Captain Phasma had seen Imperial Star Destroyers before at different moments in the Unknown Regions, set aside either as parts/scrap ships or as the occasional so-called "museum" ship, if there was ever such a thing. And the tours of the bridge as well as engineering were rather mundane experiences for her as she had seen similar sights on the dwindling Imperial Star Destroyer fleet within the First Order registry.

But now she was witnessing something unexpected in her walk with Prolov through the deck levels of the Apollyon. Just beyond the standard operations departments, they made a quick turn into a long corridor of rooms separated by walls of light grey durasteel. Large rectangular panels of transparisteel neatly fitted into the bulkheads allowed for visual inspection of what seemed to be classrooms.

Interesting. He has educational facilities similar to the ones on the Absolution and Finalizer, she thought to herself as she observed the crew members seated in the rows of small desks. An officer stood at the front of the room gesturing towards holographic images as he read off of a datapad. But I haven't detected recruits on this vessel. The men in those seats all appear to be seasoned officers and crew. What exactly am I seeing here?

"Captain, I can tell you have questions about this corridor," Prolov said in a pleasant tone, bringing Phasma out of her concentration. "Feel free to ask for an explanation."

She turned away from the classroom and glanced at Prolov. "I would expect this kind of an academic facility on a ship that conducted training for recruits. From what I have studied in regards to your fleet, I believe your crew is made up of experienced personnel."

Prolov chuckled. "And you are correct in that assumption, Captain." He motioned towards the classroom. "I lead my fleet in the concept of a continuous academy. I believe that an individual constantly is in a state of learning from birth until death. Therefore, I require all of my crew members on all eight vessels to undergo constant academic instruction in a diverse curriculum of subjects."

A continuous academy. This information was either unknown to the First Order historians or it was omitted intentionally, Phasma pondered silently. But to what advantage would it be for them to omit it? "Admiral, what subjects are you teaching in these classrooms?"

"Our diverse curriculum covers everything from military operations to academic subjects such as advanced mathematics and sciences," Prolov replied. He gestured towards the deck and the ceiling. "We have an additional corridor identical to this one above and below us that are utilized for academic instruction as well." He motioned towards the end of the corridor. "Captain, if you will follow me, I will show you our facilities that allow for maintaining the physical wellness of our crew members."

He holds diversity in high esteem. Much different than the First Order and it presents a discrepancy between our values, Phasma pondered silently. Perhaps there are many more discrepancies that will drive our fleets apart. We must find a way to remedy this. It will be unfortunate for us to become adversaries. She looked down at him as they walked up to the open doors of a turbolift. "Admiral, I find your diversity in academics intriguing. It gives the appearance that you are always thinking several steps ahead and planning for the unexpected."

She baits me with an assessment. And now to spring the trap without getting caught within its grasp, Prolov thought while stepping into the turbo lift. He gazed up to her with a blank expression. "Time waits for no one, Captain", he replied calmly. "And every soul has two choices upon that realization. Either they continue to prepare themselves for whatever the future may bring. Or they stand by idly and allow time to trample them beneath its feet. We choose the former rather than the latter, which is a distinct advantage."

Time waits for no one. So, he has embraced that his fleet has traveled across the decades. Is that an example of the preparation for the unexpected he mentioned? Phasma thought. We shall see...

The doors to the turbolift opened as she finished her thought. She widened her eyes as she stepped into a cavernous room with a ceiling that stretched at least two decks or more upward. Under her feet, she could see the surface of a running track that encircled the inner wall of the gray durasteel room, illuminated by panels of vertical lights built into the walls.

Almost a deck above them, another running track was suspended from the ceiling by heavy durasteel supports, like a halo suspended above an angel's brow. From her vantage point, she could tell that the rectangular track was banked sharply in the turns on each corner. On closer examination, she could just make out obstacles sitting in the turns such as hurdles and walls that required climbing. She nodded her head as she took in the sight.

Prolov caught on to her examination of the upper-level track. "The design of the track allows for us to escalate troop training to a more advanced and strenuous level. Every obstacle in the turns and on the straightaways is adjustable and comes in various levels of difficulty. It is reserved for my Stormtroopers of all designations. Though, I do require all of my crew to utilize the rest of this facility in their spare time. At least an hour a day. More if possible. You never know when that kind of conditioning will become beneficial."

