He called Luke. The commconsole ringed and ringed, when he was about to stop, the ringing stopped. Luke Skywalker appeared with his usual messy sand colored hair... and without a shirt, only in his usual jedi pants.
"Yeah?" he said while jawning.
"Master Skywalker." Kyp Durron nodded over the comm. Only he could say the word 'Master' in such a way. The meaningless way.
"Hello Kyp. Why did u call?" he jawned again.
"I needed to ask you something."
"You needed to ask me something in..." slight pause, as Luke looked away, his face came back on the screen, a mix of sleepiness and the wish to snap Kyp's neck."...in five in the morning?!"
Timing. His damn timing. Kyp swore in his mind.
"Were you sleeping?" he whistled innocently.
"Gosh, Kyp. What can I do for you?" Luke was fully awake and lightly amused by now.
"I... I wanted to ask you if I could take Malpass as my padawan."
"Shure. No problem. Bye. Good night." said Luke, jawned, and turned the comm off.
Kyp relaxed with a sigh in his seat. What a way to start the day.

* * *

The commlink beeped. Again and again. Slowly he managed to rotate his head a bit, and open his eyes. He fell asleep in the chair again. Clearing his mind as best as he could, he switched the comm on. Nothing. Then he realized that it was the holoprojector. Again a flick of the switch broke the silence in the room. A hologram sparkled to life, a man wearing the standard Imperial uniform, with the exception of the main tech insignia on the left part of his chest. The tech was a man with deep green eyes, having the look of a man who is at peace, but excited.
"Admiral, I have just finished the preliminary testing, and I belive you should come down to the lab."
"Very well. I will be there in fifteen minutes."
The tech saluted, and closed the comm. Thrawn went toward the refresher. He came out in five minutes, dressed in spotless white, combed hair, brushed teeth, hairless chin and cheeks, and fully-awake glowing red eyes. He seated himeself in his command chair, and pressed a series of switches. The room's light level slowly rose, and stopped. The room was softly lighten, as usual. Quiet music started playing. Excellent for mind stimulation. He called captain Cayels room. The machine blocked him. The captain obviously needed his beauty sleep. Thrawn waited twenty seconds to calm himself, then he flicked another switch. The commlink.
"Yes sir?" came the reply.
"Send two stormtroopers to captain Cayel's room, wake him up by any means, barge the door if needed." he said cooly.
"It will be done sir." came a confused reply.
In ten minutes, he was with Cayel in the lab. The tech who contacted him was jumping around happily, franticly exchanging comments with his assistant. As soon as Thrawn entered, they both freezed in parade style stand.
"My lord." they said.
"Dismiss. Report." said Thrawn cooly.
"We analyzed and managed to reproduce the crystal substance of that primitive sword you brought us. To be blunt sir, the substance is super resistant, almost immune to blaster fire, and natural elements."
"Interesting." was the only thing Thrawn said.
"What about offensive capabilities?" asked Cayel.
"We didnt test it yet sir."
"Then why..." started Cayel but Thrawn interuppted him.
"How much time would it require to refit the 'Reaper's armor with this new alloy?"
"About three months sir, the ship would be totally inactive." the main tech said after a long time of calculations.
"And the cost?"
"Over two million credits sir." the tech replied. Cayel gritted his teeth. They didnt have a half of that sum.
"For what is that sum of money needed?" asked Thrawn icely.
"Reproducing the crystal substance, then the installment costs, lab expenses, and several other factors." numbered the main tech. Greg Blekman.
"Hmm. Intriguing paradox." said Thrawn as he calculated in his mind.
"What would happen if you started the refitting on Almania?"
"Hmm, it would decrease the cost significantly. for at least fifty percent, considering that Almania is the headquaters of the Almanian Imperial Bank."
"Good. Continue to multiply the substance, test it as an offensive weapon, inform me of any changes." said Thrawn, and walked to the turbolift.

