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In the EU, General Garm Bel Iblis dreamed of finding the Katana Fleet and the 200 slave-rigged Dreadnaughts that were lost. He managed to get six in a small strike force that hit the Empire here and there.

Then Thrawn got the location of them and most of the remaining ships. But what if Bel Iblis found their location earlier? Certainly, as a mercenary, saying "I have the Dark Force" is more impressive than saying "I have six old patrol cruisers." So, what if immediately prior to the Thrawn Trilogy, he completes the refit of his final DN? Obviously he's heading back for a somewhat triumphant return to the Republic (and with pride more intact than in original canon).

So how does he affect the war, this time with balance subtly shifted to the side of the Republic?

It's a rather huge leap to go from 6 to 200 ships, even with the salve rig each needed 2000 men. I really doubt he could crew and refit the whole force without being noticed much earlier.

I know, I know. It's a bit (well, more than a bit) of a leap.

400,000 Corelians could probably be found to join up based on his reputation.

If he didn't have the manpower, he could still turn up at Coruscant and say

"Hey, I've got these 200 dreadnoughts that need crews. How about making me an Admiral or maybe Generalissimus?"

He could've set a trap for Thrawn's forces at the Dark Fleet showdown. The Peremptory would show up along with Judicator, expecting to capture 200 long-abandoned Dreadnaughts and BAM! is suddenly blow to bits when all 200 open fire on it.

That isn't certain, remember, there were only fifteen Dreadnaughts left at thetime of the showdown, and we don't know what forces Thrawn sent for the initial recon.