Grand Admiral

The final page of the report concluded with disheartening summaries of the New Republic Defense Force's losses.

The first comprehensive statistical report, compiled from data across the New Republic and synthesized by analysts into a single, highly classified structure marked "Top Secret." Such information was intended solely for the review of the Provisional Council. Should they unanimously agree to declassify it and grant access to Senate members, the resulting catastrophe would be of such magnitude that no one could hope to escape its repercussions.

At that moment, Leia was immensely grateful to one persistent and insufferable Bothan for his absence and unknown whereabouts. A unanimous decision could not be reached without Fey'lya.

For the first time in her career, the Alderaanian princess prayed to the Force that Borsk would never reappear.

The damage inflicted by Thrawn's actions was already measured in millions of dead, captured, wounded, and those unfit to return to military service. Approximately one and a half million sentients remained in captivity, forcing the New Republic to replenish its personnel losses through new recruits and the reactivation and modernization of ships previously designated for scrapping.

The Mon Calamari were working tirelessly around the clock to compensate for the losses in capital ships, and even Garm Bel Iblis acknowledged that the New Republic could not afford large-scale offensive operations in the near future.

Thrawn's reputation for setting traps for every significant New Republic fleet detachment spread panic like a wildfire.

Sectors outright refused to contribute their armed forces to bolster the Defense Force, and the latter…

To speak plainly, Thrawn had not dealt a critical blow to the Republic's fleet through his actions, but the ideological impact of his campaign had shattered the New Republic's morale.

A victory was desperately needed, even a small one, to remind sentients that they still had the strength to resist the enemy.

Leia felt an overwhelming urge to weep.

The New Republic commanded thousands of warships, tens of thousands… If they united their forces against the Dominion, it would be over. Thrawn simply lacked the resources to confront four fleets on equal terms. He simply didn't have them!

Yet his consistent victories…

The southern and eastern regions of the New Republic were in turmoil. Sectors were breaking away with every new report of Thrawn's triumphs.

The attack on Coruscant had nearly fractured the New Republic.

Sullust and Sluis Van openly expressed their dissatisfaction that their shipyards were occupied solely with reconfiguring ships for transport duties. They demanded either increased trade through their territories or contracts for new ship construction.

How could they be made to understand that the New Republic's strategy of rebuilding the economy through resource trade from the southern sectors had been effectively nullified?

For this very reason, altering the economic approach was impossible… Nor could they provide shipbuilding contracts—only opportunities to participate in modernization programs for starships salvaged from the scrapyards of the Rebel Alliance.

The New Republic's budget, while not collapsing as it had six months prior, had no surplus credits to spare.

However, when considering the costs required for compensating affected service members and restoring destroyed military facilities, it became clear that by year's end, the budget would face a deficit. A deficit so vast it could only be described as catastrophic…

And, as if to mock the crisis, the Dominion's currency exchange rate stood in stark contrast.

Just a few months ago, the Republic credit had been stronger than the temporary Imperial currency, though significantly weaker than the Hutt peggat. Now, it had plummeted, aligning with the Imperial currency's value and trending downward.

Following the attack on Coruscant, the Republic credit entered a catastrophic freefall…

Leia forced herself to push aside destructive thoughts.

She understood that this would not solve the problem, but she deserved a moment to distract herself, to break free from this torrent. With a clearer mind, she could work more effectively…

She leaned back in her office chair and gazed out the window.

Nighttime Coruscant appeared calm and peaceful, but levels below, the situation was growing increasingly dire.

Residents grumbled and raged against the government, which had imposed restrictions, including on the distribution of essential goods, particularly food. Stockpiles were dwindling daily, with no means of replenishment.

The black market thrived, further destabilizing the situation. There had already been incidents of attacks on law enforcement and the destruction of security droids, as well as the looting of several supply warehouses…

So much for distraction.

Leia sensed a ripple in the Force, which brought a smile to her face.

Jacen had awakened.

The young woman decisively left her workstation and headed to the nursery.

Her gaze briefly lingered on the empty bed—Han was once again at headquarters, racking his brain and those of others in an attempt to locate the accursed cloaked "gifts" from the Grand Admiral.

Entering the adjacent room, where the children were guarded by a pair of imposing and formidable Wookiees standing constant watch, the princess slipped into the dimly lit nursery.

Though she had wanted to place the cribs in her and Han's bedroom, Leia had heeded Winter's advice and set up a nursery, with one half dedicated to Jacen and the other to Jaina.

It was the right decision, though difficult for a mother to accept.

When both parents were absent—sometimes for weeks, far beyond their home or even the nearest star system—the children's attachment to them and their need to see them every time they opened their eyes would only lead to tears and emotional distress.

As she suspected, Winter was already there.

She was stepping away from Jaina's crib, where the girl was drifting back to sleep with a smile. Jaina had eagerly consumed her bottle and now intended to resume her favorite activity.

