Alliances (Star Wars: Thrawn, #2)(121)

Thrawn’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean.” Vader gestured toward the bulkhead and the galaxy beyond it. “I saw the ship, Admiral. The ship that escaped from the battle.” He paused, but Thrawn didn’t respond. “I presume from your silence that you saw it, as well. It was a courier ship.

“A Chiss courier ship.”

“Perhaps you were mistaken,” Thrawn said.

“No,” Vader said flatly. “There is more. The personal cloaking device worn by the Grysks. Identical in function to that used by your assassin Rukh. I submit they are all of Chiss design.”

For another moment Thrawn remained silent. Then he took a slow, measured breath. “Yes,” he said. “Though ironically such devices are of no use to our own people. Yes, it was a Chiss shuttle you saw, my lord. But my message to the Grysks, and its importance to the Empire, still remain.”

“Do they?” Vader countered. “Was your message to warn the Grysks away from the Empire? Or was it a warning to whatever group of Chiss are working with them that you are aware of their presence?”

Thrawn smiled faintly. But Vader could sense the pain behind the smile. “Why can it not be both?”

“Was it both?”

Thrawn turned away. “There were stirrings of political conflict when I left my people for the Empire those many years ago,” he said. “I assumed the Aristocras would settle their differences, as they have so many times before. This time, perhaps they could not. Or perhaps the Grysks have made deeper inroads into our culture than I’d hoped.”

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.”