AN: Theo, this one is for you. :) You said you wanted to see how Outbound Flight would go with Chiara around, so here it is. If anyone has any better suggestions for the title, please let me know. This one is really just the working title and it might get changed down the road if I come up with something better.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or any of these characters, aside from Chiara. Due to the fact that this story runs parallel to Zahn's Outbound Flight, a lot of the conversation, as well as the general story arc, is his. Please don't sue me, this is just for fun and I'm not making any money off this. :)
Chapter 1
Chiara stood on the bridge, watching as the brilliant hyperspace sky flowed past the canopy of the Springhawk. Thrawn sat calmly in his command chair, his glowing eyes following the movements of the bridge crew.
"One minute until breakout," the helmsman announced.
Thrawn cocked his head in her direction. "Have you been able to pinpoint anything more specific about this feeling you have?" he asked, searching her face.
She gestured helplessly. "No, nothing. I'm sorry, Thrawn, I can't always pin things down specifically. It doesn't work that way."
"I understand," he assured her. "Weapons, stand ready. Sensors, I want a full system scan as soon as we come out of hyperspace. And raise shields , as well."
Both bridge stations acknowledged and a tense silence fell, waiting and watching as the timer counted down until they dropped out of hyperspace. As it reached zero, the mottled sky stretched briefly into starlines before coalescing into stars once more. Chiara glanced at the sensor board and was pleased to see that their escort of three fighters was still in precise formation off their port bow. The Chiss pilots were among the best she had ever met and had certainly challenged her to reach new levels of precision in her own flying. It had taken some time for her to cultivate such exact control over her clawcraft, but now she could fly with the best of them without anyone noticing that there was a non-Chiss in one of the heavy fighters.
"Sensors report no activity in the area, Commander," the sensors officer called.
"Hold this position," Thrawn instructed. "Fighter units, I want a sweep of-" He broke off as a flicker of pseudomotion caught his eye. It was a light freighter of an unfamiliar design, followed closely by a larger ship that was relatively well-armed. Chiara's grip tightened on the back of his command chair.
"That's it, that's what I felt coming," she told him quietly.
Thrawn's glowing eyes flicked to her, then back out the viewport. "Give me a tactical analysis of both ships," he ordered. "And tap any communication between the two vessels."
The comm officer acknowledged and a booming voice echoed over the bridge speakers in an unfamiliar language. Thrawn tilted his head a bit, listening to the sounds of the unknown language.
Chiara frowned as she recognized the language. "That's Huttese. They must be from the Republic, but what are they doing all the way out here?"
"What is he saying?" Thrawn asked. Just then, another voice replied, this time in Basic.
"Oh, hi, Progga," it said, "Look, like I told you before, I can't let you have these furs. I've already contracted with Drixo-"
The deep, rumbling speech of the Hutt cut him off. "Ignore the furs," Chiara translated. "Show me your hidden treasure hoard."
"My what?" The second voice came back.
"Do not play the fool," the Hutt warned. "I know your sort. You do not simply run from something, but rather run to something. This is the lone star system along this vector. What could you have run to but a secret base and treasure hoard?"
"The larger ship seems to be some sort of pirate vessel," Thrawn murmured, still listening to the running translation. "Fighters, fire shock nets at both vessels. I want them disabled before they find out we are here. One shock net should be sufficient for the smaller vessel. I want the other two fighters to coordinate against the larger one. Alert me when you are in position."
"It wasn't like that, Progga," the second voice objected. "We were just trying to-"
"Enough!" The guttural Hutt voice rumbled throughout the bridge, reverberating off the metal walls. "Lead me to this base. Now."
"There isn't any base," the pilot of the smaller vessel insisted. "This is the Unknown Regions. Why would I set up a base out here?"
"The fighters report that they are in position, Commander," the communications officer reported.
"The fighters will fire on my mark. Three. Two. One. Mark."
Chiara gripped the back of Thrawn's command chair as the fighters all dropped small, shiny missiles towards the unknown ships. A familiar haze erupted as the missiles blew apart as they closed in on the ships, flashing a jolt of disabling energy as the nets wrapped around the hulls of the two vessels.
