by Timothy Zahn
"Did we get the gravity projector, by the way?" Car'das asked. "I never heard one way or the other."
Thrawn nodded. "It was collapsed and spark-welded to the outside of the hull just before we made our jump. All six of the fighters escaped, as well."
Car'das shook his head. "We were lucky."
"We had a good leader," Maris corrected. "The Vagaari are going to be very unhappy about this."
"Good," Thrawn said evenly. "Perhaps they'll be angry enough to make an overt move against the Chiss Ascendancy."
Car'das frowned. "Are you saving you weretrying to goad them into an attack?"
"I was trying to obtain a gravity projector," Thrawn said. "Other consequences will be dealt with if and when they occur."
Car'das looked sideways at the medics and assistants working on the other casualties. "Of course," he murmured.
"Meanwhile, our focus must be to return to Crustai with all possible speed," Thrawn continued. "We need more complete medical assistance for our wounded, and to begin repairs to our vessels."
"And in the meantime, you probably need some more rest," Maris added, touching Car'das's arm and nodding toward the door. "We'll see you later, Commander."
"Yes," Thrawn said, his eyes turning to glowing red slits behind sagging eyelids. "And I'm sure you were right, Car'das. I imagine Qennto will be sorry he missed all the excitement."
They arrived at the base to discover that Qennto had far more pressing matters on his mind than missed adventures.
"I'll kill her," the big man promised blackly as he glared at Maris and Car'das through the slotted plastic door of his cell. "I ever get her alone, Iswear I'll kill her."
"Just calm down," Maris soothed, her tone a mixture of patience and understanding. It was a combination she seemed to use a lot with Qennto. "Tell us what happened."
"She tried to rob me-that'swhat happened," Qennto bit out. "You were both there. Thrawnspecifically told us we could pick some of the loot from the pirate ship in payment for language lessons. Right?"
"More or less," Maris agreed cautiously. "Unfortunately, Admiral Ar'alani outranks him."
"I don't care if she's the local deity," Qennto shot back. "That stuff I picked out wasours. She had no business trying to take it away."
"And of course, you told her so," Car'das murmured.
"I'd watch my mouth if I were you, kid," Qennto warned, glaring at him. "You may be teacher's pethere, but it's a long way back to civilization."
"So what happened to your collection?" Maris asked.
"Shewas going to take all of it with her," Qennto said, letting his glare linger on Car'das a couple of seconds longer before turning back to Maris. "Luckily for me, that other Chiss-that Syndic Mitth-whatever-"
"Thrawn's brother," Maris interjected.
Qennto's eyes widened. "No kidding? Anyway, he decided he needed to hear Thrawn's version first, so he made her leave it behind. But thenshe insisted it be put under prescribed seal, whatever the fizz that means."
"So bottom line is. .?" Car'das asked.
"Bottom line is that it's locked away somewhere," Qennto growled. "And according to Syndic Mitth-whatever, even Thrawn can't get it out."
"We'll check with him," Maris promised. "Incidentally, it's notSyndic Mitth-whatever. It's Syndic Mitthrassafis."
"Yeah, sure," Qennto said. "So go talk to Thrawn, already. While you're at it, see if you can get me out of here."
"Sure," Maris said. "Come on, Jorj. Let's see if the commander's accepting company."
At first the guard outside Thrawn's quarters was reluctant to even inquire as to whether the commander would see them. But Maris eventually persuaded him to ask, and a minute later they were standing at his bedside.
"Yes, I saw Thrass's report," he said when Maris had outlined the situation. He still looked weak, but definitely stronger than he had back aboard theSpringhawk. "Captain Qennto needs to learn how to control his temper."
"Captain Qennto needs to learn how to control more that that," Maris said ruefully. "But being locked up has never done him any good before, and it's not likely to do anything now. Can you get him released?"
"Yes, if you'll warn him about disrespecting Chiss command officers," Thrawn said. "Perhaps we should simply lock him up whenever one is on the base."
"Wouldn't be a bad idea," Maris agreed. "Thank you."
"What about the items your brother had sealed away?"
Car'das asked. "Qennto will be impossible to live with until he gets them back."
"Then it's time he began developing patience," Thrawn said. "A syndic of the Eighth Ruling Family has declared it sealed against a command officer's claim of possession. It cannot be unsealed until Admiral Ar'alani returns to present her arguments."
"When will that be?" Car'das asked.
"Whenever she so chooses, but probably not until the Vagaari treasure ship has been examined and its systems and equipment analyzed. She'll want to be present for that."
"But that could take months," Car'das protested. "We can't stay here that long."
"And we can't go back without the extra goods to placate our clients," Maris added.
"I understand," Thrawn said. "But it truly is out of my hands."
Behind Car'das, the door slid open. He turned, expecting to see one of the medics
"So warriors' fortune has finally failed you," Syndic Mitth'ras'safis said as he strode into the room.
"Welcome," Thrawn said, beckoning him in. "Please; come in."
