The Ultimate Grand Admiral Hidden in the Shadows of the Star Wars Universe - A Menace Beyond Thrawn

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2.

Summary

Ahsoka is convinced that Thrawn, the only remaining Grand Admiral of the Imperial regime, poses a significant danger to the peace of the New Republic. However, she remains unaware that Rae Sloane, a key figure from the Star Wars: Aftermath trilogy, is covertly orchestrating the formation of the First Order. Following her survival during the Battle of Jakku, Rae Sloane escapes to the Unknown Regions and establishes her own faction of the Imperial remnants, which ultimately evolves into the formidable force known as the First Order.

The presumption in the New Republic is that Sloane has died in the Battle of Jakku and her absence until the emergence of the First Order. Because of this, Ahsoka brings up Thrawn as the last Imperial Grand Admiral. Ahsoka's story mainly revolves around the New Republic's confrontation with Thrawn, while Sloane's actions connect to the events in The Force Awakens.

In Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2, it is mentioned that Thrawn is believed to be the sole surviving Imperial Grand Admiral, though in reality, there is another secretly alive at this point in the Star Wars timeline. A significant part of Ahsoka's journey is focused on her mission to locate Grand Admiral Thrawn. Driven by the apprehension of another Galactic Civil War and their determination to find their friend Ezra Bridger, Ahsoka, Sabine Wren, and Hera Syndulla are dedicated to finding the whereabouts of Thrawn and Ezra, who were stranded at the end of Star Wars Rebels.

In Ahsoka episode 1, Ahsoka explains her mission to Hera, revealing crucial information about the Star Wars universe. The episode establishes Ahsoka's belief that Thrawn, an Imperial Grand Admiral, poses a significant threat to the New Republic's fragile peace. However, unknown to Ahsoka and the New Republic, another Imperial Grand Admiral is secretly plotting during the events of Ahsoka, posing an even greater danger than Thrawn.

Grand Admiral Rae Sloane Is Creating The First Order

The integral figure at the center of this narrative is none other than Rae Sloane, known as the Grand Admiral. Behind closed doors, she orchestrates a disconcerting plan - the creation of the infamous First Order, featured in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Interestingly, Rae Sloane played a crucial role as one of the primary perspectives in the storytelling of the Star Wars: Aftermath trilogy, authored by Chuck Wendig. This trilogy delves into the period between the events of Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Remarkably, at the conclusion of this trilogy, Rae Sloane manages to survive the Battle of Jakku, a monumental conflict that marked the end of the Galactic Civil War. Following this triumph, Sloane, accompanied by Brendol Hux, who viewers of The Mandalorian may recognize as a member of the Empire's Shadow Council in season 3, escapes to the Unknown Regions. It is within this uncharted territory that they embark on the formidable task of constructing their own Imperial fraction. This remnant would later evolve into the unstoppable force known as the First Order, provoking a galaxy-wide war in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

Why The New Republic Think Sloane Is Dead

The significance of keeping this character alive raises questions about why Ahsoka mentioned that Thrawn is believed to be the sole surviving Imperial Grand Admiral by the New Republic. This is most likely due to the events of the Battle of Jakku, where the New Republic achieved a decisive victory over a significant faction of the remaining Imperial forces, including esteemed figures like Gallius Rax. As a result, it is presumed that Sloane, who was exiled to the Unknown Regions, perished during this battle.

Since there was no communication or sighting of Sloane until the emergence of the First Order, it is reasonable to assume that the New Republic believed she had been killed in action. This clarifies why Ahsoka tells Hera that Thrawn is the only Imperial Grand Admiral remaining in their conversation. This allows Ahsoka to narrate the ongoing story of the New Republic's confrontation with Thrawn, which will continue in the upcoming Star Wars movie set in the Mandalorian era, while simultaneously leaving Sloane secretly plotting in the distant corners of the galaxy, effortlessly blending into the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

New episodes of Ahsoka release every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.