"Impressive," she replied as she turned her attention to a large chamber built into the durasteel wall just beyond an area filled with strength training and cardio machines. At first glance, it resembled a small hangar with electrical conduits running from the upper levels and down into the main computer console on the side of the structure.

"What kind of machine is that, Admiral?" Phasma inquired as she gestured towards it.

He smiled as he gestured towards it. "Shall we go have a look for ourselves?"

They stepped up to the chamber's outer wall, next to a large computer display. "This is our holochamber that we use to simulate different scenarios concerning ground force engagements. Every ship in the fleet was equipped with them when they were dry-docked for refits about three years prior to our hyperspace incident. From the console in front of you, we can program almost any battle scenario you can imagine and from any period in history."

He paused for a moment, motioning towards a second chamber on the opposite end of the gymnasium. It was just as wide as this chamber but she noticed it was twice as long as the chamber they were standing in front of. "Captain, that chamber is our indoor live firing range for our E-11 blasters and other small arms. At the time it was constructed, it was one of a kind. I designed both of the chambers and the accompanying software with the assistance of General Orlind, commander of my ground forces. Of course, all eight ships are equipped with both as well."

"Admiral, you have shown me facilities that are absent on the deck plans of other II-class Imperial Star Destroyers." Phasma stated as she looked around the facility. "I presume these designations are exclusive to your fleet."

Prolov smiled and nodded. "Yes. Even though my ships are II-class Star Destroyers in appearance, they actually are a subclass. The Apollyon subclass, to be exact." Prolov waved his hand in the air. "Feel free to look around the facility for a few moments, Captain."

She turned her attention back to the computer display mounted on the simulator and read the information on the screen. A list of recent simulations appeared before her eyes, and she began to scan through them. Near the bottom of the list, something caught her eye. A simulation involving lightsaber duels had recently been conducted, which struck her as odd for an Imperial Star Destroyer.

And then she remembered that the Empire once had a servant named Darth Vader who was a known practitioner of the Dark Side of the Force. Maybe he had been aboard just before the fleet vanished. She checked the display again and froze for a moment.

What is this?, she pondered silently. Such a peculiar program for an Imperial officer to have in his possession.

She looked closer at the display. The simulation had been run the day before, just after Prolov's fleet had appeared at Endor. She stood staring at the information, unaware that Prolov's eyes were on her.

"Captain, do you have any questions for me?" Prolov asked in an inviting tone, pulling her out of her thoughts.

She looked down at Prolov and asked, "Admiral, do you have a place where we can talk, preferably more private than this room?"

"We can use the conference room," Prolov said gesturing towards a set of blast doors. "This way, Captain."

Armitage Hux trembled in fear. Sweat fell from his face as if he were caught in a virtual torrential rain. His cowering young form watched in terror as the hulking angry shape of his father, Imperial Commandant Brendol Hux, stomped across the room.

The older Hux's face morphed into a hideous mask of fury flushed with a hue that matched his red hair. The footsteps of the Commandant colliding with the durasteel deck echoed through Hux's office like the concussions of exploding plasma bombs.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Brendol Hux growled as he closed in on his frightened son. "Every time I depend upon you to do something you end up making a fool out of me!"

He lunged for the cowering boy and slammed his fist into the flesh above his right eye. With his free hand, he grabbed the boy's flaming red hair and gave it a strong tug before slamming his face into the bulkhead several times.

He hissed like a predator pouncing on helpless prey as he thrust his fist into the sobbing younger Hux's right rib cage. While still clinging to the weeping boy's hair, he grabbed the back of his shirt and tossed him to the floor. He walked up and delivered several kicks to his side. The younger Hux convulsed under the vicious assault.

Brendol ceased his attack on the boy and glared down at him. "Get up, you weakling!"

Armitage nodded and wiped his tear-stained face on the sleeve of his shirt. He sobbed as he pulled himself to his knees and rested for a moment against the chair. Pressing against the chair and enduring the burden of the throbbing injuries from his father's blows, Armitage drew in a breath and slowly rose to his feet.

