Chapter 2: A Secret Revealed

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Summary: Lord Vader can finally act on his suspicions of treason from Thrawn: Alliances. Thrawn has no choice but to confront Lord Vader.

"It is never wrong to be curious. But it can sometimes be dangerous." —Thrawn

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"Grand. Admiral. Thrawn." Vader said.

Faro put a hand on the tactical console to steady herself, and the officers nearby stopped breathing.

Darth Vader's holographic image faded into existence on the tactical display, replacing the blurry and obscured image of what only Thrawn knew to be the Death Star. Thrawn had one hand still in position behind his back while the other still held the tablet. He regarded the information one last time and then folded it with his arm behind his back, his other hand secured around his wrist as he made his way to the tactical display.

"Lord Vader," Thrawn said. "To whom do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?"

"I think you know Grand Admiral," Vader said. "No more games. Why are you here? This is Director Krennic's jurisdiction. Should you not be at your required station at Lothal?"

"A temporary diversion my lord," Thrawn said. "One that was necessary. The remainder of the seventh fleet is on their way to Lothal as we speak."

"The Emperor deems what is necessary," Vader said. He pointed at Thrawn. "Not you. And the Chimaera is needed at Lothal to eliminate rising rebellion there. Not to mention securing your own Tie Defender project."

Vader paused, crossing his arms. Thrawn's crimson gaze intensified, and Faro could see a tension rise.

"We will continue this discussion on your ship," Vader said. He waved his hand, clearly enraged, and his holographic image fizzled away.

"Very well," Thrawn said to the empty void. Thrawn looked at Faro. "Have the hangar bay prepare for Lord Vader's arrival. And make available the number one spot for his shuttle."

"Aye, sir," Faro said.

Thrawn turned to the chief tactical officer. "Clear all of the data acquired of the large target from your consoles. Leave all that is available only to this tablet. It is not to be spoken of any further, is that clear?"

"Yes, Grand Admiral," the tactical officer said. He pushed a button sequence on the main tactical console and walked down the command walkway, turning to the crew pit. "Purge the system."

A crescendo of yes sirs came from the pit below, even though many seemed surprised at the order.

"Commodore Faro," Thrawn said. "Deliver this tablet to my office please. Place it on my desk as I await Lord Vader's arrival here on the bridge."

She felt her anxiety grow as she took the tablet once more. "Yes, Grand Admiral," Faro said. Thrawn nodded and looked at the others nearby.

"Carry on," Thrawn said. He walked back to the viewport with practiced endurance and regarded the imposing presence of the new Star Destroyer. The ISD Devastator now filled most of his view, as if Lord Vader deliberately placed it there to block his observation of the Death Star. His crimson eyes watched as a shuttle left its launch bay and vectored toward his own.

Lord Vader was furious.

Vader held onto the overhead railing as his shuttlecraft landed in the Chimaera's hangar bay. His other hand rested on his belt near his lightsaber.

A part of Lord Vader was also thrilled with malice. Nothing could protect Thrawn from his wrath after coming to this sector of Imperial Space, meddling with the Emperor's Death Star. Thrawn had overstepped his sanction, and this time, not even the Emperor's favor could be a shield. Vader was justified to act. Members of his First Legion were wise in remaining silent during the short journey between Star Destroyers.

"The shuttle is landed and secured Lord Vader," Commander Kimmund said. The ramp began to slowly descend, revealing the Chimaera's hangar bay. Crewmembers nearby were at attention as they saw Lord Vader's imposing figure and his First Legion stormtroopers in formation behind him.

Vader watched them react to his presence. He could feel their fear.

"Grand Admiral Thrawn's location?" Vader asked.

Commander Kimmund made his way from the cockpit. "He's reported to be awaiting your arrival on the bridge, Lord Vader."

Not his office? Interesting. So Grand Admiral Thrawn wished an audience for their confrontation. Very well; Vader would make this a lesson for the crew then. So be it.

"You are with me Commander Kimmund," Vader said. "The rest of the First Legion will stay with the shuttle and keep it secured for departure." Vader remembered Rukh and his cloaked fascination with the First Legion's shuttle previously while in The Unknown Region.

Vader's cloak rippled violently through the air as he paced down the ramp and through the hangar bay. Commander Kimmund, dressed in full stormtrooper gear, matched Vader's stride with his blaster carbine resting firmly in his hands.

Thrawn felt a familiar cold.

The presence of Lord Vader approached. Thrawn knew he had mere minutes until Vader arrived on the Chimaera's bridge, but he stood resolute at the main viewport, facing outward toward the ISD Devastator. His hands rested behind his back, his shoulders squared, and his feet balanced underneath him. To those on the bridge, he looked like the stoic Grand Admiral that his loyal crew had come to admire.

However, nothing external was quite in focus for Thrawn, as he was entrenched in his thoughts.

Each person has goals. Some are dark secrets that one hopes will never see the light of day.

Thrawn remembered his conversation with The Bendu on Atollon.

"What manner of creature are you?" Thrawn said.

"One beyond your power to destroy," The Bendu said.

Thrawn unhooked his blaster and pointed it at the magnificent creature, wounded and helpless on the ground. Regret briefly furrowed Thrawn's brow. "It would not seem so."

The Bendu's eyes widened with surprise. "You cannot see."

Thrawn inhaled and lowered his chin. His crimson eyes narrowed at The Bendu's words, as if immediately deciphering the meaning behind them. Could The Bendu feel that Thrawn's Sight was failing him? Thrawn felt unbalanced, as the wise creature was able to touch through his opaque mind.

"But I can!" The Bendu said.

Thrawn saw a familiar look within the eyes of The Bendu. It reminded him of when the Chiss children delved deep within their Third Sight. He was struck at the memory of his people.

