Back with another chapter!

So, this chapter with something I'm sure will please at least some of you. I did a lot of thinking on this matter, and finally decided on doing it this way after I did some research. I'm sure some of you will realize what's happening by the title.

Let's get to it.

Dalej0523: I'm toying with the idea, but no promises.

Jayhawks: Yes.

Guest DCDGojira: I'm not going to do a Cymoon-1 chapter, just because I feel like, without access to the comic, I couldn't do it justice.

Tiger2014: The events of Empire Strikes Back will start in Chapter 34.

Kommando Kronk: There won't be a plan to capture Tatooine, necessarily, because I feel like it's not a planet that's really heavily occupied by the Empire, or terribly strategically significant. They'll probably establish a small base somewhere on the planet, but won't outright occupy it. At least, for a while. And I'll go check out his page. And yes, Earth navies do still use maritime ships, though not necessarily as many.

Guest: Yeah, sometimes I forget to put dates on the chapters. But, if you look at the timeline page on the wiki, you'll be able to get all the dates if I forget any.

Guest: Yes, we'll see Captain Firza again. As for Cal, he's a member of the Terran Jedi Order, and in fact a member of the High Council.

CT7567Rules: The Empire will definitely hit back soon. And I may combine your suggestions into one.

Chapter 26- Thrawn

President Obama makes his way into the International Military Command Center deep under the Pentagon. Today is a very important meeting, to discuss a problem that Obama is still not sure he has an answer to.

As he enters the room, he finds the 12 members of the Joint Terran Command already seated. The twelve men all stand as Obama walks in, then take their seats again as Obama motions for them to take their seats.

Obama takes his seat as well and looks around the table. "Gentlemen, thank you all for coming. As you all are well aware, we are hear to discuss what to do with the Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn."

All of the men nod. In August of 2012, space dwelling creatures called purgills arrived in the Terran system, apparently having travelled through the wormhole connecting the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy, and they had brought the damaged Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera with them. On board was a Jedi Padawan named Ezra Bridger, and a Chiss named Thrawn who was a Grand Admiral in the Imperial Navy. Ezra had been taken into the Terran Jedi Order, while Thrawn had been imprisoned as a prisoner of war.

However, since then, the Terran Alliance had discovered that Thrawn's true loyalty was to his people, the Chiss. So, there had been some people in the higher ranks that had been wondering whether or not they should continue to hold Thrawn.

"Mr. President, I personally have spoken to Thrawn several times since we took him into custody. Thrawn said he was fully aware that the Empire is corrupt and an evil. However, according to Thrawn, his people, the Chiss, have discovered evidence of threats lurking in the Unknown Regions, and considered the Empire a possibly ally who could help defend against those threats," Fleet Admiral Roughead says.

"So, you're saying we should trust him?" General Amir Eshel asks skeptically.

"I agree with Eshel. Are we really so desperate that we would trust such a high ranking Imperial officer?" General Valery Gerasimov asks.

"I think Admiral Roughead has a point. I've spoken with Thrawn multiple times. I've sensed his loyalty to the Empire waning as he's learned more about us. If we can convince Thrawn that we would make a good ally to the Chiss against the threats in the Unknown Regions, we may be able to turn him against the Empire," Rommell says. He pauses, then says, "Thrawn's genius is something we cannot ignore. Some of our men have spoken with the rebels about their encounters with Thrawn. He's a brilliant strategist. He could probably easily defeat the Empire if he were in command of our forces. While I do not suggest we give Thrawn command of all our forces at any point, I do recommend we see if he can be persuaded to put his gift for strategy to use for us."

"I agree with General Rommel," General Mofaz says.

Roughead then speaks up again, saying, "Here is my proposal. We offer Thrawn the option to join the Starfleet. We then appoint him to the Admiralty. This will enable him to put his genius to use for the fleet, while surrounding him with other officers to keep an eye on him. If he proves he can be trusted, then perhaps one day we can assign him a fleet command. For now, I believe it would be best to assign him to the Admiralty."

The table is quiet for several moments before Obama says, "I believe Admiral Roughead has a good idea. I will speak to Thrawn personally, and if I believe he would be willing to turn his back on the Empire, I will extend to him the offer. If Thrawn accepts, I believe Admiral Roughead's proposal to instate him into the Admiralty will be the safest effective option of allowing Thrawn to employ his genius in our service."

The rest of the officers of the Joint Command all nod their approval. "Very well. Now, General Dempsey, I believe you had something else you wanted to discuss while we're here," he says.

Dempsey nods and begins a briefing about candidate worlds for the Terran Alliance's next major invasion. While Obama is paying attention, at the same time, he's thinking about the impending meeting with Thrawn, and wondering if the Chiss will be willing to pledge his services to the Alliance.

