Beyond the Borders: Unknown Regions

The Past: Fourteen Hours after Chimaera's departure with the Purgills.

Grand Admiral Thrawn gazed out the shattered view ports into the unknown region of space. The shields now held the vacuum of space from sucking him and the few others on the Bridge into space and death. The huge Purgills had abandoned the Chimaera, his flagship and departed. Looking around the Bridge he saw several Crew Members and Officers regaining their feet and glancing around the partially destroyed terminals and stations. One of the Stormtroopers stood over Ezra Bridger, raising his rifle to end the Rebel Jedi Knight once and for all. "Hold." Thrawn ordered as he stepped nearer and looked down at the unconscious youth. Thrawn had almost passed out as the air was sucked out of the room, but fate intervened and the emergency shields activated and held the life sustaining oxygen within the large room. Glancing down at the young man he shook his head, in all intents and purposes he should pull his blaster and shoot the man. But he instead let reason and logic form his decision. One, the Chimaera was damaged. Two, from what he had seen on the Navigation Monitors they had no idea where they were and finally three, he might need the young man if they were all going to survive. "Ensign Marcell, pull up the life monitors and tell me how many of our crew are still functional." The Navy Officer seemed to walk stiff legged to the sensors and after brushing away pieces of other systems off the screen he frowned.

"Sir, if these readings are right. I can only detect Five Hundred and Forty Three throughout the ship." Marcell swallowed visibly as she turned and Thrawn could see the fear in her eyes. Even if the Chimaera was fully functional there was no way just over Five Hundred Crew Members could operate a Star Destroyer. "It seems that all of the Escape Pods are gone." She reported then glared at the young man at Thrawn's feet.

"Sir, Shall I take this Rebel to a Holding Cell?" The Lone Stormtrooper asked as he waited for orders.

"No, summon a Medic if there are any on the ship and have any Engineers report to the Bridge as well." Thrawn ordered as he walked over to the Command Chair and with the help of Marcell right it so he could sit down. "The rest of you, bring whatever secondary systems online if you can and start getting the Bridge under control." The seven others in the room hustled to obey orders and started to transfer from the primary systems to the secondary. A Crewman went to the viewports and after a few moments several replacement emergency clear panels slipped up and replaced the damaged ones. A loud hiss could be heard as the new viewports sealed themselves automatically. Thrawn heard a groan and glanced over and saw Ezra slowly rising. Placing a hand over his wound on his right shoulder. "Sit down Ezra Bridger a Medic is on their way." Thrawn advised as he saw the confused look at the young man's face.

"Why wait, I am well enough to stand against the wall so you can shoot me." Ezra said sternly as he walked over to the nearby wall and leaned against it. Then was taken back when Thrawn started to laugh.

"Shoot you, that would be the last thing I would do. Look out the viewports young Bridger what do you see?" Thrawn asked as he waved towards the unknown stars that laid before them. "Those things dropped us in the middle of nowhere and thanks to them we are essentially stranded, with limited crewmen and basically no way for any of us to return to the known regions of space. Navigation cannot even pinpoint where we are." Exhaling Thrawn smiled and as a Medic entered he gestured for the red haired man to see to Ezra's wounds. "If any of us are going to survive, we will have to work together." Thrawn huffed as he shook his head. "Essentially Ezra Bridger I need your help."

"Why should I trust you?" Ezra asked almost laughing himself as the Medic applied a Bacta Bandage to his wound then began to scan him with a handheld sensor.

"Ensign Marcell, go to my quarters, in the third drawer of my desk you will find a small box bring it here and give it to him." Thrawn ordered as Marcell left and in moments returned handing the green brown box to Ezra. Opening it Ezra's eyes widened. Reaching in he pulled out Kanan's Lightsaber. "We have to trust each other, if so inclined, use it cut us all down. Before you do consider this, we are lost in a Region of Space and we are basically marooned."