Jacen, however, was in no hurry to finish his nighttime meal.

The bottle, held by a nanny droid, allowed him to sip the formula substituting for breast milk while simultaneously studying his own fingers and the star patterns projected on the ceiling with wide, wonder-filled eyes. The patterns changed regularly, never repeating. Leia recognized some constellations, but not others. Still, it was just a children's toy—what deeper meaning could it hold?

It seemed her son had indeed taken after his father, captivated by the stars—Jaina showed no such enthusiasm for the light effects. She preferred the figurines dangling above her crib.

— Greetings, little one, — Leia approached the crib, nodding gratefully to Winter for her care. How did she manage to appear so quickly?

This was precisely why Leia had accepted Winter's help during this challenging time—she was rarely present herself, and the children needed constant care and affection.

Despite Winter's reserved demeanor, she was warm, open, and kind with the children.

At times, Leia felt pangs of jealousy that the children seemed to favor her aide over their own mother, as though she hadn't been the one to give them life.

Yet she understood that her work prevented her from devoting as much time to them as Winter did.

The young mother vowed that, once the crisis caused by Thrawn was resolved, she would take an extended leave and spend all her free time with her children.

Deep down, however, she knew the recovery period following their inevitable victory would be protracted. Very protracted.

Not to mention…

The girl once again swore to herself not to entertain Thrawn's claims about Palpatine's return.

The Grand Admiral was toying with them, unrelenting in his campaign of disinformation.

No matter how much she tried to convince herself, or how much others reassured her, Leia could not fully accept this perspective. Even attempts to dismiss her fears as mere nervous exhaustion or maternal instincts—"everything frightens me because anything could harm my children"—offered little relief.

— Jacen, hello! — Leia addressed her son again.

The boy, drawn by her whisper, finally tore his attention from his undoubtedly important task. He looked at her with interest, his mouth spreading into a smile.

In his toothless grin, a tiny tongue flickered as he showed it off短板

System: — Oh, the little rascal, — Leia smiled warmly, stroking her son's fine hair on his large head.

— Showing off his tongue? — Winter asked, approaching.

— Yes, — Leia admitted, gently brushing her son's nose with her fingertips. He tried to grab her fingers with his hands but lacked the coordination. Frustrated, he furrowed his brows in a vague expression and reached… toward Winter, standing on the other side of the crib.

— He does that often, — Winter sighed, sweeping her silver hair to the right as she leaned down to let the boy play with it. — Teasing a bit.

— His father's genes, — Leia smiled. — Not even six months old, and he already knows girls are drawn to little scoundrels.

As if hearing her words, Jacen ran his fingers through Winter's strands, not grabbing but almost combing and stroking them.

— He saw me brushing my hair while reading them a story, and now he can't go an hour without helping me with it, — Winter said with a guilty smile.

— Oh, — Leia replied, glancing at her own hair draped over her left shoulder. Her son hadn't bestowed such honor upon her.

She stood for a while, watching Jacen groom Winter.

Leia's gaze drifted to Jaina's crib, where the girl slept peacefully, then to the window, where the city that never sleeps glowed with lights. Advertisements blazed without pause, and the night traffic of fliers and speeders moved endlessly. Beyond the skyline of towering skyscrapers and the night sky, the faint whiteness of Mount Manarai's snowcaps was visible.

Farther still stood a planetary deflector projector, and beyond it, another in a different district…

Somewhere out there, past the horizon, the stars of Coruscant's night sky mingled with the lights of starships in high orbit and orbital mirrors undergoing routine maintenance…

And somewhere between the sky and the ground lay the invisible barriers of the planetary shield.

And the invisible asteroids, "gifts" from Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Should the invisible shield falter, the fall of unseen rocks could devastate vast areas of the planet, turning the galaxy's most populous astronomical object into a lifeless wasteland.

The shield projectors, majestic skyscrapers, and snowcaps of Mount Manarai would vanish in cataclysms…

Millions, if not billions, of sentients would perish, along with her, Winter, Jacen, and Jaina…

No! No one would take her children!

No one would threaten them!

Not Thrawn, not Palpatine, not anyone!

A surge of resolve bordering on fury struck her as suddenly as the thought of loss.

Leia gritted her teeth, imagining for a moment the loss of her children. Let the entire galaxy burn or swear allegiance to Thrawn—her children would never know pain…

— Princess? — Winter's whisper broke through.

Leia snapped out of her reverie.

Surprise flickered in her aide's eyes, and Jacen's questioning coo drew her attention downward.

She stared in shock at the crib's railing.

The metal edges under her fingers were dented, as if crushed by something heavy.

— Everything's fine, — Leia stammered. — Just… nerves…

— You should rest more, — Winter advised.

— Yes, probably, — Leia said, embarrassed, looking at her son. As she reached for him, Jacen frowned indignantly and grabbed Winter's hair with all his might, continuing to play with it.

