walking over to the contact. Zheth watched them talk for a few seconds before heading away to drag the bodies somewhere less open. She grunted with the effort as she tugged them into the cluster of crates. It was getting easier, but dragging fully grown humanoids was still difficult. By the time she was finished and heading back over to the ship the contact was gone and Nathale had returned. 

“Did Das tell you how good my aim was? I got rid of two threats and they never stood a chance!” Pride and excitement filled her tone as she looked up at him. “No witnesses, just like you told me.” 

“That so?” Nathale barely spared her a glance before looking at Das. “So, everything’s going smoothly.” 

“Yes, now that you’re back we’re ready to deliver this.” She nodded, leading the way up the ramp. “Zheth was very helpful. I’m sure she’ll be better than us one day.” 

A laugh, though only Das seemed amused at her jest. Zheth could see Nathale’s brow furrow, darkening his gaze. She subtly distanced herself. 

“That so?” His tone remained neutral as he stood back and let Das take the controls. “...You know she isn’t going to be here soon. Remember that.” 

Das’s hands hesitated over the lever. Zheth couldn’t see her face or read people like a Nautolan could, but she’d noticed how Das seemed to get sad everytime this topic came up. She didn’t understand why. Sure this was fun, but didn’t Das want her to be even better by getting trained at the academy? The pair of them always told her serving the Empire was an honor and one day she’d leave to do just that. 

“Arkanis is in this sector. We could always just make a quick trip there before dropping off the goods. You know the Commandant wouldn’t mind.” Nathale pressed.

There was silence until the ship began ascending through Trask’s atmosphere. “I was thinking, maybe we should wait another year. She’s just a kid.”

“No!” Zheth protested immediately. “I want to go! I’ve grown… a little. Besides, I’ll train, really, really hard so it won’t matter if I’m younger. I did it before, I can do it again!”

She’d pushed herself so hard to not just keep up with the older cadets but to get in the top line up several times in training. Zheth hadn’t slacked off after leaving either, not after Nathale told her she’d been accepted to Arkanis’ academy. She had to impress the Commandant who’d specifically asked to take her, though she still had little idea of what he looked like or what his standards could be. Das couldn’t do this! Zheth had overheard her almost begging over a transmission just to hold her back the first time. 

A clap on the shoulder made her flinch and look up at Nathale. He continued staring at Das however. “There you see? It’s settled.” 

“My Little Spirit…” Das sighed, unable to bring herself to look back at them. “I won’t request another year. But we are waiting until the agreed upon deadline. No sooner.” 

“Yes!” That was good enough for her. Zheth stepped out of Nathale’s grip and headed for her room.

Putting her blaster away, Zheth took a moment to look at the cadet helmet sitting on her shelf. Soon she’d be wearing that uniform again. She wondered if the courses would be different at Arkanis’ academy. A challenge would be fun but worry began to seep into her as she recalled Das’ constant concern over this. What if the training really was too hard? 

“I’ll show Das. I’ll be at the top of my classes, whatever it takes. Even Nathale won’t be able to find any faults.” 

“Oh I’ll still find them.” His voice from the open doorway made her jump and spin to face him. The graying man leaned against the doorframe, watching her with his usual frown. “It just won’t be my problem.” 

“I think you’re just glad I’ll be gone so I can’t show you up anymore.” She bragged in only a half-joking manner, immediately regretting it as anger twisted across his face. It seemed his recent nicer moods as the approaching deadline for her departure only extended so far.

Zheth fell silent as he stalked over. She could call for Das but the idea of cowering behind her had become less and less appealing over the years. Hiding was a cowardly move; she could take whatever Nathale threw at her. The sting from the slap was painful but expected. She stared up at him, waiting for another strike to come but Nathale seemed content with the single blow this time. 

“I’d watch that arrogance if I were you.” The thin smile on his face however, did freak her out, uncertain of what he was plotting. “You know, Arkanis Academy is a senior academy right? You’ll be facing teens and adults who’ve graduated from the junior academies.” 

Was he serious? Zheth stared at him, fear building in her chest. The idea of fighting someone close to Nathale’s height terrified her. If she had a blaster and could use tactics sure, but if any training required hand to hand combat skills she’d be screwed. 

“I, for one, can’t wait to see how well you fail. Maybe the Commandant picked you to be their target practice.” A laugh as he backed off and headed for the door. 

“You’re wrong. I’ll prove it. I bet I’ll be the only one there with real fighting experience.” Bold words to cover her growing terror. 

He was already gone. Zheth watched the door, half tempted to run to the cockpit and ask Das to request that additional extra year she’d been wishing about. She stayed still, taking a few breaths. Nathale was lying to scare her. He had to be. The man was just jealous and petty that she was becoming more competent than him at things. A Commandant wouldn’t waste their time on a cadet with the goal of killing them—it was a waste of the Empire’s time and resources. She’d be fine.

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Chapter Text

Adelphi, 4 ABY

The ship was tense as Nathale paced back and forth. Zheth had watched in silence for hours at this point, too scared to ask despite her own fears. It wasn’t long ago that the war turned in the Rebellion’s favor. They’d distanced themselves from the fragmenting Empire swiftly to save their own skins but that meant little to the Rebels after years in service of their enemy. 

“We need to go soon.” Nathale grumbled. “I’ve heard the Rebellion has taken interest in this planet.” 

“Das will come back…right?” Zheth asked quietly, unsure if his broken silence gave her permission to speak. 

“Of course she will!” 

“Why hasn’t she? What if they caught her?” Fear seeped into her voice, threatening to turn into panic. 

A sharp sting as his palm connected with her face. “Don’t say that again.”

Nathale grabbed her by her collar and tugged her off the ship after him, not giving her time to recover. “Come on, I need a drink.” 

The cantina wasn’t far away, a walk through the trees and there it was with the sunset falling behind it into the ocean below the cliff. Other ships were landed nearby, closer and unhidden. It didn’t take long for Nathale to walk inside and find himself a place at the bar, ordering something she’d never heard of. A look was sent her way by several staff and patrons but no one told her to get out. 

Zheth chewed her lip, on edge now more than ever. Das was never late to a rendezvous point. If she was, she always gave a heads-up over their comms. The longer they lingered here, the more a bad feeling began to well up in her gut. “It’s fine… We’ll be fine… I’ll be fine.”

If Das didn’t return… What would happen to her? Nathale wouldn’t keep her around, at least it was unlikely. Jabba was gone but her adoptive father had mentioned other Hutts he was interested in working under. The academy wasn’t out of the cards but with the Empire falling… it could be dangerous, which meant a grueling life stuck with those slugs was becoming more realistic. Zheth shuddered, having gotten a good idea of what they might do to her if Nathale decided to be rid of her.

Glasses upon glasses emptied and Zheth tried to hide her scowl. He was already unpleasant and getting drunk didn’t do him any favors, especially with his current mood. He was talking to another bounty hunter who’d worked for the Empire, in fact the woman next to him bore their symbol on her uniform. Zheth flinched as Nathale gestured down at her, half expecting a strike.

“Un’own Regions eh? Take ‘er. Hell knows I don’ need the bastard.” Gray eyes turned to focus on her sharper than she expected for how much he’d been slurring. “You still wanna be a good lil’ imperial soldier, ‘ight?” 

“I…” Zheth couldn’t keep her thoughts focused and feared answering wrong. Did she still want that? The more she learned about the war, the less certain she wanted to be involved in either side. It meant being hunted if you ended up on the losing end, which was exactly what was happening now. Yet… it sounded like a better choice than enslavement with the Hutts. “And the Empire actually wanted me.”

A dark look crossed Nathale’s face as he stood over her, jerking her upright; she’d taken too long to respond. “Com’on ya choose now ta shut your trap, brat?” 

She caught a flash of pity from the imperial woman, who leaned over to whisper something to her bounty hunter companion without looking away from the duo. Although Nathale went unchallenged as he half dragged her back to the ship after a quick ‘apology’ for her misbehavior. More panic settled in. Zheth struggled, twisting and fighting in his grip as she spat out threats. Being alone with him in this state scared her, more so with how frustrated he was to begin with. 

The ground met her before she even processed he’d thrown her down. “Knock it off!” 

He stalked around her, kicking her back down as she tried to get up. “I shoulda left you to starve on Carlac. Nothin’ bu’ trouble keeping you around.” 

A heavy kick to her head that sent dots across her vision and made her ears ring put her into a momentary daze. Zheth blinked, trying to get her bearings again. She was suddenly certain he was going to kill her. The last hope of surviving was currently back at that bar… and she’d blown it.

“Das isn’t here to protect you now is she?” A choked sound came from her as he pulled her up by the throat, shoving her to the ramp. “She’ll be back o’course… yeah… course she will…” 

Hope sparked as he paused his abuse to consider that, maybe he’d stop to avoid fighting with Das. Nathale drifted past and into the small kitchen on the ship, igniting the stove. Zheth almost believed he was just making something to eat, though the muttering under his breath kept her from relaxing. She squinted and crept closer for a better look as he pulled out a small object and held it in the flames… Alarm bells began blaring in her mind and she bolted, trusting her instinct to flee while his back was turned. 

“No ya don’t!” The kick in the back sent her tumbling down the ramp; Nathale had been faster than she’d hoped. Moments later a hand pinned her head to the ground while his knee dug into her spine. Pain burned in her neck, causing her to cry out as he leered down at her. “She wan’s me to claim you as my ‘foundling’ so bad, th’ere. Now e’erybody will know.” 

A glimpse of the Mandalorian sigil caught her eye as he stood. The dazed realization that he’d branded her with the charm crossed her mind through the pain. “He’s gone mad!”  

Nathale didn’t seem to be done with his drunken tantrum either. A kick to the ribs made her curl in on herself and he kept going, circling and kicking as she tried desperately to avoid the blows and get back to her feet. Zheth shook, unable to cry out. Every time she caught a breath it was knocked out of her again.

“Can’t sell ya to the Hutts… We’d still hav’ ta see ya… Empire’s frac… fracture’in…” His blows slowed as he walked back into her sight, tilting his head to the side to stare down with unfocused eyes. A laugh bubbled in his throat. “You’ll jus’ have’ta disappear! Das’ll come back, I’ll say those imperials took ya… Others can’t say it didn’ ‘appen… can’t say it did…” 

The feeling of helplessness sank in. Zheth was dizzy and everything hurt. She didn’t understand why he’d never liked her. Tears quietly ran down her cheeks as she was vaguely aware he’d gone back into the ship for something. “Everything was going so well… Why?” 

Was this normal? Yes, this had to be normal—but the Empire never did this to her. Das argued but never stopped it, not that she was around for anything but the aftermath. “Das… where’s Das…?”  

Zheth needed to get up. This was her chance. She dragged herself to her feet, legs shaky as she used a tree to steady herself. Her mind screamed to just run , run and not look back. Did she hear shouting? Why was the forest getting so loud? 

There was a blaster shot near the ship and footsteps were rapidly returning. Her heart raced faster, body straining to keep itself up after the beating.

“Cadet!” The imperial from the cantina was running over. Safety , or a step closer to it. A blaster was shoved into her hand and the woman turned to face the sound of enemies closing in; the Rebellion was here. “Watch my back.” 

Blaster fire made her ears ring worse than they already were. All she could think of was that Das had run into trouble. She was late because the Rebellion had found her first. Now they’d found her and this Imperial lady—she was so confused about that and Nathale’s absence. There wasn’t time to question it though. Zheth pulled the trigger, striking someone down after her unsteady grip allowed them to get much too close. A snap of a branch from behind her followed by a sharp jolt… and darkness. 

Zheth woke to feel herself being dragged by the arms. Slowly her vision cleared up to see a Rebel taking her to the collected group of outlaws and Imperials they’d grabbed from the bar. In the dim light from the ships, she could make out Das’ familiar figure and, for a moment, strength returned. 

“Das!” She called out, struggling before feeling the man’s grip loosen and willingly allow her to reunite with the Nautolan. 

Her adoptive mother did her best to pull her closer despite her restraints. The soothing voice provided some comfort despite the situation. “This isn’t over my little spirit. Can you be strong for me? Your restraints are loose, when I free you, I want you to run to the ship and fly off.” 

“What?” The soothing words sunk in and made her feel sick as they processed. That wasn't reassuring at all! Zheth stared at her. “Why aren’t you coming?” 

“You’re better off without us.” A vague response that was quickly deflected from further elaboration as Das sadly observed her condition. Her dark eyes could see well in the growing darkness, and landed on the burn near Zheth’s neck. “You don’t deserve this… You never did. I’m sorry, it was selfish of me to hope we’d be a family.”

“Das?” Just like that she was shaking uncontrollably again, yet stubbornly refusing to believe Das could hold any of the blame. Everything would be fine if it was the two of them without Nathale. “I… I can’t leave you.” 

The restraints dropped to the ground. “You will. You always had a destiny far from us… Now go, before someone sees you.” 

A shove towards the shadowed treeline. “But—”

“Don’t look back.” 

Panic made the world spin. There was too much happening. The pain, all the people, everything. It felt like the chaos of the night was trying to consume her. This was all wrong . She could see the rebel patrol discussing with someone near the front of the collected criminals. A few pilots acted as guards, lingering near the edges; one was close enough to hear as she turned to question a fellow pilot. 

“I thought we were just arresting them. What’s going on?” A shrug in response.

“Zheth…” Das’ quiet voice urged. “Go, hurry.” 

She gritted her teeth. “Everyone dies eventually. Das knows that…”

Das knew and had given her a chance to escape the same fate. Zheth gathered her strength again and bolted for the trees. Behind her, a shout rang out, calling for someone to catch her. There was no time to be stealthy and in the dark it was difficult to avoid tripping over large fallen tropical leaves or dodge around rocks and roots. Over and over again she stumbled, expecting a blaster bolt to strike her back at any second. 

Inevitably, she tripped and tumbled down a hill before hitting a palm trunk with a muffled shout. The chasing footsteps slowed and ceased. Zheth blinked and looked up to see the Rebel looking down at her in surprise.

“You’re just a kid!” 

A second pilot caught up, blaster aimed and ready. “She’s old enough to know what she did, what side she was on.” 

“We don’t know that she helped them. This isn’t right . They all deserve a trial.” 

“No! We can’t let any Imperials or sympathizers escape. If we do, they’ll regroup. We need to get rid of them… Even the kid. She might grow up into one of them, it’s too risky. Do you want to risk another Empire starting a war?” 

Zheth glanced between them, watching as the first one nodded in defeat at the reasoning. “Alright… I’ll take care of this, go back and make sure no one else escapes.” 

Had running all been for nothing? Was she really going to die here? Zheth refused to beg, instead growing defensive and shooting a jab at her killers. She was tired of being shoved around tonight. “Come on then. Pull the trigger. Kill me and live with the memory, kill me and tell the galaxy how you won.” 

On the blood of a beaten child. As if killing her meant anything in the grand scheme of things. They both knew that. Her mind felt fried as she watched the Rebel lose their composure, the confidence their ally had given stripped away. Not that it would’ve taken much. 

The Rebel spun and fired a shot at the second pilot, stunning them in the back. They were panting heavily as their ally dropped to the ground. Zheth tensed, watching as they turned to face her again.

Their hands shook. “I didn’t sign up to murder kids… The Rebellion isn’t the Empire.” 

Malice flooded through her. Zheth lunged upward as the Rebel reached out to help. She wrenched the blaster from their hands and stumbled back. There it was. That feeling of power again, flooding through her as she held them at her mercy. The rage she wanted to unleash for Nathale’s beating, the fury at knowing Das was back there about to die, it all made her itch to pull the trigger. At least this would give her a small taste of vengeance. 

They dropped to the ground, stunned and unconscious for now, but alive. Zheth stared; it was more mercy than their allies had been about to show her. The other pilot didn’t get the same mercy, not when they’d insisted she be killed. A blaster bolt was placed into their head. She heard a loud voice coming from further off as she began running again… Blaster fire rang through the forest from the clearing as she limped back to the ship. Das was dead.

It took a while to find in the dark but it was still there and safe. Nathale’s body was lying in the dirt along with a few of the Rebels who’d ambushed them, though the Imperial woman was missing—another victim of the firing squad now. Zheth paused and fired her own bolt into his corpse despite the risk of giving away her location. Nothing stirred. Aside from the bodies, it was as if the Rebellion hadn’t even arrived. 

“Good riddance.” She pulled off his armor piece by piece and grabbed his blaster. At least these would be useful. “...I just wish I’d killed you.” 

Adrenaline began to wear off fast. Zheth panted as she tried to stay conscious long enough to get the ship in the air. She hazily punched in the familiar coordinates that would take her far from here— eventually maybe she’d find a place to lay low or check out the Unknown Region. 

“No witnesses.” The mantra crossed her mind as she started angling the ship. “I should’ve killed them… They’ll speak. They’ll chase me down like a rabid animal…”  

It was too late to save Das but… her splintered thoughts put together a few things: there were at least one or two Rebels down there who knew her face, therefore witnesses, they’d know she wasn’t dead when that one woke up, and now… she had a ship ready to fire while they were unprepared. Zheth turned for the clearing and opened fire, watching flames burst into life as she struck the first ship. Soon, they were consuming the area, reflecting in her brown eyes and turning the lightest part from its amber hue to a burning yellow. With so many flames spreading outward into the surrounding area and her overkill with the laser cannons, it was unlikely anyone survived.

X-Wings that hadn’t been on the planet however, began firing at her. The ship jolted under the attack and a light began flashing to show the damaged areas. It wouldn’t make it far… Zheth put in new coordinates, changing course to Tatooine. It wasn’t the best place to go, there could be more danger awaiting her, but Tatooine was close enough that the ship should hold itself together for the trip. It wouldn’t be the worst planet to hide out on either. Even if a new Hutt had taken over by now, serving under them had to be better than living on the run from the Rebellion. 

The ships turned back as she kept going, preferring to check over the damage she’d done for survivors most likely. Out of danger, she hit the autopilot and slumped down into the seat with exhaustion. The realization she might’ve made things worse struck as her mind slowly began to clear. Zheth continued trembling, eyes closed and injuries throbbing. She’d figure this out. Das believed in her. There was proof from past missions she wasn’t helpless. She just had to survive.

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Click for full size || Bonus Goretober art that is also based on this chapter

Chapter Text

Tatooine, 6 months later

The ruins of Jabba’s Palace had become home to her for some time now and she felt confident the Rebellion wasn’t about to swoop down and catch her anymore. Better yet, the Hutts hadn’t come to take over, still squabbling from what she’d heard whispered about. Many who served him here had left or perished long before her ship had landed. Her footsteps were quiet as she walked down the dark hall. Despite all that good fortune, there was still Bib Fortuna to worry about. 

He’d taken over now and while Zheth was sure he was aware of her presence, the Twi’lek hadn’t acted yet, still concerned with trying to secure his position over dealing with a child. All she’d felt so far were his unsettling stares from when she’d accidentally crossed paths with him a few times. It was those who were loyal to him that she had to watch out for, as they were far more willing to bully and maim. Them and any other low-lifes who were willing to kill to take anything that could turn them a profit. Sticking to a nocturnal routine was safer to avoid them altogether. 

“Can’t leave if I wanted to with the ship gone.” All for the best probably. If anyone had survived her retaliation on Adelphi then they’d surely be on the lookout for it. Stealing a new ship was her only chance off this dust ball. 

Zheth paused, looking out at the dark throne room. If she wanted to scavenge any food or water she’d need to get through there without notice. The room looked deserted but something about it was making her more uneasy than usual. Had a shadow moved near the entrance? Was that some rubble or a dead body lying in that corner? A small growl as her stomach begged for something to eat. She’d have to risk it. 

With practiced stealth, she made her way across the room. Safe. Zheth paused to steady her nerves before heading to the kitchen, moving around the deactivated serving droids to grab a container. The contents didn’t matter much, she’d eat just about anything at this point. Zheth stole another minute to drink some of the dwindling clean water supply before heading out again to eat in the safety of her hideaway. 

She stepped out and found a blaster in her face. Zheth froze, dropping the container and looking up at the man who’d caught her red-handed. In the dark, she didn’t recognize him immediately. Zheth could tell he was in rough shape though. Dried mucus covered him and the blaster, and the smell wasn’t great either. “Maybe it’s broken.”

“Who else is here?” The bounty hunter questioned, his scratchy voice matching his appearance. 

Not one of the residents she knew about then, and by the looks of it he wasn’t in any position to fight. Zheth backed up a few steps as a precautionary, taking on a tone of challenge with a question right back at him. “Who says I’m not the only one? Maybe I’m the Daimyo here.” 

“In a place like this? No child would be alone here, let alone be a daimyo.” 

There it was again. Another reminder that she was just a child. A bitter taste was in her mouth. She didn’t feel like a child and hadn’t for… a really long time. 

“How old are you anyway?”

“I’ll be eight soon!” She straightened up further, trying to look more imposing. “And I’ll have you know I can take care of myself.”

“You sure about that? I could kill you right now.” He sounded tired and unamused, helmet tilting as he looked around. 

“And I’d die. The galaxy would go on as if I never existed—just one orphaned bastard less by morning.” Zheth had faced that possibility all too much, yet right now she was sure this bounty hunter would’ve killed her by now if he was going to. Still, best to give him a real answer… with some sass. “You won’t. You’re injured and that blaster looks so full of gunk it probably wouldn’t even fire. If it did, you’d wake up Bib Fortuna and the others. You’d be asking for an early grave.” 

The blaster lowered and he leaned against the wall, catching his breath for a moment. Despite the helmet, she could feel his eyes analyzing her. “What’s your name?” 

“Zheth… Zheth Crogh.” 

She crossed her arms, secretly wondering if it was wise to give that away. What if the Rebellion did know about her and there was a bounty to bring her in? Just to be safe, Zheth bit her tongue and avoided mentioning her work, her adoptive parents’ work, for the Empire.

“It’s not wise to be here, Zheth. Do you know what Jabba would’ve done with a young girl like you? What the others might do?” His step forward sent her retreating a step back, though the wall prevented her from dodging completely and he leaned closer to eye level. His voice held disgust at his own words. “Where are your parents, kid? You should run back to them. Before Bib Fortuna decides to chain you up as his new source of entertainment.” 

A shiver as her confident act crumbled. Of course she’d known that when she’d arrived here. Hearing it from this bounty hunter though only made the memories of all those, usually twi’lek, women she’d seen in past visits here seem much too close to her own pending fate. Zheth watched him straighten and back off, relief running through her. 

“I… I’d still have a chance to escape if that happened. I can fight! I’ve killed people .” 

Who did this guy think he was? “What does he care what happens to me anyway?”

Zheth was certain he was giving her a pitied look under that helmet and once again scowled at him. She’d survived this long on her own… Scraped by on scraps… It really wasn’t something she could keep up forever. 

A ragged breath and he began walking away. “Come on, let’s go.” 

“What?” Zheth gave him a look. “I don’t even know who you are.” 

“Boba Fett.” 

Her eyes widened, recognizing the name. He’d helped the Empire and been the one to get the bounty on Han Solo— Nathale had utterly fumed when he’d heard. In the dark she couldn’t make out his armor well but she could easily recall the green Mandalorian armor he wore. Zheth followed after him, curious now why such a well-known bounty hunter was taking interest in her. Although… after what he’d said, she wasn’t sure she trusted him either and kept out of arm’s reach.

“Why are you helping me?”

“I’m not, you’re helping me.” He looked down at her, stopping as the halls diverged. “I need time to recover, an extra set of hands on the ship is beneficial to me while I mend.” 

“What do I get in exchange for helping you?” A bold question. She raised her chin and crossed her arms.

A hand grabbed her arm and instinctively Zheth let out a quiet whimper, cringing in preparation to feel a slap or to be thrown in one direction or another. She missed his response at the distraction. “Stop flinching… I’m better than this.”

The grip loosened but still guided her down a hall. “I’ll find a medkit, do you need to grab anything?” 

“I… have a few things hidden.” A glance up at him, still uncertain. 

“Get them. Meet me by the docking area, quickly.” 

Just like that, Boba left her alone. Zheth watched him limp down the opposite hall to collect his medkit, then she turned to get her own things. There wasn’t much, just a bag that held Nathale’s armor. She’d hidden it away in a crevice to avoid someone stealing it. The beskar clinked in the bag as she pulled it out of the small space. Standing, she began hurriedly making her way to the docking area. 

“Is his ship still here?” They’d find out soon enough. 

Zheth slowed, sticking to the shadows as moonlight shone down on the cooled desert. Another shadow moved nearby but it wasn’t Boba who stepped into sight. The Rodian began closing in, gesturing with a blaster for her to drop the bag. The threat of having a hole put through her chest was rather convincing. 

“Drop it.” Boba’s voice was low, his scuffled steps approaching behind her. 

Zheth nearly dropped the armor right then and there before seeing the bounty hunter was aiming a blaster at the would-be thief. Unlike the one he’d pointed at her earlier, this one looked clean and functional. The sound of it firing still made her jump as the Rodian dropped to the ground. 

“ Slave 1 is in the garage over there.” Boba walked confidently across the open space. “Others probably heard that. Keep up.” 

She sat in silence for a while, mostly keeping an eye on the stars outside the ship as they cruised through them for the time being. Boba was still busy in one of the quarters attending to the damage done by the Sarlacc; Zheth had noticed he looked worse than she’d first assumed now that she’d been able to fully see him in better lighting. The beskar armor held up aside from its paint job but the flight suit beneath had tears… she didn’t even want to see what the creature’s digestive system might’ve done to his skin. 

Quiet clunks of boots on metal eventually announced he was coming to join her. Zheth looked up in time for a packet of food to be dropped in her lap. “Eat, you’re too thin.” 

She eyed the packet suspiciously for a moment before obeying. There weren’t exactly a lot of mirrors to see what she looked like, but Zheth knew she probably looked scruffy and in need of a warm meal. The last time she’d had one was… Before Das left on her final mission. She ate in silence, occasionally looking over at Boba as he took over the controls. This felt… safe. Not entirely comfortable yet, he was a stranger and a dangerous bounty hunter, but safer than she’d been in a long time. 

“You were Das’ kid right? Her and Nathale’s?” Boba spoke up as she finished eating.

“They’re not my real parents… but yeah.” 

Boba seemed to look at the scar on her neck. “I remember he wasn’t on Jabba’s good side… and he had a nasty temper. Can’t say I didn’t think about putting a blaster bolt through his head a few times.” 

Zheth wasn’t sure what to say, although he luckily kept talking, voice rasping now and then with the effort. “I was a few years older than you when I lost my father. You’ll survive too… I suppose in return for helping me while I recover I can train you, once I see what I’ve got to work with.” 

Another person to help her learn the trade of bounty hunting? Zheth nodded in agreement. Already Boba seemed more rational, more sane , than Nathale ever was. He’d surely show her skills Nathale had only ever dreamed of having. “I’ll have a home at least too.”

“Alright. Seems fair.” Stuck on this ship already, there wasn’t much of a choice.

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Chapter Text

Ossus, 9 ABY

“Once this job is done, I’m going back to Tatooine. Jabba’s old palace is a good place for a headquarters and Bib Furtuna has ruled long enough.”  

“Why?”

“I’m tired of working for idiots who’ll get me killed— this job may put us face to face with a dangerous foe. The credits we’ll earn is enough to start my new life with more to spare… I’ve trained you well so far, one day you may even become as infamous. And you’ll always be welcome in the palace.” 

The conversation was still replaying in her head. Boba wasn’t as young as he once was and the Sarlacc hadn’t done him any favors but the idea of him retiring… Zheth didn’t know how to feel. After tonight, she’d be alone in the galaxy again unless she stayed back on Tatooine with him. 

“It isn’t a bad idea but… that isn’t what I want.” At twelve now, she was older than he was when he’d been orphaned. Plus, while he’d had other bounty hunters with him, she’d have his training and the promise of safety to return to if she desired. More than he’d gotten. “It’s happening so fast.”  

It explained why he’d helped her pick out a ship, though all the credits had come from her account. Zheth had gained a lot of experience from all the jobs it took saving up for the vessel. For someone who was just shy of being a teen, she felt rather skilled. “I can handle myself.”

“Zheth, focus.” Boba’s voice whispered as he crouched down next to her to observe the temple before them. “You have to be on guard around the Jedi.” 

“I thought you said they were peacekeepers back in the Republic. Aren’t Sith more dangerous?” The memories of Vader with his red lightsaber and Force-chokehold flashed through her head. Then the reminder that this Jedi master was the same one who’d killed Vader and the Emperor according to the stories… He could be more dangerous.

“That doesn’t mean they won’t kill, especially when we’re stealing from them.” 

“How many?” 

“One master… There are younglings in the huts behind us. They shouldn’t be a problem as long as they stay there.” 

Zheth remained tense, now also reminded of what she’d done to those academy students. She silently shared Boba’s sentiment about the apprentices staying out of the way, though if a fight broke out… She’d do what she had to. 

Under the cover of moonlight they headed inside. The temple was large and spacious but Boba seemed to know where to go. Upward they went, spotting no one and practically no security. Zheth felt suspicious. Was this master jedi arrogant in his power or just foolishly believing no one would steal from him?

A small room at the top held their reward. Zheth hesitated to follow Boba inside as he walked toward a pedestal that contained a cube inside a protective field. “I have a bad feeling about this…” 

“Watch the door, I’ll deactivate the shield.” He instructed without even glancing her way.

Zheth stepped inside and took a position against the wall, blaster in hand as she stood listening and watching for movement. There was only one way in or out, which was both an advantage and disadvantage. While standing there, she had to wonder who this mystery employer ‘Steadfast’ was and why they’d want some silly cube from the Jedi. Surely something so old wasn’t all that important anymore, right? 

“Doesn’t matter. We’re being paid handsomely just to steal it.”  

A sound of someone coming down the hallway. Her muscles tensed, listening as the sound of steps grew closer. Right before they were close enough to enter she jumped into view and pulled the trigger. The sound of her blaster going off felt more like a detonator with how loudly it broke through the silence. A body hit the ground, unmoving aside from the lightsaber rolling away. Zheth shook with the sudden adrenaline rush. That wasn’t the Jedi master… it’d been a padawan. Worse, it had been a Nautulan… like Das. Black eyes stared up in fear as she stood over them, hesitating to finish the padawan off as they curled in on themselves and pressed over the blaster wound.

“No witnesses.” Even now after several years, the words drilled into her echoed darkly. 

“Zheth, ship, now!” The shield fell and Boba grabbed the cube. 

He pulled her after him and spared her the ongoing internal conflict. They headed for one of the windows that lined the building. With his jetpack he’d fly out no problem but she’d have to catch a ride. Zheth paused. It was strong enough to carry both of them but the window was too thin to both get out at once. She’d have to trust he’d grab her— he was probably the only person she would trust not to drop her or allow her to simply fall to the earth below.

A green light cut through the shadows with a familiar hum. Boba was flung away from their escape route by an invisible hand. Zheth turned to look at the Jedi, noting the grim look on his face as he assessed the situation. He was going to kill them; she couldn’t imagine why else he’d have that expression. Yet she still reacted by raising her blaster and firing at him; each bolt deflected away. 

The Jedi raised his hand and she felt a hard shove . She tumbled back, shouting in surprise as the force of the attack knocked her down the stairwell. The light armor she wore helped but it still hurt. Zheth fired up at him as he turned his back to her, attempting to go after Boba once more. 

“I’m not done fighting, coward!” Zheth stood and raised her arm, firing a dart from the launcher on her wrist.

With quick reflexes, the lightsaber was spun around and cut through the small dart like it was just more air as Skywalker stepped out of the shrapnel’s way. However, it did buy Boba time and she saw him get back to his feet. Zheth didn’t let up as he gave her a signal. She raised her other hand and attempted to use her grappling hook to tangle the Jedi up.

Rather than cut the line, the Jedi grabbed the chord and yanked, once more throwing her off her feet. Zheth felt the air knock out of her lungs as she landed. The hum of the lightsaber whirled above her, green consuming her vision before the blade swiped into the ground where she’d just been lying. 

“You shouldn’t have come here.” The Jedi spoke. 

Zheth lunged to the side, grabbing the padawan’s dropped lightsaber. A pale blue beam flared to life as she pressed the button— well at least it didn’t require the Force to use it. She slashed without grace towards the Jedi, the blades crackling as they met. Backing off, she tried to attack him from another angle, only to feel herself get flung into the wall. 

“The padawan!” Zheth looked up to see the Nautolan youngling summoned their lightsaber back to their hand. “I can’t beat both of them.”

“Who are you?” The jedi paused his approach, gloved hand raised to stay the wounded apprentice as he stared with some confusion.

An explosion rocked the temple and suddenly the ceiling was crumbling down around them. Zheth scrambled to get to her feet and ran for Boba, shooting off blaster bolts as she went— the apprentice collapsing once again. She felt her mentor shove the cube into her hands before grabbing her and taking off. Open air hit them for only a moment before the pair were slammed back into the temple by the Force. Boba’s grip tightened as the floor cracked beneath him and sent them falling again. Zheth’s cry of alarm was lost among the sounds of the building crumbling and falling around them. 

His grip loosened and suddenly she was rolling across the ground, rocks and debris slicing into the gaps of her armor until she came to a stop. Zheth gasped for air and had to lie there a few seconds to get her breath back, processing whether she was badly injured or not. Everything felt unbroken, remarkably. A few coughs escaped as she inhaled the dust. 

“Boba?” Another cough that turned into a groan as she got up; she’d landed on that stupid cube, although it looked undamaged. 

Zheth turned, freezing as she saw the pile of rock. “Boba?” 

Still no response. Panic began to kick in. Was he buried— and if so was he alive ? His broken jet pack was lying half buried at the bottom. Zheth grabbed the cube and ran over, dropping it again to start digging through. It was useless, the large chunks were unmoving and doing nothing but harm to her hands as she desperately tried in vain to dig through. 

“He has his beskar, he has to be alive!” A legendary bounty hunter like him survived a Sarlacc, falling rocks wouldn’t kill him!

“Boba!” 

Nothing.

Zheth sat back, staring at the pile. “No… No please… Not again! Don’t leave me alone!”  

She felt dizzy; whether it was from the fall or the panic she couldn’t say at the moment. 

“Boba please…” A whispered plea she knew would go unanswered. 

There was someone approaching. She needed to go now before the Jedi or his apprentice caught up. 

“I’m sorry.” She grabbed the cube and fled back into the night. “He’d want me to finish the job.” 

Smaller shadows were gathering outside the huts and Zheth skidded to a halt, knees buckling slightly. Some of the apprentices had already ignited their sabers, colorful beams lighting up the dark around them. There wasn’t much time to choose a direction before she turned and changed course. She’d avoid the padawans if she could. They weren’t part of this and she couldn’t fight so many with her injuries. Her blaster had also been lost when the floor had caved; she wasn’t defenseless but a weapon down against these opponents wasn’t a good thing. The forest gave her shelter as she plunged into the trees, looking back to see the green lightsaber glowing in the distance next to the group. It looked as though he’d stopped pursuing to check on them. However if this cube was so important, he wouldn’t be distracted for long.

She was on the verge of collapse as she reached her ship, purposefully ignoring Slave 1 sitting nearby. It sat as a reminder that Boba would never come to join her, and she couldn’t wait to pretend he would. Part of her considered taking it instead of her own ship. Boba’s vessel was reliable and had plenty of useful modifications, however that would give her a constant reminder of this loss. Zheth started her ship up, and looked back at the temple. Despite the damage, it was mostly intact. The idea of revenge crossed her mind but she turned the ship away before her luck changed. What if that Jedi master was powerful enough to pull her ship from the sky? It wasn’t until she broke Ossus’ atmosphere that she realized her old mentor hadn’t told her where they were taking this cube. 

“It got him killed. He could've retired if it wasn’t for this thing.” Finally her anger ignited, burning as much as her injuries did as she stared down at it. Some of her own blood smeared across from where the corner had punctured her after the fall. 

No reward and no Boba Fett. Zheth flung the stupid thing behind her. It felt wise to get rid of the evidence in case Skywalker did come for her but what if her employer came looking for it and found she’d destroyed it?

Her long range comm went off, alerting her to a missed message from Steadfast. Zheth played the message, watching as the hologram popped up with a symbol of a diamond with two lines taken out of the top within a circle; not a symbol she was familiar with, making this guy more of a mystery. The message was short and to the point. Take the item and hide it somewhere the Jedi wouldn’t find it—probably easier said than done but she’d try—until it was time to be collected. More annoying to her at that moment was the comment that she wouldn’t get paid until it was ready to be collected. She was sure if Boba had known that was part of the deal since the start, they never would’ve taken this job.

“Why can’t they just take it now? This is stupid.” But she didn’t exactly have coordinates to drop it on Steadfast’s doorstep. At least tossing the cube meant she’d probably keep the Jedi off her tail.

“After that… I suppose I can do whatever I’d like.” This ship could take her throughout the galaxy if she wanted. Without anyone to suggest or give directions Zheth felt somewhat lost, but she’d adapt. “After all, Boba thought I could become an infamous bounty hunter like him someday… So I can’t let him down.”

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Chapter Text

Takodana, 30 ABY

Zheth stepped into Maz’s Castle, the sounds of the band growing louder as she got closer to the cantina within the fortified walls. The place had always impressed her with how well it’d stood the test of time ever since she’d found it. A few patrons glanced her way, quick to divert their stares and shift out of the way. Her reputation had become well known over the years, still not quite as well known as Boba Fett… but she was satisfied with this corner of the galaxy. While Maz didn’t allow fighting within these walls, outside of them was another matter. 

At the moment however, she wasn’t looking for someone to pick a fight with. She barely cared to poke around for anyone in need of a bounty hunter. No, right now she just wanted to avoid unwanted attention and rest for a little while after her latest job. Blue-tinted beskar armor glinted in the dull warm lighting over her muted dark purple flight suit as she sat down, keeping her helmet on for now. Nathale’s armor had finally come in handy once she’d grown old enough to have it reforged to her liking— that had been a whole other pain to find someone for, although her black cloak and kama with orange undersides were a personal addition to the look.

“Maz must be busy.” She noticed the owner of the castle when she’d first walked in but now Maz seemed to have vanished once more.

Zheth didn’t mind. She found Maz’s Force abilities somewhat unsettling—anyone that could use the Force really. The bounty hunter could still recall her first interaction with Maz. 

Maz had frozen the moment Zheth had stepped foot into the building, turning to stare with inquisitive eyes that were enlarged by the goggles she wore. “A new face, who might you be?” 

She walked to the bar, leaning on it while avoiding eye contact. “Zheth.” 

“Just Zheth?” Maz moved closer, adjusting something on the glasses as she analyzed her every movement. 

“Crogh.” 

The name gave Maz pause, as if expecting something else, and then she was leaning much too close to Zheth’s face with way too much eye contact. “Who are you, Zheth Crogh?I sense a lingering darkness over you, I can see it in your eyes. If you wish to stay here, you will abide by my castle’s rules.” 

Really though, what person here wouldn’t have some ‘lingering darkness’? It wasn’t like anyone in this place was particularly sheltered from the dangers of the galaxy. She would’ve called it superstitious magic if she didn’t know better.

For a while, she lounged in her quiet corner booth and simply enjoyed the atmosphere. The change in the castle’s ambiance was slight when it happened, but Zheth picked up on it. A brief pause of conversation all at once rather than the typical here and there as conversations started and others died out. Most didn’t even seem to notice as conversation began again but even this little shift was enough to make her tense up and seek out the cause. 

Two newcomers had walked in. Not only that, they were walking straight towards her. She stayed tense as she watched them approach. The pilot’s uniform displayed the New Republic symbol while his companion held herself with authority beneath a hooded cloak that cast much of her face in shadow. For a brief moment, the irrational fear that her childhood of helping the Empire had finally caught up and this was the New Republic coming to arrest her flashed through her mind.

“Don’t be stupid. I was a child with no control over that.” Many of the Rebellion’s members were probably dead by now anyway. “All the ones who’d seen my face that night at least.”

What about other newer targets though? She’d gone after senators and other political figures on both sides for one-off jobs… Had she slipped up and left a witness? Impossible. Covering her tracks, eliminating witnesses, that was all basics she’d had down for years.

The fact she’d just gotten back from collecting a bounty for a New Republic senator’s assassination not too long ago wasn’t helping to calm her nerves. “Did the general I took the job from snitch on me? Cards would never.”

She’d never worked directly with him before and he hadn’t given much information. In fact, all transactions had gone through his personal guard: Captain Cardinal. Not unusual, this always happened when this particular general hired her… This time had been strange though.

“Don’t look so glum, Cards.” She could spot his red armor a mile away as she’d been landing. “I got the job done, like I always do.”

“It’s the design.” He pulled his helmet off; something she’d finally got him to do by beating him in Sabacc after several meetings like this. “It’s not glum, it’s intimidating.”

“Mhm, my bad.” Zheth frowned. He’d claimed to wear red because it represented power when she’d asked about it, and usually his stance reflected that, but right now he seemed antsy. “Something wrong? Is it that new captain your boss picked up?” 

“No…It’s the general.” Cardinal looked away, a brooding frown crossing his face. “I shouldn’t tell you.”

“Don’t tease me now! Who am I going to tell?”

“The Resistance. We are aware you take jobs for them too sometimes.” 

“Fair enough.” She grabbed her payment. “Until next time, Cardinal.” 

“Wait.” He slid his helmet on and followed after her. Despite his armor, she could see him take a deep breath. “You can’t repeat this, do you understand? I will kill you.”

“Ooh don’t threaten me with a good time Cards.” She nudged him with a snicker, their armor clacking lightly together.

“He’s unwell.”

“I didn’t think you guys ever got sick.” A teasing tone but there was some worry deep down. While she only ever interacted with Cardinal, his boss was one of her better paying returning clients.

“This isn’t a joke.” Cardinal snapped. “Something bit him and now he’s ill. The med droids don’t know what to do.” 

“Oh…” She frowned and finally got serious. That was interesting. “Sounds like a venom, or maybe he was injected with poison and they mistook it for a bite.” 

“Nothing we’re able to identify.” 

While Zheth only saw his boss as her next paycheck, clearly Cardinal thought highly of the man. A father-figure to him, he’d once said, who took him in after living life as an orphan. The confession had been the start of their friendship and she’d given a glimpse of her own life. He’d never given her a name for the man though, just referring to him as “General”. One of many she’d done jobs for, so it wasn’t all that helpful when it came to things— which was probably her employer’s point.

Cardinal wasn’t showing more than subtle hints, but she suspected he might be more worried than he was letting on, that this illness might be worse than he was saying. She sighed. “Alright, Cards, we’re friends so I’ll see if I can find any info on rarer venoms and poisons and send you a list free of charge… Don’t hold your breath though. If med droids can’t figure it out, I'm not sure I’ll have better luck.” 

“If you can save him, I’ll put in a good word for you.” Cardinal turned to walk back to his ship, glancing back over his shoulder. “Hey, if you ever change your mind, you’re free to join us permanently. Your skills, my diplomacy and experience, we’d take the First Order far. They’ll fix what the New Republic can’t, or won’t. No more starving orphans, no more money funneled to rich planets while others fall into despair. Don’t you want that?” 

It sounded like a lot of propaganda. Truthfully, war also happened to be good for her pockets. That was why she was here now; it was how they’d gotten close to begin with. There were nights she considered the offers. Zheth loved being wanted, but others wanted to employ her too so there were other options to consider.

“Is this a real offer or just you asking nicely? I told you, only for the right price—if your boss wishes to extend an offer, Cards.” Picking sides was daunting. The last thing she wanted was to be on the losing side and watch history repeat— though the fact he kept pressing this matter was a great ego boost. Right now there didn’t appear to be a clear winner yet, but if he kept pushing, or his boss made the right offer, and the signs pointed in the right direction she’d gladly fight at Cardinal’s side.

“I don’t trust Captain Phasma. It’d be nice to have an ally if something happens.”

“You’re just jealous. You’ve got the experience over her, there’s nothing to worry about… but if something does happen, just contact me. I’ll see what I can do.” 

Zheth boarded her ship, tired from the mission and her travels. It was a bit of a distance to Takodana, she’d put together that list for him on the way. 

That was besides the point in her current situation. Although, thinking about it, if the general was ill… He probably hadn’t snitched on her. So, not an arrest about to happen… probably. 

Zheth watched them through her purple tinted visor as the pair sat down across from her, as if she’d invited them to join. She relaxed back in her seat, though was still ready to jump into action if necessary. “What do you need me to do?” 

“Who says we need you for anything?” The pilot arched an eyebrow as he looked right back at her.

“You sought me out… It was easy to tell considering you started walking over the moment you saw me.” Like they were some sort of old friends just mingling to chat. Zheth leaned forward. “Why are you here? What do you want?”

“So you know that much but can’t figure out why? Some predator you make.” He was playing with her now, going so far as to use the nickname that had started floating around for her.

“Something for the Resistance or New Republic, you’re practically a walking advertisement for them.” Faint teasing entered her otherwise bored tone through the helmet’s voice manipulator.

This time, the woman next to him spoke. “Yes. We need more supplies and someone who can be trusted to smuggle supplies reliably for the Resistance. Your reputation has reached our general and she wanted to extend an offer to you.”

Getting mixed up with the Resistance would be a bad idea. It meant picking a side— just like Cardinal’s offers. However, this wouldn’t be like political assassinations or taking out rivals within the ranks as she’d done before. Helping them would be more permanent than one-off kills now and then. It was working directly for them; Zheth doubted she could take this job of smuggling and then be allowed to turn around and take another job that would pit her against the Resistance. If one side didn’t kill her for it, the other might.

“And why not find a smuggler? I’ve done some in the past but, if they’re here because of my reputation they’d be aware I’m known for my mercenary work.” Suspicious, mildly, but not impossible they didn’t care.

 “Our general…” Zheth repeated the phrase, focusing on that for the moment. Despite the hood hiding much of the woman’s features, there was no doubt she was giving off an aura of authority and power with how she composed herself. A grin crossed her face, not that they could see it. “You mean yourself.” 

“You’re observant.” The woman nodded. “I am General Leia Organa, leader of the Resistance.” 

“How bold of her to come with just a pilot.” Zheth silently questioned if there were guards waiting outside or if General Organa felt safe here with Maz’s rule regarding fighting. She then wondered if she should feel honored the general decided to come herself or if this was common.

“So you want me to smuggle some supplies for you, war essentials, intel, whatnot.” She tapped her finger on the table several times before nodding slowly, humoring the idea of even considering this. “What does it pay? I’m sure the First Order would come after me the second they caught wind of what I’m doing— probably why you need a replacement —and I don’t intend on doing something that risky for cheap.” 

The First Order was a rising threat to the New Republic, nowhere near as spread across the galaxy as the Empire had been— for now. Yet she knew they had power and resources to hunt her down if she became a problem. Cardinal trained their troops and if they were able to fight anywhere close to how well Cardinal had in some sparring matches, things could get deadly for her. 

Zheth couldn’t put the Resistance out of the picture either though. They had allies within the New Republic too, it could only be a matter of time they had another victory before full war really began. They could easily still be a workplace hazard. Her prices in general weren’t cheap and while she had plenty of credits, Zheth didn’t plan on taking risks without some reward.

“Don’t your kind usually have someone to pay off?” The pilot spoke again.

“My kind?” A glare, her tapping ceasing as she moved to grab her blaster and put it on the table. Of course she wouldn’t dare break Maz’s rule and fire it, but did they know that? “Not all bounty hunters and smugglers work for crime lords… I’m not part of any bounty hunting guild either. We freelancers just like proper compensation when our lives are on the line.” 

“Is that so?”

Now he was just trying to get under her skin. Zheth scoffed, returned her blaster to its holster, and began walking away. The two were following her. “I can’t help you anyway. I’m retired from smuggling for the most part, mostly killing bounties for a living now… Not as a soldier in a war, but I’ll take out a small group of specific targets if you need.”

“You will help us.” General Organa’s words seemed to tug faintly at her mind for a moment. “We could use your skills.”

What had that weird feeling been? Zheth hid her confusion, keeping up her indifference. “I’ll ask again, what does it pay?” 

Why was she still even considering this? It wasn’t worth it. She’d get stuck and labeled as a soldier in a war she had no desire to be part of. If she was going to do that, then she should at least see if the First Order would match the offer. “If Cardinal’s boss is as sick as he seems though… Those paychecks could be running dry soon.”  

“Take her to our ship and show her Poe. I have to speak with Maz before we leave.” 

