Chapter 23
The Chimaerian Village
The crackling sound of fire wood filled the empty night. The bright fire illuminated the night sky. It warmed the area surrounding it, small pieces of ash flying in separate directions. Luke, Ahsoka, and Sabine all sat quietly, feeling a bit awkward at the moment. Artoo was at the corner, feeling a bit tense. Thrawn sat across from them, cooking a couple of native wild life. "Gizka?", Thrawn offered as he extended the plate towards them. It was a charcoal colored creature, that seemed to be some type of amphibious creature. Yet it's hind legs were larger than its body. Luke went to grab one when Ahsoka swatted his hand away. "You don't know what's in them. For all we know, he could've poisoned them", Ahsoka whispered at him. "I haven't interfered with these creatures since I caught them", Thrawn said defensively as he overheard the Togruta's warning. Sabine kept glaring at Thrawn. Her cold hazel colored eyes set on Thrawn's red ones. "What are you up to Thrawn", Sabine spat at him coldly. "Nothing really", Thrawn commented as he set the plate aside, noting that would rather starve than trust him. "I am just being hospitable", he claimed as he signal one of the guards. A large stormtrooper kneeled down besides Lukes, he got a syringe out as he steady Luke's arm. "Get away from him!", Ahsoka shouted as she pushed the stormtrooper off of the young Jedi. "Please, he's just going to inject a painkiller to numb your friend's pain", Thrawn tried to reason, "We have to patch him up if he doesn't want anymore blood loss".
"You will not lay a hand on him again", Ahsoka threatened as she got in front of Luke. Arms raised, ready for a fight. "Ahsoka", Luke suddenly said getting up, "Its alright. I feel no ill-will from them. Let them treat me", he said calmly as he put his hand on her shoulder. "Luke you don't understand. These are imperials we are talking about. Once someone receives the transmission, then we can get you the proper, trusted, medical aid", Ahsoka sent a glare towards the Chiss Admiral. Thrawn simply rolled his eyes at the poorly attempt to scare him. He had faced Vader, the Emperor himself, and now crazy force wielding creatures. A simple attempt of a glare wouldn't scare him. Not even the Mandalorian could scare him. "Your friend has approximately 8 hours to live, with that poorly made bandage. Less if you didn't properly cleaned the wound", Thrawn explained. Ahsoka hesitated as her arms slowly lowered from a fighting position, Thrawn was right. She hadn't cleaned Luke's wound, she was in a rush to get the water out of him. Which means Luke wasn't out of the danger zone yet. And who knows how long it will take someone to respond to Luke's transmission. "Alright", Ahsoka said in defeat, "You can treat him". Thrawn slowly nodded, he gestured several troopers to take Luke away. Several stormtroopers, including the one that was earlier pushed away from Ahsoka, helped Luke to his feet as they started to walk away. "Wait", Ahsoka interrupted. They stopped in their tracks, a bit confused at the Togruta's stubbornness. "I'm coming with you", Ahsoka stated. "Ahsoka, its fine", Luke barked back a bit annoyed at Ahsoka's sudden overprotection. "I don't exactly trust them Luke, I need to be there to make sure they stay in place", Ahsoka argued. She put her foot, giving Luke the conclusion that he shouldn't continue arguing with her. "It's fine, Master Jedi", Thrawn told Luke equally annoyed, "Take the Togruta with you", he told the troopers. "Sabine, make sure our friend behaves", Ahsoka ordered coldly as she then followed. "With pleasure", Sabine replied not removing her gaze from the Chiss.
After Luke and Ahsoka left, Artoo rolled around nervously. Sabine kept her eyes on Thrawn. The fire reflecting off of her hazel eyes. "The Togruta is very protective of the man", Thrawn began, "By reading her body language and analyzing her tone, I have concluded that she sees him almost like a son". Sabine rolled her eyes at the Chiss Admiral. You didn't need to be a genius to know that Ahsoka cared deeply about Luke. "What are you really planning here Thrawn, I can see through your 'hospitable' behavior", Sabine suddenly said darkly as she set her helmet aside. "As I previously stated Ms.Wren, I have no ill-will towards you or your friends", Thrawn said calmly, grabbing one of the Gizka off from the fire. "Stop being full of Bantha crap" Sabine cursed at the Chiss, "You're planning something. And I'm going to find out what it is". Thrawn simply shook his head in disbelief. Sabine pulled out a small blaster, pointing it straight at Thrawn. Artoo let out a surprised chirp as he noticed the small blaster. He tried warning her that they had to bring Thrawn back alive to the New Republic, to face the charges put against him. "Shut it Artoo", Sabine yelled at the little blue and white astromech to remain silent. "I agree with the droid in this one, Ms.Wren. There is no need for hostility here", Thrawn calmly said as he raised his hands above his head. "I'm going to ask you this only one time", Sabine threatened as she removed the safety pin from her blaster, "Where is Ezra Bridger".
