Their shuttle was drawn into the behemoth's hangar bay by a tractor beam, slowly and most of all carefully gliding through the magnetic barrier before settling on the durasteel floor.
"Ready Ivan?" Miles askedas their shuttle door began to unlock and open.
"I hope they got girls aboard this tin can." He said wishfully.
"Just shut up and let me do the talking." Miles belted back at him.
"Okay my Lord-Auditor-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed cousin, youre the boss. I'll just be the innocent bystander. For a change." Ivan shot back at him with a sneer, as they descended down the ramp.
At each side of their shuttle, there were four detachments of around twenty beings, dressed in white armor with skeleton-like helmets hiding their race, forming a subtle "path" for their guests. At the end of the path, the pale blue skinned man stood, dressed in spotless white, flanked by four officers dressed in olive gray uniforms, and another human in a dark cape with a hood hiding his face, but Miles managed to spot a glitter of interest in the hooded mans eyes.
They walked torward the man dressed in white, Ivan stared around like a child in a circus, and Miles drawed on his most emotionless poker-face. They stopped infront of the Imperial delegation. The man in white raised an ironical waiting eyebrow, and Ivan's hand instantly flew to salute, leaving Ivan in a puzzled state - more puzzled then before concluded Miles- as the seconds streched as eternity.
"Admiral Vorkosigan I take it?" Thrawn said.
"Lord Auditor Vorkosigan." Miles corrected him stiffly.
"My apologies." Thrawn smiled, and continued:
"Allow me to introduce myself and my colleagues. I am Grand Admiral Thrawn, and this is Captain Cayel, Admiral Torroro, Captain Frey, Captain Degtir and Lieutenant Lomeir." Thrawn finished.
"Pleased to meet you gentlemen, I am Lord Auditor Vorkosigan, Voice of Emperor Gregor Vorbarra of Barrayar, this is my ahh, associate Captain Ivan Vorpatril." Miles nodded back.
"Very well Lord Auditor. Would you please elaborate on how did you pass the hyperspace distortion field?"
"Hyperspace distortion field?" Miles blinked, puzzled by this terminology.
"Area where hyperspace travel is impossible." Thrawn patiently explained.
"Would you care to explain how you appeared out of nowhere?" Ivan asked before Miles could reply to Thrawn. Miles flinched, hoping Thrawn wouldnt find this insulting. The picture of all those skeleton-dressed troops firing nerve distruptors at him and Ivan uninvited popped into his mind.
"We exited lightspeed ofcourse." Thrawn replied, and before he could continue, an officer approached him, clicked his heels and bowed his head in salute.
"Yes lieutenant?" Thrawn raised a thoughtful finger to his lips as he took his penetrating fiery stare off Miles's deformed body, not that Miles could blame, the Imperial Auditor title traditionally didnt come in pack with a man whose height was barely above meter and a half, result of prenatal soltoxin damage.
"Mylord, we recieved reports that Almania is under attack by Yuuzhan Vong forces." the man said as a little note of panic creeped into his voice.
* * *
Thrawn's face remained emotionless, but Miles saw a flicker of something that looked like... like an artist marveling at his artwork. He reached to the comlink on his belt, unclipped it and spoke:
"Thrawn to bridge, enter coordinates for Almania, notify the 'Oathbraker' and the 'Reaper' to prepare for hyperspace on my mark." he said, and turned to face his staff.
"Captain Frey, Captain Cayel, return to your flagships and enter hyperspace on my command. Captain Cayel, I will be with you in a moment, wait for me." Thrawn said, and the two men from his escort left with a nodd of respect torward the Lambda class shuttles.
"Lord Auditor, I am given the impression your ship is incapable of hyperspace travel." Thrawn said to Miles.
"You are correct. Our ship travels through wormholes." Miles replied.
"Then it would take you years to reach Almania. Would you like to accompany me aboard my flagship?" Thrawn concluded.
"Err, ofcourse." Miles said, and went with Thrawn torward his shuttle.
