Disclaimer: I am not George Lucas, and I do not own Star Wars or any of the other authors characters etc mentioned in this story. I am making no money off this, so please do not sue me.
35. Here is the News!
Across the known galaxy, the defeat of the main Yuuzhan Vong by the Galactic Alliance military forces led by Grand Admiral Thrawn makes the headlines.
Watching the holo news, the civilians and military of the various members that make up the Galactic Alliance, watching the Galactic New Network as the reporter describes the victory.
"Good evening, I am Kath Wicker. Here is tonight main headline. In a major battle between the Yuuzhan Vong and the Galactic Alliance military forces led by Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Galactic Alliance military forces have won the battle, destroying a large number of Yuuzhan Vong warships."
Behind the reporter is a still image of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
"This battle was the largest of the war so far, from our sources we heard rumours that the Yuuzhan Vong military has been broken and are on the run. Several valuable systems have been abandoned by the Yuuzhan Vong allowing the Galactic Alliance military forces to retake these systems without firing a shot."
The image begin the reporter changes to a map showing the likely systems that have been retaken by the Galactic Alliance military for, it also shows the tiny amount of space now controlled by the Yuuzhan Vong.
"In addition, we have heard from reliable sources within the alliance's military that the military commander of the Yuuzhan Vong, Warmaster Tsavong Lah was killed when his Worldship was destroyed in the recent battle. If these rumours are true then the Yuuzhan Vong has suffered a double defeat in one battle."
"According to various military sources a large number of Yuuzhan Vong did manage to escape the battle, though most of these warships according to our sources would have been heavily damaged in the battle."
"The combined battle fleet of the various governments that make up the Galactic Alliance did take causalities, however the reported loss of Warmaster Tsavong Lah will be a great blow if the reports we are receiving are true."
From the Republic News Network, the story is the same though with a slightly different take.
"Good evening, I am Tove Pelp bringing you the truth about the war. Today, coalition forces have won a victory against the Yuuzhan Vong. The combined military forces of the Galactic Alliance defeated a large force of Yuuzhan Vong warships in as yet unnamed system."
"From reports received, there are indications that a number of the Yuuzhan Vong warships managed to flee the battle, even after the reported death of Warmaster Tsavong Lah onboard his command ship."
"This failure to capture or destroy the remaining Yuuzhan Vong warships will surly extend the war for many years to come, this should come as no surprise with an Imperial Admiral in charge of the war."
From the Imperial News Network, the story is the same though with a slightly different take.
"Good evening, I am Mark Graham I bring you exciting news tonight, that a major battle has been won by forces led by our own Grand Admiral Thrawn. It is reported that a major Yuuzhan Vong fleet had been destroyed and that Warmaster Tsavong Lah has been killed."
"If these reports are confirmed, then Grand Admiral Thrawn has won a great victory against the Yuuzhan Vong, along with the death of their best military leader Warmaster Tsavong Lah, this will be a major military setback for the Yuuzhan Vong."
"There has been no word yet on the losses suffered by our forces however unnamed Imperial military sources state that fleet loses has been quite high, though according to unnamed Imperial military sources the Yuuzhan Vong loses are much higher."
Across the galaxy there is much calibrating, even with the bias reporting by some news networks, it is very clear to the population of the galaxy that the victory against the Yuuzhan Vong was due to the leadership of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Several days after the battle, the New Republic government is reluctantly forced to issue a public statement, stating that this victory against the Yuuzhan Vong was due to the leadership of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
What the galaxy waiting for is the next move this next move, this next move will not be Thrawn's it will be the Yuuzhan Vong.
Executor
Fourteen days after the battle is over, the Executor is in orbit around Bastion Grand Admiral Thrawn has been studying the news reports, especially after the New Republic government statement about this being a success for Thrawn.
Across from Grand Admiral Thrawn, is Thrawn's deputy commander, Fleet Admiral Voss Parck, who has been running the Empire of the Hand within the Unknown Regions while Thrawn has been fighting the Yuuzhan Vong.
Grand Admiral Thrawn finishes reading the news reports, then puts down his data pad, and says, "Admiral Parck, your report please on the state of the Empire of the Hand?"
Admiral Parck replies, "During the past eighteen months the Empire of the Hand has been in the ongoing process of consolidation. This process includes the expansion of the Deep Ranged Shipyards and colonies where the shipyards are based. The shipbuilding program is also starting to bear fruit, with the increase in shipbuilding now growing at an exponential rate, I estimate that the Empire of the Hand can produce 100 Imperial II class star destroyers every twelve months or a larger number of lesser vessels."
