On Ziost, a new Sith Lord was being knighted by Darth Vader himself. He was a dog like alien, who also had a dogs body bellow his more humanoid like torso. "By right as Emperor of the Second Galactic Empire, and Dark Lord of the New Sith Order." Darth Vader said, his red light saber alight as the alien knelt before his lord and liege. "In the name of Bogan, the Dark Side personified. And by the will of the Force! I hereby rename thee..." He then used his blade to mark the alien's face. "Darth Xolotl! Arise! And count yourself among the Lords of the Sith!"

Darth Xolotl arose from his knees "I am honored beyond words."

"Then honor me through action Xolotl. You may have just arisen from Acolyte-hood. But that is no excuse to rest on your laurels." Darth Vader said.

"I merely await your word." Darth Xolotl said.

"Hmm... I believe that Grand Admiral Thrawn has requested support in his patrols. You, along with Cogglev and Uzhas will go and aid him." Darth Vader commanded.

"As you command, my Emperor." Darth Xolotl said.

XXXX

Onboard Grand Admiral Thrawn's capital ship, the Chimera, Uzhas, Cogglev and Darth Xolotl were anxious, as in the weeks since there mission began. Nothing of special note had happened, and the three of them were bored by the lack of action.

"I take it that you are not satisfied with your current assignment?" Thrawn said sardonically when the three Sith Lords confronted him. Cogglev ranted on and on, all the while intermediately threatening to eat Thrawn. "Sith... let me make this abundantly clear." Thrawn said as he stood up with cane in hand. "I may only be non-Force sensitive. I may have spent most of the last few decades stranded with the young Jedi, Ezra Bridger. And I may have only recently taken back my old rank... but I refuse to be bullied simply because you are bored. Not even by those closest to Vader and Coorva." Thrawn said sternly. "So please... you must be patient while we investigate the First Order's silence. Ever since the loss of the Empires planet buster technology, Supreme Leader Hux has been unusually quiet."

"Our mission we know... our frustration, because we have done little since coming aboard. Is why we're so on edge!" Uzhas said.

"Yes, this is my first assignment period! And you insult my ascendancy to Darth with the lack of battle and slaughter! If we don't get any action within the next week, we will start picking off your ship's crew one by one, just to relieve our maddening boredom." Darth Xolotl threatened. "This is our ultimatum Chiss."

"I see... would I also assume that you HAVEN'T been using the Force to find where the First Order has skulked off to?" Thrawn said, the Sith looked perplexed. "Because that's the entire reason why I even forwarded a request to Vader for some of his Sith in the first place." Thrawn said.

"That... that we did, we did not." Uzhas said in embarrassment.

"I find your apparent lack of initiative and common sense... distressing... and disappointing." Thrawn said.

XXXX

A little over a day later, after Uzhas, Cogglevv, and Darth Xolotl had meditated and divined the First Order's location. The Chimera and its escort fleet had arrived in a previously unknown system. "This Grand Admiral Thrawn, broadcasting to all Imperial forces in this system. I have been sent by our Emperor, Darth Vader. To find the First Order... and get answers regarding your absence since the Destruction of Had Abbadon." Thrawn proclaimed with his Sith companions at his side.

Then a hologram appeared on Thrawn's bridge. It was of the First Order's Supreme Leader since Darth Vader's return from death. Armitage Hux. "I see... we have set up this outpost to serve as a proper headquarters for the First Order."

"His deception is transparent Grand Admiral." Darth Xolotl whispered.

"Really? Because then I would love nothing more than to do a review what you've done with the place?" Thrawn asked.

"That might not be wise... despite Darth Vader's proclamation regarding the treatment of aliens in Imperial space. A majority of the First Order does not approve of aliens that are not in some sort of state of bondage." Hux said.

Uzhas grinned. "Would not have thought, that such 'loyalists' would be interested in such things." He then giggled at his joke.

"Grand Admiral, why do you have such a perverse alien in your possession?" Hux asked.

"Armitage Hux... authorize me to land on the planet. NOW." Thrawn commanded.

"To hell with this deception! All ships! Move in to intercept the Chimera and her fleet!" Hux bellowed.

"And the child shows his true colors. All ships under my command! Form a defensive perimeter around the Chimera." Thrawn commanded.

