[Adventure Journal] - Command Decision (Timothy Zahn), Star Wars - Books And Short Stories
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Star WarsAdventure Journal #11Command Decisionby Timothy ZahnIllustrations by Doug Shuler and Mike VilardiThey had left the Core Worlds a dozen jumps ago, setting off across the Outer Rim Territories with its barbarians and non-human monsters and thinly-veiled contempt for the glory and benevolence that was the Empire. Four jumps ago they had left behind even that pale caricature of civilization to enter the sparsely charted region called Wild Space. Now, with this final jump, the Imperial Star DestroyerAdmonitor had left even that behind.Ahead of them lay the Unknown Regions. Behind them lay the Empire. And, for all practical purposes, the ruins of their careers."Forward sensors reporting, Captain.� an officer called from the starboard crew pit. "No signs of spacecraft.�"Acknowledged.� Captain Dagon Niriz said, glowering out the bridge viewport at the dull red sun glowing in the near distance. The dying embers of a once glorious star. How very symbolic. "Launch TIE fighter squadron.� he ordered. "As per the admiral's orders.�"Yes, sir.� There was a footstep beside him. "Well, there it is,� General Larr Haverel commented. "Our new tour of duty. Looks so very inviting, doesn't it.�"Looks so very like slow death.� Niriz said bluntly."Yes.� Haverel murmured. "I suppose slow death is just what happens when you come down on the wrong side of Imperial Palace politics.�Niriz nodded sourly. He'd seen it happen himself, time and time again: intrigues and squabblings among the aides and advisors and sycophants of the Imperial court as they forever jockeyed for the Emperor's ear and favor. The tension between two sides could sometimes build for years, then suddenly come to a head and be over in a matter of days or even hours, with the loser and his allies either executed or - if the winners were feeling particularly lenient that day - sent packing off to effective exile on some mudwater world like Abregado or Tatooine.And the admiral had been right in the middle of the game, so the gossip said, playing it with zest and a certain degree of finesse. To have pulled this exploration/mapping assignment in the Unknown Regions, he must have lost big.But that was no reason why Niriz and Haverel and the rest of theAdmonitor's crew had to lose with him. No reason at all.Out of the corner of his eye, Niriz saw the officers in the starboard crew pit stiffen, their attention shifting aft. Niriz stayed where he was, watching the dark shapes of the TIE fighters as they realigned into search formation, until he heard the soft footstep on the command walkway behind him. "Admiral.� he said, only then turning around.It was indeed, as he'd surmised, Admiral Thrawn. "Captain.� the admiral said in that carefully cultured voice of his. "Report.�"We've arrived, sir.� Niriz said shortly, eying him with the mixture of fascination and distaste that had followed Thrawn ever since Captain Voss Parck had found him on some mudwater planet out here in the Unknown Regions and brought him back to the Imperial Court. Basically man-shaped, Thrawn's blue skin and glowing red eyes nevertheless marked him emphatically as an alien. And the Emperor did not like aliens.Parck should have been disciplined or executed on the spot for that kind of arrogance. The only reason he hadn't been was that Thrawn had apparently turned out to be quite a competent tactician and strategist. He'd been given private Academy training, risen with dramatic speed through the ranks, and ultimately been made a command officer.The Emperor had tolerated his presence. Why, Niriz would never know. Others in the court - a great many others - had not."Yes, I see that, "Thrawn said dryly, those glittering eyes shifting momentarily over Niriz's shoulder. "But those fighters should be further out by now. How soon after our arrival did you order them launched,�"Immediately, sir.� Niriz said, striving to keep his voice civil. Whether he liked this assignment or not, he was still an Imperial officer, and he obeyed orders. "There might have been some trouble with the pre-launch check list - the crews aren't used to dealing with the hyperdrives on these new TIE scouts.�"If so, it's a deficiency they need to correct.� Thrawn said. "Launch practice, Captain, beginning now. Please see to it personally.�Niriz ground his teeth. "Yes, sir.� he managed, catching the eye of the comm officer. "Call Commander Parck to the bridge.�"Yes, sir.� Niriz looked back at Thrawn, a small touch of spiteful satisfaction flickering through him. Parck might not have been disciplined at the time, but Thrawn's enemies hadn't forgotten him. Once the captain of his own Victory-class Star Destroyer, he'd been summarily stripped of that command, demoted to commander, and put aboard theAdmonitor as Niriz's first officer. Served him right.The admiral was watching him, an unreadable expression on his alien face. "I gather, Captain, that you don't consider this mission worthwhile.