Grand Admiral Thrawn

The novel's most central character but by scarcely its protagonist, Thrawn is the last survivor of the twelve white-uniformed Grand Admirals named by the late Emperor. With light-blue-skin and glowing red eyes, Thrawn is obviously "not-entirely-human-heritage," but by demonstrated military genius transcends Imperial prejudice and for five years has commanded the Empire since the Emperor and Darth Vader's deaths. Thrawn lacks Darth Vader's lethal temper, but can be brutal. Most of the time, standing on the bridge of his flagship, the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera, he appraises his assistant, Captain Pellaeon of what he is doing and often why, in a courteous, modulated voice. Visiting the planet Honogrh, Thrawn is Lord of the Noghri, heir to their savior, Darth Vader, and broaches no opposition.

Thrawn studies the artwork of peoples he is about to attack, looking for psychological clues to their weaknesses. During Dark Force Rising...