Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good first look introduces new character as Chiss fleet goes to battle

In an exclusive sneak peek at the next Thrawn book, author Timothy Zahn digs deeper into Thrawn’s history and experiences that fueled his quick, strategic mind and ruthlessness.

But Zahn’s Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy is set decades before the Chiss character became a Grand Admiral in the Galactic Empire, who tasked himself with fostering a deep understanding of his enemies in order to destroy them. The second book in the series, Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good, sees Thrawn reveling in his latest triumph having brought victory and pride to his people and his familial house, the Mitth.

However, the real threat to the Chiss Ascendancy government in the Unknown Regions of the galaxy is still out there.

The publisher’s summary in part:

"Across the Ascendancy, seemingly inconsequential events could herald the doom of the Chiss. As Thrawn and the Expansionary Defense Fleet rally to uncover the plot, they discover a chilling truth: Rather than invade Chiss capitals or pillage resources, their enemy strikes at the very foundation of the Ascendancy, seeking to widen the rifts between the Nine Ruling Families and the Forty Great Houses below. As rivalry and suspicion sow discord among allies, each warrior must decide what matters most to them: the security of their family or the survival of the Ascendancy itself."

Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good excerpt explained

In an exclusive excerpt shared by StarWars.com, Senior Captains Thrawn, Lakinda and others lead their own cruisers in a battle against some of the last vestiges of Nikardun resistance. Admiral Ar’alani is eagerly watching the results of the battle, noting that she had never before “experienced such a mix of determination, viciousness, and utter pointlessness as in the scene now unfolding in front of her.”

The excerpt goes on to detail the short, intense battle through communications between Ar’alani and her crew, including Thrawn, who wordlessly creates a distraction for the suicidal Nikardun fighters and helps quickly snuff out the last six ships:

"“Thrawn?” she called. “Over to you.”“Acknowledged, Admiral.”Ar’alani shifted her attention to the Springhawk. Normally, she would never do this to the captain of one of her task force ships: giv­ing a vague order on the assumption that the other would pick up on her intent. But she and Thrawn had worked together long enough that she knew he would see what she was seeing and know exactly what she wanted him to do.And so he did.”"

Within 20 seconds of Thrawn’s moves, “that section of space was once again clear of enemies.”

The excerpt goes on to provide more background for why Ar’alani and the Senior Captains were doing such a cleanup mission since normally the policy of the Nine Ruling Families was “dead-set against any military action unless Chiss worlds or holdings had been directly at­tacked first.”

Ar’alani provides a possible reason for their “warlike actions”:

"“She could only assume that the interrogation of General Yiv the Benevolent and a thorough examination of his captured files and records had proved the Nikardun had been such an imminent threat that the Syndicure had been willing to bend the usual rules.“At least Thrawn must be pleased,” Wutroow continued. “It’s rare to get vindication and retaliation delivered in the same neat package.”“If you’re trying to get me to tell you what he and I talked about with Supreme General Ba’kif before we left on this little jaunt, you’re in for a disappointment,” Ar’alani said. “But yes, I imagine Senior Captain Thrawn is pleased at how things turned out.”"

Read the full excerpt from the book and listen to the excerpt read by Marc Thompson here.

Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good is available April 27. It’s available to pre-order now and Barnes & Noble will have an exclusive edition with a collectible poster.

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