Their shuttle settled on the hangar floor, the ramp lowered with steam hisses, and Thrawn walked down the ramp followed closely by Cayel and Lomer, a little behind them the Auditor and his companion.
"Admiral..." Cayel started.
"No captain. We will not lose Almania. It is vital to our goals, and is a major stepping stone torward the unavoidable defeat of the arrogantly self-proclaimed New Republic, the Yuuzhan Vong, and the reinstatement of the Emperor's New Order." Thrawn said.
"But Admiral, I respectfully ask you to reconsider, three Star Destroyers wont last long against a full invasion force." Cayel persisted.
"Point taken captain. Exactly why the 'Stormlord' and all ships that are stationed at Iridonia will exit hyperspace in about... ten minues." Thrawn said as he subtly glanced at his chrono, as the turbolift doors closed with a vile hiss.
The bridge was as busy as ever when Thrawn entered, as soon as the turbolift doors opened, he exited the turbolift winged by Cayel, Lomeir, Ivan and Miles, and walked his way torward the Command Chair infront of the main viewpoint.
"Communication, notify the 'Fearbringer' and the 'Oathbraker' to enter hyperspace on my mark. Helm, enter hyperspace on my mark. Mark." Thrawn said as he seated himself into his Command Chair. His. He smiled to this, once again they were going to battle, once again, they shall be victorious. Cayel and Lomeir positioned themselves on either side, and Miles and Ivan on the starboard viewpoint. The stars infront of them turned into lines, as the three Imperial ships entered hyperspace, the space infront of them turned into a tunnel of light. Miles and Ivan were open-eyed, marveling at this.
"Interesting technology Admiral. Back home, only means of travel we have is through wormholes." Miles said.
"Interesting. Very Interesting. That provides a wide array of interesting opportunities for tactical exercises." Thrawn replied with a smile to the small man, whose smile froze on his face.
"Anything wrong Lord Vorkosigan?" Thrawn asked.
"Those are almost the same words my father used when he reffered to the conquest of Komarr." Miles responded.
"Interesting. I look forward to meeting your father." Thrawn replied.
"Admiral, could you tell me a few things about this... Galactic Empire of yours?" Ivan interjected.
"Indeed I could, captain. The Galactic Empire was founded by Emperor Palpatine upon the ruins of the Old Republic, and with an armada of Star Destroyers, order and peace was brought to the galaxy. Alas, the Emperor had other plans, as he began oppressing the aliens in the galaxy, favoring humans before any other race. Thus, a Rebel Alliance was formed to oppose the Empire. In the beginning they were a minor group, but after the destruction of Alderaan by the Death Star, they gathered many willing recruits for their cause. The Empire struck back at Hoth. Led by lord Darth Vader, the Empire obliterated a Rebel base on the icy planet of Hoth. Alas, the Rebellion won the most crucial battle. The battle at Endor. There, aboard the Death Star II, Luke Skywalker, a Jedi, managed to defeat lord Vader, and murder the Emperor. Then, the Imperial Armada fell apart."
"Fell apart? As in civil war?" Miles asked.
"No, the conflict between the Empire and the Rebellion was the Civil War. You see, the Emperor was a Dark Lord of the Sith. He looked like a willowed old man, but he was powerful in the Force. I once witnessed him shooting lightning out of his bare hands at an officer that failed him. The Emperor used his power to increase the coordination between the Imperial forces, that way they acted as a single strike force. When the Emperor was killed, the motivator he represented was lost, and chaos spread. After the Battle of Endor, the Rebels proclaimed themselves the New Republic. They were opposed by some warlords, including my clone who brought them to their knees before he was murdered." Thrawn continued.
"Oh. What of these... Yuuzhan Vong?" asked Ivan.
"They are invaders from another galaxy, they despise all technology, instead relying on biological weapons and ships to fight with. From what Ive seen, their entire goal in this galaxy is to purge it of all 'infidels' as they call us. So far they have been... successful. But then again, I was in suspended animation for a long time, I was awakened only three months ago." Thrawn replied.