Poe flashed her a charming smile, holding out his arm for her to take with a change of tune from how he’d been inside. “Come with me and I’ll make sure you never want to take another bounty again.” 

Zheth rolled her eyes and ignored his arm, only allowing him to take the lead so she knew where they were going. The ship didn’t look very impressive at first glance, nothing she’d expect a general to fly in, but she supposed it was a good way to avoid unwanted attention. It was surprising to see physical cases with credits sitting in the ship, she’d been expecting to see a number written on a contract or for Poe to type in a number and transfer it to an account if she agreed to it. 

“Huh, more than I expected.” A suspicious amount really.

Poe had a smug look on his face as he leaned against a wall, taking her silence as awe. “Told you so.” 

“I get all of this just for smuggling some supplies?” She questioned, turning to look at him. “Why? Is there something special about them?”

“Nothing more than the usual. Medical supplies, ammo, fuel, maybe help with some odd-ball things.” He shrugged, dark eyes looking her up and down. “I found it strange that General Organa came personally to be honest. You must be someone very special.” 

“Not really. Just a bounty hunter with a good shot and a sense of humor.” 

He gave her a doubtful look at that last part, not that she blamed him. So far her humor had been dry at best during their meeting.

“There must be something.” Poe pressed, stepping closer. “Who are you behind that mask? Why did she risk her safety by coming here just to see you?”

“Who am I?” A quiet laugh and pulled off her helmet so he could see the amusement on her face. “I’m just some orphaned bastard from the outer rim.” 

“No need to give him more than that.” There wasn’t much more than that beyond anything that mentioned the First Order, Empire, Adelphi, or Ossus. None of which she could ever speak of around Resistance members; she’d have to make sure to delete any files they might dig up on her.

Poe didn’t seem convinced but was interrupted as a white and orange droid rolled over with inquisitive beeps. His focus went down to it. “She’s going to be working with us now, aren’t you?”

The droid looked at her, following as she headed for the ramp. As much as she didn’t like his assumption, those credits were tempting. “I could take the deal… and keep doing work for others on the side, if I’m careful. At least if my First Order guy kicks the bucket I’ll have this already lined up.”

It was business. A move that, if she played things right, could keep her appearing neutral still. Although, if she was caught… both sides could turn against her. “They’ll think I picked a side with a long-term gig like this.”

“Tell your ball to stop following me.” Zheth grumbled.

“BB-8 leave her alone.” Poe listened as the droid gave a few more beeps. “He says you’re hiding something.” 

“I’m not telling you my life story.” Zheth put her helmet back on, unnerved once more. What did the droid know? “This is a job, not a friendship thing. If you want to frolic through the galaxy and pretend it is, then find someone else.”

As if she hadn’t made friends with Cardinal despite telling herself the same thing back then. A humored grin crossed her face at his next words. They sounded so familiar.

“If you betray us, you’ll die.” 

“You know, someone tried that ‘killing me’ thing before. It didn’t end well for them.” Zheth wasn’t going to say it was the Rebellion of course, but she was thinking it. Even if there were a good number of other times. “Death threats don’t bother me anyway. Everything dies eventually.” 

“Just thought I’d give a fair, friendly, warning.” 

“And I’ll keep in mind some of the Resistance is made up of the old Rebel Alliance who tried to kill me.” Even if Poe was bluffing, there were people within the Resistance who wouldn’t hesitate to carry out that threat. Revenge against them had been carried out long ago, but that didn’t mean she liked or trusted the scum. She could act like she did though.

Zheth mentally groaned, wanting to shake her head and leave. She couldn’t believe she was going to do this. Taking this job was probably signing her death sentence— Cardinal would probably hate her if, no when , he found out. Yet the words still came out of her mouth as she headed for her ship with Poe following after her. “Our banter was amusing and I do like General Organa’s price…Tell me what my first job is.” 

He truly had been amusing; maybe she would make an exception to the no friends thing… in time. Should he prove he wasn’t the same kind of extremist that would’ve slaughtered her unquestioningly like those rebels on Adelphi. The price was good and a security plan for future paychecks if that First Order general took a turn for the worse. Kriff, Zheth hoped she didn’t regret this.

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Chapter Text

Western Reaches, 34 ABY

Another round of fire rocked the GAT-12 Skipray Blastboat as Zheth’s attention had been pulled to a different enemy ship. The opposing bounty hunters were growing more clever, cooperating with each other now to take her out. She’d known this would happen by helping the Resistance—hells it had happened prior with bounty hunters and thieves trying to steal her beskar armor or bounties, yet she’d dug her own grave by agreeing so this was arguably her own fault. Although, she also found it ironic as a bounty hunter and, currently, smuggler herself that she had a bounty on her own head.

She checked her shields, making sure they’d hold up at least a little longer as she continued to pursue the ship in front of her. There wasn’t much energy left to continue diverting to the shields but it’d have to do… just for a few more seconds. Zheth lined up the ship as she flew into range, the targeting system locked on and she fired the proton torpedoes. Fire and smoke clouded over the ship as she flew through the debris. One down. 

An alarm began going off as the shields began to fail. Another blast from the remaining ship and the alert popped up to show the hull was damaged. That wasn’t good. She had ammo on this ship and if that was hit… 

She jerked the ship to the right, trying to get the other ship off her tail long enough for her to return fire with the laser cannons. This ship had been with her years now— a ‘gift’ from the Resistance— she didn’t want more damage on it than that bounty hunter had already caused.

Another distraction as an incoming transmission appeared: Poe Dameron. Zheth gave a huff, answering as she continued her defensive maneuvers. “Really? Now isn’t a good time Hot Shot, what’s up?”

“I need backup on Jakku, now.” His voice sounded distressed. “It’s a massacre. I need to make sure BB-8 gets out safely. I need you to make sure of that.” 

Jakku wasn’t too far from here, if she punched lightspeed then she could get there in no time… Maybe it’d lose the ship tailing her too. Zheth began changing tactics, hitting the controls and entering the coordinates as another warning came up in time with another direct hit. “I’m a little busy at the moment, just hang in there.”

“Hurry, they destroyed my ship.” Static distorted the transmission. “BB-8 is out of the village but… don’t… where… is—”

The transmission cut out and she paused to glance over. “Poe?” 

Of course there was no answer. A bad feeling was starting to bubble up inside her. This was bad. He might already be dead and it might already be too late by the time she got there to get BB too. Zheth punched it for lightspeed anyway, praying that the ship would hold together long enough to complete this supply run turned rescue trip. As the stars blurred around her she took the time to assess the damage. The shields were destroyed, what remained usable wasn’t worth the energy they’d take. The hull was pretty beaten up, no breach yet but it could be one hit away from it. At least the engines were still functioning. If she was fast enough to avoid trouble then she might be able to pull this off.

As if she had that kind of luck. “Oh shit.”

Zheth veered to the side as she came out of hyperspace and rammed right through a TIE. That certainly hadn’t done her ship any favors, though it was a clear warning of who she was dealing with. Other TIEs began noticing her arrival and to make matters worse, that bounty hunter had somehow followed her, as they came from hyperspace shortly after. A groan rocked through her ship as an engine was struck and began failing. Zheth braced herself as her descent into the atmosphere of the tan colored planet turned more into a suicidal dive towards the sandy surface. The controls responded just enough to tilt upward but there was nothing she could do as the ship crashed, slamming into the dunes with an explosive force that vaulted her out of the ship’s viewport. All she could make out for a moment was sand… and then nothing. 

“Jakku sounds awful.” She commented, ducking under a swing. 

“It was, is, really bad. The New Republic doesn’t do anything to make it better.” Cardinal accused and leaned back to avoid her fist. “I make sure all the recruits I teach know what it is they’re fighting for— a better galaxy.” 

“You sound like a poster-boy for the First Order.” 

Zheth backed off a few paces, grinning as she watched for his next move. Cardinal was growing distracted as they spoke. His focus switched from their sparring match to his passionate feelings over his goals.

“It’s true! We’ll bring order to the galaxy. With the First Order in charge kids like I was won’t suffer. You don’t know what it was like, waking up at night to rats trying to gnaw on you, or other kids and adults trying to kill you for whatever crumbs you had. I won’t let that keep happening.” 

She hadn’t known stormtroopers could have such hearts. Then again, if he hadn’t, they probably wouldn’t be talking right now. It would’ve been strictly business and parting ways. Still, he seemed much too optimistic about things. “The galaxy is a big place. You really think one group can rule it all and prevent backwater planets from suffering? The Empire couldn’t.” 

“Of course, the First Order learned from the Empire’s mistakes.” He lunged unexpectedly and she dodged to the side, landing a jab before he grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her. Breath huffed out against her ear. “Give up?” 

“Afraid you’ll lose if I don’t?” She adjusted her footing as he tugged further, wincing but unwilling to tap out.

“No. I think this match is ov—” He stumbled as she moved in the direction he was pulling and twisted around, using her free arm to strike a blow against his neck. 

His grip still held her wrist, but her arm was freed from behind her back. She went to twist his wrist to release herself completely when a kick sent her onto her back. Air knocked from her lungs. 

Pain began to burn through her chest. That wasn’t right. It continued worsening and the scene grew blurry and insubstantial. The air went from a nice crisp breeze with overcast sunlight to overwhelmingly hot within a dark void. Did she smell smoke?

“ Salvage , come in.” The communicator on her wrist was going off as she regained consciousness. “Come in, Salvage… Zheth, status report. We lost signal of your ship, are you alright?” 

Her senses felt dull, sight still hazy and unfocused. Zheth weakly moved to press the button on her communicator to respond to General Organa’s inquiry but couldn’t find the strength and let it fall limply back into the sand. The pain was dizzying and she wasn’t even sure she could speak, let alone well enough to be understood. General Organa didn’t try again. 

A ship landed nearby and through slowly sharpening vision she identified it as the bounty hunter’s. The knowledge this was going to be life or death kept her still. Zheth stayed limp as a boot rolled her onto her back, head lolling to the side as she fought to keep her breath shallow enough to go unnoticed.

“Tell your boss the job is finished… No I couldn’t… They died in the crash. I know you won’t have an issue with this one again… I’ll be there shortly.” The bounty hunter finished his report over his comlink and without further evaluation of the scene, turned and left. 

Zheth stayed unmoving, listening as the ship took off and waiting a few minutes longer just to make sure they wouldn’t see her get up. Her body protested the movement but she ignored the pain and began walking, picking a direction to stick to. Sand clung to the drying blood and her path was drunkenly uneven. Eventually she’d have to hit some sort of civilization, right?

A scowl formed under her helmet as she limped onward through the desert. “Poe is dead next time I see him… If he already is, I’ll bring him back and kill him myself.”

An empty threat. She wouldn’t kill him over this… making him pay for a new ship however was a different story. Zheth stumbled, caught herself, and kept going. Then again, maybe she’d kill him. “His fault I’m stuck on the worst planet ever.”  

Rumors said ships came here to die and the idea of rats attempting to eat her alive or unfriendly desert scavengers didn’t inspire much hope. This ball of dust was a wasteland of harsh sunlight and little sustenance to survive. Just as bad as Tatooine if she was being honest— which was exactly why she hadn’t gone back since Boba had taken her under his wing.

“Hate hot places.” Zheth wheezed, stumbling again before tumbling down a dune. She coughed and struggled back to her feet to keep moving. “I’m starting to hate sand too… Dameron, you better hope you die before we meet again!” 

By nightfall she’d dropped to the ground, too tired and painful to do more than breathe, much less assess the damage the crash had done to her. The dried blood was uncomfortable but in the heat of the day much of it had eventually dried and flaked off. What was left on her skin was fresher from still oozing cuts. 

She didn’t know how far she’d actually managed to go but it was at least far enough to get some shelter for the night. Long crashed star destroyers from the battle of Jakku marred the ship graveyard; they’d work well to block any sandstorms that might whip up in the middle of the night. Although, Zheth wasn’t sure what other dangers could be waiting within the wreckage either. Thieves and scavengers could be watching her right now. With how old these ships were, falling debris that could easily crush her was a big possibility too.

It wasn’t something she was awake enough to care about. Exhaustion practically pinned her to the ground, breathes coming in gasps. Without water the idea that she might die was a very real possibility regardless of if her injuries were killing her. Crawling all the way out here might’ve been for nothing. She morbidly wondered which would finish her off first: dehydration, the locals or wildlife, or her wounds.

Zheth tried her communicator, faintly remembering its existence. The button was jammed with sand now, preventing her from sending a message. Useless. Zheth couldn’t even try Cardinal as a backup— not that she expected an answer when he’d gone silent for a few years now. She couldn’t call for help and still hadn’t found a town. She let her eyes close, feeling how the cold sand leeched her body heat now that the sun was gone. Through the fog in her mind, she wondered if she’d even wake up.

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Chapter Text

Two days later

A sharp kick in the side woke her, though Zheth continued lying in the sand without bothering to open her eyes. Her mind felt fuzzy and despite the shade, sand had managed to start burying her beneath it as it was whipped around in sporadic gusts of wind that only felt like it was making things hotter. The visitor was persistent however and jabbed at her a few more times while calling out to someone else. 

“They sound… familiar.” Not in a good sense of the word either. 

An armored hand grabbed her wrist and jerked her upright, taking most of her weight as her legs gave out. Zheth blinked, the world gradually coming into focus to make out the patrol of stormtroopers and sandtroopers scouting the dunes around her.

“They haven’t gotten BB-8 then.” She supposed that was what they’d be searching for at least. 

“Walk.” The stormtrooper released his grip and shoved her forward, herding her back to the others. 

While firm, the push hadn’t been particularly forceful, yet it was enough to send her face first back to the ground. Her breath wheezed out of her helmet as she was pulled back up and forced to stand again. The stormtrooper was smart enough not to shove her a second time, instead practically dragging her behind him. 

The world tilted a bit but she continued stumbling without falling. Being in and out of consciousness for the past few days left her wondering if this was even real. Was any of this real? Was her body really just lying in her ship bleeding out— no wouldn’t that have blown up with the ammo? This all felt real. The dull pain in her various cuts, ribs, and head, the dehydration, the overly tight grip around her wrist. 

“I really should try to fight them off.” Who knew what the First Order would do to her— kill her probably, once they realized she didn’t have anything useful to tell them. It didn’t matter what they’d do to her, she would be dead if she stayed here anyway. So she followed calmly.

“If I can find Cardinal, would he show mercy?” He’d been a captain, which held some power. “He got really pissed off in our last meeting.”

Upset over his new boss and her own stance on the matter. This could’ve all been his doing; he could’ve directed his boss’ attention onto her until they deemed her a big enough threat to take action. Granted, this was a big gap between then and now.

Her vision blurred, unconsciousness tugging at her and the stormtrooper was forced to take more of her weight or let her drop. “Avoid Cardinal then.” 

“Didn’t think you guys took prisoners.” She mumbled, still managing some sass as she tried to stay awake. 

For a few seconds, the stormtrooper was silent. They continued moving in what Zheth could only assume was the direction of their ship with the rest of the patrol still fanning out as they tried to find more traces of anyone else.

“You were the one who tried to help that Resistance pilot. You’ll be taken in for questioning.” 

They must’ve heard the report of her ship, or somehow tapped into Poe’s transmission. Finding her alive after the probable report of her demise had to have at least mildly surprised them. It was difficult to tell with those helmets. 

“I spotted something.” Another trooper spoke up, motioning to a hunk of scrap. “Over there. It looked like the droid.” 

“Oh no.” Zheth silently pleaded against the odds of it being BB-8. What other droid would be out here though? 

If it wasn’t for the stormtrooper’s announcement she would’ve thought the white and orange sphere was a hallucination as BB-8 was forced from cover and fled in her direction. The trooper holding onto her gave a grumble of annoyance. 

“Grab it!” The grip on her arm was released as he followed his own order. 

Zheth had to feel some amusement at watching them get out maneuvered by the droid. BB-8 couldn’t do that forever though, not when it was outnumbered. She gritted her teeth, realizing she was the only one around who could aid the poor thing. Sluggishly, she pulled out her blaster. Her grip was shaky, needing her other hand to steady herself, but Zheth’s first shot was good enough to cripple one of their legs as it hit the unprotected joint behind their knee. She’d been aiming for his back.

“BB-8, go. I’ll hold them off.” A cough wracked her body as the astromech responded with concerned whirls and beeps. “It’s… fine. Go. ”

Blaster fire pinged off her armor and around her feet, making her stumbled backward to avoid getting hit. Zheth’s vision spun as she fell back, rolling onto her side with a groan to keep firing. One fell, then another was injured enough to make sure he couldn’t give chase. Hadn’t there been another one? 

A hand clamped down on the back of her neck, another one confiscating her blaster. Zheth went limp in the grip, muscles trembling after the exertion of energy she didn’t have left. Dark spots danced across her vision, static flooding her hearing. The sound of the stormtrooper giving another order could be heard, though she didn’t understand what was being said. Considering white plated arms were lifting her up again, she figured BB-8 had got away… for now. Otherwise they surely would’ve put a blaster bolt in her. 

“Good. If they got BB… I might’ve been left for…dead.” For now, she still held the potential to be useful to them as a prisoner. Not ideal, but better than dead.

Unconsciousness struck again, although this time she regained it quicker. Limbs twitched as Zheth felt the climate controlled air of a shuttle. The metal floor beneath her should’ve felt uncomfortably hard but at the moment it only helped to cool her down. A grumble of complaint escaped as they landed and forced her to stand; she’d wanted to lie there a bit longer. 

“Should we restrain her?” A limping trooper to her left questioned. 

“She isn’t going anywhere.” The stormtrooper guiding her spoke. “FN-2188, FN-2189, go to the infirmary. FN-2186, report to Captain Phasma. I’ll take the prisoner to the cell block.” 

They sounded confident she couldn’t escape. Realistically she couldn’t just as they suspected. Zheth still felt a trickle of defiance however and squirmed for a moment, not that it did more than make the stormtrooper tighten his grip. 

“Keep walking.” 

“I can walk and try to get away. It’s called multitasking.” 

The trooper didn’t bother responding. Zheth went back to being silent as well for the time being. A few more dry coughs being the only sound that escaped. The prison block was rather empty and she couldn’t help the disappointment strike her. Poe wasn’t in a cell. If he wasn’t in a cell then that meant he wasn’t captured. If he wasn’t captured then… He was probably dead. The transmission had cut out before she could see proof of it but what else could’ve happened when he was talking about it being a massacre. 

“Stand here. Don’t move.” 

The stormtrooper turned to unlock one of the doors and Zheth took the opportunity to take a step back. His head turned faster than expected to glower at her from under the helmet. A raspy snicker escaped her, though she didn’t dare try again when he turned back to open it with his access code. 

“You’re looking at me like you think I can run away.” Another cough. “Where… would I even run to? I’m trapped on the ship.” 

“Then you should know not to be difficult.” 

Footsteps were swiftly walking towards them and the two turned to stare at the corner. A thin man in black stepped into view, a scowl as he looked at the floor before turning his cold gaze to the stormtrooper. “Why is there sand being tracked throughout the ship?” 

The stormtrooper straightened to attention. “General Hux, the scouting party found this Resistance—”

“You didn’t restrain her?” 

“Sir, she has been… cooperating.” A tinge of hesitancy finally hit his tone.  

Amusing that he’d call her remarks and earlier shooting at them ‘cooperating’. Although, Zheth couldn’t care less about how the soldier was being chewed out for his inability to follow protocol, or for wasting the general’s and cleaning crew’s time with all the sand they’d tracked in. She was staring at General Hux with interest, specifically the bright red hair. It was probably the first speck of color she’d seen on the ship, highlighted even more by the black uniform, and his sharp contours created a handsome appearance. Maybe she’d gone delusional, but she found him rather dashing aside from how much of an uptight neat freak overlord he was currently being. Maybe something else had gotten his panties in a twist prior to this.

“Do you mind?” Zheth finally interrupted, forcing a bored tone. “I thought I was being jailed.” 

General Hux turned to face her, pale green-blue eyes glaring daggers. She had to take a step back as he stalked closer, invading her space in an act of intimidation. Even through her helmet she could catch a faint trace of citrus from the proximity. Oh yeah, this was definitely the same General Hux that Cardinal had once complained of. If she was wise, she’d shut up and cower as expected.

Zheth was not a wise person and certainly wasn’t when she felt half delirious from her crash and subsequent lack of hydration. She tilted her head up to meet his gaze. Rasping out a sarcastic, “I thought you’d be taller, General.” 

‘Older’ might’ve worked better. Back in the Empire it always seemed like the generals and admirals were old geezers— at least the ones she’d met. But the joke was stemming from the fact he clearly was taller than her already… Not one of her best ones.

A strangled sound escaped as he shoved her against the wall, striking as fast as a serpent and holding her in place by the throat. It was a casual grip, unrestrictive to her breathing but firm enough to silently imply that’d be the next step should she struggle. His attention turned back to the stormtrooper.

“Where is the bounty hunter we hired? I want them back here now . This scum is supposed to be dead.” Calm, yet cold and detached as he gave the command.

“I’m touched you’ve heard of me.” A wince as the grip momentarily tightened, his hand twitching as if he’d wanted to clamp down harder. 

The stormtrooper nodded. “As you wish, General.”

The trooper walked away, leaving Zheth with General Hux. His eyes landed back on her, looking up and down her figure with calculated observation. Would he kill her? Her pulse picked up and she was sure he could feel it through his gloves. 

“The famous ‘Predator’. You aren’t so tough now, trapped here on my ship.” He was standing close again, forcing her to look up at him. “You will tell us where the droid with the map is hiding on Jakku. We’ll force it out of you if need be.” 

“How would I know something like that?” She’d fake it if necessary, but honestly , that droid could be anywhere by now.

“Torture won’t be necessary.” Zheth wheezed, though it wasn’t from his grip. Her throat was feeling raw and she almost wanted to say she could taste blood. “My loyalty is to whoever pays the most.” 

True for the most part. She couldn’t care who won this little spat for control of the galaxy. Someone else would just come along and start another fight eventually. However, Zheth did feel some loyalty to a few specific members of the Resistance… Poe had been one of them. Still, she did prefer to be on the winning side. As Mandalorians put it, the strong deserved to rule.

Hux walked her into the cell shoving her down and she caught herself on the makeshift bed. The door hissed closed behind him, effectively trapping her in there with him. “You know General, you’re really good at this manhandling thing. Gotta say, flattered as I am that you like having your hands on me, I’m surprised you’d even touch bastard scum like me.” 

His hand jerked back, finally getting a bigger reaction at the words before she’d even finished talking. Something in his stare looked shaken… or was she imagining that? Which part had caused this? Not scum, he’d called her that earlier so… bastard then? Interesting. She’d heard of Hux before but neither Cardinal nor the contacts she had in the Resistance spoke in much detail about him; Zheth would mentally file this away for later.

“You’ll be dealing with Ren once the interrogation room is free. He won’t be merciful.” General Hux spun around retreating from the cell quickly. 

Zheth coughed, definitely tasting some blood that time, and laid down on the hard surface. All she could do now was wait.

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Chapter Text

Kylo’s steps echoed loudly down the hall heading for the cell blocks as a pair of stormtroopers dragged the pilot back to his cell. Without turning, he came to a halt and gave a sinister warning. “If you won’t tell us what we want to know… maybe your bounty hunter friend will.” 

Poe’s head lifted as he stared up at the hulking figure ahead. There was confusion and then his eyes widened as the realization struck him. “No, don’t—”

“Then tell me where the droid is. Does the Resistance know of its location?” 

Silence. The pilot was stubborn and had wasted enough of his time. Stormtroopers already confirmed the map was on Jakku with the droid. Where it was currently hiding or if anyone was on the way to retrieve it was unclear. Kylo wondered if the weight of knowing his friend was being tortured for his refusal to cooperate would be enough to refresh his memory. 

“Lock him in the cell.” Kylo strode off again, leaving the troopers to it. They could catch up soon enough. 

The door to the bounty hunter’s cell swished open as he entered the code. Her gaze fixed on him from beneath the helmet as she stood confidently but didn’t approach. Even without being able to see her face, Kylo could tell she was observing him closely and could feel her sense of unease. Good. 

“I see the med-droid helped you. Are you feeling better?” There was false politeness in his tone as he spoke, though he truly was interested in making sure his prisoner wasn’t going to pass out before the fun began—or before she could speak.

“I’m more surprised that the First Order bothered, I’m just going to be killed, right? Is it going to be done with a blaster or that crackling glowstick you wave around— oh wait, don’t tell me, I want to guess.” 

A pinch of irritation at the tone; his patience was already worn thin. There was a familiarity to this bounty hunter with her feigned indifference… No, it wasn’t just that. The more he stood in the cell and reached out with the Force to get a sense of her emotions, the more he felt something was different. He’d never met her in his life, that was clear enough, yet her Force signature was similar to someone… It was nagging at the back of his mind, eluding him as to who exactly. Infuriating. 

“Take off the helmet.”

“You first, Vader Jr.” A tilt of her head and for a moment he considered what might happen if he removed it from her shoulders. The nickname, as sarcastic as it was meant, was enough to appease his curiosity and pride however.

Vader… He’d surpass his grandfather eventually, do what Darth Vader couldn’t. Snoke had all but promised it. He’d get his revenge on Skywalker and have the galaxy under his command. This last piece of the map was all he needed to find his uncle… without him, there would be no Jedi to defend the New Republic. Not that there had been since his cowardly uncle ran off and abandoned everyone.

Kylo gave a faint chuckle, too quiet for the voice modifier to pick up. He’d play along with this for now, it wasn’t like his identity was a secret to the Resistance or anyone else on the Finalizer . The helmet came off with a hiss, dark wavy hair falling into place like a mane as he held the helmet at his side.

The bounty hunter reached up, pulling her own off to reveal chin-length dark near-black hair with such a subtle wave it was practically straight, and brown eyes that seemed to glow a lighter amber in the center of the iris. Kylo still couldn’t place why there was the feeling of familiarity, even with seeing her face, and another prickle of frustration crept through him. He made a mental note that this bounty hunter at least stuck to her word.

“Is it true that you can use the Force like him, or are you just playing pretend?” 

The corner of his lip quirked up. Raising his hand, he used the Force to shove her back, watching in amusement as she landed on the ground with a thump. “Did that feel like pretending? I’ll ask the questions here.” 

A huff as the bounty hunter rose, though rather than fear he was taken aback by sensing some form of respect she felt, alongside a trace of amusement. “I already told General Stick-in-the-mud I’d talk… for payment.”

“Your payment,” he stepped closer, “is being allowed to leave alive… If we decide your information is worth anything.”

He could hear the stormtroopers take their places outside the cell. They wouldn’t enter without his command however. Kylo continued his casual pace, his presence taking up most of the cell space already. The Knight of Ren reached out, probing her mind with the Force to coax out a name for this prisoner: Zheth Crogh… or some knew her as Predator for all the victims she’d hunted down. It sounded like an awful nickname to him.

“Tell me, Zheth, where’s the droid?” Despite his impatience after dealing with the pilot, he kept his voice calm, enticing her to speak.

“I don’t know. Last I saw it was on Jakku.” 

It wasn’t helpful information. The scouting party that found her had said as much. Kylo clenched the rim of his helmet harder. “Does it have the map to Skywalker?”

“I think so. That was classified information, I wasn’t told.” Zheth cringed, eyes darting to his free hand as it twitched towards his lightsaber. “Can’t you just… use the Force to see in my head? I’m not lying.” 

“No. You’re not.” 

That was the most frustrating part. Between her and the pilot one of them had to know more. The pilot wouldn’t speak and she didn’t know. What good were either of them? “The droid is trapped on Jakku, we just need to find it before the Resistance does.”

“...I have… something else that may interest you.” Zheth was cautious, seeming surprised herself as she grew bolder again. “You can use the Force, so you’d like artifacts relating to that stuff, right? I have something stolen from a Jedi temple on Ossus… It’s… a cube, or something. I don’t know what it does but it seemed important to the Jedi.” 

“A holocron.” It was his turn to be surprised. That temple hadn’t held a holocron during his time there, but he’d heard it once had. Curiosity filled him, demanding to be answered. “How did you get it?” 

“It was a job, I had help… Ended up hiding it on Felucia.”

His mind buzzed with the idea of getting it back. With a holocron he’d learn more secrets of the Force, more weaknesses of the Jedi to exploit. It could help him kill Luke. This might be just as important as the map. Why hadn’t Snoke told him of this holocron before? 

The helmet was placed back on his head and he took hers as he motioned for the guards to enter. “Grab her, follow me.”

“Wait, where are you taking me?” 

He didn’t answer, keeping ahead of them. Kylo stopped outside Poe Dameron’s cell, opening it to stare down at him. There was a satisfaction to watching the man’s eyes fill with fear as Zheth was marched down the hall in clear view. 

“Next time we ask you for something, you will tell us. If not, this won’t be the only time she suffers due to your stubbornness.” 

“You’re a monster.” 

A deep chuckle as he left and continued leading Zheth away. It was all lies. Zheth would be safe, for now, until he solved this holocron mystery. Manipulating Poe was just a bonus… it would take a few days to reach Felucia, perhaps if he didn’t see his friend return, the pilot would assume the worst and finally break.

“You, tell them to prepare my shuttle for flight and gather a squad of stormtroopers to accompany us.”

One of the guards broke away to follow the order and he dismissed the remaining one. Kylo looked down at the bounty hunter, checking for any sign of aggression… nothing. He was almost disappointed, but it was to his benefit. Really he should send word to General Hux of his mission, or more importantly, Supreme Leader Snoke, but his master would understand. As for Hux… he could pull his hair out and complain over this all he wanted. The man would never understand why this was important.

“You will take me to the holocron and if you’re telling the truth, I will consider letting you live.” He raised his hand as they passed by another room, the blaster and vibroknife flying into it. Kylo glared down, holding her weapons just out of reach. “Felucia is dangerous, that is the only reason I’m giving these back. If you use it against me, I won’t hesitate to cut you down.” 

“Yeah, yeah, you love your death threats… You know, if I wanted you dead I would’ve shot a poisoned dart into you the moment you turned your back to me in that cell.” She raised up one of her bracers, showing off the weapon with a grin— could Hux’s soldiers do anything right? “But, I quite enjoy living and I’m not stupid enough to try something like that. I’ve seen what you Force users can do.” 

“Tell me.” He pressed into her mind again, ignoring the wince of pain he caused her, and caught a flash of red and the sound of loud breathing through a mask. Zheth didn’t look old but that memory… He craved to know more about his grandfather. Not many were left who’d seen him and even fewer were people he cared to question. “We’ll have plenty of time on the ship.”

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“Sit.” He pointed to the floor across from him. 

Zheth let the cockpit door swish closed behind her, sparing one last look at the squad of troopers sitting in the main part of the shuttle before they were blocked from sight. Kylo could sense her unease of the situation as she was trapped in the small space with him. Yet she obeyed.

This wasn’t the ideal place for meditating but it was more secluded than in front of the stormtroopers. Kylo would have to make due with this. Dark eyes watched from beneath his helmet, eyeing the armored woman before him; she had worked with the Resistance… His mother. Conflict stirred at the reminder of his family and he pushed it down. This wasn’t about them. He needed to understand why her aura felt familiar to him. Getting into her head would be of little issue. Zheth had no Force ability, he’d break through her mind with little effort and sift through memories for something that might make the connection.

“Why are we on the floor?” She turned her head, pointedly looking at the chairs next to them. 

“You wouldn’t understand.” He unclasped his helmet and sat it in front of his crossed legs. “This is how I meditate. Take off your helmet and follow my lead.”

“Um, not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’d suck at making things float and choking people from across the room— as neat as those tricks are.” 

“The Force is in everything. I’m aware you can’t use it. If you could, I would have brought you before the Supreme Leader… Or executed you. Even non-users can use this technique to attune to the Force’s will and put themselves in a state of enhanced awareness.”

Or so he’d heard. Kylo had little evidence to back that claim up. Certainly none of the drones within the First Order could achieve it. Not that he liked any of them enough to consider helping them even if they did have the potential. However, General Hux had become surprisingly good at hiding behind mental walls… Not impossible to see through, but better than most untrained in how to do so. He’d still seen enough glimpses to know what Hux was likely thinking. Kylo usually allowed the man to believe he didn’t know how often Hux dreamed about disposing of him or some other impossible feat he wished to achieve. It would only make Hux try harder at hiding things from him, which couldn’t be allowed to happen.

Whether this worked for her or not truly didn’t matter. All this was for, was to get her relaxed so he could enter her mind more easily. Meditating together would also help him accustom himself with her Force signature, beneficial if he needed to hunt her down for one reason or another. She, of course, wouldn’t benefit from it at all. 

As doubtful as she looked, Zheth went along with it. Kylo continued with his instructions. “Close your eyes, focus on your emotions.”

He couldn’t ask her to feel through the Force, but at least that part might work. He blinked, going silent as he went through his own process to think of what else he could translate over to a non-Force user. 

“Seek out what drives them… Concentrate on that. Feel the world around you, let it fall away. Let yourself become one with it.” The last part might be impossible for her, but if it distracted her from him glancing through her mind then Kylo didn’t care. He closed his own eyes and reached out slowly through the Force, curious to see what this bounty hunter was driven by. While usually he went in and forcefully dug his way to answers, for now he tried a subtle tactic; a semi-passive presence for the time being.

Initially, he could feel the discomfort and pain from her crash on Jakku… and fear. The fear of him gradually melted to a distant part of her mind, lingering and pulling up flashing images of green and blue sabers clashing in a dark temple, then of that red blade Vader wielded. Loud breathing rushed momentarily through his senses, the fleeting glance of some unlucky people gasping for air, and then those memories were gone. Kylo wished there were more, desperately wanting to absorb all he could find about his grandfather.

Then a different type of fear. Again, the color red caught his attention but this was a stormtrooper. Kylo hadn’t known of this one, yet the fear was mixed with sadness as the memory played out. It was sharper than Vader’s, newer yet sometime prior to his own arrival to the First Order. 

A blaster bolt struck his, no, her chest and sent her to the ground. “I should kill you. What are you thinking—helping smuggle for the Resistance?”

“Cards…” The world tilted away from the sky as Zheth stood. “I told you, I don’t care who wins. I just want to be paid.” 

“You should care.”

“If you called me here for a job, I’ll still take it.” 

Cardinal kept his blaster raised. “No. I came to give you one last shot to join me. I know Phasma got where she was through treachery. I just need to find the evidence. I need someone on my side! General Hux is… he’s sidelining me , in favor of—”

“If she’s doing her job well, what’s the issue?”

“I think she killed Brendol!” His composure faltered for a moment.

Momentary confusion at the name. It was meaningless to her, a name without a face… and then Zheth connected the dots enough to an equally faceless person: Cardinal’s boss, ‘the General’.  

“That was a few years ago, why does it still matter? You’re still Captain, just follow orders.” There was an inner wariness despite the indifferent tone. “If she killed him there must’ve been a reason.”

“Because his son liked her more. With him in charge, she gained power.” 

“Then it was a smart move for her to make.” A step back as the blaster made a charging sound. “Look, I’m sorry about your father-figure-general, okay? Mine wasn’t great so I can’t really relate. All I know is that I do what’s needed in order to survive… I suggest you do the same.” 

“I’ve been deleting files on you— covering your tracks to keep them off your tail after you betray me for the Resistance. You know if they find out you were Brendol Hux’s trusty mercenary and killed others for his benefit, or worse, figure out you’re the smuggler giving them so much trouble… They’ll label you a traitor, not just an enemy. If you want to keep that from happening, come help me find evidence so I can get rid of Phasma.” 

“Are you blackmailing me?” 

“Yeah, I am. Brendol was a good man. He deserved better than being poisoned by someone he took in and trusted.” 

“I did plenty of inside jobs for Brendol, maybe they were rivals of his, or maybe just inferiors who pissed him off. I never asked. Were you really blind to that; how some high or mid rank would disappear right before you were sent to pay me? Did you not read the messages and see the orders I was given? Or is this all because now it might happen to you?” A bold step forward, a feeling of invincibility rushing through her. “Brendol wasn’t any different than your coworker and current general sound.”

Now this was something Kylo might be able to use as blackmail. Against Zheth or Hux he had yet to decide. But it sounded interesting nonetheless.

For a moment, Kylo thought the stormtrooper would shoot, but the memory faded as she returned safely to her ship with only a threat to kill her next time their paths crossed. A storm of emotions swirled around him. The fear, regret, a sensation of irony over then and the current situation. 

The storm was replaced by a sense of calm. Surprising, but he let himself be moved along for the ride. So far, she didn’t seem to notice his presence within her head. Kylo risked pushing more, picking up on the subtle shift as steely resolve and childish excitement was latched onto. Memories of academy days and praise for meeting every difficult challenge cycled past at a slower rate than the memories her fear of him conjured. 

There was a craving for power, not ambitious enough to be a threat. This desire was squandered for the simple pleasure it brought to her to merely possess it. Different from most in the First Order, even himself. Where many might stab one another in the back to advance in rank, he was getting the picture that Zheth would do so to prove that she could without wish for the newfound responsibilities. No, she’d save that for the ones praising her for the deed and let them rule while she sat content in knowing that she could have commanded in their place. The evidence behind his observations continued to flip through her mind.

“A waste of potential, but she could be useful.” Kylo decided.

Focus snapped to another memory of his grandfather as he sifted through less interesting moments. Kylo held onto it, listening as Vader spoke of Zheth’s promising usefulness. Would his grandfather have said the same for him? Praised him even more for his power? What could it have been like to be the apprentice of Darth Vader? His uncle had been a fool to pass up the opportunity.

Kylo felt his attention waver as his thoughts began breaking his concentration. He could hear his grandfather’s voice echoing in his mind, praising his strength and abilities. His grandfather would surely have known Kylo would one day grow even more powerful had they ever gotten to meet. 

He had to force himself to take his own advice and focus . Kylo delved back into the bounty hunter’s mind, letting her attempt at meditation guide him. He absorbed all he could, snatching at thoughts, emotions, and memories as they appeared. Anything to get a clue as to why they felt familiar. His frustrations grew upon finding nothing to answer him. Kylo sensed anger and darkness and intervened, turning her thoughts towards it. 

Death and pain slammed his senses. Blaster fire consumed his hearing as if he were truly standing in a battlefield. Far beneath him a spot burst into flame on the planet’s surface and yet, the pain continued to radiate from his bones— no hers ; he had to remind himself. The burning below wasn’t nearly enough to make up for the loss. There was the sense of wanting all of them to suffer, a flash of regret for not making someone else, her so-called father, suffer more. The longer he lingered and prodded, the more the darkness seemed to corrode details, like stirring up dust and watching the particles scatter and fall around in senseless specks amidst the haze. The memory of smoke and metallic iron clung here to the point he swore he could taste the iron tang of blood from victim upon victim that fell over the years. Kylo was startled at the level of twisted cruelty buried so deeply in her mind, almost envied how easily the Dark Side could have come for her. Another waste, granted not of her choosing this time.

He withdrew, burying it as Zheth tugged her mind back to where it had rested in that state of calm and determination. A confidence that things would end with her alive. Kylo still hadn’t found an explanation. Was it that hidden darkness calling for him?

His mouth twitched into a frown as a certain ginger haired man crossed her mind, curiosity breaking Zheth’s focus. There was only a short memory yet she continued playing through it, questions ranging from simple interest of trivial things about him and how subordinates functioned under such a man, but then became much less appropriate as he continued lingering and combing through for anything else to answer his own questions. It was almost enough to make him violently rip the thought apart and force his way to literally anything else. Instead, Kylo wrenched himself from her thoughts and opened his eyes with a barely contained look of annoyance and disgust. 

Zheth was staring at him with some amusement, though her tone was cold. “Find what you were looking for in there? Pretending to meditate is getting a little boring.”

He glowered right back at her. She must’ve noticed when he’d gotten pushier with it. That last part had been on purpose; he had been obvious about his dislike of General Hux during the trip so far and she’d used it against him. 

Kylo could practically hear Snoke telling him to practice more, sneering how he’d lowered his guard so much that he’d allowed himself to be tricked. “We’re done.” 

Fear spiked from her again, yet she held an air of aloofness externally. “Are you going to kill me?” 

“No.” Part of him wanted to. She’d been playing along and then messed with him when he’d loosened his hold. Instead, he sneered out an insult that in hindsight would be more cruel to Hux than Zheth. “You shouldn’t waste your thoughts on the General. He’s nothing more than an affair child. A spineless bastard with the false belief he’ll amount to anything.” 

“Really?” Zheth tilted her head before muttering under her breath. “Huh, that explains it.”

Kylo stood and took a step forward, watching as the bounty hunter scrambled to grab her helmet and back away toward the door. Still wary of him despite her boldness, or moment of foolishness, to risk annoying him as when he’d dug inside her head. He contemplated reaching his hand up and crushing her throat like some of those memories he’d seen of his grandfather doing to others in her presence. Kylo wouldn’t kill her, merely scare Zheth for his own amusement.  

He refrained. Meditation was actually part of his plan now that this was out of the way. Kylo waved a hand and the door unlocked. The cue to leave was clear and he watched her take it eagerly. He took his place back on the cramped floor-space, waving the door closed again. Kylo allowed the new memories and knowledge of his grandfather to consume his mind as he began to sink into meditation.

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Chapter Text

“ Where is Kylo Ren?” Snoke’s voice interrupted the rather unimpressive update on finding the map. Followed by a demand as gravity seemed to slam Hux to the ground. “Find him.”

As if he was a babysitter and not a general of the First Order.

Then the question was there again, coming from his own mouth this time as he found Phasma overlooking the stormtroopers as they trained. “Where is Ren?” 

That’s when he’d finally been informed the fool had run off to Felucia! 

General Hux had followed them immediately, placing Phasma and Lieutenant Mitaka in charge of continuing the search for the BB-8 unit. Captain Peavey could be trusted to keep everything else in order while he was away. The crashed ship behind him left little choice but to stay and look now for the Knight of Ren and the bounty hunter.

“Supreme Leader Snoke would kill me if I returned without him anyway.” He couldn’t help but bristle at how Ren was always held higher than him in the Supreme Leader’s eyes. As if Ren could do half of what he did when it came to commanding armies and constructing weaponry— Ren was better on the battlefield, doing the dirty work.

General Hux stared out into the alien jungle of strange flora apprehensively then back at the shuttle that still trailed smoke from the crash—the large fungi and other strange plants proving too much for the pilot to navigate through after the lightning in the clouds above damaged the wing—he thought Felucia was supposed to be sunny and humid. There would be no second chances for that officer, his body flung somewhere in the fungal jungle from the impact. Three more stormtrooper corpses were still in the damaged shuttle. 

A roar put him even more on edge. “Get in formation and attack!” 

The surviving stormtroopers were all too happy to regroup; Hux noted one however was barely standing. A broken leg by the looks of it. General Hux felt the ground tremble as the beast approached, the rancor bursting from the undergrowth and charging them with no fear of their weapons. 

“Fire!” Not that he needed to give the order.

A thick hide protected the beast from immediate death. Hux began to retreat as a single swipe of its webbed claws downed two more men. Large jaws snapped and the trooper with a broken leg was killed, armor and bone crunching. A mercy really, given the situation. Regret for coming here ran through him. This planet was a death trap. For all he knew, Kylo Ren was already dead… and now he might be too if he didn’t get out of here. 

“If that rancor doesn’t kill me Snoke will.” A repeated thought. He couldn’t decide which option was a worse fate. At least with Supreme Leader Snoke he might be able to convince him they didn’t need the warmonger, that the First Order could still win with Ren dead. Who needed the destructive man when he had Starkiller Base operational and capable of destroying entire systems. 

Low growing fungi broke beneath approaching footsteps and he paled, turning in time to see the last surviving trooper catching up. Blood contrasted with the white armor but LW-4561 looked like he’d survive. It didn’t sound like the rancor was following them, which meant it was probably content with the victims. 

“General Hux, what are your orders?” If the trooper was judging him for escaping, he didn’t show it. 

“Ren’s ship was in the clearing over there.” He really wanted to say they were leaving on the shuttle right now and not looking back. Armitage kept his composure however and continued walking. “He must be nearby, we are going to find him.” 

It was a very short walk before his list of complaints grew longer. The hot and humid air, dangerous creatures, all the wild undergrowth… All of it was the exact opposite of what he was used to, what he enjoyed. He missed the pristine, climate controlled halls of his ships and Starkiller. Hux had felt confident, in control of his life and the others around him— minus Ren and the chaos he and his Knights caused. Out here he felt… lost, in more than just the literal sense. Nothing out here followed structure or orderly laws that he was accustomed to. The only thing he could relate to was survival of the fittest, though his experiences still hadn’t involved field work like this.

“General, I found footprints.” LW-4561 spoke up.

He kept a confident exterior as he walked over, looking down at the trails. Human, walking together, and… further away from Ren’s shuttle. He glowered ahead. “Follow them.” 

The sky boomed as thunder reverberated through the jungle, lightning flashing almost as bright as a sun overhead. His life was quickly becoming more dreary it seemed. Rain began pouring down and the large gaps between fungi didn’t do much to shield them from the heavy droplets. His steps slogged through what was quickly turning into mud, the trail of boot prints in front of him washing away alarmingly fast. 

He swiped his hair from his face and picked up the pace. He would not lose the only lead they’d found! Squinting through the rain he swore there was a dark humanoid figure up ahead. Whether it was Kylo or not was difficult to say and he quickly second guessed he’d even seen anyone after lightning lit up the area once more… Nothing was there. His boots skidded in the muck and nearly sent him over the edge of a hidden cliff where the ground had sunken and crumbled away. Below, water from the formerly underground river rushed with a thunderous sound and the foaming waves were quickly eroding the edge he was standing on. 

“General Hux!” LW-4561 called out to him as the storm continued to roar. 

The warning came too late. Hux turned, eyes widening as the wave rushed toward them. Muddy river water flooded over him before he managed to catch a breath and he sputtered as he got back to the surface. He watched as a fallen fungus crashed into his remaining soldier, sending LW-4561 under… Hux didn’t see him come up again. There wasn’t much of a chance to look either as he struggled to keep his own head above water. The stormtrooper had likely been swept further into an underground pocket and drowned; he would not allow himself that same fate. Invisible rocks and broken plant matter battered at him as he swam for the high shoreline— at least his time on Arkanis by the ocean had taught him how to deal with rough water and currents.

The ravine wall was slippery but it was something. Hux coughed and began climbing, struggling not to lose his grip. The top of the gorge began to crumble under his hands and he felt himself slipping back down into the violent river. No one was left to save him. His breath started growing shallow; he was about to die here. 

“I can’t go out like this! The First Order needs me. This is all Ren’s fault!” A wave hit him and he prepared to feel the sensation of being swept away again, to feel water fill his lungs as it dragged him deep below and drowned him. 

There was a hand wrapped around his wrist. He blinked the water from his eyes and looked up. Blue-tinted metal with three orange crests and a purple visor: the bounty hunter. He was frozen, staring up at her and all too aware of her upper hand. 

“What do we have here?” A tilt of her head. “I thought I saw that bright hair of yours General, like a fiery beacon in this weather.” 

His free hand found purchase again and he began to haul himself up, grunting as the root his feet had been on ripped free and knocked his legs out from under him. “Pull me up.” 

A laugh as Zheth leaned closer, the mud sinking dangerously. “Oh but I don’t think you’re in any position to give me orders Huxy. You’re the damsel in distress here. In fact, now that I think about it you probably wouldn’t do the same for me huh? So… what if I let you drop?” 

Of course he wouldn’t do the same! She was a Resistance hire, an enemy, and someone Ren should have discussed with him about releasing from the cell block. Hux swallowed nervously then wheezed as another wave knocked the breath from him; the water was rising higher. 

A dark figure moved near the tree line behind her with a familiar crackling red saber and he felt some relief, as surprising as that was. “Ren!” 

They weren’t friends, more like rivals at best, enemies at worst, truly, but even Kylo wouldn’t leave him to die right? The Knight of Ren turned his head, watching the situation for a moment, and then he turned and stalked off. Armitage focused back on the bounty hunter. Zheth hadn’t dropped him yet, that had to mean something. 

“Was this a plot to kill me? No, how would Ren possibly know I’d follow him?” It would make Kylo the undisputed second in command to Snoke. Hux had done similar himself to get this position once, plotting with Phasma to kill the man he despised, his own father. “Is this karma?”

“I’m only joking.” The grip on his wrist tightened and he felt her starting to pull. “I wasn’t lying when I said I’d help you guys if it paid more. I’ve done it before.” 

