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( OPEN )

WHO: Hux & YOU
WHAT: His first month in the Quarantine.
WHEN: Feb.
WHERE: All over! Tag his open prompt or contact me for a private thread.
WARNINGS: tba

i. central perk in space.

[ It has been so long since Hux was planetside (aside from Starkiller Base which doesn't really count because nothing was new there, culturally, after the First Order set down roots) that for his first couple of weeks without duties, responsibilities, or even a timetable, he flounders for what to do with himself. After throwing himself into his work at the Perimeter Guard (training and such menial obstacles that must be overcome with his indictment) and messaging the network only to find a wealth of the Resistance skulking around, determined to sabotage his attempts to do exactly anything, not to mention Kylo Ren running wild with the most common of ruffians available, Armitage decides Kriff this and goes into the city with no clear purpose. It's horrible yet somehow soothing to have no direction and aimlessly wander, discovering this and that along the way. He takes notes of local engineering workshops and purchases what passes for a datapad from some galaxy he's never heard of, spends a little too long outside a pet store watching a young batch of kittens under a For Sale sign (Millicent), and indulges in rating caff-shops. Or coffee-shops, whatever they're called.

He finds one in particular that he likes. No one knows him or looks twice when he steps inside, half-anxious FN-2187 or Dameron is going to pop up like a mouthy sarlacc and shriek obscenities at him, but he purchases a black caff and some cookies and sits down near a window in peaceful silence, greatcoat folded beside him and the new datapad his current focus as he attempts to reprogram its language into Basic. It's a relaxing task and somewhat flexes his technical skills, keeping his head down so that he is soon absorbed in his work, occasionally raking back loose red hair that flops forward without the usual regulation pomade, sweater sleeves rolled up as the heat of the shop seeps into his pale skin. Oddly, he thinks of his quiet talks with Phasma at the end of her shifts whenever she would approach him in his private quarters to log reports, and he misses the subtle humour that would wryly peel through her helmet as he drank his bitter tea, gently ribbing back and forth. He misses ... a lot about home. Yet, even though most of his time was objectively spent alone on the Finalizer, never has he had the time to actually feel lonely. There has always been something to do.

Armitage isn't happy but neither is he despairing anymore, which is as good as he suspects it will get on this moon. At least the caff is decent and no one is adding new bruises to his collection of faded relics. ]

ii. shuttle adventure. (closed to jim kirk)

[ It's a matter of time before one of the Resistance sabotages his attempts to get anything of worth done at Armitage's new job (he still isn't sure what to do with himself, exactly) but before they do he intends to get as good of an overview of what he's dealing with as possible, and that means actual legwork. No longer does he have a star-destroyer to simply scan the terrain on his behalf and relay any salient information; no, today he arrives on what passes for the Guard's shuttle bay with his homemade datapad under an arm, greatcoat buttoned (minus any insignia that might set off an unwanted confrontation) and ungelled hair whipping in the wind as he approaches the owner of the craft.

Not knowing what to expect with the rebels an unknown factor lurking in the shadows, he straightens up near Kirk and clears his throat. Manages a tight smile. (Certain factors run through his mind, taking note of the height and muscle Kirk has on him, comforted by the concealed blaster and knife Hux decided to keep hidden away on his person ... just in case.) ]

Captain. If you and your vessel are ready and willing, I believe I'm a little early for our tour of the Abandoned City.

iii. getting up, close and wet. (closed to valkyrie)

[ The only significant amount of time Hux spends in the public apartments is to shower, distrustful of the showers at the Perimeter Guard which are so close to the hygiene sectors that Stormtroopers use he can't bear to imagine setting foot inside them. So his routine goes as follows; enter the apartment with spare clothes and toiletries in his satchel, head straight to the showers, return to the bedroom and change into fresh clothes. He keeps a hairbrush and spare towel in the drawers next to his allotted bed, which is fortunate because today he doesn't have another towel to dry his hair with and, having discovered Tico is a resident on the same floor, he would rather not linger longer than necessary.

The aggressive woman known as Valkyrie is, of course, therefore passed out on his bed with her feet in the way of the drawers he needs to get into, dripping and cold in a single towel wrapped around his waist. She's the violent type, he has vaguely heard, so when it comes to waking her up he doesn't take any chances.

