He is leading me an unusual path towards the conference room, Phasma thought to herself as she walked alongside of Prolov. He is stalling for some reason. But why? She glanced down at him. "This is an unprecedented sight on an Imperial Star Destroyer," she said. Prolov paused and looked up at her. "Admiral, I presume this corridor is exclusive to your fleet?"

"Indeed, it is, Captain," Prolov replied. He stared at the darkened lenses on her helmet. What does that mask conceal? Would your expressions give you away they were on display for all to see? "The Apollyon-subclass ships are all self-sustaining." He pressed a button on a panel. The doors slid open with a whoosh. A cloud of mist swirled out into the corridor, along with the sweet scent of fruits and vegetables. "Every ship in my fleet is equipped with horticultural rooms used for growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Follow me, Captain."

Prolov led Phasma down a path between large trees with silver-scaled trunks. Bright red fruits hung like decorations from the limbs. Beads of moisture rolled of the aqua blue leaves and plummeted to the soil concealing the roots of the trees. Phasma turned her head from side to side as she walked along with Prolov. In the distance of the cavernous room, rows of trees spread out with different fruit species in a cascade of colors. She turned her attention to the pathway ahead of them. The trees began to give way to rows of smaller hedges and bushes, all full of ripening fruits and vegetables of a wide array of hues. As they moved forward, a steady mist filled the air and began to fall upon them like a light spring shower.

Prolov gazed up at Phasma. "Please pardon the irrigation system. We will pass through an auto-dryer as we enter the next chamber."

"It is of no consequence, Admiral," Phasma replied with her beautiful but emotionless voice. She turned her attention back to the rows of garden vegetation. The shrubs and bushes had now transitioned into vines of ripe fruits and vegetables. The self-sustenance of this fleet will present a challenge, Phasma thought as they walked up to a pair of closed blast doors. We will not be able to use dwindling resources as a tactic for enticing him to join the First Order. Our options are narrowed, and it would be most unfortunate if we must resort to using force against the Admiral's fleet...

They approached a set of recessed blast doors. Just as Prolov stepped into the alcove, a haze of amber light surrounded him. Phasma watched as every droplet of moisture on his uniform vanished from sight. Prolov moved closer to the doors and turned to face Phasma.

"Your turn, Captain," he said in a welcoming tone. He kept his gaze locked on her as she moved forward with a confident stride. Interesting. You are clever in your display of trust, he thought. I know full well you are just playing your hand. You don't trust me, but you wish to give me the impression that you do. Willing to risk the chance that I might be luring you into a trap reveals volumes about you, Phasma.

The blast doors opened for the pair. They quickly moved into the corridor, and Phasma glanced down at the shorter Admiral. Would you mind not taking me as a fool, Admiral? You do not have it or me within your grasp. Not yet. Perhaps, not ever.

They entered a long corridor with closed blast doors on both sides. A luminescent red haze hung in the alcoves of the entrances. Prolov turned to Phasma they walked.

"Captain, this location is where we store our meats. Our seafood is provided by both harvesting a vast array of planetary waters and our onboard fisheries." Prolov said, gesturing to the doors. "The rest of our meat is provided to the fleet through Imperial farms and our hunting expeditions on worlds within our patrol sectors. I have found it rather beneficial to instruct my members of the crew to be able to harvest necessary food resources when the time arises. And in case you are curious, the red haze in each doorway serves as decontamination for workers who process all of our meat products."

Ingenious, Phasma thought. You lead a fleet that can adapt to any situation; thus, you need no resupply facility. She looked down at Prolov. I see that you can maintain your self-sufficiency. Perhaps we could learn to do the same within the First Order."

Prolov glanced at her. You do know that I revealed this to you for a purpose, don't you, Captain? Yes, I am sending you a clear message. We have no intentions of joining any military or political junta until we investigate it thoroughly. He motioned towards a turbolift at the end of the corridor. "After you, Captain."

After they stepped in, the lift only took seconds to deposit them in the main corridor. Imperial crewmembers milled about in the wide-open spaces. It was business as usual aboard a warship. No one paid the curious pair any attention. Prolov turned to the left and led Phasma to a closed set of blast doors. Two Imperial stormtroopers bearing the black and red markings of Prolov's fleet stood at attention as the two officers approached. The doors opened. Prolov motioned for Phasma to step in first.

