#AR'ALANI VOICE: so how was it.

[septima-severa]

When Thrawn sends the reader to the Ascendancy...

... And nobody believes you could carry a hybrid child.

“You wanted to see me, Supreme Admiral?” The door closed behind his back, and Eli Vanto was now alone in Ar’alani’s office. He trained his eyes on her, purposefully ignoring the wall behind her adorned with mementos from her long career. There, in the lower corner, was an old photograph of her and Thrawn, presumably from their graduation at the Taharim Academy, and it pained him to see it every time he walked in – even after all those years. But was that a bitterness towards the man he was feeling now?

“She didn’t lie,” the Admiral started, still contemplating her CMO’s report on the alien, her chin resting on top of interlocked fingers. “But who is she?”

He sighed heavily, shifting his gaze to the floor momentarily. “I’m afraid you’ll have to ask her, ma’am. I met her only once before,” he tried evasive tactics – as evasive as he dared in the presence of this remarkable Chiss. There was no way Eli Vanto would admit he had met her in an interrogation chamber, being a supervisor for the torture of a prisoner.

“Yet you visited her in the med bay earlier, Ivant. And left a book there for her, I was told.”

He gulped.

She tried once more, too tired to maintain her commanding voice. “Admiral Mak’ro’s team has conducted a preliminary examination on her ship. There was a laboratory equipment on board. Is she some kind of a science officer?”

“As far as I know, she’s a civilian. Zoologist. I thought –”

“That the Essays on Creatures Mythical, Extinct and Endangered would interest her. I see,” Ar’alani finished for him. “I’m not going to ask how you procured this book in the middle of Chaos.” She observed his facial heat increase subtly. “But next time, I would suggest something more suitable for a beginner level in Cheunh.”

This time, his heat signal in infrared lit up considerably upon a particular memory how his shipmates had gifted him with a children’s book once. He didn’t think his proficiency in a new language had been so bad to prompt such prank back then, yet he had been keeping the battered copy in his quarters ever since.

---

Strangely enough, I was thinking about Hornblower when I wrote this bit. When he was a prisoner of war in Spain, Horatio Hornblower was given a book, Don Quixote, and a dictionary to learn Spanish. I hadn't elaborated whether Thrawn had taught the reader also writing of Cheunh, I had only mentioned their late night conversations to practice his native language. As the reader is Force-sensitive, she might be proficient enough and understand the spoken words, but I don't think the Force works also for the texts... And as the reader is now stuck with Admiral Ar'alani, it seemed fitting that Eli Vanto would give her something. Although, the Essays on Creatures Mythical, Extinct and Endangered might be a bit... advanced. And no dictionary to go by.

Maybe Vanto will be her dictionary? I don't know, man, seems kinda... fitting.

Oh my, I want to watch the series again...

[xiema]

Oneshot: Good day lieutanant Vanto

AU for "Good day lieutenant Vanto." but Thrawn is just started crying

Pairing: Thrawn/Eli Vanto

Rating: General

Text:

As soon as Thrawn recognized the Steadfast, he knew his meeting with Eli was inevitable. Ar'alani trusted his judgment and Eli was unskilled with numbers, so it was logical to assume the human was among the crew. And yet he tried to convince himself that it was okay, that he was ready.

Well, reality loved to show him how wrong he was.

When his gaze met Eli's, who stood out like a painted Loath-cat among all the Chiss of the Steadfast, the world around Thrawn seemed to stand still for an eternity. He took the time to look at him as if he were seeing him for the first time. A year had passed and yet Thrawn remembered every detail about Eli. His warm voice accented by the wild space that set him apart from all the other Imperial soldiers. The wild hair, which Thrawn knew took the human hours to get right, so he preferred to leave it alone. The warm chestnut brown eyes that Thrawn had lost himself in after their first meeting. The freckles he complained about after every shore leave mission, because the sun had made them more visible again and he was ashamed of them. Right down to the broad smile that made the Grand Admiral's heart leap every time he saw it. There was something about Eli that had fascinated Thrawn from their first meeting and still did today.

So no, Thrawn was anything but ready for this meeting.

For Thrawn, the Ascendancy always came first, then family, friends and lastly himself, that's how every Chiss was taught from childhood and that's how it should be. Nevertheless, there were many who looked at him askance when they found out that he had practically no private life. The military was all Thrawn had, all he had ever known, he was never given the chance to be anything other than a soldier. And until now, there had been no reason to want to be anything else.

Then he met Eli and his world was turned upside down.

He was the first person in Thrawn's life who had made him consider, if only for a moment, the possibility of dropping everything, just leaving and building a life with the man he'd fallen in love with. All he had to do was tell him, Thrawn knew Eli felt the same way. Three simple words. A year ago, shortly after his appointment as Grand Admiral, would have been the perfect moment.

But then he realized what that meant.

If he made a life with Eli, his deal with the Emperor would be null and void, and in the process, the Grysk would destroy both of their galaxies. It was a risk Thrawn could not take.

For the greater good.

Thrawn's feelings didn't matter, not as long as the Grysk posed a threat. No matter how much he wished it, no matter how much he missed Eli. So he had no choice but to do what he always did: act the perfect soldier. "Good day, Lieutenant Vanto." And to hope that the pain would one day become more bearable. Even if he knew that would only remain wishful thinking. The pain would never go away. It was now a part of him.

Thrawn watched wordlessly as the smile disappeared from Eli's face, leaving behind an expression of utter irritation.

But then even that expression faded, giving way to something Thrawn hadn't expected.

Worry.

"Sir.....is everything all right?"

Irritated, the Chiss hesitated for a moment, "Of course Lieutenant, why do you ask?"

"Because you cry." There was no judgment in Eli's words. Eli felt his smile suddenly disappear from his face. But not because of the cold greeting, rather because of the tears that made their way along the Chiss' features without warning.

As the first tears fell, Eli's first instinct was to wash them away. He wanted to wrap his arms around Thrawn, to tell him that no matter what the cause, he would be with him. That they could get through it together, just as they always had. But then reality hit him.

He watched as Thrawn, uncharacteristically, literally stormed off, leaving him without another word. Eli knew that any attempt to stop him or confront him would be futile, and yet he couldn't help but wonder. They had always been so close, so why the cold greeting? Weren't they friends?

Friends.....

The truth was that Eli felt more for Thrawn than friendship. In the years they had worked together, his initial resentment towards the Chiss had turned into something that had scared Eli at first. Without realizing it, he had fallen in love with Thrawn, and in the year they had been apart, his feelings hadn't wavered an inch.

Thrawn was opaque, hard and cold as a rock. But if you managed to get a little closer to him, despite all his rough edges, then you realized that Thrawn was not cold or emotionless. Quite the opposite. He was not Pryce, Thrawn took no pleasure in sacrificing lives, be it rebels or his own people. He just thought differently. And this difference in the Grand Admiral was something that fascinated Eli so much, despite all the trouble it had caused them in the past.

Yes, Eli had fallen in love with Thrawn. Those bright red eyes that reminded him so much of the red gems that could only be found on Lysatra. The playful tone in his voice when Thrawn made others follow his plans. The slight grin when one of his plans came to fruition, which they almost always did. All this and all the strange idiosyncrasies that characterized him. No matter how much they drove Eli mad. His strange obsession with art, his unemotional nature, his inability to stick to rules, or his habit of immersing himself in a project and not being able to let it rest until it was finished.

Eli had actually assumed that the feelings were mutual. There had been so many moments between them that had made him hope that it was. Moments when he had thought that Thrawn would finally say it. But the Grand Admiral had just made it abundantly clear that everything going on between them was purely business.

"May I give you some advice, Lieutenant Vanto?"

Eli was startled, he hadn't heard the Ar'alani coming and in the same breath cursed himself for his inattention "Of course Admiral."

"If you really love him, you can't wait for him to make the first move."

"I don't understand."

"Thrawn believes he is the only one who can protect our people from the Grysk, and he would give anything to ensure that safety. Even if that means neglecting his own needs and desires. I've seen Thrawn let his chance at happiness slip away because he thought it was the right thing to do."

"For the greater good."

"The path he has chosen for himself is a lonely, a self-destructive one." She grabbed his shoulder as she passed him. "Don't let him go, Eli." There was something so sad in the Admiral's words, almost as if she were speaking from experience. No matter what had happened between them, he sensed the deep concern Ar'alani felt for Thrawn.

Eli made a decision, he would not let Thrawn go just like that, at least not without telling him how he felt about him. Even if he pushed him away.

Thrawn, on the other hand, was glad that he hadn't bumped into anyone on the way to his office. He locked the door and turned his attention to his art collection. But his thoughts were everywhere but on the paintings and sculptures in front of him. Why was he crying? He hadn't cried since... since the night he had found out that the Mitth family wanted to adopt him. So why now?

His thoughts were interrupted when the door behind him suddenly opened and at the voice that answered he didn't dare turn around. Not when his face was still streaked with tears, "Thrawn, can we talk?"

The Grand Admiral didn't turn around, he just straightened up and crossed his arms behind his back in his usual professional manner. "What do you want here?"

"You gave me the override code in case of an emergency, remember?"

"This is hardly an emergency." He replied. Even though Thrawn tried, his command lacked the usual conviction. He didn't want Eli to go, and Eli wasn't ready to leave.

Eli sighed, "Maybe, but there's something I should have told you a long time ago. I've just been too cowardly to do it."

"I want to be alone."

"Thrawn, please." There was something pleading in the human's voice, but no matter how much Thrawn wanted to listen to him, he knew it wasn't possible.

"Go now." Thrawn replied firmly. He didn't want to hear it.

"Not until you listen to me." A short pause followed. A pause that seemed to Thrawn to be empty. "I care about you, more than I ever hoped to believe, and I'm tired of pretending otherwise. I love-"

"Don't say it. You don't know what you're doing."

"What are you afraid of?"

Of the fact that once Eli said those words, there was no turning back. But these words never left the Chiss's lips: "I'm not afraid."

For a while, only the whirring of the hologram broke the silence between them. Thrawn heard Eli start to move, the footsteps coming closer and closer, finally stopping right behind him and placing a hand gently on his shoulder.

"Please, look at me." The words were no more than a whisper, and yet they managed to send a shiver down Thrawn's body. He hesitated for a moment or two, but in the end he complied with the request. For the first time, Thrawn let go of his mask and revealed to Eli all that had been pent up beneath it for so long, the tears that had not dried up and the fatigue that had been haunting him for years.

"I love you, Thrawn. I want to spend my life with you. As long as you want me too." Eli took Thrawn's face in his hands, brushed away a tear with his thumb, and smiled as he realized how Thrawn nestled into the gesture with the same desperation as a man who had wandered the desert for days without water and was now presented with a glass of water.

"I love you too." He had said it. He had finally said it. Even if for different reasons, they both felt a great weight lift from them. "I'm so tired, Eli. So incredibly tired. I want to go home. Home to you."

Eli smiled, "When this is all over, I'll take you home." He leaned forward to touch the Chiss's lips. It was a promise Eli was only too happy to fulfill.

Reality loved to show him how wrong he was, but in most cases, everything would turn out in Thrawn's favor.

[danger-xylophones]

Ar'alani + nonbinary reader cuddling...?

warnings: none I think? I mean the reader sits on Lani's lap but that's about it

not edited, we die like dumbasses

masterlist | chiss

"Admiral," your address is crisp and professional, prompting her to turn away from her conversation with Wutroow to focus on you, "Syndic Irizi'rico'yan has safely landed on Csaplar. He sends his regards and thanks you for the safe journey.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” She smiled gently, thin lips curving upwards beautifully. “You are dismissed for the night.”

You nodded once and left the bridge swiftly, all too aware that if you had lingered your heart would have begun to pound loud enough for the whole bridge to hear. And you didn't need the Admiral to know how smitten you were. It was embarrassing.

Ar'alani and Wutroow watched you go - the latter with an amused grin on her face. "You should tell them." She chirped, turning to the admiral.

"Tell them what?" Ar'alani asked, almost passing for clueless.

But Wutroow had served under her long enough to know exactly when the admiral was trying to deflect. "Don't play dumb, admiral - it doesn't suit you." She continued before Ar'alani had the chance to look offended. "You adore them, it's obvious, and they feel the same."

"You sound awfully certain, Captain." Ar'alani raised an eyebrow at her friend.

She shrugged and folded her hands behind her back. "Like I said, it's obvious to anyone who bothers to pay attention."

"Really?" Ar'alani asked. "Tell me, Wutroow, when did you notice then?"

"Oh, months ago, admiral. They've been pining after you since that whole debacle with the Paataatus." Wutroow chuckled. "It's a bit sad, really - every time they see you they get this dopey look on their face and they can't hardly look you in the eye." She raised an eyebrow at the admiral. "You really hadn't noticed?"

Ar'alani shook her head but had a thoughtful look on her face. "No, I hadn't. I thought they were just intimidated by me."

"Well, I won't lie," Wutroow began in a chortle, "I'm sure that's a part of it. But I'm confident it runs deeper than that."

The admiral was quiet for a moment as she sorted through her private thoughts. "Excuse me," she looked back at Wutroow, "I have an important matter to attend to."

"No worries, Admiral. " The captain smirked. "I understand perfectly. I'll keep the ship running while you're off romancing the second officer."

Ar'alani had half a mind to rebuke her but she knew that ultimately it would only encourage the senior captain's teasing. So, instead, she stuck to her goal and followed you off the bridge and to your quarters. When she got to the trapezoidal door separating your room from the hallway, she pressed the com to speak to you inside. "Lieutenant Commander?"

There was a quiet shuffling from inside and then, through the com, your voice broke, "Y-yes, Admiral? Is there something you need?"

"Yes, actually." Ar'alani couldn't help the small grin that tugged at her lips. "May I enter?"

"Um..." the com clicked off for a moment before crackling back to life, "one moment please I am not decent." Again, the com clicked off and Ar'alani was left standing in the hall for a few minutes before the door slid to the side, revealing you dressed in your fatigues. Your hair was damp, evidently you'd been fresh from the refresher, and Ar'alani could detect the faintest whiff of a soft smelling soap. "How can I help you?"

"I was hoping to discuss a..." she paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully, "personal matter with you."

"Oh," your mouth fell open in slight surprise, "of-of course. Would you, um, would you like to come in?"

Ar'alani nodded once and you stepped back to let her in before promptly scrambling further in yourself to pick up your uniform you'd abandoned on the floor. "I, wasn't expecting anyone to drop by," you began to explain as you hastily stuffed it into the small hamper tucked into the corner, "let alone you." You turned back to find her standing in the middle of your small quarters, looking around curiously at the small mementos you'd gathered over the years. "I'm afraid I can't offer you much but please," You gestured, a little helplessly towards the small reading chair you'd smuggled aboard, "make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you," she hummed softly and crossed over to sit. She crossed her legs, right over the left, and settled her hands primly in her lap. "I see no need to delay." She began suddenly. "Wutroow brought something interesting to my attention after you left the bridge." You tilted your head but didn't say anything, giving the woman room to speak. "She spoke of certain feelings you may hold for me." She raised her hands, perching her elbows on the arms of the chair to hide her mouth behind her fingers. "I've come to find out if this is true." Her eyes met yours. "Is it?"

You felt the blood drain from your face, your heart began to thunder, and your stomach twisted into a veritable cyclone of anxiety. Unsticking your tongue from the roof of your mouth, you managed to speak. "Am I in trouble?"

"No," she quirked an eyebrow, "but you will be if you choose to lie to me."

Silence fell, nearly suffocating you as you tried to figure out the best move. Lying provided the best chance of saving your career but Ar'alani was a walking lie detector. She'd know in an instant. But perhaps the truth would grant you mercy. "I'm sorry, admiral." You started, ripping your gaze away from hers. "I know my feelings are completely unprofessional and I've tried to rid myself of them for so long. But," you carded your hands through your hair anxiously, "it's like telling myself to stop breathing." A frustrated sigh ripped from you. "I just...can't. Every time I see you, they come right back and I-"

"What exactly do you feel for me?" Ar'alani was careful to keep her voice soft and free of the normal tone she used to command her warriors.

She watched in real time as you struggled to find the exact words, your eyes flitted around, looking anywhere but her. "It's..." you started, sighing explosively, "It's hard to put it into words."

"Would actions help you express yourself?" She lowered her hands, opening her posture.

"I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable." Your voice was quiet, timid, and it sent an odd pang through Ar'alani's chest.

"You won't." Ar'alani soothed, parting her legs this time and reaching a hand out. "Come here." Each step was slow and halting. The admiral could see the uncertainty on your face clear as daylight. "If you fear repercussions, will you trust me to express myself first?" You nodded and she lifted her hand a little higher to prompt you to take it. The moment you did, she tugged you forward between her parted knees. "Sit on my lap." A flush filled your face, on clear display for the admiral's infrared vision. Your mouth parted and Ar'alani knew what you were going to ask. "I'm serious - I would like to hold you," she squeezed your hand, "if you'll let me?"

