…
Thrawn sits in the apartment office of Hux, holographic images of the Rebel worlds arrayed above the surface of his desk. Around each one is the image of a Star Destroyer. He zooms into one of the images and there is resolved a Resistance satellite in orbit. He marvels at the ingenuity of the Resistance operation to monitor these worlds while sabotaging Kylo’s battle fleet and commends Finn and Rose for their work. They sit before the desk. He goes on that the fruits of their long labor are about to be harvested, as these renegade ships are now delivered back to their worlds complete with their rebellious soldiers. All that the Resistance has accomplished is give the First Order a fleet full of hostages, which the Resistance falsely believes are part of Thrawn’s battle fleet.
He tells the duo that if the Resistance dares to interfere with the ceremony today that these hostages will be the first casualties they will incur. Rose says that the Resistance won’t throw their lives away on useless attacks, and Thrawn responds that they already did when they attacked the shipyards. He examines Rose’s medallion between his fingers, saying that it’s only half of a medallion from the Otomok system, a system blasted by the First Order. He knows that she, and many in the Resistance, are defined by those they’ve lost and would give their lives for even a chance of saving those they love. Finn bites back that Poe is smarter than that, and he will not only see through this deception, he will have a plan to save these crews. Thrawn says that he has given Poe a plan already, which he believes Poe will follow. Finn looks confused.
Thrawn seemingly changes the subject, pacing behind the table and musing about who will be sent to rescue Finn and Rose and the Knights of Ren. Surely they would send a few handpicked elites led by their champion in the Force, Rey. He half-turns, reconsidering. He says that perhaps this will not be so since their champion has lost all ability in the Force. Finn can’t help but look shocked, and Rose glances at him fearfully. It is too late. Thrawn smiles. He sees that this is news to Finn. He sees that if Rey didn’t deign to share this information with her closest friend, she would certainly not choose to share it with the rest of the Resistance. He thanks Finn for his help in this matter.
Finn demands to know what Rey’s abilities have to do with Thrawn’s little plan and the Grand Admiral responds that the Resistance is still caught up in the delusion of the Force. Those that cling to superstition and magic will see numerology as destiny, coincidence as fate. The Knights of the Twelve Systems will be lending their aid to the Resistance in their final hour, and with twelve rebellious planets at risk they will take the bait, dispersing these twelve fleets and shattering their strength before it is formed. These fleets may do the work of Thrawn for him, destroying the renegade soldiers in a devastating act of friendly fire. Furthermore, with the bulk of their strength wasted on these fronts, the Resistance will have only a single battered Star Destroyer and whatever squadrons they have managed to salvage with which to launch an attack on Thrawn’s entire battle fleet.
There is an alert from Hux telling Thrawn that they are bringing the Temple’s broadcast system online. He closes the holograms and moves to the door, Finn and Rose being taken by a squad of Death Troopers to their holding cells at the Temple. He says that he will eagerly await the final attack of the Resistance on board his ship, expressing sadness that he will not be present in Finn and Rose’s final moments. He returns the amulet to Rose, stating his sincere regret at her loss.
…
The interior of the Jedi Temple Archives has been turned into a massive communications hub, with satellite dishes and antennas welded to the graceful spires of the structure. People begin to gather on the colossal platform in front of the temple and to fill the stadium seats on the edges of the structure, ushered into place by legions of Stormtroopers in riot gear. At Hux’s command the generators rev into action and the broadcast system goes online, transmitting test signals to every civilized planet in the galaxy.