If you've read the great book Survivors Quest by Timothy Zhan, then you'll understand the story a whole lot better. I took a some liberties with the timeline; mostly with Thrawn, the Chiss, and the Vagaari. Sorry about that...
Military Doctrine: Part I
"As you all know our entire military doctrine and theory is based upon the use of military force only in defense. To kill in preemption is murder."Talx addressed the class of Chiss cadets sitting upright at their info modules.
Each set of red eyes was fixed upon the professor so that he was nearly bathed in red light. Only one Chiss looked off into space idly. Sorn (noble son of Nuroudo) counted ceiling tiles.
"Our policy was not violated for millennia even in the face of dozens of outside threats until Thrawn attained the position of Syndic. His attack on the Outbound Flight Project not only murdered thousands of innocents, but endangered the Chiss way of life as we know it. Because of his preemption the Ascendancy was revealed to the human empires of the core whose only constants are chaos, change, and an unflinching regression towards barbarity under extreme situations. The incident is simply a grand example of why preemption is NEVER justified."
Sorn's thoughts focused on Thrawn. Preemption, murderer, traitor, tactician, warrior…hero? His thoughts spilled over and despite his best efforts his mouth opened up…
"No…" he said absentmindedly.
Talx instantly stopped the lecture. Slowly all eyes turned towards Sorn. Despite all his social training as a noble in the Nuroudo court he could feel his face blush. Blast it. He thought. I never blush.
"Did you want to say something, cadet Sorn?" Talx's hands visibly dug into his console.
"No sir. It was nothing." Sorn said lamely as the class leered at him.
"Really? Maybe you had something to say that contemporary Chiss doctrines developed over thousands of years had overlooked. Because that is the ONLY reason you would ever interrupt my lecture."Talx said as he leisurely walked through the class rows and leaned upon Sorn's console.
Well, I have to talk now. Sorn thought as he looked around the class for any way out. Might as well get it over with and take my punishment. He cleared his throat.
"It was uhh… I was just thinking that preemption can sometimes be justified. Ummm, Doctrine Mobility emphasizes versatility of overall tactics trumping all other doctrines including the Defensive Posture in extreme circumstances."Talx hummed to himself as Sorn rambled.
"Interesting,"Talx said noncommittally and then turned to the class, "Dear students, cadet Sorn believes that our greatest tenet is merely a suggestion. Tell, me cadet Sorn, what situation would ever warrant violation of the Doctrine Defense and thereby undo thousands of years of Chiss tradition and morality?"
Sorn narrowed his eyes at the harsh sarcasm. A din of snickers and whispers filled the room. His embarrassment was quickly being replaced by anger. If the old man wanted an argument he would get one.
"That doctrine is based on the vast data banks of the Expeditionary Library and the social and military predictions made from that data gathered so long ago. The predictor can predict the social and military status of race in the contemporary age simply by studying pieces of that race's art even if that art is thousands of years old. With 99 accuracy we can keep tabs on the galaxy without reconnaissance, infiltration, espionage, or any other form of preemption. This is from the Doctrine Knowledge of "knowing your enemy" and is also what makes Doctrine Defense possible." Sorn began.
"Yes, yes. You've only stated why Doctrine Defensive is not only vital, but quite possible."Talx growled.
"The predictor also computes information of cosmic rays, radiation, gravity, triangulation's of celestial movements and positions, as well as the projected extinction of stars and their effect on a race's development. However, this only takes into account a mono galactic schema." Sorn continued feeling excitement build in his chest.
"Get to the point, cadet. You've already wasted enough time."
"What if there was a threat from…outside our galaxy; Outsiders that our databanks could not fathom? If the Outbound Flight Project made contact with a hostile force from outside the galaxy then our predictor would be useless in combating such an enemy. Such a preemptive attack would be prudent and necessary and a multi galactic schema would make Doctrine Defense obsolete."
Silence fell suddenly on the class. Every student looked stunned probably wondering whether Sorn would instantly be expelled from the academy in disgrace. Sorn only then realized what he had said and sank back in his chair. Talx's face was hardened and unreadable, his eyes shined uncannily.
