Hello there, everyone! Apologies for a bit of a long delay, but today will kick off a new Fan Fic, which both ties into and continues the story of Star Wars: The Ghost Prison. There will be a total of sixteen Episodes and two Seasons, which will serve as a personal adaptation of the Canon Thrawn novels by Timoty Zahn. Anyways, without further ado, let's begin!

19 BBY - "Ajan Kloss"

"It could be a variant of the Sy Bisti language, sir." Ensign Eli Vanto said, as he read a series of ancient writings etched into a supply crate. "Some of the words are familiar, and the syntax is right. The second script, however...       I've never seen it before." He continued, his gaze shifting towards his commanding officer, Captain Parck. "Which means, thanks to the unknown alien protocols, we'll be here for a while." Parck rolled his eyes in annoyance. Shortly after the formation of The Galactic Empire, he and Vanto had been deployed to this world to investigate sightings of an unknown alien that had commandeered the Republic's base of operations here; it was the last thing Parck wanted to be doing, but he knew he had no other choice in being here.

"As far as the reports from our men go, they found the body of one of.." Vanto began, when Parck's comlink starting going off, buzzing uncontrollably. "All comlink channels are out, Captain Parck." One of the Clone Troopers patrolling the area declared. "Enough is enough." Parck sternly replied. "There are seventeen Clones beating the bushes out there. Recall them all. We're pulling out." He then ordered. "What about the hut, sir?" The Clone asked. "The protocols require us to study it." "True, soldier..." Parck replied. "But we aren't required to study it here." He then turned to Vanto, and then the rest of the troops in the area. "Now recall your brothers. We are heading back to the ship for a full briefing on this matter."

19 BBY - "The Strikefast"

Back onboard the Venator-class Star Destroyer known as 'The Strikefast', two Clone Troopers calmly patrolled the hanger bay together. "Hopefully we're not on this blasted world for too long." One of the two Clones remarked. "There's nothing special about this 'unknown alien' that he and Ensign Vanto are obsessed with." "We're in agreement there, brother." The other Clone replied. Suddenly, the two Clones heard a banging noise; they both turned, raising their blasters close to their chests. "What was that?" The first Clone asked. They both heard footsteps, coming from behind the vast number of shipping containers onboard. Without saying another word, they rushed past the containers, seeing a Clone running past the containers as well, towards one of the Gunships. "Halt!" The second Clone yelled, cocking his blaster. The figure froze, turning his head towards the two of them. "Identify yourself!" The first Clone ordered, walking up towards the imposter slowly and carefully.

More Clone Troopers arrived, having heard the commotion too. They all cocked their blasters, cornering the imposter. Slowly, the imposter reached for the stolen Clone helmet, removing it from his head. Underneath his own helmet, the first Clone's eyes widened at what he saw. Before him, there was a humanoid dressed in the armor of his brothers; a humanoid with blue skin, long, messy black hair, and eyes that were the color of blood. "It's the unknown alien..." One of the other Clones whispered softly. "Cuff him!" Another one ordered. Immediately, one of the Clones walked up to the humanoid, putting both hands behind his back and binding them together. "And strip him of our brother's armor too." Yet another Clone ordered.

A short while later, once the humanoid had been stripped of the stolen Clone armor and redressed in his torn, rugged garments, Captain Parck arrived. With him, Ensign Vanto and another squad of Clones followed close by. "Welcome aboard the Venator-class Star Destroyer 'Strikefast'." Parck began, examining the humanoid closely. "I am Captain Voss Parck. Do you speak basic?" He then asked. Vanto then spoke as well, but none Clones could understand a single word he just said. "You asked him whether he spoke Sy Bisti, I assume?" Parck asked, his gaze shifting towards Vanto. "Yes, sir. My apologies, Captain." Vanto replied. "It's just that the stories all say that the Chiss used Sy Bisti in their..." He began. "The what, Cadet Vanto?" Parck asked sternly, yet curiously.