The girl gasped silently as the boy tugged her locks toward him.

Leia opened her mouth to soothe him, but the moment she touched him, his little lips formed a pout, and a wail erupted from his mouth.

— Little one, what's wrong…? — Leia managed, stunned by the reaction.

She reached for him again, this time with the Force, but he cried even louder.

Jaina stirred, joining her brother's cries, flailing her arms.

Leia moved toward her, but she sensed fear emanating from both children, a danger they perceived in her.

Mouth agape in shock, she stepped back from the crib, watching as Winter, with the skill of a professional juggler, lifted Jacen into her arms.

After doing the same with Jaina, the twins quieted, clinging to Winter's light robe with tiny fingers. Leia realized she was not welcome here.

Winter's calm demeanor soothed the children, who quickly drifted back to sleep.

Yet the Force still radiated the anxiety her son and daughter felt.

Leia took another step back, standing in the doorway.

She watched as Winter gently placed Jaina in her crib, the girl smacking her lips and falling asleep instantly.

Jacen, though half-asleep, clung tightly to Winter's robe, refusing to let go of her hair.

Winter gave a guilty smile, meeting Leia's eyes:

— Your Highness, — she said softly. — Don't take it personally. They're just little ones, scared of something…

— Yes, of course, — Leia thought otherwise.

She knew exactly what—or who—her children feared.

— I should go, — the princess declared, leaving the nursery.

As the door closed behind her, she leaned against the wall.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.

Exhaled.

Then several more times.

Until her heartbeat steadied and the Force dispelled her fears.

"Luke, where are you?!" she thought with longing.

She needed her brother's support now more than ever.

She had nearly succumbed to rage at the mere thought of losing her children…

She needed training, at the very least to control her emotions. Only her Jedi-trained brother could help her.

But Luke was gallivanting across the galaxy with Lieutenant Irenez, searching for Jedi. Unlike most, he firmly believed Palpatine was alive. Despite logic suggesting otherwise, and with no evidence beyond Thrawn's tales and the attack on Luke at Polis Massa—which could have been orchestrated by the Grand Admiral to bolster his Palpatine narrative.

Yes, that theory circulated among the New Republic's elite. Given the Grand Admiral's track record, it didn't seem far-fetched or mystical.

Her comlink buzzed on her wrist.

She had hoped for a night free of urgent calls from Mon Mothma, the secretariat, or anyone from the Provisional Government.

Activating the microphone, she strode down the corridor:

— Councilor Organa Solo, — she said into the device.

— Apologies for the disturbance, Councilor, — came a clear, commanding voice, indicating a military specialist. — A civilian ship with the call sign *Millennium Falcon* emerged from hyperspace on a vector from the New Territories. Its commander demands to speak with you. However, as far as we know, you and General Solo are on Coruscant, so our patrol ships are blocking the vessel. Should we detain the stolen starship or simply escort it beyond the secure perimeter? Perhaps out of the system?

Leia sighed with relief, smiling.

If the *Falcon*—and Lando—had returned without prior notice, it meant Calrissian had accomplished what was asked of him.

It meant Karrde was with him.

And that, in turn, meant the New Republic's intelligence could obtain critical information about the Imperials' activities.

— Connect me to them, — she instructed the dispatcher.

— As you wish, — came the reply, followed by a distinct click of channel switching.

By then, Leia had returned to her office and settled at her desk.

— Leia, — Calrissian's voice came through. — Is everything alright with you?

The question encompassed not only the Alderaanian princess but also her circle of acquaintances, as far as Calrissian knew.

— The children just fell asleep, — Leia sighed, her thoughts drifting to the recent incident. — Luke's off on Jedi business. Han and Bel Iblis are at headquarters…

— Yes, we've heard, — Calrissian replied. — Thrawn and another trick?

— Unfortunately, not a trick, — she said. — We have every reason to believe the Grand Admiral dropped hundreds of cloaked asteroids on Coruscant, first using them to destroy the fleet protecting the capital. Additionally, he lured a dozen of our squadrons by simulating attacks on several star systems, leading them into ambushes. They appear to have been space mines, but we're still not certain.

— So, things are as bad as they can get? — Lando clarified.

— Bel Iblis and Han are trying to devise a technology to detect these space rocks, but so far, nothing, — Leia admitted. — We're in a crisis…

— Good evening, Princess, — a new voice came over the comlink.

— As strange as it sounds, I'm glad to hear you, Karrde, — Leia greeted, noting her own smile.

Indeed, life sometimes brought her to the point of being pleased even by the presence of an information broker.

— Yes, — Karrde said slowly. — The circumstances of our last meeting were… less than ideal.

— Oh, I remember that well, — Leia shuddered involuntarily. — Thrawn sent the *Butcher of Atoan* after me.

