Hey, everyone. Back with another chapter.

Now, I have a quick PSA. My college resumed classes today. Although most are online, this semester is going to be crazy busy for various reasons. I will try and update all my fanfictions as often as I can, but I will make no guarantees on how often I can update.

Let's get to it.

anthonyapodaca63: What do you mean by your question?

Clearwing Yuta: Eventually. And yes, I'll eventually show some of those characters

Chapter 53- Thrawn's Command

(April 2, 2016)

In the Terran Alliance Headquarters, Thrawn slowly makes his way down the hallways towards the chamber where he has been summoned for an important meeting. As he makes his way silently down the halls, employees at the complex and military officers stop to exchange greetings with Thrawn, who returns them respectfully.

After the failed Imperial attack, it was widely broadcast that it was Thrawn who was responsible for the Empire's crushing defeat, and Thrawn was an instant celebrity. Virtually all distrust for Thrawn had dissipated at this news. Thrawn is rather indifferent about it, except for the knowledge that any men serving under him would now trust him more.

Reaching the two into the chamber, he sees it is guarded by two Zulus. As he approaches, the Zulus silently open the door.

Thrawn walks through the door. Inside the room, he finds a conference table set up. Sitting around it are President Obama, President Putin, President Hollande, Prime Minister Cameron, General Secretary Jinping, Grand General Dempsey, and Grand Admiral Roughead.

Thrawn walks in and says, "Good morning."

"Good morning, Thrawn. At ease. Have a seat," Obama says.

Thrawn nods respectfully before taking a seat. After a moment, Obama says, "On behalf of the Council of Five and the entire Terran Alliance, I wanted to thank you for your efforts in protecting our home. Your strategies and tactics truly made the difference in victory or defeat."

"I simply did my job, President Obama. I made a deal with you, and I intend to honor it," Thrawn says.

"Still, your actions have saved us. Therefore, we on the Council of Five have voted unanimously to award you the Jedi Cross," Obama says.

Thrawn is silent for a moment before nodding once and saying, "Thank you, President."

Obama nods before saying, "However, that is not the real reason we invited you today. We know your record and intelligence, and after seeing what you did to defend our planet, we have decided that it would be even more beneficial for us to have you in the field than sitting in an office in Norfolk. For that reason, we have decided to replace you as Head of the Admiralty and send you out to the front lines."

Thrawn smiles ever so slightly. "Very good. I much prefer to be in the field and serving on the front lines," he says.

Roughead now leans a forward a bit. "That's good, Thrawn. Because we already have an assignment for you. We in the Joint Command have agreed that we must make an offensive move soon. We have received reports that the Empire is putting out propaganda saying that we took a much bigger hit during the Imperial attack than we did, and that won by the skin of our teeth. We need to show the civilians of the galaxy and those in the Empire who don't know the truth that we are much better shape than the Empire is letting on. Therefore, we have begun making our plans for our next offensive operation: an invasion of Malastare," he says.

"Very good. Malastare has never been heavily fortified or defended. And the loss of the fuel supplies on Malastare will further disrupt their supply chain," Thrawn says. Since coming to Earth, Thrawn heard a quote by an American General: "Amateurs discuss tactics. Professionals discuss logistics." That quote has given a greater emphasis on disrupting the enemy's supply chain in Thrawn's mind.

"Yes. The operation is set to take place in two months, to give us time to recover from the Imperial attack and build up the necessary forces for this mission. When we attack Malastare, you will be leading the fleet," Dempsey says.

"Very well. Do we have any recent intelligence reports on Imperial defenses at Malastare?" Thrawn asks.

"Yes. We recently dispatched a Blackbird on a reconnaissance run to Malastare. They weren't able to get into the atmosphere, as they were spotted and were forced to retreat. However, they were able to obtain two photographs of Imperial ground forces, as well as extensive photos of the Imperial fleet defending the planet," Roughead says. Roughead then pulls out a folder and passes it to Thrawn.

Thrawn opens the folder and pulls out the photographs taken by the Blackbird. Most of the photos are of the Imperial fleet over Malastare. Thrawn examines them carefully before voicing his analysis, "Eighteen ships. Twelve Star Destroyers, and six cruisers. Classic defensive formation."

