Customary Introductions: Heya. First time writing a fanfiction, then actually publishing it. Characters may be a bit OOC, but you could chalk it off to the exahustation getting to them. Feel free to criticize, I'm sure I need it. Probably a one-shot, but I might expand later to show the rest of the cast's reaction.
"Did you have to make it so dramatic?" The Grand Admiral questioned Ezra as he slumped into a chair. The Purrgil had dropped them off in the middle of nowhere with the wreck of several Star Destroyers. During the time, both men had been trapped in the Bridge up until the Purrgil had removed the blockade of tentacles that cut off the rest of the ship. After that, they had taken to waiting in Thrawn's chambers until they had readied the shuttles to drop off at the nearest island.
"We had to make it look convincing." Ezra shrugged and took a look around Thrawn's office. Several Imperial reports were strewn about the floor, along with some of the art pieces. While most of the art was damaged in the jump, some of the sturdier pieces managed to survive. Eyeing the mess with a street-child's eye, Ezra picked up what looked like a briefcase. The strange briefcase was patterned with symmetrical black and white squares all around its surface.
"Mind explaining this piece, oh fabled art critic?" The Lothalian grinned cheekily.
Thrawn raised an eyebrow. "And why the sudden interest in the arts? Is it because of your Mandalorian... Friend? Her art does not take much thought to understand, if you were seeking to impress her in that way."
"Says the Admiral who keeps this abstract piece in his quarters." Ezra neatly dodged the topic. If he thought about them for too long, he tended to get rather... morose, as Thrawn had put it.
Smirking, Thrawn motioned to a latch on the top of the briefcase. Ezra fiddled with it for a few moments, before the briefcase opened and several carvings fell to the floor. "That is because it is not an art piece. It is a board game known to its creators as chess. Would you like to play?"
Ezra quickly grabbed the chess pieces and the instruction booklet, setting them on the board as per the manual stated. It was strange, playing a board game with the greatest Mastermind of the Empire, especially considering the fact that Ezra himself was a rebel. How they became friends, none but them knew.
"So..." Ezra moved his first piece while reading the instruction manual. "What finally convinced you to retire?"
Thrawn smirked, then moved his own pawn forward. "The Empire is failing, Ezra. The high command is inefficient, the officers care more about favour with the emperor than doing well, and you yourself have seen the failures that are our Stormtroopers. I would rather prefer to leave the... galactic war and return in a time of peace. Some of my troops agree with me. Those who do not will rejoin the empire under Captain Pellaeon."
Moving a bishop into the fray, Ezra stared questioningly at Thrawn. "Wait... the Empire is failing? Does that mean that my Friends stand a chance?"
Thrawn nodded. "I believe that the Empire will not, or cannot, forsee the threat the Rebels pose up until the moment where it is too late to save themselves. As with your game. Checkmate."
"4 moves? Seriously?!"
Before Thrawn could explain just how Ezra had lost, a small beeping sound played on the Desk. He quickly flicked on a switch to reveal the hologram of an imperial officer. The Grand Admiral listened as the Officer rapidly rattled off statistics, losses, current state of repairs, and other things Ezra couldn't make out. Barring that, Ezra let his mind wander again.
"Bridger."
Snapping to attention, Ezra stood up as Thrawn began to pack up the board game in an actual suitcase, along with a few pieces of art and supplies.
"A few imperial shuttles are ready to leave for the Island of Ahch-to. Are you ready for our... vacation?" Thrawn looked slightly amused at the idea of taking a vacation, but pleased nonetheless.
Ezra shrugged again, wishing there was a way he could have packed some clothes of his own while escaping. At least the absconding troops had enough sense to pack casual clothes for their stay. Maybe Ezra could borrow some from them.
"One last question, Bridger. Your Mandalorian friend, Sabine. Will she be angry at the thought of us taking a vacation?"
"Eh, I'm sure she won't be THAT mad."
