Chapter 3
It took Thrawn about 20 minutes to reach the detention levels. There he found several round sized cells, with a number of security droids standing guard. The sound of noise was heard in one cell, as some vulgar words were spoken by one being.
"You poojo-head droids! I'm going to rip out your circuits and boil them in acid! Then I shall..." The rant suddenly stopped when the speaker saw Thrawn stop in front of his cell.
Looking at the alien before him, Thrawn recognized the species as a Feeorin, a humanoid alien species who had a number of tendrils behind their heads. They were known for their volatile temperaments, and regarded by many in the galaxy as selfish and always quick to start a fight.
However, Thrawn noticed that this individual looked different; both of his hands were prosthetic. But unlike others he had seen, these looked a little crude.
"Are just gonna stare? Cause if you do, it's gonna cost yah," the Feeorin said, tired of Thrawn looking at him.
"Amusing, but I'm here to see, why you have been causing trouble, Mr. Nym."
"It's just Nym. And who, pray tell, are you?" the Feeorin sneered.
"He's our host, bright eye. Can't you tell by his uniform and posture?" a voice said in the cell next to Nym.
Walking over to the next cell, Thrawn saw two beings inside. One was a horned female, and her hair was tied up into a unique shape. Her clothing was a magenta tank top, fingerless gloves with her gauntlets, cargo pants and custom shoes.
Her companion was a tall alien, who kept his face covered by the shadows. His attire was a large chest plate, along with chest armor. Below that was a Red hip sash with gold etchings and a tattered brown Sarong.
Thrawn knew their species from his encounters. The Female was a Zabrak and the Male was a Kyuzo.
"I am indeed. And you two must be Sugi and Embo. Known Bounty Hunters and mercenaries," Thrawn said to them, but they remained silent.
"We are indeed. And you must be the one who brought us here. Grand Admiral Thrawn, is it?" Sugi asked to which he nodded yes.
"So your the nerf nerder who brought us here," Nym said as he came up to the force field, which zapped him back, causing him to swear as he got back up.
"Your nothing more then an Imperial Stooge. And a dead one, if I get out of here."
"(Oh please tell that brute to shut his mouth, before I do something to it!) Embo responded in his language.
"What did you say, you no good-"
"ENOUGH!" Thrawn shouted which made the two stop.
"Now then, let's try and behave like civilized beings," He asked, before going over to the control panel.
"I'm only going to say this once, so listen well. You can ether cooperate with me, or I can push this button and flood your cells with gas. It's your call."
Hearing this, the three believed he was bluffing at first. But then they saw that Thrawn's hand stayed just above the button for the gas release.
The room went quiet for a bit as no one said a word. Til Nym sighed loudly.
"Alright, I'll behave. Pirate's word," he said while holding up his right hand.
"Same with us," added Sugi, and Embo who nodded in silence.
"Good, Now then, once you've heard my proposal, I shall let you out. Do not try to escape," Thrawn stated as he moved away from the control panel.
"And what exactly do want us to do?" Nym asked.
"For you Nym, I wish to use your base in the Karthakk as an outpost station for when the Yuuzhan Vong arrive in three years." He said to Nym first, then turned to Sugi and Embo.
"As for the two of you. I'm in need of those who know the ways of the galactic underworld, as it's important for me to know what's going on in the various criminal groups."
"And why would you be interested in that?" Sugi wondered as one of her eyebrows raised up.
"When the enemy shows up in three years, their actions will cause many to work with them. Out of fear, and hope their lives will be spared. So when that time comes, I wish to know the activities of these traitors," Thrawn answered.
"So you want us to act as spies for you. By joining the ranks of these traitors, as you call them," Embo said next, to which Thrawn nodded yes to him.
"So we do this for you, what do we get in return?" Nym asked sarcastically.
"For the time being, you shall be allowed to return to the Karthakk system. And when the war is over, it shall be yours again Nym. And the same goes to Embo and Sugi, For now, you will be allowed to do as you wish."
Taking in his offer, the three thought about this for a bit. Then gave Thrawn their answer.
"Okay, you got a deal," Nym and Sugi repiled.
Offering a slight smile at this, Thrawn told the security droid to lower the force fields to the cells. Once they dropped, the three stepped out and had their hand freed from the cuffs.
"Now then, as we are short on ships, you three are allowed to roam the facility. But try not to cause trouble again, or you will end up back here again!" Thrawn told them with a warning, then left the area.
His next stop was the medical and science center, where he would meet the staff members.
Once he arrived, Thrawn that it was a clear, clean area in the lobby. Some medical droids were at the reception desk, one of which noticed the new arrival.
"Welcome Grand Admiral. I take it you wish to see our center?" the white protocol droid asked.
"Yes and I wish to speak with the Medical Officer assigned here." He repiled, then waited while the MO was notified.
Not long afterwords, an alien woman appeared from the center doors. She wore a black tunic, light brown boots and a Lightsaber clipped to her belt. Her skin was yellow, and her lips were light blue. On top of her head was a unique headpiece that covered her hair.
"My name is Rig Nema, Jedi Consular and Doctor," she said politely. Thrawn noticed her appearance was different from those of the other Jedi he had read about in the Imperial database.
"Pleased to meet you doctor. I take it our hosts informed you of who I am?"
