Grand Admiral Thrawn strode towards the hanger bay, eagerly anticipating the arrival that had been scheduled. The Emperor was not due for another week, and Thrawn's attempts to uncover more about the truth of the battle station had come to a dead end. Even the Inquisitor had turned up no new information, apologising before heading off station to deal with something classified.
That had left Thrawn alone in the company of two power-hungry sadists, and one ISB commander. He got on well with Yularen, the two sharing the same analytical eye as one other.
But Tarkin and Krennic were borderline unbearable.
Tarkin thought himself superior to everyone in every respect. And Krennic would not shut up half the time.
Why the Emperor favoured either of them was a mystery to the Chiss, and he doubted he would ever find out.
Stepping into the hanger bay, Thrawn noticed that the person he wanted to speak to had already arrived.
Standing in the centre of the bay, listening half-heartedly to Director Krennic, was Governor Arihnda Pryce, the governor of Lothal. She too had clearly been invited to the 'Meeting of the Moffs', and Thrawn was glad.
Finally, someone he actually liked and got on with was here.
Noticing the Chiss approach her, Pryce broke off her conversation with Krennic, much to the Director's dismay, and turned her attention to Thrawn.
"Grand Admiral Thrawn, I trust you are well?"
Thrawn nodded his confirmation. "Indeed Governor. As you are I see."
The two had known each other a long time, and unlike many members of the imperial leadership, Pryce did not judge Thrawn because of his species. The two had developed an easy working relationship, despite their outwardly cold demeanours.
They had become fast friends, and natural allies.
"Director Krennic was just telling me about this magnificent project. Apparently it is nearly constructed." Pryce spoke, in what sounded to most people like a compliment.
Thrawn could tell otherwise. Pryce wasn't all that impressed.
However, clearly Krennic did not know that, as the human approached from the side with a smug smile on his face.
"You flatter me governor. Project Stardust shall be ready for testing by the time the Emperor himself arrives, you can be sure."
Inwardly, Thrawn rolled his eyes.
Outwardly, Pryce did the same.
"See that it is Director. Come Grand Admiral, it has been too long since we spoke." Pryce ended the conversation there and then, walking off towards the exit of the hanger bay, leaving Krennic behind.
Thrawn wasted no time following her.
Thrawn had barely managed to sit down at his desk in his room before Pryce spoke.
"You have that look on your face again."
Thrawn turned to look at the human woman, who was seated in another chair reading a datapad.
"What look?" The Chiss replied.
"The 'I'm investigating something top secret' look." Pryce replied with a small smile. She knew him too well by now.
And Thrawn knew that if he couldn't trust Pryce, then he couldn't trust anyone.
"What do you know about this station, other from what Krennic told you?" Thrawn inquired.
Pryce placed the datapad down on her lap, looking the Chiss directly in his red eyes.
"Only that it cost trillions of credits and countless resources to construct. Krennic said that it will 'Bring order to the galaxy'. Why, what have you found out?"
Thrawn stood from his seat, moving over to the door to lock it, ensuring no one could interrupt them.
A curious look appeared on Pryce's face. Now she realised that this was serious!
"I get the feeling that this station is more than a simple station. Why would it cost that amount of money to build? The Emperor is hiding something big. Something he doesn't want us to know about?"
To anyone else, this was treasonous talk, something that should be punished by death.
But right now, it was a simple talk between friends.
"It wouldn't be the first time the Emperor has hidden something from us my friend, but I sense there is more to this?"
Thrawn nodded. "According to the Inquisitor, there is a massive kyber crystal somewhere on the station. I don't know what it's for, but I intend to find out."
Pryce's face lit up in surprise. "A kyber crystal? Aren't those used to power lightsabers?"
"Indeed, but this one is far larger than anything we have ever seen. If one so small can power a weapon such as a lightsaber…" Thrawn began.
"Then what could one much larger be used for? I see your concern Thrawn."
Thrawn contemplated what was going on. What exactly did the Emperor need with a crystal so large, and what connection to the station did it have?
"You said the Inquisitor told you this? How did he know?" Pryce voiced her concern about the Terrelian. Thrawn understood, neither he nor Pryce were overly fond of the Eighth Brother, but right now he was a useful ally.
"He shares the same concerns I did. So he did some research for me, but found nothing. He's currently away on an assignment."
Pryce nodded, before sinking into her internal thoughts.
Thrawn waited patiently for an answer.
After a few moments, Pryce spoke.
"Well then my friend, let's ask our resident spy master."
Thrawn stood beside Pryce as the two waited outside the office door, waiting to be received.
The office, which was normally spare, had been given to Colonel Yularen once he had arrived. The ISB Colonel had set up shop there, monitoring his network of spies for any signs of the rebellion.
Yularen was a smart man, but Thrawn wasn't sure if he trusted him completely. Rumour had it he had once served with Ahsoka Tano. For all Thrawn knew, he could very well be another agent of hers, as the turncoat Kallus had been revealed to be in the past.
The door to Yularen's office opened, and the Colonel was waiting for them inside.
Pryce entered first, taking a seat opposite Yularen. Thrawn opted to stand instead.
"Governor, Grand Admiral. What do I own this visit?" Yularen spoke with a clear, if not accented tone.
Yet he seemed to harbour no animosity towards the two, unlike both Tarkin and Krennic.
"Colonel, I was wondering if you had any information about this battle station that you could share with us." Pryce was straight to the point, not trying to disguise her intent.
Thrawn nearly gasped in alarm. What if Yularen suspected something?