�"No, sir, I don't.� Niriz said, lowering his voice out of habit to keep his words from the ears of those in the crew pits. Differences between senior officers were none of the lower ranks' business. "If I may speak freely, I think it's a complete waste of the Empire's time and energy and resources. With reports of unrest cropping up all across the Empire, sending a fully equipped Star Destroyer out here on mapping duty is just plain stupid.�"Perhaps.� Thrawn said. If he was offended by Niriz's boldness, his expression didn't show it. "On the other hand, the Empire is a living entity. All living entities must grow if they're to survive.�"There's plenty of room for growth within our own borders.� Niriz countered. "There must be hundreds of worlds back there we've hardly even glanced at.�"The Exploration Corps can deal with those.� Thrawn said with a hint of disdain. "The Unknown Regions are the future of the Empire, Captain. It's only fitting that the Imperial Fleet lead the way.�Niriz bit down on his tongue. Thrawn was putting a good front on it, he had to give him that. Perhaps he'd even convinced himself that he hadn't in fact lost that last political fight. "Of course.� he said aloud. "Sir.�A movement at the archway leading to the aft bridge caught his eye: Commander Parck had arrived. "With your permission, Admiral, I'll start the hangar bay crews on their practice.�"Very good, Captain.� Thrawn said, his eyes again on the starscape outside. "Have them concentrate on pre-launch drills for the moment. I don't think we'll be spending more than an hour or two in this system, and I don't want the TIEs caught outside when we're ready to jump.�"Yes, sir.� Niriz said. Stepping past the blue-skinned alien, he stalked back down the command walkway, seething quietly to himself. To send the ship's captain to deal personally with TIE fighter crews was almost as demeaning as a public slap in the face. No wonder Thrawn had gotten himself exiled out here. The only mystery was what had taken the Imperial Courtiers so long to do it.They were on their fifteenth system when they found their first sign of intelligent life. Or rather, when it found them."There are three of them, Captain.� the sensor officer reported. "About twenty-five meters long - roughly the size of an Oracaian customs frigate. Unfamiliar configuration; unknown weaponry.�"Acknowledged.� Niriz said, standing on the command walkway with Thrawn and Parck and gazing out at the approaching spacecraft. An alien design, but with the compact and nimble-looking shape of fighters. One squadron of TIE fighters was already on their way out of the hangar bay, with a second standing by. "TIE control: order advance squadron to warn them back.�"Countermand that.� Thrawn said before the officer could acknowledge. "Advance squadron is to take up open escort formation ahead of theAdmonitor . Comm officer, key external signal to my comlink.�He pulled his comlink cylinder from one of his tunic chest pockets. "I trust you realize those ships out there are probably armed.� Niriz warned him."Oh, I'm sure they are.� Thrawn agreed."Then shouldn't we do something about that.� Niriz asked, striving for patience."We're at full battle alert.� Thrawn reminded him. "For now, that should be sufficient.� He lifted his comlink and thumbed it on. "Unidentified spacecraft, this is the Alderaanian Colony ShipAdmonitor. If you understand, please respond.�He switched off the comlink."Colony Ship.� Niriz repeated with a frown."We're a rather imposing sight.� Thrawn pointed out. "I don't want our size to frighten them away.�Niriz looked back at the approaching fighters. Not only did the admiral not want to fight, he didn't even want to worry them. Maybe he'd change his mind when they blew off the command superstructure. "And you're expecting them to understand Basic,�"They're close enough to Wild Space to have run into traders or smugglers from the Empire.� Thrawn said. "If they haven't, I know a couple other languages we can try.�Abruptly, the bridge was filled with noisy static. "Hello, Colony Ship.� a wheezing voice said. "I am Creysis, ruler of this system and lord of all I survey. How dare you invade my realm without my permission,�"More ships.� the sensor officer called. "Incoming from around that small moon to portside. Twenty... thirty... thirty-eight of them total. One larger ship, bulk freighter size, falling in behind them.�"Launch second TIE squadron.� Niriz ordered. "And have two more squadrons prepped immediately.�"Countermand that.� Thrawn said again. "Have advance squadron pull back to tight escort formation.�"Sir, I strongly suggest you reconsider.� Niriz said, one hand clenching into a frustrated fist. Did this blue-skinned a...
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