Chapter Two
The Admonitor was towed to the orbiting shipyard
where the space-station's tractor beams could latch onto it and haul
the Imperial Star Destroyer into the berth. Seated in his Captain's
chair, Voss Parck put on a brave front for the crew of his crippled
flagship.
The Star Destroyer had managed a brief hyperspace jump
out of the Miashku system, allowing the ship to depart with dignity
fitting the Empire's best. And had reentered realspace once they
were far enough to be out of sensor range and were met by two
other Destroyers that towed them into Kamark sector, an area of
the Unknown Regions controlled by the Empire.
The techs had yet to discover the full range of damage done
to the ship by a team of agents that had been sent to assassinate the
Grand Admiral and lay the blame on the human faction of the
fleet, destroying the Empire's alliance with the Chiss and reversing
the gains made in this region of space. Parck grimaced as the
lights and monitors flickered and blinked around him. He didn't
know much about these "Yuuzhan Vong," as the Jedi had called
them, but he did know it had taken four of them, just four, to
cripple the proudest ship of Unity Fleet, and no one had even
known what was going on.
He had also taken a look at the two alien corpses, and had
seen what they had done to an Imperial doctor and one of the
elite Royal Guard, supposedly the best in the Empire.
He felt the ship shudder beneath him, and knew they had
settled in the shipway before the crewer at the monitors told him as
much. "We're also getting a communication from the Moff. It's
garbled but it sounds like a greeting."
"Very good." Parck stood and addressed his first officer.
"You can begin disembarking the crew. I will meet with Moff
Niriz on the station. I'm sure he will agree to allowing the crew
shore leave on Orrsa." He glanced at the blue-green world beyond
the shipyard and space station. Orrsa was center of government
for Kamark sector, the first sector to come under Imperial control
out here, and so arguably the most important. Parck had guessed
correctly that the Moff would want to meet with him as soon as
possible, without even waiting for Park to go planetside to the
government building there. "Notify me in case of emergency."
*************************************
"What have you done to my ship?" Was the first thing out
of Moff Niriz's mouth when Parck stepped out of his shuttle in the
private docking bay in the space station's tower.
"We're not sure, Your Excellency." Parck answered
frankly. "Most, if not all of the systems are inoperative. The
parasites seem unable to reproduce and most of them have already
died out by now, but they get around fast and the damage they
caused was extensive."
Niriz shook his head and leaned back in his hoverchair.
"Worms brought down my Star Destroyer. Worms! I don't know
what kind of ship your running, Parck, but we at least kept that tub
free of vermin when I was in command."
Parck's lips twitched slightly at the joke, but didn't let
himself smile. "Come on then," the Moff said, the chair turned and
floated to the door, Parck beside him "I'm having my people here
clean up the mess you made of the Admonitor. The crew can
take a rest planetside so they wont be in the way. And none of that
'Your Excellency' business. I hear that often enough from the
bureaucrats. It's starting to make me feel old." He spoke briskly,
but there was a wistful note when he said the name of the flagship.
Niriz had once been in command of the Admonitor, and
had gladly accompanied Thrawn his supposed exile, which was
actually a mission to settle the Unknown Regions of the galaxy in
the Emperor's name. The Admonitor was part of a secret fleet
of ships culled from the Imperial Armada, crewed with men who
would not be missed by the rest of the galaxy: competent people
who, because of their lack of connections, would never rise to
prominence in the rest of the Empire.
For years Captain Niriz had served at Thrawn's side, until a sneak
attack by a particularly vicious pirate gang. They had crushed the
pirates, of course, but Niriz had been badly injured in the fight.
It was a miracle he had even survived. But a cruel miracle.
With both his legs gone he was confined to a hoverchair for the
rest of his life, and although pseudoflesh hid most of the burns on
his face and body he also needed the machinery in the chair to
breathe for him. Because of his injuries he would never again
serve in the Imperial military, but Thrawn, recognizing some of
Niriz's other qualities, had spoken with the Emperor and had the
former Captain installed as the Moff of the very first sector they
took control of.
This was a grand promotion, and it showed Thrawn?s great
faith in the former Captain: Niriz governed hundreds of worlds and
a sizable portion of the fleet, but he would never again know the
grandeur and power of commanding a Star Destroyer directly. He
had thrown himself into his work to try and take his mind, if not
his heart, off it and found, to his chagrin, that he was an apt
politician.