— I wouldn't wish to diminish your ordeal in captivity, but that encounter in the Milagro system marked the beginning of the end for my organization, — Karrde stated. — Not to mention that Thrawn pinned the blame on me for the tale of creating three *Death Stars* on Linuri.

— Does this mean you're ready to help us? — Leia perked up. Could Karrde finally be choosing a side?

— I'm prepared to discuss a few things as an advance for my services, — he replied. No, it was about credits. — Since my release from Linuri, my organization has suffered greatly…

— You said it was practically destroyed, — Calrissian interjected, genuinely indignant.

— Who better than a professional sabacc player would know about raising stakes, — Karrde's voice carried a good-natured smirk. — So, as I understand it, until you've dealt with all the cloaked asteroids, Calrissian and I can't land?

— We can't take such a reckless risk, — Leia shook her head, as if someone could see her gesture. — If even one of them hits the surface, the consequences would be catastrophic.

— I can imagine, — Karrde replied. — Is this line secure?

— One moment, — Leia removed the comlink from her wrist and placed it on the encryptor to secure the frequency. Once the device connected, she returned the comlink to her wrist. — Now it is.

— I trust you understand that my services come at a high price, — Karrde said.

— That's hard to forget, Karrde, — Leia admitted. — I had hoped, given your organization's losses, you might be… more flexible on pricing. After all, we share a common enemy.

— A very serious one at that, — the *Claw* declared. — Believe me, Thrawn is a threat the galaxy has yet to fully comprehend.

— We've already felt it, — Leia confessed. — And we hope you can shed light on everything we want to know about him. For instance—who is he? Since we can't meet face-to-face, perhaps you could share this over the comlink?

— It'll cost me nothing, — Karrde assured her. — But whether you'll believe me, given our past dealings…

— I'll do my best to convince the Provisional Government to trust you, — Leia promised, carefully omitting that their options were limited. Very limited. And all poor.

— Then let's hope your government stops playing offended democracy and realizes the scale of the problem, — Karrde said, and though it stung, Leia couldn't argue. — This Chiss is ruthless. If he once served Palpatine, now with the Emperor, Vader, and the other Grand Admirals dead, he's the last of their kind. And believe me, from what I've uncovered, I doubt he cares about what's left of the Empire.

— Pardon, did you say Chiss? — Leia asked.

— Precisely. Far in the Unknown Regions lies a state known as the Chiss Ascendancy, — Leia frowned. Ascendancy? Dominion? It couldn't be a coincidence. — I've never dealt with them myself, but some of my partners, operating far from authorities, spoke of beings resembling Pantorans but with red eyes and jet-black hair. A familiar portrait, isn't it?

— If only you'd told us months ago, — Leia nearly wept.

— I only recently pieced it together while reviewing contacts, — Karrde noted. — Little is known of Thrawn's past, but a couple of high-ranking Imperials from the Pentastar Alignment hinted that Thrawn once impressed the Emperor himself. Their meeting was quite intriguing. Imagine, Captain Voss Parck, finding Thrawn in the Unknown Regions on a planet where his people had exiled him, was so impressed by the Chiss's abilities that he brought him to Palpatine. And the Emperor didn't execute them.

— Sounds like a fairy tale, — Leia remarked. — But… how important is his past?

— Oh, I'm not telling you this to boast my intellect, — Karrde said. — Thrawn crushed Zaarin's rebellion. He also defeated Warlord Nuso Esva in the Unknown Regions. Remember the battle between the Alliance, the Empire, and a fleet from the Unknown Regions in the…

— Poln Minor system, — Leia leaned forward, realizing Han had told her the same story.

— So you recall, — the information broker confirmed. — Accounts diverge, but it seems either Palpatine's orders or court intrigues, where Thrawn was no expert, led to his removal. Despite being a brilliant commander, they disposed of him easily. Guess where he was sent?

— The Unknown Regions, — Leia paled. Han had mentioned this too.

— Officially, for a cartographic expedition. Unofficially… — Karrde sighed. — Do you know where the late Prince-Admiral Krennel lost his prized right hand?

— In the Unknown Regions?

— Under Thrawn's command, no less. Krennel wasn't part of the original expedition. He later told friends that Thrawn didn't just whimsically sever his hand but did so because Krennel relied on brute force rather than tactics and skill. But that's not the point. I tracked down some of Krennel's Ciutric Hegemony guards who had what seems to be his diary. It cost me, but it was worth it. Councilor, Thrawn wasn't just mapping. He built a network of military bases and pro-Imperial colonies teeming with his kind, defectors from the Ascendancy. I don't know how much Krennel embellished, but if one Thrawn could achieve this, imagine what a cousin or two could do?

Leia tasted bitterness in her mouth.

— This isn't a joke, is it? — she asked, clinging to faint hope.

— Not even close, — the *Claw* declared. — I sell what I buy. By the way, that cost me twenty thousand credits.

