Author's note: Don't Own Star Wars or RWBY
Ever since acquiring the young force-sensitive from the old battleship, Thrawn made it a priority that he receives proper training by having Captain Parck instruct him in information gathering, strategy, and tactics when he was not available. Parck was a good man, but he seemed a bit bored when instructing the boy because he would rather be on the frontlines, or helping in the war effort against the various aggressive species of the unknown regions. Even with that caveat, Jaune took those teaching well scoring high in the war games he took part in.
When given proper information on his opponent, he tended to use unorthodox tactics that suit his needs however when facing an unknown his reliance on imperial orthodoxy makes him predictable as a commander.
In any case, such results are spectacular for a 12-year-old. One would not even expect full-fledged imperial officers to perform this well.
Thrawn set down his datapad and began to meditate until he heard Jaune through the door. "Lieutenant Jaune Arc to see Grand Admiral Thrawn."
Thrawn opened his redeyes and readied himself for another delightful conversation with Jaune. The door slid open and the boy he recruited 2 years ago stood there waiting for his command. The Nogohri readied themselves, but Thrawn waved them off as they were not needed.
"You may enter."
The boy walked with purpose and handed him a datapad. Jaune stood at attention as he waited for his response.
"It seems Isard kept her end of the deal," Thrawn commented with a slight smile before news of the state of the galaxy began to frustrate him.
"Would you greet Fel for me? I have some unfinished business I must attend to" Thrawn asked as he tried to conceal his anger.
"Yes, sir" He responded before walking away.
As soon he heard the doors close. He began to ponder what to make of the news. Zsinj has made his move. With that, the Empire will only continue to fragment as Zsinj is a dangerous commander and will most likely move upon the Greater Maldrood and other smaller warlords while Isard and the Rebellion continue to battle over the core worlds.
Jaune continued his walk from Thrawn's suit to the hangar bay to greet the Baron.
Things have been quite interesting with the Admiral overseeing some parts of his training while Captain Parck pitched in when the Admiral busy. Though with the defeat of the Ssi-ruck Thrawn became a near-constant presence in life as he began to instruct him on the history of the galaxy while I started my training in the force. The force was something Jaune wished he had discovered earlier and something he wished he never had.
If he had discovered earlier then he could've saved his mother. Jaune fist began to tighten as felt the call of the Darkside that voice told about all those years ago. He knew his mother wouldn't want him to be angry forever but the power the Darkside gave, this feeling of control, is something he desired ever since he realized what life was about. The force was a curse...the power it gave had a price. Ever since leaving Remant he had a dream of himself killing his mother, and her disappointment, the hurt on her face, but more importantly the way she began to smile at him as if she knew this would happen. It made Jaune shake to the core.
As Jaune entered the hangar bay he did his best to put on his professional facade hiding any simmering anger he previously held as he began to approach the shuttle carrying their guest.
The shuttle deployed its ramp and a figure escorted by a pair of stormtroopers appeared out of the shuttle.
He was a man in his early thirties with black hair, a partially receding hairline, and a thick untrimmed black beard. He looked like a vagrant one would fine on Nar Shadda or perhaps the Coruscant underworld but Jaune knew better. The way he moved and the way his eyes looked screamed veteran in Jaune's young mind.
Jaune approached the trio and ordered, "You may release our guest."
The stormtroopers did as ordered and released their hold on the Baron.
Fel gave him a peculiar look that he was so used to by now as most would consider it strange a 12-year-old was an officer.
"Please follow me, Baron Fel, the Grand Admiral would like to speak to you."
The downtrodden Baron nodded and began to follow him without a word.
The two of them began to quietly walk through the many hallways of the star destroyer until the Baron asked: "How old are you?"
Jaune stopped and turned to face the fighter ace and replied with a small smirk "12."
"A bit young to be an Imperial officer," Fel commented as they began to resume their walk towards the admiral's suit.
"Perhaps, but the Grand Admiral deemed me ready to lead" Jaune replied as he led him to Thrawn. Fel furrowed his eyes as Jaune guessed he was not the biggest fan of child officers.
When they reached the suit Jaune asked "Lieutenant Jaune Arc to see Grand Admiral Thrawn. I have brought the Baron."
"You may enter." Thrawn voiced rang as the doors slid open.
Thrawn looked at his 'guest' and calmly said: "Soontir Fel Its pleasure to meet you, face to face."
