The Thrawn Initiative: Part 3
Thrawn knelt before the Emperor and listened closely as the creature walked back and forth in front of him. "Grand Admiral Thrawn, you have served me well and after close consideration I have decided to approve your expedition into the Unknown Regions. But to forestall any opposition or others that would wish to exploit this, I have decided to make this as a form of punishment."
Thrawn understood, Darth Vadar, several of the Moffs and Grand Moffs such as Tarkin would see this as an opportunity to advance their own agendas. "I understand Milord, I live to serve." Thrawn replied as he continued to listen.
"To that end, you will be involved with a political scheme that goes badly and therefore you will be punished. The punishment would be for you to conduct a mapping expedition into the Unknown Regions. You may choose who will accompany you on such a punishment."
"Captain Voss Parck and his Venator Class Star Destroyer the "Strikefast" would be adequate and perhaps continued support and troops of course, Milord." Thrawn answered knowing that Parck would volunteer instantly to go with him on such a mission. He had told Parck long ago about the distant threat and dangers that await in the Unknown Regions.
"Then it will be done, once you have completed your operations of Lothal and it is secure from interference we will stage your political downfall. Leave and continue to serve me and the Empire." Palatine ordered as Thrawn stood and left the room. "Your opinion, my Hand?"
The red-haired young woman standing in the corner approached and knelt. "I believe that you have allowed Thrawn to manipulate you into allowing him to do what he always intended."
"Ah, you believe that I have been doped. No, my Hand, if I allowed the Grand Admiral to remain he may become a threat to my power. Already I have determined and heard that others in my Empire would like to see him in my place as the Emperor." Palatine replied smiling with his yellow teeth at the young woman.
"Then why not send me to kill him, or have him executed?" The Hand asked as she waited for the Emperor to give the order.
"No, that would not be acceptable. Such an action would cause others to believe that I am afraid of ones like Thrawn. It is better to have him leave and still do my bidding. Now go and see about that Governor on Ord Mantrell, he continues to give excuses instead of the taxes that are owed to me." Palatine ordered as the Hand stood and bowed then went to do her duty. Watching her leave Palatine felt pride in her, she was a perfect agent to him. Loyal and obedient. Unlike Lord Darth Vadar, he had foreseen it. Vadar will one day need to be replaced, even though Vadar knelt and obeyed there was something that stirred within him that made Palatine nervous and worried. That the darkness had not fully taken over his soul. Palatine shook his head and went back to business he still had to deal with the Imperial Senate meetings and that bothered him. Soon he would have to disband the Senate, it was becoming a bother to him.
Back on the Corvette Cruiser, Thrawn waited outside his guest room. An officer approached and handed him Six Dara Cards. "Is everything on these?" He asked the officer.
"Yes Sir, I downloaded them right off the Imperial Engineering Data Base. The full schematics and designs for; Star Destroyers, Golan II Defense Platforms, the new TIE Interceptor and the New Modified Stormtrooper Armor along with the Blastech Rifle."
"Well done Lieutenant Commander Pelleaon." Thrawn said as he handed him a Data Card. "Here are your orders for the Cimmeron, as the Second Officer, you are wasted on a Corvette. Perhaps later you will decide to join me on another type of mission. But at present you need the experience aboard a Star Destroyer." Dismissing the officer, Thrawn put the Six Data Cards into his pocket and went inside the guest quarters to rest. He knew that the Emperor's Hand was watching him when he reported to the Emperor. At one-point Thrawn considered recruiting the Hand. Then calculated that it might not be worth the risk, she may agree then later inform the Emperor of all his activities. Which in turn would most likely be the cause of his death, after all it is treason to recruit; Jedi, Ex-Clone Troopers, Disgraced TIE-Fighter pilots and Star Destroyer Captains. Palatine would believe that Thrawn was attempting some type of Coup to upset the throne.
Ezra stumbled out of the private Main Bedroom on the Shuttle and made his way to the Refresher. He could not believe that he and Sabine had been in that small room for almost a whole day. As he washed himself he smiled at himself in the mirror. Wow he thought, as he rubbed the stubble on his face. Then he felt arms encircle him. "Good morning, if it is morning I lost any account of time." He said to the young woman behind him as she placed her head on his bare back.
