CHAPTER 41

Oblivion

Steadfast – 2 BBY

Bo Katan unscrewed the barrel of her rifle and set it on the table, leaning forward in her seat while Alhara watched. "Firing chamber," she pointed to the respective part, then moved on. "Primer…charge…trigger," she finished disassembling it, picking up the casing. "This, useless. Why?"

Alhara pursed her lips. "Because…it's just for show?"

"Exactly," she nodded, picking up the trigger and the firing chamber, sliding their parts back into the frame. "All you need to set this thing off are these two parts…" she picked up the charge canister and fitted it into the handle. "The charge, primer…" the gun squeaked as she twisted the barrel back into place. "Barrel. What next?"

Alhara pointed towards the primer. "Switch it off safety."

Bo Katan winked as she switched it off, hearing the blaster whine with power. "Nice work kid."

"Yes!" Alhara closed her fists in exclamation. "Can I have a real one now?"

"No."

"Ah…but what if we run into—"

"No," Bo Katan reiterated. "I didn't get my first real blaster until I was sixteen. You can wait a little longer."

Alhara frowned. "But the verd'goten is taken when you're thirteen…" she looked up, doing the math in her head. "That doesn't…make any sense."

"I had mine late," she admitted, trying to wrangle her mind in from the past memories she'd been forced to revisit too many times lately. She considered stopping the conversation there…but all they had was time as of now. "You remember what I told you about my sister?"

She nodded. "Yeah…but only that you didn't get along."

"That's a…that's one way to put it," Bo wiped her nose, snapping the case back over her blaster and sliding it back into its proper holster. "Do you know what a pacifist is?"

Alhara nodded, giving her a kind of stink look. "Someone who doesn't like fighting. I always thought it sounded boring."

Bo Katan almost let herself laugh, but the reality of the story suppressed it rather violently. "Yeah…I felt the same way. My sister was one of those people. It's part of the reason she and I didn't get along."

Alhara was smart, Bo Katan knew that much, and watching her put the pieces together on her own was a promising sign. "So…she didn't want you to be a Mandalorian?"

"It's a little more complicated than that. She wanted Mandalorians to change. I didn't," she said. "I eventually ran away, and took my family's armor," she patted her chest plate. "My mentor taught me a lot, but I mostly taught myself when I was younger. I read books, used holos…anything I could find."

"Hey…kind of like me…well…" she retracted. "…before I met you, anyway."

Bo Katan chuckled. "Would you rather use books and holos?"

"No!" Alhara waved her hands in denial. "Why would I use books and holos when my buir is the greatest warrior in the galaxy?"

Bo Katan raised her brow. "So now you're trying to flatter me?"

"I mean it!" Alhara insisted, giggling slightly as she picked up on the banter. "I wouldn't just say that."

"Right," Bo Katan said, laced with a skeptical undertone. "You think Nara is better than me, don't you?"

Alhara scoffed. "No. Nara let an Imperial commando kick her butt. You beat like five of them by yourself."

Bo Katan laughed. "It was three, actually."

"Whatever," Alhara waved off. "Same thing."

She let her laugh work itself out, before biting her lip as her head inclined. "Well…consider it a challenge to beat when you get older."

"Oh I'll beat seven by myself," Alhara vowed. "Once I have beskar, I'll be invincible."

"Probably a bit reckless too," Bo Katan winked. "It's strong, but it doesn't cover every part of your body. You still have to be careful; keep your awareness up. Why do you think I'm teaching you without it?"

Alhara sighed with disappointment, but also understanding. "So I won't rely on it when it's out of reach."

"If I wanted you to be nothing more than a common warrior, I'd give it to you now…but I don't think that's what you want either, is it?"

The girl shook her head. "No. I trust you."

Bo Katan gripped her shoulder supportively, inclining her head. "And I trust you'll succeed."

The door to the conference room opened just as Bo Katan pulled her hand away, and the warm expression she had worn flipped immediately neutral…only to spot it was Nara. Being a Mandalorian meant Bo Katan hardly gained any insight from facial expressions, but body language and posture was critical to understanding her opponent's next move. By the way Nara held her shrugging shoulders and limp fingers, she knew whatever conversation she had with the chiss Admiral Ar'alani had been emotionally taxing, perhaps even strenuous. The crimson glow in her eyes also seemed slightly weaker than she remembered…although a smile came across her face as she approached.

"Hey girl," she greeted Alhara with a smile, fingers brushing her shoulder as she came to a stop.

