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General Ba'kif sighed. He was not looking forward to this particular conversation. At all. It had been a trying day. Hell, it had been a trying few weeks. A time where Command and the Syndicure should have been elated, or if not elated then at least quietly relieved. But of course, Chiss politics being as it was, things were never straightforward. Or perhaps they were, just not in the way Ba'kif liked them to be.
His fingers drummed on the table as he looked through his office window. Curse that Syndicure! Didn’t they realize how close they all had come to the edge? And that it had mostly been their fault. Their constant power play and vying for positioning had made them blind to the bigger picture. And now, instead of embracing what had happened at Sunrise and using it as a force for meaningful change they were united in reactionary conservatism.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. That was wishful thinking and would serve no-one. Asking the Syndicure to change was the same as asking Csilla’s sun to re-ignite. If only he had had more time, then he could have called in Ar’alani - and Thrawn - and together they would have come up with a plan that would have been as watertight as possible. And in keeping with the Syndicure’s wishes.
But of course that was the problem. There hadn’t been time. And it had to have been Thrawn who saw through the Grysks’ plans, not Ar’alani or anyone else with a modicum of tact. Or sense of self-preservation. And now he, Ba'kif, was left with this mess.
And with perfect timing a buzz from his door announced that it was time to deal with it.
He straightened his back and sat back in his chair.
“Enter,” he called.
The door slid open and Senior Captain Thrawn slowly walked in. He looked around Ba'kif’s office as if looking for someone.
“Were you expecting anyone else, Senior Captain?” Ba'kif asked with a slight frown.
“Actually, I was, General,” Thrawn replied softly before stopping in front of Ba'kif’s desk.
“I was half expecting to be placed under arrest.” He looked at the General briefly before lowering his eyes to the floor.
“Unless you wish to do so in private of course.”
Ba'kif suppressed the urge to roll his eyes but at the same time he was relieved. This was going to make the conversation a lot easier. Not less painful, but easier.
“”Believe me, Senior Captain, there are times when I do have that urge. But now is not one of them. Take a seat. We have much to discuss. I am afraid you are partially correct. There are people who insist the warrant for your arrest is still active. It is not, of course, but that doesn’t stop them from pestering me.”
“I am sorry I am causing you additional work, I am sure you have enough on your plate as it is,” Thrawn conceded.
“You have no idea,” Ba'kif huffed. “But then if it wasn’t for you my problems would be a lot larger. All our problems.”
Thrawn looked past Ba'kif and for a moment he looked a lot older than his years. Older, and tired. “If there had been any other way, General, I would have taken it. I have been reviewing the facts as they were known to me at the time and have been asking myself if there was anything I missed. Anything I should have done differently.”
He paused and looked back at Ba'kif.
“With the benefit of hindsight I can now think of several things but I am unable to see how I could have known at the time. I knew my actions would have consequences and I was - I am - fully prepared to face them.”
Ba'kif raised his eyebrows. “I can sense a but…”
Thrawn nodded. “Yes. After my return to Ascendancy space I noticed that most of the ships that joined me at Sunrise, most notably Admiral Ar’alani’s, were not in their customary position.”
“Yes,” Ba'kif said. “It has been decided to give several of the crews shore leave and a time to recover and rest.”
“And keep their commanders away from their posts?” Thrawn asked.
Ba'kif sighed. So Thrawn had seen through that. Not surprising.
“In effect, yes. The Syndicure is not sure whom they can trust.”
“The Syndicure?” Thrawn repeated and frowned. “They have no jurisdiction over matters of the fleet. On paper at least. Are you saying that they are considering charges against them?”
Ba'kif didn’t answer immediately. “I am not sure. Some of the syndics as well as several of the patriarchs believe our actions at Sunrise were completely unwarranted and an unprovoked attack outside of Ascendancy space.”
Thrawn looked down.
“I presume that group includes the Mitth Patriarch?”
