Brian Truitt

USA TODAY

On movie screens, Darth Vader has always been the go-to bad guy in the Empire for Star Wars fans, though in the 1990s a new generation fell in love with Grand Admiral Thrawn from the pages of Timothy Zahn's Star Wars novels.

And just as a new trilogy is rolling out in theaters, Thrawn is again having a moment — he's currently a top villain on Disney XD's Star Wars Rebels animated series and he returns to the literary world in Zahn's Star Wars: Thrawn (Del Rey, out April 11).

"Most of the Imperial leaders we see in the movies rule through a combination of fear and manipulation. I wanted to create something different: a commander who could lead through loyalty," Zahn says. "The result was Thrawn, a tactical genius whose troops follow him willingly, and who will fight for him whether or not he’s watching over their shoulders."

While Zahn's original Thrawn Trilogy — which began with 1991's Heir to the Empire — took place after the Return of the Jedi film, the new book is set in the years leading up to the original 1977 Star Wars movie when the Empire is dealing with the growing Rebellion. Thrawn chronicles its title character's rise to power within the Imperial Navy, from his arrival in space to his "unprecedented promotion" to grand admiral, Zahn says. "I get to show how he’s treated by his fellow officers and shipmates on his way up the military ladder, particularly when he’s not in a command position over them."

The exclusive excerpt below is near the beginning of the book when Thrawn has made contact with an Imperial warship, whose captain has seen potential in this blue-skinned, red-eyed Chiss soldier and decided to bring him to the capital world of Coruscant. Thrawn and the ruthless Emperor are at a pivotal meeting with Captain Parck, "the commander who has possibly put his career at risk with his bold initiative," as well as Eli Vanto, "a young cadet who’s heard stories about these mysterious people and whose knowledge of Thrawn’s language has put him in a unique position," says Zahn.

An interesting nugget is revealed: Thrawn knew Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars, before the former Jedi embraced the dark side of the Force and became Darth Vader. Adds Zahn: "From a canon standpoint, it weaves another thread through the Star Wars lore, adding to the intricate tapestry that is the galaxy far, far away."

Read an excerpt from Chapter 2 of Star Wars: Thrawn below:

It was probably only five seconds. But to Eli it felt like a medium-sized eternity. The entire throne room was utterly still, utterly silent. The only sound was the thudding of his pulse in his ears, the only movement the shaking of his arms in his sleeves.

“Captain Parck,” the Emperor said at last, his gravelly voice neutral. “I’m told you bring me a gift.”

Eli winced. A gift? For the Chiss of the stories, that would have been a deadly insult. Thrawn was behind him, and he didn’t dare turn around, but he could imagine the expression on that proud face.

“I do, Your Majesty,” Parck said, bowing low. “A warrior reportedly of a race known as the Chiss.”

“Indeed,” the Emperor said, his voice going even dryer. “And what, pray tell, would you have me do with him?”

“If I may, Your Majesty,” Thrawn spoke up before Parck could answer. “I am not merely a gift. I am also a resource. One you have never seen the like of before, and may never see again. You would do well to utilize me.”

“Would I?” the Emperor said, sounding amused. “Certainly you’re a resource of unlimited confidence. What exactly do you offer, Chiss?”

“As a start, I offer information,” Thrawn said. If he was offended, Eli couldn’t hear it in his voice. “There are threats lurking in the Unknown Regions, threats that will someday find your Empire. I am familiar with many of them.”

“I will learn of them soon enough on my own,” the Emperor countered placidly. “Can you offer anything more?”

“Perhaps you will learn of them in time to defeat them,” Thrawn said. “Perhaps you will not. What more do I offer? I offer my military skill. You could utilize that skill in making plans to seek out and eliminate these dangers.”

“These threats you speak of,” the Emperor said. “I presume they’re not simply threats to my Empire?”

“No, Your Majesty,” Thrawn said. “They are also threats to my people.”

“And you seek to eliminate all such threats to your people?”

“I do.”

The Emperor’s yellowish eyes seemed to glitter. “And you wish the help of my Empire?”

“Your assistance would be welcome.”

“You wish me to assist people who exiled you?” the Emperor said. “Or was Captain Parck incorrect?”

“He spoke correctly,” Thrawn said. “I was indeed exiled.”

“Yet you still seek to protect them. Why?”

“Because they are my people.”

“And if they withhold their gratitude and refuse to accept you back? What then?”

There was a slight pause, and Eli had the eerie sense that Thrawn was giving the Emperor one of those small smiles he was so good at. “I do not need their permission to protect them, Your Majesty. Nor do I expect their thanks.”

“I’ve seen others with your sense of nobility,” the Emperor said. “Most fell by the wayside when their naïve selflessness collided with the real world.”

“I have faced the real world, as you call it.”

“You have indeed,” the Emperor said. “What exactly do you wish from my Empire?”

“A state of mutual gain,” Thrawn said. “I offer my knowledge and skill to you now in exchange for your consideration to my people in the future.”

“And when that future comes, what if I refuse to grant that consideration?”

“Then I will have gambled and lost,” Thrawn said calmly. “But I have until that time to convince you that my goals and yours do indeed coincide.”

“Interesting,” the Emperor murmured. “Tell me. If you served the Empire, yet a threat arose against your people, where would your loyalties lie? Which of us would command your allegiance?”

“I see no conflict in the sharing of information.”

“I’m not speaking of information,” the Emperor said. “I’m speaking of service.”

There was a short pause. “If I were to serve the Empire, you would command my allegiance.”

“What guarantee do you offer?”

“My word is my guarantee,” Thrawn said. “Perhaps your servant can speak to the strength of that vow.”

“My servant?” the Emperor asked, his eyes flicking to Parck.

“I do not refer to Captain Parck,” Thrawn said. “I speak of another. Perhaps I assumed incorrectly that he was your servant. Yet, he always spoke highly of Chancellor Palpatine.”

The Emperor leaned forward a little, his yellowish eyes glittering. “And his name?”

“Skywalker,” Thrawn said. “Anakin Skywalker.”