4. Grand Admiral, Times Two!

"Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb." Winston Churchill

At the height of the Empire, an Imperial Grand Admiral, was directly appointed by Emperor Palpatine, these twelve Grand Admirals only answered directly to Palpatine or his authorized executors (like Vader). In all matters, no one else had control over the twelve Grand Admirals even the Grand Moffs (except Tarkin up to his death or Lord Vader) are junior to the twelve Grand Admirals.

The creation of the rank of Grand Admiral happened two years prior to the Battle of Yavin was widely recognized as a means to increase the Emperor's direct control of the Imperial Military.

However, although all are exceptionally gifted Imperial officers, the Grand Admirals were not just front-line commanders, like Teshik and Thrawn to name two. Rather, they included several technical specialists and theoreticians, enabling them to serve as a leadership cadre for the Imperial military and indeed the whole Empire.

During the height of the reign of the Emperor, there were a maximum of twelve Grand Admirals in service at one time, called the Circle of Twelve by Palpatine. At the time of the Battle of Endor, marked by many as the beginning of the fall of Palpatine's Galactic Empire, the group included Martio Batch, Nial Declann, Octavian Grant, Josef Grunger, Ishin-Il-Raz, Afsheen Makati, Danetta Pitta, Peccati Syn, Miltin Takel, Osvald Teshik, Rufaan Tigellinus, and Thrawn.

Thrawn had been promoted to the rank of Grand Admiral, a few months before the Battle of Endor as a replacement for Demetrius Zaarin, who had attempted a coup against the Emperor and the Empire.

The first Grand Admiral to be appointed by Palpatine was Osvald Teshik and the last was Thrawn.

Now apparently now only two survive, Teshik and Thrawn, though the galaxy as a whole will know only of Thrawn's existence and not of Teshik.

Chimaera

Onboard the Chimaera Captain Pellaeon is just informing Grand Admiral Thrawn of the return of the scout ships from their data raid against the comprehensive archive computers of Obroa-skai.

Along with the subsequent Battle of Obroa-skai, in which the Chimaera dispatched four New Republic Assault Frigates and three wings of X-wing fighters, it had only taken Thrawn commanding a single star destroyer an hour to dispatch this force.

In the aftermath of the Battle of Obroa-skai, the Chimaera intelligence experts are sifting through the debris for any useful intelligence information on the New Republic attack forces warships and starfighters. This standard Imperial procedure to see if there is anything managed to survive the battle that maybe of use to Imperial Intelligence.

Within the next hour, another Imperial class star destroyer will be arriving at the battle site.

Eleemosynary

Sitting in his command chair on the bridge, Grand Admiral Teshik is preparing himself for his meeting with a fellow Grand Admiral.

Captain Frisk says, "Sir, we are about to come out of hyperspace."

Grand Admiral Teshik states, "All stations stand by for sudden orders, just in case."

The Eleemosynary drops out of hyperspace, the first thing to pop up on the main display is that of the Imperial II class star destroyer, Chimaera, followed by a debris field, with the indication of a recent battle.

Grand Admiral Teshik thinks to himself, he was right about Thrawn's location he had not lost his touch, thanks to the information from the Imperial military signals that his light freighters have been picking up. No one had thought to remove the Grand Admirals codes, as Imperial Command assumed that Teshik was dead, Teshik could therefore read all coded Imperial transmissions, even Thrawn's.

That was both a bad move and a good move, for the various Imperial factions, depending on your point of view!

Chimaera

In Thrawn's meditation chamber, Thrawn is discussing the location of one of the Emperors secret storehouses with Captain Pellaeon, when the comm goes off.

Thrawn flick the comm button and says, "This is Thrawn, what is it Lieutenant Tschel?"

From the other end of the comm Lieutenant Tschel replies, "Sir, sorry to bother you, another Imperial class star destroyer has just come out of hyperspace."

Thrawn frowns slightly and asks, "Can you identify the star destroyer."

There are several moments of silence then Lieutenant Tschel replies, "Sir, the star destroyer's IFF indicates that it is the Eleemosynary."

Captain Pellaeon jaw drops slightly then he asks, "This is Captain Pellaeon, are you sure about that identification Lieutenant Tschel?"

