by Star Wars
“Yes, ma’am,” Eli said. He started to turn away, then stopped as she raised a finger.
“Navigator Vah’nya,” she said, lowering her voice to just above a whisper. “Tell me what exactly you promised her.”
Eli hesitated. But there was no way out of it. “She said that if the battle went against us she didn’t want herself or the other navigators to be captured by the Grysks.”
“I know. Did you promise to kill her?”
A capital crime. For an instant Eli considered denying it, or at least slanting the truth.
But this was Admiral Ar’alani. It would be useless to lie to her. “Yes, ma’am, I did.”
“How would you have done it?”
Eli looked straight back into her eyes. The glowing red eyes of a Chiss…the viewports into the heart and soul of a Chiss warrior. “I would have taken her and the others into an escape pod,” he said. “Along with as much explosive as I could gather. I would have waited until the pod had been taken aboard the warship, then detonated the explosives.”
“Thereby fulfilling your promise to Vah’nya and also taking as many of the enemy to their deaths alongside you as possible?”
The soul of a Chiss warrior…“Yes, Admiral.”
For a moment Ar’alani gazed at him. “You wish a command position,” she said. “You chafe under the analysis task I assigned you.”
Useless to lie…“Yes, ma’am, I do.”
“Do you know what it is you’re studying?”
“No, ma’am. I assume it has something to do with logistics or transfer operations.”
“No.” Ar’alani nodded across the bridge at Vah’nya. “You’re studying her.”
Eli felt his eyes go wide. “Vah’nya?”
“Vah’nya, Un’hee, and all the other Chiss navigators,” Ar’alani said. “You’re examining their histories, genetics, family flow, and everything else about them we could codify sufficiently to be reduced to numbers. You’re searching for a pattern—which Mitth’raw’nuruodo assured me you are quite good at—with the ultimate goal of anticipating where future navigators may arise and perhaps how to nurture more of them.”
She looked across at Vah’nya. “And if we are very fortunate, you may even unlock the secret of how Navigator Vah’nya has held on to Third Sight so long past the time when it usually fades.”
She looked back at Eli. “Does your assignment seem quite so insignificant now, Lieutenant Eli’van’to?”
“No, ma’am, it doesn’t,” Eli said, feeling like a fool. He should have known that Thrawn wouldn’t have sent him to Ar’alani and the Chiss without an exceptionally good reason. “My apologies, Admiral. I shouldn’t have questioned your orders, or my assignment.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” Ar’alani agreed. “I presume you will take that lesson to heart?”
“I will, Admiral.”
“Good.” Ar’alani gestured out the viewport. “I see the TIE Defenders have returned. You may start bringing them into the hangar bay and then arrange for their comfort.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Eli stiffened to attention. “Thank you, Admiral.”
“You are welcome.” Ar’alani inclined her head to him. “Carry on…Lieutenant Commander Eli’van’to.”
The Chimaera arrived at the site of the battle into an immense field of debris.
To Faro’s relief, the debris wasn’t from the Steadfast.
Though it was quickly clear the Chiss ship hadn’t exactly come through the battle unscathed. Its hull was mottled and blackened, with parts gone completely, and there were huge gouges in a couple of places where she remembered seeing laser clusters.
But the ship was alive and functional. More important, at least from an Imperial point of view, all twelve TIE Defenders had made it through unharmed.
“I’m afraid we haven’t been able to sift much from the wreckage,” Ar’alani said. She’d come over with the Defenders, riding in one of the Chiss shuttles, apparently with an eye toward delivering them personally to the Chimaera.
Faro had rather expected Eli Vanto to come over with her, if only for a last goodbye to his former commander. But aside from the shuttle crew, Ar’alani had come alone.
“We have saved a few of the more interesting pieces out for you, if you’d like them,” Ar’alani continued. “You are welcome to come over and look at the rest if you have time.”
“I’m afraid I don’t,” Thrawn said. “But I will accept the pieces you’ve brought for my later study.”
