Rise of the Order: A Star Wars Story

Chapter 60: Confrontations

General Hux stood in the observation deck of the Finalizer, his face pinched into a sneer of disgust. Watching the explosion occur in the rings shocked the entire crew. The only reaction it garnered out of Hux was fury. It shouldn't have happened. His troopers should never have been able to rebel against their programming. Independent thought was practically trained out of them. But here was another terrorist act, ripping through their station that was so fundamental to Operation OR. 

Someone was going to pay for this: him. Supreme Leader may not even let him live. But if he was spared, then he was going to extinguish this rebellion. Rain down all hell if he had to. The First Order will prevail. The galaxy needs it too. No matter what the scum in the Resistance proclaimed. 

"General?" 

Hux turned from his view of Votharon to face an officer, a much more underwhelming sight. "Yes?" he questioned, his voice tense.

"We just received a transmission from Dahvil."

Hux raised an eyebrow. "Concerning?"

The officer straightened. "The Knight of Ren, Monk, says he has succeeded and that we shall find the Resistance in the Ehjenla system."

Hux couldn't stop himself from smiling. Just when he thought Operation OR was spoiled. "Set a course for lightspeed, then. And have the two neighboring Stardestroyers join us." He turned back to the viewport. "We shan't keep the Resistance waiting."

"Yes, sir," saluted the officer, leaving Hux to his thoughts. 

It was a risk. They didn't know how many of their troopers had been twisted by this internal rebellion. Attacking the Resistance with disloyal troopers might not be the wisest of ideas. But it was a chance Hux would take. He couldn't afford another mishap. And without Kylo Ren storming around, it was all too good of an opportunity to pass up. 

They were going to burn the Resistance to the ground.

~~~~~~~~

Rey ran through the hall, sweat trickling down her neck. Her Master's presence was a beacon, one that she followed at the quickest of paces. She just wasn't expecting him to be so far away. And she could feel the early onset of exhaustion start to take over her body. 

No, she thought. We're not going to fail Master Skywalker, not like we failed Jennica on Gala. Just keep running. 

So she bolted through the halls, every step getting her closer and closer. Few First Order personnel paid her heed in their evacuation; those who did, saw a lightshow of blue before they were killed. 

Luke's presence became so clear to her, she could practically see him. And she could see Ren's too. His familiar spirit unmistakable. She turned a corner, sprinting. Hoping she wasn't too late. 

But upon her entrance into what was probably one of the last halls of her journey, a being in black stood waiting for her. 

She came to a halt, her chest heaving for air. "You again?" 

Blade cocked his head. "Care for a rematch, Jedi? Now that your little friend won't interrupt." Although Rey had destroyed his last weapon, it seemed he had acquired a new vibrocleaver. This one glowing with stripes of purple electricity.

Rey's mouth pinched together. "What did you do to her?"

"Oh, I've done nothing," he laughed. "But I hear she hasn't died yet. Which is honestly impressive considering Monk's history." He spun his blade through the air casually.