Carefully, you turned to the side just a bit. Ar'alani released your hand in favor of grasping your waist with both of hers to guide you down onto her thigh. Next, she ducked an arm to prompt your legs up enough for her to slide her legs closed beneath you, providing a more comfortable perch. "You do not need to be so tense, dear," It took all of her willpower not to laugh chuckle at you. "Relax into me," she looped her arms around your waist, "you are welcome here." Painfully slow, you began to relax - leaning into her hold more and more until you were reclined against her chest with your arms looped around her shoulders.

"Are you sure this is alright?" You couldn't help but ask, voice barely above a whisper.

Ar'alani couldn't stop the small chuckle that slipped from her and you felt it bounce her shoulders. "So uncertain, what happened to my confident warrior?" She teased, looking up at you with a grin on her face.

Your face grew even warmer and your arms tensed on her shoulders.

But, Ar'alani laid her head against you to stop you from retreating and you felt yourself freeze. "Mmm," she hummed, a low and contented sound that spurred a fuzzy feeling to relax your shoulders, "I'll admit, I'd long suspected you'd been hiding something from me." She turned her face in, her forehead pressing into the juncture of your neck and shoulder. "But it took Wutroow's comment on the bridge after you left to actually seek you out." Her face lifted from it's spot so she could look you in the eyes again. "I did not expect you to turn shy when confronted."

You were aware you were puffing your cheeks out like a child but you couldn't seem to stop. "Put yourself in my shoes. Your beautiful commanding officer shows up in your room asking about how you've been pining after her...for...months..." Your eyes grew wide at your own admittance, mortification flooding your system. "Um..."

Ar'alani chuckled. "You are too precious." Squeezing your waist, she returned her head to your neck and brushed her lips over your pulse point - igniting the blood in your veins. "I think I will have to keep you."

[marvel-starwarsfangirl]

"Ahsoka" Review

Lars and Eman were perfect as Thrawn and Ezra. They are those characters and I will not take criticism. More of my thoughts below.

Overall, I give this show an 7.5/10. I enjoyed it more than Mando S3, BoBF, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, but not as much as Andor or the first 2 seasons of Mando. As a Rebels fan, I was overjoyed to see my fave characters like Hera and Sabine return. Just seeing them warmed my heart. When Thrawn showed up, my heart leaped out of my chest. I could not believe that I was seeing Mitth'raw'nuruodo himself in live-action.

Okay, I'm just going to put my Thrawn takes out there (please do not come after me. This is my opinion and I respect anyone who disagrees):

I love Canon Book Thrawn so much. I admire him. I relate to him. I love him. Thrawn in the Canon books is amazing. I enjoy his relationships with Thalias, Eli, and Ar'alani. I love how he mentors Che'ri and Eli. I love that he seeks to protect his people. I love how he is an art nerd and has the craziest plans.

But in "Ahsoka," every time he said "long, live the empire," I wanted to toss my screen. I understand he was closer to his Legends counterpart and I am still excited to see where his character goes I just miss his canon book version.

That being said, I LOVED Lars as Thrawn. There is no doubt in my mind that he IS Thrawn. Voice aside, everything from his mannerisms to composure was perfect. I can't picture anyone else in this role nor do I want anyone else. Lars is able to capture Thrawn's subtle expressions so perfectly and I had a blast watching him every time when he was on screen.

Moving on

Of the new characters, Baylan Skoll was my favorite. Ray Stevenson portrayed him with such grace and elegance. He was mysterious and much welcomed addition to Star Wars. I thought his philosophy was unique and I appreciated that he wasn't an all-out bad guy. I do hope they continue his story and not drop it completely. Rest in peace Ray.

Honestly, I felt that Shin wasn't explored enough for me to really enjoy her. I think she is interesting and there's a lot of potential regarding her inner conflict. I hope season 2 really delves into that. Why did she join Baylon? What power does she seek?

Morgan and the Nightsisters were just really cool to me. The magic they utilized was awesome and the rise of the zombie troopers was spooky.

Also, the music! The Kiners really popped off. I genuinely loved the end credits theme so much. That and the integration of themes were great.

However, I am not a fan of Sabine being force-sensitive. It doesn't make sense in my opinion. It was never hinted at in Rebels and her relationship with Ahsoka feels kinda shoehorned in. I wish we saw what led to her becoming Ahsoka's apprentice. Sabine is already a cool character. Why does she need the force?

Ahsoka in the earlier episodes also was kinda bland. But after episode 5, she felt more like herself. I get that she's not going to be the same as her younger self, but she always had a warmth to her, even when she was serious and I missed that. Rosario still killed it though. I really enjoyed episode 5 with the Clone Wars live-action representation. I know some people really want that but I think it should stay animated.

The lore with the new galaxy was also really cool. It opens the doors to so much storytelling and I love the impact it will have on our heroes. It seems that the Nightsisters and the Mortis gods came from there.

Action was cool, I miss my space husbands, Mon Mothma was cool, and I do think they should stop using the dome for many shots.

Overall, a fun time and I'm excited for what comes next.

[gloria-van-puncake]

Chapter 5

Notes:

Dialog in italics is in Cheunh.

Eli stepped back, breaking their kiss. He blushed furiously when he realized they had an, albeit indulgent, audience.

"Have I ever told you how charming I find it when your facial temperature increases like this," Thrawn whispered into Eli's ear.

"It's not charming," Eli groused, burying his face in Thrawn's shoulder. "It's a curse."

"You tend to underestimate yourself and my esteem of you," Thrawn said, still speaking Cheunh. "I will endeavor to remedy this."

"Is this when I point out how sexy I find the grey in your hair?" Eli teased, voice muffled against Thrawn's shoulder, enjoying the feeling of Thrawn gently running his fingers through Eli's hair.

Eli took a moment to will down his blush, composing himself before stepping away to a more respectable distance.

"You have not yet told me how you found us," Thrawn's thumb caressed Eli's cheek.

"About that��–" Eli's good mood evaporated quickly with the direness of the news he was bringing. He took a deep breath and disentangled himself from Thrawn's embrace. He felt the whole world and everything that had happened in the last six years come crashing back down on him like a ton of duracrete.

"There are some important things you need to know, sir, before we tell everyone," Eli continued in Cheunh, giving Thrawn's hand a last squeeze before letting go. What he was about to tell Thrawn could destroy crew morale if not handled carefully. He'd never been more glad that he'd mastered Cheunh, the privacy it afforded them, not only from Thrawn's crew but Wren and Tano, was invaluable.

"A lot has happened in those years you were gone, and most of it not good," Eli started, trying his best to keep his voice even. It was a lot to take in and he himself had not quite come to terms with all of it either. Eli rubbed the back of his neck. "In a nutshell, the Empire has fallen, and the New Republic has risen in its place. The Emperor and most of High Command are dead, died when the Rebels blew up the second Death Star with them on it."

"I see." The tight nod Thrawn gave him was so much more evocative, so much more heart-wrenching to watch than an outright show of emotion.

"Yularen was – he was on the Death Star," Eli said quietly. There was no sugar-coating it and Thrawn probably had deduced it himself already anyway. Eli wanted to pull Thrawn into a compassionate embrace but he wasn't exactly sure if Thrawn would welcome it, even with their new-found relationship, or maybe especially because of that. He settled for a comforting hand on Thrawn's upper arm. Of all of High Command Thrawn had actually liked Colonel Yularen. "I'm sorry."

Eli briefly tightened his grip on Thrawn's arm, fully aware how of inadequate his words were, then let go.

Thrawn gave him another tight nod then took a step away from Eli and clasped his hands behind his back, looking up to where the Chimaera was visible in orbit. "He will be missed."

Eli hadn't been as close with Colonel Yularen as Thrawn but once, right before the battle of Batonn, he had promised him to look after Thrawn and Eli would honor that promise. It was the least Eli could do in his memory.

"Tarkin used the first Death Star to destroy Alderaan," Eli continued after giving Thrawn a moment to process. He wished he had more time but Thrawn needed to know what had happened. They needed to prepare. "I'm still not sure what possessed him to do that – but the whole planet is gone. Every single being." Eli cast a glance over to where Wren and Tano were quietly talking. "To sum it up, sir, we're not welcome in Lesser Space and we need to evacuate ASAP because Wren and Tano have contacted their fleet."

"I assume you have also contacted the Ascendency?"

Eli nodded.

"Supreme Admiral Ar'alani is on her way, her ships should be here within 24 standard hours, it will be tight but I think we can pull it off. I'd rather not lose more people," Eli ran a nervous hand through his hair. He'd read about the trials, the verdicts, and executions. Whatever the New Republic had in store for them, he didn't expect mercy. Not for Thrawn or any of the senior officers.

"I have failed then," Thrawn said to no one in particular, the pain clearly visible on his face to anyone willing to look close enough, anyone willing to take the time to get to know Thrawn as Eli had.

Eli turned his head and studied Thrawn's expression. In the years he'd spent at his side Eli had learned to read him well, noticed all the emotions most others missed. It wasn't that Thrawn didn't have them, as so many erroneously assumed, he just hid them better than most but to Eli his pain was as obvious in the set of his jaw as if he'd been openly crying.  Maybe he couldn't take away Thrawn's pain but he could alleviate it somewhat.

"You didn't fail them, Thrawn. Not yet," Eli said, stepping closer to the man he'd come to love more than life. "I have a plan. We can do this. Together."

"We?"

"Yes, we, Thrawn," Eli laced their fingers together. "We."

"I have done many things I regret, that I thought necessary at the time." Thrawn looked at their joined hands. "Without you, I was lost."

"I have no intention of ever leaving you again, love."

Someone coughed politely.

"Commodore Faro – Karyn," Eli said before he was pulled into a hug and Eli got the distinct impression that Faro wanted to give him a noogie and would have if Thrawn hadn't interrupted her.

"Commodore, it is good that you are here. We need to address the crew," Thrawn said in Basic. "Mid Captain Vanto will fill you in. I will contact Senior Lieutenant Lomar on the Chimaera."

Eli raised his voice, he'd been waiting for Faro to arrive to break the news. "Commander Hammerly, Senior Lieutenant Pyrondi, Lieutenant Agral, could you please join us, we have an evacuation to prepare."

"We're evacuating?" Faro asked, surprised. "Why?"

"Evacuating?" Sabine hissed at Ahsoka.

"Looks like that's what they're planning. I wonder where to, though. I doubt their hyperdrive is functional, or they wouldn't have been stuck here."

"Ahsoka, we can't let them do that." If there was even the smallest chance that the Imps could escape they had to stop them. Thrawn was way too clever, too good a tactician to take that chance. Sabine shuddered. Yeah, this evacuation was not going to happen. Not if she had any say in it. If anyone could rally the remnants of the Imperial fleet behind him it was the last standing member of High Command, Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Chapter 6

Sabine narrowed her eyes, glaring in the general direction of Ivant. The way he was standing close to Thrawn made Sabine's trigger finger itch. He'd fooled them good and, if she was honest with herself, that was what irked her the most. She'd actually come to like him. No, not him him, Sabine frowned and corrected herself mentally, the persona he'd put on for their benefit. There was no way she could ever like anyone who was buddy-buddy with an Imperial warlord.  A pity Chopper wasn't here, Sabine thought vindictively, he'd be useful right now; and fun to watch. Thanks to Ivant they'd have to manually do a full systems sweep for bugs and sabotage. There was no telling what that kriffing Imp had gotten up to on the Ghost when they'd not been paying attention.

Ahsoka gave her a nod to be ready and Sabine put on her helmet. Ahsoka was right, better be prepared with that lot.

Ahsoka took a step forward and stood up straight, her hands hooked into her belt, drawing attention to her lightsabers. Suddenly all eyes were on her and a hushed silence fell over the crowd. Ahsoka raised her voice to be heard by everyone but it was barely necessary. You didn't need to be Force-sensitive to recognize the sheer power she represented. Good, Sabine thought grimly. You better not underestimate us.

"Grand Admiral Thrawn, I am Ahsoka Tano and I speak for the New Republic," Ahsoka addressed the group of Imperials. "I've been authorized by Chancellor Mothma to offer you and your crew fair treatment if you surrender peacefully. The New Republic has been informed of your location upon our arrival. It is only a matter of days before our ships will arrive," and round you up Ahsoka didn't say but it was implied heavily. "It would be in your best interest, and that of your crew, to surrender now."

There was some scoffing from the Imperials and Sabine felt her hackles rise. The kriffing nerve of them.

"I see," Thrawn said, looking that them with that piercing, calculating stare that creeped Sabine out to no end. He held up his hand, cutting off the incredulous murmuring that had started. "When your New Republic offers fair treatment of my crew, what exactly does that entail?"

"You will be escorted back to the capital on Chandrila and given a fair trial," Ahsoka explained.

Thrawn seemed to contemplate that for a minute then Ivant said something in that language Sabine didn't understand, and there was a short, heated exchange between him and Thrawn, well heated from Ivant's side. Ivant was clearly not happy with the answer Thrawn had given him. Yet what Thrawn thought, or felt, was as always a complete mystery to Sabine. His demeanor didn't change from his usual cold aloofness, even when Ivant looked up at him with agony.

"If I were you I'd take the offer," Sabine cut in, not liking that they could communicate without either Ahsoka or herself knowing what was being said. "It's a better deal than you ever gave us."

And a better deal than they deserved after what they'd done to Lasan, Batonn, Alderaan, and, Sabine bit her lip to fight back her emotions, Mandalore. So many million lives gone. No, they didn't deserve this much mercy but The New Republic wasn't the Empire, if they surrendered they'd get a fair trial and not the retribution and well-earned punishment part of her wanted them to receive.

And a much better one than you deserve after everything the Empire has done, Sabine thought bitterly. But as much as part of her wanted revenge, nothing would bring back her homeworld, her clan. Mandalore was gone and nothing she could do to Thrawn, or any of the other Imps, would change that. Retribution was not what the New Republic needed.

"Were I to personally surrender," Thrawn inclined his head at Ahsoka. "Would my crew be allowed to return home free and unharmed, and will you see to it that the local population of this planet does not face retribution for their assistance to us?"

Return home unharmed. Eli felt his throat tighten at Thrawn's words. Thrawn's end to their argument 'I will do whatever necessary to protect those who depend on me' still hung in the air and Eli couldn't help but smile sadly. Putting everyone else before his own needs, doing what was necessary no matter the cost to himself; it was Thrawn in a nutshell. But Eli also knew that he couldn't let Thrawn go through with this. A surrender to the New Republic was a death sentence for Thrawn. Alive he would draw the remnants of the Empire to him like moths to a flame. The New Republic could not afford that. Eli surreptitiously stepped close to Thrawn, positioning himself next to Pik. Eli felt Pik press something into his back and he reached behind himself to find that it was a blaster. Good to see that they were on the same page. They didn't stand much of a chance but he had to try if it came to that.

"Those are some pretty big demands," Tano said, narrowing her eyes at them. "I cannot promise you anything that big, I'll have to clear that with Chandrila but we will consider your offer, that much I can promise."

Eli cursed himself. He'd let the New Republic right to them and now he was supposed to stand by and watch them round up his friends? Thrawn deserved so much better than the political circus his trial and, Eli felt his heart clench, subsequent execution was going to be.

"No," Faro said, turning to Thrawn. "With all due respect, sir. You will not."

There was a familiar edge to her voice that let Eli know that she was holding onto her temper by the skin of her teeth. Not that Eli could blame her, he was feeling exactly the same.

"It would be better for all concerned if you surrendered peacefully," Tano said voice firm, eyes on Faro.

"And if we don't surrender peacefully? So far you've given us nothing but attitude and demands. Seeing as there's only two of you against a fully equipped Star Destroyer including nearly 5000 armed Storm Troopers -" Faro started but Thrawn slightly shook his head and she fell silent.

"Then you will be shown no mercy," Wren said her hand resting on her blaster.

"And how's that keeping us from shooting you now and leaving?" Pyrondi asked, arms folded in front of her chest.

"If you could leave," Tano observed calmly, "you would have done so by now. I'd say your hyperdrive's non-functional."

"I'd like to see you try," Wren snapped, her hand on her blaster. "And in the unlikely chance that you'll succeed, you think you'd be granted mercy when our fleet arrives? You have no backup. The Empire has fallen and your precious Emperor is dead."

"Is that true?" Eli asked Thrawn in Cheunh but he didn't really need to hear the answer, one look at Hammerly's wince was enough to tell him that Tano had hit the nail on the head. "Is your hyperdrive non-functional?"

"The Chimaera's hyperdrive is fully functional but when the purrgil dragged her through hyperspace they completely wiped the nav computers," Thrawn explained, giving Eli a meaningful look.

"The Empire has fallen. You don't owe him your loyalty anymore." Tano's hands went to her lightsabers.