Bo Katan waited to see if Nara would begin…but that wasn't the case. "So what's happening?"

Nara swallowed, taking the seat beside her and turning in its rotation. "She's agreed to let you two go once the gravity well has been found and neutralized."

Bo Katan felt her eyebrow twitch. "Not good enough. You're coming too."

The chiss sighed, and Bo could tell she didn't want to argue about it. "I…have to see this through, Bo. Had it been any other Admiral…maybe I could leave with you…but I can't."

She kept her frustration in check, but her ignorance was beginning to become an incredibly annoying nuisance. "Nara…ever since we ran into those aliens, you've been acting like a completely different person. I don't know what it is, but—"

"My mother died when I was barely an infant, Bo," Nara's glow in her eyes now turning to a blaze of hot crimson. "My father…it takes a special kind of asshole to want your children to be super soldiers, especially when they're the first."

"Super is a relative term, Nara," Bo Katan interjected. "Your sister is strong. So what?"

"My sister went through hell!" she lurched forward, making Alhara draw back from between them. "All the tests, all the things he did to me over time to prepare me…he did it to her in a fraction of the time. It almost killed her! And when I saw my father's face after he was done with her…" she trailed off, a tear seeping through the intense anger and hatred perpetuating in her gaze…until she finally broke away, turning from Bo Katan. "I made a mistake. Ar'alani made it go away…so…"

"You owe her one," Bo Katan finished, taking a guess more than anything. "And now she's calling it in."

Nara swallowed. "Basically."

Alhara bowed her head. "Is it because the little girl needs you?"

She shrugged. "Kind of…she's shell-shocked from being in captivity, and since I rescued her…I'm the only person she trusts, and what she knows could help my people deal a serious blow to the grysks."

And now back to that. "What are the grysks? Are they your people's ancient enemy?"

Nara shook her head. "They're a lot more recent than you might think. I was working for Ar'alani when we made first official contact. They conquer through subversion of populations, using other species as their armies and resources, and while my people have been able to resist their influence for now…we fear that may not last forever."

Bo Katan frowned. "You think they might attack the Empire?"

"Based on what I've seen today…I think they already have begun their first stages. They use methods of indoctrination to enslave entire planets, sometimes taking control of governments. If we're right…they may not even have to fire a single shot."

Bo Katan hissed to herself. Cloak and dagger…slavery. Nothing but cowardice. There was no glory in conquering that way…nor was it prestigious to call such as one's enemy. Mandalorians were judged by not only their own strength, but the strength of their enemies. To say an enemy wasn't worth a fight is the greatest shame and insult one could bear, and these grysks weren't even worth the breath out her lungs.

Is that why Nara hated them so much? Or was it something else…evidence that she hadn't fully committed to being a Mandalorian…to being a member of House Kryze?

"Nara I need to know where you stand," she spoke before she could take it back, then had a double take, and continued. "Are you with me or not?"

"Of course I'm with you," she narrowed her eyes, vowing it.

"Then why can't you leave with us?" Bo Katan pressed. "Are you a Mandalorian or not?"

Nara scoffed. "Excuse me?"

"Bo…" Alhara eased, grasping her upper arm, only to be ignored.

"You already left me once to deal with your sister, and now you want to leave me right when we retake the Darksaber?" she challenged. "How can I trust you to be at my side when you're not at my side?"

"I have to do this Bo," Nara almost plead. "I'm sorry…but you don't understand."

"That's not good enough!" she rose to her feet, towering above the sitting woman. "If I can't trust you, then what good are you to me?!"

"Bo, stop it!" Alhara shouted, drawing her eyes towards the unusual outburst. "You're not being fair!"

Bo Katan almost laughed, looking towards the girl while Nara remained glued to her seat. "Explain that."

"You saw that girl!" Alhara insisted, holding her ground despite her shorter height. "The grysks did terrible things to her!"

Bo Katan blinked, remembering the unending sobbing in Nara's arms.

"You once told me that we're not bounty hunters…that we serve a higher purpose," Alhara said, now keeping her voice to a familiar tone she had heard before.

…from herself.

"We help our people, and Nara is one of our people. If she needs to do this, then we have to do this too," she explained. "When you agreed to train me…you didn't do it for yourself. You wanted to help me be something better…so we should do the same for Nara, because she is one of us."