"The smaller vessel has been disabled, sir. The larger one seems to be largely unaffected by the shock nets," the sensors officer informed them.
"Open a hailing channel with them," Thrawn ordered. He turned to Chiara. "These people understand Basic, I take it, even if they do not speak it?"
She nodded. "They consider it beneath them to speak another language, but they do understand Basic."
"Channel open, sir," the communications officer reported.
Thrawn lifted his glowing eyes to the Hutt ship, visible through the bridge viewport. "Unidentified vessel," Thrawn addressed them, "Identify yourselves and state your origin and intentions."
The only answer was a blaze of green weapons fire that erupted from the Hutt ship, missing one of the clawcraft by less than a meter. Chiara saw Thrawn's jaw tightened briefly and knew the Hutt had made his last mistake. Thrawn never took kindly to his forces being fired upon, nor did he allow the aggressor to go unpunished.
"Prard'sint'ki, take up guard position over the disabled craft," he ordered one of the clawcraft pilots, a deadly edge in his tone. "All others, engage and destroy the larger vessel."
It took just over five minutes for Thrawn's forces to reduce the Hutt ship to rubble. It was another twenty or so minutes before Thrawn was ready to turn his attention from examining the obliterated ship to the small transport that remained.
"Prard'sink'ki, bring them alongside and have them dock with us." Thrawn ordered, signaling for his bridge controller to open the docking bay.
"What, you aren't going to talk to them, first?" Chiara asked.
Thrawn gave her a microscopic smile. "I prefer to see how they react to being brought aboard the ship that just destroyed the other vessel so efficiently. I'd like you to stay on the bridge and oversee our return to Crustai. You can watch the interaction through the security monitors."
"I can't be of any use to you if thinks go badly when I am on the bridge," she objected.
One corner of Thrawn's mouth twitched up into a smile and he shook his head at her in amusement. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Chiara, and I will have several warriors with me. It will be fine," he assured her.
Chiara sighed. She knew he was right, but she wasn't fond of the idea of him going off with some unknown people who were likely to turn out to be smugglers. "Alright," she agreed reluctantly.
"You can meet them later," he promised her. "I want to see how they react to being surrounded by unfamiliar beings, first. You are too close to their species."
She snorted. "Are you calling me human? I'm offended," she told him in mock seriousness.
"Not at all, Chiara. Now, I will be back soon. Get us underway to return to Crustai, please," he asked her, heading for the door.
"Right," she muttered under her breath, her gaze following his retreating back for a moment. She took a deep breath and forced her attention to the matter at hand, settling into Thrawn's command chair as she did so."Navigation; lay in a course for the base. We will leave as soon as you have completed your calculations."
She tapped at the display board as the navigations officer acknowledged, pulling up the security footage of the conference room just off the bridge that Thrawn had selected. Thrawn was already seated at the head of the long table, looking both imposing and regal in his crisp black uniform. Her eyes took in the elaborately tooled silver rank insignias that she had fastened to his collar that morning, as well as the large burgundy patch of the Eighth Ruling Family that decorated his well-muscled shoulder. He ran his fingers through his short, blue-black hair as he waited for their guests to arrive and settled more comfortably into the high-backed chair. They didn't have long to wait. The first human into the room was a big, middle-aged man with a beautiful, dark haired woman on his arm. A decidedly younger and fresh-faced junior crewer trailed along behind them, staring about him with interest, clearly studying Thrawn and his warriors. Chiara relaxed slightly as she noticed that Thisa was one of the warriors that had been assigned to escort their guests, and he had taken up a ready and watchful position just inside the door. If she trusted anyone else with Thrawn's safety, she trusted Thisa.
The big man stopped in front of the table and seemed to size Thrawn up. "Hello, I'm Dubrak Qennto, Captain of the Bargain Hunter," he introduced himself. "I don't suppose you happen to speak Basic?"
She couldn't see Thrawn's face from the angle of the camera, but he didn't reply.