"We will be reverting to realspace in fifteen seconds Admiral." an officer informed them from the crewpit.
"Good. All crew to battlestations. Captain Cayel, is my admiral ship ready?" Thrawn asked.
Cayel's back stiffened into parade-style stand, and he replied the formal answer to the formal question.
"The 'Reaper' is fully under your command Admiral."
Cayel's timing was, by accident or on purpose, right on time, as the tunnel infront of them turned into lines, and then into dots on the black cape of the galaxy.
Infront of them, Almania lied. Not as peaceful as it was when they left it. Defending the planet, against all odds, stood a lone Victory-class Star Destroyer, the 'Iron Fist', supported by Lancer Frigates and Strike Cruisers, and a couple of assault frigates. Against them, stood a Yuuzhan Vong swarm, countless coralskippers flied around the swarm of cruiser and destroyer analogs. One analog in particuliar was interesting. The Yuuzhan Vong ship boasted a lenght of eight kilometers.
"Sensors, give me a report on that Vong ship." Thrawn calmly said.
"Executor-class star destroyer analog sir." the sensor officer's words were laced with panic.
"Relax ensign. We are not defeated yet. Far from it." Thrawn calmed him.
"Sir, detecting multiple hyperspace jump points in sector A-02." a new report came in, as the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer 'Stormlord' flanked by the Dreadnoughts 'Iron Heart' and 'Dark Eye' and something that looked like a flying crate exited hyperspace to their port side.
"Open hailing frequency." Thrawn ordered, and the comm officer nodded back at him after he flicked a switch.
"This is Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Imperial Navy to all Imperial forces in the area! Form around the 'Shadowfox' and protect it, Alpha Strike Force, return to Alpha flagship and assume drawed formation. Star Destroyers, focus on the Executor-class star destroyer analog, Alpha will take care of other ships." he boomed over the commlink, as in the distance, the flying crate Thrawn had labeled 'Shadowfox' started unloading squadrons and squadrons of TIE Interceptors. Soon, four hundred TIE's were rushing like a tide torward the Yuuzhan Vong coralskipper swarm, and upon contact they began their death dance.
Following the TIE's, Alpha Strike Force came in turbolasers blazing, lead by the Nebulon B2 frigate 'Reaper', with Lancer Frigates 'Warhammer' and 'Trident' in drawed flank formation, and Strike cruiser's 'Storm' and 'Lightning' in a split line formation, forming a crude W. Approaching the Yuuzhan Vong swarm from the plant side, four Star Destroyers were pounding at the Executor class analog in delta formation. The Yuuzhan Vong were caught between the hammer, and the anvil, and as another ship exited hyperspace, they were held firmly by the tongues at the anvil. For the Interdictor cruiser 'Stasis' fired up its gravity well generators.
On the 'Reaper's port side, a Vong frigate analog ended its career as a middle-age battering ram in a sparkling explosion of coral, followed by a heavy cruiser analog which was firing its deadly plasma at 'Lightning'. Things were going smoothly.
"Sensor officer, scan the area for TIE's." Cayel couldnt help his fascination.
"Detecting four hundred TIE Interceptors in the area sir."
"And coralskippers?" Thrawn asked.
"Two thousand." the grim reply came.
Thrawn nodded to Lomeir, who in turn took off his hood slowly, revealing his penetrating eyes and glittering horns to the astonished Miles and Ivan, and then he turned to the starfield, closed his eyes and reached out.
"Admiral, you might want to deploy some of your ships to take out that group of frigate analogs that is going for the grey ships guarding that flying crate." Miles interjected.
"Point taken Lord Auditor. Hangar bay, notify Major Kowes to launch and dispose of those frigates, quickly if possible." Thrawn nodded, and continued:
"Communications officer, play the musical theme I prepared on all channels." Thrawn said, and in a second that it took the officer to select and play the theme, the Imperial March boomed over all communication channels.
