A time of celebration lies upon the Rebellion.
The recent defeat of Grand Admiral Thrawn has sent a blow to the empire.
Crushing imperial morale.
With many systems starting to see the Empire as weak.
It seems as all is lost for the Empire.
Now, a high ranked Imperial officer heads to Lothal...

Dropping into Lothal's orbit. A single Star Destroyer moves forward. It's engines humming as it hovered into the upper atmosphere. Upon the upper hull. Were two orange symbols. Each located on either side of the capital ships command tower, not far from the Octuple Barbette Turbolaser batteries. The symbol was made up of two orange brackets. Each facing towards the other, the curved line bending out towards space and the command tower. In the centre, was an orange coloured oval. It was matched up so that along with the brackets, it could form a large and wider oval. Further down, towards the tip of the capital ship. Was the same symbol with a Y shape below it. Spiked points coming off the left and right sides of the Y shape.

The capital ship soon broke the cloud layer and came to hover above the Imperial command complex. From the lower hangar, a single Lambda shuttle emerged. Descending down upon the complex.

Within the complex's upper hangar, Lothal's Governor, Governor Pryce stood. Next to her was Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader.

As the shuttle landed, the three watched as the ramp lowered. While the cloud like smoke lifted and faded into the polluted air. A figure slowly walked down. His Grand Admiral's uniform the standard white. The rank insignia showing the three gold tiles, three red tiles and six blue tiles stood out. His body build was slim and tall. His hair was a smooth jet black, contrasting with his toned tan skin. When they saw his eyes. The colour was became a different shade of blue as they approached the pupil. Going from a bright blue to a dark blue. But the pupil was not circle like a human. But rather, a single slit like line found on many reptile like creatures stood there.

His expression remained neutral, his gaze never leaving the three as he walked forward. Behind him, two Shadowtroopers emerged. Upon their shoulders, were metallic gold shoulder pads, the signs of his elite troop. The colour of the pads contrasting against the black armour they wore.

After what seemed like an eternity, Grand Moff Tarkin spoke. His voice full of authority. "Grand Admiral Doom. You're arrival on Lothal is quite unexpected." Grand Admiral Doom allowed his eyes to glance at Tarkin. His lips twitching upwards into a small smirk. "Governor Tarkin. I was not expecting to end up on Lothal either. But when the news of Thrawn's death reached my attention. It was ultimately unavoidable."

Vader's breathing soon drew Doom's attention. "Lord Vader. I would've expected you to be hunting down ancient Sith artefacts or Jedi." Vader remained still. His breathing staying the same. "Grand Admiral Doom. Do not question my presence or external activities. Least you suffer the wrath of the Darkside." Doom raised his right eyebrow slightly. "I've seen the wrath of the Darkside many times Lord Vader. It does not frighten me." Doom paused, his gaze turning back towards the group before him. "Now, on to the reason as to why I'm here."

Governor Pryce whispered something to Tarkin. Tarkin gave a small nod before he rested his eyes upon Doom. "If I may Grand Admiral Doom. You have left your post at Byss in the Deep Core to travel to the Outer Rim. I'm sure you are well aware of the many regulations you have broken in doing so?" Doom walked past Tarkin before stopping for a split second, glancing over his left shoulder, he replied. "I was personally sent here by the Emperor himself."

Yavin IV

People celebrated inside the temples of Yavin IV. The recent defeat of Grand Admiral Thrawn had left the Empire in a weakened and shocked state. As many members of the Rebellion celebrated. Members of the Ghost crew among them. One stood watching from a distance.

Upon a small ledge, Sabine Wren stood. Her coloured hair moving freely throughout the smooth breeze that blew by. Her amber brown eyes moving from one member of the Rebellion to another. At 33 years old, she had seen many things that could cause such celebrations. But as the first major victory of the Alliance, she should've felt the need to share in this joy. Yet, she felt no impulses begging her to join in.

"I would've thought you'd be one to celebrate after a major battle." Sabine sighed as she turned on her heel to face Kanan Jarrus. One of the very few Jedi left among the stars. To her, Kanan served as a reminder of the life she would've had after the Clone Wars ended. A reminder of him, the one she loved and the one she deeply wanted to marry.