"And what would you have us do?" Darth Xolotl asked.

"Take one of those Sith Stealth Shuttles, and as many men as you can fit onboard it. Then board as many First Order ships as you are able." Thrawn said.

Cogglevv roared in agreement. "Indeed! Come! Boarding actions we have to commit." Uzhas said. The three Sith wasted no time in their mission. With several Dark Troopers and Imperial engineers, they made their way through the First Order ships, leaving no survivors as they went from ship to ship.

"One would think that the First Order would field more than just capital ships." Darth Xolotl noted.

"Navel logistics, dictated by Snoke they were." Uzhas said. "Learned from Darth Vader, that Snoke. A reincarnated Darth Plagius he was." He explained. "While Darth Sideous, studied the conventions of warfare her did. Plagius, no such thing he bothered with. Believed that raw, brute strength alone would suffice in space combat." Cogglevv roared. "Yes, and damning it is. That see what he did not see, you do."

"Grand Admiral! We have just finished off the Supremacy's escort fleet!" Darth Xolotl reported.

"Good, now I want you to destroy the Supremacy's hanger bays. We may have the advantage, but there fighter corp. is NOT to be underestimated." Thrawn commanded.

"A fighter escort grant us, and see this through we will." Uzhas said.

XXXX

"Hux... I'm laughing." Thrawn said to Hux over the com channel. "The man who came within a hare's breadth of destroying the New Republic. And you can't even handle an old man." He said mockingly. "All of your grandstanding and speeches, all your gaudy war machines and single minded hatred... undone not by your sworn enemies, but by an old Chiss who has more tactical sense then you will ever know... I wonder," He continued to gloat. "What would your father Brendol say, if he could see you now?"

"ENOUGH YOU FILTHY ALIEN WRETCH!" Hux screamed. "I will not be stopped, not by you, Kylo Ren or whatever he's calling himself now, the Republic, or ANYONE! I rule this galaxy, or see it burnt to ashes around me!"

"And believe me... if it weren't for that childish outburst. You MIGHT be capable of doing such a thing." Thrawn said, unphased by Hux's rage. "As it stands, the most you might be able to hold is that one planet, and your flagship. As it stands... you'll soon lose your planet, and you'll be lucky to limp away." Thrawn gloated.

"Supreme Leader! Our hanger bays are being destroyed! Our fighters can't take off!" An officer reported. This was followed by Hux firing on the officer.

"You know, Vader only ever killed subordinates for failing to carrying out orders. All she did was tell you what was going wrong... and you reacted like a petty, spoiled child would." Thrawn said.

"Make the jump to Hyperspace! Get us out of here!" Hux roared.

"Pity... all forces, fall back and make ready to invade the planet." Thrawn commanded, the Supremacy then rocked its way into Hyperspace.

XXXX

On the planet bellow, the First Order forces under the command of Captain Phasma were readying themselves for the battle with Thrawn and his forces. Unaware of what Thrawn had at his disposal.

"Sir!" A storm trooper said to Phasma as he looked skyward, following some falling objects. "The Chimera is dropping objects! There headed for the perimeter!"

"Why tell me this? It might very well be some manner of diversion." Commander Phasma said dismissively. Then the objects crashed in the distance.

"Sir... if I'm right. Those things landed at one of our perimeter outposts." The Stormtrooper sentry said.

"They can handle anything that a mere alien can throw at them." Commander Phasma said, then her comm device started emitting static.

"Commander! We need... there's... many of them! We can't!- AHH... LEG!" The device then ceased transmitting the panicked cry.

Eventually, massive towering walker like war machines arrived at edge of the main First Order base. Then Thrawn opened a com channel directly to Commander Phasma. "You must be Commander Phasma... I will not mince words with you. Your so called 'Supreme Leader' has abandoned you. You're outnumbered, and out gunned. You have no means to escape from me... so I offer you two very simple choices." Thrawn said. "Either surrender to me, and be brought to Bastion, there you and your forces will be tried for Treason against the Second Galactic Empire. Or refuse... and I will bring the full weight of my forces down on your head. I can see that you already see the new Juggernaut Droids... and there just the tip of the iceberg."

