We were gathered in an auditorium, much larger than any room at the Academy. The acoustics were superb; every sound made an echo. The room’s decor was extremely dark; everything was clean and shiny. Even our new uniforms matched the decor. I took a brief look around the room and was relieved to see that I was not the only one who felt nervous.

I tried to focus – nervousness was not a good look for a member of the First Order. And that’s who I am now. I bit my lip and straightened my back into a more rigid stance. I looked directly forward, trying not to let my eyes wander.

A few moments later, one of the Lieutenants took the floor, clearing his throat before he spoke.

“Cadets. You are the first wave of recruits to be sent here. This means you will be expected to pave the way for those who dream of life within the First Order’s ranks. You are the Order’s future – you will become part of a legacy that has forged its way across the Outer Rim to become the most powerful legion in the galaxy. The First Order welcomes you!”

Everyone started to cheer. Some cadets even raised their fisted hands in applause. I stood there motionless, not really knowing what to do.

The Lieutenant finally took his leave and disappeared at the other end of the stage.

Some cadets started whispering amongst themselves when Hux walked up to the podium.

The room fell silent. His eyes scanned the crowd before him. Even from where I stood, I could see the striking blue of his eyes. When his eyes found me in the group, he stared momentarily longer than he should have.

I was too enraptured to look away.

He slowly moved his head to acknowledge the cadets in the back of the room.

“Some of you may not know me; I am General Hux.”

A few cadets sighed in awe as they realised who stood before them. Only one of the most celebrated men in the First Order!

“Do not doubt, for even a moment, that what my Lieutenant said earlier is true. You are the future. Look around you; what do you see? A fellow cadet, perhaps or a brother or sister in arms? No! You embody much much more than that.”

“You will succeed where others have failed. You will succeed because you must succeed.”

“Our path ahead will not be easy. We have one solitary goal, and that is to crush our opposition so we can bring control to the chaos. Our goal is to eliminate that which threatens our very way of life. And we WILL not fail!”

“You are a weapon, my young cadets. You are the weapon that will destroy all who oppose us. You are the weapon that will forge a new Galaxy, a galaxy where Order will be restored!”

“And yes, some of you may fall, but never doubt what you give your life for, what you bleed for”…

The crowd was cheering so loudly that I almost forgot where I was.

General Hux had an expression on his face that I would never forget. His eyes looked a little watery, but I doubt Hux knew how to cry. The cheering of the crowd seemed to stir something within him. Evidently, this man would live and die for the cause, and there would be nothing anyone could do to stop him.

He moved his eyes to the front of the crowd again, but this time, I avoided his gaze.