One would have thought Emperor Palpatine himself had just arrived by observing the neatly formed columns of crew members in the hangar bay of the Imperial Star Destroyer Apollyon. Several rows deep, perfect lines filled both sides of a pathway leading to the dark, bird-like shape of the First Order's Ravage-class shuttle.

Prolov gazed at the rows of TIE Pilots, Stormtroopers, Scout Troopers, Security personnel, officers, and enlisted technicians as he walked. Before passing by each unit, he gave approving nods to each division commander to acknowledge the orderly formations under their watch.

Nothing was out of place in the hangar bay. All equipment was stowed in adherence to both Imperial standards and Prolov's specifications. Even the droids, from the smallest four-wheeled mouse variants to the human-like protocol models, arranged themselves in neat lines along with their astromech counterparts. The black durasteel deck of the hangar bay had been painstakingly polished to give it a radiant sheen.

Captains Aveen and Jorr followed Prolov, matching each of his steps with their own. Six Imperial Stormtroopers in their white armor trimmed in black and red markings trailed the trio of flag officers. Prolov paused several meters in front of the shuttle's lowered ramp. With clock-like precision, eight First Order Stormtroopers marched down the ramp in two columns of four troopers. When the last trooper reached the bottom of the ramp, they took up positions on both sides, turning in unison to face each other.

Prolov smiled as he took note of their perfect symmetrical movements. Remarkable discipline, he thought to himself, admiring the lines of First Order Stormtroopers. Products of a dedicated military leader.

He turned his attention to the top of the ramp. A tall figure in freshly polished chromium armor peered down at the three men. Prolov moved towards the ramp while keeping his eyes fixed on the imposing stormtrooper commander. Ah, the specter from my early years, he pondered as the figure walked regally down the ramp. Once just a vision on my mind. And now a tangible form in the flesh.

He moved closer and gazed up at the much taller stormtrooper commander. "I am Admiral Garren Prolov. Welcome aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer Apollyon, Captain Phasma."

Phasma studied Prolov's young boyish features for a moment. A warm welcome in his famous Outer Rim accent, far removed from a standard Imperial officers' dialect. Accompanied by a friendly young face. Much different than the holograms I've studied in the Imperial Archives. How did one so apparently kind become the Butcher of the Outer Rim? She quickly pressed the thought from her mind. "Thank you for extending the courteous welcome to my troops and I. It is a pleasure to be in your presence, Admiral."

Prolov nodded with a smile. "The pleasure is all mine, Captain." He turned towards Aveen and Jorr. "Captain Phasma, may I introduce the Captains of the Apollyon and Corrin. Captain Aveen and Captain Jorr?"

Beneath her helmet, Phasma offered a blank stare at the two subordinate officers. They both nodded, and she returned the gesture. Two men who will be quickly forgotten and swept away when I take my place by Prolov's side. As will any other of these buffoons who defy my authority.

"We will begin our tour of the vessel," Prolov offered by gesturing towards the blast doors at the opposite end of the hangar. "This way, please, Captain."

Phasma observed the hangar from top to bottom as they walked past the columns of men. She gazed up at a large black flag suspended from supports above the blast doors, outlined in red with the Imperial insignia surrounded by a corona's image as if it were a solar eclipse in the totality phase. She read the words in basic beneath the image and silently raged at their meaning.

In brotherhood, we will rise? What kind of weakness is that? She pondered to herself. He cares for these men. These pathetic creatures are supposed to be nothing more than fodder for battle. Useless emotions weaken one's resolve. Perhaps history has misrepresented the man I came to immortalize.

Prolov glanced up at her. If only he could see her face and read her emotions. Something is troubling her. He thought as they walked. What could it be, though? Lies from the First Order, perhaps? If Hux is anything like his father, then deception should be expected. And they have obviously programmed her. That much is evident. But I also sense a soul who will go out of her way to accomplish her own goals. Perhaps, I could use that to my advantage.

