Thank you for the follow/fav, NiaRx!
And thanks for your kind words, mezzieb1 and sandcat118! I'm a certified lurker myself and I absolutely suck at reviewing people's stories, so I don't expect others to do it for me, but I'm very, very grateful when it happens :)
To answer your comment, sandcat118, of course all this will come and bite them in the butt at some point, but this story is (mostly) canon. I do play around with facts a little, I move some events up and down the timeline etc but I won't go AU, except in the very last two chapters. So you'll have to stick around to find out :p
Spoiler alert: This chapters contains minor spoilers for Timothy Zahn's novel Choices of One.
Chapter 28: Nuso Esva
Ayesha interrupted her comm call and glanced over her shoulder when the doorbell rang. It was mid-morning and Thrawn was standing outside the open transparisteel panel on the landing pad. He'd had the key card to her apartment for more than a month, but he still adhered to his ritual of waiting for her to allow him in, unless it was the middle of the night. "I enjoy watching you gambolling towards me like a Tarchalian gazelle, Ayoo'sha," he told her when she protested, "and I must never let myself forget how grateful I should be." When she replied tersely that he should stop speaking in riddles and invoked the giant weaver and various other predators of the Kashyyyk Shadowlands, he cocked a bemused eyebrow and, as usual, ended the conversation with a kiss.
This time however, Ayesha did not leave the desk in the corner of the dining area. She simply waved at Thrawn to come to her, held his hand as he stood just outside the transmitter's range, and turned back to the holocomm, which displayed the head of a Wookiee. Her smile had become sweeter and the Wookiee huffed with amusement before growling a brief sentence. "Old Dex has a big mouth," she replied with the grin of a schoolgirl caught in the middle of some mischief, "not only literally but also figuratively, it seems." The Wookiee huffed again, then grumbled something that sounded halfway between a joke and a grievance. Her face softened. "Of course I still love you, Ada'. No one can take your place in my heart, you know that." The Wookiee tilted his head to the side and let out a moan. "I'm happy and it made me selfish, but I promise I'll be in touch more often. And of course I'll come for Rumpy's Trials." The Wookiee barked and huffed again. Ayesha laughed. "All right, I'll tell him. And I'll comm you as soon as I book passage on a transport." The Wookiee held a paw to his forehead in a mock salute, and the holocomm went blank.
Thrawn pulled Ayesha to her feet as she shut down the transmitter and cupped her face in his hands. His eyebrows were reaching up to his hairline. "What?" she asked.
"It is one thing to hear you speak of your adoptive father," Thrawn said. "It is an entirely different thing to see you speak to him, and this is the first time I have the honour." She grimaced but he kissed her lightly before she could answer. "Please do keep in touch with him regularly, Ayoo'sha, I would hate to take the blame for your negligence. I am certain your father would not see me with the same kind eyes he looks at you and I imagine that he can be quite fierce."
Ayesha laughed. "As a matter of fact, Ada' Yakooboo just told me to let you know that he won't come after you as long as you make me happy. So the grav-ball is in your court now."
"I see that I will have to put on my best behaviour then," he murmured.
She looked up at him. "You're unusually cheerful today. What's happening?"
He straightened himself. "I have come to deliver two items of good news. The first one is that the Admonitor left this morning for the Unknown Regions."
"You're not going then?" she asked hopefully.
"I will be catching up with her next week."
She pouted her lips in disappointment. "Then what's the good news?"
Thrawn smiled. "The good news is that I will be planetside all week. I still need to finalize my plans and will be spending quite some time in my quarters in the Palace, but I do intend to liberate myself as often as possible for you. If you are free, of course."
"Gee, I don't know. I'm invited to three dinner parties tonight and then I have this really tight deadline for the Coruscant Public Transportation Authority at the end of the year and..." Thrawn's tongue invaded her mouth. She returned the favour in kind. "I think you have your answer," she added with a chuckle when he pulled back. "What's the second thing?" He arched an eyebrow. "You said you had two items of good news to deliver."
His eyes twinkled. "Foolish me," he said. "I almost forgot." His fingers slid under the straps of her tank top to slip them off her shoulders. "The second item is not so much a piece of news as a reminder of what we shall both miss when I am gone."
They finally settled back against the pillows, Ayesha flat on her back and Thrawn on his side, his fingertips wandering on the soft bulge of her tummy. "What have you been doing these last ten days while I was on the Admonitor? Are you still working on this secret project you will tell me nothing about?"
She grinned. "My secret project is completed, but it's still a secret." She looked at Thrawn and saw that he was staring at her inquisitively. It made her laugh and she turned on her side to kiss him. "You're so curious, Qubshi be-khadeeb. It's very un-Chiss-like, you know. You'll find out about it soon enough, now change the subject."
Thrawn stared at her a little longer but she rolled on her back again to rest her head on his shoulder. "Did I understand correctly that you will be visiting your family in the near future?" he asked when it became clear she wouldn't say anything more about her project.
"I didn't know you speak Shyriiwook," she said with a wry smile.
