The droid advanced, swinging its sword horizontally infront of Lomeir's chest. Lomeir didnt waste time blocking it, but took a step to the left while spinning, twirling his crystal blade like a warning torch. The blade was radiating with anger. Its crystal surface was a rainbow of colors. Lomeir's spin ended with a timed slash to the droid's abdomen. The battle droid didnt waste time and brought his blade in a parry, Lomeir dodged the parry, and slashed with his sword on the droids blade from the left, providing momentum for it and sending the droid in a spin. The droid lashed out with a low cut, Lomeir blocked, and the droid pinned Lomeirs sword against the floor. Using the sword as a balance point, Lomeir crooked his leg, and swinged it from behined his back,kicking the droid into the head, sending him sprawling onto the floor. A quick slash relived him of the blade, and a strong jab relived him of his functionality.

Clapping echoed throughout the softly lighten room. Grand admiral Thrawn clapped from his command chair.
"Interesting preformance, lieutenant." Thrawn said, lightly amused.
"Thank you admiral." Lomeir said, whiping off the sweat from his forehead.
"Interested in toppling the odds?" Thrawn raised an eyebrow, and flicked a switch. Two battle droids entered. This time without swords.
Lomeir looked at Thrawn in suprise.
"Try battling them with this." he said, and nodded to Cayel who was standing beside his chair. Cayel nodded back, and raised his hand, palm up, to Lomeir. He held something that looked like a cylinder, about twenty or twenty five centimeters long. Lomeir raised a black eyebrow, but shrugged. And raised his open hand toward the cylinder. It flew to his hand, and he examined it. There was a red button, it actually looked like an ancient katana handle.
"What is this?" he finnaly gave up.
"A lightsaber. Something our technicians managed to build." replied Thrawn.
Lomeir pressed the button, and a silver blade sparkled to life. He experimentally slowly swinged the blade around, listening its humming song. The droids snapped to attention, and they raised their hands, each of them carrying a identical handle. two green blades sparkled to life. Lomeir stood his ground. He started twirling his blade in hard tracable moves, advancing toward the battle droids. They moved fluidly, acting as a team. One of them slashed low while the other slashed up towards Lomeir. He blocked the low one, and tapped into the Force. He was angry. He exploded.

Thrawn frowned.

Lomeir howled in rage, he waved his black gloved hand toward the droid in dismissal, who flew away like a ten ton durasteel wall hit him. Lomeir was in his focus. The other droid was no match for his rage, it lashed forward, Lomeir blocked and parried, the droid dodged the blow and slashed at Lomeir's head. Lomeir ducked, distrupting the droids attack, and a quick spin decapitated the droid.

His lips drawn back in a maniacal smile, Lomeir advanced toward the battle droid he earlier pushed. He twirled his lightsaber infront of him without stoping for a nanosecond, his horns glittered, and his forehead was wet with sweat. The droid blocked one shot, and tried a diagonal slash, which Lomeir blocked with difficulty, and then he went into a crouch using the momentum to swing his blade downwards. Lomeir blocked it, and executed an overhead cut, which was blocked by the droid.
They both retreated a few steps and took combat readiness positions. Lomeir was a blurr of motions. The droid deflected blow after blow, but at the end, it ended its function duty on the floor, with a smoking hole on his chest.
"Interesting." said Thrawn casually. Lomeir nodded with respect to Thrawn. Cayel's datapad bliped. He checked it, wondering if he should disturb the Grand Admiral with this.
"Captain?" Thrawn raised a blue black eyebrow. On the ball as usual. Tought Cayel with pleasure.
"Negative sir, admiral Torroro send a message to us. His attack was sucessful, they had lost several tugs, but Vorkraft station shall be in Iridonia within two days. Its being escorted by 'Dark Eye' and 'Iron Heart', admiral Torroro is heading for the Hoth system to draw off any pursuit." Cayel informed him.
"Captain, inform all ships to prepare for hyperspace. All ships except the interdictor 'Stasis' ofcourse." Thrawn paused, and flicked a switch on his command chair, turning the internal communication system online, then he boomed over the comm: "Thrawn to bridge, set course for the Hoth system."
"Yes sir."
"Admiral?" inquired Cayel.
"Observe captain. From the rebel's and the Vong point of wiew, a warlord returned from the dead attacks their forces, and after each attack, he retreats to the Hoth system. Your conclusion?" asked Thrawn in a rethorical voice.
"Well, they can send a large force to Hoth, concluding that we are using it as our headquaters."
"Correct. That is what I belive they will do."
"The rebels or the Vong?" interrupted Lomeir.
"Probably the rebels." Cayel sniffed.
"Incorrect captain. Both of them will send ships."
"How do you know?" Cayel looked like he sucked a lemon.
"I have studied their art captain." Thrawn smiled, then continued: "To the rebels, the fact that I am still breathing is a threat. They use appearance and motivation to sustain the morale of their troops. The Vong on the other hand, rely on their fanaticism, but that inevitably draws out a flaw. They are open to challenges, like Corran Horn proved on Ithor. They hold their honor above all else, and that is why the commander who led the assault on Yaga Minor, and the attack on the convoy, will come to Hoth."
Cayel simply nodded. He reminded himself to give up trying to understand the admiral's logic.
They walked towards the door that leaded to the bridge.