"The Chiss." Vanto replied. "They're a...    Well, they've always been thought of as some wild space myth, back home on Lysatra." He continued. "In the stories, the Chiss used Sy Bisti in their dealings with us." The humanoid, which the Clones now knew to be a Chiss, spoke to Vanto in response. Vanto quickly replied to the Chiss, who responded to Vanto's words. The Clones all looked at each other, failing to understand a single word the two of them were saying. "He says he understands some basic, but is more comfortable with Sy Bisti." Vanto said, looking at Parck. "Your comfort is not our priority at the moment. But our understanding is." Parck declared. "If you speak basic, then please do so. I am Captain Parck, commander of this ship. What is your name?" He then asked. "Mitth'raw'nuruodo." The Chiss replied. "But I believe it would be easier for you to call me...      Thrawn." He continued.

"I take it you were on Ajan Kloss for a considerable amount of time." Parck said, his gaze shifting between Thrawn and the floor. "I was never desperate. But my people need me." Thrawn replied. "There are many dangers in this galaxy; dangers to both my people, and yours." He added on. "You were shipwrecked?" Parck asked. "I was...    Xishu azwane." Thrawn replied. "He says he was exiled." Vanto said. "Why?" Parck asked. "In basic, if you can." "The leaders and I..     Disagreed." Thrawn replied once again. "They do not accept belief in ezeboli hlusalu." He continued. Parck looked at Vanto, who paused for a moment, a look of concern crossing his face. "...They don't believe in preemptive strikes." Vanto finally said.

"Take him to a holding cell." Parck ordered. The Clones nodded, escorting Thrawn out of the area. "You seem to know something about his people." He then remarked, shifting his gaze back to Vanto. "Not really, sir." Vanto replied. "The stories we have about the Chiss are more like myths, really." He continued. "They're supposed to be some of the greatest warriors who ever lived." Parck nodded. "Have you had any training in teaching or tutoring?" He asked. "Nothing formal, sir. I do aspire to become a supply officer on Myomar." Vanto replied. "Well, as of this moment, you will be assigned as liasion, aide, and translator to our prisoner." Parck declared. "You will also be coaching him in basic. He has the fundamentals, but needs a more extensive vocabulary." He added on. "Any questions...?" "No, sir." Vanto replied, turning to walk away. He stopped at three steps, however, turning back around to face Parck. "Actually, yes, sir. I do." He said. "Why does he need to know basic? Are we not putting him back on the planet?"

"We will be taking him to Coruscant." Parck replied. "I believe the Emperor will be interested in learning about these...     Chiss." He added on. "Learn as much as you can about him; his homeworld, his people, and the dangers he speaks of." "Yes, sir." Vanto replied, turning around and following Thrawn and the Clones out of the hanger bay. Once they approached the nearest empty cell, Vanto turned to the Clones. "Leave us." He ordered. One of the Clones nodded, opening the cell door. Vanto escorted Thrawn inside, and allowed the Clones to shut the door. Thrawn sat down on the rectangular metal bed, while Vanto remained standing. "What are these...     Stories you have heard about my people?" Thrawn asked.

"Too many to count." Vanto replied. "Many of them concerning the use of powers far beyond the comprehension of the average citizen." "Fascinating..." Thrawn began. "I myself am a Chiss, and never have I heard of my people wielding mystical powers." "The stories are barely above the level of myth." Vanto remarked, leaning up against the wall. "I appreciate your willingness to share." Thrawn said. "One may learn a great deal about a people from the stories they tell." Vanto cocked an eyebrow at Thrawn, confused. "And what have you learned about humans...?" He asked. "I misspoke. Apologies." Thrawn replied. "I meant to say I could learn about one person from the stories he chooses to tell." He added on. "So what have you learned about me from this encounter?" Vanto asked.

"I have learned that you do not wish to be here." Thrawn replied. "You do not wish to act as translator and assistant. You certainly do not wish to act as an interrogator." "Who said I was an interrogator?" Vanto asked in reply. "You wish to return to your numbers and inventory lists." Thrawn said, ignoring Vanto's question. "That is where your talents lie, and where you desire your path to lead." He added on. "Fascinating." Vanto said. "I suppose that logistics and supply is beneath your dignity, given that you are from a race of legendary warriors?" Once again, Thrawn ignored the question. "Do you?" He asked. "Of course not." Vanto replied. "My family has done that kind of work for three generations. I'm just doing it for the Imperial navy now." He continued. "I presume you are good at it." Thrawn said.

