embarkation | v. @adtenebras | incomplete
Kylo Ren arrived on the Finalizer like a bad dream. From the hangar to the bridge he left a wake of worried glances and confirmations of his identity in poorly-concealed whispers, for his reputation preceded him and no one seemed comfortable with his presence here. Jedi-killer. He felt them wish him gone. They would be disappointed with the news that he was to take up permanent residence here, then.
His contact had been described to him as a young man of twenty-seven, an officer with an outstanding pedigree and exceptional discipline. A good, solid leader. What they hadn’t told him was that this man possessed an air of someone who deserved none of it. He had a… standardlook to him, not a hair out of place nor a wrinkle to be found in his uniform. Predictable.
“Colonel Hux, is it?” The recycled air on the bridge of the destroyer stilled perceptively as Kylo Ren spoke, an even, modulated baritone that served its purpose well. He stood several feet away from the colonel with gloved hands clasped behind his back as the only non-threatening thing about him, depending on who you asked. “I assume you were notified of my arrival.”
Notified felt like an overstatement.
Yes, Hux had received a brief communication about the visit. Finalizer would play host to a Knight of Ren, but it wasn’t made clear exactly which knight, or for how long. A request for further detail had gone ignored, leaving in its wake one incredibly frustrated colonel.
“Welcome aboard the Finalizer, Kylo Ren.” That silhouette of fabric and metal was unmistakable, but the officer was left wondering. If this was the means, then what was the end? Why did Snoke send his most highly regarded protege?
His greeting should have been genial, but instead it just seemed terse. Hux’s gaze flicked downwards, taking in the strange sight, before it returned to the Knight’s enigmatic face.
“Are you familiar with the layout of a Star Destroyer?”
A stupid question, but he thought it too early to begin antagonizing his new underlings. He acknowledged the colonel’s welcome with a minute nod; the entire ordeal seemed to bore him terribly, so much so that he dropped his hands to fold his arms over his chest, glancing about the bridge at anything that wasn’t the man in front of him until he decided to speak. “Yes,” he answered, condescension thinly concealed by his mask. “I was previously given command of the Eviscerator. I won’t be needing an escort.” A warning slept in those words. This destroyer was his new toy, his gift for being a good apprentice. He didn’t need to be told how to play with it.
“My purpose here. Was it described to you?” Rather than wait for an answer, he continued. “I’m using this ship as a base for operations sanctioned by Leader Snoke. Its personnel and facilities are at my disposal. I hope that won’t be a problem, Colonel.”
Addressing a concealed face was nothing new for him, and the edge to Kylo Ren’s voice was unmistakable. Had he known who was coming, Hux mused, he would have had the chance to look into this one’s past commands. Instead, he was already off to a fantastic start.
Funny*, the Knight seemed to bowl from one thought to another without pause, it felt as if he didn’t want to be interrupted. “I assume there won’t be.” There was a clear emphasis on that word, his diction impeccable and implicative.
“And we will discuss your plans for operation at the first opportunity.” A lapse of communication wasn’t a mistake he intended to entertain; still, he had a feeling they were two vastly different commanders. Hux preferred certainty.
*[ooc: this will stop being funny for him in about two weeks]
