Chapter Text
This was dangerous.
You were on Coruscant again, getting supplies for the new base in the Ileenium System. Being a newer addition to the cause meant supply runs controlled your schedule.
They were a task for lower-level cadets, but they were still incredibly dangerous on First-Order occupied planets like this. Coruscant was a mess. Stormtroopers were around every corner, making the easiest of jobs impossible.
You were supposed to avoid the First Order at every cost. Invisibility was key. You had no valid identification with the Order, so you disappeared in crowds. So far, this supply run wasn't too bad. You had retrieved a set of datapads for some mid-level staff to use. The Resistance contact on Coruscant got a tip from some top-notch spy that is apparently under life-or-death-type deep cover. This spy has been a topic of conversation among rebels on base for a while now. To be fair, you were impressed, but it's annoying when you were doing all of these difficult supply runs while watching some anonymous gossip get all the credit.
You were on your way back to the ship now, pilot waiting and all. The sack of datapads was light enough to carry on your back, so you carefully worked your way back. Making sure to follow groups of locals, you finally felt comfortable. The crowds managed to keep you safe all day.
A sigh escaped you, as you felt a weight lift from your shoulders. The mission was basically done. Everything was discreet, you had the datapads, and you were almost back to the ship. You caught your thoughts and felt an anxiety creep back up. It sounds nice, but you knew what that meant. Things were going too well.
"Stop, citizen! State your business."
You were right. Shit. You turned around to see two stormtroopers, blasters casually in hand. You had to find a way out of this... hopefully they're stupid and will leave you alone if you ramble a bit and come up with something on the spot.
"Of course! How are you guys today? I'm just on my way to help my friend fix up her ship! You know how it is these days, these rust-buckets never wanna run smoothly.." you nervously laughed.
"What's in the bag? Show us your identification!" one of the stormtroopers stepped forward. They were onto you. You made a quick glance to your right, there's an open alleyway that lets out into a busy area. Looks like it's time to run.
You darted off to the right, full sprint through the alley, ducking under clothes lines, jumping over pipes, and swerving around people.
"Set to stun and shoot! Report back to captain- suspicious activity near docking bay 12!"
The stormtroopers shot after you, but the junk in the alley gave you great cover. You were out of the alley in seconds and found yourself in a bustling square. You weaved your way through the crowd, running this way and that, until you spotted another alleyway.
People in Coruscant saw these things all the time, which is great, because nobody attempted to help the stormtroopers. Nobody moved to help them see you, no one even questioned your running, and not a soul was bothered by it. Maybe this would be an easy escape after all. You slid into the alley and listened. You could hear the two stormtroopers talking.
"Add to the report about this. Tell the others in this sector to keep an eye out. We can't lose her again. I know a rebel when I see one." The first stormtrooper deducted. Their partner chimed in.
"Rebel scum. I'll speak with the captain now."
You waited a moment. You couldn't hear anything else, so you decided to flip your cloak inside out. It was the only thing you could do now. Stormtroopers will likely be too stupid to recognize you if the black exterior was swapped for the beige interior. If you could just wait a few more minutes before heading back out there, you'd be safe. It was a straight shot to the ship, and then you would finally be on your way back to the Ileenium Sys-
Hands grabbed your shoulders and pushed you into the wall, you struggled and tried to shove your attackers chest, but they wouldn't budge as they began to whisper-yell at you.
"Will you stop? I am trying- ugh- to help- stop it! to help you!"
You finally stopped shoving, and looked up at the hooded face of your "helper" ready to roll your eyes, honestly who does this idiot think-
You recognized his face.
You started shoving again, no way in hell was General Hux of the First Order "helping you"... this was a trap, your mission was compromised-
"Will you just- listen! I'm the spy-"
"WHAT-" You started until Hux covered your mouth and shushed you as quietly, yet aggressively, as possible. You struggled for another moment, yet you couldn't help but notice how gentle his hand over your face was. The leather from his gloves just grazed your skin, and he made no effort to actually keep your mouth closed...
"Are you done? I'm not going to remove my hand until you promise to keep quiet. We don't have much time." He looked you in the eyes. You couldn't believe this. This had to be an extremely elaborate trap- it couldn't be real, you shouldn't trust him.
Yet you were nodding yes. You looked at him and allowed your face to show the confusion you felt. Your mind was racing yet blank, how was this happening?
Hux kept one hand on your shoulder, and brought his hand on your mouth down to his pocket to pull out a datapad and show you a map.
"In exactly one minute you will have the perfect window. Your pilot is waiting for you, and upon your arrival, you will immediately depart. Do you understand?" Hux looked you in the eyes. You looked right back out of confusion and shock, but Hux only gripped your shoulder tighter and moved closer.
"Do you understand?" He glanced at his datapad. "45 seconds now, then the patrol will pass and your path will be clear."
You felt a rush of adrenaline as you finally became present in the moment. You looked into the general's eyes, and then began to scan his face. He looked... normal. Nothing like he did when you saw him with the Order, or in pictures spies captured of him. You didn't know who this person was, but he wasn't acting like General Hux. He leaned back a bit, and noticed the way you were looking at him.
"What? What is it?" He moved closer again. You looked back at Hux, and narrowed your eyes in confusion.
"Why are you helping me?" you whispered. The general sighed and leaned in. He was hovering over you now, so close that he whispered back as quietly as he possibly could. Yet, you clearly heard every word spoken from his lips that were inches from yours.
"As I have stated, I am the spy. I'm the spy. My life in the Order- my past, it is not who I am. But I will leave. One day. Until then, this is how I help. But you cannot tell a soul, not even the other rebels. My identity is not revealed, not even to them." Hux confessed, and you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding, and Hux let go of you and stepped back. You almost wanted him to come back, but he checked his datapad again.
"Any second now," he whispered, "On three..."
"Wait but-" you interrupted, but Hux ignored you.
"Three"
"When will I see you again?"
"Two," he continued.
"You'll find me once you're on base, right? I have so many questions-"
"One, go! run!" Hux pushed you out of the alley. You looked back, allowing yourself to openly show your sad expression, but he was gone. There was no going back.
You broke into a full sprint for the hangar, dodging people in the crowd, booths in the marketplace, and there wasn't a stormtrooper in sight.
You made it to the ship and leaped onto the ramp. The second you made contact with it, the ship began to take off. You looked out into the hangar out of hope, but General Hux was not there to watch you leave. He was gone. And you had no idea if you'd ever see him again.