Ba'kif thought back to the young student he had observed all those years ago. The young man from Rentor with so much promise. He had wanted to claim him for the Stybla. But as a newly minted General he was deeply aware that this could have been viewed as favoritism towards his own family. And Patriarch Thooraki had been undeterred by Vurawn’s potential flaws. Had viewed them favorably in fact. So Ba'kif had informed the Mitth and the Mitth had claimed Thrawn. Perhaps it would not have turned out so bad if the man responsible for assessing Vurawn had been anyone else but Thurfian. But then who could have known that it was him who would eventually succeed Thooraki? Certainly not the old Patriarch.
Ba'kif nodded slowly.
“Yes, I am afraid it does. I have had long… conversations with Patriarch Thurfian. His views are that everyone who ventured out to Sunrise before Admiral Dy’lothe joined you bears full responsibility.”
Thrawn didn’t speak for several seconds.
“This is the one thing I now realise I failed at,” He said at last. “My loyalty is to the Chiss. All of the Chiss. But I now see that I failed to understand that not all see it that way. Or that they interpret their own service to the Ascendancy differently.”
He looked at Ba'kif and there was true regret in his eyes.
“I don’t know how - I am told my political skills are severely lacking - but I should have made more of an effort with my own Patriarch.”
“Stop it, Senior Captain!” Ba'kif barked. “You said yourself, these things are obvious in hindsight. And while I don’t think you are as hopeless in the political arena as some say, what you suggest would have been a very difficult task for anyone. It is your Patriarch who should have made more of an effort. Did he ever call you into his office to discuss your performance since he rose to his current rank?”
“Well-”
“Because I can tell you that he certainly never spoke up in your favor in all that time. Or previously. And while your methods can be quite… unconventional,” Ba'kif bore his eyes into Thrawn’s. “Nobody can question your loyalty to the Ascendancy. You could do with some guidance, Senior Captain. But Patriarch Thurfian certainly never gave you any.”
Ba'kif closed his eyes and reclined back into his chair.
“Officially, I have never said that of course.”
“Of course,” Thrawn nodded with the hint of a sad smile.
“Still, the situation remains as it is. Does Fleet Command wish to punish everyone who was at Sunrise?”
“They don’t want to. Nor should they. It is absurd. But…” He looked away. “They might not have a choice. Things are difficult at the moment. Errors were made. Serious errors of judgment by senior members of several families. And the Defense Fleet had to come to the rescue.”
Thrawn looked taken aback.
“Is that not its purpose?” He asked.
In Spite of everything, Ba'kif had to suppress a smile. Of course Thrawn would not understand.
“It is. But it is not supposed to embarrass the Syndicure.”
“We did not intend-”
“I know that, Senior Captain,” Ba'kif interrupted him. “And frankly, I think individually, so do the Syndics. But when it comes to a choice between admitting they made a mistake-” He rolled his eyes. “Let’s be honest, many mistakes. If it comes to a choice between that or finding a suitable scapegoat then they will opt for that. And your fleet is now squarely in their sights.”
“My fleet…” Thrawn repeated softly. “It wasn’t my fleet. I had hoped others would join of course, but-”
“Oh will you please stop that. You asked, they came. And they followed your command. That makes them your fleet. If we were in a different universe I would now congratulate you for your much deserved promotion.” He grimaced. “As it stands...”
Thrawn looked at him calmly.
“Thank you. That means a lot. Irrespective of what others decide.”
Ba'kif turned to the window again. Now they were coming to the painful part of the meeting. Not that everything so far had been easy. There was one option he saw that would minimize the damage, keep the Syndicure happy and allow them all to move on. All, that is, except Thrawn. And he already knew what the Senior Captain would say.
“The Syndicure is out for blood. But we cannot afford to lose some of our best commanders just to satisfy their overblown egos. I have conferred with Fleet Command. They currently see no way to sway the Syndicure’s feelings and we need them to approve some of the budget changes that have to be made following Sunrise.”
He looked at Thrawn. The Senior Captain gave him a wry smile.
“So was I correct and you are going to arrest me after all?”
Ba'kif forced himself to meet Thrawn’s eyes.
