A Left Turn at Albuquerque
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters that I am about to mangle around for my own amusement – sadly all Robotech and Star Wars characters remain the property of Harmony Gold, Disney and Lucasfilm Ltd respectively – I am merely borrowing them and make absolutely no profit from their use. As a result, please keep the legal attack dogs – also known as lawyers – firmly muzzled and on a leash as I have no money to give to anyone.
Chapter Ten
SDF-3 Pioneer
Orbiting Hoth
"You did what?"
Admiral Rick Hunter stared in a mixture of shock and disbelief at the image floating in a projector field above his ready room desk. Standing just behind and to the side of him Lisa was equally startled at the report that had just been presented to them by the captain of the Tanganyika, one of the three light cruisers dispatched from the fleet to survey possible new locations for the fleet to space fold to. Locations that would be more secure than this system, which was uncomfortably close a known tibana gas mining operation, and hopefully be host to an uninhabited but habitable planet that could at best become a new temporary base of operations for the fleet and at worst – if they failed to find a way home – become the site of the first Terran colony in this galaxy.
They definitely had not been sent out to get into a fight with anybody.
On the holoscreen Captain Halsey winced at Rick's question. "We destroyed a cruiser weight pirate vessel sir," the much younger man, really barely into his thirties, replied. It was clear from the look in the young – but not uncommonly so as the latest generations of Terrans had had to grow up fast, the days of waiting for the passage of years to season commanders had died long ago swept away in the quantum fires of the Rain of Death – man's eyes that he knew that he had violated his orders in destroying the pirate vessel. But also, that he believed he had done the only right thing that he could.
"Explain to me how exactly that came about captain," Rick replied keeping his voice calm and collected as he would give the younger REF officer a chance to justify himself and his actions before reaming him out for disobeying his orders about not getting into fights.
"Sir we'd just completed our first defold operation and were waiting for the fold drive to complete its cool down and repower cycle when our sensors detected two ships and a number of non-transformable fighters about two hundred megametres from our defold point," Halsey answered. "They were far too close for us to pass by undetected."
Especially as, that close, someone would have to be blind and deaf not to notice the gravitational disturbance and alpha wave phase shifts in the hyper/normal space boundary that accompany a space fold, Rick thought knowing at that close a range, well within conventional weapons range, that there would be nothing to be gained in transferring power from regenerating the fold system to the shadow device as the Tanganyika would have already been detected. "Continue," he prompted.
"The larger of the two ships and the fighters appeared to be attacking the smaller ship which appeared to be a freighter. When we sent a standard identification request the fighters immediately began advancing towards us on an attack vector. We immediately started hailing them with cease and desist warnings, but they ignored us and continued their aggressive approach."
"At which point you shot them down," Lisa finished for him exchanging a knowing and understanding look with Rick on the matter. Halsey had done everything right with the fighter's approach, warning them that defensive action would be taken if they continued to aggressively approach his ship. Any commander in the REF would have done the exact same thing in such a situation only firing either with lasers or more likely Foxfire interceptors when they refused to acknowledge or react to the defensive warnings.
"Yes ma'am. After our missiles took out the fighters their mothership finally seemed to take us seriously and hailed us," Halsey continued. "They identified themselves as belonging to a group known as the Black Sun and basically made the usual demands such groups make and the usual 'we'll hunt you down' threats. As per standing orders and protocol I did not accede in any way to their demands. At which point they broke off contact and began advancing towards us to attack and so I had our synchro cannon destroy them."
"And the freighter that was being attacked?" Rick asked even as he resisted, just, the impulse to scowl in disapproval over the use of the Tanganyika's light synchro cannon to destroy the pirate vessel instead of her conventional anti-ship beam cannons. Beam cannons that, from what they had seen so far, at full power would have little difficulty in tearing most known warships in this galaxy apart. Inwardly he shook his head as Halsey's attitude with the synchro cannon was an all too common one in the ships of their modern fleet and while it had its place against threats like the Invid – it was after all better to pick off their carriers and the thankfully rare supercarriers from extreme range with heavy weapons before they could start deploying their swarms of suicidal aggressive parasite craft than let them advance to conventional weapons range and face the deploying swarms of battle mecha – it wasn't really necessary in this galaxy. He made a mental note to draw up some new rules of engagement for this galaxy to emphasise that the synchro cannon was – like reflex missiles – only to be used as a weapon of last resort in combat.
