Chapter 11. The Hero
More often than not, Humans tend to make decisions based on what facts mean to them, sometimes based on who delivers the said facts, and almost never based on the facts themselves. He learned this simple lesson during his first encounters with the smugglers, Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala - for all differences in status, native worlds and personalities, their actions pointed towards the same pattern. Over the years of his service to the Empire, Thrawn came to realize that the pattern is actually more of an unbending rule. Suffice it to recall a few times when people would deny evidence only because they didn't trust him as a messenger.
So, it's critical to establish a certain level of trust with his potential allies. When the time comes, it will predispose them to heed to his warnings about the threat of the Grysks, rather than fixate on trivial details, such as the news coming from an Imperial, an alien, an enemy or whatever other label they will opt to put on him. While he doubts that Senator Organa would ever go as far as to say that she fully trusts him, they have definitely made sufficient progress.
Time to move on and start earning trust of a certain Jedi.
Yet…
Thrawn turns off the listening device that has been so helpfully transmitting latest instalments in New Republic power struggle drama, and rests his elbows on armrests of the chair, habitually connecting the fingertips of both hands in front of his lips.
Let'ssee what we have here.
Unknowingly, Senator Organa has just pulled him into two more battles. He has every reason to interfere in the first one, for he needs the fleet and the army on both sides, so he has no choice but to nip the Chancellor's demilitarisation fantasy in the bud. The second one… the Senator herself is not aware of, having so carelessly dismissed his warning about enemies who'd stab her in the back. So, the question is whether it's worth interfering.
Keeping silent about her failed revolution attempt in exchange for getting his people in right strategic spots of the Imperial navy - even.
Kashyyyk forQueluhan Nebula- even.
Knowing her true parentage - not even, but he usually prefers to keep an ace up his sleeve, so, even, from his point of view.
No outward reason to get into this.
Yet… tiny particles tend to get past clear demarcation lines with obstinacy worthy of a better cause.
He ponders for a moment, then calls Rukh.
He has always been a proponent of preemptive strikes, so let the Norgi retrieve a certain memento from a certain Inner Rim planet. It's nothing but a simple precaution, a way to secure leverage in the long term. The fact that it will potentially aid Senator Organa's move further on the proverbial chess board, the fact that he is considering adjusting some of the parts of his plan for the showdown on Coruscant to assist the said move, is just a logical consequence, nothing more.
Before Rukh leaves, he reports that Luke Skywalker has finally graced the East wing with his presence.
Right. Definitely, a timely reminder to finally move on to the Knight in all his glory.
A brilliant green blade flashes through the makeshift exercise hall. Swift, wide, powerful movements and strikes. A young man dressed in black parries attacks of three combat droids with practiced efficiency and determination.
Same hair color, same blue eyes, same posture.
A mirror-image, save for the height, of course. Even if Thrawn didn't already know, one look would've been enough, no need for a bloodline-sensitive Norgi to guess the real parentage of this one.
His fighting style is also fairly similar, built on power attacks and swift counterstrikes. A perfectly reasonable technique, especially when faced with multiple assailants: one is already down, two to go, from what Thrawn can see. It's also quite a straightforward style, so, of course, a Tatooine native would prefer it.
Like father, like son.
Tatooine culture doesn't foster propensity for intrigue, hidden signals or double meanings. There is always one predominant layer in their artworks, no shadows, no under-tones, as if forever burnt out by the twin suns of the planet, even in the minds of its inhabitants. Oh, it doesn't mean simplicity, naivety or lack of intellect, far from it, Anakin Skywalker being the case in point, both as himself and as Lord Vader. Yet it does suggest that the best way to gain trust of a Tatooine native is to be straightforward with him, a theory Thrawn intends on testing today.
The Jedi senses his presence at the entrance, but doesn't stop, the green blade keeps flashing through air in fluid ripostefrom parrying an attack to a counterstrike, and one more droid collapses soon thereafter.
While his technique is honed to perfection, ingrained in muscle memory, Thrawn gets a distinct feeling that, consciously or not, he is trying to match a certain someone known to favor this style, better suited for a much more imposing stature. Good, means that the Jedi master is likely to be far more receptive to hearing about his father than Senator Organa. Still, worth pointing out that his build allows for greater mobility and variety than his father's, would be a shame for a warrior to let go of a strategic advantage for purely sentimental reasons.
As the last droid collapses in the corner, General Skywalker finally turns around to face him, blade still in combat position, and waits a presumptive enemy to make the first move.
Happy to oblige, only not in a way the Jedi master expects, Thrawn gestures to his lightsaber, "Formidable weapon, in skilled hands of course."
Suspension, tension, evidenced in tightness around the young man's all too familiar eyes. His grip on the lightsaber tightens, proving readiness to attack at any minute.