Bo Katan felt her words catch in her throat. She knew Alhara was certainly matured beyond her age…but this was more advanced than she could've ever imagined. An eight-year-old telling her she wasn't being impartial, that she had somehow forgotten that loyalty wasn't a one-way street. It went both ways, no matter the subject…just as it had been between herself and Pre Vizsla.

How could she have let herself become so selfish? Nara was probably being torn in half with a loyalty to her people and her obvious commitment to her, unsure as to how she was supposed to balance the two. Bo Katan was supposed to help her navigate those waters, not churn them up.

She looked back to her, seeing the chiss' weariness in her gaze, her emotional turmoil beginning to weaken the glow in her eyes. It all reminded her of the day she found her on Nar Shaddaa…how she trained her to be something more than just a stripper and vigilante. Nara was Clan Kryze…and more than that…she was the closest thing Bo Katan had had to a sister during such dark and troubling times.

Bo Katan reclaimed her seat, taking a deep breath. "You're right, Alhara," she admitted. "I…didn't mean that."

"No," Nara shook her head. "No, you have a point, and I think I should be honest with you. I don't really know where my true loyalties lie, and there is nothing that frightens me more than the prospect of having to choose between the Ascendancy and Mandalore…but I don't think the two need to be against each other. I believe that one day, the Ascendancy will be willing to work with the Mandalorian people, whether it be against the grysks or any other enemy…but that's why I have to do this. If I can get in good with Ar'alani, then maybe I…"

She paused, and Bo Katan held a finger up for Alhara to be silent. Even so, Nara seemed to take it back, uncomfortably shaking her head…all in time for the door to open again. Ar'alani and the human Eli Vanto stepped in, the woman looking just as intense as she had before.

Eli spoke first. "Admiral Ar'alani wishes to let you know that we have disabled the gravity well, and you are free to leave whenever you wish. She also wishes to know if you have allowed Vigan'ara to stay for the duration of this operation."

Bo Katan studied Ar'alani for a moment, not caring much about how intrusive she may be…found nothing, and then looked away. "Tell her I appreciate the help, and want to know how long Nara will be gone."

Eli turned and translated for her, prompting Ar'alani to make an inquisitive face, before answering.

"The Admiral says no longer than a week, and she will be free to take a starfighter and return on her own, or you can pick her up at a chosen point," Eli said.

"I think we can make that choice when the time comes," she looked to Nara one last time, before inclining her head. "I will allow Nara to join you. But only for one week. If she has not returned by then, I will come for her myself."

Eli translated, and Ar'alani's expression hardened, flashing a half glare her way before giving Eli her answer.

"She says that is acceptable…and wishes you safe travels on your journey back home."

Bo Katan inclined her head towards the Admiral, receiving a slight one in turn, before the two left them alone once again. Alhara immediately rushed into Nara's arms, hugging her tightly.

"You better come back," the girl said, crushing her.

"I will, baby, I promise," Nara vowed, giving the girl a light kiss on her forehead. "I'll come back to both of you."

Bo Katan rose to her feet, scooping up her helmet. "I wasn't kidding. One week. If you're not back, I'll haul you out myself."

"Understood, my Lady," Nara released Alhara, rising to her feet. "Stay safe, and who knows, maybe I'll be back before you realize I was gone."


Chimaera – 2 BBY

Nerah wasn't sure that this was the same High Agent Gideon that Markov had told her about, but as she watched he and Thrawn converse via holocommunicator, she was beginning to think that it had to be. His stance and expression had a calm that almost rivaled Thrawn's own, although showing signs of amusement far more often as he described his own various successful machinations. She couldn't exactly put her finger to it…but there was something oddly chilling about him, and it made her feel uneasy.

"We have failed to find any real trail as to the whereabouts of the lost freighters in the systems you gave us," Gideon said, illuminated from the center of Thrawn's desk. "But there is sporadic evidence of combat…albeit unverifiable."

"Then allow me to present you one," Thrawn offered, pulling up another holoimage for him to study with the press of a key. "We have identified a trail of Venisium that suggests a vector through these systems, and through our study of the artwork in this sector, we have determined that a pirate habitat orbits a moon in this system here. I believe your abilities would be better suited to investigate."

Nerah was beyond the range of the holocam to pick her up, but she still felt a tinge of worry that Gideon spotted her frown in confusion.

"I see," Gideon noted. "What are you expecting to find?"