Lieutenant Tschel replies, "Yes sir, it has been double checked."

Thrawn says, "Intriguing the Eleemosynary is listed as being destroyed at Endor."

Captain Pellaeon says, "Yes sir, I saw the Eleemosynary destroyed myself."

Thrawn in a dreamy voice says, "Yet the Eleemosynary is here, the flagship of another Grand Admiral, how interesting, an intriguing puzzle."

Captain Pellaeon now frowning and slightly angry, says, "It must be some sort of Rebel trick, Admiral I suggest we go to battle stations?"

Thrawn raises his hand and says, "No, Captain, if this star destroyer was under the control of the Rebels it would have opened fire by now. Let us see what is going on." Activating the comm Thrawn says, "Lieutenant Tschel, hail that star destroyer."

Lieutenant Tschel replies, "Aye Admiral hailing now."

Eleemosynary

As the Eleemosynary exits hyperspace, Grand Admiral Teshik is pleased that his calculations on where Thrawn would be have proved to be correct. Grand Admiral Teshik is now studying the tactical display to see what the Chimaera and Grand Admiral Thrawn will do next.

From his Captains chair, Captain Frisk says, "Sir, I suggest we raise shields, just to be on the safe side."

Teshik shakes his head and replies, "If this is Thrawn and I have no doubt it is, then such an action would be the wrong one. Thrawn will make the first move, let us see wait and see what that move is, though I would suspect that Thrawn hail us first, before making his next move."

Before Captain Frisk can reply in protest, one of the communications operators says, "Sir, we are being hailed by the Chimaera."

Teshik smiles as Teshik has correctly predicted what Thrawn would do then he says, "Put it through."

The communications operator says, "Yes sir."

In front of Teshik the holographic image of Grand Admiral Thrawn appears sitting in a command chair, Teshik says, "Greetings Grand Admiral Thrawn, it is good to see that you are still alive."

Thrawn whose expression remains unchanged, replies, "Greetings Grand Admiral Teshik, I see that you have survived the battle of Endor."

Teshik says, "Indeed I did survive the battle of Endor. The story is an interesting one, if you would like to come onboard then I shall tell you how I survived Endor."

Thrawn says nothing for several moments, his red eyes focusing on Teshik, then replies, "I will be happy to come onboard the Eleemosynary, Grand Admiral Teshik."

Teshik smiles and nods saying, "I will see you shortly Grand Admiral Thrawn."

Chimaera

With the communication ended, Captain Pellaeon says, "Admiral, if I may say I consider it too risky you going over to the Eleemosynary."

Thrawn cuts of Pellaeon's protests with a wave of his hand, and replies, "Do not be concerned Captain, I will have a stormtrooper detachment with me and Rukh. Besides, I know Teshik from my time at the Imperial Court, this is Grand Admiral Teshik, take my word for it Captain, after all two Grand Admirals will be better than one."

The penny has just dropped on what Thrawn has just said, Captain Pellaeon says, "You mean that Teshik will join with you in the fight against the Rebels?"

Thrawn smiles ever so slightly and replies, "Yes, I got that much from him from our short chat. I also sent him the same message in return."

Again another penny has just dropped on what Thrawn has just said, Captain Pellaeon says, "When you agreed to go over to the Eleemosynary?"

Thrawn again smiles slightly and replies, "Correct Captain, now I must not keep Grand Admiral Teshik waiting. Captain you will remain behind." Captain Pellaeon is not happy about that but Thrawn is correct, you cannot leave the Chimaera without a senior Imperial officer in charge.

A few minutes later a Lambda-class shuttle along with an escort of 12 TIE Interceptors leave the Chimaera main hanger bay and heads towards the Eleemosynary.

As Thrawn's shuttle begins to land in the Eleemosynary main hanger, Thrawn notices the TIE racks filled with a mix of TIE Avengers and TIE Defenders, Thrawn thinks to himself that Teshik has a powerful and advanced fighter force available, wondering why he has not used it against the Rebels.

