8 Chapter 7 — Limits of Trust

Another chapter. I will continue to try to make direct speech more understandable. Enjoy reading.

One - inhale - and the arms bend at the elbows at a right angle.

Two - exhale - and the upper limbs straighten.

— The data requested by Lieutenant Tschel — repetition of "one ." - Serial numbers...

Breathe again...

I've already heard all this from you, Lieutenant Colonel," the Grand Admiral's voice didn't even waver. - Further.

— They belong to the ships that suffered in the Battle of Endor, — and again bending the arms. — — The hyperdrive has been removed, — and the arms flex again, — from a Karakka-class light cruiser. — Seven of these ships were damaged in the battle and sent for repairs - straightening - to a base in the Outer Rim. - Bending again, - Three weeks later, the ISB became interested in the reason, - and again the body lowers to the deck, - along which the starships were not commissioned in the designated lines, - a smooth rise. — It turned out that the ships were not at the shipyard. He repaired the hull, but not the main hyperdrives; they were not fully restored — like the two dozen Tartans that were being repaired at the same base — if the Grand Admiral hoped to wear him out with simple physical exercises, it was in vain. Despite his "office" position, the lieutenant colonel was in excellent physical shape at his age. — However, the ships were handed over to the "imperial officer" for transportation to their duty stations. It was established that this was one of the deserted officers who later joined the military leader Zsinj and became his right hand. Some of the ships - in particular the Karakkas - surfaced later in his fleet and were destroyed. Based on some signs, we realized that the equipment on the ships was replaced with identical equipment, but from other types of ships.

— Someone dismantled the Tartans to make the Karakkas more combat-ready? - asked Captain Pellaeon.

— The ISB suggests that yes, — said Astarion, once again descending to the deck. - Nine years ago I couldn't get to... the one who stole our ships... but now...

— Enough exercise, Lieutenant Colonel, — said the Grand Admiral.

Astarion cheerfully returned to a vertical position, straightening his jacket.

— So, you are an ISB operative for the fleet, — Thrawn said thoughtfully. — It's curious why they sent you from the Ubictorate and not an Imperial Intelligence agent, as we requested. Considering the fact that the ISB and Imperial Intelligence are competing government agencies that have often declared unspoken war on each other.

— Because the Ubiqtorate is a bunch of arrogant snobs who only care about staying in their posts longer and lining their pockets, — the lieutenant colonel thought, remembering how humiliating it had been to negotiate to join the active fleet. He was refused by the ISB - during the Imperial Civil War, many operatives were killed and the survivors were even recalled from the ships of the fleet, as long as there was something to cover the remaining territories. Maintaining order and countering enemy intelligence is just as important, if not the most important. I had to jump over my head, go through acquaintances in the Ubiqtorate, and arrange a small "business trip" for myself. But anything is better than wasting time on Orinda trying to figure out which bureaucrats stole how much money from repairing government starships.

— It happened so, sir, — the lieutenant colonel answered clearly.

— I see, — Thrawn said dryly, looking at the commander of his flagship:

— The situation with the Tartans is beginning to become clearer, Captain Pellaeon. Now doubts about the veracity of our pirate are at their maximum. Most likely, he is trading with us starships that were stolen in the past.

Astarion, out of old habit, wanted to cut off the naval officers and continue the interrogation, but in time he remembered that in addition to the simple commander of the starship, there was also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Fleet, the Grand Admiral. Why... you can't ask questions to a reasonable person in such a position - there are no people left in the Empire capable of sanctioning such actions.

— So, Lieutenant Colonel, — the Grand Admiral looked him straight in the eye. — Is finding these ships important to you?

— That's right, sir, — Astarion didn't hesitate to answer for even a second. — They are the property of the Empire and should be in its fleet, and not be subject to bargaining If I am ordered to do so, I will use all available resources to locate the starship thief and bring him to justice, returning all ships possible to the Empire and to you.

- Why such a difficult path? — the Grand Admiral clarified. — The pirate already has certain obligations to me, and therefore, he will either return most of the starships to us, or he will become an object for the forces of retaliation. His guilt just increased exponentially. Why should I waste my already limited resources and resources if there is a high probability that the tracking device embedded in the cases with money and some of the credit plates will lead us to the attackers?

Trule - why? If the goal can be achieved in a simpler way...

Will he understand? Unlikely, but still worth a try.

— It's a matter of honor, sir, — Astarion decided to take a risk. — I couldn't finish the job nine years ago and I have to finish it now.

- To whom are you obliged, Lieutenant Colonel? - asked the Grand Admiral. - The Empire will receive these ships in any case - if they exist. Who and what do you want to prove?

— To yourself and the entire galaxy, sir, — the operative answered. — To prove that the Empire is not an empty phrase. Even though not the entire galaxy is loyal to us, the rest should know and understand - we remain a force to be reckoned with.

— That's it, — Thrawn said. And he said nothing more. His chair turned so that the blue-skinned sapiens could observe the outpost, near which three frigate-class starships were drifting.

It seems that the ships whose serial numbers were checked against the Imperial database by Lieutenant Tschel belong to those two Tartans that are drifting near the NL-1 outpost structure. The Lieutenant Colonel, like every other HMB officer, had heard rumors that the Grand Admiral intended to contact the criminal scum to add more ships to the fleet. And it looks like he succeeded. Most likely, these new ships were purchased from the same hijacker who deprived the Empire of an entire division of light starships nine years ago. Hutt, what an irony - buying back your own starships...

And at the same time - what a shame.

 — Should I order intelligence to hunt down Yazuo Vayne? - Pellaeon suggested.

— That's not necessary, — the Grand Admiral assured. - He was given specific conditions - we will give him a chance to fulfill the agreements. We have other strategic objectives. Follow the previous order.