"I'm very good at it." Vanto proclaimed. "As soon as I finish my last term, I'll be guaranteed an assignment aboard a ship." "Is that what you wish?" Thrawn asked. "Absolutely." Vanto replied. "What I don't know, however, is why you care about me." "My apologies. I meant no harm." Thrawn said. "I was merely interested about you..    As I am interested in everything about your Empire." "But why me?" Vanto asked. "You never asked about Captain Parck, or any of the Clones onboard this ship. Or even Emperor Palpatine and the Imperial Senate." Thrawn adjusted his posture. "You are my translator. You hold my words in your hand; they are not connected to my immediate survival...       You are." He declared.

19 BBY - "Coruscant, the Imperial Palace"

On the planet Coruscant, Emperor Sheev Palpatine sat on his throne, watching the planet's sunset from afar. For the past few days now, the air in these chambers has been filled with nothing but victory; the Jedi were destroyed. And with them, the Republic. Yes, there were still opposers to his regime hiding in the shadows, but soon they would be dealt with, as he would command. Suddenly, the door hissed open, and the Emperor heard three different footsteps approaching. "Captain Parck..." He began, turning his head ever so slightly to the right. "I'm told you bring me a gift." The Emperor continued. "I do, your majesty." Parck replied. "A warrior reportedly part of a species known as the Chiss." 

Palpatine pressed a button on the armrest of his throne, causing it to fully turn around. Before him, and in between Parck and Cadet Eli Vanto, there was, indeed, a Chiss. Judging by how messy his long, black hair was, and how torn his garments were, he appeared to have been stranded for a long time. "If I may, your majesty..." The Chiss began. "I am not merely a gift; rather, I am also a resource, the likes of which you have never seen before, and may never see again." He added on. "You would do well to utilize me." "Would I?" The Emperor asked. "Certainly you're a resource of unparalleled confidence. What exactly do you offer, Chiss?" The Chiss locked eyes with Palpatine. "There are threats lurking in the Unknown Regions that will someday find your Empire. I am familiar with them." He replied. "I offer my military skill to utilize in creating plans to eliminate these dangers." "And what exactly do you wish from my Empire...?" Palpatine asked.

"A state of mutual gain." The Chiss replied. "I offer my knowledge and skill to you now, in exchange for you consideration to my people in the future." Parck's eyes darted to the Chiss. "You stated that your people had exiled you." He said. "They are still my people." The Chiss replied. "And if that future comes..." Palpatine began, adjusting his posture in his throne. "What if I refuse to grant that consideration to your people?" "Then I will have gambled and lost." The Chiss replied once again. "But I have until that time to convince you that our goals do indeed coincide." He added on. "Tell me...     If you served my Empire, and a threat arose against your people, where would your loyalties lie?" The Emperor asked. "Which of us would command your allegiance?"

"If I were to serve you Empire, you would command my allegiance." The Chiss declared. "What guarantee do you offer?" The Emperor asked. "My word is my guarantee. Perhaps your servant can speak to the strength of that vow." The Chiss replied. Palpatine shot him a confused look, as did Parck and Vanto. "My servant?" Palpatine asked. "Perhaps I assumed incorrectly that he was your servant.." The Chiss began. "He always spoke highly of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. His name was Skywalker. Anakin Skywalker." He continued. Suddenly, a wicked smile crept across the Emperor's face; he never met this Chiss before until now, and yet, he had heard of a member of his species that once served alongside Anakin Skywalker on a mission to the planet Batuu during The Clone Wars. Could this be the same one? The Emperor asked himself.

