Did the captain say where we’re going what we’re doing Slip asked once they were aboard and alone Of course not Zeroes said dismissively She’s not going to tell stormtroopers the Supreme Leader’s plans or General Hux’s or even her own She’s not going to ask for our opinion She’s got a job she wants done and she’s counting on us to do it Once their gear was stowed away and their helmets were off they finally had time to chat with the older stormtroopers who shared their space Fresh meat said the stormtrooper across from them Who’s who Slip puffed up proudly FN Corps Slip he pointed to himself and then around to the others Zeroes Nines and Eff-Enn-Two-One-Eight-Seven Eff-Enn-Two-One-Eight-Seven The stormtrooper looked FN-2187 in the eyes Let me guess Eff-Enn-Two-One-Eight-Seven Eff-Enn-Two-One-Eight-Seven is in charge right 4
That’s right The stormtrooper harrumphed and stared at FN-2187 No nickname You’re one of those FN-2187 looked around at the others confused One of those what The stormtrooper chuckled but there was something hard and dangerous in his laugh It wasn’t what you would call friendly An outsider cadet You’re on the outside and you’ll always be looking in and wondering why you don’t belong The rest of the stormtroopers laughed including FN-2187’s friends which only intensified the bad feeling rising in the pit of his stomach A few hours later they were marching through a mining colony called Pressy’s Tumble to restore order as Captain Phasma coldly described it to them Enemy agents were fomenting rebellion among the miners who had been unearthing a valuable ore that was crucial to the First Order’s plans So FN-2187 and his 5
troop had been told they were there to put an end to the disturbance and get everything back on schedule Once they were on the ground Captain Phasma’s icy voice crackled in FN-2187’s helmet Proceed with your team to level alpha-seven-seven alpha-seven-seven room aught-three Confirm Confirmed A few minutes later they approached Captain Phasma who was standing outside a closed door light glinting off her chrome armor The negotiators are inside she said You and your team will accompany me The question escaped FN-2187’s lips before he could stop it We’re negotiating with the Republic No for the striking miners Phasma strode into the room and stood in front of a table with four humanoids A bedraggled human gathered his courage to speak Have you considered our requests He swallowed hard 6
Phasma hesitated slightly I have given your request the thought it deserves Her helmet turned slightly toward FN-2187 and her voice was thick with menace as she said Kill them Silence filled the room No one moved as if they couldn’t believe what they had heard FN-2187 was sure it was a mistake But then Slip fired and then Zeroes and then Nines When the blasts had ceased Phasma walked across the room and nudged the bodies with her armored boot Her dark cape flapped softly as she moved toward FN-2187 and stood in front of him You’re now stormtroopers Phasma looked around at them and they could hear pride in her voice Back on the Star Destroyer Zeroes Nines and Slip celebrated their day’s work with the other stormtroopers but FN-2187 went his own way saying he wanted to get more simulation time No one objected 7
