2 BBY - "The Chimaera"

"Inform the ground Commanders that they are to ready their troops." Thrawn ordered, as he walked towards the window of the bridge. "If we have not heard from Governor Pryce and Agent Gudry by then, we will assume their mission has failed and will proceed accordingly." He continued. "Yes, sir." Colonel Yularen replied. Thrawn then switched his attention to Commander Faro. "Prepare the Chimaera for combat, Commander." He ordered. "I expect enemy forces to appear shortly." Faro bowed her head in response. "Yes, sir." She said. Soon, Vanto joined Thrawn by the bridge, carrying a datapad in his hands. "The shipping records we obtained from the captured base indicate thirty midsized ships." Vanto said. "They could be..." "Incoming!" One of the Imperial Officers below the bridge exclaimed. "Ten ships on Vector One-Ten by Eighty! Batonn insurgents!" Thrawn watched, as ten insurgent ships immediately dropped out of Hyperspace, looming over Batonn from several miles away. 

"Two more groups incoming! Eleven vessels each!" The Officer exclaimed from below, as twenty two more insurgent ships immediately dropped out of Hyperspace. "Admiral, they're targeting the cruisers!" Thrawn's eyes darted between the thirty two ships before him, a smile coming across his face. "I see them." He said, turning his attention to Vanto. "Signal the ground Commanders. The units on the west and north may open fire on the Creekpath insurgents." Thrawn ordered. "But they are to remain in position until the shield is down or until I give further orders." He continued. "Yes, sir." Vanto replied, opening up his comlink immediately. "This is Commander Eli Vanto to all ground Commanders. You may begin the operation." He said through the comlink. Thrawn turned his attention back to the fleet before him. "Now let us see how well I have read our opponent." Thrawn said. "And whether we're about to die..." Vanto whispered under his breath.

For what felt like hours, Thrawn, Vanto, Yularen, and Faro would all by standing by the bridge window, staring at the insurgent fleet intently. But alas, nothing would happen; no firing of turbolasers, no deployment of small, nimble starfighters, not even any explosions. "Why aren't they firing?" Faro finally asked. "The attackers were never going to fire on defenseless cruisers, Commander Faro." Thrawn replied. "Remember, we face Nightswan: the same man who insisted that the Dromedar's crew were being held by pirates who wanted to kill them." He continued. "You knew he would never his forces to fire on ships that could not fire back." Vanto said. "And now that they're drawn out, you'll send the cruisers away? So we can finally fight back?" Faro asked. The smile on Thrawn's face grew even wider. "I am not sending them away." He replied. "Rather, I am sending them to our opponent."

Out from all three of the cruisers, thirty TIE Fighters appeared, their engines screeching as they zoomed towards the enemy fleet. Vanto dropped his datapad at the sight of the ships, his mouth agape. "Admiral? Are those..." He began. "They are indeed, Commander." Thrawn replied before Vanto could finish. "TIE Fighters, a full squadron in each cruiser. Courtesy of the Judicator." He continued. "You brought them into the Batonn system while they were concealed inside the repair barges..." Vanto whispered softly, watching the TIE Fighters immediately swarm the insurgent fleet, destroying their starfighters and beginning to pick apart the larger ships piece by piece. "All the while waiting for the attacking ships to pass by!" Vanto exclaimed. "Yes." Thrawn replied. "And now, thanks to Nightswan's strategy, they are perfectly positioned behind their targets." He continued, his gaze locked onto the bloodbath that was now unfolding before him.

