Rise of the Empire - Grand Admiral Thrawn Love Story

Chapter 1

15 years later, 11 ABY...

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Saria took a deep breath as she put on her Imperial uniform, slowly releasing the breath as she held her rank in her gloved hand, her thumb caressing it softly. Saria had been ranked up to Admiral, due to her continuous loyalty to the Hidden Empire.

Her eyes looked over to the hologram on the desk, showing a small holo-pic of her and Thrawn together. It was the first time she had ever seen him smile that night.

She was snapped out of her trailing thoughts at the knocking on her door, looking at it as a voice spoke out, "The shadow meeting is happening in a few moments, Admiral Dorn."

"Thank you, TC-314...I'll be there." She spoke out, putting the rank pin on her uniform.

She took another deep breath before leaving her quarters and heading to the briefing room, where she could hear voices conversing with one another, most notably Moff Gideon's voice.

"...And yet again, I see, that Grand Admiral Thrawn is missing from your delegation. Any word on when he will be able to participate in the Shadow Council?" Moff Gideon's voice spoke out as she entered the room.

"Moff Gideon...must you be so passive-aggressive with your words to the Captain?" Saria said as her hologram entered the meeting in the Grand Admiral's spot and the other councilmen whispered among each other, with Gideon staring at her, "He will be returning, I can assure you. I already have a plan set in motion."

"Admiral Dorn...what a surprise to see you in this meeting. I had...no idea you would be here at this hour." Gideon said towards her, irritation present in his voice.

Saria's eyes glared at his form as she stood straighter, "Everyone in this shadow council is doing their best on their respected parts for the Empire."

He glared at her, his body tense, "Where have you been for the past 15 years, Admiral? Last time we had heard, you were on the run from the Rebels!"

Saria felt her anger rising from his words and she took a deep breath, keeping her eyes on him, "Like everyone else, I've been keeping tabs on some of my coworkers who have been working in the shadows while you persist to make trouble for us."

"At least I'm making changes to this galaxy and getting the New Republic on the edge of their seats, while you sit in the shadows doing nothing." Moff Gideon said, his fighting words coming out.

She let out a frustrated growl, staring at him, "Your seize on Mandalore will be your downfall."

Saria's comms buzzed and she looked down at her wrist before she moved her gaze over to the imperial officer on her right, "Continue working on Project: Necromancer, Commodore Hux. I sadly have to leave this meeting sooner than expected. Everyone, keep me updated on your progress." She says as her hologram turns off from the council.

Saria turned away to the desk and answered the other comm as the hologram revealed to be Baylan Skoll, "What news have you brought?"

His hologram bows a little, "We have found her and we're on our way to pick you up to retrieve her."

She smiled a little, "Good job. Soon, our plans will be set in motion. I'll have the docking bay ready for you to land."

He nods his head before ending the comm, his hologram fizzing away. She took a few minutes to think about it all...it was finally happening. She couldn't help but smile at the thought...this was the first step to getting Thrawn back from the Unknown Regions.

She walks out to meet up with Baylon Skoll and his apprentice, Shin Hati, who walks past her to grab some items and Saria stands with the master. She stared at the apprentice's disappearing form going into her base before speaking up.

"You know this may turn into a one-way trip for the both of you...do you think you can handle the pain of a possible betrayal?" She asked him with a softer voice, looking up at him.

"She might not understand it now," Baylon started saying, looking back at the Admiral, "But I make no such promises on her feelings towards you."

She sighed softly, looking back to the entrance, "I do not doubt in my mind of those possible feelings...some sacrifices are going to be made during this trip. Let's just hope it all doesn't fall to ruin."

Just as she finishes speaking, Shin Hati comes back out with their fake chain codes and holds them up, making Baylan smile a bit. Saria gave a nod before they all entered the ship, ready to get this plan started.