"This is not about the Empire." Hammerly slowly shook her head. "This is about our loyalty to our commanding officer and friend." She shot Thrawn a quick glance and a small smile and came to stand next to Eli and Faro. "If it weren't for him we'd all be dead. You're not taking him to be executed by your New Republic."

Agral joined her, fear making his eyes wide, belying the determination in his posture. Pyrondi joined them too, her face a storm cloud. "Leave. We mean you no harm but you're not taking the Grand Admiral."

More people stepped up to join them, building a human wall in front of Thrawn. They were bridge crew, not used to physical combat, Eli realized, but they were willing to do so anyway, for Thrawn. They didn't even carry weapons. They didn't stand a chance. Eli knew what the Jedi and the Mandalorian were capable of, but he couldn't help but feel moved by this much open loyalty.

"If he cooperates his life will likely be spared. The New Republic does have use for beings with his talents," Tano offered, obviously trying to defuse the situation.

"Krayt spit!" Eli snapped, anger making him ball his hands into fists, forcing himself to calm his temper but this was pushing every Thrawn-related button he had. "Thrawn is not a tool to be used and discarded by yet another government."

Thrawn's voice was soft and Eli could hear the regret in his voice. "My duty is to my people  –"

"I have a proposal for y'all," Eli raised his voice, addressing the crew of the Chimaera, ignoring both Tano and Wren. This had gone on long enough. "Those of you who wish can go with them to the New Republic, of course, but I offer an alternative; as Mid Captain of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet, I am authorized by the Chiss Ascendancy to offer you asylum if you should so desire. You all have worked with the Steadfast and Admiral Ar'alani, and are aware of the danger we're facing. Your help and expertise would be more than welcome. I have contacted Admiral Ar'alani and our ships should be here in a couple of hours, should you wish to join the CEDF."

"The kriff," Wren interjected. "We didn't agree to that."

"Don't see how you have any choice in the matter," Eli pointed out. "The CEDF ships will be here long before yours."

"Chiss Ascendancy?" Sabine hissed.

"The Chiss are Thrawn's people," Ahsoka explained.

Ascendancy. How fitting. No wonder Thrawn fit right in with the Empire. Sabine came to a decision. Thrawn needed to be taken out. He was too dangerous to be allowed to leave, too much of a threat to the New Republic and this could be their last, their only chance.

"Take out the heavy hitters first," Sabine said in Mando'a. She knew Ahsoka could speak it fluently but hopefully none of the Imps could.

The Translator

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Category: M/M

Fandoms:

Star Wars - All Media Types

Star Wars: Rebels

Star Wars: Thrawn Series - Timothy Zahn (2017)

Relationship: Thrawn | Mitth'raw'nuruodo/Eli Vanto

Characters:

Thrawn | Mitth'raw'nuruodo

Eli Vanto

Ahsoka Tano

Sabine Wren

Karyn Faro

Ezra Bridger

Additional Tags:

Fix-It

POV Eli Vanto

POV Sabine Wren

Rescue Missions

Hurt/Comfort

Betrayal

Happy Ending

Summary:

Set after the Rebel’s finale. Sabine and Ahsoka are preparing to search the Unknown Regions for Ezra and clearly, they need a translator. Who better than Eli who’s, in turn, searching for Thrawn.

Unashamed fix-it fic for what has not yet happened in the coming Ahsoka TV-Series.

Keep reading

[whirlybirbs]

Hi!! I wanted to let you know how much I love to know desperately!! I felt like I was reading a lost chapter from Zahn himself; in terms of characterization Thrawn and Ar'alani are so spot on that I'm a bit jealous (in the best way)!!

Take care! ❤️

THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS IS A VERY HIGH COMPLIMENT COMING FROM YOU

i am tip tap typin away at a evening garden romance scene like i am jane austen herself and let me tell you it is a very dangerous thing

[fallenrepublick]

vampire au thrawn/thrass/ar’alani?

I won't lie to you I've been consuming (eheheh) an interesting amount of vampire content recently so I'm digging this

Thrawn is that type of vampire that you just know is one. Of course, his artistic tastes are refined, and although that isn't an uncommon thing per se, he always seems to know just a bit too much, as if he had experienced the piece's creations himself. He obviously doesn't smile often, and when he does, it's usually closed. As with all Chiss, his eyes shine, yet there's a depth and sharpness in his gaze that tells you they hold more than they'd admit. That being said, he's not over the top, his traits that could give something away are all things that can easily be explained away one way or another. You won't find out what he is unless he wants you to.

Thrass could not possibly care less for the secrecy. You know how he already is with his lifestyle. He's practically the vampiric stereotype. Always seen with a wine glass in hand, tinted a questionable shade, leaned back in fancy clothing from gods know what time period, a tilted grin as he watches you to decide if you're a friend or a meal. But don't be fooled by his appearance, he's less of a hunter than you might think. In actuality, he's got really no interest in the sort of danger his brother poses to those unlike him. His loneliness overcomes all of that. Knock on his door, and perhaps he might let you in. There will be stories of what became of you, that he consumed you the minute you passed the threshold. What really happened, you've got no interest in telling a soul.

Ar'alani is the only one that truly has the ability to hide what she is. Usually most can write off her tendencies or attribute her oddities to her personality, her more authoritarian attitude. She's personable, yes, but people are afraid of her, more so than anyone else. She barely has to do anything for others to shy away from her gaze, the weaker of whom will start to tremble should her voice raise even the slightest bit. She isn't aggressive, not that you can tell, but if ever you were given a sense for danger, every instinct would tell you to run... That is, if she grows angry at you. If she like you, however, the exact opposite overcomes you. She sends a feeling of comfort through you, like a home you've known for ages. It's either that... or she's trying to lure you. That's for you to decide.

[elivanto]

thrawn + politics = chaos (reference fully intended)

sooo i’m really making a quotes masterpost of thrawn’s political incompetence aren’t i. timothy zahn was like “i need to make sure the reader knows how politically inept thrawn is AT ALL TIMES” and it’s so delightful that i ain’t even mad. (and to be fair, it's really fucking relatable.)

thanks to the ascendancy novels we know that not only imperial politics are a problem for him, but it’s always been ... an issue, even in the ascendancy. so we’re doing this thing full on chronologically, beginning with the memories sections in chaos rising. buckle up kids because it’s going to be a LONG ride.

i'm mostly making this post for reference so feel free to skip to the parts that interest you—there are headings for every novel—because i honestly can't imagine someone wants to read ALL THAT (and that's probably not even all of it because i'm sure i missed some moments). sjdgdg enjoy!!!

now updated for lesser evil!!

chaos rising - memories

starting with our guy thurfian because HOW COULD I NOT. it’s his god given right. ANYWAY, he looked at that nerd and knew from the start that he was a lost cause

“I’m already missing all of today’s classes. My instructors would be displeased if I missed tomorrow’s, as well.” “You’ll be all right,” Thurfian said, hearing the strained patience in his voice. Did the boy really not understand the depth of the honor that had been bestowed upon him? Apparently not. Attending his classes was important. Adoption into one of the Nine Ruling Families wasn’t. […] Still, if Ba’kif’s assessment was correct, the boy would be heading for a military career. Politics weren’t nearly so important there. (memories I)

(if thurf only knew.) pretty much from the beginning ar'alani ziara, too, is aware that thrawn's strengths lie in strategy, not in stupid 'family quarrels'... and that maybe he doesn't care much for rules & guidelines

“Ready, sir,” Thrawn’s measured voice came. Ziara felt her lip twist. Now, when her stomach was tied up in knots, was naturally the moment he picked to be cool and calm. Or maybe it was just that space and combat were a more comfortable environment for him than a courtroom filled with officers, regulations, and family politics. (memories III)

then (a few years?) later, during ba'kif and ziara's conversation about him:

“He’s brilliant, sir,” Ziara said. “Excellent strategist and tactician.” “And his political shrewdness?” “Poor to nonexistent.” “Agreed,” Ba’kif said. “He’s going to need a steady hand, both to guide him and to prevent him from continually grabbing the wrong end of the fire stick.” (memories VII)

ziara: you're really gonna. you're really gonna make me babysit him. ba'kif: :)

when zistalmu tries to talk thrawn into accepting the irizi's offer to become a trial born:

In the military realm, Thrawn had demonstrated a fair degree of insight and tactical ability. But in the political realm, he might as well have been dropped straight out of the sky. (memories X)

'fair degree of insight' my ass. master of understatement. but gun to his head zistalmu wouldn't admit to it but god, thurfian was right.

after this... interesting... conversation, thrawn runs to ziara ar'alani to ask her for advice first chance he gets. which is during her promotion celebration party. not that she minds. but STILL. sksksk

“There are a whole lot of things that factor into a family’s position and power. Some of them are financial or historical; others are more nebulous, like prestige and reputation.” “I see,” Thrawn said, though Ar’alani was pretty sure from his expression that he didn’t. (memories X)

he definitely doesn't see. remember that for later. i'm already screaming about it.

a few months, years, i don't even know, what even IS time in star wars later, those two have a bit of a longer talk about politics after their little fuck up with the lioaoi and the garwians. not posting the whole scene here, but it's so, so good.

“I should have seen the signs.” “No,” Ar’alani said. “I should have. But not you.” “Because you’re more experienced?” “Because you don’t understand politics,” Ar’alani said. “Politics, vying for position, feuds, grudges, ledger balancing—they’re all things you’ve never gotten a solid grip on.” [...] “I see.” Thrawn took a long breath. “Then I need to study this form of combat. Study it, and master it.” “That would be helpful,” Ar’alani said. Only he never would master it, she knew. Just as some were tone-deaf to music, Thrawn was tone-deaf to the nuances and intricate self-serving dances that made up the world of politics. (memories XIII)

and another assessment by thurfian:

"[...] I looked into Picket Two’s current assignment, and it turns out they’re working a patrol zone a fair distance past the Ascendancy’s east-zenith edge. That would put him far away from the center of Ascendancy politics.” Thurfian ran that over in his mind. Given Thrawn’s political ineptness, that wouldn’t be the worst assignment they could give him. (memories XIII)

...and that was just the "memories" sections of chaos rising.

chaos rising - chapters

ba'kif, like, right at the beginning of the novel:

The Aristocra weren’t supposed to have any influence over military assignments. But that didn’t mean it never happened. The point was that, as usual, Thrawn had seen only the surface situation and completely missed the political subtleties. (chapter 1)

then thrawn gets command of samakro's ship, and even before he's there, samakro's already done with him.

So Samakro would do his job, and he would make sure the rest of the ship’s officers and warriors did the same. And he would hope very hard that whatever political mess Thrawn made this time wouldn’t blow up in all of their faces. (chapter 1)

thrawn, honey, your reputation precedes you.

ar'alani: why is this happening to me. again. (it's okay, she loves him)

“Really,” Ar’alani said, looking at the questis note again. So whatever Thrawn was doing was important enough that one of the top people on the Council was taking a personal interest, while at the same time there was something going on under the surface involving his sky-walker and her caregiver. Naturally, Thrawn would be oblivious to both currents. (chapter 4)

remember when i said to keep the "thrawn says he sees but he doesn't see at all" in mind? exhibit b:

“The Springhawk is pretty prestigious,” Thalias told him. “Maybe more than you realize. But even if it wasn’t, the Ufsa family would still want it back. It got taken away from them, and they’re notorious for resenting anything they see as a political backslide.” “I see,” Thrawn said. Thalias peered closely at him in the dim light. From the slight frown around his eyes, it was clear that he didn’t see at all. (chapter 13)

thalias is such a good bean. later in the novel, she has an interesting conversation with the mitth patriarch. EVEN HE KNOWS ABOUT THRAWN'S THING WITH POLITICS. cue me laughing/crying in a corner

“I knew from the start that politics wasn’t his strength. But I never realized just how blind he was to those shifting winds.” (chapter 18)

and i absolutely love this part here, thrawn and ar'alani:

“No, you’re right,” he said. “My failure with the Garwians…but this is different. This is war, not politics.” “Which are just two sides of the same coin,” Ar’alani said. “You’ve never understood that or been able to deal with it.” “I know,” Thrawn said. “That’s why we need to flip this particular coin over to the war side.” (chapter 19)

"this is why we need to flip this coin over to the war side" BECAUSE WHEN IT'S IN MILITARY TERMS, HE SUDDENLY GETS IT. that's like when you learn foreign concepts better through applying metaphors. it's an actual thing. mind: blown (also: "i know" 🥺 he doesn't even try to defend or justify himself and that's one of the things i love most about him)

and for a nice conclusion of chaos rising, have another little moment between him and thalias:

“At least you’re getting better at politics,” she said. “Between the Aristocra and the Vaks, you’re learning how to play the game.” Thrawn shook his head. “Hardly. Ar’alani and General Ba’kif are handling the dealings with the Aristocra. As to the Vaks, that was never strictly about politics.” (chapter 23)

bless ar'alani and ba'kif. i love them.

NEXT STOP: GREATER GOOD.

greater good

honestly there isn't a whole lot about thrawn & politics in greater good, but the stuff that is in there is absolute gold. i mean it.

“Just worrying about Lakinda. She and the whole Xodlak family have a lot of politics going on at the moment.” “Lakinda will do fine,” Thrawn said. “Politics aren’t supposed to be part of Expansionary Fleet missions.” “Of course not,” Samakro said. (chapter 11)

"of course not," samakro said, turned around, and rolled his eyes at the camera. of course not, senior captain thrawn. family politics aren't SUPPOSED to be part of CEDF missions. wink wink, nudge nudge.

thalias telling thrawn about her conversation with the mitth patriarch:

“I was unaware I needed looking after.” “Everyone needs some looking after,” Thalias said. “He mostly wanted me to run interference for you as best I could against your enemies.” “I assumed lasers, breachers, and plasma spheres were my primary tools against such people.” “You know what I mean,” she said. “Your political enemies.” His smile faded. “Yes.” (chapter 20)

thrawn: you know what i'll just blow them up or something thalias: ok first of all you can't just blow up members of the aristocra—

anyway, moving on. samakro has to deal with so much, honestly. someone give that guy a few days of shore leave.

“And that all of them are allied to different Ruling Families,” Samakro added. Thrawn’s forehead creased briefly. “I was unaware of that.” “Yes, sir,” Samakro said, wincing. Once again, Thrawn’s ignorance of political realities was peeking through. (chapter 22)

and then one of THE best passages in all of greater good, of course featuring samakro again, because he's the awesome-est:

“The truth, Laknym, is that I’ve been Thrawn’s first officer since he came aboard. I’ve watched him in battles, in preparation for battles, in the aftermath of battles, and dealing with Aristocra and senior officers.” He looked back at Laknym. “And I have never—never—seen anyone as utterly incompetent at politics as he is.” For a moment Laknym just frowned up at him. Then slowly, the frown relaxed. “You’re saying, sir, that Senior Captain Thrawn isn’t playing politics here because he never plays politics?” “I’m saying,” Samakro corrected, “that Senior Captain Thrawn never plays politics because he doesn’t know how to play politics.” (chapter 24)

POETIC FUCKING CINEMA, LADS.

even my dearest lakinda knows it by the end of the novel, even though she was convinced thrawn had some kind of nefarious political agenda against her at the beginning:

If Thrawn had already spotted the flaw and worked it into his plans… She dug her fingers a little harder into her armrests. No. There was no way Thrawn could have caught this one. Not with his blindness to family politics. He would continue on, bring the scenario to a triumphant end… and then watch helplessly as that triumph collapsed. (chapter 25)

update: lesser evil - memories

my guys. my dudes. i’m so emotional. not only did tim give us more thrass and thrawn interactions, he also gave us those two working together as a dream team with thrass taking care of (most of) the political shit and thrawn being his tactical genius self. [wipes tear]

so without further ado... i am literally losing my mind because we have another “I SEE” situation in which thrawn, in fact, does not see. see the first thrawn novel quote below to get to the riveting conclusion.