Hux quickened the rescue effort, pulling himself up as well before stumbling forward and onto safe ground. The momentum and slippery earth sent both of them into the mud. He stared down at the prisoner, trapped beneath him and now at his mercy. She didn’t seem phased by the sudden closeness even as he lingered in contemplation, practically lying on top of her as he considered just how to go about ending her. A pause. This really wasn’t the time to be dealing with killing her, especially if she believed helping him would spare her that fate. 

“Where is Ren going?” He stood, once more trying to fix his hair back into its usual style to preserve some dignity. 

“He said he can sense the holocron and has been tracking it through the Force.” She stood as well and began limping in the direction the man had gone in. “...Why are you here?” 

“To collect that man-child. We have a goal and you sent him on this deadly sidequest!” 

“Surprising. You two don’t seem to like each other much, but what do I know? I’m just a prisoner.” Heavy sarcasm and a glance back. He felt her grab his wrist and impatiently tug him after her. “...I’m curious though, what do you hope to get from this? Do you really expect him to step aside and let you control the galaxy when the time comes? He doesn’t seem the type. So why fetch him back?” 

“If you think you can sway my loyalty then you can forget it.” 

“I couldn’t care less about converting you to the Resistance.” The sudden change in tone as she sneered at his assumption was unexpected. “I don’t know how much clearer I can be, how many times I have to repeat myself, I was only with them for the money. I don’t care about them winning or losing this war.”

“They’ll lose.” 

“Great. All the more reason to ditch them and help you.” 

He was tired and uncomfortable. That combined with how this conversation was turning was enough to keep him quiet for now. Hux glanced down, staring at the hand still wrapped around his wrist. He really should pull it free, yet for now he let the bounty hunter lead him through the glowing pitcher plants, mushrooms, and other strange foliage. Pale eyes ended up focusing on the raindrops beading and rolling down her armor. With the blue and off-white glow of some of the fungi around them, her armor looked covered in stars. He could’ve been looking out at real stars from the safety of the bridge if Ren hadn’t ran off.

Zheth paused and stared further out before changing course. “ZA-7612 found somewhere we can shelter for the night.” 

“We need to find—”

“I’ve seen Force users before, they can handle themselves and I’m sure Kylo Ren can too.” She interrupted, turning to tug him down to eye level by his collar. “We will find him in the morning when we, well you , can actually see.” 

He gritted his teeth, curious about that first part but mostly annoyed at her actions. How dare she , he was a general! Hux gripped her wrist and pulled her off, shoving her back with a frown. The logic was there and as they made it into what looked like an old base that had been reclaimed by the jungle, Hux could see the squad reportedly sent with Kylo only had three left. Ren had certainly made a mess of things. They essentially lost two squads within a few days and still weren’t off this cursed planet. Training more would take time and resources the First Order could’ve avoided, but Ren was impulsive so naturally they would have to. Just like he had to keep paying to fix every wall and control panel the lunatic decided to swing his lightsaber at.

“I’ll take the first watch.” ZA-7612 headed back to the entrance. 

Armitage hid how miserable he felt, heading off to the side to get some isolation from the stormtroopers. At least it was dry here—well drier ; the humidity was horrid. For a while, he watched the four. While ZA-7612 stayed on guard, her squadmates had the foolish idea to fraternize with the prisoner. Hux had half a mind to threaten them with reconditioning as the bounty hunter finished explaining Sabacc and pulled out a somewhat soggy deck to play.

“Phasma trained them better than this.” He continued observing for a while, mind trailing back to something Zheth had said earlier that he’d glossed over. The bounty hunter had implied she’d worked for them before. “When? Why were those files not part of the report?”

Hux was sure he’d recognize a deserter. Zheth clearly wasn’t with that attitude anyway. Although… His eyes watched as the game came to a close and she began limping over to another wall to sleep. Despite the slight hobble, her posture was a mix of confident swagger and an officer’s posture— shoulders back and head held high in superiority. She’d also been awfully comfortable on the Finalizer despite her predicament. A false front to throw him off or was she actually hiding something?

All suspicions he’d investigate another time. For now, he’d try to get some rest.

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Chapter Text

He woke up to voices talking near the entrance. Hux glanced up, keeping quiet as he watched the three stormtroopers grouped up discussing a patrol strategy. Zheth stood off to the side, making a comment now and then as she scrutinized whatever one was scribbling out in the dirt. For a split second he realized this was the first time he’d seen her without the helmet, though the lighting put her in shadow. More importantly however, since when were First Order troops allowing prisoners to plot with them?

Armitage started getting to his feet as the bounty hunter’s head turned to look at him, leaving the three to continue developing the strategy. His muscles ached and he was sure there were bruises but he held himself with his usual air of importance; he couldn’t show weakness. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” He kept his voice low, controlled, but the biting edge was still clear. “You are a prisoner here regardless of what you think. I won’t have you ordering my soldiers around.” 

The gaze that met him seemed to burn like the lava flows of Mustafar, paralyzing him as Zheth met his gaze, unfazed by his reaction. Most in the First Order wouldn’t dare meet his eyes and frankly, the intensity of hers made him dizzy— or was that from nearly drowning last night? He didn’t hate it but… he wasn’t sure he enjoyed this feeling either. It felt like she saw right through him.

“ZA-7611 was putting together a strategy. I was only offering insights. You’re welcome to take over.” A challenge edged her tone.

A glance at the stormtroopers to see they were either too far off to overhear them or purposefully ignoring the growing tension. General Hux scowled, grabbing the bounty hunter by her collar and pushing her into the moss and root covered wall. “The only reason I’m not executing you right here and now is because you are temporarily more useful to me alive… However, when we get back to the Finalizer you will be locked in a cell to rot. Do you hear me?” 

“Is she laughing?” Hux stared down at her, internally seething at the grin of amusement on her face. Was his mercy funny to her? “No, she’s just trying to get under my skin.”

“You’re cute when you’re mad. I would say your wish is my command, but in this case I have to say I can’t. Commander Ren has said if we’re successful in getting the holocron I’ll have proved my loyalty. So… sorry, not sorry. I’m staying out of that cell, as cozy as it was.” 

A flash of several conflicting thoughts and emotions tangled at the response before the irritation overwhelmed the rest. Well of course Ren was behind this too! His frustrations turned towards the Master of Ren. He wondered how the Supreme Leader would feel once he heard of this excursion and the deal with this bounty hunter.

Hux leaned closer, holding her chin to make sure she was looking at him. “We will see about that, Crogh.” 

There was a pause as he started getting lost in the flames in her irises. This close, he had to say it looked less like Mustafar’s surface and more like the explosive birth of a star with the lighter amber-brown within the darker rim. He could only imagine how vivid it’d look in better lighting. “Like a galaxy in itself.”  

His annoyance with her mixed with his desire for control— something he’d been lacking too much of since coming to this planet. Hux wanted to control this star he was seeing, this unruly bounty hunter, just as he would the galaxy once the Resistance and New Republic were out of the way.

“Tooka cat got your tongue? Are you going to keep threatening me or are you planning to kiss me?” A hand pushed back against his chest lightly, a half-teasing lit to her voice. “No offense, but I’d save it for when you don’t smell like a swamp.” 

Hux backed off swiftly, at her words, stalking off to hide his embarrassment behind a glare directed at the stormtroopers. How long had he been staring? He let out a breath as the three remaining troopers snapped to attention; it was time to collect Ren and get off this planet.

“Enough standing around. Lead me to Kylo Ren.” 

ZA-7611 took the lead while the other two flanked him. Hux glanced back to see Zheth taking the rear of the party. For now he held his tongue about not trusting her not to shoot him in the back. The helmet hiding her face again made him more uncertain on what she might be plotting. On the brighter side, if a Rancor or some other beast showed up maybe it’d grab her first.

The ground was still wet under their boots and he felt like the humid air would never allow his damp uniform to dry despite the sunlight shining down. Any footprints Ren might’ve left had been completely washed away; he was half wondering if they were just wandering. At least until he began noticing peculiar scorch marks. 

“I’d recognize those anywhere.” That crackling, chaotic excuse of a lightsaber had left those. Armitage remembered them well from the countless panels and walls Kylo had destroyed in his tantrums. At least this time they were useful in clearing a path. 

Their pace was quick with such an easy trail to follow. Now and then there would be movement in the distance or calls from whatever creatures were lurking out there. None crossed their path. It was almost peaceful really aside from how uncomfortable he felt. A long shower was due after he was back on the Finalizer.  

The sound of stumbling caught his attention and he turned, spotting Zheth trailing behind. It seemed her wounds from her crash on Jakku were still bothering her. Hux couldn’t help but smirk a little at her misfortune, his voice mocking her just as she liked to do with him. “Something wrong Crogh? We won’t wait for you if you fall behind.” 

A tilt of her head and he could practically hear the grin in her retort, as if finding a fun little game in their recent back and forth jeers. “Nothing to worry your little head about Sunflare.” 

Well if she was talking and giving him those silly nicknames then she couldn’t feel that bad. He fell silent again after a quiet huff and kept walking in silence. The vegetation was starting to sit further apart and more light came from ahead. Anticipation of finding Ren was cut short when white armor caught his attention. There was another dead trooper on the ground, which meant some of the squad had followed Kylo out here without the three he was following.

“What killed him?” Hux stopped by the body, noting the lack of saber marks that would’ve suggested Kylo killing them in one of his fits of rage. ZA-7610’s neck was snapped and the trunk-sized stem of an oversized mushroom was cracked where the stormtrooper had hit it.

A scream and blaster fire came from ahead. General Hux watched as ZA-7611 was grabbed by a tentacle and dragged into a gaping hole that had alarmingly been near-invisible from where he stood despite its vast size. The remaining two fired down on the pit while in steady retreat as more tentacles came for them. 

“He’ll be down in the Sarlacc pit.” Zheth spoke. “I threw it down there so the Jedi wouldn’t get it easily if he came looking.” 

A smart plan. It didn’t help their situation now though. The pit was deep and the spikes— or were they teeth— created rings around the Sarlacc even this far away. “Then why don’t you go get it?”

Zheth hesitated before heading to the clearing. Hux followed at a distance, watching as the two stormtroopers continued to fend the beast off. The bounty hunter took a more bold approach, dodging and getting dangerously close to the edge as she obeyed his ‘suggestion’. Every now and then she’d call out one tactic or another to them to disrupt the vibrations that allowed the Sarclacc to locate them. Steadily, the three gained ground. She raised her blaster and fired downward, earning a screeching sound as she hit her target. More sounds of pain from the creature continued as its tentacles thrashed. He continued watching as she fell back into a defensive pattern before firing again. It was almost impressive. Almost.

Her leg gave out and one of the tentacles managed to knock her back where she landed with a thump . Hux expected it to grab her and drag her down into the pit any moment. He watched as the remaining troopers fell into retreat; he should be giving them orders. Yet he remained silent as he contemplated his choices here: let the bounty hunter die as another casualty and possibly risk Ren’s wrath, or give her a fighting chance. 

A groan escaped as he pulled out his blaster pistol and began edging closer. He’d wanted to avoid standing in the range of the Sarlacc’s tendrils. At least he could say they were even. He fired several times at the appendage, fending it off but more were coming. Then the ground shook slightly as the tentacle fell limply to the dirt and a shrill cry left his ears ringing. He cringed as the noise continued before spotting a familiar dark figure jumping from the pit: Kylo Ren.

“General, I’m surprised.” Ren turned to face him, unfazed by the carnage around them and the anger that had to be emitting from Hux. “Shouldn’t you be safe on your bridge?”

“The Supreme Leader isn’t happy Ren. When we get back you will explain yourself to him.”  

He couldn’t move. Hux tried only to find he was being held in place by an invisible grip and a subtle tension over his throat in warning. Kylo walked closer, each step radiating malice as his wicked saber crackled in his hand. The stench from the gore coating Ren’s clothing was almost enough to make him heave. His gut churned from the smell and fear, as he couldn’t help wondering if Snoke’s precious apprentice was going to end him here and now despite the disapproval the Supreme Leader would surely have.

Zheth’s words came back, questioning if he really believed Kylo would let him act as the next Supreme Leader once Snoke was gone— when he found someone to get Snoke out of his way. No… faced with this monstrosity in person and without witnesses who would stand up against the warlord, Hux was sure Ren would kill him first. 

“I can change that. Get him out of the way when he’s unneeded.”  

“Contrary to your belief, General, I think the Supreme Leader will be pleased to let this slide.” Kylo circled him slowly, a wolf about to strike. That feeling around his throat tightened just enough for him to squirm. Ren held up the cube he’d collected, dripping with digestive goo. “You on the other hand… just lost two squads, give or take a couple. You’ve still failed to find the map and abandoned your post to find me, wasting more time, instead of sending someone more competent than your pampered self.”

The invisible grip released and he dropped forward onto his hands and knees in the mud. Rage flooded through him at this humiliation. Snoke had told him to find Kylo, he’d be praised for this. He followed orders.

“I’d watch those treasonous thoughts as well. Next time I might think you’re serious and inform Supreme Leader Snoke of them.” Kylo’s footsteps walked off leaving him shaken.

He collected himself, getting to his feet before looking over at the bounty hunter. She was standing now, but barely. Her arm was wrapped protectively over her ribs and he finally took notice of the deep gash on her leg that had now been reopened and oozed blood. Hux raised his pistol. He could end her right then and there, just as she’d ‘jokingly’ considered doing at the ravine. 

There was no snarky comment sent his way. No attempt to beg or talk her way out. Zheth stood there watching and he could feel the gaze boring into him from under that helmet. Defiant, daring him to do it. Hux hated how his resolve to actually pull the trigger never manifested; he didn’t want to kill her, a meaningless stranger? Peculiar.

“Pathetic.” Brendol’s voice echoed in his mind. Hux clenched his teeth. This had nothing to do with being ‘weak-willed’.

Unbidden, the memory of how the rain and glow reflected beautifully off her armor crossed his mind along with how those eyes burned in contrast to the armor's hue. Acceptable spirit, as long as she remained obedient, and Mandalorian armor; he told himself that was what he was recalling. Strengths he could still use for himself.

“Ren found her useful, if he wants her alive for his own interests then I can’t let that happen.” He didn’t understand why Kylo wanted her alive, nor why he was seemingly trying to test her supposedly loyalty, but a new plan was forming in his mind. “I can turn the tables and make her loyal to me instead.”

Yes. He’d be in control of her leash. She’d been willing to face the Sarlacc because he ordered her to. Zheth could become a loyal guard dog against Ren should he try anything. Armitage’s thoughts once again drifted back to her lively gaze filled with celestial fire. Her immature but confident personality could challenge Ren’s if he could get her jabs directed away from himself. Hux lowered his weapon, assuring himself that yes, of course he could’ve killed her, but there were things she was still useful to him for.

“Get her to the ship.” He demanded, motioning for two of the stormtroopers to grab Zheth and started heading there himself. 

He dreaded the idea he’d be trapped in a shuttle with Ren for several days. The task of not killing each other sounded easier said than done.

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Chapter Text

Hiking back to the ship took longer than hoped. Zheth stayed between the two stormtroopers tasked with getting her back to the ship without complaint. While healing, her injuries still hurt and the tangle with the Sarlacc hadn’t done her any favors. Showing weakness however, seemed like a bad idea.

“We will make camp for the night.” Kylo finally stopped in a more sheltered area as the last of the light disappeared.

“The ship can’t be far. We should keep going.” Hux argued.

Zheth observed the exchange with little interest in what the final decision was so long as one was made. Kylo seemed more than happy to spend the night sleeping on the ground, especially after succeeding in what they’d come here for, but Hux looked more than out of place with his stiff posture and obvious taste for the controlled environment of his ship. Even covered in mud he held his commanding poise.

Kylo stepped closer, leaning down over Hux. “Feel free to find your own way back. We will join you in the morning.” 

To the ginger haired man’s credit, he held his ground and kept his expression of detachment. Admirable, considering Kylo seemed more than happy to back up all that bark with plenty of bite. Zheth watched the general walk to the other side of the group, though he had enough sense not to go out on his own. She settled down at the base of one of the many strange plants to silently watch as the stormtroopers took their places to stand guard. 

Kylo's dark silhouette approached and sat nearby. For a few minutes it was silent, and then he spoke. “This planet is strong with the Dark Side.” 

Was it? Zheth couldn’t sense anything, aside from that uneasy feeling in her gut. That wasn’t anything new. This place was dangerous and while a rancor was unlikely to attack them right now, there could be other creatures out there. She switched on her visor’s night vision.

“I wouldn’t know.” 

“I see you didn’t leave General Hux to drown.” His head tilted in the direction of Hux.

She laughed, a short breath that still shot pain through her ribs. “Commander Obvious… I figured it wouldn’t be a good idea considering your shuttle is my ticket off this planet.” 

“Shame. I think the Finalizer would be much more tolerable without him.” 

Wow, they really didn’t like each other. “Vader probably would’ve killed him the moment there was an excuse to if he was such an annoyance. You must be pretty tolerant.” 

As if she’d known the intimidating figure in black enough to make that claim. From what she could recall of Vader though, perhaps it was true enough. At least, when remembered through the eyes of her childhood self.

“Supreme Leader Snoke finds him useful. For now.” A deep chuckle rumbled from his mask. “As soon as his usefulness is over, I won’t be so tolerant, as you put it.” 

She suppressed the instinct to shudder at his words. It made sense. Being useful was a good way to stay alive; she questioned silently how long she’d remain useful. Ren didn’t seem ready to kill her yet, but she was still questioning just how much to trust his promise of letting her go after this. 

Zheth let the conversation die out there. One by one the three began drifting off under the watch of their guards. For her, it was a light sleep but not entirely unrestful. Bounty hunters quickly learned to fall asleep anywhere with how grueling some of the jobs could be and the throbbing from her newly bruised ribs and older leg wound were nothing she hadn’t learned to rest through before.

“—I’m telling you something moved out there.” A snappy voice disturbed her sleep.

Zheth turned to look in Hux’s direction. Of course it was him, and naturally he was complaining about something he’d ‘seen’. Nearby, Kylo roused from his slumber as well with a grumpier sound of displeasure. 

“You’re seeing shadows. It’s nothing.” Then under his breath, “should’ve stayed on the Finalizer , too pampered.” 

“Shadows don’t move , Ren.” Hux turned again and raised an arm. “There! ”

Blaster fire ripped through the night air as the stormtroopers fired into the shadows. Zheth looked away, the bursts of light from the bolts bright in her night vision. The forest fell into silence again. The group stood and listened for whatever Hux claimed to have seen. She switched from night vision to thermal sensing on her visor as she looked around, a jolt of alarm going through her as she realized the general had been right. 

“We’re surrounded.” She spoke up as Kylo ignited his crackling saber; he’d sensed it now. 

The floodgates opened and tall beings erupted from every direction with withered tendrils on the backs of their skulls. As they dropped and leapt into sight the true mutations of the Jungle Felucians became clear with their elongated and stretched proportions. Zheth wasted no time in firing at them while Kylo hacked away with his lightsaber. Even back to back the stormtroopers were becoming overwhelmed and she ran closer, coming to their aid. 

“We need to get back to the ship, now!” She hoped they’d listen to her as they had with the Sarlacc. “Clear a path, I’ll grab General Hux.” 

Maybe they didn’t care who gave them orders if they perceived someone as working with the First Order, or maybe they were all too happy to be told they weren’t forced to stand their ground and fight to the death. Whichever it was, they listened and Zheth sprinted in Hux’s direction, ignoring how the pain flared with each step. He was shooting blind, unable to see well in the dark against swarming targets who were adapted to doing so. 

“This way.” She fired off a few more blasts and watched more enemies drop… others were already coming to replace them. 

With his life on the line he was suddenly a whole lot more trusting, joining her without complaint or hesitation. Zheth shoved him after the stormtroopers, trying to catch up to them before the path they created disappeared again. Somewhere to her right Kylo was still slashing away at them; at least he could hold his own. 

A guttural, barking call came from ahead and suddenly weight slammed into her. Zheth landed on her back with a “Oomph” as the air was knocked out of her lungs. For a few seconds she couldn’t breath as fresh pain radiated through her ribs. Hux groaned, a signal that whatever had hit him hadn’t killed him. Fighting to get her breath, she tilted her head and shot at the Felucian that’d attacked them; there was no time to rest.

“You know, I’m glad to see you’re falling for me Sunshine, but did you have to land on me too?” He was already rolling off but she hurried him along with a push. 

He acknowledged her teasing lamentation with a look but didn’t give her a response. While he brushed his hair back into place out of his face, Zheth got back to her feet and began shooting again. There were too many. They kept coming. For every felled enemy two more seemed to show up. Her blaster clicked without firing; it needed to be reloaded. 

Another force blast hit her and she fell backwards into Hux with a silenced cry. This time, spots swamped her vision, threatening to consume it. Could they all do that? Zheth coughed as she caught her breath back again . There was an arm around her holding her upright, though she suspected it was to use her as a shield while Hux fired off his own pistol. Still, better than landing on the ground again. Squirming out of his grip, she pulled out her vibroknife and hoped she could out maneuver these agile opponents. 

“Go!” Kylo shouted as he raised a hand and sent a group of them flying away from them and towards himself, felling the group in one wide slash.

She didn’t need to be told twice and grabbed Hux by the wrist and bolted while Kylo covered their retreat. More guttural howls filled the night air before the sounds of their attackers finally faded out. Gone… this time. Zheth slowed but didn’t stop, taking a moment to catch her breath; her wounds ached and throbbed. Darkness was still slowly creeping at her peripherals and her leg was shaking as it tried not to give out beneath her. Looking ahead, she could see the stormtroopers had made it out and were still on high alert as they continued leading the way to the ship. 

“Shadows, he said…” Hux muttered under his breath next to her. 

“Are you hurt?” She questioned, doubting it but he had taken a hit and he didn’t exactly have any armor on. Zheth wondered if he’d whine about it or if he was the suffer in silence type.

Those cold eyes focused on her as Hux regarded her and the question, then he looked away once more. “No.” 

The screaming hum of Kylo’s saber drew closer, the glow lighting up the area momentarily before both the light and sound disappeared as he deactivated the blade. “The shuttle is up ahead past the ridge. We’ll be long gone before they return.”

Chapter Text

With the ship in hyperspace on a course back to the Finalizer , Kylo took their spare time to contact the Supreme Leader, wanting to inform him of this development and rub the praise for it in the general’s face sooner rather than later. 

Even on the smaller hologram Snoke’s presence filled the cockpit, though it was cramped enough already with him and General Hux. “My apprentice, I heard you assigned yourself a mission. Explain.” 

He bowed, holocron held tightly in his gloved hand. “Master, a bounty hunter spoke of a holocron that belonged to Skywalker, I have retrieved it for you. With it, I know we are closer to destroying the last Jedi. ” 

“You must find Skywalker first with the map.” 

Next to him, he could sense Hux’s smug thoughts and his anger flared in response. “General Hux was in charge of getting the map. He decided running around the jungle getting his stormtroopers killed was a better idea. In fact… Had it not been for the bounty hunter he’d be at the bottom of the river.” 

Beneath his mask a grin spread across his face. General Hux was trying to keep the scowl off his face but cold green eyes glared his way without so much as a tilt of Hux’s head. His voice was tight as if spoken through clenched teeth. “Supreme Leader, you asked me to fetch our wayward Master of Ren.” 

“I did.” Snoke confirmed and Kylo turned his head slightly to see the corners of Hux’s mouth twitch upward in satisfaction. “Show me what you found.” 

Kylo lifted up the holocron. It was still locked and for now he’d keep it that way. The information inside wasn’t something General Hux deserved to see, even if it would be meaningless to him. Snoke leaned forward on his throne, sunken eyes shining with interest. 

“It seems you’re growing stronger quickly, apprentice. This trial was meant to be taken after you had more experience. Felucia is not a welcoming planet.”

“I could sense the dark side strongly while I was there.” He commented, soaking in the praise as he considered the beasts he’d had to cut through and the Sarclacc he not only had to venture into the stomach of, but also escape back out. All too easy with a lightsaber in his own opinion.

Pressure was in his head and Snoke spoke again, berating him. “Do not grow content, my apprentice. Future trials will be made more difficult.” 

“Supreme Leader, is it possible this bounty hunter just happened to know of this holocron as well? She was found working for the Resistance.” Hux questioned.

“I saw into her mind. She was one of two who stole it from Skywalker.” Kylo retorted, recalling the memories well. “She had also worked with the late Captain Cardinal in the past.” 

That got to Hux. Outwardly the reaction was still a disappointment; just the pasty man’s resting bitch face as per usual. Internally though, his emotions shattered from smugness to a mix of confusion, anger, and surprisingly, curiosity. Kylo’s smile returned, enjoying the ability to throw General Hux off.

“Where is this bounty hunter?” The entity in the hologram leaned back against the throne. “Bring her here, now.” 

Not much surprised him but this instruction did. Kylo waited for Hux to argue against it but like a good little pet the general stayed composed and followed the command. The door separating the cockpit from the rest of the ship swished open and closed. Kylo remained knelt and silent, listening to Hux’s hushed sharp voice again as the pasty man returned. Zheth landed on the ground between them, kneeling as well to recover from the harsh shove Hux had likely given her. With a third person now in the room trying to fit in front of the hologram, the area felt unbearably tiny.

“Zheth Crogh.” The name rumbled from the hologram. Snoke’s gaze bore into her and Kylo paid close attention to this new development. “It seems the missing child has found her way home at last.” 

The room filled with confused thoughts and feelings of bewilderment. Kylo had to admit that he too was confused— perhaps the answer had laid somewhere in her mind he hadn’t gotten the chance to dig through. It was all Snoke said on the matter, leaving it on that. 

“Your wayward alliance with the Resistance will be pardoned for leading my apprentice to such a relic… this time and this time alone.” 

Fear was radiating from Zheth, more than he’d felt on the Finalizer . She didn’t have a clue who the Supreme Leader was but the gravity of the situation was clear. There would be no sass or jokes this time. Kylo narrowed his eyes, staring at the bounty hunter. He could read her with the Force but he wanted to see her expression, impossible with that helmet on. 

A long breath and he felt her fear coil around her mind as she avoided looking at the hologram. “Thank you, Supreme Leader. I owe the First Order my life… I’d… be honored to pledge my loyalty to them.” 

He sensed the truth in her words but her hesitation as well before it fell into acceptance of her fate. Next to her, Hux’s hand twitched where he held them behind his back but the man didn’t speak out against it. Kylo wasn’t sure how to feel about this development himself… then determined that this addition didn’t matter. He was the Master of the Knights of Ren and champion of the First Order. Without him General Hux and his military force would fail. The bounty hunter joining was no threat to him. 

“We shall see.” Snoke waved a dismissive hand. “Leave us. I wish to speak with my apprentice alone.” 

Kylo rose to his feet as the two left. He wished he could see Hux’s face once the Supreme Leader couldn’t see the ginger haired man— no doubt Hux would be in a pissy mood that would reveal itself the moment he stepped from the cockpit— but this was more important.

“You will work on opening the holocron and learning the secrets within when you return to Starkiller Base. Now that it’s in your possession there is no rush… However,” the mood soured as Snoke leered at him, “the map to Skywalker is, as is something else. There’s been an awakening. If you hadn’t been so distracted you might have felt it. A girl, you will find her… and do what you must.” 

“I won’t fail you.” He wouldn’t let himself fail. Whoever this girl was, he’d either destroy her or turn her. 

“Focus on that. Allow General Hux and his soldiers to take care of the rest. Soon, the last Jedi, the New Republic, and the Resistance will be gone.” 

The hologram faded out. Kylo looked down at the holocron, itching to open it for even a small glimpse but restraining himself. Were there more out there? Snoke had a stash of holocrons he’d studied on rare occasions, but if this one hadn’t been in his collection then perhaps there were others. Future challenges to hunt down and obtain once he was in power. 

“I’ll grow more powerful than the Supreme Leader, and then take his place.” Achieve what his grandfather couldn’t and take full control. Under his rule, his knights would wipe out any lingering remains of the Jedi. “Luke Skywalker will not save the galaxy this time.”  

He stayed in the cockpit, taking the time and relative silence to meditate, reaching out through the Force to strengthen his senses. If he were lucky, maybe it would show him the path to finding the girl Snoke had spoken of.

Chapter Text

A few days on a small shuttle with Ren was almost enough to drive him mad. Reclaiming the cockpit for himself however— and Ren’s obsession over the item and new mission keeping the man occupied— had kept his sanity intact… for the most part. Hux’s gaze fell to his new ‘copilot’ as she slouched in the other chair, sleeping for the time being. Zheth had caught him in a moment of weakness when he’d been half-awake, asking to sleep here and away from Ren’s loud snoring and wretched stench. He didn’t quite recall that conversation but so far her company was… tolerable. 

At least with her sleeping she was silent. He could continue his relaxing in peace, ignoring her for now. One more day and they’d be back on the Finalizer. Safe, and he could take a nice hot shower… A wistful sigh escaped as he imagined, after the sonic shower, spending hours under the hot water of an actual shower to relax. That was a luxury he still wouldn’t be able to afford. With his return everyone would once again be looking to him for instruction. 

“I wanted this. I can’t complain about the workload.” He’d done what was needed to become General… and he still wanted more. 

Of course, that would mean a bigger target on his back. He’d already had attempts made on his life prior, and he suspected the failed static discharge vanes that allowed his shuttle to be struck down by lightning during their arrival on Felucia was another one. He’d have to deal with whoever prepped the ship. Funny, how there was someone inches away he might’ve expected to put a blaster bolt in him for some credits, and yet she hadn’t tried to kill him beyond that idiotic ‘joke’ about letting him get swept away; meanwhile one of his own inferiors had.

“How did Ren know she worked with Captain Cardinal? Why?” That traitor was disposed of, thankfully, but had Zheth plotted with him or had she really been working under his father’s orders? “I didn’t see files about this.”

Still tired, he glanced once more at the bounty hunter. Distrust lingered in his mind over whether it was safe to sleep so close to what had formerly been an enemy— and questioning how she could sleep so easily when he could kill her any time. She didn’t look so threatening now, one arm propping her head up and side swept bangs falling partly over her face. Discomfort was visible in the way her jaw was clenched. The lights from hyperspace were moving almost hypnotizingly over her armor and unintentionally his gaze lingered on her chestplate where it was most clearly reflected as her chest rose and fell in pained breaths. 

“She fought well through those injuries.” Admiration for her perseverance briefly went through him. Of course that armor of hers probably helped, although clearly there were limits, especially with so many gaps. How she came about it was just another item to the list he’d been forming about her. The rather thin file he’d received on the troublesome smuggler she’d been playing as for the Resistance hadn’t shown any ties to whatever scraps remained of the Mandalorians. 

“If the files on her history with us were missing, were more?” He’d need a more extensive search done through archives and back-up data. 

“You’re staring again, General.” A quiet voice spoke up. Amber-brown eyes blinked open, reflecting redder than normal from various buttons and dulled overhead lighting that signaled the ship was in a night cycle. “Not that I mind, but I’d at least like to be wined and dined at some point.” 

His defenses were up immediately and he met her gaze, thankful that the low lighting and scowl hid the blush rising to his cheeks. That hadn’t been his intention, yet confusingly the comment flustered him.

“I was just wondering who you stole that armor from.” Hux watched her, calculating the reactions; she was amused. No surprise there.

“It’s mine . I didn’t steal it. Chain code proves it.” She raised an arm and pressed a button, a list of names flashing into sight. “Well, unless you consider pulling it off the corpse of your adoptive father, stealing. But it wasn’t like he was going to be using it anymore.” 

So nonchalant about the death part… Hux surmised the two hadn’t been close and wondered if she’d been the reason for his death. That last part could’ve just been him projecting of course.

“Right.” 

Zheth shifted in the chair with a subtle wince so that she was facing him better. “Does it matter how I got it anyway?” 

“Not really.” 

He reached out, hand brushing against her arm for a moment in a nearly gentle fashion. Almost as if he were merely observing the bracer. Then he was tugging her out of the chair with sudden force so she fell to her knees in front of his own with a pained yelp and clanking as her armored knees hit the metal floor. It really wasn’t a necessary move, Armitage winced at the sound and almost instantly regretted the action— more so due to the attention-grabbing noise it caused than her pain. Yet he wanted to press his control, demanding her awareness that he was above her and this wasn’t a casual chat between friends as he tried to pry a more important answer from her. Physically handling Zheth had worked well to get reactions out of her prior, clearly she was the type who needed a firm grip.

“What I really want to know is what the Supreme Leader meant: Missing Child. ” 

Zheth’s eyes were wide with surprise at his action, tears blinking away as quickly as they’d appeared. His roughness didn’t seem to deter her attitude. She gave a shuddered breath through her pain before speaking. “If you wanted me to kneel for you Gingersnap, you could’ve just asked.” 

Hux clenched his jaw, releasing his grip on her wrist to tug her up by her collar. Armitage hated how his heart rate picked up, scolding himself mentally at the sudden idea of ending her snarky comments by making her gag on him as per her innuendo. He blamed the unwanted thought on his recent frustrations and growing curiosity over her. Besides, she’d probably enjoy it, so it wasn’t exactly a punishment— maybe he’d make her lick the mud from his boots instead.

“I don’t know.” Her hands reached out instinctively and fisted in the fabric of his pants as she steadied herself, complexion paling with a follow-up flinch at the realization she’d grabbed onto him. However, she answered him without further sass or commentary. “Does someone named Steadfast work for you? He’s where the job to steal the holocron came from.” 

Kriff, he’d been expecting to hear more about Cardinal, not him . Yes, that was familiar. Dreadfully familiar. Steadfast had been Pryde’s callsign, and his own ship now bore that name. Rather than feel anger, Hux found a pleasant feeling worming its way into his chest. This was good. He might’ve just found a useful pawn to help dispose of anyone who got in his way— Pryde wouldn’t have chosen any bounty hunter at random to do such a task, and she seemed more than comfortable working for those within the First Order. Making sure Zheth was only loyal to him shouldn’t be too difficult. He just had to play his cards right.

“I just need to make sure any past loyalties to my father and Steadfast are eliminated.” He pried further, gauging her reaction carefully. “Anyone else?”

“A former general on the Absolution. Never met him, he always sent Cardinal, but he hired me often for assassinations.” She swallowed and thought for a second. “Um, Cards called him Brendol once or twice though, if that gives you any idea.”

A nickname for the former captain, interesting . Something that he swore was jealousy rose in him for a moment before his focus returned. Zheth didn’t seem particularly attached to his father, which made him feel better. No motivation there to backstab him.

Armitage patted her head, easing up on the grip he held on her. “There’s something useful. Good girl.”

“I’m not a massif.” The teasing lit cautiously entered her tone again, but he could see how she enjoyed the praise; Zheth practically leaned into his hand and relaxed at the unexpectedly nicer touch. 

Then she shuffled away as he released his grip completely, limping even in the short distance back to her chair. He missed the warmth of her gloved hands on his legs and yet, despite that the bitterness was returning. Hux watched her, searching for anything that might suggest her cooperation was a trick to lower his guard. Her actions as a whole could be a way to distract him, regardless of if she’d been hired by Pryde or Brendol before or not— that was years ago. Yet all he noticed was her brief grimace of pain.

“Did I say you could move?” He stood, only needing to take a single step before he was leaning over her. “I wasn’t done questioning you.” 

“General, are you seriously worried I’m a spy? Still? Trust me, a spy would’ve let you fall off that ledge or get killed by the locals. I’d still have Kylo to get me off planet and he told me he wouldn’t have minded leaving your corpse behind.” Humor laced her voice but he could tell she was wary. “I’m very satisfied here already, I assure you—although I’d love a new ship since you blew up m—”

“He said what? I can’t say I’m shocked.” He covered her mouth with his gloved hand, anger at Ren and jealousy at the idea of these two getting close flaring for a moment as he shuffled through the recent events for any sort of secret aim. “What’s your goal? I saw you getting friendly with Ren, is his mother so desperate to try stealing him back that she sends you to seduce him? Or do you just do all of this with every high rank?” 

If it wouldn’t get him killed, he gladly would have dumped Ren back on General Organa’s doorstep and let the man’s mother deal with him.

Confusion etched itself across her face and he lowered his hand for her to speak. “I’m not trying to seduce Emo Ren out there, and I’m not on any orders to bring him back to his mother. I don’t even know where their base is, do you really think they’d trust me with this sort of thing? Someone would have to have a death wish to take that mission anyway; did you see what he did to those Felucians? I might take risks, but I’m not that insane or desperate.”

He had to force himself not to laugh at the nickname for Ren. The distinct way she spoke it was much different than the tone she used for his silly little names. Hux still wasn’t sure how to feel about them, but at least now he was more certain they weren’t meant to be demeaning. “I don’t think she likes Ren as much as I thought.”  

Part of him was disappointed Ren wouldn’t be running off and abandoning his place, leaving himself as Snoke’s unquestionable second in command— then again, that maniac in the hands of the enemy wasn’t a good thing either for the First Order. As horrid as working with the man could be, Ren was useful at hacking down enemies.

“I do like you though, you’re fun to mess with— despite what Kylo says.”  

“Oh?” He leaned closer, hands leaning on the arm rests. He couldn’t help but feel excited at the idea she liked him despite his actions against her; the feeling was swamped by the feeling of displeasure. “What did Ren say?” 

“Nothing I believe should be taken seriously.” He heard Zheth’s breath catch. “I think you’re quite good at what you do. You have to be, given you’re the youngest general I believe I’ve met so far. Either that or you ran out of people.” 

“You don’t know what I’ve done.”

“No, I don’t. Not details.” He watched her eyes rake over him in thought before returning to meet his unmoving gaze. That feeling that she knew something she wasn’t saying sent a prickle down his spine. “Honestly, you look like you should be on a throne somewhere— Supreme Leader Hux does have a certain ring to it.” 

“Flattery will get you nowhere.” Oh, she had to know something . Despite his words, he wanted to believe her. The very sound of hearing that title fed right into his ego despite his rationale warning him against any possible deception Zheth was planting.

Armitage’s gaze darkened as he leaned closer, looming above her; he wanted her to say it again. Zheth shifted to the side, shooting him a cautious glance, before flicking a piece of dried mud from his sleeve. “You’d look a lot better than that smushed nerf-nugget currently sitting on it. Fit to be the face of the galaxy.” 

Now she had to be messing with him. Yes, of course he was better looking than Snoke, objectively most were. The face of the galaxy though? He wasn’t that nice to look at, surely? Brendol wouldn’t agree with her; the man had seen all the so-called flaws inherited from his mother. He forced himself not to squirm at the unexpected compliment, pulse rushing; he felt conflicted and confused. 

Even before he became General and could send his underlings cowering at his feet and looking away in submission, people barely looked at him. When they did it was often with pity or disgust, as a child, or as he grew older, scheming envy or just tactlessly giving a glare of disdain. Zheth was all talk, yet that intense look that refused to relent and honeyed words stroked all the right chords in his mind when she wasn’t taunting him. There was another round of thankfulness that the room was so dim; she couldn’t see his ears were burning and no doubt a shade of reddish-pink. Lies or not, he’d listen and play along and use her for his own goals.

“Don’t mistake this for me trusting you but,” his voice lowered, conspiring as he whispered in her ear. “I do believe your statement about Ren not letting me waltz into becoming Supreme Leader should misfortune befall our current leader. He isn’t the only one either. I want you to help me remedy that… First, you need to show me I can trust you.”

“Whatever you’d like.” 

This was too easy, but he’d take it. Either Zheth was more than willing to bend to his will or she was faking— and would suffer at his hands for it. Hux gave her another hair tousle and returned to his seat for a brief time, letting himself calm and calculate where to go with this development. His eyes wandered to her leg; the gash was difficult to see in this lighting but he knew it was starting to look infected. He’d seen it before in the day cycle lighting. It wasn’t pity that welled up in him, but it was something just as foreign to him he couldn’t quite name at the moment. Armitage stood and left, returning moments later with some towels. 

“I can’t lose a new pawn before I can use it. One must take care of their things… and if I want her to be loyal, she needs to keep liking me.” A set of excuses he convinced himself of as he once again stood over her. 

Caution laced her eyes and body language, watching him carefully as he leaned against the console behind him. “What are you doing?” 

“I’m not a monster.” He gestured at her leg with the damp towel. “This isn’t bacta but keeping that clean is better than nothing until we get back… Unless you enjoy dealing with infections?” 

Zheth stretched her injured leg out, flinching as he picked it up and began messing with the injury site; an area exposed just above her boots but to the side of the armor on her knee. He’d never do such a thing if anyone was watching, but in the silence of the cockpit he almost found it soothing to focus on this simple task. Cleaning the cut was easy compared to the stress he normally dealt with. It was something he held complete and utter control over fixing in the moment. If only fixing the chaos the New Republic and Resistance made in the galaxy was this simple.

He could feel her attention still on him, burning against his skull. Hux wondered if a remark was coming yet none did. When he finally risked a glance at her all he found was genuine confusion. 

A hiss of air through clenched teeth and she jerked her leg back as he scrubbed harder at a particular patch of stubborn dried blood and mud. General Hux frowned and tightened his grip. “Hold still.” 

Fresh blood dripped out and he let it, determining that it could help push out any infection lingering inside the cut, before wiping that up too. Bandages weren’t on the ship—because of course Ren wouldn’t think it was necessary to bring even basic first aid supplies— but he held the dry towel out to Zheth as he released her leg. “Hold that on it until the bleeding stops.” 

Hux left to dispose of the other used towels, nose wrinkling as the brighter light in the refresher revealed just how much grime and blood he’d gotten off. His shower would be filthy with mud if this was anything to go by. He almost had to wonder if he’d ever feel clean again between the murky water and mud he’d found himself covered in. Most had dried and chipped off but he still felt it itching against his skin aside from his face and hands, which had been thoroughly washed in the sink as soon as he’d gotten the chance.

A loud snore from Ren reached him as he stepped from the refresher and back into the cockpit. No wonder Zheth had wanted in here. Ren sounded like a snarling pack of lurca hounds. Hux settled neatly back into his chair while pretending to ignore the eyes observing him curiously. It was time to try getting some rest again if he were to avoid looking exhausted by the time they returned. Zheth was… safe enough.

Chapter Text

Her stomach twisted and she couldn’t tell if it was from hunger or unease. How had her life gone from not taking sides to pledging complete loyalty to one? The thought resurfaced the moment they’d landed on the Finalizer. “It was fate though, right? Inevitably I end up here because I was always going to. That imperial was going to take me to the remnant that turned into this as a kid… I was raised to be loyal to the First Order’s predecessor, so it only makes sense.”

If Cardinal caught wind of this then she was screwed. He’d been pissed before, this might actually make him plot a slow, painful demise for her. Then again, this wasn’t the ship he’d been stationed on. He might’ve served both Hux’s, but she was certain that if he was on board he would’ve paid her a visit in her cell.

Zheth limped off the shuttle and into the hangar bay, pain shooting through her. The medical droid had attended to her dehydration prior to Kylo taking her to Felucia, but her wounds had been left to heal on their own— the one on her leg, as Hux had pointed out, was getting particularly nasty. New bruises and what she was fairly certain were some bruised ribs from the Sarlacc did her no favors, especially after someone— Hux— landed on her. That meeting with Snoke had also been unexpected and frankly terrifying. Then there was General Hux’s hot and cold ‘interrogation’ turned nursing moment. The events left her exhausted, confused, and in want of a shower.

She paused, feeling eyes on her and turning to watch Kylo look away and stalk off to do his own thing while the two stormtroopers were walking off as well to do whatever regulation called for, she really wasn’t sure what that would be. Reports and probably a trip to the med bay. Zheth wasn’t certain what to do with herself. She’d genuinely expected Hux to leave her on that planet, and after he didn’t, she thought he’d make good on the promise of her rotting in a cell despite their little conversation— something he hadn’t acknowledged since beyond being a little warmer when they weren’t in the company of others.

A flash of muddied orange caught her attention as Hux walked back over with Captain Phasma. She quickly straightened to attention, glad her helmet was on to hide the pained expression movement caused her. “Captain Phasma, this is our newest addition. Have the medical droid look her over and take her to her new quarters.” 

The lingering gaze he gave her was unreadable but she didn’t make a comment on it. She didn’t have the energy to do so right now nor did she feel like now was good timing with so many others around. Teasing him was fun, humiliating him in front of someone like Phasma and his soldiers seemed bad for her health and not particularly her goal with it.

“Follow me.” The tall chrome armored captain turned and began walking, not slowing her pace to let her keep up— that felt like it was turning into a running theme here.

Hux lightly tugged her back by the hem of her cape before Zheth got far. “I need an update on what’s happened in my absence. Afterward, I will be sending you on a new assignment. The Supreme Leader may deem you trustworthy enough, but I have my own test.” 

“Of course, General. I anticipate your debriefing.” Was that surprise that flitted across his face or was she imagining it? Zheth couldn’t focus long enough to linger on it between concentrating on staying on her feet and trying to ignore the pain in her ribs with each breath she took. Nathale had done worse plenty of times. Perhaps if she’d gained anything from him, it was the ability to push through most pain… but doing so for days on end was wearing on her.

The walk was mostly silent, Phasma didn’t seem to be much for conversation until Zheth was showered off and sitting on the side of a medical bed in a fresh uniform with a droid running scans. The chrome helmet frowned at her with that black visor, like the other stormtrooper’s. Somehow, she found it more eerie than on the normal white helmets and Cardinal’s red one. 

“General Hux told me you’ve worked with us before.”

“Yeah.” She took a moment to glance at the droid as it prodded at her leg and caused a dart of pain to shoot through the limb. Then her focus returned to Phasma. “Steadfast hired my mentor and I for a job when I was younger— the uh, holocron we just obtained. I also was employed regularly by the former General Hux whenever he had someone that needed to be disposed of.” 

“You worked primarily through Captain Cardinal, did you not?” 

Was this another interrogation? Zheth refused to act intimidated if it was and grinned back casually. “Cards was the only contact I had beyond datapad messages. Seems the late Brendol was keeping things off the books— I don’t blame him, some of the targets had been rivals.” 

An attempt to pry for information on her thoughts of the matter, though it failed. Phasma seemed pressed to hear more about Cardinal. “You sound close to Cardinal. I wonder… just how close that was. Did he ever tell you anything about what happened to your employer?” 

Oh so this was an interrogation. Zheth wondered what was going on beneath that chrome helmet. This conversation was raising her suspicions. Surely it didn’t matter this much. It was one thing to ask about the jobs, it was another to question her conversations with Cardinal.

“He said Brendol was poisoned, didn’t know the kind. I put a list together for him but considering he’s dead I’ll assume it wasn’t any of those.”She gave a small laugh, still mindful of her ribs. “The last time I spoke with him he was trying to pin the death on you actually. Kept trying to get me to go with him and find evidence… I told him to drop it.”

The action was subtle but Phasma tensed up. Tone clearly suspicious now. “And why would you tell him that?” 

“I hold no loyalty to Brendol Hux. Yes, he was a good source of income but nothing to risk my life over, especially when he’d already been dead for a few years. I never even saw the guy’s face. I probably know more about our lovely current General Hux than Cardinal’s dearest father figure.”

“What if I told you Captain Cardinal is dead?” 

“I wouldn’t be surprised. He wasn’t going to let it rest.” Given her earlier fears, it was almost reassuring to hear.

Relief went through her as a bacta patch was applied to her leg, an injection of it a moment later for her chest— it’d take time to heal completely but she was already starting to feel better. Ultimately, Zheth didn’t feel great about the news, no matter how predictable it was, and a pang of sadness washed through her. She’d tried to make him see reason though, so this was his own fault. 

Zheth continued to stare at Phasma. “Let me guess, you killed him? Is that what all these questions are about— to figure out if this is some revenge scheme? Spoiler alert, it isn’t. I was actually a little worried he’d show up and put a blaster bolt in me.” 

“He attacked me, I killed him.” 

Hard to say if that was the truth. She could believe it based on their last conversation, yet Cardinal’s usual demeanor had been more diplomatic and waiting until all the pieces were there or he was ordered to act. So, with that in mind… “He had to have found some evidence against Phasma for Brendol’s death— or convinced himself he had.”  

“What type of venom was it anyway? I’m curious. Something medical droids can’t identify is always good to have in my arsenal.” It was a dangerous game to play.