— Yes, Admiral, — the star destroyer commander reported, turning to the watchmen. - Crew, attention! Prepare for the hyperjump!

The lieutenant colonel, not knowing where to go - he received the information, received information about the serial numbers of the units of the missing ships, received no new orders - continued to stand on the bridge, watching how the watchmen dexterously prepared the star destroyer for the journey. A few seconds later, the Chimera rushed forward, and the surrounding blackness of space, diluted with the sparkles of distant stars, turned into a white-blue haze of merging light lines - the hyperjump was completed.

While Captain Pellaeon continued to command his subordinates, summarizing the results of the ship's condition after the jump - the sacred duty of the commander of any starship - the lieutenant colonel continued to stand behind the back of the Grand Admiral's chair, admiring the lights of the jump. Fun fact: Astarion interacted with many of the high-ranking officials and officers of the Galactic Empire. But none of them would risk turning their backs on an Imperial Security Service officer. Not because it's impolite or anything. No, the ISB now doesn't care about violations of the clauses of various charters. The ISB is fighting for its existence.

For the first time in many years, the Imperial Ruling Council decided to end the feud between Imperial Intelligence and the ISB. Slowly but surely they sought to unite them into one structure subordinate to the Ubictorate. ISB operatives and intelligence agents also opposed, with mutual dislike for each other. In both structures there are not so many old, seasoned krayt dragons, hardened by years of service, doing their job and not caring about personal gain and ambitions. Unfortunately, the ISB has much less of such an asset - worthwhile employees - than the intelligence service. Therefore, it was not without reason that the Ubictorate intervened in the affairs of the IsB every now and then, demonstrating to them its power. And complete disregard.

No, in their heyday they did not turn their backs on ISB operatives for entirely different reasons. An ISB operative never misses a chance to backstab his enemy. "Hit. By any available means. Just hit. Hit. Everything done will benefit the Empire. Beat me - you are not subject to jurisdiction."

Such a simple idea was conveyed to the cadets by the instructors at the academies. It's just that from year to year the understanding of this phrase changed its interpretation. If the ISB veterans understood that any actions must serve the cause of the Empire - whatever they were, then the youth - operatives with less than ten years of work experience - believed that any of their actions were the service of the Empire. And there is a big difference between these two theses.

Imperial intelligence, led by the Isard family, knew and understood this difference, and therefore their agents were better prepared for the collapse of the system of power after the Battle of Endor. The ISB, whose role in the last decade before the death of Emperor Palpatine was reduced to punitive and intimidating operations, has lost its influence. When the regime falls, the first to go under the knife are those who served as the regime's punishing sword - the Jedi will not allow this thesis to be doubted.

And that's why it's painful to watch everything that's happening. Lieutenant Colonel Astarion dreamed in the depths of his soul that one day the ISB would return to its direct responsibilities - searching for and destroying enemies within the state. And not to political and contract killings and acts of intimidation, as is happening now.

Perhaps the renewal will be facilitated by Grand Admiral Thrawn, who is characterized as reasonable with a rational approach to the state of things. And where Imperial Intelligence turned up its nose at the non-human and carried out his orders through clenched teeth, the ISB can find its ally. Powerful - if Thrawn achieves victories.

Unfortunately, only few people in the ISB believed in the Grand Admiral's star.

He traveled to the Unknown Regions many years ago at the head of a small expedition. He returned completely alone. Where is the Star Destroyer he left the Galactic Empire on? What happened to the crew?

The most common version is that the Grand Admiral's skills are not as great as he is prescribed. He lost all the power that the Empire had entrusted to him for a mapping operation in the Unknown Regions. That's why he returned alone - to save his own skin. The escape of his flagship from four old rebel frigates in the Obroa-skai system only confirmed the opinion of the majority: Thrawn could not change anything. At best, he will prevent you from losing what you already have.

That is why the Imperial space is so poor in talent - everyone who is one way or another a professional in their field has long served either in the Pentastar Alignmant or died. A minority deserted and joined the New Republic.

But Astarion believed.

He believed that it was not without reason that a non-human became one of the grand admirals. He believed that everything that was happening - even the shameful flight - was part of a larger plan that would bring victory and the Empire would once again ascend to the pedestal, and its flags would fly above the magistrates of most sectors of the galaxy...

- How long have you been doing your job, Lieutenant Colonel? — the Grand Admiral suddenly asked.

Astarion was surprised. Who cares about work experience anyway?

— Twenty-four years, sir, — he said. — Twenty of them are in the fleet.

— Solid, — the Grand Admiral assessed. - What motivates you?

— Metabolism, sir, if you don't know what to answer, answer formally. If you don't understand the question, move the "arrows" to human physiology or something similar, simple, supposedly you understood the question literally. This is also taught at the academy. Just like pretending to be an idiot when you need to gain time to find a suitable answer and analyze information.

A chuckle was heard from behind the Grand Admiral. It seems that this intelligent guy found something funny in his words.

— Witty, Lieutenant Colonel, — the chair with the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Empire sitting in it turned so that Astarion could see the barely noticeable smiling face of the Grand Admiral. - I think we can work together.

— Of course, sir, — the Imperial Security Service officer replied according to regulations. How else could he respond to his senior in rank and position?

The Grand Admiral rose from his chair, still holding the stinking lizard in his hands.

— Let's go, Lieutenant Colonel, — he ordered. — We have a lot to talk about.

***

Mara watched the star destroyer disappear into the depths of hyperspace, and then turned, moving away from the helm.

She looked carefully at the man who was silently looking into the interstellar distance. There was rarely any detailed thoughtfulness on "Claw."

— The Imperials are gone, — she said. — We can return to the planet and pick up the cargo and our property left there.

After the second minute of silence, it began to seem to her that Karrde did not hear her at all. He didn't even move, continuing to look into the distance. His face continued to remain focused and calm. As if they had not been hiding in the crater of the only satellite of the planet Myrkr all the time while the Imperial shuttles were scurrying between the surface and the Star Destroyer.

