Ar'Alani had her arm wrapped around the girl's shoulders. Thrawn had made lofty promises of this woman's abilities, but she was doubtful. As far as she was concerned, no chiss had been seen by a human doctor prior, and she didn't like the idea of this being tried out on a child. But they'd just found Un'hee, and she was sickly and thin, a cough rattling her frail frame. She couldn't be brought aboard the Steadfast, not yet. She had to devise a plan to keep her identity and existence a secret for the moment while she thought of the best course of action.
This woman would have to do for now.
Ar'Alani led her into the medical bay, and Thrawn gestured to the private room. Un'hee balked, understandably, and Ar' Alani steadied her.
"Its alright," she assured the girl, "Thrawn and I will not leave you. The doctor is just to ensure you're not ill."
Un'hee whimpered, but complied. She kept her hands on the girl's shoulders, and Dr. Renta was standing before the table, a small smile on her lips.
"Un'hee this is Linnia, she's a friend of mine," Thrawn said, "She's a doctor."
She nodded, and Thrawn poke to the woman in basic, and she nodded. "Un'hee?" She tried and the girl nodded.
"My name is Linnia," She said in Cheunh and Ar'alani flinched in surprise. She looked over to Thrawn for approval and he nodded.
Linnia pat the examination table, and Un'hee looked nervously back at Ar'alani, who nodded encouragingly. Un'hee climbed up, and Linnia pulled out a small machine, and spoke. The protocol droid translated quickly. "I'm not overly familiar with chiss anatomy, I've only examined Thrawn and even that was limited. But I'm going to do all I can to eliminate the possibility of injury or illness."
"Yes. Thank you. We'll have the chiss healer check her again when we're able."
Linnia nodded, looking down at Un'hee. She pulled out a small flashlight, blinking it a few times at her. Un'hee looked up and Linnia smiled. "Can I take a look in your eyes and ears?"
The girl nodded, and Linnia gently tilted her head to the side, looking in her ears. She her eyes, ensuring she tracked the light.
"Very good. Can I take a look inside your mouth?" Un'hee made a face. "Weird huh?" Linnia agreed, "but I need to see if you have all your teeth, make sure you're not hiding any riches."
Un'hee giggled, and Linnia checked her mouth for teeth.
"Great. Does anything hurt? Anything concern you?"
She shook her head. Linnia felt along her spine and ribs, and checked her ankles and wrists. Ar'alani watched closely, the young doctor working gingerly, smiling reassuringly at the girl. Once she was finished, she nodded to Ar'alani.
"Everything looks to be in order to me, Un'hee. You've been extraordinarily brave, and it's been my pleasure to meet you."
"Th-thank you."
"You're always welcome here, if there's ever any way I can be of assistance to you, just let me know."
She nodded with a small smile, and Linnia put up her finger, pulling open a drawer of sweets. "Thrawn's tried all of them at least once, so I know they won't disagree with chiss bodies." She said with a wink. Un'hee smiled and looked back at Ar'alani, who nodded.
"Take a few, Thrawn's had plenty."
She took three small sugar candies, and raced back toward Ar'alani. But she was far calmer than she had been.
"Go wait outside, enjoy your sweets. I'll be out in a moment."
Un'hee nodded and Ar'alani shut the door behind her.
"What's the verdict?"
"She's malnourished, bruised, and it seems to me that she's underdeveloped, missing some teeth that should have come in, smaller and less proportionate than she should be. That's by human standards and inference of our similarities but I can't be sure unless I see some literature or chat with a chiss medic."
"What could cause that?"
"Stress. Lack of nourishment. neglect. Bodies require food and water yes, but also mental and physical activity, and a stress free environment to grow. Being in a constant state of stress keeps the body's energy focused on escape and survival and not growth."
Are alani nodded. She wished she hadn't asked.
"I checked her extremities for signs of shackling, broken bones or other signs of abuse common with prisoners and found none. It seems she was treated fairly well, considering." She said grimly.
Ar'alani frowned "what do you recommend?"
Her mental well being is far more shaken than her body. I would start there."
Ar'alani frowned. The chiss didn't treat the mind, admitting mental illness was a weakness, one that was met with shame. It was foolish; the strength of the few lead to the strength of all, and shunning those in need of assistance was a waste of talent and resources. But her own ingrained bias made her cringe. She would struggle.
"That will prove difficult." Thrawn said in basic and the protocol droid translated.
Linnia pursed her lips. "Perhaps I could speak with your medic?"