Sabine WAS that mad. Years and years of hunting down the Admiral so he could tell them where Ezra was, and it turns out he was on one of the cosiest islands in the entire galaxy?! Growling to herself, she crossed her arms and sulked as Ahsoka talked to the landing guards. It was a good thing Ahsoka was here; else she would have just destroyed the whole island from orbit and gone off to look for Ezra without interrogating the Admiral. Standing on the crude landing pad, the teenager began tapping her foot impatiently when Ahsoka motioned to her.
"He's in the stone hut over there." Ahsoka pointed to a speck on the top of some stairs hewn from the rocks. " And remember, no killing him. He's one of the most brilliant tactical minds in the galaxy, and he knows all the Empire's secrets."
"Fine." Sabine rolled her eyes. " I'm only here to hear what he has to say about where Ezra is, anyways."
The island itself was beautiful. The glimmering sea and green grass perfectly combined to reflect the solitude of their surroundings. The music of the wind sung in her ears, and Ahsoka could smell the mountain and sea airs combining.
"A perfect place to meditate." Ahsoka observed. Sabine didn't seem to hear her. Scarcely had they reached the hut before Sabine had charged forward, kicked the door down, and aimed her blasters at Thrawn and the Imperial cadet he was with.
"Ah, Sabine Wren. I assume Lady Tano is with you?" The imperial cadet had shakily put up his hands, then ducked out while Sabine closed in on Thrawn. Ahsoka had just arrived and was calmly waiting near the threshold of the room.
"Where. Is. Ezra?"
"Would you like to hear my explanation first, before you make any... rash decisions?" Thrawn motioned to the blasters Sabine had pointed at him.
"Yes." Ahsoka stepped into the room before Sabine could say anything. Signalling to Sabine to calm down, Ahsoka quickly took the emptied seat before her. Sabine grumbled, and then took her own seat. Her blasters remained pointed on the Chiss.
Thrawn sighed, pouring himself a glass of green milk. This was going to be a long explanation.
A few minutes later...
"Ezra lives on this Island. On a vacation." Sabine's eye was twitching. Thrawn nodded, then took a cautious sip out of his glass. "Which house, exactly?" Sabine had gotten a murderous look in her eyes, and she was fingering a thermal detonator. She had a smile on her face that could scare off a Rancor, as well as actually unnerve a Chiss. Thrawn fidgeted nervously, then pointed in the direction of a stone hut on the edge of a cliff. A few seconds later, Sabine had disappeared. Ahsoka sighed while pouring herself her own glass of milk. After Sabine had left earshot, Thrawn pulled out a communicator.
"Ezra. I recommend you sign your last will and testament now."
There was an audible gulp on the other end of the call. "She's here?"
An explosion rocked the call, but was not loud enough to drown out the scream of "BRRIIDDDGGGEEERRR" on the other end. Thrawn winced at the noise, while Ahsoka snickered.
"I do have a camera in his home, if you would like to watch the carnage." Thrawn placed a holopad on the table beside him, then offered a light snack to Ahsoka as they watched the poor Jedi duck behind a table. From off camera, several assorted paint bombs launched into the air, then exploded all around him. The rather poor quality recording still showed the panic in Ezra's face as Sabine walked into the room. Fury radiated from her stance, and her knuckles were clenched into fists. Too quickly for anyone to notice, Sabine had turned into a multi colored blur as she launched herself at her target.
"Interesting. Would you say that the girl had feelings towards Ezra?"
"Sort of. Why?"
"Her rage seems to be born out of worry." Sabine had pinned Ezra to the ground below her and seemed to be screaming as the latter was struggling for the narrow doorway.
"I can relate all too well." Ahsoka smiled sadly, recalling Anakin's anger whenever she had been in overly dangerous sitations. True, it hadn't usually ended in free for all rough-housing. Maybe it was more of a Mandalorian thing.
They both fell silent, listening to the sounds of screaming and Mandalorian curses from the hut. Sabine was angrily shaking Ezra by the shoulders, who had long ceased to struggle, accepting his fate.
"Certainly wasn't the romantic reunion I imagined for her." Ahsoka shook her head sadly.