Phasma’s hand rested on her holstered blaster as she stepped closer and leered. Zheth had to force herself to remain still despite the clear sign that she’d overstepped. “This is not something you should know. Breathe a word of it to anyone and you’ll find out first hand what it was.”

She really needed to learn to keep her mouth shut sometimes. “Understood.” 

Another needle was poked into the back of her neck and she gave a grumble of discomfort; why had that one been so much more noticeable? 

“FN-2185 will guide you to your quarters.” Phasma backed off, though Zheth doubted this was over; she’d need to tread carefully.

Once the footsteps had faded, she stood to leave only to have the medical droid step in front of her. “Sorry, we have one last procedure before you can go.” 

Her sleeve was pulled up and a needle was in her arm before she could even question what was going on. Zheth glowered at the droid as the blood samples were taken and the needle removed. “Is that all?” 

“Yes, you are free to go.” The droid hovered away, placing the vials on a tray.

Zheth eyed them, a bad feeling churning in her gut. What were they testing her blood for? It had nothing to do with her injuries. A scoff escaped as she left. “I’m not disease ridden.”

Zheth found FN-2185 waiting to escort her to her new quarters and gave a sheepish look. This was the stormtrooper Hux had yelled at about not restraining her. “Didn’t think I’d see you again. No hard feelings, right?”

He gave her a look, dead silent before turning away and taking the lead down the halls. “This way.”

The trip was quiet and as soon as she was at her destination she was left alone. It felt strange. She’d never been alone on a star destroyer before, let alone one where she was considered a prisoner not long prior. Zheth wondered if she could’ve gotten away with exploring a little but retreated into the room instead. It was exactly how she expected: bland monotone walls and floors with bright but adjustable lighting, a simple bed, some empty shelves and drawers, a closet, and a refresher. Her armor was also accounted for, thankfully. Beskar armor wasn’t the easiest to replace and it certainly helped with her survival in the crash that started all of this. Aside from the torn flight suit, the armor had been thoroughly cleaned and was left looking brand new. 

“That was fast.” Then again, Hux had said there was an assignment he’d be giving her.

For a while she just played around on a datapad, waiting for the message that would tell her it was time for the meeting. However, rather than a message, it was the door unlocking and swooshing open that disturbed her. Zheth nearly gave herself whiplash with how quickly she jolted and turned to see General Hux walk into the room. 

“Don’t you knock?” She got to her feet and stared up at him as she stood and mimicked that officer-esque stance, aside from some added snark. “What if I was changing?” 

He glanced up from the device he’d been swiping on, a subtle pink dusting his cheeks and ear tips that went away quickly as he cleared his throat. “I told you to be ready. If you hadn’t been, that would be your own fault.” 

“Mmmh, sure. Well, if I return the favor one day you’ll have to forgive me for whatever excuse I think up.” 

“Please try, I’d love to hear it.” It was hard to tell if it was dry humor or if he was giving her an underlying threat. “Assuming you survive long enough to do so.” 

She stood still as he circled around her, observing her stance and the new uniform. It was black like so many uniforms here but lacked any trace of rank at the moment. Zheth was curious to find out what her place would become, or what would become of her now in general. Hux’s whispered words still lingered in her mind but she doubted any treasonous actions to take over would happen anytime soon from him. Hux didn’t seem the type to act impulsively.

“Not bad for scum huh?” She tried to inject some humor, disliking the quiet. 

“You’re not scum.” He stood in front of her again, his stance one of pride though his expression was otherwise unreadable. “You’re not Resistance anymore.”

“I never was— but thanks for finally realizing.”  He bristled at her sarcasm.

It was true, deep down. Even if she had worked for them she had never been one of them. Zheth didn’t care if they won or lost and after the reveal that her last mission with Boba had been on orders from someone within the First Order… Had she ever really been free from the path her adoptive parents had set her on? No, of course not. She’d leapt at the opportunities to work for Cardinal and Brendol too. Working with the Resistance had been a blip in her otherwise set fate. For all she knew, that was in some grand scheme too, considering how suspiciously willing Snoke had been to absolve her ‘treason’. She didn’t know the Supreme Leader well but surely he wasn’t that benevolent.

“Did they know that?” He composed himself and stepped closer, invading her space until she was backing away. Her back hit the wall and she looked up at him, noticing a glint of humor in his eyes. “What do you think?”

“I think… you seem to really like keeping me pinned against walls. I can’t tell if you’re trying to intimidate me or flirt General.” She teased lightly, in an attempt to work out the answer for this recurring situation. She met that intense stare of his, the cooled blue tone in his green eyes reminded her of frost covered pines. It was difficult to determine his reaction to her proddings but this method had proved somewhat successful before to get him talking.

“I’m your superior now. That type of relationship is prohibited.”

It wasn’t a yes or a no and sounded like someone repeating a line from a prompter rather than a response he wanted to give. That blush was creeping onto his face again as he stared down at her, not backing away as he’d done before on Felucia. Zheth remembered how he’d been staring in the ruins of that building and how he’d been staring while they were on the shuttle back too. Curious.

His hand found its way to her jaw, keeping it in a surprisingly light as he spoke callously. “I don’t trust you. If you really plan to work with the First Order I need you to prove it. Prove your loyalty to me. On the shuttle you said I could have you prove it however I’d like, yes?”

A nod, though she wanted to press back with sarcasm, however quickly thought better of it. As annoying as it was, he held all the power right now. Irritating him too much with petty remarks and impudent questions wouldn’t do her any favors— she still didn’t put it past him to lash out. Besides, she did already promise to do whatever he asked to prove herself.

“What do you need?” 

“I am sending you back to the Resistance as a spy. Dameron escaped with the help of a traitor before we could get the droid. Get the map to Skywalker and if you can, kill FN-2187. I also want their base location.” He explained it so efficiently, like going down a shopping list. 

Meanwhile she realized that with everything changing she’d forgotten about Poe being imprisoned here. There was some guilt over that reminder, he was a friend after all. Yet he’d disappeared from her mind so quickly. “At least I know he’s alive now.”

“Think you can handle that, Zheth?” 

A shiver as he said her name. He’d never used her first name before. How had he managed to make it sound so silky while simultaneously mocking. She liked how it sounded coming from him. Maybe the dull pain mixing with the scent of his freshly applied citrus hair gel was getting to her head. “Of course Huxy. They won’t even suspect a thing.” 

“It’s General Hux.” A pause, and his cold voice softened just a little. “And you already used that one.” 

“Awe you are paying attention.” 

He shook his head, looking away in thought before frowning and he was back to the business at hand again. “Your story is that you stole a TIE. You will fly to a nearby planet and contact the Resistance to pick you up. If they don’t have the droid yet you will help find it… then take the map before they can get ahold of it. Afterwards you shall return to the Finalizer under the guise of being captured by us once more. Simple.”

“What about the traitor and base location?” 

“The medical droid injected you with a tracker. It will be able to find you and through that, their base, if needed. The traitor is to be taken care of only if you find him and can get away with it.”

“I’m not your pet, I don’t need a tracker implanted in me.” So that was probably what the needle in her neck was about.

His lips turned upward in a less than friendly smile as he leaned down, his hand going to her hair. Gloved fingers curled in the strands but didn’t pull. “Oh Zheth, it’s also to make sure that if you betray me, I can hunt you down no matter where in the galaxy you try to hide.” 

She was feeling dazed again. He was close enough to feel his minty breath on her skin and was practically smothering her with his taller form, his signals swinging back and forth and confusing her between his soft touches but sinister words. The last part was clear though. If she failed, ran, or tried to stay with the Resistance she would be hunted down. If he wanted to play that card then fine. Zheth held her head high; she had no plans to betray him and if this would prove it then so be it. 

A scowl as she gave an indignant response. “I’m the one who does the hunting, just sit back and watch me, pretty boy.”

“Oh I will be.” He lingered a moment before turning away, finally granting space between them again.

“You’ve got the temperment of a tooka-cat, you know that?” A light-hearted comment as she slowly followed him back to the center of the room.

He stopped and turned, hands clasped behind his back. Hux tilted his head to the side with a thoughtful look. “Do I?” 

Coincidentally, she had also noticed an orange strand on his uniform when he’d had her cornered. Feeling somewhat bold by the fact he didn’t sound annoyed, she approached. Hux was… different from others of high rank she’d encountered— excluding Cardinal of course. Most wouldn’t touch or invade her space unless it was to cause harm, yet while he wasn’t always nice he had repeatedly done that without wounding her. Zheth decided that she’d push her luck in returning the favor and testing this anomaly. He held still like he was a statue rather than a human being, she swore he held his breath as she reached out and plucked the strand off. It was a similar color to his hair but not nearly long enough and it was definitely fur. “Speaking of tooka-cats. Either you’re balding or you have one as a pet.” 

He remained frozen, an unreadable expression on his face as he looked at the piece of fur. Then, a cautious admission; a brief glimpse into something more personal about him. “I do have one back in my quarters, Millicent… Now as nice as you look in that uniform, you need to change into your armor and meet me in Hangar Three.” 

There it was again, that duality between being General of the First Order and a person. She couldn’t tell if he was complimenting her, being sarcastic, or just in love with the whole First Order look. Zheth had seen several people in identical uniforms and others in very similar ones, her wearing it wasn’t anything special. 

“Right away, General.” She watched him leave and went to get changed while she thought over the plan he’d told her.

Chapter Text

There was a restlessness in waiting. Hux was eager to get back to Starkiller Base and demonstrate the weapon. With the droid still out there though staying mobile on the Finalizer was the better option for now. Zheth had reported that she’d contacted the Resistance and successfully been rescued. They’d decided to keep contact minimal until she had news on the map to avoid blowing her cover and he hadn’t tried reaching out himself. Everything regarding the bounty hunter and her mission was under his control, just as he wanted.

One would think that would be that. That he’d focus on his meetings and making sure Ren’s temper didn’t result in structural damage to the ship if something set him off. Zheth continued to plague his mind though, almost worse than when she had been near. Hux leaned forward on the desk, a hand in his hair and the report he’d been reading through long forgotten. “What’s wrong with me?” 

Millicent trilled at his voice and wriggled herself through the crook of his arm, rubbing up against him. Her fur tickled against his chin. Armitage scratched behind her ear, listening to the rumbling emitting from the tooka-cat. His thoughts drifted back to how Zheth had picked off a piece of Millicent’s fur he’d missed while cleaning his uniform. The moment had seemed so domestic in a way he’d never experienced… or witnessed really. He doubted it was meant that way, but it was one of the few times she’d actually initiated physical contact—currently the only time she’d done so without their lives being in danger— and some part of him craved that to continue. 

Thoughts drifted back to Felucia. Everything about the place had disgusted him from slogging through the weather to nearly dying several times . Ren was an impulsive fool going there for some cube made by ancient mystics long dead. The only point that gave him pause was after that battle with the Felucians. Unprompted, Zheth asked if he was hurt. She had no reason to care, yet had asked anyway with what he interpreted as genuine concern. The First Order didn’t care to ask such things. Sure, stormtroopers might defend him but that was their job, something trained into them; it wasn’t out of actual concern. Even before his rise through the ranks, only Sloane had ever seemed to care for his wellbeing, to a certain extent, until this bounty hunter came along. 

That wasn’t even getting into the memories of their talk in the shuttle. The darkened lighting, the tension… Alternate scenarios for that memory had started surfacing unbidden as he tried to sleep at night. These depraved fantasies weren’t helping the attempts to stop thinking about her— in fact, it was doing the exact opposite much to his own dismay.

He suddenly felt a little bad for having Phasma shoot her in the arm before sending her off—it was Zheth’s idea though, as she’d felt it necessary to show she hadn’t escaped unscathed. ‘Details mattered’ according to her, and it was true. A shot to the arm wasn’t deadly, so why not go with it when she was so willing to commit? 

“Why? What is it about her? Did she do something to me? A poison perhaps? Or is she like Ren and able to use the Force on me?” The latter was a huge jump to make. Kylo and Snoke would’ve taken control over her orders immediately. 

A nip at his hand as Millicent demanded he continue the ear scratches. He gave a quiet sigh and humored her. “I don’t suppose you care about this, if you even understand me.” 

A mrrowl and her collar jangled as the orange tabby rolled onto her back, inviting him to instead rub her belly. Armitage hummed, eyeing Millicent with suspicion. Either she really did want him to pet her stomach or this was a trap to grab his hand so she could play bite and claw at him. He never could tell. 

“I don’t even know if I can trust her. The files we had didn’t say anything about this.” He complained while reaching out and stroking Millicent’s soft fur again; spared this time from any playful attacks. 

All they’d known was the most recent information on how the ‘Predator’ had risen as a dangerous bounty hunter in the outer rim area and was currently acting as a smuggler for the Resistance. Any history prior was… unknown. Or hadn’t been brought to his attention if it existed. He’d know more soon enough. Without trying to look too interested he’d ordered for a more detailed file to be put together and brought to him. Knowing she’d been involved with the Empire meant there had to be original files that could be accessed— so long as the New Republic hadn’t destroyed them.

“When we first met, she had no issue calling herself a bastard.” Admitted it like it meant nothing. He’d never had such openness allowed for his origins. The word alone still made him cringe, as if the information on his own past would be brought to the spotlight; there were still some alive aware of this fact who would gladly ridicule him over it. Thankfully, he didn’t think Ren was one of them. It was something he buried deep in his mind. The man probably would’ve discovered his insecurity and rubbed his face in it the second it became relevant. He couldn’t be a hundred percent confident in that assumption however. “She never clarified what exactly Ren told her… and she hasn’t said it since.”

He really did need to find a way to keep Kylo Ren from surpassing him. A move too soon and the First Order would lose a powerful asset. Too late and Ren might decide to take control and make himself Supreme Leader. After the removal of Skywalker. Without a Jedi on their side the Resistance wouldn’t have anyone who could stand in the First Order’s way. 

“It won’t be long now. With Starkiller the New Republic will fall as will the Resistance.” Taking out the New Republic would have to be first. “They lack proper control on the galaxy anyway. The fact that imperial remnants remained as long as they did says it all, they should’ve eliminated them completely, prioritizing their destruction with swift strikes.”

That oversight is what brought the galaxy to this point. Everything being put into a chain of events before he’d even stepped into the position of General. They were fools not to militarize and attack when they knew of the First Order; no wonder they had some of their own run off to form the Resistance to begin with. Their vulnerability would destroy them and as he’d been told countless times growing up, the First Order would restore proper structure once more— surpassing even the Empire’s ability. 

“I will have the power to control the galaxy at my fingertips.” A sharp nip from Millicent made him wince, more so as claws grabbed onto him, kicking at his palm. “Ow, Mil! My hand is not a toy.” 

He drew his hand back quickly. The scratches were shallow, most hadn’t drawn blood but he still eyed the tooka-cat warily. Millicent stared back, her head tilted with a look of innocence on her face; he couldn’t stay upset with her. She was only playing and hunting small creatures was in her nature, had she really wanted to hurt him, he’d know. Wild and feral ones along with many bred for pest control were known for their mean streaks. 

“I suppose you must be hungry.” He stood from the desk with a glance at the clock; it was nearly time for her scheduled feeding, and time for him to report to the bridge.

He went through the routine as he always did, double checking that he got all of Millicent’s fur off his uniform this time. The bridge was running smoothly as he entered, officers and various other underlings focused on their work as ever. Quiet discussions for strategy and navigation routes were here and there. Hux took his place, standing to look out at the stars with his back to it all. 

Footsteps approached him, loud but uncertain. He turned his head to see an intern carrying his datapad he’d dropped off on his way to the bridge. “What is it?”

“The information you requested, um, General Hux.” The nervous quiver in his voice wasn’t lost to him. 

“Ah, very good.” He’d barely taken the device before the intern was hurrying away. Hux watched the cadet go while suppressing an eye roll. “So jumpy.”

Somewhat suspicious, or a new transfer here perhaps— they had gotten a handful recently to give them hands-on experience. A chill of dread ran through him, or maybe it was Ren’s presence lingering like a hulking shadow off to the side. Newbies learned quickly from others of the Knight’s reputation. 

Hux ignored the man for now and paid more attention to the files he’d been given. It was much more extensive than the original and he cursed whoever put that meager one together— he really needed to reevaluate their job performance. That aside, he was quick to notice most of the new documents were older, archived imperial data specifically—not unexpected after putting together the clues. Others… were restored files from the First Order’s databases. Some with a warning symbol displaying incomplete recoveries or corrupted data unable to fully display. 

“Now who would do that?” He’d find out soon enough.

He scrolled through, scanning the data. What the Supreme Leader had implied along with the things Zheth had said began to make sense, though how she’d known about Jedi had already been established. Of course she knew of Ren’s grandfather, her adoptive parents had been hired by the Empire and their reports went to Vader and his Admirals. 

One document in particular caught his eye. A mission she’d reported on; one she’d been at a junior academy for. He stopped scanning to read closer now. Even as a child she’d been dangerous, raised for killing. The Resistance had been wasting her potential to smuggle supplies. Well now that she was in his hands, he could utilize her to her full abilities. It was their own loss. 

Bile rose to his throat as he opened another file and saw ‘Commandant Brendol Hux’ as the sender of this transcribed communication. Perhaps he should’ve anticipated what he was reading after seeing the former report. His father had heard, of course he had, and had taken interest in recruiting Zheth for the Arkanis Academy— Armitage could already guess why. Based on these files her loyalties were already being ingrained into her at a young age and she was more than willing to kill to show it, both things his father would have sought out. The way she was raised wasn’t too dissimilar from how the stormtrooper program was now—aside from removing her individuality, obviously .

Somehow, the idea that he might’ve met Zheth when they were kids felt horribly wrong. The idea of his father laying even a finger on her made his jaw clench and anger simmer in his mind. He’d seen her ability to give commands to troops and knew she had a mind for strategy; her willingness to follow orders was by choice, not blind submission to a superior as his father had preferred. There was no doubt she would’ve done well here, had she survived his father’s methods; but she wouldn’t have the same spirit. 

“Why does that bother me?” His stomach was churning at the idea of her being beaten and put through reconditioning until she was broken to fit his father’s mold. Zheth’s skills could’ve gotten her far, but her attitude would’ve ruined things for her. “Kriff, I can’t believe I actually miss her sass and nicknames.”

Hux opened various other files, skimming through them before selecting another one linked to his father. It was a small message from an ‘Officer Thalia’ discussing a rendezvous with other imperials heading to the Unknown Region. She specifically addressed Brendol when mentioning she’d found ‘the foundling’ and was collecting her.

Except that clearly hadn’t happened. Hux wasn’t sure what went wrong but Zheth and Officer Thalia had never arrived. As young as he was when this happened, he would’ve remembered hearing of her or there would be some documentation of the event in this report. He made a mental note to ask Zheth about it upon her return, curiosity getting to him. 

He closed the files, taking a moment to ease his thoughts after all that information. He’d gotten the clue that she’d been involved with the Empire somehow—parents in their ranks had been his guess, but to this extent wasn’t what he'd expected. Perhaps he should’ve known.

Reality sank back in. While the first attempt to recruit her as a cadet had failed, Brendol did have a chance to bring her into the First Order. Yet… it seemed being a third party hire kept her right where he needed her. Less traceable back to him for his desired assassinations. Where Cardinal had been his guard dog, she had been his personal attack hound. “He wouldn’t have forgotten her if he’d been so interested in her skills initially, seeking her out for jobs was intentional… He and Pryde could’ve been keeping tabs of her from the very beginning, at the very least after her job with Pryde.”

Curiosity ate at him as he went through the recovered files that were openable. Each one listed names, locations, and any other details for the bounty hunter. It was like looking through a kill list… and then things got interesting. Reports that would’ve aided them against the Resistance and revealed her as the smuggler causing issues. Hux instantly knew who’d done this. “Captain Cardinal. That traitor…”

It burned him. This had happened under his own command! A searing jealousy ate at him as it brought more suspicion on what the two might’ve had. “He’s dead now. It doesn’t matter.” 

Not that he was in competition or anything, let alone with a dead man— granted, he never had seen the body. Kriff, what was wrong with him? Why did he care about this so much? Zheth was just a bounty hunter for star’s sake!

Getting back to a more logical point; he made a note to have her fighting skills tested in the training area. If she’d been so capable and managed to become known in the Outer Rim then he wanted to see what type of weapon he now had at his disposal.

More files scanned through. Various reports that ultimately didn’t raise too much interest. He’d been searching for any regarding Steafast’s job but no such luck— Hux realized it likely would’ve been filtered under her mentor’s name, assuming Pryde hadn’t completely erased the data. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”  

Then there was the last file, her blood work for genetic testing. Hux paused. He hadn’t ordered this. Not that he wouldn’t glance through it, he was curious and the information was in his hands. It felt like something was suddenly looming over him, a weight anticipating the reveal. A feeling that urged him to stop wasting time and open the document. So he pressed it and watched as the information loaded in.

Focused, he neglected to process that the bridge had fallen unnaturally silent. It was always on the quiet side unless something was happening, perhaps a word or two communicated about navigations or transmissions. Everything had hushed, air thick with anticipation with a fearful undercurrent. Prey animals hunkering down in their burrows in the presence of a threat.

The databanks didn’t even have a name to give for her mother, just that it had been a match that could trace back to Mandalore and Concord Dawn. Her capabilities as a warrior certainly made sense, while he didn’t know much about Mandalorian culture, he did know they were once known for being fierce warriors. Battle and killing was practically in her DNA. 

It was enough knowledge for him to forgive himself for these intrusive feelings she brought out in him. While hailing from no remarkable lineage that he could tell, Mandalorians were a rare sight these days and clearly she was capable and resilient—both qualities he liked to see, though he had yet to witness that ruthlessness depicted in the files. Armitage liked rarities, though typically they were items he could collect and not living things. Perhaps he could make one exception to that.

A twinge of pressure in his skull gave him pause. Eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he shot an accusatory glance in Ren’s direction. His pulse thundered a little more when he saw the man was gone from his gloomy corner. A subtle sound of boots against the hard floor directly behind him and Hux turned his head to find Ren staring at him with laser-focus and standing much too close for comfort. The man had moved with surprising silence considering his size and the quiet of the bridge; Hux didn’t like it.

The broader man was hovering over him to try catching a glimpse of the screen tilted towards his chest to hide Ren’s view. What did he want now? Hux stifled his fear and cleared his mind as best he could as he kept his expression neutral. Despite that, his muscles remained tense. “Are you bored or do you actually need something?” 

Kylo’s chuckle sounded eerie through the helmet. “Your new pet was right, you are a stick-in-the-mud. Stand any stiffer and maybe the effort will snap you in half.” 

“Excuse you?” How dare Ren mock him in front of his men. “Is that what she really thinks of me? Is there anything else?”  

He couldn’t exactly ask Ren if she’d said anything more about him. It was bad enough he’d already deemed Zheth his ‘pet’. Surely he didn’t know how obsessive his thoughts were but how else would he assume that? “Was this monster in my head?”

Ren remained silent, a lingering shadow looming, his visored-gaze fixated on him too much for his liking. If it weren’t for the fact he had to stay here and oversee things he’d leave right now. 

“You look pale, General.” Ren moved to stand in front of Hux, leaning over him. Kylo wasn’t that much taller but the extra inches felt more noticeable when the Knight was leering down at him. “Something the matter?” 

“Nothing. Just a report that isn’t to my liking.” 

“Oh? Does it involve the map?” A subtle glance Mitaka’s way and the poor Lieutenant subconsciously tugged at his collar before retreating closer to the exit.

“New TIE Fighter developments.” 

The mask made Kylo’s face unreadable and his skin prickled as it continued looking at him. “You should know better than to lie to me. I believe you have something of mine.” 

The device was grabbed from his hands before the sound of protest had even left his lips. “That file was given to me. ” 

“A mistake.” A raised hand and Hux felt a shove backward as he attempted to take back his datapad.

Catching himself, Hux glared but didn’t make a move to try again. Instead he gave a breath of disdain and tried to act indifferent to the matter. “Why are you so interested, Ren? She’s only a bounty hunter.” 

A raised hand gave him little warning before the pain burst into his skull. Kylo made no attempt to be gentle and Hux barely caught himself as the feeling made the bridge spin. “I could ask you the same, General.” 

The presence withdrew sharply, fury radiating from the Force wielder. Ren was breathing harshly, the sound made worse by the damn mask, and his grip was so tight on the datapad his fist was shaking yet he didn’t speak. Hux watched as Ren mashed the touch screen with gloved fingers, jabbing and scrolling with growing agitation. 

The device shattered against the floor, a roar of hatred erupting from the man before him. Hux retreated a step to avoid the initial outburst, wincing as he looked at the ruined pieces on the floor. “What could he possibly be upset about now?”

Ren’s gaze snapped to him, hand outstretched as he dragged Hux into it and fisted the fabric of his collar. Hux bared his teeth, hissing out an order. “Let go.” 

A pause from the man, as if Ren was just now realizing who he held in his grip. Hux was shoved aside as the Knight of Ren continued to seethe. Feeling less than dignified after that, Hux watched Ren storm off the bridge, spitting out a single word as his lightsaber crackled to life, “Solo!”

He didn’t try to stop him. When the man got into these moods Hux wasn’t sure anyone’s life was safe regardless of how important Snoke saw them. Let him throw his tantrum, he’d have to explain it to Supreme Leader Snoke when the expense report came in for the cost of repairs.

“Get back to work.” A snapped response, stress and humiliation twisting into anger as he caught lingering stares. His eyes landed on an unfortunate officer who froze and tried to look anywhere else. “Fetch someone to clean this up.” 

The officer nodded and rushed off with a quiet, “Right away General Hux.” 

He was feeling whiplash. There was a bitter, metallic taste in his mouth. Had he heard right? Of all the men in the galaxy, Zheth had to share a father with Kylo Ren. Did she know? Had Snoke known? Clearly Ren had to have suspicions with how easy he’d been on her, bypassing interrogation to take her to Felucia and then confirming suspicions with the test.

He thought back on his growing feelings surrounding her as well with a pinch of horror. He still wasn’t entirely sure what they were— well, they were supposed to be fake. “They are fake, just part of the plan… This information changes nothing.”

Hux’s immediate thoughts were to use her as his loyal guard, or to lock her in a cell where she’d never escape from him. She should have been his long before he’d even plotted his father’s demise, back when he’d been given the original batch of child soldiers to command. Zheth belonged to him; with him. She should have at least, had things gone according to plan. The documents proved as such.

Digging deeper, Armitage realized he was, perhaps, growing fond of her over less than a handful of kinder encounters despite her taunts; his warped ideas of possessing her stemming from the desire to have her affections solely directed at him. It was like she had a gravitational pull that he didn’t want to escape from. Dread crept into him as he forced himself to keep up his typical indecipherable expression.

“Ren’s going to kill me… or her… or his father… or all of us.” Stars, Ren was difficult to anticipate with this matter. “How much did he see when he was in my head?”

No wait, he could use this. Ren might find a long-term distraction with it, and in that distraction he could gain favor with the Supreme Leader. The question remained on whether Zheth knew, and if not, maybe he could twist it to push her further from holding onto any lingering loyalty to the Resistance. For now, he needed to keep Ren focused on their goals and to avoid stirring up obstacles with Zheth’s mission.

Chapter Text

D’Qar 

The place was as one would expect for a rebel base with old equipment, halls that seemed more like tunnels with wiring than real hallways in some places, and many more quirks that just screamed ‘rebel base’. Far from the pristine walls and equipment on star destroyers. She had a vague feel for her way around now that she was free from the medical bay, but there were much more areas to explore when there was time. The feeling of being watched however gave her pause in her little adventure. Zheth turned, catching a glimpse of a darkly dressed figure at the far end of the hall. From here, details were difficult to make out aside from the black cloak and dark hair. 

“Who is that?” One of the First Order’s spies, perhaps? Wait, that wouldn’t make sense, Hux wouldn’t need her to tell him where the base was located— unless it was just a test. Why did it make her feel so uneasy though, like a Hoth wind had breezed through the base: chilling and unwelcoming. 

She’d felt that chill before, after Boba took her under his wing. The two of them had stopped by a planet to restock supplies and find a job or two they could take. Boba had told her to stay close as blaster fire rang out. The peace was shattered by the sound and afterwards, people cheered . Zheth had a hand on her blaster, ready to draw it as the two drew closer. 

Her body froze as they looked around the corner. At the end of the street a crowd had gathered around a handful of rebels— or were they New Republic soldiers now? At their feet, the bodies of imperial officers sprawled lifeless while the woman in charge vehemently spoke of each of their crimes they’d been tried and found guilty of. 

Zheth stepped back, pushing herself into Boba as her heart pounded. Logically, they shouldn’t recognize her, but the fear was still there. She looked up at her mentor but he was already stepping around her to take a wide route around the spectacle. “Boba, can we leave?” 

“We came here for a reason.” 

“I want to go, please !” Her pleas were met with a reassuring pat but otherwise, it seemed Boba was set on this.

“This won’t take long, we’ll keep our heads down. Nothing’s gonna happen to you.” 

The choice was to be left there alone or follow. Zheth hurried to catch up, shivering as she stepped into the line of sight for anyone down the street to see. Adelphi kept running through her mind. These rebels couldn’t know about that. They were different— those guys at their feet had been allowed a trial, Das hadn’t. Who was left to tell the New Republic she was there? 

An icy chill ran through her and she made the mistake of turning her head back to the end of the street. A young boy with dark hair was with the woman now, eyes boring right at her as the woman continued speaking of the tragedies caused by the war and how the New Republic would bring the galaxy back into the light. All just noise as she stood still, feeling trapped and suffocated. He couldn’t know, she was being paranoid, yet that look was much too intense… 

“Zheth.” Boba called for her, breaking through her spiraling panic. “Come on.” 

Forcing her feet to move, she once again followed.

Surely this wasn’t that boy, what were the chances? Besides, a lot of people had dark hair— Poe did, as did Kylo and herself. She was just imagining things. 

Suddenly he’d gotten a lot closer, moving whenever someone blocked their view of each other. Bright blue eyes stared at her and that instinctual fear tightened its grip. Zheth couldn’t place why, but her gut was telling her to get away . A group of pilots bustled by, obstructing their view of each other once more. When it cleared, the stranger had vanished. Zheth decided it was best to move on and keep her head low, hurrying off in the opposite direction.

“Well if it isn’t the mighty hunter up and about again.” Poe spotted her immediately as he turned the corner.

Zheth grinned back, shaking off the lingering chill upon seeing a familiar face. “A few scrapes and bruises won’t kill me Hot Shot.” 

“I thought there was a broken rib and blaster shot too.” He tousled her hair, his cocky smile fading. “I’m sorry, if I hadn’t called you for backup, they wouldn’t have caught you. I’ll get’em back, for the both of us.”

“Bacta is a wonderful thing. The medics said I’m good as new now.” A playful elbow. “And hey, leave some First Order goons for me. You owe me that much.” 

A look of guilt remained despite her attempt to lighten the mood. “Zheth, I thought you were dead. I saw them drag you off to interrogation and you didn’t come back. You weren’t there when they took me back either.”

Oh shit… How was she going to explain that? She swallowed nervously and looked ahead as they began walking. “I… didn’t have any information on the map. Kylo Ren wasn’t pleased about that, he did something with his powers to read my mind and saw BB-8 was still on Jakku… after that I don’t remember much. I woke up and assumed I’d been taken back to my cell, they kinda forgot about me. I feared they were making you talk. Eventually I learned the schedule and broke free during a shift change.” 

“You saw BB-8? Did he get away?” 

“As far as I know.” Drat, Poe didn’t know where the droid was either. “BB got away while I fought off some of the bucket-heads.”

“He wasn’t on Jakku when Finn and I crashed there after our escape. A trader said he’d seen a BB unit being taken off in a ship.” 

“Finn?” As interested as she was in finding the droid, this new guy also interested her; he could be a threat. “He said they crashed together, is ‘Finn’ FN-2187?”

A smile that didn’t quite reach Poe’s eyes, as if he were recalling a bittersweet memory. She knew that look. It was the same one he gave when they’d succeeded in a mission to steal fuel a while back but lost several of his pilot friends he’d grown up with in the process. Although, this time there was a bit more warmth. “Yeah, Finn. He helped me escape, defected from the First Order. I don’t know what happened to him. I was thrown from the crash and when I woke up… the crashed TIE and Finn were gone.” 

“Sorry to hear that.” For as brief as Poe knew the guy, he’d seemed to have grown attached with how fondly he spoke.

“I wish you could’ve met him.” He turned down another dimly lit hall. “Here, I’ll show you to the room General Organa had set up for you.”

They lapsed into silence. Zheth truly felt bad for deceiving Poe like this, and the loss of his buddy— or were they more than that? But part of her was also itching to report to Hux. The base location had been a priority she could cross off the list, though if Hux was paying attention to the tracker, he’d already know.

“This is his own fault. Poe got me captured… I found a better deal while I was there. It’s nothing personal.” She’d still given him a solid punch upon their initial reunion, a playful one to his arm of course and called them even. After hearing more and more about his escape, bitterness grew. “He hadn’t even tried to double check, or ask this Finn character if I was still logged as a prisoner somewhere. He just… left.”

A reminder that, no matter how friendly they were, Poe was still a rebel and not to be trusted too much. What if she really had been rotting in a cell somewhere that whole time instead of running around on Felucia? Her thoughts drifted to how she’d saved Hux, knowing he would’ve probably pushed her into the water had the situation been reversed. “I could’ve helped the Resistance take out a general, left Ren on that planet and put the First Order in momentary disarray… Thank the stars I didn’t.”

Repayment for leaving her behind at the First Order’s mercy. It was a real stroke of luck that she was alive right now and Poe just assuming she had been dead was no excuse. At least, that’s what she kept repeating to herself. “At the end of the day, I can only rely on myself.”

Finally Poe came to a stop and broke the quiet, that charming smile on his face as he joked around with her. “Your room, M’lady.”

“What a gentleman, no wonder you make everyone swoon.” A joking eye roll as she scowled at the name. “M’lady makes me sound so old though.” 

“And what would you prefer?”

She was saved from answering as General Organa turned down the hall. “You’re both here, good. We have word that BB-8 is on Takodana. I need the two of you to get there quickly, more pilots will be following after I make the announcement.”  

“Right away.” Poe nodded, turning serious immediately. “Zheth, get your stuff, I’ll have someone get a ship ready for you.” 

Takodana was still quiet when she landed. Poe remained flying overhead, on the lookout for the First Order while she went to fetch BB-8. She paused at the edges of the trees and looked down at the castle as she pulled out her communicator.

“General Hux, the droid with the map is on Takodana. I’m there and fetching it now.” 

“Yes, an informant there just told us that as well. We have TIEs on the way, Ren is headed there too with a shuttle of troops. Once the droid is secure make sure it looks like your capture is an accident.”

“Sir… may I request something?” She waited, hearing what sounded like a muffled sigh.

“Go ahead.” 

“Maz is a neutral party, I think it’s wise not to cause too much trouble. We don’t want her to sympathize and start helping the Resistance… let their pilots make the first attack.” Zheth knew Maz wasn’t likely to side with the First Order, in fact, she was probably helping whoever got BB-8 here to begin with given she helped Leia in the past. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to claim Maz was likely already aiding the Resistance from a distance here and there. Keeping the damage minimal was more for sentimental reasons; she liked coming here and would like it to stick around. Otherwise, suggesting completely obliterating the place would’ve been fine; no witnesses that way.

A pause and her stomach felt like it was twisting with unease until he finally spoke. “I can have Phasma relay that to the troops but I cannot guarantee Ren’s cooperation. He will do what must be done to get the map.” 

“Understood, General.” 

“Crogh, one last thing. There is something I need to discuss with you upon your return regarding your father.” A wince; she didn’t understand where that came from or why he wished to discuss Nathale— let alone why Hux had dug up archaic files. However he left it there, likely because others might overhear while he was on the bridge. The topic confused her and frankly sent a dash of anxiety about her, fearing it might be something that would end poorly for her with that ominous tone. There was little choice but to inquire later.

She hurried for Maz’s castle, heading inside and looking around for the familiar white and orange astromech. Maz caught her attention first from where she was speaking with three unfamiliar faces, the older of the three seemed friendly with her while the other two looked more out of place. 

“Isn’t that Poe’s jacket?” Her head tilted to the side as she eyed the younger man. Yes, it was. She’d seen him wear it a lot; it was a favorite of his. 

Zheth approached, being less than subtle about it. A familiar uncertain beep was followed by a whirl of movement as BB-8 rolled out from the other side of the table to circle her. She spared the droid a glance, aware of their eyes now on her. 

“Who are you and what do you think you’re doing with this droid? You’re not with the First Order, are you?” Fake accusations, as if she hadn’t already known they weren’t.

The man in Poe’s jacket looked even more uncomfortable. Zheth continued to observe him from beneath her helmet. “If this guy is wearing Poe’s jacket and looking so nervous… He must be the traitor.”

“And just who are you?” The older man stood. 

“I was sent by General Organa of the Resistance to get the droid.” She turned to face him now, head held high and watching as some sort of emotion flitted across his face before vanishing.

“If the Resistance responded this fast then the First Order can’t be far behind. We need to go.” Finn stood, eyes darting to the entrance and already walking off. 

A coward then. No wonder he ran off. Zheth decided he wouldn’t be difficult to dispose of then if given the chance. Right now however, wasn’t that time. 

“He’s right. We need to go. BB, come with me, we’ll take a back exit just in case.” 

“Now just hold on. You expect us to just trust you?” The older man spoke again.

Zheth turned to look over her shoulder, glancing at Maz as she walked off— probably to check for the impending attack. “Poe is out there, more Resistance is coming—”

“Poe’s alive?” Finn interrupted, stopping his retreat to face them again.

“Yes, you’re his friend Finn, right? The FN-2187 trooper who got him out?” 

The sound of ships grew louder outside, one flying so fast and close that the castle seemed to echo with the noise. The sound of TIEs screaming and rushing by had always been enjoyable for her. Zheth began moving for the catacombs before Finn could properly answer, there should be a hidden exit somewhere. Although, that wasn’t her primary reasoning for heading down that way. 

“BB-8, come on. The rest of you,” she noted the girl was already gone somewhere while she’d been distracted by the other two, “try to distract them I guess.” 

The spherical droid was at her heels as she headed downward. Any sounds of battle were muted down here, for now. She walked but heard hushed voices in one of the rooms and kept going until it was quiet. Turning into another one she crouched down in front of BB-8.

“Can I see it?” She knelt in front of the droid. 

BB-8 swiveled around uneasily for a moment before apparently deeming it safe enough from prying eyes. Zheth stared as the droid projected the map in the room; it didn’t look complete. It flickered out quickly as BB-8 grew more anxious.

“Good, thanks BB. Now, give me the map. I hate making you a decoy but the First Order will be expecting it with you.” 

Once more, the droid seemed to hesitate before handing over the map. Zheth almost felt bad for betraying the poor droid’s trust. “Stay hidden, I’ll go out the back and someone will find you when it’s safe.” 

A few worried beeps sounded behind her as she put the device in a pouch on her belt and ran out.

Chapter Text

Kylo hated being patient. The order to wait until the Resistance struck first annoyed him. He was essentially their warlord, made to swoop in and take what was wanted… and Hux had the audacity to change tactics to holding fire. 

He glared at the castle entrance, ignoring those few who fled in ships hidden within the nearby forest to instead catch a glimpse of Maz. Kylo could sense her abilities in the Force yet she made no move to come out and face him. Instead, something seemed to distract her and she vanished from his sight once more. He sent a stormtrooper in after her to relay the reason behind this visit… they only had this one opportunity for peace before he began tearing this place apart.

“Where is he?” The Millennium Falcon was here, which meant Solo wasn’t far. 

Kylo reached out through the Force with a rage that flared now that he’d been made aware of yet another character flaw of his father. A wrath seared through him as he wondered if his half-sister had known this whole time—a reason for wanting him out of her head before he could find out. All of this anger made the Dark Side surge through him, waiting with a crackling energy to bend to his will. He reached out for his father and Zheth, though it was another Force signature that caught his attention. It was strong with her and even without knowing who it was, Kylo recognized the girl Supreme Leader Snoke had told him about. The energy she gave off practically imprinted itself in his mind upon even the faintest contact.

Kylo left them to this silly little standstill. Just blow up the lone pilot, destroy the castle, and search the rubble before backup came in his opinion— oh, and bring him Han Solo so he could properly dispose of the disappointment. Instead he followed the girl through the Force and disappeared within the forest. How silly of her to come out here all alone. Following her was too easy, so he toyed with her a little. He could feel her grow more paranoid once she realized he was there and took out his weapon. The blaster fired back in his direction as he grew close enough for her to hear his lightsaber crackle. He kept out of sight in the rocks, steadily herding her back closer to his ship. 

The sound of blaster fire finally reached him from beyond the trees. The Resistance must’ve shown up, or perhaps his father’s friend Maz had decided to fight back. “As if she stood a chance. The Force is at her fingertips and she doesn’t use it to its full potential, not like I do.”  

It was time to stop playing games. He blocked a bolt with his lightsaber as he stepped into sight and closed in. The scavenger’s aim wasn’t necessarily poor but blocking her attacks was less than challenging. Kylo put a stop to it with the raise of his hand, forcing her arm back and freezing her body into place.

“You’re the girl I was told about… So out of place here.” He circled her, taking in her robes that fit Jakku much better than this forest. There was fear coming from her but also defiance and a stubbornness he had to admire. 

Helpless, alone, far from the familiarities of home, and easy to kill… Yet she wouldn’t have cowered if he released her. Kylo reached into her thoughts, skimming them lightly for now. Untrained and unprepared, she stood little chance at fighting him off. A flash of recent memories flickered through the connection along with a name and even better, the map. “You’ve seen it.” 

They could leave. He had his prizes, both the map and this girl all at once. The droid was unneeded now. He waved his hand down, catching her before she could collapse and carried her to his ship. 

He was at the ramp when a voice made his fury flare up all over again. In his excitement to find Skywalker with the map, he’d almost forgotten the source of his current rage… “Hey, Wanna-be! Vader called, he wants his look back.” 

The sneered comment did little to improve his mood. In the back of his mind he was aware this was somewhat staged as a way to get Zheth back to the First Order without blowing her cover— just in case they could do something like this again. The wrath consuming him was clouding his mind; it was time for answers. 

“Take her, don’t let the girl escape.” He handed the scavenger off to the nearest stormtrooper even with his glare hidden behind his helmet, his stance and tone all too easily communicated that if they somehow failed this simple task, it would mean the removal of their limbs.

A blaster bolt burned into the ground at his feet while a second one aimed at his head. Kylo stopped it with the Force, eyes narrowing beneath his helmet. So this was how she was going to play. He flung it right back at her, charging after it with his lightsaber once again in hand. The bounty hunter stumbled back as it hit her armor before firing two more shots, each one deflected. 

With all the anger he could muster he raised his lightsaber and brought it down in a heavy swing. Zheth raised her arms, throwing him off for a moment before it clicked in his mind: beskar armor resisted lightsabers. “Resists… she can’t hold it back forever.”

He knew little of the rare metal in its pure state, but one of his knights, Vicrul, had a steel scythe enforced with beskar. It was tough but not impossible to break through, although Ap’Lek’s vibro-axe also hailed from Mandalorian origin and proved how formidable their armor and weapons could be.

“Hey, are you crazy? What do you think you’re doing?” Han’s shout distracted him and Kylo turned his head to look where his father stood next to the Wookiee and traitor far across the battlefield. 

The balance on his blade shifted and his attention snapped back as Zheth used her bracer to hold his blade back so she could ram into him. He pressed down harder, knocking her off balance as faint traces of smoke began to rise from her armor. His half-sister rolled and shouted in pain as the crossguard caught her. Victory felt imminent. 

“Did you know?” He snarled down at her. “Did you know I was—”

A grunt as she twisted and tripped him up, knocking him down on top of her and forcing him to deactivate his saber to avoid impaling himself on it. A bad move on her part. Beneath him Zheth squirmed to get free but he clamped a hand down on the back of her neck. 

Through gritted teeth he hissed out the question a final time. “Did you know I was your brother?” 

“Wha—Ack!” 

He didn’t give her time to answer before forcing himself into her mind. It was a whirl of thoughts from strategy in this fight to fearing he was actually going to kill her. As the words sunk in however, he felt a rush of confusion… She hadn’t known. “But it explains why I felt a connection. We didn’t know, but the Force did… Solo, did he know?”

A wheeze as an elbow slammed into his diaphragm. Zheth nearly escaped him before he used the Force to pull her right back into his grip.

Kylo stood, yanking her up with him and glared at his father across the battlefield— most of the fighting was slowing to a halt to watch the scene unfold. Would he dare fire at his own son? He was rather tempted to find out. “Solo…” 

“Ben, let her go. Let both of them go.” 

He had to choke back the laughter at his intrepidity to request that. Kylo pressed his deactivated lightsaber into Zheth’s back, ignoring as his communicator buzzed— General Hux was probably trying to give him a warning to remember the plan. “You know, she’s so similar to you, I should’ve guessed sooner with all the talk of only doing things for credits. Tell me, how would you feel if I ripped your daughter in half right here and now?” 

Zheth fought in his grip, harshly whispering the reminder that they were on the same side. For the moment, her words went unheard as his focus remained on Solo.

Han’s face crumpled, befuddled by his words. “What?” 

Irritation pricked at his mind, his pulse making the blood sound like it was roaring in his ears as his frustration increased. Was he senile or did he really not know? How dare his father do this to him, to his mother, to his newly found sister. 

“Commander Ren, General Hux is saying there are more Resistance fighters on the way.” The squad commander approached. 

Kylo heard Zheth mumble some form of apology before she thrashed and landed a kick in his groin. Stars flashed in his vision and his grip released on her neck and his lightsaber. The sound of pain died before it could escape his throat. For all his layers and armor, he’d never expected to need to defend from such a low blow. In pain and thoroughly unfocused, he had little time to react before a vibroknife ripped across his chest. 

The sound that escaped was one of fury more than pain. Blood was steadily soaking the black fabric and for a moment the shock of being hurt ran parallel to his current suffering. This wasn’t how things were meant to go. Subconsciously he picked up on the terror radiating from his half-sister as she backed out of reach, ducking as blaster fire aimed at her— truly believing he’d been ready to kill her— yet in the moment his mind couldn’t process anything more than the fact he’d been wounded and she’d caused this agony and inconvenience.

He gathered enough of his focus to raise his hand and flick it, watching through blurred vision as Zheth was flung into the remains of a fallen TIE. Her body hit with the sound of something cracking and fell limply to the ground as their father shouted at them to stop, too far to intervene more. Had he killed her? Right now he sorta hoped so. Gritting his teeth he rose back to his feet and glared. A shaky step towards her as he activated his lightsaber with one hand and raised the other in preparation to throw Zheth’s vibro blade right back at her. Unfortunately, he was out of time. 

“Order our men to fall back.” He shielded himself as one of the Resistance’s X-wing pilots rained down fire, forcing his own limping retreat. Kylo couldn’t grab Zheth now if he’d wanted to, she’d have to find her own way back. “I wasn’t supposed to lose that match. I didn’t. She’s the one on the ground.”

He needed more training. That couldn’t happen again, regardless of if it was a real fight or not. The Supreme Leader couldn’t be too upset with him at least, he’d gotten the girl and had access to the map through her mind. It was Hux he expected to be a pest. The general was going to complain about this the moment the shuttle returned, he already knew it. Ren wasn’t in the mood to hear it right now. If Hux was smart, he’d keep his criticism to himself.

Chapter Text

Phasma observed the FN squad, or the remains of it, as they went through their training. They’d been on sanitation duty not long ago, and even less time since they’d been given their first real mission on Jakku. Ending in disappointment with their results. Reconditioning for some and more training for all was clearly required, although she had already decided a return to sanitation duty was in their foreseeable future. Their second chance on Takodana had shown that was all they were good for. 

Dismissing them, she turned and caught a glimpse of General Hux standing overhead as he observed things. Usually she didn’t mind his presence but right now, a prickle of annoyance went through her. He’d brought a dangerous threat into the mix and refused to see it, and now she was back in the hands of the Resistance telling them stars know what kind of First Order secrets!

“Take five, then start on close range fighting drills.” She called out the instructions to the remaining squads in the room. 

She made her way up the stairs and joined General Hux on the balcony. “General Hux, can we discuss something?” 

“Is there a problem?” 

“Yes.” Where others might feign respect and lie about concerns, she wasn’t afraid to challenge him. Not about this. “That bounty hunter knows too much. We need to get rid of her.” 