"After we destroyed the pirate vessel, we noted that the freighter was adrift with notable damage to her propulsion systems. We hailed them and offered assistance," Halsey answered. "The freighter in question is apparently called the Twilight Monsoon commanded by a human male named Jordmar Edmodarn. They accepted our offer of help, but they tell me that they need a new hyperspace motivator – whatever that is – though they'll provide the specs for us to manufacture it for them along with the specs to rebuild their damaged sublight engine."
Huh this could work to our advantage, Rick thought exchanging a look with Lisa he could see that she was thinking the same thing that he was. They'd been wanting to really get a look at the technology that the people of this galaxy used as they knew very little about it – beyond the fact that the weapons and materials they used in ship construction were woefully inferior to their own weapons and ship armour – now though they could really get a look. And from there start to get a real idea of this galaxies actual level of technological development and how it compared to their own. Plus, if the crew of the Twilight Monsoon were amenable to talking to them, it would give them a civilian prospective on how things were in this galaxy as there was only so much you could learn from a probing the memories of captured soldiers.
"I see so what are you currently doing captain?"
"We're currently folding the Twilight Monsoon to a location that Captain Edmodarn referred to as the Calanda Expanse. It's apparently a massive nebula complex that's far off most hyperspace lanes – whatever those are. We should be arriving in another couple of minutes. I have already invited Captain Edmodarn to come aboard once we defold to discuss their precise requirements. We should reach our defold point in another two or three minutes."
"Then I will let you go. When you arrive at your defold coordinates relay them to us and remain there as long as it is safe to do so," Rick ordered, "another ship will be dispatched to rendezvous with you and provide the appropriate replacement parts."
"Aye sir," Halsey acknowledged before Rick tapped a control breaking the communications link from his end. Immediately the holographic screen pixeled out of existence as the projector field powered down. Rick turned to look at his wife.
"Well that was an interesting series of developments," he commented with a wry grin. "Any thoughts on them Lisa?"
"While it wasn't in his orders to intervene in a situation such as this, I cannot fault Captain Halsey for doing so," Lisa replied gaining a nod of agreement from Rick as from the report Halsey had done everything he could to avoid confrontation and to warn the Black Sun pirates off only for the pirates to continue threatening him and his ship. And promptly gotten themselves, and their ship, reduced to a cloud of dust and incandescent plasma for their insolence. "Though he could have avoided using the synchro cannon especially given how much weaker and inferior in construction the warships in this galaxy seem to be compared to back home. We're going to have to do something about that."
"I intend to," Rick answered even as part of him, the part that had had to become something of a bureaucrat as such things were inevitable as you rose into the higher ranks, began working on the modifications to be made to standard REF rules of engagement to forbid the use of strategic energy and missile weapons in combat unless their was no other choice.
"As for the crew of the Twilight Monsoon if they can be trusted then they could in the long term be of great value to us. If they can't be trusted… well we could easily repair their ship and send them on their way after wiping all recollections of us from their minds and computer records," Lisa added though she knew it was largely an unnecessary observation as Rick would already be well aware of the possibilities the Twilight Monsoon and her crew opened up for them to explore. She paused however before speaking again knowing her husband might not like this next bit.
"I should go and meet with them," she said at last. "I am after all a member of the Sentinel's High Council and the closest thing in this fleet to a professional diplomat."
Rick frowned for a moment not really liking the idea of Lisa leaving the safety of the SDF-3. Ever since her near death at Edwards hands, and the loss of their unborn child at that man's traitorous hands, Lisa's health had been somewhat on the fragile side. It was one of the reasons why she'd ultimately chosen to retire from military life. The part of him that was the loving husband hated the idea of her leaving the ship, especially as he wouldn't be able to be present to take care of her if she went through a rough patch either physically or emotionally. But the other part of him – the admiral – had to acknowledge that Lisa had a point, being a member of the Sentinels High Council, she was the closest thing he had on hand to a professional diplomat and thus would be the logical choice to meet with the crew of the Twilight Monsoon.
After a moment he sighed. "Alright go," he said. "Take one of the battleships, they'll need their heavy fabrication plants anyways to manufacture the replacement parts the Twilight Monsoon needs."
Lisa smiled pleased beyond measure that she wouldn't have to argue with Rick to get to go. She hated it when they had fights as they tended to last quite awhile given that both herself and Rick could be stubborn mules and had to have the last word in an argument. "I'll head over to the Agamemnon then," she said. "As soon as we receive the coordinates for this Calanda Expanse from the Tanganyika we should be able to depart the fleet."