— Don't worry about payment, — Leia assured him. — But… if he already has his own state, why return here?

— It seems not all is well in the Unknown Regions, — Karrde speculated. — And his creation there isn't as powerful as it sounds, relying on natives barely capable of space travel. He likely has territory and resources but lacks technology. That's why he's here.

— That could explain why he doesn't spare his stormtroopers and marines, sending them on boarding missions, — Leia said. — He needs starships, not their crews. He's likely sending the tech to his people or elsewhere…

— I repeat, this is just my theory, — the *Claw* cautioned. — There's so little information about his past that even big credits don't motivate exploration in the Unknown Regions. He could've sent schematics instead of entire ships. Yet he's digging in the New Territories. What's happening inside the Dominion is unknown… Information worth a million credits.

— So… that's all you can tell us? — Leia said, surprised.

— Not at all, — Karrde chuckled. — I've had time to observe from the sidelines. And… I'm not sure you'll like most of the news.

— Is there something worse than Thrawn's kin state in the Unknown Regions? — Leia asked, stunned.

— Yes, — Karrde said. — You see, in the Ghost Nebula, there's something resembling a *Death Star*. Large, spherical…

— But wasn't the Linuri information a fabrication? — Leia stammered.

— I'm certain of that, — Karrde said. — But the existence of a massive spherical station under Warlord Ennix Devian's command, along with a considerable fleet, cannot be ignored. Nor can the top-secret developments at Lianna's orbital yards. The Pentastar Alignment is mass-producing warships, set to be ready by year's end. And in Imperial Space, political intrigues and mobilization are underway. Not to mention, some Imperial warlords turned pirates have vanished from the galaxy, especially along the Corellian Run.

— Wait, wait, wait, — Leia interrupted. — How is this connected to Thrawn?

— From what I've learned, the events in the Pentastar and Imperial Space aren't linked to Thrawn, — the *Claw* said. — Though… I assume the numerous Mon Calamari MC80 cruiser raids on Pentastar supply lines aren't your doing?

— Nor the attacks on Lianna, Cygnus, and our own convoys, — Leia sighed. — We suspect Thrawn is using our captured ships to discredit the New Republic in the eyes of the Imperial Remnants…

— He's succeeding, — Karrde noted. — It explains why the Pentastar and Imperial Space militaries are stirring. The former lost thousands of turbolasers and vast amounts of weaponry. The latter are playing it safe due to the former's failures. I can't rule out that Thrawn is openly selling TIE fighters on Orinda while secretly pursuing his own plans. Neither I nor my remaining informants know yet.

Leia sat, struggling to process the information.

Thousands of turbolasers.

Equipment for dozens of Star Destroyers…

— Councilor? — Karrde gently prompted. — Are you alright?

— What? — Leia snapped out of it.

— You went quiet so suddenly that even the *Claw* got worried, — Calrissian explained.

— I'm fine… — Leia said, debating whether to share. It was worth it to show mutual interest. — It seems we now know why Thrawn needs this equipment.

— Oh? — Karrde sounded surprised. — So you also know about Kaine's elite forces disappearing while hunting raiders?

— That's news to us, — Leia muttered, thinking, "Like much else." — After repelling Thrawn at Coruscant, we learned, among other things, that… we don't know where or how, but he's acquired a *Executor*-class Star Dreadnought.

— You're kidding, Leia! — Calrissian groaned.

— I wish I were, — the princess admitted. — Our sources confirm it. It's not fully operational, but… I don't think restoring that ship will be a problem for Thrawn now.

— Not at all, — Karrde said. — His Dominion has several capable shipyards. Any one could repair the ship in a couple of months, provided it's not a complete wreck.

— Based on our information, it's not, — Leia said grimly.

— Not to mention he destroyed the tibanna mining station on Kril'Dor and raided Bespin, taking all the tibanna stored in Cloud City for a year and a half, — Calrissian said, his voice laced with bitterness over lost profits he could've managed as Cloud City's Baron-Administrator. — This guy isn't just armed. He's armed to the teeth! At our expense!

But Lando had left that role years ago. Things hadn't worsened much under new management, but tibanna never lingered in such quantities under him. Nor was it as costly. Those two facts were directly related—Lando's business acumen as Cloud City's Baron-Administrator kept tibanna stocks low and prices competitive.

The result was clear: Thrawn not only deprived the New Republic of Bespin's tibanna, a critical resource for the Defense Force, but also destroyed the nearest alternative source on Kril'Dor. He knew the young state's economy couldn't afford to rebuild a mining station costing billions. Thus, they'd abandon the gas giant and bolster Bespin's defenses to prevent further resource grabs.

According to Joint Command's estimates, the tibanna Thrawn seized could power nearly five thousand warships for a year, possibly more.