"At best, possible proof that a pirate ring has been feeding off Stardust's supply lines over simple strokes of luck. At worst…evidence of a much wider and coordinated infiltration of Stardust itself," Thrawn said, making Nerah gulp with surprise. He'd never revealed that he'd come to that conclusion thus far…but, eventually she felt her surprise fade away. Thrawn sometimes kept ideas to himself, as not to present them without any real proof, and she figured this was just another one of those moments. Why he was presenting uncertainty to Gideon was another question, however…which was not his style. "I surmised you would like to take the reins on this lead."

"It's better than what we've had so far," Gideon shrugged, turning to signal an inaudible command to his bridge. "Thank you, Grand Admiral. I shall inform you if I come across anything of note."

"Excellent. I look forward to your report," Thrawn said, keying off the comm, and then turning immediately to Nerah. "Thoughts, Commander?"

Nerah suppressed a sniff. "I thought you told Faro we would be heading to that designated system?" she asked. "Why are you now sending Gideon instead?"

"I recalled that order in private," Thrawn said, rising from his chair. "Tell me, did you notice anything odd about the chemical compounds we discovered at our first destination?"

The chiss bit her lip, thinking back to what Faro listed off. "She said there were two irregularities," she recalled. "One was trace levels of Venisium…and the other…"

Nerah winced. What was it?

"Uncommon to Imperial thrusters and directional jets," Thrawn hinted, and immediately she felt her eyes snap wide.

"The Nitrogen!" she noted. "But…I am unsure as to what that means…"

"Think carefully," he eased. "Think back to Copero, and one of your first missions for the Ascendancy once your transformation was complete."

Nerah frowned, wishing she didn't have to allow her mind to delve back into those repressed corners. It took a moment for her to sift through the intense agony that her 'transformation' had put her through, but after a few moments of quiet release from that time, she felt her mind clear, returning back to her first mission she had been sent on. She remembered gunning through an army of aliens on her own, before coming across silver tanks leaking ice cold vapor…enough to burn even her gloved hands.

Liquid Nitrogen…the grysks?!

"Thrawn…" Nerah almost warned, keeping her voice low. "They can't be out here. The Empire would have…" she trailed off, recalling her training, her experiences. "Impossible," she shook her head.

"I do indeed hope so, Commander," Thrawn said. "But we must be prepared for every outcome. I have instructed Commodore Faro to take us along the vector that the Nitrogen suggests, instead of the Venisium. That, I believe, is where we shall find our quarry."

Nerah swallowed hard, keeping herself from instinctually bowing her head. "And if we find them?"

Thrawn's expression turned determined…the same she had always seen just before they entered into battle.

"Then we shall present to them the full might of the Galactic Empire."


Steadfast – 2 BBY

It was strange to be back on a chiss ship, especially after well over a decade since she fled the Ascendancy. A few things had changed, technology had improved, manner of speech had adjusted to new trends…all things that made her feel less and less like the people around her, even if she looked just like them. Admittedly, her Cheunh was rusty, but it was definitely better than whatever Eli Vanto was spewing out. Sure, he made enough sense for people to know what he was saying, but it definitely made her feel a lot better about her own performance.

Worst of all, however, was suffering the glares from the members of various houses, knowing full well she was a member of the blacklisted and disgraced House Vigan…and some of the familiar faces oozed with contempt. Former Commander Vigan'ara'hro, her final syllable relinquished with her desertion, had been allowed back on a Chiss Expansionary Defense vessel, and every one of them knew it was only because Admiral Ar'alani was in command. Anyone else, and she'd probably have been turned away or locked in the brig.

Only an hour since Bo Katan and Alhara had left for friendly space, and Nara was already wishing she were back with them. Speaking with Ar'alani had brought back too many repressed memories for her to remain with the Admiral for too long, and she'd already been told she wasn't really welcome on the bridge. The Steadfast had guest barracks and a suite, and Ar'alani had allowed her to take the suite for the time being, but she'd instead spent most of her time with Un'hee in the Admiral's office. Right now, the two were sitting underneath Ar'alani's memory wall; a section of her office that depicted various achievements throughout her career, a common practice for high-ranking officers in the Ascendancy. Nara kept her back turned to it…as to avoid having to look at the photograph of she and the Admiral standing together with Thrawn and her sister, Nerah.

She never thought watching a girl play crossing games on a questis would be so relaxing.

"So where were you born, hun?" she asked, pulling some strands of Un'hee's hair from her crimson eyes.

Un'hee kept her focus on the game, but Nara felt her shiver slightly. "Copero…but I grew up on a world at the edge of the Chaos."