As soon as they entered, the doors closed behind them. Prolov motioned to a seat at the conference table. Phasma took her seat, and Prolov took one across from her. "Captain, since you are our guest, feel free to ask me any questions," he offered with a warm smile.

Phasma remained rigid in her upright military posture. "Please, tell me about the days of the Empire. What was it like from your point of view?"

Prolov chuckled. "My response will be dependent upon two mitigating variables."

Phasma relaxed her posture and sat back in her chair. "And they are?"

Prolov's smile widened. "Whether or not you are asking as a devout student of history or as a vigilant military officer seeking to gain a tactical advantage."

Phasma leaned forward and nodded. "What if it is for both reasons?"

"Then I will have to indulge you with a tale from long ago," Prolov replied while leaning forward himself. He stared into the lenses on her helmet, wishing he could see her eyes. Yes, you are drawing me in by feigning trust. You should know from my past that you are not the only one in the galaxy which is competent at that game, Captain.

Prolov thought for a moment, digging through memories and emotions before finally settling on one moment in time that he felt would be appropriate for this discussion. "When I was transferred to the Outer Rim, Annalisa and I relocated to Renda Noth, a beautiful world of greenery beyond description. When I was sent off on missions for the Empire, deployments were some of my favorite times and some of my most dire times. Of course, I enjoyed my duty for the Empire, but in doing so, I had to leave my Annalisa behind, never knowing if I would ever see her again."

As he spoke, to Captain Phasma's amazement, the bulkheads of the Apollyon seemed to become transparent as they gave way to a majestic view of the ocean in the setting sunlight that resembled an endless sea of shimmering silver that stretched to eternity. A mountain range covered in lush vegetation spread out from sharp cliffs to gently rolling hills that joined with the ocean's edge in a smooth blend of land and water. The skies above were a pinkish hue as the setting sun's fading light also cast a soft glow across the landscape, giving it a relaxed mood. Birds moved with the breeze in a ballet of nature that captured her attention.

Captain Phasma could feel the warm breeze and smell the salt of the ocean as she stood on a landing platform built on the side of a cliff overlooking the seaside city far below. The cape around her shoulders fluttered softly in the salty breeze. She looked around to see a sizeable garden-like landscape surrounding the landing platform and the elaborate white stone house. The entire scene was bathed in the setting sun's pinkish light.

Turning back to the sight in front of her, she saw a Lambda-class shuttle sitting on the platform with its wings folded up into a triangle shape with its loading ramp down. The white hull of the shuttle reflected the pink light of the setting sun as it sat waiting to be boarded.

She heard a familiar voice, turning to her right; she saw Admiral Prolov hugging a woman as tall as her. She knew instantly who the woman was. It was Annalisa, Admiral Prolov's beloved wife. She was utterly beautiful with golden hair that hung down to the middle of her back. Her fair facial skin made her sapphire blue eyes almost glow like the sun shining through a precious stone. Her midsection was bulged out, revealing she was pregnant.

Prolov stood staring up into her eyes as she stood staring down into his. They were very much in love with one another. He placed his hand on her abdomen and softly rubbed it. His smile widened as he moved his hand to where the child lay in the womb, showing that he was happy they were expecting a child.

"Take care of her and you, sweetheart," he said with a smile as their lips met in a passionate kiss that lasted for what seemed an eternity as Captain Phasma looked on. His face was brilliantly shining when their faces separated. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Annalisa smiled brightly as well. "I know, darling. I'll be waiting for you as always."

He smiled as he stepped away towards a group of Imperial officers, the Star Destroyer Apollyon bridge crew. Captain Phasma only recognized one, Captain Aveen, who stepped up to the Admiral and snapped a quick salute which Prolov returned quickly. Phasma watched as Prolov lifted a commlink to his lips. She could barely hear what he said, but she could still make it out.

"Phantom Squadron, move to your ships!" He ordered sharply into the commlink.

A soft series of screams emanated from the distance, drawing her attention. She turned her head and noticed black shapes moving in the distance against the backdrop of the setting sun. As they came closer, she recognized the sounds as TIE engines, but something was different about them. Blended with the traditional sounds of ion engines was a noise more of a roar than the typical whine of such devices at full power. The shapes moved closer in tight groups of four. She counted eight groups total, thirty-two fighters in all.