Niriz had left his honor guard behind in the docking bay
and had been able to get away from the bureaucratic aids on the
surface, which left him free to talk with Parck openly.
"So where is the Admiral? I had expected he would greet
me personally."
"He left in his private Lambda class shuttle as soon as we
had cleared the Miashku system." Parck frowned. "He didn't reveal
his destination, only that he would rendezvous with us here a few
days from now."
"Ah," the Moff nodded, and there was a knowing look in
his eye, "there's no need to worry then." His lips thinned. "I
understand those aliens nearly got him."
"The Yuuzhan Vong, yes." Parck didn?t allow his brisk
stride to move him ahead of Niriz's slower pace. "They weren't
like anything we've faced before, and I still know so little about
them. Presumably the Grand Admiral is contacting the Empire
proper to see if the Emperor can provide us information and
reinforcements."
"Yes," Niriz quickly changed the subject, "anyway, his
timing is impeccable as ever: he should be hear just in time to
witness the completion of a special project he's had the shipyards
working on for some time now. Perhaps you know what I'm
talking about?"
Parck did indeed recall Thrawn speaking to him about a
certain endeavor Niriz was overseeing, but that was over two years
ago. "I only hope it's a success. I've never put much faith in Jedi
hunches, but something tells me we're going to need all the
firepower we can get."
*************************************
The Hand of Thrawn.
The Grand Admiral chuckled slightly in remembering the
bout of pomposity that had inspired the name of his hidden
fortress. It was ominous, though, and mysterious. Just like
Thrawn himself.
He strolled through the sliding door into his private
quarters feeling a sense of peace and unshakable security settle
over him, as it always did whenever he came here. This ancient
but powerful ruin was his place, he felt it in every brick and
piece of machinery. With both it's natural defenses and those
Thrawn himself had added on, the Hand of Thrawn could
withstand an all-out planetary bombardment. But it was much,
much more than just a fortress: it was the secret nerve-center of all
Imperial operations in the Unknown Regions, and probably the
most advanced and extensive library outside Imperial Center itself.
Aside from Thrawn himself, the only ones who even knew
of the Hand's existence were the Emperor, Moff Niriz and the
garrison that maintained and protected it. Droids had done most of
the work in making the ancient structure livable, then had their
memories wiped, and the droid-piloted ships that delivered
supplies were also wiped after each trip. Perhaps he would show
Parck the fortress, the captain was really becoming quite apt, but
there were more immediate concerns to see to.
Thrawn was using the vast stores of information in his
computers to find out something of what the Yuuzhan Vong had
been doing in this galaxy. The Jedi, Vergere, had spoken of things
called dovin basals that propelled and shielded the Vong ships by
creating and manipulating gravitational fields. Perhaps those
fields would leave residual traces behind. The computer was
searching for reports of unexplained gravitational anomalies, cross
searching with reports of missing or destroyed starcraft. It would
take some time: news in the Unknown Regions was sketchy at best
with no large-scale communication binding the planets.
Besides, thousands of ships, sometimes entire convoys, had
gone missing from the time the worldship Long Reach of Death
arrived at the edge of the galaxy. Even without the Yuuzhan
Vong, the Unknown Regions was a dangerous place.
He had also pulled up any and all information regarding the
Sevac system in general and Sevac III in particular. His private
library was the only place he knew of that would have files on a
planet that obscure: collecting information about everything was
the Admiral's private obsession.
Meanwhile, Thrawn sent a tight-beam transmition to
Imperial Center on the private frequency he used to communicate
with the Emperor. When the hologram appeared, he expected to
see the cowled head of the Emperor filling the room, not the life-
sized image of a tall human woman in decidedly military-style
clothing.
"Director Isard." Thrawn gave away none of his surprise,
but was very glad that only lord Vader knelt to greet the Emperor.
He would hate for his image to appear on it's knees before Ysanne
Isard of all people. "I expected the Emperor. I have urgent news
for him."
"No doubt." Isard replied in a cool voice. "But that is not
possible. His Majesty has only just departed to join lord Vader in
overseeing the final stages of an important project, and in the final
annihilation of the Rebellion." The coldly beautiful face smiled in
a very un-beautiful way, then took on an expression of mock-
sympathy. "Perhaps he will have time to speak with you on his
return, though I have my doubts: there will be a grand celebration
of the Empire's victory and the end of the insurrection. I would
rather you didn't attend. Many of the guests have more...refined
taste." They would be human, in other words.
