Chapter 41 Thrawn's Campaign Part 4 (Part 1)

Endor System, Outer Rim…

In orbit of the forest moon of the gas giant of the same name, a giant structure was taking shape built largely by droids to maintain the secrecy of the project while it was still in the early stages. The skeletal structure of the second Death Star was already in place and more sections were being added all the time. While the first Death Star was not yet operational work on the second one had begun a few years ago.

Palpatine stood on the deck of command ship looking at the great feat of engineering taking shape before him with a crooked smile, why would he ever be satisfied with just one such creation when he could have two? Or more he thought as there were other plans for other weapons that he could use for his own purposes.

"Impressive." His companion for this trip said as he viewed the forming Death Star for himself.

"A planet destroying movable battle station…and all you can say is 'impressive'." Palpatine said with the mockery of such a great project being merely described as 'impressive'.

"I mean I have never dreamed of such an awesome structure being constructed by the hand of men rather than nature. A true feat of the ages." Prince Xizor said quickly to make up for his error in not being in complete awe of the monstrosity being assembled before him.

"Better." The Emperor said with cold sternness. "It is taking longer than initially hoped to get the station built and prepared, the war has stretched Imperial resources thin with the need to keep up with our enemies and to ensure secrecy of what they were building here. That is why I need your assistance to move the necessary material here."

Xizor was inside delighted, he had through his own sources long known of what the Empire was building both here and elsewhere but this was the first time he was able to publicly access to such projects. He desired the Emperor's favour for only one reason, to gain access to things such as this.

To avenge his family and his people, he thought with a cold fury burning inside him. The Falleen had been decimated by the Empire, millions upon millions killed to stop the spread of a disease on their planet! He had been lucky enough to be off world building up his own influence in the Black Sun and expanding its scope at the time and it was the only thing that had saved his life.

When he had heard of the decimation of his people and the complete destruction of his family…he had flown into an uncontrollable rage! He had smashed his room and all his belongings to splinters before finally bringing himself under control. He had decided that day to destroy the Emperor and everything he had built but he could not simply act immediately…no he had known even in that moment that the only way to make sure that everything Palpatine had built was reduced to ash was to work from the inside and the outside.

This would be the means he would use to do so, Xizor thought with satisfaction, turning Palpatine's own creation against him. The idea of blasting away Coruscant and Palpatine with it was almost orgasmic as he saw it in his mind's eye. Allowing the Empire to collapse and even the Hutts who he would take no issue with turning this weapon on them as well, the Black Sun could dominate the galaxy he thought and with an inward smirk as Palpatine had no idea of what he was planning. It had cost him a fortune on the black market to find it but he had uncovered a Sith amulet that allowed the wearer to hide their thoughts and feelings from a force user. He always carried it on his person and it had allowed him to hide what he was planning from Palpatine who was so distracted by other things that he failed to notice that Xizor was invisible to him. He had even gone to the trouble of making sure the only other one that knew of his plans was a droid that resembled a human female…Guri.

He would make sure that when the time came for his takeover that the station was suitably ready but that was all, he didn't need such a behemoth to be fully complete, just complete enough to serve his plans so for now…he would wait.

Kaitain, Pasdishah Imperium…

Paul was slow to wake, it had been a busy night and he really needed his rest but an incessant signal from the pad at his bedside forced him to wake up. Groggily he reached for it and pressed the button to see just what was so important that it couldn't wait until morning.

It was from Alia, he noticed straight away and frowned as he looked at what she had thought so important to tell him. His own irritation rose as it was merely to report that they had acquired the designs from the Mandalorians to build their own versions of the Crusader class corvette for their fleet while two new designs had been created for their navy of their very own. One was a battleship that would be on par with the Imperial Star Destroyers while the other was a heavy missile and drone cruiser to supplement it in battle with long range fire.

While important, Paul thought with annoyance it could have waited till morning!

"What is it?" A sleepy voice said from the other side of the bed. He looked over and saw Irulan looking at him with unfocused eyes which wasn't surprising. They had actually made love last night for the first time in years.