"I'm going to remove your bandage", the medic trooper said to Luke. Luke nodded carefully as he laid on a medical table. Ahsoka watched from afar as the lead trooper slowly removed the cloth bandage wrapped around Luke. His chest became exposed as the large gash was revealed. It was turning purple, a bit of pale yellow around the edges. "As Thrawn predicted, it's infected", observed a female trooper, "You're lucky that this will be fixed in a short moment". Luke raised an eyebrow at Ahsoka, mocking her for trying to keep him away from the current medical attention. Ahsoka simply rolled her eyes at Luke's remarks. "Hold on, we have a problem", the medic said worriedly. "What is it?", Ahsoka asked getting closer to Luke. The trooper grabbed her by the arm and dragged her away from the table. Just a few feet away so that Luke couldn't hear them. "He has a metal shard penetrated between his heart and lungs", the medic told Ahsoka in a low voice, "He's lucky to even be alive at this point". Ahsoka looked at Luke who was still strapped in, suddenly becoming even more worried about the young Jedi's health. "Is there anything you can do?", Ahsoka asked hoping for a solution. "We can call in our medical droid. We're going to have to do surgery on him quickly in order to remove it", the medic explained. "How long will that take?", Ahsoka asked, she was curious if they would have time to find Ezra. She noticed that he was nowhere is sight, perhaps he crashed farther from the star destroyer, she thought to herself.
"It will take several hours. I will inform Thrawn about this update", the medic replied, "In the mean time, make sure he's comfortable". Ahsoka nodded as the medic left. She walked up to Luke who laid on the table confused. "What's going on?", he asked the Togruta. Ahsoka looked at Luke's wound, seeing the shard for the first time. "Everything is going to be alright Luke, I promise", she said as she carefully stroked his cheek. Luke was about to get up, when Ahsoka pushed him back down. "It's better that you rest", she said as she put restrains on him. Suddenly a blaster fire echoed throughout the village. Ahsoka ran outside, to find Sabine attacking Thrawn.
"You murderous imp!", Sabine yelled at Thrawn. She punched him as the camp fire was destroyed. The only visible light coming from the medical room. Sabine went to throw a punch again, when Thrawn caught her hand mid-flight. He tosses her to the ground hard. Sabine let out a small yelp as she fell on her back. But used this new advantage to kick Thrawn's legs, making him lose his balance. Sabine got back up and punched Thrawn in the face. She kept punching until blood started to visibly show on her knuckles. "Seize hostility!", a stormtrooper shouted. He raised his blaster to Sabine who had her back to him. "No, wait!", Ahsoka shouted in horror. Before she could draw her weapon, the trooper fired. Ahsoka expected to see the trooper fire at Sabine at will. But to her surprise, the trooper stunned her. Sabine fell to the floor unconscious, laying next to Thrawn. "Are you alright sir?", the medical trooper asked as he ran to Thrawn's aid. Thrawn got up, acting as if nothing happened. "Yes, I'm quite fine. And the Jedi?", he asked the trooper. "Things got more complicated, sir. We have to perform an immediate surgery, it will require our last supply of bacta and the bacta tank for a speedy recovery", the medical trooper explained. "Have Captain Pallaeon assist you. I have taught him the proper techniques for an immediate surgery. As for the bacta, that young man needs it more than anyone here", Thrawn simply stated as he wiped blood off from his face. The medic nodded as he ran back to the medical room.
