Agent Kallus was not having a good day.

To be fair, he had not had a 'good' day for some time now. Years even, he would say.

But today was shaping up to be a particularly bad day. He was back on Lothal, a place he seemed to frequent far too often for his liking these days.

Still, it allowed him time to catch up on any outstanding paperwork he had left behind. Or other… activities.

His personal quarters were bare, as was expected from an agent of the ISB. What few personal trinkets he had collected were scattered throughout his room. The small meteorite rock he had acquired on his adventure on the moon of Geonosis was still glowing, producing very low levels of heat. It rested on a small shelf, just above his bed. No one came in his room, so he had no worried about possible thieves or unwanted questions about the rock.

His bow-staff, won in combat from a Lasat honour guard, rested at the end of his bed. He had recently made further modifications to the weapon, as well as trained rigorously to perfect his fighting style. He never knew when he might need it. He seemed to be encountering lightsaber wielders by the dozens now.

They had been the true source of Kallus' stress. Whatever conflict they had going on, the Jedi and red blades, seemed to cause chaos for the empire. The ISB had toughened up security measures, training many of its agents in how to respond to a force wielder.

Not that it did much good. Kallus had seen Jarrus and Bridger, as well as the Inquisitors and Vader at work. Even fully trained, a member of the ISB stood no chance.

Kallus was in the middle of trimming his sideburns, something he did at the start of every shift in order to maintain their look. Some mocked him for it. He had heard whispers from the Stormtroopers, nicknaming him "Agent Sideburns". He paid them little attention, even if he was a superior officer. He would allow them the brief entertainment.

Three knocks sounded at his door. Kallus turned to look at the door, confused. Who needed him this early? His shift wasn't due to start for another few hours.

Still, Kallus stopped what he was doing and made his way to the door to open it. It might just be Lieutenant Lyste, come to ask for help.

It wasn't Lyste.

Before him was a tall blue man, dressed in spotless imperial uniform, uniform that showed he was clearly high up in the ranks. His white outfit shone, even in the subdued light of Kallus' private quarters.

Kallus recognized this man. He had heard manner rumours about him. A supposed legend of the imperial navy.

And one of the few aliens to not only actively serve the empire, but play a key part in ruling it. Kallus would have to show respect, so he snapped to attention.

"Grand Admiral Thrawn, how may I help you?"

The Grand Admiral's gaze had not left Kallus' face since the door had opened. While Kallus had been studying him, Thrawn had been studying Kallus too.

"I apologize for the inconvenience of this visit Agent Kallus, but I wonder if I may have a word with you in private." Thrawn spoke, in a commanding, yet eerie voice. Kallus almost shuddered when he heard him speak.

"Of course Grand Admiral, let me just finish up." Kallus replied, hoping he wasn't being too insubordinate to a superior. He wasn't even in uniform yet!

"No need Agent Kallus, I wish to speak to you now. Please may I enter?" Thrawn responded, no threat or dislike for Kallus evident in his voice. Had Kallus tried similar to someone like Vader or Tarkin, Kallus was sure he would have been air locked for it. Or worse.

Kallus nodded his head in understanding, stepping aside to allow the Grand Admiral access to his room. The Chiss strode past Kallus, moving quickly, yet with grace, as he entered Kallus' quarters.

Once Thrawn had entered, Kallus closed to door, turning to look at the Admiral.

Thrawn appeared to be studying the piece of meteorite Kallus had acquired, inspecting it with great detail.

"Fascinating. Where did you acquire this?" Thrawn asked. Kallus froze, fully expecting a reprimand. Should he tell the full details to Thrawn or not?

Kallus settled with a half-truth.

"I was stranded on a moon of Geonosis after an encounter with a rebel cell. The moon was cold and icy, that rock was my only source of heat. It saved my life." Kallus spoke. He wouldn't mention his alliance with the Lasat Garazeb. It would cause suspicion. Something he could not afford right now.

"So you kept it? As a memory? A trophy?" Thrawn turned his attention away from the meteorite, looking Kallus square in the eyes.

"A reminder. That despite how grave a situation, there is always hope." Kallus spoke with confidence. "I know it is not imperial protocol to have personal items such as this. I apologize Grand Admiral, and understand if you wish to confiscate it and punish me."

"Nonsense Agent Kallus, I myself am a purveyor of art and culture. There is no problem with owning such items. Especially since you learnt a valuable lesson from the experience."

Thrawn smiled as he spoke. The chill that had ran down Kallus' spine came back, but stronger than before. Something was not right with the Grand Admiral.

Kallus decided to get back on track. Comparing personal items could come later. Thrawn had come to him for a reason.

"What did you wish to discuss Grand Admiral?"