“Interesting,” Thrawn said, as he sipped at his drink. “I was told the Mitth and Irizi were rivals.” “That’s rather like saying Csilla is cold,” Thrass said drily. “No, their attendance is less courtesy and more wanting to keep tabs on what we’re up to. At any rate, one of their big goals in life is to get as many of their people into the Defense Force and General Ba’kif’s new Expansionary Defense Fleet as they can, and our Patriarch decided he’d rather have three military rematches to unveil than two. A quick word to Colonel Wevary, a one-day travel pass, and here you are.” “I see,” Thrawn said, the frown on his face suggesting that he didn’t see at all. “But that’s politics,” Thrass continued. (memories I)

thrawn, as always, not giving a shit about etiquette (as is his right) (but honestly, thrawn, that’s a fucking patriarch right there oh my GOD):

“Good evening, Your Venerante,” Thrass greeted the Patriarch as he hastily stood up. Thrawn, focused on his questis, didn’t seem to notice the other’s arrival. “I’m afraid we haven’t made much progress.” “Understandable,” Lamiov said, eyeing Thrawn still seated in his chair but apparently deciding it wasn’t worth calling him on his breach of etiquette. (memories VI)

and another fun moment:

Thrass leaned forward to look past Lappincyk at Thrawn, noting the single-edged focus on Thrawn’s face as his eyes flicked between the viewport and the displays. The center seat of the couch was reserved for the ship’s master, Thrass knew, with the seat on either side normally left empty. Only when the master deemed one of his companions or passengers worthy of special honor were those seats offered. Thrawn to Lappincyk’s right, Thrass to his left. Distantly, Thrass wondered if Thrawn recognized the honor he’d been granted by being offered the right-hand seat. Given that it was Thrawn, probably not. (memories VII)

update: lesser evil - chapters

thalias, recounting her meeting with thooraki at the mitth homestead:

Fleetingly, she thought back to her brief conversation with Patriarch Thooraki at the Mitth family homestead. There he’d encouraged her to help protect Thrawn from the political pressures that, despite his military genius, he seemed unable to recognize and counter. (prologue)

thurfian being... thurfian, convinced that thrawn‘s only still breathing holding his rank because of corrupt politicians or military leaders:

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Thurfian said. “You’ll recall we’ve speculated once or twice that someone high in either the Syndicure or the Defense Hierarchy Council has been protecting Thrawn from the repercussions of his political blunders. Maybe that artifact wing is the reason.” (chapter 2)

...which. he isn’t even wrong lmao

this next one is delicious, if i may say so:

“Caregiver Thalias, of course,” Thrawn said. If he was concerned about the political ramifications they were all facing, he wasn’t showing it. “And Senior Captain Lakinda of the Grayshrike. No one else.” “You mean Senior Captain Ziinda,” Ba’kif growled. “She’s been rematched to the Irizi.” “Really,” Thrawn said, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. “I hadn’t heard.” Ba’kif looked at Samakro. He’d heard, Ba’kif saw, and from the other’s expression it was clear Thrawn’s first officer had been working through the possible implications of Ziinda now belonging to the Mitth family’s most implacable rival. (chapter 3)

thrawn: [sigh] lakinda, ziinda, who even CARES ba’kif and samakro: 🥴

ah, yes. very sad that thrass is dead, if only for the fact that thrawn needed someone to navigate politics for him :/ (too soon? sorry, i was kidding. KIND OF.):

“Not since Thomoro the Tragic has the Ascendancy produced anyone with Thrawn’s unique combination of strategic and tactical skills plus the ability to observe, analyze, and predict.” “If only he also had Patriarch Thomoro’s political skills,” Lamiov said ruefully. “Which I doubt he ever will,” Ba’kif said. That had, after all, been the whole idea of working with Patriarch Thooraki to team him up with Thrass. The two of them working together… “But it’s no good dwelling on what might have been.” (chapter 20)

this one makes me want to strangle him just a tiny little bit:

“It was clear from my conversations with General Skywalker that the Republic was weak and fragmented,” Thrawn said. “Its leadership included many different factions and alien viewpoints, and it was continually being pulled in different directions. The Empire, in contrast, is unified under a single man and a single vision.” “Sounds like General Yiv and the Nikardun,” Ar’alani said with a shiver. (chapter 29)

thrawn: ah, dictatorships. i do love dictatorships

ok hon.

and the last one, even though i’m sure there’s one or two moments i’ve missed throughout the book:

“That’s our hope,” Thrawn said. “Though it naturally can’t be quite so obvious. The Syndicure would never permit direct contact with an alien government.” He smiled faintly. “Certainly not from a diplomatically useless agent such as myself.” (chapter 29)

i really love that he knows. dhdfsgf

NEXT UP: THRAWN.

thrawn

so. this part starts with one of my favorite quotes of the entire trilogy. it's a simple one but in relation to the ascendancy novels it's just SO. FUCKING. FUNNY. because eli, my boy, just reads thrawn so completely wrong in this moment. granted, they haven't been stuck with each other that long, but apparently the idea that thrawn has no fucking idea what eli's talking about is so outlandish to eli that he doesn't even consider it. remember the "i see" thing? where thrawn does not, actually, “see”? REMEMBER IT???

“I wasn’t able to get anything on why Captain Virgilio was replaced,” Eli murmured as they followed the procession of officers escorting the new commander, Captain Filia Rossi, on her tour of the Blood Crow. “But everyone agrees that Rossi’s very well connected. Nowadays, that’s all you need to get a command.” “I see,” Thrawn said. Eli grimaced. I see. That was Thrawn’s go-to answer when he didn’t want to say anything else. (chapter 7)

eli: ok thrawn doesn't want to talk about it then me: ELI. DARLING. HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO TALK ABOUT IT. EVERYTHING THAT'S COMING OUT OF YOUR MOUTH RIGHT NOW IS JUST GIBBERISH TO HIM.

okay. uh. i'm fine.

i love that throughout the course of the story, eli (and everyone else, for that matter) slowly find out that thrawn has no clue how to navigate politics. at all.

“I do not understand,” Thrawn said, his usually impassive face troubled as he gazed at the datapad report. If Thrawn were a lesser being, Eli reflected, he would almost say the Chiss was confused. “What’s there to understand?” Eli asked. “It’s the result everyone expected.” The glowing red eyes bored into Eli’s. “Everyone?” “Mostly,” Eli hedged. Yes, that was definitely what he might characterize as confusion. “Really, it’s just navy politics as usual.” “But it violates all tactical reason,” Thrawn objected. (chapter 15)

1) "if he were a lesser being" eli, please. 2) "BUT IT VIOLATES ALL TACTICAL REASON" hold on i need a minute to go scream into a pillow.

then eli has to actually spell it out for him:

Eli hesitated. It really wasn’t his place to say this. But if he didn’t, who else would? And for all Thrawn’s military skill and insight, he seemed incapable of seeing this one on his own. (chapter 15)

and:

“Do you suggest I try to be less capable?” “Of course not,” Eli said firmly. “You do that and more people will die and more bad guys get away. I’m just pointing out that you need to be aware that you’re in the political crosshairs.” “I understand,” Thrawn said. “I will endeavor to learn the rules and tactics of this form of warfare. [...]” (yes, still chapter 15)

but as ar'alani already knows, he's unable to do that. :(

eli being frustrated about his blocked promotions and thrawn having no idea what to do about it:

And for all of Thrawn’s military cleverness, he had no idea how to navigate Coruscant politics. (chapter 17)

NIGHTSWAN KNOWS IT (and yes, eli's finally gotten his promotion, and then some):

“I’m not worried about it,” [Eli] assured Nightswan. “The future is what you make of it, as my father used to say. I’m a commander, I have a fairly decent list of victories on my ledger, and I’d like to think I’ve picked up one or two friends along the way.” “Really?” Nightswan said. “Because Thrawn doesn’t seem to have. Not politically astute at all, from what I hear.” (chapter 24)

PRYCE KNOWS IT:

Thrawn hadn’t introduced his subordinates, either. Fortunately, both Arihnda and Yularen already knew Vanto, and the other woman by default and rank had to be Chimaera’s captain, Commander Faro. Mentally, Arihnda shook her head. After all this time, Thrawn still didn’t have a solid handle on the political requirements of his position. (chapter 25)

i just. yeah.

and as soon as thrawn starts talking about politics that don't just affect him but the galaxy as a whole i'm out. like, thrawn who? don't know that guy. never heard of him.

“I’m afraid that uniform has blinded you to reality.” “Not at all,” Thrawn said. “Certainly the Empire is corrupt. No government totally escapes that plague. Certainly it is tyrannical. But quick and utter ruthlessness is necessary when the galaxy is continually threatened by chaos.” (chapter 27)

ffs we had a good thing going here. like, a cute "unable to understand politics but weirdly endearing" energy. but this? this is just bullshit. 😔

like what is he even talking about:

“Perhaps your optimism is not as strong as you claim,” Thrawn said. “The tone of a government is set by its leader. But Emperor Palpatine will not live forever. When it comes time for his authority to be handed to another, my position as a senior officer will allow me to influence the choice of that leader.” (chapter 27)

i'm not touching that mess with a ten-foot pole.

anyway, a couple chapters later i'm good again because the thrawn & pryce dynamic is fucking brilliant and i need 50k words of them sniping at each other stat.

“That’s not how you bring an accusation against a powerful member of the Imperial government,” she said. “For all your tactical skill, Admiral, you still don’t know the first thing about dealing with politicians.” “Do I not?” “You do not,” Pryce said. Her voice holds confidence. “Your entire career has been one of military triumphs and political bumps, and every one of those bumps has required someone with political skill to get you out of it.” (chapter 29)

when she's right, she's right ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ who wants to bet that eli & yularen were listening at the door the whole time? AH SORRY I FORGOT, no gambling aboard ship. apologies.

okay, thrawn over, next stop: alliances.

and sadly there isn't much of anything about coruscant politics—

alliances

—except vader, like, being CONTINUALLY worried that thrawn wants to usurp his authority or whatever and take his place at the emperor's side, which. anakin, please. the Grand Admiral couldn't be LESS interested in that. maybe... chill? a little? mr. dark lord of the sith?? ok cool.

and one other thing that i'm just gonna leave here without comment:

“Is that how your Republic does things?” Thrawn countered. “This isn’t about politics,” Padmé shot back. “It’s about individuals. People. Honor.” “Politics is built from individuals,” Thrawn said. “The Separatists wished to leave the Republic. Why didn’t you simply allow them to go?” “Because they attacked us. They started the war.” Padmé slashed a hand of dismissal through the air between them. “That’s not the issue here.” “Perhaps it is,” Thrawn said. “We need to understand you. We need to know what drives you.” (chapter 15)

(or maybe a little comment: honestly it's a great example of what he was talking about with ar'alani re: that he sees aliens only as assets, not as people in one of the memories sections in chaos rising)

treason

oh boy. oh boy. just like in greater good, there's not that much material to work with here but it's so, so entertaining.

Grand Admiral Savit (gagging noises) has him figured out right from the start:

The fact that he’d made it all the way to the very top was proof of his strategic and tactical abilities. But he had one huge, glaring, fatal flaw. Clearly, he had absolutely no competence in the realm of politics. The way he’d responded to Krennic and Tarkin proved that beyond any doubt. Brilliant tactician or not, favorite of the Emperor or not, he’d looked like a ratling caught in a floodlight sweep in there. (chapter 1)

"RATLING CAUGHT IN A FLOODLIGHT SWEEP" i have no idea what a ratling is, i don't know what a floodlight sweep is (do not explain it to me) but that image is priceless.

just a little later:

“So you’re saying that, rather than being a problem solver, I’m merely a weapon?” “Exactly,” Savit said, his estimation of the man beside him rising a notch. But only one. After all, Savit had had to lay it out for him. And even then, Thrawn had had to convert it to military terms before he was able to grasp the concept involved. (chapter 1)

again the understanding of foreign concepts through metaphors!!! i fucking love it.

He’d assumed Thrawn was another political appointee, like most of the other eleven grand admirals, though in Thrawn’s case it would be the Emperor playing the politics and not Thrawn himself. Clearly, this grand admiral had more than a modicum of native intelligence. (still chapter 1 smh)

ronan: ok so he's smart but politics? i have to laugh

and finally an assessment by karyn faro, my favorite imperial lady whom i love very much:

Thrawn didn’t behave that way to his officers. He also didn’t have the political finesse even to notice subtle pressures, let alone bow to them. (chapter 4)

she knows him. 🥺

again savit:

“This sort of thing always boils down to politics.” Which you know so little about, he added to himself. (chapter 18)

and again ronan (god what is it with these guys):

Ronan felt his lip twist. Like Savit would ever have accepted a short-end deal like that. Savit was right; Thrawn really was incompetent in the political arena. (chapter 20)

and for a very nice closing quote of this god freaking damn long post, thrawn himself tells faro that he knows he's not that good at politics.

He regarded her thoughtfully. “You also have a far better sense of Imperial politics than I do.” […] “Indeed,” Thrawn said. “As I said before, you have a much better instinct for such political matters.” (chapter 24)

in conclusion: he knows it and he's not afraid to admit it and that's so iconic of him.

okay so. THAT'S IT. hope you enjoyed and didn't fall asleep halfway through. if someone actually read the whole thing pls let me know so i can dedicate a gifset to you or something 🤭

[milfglupshitto]

here are my thoughts as promised:

alright so just to preface: I went through the book so fast I hardly remember anything. and my head hurts so bad right now. sorry about that

BUT

- I am extremely grateful for and amused by TZ's refusal to kill his ensemble. he really just won't fucking do it (except for Thrass, sorry king)

- I cannot stress enough how relieved I am that mostly everyone lived, it gives me greater hope that we'll see their stories continue later

- the contrast between Thrass choosing Thrawn as his brother despite family ranks, and his sister not being able to remember him fucking gutted me

- as someone who has a sibling I am very close to who is currently geographically farther from me than ever before I simply cannot think more about Thrass without risking a scene

- I was sort of right about the exile thing! still waiting for the colonial stuff to get addressed, and pretty solidly wrong about my homeworld theory... for now

- the fact that one memory chapter gave us the answers to like half of people's bingo cards was really funny to me

- I don't think Ar'alani canonically knows about starflash, but when the Stybla representatives were describing how the weapon was used all I could think about was when Eli explained to her how he had planned to keep his promise to Vah'nya... it would be interesting if she knew

- on the subject of sky-walkers... yeah that reveal took me out. not sure how the system has changed by OT time but it can't be good

- the fact that there was so much emphasis on friendship? and bonds forged by trust and choice? scream

- Roscu partial redemption arc and eventual camraderie with Ziinda you're everyhting to me

- and of course how could I forget Wutroow's killer fucking roast? she came in clutch with the vocabulary there!

okay I might think of more stuff later but... god. wow. stefan voice this book has everything!

[ladyespera]

I posted 1,045 times in 2021

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My Top Posts in 2021

#5

crack ways to introduce thrawn on the ahsoka show that i wrote on my notes app that would anger thrawn's YT comment stans but still maintain the integrity of the character: 1) long solemn shot of space like the opening of any SW movie. suddenly the chimaera jumps out of hyperspace, smoking & barely holding together at the seams. someone screeching "--and stay OUT!" as an officer bats a tentacle out the broken windshield with a broom. alarms going off everywhere, smoke everywhere. everybody is hanging onto something for dear life, white-knuckled. from under the viewport console thrawn's voice comes like "are you CERTAIN that was the LAST hyperspace jump?!!" @ ezra. somewhere on the ceiling ezra is like "yeah!!! i'm positive!!!" next second all lights go off and some equipment somewhere falls loudly in the awkward silence. somebody (hammerly probably) is going "alright, who's not dead? sound off!" 2) funky SW pop music to a distant street shot of two figures (one smol, one tall) getting thrown out of a seedy bar, tall one shouting that "IT WASN'T CHEATING IT WAS STRATEGY!!" 3) a local museum on some distant out rim planet with a really bored receptionist sitting at a tiny counter; there's like 3 dusty exhibits with some sad local trinkets. it's like 3 pm and there's been maybe one visitor who stayed for 5 mins. receptionist looks up at a commotion as 2 disheveled strangers approach, one dragging the other saying "this could be VALUABLE INFORMATION" and the other insisting that "we came for supplies we have no FOOD!" 4) ahsoka sees ezra on a street like a homeless person holding a sign that says "MIND READING FOR 5 CREDITS!" like. a jedi and somebody who has sherlock deductive abilities? if they turned to petty chaos they could rival all other fortune-tellers. 5) shot of a hiking/refugee camp built out of spare ship parts. yes the rest of the crew has all survived and they've built a camp. somewhere, thrawn is explaining water filtration but everyone wants to watch ezra fly like aang. 6) long shot of a beautiful wilderness on some SW planet. peacefulness broken by distant screaming and crashing undergrowth as our protagonists flee whatever creature they've rashly attempted to hunt. thrawn's cursing is sliding more and more back to cheunh. (inspo credit: all the artists who'd drawn this already lol) 7) opening shot of admiral ar'alani's flagship in chiss space. some innocent officer onboard furrows their eyebrows in confusion as there's a beeping. "admiral we're receiving an urgent transmission from an Imperial source--" "admiral, we're detecting several masses approaching from hyperspace--!" then like. the ENTIRE 7TH FLEET AS A BURNING DUMSTER FIRE MESS DRAGGED BY THE WHOLE HERD OF SPACE WHALES jumps out of hyperspace all around and the steadfast has to do immediate evasive maneuvers. somewhere in all this the transmission comes through and it's just like "chiss space, so this is thrawn--" the chimaera nearly collides with the steadfast and only serious braking and screaming on both sides results in the ships only lightly banging bumpers. still, there's now a dent on the steadfast. scream of rage from the bridge of the steadfast: "MITTH'RAW'NURUODO!"