"What… what do you see?" Thrawn said, nearly timid in the pearly sight of The Bendu.

"I see your defeat, like many arms surrounding you in a cold embrace."

Was that cold embrace about to be delivered here at the hands of Lord Vader?

Thrawn might pay a high price for leading the Chimaera to this location of space, but it was a risk the Grand Admiral needed to take. His recent research combined with the trade logs recorded previously by Eli Vanto indicated there was little time until the Death Star was operational. Thrawn had a bad feeling about this weapon, and after what he had seen here now, he knew this project to be too high of a threat to his plans and to his people.

Thrawn needed to learn all he could about Krennic's project. Unfortunately, this diversion was a catalyst that seemed to spark the Dark Lord's suspicion and wrath. All that he was working toward was threatened.

As he had told Nightswan on that fateful night on Batonn, Thrawn did not wish to see hope extinguished. A choice lay before him now, a new path, but one toward which he would have to strategically maneuver.

The doors to the bridge hissed open. Thrawn mentally steeled himself to the present moment, knowing full well who just entered the bridge behind him.

"Grand Admiral Thrawn," Vader said.

Thrawn slowly turned to face Lord Vader. Unmoving and silent, he held his ground, watching Vader walk with measured steps. Vader stopped in the middle of the command walkway overlooking the pits. His hands rested on his belt as he surveyed the bridge.

The air was icy. A tense moment passed as Thrawn watched Vader. The Dark Lord held the stance of confidence and finality. Malice and a surety of conviction echoed from him.

"Your crew," Vader said slowly. Thrawn's eyes narrowed as he considered the Dark Lord. "They appear to be an efficient group. Tell me, Grand Admiral, what have they found here?"

What have they found here; not what have you found here.

Thrawn's face hardened, and his crimson eyes shone with intensity as he recognized a threat to his crew. Vader recognized that look; The Jedi had seen it on him once. It was an expression that spoke imminent death.

The doors suddenly hissed open once again, breaking through the ice in the air, and Faro walked onto the bridge. She appeared out of breath as she had been trying to quickly return from Thrawn's office. The truth was, Thrawn did not want her here for this conversation, and had hoped his errand he gave her would additionally spare her this moment.

Thrawn's eyes briefly flicked to her as she made her entrance.

"Grand Admiral, my Lord Vader," Faro said as she made her way to her station at the holographic display. Vader turned his attention to her.

"Commodore Faro," Vader said. "Report on the Chimaera's findings in this sector."

"Lord Vader," Thrawn interjected. "I welcome you aboard the Chimaera once again. I am honored, as always, by your presence on my ship."

Vader pointed at Thrawn. "I asked Commodore Faro a question."

Thrawn held his silence but allowed his crimson eyes to emit his displeasure.

Every crew member on the bridge held their breath. They recognized the tension between the two leaders and were anxious at the uncertainty of what would happen.

Faro felt an anxiety unlike anything she had previously felt; however, she externally stood firm. She looked to Thrawn, who returned her gaze with an intense but subtle calm.

"Commodore Faro," Vader said. He was an imposing presence.

Faro was nervous to be directly addressed by Lord Vader, but a bold strength overcame her. "My Lord Vader, the Chimaera does not retain any scans related to this sector. The readings were too muddled with interference to be considered viable."

"Perhaps I could shed light on the matter, my lord," Thrawn interjected. "Details await us in my office."

Vader was furious. His hand edged closer to his lightsaber, and he took a step toward Thrawn, fully facing him now. His voice was filled with malice. "You mean to tell me Grand Admiral that the Chimaera has no record of this sector despite my Star Destroyer clearly detecting your scans. What are you scheming?"

Faro grimaced. Had she said something wrong?

"As I stated Lord Va-," Thrawn stopped and subtly flinched. A sudden opposing magnetic energy filled the air, and Faro noticed that Thrawn's breathing changed, becoming deeper and more concentrated. She also saw that Vader's right hand was slightly curled at his side.

Thrawn lowered his chin and glared at Lord Vader with his intense crimson eyes. They were like orbs filled with the fury of red fire. Thrawn's jaw set and his brow subtly furrowed as if in deep concentration during this silent stalemate.

Thrawn's resistance was quite unexpected. Vader stood unmoving and held their standoff for a moment, searching through the Force. Thrawn's mind was still opaque to him. Just like the Force sensitive Chiss children Vader suddenly realized…

Vader released the Force from his grasp and put his right hand back on his belt. Faro felt the strange magnetic energy dissipate in waves, diminishing as if it were never there. She didn't understand.

Thrawn rose his chin. His crimson eyes held defiance, his secret exposed.

"As you stated," Vader said, his voice booming. "Your office."

Thrawn took a stoic breath and surveyed the bridge. He scanned each area of operations, reviewing the faces of every crew member as if searing their memory into his mind. Faro realized with a chill he was examining the bridge as if seeing it for the last time. His gaze finally stopped on Faro. His eyes flashed briefly from their stoic defiance.

"The ship is yours, Commodore Faro," Thrawn said. Thrawn let his gaze linger a moment longer than necessary, making sure she understood the finality behind his words.

Faro regarded him with a silent worry of understanding. "Aye, sir," Faro said, nodding. "I have the ship."

Thrawn nodded in return. He faced forward and walked stoically down the command walkway past Lord Vader and Commander Kimmund as if in silent challenge.

Lord Vader turned and followed Thrawn, Commander Kimmund not far behind. Vader's cloak billowed through the air of the quiet bridge.

But eventually, inevitably, those deepest goals must be made manifest if they are to be reached.

And he must be ready to bear the consequence.

All of them.

The door to the bridge hissed shut behind them.