Within three minutes, hailed by a destroyer analog exploding, a squadron of what looked like clutched balls exited the 'Reaper's hangar.
The leading Vong starship spat volley after volley of deadly plasma fire torward the angular formation of Star Destroyers, all of them striking at the Victory Star Destroyer 'Iron Fist'.
"Thrawn to 'Iron Fist', pull back." Thrawn boomed over the commlink.
"Negative sir, hyperdrive is out, we are heading for the escape pods, but before we leave we got one more suprise for the Vong." the captain's voice came over the comlink.
"Sir, they have disarmed their weapons, we are registering an intensifying surge in the 'Iron Fist's engines." the sensor officer called out from the crew pit. Thrawn stared outside at the Star Destroyer breaking formation, and rushing torward the leading Vong ship, the executor-class star destroyer analog, as escape pods started pouring from the hangar.
"He wont do it!" Cayel said.
"Glory to the Empire!" the 'Iron Fist' captain's voice boomed over the comlink.
"Son of a bitch - he will!" Miles said in astonishment as the behemoth Star Destroyer slammed into the Vong ship, they both exploded with a brilliant explosion of sparks, as the TIE's in perfect formation wasted the coralskipper numbers by the dozen. In the background, more frigates were destroyed by Major Kowes, the remaining Star Destroyers wreaked havoc over the battlefield. Thrawn blinked, and spoke:
"Captain, what was the name of the officer commanding the 'Iron Fist'?"
"Captain Thompson sir."
"Thompson. Good man." Thrawn responded. Was it a start of a tear forming in his eye?
"I noticed sir." Cayel said, openly allowing a tear to slide down his cheek.
"Order all Star Destroyer's to search the area for escape pods."
Cayel nodded to the comm officer to procceed the order.
Ten minutes later, a familiar voice boomed over the com frequency.
"Admiral, captain Thompson reporting for duty." the voice boomed with happyness over the comlink, as Thrawn allowed a smile to spoil his emotionless expression. Both Ivan and Miles were grinning like loons. *This might be the beginning of a good friendship* Thrawn thought, and heroically sniffed.
"Ready Ivan?" Miles askedas their shuttle door began to unlock and open.
"I hope they got girls aboard this tin can." He said wishfully.
"Just shut up and let me do the talking." Miles belted back at him.
"Okay my Lord-Auditor-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed cousin, youre the boss. I'll just be the innocent bystander. For a change." Ivan shot back at him with a sneer, as they descended down the ramp.
At each side of their shuttle, there were four detachments of around twenty beings, dressed in white armor with skeleton-like helmets hiding their race, forming a subtle "path" for their guests. At the end of the path, the pale blue skinned man stood, dressed in spotless white, flanked by four officers dressed in olive gray uniforms, and another human in a dark cape with a hood hiding his face, but Miles managed to spot a glitter of interest in the hooded mans eyes.
They walked torward the man dressed in white, Ivan stared around like a child in a circus, and Miles drawed on his most emotionless poker-face. They stopped infront of the Imperial delegation. The man in white raised an ironical waiting eyebrow, and Ivan's hand instantly flew to salute, leaving Ivan in a puzzled state - more puzzled then before concluded Miles- as the seconds streched as eternity.
"Admiral Vorkosigan I take it?" Thrawn said.
"Lord Auditor Vorkosigan." Miles corrected him stiffly.
"My apologies." Thrawn smiled, and continued:
"Allow me to introduce myself and my colleagues. I am Grand Admiral Thrawn, and this is Captain Cayel, Admiral Torroro, Captain Frey, Captain Degtir and Lieutenant Lomeir." Thrawn finished.
"Pleased to meet you gentlemen, I am Lord Auditor Vorkosigan, Voice of Emperor Gregor Vorbarra of Barrayar, this is my ahh, associate Captain Ivan Vorpatril." Miles nodded back.
"Very well Lord Auditor. Would you please elaborate on how did you pass the hyperspace distortion field?"
"Hyperspace distortion field?" Miles blinked, puzzled by this terminology.