"Where can I contact the Emperor?" Thrawn said calmly.
"The project's location is a secret." That was all he was
going to get. A pity he couldn't speak to the Emperor. Even more
of a disappointment he was unable to talk to Darth Vader. He
meant to ask the Sith lord for the use of some Noghri commandos.
Considering the deadly abilities of the Yuuzhan Vong, Thrawn
would welcome bodyguards and shock troops like the Noghri.
"Very well, then summon the Grand Vizier." There was no
love-loss between Thrawn and Isard. She had planted several
Intelligence agents in Thrawn's fleet, but the Grand Admiral had
deduced their identities and either converted them to his side or
else eliminated them in his early days in the Unknown Regions.
"Sate Pestage will be of little help to you.? Isard's brows
lowered fractionally, a sign of her growing curiosity. "He knows
nothing of your mission in the Unknown Regions to begin with. I
have taken over most of the day-to-day running of Imperial Center
in the Emperor's absence, give me your report."
"This is a purely military affair, Madame Director,
something you have neither the authority nor the ability to
comprehend."
"Take care, Grand Admiral," eyes that were normally
mismatched but in the hologram were a uniform blue snapped with
fire, "I have His Majesty's ear. Perhaps I will suggest that your ego
has become too inflated for your own good. A word from me,
alien, and you will be removed from the fleet and returned to the
backwater world were you were found."
The glow in Thrawn's eyes intensified. So that was how
she wanted to play, was it? "I would advise against it, Madame
Director, or you may find you are not as important to the Emperor
as you believe." He let a smile play across his face. "What you do
for the Emperor, he can have anytime and from anyone he wishes.
My skills are rarer and of much more practical use."
"We will have no need of tactics after the Emperor's
new...project is complete. He will be in a position to simply take
what he wants!" Isard practically spat, the blue tinge hid her angry
flush. "Think on that, Thrawn, for after he is finished with the
Rebels he his certain to turn his eye in your direction!" The
hologram vanished.
Thrawn relaxed slightly and turned away from the holopad.
So he would have to deal with the Yuuzhan Vong without
additional support. There was a woman named Mara Jade who
could put him in touch with the Emperor wherever he was, but
Thrawn had no idea where she might be or how to contact her,
which left him back where he started.
He shivered a little: the Vong agent he had faced had nearly
taken him. He had set a clever trap when he deduced their were
imposters in his fleet, but he had underestimated the physical
prowess of the Yuuzhan Vong, and his sheer, vicious reaction.
He sat back in a chair and reached for the console in the
armrest. While he waited for the computer to complete it's search
he studied his newest piece of holoart.
The image of the Yuuzhan Vong warrior rotated slowly
before him. Thrawn studied the scars and tattoos and considered
what they meant. A species that sees destruction as a form of art
was most interesting. He had seen the two Vong bodies, as well as
what they had done to an Imperial doctor and medical droid while
attempting to cover up their presence on the Miashku planet. He
had ordered that nothing of the scene be touched before
holorecording could me made of every square centimeter of the
lab.
The more Thrawn studied those holos, the more he came to
understand his new enemies. They gave evidence of extreme
violent energy, of course, but there was also some quality that
suggested careful design. Every mark on the body was precise,
every splatter of blood on the walls gave the impression of a
pattern. Even the dismembered and vivisected droid played a part
in the look and feel of it all. It was more than a crime scene, it was
a work of art in itself.
Yes, art. He stared into the frozen face of the holo as it
turned. Nothing of harmony or symmetrical design, but all with a
purpose in mind. It was nothing that would disable the warrior, for
instance, and far more than any of the simple disfigurements
practiced by some primitive tribes to intimidate their enemies.
Vergere had told him the Vong believed doing this would bring
them closer to their gods and Thrawn thought he could see much
of that.
As he watched, he wondered what this 'Sang Anor's' next
move would be. From what the Jedi had told him and seeing his
handiwork for himself, Thrawn had the feeling that the Executor
was a man of extremes, much like the Emperor. Either subtle and
devious, which he had already tried, or else open and brutal. He
could guess at what sort of weapons would be deployed against
him and what their effectiveness might be, but he knew nothing for
certain. He would almost be glad when the Emperor would bring
his Death Star, the special project Isard had hinted at, into the
Unknown Regions.
