Chapter Text
It starts off as a low rumble that only intensifies as it approaches, as it moves closer towards the surface, closer to them.
When the rumors of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return first surfaced, many dismissed such claims, ruling them out as mere speculation without foundation, a byproduct of Imperial misinformation or propaganda or whatever the hell the now-dying-Empire was doing in their desperate attempts to maintain control over the galaxy.
To instill fear into the hearts of the masses and undermine the New Republic; for them to abandon it and flock back to the ‘security’ of the Empire, welcoming them back with open arms, illy missing their oppressor only because of the many years living in despotism.
Now it’s here and more minacious than ever. The warning signs had always been there but had never been truly seen and now it’s too late.
Alexsandr Kallus watches, wide-eyed and in horror, as the Chimera Star Destroyer descends from the sky, casting a somber shadow over the landscape. Standing in front of him is Hera, who also gawks at the sight, neither of them believing what they are seeing.
Hera takes a shaky step back and Kallus places his hand on her shoulder to steady the woman.
“Is that…?” Hera trails off.
“It-it can’t be,” Kallus stutters.
But is it.
The return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, as evidenced by the stylized depiction of a chimaera engraved on the ventral side of its hull. The image is so clear now that the ship has passed through the atmosphere and entered their air space.
It looks like it’s been through hell. How such a ship could’ve survived the amount of damage it had received and the many years lost in uncharted space, he doesn’t know. But by the looks of it, someone has taken good care of it, preserving as much of it as they could and repairing only what was necessary for it to complete its basic functions.
Functions such as planetary bombardment.
Its klaxon blares tumultuously about every three seconds. The screeching echos from above down to the city below, the sound waves causing the buildings’ windows to vibrate violently, threatening to shatter.
One, two, three and it roars.
One, two, three.
One, two, three.
Louder and louder and louder and louder—
Until finally Kallus tunes in to what Hera is screaming. “Evacuate the city! And ready for defensive action!” But it will be for nothing.
There will be no escape. Looming directly overhead, blocking their way out, is the deathly threat of the enemy. A powerful force.
The Chimera. Thirsty for vengeance and decisive to kill for victory as is necessary. And Thrawn, back from the dead for revenge, and to take his place as the new heir to the Empire. He must have been waiting a long time for this moment, for his grand return. All these years, all that planning…
It makes sense now. The rumors, the still going allegiance to the old galactic power.
And in this moment of dreadful revelation, Kallus becomes a child again. His leg muscles tighten as if ready to run, but he finds himself freezing, feeling rooted to the spot.
Fear floods him and he’s unable to breathe.