Storm Hawks: Hand Of Thrawn

Chapter XXI

In Thrawn's private quarters, Aerrow and Piper found themselves face to face with Grand Admiral Thrawn. Knowing his disguise was blown, Aerrow removes his commando helmet, revealing his face to the Grand Admiral. 

Thrawn: You never cease to amaze me. Not only did you manage to infiltrate the Chimera, but you also managed to reach me without raising an alarm. I'm impressed. 

Aerrow: I'm giving you one last chance, Thrawn. Surrender. 

Thrawn couldn't help but chuckle. However, despite the certainty of victory, Thrawn would not allow himself to become complacent. 

Thrawn: So you went through all that trouble just to demand my surrender? I know there's more to it than that. It's far too simple with too many risks. It's too unorthodox, even for you. You're planning something. 

Aerrow: Guess you'll have to find out!

Aerrow then lunges at Thrawn and goes for a punch, but Thrawn grabs Aerrow's arm and lands a kick which knocks Aerrow to the ground. 

Thrawn: It would appear that you have learned nothing since our last encounter, Aerrow. 

Aerrow got to his feet as he readied his Twin Energy Blades while Piper readied her Crystal Staff. Thrawn showed no emotion with the exception of a small smirk as he got into a combat stance. 

Thrawn: Your stance has changed. Perhaps I was wrong in my earlier assessment. 

Piper: There's a lot of things you're wrong about! Ready, Aerrow? 

Aerrow: Always. Let's take him down! 

With that, Aerrow and Piper engaged Thrawn in an intense duel. Though outnumbered, Thrawn proved formidable as he held his own against the Sky Knights. During the course of this fight, Thrawn intently studied the movements of both Aerrow and Piper. He noticed something different about the way they were fighting. It was clear to him that the Storm Hawks were planning something. 

Thrawn: Under normal circumstances, a mission such as this would be considered suicide. Yet there are countless prizes on the Chimera that could aid you. The Sky Knight leaders. The technology I have acquired from the Far Side. The Talon Defender Project. Perhaps even the Chimera or myself. 

Aerrow and Piper then launched a coordinated attack on Thrawn in an attempt to overwhelm him, but Thrawn was able to counter this with ease. Aerrow moved in for an overhead strike, but Thrawn rolls out of the way, causing Aerrow to smash through Thrawn's desk. Piper soon pressed the attack as she unleashed a flurry of power strikes with her staff, but Thrawn was able to block these attacks. 

Thrawn: What are you planning, Piper? What plot have you set in motion? 

Piper: Like we'll tell you!

Aerrow soon rejoined the fight as they both attacked Thrawn. As the fight dragged on, he disarmed Piper and breaks her Crystal Staff in half. He then hits Piper in the stomach with enough force to send her to the ground. Aerrow then lunges at Thrawn and goes for an overhead strike, but Thrawn blocks the attacks with the broken pieces of Piper's staff.

Thrawn: Brave of you, Aerrow. For a moment, I thought you have learned your lesson. 

Aerrow: What can I say? I'm a slow learner. 

Aerrow soon pressed the attack against Thrawn. In that moment, it was as if Aerrow was fighting against Dark Ace. As Aerrow fought Thrawn, Piper slowly recovered. Seeing that Thrawn was gaining the upper hand, Piper tapped into her Binding powers and empowered Aerrow. As Aerrow was empowered, Thrawn was quickly put on the defense. Though he was at a disadvantage, Thrawn showed no sign of concern.

Thrawn: So this is the power that defeated Master Cyclonis. 

As Thrawn glanced over to see Piper levitating next to Aerrow. 

Piper: It's over, Thrawn. 

Thrawn quickly realized that he was outmatched. He discretely pressed a button on his comlink which activates the security measures in his private quarters. Two security droids were activated and began to attack Aerrow and Piper. Wasting no time, Thrawn retreated from his personal quarters and began making his way to the bridge, knowing the Storm Hawks would no doubt go. On the way there, Thrawn's comlink begins to beep. Thrawn answers it and the holoprojection of a Chiss woman appears. 

Thrawn: Admiral Ar'alani. To what do I owe the unexpected surprise? 

Ar'alani(Holoprojection): What is the status of your mission, Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo?

Thrawn: The native resistance group has proven more resilient than anticipated, but it won't be long until they are subjugated. 

Ar'alani(Holoprojection): There has been a change in plans. You are to abort this mission and return home for reassignment. 

Upon hearing this, Thrawn was caught off guard by this. 

Thrawn: For what reason? 

Ar'alani: The Chiss Ascendency has found a more suitable ally to aid in the oncoming invasion of the Yuuzhan Vong. They call themselves the Galactic Empire. You are to depart from this world immediately. Once the threat has been dealt with, you will be free to return to this world and finish your assignment. 

Though Thrawn wished to see his assignment completed, Thrawn understood what was more important. The looming threat of the Yuuzhan Vong was much more important than his mission on Atmos.

Thrawn: Very well, Admiral. I will make my way back to Ascendency space as soon as possible. However, there will a slight delay. 

With that, Thrawn ended the call with Admiral Ar'alani. With his new orders given, Thrawn now had to depart from Atmos and return home to the Chiss Ascendency for reassignment. But before he would leave, he would conclude some unfinished business.