"Class dismissed. Cadet Sorn, you will see me in my office, NOW!"Talx said a in a short manner.
Sorn hastily stood up and gathered his datacards. This was not good. He kept his head down not daring to lookTalx in the eye.
"I.. I'm very sorry for the disruption, Professor. I did not mean to go on like that and I do not want to make any excuses, but I think I have gotten a hint of uhh… Hynerian flu and you know how…." Sorn's hurried apology was interrupted as the gathered datacards cascaded out of his arms and clattered upon the floor. He could feel his noble training in graceful social situations slip out his fingers as well, "A thousand apologies… Hynerian… flu… SORRY."
Talx's stony face gave way to one of exasperation rather than anger. His military stance relaxed.
"Just leave them and please come to my office. Don't worry, I'm not going to report you."
Sorn meekly consented and followed Talx out. Talx showed no signs of anger or hostility. He stopped for a snack at the mess hall and conversed with a struggling student in the hall. He even chatted inconsequentially with the bearded janitor.
"So this little one is on the chopping block for the terrible wrath of Professor Talxl?" he said pointing at Sorn. Sorn instantly stiffened with fear.Talxand the janitor burst out laughing at the cadet's reaction. Apparently they're friends, Sorn thought with annoyance.
They moved on leaving the janitor still howling with laughter. Is this howTalx disciplines his students? Sorn wondered with bewilderment. Finally they came to the office. It was decorated with pieces of art recovered from the Unknown Regions. Probably combat trophies from Talx's days in the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet. The professor bade him to sit down and then sat down as well at his desk. His hands were folded and he leaned back in his chair without speaking.
"I am truly sorry, Sir. I will accept expulsion and… I do not really have Hynerian flu." Sorn said with defeat, breaking the silence.
"That was quite an argument you made in class. Not many Chiss would take that position or give voice to it."Talx said with smile ignoring Sorn's surrender, but the cadet remained silent, "You had some fair points. Our databanks cannot account for things that they should. We could not predict the Vagaari with their biotechnology," He paused for a moment and looked out the window on the snowy ice land.
"I read from your files that you have closely studied the campaigns of Thrawn," Sorn nodded, "I knew him. He was every Chiss. "Ice in the blood" they say. He held to the Doctrine Defense without flinching."
"What changed his mind?" Sorn said feeling the dread leave him.
"His expedition into the Unknown Regions… changed him He saw wonders beyond imagination and nightmares; saw ships so large and dark they blotted out the stars; he met with Aiing Tii monks who took him to the far edges of the galaxy and beyond. Before he was arrogant and hard as ice. It took the Unknown Regions with its duality of beauty and terror to finally break him, but one thing held true for him through it all… defending the Chiss race." He paused again and looked outside again.
"The Ascendancy is a thing of rarity in the galaxy. It is a place where people can live peacefully and simply apart from the carnage of the human wars. Our children can run through the streets and play without fearing criminals. Our citizens actually trust in the government and the government in the citizens. The Ascendancy is something to be cherished and protected. Yet, I fear even our fleets cannot protect our way of life against the unfathomable horrors from beyond the rim." He composed himself erasing any evidence of his previous emotions. He turned from the window and faced Sorn.
"That is why we need people like you. "Ice in the blood" may be enough for some Chiss generals, but ice breaks and shatters under pressure. We need warriors who love their homeland and will do whatever it takes to defend it. Are you such?"
Sorn stood up military posture, "I am."
"Good. Now, how would you like to serve in Thrawn's old phalanx on Niraun?"
Sorn narrowed his eyes, "The Empire of the Hand?"
"I understand your reservations. You must be as hard and sharp as ice, but you must also be flexible. To save your home you must leave it behind."Talx held out his hand for the shaken cadet to shake.
Sorn watched the hand as his mind churned with indecision. Thrawn, unknown enemies, ice, homeland, beyond the galactic rim. It was all too confusing, but one mantra rang clear. To save your homeland, you must leave it.
He took the hand.
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