Armitage uses someone else's pillow to throw at her head, himself keeping a safe distance. In a cutting tone usually appropriated on the bridge of the Finalizer, he barks, ] Up, now!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Prometheus labs. Ren's employer is the man whom Hux seeks out with a scheduled appointment sometime after the talk in the coffee shop, vaguely impressed by the rosta of projects listed under Pierce's name. Giant defence tech piques his interest in a way the mind-erasure themes don't, only idly considering those useful in a scenario where torture would be applicable to an enemy. After reading a few summaries of the government-approved programs, Hux picks a reapectable hour after midday (no one likes having their lunch disrupted) and arrives promptly on time for an informal interview, curiosity fuelled by a desire to see the man responsible for such forward-thinking outside the Perimeter Guard and, frankly, Ren's new soft-Snoke.

He dresses in the only suit he owns, forgoing his general's uniform but sticking to an all-black theme, his greatcoat folded over an arm when he enters the office. He can't seem to find the right pomade to make his hair entirely flatten into regulation-neatness but it has been strictly parted and, as in any meeting with his captains and commanders, he is clean-shaven. Sharp. First impressions count, loathe as he is to admit he needs anyone's help. ]

Good afternoon.

[He was not an impossible man to seek an appointment with, especially with another who might be in a similar industry. Many of the best projects were co-operative ventures, and there were already more than enough technological based large companies that were in operations, but he had taken over Prometheus Labs a few months ago and elevated it from small projects to taking on large protection government projects. He had put himself out there with the government, used all of his charm to make Prometheus the lab to call upon when strange technology came to this place.

So when someone of similar industry wanted to meet with him, he made himself available. Of course, he looked into the individual in question who would come knocking upon his door, but it seemed to him that Mr. Hux was new. That meant ambitious to him. Few people around here were ambitious enough to actually make a difference. They toiled and flounced about their projects, claiming great fame but producing little to show for making people truly safe.

Sitting at his desk when Hux was directed inside by his aged secretary, he looked up from the stats overview. His office might have been large, but he held meetings here rather than waste another room for that extravagance. There were neat stacks of paper detailing projects on that large table to Hux's right. The rest of his workspace was tidy and organized, and the best part of the room was the view. It helped him think.

He rose from his chair smoothly, smiling warming and offered a hand for a shake. He always considered a hand shake to give him a good measure of a man or woman.]

Good afternoon, Mr. Hux. Can I offer you a coffee or tea for this meeting?

[ The mister makes his hackles rise but he returns the polite smile, now familiar enough with handshakes that he provides a firm one of his own. ]

Neither, thank you. I had an early lunch. [ He always hated it when his crew accepted the offer of a drink in his quarters and isn't sure if this man feels the same way. Niceties must be observed but rarely accepted, as Brendol had said.

Everyone seems to love using paper on this moon, it was quaint at first but now it seems like an extravagant waste of resources. Perhaps that's the point, when Pierce could easily use a datapad or the equivalent, just like the luxurious yet intimidatingly tall view from the window. ]

An associate of mine informed me that you were the man to get in touch with if I wanted to see through any of my projects.

[Pierce was a man who used the common and polite expected niceties in order to set a certain standard and, at times, to make the other individual comfortable enough to open up more than they otherwise might. Extend the hand of friendship and one might just earn more than they originally hoped would come their way. Observing social niceties also allowed him to gauze the other individual that he was meeting.

A refusal of them gave him clues to the man before him. Stern. Orderly. Focused on the task at hand.

Still, it didn't stop him from moving over to the simple kettle and tea, flicking on the water and turning his head as he considered whom of his employ was an 'associate' to a man like that. He narrowed it down to three people almost instantly.]

That's quite the recommendation. Projects requiring approval will go under the Prometheus Labs wing. Are you a contractor looking for something in specific?

I'll be plain: an open-ended contract with access to materials both new and old. [ A hand in his lap flicks. ] From where these are harvested I have no interest, that is entirely your business. It's rather difficult to do my work without anything with which to work on.

[ He glances from the brewing tea to Pierce. ]

My department at the Guard is Industrial Scientific Advancement.

[He mulled open that. His first thought was how one-sided it sounded, that Prometheus' only benefit was a contract with the Guard, something he could acquire if he bothered to reach out. He had the robot protection project after all. They were making progress on improvements to it.

He turned from his steaming kettle to regard the red-head before him, tapping his fingers on the table edge.]