Nara smiled. "Hey! I was born on Copero too."

The girl's eyes shot up, abruptly pulled from the game. "You were?"

"Yup. My family's homestead is there, but I haven't been home in a long time," she said, watching as the game let out a negative dying tune and displaying game over in Cheunh while Un'hee kept her gaze on her.

"Where have you been?" she asked. "Are you an explorer?"

Nara thought about correcting her…but the term was in a way correct. "Kind of," she nodded. "I was sent from the Ascendancy to find a group of fierce warriors called the Mandalorians. I've been with them since I was a teenager."
"Mandalorians?" Un'hee sounded out. "I've never heard that word before…"

Nara chuckled. "They exist well beyond the Chaos, but there are ancient tales of when our people fought alongside them thousands of years ago."

She didn't know all the details, but old records suggested that when the Sith Empire was still around, it enlisted alliances with Mandalore and the Ascendancy, and further research within Imperial space had confirmed such findings. While they were indirectly related, the fact that the two had even been on the same side gave Nara a hint of hope she could coexist between the two…but she knew better than to rely on ties that old.

The fact that Un'hee had never heard of them told her enough.

"Is that why you wear weird armor?" she asked, making Nara laugh.

"Yes, sweetie, that's why. I'm a Mandalorian now."

Un'hee frowned. "Aren't you a chiss too?"

Nara hesitated, about to just say of course…but then couldn't convince even herself of that. Bo Katan's recent words echoed in her head, the words she had taken back, but certainly had meant when she had said them…accusing her of divided loyalties, and of being no use to her because of that. It was a fair question…

No it wasn't. She could be both if she wanted, and she would.

Would she?

The door slid open to draw her attention away, and in strode Ar'alani and Vah'nya, forcing Nara to stiffen her downcast expression. She considered standing at attention…but knew there was no point, and Un'hee's jolt in surprise at their appearance made the girl cling to her anyway.

"Navigator Un'hee…are you ready to talk?" Ar'alani asked, her voice adopting an easing tone rarely bestowed, one even Nara hadn't heard very often. "The Ascendancy is in need of the knowledge you hold to defeat the grysks."

Un'hee's shivering lessened a little, but she still clung to Nara's waist tightly. "Admiral…she's dealing with extreme post-traumatic stress whenever anyone else is around. I don't think she'll be able to navigate anytime soon, not unless she receives proper care."

Ar'alani's sigh was restrained, but Nara could tell she was dealing with an only increasing level of annoyance. "Nara, you must convince her to trust at least Navigator Vah'nya, otherwise I will not be able to release you within the week I have you…on loan."

Nara huffed, imagining the shit storm that would unleash. Turning to Un'hee, she brushed the girl's hair with her free hand, still holding her tightly with one arm. "Why don't you trust Vah'nya?"

Un'hee shivered, and Nara watched her eyes shut and begin to shimmer with liquid beneath. "I…I…it isn't that I…don't trust my sister navigator…I'm…I'm just not sure…"

"Not sure what?" Nara asked, keeping her tone soft.

She sniveled. "You rescued me from the grysks…so I know…I can trust you…but they…they used alien navigators to…make me…see things I didn't want to see…" she sobbed, plunging her head into Nara's hip. "Made me…afraid to trust other navigators…even those that are chiss."

Nara looked up to Ar'alani for some form of help…but only found her wearing a similar expression as she looked down.

On my own again…just like always.

"Hey, hey…you trust me right?" Nara asked.

Un'hee continued to whimper and snivel, but nodded.

"Well, I trust Admiral Ar'alani," Nara cringed internally, but this was about the best option she could think of. "She's pulled me out of some very difficult spots, and has always been there for me ever since I was only a little older than you. If you can trust me…and I trust her…then you can trust Navigator Vah'nya…I promise."

Vah'nya seemed to catch on, taking a knee just in front of Un'hee in time for the girl to lift her head from Nara's side. "I want to help you, Un'hee. You and I can help Admiral Ar'alani and Nara prevent the grysks from taking any more of our sister navigators…but I can't do it without you," she held out her hand, and Un'hee looked at it with watery eyes. "Let me help ease the pain of those memories."

Un'hee looked back up to Nara, enticing the woman to smile back…and slowly but surely…the girl took Vah'nya's hand. The two of them switched positions, Nara rising to her feet beside Ar'alani while Vah'nya quietly walked Un'hee through…something.

"Quite the flattering speech," Ar'alani said, making Nara roll her eyes.