"I'm afraid not Governor. I know about as much as you do. All I can say is that we will be shown by the Emperor himself when he arrives." Yularen spoke, clearly also annoyed at being kept in the dark about whatever the secret was.
'This could work to our advantage.' Thrawn thought. If Yularen was also having doubts…
"I see. Tell me Colonel, does it strike you as strange that you have not been told anything?" Pryce continued.
"Indeed. Something suspicious is going on, and I'm not sure any of us will like what we discover. If I find out anything new, you two will be the first to know." Yularen spoke in a quiet tone, as if trying not to be overheard.
"Thank you Colonel, we shall do the same for you." Pryce finished, rising from her chair and heading for the door.
"My pleasure." Yularen replied before returning to his paperwork.
Thrawn, not having said anything since entering the office, left afterwards.
Pryce was waiting outside, and the two headed off back towards Thrawn's quarters.
As they walked, Thrawn voiced his opinion on the discussion with Yularen.
"If the ISB Colonel does not know…"
Pryce finished his train of thought.
"Then this secret is possibly quite dangerous. You were right to investigate my friend."
Thrawn nodded. He was right! Something was up, and until the Inquisitor returned to assist further Thrawn and Pryce would have to investigate themselves.
Somehow, Thrawn got the feeling that whatever this secret was would divide opinion.
And whatever it was clearly as meant for more than just 'maintaining the peace'.
Despite the risk it posed, Thrawn would find out the truth.
Author's thoughts
So... super short chapter this time around I know and I'm sorry.
Truthfully I've been having a hard time writing some future chapters at the moment, but I thought I'd post this one anyway.
Furthermore, I haven't been in the mood to write recently. Personal issues... you understand. (I hope)
Despite all of that, I hope you enjoyed this brief look into what Thrawn is up to. I enjoyed writing his scenes with Pryce. The two have an interesting dynamic.
So anyway, don't expect the next update too soon, unless my mood improves significantly and I feel like writing.
Next time round we check in with Hera and Miara, as they travel to a planet I'm not naming yet to recruit someone. I wonder who it is?
As usual, comment and speculate at will. You guys are getting closer to figuring out the remaining members of Ahsoka's team.
Speaking of comments:
SLE' fave guest: Your gonna have to wait a while for Maul's recruit to be revealed. His is the second to last to be revealed.
I may not be Sabine's greatest fan, but that isn't reason enough for me to kill her, trust me. (though to be fair, that's partly why I killed Vader)
Your prediction may be somewhat accurate. We shall see. :)
And don't worry about not being a fan of Ezra. Each to our own, this chapter was made for the Ezra fans, as the next will be for the Hera fans.
jamese765: Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.
Ha ha, Maul's contact really seems to be grinding peoples gears. I can't wait to reveal it and see everyones reaction. :)
FossilQueen1984: Of course Ryder would join, he's awesome that way.
Lyste is one of my favourite imperials, just cause he generally seems like a decent guy who has things go wrong for him all the time.
Mysterious Guest number 1: Unfortunately Grievous is still very much dead at this point. I could bring him back I suppose, but I don't intend to. Sorry.
Mysterious Guest number 2: I'm glad you liked the Ezra/Chopper chapter. There are more down the line about them.
LukeDude: No need to worry if you don't leave a review for every chapter. Sabine was always going to join, as was Rau. It was Tristan that I changed at the last second, as I enjoyed writing him in the chapter, so I brought him along for the ride.
Ryder comes along cause he trusts Ezra and believes in taking it to the empire. What better chance than this?
And yes, any parallels in this chapter are entirely intentional. I like linking things together like this.
Eighth Bro goes where he wants and does what he wants. He's confusing like that. :)
Now for your questions... and my answers:
1. I doubt Lyste will show again. The purpose of included him was just to give him a bit of screentime. It will happen with other imperials as well.
2. Yularen? No he won't be appearing at all. (Joke... this chapter should sort of give you an answer.)
3. Bohdi is unlikely, as this story takes place a few years before Rogue One would normally take place, and thus he hasn't yet been sent to inform Saw of the truth.
4. Second Death Star hidden away somewhere... maybe. ;)
5. I have considered having Tiber Saxon at the 'Meeting of the Moffs', representing Mandalore, and thus the supercommandos would probably show up there. Not too sure yet though.
Chiara Polairix Edelstein: I'm glad you liked the past two chapters, as well as the character interaction.
Thanks for the vote of confidence in regards to the romance aspect. Hopefully it all comes out ok in the end.
WolveHulk: Maul's recruit is a long way off yet. In regards to the recommendations, I'm ok at the moment. I want to focus on this at the moment and get any more ideas. Thanks anyway. :)
Mogor: The Inquisitor? I don't have an actual name for him, I just call him by his title, The Eighth Brother. And he is a Terrelian Jango Jumper.
Travis Middleton: I'm glad you liked rhe brief return to Lothal, as well as the brief cameo by Lyste. And I hope you liked this brief look at Thrawn and Pryce.
In regards to your questions:
1. Since the theft of his TIE Defender prototype in the second story, Thrawn has moved the project off of Lothal to somewhere else. Where you will find out... sooner than you expect.
2. Ahsoka and Rex will encounter Yularen. I'm still trying to decide how that will go. Will Yularen die? Or should he be allowed to escape? Any preference for his fate?
3. I did think about having Cody on the Death Star during the mission, but then I decided against it. However, he will have a one shot dedicated to him and what happens when he encounters Rex.