Prologue Part II: Orders Received
"The ISD Chimera has been spotted in the orbit of Coruscant and a shuttle previously used by Grand Admiral Thrawn has been seen approaching the Imperial palace. Request additional assets to confirm if the Grand Admiral has returned."
Unnamed Alliance Intelligence agent
There were thousands of different starships in orbit of Coruscant and few realized the addition of others to the sprawling system.
Even the fact that these vessels were Imperial Class Star Destroyers with several smaller escorts and support ships wasn't particularly relevant. There were also thousands of these ships within the orbit of the empire's capital, with the Coruscanti Home Fleet being the largest within the Empire. Few other formations could rival that which protected the center of Imperial rule.
However, if one were watching closely, one would see that the lead Star Destroyer had a unique paint scheme and some subtle upgrades. They may not be apparent to the untrained eye. Still, a naval officer or expert in Imperial warships with a high-resolution pair of macrobinoculars could tell that there were several reinforcements along the hull to improve structural stability, some point defense laser cannons that weren't on the original Imperial II model, and if they looked closely enough a vastly improved sensor suite, octuple barbette mounted heavy turbolasers, wider shield projectors, and a more visible and powerful reactor. All were features that undoubtedly improved its effectiveness in battle. And these were just the external changes visible to the naked eye. There were hundreds of equally notable changes beneath the ship's well-armored hull, changes that were also apparent in other ships in its fleet.
As the Imperial II Class Star Destroyer exited hyperspace, a Lambda Class Shuttle left its ventral hanger. Escorted by two rare TIE Defenders, it made its way down to the surface and was given clearance through all checkpoints. The shuttle soon began approaching its destination, the Imperial Palace. What had once been the Jedi temple now served as the residence for the emperor himself. Outside its small army of staff and the security detail, few were allowed inside, and those who did generally had important business with the man who led the Empire.
Grand Admiral Thrawn was one such person, and he was dreading to meet with the emperor. Palpatine was both incredibly dangerous and powerful, and he didn't want to be on the receiving end of his fury like he had been the last time that he had been summoned. Many had been on the receiving end of the Emperor's distaste, and few had lived to tell the tale.
However, he knew he was one of the few people to have leverage against the most powerful ruler the galaxy had ever seen. He had critical knowledge of what was going on in the Unknown Regions, and this meant that he was very unlikely to be killed. It would allow him to continue his treasonous plans in secret.
After landing in the palace's hangar, he was ushered through the palace by red-robed Imperial Guards. It was a fairly long walk, but Thrawn kept up at a rapid pace with ease. The scowl that occupied his face indicated he was slightly annoyed that they were not going faster.
He soon entered the Imperial Chambers and knelt before Palpatine. The emperor was his usual haggard self. It was odd that he hadn't chosen to restore his body since the attacks that had scarred and deformed him at the end of the Clone Wars. The medical technology was certainly available if he chose to take advantage of it. Perhaps his haggard appearance had some benefit; striking fear into those who wished to oppose the Empire.
"Rise, Grand Admiral. I hope that your work in the Unknown Regions was fruitful."
"It indeed was," Thrawn replied. "The Chiss will stay out of our affairs, as the declaration of neutrality that you proposed was successfully accepted. There were some minor concessions to them, including some technology transfers and arms deals but it is a small price to pay for their neutrality."
"What of these far outsiders that you and the Chiss are concerned about?" The emperor asked.
"They have reported some attacks against their distant colonies and trading posts. They however seem to be growing in size and ferocity. Specifically, they have asked for assistance if the threat becomes too much to handle."
"Very well then, these far outsiders seem to be an undeniable threat to galactic order and security." The emperor responded. "You have received the files I have sent you on your next assignment, I assume."
"Yes, my lord." He replied.
"What is your analysis on Earth? They are still a minor threat compared to the Alliance, however, they appear to be rapidly gaining strength and momentum. Not to mention, they have been appealing enough to get a figure as loyal as Moff Illustrious to join them." In all reality, the emperor was only a little concerned about the threat that this new player in the civil war posed. He was far more concerned with other matters.
"They are difficult to describe, and more study and intelligence are required to assess them properly. However, they seem to be competent, though they are fighting against backwater sectors that have major issues with corruption, and the over-sector commands have stripped them of some of their ships and supplies to reinforce ones that were under heavy threat from the rebel alliance. I am surprised that the Rebellion didn't try anything in that part of the galaxy, though it is far enough from their territories to make it logistically difficult. I do believe that the sectors would fall anyways if given enough time."
"There is good reason to indicate whoever was in charge of first contact with them was completely incompetent. If they had been brought into the Empire's fold peacefully, they could have served as an effective client state or left them alone and at least remained neutral until we could dedicate more forces to them. However, according to my understanding, they feel that the empire has threatened the survival of their species, and this can awaken a powerful resilience in a people. If an opponent's back is against the wall, they will have nothing to lose, and everything to gain."
"I believe that they have also succeeded where the Rebellion failed. We have made sure to use propaganda to decrease the appeal of the Rebellion and paint them as a radical group who wish to restore the corruption of the Republic. But we have not done the same to Earth. They have managed to attract a following of different groups that have not necessarily wanted to join the rebellion, from Separatist Holdouts to pirates and common criminals and even Moff Illustrious and other imperial defectors. The reasons for her defection I cannot pin down, however, I intend to figure that out in short order." Thrawn said.