Thrawn then examines the two photographs of forces on the ground. "At least several thousand. Not enough photographs to get a better idea, but rather weak ground defenses compared to what we've seen in the past," he mutters.

"Agreed," Dempsey says.

Thrawn looks up from the photographs. "I'll need a fleet of at least 30 ships. At least two battleships, one battlecruisers, one starfighter carrier, twenty Star Destroyers, and 6 cruisers. I also want at least one interdiction cruiser," Thrawn says.

"You'll have it," Roughead says.

"I will begin preparing for the operation immediately," Thrawn says.

"Very good, Thrawn. We'll trust this to you," Roughead says.

(June 6, 2016)

"Grand Admiral Thrawn, we are approaching Malastare. Two minutes to the end of the hyperspace run. The Impediment is generating her gravity wells, and we are locked on them as our destination," a Japanese officer says.

Thrawn nods simply, staring out of the viewport. After two months of repairing damaged ships and training, the operation to take Malastare is finally underway. Thrawn had been given the ships he requested, and was currently flying his flag on the TAS Hood.

"All ships to battlestations, and all fighters on scramble alert. Prepare to engage as soon as we come out of hyperspace," Thrawn says simply.

Thrawn watches out of the viewport as the blue of hyperspace streaks past the ship. Finally, after a few more minutes, the blue lengthens out, and the Hood drops out of hyperspace. All around her, the rest of the fleet drops out of hyperspace.

Thrawn smiles as he sees the Impediment and the two London class Star Destroyers sent ahead with her engaging several of the Imperial warships over Malastare.

"All Star Destroyers follow us in. The battleships and cruisers will prepare to begin landing operations," Thrawn orders.

The Hood and all of the escorting Star Destroyers advance ahead to attack the Imperial fleet. At the same time, the Bismarck and Prince of Wales lead the cruisers to a position where they can begin bombarding the Imperial ground forces.

Thrawn cracks a small grin as he watches the Hood's batteries open fire on an Imperial Star Destroyer, hammering away at the ship as fighters from the Hood make attack runs on the ship.

The Star Destroyer quickly begins to explode under the Hood's unrelenting fire, and within a few minutes, blows apart. With smooth efficiency, the Hood's gunners shift their fire to the next Imperial ship.

As the Imperial ships are crumbling under the unrelenting Terran fire, the Bismarck and Prince of Wales maneuver into position. Sensors have shown the location where most of the Imperial forces on the planet are located. Both battleships begin charging up their bombardment cannons. After several minutes, the cannons are charged, and both battleships fire. The massive blasts streak down through the atmosphere before striking the location of the Imperial camp, instantly wiping out about half of the Imperial forces.

On board the Hood, Thrawn watches as another Imperial warship crumbles under the Hood's fire. Suddenly, one of the officers calls out, "Grand Admiral, we're receiving a transmission from the Imperial commander."

"Put it through," Thrawn says.

A moment later, a hologram of an Imperial admiral appears in front of Thrawn. The admiral looks shocked. "Thrawn?!" he says in shock.

"Admiral Finbar. It has been a long time," Thrawn says.

"You're with the Terrans?" Finbar asks.

"Indeed," Thrawn says.

"Alright. You've done enough, Thrawn. I'm declaring my intention to surrender," Finbar says.

"Stand your forces down, and I will stand my forces down," Thrawn says.

"Very well, Thrawn," Finbar says.

Within moments, the remaining Imperial warships cease firing. Thrawn immediately orders, "Advance towards the Imperial ships and prepare to board the remaining ships. Order the Bismarck and Prince of Wales to send down their landing forces and take custody of the Imperial forces on the surface."

The fleet moves to carry out Thrawn's orders. As they do, Thrawn again cracks a small grin. Under his leadership, the Terran Alliance will bring the Empire crashing down.

And, I'll end there.

I know this was short, but it was mainly meant to show Thrawn receiving his first fleet command, and his first operation. I kept the operation short to show just how dangerous and effective Thrawn's leadership is.

So, the next chapter will be longer, and an interesting chapter, I think. It should be up soon, so until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!