"Wouldn't be the first time I kissed your ass," she quipped, crossing her arms. "Well, this would be the first time I did it for free."

The Admiral smiled slightly, before letting it fade back into her hard resting glance. "I am pleased you decided to stay, even if it is only for a short while."

"Least I could do," Nara shrugged, feeling a bit of their old dynamic begin to sink in their respective demeanors, perhaps because there were no eyes and ears to witness it. "I know I gave you my…report…but you haven't told me how you've been."

Ar'alani took a deep breath, as if reassuring her grip underneath a heavy burden. "It has not been easy. The war with the grysks has only escalated since your departure, and I am not sure how much longer the Ascendancy can last without committing full-scale. It only presses the need for you to accelerate your progress."

"I'm doing the best I can, like I said," Nara shook her head. "But it isn't easy…and it's extremely complicated."

"Then you must do you best to make it as uncomplicated as you can. Deconstruct the threat; make it smaller, easier to expose and dismantle," Ar'alani said, letting her hands fall behind her back. "And you must continue to convince your ward of her own self-confidence, otherwise, by the time you finish, there may be no Ascendancy left to save."

Nara swallowed, but her next answer was cut off by a loud discharge of their electrostatic barrier as the entire ship rocked from an impact. Ar'alani's eyes blazed into combat, marching towards the door. "Hell…stay here! Protect them with your life!" she ordered, before disappearing through the door and to the bridge.

"Y-yes ma'am," Nara said, looking back to a startled Vah'nya and Un'hee.

Just like that…she was back to taking the Admiral's orders.


Chimaera – 2 BBY

Ronan was already confused as to why Thrawn had ordered the Chimaera to full battle stations before they had entered hyperspace, but the amount of time they were in transit was far longer than he expected. For many brooding hours, he considered marching into Thrawn's office to demand he insist full competence of his bridge staff…but getting past his death trooper escort had proven too cumbersome, let alone the blue skin "super soldier" certainly standing just behind them. Instead, he had tried to placate himself by standing on the bridge, and after about forty-five minutes of inactivity, Thrawn finally emerged from his office with Nerah trailing just behind him.

"Grand Admiral, is your navicomputer malfunctioning?" he demanded. "I ran the numbers for travel time to your designated sector, and we've been in hyperspace for far too long. Where are we going?"

"There has been a change of plans," Thrawn replied coolly, gesturing for Nerah to join Faro at her current station for the time being. "After further research, I have elected to pass on the investigation of the red giant system to High Agent Gideon's team. We instead, will be following a different lead."

"A different lead?" Ronan echoed. "What different lead?"

Thrawn turned to Faro, who just nodded her head after Nerah finished speaking to her. "Commodore. Send word to Captain Fel to have his TIE Defender squadron prepared, but we shall begin with the TIE fighters."
"Yes sir," Faro nodded, and then turned back to her status boards to continue her conversation with Nerah.

"Who's…Captain Fel?" Ronan asked.

Thrawn turned back to him, just as his glowing eyes regarded him once more. "Captain Soontir Fel is the current commander of my TIE Defender squadron. He is one of the most decorated starfighter pilots in the Imperial Navy…most impressive, especially for his relatively young age."

Ronan snorted. It was common for Admirals to size up their personnel to other officers, perhaps as some way to show off their power base. Whatever it was, it didn't work at all on Ronan.

"Yes, I'm sure," he said skeptically. "Whatever you say, Admiral."

Thrawn hardly reacted…in fact Ronan wasn't even sure if the chiss had heard him at all. Abruptly, he jerked in surprise as Faro's voice rang through the bridge.

"Helm, prepare to exit hyperspace! Full shielding and prepare scanners!"

In an instant, the bridge became bustling with commotion as acknowledgements came in hot, every display now filled with information as power conservation was forgone completely. Ronan had to blink just to regain his focus, and within the next few minutes, the tunnel of hyperspace collapsed into the pinpoints of stars that was real space.

"Hammerly, scans!" Faro ordered.

"Coming in ma'am!" she replied, conversing with her male counterpart in the crew pit, and then turning to Faro from her station. "Contacts! Two ships, dreadnaught class! One thousand kilometers!"

"I see them," Faro keyed her display, and Ronan swore he saw Nerah's face warp into one of intense worry, before snapping back into an obvious neutral.

"I don't!" Ronan protested, marching towards the viewport and peering through. "Where are they?!"