It had taken years of grovelling and proving himself to her before she had finally allowed him to have another chance. He had never been more relieved in his entire life but she had finally let him back in and he had no intention of disappointing her a second time…which was why he had given it everything he had last night and she seemed to have appreciated it at the time he thought with hope that it had not been an act on her part.

"Nothing but fleet updates…it can wait till morning." He said as he put the pad back and slid back into bed beside her, gently pulling her against him and while she did hesitate a little before allowing him to pull her against him and shelter her in his arms. She finally surrendered to sleep moments later and he soon followed her after enjoying the feeling of her in his arms glad at last to have finally managed to earn her forgiveness.

Partisans Base, Jedha…

Saw Gerrera stood in his command centre, looking at the intel they had managed to acquire about the Empire and its secret project but he was also to his annoyance he still did not have the key piece of information he needed to find out just what they were up to with the large kyber crystals they were searching so hard for. He knew the answer had to be here somewhere but where?! He thought with anger.

He was about to go and see the blasted doctor to refill his life support suit reserves when the intruder alarm began to sound. Saw and the others all froze as they all knew that this meant the Empire had found them.

"To arms." Saw called out as he knew the fight was upon them but before any of them could run for the weapons store the walls of the nearby cavern blew out and so did the ceiling above, covering them all in rocky debris as it fell but worse Imperial Stormtroopers abseiled down or spewed out of the holes in the wall and began to shoot at anything that moved!

Saw was stunned for a moment as they had never been this efficient before, they had always had some more warning before the Imps had managed to attack them, at least enough for some to escape but this time they had managed to infiltrate their base before anyone had managed to raise an alarm. Nevertheless, his reflexes though marred by his injuries were still good and he had a blaster to hand, shooting down a few but then the three Jedi he had managed to recruit to his efforts leapt into action with their five apprentices. Tiberus Anderlock, Dray and Sidirri ignited their lightsabers and began to cut through the stormtroopers, allowing Saw's injured people time to rally and join the fight.

Saw as he shot an Imperial Officer as they started to force their way towards the hanger, this base was lost and they needed to leave so they could regroup but then a chilling sound filled the air, a mechanical breathing that would remain ingrained on your memory if you ever had the misfortune to encounter it.

The Jedi all turned to look and saw the hulking figure of Vader approach, he had heard of previous encounters with the cloned brute and knew his Jedi would be no match for it. Unfortunately, Vader was also blocking the only route to the hanger, Saw gritted his teeth and prepared to use a grenade to bring the roof down before Vader blasted him back with the force.

Saw and his people were flung backwards into the wall, hitting it hard and he was sure he had lost a few bones but the biggest shock was not that strangely…no that came as Saw rallied his senses and saw that Sidirri had buried her lightsaber into Tiberus's chest and then cleaved Dray in half before they knew what was coming. The five apprentices ran in the confusion but only three made it as she would kill two with a throwing of her lightsaber in an arc.

Then it finally dawned on him why Vader and his forces had managed to find them and get so close, his anger fumed as he raised his blaster to shoot the traitor but the moment he did, she without a care swung her lightsaber around and deflected the blaster bolt right into his head!

Sidirri smirked as she killed the feared Saw Gerrera so easily it was pathetic, she knelt to Vader and he told her in his deep mechanical voice.

"Well done my apprentice. Thanks to your efforts the Partisans are no more and we will not end there. Soon you will know what it means to be truly Sith." Vader said feeling a great self of accomplishment as he had managed to twist one of the Partisan Jedi into his new apprentice and completely wiped the rebel unit from the face of the galaxy. His power was growing and now he had a force sensitive to do his bidding but he would need another, one that could fight along with them.

He would begin to look for one as soon as possible he thought while making sure that none of the Rebels had not managed to escape.

But while Vader was making his move, so too were the Mandalorians and Grand Admiral Thrawn.

