Alliances (Star Wars: Thrawn, #2)(73)

“We’ve got this one,” Kimmund said. “As per Admiral Thrawn’s orders, go ahead and dust it.”

“Yes, sir.”

And as Kimmund and the rest of the squad ducked into the enemy ship, following the blazing lightsaber ahead of them, he felt a tight smile pinching at his cheeks. Let the Grysks try to destroy all the data and evidence this time. Let them just try.

They did indeed try. They didn’t succeed.



* * *



—

The curves on the left half of the helmet denote a people of grace, likely with a close affinity to the air and sea creatures of their world. The right side of the helmet has been distorted and defaced by metal tools, the colored sections coming under special attention. More than half of the helmet is so defaced, but the marks are not recent, indicating that the desired level of degradation was achieved.

“Well?” Vader asked. “Will this be sufficient?”

“Indeed it will,” Thrawn said. “You and your legion have succeeded brilliantly.”

“As the Emperor ordered, we serve at the grand admiral’s command.” The tone perhaps holds deference, perhaps holds pride. “How did you know there would be an attack?”

“I did not know for certain, but suspected it would occur,” Thrawn said. “While the primary purpose of the gravity projectors is to block traffic through the hyperlane, it is seldom that a marauding people ignore a chance at plunder. When the Chimaera first encountered the trap, its size discouraged those watching against launching an attack. I reasoned that a smaller vessel, approaching from the opposite end of the lane, would present a more inviting prize and draw out the enemy.”

“And that with a proper military response, we could capture their records intact,” Vader said. His voice perhaps holds satisfaction, perhaps understanding. “The other reason the freighter’s prisoners were surprised at seeing the Chimaera. Not because of the size, but because they had seen it in the hyperlane and were not expecting to see it again at Batuu.”

“Indeed,” Thrawn said. “Perhaps that was also the reason all the Grysk ships arrived together. Their leaders feared someone had noticed their presence and had ordered them to quickly withdraw from the Black Spire region.”

“Yes.” Vader pointed at the row of helmets and weapons on the wardroom wall. “What do you read here?”

“Perhaps the key that the Chiss have long sought,” Thrawn said. “I believe this is the trophy collection of this group of Grysk marauders. Assuming it is representative of overall Grysk military history, I may be able to use it to learn the location of their home.”

“Explain.”

“You see how each helmet or weapon has been ritualistically disfigured on the right side,” Thrawn said. “I speculate that the degree of destruction is related to the depth of animosity the Grysk have for that particular species, or perhaps indicates the length and bitterness of that particular conflict.”

“They appear to be in chronological order, as well,” Vader said. “The damages to the leftmost show more signs of age.”

“Agreed,” Thrawn said. “There are tales of some of the Grysks’ wars, a history which I will attempt to connect to these artifacts.”

“Tales and histories often lack accuracy.”

“That is true,” Thrawn said. “But two of these helmets may alleviate some of that difficulty. You are aware, I presume, that I have some skill in anticipating enemies’ tactics from a study of their artwork.”

“I am.”

“That skill can also work in the opposite direction,” Thrawn said. “If I am familiar with a warrior’s tactics, I can in some measure identify that warrior’s artwork.”

“Interesting. You have fought some of these species before?”

“The Chiss have records of many battles. Some we participated in, others we merely observed. I believe I know the species involved with these two helmets. If I am correct, I can match this part of the Grysk timeline with known historical events.”

“Will that gain you their location?”

“It will narrow it down,” Thrawn said.

“And then?” Vader’s voice perhaps holds interest, perhaps suspicion.

“We will not attack, if that is your concern,” Thrawn said. “Not with a single Star Destroyer. At any rate, our first responsibility is to seek out their local base and free the prisoners they took from Batuu.”

“Those who created the disturbance in the Force.”

“Yes.”

“You said you would tell me who they are.”

“If we take them alive, I will tell you,” Thrawn said. “If not, there is no reason for you to ever know.”

“I disagree,” Vader said. “The matter is of interest to the Emperor. It is therefore of interest to me.”

“I will reveal the secret if we free them,” Thrawn said. “That is all I can do.”

“All you can do?” Vader’s voice holds perhaps warning, perhaps outright threat. “You have sworn loyalty to the Emperor, Admiral. Is your loyalty to him, or to your own interests?”

“The two are not incompatible, my lord.”

“So you say,” Vader countered. His voice holds impatience and growing anger. His hand reaches to hook into his belt near his lightsaber. “But you have offered no proof.”