Muscles twitched in his jaw as his teeth clenched. The action was subtle, the only flaw in his otherwise unconcerned expression. “One bounty hunter is far from a threat. Zh— Crogh , has agreed to work for us. If she chooses to betray us… then we’ll discuss terminating her.” 

A step closer, whispering despite no one around being close enough to overhear. “She knows about Brendol’s murder.” 

His head finally turned to look at her, yet he didn’t appear too surprised. “How much?” 

“Enough to know of my involvement. I wouldn’t put it past her to know you had a part in it too.” 

A moment as he seemed to consider her words, calculating the dangers. If this information got into the wrong hands then they could both be tried for treason. Sure, backstabbing wasn’t new in the First Order, nor was sabotage and set-ups. You just couldn’t get caught, and if you did, you better hope they liked or feared you more than the guy you killed. Really, any action now would simply be using it as an excuse for someone else’s own gain.

“Hux seems to believe they need and want him in charge… but I’ve seen how the older officers look at him behind his back.” It wasn’t like others hadn’t tried to set up ‘accidents’ against Hux before either. This secret being revealed could be a death sentence for him, and more importantly, her. “This should’ve died with Cardinal.”

She had been happy about Cardinal attacking her in the training room that day; Phasma left him dying on the floor to be cleaned up by sanitation and spread the news that he was a traitor. His fall from grace and subsequent demise had all but solidified her position of Captain in the First Order. Where they had once shared the duty of training new soldiers, it now all fell onto her; Phasma was irreplaceable… As long as everyone believed she was a loyal captain, and she was. To herself.

Disappointment in her boss as he waved off her concerns. “I don’t believe she will. There’s nothing for her to gain from such information. Rebels won’t care, the news of Brendol’s death is old information at this point. How it happened is meaningless. She has no proof or reason to spread that information here either— as if anyone would believe her and the word of a known traitor anyway.” 

“Sir, not to overstep, but you are letting yourself be distracted. Wasting time to dig up old files on inconsequential information on her; a personal communicator line between the two of you. Taking her suggestion for our battle strategy on Takodana! What’s next?” There had also been the fact he’d, hesitantly, allowed her to help add to the plans for her ‘escape’, but Phasma liked that part. Shooting the bounty hunter had been all too fine with her.

“Is it so bad to know who we’re working with?” It was a challenge to her claim despite his calm voice. “Zheth is an asset to us, and as you put, a potential threat. My interest is only strategic. Either we’ll know our enemy, or we’ll know how to best use a new ally.” 

Assuming she was returning. She noted he hadn’t made an excuse for her last point. Phasma couldn’t see how he could claim that being strategic when showing up and using force had always worked perfectly in the past. They’d changed the plan and still had no map— just another prisoner. Something was changing with him.

“We both know you don’t show this kind of interest, let alone trust, to other bounty hunters we’ve hired. You are giving her a very long leash. It’s obvious you—” 

“Captain,” his voice dropped to a less friendly pitch, “focus on your duties.” 

The comment stung. How often had he or his father berated Captain Cardinal similarly towards the end? Phasma frowned beneath her helmet.

The similarities to her own arrival in the First Order didn’t elude her. Brendol Hux and other members of the First Order had crashed on her planet and she’d helped them survive the harsh environment… or most of them. He’d taken interest in her and made her the offer to join. Phasma had all but replaced Captain Cardinal over time.

While she only had the troopers’ report on the events, she knew enough of what happened on Felucia. Hux’s shuttle had crashed and Crogh had helped him find Ren and survive against threats on the way back to the ship. Now he’d taken a greater than normal interest in her. 

“They say history repeats.” She was confident her place of power here was safe, but she needed the First Order to maintain control and for that she needed Hux to focus on the important things to avoid failure. “Or someone else competent if the time comes to replace him.”  

First, to appease General Hux. “Apologies General, I was only concerned. Bounty hunters can’t be trusted, they’re only loyal when credits are involved. We can’t be certain she hasn’t stabbed us in the back.” 

Ironic, when she’d gone behind his back to hire pirates in order to help Pyre with his mission to take over the Colossus on Castilon. She knew better than to trust scum like that with anything other than raiding the enemy to push them further into the First Order’s grip. She couldn’t believe Hux was foolish enough not to realize these attacks were set ups rather than genuine; he really thought they were helping restore order where the New Republic was failing.

“Their reputation does not elude me.” General Hux took his leave, pausing with his back to her for only a moment. Her words seemed to work, his gaze ever so slightly warmer than a second ago. “Your concern is noted, but I am far from blind. If she turns on us, she will be put down like any other traitor.” 

He was not beyond reason at least. Phasma knew Hux was good with schemes and while she still had extreme doubts over his reasons for seeking information on Zheth, she would stay silent now. Watching how things played out was in her best interest. The chrome-armored captain trusted Hux, and therefore his assessment of the bounty hunter, but self preservation had her plotting her own safety.

Ren’s temper tantrums flaired with more volatility than normal ever since he’d learned of his half-sister through his father. Everything set him off… and while Phasma typically avoided him during his moods, she could use them to her advantage. Waiting for Hux to truly be gone, she left the stormtroopers to continue their training unsupervised to go find Commander Ren.

It wasn’t difficult. He’d either be interrogating the prisoner or in his training room. Burning metal and crackling gave him away as she approached his personal training room— she’d found him her first try. A tap on the control panel to request access and a long exhale; this would be a dangerous game.

The door swished open and Ren stood before her, taking up the frame. “What?” 

Most would have turned right back around before even reaching this point. Captain Phasma refused to be intimidated. “I have something to discuss with you in regards to your… sudden addition to the family.” 

“And what would that be?” While the lightsaber was off, his grip tightened on the hilt and made his leather gloves squeak against it. 

“The bounty hunter, do you trust her?” A pause, the mask preventing her from reading his expression. Ren hadn’t killed her yet so all wasn’t lost. Before he could speak again, she pressed her own thoughts. “Is it possible she knew about your shared kin , and planned to use it for a rebel plot?” 

“I was in her mind, I saw nothing regarding Solo.” Ren shifted, leaning against the doorframe. “I thought she was hiding that from me but… it appears we were both in the dark.” 

“Yet according to Hux’s tracker, she’s still with the Resistance. Could she have betrayed us for your father?”

Phasma didn’t want to press too hard, it was best to just leave the seeds of doubt and let them grow with his anger over the situation. If it worked, the secret of Brendol’s murder was safe just like her position in the First Order. If it didn’t work, then there was no blame to direct at her for only asking a question that could be twisted into a security concern.  

Rage seemed to emit from him, fist shaking as he considered that new possibility. His family drama never seemed to end. For a moment, Phasma wondered if he might turn it on her as he’d done with Hux on the bridge the day Ren had found out his connection to Crogh. Today, it seemed he had some restraint.

“Next time Zheth is here, make sure I’m notified immediately.” Ren leaned down, stalking further from the room. “If she turns out to be against us I want her alive , Captain. If Zheth isn’t with us, I’ll kill her myself.”

That was easier than she thought. A nod as she retreated from his reach. “Your order will be relayed to my troops. I won’t keep you from your training.” 

“Captain Phasma,” Ren called out to her before lowering his voice, “let’s keep this between us. No reason to worry General Hux over a personal matter.

Chapter Text

Zheth let out a pained gasp as she groggily sat up and got her bearings. By the looks of it, she was in a med bay…again. “My head…” 

Kylo hadn’t gone easy while digging around in there and being thrown hadn’t helped either. The bandages on her arm had dried blood staining them; she’d forgotten about the crossguard on his lightsaber and paid the price. At least it wasn’t worse— she could’ve lost the arm entirely. She’d wanted the fight to look real, and part of her did genuinely take it as a challenge to try winning, but perhaps it had been a bit much. Then again, at the end she had wholeheartedly believed Kylo was about to kill her regardless of their plan. Her actions might’ve kept her from being severed in two. 

“Zheth, you’re awake.” General Organa walked in with Han Solo in tow. “We have a lot to talk about.” 

The fog in her mind was lifting rapidly and with it more details returned. She tensed, glaring now. “Is it true then? What Ren said about him. ” 

“...Yes. Ben is your half-brother, and Han is your father.” General Organa didn’t seem upset about this knowledge. “I was waiting for a good time to tell you, a time when you two could meet—”

“You knew?” Her voice lowered, shaking as her emotions jumbled and tangled together. The cold tone however, was unforgiving. “How long?” 

“Zheth—”

“Don’t.” She got to her feet, betrayal pushing through the discomfort it caused. “Is that why you hired me? I’m just a replacement for your son. You somehow found out and decided that having me around would fix this fucked up family drama?” 

“Now hold on a moment.” Han stepped forward, eyeing her with reserve. “We never gave up on Ben. I wasn’t in on any of this, but the way I see it, you’re an addition to the family. No one is replacing anyone.” 

Yeah… Sure he hadn’t given up. That was why he’d been… where? Not with General Organa trying to fix their mess. Burning eyes went to Leia, ignoring Han for now. “How did you find out?” 

“Your Force signature felt familiar to my brother when you briefly met.” There was a knowing look, lips pressing into a line momentarily, and Zheth forced herself not to flinch at the suddenly very real possibility she’d be punished for stealing from the Jedi. 

A tremor ran through her as she shot a glance to the nearest exit. “Keep it together… It’s fine.” 

“Luke tried to get your mentor to talk but Fett escaped before he could figure out the reason.” 

“Escaped?” Distraction at that information tugged her attention back as Leia continued speaking. “Boba’s alive!”

Well… maybe. He’d be older now, there was a large gap between the last time she’d seen him and the present. She should’ve gone back to Tatooine, that had to be where he lived if he followed his plan… but Zheth hadn’t seen a reason to go to that dust-ball when she’d believed him to be dead. “Does he think the same of me? If General Organa knows about that crime, I might really be dead if I'm not careful.”

Then she focused back on the explanation; one thing at a time. She wasn’t being hauled off to a cell or an execution yet. Then again, what if this was all some elaborate way of keeping tabs on her so she didn’t act against the Resistance? She needed to get away. “Focus…”

“—Maz experienced something similar when you showed up, and she contacted me. I agreed, however the routine blood test after you started working for us gave the definitive answer. It had a fifty percent match in our system so I traced it.”

Ah right, the blood test to prove she was who she said and dig up any information on her, blah, blah, blah… She’d hidden older files, but hadn’t considered some freak-chance like this occurring. The information hadn’t even been in the system. “Was it even a routine test if she had these suspicions?” 

“You should’ve told me.” It wouldn’t have mattered, she’d never cared about finding her father or learning about her mother, but hiding this from her felt manipulative to multiple people. “Kylo sounded like he’d just learned about it… How did he figure it out?”  

It clicked. The First Order did have her in the medical bay for treatment and took a blood sample while she was in there. On whose orders she was still uncertain. However, Hux had said there was something he needed to discuss about her father; she was willing to bet it was this. “Just… not the father I thought he meant. At least he wasn’t going to hide it from me.”  

“Would it have changed anything?”

No, of course not… Or maybe? No. Definitely not. Han was nothing but a stranger. He meant nothing to her. “I don’t need more family— they have a track record of dying anyway.”

Zheth couldn’t talk about this anymore. It bothered her; his presence was starting to get under her skin too, leaving an unpleasant sensation of something itchy crawling beneath it. She asked one final question directed at Han. “Why?” 

The older man was quiet, eyes glancing to the floor before looking back at her. “I was young and stupid; impulsive. We met when Chewie and I were having issues with the Falcon and ended up on Carlac while we fixed it. Neither of us thought much about the consequences, it was just one night. I never knew about you.” 

“So you didn’t even know her name.” Poison dripped from the words, the accusation escaping before she could think to stop it. 

“I don’t remember it.” Han looked uncomfortable now— as he should . “Something like Vara, she was from Clan Vara.” 

He seemed sincere enough. After all these years… she had a name . The family— clan— name, but it was something. She should feel excited to learn this, that she might be able to find her family now. However she just felt sick, filled with a sense that she didn’t belong here more than usual. She liked it better knowing nothing but Das’ passivity to Nathale’s abuse and then Boba’s firm but more rational guidance. Now she’d have to live with the what-ifs. What if Han had actually loved her mother and stayed? What if they’d all been alive and a happy family? What if…

“He ditched his wife. He wouldn’t have stayed even if he knew, why kid myself? A failure of a father for two kids.” It was best she’d never had to experience a childhood with him ; he would’ve disappointed her and her mother. No, he was meaningless to her; nothing but a donor that helped bring her into existence at the most.

“Is the map okay?” She changed the subject abruptly.

“BB-8 told us you had it, but the device was damaged during your fight… We have technicians looking at it but they haven’t had much luck.” General Organa turned away. “I have to go attend to things, get some rest.” 

Leia left with Han hesitating, as if debating on continuing the conversation, before following her out. “I should go see what Chewie’s up to. We can talk more later, if you’d like.” 

As the night came around after hours of resting, Zheth knew she couldn’t stay lying there forever. She got to her feet and headed out, stopping by her room to change and observe the damage in a mirror. It wasn’t as bad as her crash landing on Jakku but Kylo had really gotten pissed off by that last move. Not that she could blame him. 

“Why didn’t I just let him drag me off?” In that moment her mind had felt scrambled and confused, fear’s grip overtaking her rationale. The knowledge her father was not only alive but the elderly man she’d just met had thrown her off. She’d needed to try staying back so she could hear the truth— and defend herself from his possibly real threat… Had she been thinking logically, she could be nice and comfy on the Finalizer with the proof on a datapad. Or maybe gutted and lying dead on Takodana, it was fifty-fifty.

“I should contact Hux, give an update. Can’t believe I miss the grouch.” She hadn’t meant to seriously flirt with him but the more she did, the more genuine she felt with it. Despite her thoughts of speaking to him and curiosity over what happened upon Ren’s return, she didn’t activate her communicator, unable to find it in her to contact him. As much as she wanted to, a small part worried about his opinion on this reveal. He didn’t like Kylo… What if he now felt similar about her? “Maybe later…” 

She should keep resting but found the idea of sleeping too difficult to even try after doing so on and off earlier. Zheth left her quarters and headed out of the base with sparse glances her way. Following along the path for a while, she eventually stepped off and found a quiet spot among the small hills. There was a thin, scraggly tree up ahead that she considered for a few minutes before pulling out her blaster and firing at it. Target practice would ease her troubled thoughts… Unfortunately for the tree.

It was good to practice without her helmet to help pinpoint the target. Late night training also worked out well. If the ambush on Felucia had taught her anything it was to be prepared to fight in darkness. Not something that mattered with her helmet’s abilities but a skill she should keep sharpened should she find herself without her helmet or should it malfunction. “Maybe I can get Hux to try it with me sometime.”

He’d hit a few targets but in comparison to everyone else who either could presumably sense them through the Force, or had a helmet with a night vision mode, he’d been gravely out gunned. Zheth doubted he saw much action anyway judging by the comments Kylo made. “Boring. I couldn’t stand just watching from a distance all the time.”

Yet she was still drawn to him. At first simply because he was a high rank and being on his good side could keep her alive with a good paycheck, plus he did look unfairly handsome. Not to mention his ambition was strong and certainly had her attention; helping him could be fun . He also brought a sense of danger yet familiarity that she’d missed— and she was starting to get the idea he wasn’t entirely a stuck-up perfectionist. Maybe he’d surprise her with some hidden training if she convinced him to try some with her. 

She fell into battle strategies, ignoring the sting from her arm as she rolled and jumped up to shoot another blast at the tree. The scorch marks on the trunk had blackened the bark and the trunk was starting to smoke. Zheth lowered her blaster and watched the faint traces curl upward and disappear. 

“You sure showed that tree.” Han’s voice made her muscles instantly tense.

“Did Leia send you here to talk again?” 

“No, I heard a blaster and thought I’d check it out.” He stopped and gestured to the tree. “Do you think you got it?” 

A quiet, muffled scoff at his sarcasm. “Of course.” 

“Is this how I make people feel when I sass them?” There was a mild feeling of horror at this similarity between them. “I’d apologize to Hux but considering he hasn’t shot me yet, he must not hate it that much.”

“You know I’m a pretty good shot myself kid.” 

“I’m not a kid.” A warning tone entered her voice. She was far from a child and had tolerated people calling her such for too long— even if she’d been a literal kid at the time. 

He held up his hands in mock surrender before whipping his own blaster out and firing, hitting the trunk without even a glance in the tree’s direction. Impressive, she’d give him that. “Alright, old man , you’ve got skill. But I bet I can draw and fire faster than you.” 

“I knew a Rodian who thought the same thing.” Han turned to call over his shoulder. “Hey Chewie, get over here!” 

The Wookiee lumbered from the shadows with a string of grumbles and growls. 

“Be our referee, I want a witness when I show Zheth this ‘old man’ still has it.” 

They took their places, hands hovering above their hilted blasters. At Chewie’s call they drew and fired. Zheth watched with smug satisfaction as her blast hit the tree first. Han’s copilot confirmed, much to Han’s feigned betrayal. 

“You were saying?” Zheth holstered her weapon again and began heading back for the base; she was feeling exhausted now. The sky was showing dawn wasn’t far off.

“Just got lucky this time is all.” Han was slower to follow, hesitating. “...Who taught you to shoot?” 

Ugh, was he trying to get to know her? It was far too late for that. Zheth shrugged. “I picked up things from different sources growing up.” 

“Imperial Academy being one of those ‘sources’?” Cold went through her at his words, fingers twitching back towards her blaster. Han continued before her paranoia could cause her to overreact. “Your posture back at Maz’s, and your stance when shooting is similar to what I was taught during my own time in the academy, though I primarily trained as a pilot… before getting kicked out. Hey, I got to meet Chewie though, so some good came from it.” 

She relaxed again, giving a reluctant nod as Chewie gave a call of agreement at Han’s words. “Yeah… I wasn’t there long either.” 

Humor was in his gaze, likely deciding her short time was for similar reasons. Zheth didn’t correct him. If things had gone correctly, she would’ve returned and… and what? The rebels still ended up taking over— Solo was actually part of the reason behind the rebel’s success. She’d almost died because he’d helped the Rebellion; maybe he wasn’t directly involved with the patrol on Adelphi, but things might’ve gone differently in her life had he not aided the rebels in destroying the Death Stars. That irritable feeling was returning. He should’ve stayed frozen in carbonite…

“Leia says you know your ships.” 

“I admire their different designs and functions. Most of my life has been on one ship or another, I like it that way.” Aside from her beloved Preybird-class Starfighter she’d stolen and currently had safely hidden away, her favorite was by far Star Destroyers with their monotone aesthetic and the fact they had everything one might want aside from natural sunlight. The Resurgent classes— from what Cardinal had mentioned and what she’d observed so far— actually had some fun upgrades. Larger, advanced upgrades to the defenses and fire power, more resources, and apparently more recreational areas. It was probably a good thing she hadn’t seen the latter areas yet, she might never have left for the mission. “Not that I can really say any of that to anyone here…” 

She didn’t look back at him and kept walking after a momentary glance at the dark sky above, wishing she was back up there. “I hear the Millennium Falcon made the Kessel Run in twelve parsecs.”

“Smart, that Rey girl knew her facts too.” Han and Chewie trailed behind her. “...You could join the crew after this is all over. I’m sure we can get Rey back, the two of you might make a great crew— not that we usually work with one.” 

“That ship isn’t my style, no offense. I’ve already got a ship I like; I just need to pick it up when there’s time. Besides, I’ve got my own gig going on.” Not to mention how tired she was of smuggling things for the Resistance; Zheth loathed the idea of being asked to start that again after getting the taste for battle once more. “My current job makes more credits than the Resistance paid anyway.”

“Well, if you change your mind the offer stands.” The two turned to take a route back to their ship, leaving her to her thoughts.

Chapter Text

Zheth slept through most of the next day after her late night out. When she woke up, her first thoughts were back to her mission. The technicians were trying to fix the device to display the map. She couldn’t allow that. Important things gathered in case she couldn’t return, she headed out the door and made her way to the engineering corps’ area of the base. 

Compared to the bright lighting of the star destroyer she’d been on, the halls were dimly lit and unkept. This place could easily be mistaken for an old base that was being reused—it easily could’ve been. Old water trails streaked the stoney walls in places and vines grew everywhere and blended with the wiring. It reminded her of that base they spent the night in on Felucia to some extent. At least this place was dry with functioning tech.

“Still can’t understand what he was doing.” Thoughts drifted back to General Hux falling silent after threatening to let her rot in a cell. His stare had been intense with pale eyes darkened by enlarged pupils— they’d looked like shards of ice; dangerously sharp, beautiful. She loved sharp, pretty things. Whether it had been due to the lack of good lighting or something else was difficult to say regardless of how often she mulled over their interactions. Zheth decided he must not outright hate her, given he’d allowed her request for Maz’s castle, the request for rainchecking a kiss hadn’t been entirely rejected either, but he certainly went back and forth with his signals.

This part of the base seemed quiet for the moment. A few Resistance members passed by but they were too busy, and too trusting, to question her presence in the area. Zheth walked into the cramped space filled with even more wires and pieces of equipment awaiting repair. From ship and droid parts to computer scraps, this place looked like a disaster. She had to question how they even found anything in here—maybe they’d lose the map in all this junk and she wouldn’t have to do anything. 

“Hello? Anyone here?” 

Rummaging came from her right and suddenly a head popped out from around a shelf of various droid limbs and circuitry. “Hey, excuse the mess, we’ve been busy with repairs to the ships—most of the corps are actually still on the larger ships preparing them for the First Order’s next move.” 

Somehow, she doubted that could be the only reason such a buildup of haphazardly tossed items occurred. “Hux might have a heart attack if he saw this.”

Zheth had to force herself not to laugh at the thought as it crossed her mind. Maybe she’d make a joke about it once she reported back to him. She couldn’t quite explain why messing with him was so fun—for now, she settled on it being his uptight, workaholic attitude. 

“I’ve come to check on the map. General Organa would like it as fast as possible.” 

“Oh, that.” The tech turned to a console and she spotted the data drive on the desk plugged into it. “We’re trying but the damage was significant. I had to piece parts of it back together but once I get it transferred onto here we can move it to a full functional data spike an—”

Zheth cut him off with a swift slash across his neck, the vibroknife rendering the wound wider. Blood sprayed the area and the man’s body dropped to the floor with more crimson pumping out in time to his dying pulse. Not the cleanest kill but it was quieter than firing a blaster off; she couldn’t let him complete the data transfer. Zheth began pulling wires and breaking the console apart from the inner components as a precaution. Grabbing the data drive she dropped it onto the floor and stomped down until the pieces were small enough to satisfy her. Let’s see them put that back together.

Pulling out a communicator, she decided it was finally time to check in with Hux. It was something she probably could’ve done sooner but between being unconscious and wrapping her head around learning about her newfound family she’d been preoccupied. Just before she could do so however, footsteps approached from down the hall. 

“Shit.” Blood speckled the bracers of her armor and the dead body was going to be really obvious if they came in and poked their head around the shelf.

Zheth grabbed an electro-shock-prod from amongst the pile and prayed to the stars that it actually functioned. Pressing her back against the entranceway she listened as the footsteps paused. Whispered voices drifted down the hallway.

“You have to tell them.” It sounded like Poe speaking.

“Yeah but what if they don’t believe me? I was a stormtrooper, do you really think they’ll take my word for it?” Finn’s voice was less familiar to her but the context made the connection easy.

“If the First Order has a weapon like that then General Organa needs to know. I’ll back you up, don’t worry.”

There was a pause, perhaps their voices dropped too quiet for her to hear. Then Poe spoke up again. “I’m headed to the hangar to see how my ship’s repairs are coming along. I’ll catch up with you in a bit—we’ll tell General Organa together.”

This time the footsteps were alone and gradually drew closer as Finn walked down the hall. Zheth waited until he walked by before lunging out and shocking him with the prod. The First Order traitor dropped like a stone. She dropped the prod as well, smoke rising off it as the whole thing began to overheat within her grasp. At least it worked well enough to knock him out. She should kill him, that was what she was instructed to do. However, another plan came to mind. 

With a quick glance to make sure no one witnessed the event, she began dragging him into the room to set up the scene. A sharp jagged piece of scrap was smeared with blood and placed in his hands. Meanwhile she retrieved the electro-shock-prod and put it in the deceased tech’s hand. The story should be simple enough. A ‘former’ stormtrooper gained the trust of a weakened Poe Dameron and turned out to still be working for the First Order. While after the map, Finn killed the tech who managed to knock him out before succumbing to his fatal wound. 

Not that her departure wouldn’t be suspect. In fact, she fully anticipated them believing Finn was innocent after she fled the base. By that point it’d be too late.

Chapter Text

As expected, Poe was still in the hangar looking over his pride and joy, Black One. She approached him casually and with her usual light teasing, not wanting to rouse suspicion. “I think I see a new scratch.” 

“Hey, don’t joke about that. My ship is in perfect condition.” He patted the metal with a grin. “Just needed a tune up after Takodana.” 

“That battle was probably nothing more than target practice for you.” 

“You know it.” His beaming expression quickly dropped. “You took a beating though. What were you thinking going up against Kylo Ren?” 

“For your information, I won that fight.” 

“He would’ve killed you if I hadn’t shot at him and sent him running back to his ship. I thought he did at first.”

Zheth laughed and prodded his chest jokingly. “I don’t want a lecture from the man who pulls dangerous stunts all the time. Or should I remind you of the time on Corellia where I had to save your skin? You know I like a good revenge match— he tried to torture me, I kicked his goth ass.” 

“Okay, you got me— counterpoint though, I later had to break you out of that cell on Akiva.” He raised his hands in surrender, his signature grin reappearing on his face. 

An eye roll. That had been a misunderstanding … Okay, maybe not quite. She’d gone there with Boba on a bounty hunting gig years prior and really hadn’t made the locals happy with her whole ‘overkill’ style. So she’d blown up part of an old droid factory… and shot down a few witnesses, big deal… Alright, she could see why they’d disliked her. Even Boba hadn’t been pleased— still trying to grasp everything her prior training had ingrained into her. The level of violence she was willing to strike with had apparently shocked him, and admittedly it took a while for her to ease up and listen to his advice.

A moment of silence before he awkwardly broached another subject. “How are you holding up with everything else— finding out about your father and all that?” 

“Not really something I care to focus on right now.” She’d lived her life this long without him, she could go the rest of it without him too.

Poe glanced at her but didn’t make a comment. Smart. Zheth didn’t want to keep having these conversations. She watched him for a few minutes longer, starting to worry her little set up would be found before she could make an escape for herself.

“So, where’s your new recruit?” A casual question, possibly one that would get him out of the hangar.

“Finn? I told him to meet me here after he went to grab BB-8 for me… You think he got lost?” 

“ Poe , you just left him to find his way around?” 

A sheepish look as he walked around her. “I was distracted, there's a lot going on. The First Order has a really dangerous weapon called Starkiller Base, we’re going to tell General Organa about it once she’s got everyone gathered for the meeting. Plus Finn’s friend Rey was just captured and he wants to rescue her. Then we’re still trying to get that map fixed so we can find Luke… It’s a mess right now. We’re lucky to have gotten you back.” 

A subtle wince. Yeah… they were so lucky . Poe’s attitude was going to change real quick after he found out what she’d done.

“Well, I was going to ask if you wanted to go flying, maybe bring Finn along too, but all that sounds more important— that Starkiller thing especially.” She headed for the X-Wing she’d borrowed when Leia had sent them to Takodana—a droid had probably flown it back here. “I’m sure General Organa will know what to do. She’s got the Resistance this far, right?” 

He looked convinced until BB-8 whirled into the hangar with loud whistles and beeps. Zheth couldn’t understand it but between its alarmed sounds and Poe’s face… She could guess. She stood and watched silently as Poe worked to calm the droid down long enough to understand the message. His face fell and he jumped back to his feet, reaching out and grabbing her arm before she could react.

“Finn’s in trouble, come on!” 

“What? Is he okay?” Feigned surprise and worry came easy to her. People often reacted so predictably to surprises such as this that her simplistic, cliche phrases fit in just fine.

A grim look set on his face, eyes filled with worry. “He was found next to a dead tech from the Engineering Corp… The map to Skywalker was destroyed too.”

“He killed someone?” 

“No. No way.” Utter confidence in his words as he spoke. Poe didn’t slow and practically dragged her with him as he ran through the halls. “Finn wouldn’t do that.” 

“Are you sure? He was… you know… A stormtrooper. Are you sure he really defected?” 

“Yes. If he’d been lying he would’ve gotten the map long before this. I trust Finn with my life. He wouldn’t do this.”

So much for an easy exit. Poe seemed to have gotten really close with Finn in their short time together, which was making this somewhat more difficult. Zheth went over a new course of action in her head. It wouldn’t take a trained eye to notice the lack of proper blood spray on Finn’s sleeves or the way the jagged scrap metal didn’t match the wound pattern. She didn’t want things to get messy but if it was necessary, then she’d have to fight.

“You should go alone. You know Finn better, and if he’s hurt I’m sure he’d prefer to have you over a stranger he met once for a few minutes.” One last shot at getting away peacefully. 

“You might be able to help find out who really did this. I know we shoved you onto smuggling duty but you’re still good at finding people right?”

Violence it was then. So much for not blowing her cover. “So close to pulling this off too.”

Zheth wrenched her arm free and backed off, slipping her helmet back over her head. Poe slowed and turned, confusion crossing his face. “What are you doing?” 

She continued backing away, giving a small shake of her head. Poe was brash, often pulling dangerous stunts, but he wasn’t a fool. The way his eyes darted around, how his eyebrows scrunched as he began putting pieces together, before finally giving her a look of betrayal.

“No… Zheth, tell me you don’t have anything to do with this.” Disbelief still echoed in his voice. 

“It’s nothing against you, Hot Shot. You’re my friend, but I just…” Why was she betraying them? For more credits but was that seriously it at this point? Well yes, but also no. She also wanted to be on the winning side; the side which currently held the larger fleet, manpower, and apparently dangerous weaponry. Plus something about Hux just made her want to prove his doubts of her wrong. “I never signed up to be a Resistance fighter. I’m just the hired help… I don’t go down with the ships, I go where the credits take me.” 

“After everything? Don’t you have any loyalty?” 

“...Not to the Resistance, but not to the First Order either necessarily.” She took a step back as he took a step closer. “Because of you I was forced to either cut a deal, or probably die. Obviously, I’d choose the former.”

“Don’t pin this on me! There’s always a choice.” He lunged for her.

Zheth bolted for the hangar bay, sprinting as fast as she could as Poe shouted out an order to BB-8 and gave chase. It was time to report back on the map and warn them about how Finn was going to tell the Resistance about Starkiller. Hux needed to know to prepare for the unavoidable attack General Organa would surely prepare.

A blaster shot flew by with another one pinging off her armor. Zheth ducked behind the corner and pressed up against the wall. Poe followed after and she leapt out at him, jumping on his back to take him to the ground. The two fought, exchanging blows with their fists before he elbowed her off and swiftly moved to pin her down. 

“I should’ve known.” Anger warped his features. “There were a few things you said that didn’t add up. Finn never gave you his stormtrooper ID and I certainly didn’t, yet he said you called him FN-2187. Finn also said there wasn’t anywhere else you would’ve been imprisoned on that star destroyer either.” 

“What if I told you I’m double crossing them and this is part of that plan?” A lie and one that was likely too obvious to see through. She subtly slipped out her vibroknife.

“I want to believe you.” Genuine pain reflected in his voice as he pressed down on her shoulders. “But you destroyed the map and killed an innocent man. If you were going to double cross them then that could’ve been faked, but you did it anyway. Then you had to go attack and frame Finn… He better be alive when I find him or I swear—” 

“Okay, okay, you got me. But I could cut a deal! I can gain their trust and take out the higher ups… Or I suppose I could bring Ben back, given he’s General Organa’s son and all. But that’d cost so much extra to make it worth him trying to kill me in the process.” A desperate attempt. Poe wouldn’t cut a deal like this after what she just did, and honestly they both knew her price would be too high— and risky after she already betrayed them once.

“You’re going to be taken in and locked up until—”
“Until my execution?” Venom laced her tone and for a moment Poe looked startled by the accusation of what her fate would be. It then settled into grim determination, though he didn’t get a chance to speak.

“Zheth!” Han’s voice rang out down the hallway now, distant but he was closing in. 

“For what it’s worth, I’m really sorry about this. I mean it.” She hated doing this to him but didn’t dare give him time to understand the meaning behind her words before she pushed upward. A headbutt made him let go and left him open to attack; Zheth stabbed the vibroknife into his shoulder, dragging it under the joint before pulling it out at his armpit. 

His scream was loud enough to make her ear ring even as she kicked him off and once again began bolting. Poe would be fine. The wound would be nasty but not fatal. He would’ve been dead by now— gutted— if she wanted to kill him. It was more mercy than what his plan for her would have ended in.

Yet she still glanced back and their eyes locked for a moment, a silent understanding exchanged. A rift had appeared in their friendship; he wouldn’t forgive this and she wasn’t going to expect him to. She’d begun digging her grave and this just screwed the last bolt into place for her coffin.

“Stop!” Poe shouted after her as she took off for the hangar once again.

The X-Wing was unattended and easy to steal. Her borrowed ship hummed to life as she climbed in and hit the controls. As she moved it into position to fly out she spotted Poe, stubborn as ever, climbing into a loaner X-Wing with some difficulty . Not far behind him Han and Chewie headed to the Millennium Falcon. Great. This was going exactly as planned… not . Zheth began messing with the long-range comms as she flew out and sped to reach beyond the planet’s atmosphere.

“Hello? Anyone there?” Would Hux be awake at this hour? Someone had to be on the bridge at least.

“Who is this?” Well, that wasn’t Hux, Kylo, or Phasma. 

“Um, Zheth Crogh. I—”

“Right, General Hux mentioned you might be sending a communication.”

“Thank you Hux for giving them a heads up.” At least that was going her way. “Yeah I’m going to need coordinates to jump real quick… There might be some company behind me.” 

A glance back. Oh yeah, Poe was definitely following her and as the Resistance’s ace pilot he wasn’t going to be easy to shake off wounded or not.

“Transmitting them now. We’ll—” 

The communication cut out as the ship shuddered from the laser cannons; at least she got the coordinates. Zheth went into defensive maneuvers. Her X-wing was an older version, which was already at a disadvantage against Poe’s somewhat newer model but with him piloting, she was even more screwed. Her flying skills were great, but where they were Poe’s specialty, her’s was more in ground combat. 

She fired back and barrel rolled to avoid returning fire. A wide loop gave her time to prepare to jump but it wasn’t shaking Poe off her tail. Their dog fight continued, sapping away at precious minutes before help arrived for him. He closed in and she waited, a reckless plan forming in her mind that she really hoped wasn’t going to get them both killed. Zheth spun the ship around, sending a barrage of fire at him as she rolled the ship and angled off at the last minute. The X-Wing jolted and swung off course. Their ships’ wings were locked together and she turned her head to meet Poe’s glare as he fought to untangle them. 

The navigation system finished the route; the Finalizer was a close enough jump she’d get there near-instantly. Stuck or not, it was time to get out of here. Zheth wrenched the controls, feeling the ship slowly but surely fall into position to make the jump. From the corner of her eye she spotted Han’s ship closing in. Her guns fired but there was no way to aim accurately with the ships locked together and she was still fighting to keep her X-Wing in the right position as Poe continued to try yanking them apart. 

“If I jump, the First Order will kill him… if this doesn’t do it first.” They’d be fine though right? Ships docked together could make jumps; this was… close enough. Enemy now or not, Zheth hadn’t wanted to get Poe killed. She could still remember how they’d gone on the rare team-up to collect supplies and despite the bounty hunter originally claiming she wasn’t joining to make friends… It happened. 

“What happened to not frolicing around fields and not having friends?” Poe glanced her way as they ran through the small hills of tall grasses and wildflowers. 

“Is now really the time for this?” She dropped down as blaster fire flew over their heads. Zheth pulled out her own blaster and returned fire. “Besides, I never said we were friends.”

“Alright, we’ll agree to disagree then.” He crept off to the side, circling around in an attempt to catch their enemy off guard. “Or how about this; I’ll race you to the landing dock. I win, you have to admit you’re lying. You win, and I’ll believe you.” 

Zheth shook her head. “That is the dumbest thing I’ve heard today, and this plan of yours was pretty bad.” 

Yet… she’d let him win their silly little race. Admitted that he wasn’t the worst person to call a friend while they loaded the crates of supplies into the shuttle.

She opened up her com channel to the Millenium Falcon and transmitted the jump coordinates. At least now Poe might have a chance at a rescue. Not that her actions staved off the attacks. Zheth jumped and ducked as a blast struck her ship, a hole puncturing through the glass and barely missing her body, although she could feel the heat from the blast. The shields hadn’t been up. She pressurized her helmet immediately, heart racing as Han came circling back. It was time to jump. This was either going to save her ass or blow the three of them to space dust. She tried to reassure herself that the Millenium Falcon was far enough away to avoid blasting through it. That might not be the case much longer. Zheth pulled the lever and watched as the stars began to blur.

Chapter Text

Zheth didn’t check in after her battle with Ren and Hux had tried not to act suspiciously bothered about it in the days since. Kylo hadn’t lied about leaving her alive, the tracker had moved as she returned to the Resistance ship then ended up on D’Qar. Frankly, he wondered if he could get away with calling for an attack on the planet right then and there, if only to see if she’d return… or if she really had only been lying until she could get back to the Resistance.

Needless to say, trying to sleep during the night cycle on the ship left him tossing and turning as the days had gone by. Questions and doubts pestered him and kept his mind preoccupied to the point Millicent had given up on sleeping at the foot of his bed and moved to his ice-blue couch. “Ren said alive… not unharmed. What if she’s comatose…” 

The droid he’d sent to give him a live feed of the action had depicted the battle well. He’d been more than amused to see Ren get a run for his money in that fight against her surprisingly bold attacks— she’d even managed to draw blood, for better or worse. Hux almost wondered if Zheth could’ve won with how distracted the Knight had gotten, though her loss had been necessary. It was the grainy video of her being thrown at the end that made him worry; the droid had been lingering close enough to hear that crack as she hit the fallen ship.

Again he rolled over, cursing Ren under his breath for ruining plans. If he hadn’t gone and started shouting about his family drama maybe Zheth would be here again. “All he did was bring back a scavenger girl with no word on the map.”

His irritated sigh made Millicent’s cone-like ear twitch. It was only the sound of his communicator going off that gave him some relief. Work would distract him. “What is it, Lieutenant?”

“Apologies for the intrusion, General Hux. Your bounty hunter is returning. Our systems detect several inbound ships with her.” Mitaka was straight to the point and the news was more than welcoming. 

“Prepare TIEs to engage the extra and keep an eye on things, I’ll head to Hangar Three to meet her.” His mood instantly improved. He cut the communication and got out of bed, changing and getting himself presentable.

A grimace as he put his great coat over his shoulders to hide any shed fur he didn’t have time to get off his uniform. His appearance was acceptable for a man of his status but one glimpse in the mirror had him mentally nit-picking how his hair wasn’t as neatly slicked back as normal and a few strands had been missed altogether. Would anyone notice how tired he looked— Armitage let out another huff as he forced himself away from his own scrutinizing gaze to head for the hangar bay; being late was arguably worse than looking tired.

He arrived moments before the ships came whirling out of hyperspace, wings tangled and ripping apart from both X-wings to send the two ships further spiraling uncontrollably… straight for his star destroyer. Those aboard weren’t fools though and while he still prepared to brace for impact, he didn’t even need to give the command to activate the tractor beam. The ships slowed their tumbling and were pulled into the star destroyer. Sparks and smoke came off the dead ships and the cockpit of one had several holes blasted through it. Hux wondered if either pilot had made it. Around him, stormtroopers fell into the safety protocol while pilots flew off in TIEs to meet any remaining ships Lieutenant Mitaka had mentioned on the scanners. 

Zheth was brought out first, frost from the exposure to space dusting her armor and cloak. She was so limp his chest tightened at the thought she was dead. The bounty hunter was laid out on the ground a safe distance from the ships. Hux could see blood dried on the armor, not enough to suggest one of the bolts that shattered the dome of the ship had struck her, but enough to suggest a bad wound. He was certain she was dead as the minutes ticked by but forced his feet to remain planted. What would his subordinates think if he were to show such concern— nothing that would be good for him. Phasma had already questioned him once.

After what felt like an eternity, her body seemed to warm up again and Zheth slowly regained consciousness. The coil squeezing around his lungs loosened upon seeing her alive. A trooper steadied her as she found her footing before continuing on with their work. He started walking towards her before spotting the other pilot getting out of his ship. Aside from the trip to Felucia, Hux hadn’t been in real combat for a long time, never really, not like the stormtroopers. But he was still quick to the draw as he raised his SE-44C blaster pistol. Zheth froze on the spot and he fired, the bolt whizzing safely past her to his real target… He missed and hit the metal plating of the ship as the man ducked away. Dameron had too much cover.

“Get him!” He kept the pistol raised, watching for more movement and commanding the troopers to focus on capturing the intruder. Hux then motioned Zheth closer, beckoning her to approach. “It’s alright, come here.” 

Like an obedient hound she walked to his side. “Miss me Handsome? Now that I’m back the party can start.” 

“Ah, there’s the comments starting already… Must not feel too bad.” He spared her a glance; avoiding fully looking her way was the only reason he could hold back the blush threatening to creep up his neck. Was the handsome comment genuine or just her teasing? “Your plus one to this ‘party’ is a nuisance.” 

“That’s what he does best—lock him in a room with some Kowakkian Monkey-lizards, he’ll change his tune real fast.” 

“Noted. Why don’t you make yourself useful and shoot him?” Several more missed shots as the pilot ducked around to avoid the stormtroopers. Something in one of the X-wings caught fire as the bolts struck a damaged section. Dameron’s return shots were poor and Hux could see blood soaking his side around one of his arms, the wound hindering his use of the limb; it must’ve been the pilot’s blood on Zheth’s armor.

A TIE spun past before slamming into the exterior of the Finalizer . Moments later the Millenium Falcon rushed by in a dog fight with the other TIEs… It looked like the only ship for now but Hux knew more could arrive. “Ren would pitch a fit if he saw that ship here.” 

“You know, I thought you were going to kill me for a second there.” Zheth spoke quietly, the energy drained from her voice so the humor was nearly lost in the remark; he finally noticed how her breathing rasped beneath the helmet.

He fired another shot at Poe as the man ran behind idle TIEs for cover. Was one man really giving them this much trouble? Hux looked at her, leaving the soldiers to deal with the Resistance pilot as he lowered his blaster pistol. This close he could see her shaking, from the cold, fear, or adrenaline he wasn’t sure. Amusement made him smirk; he could’ve killed her, though the thought hadn’t actually crossed his mind in the moment. 

“That would be a waste. I didn’t have them drag your ship in here just to kill you. If I wanted you dead I would have shot you on Felucia.” 

“Tell me how you really feel.” 

Shouting replaced the sound of blaster fire and he returned his attention to Poe as he was escorted over at blaster point. He looked worse for wear with blood down his arm and side— some drying under his nose as well; spinning around in space and fighting off the stormtroopers did him no favors. However, unlike Zheth, Hux felt nothing but contempt for him. “Well, this is a familiar scene. You must enjoy it here, getting yourself captured twice.” 

“I’m just checking for anyone else looking to leave the First Order.” Dameron spat back.

Hux controlled his anger well, externally. Ren had insulted the First Order troops already for FN-2187’s betrayal, suggesting clones would be better— as if. The idea there might be more traitors struck a nerve. If he were closer to Dameron, he might’ve slapped him for the insult. “I assure you, there are not.” 

Poe’s attention shifted to Zheth. “You don’t belong here, come back and I’ll convince General Organa to go easy on you.” 

“Liar.” Zheth spat right back. “I’d be executed.” 

“You’d get a fair trial—”

“And then a death sentence. Don’t act like Rebels or the New Republic are above that.” 

A smug grin appeared on his face at their short-lived argument. Did Dameron care about Zheth? Oh he could use that. Against his earlier judgement, Hux took a step to the side to stand behind her. He looped his arms loosely around Zheth’s shoulders; the frosted chill on her armor was quickly seeping through his layers of clothing. This wasn’t something he’d normally do, it certainly wasn’t professional, but he told himself it was only to further hurt Dameron. Nothing more. The feeling of victory only soared higher as he felt her press further against him, more than likely for his body heat and to stay on her feet but perhaps this friend of hers wouldn’t think that. He faintly hoped it wasn’t just for those reasons himself.

“Phasma will surely have a comment to make when she hears.” When, not if. Hux knew stormtroopers gossiped as much as they acted otherwise while he was around. She’d hear. “Let her, I want to have fun with this.”

“I don’t think she wants to go back. Do you, my huntress?”

Zheth shifted, head tilting to glance back at him through the purple visor before facing Poe again. “No. This is where I belong.” 

“They’ve brainwashed you!” Poe snarled out the new accusation.

Oh this kept getting better. “I assure you, the First Order did no such thing. Zheth offered to join. Sending her back to you was a test— if you love something let it go, and if it comes back… Well, looks like she is mine. ” 

Hux still wasn’t convinced of what these feelings were. Love? Lust? Desire to control something, someone ? They felt right though and he relished in the knowledge that rather than hide with the Resistance or flee to some far corner of the galaxy, she’d risked her own life to return to him. By the looks of Dameron’s wounds, she’d even gone so far as to attack this Resistance friend of hers. That fond feeling only increased with that knowledge. 

The betrayal and anger in the pilot’s gaze was amazing. Hux could practically see the metaphorical steam rising off the man as he seethed. “I don’t know what you see in General Hugs here—”

Ah, he really walked into that one. 

“It’s Hux.” He tensed, shifting away from Zheth as he gave her an order. Playtime was over. “Kill him.”

“Too much of a coward to kill me yourself?” Poe taunted before faltering as Zheth raised her blaster towards him. “Don’t listen to him Zheth, he’s just using you.” 

“It’s a job, nothing personal… Just following orders.”

“Like a mindless drone.” Poe’s insult hissed through clenched teeth as he tried to stand only to be forced back onto his knees.

“Get ready to say hello to Finn.”

Whoever Finn was, it made the pilot’s face pale before reddening with anger. He saw her arm shaking and she raised her other one to rest the blaster on it in an attempt to steady her aim. Despite her current state she was carrying out his orders; he’d be lying if he didn’t find her even more attractive at this moment. “No hesitation… could do with being less chatty with Dameron though.” 

“No!” Poe struggled, eyes glaring daggers at Zheth. “You’ll pay for what you did to him!”

“We don’t have all night, kill him. ” Hux repeated, growing impatient and tired of this prattle.

Chaos erupted once more as the Millenium Falcon fired into the hangar before she could shoot. Hux fell back, shielding himself as explosions from damaged TIEs rocked the hangar. Through the flames he spotted Poe running for the ship and escaping up the ramp. There was a fumble as Zheth’s shot struck his thigh, but a Wookiee appeared briefly and helped Dameron to safety while returning fire with his bowcaster. The ship turned and the bright light nearly blinded him as the engines prepared to fly the ship right back out of the hangar. Hux found himself on the ground like the rest of those in the immediate area. Unlike a few of them who were closer to the ship however, he was alive and winded but otherwise unharmed. Safely away from the star destroyer, the Resistance ship disappeared into hyperspace.

“They only bought themselves time. Soon we’ll show the Galaxy our real power and wipe them out.” He got to his feet and fixed his appearance with practiced swiftness. “Zheth?” 

She was getting up nearby, though it took a few attempts. Zheth stood dizzily on legs that looked like they were about to give out. Hearing him, she made her way over at his call with a breathless response. “General.” 

“I want an explanation.”

Chapter Text

He leaned against the desk next to her, staring with sharp focus until Zheth shifted uncomfortably; she wasn’t meeting his gaze. Unusual . Throughout her recall of events she hadn’t made any snide remarks either, again surprising him.

“I’m sorry.” Zheth finally broke the silence that had taken over. 

Hux blinked slowly, keeping his tone neutral. “For what?” 

“The hangar… and failing the mission.” One of her hands clenched into a fist as frustration took hold.

Yes, he was upset about the damage caused by her return. That would take a lot to repair in terms of credits and time, and they’d lost valuable TIEs on top of structural damage. Hux leaned down closer, taking note of a subtle flinch as he moved his hand nearer to keep himself propped up. “Next time you return as planned and things like that won’t happen.”