It would be a terrible, brutal time as the invaders were
crushed and the lawless regions of space were brought under
Imperial control, but eventually the lives of everyone would be
improved. The galaxy would be a much better place.
Eventually...
The Jedi's parting words came back to sting him.
Eventually. In his mind's eye he saw a black-robed figure with
gloating yellow eyes, laughing at him.
*************************************
Thrawn arrived at the Imperial base two days later, with
Captain Parck and Moff Niriz waiting to meet him.
"We've put the fleet on alert as per your orders, sir." Parck
said. "But so far there had been no overt attack in any of the
sectors under Imperial control."
"There will be, Captain, but in what form I do not know.
What is the status of the Admonitor?"
"Not good, sir." Niriz answered. "We've been working
around the clock and the ship still isn't anything close to
spaceworthy. All the worms seem to have died out by now, so the
damage wont get any worse, but half the systems will have to be
replaced." A tight smile creased his face. "However, I do have
some good news for you."
"The project is a success?" Thrawn raised an eyebrow.
"Better than anyone could have expected. Except for
yourself, of course." They stood in one of the corridors in the
outermost ring of the station, with a transparisteel wall from the
waist up separating them from space. Niriz turned his chair
toward the view, with Thrawn and a curious Parck following, just
in time to see something enter realspace. "Right on time."
Parck's eyes widened slightly on seeing the capital ship
soaring slowly toward the station. "The result of over five years'
work," he heard Niriz say, "and the best of Imperial and Chiss
engineering technology."
The approaching ship was no Super Star Destroyer, but it's
dimensions were just noticeably larger than those of an Imperial
Star Destroyer. What's more, the bone-white ship was sleeker,
more streamlined. Parck was impressed at how graceful the vessel
seemed. And how deadly.
"A work of art." Thrawn smiled. "It is designated the
Imperitor, in honor of the first Star Destroyer ever constructed.
The perfect molding of Imperial and Chiss technology." He turned
to Parck, who was still watching the ship. "Do you feel up to
commanding it, Captain."
Parck jerked slightly, then snapped to attention. "Yes, yes
sir!"
"Excellent. Make arrangements to have the crew and
equipment from the Admonitor transferred to our new flagship."
The Grand Admiral's voice was grim. "We have a lot of work
ahead."
The Admonitor was towed to the orbiting shipyard
where the space-station's tractor beams could latch onto it and haul
the Imperial Star Destroyer into the berth. Seated in his Captain's
chair, Voss Parck put on a brave front for the crew of his crippled
flagship.
The Star Destroyer had managed a brief hyperspace jump
out of the Miashku system, allowing the ship to depart with dignity
fitting the Empire's best. And had reentered realspace once they
were far enough to be out of sensor range and were met by two
other Destroyers that towed them into Kamark sector, an area of
the Unknown Regions controlled by the Empire.
The techs had yet to discover the full range of damage done
to the ship by a team of agents that had been sent to assassinate the
Grand Admiral and lay the blame on the human faction of the
fleet, destroying the Empire's alliance with the Chiss and reversing
the gains made in this region of space. Parck grimaced as the
lights and monitors flickered and blinked around him. He didn't
know much about these "Yuuzhan Vong," as the Jedi had called
them, but he did know it had taken four of them, just four, to
cripple the proudest ship of Unity Fleet, and no one had even
known what was going on.
He had also taken a look at the two alien corpses, and had
seen what they had done to an Imperial doctor and one of the
elite Royal Guard, supposedly the best in the Empire.
He felt the ship shudder beneath him, and knew they had
settled in the shipway before the crewer at the monitors told him as
much. "We're also getting a communication from the Moff. It's
garbled but it sounds like a greeting."
"Very good." Parck stood and addressed his first officer.
"You can begin disembarking the crew. I will meet with Moff
Niriz on the station. I'm sure he will agree to allowing the crew
shore leave on Orrsa." He glanced at the blue-green world beyond
the shipyard and space station. Orrsa was center of government
for Kamark sector, the first sector to come under Imperial control
out here, and so arguably the most important. Parck had guessed
correctly that the Moff would want to meet with him as soon as
possible, without even waiting for Park to go planetside to the
government building there. "Notify me in case of emergency."
*************************************
"What have you done to my ship?" Was the first thing out
of Moff Niriz's mouth when Parck stepped out of his shuttle in the
private docking bay in the space station's tower.