Once they were inside the turbolift, Thrawn spoke first.
"Your thoughts captain?"
"This will certainly help us, but our funding is rather crippled."
"Not as much as you would think. I estimate we have a little under one milion credits."
"I dont know sir, I just dont like to spend my entire fund on a single addition."
"Dont you belive we will find credits on Almania? Headquaters of the Almanian Imperial Bank? Museums? Corporations? Money is not the problem captain. The problem is how to make up for the those three or one and a half month that the 'Reaper' will be in dry docks." Thrawn waved a hand in dismissal.
"Shall I order the fleet to go on one-hour standby?"
"The fleet already is on one-hour standby. I issued the order before I retreated to my quaters."
"How long before the attack then?" Cayel inquired further.
"We will leave Iridonia tommorow, at thirteen hundred hours standard Imperial time. Arriving at sixteen hundred hours standard imperial time, or at midnight by Almanian time." Thrawn smiled briefly as they exited the turbolift.
"A night attack?"
"Ofcourse. If you examined the Almanian art, you would discover a delicate affinity for sleeping and gaining profit." Thrawn said as they advanced through empty corridors. Their boots clomped on the smooth durasteel floor with thundering noise in Cayel's mind. Most of the staff was in the tactical computer room, watching the finals of the war games Thrawn ordered.
"Unfortunately, Lomeir wont be with us on this attack."
"Really? Why?"
"We musn't use his powers too often captain. Or our crew will begin to depend on them to function effectively."
"Where is he then?"
"He asked for a shuttle. He left for Wayland about six hours ago."
"Why would he go there?"
"Good question captain. Very good question." Thrawn allowed a smile.

They neared the reinforced door across the wiewpoint, where two stormtroopers stood on watch with ysalamiri. They assumed parade-style formation as soon as they saw the Grand Admiral coming.
The door closed behind them with a vile hiss.

* * *

"Ready Simon?"
"Yes master."
"Well, we are off to Wayland then." said Kyp with enthusiazm.

