Prompt:
(Y/N) and Admiral Thrawn have been openly dating for a while now. They are running the Chimaera together, and Governor Pryce confronts them. She is worried they aren't leading to their full potential because of their clear biases...
Requested by dragonsfangs
She/Her❥
1st POV
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"Lord Vader is expecting us back with the Death Star in an hour's time," the Admiral commented in my direction as I wrote down some notes pertaining to the Rebellion on Lothal. I would imagine Lord Vader would dispatch his Inquisitors to the planet, but it was hard to read what the Sith planned on doing.
"Are we on schedule?" I asked back towards Thrawn while not looking up from my notes. I didn't want to lose my spot— these notes were too important to just skim and skip.
The Chiss nodded and responded with a light hum from his lips, "We should be early."
I finally looked up from my notes and smiled to the Chiss. Whenever he mentioned that the Chimaera would be arriving to its designated destination early, that meant that he wanted to hold me. To tell me how much he loved me, and how he could never imagine living another day if I wasn't around. We had enough time: why not?
I placed the notes into my Officer uniform pocket and went to follow Thrawn. We were on the bridge of the Star Destroyer, so I was following him back to his office.
Just thinking about what Thrawn had planned gave me butterflies in my stomach. The Chiss had exquisite wine tastes, so likely the two of us would share a quick glass of wine. To top it all off, we could watch the stars together from inside his office. Away from the constant stress of the galaxy.
"Wait just a second you two!" a prissy female voice entered my hearing as Thrawn and I made it to the door that lead out of the bridge.
Both Thrawn and I spun around to see who it was. I already recognized her identity from her voice alone, but it was a habit to look into anyone's eyes that speaks. It was Governor Pryce, "Where do you think you're going?"
"It's none of your business, Governor," the Chiss replied with a hint of annoyance in his tone, "I am the Grand Admiral. I don't have to tell you anything about what I choose to do."
"It is my job to make sure this crew is being taken care of the way it should. Considering how the two of you have been in a romantic relationship for a while now, it's clear you both only have yourselves to consider," the Governor replied harshly while looking me up and down, as if she was judging me based on appearance alone.
Thrawn shook his head and rolled his eyes. There was a hint of surprise in his expression though, as if he was shocked that even Pryce would dig that deep, "You've worked with me for years now, Governor. You have known me well enough to know my top priority, even over (Y/N) is to our Empire. It is foolish that you would think otherwise."
Pryce clasped her hands behind her back and shrugged, "Unfortunately, Grand Admiral, I have already contacted the other Admirals of the Empire, and they all agree you and Officer (L/N) share a risky position together. They have instructed me to take over your position until they can decide what to do."
My eyebrows flew up in surprise over that outrageous statement, "What? No one besides the Emperor or Lord Vader has that power. Which Admirals did you speak to? I'm sure Lord Vader would love to have a word with them and remind them, and you if our very serious rules."
Pryce stiffened at the mention of both Lord Vader and the Emperor, but she did not let down her secretive guard, "I'm sure that won't be necessary. Lord Vader himself has been informed of your lack of judgement."
I couldn't help but laugh. It was painfully obvious that Governor Pryce was lying about all of this. It has been know about for many years that Pryce was jealous of my situation despite her reviving many promotions over me. She was jealous about how close I am to Thrawn.
Now, the thing is, I am unsure if she is jealous that I have a very close, romantic relationship with the Chiss, or if it is the fact that the Grand Admiral pays more attention to me than with her. Regardless, this has gotten out of hand,
"I have never heard such a lie in my entire life," I pointed out while turning to my boyfriend, "Just this time yesterday we had a very interesting conversation with Lord Vader, and I feel if he really has been enlightened by our 'relationship,' then he would've brought it up."
An embarrassed blush rose to Pryce's face, but she shook it off angrily, "I informed him this very morning, after your important call."
The Chiss wrapped his hand around my shoulder and shot a frown at Governor Pryce, "You realize we will be seeing Lord Vader any moment now. Both (Y/N) and I can ask him if this is true... I highly doubt you want to be called out on a lie this important. I can't speak for him, but I know him enough that he would... promptly dispose of you. I'm sure you wouldn't like that."
By now, every Officer on the bridge was silent and watching this conversation unfold. Governor Pryce was as bright as a tomato at this point once she realized lying wasn't the best approach, "No sir. I wouldn't like that at all."
"You shouldn't lie, Governor," Thrawn said heartily while glancing at me, "Unfortunately, by the laws of the Empire, threatening to overthrow a Grand Admiral, claiming you have orders from the Emperor himself, and lying to your superior are all arrest-worthy offences. Lord Vader will be hearing about this."
"T-That was not my intention!" Pryce practically yelled; her defensive shield beginning to break over the threat of arrest, "I am just concerned for the integrity of this Empire! You and (Y/N) threaten this! You are not supposed to have relationships because of the fact that you'll get attached and create weaknesses! You're breaking the law too!"
This wasn't a law. It was more of a guideline.
Lord Vader, although like Thrawn, I did not know him well, but I did know the Jedi. I have intensively studied their religion, values, and rules, and knowing that Lord Vader was a Jedi at some point, he wouldn't want to abide those rules. Especially to do with relationships.
"I have heard enough," Thrawn dismissed her as the Chimaera approached the looming Death Star, "You can give your reasoning to Lord Vader. I do not want to hear another word about how (Y/N) and I are jeopardizing the Empire."
"Just because you don't want to hear it doesn't mean you shouldn't hear it!" the Governor shoots back as a couple of Stormtroopers grabbed at her arms to pull her away from their commanding Grand Admiral, "If you were a good leader, you would listen to what your underlings have to say!"