Nodding Ezra exhaled. "You are right." Moving over towards Thrawn he saw several of the Crewmembers glare at him then became resigned and returned to their respected stations to attempt to get the secondary systems to function.

"Sir, we are screwed." Marcell said from the Secondary Navigation system.

"Ensign try to be a little more professional please. Why do you consider us screwed?" Thrawn asked with a bit of amusement in his voice.

"Those things hyperspace jumped us through a Nova Cluster. An unknown Nova Cluster. We cannot follow the course back, not without having the ship torn apart." Marcell said grimly as the other Crewmembers stopped working and turned to look at Thrawn. Hoping that he had some way to get them home alive.

"I do not suppose you could get those things to attach themselves again and take us home, could you?" Thrawn asked as he started to bring up the status reports on his armrests.

"No they are long gone." Ezra said with a grimace. Walking over to the Secondary Navigation and looking at the readouts. Marcell glared up at him then pointed to the readings. "Shit, I directed them to take the ships away. I did not think they would take them or us where there was no way to return someday." Ezra almost whispered as he closed his eyes. Trying to see if he could sense the Purgills once more, but he had been right they were long gone.

The Present: Lothal.

Sabine gazed at the painted image of the Ghost Crew; her, Kanan, Hera, Zeb, Chopper and Ezra. She said Ezra's name with a bit of sadness and longing. The words "I can always count on you." Flowed through her mind. She missed him desperately, she had never thought that he would be taken from her so quickly. Soon Ashoka Tano would be arriving and the two would begin to search for him. Her reasons were more personal, not just to bring him home. In the past year her Mother Ursa Wren Countess of the Clan had received two proposals for Sabine's hand. That was not going to happen. In Sabine's mind and heart she was going to have Ezra or no one else. She had relayed that to her mother and was surprised when the older woman just shrugged her shoulders and told her good journey. Not exactly what she expected from her mother. Walking towards Ashoka she glanced back at the Mural. "The Hunt is on, Ezra. I will find you and make you mine." She whispered then smiled. Striding with a bit of excitement and confidence; Sabine was ready to fulfill her promise to Ezra.

The Past: Ten hours after Ezra awoke.

Leaning over a Monitor and Engineering Station, Ezra whipped the sweat off his brow. Thirty Two Engineers, what was left of the almost two Thousand that usually worked on an Imperial Star Destroyer. Worked on trying to get the Sub-Light Engines to come online. Cross connecting operating systems on the Station, Ezra felt like taking his Lightsaber and cutting the station in half. Especially when it kept declaring "ERROR" messages on the screen. "Come on you piece of Bantha Shit." He muttered at the terminal. Annoyed at the continued reluctance of the system to function.

"Ya have to baby it a little." A stocky Engineer advised Ezra. The much older man was twice his size and had graying hair on his head and mustache. Manned another Terminal cross wiring another system.

"I have tried Dillon, it keeps resisting. I would love to use my Lightsaber on the thing." Ezra told him as he smiled. Even though Dillon was a career Imperial Navy Engineer, Ezra instantly liked the man. Dillon was not a typical Imperial, he had joined the Empire to work on Star Destroyers because he marveled at the overall design and engineering it took to even design one of these monsters.

"Report, Lieutenant Drasko." Thrawn asked as he stepped through a blast door into the Engineering Command area. Stepping up to Dillon and Ezra.

"Sir, The Hyperdrive Engines are going to take a month to repair, that is if we can find the parts. The Sub-Light are a different matter, if we can get them cross circuited they should be online in an hour or so." Dillon replied as he tinkered with his Terminal, then swore a Correllian phrase and kicked the gray instrument. "Make that two hours or so."