(16 hours later)

Obama slowly makes his way through the halls of a building known as the Spire, the most high security building in Camp Zulu, a maximum security military prison built on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian ocean. Diego Garcia had been chosen due to its small size and remoteness, as well as the presence of an important joint US/UK military base on the island, which the Terran Joint Command felt would make the prison highly secure, and make a breakout nearly impossible. Camp Zulu had been chosen as the main prison to hold important Imperial prisoners of war, and was where Thrawn had been held ever since his capture by the Alliance.

Obama slowly makes his way into an elevator with his aides and Fleet Admiral Roughead, which ascends up to the top of the Spire. Once the elevator stops and the doors open, Obama and his party make their way down the halls until they finally reach Thrawn's cell.

A guard opens the cell door, allowing Obama and Roughead to enter the cell. The cell is of a decent size, including a bed, two chairs, a bathroom and sink partitioned off, and a small dresser. And sitting on the bed in a prison uniform, reading a book, is Thrawn.

Thrawn looks up at Obama and Roughead as the two enter the cell. He is quiet for several moments before he says, "President Obama. What an honor."

"Thrawn. I think it's about time we met," Obama says before taking a seat in one of the chairs. Obama looks at Thrawn for several moments before he says, "Thrawn, I'm going to cut to the chase. Officers who have come to visit you since your incarceration here have spoken to me about their opinions of you, and many of them have shared with me that your reasoning in joining the Empire was because you believed they would be able to help your people, the Chiss, defend themselves from threats within the Unknown Regions."

Thrawn nods once. "Yes. There are threats in the Unknown Regions that threaten my people and the galaxy as a whole," he says.

"I see. Well, my officers have also said you do not necessarily have any love for the Empire itself. Therefore, I have a proposal for you," Obama says.

Thrawn just looks Obama emotionlessly for several moments before he says, "Go on."

"My proposal is this. The Terran Alliance will make attempts to contact the Chiss Ascendancy, and through our full support in helping your people fend off the threats of the Unknown Regions. In return…we will let you go, on the condition you agree to serve within the Admiralty of the Terran Starfleet and help us achieve victory against the Galactic Empire," Obama says.

Thrawn is quiet for several moments before he says, "Do you truly believe your military can do the job of the Empire?"

"Yes, Thrawn. We've defeated the Empire in almost every single battle we've faced them in so far, and there are weapons we have yet to even unleash on the Empire. If we are victorious in defeating the Empire and restoring the Republic, then your people will have not only our backing, but that of the ne Republic. And believe me when I say that the people of the Terran Alliance daresay have a talent for war," Obama says.

Thrawn cracks the smallest smile. "Very well, President Obama," he says.

Obama raises an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to agree so quickly," he admits.

Thrawn's smile grows slightly. "If you didn't think that I wouldn't have already expected this, I'm disappointed, President Obama. I have studied your people before and after coming to this planet. Did you really think I would not have anticipated that you would inevitably attempt to promise me freedom in exchange for my services?"

Obama sits there, quietly impressed with Thrawn's skill of deduction. Finally, he says, "So, you accept?"

"Indeed I do, President Obama," Thrawn replies.

Obama smiles slightly. Now, they have a real chance.

(Andromeda Galaxy, Hoth system)

General Rieekan of the Rebellion slowly makes his way into the cave that the Terran expedition had found on Hoth. Accompanying him are several Rebel troopers and several soldiers of the Russian Army's 127th Motor Rifle Division.

Rieekan slowly explores the cave system. It's massive, with very large caverns, some of which are so large they could hold several GR-75 transports.

Finally, after several hours, Rieekan returns to the front entrance, where several other high ranking Rebel officers are waiting.

"I think this is the place. Let's begin," Rieekan says.

Within a matter of hours, rebel technicians and engineers, as well as several hundred Russian Engineer Troops, arrive on Hoth. By the next day, construction work has begun in the caves on a new Rebel base.

And, I'll end there. Hope you liked this one.

So, yes. Thrawn has agreed to join the Terran Starfleet. Now, some of you may think I'm stupid for doing this, but let me explain it.

It's been confirmed in the canon that Thrawn recognizes that the Empire is evil and corrupt. However, he recognizes the power of the Empire, and believes they can help the Chiss protect themselves from the threats in the Unknown Region. His loyalty to the Empire is solely driven by his belief that it is what's best for his people. I believe, if the Terrans could convince him they were a better alternative, he would be willing to switch his loyalty to the Terran Alliance. And, Thrawn has been imprisoned on Earth for almost 2 years. He has access to books and entertainment, so I feel like he would've gained a great understanding of Terran power by this point, and would be prone to believe that the Terran Alliance, along with a new Republic, would together be able to help the Chiss, and overall would be a much less corrupt ally than the Empire.

Now, Thrawn will remain a figure in the Admiralty for some time, but he will eventually receive a fleet command and lead Terran forces in battle, and I will give out a spoiler right now and say that he will be in command of Terran naval forces during the Battle of Jakku in the end of the story. We will see Thrawn multiple times throughout this story. He will be heavily supervised for a while, but the Alliance will eventually grow to trust him.

Alright. Next chapter will be up soon. Until it is, leave a review, and stay tuned!