"We're not sure, Your Excellency." Parck answered
frankly. "Most, if not all of the systems are inoperative. The
parasites seem unable to reproduce and most of them have already
died out by now, but they get around fast and the damage they
caused was extensive."
Niriz shook his head and leaned back in his hoverchair.
"Worms brought down my Star Destroyer. Worms! I don't know
what kind of ship your running, Parck, but we at least kept that tub
free of vermin when I was in command."
Parck's lips twitched slightly at the joke, but didn't let
himself smile. "Come on then," the Moff said, the chair turned and
floated to the door, Parck beside him "I'm having my people here
clean up the mess you made of the Admonitor. The crew can
take a rest planetside so they wont be in the way. And none of that
'Your Excellency' business. I hear that often enough from the
bureaucrats. It's starting to make me feel old." He spoke briskly,
but there was a wistful note when he said the name of the flagship.
Niriz had once been in command of the Admonitor, and
had gladly accompanied Thrawn his supposed exile, which was
actually a mission to settle the Unknown Regions of the galaxy in
the Emperor's name. The Admonitor was part of a secret fleet
of ships culled from the Imperial Armada, crewed with men who
would not be missed by the rest of the galaxy: competent people
who, because of their lack of connections, would never rise to
prominence in the rest of the Empire.
For years Captain Niriz had served at Thrawn's side, until a sneak
attack by a particularly vicious pirate gang. They had crushed the
pirates, of course, but Niriz had been badly injured in the fight.
It was a miracle he had even survived. But a cruel miracle.
With both his legs gone he was confined to a hoverchair for the
rest of his life, and although pseudoflesh hid most of the burns on
his face and body he also needed the machinery in the chair to
breathe for him. Because of his injuries he would never again
serve in the Imperial military, but Thrawn, recognizing some of
Niriz's other qualities, had spoken with the Emperor and had the
former Captain installed as the Moff of the very first sector they
took control of.
This was a grand promotion, and it showed Thrawn?s great
faith in the former Captain: Niriz governed hundreds of worlds and
a sizable portion of the fleet, but he would never again know the
grandeur and power of commanding a Star Destroyer directly. He
had thrown himself into his work to try and take his mind, if not
his heart, off it and found, to his chagrin, that he was an apt
politician.
Niriz had left his honor guard behind in the docking bay
and had been able to get away from the bureaucratic aids on the
surface, which left him free to talk with Parck openly.
"So where is the Admiral? I had expected he would greet
me personally."
"He left in his private Lambda class shuttle as soon as we
had cleared the Miashku system." Parck frowned. "He didn't reveal
his destination, only that he would rendezvous with us here a few
days from now."
"Ah," the Moff nodded, and there was a knowing look in
his eye, "there's no need to worry then." His lips thinned. "I
understand those aliens nearly got him."
"The Yuuzhan Vong, yes." Parck didn?t allow his brisk
stride to move him ahead of Niriz's slower pace. "They weren't
like anything we've faced before, and I still know so little about
them. Presumably the Grand Admiral is contacting the Empire
proper to see if the Emperor can provide us information and
reinforcements."
"Yes," Niriz quickly changed the subject, "anyway, his
timing is impeccable as ever: he should be hear just in time to
witness the completion of a special project he's had the shipyards
working on for some time now. Perhaps you know what I'm
talking about?"
Parck did indeed recall Thrawn speaking to him about a
certain endeavor Niriz was overseeing, but that was over two years
ago. "I only hope it's a success. I've never put much faith in Jedi
hunches, but something tells me we're going to need all the
firepower we can get."
*************************************
The Hand of Thrawn.
The Grand Admiral chuckled slightly in remembering the
bout of pomposity that had inspired the name of his hidden
fortress. It was ominous, though, and mysterious. Just like
Thrawn himself.
He strolled through the sliding door into his private
quarters feeling a sense of peace and unshakable security settle
over him, as it always did whenever he came here. This ancient
but powerful ruin was his place, he felt it in every brick and
piece of machinery. With both it's natural defenses and those
Thrawn himself had added on, the Hand of Thrawn could
withstand an all-out planetary bombardment. But it was much,
much more than just a fortress: it was the secret nerve-center of all
Imperial operations in the Unknown Regions, and probably the
most advanced and extensive library outside Imperial Center itself.