— We will not return to Myrkr again, — he finally said. — Set course for the alternate base.

— Boss, — said Aves, sitting in the freighter's co-pilot's seat. — We leave a couple of million worth of goods...

— Nothing irreparable, — Karrde said with a sigh. — Better this than leading the Imperials straight to our warehouses. —

— I'm sure the Grand Admiral has something to do, — Jade said. — Chasing smugglers in Star Destroyers...

— Well, yes, — Aves chuckled. — These are not the prettiest days for the Empire to waste its strength like that.

— The Empire only pursues profit, — Karrde said, looking at Mara, which made the girl feel awkward. It looks like Talon continues to probe and suspect her. - They are not as interested in us as they would like.

- It's good, boss, that you didn't tell that blue-faced guy about the load of projectors...

The smuggler shut up as soon as Karrde looked at him with a suddenly hardened gaze.

— So, — the instinct, honed by years of work for the Emperor, again screamed at the top of its lungs. - Is there something I don't know?

— You know everything, — Karrde answered calmly.

— Everything I'm supposed to know, — Mara clarified provocatively. "Claw" gave her a long, attentive look, after which he nodded slightly. Mara looked at Aves. He smiled guiltily and hurried to bury his face in the devices that had suddenly become so attractive...

- Shall we talk? — Mara rose from her seat, looking "Claw" straight in the eyes. He nodded again, barely noticeably, but at the same time looked at Aves, after which he was the first to move out. Jade glanced quickly at the smuggler's assistant, but he, putting on a guilty and cheerful grimace on his face, hurried back to the instruments.

After she crossed the threshold of the wheelhouse, she forcefully slammed the hatch behind her so that Aves would not even think of eavesdropping. Pressing her back against the metal, she folded her arms across her chest and began to glare at Karrde with a pair of her emerald eyes.

— I don't like being taken for a fool, Karrde, — she said. - What's happening?

— We are escaping from Myrkr, — he answered simply. But he looked away. This means he is not comfortable looking into her eyes. Therefore, he feels guilty. Or it acts to her detriment. Simple logic based on knowledge of human psychology.

— That's not what we're talking about, — Mara said a little harsher. - You are hiding something from me.

— As would anyone in the organization, — Talon noted. — What's a smuggler without a couple of skeletons in his closet?

- Such skeletons that Aves knows about, but do you think that your right hand, that is, me, should not know these secrets? — Mara clarified, catching herself thinking that she was conducting an interrogation again. Not a dialogue, not asking questions, but interrogating Karrde. Just like she interrogated the presumptuous imperial governors. In a past life...

— Men have secrets that they can only entrust to other men, but not to beautiful ladies, — "Claw" smiled. But he immediately wilted, realizing that the advances had once again not worked on her.

- Does this relate to that conversation with Thrawn? — she clarified, coming from afar. — About your assistance to re... the New Republic in resolving issues with the transfer of the Star Destroyer to Booster Terrik?

— An interesting clause, — Karrde chuckled. — Only the Imperials call former rebels rebels.

- Do you see the imperial uniform on me? — Mara felt that her heart was beginning to beat faster.

— There are also former imperials, — noted "Claw." This time he looked at her. This means that now he no longer needs to try to look away - he has expressed what he feared. He suspects her of having ties to the Empire. The Hutt Grand Admiral awakened Talon's dormant curiosity.

— There are also dead imperials, — she said as indifferently as possible. — Shall we continue to list the physical states of the Imperials?

— Only those whom the imperial grand admirals know about, — judging by Karrde's tone, he went on the attack.

— You also fall into this category, — she said. — He flew straight to your personal base, which you considered your home.

— I arrived, knowing full well that I plan to make you my right hand — Talon continued to play his trump cards.

— And he talked about the fact that you are not as frank as you want to seem, — Mara did not remain in debt. — The way you shut up Aves only confirms Thrawn's words.

— Since when do you know the secret Imperial Grand Admirals by name? - Mara felt her throat constrict. No, Darth Vader is definitely dead. It's not him. This is her own physiology. This happened when she was on the verge of failure. But here she won't be caught lying.

— Ever since you called him by name when talking to the commander of an Imperial Star Destroyer, — she recalled the exact order of pronouncing the names on that ill-fated day. - Do you want to tell me why they know you by name? I think there is a certain connection. You help the New Republic solve problems with imperial star destroyers, after which a whole grand admiral comes to visit you for lizards, the properties of which you also know - and, most likely, only you, knows about your actions to promote me within your organization . And after his visit, you are so easily going to leave your base, all the goods on it, for which, by the way, there are good and solvent buyers, and immediately declare that the Empire is only interested in profit. I'm not talking about the fact that we were hiding on this moon for weeks before you couldn't wait for another Star Destroyer to arrive, load it up, and now you want to leave.

— The best defense is a good offence, — Karrde flashed his erudition. - Isn't it true, Mara?

— I'm not defending myself, — she lied. — I'm trying to understand why in the same month they trust me, I'm promoted, and after the promotion they stop trusting me. In an organization whose head at every step declares trust in his subordinates.

— So much has been said about trust, — "Claw" grinned. - Mara, you repeated everything yourself. Too many coincidences. On Thyferra, this was not the first nor the last time I helped the New Republic in solving complex material problems with the property of the Empire. But the appearance of the Grand Admiral on the same day when I intended to make you my right hand, and even the mention of this...

— Who else knew that you intended to promote me?- the girl asked.

— Only me, — he remarked. — This was not and is not even in my personal notes. So I have a question: how did Thrawn know about this? And why did everything happen right now? He has been in power in Imperial Space for almost a standard year and has only now appeared on Myrkr. And he needs ysalamiri. For what? What was all this talk about ships, trust, working for the Empire, helping the New Republic?