"A very astute analysis, Grand Admiral." The Emperor replied. "Your objective is to investigate the situation and hold Earth off for approximately four months. You will then take your fleet back into the unknown regions to continue your investigations. In this category, your service has proven invaluable. Your objective is to gather meaningful intelligence on their capabilities and deliver a report to assess their strengths and weaknesses to me at the end of this time. You will be given authorization to use any Imperial military resources in a particular sector that is under threat of Earth unless otherwise specified."
"Should I conduct offensive operations, my lord?"
"Probing attacks perhaps, but there is not enough time for you to execute a major offensive. Nor do I want to attack them until I have a full understanding of their capabilities. That will come in due time when DS-2 has been completed."
"I have long been skeptical of that battle station, but it might be just what we need to destroy the rebellion for good," Thrawn replied diplomatically. He hoped the Emperor would not sense that he had just lied through his teeth.
If the Emperor sensed his displeasure, then he didn't do anything about it. "That shall be its role after its completion."
"I have two assets of mine that will be under your control for the duration of your mission." His raspy voice continued. You may enter, Jade. and Golin"
In stepped a woman that Thrawn had heard of and even met on occasion during his service to the empire. The redhead's long black cloak was removed using the assistance of the force, revealing an evening place that would not be out of place in Coruscant's high society.
It was Mara Jade. On the surface, she appeared to be a wealthy socialite that was probably kept around because she looked pretty, complete with a bullshit job that gave her an excuse to be in the Imperial Palace. However, she was a member of the Empire's Hand. They were secretive elite agents answerable only to the Galactic Emperor who conducted covert operations above and beyond the even highest echelons of the Imperial command structure. They were potentially a successor organization to the failed Imperial inquisitors, with the few members that Thrawn knew being force-sensitive.
Also with her was Jallar Golin, another one of the Emperor's Hands. He was a more junior member compared to Jade, though his skills and abilities were still significant. He would be assigned to help Jade.
"They will assist you with any covert operations that you find necessary to undertake to carry out your mission." The Emperor observed Thrawn's lack of a reaction to the statement, however, his thoughts were now swelling with ideas as he analyzed this new variable.
"Do you understand your mission?"
"Yes, my lord." He replied.
"Then see to it," Palpatine replied. "You are all dismissed."
After bowing, Thrawn was soon led out of the emperor's chambers and back to his shuttle, with Jade and Golin by his side.
"Do you require us to stop and collect any belongings or supplies?" Thrawn asked the force users.
Unlike other agents who often had almost total authority, both Jade and Golin were under his direct command. They and the other members of the Emperor's hand were generally granted almost unlimited access and authority to accomplish their missions. Without naming themselves as physical manifestations of the Emperor's will, Emperor's Hands could take command of military units, starships, or weapons as necessary.
The Emperor's move to place them under his command was certainly interesting. However, Thrawn suspected that they would essentially be the emperor's eyes and ears during his mission. While these assets might be under his command her true loyalties were still with the Emperor. She could be meant to dissuade disloyalty or to purge him if he was deemed to be too much of a threat. Thrawn still believed that his knowledge made him immune to such a purge, but it was never smart to doubt the abilities or will of the Emperor.
Regardless, they were also a very useful asset to carry out the emperor's mission, and if they could be tricked into it also some personal ones that he would find useful going forward.
"They are being loaded onto Chimera. I didn't want to hold you up, Admiral." Jade replied.
"Good," Thrawn replied. "I want my fleet to get underway as soon as possible."
"What will you have us do on this deployment, Admiral?" Golin asked.
"The specifics are to be determined, but likely to be reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. And if they become needed, commando missions, capturing of enemy personnel, and assassination. All tasks I am confident that you can undertake. What supplies will you need for these missions?"
"Everything that we need should be loaded onto the Chimera, sir." She replied. "I have several small craft that I use for infiltration that I should be using for this purpose."
"Good," Thrawn replied.
The shuttle soon departed which took him to the Chimera. He was glad that this meeting with the emperor had gone well, and that he had managed to not anger the most powerful being in the galaxy. He refocused his mind back to the task at hand, which was now going to be learning as much as he could avoid Earth and why they had not been stopped.
While all of this had been happening, a young man had been watching the fleet approach. He had noticed what was happening and made his way across one of the numerous derelict industrial districts of the world. In centuries and millennia prior, the capital of the empire had been an industrial hub, but that industry had either moved off-world or deeper underground due to cheaper costs.
In a twist or irony, it would have been more expensive to tear the buildings down and then rebuild them into luxury apartments or some other massive project, so they were abandoned. And it had been shown that they could not be properly enforced and policed, probably because the empire didn't put troops everywhere on Coruscant.
The young man took holocamera footage that he had filmed and moved it to a remote hand terminal connected to an encrypted holonet line.
The footage was sent to Alliance High Command, along with a three-word message. It was in code as the rebellion wanted to prevent the Empire from knowing what they had found.
"The ISD Chimera has been spotted in the orbit of Coruscant and a shuttle previously used by Grand Admiral Thrawn has been seen approaching the Imperial palace. Request additional assets to confirm if the Grand Admiral has returned."
Author's Note:
Initially, I wanted to go right into Earth in Star Wars III, which would for now be the end of the series. In mapping that out I first wanted to do a fic on the rebellion so that some of my changes to the wider SW universe would make sense, which has also been delayed for a while.
However, I decided to do this instead after the first mini-series. I want to tell some miscellaneous stories that don't fit in the other fics and are set up for Earth in Star Wars III. These will tie into the larger universe and help with the conclusion to the series (or at least for now, I do have some long-term plans for it).
A couple of other things of note: This fic and my other ones now have a wiki. This website hates links but its called Dank's Archive wiki. Should come up on a google search. Second is to expect an update every two weeks with this fic.