After a few moments, one of the Stormtroopers onboard then approached Thrawn. "Sir, the shield is down!" The Stormtrooper announced. "Governor Pryce is reportedly leaving the planet now." Out of the corner of his eye, in the midst of the battle, Thrawn saw an Imperial shuttle fly past the TIE Fighters and insurgent ships. "Good." He replied. "Now that the shield is down, move the Chimaera towards Creekpath." Thrawn then ordered, turning his attention to the Officers below as he said this. "Yes, Admiral." One of the Officers replied. Within almost an hour, the Chimaera would now be looming over the Creekpath Refining and Mining complex that Nightswan had commandeered. "Your orders, Admiral?" Faro asked. Thrawn turned his head ever-so-slightly to Faro, who stood on his right. "Open fire." He replied. "But sir, the civilians down below..." Faro protested. "The civilians down below have no way of escape." Thrawn shot back. "Now..      Open. Fire." Reluctantly, Faro nodded her head. Thrawn looked down towards the complex, watching his turbolasers fire upon the complex and destroy everything and everyone inside, thus ending the battle in one, swift stroke.

2 BBY - "Thrawn's office"

"I saw some horrendous things during The Clone Wars..." Yularen said, sighing heavily as he did so. "But this..    This ranks right up there with one of the worst of them. As you saw, the number of civilian deaths far exceeded the number of insurgents killed." He continued. Thrawn nodded his head, before shifting his attention to Arihnda. "Governor Pryce, you are the only one of us who was in Creekpath before it was destroyed..." Thrawn began. "You do not know how the explosives came to be detonated before the planetary shield generator?" He then asked. "I went to my parents's house to get them ready to leave. We did wait for Agent Gudry..." Pryce replied. "He didn't return by the time we agreed on, so I left. I can only assume he was trapped by the insurgents." She continued. "He must have triggered the charges rather than allow them to take him alive. If that's the case, then I am one to believe he died honorably."

"The Senate has already ordered a full inquiry. But I doubt their investigation will find anything useful." Yularen interjected. "The inner section of the complex, where the explosions and bombardment took place, was reduced pretty much to dust." He added on. "Your report, Colonel, said that the death of Nightswan was confirmed?" Thrawn asked. "Yes, sir." Yularen replied. "His body was found and identified in one of the outer areas, where the damage was less severe." He continued. "Overall, the Emperor is very pleased with the outcome." Pryce said. "I expect he'll find a tangible way to show his thanks." Vanto and Yularen nodded in agreement, before all three of them stood up and turned to leave. As Yularen and Vanto exited the office, however, Thrawn spoke again. "Governor Pryce, a word in private, if I may." Pryce looked back at Thrawn, nodding her head. "A question, Admiral?" She asked. "A statement, Governor." Thrawn replied.

"No." Pryce said. "That's not how you bring an accusation against a powerful member of the Imperial government." She added on. "For all your tactical skill, you still don't know the first thing about dealing with politicians." "Do I not?" Thrawn asked. "No, you do not." Pryce replied. "You entire career has been one of military triumphs and political bumps; bumps that have always required someone with political skill to get you out of them." She continued. "You clearly suspect me of knowing more about what happened on Batonn, and I will keep allowing you to suspect such things. But don't lose track of the fact that you need me." Thrawn's eyes widened with curiosity. "In what way?" He asked. "To smooth out future political bumps. And trust me, there will be more of them." Pryce replied. "You're a successful Admiral, and that makes you a perfect target for people who want some of your power for themselves." She added.

"People such as you?" Thrawn asked. "At least you've learned some political lessons..." Pryce began. "But no, I don't want to take your power away. I merely want to direct it along a line that will do both of us the most good." She continued. "The fact is I have an insurgent situation on Lothal. I've had some discussions with Grand Moff Tarkin, and he's not happy that our rebels are hitting other places in the region." Thrawn nodded his head in understanding as Pryce said this. "He wants me to find a solution. And I think that solution is you." Pryce said. "And the benefit of the assistance would be your political guidance?" Thrawn asked. "If that isn't valuable enough, consider the gain to your prestige from another victory or two." Pryce replied. "My sources tell me that the Seventh is going to need a new Fleet Admiral soon. They're sent to all the major conflicts." She continued. "Do you think there's anyone else in The Imperial Navy who cares as much about limiting casualties as you?" Pryce asked. "You make interesting points." Thrawn admitted. "I will consider your proposal." "Do that." Pryce replied. "In the meantime, go have your meeting with the Emperor. Smile and thank him for whatever accolades or trinkets he chooses to heap on you."