As they drew closer to the blast doors, Phasma continued to study the lines of men. They passed from the columns of stormtroopers to the dark forms of the TIE Fighter pilots. A figure standing next to the men in a black Imperial Starfighter Corps Officer's uniform caught her eye. She locked her gaze on the man whose eyes stared out from beneath an officer's hat. His pale face displayed an expression of sternness reinforced by his icy stare.

Colonel Tyaal Veriss. Commander of Admiral Prolov's TIE Fighter Wings and Director of the Fleet Intelligence Division. She thought to herself as her eyes met Veriss's gaze. A known and respected disciplinarian. Cold and calculating. An enigma needing no mask for concealment. Despite a stellar service record, there are no known birth records for him before his adoption into House Veriss on Naboo. Rose to military prominence as a member of and later commander of the few non-clone fighter squadrons during the Clone Wars.

And then she turned her eyes to the hangar ceiling and paused. Arranged in a diamond-shaped pattern, four TIE Advanced x1's hung from pylons like silent guardians. The one taking up the lead position captured her interest the most. She read the lettering on the port wing pylon: Annalisa's Revenge.

For a moment, she became the young child reaching up to the creatures she once called gods. How disappointing it had been to finally realize that the creatures were mere machines piloted by mortal men. Beneath her helmet, her mouth stretched into a devilish grin. The mortal man who carried the pain of his lost love into battle and emblazoned it on his war machine would be just another pawn in her game, and she would gladly seize the opportunity if it presented itself.

I'll see to it that ship eventually carries my name, she thought to herself. After I press him into humble submission. It now honors the woman he once loved, but it will soon come to honor me after I have purged him of all bonds to a weakened fool who lowered herself to become his wife. I will rise above you, Annalisa Prolov. And when I do, I will be greater than you.

"In case you are wondering, those are TIE Advanced x1's, heavily modified, of course," Prolov said in a gentle tone, bringing Phasma out of her thoughts.

She looked down at Prolov. "If memory serves me correctly, I believe they were used in the assault on Zyria Prime."

"I see you have been diligent in your studies of Imperial history," Prolov replied with a smile before directing Phasma's attention back to the fighters. "There are thirty-two in all. Four are assigned to each star destroyer in the fleet. They have upgraded guidance and sensor systems as well as upgraded blaster cannons along with an array of advanced weaponry. And they are also equipped with shield generators and a hyperdrive as well. The assault on Zyria Prime was the first battle for Phantom Squadron. Colonel Veriss and I led the attack in Phantoms One and Two. The rest of the fighters were automated. It took a couple of years or so to fully install all of the upgrades, including the AI."

"They are automated?" Phasma asked in a puzzled tone.

"All thirty-two fighters in Phantom Squadron have their unique artificial intelligence. The AI in each fighter can fly the craft and man the weapons more efficiently than most human pilots." Prolov replied as he turned his gaze back to Phasma. "It prevents endangering human pilots unnecessarily and allows for extractions of key personnel from combat zones. There are a plethora of options for their use as Phantom Squadron is designated as a multipurpose squadron."

Your empathy for these weaklings under your command will be your undoing, Admiral, Phasma silently stated to herself. And you will be easy to control once I have you within my grasp. "They look like formidable weapons, Admiral." Captain Phasma said as she pulled attention away from her thoughts.

Prolov nodded as he gazed up at the ships. "That they are, Captain. Perhaps someday I can give you a demonstration of their capabilities. Maybe even take you on a flight in one."

"Interesting proposition that I will have to consider for another time, Admiral," she replied while turning away from the fighters and focusing on Prolov. "Your devotion to developing such a squadron reveals much about you, Admiral. A true leader, such as yourself, always thinks ahead and focuses on the grand scheme of things. I have learned as much in my endeavors."

Well thought out response. But you are concealing something from me. What is it you hide behind that mask, Captain? Prolov pondered silently. He remained motionless for a few seconds while studying Phasma. He wished he could peer through her eyes and look deep into her soul. A person's eyes were a portal to the inner being and revealed their true self. Perhaps that's why she chose to remain hidden behind the shimmering armor. He broke his concentration and motioned towards the blast doors, which opened with a whoosh almost instantly. "Captain, shall we begin the tour? We'll start on the bridge and move on from there."