At stations in both Mandalorian and Imperial Space ships were preparing for battle, final checks were done, ships inspected, weapons prepared and briefings held.

But the tension just built with every moment leading up to the battle itself, everyone who was involved in any way knew how important it was. This battle would decide just who would be on the offensive, just who would fall and who would rise.

Assembly points for the gathered forces one stop before the final jump where the most chaotic as more and more ships joined each side; the size of the opposing fleets was enormous…over three hundred a side not counting starfighters. There had not been a battle this big since the Battle of Coruscant at the end of the Clone Wars, nor as important.

Haron and Thrawn both impassively watched as their fleets came together, not reacting at all as they made the final jump the battle site as they were saving all their energy for the fight to come.

Hydran's Drift, Mandalorian/Imperial Border…

Hydran's Rift was a place that was typically avoided due to the gravitational shifts that made hyperspace travel difficult. Thrawn was counted on that so he could move his forces into Mandalorian Space unnoticed although if he knew Haron Ordo as well as he thought he did, the man would meet him there.

And as his fleet led by the brand-new Annihilator, a Super Star Destroyer dropped out of hyperspace the Mandalorian fleet was there to greet it.

Thrawn was not surprised they had blocked him but there were three hundred Mandalorian ships and over two hundred Separatist Alliance ships present. Clearly, they had come to their aid despite the damage he had inflicted on them Thrawn thought but he had accounted for the extra ships and gave his orders.

"Ready main turbolasers and form a battle column. All Raider class corvettes to stay above and below." Thrawn said, intent on evening the odds by decimating ships that dared to try and charge their line while making the most of the Star Destroyers best weapon, the broadside mounted heavy turbolasers. They could deal with the larger ships while the corvettes would prevent the Mandalorians exploiting their superiority in fighter design.

- x -

Mandalorian Flagship, Other side of the Field…

Haron stood watching as Thrawn did exactly what he would do in the same situation before turning to the woman at his side and telling her.

"He is expecting to be fighting me. Go for it." He said simply, knowing he was giving her a lot of power in this situation and a lot of trust but if anyone could throw Thrawn off his game she could.

Eliza smirked broadly turning to the communications officer and telling them.

"Initiate stage one. Order all droid ships forward, and tell magic lady the time is now." Eliza said with a great sense of excitement, it was time to show the universe just what a little chaos could do.

The communications officer did just that, smirking himself as the Imperials had no idea of the surprises that they had in store for him. They had spent a long time preparing for this battle and none of it was going to be wasted.

- x -

The 'Separatist' ships that hung among the Mandalorian formation where not in fact Separatist Alliance ships, at least they hadn't been for twenty years or so.

These ships were the ships that the Mandalorians had either captured before the Clone Wars or had salvaged after the deactivation code had been sent. The Mandalorians had spent the last year refitting some of them with the exception of the Lucrehulks which they still had a use for. Overhauling the power plant, shield generators and sublight engines not to mention crewing them with the left-over battle droids they'd captured at the same time.

They only needed those systems for what Eliza had in mind, the ships charging forward at full sublight speed towards the Imperial Star Destroyers.

But also on the flagship, Luna was leading a hundred Fallanasi in a single meditation, generating the most complex and numerous illusions that they had ever created at the same time.

All around the charging droid ships illusions of Mandalorian ships charging with them appeared, simmering like they had decloaked, the Imperial gunners were unsure of just what to shot at and concentrated on the Mandalorian ships but each shot would pass through it like it was never there and the droid ships had been rigged to divert all available power to the engines and shields, meaning the odd hit was not enough to stop them while the illusions drew their fire.

The droid ships however did not slow down or change course as they approached the Imperial lines, quite the opposite, they blasted themselves forward at maximum possible speed and collided with the motionless Star Destroyers which revealed the fact that Eliza had filled each of them with all the explosives that they could lay their hands on.

