Missing Piece

7. Promoted

  During our hug my holo-watch started to beep.
  Matt stepped back, he appeared to be slightly irritated. "What is wrong with that thing?"
  I looked at the message. "It says that General Hux is about to have a speech-."
  Matt interrupted me, "a speech?! A speech?! He didn't announce one."
  I shrugged. "He's a General, he can do whatever he wants. It isn't like he's going to ask his every employee if they have enough spare time to listen."
  Matt moved towards the door, I heard him mumble. "I swear Hux'll hear about this."
  Did I hear that well? Matt angry at the General? It was better to ignore it, it's Matt after all.
  "Come, we need to gather on the main square."

  I guided Matt with me through the many halls towards the main square. When the doors opened there were already many stormtroopers, all neatly on their place. I dragged Matt to the row of technicians.
  Annoyance was still visible behind his glasses.
  I no longer payed attention to Matt as Hux started his announcement.
  "We're still working on this magnificent creation. Yet with the help of our skilled technicians and engineers it won't take very long for the base to be finished. Once it's finished we will destroy our true enemy." The General's nostrils flared in hatred.
"The spiteful Republic." He said the last words with as much disgust as humanly possible, barely able to not spit the filth that dirtied his tongue.
  Matt nudged me. "I don't feel well, I think I'll retreat to my room."
  I turned to Matt. "Let me go with you. I don't want you to faint on your way back."
  Matt quickly shook his head. "Thanks for the offer, but it's alright. You can stay and listen to Hux. I know you like the speeches."
Before I could ask how Matt knew, he was already gone.
Not weird at all...
"I would like to promote someone before I'll let Commander Ren speak. He has been showing signs that he's eager on giving a peroration." Hux cleared his throat. "As most of you may know, I don't often hand out promotions... However, there are times you need to be reminded that when you work hard and are loyal, you will be rewarded. To give said example I wish to see (Y/n) on the platform."
The General peered through the crowd, which consisted of many hundreds, searching for me.
I was frozen on my spot. I knew there was a promotion coming my way one day, far far in the future. Little did I expect it to be right now... and it to be announced in front of every member of Star Killer.
Hux really knew how to make a statement.
"(Y/n)?" His peculiarly soft, yet strict voice enquired.
I took a deep breath before climbing the stairs towards the platform.
Hux gestured me to stand beside him, then he placed his hand on my shoulder.
From here I could see the impossible amount of stormtroopers. The pressure on my shoulders have an extra nudge downwards.
Hux's hand helpfully squeezed my shoulder, which brought me back to reality.
"(Y/n) will be promoted because of her good work and devotion towards the First Order. Her new position will be the one of Head Technician. The position involves most of what her ambitious self is doing already. And she will be invited to go on off-base missions. Above all, (Y/n) will receive everyone's respect." He paused for a moment, like a silent threat to everyone who dared to disobey.
Then the General turned around, a badge in his gloved hand. Red and black, like the First Order sigil, yet this one portrayed a complicity of tiny lightning bolts, like electricity.
I couldn't help but tense up entirely when he carefully pinned the badge to my jacket. Him being this close had never happened before.
"Did I sting you?" An unfamiliar undertone slipped through as his lips practically brushed my ear, making sure only I could hear him.
"N-," I swallowed and steadied my voice, "no, sir."
"Excellent." Hux nodded with approval and turned back around. "May (Y/n) be a great example."
The booming sound of applause emitted through the crowd, like a wave.
The General then led me to the back of the platform, and placed me on the end of a row consisting of higher officers.
"This will be your new place from now on, no longer will you need to stand next to the other technicians." Hux maintained a hushed voiced so only I was able to hear him.
"Thank you, General. I almost deem it a gesture too great." I made a small bow towards him.
Hux didn't comment for Kylo Ren entered the scene, he returned to the line of Admirals.
My new spot granted me the chance to see Kylo Ren from closer up. I had only ever seen him from far away, down below amongst the troopers.
His atramentous outfit and helmet were very impressive and hightech. Even when he walked by, his aura magnetised every grain of attention towards himself. It felt exhilarating, for it was like looking at something you weren't supposed to, or as if you wished for something that was ought unreachable.
When Ren started talking, I noticed his voice was being manipulated by his helmet, making it robotic and impossible to recognise.
I didn't listen to his words. I could only listen to his voice and watch his movements, entranced by that absorbing presence. I wasn't able to say if it was a negative or a positive matter.
I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard the stormtroopers yell in unison.
"LONG LIVE THE FIRST ORDER!!"

After the speech I went to find Matt, hoping he'd feel better. I was already on my way back from the infirmary, where I had found out he wasn't there.
Then it struck me. I didn't know where Matt's chamber were. In defeat I returned to my room.

When I entered the canteen for breakfast the next morning, I was surprised to see the familiar blond.
"Hey Matt, how are you feeling?" I chose a sandwich and took place opposite to him.
"Oh hey. Yes, I feel better already. Don't worry about it."
   "I feel sorry for you, you couldn't hear Ren's speech. I know how you like the man."
Matt shrugged it off. "There's nothing any of us could do about it."
I nodded. "Yeah you're right."
I pointed at my new badge. "Have you heard about my promotion? I even got the day off," I told Matt excitedly.
Matt smiled brightly. "I've heard. Congratulations, you've earned it. You're even capable enough to learn me how to do the job so a promotion is definitely in place." Then he paused, weighing his options. "I got the morning off too. Because I was, you know, ill."
I was slightly puzzled by Matt's tone. "But you aren't ill anymore..."
Matt answered quick. "Ehh... they don't know that."
I couldn't help but grin at him. "You little devil."
Matt held up his hands, pretending to be innocence itself.
"I was planning on working on one of my little projects. Would you care to join? Maybe you'll start liking the technician's life." I flashed a toothy laugh. "And I could always use some help."

Matt stood up and took his and my empty plates to the counter. He didn't answer until he came back. "I would like to help you, for as far as I'm able to."