OOOPPPSSS ... I missed this important chapter when uploding ... I have renumbered all the existng chapters and added this one now.


From his command chair, Admiral Gilad Pellaeon surveyed the bridge of the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera. To his left, Captain Ardiff was deep in conversation with the communications officer. For more than a week, they had been in orbit near Yaga Minor. Pellaeon found waiting to be the hardest thing to do. He wondered what Grand Admiral Thrawn would have thought of his plans for peace with the New Republic. In the years since Thrawn's death, Pellaeon still found the enigmatic alien a source of wonder. Moreover, he had come to appreciate the insights and counsel Thrawn had provided during their time together. Ten years since Thrawn's death at the hands of Rukh, Pellaeon thought to himself, and now I have more than 50 years of service. Where have the years gone?

Pellaeon had always wondered how Thrawn could discern so much about a race by studying their art. Though he had not come close to emulating the achievements of his mentor, he had had success studying the culture of a society to find clues to the traits and characteristics that underlay the strengths and the weaknesses of o given group. Pellaeon grimaced as he ruefully recalled one outcome of his improving skills: the realization that the Empire could not win the war against the New Republic. Based on his analysis, Pellaeon had convinced the eight, now seven, Moffs to support his peace initiative.

Peace. For more than fifty years he had served the Empire. Only it really wasn't always the Empire. Lying about his age, he had first served with the Old Republic as a raw recruit of 15. And now, at what he was certain would be the end of his career, he reflected on a lifetime of service. He was the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet. That was something, wasn't it?

Deep inside, Pellaeon knew there was more to it than that. It had to do with a trait that seemed in short supply — honor. To Pellaeon, honor was more than just a quaint word or a term of respect. It was a way of life. It infused the Admiral's every action. What about Disra, Pellaeon thought. Honor was something Disra would certainly know nothing about. Bleeding the Empire from within. Pellaeon shook his head ruefully. Disra was not unique. There had been those few years with Daala after Thrawn's death.

Pellaeon shuddered as he recalled Daala's concept of honor. And yet, at the end, she had done the honorable thing and turned the fleet over to him. Maybe honor still means something, Pellaeon mused. If Karrde's conduct is indicative, then maybe there is hope. Sighing to himself, he wondered what the galaxy was coming to when he found his enemies more honorable than his allies.


Once again, Pellaeon found himself wondering at the turn of events. He recalled the first time he encountered General Bel Iblis. He and Thrawn had engaged the general in a race — a race that the Empire had won. The prize? Nothing less than the Katana fleet. Now, more than a decade later, Bel Iblis sat across from him discussing supply lines, sector borders and mutual defense pacts. Surprisingly, Pellaeon found Bel Iblis to be far more flexible and understanding than he expected the general would be. Maybe it was because Bel Iblis was more than a politician. He was also a military leader, able to grasp the issues that would elude anyone not familiar with the challenges of defending an empire or a republic.

Pellaeon marveled at the irony. Here was the author of the Corellian Treaty — the agreement that led to the crystallization of the Rebellion — negotiating with the Empire for peace. A week of hard work had resulted in a draft pact. Now the waiting began as the New Republic Senate on Coruscant and the Moffs on Bastion looked for flaws — "for ways to undo what we've done," Bel Iblis had dryly remarked.

"Excuse me Admiral," Captain Ardiff signaled.

"Yes?"

"General Bel Iblis, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, High Councilor Leia Organa Solo, Captain Karrde, and his second, Mara Jade, are here to see you, sir."

"Thank You. Please escort them to the secondary bridge. I'll be right there."


As he approached the turbolift that would take him down to the secondary bridge, Admiral Pellaeon pondered the way things had turned out. What was the expression he was looking for? Oh yes. What goes around, comes around.. It was on the secondary bridge that Grand Admiral Thrawn had planned his campaign against the Rebels — the New Republic, he corrected himself. It was on the secondary bridge that Thrawn had died. And it would be on the secondary bridge that the Rebellion would end, for with the recognition of the New Republic by the Empire, there was no Rebellion. There would be peace.