336 notes • Posted 2021-06-23 18:09:28 GMT

#4

alright everyone, share, WHOMST is the silmarillion character, from any of the three ages, no matter how niche or how popular, whose appearance in any trailer or promo no matter its quality will cause your spirit to freak out so fierily that you perish and leave your body an ashen heap?

679 notes • Posted 2021-08-03 03:19:58 GMT

#3

okay this is random but like i get a kick out of how maul and thrawn are such POLAR OPPOSITE star wars villain vibes. i mean maul literally lives off of hot hot vengeance and shakespearean mystery force drama every SECOND of his life whereas thrawn tries to disattach and observe and actually think before going feral. they even have completely contrasting looks (blue in white, red in black). and yet. AND YET. maul is also a great POLITICAL strategist in his own way (the kind of strategy that continually eludes thrawn). literally the ONLY common ground is that they both have voices smoother than war crimes and vain lies to the emperor. they could never even have been in the same bad guy conference room in star wars because their energies would have canceled each other out and ripped open the fabric of star wars reality.

763 notes • Posted 2021-07-13 15:33:52 GMT

#2

"Hera Syndulla is the best Star Wars pilot," I say into the mic.

The crowd boos. I begin to walk off in shame, when a voice speaks and commands silence from the room.

"She's right," they say. I look for the owner of the voice. There in the fifth row stands: Grand Admiral Thrawn.

1660 notes • Posted 2021-10-15 04:16:53 GMT

#1

stan how you can watch dr who stick some of the finest actors in the world in the background somewhere as random one-dimensional supporting characters. like here is academy award winner olivia colman being a weird cgi shapeshift monster for <10 mins. here is sir ian mckellan himself voicing a disembodied intelligence in a snowglobe. academy award nominee richard e grant is the evil winter villain controlling said piranha snowmen btw. 

1664 notes • Posted 2021-04-06 05:06:04 GMT

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[thedistantstorm]

Project Compass 32

Read along on AO3 here

<< Previous Chapter <<   >> Next Chapter >>

This time: Ar'alani and Vah'nya conduct an interrogation.

Next time: A trap must be dealt with.

-/

Vah’nya regarded Eli with a look suffused with warmth, openly displaying her affection. The way one regarded a close friend, perhaps even one they regarded as a brother with whom their association transcended blood relation. Her lips quirked slightly, and she smiled at him with a hint of sadness in her face.

“He kissed you,” She said. “Did he-”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Said Eli.

He looked like a Chiss, in Vah’nya’s estimation. It was in how straight his back was, the way his shoulders rounded down not in an overly relaxed gesture, but one that indicated he understood his place, that he was prepared but not coiled so tightly that he could not adapt. He was strong. Far stronger than she - than any Chiss - had expected him to be. She could not help but be impressed by him, by his strength of will, of his convictions, but most of all, of his heart. It could not be easy to be a human among Chiss, and even less so to come to terms with being a human who had feelings for one, considering...

The true events leading to Thrawn’s departure were known only by the human beside her. Even so, Vah’nya knew she saw more than others would have in the silent security holo she’d watched with Admiral Ar’alani. Others would have suspected it to be a ploy, a way to catch Eli off guard. Others did not truly know Mitth’raw’nuruodo.

Thrawn was hardly a good actor when subtle, gentle emotions were concerned. He knew how to project anger and rage, how to tap into the wellspring of his feelings to pluck out strands of the brightest, sharpest ones in order to subdue or coerce. There was no act, and Eli knew it, just like Vah’nya, just like Ar’alani. She had been surprised to see the admiral swear and rap her fist against the console as she called Thrawn a rather impressive slur indicating him to be an idiot.

“I know,” Vah’nya said, shrugging off her uniform tunic in favor of a deep black combat uniform that had been procured from the quartermaster. It was so dark it nearly matched the color of her hair. Despite being dressed in both an undershirt and long leggings beneath her usual attire, Eli turned away politely, shucking both undershirt and tunic for his own tactical gear. “We’ll rescue him,” She said reassuringly. “I am confident we will.”

“Un’hee is our primary objective,” Eli reminded her, resolve echoing off the walls of the small room as he affixed a belt to his waist before moving on to secure the holster attached to it around his thigh. “Not Thrawn.”

“Mitth’raw’nuruodo is vital to our plans, as well,” She pressed. He hid his hurt behind his duty, but she wasn’t willing to ignore that they both would do what needed to be done. “We need him, and you know it. We-”

“Of course,” Interrupted Eli. “However-”

Vah’nya continued speaking as if he’d never said anything at all. “You’ve waited long enough. Our plans are in motion, for better or worse.” Then she smirked a little, teasing, “Besides, now you can show him just how much of a warrior you are,” She drawled a little. “Would he find such a display…” She trailed off and let her expression go slack as she said, “Enticing?” In a silky-tone that was an impeccable - albeit more soprano - rendition of Thrawn. Unable to maintain his completely expressionless expression, Un’hee waggled her eyebrows mock-seductively.

That won her a little laugh. “Let’s see where the mission takes us,” Mused Eli, though his lips curled upwards just a tick. “We still have a bit of work to do before we’re rescuing anyone and-” He shook his head, still unwilling to talk about what had obviously been rather pivotal interaction. Neither Ar’alani or Un’hee were stupid: they might not know the specifics from grainy holo-footage, but they had an idea of just what had happened. Frankly, it hadn’t come as a surprise. Perhaps that’s what hurt Eli a little more than usual. As if sensing her shift in thinking, the human nudged her with his shoulder as he passed, still taking care to look away. “Get a move on.”

Vah’nya hummed. “Fine,” She said, and then willed herself to be serious as she zipped up her dark trousers and fitted the utility belt around her waist. The attire made her look more slender than she was, but in a way that indicated severity, not fragility. Her hair was already pulled back from her face in tight braids that wound around each other at the base of her skull. “Let’s get this over with.” She’d try to get more out of him the next time they had a minute. Maybe Ezra could help, she considered, before forcing all thoughts unrelated to their upcoming task aside.

They exited the ready room with matching expressions, lips thinned, eyes guarded and headed not toward Ar’alani’s office, but rather to the deepest recesses of the ship, beyond the massive cargo bay and entry-point to the hangar. Those they passed looked skeptical, concerned, but did not comment on their choice of gear. The ship was preparing for battle, and all hands were needed. Time was not a luxury any of them could afford. It was estimated that they had approximately two hours until they would drop out of hyperspace and be in the same region as their rogue ship, the anticipated transport, and whatever Grysk forces were counting on their arrival.

“Our best chance to keep on target is to crack him in thirty minutes,” Ivant said as they both subjected their irises to scanning. The scanner-tech’s beep of approval permitted them entry to the cell block and interrogation room containing their prisoner. “Remember your training,” He urged. “You can do this.”

Vah’nya nodded, fingers rippling.

Faro and Ar’alani waited for them just outside the mirrored glass that allowed them to see into the interrogation room, but did not allow their prisoner to see out. And inside, newly disgraced and former Mid Commander Tanik sat stone-faced and restrained at both wrists and ankles with wide cuffs. Someone had ripped the patch representing the Aristocra from his uniform.

“Are you prepared to begin?” Ar’alani asked them.

Both Ivant and Vah’nya inclined their heads to her, though neither stiffened to attention. Vah’nya considered Ar’alani for a moment. “You should take point, Admiral.”

“As you wish,” She relented, before turning to Ivant. “Will you be joining us?”

“I’ll wait outside with Faro.” He answered, “If that is acceptable with you, of course. I think that my presence would distract more than assist,” He thought aloud. “It has to be a Chiss.”

“I’ll say. I already questioned him,” Faro said. “His opinions were noted.”

Ar’alani opened the door to the interrogation room. “This is your chance to speak,” She insisted to the captive Tanik as she let herself inside.

“And if I do not?” Tanik’s voice was muffled as the door shut behind Vah’nya. Both women stood before the table Tanik was bolted to at the wrists. “The Aristocra has laws about the treatment of military prisoners,” He challenged. “The Families will not tolerate torture,” He said, and this statement was transmitted through the small speaker just beneath the mirrored transparisteel.

Faro rubbed her arms against the sudden chill she felt in the air as Ar’alani regarded Vah’nya with a curt nod. “What the hell is going on, Vanto?” Faro hissed.

“Don’t worry about it,” He said, never taking his eyes off of Vah’nya even as he felt Faro’s eyes trying to drill into the side of his head. “Where’s Bridger?”

“He’s in Ar’alani’s office.”

“Comm him to come down here.” Vanto turned to regard Faro with a serious expression. “Once Tanik caves, we’re going straight to the hangar,’” He said. “There’s no time for a formal conference about the op, it’s already underway.”

“You’re pretty confident,” Faro commented. “The admiral and I have drilled into him for over an hour. That’s not very long. He might not crack in time, and even if he does, knows if he’ll even have anything remotely useful.”

“He will,” Eli turned his gaze back to the interrogation, eyes landing on Vah’nya. His expression was particularly grim. “Trust me.”

-/

Thrawn had been in the Compass’s medbay in passing during his assignment aboard the warship and suspected he’d been whisked through it when he had been dosed with the Grysk’s poison before being transferred to Ar’alani’s far larger, better equipped flagship.

It was useful to know his surroundings, despite only being able to distinguish it by the overhead lights and the consoles beside sterilization units on the far wall. The majority of the medical suite had been stripped to the essentials. He had been shackled to a variation of a chair-like device he’d seen before. The Empire’s version required the individual to support their own body weight, with restraints around the pelvis, wrists, and ankles. This one did not require the individual to stand, indicative of a more intimate, methodical torture than one carried out by an anonymous probe droid.

The status of his restraints did not concern him, however. Thrawn’s concerns were not for himself. The Grysks had seen fit to ignore him after he’d been taken into their custody. Their infernal attention had instead rested solely on Un’hee. Un’hee, who was close by. Un’hee who-

Thrawn snarled but did not thrash against his restraints. It would be futile to do so. He would be forced to wait, to endure, and he knew he had to do so silently, no matter how much she screamed.

If their captors recognized this as a way to get valuable information from him, her treatment would worsen significantly. He would not allow that. It was his fault she was in this situation as it were, despite her aspirations to volunteer. She was a child. A Navigator of the Ascendancy, sure, but Navigators did not do battle or fight wars. She might aspire to live up to the warrior ideologies they tried to embody, but that was something that took an entire lifetime, whether the Chiss had been gifted with Sight or not.

Still, she did not scream for him to talk or even to make it stop. Something proud burned bright in his chest, allowing him to distance himself just that little bit more from her shrieks of agony. This was a cost of war, of engaging with their enemy, and while the greater good of their people was worth more than one girl’s life, it did not mean he would regret any harm that befell her any less.

When his captors - one Grysk flanked by three Chiss in murky gray coveralls - finally set their sights on him, Thrawn was certain it had at least one hour but less than three since he’d been placed in the room.

He could hear Un’hee whimpering louder now. The door to the medical suite they’d emerged from had likely been left open. Thrawn did not give his captors any indication he noticed. It would be construed as weakness. And it would harm Un’hee if identified, since they would most assuredly exploit it. He was aware of their tactics. The Grysks did not drug those with Sight. They chipped away at their captives’ sanity with pain, then set their sights upon the remains of a Navigator’s fraying mind.

Eyes forward, locked on a Chiss male with long hair that seemed oddly dull under the medbay’s fluorescents, Thrawn refused to flinch as something was injected into his arm. He’d been long since trained to resist torture, to sequester away his innermost secrets even altered by chemical substances. He felt the burn and rush of the hallucinogen as it coursed through his bloodstream, fading into something that felt both frigid and fire all at once. A fusion of Grysk and Chiss procedure, he speculated grimly.

The long-haired Chiss asked questions while the Grysk and two assistants stayed back, watching with stoic faces. Their frustration did not show when Thrawn refused to answer questions even as he felt his vision blur, afterimages projected behind his eyelids when he blinked. His tongue did not thicken, though his mouth began to feel dry. Again, he didn’t give away his predicament, focusing on making no response rather than the psychedelic effects of whatever cocktail they’d dosed him with.

They wanted information on the Aristocra. Thrawn did not tell them he was the wrong person to ask. They wanted information about how he’d escaped the Empire, about their machinations. Thrawn noted, despite the growing auditory distortion and obvious that they did not mention. They layered questions over each other, and eventually, it all began to blur like his vision, the questions coming faster - or perhaps the drug was making his mind move slower - though he continued to focus on keeping quiet, pressing his lips together in a thin line. It was both advantageous and not that his mental processes had been limited by the chemicals in his blood stream. Had he not been trained to remain intently focused on his goal despite his deteriorating state, such a thing would have induced rage, fury, and even the possibility of anxiety. But Thrawn was trained. He did not feel anything but cool indifference and perhaps a little high. He did lift his head, however uncertain as to when it had begun to list forward, and maintained what felt like steady eye contact with the lone Grysk in the room. They did not react, only meeting his gaze and holding it for what felt like far longer than the seconds it lasted. Nothing more.

Still, Thrawn felt no compulsion to speak, and eventually there was another prick, some fast-acting agent injected into the crook of his elbow. He felt himself go slack just milliseconds before his eyes slammed shut.

-/

Chiss weaponry was bulkier than most of what Ezra had used during his time with the rebellion. Not for the first time, he missed his lightsaber desperately. Using a staff or baton was alright, but he hated slinging something to his belt or back that he had to think about, lest he catch himself passing through doorways or be hindered in small spaces. More often than not the weapon remained in its holster if he bothered to carry it all. Ezra found himself more comfortable with the Force’s guidance and whatever make-shift weapon the situation allowed. His adaptability, his scrappiness were his allies in dangerous situations. He’d had plenty of practice learning how to face all sorts of seemingly deadly situations head on thanks to the family he’d come to consider his own.

He had a feeling it was these skills that would help them today. When they had called him down to the cellblock, he knew it was because he would be helping with whatever plan Admiral Ar’alani had cooked up. They would have to work hard to salvage what Thrawn had broken by going off on his own.

Being honest with himself, however, Ezra found that he couldn’t deny Thrawn’s reasoning. He wanted to protect the people he cared about. Bringing Un’hee into it definitely wasn’t okay, but he’d been more than capable of coercion even as a little kid. It was a survival tool he’d used to the fullest as a kid on the streets of his homeworld. Whether Thrawn liked it or not, Un’hee had several similarities to the older Chiss that probably couldn’t be ignored following this.

Ezra wondered if maybe this was the mission he needed to undertake for the Chiss, the reason he’d felt so sure he was needed to follow Thrawn back to the Unknown Regions in the first place. The Force had not so subtly nudged him in this direction, tying him to Thrawn. Thrawn, Ezra knew, was devoted to his people. He may not have wanted to put any of his (well, Ezra assumed that Thrawn considered most of them) friends at risk, but the choice was out of his hands now.

They had to rescue them. Ezra clenched his fists until the material of the combat gloves he’d been given squelched and stretched over his knuckles. It would be difficult. He felt the disturbance aboard the Steadfast like a rapidly approaching stormcloud. He had no doubt that whatever awaited them aboard the Compass would be far worse.

The cells in this wing of the ship were all empty. Graphite colored doors remained closed and lighting strips between equally dark durasteel floor panels illuminated them. At the end of the hall he could make out Commander Faro and Captain Ivant. Faro appeared a bit more skeptical compared to Ivant. The captain’s face was an impassive mask. Someone without the Force at their disposal might have been impressed.

But the Force was strong with Ezra. He could feel the turbulence of worry and pressed back anger that hung over Eli like it held a physical form. The humans stood out brightly in his extended senses compared to the more muted Chiss nearby. Though Ezra could hardly read their minds, he could get a read on their emotional state even if Vanto hadn’t been off balance and projecting. Ezra had long since accepted his ability to connect with others. He long suspected that it increased his need to meditate - he felt like a lightning rod for errant emotions sometimes - but that was a small price to pay for heightened empathy.

Eli Vanto was justified in feeling how he did, Ezra thought. It didn’t take an idiot to figure out that he’d had an altercation with Thrawn, had tried to stop him from going off on whatever this suicide mission - Ar’alani had called it that first - was.

And then, Ezra remembered. He remembered Un’hee: months and months ago, how she’d reached for Thrawn, been cradled against the stoic Chiss’s chest, talking about Eli and Vah’nya while Thrawn struggled to console her with truths that weren’t very comforting at all.

Ezra thought about the man he once knew. Grand Admiral Thrawn: the cold, ruthless executor of calculated plans. The lone alien seemingly at the top of the Imperial Navy. The war criminal who had opened fire on the civilians of Lothal to prove a point to a barely grown Jedi. The servant who would have done anything to please his emperor.

That man was not the same as the one who had gone off to confront the Grysks and their clients in a more intimate setting, who strove to defeat the infiltrators within his own people who might yet be within his ability to save. His heinous actions with the Empire could never truly be atoned for, but Ezra was not foolish enough to think that he too did not have the blood of innocents on his hands. Thrawn knew the lesson, and he recognized his mistake even if it was made with good intent. Thrawn had always had a clear mission.

