“On Skystrike?” Deenlark makes a snorting sound. “It’s hard not to be incommunicado there. And you’re right—I imagine even Orbar might learn to behave himself after three of his co-conspirators disappear without a trace.”
“Uncertainties are often useful in paralyzing an opponent’s plans and actions,” Thrawn said. “For a human like Cadet Orbar, who believes himself capable of handling all situations, this will also prove a useful lesson for his future. One can hope he will take it to his core, and become a better person and officer.”
“Not sure I’d go that far,” Deenlark said. “Not with Orbar. But it’s worth a shot. If you’re sure you want to do it this way.”
“Allow me to state it more strongly,” Thrawn said. “If you bring the attackers to court-martial, I will not testify against them.”
“Mm.” Deenlark angles his head a few degrees to the side. “Is this how you do things in the Unknown Regions, Cadet? Bypass the law and regulations and get what you want through blackmail or extortion?”
“We attempt to solve problems. This is the solution that is best for the Empire as a whole.”
“You have anything to add, Cadet?” Deenlark asked. He raises his eyebrows toward Vanto in question.
“No, sir,” Vanto said.
Deenlark shrugs his shoulders. Perhaps reluctant acceptance. “I’ll get the process started,” he said. “Maybe give Skystrike’s commandant a call. We’ll have the guilty parties’ names by morning, and their hindquarters off Coruscant by dinner.” He smiles. Perhaps sly amusement. “That should leave them just enough time to tell Orbar and Turuy they have no idea where they’re going before they disappear. As you said, Cadet: uncertainties.”
“Exactly,” Thrawn said. “Thank you, Commandant.”
“Don’t thank me.” Deenlark’s tone deepens. “Just be advised that if this thing blows up, your name will be right under mine on the hell-to-pay list.” He inhales deeply. “You’re cleared for duty, both of you. Get back to the barracks and get some sleep. Dismissed.”
“Yes, sir,” Vanto said as he stood up. “Thank you, sir.”
Thrawn and Vanto were again on the walkway before Vanto spoke again. “Interesting solution,” he commented. His voice is thoughtful. “I’m a little surprised Deenlark went for it.”
“I am not,” Thrawn said. “Did you observe the flatsculp on the left side wall?”
“Yes, I think so,” Vanto said. He frowns and his voice becomes more hesitant. He is focusing his memory. “The one with the ocean waves and the sailing ship?”
“The sailing warship, yes,” Thrawn said. “It is a highly valuable work of art, worth far more than a man of Commandant Deenlark’s position could afford.”
“I doubt it’s his,” Vanto said. “It’s probably part of the office décor.”
“And yet still too valuable for even the Academy to purchase,” Thrawn said. “I conclude therefore it was a gift from one or more of Coruscant’s powerful families.”
“Meaning?” Vanto said. His posture straightens abruptly as he understands. “Meaning that Deenlark knows Royal Imperial is beholden to the families. Meaning in turn that he would jump at any chance to avoid a public confrontation.”
“Beholden?”
“Ubuphaka.”
“Ah,” Thrawn said. “Yes, that is indeed Commandant Deenlark’s position. That was why he so readily accepted my plan. Odd that these comlinks do not have a preset emergency signal.”
“What?” Vanto frowns in surprise or confusion.
“Chiss comms have an emergency button,” Thrawn said. “It allows for aid to be summoned quickly.”
“Yeah, that could be useful,” Vanto agreed. “You’ve got them on civilian comms, but not military comlinks. Probably needed the space for all the extra encryption chips to make sure no one’s eavesdropping on official chatter.”
“It would also be useful to arrange the comlinks so that one would not need to draw them from belt or pocket.”
“That would definitely be handy.” Vanto gestures to the lieutenant’s rank plaque. “Maybe you could put it inside the rank plaque. At least you wouldn’t have to worry about dropping it.”
“Could that be done?”
“What, put a comlink in the rank plaque? Sure. You’d just have to hollow out the tiles from behind. Plenty of room in there for a comlink’s worth of electronics.” His eyes narrow in further thought. “Though on second thought you might not have enough room for all the encryption chips. Probably couldn’t squeeze in enough battery power for long-range use, either.”
“It would only function aboard ship, then?”
“Right,” Vanto said. “Which means you’d still have to carry a long-range version for off-ship use.” He sighs in resignation. “I guess there’s a reason why people do things the way they do.”
“Sometimes,” Thrawn said. “Not always.”
“I suppose,” Vanto said. His tone is thoughtful. “Could you really tell they would be good starfighter pilots? Or was that just a way to get them kicked out of Royal Imperial?”
“I could really tell,” Thrawn said. “You could not?”
“Not even close.” He is silent for three more steps. His forehead is creased in a frown. “Still doesn’t address the fact that they attacked you, you know. You’re just going to let them get away with that?”
“Your question assumes they will suffer no punishment,” Thrawn said. “On the contrary. They will spend tomorrow knowing their deeds are laid bare and wondering what fate Commandant Deenlark has planned for them. They will journey to Skystrike bearing the same fear and uncertainty.”
“Ah,” Vanto said. “I see where you’re going. Even once they’re there, they’ll never be sure they won’t be hauled out of bed in the middle of the night and brought back to Coruscant for trial.”
“That fear will eventually fade,” Thrawn said. “But not for a considerable time.”
“I suppose not,” Vanto said. “So they get to walk on eggshells for a few months, Orbar gets to do the same, and Deenlark doesn’t have to face Orbar’s family.”
“You also will not need to face that same pressure.”
“I wondered if you’d been thinking about that,” Vanto said. “So justice is served—sort of—and everyone else comes out ahead. What we call a win–win.” He points at Thrawn’s face. “Except you.”
“My injuries are minor, and will heal. I have endured worse.”
“I’ll bet you have.” Vanto is silent for another few steps. “So is this what the Chiss leaders have to look forward to?”
“I do not understand.”
“This kind of justice,” Vanto said. “Retribution for exiling you. The stories say the Chiss never forget injuries that have been done to them.”
“Your stories assume that memory necessarily leads to vengeance,” Thrawn said. “That is not always the case. Situations change. Reasons and motivations change. No, I seek no retribution.”
“Really? Because it looks to me like they deserve it.”
“They had reasons for my exile.”
“The preemptive strike thing?” Vanto asked. His tone is curious but cautious. He sees information within his grasp, but fears to chase it away. “What happened, anyway? Did you let someone’s strike get through the Chiss lines?”
“No,” Thrawn said. “I launched a strike of my own.”
“Who was it against?”
“Evil,” Thrawn said. “Nomadic pirates who preyed on defenseless worlds. I deemed it dishonorable for the Chiss Ascendancy to stand unmoving and not assist the helpless.”
“Did you beat them?”
“Yes,” Thrawn said. “But my leaders were unhappy.”
“Sounds pretty ungrateful,” Vanto said. His voice is firm, without uncertainty. “Also pretty stupid. Pirates like that would have turned on your people sooner or later. What then?”
“Then we would have fought,” Thrawn said. “But then we would have been the victims.”
“And you can’t fight until that happens?”
“That is the Ascendancy’s current military doctrine.”
Vanto shakes his head. “It’s still unfair.”
“Sometimes a commander’s decisions must be made without regard for how they will be perceived,” Thrawn said. “What matters is that the commander does what is necessary for victory.”
“Yeah,” Vanto said. “Lucky for me, I’m on track for a supply officer position. I’ll never have to worry about that.”
“Yes,” Thrawn said. “Perhaps.”