— Maybe you should have asked him more carefully? — Jade didn't show it, but noted the order in which Talon listed the key moments of communication with Thrawn. But the Grand Admiral called them in a completely different order. Talon spoke them from memory. In descending order of importance. And he put... ships in first place. What exactly does Karrde know about ships that makes him so worried about it? Some kind of secret? But which one? It is clear that Thrawn knew about this and shook Talon's composure. And the fact is, the hint was about warships - even though the Empire is now looking for starships to replenish its fleet, it is unlikely that the Chiss is so desperate that he would like to buy a couple of its modernized freighters from the Talon. So Karrde's secret has to do with warships.

Trust within the organization, that is? Oh well.

— It's unlikely that he would want to answer, — the man said. — Apparently, Thrawn simply "hit the area" in the hope of getting a reaction. Or he hoped to pit us against each other by catching someone in imaginary dishonesty.

— I can't say that he didn't succeed, — Mara thought. Karrde begins to wriggle out and change the topic of conversation. This means he definitely has something to hide. And he guesses that Mara understood this.

— You don't trust me, — she began to provoke again. - Otherwise, I would say that you have a load of projectors... I doubt that these are projectors for holovizors. Off the top of my head - deflector shield projectors?

— No, — answered the man.

— Well then, stop me when I guess, — Mara suggested. — Tractor beam projectors?

— Accurately noted, — the list of assumptions turned out to be short. — The New Republic, since the conclusion of the deal on Thyferra, has not been able, even on credit, to acquire half of what I had left after the disarmament of the star destroyer Virulence. Since the New Republic could not afford to buy all this from Terrik, I bought from him everything that could not remain on the Star Destroyer for ten million. To sell it at a profit to the New Republic. After all this time, the cargo is still at my base.

— I hope not on Myrkr? - Mara grinned.

— No, — Talon assured her. However, he didn't even try to smile, which indicated his seriousness. He didn't even try to pretend that he trusted her again.

— And that's all I'll hear after I discovered the beacons on your starships? — Jade asked bitterly. As she expected, Grand Admiral Thrawn is unable to resist the temptation to follow the smugglers whom he so masterfully tries to lead by the nose. A thorough search of the Talon's small fleet of spaceships, including its own flagship, the Wild Karrde, indicated that the Imperials had installed beacons capable of tracking objects even in hyperspace. After this, Karrde ordered absolutely everything to be abandoned at the base - goods, equipment, even personal belongings. The computers were cleaned and mechanically destroyed - no one wanted to test the Grand Admiral's sophistication in matters of surveillance. And the fact that Thrawn, for some reason, became interested in the Talon team was clear to everyone. But, apparently, only Mara and Talon himself knew that the reason was actually significant. And only one of them understood exactly how much. The second could only guess.

—I haven't decided yet whether I can trust you after everything that happened,— he finally said. Mara felt it became easier to breathe. It was as if someone had let go of her lungs, and for the first time in a long time she was able to take a deep breath. —But I'm grateful to you for your help in detecting the bugs. And for the plan to leave them on Myrkr to throw the Imperials off the trail. But... you are a smart woman and you must understand that the Grand Admiral started all these games only when you began to play a significant role in my organization. There is no need to even try to further understand you or look into your past to understand that you were somehow connected with the Empire. Incredibly highly connected. Thrawn came to Myrkr because of you. Perhaps he wanted to lure him away or something else.

—But still, I'm with you,— she noted, feeling how the strings that had just begun to strengthen that connected her to the "Claw" organization began to break. One by one.

—Which can be interpreted as an attempt to gain loyalty,—Talon said calmly, as if he was reading out a verdict to her. It became sad, even painful.

Familiar feeling. She felt the same way when she finally realized that the past was over. What is lost cannot be returned. But last time, when the Emperor died, she renounced her past life and thought it was forever. After all, who needs the former Hand of the Emperor when every first military leader is not worth the little finger of a deceased ruler? No, no one. It was more important for them to share what Palpatine created.

And she, naive, thought that she would still be sheltered in this small company, almost a family, which was run by "Claw". Did not work out.

Oddly enough, she wasn't even angry at Thrawn, who started it all. He simply saw an opportunity and took it. If Karrde had trusted Jade, truly trusted her as he claimed, he would not have succumbed so easily to provocation.

Or is it something else? What if Karrde is simply trying to get rid of him as a witness and living proof of his duplicity in relation to his much-vaunted "neutrality"?

This can be checked. Moreover, it is very simple.

—You wanted to know my past,— she had hundreds of legends, for all occasions. She could sacrifice any of them to preserve a place where she would be welcome. - I... am ready to tell...

—No need,— Karrde shook his head. — You had a lot of time to do this. Now none of this matters. Your reaction to Thrawn's appearance told me everything. Even Aves, and he is not lacking in strength, cannot tear the armrests off the chair carved from solid wood. And you did it. I'm grateful for a lot, Mara, for everything you've done for us...

He decided everything. And not at all now. It is possible that he was waiting here all this time, "hiding", but not at all in order to understand whether the Imperials would come after their beacons or not, as he told the crew. He wondered if he should get rid of her. Will she become a burden for his organization? Isn't she the very target that will allow Thrawn to strike the brainchild of the "Claw" himself?

And he made a decision. Not in her favor.

Suddenly Mara realized one simple truth.

Only the Emperor really needed her. Only he cared for her, taught her, gave her a goal in life. For Karrde, and for Thrawn as well, she was and is just a resource. But at least the Grand Admiral did not hide this from those around him. He spoke clearly and to the point. And in this his frankness was somewhat akin to the Emperor's attitude towards Jade.

There was no trust for Karrde. For nobody. He only has what he loves, a vaunted reputation for which he fights, and credit cards. Nothing that could in any way confirm his frankness.