From Karrde's revelations, one conclusion emerged: Thrawn had pinned the New Republic's focus on Coruscant, drawing their forces to the Core Worlds, to strike at tibanna supplies and deprive the Republic of them. Simultaneously, he attacked dozens of prisons galaxy-wide holding Imperial personnel deemed unfit for amnesty by the New Republic.

Few were fanatical humanocentrists—those preferred death over capture.

But there were plenty of skilled commanders and mid-level officers in those facilities. They were held to break their disdain for the New Republic's "rebel" past and recruit them. Admiral Ackbar and the late General Kracken had planned to bolster the Defense Force's officer corps this way.

Now, they'd likely strengthen the Dominion's forces. Thrawn knew exactly where and why to strike. The destruction of minor outposts, barracks bombings, and attacks on transports and small convoys were mere cover for his true objectives.

Thrawn's strategy was logical.

First, he expanded his fleet. Simultaneously, he supplied his task force by raiding supply caravans.

Then, he provoked attacks on the Ciutric Hegemony to seize it, delivering a humiliating defeat to the Fourth Fleet.

This gave him an industrial base and a permanent staging ground.

Next, he expanded his controlled territory, absorbing remote sectors the New Republic hadn't reached.

Now, he was taking everything needed to sustain his fleet—crews, equipment, munitions, and factories for ground vehicles. His attack on Balmorra wasn't just for their ion cannons and Imperial factories.

Running low on stormtroopers, he planned to flood the galaxy with a new army of Separatist-designed droids.

Yet this understanding did little to advance the Provisional Government's primary goal: lifting Coruscant's blockade. That was the victory they desperately needed.

— We've reached the same conclusion, — Leia sighed. — Another Super Star Destroyer in Thrawn's hands… It's too much for us to endure without severe consequences.

— I bet Fey'lya's spitting venom, demanding we deploy *Lusankya*, — Calrissian snorted.

— No, — the princess replied. — Borsk is off Coruscant, summoned to Bothawui to answer to the Bothan clan leaders…

— Don't tell me you believe that fairy tale, — Karrde muttered. — Fey'lya works solely for the clans. Yes, they lost their fleet, but rumors say Bothawui is guarded by several Mon Calamari cruiser squadrons. And half of Kuat is thrilled about massive orders for v-150 Planet Defender ion cannons.

— You think the Bothans are buying them? — Leia clarified.

— I heard it on my way here, — Karrde said. — It's being verified. Preliminary reports suggest shell companies are making large deals galaxy-wide, buying construction equipment, especially droids, ion cannons, planetary shield generators, and their power units. Over a dozen minor planetary governments have sold their Golan platforms. Rumor has it, Golan Arms received an offer to purchase nearly a hundred Type II and III platforms.

— And not a single ship? — Leia asked, surprised. — It's hard to believe the Bothans are investing in defensive tech but not buying a dozen or so Victory-class Star Destroyers in the Corporate Sector. I doubt they'd spend so heavily on defense with the Fourth Fleet nearby.

— It does sound like a farce, — the *Claw* agreed. — But it's true. Bothawui is pulling the wool over everyone's eyes, including Coruscant. Their claim that their remaining fleet is on exercises is a cover, a smokescreen. No sign of their strike cruisers in the training zones. The Bothan trail isn't obvious, but experience tells me this is their style of covert ops.

— I can understand projectors, generators, and cannons—the Bothans have assets to protect—but construction droids? — Leia mused aloud.

She deliberately ignored the *Claw*'s accusations of Bothan duplicity toward allies.

Whatever they were up to, she hoped they'd stay out of the way with their political schemes.

At the same time, she didn't want them causing more trouble in their quest to restore their tarnished honor, as they had in the past.

— I don't know, and it's not my problem, — Karrde said. After a pause, he added: — While heading to Coruscant, we heard your capital is blockaded due to massive surface damage. Honestly, the cloaked asteroid story surprised me. It feels like a distraction tactic via disinformation channels. At least, that's the narrative on the HoloNet, spreading rumors across planets.

— Sounds like the Grand Admiral's favorite pastime, — Leia grumbled. — It's as if he has nothing better to do between battles than hone his skills at crushing our morale.

— He's one who learns from his predecessors' failures, — Karrde said, his tone odd to Leia. — Back to the cloaked asteroids. How many have you found? If any…

Leia hesitated, unsure if she should share such information with someone who could sell it or use it for his own ends. After a moment, she decided it wasn't a great secret. Coruscant was already crawling with enemy spies, starting with the Imperial Palace.

— Thirty-three were used against our fleet, — she said. — We detected two in Coruscant's orbit. One struck an orbital mirror. That's all so far. But we recorded hundreds of launches from his fleet's ships…

Karrde fell silent.

— Thirty-six…

His words sounded as if he'd recalled and connected facts in his mind.

