Hux could not believe Snoke created Kylo Ren out of this wreck.
Hux fully believed Snoke was definitely capable of ruining Ben Solo so absolutely.
The creature was pathetic and meek, physically crippled, and mentally even weaker, shrinking into its corner whenever it was startled. And it was so easily startled. Sound, light, too many people in the room, too many people outside of the room, getting a warm bath, the one time Hux tried to feed it some of his own food (too flavourful for the patient’s palate developed on nutrient paste and fiber shavings, explained the medical staff) (it was mildly spicy. RN-0000’s full lips wibbled as it tried to hold back tears upon the first spoonful).
Despite its familiar face, RN-0000 was nothing like Kylo Ren. How very disappointing.
**
It must have been a cruel joked played upon him by the universe at large, Hux thought. How smoothly he and his staff’s experience in dealing with Ren transferred to dealing with RN-0000.
Perhaps it was something to be put onto a resume. The keeper of powerful Force using manchilds.
RN-0000’s tantrums were born out of fear, not anger. Yet the magnitude of the damage showed why it was the original, and Ren the copy.
Thank god RN-0000’s outbursts were few and far in between, and it broke much fewer equipment in total, and had the sense to hold back against most personnel. Otherwise the repair bills alone may encourage Hux into ordering a lethal injection into the fussy creature’s skinny neck.
Even with its powers, RN-0000 was nothing like Kylo Ren. What a relief.
**
Technicians soldered off RN-0000’s old shock collar, dressed the electrical burns and lesions, bandaged the angry raw skin, and put a new collar around his neck.
The new collar felt and looked like soft black leather instead of heavy clinical steel. Embedded in it was a symbol of the First Order, perfect in its symmetrical geometry, and a name plaque stating ‘RN-0000, property of the New Galactic Empire’. A fine feat of engineering, with significant improvement on form and comfort, while sacrificing none of its function.
There was a tracker added in it too, as commissioned by Grand Moff Hux, RN-0000 noticed from the technicians’ passing thoughts.
Now that the Grand Moff had put his own collar on him, maybe he would keep him. Maybe there wouldn’t be a lethal injection as the red haired man sometimes contemplated. Not breaking anything or anyone for a month really paid off.
**
Hux was surprised to learn RN-0000 was somewhat educated. Although the areas in which it held some knowledge were patchy at best (it knew more about bioscience and medical equipment maintenance than it should, had some experiences with meditation, preferred to throw things with his magic, but knew how to Force choke if commanded to it, could pick twenty some types of locks like some common criminal, and was functional in Shyriiwook, of all things). At least it was mostly literate.
The tutors shook their heads, and said their charge would take years to finish basic mandatory education, its prime years of learning long past.
The therapists signed, and reported that their charge would have limited physical fitness. Wielding a lightsaber would be an impossibility.
Hux was pleasantly surprised at how quickly RN-0000 caught on to games of Dejarik. And how mischievous its voice could be, when it whispered to Hux about what the tutors and therapists thought before they even gave their thoughts voice (and some of these thoughts, they would have never given voice). RN-0000 could hear so many things, but had no one to share them with before Hux came along.
Despite the infrequent tantrums and the undercurrent of mischief that raised its head from time to time, RN-0000 obeyed directions (mostly), followed rules and regulations (when he could), and was completely respectful of Hux’s authority (and everyone else’s). It never really tried to actively read Hux’s mind either (or anyone else’s, but people broadcast all the time) (For RN-0000, disobeying directions, not following rules, questioning authority, and reading minds were all bad, and bad things meant punishment and pain. Before the Grand Moff came along, sometimes not being bad brought punishment and pain too. But this new keeper was methodological and fair, and had long trained his staff to do the same).
So obedient and oh so malleable, RN-0000 was nothing like Kylo Ren. This whole exercise might actually be a profitable investment after all.
**
When Hux stepped off the Finalizer onto solid soil, instead of taking a well-deserved rest, he became very, very busy almost immediately.
The weekly games of Dejarik with RN-0000 became something of a routine and relaxation for the man.
And RN-0000, noted and disregarded by others as the Grand Moff’s fresh-faced little pet (one of the young Grand Moff’s two vices, the other being the bottle), turned out to be a very profitable investment indeed, as he (Hux no longer thought of the Force user as an ‘it’, but neither of them could pinpoint when this transition happened) described all sorts of wants and desires, doubts and fears, none of them his own, exclusively for Hux’s ears.
**
Ave Imperator.
And those died on the path of ascension saluted no one. Just like the many who had died before them, and the many who would die after them, again and again throughout histories, across universes, the sacrifices of the many for the ambitions of the few.
**
Many admired the new Emperor of the New Galactic Empire. So young, so ambitious, so successful. A tamer of suns and herald of peace.
