Jayd marched into the control room of the ship, ignoring both the discomfort of her shoes and the ongoing prattle of her companion. This ship was a great deal nicer than the ones she was used to, and therefore much more heavily manned. Officers hurried here and there, preparing the enormous ship for launch.

The general was rambling and pointing here and there, as if Jayd didn't know a control room when she saw one. He wasn't the first man to explain things she already knew to her. Such was the life of a woman in the First Order.

She didn't dare interrupt or remind the general that she hadn't obtained the rank of colonel by being clueless. All the stories Jayd had heard painted him as some kind of brave and ruthless warlord. Being here with him was an intimidating and humbling experience.

The general was a tall, fair man with fiery red hair and an ever-present sourness to his face, even when he smiled. He carried himself like a petulant child, but he must've had some degree of skill to earn his title. After all, he was one of the most powerful men in the galaxy.

Hux took in his companion's lithe frame, dark hair and lovely mocking mouth. Although she was beautiful, as far as Hux could tell, she caused no stirrings within him. Any emotion or primal desire had been trained out of him long ago.

The two of them marched side by side to the head of the room as the crew prepared to launch. There was a rumble as the engines began to fire up. The officers found their places like clockwork.

"Let me introduce you to my associate," the general said. A figure stood, still and solitary, gazing out the window.

"Master Ren," General Hux called.

The figure turned. He was tall, draped in black, with an intimidating black mask covering the entirety of his face.

"Colonel, this is Kylo Ren," Hux said, "Ren, this is Colonel Jayd Warlusk. She has been transferred from our Inner Rim post. She and I will be working very closely together."

"Pleased to meet you, Master Ren," Jayd said, bowing her head slightly.

Master Ren looked at Colonel Warlusk for a long time— or seemed to, since his mask concealed his gaze.

"Colonel," he said finally, turning away. His voice was deep and rather staticky. For a moment, Jayd thought it sounded familiar.

"Yes, well," General Hux said, quickly, "I suppose we should assume our positions. We are about to get underway."

"Mm," Jayd nodded in agreement, "Very well. So pleased to be working with you, General."

General Hux watched her march away and went back to work.