"Maybe we should try one of the Outer Rim trade languages," the younger man suggested.
"Thanks for that brilliant suggestion," Quennto said sarcastically. Nevertheless, he took his junior crewer's suggestion and switched to Sy Bisti. "Greetings to you, noble sir. We're travelers and traders from a far world, who mean no harm to you or your people."
Despite the fact that she knew he spoke Sy Bisti, Thrawn still made no response. Chiara watched silently, wondering just what he was playing at. Even after nearly three years together, she still had a hard time following his thinking process, at times. He always had a reason for everything he did, though, that was one thing she had learned long ago. She suppressed a smile as it occurred to her that this meeting wasn't so very different from when she had first met Thrawn, so many years ago. Except this one wasn't taking place in a medbay, thankfully.
"You could try Taarja," the woman suggested.
"I don't know Taarja very well," Qennto replied, still in Sy Bisti. He turned to Thisa and the other guard, who were stationed just inside the door. "How about you? Do any of you understand Sy Bisti? How about Taarja? Meese Caulf?" Neither of them so much as twitched.
Finally, Thrawn stirred. "Sy Bisti will do."
Qennto turned back to him, blinking in surprise. "Did you just say-?"
"I said, Sy Bisti will do," Thrawn repeated. "Please; be seated."
"Ah… thank you," Qennto said, pulling out chairs for himself and the lady with him. His junior crewer followed suit and sat down across from them.
"I'm Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo of the Chiss Ascendancy," Thrawn introduced himself smoothly. "This is the Springhawk, Picket Force Two command vessel of the Expansionary Defense Fleet. And you are…?" he asked.
"I'm Dubrak Qennto, Commander, Captain of the-" the big man started.
"And you are…?" Thrawn repeated, leaning on the pronoun. Chiara frowned at the image, wondering who he was indicating and why he was so clearly snubbing the captain.
"I'm Jorj Car'das," the younger man said, his voice betraying none of the nervousness he must be feeling. "Crewer on the freighter Bargain Hunter."
"And these?" Thrawn asked, gesturing to the others.
Car'das glanced at his captain as if seeking permission and got a microscopic nod. "This is my captain, Dubrak Qennto, and his-" the young man hesitated, as if seeking the right word to describe her relationship to the captain. "His second in command, Maris Ferasi."
Thrawn nodded to both of them in greeting before shifting his gaze back to Car'das. "Why are you here?"
"We're Corellian traders, from one of the systems in the Galactic Republic, Car'das said, confirming Chiara's suspicion on their origins. His dress and faint accent had a distinctly Corellian flare, even to her out-of-practice ear.
"K'rell'n," Thrawn repeated. "Traders, you say? Not explorers or scouts?"
"Jedi," the navigations specialist called, distracting her from Thrawn's question and answer session with these Corellians. "The course is laid in and ready."
She nodded, keying up the nav setting on her own board. "Excellent," she said as she examined the course setting. "Helm; you may take us to hyperspeed when you are ready, Ensign."
"Acknowledged," the helmsman called. Chiara watched as he pulled back keyed in the course and eased the hyperdrive lever back. Outside the bridge canopy, the stars stretched into starlines and then transformed into the familiar, mottled glow of hyperspace. She surveyed the bridge for a moment, making sure that everything was working smoothly before turning back to the feed from the conference room.
"-we've had trouble with them before," Car'das was saying. "I think they were gunning specifically for us."
"You must be carrying a valuable cargo," Thrawn observed, clearly watching the junior crewer closely.
"It's nothing fancy," Qennto cut in, glaring at his junior crewer. "A shipment of furs and exotic luxury garments. We're most grateful to you for coming to our aid."
"You're welcome," Thrawn said politely. "I'd be curious to see what your people consider luxury garments. Perhaps you'll show me your cargo before you leave."
"I'd be delighted. Does that mean you're releasing us?" Captain Qennto questioned.
"Soon," Thrawn promised. "First I need to examine your vessel and confirm that you're indeed the innocent travelers you claim."