The shuttle landed on Wayland four hours later. Clad in their Jedi cloaks, Kyp Durron and Simon Malpass walked down the ramp, greeted by the forest smell of Wayland. They could still feel the effects of the battle between Luke Skywalker and Joruus C'baoth. Suddenly a hooded person approached them. He whore a dark cloak. Kyp lowered his hand to his hip. Where his lightsaber hung. Simon did the same.
"Afraid?" the figure said in a familiar voice.
"What about you?" Kyp said in a hostile voice.
"Tsk tsk. Those emotions arent good for a Jedi's health, Kyp."
"How do you know me? Who are you?"
"Dont recognize old friends?" he pulled his hood back. Corran Horn kept his beard well trimmed, but his eyes shone with peace... and guilt.
"Corran..." Kyp started when a dark wave washed over them. Corran's knees buckled, and he half-fell half-dropped into a crouch and threw a wary look around. Kyp and Simon shuddered.
"Did you feel that?" Kyp whispered.
"Yea. Ive been feeling that waves for almost a week. Lately they intensifyed." replied Corran.
"What could it be?"
"Its coming from that hangar bay." Corran pointed toward the hangar bay two spots from theirs after much concentration.
"Lets check it out." said Kyp, brandishing his lightsaber.
"For one I agree with you Kyp. But youre too close to the edge."
Kyp let that comment slide without further comments. Slowly and alerted they neared the hangar bay. They tried to open it, but no luck.
"Let me try." Simon said, and touched the controls. The hangar door slided open. On the landing spot gracefully stood a Lambda class shuttle. As soon as they entered, a black hooded figure descended down the ramp slowly. Carefully. He was about a meter and eighty tall, with whiry muscular limbs. His muscles danced beneath his cloak as he walked. They could see suspicious eyes glancing at them from the hood. Finnaly he saw their lightsabers.
"Jedi." he said it like an insult.
"We are. And who, or what you are?" spat Kyp.
"Nobody you should be interested in. Take care Jedi, your doom is near." he said without hesitation.
"We will see about that!" answered Kyp, and turned his lightsaber on. The figure laughed.
"If that is your wish Jedi, I will fulfill it." he said and removed his hood slowly. His eyes glowed with hate and anger, and his horns glittered. He tossed his hood onto the ramp of his shuttle, and took his lightsaber that dangled on his belt. He ignited it, and a silver blade of pure energy sparkled to live. Corran and Simon ignited their lightsabers. Blue, Silver, and Green, against Silver. Lomeir allowed a grin before he swung low at Corran who parried, Lomeir did a quick turn to deflect the incoming head slash coming from Simon, dropped into a crouch and scythed his leg through Simon's ankles sending him hard to the floor, Lomeir jumped high into the air, landing behind Kyp, and swinged at him. Kyp deflected, and parried, Lomeir blocked his parry, and dodged the blow coming from Corran by stepping to the right. He kept swinging his lightsaber, like a warning torch around himself. He parried and blocked blow after blow. Corran swinged at him, he blocked, and held his lightsaber against his. Corran pressed. Their faces closed, Corran was wet with sweat, and Lomeir burned with fury, his venes trembling like a guitar's wires during a concert. He tapped into the Force, letting it fill him. He swinged with his mind, sending the Jedi with the silver blade flying backwards. Simon screamed, and thrust at Lomeir. Lomeir waved a hand, and the wrench from the shelf in the corner of the hangar flew into Simon's back with such speed that he fell on the ground writhering in pain. Kyp swinged at Lomeir who blocked it, and parried with a low slash. Kyp jumped over Lomeir, landing into a crouch and swinging at Lomeir's feet. Lomeir blocked, and executed two quick slashes at Kyp's side and back, which were both blocked. Kyp swinged recklessly at his chest, Lomeir let Kyp's blade pass harmlessly, then he swinged with all his might, and Kyp's blade flew from his hand, deactivated. With a blood-freezing scream of rage, Lomeir executed a roundhouse kick, hitting Kyp in the chest, sending him flying. As he stood above Kyp in his menancing glory, he raised his lightsaber for the kill, for glory. He swinged, but his swing was blocked by Corran. Lomeir turned in anger, and attacked. They exchanged blows and slashes, soon Malpass joined in, and Kyp. Three Jedi against a Force adept. Lomeir soon baited them outside, and Noghri guards looked at them in wonder. For a second. Then they joined in, for they recognized Corran Horn. They neared Lomeir with fluidness in their step, but they were no match for Lomeir. He lashed out at them with a long arcing swing, the first Noghri was cut diagonally, the second lost his arm and head. He turned just in time to parry a strike from Kyp, and then he jumped in the roof of the building. The roof had a large circle cut out, allowing the ship placed inside the hangar to launch. Kyp was the first to jump on the roof, followed by Corran and Malpass and Lomeir gathered the Force around him, revitalizing himself. Angered by the arogant Jedi, he gathered the force, and sent a blow that sent Kyp into a samersault and over the roof down to on the street. Corran hissed something, and twisted his lightsaber. The blade crystals shifted, and the blade doubled in lenght, huming and glowing purple. Before he could exchange blows with the misterious warrior, a pipe came flying into his back. Folowed by a box into his right hand ankle. He returned to normal mode, and striked. Lomeir deflected blow after blow, returning blow after blow. He executed a series of quick blows, and executed an upper cut to Corrans chin with his leg, sending Corran flying into the wall. He laughed arogantly, but he sensed the remaining Jedi sneaking up for him before it was too late. He dodged, and the young Jedi cutted deep into the roof. A roundhouse kick sent him flying on his chest. Lomeir propelled Simon's deactivated lightsaber into the hole. It fell on the floor near the shuttle . He stood over Melpass arogantly, prolonging the time in which he was the sole master between life and death. Melpass started to beg, cry. He silenced his weak cowardliness with a good slash that cut him squarely across the chest. The young Jedi died. This was enough for today. The fleet will be waiting for him. He jumped over the roof on the street, checked if anyone had heard their screams, and went to his shuttle. He picked up his cloak, and dusted it off. With satisfication in his heart he entered the shuttle, the weak Noghri didnt stop him. He took the Jedi's lightsaber with him.

* * *

"All ships enter hyperspace on my mark." boomed Thrawn. He turned to face Cayel.
"Is my admiral ship ready captain?" he asked the formal question.
"The 'Reaper' is fully under your command sir."
"Good. Mark."
They entered hyperspace, racing towards Almania.

* * *

His thoughts were interrupted by his buzzing commlink.
"Skywalker here."
"Master, this is Tionne, you better come to the landing platform quick."
"Im on my way Tionne." he said, and made his way toward the landing platform.

He saw Tionne talking with Kyp, and... Corran? They were both badly bruised, and Kyp was holding to his ribs.
"Whats the problem Tionne?"
"They had an encounter with someone... or something." she nodded to Kyp.
"He was well trained... he carried a lightsaber. He battled us vigorously, he managed to push me with the Force over the roof... he knocked out Corran, and Simon saved him... then he killed Simon. And took his lightsaber."
Luke was quiet. He was overwhelmed with sorrow. First Miko Reglia, then Daeshara'cor and now Simon Melpass. He sighed.