"We need to speak, Thrawn," Mitth'ras'safis said, eyeing Car'das and Maris as he stepped to the other side of his brother's bed. "Alone."
"You need not fear their presence," Thrawn assured him. "Nothing said will be repeated outside this room."
"That's not the point," Mitth'ras'safis said. "We have Chiss business to discuss, which is none of their concern."
"Perhaps not now," Thrawn said. "But in the future, who knows?"
Mitth'ras'safis eyes narrowed. "Meaning. .?"
Thrawn shook his head. "You're gifted in many ways, my brother," he said. "But you have yet to develop the farsightedness you will need to survive the intrigues and conflicts of political life." He gestured toward Car'das and Maris. "We have been granted a rare opportunity: the chance to meet and interact with members of a vast but hitherto unknown political entity, people with insights and thoughts different from our own."
"Is that why you insist on bringing them along even when giving an admiral an official tour?" Mitth'ras'safis asked, eyeing Car'das doubtfully. "You think their thoughts will be of value?"
"All thoughts are worth listening to, whether later judged to be of value or not," Thrawn said. "But equally important are the social and intellectual bonds we are building between us. Someday, our Ascendancy and their Republic will make contact, and the friends and potential allies we create now may well define what direction that contact will take."
He looked at Car'das and Maris in turn. "I imagine both of them have already come to that same conclusion, though of course from their own point of view."
Car'das looked at Maris. Her slightly twisted lip was all the answer he needed. "Yes, actually, we have," he admitted.
"You see?" Thrawn said. "Already we understand each other, at least to a small extent."
"Maybe," Mitth'ras'safis said doubtfully.
"But you came here with specific business to discuss," Thrawn reminded him. "May my guests call you Thrass, by the way?"
"Absolutely not," Mitth'ras'safis said stiffly. He looked at Maris, and his expression softened a little. "Though I understand you saved my brother's life," he added reluctantly.
"I was glad I could help, Syndic Mitthrassafis," Maris said in Cheunh.
Mitth'ras'safis snorted and looked at Thrawn, and the hint of a wry smile finally touched his lips. "They reallyaren't very good at it, are they?"
"You could try Minnisiat," Thrawn offered. "They speak that better than they do Cheunh. Or you could use Sy Bisti, which I believe
you also know."
"Yes," Mitth'ras'safis said, switching to an oddly accented Sy Bisti. "If that would be easier."
"Actually, we'd prefer you stick with Cheunh, if you don't mind," Car'das said in that language. "We could use the practice."
"That you could," Mitth'ras'safis said. He hesitated, then inclined his head. "And since you were both instrumental in saving my brother's life. . I suppose it would be all right for you to call me Thrass."
Maris bowed her head. "Thank you. We're honored by your acceptance."
"I just don't want to keep hearing my name mispronounced." Thrass turned back to Thrawn. "Now," he said, his tone hardening again. "What exactly do you think you're doing?"
"The job for which I was commissioned," Thrawn replied. "I'm protecting the Ascendancy from its enemies."
"Itsenemies," Thrass said, leaning on the word. "Notpotential enemies. Do you hear the difference?"
"Yes," Thrawn said. "And no."
Thrass lifted a hand, let it slap against his thigh. "Let me be honest, Thrawn," he said. "The Eighth Ruling Family is not happy with you."
"They sent you all the way here to tell me that?"
"This isn't a joking matter," Thrass bit out. "That pirate treasure ship was bad enough. But this last escapade was far and away over all the lines. And right under an admiral's nose, too."
"The Vagaari aren't pirates, Thrass," Thrawn said, his voice low and earnest. "They're a completely nomadic species-hundreds of thousands of them, perhaps millions. And sooner or later, theywill reach the Ascendancy's borders."
"Fine," Thrass said. "When they do, we'll destroy them."
"But why wait until then?" Thrawn pressed. "Why leave our backs turned while millions of other beings are forced to suffer?"
"The philosophical answer is thatwe don't force anyone to suffer," Thrass countered. "The practical answer is that we can't defend the entire galaxy."
"I'm not asking to defend the entire galaxy."
"Really? And where would you have us stop?" Thrass gestured toward the wall. "Ten light-years beyond our borders? A hundred? A thousand?"
"I agree we can't protect the entire galaxy," Thrawn said. "But it's foolhardy to always permit our enemies to choose the time and place of battle."
Thrass sighed. "Thrawn, you can't continue to push the lines this way," he said. "Peaceful watchfulness is the Chiss way, and the Nine Ruling Families won't stand by forever while you ignore basic military doctrine. More to the point, the Eighth Family has made it clear that they'll release you before they permit your actions to damage their standing."
"We were both born as commoners," Thrawn reminded him. "I can live that way again if I have to." His lips tightened briefly. "But I'll do what I can to assure that the Eighth Family doesn't release or rematch you on my account."
"I'm not worried about my own position," Thrass said stiffly.
"I'm trying to keep my brother from throwing away a fine and honorable career for nothing."