Many loathed the new Emperor of the New Galactic Empire. So young, so ambitious, so successful. A mass murderer and warmonger.
Yet most agreed to fear the new Emperor, a cold and ruthless creature with a core of ice. The only dash of color his red, red hair.
**
The Resistance cursed Hux’s name, cursed Hux’s efficiency, and cursed Hux’s cruelty.
Have you not heard, that bloodless monster wiped out entire systems, destroyed vibrant cultures, tore families apart, and kept a broken cripple chained at his feet like a dog for mere amusement? And he would soon do this to all of the Republic too, the whole galaxy brought low to satisfy his sick desires.
**
RN-0000 woke up screaming, about metal birds spewing fire, tearing at one another, falling, falling. So much blood painting the evening sky red (now he missed his old Force dampening cell. Now he cried to be put back. But the Emperor specifically ordered him to get used to his new room, a few doors down from the Emperor’s own).
And the New Empire fell under ambush by the Resistance two days later. Both sides sustained heavy damage.
More such dreams came, sometimes the Resistance gained, sometimes the New Empire victorious. But to RN-0000, they were all the same, terrible birds of prey, men dying by the scores, loved ones weeping, weeping rivers of tears.
Phasma commented, “Well, he thinks of Snoke as bad, most likley. But the Resistance, the New Empire, they are all unknown to him.”
Hux instructed tutors to teach RN-0000 the glorious history of the Empire. Of the First Order. Of what they stood for, protectors of order and stability in the galaxy. They showed him films, literature, colouring books.
Hux read the exploits of Darth Vader to 0000 himself, one or two hours on his rest days (he worked on these days still), other times before bed. He let RN-0000 accompany him on troop inspections, sit at his feet during parades, to see the machines of the New Empire’s military might with his own eyes.
Phasma left some glossy magazines by RN-0000’s cot. He flipped through one, curious of the gift. When he spread open the centerfold, Hux was there, in his full Emperor’s regalia, his face noble and full of purpose, his freckles digitally touched, his back ramrod straight, not a single red hair on his head out of place. Hux confiscated the magazines later.
RN-0000 soon learned to distinguish between friend and foe. His dreams got clearer and clearer (His cot was also relocated into the Emperor’s room. The older man’s sounds and scents helped 0000 sleep. And even when all those premonitions of death no longer phased him, in the Emperor’s room he remained).
Many Cuckoos in the Nest [3]
Hux could not believe Snoke created Kylo Ren out of this wreck.
Hux fully believed Snoke was definitely capable of ruining Ben Solo so absolutely.
The creature was pathetic and meek, physically crippled, and mentally even weaker, shrinking into its corner whenever it was startled. And it was so easily startled. Sound, light, too many people in the room, too many people outside of the room, getting a warm bath, the one time Hux tried to feed it some of his own food (too flavourful for the patient’s palate developed on nutrient paste and fiber shavings, explained the medical staff) (it was mildly spicy. RN-0000’s full lips wibbled as it tried to hold back tears upon the first spoonful).
Despite its familiar face, RN-0000 was nothing like Kylo Ren. How very disappointing.
**
It must have been a cruel joked played upon him by the universe at large, Hux thought. How smoothly he and his staff’s experience in dealing with Ren transferred to dealing with RN-0000.
Perhaps it was something to be put onto a resume. The keeper of powerful Force using manchilds.
RN-0000’s tantrums were born out of fear, not anger. Yet the magnitude of the damage showed why it was the original, and Ren the copy.
Thank god RN-0000’s outbursts were few and far in between, and it broke much fewer equipment in total, and had the sense to hold back against most personnel. Otherwise the repair bills alone may encourage Hux into ordering a lethal injection into the fussy creature’s skinny neck.
Even with its powers, RN-0000 was nothing like Kylo Ren. What a relief.
**
Technicians soldered off RN-0000’s old shock collar, dressed the electrical burns and lesions, bandaged the angry raw skin, and put a new collar around his neck.
The new collar felt and looked like soft black leather instead of heavy clinical steel. Embedded in it was a symbol of the First Order, perfect in its symmetrical geometry, and a name plaque stating ‘RN-0000, property of the New Galactic Empire’. A fine feat of engineering, with significant improvement on form and comfort, while sacrificing none of its function.
There was a tracker added in it too, as commissioned by Grand Moff Hux, RN-0000 noticed from the technicians’ passing thoughts.
Now that the Grand Moff had put his own collar on him, maybe he would keep him. Maybe there wouldn’t be a lethal injection as the red haired man sometimes contemplated. Not breaking anything or anyone for a month really paid off.