"Indeed, Grand Admiral Thrawn. And I must say it was quite a shock to learn about Time Travel, and this mission we we're being asked to take part in."
"And now that you've had some time to think things over, do you accept this to be true, Doctor?" Thrawn asked.
"...Yes, after some mediating and listening to the Force. I do accept it. Which leads me to ask as to what role am I to play in this." Nema wondered.
"According to what I've read about you, you are an expert in Xenobiology and have studied the anatomies of many alien lifeforms," Thrawn stated, to which Nema agreed.
"It's that very reason. I need your skills in studying the anatomy of the enemy, in order to learn as much as we can."
"I see...And how am I to do this, if the enemy won't arrive until three years from now?" asked the Jedi Doctor.
"What you say is true, but even as we speak, the Vong's advance scout agents are working to gather intel for their leaders. This works to our advantage, as we can capture one of them."
Hearing this made logical sense to Nema, but another part of her had something else on her mind.
"Grand Admiral, the Observer's spoke of the Jedi Order's fall earlier. At the time, I didn't know what to make of it. But I need to know, is it true?"
At first, Thrawn remained silent as he knew that Dr. Nema would ask about this. But after processing what to say, he spoke carefully.
"It is true, the Jedi Order you served fell long ago. And before you ask as to how and why, I do not know the specific details. All I do know is that it happened at the end of the Clone Wars. Many Jedi were killed across the galaxy."
Nema's eyes widened after hearing this. She felt as if her heart had been broken. And while she tried to keep calm, it was hard for the Jedi.
'So it is true, everyone that I know is gone. Does that mean I'm the last of the old Jedi?' Nema thought as she sank down to the floor.
Seeing this, Thrawn saw that the Doctor was taking this news badly.
"Doctor, I know you think that it's the end. But I shall also tell you that it's not," he said, which made her look at him.
Thrawn continued. "While many of the old Jedi are gone, some survived and went into hiding. And those who did taught one person their ways, which lead to their return."
"And who was this person?" Nema asked quietly.
"His name is Luke Skywalker. Using the skills and training he learned, Skywalker has created a New Jedi Order, whose numbers have grown since it's founding years ago."
"Skywalker?...is this person related to Anakin Skywalker?"
"He is. Luke is the son of Anakin."
This information was surprising. Nema knew that in order for one to have offspring, they would have to fall in love, which went against the code.
"...I thank you for letting me know this. I will need some time to go over your propsal," Nema said to Thrawn, then excused herself as she left the room.
Once alone, Thrawn decided to inspect the center himself.
(Mess Hall)
Inside the spacious room, the Bad Batch and Wolffe were chowing down on a meal at one of the spare tables. The six clones each ate at their own pace, with Wrecker eating the fastest.
"You really should slow down, otherwise you might choke again," Echo suggested.
"I know how to eat, Echo. And don't worry, I'll be fine," repiled Wrecker as he drank some water.
Sighing at this, Echo and the others continued to eat for a bit in silence. Then they noticed a new figure enter the hall, an alien female. Tech recognized the species as Halasi.
After she got her tray of food, and a cup of tea. Nema came over to their table and asked if she may join them. Hunter said yes.
Nema sat down next to Wrecker and across from Hunter. The six looked at her first, then went back to eating.
"Based on your armors and appearances, I take it your Clones?" Nema asked, to which the six nodded yes.
"And I take it you are a Jedi Master as well, Miss?" Tech stated.
"It's Doctor, actually. Dr, Rig Nema. I was a Consular at the temple on Courscant. I didn't take part in the front lines of the war," she repiled, then took a sip of her tea.
"So I guess you are going to be part of the medical staff here?" Hunter asked next.
"That's correct, the Grand Admiral wants me to study and learn about the Yuuzhan Vong. So when the time comes for us to fight them, we will have some knowledge of how to defeat them."
"Which means were going to have to find one and capture it!" Crosshair exclaimed in a sourly.
"Most likely, but I still find the idea of life beyond our galaxy, to be something that many would find interesting, instead of terrifying," Echo added.
"You do have a point Echo, in fact I seem to recall the Republic created a mission to see if there was life beyond the Galaxy, many years before the Clone Wars began," Tech explained as he pulled out his data reader.
"You are referring to the Outbound Flight Project," said Nema. "I remember that many Jedi were part of that mission. But it ended with them disappearing so long ago. Some in the order believed they were destroyed, others thought they had succeeded. But with this news, a part of me wonders if they were captured by the Enemy."
Things got quiet after this as Nema held her cup of tea for a bit.
"Even if something happened, you're still here Dr Nema. And you can make a difference. Just like we will, right boys?" Hunter exclaimed, to which the other clones agreed.
"Thank you, I appreciate that," Nema repiled as she offered Hunter a smile.
(Author's Note)
Hi everyone, the four newest characters joining the story are: Sugi and Embo, two recurring Bounty Hunters from The Clone Wars TV Series; Nym, apirate who first appeared in the Video Game SW Starfighter back in 2001; and Dr. Nema, who appeared in the Clone Wars Episode: Voices from Season Six.
Despite having a small role, I decided to bring her into the story, where she will have a major role as part of Thrawn's alliance.
The next chapter will see the beginning of Thrawn's plan to prepare for the upcoming invasion.
Til then, May the Force be with You.