Thrawn's eyes took on a distant look. "If I do throw it away," he said quietly, "I guarantee that itwon't be for nothing."
For a long moment the two brothers gazed at each other in silence. Then Thrass sighed. "I don't understand you, Thrawn," he said. "I'm not sure I ever have."
"Then just trust me," Thrawn suggested.
Thrass shook his head. "I can trust you only as far as the Nine Ruling Families do," he said. "And that trust is strained to the breaking point. This latest incident. ." He shook his head again.
"Do you have to tell them?" Maris spoke up.
"With four warriors dead?" Thrass countered, turning his glowing eyes on her. "How do I keep that a secret?"
"It was a reconnaissance mission that got out of hand," Maris said. "Commander Thrawn didn't go there with any intention of fighting."
"Any mission to that region would have been pushing the lines," Thrass told her heavily. "Still, I can try to frame it in those terms." He looked back at Thrawn. "But it may be that nothing I say will make any difference. Action was taken, and deaths ensued. That may be all the Ruling Families will care about."
"I know you'll do what you can," Thrawn said
"But is what Ican do the same as what Ishould do?" Thrass asked. "It would seem that protecting you from the consequences of self-destructive decisions merely gives you freedom to make more of them. Is that really the best way to serve my brother and my family?"
"I know whatmy answer would be," Thrawn said. "But you must find the answer for yourself."
"Perhaps someday," Thrass said. "In the meantime, I have a report to prepare." He gave Thrawn a resigned look. "And a brother to protect."
"You must do what you feel right," Thrawn said. "But you don't know these Vagaari. I do. And Iwill defeat them, no matter what the cost."
Thrass shook his head and went back to the door. There he stopped, his hand over the control "Has it ever occurred to you," he said, not turning around, "that attacks like yours might actuallyprovoke beings like the Vagaari to move against us? That if we simply left them alone, they might never become any threat to the Ascendancy at all?"
"No, I've never had any such thoughts," Thrawn replied evenly.
Thrass sighed. "I didn't think so. Good night, Thrawn." Tapping the control to open the door, he left the room.
Chapter 12
There," C'baoth said, pointing through the viewport as their transport came around the curve of Yaga Minor. "You see it?"
"Yes," Lorana said as she gazed at the massive object hanging in low orbit over the planet. Six of the brand-new Dreadnaught warships, arranged in a hexagon pattern around a central storage core, the whole thing tied together by a series of massive turbolift pylons. "It's quite impressive."
"It's more than just impressive," C'baoth said gravely. "Therein lies the future of the galaxy."
Lorana stole a furtive glance at him. For the past three weeks, ever since her official elevation from Padawan to full Jedi Knight, C'baoth had been showing a marked change in attitude. He spoke with her more often and at greater length, asking her opinion on politics and other matters, opening up to her as if to a full equal.
It was gratifying, even flattering. But at the same time, it stirred some uncomfortable feelings. Just as he'd expected so much of her as his Padawan, it seemed that he now expected her to suddenly have all the wisdom, experience, and power of a seasoned, experienced Jedi.
This trip to Yaga Minor was just one more example. Out of the clear and cloudless sky he'd invited her to come along with him to observe the final stages of preparation. It would have been more fitting, in her opinion, for him to invite Master Yoda or one of the other Council members to see him off on his historic journey.
But instead he'd chosen her.
"The crew and families are already aboard, stowing their gear and making final preparations," C'baoth continued. "So are most of the Jedi who'll be accompanying us, though two or three are still on their way. You'll want to meet them all before we leave, of course."
"Of course," Lorana said automatically, feeling her muscles tense as a horrible thought suddenly occurred to her. "When you say we, Master C'baoth, who exactly-I mean-"
"Don't flounder, Jedi Jinzler," C'baoth reproved her mildly. "A Jedi's words, like a Jedi's thoughts, must always be clear and confident. If you have a question, ask it."
"Yes, Master C'baoth." Lorana braced herself. "When you say, we. . are you expecting me to come with you on Outbound Flight?"
"Of course," he said, frowning at her. "Why else do you think I recommended your elevation to Jedi Knighthood so soon?"
A familiar tightness wrapped itself around Lorana's chest. "I thought it was because I was ready."
"Obviously, you were," C'baoth said. "But you still have much to learn. Here, aboard Outbound Flight, I'll have the necessary time to teach you."
"But I can't go," Lorana protested, her brain skittering around desperately for something to say. She didn't want to leave the Republic and the galaxy.
Certainly not with so much work here to be done. "I haven't made any preparations, I haven't asked permission from the Jedi Council-"
"The Council has granted me whatever I need," C'baoth cut in tartly. "As for preparations, what sort of preparations does a Jedi need?"
Lorana clamped her teeth firmly together. How could he have made such a decision without even consulting her? "Master C'baoth, I appreciate your offer. But I'm not sure-"
"It's not an offer, Jedi Jinzler," C'baoth interrupted. "You're a Jedi now. You go wherever the Council chooses to send you."