Disclaimer/Summery: Time for another chapter of Imperial Order. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own Star Wars, Disney and Lucas Art do.
(Ryloth, Imperial controlled providence.)
"Push forward, we have to thin out their forces!"
Third yelled as he continued to deflect fire with his lightsaber as 2 TIE Fighters strafed the Imperial position ahead, killing the Stormtroopers as one of his AT-DPs moved up.
"Admiral, we've nearly reached their main base, how are things in orbit?"
Third asked over his comlink as 2 dozen Stormtroopers moved past him as they took cover and fired on their Imperial counterparts.
"We've dealing with their fleet but we haven't been able to send the supply shuttles yet…. I can't support you with anything more than Air support from our TIEs, High Inquisitor."
The Admiral reported as Third leapt into the middle of a squad of Stormtroopers and impaled one with his saber before turning and force choking the other 2.
"It's ok, admiral, just tell me when you break through."
Third said as Third rallied his Stormtroopers as another 8 enemy Stormtroopers were killed as his Order Stormtroopers pushed up to the next line.
Third, Seventh and Admiral Denis had arrived in system with their fleet to weaken the Imperial forces on Ryloth by destroying one of their major supply and Army bases.
Only to run into stiff resistance in the form of dozens of Stormtroopers and several AT-DPs as they did so.
Third turned to see 4 Scout Troopers racing towards his forces on speeder bikes before one of his TIE Fighters destroyed them with a strafing run as Third deactivated his lightsaber as the Admiral contacted him over his holodisk.
"High Inquisitor, 2 of our Light Cruisers have been able to break through to support you, they should be arriving in a few minutes."
The Admiral reported as Third looked up to see 2 Arquitens -class command cruisers descending and firing on the Imperial base, destroying its buildings and scattering the defeated Imperial Forces.
"Get what you can secured and readied for transport… Destroy the rest, Commander."
Third said to one of his Stormtrooper commanders as the soldier nodded and motioned for his men to sweep the charred remains of the base.
"Admiral, what's your status in orbit?"
Third asked as his Stormtroopers loaded up crates full of ammo, food, fuel and water and inspected the TIE fighters in the base as they did so.
"We've made it through but we're not going to be able to maintain our position forever…. Orders, High Inquisitor?"
The Admiral asked as Third looked over his troops before turning and speaking over the comlink once more.
"Send the Freighters here, I'm sending supplies back to the fleet for us to take back to Miral…. And we're not staying here for long, Admiral, this is the Twi'lek's fight anyway… Just get those relief supplies dropped off and we're done…. How's Seventh doing?"
Third asked as 8 Gozanti class cruisers landed as the Stormtroopers started loading the supplies into their cargo bays as the 4 AT-DPs were attached to one's hull as were the 10 TIEs to 3 others.
"Sir, the supplies are loaded but we've found something disturbing… The Base's transmission system showed reports of contact with… Grand Admiral Thrawn, sir."
One of the Stormtroopers said as he walked over as Third put a hand to his armored chin.
"Thrawn…. Why is he here? Interesting, get your men aboard the shuttles and prepare to return to the Undying, we're done, commander."
Third ordered as he turned and walked towards his Lambda shuttle as his Shadowtrooper soldiers followed as Third ordered his pilot to contact Admiral Denis as the man did so and he appeared on the shuttle's holoprojector.
"Admiral, we have something to discuss but I'll do it in person, the Empire could be monitoring our transmissions… We're the relief supplies dropped off?"
Third asked as the Lambda and the 2 Sentinel shuttles that had dropped off his forces began to fly towards the Order's fleet, the Arquirens- class Command Cruisers and the Gozanti class cruisers following.
"The relief shuttles just returned now, High Inquisitor, we're done here?"
The Admiral asked as Third nodded as the Lambda shuttle and the Sentinel shuttles docked with Undying.
Third cut the transmission as his Shadowtroopers waited to return to their barracks as Third took the turbolift up to the Star Destroyer's bridge
"You had something to tell me, sir?"
Admiral Denis asked as Third spoke up.
"Thrawn was on Ryloth… Or is, that's why the Imperials are growing so strong…. He's a threat to the entire Order, just as Vader and Sidious are."
Third said as the Admiral looked shocked but tried not to show it in front of the Imperial Order's leader.
"Do you think it has something to do with the Rebel Activity on Lothal?"
The Admiral asked as Third shrugged before speaking as Seventh walked in.
"I don't know, but I do know we aren't committing to major attacks yet until I figure out how to deal with Thrawn…. Prepare to return to base, Admiral."
Third said as Seventh walked up as Third turned to her.
"You ok? How was leading the relief mission?"
Third asked as Seventh looked at one of her ID9 seeker droids one of the workshops on Miral had produced as she turned to face Third.
"The Twi'leks have their supplies and the Admiral has his report of the strength of the Imperial Forces on Ryloth…. Are we done here?"
Seventh asked, looking at the palms of her uniform as the Admiral looked at the two leaders of the order as he cleared his throat.
"I'll set our course for Miral…. What's our next move, High Inquisitors?"
The Admiral asked as Third turned to Seventh, an unspoken message between them.
"I'm going to find the Rebels and use supplies and then we're start more operations against the Empire… Maul has to be hunted down though, Admiral… Put our probe droids on alert… If we find anything…."
Third started as B-9 landed on Third's shoulder as one of Seventh's ID9 Tracker Droids chirped from her shoulder.
"We're crush him…. Admiral, you and the General oversee Miral's defenses and tell me how strong our military is… I'm going to hunt down Maul in the meantime."
Seventh cooed as she pet the droid as Third watched her walk to the bridge doors.
"Be careful… Maul is like a serpent, hes waiting in the shadows for us and the Empire."
Third said as Seventh gave him a seductive smile.
"Don't worry, Cormark… so am I."
Seventh purred as the doors closed and the Undying and the rest of the Order's fleet at Ryloth jumped to hyperspace.
"That's what I'm afraid of, Nazhy…."
Third whispered so quietly that no one on the bridge heard him.
B-9 chirped quietly and attached to Third's back armor as the Inquisitor and the admiral turned back to the viewport.
Author Notes
Ok, this chapter didn't focus on Third helping Hera and them because I wanted to show the Order attacking the Empire to weaken it, the next chapter will take place during the Last Battle and will show Third teaming up with Kanan and Erza for the first time since Malachor… Until Friday, Lighting Wolf out!