Chiara couldn't help smiling at that. He'd said nearly the exact same thing to her nearly three years earlier and she was still here. That had been her choice, though.
"Of course. We'll give you a complete tour anytime you want," Qennto offered.
"Thank you, but that can wait until we reach my base," Thrawn told him. "Until then, resting quarters have been prepared for you. Perhaps later you'll permit me to show you Chiss hospitality."
"We would be both grateful and honored, Commander." Quennto made a half-bow. "I'd just like to mention, though, that we're on a very tight schedule, which our unexpected detour has made that much tighter. We'd appreciate it if you could send us on our way as quickly as possible."
"Of course. The base isn't far."
"Is it in this system?" The captain seemed to recognize the imprudence of such a question as soon as it left his mouth. "Sorry, sorry - none of my business," he apologized.
"True," Thrawn agreed evenly. "However, it will do no harm to tell you that it's in a different system entirely."
"Ah. May I ask when we'll be leaving to go there?" Qennto asked.
"We've already left. We made the jump to hyperspace approximately four standard minutes ago," Thrawn informed him.
The Captain frowned. "Really? I didn't hear or feel anything."
"Perhaps our hyperdrive systems are superior to yours," Thrawn said, getting smoothly to his feet. "Now, if you'll follow me, I'll escort you to the resting area."
Chiara watched as he led the traders out the door. She didn't have long to wait until he reappeared on the bridge. "So, what did you think?" she asked.
"I do not believe the Bargain Hunter is a simple merchant vessel, as they claim," he told her, dropping into the command chair she had vacated for him. "If their cargo is only luxury garments, as they claim, I see no point in this pirate preying on them." He shifted his attention over her shoulder. "Lieutenant, I want a full search and scan done of their vessel and cargo. I expect a report within two hours."
"What are you expecting to find?" Chiara asked, watching as the Lieutenant headed aft to collect an inspection team and equipment.
"They lack the weaponry to be pirates themselves. I suspect we will find that they are smugglers," Thrawn told her. "I wish to know for certain before I interview them again."
"That was my conclusion as well. It makes sense," Chiara observed. "And smuggling is relatively typical of Corellians. It seems to be a favorite past-time of a lot of their citizens."
"Is it?" Thrawn said interestedly. He seemed to consider this for a moment before asking, "What were your impressions of our guests?"
She thought about it, using Jedi memory-enhancement techniques to play back the conversation quickly in her head. "Qennto seems to be the type who will attempt to manipulate any situation to his advantage. I get the impression that he is honest enough, though. Or, as honest as a smuggler can be, I should say. Car'das seems to be much more observant and educated, to my eye. I think he is the more trustworthy of the two. As for the woman, Ferasi, it's a bit hard to come to any solid conclusions about her, since she really didn't say anything."
"Agreed," Thrawn murmured. "They certainly don't seem to be scouts or explorers. I tend to believe them when they say they had a hyperdrive accident."
"It wouldn't be the first hyperdrive accident to drop people from the Republic into your lap," Chiara told him with a teasing smile. "Although, if you get into any serious relationships with any of them, we're going to have a serious problem."
"Of course not," Thrawn assured her, missing her playful look in his preoccupation.
"I'm joking, Thrawn," Chiara told him, rolling her eyes. "Shall we head to your office to await the report? I don't think the bridge crew needs us."
Thrawn simply nodded and got to his feet, heading for the door.
They only had to wait a little over an hour for the inspection team to return and submit a report on the Bargain Hunter and it's cargo. "I think those are firegems," Chiara murmured, examining the holographric image that was projected above Thrawn's desk.
Thrawn glanced at her. "Why would they be smuggling them?"
"I'm not sure. You have to keep in mind that I wasn't terribly involved in interstellar trade matters. I mediated the occasional shipping lane dispute, but that usually focused on security or shipping rights, rather than actual goods. Jedi don't really involve themselves in the actual commerce perspectives of things, and since we have no possessions of our own, we have little experience with such matters," she pointed out.