“You are the only one that can prevent this disaster, prevent us from having to demote or remove our most experienced command teams. Sunrise was your plan. The others followed you. They were serving the Ascendancy by tempering your actions.”
“Is this what your official report says?” Thrawn asked quietly.
“Yes,” Ba'kif said and he was surprised at how normal his voice sounded. His insides were burning with acid.
Thrawn nodded.
“Then this is indeed what happened. If you are certain it will allow Admiral Ar’alani and the others to remain in post.”
“It should,” Ba'kif said. “The Syndicure will look the other way provided we give them a big enough scalp.”
“And is my demotion big enough?” Thrawn asked. He narrowed his eyes when he saw Ba'kif’s expression. “It is not, is it?”
“No, it won’t do. Not this time,” Ba'kif sighed. And hated himself. Hated how easy Thrawn was making this for him. Because it had all been arranged and decided already.
Earlier this day he had sat with the council of elders and discussed his plan. He had hoped that throwing Thrawn out of the Defense Fleet would be sufficient to calm their anger. It was not. As soon as he made the suggestion he could see it in Thurfian’s face. That man smelled blood. He had been after Thrawn for years and now, when it would have been his duty as the man’s patriarch to look out for him, he was the one wielding the ax.
“What good would it do to simply remove him from the fleet, General?” Thurfian had asked. “We all know he would be employed in an unofficial capacity, perhaps even made a civilian advisor. No, that won’t do.”
Ba'kif had feared it would come to this. But he wouldn’t have got to where he was if he wasn’t prepared to make painful decisions.
“In that case, your Venerante,” He continued, careful not to let any of his distaste show on his face, “we should ensure that Mitth’raw’nuruodo will not be in a position to take up any such role.”
The look of satisfaction on Thurfian’s face had sent chills down Ba'kif’s back.
He forced himself back to the here and now.
“If there was another way, I would name it. But if we want to ensure the fleet is as strong as it can be this is our only option.”
Again, Thrawn nodded. “If I understand you correctly, my fate is sealed either way. It only remains to decide whether others follow me or not. And as that would be wasteful and the Ascendancy can ill afford it, I will agree to your proposal.”
“You have not heard what it is, yet,” Ba'kif reminded him.
“It does not matter,” Thrawn said and this time Ba'kif could detect a hint of bitterness in the other’s voice.
“I trust your judgment. You have helped me throughout my career and I am well aware I have not always made it easy for you.”
The two men briefly shared a wry smile at that.
Ba'kif’s face turned serious once more before he held Thrawn’s gaze.
“You will be exiled.” There, he had said it at last.
Thrawn paled. “I see. How soon?”
“You don’t object?” Ba'kif frowned.
“I already said I would agree. I stand by my word. Please don’t make it more painful by giving me the illusion of an option,” Thrawn said quietly and this time there was no denying the agony behind his words.
“You will be sentenced soon after your hearing and a few days after that they want you gone.”
Thrawn looked out of the window again.
“The sentencing. Where will it take place?”
“The small council chamber,” Ba'kif replied and he realised that it was now abundantly clear the whole matter had already been decided.
Thrawn closed his eyes briefly.
“Does it have to be public?”
Ba'kif’s stomach turned to acid again. He had tried hard to make the whole matter informal. Behind closed doors. Alas.
“I’m afraid so,” he said. “It will be quick. You won’t be wearing restraints. You walk in, you listen, you leave. That’s it.”
Thrawn met his eyes and gave him a sad smile. “I can do that. I have fought Yiv the Benevolent and Jixtus of the Grysk. Facing a few old men will be simple.”
Ba'kif was not sure what to say and was surprised when Thrawn spoke once more.
“I have a suggestion, if I may. About my exile.”
Ba'kif raised his eyebrows. “Go ahead.”
“How permanent is it?” Thrawn asked.
Ba'kif was taken aback. “It is my understanding that exiles are permanent.That is the point of them. Especially this particular case.”
Thrawn nodded and narrowed his eyes. “I understand but what if there was a reason to… reduce it.”
“Such as?” Ba'kif asked, now growing suspicious. Had Thrawn anticipated this outcome? Or was he just that quick in accepting the inevitable?