Aside from Thrawn himself, the only ones who even knew
of the Hand's existence were the Emperor, Moff Niriz and the
garrison that maintained and protected it. Droids had done most of
the work in making the ancient structure livable, then had their
memories wiped, and the droid-piloted ships that delivered
supplies were also wiped after each trip. Perhaps he would show
Parck the fortress, the captain was really becoming quite apt, but
there were more immediate concerns to see to.
Thrawn was using the vast stores of information in his
computers to find out something of what the Yuuzhan Vong had
been doing in this galaxy. The Jedi, Vergere, had spoken of things
called dovin basals that propelled and shielded the Vong ships by
creating and manipulating gravitational fields. Perhaps those
fields would leave residual traces behind. The computer was
searching for reports of unexplained gravitational anomalies, cross
searching with reports of missing or destroyed starcraft. It would
take some time: news in the Unknown Regions was sketchy at best
with no large-scale communication binding the planets.
Besides, thousands of ships, sometimes entire convoys, had
gone missing from the time the worldship Long Reach of Death
arrived at the edge of the galaxy. Even without the Yuuzhan
Vong, the Unknown Regions was a dangerous place.
He had also pulled up any and all information regarding the
Sevac system in general and Sevac III in particular. His private
library was the only place he knew of that would have files on a
planet that obscure: collecting information about everything was
the Admiral's private obsession.
Meanwhile, Thrawn sent a tight-beam transmition to
Imperial Center on the private frequency he used to communicate
with the Emperor. When the hologram appeared, he expected to
see the cowled head of the Emperor filling the room, not the life-
sized image of a tall human woman in decidedly military-style
clothing.
"Director Isard." Thrawn gave away none of his surprise,
but was very glad that only lord Vader knelt to greet the Emperor.
He would hate for his image to appear on it's knees before Ysanne
Isard of all people. "I expected the Emperor. I have urgent news
for him."
"No doubt." Isard replied in a cool voice. "But that is not
possible. His Majesty has only just departed to join lord Vader in
overseeing the final stages of an important project, and in the final
annihilation of the Rebellion." The coldly beautiful face smiled in
a very un-beautiful way, then took on an expression of mock-
sympathy. "Perhaps he will have time to speak with you on his
return, though I have my doubts: there will be a grand celebration
of the Empire's victory and the end of the insurrection. I would
rather you didn't attend. Many of the guests have more...refined
taste." They would be human, in other words.
"Where can I contact the Emperor?" Thrawn said calmly.
"The project's location is a secret." That was all he was
going to get. A pity he couldn't speak to the Emperor. Even more
of a disappointment he was unable to talk to Darth Vader. He
meant to ask the Sith lord for the use of some Noghri commandos.
Considering the deadly abilities of the Yuuzhan Vong, Thrawn
would welcome bodyguards and shock troops like the Noghri.
"Very well, then summon the Grand Vizier." There was no
love-loss between Thrawn and Isard. She had planted several
Intelligence agents in Thrawn's fleet, but the Grand Admiral had
deduced their identities and either converted them to his side or
else eliminated them in his early days in the Unknown Regions.
"Sate Pestage will be of little help to you.? Isard's brows
lowered fractionally, a sign of her growing curiosity. "He knows
nothing of your mission in the Unknown Regions to begin with. I
have taken over most of the day-to-day running of Imperial Center
in the Emperor's absence, give me your report."
"This is a purely military affair, Madame Director,
something you have neither the authority nor the ability to
comprehend."
"Take care, Grand Admiral," eyes that were normally
mismatched but in the hologram were a uniform blue snapped with
fire, "I have His Majesty's ear. Perhaps I will suggest that your ego
has become too inflated for your own good. A word from me,
alien, and you will be removed from the fleet and returned to the
backwater world were you were found."
The glow in Thrawn's eyes intensified. So that was how
she wanted to play, was it? "I would advise against it, Madame
Director, or you may find you are not as important to the Emperor
as you believe." He let a smile play across his face. "What you do
for the Emperor, he can have anytime and from anyone he wishes.
My skills are rarer and of much more practical use."
"We will have no need of tactics after the Emperor's
new...project is complete. He will be in a position to simply take
what he wants!" Isard practically spat, the blue tinge hid her angry
flush. "Think on that, Thrawn, for after he is finished with the
Rebels he his certain to turn his eye in your direction!" The
hologram vanished.
Thrawn relaxed slightly and turned away from the holopad.
So he would have to deal with the Yuuzhan Vong without
additional support. There was a woman named Mara Jade who
could put him in touch with the Emperor wherever he was, but
Thrawn had no idea where she might be or how to contact her,
which left him back where he started.