“Yes, General. You’re right, it won’t happen again.”

Now he was feeling uneasy. No more sass? No… playful teasing? “She flinched… I’ve threatened her before and she stood her ground.”

She’d sounded frustrated about her perceived failure but… were there notes of fear underlying that? Zheth still wouldn’t meet his eye, not even turning her head from the wall ahead to risk it.

“Take off your helmet.” He didn’t doubt who was under it, but he needed to see her face. It would surely give him some clue to what was going on. 

There was a hissing sound as she depressurized it and pulled the helmet off. Blood was dried from a cut on her lip, and her eyes were abnormally dilated and looked tired and dull as she shivered and stared warily up at him. Her skin seemed much too pale, borderline blue-tinted in the lowered lighting he’d left his office lights setting on. Hux was thrown; he’d prepared to berate her further about the cost of damages but as he looked at her the words died in his throat. Was this some sort of tactic to try gaining his pity or did she really feel as bad as she looked?

“Zheth, you didn’t fail your assignment.” His voice softened without meaning to. “You were the perfect wolf in sheep’s clothing, until the escape. With the map destroyed they can’t find Skywalker and that’s all that matters— Ren only wanted it intact for his personal vendetta. Now we also know their base is on D’Qar… and FN-2187 is going to warn them about Starkiller base.” 

“If he survived.” Zheth had explained he went by Finn now, and that she’d left him for dead. Although, she mentioned Poe knew too. So if Finn didn’t get the chance, Dameron would warn them with whatever information had been passed along by the traitor.

That last part was bad news, but they were already heading back to Starkiller now. The warning to the Resistance meant nothing besides preparing for those pests to show up. He was more worried about how Ren would react to the news about the map. According to the Knight, that prisoner had seen it yet he still couldn’t get her to show him—the fool. Really, maybe this would teach Ren to be more careful with his anger and impulsive decisions.

“So I’m not going to be punished?” Her eyes went to his hands, boots, then his blaster before finally returning his gaze. Zheth seemed confused, wary of a trap and unwilling to show a sign of hope that she’d get away so easily.

Oh, there it was. The reason for her caution. Stories of the Empire’s days depicted Vader and many of its officers as cruel for failure—not that the First Order was any more pleasant about it. She must’ve witnessed it enough of it while growing up to be memorable; he certainly had. General Hux wasn’t pleased with failure either by any means but he personally had yet to severely physically harm anyone for one offense, demotions and sending them to reconditioning sure, but the rumors about throwing people out airlocks were just that. Well, he had ordered a few executions, even carried a handful out himself— Brooks being a fond execution memory of his. Most had been warranted; they’d tried taking his life or sabotaging him to take the very rank he’d killed to get. Ren was usually the one sending people to the med bay for bad news, even if it was only a minor inconvenience. 

“I could. You did fail and let Dameron escape.” Hux couldn’t help but make her squirm a little. He watched as she swallowed nervously and eyed him with unease despite raising her chin in a subtle form of bravado. 

General Hux moved closer, pulling Zheth up from the chair before shoving her down on the desk with a resounding thud of armor against metal and leaning over her. For a moment he relished the small ‘mmph’ and how she struggled beneath his grip before becoming dead weight.

“General?” The word was mumbled and filled with uncertainty. “I’m sorry, I… I won’t fail again. I swear on my life.” 

“On your life? What’s that worth?” A mirthless laugh while internally his mind was whispering a traitorous, “everything.”

There was no rebuttal. She was still freezing cold despite her lack of regular shivering; he could feel it seeping into him again as he leaned over her. Some part in the back of his mind was warning him it wasn’t a good sign. Yet right now he was too consumed with this power trip— she teased him plenty, now it was his turn.

Hux forced her head to the side so she could look back at him. The smile on his face had a hint of cruelty to it despite the pinch of pain in his chest her reaction caused. “It looks like you do know your place after all.”

Hux’s grip relaxed and he ran a gloved hand through her hair, an attempt to soothe her. She flinched at first before relaxing into it, just as she’d leaned into it on the shuttle. He watched her closely, observing her reaction and how the tension began melting as he continued; now her tired gaze only reflected dazed suspicion. 

“Curious.” He kept the effect this had on her in mind for the future, listening as she let out a content breath. 

“...It’s worth nothing. I’m a speck of dust in a galaxy.” An eventual quiet but fiery response that barely reached him. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll roll over and die. I’d let galaxies fall and watch everything go up in a symphony of fire if it meant my survival. Then, when the time comes, I’ll die as I lived.” 

“It’s worth something to me— priceless.” It felt like a stab of pain in his chest this time. He truly hadn’t expected words that seemed so broken to come from her mouth. Did she really believe that, with all she’d done, all she had the potential to do, she was that disposable?

Armitage couldn’t seem to make his voice work to admit that. A sickening feeling went through him. Was it guilt? He’d been too harsh in his teasing, hadn’t he? His own mind swirled with sudden self-accusation. “Armitage, you nerf-herder. She’ll hate you for this.”

His hands drifted to her shoulders, holding back a shiver as the beskar chilled him through the leather gloves. Zheth remained still, putty beneath him; he turned her around, moving one hand beneath her chin to tilt her head up to look at him and wrapping his other arm around her waist. Unlike other times, he didn’t try to think of an arbitrary excuse for such an intimate hold— lying to himself obviously hadn’t worked. It was done with care, apologetic even if he’d never say the words, and bordering affectionate.

“You did so well for me. You’ve done all I asked, there’s no need to punish you. In fact, a reward should be in order.” Some praise slipped out and the confusion Zheth held began to turn into relief and pride. “As long as you don’t make destroying parts of my ship a habit. Ren does plenty of damage as it is, two of you doing it will bleed us dry… This will be coming out of your pay.” 

“Yeah, I figured.” The grin slowly crossing her face didn’t seem sorry in the slightest. 

“Hmph, Ren wouldn’t be sorry either.”  

“What you did to Ren during your fight was reckless. He could’ve killed you.” Hux berated with genuine concern seeping into his words. Although, he had been rather smug upon seeing Ren storm through the ship upon his return. A few ripped apart walls and doors was worth seeing him bleed and getting a chance at some snide comments. 

An eye roll. “Yeah, you and everyone else keeps telling me. I’m alive aren’t I? Have a bit more faith in me, General.” 

His eyes drifted from her face and he stepped back to look at the rest of her. The frost had mostly melted by now and while he saw dried blood on her in patches and sprays, she seemed unharmed. The only sign of blood he found, that did belong to her, was surrounding the bandages on her arm and her occasional shivering would likely stop once she’d warmed up more— although he wondered if she should’ve by now. At least her complexion was returning to a normal hue. Her luck astounded him to no end. 

“Do you need to go to the med bay?” 

“No.” She shook her head with enough attitude one might’ve thought he’d personally insulted her pride, then swayed a moment before the look of stubborn confidence reappeared on her face. He didn’t think it was genuine. “I just need to defrost a little more.”

How often did he keep his own thoughts and emotions hidden behind a stoic face? Often enough to know when someone else was doing something similar, like Zheth was now. He wouldn’t push for the medical bay though… Not yet. 

As if realizing he wasn’t entirely convinced, she put a hand on his cheek, patted it condescendingly, and grinned, those warm eyes locking onto his colder ones. “Trust me, I feel like I’ve been treated with enough bacta in the past few days that I could probably take a blaster bolt to the head and the wound would just heal instantly.” 

“I don’t think that’s how bacta works.” The comment went unsaid. It was a humorously sarcastic exaggeration and, with her hand caressing his cheek, his brain had momentarily malfunctioned. Even after it dropped, he had to take a moment to just stare at her before clearing his throat.

“I’ll walk you to your quarters then.” There was an eagerness to spend more time with her after the days apart— despite this… rift, he may have created. He headed for the door, turning back to tease her lightly with some sass of his own. “Wouldn’t want you to get lost.” 

The remaining tension evaporated and he felt his pulse quicken at the way she looked at him; eyes gleaming and a ghost of a smile without an undertone of caution forming at his words now that he wasn’t playing the role of strict general. No one ever dared look at him like that… it sent warmth through him… and another dose of regret.

“Only if we can discuss your nickname for me on the way. Props for trying, I really didn’t expect it, but ‘Huntress’? Gotta deduct some points because while I’m a bounty hunter, it’s not all that original.” 

“Pardon me then Empress, I didn't realize you were so picky.” He rolled his eyes, though the action and his sarcasm remained playful. Armitage almost felt like he could get used to this—his heart was such a traitor.

His mood skyrocketed downward when he opened the door and walked into a solid mass of black fabric. A flick of a wrist and he was pushed aside and into the wall by the Force as Kylo Ren walked into his office. Hux felt his pulse quicken in a bad way this time; Ren was known to hold grudges and Zheth’s comments, not to mention her literal below the belt attack, was surely something the man wouldn’t forgive.

“What is the meaning of this?” He followed as soon as the invisible grip released him with an indignant, demanding tone.

Kylo gave him a bored glance, the lack of his childish Vader wanna-be mask just now registering in Hux’s mind. He couldn’t help but shudder internally at the dark eyes. Where Zheth’s were— normally —fiery and burned like a sun, Ren’s were near-black voids that held nothing but darkness. A darkness that craved his downfall and ultimate demise.

“In that regard, these two are nothing alike.”  

Amusement flickered in Kylo’s expression for a moment before he turned back to Zheth. “I heard all the commotion. Phasma told me my dear sister returned, am I not allowed to see her, General?” 

“Kylo, um, no hard feelings… Right?” Zheth took a stumbled step back despite the sheepish grin on her lips.

“Not at all…” He sounded sincere but there was something about the look in his eyes Hux didn’t trust, although the wild unbrushed hair certainly played a part in making Ren look less than sane. “I was impressed how bold you were in our fight. I wondered if you would consider sparring with me sometime— I’m sure General Hux has been meaning to assess your skills soon anyway.” 

He had been meaning to, though she’d been proving herself already in combat. Hux had considered bypassing it. There was plenty of other work to keep busy with anyway than adding the assessment to the list— his upcoming speech and destruction of the New Republic with Starkiller being the biggest one. However, he knew Ren only brought that up to keep him from making that an excuse for why Zheth couldn’t. Hux didn’t like this.

“Of course. You’re a much better challenge than I usually get.” 

“Good.” 

“Oh and I… I managed to see the map.” Another step back as her half-brother took another step closer. “But the device was destroyed.”

Hux saw Ren raise a hand toward her face and spoke up, fearing whether or not she could handle having him rummage through her head right now. “Ren, don’t. She needs to rest, you can take a look another time… Considering your shortcomings with the scavenger girl.” 

A strike at a sore spot. Ren turned his back on her and Hux met his dark gaze as the man paused to leer at him. They were so close he half expected a thinly veiled threat, only for Kylo to stalk out again without further comment to his snark… Well, beyond using his Force-tricks to knock his datapad to the floor. 

“Childish oaf.” He retrieved the device, letting out a breath of relief to see the new device hadn’t met a swift end like his former one. “Real mature, Ben .” 

The footsteps in the hall paused. Hux felt his airway tighten and froze, hand against his throat as if that would do anything. The pressure tightened, cutting off his oxygen completely, before releasing. The footsteps continued and faded away as he caught his breath.

“Hux?” Zheth approached, lingering out of reach but appearing on-edge. 

“It’s nothing.” 

After waiting a few minutes to make sure Ren was truly gone, Hux began leading her back to her quarters. He was tired, wanting nothing more than to rest before his shift was supposed to start. Yet his mind was growing restless again. The Resistance attack was sure to be underway soon and Ren’s offer to train with Zheth didn’t sit well with him either. Stress over the looming threats and scheduled plans made his chest feel tight and his grip on Zheth was suddenly more to ground himself to the current reality. 

“Get a hold of yourself.” He mentally scolded. “I’ve dealt with worse. Everything will go smoothly, the Resistance attack will be taken care of without issue.”

He hadn’t come this far, committed so many atrocities, to balk under the pressure now. All there really was to worry about was Ren. That man was a loose canon, his reactions and plots somehow simultaneously easy and difficult to predict.

“Get some rest. I have some work to attend to tomorrow, so you’re free to do as you’d like.” He wanted to forbid any training with Ren but feared the repercussions if Kylo found out and threw a fit over it. Zheth would have to take care of herself.

“General, I was wondering… what exactly is my place in the First Order?” A pause in her step as she swayed and reached to tug her cape closer around her body. “Am I like a glorified stormtrooper or just kinda here for miscellaneous tasks?” 

“Supreme Leader Snoke dismissed your actions against the First Order and you may have pledged loyalty to us. However, I get to decide if you’re part of it… You are, and you’re not.” Head held high as he looked down at her, hiding his emotions behind an analytical gaze. 

There his feelings went again, twisting and trying to find loopholes in the First Order’s rules. If she was his subordinate in the First Order his affections wouldn’t be permitted due the gap between their ranks. Although, if she was a private or third-party hire… Still not the best look but not against the rules. “I planned to make her my loyal guard anyway; and I should, as the future Supreme Leader, have a private guard as Snoke does. She will only have an affiliation to me.”

“So..?” 

“You work for me and only me, as a third party loyal to the First Order not a true member of its ranks. When I take over the galaxy and restore order to its systems, it will be you standing at my side.”

They stopped in front of her quarters. Zheth looked up at him, still appearing a little unsteady on her feet and her trembling continued as stiff muscles threatened to give out. That slight glaze to her eyes was back. He wasn’t trained to give medical diagnosis but he was pretty sure she wasn’t well after that dangerous move she pulled; maybe he shouldn’t let her rest yet. Perhaps sending a med droid to check on her was a good idea despite her earlier dismissal of treatment. He couldn’t let his newest asset develop permanent damage so soon. 

“Yes… an asset. That’s all.” All his nicer reactions held the purpose to get her to like him so her loyalty was maintained. “Should have been all… She should be nothing to me. Just a random, unimportant tool… Liking Ren’s sister is… it’s a horrible decision really! Yet here I am—”

Lost in thought he sucked in a breath, muscles tensing at the unexpected contact against and around his torso beneath the greatcoat he wore. Hux blinked and looked down at her, pulse quickening for the third time since her return at the feeling of her embrace. When was the last time someone had hugged him? Was this a trick? He was frozen, mind whirling as he tried to figure out what sort of game she was playing. 

“So that’s why you always use terms like ‘mine’ and ‘my’ huh? Well, that works both ways, Foxy. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you let me get away with these nicknames either.” Her head was pressed against his chest and he was sure she could hear his heart pounding. “You know… I wasn’t lying when I said I belong here. If the Resistance knew everything… they’d probably execute me. After tonight, they definitely will.”

Everything was starting to feel too hot despite her cooler temperature. The worst, or was it the best? Part was that she was right. The possessiveness he felt over her was a leash that connected both of them— something he hadn’t taken into account when he first put this plot together. Either one could control the other with a strong enough pull. He had fully planned to let the pilots and Ren destroy Takodana as the First Order did to so many places… and at her request he’d asked his forces to hold back.

A small groan escaped, what was becoming of him? He should push her off, snap at her for this lack of professionalism and daring to show such familiarity with someone of his rank, let alone her superior, and yet he stood there, soaking in this surprising display of affection. Humming lightly in agreement at her words. Of course she belonged here, with him specifically. This was an internal debate he’d already had with himself after going through her files.

“I don’t deserve this.” An echoed reminder for minutes earlier along with a fresh wave of guilt. Not right after tormenting her with the idea of punishing her. From the back of his mind, the insecurity rose up with Brendol Hux’s voice spewing his venomous insults of all the other reasons he didn’t deserve such affection in general. His father had drilled into him with every beating how he’d never be anything but a bastard deserving only pain for daring to exist. That he’d amount to nothing, useless in all aspects.

His father had never been one to show affection to him. To cadets he liked and saw potential in, sure, Brendol Hux was almost like the father some of them never had. For Armitage, he might as well be invisible.

No, that wasn’t quite right. He wished he could be invisible sometimes. If he was, his back wouldn’t currently be burning with pain from the lashing his father had given him. It hadn’t been his fault he’d been late for training; his alarm had been tampered with, which had only sent fear trembling through him and ruining his steady grip on the training blaster. The small boy had little hope of hitting the targets. Brendol didn’t care. Armitage almost wondered if his own father had set him up to fail by sabotaging the device himself. 

His mother was of little comfort in the past, always kept busy with her job or exhausted from it but she tried, even at the detriment to her own health. Shame was creeping in at his father’s insulting words regarding his and his mother’s ‘low-bred’ status… followed by more shame for starting to believe it. He didn’t get to see her much anymore… Was he even remembering her face right in those memories?

“Are you even paying attention, boy?” Brendol’s words cut into him like a knife. “Or should I send you back to the kitchen where you belong?” 

“Commandant, you know he can’t even do that work correctly.” Pryde commented from where he lounged further off, watching over the lesson with disinterest… but apparently having nothing better to do with his time. “Brooks said he couldn’t even carry a glass of water without messing up— is he going to cry about this now too? Should’ve just shot the wench before this whelp could take a first breath.” 

As if he wasn’t in the room and able to hear. They didn’t care. No one did. Surrounded by adults and other cadets and yet, Armitage was alone . Friendless, and unable to find safety in anything or anywhere. He’d tried running away once but it was difficult to do with no knowledge of piloting a ship and a father like Brendol.

“Get up and try again.” Despite the order, the training blaster was kicked further from his shaking hand as he reached for it.

In the past he might’ve cried, probably would’ve already been sobbing when the blood first started dripping down his back at the first strike of the belt… at least Pryde hadn’t joined in with his swagger stick, yet. Now he reserved tears for when he was alone as best that he could.

Armitage was allowed to grab the blaster the second time. He could shoot his father with it, but it’d do nothing but make the man enraged. Even if the training blaster somehow managed to harm Brendol, Pryde was there to back the man up and… it wasn’t just his own well-being they could threaten. It had never happened, that he was aware of, but Brendol had threatened to make his mother suffer as well for his shortcomings. To let him reunite with her only to rip her away in front of his eyes. Armitage believed he’d do it too. Not long ago, he’d stumbled across a brown and white stray tooka he then snuck into his room. Brendol had found it and left the remains for Armitage to find strewn across the floor; a lurca hound had been sicced on it.

Hopeless.

So he took aim at the target and went back to practicing. Arms shook, feeling the eyes of the two men glaring at him, criticizing every inch of his stance. But he hit the targets, each one this time just as his father wanted. Armitage was foolish enough to suddenly expect praise, a smile ghosting at the corners of his mouth as he looked at his father.

Other students would’ve been commended, perhaps received a pat on the shoulder along with it. They’d be rewarded later with extra leisure time and the top ranking students got to eat with his father… as if they were Brendol’s real family. 

Brendol had never invited him nor spared the time to actually do more than belittle him. That was alright, Armitage liked it when he could go a day without invoking the man’s wrath by merely reminding his father of what came into existence from his affair. Avoiding him on those rare days was a blessing.

Today wasn't one of those days. Today also wasn’t the day his father suddenly took interest in his potential either. Instead, Armitage let out a yelp as a hand fisted into his hair and yanked hard enough to rip out a clump of the orange strands. The blaster once more fell to the ground with a clatter in time for the momentary spark of light to extinguish.

“Pathetic.” His father spat, pointing with his free hand to the targets. “See that? My other students could’ve done that the first time around with faster times… A bastard like you is a stain on anyone’s lineage; stars-know why it had to be on mine .”

“I’m not…” 

“Oh, is that a spine you’re trying to grow, boy?” Pryde grinned, sitting up straighter with a gaze that was eager to see how poorly this would turn out.

A harsh punch was how. He was on the ground again, blood dripping from his nose and tears building in his eyes. Brendol stood over him, watching with utter hatred. When Armitage kept silent, his father gave a disappointed grunt. “Guess not… You’re lucky that damn stray pretended to love you, stars know no one else ever will.” 

Brendol walked off, Pryde slinking after him. “Oh and clean this room up before the real cadets get here… I hope you can at least do that right?” 

“Yes… sir.” The words choked out past his own anger and despair. 

Until Admiral Sloane came and put Brendol in his place— Armitage missed her. After that, his father’s beliefs had been proven wrong, hadn’t they? He’d bettered the stormtrooper program, the ones trained now were adaptable in comparison to his father’s drones. Starkiller had been completed under his watch. On top of other accomplishments… and ones rapidly approaching. “I’m a general now, in charge of the First Order’s army, and he’s long dead. I’ll be greater than he ever was. I deserve everything I have, I’ve earned it and more…”

“Hux… too tight.” Zheth’s voice was muffled in fabric but the wheeze suggested her breathing was becoming smothered. 

When had he wrapped his arms around her? Armitage loosened his grip. Zheth backed off but still had her hands on him for support; she refused to meet his gaze again. “Not to give you the wrong idea, and at the risk of being crushed again, could you… stay?” 

“I…” He shouldn’t stay. It was unprofessional. What if someone saw him leave later? But he’d already tossed his care for that out the airlock back in the hangar. He could monitor her until the day cycle started and he had to get to work… It was only a few hours until then. This was the least he could do to start making up for his actions— Armitage was lucky she was forgiving enough to even give him this chance. “Of course.”

Perhaps it was also the recent stress and resurfacing of his self-doubts, or empty hall without witnesses and the lack of sleep talking, or maybe even the subconscious realization he was touch starved and needed more, but he really wanted to continue this where they weren’t at risk of someone spotting him in a moment of weakness. He untangled her arms from around his sides and unlocked the door to herd her into her quarters, locking it behind them and leaving the lights dimmed as he’d done in his office. 

He hadn’t meant to grab her helmet for her while leaving the office either, didn’t even recall grabbing it, yet it was in his hand. Hux sat it on a shelf as Zheth worked at removing the rest of her armor. Trying not to stare was… difficult when there wasn’t anything else to examine. Her hands were shaking, her whole body was. The huffy retort that she clearly wasn’t well was on the tip of his tongue, but he forced himself to stay silent… “Don’t ruin this.”

“Thought you said stuff like this was unprofessional?” A grin that didn’t quite have the usual energy behind it appeared as she finally spoke up.

“It’s very unprofessional.” Emboldened, he stepped closer to her, damning himself to breaking those rules on professionalism with each step. If his desire to be with her was the work of poison, then he’d gladly perish to it. The amount of positive human touch he’d gotten since meeting her was more than he’d had in years and he’d become addicted to it as if it was a dose of Spice. “I’m not on duty right now, professionalism can be laxed, and as General I can shape the rules to my liking.”

Not entirely true. Yet that knowledge wasn’t going to stop him. He’d already made the excuse that her presence on the ship and work for the First Order was due to her relation to Kylo— since he’d gone and announced it for all to hear— and thus she was to be respected. So being around her might pass as normal considering how he, unfortunately, often had to work close to Ren. Plus, if suspicions were raised over this, he could say it was purely for medical reasons. It was half-true at least. Staying with her meant he’d make sure she didn’t die before he got a medical droid here when it was time for his shift to start—regardless of whether she was still denying a need for it or not.

“Is that why she asked me to stay? Her health?” Or were there additional reasons? Armitage was afraid to ask, worried he’d be met with rejection even as she allowed him to help with a more hard to reach clip in her suit. He might be General Armitage Hux of the First Order, but that didn’t mean his rank and infamy translated into wooing others— not that he’d tried since his first attempts at dating. “Officers here are just so… bland, and ingenuine.”

His rank, and admittedly cold demeanor, would intimidate some from trying, or encourage others to try seducing him in hopes of promotions. Hux had decided early on to focus on his own career rather than worry about finding someone anyway and all had been fine… until Zheth. They’d been like two comets flying by each other throughout their lives and finally crashing together. None of his plans involved actually falling for someone, least of all someone from Ren’s family. “This can only end poorly with him involved.”

“No peeking.” Glancing at him, Zheth headed for the refresher to finish changing with obvious lethargy, only able to put some light-hearted snark into her words. 

He hadn’t planned on it, though supposed it was a barb at how he’d entered her quarters without knocking last time. Hux promptly busied himself with finding a place to store his greatcoat and uniform to minimize the wrinkles. His undershirt wouldn’t be spared the inevitable creases from sleeping in it but at least it was hidden by his uniform; a necessary sacrifice. Zheth was unlikely to notice the scars scattered about if he removed it, but he didn’t feel comfortable with potential questions yet. 

Hux had fallen into a light sleep by the time she joined him. He shifted over as best he could in the small bed, though she didn’t seem to mind the cramped space. Hux let out a content breath as she got comfortable, feeling her head and arm on his chest. He pulled the blanket up and around them, making sure she was fully covered. She was shivering more now but didn’t feel quite as cold to the touch.

“I’d apologize for this but…You’re surprisingly comfortable and warm.” Zheth mumbled and pressed closer. “Just don’t try smothering me again, m’kay? I like breathing.” 

It amazed Armitage how easy she found sleeping on him, as if they’d already done this thousands of times before. He admired her through half closed eyes; sassy and stubborn but resilient: a survivor. Between seeing her fighting in action and his obsessive search into her background he found her skills utterly wonderful to have at his disposal. Perhaps untrustworthy too, given how swiftly she’d turned on the Resistance. Yet here she was in his arms, like a tamed razor cat from Corellia, and he held no fear she’d turn those lethal skills on him— and she seemed to fully trust he wouldn’t turn on her either.

Armitage wished it could be so easy to continue… whatever it was they were dancing around. There was a danger to not just his position but both of their lives. A bond gave each of them a weakness via their other half and with so many serpents in the ranks looking to climb, it put another target up for them to aim at. 

Hux rubbed the base of her skull lightly with his fingers, hearing a quiet hum as Zheth shuffled around to somehow get closer until she was completely pressed against him, practically trying to burrow into him, before falling still again with a content exhale. The contact felt like electricity against his skin. Meanwhile the weight on his shoulders from earlier began to melt away at the contact; just what he’d wanted. Kriff, he could get used to this. He listened as her breathing evened out into sleep despite the shivering and, after feeling assured she’d be alive until his shift, allowed himself to get some rest as well.

Chapter Text

Zheth woke up with arms slung around her and the quiet sound of Hux’s slow, steady breaths. Her heart jolted for a moment, nearly forgetting that he’d stayed with her, and she carefully shifted to avoid waking him. Warmth colored her cheeks at their proximity. This wasn’t something she’d expected to ever happen with his moodiness— last night in his office being the worst so far, however she planned to enjoy it while it lasted.

“He looks tired.” The circles beneath his eyes were faint, but visible and something she didn’t recall seeing when she’d left to spy on the Resistance. 

Then again, she’d never been this close to him long enough to observe. His heartbeat was steady beneath the hand she’d left on his chest. It turned out, freckles decorated his porcelain skin on his cheeks. A smile formed as she noted this new observation; they were cute. This was certainly the most peaceful Hux had ever looked too in her short time here, although Zheth would doubt if he’d ever looked quite so relaxed while awake. He looked human . A completely different Hux to the uptight general barking orders.

She shouldn’t like that side of him, or him in general because of that part of him. He was controlling given how he invaded her space to show his power, and possessive with the terms he used, claiming her as his; it was why she’d reminded him otherwise, a warning. She would bite back if treated like an object. Had she not felt so horrible in the office, and somewhat believing it was a strange but deserved punishment for failing, she might have snapped back at him. 

Now and then she’d feel the hand on her back twitch and grasp lightly at the fabric of her shirt, grip tightening around her while his eyes shifted around beneath their lids. He must’ve been dreaming. Zheth was curious what a man like him would dream about. 

“Ruling the galaxy probably.” That was his goal right? He seemed ambitious enough that his obsession over eventually becoming Supreme Leader might make it a common theme in his dreams. It had to either be that or something embarrassingly goofy like having a hoard of tooka cats. 

Zheth gave a tired, quiet laugh at the idea. Settling back down she drifted between a light doze and observing him. He never moved beyond the slight twitches of his limbs. It was strange to see him so vulnerable. The fact he’d been nice enough to stay made her curious. How long was this ‘nice Hux’ going to last before the one she’d first met, and faced in his office, resurfaced? Then there was what she swore he’d said in the hangar— that one saying about loving something and letting it go. In her daze she hadn’t brought it up but Zheth wondered if he was just using that phrase, or if it was possible Hux had feelings after all. The idea made her own pulse flutter.

“There’s something beneath all of that possession and controlling behavior.” Zheth liked to think she could still read people well like Das had taught her. Despite his little powertrip last night, he hadn’t hurt her. Even when pushed onto the desk, he’d gripped her in a way that let her armor absorb the impact; not entirely comfortable but it hadn’t hurt even when he turned her head to look at him by her hair. Really, it was no rougher than she and Cardinal had been with each other during their stolen moments together. There were smaller things too. The way he reacted to her touch, how he allowed her to get away with the sarcasm and names yet immediately shut Poe down, and the negative traits had reasons behind them beyond his training. His rough handling on the shuttle, and then in the office, had both been swiftly followed by him trying to regain her trust and affection. “A manipulation tactic or is he just really bad at expressing himself? Could it have something to do with his family? Kylo made it sound like there were issues there…”

She’d have to continue mulling that over and gathering more information before deciding.

After a while, a loud sigh escaped the man as Hux’s grip around her tightened before he rolled over; a chuckle of amusement escaped as cold green eyes opened to look down at her. The genuine smile that briefly appeared caught her off-guard with how uncharacteristically warm it seemed. “Now who’s the one staring.” 

“Look at how much of your arms you’re showing off, so scandalous .” Zheth snickered and tugged at the t-shirt’s sleeve to make her point, then trailed a hand down his arm, feeling him shiver as she took his hand and brought it to her cheek. “Is it my fault I felt the desire to admire you?”

A stifled intake of breath and he shook his head, cheeks and ear tips turning pink as he hid his face with a turn of his head. When he looked back, Zheth could see how his pale eyes had darkened, pupil’s enlarged as he continued to lay on her. She’d never been this close, let alone felt this much of him before, and she could only imagine the shade her face was turning as he held her gaze. “You must feel better if you can make those quips.” 

“Maybe he does like me more than he’s been letting on.” Or not. There was some disappointment as he drew away, however she didn’t let it show. “Yeah, I don’t feel as cold anymore.” 

It had been awful upon regaining consciousness in the hangar. Zheth could remember the way her blood felt like it was aching in her veins. Her chest felt tight with each breath and her body felt like it could barely carry her weight. The pain was horrible, she’d wanted nothing more than to curl up on the floor. Even now her body still ached, an echo of that pain. Hux’s body heat had been a life saver— possibly quite literally. The way he’d draped himself over her in the hangar had felt wonderful in her half-frozen state. 

Then she recalled shooting at Poe. She could’ve killed him. There was a clear shot as he fled between the seconds lazer fire wasn’t blasting around the hangar and the ship escaping. Even in such a poor state, she was sure she could’ve struck him down. Zheth had aimed lower and shot his leg instead, unable to kill him. Her chest clenched. That was a moment of weakness. One that couldn’t happen again. They weren’t friends anymore.

“What would Hux do if he knew?” This moment of softness on his part would end, although it already seemed to be. He would actually punish her instead of just pretending, she was positive of it.

“I’m still going to call for a medical droid.” Hux spoke, oblivious to the thoughts conjuring in her head as he got up and tried to smooth the wrinkles out of his pants. “Just to run a quick scan and get that arm looked at.”

Right, her arm. The bandages were bloodied again, as if Kylo’s crossguard had carved a gash that refused to heal rather than burning hot enough to cauterize flesh. It had been deep, bone had been visible before the bacta had aided in accelerating the healing. However, she hadn’t given it many chances to actually heal much more since then.

“Yeah, alright.” She couldn’t deny the need for one. Her arm could use more bacta and she was quickly getting tired again. While she’d claimed to no longer feel cold, the loss of a heat source was making the lingering chill more obvious. Zheth shivered, tugging the blanket back up and closer. “Do you have to go?” 

“Not yet.” He watched her, eyes calculating behind that near-constant expression of indifference. If Zheth didn’t know better sometimes she’d wonder if he was half-droid. 

He finished closing up his uniform jacket before pausing to look down at her again. She swore he grimaced for a second but the look was gone too fast to be sure. Awkwardly, Hux brought up the topic he’d mentioned wanting to discuss with her. “Do we still… need to talk about your family situation?” 

Zheth had never heard him so uncertain. Frankly, she didn’t know how to feel about the topic either. “Han isn’t my father. He’s a stranger I share blood with.”

There was conflict though. He’d been in the dark about her existence and had seemed…nice? Once again she had to question what life might’ve been like growing up with him instead of Nathale. Would she have been raised with Ben and witnessed his turn into Kylo Ren? Or would he have just… left and never looked back like he’d done with Leia when things turned bad or he got tired of playing family-man? In the end, the questions didn’t matter. That wasn’t what happened and nothing would change it. 

“I wouldn’t be who I am today without my adoptive parents.” As hard as life got in her earlier years, the past had molded her into what she was now. Zheth liked who she was. 

“Zheth?” Hux repeated her name, frowning as he stared at her. 

Right, right, she needed to speak. Thinking about the past, the memory of that night Nathale had taken her to the bar and snapped at her for not answering fast enough crossed her mind. 

“I… Um, do you want to?” Zheth sat up, hands fisted into the blanket. “You’re the one who was interested enough to dig. Is my pedigree good enough for you?” 

A muscle in his jaw twitched and she winced, pondering the idea she might’ve spoken out of turn; the tone had turned a tad harsh. It wasn’t like he had much room to talk if Kylo had been telling the truth. Hux was obviously sensitive about the topic.

“Ren ordered that test, not me. Your father is a hero to many in the galaxy and scum to others. Ren certainly has opinions of him… but there are worse to hail from.” Hux’s voice was blunt. Once again, she was reminded of a droid going over facts rather than a person—such a drastic change from when he’d woken up. As if the uniform brought out this colder side of him.

“As for your mother… It seems she didn’t have an ID or chain code, no records, name, anything. By all accounts a ghost that can trace back family roots to Mandalore. The only known information I could find outside of that, was a report mentioning how Nathale Grewood killed her in your family home on Carlac. She could’ve been a rebel, or a sympathizer maybe, or perhaps her own lineage was something that needed hiding from the galaxy for one reason or another. But at least it seems with you, nurture dominated any rebel nature in your genes.” 

That cruel look graced his smile this time as he stepped closer to loom over her, as if urging her to snap at him or prove him wrong with the observation. However, Zheth’s mind had frozen at the words just before that. Nathale killed her mom? It made sense, he’d totally do something like that, but Das had said they found and saved her. She’d trusted Das and the Nautolan had been lying since the beginning. 

“Do you think I would have agreed to stay last night if I held something against you?” His voice was less cold, his mask of indifference dropping to show genuine confusion as she remained silent.

“I just figured if something like that was important to you, you’d prefer sharing a bed with someone of status.” Had this been a lighter topic, she might’ve jokingly asked if she could now say she’d slept with her boss. But it wasn’t and her voice held a dull tone. Zheth hadn’t expected quite that much information and she was feeling dizzy again.

“Someone like who? A spoiled noble, or someone from the soon to be demolished senate? Or perhaps you mean one of the other high ranking officers so it’s easier for them to stab me in the back the moment they think it’ll get them a promotion?” He gave a disdainful sniff. “They aren’t my type. As nice as it would be to marry into wealth and status— as expected out of me as it likely is— I prefer someone who can handle themselves, not someone high maintenance who I must coddle.”

He looked like he wanted to say more but fell silent, eyes staring down at her as if trying to get her to understand whatever it was going on inside that enigma of a mind. Zheth truly didn’t think she understood him. Why not marry into wealth and find a way to kill off the wife to keep the fortune and title for himself? Wouldn’t someone who hated the knowledge he was a bastard son want to marry someone of high status to further bury it? Surely they weren’t all spoiled and in need of coddling— stories she heard of Leia’s younger days when she was Princess of Alderaan suggested she was far from that. Hux was… confusing at times. She didn’t dare ask either, fearful this might turn into a fight.

“Is it alright if I get some rest before the med droid gets here?” She switched topics entirely, her head starting to ache from it all.

He blinked then nodded stiffly. “Yes. That’s fine.” 

Relief as the tension died with the former topic. The longer she could just bury the family topic instead of sorting through her muddled feelings over it, the better. Zheth bundled up in the blanket again as she laid down. Hux turned away and headed for the door, his voice revealing some kindness to it. “Rest, I’ll be right back.” 

She didn’t get long to sleep again before something was jumping onto the bed. After an initial start of surprise, Zheth quickly calmed to see an orange tabby tooka cat making herself at home. General Hux was standing by the door, discussing something with the med droid. 

“This must be Millicent.” She reached out, feeling the tooka rub against her hand with a cheerful trill. 

“I thought she could help keep you warmer.” Hux spoke up. 

Millicent was warm as she curled up against her. It was a nice surprise, Zheth decided. “Thanks, General.” 

He gave a nod and looked away, leaving the med droid to its work. A quick scan and a few bacta sprays for treatment, then she was deemed well enough that she would make a swift recovery from the remaining hypothermia she’d been victim to last night. 

The room cleared out and Zheth gladly took advantage of her free day to sleep in and further attempt to forget the unwanted family drama— both the newly found family and the ‘parents’ she’d grown up with. It made her restless though, lying in her quarters with that information just dropped on her. Although his information had been missing the Mandalorian clan she supposedly hailed from. She wondered if  Hux wouldn’t mind her just guarding him as he’d assigned her to instead of resting as instructed.

Then the reminder of Boba possibly being alive eventually had her rising out of bed and debating if she should risk a transmission. “If he’s alive… he’ll be on Tatooine. That’s where he planned to retire, it wouldn’t change.”  

She slipped on her armor, letting Millicent leap onto the shoulder when the tooka cat made it clear Zheth wasn’t going to be allowed out of the room without her. “Are you allowed out of the rooms without Hux?” 

As if she’d get an answer from an animal. Just in case, she pulled Millicent off and left her on the bed to return to Hux later. Zheth paused as a stormtrooper stepped into view outside her door. “General Hux asked us to keep watch if you needed anything.”

The second trooper stepped next to the first; it almost would’ve been intimidating if they weren’t familiar to her. A grin formed under her helmet. “ZA-7612, 13, you two seem well. Say, you wouldn’t be able to show me to the comms room would you? I’d like to contact an old… uh, friend of mine.” 

“That isn’t authorized.” 

“Come on, you’re free to listen in. I’m not planning anything. It’s more of… checking if he’s even still alive. They’re unaffiliated with the Resistance and New Republic, I assure you.” Okay, she didn’t know if that had changed, but her old mentor hadn’t seemed interested. 

Hesitancy. The troopers glanced at each other. ZA-7612 finally gave a nod. “Make it short . It will be monitored. We’ll be in the room.” 

“Fine by me.”

Chapter Text

Hux couldn’t get the med droid’s scan out of his head. Medically, she was stable and the borderline moderate hypothermia hadn’t done any internal damage. However, Zheth didn’t seem to have a single rib that hadn’t been broken at one point or another— along with various other healed breaks and fractures. At first, he thought they were more recent, but as the data filled in on the scan the text auto-dated the scarring. Some were more recent, the life of a bounty hunter was rough, but most were from years ago— long enough to be her childhood. It… made him think. There was also a brand on her neck that the collars of her clothes usually hid. It was Mandalorian, and something he might’ve decided was part of some ritual had it not been for the rest of the evidence building up against that.

“She flinched in the office.” He’d assumed she’d assessed the locations of his weapon, hands, and boots out of mere caution; reactions borne from witnessing and experiencing punishment in the Empire’s days. Then there was the apology and other abnormal body language for her. Similar had occurred when they’d been stuck on the shuttle together, and back then it had made sense— a lack of trust between them. A sickening twist of his stomach as Hux felt guilt bubbling up again at the very likely truth behind her reactions to both instances. He didn’t want to be like his father in any shape or form let alone this— he was better than Brendol ever was, he didn’t want to make her suffer in such a way.  “I should’ve recognized the signs…Are we even more similar? Would she… understand?”

Zheth had offhandedly shown she didn’t like her adoptive father. That paired with the long ago wounds, her reactions to failure and punishment… Anger boiled through him. Armitage wanted to reach through time and strangle the man who’d caused such pain— no, he wanted to do worse . Yet at the same time, if it weren’t for whatever scum that man had been, Zheth would probably be some nobody on Carlac now. Funny, how they both had to suffer to get to a point where they’d meet. If that were to change, they might never have crossed paths. 

“General Hux, we found the saboteur.” Phasma approached, a trio of stormtroopers dragging a petty officer off towards interrogation behind her. “He admitted to tampering with your shuttle but won’t say if he was working with anyone else.” 

“I’ll see that he talks.” Zheth was pushed from his mind at this news. Finally , the one responsible for his crash on Felucia was brought to light. He’d break the man himself.

Phasma lingered in front of him. “I’d like to discuss your… new guard.” 

And there Zheth was again, brought right back into his focus at Phasma’s mention.

“I’m aware you don’t like or trust her, but I assure you, she is not a replacement. Your efforts with training and in the field are highly valued. Zheth is my personal security.” 

“We have stormtroopers who could be promoted into a personal guard, if you feel a need for one.”

He swallowed nervously, grasping at any other idea that their soldiers or officers wouldn’t be useful for… kriff that was difficult. “She can give an outsider perspective of things. My father found her useful.”

He hated saying that, but it was the first excuse— and it was the truth. At least Phasma wasn’t comparing this to Cardinal’s position, given the former captain had been used as a personal guard when he wasn’t training the younger troopers.

“If she keeps pressing I could say it was Snoke’s orders… The Supreme Leader did approve of her joining.” Maybe he should’ve started with that.

“You have feelings for her.” Phasma clearly knew him well enough not to buy it. She turned, clearly wishing him to follow. “...I might not experience such things for others, but I know the signs. Frowned upon or not, troopers do hook up from time to time, have relationships… So long as it doesn’t become an issue I’ve learned it’s best to just let them believe they’re succeeding in sneaking around. It’d be a waste to recondition soldiers over such a common thing.” 

Was he that obvious? “She did see me leave Zheth’s quarters. Not exactly subtle, even with a med droid.”  

Then there were the rest of her words. Stormtroopers dating and hooking up wasn’t exactly permitted or something to encourage, but he trusted Phasma’s judgement. If she couldn’t see the harm… for now he wouldn’t order a correction to them. “Perhaps the rules need to be adjusted anyhow… if harm isn’t coming from this.”

After all, eventually they’d need their numbers to grow from within. Stealing children to turn into soldiers wouldn’t hold up forever. Once the First Order ruled the galaxy they’d need other ways to uphold ranks; stealing kids by force certainly would only stir up another rebellion. Encouraging families to enlist their children on the other hand, and raising those born into the First Order would be a better goal long-term. Currently there weren’t many being born into the Order, certainly not enough to fill ranks as officers, pilots, or soldiers died. They’d already started promoting voluntary recruitment on controlled and allied worlds. With Starkiller, that ‘eventually’ might come soon.

“Why the change of heart?”

“I fear you’re distracted by these feelings, but I also believe it would be better to act on them than torture yourself and sneak around like a delinquent teenager— it’s only causing a bigger disruption to the First Order’s mission.”

“Ah, but I thought bounty hunters were untrustworthy.” A hint of sass. 

“They are. I also think you should go forward with care, regardless of your feelings for her. How did that ship follow her here to save Dameron? Someone gave them the coordinates to jump to.” 

A pause. Phasma was right, that was suspicious. Zheth’s story didn’t sound false, and she’d been rather out of it, too much so to consider she might’ve lied. “They intercepted the transmission.”

Phasma gave him a look and he glowered right back. Did she really think he’d be blinded by love so easily? He was trained better than that. A traitor was still a traitor and as General… sometimes he had to make difficult choices. “I’ll handle it. Now getting back to important matters, remind Pyre to send me an update on his mission. We need to keep that refueling station from the Resistance’s grasp.”

They slipped into silence. Phasma splitting off eventually as she reached her destination. The chrome-armored captain gave him a polite farewell and Hux continued onward to the bridge. For a while he’d stand there and oversee the officers as they worked and go through reports and respond to messages on his datapad. 

“Another delay.” A huff of annoyance as he got a notification they’d be stopping to refuel— ironically right before Pyre’s message about almost having the Colossus refueling station under their control. He wanted to get to Starkiller and enact his plan before the Resistance could try ruining things. Try , because obviously the rebels would fail.

At least the bridge was quiet . He continued his rounds there in relative peace without Ren sulking about. Hux was in no rush to deal with the officer Phasma had caught; let the man squirm as he waited for his impending doom. For the moment, he was enjoying the quiet hustle and bustle of officers at their stations.

“Ren is probably with that scavenger girl he found… wasting his time.” If the man was so powerful why couldn’t he use those fancy powers of his to make her show him? “And Snoke thinks he’s a key part in the First Order’s success— insane.”  

A pause mid-type as he felt eyes on him. Hux turned away from the glass viewport, sweeping the room with a glance. No, none of the officers were watching him aside from the few who glanced up at his movement; they swiftly returned their stares to their workplaces. Who was it then? A new message came in from ZA-7612 before he could find the source; his lips pressed into a thin line as he read the message and transcript of the outgoing comm. Nothing traitorous on Zheth’s part— just a message that she’d be headed in search of someone after her job was done— yet he couldn’t help but be suspicious after what Phasma pointed out about the leaked hyperspace coordinates. He’d need to figure out what to do about this.

“General Hux, we’ve started the refueling.” An officer approached, datapad in her hand. 

“Fine, continue the course for Starkiller immediately after we’re done.” 

A nod and she typed the order out quickly before moving on with her other tasks. Hux turned to look back out the window only to pause as he found Zheth and a stormtrooper watching the stars. His bewilderment over how both had gotten past him unnoticed was buried behind a frown as he stared down at her; at least he knew who’d been watching him now. 

“I thought you were resting.” A hushed tone, holding an icy edge after that message.

“I have a job to do, don’t I? Besides, I don’t feel like being cooped up in a room all day.” Zheth tilted her head, visor glancing up at him as she swiftly met his attitude with her own— it stung after the warmth when they’d woken up this morning. He shouldn’t have ruined it by bringing up the family topic, and momentarily let his mind wander to where things could’ve gone before sharpening his focus back to reality. 

“Stubborn…” If that’s how she felt he doubted she’d listen to an order to return; another thing her and Ren shared. This could be beneficial actually…

“Well then, you’re just in time for an interrogation on Officer Herdel, follow me.” Might as well do it now. Hux was actually rather pleased to have her tag along for this; he could show off… and let this traitor serve as a warning for what could happen to her if she tried to double-cross him.

“Did you really think you’d get away with it?” Cold eyes watched the man breaking down in front of him. Interrogations were usually left to Ren to handle, but this was personal. “This is what happens to traitors. ”

The man before him had several chemicals running through his blood, each one meant to inflict one form of pain or another. The first one Hux had injected was a simple medication that would keep the traitor awake, the second was a neon blue used to disrupt the mental state and cause horrific hallucinations, the third a clear serum to boost the nerves sensitivity, and the next, a pale green, was injected to induce the pain. Each one was something First Order operatives were trained to hold out against. 

Hux recalled going through the training quite well— Sloane was away and unable to protect him, and his father had taken too much enjoyment in it. Armitage had ended up in the medical wing when the torture droid had applied an incorrect dosage. Cardinal, or CD-0922 as he’d still been called back then, had been standing guard dutifully next to him in white armor marred with Armitage’s blood. He’d spoken with concern, but Hux undoubtedly certain it was only due to his training.

His prisoner held firm through the toxins. So, he’d gotten physical and shrugged off his great coat before taking hold of one of the tools. It was small, delicate looking, but sharp and carved through cloth and flesh with even a light touch. Hux didn’t quite enjoy it, the blood was messy and Herdel still wouldn’t talk. So he grabbed a bone fragmentor that had once been part of a torture droid and went to work cracking bones. Bit by bit, the prisoner had broken from the inside out. 

Yet he wasn’t talking. Hux narrowed his eyes. “Must I repeat myself?” 

His head raised, mop of sweaty blond hair plastered to his forehead. “N-no… Gen… General.” 

“Did you have an accomplice?” 

“No.” 

Finally getting somewhere, but Hux didn’t believe him. “You have a wife, do you not?”

What little color left in the man’s face drained; he’d finally struck Herdel’s weakness. “Don’t… don’t hurt her. She had no… nothing to d-do wi… with thi-is.” 

“I don’t have all day. Give me the truth or I’ll send the order to detain her— who helped you?” 