Thrawn's face hardened in an instant. His gaze was focused solely on Kallus.

"What I am about to tell you is of the highest level of security clearance within the empire. Even Grand Moff Tarkin knows nothing of it. It must remain a secret between us. Is that possible Agent Kallus?"

So it was big! If Tarkin didn't know it was. So why was Thrawn willing to share with him? Kallus sensed something was very wrong. But still he nodded his head in agreement. No other imperials would hear what Thrawn had to say from him.

Thrawn continued after seeing Kallus' acknowledgement. "Several months ago, the Jedi members of Phoenix squadron managed to not only eliminate three of the emperor's Inquisitors, but also managed to terminate Lord Vader."

Kallus was shocked. Anyone who had managed to harm Vader, let alone kill him was a dangerous foe. Or maybe a worthwhile ally?

Kallus decided to risk the question.

"Do we know which of the Jedi it was? Jarrus or Bridger?"

Truthfully, Kallus couldn't see either of them disposing of Vader easily, let alone working together.

"Neither of them are responsible for Lord Vader's demise. Instead, it was the rebel agent and renegade Jedi Fulcrum who was responsible for the incident."

Kallus had seen footage of Fulcrum in action. He didn't know her true name, only that she was a Togruta female, who clearly had Jedi training of some kind. Her duel with the two Inquisitors had been a talking point for some time.

However, that presented Kallus with another question.

"Why tell me this? What do you need me for?"

Thrawn stared at him for a moment, clearly contemplating Kallus. Kallus felt uneasy as Thrawn watched him.

"Aside from myself and the emperor, you are the only person to know this information. As you have dealt with the members of Phoenix squadron before, I desire your expertise."

Kallus would not call himself an expert at dealing with the members of the Ghost crew. In nearly every encounter, they had outsmarted him. So what was Thrawn really after?

"I'll do what I can to help. But why me?" Kallus asked.

"Because Colonel Yularen spoke highly of you when I mentioned you." Thrawn responded.

That surprised Kallus. The fact that Yularen even remembered him was a shock to the system. The last time he had seen the Colonel had been when he left ISB training. If Thrawn had spoken to Yularen about Kallus' reliability, it must have been important.

"Ok. So what do you need from me Grand Admiral?"

Thrawn turned away from Kallus, bending down to examine the bow rifle briefly, before standing to take another look at the meteorite.

"The Emperor has ordered that the rebel agent Fulcrum be captured alive and brought before him. I believe that by luring her here to Lothal, we can capture both her and the leaders of Phoenix squadron in one go, solving both of our problems at once."

It was an inspired plan, it was just missing the bait.

"How will we lure them here?" Kallus asked.

Thrawn smiled briefly, yet viciously.

"We are conducting research and development programs here on Lothal in the factories for a top secret military project, one that could turn the tide of the conflict with the rebellion. We have leaked the plans to Phoenix squadron, and no doubt they will send Fulcrum and her allies to investigate." Thrawn spoke confidently. He had clearly thought this plan through.

"Leaking information is a capital offense Grand Admiral! You could be charged with treason!" Kallus spoke with false alarm. What was the Admiral up to?

"Indeed Agent Kallus, but it is necessary in order to bait them in. I can assure you they will not escape this trap."

So that was the plan. Lure them in with vital information, only to spring the trap. It was a cold calculating plan.

One worthy of Thrawn's name and legend.

"A sound plan Grand Admiral. What do you wish of me?" Kallus inquired.

"Remain on Lothal and go about your normal duties until I request your presence."

Kallus saluted, a feat that had considerably less impact due to his state of dress, but nonetheless Thrawn reciprocated.

As Thrawn turned to leave Kallus' quarters he stopped before opening the door, turning back to look Kallus in the eyes.

"Remember Agent Kallus. No one must know of this plan. There are rebel spies everywhere."

Thrawn turned and left the room, leaving a still cold Kallus in his wake.

Thrawn was everything they said he was. And that unnerved Kallus.

Agent Kallus turned back to the sink, resuming his daily grooming activities.

He still had a few hours before he had to be on duty. He would finish here, and get into uniform.

Then he had business to deal with before his shift began.

Author's thoughts

I was excited to post this chapter, hence why it is up so soon after the previous one.

So... Thrawn fans, as well as other fans.

Did I get Thrawn right?

Please let me know what you thought about my interpretation of the Chiss Admiral. If I've not got him right, then it undermines the character as a whole.

Anyway, I wonder what Kallus is up too? ;)

As usual, comment and speculate at will.

Speaking of which:

FossilQueen1984: I might have to invest in the Thrawn novel then. I like a good character driven book. Kallus' reaction, as well as the others, will be a thing of beauty.