"I am still learning. However, that particular sentence was uttered in perfectly good Basic by the most unlikely Wookiee I have ever had the privilege to meet."
She laughed. "Okay. Well, yes, I'll be going home next month and I think I'll stay for six or seven standard weeks. Rumpy is taking his Adulthood Trials, so I need to be there to cheer him on. After that, I'll be the only child left in the family." The eyebrow crawled up in question. "The Way of the Wookiee has no specific provisions for adopted half-Human half-Kiffar daughters, so I should take the Trials too if I want to be considered an adult, but that's not going to happen," she explained. "I don't mind though, I like being Ada' Yakooboo's little girl," she added happily.
Thrawn lifted himself on his elbow to look at her. She was simply radiant. "Your father must be an exceptional sentient for you to love him so much."
"He loves me even more," she answered. "I haven't been a very good daughter to him, but he doesn't care, he gives all his heart. It's a blessing to be loved like that, especially for someone like me. I'd be like Uumana if it weren't for him." Thrawn frowned, but she smiled and reached to caress his face. "I'll introduce you to him some day. He occasionally comes here to visit, or we could arrange to go to Rwookrrorro together, if the Navy ever gives you time off."
Thrawn bit back the question that was burning his lips and rested his head next to hers. "I would like that very much. In the meantime however, I will introduce you to an old friend of mine who will be on Coruscant at the end of this week."
Ayesha gave him a sideways look. "Are you volunteering personal information, Captain?"
"I believe I am," he said with a twitch of his lips. "It must be the influence of some unique multi-species creature I happen to be holding." She laughed again. "The man you will meet had an unwilling yet rather decisive impact on my life. He is the first human I met when I was still a Force Commander in the Chiss Expansionary Defence Fleet and he was the one who taught me Basic. His name is Jorj Car'das."
Her eyes widened in astonishment. "The smuggler boss?"
"Have you heard of him?"
"I don't think there's anyone in the Galaxy who hasn't," she replied. "He was said to have this vast criminal empire within the Empire, and then he disappeared. I thought he was dead."
"I assure you he is very much alive. He will be piloting me on my upcoming mission." Ayesha was eyeing him curiously. "What is it, Ayoo'sha? Why are you so surprised?"
"You certainly keep strange company, for an Imperial Captain," she said finally. "I doubt there are many of you who have underworld kings ferrying them around."
He pulled her closer. "After all this time, you do still not know that I like to run my affairs in a, shall we say, unorthodox way," he murmured in her ear.
"How could I know that?" she sighed. "You hardly ever tell me anything about yourself."
He pushed himself up again and studied her face carefully. "I see that I will have to remedy that if I am to make you happy, as per your father's instructions. However, that may have to wait a little longer." His thumb wandered to the side of her chest, and he whispered, "I have work to do in the Palace this afternoon and I have just remembered that, before I go, there is another reminder I must urgently deliver."
Ayesha started clearing the lunch dishes from the kitchen table. "So you're going to your office this afternoon?"
"I am going to my quarters," Thrawn corrected. "The work I have to do in the coming days does not require my presence in High Command."
"Why don't you stay and work here?" she offered. "I could make some space in the workshop for you."
"The idea is not without appeal, but it is unfortunately not possible. I need the peace of my private study to reflect and meditate. Not to mention the documents and displays I have there." She nodded and turned back to the sink, letting out a small sigh. "What upsets you, Ayoo'sha?"
"I'm not upset. It's just that... I've never even seen your place." She tried to sound casual but there was a mixture of longing and frustration in her voice.
Both eyebrows shot up. "You would like to visit my quarters?"
"Of course," she said with a puzzled look. "What, you think I don't care?"
Thrawn stared at her for a long moment. "Are you meeting Tashi this afternoon?" he finally asked. She shook her head. "Then I suggest that you come with me."
The speeder landed in the Imperial Palace and Thrawn led Ayesha through the turbolifts and hallways to a door identical to every other door in a remote part of the South Wing. His gait became crisp and military as they walked deeper into the corridors, and Ayesha felt him revert to his Navy Captain persona. "This area is residential quarters for Navy officers who choose not to make their home on Coruscant," he explained curtly as he inserted the key card in its slot. The door slid open and he ushered her in.
He showed her around the lounge and dining area, took her to the kitchen and then guided her through a small hallway to the bedroom. The flat was spacious but sparsely furnished, austere even. The furniture was standard Imperial issue and everything was impeccably tidy as if no one lived there. There was something deeply impersonal about the place that reminded Ayesha of Thrawn's expressionless face when he had erected barriers around himself after Matt Ruud had turned up in Old Zeltros during her birthday dinner. Her eyes wandered around the bedroom and she finally said, very timidly, "This isn't how I imagined your home."
The hardness and arrogance suddenly vanished from his features. "This is not my home, Ayoo'sha. I have not had a home in many years. I joined the Empire for a number of very specific reasons and I have been working relentlessly towards achieving these goals. I did not seek to settle down or make friends. A home is a place where one loves and is loved, and fortunately for the both of us, that is not within the confines of this Palace." He placed an arm around her shoulders to hold her close, then added, "Come with me. There is something I want to share with you."
