by Timothy Zahn
Vader gazed at the Chiss, feeling the dark irony deep within him. “So you who have never hidden your contempt for the Republic’s handling of the Clone Wars now stand on the edge of your own civil war?”
“Or have already taken our first steps into it,” Thrawn said. “If one side is already under the control of the Grysks…” He shook his head. “Your earlier thought was perhaps closer to the mark than you knew. Perhaps the true purpose of closing the border is to prevent me from bringing the Empire against them.”
It was, Vader thought, an intensely arrogant suggestion. Still, having seen Thrawn’s abilities, he could well believe that someone would want to keep him away from their plans. “What do you intend to do about it?”
“Meaning?”
“Time is likely critical for your people,” Vader said. “Will you turn your back on the Emperor and take the Chimaera to your worlds to assist in their survival?”
“I hardly think that would be possible,” Thrawn said, turning back to face him. “You, certainly, would oppose such a decision.”
“Do you expect me to believe that a tactician of your skill has not yet thought of a way to kill me?”
Another faint smile. “I have, in fact, thought of three ways.” The smile faded. “I pledged myself to serve the Emperor, Lord Vader, just as I once pledged to assist Anakin Skywalker. Someday, I will indeed return to my people. But not until the threats to the Empire have been dealt with.”
For a long moment, they stood together in silence. Vader thought about his secret…about Thrawn’s loyalty…about the Emperor’s continued need for him. Perhaps the entire Empire’s need for him…“Anakin Skywalker is dead,” he said.
Thrawn lowered his head. “I know.”
Vader nodded slowly. I know. Not So I have heard. Not So I was informed. But I know. “We will not speak of him again,” he said. “You will not speak of him again.”
“I understand, my lord,” Thrawn said. “But I will always honor his legacy.”
For another moment Vader was silent. “I am told you believe the navy should focus on small fighter craft.”
A flicker of something crossed Thrawn’s face. “I do, my lord.”
“The Defender is an excellent ship,” Vader said. “I will speak to the Emperor on behalf of the project.” He raised a finger. “But it needs to be faster, and more heavily armed.” He considered. “The controls, too, should also be made simpler. Not all Imperial pilots are as capable as Captain Skerris.”
“Or as you yourself,” Thrawn said, inclining his head. “Excellent suggestions. I will transmit those instructions to the Lothal facility upon our return to Coruscant.”
“Good,” Vader said. “Are we done here?”
Thrawn lowered his head in a respectful bow. “Yes, Lord Vader,” he said. “We are done.”
For all those who’ve ever wondered if they were teamed up with the wrong person…
OTHER STAR WARS BOOKS BY TIMOTHY ZAHN
STAR WARS: Heir to the Empire
STAR WARS: Dark Force Rising
STAR WARS: The Last Command
STAR WARS: The Hand of Thrawn, Book 1: Specter of the Past
STAR WARS: The Hand of Thrawn, Book 2: Vision of the Future
STAR WARS: Survivor’s Quest
STAR WARS: Outbound Flight
STAR WARS: Allegiance
STAR WARS: Choices of One
STAR WARS: Scoundrels
STAR WARS: Thrawn
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TIMOTHY ZAHN is the author of fifty-six novels, over a hundred short stories and novelettes, and five short-fiction collections. In 1984, he won the Hugo Award for best novella. Zahn is best known for his Star Wars novels (Thrawn, Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command, Specter of the Past, Vision of the Future, Survivor’s Quest, Outbound Flight, Allegiance, Choices of One, and Scoundrels) with more than eight million copies of his books in print. Other books include StarCraft: Evolution, the Cobra series, the Quadrail series, and the young adult Dragonback series. Zahn has a BS in physics from Michigan State University and an MS from the University of Illinois. He lives with his family on the Oregon coast.
Facebook.com/TimothyZahn
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