Technical Error

Chapter Two

"Yes."

"Thank you, sir."

You practically zoomed out of his quarters. There was a high probability that your strides would have failed to fall into regulation, however General Hux did not comment at all. He did have a knack for knowing when to let someone wallow in their own embarrassment or shame. It was a small mercy in this case.

Stormtroopers looked your way when you walked by. You felt your leg muscles tensing, ready to bolt if the need called for it. You were alone, and there were four of them. More than enough to do some damage. One leaned towards the other and you could hear them whispering, though you could not make out what they were saying. You became aware of the pounding of your heartbeat in your ears only when the group of 'troopers turned completely away and ignored you. Despite this, you did not allow yourself a breath of relief. Not until you were in a more crowded hallway where plenty of witnesses deterred harassment.

Part Two
Designation: TE-8500

Several days later, there was an ambassador onboard the Finalizer. Supposedly he was a part of the New Republic, however he appeared to be sympathetic to the First Order cause. As did the senator who accompanied him. Politics were not your forte, and so you ignored the goings-on unless otherwise personally addressed. Normally this was by one of your superiors, who tended to direct you to a portion of the vessel that required either repair or routine maintenance. Today, however, one of the individuals that had arrived onboard with the senator and ambassador addressed you. The man was polite as ever, and so you shyly turned away from your task of tightening some screws that had been replaced due to normal wear and tear.

"And...the general's first name?"

"Sir." He looked up at you, no doubt believing you were addressing him. You shook your head. "It's Sir." Truth be told, General Hux did not go by his first name, and none of the other officers addressed him as such given the fact that everything onboard this vessel was business. Professionalism dictated that his title was always used.

"Ah...so... So it's 'Sir Hux'?" he asked, his brow furrowing.

You once again shook your head and, polite as ever, corrected him. "Sir General Hux." Said man glanced your way before returning his attention to the political figures with whom he was conversing. "Sometimes it's Sir General Hux Sir. Usually that's if one is in trouble or has greatly displeased him."

"I... I see." His gaze slid towards the figure that was in chrome armor.

Before the man could utter out another word, you supplied, "Captain Phasma or ma'am. Sometimes Captain Phasma Ma'am—again, when one is in trouble or has greatly displeased her."

"A-and—?"

"Don't even look at him," you instructed. The man flinched, whipping his attention back to you; his gaze had traveled halfway towards the Knight who was standing menacingly nearby. "Unless you have reason to address him, you do not look at him. He is Commander Ren, Lord Ren, Kylo Ren, Sir—and if you're in trouble or have greatly displeased him, you keep silent or else say only what he asks of you."

"Oh...oh dear."

Suddenly you knew why he had been questioning you. It seemed the man had been working his way up to the Knight, moreover how to refer to the darkly robed figure. He had reason to address Kylo Ren. You pitied him, however did not have much time lest you displease all three of the triumvirate. With a nod in his direction, you dismissed yourself from the conversation and turned back to your task of tightening the screws. The man was sweating.

Poor guy, you thought. But, alas, you could not help him. Already that morning you had been in minor trouble. Squeakers had decided to mouth—to beep off to Captain Phasma for reasons unknown, and your superior had blasted a hole in part of your droid. It was in the shop for repairs. Apparently a number of droids had malfunctioned as of late, becoming disrespectful to authoritarian figures, and thus you had not been personally punished. But your poor Squeakers. It wasn't its fault something was faulty within in.