The ships exploded violently and either destroyed the Star Destroyers they hit outright or severely damaged them, worse due to the close formation the Imperial ships had adopted to cover the greatest area with overlapping fire the debris from both destroyed Imperial ships and droid ships collided with the corvettes and Star Destroyers closest too it…causing even more damage.

- x -

Thrawn aboard the flagship was stunned, unable to under it. Haron Ordo was not a person to use important assets so sparingly, suicide attacks were not his way nor even the Mandalorian way or the Separatist way! He thought with confusion, just who was in command over there!? He wondered not sure just what to expect.

- x -

Back on the Mandalorian flagship Eliza beamed as her plan began unfold before turning to Haron who nodded in approval before she gave her next instruction.

"Initiate Stage 2. Curtain call for our players. Order our fighters and bombers to engage." She said with an almost demented smile.

- x -

At the same time all Mandalorian fighter squadrons went in, led by none other than Fenn Rau himself to harass the lighter ships of the Imperial Fleet while two more fleets jumped in from opposite directions.

The Pasdishah Imperium fleet joined by ships of the Underworld Alliance on one side, the enormous Heighliners now armed with shields, turbolasers and ion cannons not to mention deploying swarms of their new Jackel fighters! Hundreds of them.

- x -

Leto's Glory, Heighliner…

Paul Atreides was nervous as this was the first time he had commanded forces into battle since his little breakdown and he was unsure if he was up to it, especially as their new heavy cruiser/carrier and their new fighters were still unfamiliar to him but the fact that he was about to bring the Imperium on the galactic stage for the first time was the most daunting thing of all.

This would be the first time that their ships had been seen by outside eyes…the first time that they would actually show the galaxy they were a force to be reckoned with. Even with his family's most loyal retainers around him it was still a nerve-racking experience! He thought with anxiety.

But he was glad to see that regardless of all his fears everything was going exactly as planned.

He felt a smile coming to his face as he was sure to have a good story to tell Irulan when they finally got home.

- x -

Freedom's Lady, Underworld Alliance Flagship…

Stakar Ogord was eagerly awaiting this, tearing the Empire down and stealing shit was his favourite pass times. More so that he would be able to use to use the Hapes Consortium and Pasdishah Imperium as a staging base for Ravager raids in the future. That was part of the deal that had gotten their involvement in this battle and he was more than happy to get involved in exchange for that.

- x -

The Hapes Consortium fleet of Battle dragons and Nova-class cruisers appeared on the other side of the field, deploying their own fighters but now accompanied by X-wings at the same time and cutting off the Imperials only route of escape. The fighters began to push the Imperial ships closer together at the centre of the field to make their position as secure as possible until the Grand Admiral could come up with a plan.

- x -

Song of War, Hapes Battle Dragon…

Isolder was watching with satisfaction as his battle dragons proved why the Empire had good reason to fear the Consortium, blanketing their ships in a fierce barrage of fire! The new targeting computers the Mandalorians had provided along with the slight upgrades to their turbolasers were working like a dream, he thought impressed. When the time came to overhaul both them and the propulsion systems, he could only imagine how effective they would be.

"While the tactics are my Aunt Eliza, you have to admit my father planned this well." Astoria said at his side, her beauty now enhanced with Hapes dress which showed more of her incredible body, not that she needed it Isolder thought still deeply amazed by the woman he was now tied too. She would make an amazing Queen Mother someday and ties with the Mandalorians would only make them stronger.

- x -

Fenn Rau was leading his squadron the heart of the action, engaging the Tie Fighters while the bombers hit the lighter Imperial warships, the larger warships where now getting involved using their newly enhanced turbolasers, combing the siantide enhancements with Iokath technology focused through a synthetic kyber crystal made possible by the research of Professor Galen Erso. This vastly increased their range and effectiveness, now able to hit harder over a much further range.

He watched almost impressed at the Imperium fighters mounting their first battle and the overwhelming fire being laid down by the Hapes Battle Dragons. It was an impressive ambush and would leave Thrawn so confused that he would not know which way to turn. Criminals, the Padishah and the Hapes on top of perhaps the craziest Mandalorian ever!