"Area where hyperspace travel is impossible." Thrawn patiently explained.
"Would you care to explain how you appeared out of nowhere?" Ivan asked before Miles could reply to Thrawn. Miles flinched, hoping Thrawn wouldnt find this insulting. The picture of all those skeleton-dressed troops firing nerve distruptors at him and Ivan uninvited popped into his mind.
"We exited lightspeed ofcourse." Thrawn replied, and before he could continue, an officer approached him, clicked his heels and bowed his head in salute.
"Yes lieutenant?" Thrawn raised a thoughtful finger to his lips as he took his penetrating fiery stare off Miles's deformed body, not that Miles could blame, the Imperial Auditor title traditionally didnt come in pack with a man whose height was barely above meter and a half, result of prenatal soltoxin damage.
"Mylord, we recieved reports that Almania is under attack by Yuuzhan Vong forces." the man said as a little note of panic creeped into his voice.
* * *
Thrawn's face remained emotionless, but Miles saw a flicker of something that looked like... like an artist marveling at his artwork. He reached to the comlink on his belt, unclipped it and spoke:
"Thrawn to bridge, enter coordinates for Almania, notify the 'Oathbraker' and the 'Reaper' to prepare for hyperspace on my mark." he said, and turned to face his staff.
"Captain Frey, Captain Cayel, return to your flagships and enter hyperspace on my command. Captain Cayel, I will be with you in a moment, wait for me." Thrawn said, and the two men from his escort left with a nodd of respect torward the Lambda class shuttles.
"Lord Auditor, I am given the impression your ship is incapable of hyperspace travel." Thrawn said to Miles.
"You are correct. Our ship travels through wormholes." Miles replied.
"Then it would take you years to reach Almania. Would you like to accompany me aboard my flagship?" Thrawn concluded.
"Err, ofcourse." Miles said, and went with Thrawn torward his shuttle.
Their shuttle settled on the hangar floor, the ramp lowered with steam hisses, and Thrawn walked down the ramp followed closely by Cayel and Lomer, a little behind them the Auditor and his companion.
"Admiral..." Cayel started.
"No captain. We will not lose Almania. It is vital to our goals, and is a major stepping stone torward the unavoidable defeat of the arrogantly self-proclaimed New Republic, the Yuuzhan Vong, and the reinstatement of the Emperor's New Order." Thrawn said.
"But Admiral, I respectfully ask you to reconsider, three Star Destroyers wont last long against a full invasion force." Cayel persisted.
"Point taken captain. Exactly why the 'Stormlord' and all ships that are stationed at Iridonia will exit hyperspace in about... ten minues." Thrawn said as he subtly glanced at his chrono, as the turbolift doors closed with a vile hiss.
The bridge was as busy as ever when Thrawn entered, as soon as the turbolift doors opened, he exited the turbolift winged by Cayel, Lomeir, Ivan and Miles, and walked his way torward the Command Chair infront of the main viewpoint.
"Communication, notify the 'Fearbringer' and the 'Oathbraker' to enter hyperspace on my mark. Helm, enter hyperspace on my mark. Mark." Thrawn said as he seated himself into his Command Chair. His. He smiled to this, once again they were going to battle, once again, they shall be victorious. Cayel and Lomeir positioned themselves on either side, and Miles and Ivan on the starboard viewpoint. The stars infront of them turned into lines, as the three Imperial ships entered hyperspace, the space infront of them turned into a tunnel of light. Miles and Ivan were open-eyed, marveling at this.
"Interesting technology Admiral. Back home, only means of travel we have is through wormholes." Miles said.
"Interesting. Very Interesting. That provides a wide array of interesting opportunities for tactical exercises." Thrawn replied with a smile to the small man, whose smile froze on his face.
"Anything wrong Lord Vorkosigan?" Thrawn asked.
"Those are almost the same words my father used when he reffered to the conquest of Komarr." Miles responded.
"Interesting. I look forward to meeting your father." Thrawn replied.