"In my experience, quite useful when dealing with shield generators." Thrawn recalls a seamless slide of a similar weapon through durasteel on the roof of that factory at Mokivj. "You may benefit, though, from varying your technique, a wider range of movement and a few deceptive strikes would have allowed you to win sooner."
Suspicion, surprise written all over his face, from raised eyebrows to curiosity lurking somewhere deep in the icy blue eyes. In a moment, though, surprise is replaced by calculating, focused expression, as if he is looking at you and past you at the same time.
Perhaps, the Jedi master is trying to see through him in the Force to ascertain a threat, just like Lord Vader and the Emperor used to. So Thrawn does what he always would in those cases – simply stares straight into the eyes of his vis-à-vis, without trying to hide anything. After all, he doesn't intend to kill or harm the illustrious Hero in any way, one could argue that ultimate safety and security of all beings in this galaxy is his goal now. He inwardly chuckles.
"You have an unusually orderly mind, Grand Admiral Thrawn."
The Jedi remarks after a few minutes of tense silence, then turns off his lightsaber and comes to greet him.
"Although, I must admit, I didn't expect you to comment on forms of lightsaber combat."
"I am not force sensitive, if that's what you really want to ascertain, but lightsabers are just another weapon, the basics of dueling stand, whether your saber has a plasma blade, or not."
Again, the best way to earn trust of a Tatooine native is to be straightforward. It's a change, but not an unwelcome one, petty intrigues and squabbles of the Imperial high command and the New Republic cabinet are quite tiresome to follow, if they weren't potentially deadly, he wouldn't have paid any attention in the fist place, but needs must. So, it's quite refreshing to talk to a fellow warrior.
"Although, I must admit, many years ago, I had a chance, or rather a necessity to wield a similar weapon, during the period that you tend to call Clone wars, when my paths crossed with Anakin Skywalker."
And that's how your mark.
"You knew Anakin Skywalker?"
Curiosity sparkles, his throat works, and the young Jedi subconsciously leans forward, ready to catch each and every word.
As expected, in striking contrast to his sister, Luke Skywalker is not denying his parentage, at least this part of it.
"As much as one can know an accidental ally, turned a… friend. Do you know that you actually have the same rank now, as your father did when our paths first crossed, General Skywalker?"
While the young man ponders his words, Thrawn takes a few steps towards another corner of the room, retrieving a cortosis stick from a big, password-protected rectangular case, strategically delivered here a few days before in anticipation of this meeting. It houses a few other items, but he will get to them later.
"Would you care for a sparring match?"
Luke Skywalker has no way to know about cortosis in a protective matrix, so let's see if he's willing to take advantage.
The icy blue eyes are taking in his weapon of choice with suspicion.
"I prefer to fight on equal terms, at least in sparring, Grand Admiral. This," he gestures to Thrawn's melee stick, "won't hold well against the lightsaber."
Honorable, oh so honorable. Again, refreshing for a change, although he has witnessed too many times that it can become a blind spot in future.
"Your concern is noted." Thrawn starts swinging the stick in his hands to loosen up his wrists. "As I was saying, during Clone wars, your father and I found ourselves on a mission at Mokivj, do you know what's so interesting about this world, General Skywalker?"
"It was devastated long ago."
Oh, if he only knew who is to blame, but better not to add insult to injury. Let's leave this cautionary tale for another day.
"Indeed, but before that it was used for mining and processing of cortosis." Thrawn slides his index finger along the cortosis-weaved protective matrix, covering the stick. "Known to be able to protect from blaster fire and stand up to lightsabers, once properly handled, of course. So, shall we?"
He lets the Jedi make the first move: a direct center strike from above his head. Blocking it is a bit too easy, but one cannot become complacent.
"You called Anakin Skywalker a friend and an ally…"
Side strike, parry, side strike, the Jedi master is, indeed, quite talented.
Parry, feint, parry again. Even if a bit predictable.
"Indeed" one more feint, and then time to counter-attack, "he was a formidable warrior, and an ingenious war general."
"That's what everyone says…" voice trails off, as if General Skywalker is trying to figure something out.
"Also, quite loyal to those he cared about. The whole ordeal happened as he tied to save an… acquaintance of his - Ambassador Padmé Amidala."
The Jedi master misses a side strike, still trying to process his words. Getting distracted. First mistake.
"Hm…" he recovers pretty quickly, though, coming at Thawn with a barrage of powerful strikes. "You also said that you'd honor his legacy, but serving the Empire means dishonoring it."
Just like his father before him, General Skywalker is exceptionally good with a lightsaber, blocking his attacks, putting corrosive stick stick up in the right spots and in the right order is definitely more demanding than his usual practice, potentially more useful to keep him on his toes, too. Thrawn makes a mental note to leverage the Jedi master as a sparring partner more often, if they do become allies.
"I see… then he may have done it himself," time for one more strike, words tend to cut through even deeper than weapons, provided that they are leveraged at the right moment, "for we've served on one side with Lord Vader for years, the side of the Empire, as you rightly pointed out."
