EPISODE I - FOURTEEN: Dragging heels

In his mind, Bardet Tanga saw no urgency in his arrival at Aporoth. Strim had been left to his own devices for so long that the operation was practically running itself. There were more than enough officers and project leaders directing their charges and making certain that Snoke, Hux and the other High Council members were appeased. As such, Tanga directed Gates to set a slow and steady course to the Aporoth system, allowing them time to check in on a few of their outposts in the Outer Rim. 

As excepted, there was nothing to report. The First Order was laying low while they ramped up their plans to strike. The commanding officers had everything under control and those under their leadership were feeling high enthusiasm for what was to come. With everyone focused on that goal, there was little need for course correction.

"Captain Tanga--incoming comm from General Hux."

"I'll take it at the comm station, lieutenant." Tanga strode over to the alcove off the command bridge with detectable defiance. There were things he wanted to say, but couldn't say them without risking a demotion. Still, there were things he could do in order to exercise his own will and authority. "General Hux, I was expecting to hear from you."

There was a pause before Hux spoke. Tanga knew that his superior was screwing up his face in frustration on the other end of the conversation. "Captain Tanga, you haven't yet arrived at Aporoth. What is causing this delay? I need your presence there immediately!"

Tanga smirked. If only Hux could see that, he thought to himself. "I'm fully aware that you require my presence at the energy facility, but we are one of the few command vessels stationed in the Outer Rim and I felt that it would be prudent of us to check in with some of our outposts along the way. I can assure you that we will find ourselves firmly in orbit soon enough and will handle the situation with Strim."

Hux wanted to argue with him, but his explanation seemed like a rational one. The First Order's fleet was presently stretched too thinly to monitor all of their construction, mining and processing facilities. It galled him, but Hux agreed. "That is... a very sensible plan, Tanga. I do recommend that you limit the number of your drop-ins and save some of them for your return trip. That is an order. Am I making myself clear?" 

"Plainly, sir. I shall send you a communiqué once we approach the system and before our signals are scrambled by Aporoth's energy field. Tanga out."