Chaper 1 (Prologue)
"The Emperor was not directing the battle. Not in any way. I was there, Admiral I know."

4 ABY | Battle of Endor POV: Captain Pallaeon

My Star Destroyer known as the Chimeria was taking heavy damage from a MC80 Cruiser, however that was soon fixed when the Death Star fired at it. I saw the explosion with my own eyes. However some debris hit our portside.

"Sir! Sir!" I heard as a Lieutenant was running towards me.
"We've lost 17 Ion Cannons and 3 Turbolasers on Portside"

"Move the ship in-" I was cut off as I saw the Death Star itself explode.
"No. It can't be possible." As I pinched myself in the arm I realised that the battle was lost. I was the only commanding officer left in the fleet. In charge of multiple Star Destroyers. I had two choices: Fight or retreat.
I chose retreat.

"Give the retreat order to every ship here. We must regroup and launch a counter attack." I told the Lieutenant before heading to my quarters to rest and forget the death of our Emperor.
I knew there was gonna be chaos in the empire. Admirals, Moffs, Grand Moffs, Grand Admirals, Generles etc. Wanting to take control. It was only a matter of time before the collapse of the Empire.

Once again we're on the retreat from the rebels.

A/N: This is my new story. I've ditched Imperial Success as I saw it poorly written. Instead The Art of War will replace it and will mostly focus around Grand Admiral Thrawn, hence the title "The Art of War".