She was just wishful thinking.

—...You have done a lot for us, Mara,—Karrde continued just as quietly. — I'm ready to take you to any planet in the galaxy. The payment will be according to your merits - in any currency you name. But...

— I understand," she said. - Then our paths diverge.

— I'm very sorry," the fake warmth and care that had conquered her in the past appeared in his voice. - But you must understand - I cannot risk my business and my people. Even if I'm wrong.

Yes, of course you can't. After all, you even put "business" first. And only then - his subordinates and associates.

— There's no need for a touching parting, Karrde,— she smiled through her strength. —I'm a grown girl, I'll survive. Business comes first.

—I knew that you would understand,— he still didn't realize that he had just admitted his hypocrisy. Maybe, of course, now she is expressing anger, rage, disappointment, and she is not thinking soberly, however... Maybe he realized that she saw through him and decided that there was no point in pretending anymore.

—I'm a quick-witted girl,— she reminded. —Well, I don't think you have time to travel around the galaxy with a potential spy on board. If possible, drop me off on Myrkr. No money needed. Would you mind if I moved into your base and took the rest of the junk for myself?

—Of course,—agreed "Claw." —But I think you're owed more than what's left there...

—Let's chalk it up to the difference in exchange rates,— she couldn't help herself. The venom of sarcasm continued to pour out of her as quickly as possible. - And yes, you don't need to descend to the planet for my sake. I'll use the escape capsule. If you don't mind, I'll go pack my things. If you want, you can watch so that there is no doubt that I took something extra or, on the contrary, left it.

—No need,— "Claw" stunned her. — While we were talking, the guys had already done everything.

—Promptly,— Mara praised.

—You don't have that much stuff,— Talon said, stepping aside and inviting her to walk away from the Wild Karrde's wheelhouse. — We took the decks and chips, you understand - there is information related only to my organization. Mara, I'm really, really sorry...

"I don't care," she thought coldly. She survived Palpatine's death, and will survive this.

—Me too,— she agreed, following to the escape capsule compartment.

Karrde, like a bantha beaten by a tusken, walked heavily behind her, as if he was escorting her not only from the ship, but also from his life.

As she boarded the rescue capsule, all members of the crew of the Wild Karrde, without exception, watched. Some with indifference, some with confusion, some with outright misunderstanding. There was only anger and triumph on their faces. And this is good.

And there is nothing to condemn her for. She did not betray anyone by joining their organization.

Nobody but yourself and your essence.

A few minutes later, when the Wild Karrde entered orbit above the base on Myrkr, Mara shot the capsule and it carried it down.

To the green jungle of the planet. To a tiny clearing with several modules and warehouses around the perimeter.

Towards the future.

***

—How well do you understand the internal affairs of the fleet, Lieutenant Colonel? — I asked, sitting down at the work console in my apartment.

—I don't understand the question, sir,—he did not deny. Sincerity on the part of an Imperial Security Service operative is worth a lot.

—Your line of work is the fleet,— I recalled his own words. — How deep is your knowledge of the life of the services that provide the functionality of the Empire's starships? His story, for example?

—No more than a hobby,— he said. — I concentrate on the current activities of my work, analyzing the prerequisites and the result to which they led.

Not exactly what I wanted to hear from him, but better than nothing.

—Well, perhaps you can clarify for me that piece of information that was received from the intelligent one who provided us with two Tartan-class starships, — I suggested, turning to the computer and displaying the relevant information on the computer screen, and from there on the holoprojector .

— This is a list of Executor-class Star Destroyers built by the Empire in previous years,— I explained, pointing to holograms of thirteen wedge-shaped starships. —The fate of each of them is clear to one degree or another. However, I learned that before the start of my campaign, several months ago, a group of imperial military personnel fled from Anaxis. They took with them a super star destroyer, as well as many secret developments, including large naval reserves, not to mention significant tactical formations of ships. Do you know anything about this fact?

—Yes, sir,— confirmed the ISB operative.

—Perhaps you will bother to name the reason why there is no mention of this fact in the reports in the archives of the IBS, the Ubiqtorate or the Imperial Intelligence,— I said, without taking my eyes off the lieutenant colonel. - Just a short mention that the forces of the Imperial Navy were destroyed in the sectors of the Core Worlds.

—Yes, sir,— nodded the lieutenant colonel. — Data about this fact are classified by order of the Imperial Ruling Council.

- For what reason? - I asked.

The lieutenant colonel did not answer immediately. As if he was wondering whether he had the right to disclose secret information to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

—There was a betrayal and the entire fleet of the sectoral army "Azure Hammer" deserted,— he finally decided to confess.

—I want to hear all the details,— the logic of this demand is simple: if it is decided to "hush up" some fact, to erase it from official reports, then the situation is extremely lousy. Someone is trying to hide certain facts.

—After the rebels captured the Imperial Center, our presence in the Core Worlds and Sector One,— as Coruscant and the entire sector in which the capital planet was located, was designated in military documents, "our presence in this region remained strong," the lieutenant colonel explained. "After Grand Admiral Oswald Teshik was killed, command of the Azure Hammer Sectoral Army passed to Admiral Feyet Kiez, who held the flag on the Executor-class Super Star Destroyer Wheln.

—I have not seen information about this ship in the list of those built by Kuat or Fondor,— I noted.