"Yes," Thrawn said absently, studying the image of the gemstones. "I believe I would like to keep these K'rll'n traders here for a time. I wish to study them. By your own admission, you lived a very different life from that of most citizens of your Galactic Republic. I would like to learn more about your people and region of space; this seems to be the ideal opportunity to do so."
"Corellian," Chiara corrected. "I wouldn't mind having them around for a bit, either. It'd be nice to catch up on some of the news and happenings that I have missed."
Thrawn looked up at her in mild surprise, the barest hint of tension visible around his glowing eyes. "You still miss it, don't you?"
"I don't know that 'miss' is the right word," Chiara hedged. "I think about the life I left behind, sometimes, and I wonder how things are holding together. I have no desire to go back, though. I am happy here."
That seemed to appease him somewhat. "Very well, then, that is decided. This Jorj Car'das seems interested enough in us, I believe he will agree to stay for at least a time. Let us summon him so that we can discuss it." Thrawn started to reach for his comlink, but Chiara stayed is hand.
"I'll go. I'm curious to see how they react to seeing an almost-human on a ship full of Chiss. Where do want me to bring them?" she asked.
Thrawn appeared to be about to object, but seemed to think better of it. "Bring Jorj Car'das only to Forward Visual One. I believe that will be a suitably impressive location for such a meeting. The others will remain in the quarters assigned until a refreshment can be prepared."
"Alright. I'll meet you there in a few minutes." She paused, seeing the concern that was still etched on his handsome face. "Stop worrying, Thrawn. I promise I'm not going to go running off with them or anything. The Republic may be where I was raised and spent the first part my life serving, but it isn't my home anymore. My home is with you."
He smiled at her, some of the tension dissipating. "I know. Be careful. My warriors may have searched them, but they could possibly have weapons they wouldn't recognize."
That made Chiara roll her eyes. "Seriously, Thrawn? I think I can handle three humans."
"Nevertheless, I would prefer that you take warriors with you. I'll have a pair meet you outside the Corellian's quarters," Thrawn told her.
The warriors beat Chiara to the Corellian's temporary quarters. Chiara greeted them each in turn before stepping to the door and pressing the chime. She counted to three before she keyed open the door and stepped smoothly inside. Car'das, she noted, jerked upright as she entered. Apparently, he'd been dozing at the table. Quennto and Ferasi were relaxing on the bunks that lined one wall.
"Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo's respects," she greeted them, her eyes on Car'das. "We request your presence in Forward Visual One."
Qennto swung his legs onto the floor and stood, eying her for a moment, clearly thrown off by the fact that she was clearly not Chiss. "Wonderful," he said, just as obviously trying to mask his surprise.
"The Commander has invited Car'das only, at this time," Chiara told him, gesturing to where the younger man was still rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"What?" Qennto said, slamming on the brakes.
"A refreshment is being prepared for you, but until it is ready only Car'das will come," she informed the bulky man.
"Now, wait a second," Qennto growled at her. "We stick together or-"
"It's okay," Car'das interrupted, getting to his feet and taking a step towards the doorway. "I'll be fine."
"Car'das," the Captain warned, his eyes flicking back and forth between Chiara and his junior crewer.
"It's okay," Car'das repeated, taking another step towards the doorway. Chiara moved aside to let him step past her and out the door to where the two guards were waiting. With one last glance at Captain Qennto, she followed.
"Please, follow me," she said, taking the lead and setting off down the corridor.
"You speak Basic exceptionally well," Car'das observed, falling into step behind her.
"I should hope so," she replied, allowing herself a sardonic smile. "I lived most of my life in the Republic."
He threw her a surprised look. "Really? How long have you been here?"
"A little over three years," she told him.
"You aren't a slave, are you?" he asked in concern.
That made her laugh. "No, I'm not a slave. I could go back to the Republic any time I wanted to," she assured him.
"I see. So, you stay by your own free will? How did you end up here?" Car'das pressed.
Chiara held up a hand to stop his stream of questions. "Enough. The Commander is waiting for you. Any questions you have can wait until he has spoken with you."