"Good morning." Sabine replied. "You look terrible, maybe you need to sleep more." As she looked at his haggard appearance in the mirror.
"I tried since yesterday, but every time I was about to doze off someone would not let me." Ezra answered her as he smirked. "Not that I am complaining."
"Well I have waited for so long to be with you, I did not want to waste a moment." She turned him towards her and kissed him, putting her arms around his neck. Tasting his lips on hers as they held each other. She did not have any regrets about leaving with Ezra, not even leaving the others on Lothal. Soon she would contact her Parents and Triston and tell them that she was alive, but was going away with Ezra and she may not be back for quite a while. That did give her some regrets, but having Ezra made it worth it. As they parted. "I love you." She said to him as he smiled.
"I love you too. Should we get dressed and get something to eat or do you want to do something else?" Ezra replied as he moved his hand down to her bare waist holding her to him.
"We eat then we go back to bed." Sabine ordered as she led him back to the bedroom to retrieve their clothes and raid the food dispenser. Sitting at the small table they continued to stare at each other, even when Marcel and Doniva entered.
"Maybe we should talk a bit." Doniva said as she took a cup of tea. "You should know that neither of us are actual Shuttle Pilots. I am a TIE-Bomber Ace pilot and Marcel is a TIE-Interceptor Triple Ace Pilot."
Ezra stared at the two Imperials and frowned, but seeing Sabine just sitting normally as she looked at the two he relaxed. "So, you are not just taking us to the rendezvous. You are part of this." He and Sabine knew that most of the TIE-Bomber pilots were women, since most women that flew the bombers did not have target fixation while they were deploying bombs or torpedoes. Most of the male TIE-Bomber pilots were nowhere the equal to females in that regard. But in the Empire, women were treated worse than aliens.
"Yes, Grand Admiral Thrawn recruited us, a couple of weeks before you. He wants me and her to train pilots to be able to fly different variations of Imperial Fighters. I can only guess why you are here." Marcel answered as he looked at the young couple wondering what they could do. After all they were just nineteen and eighteen years old. "Originally there was supposed to be one other, but the Admiral decided he would join us later."
"Do not be alarmed, but he is a Jedi and I am a Mandalorian explosives and weapons expert." Sabine stated seeing the Imperial pilots stare at Ezra with fear and awe. As he placed his lightsaber on the table so they could all see it. "Who was this other one?"
"I am not quite sure, but he was supposed to train combat troops." Doniva answered as she stared at Ezra, she had heard stories about the Jedi and wondered if they were true or not. Before she could inquire more about him the communication system began to beep. Someone was contacting them.
Rex rested on his elbows looking down at the somewhat deserted Small Space Port. Eight TIE-Interceptors were in a nice line, as a squad of Stormtroopers marched around the field. As he watched four AT-ST's stomped around the perimeter of the small base. It was still under construction as a major installation, by Rex's estimation. He could see shuttles landing with supplies and building materials landing then unloading and departing. It was still a good target. Starting to move back he smiled, yes it was a good target for the small group of Lothalian Rebels to hit. As he was about to stand, he glanced over and saw his guide on the ground. Dead or unconscious he did not know. Reaching down to his blaster he suddenly felt the stinging hit of energy push him back onto the ground and he could not move.
"You are mine. I have hunted and captured you." A low growling voice declared as Rex felt another jolt flow through his body. As he started to pass out his only thought was that he was a fool to allow his guard to go down. Blackness overtook him.
Rex believed that as he came to, that he was in for extensive interrogation and torture. After all that was the standard procedure now in the Empire. Rex had information that the Empire wanted, and they would get it by any means. As he awoke he found it interesting that he was not shackled and he was still wearing his armor.
"Ah, you are finally awake. I must apologize for having Rukh capture you the way he did. But I need to speak with you on matters that are too important to be polite and proper." A voice said as Rex opened his eyes to see the bright white uniform and blue alien that he knew was Grand Admiral Thrawn.
"Well let's start shall we, I am not telling you anything so bring on the interrogation Droid and get this over with." Rex declared as he rubbed his free arms, still feeling the tingle of the energy that had immobilized him.
"No, you do not understand, Captain. I require your service, but not for the Empire." Thrawn replied as he looked at the Clone. "I am acquiring people that I feel are crucial to the safety of the Galaxy and I believe you are one of the crucial people."