— After our defeat in the Yavin system nine years ago, by special order of the Emperor, measures were applied to a number of army and navy units to conceal information,—the lieutenant colonel explained. - Any mention of the number of units, their composition, the identities of the commanders and military personnel performing their duty to the Empire in those places were cleaned up from all possible archives. Which should have only strengthened opposition to rebel spies. After the Emperor's death at Endor, the Director of Imperial Intelligence, Ysanne Isard, ordered another purge. Her order was partially carried out - in those sectors that in one way or another depended on Coruscant or the Madam Director herself had influence on their leadership. The Azure Hammer, based on Anaxes, was subject to similar directives, but was not directly under Isard's command. Actually, that's why you won't find any mention of the Tide, or more than fifty starships - from star destroyers and battle cruisers to a number of super star destroyers, under the command of Admiral Feyet Kiez. Last year, the admiral and all combat-ready ships under his command disappeared without a trace, effectively leaving Anaxis and the entire Sector One without the strength to resist. The commandant of Anaxis, Admiral Osted Wermis, capitulated to the rebels, in fact presenting them with the base and all the warehouses as a "gift" to ensure his loyalty. This step allowed the rebels to strengthen their power in the Central Worlds and flaunt the situation, declaring that the Empire had weakened so much that even experienced commanders would go into their service without a fight. The Imperial Ruling Council ordered counter-propaganda to reduce the demoralization of the military's morale. It was announced that the rebels had destroyed Admiral Kiez's entire fleet and taken Anaxes by assault. This happened last year, some time before you appeared in Imperial Space and took command of the fleet. Already this year, several months ago, it became known that some commanders of ships or formations in the Imperial Remnants also deserted, disappearing without a trace.

— Apparently the counter-propaganda didn't really work if every common pirate knows that Keyes and his fleet fled and were not destroyed,— I noted.

— The idea of ​​the action was good, but the performers did not coordinate their actions. Both the ISB and Imperial Intelligence worked simultaneously. As a result, conflicting information appeared about the timing of the incident. This discrepancy led to the truth basically coming out,— Astarion explained.

—And since then there has been no news from Admiral Kiez and his starships? - I clarified.

— No, sir,— confirmed the lieutenant colonel.

— About the last deserters?

- Nothing, sir. I assume that they went to the warlords Teradok, Harrsk, Delvardus and Moff Foga Brill, who were based in the Deep Core.

Bad. Very bad.

Surely they all serve the Reborn Emperor. And consequently, his fleet became even larger. The Executor-class Super Star Destroyer alone is equivalent in firepower to an entire fleet...

Not to mention the fact that now at least there is an understanding of the erasure of information. I could swear I remember that among the current members of the Imperial Ruling Council there are henchmen of Palpatine's clone who will join him in service if they have not already done so. Palpatine's agents, as I thought, ensured the secret existence of his armada.

And, considering that Isanne Isard was rumored to be Palpatine's mistress and made certain "movements" in the events known to me only because of appeasing the clone of the Emperor, whom she hoped to get close to, having regained control of "Lusankya", the reason for her participation in all this becomes clear .

So, there is at least one more "Executor". And it is in the hands of those whom I don't even want to come within gunshot of. Or not alone?

—Lieutenant Colonel,— I turned to the man. — Do you or anyone else have information about how many ships Admiral Kiez had at his disposal and what types?

—Unfortunately, no, sir,— the ISB operative upset me. — The investigation of this fact turned out to be difficult. All that has been revealed so far is that all the research projects and experimental prototypes located on Anaxis were stolen by defectors. And also a strategic reserve of stygium available in the planet's storage facilities.

— I believed that all the stygium in the galaxy was destroyed because I went to build the Terror superstar destroyer,— I declare, although I understand that this is not so. After all, one of the military leaders in the Deep Core was building his own "Executor" with stealth technologies.

—Most of the Empire's armed forces thought so,— Astarion confirmed. - It turned out a little differently.

Not good.

— Well, thank you for your frankness, Lieutenant Colonel, — I said. — You indicated that there were several missing defectors. The names of the others are known.

—Absolutely, sir,— Astarion answered affirmatively. — One of them, for example, was Admiral Inos Fonada, responsible for the Vatha sector. He had an entire fleet of Star Destroyers at his disposal, in the process of being either repaired or under construction - they disappeared along with the second-class shipyards. Their whereabouts are also unknown.

Orbital shipyards of the second class, or type, are huge metal gratings capable of accepting starships of the Star Destroyer class for repair in their sections. But, unlike first-class shipyards, they could not only repair damage, but also build ships. Moreover, it can be done very quickly if there are suitable and qualified personnel, a source of supply and money for this.

I am sure that the Reborn Emperor has no problem with any of the conditions. He would not have locked himself on a secret planet if there had not been a sufficient amount of resources, technical specialists of the appropriate categories, and money. After all, were there monstrous World Devastators built somewhere that would let the New Republic know where the Jedi were spending the winter?

— It was a meaningful conversation,— I said. Colonel Astarion continued to stand at attention in front of me. Having extinguished the hologram above his head, I pondered for several seconds whether it was worth collaborating with this sentient in the future.

On the one hand, he is clearly trying to gain sympathy, taking advantage of the opportunity to show erudition and service zeal. However, we should not forget that he is an ISB officer. But you can't trust these people. Moreover, it is harmful to health. Although he has a sense of honor, both personal and that of the Empire, this old-school rancor can help or harm.

It is necessary to test his loyalty by using him to the maximum to achieve short-term goals. Therefore, to begin with, it must be removed out of sight from the ship in order to minimize its impact on the crew.

— I will have a task for you, Lieutenant Colonel,— I finally decided.

— Yes, sir, — he answered according to the regulations.

— At the moment, the Empire needs to carry out a series of military operations aimed at the effectiveness of the first part of my plan, the details of which the HMB officer does not need to know at all. — Tell me, are you well versed in the history of the confrontation between the Old Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems?

- Superficially, sir, - and again - revealing frankness. —It happened during my youth, a lot has already been forgotten.

—In that case, I'll refresh your memory,— oh, how long I tried to remember at least some names and titles associated with this episode of the animated series "The Clone Wars." — About twenty-nine years ago, a Republican strategic conference was held at a station in the Carida system. The Separatists attempted to disrupt it by ramming the station with a captured Venator-class Star Destroyer controlled by droids. If they had succeeded, then a significant part of the top leadership of the military machine of the Republic would have died, and how events unfolded in the future is impossible to predict.