"Though at the moment the Empire of the Hand is only producing 25 Imperial II class star destroyers every twelve months, with several hundred Tagge Industries Modular Taskforce Cruisers being produced in its various configurations, though mostly the Combat Curser variant. Starfighter production is cantered around the TIE Defender model, production could in theory outstrip pilots, therefore TIE Defender production is currently is pegged back only at forty percent of maximum capacity."
"The next point is cloning, the cloning facility in the Hand of Thrawn fortress on Nirauan, producing 50,000 clones every thirty days. Without this cloning facility the Empire of the Hand would be unable to expand at this rate, I would also assume that the cloning facility on Yaga Minor is also running at full capacity?"
Thrawn put up his hand for Admiral Parck to stop and says, "You are correct Admiral Parck, the cloning facility on Yaga Minor is also running at full capacity, this facility is about to replace loses in our battle against the Yuuzhan Vong. However, the Empires current ship building capacity is yet to catch up with the Empires need for warships and I do not intend to reveal the existence of the Empire of the Hand unless I have to. Please continue your report Admiral."
Admiral Parck already knew that Thrawn would not reveal the existence of the Empire of the Hand unless he is forced to do so, Admiral Parck continues his briefing and says, "Next is your own race the Chiss. They where to put it mildly very surprised that you were still alive, though once the Ruling Families had accepted that you where alive, along with the technology transfer that you suggested, they were much more willing to believe myself and General Fel."
"The Chiss have been designing a new warship based on the star destroyer design we have named it the Chiss class star destroyer. The destroyer resembles the 900-meter long Victory class star destroyer design, but its grey hull is slightly longer and slimmer, giving it an aggressive, needle-shaped appearance. The one distinct difference from most star destroyers is that this class of star destroyer lacks any obvious command superstructure, apparently in an attempt to deny attackers easy and visible targets, quite a cleaver design in my option."
Thrawn who has been looking at the design on the holographic display says, "Most artistic design" then indicates for Admiral Parck to continue.
Admiral Parck continues his briefing, "Primary armament consisted of beam weapons, including both light and heavy mountings, and are divided between conventional turbolasers and the distinctive Chiss energy/particle megamasers. The ships will be outfitted with tractor beams projectors, ray shields, and particle shields. The ships hanger bay can carry four squadrons of fighters, giving each star destroyer a complement of forty-eight fighters. These fighters will be the Nssis class Clawcraft starfighter."
Thrawn asks, "When will the first of these star destroyers enter service?"
Admiral Parck replies, "That is very difficult, as you know the Ruling Families are tight lipped about the number of warships of this type that are under construction, though I would estimate that the first batch should be ready within the next few months."
Thrawn nods and says, "I agree will your assessment, I would surmise that with my knowledge of my races shipbuilding capability, that a dozen of these warship would be produced per year. That assumes that my people will also be maintaining and producing different classes of warships beyond these new star destroyers."
Admiral Parck makes a note of what Thrawn has told him and says, "In summery the Empire of the Hand is growing, the Empire of the Hand will be fully self sufficient within the next three years."
Thrawn says, "Good work Admiral Parck, you will continue along these lines until I say otherwise."
Admiral Parck replies, "Understood sir"
The meeting then comes' to an end with Admiral Parck returning to the Empire of the Hand.
Soon the war will be over and there will be peace.
Unconditional Surrender
Three months after the death of Warmaster Lah, the remaining Yuuzhan Vong under the leadership of Warmaster Nas Choka after discussing the impending annihilation of the Yuuzhan Vong as a species with the other Yuuzhan Vong commanders. This leaves the Yuuzhan Vong with only one option, to surrender.
Warmaster Nas Choka calls for a ceasefire truce with the Galactic Alliance, with the intention of ending the war.
Grand Admiral Thrawn in his capacity as supreme commander of the Galactic Alliance military forces agrees to an immediate ceasefire, pending negotiations with the Yuuzhan Vong on their surrender terms.
Warmaster Nas Choka knew that the Galactic Alliance has only one term of surrender for the Yuuzhan Vong, unconditional, Warmaster Nas Choka thought that he might be able to get a slightly better deal.
After several weeks of dragging out the negotiations with the members of the Galactic Alliance, Warmaster Nas Choka signed the unconditional surrender of the Yuuzhan Vong to the Galactic Alliance.
Then Warmaster Nas Choka ordered the Yuuzhan Vong to surrender.
