“Your majesty!” came the voice of Sate Pestage as he entered the throne room. “Contact has been established with Grand Admiral Thrawn. He eagerly awaits your words!” Palpatine, slightly annoyed by his bursting into the throne room, did not respond. He simply rose and hand and wove him off. It was not quite a gesture that told him to leave, just to shut up. The Emperor pressed the comm button on the arm of his chair and spoke into it. "Grand Admiral Thrawn," he said, his voice raspy as ever, yet inviting. "I trust your stay within the Unknown Regions has been...fulfilling?"