Yay! I'm going on a Thrawn fangirling mode (let's keep in mind that I'm 40...)! Star Wars Rebels season 3 is upon us, my dear brothers and sisters!...so... I just had to do post this chapter today. So I have yet another good excuse to talk about Thrawn! Of course, this version is more according to the Thrawn depicted in TIMOTHY ZAHN's "Choices of One", because you know...Expanded Universe is my thing!
I hope you like it!~
I hope I can get some feedback! Now, let's start our countdown to Rogue One...
Walking towards the very same office from which Leesa had just stepped out, had the eerie feeling of an execution march!
Nothing much! Just going to meet Senior Captain Thrawn...nothing scary about it...
Nope...not scary at all...
Right...
Except for his sweaty palms and his racing heartbeat...
All else was fine.
One more step and he was facing the office door.
"Oh, for kriff's sake...stop being such an ass! Just ring the kriffin' buzzer!"
Pash pressed the button and huffed nervously, trying to compose himself. He was not exactly a Outer Rim backwater Hick...He could damn well behave himself better!
The door slid to show a sparse office with dimmed lights. It didn't surprise him. He knew already that the Chiss' eyes were sensitive to strong lights. Leesa had told him so herself.
The male figure sitting inside the office, was staring at him, studying him, evaluating him for sure!
Thrawn rose from the desk and waved Pash in.
" Have a seat...Cadet Layn." The low-pitch voice had a somewhat menacing tone to it, causing Pash to shiver involuntarily. "I would like to have a word with you. I'm quite sure, you are completely aware of the why I have called you here. It seems you and my daughter have...engaged...in some kind of relationship...Let me be very clear, cadet, I did not send my daughter to this Academy, just so she could throw her life away for the cheap thrills an affair could come to provide her. Do you understand?"
Pash pondered on what would be the best way to undertake this conversation. He wasn't about to let the Captain just slander him or downplay his feelings for Leesa, but neither could he risk being insubordinate and being kicked...or worse, court-martial-led for not being able to keep his big mouth shut!
There was also the fact that he had to protect his covert identity and his mission!
" May I be authorized to speak freely, Sir?" He risked. "I do not mean to be un-courteous or indelicate. I just ask for the chance to clear everything to you, Sir."
Thrawn rose an eyebrow and stared at the young man standing in front of him. Well, no one could say the boy was cowering!
"Very well then. Please sit down. Let's talk openly."
"Sir...I am fully aware of what our main purpose in this Academy is. We came here to study, to build our future, to become pilots. Not one of us was sent here on a quest to find partners, nor to come looking for shallow adventures. But the fact is, I met your daughter and along the way we found many points in common, things we like...things we dislike. I trust her, I love her and I would defend her with my life! Believe me, Sir, our goal is not to embarrass you or harm our military careers. Leesa is not an adventure to me, she's not an exotic novelty, she's...How can I even explain this to you, Sir? I know we're still young, I know it seems a bit rushed, but...it's like...coming home. I cannot explain it in any other way. I'm with her, and it all makes...sense!"
Pash's eyes glittered as he spoke.
Thrawn could see the emotions rushing through the cadet's face. He wondered if the boy was aware on how easy he was to read...
Pash fell silent, sensing the thorough examination the other man was putting his every word through. It was an uneasy feeling, being judged like this. Specially when so much more than his Academic life, or even his relationship with Leesa was in stake!
"You brought forward your point of view, now I'll tell you what my opinion of it is. As an officer, I must point out to you that, throughout the Empire, there's a very strict rule concerning relationships between humans and non-humans . And, assuming you're not...well...having other activities...just your relationship as it is, will already be frowned upon, if not court-martial worthy! As a father...all I want is to see my daughter happy. So, you think this through very seriously, Cadet Layn! Because, at the end of the day we are talking about my little girl! Trust me, if you hurt her in any way, the Empire will be the least of your problems! Still, I must admit that I am quite impressed by the way you presented yourself to me, and the way you spoke of your feelings for Leesa! Does not mean I have to like you...right away...but I feel more appeased to know my daughter has someone by her side who would protect her with his own life, if needed. The biggest wish any father carries in his heart, is to know his children are loved and taken care of! You keep your promise your keeping my daughter a happy girl, and I in return will not mention your relationship to anyone, until you both graduate and face more serious decisions about your future!" Thrawn rose from his chair and walked towards the other side of the desk, standing in front of Pash, motioning him to rise. "A parting gift of sorts...my people have a long standing motto. I want to ponder on it. It not only reflects us a culture in general, but the way we see our own families, our partners, our children. It goes: 'I will do what I must, to defend the ones I care for!'
'I will do what I must, to defend the ones I care for!'
It actually sounded like a great motto to live for, Pash thought to himself! Ironically, it seemed much more according to the ideals of the Rebel Alliance, than the Empire in which Thrawn served! He nodded, and allowed for a discreet smile to surface, but still he stood firmly in attention. It was Thrawn who reached his hand to greet him, and Pash took it with a firm grip.
It was an accord of sorts...It had actually turned out better than he'd hoped for!
And there were no blasters involved!
The meeting came to it's end and Thrawn escorted the young men to the door, with a faint smirk to his lips and a quick nod in Pash's direction.
"Give my daughter my regards, and do take good care of her, will you? I will have my attention on you...Oh...by the way...Since this term is almost about to conclude, when you have your summer vacation, I will want you to come to the Strikefast, to meet the rest of the family. Well, the ones who still reside in this corner of the Galaxy, at least."
"As you wish Sir..." Pash schooled his features not show his dread for that upcoming situation. Because... why wouldn't he want to go and spend his summer leave on board Senior Captain Thrawn's flagship, right? Wrong! Not that he saw any good way to escape from it. So, like a good boy, he accepted it with a smile...just like any good greysuit would!
They parted ways and Pash was left dwelling on all that had just happened. It was a sithspawned lot of things to deal with!
His father would go nuts, when he got around to inform him of it all!
Shaking his head to himself, he straddled silently towards the direction of the Cadet's mess
"Nice going kiddo! Now i just managed to make my life even more difficult!"
Leesa was sitting on a table by the corner, when he arrived. She caught his sight and gave him a apprehensive look. Pash gave her a warm smile as if trying to convey to her the idea that everything was fine. So, things got more complicated...he still got the girl! For now, that would do just fine...