He’d said to Un’hee that night, as she cried against his chest: We must strive to protect that which we care about. It is why we serve, is it not?

Still, there was one lesson Ezra believed Thrawn had yet to learn: He wasn’t alone.

The only reason Ezra had ever been able to go off on his own to face his reckoning with Thrawn over Lothal was because he’d had people to back him up. His friends - his family - had rallied.

Thrawn had amassed a crew like that, Ezra supposed. He had Eli and Ezra, Faro and Ar’alani, even Vah’nya and Un’hee. Ezra got the feeling he’d always had Ar’alani at his back, even if she held herself apart from the rest. They weren’t just going to let him sacrifice himself.

“Has he said anything?” Ezra asked as soon as he was close enough not to yell. He tried to be casual about his approach and not appear like he’d spent the last several minutes lost in his thoughts.

Faro shook her head. “We don’t have much time,” She answered, though it felt more like she was talking to Vanto. The captain hummed, giving Ezra the impression that this was something she had said before.

Gestured closer, Ezra was allowed a glimpse inside the interrogation room. Tanik remained tall, despite being cuffed, puffed up and proud. His red eyes glowed in the dim light and the way he held himself spoke of defiance. His body language matched his words: indignant insults and haughty pride. Tanik was spiteful to the core. When he wasn’t speaking, the Chiss’s lips were thin and pale, pressed shut as Ar’alani asked questions and made no headway. She followed up by speculating truths and lies that might get him to slip up when he resumed his mocking commentary. In return she received a cool, unimpressed gaze.

Then there was Vah’nya. She stood further back, not quite pressed against the wall behind Ar’alani. It seemed like Tanik had forgotten about her or perhaps she’d not wanted to be present in the first place. Ezra couldn’t tell.

Admiral Ar’alani was a very vibrant woman when frustrated, she wore her anger like armor. It made her sharper. “She-” Ezra paused, aware of the volume of his voice in the otherwise silent space. “It doesn’t seem like the admiral is trying very hard,” He finished, feeling his cheeks heat up.

“Oh?” Captain Ivant cast his eyes to the left. He focused on Ezra for a moment in his periphery before returning his gaze to the window and the interrogation underway. “Your reasoning?” He drawled, voice pitched low and curious-like.

Faro tutted. “It’s freaky when you do that.”

Shrugging, Eli retorted, “He needs to make the connections,” And waited for the Jedi to answer.

Ezra scratched the back of his head with his hand before returning it to his side. He had his suspicions. “She doesn’t believe Tanik will confess anything?”

The captain hummed. “Or?”

“Or,” The Jedi parroted as he arranged his second theory, “Or she already suspects what’s going on and just needs him to confirm details. That’s why she’s making the contradicting statements.”

Eli turned to Faro with the slightest angling of his shoulders. The commander shook her head, but acknowledged him anyway. “It’s eerie how good you are at this, you know that?”

“He was my commander a lot longer than he was yours,” Eli said. Ezra ignored the prickle of pain that passed through Ivant in the Force, keen on grasping the bigger picture. “You and I are both a testament to him being a good teacher.”

She shrugged. It was hard to argue that, apparently. “Still,” She said, “I don’t have anything to add.”

“The third option,” Eli began when Ar’alani fell silent for the first time in ten minutes, leaning over the table and meeting her former mid-commander’s gaze at close range, “Is that she doesn’t care if he speaks either way.”

“What?” Faro’s voice was incredulous. Ezra got the feeling that Faro had always been outspoken, prone to chime in with what she thought. At this point, he agreed with her. It wouldn’t make any sense.

“Ar’alani was never going to get Tanik to talk,” Ezra summarized, unsure that he’d heard Ivant correctly.

“So why waste our time?” Faro asked for herself and Ezra both. They exchanged a look of puzzlement, clearly coming to the same conclusion.

“An act of kindness,” Eli said when Ar’alani straightened and stepped back from their prisoner, turning toward the door and exiting without another word. She did not look back at Vah’nya. Ezra watched as the Navigator shifted from her aloof posture into something almost feline and very focused.

Then, Vah’nya turned her head and met Vanto’s gaze as though the mirrored transparisteel was entirely clear. Ezra felt the weight of her stare both literally and spiritually. When the moment broke, the Navigator took two steps forward and to the right. She stood directly before Tanik, her blood red eyes seeming to glow brighter than Ezra could remember.

“I won’t speak to you either, Navigator,” Tanik spat. The small speaker crackled with latent static. “I have nothing to say. Playing off of each other will not work, no matter how kind you are. Save your breath.”

Vah’nya considered him for a moment. “If you believe,” She began, voice soft but for the intensity of her words, “That the admiral was to be the cruel one, I regret to inform you that you have misread the situation entirely.” She discarded her gloves.

“You will speak to me,” She continued as if speaking to her gloves or even the table.

Tanik snorted. “Have you ever interrogated anyone before?” He asked her. “Ar’alani has more military experience than you have years alive and she has not been successful.”

“I wish to know how many crew members are aboard the vessel scheduled to dock with the Steadfast,” Vah’nya queried. “Will they report to the Compass or the warship that awaits us at the rendezvous?” She lifted her gaze to Tanik, no longer smoothing out the mesh-like gloves of her uniform.

“I will not tell you.”

“But you know?” She asked.

“Know what?” Outside the room, Ar’alani stiffened where she stood beside Ivant. Vah’nya didn’t rise to the bait.

“The Aristocra will not tolerate cruel treatment of an officer,” He prodded. “Were you not listening?” Then, he leaned back, relaxing against his chair. “Besides,” He spat, “You have no weapons on you, no torture devices… So, you’ll violate me with your Sight,” He speculated.

“I do not have time to use Second Sight,” She said. She studied her hands then raised her head, tilting it to the left as she returned her gaze to his face. “Tell me, have you heard of Project Compass?”

“Ah,” Tanik said. “The secret Navigator project that has yet to bear fruit. What of it?”

“It bears fruit,” Vah’nya said. Her voice curled with something familiar that Ezra couldn’t place. “Shall I show you?”

“Vanto,” Faro murmured quietly. “What the hell-”

“You may want to look away,” Vanto answered, though he didn’t. That didn’t answer her question at all.

Ezra felt the cold. It was like snowmelt dripping down his spine, the darkness thick like flavorless syrup, not the saccharine oily feeling he was used to, there and gone before anything even happened. Faro flinched like he did, though she took a single step back for an entirely different reason.

The interrogation room lit up blue-white as the transparisteel cracked and shattered in what felt like lightspeed in slow motion. Lightning struck without thunder. Ezra could still see the brightness of it when he closed his eyes. He could hear Tanik scream, more fear than pain.

The transparisteel window - the two way mirror separating the hallway of the cellblock from the interrogation room - had been reduced to sand-like fragments that glittered against the inlaid floor lighting. The durasteel frame hissed and smoked as though it had been touched by extreme heat.

“Tell me everything,” Vah’nya ordered, speaking over the crackle of destroyed electronics from the speaker embedded below the window’s opening. Her left hand relaxed and drifted down. She regarded her unblemished fingertips, then flexed them. “The sensation is not pleasant for a living being, I am told,” She said, and allowed her hand to fall the rest of the way to her side.

Tanik stared upon Vah’nya in horror and wonder, deathbringer and salvation all in one. He panted, reeling in his seat as he looked between the damage and the Navigator who regarded him, tall, proud, and regal. The fight seemed to leave him like a tangible thing. He swallowed hard, worked his jaw. His eyes remained wide with astonishment.

Then, he spoke.

[captaingondolin]

I FINISHED THRAWN. I AM AN ORPHAN. I AM BEREFT!

.....i have such a backlog of fics to catch up on you have no idea.

okay, so now onto the last of my liveblogging! i was walking home from work honest-to-got CACKLING out loud at some of these moments. i probably worried some people. but, look, i love Thrawn being A Bastard. threatening - nay, INFORMING people of how fucked they are. i love all of it.

Timothy Stop Making Me Care About Imperials Challenge

...dammit I really like Hammerly for absolutely no valid reason, since she has such a small role. But I’ve been really into her since they mentioned she is a Clone Wars veteran in one of the other books

Thrawn smiling at Eli getting a promotion is so On Brand, he’s SO PROUD i have feelings /falls to the floor in a heap of thranto

Krennic shouting that everyone in “STARDUST” is loyal when even the FUCKING NAME Stardust is part Galen’s plot..... what an iconic moment. what a gem. fuck Krennic. (his voice is ON POINT though! Marc T is GOOD)

It's Thrawn's fault Vader is involved with the Death Star!! this book is a gift

THRAWN SENDING RONAN TO THE CHISS, Thrawn PLS stop sending humans to the Ascendancy (also can you imagine? everyone would think Ronan and Eli would bond/are already friends because they are the only two humans, but they DESPISE each other and, well, Ronan deserves it, but poor Eli...)

Ronan's inflated sense of self importance continues to baffle me

THIS ENTIRE QUOTE: "Some day, Mitth’raw’nuruodo, you'll overthink and over plan and it will come crashing down all around you. When that happens, I hope someone is there to lift you back to your feet." "You, perhaps?" Ar'alani shakes her head. Her expression holds regret. Perhaps even pain. "I very much fear I I will never see you again"  I have FAR TOO MANY FEELINGS about their weird maybe-friendship and this quote punched ALL OF THEM

Current sexual orientation: angry Faro wanting to strangle Ronan (and Marc T’s angry Faro’s voice)

Thrawn telling Faro that he blocked one promotion to get her a MUCH BIGGER one "Because you are much better than that" i am SCREAMING "you are an exceptionally competent commander" THRAWN PLEASE all of my feelings, and then HE GOES ON, and he SMILES at her and LISTEN TO THIS SHIT: "Thank you, Admiral" Faro managed, "It... Sir, it's been the greatest privilege of my life to serve under you. I can only hope my officers will feel even a tenth of that pride and satisfaction under my command." "They will that, and far more," Thrawn assured her. "And now, commodore, one final time. You may prepare my ship." ONE FINAL TIME i am not crying who’s crying NOT ME

[masterskywalkers]

#85 from the angst/fluff prompt list?

Firstly, thank you so much for sending this through! It was such a lovely surprise to see in my inbox ❤

I wasn’t too sure what sort of pairing / characters you wanted me to write for for this, so I apologise in advance if you had someone I usually write for in mind. Instead, I took the chance to write something I haven’t written for before, since I’ve been reading a good portion of the Thrawn novels recently. So, here we are!

85 - “I need to tell you something”. [prompt list located here]This prompt can also be read on AO3 here.Collateral Damage

It’s not difficult for Ar'alani to find Thrawn whilst onboard the Springhawk.

Ever since their conversation with Chaf’orm’bintrano, Thrawn had remained under the temporary protective custody of the Expansionary Fleet. Both he and Ar’alani knew the investigation into his actions regarding both Outbound Flight and the Vagaari were far from forgotten, but rather put on hold whilst more pressing matters were at hand.

Now however, Ar’alani wishes she had better news to deliver to the Commander.

He’s sitting on the far end of the couch when she finds him in Forward Visual, attention focused on the image of space outside the viewport. As Ar’alani comes to stop within the room Thrawn slowly pulls his gaze away from the viewport, instead turning his head to acknowledge her presence.

“Admiral.” He says, as way of a welcome.

“Commander,” comes Ar’alani’s response. She clasps her hands behind her back, standing proud and tall despite the reason why she’s here. For a brief moment Ar’alani simply remains silent as Thrawn’s eyes flicker over her expression, likely trying to find the answer for her sudden visit on his ship hidden somewhere within it.

“You likely have already understood that my visit is not a social one.”

“I assumed as much from your request,” Thrawn eventually responds, rising to stand. “I gather that the subject is urgent.”

“To put it more accurately, it is rather that the subject is something I thought you should know.”

Thrawn raises an inquisitive eyebrow. Ar’alani pauses, briefly bracing herself for the difficult truth she must share with him.

“Mitth’ras’safis has been declared as deceased.”

Ar’alani has always thought Thrawn often difficult to read. He’s a genius, yes, but a rather guarded one when it comes to sharing what it is he thinks or feels. Over the years Ar’alani has come to understand that Thrawn is even often overly cautious to reveal much about a plan, beliving that to overshare before the result is clear is tet expectations and influence what others expect out of the situation at hand.

So with keeping that present in her mind, the fact that there is a fleeting slight of a crack in his usually guarded mask startles Ar’alani. It is gone in the blink of an eye, yet Ar’alani knows her words have managed to shake Thrawn to his core.

“They have found his body?” Thrawn asks, albeit cautiously.

“No,” Ar’alani confirms. “Nor have they found Outbound Flight or any trace of possible remains. Yet the search has been called off, with no intention to pursue it further. For all intents and purpose, your brother is believed to be dead.”

Thrawn’s brow furrows, and he casts what Ar'alani can only describe as disbelieving look in her direction.

“The Eighth Ruling Family would never give up on searching for a Syndic such as my brother.”

“They would if they knew of the risk of Outbound Flight falling into any of the Ruling Families hands could insight civil war among them. You know as well as I that the sacrifice is one which would be made if it ensured a better outlook for our people in general.”

Ar'alani can see that Thrawn knows her words are truth, even if he doesn’t particularly like hearing them. She can only imagine the confliction of his thoughts: the troubled blend of knowing what is right and just in accordance to the family he serves, and of what is fair towards the memory of the brother which shares his blood.

It is why she is prepared for his stubborn response.

“Thrass deserves better than to be a mere sacrifice in a political game, Admiral.”

“I agree, as I know you are well aware. Yet you forget one vital thing Commander. That it was Mitth'ras'safis’s own choice to remain on Outbound Flight and help navigate it towards the nearest Defense Fleet base. One which he made despite my own reluctance.”

Ar'alani tilts her head to one side, eyes narrowing as she continues to watch Thrawn. She’s certain that if it weren’t for the fact that he was in as much trouble as he currently was Thrawn would take to searching for his brother as soon as she leaves the Springhawk.

She also knows that, given his brothers precarious situation right now, Thrass would certainly not appreciate such brash actions taken on his account. Especially in light of other current circumstances.

“Do not give me cause to regret passing this knowledge onto you, Mitth'raw'nuruodo. Your brother may not be able to help either us with Chaf'orm'bintrano’s anger now, but that does not mean it is time for you to forget the orders I have previously given to you.” She straightens her neck, her voice lowering slightly as she continues. “You know what else is currently lurking out there, Commander.”

Across from her Thrawn takes in a slow, deep breath. After a beat of a moment, he bows his head.

“Of course, Admiral. Although … I find myself asking you one question.”

“And what is that?” Ar'alani asks.

“Only that if my brother were to ever return, what would you tell him of me?”

Ar'alani raises an eyebrow. It isn’t the question she’d expected, but then she hadn’t known what he might ask of her.

“I would tell him the truth, of course. That in order to continue to protect and save our people from the threat of the Far Outsiders - as well as to appease both Chaf'orm'bintrano and the rest of the Fifth Ruling Family - you were exiled. Although to be clear, given how long it has been since his disappearance, I doubt it is a message I shall be sharing.”

Thrawn nods, and doesn’t say anything more.

Having delivered her message, Ar'alani turns and prepares to leave Thrawn alone to his privacy. Yet as she reaches the door she comes to a pause. Glancing over her shoulder she notices how her Commander appears to have deflated slightly under the weight of the tragedy that has been shared with him. Ar'alani remembers how upset he had appeared before, when the radiation bomb had destroyed the majority of life aboard Outbound Flight.

She feels she is witnessing the same level of anguish now.

“For what it is worth, I am deeply sorry for your loss, Thrawn. Mitth'ras'safis was a good man, and I truly wish the outcome of his efforts had been better.”

I also know how important he was to you, she leaves unsaid, the words floating in the space between them.

Instead, Ar'alani turns her gaze away once more and, without looking behind her, leaves.

Bonus:

It isn’t until after Ar'alani leaves that Thrawn falls back down into his earlier space on the couch. He presses his hands against his eyes, trying hard to push back the mixed wave of frustration and guilt that suffocates him.

Part of him had known. Known there was a chance that, if things went badly, he would never see Thrass again. He’d simply remained too hopeful, believed his brother would always find a way to return to him.

A dangerous thing, hope was.

It shouldn’t have been Thrass.

Thrawn still remembers the argument he’d played in his brother’s favour. How the role of a warrior was to protect the Chiss people, and that the warrior’s own survival was of secondary importance. Yet as Thrass had made clear when he’d presented his decision to remain with Outbound Flight, he wasn’t ever under military command. Thrawn knew he was only staying because both his and Ar'alani’s hands were tied, could see it when he’d last looked at his brother before leaving him behind.

Once again Thrass had been clearing up after him. The difference is, this time the cost came too high.