Rick grinned. "You better go and get ready then," he said, "in the meantime I'll get a shuttle prepared for you." And let the Agamemnon's captain know your coming and to prepare appropriate quarters for you, he thought with an inward smile as he wondered if Lisa was actually aware of who the new captain of the Agamemnon was. If she wasn't then it would certainly be a nice surprise for her to find out when her shuttle landed aboard the battleship.
"Thank you, Rick," Lisa replied before giving her husband of more than twenty years an affectionate peck on the cheek and leaving the admiral's ready room on her way back to their quarters to pack a bag suitable for a few nights away. Rick watched her leave for a few moments, a slight goofy smile that wouldn't have looked out of place on his younger self on his face as he felt where Lisa had kissed him with one hand. Not for the first time he remembered just how much he loved her.
After a few more moments however he shook himself and pressed a control on the comm panel. "Hunter to bridge," he said.
"Lieutenant Pren here sir go ahead," Lieutenant Pren responded immediately.
"Lieutenant have a shuttle prepared to transfer Ambassador Hunter to the Agamemnon. Also hail the Agamemnon tell her captain I need to speak with her privately. Route the communication through here."
"Aye sir," Pren acknowledged before signing off to begin carrying out his orders.
For several more minutes nothing happened then the projector field over his desk activated again and a holographic screen pixeled into existence showing the face and upper torso of the Agamemnon's captain. Rick noted immediately that she was backdropped by her own ready room aboard the Eisenhower-class battleship which was almost as big as his own.
"Rick this is a surprise what can I do for you," asked Vanessa Leeds.
"Hey Vanessa," Rick said in greeting not at all put out by her informal greeting as one of the few fellow survivors of the SDF-1 and New Macross the two of them had been friends for many years. Though he wasn't as close to the last of the SDF-1's bridge bunnies as Lisa was, he was aware that if it hadn't been for Lisa then Vanessa would have likely committed suicide after the deaths of her fellow bridge bunnies, Claudia and Admiral Gloval so great was the depression and survivors guilt she'd been wracked with after being pulled out of the shattered, half-flooded ruins of the SDF-1's bridge. Only kindness and patience from Lisa had saved her from drowning in that ocean of pain and misery.
"I wanted to tell you Lisa is coming over I have a mission for you both," Rick told her which prompted Vanessa to sit up straighter.
"What is it," she asked sounding both surprised and intrigued. Rick hastened to explain everything that had happened with the Tanganyika and the Twilight Monsoon and how Lisa was going to speak with the freighters crew when they arrived at the nebula complex known as the Calanda Expanse.
All in all, it took five minutes and at the end Vanessa was nodding in understanding. "I understand," she said, "I'll have quarters prepared for Lisa and then meet her in the bay when her shuttle lands. Don't worry Rick, I'll look after her."
"I know you will Vanessa. Just do me a favour and comm me when you get to the Calanda Expanse." The so I know you've arrived safely, went unsaid though from the way Vanessa nodded and smiled she'd heard it as clear as day.
"Not a problem," she assured him. "But if there is nothing else, I better go and get all this organised on my end."
"No nothing else. Good luck out there."
"To us both," Vanessa replied before signing off making the holoscreen vanish with all the fuss of a bursting soap bubble. Rick sighed softly to himself wishing that he could see Lisa off, unfortunately he was still on duty and would be for another four hours. Which meant he couldn't, in good conscience, leave his post even though he knew for a fact that none of his crew would think any less of him if he should do so. With a sigh he forced himself to put Lisa's departure from the ship out of his mind and to get back to his paperwork.
After all the job of an admiral in the Robotech Expeditionary Force was never done.
UES Tanganyika
A Few Minutes Earlier
Captain Kaidan Halsey sighed in relief as the communications link with the SDF-3 closed down. He was beyond relieved that Admiral Hunter hadn't been too upset by his actions in destroying the Black Sun vessel after the pirates foolishly challenged them. He had thought, well feared, that the admiral would ream him out about disobeying orders to avoid confrontation with any of this galaxy's warships if at all possible. It was therefore more of a relief than he cared to think that his superior officer hadn't been mad but had, instead, seemingly realized that the situation with the Twilight Monsoon actually presented them with a unique intelligence gathering opportunity.
"I am so glad that went well," he said, naturally no one answered since he was alone in his ready room. Mentally he shook himself, he had to get his head back in the game as they would be unfolding at this Calanda Expanse in another few minutes and thus he needed to get back to the bridge. Calmly he stood up and made his way back to the bridge.
"Status report," he ordered as he stepped back into the surprisingly bright, airy space of the bridge.