* * *

As soon as the door closed behind them with a hiss, a young lieutenant stepped quietly infront of them.
"My lord, we are ready for hyperspace." he said formally.
"Reports from our remaining ships?"
"All ready and awaiting your orders admiral." came a reply from the crew pit.
"Excellent. All ships enter hyperspace on my mark. Hangar control, is Phantom squadron onboard?"
"Yes sir."
"Navigation, mark." Thrawn said casually.
The ships entered hyperspace bringing the last warlord one step closer either to battle, or to empty space.

* * *

"Are the jeedai involved in this?" snarled Supreme Commander Choka's villip.
"We dont know my lord." said Dervong obediantely.
"You have disgraced your domain with your failure on Yaga Minor, commander Dervong."
"I am preparing to take my revenge on the commander who disgraced us. His forces are returning to a remote system, we shall meet them, and send them to the gods."
"You may do so. If you fail, give the gods my greetings when you meet them. Do-ro'ik vong pratte!"
"Do-ro'ik vong pratte!" Dervong returned the call for unbridled fury.

* * *

"Admiral, we recieved information about a new Vong fleet forming on Serpindal. They must be pissed off after what that mysterious commander did to them. Belkadan's loss isnt something they can swallow easily." said a Bothan with sand-colored fur.
"I agree. He seems to be retreating to Hoth after every attack. Send three assault frigates to Hoth to disable any longterm operations in that area." said Kre'fey.
"Aye sir."

* * *

"My lord, we are exiting hyperspace."
"Excellent. Order Navigation to calculate a jump to Iridonia as soon as we exit hyperspace." if Torroro grew any smugger, he would implode.
They exited hyperspace. But they didnt expect was a swarm of ships waiting for them.
"Ships in the system!" screamed someone from the crew pit.
"Sensor report?" boomed Torroro.
"Reading seventeen corvette class analogs, about four frigate class analogs, and three light cruiser analogs.
Torroro growled. One Victory-class star destroyer against twenty four ships.
"Raise deflector shields. Navigation, estimated time before calculations are done?" he said.
"At least another two minutes sir." came the reply.
"Turbolaser batteries, concentrate fire on that three corvette's forming there, ion cannons, clear the way. And send a distress call to Iridonia."

* * *

"Admiral?" started Lomeir.
"Yes lieutenant?" said Thrawn.
"They are under attack."
Cayel clenched his teeth. The Grand Admiral was right again.
"Navigation, how much time before we exit hyperspace?"
"Thirty seconds for us, and thirty five seconds for the rest of the fleet."
"Lieutenant, make shure our forces survive until we arrive." said Thrawn, and Lomeir simply nodded.
"Phantom squadron, prepare for launching on my mark." Thrawn continued.

* * *
The air on the Frigate 'Joy of Life' was as dry as ever, concluded Keyo. He has commanded the frigate for five years now, and he was never so close to losing his ship. These... Vong... would soon learn their place. The future of the galaxy depended on it.
"Exiting hyperspace in twenty seconds sir." said the rebel deck officer.
"Good." said captain Keyo. Time to show the Vong that they are not wanted here.