“I will instruct my shuttle crew to unload them before I depart,” Ar’alani said. “I believe you will find two of the pieces to be particularly interesting. Both appear to be sections of artwork.”
Thrawn’s eyes narrowed. “Indeed. Artwork of Grysk origin?”
“Unknown,” Ar’alani said. “Perhaps you will be able to identify the source.”
“I will look forward to examining them,” Thrawn said. “If they aren’t Grysk, they are at least artworks that some Grysk warrior found interesting or pleasing. Even that much will be useful.”
“I pray your study bears fruit,” Ar’alani said. “We will need all possible assistance if we are to prevail against them.”
“I will do whatever I can,” Thrawn promised.
Faro suppressed a grimace. Whatever I can. Did that promise include activities or assistance in direct opposition to his oath to the navy and the Empire?
Thrawn had proven that Savit was a traitor. Was his relationship with Ar’alani and the Chiss taking him along a dangerously similar path?
And if he was, even if it was for the best of reasons or intentions, would it be Faro’s duty to call him on it?
“Tell me of Lieutenant Vanto,” Thrawn said. “Has his study achieved success?”
“Not yet,” Ar’alani said. “But he continues with determination. If success is possible, I have no doubt he will be the one to achieve it.” She cocked her head. “You haven’t asked about his role in the battle.”
“The safe return of my TIE Defenders suggests his role was a positive one.”
“It was indeed,” Ar’alani said. “My official report will feature Lieutenant Commander Eli’van’to most prominently.”
Thrawn’s lips might have twitched in a small smile at Vanto’s new rank. Faro couldn’t tell for sure. “I’m glad my faith in him was not misplaced,” he said. “And now, since you speak of reports, it is time for Assistant Director Ronan to make his. Commodore Faro, if you will summon him to the bridge?”
“Yes, sir,” Faro said, pulling out her comlink.
“Then I take my leave, Mitth’raw’nuruodo,” Ar’alani said with a nod. “A safe voyage to you.”
“Another moment of your time, if you please,” Thrawn said. “I should like you to be here until the assistant director has finished his report.”
Ar’alani frowned. “I have my duties, Admiral.”
“You may soon find those duties to be slightly expanded,” Thrawn told her. “Commodore? Assistant Director Ronan, if you please.”
* * *
—
Thrawn and Faro were waiting by the aft bridge comm station when Ronan arrived.
So, to his surprise, was Admiral Ar’alani.
“Admiral,” Ronan greeted Thrawn cautiously, throwing a speculative look at Ar’alani. “You asked me to join you?”
“The TIE Defenders have returned from their service to Admiral Ar’alani,” Thrawn said. “The Grysk task force has been obliterated, and with it this particular threat to the Empire.”
“That’s good news,” Ronan said, keeping his tone neutral. The threat was gone…but the price of that victory had been collusion with alien forces.
“Very good news,” Thrawn agreed. “I understand that Captain Boulag is returning Grand Admiral Savit to Coruscant for an inquiry, with the Mist
hunter as escort, and that Captain Lochry and the Stormbird are proceeding to Aloxor to supervise operations against the pirates who were complicit with him in the thefts.”
He raised his eyebrows. “As time is growing short, I thought it would be useful for you to take this opportunity to deliver your report to Director Krennic and Grand Moff Tarkin.” He gestured to the comm display.
Ronan felt his lip twitch. He’d assumed he would have some more breathing space to figure out how exactly to present this whole thing to Director Krennic.
Apparently, Thrawn thought otherwise.
“Captain Lochry told me the HoloNet didn’t work in this system,” he said, stalling for time. “Don’t we need to travel back to the transfer point?”
“Captain Lochry was mistaken,” Thrawn said. “I received his transmission. I merely declined to answer.”
Ronan frowned. “Why? All he wanted was for you to confirm my identity.”
“Which I did not wish to do,” Thrawn said. “I needed him to send you to Grand Admiral Savit, so that you would be present to witness his confession.”