Who did you anticipate? Which one to focus on while the other three tore you apart. Not to mention the Fallanasi illusions were still on the field and confusing the fighter pilots and the Imperial gunners with just who to shoot at.

But regardless he thought through gritted teeth the Imperials were not giving up without a fight. They fought with the tenacity of being trapped, knowing they had too or they would die.

He felt his Fang fighter take a hit, he refused to take one of the more modern designs as he was most comfortable in his own ship but it also came at a cost as he felt the ship become more unresponsive to his control inputs and saw a Star Destroyer coming into view with him heading straight for it.

He saw on his rear scanners that a Tie Fighter was closing in and rather than be shot down by some Imperial pilot, he gunned his engines forward and flew his fighter straight into the bridge of a star destroyer! He yelled out as the ship impacted and took out the command bridge, killing him and the bridge crew immediately. Beheading the star destroyer and leaving its crew in chaos.

- x -

Titan's Roar, Aden Class Warship…

Duke Mors Lok was eagerly pressing his flagship into battle, desperate to get some glory for himself as he was sadly lacking that in recent years. He was eager for his people to see him as the great leader he was…maybe enough too…he stopped thinking that as it was not something he could even contemplate yet until he had achieved a great victory.

So, seeing the enormous Super Star Destroyer ahead, he didn't hesitate in breaking formation to attack, despite calls to return he ignored it and despite being hit by the many warships that stood between them he and his ship engaged the Super Star Destroyer.

At first things went great, the large ship was being hammered by them but as Mors was eagerly anticipating his own celebration the ship was rocked by a hard explosion as the Super Star Destroyer had begun to use its massive array of turbolasers and ion cannons not to mention missiles and torpedoes on the Titan's Roar.

The warship was built well and extremely tough but it was not invincible and the sheer amount of fire being sent at it was too much for the shields to bare, then then armour began to break and Mors could only blink in surprise as the ship shook violently and fires broke out all around him. The crew struggled to keep the ship going but eventually the hull could take no more and the ship was blown apart.

- x -

Mandalorian Flagship…

"Idiot." Haron and Eliza said together as they saw Lok's ship blow up, they were sorrier for the crew that had died due to his arrogance and the only good thing about this was that his son would be a better leader for House Lok than he had been.

Haron decided it was time to end this, turning to the communications officer he told him.

"Signal all ships to pull back to a safe distance." Then he turned to the rest of the bridge crew. "Decloak, arm primary weapon and prepare to fire. On Duchess Kane's command." He added and she beamed at him in her demented way, eager to get to a chance to use this ship's special weapon.

- x -

Annihilator, Super Star Destroyer…

Thrawn now as the battle if it could be called that raged all around him began to realise that he had made a grave error in judgement. He had forgotten two key lessons that should always be kept close to you when planning any campaign.

First that no plan ever survives contact with the enemy.

The second and for him the most important one…that culture and societies can change.

Haron Ordo had been playing him all along, he realised with mounting coldness. He must have somehow anticipated his intentions and gave him just what he expected to see until he could end this campaign at a place and time of his choosing. Arranging for allies that he could never have predicted and now as the Imperial fleet was pressed into the centre of the field…something strange happened.

"They're leaving." The tactical officer reported with confusion, Thrawn looked at the display and saw for himself that despite that one foolish capital ship all enemy ships were indeed pulling back. This only increased Thrawn's confusion as they were winning this battle…why pull back?

The answer came moments later as a new symbol appeared at the head of the Mandalorian Fleet.

"Analysis!" Thrawn demanded as he did not recognise that ship. The sensor officer did his best and reported with extreme nervousness.

"It's large, about six thousand metres in length. Very strong shields and coated with armour and…its bristling with weaponry. It's a special dreadnaught." The officer reported with fear at the ship and what limited data he was able to receive before detecting something else. "We have a major power build up…its firing!" He managed to report but none of them would know anything about it.