"Calm yourself, Assistant Director," Thrawn eased. "Helm, bring us about forty-five degrees starboard."

His order was met quickly, and once the Chimaera had shifted Ronan could now see the distant flashing of light that was an ongoing battle between two alien warships he had never seen before.

He felt his words catch in his breath. How the hell had Thrawn just happen to stumble upon an ongoing battle in the middle of nowhere? Were these the ships responsible for their lost freighters? If so, then why were they fighting each other?

"What's going on?" he asked. "Who is that?"

"Admiral!" Hammerly protested. "Another ship coming out of hyperspace!"

Immediately after she finished her report, another alien ship emerged, this one much closer to the Chimaera than the battle itself. Ronan's eyes bulged with alarm, his finger almost pressing against the viewport window as he pointed. "Admiral! We're under attack!"

"Not yet," Thrawn said, looking far too nonchalant for Ronan's sake. "Commodore, can we get an identification of the distant ships?"

"Confirmation?!" Ronan gasped. "They're going to fire at us! They're right there Thrawn, right there!"

"Calm yourself, Assistant Director," Thrawn assured him again. "The situation is well in hand."

Well in hand?

Ronan cursed to himself. Of course it would be Thrawn who resulted in his untimely demise.


Steadfast – 2 BBY

"Full portside salvo! Fire!"

Ar'alani's booming voice was enough to send chills through Eli's skin as the battle commenced, the grysk warship pounding into their electrostatic barriers as it had disengaged its cloaking field. Plasma spheres lobbed from the portside cannons as the entire ship rocked to keep itself steady, the balls of energy pounding into the warship's own barriers as its point defense systems were useless against the weapons. Eli, however, was even more surprised with the development taking place not far from their current battle.

"Lieutenant Vanto, sensor board station, now!" she commanded, pointing a stern finger toward the empty seat. "Tell me if it's him."

He was there within seconds, manning the comms and getting a sense of the readouts before taking a real look. In all but a few more seconds…he nodded to himself.

"That's him…that's the Chimaera," he confirmed.

Ar'alani hissed to herself in Cheunh, words he didn't quite understand, and knew he had more important things to do than translate her infuriated curses. "Tell him to stand down, lest he get every one of your former shipmates killed!"

"Yes ma'am!" he said, just as she began issuing another set of firm orders to continue their battle. He did his best, typing up an encrypted transmission on their personal line as the Steadfast executed a hard turn in pursuit of the vessel now in the 'run' part of their guerilla attack. To his unfortunate luck, however, his comm screen fizzled out, prompting him to smack his palm against it in frustration.

"Comms jammed!" someone beat him to the report.

Eli could hear Ar'alani's fist crush her own fingers as she growled to herself. "Get them back up immediately! Counter-jamming pulse, now!"

Within moments, the entire station designated for power distribution was bustling, the black-clad officers chatting intensely into their headsets and keying certain commands. Eli had never seen this new method of counter-jamming used before, but apparently it was one of the tactics exclusive to the Ascendancy. In theory, the pulse was made to purge the garbage data for at least a few minutes of immunity from the effect…but if that was true, then Eli would have to work fast if he were going to warn Thrawn.

"Pulse ready!"

"Engage!" Ar'alani barked.

Eli watched as displays and lights flickered from the pulse, and sure enough, the comms were back online. Not waiting for her next order, he made his effort to compile a message Thrawn would know to accept.

"It's no use, Lieutenant," Ar'alani huffed, her annoyance searing her eyes red hot. "He's already engaged."

Eli turned to the viewport to watch as the massive star destroyer joined the battle, TIE fighters pouring from its bays and swarming the second warship as it approached too close, whilst unleashing a wave of lime-green turbolaser fire.

"Of course…of course," Ar'alani muttered to herself. "Of all people."

"What do we do?" Eli asked, trying to suppress the worry in his heart from showing on his face.

"We take what we can get," she said. "Continue pursuit! Do not let that warship escape!"


Chimaera – 2 BBY

Nerah hadn't seen the grysks since she had left the Ascendancy, but there wasn't a doubt in her mind now. Those were the terrifying dual hulls of a grysk warship, and she wanted desperately to not be trapped in a star destroyer's bridge right about now.

At least she earned mild satisfaction from Ronan's inability to control himself.

"Fighters are engaged, sir. Shall we send in the Defenders?" Faro offered, while Thrawn watched calmly from the end of the command walkway.

"I think not. I have another use in mind for them presently," Thrawn said. "Continue attack."