— I'd wager, Councilor, we're talking about thirty-to-forty-meter asteroids, right? — His voice held a hint of amusement. Of course, he wasn't under the pressure of invisible bombs.

— Mostly, — Leia agreed. — We couldn't determine the size of most because they…

— Destroyed your fleet, — Karrde finished. — Yes, I heard something like that. Though cloaking screens weren't mentioned.

— He used regular asteroids against us too, — Leia admitted.

— Successfully? — the information broker asked.

— To an extent, — she said. — Your tone… you know something, don't you?

— Oh, — Karrde laughed. — I have splendid news, Councilor. You can lower your shields now—there are no more cloaked asteroids. One way or another, you've found and destroyed every one Thrawn created and delivered here.

Disbelieving her ears, Leia stared at the comlink, forgetting that no one could see her shocked expression.

— You're not pulling a bad joke, *Claw*? — Lando asked.

— In this situation? — Karrde's tone carried reproach. — Of course not. Shortly after my release, my late friend Mazzic and I visited the Yaga Minor shipyards. We saw a curious sight—thirty-six thirty-to-forty-meter asteroids fitted with deflector shield generators. Thrawn apparently hired Kaine's specialists for the dirty work.

— Did you document this? — Leia asked quickly. If Karrde was right, the problem was solved! So quickly! A significant victory!

— Mazzic had a habit of scanning everything with his ship's sensors, — Karrde said. — Unfortunately, his ship was destroyed by Imperials on Trogan…

What a night!

— …but you're in luck because I have a copy, — Karrde finished, barely hiding his amusement. — It struck me as curious at the time. I couldn't figure out why anyone would need it. But it turns out Thrawn had a clever idea to bleed an entire planet dry. If you need the copy, I can send the data now.

— You're asking?! — Leia exclaimed, rising from her desk. She quickly prepared her computer to receive the data. — It's ready. Start the transmission.

The monoblock's indicator lit up, signaling the incoming data transfer…

It took a few minutes for the data to arrive on her drive. Then more time to process it…

Soon, she was viewing a 3D scanner vector image clearly showing thirty-six space rocks being loaded into the holds of cargo ships…

— In case you're having dark thoughts, — Karrde continued, — these *Actions* no longer belong to me.

— I believe you, — Leia said quickly, copying the data to an information chip. — I'll immediately pass this to the Provisional Government. If your information checks out, the blockade is over, and we owe you!

— Oh, — Karrde laughed, — that's not the best thing to admit. But if, in your pursuit of the Grand Admiral, you land a couple of turbolaser salvos directly into *Chimaera*'s bridge, we'll call it even. Except for my commission, of course.

Leia smiled heartily.

The first significant disruption of Thrawn's plans loomed on the horizon, making Karrde's humor more than welcome.

— It'll take time to verify, — the princess warned, typing messages to convene an emergency Provisional Government meeting. — I'll inform the patrol ships to leave you be.

— That'd be nice, — Calrissian grumbled. — I'm tired of staring down the barrel of a *Carrack*'s laser cannon while you exchange pleasantries.

— Let's not break protocol, — Karrde noted. — I have no business on Coruscant right now, and I've shared all I know about Thrawn for the moment. Since my ship was destroyed, would you be so kind…

Leia considered that Han wouldn't fall out of love with her for agreeing… but he'd grumble for a while.

Still, for the sake of strengthening alliances, concessions were necessary.

— The *Falcon* is at your disposal, — she said. — Lando…

— I didn't leave the military to play freighter, — Calrissian declared.

— Name your price, I'll pay, — Karrde said, met with only mild grumbling.

— Lando, I'd be very grateful if you'd head to Cloud City to assess their tibanna prospects, — Leia said, recalling Mon Mothma's recent request. — I'd send our ships, but…

— They're all hiding in their holes, — Calrissian sighed. — Fine, I get it. Even without an inspection, I can tell you they'll have enough output by month's end to supply a couple hundred capital ships…

— Exactly what we need, — Leia said, smiling. — Once you're done, head to Sluis Van. Han and I will meet you there as soon as we resolve the blockade.

— Your tone suggests you're plotting something cunning, Councilor, — Karrde said.

— Yes, — Leia didn't deny her wild idea. — We'll pay Thrawn back in his own coin. With a touch of Rebel ingenuity.

***

Commodore Shohashi appeared composed while reading the data on the screen, but after setting the device aside, a crooked smile briefly crossed his face.

It vanished quickly.

— Credit to this man, X1 approached his task with great imagination, — he said.

I nodded silently.

— An unconventional method of fleet assembly, — I agreed. — Attacking Imperial warlords or capturing Imperial and Republic ships would've drawn attention, which he avoided at all costs until the right moment. Restoring wrecked Star Destroyers is a creative approach.

— *An'ya Kuro*, *Implacable*, *Motivator*, *Evil Wind*, — the Alderaanian listed the true names of ships once commanded by a well-known Zabrak in certain circles. — The last one clearly isn't salvaged scrap.

