This is an alternative universe Star Wars fanfic. If I get reasonable interest with this first introduction/chapter, I'll continue. I hope a few people at least read it! It will have plotting, diplomacy, action, even some romance. Thank you to everyone who spends time to read this.
*Disclaimer* I do not own Lucasfilm, now *sigh* Disney does and none of this belongs to me. Special thanks to Timothy Zahn, for making the character of Grand Admiral Thrawn, my personal favorite Star Wars character who will be present in this story.
Background: Around 23-24 ABY. There is no Second Imperium. About a week ago, a massive number of Imperial starships emerged into the galaxy and began attacks. This armada is known as the Stasis Fleet, an Imperial fleet put into stasis by Emperor Palpatine at the height of his power. For a few days, there was chaos and disorder, until the Imperial Fleet was brought into order by Grand Admiral Thrawn, revealing widely that he was in fact not dead. By necessity, the knowledge of the Grand Admiral's survival spread far and wide, reaching even the ears of the New Republic. A standstill occurred, with no attacks, no fighting, as Thrawn solidified his control (dismissing the incompetent Stasis Fleet commander, Admiral Patraesus) and the New Republic remaining on high alert. However, while Thrawn was gone he was not merely resting. From the fringes of the galaxy he discovered a small planet inhabited by peoples not yet capable of interstellar flight. On that planet, he found an adolescent whom he found capable, and set to training. This was approximately six months before the incident with the Stasis Fleet. Now, this trainee of Thrawn's has a mission…
Thrawn spun in his chair, hands folded under his chin. Red eyes flickering in the light, he stared at Lee for a few moments before speaking. "I have a task for you. This stalemate is giving me time to prepare my forces. I need only a few more days before this fleet is ready for action. You will go to Coruscant to represent me, under the guise of requesting surrender and then setting guidelines for the coming conflict. You will meet Head of State Leia Organa and engage in negotiations. As soon as I am ready, during the talks, I will launch a coordinated strike throughout Rebel worlds, crippling bases and shipyards. You need only stall for time. I have a team ready to extract you after the attacks. This will be a good test of your diplomacy lessons…"
Lee saluted crisply, his white uniform glistening. "Of course Admiral! When do I leave?" "Immediately, replied Thrawn, looking slightly amused. He knew that his trainee was itching for some sort of action, some way to help the Empire. And that of course, his loyalty to the Empire was strong and his loyalty to Thrawn personally even more so. Holding out a hand, Thrawn continued, "This device is a mini comlink. It can be worn in the ear, or kept in a pocket. When you touch the button, it will become a direct link to me or whomever I allow to receive its call." Pocketing the comlink, Lee saluted again, and began to walk out of the room. "An Imperial shuttle is in the main docking bay" called Thrawn from behind him. "I have no doubt you will preform well."
With little to pack, not much more than uniforms and a few other miscellaneous items, Lee was standing by the shuttle within 10 minutes. He boarded, saluting at the leader of his four man stormtrooper escort. As he settled down in the rear of the shuttle, he fought down feelings of nervousness and anxiety, things Thrawn had taught him were distractions and unacceptable when commanding ships in battle. To pass the time, he engaged in small talk with the stormtroopers assigned to the mission. The commander, Lieutenant Oppus, was from Coruscant originally. Rank was an interesting matter with Lee, as he had no official rank, but served as a representative of Thrawn and therefor a Grand Admiral. That is why he wears the white uniform, but no badge of rank. After about an hour, Lee drifted off to sleep, waking to the sound of the shuttle emerging from hyperspace and the crackle of ship communications.
"State your business, Imperial Shuttle 121AX. This is New Republic airspace." demanded a hostile sounding female voice. The pilot, with proper Imperial military demeanor, replied quickly "Imperial shuttle 121AX, bringing representative of Grand Admiral Thrawn to Imperial Center for negotiations and requesting landing destination" After a pause, the voice responded with "You are set to land at platform 32 at former Imperial Palace. Coordinates are being transmitted now. A delegation from the New Republic will meet you there." Lee stood stiffly, straightening his uniform and preparing to meet the Rebel delegation.
On the surface, Jaina Solo sat in a luxury apartment eating lunch with her family, with Jacen laughing at one of Han's jokes and Leia eating quietly. Suddenly, Leia's official comlink buzzed and with a sigh, she waved at everyone to be quiet and stood up to take the call. After a few moments she returned to the table, looking surprised. A delegate of the Imperials has arrived, representing Grand Admiral Thrawn! They Han and I at platform 33 in 15 minutes! You two can come too" Leia said, looking at Jaina and Jacen. "Just hurry and get ready." "I can't believe that blue scoundrel managed to fool us all!" exclaimed Han. "And if he really is back, that's bad news for everyone." "I don't think we'll be seeing him today. The secretary said that it was a representative of Thrawn, not the man himself" Meanwhile, Jacen had turned to Jaina, whispering 'lets go. We can use it as a chance to practice our force skills. Maybe sense something from this delegate, whoever he is' Jaina agreed, and the twins hurried to get ready. Barely a minute over their deadline, the family was standing together with a few other officials, waiting for the shuttle to open.