"We're coming up on our defold point sir," navigation reported. "Defold operation will commence in forty seconds."
"Understood," Kaidan replied as he sat down in the command chair.
For another few moments quiet dominated the bridge with the only sounds being the faint swishing of the ventilation system and the occasional soft bleeps from various console stations as the crew carried out their duties and prepped the ship to return to normal space. Finally, though a faint whirr of power ran through the ship and outside the shimmering lines of the hyperspace wormhole transformed into a whirling sphere of what appeared to be frosted glass. But only for a moment as with a gyroscopic flicker of bluish light the fold sphere evaporated, and the view of normal space returned.
And what a spectacular view it was.
Looking far nearer than it likely was space was dominated by a truly vast nebula complex that instantly reminded everyone somewhat painfully of their home galaxy. The reason being that the vast cloud of blue-white, green and red gas shot through with darker ribbons of interstellar dust that was the Calanda Expanse was practically a dead ringer for the Great Nebula of Orion. At least at a first glance, on a second glance this nebula complex was not only considerably denser with more veins and ribbons of dust than Orion but seemed to be far, far larger.
"Beautiful," Veronica said softly from the first officers' station though everyone on the bridge heard her as clear as day.
"That it is," Kaidan agreed. "But enough gawping everyone, we have work to do. Sensors what's the status of our little hitchhiker? Have they come through the space fold alright?"
"They appear to have sir," sensors reported immediately.
"Excellent. Sparks hail the Twilight Monsoon and ask if they are ready to come aboard," Kaidan ordered. "Advise them that if they prefer, we can send a shuttle over to them rather than have them dock alongside."
"Aye sir," Sparks replied from the communications station.
"Sir long range sensors are detecting something strange," sensors reported, "two somethings actually."
"What is it," Kaidan asked instantly alert.
"Sir we're detecting a large group of what appear to be space-dwelling organisms passing through the system heading towards the outer edge of the nebula," sensors replied sounding surprised. Kaidan couldn't blame him as while space dwelling organisms were not unknown back in the Milky Way, they were extremely rare. So rare in fact that to the best of his knowledge no Terran had ever actually seen one, though they knew from Tirolian and Karbarran records that such creatures did exist.
"Are they coming anywhere near us?"
"Negative sir if they stay on their current course then the creatures should pass us with several hundred megametres to spare."
"Keep an eye on them and let me know if their course changes. If it doesn't then just get as much information on them as possible with the sensors. I'm sure Dr Lang and the other eggheads back aboard the SDF-3 would like to see it."
"Aye sir."
"What's the other contact?" Kaidan asked.
"It's deeper in the system and I cannot get a clear reading, the nebula is putting out a great deal of interference, but we're picking up a large number of contacts deeper in the system. Distance one hundred thousand megametres. They could either be ships or possibly a dense cluster of asteroids."
"We better check to make sure. Flight control launch a wing of fighters, have them close with the contacts and investigate further."
"Aye sir," the officer at launch control replied.
"Sir Captain Edmodarn indicates that he will shuttle over to meet with you," Sparks reported, "however he declines our offer of a shuttle as he has a small shuttle docked within the structure of the Twilight Monsoon. He estimates that he and his astromech droid – whatever that is – will be able to come over within fifteen minutes."
"Acknowledge that and indicate that we agree Sparks. Be sure to send Captain Edmodarn the proper approach and docking instructions."
"Aye sir."
Imperial Star Destroyer Chimera
Orbiting Lothal, That Same Time
Grand Admiral Thrawn stood with his normal coolness around the situation table at the back of the Chimera's bridge. Also, around the table were in person Grand Moff Tarkin and Governor Pryce while in attendance via hologram were the forms of the Sith Lord Darth Vader, Colonel Yularen and Admiral Versio. Silence reigned as the six high ranked Imperial officers and officials observed the data logs recovered from the broken ruins of the Imperial Star Destroyers Vengeance and Oath Sworn. It had taken Imperial technicians and slicers days to recover the data from the badly damaged recorders but now they could at last observe the full battle between the 103rd task force and the unknown but obviously highly advanced newcomers.
And what they saw was quite frankly horrifying.
Mutters of disbelief came from both Versio and Yularen as they six individuals watched heavy turbolaser bolts from the Judicator – bolts powerful enough to rip many a smaller warship apart with a single shot – streak towards the alien flagship and seemingly do nothing to it. Most of the shots were intercepted well short of the ship, shattering upon impact with some kind of translucent yellow-green energy field that appeared literally right in their path making them dissolve into a spray of sparklers as the supercharged plasma bolts lost all cohesion. Those few that did slip past to hit the hull of the alien warship seemed to do absolutely no damage to it, only creating a short lived, albeit very pretty, lightshow where they hit the armour band.