"The First Order will never surrender to sub-human filth! Send your machines against us! We'll return them to you as scrap!" Commander Phasma said arrogantly. Her bravado... was quickly undone, the Juggernaut Droids served as a vanguard for the rest of Thrawn's forces. The battle was brief, but instance as the First Order tried to hold out. But they were no match for the new war machines of the Imperial war machine.

Not the Juggernaut Droids. Not the Sith Hyrda's, beasts formed from Sith Alchemy. Not the various phases of Dark Troopers. Not even the baseline Stormtroopers Thrawn had at his disposal... but especially, not Thrawn's calculating mind, or the savagery of the Sith under his command.

Eventually, Darth Xolotl met with Commander Phasma. "So... you must be the 'illustrious' Commander Phasma." The alien Sith Lord said mockingly, standing on his hind legs. "The manling who allowed your First Orders precious Starkiller Base get blowed up in the first place."

"Shut up and fight alien!" Phasma yelled as she held up a spear.

"Let me savor this..." Darth Xolotl said as he ignited his blades. "If your dreg comrades are any indication, this will be no challenge at all."

Unfortunately, Darth Xolotl was wrong, as despite the alien warrior's skill with the Force. Phasma proved to be a stronger opponent then he had expected. But this was not enough for Phasma, as Xolotl exploited Phasma's blind spot, and dug his teeth into her arm.

Then Uzhas and Cogglevv showed up. Cogglevv roared. "Priorities Cogglevv! The battle over, it is. But no time to think of eating it is!" Uzhas chastised.

XXXX

"So let me get this straight." Vader said, his hologram on the bridge of the Chimera. "Hux went rogue... and not only KEPT the data on the Death Star and Starkiller. But he sought to create a new Starkiller Base, for real this time, and use THAT to destroy both the Empire and the Republic in one fell swoop. Did I overlook anything?"

"That is what has been gleamed from the First Order data, yes. Apparently Armitage did not take your orders regarding planet killers seriously." Thrawn reported.

"And for the bantha in the room... WHY did you let him escape?!" Vader said incensed.

"As a warning." Thrawn said coldly.

"What kind of warning?" Vader asked.

"The kind that says, 'defy the Emperor at your own peril'." Thrawn said. "People will look upon the Butcher of Hosnea... and see how far he has fallen. A sign that, even those who once held the galaxy in the grip of fear. Are NOTHING compared to you. Even with the Supremacy still under his command, he and the First Order will only prove to be a minor annoyance at most."

"Hmm... that could work. Who knows, at some time he might be captured by the New Republic. Let them deal with that mongrel runt." Vader said.

"That is highly unlikely... though it would not surprise me if the Phoenix Legion had weapons to deal with Mega-Star Destroyers." Thrawn noted.

"Still... the traitorous First Order has been dealt with. That's all that really matters at this point." Vader said. "AND we stopped them from making any significant progress on a second Starkiller Base... I tell you, the Death Star caused more harm to the Empire then the Rebellion itself ever did."

"Agreed... Tarkin was a fool to put so much faith in the Death Star project. Any terror weapon that galvanizes rather than terrorizes dissident worlds, is a grossly flawed concept." Thrawn said.

"Exactly! We could have built fleet's with what the Death Star gobbled up." Darth Vader said. "But enough of our jawing... we've still got a war to prepare." The hologram cut off.

"Hmm... doesn't even say goodbye properly." Thrawn said, her then made his way to the Chimera's holding cell. Where Phasma was being held, there was also Uzhas, Cogglevv and Darth Xolotl. "Is she talking?"

"Not much, she's a tougher nut to crack then we expected. Not even Cogglevv is getting her to share anything... WHILE showing the Human her severed arm." Darth Xolotl said as Cogglevv ate the arm in question.

"Well it will be a long voyage to Ziost, all the same. There, you can subject her to Lord Vader's tender mercies." Thrawn said. "Also... PLEASE stop eating prisoners. There of very little use if they die from blood loss for one thing."

"We use our lightsabers to cut off parts. The blade cauterizes any wounds." Darth Xolotl said as he took off some meat from the severed arm.

"I'm going to the bridge. I will not be speaking to any of you until were at Ziost." Thrawn said in disgust, as he left the Sith to their business.