Outbound Flight

"True." Thrass looked at Car'das. "Your peopledo have war vessels, I presume?"

"The Republic has no army of its own," Car'das said, choosing his words carefully. Peaceful watchfulness might be the Chiss way, but he still didn't want to make these people nervous. "Of course, most of our member systems have their own defense forces."

"Which can also be used for attack?"

"That does happen sometimes," Car'das conceded. "But the Supreme Chancellor can call on member systems to help stop an aggressor, and that usually ends things pretty quickly. Mediation by the Jedi can sometimes stop trouble before it gets that far."

"Jedi?"

"A class of beings unknown to us," Thrawn told him. "Ferasi has been trying to explain them to me."

Car'das looked at Maris in surprise. He hadn't realized she'd been having private chats with the commander. Her eyes met his, ducked guiltily away, and for the first time since the session began her ru

Qe

"They appear able to access some unknown energy field," Thrawn continued to his brother. If he'd caught the interplay, he didn't show it. "It can be used for sensory enhancement, insight into others' motivations and thoughts, or as a direct weapon."

"But only for defense," Maris put in. "Jedi never attack first."

"You talking about Jedi?" Qe

"She's trying to describe the Jedi for him," Car'das said. "The Chiss apparently don't have anything like them."

"Good," Qe

"They were just talking about Jedi powers," Car'das said, looking at the two Chiss. Thrawn's face was expressionless, while Thrass was clearly a

"Yeah," Qe

They finished the rest of the tour and returned to the base. Car'das still couldn't tell what Thrass thought of it all, but he found himself wilting with relief as he and the others were released to go back to their quarters. He'd half expected the syndic to order them all into the brig.

The relief was premature. Even as he started to pass Qe

"Shut up," Qe

"Let's hear what?" Car'das asked, his heartbeat starting to pound again.

"The story about you and Maris and Thrawn," Qe

Car'das caught his breath, and instantly cursed himself for his reaction. If Qe

"Don't you mean, how do I know?" Qe

Car'das felt his stomach tighten. "So you understand Cheunh?"

"I understand enough of it." Qe

"You don't understand," Maris said, her voice low and soothing.

"Fine," he said. "Explain it to me."

She took a deep breath. "I admire Commander Thrawn," she said. Her voice was still soothing, but Car'das could hear cracks starting to form in it. She knew Qe

Qe

"Yes, most of themwere idiots," she agreed without embarrassment. "Comes of being young, I suppose."

"But Thrawn is different?"

"Thrawn is a grown-up version," she said. "His artistic sense is coupled with maturity and wisdom. I enjoy spending time talking with him." Her eyes flashed. "Justtalking with him, if that matters."

"Not really," Qe

A muscle in Maris's cheek twitched. "Because I knew you'd react exactly like this."

"And this secrecy was all your idea, huh?"

She hesitated. "Actually, I believe Thrawn suggested it."

Qe

"And what'sthat supposed to mean?" Maris asked, her eyes narrowing ominously.

"It means he's playing you for a fool," Qe

"Maybe he's the exception."

"You can believe that if you want," Qe

"I will," she said, her eyes blazing openly now. "You be sure to point it out when it happens." Turning her back on him, she stalked over to the computer and dropped into the chair.

Qe

"No," Car'das said quickly. "Nothing."

"Then get out," Qe

"Sure." Sidling carefully past him, Car'das escaped out into the corridor and back to his quarters.

Through the row of viewports on the bridge of the Trade Federation battleshipDarkvenge the starlines faded once again into stars. "We have arrived," Vicelord Kav a

"Mm," Doriana murmured noncommittally from his seat on the observers' couch curving out beside the other. In general, the Neimoidians had excellent navigational systems. But systems were only as good as their operators, and in theDarkvenge 's case that was open to question. Sidious had insisted the crews of all the task force's ships be kept to a bare minimum, retaining only those who could be trusted to keep their mouths closed and bringing in droids to take up the slack.