Ar'Alani nodded, "I'll arrange a meeting. In the meantime, let's get her back on the Steadfast for some rest."
Thrawn sat cross legged on his bed, combing through protocol on his data pad. There were dozens of infractions on his head, dozens of infractions he couldn't talk his way out of. Hundreds of witnesses, including Ronan, who was more than eager to report every off center hair on Thrawn's head. He was in deep this time, too deep even for him. Ar alani was on the Chimera, Vah'nya was driving the ship, he was booting his bridge crew for two chiss, engaging in battle.
He was totally screwed.
He'd never felt quite this completely screwed before. There was always a loophole, an ally or a workaround. Or the outcome was so spectacular everyone simply forgot his misgivings. There would be nothing of the sort this time. Hed committed many treasonous crimes, and he would pay.
He had to get those death star plans. He'd had eli working on it since he'd come on board. He was on a remarkably precarious edge, with everyone he cared about along for the ride. A slip up this time would be disaster for them all. Hundreds of people were looking at him, their destinies in his hands.
His stomach tightened.
He was scared.
He'd been scared before, plenty of times. But never like this. He'd never felt paralyzed, his arms frozen, wrapped around his midsection. He'd never had his future look so uncertain. He could actually die this time.
He'd always known death was a very real possibility. He was in the military. But this time he felt as if he were slowly, deliberately, digging his own grave. He wasn't able to leave himself loopholes or exit plans. He was going to absolutely and completely pay for this one. The emperor wasn't as forgiving as General Ba'kif. He would kill him for this.
He could simply defect, and join Ar'alani on the Steadfast and go home. But the Death Star…
He couldn't leave without those plans. The lives of too many depended on it.
He got off the bed, pulling on his Admiral jacket and returning to the bridge. If he wasn't going to sleep, he might as well relieve Karyn.
Linnia rubbed her eyes, her mind lagging behind her body, which was already turning on the light beside her bed. The chime rang again, a knock following on the hatch door. The fog cleared and she rushed to the door, pulling it open.
Karyn.
"I'm sorry to wake you, Doctor…"
"No need," Linnia said, her voice hoarse. She squinted in the clinical brightness of the corridor. "What's wrong?"
"Its Admiral Thrawn," She said, looking at the ground. "He hasn't slept in over 72 hours ma'am, he's always on the bridge. He claims he's fine and brushes off concern, but he's got a bit of a sway now, and I think he needs to rest. With or without medical assistance."
Linnia nodded. What was Thrawn doing now? There was never a dull moment with him. WHat he was doing was complete and utter treason, if you framed it correctly. He was probably going out of his mind trying to plan his way out of it.
"He won't listen to me, but I know he listens to you."
Linnia suppressed a yawn as best she could. "Give me a moment to get my jacket."
"Of course."
She pulled on her doctor's coat and her pants over her pajamas. She pulled her hair into a messy ponytail and tried to smooth it down with water. If she was going to confront the Grand Admiral on his own bridge she was going to do it looking somewhat awake and professional.
She exited and followed karyn back to the bridge. The death troopers nodded to her, and the hatch slid open, revealing the quiet hum of the night crew. They were in hyperspace for the next day or so, they didn't need Thrawn, and if they did they would wake him. But he was seated in his chair, his fingers bridged together, staring at the viewport. His eyes found her, his head unmoving. Linnia approached Thrawn, standing beside his chair. He didn't look up at her.
"Admiral, could you accompany me to the med bay?"
He sat silently, and for a moment, she thought he ignored her.
"For what purpose, Doctor?"
"The crew have expressed concern in your physical well being." She nearly whispered. Karyn glanced over guiltily from Hammerly's station.
"I assure you I'm alright." He said icily.
Linnia knelt down, "Thrawn. Please."
He hesitated, but looked over at her. He had more shadows in his face, below his eyes and in his sharp cheekbones. He was beginning to lose weight, as well.
"Come, take a break. I won't stop you from coming back." She looked back at the crew. "They need you at your best."
He looked down at his hands, and nodded curtly.
"Commodore Faro, I'll be taking a short break." He said.
"Take as long as you need, Sir. We have everything under control."
He nodded, and followed Linnia from the bridge, the Death Troopers moving to join him.
"Please, stay. Alert me to any happenings." Thrawn instructed.
They nodded, and he followed her back to her quarters. She turned on the light and he stood expectantly in the living room, space, watching her take off her jacket again.
"What are you doing?" She asked quietly.
"I cannot sleep, so why not be on the bridge?"
