The nav techs were reeling in apparent chaos. On the bridge’s viewscreens, which were aligned in such a way as to give the appearance that one was looking out a window, a strange desert world rotated slowly beneath.
“Navigator, what is our position?” Grand Moff Andara never let the steel edge out of his voice. He asked the question as routinely as if he were asking what time it was.
“Please forgive me my lord, but it appears that we’ve encountered an anomaly of unquestionable power. I cannot find a match on any of the star charts.”
Another tech approached him, “My lord, I am detecting a Super-class Star Destroyer. It has suffered a serious amount of damage and is foundering in the planet’s gravity well.”
“Very well, engage the tractor beam to maintain it’s orbit. Bring us along side. And establish communications if possible.”
“Aye Aye. I have established communications with the craft sir. It is the Vindicator.”
The Vindicator. Under command of Grand Admiral Thrawn. Grand Moff Andara scoffed at the name. The last time he had heard of the blue-skinned alien, the Vindicator was subjugating worlds on the outer rim for the Empire. Now it seemed he was botching an invasion on the alien world below. It demonstrated the Imperial error of letting non-humans serve in the Imperial fleet. Andara looked forward to upstaging the much-vaunted Grand Admiral.
A hologram of Thrawn appeared in front of the Grand Moff. “Well, Admiral. It appears you’ve gotten yourself in a spot of trouble.”
“Grand Moff Andara. You have no idea how pleased I am to see you, and more importantly your Eclipse-class Destroyer. It is even larger than I had read.”
“What is the situation on the planet?”
“An invasion is underway. Many of the population centers are under our control. But some substantial battles are being waged in the countryside. We have met with heavy resistance but the surface is under our control. The enemy has received unexpected reinforcements.”
“I understand Admiral. I will be assuming command of this Battle Group. I will send my battle plans over momentarily.”
Thrawn stepped out of th
e hologram beam and Palpatine stepped in. “That will not be
necessary Andara. You will take your cues from the Grand Admiral. This situation
is…unstable. How is the situation in the core?” “Sire! I had no idea you were aboard the Vindicator. Please accept my apologies. The situation in the core is stable. The New Republic continues to be a thorn in our side, but the regional governors still maintain total control in your absence.”
“Excellent, you may begin your assault. It will hasten this invasion, it is beginning to tire me”.
“I understand." A tech handed a status sheet to the Grand Moff, “Sire. You may inform Grand Admiral Thrawn that my repair crews are deploying even now.”
An alarm went off on the other side of the bridge, “Stand by one moment. Our sensors are detecting more enemy reinforcements on the far side of the planet. I will deploy several squadrons to harass them until we can get the Vindicator repaired.”