"Interesting...    And your name?" "Mitth'raw'nuruodo." The Chiss replied. The smile grew wider; for the Emperor remembered hearing about the mission on Batuu from Anakin Skywalker's side of the story, just one year ago. "So it was you." Palpatine said. "When Captain Parck's message arrived, I had hoped it was." He continued. "Jedi Skywalker survived the war, then?" Thrawn asked. Palpatine's smile faded, replaced by a look of sorrow. Whether it was genuine or not, nobody could tell. "Sadly, he did not." The Emperor replied. "I mourn his passing. He was a most cunning and eqhuwa..." Thrawn began. Vanto nudged him on the arm. "Courageous." He muttered. "He was a most cunning courageous warrior." Thrawn repeated. "I had hoped to meet him again." "Most courageous indeed." Palpatine said.

"But before his end, he detailed to me the circumstances of your meeting, and spoke highly of your abilities." He continued. "So you wish to become my advisor on matters of the Unknown Regions?" He then asked. "My home is lost to me, just as Jedi Skywalker's services are lost to you." Thrawn replied, hanging his head low in mourning. "If you wish my direct service as a replacement to his, I am honored to offer it." He added on, looking back up to meet Palpatine's gaze. "There is only one thing I offer in return, your majesty." Thrawn finished. "Speak, Mitth'raw'nuruodo." The Emperor ordered. "I am still inexpert in your language. As such, I request that my translator be transferred to duty at my side." Thrawn replied.

Palpatine's eyes darted to Vanto. "This is the translator he speaks of?" "It is, your majesty." Parck replied. "Cadet Eli Vanto." Once again, Palpatine adjusted his posture in his throne. "Captain Parck, how much longer does Cadet Vanto have before graduation?" He asked. "Three standard months, your majesty." Parck replied. "We were scheduled to return him and his fellow Cadets to Myomar." "You will return the other Cadets as planned. Vanto will remain on Coruscant and finish his training at The Royal Imperial Academy." The Emperor ordered. Parck bowed his head. "Yes, your majesty." He replied. "I will inform Admiral Foss of this change." He continued, turning around and escorting Thrawn and Vanto out of the throne room. As they walked, however, Parck leaned closer into Thrawn's ear. "You're lucky the Emperor's taken a fancy to you." He whispered. "Though why, I am still yet to guess."

19 BBY - "Coruscant, the Royal Imperial Academy"

In his office on Coruscant, Headmaster Saul Gentis of The Imperial Academy stood in front of the window, overlooking Coruscant's skyline. Since the fall of the Jedi and the rise of the Empire, Gentis had to admit that he was still getting used to the idea of peace and order; it wasn't something he had seen in over three years, up until now. Just then, the doors to his office hissed open, and in the reflection of the window, Gentis saw one of his many Cadets, Eli Vanto, walk in. "Welcome home, Cadet Vanto." Gentis said, turning around to face Eli. Next to him stood another individual, wearing a grey Officer's uniform, with blue skin, red eyes, and short, black hair. "I see you and Captain Parck found what the Emperor was looking for on Ajan Kloss." Gentis remarked.

"Indeed I have, Headmaster." Vanto replied, gesturing to the individual standing next to him. "This is Mitth'raw'nuruodo of the Chiss species. Though he believes it would be easier for his superiors to address him as Thrawn." He continued. Gentis's gaze shifted towards Thrawn. "A Chiss, you say?" He asked. "That's not a species one would encounter in the galaxy alone, much less, a remote world like Ajan Kloss." He added on, folding both arms behind his back and taking two steps towards Thrawn. "Captain Parck's message said you were some kind of fancy-face soldier already. And judging by your choice of attire, all you may need is a little..       Orientation, if you will, in Imperial procedure, equipment, and terminology." Thrawn nodded his head slowly. "And how long may this orientation progress?" Thrawn asked.

"For the typical raw recruit, it would be six months..." Gentis began. "But for such Cadets as you that come from the back end of nowhere, it could progress up to two years." He continued. "So now, I offer you a deal: Cadet Vanto has three months left before comissioning. That's how long you have to come up to speed...      You fail, and you're out." Thrawn nodded his head for the second time. "The Emperor might disagree, Headmaster Gentis." He said. "If the Emperor wishes to put you in by fiat, he can do that. But I sure hope you prove good enough that he won't have to." Gentis replied. "I suppose we shall see. Parck said you were to leave here as a Lieutenant, as opposed to the standard rank of Ensign." He added on. "For whatever reason, he wants you to get into a command position as quickly as possible."