- x -

The Infinity was the first Mandalorian Ship with a Silencer mega laser built in to the original design and powered by the highly efficient and great capacity Anti-Proton Reactor. It produced more power than any other ship in their fleet, meaning its Silencer was able to affect a much larger area than the previous versions had.

A single angry orange/red beam erupted from the front of the ship and hit at the dead centre of the Imperial formation. The beam took only a moment to reach critical mass before a massive explosion ripped through the area, tearing all the Imperial ships huddled together for mutual protection apart!

A rousing cheer went through the bridges and cockpits of the assembled fleets' as they saw Thrawn, the supposedly unstoppable Imperial menace be blasted into nothing right before their eyes. Thrawn had finally been beaten and the Empire no longer had any one that was even half the threat he was to them.

Haron watched with a smile as his crew celebrated, letting Eliza enjoy her moment as she had been instrumental in setting up this ambush and creating a plan so different from his own and typical Mandalorian tactics that Thrawn had never imagined they would fight this way. It was certainly not their way to ask for help or to have ships use ramming attacks like that and it had completely thrown the Imperial fleet into chaos.

They had won an important victory today, Haron thought with satisfaction and while the threat of the Death Star still hung over their heads, now they had something to celebrate at long last. He allowed his crew to celebrate and then a message came through that made his day…they had found the Death Star.

- x -

Star Destroyer Chimera…

Captain Gilad Pellaeon had been an admiral during the Clone Wars but been forced back down into being a captain during the reorganisation from the Republic into the Empire but truthfully, he hadn't minded this as he preferred being on a starship bridge than being behind a desk.

The Chimera was a fine ship and he loved commanding her, something he appreciated everyday and he was proud to keep her as an efficient and capable fighting machine. He followed Grand Admiral Thrawn as he was perhaps a man that was destined to lead the Empire to greatness, he honestly had never met a mind more agile and cunning than his.

But now as his ship hung on the edge of the field, separated from the rest of the fleet in the chaos of the opening battle he was shocked to see how far the Mandalorians were ahead of them and how badly they had defeated the Grand Admiral.

The battle was over, most of the fleet was destroyed with the few survivors being picked off by the enemy ships, he grimaced and told his navigation officer.

"Get us back to Imperial Space immediately." He said, knowing he had to get his ship back to Imperial territory as soon as possible to save them from certain death when the enemy turned their attention to them. The navigator was loyal to a fault and did not hesitate to obey his orders, waiting for the right moment before leaping away although it took longer than he was comfortable with and he could see enemy coming for them and the welcome sight of hyperspace was a big relief to them all.

But Pellaeon was feeling very much like a condemned man as he would be responsible for informing the Emperor of this loss. He didn't expect to live…even if he did, he knew life imprisonment and stripping of any rank or duties he held were distinct possibilities. He was a naval officer and he had been all his life; it was all he knew and if he was to die then he would die as one he thought with determination.

So, with resignation at his likely impending death, he took one tour about his ship, feeling very much like he was about to lose her forever.

Rebel Base, Yavin 4…Days Later…

The atmosphere in the base was tense, more rebel leaders had been arriving all the time and soon the base was at maximum capacity, they had even started using the more intact temples around the great one to make sure there was enough room.

The situation with the Partisans was a shock to the Alliance even though they had long ago separated themselves from Saw Gerrera and his methods the fact that his formidable rebel cell had been taken down so quickly was a shock to all. But this unprecedented gathering gave Padme the chance to address the large majority of the Rebel Alliance all at once.

While the different cell leaders all argued with each other Mon and Padme stared at each other, their gazes guarded and finally Bail decided to end this stalemate and do what needed to happen for the Alliance to move forward.

"Quiet." Bail said firmly and brought the uncontrolled bickering to an end. Once he was sure that they were all listening to him he presented the situation. "We have remained as we are in hopes of forcing the change in the Empire and restoring liberty but with the Imperial Senate now disbanded there is no longer any chance of democratically forcing change…so we must choose a new path forward. And for that…a leader must be chosen. State your cases." Bail said with worry as whoever won this struggle would lead the alliance and chose its direction, if they won the war then it was likely that they would also determine just what government would replace the Empire so a lot hinged on just who would win this.