I reached forward and laid a hard slap to Pryce's face; a frown evident on mine, "It would be different if the underlings weren't traitors trying to take over this branch of the Empire. You are no longer a Governor, and have no say in the matter!"
"You have no jurisdiction!" Pryce spat while struggling against the strong grip of the Stormtroopers, "You're a lower rank than even I am!"
"Whatever (Y/N) thinks is right shall be done. She is overqualified to make decisions like that... and I trust her," the Chiss interrupted, "Of course, none of it will be set in stone until Lord Vader makes a decision, but consider yourself jobless and imprisoned."
Pryce struggles once more before beginning to give up, "See? This is what I'm talking about. If this Officer was anyone besides (Y/N), you would've have batted an eye. Just because you're dating her, you're letting her rule this ship!"
The Stormtroopers loosened their grips, as if they were beginning to agree with the Governor and her reasonings for trying to overtake the Chimaera.
"Yet again, she is qualified. I do not need to explain myself to anyone on this ship. I was promoted to Grand Admiral because my strategic mind and ability to pick out others' abilities and weaknesses. Lord Vader chose me because I have a knack at reading people. Just because (Y/N) is my girlfriend doesn't change a damn thing," Thrawn fumed; admittedly surprised that his Stormtroopers and his crew were beginning to agree with the Governor over him, "Anyone who disagrees can take it up with Lord Vader too."
The Stormtroopers stiffened their grip once more on Pryce's arms, and dragged her out of the room. I walked over to Thrawn and wrapped my arms around his shoulders; laying a kiss on his perfectly-chiseled cheekbone, "You didn't have to defend me like that, you know. I don't care about what anyone thinks, especially Governor Pryce."
"I wasn't going to let a jealous woman say bad things about you to my face," my boyfriend responded, laying a kiss onto my lips, "I do not tolerate lies in general, but especially if those lies jeopardize myself, my job, or my girlfriend. Pryce will be dealt with accordingly."
I turned and glanced at the Officers and Stormtroopers alike that couldn't help but stare, "I just hope Lord Vader doesn't take their side. If he does, we will be out of a job, not Pryce. Pryce might even be promoted to Grand Admiral herself."
"I trust Vader," Thrawn answered nonchalantly with a shrug, "He knows how dedicated to the Empire I am, and he knows I don't put up with anything. He appreciates that about me."
I smiled and kissed him once more, "Okay, Mr. Seriousness, I see we've made it to the Death Star. Although we didn't have time to hang out without all the troops, this was still a very interesting experience, and I'm glad I went through it with you."
"Even if we lose our jobs?" the Chiss questioned, more in a joking manner than a serious one.
"Even if we lose our jobs," I concluded, "I would rather be with no one over you, and if that means we lose our jobs, then so be it."
The Chiss cupped my cheeks in his hands and leaned in for a passionate but temporary kiss, "God, I love you so much. I couldn't dream of anyone better to run this ship with."
I blushed deeply and pushed him away playfully, "Come on, don't do that. We don't have time. Lord Vader is waiting for us."
Right at that moment, the other Officers of the ship docked the Star Destroyer up to the Death Star, and Stormtrooper after Stormtrooper began to leave the Chimaera. Pryce was also dragged off, followed by Thrawn and myself.
Lord Vader was waiting at the docking port; dozens of Stormtroopers guarding his side. Thrawn and I walked up to him; bowing on our knee once we got close enough,
"Rise," he said, and the two of us immediately listened, "I sense a disturbance in the force. What happened on that ship?"
I stood beside Thrawn silently. I would not be allowed to speak to Vader unless he spoke to me directly. My boyfriend would have to carry this conversation,
"We have a traitor on board," the Chiss responded professionally, "Governor Arihnda Pryce tried to overthrow the Chimaera because she believes I am not competent enough to handle it."
Vader's gaze fell on the struggling Governor, "Explain yourself."
Pryce froze immediately. Sweat began to drop down her forehead. I knew she was regretting her decisions to try and overthrow the Chimaera, but there was no going back now,
"Grand Admiral Thrawn and Officer (L/N) are in a romantic relationship and I believe this is putting the Empire's integrity at risk!"
"Why is that?" the Sith breathed calmly, "Governor, you seem to forget something. If I appoint someone a position, even if you suspect they are at fault, you do not do anything of your own jurisdiction. You come to me. Because of this flaw in you, I will be giving Officer (L/N) your job. She has proven over and over again of what an asset she is to the Empire. You however, have disappointed me for the last time," he turned to the Stormtroopers holding Pryce, "Take her away. I do not wish to see this filth again."
I bent over to Thrawn to whisper in his ear, "We didn't even have to tell him about how she lied about talking to him and the Emperor."
"What Vader doesn't know won't hurt him," my boyfriend whispered back, "Despite how much I hate Pryce, she doesn't deserve to die."
Vader turned around to us, and I stiffened up. Just his presence alone was intimidating enough to make me pee my pants. Luckily I didn't...
"I expect continued good work from the two of you," his eyes landed on me, "Especially you, Governor. Don't let me down like Governor Pryce did."
As Vader walked away, I breathed a sigh of relief. Spinning to Thrawn, I cocked my head to the side, "Governor? He really just promoted me?"
"He sure did, my love," the Chiss replied while pulling me in for a small kiss, "I see no downside to this. This just means I can spend more time with you."
I giggled and kissed him back, ignoring the stares from the Stormtroopers on the Death Star,
"I was thinking the exact same thing."
December 22nd, 2022