Thrawn rarely made mistakes. Instead he usually considered all variables, had a plan for any eventual obstacle he could calculate.

His mistakes this time around - as well as the reaction of events that unravelled after - would act as a future reminder to him to be even more vigilant.

For now though, Thrawn takes the time available to him to loose himself in his grief.

[fallenrepublick]

I don't think I've asked for this but if I have just delete this ask, but have to get my girl in on my classic migraine ask. So, Ar'alani with a reader who gets migraines?

I think Ar’alani handles those remarkably well. She’s known Thrawn for a long time, who gets them every so often as well. This means that she’s seen her fair share of them, as well as how to help deal with them.

She’s on it almost the second she sees you make the telltale expression, scurrying you away from what you all are doing, back to your quarters. And she’ll guide you to lay down. lights still off, her voice soft and quiet as she asks, “What is it you need?”

She always has an extra supply of medication (if it even tends to work, that is), and found special pillows for you a long time ago designed to support your neck, which she brings out soon after you seem comfortable.

And she sticks around, rubbing at your temples, watching your expressions to see if you become any more relaxed, or even better, if you begin falling asleep. She won’t leave unless she’s certain you’re better, keeping the room cool, whispering every so often to stay relaxed and sleep, not to worry about a thing. She keeps water at your bedside and there’s always some manner of food waiting for you when you wake back up.

[thedistantstorm]

Project Compass 38

Read along on AO3 here

<< Previous Chapter <<   >> Epilogue >>

This time: The path forward.

Next time: Epilogue

-/

Though the battle had ended, activity did not cease. The reclaimed bridge of the Compass was even busier in the aftermath. Unsure as to how much of the ship would be safe to traverse, and with as many blast doors closed as possible to prevent anything - but more importantly, anyone - from being sucked out into the void, there was little they could do short of gathering information, then improvising with what they had.

Un'hee had much to give, though. It was far easier to be concerned about those she could help than those she couldn't. She refused to think about what was going on outside, about how the comms had really gone down after most of the ship’s electronics were damaged in the explosions that had all but torn the ship in half or how Ezra had silently stood at Thrawn’s side, and, when it was over, touched his shoulder once, and left with a stony expression on his youthful face. She couldn't do anything about that. There were things she could do here, though. With that in mind, she’d taken it upon herself to march up to each individual crew member, pulling them briefly from their tasks as Thrawn and Vah'nya attempted to adapt standard after-action procedures to their situation. Luckily, the crew had been mostly unharmed, some sported bruises or burns from enemy fire, but those were minor details she could fix without exerting herself completely.

She spotted Navigator Ke'hala sitting on a recovering Khresh's lap, curled up against his chest. The Senior Captain had always been cool and aloof, but he kept a hand on the back of the younger girl's head while she slept. They would be stranded for hours, left to wait while the Steadfast addressed the wreckage of a ship filled with mostly Grysk-aligned Chiss. Nobody commented about the Grysk-aligned part, now. Any loss of life was a tragedy in its own way. Un'hee understood that now, better than she'd ever wanted to.

Two of their crew - the first she'd approached, both had kindly but gravely declined her assistance - guarded the last of their enemies. Their grief and disbelief rolled off of them like stormy seas. It was unpleasant. They had done horrible things, and made horrible choices. The Ascendancy would not forgive or forget it, she knew.

At the same time, they could not sweep away the ugliness of the fallout and pretend like it didn't happen, or it would only happen again. Maybe even be worse. No, Un’hee was absolutely certain would be even worse.

The majority of Chiss who had been allied with the Grysks wore drab grayish coveralls. It made their skin look sickly, and the baggy clothing made them look gaunt and malnourished. Three more crowded around a woman, two of the three kneeling, and the third barring their arms around the woman’s chest. She trembled, and Vah’nya could see holes. Her entire right side had been splashed with blaster fire. Maybe she’d tangled with Vah’nya? Un’hee tilted her head, studying the woman. Her left leg was pulled up to her chest, but the right was laid out straight, the leg of her coveralls ripped. Un’hee didn’t see any blood.

Stepping between the guards and ignoring their sputtering concerns otherwise, Un’hee approached them. “You’re hurt,” She said softly.

All three of the client Chiss turned to her, the two not actively holding the woman upright moving back in concern. “I’ll be alright, Navigator,” The woman said softly, biting her lip and averting her gaze.

Un’hee drew closer, crouching down, hands outstretched in a gesture of peace. “I can help you,” She said, and looked down at the woman’s leg. Furious red pathways were alight, twisting and turning, burned from the inside out. The girl looked up into the woman’s face, then back down at her wounded leg. “Navigator Vah’nya did this to you.”

“I would have tried to harm her first,” The injured woman reassured her. She looked down at shaking hands, curled in her lap. “I deserve this.”

While maybe she did need the injury to remind her of what she’d forsaken, of the way she’d betrayed her people, Un’hee could see this woman, could see all their enemies for what they were: Unmade. Adrift. They needed someone to reach out. Un’hee was struck by the thought that she and all her sisters needed to be that lifeline.

Settling her weight more fully on her knees and carefully peeling back the woman’s ripped pant leg, Un’hee tried to figure out where it started. She needed to understand, needed to-

“Navigator.” Thrawn’s voice came from above and behind her. It was tense, almost pinched with a warning note to it. He didn’t want her so close to their enemies. He was trying to protect her. And she hadn’t been doing a great job of listening.

“She needs medical treatment,” Un’hee said, not looking back at Thrawn. She knew if she looked back she’d be forced to desist. She’d already disobeyed him so much already. “I can-”

“You might be able to help those blaster wounds,” Vah’nya said. When she’d come to stand beside Thrawn, Un’hee had no idea. “But there is nothing we can do for her leg with the supplies we have here. We’ll be able to treat her aboard the Steadfast. I’ll make sure of it.” Vah’nya took a knee beside Un’hee. She wondered if Vah’nya could also feel the pressure of Thrawn’s question like a physical thing. “I know it is painful,” She said to the woman. “Your wounds do not appear to be fatal.”

“I will be fine, Navigator,” The injured woman said.

“Who among you is injured?” Vah’nya asked louder, to the whole group of them, the nearly twenty traitors who had managed to survive. When no pressing answer came, the senior Navigator nodded. “You may heal her as much as it is within your power to do so.” Un’hee reached out but Vah’nya grabbed her hand and waited for her to meet her gaze.”Do not strain yourself. Just because you can do something does not mean that you should.”

Un’hee scoffed. “I won’t. I’ll help her out and go sit with Senior Captain Khresh.”

“And you will not leave the Senior Captain’s side until instructed otherwise.”

“Yes, Captain,” Un’hee said.

“She’s never going to follow that order,” Vah’nya said softly, the two of them leaving the young woman to her self-imposed task.

Thrawn’s eyes were hard. Dryly, he commented, “She has yet to follow a single order I’ve given her today.”

Vah’nya inclined her head. “And she’s responsible for compromising the navigation systems. ...And the ships engines.”

“Do not remind me,” Thrawn said, eyes pulsing just that little bit brighter to indicate he was rather displeased at the girl’s actions. “She also coerced me.”

“I heard,” Vah’nya commented mildly. She sat on a console that no longer functioned properly. Thrawn didn’t admonish her as she suspected he might have normally, but then again, most of the others were scattered in clusters and corners, few sitting at the dead ship’s controls to complete their tasks using what equipment came from their emergency stores. The bridge was mostly empty, the majority of their skeleton crew amassed near the hatch. “That’s what Navigator Mi’yaric suggested. I suspect that the Admiral will have some choice words for her once this situation is sorted out.” She rubbed her arms awkwardly.

“Is that,” Thrawn assessed her. “After you and-” He didn’t say Eli’s name. He hadn’t even mentioned the other captain once Ezra had triggered the remote and the comms had gone down. Still, Vah’nya wasn’t fooled.

“The Ascendancy was willing to let him go. The Grysks were foolish enough to think him a hireling, contracted or ordered to track you down.” She smiled ruefully. “Then I’d had a dream.” She nodded toward Navigator Un’hee, still at the client Chiss’s side. “Un’hee was brave enough to confront you, at least. I hid in the engine compartment until he’d been tagged by the Grysks.” The silence spanned between them. It wasn’t unpleasant. “If you think he’s mad at you or Un'hee," She trailed off and shook her head. "I had had basic training, of course, but I was rusty. How often does a Navigator need to defend themself?”

Thrawn stood close, listening, but not commenting. And really, what was there to say? The Navigators hadn't been trained beyond their abilities. Not in a way that suggested they'd ever see combat. They were children.

But now, they wouldn't always be.

"Anyway," Continued Vah'nya, softer now, "Once I was," She parsed the correct word, "Better, the Admiral lectured me for hours. She'd had time to get herself under control so she didn't yell at me, exactly," She looked up into Thrawn's face. "But we both know she's more frightening than the Families ever could be."

Thrawn nodded. The Navigator wasn't wrong. "You were watched closely."

"I was allowed to stay on your family's estate while Eli recovered. I suspect you and Un'hee may spend some time there as well."

"Of that," Thrawn exhaled, "I have no doubt. Coercion aside, I am undoubtedly guilty of desertion."

"In a way," Vah'nya supposed. "But not without good intent." She shrugged, nonchalant. He was turning from her but she reached out to touch his arm. "You'll get out of it, what with Ke'hala and Un'hee."

"Perhaps," Said Thrawn, almost distractedly. With that, the conversation was over and Vah'nya let him go. They had spent only the briefest of moments speaking to one another, however Thrawn was still acting commander (at the very least until Ar'alani arrived), and thus the other groups monitoring the deteriorating ship's status required his attention and direction.

He didn't get very far.

There was commotion near the damaged hatch. The men and women stationed there blocked Vah’nya’s view. They stiffened to attention then parted, stepping aside. “Thrawn,” Vah’nya said, pushing off the console to return to her feet.

Emotion passed over him in a cresting wave. She blinked and he went from stoic and reserved to open and honest and worried. Another blink and it was as if nothing had happened at all. She saw him move before he did, saw the way his fists clenched in one telling twitch before he let his hands fall limp at his sides.

Eli’s tunic was ripped, burned and bloodied but not unrecognizably so. The same went for his face, a small burn on his forehead, a weeping scratch just outside his left eye, and the grime that came with battle mottling his dark skin with debris. His chestplate looked to be dented from concussive force, likely the explosion he’d been running from when they lost had lost contact.

Ezra was holding him upright, Eli’s arm slung around his shoulders as the young Jedi helped him limp into the bridge. Thrawn had turned to beckon her forward, but Eli caught his wrist, slowly shaking his head. He said something that she couldn’t hear halfway across the bridge, and nodded down to indicate what appeared to be an injury to his foot.

There were limitations, afterall, to what she and her sisters could do. They were not gods. She could heal him, but it was all or nothing. And if she healed broken bones wrong, the damage could be far worse in the long run. They’d learned that the hard way. She looked over at the woman Un’hee still knelt beside. They had learned many things the wrong way.

It was nothing at all like what Vah'nya had pictured in her mind's eye. She had expected something romantic, for there to be at least some exchange of sentiment after all the carrying on Eli had done earlier. He had regained consciousness in the Steadfast's medbay drawling vehemently in his native language, 'If that kriffing bastard thinks I waited this kriffing long for him say he loves me just to sit here with my thumb up my kriffing ass while he goes and gets himself killed, he’s got another thing coming,' and Vah’nya had watched the recording. She’d seen Thrawn kiss Eli with an urgent sort of desperation no grainy security holo could hide.

This was… quieter. Very carefully, Thrawn dipped his shoulders to position himself beneath Eli’s other arm, the Chiss and Jedi more carrying him than allowing him to walk to the command chair at the center of the bridge itself. Ezra excused himself immediately, and Vah’nya felt his presence as he swept around by Un’hee, checking in on her before lowering himself to the floor at her feet, his back pressed against the console she’d once again sat upon.

“Is he alright?” She asked, never once taking her eyes off the pair of captains. Thrawn’s face was its usual calm mask, but his eyes betrayed him. She couldn’t see Eli’s from this angle, but he appeared to respond to Thrawn’s questions as the older man produced a kerchief from his pocket and began to wipe away the grime from the human’s brow.

“Mostly bumps and bruises, I think.” Ezra commented mildly. “ He didn’t want you or Un’hee to… y’know. One of the walls caught his leg and crushed his foot. He said it was a job for a doctor and bacta.”

“He’s not wrong,” Replied Vah’nya, snorting, “I am not great at setting bones, especially the small, delicate ones.”

Ezra looked up at her seriously. “What you and the other Navigators can do is special, Vah’nya.” His gaze swept across the room, taking in Un’hee and Ke’hala. “It’s not something to take for granted.”

“I agree.” She put a hand on his shoulder, and he covered it briefly. Squeezed her fingers and let go as she pulled away. “Just because we have these powers does not mean they should be used excessively. They are a tool.”

“They are,” Ezra agreed. “They shouldn’t be what defines you,” He thumped his closed fist over his heart. “They’re just one part of a greater whole.”

“You sound like Ivant.”

Wryly, Ezra smiled. “Well, I think he’s got the right idea.”

-/

Admiral Ar’alani stood proudly on the command walk when the order was given. She was not, however, the one who gave the order. To her right, Senior Captain Khresh -still pale, but insisting that he was well enough - delivered the order to fire a full laser salvo at the derelict Compass. Together, they watched as the vessel’s failing reactor ignited and the ship erupted into a blinding fireball of light.

“And so the first chapter comes to a close,” Senior Captain Khresh said hoarsely.

“So it does,” Ar’alani agreed, resolute. She turned to Commander Faro, standing a respectful distance away, as if this were something she were not already such an integral part of. Ar’alani would dissuade her of that soon enough. “Commander, make preparations for our journey to Copero. I have been advised that our allies from house Chaf will be meeting us.”

“Yes, Admiral,” Replied Faro.

“Hold my communications unless they come from the Aristocra itself,” She commander tersely, not waiting for the inevitable confirmation from her bridge commander to take her leave. “Senior Captain, with me. It is time for us to address today's action with the admiralty."

-/

Eli's foot had been treated, Thrawn realized. It was the first thought he'd had upon entering the admiral's office, his gaze drawn immediately to the crutches discarded in the far corner of the room, and the man who remained upright without them, perhaps in stubborn defiance or accelerated recovery, he wasn’t sure. They had been separated when the hull had been breached just outside the bridge by an expert team aboard the Steadfast. Thrawn had directed traffic as was a commander's duty, and a fading, injured Eli had been swept away by a team of medics. Whatever treatment he had received, he hid his pain well. Only the barest hints of it remained visible in the lines of his face.

He had meant to ask about the man’s condition, but the words weren’t enough. There was much they needed to discuss, words to be spoken that should not be diminished by decorum. And decorum would be necessary. Ar’alani and Khresh had gone ahead of him, settling into the comfortable seating that surrounded the admiral’s desk. Like the woman itself, the furniture pieces were regal yet functionally minimal, all dark tones and burnished metal.

The three of them had spent the better part of a shift in conference with the majority of the admiralty, discussing both the issues of Chiss subjugation and the Navigator’s gifts, their newfound barriers and benefits, as well as the immediate impact on both the military and political playing fields. There were several major takeaways, the largest one being that no Grysks with knowledge of the Chiss Navigators’ abilities had escaped, to their knowledge. There was no indication of a long-range transmission ever relaying this information to the greater Hegemony.

All in all, it was a win for the Ascendancy.

In the end, that was all that mattered.

“You should sit,” Ar’alani said, and at first Thrawn had thought she was speaking to him. He hadn’t moved much further than the doorway. She had, in fact, been addressing Captain Ivant.

“I’m fine here,” He said, unmoving. “If it’s alright by you.”

Ar’alani inclined her head. “Suit yourself.”

The oddity of her casual regard was not lost on him as he took the remaining seat in front of Ar’alani’s desk. Khresh crossed his arms and crossed one leg over the other, watching the admiral intently, no doubt waiting for her to begin. Eli remained behind them.

“There are still several matters we need to address.” Thrawn was hardly surprised. The Admiralty aside, Ar’alani’s ship had suffered a damaging blow that he had caused. He’d felt her furious gaze upon him multiple times during the lengthy discussions with the high admirals. But instead of speaking to him, Ar’alani directed her gaze to Eli once more. “Was your business settled?”

“Yes,” He replied. “The changes were applied retroactively, effective from zero-hundred hours the day I submitted the paperwork.”

Ar’alani nodded gravely. “You’ve lucked out,” And this time, she’d been speaking to Thrawn. “The playing field has changed. As of yesterday at the beginning of your shift, you were tasked with a priority high-risk mission to recover the renegade ship Compass.” She tilted her head. “You, under your mandate from the Ascendancy, were sent with a Navigator to infiltrate the enemy’s defenses and assess the threat to our people.”

“I abandoned my post,” Thrawn refuted.