Brendol's narrowed his eyes and laughed at his beaten son. He shook his head as his face folded into a scowl. "I thought by now you would take this like a man. If you are a man, that is. Let's see, shall we?"

He brought his right foot forward and blasted Armitage's crotch with a brutal kick. The young boy screamed in pain and fell to the floor weeping as he cupped his hands between his legs.

Brendol callously used his broken form as a step while moving towards the door. He paused and looked back at the prone Armitage. "Just thought it would be prudent to warn you, boy. I'll keep on hurting you until you start acting like a human."

Suddenly, Armitage Hux was pulled back through the decades as if grasped by a pair of invisible hands. When his surroundings stopped spinning, he found himself lying prone on the black and shiny durasteel deck of Snoke's Throne room aboard the Supremacy. Spasms of pain shot through him like lightning from a ravaging storm.

He rolled over on his side and through tear-filled eyes he gazed upon the twisted and scarred features of the Supreme Leader. Snoke's visage was just as equally frightening as his ability to freakishly probe into the minds of individuals to find memories to use against them.

And in this particular probe, Snoke had chosen one of the many memories of the horrific physical and psychological abuse Armitage Hux had suffered as a child at the hands of Brendol. General Hux took in breaths of fresh air and ran his hands across his face. Examining his glove, he noticed the absence of bloodstains. Via the Force Snoke had coerced him to relive a single painful moment of paternal abuse that had defined his early years with his father.

"General, I presume I have made my point to you," Snoke said while continuing to glare at Hux. "Actions taken independently and without my authorization will not be tolerated."

Hux braced himself on his hands and knees. He nodded and looked up at Snoke while letting out heavy breaths. "Understood, Supreme Leader. I accept the responsibility for my errancy. I've had enough. I will not do it again."

"Do you take me as a fool, General?", Snoke exclaimed in a tone that rumbled through the throne room like the concussion of a bomb. "You are not broken yet."

Before Hux could respond, Snoke grasped him with the Force. Hux's arms and legs were pulled behind him and held in place as if he were bound by invisible ropes. His disabled form was lifted off of the deck by several centimeters and was turned to face the outer wall.

"Supreme Leader, please don't", Hux gasped.

"I will refrain from killing you or Captain Evin. Both of you are useful to me...for now," Snoke said. "However, I must set an example to anyone in the First Order who would dare to be as defiant as you. I will pour out my wrath upon the Captains of the Vicarious and Malice. They must pay for their treachery."

"Not Captains Somil and Konnis," Hux pleaded. "They are two of my best officers! Take anyone else! Please!"

Snoke narrowed his eyes. "It's either you or them, General. Choose wisely!"

Hux struggled to draw air into his rapidly closing throat. "Them!", Hux squeaked out. "Let it be them!"

Snoke declined to respond to Hux other than releasing the Force choke on his throat. He pressed a button on his throne. "Send their holograms through to me."

The wavering hologram of a tall female officer with chestnut hair neatly pulled back under a duty cap appeared next to the separate hologram of an athletically built middle-aged male officer. Both suddenly began to convulse. The woman, Captain Somil, screamed as she cupped her face in her hands. blood poured between her fingers like water spewing from a burst pipe.

The other man, Captain Konnis, cried out in pain as he clenched his fists. His face began to wither and sink into his skull. He fell to his knees and covered the gaping void in his head with his hands. Captain Somil let out a muffled cry before her head collapsed upon itself, sending the cap on her flying while her hair fell down to cover her devastated features. Konnis's head imploded as he fell to the deck in a lifeless heap.

Snoke released his Force grip on the two dead Captains and looked down at Hux. "Have I made myself clear, General?" Hux swallowed and nodded. "Good. Next time you fail me, you may suffer an even worse fate. Go to your assigned rendezvous point beyond Jakku and await the Finalizer."

To Snoke's right side, the dark-cloaked and masked Klyo Ren let out a chuckle as watched a broken and humiliated Hux stumble towards the turbo lifts as the rear of the room. He felt Snoke's gaze upon him and turned towards his master. "Supreme Leader?"

Snoke leaned towards his apprentice. "Wipe that smirk off of your face before I humble you."