The war was over.
Yuuzhan Vong Surrender Terms
The Yuuzhan Vong would be denied space flight the Yuuzhan Vong would be imprisoned on an uninhabited world chosen by the Galactic Alliance. All Yuuzhan Vong ships and weapons would be destroyed, thus not allowing the Yuuzhan Vong to pose a threat to the galaxy ever again.
One of the terms of surrender the Galactic Alliance placed before the Yuuzhan Vong was that the Yuuzhan Vong where to help rebuild Coruscant. The New Republic would move its temporary capital to Denon, but would revert it back to Coruscant after the rebuilding was complete.
After the unconditional surrender was signed, the remaining Yuuzhan Vong were recalled from across the galaxy to their new home world, call system called new Yuuzhan Vong by the Galactic Alliance.
The Yuuzhan Vong planned to abolish their caste system and eliminated the posts of Warmaster and Supreme Overlord, although Nas Choka would remain their de facto leader.
A few dozen shapers remained behind on Coruscant to assist in the rebuilding, but some scattered Yuuzhan Vong forces in outlying portions of the galaxy refused Nas Choka's call to surrender, continuing to fight for at least several more months. Many Bothans, however, were unforgiving for the death of Fey'lya, and refused to end their state of ar'krai genocide against the Yuuzhan Vong, sending ships to hunt down these scattered Yuuzhan Vong forces.
After several months of hunting the Bothans had managed to hunt down the scattered Yuuzhan Vong forces and eliminate them, with their primary efforts finished, the Bothans agreed that their state of ar'krai had been completed as long as the Yuuzhan Vong do not try to leave there new home world (in reality a prison world).
Six months after the last of the scattered Yuuzhan Vong forces had been eliminated, by the Bothan's, the Galactic Alliance military command was disbanded by Grand Admiral Thrawn.
However, a task force of warships from the former members of the Galactic Alliance would be assigned to Yuuzhan Vong system on a rotating command basis, in orbit over the new Yuuzhan Vong home world, to act as guard ships of the prison world, to make sure that the Yuuzhan Vong would never again threaten the galaxy.
Grand Admiral Thrawn would now resume his position as supreme military command of the Empires military forces.
The Empire
With the end of the war against the Yuuzhan Vong, Grand Admiral Thrawn's position as supreme command of the Empires military is assured, Thrawn is also de-facto leader of the Empire, Thrawn is Emperor of the Empire in every way but name. Thrawn however will not take the title of Emperor, as his own Royal Guard would likely execute him, as the new members of the Royal Guard have been trained by Grodin Tierce to not only be loyal to Thrawn, but also be more loyal to the dead Emperor.
The Royal Guard for Grand Admiral Thrawn is always a double-edged sword.
Thrawn being Thrawn is quite happy to remain with the title of supreme command of the Empires military forces and the rank of Grand Admiral. This gives him all the authority he will ever need, the Royal Guard will move against any of the Moffs that try to overthrow the Empire and the Imperial military will never again take orders from the Moffs.
Within the Empire of the Hand, Admiral Parck continues to follow the orders that Thrawn had given him the ending of the war will not stop the consolidation of the Empire of the Hand.
The true size of the Empire has yet to be revealed (the Empire of the Hand is still classified) to anyone outside of a small inner circle of Imperial military commanders that have been informed by Thrawn this is unlikely to change. Thrawn sees no need to inform a wider number of military personal and especially not informing the Council of Moffs.
As the Imperial military consider the Council of Moffs to be very "leaky" when it comes to dealing with confidential information.
Imperial Command
With the peace treaty between the Yuuzhan Vong and the governments that had made up the Galactic Alliance, Grand Admiral Thrawn is informing the Council of Moffs and senior military commanders of his next stage in his long-term strategy against the New Republic.
Thrawn starts by saying, "We will not be going to war against the New Republic instead I have devised a new strategy against the New Republic."
The Head of the Council of Moffs, Moff Kurlen Flennic is the first to respond by saying, "With the New Republic in its current state, this would be an ideal opportunity to attack them, out military forces are still continuing to grow and none of our manufacturing bases have been damaged during the war. We could easily double the size of the Empire within a few months."
For a few moments Thrawn says nothing, this makes the members of the council fell uneasy then Thrawn says, "Indeed we could do as you say, Moff Flennic. However, as soon as we launch such an attack, all the goodwill that the Empire has earned from the numerous races we have feed from the Yuuzhan Vong would turn against the Empire. Then we would be back to fighting a long drawn-out struggle again, a war without end, this would be pointless and a waste of resources."
