Chapter 10: The Grand Admiral Returns
"... As such I am pleased to report that there is nothing which would require your attention, sir."
Niriz finished his tale, drawing himself up to full attention, offering the newest member of the Imperial High Command a textbook salute.
"Congratulations on your promotion, by the way."
"Thank you, Captain." Thrawn returned his salute with all formalities, the pale blue lips twitching in a small smile. "At ease."
Niriz internally sighed in relief.
"However," the white-attired alien continued evenly, "I couldn't have missed the signs of antipathy between Commander Parck and Commander Stent. While the leader of the renegade warriors has displayed similar sentiments before, this is the first time I've seen his stance mirrored in Commander Parck. You wouldn't know what sort of events transpired between the two, would you, Captain?"
Niriz grimaced. He should have known that flattery would get him nowhere. Grand Admiral Thrawn saw right through it.
"Sir, I'm afraid it's a matter of personal nature. I'm sure the two will sort it out in time."
"Captain, I prefer truthful and straightforward answers, not prevarication."
Screw it, according to Parck, the Grand Admiral had been aware of the man's proclivities. Niriz capitulated.
"I and Parck invited Commander Stent to join us in the Captain's Ready Room. We exchanged a couple of stories over a bottle of Chandrilan brandy and Commander Stent accidentally disclosed that Parck is prone to certain behavior unsanctioned by the Galactic Empire…" he paused, looking for a sign of recognition in the pale blue face.
Nothing.
It was as if Thrawn had no idea what Niriz had just hinted.
"... I am afraid Parck took it rather personally that I came to know in such a careless manner, or rather that I came to know at all."
The Chiss inclined his head. "Commander Stent is quite forthright."
That was an understatement of the year.
Especially after the pale blue wonder had casually mentioned the death of Thrawn's brother, which had nearly resulted in the loss of Chiss's composure. It was a small miracle that then-Admiral Thrawn hadn't thrown Commander Stent out of the airlock. Personally.
Niriz continued: "Parck then decided to strike back by luring the unsuspecting Chiss into watching a horror holo, which resulted in quite a fright to be honest. I had no idea that your species could shriek, sir. As you can imagine, Commander Stent's image of a fearless warrior has been shattered."
Thrawn stared incredulously as if Niriz had been loudly swearing in Huttese. Niriz was about to break the awkward silence that followed when finally the Chiss let out a deep, exasperated sigh.
"Really, Captain, I leave you alone for a couple of weeks…"
"It wasn't my idea, sir." Niriz defended himself.
"Yet you joined them."
"Yes, I did." Niriz confessed.
"Then how do you propose to solve this problem?" Thrawn asked thoughtfully. He had the same look as when facing a particularly unpredictable opponent on the battlefield.
"I think it'd be best to leave them alone…" Niriz suggested diplomatically.
"I'm afraid that's not an option, Captain. Not when there is Chiss pride involved." Thrawn took out a personal comm. "Crahsystor Kres'ten'tarthi, Commander Parck, report to my office immediately."
"Sir?" Niriz asked, feeling an impending sense of doom.
"To use the language of your people, Captain, I am going to tell them to kiss and make up." Thrawn delivered dryly, his expression deadly serious, making Niriz gasp in shock and immediately cover his mouth once he realized how it could have been interpreted.
The glowing eyes burned him down with a stare, just like the unfortunate ensign who had stumbled, startled by the unusual appearance, spilling the caf he had fetched for Niriz all over then-Admiral Thrawn's command chair.
On the very first day the alien had assumed command of the Task Force Admonitor.
"Do not be ridiculous, Captain. Of course I did not mean that literally. Nor would I repeat the Chandrilan phrase in their presence."
The Chiss scoffed. "I simply need all my men to be able to work as a team. No matter how they decide to cease the hostilities, this nonsense ends today."
Dagon, you traitor! I thought we were friends! Parck inwardly cursed as he crossed paths with Niriz, who was on his way out of the Admiral's office.
Parck's suspicions were later proven true; Niriz had confessed to everything, including his own role in Parck's attempt to spook the Chiss.
"Crahsystor Kres'ten'tarthi, I consider myself to be a very patient man, however, even my patience has its limits. Voss Parck is one of the few humans aboard who expressed interest in studying Cheunh, yet you have repeatedly mocked his pronunciation despite the fact that your own progress with Galactic Basic leaves much to be desired."
Thrawn spoke demonstratively in Basic, slow enough that the other Chiss would understand.
"Your condescending behavior and reckless actions have undermined my efforts once again and quite honestly, I've grown tired of your antics, Crahsystor. If you cannot overcome your sense of superiority, then perhaps you should consider handing the Household Phalanx over to someone else."
"Understand, Syndic Mitth'raw'nuruodo." Stent murmured quietly, his head hung low.
"Incorrect answer." Thrawn admonished, his tone glacially cold. "It's either 'I understand, Syndic Mitth'raw'nuruodo' or 'Understood, Syndic Mitth'raw'nuruodo.'"
"Understood, Syndic Mitth'raw'nuruodo." Stent repeated in a resigned tone. It took all Parck's effort not to openly gape at the meek and mellow Chiss next to him.
"I am glad we understand each other, Kres'ten'tarthi."
Thrawn's glowing eyes shifted to Parck. Uh oh, it was his turn.
"And you, Commander Parck … I told you to leave the rogue Chiss warriors alone until they were ready to accept humans as their brothers-in-arms. Just what were you thinking?"
"I wasn't thinking, sir."
"No, clearly you weren't." Thrawn verbally slapped him in the face.
Out of the corner of his eye, Parck could see Stent's face clouding in confusion. No doubt the rogue Chiss warrior expected Parck would try to defend himself by pointing out that it was Stent who had become so bored that he had decided to come and harass Thrawn's 'human servants.'
If Parck did that, there was a distinct possibility that Thrawn would have ripped off the burgundy red patch right off Stent's shoulder and given the command to another warrior.
Being a former Palpatinist himself, Parck understood how difficult it was for Stent to overcome the sense of one's superiority. Frankly, the Chiss's behavior wasn't that different from Parck's twenty years ago.
Stumbling upon the blue-skinned alien's hut had changed Parck's life, just like pulling the Task Force Admonitor out of hyperspace had changed Stent's. It was only a matter of time before the rogue Chiss warrior accepted his fate.
"Crahsystor Kres'ten'tarthi, Commander Parck, you are both guilty of conduct unbecoming of a warrior. It is none of my business how you decide to cease the hostilities, but the next time you enter my office, there will be no sign of antipathy between the two of you. Understood?"
"Yes, sir." Parck replied instantly.
"Yes, Syndic." Stent breathed out, the expression on his pale blue face one of utter defeat, acceptance of the inevitable.
"Dismissed."
TO BE CONTINUED
Next: Ceasefire (1/2)