"Admiral, could you tell me a few things about this... Galactic Empire of yours?" Ivan interjected.
"Indeed I could, captain. The Galactic Empire was founded by Emperor Palpatine upon the ruins of the Old Republic, and with an armada of Star Destroyers, order and peace was brought to the galaxy. Alas, the Emperor had other plans, as he began oppressing the aliens in the galaxy, favoring humans before any other race. Thus, a Rebel Alliance was formed to oppose the Empire. In the beginning they were a minor group, but after the destruction of Alderaan by the Death Star, they gathered many willing recruits for their cause. The Empire struck back at Hoth. Led by lord Darth Vader, the Empire obliterated a Rebel base on the icy planet of Hoth. Alas, the Rebellion won the most crucial battle. The battle at Endor. There, aboard the Death Star II, Luke Skywalker, a Jedi, managed to defeat lord Vader, and murder the Emperor. Then, the Imperial Armada fell apart."
"Fell apart? As in civil war?" Miles asked.
"No, the conflict between the Empire and the Rebellion was the Civil War. You see, the Emperor was a Dark Lord of the Sith. He looked like a willowed old man, but he was powerful in the Force. I once witnessed him shooting lightning out of his bare hands at an officer that failed him. The Emperor used his power to increase the coordination between the Imperial forces, that way they acted as a single strike force. When the Emperor was killed, the motivator he represented was lost, and chaos spread. After the Battle of Endor, the Rebels proclaimed themselves the New Republic. They were opposed by some warlords, including my clone who brought them to their knees before he was murdered." Thrawn continued.
"Oh. What of these... Yuuzhan Vong?" asked Ivan.
"They are invaders from another galaxy, they despise all technology, instead relying on biological weapons and ships to fight with. From what Ive seen, their entire goal in this galaxy is to purge it of all 'infidels' as they call us. So far they have been... successful. But then again, I was in suspended animation for a long time, I was awakened only three months ago." Thrawn replied.
"We will be reverting to realspace in fifteen seconds Admiral." an officer informed them from the crewpit.
"Good. All crew to battlestations. Captain Cayel, is my admiral ship ready?" Thrawn asked.
Cayel's back stiffened into parade-style stand, and he replied the formal answer to the formal question.
"The 'Reaper' is fully under your command Admiral."
Cayel's timing was, by accident or on purpose, right on time, as the tunnel infront of them turned into lines, and then into dots on the black cape of the galaxy.
Infront of them, Almania lied. Not as peaceful as it was when they left it. Defending the planet, against all odds, stood a lone Victory-class Star Destroyer, the 'Iron Fist', supported by Lancer Frigates and Strike Cruisers, and a couple of assault frigates. Against them, stood a Yuuzhan Vong swarm, countless coralskippers flied around the swarm of cruiser and destroyer analogs. One analog in particuliar was interesting. The Yuuzhan Vong ship boasted a lenght of eight kilometers.
"Sensors, give me a report on that Vong ship." Thrawn calmly said.
"Executor-class star destroyer analog sir." the sensor officer's words were laced with panic.
"Relax ensign. We are not defeated yet. Far from it." Thrawn calmed him.
"Sir, detecting multiple hyperspace jump points in sector A-02." a new report came in, as the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer 'Stormlord' flanked by the Dreadnoughts 'Iron Heart' and 'Dark Eye' and something that looked like a flying crate exited hyperspace to their port side.
"Open hailing frequency." Thrawn ordered, and the comm officer nodded back at him after he flicked a switch.
"This is Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Imperial Navy to all Imperial forces in the area! Form around the 'Shadowfox' and protect it, Alpha Strike Force, return to Alpha flagship and assume drawed formation. Star Destroyers, focus on the Executor-class star destroyer analog, Alpha will take care of other ships." he boomed over the commlink, as in the distance, the flying crate Thrawn had labeled 'Shadowfox' started unloading squadrons and squadrons of TIE Interceptors. Soon, four hundred TIE's were rushing like a tide torward the Yuuzhan Vong coralskipper swarm, and upon contact they began their death dance.