2 BBY - "Coruscant, The Imperial Palace"

Exiting the turbolift, Thrawn walked slowly into the throne room, now dawning a white Imperial Officer's uniform, with golden bars welded to the shoulders. Emperor Palpatine sat on the throne above the stairs, smiling while he held a new Officer's plaque; the last one Thrawn would ever wear. "Congratulations, Grand Admiral." The Emperor said, as Thrawn made his way up the stairs. "This is an excellent day for you. An excellent day for my Empire...       Though I fear many will not see it that way." He continued. "I will endeavor to set their hearts and minds at ease." Thrawn replied, bowing his head. "But I must first calm my own heart and mind." He added on. "Must you now...?" Palpatine asked, a look of curiosity coming across his pale, scarred face. "Very well. Speak your mind, Grand Admiral." He said. "Tell me about...    The Death Star." Thrawn said. For a moment, the Emperor's posture stiffened on his throne. "When and how did you hear of that project?" He asked.

"I learned the name from unguarded dispatches." Thrawn replied. "I had also laid eyes upon it during the Gentis Regime when I was captured, and deduced the size and power from resource allocations." He continued. "I now wish to learn from you it's purpose." "Your thoughts are laid bare, Mitth'raw'nuruodo." Palpatine remarked. "Allow me to allay your fears: I have no designs against the Chiss, nor do I begrudge you the defense of your people." He added on. "I would also warn against diverting too many of the Empire's resources from a flexible navy." Thrawn said. "Massive projects such as this can bring the Imperial presence to only one system at a time." The Emperor nodded his head in understanding. "There will soon be no need to spread the Imperial presence across the galaxy." He said. "Once the Death Star is fully operational, it's very existence will suppress all opposition." Palpatine continued, handing the plaque to Thrawn. "And so?" Thrawn's gaze shifted between Palpatine and Coruscant's sunset for a moment, before he took the plaque from the Emperor's hands, fastening it to his uniform. "Good..." Palpatine said, his smile returning. "Now, continue your services to the Empire. Soon, the Rebellion will be crushed, and leaders like you will be the first to witness it."

2.5 BBY - "Imperial shuttle"

Onboard a commandeered Imperial shuttle, Commander Eli Vanto would watch, as the ship continued to travel through Hyperspace. After the battle of Batonn, Vanto had begun to question his loyalties to the Empire, believing that it no longer cared about the protection of it's citizens, as the Republic had before it. And so, the recently promoted Grand Admiral Thrawn had sent him to join The Chiss Ascendancy, with the intent of being an aide to them, as he once was an aide to Thrawn long ago. Soon, the shuttle dropped out of Hyperspace, and Vanto could see a flagship that was sleeker than any other flagship he had seen. Then, a hologram appeared on the dashboard of the ship; it was the hologram of a woman with long, slicked-back hair who wore the uniform of a military official. "Ngingu-Admiral Ar'alani we-Chiss Defense Fleet. Ingabe wena?" Vanto nodded, knowing now that this woman was a Chiss from the fact that she just spoke Sy Bisti. What she had specifically done was introduce herself as Admiral Ar'alani of The Chiss Defense Fleet, before asking Vanto if he was..    Well, 'he'.

"Nginguye." Vanto replied in Sy Bisti. "Mina ngingu-Eli Vanto. Ngiletha imikhonzo kuwe evela ku-Mitth'raw'nuruodo. Ukholelwa ukuthi ngingaba usizo oluthile ku-Chiss Ascendancy." He continued. Ar'alani smiled warmly, which confirmed to Vanto that she understood what he just said; he had introduced himself and explained the reason for his arrival to what he could only assume to be her flagship. "Siyakwamukela, Eli Vanto." Ar'alani said in Sy Bisti. "Ake sifunde ndawonye uma wayeqinisile." She finished, before her hologram deactivated. Vanto watched from afar, as the doors to the flagship's hanger bay opened. He took in a slow, deep breath, before flying inside the hanger bay to land his ship. Thrawn had sent him here in the belief that he would be of use to the very Ascendancy that Thrawn himself had once served. Now, as Ar'alani had said to him, he would now find out if the Grand Admiral was correct.