He reached to the comm board. “They await you.” He tapped a switch.
Two of the displays lit up: one with Tarkin, the other with Director Krennic. “Assistant Director Ronan,” Tarkin said smoothly. “Grand Admiral Thrawn tells me you’re ready to deliver your report on the lost supply ships.” His eyes bored into Ronan’s face. “And to tell us whether or not Admiral Thrawn fulfilled the terms of his bargain.”
“I am,” Ronan said, his thoughts skidding like an insect on ice. Ar’alani, standing outside the cam’s view but watching him closely. Faro, also out of view, watching him with equal intensity. Thrawn, standing beside him, awaiting his word on whether his Defender project would rise or fall.
Thrawn, colluding with an alien government and using Imperial resources to assist an alien military. Treason?
The Defenders themselves, apparently pivotal in the defeat of another alien threat to the Empire. A useful, even vital project?
Grand Admiral Savit’s threat to Stardust, identified and eliminated. Success?
But it was all mental gymnastics. Ronan had long since decided what truly mattered, and knew what he had to say.
“I regret to inform you,” he said, “that Grand Admiral Thrawn has failed his part of the bargain.”
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Faro stir as if to speak, then subside at a small hand motion from Thrawn. “The stipulation was that he would destroy the grallocs harassing the shipping vessels,” Ronan continued. “He did not succeed in doing that.”
“Really,” Tarkin said, eyeing Ronan closely. “I was given to understand that with the arrest of Grand Admiral Savit, the problems with the Stardust shipping had been resolved.”
“Irrelevant to the terms of the agreement,” Ronan said firmly.
“And what of your reports that he was in contact with alien military forces?” Director Krennic asked.
It was a crucial question, Ronan knew. A potentially devastating one. But he also knew it was reflexive, a response to the reports Ronan had sent, and that Director Krennic didn’t really care about the answer. Ronan’s final report had eliminated the possibility that any of Stardust’s funding would be lost to Thrawn’s Defenders, and that was all the director cared about.
“Those contacts turned out to be minor and of no importance,” Ronan said. “My final report will describe them in detail.” A report that, if fully truthful, would once again bring the treason question back to the forefront.
But only if anyone read it. Ronan had dealt with enough bureaucracy to know how to file a report that would all but guarantee that no one ever would.
“I will look forward to it,” Tarkin said. Another automatic response, Ronan knew, with no real determination or interest behind it. He’d lost this latest bid to wrest Stardust from Director Krennic’s control, had accepted his defeat with his usual ill grace coated with surface politeness, and would now move on to his next ploy. “Admiral Thrawn, have you anything to say in rebuttal?”
Beside Ronan, Thrawn stirred. “No,” he said.
“Then I’m afraid I have no choice but to rule in Director Krennic’s favor,” Tarkin said. “But rest assured I will continue to speak to the Emperor on your behalf. Lord Vader, too, has expressed interest in the Defenders. I have no doubt that once Stardust has been completed and additional funding becomes available, your project will be a priority.”
“Thank you,” Thrawn said. “Regarding Stardust, may I make a suggestion?”
Director Krennic’s eyes narrowed, just slightly. “I would be interested in hearing it,” he said warily.
“Considering the importance of the project, it occurs to me that as the moment of activation approaches it may come under heightened scrutiny and potential attack, both from without and within.”
“What exactly are you suggesting, Admiral?” Director Krennic asked, an edge of warning in his voice. “My assistant directors and senior officers are all completely loyal to the Empire.”
“I do not suggest otherwise,” Thrawn said calmly. “Yet an enemy could potentially find a way aboard where he could create serious problems.”
“My security arrangements—”
“What do you suggest, Admiral?” Tarkin interrupted.
“I submit that there is one person in the Empire who would not only recognize all threats to Stardust, but also have the capability to deal with them,” Thrawn said. “My suggestion is that Lord Vader be assigned to watch over the project until at least the first shakedown cruise.”