Around the council table, the other Moffs see sense in what Grand Admiral Thrawn has just said.
The Moff Flennic says, "I understand, however you said the last time we met that the Empire will expand in size, double I believe you indicated, may I ask how this may happen without conquering?"
Grand Admiral Thrawn smiles and says, "That is quite easy Moff Flennic there is at least fifteen sectors that have already indicated that they wish to rejoin the Empire. In the next year or so, these sectors will have voted on rejoining the Empire and from the reports that I have received it is likely that the vote will be overwhelming to rejoin the Empire."
Around the council table, there is a mummer of excitement from the Moffs as they can see what Thrawn has been saying might happen.
The Moff Flennic asks, "What of the New Republic, do you really believe the New Republic would just meekly release their stolen systems back to us?"
Thrawn replies, "On the contrary, they would have no choice in the matter, their sole claim to authority is that the sectors of the New Republic willingly accept their authority. How could they then turn around and forbid sectors to renounce that authority?"
Moff Flennic then laughs at what Thrawn has just told him, as the penny has just dropped on Thrawn's long-term plan then he says, "Especially with all the small conflicts that have flared up before the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. Forbidding systems or even whole sectors to leave the New Republic would be handing us a major propaganda weapon. The recent victory Yuuzhan Vong invasion is certainly still fresh enough in everyone's minds and it did take the Empires intervention to turn the tide to victory."
Thrawn replies, "Correct Moff Flennic, the New Republic would be powerless to stop and system or sector from joining the Empire. There are undoubtedly systems and whole sectors currently within New Republics current borders whose inhabitants would prefer to live under Imperial law if given that same choice. As matters stand, there is nothing we can do about such systems we do not have the ships or manpower necessary to defend them. Nor can we maintain supply routes to them under war conditions. However with the peace treaty between the Empire and the New Republic such systems could be invited to rejoin the Empire."
Thrawn continues, "I would ask for your support for the long-term peaceful strategy, do I have it?"
For the next hour, the Council of Moffs debates Thrawn's strategy against the New Republic, knowing that Thrawn could have imposed this strategy on the Council of Moffs if he chose to do so. By letting the Council of Moffs debate this then vote on it Thrawn is allowing the Council of Moffs to have a voice.
When the vote is taken, all the Moffs are in favour of Thrawn's strategy against the New Republic.
The now has the Council of Moffs onboard, just as he had planned.
In the aftermath of the war against the Yuuzhan Vong, the New Republic government is beginning the process of rebuilding.
New Republic
With the victory over the Yuuzhan Vong, the New Republic government begins the long process of rebuilding, not only those planets that have be devastated by the war and Yuuzhan Vong occupation, but also rebuilding their military as well.
To this end the Mon Calamari shipyards are given the capital ships orders, such as the new Mediator class battle cruiser and the MC90 Star Cruiser, this would drive traditional shipbuilders to the Empire such as KDY. Those planets that are being rebuilt are given economic incentives by the New Republic to rebuild their economies, this helps rebuild those systems devastated by the war, but it does drive several systems to the Empire.
All in all the New Republic is rebuilding itself after the war, it is still the dominate power however this will not last long when Thrawn initiates his next part of his long-term plan against the New Republic.
Most systems that are still part of the New Republic are just glad that the war is over and that the peace treaty between the Empire and the New Republic is still intact.
The New Republic government is very happy that the Empire will keep to its peace treaty with the New Republic. The New Republic government will do everything in its power to maintain this peace treaty with the Empire.
However, once the numbers of systems and then sectors voting to leave the New Republic starts increasing, the New Republic will begin a political campaign to retain member races in the New Republic, to try to stop systems and entire sectors from rejoining the Empire.
Some systems and sectors will never rejoin the empire other will try to get the best deal for themselves playing one side off against the other the Empire will withdraw from such games, as the Empire does not want to pay to higher price for each system that rejoins the Empire.
An early success for the Empire will be the Corporate Sector Authority.
Corporate Sector Authority
Within the CSA, the recent war has been very good for business now that peace has been declared, the rebuilding will also be very profitable for those complies that makeup the CSA.
The CSA board notices that the Empire has not cancelled its large military orders these are still to be fulfilled, with the bulk of their profits now coming from a rejuvenated Empire the board of the CSA is about to reactivate a deal between the Empire and the CSA that has been in abeyance since Endor.
The Empires future is bright, though the New Republic will not do to badly.
To be continued.