So you wish a contract where you are provided all the materials you need to advance the Guard. Surely, you can convince them for funding and they have enough people to sniff out materials. Why come to me aside from good word of mouth?

[ He knew that question was coming, yet he still has to clear his throat before answering. ]

The Guard harbours a faction of rebels from my home who take great pleasure in making my work unnecessarily difficult. I have never relied exclusively on one source, however, and intend to seek out more. No offence.

[ It's a good way to operate, fingers in all sorts of pies. That was how he ran the supplies for the First Order.

His smile is thin. ]

In exchange for your part to play in this contract, I would be obliged to build personal weapons or defences at your request.

[His eyebrows rose at that explanation, and he slowly nodded his head. He knew what that was like, given the heroes of his world seemed to wish to make his own life here difficult. On that, they were on the same page. However, he now had a better idea where this Mr. Hux was from.]

And your positive word-of-mouth associate wouldn't happen to be Kylo Ren, would it?

[He understood spreading out the jam on many pieces of bread. It didn't allow for one source to reign in the creativity.]

Or, how about I take whatever part you play in the Guard and offer you more, plus allow you to branch out to my numerous sources as well as find your own. Your projects would be screened from the Guard's scrutiny and labeled as defense projects under Prometheus.

Had I known Ren's name held such sway, I should have brandished it the second I walked into your office.

[ There's a question in his tone, incredulous but curious. Why should this man offer Hux so much purely because of an association with that manchild? ]

We are not friends, Ren and I. I don't wish to be indebted to him for the good graces of his employer.

It would have gotten you little, I'm afraid. He's someone who I hold confidence in, but he has a lot to learn as well. I've taken him under my wing.

[There was no reason to lie about it either. He didn't make any kind of offer that he couldn't back up or see the value of, regardless of anyone's association with anyone else. His priority was Prometheus thriving, and he would do that in any way that he saw fit at this point in time. His recruitment of people of interest had been intense.]

I don't see how you would be indebted to anyone. You seem like a man used to standing on his own clout, and I imagine if you have enough confidence to walk in here demanding a one-sided deal, you damn well know what you're about.

[ I've taken him under my wing. It's none of Hux's business who Ren seeks to adopt as a master, even one so mundane as Pierce in comparison to Snoke, but he feels (annoyingly) as though he should have words with his former co-commander about his penchant for seeking out shady father-figures. Or something. Much as Armitage can't stand Ren, his so-called Supreme Leader is the only ally he actually has on this moon. If anyone is going to corrupt or twist his mind, Hux would rather do it himself.

The flattery from Pierce is a nice touch. It also happens to be true. ]

If you would like to draft up a contract I should receive it most promptly at my office in the Guard.

[In his mind, since Hux and Ren were not 'friends', it was more likely to be able to convince information about the powerful Ren out. The more information he knew, the better off everyone could potentially be after all. And this man was interesting enough that he considered it of value to at least see where verbal sparring might lead them; it was clear now that First Order was rare in these parts. The Guard housed many individuals who were not willing to keep an open mind to the possibilities of how to run a place of this magnitude and combined experience of different worlds.]

Before I do any of that, I want to know your limitations. [It was more seeing how many twists to the moral compass this man might have.]

[ A lopsided smile flickers to life before he schools his expression into harmless curiosity. ]

What sort of limitations have you come up against in the past, if I may ask?

[That smile was telling, no matter how show its appearance. He poured himself some hot water and added some tea to steep before walking over to his desk and setting the cup and saucer down. He leaned against the edge of it, tucking his hands into his pockets, taking Hux's measure.]

With my experience, I imagine I've seen most limitations. Some have no place in the organization that I'm building. Does your ambition have boundaries?

My ambitions have led me to become the youngest general of the First Order, the youngest in Imperial history, even. I have little time for acknowledging bumps in the road.

[ There isn't much Hux won't do on a professional level to get what he wants, or, to imply it for Pierce, to get what his allies want. ]

I'm sure we can work around any matters of disagreement.

[Arrogance, ambition and effectively driven? That was likely going to be a hot button to keep a finger off of, but he was now reassessing that, in part, Hux might actually be more dangerous than Ren. It was the quiet knife that one had to watch for, not the one brandished plainly.]