Ar’alani jutted her chin toward Eli, eyes alight with fury, wordlessly stating that Thrawn clearly did not know when to remain silent.

Thrawn turned to look at him and froze, gaze landing just below the man’s chin. He wore no uniform, only the solid black dress of non-CDF personnel stationed aboard a warship. Eli said, “You did as commanded, were captured by and later extracted from the enemy’s custody by your mission partner, and ultimately regained command of the warship aided by our combined forces Navigators.”

“Mission partner,” Khresh said, knowingly. “Poetic, isn’t it?”

“The holo-footage from my hangar would certainly be illuminating,” Admiral Ar’alani said flatly, and Thrawn stiffened. “Regretfully, Mitth’raw’nuruodo disabeled the holo-feeds prior to his departure and none was recovered.”

“I-”

Ar’alani descended upon him like a predator, leaving no room for argument. “If he had defected as some desperate ploy, I would likely have to chain him to my bridge since he thinks himself some kind of trading stock, rather than a member of my senior staff. I would think that he knows better, yes?”

It was a question, and it wasn’t. The only answer was a confirmation that doubled as a promise that it would never happen again. “Yes, Admiral.”

“Good.” She nodded resolutely and let the subject drop. “We are on course for Copero. I am told that your brother and several representatives of house Chaf will be present.”

“Joy,” Khresh commented blithely.

“You,” She said to Thrawn, “Will stay planetside while we,” She indicated herself and Khresh return to Csaplar with our quarry. I believe you and Ivant will have a great deal to discuss regarding your new position before it is finalized.”

“New position?” Thrawn queried. Then, remembering, he shifted in his seat, turning to face Khresh. “You assumed I was an admiral,” He recalled.

“The Senior Captain jumped the gun on that one,” Eli said. “The Chiss don’t tend to promote retroactively unless someone dies.”

“True,” Khresh acknowledged, then explained, “I had assumed Ivant’s plan was already in motion and that you were aware of it. Obviously, you were not.”

Ar’alani picked up on the silent question in Thrawn’s eyes. “Captain-” She inclined her head toward Eli. “Excuse me, Director Ivant has been laying the framework necessary to recruit a politically unbiased admiral to be his military counterpart to the Ascendancy’s Compass Program for several years now.” She said gravely. “A candidate has presented themself.”

“I don’t understand,” Thrawn said, honestly.

“What is there to understand? The list of appropriate candidates was rather small,” She quipped, and it was almost a teasing jibe, if not for the gravity of the situation.

“If this isn’t what you want,” Eli said, earnestly enough, “You don’t have to. I’ll-”

“Eli is incorrect,” Ar’alani admonished with a blazing glare. “You do. He did not sacrifice himself to our enemies so that you could come back and be indecisive. He did so because we need you. He believes that this is how you can best serve our people.”

A warm hand squeezed Thrawn’s shoulder once before letting go. Thrawn looked up at him. “She’s right,” Eli swallowed against the weight of his convictions. He was so steady now. “They need us: You in command, and me helping prepare the next generation of Navigators.”

When no further resistance came, the admiral continued. “You will report to the Admiralty, while Ivant will report to the Council of Families and greater Ascendancy. That should leave you on even ground. The specifics will be determined after the Senior Captain and I conclude our business on Csilla.” This time, Ar’alani gave the barest hint of a smile, tempered by cool grace. “I believe the logistics of this arrangement will prove advantageous, should certain situations be resolved in your favor.”

“We’ll see,” Eli asserted sternly, no doubt catching her veiled double meaning. And yet, when Thrawn met his gaze, he was smiling.

[thedistantstorm]

Project Compass: 01

Read along on AO3 here.

Summary:  Thrawn brings Ezra Bridger back to the Ascendancy and finds himself in a role that brings everything full circle. Now the attaché to the only Human Skywalker in the Ascendancy, Thrawn has to adapt to his new role while trying to figure out why his new commanding officer, former aide-de-camp, and long time friend Eli Vanto will not speak to him.

Pairing: Thrawn | Mitth’raw’nuruodo / Eli Vanto

(A multi-chapter story without a concrete update schedule. This is a side project I really wanted to start sharing.)

>> Next Chapter >>

The courtyard was beautiful in an ethereal way. The plants were like ice, almost, crystalline and fragile-seeming. Ezra had been instructed not to touch them, so he refrained. It was tempting, though.

The cross breeze caught him by surprise, though. He shivered. The interior of the building was supposedly warm by Chiss standards, or so he'd been told. To Ezra, it even seemed comfortable now, compared to the outside.

Not far from him, inspecting the scrolling face of a frost-colored tree, stood Thrawn. "They are treating you well?" He asked without turning to face the younger Jedi.

"Well enough," Ezra shrugged.

He'd spent the last five days being interrogated by miscellaneous Chiss officers. They were polite, though he could tell they weren't entirely thrilled about a human in their midst. They were exceedingly interested in the extent of his abilities as a Jedi, though, and each person who had spoken to him had been accompanied by a young girl - a different one, each time - who Ezra could feel within the living Force.

As for Thrawn, he had acted as Ezra's translator upon their initial arrival. Not long after, they'd been separated. Apparently Thrawn was to be debriefed while he was subjected to questioning. The Chiss, to their credit, hadn't treated Ezra like a prisoner so far, but he wasn't stupid. This was the Unknown Regions. He had no idea where he was or where to go even if he did manage to get his hands on a ship. Hyperspace lanes didn't exist out here. He couldn't just plug in coordinates for Lothal and go home...

Besides: Thrawn had asked him to consider helping the Chiss. Thrawn, Ezra marveled, who never asked his enemies for anything. Though, they hadn't killed each other, despite everything leading to their arrival… wherever this was, exactly. In fact, Ezra got the feeling that Thrawn might respect him. Just a little. And even if he didn't, it didn't mean every Chiss had to answer for his transgressions. So, Ezra agreed to hear them out. He hadn't agreed to the lengthy interrogation, but supposed he should have expected as much.

"The language barrier has not been too difficult to navigate?"

"I mean, they probably would do better with a translator," He supposed. For sake of keeping things civil, Ezra let his snide remark about how he wouldn't trust Thrawn to translate for him anyway dissipate on his tongue. "I think they understood most of what I said."

Thrawn nodded, but said nothing else.

The wind picked up again. He pulled his jacket - made of an unknown, thin black material that seemed sturdy but didn't do much against the cold - tighter around himself.

"How do you people - er, the Chiss," Ezra corrected, "Deal with this?" He asked, doing his best not to tremble. "It's freezing out here."

There was no sound but the wind for a while. It figured that Thrawn would stop answering once it suited him, but then again, he didn't have to. Someone else did.

"Didn't do a very good job of warnin' me about it either," They said. Their Basic was accentuated, but not like the Chiss. It sounded familiar. The tone was inviting, as if the speaker were smiling as he elaborated, "The cold."

Ezra didn't turn around just yet. He reached out with the Force, trying to anticipate if this was some kind of test. He flinched in surprise, suddenly realizing that the man behind him wasn't Chiss at all! He wasn't even Force sensitive. Ezra couldn't believe it, having to whirl around to see it with his own two eyes.

"You're… human?!"

The man laughed. It was warm. It reminded Ezra of sunshine. "I am," He said, and the Wild Space twang seemed so much more pronounced now that Ezra had a face to match against the sound.

Ezra inspected the man who stood across the small courtyard in one of the arching entryways. The man was older than him. His hair was the color of Lothalian sand, dark brown with the faintest glint of lighter pieces, blonde and tan. There might have been some hints of gray in there, but not in any real pattern. His eyes crinkled at the outer corners, just a little. Based on that, he presumed the man to be at least twice his age, somewhere between late thirties to mid forties.

More than that, he felt something shift beside him in the Force. The man didn't even look at Thrawn, though, so the strange lurch, like a dissonant chord plucked on a harp, made little sense. Nothing had happened. Thrawn hadn’t so much as moved, and the newcomer’s gaze was intently resting on Ezra. "If you can believe it, it's almost the end of spring.” Apologetically, he continued, “Though, it's not much warmer here in the summer."

The young Jedi resisted pulling a face, instead looking to Thrawn. Thrawn, who was now staring at the older human so intensely that Ezra thought for a moment he might be in shock. Still no eye contact though, the guy seemed content to ignore him. Snidely, Ezra felt a perverse pleasure at that. The man had an easy confidence about him from his bright brown eyes and a comfortable posture in his all black uniform. He looked at home here, though this could hardly be his homeworld.

"So are you the next one to question me?" Ezra asked. Thrawn finally peeled his stare from the other man to regard him with no shortage of unimpressed and well contained distaste. Whatever uneasy feeling - Ezra couldn’t believe that it was the Force reacting to Thrawn, the man was always stone faced and in control even when his life was in jeopardy - had passed.

"No, that won't be necessary. I was asked to walk you both back to the meeting room. I believe they've decided what to do with you."

-/

The panel was made up of a well rounded group. Military officers, a syndic from one of the more prominent ruling families, even someone who appears to be some sort of clinician. At the center sat Ar'alani, her lips pressed thin and her expression somber.

For them, it could mean anything. Thrawn does not expect bad news, he had not gotten the sense that they were particularly angry. Wary, perhaps. The door remained open a moment longer than necessary, making him wonder if Vanto's lingering would break the silence, his commanding officer issuing a sharp reprimand.

It did not. Small, near silent footsteps became audible as a young girl - a Navigator, he suspected by her age and uniform - stepped in and moved to stand beside Ezra Bridger, seated to his left. The door closed behind them and there was no further sound to indicate that Vanto lingered behind them, permitted to listen. He must have slipped out as the solemn young woman entered.

The seat beside Ar'alani - to her left and his right - remained empty, yet the navigator did not move from her location next to Ezra.

“I will translate for you, Ezra Bridger,” The girl said in softly accented but obviously fluent Basic.

Ezra’s shoulders rose sharply and he turned his eyes to the young Chiss. “You? But during the-”

Ar’alani called them to order, interrupting the young Jedi with the raise of her hand, palm out. “We do not… lay our cards out all at once,” She also spoke in Basic, though it was far more accent-laiden. She looked over Thrawn’s head at the door for a moment with purpose. Switching to Cheunh, her voice becomes more refined, elegant and sharp with the expectation of being listened to. Ezra sneaked a look at Thrawn. He was coiled tightly in anticipation, very obviously preparing to realign whatever his plans were with what the panel had decided.

“This panel has come to a decision regarding what to do with you, Mitth’raw’nuruodo, as well as the Human Skywalker, Ezra Bridger.” The Navigator speaks softly to Ezra, her voice a gentle chime, almost an echo. Thrawn could only make out his posture from the corner of his eye, but the young Human was rigid and at attention. Despite what his translator said to him, his eyes were trained on the Chiss Admiral as she spoke. “It was not an easy deliberation. Your actions under the employ Empire are…” She trailed off. “Concerning.”

Thrawn does not interrupt, but the question must burn in his eyes.

The Chiss woman narrowed her bright red eyes. “We recognize that it is not easy to navigate serving both sides,” She said, considering. “There are expectations that must be met. However,” Her eyes cut to Ezra. He does not shy from it, meeting her head on. “You ordered an assault on civilians, not to mention what your Emperor requested for you to do to the Skywalker...” She looked up toward the door again. Ezra followed her gaze, confusion written into his face, but whatever he saw did not draw a reaction. “It is one of the highest crimes. For all that you have questioned in your service to the Empire, all that you have undermined in what you’ve sworn was your dedication to the greater good,” She frowned. “That you would be capable of this-”

“You take him at his word?”

Ezra’s face is blank, and he does not argue. Perhaps it is because of the young woman speaking softly into his ear in Basic, but perhaps it is because he knows something Thrawn does not.

“I did not need his word,” Ar’alani admitted. “You have spoken for yourself. Any incrimination is your own.”

“I have spoken nothing but the truth.”

“And so has the Skywalker.” She leaned forward ever so slightly, addressing Thrawn directly. “What do you think of your actions, Mitth’raw’nuruodo? Do you believe them to bring honor to the Ascendancy?”

He does not speak, even when the rest of the room waits for him to answer.

Ar’alani seemed to look past him, appraising and cool. “You are not a fool. There could have been another way.”

“Not to stop the alternative project being developed by the Empire.”

“Your mission,” Ar’alani snapped, “Was not to save the Galactic Empire from its Emperor’s wiles, just as it was not act as an accomplice to their utter destruction of the remaining Jedi. Your mission was to determine if the Galactic Empire was strong enough to be our allies in the wars to come.”

“It is not,” Thrawn said.

“We are aware,” She replied tersely. “And so remains what to do with you.” She steepled her fingers in front of her, elbows on the dark table. “Do you have an opinion of that?”

“I am a warrior,” Thrawn answered. “First and foremost, as I had hoped to have demonstrated,” It’s as much of a defense as he allowed himself, “I serve the Ascendency above all else. My service to the Galactic Empire was meant to help cultivate meaningful relations in the future with a secure government. I carried out the orders I was assigned to that end.”

“The Emperor did not ask you to fire on the innocent beings of Lothal.”

“The Emperor implored me to do whatever it took, as I have said.” His words remain measured and careful, even weight distributed throughout.

The Navigator’s puzzlement stole over her face halfway through her words. “The Emperor-” She looked to the door behind both men. “Tacahn?”

“'Implored,'” Came the reply in a steely Wild Space lilt.

Thrawn flinched microscopically. Eyes were drawn to him like predators scenting blood. All except Ezra, whose gaze shifted from surprise to very obvious concern.

“Ivant,” Ar’alani motioned to the chair beside her as if bored. “If you would.”

His footsteps are even and militaristic. His shoulders are back, posture strong and unyielding. He does not look infuriated or angry, there is no facial heat, no obvious tells. He is completely impassive and that might be what is the most frightening part.

To the human, the Admiral asked, “Would you have obeyed him if he gave you this order?”

“He knows I would not,” Ivant said, meeting Thrawn’s gaze for the first time in a very, very long while. His eyes are hard.

“This council has considered many arrangements,” Ar’alani said. There is a chance Thrawn does not hear her until the human officer dips his head to remind the Navigator to translate when she takes too long. “No being would take orders from a being who does not show his dedication to the Ascendency’s best interests.” She rose from her seat, looming above the former Grand Admiral, “Which is why you will not be in command. This council demands that you assist the Human Skywalker Ezra Bridger to assimilate into the Assendency’s ranks as he has agreed to remain with us at this juncture. You will teach him our language and translate for him until he displays mastery, and correct any other deficiencies identified. You will share in his successes and in his failures, and be responsible for them as if he is an extension of your own being.”

Thrawn does not react. His words betray no emotion. “Am I correct to assume this task will continue indefinitely?”

“A smaller committee will convene at regular intervals to discuss your progress. Ezra Bridger.” Her next words are in Basic, “You will report to Captain Ivant of the Warship Compass.” Ar’alani nodded and Ivant rose, earning Thrawn’s attention the entire way. “The Skywalkers have been looking forward to meeting you.”

“We believe,” Ivant spoke evenly, in a command tone that had the warmth behind it his eyes lacked, “That you will be of great help to our Skywalker Program.”

“You may go, Jedi Bridger” Ar’alani said, dismissing him. “There is one other item that we must address with Mitth’raw’nuruodo.”

“Come,” The Navigator motions for him to rise so Ezra does. “You will collect your things and I will take you to the shuttle.”

Ezra regarded the committee. “Shouldn’t my…” He struggled to parse the right designation, “My attaché stay with me?”

The Navigator translated, struggling similarly with the term. Ivant corrected her kindly, taking over. His reply came, once again, in Basic. “If you do not trust the Navigator, I will accompany you myself.”

“No,” Ezra said, holding up both hands. “I just-”

“You need not worry about me,” Thrawn interjected tersely.

“You’re kind of making that difficult,” Ezra murmured back. “You’re acting strangely, even for you.”

“Navigator Un’hee,” Ivant said, switching back to Cheunh and ignoring whatever exchange was occurring between Ezra and Thrawn. “Please retrieve Syndic Mitth’ras’safis. Give him my regards as well as my apologies that I will not be able to retrieve him personally.”

“Yes sir,” The Navigator snapped to attention, quick to follow orders.

“Bridger,” Ivant cast his gaze from the Jedi to the door closing silently behind the Navigator. “With me.”

“You could ask to be dismissed, Captain.”

“You’d prefer me to be long gone before Thrass arrives,” Ivant said. No one bothered to contest it. “This is enough of a farce already.”

“So it is,” Ar’alani supposed. “Go.”

He inclined his head to her respectfully, stepping around the rest of the silent council.

“Admiral.”

She did not smile, but it is apparent that his actions met with her approval. "Captain."

Ezra looked to Thrawn one last time. “You’re sure.”

“Listen to your commanding officer,” Thrawn instructed. Whatever Ezra was apparently reading off him through the Force must conflict with his words, forcing the Chiss to continue. “Apparently I am to meet with my brother.”