Then Thrawn thinks to himself, maybe Teshik has, but not overtly, thinking back to various unconfirmed Imperial Intelligence reports of a lone Imperial class star destroyer hitting various Rebel outposts over the past few years. Then he remembers the intelligence reports that there were no survivors from each attack, it had been thought to be one of the various Imperial factions, but now Thrawn knows that it was most likely Teshik.

As Thrawn's shuttle comes into land, Thrawn can see Teshik waiting for him with a small detachment of Naval Troopers and Stormtroopers as an honour guard.

Eleemosynary, Main Hanger Bay

Waiting in the Eleemosynary main hanger bay, Grand Admiral Teshik is waiting to greet Thrawn with a small honour guard of Naval Troopers and Stormtroopers.

As Thrawn descends the shuttles ramp, followed closely by Rukh, as they face each other, Teshik is the first to speak, saying, "Welcome onboard the Eleemosynary Grand Admiral Thrawn."

Thrawn replies, "Thank you for the welcome, Grand Admiral Teshik."

Teshik then looks at Rukh, raises his hand, and says, "Welcome onboard the Eleemosynary."

Rukh hesitates only slightly then sniffs Teshik upraised palm and replies in a deep voice, "Thank you milord" then returns to Thrawn's side.

Teshik looks at Thrawn and says, "Vader once took me to the Noghri home world, where Vader introduced me to the Noghri. I recognize your bodyguard from that time."

Thrawn nods and says, "Interesting, a good way of proving your identity."

Teshik replies, "Yes, I thought that would save a lot of explanations."

Thrawn says, "Indeed it does, Grand Admiral Teshik."

Teshik says, "Shall we go, I have a room prepared."

Thrawn says, "Yes" then pausing for a moment and looking at Rukh, "You will keep the knowledge of Teshik return to yourself, even from your fellow Noghri, is that understood?"

Rukh bows and replies, "Yes my lord."

Teshik Private Quarters

With Rukh outside, guarding the entrance, Teshik informs Thrawn of how he was able to survive that battle of Endor, along with some of the Emperors projects that he has managed to rescue and transfer to Sanctuary Base in the Unknown Regions (though not all of them). Teshik does not inform Thrawn of the exact location of Sanctuary Base and Thrawn does not ask such questions between Grand Admirals are unnecessary.

Teshik also leaves out the various deals he has made indirectly with the Cull Syndicate.

After Teshik has finished his story Thrawn says, "You have quite an adventure. I see from the fighters you have in your hanger bay that you have access to both TIE Avengers and TIE Defenders."

Teshik nods slightly and replies, "Yes I managed to retrieve several projects like these. The Emperor prior to Endor planed me in charge of these projects most of them are the remnants of Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin various TIE research projects."

Thrawn nods thoughtfully and then says, "I assume that includes a full production facility as well as the research facilities?"

Teshik replies, "Yes it does"

Thrawn says, "From what I know of these designs, I would assume that the TIE Avengers are being produced in much greater quantities than the TIE Defenders?"

With a neutral tone, Teshik replies, "Again you are correct."

Thrawn eyes narrow when looking at Teshik Thrawn then says, "I see no point in this 'dance', shall we join forces to defeat the Rebels?"

Teshik smiles at Thrawn's question and replies, "It did not take you very long to ask that question, the answer is yes."

Thrawn says, "So it was a simple test, interesting. The next question is as you are superior in rank in the order of precedence within the Grand Admirals to me do you want to take the lead?"

Teshik replies, "No, you will remain in command as you already have a plan I see no point in changing commanders. I will supply both TIE Avengers and TIE Defenders to the campaign I will also assist in various attacks as needed, but I will keep in the background during the campaign. I will rename my star destroyer to the Invincible II. This will save many questions about how I returned from the dead. Even so a few selected senior Imperial military officers within your command will need to be told out of necessity."

After thinking for few moments on what Teshik has just said, Thrawn says, "I agree, that is the best plan, keeping the knowledge of your return a secret would be a useful 'ace' to have in reserve."

Teshik replies, "Agreed, how we need to get down to details."

Over the next few hours, Teshik and Thrawn discuss the alliance, between the two of them along with what each of them will do during the upcoming campaign. Once this has been settled Teshik departs for Sanctuary Base to inform the rest of his command of the alliance between the last two Grand Admirals.