—I seem to remember something like that,— Astarion said, frowning. - Yes exactly. The Star Destroyer was called Renown. It was filled with explosive cargo. Rhydonium, if my memory serves me correctly. This episode was analyzed during my studies at the academy. During the fight against Warlord Zsinj, the New Republic used similar tactics to damage his Super Star Destroyer, the Iron Fist.

— That's right,— I agreed, internally rejoicing that the lieutenant colonel himself remembered the name of the substance. Because I didn't succeed. — Do you know what rhydonium is?

- Explosives, sir? — suggested the HMB operative.

— And this quality of hers is just as interesting,— I said. — But first of all, it's fuel. Quite explosive, as you noticed. Therefore, few people use it - both in the past and now. But it is extremely effective. With small volumes it allows engines to operate for a long time. I need this fuel. Find information about where rhydonium was mined during the Clone Wars. I am placing at your disposal the Victory-class Star Destroyer Steel Aurora. Captain Kalian and his crew will provide you with all the necessary assistance.

— Thank you for your trust, sir, — the ISB operative clicked his heels.

— In a certain sense, we are running out of time, Lieutenant Colonel,— I said. — I need rhydonium as soon as possible and in the maximum possible quantity. Its presence will provide us with a positive outcome of the planned operation. His absence will be an irreparable loss. I hope it's clear how high expectations are placed on you?

— Yes, sir,— Astarion said clearly, but without unnecessary pathos. - I will do my duty.

— I don't doubt it, — I nodded. - Start immediately. As soon as we arrive at the base of operations, I need preliminary results.

- Yes, sir.

— Go ahead, — I allowed.

The "security guy" turned sharply over his left shoulder and almost walked out of my apartment.

After sitting for some time in silence and solitude, I thought about how interesting the vicissitudes of fate are.

Throw me into the body of a brilliant (compared to other mediocrity) strategist, but without his knowledge. Presented with a choice - to make sure that the New Republic is "invigorated" by Thrawn's campaign and is in a more combat-ready state by the time the Reborn Emperor appears, or to go through it with a steam roller, using afterthoughts. Put him on his knees or play giveaway - that is the question.

It's not difficult to lose—it's enough to do nothing.

Winning is also not very burdensome - in the Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn, almost a visual aid is written on the topic "How to put the New Republic in a knee-elbow position." And given the knowledge that the Grand Admiral did not have, it is easy to avoid his mistakes or reduce them to at least a "draw."

And all just because I have neither the strength nor the faith that anyone other than the New Republic can stop Palpatine. Belief in the Skywalker "story armor". Which should not be touched yet.

However... Hmm...

Win now but lose with the start of Emperor Palpatine's Resurrection campaign, or lose now so the New Republic can win and a madman doesn't rule the galaxy... How often do I ask myself these questions. And I don't find a clear answer.

On the one hand, why should I sacrifice decent "starting conditions" of Thrawn's campaign so that the New Republic can defeat Palpatine? So that this strange "uncle" does not create evil and genocide.

On the other hand, what will it matter to me if I'm dead? And death is the only thing that will prevent Palpatine from reaching me and gutting my knowledge like the guts of a dead rabbit. No, I can't get to Palpatine alive. I know too much - even if it is at the level of grains of memories like the same rhydonium.

No, we cannot allow one to strengthen and the others to fall apart. So that everything doesn't completely fall apart.

But why don't I give a damn about what will happen to the galaxy if Palpatine wins? Firstly, because a madman will commit genocide - as he did in the events known to me. There is nothing holding him back anymore, because he has an overwhelming amount of weapons. Secondly, because I am not a supporter of mass bloodshed if it can be avoided. Analysts do not hire those who base their activities on an indifferent attitude towards losses on their part and casualties among the civilian population. As far as I remember, Thrawn was also disgusted by such a concept - he knew how and got by with little blood. If I go over my head, it will turn my close associates and subordinates away from me.

However, why don't I use all my knowledge to the fullest now, so that if I die, then at least with music. At the same time, I'll give the New Republic a good beating. Or maybe Imperial Remnants...

But why puff yourself up if your fate is unenviable? After all, there are only two options - die or surrender to voluntary vivisection...

Or not?!

I leaned forward, opening a file on the computer. How likely is it that it is possible to walk along the edge of a knife, so skillfully as not to cut off everything possible?

It is extremely small, in essence, because this will require a lot of resources so that the mosquito does not undermine the nose. But it's only those who don't try that fail, right? It's not just that I thought about rhydonium! While I was reflecting, my brain was throwing up puzzle pieces in order to combine them into one picture.

Combine now.

It took a significant amount of time to transfer memories and thoughts from my head onto "paper". There is a semblance of a global plan. This is already good.

The only bad thing is that the scale of the campaign, both main and superficial, does not allow me to take personal part in them. Consequently, I will have to shift part of the operations, and a significant one at that, onto the shoulders of my subordinates. Who cannot be trusted with the full picture of the plan. And even more so, it is impossible to report that Palpatine is being reborn in the Deep Core.

We will have to use them "in the dark," carefully masking the true state of affairs and the "double bottom" of the tasks assigned to them. This will be very difficult. I will have to think about every step. Defeat means death. But I want to live, I love, and this feeling is mutual.

So, I'll have to do everything I can.

All that remains is to do everything with precision so that everything turns out as it should. And then... Is victory guaranteed? Perhaps - but you still have to try. But, if you do everything as it should, as intended...

Everything should work out.

The main thing is to place all the necessary pieces on the chessboard at the right time and in the right places. When the plan begins to come to fruition...

It will be artistic.