— Hence why Maul chose it as his flagship, — I explained the role of the false *Liquidator*. — We couldn't obtain exact numbers from the Vinin sector shipyards on how many ships they restored for X1, but the fact remains—dozens of Star Destroyers.

Shohashi thoughtfully twirled his cane, examining its gem-encrusted handle.

— *Motivator* crashed on Kothlis, — he said. — A year before the Defeat at Endor. *Implacable*, Admiral Trigit's former flagship under Warlord Zsinj, suffered a catastrophic wreck—I surveyed it while serving Imperial Space, about a year and a half ago, six months after the New Republic attacked it in the Corporate Sector near Ession. Frankly, little was salvageable. The corporates didn't even bother scrapping it.

— *An'ya Kuro* was sabotaged and crashed nearly twelve years ago, — I noted.

— I read the investigation report, — Shohashi nodded. — It circulated unofficially among fleet officers, courtesy of the authorities to instill fear in reckless commanders. It mostly demoralized the crew, as the ship's commander wasn't at fault and could've been anyone. Alliance saboteurs crippled the ship. After the crash, the commander was demoted to desk duty at a remote outpost, and the starship was bombarded to keep it from the enemy.

— Likely, that Destroyer was the first in a series of restorations, — I said. — At least at Barpine's shipyards.

— You suspect other shipyards? — Shohashi's eyes lit up.

— The enemy is adept at secrecy, — I remarked. — Which is why he must be eliminated.

Shohashi nodded in agreement.

He understood that negotiating with a Force-sensitive, unstable sentient was costly. We had the Emperor's example, the clone C'baoth, and Darth Maul's lack of calm rationality. Alliances with such a figure weren't an option.

He was dangerous as an opponent, dangerous if he went into hiding to harm the Dominion, and dangerous for potentially joining Palpatine to seize power.

Foresight could no longer be trusted—history had changed radically. Delusions could only harm those foolish enough to believe them.

— Your petition to appoint Captain Harbid as commander of the operational-tactical unit and to adjust the *Red Star* squadron's size and composition has been approved, — I said, closely observing the man's reaction.

Impeccable composure, exemplary aristocratic posture…

— Thank you, sir, — he replied formally.

But subtle facial movements, barely noticeable even to Shohashi, betrayed his relief.

Thus, the "reassignments" served a personal purpose—he was ready to account for his actions without flinching. His physiognomy gave him away.

Few sentients would prompt such a move—trading some of his Destroyers for enhanced operational-tactical units of dreadnoughts, Immobilizer 418s, and Corellian corvettes.

I could name one offhand—Captain Brandei of the *Judicator*.

The man who, during the battle with the Fourth Fleet's First Division, shielded the *Imperious* with his ship's hull.

Shohashi, upon forming his squadron, demanded Brandei's transfer without hesitation, even when offered two upgraded but weaker Star Destroyers from Hast's shipyards, where crew sizes were reduced and missile launchers installed. Objectively, they were among the weakest Destroyers in my fleet. Yet Shohashi proved their worth, showing they weren't ready for Tangrene's overhaul.

Brandei's promotion, then, was personal. I knew Shohashi intended to appoint his friend as squadron flagship commander and chief of staff (solely Brandei). He'd reconsidered.

A wise and prudent decision.

I disapproved of "friendly promotions."

— A new assignment awaits you and your squadron, Commodore, — I said, handing the officer an information chip with mission details.

Erik took the data storage device and tucked it into his uniform pocket without question.

An amusing combination.

An Alderaanian uniform with Dominion insignias.

— *Red Star* is ready to move at your command, — Shohashi declared.

— Your objective is to strike the planets of the Zann Consortium, — I explained. — Hypori, Saleucami, Shola. If you identify others, you have full operational freedom. I require all surviving data and production facilities from these planets. Pay special attention to the droideka factory and old Separatist facilities used to produce space mines during the Clone Wars. Our reconnaissance-sabotage teams are already active there. The chip contains their contact frequencies and all available intelligence on the criminal organization's activities.

— It will be done, Grand Admiral, — Shohashi assured me.

As if I doubted he'd respond otherwise.

— Any specific orders regarding the pirates? — he inquired.

— Only high-value prisoners interest me, — I clarified. — Deal with the rest as you see fit. I don't consider these pirates and criminals worthy of Dominion resources for recruitment or labor camps.

Especially given Captain Hoffner and Grand Moff Ferrus's operations to acquire construction assets, the need for prisoners was obsolete.

— It will be an honor to rid the galaxy of this plague, — the *Butcher of Atoan* grinned predatorily.

This was precisely why Shohashi, not Captain Stormaer, was tasked with dismantling the Consortium.

I wanted Tyber Zann's legacy eradicated, not looted for trophies.