"Why celebrate when a whole Empire is still out there. Planning to counter attack." She asked after a few minutes of silence. Kanan glanced down at the parties. His gaze landing upon Hera. "It's always good to have some joy between battles with the Empire Sabine." Sabine shrugged her shoulders her gaze falling to her ground below her. "Only if you've got someone to..." Sabine trailed off, never ending her sentence and gazing off into the stars above.

Kanan noticed the sudden change in her tone and signature in the force. He felt the hurt, the sadness, the pain, the need to avenge someone. Kanan soon sighed. "You don't seem like yourself tonight Sabine. What's different about today?" Kanan's gaze never left her as she walked to sit on a nearby rock. "It's the day. I remember this day 18 years ago, the day that the..." Sabine stopped herself. Old memories starting to resurface as her gaze fell tot he ground. Kanan widen his eyes, remembering what day it was. "The day that the Jedi purge happened. I remember it well."

Kanan closed his eyes as he remembered so many memories. Most good. But the one that stood out was his masters sacrifice to save him. But Kanan still had to get one thing off his mind. Why was Sabine affected by this. "I don't understand. How are you affected by it?" Sabine sighed, lifting her head slightly. Allowing her eyes to meet his. "I had a love, one who I wanted to marry. He was the only one of his kind. So rare to find one in this Mandalorian Armour. Now you'll never see another like him again."

Kanan felt the sadness and anger rising within her. He closed his eyes. Attempting to find out who this Jedi was. His memory turning up blank.
Sabine saw the confusion spread across his face. With a sigh, she began to explain. "His name was Ezra, Ezra Bridger. I remember the last time I saw him. It was just before he left to help force back the Separatist assault on Mandalore. I was on Krownest when the purge happened. I remember the pain I felt, the tears rolling down my face when I discovered what had happened. Discovered that he wasn't coming back. I pleaded with my family against joining the Empire. But they refused to listen to me They said it was to help preserve their clan and honour. I told them that I wouldn't in order to honour his memory. I swore that every Imperial I saw, I would take down. I swore I'd take down the Empire if it was the last thing I did. I knew he fought for freedom. And he would want me to fight for freedom in his memory."

Silence overtook them. A tense silence that none found welcome. Soon, a female voice spoke. "He was a good friend of mine. He was the brother I never had." Kanan and Sabine blinked, both turning to face Ashoka. Her expression remained calm. Her gaze eyeing the party below. "You knew him personally?" Kanan Asked. He was already thinking of a million questions. "I did, we did a number of missions together during the Clone Wars, some without our masters permission or knowledge. But Ezra Bridger served alongside the 212th with Master Kenobi." Kanan widen his eyes. Several images of overhearing his master talking to other Jedi about Kenobi's choice of a Padawn. 'He's reckless, he'd never make it as his padawn.' That was what they'd say. "He was Master Kenobi's Padawn?" Ashoka nodded. "I suspect he was placed under Master Kenobi due to his Mandalorian origins."
Ashoka sighed at the memory. Her gaze faltered. "I remember fighting alongside him at the Siege of Mandalore. With one who would've turned on us. Captain Rex of the 501st." Kanan sighed. His hate for the clones was large. They turned on them. Even if Ashoka told him time and time again that they didn't have a choice. "So. What was his fate, is he dead?" Ashoka glanced towards Sabine.

"I believe he is alive." Sabine lifted her head up quickly. A small glimmer of hope filling her eyes. "He and I faked our deaths to escape the Empire's radar, Rex was the messenger. Where he is now, I do not know." Kanan watched as a small smirk formed upon Sabine's lips. He knew that smirk all too well. She had an idea. "I don't like what she's thinking right now." Ashoka chuckled at Kanan's concern. "I think I know what she's thinking. And I agree with her. We're going to need him if the Empire's going to fall."

Kanan rolled his eyes and with a sigh of defeat, he replied. "Let's take this to Mothma and see what she thinks about...this." Kanan started to walk away. Sabine walked up alongside Ashoka. "So, you think they'll agree?" Ashoka sighed. In truth, she had no idea if they'd agree or not. But one thing was for certain. She'd help Sabine search for Ezra, regardless of the senators choice. "I don't know. But if they don't. I'll stand by your side in searching for him." Sabine smiled.