Gentis then walked back to his desk, reaching underneath it and pulling a drawer out. "I figure, why waste time?" He asked, as he revealed a small Imperial plaque to Thrawn; one with two blue squares on the top and two red squares on the bottom. Walking back towards Thrawn, Gentis clipped the plaque to the side of his chest. Thrawn's eyes darted to the plaque, then back at Gentis, who was smiling once again. "Congratulations, Lieutenant Thrawn." He declared. "Now I will leave it to Cadet Vanto to show you which way is up." Thrawn bowed his head. "I give my thanks, Headmaster." He replied, turning around and exiting the office with Vanto.

19 BBY - "Coruscant, Imperial Palace barracks"

"He didn't give you that plaque from the goodness of his heart." Vanto said, seeing Thrawn analyzing his new Cadet uniform. "It wasn't to save time either." "Why do you think he gave it to me?" Thrawn asked. Vanto sighed heavily, ignoring Thrawn's question. "There are three reactions you're going to get as soon as you start flashing that plaque around..." He began. "The first is that the other Cadets will see you as Gentis's pet and resent you for it." Thrawn continued staring at the uniform in his hands. "What is a pet?" He asked. "In this case, another way of calling someone a favored student." Vanto replied. "That group will resent you for whatever privileges they assume you're getting." He continued. "The second reaction is that some will see you as a failed Officer who's been sent back for a refresher. That group will treat you with complete contempt."

Thrawn's gaze shifted towards Vanto. "So this is not so much a gift as a weapon?" He asked, pointing to the plaque on his chest. "A weapon against you, yeah." Vanto replied. "And reaction three: they'll think you're a joke...    Or, on second thought, a test." Thrawn shot Vanto a confused look. "What sort of test?" He asked. "The really hard kind..." Vanto began. "We're not supposed to show disrespect towards our superior Officers, nor are we allowed to disrespect aliens either. Officially, at least." He continued. "But that's not always what we really do." Thrawn's attention shifted back to his uniform. "Do you dislike non-humans, Eli Vanto?" He asked. Vanto's gaze shifted towards his uniform as well. "There were a lot of different non-human groups in the Separatist movement." He replied. "The Clone Wars devastated whole worlds. There's still a lot of anger from it, especially amongst humans."

He took in a deep breath, before continuing. "There's also a lot of contempt in the Core Worlds towards people past the Mid Rim. Humans and non-humans alike. With me from Wild Space, and you from the Unknown Regions." Once again, Thrawn's gaze shifted back to Vanto. "So the test for the Cadets would be to see how creative they can be in their disrespect towards me?" Thrawn asked. "And how close to the line they can get without stepping over it." Vanto replied, standing up and walking towards the sink. "I meant to tell you we've been invited to the metallurgy lab tonight to play cards with Spenc Orbar and Rosita Turuy." He then said. "They say they're running some corrosion tests on one of their alloy boards." Vanto continued. "Are we permitted in the metallurgy lab?" Thrawn asked, setting his uniform down on one of the bunk beds. 

"Not unless we have a project we're working on." Vanto replied. "If we're caught, it means trouble. Especially if the card game includes gambling for credits, which is strictly forbidden." "If we are charged with gambling, they will be also." Thrawn remarked. Vanto sighed heavily, hanging his head low. "You still don't get how it works, do you?" He asked. "Orbar's family is connected to the Coruscant Senator. He can probably pull anything short of straight-up murder without getting kicked out." Vanto then said. "Then we will simply refuse any offers to gamble." Thrawn replied. Vanto looked at Thrawn in the mirror. "You're going to go, aren't you...?" He asked. "We were invited." Thrawn replied. "You may stay here, if you wish." Vanto shook his head in annoyance. "Is this what Chiss do?" He asked. "See a trap, and just walk into it?" A smile came across Thrawn's face. "Sometimes walking into a trap is the best strategy." He replied. "After all, there are few traps in this galaxy that cannot be turned against their designers."