The young man fell silent and continued on a step behind her. She saw out of the corner of his eye that he was still studying his surroundings, much as he had on their way in from the Bargain Hunter. He stole a furtive glance into the open doors that they passed, clearly still curious about his hosts. Chiara paused outside Forward Visual One and keyed the door open, gesturing Car'das inside.
"Welcome, Jorj Car'das," Thrawn greeted their guest from where he sat silhouetted against the brilliance of the flowing hyperspace sky. Chiara took up a position behind Thrawn, suppressing a smile of amusement at the human's obvious discomfort and uncertainty of what to do. "Beautiful, isn't it? Please; be seated."
"Thank you," Car'das said as he moved to join Thrawn a guarded meter away on the curving couch. "May I ask why you sent for me?"
"To share this view, of course," Thrawn told him drily. "I believe you have already met my mate, Jedi Master Chiara Matao. She brought you here so that you might answer a few questions, as well."
Chiara felt a flicker of fear from the young Corellian. "A very nice view this is, too. I'm a little surprised to find such a room aboard a warship," he commented, trying to cover his nervousness.
"Oh, it's quite functional," Thrawn assured him. "Its full name is Forward Visual Triangulation Site Number One. We place spotters here during combat to track enemy vessels and other possible threats, and to coordinate some of our line-of-sight weaponry."
"Don't you have sensors to handle that?" Car'das asked, his curiousity winning out over his concern.
"Of course, and usually they're quite accurate," Thrawn said. "But I'm sure you know there are ways of misleading or blinding electronic eyes. Sometimes the eyes of a Chiss are more reliable."
"I suppose, but isn't it hard to get the information to the gunners fast enough?" Car'das questioned.
"There are ways," Thrawn replied. "What exactly is your business, Jorj Car'das?"
"Captain Quennto's already told you that." Chiara felt his nervousness escalate considerably with this question. "We're merchants annd traders."
"Unfortunately for your captain's assertions, I'm familiar with the economics of star travel," Thrawn told Car'das, shaking his head. Chiara could sense his curiosity as she stretched out towards him with the Force. "Your vessel is far too small for any standard cargo to cover even normal operating expenses, let alone emergency repair work. I therefore conclude that you havea a sideline occupation. You haven't the weaponry to be pirates or privateers, so you must be smugglers."
"I don't suppose it would do any good to point out that our economics and yours might not scale the same?" Car'das said, clearly stalling.
"Is that what you claim?" Chiara could hear the imperceptible, yet deadly edge creeping into Thrawn's voice as he played this game of hider-seeker with the Corellian. If he lied, Thrawn would either execute them all or perhaps simply drop them at the edge of Chiss space after exacting a vow from them to never return, as he had once done with her.
Car'das hesitated and glanced at her, as if seeking guidance or reassurance from her. Chiara carefully kept her expression passive, allowing Thrawn to lead this conversation. "No," he finally conceded. "We are mostly just traders, as Captain Qennto said. But we sometimes do a little smuggling on the side."
Thrawn relaxed slightly at this admission. There wasn't a visible change, but Chiara could feel his mood shift as she tuned silently in to his reactions through the Force. "I see," he said. "I appreciate your honesty, Jorj Car'das."
"You can just call me Car'das," the young man advised him. "In our culture, the first name is reserved for use by friends."
"You don't consider me a friend?" Thrawn questioned.
"Do you consider me one?" Car'das returned. Chiara bit back a smile at his youthful naivete and sarcasm. Using that tone with Thrawn was not a good idea for anyone but her.
Chiara could feel Thrawn's mild amusement and she was fairly certain he was wondering if everyone from the Republic was as impertinent as she and Car'das seemed to be. His only outward reaction was to lift one blue-black eyebrow. "No, not you. Perhaps someday," he told the other. "You intrigue me, Car'das. Here you sit, captured by unfamiliar beings a long way from home. Yet instead of wrapping yourself in a blanket of fear or anger, you instead stretch outside yourself with curiosity."
"Curiosity?" the human asked, frowning.