“You realize, General,” Thrawn continued. “That this places me in the position of being outside of Ascendance space and more importantly outside of Ascendancy jurisdiction. So I would be able to act independently.”
“Senior Captain, in case it was not clear. Your exile is with the express intent that you are unable to return. You will be placed on an uninhabited planet, not inside an alien spaceport.”
“I realize that, General,” Thrawn said. “But what if I were to be, ah, found.” His eyes glowed. “By just the right people.”
Ba'kif closed his eyes and his face turned unreadable. Unbelievable. Thrawn had not only anticipated it but already found a way to turn the exile to his advantage.
“I am not sure I want to hear this. How in space did you even know what I was going to say?” He said with no little frustration in his voice.
“I didn’t know,” Thrawn replied softly. “I had assumed some form of punishment would await me given my experience with Fleet Command and the Syndicure in the past. Exile was one option, admittedly a very remote one.” He looked away. “Not one I wanted to face, I assure you.”
Thrawn closed his eyes and visibly forced himself to remain calm.
“Be that as it may. The galaxy is so much more than the Chaos, General. There is danger but there are also allies. If you read my report from my recent reconnaissance mission into Lesser Space you will have read about the resolution to their civil war.”
Ba'kif pulled up Thrawn’s report. “Yes, neither party survived and instead there is now a sole ruler? This Emperor?”
Thrawn nodded. “Indeed. If the aliens I spoke with are to be believed, the territory this Emperor rules is vast. Vast and powerful. And they have just come out of an all-consuming war with armed forces to match.”
Ba'kif cocked his head.
“Lesser Space is far away and we have had no formal contact for centuries.They may not even realize we exist.”
“They may not,” Thrawn conceded. “And yet, they may eventually wish to expand. Perhaps this Emperor does not want to relinquish his forces and instead intends to use them. They may also wish to find allies.” His eyes gleamed again.
“So,” Ba'kif slowly nodded. “You offer yourself as contact to this Empire? Should they miraculously find you?”
Thrawn shrugged. “Perhaps not a contact. I can hardly send reports back to the Ascendancy. But as an unofficial observer. Whether the Syndicure wants to accept it or not, there are other powerful entities outside of our sphere of influence. Some may wish us well, some will wish us harm.”
“And the Syndicure would never allow a formal mission into Lesser Space,” Ba'kif agreed. “Whereas you are…”
“Exiled,” Thrawn concluded.
“Yes, and while you could simply remain on a planet, growing old fishing, stargazing and creating rock sculptures it would be far more beneficial for the Ascendancy if you got “rescued” by this Empire. That’s your plan, I take it?”
“More or less,” Thrawn conceded. “It is not much of a plan, yet. I hardly have the resources. Or the ability to attract such rescue. It is a suggestion.”
Ba'kif gave a short laugh. “It is a hook, Senior Captain. A hook with a very tempting bait.”
He stroked his chin in contemplation.
“Your hearing is not for a few days. That will give me time to consider your… suggestion. I may discuss it with one or two trusted allies. If, and at this moment it is a very unlikely if. If we go for it we have to make it watertight.”
Thrawn nodded. “Of course.”
He had looked so self-assured but now he faltered. “I do not want to leave. The Ascendancy is all I have ever known. All any of us ever knows. I would give my life to protect it. To realize I am to become an outcast, that my services are deemed to be no longer necessary is… painful.”
He looked down and again Ba'kif was struck by how young Thrawn still was. He would have had a long career ahead of him had he remained. Ba'kif winced. That made it sound as if Thrawn was gone already. But of course in all ways that mattered he essentially was. The man was still here but his future was not.
“Senior Captain, your services to the Ascendancy will live on irrespective of where you are,” Ba'kif said kindly. “And perhaps, with this crazy idea of yours - yet another one - we can make sure that your exile is indeed temporary.”
Thrawn met his eyes and inclined his head.
“Whatever you decide, I will always serve the Ascendancy, General. Wherever I am.”
“I know, Senior Captain,” Ba'kif said. And meant it.