Star Wars: Imagines

Inspection Day (Admiral Thrawn)

You walked quickly towards the hangar. Your mouth was as dry as the desert thanks to the anxiety you were working with. You quickly spotted his Imperial shuttle... it was as elegant as ever. Thrawn always got the best-of-the-best when it came to equipment in the Empire. You couldn't help it— sometimes you got jealous.

The door to the shuttle fluttered open, and out walked numerous Stormtroopers from Thrawn's personal battalion. After a handful of these elite Stormtroopers exited the shuttle, the Chiss came out. He was as handsome and powerful as ever. Just being in his presence was intimidating, but you had to look confident,

"Good evening, Grand Admiral Thrawn," you said quickly while stepping up towards his ship to meet him head-on, "How was your travel?"

"It was fine, Officer (L/N)," he answered professionally while motioning for his troops to follow him. That was your queue to begin showing him around the ship.

You nodded and motioned for everyone to follow you, "Where would you like to see first?"

You were trying not to suck up to the Admiral, but it was hard not to. To begin with, he held such power in the Empire, but you also admired him for who he was as well as his achievements. He was a well-respected man, and you simply wanted to impress him.
There was a fine line between impressing the Chiss and brown nosing to him. Hopefully he wouldn't be insulted by your brown nosing.

"Take me to the bridge," the Grand Admiral commanded while looking down at his data pad, "And then I want to examine your ships and vessels. I don't have all day— let's move."

You found his commands rude but you said nothing. Thrawn was a busy man and likely had no time for basic chitchat. You simply just nodded and led the way towards the bridge. Perhaps this is what your battalion of Stormtroopers and underling Officers felt like when you snapped at them or acted similarly to the Chiss. Maybe you'd have to start thinking about that...

You led the Grand Admiral into the bridge and showed him around. He found everything was acceptable there, but he requested that you hire a few more mechanics and pilots for the bridge. Thrawn claimed the bridge is the most important part of a Star Destroyer, so it needs the most help and attention of the ship.
You agreed and wrote that down.

Now, you led him to the docking port that he landed on originally. You couldn't help but wonder why Thrawn didn't bother to check out the docking port before heading up to the bridge for its inspection.
However, beneath your nose, there were a few Stormtroopers planning something dangerous— something that would hopefully kill you and the Grand Admiral.

As you led Thrawn into the docking port, you smelled smoke. It was heavy and hot which caused stars to temporarily take over your vision,
"What's going on?" Thrawn asked while coughing and fanning the heavy smoke away from his face, "Are you trying to kill me or something?"

You wanted to answer and beg him for his forgiveness, but you didn't know what to beg him for forgiveness over. What was happening?
Then, you spotted it.

A TIE-Fighter was on fire! None of your troops seemed interested or concerned about it... Only a handful seemed frantic to put the fire out!
However, they soon would be concerned once they realized what was about to happen.

Without even thinking about your own safety, you threw yourself on top of Thrawn. The Chiss plummeted towards the ground; the air from his lungs knocked out of him. As soon as the two of you were on the cold, metallic floor below, the TIE-Fighter burst into flames.

Thankfully, you and Thrawn were far enough away that the flames hit and singed you, but the Chiss was left unharmed! That was the goal, but man, it hurt a lot.
You screamed into Thrawn's shoulder as the flames lapped up your back and neck. It felt like torture, but this was your job— sacrifice yourself for the commanding officer in the ship.

Thrawn frantically began pulling himself and you away from the exploding TIE-Fighter. Sweat was dripping down his blue face and he looked determined to get you and himself away from the flames,
"You're okay, (Y/N). Just hold on!" he grunted while pulling your limp form behind a solid, metal wall, "You're okay. Look at me."

With tears in your eyes, you looked up at Thrawn's face. This was the first time, truly the first time, that you really had time to look at Thrawn and take everything in.
His usual confidence had sunken out of his face. His defined cheekbones were covered in ash and soot, and his eyes held legitimate fear,

"I wish you wouldn't have put yourself in danger like that," he said while tearing off his jacket and placing it against the exposed, raw, and bleeding flesh of yours that had been exposed to the flames, "However, I must thank you. I understand why you did it, but every commanding official in the Empire is important. Take care of yourself better next time."

"I had no choice," you wheezed out; your voice rough and scratchy from the smoke inhalation, "You are far more important to the Empire than I am."

Thrawn continued to wrap up your wounds as well as he could. It was obvious to you that he had zero medical training, but you didn't care. Just being in Thrawn's presence and having him care about and for you was enough to restore your depleted strength,

"I don't care. I've already said you need to be more careful and not make decisions like that. That is an order, (Y/N)," he snapped, anger in his voice of the lack of care you had for yourself, "I've been keeping an eye on the work you've been doing for the Empire. That's why I wanted to come check out your Star Destroyer for myself: you have potential to be something highly-important to the Empire. To add onto that, the fact that you're willing to die for the Empire really helps your cause too."

You blushed and coughed as the smoke continued to attack your lungs. A couple of the fire staff onboard the Star Destroyer had come out of the shadows and were attempting to put out the flames near and on the TIE-Fighter by this point, but you weren't even paying attention to them. Your attention was strictly on Grand Admiral Thrawn and his words,

"I appreciate your words and praise, Admiral, but I will have to disobey the order about sacrificing myself for you," you said, earning an eye roll from the Chiss, "It is my duty to you and the Empire both. You're the Grand Admiral and I am a mere Officer. Your life takes precedence over everyone else on this vessel."

Thrawn sighed and attempted to help you to your feet to get you further away from the wild flames, "You're not an Officer anymore, (Y/N)."

That hurt worst than the flames. Did you fail the examination and he was now firing you? Especially since you told Thrawn you were disregarding his order for sacrifices, perhaps he just wanted you out of his sight?

"You've now been promoted to Commander of my star fleets. I trust no one but you to make split-second decisions," he continued when he noticed your hurt expression, "Don't worry, darling. It would be quite rude to fire someone who just saved my life. My life is in your dept, and I know you'll continue keeping me safe. But, next time, anticipate the attack better so you don't have to risk yourself for me again."

You smiled brightly, and despite all of your senses telling you not to, you hugged Thrawn. His body felt quite thin and frail, but you knew that wasn't the case. The Chiss chuckled and accepted the hug,
"Now now, Commander. Stand down."

"I'm sorry," you chuckled, letting go of him. You couldn't help but wince from your burns, but you could barely feel it compared to the grateful emotions you had for the promotion, "This is totally not how I anticipated today would be. Thank you for this opportunity."

The Chiss smirked and grabbed your chin with his pointer finger and thumb; turning your face up to his so he was looking right into your eyes. A blush spread over your cheeks, which caused Thrawn's smirk to grow, "I know you won't let me down."

May 23rd, 2023