"You studied my warriors as you were brought on board. I could see it in your eyes and face as you observed and thought and evaluated. You did the same as you were taken to your quarters, and again as Chiara brought you here just now," Thrawn told him.
Car'das's fear nearly doubled, clearly mistaking Thrawn's intention. "I was just looking. I didn't mean anything by it."
"Calm yourself," Thrawn said, letting some of his amusement color his tone. "I'm not accusing you of spying. I, too, have the gift of curiosity, and therefore prize it in others. Tell me, who is to receive the hidden gemstones?"
Car'das jerked as if he'd been stung. "You found-? I mean... in that case, why did you ask me about it?"
"As I said, I appreciate honesty," Thrawn said. "Who is the intended recipient?"
"A group of Hutts operating out of the Comra system," Car'das said, glancing at Chiara as if concerned that she might object to the smugglers working with a Hutt. She had to admit, Hutts ranked pretty high on her list of species that she considered to be utterly despicable and revolting, as a whole, especially given their practice of owning and selling slaves. "Rivals to the ones you- the ones who were attacking us. You did know they weren't just random pirates, didnn't you? That they were hunting us, specifically?"
"We monitored your transmissions as we positioned ourselves to intervene. Chiara understands the language of these Hutts and was able to translate for me. In addition to this, I do speak Basic and therefore understood Captain Qennto's side of the conversation, as well."
Car'das's jaw dropped open a bit at this revelation. "Then why are we speaking Sy Bisti?" he asked, clearly confused.
"Because I am more familiar with Sy Bisti. I did not wish to attempt a conversation in an unfamiliar language without Chiara present to translate for me, if necessary. Now that she is here, we can use Basic if it would be easier," Thrawn offered, switching languages with relative ease. "Is the possession of these gems illegal, then?"
Car'das seemed to have to take a moment to refocus his mind on the question. "No, but the customs fees are ridiculously high. Smugglers are often used to avoid having to pay them." He hesitated. "Actually, considering the people we got this batch from, they may also have been stolen. But don't tell Maris that."
"Oh?" Thrawn asked, his tone betraying his interest in that offhand comment.
The human winced, apparently realizing he should have kept that last bit to himself. "Maris is something of an idealist," he explained. "She thinks this whole smuggling thing is just a way of making a statement against the greedy and stupid Republic bureaucracy." Once again, he seemed to recall Chiara's presence only after he had spoken and cast a nervous look her way, as if worried she might object to his assessment of the Republic bureaucracy. She shrugged fractionally to indicate that she had no objection to his explanation.
"Captain Qennto hasn't seen fit to enlighten her?" Thrawn asked, arching both of his blue-black eyebrows.
"Captain Qennto likes her company. I doubt she'd stay with him if she knew the whole truth," Car'das admitted.
Thrawn frowned and Chiara could tell he was thinking of their relationship and the total openness between them. "He claims to care about her, yet lies to her?"
"I don't know what he claims," Car'das told him. "Though I suppose you could say that idealists like Maris do a lot of lying to themselves. The truth is there in front of her if she wanted to see it." He glanced at Thrawn. "Though of course that doesn't excuse our part in it," he added, almost as an afterthought.
"No, it doesn't," Thrawn agreed. "What would be the consequences if you didn't deliver the gemstones?"
"They'd kill us," Car'das said. "Probably in some hugely entertaining way, like watching us get eaten by some combination of large animals." It was, Chiara knew, an accurate assumption for how the Hutts would likely punish the smugglers for failing to deliver their goods.
"And if the delivery is merely late?"
The Corellian frowned. "What exactly do you want from me, Commander Mitthrawnuruodo?" Chiara grimaced to herself at the way the human butchered Thrawn's name so thoroughly. Even after three years of practice, it was still difficult for her to get out a mostly-accurate pronunciation. Her Cheunh was perfectly understandable, but she knew the crew often found her mispronunciations to be a source of amusement, despite their overall respect and acceptance of her.
"Nothing too burdensome," Thrawn assured him. "I merely wish your company for a time."
"Why?"