* * *

A Vong ship exploded in the distance. A beautiful sight. Or atleast it would have been if two ships came foward instead.
"Damage report?" asked Torroro.
"Not good sir. Quadrant one is down to seven turbolasers, shields are at seventy two percent."
"Navigation, estimated time before calculations are done?"
"A minute sir."
"Damn, we wont last for thirty seconds, much less a minute." snarled Torroro.
"Admiral, ships entering the system."
"Identification?"
"Three assault frigates... they have New Republic ID beacons sir."
Torroro was quiet. No curse he knew was good enough for this occasion.
"Sir?"
"Treat them as hostiles lieutenant."
"Yes sir."
Another ship exploded in the distance.
"Quadrant two turbolasers, fire on coordinates 12-2-1."
The two Vong frigate analogs were drifting toward them, and suddenly, a barrage of turbolaser shots erupted from the 'Fearbringer', smashing into the frigate's rear. The basal died with a shudder. The frigate spinned out of control, smashing into the frigate trailing it, both exploding in a stunning display of sparks.
"Sensors?"
"One badly damaged corvette sir."
"Concentrate fire on it, I dont want to give it time to recover."
The 'Fearbringer' proved worthy of its name again. over thirty turbolaser shots flew toward the corvette, smashing its dovin basals in the first volley, fracturing the hull in the second, and the third volley didnt reach it before it blew.
"Sir, ships entering the system."
"Not again. Identification?"
"Sir, its the 'Reaper'."
Torroro knew that that ship was not enough for them to suceed. His train of thoughts was interrupted by two Lancer-class cruisers, which exited a little behind the 'Reaper', and by two Strike-class cruisers which exited in line with the 'Reaper'. Torroro whistled in astonishment, then a Victory-class star destroyer exited hyperspace, behind all ships. The first blow came over the commlink.
"Attention all forces in the area! This is Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Imperial Navy, surrender or be destroyed!"
"Its the fleet! Hot damn." Torroro boomed with pleasure.
"Sir, they are launching fighters. Six of them."
"Six?" said Torroro with suprise. He was under the impression they had three fighters.

* * *

"Admiral, we are exiting hyperspace." said Cayel.
The hyperspace tunnel turned into star lines, and then turned into points of light on a black background. They arrived.
"Raise deflector shields! Scan the area." said Cayel.
"Phantom squadron, launch as soon as ready." said Thrawn.
"Sir, we have fifteen corvette analogs, two frigate analogs, three light cruisers analogs." the sensor officer frowned. "Sir, we have three assault frigates in the system."
Cayel could see Thrawn straightening in his seat for a minute. He could see his thought pattern. New ships for aquiry. Thrawn turned the outer comm system on.
"Attention all forces in the area! This is Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Imperial Navy, surrender or be destroyed!" he boomed dramaticaly.
"All ion cannons, fire at will on the assault frigates." Thrawn boomed. Then he continued: "Turbolaser control, start destroying the corvettes. All ships, full speed."
"Star destroyer 'Oathbraker', concentrate on the frigate analogs. When done with destroying them, help destroying the corvette analogs."
"Admiral?"
"Yes captain?"
"Perhaps we should designate our strike cruisers to concentrate on the light cruisers?"
"Perhaps captain, but the Vong rely on sheer numbers. We must prove to them that any attack made against us, is not only a waste of force, but a desperate act, doomed to fail." Thrawn said, and in the distance, two corvettes exploded.
"Sir, Phantom squadron just launched."
"Give me a tactical readout on fighters out there, lieutenant."
"I already did it sir, about fourteen wings of coralskippers, and 3 wings of rebel starfighters."
"Excellent work. What is your name, lieutenant?"
"Lieutenant Gallear sir."
"You are hereby promoted to senior lieutenant. Keep up the good work."
"Thank-you sir!" Gallear said and turned to his display screen. A frigate blew in the distance.
Thrawn switched the commlink frequency, then boomed over the comm: "Major Kowes, clean up those starfighters. No survivors." he paused to turn the comm off, and then he continued: "All ships, full speed."
"Admiral?"
"I am aware our trajectory will take us through the Vong swarm, captain." Thrawn said, and another Vong corvette exploded in the distance.

* * *

"Flight two, brake to the right, Phantom two and three, close up formation, follow me." boomed Kowes.
"Aye sir." five identical voices boomed over the commlink.
"Squad at ten o'clock." said two.
"Two and three, spray them with quad shots. Im on them." said Kowes calmly.
Flying in tight wedge formation, the two flanking V-38 stafighters lashed out with a volley of low-powered shots, most of them were caught by the dovin basals of the coralskippers. When shots started to breach the basal void grip, the lead V-38 released several high-power shots, taking all three coralskippers in the process.
"Five to lead, X-wings on your tail, at zero point nine."
"Two and three brake port, clean up more coralskippers, Ill take the X-wings." said Kowes, lowered his throttle to 33%, turned, and locked on the lead incoming X-wing.
"Glory to the Empire!" shouted Kowes over the comlink as he pressed his fire button, green high-power spears answered his call, storming towards the lead X-wing. The first shot brought his shields to nine percent, the second transmuted the X-wing in a shattering blast of sparks. The two following X-wings separated, the oldest and most efficient trap. But not for Kowes. He fired four shots toward the left X-wing, two hit the target, lighting the space with another fireball. Kowes pushed his stick, taking his fighter in a whirling evade, the remaining X-wing tried to follow. But it was no match for the V-38. A quick pull on the stick, and the X-wing was in Kowes's targeting reticle. Chicken game. The X-wing fired some shots, which got soaked into the V-38's shield. A blast from Kowes's lasers, and the V-38 spectaculary flew through a fireball.
"Two and three rejoin formation."
Again, they continued their death dance.