Phasma nodded. "Please, lead the way, Admiral."

General Hux fought a furious battle within himself to keep his composure. He took a nervous glance around at the crew on the bridge of the Finalizer. Everyone appeared to be focused on their duty stations while completing their assigned tasks. No one had their eyes on him.

He pulled a black handkerchief from his uniform pocket and wiped his sweaty forehead dry. As he quickly shoved the cloth back into his pocket a white splotch caught his eye. He glanced in the direction of the splotch and noticed a stormtrooper standing at attention, watching his movements.

She probably had her eyes on me the whole time. Hux thought as he stared at the trooper known as FN-2734. She was a Lieutenant and Phasma's second-in-command who had assumed Phasma's position on the bridge while the Captain was away on her mission to rendezvous with Prolov. She will most likely inform Phasma of my supposed moment of weakness. Ah, to hell with both of them.

Hux shook the thoughts from his mind and spun around to face the communications station. "Try to raise Captain Evin again. I need a status report from him."

The dark-haired young woman glanced down at the display before her and pressed a control. "This is Finalizer to Oppressor with a priority message from General Hux to Captain Evin. Please respond." A few moments of silence passed by. The officer adjusted the display and her frequency before trying again. "This Finalizer to Oppressor. I have a priority message from General Hux to Captain Evin. Please respond."

Another few moments of silence filled the bridge of the Finalizer. Hux exhaled and stared out of the viewport towards the Apollyon and Corrin. He offered a sneer at the pair of Imperial Star Destroyers as he thought, Prolov, if you are jamming my transmission out of fear of an attack by me, then I'll have to take drastic measures against you. That is no way to treat a humble host, you sadistic bastard.

The hologram of the young Commander Spaal, executive officer of the Oppressor, suddenly appeared on the bridge. "General Hux, I offer my apologies for my delayed response, sir. An important matter of business that demanded my attention."

Hux grimaced at the Spaal's hologram. "Why are you responding instead of Captain Evin? I demand to speak to your commanding officer at once!"

Spaal narrowed her eyes. "I'm afraid that will not be possible, sir."

Hux cursed under his breath and stared at Spaal coldly. "Are you disobeying a director order from me, Commander?"

Spaal remained in a rigid posture and kept her gaze on Hux. "No, sir. I'm afraid Captain Evin will not be able to meet with you at this moment, General."

"Why is he unable, Commander?" Hux blasted in an angry tone. "I ordered him to report to me when he fulfilled his orders!"

Spaal drew in a breath and continued to stare at Hux. "It is not that he doesn't want to, sir. He is physically unable to meet with you as he will be in a bacta tank for the next two days."

Hux gasped at the revelation. "In a bacta tank for the next two days? What happened to him?"

Spaal's face almost broke into a grin. "He suffered an unfortunate accident during his HoloNet transmission with Supreme Leader Snoke."

Hux's heart just about burst from his chest upon hearing her reply. Snoke contacted him? Hux asked himself silently. This can't be happening. He looked up at Spaal and nodded. "Thank you, Commander. That is all." As her hologram vanished from view, Captain Peavey walked up to Hux and gazed over to him. Hux took notice and stood up straight. "If you are wondering, no, I am not worried at all about any contact from Leader Snoke. He and I have a thorough understanding of one another."

"I believe you do, sir," Peavey replied before turning his attention towards the stars.

A chime rang out on the bridge at the communications station. The officer stationed there pressed her earpiece close to her ear and looked up at Hux with a shocked expression. "Sir, Supreme Leader Snoke has ordered you contact him."

"Thank you, Ensign," Hux replied with a sheepish grin. "I will do so in my private holochamber."

"Sir, he demands to see you in person on the Supremacy immediately," the ensign said.

Hux exhaled sharply and turned to Captain Peavey. "Order my ship to be prepared. You will have command of the Finalizer while I am away."

Peavey nodded and watched Hux step off the bridge. As soon as the General was out of earshot, Peavey turned to a young officer to his left. "Lieutenant, prepare a bacta tank just in case."