Captain Daws walked through the bright corridors of the Imperial Star Destroyer escorted by two menacing soldiers. Their gloss black armor and high powered blaster rifles identified them as ones from the Death Trooper program. He could feel the dread welling up in the pit of his stomach. Failure was never tolerated in the Empire. After the complete destruction of relay station IRT-36X Daws could already picture the firing squad.

The troopers led him to a large room, taking guard positions at the edges of the door. The inside was like a museum. Dozens of artifacts lined the walls, carefully displayed and sometimes preserved inside small climate controlled glass cases. Sections of duracrete nearly five meters high etched with ancient carvings depicting unknown god-like figures stood along one wall, illuminated by a small light from below. Tapestries, woven by alien artisans in brilliant colors and sculptures carved from rare Corsian wood found their final home here. Each piece of art had been studied for its distinctive qualities and a small holo projector showed scrolling data with notes and references to mythical figures throughout the creator's alien history.

Confusion and skepticism filled his mind. Alien species were to be subjugated, not revered. Was this new commander as eccentric as the rumors?

Captain Daws even saw what looked like old Jedi robes placed upon a mannequin. A cylindrical silver hilt sat on a small stand, carefully machined metal allowed the emitter and main body to twist apart into separate sections. Above the hilt was a partially restored art piece, the burns and charring covered the depictions of heroic figures. It was heresy to even speak of Jedi in the days of the Empire, let alone possess their artifacts.

Near the end of the room was a circle of holo displays, one set higher than the other. From what Captain Daws could see they showed more images of artwork. At the center of the displays, sat in a large Admiral's chair, was Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Daws clenched his jaw as his eyes set upon the images in front of Thrawn. Still holo projections depicting Captain Daws' previous engagement floated in front of the Grand Admiral.

He sat back in the chair motionlessly. Blue-black hair glinting in the dim light of the chamber. Cool blue skin and his deep red eyes made him look very alien on his otherwise human form.

"Captain Daws," Thrawn's voice echoed inside the chamber, "what do you make of this image?"

The display flicked to the side and projected a familiar security image. A TIE pilot, at least someone wearing the uniform, and two X-Wing pilots running through the relay station. Floating without assistance next to the leader was a small handle, a white energy beam projected from it and stopped about a meter later. It was the image sent from IRT-36X as they were under attack.

"I-it looks like a Jedi, Sir." Daws replied nervously.

"One would think, but I believe this individual poses a more interesting question." The Grand Admiral mused. "He carries the weapon of a Jedi, and similar adepts, as you can see. Yet here, you can see how it is distanced from him. Instead he chooses to use a blaster rifle as his primary weapon. Why? This person, as gifted as they may be with the Force, is disconnected from their teachings. Without tenants and guidance, simply an untrained soldier."

"I...don't understand," Daws was confused, he thought this would be a sentencing not a school lesson.

"Of course not Captain. During his reign, the Emperor destroyed all evidence of Jedi from the galaxy. I, however, have taken to studying them, using whatever remnants remain." Thrawn continued, changing the topic to Daws's shortcoming, "I am not without mercy Captain. Although you were easily duped into an engagement with Admiral Sev'esa, I believe there is a chance for redemption."

A weight lifted from Captain Daws's shoulders that he didn't realize was there. He set them back and straightened himself as much as he could, ready to prove himself worthy of a second chance. "Of course Sir! I'm prepared for anything!"

Thrawn felt satisfied with Daws's revitalization. He found the ruthless executions the Empire was known for to be a dissatisfactory way to deal with failures. Executions, when used sparingly could be a strong motivator but doing so indiscriminately was a waste of potential.

"Admiral Sev'esa is a modest fleet commander, known more for his logistical capabilities rather than tactical prowess." Thrawn said. He changed the circular display floating around him to show a variety of battlefield patterns and strategies employed by Cest Sev'esa. "Sev'esa enjoys the luxuries of a defensible position, while still employing the aggressive tactics that Bothan's are known for. If he is in command then there is almost certainly an outpost somewhere nearby."

"Consider it destroyed, Grand Admiral." The Captain said enthusiastically, eager to revenge himself by routing the New Republic from his sector.

Thrawn motioned for Daws to wait, the young Captain had gotten too eager in his fantasy. "That will not be good enough Captain. Simply destroying this base will be of little merit to me, and if you attack headlong they are sure to escape." He leaned forward in his chair and steepled his fingers together. The bright red eyes boring menacingly amidst the dim room. "No, these usurpers cannot be allowed to get away with such an offense. I want utter destruction crashing down upon them."

"The fact that they were able to assault your position without encountering our blockades means they have found an alternate hyperspace route unknown to us." Thrawn explained, "Use our spies and whatever probes available to you and find it. From there we will trap them against the might of the Empire."

"What about this non-Jedi?" Daws asked after a moment of thought, "He destroyed our outpost nearly single handed."

"I am aware, Captain. Rest assured, that he will be dealt with." Thrawn said slowly, flicking his fingers. "As you can see, we have prepared countermeasures for such an event."

Captain Daws found himself flanked by two figures, clad in stealthy black leather. Belts of equipment strapped close against their bodies. He was shocked, there was no noise, no indication that they had been in the room when he entered. They were both human, as Imperial practices normally demanded. The man was shaven bald and his brow was furrowed in an almost permanent scowl above his onyx black eyes. He had dark tattoos that stretched across the side of his face and disappeared beneath the neck of his clothes. The female had flame red hair and shocking green eyes, her expression sharp and focused. Behind her eyes was a tempered pragmatism. They each had dark black saber hilts attached firmly to their upper thighs.

"The Emperor was kind enough to train many disciples to deal with these kinds of situations in secret." Thrawn said finally.