They came in low over the city, their screams echoing through the alleys and streets below. Citizens going about their daily business stopped to look above at the impressive machines moving through the skies. As they passed by, she could make out their shapes as TIE Advanced X1's. The first group soared past the landing platform; the screams of their engines streamed through the landscape.

Phasma followed the fighters with her eyes to see eight Imperial Star Destroyers floating overhead gracefully like giant cloud formations. Their hulls were bathed in the pink hue of the setting sun. They were an impressive sight hanging in the sky in a pyramid formation with the Apollyon in the lead. Phantom Squadron soared towards their respective ships while making their final approaches. They resembled flocks of birds moving among the clouds as they approached their base ships.

Four of the fighters broke off from their flight path and descended. They split into groups of two and took positions on both sides of the landing platform, waiting patiently for the shuttle to lift into the air. The shuttle cleared the platform revealing a gigantic version of Prolov's fleet battle flag and its signature phrase, In Brotherhood We Will Rise. Captain Phasma watched it flutter in the breeze for a second or two before turning her eyes back to the shuttle unfolding its wings as it climbed higher. It soared into the sky with the four Phantom Squadron fighters moving alongside.

The Phantom TIEs paused and hovered in mid-air just below the hangar bay of the Apollyon, waiting until the Admiral's shuttle entered the before moving up into the bay themselves. A few minutes later, the platform rumbled slightly as the Star Destroyers in the skies above increased power to their main engines to move out of the atmosphere. Their shapes became smaller as they soared towards open space. Annalisa stood staring up at them as they moved further away from the ground, now just barely recognizable in the sky.

"I'll never forgive you if you don't come back home safely to us, Garren," she stated as if her husband could hear her.

Captain Phasma stood watching the star destroyers become almost indistinguishable specks in the pinkish sky. She looked over to Annalisa, who, to her surprise, was glaring at her. "I know why you are here, Phasma. Do not betray or misuse him. You will pay dearly if you do."

A stunned Captain Phasma started to respond until the sun turned blood red, casting an ominous crimson glare down upon the planet's surface. A dark landscape placed both Annalisa and the lush world of Renda Noth. Phasma sensed she was being watched, and she spun on her heels. She brought her blaster up as chilling laughter filled the air.

Before her, a black throne appeared in the scarlett light. An extremely tall, hooded figure with its features obscured by the darkness sat on the throne. A pair of glowing eyes full of anger and hatred stared out from the featureless face of the entity.

"I second her warnings, Phasma," A female voice hissed. "Prolov is just as much a part of us as we are of him. You would do well to heed Annalisa's advice, Captain. There is much about your hero you do not know. And if you do not tread carefully, then you will be subject to a fate far worse than anything Snoke or Palpatine will ever impose upon you."

A chime suddenly brought her out of the vision. She looked across the table at Prolov, who had just finished speaking. What kind of deception is this? Who is that woman, and how does she and Annalisa know anything about me? Phasma thought, and then she made a stark presumption to explain away what had just occurred. It is a test. Snoke and Ren are using their powers as a measure of my resolve.

"Captain is everything alright," Prolov asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Yes," she replied while keeping her eyes on him. I must not let him know I was startled by the vision, she reasoned mentally. "I am just taking time to absorb the information."

Of course, you are, Captain, Prolov thought before responding. "In that case, I will give you ample time to reflect upon it. I have arranged for refreshment for you to be brought aboard from the Finalizer. I did not want to take the chances of differences between First Order and Imperial foods posing a risk to you. I will have it brought to you shortly. If you will, please excuse me, Captain. I know that anonymity is valuable to you, so I will leave you to enjoy the refreshment in private."

Prolov rose to his feet and left the room. After he walked out, a First Order stormtrooper stepped into the room with the tray holding the refreshment. The trooper set it in front of her and then left her alone in the room. She removed her helmet and stared down at the food with her beautiful blue eyes. As she took the first bite, a feminine voice suddenly filtered into the room.

"Do not become so comfortable that you forget the warning, Phasma. I will be waiting for you to make a mistake, and when you do, I will rain my fury down upon you…"