In Time Gone By...

~ 26 ~

"I want that footage found. I don't care what it takes, I want it found!"

To say that the last few days had been stressful would be an understatement to say the least. The general was shaken but determined to get to the bottom of this mess. It had bled into his life, his work, into the treatment of his staff. Things were more urgent than ever now, more of an inconvenience if they went wrong. 

There had been no physical leads and Rose was getting smugger by the minute, asking for updates whenever she could and still pestering about his time spent with Latt. She was driving it up just by being so irritating. 

The next person to ask about the sergeant's condition or the status of it all or what his plans were he might just punch. 

Unfortunately, that person was Kylo Ren and he hadn't been driven quite so mad as to fight him, yet. 

"No, she is not better," Hux shot as he moved from one screen to the next on the bridge, looking between them and his datapad. "And, no, I am no closer to finding the mole... It's a process."

"That's certainly true. But you had some suspicions about Lady Axos." 

"Perhaps, but no joy. I wouldn't be surprised if the Supreme Leader still had me go ahead with it despite all of the chaos." 

"Not if she was truly involved with Pray... On that subject, he has asked to see you." 

Hux stopped and sighed, still facing the screens to hide the discontent on his face. "Alright... about what?"

"Take a guess. Your ship is waiting." 

"Wonderful..." 

Lights flashed by rapidly as the lift climbed the floors to the Supreme Leader's quarters, his heartbeat rising with every one that raced by. What might he be questioned on? Just Rose? Or Elliott? Or did he know more than that? 

The lift slammed to a stop, all words disappearing from his head. The doors took a moment to open, so he took a deep breath and prepared himself. He'd done it before and these meetings always went...well? Nothing to worry about, surely. 

Crimson walls greeted him when he stepped off, a chill setting in as he made his way toward the throne at the end of the room. Snoke watched him from afar, long fingers curled around his chin. His eyes were as cold and unforgiving as ever. 

"Sir..." the general said when he reached him, weary of the guards stationed all around the walls. 

"General," the Supreme Leader greeted him with a cold, distrustful glance. "How are operations?" 

"Running smoothly, sir. Nothing particularly of note to report, although maintenance is struggling to keep up, We're on track to recruit more engineers, however."

"Good, I suppose. And progress on the Resistance fighters?" 

"Adequate. They've been quiet since our acquisition of Bastion so we've had little pushback from them, but it's only a matter of time."

"Hm..." Snoke muttered, disinterested almost. "It is my understanding that Bastion was a success because of another officer's intervention? I don't recall names." 

"Sergeant Latt..." The general wasn't exactly happy to admit it. 

"Yes, something like that. From what I understand, you are quite close." 

"Well, she's my assistant, the one I employed upon your approval." 

"I remember... Interesting girl, no?" 

Hux looked away briefly. "She certainly has potential." 

"The escaped prisoner," Snoke said, changing the subject and dragging a finger along the armrest of his throne in disinterest. "Resistance?"