***

It didn't take her long to unload her belongings from the escape pod. Just one small bag.

And it doesn't take long to carry it to the nearest residential module. In her time, she learned a lot, including piloting. Including rescue capsules. Therefore, her landing took place on the borders of the old camp.

Despite the passage of time since leaving the base, there was not even a hint that anyone had been here: neither animals nor people. Everything is the same as they left it - locked warehouses, locked residential modules, the camouflage net not properly stretched...

Jade carefully examined the entrance door to one of the storage modules. There are no signs of forced entry. Great. There are not even hints of surprises, such as a mine or a tripwire. Also good.

No matter why the Imperials flew to the planet again, they were not at the base.

Having opened the door with a code known to her, the girl instantly stepped aside to avoid a surprise like a rapid-fire automatic blaster, which could be placed here for the simple desire to cause mischief.

Silence. It looked like there really was no one here.

The girl entered the module, throwing her bag on the shelf of one of the racks. She looked around. Containers, containers, containers... Various markings, but the contents were the least of their worries.

It took several hours before the frail-looking red-haired woman was able to move the large rectangular boxes so that the far side of the module was sealed off from the entrance. If necessary, such a barricade will delay the attackers for some time. The girl used the tool to open a box labeled "Camping Equipment." She pulled out the contents from there.

She spent a few more minutes setting up her sleeping place and heating it - it gets cool here at night. I unpacked several packed rations and decided on a menu for dinner. And only after that she moved to the door dividing the warehouse with a semicircular roof into two halves.

There were also containers in the second part, and it took time to arrange them properly - to make it difficult to move from the second entrance door on the opposite side of the module. If someone wants to attack her, taking her in pincers, he will have to work hard.

And only after she, according to all the canons of operational work, had set up a lair for herself and took care of its safety, she left the module, taking with her a blaster and a light snack.

Launched installations that repel insects and other living creatures. She supplied power to the stationary base generator, providing herself with constant energy. Did some magic on the living modules to create the impression that there was someone inside. Of course, this will not deceive the scanners, but for reliable reconnaissance it will be necessary to cross the perimeter of the base - and it will be notified about this in advance.

Using a residential module for its intended purpose is stupid. Any reasonable person who wants to attack an empty base would head here first. That's why she settled in the warehouse - they would be the last thing to rob or capture, after they dealt with the supposed contingent of the base. This means, if necessary, she will have time to react and escape.

A little later, she will check whether there are any missile boats left in camouflaged parking lots in the forests - her route to the intended retreat. In the meantime, will place several wireless holocameras and set up broadcasts from them to one of the found decks. This way she will be able to monitor everything on the territory and near the perimeter of the base, without even leaving the warehouse.

It was starting to get dark. It's time to return to your hole.

But first, Mara wandered around the base, collecting all the discovered beacons - devices similar to metal rounds. She needed a soundboard, a comlink, and a portable power source. Having collected all this in her lair, the girl rolled there a small barrel of water, which would last for several weeks if used sparingly. And only after all this, in complete silence, she began to work, having previously locked the doors.

Karrde used her and threw her away as an unnecessary thing. It's hard to blame him for this, especially in their crazy world. She held no grudge and had no intention of seeking revenge.

She disassembled absolutely all the beacons. It took a small coil of wiring to properly connect the spy devices to the network and connect the power source.

Whoever is watching Myrkr now, and he is guaranteed to be watched - Thrawn is not one of those who let things take their course - he has now noticed the cessation of the work of several beacons at once. But at the same time, one of them returned to fulfilling his task after some time. And at the same time, the content of his coded message changed.

Along with a set of coordinates indicating the location of the beacon, a new set of words, previously not provided by the manufacturer, was now sent, which at first glance have nothing in common. But at the same time, there is an established sequence that any on-board computer of the Empire can easily decipher. And immediately after that, the ship will arrive. Most likely, it will be the same "Chimera" - it is unlikely that the Grand Admiral will be so stupid as to tell anyone its secret. The Emperor's Hand is not a category of assets that will walk to the line and engage in footwork. They don't tell every first subordinate about this.

Is she right in trying to return to the Empire? After all, this is far from the same state that she served under Palpatine. For all his strengths and weaknesses, Thrawn is not the Emperor at all. And he's not even close.

The Chiss is a warlord, a commander, but not a politician. He did not and does not have that charm, charisma and ability to masterfully fight in the political field. That's why Palpatine sent him to the Unknown Regions - to protect him from political games at court, which could cost Thrawn not only his career, but also his life.

However, his words about restoring the Empire, more just and efficient than Palpatine's state, sank into the girl's soul.

She has nothing left to lose.

Everything that could be lost is lost. But she was no longer going to drag out a miserable existence. Continue to look for yourself in the business of smugglers, too. Karrde didn't just kick her out of his organization—his suspicions would soon become known to the entire smuggling community. From now on, her path to this world is closed.

Mara once again went through her memory and sorted out the conversation with Karrde. This time she was hooked on Karrde's revelations that he had Empire property left in his vaults.

Valuable information. If it's not a trap.

She remembered the nod of her head to Aves. Karrde's saying that her things were collected during their conversation. That is, he knew in advance that he would say goodbye to her, but he talked about what, thanks to which Thrawn could continue the hunt for him... Or he left a false tip at the end, which would lead Thrawn aside, forcing him to look for property, and not unknown combatants ships whose existence Karrde continued to hide?

However, shouldn't bother head with these questions now. There is plenty of time ahead of her to think about what exactly what "Claw" said is true and what is not.

Having placed her communication craft away from the sleeping place, the girl checked the signal traps that she had placed around the perimeter, once again made sure that the surveillance systems were working as necessary, and only then fell into a light sleep.

P.S. So, should I highlight direct speech using dashes or quotation marks?

P.P.S Leave comments. I'd like to read them.