"Why can't you sleep?"
"I'm not entirely sure."
She frowned, but pulled the table away from the couch with out responding.
"What are you doing?" He asked, and she nudged him aside, pushing the button to unfold the bed from the sofa.
She pat the top of it, heading to her spare closet to get him loungewear. She kept larger and smaller clothing in her quarters in the event wherever she was travelling was unprepared for her. They were medical issue, but better than a uniform.
"Linnia I cannot sleep," he repeated as if she hadn't been listening.
"I know. Resting will still be better than sitting on the bridge."
She went to the kitchenette to make tea, and Thrawn started toward the refresher, losing his balance and leaning against the wall.
"Why don't you change in my room? You can sit on the bed so you don't fall over and hurt yourself."
He didn't respond, instead heading toward her bedroom, grabbing the wall occasionally for guidance.
She brought the tea over to the table, and pulled off the medical issue pants she'd put on over her pajamas before sitting down. She smoothed out a few blankets and pillows, and dimmed the lights. Thrawn returned, looking surprised. "You did not have to do this on my behalf."
She pat the bed, and he sat gingerly, staring out her viewport. He was stiff, tense, and she saw now the concern in his eyes.
"What's bothering you?"
He closed his eyes.
"I'm sure you know."
She sighed. "Thrawn, you're not alone in this. Ar'alani, Hammerly, Eli, me, even Vah'nya are with you. You don't have to isolate yourself this way."
"I brought all these people into this situation. I'm responsible for getting them out."
"No you're not, all these people came together for a common goal, knowing the risks. You're not in control of everyone's fates. Just slow down, you can do this."
He looked back at her. "Last time I did something like this I got exiled. I don't think the emperor practices exile."
She leaned over, touching his wrist. "We'll work through it. Together. All of us. You're on a team, don't let yourself forget that. You are not isolated."
He pursed his lips, and she leaned back, turning on the Holo.
"You may be grand admiral, but that doesn't mean you hold all the responsibility. Military heirarchy is just that. Military. Not life. People need others to lean on in life, or go mad."
Thrawn looked down at his hands. After a few beats, he lay back beside her, taking his tea.
"You are right. I apologize."
"You don't have to. Just, come to me, or Eli or someone. Don't live in your own head."
He slipped his tea, and she pulled the blanket up around them.
"You don't have to stay out here."
"I'm happy to. But if you'd like privacy I'd understand."
"No. Thank you."
They watched random programs on the Holo, Linnia reading on her data pad. She'd been reading a lot since shed gotten on board, familiarizing herself with various stretches of protocol, law, and even survival. She too was prepping for the worst. Once he'd finished his tea, he began dozing off to the documentary they had on. She was still reading, her glasses reflecting the screen.
"I'm so sorry." He murmured.
She looked over. "You haven't done anything."
"I bring such chaos with me."
She shook her head. "Get some rest. You're worth the chaos."
Thrawn woke, entangled in the blankets. His head was on her chest, and she was stroking his hair slowly, reading. Thrawn didn't move, enjoy her hands combing softly. He closed his eyes, suppressing a groan. He wanted to stay there forever, enjoying her touch. No one cared for him as she did, recognized his need for touch, support, tenderness. She saw through his title, his formality, and fed his soul.
He felt her adjust her glasses, and scrolled on her data pad. She smelled of clean laundry, and a fruity, floral soap he didn't care to place. She was his home, and he felt his turmoil come full circle. He loved her, and never wanted to be without her.
Now just to survive this absolute mess.
He shifted to look at her, and after a beat she met his gaze. "How'd you sleep?" She asked quietly.
"I slept well, thank you." He said, nearly a whisper.
"You're always welcome to spend the night here."
He didn't meet her eyes. He wanted that statement to mean so much more than it did.
"When is admiral Savit due to turn up?"
He shook his head, sitting up. "I'm not sure. My guess is a few hours from now."
She nodded. "you've got this. And you have are alani and Eli and everyone aboard to support you."
He took a deep breath. "I suppose I should be leaving."
She smirked. "why? Karyn said shed comm me if she needed you."
Thrawn felt his face heat up. "What? Commodore faro-"
"She knows you're here, yeah."
He looked at her wide eyed and she laughed. "People hook up you know, it's not uncommon in humans."
He reddened further and she stood, patting his back. "It's fine, she knows you're too tired for that."
He stood, disturbed by the idea of Karyn thinking anything about his personal life.
"Let's await admiral Savit, and our fates."