Ahsoka decided to stay outside, believing it would be best if she didn't see Luke at the moment. Thrawn went back to set up the campfire again. As he was setting the fire wood back to it's place, a couple of stormtroopers gently set Sabine on a small sleeping back next to Artoo. "Why are you doing this?", Ahsoka immediately asked. Thrawn looked up as the newly placed fire started to grow. "Why do anything", he replied calmly as he sat back down. "Why... all of this?", Ahsoka implied as she gestures around herself. "If you're asking on why we haven't killed you, the answer may be a bit complex for you to understand", Thrawn tried explaining. He gestured Ahsoka to sit in front of him to have a civil talk. "I told the Mandalorian what had happened to your friend Bridger", Thrawn began as Ahsoka sat down. "And that is?", Ahsoka asked a bit confused. "He's gone", Thrawn simply replied. "Oh, I see", Ahsoka said softly, she didn't know how to act. It's been years since she last saw the padawan, and now the entire journey of traveling across the galaxy just led to this. "He isn't dead, if that's what you're thinking. The Mandalorian thought that as well, its the reason why she even attacked me in the first place", Thrawn continued as the crackling of firewood began. "Then where is he?", Ahsoka asked not fully understanding what Thrawn was trying to say. "East from here is a temple, a large grey temple. You may have seen it before coming here. Ezra went into the Temple, and never came back out. That was four years ago. He claimed that it contained secrets that could help us defeat a greater threat", Thrawn commented as he pushed a piece of wood back into place. "Greater threat? The Empire was and probably still is the greatest threat this galaxy has ever faced. What's more deadly than the Empire?", Ahsoka asked the Chiss Admiral. Thrawn looked up at her, thinking on what to say:
Flashback"It was several days after my defeat on Lothal. We were stuck in hyperspace for a long time. That's when I decided to talk to young Bridger of having him as a potential ally""How does it feel Thrawn. Knowing that your Empire no longer has a bright mind as you", Ezra said tauntingly, "The Galactic Empire has it's days counted now, the Rebellion can finally grow". Thrawn struggled to speak as the tentacles of the Purgill tightened around him. "I must admit, I never anticipated for you to sacrifice yourself for a temporary victory for Lothal", Thrawn admitted, "But this act, while brave, it was foolish". Ezra looked at Thrawn confused, "Temporary? The Ghost crew will be there to protect Lothal when the Emperor sends in his goons to attack again", Ezra spoke with pride in his voice. "It's not the Empire they should be worried about", Thrawn said coldly."When I told him this, I caught his attention. A threat beyond the limits of our galaxy. He became so interested he started asking several annoying questions"."Tell me Thrawn. Why did you join the Empire anyway?", Ezra asked as he sat back down, "The Empire is clearly anti-alien. Why join a government that treats your kind harshly. I just don't get it?". Thrawn stayed silent, he noticed that Ezra had as much of curiosity as his old friend, Eli Vanto, why not turn him to his cause? "I don't truly care about the Empire, or the Rebellion to restore the Republic. I've learned plenty new strategies in my time with the Empire. I'm just simply using their support", Thrawn admitted. The Star Destroyer was suddenly tossed as it exited hyperspace. Thrawn and Ezra looked out the viewport, to see a red planet. A large super star destroyer in a deep black color surrounded by several other star destroyers orbited the planet."I believed that the planet we stumbled upon was called, Korriban. I knew that this was Palpatine's fleet, I've seen diagrams for the super star destroyer on his desk, in my time on Coruscant".The fleet started firing at them. Several Purgills were hit, one of them was vaporized with a new type of super weapon. The star destroyers that managed to escape the Purgill's grasp were flung into the fleet. Several explosion occured as the Purgills went into hyperspace yet again. Thrawn managed to free himself from the Prugills strong tentacles. A blaster rifle laid on the floor in front of him. Ezra looked up, determined to grab it before Thrawn did. But to his surprise, Thrawn kicked the rifle away. "I could use someone like you", Thrawn explained as he offered his hand towards Ezra. "Me? Why me?", Ezra asked as he accepted Thrawn's aid. "Your abilities may be the key in defeating this new threat", Thrawn said casually. "What threat?", Ezra asked confused as a Loth Cat. "Far beyond the reaches of our galaxy lies a race of deadly warriors. They believe that it is their destiny to conquer the galaxy. They call themselves, the Grisk. Highly intelligent creatures using a modification of technology and nature to conquer worlds. I fought many scouts in my time with the Chiss Ascendancy, my people, it's one of the reason why I joined the Empire. With their strengths and our superior intellect, we would give the Grisk a hard time attacking our galaxy", Thrawn explained in detail. "Why do you keep saying 'our galaxy', aren't they apart of this galaxy as well?", Ezra asked. Thrawn shook his head, "They are not from this galaxy. That is why it was critical that the Empire grew and the Rebellion lost. This galaxy needed a strong army to protect it"."By destroying it's own civilization!", Ezra argued, "By forcing people to remain silent instead of giving