The 'ding' indicating someone was at the door interrupted Thrawn from his thoughts. He closed the art holograms before him on his desk.

He pushed the little button, the seal on the hatch releasing, and Scofi walked inside.

"You asked to see me, Sir?"

"Yes," thrawn said. "Have a seat, if you would."

Scofi sat before thrawns desk, swallowing.

"Ensign vanto remains in critical care, but has returned to the ship." Thrawn began. "Being next in command, this indicates increased responsibility while ensign vanto recovers."

Scofi nodded eagerly, fear still glimmering in his eyes. "yes, ofcourse, I won't disappoint you sir."

"I would hope not." Thrawn said coolly. "Ensign vantos condition is fragile. This could become permanent should vanto unfortunately not recover."

"Yes sir. I understand."

"I'm sure you do."

Scofi left as quickly as he'd come, the hatch sliding shut behind him. Thrawn was fully aware this was entrapment, but he didn't particularly care. Thrawn didn't have the patience for the game Scofi was trying to play, and was clearly fine with treading on dangerous ground.

That was alright. There were certain games Thrawn excelled at.


Eli was lying facing the wall, away from the door, but he knew Scofi was outside before the door slid open.

Scofi stood there in the light of the hallway, hesitating. Despite confrontation not being his thing, Eli was rarely scared during one. This time, however, he was.

He was helpless.

He trusted Thrawn, of course, with his life, even, but feeling so out of control… he was shaking. If this went south, it could be the end of him.

Scofi's silence stretched on, making Eli wonder if he was even still there. He almost rolled over to see, but just before he did…

"Vanto?"

Eli pretended to stir, which wasn't so difficult in his present condition.

"Scofi?" He pretended to sound surprised.

Scofi let the hatch close behind him, leaving them in the dark, the only light cast from Eli's datapad on the table, blinking with the hundreds of messages he'd received in his week away.

Scofi didn't move, still in the dark.

"Scofi?" Eli prompted again.

"My parents, my parents always told me that my sister was the brains of the family." He started shakily, and Eli swallowed. "That I couldn't do anything with myself. I was stupid. I was too nervous."

Eli stiffened. Scofi had moved, but where, Eli wasn't sure.

"What are you getting at?" ELi asked, trying to track the man's steps.

"I really like you, Eli. I don't want it to be like this." He murmured. "but I need you to stay away. I need you to be unable to return to duty."

"Scofi." He said nervously, "you don't have to do anything."

"I do."

He heard the flick of a stormtrooper baton, and the swing of it arcing through the air.

The sheet below Eli shifted, pulling him onto the floor beside the bed, the baton just missing him and hitting the pillow. Eli spilled to the floor, Thrawn catching him. Hed been lying beside the bed, recording.

Thrawn stood, stunning Scofi. He drew his blaster and fired, already set to stun.

Eli was panting, his head resting on the carpet.

"Thank the maker for your infrared." He breathed. "I dodn't know where he was.

Thrawn didn't respond, instead scooping Eli up and putting him back on the bed.

"I apologize for pulling you on the ground." He said.

"You saved me, no apology necessary."

Eli smiled. If it had been anyone else, they could've simply had them arrested or transferred, but Scofi was the son of a governor, a popular one. They now had the tangible evidence necessary to lock up even him.

Thrawn didn't seem pleased, though. Over the years, Eli had come to recognize Thrawn's stressed expression. It was hardly different than his usual stoicism, but Eli had learned that his eyes held all the answers.

"What's wrong?"

Thrawn looked away. "I am alright."

"You're not. Is it him?"

Thrawn's eyes were trained on the floor, red cast on Eli's blanket. "Your suffering is the result of my naivety. I will not allow you to be a pawn again."

"Thrawn I'm always gonna be a pawn, and so are you. Everyone is trying to make someone work to their advantage. It's not your fault. It was an accident."

"If I had-"

"No, Thrawn." Eli said firmly. "No. It was out of your control. What was in your control was what happened after, and you never left the frigate. Linnia told me. I'm thankful for everything you've done."

Thrawn didn't move, focusing on the same spot on the floor, stained slightly with Eli's blood.

"I have drafted a letter to have you transferred."

Eli sat up. "What?"

"You would be safe, and out of my shadow."

Thrawn said, pained.

"I don't want to be either of those things when I don't believe in what I'm doing. I wanna work with you. I've learned more from you than I could in a lifetime elsewhere, and, who's gonna keep you out of trouble with the politicians?" He asked with a smirk. "Toss the letter. Were a team."

"Vanto I-"

"Toss it."


From: Halo Medical Frigate

Doctor Linnia Remda

General Physician

To: Commander Thrawn

Thunderwasp

CONFIDENTIAL

Thrawn,

I figured now that you're the Commander and no one can take your messages from you, I'd give this another go. I got word that Captain Scofi was arrested. It seems your suspicions were correct, and that Eli was correct in identifying his attempted murderer. I'm impressed, but not surprised.

It was really good to see you, and to clear the air. I'm happy all of that was a misunderstanding and that it's behind us now.

Keep in touch.

Linnia

Thrawn sighed, setting his datapad down and resting his head in his hands. He was tired. Tired was such an underwhelming word for how he felt. Eli, Linnia, Scofi… so much had happened that weighed on his mind and got him thinking about what he was really doing here anymore. He was here for the chiss, for the ascendancy… but what was he staying for? What was he working to protect? He didn't give a damn about the empire…

These people, they seemed to care for him. Why, he hadn't the slightest idea. No one had ever really cared about him without expecting something in return, whether it be clout or information, they were done with him once he'd served his purpose.

Eli had every opportunity to leave him, if anything he should have wanted to do so, thrawn was ruining his career as he said, why did he stay? What could he gain? It was the same with Linnia and Karyn, they gained nothing from him, so why did they continue? He didn't offer anything in comparison to the companionship of other humans, that he knew. People didn't understand him, he got odd looks and backhanded comments. He was told he was humorless and cold. He saw no reason they should be loyal to him. To care.

From: Thunderwasp

Commander Thrawn

To: Halo Medical Frigate

Doctor Linnia Remda

CONFIDENTIAL

Linnia,

I appreciate your assistance with ensign vanto. He is doing well, and I assure you I have personally overseen his compliance to your recommendations. I know he grows stronger, because his sarcasm returns with every passing day.

Thank you for writing me, and for

He paused. For not abandoning him? For reassuring him that, in this particular incident, he had not been tossed to the wayside?

For your letter.

He stared at it. It wasn't exactly poetic, but he left art to the professionals.

-Thrawn


I know this one is short but I wanted to update even though I've been brutally busy! Next chapter will be back to normal :)