**
Hux was surprised to learn RN-0000 was somewhat educated. Although the areas in which it held some knowledge were patchy at best (it knew more about bioscience and medical equipment maintenance than it should, had some experiences with meditation, preferred to throw things with his magic, but knew how to Force choke if commanded to it, could pick twenty some types of locks like some common criminal, and was functional in Shyriiwook, of all things). At least it was mostly literate.
The tutors shook their heads, and said their charge would take years to finish basic mandatory education, its prime years of learning long past.
The therapists signed, and reported that their charge would have limited physical fitness. Wielding a lightsaber would be an impossibility.
Hux was pleasantly surprised at how quickly RN-0000 caught on to games of Dejarik. And how mischievous its voice could be, when it whispered to Hux about what the tutors and therapists thought before they even gave their thoughts voice (and some of these thoughts, they would have never given voice). RN-0000 could hear so many things, but had no one to share them with before Hux came along.
Despite the infrequent tantrums and the undercurrent of mischief that raised its head from time to time, RN-0000 obeyed directions (mostly), followed rules and regulations (when he could), and was completely respectful of Hux’s authority (and everyone else’s). It never really tried to actively read Hux’s mind either (or anyone else’s, but people broadcast all the time) (For RN-0000, disobeying directions, not following rules, questioning authority, and reading minds were all bad, and bad things meant punishment and pain. Before the Grand Moff came along, sometimes not being bad brought punishment and pain too. But this new keeper was methodological and fair, and had long trained his staff to do the same).
So obedient and oh so malleable, RN-0000 was nothing like Kylo Ren. This whole exercise might actually be a profitable investment after all.
**
When Hux stepped off the Finalizer onto solid soil, instead of taking a well-deserved rest, he became very, very busy almost immediately.
The weekly games of Dejarik with RN-0000 became something of a routine and relaxation for the man.
And RN-0000, noted and disregarded by others as the Grand Moff’s fresh-faced little pet (one of the young Grand Moff’s two vices, the other being the bottle), turned out to be a very profitable investment indeed, as he (Hux no longer thought of the Force user as an ‘it’, but neither of them could pinpoint when this transition happened) described all sorts of wants and desires, doubts and fears, none of them his own, exclusively for Hux’s ears.
**
Ave Imperator.
And those died on the path of ascension saluted no one. Just like the many who had died before them, and the many who would die after them, again and again throughout histories, across universes, the sacrifices of the many for the ambitions of the few.
**
Many admired the new Emperor of the New Galactic Empire. So young, so ambitious, so successful. A tamer of suns and herald of peace.
Many loathed the new Emperor of the New Galactic Empire. So young, so ambitious, so successful. A mass murderer and warmonger.
Yet most agreed to fear the new Emperor, a cold and ruthless creature with a core of ice. The only dash of color his red, red hair.
**
The Resistance cursed Hux’s name, cursed Hux’s efficiency, and cursed Hux’s cruelty.
Have you not heard, that bloodless monster wiped out entire systems, destroyed vibrant cultures, tore families apart, and kept a broken cripple chained at his feet like a dog for mere amusement? And he would soon do this to all of the Republic too, the whole galaxy brought low to satisfy his sick desires.
**
RN-0000 woke up screaming, about metal birds spewing fire, tearing at one another, falling, falling. So much blood painting the evening sky red (now he missed his old Force dampening cell. Now he cried to be put back. But the Emperor specifically ordered him to get used to his new room, a few doors down from the Emperor’s own).
And the New Empire fell under ambush by the Resistance two days later. Both sides sustained heavy damage.
More such dreams came, sometimes the Resistance gained, sometimes the New Empire victorious. But to RN-0000, they were all the same, terrible birds of prey, men dying by the scores, loved ones weeping, weeping rivers of tears.
Phasma commented, “Well, he thinks of Snoke as bad, most likley. But the Resistance, the New Empire, they are all unknown to him.”
Hux instructed tutors to teach RN-0000 the glorious history of the Empire. Of the First Order. Of what they stood for, protectors of order and stability in the galaxy. They showed him films, literature, colouring books.
Hux read the exploits of Darth Vader to 0000 himself, one or two hours on his rest days (he worked on these days still), other times before bed. He let RN-0000 accompany him on troop inspections, sit at his feet during parades, to see the machines of the New Empire’s military might with his own eyes.
Phasma left some glossy magazines by RN-0000’s cot. He flipped through one, curious of the gift. When he spread open the centerfold, Hux was there, in his full Emperor’s regalia, his face noble and full of purpose, his freckles digitally touched, his back ramrod straight, not a single red hair on his head out of place. Hux confiscated the magazines later.
RN-0000 soon learned to distinguish between friend and foe. His dreams got clearer and clearer (His cot was also relocated into the Emperor’s room. The older man’s sounds and scents helped 0000 sleep. And even when all those premonitions of death no longer phased him, in the Emperor’s room he remained).
**