them freedom that was promised!". Thrawn snarled as Ezra argued with him. "You must have a strong will, in order to act", Thrawn simply stated as he walked around the bridge. The Chimaera came out of hyperspace again. This time a tropical planet was below them. The Purgill that held them threw the Chimaera into the planet with great force. Thrawn and Ezra were knocked out of their feet as the Chimaera went crashing down onto the mysterious planet. The two screamed as the were suddenly met with darkness."The Chimaera and her sister ship, the Harbinger , crashed onto this forsaken planet. Only Captain Pallaeon and a squadron of Death Troopers survived their crash, while most of the Chimaera's crew survived. Bridger and I decided to form a Union in order to survive. He slowly convinced many of our soldiers to change sides. It wasn't until we received a transmission that Alderaan was destroyed by project Stardust. That was the turning point for all of us. We all agreed that Alderaan was a peaceful planet, despite it secretly helping the Rebellion. Many had families near the Alderaanian system, and feared for the worst. Personally, I still sided with Empire. A powerful weapon would've been a smart military move to use against the Grysk. Though morally, it was wrong, but I only look for a better solution. It wasn't until we later received a transmission that a hot-shot pilot by the name of Luke Skywalker successfully destroyed the Death Star. That day, we all celebrated for the victory of the Rebellion. That's when things changed"."Ezra, please reconsider", Thrawn pleaded as he and Ezra stood in front of the temple. "I can't", Ezra said nonchalantly, "Something is calling me in here. It may contain knowledge on how to defeat the Grisk", he touched the temple door. The temple immediately activated its shields, a dim yellow energy field surrounded the ancient temple. "At least take a squadron with you", Thrawn tried persuading, "That place may be filled with traps all over the place". Ezra just shook his head, "I can't, I have to do this alone". Ezra closed his eyes as he focused on the shields. The shields started to flicker before finally turning off. "If I don't make it back", Ezra stated looking at the worried Chiss, "Tell Sabine and Ahsoka that I'm here, they will find a way to get me".End of Flashback
"Those were his final words before he entered the temple", Thrawn explained as the fire was slowly dying out, "We tried everything. We even tried blowing the doors up. But that incredible force field is just too strong to break through. I don't know how Bridger was able to open it in the first place", he admitted. Ahsoka sat in shock at the story Thrawn had just told her. What in the world were the Grysk? When would they even attack? Most importantly how did they know how Luke looked like? "How did you...you know, see that the man with us is Luke Skywalker?", Ahsoka asked. Thrawn looked up at her, his red eyes staring blankly at her blue ones. "I've met Anakin Skywalker once in the past. I see the resemblance as soon as I laid my eyes on that young man", Thrawn explained. Ahsoka nodded in understanding, Luke did looked like his father. "So about these 'Grisk', when will they attack?", Ahsoka asked again. "That, I'm not certain. They've been sighted since the beginning of the Mandalorian-Jedi civil war. They send their scouts every 50 years. It probably won't be a while until they actually attack, that's why its critical that we prepare the for any sort of invasion", Thrawn explained as the fire finally died. "So, tomorrow you will go to the Temple?", Thrawn asked curiously. Ahsoka turned her head to see Sabine sound asleep, and Captain Pallaeon walking towards them."Captain", Thrawn acknowledged, "How's the jedi?". Pallaeon had an apron covered in blood. This made Ahsoka extremely worried, too much blood was lost. "We had difficulty getting the shard out, but we did it", he handed a small bag filled with a sharp metal shard to Ahsoka. "The surgery was a success, he's now in the bacta tank. It will be a short time before he is clear to walk again", Pallaeon stated. Thrawn thanked him as Pallaeon walked away. "I suggest you rest for now", he told Ahsoka. Ahsoka agreed as she walked into the medbay. Artoo was dragging Sabine in her sleeping bag. Thrawn explained in a harsh tone to keep the Mandalorian away from his troops. At least until she cools down. Ahsoka observed Luke in the bacta tank. He floated as his now stitched wound was starting to heal. All she could say was just a small "thank you" to Ezra for changing the 7th fleet way of thinking. "We will find you Ezra. I just know it", she said as closed her eyes.
The Night Buzzard's doors opened as it landed softly on the beach. "Skywalker is a few meters away", Mara said as she looked down at her tracker. The Knights of Ren soon joined her as the walked down the pathway. Ragnos stepped on the soft sandy beach, taking in the salty atmosphere. "The force is strong in this planet", he said smiling. As they continued to walk, Baylon stopped two of his knights. "Ap'Lek, Cardo", Baylon whispered to get their attention. The two looked at their master. "Yes Master Ren?", Cardo asked. "I need the two of you to stay here and find a way to disable the bomb", Baylon explained urgently, "In case things go south, prepare the Night Buzzard to lift off"."Understood sir", Ap'Lek remarked. The two went back to the ship, cautious of not getting Mara's attention. The group continued to walk down the valley. Towards the ancient temple.