For fans of Timothy Zahn's Star Wars works.
Every
event in history presents a question...
what if things turned out differently?
Grand
Admiral Thrawn's eyes flickered with sudden insight. It was barely noticeable,
but Palleon who stood by his side
through countless campaigns knew it well.
Slowly and
impassively, Thrawn straightened
his white admiral's jacket settled deeper into his command
chair. The Imperial Star Destroyer's bridge continued its quiet chatter
as the pit crew carried
on their routine. The vast view ports gave an impressive view
of the stars, and Palleon
availed himself of it. The admiral would share his revelation when
it pleased him, if at all.
Thrawn certainly deserved such
liberties. He had embarassed the New
Republic for monthes on
end now since his return from the
Outer Regions, and given hope to even the most demoralized
Imperial troops. As Palleon surveyed the stars, he couldn't
help but be distracted by the
Nogrhi bodyguard standing just a
few paces away. Despicable
creatures. Why Thrawn insisted
on having them near escaped
him. The Noghri were short, skinny
aliens whose size was no
indicator of their
lethality. Tight muscles rippled
beneath their short fur, which somehow
managed to conceal small bladed
weapons which could end a man's life faster than a blaster
burn. And they were utterly loyal to the Empire, thanks to the
deception of Lord Vader
decades ago.
Palleon's
reverie was interuppted by a sudden word from Thrawn. "Leave us, Noghri."
Palleon was taken aback by the
Noghri's response- it did not obey instantly, as was the
creatures custom. It hesitated, and seemed extremely
tense. As if it were racing through
its options...
"As
you wish, my Lord," it finally responded in its low mewing tambre, and
withdrew silently
through the blast doors at the
rear of the bridge.
"How
loyal would you say the Noghri are?" Thrawn asked Palleon. He rested an elbow
on the arm of his chair, and rubbed his chin.
"Absolutely
loyal," Palleon said quickly, wondering why he was doubting his own
answer.
"They have served the Empire
for over ten years, performing covert operations, assasinations,
even suicide missions, all
without complaint. They live to serve
us."
"They
lived to serve us," Thrawn replied quietly. "I am not sure what has changed
them, but our Noghri friend was
about to sheathe his ceremonial knife in my chest."
Palleon
struggled to hide his surprise.
"I
must confess, I am unaware of what led the Noghri to an understanding of how
their
world was not poisoned by
accident, but it seems we can no longer employ them in our efforts.
Commander Taggart?"
"Yes
Admiral?" Taggart stepped forward from his command and control display
near the
pit crew.
"All
Nogrhi operations are to be suspended at once.
Order the evacuation of imperial
troops from their homeworld, and
prepare instructions for all ships not to allow Noghri operatives to
return on board. They are no longer a part of the
Empire."
"Yes
sir," he nodded his head in an abbreviated salute and returned to the pit
to carry
out the orders.
"What
of the Noghri here on the Chimaera?" Palleon asked.
The
admiral's eyes narrowed.
"Eliminate them."