Inside the Imperial shuttle, Lee finished strapping a Ysalimir container to his back and straightened up, pressing the button to open the door. Walking out slowly, command boots ringing on the walkway with four stormtroopers following behind, Lee looked the part of an official Imperial delegate. Standing on the platform, Lee turned to address the delegation of the Rebellion, beginning "I am Lee, representative and trainee of Grand Admiral Thrawn, come to represent him in diplomatic talks" Han looked surprised, and let out "You look hardly older than the twins!" before Leia shh-shed him. She more tactfully said "You are indeed young for an Imperial representative. But I do not doubt your position. Come, we will show you your quarters."
Standing on the platform, Jaina was surprised as much as her father by the youth of the delegate. As she watched him politely insist on a quick search by his stormtroopers, she felt a rather unexpected feeling in her stomach, as well as her face beginning to get red. Considering the person she was looking at, she tried to force such feelings away while probing the person, Lee, with the force. She was shocked to come up with nothing. It was if the boy couldn't be sensed at all! She looked to the side, noticing Jacen experiencing the same difficulties. She whispered to her brother 'I can't sense him at all.' 'Neither can I' said Jacen, confused. Thinking for a second, Jacen then followed with 'It must be one of those Ysalimir Uncle Luke told us about! I've always wanted to see one.' Jaina could not understand what was so interesting with a creature, especially one that kept her from sensing such an interesting person. Jaina felt her face brow red again, and looked away from Lee.
After exchanging courtesies with the Rebel party, Lee started to follow them off the platform into the building. However, in the distance Lee noticed the growing drone of some sort of air vessel, seeming to get louder as the seconds passed. Ignoring it, Lee continued to walk forward. Leia noticed it first, her force senses picking up the threat. "Get down!" she yelled, as chaos ensued on the platform. A fighter, marked with the insignia of a local anarchist group, had swopped down and started firing on the group making its way towards the Palace. One of the Rebel soldiers took a blast, yelling as he toppled over the railing. The rest of the group ducked as the fighter droned overhead. Lee reached for his blaster pistol, noticing the stormtroopers, the retired general he recognized as Han Solo, and most of the Rebel soldiers already firing. The Rebel head of state drew her lightsaber and attempted to deflect any stray blasts. Two of the stormtroopers gathered next to him, ready to shield him if they had to. He noticed the Rebel girl also close, crouching behind himself and the two troopers. After a minute, the Imperial Shuttle pilot got the craft off the ground and fired missiles at the fighter, causing it to smoke from one wing and driving it off. One stormtrooper had been hit, melting part of his shoulder armor. Lee stood, and shook his head, adrenaline still running through his limbs. "What was that" he demanded of the Head of State while shaking debris off of his uniform. "I do not know, but I assure you a full investigation will be launched immediately" she replied. "What a great way to start negotiations" muttered Han sarcastically.
As the Imperial Delegation was led to their quarters, Jaina followed behind with her brother, staring at the white clad delegate and playing with her ponytail. Every now and then she attempted to force away the thoughts that came to her mind, looking instead at the stormtroopers marching alongside him and fingering her pocket multitool. When the party reached the quarters, one of the several suites on a row reserved for visiting dignitaries, Jaina watched as Lee sent his stormtroopers in to sweep for bugs. Leia sighed, and Jacen leaned next to her, whispering 'Your friend sure seems paranoid' Jaina blushed, poking Jacen and told him 'Shut up. He's an imperial! He's not…' She trailed off, and Jacen smirked, about to say something about to say something when Lee opened the door, commenting "The quarters are fine, although the food prep units seem to be broken". Jaina jumped, volunteering "I'll fix them." Leia looked surprised for a second, but then remembered how Jaina loved working with machines. "Alright, just come upstairs when you're finished. And call maintenance if you need assistance." Jazen smirked again as the rest of the group left, leaving Jaina standing by the door of Apartment 2 with a multitool and a strange feeling in her stomach.
Thank you to everyone who read! I hope you enjoyed it! It would be great if you would review, as it would give me encouragement to continue this! Also, I am open to suggestions. Things that should be added, things I need more of, things that I need less of, anything! Except, don't roast me on grammar please! Next chapter you will get to know Lee better, and don't worry, Thrawn will be back in this story, and often! Thanks again!