“No one… I was al-one.” Choked coughing, blood dripped down his lips from the punctured lung. 

Hux turned, acknowledging Zheth for the first time since this started. “Well?” 

Her gaze seemed locked onto the traitor, perhaps reading scans on the HUD system in her helmet. “...He’s telling the truth.”

“Seems we’re done here then. Execute him.” 

Unlike in the hangar, Zheth didn’t raise her blaster swiftly. Instead, she surprised him with a choice. “Fast or slow?”

Curiosity struck. He could just order her to get it over with, but he wanted to see how she handled this. “What do you think is the best option?” 

“Fast is better. Less chance of escape or attempts at a rescue. They won’t have a second attempt to repeat their offense. Slow deaths can be fun , but a waste of time that could give an opportunity for the victim to get away with their life or even end yours.” For a moment, Herdel had a gleam of hope; a swift merciful end to the torture. 

Zheth stepped over to the tray of small tools and picked one up rather than pulling out her blaster. “ However , in this case, no one is coming for him. I hope you don’t mind but your datapad was unlocked so I did some digging. His wife is planetside far away, she’d never get here in time to help even if she knew about his current predicament, and through the cameras and witness reports Captain Phasma put together to pin him, all his fellow officers had alibis that suggested they couldn’t have helped plan this. There was a technician— but he ran into an ‘accident’. The pilot could’ve been a possible accomplice but he’s also deceased… Leaving this unlucky guy all by himself.” 

There was annoyance at the intrusion of his datapad, but ultimately his gaze warmed with pride at Zheth’s deductions. She was logical, strategic in her actions; it was something he liked to see. He slid his coat back on and motioned her to take his place before the prisoner. The dull shadow of despair fell back over the broken man. “Then by all means, have your fun.” 

He should leave, there were other matters that could use his attention, but Hux was glued to the scene before him as Zheth removed her helmet and went into action. She took her time with him, methodical with each tool, chemical, and weapon leaving wounds in painful but non-lethal spots, blinding the man so he’d never see what was coming next. Then destroying his sense of hearing once he’d gotten too comfortable. Vocal cords strained with begging and pleading before being severed, nerves left damaged in a way that caused excruciating pain and uncontrolled twitching, and she continued.

Hux watched the man’s life slip away, lips parted slightly in awe at the work. He hadn’t expected her to be quite so… experienced in the area. Where he expected anger to be channeled into such cruelty like Ren often did during his interrogations, never once did she seem to act on such emotion. Zheth was calm and tactical in a way that chilled him; there was no hiding how imperial she looked even out of official uniform. It put a damper on his idea to use this as intimidation against her. Zheth turned to look over her shoulder, waiting expectantly for him to say something.

“I’ll have someone clean this up.” His voice whispered out before he cleared his throat and tore his gaze away. At least she was on his side. “Go get yourself cleaned up as well and change into one of the officer uniforms. I’ll have ZA-7612 bring you to my office to meet with me.”

“About what?” 

“A discussion about how the rebels followed you back here, and that comm you sent out. Then… perhaps after we could… grab dinner?” 

“Grab dinner?” She stalked over to him, demeanor abruptly shifting; insulted by the peace offering post-talk. “You’re going to interrogate me and then expect me to grab dinner with you?”

It wasn’t a straight out no but the rejection was clear and painful… embarrassing really, even with only a dead man to bear witness. Hux gritted his teeth, grabbing her arm before she could walk out and tugging her back in front of him. “Don’t be dramatic, it’s just a follow up.” 

“I have a better idea. We’ll meet at the firing range. If you score better, I’ll play along with your interrogation and dinner plans. If I do better, you drop it because all the facts are already laid out in your possession. I have no reason to lie or stab you in the back, General .”

A piercing pain, his chest tightening at the title instead of a playful name— thinking on it, she hadn’t tried to joke with him all day either. Whether it was her trying to be professional in front of the other officers— which was appreciated— or something else was undetermined. He did believe her, it was Phasma putting the doubts in his head… He was just doing his job to keep the First Order safe. “Don’t push her away.”

He shouldn’t feel so needy. In the past it had gotten him beaten and thrown into isolation for weeks at a time. Armitage could still feel that tingling of electricity at just the memory of being in each others’ arms; he couldn’t lose that. It was enough to make him deescalate this, as much as he wanted to bite back. “It’s a deal.” 

Zheth slipped on her helmet before prodding his chest with a finger. “Oh and I also want you to ask me about things if you’re curious. Stop snooping through my files, it’s creepy.”

Blood from her glove seeped into the black fabric and he was suddenly aware of the knife still clutched in her other hand. She could have that through his throat before he could unholster his blaster pistol. Nodding numbly, as Armitage had so often done as a child to appease his tormentors, he released her and heard the door swish open then close as she left. Turning, his fist struck the wall and slid back down to his side as he pressed his head against the metal. Ouch, that had been a horrible idea. “What am I doing wrong here?”

What if this couldn’t work? He couldn’t just ignore his responsibilities and not double check suspicious activity. Yet it had so quickly driven a wedge into the trust between them… “I’ll fix this.”

Chapter Text

Anger burned in her as she went through the process of taking off her armor and stepping into the sonics to clean away the grime— rest in pieces to that officer. The fact Hux had dug into her records so extensively had been bothering her more and more, though she’d tried to give him a pass. The Resistance had done that too to a lesser extent, it was just a precaution really. If the roles were reversed she probably would’ve done the same. Truthfully, it was the digging around for her bio family that bugged her the most— and that was on Kylo. But then Hux practically called her a liar and had the audacity to ask for… date? Okay, that did make her excited, but she didn’t dare show it when she was upset with him!

“He’s right to be suspicious. I did lie about the coordinates being intercepted. Not that I can tell him that.” It wasn’t like there was proof, right? Fear and guilt went through her. She could’ve handled it better— and was lucky Hux hadn’t shoved her into the interrogation chair right then and there over how defensive she’d gotten. “I should’ve left Poe to fend for himself. It would’ve made things less complicated.”  

She stepped out and changed into the black uniform, grabbed her blaster, and headed out to meet ZA-7612. The trooper took the lead, heading to a different level of the ship and down several halls. They two passed through one of the training rooms— a smaller sparsely occupied room that made her wonder if it was only meant for higher ranking officers, or if it was simply not as popular. They found Hux standing at a door on the other side. 

“Ready to lose?” The corner of his lips twitched upward as he motioned for ZA-7612 to leave them. 

That cold tone had melted into something warmer again. “So this song and dance continues…”

Zheth debated on keeping up her strictly professional, if not borderline annoyed, act, or once again matching his mood. With a sigh she decided to ease up— professionalism was tedious anyway. No need to purposefully try souring Hux’s mood either. 

“You’ll eat those words.” Zheth shot back, knocking into his side with her shoulder before pausing to look up at him with a ghost of a smile. 

Did he look relieved? His facial features seemed to soften ever so slightly. Zheth turned away and took her place along the firing range— empty aside from them. The door closed and the target at the other end came to life as Hux pressed a few buttons. Movable targets, that made things interesting. 

Fabric brushed against her and then Hux was leaning down by her ear, nimble hands grasping her hips from behind. “I’ll try to go easy on you… if you ask nicely.”

She swallowed, heat rising to her cheeks. This was new from him. “I um…” 

It was distracting, warmth pressing against her and gentle breath against her skin as his voice poured praises in her ear. “You did so well with that traitor. The way you killed him was beyond my expectations. He deserved every second of torment you gave him.” 

“What happened between showering and now?”  

Then he was gone, moving to take his own position in front of another target. It was difficult to focus as he gave the rules to their bet. “We will each shoot five rounds. The one with the highest accuracy wins.” 

A nod. Kriff, she needed to pull herself together. Zheth raised her blaster, discomfort still radiating from her injured arm. That was fine, she could shoot through that and worse. Blaster fire rang out, a red bolt striking dead center even as the target made a sudden jolt to the side— Hux was a better shot than she’d thought. 

“Lucky first try, watch this.” A quick moment to study the pattern of movement, then she fired her own shot. The target shifted at the last minute. Zheth felt a prickle of irritation as her bolt struck one of the rings outside the center. “What?” 

“Hmm, bad luck.” There was a sly grin on Hux’s face. “But you still have four more rounds to do better.” 

They both fired off several more rounds. It was like her target was repelled by her bolts; a miss and then one that barely struck the rim. She was better than this! Someone must have tampered with the controls, that was the only explanation for why the pattern kept resetting to something different— Hux’s was staying the same from what she could glimpse. 

“You know, I could give you some lessons.” His voice was right next to her again, causing her to flinch in surprise and miss again. 

An annoyed huff. “You’re cheating. I don’t know how, but you are. You changed the settings on mine.” 

Hux’s eyes widened at the accusation, feigning shock and surprise. “I did no such thing. Clearly you must need that helmet of yours to aim properly.”

“That’s funny, because in the hangar, it seemed like you couldn’t even hit the broad side of a star destroyer.” 

He flinched back to his own spot from the snapped comment. Did she hit a sore spot again? Hux quickly composed himself and retaliated. “Weren’t you supposed to be a prodigy-child? Whatever happened?” 

That one stung. A glance at his target, all five shots now neatly in the center or directly next to it. Zheth had one shot left. With her luck, even a perfect shot wouldn’t save her… It hit in the mid-range again anyway. She grumbled and lowered her blaster. “I’m better than this… right? This isn’t my fault!”

“Seems I won our little deal.” 

“Because you tampered with the control system.” Zheth insisted. “I want a new challenge, same terms.” 

He frowned and looked at the closed door between them and the rest of the training room. “I have other matters to attend to.” 

“ Fine, mesh’la.”

“What did you just call me?”

“It’s Mando’a for coward, or how I like to interpret it in your case, scaredy-tooka.” No, that was totally incorrect. Mesh’la meant ‘beautiful’, but making him think she’d insulted him was fun.

Hux bristled and turned to look back at her. “Name your challenge.” 

“Hand to hand combat. No weapons, no stopping unless one of us taps out; I don’t even have my armor so I suppose I’ll be going easy on you.” He was only a half-foot taller and looked scrawny enough to take on. Zheth was confident if she’d been able to give Ren a run for his credits that she could beat Hux.

Amusement glimmered in his eyes. A momentary shout escaped her as he suddenly picked her up and dropped her onto the narrow shelf next to them where her blaster rested. Their new position sent blood rushing to her cheeks. Hux leaned over her, one hand making sure she couldn’t tilt her head away while the other pinned her hip in place as the light cast a halo around his head. “You sure you want to lose twice in one day?”

The proximity was intoxicating. Despite earlier there was a part of her that wanted to risk grabbing his collar and tugging him down the last few inches, then seeing where it went from there. Face cast into partial shadow, his eyes seemed to take on a melted aqua tone rather than the frigid blue and green hues certain lighting usually shifted between. Even if he were to remove his hand, she wouldn’t be able to look away. He was totally not playing fair. “Focus… I need to focus.”

“You’re being such a tease right now.” She slapped his hand away, forcing herself to pay attention to the deal and not the current distraction. “I will win and you’ll have to admit defeat and stop pretending like you have something you can accuse me of.” 

The frown returned; he lowered his head as if defeated and a few loose strands of orange hair fell out of place to brush over the black fabric she wore. “It’s my job, Zheth. I trust you didn’t let them get the coordinates on purpose, and I’m aware that who you were trying to contact isn’t with the Resistance— even if they were, it wouldn’t matter… I mean, it would, however… We will win. The Resistance will be gone soon along with the New Republic. As long as they cooperate, they will be safe. I promise. After you help me become Supreme Leader, just give me the names and I’ll keep anyone you wish safe.”

His words almost sounded traitorous to the First Order, promising safety for anyone she asked? It was a dangerous thing to say. “He really trusts me? I hope so. What I did won’t happen again. I owe Poe nothing.”  

“It’s my old mentor, Boba Fett. I… heard something that might suggest he’s still alive. I should’ve looked sooner but for star’s sake why would I go back to that dust ball of a planet if I thought he’d been buried alive?”

A thoughtful expression as he mulled over her words. “You’ll go after we wipe out the Resistance and I take my place as ruler of the galaxy… until then, if he gets in touch, I suppose I will allow communications between you.”

Zheth scoffed and shoved him away as she hopped back to her feet. “You’ll ‘allow it’? You might be my employer for now, but I’m still a freelancer. Once you’re Supreme Leader my job will be done, right?” 

A long pause, conflict causing his brows to furrow. “You’re mistaken, I told you before, you’ll be by my side when it happens, …and after it happens— not that you won’t be permitted leaves of absences to do whatever you’d like.” 

Hux swiftly recovered himself before she could comment. It wasn’t like him to trip over his words so much. The pink was starting to rise into his pale complexion again as he grew flustered over some unspoken thought. Her tension fell away again at the sight, though the word ‘permitted’ still made her wary. Zheth didn’t mind letting him be controlling, it was obvious he needed to feel in charge of things, but there were limits. 

“I better be, because I can kick your ass.” 

A thin eyebrow arched. “I don’t think you’ve proved that yet.” 

“Well then, guess I’ll just have to, Lover Boy.” The way his complexion flushed completely at the name had a smile back on her own face without even meaning to. It was nice to go back to this.

Hux told the few others using the training room to clear out and put rules into place: no dirty moves that hit sensitive areas, no hair pulling, and no strikes to the face. Easy enough, she didn’t want to ruin that pretty face of his anyway. 

The two circled a moment before Zheth lunged to make the first move. He was swift, agile on his feet, dodging out of the way but didn’t try to attack. She would continue going in for punches and kicks, each one blocked or dodged. 

“Are you going to fight back?” She circled again, searching for an opening.

A tilt of his head, hair falling across his forehead from where more of it had freed itself from his gel. “Try again and find out.” 

Clearly a trick, but Zheth didn’t have his patience. She feigned left before going for his right side with a punch. Hux caught her wrist and pulled her off balance before letting go and landing a kick to her chest. Zheth fell, rolling back to her feet with a few coughs as she caught her breath. 

“That’s a move that Cardinal always got me with.” That meant they were likely both trained with the same techniques, though clearly had different styles of fighting.

“You forget you don’t have your armor to protect you.” Smugness was written all over his body language as she fell back into a fighting pose. “Have you grown too reliant on that as well?” 

Yes, she had. Why would she ever fight without it? A fake smile appeared as she went on the defensive. “Maybe I’ve been going easy on you so far.”

Hux was tactical with his punches and kicks as he finally went on the offensive— clearly trained well but focusing more on wit than brute strength. It was like fighting a nexu: fast, precise strikes before he was out of reach again. Most of it was still becoming predictable aside from a few surprise moves whenever he’d switch tactics. 

Another attack slid through her defenses as she fell once more into a trap. His arm tightened around her neck and she could feel him pressing his weight downward. Wrong move, he should’ve been focusing on reaching her windpipe to block her airway, not attempting to drive her to the floor. All this did was hinder his grip and benefit her escape. Zheth tucked her chin and grabbed at his arm to give her more breathing room, then pressed upward as she bent her knees. 

“Give up.” A heavy breath as Hux shifted his weight forward again— just more bad news for him. 

She just had to bear the extra weight a few moments longer. Zheth laughed before hooking a leg behind his and gave a sudden twist to throw him forward. He landed with a grunt of surprise, clearly not expecting her to be capable of throwing him off. “His mistake. I’ve fought tougher opponents.”

He was already getting back to his feet, but she wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily. “So, did you forget to remove your blaster or are you just getting excited?” 

“I— Excuse you? I’m not—” Hux glanced downward and shifted his stance, his flustered stammering rapidly shifted into a scowled, “don’t think you can distract me!” 

“You know, if you give up now maybe I’ll help you with that.” 

A chaotic mixture of jumble of emotions crossed his face: bitterness and jealousy perhaps, conflicting greatly with the way his face flushed as he eyed her. However, he remained silent and defiant against tossing the match.

She began toying with him from there. Feigning attacks, Zheth turned her strategy into wearing him down and tripping up his own thinking with small quips to divert his focus. He still refused to make defeating him easy; it seemed Hux didn’t like to lose either. 

Eventually Zheth caught him off guard, sweeping his legs out from under him and like a nexu with its light-build, when Hux went down this time, it opened a window of defenselessness for her to gain the upper hand. Something she quickly took advantage of before he could slip through her grasp. She sat, straddling his waist. Hux bucked, legs, kicking out and face contorting as he attempted to free his hands and throw her off. It almost worked; for as skinny as he was, Hux must have some muscle beneath his uniform. She could certainly feel his arms flexing them through her grip on his wrists. Zheth hoped she’d get a chance to find out at some point. Not right now though. 

“Just yield.” 

He continued fighting, sparing a moment to smirk at her. “Why? Getting tired?” 

Zheth scooted back to where she’d been with much more shuffling around than necessary; he’d never said a distraction was off the table and his earlier struggles clearly hadn’t helped his growing problem. Hux let out a faint whine and squirmed before stilling as she squeezed her legs tighter to avoid being dislodged again. 

“I need to flip him and get him into a spine lock.” That was the best way to end this, as right now the tide of this match could easily switch in his favor. Her weight was much too lopsided between where she sat and where she had to reach to hold his wrists.

“That isn’t fair…” He shot her an accusing look, still straining to free his hands. 

“All’s fair in love and war Sparky. You tamper with my target’s controls, I get to cheat a little here.”

“You have no proof!” He heaved upward, unbalancing her and twisting free of her grip.

It took some contorting, but she managed to snag a leg around one of his own and pull him back down. Within seconds she was on top of him again, locking an arm around his neck and using all her weight to unbalance him and flatten Hux back to the ground. Her legs hooked around his, trapping him as she pulled his head back towards her; that’s what she’d needed. Hux tried in vain to dislodge her from his back. Zheth refused to relent and the lock she held him in hindered most of his movements. Soon he’d have to give in. 

Hux was stubborn, hands still free to try prying her off or hold his own weight to relieve the discomfort to his throat and spine. Towards the end it was almost verging on panic as he thrashed, a choked sound squeezing from his throat as she constricted her grip. She eased up on the pressure just enough to avoid actually harming him. Finally, he did give in when it seemed his efforts were going nowhere anytime soon. “You win… now get off .” 

She released him and stood, watching as he panted for air with worry. Had his voice shaken? The urge to gloat evaporated as he stood and worked to compose himself; hair being neatly brushed back into place, uniform straightened out, and whatever emotions he’d been going through locked behind his facade. 

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” 

“No.” Hux shook his head, then turned to actually face her. “Cardinal showed you our training methods, didn’t he?”

An abrupt switch in focus, but it wasn’t like she didn’t do that too. “Yeah, but he is, was, slower than you. His tactics were different too, but the basic moves are still the same. You uh, actually got me with some of the same moves he’d get me with. Guess I’ll have to work on that.”

Cardinal had proven to be able to throw her around like a kriffing ragdoll at times too but… that hadn’t necessarily been sparring related. Zheth of course didn’t mention that part to Hux. 

“The two of you were close. It sounds like he did a lot more than deliver payment and pass messages.” A touch of bitterness seeped into his voice. He walked away, grabbing his great coat and sliding it back on. “...I have no need to interrogate you any longer after our chat, and I won’t force you to dine with me if that isn’t what you want, you won.” 

“Are you…” Was he jealous? Zheth followed after him. “General, he’s gone .” 

“What if he wasn’t?” 

A pause, because that was a good question. Cardinal had been a friend but… with some added benefits. Love felt too extreme of a word in her opinion, but Zheth had to admit that she couldn’t just call what they’d had going on purely physical. Situationship was a better term, she realized, although even that was making light of it. The way things ended wouldn’t have been so painful otherwise. In the end though, she knew the answer. He’d made his choice and she’d made hers— even if she’d regretted it more and more each time he was brought up.

“...I don’t think it would matter much. Last time we saw each other he threatened to kill me the next time we met.” 

That seemed to earn a laugh from him, a quiet breath of a laugh, but a laugh. His stare was softened as he walked next to her. A gloved hand reached out to fix some of her hair that was still out of place. “I’m… glad that he didn’t get the chance.” 

“As if I couldn’t shoot him first.” 

“You’d have to be able to actually hit him.” 

She shoved into his side, just enough to cause him to stumble from the unexpected move. “You’re not going to let me live that down, huh? Okay, well, maybe I allowed you to win… Since you claim you didn’t cheat.” 

No, she hadn’t. Yes, she was still ninety-nine percent sure he did cheat and just wouldn’t admit it. 

“Oh? Do tell why you would do that.” One eyebrow arched upward inquisitively. 

“Maybe I decided a date was worth repeating myself during a pointless trip to your office to ‘talk’.” 

A blush was creeping up his neck again, he looked ahead and cleared his throat. One hand ran through his already perfectly placed hair as if needing to double check before tugging on the collar of his uniform. Then there was a wisp of sadness that was promptly covered up behind his stoic mask as the door opened and the two stepped into the hall. 

“That will need to wait. I’m currently behind schedule and have things that need attending to.” He held up his datapad, typing into it as they walked by a patrol of stormtroopers, before giving her a glance. “Tomorrow. After we reveal Starkiller to the rest of the galaxy and destroy the New Republic.” 

“Do I also get to pick a new reward? It’s not fair you still technically got to do the whole ‘follow up interrogation’ when that was supposed to be your reward for winning the rematch.”

“Mmmmh what did you have in mind?” 

A wolfish grin. “Well… It seems the wine and dine part will be covered with dinner tomorrow, but we could include something else along with that first, or save it for dessert… or both.” 

The implication in her words were immediately picked up on and he seemed to choke mid-breath, glancing down at her before managing to get out a husky response. “Kriff Zheth… I mean yes . Yes, we can include that in our plans.” 

She gave a nod of confirmation and continued to follow him back to his office. For a boring several hours Zheth just stood guard, occasionally having short conversations with him as he worked. Frequently other officers came in to discuss one thing or another, even as time passed and it grew later, the interruptions didn’t seem to let up. It became difficult not to yawn as the night cycle came on. 

“It’s late, you should get some rest.” Hux stood, ushered her to the door, and walked her out. 

Zheth got into the elevator behind him, watching as he hit the lower level where her quarters were but not the button for his own. “Aren’t the higher ranks located a floor up?” 

“Yes.” He suddenly looked even more interested in his screen. She almost didn’t catch that he was speaking again, his voice quiet as if afraid of her answer. “I was hoping I could keep working from your quarters… Less interruptions when no one can find me.”

That didn’t seem like the whole reason— she actually thought it might be to fetch his beloved pet— but Zheth hid a grin as she turned to watch the numbers go down. “Of course.” 

“Oh and… you’re right. I did cheat.” The corner of his mouth twitched upward. “I set your target to a higher difficulty. The sensor picked up your movements quicker and adjusted to dodge.”

“Jerk.” A huff and swat to his arm, but she had a smug grin. “I knew it . Don’t tell me you were scared to lose?”

“Hardly.” He paused, looking as if he were about to say more, but the door opening to their floor interrupted and Hux fell silent as they headed down the hall.

Millicent gave a grumbled sound as her sleep was disturbed at their entrance, though Hux didn’t seem surprised by it. Zheth assumed this happened often and just went about the routine of getting ready for bed— noting that once again, her armor was clean and sitting neatly on the dresser for tomorrow. When she came back out of the refresher she thought Hux would be at her desk but found him nestled back in his spot on her bed reading through something. 

“This is… strange.” It didn’t seem like him but she decided it was a nice type of strange. 

Zheth settled into her own spot nestled against his side, feeling an arm curl around her and rub small patterns into her arm. Millicent joined them soon after with another mrowl that sounded suspiciously like she was trying to scold them as the orange tabby curled up at their feet. Gradually, she dozed off with a lingering worry; “What… is this? Is it going to last?”

Chapter Text

The next morning Hux was already gone when she woke up, Millicent along with him. There was however, some breakfast sitting on the bedside table that suspiciously looked like it’d been freshly made rather than the rations handed out at the commons area. Zheth recalled something disturbing her sleep earlier but hadn’t truly woken up to check, apparently Hux could be stealthy when he wished to leave a surprise such as this. The gesture sent flutters through her pulse. 

She ate then got ready, reading a message on her datapad stating that Hux would be in and out of meetings most of the day. Zheth had barely sat the device back down before a particular menace came pounding on the door. She found Kylo standing outside, his large frame taking up most of the doorway. “You’ve seen the map, correct?”

“Yeah.” Unease immediately flooded through her, already knowing where this was going.

He stepped closer, forcing her to take a stumbled step back. “Let me see it.” 

Kylo didn’t give her time to even respond before his hand raised to her face. A wince as she felt him ruffle through her mind. It wasn’t as forceful as he’d been after her capture on Takodana but it still wasn’t a pleasant feeling. Zheth did her best to recall the memory, hoping it would end this unpleasant mind-shuffling sooner.

Her brother stayed silent but the pressure in her head eased up. There was the sound of leather scrunching as his free hand balled into a fist. Kylo’s hand lowered, somehow his voice managed to sound both pleased and immensely irritated through his helmet. “The Resistance, do they know of this information?” 

“No.”

“Good… They will not be able to interfere.” He spun around before coming to a sudden stop, as if remembering something. “Have they cleared you for training?” 

Once more he didn’t give her time to speak, merely pulling the information from his time in her head. “You’re fine. Come, Phasma is waiting.” 

“Uh… okay.” Zheth was still somewhat dazed and trying to piece together what had just happened. Hadn’t Hux said something about her working for him and not just the First Order? Should she be asking him for permission to train? “No way. I can still make my own decisions. Besides, he said he was stuck in meetings today anyway.” 

This was only training. If things got too rough they could call it. Kylo wasn’t going to kill her… right? Surely he wasn’t that much of a sore loser. She didn’t believe her own reassurance. He totally seemed like the type to hold a grudge. Zheth took her armor into the refresher and changed into it before following him.

The training room was different than the one she’d sparred with Hux in; this one was larger and busier. Groups of troopers crowded the area with some at the far end training to hit moving targets and others were focusing on hand-held weapons or hand to hand combat. Captain Phasma stood before all of them, watching their progress. The chrome helmet turned as Kylo and Zheth approached. 

“I was wondering when I’d see General Hux’s recruit here. Am I to test her abilities?” 

“She’s training with me today.” Kylo tilted his head. “Would you like to join? I’m interested in seeing how she does with multiple opponents, she did say she liked a challenge.” 

Zheth glanced between them. He was serious and Phasma was following him to an empty spot off to the side. “I have to fight both of them?”

Kylo alone was a challenge, fighting Phasma solo was probably a challenge too— she couldn’t be a captain and hold this much power without reason. The two of them together was either going to be really bad, or in her favor… if they didn’t work well together. Zheth was sure their teamwork would suffice against her regardless. Phasma set her blaster to stun and Zheth grabbed one of the stormtrooper’s blasters to use its stun setting. It was bigger than her A-180 pistol but felt comfortable enough in her grip… it’d have to do.

At the signal she burst into action. There wasn’t much of a plan as she ducked to the side, avoiding Phasma’s first shot. Zheth kept the captain between her and Kylo, eyeing his crackling blade warily. He probably would hold back killing her but she didn’t want a misplaced movement to put another gash into her or worse. She ducked and dodged around Phasma’s attacks, grunting as the Force shoved her off balance. 

The next bolt nearly hit her and she retaliated with a shot of her own, aimed just slightly to the right. As hoped, Phasma side stepped left and right into Ren’s path, blocking the Force wielder from charging in for an attack. She took aim as he moved the opposite way but a slash from his lightsaber blocked her attack from hitting. 

“Are you really going to hide behind Captain Phasma? I thought you were braver than that.” She taunted him.

A flick of his wrist and Zheth yelped as she ducked and rolled away from the crate he’d flung at her. Phasma was on top of her in seconds. A stun shot hitting the ground inches from her as she got back on her feet. This wasn’t going to work. At a distance the pair had an advantage: Phasma with her blaster and Kylo could use the Force or deflect her bolts away. A closer range would work better as long as she could avoid that blade. She raised her blaster and fired several rounds, using the shots as cover more than accurately targeting either of them. 

She holstered the blaster and ducked under Phasma’s raised weapon to ram up into her diaphragm. The chrome armor blocked much of the attack and didn’t seem to knock the breath out of her in the slightest, but it was enough to unbalance her momentarily. Zheth took the opportunity to twist the blaster from the captain’s grip and swing them around. Phasma was taller, more armored, and had extensive training… Zheth only had so much time. 

Ren’s blade hummed as it came down at her and Zheth tangled her leg with Phasma’s to once again trip her into the blade’s arc. Kylo pulled back immediately, snarling beneath his helmet. “Cowardly tactics.” 

“Or smart.” She countered, a grin obvious in her tone. “Phasma, I didn’t take you as a dancer, I hope you don’t mind me leading.” 

“If you can speak, you’re not fighting hard enough.” Phasma wrenched herself from Zheth’s grip.

She felt the small hairs of her arms raise up and ducked down in time for Kylo’s blade to sweep through empty air. Zheth moved quickly and subtly, releasing her grappling hook and snagging it in the loose fabric around his boots before taking a running dash behind and around him. He didn’t seem to notice the reasoning behind the move and the line was kept loose… for now. 

Phasma closed in again, this time with a silver baton that ended in sharp spear points at the ends. Zheth gasped as the first swing nearly struck her, bending over backward to avoid the strike. Her legs were kicked from beneath her as Phasma kept up her attack. Just as she’d done to Kylo on Takodana, she twisted and wrapped her legs around one of Phasma’s before yanking her off-balance—had it not been for her own armor that probably would’ve hurt. Zheth reached up and grabbed Phasma’s cape, using it to both pull Phasma down and pull herself back up. The two grappled as Ren tried to get an opening. Each move was further wrapping the cord around his boots and tangling somewhat with Phasma as well as they continued their ‘dance’. 

The chrome warrior however caught onto the tactic as Zheth side stepped out of her own trap. Zheth couldn’t risk waiting for her to warn Ren. 

“Hey Kylo, I’ve seen a padawan use the Force better than you. I thought you wanted to be stronger than Vader, but all I see is a pawn for the Supreme Leader.” She pressed the button on her wrist to lock and retract the grappling cord.

“Ren, no!” Phasma’s warning was already too late.

Her body froze as Kylo raised his hand. A swish of his arm and Zheth was airborne, hitting the wall with a loud thud before crashing to the ground. There was another thump and momentary squealing of Ren’s boots dragging across the ground before the cord went slack. She felt dazed and had to take a moment to allow the room to steady itself. Pulling out her borrowed blaster she rose to her feet and shot at Ren first as he got back to his feet. The stun setting sent him back down, conscious given his roaring sound of frustration, but per the rules it meant he was out of the fight. 

Phasma was back on top of her before she could finish her retaliation. Trapped against the wall, Zheth used the blaster to block her baton and attempted to shove Captain Phasma away. This time, her cloak was grabbed at the collar and Phasma shoved her back. A swift follow up with the baton and Zheth was brought to her knees while a kick to the chest finished her off; she gave a cough, air knocked out of her lungs. Phasma’s weight kept her pinned and the tip of the spear was at her throat before she could raise her blaster. 

Zheth let out a huff. It was frustrating to lose but admittedly this had been fun. A lot more challenging than she’d had in a while. Smuggling for the Resistance had given her some action but nothing like this and yesterday’s activities. She’d missed it. 

“That was adequate.” Captain Phasma backed off, letting her stand. 

Adequate? Zheth wondered what stormtroopers had to do to get more than ‘adequate’ if taking down Kylo Ren and holding her own against Phasma got her that compliment. Maybe that was the only kind of compliment she gave… or maybe Phasma didn’t like her, it was difficult to tell. 

A growled sound followed the ragged ignition of Kylo’s blade. Zheth paled beneath her helmet and turned to see him stalking closer. She tried to back off only to find herself immobilized once more. “Kylo..?” 

He raised the blade upward with both hands, seeming to fully intend on bringing it down on her. Phasma backed off, saying nothing to stop him. “Oh shit he’s going to kill me isn’t he?”  

“Ren!” Hux’s voice rang out, the full command going unspoken as he walked over with a clenched jaw and a glint of fury in his eyes. 

The invisible grip released itself as Kylo turned to General Hux. “Yes, General?” 

“That is enough. What is the meaning of this?” 

“It’s just some training, harmless.” His gloved hand reached out and pushed Zheth forward before clamping on her shoulder. “The other night she’d agreed we could train together, I was only curious to see how she’d do. Did you think I’d harm my sister of all people?” 

She’d been pretty convinced he was about to harm her before Hux intervened. In fact the blade was still activated and humming too close for her liking. Zheth wondered how much he’d seen of the skirmish, but his expression gave away nothing. 

“General Hux, I assure you, Crogh was up for the challenge.” Phasma approached. 

Hux took a breath, eyes scanning over her before pulling her away from Kylo with a sneer. “I saw. She did well, given she’s still healing from you cutting her arm open. Maybe Supreme Leader Snoke will replace you with her, Ren. Considering this is two to zero now.”

Kylo’s fists clenched and a loud crash of equipment came from somewhere to their right. “It’s training. If I wanted to kill her, she’d be dead.”  

Zheth believed it. Kylo easily could’ve held her still and driven his saber through her just seconds ago, or maybe cut off her limbs one by one if he was feeling morbid enough. In fact, he could probably do a lot of sadistic things. When it came to training though, that trick just wouldn’t be fun. The fight would end within seconds and nothing would be gained from it.

“You’re right, I could.” Kylo stared at her beneath his mask, responding aloud to her thoughts; she hadn’t even been aware he was in her mind, alarming her. “It’s good that you know your place.” 

A jab of annoyance as that phrase; Hux had used it too. Somehow, Kylo managed to make it seem more demeaning.

“And where’s your place? Sitting at Snoke’s feet like a good dog too scared to usurp its master?” Zheth snapped before stumbling as she choked. That hadn’t been a smart move.

“That’s enough! ” Hux raised his voice, “Ren, release her.” 

Kylo’s fingers pinched closer for just a second longer before obeying with an irritable growling sound through the mask. Zheth gasped and pressed further against Hux.

“We will be arriving at Starkiller shortly. I want everyone assembled and ready. When I give the signal we’ll show the New Republic our full power.” Hux turned away, guiding Zheth with him. 

“Actually, General, I will be going after Skywalker.” Kylo’s words had Hux stopping in his tracks. 

“You most certainly are not!” Hux glared. “I do not expect that you’ll attend, but I insist you stay on the base and dispose of your little scavenger girl before running off… I’m sure Supreme Leader Snoke would like to hear of these plans of yours as well.” 

Tension rose higher, most of the groups training nearest them had already glanced their way but the remaining who hadn’t now turned their heads. Kylo menacingly stepped closer, and closer, and then… past them? “I will alert the Supreme Leader of my plans. I have no doubts he’ll send me to finish Skywalker off immediately.” 

“Captain Phasma, alert me if Ren decides to run off. I don’t want a repeat of chasing him to Felucia or gods know what other backwater planet.” 

“As you wish, General.” 

With that, Zheth was once again being hauled off by Hux as he grabbed the collar of her cape. “You are coming with me before you find more trouble.” 

“Can’t a girl have a little fun?” 

“Not when it includes having a death wish.” He paused and released his grip before lowering his voice, though she doubted anyone was close enough to hear. “Are you okay?”  

“Yeah, I’m fine…Are you going to tell me why you’re wearing that stupid looking hat?” 

A flash of irritation before he shook his head; he seemed tense. “It’s part of my uniform I’ll be wearing for my speech, something that’s very important .” 

“A speech? Shouldn’t we be sending a fleet to D’Qar? You know, crush them with a preemptive strike before they attack us? Hux, that traitor was going to tell them about Starkiller.” She’d meant to suggest it sooner but distractions had arisen— and frankly she’d assumed it would’ve happened after mentioning that fact the first time.

The annoyance disappeared, replaced with something else she couldn’t quite place. Hux glanced away, checking the empty hall, before caressing her helmet like he would someone’s cheek. “A strategy we may have used, but with Starkiller it will not be necessary. Supreme Leader Snoke has instructed that we destroy the Hosnian system first in a grand display that yes, does include a speech. I can’t go against that order. Afterwards we’ll recharge and target the Ileenium system, taking out their base without any resistance.” 

“Is that a pun?” 

“I am trying to be serious, please don’t—”

“I didn’t you could say please.” 

“Zheth.” 

She gave a small laugh, but decided to stop poking fun at him and get back to the topic. “General, with all due respect, if they know about Starkiller and are smart enough to realize I’d tell the First Order where their base is, then they might attempt to flee to another base or contact the New Republic if they haven’t already. At the very least they’ll have ships off-world that your— wait, is this another Death Star? This is starting to sound like another Death Star.” 

“It’s better than a Death Star. Improved.” Pride entered his voice, as if he wanted to gush about his superweapon for hours… He probably could have. Instead, he paused to consider her words. Cold eyes warmed ever so slightly as they looked her over before he nodded. “I’ll have a fleet sent to D’Qar. At the very least they can give us a warning for their approach. However, I cannot go against orders beyond that.” 

He seemed almost saddened by the latter part. Zheth didn’t blame him. If Kylo was that bad she didn’t want to know what Snoke could do when crossed. That presence in the shuttle, even as a hologram, had been dominating and soul crushing. “And Hux wants my help assassinating that guy? I don’t ever want to be in the same physical room as him… It would be a challenge though— think of what I could get if I succeed!”

Another bout of silence as they walked. Zheth glanced up, curious to what he might be thinking but the man was much too experienced with keeping a poker face— he’d make a great gambler. His next words were spoken with caution and only once they were standing outside her room. 

“I wish I could pick apart your mind sometimes.” Quiet, musing as he considered the idea. 

“For your health, you better mean metaphorically.” 

He offered a small, almost unnoticeable laugh. “You wanted to spare Takodana, full of strangers, but seem fine with encouraging me to obliterate your friends.”

“They aren’t my friends… It’s us or them Hux. If we don’t kill them, they’ll hunt us down, and execute us. I’ve already lived in fear of that once, I’m not going to again.” 

“You won’t. I’ll see to that. I promise , I won’t let that happen.” He pulled her against him in what she could almost call a protective manner— although it could’ve been possessive, tension easing out of him before he stepped out of the embrace. “I need to check on the bridge, meet me at the shuttle in Hangar One in five minutes.”

Chapter Text

“I knew there was a reason I loved her.” A strong word to use for someone he hadn’t even known a full standard month. Yet that thought circled his mind as it had been since the night prior as he stood and watched Zheth look around his quarters on Starkiller, Millicent already taking her place on the large bed. It was sparsely decorated with the most prominent feature being an identical ice blue couch to the one on the Finalizer and the view out the window.

Tactical with her requests and strategic ideas—the fleet she’d suggested to go to D’Qar would be there soon if all went to plan. The brutality she showed in the interrogation room was still fresh in his mind. Even better, she was able to hold her own against Ren and Phasma—though she’d lost to the latter ultimately, and despite her quips she could be professional. Of course, she did need to learn to keep her commentary under wraps before Ren actually killed her. Zheth clearly had a mind of her own, no stormtrooper as Hux had to keep in mind, but that had its perks that kept the idea of conditioning far from his mind.

He’d need to get to the stage soon to give his speech, a mental clock counting down the time. “Are you ready to see the end of the Republic?”

“...Politics are so messy, destroy it all you want, then watch your back for the next big idea someone has on how to rule the galaxy. My main concern is surviving.” She looked out the window into the snow outside with her hands tucked behind her. Hux wondered if the pose was a quirk of hers or if it was something she’d started mimicking from her time around him. “Maybe the First Order can do what the New Republic is failing to do: their job . They can’t even protect the systems in their republic as it is and it’s been how many years? Not to mention they won’t help a system who hasn’t joined, regardless of what may happen to innocent people, forcing them to suffer or join—doesn’t sound so heroic as they once portrayed themselves to be. It’s just sad really.” 

Hux walked over, as if caught in a gravitational pull. Part of him was still sure this had to be some trick. Zheth just seemed molded for him. A weapon he could use to help him become Supreme Leader and a partner to rule next to him once the First Order took control of the galaxy. He cupped her face in his hands, wishing he could feel his skin on her cheeks instead of his leather gloves. “Yes, it is. It’s more than sad, it’s pathetic… We will put the New Republic out of its misery.”

“Then we’ll remove Snoke?” 

“Yes.” Time was running out, he needed to leave soon. He rubbed his thumbs in small circles on her jaw as he considered her. “I know you only joined because your hand was forced by him… but after your job is done, I hope you consider staying.”

“We still have a while to go before our job is done. Besides, I might stick around. They say the First Order’s next Supreme Leader is very handsome.” Hux felt his cheeks warm as her words flustered him. Kriff, why was it so easy for her to do that?

And now… time was up. He needed to go to avoid being late. Excitement buzzed through him. This was it, his grand achievement was about to be made reality! Years of work and planning finally brought to fruition. His gaze slid to her lips, recalling the moment on Felucia. “May I use my rain check now, or do I still smell like a swamp?” 

“About time. I was starting to think I’d have to just go for it myself.” Zheth laughed.

Her arms came up to rest lightly over his shoulders, careful to avoid creasing or wrinkling his uniform. The kiss was chaste and much too brief for his liking, but Armitage straightened and stepped back. His heart felt much too fast in his chest. 

“Well, that felt a bit anticlimactic.” 

A glance at the door then back at her with a calculating gaze to make her squirm. He moved suddenly, pushing her back against the glass, trapping her against it. Zheth let out a small huff of air as it was knocked out of her; Hux didn’t give her a chance to catch it as he went for another kiss. He was more aggressive with it this time, pressing his weight onto her as he fisted a hand in her hair and added a harsh nip to her lip— he’d like to hear her call this one anticlimactic. Zheth looked dazed as he pulled away again; Armitage was much more satisfied with this reaction.

He took a breath, wanting to keep going but wincing at the knowledge that lateness would result in punishment. Snoke’s orders couldn’t wait any longer. “Was that more to your liking?” 

“Y-yeah…” 

“I’ll be back soon.” He breathed the words out. 

Zheth followed him towards the door. “You better be, don’t forget what we discussed yesterday. I wasn’t done with you, General. Those pretty sheets in there will need to be replaced.” 

Oh kriff she was making leaving very difficult right now. He had to turn his back to her and walked to the door. “You can call me Armitage when it’s just us.” 

The door swished shut behind him, though he could imagine the gears were already turning in her head. Perhaps by the time he returned there would be a few more nicknames. He really couldn’t care less right now. Hux felt like he was on top of the galaxy already. Starkiller was ready to destroy the Hosnian system and D’Qar soon after, an army to back him, and Zheth’s words… It was hard to determine if it was a threat or a promise. Either way a shiver of anticipation ran through him. 

“Focus, Armitage… This first…” It was probably a good thing they hadn’t been able to add her into the stage placement last minute. After that exchange he was distracted enough without her being feet away from him.

A pressure of warning in his head as Snoke sought for him certainly had him wiping those thoughts from the front of his mind. Hux was quick to mentally recite through the speech he’d been given, as if he’d merely been going over that and lost track of time. Whisperings of warning filled his head, Snoke reminding him that he could be replaced if he proved useless. Then the feeling ebbed away to his relief. It was terrifying how the Supreme Leader could be so distant, sitting on a ship in another part of the galaxy, yet reach this far with his power.

The cold climate didn’t seem to touch him as he stood before his army, Phasma and other notable officers of the First Order were situated behind him. He’d memorized this speech by heart and his passion for Starkiller and the destruction of the New Republic rang clearly in every word. Hux’s only annoyance, not that this was unexpected, was that Ren wasn’t here to show united support; he could only hope Ren was getting rid of the scavenger girl or discussing the Jedi with Snoke rather than causing trouble. His irritation was swept away completely as the weapon fired, its red beams reflecting in his eyes while below him the stormtroopers chanted out. Perfect.

He’d done it. The New Republic was gone. Hux was sure his father would be rolling in his grave seeing his bastard son accomplish such a feat. This wouldn’t be his peak yet though, no, he still had to aim higher. He’d rule this galaxy in Snoke’s place. No one would dare defy him… and if they did, well, Zheth seemed wrapped around his finger. She’d dispose of them.

“Right… she’s waiting.” Maybe he was wrapped around her finger too, the pair of them tangled metaphorically with each other— and perhaps more literally soon. Hux couldn’t care less at the moment who was controlling who. He felt like he was floating on air with how things were turning around for him after the map fiasco. Surely he’d be commended for this success, honored for being the one to destroy the New Republic and Resistance so order could return. Of course, he’d patiently bide his time in whatever promoted rank he’d be given, plotting Snoke’s demise before claiming the throne for himself. “I’m entitled to that much. I earned it. ”

He’d played along nicely with Ren long enough. Perhaps once things began wrapping up, rebel cells wiped out, and the clean up process began, he would no longer have to see the Knight of Ren. No more being a punching bag now that he’d shown just how worthy and capable he was. No more fear of punishment or execution for failure. Hux deserved everything that was about to come from this.

The door slid shut behind him as he headed back into the base. “Begin recharging and take aim at the Ileenium system, we’ll be targeting D’Qar. Contact our fleet and see how things are progressing.”

Officers hurried off at his command. He should oversee it himself but turned for his quarters instead. Each step made his already increased heart rate quicken further. A rare, genuine smile appeared as his door slid open and Hux quickly crossed the room. Zheth had barely stood up from her place on the couch before he found her lips again and claimed them with aggression. A muffled grumble escaped as she purposefully slapped his ‘stupid’ hat off and replaced it with her hands. He winced and let out a quiet involuntary sound, expecting a painful tug, but she seemed content to abuse his lips right back instead with bites. Armitage relaxed into it once more and pinned her against the wall as he pressed against her.

Unfortunately the need for air made him pull back as he let out a breathless “fuck...”

“We’re getting to that part.” She was getting demanding right back at him, shoving him off and toward the bedroom with some impatience.

“It doesn’t bother you that a whole system was destroyed on my command?” He was just now realizing how morbid this seemed— intimacy like this while a system crumbled to dust. People had died. It was for a greater cause but… a lot of people had still died. It could’ve been him just obliterated to spacedust, if he’d grown up on the wrong side. “But now we can step in and return order to the galaxy. They might not understand now, but we’re saving them.”

Was he really debating this right now? Starkiller was necessary, the end to a war before it could evolve into something greater and tear a chaotic galaxy into further disarray. Besides, if he hadn’t gone through with it, he’d be deemed a traitor and sent to an execution right now. 

Zheth just looked thrown by the question as she continued tugging him along and into his bedroom. “You can’t estimate how many would die because of galaxy wide war. This might’ve been the path to less lives killed over all… or maybe not. We won’t know. However, I don’t agree with it being used excessively. Returning structure to the galaxy doesn’t require constant terror— shooting a giant laser at all your issues is effective, until it stirs up more rebellion than it destroys.” 

Her words were… unexpected. They reminded him a little of Sloane’s ideals— shunning the idea of ruling through terror, but still maintaining authority and proper structure with forces like Starkiller being used for extreme measures. It wasn’t much of a secret why she wasn’t alive today, and Hux had grieved the loss. Sloane had been a light in the dark for him that had been stolen away, not quite a parental figure, but a protector for too short of a time before he’d been pulled into the ideals of Rax, his father, and other former imperials again. He wondered if she’d be proud of him now and felt a surprising prickle of guilt that she might have disapproved.

He refused to let Zheth meet a similar fate to Sloane. As long as she was by his side; they’d make a better empire than the first one. Finding happiness and a feeling of safety here was so rare that he was determined to keep it now that he’d found someone who provided both.

He only broke away from her to usher Millicent from the room, shutting her out for the time being before turning his focus to the pleasant matter at hand. Zheth had changed out of her armor while he’d been on stage, leaving her in much easier layers to dispose of. Armitage set to work pulling off his greatcoat, for once being careless with it as he tossed the heafy coat aside. Zheth however, swatted his hand away and began working away at the rest of his uniform herself. He returned the favor with vigor.

Stripped down, he felt blush creeping over him as Zheth stared at his body. Suddenly self conscious of everything about himself: the scars, his physique, the lack of experience. If she noticed his scarring she didn’t mention it, too focused on pulling him over to the bed where he slipped out of his insecurity enough to pin her down. He had to admire her toned figure as she laid beneath him, taking his time to savor this moment as if it would never happen again. The skin on skin contact sent a shiver through him; it felt electric as her hands roamed over him. Armitage kissed her again, mouth trailing down to her jaw before attacking her throat. Meanwhile his own hands explored her, trailing lightly over her curves; he felt the goosebumps that rose in the wake of his actions. He was doing this right so far it seemed.

