**Chapter 1: The Empire strikes back**

Lord Vader knelt down on the black holo transceiver platform and when it finally came to life, it displayed an oversized, bluish image of the Emperor, who in turn looked down on his most loyal servant.

"I hope you have good news, my friend." The sinister voice of the Emperor was reflected by the hard durasteel walls of the Super Star Destroyer and echoed viciously through the room.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, my master. The vaccine against the Waarom larvae is useless and the biological weapons against their coral ships are not fully developed yet. The Dalonbian sector will fall. Probably within the next forty-eight hours. With your permission, my master, I will order the evacuation of all imperial personal. "

The Emperor punished his student with silence.

"Proposals, Lord Vader?"

"I'm not sure, my Emperor." The Dark Lord indeed had a plan; but it was unlikely that it would find the Emperor's approval. It was rather `unconventional´ after all.

"I'm not willing to lose my Empire to these things, Lord Vader. If you see a solution for this problem, tell me."

Vader hesitated, but then gave in to his master's request. "I propose the annexation of the Unity Fleet to my Death Squadron. I need him here. For the guidance of my troops in the north and for ... amnesty negotiations with the Rebel Alliance."

The face of the Emperor did not betray any emotion, but his voice sounded slightly amused.

"Amnesty negotiations with the Rebel Alliance, Lord Vader? This proposal borders on treason. Most people would die for such a bold suggestion."

Vader titled his head. "I am aware, my Emperor."

Palpatine uttered a humorless laugh. "Nevertheless, your plan has aroused my curiosity."

Vader looked at the image of his master and tried to see what lay underneath the impenetrable mask. Was it possible? ...

"You do not cease to amaze me, my old friend. Yes ... amnesty negotiations ... it might convince them."

"The war against the Waarom cannot be won if we lose valuable resources in a civil war. Their ships would be a most welcome reinforcement to our fleet. "

"Arise, Lord Vader. Yes, a two-front war is never advisable. You have permission to call the Unity Fleet to the Core to realize your plan. "

Vader bowed once more before the Emperor. "Thank you, my master."

The dark figure was about to leave the projector platform, as the Emperor's broke the silence once more.

"Lord Vader?" The dark Lord paused and turned to the projection of his master.

"Yes, my Emperor?"

"It is my Death Squadron and they are my troops. It would advise you not to forget this."

"Forgive me, my Emperor. They are, of course, your troops. "

…

…

Being the commander of an imperial fleet had its privileges, Grand Admiral Thrawn thought and allowed himself the hint of a smile.

"Cadet Schraad, the caf please." The red-haired crew member seemed to be more than a little nervous when she handed him the steaming hot cup with trembling hands. Oh dear, that one was probably freshly recruited.

"Thank you."

Thrawn took the cup, raised it to his lips and took a cautious sip. It was a horrible human habit, still he had gotten used it - and now nothing else could replace it.

Once Cadet Schraad had left the room, Grand Admiral Thrawn walked over to his desk and slowly sat down, the warm cup in his hands.

Being the commander of an imperial fleet, unfortunately, also had its disadvantages, he realized with a hint of resignation as his gaze fell onto the piles of data chips lying before him. Sometimes it felt as if he had to take care of everything himself, from the most recent inventory list, over the TIE-fighter performance, to the report on the radiation storms and how they affected their shields.

Suddenly a whistle was heard from the ship's internal speakers.

"Thrawn here."

"Sir, Lord Vader on channel 1.3."

Lord Vader? And there he had thought the day couldn't get any worse. "Put him through immediately."

Thrawn enjoyed the caf's scent once more, his eyes closed. Knowing his Lordship, this might very well be the last comfort of the day.

"Admiral?" Vader's black mask filled the screen.

"Lord Vader. What can I do for you? "

" I command you to collect your fleet and return to the Core immediately. I expect you in the Imperial Palace at precisely 1500."

"My Lord, I cannot possibly leave the Unknown Territories behind. They would be vulnerable to all kinds of pirates and ... "

"What part of the chain of command do you not understand, Admiral?"

"With all due respect, Sir. Why do you need the entire Unity Fleet in the Core Worlds?"

Vader felt the desire to strangle the Chiss in front of him, but then again he was an asset far too valuable. Thrawn was a genius. His tactics were perfect and often more sophisticated and extravagant than the Emperor's.

"Grand Admiral Thrawn, I will make this as brief and painless as possible: The Galactic Empire is about to fall. A highly sophisticated, but atrocious alien race, called the Waarom, is attacking from the north, and I cannot stop them. Their mother ships transform our planets into cemeteries. They deprive a plant of all its natural resources within mere days and wipe out all intelligent life along the way. They use them either as salves in their mines, to feed their hunger or as hosts for their brood. Their ships are organic and their shields have proven to be almost impenetrable. I need all ships in the Core right now and I need you to submit an amnesty proposal to the Rebel Alliance. We will lose the Unknown Regions, Admiral. To the pirates or the Waarom. I would prefer the former. I will see you tomorrow. 1500." Then, without any warning, the screen went black again.

TBC

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