"Captain Ardiff," Pellaeon signaled.

"Sir."

"Would you ask Colonel Vermel join me on the secondary bridge, please. I will be there in a few minutes. Also, after you escort the New Republic representatives to the conference, I would appreciate if you would await my arrival as well."

"Yes, sir."

Pellaeon smiled at the enthusiasm in Ardiff's voice. He thought about how young Ardiff had been when they had both served under Thrawn. We were all younger then, Pellaeon sighed.


As Pellaeon entered the secondary bridge, he saw that his officers had seated themselves across from the representatives of the New Republic. They seemed to be engaging in the sort of amiable chit-chat that always takes place before any serious discussions begin. Before introductions could be made, General Bel Iblis spoke up.

"Admiral," Bel Iblis began, "I want to once again commend you for the risk you took in attempting to contact the New Republic. High Councilor Leia Organa Solo told me about Colonel Vermel. I trust he is well."

"Yes, thank you," replied Pellaeon with a smile. "But ask him yourself. He is sitting directly across from you." And allow me to introduce the Chimaera's captain, Captain Ardiff."

Vermel nodded to Bel Iblis in the unspoken military acknowledgement of one officer to another.

Bel Iblis continued, "I believe you already know most of the other members of our delegation. Allow me to introduce Captain Karrde's second, Mara Jade."

"Thank you, General," Pellaeon replied. "Now, to what do we owe the pleasure of this meeting?"

Bel Iblis glanced at Leia, then continued. "As you know, the, ah, politicians, of both the New Republic and the Empire have been working on the details of the peace treaty. But the basic outline is as you specified to Councilor Solo and Trustant A'kla when you first met with them."

"So this is not about the treaty, then?" the Admiral asked.

"Well, it is and it isn't."

All eyes turned to Luke as he spoke for the first time.

"Admiral, you may not believe it when I say this, but we bear no anger toward you, your crew and any other being who served the Empire." Luke flexed his right hand unconsciously, as if he felt again Vader's slash on Cloud City. "It was a war back then, and in war, one did what one needed to do to win."

Pellaeon stared at the Jedi Master. Those were the very words he had spoken to himself when Talon Karrde had approached him following the unmasking of Flim and Tierce.

Leia continued. "Admiral, the treaty we have drafted has no victors, no vanquished. There are only peoples. For all of my adult life, I have been battling the Empire. And now I want to be at peace. There is no point in trying to extract vengeance for actions in the past. I was a Senator when Palpatine declared himself Emperor. I watched from the first Death Star as Governor Tarkin destroyed my home planet of Alderaan. How many were lost when Kyp Durron used the Sun Crusher to destroy Carrida?"

Leia seemed to shudder as the memory of all those lives lost rippled through the Force. But she pressed on.

"Can we bring those beings back? No. All we can do is move forward with the pledge of never again."

In spite of himself, Pellaeon was moved by the sincerity of the Jedi Master and Councilor Organa Solo.

"So how does this relate to the treaty, as Master Skywalker indicated?"

Bel Iblis responded. "As you may recall, Captain Karrde mentioned to you that he had a, what did he call it, oh yes, a notion, that he wanted to place before the New Republic and then you. Captain, what was it you told me you said to the Admiral?"

An embarrassed-looking Karrde responded: "I said 'By the time I have this notion, finalized, the New Republic leadership will wonder how they ever got along without it.'"

Unable to keep the mirth out of his voice, Bel Iblis faced Pellaeon. "Well, as it turns out, Captain Karrde may have been right in his assessment."

General Bel Iblis paused, then continued. "If there is to be a lasting peace, the first thing we need to establish is mutual trust. And as a military man, I don't have to tell you how hard that is to do and how critical it will be to the success of the treaty."