A pause as it continued to grow more heated, one last check that this was what she wanted to appease the whispering doubts in the back of his mind that anyone would want this from him— or would want this genuinely and not as a ploy to try getting promoted. “Are you sure?” 

“Of course I am.” 

Armitage slowly kissed her again, building back up to the fervor they’d had; her words had been all he needed to convince himself to shove the doubts for both concerns aside.

Chapter Text

He panted, the haze unclouding somewhat as he burrowed his face against her neck. His body felt absolutely boneless. Hux pressed his lips to the mark he’d left there over her scar; the bite wasn’t permanent but he’d felt the possessive urge to leave his own temporary imprint— well, several actually. As per her cues for him to be rougher. The small dots of blood he’d drawn disappeared, though he could faintly taste it on his lips. One of Zheth’s hands combed soothingly through his hair as if she hadn’t just finished torturing him, leaving him on the precipice only to pull back and demand him repeat himself. 

I love you. The words had been a whisper the first time, slipping out against his will as she’d come undone. He’d been so close to following suit, but her ears were sharp and she’d decided to make him say it again, demanding it as if she needed an ego boost. When he’d finally caved, senses feeling as if everything was about to overload, it came out choked. Armitage felt certain she’d reject him despite all of this. She’d see him as clingy and pathetic. Needy. Any moment now she’d shove him away and leave him now that she’d gotten what she wanted, because surely to her ‘love’ wasn’t what this was about. This had been for a reward after all— granted, one she’d chosen. “I bet Cardinal never made a fool of himself like this.”

Or perhaps she’d tell him this had been a mistake. His first kiss had resulted in that. He’d been in his late teens at the time, never great at socializing and generally kept away from other peers until it was too late to form connections to them. Armitage had been curious though and one of them, a cadet a few years older than him, had been willing. 

“I shouldn’t have done that.” They spoke, pulling away from him swiftly just as things had gotten to the verge of full on making out.

“My father doesn’t have to know.” He’d stepped after them, heart dropping as the cadet turned their back.

“This was a mistake.” Footsteps continued retreating away from him as he forced himself not to sob. He shouldn’t waste tears over someone like them; they were merely used to explore a curiosity. That’s what he would keep repeating to himself anyway.

Or maybe a few years later, when he’d only been a Lieutenant and a fellow officer had hit on him. Hux had wanted to focus on his job but she’d been pretty while he was young and naive in the love department.

He’d found out rather abruptly that she’d been attempting to use him. All she’d seen was a stepping stone with a high ranking father that could get her promoted or otherwise ingrained into a prominent family. And when she found out that wasn’t going to work… 

“I should’ve known you were a bad choice. I thought you were all aloof and mysterious but you’re just a friendless bastard who got this far because daddy was ashamed his son might amount to nothing if he didn’t step in.” How she’d even found out was unknown to him. “No one wants to tarnish their reputation by getting caught with you— a stain to your family name. I bet it was easy to land your mother too. If I’m going to sleep around with someone, I’m at least going to do it with a guy who might actually get me a ticket to a better rank.”

Each word felt like another dagger. He didn’t understand. They’d wanted him… right? They’d agreed, they’d initiated the relationship… So why? Armitage couldn’t wrap his mind around the cruelty towards him that had seeped down from people like Brendol, Pryde, and Brooks. Regardless of why, his pain sharply twisted into anger. 

His father had found out, Brendol always found out… He’d been punished, humiliated, and left stewing in his hatred for the officer and everyone else involved behind the scenes. 

A kiss or short term relationship weren’t great comparisons to the present, but to those versions of himself, it had been a rare time to let his guard down when he was surrounded by people out to drag him through the dirt. In the end he’d felt used; he wouldn’t have been shocked if their senior officers put the cadet up to it just to laugh at him or if his father had told the officer all that personal information to sabotage his growing reputation. Eventually he took his revenge, making sure they’d never receive a promotion if their life depended on it; they were dead now, a trash compactor malfunction. The damage was done though and he’d been too busy trying to advance his own rank to risk opening up again. This had been a leap of trust and now in the aftermath, he was left fearing history was going to repeat to some degree. 

“Was that so difficult?” She spoke up softly, continuing to brush through his hair.

“Zheth…” His grip around her tightened, face staying firmly buried in the crook of her neck. If he didn’t move he could pretend she wasn’t about to make fun of him. 

But she moved first, capturing his lips briefly before tilting her head in observation. There was amusement in those burning eyes, and yet, when she spoke it was far from mean-spirited. Teasing, as ever, but not cruel. “You’re more vocal than I thought you’d be.” 

“And you’re bratty.” He huffed right back, pulse fluttering as hope crept into him that he’d been wrong. She had been extremely bratty at first when he’d held control, but the reins switched hands at some point. When was… difficult to say. That fog was lifting but the more he thought back, the more lost in pleasurable haze it got. 

“I know.” That playful smirk was on her face as she proudly agreed. 

Somewhat reassured by her mood that his fears were unwarranted, Armitage relaxed. They remained entwined for a few minutes longer as he savored the moment before the sticky feeling on his stomach became too much of a bother and he stood, leading her to the refresher.

He was aware he needed to get back to his duties, but after getting washed off, changing the sheets, and allowing Millicent access to the bedroom again, he found himself lying back in the bed with Zheth. Armitage didn’t think he’d ever felt so relaxed and he let out a quiet hum of contentment as she kissed the fading crescents on his shoulder apologetically and began combing through his hair again, putting it back into his usual style. Without the gel it didn’t stay very well, but the action felt nice; Armitage understood why she liked it so much. He slid a hand under the hem of her shirt to rub patterns on her side. Millicent made her way in, announcing herself with a “mrrup” as she leapt up and settled at the foot of the bed. The dying light through the window paired with how comfortable he was nearly made Armitage start to doze off. 

“That was amazing— needed.” Though he still craved soft intimate moments like now. “When I’m Supreme Leader I can do this all day while the ants keep the galaxy in line.”

“Am I still a stick in the mud?” He asked quietly, recalling what Ren had claimed Zheth had called him.

“Hmm, I suppose not Husky. Although I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure if you were fucking me or trying to gut me at some points.”

He rolled his eyes, but a deep pink flushed over his pale complexion at what he could only assume was a compliment. However, he was too embarrassed to comment on it, focusing instead on the recurring use of nicknames. “You and your pet names.” 

“What can I say, Tage? It’s fun and you give me a lot to work with.” A dramatic sigh escaped and she glanced out the window. “I only wish I’d thought of General Hugs first…” 

Oh yes, he loathed that one after hearing the pilot say it—no matter how accurate it was for the way he’d been holding Zheth at the time. Had Dameron not been the one who came up with it, then publicly mocked him with the name, perhaps he would have enjoyed that one too.

“Did you hear that?” Zheth pulled away from him and stood up. 

He went still, listening until he heard knocking— more like vigorous banging of someone’s fist on the door. Hux got to his feet, hurriedly putting the rest of his uniform on and straightening it out. Zheth was also moving to get her armor on as he left to see what this intrusion was about—perhaps because he’d allowed himself to slack off.
“They don’t need me to push a damn button.”

Hux scowled as the door opened to reveal Ren, his cold irritation returned at the sight of the man. For once he wished the Knight of Ren had left on his silly quest to find Skywalker. “What do you want?” 

“The Resistance has been spotted and the prisoner has escaped.” 

Ah, so aside from the Resistance showing up as predicted, he was being asked to clean up another one of Ren’s messes. “That sounds like a personal issue, Ren. Your job was to get the droid, yet you decided to bring back that girl who I already told you to dispose of .” 

He didn’t need to have the Force to feel the utter fury that flared up and radiated around Ren. Hux was confident enough that he wouldn’t do anything, he couldn’t without angering Snoke… and if the Supreme Leader knew of this he was surely mad at Ren already. 

“It will become your problem too if she escapes and finds Skywalker. She’s seen the map, do you want to take that risk?” 

A pause only broken by Zheth’s footsteps as she walked over, Millicent at her heels. Hux spared both of them a glance before composing himself. “I will have the stormtroopers put on high alert. Our pilots already had orders to watch and attack any Resistance ship that arrives.” 

Everything was under control, aside from Ren’s plans… as per usual. General Hux had every confidence that even with FN-2187’s help, the Resistance wouldn’t be able to win. He’d been on sanitation duty during his time on Starkiller, what would a trooper like him know of the weapon? They’d be perfectly safe once the prisoner was taken care of.

“Zheth,” Ren barged past hard enough to nearly topple him, “you will help me.” 

“Just hold on—”

“She’s dealt with Jedi before, I have use for that.” Ren turned around and stepped closer, leering down at him through his helmet. A chill ran through Hux as the Knight hushed his voice to a dangerously quiet tone that reminded Hux of a monomolecular blade’s sharpness. “And it will keep your hands off my sister.” 

As if Kylo cared about Zheth or who she wished to sleep with; the man had been about to kill her mere hours ago. He primarily just wished to annoy Hux, which was something the general was all too aware of. This was all to annoy him, and it was working.

He kept his mind focused on his mundane duties alongside thoughts of the Resistance’s attack and his face devoid of reaction. Surely Ren didn’t know. That girl he’d kidnapped had been his focus lately, distracting Ren from everything else. If he didn’t know better, he’d say Ren’s obsession was starting to lead him down a similar path he’d had with Zheth.

Zheth warily joined the conversation, though her voice held confidence. “Mystic energy and laser swords don’t always beat a good shot from a blaster or other tricks, especially if they’re untrained. I’ve got this General.”

“Fine. I want the girl eliminated.” Hux couldn’t care less what Ren’s plans were for the scavenger girl. If she had the Force and wasn’t on the First Order’s side, then she was dangerous. 

A pause, watching the two head off. 

“And Ren,” He called out to them. “I want my guard back alive.” 

Naturally the irritable man didn’t acknowledge him. But he heard. Armitage knew he did.

Chapter Text

“They couldn’t have done this tomorrow?” She wanted to be back in bed or preparing for that dinner date Armitage had promised. “Then again, the Resistance will be dead by tomorrow.”  

Stormtroopers swarmed the halls. The squads of them milling about all agitated in search of the prisoner reminded her of viper wasps when someone disturbed their nest. Despite the initial amount of them, their groups were consistent and patterned, something that could easily be picked up on if the scavenger was smart. They’d be simple enough to dodge around once the pattern was found… but that pattern didn’t apply to her or Kylo. They’d find her. Kylo himself seemed to have some connection to the girl.
“You’re limping.” He sounded displeased.

She turned her head, having a perfect excuse as she gave her retort. “Yeah, that happens when someone throws me into a wall. ”

Invisible hands shoved her to the ground and Kylo kept walking. “That is the last time you humiliate me. You deserved to be put in your place! Next time you won’t be capable of limping away.” 

“How is the guy who blew up a system the nice one around here?” She pushed herself back to her feet and kept following.

“We’ll split up.” Kylo spoke, freezing suddenly and looking around. 

Zheth nodded, avoiding his gaze. “Alright.” 

He walked off in another direction and she turned to continue onward. Zheth had hoped he’d stay, despite how on edge he just made her. Training with him had been one thing but her words in Hux’s quarters had been a lot of talk. There was truth in the fact she’d fought those who could use the Force, but she’d never actually beaten a Force user before in real combat. The padawan on Ossus couldn’t really count and they’d gotten up to fight again, maybe she could’ve won had Skywalker not been with them. And well, Kylo was a sore-loser who’d nearly decided to kill her.

“This girl doesn’t sound trained. How hard could this be?”  

She bypassed the hangar. The girl would be foolish to go there with so many First Order soldiers. Someone would spot her in seconds before she could even hope to reach a ship. Zheth went down another corridor, listening as blaster fire died off. This sounded like a good direction to head in! Bodies littered the hall here and there, all stormtroopers which suggested their killer, or killers, had escaped. The bounty hunter examined them as she continued forward, two different kinds of blasters—no here was a third. 

Zheth activated her communicator. “General Hux, we have more than just the girl loose. I’m thinking at least three other rebels are here.” 

“Find them.” His voice sounded snippy and stressed already. 

“As you wish.” Their only chance of escape was over her dead body— because apparently most stormtroopers existed for looks and not function as anything more than a moving target.

The thrill of a hunt coursed through her. It’d been so long since she’d hunted down targets and she worked with renewed enthusiasm at the chance to do it again. The path took her across a control access point, lights showing shields had been deactivated. She wasn’t familiar with the controls, but attempted to turn them back on anyway. The system, of course, didn’t respond to her commands. Unable to turn them back on herself without proper clearance, she made a mental note that there was a lack of sabotage before trying to pull up the datalog to at least see who turned them off— another traitor in their midst it seemed. 

The sound of running and commotion gave her pause before she could grab the information loading onto the screens. Her job was to stop the rebels… that was the priority here. Reporting this and finding the culprit would have to wait until the base was secure. Zheth continued tracking them down, closing in once more as she heard blaster fire. Her pace picked up and she turned the corner to see four Resistance members taking out a couple of stormtroopers. 

“Solo!” She called out, watching the group pause as she stepped closer.

“Zheth?” Han didn’t immediately shoot but three blasters were still pointed her way.

She came to a stop as well, hand on her blaster as she debated who to shoot first. An ambush would’ve gone over better, but she’d already drawn their attention in her eagerness. “Surrender, now.” 

“Yeah, we’re not gonna do that.” Finn moved in front of the escaped prisoner and fired.

Zheth stumbled back as the bolt hit her armor, another bolt from the Wookiee’s bo-caster knocked the breath out of her. She fired back, missing as they grabbed a couple speeders and took off. A frustrated huff escaped. 

“General, they got someone on the inside to lower the shields. I’ve found them but they’re heading out on speeders.” 

There was silence on Hux’s end for a split second before he responded. “They are headed for the oscillator. Go after them, do not let those Resistance scum destroy it.” 

Oscillator… she wasn’t sure where that was. Zheth grabbed one of the remaining speeders and flew off after them, it had to be close and at the very least she would keep them in her sights. The cold air sent her cape flying out behind her as she drove. In the sky above she could see a dog fight between the X-wings and TIEs while remains of ships from both sides littered the snow. She briefly wondered if Poe was up there in his ship—the Resistance wouldn’t bench him for something this important. As if he’d let a minor injury stop him; allowed to be here or not, Poe had to be fighting up there somewhere.

“Focus on the targets.” She could see them ahead, driving towards a dark structure in the distance. 

The rebels were already inside by the time she caught up on her snowspeeder. Three dead guards were sprawled in the snow in front of the open door, useless. All these casualties on the trooper’s side and none of them had managed to kill or injure even one of these Resistance fighters. Zheth shook her head. 

“If you want a job done right, do it yourself.” She sighed and pulled out her blaster, heading into the dark oscillator. 

She headed downward, silent and careful as she watched for the intruders. It was almost too easy to track them, all she had to do was follow the sounds of blaster fire and the trail of dead bodies in white armor. Then things fell eerily silent. Zheth continued her way down until she spotted a familiar crackling red glow in the low light: Kylo. He wasn’t alone on the bridge either, Han was with him and they seemed to be talking.

She approached Solo from behind, blaster lowering when she saw Ren deactivate his blade and take his helmet off. Had the elderly man surrendered? Kylo wasn’t the type to allow time for that, or so she’d thought. Zheth paused as her half-brother looked past Han to stare at her. “Stay back, this doesn’t concern you.”

“Snoke is manipulating you Ben.” Han risked a glance over his shoulder at her. “ Both of you. He’s just using you to get power, when he’s done he’ll kill you.” 

Kylo appeared to hesitate but Zheth scoffed. “Please, I’ve seen Snoke once. He looked frail. Kylo could take him.”  

Ren’s eyes flicked back and forth between them in conflict. Was this really that hard to get this over with? “He did grow up with this guy… Maybe it is more difficult for him.”

“Ben, come home, we miss you.” Han reached out to him, or maybe reached for the lightsaber Kylo was holding out. 

  “Kylo, I have my orders. Finish this or I will.” She raised her blaster again. Once upon a time she’d wanted to kill her adoptive father for being a shitty parent… now she got a chance to kill her biological one instead. Yet her mind was clear of anger and revenge. This was a job and he was a target, nothing more. Although, she couldn’t help the jab that slipped out. “How’s it feel to fail twice at being a father?” 

“Zheth, easy there, we can work things out.” Han spoke evenly, but didn’t turn to look at her again, his gaze still fixed on his son. “Leia will forgive you both.” 

Forgiveness, after everything? Zheth shook her head. Not after she attacked Poe, not if General Organa learned it was her suggestion to attack D’Qar pre-blasting it with a giant planet destroying laser— let alone that she’d been the one to reveal their base’s location so they could. That wasn’t even touching on her childhood crime of killing that squad of rebels in revenge. The fact Organa hadn’t detained her despite knowing about the mission on Ossus was a miracle. “No she won’t.”

Her finger twitched on the trigger, her resolve solidifying, and then pulled it. Kylo’s blade erupted to life, the crimson glow illuminating the snarl on his face as he lunged forward. Han froze, having nowhere to go unless he wanted to jump to his death into the open void below. Zheth shouted and fell backward as Ren used the Force to push her away and off the bridge entirely. The deflected blaster bolt hit the metal wall near her head as she slid to a stop.

She felt just as shocked as Kylo looked. His surprise turned to horror as if realizing something horrible was going to happen. Zheth got back to her feet, glaring at him beneath her helmet. “What are you doing?” 

He didn’t get the chance to answer. Blaster fire began raining down and around them. A bolt hit the armor on her shoulder, while another from one of the Resistance members struck Kylo and sent him falling onto his back. The faint light of the sun filtering into the oscillator from above finally died out and left them in darkness. Her helmet adjusted to night vision in time to see Han escape past her, his footsteps slowing as he watched her and Kylo getting back to their feet, in the intermittent artificial lights on the walls and bridges she could see a deep expression of sadness and regret on his face.

“There isn’t much time, come back with us.” He tried one last time. “You’re not a bad person, I know you sent those coordinates so we could save Poe.”

“Solo, it’s about to blow!” Finn called down to him. “We need to go.” 

Han stepped closer and she took a step back, snapping at him before she could change her mind. “I don’t want your help.” 

“And I don’t want to see my kids manipulated by an evil space wizard.”

Those what-ifs were resurfacing. She could leave now, go with him and maybe find out he wasn’t so bad. He’d never be a father to her but they could at least be on friendly terms— then again, he’d abandoned Kylo, why wouldn’t he abandon her too? It was too late anyway. The Resistance would hold trial for her and she’d be locked up at best, executed at worst. Her thoughts flashed back to that night on Adelphi. She couldn’t let that happen again. 

She raised her blaster again, taking another step back. A bolt from the Wookiee’s bowcaster slammed into her armor, knocking her back to the ground as she pulled the trigger. There was a gasp of pain but Han didn’t go down. A red glow swung overhead as Kylo rejoined the party. She watched as he forced Han back into a swift retreat, though his slashes were wild and widely missed their mark with each swing. Chewie’s attacks also kept him distracted and allowed Han to put more and more distance between them. The oscillator shook, flames erupting around them as the explosives went off. Zheth used her grappling hook to pull herself upward, but not for the exit just yet.

The Wookiee was still lingering, waiting for Han to finish catching up while Kylo swerved for the other two as Rey grabbed his attention. Zheth fired at Chewie, earning a snarl of rage and pain before another bolt managed to graze her leg. The pain distracted her long enough for the Wookiee to close in, furry paws wrapping around her neck as he throttled her. The grip was too tight to pull off and she felt his nails starting to sink into her skin. Despite the claws still being sheathed, blood was dripping down the back of her neck, if she wasn’t quick he might rip her head right off or crush her neck entirely. Something felt like it popped and white-hot pain seared through her neck. Blaster still in hand, she fired at the beast, feeling the Wookiee release her as he fell back. 

A loud roar as he bared his teeth and swung out again. She fell backwards out of reach and waited for him to draw closer again before firing one last time with an echoed shot. The bolt felled the Wookiee as it struck his head— oddly the gore splatter onto her and not away as it should have— and she allowed herself a moment to catch her breath. Her neck hurt and one of her arms was starting to get that numbing tingle to it. The building felt like it was spinning and it took her a moment to get her footing between the trembling as the oscillator groaned, the foundation failing due to the explosives ripping and burning away at the structure. She ran for the exit, dodging around falling beams. Another shudder went through the oscillator and Zheth lost her footing. The beams moaned and with a screech of tearing metal crashed downward around her. 

She dodged the scraps by the skin of her teeth, glancing upward with a renewed flare of agony as she swore something silver moved. The only thing she saw was the blaster bolt moments before she fell off the edge. Zheth shouted, panicking as her mind flashed back to Ossus. She tried to get to safety with her grappling hook but everything was too unstable and the momentary break in her fall didn’t last long as the beam broke apart. Zheth continued to plunge into the abyss before finally slamming into hard metal flooring. Another crashing sound as the place continued falling apart. A jagged, mangled piece of Oscillator broke off and crashed down on her. Zheth’s shout was cut off as the force of the blow knocked her unconscious despite her helmet’s protection. 

Her vision came back blurry and doubled with the HUD in her helmet flickering from the sustained damage. The heat was increasing, her wounds were agonizing, and while her helmet spared her from inhaling the smoke and immediate death from the falling debris she still felt dizzy and suffocated. Zheth dragged herself to her feet, nearly falling back over as she looked upward— or attempted to. Her neck was stiff and radiating pain. She seemed to be alone now. This time, her grappling hook found more success and she let it pull her upward to safety. Back on not-quite stable ground, Zheth stumbled for the exit. The cold air jolted her further into consciousness but the world continued to feel tilted—or maybe it was actually moving. What was with all that ringing? 

“Broken ribs… concussion maybe? Kriff, my leg…” Not broken, but that graze hurt a lot worse than she’d expected it to. Everything hurt actually. Part of her just wanted to collapse and give into the agonizing feeling. 

Zheth followed a blood trail, falling forward as the planet shook and fractured as a larger explosion sounded behind her. Fissures ripped through the surface and nausea struck as the rumbling worsened her spinning vision. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths through the pain in hopes of quelling the sensation. All it really did was make the pain worse. Moving felt difficult, more impossible the longer she stayed there. Zheth once again forced herself up and kept going, grabbing a speeder to catch up faster. She had to find Kylo and get off Starkiller before the place imploded. Hopefully Hux already had.

She found him fighting Finn and the scavenger girl— Rey, she hazily recalled— as she ungracefully tried to get off the speeder only to fall. Surprisingly they were holding their own against him but his anger was building, she could see it in his attacks. With that rage, his strength grew as well and she watched with increasingly tunneling vision as the tides of battle started to turn. Zheth rose while shakily taking out her own blaster and firing down at Rey, distracting her while the other two dueled with their lightsabers. Her shot missed wildly but did its job of distraction.

“I thought she was the Jedi?” Her mind felt foggy, maybe she was remembering wrong.

They exchanged blaster fire, another rift starting to tear open around the four. Smaller fissures spread out like roots and Zheth crashed to the ground, rolling down the hill it created. Kylo glanced her way and shoved Finn towards her with a final slash across his back. “Finish him off, I’ll take the girl.” 

Finn shouted and collapsed but didn’t let go of the weapon as Kylo had seemed to be hoping—not that Rey let him try again. Despite the pain he had to be in, determination set in his gaze as he grit his teeth. “You almost kill Poe, you’ll pay for that.” 

Her legs felt like they were barely holding her up and she did her best at ducking and dodging with occasional blaster bolts in between— attempting to keep the nausea at bay wasn’t going too great either. The fight didn’t last long. Seconds really. With her deteriorating condition Finn easily slipped past her attacks and defenses. He went into a blind spot in her failing HUD. Zheth shouted as the blade slashed across her torso, searing through the parts unprotected by armor. She dropped to the snow. Finn paused, standing over her a moment, then hurried off to help Rey. The battle grew distant as they went into a retreat. 

Zheth could taste blood as she pressed an unsteady hand to her communicator. Was she crying or was that more blood on her cheeks somehow? Everything felt so… so foggy. Was her whimpering, quiet, plea understandable? “Armi…” 

She couldn’t say more, couldn’t warn him of the danger or that Kylo was near and also needed a pick up once he finished the two off. The feeling of acceptance coursed through her as the fact she was dying struck. Her body wasn’t responding right. It was too sluggish and stiff, some hellish mix of painful and numbed, and everything was dark… The roaring sounds of the planet falling apart seemed so distant, Zheth couldn’t even hear the fight nearby anymore… She felt cold.

Chapter Text

Conflict, anger, and pain reigned supreme through him. Logic and rational cast into the shadows of his mind as he rained down attack after attack on the two before him. “I should’ve killed him! I would’ve killed him!”  

Han had escaped his grasp, slipping away when Kylo had inevitably followed after Rey and the former stormtrooper as if the girl’s presence was a gravity well dragging him from his initial target. He still didn’t quite grasp how he could feel their connection this strongly, this quickly, but he did know that she was a bigger threat than he’d first thought an untrained scavenger girl to be. The Force was moving to her will with ease as they fought and it infuriated him all the more. 

A roaring yell ripped from his throat as he slashed his blade downward. Finn’s grip on the lightsaber finally gave out and it dropped into the snow. Ren raised his free hand, using the Force to fling the other man into Rey. The two toppled to the ground as he reached for the fallen lightsaber— this was his grandfather’s and therefore rightfully his.

“No…” Finn reached out, as if it would do any good from where he was lying in the snow. 

A frown as the saber slipped from his grip and back onto the ground a few feet away. Kylo froze and stared at it, then back to the traitorous soldier. “So… there are two.”

He’d never sensed Finn’s connection before and even now it was overshadowed by Rey’s— Finn himself looked shocked. “So, you have it too… It doesn’t matter. You’ll both be dealt with soon enough.” 

Once more he raised his hand and summoned the lightsaber. Just like last time it was pulled from his fingertips. Kylo snarled and jerked his head to Rey as the blade came to life in her hands. Fine . He’d pry it from their corpses. 

“Zheth, I said finish him!” A glance as his order went unfilled; she was lying motionless in the snow on the other side of the clearing. 

Irritation burned through his veins. He’d handle this himself then! The bowcaster wound stretching across his side and stomach was slowing him despite the way he’d been using the pain to grant him strength. His focus was split more and more as he tried to focus on keeping the injury from killing him. The Force could only do so much when each swing of his blade and twist of movement felt like it was tearing the wound further. 

Kylo clenched his teeth, barring them at Rey after once again using the Force to toss Finn to the side. “You can still join me!” 

Was that hesitation in her gaze? A thrill went through him. If she joined him then together they could grasp new heights of power! Just think how strong she’d become under his training, and how strong he’d grow with a proper challenge. The two of them united could rule the galaxy, with a might that even his grandfather could never have hoped to achieve. 

Anger flared again as she went in for an attack instead. He blocked and spun, blade raised to swing upward this time. Agony seared across his face. Kylo turned away, hand going to his face but not daring to touch the burning wound. The fact there wasn’t a follow up attack while his defense was down was a blessing, but not a good sign. With his good eye, he spotted Rey escaping with Finn. Rage sent tremors through his body at the sight and despite his deteriorating condition he stormed after them. 

The earth had been splitting and crumbling for a while now and just before he could reach the two a new chasm tore the surface open. Trees, snow, and dirt were swallowed up into the rift. Kylo stumbled away from the edge, lingering just far enough to watch Rey disappear with her friend. 

“Next time.” He could find her again, their bond in the Force was strong regardless of why it happened. Kylo would track her down and he would make her join him or die. 

Focus turned back to his half-sister. Conflict stirred as he approached. Kylo was still uncertain how he felt about the reveal, or about her generally. He’d been humiliated twice while fighting with her; he despised her for that. The fact she was getting too close to Hux also had him disgusted— mostly with Hux but clearly her taste in men could do better. Then again, her mother must have had awful taste in men too. That womp weasel of a General was undeserving of anyone’s affection— it was good his usefulness might be up, with his weapon falling apart. Kylo would love to use the scrawny man as a training dummy.

“I could leave her here.” Kylo stared down at her, feeling the life force ebbing away. Fainter and fainter, it wasn’t like she had much time left. He still had to find his own way off the planet.

For all the dislike associated with and surrounding her, he did grudgingly like her to some degree. Zheth was willing to follow orders. She’d been betrayed by their father too, and his mother. Zheth had gone so far as to attempt killing Solo, which he also had mixed feelings about— but them being on the same page about killing him was good. He had been building up to kill his father, really, he had been going to… She had ruined it by stepping in. All he’d had to do was drive his blade through Solo, that was all. So why hadn’t he done it? Why had he blocked Zheth’s attack? Why had all his attacks missed so badly when he’d pursued Solo after? That conflict of the Light calling him back could’ve been gone now.

“I’ll just… just…” His mind grew hazy, legs collapsing beneath him. “No… I won’t die here.”  

There was still so much for him to do… Kylo honed his focus back onto his wounds, it wasn’t much good at this point, but staving off the damage was better than nothing. A deep breath, then another. Kylo got back to his feet. It was time to find an escape. Another glance at Zheth clinging to life. A grumble rumbled through his chest; she would owe him for this. He grabbed her, dragging her by the scruff of her tattered cape. 

His own steps grew more and more uneven, at one point he was pretty sure he’d gone in a circle trying to avoid the crumbling earth. Despite all his efforts, his strength was giving out. Kylo fell back to his knees, hunching over Zheth and assessing that she was still alive but fading. The Force signature he’d been familiarizing himself with was barely a ghost of what it had been. Ren raised a hand, focusing his powers to try stabilizing her in the same way he was stabilizing his own wounds until help came. It wouldn’t be enough to save her, but the pressure trying to build in her head was held at bay for now. He didn’t know the tricks to healing yet or he would’ve used them on himself, however, this would keep them both alive for a little longer. 

“I can’t do this forever…” Kylo loathed how weak he was, unable to maintain hold on the Force as time continued onward. He couldn’t stay here either. 

Zheth showed no signs of waking. Kylo couldn’t keep slowing himself down by dragging her either if he wanted to search for a way off the planet. So, he picked himself up and left her behind, returning focus solely on his own injuries once more. The landscape looked so different… he couldn’t process whether he’d been here before while the fractures had just ruined anything familiar, or if this really was a new location. Regardless, he couldn’t see the rest of the base that would signal he was close to finding a ship.

Blinking was difficult; it was more like closing his eyes and trying to force them back open again. His feet dragged through the cold snow, a chill he realized he was numbed to. Kylo’s vision blurred, darkened, and went black. He felt his body thump into the snow. Even as he lost consciousness, the man was still certain that help would come; he could feel it.

Chapter Text

The collapse became imminent. Hux wanted nothing more than to grab Millicent and fly off but he had his orders: retrieve Ren. Their fates would be the same, for better or worse. The only solace he found was that Zheth’s insistence to send a fleet to D’Qar had bought them— barely— enough time to fire the weapon one last time before the Resistance destroyed it. Not all the energy had been fired out in time though and now the remainder was tearing Starkiller apart from the inside out.

His superweapon, his pride and joy that was meant to enforce the First Order’s rule on the galaxy. It had only just been revealed and now it was literally breaking apart around him. Hux hadn’t believed it would be so easy. They had shields and even without them it would take a lot of fire power to break through the oscillator. Yet… the Resistance had done it. 

“Snoke will kill me for this.” The Supreme Leader had many things he could decide to kill or punish him over. Failing to defend Starkiller, possibly failing to save Ren, and unless he thought of some way to find the remaining Resistance he’d better hope he died here first. “I don’t want to die here… Is this… Is this what everyone felt when Starkiller struck Hosnian Prime? How fitting a demise, ironic even…” 

Perhaps a moment of clarity from the conditioning he’d received growing up. It had come far too late to take back his many crimes and was swamped all too swiftly as he focused on the desperate task at hand: surviving.

Millicent’s claws sank into him and she gave a growl as the ground quaked as chunks of earth rose and fell around them. Hux stared at the dots on the screen. Zheth’s last pinged location was closer but standing at the tree line he could see the oscillator was up in smoke with explosions still ripping through it. The structure had crumbled down completely and would soon be nothing but scrap. There was a tightness in his chest that crushed further around his lungs. Zheth’s chip had been offline a while now, even if she was in the oscillator like the last ping suggested, it was unlikely she’d been more than a corpse already. 

“My comm went off… She tried to say something.” His name… Zheth’s last breath had been to say his name. A choked sound reached his ears and it took a moment to realize it had come from him.

His mind felt like static was running through it as his brain went blank of anything but horror, he couldn’t breath his limbs felt like they were going numb. This couldn’t be happening. Everything he’d worked for was being destroyed in front of his eyes. The one person he’d ever started to let his guard down for was dead . He blinked and stumbled back to the trees. “This is my fault. I sent her to the oscillator.”  

He’d sent her to die. Hux let out another choked breath and crumpled to his knees. Where only earlier today he’d been proud and at the top of the galaxy, able to smugly say his father had been completely wrong about him… He was now crushed and back at the bottom to pick up the pieces. Armitage didn’t know if he could fix this. What happened when the pieces were too small to put back together?

Millicent gave a meow of stress, not willing to leave him but clearly urging him to move . Claws scratched through his coat as she leapt down into the snow and stretched upward to bite harshly into his hand, yanking on him with a hiss. Hux didn’t have the words to voice his discomfort as the teeth sank through the leather gloves and into his flesh. Numbly, he collected himself as always and picked the tooka back up to continue into the trees where Ren’s tracking signal still remained blinking and active. It had been moving closer but now stopped and rested in place. It didn’t do anything to ease his anxieties. The Supreme Leader would be angered at the loss of Starkiller and even more furious if he lost Ren.

“Even the darkest corner of the galaxy wouldn’t hide me from Snoke.” The thought of how failure would mean his death this time just kept circling through his head. Dread suffocated him as the search for Ren continued. Hux was starting to hope his shuttle would be swallowed up by the imploding planet by the time he got back to it.

He found Ren lying in the snow, body face down and sprawled out. His helmet was lying in the snow a few meters back and as Hux got closer he could see blood staining the snow in patches around the man and in the trail of snow leading up to him. Kneeling down, he had to put Millicent on the ground to check if the Knight of Ren was still alive. Ren was breathing, at least there was still a chance Hux wouldn’t be killed. Although he grimaced at the nasty wound on the man’s face; it was sliced open down to the bone. Hux summoned the two snowtroopers who’d been searching nearby. 

“Grab him. Get Ren to the shuttle and start stabilizing him.” He might have to save Ren but that didn’t mean he was personally going to drag the nerfherder to the shuttle.

He followed after them, pausing when he noticed Millicent wasn’t with him. “Millie?” 

Panic seized him again as he glanced around, finally spotting her orange fur a short distance away. “Mil, come. We must go.” 

Millicent remained stubborn, ears flattening to growl at him in displeasure before turning  and following Ren’s trail back into the trees. Conflict rose in him between his heart and his orders. He couldn’t lose her too. That’d be everything… everything except his rank at least. He still couldn’t be certain that saving Ren would spare him a demotion.

“Sir?” One of the troopers called back to him. 

“Get him to the shuttle and follow my location.” He snapped the order. 

They were trained better than to question his command. Hux knew they were probably thinking he’d gone mad, he felt like he was going mad. Yet he still gave chase, following the trail and hoping Millicent had stuck to it. There were times he thought he’d lost the path with all the destruction around him but then he’d spot the flash of bright fur ahead and keep going. 

“Where is she going?” Was she just scared and overtaken by instinct to flee the devastation? Why follow a trail though?

Finally he caught up as she paused to wait for him. Millicent hopped back to her paws and moved once more just before he got in arms reach. Hux blinked as he caught his breath. He didn’t know to feel a renewed sense of horror or relief as he got closer and found Zheth motionless with blood smeared and stained on her. The amount of it was alarming.

“Zheth?” Hux stumbled as another fissure ruptured nearby. Focus snapped back to the current reality, though the dizzying panic never left. “Is she even alive?”

There wasn’t time to linger and he cursed himself for not leaving the shuttle closer to begin with. Millicent was curled up on Zheth’s shoulder staring at him. A pained sensation went through his chest— as if it could feel anymore crushed in. 

He reached out to check her pulse only to jerk back as she began convulsing. Armitage had seen plenty of dead bodies, but watching someone die slowly like this… Someone he cared about … Crying wasn’t something he thought he could do anymore, yet tears blurred his vision and threatened to fall. 

“Pull yourself together. We need to go.” 

The snow around her churned up and Millicent had jumped off but remained close. His gut twisted as he witnessed her convulsions die down. This was bad… from the dying movements to the unnatural stillness. Armitage mentally pleaded to whatever forces were out there that he could get her treated fast enough.

Zheth was light enough to carry but the dead weight still made it difficult with the rumbling earth and falling trees. Blood soaked through his greatcoat, not that he didn’t have spares. This was just too much, it had to be. The deep bruises around her neck glistened with shallow red scratches while blood dripped from within her helmet. At least Millie was guiding him back, and he spotted the shuttle landing nearby with one of the troopers stepping out to meet him. 

Hux laid her gently on the remaining bed in the shuttle’s small med bay, a sound of alarm escaping as the ship began falling backwards. The ship was steadied and took off, fighting its way out of the atmosphere. He could feel the implosion rock the shuttle and sending it off course even after making it out. 

Armitage leaned over the counter holding the equipment for a moment, taking some breaths as he collected himself. Everything was fine. He got both of them out, Snoke couldn’t fault him for losing Ren now. They’d regroup and destroy the Resistance. The New Republic was gone , D’Qar was gone . The Resistance had no hope of backup and whatever remained of them was vulnerable. He was safe… He didn’t feel safe, but logically he should be… right?

He grabbed an emergency kit and turned to find Ren sitting up and slouched over Zheth. The man had discarded his sister’s helmet and held a hand to her head. In the lighting more of their wounds were visible. Blood was dripping from Ren’s shoulder and more was coming from his side and stomach. Zheth had a long gash running across her abdomen, covered in cauterized blood and burnt armorweave, but it looked like it’d been too shallow to cause internal injuries—he hoped he was right. Aside from her strangled neck, there was also blood stained on her leg from what looked like a blaster strike, blood staining her lips, and a clear-ish red substance dripping from her ear and nose. 

“She looks so… broken.” He didn’t have anything to scan for any internal injuries, and frankly he was nervous to find out what they could be.

“Supreme Leader Snoke has asked us to join him.” Hux kept things to business for now as he approached, though his trembling legs threatened to give out.

Kylo Ren remained still, focused on whatever he was doing. Hux narrowed his eyes, suspicious of what the man was up to. Thinking about it, this was what Ren did when he went into prisoner’s minds. Although usually they were screaming in agony. “Ren, what happened? What are you doing?” 

Silence. Hux dared to edge a little closer and tilted his head to see Ren’s eyes were closed. Was the Knight of Tantrums ignoring him or had he managed to go unconscious while standing like that? He grumbled under his breath and opened the kit, the contents would work well enough for now but the sooner they could get to the Finalizer the better. 

“I thought I said to stabilize him!” He called out with stressed annoyance. 

One of the snowtroopers reappeared, an apology slipping from them before they hastily tried to encourage Ren back onto his cot. The stubborn man opened his eyes and bared his teeth before his strength waned again. 

“Just this once.” The words whispered out of the Knight’s mouth as he allowed the trooper to move him.

He worked on Zheth while the trooper aided Ren, cleaning the wound to her neck. The scratches weren’t life threatening but the grip had crushed the tracker; he was certain there was more damage beneath the surface for this particular wound. She'd once again gotten lucky to be alive right now instead of having her neck snapped like a twig beneath a boot. He applied a bacta salve on the area and moved on to the next wound while pointedly ignoring the glances sent his way by the trooper.

The cauterized gash was hidden beneath frayed armorweave, so he grabbed the knife from her sheath and cut the fabric more for a better look. Relief as he saw the lightsaber wound was indeed shallow. The thick fabric likely protected her from the untrained wielder's sloppy strike. He was sure it would still scar, even as he sprayed an antiseptic and put a bandage around it. Hux would repeat the process with the blaster shot to her leg and once again patch up that half-healed gash to her arm.

However, he didn’t know what to do about the fluid running from her nose and ear. It had to be some form of head-trauma. The Finalizer would have better medical equipment to assess that damage. 

“It will only be a few minutes to board.” Would that be too long? 

Armitage winced as she seized again. It was shorter than earlier, but just as violent and sickening to witness. The head-injury was killing her at a rate he was helpless to delay.

“Enough.” Shuffling came from behind him as Ren shoved the trooper back.

Hux tensed, recoiling from the injured man as he limped back over to Zheth. Kylo made a sound akin to a feral growl before pushing him out of the way as well. Voids glared at him with enough rage that Hux was surprised Ren didn’t kill him on the spot for whatever crazed reason the Knight decided was deserving of such a look. A gloved hand tightened around his throat, squeezing with surprising strength given the man’s condition. “You owe me General… Now out of my way.”

Ren returned to his position, hunched over Zheth with his eyes closed and hand on the side of her head as he focused. “Is he doing something with the Force?”  

The Knight of Ren had always looked pale but now he appeared sickly and Zheth looked like death. It would be a miracle if Hux could get either of them to the Supreme Leader alive. He motioned for the trooper to follow and left them. There was nothing more he could do here and the idea of standing watching her die only made him sick. Armitage stumbled, bracing against the wall as he waited for the dizziness and nausea to pass. Then he was off again; he had to be ready to leave for the bridge to give the crew orders to set course for the Supremacy the moment this shuttle landed on the Finalizer.  

“We’ll make it… we have to.” He was as good as dead otherwise.

Chapter Text

Their numbers were almost nothing now; a cruiser and some smaller ships. Poe was more than worried about Finn’s condition too, no matter how many times he was told that the man would be fine. Han lost Chewie and Rey had quietly mentioned Zheth’s demise as well once the man had left the room— Han remained with the Resistance but had yet to leave the Falcon currently parked in the cruiser’s hangar. 

“It’s good riddance. She betrayed us.” 

“You don’t mean that.” Leia spoke softly; she looked worn out yet willing to fight. “Han told me she’s why he could come to your rescue.” 

After she’d stabbed them in the back to begin with. She had killed Chewie, according to Han’s assumption after his best friend failed to escape, and had attempted to shoot him too. He didn’t know why she’d save him by sending those coordinates, but Poe was adamant that Zheth was no longer on their side. “What are we going to do now?”

“We find another base and work to rebuild. The New Republic might be gone, and the Resistance low on supplies and manpower, but we are far from alone. Cells and allies are across the galaxy, and each day we gain more sympathy to our cause.” 

While the First Order claimed more worlds. Not that anyone dared speak up on that.

“After what the First Order did, everyone should rally to us.” A new voice spoke from the doorway. 

Poe turned, finding a cloaked man entering with a breeze of chilly air: Durron. He wasn’t a man Poe knew well, but they’d both grown up with family in the Rebellion. Unlike him, Durron had lost his parents during the last few battles of the war, a routine sweep to arrest Imperials gone wrong according to reports. For the most part, Durron was only around when bringing supplies and survivors who wished to join from devastated worlds or taking prisoners away to be held for trial.

“In a galaxy so large, news will be slow to spread of Starkiller’s destruction. Many may still be in fear that their homes will be next if they jump to our side. We must spread the word and unite them. Already senators who were off-world when Hosnian Prime was lost are reaching out. We are discussing when and where to meet.” A sadness seemed to pass over her. “Not all of them have. Some blame the Resistance for this destruction.” 

“They’re fools.” Durron spat. 

“I’m sure they’re just… confused.” Poe didn’t know how anyone could be confused over who the real enemy was, but when they weren’t on the front lines, it was possible. “Give it time, they’ll see that the First Order was always going to destroy the New Republic. We’re the only ones standing in their way.” 

Barely standing in the way. He’d never give up though. 

Durron nodded stiffly. “General Organa, I just wanted to report that I have supplies and will be leaving shortly to get more. I also wanted to request a meeting on what I’ll be doing with any prisoners, now that… You know… those monsters destroyed our government.” 

“Thank you, Durron. I’ll contact you when we can discuss it.” 

The man left swiftly, leaving them to resume the meeting. 

“I want to go find Skywalker.” Rey finally spoke. “I’ve seen the map, or part of it. R2 has the other half. I know I can find him. Finn and I can start our training.” 

“Isn’t it best to stay together?” He dreaded the idea of being separated from Finn again. 

“They need to learn and if Luke can be convinced to return… When you finish piecing the map together, have Han take you. Luke will listen to him and he needs the distraction… Finn will stay here. He needs time to recover.” 

“Right away.” She looked at Poe, offering a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be back on his feet in no time.” 

She too left the room… leaving just him and General Organa. The older woman pulled out a holodisk and sat it on the table as a transmission played. Poe recognized the voice pleading for help well: Kaz. 

“This came in as we were evacuating D’Qar. I’m afraid we’ve lost the Colossus to the First Order.” 

Poe felt sick. Kaz had been a bit of a clutz but had a good heart; he certainly didn’t deserve an end like this. He’d encouraged the kid to help out as a spy there, and Kaz had always had his back when called upon. It wasn’t fair that the Resistance couldn’t come to help him and the Colossus when they needed it… But the First Order didn’t play fair and now they were all on the verge of being wiped out.

“Are you sure? Kaz is crafty, maybe he and the others managed to pull something off.” 

“We lost contact with them, but I heard from Maz that a group from the Colossus picked up some friends on Takodana. There’s still hope they can retake it.” 

Okay, that was good. The Colossus might be safe a little while longer but what about the main fleet? “What are we going to do General?” 

“We will need to find a new base. Right now the goal is to narrow down a good place that the First Order is less likely to find.” General Organa looked tired but determined as she pulled up a holomap. “There are other problems we must consider too. We have no way to refuel so what we have will need to be able to get us there.” 

His injured arm was agonizing as he continued using it to hold himself up while he leaned on the edge of the table. Poe grimaced and straightened, eyes never leaving the map. So many were already crossed off— for various reasons he was sure. “How many jumps do we have left?” 

“Not enough to spare mistakes. We will need to reserve them for when we really need them.” She pressed a button and the map disappeared. “In the meantime, I need to contact Starling for a new assignment. She’ll be preparing a new base and gathering recruits on a world I’ve confirmed to be under the First Order’s radar.”

Poe wanted to suggest going to this unnamed location, but thought better of it. He knew why they weren’t; a fleet of Resistance ships would rouse suspicion. One person… not so much. “And if anything happens to the main fleet, Starling will be able to continue rebuilding the Resistance at her base.”

A grim thought but one that was all too close to becoming a reality.

“She will be picking up an acquaintance of hers, a close friend of Zheth's, to help her on the mission. He's a former First Order Captain but Starling thinks we can convince him to help— I had planned for Zheth to aid with this mission.” 

Of course Zheth had known someone in the First Order and hadn’t told them— and a Captain at that. What else had she hidden? How could General Organa have trusted someone like her when she’d known about it? “Why are you telling me this?” 

“They’ll be regrouping with us at our next base to gather supplies before going on their way.” 

“What if he doesn’t want to join? Zheth betrayed us. Who's to say this guy won’t?” 

“We can’t force him to join, but judging by the reports, he doesn’t want to go back to the First Order either. Regardless, we are taking precautions with him.” Leia trusted Starling, and had faith in the spy’s instincts. If Starling said Archex was redeemable and a candidate to join them then she believed it. 

“Where do I come into play in all this?” He didn’t understand. General Organa could handle this matter, or someone else who knew more about this mission.

“I might be away gathering the senators. It’s risky, I know, but some of them are old friends and in a time like this they need to see that the Resistance’s leader isn’t hiding. Vice Admiral Holdo can command the fleet, but I’m asking you to help Starling with anything that may come up while they’re here.”

“Because I knew Zheth?” 

“Because I trust you to know what’s best. You have good instincts Poe and you helped Finn adjust during his short time here so far. I’m trusting you to be understanding. They won’t be with the fleet long; it’s dangerous to regroup all in one place. All you’re required to do is make sure the supply pick up goes smoothly if I’m absent.” 

“I won’t let you down.” A promise he really, really hoped he could keep. 

A ‘close friend’ of Zheth’s though? He didn’t know if he could handle that right now… Poe wasn’t even sure this was a good idea to let him near the rest of the Resistance. What would happen when he found out Zheth wasn’t here? Not knowing the full extent of their connection, Poe wasn’t sure what to expect when this possible recruit learned of her defection to the First Order and subsequent death.

“I can do this. For Leia. For the Resistance.”