* * *

"Is my admiral ship ready captain?" Thrawn asked the formal question.
"The Reaper is fully under your command sir." replied Cayel formally. His back automaticaly stiffed in parade style stand.
"Good. All avaible weapons, maximum firepower on their sub-space antena as soon as we exit hyperspace." ordered Thrawn.
"Yes sir." crackled the comm.
"Reverting to real-space, stand by." a lieutenant called out, and settled his hands on the hyperspace levers. He gently pulled them back. The starfield appeared as usual, Almania layed helplessly infront of them. Behind them, their Lancers exited hyperspace. A little behind them. Two Strike class cruisers exited behind the Lancers, with a bit more distance between themselves then the Lancer-class frigates. Two dreadnoughts exited hyperspace a bit to the right. Finnaly, their two Victory-class star destroyers exited hyperspace behind all ships, with even more distance between them.
"All ships, maximum firepower on their communication antena. Start jamming their communication." boomed Thrawn. Their entire plan depened upon this. Seconds later, the antena exploded under the barrage.
"All ships, excellent work. On my command, Lancer class frigate's brake to the left. Strike class cruisers brake to the right. Dreadnoughts, assume blockade formation."
"Detecting ships in the system. One Carrack class cruiser and one Strike-class cruiser."
"All ships with ion cannons, disable those two ships. 'Warhammer','Trident', 'Storm', 'Lightning', assume blockade formation around the planet. Avoid ground defenses if possible." Thrawn straightened in his seat with a smile. New ships. He flicked a switch, the communication switch.
"Attention all forces in the area! This is Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Imperial Navy, surrender or be destroyed!"
No reply came. He switched the comlink off.
"Captain, perhaps it is time for a demonstration of our might." he noted.
"I agree sir."
"Admiral, the Strike-class cruiser is disabled." Gallear called out.
"Excellent work. Ion control, maximum firepower on the Carrack-class cruiser. Turbolaser control, fire on the planet, weaken their shield as much as possible."
Two minutes later the Carrack-class cruiser layed lifelessly in space.
"Commander Hotan, prepare boarding parties." Thrawn said into the comlink formally.
"Aye sir." came Hotan's gruff reply over the comlink.
"All ships, fire at will on the planetary shield. Stop when its down to fifty percent."
"Admiral?" Cayel inquired. Why stop at fifty percent?
"Is it not better to take the planet without too much damage? When they realize that there is no profit in this, they will surrender."
"Hotan to admiral Thrawn! My lord, we are inside, I estimate it will take us around twenty minutes to take over the ship. They fortifyed their position on the bridge, we will have some difficulty flushing them out."
"Very good commander. Inform me of any progress." answered Thrawn.