Director Krennic gave a small snort. “I hardly think that necessary.”
“An excellent idea,” Tarkin said smoothly. “I will most certainly submit it to the Emperor at my earliest convenience.”
“Thank you,” Thrawn said. “If we are finished, I have received word that the situation on Lothal has become critical. I must return there immediately.”
“So I’ve also heard,” Tarkin said, his expression hardening. “With command of the Third Fleet in disarray, I’ve ordered the Harbinger to accompany you.” His expression cracked in a small smile. “I have no doubt Captain Pellaeon’s presence will be unnecessary to your final victory against this current rebel activity, but he may prove useful to you.”
“Thank you again,” Thrawn said. “Director Krennic, I will return Assistant Director Ronan to you at his earliest convenience.”
“Thank you, Admiral Thrawn,” Director Krennic said. “I’ll look forward to working with you in the future.” He reached offscreen, and his image disappeared.
Which was, Ronan knew, a lie. Given Thrawn’s participation in this latest of Tarkin’s schemes, no matter how innocently the grand admiral might have been drawn into it, Director Krennic would never trust him again.
“I’ll return you to your duties now, Admiral,” Tarkin said. “And look forward to the report of further successes at Lothal.” Tarkin reached offscreen.
And just before his image vanished Ronan thought he saw a small, satisfied smile.
“Commodore Faro, return to the bridge and contact the Harbinger,” Thrawn said. “Coordinate with Captain Pellaeon for a rendezvous at Lothal.”
“Yes, sir.” For a long moment, Faro’s eyes lingered on Ronan’s face, eyes that said clearly and passionately that she wanted him dead, and not only dead but dead in the most lingering and painful way possible. Then, finally, she turned, keeping her eyes on Ronan’s as long as she could, and strode under the archway separating the aft bridge from the bridge and headed for the comm station.
“You’ll make arrangements at once to return me to Stardust?” Ronan asked. Faro’s departure had left him alone with Thrawn and Ar’alani, and after that death-wish look from the commodore he was suddenly feeling uneasy about being alone with a pair of aliens.
“Yes,” Thrawn said. “If you wish to return.”
Ronan frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You heard Grand Moff Tarkin,” Thrawn said. “He is going to recommend that Lord Vader be assigned to Stardust. There, he will work closely with you.”
“And with Director Krennic and a hundred others,” Ronan said. “What’s your point?”
“My point, Assistant Director,” Thrawn said quietly, “is that you may hide your contempt for the Emperor from Director Krennic and those hundred people you mention. But you will not be able to hide it from Lord Vader.”
A fist seemed to close around Ronan’s heart. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he protested reflexively.
“Of course you do,” Thrawn said. “You have three choices. You may return to Director Krennic and hope you can hide your true feelings from Lord Vader. Or you may resign from Stardust and travel as far away from the project as you can.”
Ronan grimaced. Only he couldn’t. The mere suggestion that someone at his level wanted to leave would raise warning signals all the way to Wild Space and back. He would be taken in and questioned…and the end result would be the same.
Which he had no doubt Thrawn knew perfectly well. “And my third choice?” he asked between stiff lips.
“You travel with Admiral Ar’alani to the Chiss Ascendancy.”
Ronan felt his mouth drop open. “What? Why in the galaxy would I do that?”
“Because you’ve seen the threat the Grysks pose to the galaxy,” Thrawn said. “Because you have worked with many non-human species, and your insights into how others think and act could be of great value in the coming conflict.” His eyes seemed to bore into Ronan’s. “Because if you remain within the boundaries of the Empire you will eventually be hunted down and killed.”
Ronan looked at Ar’alani. As far as he knew she couldn’t speak any Basic. But the expression on her face made it perfectly clear that she understood what was going on. “You’re insane,” he said, turning back to Thrawn. “I’m loyal to the Empire. Any questioning—any interrogation—will confirm that.”