Ezra chuckled slightly and tried that as well with a delight the terminal turned green. Then saw Thrawn step up to him. "I have never heard of that procedure in the Imperial Manuals. Can I speak with you a moment. In private." Ezra followed Thrawn over to a side corridor. Exhaling sharply Thrawn stared at Ezra. "I just reviewed the personnel that are still on board. Lieutenants Drasko and Perkuns are the highest line officers left. There are fourteen Ensigns and one Stormtrooper Commander but there are no command officers."

"Is that a problem?" Ezra asked as he saw the Imperial Grand Admiral grimace then looked over at Engineering.

"Yes, it will be bad for morale if I continue to give direct orders to the crew and officers, I need a second in command to relay my orders and deal with those below me in rank. None of the others on board have the experience to do it. So, with reluctance I am promoting you to Captain and my Second Officer." Ezra humphed and almost laughed.

"You cannot be serious." Ezra stated as he stared at Thrawn. "I doubt that any of the Crew or other Officers would obey any order I give."

"If I order it they will, if not they can get in one of the remaining TIE-Fighters and make their own way home! Disobedience on this ship will not be tolerated!" Thrawn said sternly as he handed Ezra Captain Rank and signaled for Marcell to bring over an Imperial Gray Uniform.

"I rather not wear that if you do not mind." Ezra said as he pointed to the Imperial Uniform.

"Why not, I know on several occasions you have poised as a Speeder Bike Trooper, an Imperial Navy Lieutenant and a TIE-Fighter Pilot?" Thrawn smirked as Marcell handed the Uniform to Ezra with a frown. "An Imperial Navy Captain will just be one more role that you can do. Now Captain I expect the Sub-Light Engines to be functional in three Hours. I also want you to personally ensure that as many Crewmembers as you can get to be trained as Turbo Laser Gunners. The Twelve we currently have cannot man all of the Turbo Lasers if we are attacked." Thrawn stared at Ezra waiting.

"Yes Sir." Ezra replied reluctantly as Thrawn turned and left Engineering. Dillon approached and looked at Ezra and the Uniform that hung on his arm.

"Congrats Captain." Dillon smirked at the young Captain. "Sir we are ready to test the Sub-Light Engines."

Growling Ezra went over to a chair and removed his clothes and put on the Imperial Uniform. "This sucks." He stammered as he returned to the Monitor and nodded to Dillon. "Alright, let's see if we can get the Engines up to twenty percent." He said as Dillon smiled over at him.

"Yes Sir." Dillon replied tapping the control and watched as the Engines started and began to power-up.

Twelve hours later, Ezra entered the Quarters he had been assigned. The new Captain Quarters. Actually the rooms were for visiting High Command Officers, such as for an Admiral and above. Dropping onto a nearby chair he threw the hat across the room. Removing Kanan's Lightsaber he closed his eyes. "What the hell was he doing?" He asked himself as he held the Lightsaber in front of him. His musing was disturbed when the door chime signaled. Standing he unlocked the door and Ensign Marcell stood before the open portal.

"Sir." She said with a bit of scorn. "I have the current personnel records for you to review." Handing a Data Pad out to Ezra.

Ezra could tell that the Imperial Ensign was uncomfortable to be in his presence and totally pissed that he was now her superior. "Thank you, Ensign." Taking the Pad he looked it over. It was not good. Shaking his head he looked up and was surprised that Marcell was still at the door. "Anything else?" He asked.

"No." Marcell said sternly.

"Speak your mind, I know this is unusual and I sympathize." Ezra said to the young woman standing at his door. To his amazement Marcell reminded him of Sabine. Marcell had the same intensity and baring that Sabine had. Looking at the pad he discovered that she was from Bespin and her first name was Lara.

"Personally, I am wondering why Grand Admiral Thrawn has not killed you yet or put you in the Brig. It is what you deserve!" Lara said as she glared at Ezra with her dark green eyes, her long blond hair tucked up under her cap. "It is your fault that we are here and as a Rebel you deserve death or imprisonment."