The Jedi freezes, misses two more side strikes in quick succession.
Getting caught of guard by emotions. Second mistake.
"So, you know."
"Obviously."
"And what do you want, Grand Admiral?"
He attacks again, a true epitome of the blinding Tatooine suns leaving no shade to hide, not that Thrawn has any intention to, parrying his avalanche of strikes is quite invigorating.
While not at all subtle, General Skywalker is intelligent enough to see a potential threat, should the fact become public… Humans love a fallen hero even more than a hero, only one other choice is better, but hopefully it won't come to that.
"Now? Continue our sparring match. In future? I believe we may need more time to discuss it."
"I said to my father and the Emperor once, I won't join the Empire, nothing to discuss here."
Determination, burning passion, and durasteel in his voice. Luke Skywalker doesn't take loyalty lightly, just like Thrawn expected. So, his next strike will definitely hit the mark.
"Even the safety of your friends and the New Republic?"
"Is this a threat Grand Admiral?"
"As I mentioned before, I promised to honor Anakin Skywalker's legacy, so believe me when I say I don't intend to kill his son," he chuckles, as he parries another strike. "It would somewhat defy the purpose, and I don't recall making an offer for you to join any side, as it stands."
Using General Skywalker's momentary confusion, he strategically thrusts the cortosis stick in the middle of the plasma blade, causing the lightsaber to temporarily shut down upon contact, while the young Jedi curses in Huttese.
Time to bring one more weapon into this battle.
Thrawn turns around and walks to the same corner of the hall, where his melee sticks are safely stacked in the big rectangular case. He presses his palm to a black screen, masked as a thick inside panel, revealing a hidden compartment at the bottom.
As ever, the best place to hide most consequential things is in the plain sight.
Then, retrieves it for the young man to see.
A metal cylinder, black ridgesat the bottom, simple, direct lines on the upper half, framing blade emitter and a familiar activation switch. A quick press of the button, and a brilliant blue blade flashes into existence.
"As I said, quite a remarkable weapon, quite convenient when dealing with power shield generators, but, obviously, it isn't its only use. And I believe, it's rightfully yours."
Recognition and surprise flash in the icy blue eyes, as General Skywalker takes his father's lightsaber, turns it around in his palms, reacquainting himself with the weapon. He looks conflicted, regretful, a bit nostalgic and also strangely… moved, even if he is at loss as to how the lightsaber made its way to Thrawn of all people.
"Your father wanted you to have it, and you may need to use both of your weapons sooner, rather than later. Now, shall we talk, General Skywalker?"
While being straightforward may have its merits, putting all cards on the table is short-sighted at best. Humans and facts, meaning and messengers… Obviously, he saves sharing the actual goal of his mission for another day.
First, he needs to cement the trust, and the best way to gain the trust of a warrior, is to go through a crisis together. A relatively small crisis with potentially deadly consequences.
Well, nothing beats a timely coincidence - one is actually on the horizon, courtesy of his fellow Imperials, he may have been provoking them a bit to speed up the timely part of this coincidence, but everything else is their own doing.
Thrawn has never been one to let good crisis go to waste, why change the habit of the lifetime now?
His second meeting with Luke Skywalker goes more smoothly than the first one, until…
"Wookies are not wildlife!"
Her voice holds anger, outrage and disbelief, all mixed together in a perfect melody, suited for that proverbial goddess of Revenge and Justice. A telltale determined set of her jaw, fire in her eyes, knuckles turned white with tension while gripping a datapad – all promises imminent death or dismemberment to the next sentient to cross her path. Give her a cape and a mask, she can easily match Lord Vader's stride through the halls of the Executioner, save for her diminutive height, of course.
"They are sentiments, they are…"
The best way to deal with a raging Skywalker – remain calm and unperturbed in all circumstances, Thrawn has learned his lesson with her father, so opts for a similar tactics with the daughter.
It works, slowly but surely diffusing her temper, until she can see potential benefits of his latest behind-the-scenes manoeuvre.
"Nota surprise, it's common to consider things one doesn't understand unpredictable or dangerous."
Her brother may have blown up the Death Star with one impossible shot, but Senator Organa manages a feat of her own – somehow, she surprises him again with her perceptiveness and ability to hit the bullseye when he least expects it.
Once they finally part, Thrawn doesn't allow himself to dwell on the thought, yet, as a small particle, it keeps sneaking into the orderly array of his calculations, causing a small ripple. Harmless enough, not strong or powerful enough to interfere with the flow, yet it's there.
Author's note
Mixing Legends and Canon again… in my parallel universe Daddy Vader left Wayland's coordinates for Thrawn among other info stored in his meditation chamber. What can I say, I warned everyone that I actually love our disaster child Ani (Leia doesn't, but she has a mind of her own).