On one final point, Thrawn makes the Invincible II the designated back up command ship, just as the Chimaera was back up command ship at the battle of Endor, this will allow Teshik to issue command orders to Thrawn's forces without the need to go through the Chimaera to Thrawn. Thrawn is putting his faith in Teshik by doing this Thrawn's faith will be fully justified in the months to come.

While Teshik is at Sanctuary Base, Thrawn is already beginning his formal campaign against the Rebels.

Thrawn's Campaign

The Thrawn campaign would be a series of innovative military and political manoeuvres. Thrawn's attacks, feigns and policies constituted the first major internal and external conflict for the New Republic, and nearly succeeded in toppling the fledgling government.

A shaky alliance between Thrawn and the mad Dark Jedi clone Joruus C'baoth is useful, however as the months passed, the alliance between the two of them becomes strained, especially after the revelation the another Grand Admiral is alive, Teshik. This does not go down very well with Joruus C'baoth, even so Joruus C'baoth still 'works' for Thrawn.

Teshik, on one occasion proves that he is more than a match for Joruus C'baoth, after all he had witnessed the power of the Emperor on several occasions and Joruus C'baoth did not come close to the Emperor in the power of Dark Side of the force.

The Joruus C'baoth, Incident

Twelve months into Thrawn's campaign both Thrawn and Teshik, along with Joruus C'baoth and Captain Pellaeon, are onboard the Chimaera, in Thrawn's command chamber. Joruus C'baoth was making his usual threats against both Thrawn and Teshik, when Teshik in a voice with considerable command behind it says, "Enough, Joruus C'baoth you do not control me in any way."

Joruus C'baoth is slightly stunned that he has been interrupted replies, "Believe what you will, Teshik."

Teshik with enough menace in his voice that makes it seem as though the rooms temperature has dropped by several degrees, replies, "I am Grand Admiral Osvald Teshik, do not threaten an Imperial Grand Admiral so lightly, be warned Joruus C'baoth do not oppose me." Then suddenly Teshik takes a single menacing step forward, causing Joruus C'baoth to involuntary take a step back, much to the surprise of Captain Pellaeon but not Thrawn.

Joruus C'baoth realising what Teshik has just done to him, looks at Teshik in amazement, then Teshik in a claim but commanding voice states, "I trust, I do not have to make my point again Joruus C'baoth?"

Joruus C'baoth in reply, just slightly shakes his head, again without realising what he is doing until he has done it. Then Teshik turns slightly to Thrawn and in a normal voice as if nothing had just occurred asks, "Are we done here?"

Thrawn also as if nothing has happened, in a claim voice replies, "We are done, thank you."

Teshik nods to Thrawn then leaves the room accompanied by two stormtroopers carrying frames containing Ysalamiri, without acknowledging Joruus C'baoth presence, leaving behind a stunned Captain Pellaeon and Joruus C'baoth.

After Joruus C'baoth has returned to his quarters to meditate, Thrawn says to Captain Pellaeon, "To answer your question, yes I can do that to if needed. Remember this Captain each Grand Admiral was chosen by the Emperor himself, what Teshik just did was a small demonstration of what a Grand Admiral is capable of." All Captain Pellaeon is nod in acknowledgment, Pellaeon is both amazed and afraid after Teshik 'demonstration'.

A short while later Captain Pellaeon realises that Thrawn has been playing with Joruus C'baoth and could easily remove the mad Jedi if needed that thought makes Captain Pellaeon slightly nervous of both Grand Admirals.

After that when Teshik is onboard the Chimaera, Joruus C'baoth is never present in the same room, thankfully for Joruus C'baoth Teshik visits to the Chimaera are few.

Eighteen Months Later

Thrawn's campaign over the next eighteen months is nothing if not spectacular. However, Teshik is not to be underestimated either.

In the early stages of his campaign, after his meeting with Teshik, Thrawn travelled to Wayland, where he acquired three items from Mount Tantiss, an Imperial storehouse. These items were a cloaking device, a mad Jedi clone named Joruus C'baoth, and a "trivial piece of technology", a full suite of Spaarti cloning cylinders.

