"The Path of Anger" is the second episode of the anthology animated television series Star Wars: Tales of the Empire. The episode was directed by Steward Lee, written by Amanda Rose Muñoz, and aired on May 4, 2024.
Morgan is approached by a potentially powerful ally.
The episode opens with an Imperial I-class Star Destroyer and four smaller Venator-class Star Destroyers approaching Coruscant. Aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer, Morgan Elsbeth promotes her TIE/d "Defender" Multi-Role Starfighter to several Imperial Navy officers, telling them that they are more manoeuvrable, have better fuel consumption and better deflector shields. Moff Isdain opines that the costs are astronomical and asks about the feasibility of their production.
Elsbeth replies that her factory base is on Corvus, a planet rich in raw goods and materials. She says that the is rich in resources. Isdain declines her proposal, explaining that the Empire is more interested in exploiting these systems' resources and that they were never interested in her starfighter proposal. Isdain suggests she return to Corvus and prepare for the Galactic Empire's revival. Elsbeth is disappointed but maintains her resolve.
Shortly later, an Imperial Navy officer named Gilad Pellaeon complements her work, noticing that she has changed the TIE design's engine manifold. Elsbeth explains that the interior twin ion engines are inefficient for the amount of power that the TIE Defender needs, saying it is simple logic. Elsbeth is concerned that the Empire is going to steal her designs and resources. Pellaeon responds that he is interested in her knowledge and creativity.
Pellaeon explains that his superior sent him to these meetings to search for talent. He then asks why Elsbeth wants to land her talents and vision to the Empire. She replies it is for the glory of the Empire. Pellaeon thanks the Magistrate before leaving.
A starship with a fixed wing lands in the Corvus settlement of Calodan. Elsbeth exits the starship where she met by several villagers including Wing, who ask about the success of her mission. Elsbeth explains that the meeting did not succeed because the Empire is only interested in their resources rather than bringing them work and prosperity. Wing confronts Elsbeth about her promise that the Empire would make things better for them. She counters that when she found their village they were nothing but a rotting backwater world. She reminds them that she built their fortifications and strengthened them to run their systems.
An Aqualish grumbles that they let Elsbeth run their lives. He says that they worked for that success. A woman says that she promised them wealth and they sacrificed for her. When the Aqualish accuses Elsbeth of lying, she counters that everything comes with a cost. HK-87 assassin droids escort Elsbeth to as the villagers respond with anger and denounce her as a witch.
Later that night, Elsbeth says she is hurt that the people have turned on her after what she has done for them. She renounces them as her people, regarding them as ungrateful. Shortly later, Elsbeth and her HK-87 guard are attacked by the Noghri assassin Rukh, who cuts down the droid with his electrostaff. Elsbeth fights back with her beskar spear. The two battle on top of the battlements but neither side are able to gain the upper hand.
Below, the villagers watch. A woman suggests calling the guards but Wing overrules her. Following a prolonged fight, Rukh knocks the spear out of Elsbeth's hands. Before he can deliver a killing blow, she dodges him and pushes his weapon away. Retrieving her spear, she fights Rukh in a second round and knocks his electrostaff out of her hand. Elsbeth demands to know who sent him at spear point. Rukh maintains a defiant silence.
Pelleaon arrives and compliments Elsbeth for her combat skills. He apologizes for the theatrics, saying that the Empire wanted to be sure she could handle herself. Pellaeon dismisses Rukh, who departs with a grunt. Elsbeth asks if she was testing him. Pellaeon then leaves but not before ushering his superior Admiral Thrawn. Thrawn says that Elsbeth is one of the last Nightsisters and was curious about her skills.
Elsbeth offers to display her combat skills. Thrawn says that his interest is based on admiration and ambition. When Elsbeth asks who she is, he introduces himself as Admiral Thrawn. He explains that Pellaeon had informed him about her presentation and how she was upended by Moff Isdain. Elsbeth and Isdain agree that Isdain is short-sighted. Thrawn describes the Empire as a magnificent construct with vulnerabilities. While many of his colleagues think on a grand scale, they overlook small problems which fester into big ones. Thrawn seeks Elsbeth's help in combating the growing Rebellion.
When Elsbeth complains the Empire is only interested in exploiting Corvus's resources, Thrawn agrees this is short-sighted. While her designs are brilliant, he says they are not cost-effective. Thrawn says that the Empire trades lives for profits, which he predicts will create a weak and disillusioned military. Thrawn says this will lead to decline. Elsbeth asks why should they care about Imperial decline. Thrawn responds that Elsbeth lied about being motivated by Imperial glory. He says some like Isdain are motivated by greed, others by power, and all by ambitions of power.
Thrawn asks Elsbeth why she seeks Imperial favor. Hearing the angry roar of the crowd, Elsbeth says that she is motivated by revenge. She explains that her people experienced genocide years ago, causing their culture and beliefs to fade. Elsbeth says that she seeks power to destroy their enemies, adding that her anger gives her strength. She offers this strength to the Empire. Thrawn accepts the offer.
Gazing at the three Star Destroyers hovering above, Elsbeth asks if this is Isdain's fleet. Thrawn replies this is a portion of her fleet. Wing and the other villagers regard the arrival of the Imperial fleet as a sign of Elsbeth's victory. Elsbeth smiles as she gazes into the night sky.