The same could not be said for the alien weapons as they fired back. The bright whitish-blue beams – each beam having a bore measured in meters – slammed into the Judicator's shields with searing white-hot force and an electrostatic flash, before actually punching through the barrier to scorch the Star Destroyer's hull making the entire vessel visibly shudder with the sheer force of impact. Within a few seconds another exchange of fire took place between the two flagships, the alien vessel again seemingly sustaining no damage, though the same could not be said for the Judicator as the alien beams collapsed her shields and ripped deep into the hull inflicting horrendous damage with their strike. A following salvo of missiles sent the Star Destroyer spinning out of control powerless and burning.
All around Imperial ships could be seen fighting a furiously but futile battle against the unknowns. Turbolasers and ion cannons seemingly to do absolutely nothing to their enemies while the alien weapons tore entire ships apart with an effortless ease. Even Thrawn had to flinch slightly as they watched a trio of the lethal blue beams literally slice a light cruiser in half, the beams coming from one of the smallest alien ships present yet being no less lethal for it.
Soon the battle ended with the battered Oath Sworn and both Interdictor cruisers retreating from the battle under orders from Admiral Durril while the rest of the other officers once proud fleet either hung broken and burning in space or reduced to clouds of irradiated dust and plasma.
"Opinions," Tarkin said breaking the silence letting none of the combination of envy at the alien firepower, fear at said firepower and the ease with which it had torn an Imperial fleet powerful enough to pacify an entire sector apart in just five minutes that he felt show in his voice.
"These newcomers are obviously extremely powerful and thus a very grave threat to the peace and stability of the Empire," Admiral Versio commented, "do we have any idea exactly who they are?"
"Unfortunately, no though we do know that they appear to be human," Thrawn replied before manipulating the controls to pull up a log transmitted from the last sentry droid on the derelict RSD Kimbala in the moments before the vessel was destroyed precipitating the battle with – no the slaughter – of the 103rd task force. Immediately a new hologram appeared showing a group of humans in strange but very functional looking armour in one of the crew recreation lounges aboard the derelict vessel. What immediately caught everyone's attention was the fact that, despite the gravity being off as evidenced by all the floating debris, they were all standing comfortably. Indicating the presence of magnetic soles in their thick, functional looking combat boots.
As per protocol most of the sentry droids came in and engaged the intruders – heavy blaster bolts missing as the unknowns immediately took cover. Took cover before fighting back their rifles spitting out blue energy bolts – that looked very similar to the beams fired by the capital ships – at the sentry droids. The battle ended fast with the unknown humans working with admirable speed and efficiency to destroy the droids – with only the final droid – which as per protocol had hung back to observe – being spared.
"The fight very well," Yularen commented. "I have not seen such swift and efficient defensive action since the clone troopers were retired."
"Shortly after this fight the unknowns withdrew from the Kimbala but left something behind that ultimately caused the ship to be destroyed," Thrawn told his colleagues. "I believe it is likely that the other members of the sentry droid detachment aboard attacked their boarding craft and repelled. It is clear that if threatened these newcomers respond aggressively and leave no enemies alive."
"Which is probably why they destroyed the ship to eliminate any remaining sentry droids," Yularen commented. "What about the alien weapons do we know anything about them?"
"Very little," Thrawn replied, "from the sensor logs of our ships we believe that the weapons are some type of particle beam, likely proton based however we cannot be certain at this time. Based upon this conclusion I had an analyst run a projection based on how powerful the weapons would have to be in comparison to our own to do the damage they did."
"What did you find," Vader asked.
"That every second these beams emit as much energy as a dozen heavy anti-ship proton torpedoes," Thrawn replied, "and I do not believe based on the battle that the unknowns were using their weapons at full capacity. If you observe the battle the alien beams are only every aimed at weapons systems or engines. It is my belief that the unknowns were attempting to disable our ships but overestimated the amount of power they needed to use."
"Disabling strikes but they ripped our ships apart," Versio commented. "Kriff if that is what they can do when trying to disable then what would they be able to do to us if they deliberately aim to kill."
"Our ships would be destroyed in seconds," Vader replied the Sith Lord actually sounding a little intimidated by the sheer potential power of the alien weapons. Something that was very uncharacteristic for Vader. "It appears that these newcomers are indeed the threat that the Emperor has foreseen."