Even if those bumps in the road happen to be your superiors, I take it? [A rise in power in an order that sounded extremely bound by order and power made him think that such a movement required extremes.]

As long as such matters don't involve needing to consider you a threat from below. I'm too old to have to watch for when the knives come out, General.

Has someone tried to assassinate you recently? How embarrassing for them.

[ To have failed. Hux is not the type to leave loose strings, one of the reasons he and Phasma worked so well together since the day she murdered his father and protected his part to play in it. She was a decorated captain on her own merit, but still. Hux repaid his debt.

He shakes his head, sitting forward with his hands steepled. ]

I don't murder reliable suppliers, that's just bad business for everyone. I appreciate effort and results, as I'm sure do you.

Recently, no. People know better than to try.

[Pierce was also one that kept loose ends to a bare minimum, and he wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty if necessary. However, he was also powerful enough to be able to call in the elimination of those who were too dangerous to keep around. People either fell in line or they were swept aside.]

The process and the end result are equally important to me. I like to know how results are accomplished. It also gives me a measure of the talents of the people.

You're more than welcome to visit my workshop, if you're in any doubt as to my ability.

[ His current project is a small firearm for Ren but it isn't complete, he lacks a kyber crystal. Hopefully he can negotiate one from the portal's staffing crew soon. There are other files on how to improve the wall and suchlike, albeit similarly unfinished; the invitation is rather a show of transparency. ]

May I ask what it is that Ren does for you?

Edited 2018-03-24 17:24 (UTC)

Why would I doubt the ability of the youngest General to ever rise to that rank in the First Order? It doesn't seem as if they simply give away the title.

[He raised an eyebrow, watching Hux with a smile on his face. There was something uncompromising about this man, and he was willing to see on site what that was about if this entire interview process worked out between them.]

You may ask, but I see no reason get into personal matters at this time. Perhaps over tea some time when we aren't in a business capacity.

[ "Under my wing." "Personal matters". Hux is going to slap the stupid right out of Ren's overlarge ears, it isn't often that his skin crawls. As shitty and reluctant a leader as Ren is, Hux can't abide the thought of any of the First Order being taken for a ride. ]

Certainly. [ As for the compliments, he nods agreeably and lets his answer serve for both. The Imperials certainly didn't surrender their authority without a fuss, yet they were old men with senile values about the Empire, useless to the youth that built the Order. They were crushed underheel in time. ] Are there any further questions you have for me? It seems only right you should have the opportunity to grill the man seeking your allegiance.

[Pierce was going to enjoy seeing where this one went. He would definitely guard his back and likely speak to Ren to gather more information about Hux. It would be easier to guard himself against the inevitable conflict of views between them that way, but so far he had what Hux wanted more than Hux had what he wanted, so a small advantage for the time being was one he would consider.]

No, I will look into your situation personally. Do you have any other questions for me, since we are being so honest with each other?

[ What a direly boring, short affair that will be, he supposes. To the best of his knowledge all the files on him state the same as Hux has detailed; General of the First Order, head of ISA (albeit a one-man department), concluded his Guard training at the highest achievement level. Excellent sniper. But Pierce must do his own nosying, a man like that.

He cocks his head, considering. ]

What are your connections toward one General Organa, if any?

[ His obvious parallel from back home, if the disdain he can't keep out of his voice is anything to go by. ]

[He considered what was on paper to be superfluous compared to speaking with people who might have had run-ins with Hux. If they were First Order with Ren, then he had a few people that he could speak to about that, to find out more of the man. People had interesting opinions that skewed facts, but they were still worth looking into.

And this General was interesting. How dangerous was yet to tell. What would Ren have to say about this man?]

We teamed up briefly in a game of paintball with her friend, Holdo. We've shared a brief after game drink together. From my assessment, she's a very capable woman. Good instincts for tactics, but likely too trusting.

Why do you ask?

[ "Hux sucks" will probably be Ren's verbal hashtag forever, no surprise there. ]

She's a war criminal. A pleasant and brilliant woman, no doubt, but her ideals don't quite match up with the reality of the situation she has led herself and others into. Any trust she implies is to be taken lightly. The General has quite the influential pull, I find.

[ And he wondered whether she exerted any over Pierce, if he's got his fingers in as many powerful pies as he makes it sound. Organa is not to be underestimated. ]

( OPEN )

( for pierce aka sithdad )

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