He led her across the small hallway to his study. Here too, the furniture was standard issue, with the exception of a comfortable-looking nerf hide armchair near the window. The durasteel bookcases lining the walls were stacked with flimsibooks, databooks and datacards. Ayesha's Fijisi wood self-portrait was prominently displayed on the desk and several other pieces of art were stored on the bottom shelf. Thrawn keyed a few commands and the room transformed into a holographic gallery. "This is where I carry out the most important aspect of my work. As I remember telling you, I believe that the study of art can give valuable insights into the psyche of a species or an individual. Present company excluded, of course," he added with a twitch of his lips. "What you see is what I have been using to plan for my upcoming campaign."
Ayesha looked carefully at the holograms. "I recognize the style of some of the pieces you brought back before New Year Fete, but I've never seen anything like this." She pointed at a group of sculpts shimmering in a corner.
"These pieces were created by artists from Nuso Esva's homeworld." She looked at him questioningly. "Nuso Esva is the warlord against whom I will be waging war in the Unknown Regions. Can you determine their characteristics from their work?"
Ayesha observed the holos for a moment. "They're built like humans, possibly a little taller and more slender on average," she said uncertainly. "But they're not related to humans at all. I mean, the similarities in appearance are purely coincidental. The structure of their eyes but also their mind must be different for them to perceive the world in such a way. And they're proud, even domineering. They feel superior to other sentients."
Thrawn gave her an approving nod and pointed at another part of the room, where holos of delicate carvings, mostly knives with elaborate handles, could be seen. "What of those, Ayoo'sha?"
This time she didn't hesitate. "This is a different species. Humanoid in shape, with a torso, arms and legs, but reptilian in physiology. Not very tall. They're dedicated and loyal. They would put their lives on the line if necessary to protect their young and their elderly." She smiled. "They also come across as very eager to learn, but a little shy to ask unless they can prove themselves first."
"I had not noticed this last point," Thrawn said thoughtfully. He gazed at the carvings, his eyes glittering with concentration. "It seems that I will have to put the question to them." He looked back at Ayesha. "These are my allies. They call themselves the Troukree. Nuso Esva has devastated their homeworld, and it is my firm intention to return it to them."
She smiled again. "Since they're your allies, you can tell them that there's someone out there who took a liking to them." She gestured towards another group of holos. "Where does Alderaan come in the picture?"
"Unfortunately, this is an aspect of my plan that I am not at liberty to discuss with you," Thrawn said sternly. "That information is highly classified."
Ayesha blushed. "Sorry. I got a bit carried away."
"Not at all, Ayoo'sha, not at all. You already pointed out for me something I had not seen." He wavered for a second. "If this is not too boring for you, would you mind if I showed you another set of pieces?" She nodded so eagerly that it made him chuckle. He gestured towards the armchair for her to sit, left the room for a moment and returned with two tankards that exuded a distinct odour. He handed her one. "Forvish ale. It is not cortyg brandy, but I believe it is an acceptable substitute." He keyed a new command on the desk and came to crouch at her side. The display now showed a wide variety of paintings, sculpts and flats. "This is art created by various species and collected by Nuso Esva himself. What does it tell you about him?"
Ayesha stared at the holograms for a long moment, biting the tip of her tongue as she grimaced in concentration. "His roots are in a part of space where there are no humans, but he's had contact with humans and he despises them," she said finally. "No, wait. He doesn't just despise them, he uses them. He also manipulates every species he's in contact with, unless he can enslave them outright. He seeks absolute submission. He finds ways to exploit other sentients, even those of his own kind. He has no respect for life. He's cunning and ruthless." She paused and took another careful look. "He must be a very good dejarik player but not a good sabacc player. He seeks to annihilate his opponent, either literally or figuratively, or both if he can manage it. He's very intelligent and he thinks strategically, but he cannot adapt his tactics to unforeseen situations. He doesn't know how to gamble and when he does, he always goes all in because he's arrogant. But for that precise reason, he can't bluff. His arrogance gets the better of him and he starts boasting."
Thrawn's eyes shot up to her at these words. "Are you certain?" he asked sharply.
"Of course," she replied as if it were obvious. "Look at the glitzy bits in each piece and all the flourishes in the frames and stands. He likes to show off."
Thrawn sprang to his feet, almost spilling his tankard of ale, pulled her up and kissed her deeply. "What took you?" she asked in bewilderment when he finally let her go.
"You gave me the last piece of the puzzle, Ayoo'sha. I am sorry that I cannot elaborate, but I will tell you one thing with absolute certainty. The end of Nuso Esva's campaign of terror in the Unknown Regions started with you." She gave him a puzzled look but he simply kissed her again. "My workload suddenly became much lighter, therefore, unless you insist that we stay here longer, I suggest we go. I believe that I still owe you a pleasant evening in Old Zeltros, and I might even remember further urgent reminders that need to be delivered."