"You expect me to believe you, Admiral." Rex countered as he glared at the blue skinned alien.
"Your two friends, Ezra Bridger and Sabine Wren did. They are on their way to begin the preparations needed to defend us all." Thrawn stated seeing the shocked expression on Rex's face.
"I do not believe you." Rex said with a little surprise and hope that both Sabine and Ezra were indeed alive and well. But had joined Thrawn seemed to be hard to believe.
"It is true, and once I tell you why I wanted to speak with you I will allow you to communicate with them." Thrawn smiled then began to tell Rex about the imminent threat that he was preparing for. After he pulled a communicator out and handed to Rex. "You will not be able to speak to long to them, they should be almost to the rendezvous and it is well beyond normal communications range."
"This is Rex, I want to speak with Sabine and Ezra." Rex said to the link and was surprised when they answered. Then Rex after a quick verification that it was them put the link down. "Ok, I am in. Now what?" He asked as he knew if Thrawn was telling the truth the Empire was not the biggest threat anymore, this new one was even greater and if Sabine and Ezra were convinced then he would go along as well.
"I have a shuttle waiting outside to transport you to the rendezvous location. I would take you myself but I must complete the preparations as soon as I can. There is not much more time." Thrawn stated as he handed Rex his blaster. "Come I will escort you to the shuttle." Standing Rex followed Thrawn outside and entered the awaiting Lambda Class Shuttle. Thrawn quickly introduced the two pilots and the four Stormtroopers that waited aboard. Then told the Stormtroopers that they were under Rex's command and to follow his orders without question.
Motioning for an Imperial officer, Thrawn watched the shuttle lift-off and depart. "Lieutenant, I want a broadcast that a Rebel was sighted near the "Base 22" and was killed. It was discovered that the Rebel was a Clone Trooper from the Clone wars. No other details. Understand Lieutenant."
"Yes sir, I will see to it immediately." The officer said as he moved away to transmit the broadcast.
"Another piece is now acquired, a few more and it will begin." Thrawn said quietly as he continued to watch the shuttle soar above Lothal. Thrawn knew he still had a lot to do, but most of the crucial personnel were now enlisted and recruited. Soon he would be done and he could finally relax, up to the point where he would begin the real work. Creating the Hand of Thrawn.
Sabine and Ezra spoke briefly with Rex and after a couple of statements the they knew that Rex was going to join. As Sabine was about to leave the Cockpit, Doniva handed her a Data Chip.
"This is an encrypt code for a private Communication Transmission. Grand Admiral Thrawn asked that I give it to you so that you could contact your Parents on Mandalor, if you wish. Unfortunately, you only have about ten hours in which to transmit." Doniva said as Sabine took the chip and followed Ezra back into their bedroom.
"Are you going to use it?" Ezra asked as he watched Sabine sit heavily on the bed. Looking at the chip.
"I really should, but I must think about what I am going to say. I cannot just contact them and say; look I am alive, I am leaving to go to the Unknown Regions and I might not return. They will be extremely upset. Especially when I tell them that I am going with you." Sabine stated as she exhaled and looked up at Ezra.
"Your mother still does not like me, does she?" Ezra asked sitting next to her putting his arm around her giving her a measure of support.
"Well, not really. The last time I talked to her she knew there was something going on between us. She did not like it." Sabine replied as she saw Ezra frown slightly. "You have to understand, Mandalorian's are usually considered to be purists. Some of the older Clans do not like it when a Non-Mandalorian is with a Mandalorian. Especially an heir to the leadership."
"Ah, so I am basically a Loth-rat in their eyes not worthy of you. I think I agree with that slightly. I am not worthy of you." Ezra blurted out as he saw Sabine suddenly get angry.
"Bantha Shit you're not, I have no intention of being with anyone else but you. That is one of the reasons I had planned on not returning to Mandalor. There I would be forced to choose some dullard that only is interested in me because of my title." Sabine growled as she reached up and grabbed Ezra and kissed him roughly.
Parting slightly Ezra smiled. "Your title and that you are the most beautiful and wonderful girl on Mandalor."
"True. Now help me go over what I am going to say to my parents." She ordered as they began to think over what she was going to tell her parents.