* * *

He switched his hand comlink off, and returned the stormtrooper helmet to his head.
"Alpha squad, what is your status?" Hotan said in his comlink.
"Sir, we lost Alpha six and Alpha five. They barricaded the passage, and are shooting at us."
"Hold on, Im sending reinforcements." he said, and closed the link.
The barricades infront of him were standing placed in a corridor, which ended into a large chamber, the hangar bay. The chamber led to the bridge... he couldnt use thermal detonators... but a sub-sonic granade might work. He saw that several of his men were standing on the edges of the corridor, every now and then popping out and shooting at the barricade. the defenders were shooting back. Pat situation. He looked around the room franticaly, searching for something they might use... there it was. A desk.
"You two come with me!" he pointed at the men at one side of the entrance to the corridor. They went to the desk, and turned it over. With Hotan's directions, the little group pushed the table on the side of the corridor entrance from which they were shooting moments ago.
"Be ready." Hotan whispered to them, raised from his crouch, and motioned to his men on the other side of the entrance to the corridor to throw a sub-sonic granade down the hallway. They did.
"Move!" yelled Hotan, and the two stormtroopers pushed the desk into the entrance. it fit perfectly. The granade exploded, clearing the barricades, sending the defenders flying. The five stormtroopers positioned one on one side of the entrance, three crouched behind the desk, and one on the other side of the entrance. And started shooting. The defenders didnt stand a chance.
"Sir, we lost Alpha four. Where are those reinforcements?"
"Hold them pinned down there Alpha, we are coming. Create a sub-sonic diversion!" said Hotan.
He motioned with his blaster rifle to his team, and those behind the desk started pushing it further down the hallway. A familiar explosion echoed throughout the hallway. Sub-sonic granades. Those that were behind the entrance sides advanced behind the desk their blasters pointed at the end of the hallway. they could see rebels running around, none paying heed to them. they finnaly exited the hallway, and the desk was blocking the entrance. They started shooting, and dozens of rebels died. The standard issue Imperial blaster rifles werent precise, but they had a fast fire mode. Devastating when used against crowds. Just like here. The rebels huddled behind covers, popping out now and then to return some fire. Three stormtroopers took their more precise standard issue blaster pistols, while the remaining two stormtroopers kept their blaster rifles. Three rebels fell on the ground lifelessly. Then, another explosion echoed. The second barricade was down, and the remaining Alpha stormtroopers were probably killing the remaining defenders that survived the explosion. It was all done in under four minutes.
"My lord, we have taken cotrol of the ship." said Hotan in his commlink.
"Losses?" a dark, cold voice spoke over the commlink.
"Alpha group is down to three stormtroopers, my group lost one stormtrooper."
"Excellent work commander. I am sending a detachment of technicians to take control over the ship, leave Alpha team, and get to your assault transport. I am sending two teams of stormtroopers to the Strike-class cruiser, meet them there, and take control of the ship."
"Yes sir." Hotan said, and switched his hand commlink off. He turned to the remainings of his squad, they were checking for any survivors.
"Alpha team, guard this room, a team of techs will come aboard soon. Beta squad, follow me." he boomed.

* * *

Thrawn flicked a switch, closing the connection between him and commander Hotan.
"My lord, the shield is down to eighty percent." Cayel said.
"Good work captain. Who won the war games?"
Cayel frowned. Talking about such trivial things in the middle of a battle was... so like Thrawn.
"The finalists are lieutenant Gallear, major Overholt, and major Neal. The favorite is captain Frey's major Overholt."
"Interesting. What do you suggest captain?" Thrawn waved a hand elegantly and fluidly in a broad arc, pointing at the planet below.
"Well sir, we are in a pat situation, I dont see anything we could do except fire until we overload their shields." said Cayel sadly.
"Perhaps captain, perhaps. There is still the psychological effect we have, and we must use it fully." Thrawn said, flicked a switch and boomed over the commlink:
"Attention Almania! There is no profit in this. Surrender, and I will have mercy, resist and you will be destroyed." Thrawn waited for a while. Finnaly a voice spoke.
"Attention 'Reaper'. This is councilor Romod. I have been authorized to reach an agreement with you." said the voice sadly.
"Very well. My request is simple. Almania will surrender to the Empire, and shall recieve full Imperial protection from the rebels and the Yuuzhan Vong, trade will be allowed, but under Imperial control. Almanian citizens will be permitted to remain free." Thrawn said.
"Will we be forced to give our best men to the Empire?"
"Unless they want to, you wont have to." replied Thrawn with a calculated dose of friendliness.
"The Empire will however be allowed to train its men in your Academy, as well as build ships in your shipyard."
"Ah." Romod said. Thats the catch. He resignedly sighed and then said sadfuly:
"We accept your terms."
"Then lower your shield and allow my men to come down. Any attempt of resistance will be met with merciless execution. Of the whole planet if you attempt to attack my shuttles with your anti-air weapons." Thrawn said vilely.
"Yes admiral. We will lower our shield immediately." said Romod, and terminated the connection. "Admiral, they lowered their shield." called out a lieutenant from the crew pit. Gallear. Again.
"Order commander Hotan to leave behind three stormtroopers and meet up with the landing shuttles." Thrawn boomed.
"Launch Phantom squadron." he nodded to the communication officer, then flicked a switch on his armchair.
"Major Kowes, prepare for launching. I want you to fly a parade style formation around our ships, standard TIE speed, do not use your full speed. We cannot show the Almanians the advantages of such craft." he smiled at the end.
"Very well sir." a gruffy voice said. Cayel could imagine the six pairs of turbolaser-like eyes listening their orders with their original's attention for details. He shuddered.