Again Bel Iblis paused. "And I don't think I have to tell you that there are groups within both the New Republic and the Empire that will do all they can to undermine the treaty and all we have accomplished here. These groups prefer war to peace, as uncertain times suits these beings."

Pellaeon nodded. "I agree that there will be elements on both sides that will do their best to blow the treaty apart, but I fail to see where or how this involves me."

"That is where Captain Karrde's proposal comes in. Karrde, would you please explain your plan to the Admiral?"

"Thank you, General," Karrde responded. "Admiral, it is actually quite simple. What I am proposing to you now is what I had in mind that day when we rode over to the Errant Venture. It has taken all my persuasive powers, and then some — Karrde glanced at Luke and Mara with a smile — to convince the New Republic of the merits of my proposal. After much debate, Admiral Drayson has at least agreed to a trial run."

"And what exactly is this idea of yours, Karrde?" Pellaeon demanded.

"Actually, it is quite simple Admiral. Essentially, I am proposing that a neutral third party serve as an intelligence gathering body for both the New Republic and the Empire. As Councilor Solo pointed out, the key to a stable peace is both sides knowing the other side is not plotting some kind of move against them. I am certain that Bastion wouldn't trust the New Republic intelligence network, and Coruscant definitely won't trust yours. That's where my organization comes in. Although neither side would willingly admit it, we straddle both regimes and it is not too hard to change our focus. My organization is well equipped to gather and assemble information. We'll simply now be supplying it to your two governments instead of to private buyers."

Pellaeon reflected on Karrde's proposal. It must be this bridge, he mused. It was in this very room that Grand Admiral Thrawn had said of Karrde: Talon Karrde is not merely a smuggler, you see. More than anything else in the galaxy, he craves knowledge.

Pellaeon looked at Ardiff and Vermel. Both seemed lost in thought, but the Admiral knew they were struggling with a notion that was alien to their entire training — cooperating with the New Republic. And then, almost in unison, they nodded.

"Very well, General," Pellaeon replied. "I will discuss this proposal with my key officers. But I still remain uncertain why you seek my approval? Is this not something that should be part of the treaty?"

Leia answered for Bel Iblis. "Ordinarily, yes, and in the end, it will be part of the treaty. But without the support of the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet, it will be a balmy day on Hoth before the Moffs agree to Karrde's plan. In their eyes, he is nothing more than a smuggler and only slightly better than a loose Rancor."

Mara noticed the amusement in Karrde's eyes. "Remind me not to ask Councilor Solo for a reference," he whispered to his second.

The Admiral saw Luke glance at Bel Iblis and receive a nod.

"Admiral, there is something else you need to know. Something that I believe will validate Karrde's proposal. But it is essential that the information not leave this room."

All three Imperial officers looked startled. Captain Ardiff was the first to find his voice. "Are you sure you should be telling us whatever you plan to say?"

"Yes," was Luke's response. "If trust is to be the foundation of the treaty, it must start with a strong cornerstone, and what better way to prove our sincerity than to begin by sharing information that I think will be of interest to you?"

Now it was not just the Imperials who were staring at Luke.

"Admiral, do you remember Voss Parck?"

"Parck?" Pellaeon replied. "Who in the Empire wouldn't know of Voss Parck? But he's dead."

"No, Admiral," Mara Jade interjected. "He is not. He is quite alive. Luke and I had an encounter with him, Baron Soontir Fel and a race with which they have formed an alliance in the Unknown Regions."

The reaction of both Pellaeon and his officers and Leia and Bel Iblis would have been no different if a krayt dragon had suddenly appeared on the bridge.

"Soontir Fel? Alive? Impossible. Isard had him killed."

"He is very much alive, I assure you," Luke answered. "He and Parck are allied with a race called the Chiss. In fact, we knew one of their kind many years ago, although at the time, we did not know that he was a Chiss. His full name was Mitth'raw'nuruodo."

Pellaeon felt the blood drain from his face. The silence on the bridge was palpable.

"Thrawn."

"Yes."