Mon stepped forward, her form tense and her gaze burning with anger at Padme who she blamed for this situation.

"My friends, we are facing a crisis. In the face of losses and a seemingly hopeless fight then we need to remain united and to stick to our principles. Attacking the Empire will only bring more misery and pain on the galaxy and its people. Are the lives of innocent people worth the cost of our struggle. Do they deserve to suffer from our hubris. We must reframe from endangering them…find better ways to encourage chance and in time rebuild a Republic that stood for over twenty thousand years." Mon said before Padme stepped forward, she felt the eyes of everyone on her and she started to speak.

"I know some of you may feel that Mon is right to hold back for fear of hurting others, in some ways I agree with that statement but there is a reality that we all must accept." Padme said as she began possibly the most important speech of her entire life. "Death and suffering are happening now…without us doing a thing. With every life that is enslaved or ended by the Empire or whoever else it happens whether we get involved or not. It is natural to want to shield people from harm but is harm not being done to them every day that their liberty is stolen, that they are taxed to feed the very war machine that oppresses them? Another way to make change? I was a senator for years and I witnessed the Republic grow more and more corrupt while efforts to stop it were half hearted at best and so the transformation into the Empire too passed with hardly any opposition. If change…real change with a real government that works for its people is going to happen then it will be decided by us now. Rebuilding what was so rotten that it gave birth to the Empire is a mistake my friends as it will only cause us or our children to face the same struggles that we are facing now years down the line." Padme said, taking a moment to catch her breath before continuing.

"To bring change through peaceful means requires our enemy to not be willing to kill us all to achieve those aims. But the Empire has proven time and time again that lives mean nothing to them…not civilian, not rebel and not even their own. If we want to build a better galaxy for our children then we have to do whatever we can to make that change happen…even if it means that we have fight." Padme said as she saw the eyes of everyone on her. "People will get caught in the crossfire of such a struggle that is a fact that sadly cannot be avoided…people will be hurt if we do nothing. So, we must do something, we must fight for those that cannot. For the people of the galaxy and show them that they do not have to endure life under the boot heel of the Emperor and his thugs. Show the galaxy that not only do we mean business but that we are truly determined enough to see this through." Padme concluded before an excited intelligence officer broke in with a vital piece of intelligence.

"A report has reached us, the Mandalorians…they did it! They defeated Thrawn and ended him as a threat forever!"

The news was slow to be assimilated in the room but as it was jubilation spread as they all felt a great sense of relief as they had all dreaded the idea of having to face the seemingly unbeatable Grand Admiral and the knowledge that he was dead was a cause worth celebrating.

"Make your choice." Bail said bringing them back to the moment and the critical decision that needed to be made.

The silence in the room was total and highly tense as no one wanted to be the one to make the first move but Kagame stepped forward and stood next to Padme alongside Anakin and Padme's children. Giving her their support and then Admiral Raddus stepped forward to join them. Garm Bel-Iblis who had made the time to come for this important meeting did the same.

And so, with the first people to make the move, others began to do the same. Glorious Song, the representative of the Esh'kha came other to stand at Padme's side. Forl Kritcean the Azuran leader, First Minister Anya Stroud of Sera, King Amand of Molos, Sairisi of Manaan, General Amos Rike of Denova, Kashim of Duros, General Daeruun of Krex, Jun Sato of Phoenix Squadron and a large number of others joined him including a remorseful looking from General Dodonna.

A couple of leaders did go over to Mon but the majority of the Rebel leaders had made their choice clear, Vel from the side watched her cousin's downfall and worried for her but could do nothing to help her.