Joruus C'baoth was the clone of the Jedi Mater Jorus C'baoth, who perished in Thrawn's destruction of Outbound Flight. In exchange for fighting for Thrawn, this mad Jedi demanded that Thrawn capture the unborn Solo twins so that he could raise them as his apprentices.

Thrawn used the Spaarti cylinders to clone elite troops by the tens of thousands, bolstering the conscripts on which the Empire was now forced to depend for much of its manpower, in the long term Thrawn hopped to replace the conscripts with clones. At the same time, both Thrawn and Teshik worked to replace the losses in materiel that the military had suffered in the years since Endor. Although Thrawn was thwarted in his attempt to capture a large number of New Republic ships from Sluis Van, Thrawn's leadership would see the Empire's own shipyards (that are now under Thrawn's direct control) increase production once again, and Thrawn was able to recover 178 of the 200 Dreadnaught class cruisers of the Katana fleet.

Thrawn now directly controls a total of fifteen sectors.

Added to Thrawn's fleet is a growing number of TIE Avengers from Grand Admiral Teshik Sanctuary Base, these TIE Avengers are deployed in a single squadron strength onboard each of Thrawn's Imperial class star destroyers. With Teshik's own star destroyer still carrying a mixed wing of 36 TIE Avengers along with 36 TIE Defenders.

Both Grand Admirals know it will take time to build up sufficient numbers of these advanced TIE starfighters, however even a single squadron onboard each of Thrawn's Imperial class star destroyers, flown by elite clone and none clone pilots can prove to be devastating to the New Republics fighters forces.

Thrawn used his tactical skills to effectively employ his limited forces in a series of decisive victories, causing a deep wound to the New Republics military forces. The successes of Thrawn's campaign greatly bolstered the waning Imperial morale and temporarily ceased the internal squabbling of the various Imperial warlords as they watched Thrawn's unfolding campaign, a problem that had plagued the Empire since the death of Palpatine. Using the cloaking technology that Thrawn had acquired to good effect, Thrawn also managed to blockade Coruscant with cloaked asteroids and scored victory after victory.

During this time Grand Admiral Teshik kept himself in the background, leaving the running of the war to Thrawn, Teshik would use this time to rebuild his own command squadron, by addition four Victory II class star destroyers. Theses Victory II class star destroyers are crewed almost entirely by clones, with each VSDII containing two squadrons of TIE Avengers (24 fighters). During this time, Teshik mostly occupied himself with increasing production of the TIE Avengers and seeing that they are secretly transported from Sanctuary Base back to the Empire. With a secondary role of assisting Thrawn in his campaign, Teshik does not need to do this secondary role very much as Thrawn is proving more than capable of deal with the Rebels by himself.

Acknowledging the potential for his defeat, Thrawn sent a single Spaarti cloning cylinder to his facility on Nirauan to produce a single, un-accelerated clone of himself, Thrawn did not tell anyone about what he had done (that would be a bad move on Thrawn's part). Likewise, Teshik also acquired a Spaarti cloning cylinder for himself but for slightly different reasons, this Spaarti cloning cylinder was put onboard the Eleemosynary in what was the Admirals entertainment suite. Like Thrawn, Teshik surrounded the Spaarti cloning cylinder with the force repelling Ysalamiri creatures, along with key areas around his star destroyer, such as the main bridge, engineering etc.

At the end of the eighteen months, Thrawn's Empire was starting to take shape, with key production facilities under Thrawn's direct control, such as the Bilbringi system with its vast shipbuilding capability. These resources are relatively small, even compared to the combined resources of the various Imperial Warlords, however unlike the various Imperial Warlords, these resources are focused on one goal, defeating the Rebels and gaining ground.

Given another few months, Thrawn would have most likely been able to retake the Imperial Centre (Coruscant), along with most of the key Core Sectors, then Thrawn's campaign would then have then shifted up a gear.

The galaxy is still unaware the Grand Admiral Teshik is still alive, as the galaxy has been concentrated on Thrawn.

However, things were about to change for both Thrawn and Teshik, during the upcoming Battle of Bilbringi.

To be continued.