Chapter Text
The chase was getting tiresome, even with Kylo Ren just a few feet ahead swiftly clearing out the vines with his crackling light saber, Hux still had to watch his footing on the moss-covered stones. Some distance ahead their quarry ran, a bundle in his arms, his much slimmer form easily waving through the tangled vines.
Why where they running through the ruins of a temple?
The General had been informed of the possibility of obtaining an ancient energy source said to rival the energy output of a star. The man who informed him told him in stuttering tones that the artifact had been recently found and it would be headed to the black market to be sold to the highest bidder. He arranged a meeting between the salvage team and the General of the first order so that Hux might inspect the artifact for himself.
What the degenerate hadn’t told him that other groups where converging on the very same planet.
The smaller space vehicles where no match for his star destroyers, easily commanding the space above the planet. Eager to find out what the fuss was about, he ordered a shuttle craft to be ready. Just as he was about to board the craft, He heard a small commotion behind him. Hux turned to see the large hulking figure of the Supreme Leader himself walking towards him.
“General Hux. This energy source you spoke of, I could sense it through the Force as soon as we dropped from light speed.”
A pale eyebrow rose before Hux could control it. “Are you sure Supreme Leader?” He asked, humoring the dangerous man before him. This would not be the last time he played into Ren’s mythical beliefs, keeping himself intact and whole depended on it.
“If this object is what you say it is, then we must do all that we can to secure it.”
Before Hux could open his mouth to protest, Kylo breezed past him into the shuttle. Swallowing angry words, the red-haired General followed behind him.
What happened planet-side was a three-way fire fight consisting of First Order troops, mercenaries and the native inhabitants.
While the mercenaries and stormtroopers battled it out near the temple ruins, several of the inhabitants had stolen the artifact and ran into the huge temple complex. They had split up very early on, the thieves all taking different directions in the maze of stone corridors. Hux immediately barked orders for his garrison to split up to follow the other fleeing natives.
By instinct, he immediately followed the dark-clad Force user, reasoning in his mind that If Ren could sense the artifact from above the planet then it was doubtless that he was following the one who had it in his possession.
Hux’s lungs were starting to burn as he pressed on, he could see brighter light up ahead signaling either the end of this labyrinth or a clearing. The bright light blinded him for a moment as he stepped out into a crumbling courtyard. His eyes momentarily lingered on the walls; they were carved with strange symbols that had no meaning to him.
His attention was drawn back to the young alien who had stopped and turned to face them. His race was a semi aquatic species. Large dark eyes dominated a finned head, skin smooth and slick from the moisture from the planet’s wet and humid atmosphere. Narrow shoulders and slim build had proven advantageous in the tangled underbrush of the jungle.
Hux was panting hard to catch his breath.
“You have no where to run! Surrender the artifact, and you may live!”
“I-I can’t surrender this; it belongs to my people!”
Impatient with words, Kylo approached the youth with his lightsaber at the ready.
“N-No Stop! This is your only warning!” The youth yelled out. He scrambled to pull off the wrapping off the object of their pursuit.
This was the first time Hux was able to set eyes on the thing. It looked like a carved tribal idol of some sort. A round body with an elongated head at the top. The body had carved suggestions of finned arms resting on a rounded belly. The head’s expression consisted of three round shapes suggesting a screaming face, either in agony or malice. Something it about made his skin crawl.
Apparently, Ren sensed something as well. He paused for a moment and held out his hand. “Give that too me.” He commanded; his tone tinted with a suggestion of the Force to make the youth comply.
Astoundingly, the youth shook his head resisting the command. Trembling in fear, he thrust the idol towards them and yelled out a word in his native tongue.” ASTALA Pherginus!!”
A light brighter then a thousand stars erupted from the figure’s eyes. Hux barely had enough time to raise his blaster when the shock wave hit him.
As It lifted him off of his feet, he could feel the light surrounding him in warmth. A sharp tingling sensation that was almost painful spread over his body. He mentally struggled against it, opening his mouth to yell, yet no sound came out. For a brief moment he swore that he could see ripples of energy in the air. He lost consciousness before his body could hit the ground.
“Armi…”
“…..” that voice sounded familiar; it triggered an odd tugging at his chest.
“Armi…. where are you?”
He bolted upright.