Mon looked at Padme with so much rage it was like she was a hypermatter reactor ready to blow, her rage at being replaced made her grab a blaster from the holster of one of the few that had sided with her, startling everyone and was pointing straight at Padme when Ghazhak, one of the Noghri that always accompanied the Skywalkers threw his knife with accuracy that would have impressed the best sniper in the galaxy, the knife hit Mon right in the heart.

She slipped backwards, grabbed by the few that had sided with her and slumped to the ground, time seemed to slow down as this happened and someone although no one would remember exactly who started shouting for a medic but it would have done no good. Not only would the jagged blades of the Noghri be impossible to remove without causing more damage but they tipped them with poison and the blade was firmly lodged in her heart.

Vel with eyes wide in shock ran over to her cousin's side as did Padme, any bad feelings forgotten in the heaty of the moment and Mon with her breath short and laboured said to them both.

"I'm sorry….I got…lost in…wanting to do things my way." Neither Vel nor Padme were sure exactly which one of them she was talking too. They both just held her hands and did their best to comfort her as the light faded from her eyes.

The rest of the rebel leaders looked on, never having imagined that this would happen and all stayed silent as she passed right before their eyes.

Vel held her cousin, not ever having thought Mon would do something as stupid as pulling a blaster like that but regardless she had. Cinta came over and took Vel in her arms, holding her tight as she grieved.

Padme stood up, her old friend and former rival was lying dead at her feet and having never thought it would come to this but it had. She felt the need to speak.

"In her name." Padme said eventually to the gathered Rebel leaders. "We will go on, doing what we know is right. Rally our forces, it's time to show the Empire what the Alliance is really capable of." She said and slowly one by one each of the rebel leaders nodded their acceptance of her command.

The Rebellion was going to be do something bold and decisive that would show the galaxy that it was here to stay.

"To Naboo." She commanded as Anakin came over and stood at her side to strengthen her which she appreciated. It was time to make her move Padme thought and just wished it hadn't come at such a cost.

Imperial Palace, Coruscant…

Gilad Pellaeon was looking like a man determined to face death with some dignity as he knelt before the Emperor, knowing that he was a dead man for the failure of the fleet to break into Mandalorian Space and to lose so many ships in the process. But he was not going to go begging for his life, he would die as an officer and with her pride intact.

"Your majesty, the fleet was destroyed and we failed to defeat the Mandalorians in battle. I await your judgement." Gilad said and the silence that followed that statement was so hard it would have been preferable to drag himself across sharpened blades than to stay knelt there under this oppressive atmosphere.

"The failure was Thrawn's Captain…not yours. You may rise." The Emperor said which astonished Gilad who had known officers being killed for less but was regardless he was very happy to be able to stay alive and respectfully kept her eyes low and asked.

"What are your orders your majesty?" Wondering if he had been spared for some suicide mission or something like that but the Emperor astonished him with another declaration.

"You are hereby promoted to Admiral and commanded to work on the restoration of the Seventh Fleet. To that end, I have ordered that a new type of ship to be built that will be tested under your command." Palpatine said and pressed a button on the arm of her chair, a large hologram of a ship appearing. To Pellaeon's eyes it was very familiar at least in part, the wedge shape was definitely reminiscent of a Star Destroyer but without the large tower on the top and a part cut out at the front where two hanger bays could be seen with another two on the sides of the vessel.

"The Harrower class Battle Cruiser. As the Imperial Class has proven…less than ideal in some situations I have had this design retrieved from distant archives to supplement our fleet. It will be up to you to discover their effectiveness in this war." Palpatine said before closing down the hologram and dismissing Pellaeon absentmindedly. "Leave me."

Pellaeon did as he was told immediately and left, actually finding himself excited as the new design looked much better than the standard ships designed under the Tarkin Doctrine, this ship not only looked intimidating but was highly capable if what he had seen was true. A mix between the Imperial class and the old Venator class ships.

He had gone in expecting to be killed only to be promoted and given an exciting new ship to use. The new battle cruiser would be an incredible ship he was sure and would be glad to get them into his fleet he thought with a smile.