Lothal

"And how do you plan on taking them down?" Tarkin Asked. Doom chuckled. "Grand Admiral Thrawn's death may have caused the galaxy to think the Empire's weak. But I already have a solution to that problem." Tarkin glanced up. His eyes displaying his interest. "And may I ask, what this idea of yours is?" Doom glanced towards Vader. Vader gave a small nod. He had already heard of the plan and agreed to it. "It will involve Naboo. And what I have in stock for Naboo, will show the entire galaxy that we are not weak. That we will find and squeeze out these Rebels. Regardless of how many sympathisers or supporters are burned, executed or reduced to ash and bones." Tarkin eyed Doom, his eyes widening fast. Blinking, Tarkin felt a small shiver fall down his spine. Tarkin for some reason, found Naboo to be quite lovely. And if he knew what Doom was planning. He would do his best to reject the idea. "You suggest we do a light orbital bombardment of Naboo?"

Doom's gaze met Tarkin's. His eyes narrowing before he spoke in a darker tone. "No, I do not plan to do a light orbital bombardment. But rather. I plan to invoke the BDZ protocol." Tarkin widen his eyes. His spine now feeling slightly cold from the many shivers going down them. He knew he could tolerate Thrawn's plans. But Doom's plans were often over the top. But he did have to admit, they did do the job well. "You plan to do a Base Delta Zero upon Naboo?" Doom chuckled. Pryce soon received shivers going down her spines. Even Vader, who knew the plan, felt a small shiver go down his spine. "I have already received the go ahead from the Emperor and Lord Vader." Tarkin sat back, sighing in defeat. "Very well then. You may proceed. But how will you deal with the Rebels?"

Doom smirked, he already had a plan. "Thrawn's major problems were that he underestimated the Rebels and those under his command were not, truly following the command structure. That was why he failed. I will not underestimate them. They will attempt to do the unexpected. To defy Imperial exceptions, they will attempt to do get at least one high ranking member out. But I will tear them apart from their foundations. They will be the astros of their own destruction. They run on hope and the principles of the fallen Jedi order. I will tear these ideals and principles apart. Piece by piece. I will study every object, every mission they've done Everything that many would deem useless to finding their base. I will discover their weakness. And exploit it tot he fullest."

Tarkin and Pryce eyed him. "And, what of Thrawn's Tie Defender project and the Rebel base?" Doom stood tall. "Thrawn's Tie Defender project will serve as my greatest asset. As long as the factory remains operational. The Rebels will continue to strike at Lothal. I shall use that to my advantage. They can not hide forever. I will trace them back to their base. I will surround them, trap them within their base. However meager it may be." Tarkin soon smiled.
"And how long do you think this operation will take?" Doom pulled up a map of the galaxy. "With the Rebellion being galaxy wide. It may take years or decades to truly end. But by starting at worlds with heavy Rebel activity, I can begin to shorten that time. Encircling them in a web of forces. Slowly forcing them into taking desperate measure's to ensure they survive, and when they do. I will be ready."

Pryce soon nodded and spoke up. "And what makes you think you'll win where Thrawn lost?" Doom's smile grew larger. "My dear Governor. I have yet to loose a battle. It shows how I've come to gain my invaluable knowledge when it comes to naval combat and tactics. I remember my first battle during the days of the era of the Old Republic. My leadership skills were legendary throughout the Sith Empire." Pryce rolled her eyes. "As if anyone could live that long." Doom simply chuckled. "Perhaps you should take up the art of reading. History can often provide the answer to many questions. And you'll discover why numbers. Are always important in combat." Doom glanced at Tarkin for the last part...
_

Haven't done a star wars story in a while. Based on a scrapped story that I never plant to share. And Primus, why do I begin so many stories. I now have five stories to worry about. Anyway. Here are a few notes on this chapter.

Ezra is the Padawn learner to Obi Wan Kenobi as stated by Ashoka.

Sabine and Ezra are the same age. They both lived through the Clone Wars

Hints as to how old Doom really is. With mentions of the Old Republic and Sith Empire being made.

Doom will constantly make mentions of older eras. Mostly the Old Republic era.

Mandalorians are a big part here. I seriously need to get my love for them under control.