Chuckling slightly, Ezra put the pad down. "That is what I expected when I woke up. I still expect it. I believe Thrawn is right we need to work together to get home." Picking up the Lightsaber Ezra put it back on his belt and saw the wide eyed stare from Lara.

"Is it true, Sir? Are you a Jedi?" She asked with a bit of fascination and wonder.

"Yes, i am a Jedi." Ezra said then watched as she subconsciously stepped slightly back.

"You do not look like a power-mad psychopath." She said barely audible as she returned to standing proud before him.

"Is that what you were told?" Ezra asked as he watched her shake her head positively. "I suppose that is what the Emperor told everyone to get their support in purging and prosecuting the Jedi. No I am not a power-mad psychopath, actually I was nothing but a Loth-rat orphan from Lothal." Closing his eyes his thoughts went to his adoptive family and especially Sabine. He missed her a lot and wished silently that she was here with them. He needed her. Opening his eyes he saw that Lara's expression had softened slightly and she turned and left. Allowing the door to shut again. Ezra shook his head, he would have to be careful with Lara Marcell, she reminded him of Sabine and he could easily seek a relationship just so he could pander to that memory of Sabine. Yes Lara Marcell was attractive, actually beautiful. But no where close to Sabine. Sitting back on the chair he picked up the pad and began to go over the personnel on the Chimaera. One Hundred and thirteen Stormtroopers, Thirty Two Engineers, Three Hundred Fifty One Various Crewmembers, Eighteen Bridge Officers mostly Ensigns like Marcell, Twelve Turbo Laser Gunners and Seventeen TIE Fighter Pilots. Along with one Grand Admiral and one Jedi Captain. Dropping the pad Ezra shook his head. Marcell had been right on the Bridge earlier they were screwed.

One Deck down from the New Captain Quarters, Lara Marcell leaned against a bulkhead. Her thoughts were on the young Jedi Captain that she had just talked to. She smiled at her thoughts. "He is attractive for a Rebel Jedi Scum.' She admitted to herself. She remembered gazing into those clear blue eyes and she felt her insides quiver. She shook her head, secretly in her quarters was a wanted Holo of him. She had paid one of the Techs to download his image on a personal projector and she would look at it time to time. Of course, the image was of when he was younger and she thought he was kind of cute. With two of her closest female friends she remembered that they would discuss the Lothalian Rebels for hours. Gieva stated once that she believed that the young Bridger was probably screwing that equally young Mandalorian girl Wren and any delusions or fantasies they had were foolish. Lara shook her head, at the time she argued against such a thought. That usually Mando's never attached themselves to others. It was a cultural thing. Shaking her head she wished that Gieva and Ellinor were still on the ship, without them it was going to be a little lonely. Frowning Lara went to her quarters, she needed to get some sleep. Thrawn had instituted that everyone was going to be on Sixteen Hour Shifts from now on, instead of twelve. Slipping into her quarters, she prepared for bed. As she laid down her last thoughts were of what Ezra Bridger would have done if she asked to spend the night in his quarters with him. Slightly chuckling she could imagine his shocked expression.

Thrawn leaned back in his chair in his office. Forty Seven documented complaints sat on his terminal screen. All from the Imperial Navy Officers and one Stormtrooper Commander and all on his current decision to make Ezra Bridger his Second Officer with the rank of Captain. Smiling he shrugged his shoulders and decided that at the start of the next shift he would announce to the crew and officers that his decision stands. Forming and transmitting complaints at this juncture was a waste of time. He did wonder what the Emperor would say or do if it was discovered that Thrawn not only spared the young Jedi but also made him his Second Officer. Laughing slightly he knew what would happen, right up to the point of the Emperor using Sith Force Lightning to execute him. Flicking the screen off, Thrawn went back to the Bridge. The Sub-Light Engines now functioned at Forty Nine Percent power and the Chimaera could move at one-third speed. Thrawn had decided that at least that was something.

To be Continued...Depending on readers and reviews.