The intent of this story is not to create original characters. Unfortunately, because of the place that this story falls in the official timeline, some must be created.

This story is meant to explain the contempt and loyalties of the Chiss mentioned in later novels as related to Grand Admiral Thrawn. I follow my own naming theories, basing those upon the names of Chiss given in the Thrawn Septology by Timothy Zahn.

The destruction of Outbound Flight occurred eight years prior to the events of this fic. The Clone Wars are raging throughout the galaxy, but the average Chiss is not aware of the turmoil happening outside Ascendancy space. They only know that one of their military men has not once, but twice committed the most heinous act known to their culture; the preemptive attack.

Life had been good on Csilla to all of them, but they would leave the world in turmoil, unable to reconcile their differences until the threats from beyond Chiss space became apparent once again.

I will mention that some chapters will be short, some will be long. That is just how I write.

Enjoy.

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The perpetual winter that engulfed the city under the ice had not changed since he had last set foot upon his homeworld seven years prior. Surprisingly, his commanding officer had not placed him under arrest upon learning of the traitorous action originating from the Springhawk and her commander, but Thrawn knew that Vice-Admiral Bre'seraf'sis was allowing him to be taken in to custody by Admiral Ar'alani, who thanks to a debilitating injury upon her own flagship, was currently recooperating on Csilla.

So after a quick visit to his father, who still lived in the commoners' section of Csaplar, he returned to the military district and the living compound of those under Ar'alani's command. If he did not report to the admiral soon, she would surely send the military police to arrest him.

From experience, he did not want to be taken in to custody by military police.

Choosing to take the stairs down to the fourth floor, where both his and Admiral Ar'alani's apartments were located, he found his thoughts wandering to the larger galaxy. Darth Sidious had informed him that now was the perfect time to join what would be his New Order, and that generous promotions awaited him inside the galaxy known to the humans. He would be given his own fleet and a chance to dabble in technological advancement, if he would bring the technology for a portable ship-sized gravity well to the Order.

That was, as long as his own people didn't kill him first. He knew Aristocra Chaf'orm'bintrano would be leading the initiative for his execution, and that many more would follow. What Thrawn had done was absolutely inexcusable.

But it certainly grabbed their attention.

A slight smile crossed his lips as he exited the stairwell, head held high as he passed the residents that were in the halls. All were from military families, so all knew what had been done at Thrawn's command. One female instinctively pulled her younglings close, as if just beingnear him would be enough to taint her family. Another commented that Thrawn had been right; the system was ineffective if it allowed murderous traitors like him to walk among respectable citizens.

He would not acknowledge them; neither were of any importance to the matter at hand. Pressing a button on Admiral Ar'alani's door, he waited at attention to be admitted inside by his commanding officer.

Instead, a curly-haired youngling opened the door, her glowing eyes narrowed to slits as she glared at Thrawn. "The Admiral is busy, Commander."

The girl was obviously bluffing. She was still too young to understand proper behaviors in this sort of situation, but he did think she would be as effective a leader as her mother one day. "May I wait for her inside, Imali?"

The youngling's eyes darted around the hallway, taking in the positions of the curious onlookers, before finally opening the door fully, revealing Admiral Ar'alani in the background, her white formal uniform dazzling in the low light, but her posture indicated her displeasure at the situation. "You will be facing a full tribunal."

"I expect nothing less."