"Let's cut to the chase." The baron said as frankly as he was not in the mood for imperial politics as has been held prisoner for months now and now he was in the middle of nowhere with some unknown 'Grand Admiral'. "Why am I here?"
Jaune turned towards Thrawn and spotted a soft smile that quickly disappeared behind his professional facade. Thrawn pulled out a holodisk that quickly scrolled through a list of the Baron's achievements one by one.
"Soontir Fel, a man of your skill and caliber should not be rotting in one of Isard's 'playgrounds'. To cut to the chase as you would put it I would like to offer you a place within the Empire of the Hand." Thrawn said thoughtfully before offering him a small chip.
"Why should I join you," Fel said irritably.
"Because the galaxy needs men like you," Thrawn said cryptically while trying to appeal to man's sense of honor and responsibility while out his hand with a small chip.
Jaune watched as the Baron stared silently at the chip intensely before the baron hesitantly took the chip from Thrawn.
"Inside the chip, you will find sensitive information that should help with your decision. Once you made your decision we will talk again, but for now, enjoy your stay and feel free to order any amenity that suits your needs." Thrawn dismissed the Baron as a pair of Noghri appeared as escorted the quiet baron to his room.
"How is your training progressing," Thawn asked as he took a seat.
"It is going well, sir. I have read through the manuscripts and books you have given me. I have mastered a few of the basic techniques the ancient writing described." Jaune summarized.
"Good, then you're ready to move onto the next stage of your training." Thrawn said as he pressed a small button revealing a small metal box.
Within that small box appeared a small cubic object. Thrawn offered the cube to Jaune before Jaune carefully used the force to levitate the small cube to his palm.
"That is a Holocron. A Jedi artifact that contained some knowledge they have acquired over the many millennia of their existence." Thrawn explained.
"I will learn everything I can from" Jaune stated with conviction as his eyes began to fixate themselves onto the now glowing cube.
"Good, now Jaune I would like your opinion on the state of the galaxy," Thrawn asked as a detailed holo map of the galaxy lit room showing the positions rebellion and imperial warlords.
"Admiral Zsinj is taking territory at the expense of the rebellion and his fellow imperials. The rebellion is slowly but surely gaining a foothold within the core and Coruscant will fall if this situation is not addressed." Jaune assessed.
"Good, your assessment is correct however you are missing key detail." Thrawn commented as he waited for Jaune to correct himself.
Jaune looked at the map again and found nothing that he had not stated but then something caught his eye. The empire of the hand is fortifying is borders with intergalactic space with sensor arrays and Golan glass space stations.
"The Empire of the Hand has positioned military equipment on its border with intergalactic space." Jaune pointed as he pondered why Thrawn would do that.
"There are threats beyond the galaxy the eclipses the rebellion that requires the full power of the Empire to repel," Thrawn said mysteriously. "They have been probing the galaxy for centuries, perhaps even longer. They are called the Far Outsiders and they pose a threat to all civilization as we know it. That is why I would like you to accompany me when I start my campaign to retake the galaxy from the rebellion. "Thrawn paused before offering a hand to Jaune." The deal I offered two years ago is still in effect but knowing the challenges the galaxy will face in time I would like to know if you would join me in saving the galaxy."
Jaune stared at his hand as he began to slightly sweat as his mind erupted in turmoil as a side of was yelling at him to return home when the deal was over to avenge his mother, but another side of him...felt something. Like someone was running a hand through his hair. 'Do it, save the galaxy my son' a voice that sounded like his mother said.
Thrawn continued to hold his hand firmly as he waited for a response. He knew the boy was conflicted as a report from Captain Parck explained that the boy wanted vengeance for his mother. He knew there was a chance this could backfire but accelerating his growth as a force wielder and as an officer as well as affirming his loyalty to the Empire was necessary for his plans to come to the fruition.
As Thrawn was slowly wondering if he made the wrong decision, Jaube took his hand.
Jaune looked firmly into Thrawn's eyes and said: "I will join you."
"Good then let us get started."
Author's Notes
Thank you for the reviews and I would like to state that The Senate shall not receive the same fate as in the Rise of Skywalker and that he will not be nerfed in terms of his abilities he has shown in legends. Anyway, I like to thank everyone for being patient since my time for writing has been drastically cut compared to before. The next story to be updated will be Quick Draw then I will focus my attention on finishing interludes 1 and 2 for a grand adventure before releasing them within a few days of each other.