Following the TIE's, Alpha Strike Force came in turbolasers blazing, lead by the Nebulon B2 frigate 'Reaper', with Lancer Frigates 'Warhammer' and 'Trident' in drawed flank formation, and Strike cruiser's 'Storm' and 'Lightning' in a split line formation, forming a crude W. Approaching the Yuuzhan Vong swarm from the plant side, four Star Destroyers were pounding at the Executor class analog in delta formation. The Yuuzhan Vong were caught between the hammer, and the anvil, and as another ship exited hyperspace, they were held firmly by the tongues at the anvil. For the Interdictor cruiser 'Stasis' fired up its gravity well generators.
On the 'Reaper's port side, a Vong frigate analog ended its career as a middle-age battering ram in a sparkling explosion of coral, followed by a heavy cruiser analog which was firing its deadly plasma at 'Lightning'. Things were going smoothly.
"Sensor officer, scan the area for TIE's." Cayel couldnt help his fascination.
"Detecting four hundred TIE Interceptors in the area sir."
"And coralskippers?" Thrawn asked.
"Two thousand." the grim reply came.
Thrawn nodded to Lomeir, who in turn took off his hood slowly, revealing his penetrating eyes and glittering horns to the astonished Miles and Ivan, and then he turned to the starfield, closed his eyes and reached out.
"Admiral, you might want to deploy some of your ships to take out that group of frigate analogs that is going for the grey ships guarding that flying crate." Miles interjected.
"Point taken Lord Auditor. Hangar bay, notify Major Kowes to launch and dispose of those frigates, quickly if possible." Thrawn nodded, and continued:
"Communications officer, play the musical theme I prepared on all channels." Thrawn said, and in a second that it took the officer to select and play the theme, the Imperial March boomed over all communication channels.
Within three minutes, hailed by a destroyer analog exploding, a squadron of what looked like clutched balls exited the 'Reaper's hangar.
The leading Vong starship spat volley after volley of deadly plasma fire torward the angular formation of Star Destroyers, all of them striking at the Victory Star Destroyer 'Iron Fist'.
"Thrawn to 'Iron Fist', pull back." Thrawn boomed over the commlink.
"Negative sir, hyperdrive is out, we are heading for the escape pods, but before we leave we got one more suprise for the Vong." the captain's voice came over the comlink.
"Sir, they have disarmed their weapons, we are registering an intensifying surge in the 'Iron Fist's engines." the sensor officer called out from the crew pit. Thrawn stared outside at the Star Destroyer breaking formation, and rushing torward the leading Vong ship, the executor-class star destroyer analog, as escape pods started pouring from the hangar.
"He wont do it!" Cayel said.
"Glory to the Empire!" the 'Iron Fist' captain's voice boomed over the comlink.
"Son of a bitch - he will!" Miles said in astonishment as the behemoth Star Destroyer slammed into the Vong ship, they both exploded with a brilliant explosion of sparks, as the TIE's in perfect formation wasted the coralskipper numbers by the dozen. In the background, more frigates were destroyed by Major Kowes, the remaining Star Destroyers wreaked havoc over the battlefield. Thrawn blinked, and spoke:
"Captain, what was the name of the officer commanding the 'Iron Fist'?"
"Captain Thompson sir."
"Thompson. Good man." Thrawn responded. Was it a start of a tear forming in his eye?
"I noticed sir." Cayel said, openly allowing a tear to slide down his cheek.
"Order all Star Destroyer's to search the area for escape pods."
Cayel nodded to the comm officer to procceed the order.
Ten minutes later, a familiar voice boomed over the com frequency.
"Admiral, captain Thompson reporting for duty." the voice boomed with happyness over the comlink, as Thrawn allowed a smile to spoil his emotionless expression. Both Ivan and Miles were grinning like loons. *This might be the beginning of a good friendship* Thrawn thought, and heroically sniffed.