"Partly to learn more about your people," Thrawn told him, "But partially as an opportunity to test my language skills. Chiara is an excellent teacher, yet she is the only one with whom I have conversed in Basic. Your accent is different enough that it presents new challenges in the language. Also, I suspect that Chiara would welcome your company, as well. She has been out of touch with your Republic for over three years. She would welcome the opportunity to catch up on the news from your region of space."
"Hasn't she taught you about our people?" Car'das asked, his eyes flicking between her and Thrawn.
"I have," Chiara confirmed. "But the life of a Jedi is hardly a good picture of the Republic, as a whole. Although I have a great deal of knowledge about the politics and policies of the Republic, I admit that I have very little understanding of the day to day lives of most of the citizens of the Republic. You can provide far more insight into the Republic than I can, in that respect."
Car'das eyed her. "And you aren't going to turn us in for smuggling?"
She couldn't help chuckling at that. "You have nothing to fear on that account, Car'das. I left the Jedi Order and the Republic some time ago: I have no interest in turning you in."
Car'das glanced back at Thrawn. "Okay, but..." He hesitated, clearly looking for the right way to phrase his question.
"I'm not planning an invasion, if that's what concerns you," Thrawn said, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. "Chiss don't invade the territories of others. We don't make war against even potential enemies unless we're attacked first." He didn't point out that Chiara could have provided him with all the information that he would have needed to launch a successful campaign against the Republic.
"Well, you certainly don't have to worry about any attacks from us," Car'das rushed to assure him. "We've got too many internal troubles of our own right now to go bother anyone else."
"So Chiara has told me," Thrawn replied. "We have nothing to fear from each other. It would merely be an indulgence of my curiosity. Although I have learned a great deal about your culture from her, as she has said, there is a great deal more I could learn from you."
"I see. And what would we get out of it?" Car'das asked.
"For you, there would be an equal satisfaction of your own curiosity." Thrawn raised his eyebrows at the young man. "You do wish to learn more about my people, don't you?"
"Very much, but I can't see that appealing to Captain Quennto," Car'das told him.
"Perhaps a few extra valuables added to his cargo, then. That might also help to mollify your clients," Thrawn suggested.
"Yes, they'll definitely need some mollifying." Car'das's expression looked rather grim as he thought about the prospect of returning to the Republic with a late delivery. "A little extra loot would go a long way toward that."
"Then it's agreed," Thrawn said, standing up.
Car'das scrambled to his feet, as well. "One more thing. I'll be happy to teach you about our culture and give you the opportunity to practice your Basic, but I'd also like some language lessons in return. Would you be willing to teach me the Chiss language, or to have one of your people do so?"
Thrawn exchanged an amused look with Chiara. This was almost exactly how their conversation had gone when she first arrived in Chiss space. "I can teach you Cheunh," Thrawn said, returning his attention to Car'das and narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. "But I doubt you'll ever be able to properly speak it. I've noticed you don't even pronounce my name very well."
The human had the good grace to blush at this. "I'm sorry."
"No apology needed," Thrawn assured him. "You vocal mechanism is close to ours, but there are clearly some differences. However, I believe I could teach you to speak Minnisiat. It's a trade language widely used in the regions around our territory."
"That would be wonderful," Car'das told him. "Thank you, Commander Mitth- uh... Commander."
"As I said, Cheunh pronunciation is difficult for you," Thrawn said drily. "Perhaps it would be easier if you called me by my core name, Thrawn."
"Is that permissible?" Car'das asked with a frown.
Thrawn shrugged, "It's questionable. In general, full names are required for formal occasions, for strangers and for those who are socially inferior."
"And I'm guessing we qualify on all three accounts," Car'das stated.
"Yes," Thrawn agreed. "But I believe such rules may be broken when there are good and valid reasons for doing so. In this case, there are."
"It will certainly make things easier," Car'das agreed, bowing his head. "Thank you, Commander Thrawn."
"You're welcome," Thrawn returned. "And now, a light refreshment has been prepared for you and the others. After that, your language lessons can begin."