"Kriffing hell how can anyone be that powerful," Yularen asked. "And how can our weapons not do any damage to the unknowns ships."
"Unknown," Thrawn replied. "And you are incorrect Colonel Yularen our weapons actually did inflict some damage to the unknowns but not much observe."
Thrawn manipulated the table control again and brought up a holo of part of the battle, before zooming in on the alien flagship. In slow motion they watched as a heavy turbolaser bolt hit the hull with a brilliant flash of light that after a few microseconds spread out and disappeared leaving a small blackened smudge at the point of impact.
"As you can see upon impact with the alien armour most of the turbolaser bolts energy is immediately reflected back out into space," Thrawn explained as he played the section again only slowing it down even further so they could actually see the bulk of the bolts plasmatic energy being thrown back by the hull. "The remaining energy of the bolt appears to then spread out over a wider area of the ship's hull before completely dissipating. It is therefore clear that unlike our own armour – which as you all know is designed to be purely ablative – the unknowns armour works on a combination of refraction and dispersion. There is possibly an ablative component as well, but it is hard to know at this time. What is clear is that with each hit a thin layer of armour only a few microns thick is vaporised."
"Impressive," Vader commented sounding both genuinely impressed and intrigued by the strength and capabilities of the unknown ship armour, "depending on its thickness these unknowns would be able to soak up damage that would tear our best ships apart in short order. Do we have any information on what it is made from?"
"Unfortunately, no Lord Vader," Governor Pryce replied.
"So, what do we do about this," Tarkin asked, "it is only a matter of time before the rebellion learns of this battle and the unknowns unheard of power. If they don't already know."
"Given how they managed to turn Kallus into a spy we have to assume that they already know," Yularen answered looking like he'd bitten into a sour yogan as he said that. The defection of Alexandr Kallus – one of his best students and agents – to the rebellion first as a spy and then full on defection was still a source of great discomfort for him. It meant that far too many of his agents were suspect now which was causing both himself and Admiral Versio quite a few security headaches.
"The only things we can do is set up additional counter-espionage operations to counter the rebel infiltration of our ranks," Versio added. "We should also begin deploying more probe droids and scouts to try to find the unknown fleet."
"And what do we do if we find them," Tarkin asked, "from this battle it is clear that the unknowns have a massive firepower and technological advantage over us. If any of our current ships attempt to engage them, they will certainly be destroyed."
"That is an issue the Emperor wants this threat dealt with as soon as possible," Vader answered. "I will speak with the Emperor and gain his instructions in how we are to proceed. While I do that begin search operations for the unknown fleet. However, until instructed make it clear to all commanders that they are not to engage the unknowns unless threatened first or they catch them consorting with the rebels."
"As you wish Lord Vader," Thrawn acknowledged. Vader nodded back and broke the connection from his end causing his hologram to disappear without so much as a dismissal. But then Vader was renowned for his cruelty not his absolutely abysmal manners.
"We should adjourn ourselves," Tarkin said, "Admiral Versio please work with Grand Admiral Thrawn to arrange the search."
"As you wish Governor Tarkin," Versio replied with a nod.
"Dismissed gentlemen," Tarkin added causing all the holograms to disappear. He then turned to look at Pryce, "Governor Pryce are the survivors we recovered from the fleet well enough to be questioned over what they saw yet."
"Most of them are yes," Pryce confirmed. "However, we still have three officers in bacta tanks at the central hospital with severe plasma burns. The doctors and medical droids inform me that it is still touch and go whether they will survive."
"That will do you and I will go an interview those survivors well enough to be questioned," Tarkin said decisively. "Thrawn…"
"I will begin organising the search," Thrawn finished for him gaining a nod of agreement from Tarkin before the two governors left leaving Thrawn alone. For his part the Chiss tapped a control and brought up an image of the alien flagship. Could these people be the allies my kind need against the Grysk, he thought momentarily thinking about the real reason he had joined the Empire, the true mission he'd been assigned by the Ascendancy.
After a few moments of thought he dismissed the hologram and began making preparations to organise the search for the unknowns. Though once that was done, he would return to the privacy of his private chambers and consider the possibility the unknowns could indeed be the ally the Chiss had searched so long and hard for.
Until then though he had much to do.
Author Notes: Well another chapter bites the dust. I hope you all enjoyed it and I know that there was no action in this chapter but then this chapter was needed to set things up for a few discoveries and establish the basis of some later plot points. Hopefully the next chapter won't be so long in coming.