Nerah swallowed, confused somewhat, but kept her mouth shut in the midst of the battle. There was no need for Thrawn to explain—

"I believe it would be best to save the Defenders for a more precarious situation," Thrawn explained anyway, drawing Nerah's gaze as she merely accepted the fact she could never hide anything from him. "Their advanced design could be utilized as a…surprise to the grysk forces."

Nerah winced, seeing his point entirely. "Yes sir, I see. Have you considered jamming transmissions to prevent their self-destruct protocols?"

Thrawn gave her a slight smile. "Indeed…unfortunately that must apply to all ships in the region. Our chiss allies will not need them, however, so fear not."

She certainly tried not to fear, but Thrawn had also refused to tell her which Ascendancy ship that was supposed to be, so he wasn't exactly leaving her at ease. Although, she should've expected as much…or maybe he didn't know who it was?

Her own eyes rolled in her mind. No…he knew.

"Enemy ship is fleeing, sir!"

Nerah shook her head back into the moment, and looked out the viewport in time to see their quarry begin to tuck tail and run in the opposite direction. Although…she watched Thrawn's eyes narrow slightly, and then widen.

Without warning, the grysk ship exploded in a brilliant, blinding light, forcing Nerah to shield her eyes from its glare as its parts continued to drift through space with its destruction.

"Dammit! Damage report!" Faro commanded, while Thrawn's expression seemed to even back out with calm balance.

"None detected, ma'am."

"What happened?" Ronan gasped. "Did they just…kill themselves?!"

Nerah paced up the walkway just behind Thrawn as he did so, looking out the viewport towards the battle-turned-pursuit between the chiss dreadnaught and the grysk warship…only to watch it take off into hyperspace moments later.

Did…did she just watch Thrawn miss something?

"Ah," Thrawn mumbled. "Unexpected…very well."

Nerah dared to ask, looking to him. "Do you…know why they were still able to activate?"

He nodded. "Yes…and I do have a contingency for this rather improbable occurrence to turn this in our favor," he said, turning towards Faro. "Commodore, have us establish contact with that ship, would you please?"

Minutes later, they had an answer.

"It's…sir…" Faro hesitated, looking down at her datapad and pacing to him, handing him the pad directly. Thrawn studied the words, Nerah only able to see the back of the pad, and was unable to read anything from his expression.

"I see," he said. "Tell her I send my greetings, and invite her aboard the Chimaera to discuss the current events."

"As you say," Faro tipped her head, accepting the pad back to send the message…however she stopped, her eyes pacing towards Ronan, who was standing a ways away dealing with his fractured thoughts. "And…"

"Tell him he must remain aboard, if he asks, of course," Thrawn ordered. "And have my shuttle prepared."

Nerah felt antsy as her eyes looked back out the viewport, eager to find out which of her people had come all the way out here. Part of her wished desperately to be among a whole ship-full of chiss again, and part of her felt too shy to go through with it.

"Come, Commander," Thrawn ushered her to follow. "Let us walk."

They were in the bridge turbolift before they spoke again, Thrawn being the first to do so. "That was Admiral Ar'alani's ship," he revealed. "And the message that was sent was from Eli Vanto."

Nerah froze. Eli Vanto…he was here? He was really here?

"Are you sure?" she asked.

Thrawn nodded.

All she wanted to do was shudder with teenaged elation, perhaps even jump up and down for good measure, and thought better about every bit of those impulses. Still, she felt her heartrate increase and her mouth dry…her body shuddering almost uncontrollably as she struggled not to fix her hair and peer into her reflection to make sure her highlights were properly—

"Is there a problem, Commander?" Thrawn asked, much to Nerah's chagrin.

"No sir, no problem at all," she shook her head.

Maybe she could say she needed to use the refresher…do herself up and come back out. Perhaps fake a fall…or…or…

Thrawn was still looking at her.

"I just…haven't seen them," she admitted. "In a while."

Thrawn nodded. "Indeed. Neither have I."

She had to do something. Eli couldn't see her like this…all…well…she wasn't sure what the problem with her was, but she was sure there was one.

Too late. The turbolift door was open, and Thrawn had begun his walk.

Deep breaths, Nerah…deep breaths.

It was going to be fine…just fine.


Hope you're enjoying so far, and since I've received messages recently regarding the old cast, yes, Xur, Trilla, Cal, etc. will be returning eventually. I just ask that you be patient.

That's all. Stay safe out there, and stay tuned…