He shivered a little: the Vong agent he had faced had nearly
taken him. He had set a clever trap when he deduced their were
imposters in his fleet, but he had underestimated the physical
prowess of the Yuuzhan Vong, and his sheer, vicious reaction.
He sat back in a chair and reached for the console in the
armrest. While he waited for the computer to complete it's search
he studied his newest piece of holoart.
The image of the Yuuzhan Vong warrior rotated slowly
before him. Thrawn studied the scars and tattoos and considered
what they meant. A species that sees destruction as a form of art
was most interesting. He had seen the two Vong bodies, as well as
what they had done to an Imperial doctor and medical droid while
attempting to cover up their presence on the Miashku planet. He
had ordered that nothing of the scene be touched before
holorecording could me made of every square centimeter of the
lab.
The more Thrawn studied those holos, the more he came to
understand his new enemies. They gave evidence of extreme
violent energy, of course, but there was also some quality that
suggested careful design. Every mark on the body was precise,
every splatter of blood on the walls gave the impression of a
pattern. Even the dismembered and vivisected droid played a part
in the look and feel of it all. It was more than a crime scene, it was
a work of art in itself.
Yes, art. He stared into the frozen face of the holo as it
turned. Nothing of harmony or symmetrical design, but all with a
purpose in mind. It was nothing that would disable the warrior, for
instance, and far more than any of the simple disfigurements
practiced by some primitive tribes to intimidate their enemies.
Vergere had told him the Vong believed doing this would bring
them closer to their gods and Thrawn thought he could see much
of that.
As he watched, he wondered what this 'Sang Anor's' next
move would be. From what the Jedi had told him and seeing his
handiwork for himself, Thrawn had the feeling that the Executor
was a man of extremes, much like the Emperor. Either subtle and
devious, which he had already tried, or else open and brutal. He
could guess at what sort of weapons would be deployed against
him and what their effectiveness might be, but he knew nothing for
certain. He would almost be glad when the Emperor would bring
his Death Star, the special project Isard had hinted at, into the
Unknown Regions.
It would be a terrible, brutal time as the invaders were
crushed and the lawless regions of space were brought under
Imperial control, but eventually the lives of everyone would be
improved. The galaxy would be a much better place.
Eventually...
The Jedi's parting words came back to sting him.
Eventually. In his mind's eye he saw a black-robed figure with
gloating yellow eyes, laughing at him.
*************************************
Thrawn arrived at the Imperial base two days later, with
Captain Parck and Moff Niriz waiting to meet him.
"We've put the fleet on alert as per your orders, sir." Parck
said. "But so far there had been no overt attack in any of the
sectors under Imperial control."
"There will be, Captain, but in what form I do not know.
What is the status of the Admonitor?"
"Not good, sir." Niriz answered. "We've been working
around the clock and the ship still isn't anything close to
spaceworthy. All the worms seem to have died out by now, so the
damage wont get any worse, but half the systems will have to be
replaced." A tight smile creased his face. "However, I do have
some good news for you."
"The project is a success?" Thrawn raised an eyebrow.
"Better than anyone could have expected. Except for
yourself, of course." They stood in one of the corridors in the
outermost ring of the station, with a transparisteel wall from the
waist up separating them from space. Niriz turned his chair
toward the view, with Thrawn and a curious Parck following, just
in time to see something enter realspace. "Right on time."
Parck's eyes widened slightly on seeing the capital ship
soaring slowly toward the station. "The result of over five years'
work," he heard Niriz say, "and the best of Imperial and Chiss
engineering technology."
The approaching ship was no Super Star Destroyer, but it's
dimensions were just noticeably larger than those of an Imperial
Star Destroyer. What's more, the bone-white ship was sleeker,
more streamlined. Parck was impressed at how graceful the vessel
seemed. And how deadly.
"A work of art." Thrawn smiled. "It is designated the
Imperitor, in honor of the first Star Destroyer ever constructed.
The perfect molding of Imperial and Chiss technology." He turned
to Parck, who was still watching the ship. "Do you feel up to
commanding it, Captain."
Parck jerked slightly, then snapped to attention. "Yes, yes
sir!"
"Excellent. Make arrangements to have the crew and
equipment from the Admonitor transferred to our new flagship."
The Grand Admiral's voice was grim. "We have a lot of work
ahead."