1 BBY - "The Chimaera"

One year after Thrawn's promotion to the rank of Grand Admiral, Captain Gilad Pellaeon would be standing at the bridge of the ship, whilst it orbited Coruscant. After the battle on Atollon against the Rebel Alliance, the Emperor had called Thrawn, slightly rattled by whatever happened on the planet, back to Coruscant for an emergency meeting. Now Pellaeon and Commander Faro were awaiting the Grand Admiral's return, with Pellaeon wondering what the meeting could've been about. The events on Atollon? The Empire's current war against the Rebels? Or something far more important than either of those things? Pellaeon sighed heavily, his gaze drifting between the Imperial fleet that also happened to be orbiting Coruscant at the same time as the Chimaera and the endless stars that were light-years past the planet.

"Captain..." Commander Faro began. Pellaeon turned his attention to Faro, who was also looking off into the stars before she first spoke. "The Grand Admiral is returning to the ship now." Faro said. "Good." Pellaeon replied. "You and I will both expect a full explanation on this 'meeting' of his with the Emperor at once." He finished, entering the turbolift with Faro and heading down to the hanger bay of the Destroyer. There, the two of them watched, as an Imperial shuttle touched down in the center of the area. One by one, all the Stormtroopers in the hanger lined up in two single-file lines, holding their blasters with ease, while Pellaeon and Faro walked towards the shuttle. Slowly, the ramp of the shuttle lowered to the ground, and Grand Admiral Thrawn stepped out, accompanied by a squad of Death Troopers. "Grand Admiral Thrawn.." Pellaeon said, bowing before Thrawn. "I trust that your meeting with the Emperor went well?" He then asked.

Thrawn nodded his head. "You are correct, Captain Pellaeon." Thrawn said. "The Emperor has assigned us a new mission to Batuu." Pellaeon and Faro both cocked their eyebrows at Thrawn, confused. "Batuu?" Faro asked. "Why there?" "He wishes for me to quell a threat on that world that he and I both have been wary about for quite some time..." Thrawn replied. "...A threat that none of us can quell alone." Suddenly, Pellaeon and Faro both heard the sounds of loud, mechanical breathing. Looking over  Thrawn's shoulder, Pellaeon's eyes widened with shock, as did Faro's, while a man clad in all black armor stepped out of the shuttle, approaching Thrawn from behind. Pellaeon almost fell over at the sight of the rather tall individual, knowing full well who this was, as everyone in the Empire did. "L-L-Lord Vader..." Pellaeon said, stumbling over his own words. "This is, uh..     Quite an unexpected surprise." "I would concur, Captain Pellaeon." Darth Vader replied. "The Emperor has sent me to aid you and the Grand Admiral with the current threat on Batuu."

Faro and Pellaeon both nodded their heads, despite the fact that they were visibly shaking at the mere sight of the Dark Lord. What terrified the both of them even more was the fact that Thrawn was completely unfazed by his presence, unlike most Imperials. "My Lord, if I may..." Faro began. "What exactly....      Is this threat that the Emperor has tasked both you and the Grand Admiral to eliminate together?" She asked. "A full briefing will be held regarding that question, Commander." Vader replied, marching past the two of them and heading towards the turbolift. Thrawn, Pellaeon, and Faro followed suite, accompanying Vader to the bridge of the Destroyer. Upon exiting the turbolift, Vader walked towards the bridge window slowly, his breathing echoing off the walls with each and every step. Thrawn soon joined Vader by the window, both arms folded behind his back, as they always were. For a moment, however, his eyes darted back towards Pellaeon. "Captain, set a course for Batuu effective immediately." Thrawn ordered. Pellaeon nodded, before the ship made the jump to Hyperspace a few moments later.