* * *

"Admiral, two assault frigates are disabled.The third is losing shields rapidly." Frey voice crackled over the comm
"Good work captain. On my mark, you shall engage the light cruiser analogs." said Thrawn casually.
"Yes admiral." Frey saluted, and closed the link.
"Scan the area for coralskippers." asked Cayel.
"Seven wings of coralskippers operational, and two wings of New Republic starfighters."
"Excellent work. Communication, order 'Storm' and 'Lightning' to brake formation, and brake to the right. 'Warhammer' and 'Trident' focus fire on the remaining corvette analogs." Thrawn paused to flick a switch: "Turbolaser and quad laser control, maximum firepower on the right light cruiser."
"Admiral?"
"Yes captain?" Thrawn said, the hologram tactical display infront of his command chair was a mix of blue, red and yellow dots. One yellow dot exploded. Followed by a two bigger red dots. And another two.
"I was just inquiring about your tactical move sir."
"Watch and learn, captain. A battle plan never survives the first contact with the enemy. Adapt. Watch. Learn. When you are able to understand that, you are a true strategist.These leaders," Thrawn waved his pale blue hand toward the hologram, not taking his eye off Cayel, "are beginners. You see? The rebel ships are defeated, battered, and the Vong are crushed without mercy. Without honor, as they see it. Prepare boarding parties captain, another reward awaits us." he finished grimly, but not without a delicate line of pleasure .
"Yes sir." The last rebel assault frigate entered hyperspace, fleeing.
"Admiral, Phantom squadron is awaiting forther orders." said the lieutenant from the crewpit. Gallear, Cayel remembered.
"Order them to help our starships with enemy warships."
"Yes sir."

* * *

"Sensors, report!" boomed Torroro.
"Eight operational corvette analogs, two frigate analogs, and three... two light cruiser analogs." came a reply from the crew pit as a light cruiser exploded in the distance.
"Quadrant Two and Four, concentrate all avaible firepower on those three corvettes to the right. Quadrant One and Three, fire on frigates."

It was all over in ten minutes.

"Admiral, the frigate's are taken. We shall be ready for hyperspace in estimated five minutes." crackled the comm.
"Good. Inform me when you are ready for hyperspace." replied Thrawn and closed the comm. He sat quietly in his command chair, his elegant fingers interwined in sign of concentration. Everything was proceeding smoothly. He flicked a switch on his command chair, and the various art samples were replaced by a galaxy map, almost equal to the one that was destroyed on Wayland, so long ago. He grasped his chin gently with his right hand, and curled the left arm beneath his right elbow. The Empire shall be reborn. He glanced at the crono on his chair. two hours past noon. Captain Cayel will report soon.The comconsole bliped repeatedly. Thrawn pressed the activation button, and the comm crackled.
"Captain Cayel reporting as ordered sir."
He positioned his index finger accordingly and flicked a switch. The reinforced doors opened with a hiss. A figure strode inside, its hands clasped behind the small of his back. He stopped when he came near Thrawn's chair, and assumed parade-style stand.
"You wanted to see me sir?"
"Quite right captain. Order captain Frey and admiral Torroro to organize war games on a tactical computer among their staff. Ofcourse, you shall do the same thing. As soon as we are back on Iridonia, all pre-fab buildings are to be deployed in our base. Also captain, I want you to form something special. A delicate project. The Imperial Academy." Thrawn said dramaticaly.
"You cant be serious sir. The Academy would..." started Cayel.
"Provide our troops with at least a little tactical knownledge?" Thrawn raised an eyebrow.
"Captain, the days of our meddling with the rebels are finished. With our Spaarti cylinders, we are taking the initiative again." he finished grimly.
"I know that sir, but who will teach at the academy?"
In response, Thrawn flicked a switch. The galaxy map displayed a particuliar planet.
"Almania sir?"
"Indeed. Our next target. One of the libary planets, with an adequate collection of tactical manuevers."
"Im shure we shall be victorious."
"We will captain. Concentrate on that, and calm your fears."
"We are ready admiral." crackled the commlink. Thrawn straightened in his seat slightly, flicking another switch.
"Communication, order all ships to enter hyperspace. Navigation, enter hyperspace on my mark. Mark."

The dread fleet lightened up, and dissapeared, racing toward Iridonia.